Tren eGN, ti hC | 7 SAB aN eae January 16, 1878. THE JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE, COTTAGE GARDENER, AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN. A CHRONICLE OF THE HOMESTEAD, POULTRY-YARD, APIARY, & DOVECOTE, CONDUCTED BY GEORGE W. JOHNSON, F.R.H.S., anp ROBERT HOGG, LL.D. THE FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDENS, by Mr. J. Robson, GARDENING CALENDAR, by Mr. William Keane. Gardener to Viscount Holmesdale, M.P., Linton Park; and Mr. J. Douglas, The Gardens, Loxford Hall, Essex. POULTRY-KEEPING, by Mr. J. Baily; E. Hewitt, Esq.; and THE FLOWER GARDEN, by Mr. G. Abbey; Mr. T. Record, Gardener, ee Westy EE Nansers, Maidstone; and Mr. E. Luckhurst, Old Lands, Buxted, PIGEONS, AVIARY BIRDS, &c., by “Wiltshire Rector;” W. A. ussex. Blakston, Esq., and others. STOVE, GREENHOUSE, and WINDOW GARDEN, by Mr. R. Fish, Gardener, Putteridge Bury, near Luton. BEE-KEEPING, by “B.& W.;” and My. 8. Bevan Fox. FLORISTS’ FLOWERS AND FLORICULTURE, by the Rev. H. H. | HOUSEHOLD ARTS, by the Authoress of “My Flowers,” and Dombrain. others. LIBRARY NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN. VOLUME XXIII, NHW SERIBS. VOL. XLYIII., OLD SERIES. LONDON: PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETORS, 171, FLEET STREET. 1872. ~ = ae ate eae a ¥ j 4 . > h £ ' \ e ? 2 : b 2 . eh LP AF RS @ ~ ‘ 7 ‘ a * a: y as P Ped ‘ 4 : + ‘ re is ies aa se . ot oe Ae ; 4 i S83 WE RAR gk sy Soe, : an = z Wise « = t : r 7 “e- i a ae 4 - ‘ a 4 eae et : unk 3. | =e = ] a+ 5 rE i i if t i \ a 7 : $ 2 a yo ’ rae ~ 4 t% 5 . oO 5 ; SY PAYA OS ae i ees ees Sa SP A ] Tr Spiers E47 R) QOH 1 AHO GA ee #3 = ¢ re i t tA% i, Phy i ‘ LONDON: = PRINTED AT THE JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE OFFICE, ha. (bs Fo PEIN S- TATIO TL . ie Wowie. k -™ Loa 5 hy OAD Jaruary 16, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. lit TO OUR READERS. [ScenE.—A room in Fleet Street; two library tables, fireplace between them. On the hearthrug before that fireplace the Sprrir oF THE JouRNAL oF Horticutture, frowning as darkly as that benign Spirit can frown.]| Tue Spirit soliloquises :— ‘«There is no merit in being old, as all my female friends long since concluded. If there were any such merit, then would I inconvenience one who says that he is my senior. I am two centuries and a half of weeks more aged than he. Let that pass, and let the palm be given to the best. « Another year has concluded, another of my volumes is completed; and I ask from all my friends that heart-gladdening praise now before me—‘ You haye been useful to many thousands.” “Let me look to future days. Another year has commenced, and not one of my minis- _tering spirits has been taken from me. The same minds, and hearts, and hands uphold me; but others have come to my sustaining, and each pen and each pencil will, as heretofore, strive to impart genial light without a needless shadow on the leaves of my future days. “Those leaves will be welcomed, as they have been, in each of the earth’s five divisions: for those leaves have for many years gladdened hearts in the islands of Oceania; and re-echoed from Asia, America, and Africa has been this sentence from Australia—‘ We are taught by your pages, we welcome them as old trusty friends ; and my wife leans over me as I read, and half-sobs out, “‘ Doesn't that remind you of our old home?” ’ May those readers—may all readers of my leaves—remain; and I will journey on sustained by their approbation, praying that they may seek for information from those leaves, promising that it shall be obtained from the best authorities, that it shall be imparted kindly, that only the dishonest shall cali forth severity; and I trust, when another year is closed, the same and other friends will again write, ‘You have been useful to thousands,’ for that grateful comment will again sustain and invoke, as it has now, THE Sprrit oF THE JOURNAL OF HoRTICULTURE.”’ eee Eyl 3 mee Sie eth e BAS wreak dad ae Rebate ce i a * ADs eh ox Pees rie wa fers ‘ct gat OCT 15 1916 January 16, 1873. | JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. ABIES OBOVATA, PRUNING, 499 Abutilon Thempsoni, cutting down, 275 Acanthads, winter-blooming, 468 Achimenes, culture, 67 ; insect-infest- ed, 47: shoots browned, 101 Adare Manor, 211, £3], 249 Adiantums, watering, 432 #Echmea culture, 238 7 Agave, americana, 191, 272; untbriv- ing, 40 x Ageratums, potting, 256 _ Agricultural (Royal) Society of Ire- land’s Poultry Show, 139 Air, giving, 498; at night, 370 Air-roots on Heaths, &c., 498 Airdrie Poultry Show, 479 Airedale Poultry Show, 200 Alcohol, its effects on fowls, 52 Aldborough Poultry Show. 158 Alder’s influence on soil. 513 Alexandra Park, horticultural school at, 882; shows, 349 Allerton Poultry Show, 139 Aloes, American, blooming, 82 Allotment gardens, 156 Alpines, 12 : Alternantheras, 256; magnifica, 216; wintering, 216, 314; propagation, 288 Alyssum alpestre, 378 _ Amaranthus salicifolius culture, 101, 197 Amaryllis seed sowing, 157 American blight, 120, 498, 499, 520; preventing, 419 f Ammoniacal solution for plant-dip- ping, 335 Amonum melegueta, 272 Amorphophallus Rivieri, 521 Ampelopsis Veitchii culture, 452 Andalus ans, 70; plumage, 438 Anemone, angulosa, 44; palmata, 404; apennina, 404; baldemsis, 494; ranunculoides, 404; vernalis, 404 Annuals, autumn-sown hardy, 223 Anthuriums in flower, 496 Ants, 157; banishing, 21 he Aphelandra aurantiaca Roezlii, 72 Apples—sowing pips, 238; for Gallo- way, 289 ; pruning, 275, old trees, 476; storing, 275; tree, home of, 464; stocks, 412, 419, raising quickly, 419; crop, American, 521; for South Wales, 431; weights of, 412; Gallo- way Pippin, 272 ; Red Hawthornden, 269; Peasgood’s Nonesuch, 310; Yorkshire Beauty, 290 5 Apricots after Apricots, 370; failures, 470 Aquilegia, cerulea, 93; leptoceras, 130, 154; glandulosa, 109 ; hardiness, 86,79; and red spider, 109 Aralias, 257 aioe 2 Araucaria, excelea, 495; imbricata, 244 Arch, evergreen for, 176 Aretia lubricipeda, 234 Arecas, 511 Artichokes, culture, 118; Jerusalem and Globe, culture, 284 Arum italicum culture, 453 Ashes, 522; wood, as a manure, 358 Asparagus, bed, 868; beds weedy, 157; culture, 100; dressing, 363; forcing, 489 ; planting, 85, 476; shoots, 157 _ Aspidium trifoliatum, 207 Auricula culture, 66 Ayrton, Mr., and Dr. Hooker, 30, 55, 63, 131 BADGER, Mr., RECOGNITION TO, 85 Balantium Culcita, 207, 208 Balcony gardening, 17 Bambusa Thouarsii, poisonous hairs, 496 Bank, planting a conical, 452; shrubs for, 498 Bantams, Black, at Manchester Show, 460; breeding Black Rei Game, 418; cock undubbed, 374; in confined space, 123; producing, 106; prizes for, 188; legs of White, 169; Pile Game, 282; not high flyers, 300; excrescences on legs, 355; scurfy and losing feathers, 88 Barleymeal, allowance for fowls, 299; mixing, 300 Barrhead Poultry Show, 591, 524 Barrow; new form, 327 Basket, plants for hanging, 21 Battersea Perk bedding-out, 267 Bawtry Poultry Show, 158 Beans, preserving Kidney, 142 Bedding-out, 5, 38; in the London parks, 166, 210 Bedding plants, to propagating, 205; wiutering, 275, 340 be given, 292; peat for, 2.7; INDEX. Beech, weeping, 410 i Bees—new adapters, 183; in America, 482; apiarian notes, 1(5, 141; brood in supers, 52; comb broken, 260; in a dilemma, 123; driving, 52; drone eggs Jaid by workers, 221; number of drones in a hive, 28; drones latein autumn, 460; farming in 1872, 529; feeding, 183, 282, 300, 483 ; feeding in autumn, 459; bottle- feeding, 395, 487; feeding and ven- tilating united stocks, 506; flower, 281; foul brood, 69; in collateral hives, 188; in small hives, 106; hives, American, 482, altering, 319, 281, bar and bar frames, 201, 242, 300, 896, altering position of, 184, 528, re- moving into bee house, 488, under roofed stand, 418, Stewarton, 506, 527, straw, 483, upset, 896, Woodbury, 159; hives and honey, 242; and honey at shows, 50, 259, 281, 298, 873, 417, in America, 528, France, 819; honey candying, 487, 488, with pollen, 124, selling price, 1(6; in super, 222. great take of, 885; honey- comb dark, 460 ; house for, 460; stings of humble, 124; ligurianising, 27, 1&3, 259, 800; management, 27, 69; Petti- grew’s apiary and system, 299,319, 838, 874; queens, artificial, 298, ex- pelling from hive, 506, fertile, 300, mates of, 259, two in one hive, 222; robber, 183; season of 1872, 105, 122, 182, 221, in Bucks, 201],in Cheshire, 459, near Derby, 159, in Herts, 299 in Lanarkshire, 409, 483, in Scotland, 895; sending to a distance, 1(6; stock hive with combs partially filled, 438 ; supers full of honey, 184; for straw hives, 160; not leaving supers, 202; not working in supers, 123; taking honey in supers, 123 ; supering, 141; superfluous swarms, 106; swarming persistent. 52, 105; transferring, 201, 222; uniting casts, 184; ventilation, 337; watering, 483; wax, preparation of, 282, price of, 106; wax moth, 53 Beet, culture, 308; red, 264; for deco- ration, 264 Begonia culture, 157 Belgian horticulture, 428 Benthamia fragifera, 423 Berwick and Border Ornithological Show, 502 Beulah, advice from, 73 Birch, insects on, 849; purple-leaved, 252; weeping, 410 Birkenhead Poultry Show, 179 Birmingham, its botany, 11; Poultry Show, 413, 453; Pigeons at, 481; Summer Poultry Show, 25 Blackberry plantation, forming, 452 Blackburn Poultry Show, 103 Blennocampa Cerasi, 520 Blooming plant, what is a? 157 Bluebottle, Corn, for bouquets, 101 Boiler, far from conservatory, 499; heating two houses, 157; size of hot- water, 853 Boilers at the Birmingham Royal Horticultural Show. 55, 80, 92, 112, 135, 148, 187, 194, 217, 246, 288, 359 Bones, for manure, 275, 499 Borders, ribbon, 352; plants for, 352; evergreens for, 853 Boston Poultry Show, 48; Rabbits and Cage Birds at, 69 Botanic (Royal) Society’s Show, 35 Bouquet making, 137 Bouquets, hand, 73 Box trees, trimming, 85 Bradford Celumbarian Society, 297 Brahmas—breeding Light, 295, 374; catarrhed, 438; chicken’s leg weak, 505; cockerel for exhibition, 202; eggs of Light producing Dark chick- ens, 70; exhibition moulting, 70; for exhibition, 893; hen with fallen | comb, 418: a3 layers, 320; in small | space, 896; plumage, 438; pullet erop-bound. 8%; pullets fat, 260; weak-legged, 184; weight, 356; the Dark at Oxford, 392; Dark’s comb, | 202; Dark, 282; Light’s feathers, yellow, 202; Light, 86, 88, 121, 193, 160, at Crystal Palace and Birming- ham, 505 Bramley Poultry Show, 104 Branches, bending down, 308; angular divergence, 309 Brandy from mosses, 235 Brewers’ pains) for fowls, 338} Brighton Horticultural Show, 231 RISES coccinea, 324; muluflora, Brussels Sprouts, 92; culture, 431 ogee bei Poultry Show, 251 “Buds and Blossoms,” 467 Buff Ermine moth, 234 Bulbs, in pots, 523; spring-blooming, 157; planting, 293; treatment, 275 Bulifinch, to teach to pipe. 469 Bullfinches and insects, 45 Bull’s nursery, $26 Burton-on-Trent Poultry Show, 514 Butterfly, rare, 211 CABBAGES, 255; FOR AN EARLY CROP, 21; leaves twisted, 157 Ca'adium esculentum, lium, 79 Caladiums, wintering, 176 Caleeolarias, cuttings, 369, 475; fail- ures, 323; potting, 256; propagation, 487; seed, sowing, 226: sowing for Christmas-flowering, 22; mulching, 40; treatment of herbaceous after flowering, 41 Caledonian Horticultural Society’s Show, 489 Camberwell Beauty moth, 285 Cambridge Poultry Show, 24, 52, 456, 506; corrections, &c., 483 Camellias—for autumn, 514; border, 294; disbudding, 482; culture, 334; for trellis, 475, 499; propagating, 452; notes on, 857; out of doors, 121; scale on, 262; thinning buds, 275; unbealthy, 352 Yen sss Campaoulas, hardy, 302; pyramidalis, 196; Vidalii, 98 Camphor for fowls, 309 Canaries, ailments, 241, 281, 337, 872; breeding high-coloured and dark- crested, 460; diseases, 159; ceasing to sing, 460; indigestion, 241 Cannas, flowering out of doors, 275; in winter, 499 ; wintering, 352 Caparn, Mr., 497 Capsicum, Prince of Wales, 86. carbolig acid as a paint for fruit trees, 4 Carnations, not thriving, 391; points in 1756, 292; seedlings flowering, 177; unhealthy, 197; wintering tree, 121; Souvenir de Malmaison cul- ture, 176 Carron, Stenhousemuir, and Larbert Poultry and Canary Show, 485 Castanea chrysophylla, 253 catalogue mistakes at Oxford and Croydon, 477 Cats, puzzing, 28 Cattleya Harrisonize culture, 391 Cauliflowers, 254; abortive, 83; de- stroying caterpillars on, 22, 276; plants, 293; seedlings, 522; winter- ing. 293; Veitch’s Autumn Giant, 431 Cedar-pencil wood, 499 Celery, blanching, 274; culture, 236, 474; diseased, 289; earthing-up, 254 overgrown, 391 Centaureas, fpropagating, 177, 294; wintering, 390 Centropogon Lucyanus culture, 163 Cerastium tomentosum, 237 Cereus, grandiflorus not flowering, 217 ; MeDonaldi flowerless, 294 Chamonix to Paris, 264 Charade, a gardener’s, 471; poultry- woman’s, 142 Charcoal stove, 335 Charenton River, view on, 78 Charring, 522 Cheltenham Canary Show, 505 Chepstow Poultry Show, 179 Cherry, buds dried, 256 ; leaves, grnb on, 120; tree unfruitful,67 ; Schmidt’s Bigarreau, 169 Cheshire Poultry Show, 277 Chestnuts, mysteriously gone, 359; as food, 410 Chickens, of different breeds in one ponse 484; food for, 28; marking, 7 Children, teach to know plants, 466 Chlidanthus fragrans, to flower, 177 Christmas Rose culture, 421 Chrysanthemum Mawii, 470 Chrysanthemums, culture, 351, 498, 507; in the Temple Gardens, 367; Stoke Newington Show, 388. 889; South Essex Show, 402; liquid ma- nure for, 256; manuring, 276; new miniature, 292; stakes, 335; select, 547; protecting, 238 Cienkowskia Kirkii, 470 Cinchona culture in India, 135 Cinerarias, maritima, cutting down, 352; sowing for Christmas-flower- ing, 22 Clarke’s tubular boiler, 189 nymphefo- Cleckheaton Poultry Show, 105 "3 “ Clematis as a garden flower,” 828 Clematis, and its culture, 275, 423; for exhibition, 882; Jackmanni, 452; diseased, 120; planting, 452, 475 Cleveland Poultry Show, 158 Clianthus Dampieri sickly, 217 Climatic changes, recent, 93 Climbers for house walls, 255 Clovenfords Vineyard, 145 Club-root. 475; in Cabbages, 238 Coccus Vitis, 74 Cochins, cock declining, 506, cock dying suddenly, 800, cock lorivg feathers, 70; mating Buff, $20; dis- eased, 52; weight. 52; legs scaly, 418; points of Buff, 418; satire on, 142; tumours, 160 Cock-crow in Australia, 139 Cock’s influence, 52, 160; continuance of, 160; on progeny, 52; inatten- tive, 88 Cockerels for stock, 356 Coleus Verschaffelti, propagating, 177 Colletia bictonensis, 406 CH GEES and other autumn-flowerers, Colocasia esculenta, nymphefolia, 79 Columbarian (City) Society, 181 colon baran (East London) Societ:> Concrete, walls, 473; nency, 426 Conifers, dimensions of, at Dropmore, 205; at Linton Park, 247, 287; for damp soil, 891 Conservatory, climbers, 289; plants for back wall, 217; management, 292; heating from parlour fire, $14 ; roof, leaky, 353 Cooling’s, Mr., bouquets at Derby, 513 Copings for walls, 109, 375 Cordyline Gouldiana, 440 Cottage flower gardens, 145 Covent Garden Market, 28, 52, 70, £8, 106, 124, 142, 160, 184, 2(2, 222, 249, 260, 282, 300, 520, 338, 356, 374, £96, 418, 488, 460, 484, 6(6, 528; history, 426, 444; new flower market, 252 Cow Parsnip, 61 Cows, Ayrsbire and Shetland, 124 Cranston’s greenhonses, 146 Créve-Cceurs, face swo)len, 282; price of, 124 Crocuses, flowers after, 120 Crops for compensation, 263 Cross-breeding consequences, 142, Croydon Poultry Show, 296, 316, 354 Crystal Palace, exhibition of game and sporting apparatus, 51; Rose Show, 57; Horticultural Show, 189; Poultry Show, 257, 276, 295, 414, 482, 484; £5 selling classes, 505; Pigeons a 423, 488, 459; Rabbit Show, 855, LO Cucumbers—failing, 482; for house, 197; plant spaces, 452; plants from cuttings, 528 ; seed saving. 47; seeds, perfecting, 47; in winter, 334; winter culture, 897; Long Gun, 170; Mar- quis of Lorne, 39, 75 Cumberland Poultry Show, 527 Cups for points, 318 Currants, Lee’s Prolific Black, 377; tree shoots pithless, 431; Sphinx, 431; pruning, 432; transplanting, 324 Cutbush’s Nursery, 366 Cuttings, late, 293; wintering, 195, 267, in boxes, 176 Cyathea elegans, 207. 208 _ Cyperus alternifolius variegatus, pro- pagating, 491 _ Cypress, historical, near Mexico, 292; wood gates of Constantinople, 332 work perma- DAHLIAS, SELECT, 275; STORING. 226; Colibi for bedding,358; Dodd’s Mary, 343 Dalechampia Roezlianarosea cultwe, 164 Dangstein, 515 Dariington Canary Show, 416; Poultry Show, 24 Dealers and shows, 371, 392, 4138 Delphiniums, 302 Dendrobium, notes on, 403, 463, 514 Derby Ornithological Society’s Show, 487 Desfontainea spinosa, 432 Devizes Pigeon Cup, 318 Dew of our gardens, 170 Dianthus alpinus, neglectus, 71 Dick Radclyffe & Co’s seed ground, 287 Dieffenbachia Bausei, description and - culture, 97 e Digging and trenching, cost of, 370 vi JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. { January 16, 1873. Diplopappus chrysophyila, 410 Dirt, utility of, 4.8 Disa grandiflora culture, 340 __ Disease, can plants communicate ? 245 5 Dodecatheon Jeffreyi culture, 314 Dorkings, 438; breast and tail, 366; Cuckoo’s plumage, 866; exhibiting, 484; cock wounded, 484; judging Silver-Grey, 524; Grey, 202; plum- age, 202; characteristics of Silver- Grey, 222; mating, 106; Dark Grey becoming lighter, 106; Red, 320; Dark, exhibiting, 356; sneezing, 70 Drabas, 378 Dragon Tree. a new, 439 Drainage, £98; of land, 515 Drawing fcr g irdeners, 359 Drawing-room fire, heating from, 120 Dropmore pinetum, 205 Dry rot, 202 Dubbing, age for, 142 _ Dublin (Royal) Society’s Show, 501 iS ‘3 Ducklings, dying, 106; wings twisted, 2 Poultry 269 Ducks, East Indian, extra prize for, 456; Rouen and Aylesbury crossed, 506; legs paralysed, 106; without water, 184; convulsed, 124; young dying, 124; rearing, 417; weight for exhibition, 418; without water, 202; Musk, 222; Aylesbury, bills spot- ted, 260; Rouen, 282, 355, markings, 202; washing for exhibition, 88; ap- parently paralysed, 85 Dundee Poultry Show, 526 iN Durham, crops near, 332; Pigeon Show, 5°3 EarwiGs oN FERNS, 239 Ebury Square, 82 Fcclesfield Poultry Show, 277. c Echeverias, 256; glauca, wintering, 176; propagation, 238 Edging plants, purple, bronze, and golden, 101 f Edinburgh, Cat and Rabbit Show, 48 ; Christmas Club Poultry Show, 503 Egg-eating pullet, 282 é Egg-layers, experiments with, 478 Eggs, hatching in a greenhouse, 484 ; increase of, 198; keeping, 123; pro- ducers of, 320; in confined space, 320; for London, 356; production, 198, 277; retention, 299; sending abroad, 299; broken in carriage, 299 ; imported, 836; not hatched, 88 Elder cuttings and rabbits, 255 Bim; bleeding, 188: tree, Washington's, Emigrating gardener, 475 England, its variable climate, 78 Entomological Society’s Meeting, 81, 408, 471 Entomology, economic, prizes for, 98 Episema ceruleocephala, 44 Eranthemumas, 463 Erfurt seed-growers, 125, 185 Eridge Castle, 25) Eritrichum nanum, 324 Eucalyptus, globulus, 272; seed, sow- ing, 101 Euonymus europeus culture. 476 Euphorbia jacquinieflora cultnre, 94 Evyergreens, transplanting, 275 ; select for borders, 853 ‘Everlastings, gathering, 133 Exhibiting a hen and pullet, white fowls, 356 Exhibitor questioning judge, 413 Eyelids of chickens swollen, 184 355: FADYENIA PROLIFERA, 207, 208 Fairy rings on lawn, 121 Falkirk Poultry Show, 434 Fantails’ crowns, 48+ Farm poultry, 257 Parnworth Poultry Show, 199 Feathet-eating. 289; poultry, 276, $38 ‘Fence, painting boarded, 352 iFernery, climber for, 295 ; construct- ing, 391: Mr. Smee’s, 62; site for, 120; in window, 453 Ferns, cutting down, 452; charcoal for, 432; packing for importation, 187 ; raising from spores, 68 ; notes upon, 205; fructification of, 206; select exotic, 256; Silver, 197 : Y Wigs, culture, 71; in pots, 29; mildew- ing, 101; trees, Sussex standard, 269, tree pruning, 29}, trees casting, Fruit. 352 Filberts, planticg, 288 Filbert catkins, 476 | x Florists’ flowers, treatises on, 367 Flower gardening, 145 y Flowers—beds, 119, 815, regulating, " 419, beds, shrubs for centres, 315; ots, washing, 383; cut, 47, 498; ardy plants, sc., for furnishing, 47; Jight-emitting, 425; on New York Stock Exchange, 91; supporting in open beds, 187 ; French love of, 249 Forcing, house, covering, 814; pit mee Nursery, 383 ‘Ors; 3 Nursery, 36 OE eee lice on, 222; fight- ing,marking, feeding 484; stock of, 506; for profit and as a means of subsistence, 22; purple lumps on, 7 Fowrs—Continued. 28; dying, 70; for confined space, 70, 88, 820, 388; and rats, 88; which breed is best? 47, 86; effect of alcoholic liquors on, 51; tares as food for, 355; white for exhibition, 356; food for. 356; poisoned by Lavender, 101; March pullets laying, 106; exhibiting hen in two classes, 1(6; feather-eating, 106; expense and produce of, 188; removing gas tar from plumage, 418; feeding, 418 ; water for, 418; for profit, 438 ; dying, 488; liver disease, 488; crooked- breasted, 458 Frames, protectors of cold, 385, 444 France, notes made in, 33L Freezing. water prevent'ng. 359 Eros Mr. P., 205 ; testimonial to, 332, 49) Frosts, early, 304 Fruit—crops, 155, 227; not grown by exhibitor, 443; room, 370; Show, Great International, 210; weighing, 834; crops, 12; garden, value of an acre, 40; preserving, 319; trees, cropping between, 120, for west wall, 255, depressing branches, 308, plant- ing, 3138, pruning and mulching, 314, pruning, 331, cause of canker, 12, house for growing along with plants, 17, management of orchard house, 53, happiness. 53, out-door culture, §6, lichen on, 452, paint for, 412 Fruiterers’ Company, 95 Fuchsias, culture, 39; flower, large, 828; pruning, 334; thrips on, 238; Sunray, 426 Fuel consumption, 453 Funkias and‘culture, 358 Furze, cutting down, 432 GarNsBoRovGH Pouttry SHew, 103 Galeopsis Tetrahit, 133 Galvanised wire for fruit trees, 519; for training, 370, 468 Game, and Malay, crossing, 5°6; showing, 484; Bantams’ spurs, 70; fowls for table, 124, chickens over- stimulated, 142, promoting con- dition, 320; Duckwinged, 338; breed- ing Black Red. £56; rearing, 260 ss Garden; My,” its plan, &e., 40, 62, 82, Gardener, Royal, at Frogmore, 135 Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institu- tion anniversary, 3 Gardeners, and their apprentices, 405; assistant, notice to, 453 ; emigrating, 499; hours of labour, $4; self-im- provement, 512; who have children, a plea for, 214, 244, 285, 302 ; improve- ment of young, 239 Gardening, this year’s, 521, 344, 883, 405, 421; jottsngs of 1872, 488 Gardens, open, 82 Garston Vineyard, 134 Gas, lime, applying, 294; slove, 498 Gaultheria fragrantissima, 168 Geese, distinguishing sex, 428 Gems, hardy, 302, 323, 877,494 ; Geraniums — bedding, 205; forming large, 313 ; succession of, 328 ; winter- ing, 334; notes on, 339; standard, 841; winter-flowering, 464; potting, 869; old v. young plants for cut blooms, 412; insects, 418; leaves caterpillar-eaten, 217, spots on, 421; forming standard, 432; select, 191; prizes for, 205; several in one pot, 217; sowing, 21; variegated, 73, 110: at Chilwell Nurseries, 152; What is a Bicolor? 255; Tricolor and Bicolor, 277 Gesneras not flowering, 353 __ Ghent International Horticultural Show, 272 Gladiolus, culture, 243, 301, 324, 444, 450; corm on bulbs, 493; disease, 399, 440; at Kensington, 149; plant- ing, 156; and Potato disease, 422; lists, 324; John Standirh, 169 Glasgow International Show, 194 Horticultural Society’s flower in June, C G'azed garden structures, 465 Glazing, double, 283, 327 rf Gloriosa superba, sowing, 352 Gloxinias, 359; culture, 272; flowering, 177 Godwinia gigas, 465 Gold fish, 160 Goniopteris crenata, 206 Goose eggs, hatching, 260 Gooseberries, bush pruning, £58, 432, 498; caterpillar, 67; select, 177; sparrows and buds, 432; transplant- ing, 384 4 : Grafting, cutting and root, 285; fork and splice, 226; notch, 95; single and double cleft, 34 x Grapes—abortive, 176; not colonimg, 275; at Diumlanrig, 284; late-keep- ing, 294; late-hanging. 838; shri- velled, 120, 352; rusted, 193 ; in green- house vineries, 216; packing, 121; withering, 216; brown spotted, 256; after scalded, 67, 157; changing colour, 67, 157; shanking, 85; Black with Museats, 498; Golden Champion GrapEes—Continued spotted, 275; Duke of Buccleuch keeping, 450;, Waltham Cross, 304, 470; White Frontignan cracking, 120. See VINES, Grass in poultry run, 432 Grasses, ornamental, 29, 128, 256; growing and gathering, 29; gather- ing, 138 Grave, sbrubs for, 452 Gravel, weight of yard, 432 Greenhouse, arrangement.238; aspect, 67; flowers for August, 196; heating small, 214; plants, culture of, 37; removing, 834; use of sma!l, 469; stove for, 412; ventilation, 335 Grubs, and slugs, destroying, 276; in garden, 475 Guinea fowls’ cry, 506 Guinea pigs Vv. rats, 27 Gymnogram ms chrysophylla culture, HADRO TEASING ELEGANS FRUITING: Halifax Poultry Show, 198 Haltica nemorum, 164 Hamburghs, Golden-spangled, points of, 418; Black, flesh of, 438 ; points of Silver-spangled, 506 Hand-lights, Gilbervs, 73 Hants and Berks Agricultural So- ciety’s Poultry Show, 23; Suttons’ stand, 35 Hardy gems, 71, 93 Hares barking trees, 453 ie lows boiler and pipe junctions, 188 Hartlepool Poultry Show, 458, 478 Haslingden Pouitry Show, §6 Hay manure, 391 Heather, transplanting, 498 Heating, conservatory, &c., 197; by hot air, 75,271; two houses indepen- dently, 353; by water and air, 110, 167, 214, 248 ; by steam, 47; by stoves, 214; a chambered border, 217; glazed verandah, 217; warning in,465 Heliotrope cuttings, compost, 197 Helleborus niger culture, 421 Hens, dying, 142; with enlarged crop, 7); spurred, 356 Herbaceous plants’ raised from seed, 412; twenty hardy, 256 Herts (West) Poultry Show, 504 Hetton Poultry Show, 158 Highland Society’s Show, 132 - Hindlip Hall, 447 Holland House, 150 Holly hedges, cutting, 177 Hollyhocks, select, 314 Honey, taking, 182 Honeysuckle, Japan, fruiting, 508; pruning, 370 Hooker, Dr., and Mr. Ayrton, 30, 55, 63; conciliation, 235 frorticultural auction and subscrip- tion rooms, 35 Horticultural houses, use of, 334 Horticultural (Royal) Society—Bir- mingham Show, 8, boilers at, 55,80, 92, 112, 135, 148, 187, 194, 217, 246, 288, 359, congress at, 11, 31, 59,77, garden structures and implements at, 42, 80, 145, dinner at, 14; recognition to Mr. Badger, $5; results of, 407. 442; country Show at Bath, 312, 367, 407; Committee Meetings and Shows, 2, 8, 10, 56, 111, 149, 191, 227, 266, 362, 363, 442; in 1873, 349; entomological col- lections, prizes for, 98; Fruit Com- mittee decisions, 513 Horticulture popularised, 225 Hothfield Place, 467 Hot-water, cistern, 523, overflowing, 370; pipes injuring plants, 157; for early forcing, 177; pipes, painting, 352. level of flow and return, 412 Houdans, 488; for laying, 124; Jame, 124: legs, 202 Hyacinths, bulbs displanted, 452; cul- ture, 89; in glasses, roots destroyed, 412; late flowering, in glasses, 314; manure for, 499; seed sowing, 21; select varieties, 90, 197, 253; for pots, 239 Hyde Poultry Show, 501, 525 Hydrangea exposed, 432 Hymenodium erinitum, 296 HESEE GIBRALTARICA, 93; JUCUNDA, Ice-house, roof, 294; first in England, 30 8 Ice Plant, 422; 466 Indianrubber plant, 528 Insect destroyer, Clarke’s, 877 Insects, predatory of gardens, 43, 74, 92, 164, 284, 264, 850, 519: useful and noxious, 812: exhibition of, $12; shaped for flowers, 342 Tonopsidium acaule culture, 466 Ipswich Poultry Show, 18), 356 Treland, notes in season, 290 Tresine Lindeni, propagating, 177 Tris iberica, 93 Trises for public parks, 292 Ismene calathinum, culture, 227; not flowering, 217 culture, 101; seedlings, temperature, 432;. Ivery. Mr. J., 110 Ivy, borders, 84, 101; for church wal’s, 276; cutting, 22, 217; on fruit trees, 431; striking, 22 Ixoras, Prince of Orange, Williamsii, 213; culture, 213 JAPANESE AMBASSADORS AT MESSRS. SurTons’, 450 Jasmines, pruning, 370, 476 Jerusalem Artichoke flowers, 432 Johnstone Poultry Show, 416 Joiuts of hot-water pipes, 157 Judge's mistake,correcting, 484 Judging judges, 124 June-flowering plants at Glasnevin, 76 Jungle Fowl, 160 Kabra CULTURE, 476 Kalosanthes after flowering, 176 Keighley Poultry Show, 199 Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens, 55, 63 stove plants flowering, 408 Kiéney Bean flowers falling, 157; on Christmas-day, 157 | Kilmarnock Poultry Show, 436, 478 Kitchen boiler, heating from, 37) Koh! Rabi, 92 LacHENALIA TRICOLOR, 272 Laird, Mr. W. P_,194 Lanarkshire, season in, 409 Lapageria, culture in pots, 308; in cold conservatory, 835; rosea in Scotland, 262; planting, 275; and splendens culture, 340; rosea pot- ting, 475, soil, 391 Lark declining, 460 eis macrantha, 120; ‘culture, Laurel, bank, 256; cutting striking, 101; hedges, cutting, 177; leaves fumigation, 325; pruning, 256 Lavender poisonous to fowls, 101 Lawn, grass failing, 314; manage- ment, 137; parching, 256; plantain on, $14; sand, 39, 176; v. kitchen garden, 66; weedy, 476 Leaves, skeletonising, 2€8, 374 Leeds Park, 272 Leeds Poultry Show, 500 Leeks, 82 Leghorus, Brown, $16 Leucostegia immersa, 266 Lewes Poultry Show, 525 Libonia floribunda, 452 ee destroying, 28; on fowls, 222, Lightning, precautions against, 100 Lilies, greenhouse, 67; Guernsey and Belladonna after flowering, 334, 353 Japan, 176 Lilium, auratum in August, 452 croceum culture, 453; lancifolium bulbs, planting, 499; auratum, 101; compost for, 412; culture, 127, 145, 148; soil for, 101; not healthy, 137, after flowering, 138; speciosum after flowering, 177, not flowe-ing, 216; auratum, seed sowing, 413; gigan- teum culture, 391; Washingtonia, 426 Lily of the Valley, forcing, 352 Limestone walls fruit trees, S+ Liming heavy soil, 101 Linaria maroceana, 168 Linneus’ centenary, 312 a auriflua, 44; chrysorrhea, 2 Lisianthus princeps and culture, 107 Liskeard Poultry Show, 104 Litanthus pusillus, 470 Li‘hospermum Gastoni, 323 Liver disease in fowls, 249 Liverpool flora, 285 Livistonia altissima, 525 Loam, storing turfy, 408 Lobelias, wintering, 334; not flower- ing, 335 Locusts for curry, 470 London, laying-fowls for, 356 Long Sutton Poultry Show, 220, $17 Luton Hoo, 810 Luton Poultry Show, 121 Lychnis Lagaser, 325 Lytham Hall, 383, 406. MACKENZIE, Mr. J., 408 Madnip, 61 Magnolia grandiflora pruning, $14 Maidstone Poultry Show, 485 Maize culture, 334 Malays for exhibition, $56 Malmesbury Show, 218, 250 Mamestss persicarie, brassice, &e, «bo - B Manchester International &e., Shew, 312 Mandeyilla, in co'd conservatory, $35 9 Flower, in winter, 2: Manure, insects in, 891 Manx men, among, 53, 95, 168 Maranta Seemanni, 291 Market gardening, 176, 177 Market Harborough Poultry Show, 200 Markets, 70, 88, 106, 124, 142, 160, 20 2, 2£0, 282, 300, 320, 333, 874, 895, 418. 488, 460, 484, 506, 528 Masdevallia Lindeni, 272 January 16, 1873. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. vii Mats for frames, 444 Maze, plans of, 352 Mead, 142 Mealy bug, destroying, 239 Melons, cracking, 239, 256; on dead plants, 275; house for, 523; keeping, 177; signs of ripening, 101; not ripening, 256; not setting, 85: with scarlet and green-fleshed fruit, 217; Empress Eugénie, 465 Mesembryanthemum propagation, 238 Metropolitan Floral Show, 135, 150 Mezereon, and the poets, 39 Mice, destroying bulbs, 431; pests, 124 Midalesborough Ornithological Show, 854 Middleton Poultry Show, 257 Mignonette, liquid manure for, 256 Missionary work, new, 95 Monanthes muralis, 272 Monochztum ensiferum culture, 22 Myrtle cuttings, compost, 197 Muntingia Calabura, 163 Mushroom, bed failing. 85; culture, 431, 447, 474, 491; in the north, 367; house management, 868; ina cellar, 370; power, 289 NARCISSUS FOR POTS, 288 National Peristeronic Show, 527 Neath Poultry Show, 122 Neatness, 175 Nectarines, early, 432; for a cool house, 335 Neottopteris nidus, 207, 208 Nepeta salvieflora culture, 294 Nerine corusca not flowering, 177 Nerium Oleander culture, 237 Nertera depressa, 378 Nettles, eradicating, 217 Neweastle-on-Tyne Park, 272 Newcastle-on-Tyne Poultry Show, 393 New York Poultry Society’s prize essay, 50 Norfolk Istand Pine, 495 North British Columbarian Show, 527 Northampton Poultry Show, 259; Bird Show, 837 ? Northern Counties Pigeon Show, 435 Norton Poultry Show, 122 Norwich Poultry Show, 499, 524 Notes of a wanderer, 90, 169, 264 Notice to quit tenancy, 176 Nunnery, The, 96 Nut, Ground or Earth, 197 Nuts, exporting, 177 OaxHam Pocirry Snow, 457 Oaks, leaf spangles, 869; size for planting, 352 Oats, ground, $20 r Odontoglossum (crispum) Bluntii cul- ture, 1; pardinum, 47) Odours, producing vegetable, 51 Oleander losing its leaves. $52 Oncidium, macranthum, 90; sarcodes, 7 Onions, 82; large. 186, 226: maggot, 314; to promote bulbing, 20; for au- sowing, 67 Oolitic limestone and Tulips, 12) Opium culture, $4 Orange, orchard at Parramatta, 471; tree bark split, 101 Oranges and Lemons imported, 382 Orchard house, 285; in 1872, 261; borders, 67; Apples, 245; construct- ing, 370; and greenhouse, 453; ma- nagement, 20, 54,101, 137, 390; stove for, 391; trees fur, 391; uses, 3693; watering, 157 Orchard trees, 390 Orchids, sales, 76, 262, 344, 377, of Rey. W. Eliis’s, 98 Ormskirk Poultry Show, 13S Ceniatl thus ilicifolius, hardiness of, Oswestry Poultry Show, 278 Oundle Poultry Show, 68 Over and Winsford Poultry Show, 526 Onge Poultry and Pigeon Show, 371, PACKING PLANTS FOR EXPORTATION, 52 Paint, preventing its smell, 28 Palafoxia Hookeriana, 404 Palms for greenhouse, 432 Pampas Grass, manure for, 276 Paneratium illyricum not growin g, 217 Paraquets, nests for Australian Grass, Parentage, its relative influence in flowering plants, 32 Parham’s glass walls, 147 ae feather-eating, 221; unwell, Parsons, Mr. G., 1947 Passifloras for greenhouse, 335 Paullinia thalictrifolia, 385 Pavements, wooden, 135 Peaches—buds falling, 85; for a cool climate, 261; effect of coping-boards in protecting, 1; for early forcing, 339; earwig-eaten, 196; gumming, 176; house heating, 352; manage- ment of orchard house, 101; pro- tecting, 591: pruning, 334, early, 432; red-spidered, 294; scale on PEAcHES—Continued. trees, !352; on south wall, 294; on walls or trellis, 274; wiring wall for, 314; for a wall out-doors, 352; Flat China, 890; Early Gresse Mig- nonne, &e., 192; the Salway, 225, 263 Pears—black-rusted, $13; bush not succeeding, 276; cracked and de- formed, 138; cracked and scabby, 370; gathering, 176; leaves black, 294; over-luxuriant, 314; in Jersey, 382; prize, 332; pruning, 197; for pyramids, &c., 176; on north wall, not ripening, $14; for south wall, 217, 475; sowing pips, 288; stocks for, 412; storing, 275; tree training, 452, thrice blooming, 496, unfruitful, 239; for west wall, 335; weights of, 412; Chaumontel not succeeding, 476; Knight’s Monarch not ripening, 476: Winter Nelis and Joséphine de Malines, 498 Peas—for August sowing, 101; com- plete list of, 450: two crops in same rows, 383: earliest and Jargest, 364; failing, 256: gathering, 20; latest on garden, 378, 400; roots, warts on, reno Dr. Hogg, 55, 82; Emerald Gem, Peckham Pigeon Show, 481 Pelargoniums — best bedding, 176; compost, 256; double, 227; double white, 272; for exhibiting, 109; leaves spotted, 22; old plants versus cuttings, 176 ; treatment after flower- ing, 49; repotting, 308; Jewel, 227; oblongatum, 470; Tricolor, 294; prizes for Zonal, 312; propagating Zonal, 245 Perennials, select hardy, 196 Peristeronic (National) ‘Show, 437 Peristeria elata, 291 Peritymbia Vitisana, 74, 271 Petunias, sowing, 21 Phajus grandifolius retarding, 476 Phlox and its culture, 161 Phormium tenax, 235 Phylloxera vastatrix, 74, 253, 271; Government papers on, 491, 518 Piecework, 136 : Pigeons—for exhibition, 894; laying soft eggs, 124; tarring house, 124; in poultry house, 160; water for, 102, 260; foster parents, 280; cup for points, 295, 837, 854; classes at the Crystal Palace, 297; wasting away, 800; linseed cake, 338; sick, 70; young dying, 70; at Birmingham umimer Show, 49; exhibiting one broken-legged, 52; tumbling, 87; a fancier’s second visit to Birming- ham, 481; at Birmingham, 506 ; food for common, 506; feeding, 528; feather rot, 528; Archangels’ eyes, 538; Barbs plumage, 7): Carriers sore-eyed, 282; Dragoons’ bars of silver, 27, 50; Fantails, 484, manag- ing, 260; Jacobins at Shows, 282; points of Blue and Black Pouters, 460; Pouters at Birmingham Sum- mer Show, 88; Rock, 484; Trum- peters, 282, Black Mott‘ed, 282'5 Scotch and Air Tumblers, 26, 220, 279; Tumblers not tumbling, 140, 181; ground colour and markings of Almond Tumblers, 418; Almond ‘Tumblers’ wing dizease, 438 Pinching Peach shoots, 118 ; and fore- Shortening fruit-tree shoots, 156 Pine Apples, large-crowned, 275, 859, 399; for succession, 314 Pink Points in 1756, 292 Pipes, painted smelling, 452; venti- lating and vaporising, 309 Pitfour, 115, 132 : Pit. constructing, 432; economically dividing, 267; heating, 157; por- table, 81; for wintering cuttings, 21 Plane, Oriental, 291, 292; Western, 108 Plantains, on lawn, 342; on lawn, de- stroying, 377 Planting and transplanting, 411 lantin monotony, 493 Plants, influence of parentage in flow- ering, 11; and fruitin one house, 17; hardy, 71; for winter flowerir g; 72 Platanus occidentalis, 108 Platycerium alcicorne, 206, 207 Plums, leaves eaten, 289; for east wall, 217; Muscle, for stocks, 177: pruning, 334; removing old tree, 432 Pocklington Honing Shows 220 omsettia, culture, 85; puleherrim culture, 224 pareve ty Y Poles, 14 Polyanthus culture, 63 polvedis Dalmaisiana after flowering, ‘ Society’s Pomegranate culture, 412 Poplars, Leyton, 6 Potatoes—at Bedfont and elsewhere, 154, 155; changing, 499; culture and management, 376; disease, 305, 306, 321, 324, 3414; diseased, 218, 244, 491, and undiseased, 249, 286, 305, 332, 348 ; experiences, 493; in Holland, 2715 imported, 307, 332; in Lincolnshire, 263; for market gardens, 46; plant- ing early and late, 462; planting in autumn, 468; planting early, 523; Potators—Continued. Productive, 498; slug-eaten, Storing, 21; tan v. disease, 470; early well-flavoured, 342; Suttons’ Racc-horse, 120 Pots, moss-surfacing, 275 Potting soil, 157 Poultry, experience purchased, 217; yard defects, 202; keeping, 250, 484; injured by railway officials, 121; unsuccessful, 484; feeding, 52, 484; shows, notes at great, 476; run, shrubs for, 499 ; life, miseries of, 354; packing and unpacking at shows, 413; value of fancy, 27; manure, its value, 51; shows, forthcoming, 68; show management, $15 imulas, japonica, from seed, 496, Seeds germinating, 176, sowing, 84; sinensis fimbriata in spring, 294; sowing for Christmas flowering, 22 Pruning, fruit trees, 369; utility of, 845, 887 Pteris tricolor culture, 452 Pullets, breathing defective, 360; early-breeding, 222; precocious, 396 a t | Ponnet, 476 dish of, 432: mildewed, 85; report | Pyrus japonica pruning, 432 RaBBITS—ANDALUSIAN, EYE DISCHARG- ING, 222; at Crystal Palace Show, 355 ; water for, 124; young, dying, $8 Radishes, numerous kinds, 272 ilway companies, liability of, 102 Rainfall, 450, 521 Ramsay, Mr., 82 Ramsey Poultry Show, 240 RESTLESS culture, 432; Turban, 86 Rape. summer and winter, 216 Raspberry, canes, shortening, 476; culture, 196, 898, 402; autumn not ripening. 391 Rats, in Vine borders, 74, 113; as robbers of hen-roosts, 88; trap, 110 Red-leading seeds, 187 Refuse, heaps for manure, 451 Reigate Agricultural Society’s Poultry Show, 501 ‘ Renfrew Leek and Onion Show. 841 Rhubarb, forcing, 68, 523; gathering late, 67; propagation, 46 Richardson’s glass houses, 147 Robinias, evergreen, 271 Rochdale Poultry Show, 178 Rockery, the, 204, 252, 883; plants for, 348 Rockwork shaded, plants for, 490 ee Root Shows, Sutton’s,424; Carter’s,425 “Rose Garden,” 889 Roses—more about, 358; for autumn show, 370; bed making, 391; for beds, 370; at Birmingham, 10; bud- ding, 22; buds withering, 21; bush, 100; Briars for stecks, 21; colour classification, 440, 466; admitting into conservatory, 499; cut ings, striking, 46, 100, 188, 177; election of, P44, 461, 485, 508; exhibiting, 120; green, 132, 214,255; forming garden of, 420. 422: iron supports for, 217; leaves cut in circles, 235; at Ken- sington, 10; leaves injured, mil- dewed, and scorched, 21, 120, 157; manuring, 335, liquid-manuring, 224; to flower in May, 85; merits of, 16; merits of new, 181: black mildew on, 177; new, 391: notes on 80, 91, 162, 225, 283, 304, 899; orange fungus on, 110. 120, 130; in pots, 85, 208, 294; potting, 391; protecting, 453; prun- ing, 391, pruning for forcing, 499. red-spidered, §5; removing, 217; * season of 1872, 91; for sandy soil, 67; select, 47, 100, $14, 352; Shorten: ing shoots, 100; stopping shoots, 217; for S.W. and S. walls, 412; stocks, Manetti. 452, budding, 67, strong, 476: Manetti-stocked mil- dewed, 85, for sandy soil, 47; dis- tances of standard. 197, duration of standard, 210, 404; Tea election, 129; What are Tea-scented ? 39; trans. 84, 334; tying down to a hoop, 21; Forestier, 413; Gloire de Dijon, 227, 513; Madame de Sombreuil, 235; Maréchal Perle de Lyon, 272; Persian, 512 Rouen drake, lame, 484 Sanaps, 474; on VEGETABLES? 85 St. Leonards, mildness 89 Salvia taraxacifolia, 272 Sandhurst (Hawkhurst), wild flowers in April and May, 42 Sandy soil, manure for, 238 Sarracenia culture, 238 Saw-flies on the Birch. 349 Saxifraga Stracheyi, 71 Scale insects, 74; destroying, 309 Scarborough Bird Show, 279, 280, 294, So} Scarlet Runners, staking, 20 Schizostylis coccinea, 404 Scilla precox culture, 370 Scolymus bispanicus, 349 Show, 43, 69 263; | Scott, the poet of Amwell, and the Mezereon, 39 Screen of Conifers, 385 Searle, forcing, 853, 404, 528; stringy, 4 Secretaries, to all negligent, 370, $92 Sedgefield Pigeon Show, 24) Sedum acre, killing, 137 Seedsmen’s assistants, 343 Selling price, mistake in, 102 Sempervivum californicum hardy, 76, 197 Sensation in plants, 165 Sewage, house, 20 Shading, 30 Show, returning fowls from, 335 Shrubs, for bedding, 410; for anisland, 21; spring-flowering, 353 Shrubberies, hints on their formation and arrangement, 77 Shugborough Hall, 172 Sieve measures, 334 Silene, virginica, 302: Elizabeth, 71 Silkies, 820; skin, 124 Silkworms, 160 3 disease, 483; prevent- ing, 455; keeping, 484 i Sisyrinchinm grandiflorum and multi- florum, 93 Slugs, destroying, 217,335, 358. 475 Smoking at Ipswich Flower Show, 42 Snaith Agricultural Society's Poultry Show, 49 Sneezing in poultry, 800 Society of Arts’ examinations, 332 Soils, dressing and ridging heavy, 217: storing, 464 Solanum Capsicas'rum berries po‘son- ous? 805: culture, 348, 399; Wars- cewiczii, 62 Sophora, weeping, 410 Spalding Poultry Show, 1 2 Spanish, fowls, exhibiting, $20 ; cock’s comb shrivelled,356 ; losing feathers, 260; pullet precocious, 160 Spanish Oyster Plant, 349 Sparaxis pulcherrima, 93. 129 Sparmannia africana culture, 256 Sphinx ocellatus, 44 Spider, red, plants infested, on Roses. destroying, 85 Spigelia splendens culture, 130 Spirza palmata, 878 Stanningley Poultry Show, 180 Sepeuas) their culture and peculiari- ties, Stephanotis floribunda, 275: winter- ing, 275: shoots pruning, 370 Stock of fowls, 282 Stocks, East Lothian, 314 Stocks preventing disease, 4: 9, 426 Stoneleigh Abbey, 347, 365 Stopping fruit tree shoots, 196 Stove, plant. bottom-heating, 22 2 Stoves, heating by, 21, 276; for heating greenhouses, &c , 214, 335, 523; slow combustion, 453 F Strawberries — adaptatior, 508; cnl- ture, 493; election of, 263, 312, 397. 441; Lanarkshire, 409; merits and culture, 204, 805; on a heavy soil, 204; on a light soil. 108. 144, 162; planting. 67, 870 ; in 1872, 54; ranners from unfruitful plants, 22; storing, 489 ; this year’s crop, 91 Succulents for preenhouse, 476 Sugar in vegetables, 129 Sulphozone, a substitute for sulphur, 31 Sulphur en hot-wa‘er pipes, 196 s Summer, effects of last, 272; house in the Bois de Vincennes, 37 Sunflower culture, 235 Swan become blini, 123 Sweet Briar, propagating, 84 Sweet Williams, double, S4_ Swiss fruit trade, 332 Tacsonta, tN coup CONSERVATORY, 335; Van-Volxemi planting, 275, 352 5 in winter, 239 Tagua nuts, 470 Tan, uses of, 385 Taunton Deane Flower Show, 131 pecomay jasminoides not flowering, Thames embankment trees, 35 Thinning-out shrubs, 342” Thistle, Scotch, a friend, 21 andsia culture, 334 Thorne Poultry Show, 24 Todea Wilkesiana, 81 Todmorden Poultry Show, 219 Tomato sweetbreads, 242 Zone and Dudley Hill Poultry Show, Toxicephlea spectabilis, 511 Transplanting sbrobs, 119 Treculia africana, 169 Tredegar Poultry Show, 525 Trees, form in garden, park, and plea- sure ground scenery, 12, 59: over- hanging a kitchen garden, 22; moy- ing large, $28, 411; the world’s loftiest, 367; tenant removing, 369; Weeping, 410 Trenching and double-digging, 432 Tricyrtis hirta after flowering, 370 Trochilum tipuliforme, 431 | yt Scottish Metropolitan Cat and Rabbit | Bee panes cnltaze hor BEERS Tuberoges not flowering, 35, 352 viii JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. Tulips for pot-culture, 233; select early, 239 Tunbridge Wells Poultry Show, 318 ‘Turf-edger, Townsend’s, 168 Turkeys, benumb = : Implement Department, abou 109 £5226 LitiuM avratum.—Only three exhibitors came forward in the class for four pots. Mr. Turner took the first place with three of the ordinary variety, and one of the orange-and-purple banded kind. Messrs. Rollisson,iof Tooting, were second. The best specimen pot was shown by Mr. French. Criematis.—The best six came from Mr. W. Cutbush, Barnet, and consisted of neatly-trained, well-bloomed plants of Rubro- violacea, Magnifica, and Jackmanni. CoLEus.—Varieties of Coleus were not numerously shown, but were wellgrown. The first’prize went to Mr. T. Smith, Lydney Park, for golden varieties Queen Victoria, Baron Rothschild, Princess Royal, Princess Teck, Her Majesty; and Beauty of Wichnor, purple, edged with yellowish white. Mr. Allen, gardener to J. B. Finnemore, Esq., was second with very good plants of Beauty of St. John’s Wood, Albert Victor, &c.; and Mr. Coysh third. CancEoLartas.—Of these there was only one exhibitor, Mr. Coysh, Newbold Revel, who had, however, well-flowered plants. SuccuLENnTs. — Of these four collections were shown; that from Mr. Croucher, gardener to J. Peacock, Esq., Hammer- smith, was the largest and most interesting, as may readily be concluded from the rich collection which he has at command. Mammillaria, Gasteria, Cereus, Echinocactus, Opuntia, Echi- nopsis, and other genera were represented in many curious and grotesque forms, as, for instance, Opuntia clavarioides cristata, and Euphorbia caput-Meduse. Mr. Croucher took the first prize; Mr. Ware, of Tottenham, being second with a good col- lection ; and Messrs. Bell & Thorpe third. Cur Fiowers.—Of these there were some very good boxes, the flowers neatly set up in green moss. For twenty-four bunches Mrs. E. Cole & Sons were first. Theyhad the beautiful white Lxora Colei, I. amboynensis, and I. coccinea, Dipladenias, Allamanda Wardleiana, Lapageria rosea, nice Heaths, and an Orchid or two. The second prize went to Miss M. A. Baines, Southgate House, Southgate. The collection contained choice Orchids, Ixoras, and Atacia cristata, a flower of singular form- ation. Mr. W. Brown, gardener to Mrs. Alston, Elmdon Park, Birmingham, was third ; Mr. J. Parker, Victoria Nursery, Rugby, being fourth. For twelve Mr. W. Chapman was first with a fine box margined with Fern fronds. He had Gloriosa superba, a splendid spike of Phalenopsis amabilis, and Pleroma elegans. The second contained nice trusses of Orchids. The third prize went to Mr. G. Plumbley, gardener to T. Charlesworth, Esq., of Leicester; and the fourth to Mr. J. Webb, gardener to J. Gulson, Esq., Stoke, Coventry. For cut flowers of twenty-four hardy Herbaceous Perennials, Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, was first. He had highly-coloured Iris, the double form of Spirea Filipendula, Brodiza congesta, and large bunches of other fine things. Mr. J. Jennings was second with a fine box. George Maw, Esq., Benthall Hall, Broseley, Salop, was third. The first-prize twelve came from Mr. J. Lakin, Chipping Norton, Oxon, and contained Iris Bronze Beauty, very distinct, Dianthus Marie Paré, pure white, and other fine bunches. G. More, Esq., was second, and Mr. W. H. Turner, Grove Park, Liverpool, was third. 5 Harpy snp Hatr-Harpy PERENNIALS AND ALPINE PLANTS — For twenty hardy variegated alpine and herbaceous plants, Mr. T. S. Ware was first with a well-grown collection. The most noticeable were the variegated forms of Funkia undulata, F. lan- cifolia medio-picta, Iris foetidissima, Polemonium ceruleum, and Bambusa Fortunei. The second prize went to Mr. J. Clift, Selly Park, Birmingham; he showed some very pretty plants— the variegated form of Saxifraga umbrosa, Samseviera carnea, Dactylis glomerata, Acorus gramineus, and Glechoma hederacea —the Ground Ivy. In the class for fifty hardy and half-hardy variegated plants suitable for bedding, Messrs. Bell & Thorpe had a very nice lot of plants ; amongst them were some of the Alternantheras, Hedera japonica and other Ivies, Phormium tenax variegatum, Yucca quadricolor, Eurya latifolia, &e. Myr. Ware had Ophiopogon Jaburan aureo-marginatum, Diplotaxus tenuifolius foliis variegatis, and others. Messrs. Standish had a collection composed mostly of variegated Japanese shrubs and Hollies; some of them would be very effective as pictorial plants. As none of the exhibitors showed according to the Sanisne of the schedule, extra prizes only were awarded. duly 4, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 9 For twelve hardy perennials in 12-inch pots Messrs. HE. & J. Perkins, Leamington, were first with healthy plants of Dianthus Highclere, bright crimson. D. floribundus, a pleasing rose ; Potentilla Hamlet and others were pretty. Messrs. Rollisson were second, and Mr. T. S. Ware third. Collections of Alpine Plants.—Of these there were some nice collections ; that from George Maw, Esq., was first, and contained over 130 distinct species; Messrs. E. & J. Perkins were second ; Mr. T. S. Ware third; and an extra was awarded to Messrs. Rollisson. Harpy Frrns.—In one of the small tents devoted to these, Mr. Lowe, of Highfield House, Nottingham, exhibited some very striking forms of our native species. The following had first-class certificates awarded to them :—Athyrium Filix-feemina Albertii, A. F.-f. centiceps, A. F.-f. todeoides superbum, A. F.-f. Lowei angustatum, A. F.-f. Alexandre, A. F.-f. Victorie elegans, Adiantum Capillus-Veneris optandum, A. Capillus-Veneris imbri- catum, A. Capillus-Veneris angustatum, A. Capillus-Veneris mul- ticeps dentatum, Asplenium marinum imbricatum superbum. - The fronds of this variety are very distinct. Mr. Lowe also obtained first-class certificates for some curious and distinct forms of Scolopendrium, asmall crested form of Osmunda regalis, also for Lastrea dilatata Fraserii, a very small but exceedingly pretty form. First-class certificates were given to the follow- ing Ferns from J. EH. Mapplebeck, Esq., viz. :—Athyrium Filix- feemina spicatum, paucidentatum abruptum, flabellatum abrup- tum, and flexile, Gillsonie flabellatum, and ceratophylloides ; Lastrea dilatata cristata splendens, Pteris aquilina grandiceps Mapplebeckii, and Polypodium vulgare bifido-cristatum. ConIrERS AND EvERnGREENS.—These were arranged in pic- turesque groups, and served as a screen to the fruit and vegetable tents. Some ofthe specimens were exceedingly handsome. All the collections might be considered good, and they formed one of the most interesting features of the whole Exhibition. In the class for twenty, Messrs. W. Barron & Son, Elvaston Nursery, Derby, were first: they had a noble specimen of Thuja gigantea ; a very handsome Picea Parsonsi; Retinosporaleptoclada, a pretty pyramid nearly 4 fect high; Thujopsis letevirens, a spreading plant; Retinospora obtusa; and Gold and_ Silver Variegated Hollies were most noticeable. Messrs. Standish, of Ascot, were second, and Messrs. Pope & Son were third, an extra prize being awarded to Mr. G. Davidson, White Cross Nursery, Here- ford. For twelve Messrs. Barron again held the highest posi- tion. They had a handsome pyramid of the Golden Yew, Reti- nospora pisifera, and R. plumosa aurea, a magnificent example of Thujopsis dolabrata, and the variegated form of it; Arthro- taxus cupressoides, and A. laxifolia. Messrs. Standish were a very close second; their collection contained some very rare specimens. Retinospora pisifera stricta was very ornamental ; R. plumosa aurea, very pretty. They had also R. obtusa alba, a handsome Cephalotaxus Fortunei robusta, Abies obovata, and A. Hookerii. Mr. G. Davidson was third. The best single specimen came from Messrs. Barron; it was a erand example of Retinospora plumosa aurea. Messrs. Standish had the second best, a fine Picea Lowii; and Messrs. Pope had the third best. Harpy Decrpuous TREES AND Suruss.—The highest award again fell to Messrs. Barron. The most striking specimens were Acer polymorphum atropurpureum, A. p. pectinatum, A. rufi- nervum, Quercus pedunculata concordia, the Golden Oak ; Quer- cus pedunculata pectinata, Variegated Elm, Variegated Turkey Oak, and Purple Beech. Mr. G. Davidson was second with nice specimens. New Prants snp MiscenLaneous.—Mr. Fowler, gardener to the Earl of Stair, Castle Kennedy, had a first-class certificate ‘ for his new white variegated Abies Douglasii Stairii, and similar awards were made to Messrs. Carter & Co. for Anectochilus Orteiesii, a handsome kind; to Mr. Maw for Ivis tingitana, purple banded with yellow; to Mr. Robert Veitch, Exeter, for Tacsonia exoniensis, of a very pleasing rose colour; to Mr. Guildford for Coleus Tryoni; to Mr. Ware for Gymnosterix latifolia, with graceful, broad, grass-like, pale-green leaves; to Mr. Williams for Pteris Applebyana, also to Mr. Williams for Lissochilus Krebsii. Second prizes in the class for the best new Orchid were taken by Messrs. Veitch and Messrs. Rollisson, each show- ing the beautiful Masdevallia Harryana. For six new plants Messrs. Veitch were first with Croton Weismannii, Dracena amabilis, Paullinia thalictrifolia, Dracena Dennisoni, D. ama- bilis, and Aralia Veitchii. Messrs. Rollisson were second, show- ing among others a fine specimen of Dracena lentiginosa, and Todea intermedia in a case. In the Miscellaneous class superb groups were furnished by Messrs. Veitch and Mr. Williams, consisting mostly of what are considered new plants, though most of them have been noticed before in these columns. Messrs. Veitch’s group, which occupied a large space in one of the centre beds, was excellently arranged, and contained, besides many other plants of recent introduction, Gravesia bertolonoides, the beautiful rose-dotted Bertolonia euttata, and the pearly-spotted margaritacea superba, Maranta tubispatha, Paullinia thalictrifolia, Darlingtonia californica, figured last year. Mr, Williams had the beautiful Todea Williamsii, Demonorops Lewisianus and periacanthus, two very handsome Palms, fine specimens of Anthurium Scherzerianum, and several Orchids. Messrs. Carter & Co. had an excellent Adiantum farleyense, Anectochilus Ordiana, new Dracenas, and altogether an excellent group. From G. I’. Wilson, Esq., Weybridge Heath, came a charm- ing collection of cut flowers of Lilies, including Lilium Brownii, white; L. umbellatum citrinum, a very handsome unnamed species from the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Holmes, Whittington Nursery, Lichfield, sent a curious plant from the mountains of New Zealand, covered as if with little orange beads. VEGETABLES. The show of Vegetables was very extensive, and the quality of the productions was worthy of all praise; probably a better assortment was never before put up at any public exhibition. CoxLxLEectrons.—Class 158, to consist of the following :—Two va- rieties of Peas, two varieties of Kidney Potatoes, two varieties second early Round Potatoes, twelve of each kind, three heads of Cauliflower, brace of Cucumbers, eight Turnips, eight Carrots, eight Onions, brace of Vegetable Marrows, and three Lettuces. Limited to noblemen’s and gentlemen’s gardeners in Warwick- shire, Worcestershire, or Staffordshire (offered by the Proprietors of Midland Counties Herald). In this class five collections only were staged; that from My. G. Craddock, The Gardens, Compton Verney, Warwick, comprised a brace of Telegraph Cucumber, Veitch’s Royal Ashleaf Kidney Potato, Onions, Carrots, Cauli- flower, Vegetable Marrows, vc. Mr. I’. Ford, gardener to W. B. Davenport, Esq., Baginton Hall, Coventry, was second. His Globe Artichokes, Carter’s Hundredfold Peas, and Gloucester- shire Kidney Potatoes were very fine; he had also a brace of Marquis of Lorne Cucumber, very good for that variety. In Class 159 (collection of vegetables, fifteen dishes, to include not more than four dishes of Potatoes, different varieties, twelve of each, limited to noblemen’s and gentlemen’s gardeners; the counties of Cornwalland Devonshire excluded), there were eight collections, some of them of an exceedingly high order of merit. Mr. W. Cox, The Gardens, Madresfield Court, Great Malvern, had a collection in plates. He had grand examples of Carter’s Hundredfold and Laxton’s Supreme Peas, Early Hammersmith Kidney, and Early Coldstream Potatoes, magnificent Large Red Tomatoes, Globe Artichokes, Carrots, Dwarf Kidney and Long- pod Beans. The collection from Mr. R. Gilbert was neatly set up in a shallow box 4 feet 6 inches long, by 2 feet 9 inches wide, each dish in small wicker baskets, the intervening spaces being | filled in by Curled Parsley. It comprised Laxton’s Superlative and Carter’s Hundredfold Peas; Golden Multiplier Kidney, and Early Coldstream Round Potatoes ; excellent Early Red Toma- toes, White Tripoli and Nuneham Park Onions, Early London Cauliflower, Mushrooms, Kidney Beans, and Globe Artichokes. Mr. G. T. Miles had a collection set up in a box, which con- tained some very meritorious productions—Ashleaf Kidney and Early Coldstream Potatoes, Rising Sun (a very fine sample) and Laxton’s Alpha Peas, wonderful examples of Early White Naples Onion and Early Horn Carrot, Powell’s Red Tomato, Globe Artichokes, Asparagus, Cauliflower, Celery, and Kidney Beane: Mr. Miles was first, Mr. Cox second, and Mr. Gilbert third. For the challenge cup offered by Messrs. Carter & Co., of High Holborn, London, for a collection of twenty-four varieties of vegetables, there were only two competitors. Mr. D. Lums- den, Bloxholm Hall Gardens, Sleaford, was first. He exhibited a dish of Mona’s Pride Kidney Potato; Carter’s Hundred- fold (fine examples, the pods of a deep green colour), Laxton’s Supreme and Quality Peas ; most excellent examples of Veitch’s Silver White Celery, and Improved Giant Longpod Beans. Altogether this was a highly meritorious collection. The second prize was awarded to Mr. W. Cross, gardener to J. B. Lousada, Eisq., Peak House, Sidmouth; he had enormous examples of Marquis of Lorne Cucumber 30 inches in length by 10 inches in circumference; Carter’s Hundredfold Pea, again, was very fine. The Early Rose and Bresee’s Peerless Potatoes were re- markable. Pras.—In the class for collection of six kinds, to include Maclean’s Best of All, Mr. Cox was first with that variety, Lax- ton’s Alpha, Carter’s Hundredfold, Quality, Supreme, and Kentish Invicta; Mr. R. Gilbert was second; and Mr. W. Cross third. In the class for a single dish, Mr. C. Frisby, Blankney Gardens, Sleaford, was first with Laxton’s Alpha; Mr. J. Richardson, Boston, was second; and Mr. Cox third with Supreme. For three varieties, Mr. EH. Smith, Bentham Gardens, Upper Alstone, Cheltenham, was second, and Mr. Turk third. For thirty pods of Laxton’s Superlative (prizes offered by Messrs. Hurst & Son), Mr. R. Gilbert had magnificent examples, and was first; Mr.Cox was second; Mr. J. Richardson third ; and Mr. D. Lumsden fourth. Porators (best twelve Kidney).—Mr. A. H. Biddles, Park Lane, Loughborough, was first with remarkable examples resem- bling Beaconsfield; Mr. F. Ford was second with an unnamed variety ; and Mr. F’. Clarke, Barleythorpe, Oakham, third. Mr. 10 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER. [ July 4, 1872: Ford was first for three varieties of Kidneys; Mr. G. Craddock second; and Mr. G. B. Tillyard third. The best single dish of Round was Early King from Mr. J. Richardson. Myr. I’. Ford was second in this class, and Messrs. Poole & Son, of Warwick, third. Mr. J. Richardson also took the highest position in the class for three varieties. Mr. D. Lumsden was second, and Mr. F. Ford third. In collections of six varieties {twelve of a kind), Mr. G. Bagerley, Rose Cottage, Syerstone, Newark, was first. His collection contained fine Mona’s Pride and Champion Kidney. Mr. F. Ford was second, and Mr. T. Pickworth, Loughborough, third. CucuMBERS.—Two varieties, brace of each. The first prize went to Mr. J. Turk, who exhibited Holder’s Dreadnought and Loraine, two white-spined varieties, which were very much alike. Mr. T. Weoton, The Gardens, Wirksworth Hall, Derby, second; and Mr. J. Jennings, The Nurseries, Shipston-on-Stour, third. Three brace, to include Marquis of Lorne, prizes offered by Messrs. Sutton. The prizes were keenly contested, no less than fourteen collections being exhibited. Mr. W. Broadbridge had the first prize, exhibiting a nice brace of Blue Gown. The second prize went to Mr. T. Smith. The best twelve Ontons were of the White Naples variety, from Mr. Miles. Mr. J. Turk was second, and Mr. J. P. H. Hickling, The Nurseries, Loughborough, third. MiscELLannous Ciassrs.—The best dish of Dwarf Kidney Beans came from Mr. J. Turk. Mr. E. Smith was second. Mr. R. Gilbert had a dish of Mushrooms, and took a first prize for them. Mr. G. TT. Miles had twelve splendid Large Red Tomatoes, and was first in that class; Mr. E. Smith was second, and Mr. J. Turk third. In the cottagers’ classes there were very nice Peas, for which Mr. G. Vernall, of Lansdowne Place, Malvern, gained the first prize. The same exhibitor was also first for Round and Kidney Potatoes. Mr. T. Cox, Kenilworth, was second for Peas and Round Potatoes. Mr. J. Maiden, Broadwater, Kidderminster, was second for Kidney Potatoes. The same exhibitor had also a highly meritorious collection of vegetables, and carried off the first prize, Mr. T. Cox being second. A SuppLEMENTARY FRurr SHow was held on June 27th, but it was on rather a limited scale. There were three collections of six dishes staged (Pines being excluded from them). Mr. Cox, of the Gardens, Madresfield Court, Great Malvern, had the best; it comprised Buckland Sweetwater and Black Hamburgh Grapes, Gross? Mignonne Peaches, Violette Hative Nectarines, a nice Golden Gem Melon, and Brown Turkey Figs. Mr. A. Foakes, gardener to J. Humphries, Esq., was second, and in his collection was a well-ripened dish of Foster’s White Seedling Grape. Mr. Frisby, Blankiey Hall Gardens, Sleaford, third. Mr. Miles gardener to Lord Carrington, Wycombe Abbey, exhibited a good Queen Pine, and a first prize was awarded to it. In Grapes there was only one competitor for two varieties, a dish of each— Mr. G. Craddock, Compton Verney, Warwick. He had Muscat of Alexandria barely ripe, and Black Hamburgh badly coloured ; the first prize was awarded. One bunch, Mr. A. Meikle, Read Hall, Whalley, was first with Black Prince, in the class for Black; the same award being given ,to him in the class for White, White Frontignan being the sort. For four dishes of Peaches and Nectarines Mr. A. Moffat, gar- dener to H. Allsop, Esq., Hindlip Hall, Worcester, obtained the highest award with very good Grosse Mignonne, Belle de la Croix, and Téton de Venus Peaches, and a nice dish of Elruge Nectarines. Mr. W. Broadbridge, Walton Gardens, Warwick, was second; and Mr. §. Evans, gardener to C. N. Newdegate, Esq., Arbury, Nuneaton, third. The best Melons were sent from My. J. Reid, gardener to R. EH. E. Warburton, Esq., Arley Hall, Northwich. Mr. A. Moffatt had the second best. THE SUPPLEMENTARY ROSE SHOW. One of the especial features of the Birmingham Horticultural Exhibition was the additional Rose Show on Thursday, June 27th, the prizes being given by the Committee of the Birming- ham Rose Show. This added very much to the interest of the meeting, as hitherto those who came on the shilling days could only see Roses tha had been in the tents for two whole days, und were generally (especially if the weather had been hot), very much gone-by, and some of them only ghosts of their former selves. Great praise, therefore, is due to the Committee of the Birmingham Rose Show, and especially to its active Secretary, Mr. Badger, for contributing so much to the pleasure of the visitors on the Thursday and Triday, by giving £105 to be ex- pended in additional prizes for the queen of flowers; and we were very glad tosee how much it was appreciated by the crowd of persons who anxiously waited outside till the awards of the | Judges had been given, and by the increasing stream of people who flowed through the tent, and who, if we may judge by the constant cry of ‘“‘Pass on, gentlemen and ladies, pass on,” were not willing to pass hurriedly by the rows of boxes filled with beautiful blooms without feasting theiy eyes, and taking notes of those that most struck their fancy, to order plants for : their own gardens. Some of the policemen, indeed, were, if any- thing, over-zealous in the performance of their duties of ‘pass on, pass on,” as one of them wished to turn one of the Judges, an I'.R.H.S., out of the tent because he ventured to take notes of the Roses after the adjudication was over. The Roses were far superior to what we had anticipated, con- sidering the unfavourable weather they have had to contend against, not only from the thunderstorms of the last ten days, but from the severe frosts of April and May following a very open winter. The nurserymen, on the whole, showed far superior Roses to the amateurs; indeed, the amateurs were by no means equal to the mark, and were far behind the merit of the last two or three seasons. Amongst the nurserymen, Mr. Cant was easily first in his seventy-two with very good blooms, amongst others, of Duc de Wellington, Madame Noman, Pitord, Charles Lefebvre, Xavier Olibo, Madame Willermoz, Mrs. George Paul, Henri Ledechaux, Dupuy Jamain, Gloire de Vitry, Mrs. C. Wood, Marie Baumann, Madame Vidot, and M. Noman. Messrs. Paul & Son were second with fine blooms of Edward Morren, better than it is generally exhibited, Duke of Hdin- burgh, Prince Camille de Rohan, John Hopper, Marquise de Castellane, Marie Rady, Antoine Ducher, Monsieur Boncenne, and Madame Caillat. Messrs. Paul’s Roses have evidently suffered from spring frosts, as the blooms are not so good as we have been accustomed to see them of late years, especially last year, exhibited by him. My. Turner was third, and Messyrs. Veitch fourth. In Class 179, forty-eight varieties, three trusses of each, Mr. C. Turner, of Slough, was first; Mr. Cant, of Colchester, second ; and Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, third. Mr. Turner showed some remarkably fine blooms of Paul Verdier, Baroness Roths- child, Prince Camille de Rohan, Madame Victor Verdier, Marie Baumann, Francois Louvat, Pitord (finer than usual), and Louis Van Houtte—one of the three blooms of Louis Van Houtte was the best we have yet seen, and we are in hopes it will prove to have a better constitution than its progenitor Louis XIV.—Duke of Edinburgh, Beauty of Waltham, Charles Lefebvre; Xavier Olibo and Horace Vernet, both very fine. In Mr. Cant’s second- prize lot were very good examples of Henri Ledechaux and Dupuy Jamain, both of which Mr. Cant has exhibited this year in great perfection, Henri Ledechaux being quite distinct from Victor Verdier as shown in his stands. John Hopper, Marquise de Castellane, Marquise de Mortemart, Marie Baumann, and Baroness Rothschild were also very fine. In Mr. Paul’s col- lection were fine examples of Miss Ingram (a pity it is so ca- pricious), Antoine Ducher, Baroness Rothschild, Marquise de Gibot (new to us, as we do not remember to have seen it ex- hibited before), Marie Rady, La France, Madame Caillat, Countess of Oxford, and Pierre Notting. In Class 180, twenty-four varieties, three trusses, Mr. C. Turner was first, Messrs. Veitch & Son second, Mr. Cant third, and Messrs. Paul & Son fourth. We will not particularise the Roses shown in these stands, for, as a rule, they were inferior to those in Classes 178 and 179, as the nurserymen had expended their strength in the larger classes, and those that were really good had been already exhibited in those classes. We shall pass over the local nurserymen and amateurs. The prize for the best new Rose, three trusses, sent out in 1870 or 1871, was won by Mr. Cant with Countess of Oxford, fine blooms but somewhat coarse. In Class 198, twelve trusses of dark, or crimson, or rose-coloured, one variety, two very beauti- ful stands were shown by Mr. Cant and Mr. Turner, between which the Judges had difficulty in deciding; Mr. Turner’s twelve blooms of Duke of Edinburgh being exceedingly fine, with high colour, but they had more irregularly-formed blooms than Mr. Cant’s stand of Dupuy Jamain, which was one of the most glowing and fresh-coloured stands of twelve Roses we haye ever seen, the petals smooth and beautifully formed, the colour deep cerise with a violet tinge. In Class 199, twelve trusses, white or blush, the first prize was won by My. Turner with a beautiful box of Baroness Roths- child; the second by Mr. Cant with Devoniensis, very fresh and evenly good, but not equal to Baroness Rothschild. In Class 200, premier Rose, separately staged, the first prize was won by Mr, Cant with a fine example of the Duke of Edin- burgh. The second pre was not adjudged, there being only two Roses staged, and the second was inferior to half the Roses exhibited. Perhaps the prize offered for the second—10 feet of Belvoir Castle patent plant protector—did not induce too much competition, as we perceived that in Classes 190 and 191, where the first prizes were respectively 12 feet and 6 feet of ‘‘ Enville,” Rendle’s patent span-roof plant protector, there was also no competition. There were two nice lots of pot Roses, twenty and ten re- spectively, exhibited by Messrs. Paul & Son. Class 208, for six Roses in pets, contained the worst six Roses we ever saw ex- hibited, and the Judges properly reserved the awards. In conclusion we may remark, that the Roses which have come out especially strong in the two days, Tuesday and Thurs- July 4, 1872. ] : JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 11 day, were Monsieur Noman (especially fine), Baroness de Roths- child, Marie Baumann, which was shown good in nearly every stand; John Hopper and Charles Lefebvre as usual very good, and Alfred Colomb, good but not quite up to the mark of last year; Henri Ledechaux in some instances very fine and greatly im- proving; Dupuy Jamain, as shown by Mr. Cant, splendid ; Xavier Olibo, Francois Louvat, Pitord, and Pierre Notting all better than usual, and we may say the same of Prince Camille de Rohan. Weather without much sun suits all dark Roses with shades of purple. Louis Van Houtte, Countess of Oxford, Mdlle. Eugénie Verdier, La France, Madame Caillat, Marquise de Mortemart, a beautiful colour but rather too flat; Beauty of Waltham, Duke of Edinburgh, Marguerite de St. Amand, Princess Mary of Cambridge, Berthe Baron, Abel Grand, the last four shading into each other with very slight though appre- ciable differences. On the whole we may congratulate the donors of the £105 on the very interesting boxes of Roses brought together for competition, and hope that a supplementary Rose Show for the shilling days may always form part of the pro- gramme of the Royal Horticultural Society’s provincial shows. HORTICULTURAL CONGRESS.—Jonn 26H AND 27TH. Ar four o’clock in the afternoon of the 26th ult., a Congress ‘was held in the large luncheon tent near the entrance, at which there was a fair attendance. Mr. A. Murray presided. Mr. W. T. Tuisrnuton Dyer, B.A., B.Sc., F.L.8., Professor ‘of Botany to the Royal Horticultural Society, read a paper “‘ On Some Points connected with the Scientific Side of Horticul- ture.” He said practical horticulturists might do immense service to science by carefully recording facts which came to their notice. As examples, he would call attention to Dr. Denny’s paper on the relative influence of parentage in flower- ing plants. He alluded to the direct influence of the pollen upon the female plant fertilised, which had been apparently established in some rare cases by the results of Maximowicz and Anderson-Henry, and devoted some attention to the inquiry of Von Welwitsch. With regard to plant-nomenclature, he was of opinion that it required some common understanding between botanists and horticulturists. It would be very desir- able to observe De Candolle’s law as to species and varieties which occurred spontaneously in nature. Meteorology was a science far from yielding the practical results that could be de- sired from it. He must hope for improved methods for predict- ing weather, and for obviating its effects. As a practical point, a dry state of the atmosphere in spring was likely to be followed by frost. General Pleasanton’s paper on “ The Influence of Blue Light” was adverted to, and the conclusion arrived at was that the character of the views discussed in his memoir were alto- gether out of accord with the results at present observed in vege- table physiology. Dr. Hinns, Professor of Botany at Queen’s College, next read an able and interesting paper on “The Botany of the Neigh- bourhood of Birmingham.” He said he proposed to endeavour to convey some general idea of the flora of the district around Birmingham, and to make a few remarks on certain conditions of the atmosphere of this large town and district, and on the in- fluence of that atmosphere on surrounding vegetation. There was close to the town the park of Edgbaston, where many of the forest trees are noble specimens of their class. In and near the park there were specimens of the two Chestnuts, Oak, Sycamore, and others, truly noble and magnificent, and a successful gene- ral vegetation. The park at Perry Barr, or rather the ancient domain of the Scott family, presents specimens also of noble trees, and a most luxuriant general flora. About Barr and Perry ‘Barr, and on the road between here and the western boundary of Sutton Park, are some of the noblest Beeches which the eye would wish to rest on. In the north-western neighbourhood are aseries of associated localities, excited, busy, and prolific beyond conception, and known by the delightful cognomen of the Black Country. Black, indeed, was the locality, and its blackness consisted not entirely in its smoky atmosphere, though there was a fair supply of that ingredient. The ground was covered in every direction, though not with grass, and buttercups, and daisies, and trees and hedges, but with clay and cinders, and refuse coal dust. Hills and mounds of sometimes incandescent residues of iron furnaces, and yawning chasms and mouths leading down to villages and communities, and miles of space buried almost hundreds and hundreds of feet beneath the sur- face, met the visitor on every hand. Close in the vicinity, how- ever, of much of this there were now and then to be seen fields of Wheat, which, though a little grimy, seemed to enjoy almost as sturdy a life as some of the rough-and-ready denizens of the district. How was it that plants could live at all in such locali- ties as this? The reply was that the country around was simply denuded of its normal surface by the mining operations. One of the finest and most productive of the botanical stations of this district is, unquestionably, Sutton Park. It is composed of a mixture of woodland, heathy upland, bog, and lake. It is wild enough in some parts, and has an area of more than 3000 acres. _ The lake and the woodlands are variously disposed, divided, and distributed. It must have been visited by wanderers amongst its scenery to the extent of hundreds of thousands, and yet there are many nooks and spots where nature seems to revel in all the luxuriance of the supremest solitude. Some of these solitary nooks seem indeed hardly to have been visited or trod by man or woman, and yet Sutton Park was accessible to every man, woman, and child whose moderate resources en- abled him or her to arrive at the confines with the residue of one penny to pay for admission. With all this, then, it might be that even here in some spot, “Full many a flower is born to blush unseen.” Sutton Park was now in tears—not tears of joy, nor even tears of sorrow for great misfortune, but tears of apprehension. Its sacred precincts had been threatened with invasion by the rest- less and energetic instincts of railway speculation. It is yet intact absolutely, though our worst fears for its safety and pre- servation are excited. Had he more time at his disposal, he might possibly have been able to say something of the low-lying district to the east of Birmingham—a watery district, and afflicted, too, by something in excess far less agreeable—he meant the sewage of this great town. He left all that to the work and wisdom of the aldermen and the socialist, and to those in the vicinity, who must be made unhappy by the very con- templation of it. Within a radius of ten miles there was a varied flora numbering 729 species. : With regard to the relation a city atmosphere holds with respect to vegetable life in its immediate vicinity, the speaker said: One of the first facts we have to meet is that we supply plants and trees with a positively enormous amount of food— that class of food from which nearly all the solid parts of plants and trees are derived. He did not refer, of course, to the water or to the ammonia, but to the carbonic acid which must be furnished in the water. Let us see what the amount is likely to be. Professor Herepath estimated that about 12°7 ounces of carbon were daily converted by an adult into carbonic acid. Professor Helmholtz, who appeared at the Royal Institution, estimated the amount as on an average about 16 ozs. Now, 12-7 ozs. produce, when oxidised into carbonic acid, about 25 cubic feet, and 16 ozs. would give more than 30 cubic. feet. How many human beings, besides other animals, are living in this large town? Tt must far exceed four hundred thousand. Breath- ing an impure atmosphere is followed, in some cases, by rapid death, or, if not, by a sickly decadence. This is as effectually done as if animals were prevented from exhaling the carbonic acid from the lungs—either altogether, or else partially pre- vented, as human beings are when they breathe an atmosphere primarily contaminated with 5, 10, or 20 per cent. of this deadly excrementitious substance, or when the larynx or bronchial tubes are physically obstructed. : J. Denny, Esq., M.D. (Stoke Newington), then read a paper on “The Relative Influence of Parentage in Flowering Plants. He said if they could, by the observation of results, acquire any valuable evidence indicative of the relative influence the male (or pollen) and the female (or seed) parents bear in the production of their progeny, it would assist immensely in the carrying-out of designs for the improvement in form and colour of flowers, and in the quality of fruits and vegetables. If, for instance, they could discover if either parent were prepotent in carrying to its offspring certain qualities, say of flavour and aroma, or of size and form, or of quality as regards the texture of fruits; of colour, perfume, form, substance, and the various qualities they might wish to perpetuate or modify in flowers, they would be able to form some approximate idea of the result which would follow their fertilisation. With the object of obtaining, if possible, some information regarding the relative powers the respective parents might exercise upon their progeny, he commenced a series of experiments upon the Scarlet section of the Pelargonium, and from the informa- tion thus derived he was of opinion that by careful and persistent fertilisation under the guidance of the observa- tion of results, it was possible to produce almost any modi- fication in the habit and character of plants, and variety of colour and form in flower. He believed it was possible to mould the character of flowers in accordance with precon- ceived design to a much greater extent than was generally sup- posed; and, moreover, he thought it possible that ultimately some insight might be obtained by these means into the laws which govern procreation in the vegetable kingdom, and which produce variegation in our fruits and flowers. The recorded in- fluence of his crossings indicated an immense preponderance of influence over the progeny on the part of the father in all re- spects; in the colour, form, quality, size, and substance of the flower as well as in the production of variegation in the foliage, and in the habit and constitution of the plant also, provided always that the plants employed were of equal strength—a most important point. A close analogy seemed to him to exist be- tween the vegetable and animal kingdoms with respect to the ill-effects produced by breeding in-and-in, and the good result- ing from crossing opposites, and he traced the decadence of many of their old florists’ flowers to the first-named practice. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 4, 1872. To enable reliable conclusions to be drawn would require an ac- cumulation of data drawn from the careful observation of very many unbiassed workers, whose results had been obtained from experiments conducted with scientific precision from all our flowers and plants. Such an accumulation of recorded facts (if they could be obtained) would prove a source of the greatest in- terest to the philosopher by their tendency to throw some light upon the working of Nature’s laws, and could not but afford most valuable information for the guidance of the practical horticul- turist, and, moreover, by freeing it from all empiricism, place it in its true and legitimate position among the modern sciences. Mr. Rosert Fenn, of Woodstock, described a series of experi- ments he had carried on during the last thirty years in obtain- ing seedling Potatoes, and in crossing certain varieties. He tried to cross Jackson’s Seedling with the old Fluke, but obtained no useful results. On trying the former with a black American kidney, out of 160 Potatoes ninety-nine were of a red colour. When proper care and skill were used in crossing, a very small per-centage only reverted to their original wild state—only twenty-five out of 1000 seedlings reverted to their original type. Unless they crossed the old varieties with seedlings they were more likely than not to spoil the breed, but to preserve the shape of the produce it was always better to cross kidney with kidney, and round with round varieties. Professor W. T. Dyrr read a paper by Mr. J. Glaisher, F.R.S., of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, ‘‘ On Some Thermometers for Horticultural Use.” Hesubmitted threeinstruments prepared under his direction, the first provided with a bayonet for deter- mining the temperature 1, 2, and 3 inches above soil; also, a dry and wet bulb thermometer, the difference between the two showing the amount of moisture, and worthy of particular study during the sudden alternations of temperature in the spring. These were all cheaper than the ordinary thermometers, and their accuracy guaranteed by Mr. Glaisher to two-thirds of a degree. Professor DyEr also read a paper by Mr. J. G. Baker, F.L.S., Assistant Keeper of the Kew Harbarium, ‘On Dracena and Cordyline.” Mr. Forrest read another paper, by Mr. C. Roberts, F.R.C.S. (communicated by Dr. M. T. Masters), “On Sulphozone,” a preparation which had been found very effective for the de- struction of mildew and blight found on Vines, the Hop plant, Roses, fruit and other trees, without injury to the produce or the plant. It was also a very good disinfectant and deodoriser, and was useful for medical, veterinary, and sanitary purposes. Professor DyER read a few words witten by Mr. J. Pearson, as an addendum to his pamphlet ‘‘ On the Origin of Canker in Fruit Trees.” Subsequent experiments, and the testimony of com- petent authorities, had amply proved the truth of his conclusion, that the general cause of canker was water, a discovery which had been rendered very useful by the adoption of various contri- vances to keep moisture from young delicate wood. This course had been invariably successful in preventing canker. THE second day’s Congress was held in the luncheon tent at four o’clock. The Earl of Bradford, who had been announced to take the chair, was absent, and Professor Thiselton Dyer pre- sided in his place. The first paper was read by Mr. T. Moorr, F.L.S., Floral Director of the Royal Horticultural Society, on ‘‘The Recent Progress of Practical Horticulture.” The paper was an enume- ration of the principal new flowers, with remarks upon their qualities and horticultural rank. It also included criticisms on newly-introduced trees, fruits, and vegetables. The employ- ment of glass, he said, was now necessary to enable the gardener to make something like sure of a crop of fruit [hear, hear], and whatever protection was needed should be ungrudgingly pro- vided. Mr. W. Paun, F.R.H.S., read a paper on “Form in the Tree Scenery of our Gardens, Parks, and Pleasure Grounds.” He divided trees, for the purposes of the paper, into the follow- ing representative classes :—l, Irregular; 2, Round-headed; 3, Laminate; 4, Columnar; 5, Weeping. He condemned the planting of trees inan unmeaning jumble, with no guiding prin- ciple in planting, and pointed out in what situations trees of the kinds which he had indicated could be well employed. In the course of the paper he said that when planting in the vicinity of a dwelling-house, whether it was a mansion ora cottage, they often found themselves under considerable restraint, because the form of the trees required to be in harmony with the charac- ter of the building. It might not be necessary to consider every order or style of architecture as requiring a different assortment of trees ; it sufficed to divide the whole into Perpendicular, of which the Gothic might be given as an example, and the Hori- zontal,which was fairly exemplified by the Italianstyle. Irregular, round-headed, and weeping trees were in character with either ; but the laminate and round-headed were, to his min], the most pleasing in connection with the perpendicular, and the columnar and irregular with the horizontal. If the building were low, tall-growing trees should be avoided, and the round-headed, the laminate, and the weeping were especially desirable, because they directed the eye horizontally and downwards. It should ever be borne in mind that the presence of lofty trees in prox- imity to a low building had the undesirable influence of still further depressing it. Mr. P. Grieve read a paper, entitled ‘“‘ Hints on the Forma- tion and Arrangement of Shrubberies,”’ in which he advocated the planting of fruit trees in pleasure grounds, instead of dis- posing of them in the kitchen garden, where their beauty was spoilt by inharmonious surroundings; or in the orchard, which was generally in an out-of-the way-place. The Rev. C. P. Pracu read a paper on the subject of the bed- ding-out system, which we give in eatenso in another page. My. J. CroucHer read a paper on ‘‘The Cultivation of Stapelias.” The CHarrMan next read a paper sent by Mr. G. Westland, “On the Future of our Fruit Crops.” The writer began by stat- ing that the taste for fruit and the demand for its supply were notoriously increasing. His object, therefore, was to ask how more could be obtained. Looking back to the orchards of the midland and cider counties, and taking into consideration the sacks, or even cartloads, of fruit which hundreds of trees in- dividually produced, he inquired whether the dwarf system, which had been pursued for the last quarter of a century, though pretty so far as it went, was not a blunder with reference to the supply of the markets and the mouths of the millions? Fortu- nately, market and commercial growers had not been misled by the pretty deception, but had stuck to the old standard form, guiding, not restricting trees, and they gathered fruit accordingly. No scheme ever led to more disappointment than the pinching and root-pruning systems of cultivation. Such trees made pretty objects in a garden, and they were especially pretty when full of fruit; but that was so rare an occurrence as only to be re- garded as the exception, and not the rule. Such being the fact, it appeared that the only sure way to increase the market supply was to go back to the good old plan of planting orchards, not by scores or hundreds of trees, but by scores or hundreds of acres. Of the propriety of planting hardy fruits to a very large extent there could be no question, so long as the varieties had the qualities of abundant bearing and flavour, and if necessary, suit- ability for kitchen use. Plant no inferior fruits, nor any that were not known to be suitable to the locality, unless an odd one for the sake of trial. Again, in unfavourable localities for fruit- growing, there were certain spots which might be planted with a fair chance of success. Shelter, of course, was a great point, but the shelter of walls was not so good as the shelter of a belt of evergreen trees. Spring frosts were the greatest drawbacks in fruit-growing, and therefore plants when frozen should not be exposed to the morning sun. The writer objected to pot cul- ture as only suitable for amateurs; growing plants in pots would never be a source of supply of fruit. He also condemned garden walls, as a crop once in five years was the full average of wall trees, and therefore the return was not worth the trouble and expense of management. i Mr. W. E. Renpie read a paper “On the Use of Glass and Other Protective Materials in Horticulture.” In cold countries, he said, experience had proved that modern notions of garden- ing could not succeed without the help of glass. During the last two seasons especially, the frost and snow had destroyed great quantities of Peaches and Nectarines, and since the heavy duty on glass had been repealed there was no reason why it shonid not be extensively used for horticultural purposes. The immense value of glass had only been discovered within the last few years, and instances were quoted by Mr. Rendle to show its practicability for the protection of fruit as well as flowers. Mr. SuirLey Hipserd also sent the following paper on AvpInr Puants.—The increasing taste for the cultivation of Alpine plants will, it is hoped, justify the presentation to this Congress of a few remarks on their origin, their characteristics, and their cultivation. Current books on the subject contain but little useful information of a general kind, however valuable they may be to the collector as indicating species and varieties that are especially worthy of his attention. As I approve most heartily of the restrictions placed upon contributors as to the time allowed for the reading of these papers, I shall beg of those who favour me with a hearing that I may here conclude my preface, and make the briefest possible statement of the facts and Opinions it appears necessary to adduce in elucidation of the three divisions of the subject selected for present consideration. As to the first section of our theme, it appears to be necessary first to agree that we do not seek for the plants or for the explan- ation of their origin on the Alps alone. When we speak of . Alpine plants, we have in view the vegetable products of moun- tains without regard to the especial flora of any particular peak orrange. The Alpine garden of the British horticulturist may be as consistently furnished with gatherings from the Carpa- thians, the Pyrenees, the Rocky Mountains, and the Scottish Highlands, as from the Alps alone. But when we consider our collections collectively we find that they possess many features and characters in common, and perhaps the most universal and constant of their peculiarities is their capability of resisting and, indeed, of prospering under exposure to long-continued cold. Tuly 4, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 13 Their home is amid the “thick-ribbed ice” and everlasting snows. Except when the snows shelter and hide them, they are subject to the influence of intense solar light anda highly rarefied atmosphere, more frequently and more heavily charged with moisture than the air of the plains. When we make an analysis of the genera comprised in a fair selection of Alpine plants, we shall find no hint of morphological or biological relationship. We may group them as Alpine plants, and there is an end of all attempts at classification ; for they include shrubs and herba- ceous plants of families widely separated by every recognised system of botany. But species of the same genera often occur on widsly-separated mountain ranges, and this fact surely affords a hint of a common origin. Now in respect of the European mountains and those of northern Asia, a considerable proportion of the plants met with in their higher altitudes, and especially such as haunt the snow line and the neighbourhood of glaciers, are again met with on the plains and lower slopes of the Polar regions of the north. Between the Alps and the Nor- wegian mountains there are extensive plains, which, measured by a direct line on the map, separate them by a distance of 800 miles. Yet here the Alpine flora is in great part repeated, and thence through northern Lapland and Siberia, and further north still, the same plants occur, apparently rejoicing, and cer- tainly thriving, in clhmates so rigorous that both their animal and vegetable products are restricted to a comparatively few types, and these adapted by constitution and conditions least favourable to organic development. Where earth and sea are icebound for eight or nine months in the year, and the coasts are blocked with icebergs during the few long days of summer, these plants hold their own with wonderful pertinacity, and in their short season of continuous sunlight make the dreary land- scape smile with their fresh green herbage and their lovely flowers. It is impossible to avoid the suggestion of the coinci- dence that these hardy plants owe their origin to conditions formerly subsisting between the far-removed Alpine and Polar regions, but which long since ceased to exist. May we not, therefore, say that in all probability the Alpine flora is (to use a geological phrase) an outlier of an ancient Polar flora, and a witness to-day of the glacial era, when the northern parts of Europe and America were covered with fields of ice? The probable common origin of Alpine and Polar plants was long ago suggested by Professor Schouw, in his “Earth, Plants, and Man;” but it has been lately considered in a more systematic manner by Dr, A. Pokorny in his ‘Origin of Alpine Plants.’’* The first cited of these writers observes that ‘‘ the Polar flora, or, as we may term it, the Alpine flora, is not merely met with in the higher regions of the Alps—the highest mountains in Europe ; it is found everywhere in Europe, and the northern parts of Asia and America, where mountain masses present themselves high enough to furnish a suitable climate to these plants in their more elevated districts. Hence we find this flora in the Pyrenees, in the Sierra Nevada, the Carpathians, and the Caucasus; in the Norwegian, Scotch, and Icelandic mountains, and traces of it are seen on the highest peaks of the Apennines and the Grecian chains; it is also seen on the Altai and other Asiatic mountains, and on the higher chains of North America.” To find an explanation of the relation of these far- separated floras, we must without doubt go far back in time, and endeavour to picture the northern continents as they must have appeared in the glacial era. Then, indeed, the mystery appears to be solved. We find on the Faulhorn, at an altitude of 8,000 feet, 135 species of flowering plants, of which forty are found also in Lapland, and eight in Spitzbergen. In Saussure’s “ Garden of the Glacier,” in the middle of the Mer de Glace of Mont Blane, at an altitude of 9,000 feet, may be found eighty- . Seven species of flowering plants, of which twenty-four are also found in Lapland, and fifteen in Spitzbergen. The distribution of land and water has undergone vast changes, the great plains of Europe now separate districts that were united by fields of ice, and the Alpine and Polar floras are put so wide apart that unless we had abundant testimony of their former unity, the hypothesis of a common origin would not be worthy of a moment’s attention. When we investigate the relationships of Alpine plants among themselves, we find as above remarked, no distinct physio- logical, botanical, or morphological intimacies. For this reason, it is, perhaps, that writers on Alpine plants have been care- ful to avoid the important question of their direct relation to the peculiar conditions under which they are produced. What are the proper characteristics of Alpine plants? We shall find no answer to the question in the books, for our friends who teach us how to select and cultivate them con- found the products of different zones, and are as ready to regard Pines, Firs, and Larches as Alpine plants as to place in that cate- gory the Soldanella, the Silene, and the Androsace. The fact is, we have nothing to do with trees, shrubs, or grasses in this connection. We must ascend towards the snow line to find those plants of low cushion-like growth, producing compara- tively large flowers notable for the purity of their colours, to * De l’Origine des Plantes Alpines, Paris, 1871. which alone the term ‘“ Alpine” can be properly applied. And when we find them, we are at once struck by certain character- istics of growth and aspect, which are the evident analogues of the circumstances governing their development. In other words, they are related by their adaptation to their silent homes, where winter rules nine months in the year, where spring is charac- terised by frosty nights and changing days, in which sunshine and shower are ever contending, and where summer and autumn are unknown. We dismiss all trees and shrubs from our consideration and ask again, What is an Alpine plant? It is notan annual. If an annual were lodged on the bleak mountain top it could not perpetuate its race, for it could not have time to ripen and dis- tribute its seeds. Al Alpine plants are of necessity of perennial duration, herbaceous orsub-shrubby, and of close stunted growth. Their growth in height is restricted by the rigours of their Polar clime, and their frequent and long-continued covering of snow favours a lateral extension and promotes the close turf- like habit common to them all. It is especially worthy of observation that we rarely meet with hairy or downy plants on Alpine heights, and never with examples of spines or thorns. In Professor Schouw’s enumeration of the characters of these plants he remarks, ‘‘that moist soils produce smooth plants, and dry soils plants furnished with hairs and thorns; since, therefore, the soil in which Alpine plants grow is kept con- stantly moist by the flowing down of melted snow, we see in this the reason of that peculiarity.” It is equally consistent with their conditions of life that they should be strangely sensitive to any increase of temperature above the freezing-point. The first loosening of theiricy bonds is followed by an awakening of their energies, and they burst into flower with the earliest encouragements of the kindly sunshine that ushers in their brief season of activity. Their early flowering promotes the ripening of their seeds ere winter seals them up again, and, indeed, none but early-flowering plants are capable of permanent existence in a climate characterised by almost continuous winter. The low temperature of the higher Alpine regions sufficiently accounts for the absence from Alpine flowers of honey and fragrance, and, it may be added, of poi- sonous secretions; yet from many of them cattle derive subsist- ence ; and from a few we obtain bitter extracts that are service- able as medicines. There remains, indeed, but one prominent peculiarity which appears to be inexplicable as a necessary con- sequence of the circumstances by which these plants are sur- rounded, and that is the comparatively large size of their flowers. Their pure colours we may reasonably associate with the inten- sity of solar light they enjoy in their short season of growth; but why their flowers should as a rule exceed in size, propor- tionately to the plants producing them, those of their nearest relatives of the plains, is probably at present beyond our means of determining. It may be said that these considerations are without interest for the so-called “practical”” man. The creature who rejoices in this designation may take his own course, and despise every- thing in the nature of scientific inquiry; but if he will not heed these matters he can never make fair progress in the cultivation of Alpine plants, and had best, therefore, reserve his practical skill for the hewing of wood and the drawing of water, or any other occupation that may be carried to a successful issue in ignorance of the ways and works of Nature. The cultivation of Alpine plants must be founded on a clear perception of their requirements, for they will not alter their nature to please us. Now, it must be confessed that the difficulty of providing for their requirements presents an insuperable obstacle to their general diffusion in Hnglish gardens. It is the business of this paper, however, to indicate how, to a certain extent, difficulties may be overcome, so that those who would for their pleasure establish Alpine gardens may be encouraged in the commend- able enterprise. The Alpine garden will include many plants that require no particular care, and that, indeed, have long since been natural- ised in our parterres and borders. But it will also include a number of exquisitely beautiful subjects of a most untractable nature, and forthese we must make careful provision. It is ob- vious that for their especial benefit our efforts should be directed towards the establishment of the coldest possible local climate. The ‘cold shade of the aristocracy” will not avail much, but an extensive rockery, containing a great bulk of material, and ranging generally east and west, with deep inlets on the northern side, will afford a choice of aspects; the sunny side for the free- growing rock plants with which we are most familiar; and the shady side for the more fastidious of our genuine Alpine flowers, that are usually killed out when subjected to the ordinary influ- ences of our climate. It is particularly worthy of notice that a constant flow of water, however minute in quantity, excrcises a powerful influence in cooling the surfaces over which it flows. The water should flow from the highest parts of the rockery in the thinnest possible film over the greatest possible extent of surface. A simple rill will be comparatively useless, and the same may be said of a iu fountain bubbling from the rock. For purposes of ornament, however, these features may be added, and they may indeed be made much of by planting near them subjects adapted to afford suitable garniture. But for maintaining a constantly moist con- dition of soil, and reducing the temperature of the whole mass to the lowest degree possible, the water should rather be spread in a sheet than accumulated in rivulets or pools. Itis by favouring evaporation that the cooling effectis obtained ; and if the rockery is constructed of a porous stone or any other suitable material of a porous nature, the evaporation will be increased, greatly to the benefit of the plants. All cements and vitrified masses are ob- jectionable, because they neither absorb moisture nor promote evaporation, and therefore should be employed as little as pos- sible, and it will always be better if they are not employed at all. On the construction of rockeries and the selection of plants, ample and trustworthy directions may be found in the books. The object of this paper is to supplement the labours of writers on Alpine plants by considerations that have not been enter- tained by them. We may therefore pass to the consideration of another method of growing Alpines, which has not as yet obtained the attention it deserves, and in respect of which the writer has had ample opportunity of testing its efficiency. It may appear paradoxical to propose to grow these plants under glass, and yet when this method is properly conducted the most happy results may be ensured. We need low-roofed, unheated structures, with substantial brick foundations and large beds of soil, supported by brick walls in place of ordinary stages. -By means of free ventilation the plants may always be kept as cool as the climate will allow, and they can be protected against those destructive alternations of temperature which characterise the early months of the year, when, lacking their proper covering of snow, they are apt to be forced into growth prematurely, only to be suddenly shrunk up again by biting east winds, or washed away by a deluge of rain at the moment of attaining to the full display of their beauties, as though blessed by the brief spring-time of their native heights. As our sum- mers are too long and too warm for Alpine plants, so our winters are too short and too changeable, and it cannot be doubted that the visitations of genial weather we are accustomed to in the early months of the year are as injurious to Alpine plants in the open air as any of the many adverse influences that assail them in our gardens. For the structure which we shall designate the ‘Alpine house” selection should be made of Alpine plants that are especially adapted for pot culture. Their name is not Legion perhaps, but enough may be found to afford in the spring season a display at once attractive and unique, and the more acceptable to the amateur because, being flowered under glass, they may be enjoyed on dreary days when “the winds whistle and the rains descend.” This method of provid- ing conditions suitable to Alpine plants is attended with the advantage that it enlarges the field of spring gardening, for not only Alpines proper, but a multitude of exquisitely beautiful hardy plants that are usually too much buffeted by our unkind springs may be cultivated with them, and the result may be a widely-varied display, perfect in all its features, ina season when the garden presents scarcely one green leaf or one bright flower to mitigate the misery of drenching rain and easterly winds. Should the taste for Alpine flowers continue to extend as it has done during the past few years, the Alpine house will become a necessary and acceptable institution, and probably will acquire an importance equal to that of any other of the many contri- vances adopted in connection with decorative horticulture. THE HORTICULTURAL DINNER. On June 27th many of the exhibitors, gardeners, and members of the Local Committee dined together at the Holte Hotel, Mr. W. Marshall, F.R.H.S., presiding. The CuarrMan having given the usual loyal toasts, Mr. Lowe gaye the toast, ‘‘ The Royal Horticultural Society.” He had no hesitation in saying that the visit of the Society had conferred upon Birmingham and the district a very large amount of substantial benefit. The visitors had seen one of the most magnificent exhibitions ever held in this country, and the in- habitants of Birmingham generally had great reason to thank the Society for giving them an opportunity of seeing something which they scarcely expected ever to see in the town. The Show had certainly been a great pleasure and a great benefit to the inhabitants of the district; Birmingham had long wanted in its midst horticulture of a high-class character; it had obtained it at last ; and, individually, he thanked the Royal Horticultural Society for its visit. [Hear, hear.] That the visit was appre- ciated was evident from the fact that that day (June 27th) between 25,000 and 30,000 persons had visited the Show; and nearly 20,000 had paid at the gates. [Applause.] The Prince had remarked, and truly, that the artisans of the locality, as a rule, were fond of gardening. The visit of the Society was cal- culated to develope and foster this taste, and in this develop- ment lay a great public good. [Cheers. } The Cuatrman, in response, said that the visit of the Society to the town had heen undertaken purely and entirely with a view JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, { July 4, 1872. to promoting the interests of horticulture in all its branches. At the commencement of the negotiations there was some differ- ence between the Society and the Local branch, but he was glad to say that when it was pointed out that it was impossible for the Society to do anything in the way of implements, the Local Society readily accepted the explanation, and all the arrange- ments had been carried out with the greatest satisfaction to everybody. He was compelled to say that the Society occasion- ally hada good many hard names thrown at it, names which were not deserved ; but he could truly say that the object of the Council had throughout been to advance the interests of horti- culture, and to meet, if possible, the wishes of exhibitors of all classes. They could not expect that a Society which, very few years ago, had been in straitened circumstances, should be as liberal as everybody might desire; but he was glad to say that the Society was now in a much better position than was the case some time since, and he had no doubt that, in the future, it would be able to offer much more liberal terms to exhibitors. He, for one, should be the first to propose this. [Cheers.] He need scarcely say to an assembly so well acquainted with the matter as that which he was then addressing, that but for the assistance rendered by the Local Committee the success of the Show would have been very much curtailed. [{Hear, hear.] He believed something like £4000 had been received up to the pre- sent moment; of course the expenses, in consequence of the weather, would be considerable, and would appreciably reduce the amount in hand, but at the same time there was very little room for dissatisfaction. In conclusion he proposed ‘ The Health of the Local Committee.” Mr. Lowe, in responding, said that the Local Committee was one of which the Society might feel justly proud. Its members were satisfied and gratified if, as the result of any exertion of theirs, the Exhibition of the Society had been made a success, believing as they did, that such exhibitions did very much to advance one of the most intellectual and beneficial pursuits in which men could engage. . The CuHarrman proposed the ‘‘ Exhibitors and Gardeners of Great Britain.” In looking round the room there would be some difficulty in selecting anyone who was not an exhibitor. This was very gratifying, but the only misfortune about it was that exhibitors did not always recognise the advice of Dr. Watts, to the effect that birds in their nests should agree. He really could not see why there should be any hair-splitting or squab- bling about small matters amongst horticultural men; and re- cognising the harmony with which the arrangements of the present Exhibition had been conducted, he trusted that the precedent now set would be followed in years to come. Mr. Bapcer, who was received with cheers, proposed the health of Mr. Richards, the Assistant Secretary to the Royal Horticultural Society. He spoke in eulogistic terms of the ability, courtesy, and efficiency of Mr. Richards, saying that he (Mx. Badger), in all his communications with the Royal Horti- cultural Society and its officials, had been met with the utmost fairness and goodwill. In fact, his connection with the Society chad been one of unmitigated pleasure. The Cuarrman proposed the health of Mr. Badger, and , Mr. Baperr, in responding, said that the Birmingham Horti- cultural and Botanical Society, from which the Local Committee might fairly have expected to have received active aid in the arrangements for making the Show a success, had thrown every possible obstacle in the path. From the very moment that the an- nouncement was made that the Royal Horticultural Society in- tended to visit Aston Lower Grounds this local society raised every possible objection to it, and it would therefore be seen that the Local Committee, in carrying on their work, had at least one serious obstacle to contend with. The Local Committee was one such as he ventured to say had never been associated with any horticultural exhibition before. It included representatives of almost every class of society in the midland counties, and amongst those who had written to him expressing their cordial sympathy with the objects of the Society was Mr. John Bright. [Applause.] From his connection with the Society he could say in allsincerity, that itfully deserved the unswerving support of all horticulturists. 4 Mr. Brace proposed ‘“ The Press,’ and Mr. Moore, co-Editor of the Gardeners’ Chronicle, responded; Mr. ScHOFIELD gaye “The Health of Mr. Thiselton Dyer, M.D., Professor of Botany to the Royal Horticultural Society,” and My. Dyer responded ; the CHarrman proposed “The Health of Mr. Quilter,” and Mr. _ Quilter appropriately replied. : (Im our next number we shall give a report on the imple- ments, &e.—Eps. ] POLES.—No. 2. Szat or Ropert Hansury, Esa. Lravine the plant houses to take care of themselyes—and they can take care of themselves, or, rather, are well cared for —vwe will now pass to the rosery, of which the accompanying July 4, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. Mi na Wi Hi tl Mp Slit! ne ‘ Kt Heian) Pi i ( : i ( | The Rosery, Poles. 16 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 4, 1872. is an illustration. Years ago we visited the place, years ago we were charmed with it, and now we have grown older and colder we are charmed with it still. On revient @ ses prémiers amours. So it is with us. The place as we viewed it a few days ago is not much changed; we shall therefore use the words we wrote seven years ago, and which are as descriptive now as they were then. In front of the conservatory runs a terrace, overlooking a rosery, which is planted with a good cok lection, consisting of Hybrid Perpetuals, whilst Tea Roses are trained against the 6-feet-high terrace wall. The centre of the rosery is formed by a pedestal encircled by quadrant beds, then a circular walk, and exterior to this twelve other beds converging towards the centre, the whole being surrounded by four borders separated from each other by the four principal walks, which meet in the centre. Above, on the terrace, there are twelve beds on each side of the walk, six oblongs with the corners swept out alternating with the same number of circles, and the whole planted with standard Roses. Passing over the plant houses from which Mr. Hill has so fre- quently and so well exhibited at the metropolitan shows both Orchids and Ferns—passing over also many other fine features of this place, we come to the fruit and kitchen garden, which covers a space of five acres, of which two acres are enclosed by walls 15 feet high, built hollow on the same plan as those at Chiswick, which, unlike other forms of hollow walls, have exactly the same appearance as a solid one. The wall on the south side is 300 feet long, giving of course 300 feet of south aspect and a corresponding extent of north aspect; and at right angles to this wall run two others, and one dividing the enclosed space up the centre. Hach of these is 240 feet in length, and the whole, consequently, give 720 feet of west aspect and a like extent of east aspect. The borders are 15 feet wide, and variously cropped to within 4 feet of the wall. The south aspect is covered with Peaches and Nec- tarines. The trees were chiefly Grosse Mignonne and Barring- ton Peaches, and Violette Hative Nectarines, and were all in excellent bearing condition. But it was on entering the walled-in garden that we were more especially struck with the appearance of the trees. The walls were literally covered with blossom, and the trees in a healthy bearing state from top to bottom. The north aspect is chiefly occupied with fan- trained Plums and Cherries, the former consisting of Coe’s Golden Drop, Magnum Bonum, Angelina Burdett, Kirke’s, Orleans, and Victoria; the latter of Elton, Black Tartarian, and Morello, one tree of which alone extends over a width of 25 feet. The east and west aspect walls are covered with ex- cellent horizontal-trained Pear trees of the best varieties, as Duchesse d’Angouléme, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Glou Morceau, Thompson’s, Althorp Crasanne, Josephine de Malines, Haster Beurré, &c., Plums, and Cherries. Along that side of the walks farthest from the wall, at 6 feet from the edge, are planted about two hundred pyramid Pears, from 12 to 18 feet apart. . These were all root-pruned two years ago, and were, like those on the walls, white with blossom. The interior was variously cropped with Peas, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Asparagus, and other vegetables, and the supply is supplemented by the produce of the outside slips, in which there are standard Apples, Plums, and other fruit trees. We now come to the south-aspect wall on the north side of this garden. Here there are four vineries each 30 feet by 15 feet, and a Peach house 40 feet long by the same width. In the first house, heated by five rows of 4-inch pipe, were fine crops of Black Hamburgh, Trentham Black, Muscat Ham- burgh, and Frontignans, and in a succession-house Black Hamburghs, Lady Downe’s, and Muscats in pots, the two former haying set a good crop, and the last being just started. The fourth vinery was a Muscat house, in which fresh Vines had been planted to replace the old. ‘The most pleasing sight, however, was the Peach house, the roof being covered with two fine trees bearing a profusion of fruit. A span-roofed Peach house, formerly an orchard house, but not heated, 35 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 10 feet high to the ridge, was also planted with Black Hamburghs and Buckland Sweetwater Vines trained along the ridge, whilst on shelves were numerous pots of Sir C. Napier and Premier Strawberries, bearing very freely. A second span-roof was devoted to Figs well set with fruit, the kinds being chiefly Brown Turkey, White Ischia, and Early Violet, which produces a small sweet fruit, is a very free bearer, and excellent for forcing. Other houses contained pot Vines started to come in at Christmas, Bowood Museats just colouring, Oranges in pots grown chiefly for their flowers, good crops of Strawberries, Kidney Beans, and Cucumbers. Of the last Mr. Hill has a very prolific variety of his own, raised by him several years ago between the Manchester Prize Cucumber and Black Spine. The fruit averages 18 inches long, and is produced in twos, and some- times three or four at a joint. At the back of the north wall of the kitchen garden were the men’s rooms, not the small, low, dark, and badly-ventilated rooms too commonly met with, but 14 feet square, and 9 feet high, heated by hot water, and with ample provision for air and light. Where there is such a liberal employer as Mr. Han- bury, and such a zealous and well-skilled servant as Mr. Hill, great things may be expected; still we were not prepared to meet with such high-keeping and thorough efficiency in every department. Everything that was done was well done, and itis no exaggeration to state that there was not a weed to be seen. : We ended our last notice with ‘‘ weeds,’ and to them we have returned; as we said seven years ago so we say now— “ There was not a weed to be seen.” ROSES. Tue Roses previously recommended by me have been bloom- ing well—namely, Perfection de Lyon, Edward Morren, Ma- dame Chirard, Marquise de Castellane, Baron Chaurand, Felix Genero, and Lord Herbert quite first-rate. They are a splen- did lot. I have only just bloomed Leopold II. (W. Paul). It is a magnificent Rose, and of excellent growth and habit. It is full-sized, well-formed, and of a brilliant scarlet-crimson colour. All comers made a ‘‘ note”’ of it. I recommend to window-gardeners Baroness Rothschild, Triomphe de Caen, Princess Christian, Madame Creyton, Mar- quise de Mortemart, and Baron Chaurand. The Roses here (Dorset) are healthy, and blooming well. I have cut them all back three times, some of them four times, since Christmas. By so doing I have got rid of orange fungus for the year. Cut away all damaged and inferior wood; you cannot get good wood out of bad.—W. F. Rapciyrrr. EXCRESCENCES ON VINE LEAVES. We have recently received from several correspondents examples of Vine leaves, the under surfaces of which are a mass of warty-like excrescences, resembling small green boils or blisters, so thickly clustered together as to completely ob- literate the natural surface of the leaves. From others we have had communications describing this disorder, with in- quiries as to its cause and cure; and we have recently seen some vineries in which the growth of the Vines has been seriously checked by.an aggravated form of the same affection. This disordered state of Vine leaves, it need scarcely be said, is not by any means of recent date, nor altogether peculiar to this season. At the same time we are not at all surprised at its prevailing to an apparently unusual extent in a season so characterised by sunlessness and wet as this has been up to the middle of June. The disorder in question we have noticed to have been a complete puzzle to men who haye never had an opportunity of practising Vine culture, nor of testing the causes that have been assigned for those excrescences. At one time it has been assigned to one cause, while at another several causes have been suggested, and remedies proposed which could neither prevent nor remove the evil. Indeed, we are not aware that, after it once appears, it can be removed, although it can be prevented and arrested. In so aggravated a form of this disorder as prevails in so many cases this year, it has a most injurious effect on the growth of Vines. In fact, we have seen cases where it has com- pletely arrested the growth of especially young Vines. Last year a large closely-glazed house of pot Vines came under our notice, where the Vines were so much affected that the leayes were not half their natural size—were cup-shaped, and so in- veterately affected by this extravasated state of the sap, that every leaf was four times the thickness that is usual.in a state of health; and a general stunted growth and yellowish green colour prevailed over the whole house. The cause was not far to seek for: the means of ventilation in an otherwise excellent structure were sadly deficient, and the floors and borders were kept in a constantly saturated condition by frequent sprink- lings. So confident are we of the cause of this undesirable disorder in the leaf of the Vine, that we will undertake to pro- July 4, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 17 duce it in ten or fourteen days in the earlier stages of the Vine’s growth, and more especially during a sunless and wet season like the present. The agency we would apply is neither more nor less than a warm atmosphere highly charged with vapour or moisture, in conjunction with a minimum of yenti- lation. This produces it to a certainty ; and in vineries where the ventilation is ample and the atmosphere not over-moist, it will not appear, although in such asvason as this is it requires careful management in the points named to prevent its appear- ance. Ventilation and dryness will not eradicate the disorder once the leayes get into the spongy blistered state ; but these conditions will arrest its spread when it has commenced, and prevent it where it has not. Our theory of the matter is, that with a close over-damp atmosphere and a high stimulating temperature surrounding the foliage in the absence of sun- shine, and while the roots are active in a moist border, too much sap is sent up, which, in the absence of a corresponding amount of evaporation and other functional operations of the leaf, ruptures the sap-channels or veins of the leaf, and as a consequence the crude warty matter is formed in the leaf. This takes place more in the centre of the leaf, and its ex- pansion—except towards the margin—becomes arrested, and it assumes a cup form. In one instance this year we have seen several leaves from the back of which an attempt was made to form small leaflets just where the excrescence was the thickest. Our present closely-glazed hothouses are more favourable to the production of this disorder than were the older ones, with their many open laps and chinks for the escape of moisture and the ingress of fresh air, and require more than ordinary care in keeping up a constant circulation of fresh dry air to guard against the evil in question, as well as to produce a healthy foliage of that consistency and texture which is indi- cative of functional regularity. Whenever the first signs: of these warts appear, let it be the signal for increased ventila- tion and decreased atmospheric moisture.—(The Gardener.) ONE HOUSE FOR FRUIT AND PLANTS. We would direct the attention of ‘8. K.” (a correspondent) to the article at page 463, as there he will find much that will meet his case. To be more precise: ‘“S. K.’’ may combine plants and flowers in such a house, but to do much with plants these should not be toomuch shaded. Six Vines will be ample, and five would be better. Onecould not in such a house have a better variety than Black Hamburgh for the main bulk, with one Buckland Sweetwater Vine and one Royal Muscadine. Of course by giving more heat any kind could be grown. These will ripen well without much artificial heat. Tf plants are grown in the house we have not much faith in the Strawberries doing well on the back border. They would thrive better on the front shelf. If fruit were a consideration there might be Peaches on the back wall; if flowers were the object it might be clothed with Camellias and Oranges, and the shade of the Vines and the additional heat in summer would be conducive to their success. After the Vine leaves were ripe there would be a rich back wall to look at. If small plants were the object, or even if the greatest possible quantity of Strawberries, we would make a steep stage against the wall. ' The service of that stage would, however, be reduced to a minimum when the Vines began to shade the house. One cannot, in a small house, have every advantage. As a general rule, with the exception of Mosses, Ferns, &c., plants will not long thrive without a fair portion of light. By moving plants out much may, however, be done ina small house. In such a case, if we were to combine Vines and flowers, we should plant Vines as proposed, clothe the back wall with large Camellias planted out, and then have such subjects as Epacrises, Azaleas, Cytisus, Primulas, and Cinerarias. For treatment we recommend the ‘‘ Vine Manual,’ which can be had by post from our office for 2s. 74d. As respects heating, we have little faith in any of the modes proposed. First, there is a stove which it is proposed to fix in the house, to be fed from an outhouse, but the heat to descend and to pass under the pathway in a flue for the length of the house, and then to rise and go into a kitchen chimney. We should not envy anyone if shut up in the outhouse and vainly striving to make the flue draw. The whole thing is considered by the most practical as contrary to natural laws. Besides, anyone who has read carefully our pages would haye perceived that one secret of good draught in such stoves is, that the horizontal pipe from the stove must be short, not more than from 2 to 3 feet. Of course, if the rise of the pipe or flue is rapid the length does not so much signify. In this case “*S. K.” attempts to bring the heated air down under the pathway. There is just one favourable condition—that is, the height of the kitchen chimney, and the higher the better. A second thing would be, not merely sinking the stove as much as prac- ticable, but having a close chamber over it, in which the heat should rise before descending to the lowered flue. When that flue became a little heated, the tall chimney would act in securing draught and combustion. In a parlour of a public- house in a neighbouring market town, we saw an open iron stove that is with the firebox exposed, as in a common grate, only the stove stood in the middle of the room without any apparent chimney. The smoke rose into what seemed the top of the stove, and an opening there brought the smoke down by the back of the stove into a flue underneath the floor of the room, the floor of some passages, and beneath the floor of a large kitchen, from whence it rose and passed into the kitchen chimney. The high warm chimney was the chief cause of draught. Under similar conditions we should not despair of success; but without the high heated chimney, and without taking means that the heated air should rise first, we have no faith in the proposed plan acting. The second proposed plan is just as objectionable. The flue taken from the kitchen fireplace going along the house and returning, supplied with dampers, &c., would answer, but for the simple fact of the flue, after entering the greenhouse, having to descend. For such a small house, 21 feet by 10, and where it was merely wished to keep out frost, the simplest plan would be to place the stove as proposed. If a brick one, it will be better than iron, so that it can be fed from the outhouse, and just take a pipe for smoke from the stove right through the roof of the house. With close-fitting furnace and ashpit-doors you can regulate draught to a nicety. Thus no flue will be needed. If the stove were placed as nF, near the kitchen chimney, the smoke-pipe could be at once taken into the chimney, There is just this thing necessary, the pipe should go in from 5 to 10 feet above the fireplace in the litchen so as to avoid back draught. The next simplest and a better mode would be to sink a small stokehole, have there a furnace and g flue from it underneath the floor, the flue terminating at the stated height in the chimney. We would rather like “8. K.” to try his own plans and report the result, and to do that whatever plan he may adopt.—R. F. BALCONY GARDENING. No more decisive evidence occurs to us of the increased and increasing love for gardening than the multitude of inquiries for plants suitable for cultivation in a baleony. We have our own chosen ones, and we have our own preferred arrangement, but we ask from our readers the communication of the results of their own experience as to which plants should be selected, how they should be cultivated, and how arranged. There is only one circumstance from which we think no variation is permissible—the plants must be either grown in boxes, or in pots plunged in boxes. Within a very few years the plants cultivatable in a balcony have increased a thousandfold, yet we have had no special notes upon them or their management there. We copy from an American contemporary the drawing of a balcony garden. It is highly tasteful, and shows the adoption of Palms and trailers to mingle with the Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, Calceo- larias, and others of our old favourites that tell of a master- ship. We reprint what Mr. Fish wrote long ago relative to some older plants in the balcony, and we shall be glad to increase the value by notes from our readers relative to other plants whether new or old. ‘ The boxes contain a mixture, or are filled with one thing separately. Filled either way, there would be little difficulty as to their summer treatment ; but the winter treatment would be very different if the proprietor chose to keep the plants for another season. Hyen in summer the treatment should be different. Coolness and moisture for Calceolarias; heat and not too much moisture for Scarlet Geraniums. When Tropxo- lums are established they need little moisture to cause them to bloom freely. If the proprietor chooses to purchase a fresh lot for a summer display, the best thing he can do is to let 18 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 4, 1872. them all die with the frost, and plant with Tulips, &e., for spring. If he wants to save his plants he must proceed according to circumstances. If the Calceolarias and the Gera- niums are mixed, it would be best to separate them either by potting each plant separately, or putting each kind separately into a larger pot or a box, so that each can get the requisite treatment. For instance: would cut the plants pretty freely back—say in October, lift them a week afterwards with all their roots and a good portion of soil, pack them closely together, water them, place them near the glass in a cool room in winter, keep them as much from fire heat as possible, keep the soil rather moist all winter, and give more room to the plants by turning them out in boxes in April. In the case of Calceolarias we | Now for Geraniums thus mixed. We would also take them up, and either pot or pack closely in a box, water to settle the- earth about the roots, and about the end of October we would | strip off the whole of the leaves and the very soft points of the shoots, allow the soil to become dryish, but not dust dry in | winter, and we would keep such plants in a dryish place—say a dry cellar or a garret, being not at all particular as to much light before the old succulent stems began to break, which | they would most likely do in March and April. In fact, we like such old plants best when they do not show a leaf larger | than a sixpence before April. They will require more water and room after that, but they will bloom in balconies as no young plants will do, and require only a tithe of the trouble of young plants in winter. A Balcony Garden. Tf you ask if that is the best way of arranging them, we say No. We would keep the Calceolarias chiefly to one set of boxes, and the Geraniums to another, with appropriate and mere temporary edgings to each. Then we would have two sets of boxes for the baleconies—one for bulbs, &e., in spring, and one for blooming plants in summer and autumn. About the middle of October we would prune back the Calceolarias pretty freely, so that we should have fresh shoots near the surface of the soil before winter. We would fresh surface the plants, and remove the boxes to a room where they could have a good portion of light, be kept moderately moist, and not ex- posed to more than a degree or two of frost during the winter. By April the boxes could go on the balcony during the day, | with a little protection atnight. These, with surface-dressings and manure waterings, would bloom early and well. We prefer young Calceolarias to old ones, and the room that would be required for an old plant would hold something like a score or a dozen of cuttings up to March, and require no more trouble. A 6-inch pot will hold about a score of cuttings about 24 inches long, inserted from the middle of September | to the middle of October, and these placed either inside or | outside of the window will be sure to strike in a month or six weeks, if a bell-glass is placed over them, and a piece of paper to shade from bright sun, a little air being given at night to prevent damping. If there are no bell-glasses, fill the 6-inch pot half full with propagating, light, sandy soil, and place a square of glass oyer the top of the pot, shading and giving air as above. An improyement on the latter plan would be to use a 34-inch pot, and set it when filled at the bottom of a 6-inch one. When struck these young plants, so close together, would require little attention, except watering and air-giving, until March, when they would require more room before being finally planted out. Then as to the Scarlet Geraniums in boxes by themselves. Give little water after September, remove larger leaves gradu- ally until the middle of October, clear all the leaves away by the end of it. The soil will be quite wet enough all the winter, if not dust dry. The stems will be like a succulent plant, and will hold quite enough of moisture to keep them pretty well, if the plants are not exposed to any drying heat. The best place for them is a store-room or garret, and much light is no great object provided they are kept cool enough not to grow, and | airy enough not to damp, and frost kept out by the covering of a cloth, or a little hay used to prevent the stems freezing. | When such plants, about March, begin to break and show | leaves the size of half a sixpence, the boxes should be brought near a window, and in a sunny day the stems should be dusted or sponged with water. Ere long a little water about 70° | should be given the soil, not all over at first, but poured into | holes made with skewers a few inches apart. In a few days | repeat the process if the weather is at all bright. When the | leaves get between the size ofa sixpence and a new halfpenny, | all risk is over. Scrape away then a portion of the surface | soil—say from half an inch to an inch deep, without injuring July 4, 1872. } JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 19 the roots, and fill up with rich compost, of which soil may form one part and rotten dung another, and then water as needed. These boxes may be expected to bloom most splen- didly during the summer, and to go on from year to year far exceeding in brilliancy, and with a tithe of the trouble involved in keeping young plants over the winter. Every year, for some time past, we have had fine plants of Tom Thumb Geranium in the flower garden. They are in largish pots, plunged. About the end of October the pots are generally raised, and plants and pots together go into a shed until we get time to pick the most of the leaves off. The plants then generally stand in a shed secure from frost a'l the winter. In spring a few withered points will want removing, and the plants are placed first in a cool house, just as inside the win- ‘dow of a room. When growth commences they get a little water and then are fresh surfaced. If Tropxolums of the Elegans or Triomphe de Hyéres kinds are grown we would place little dependance on the old plants. df taken up, if the boxes must be changed, or if left alone in boxes of Calceolarias or Geraniums ;—in the first case, they would have too much moisture in winter, and in the other case they would be too dry even for such succulent plants. The best way with them is to keep a supply of young plants from cuttings, and let the rest die. In the case of the common Tropxolums, and even the Tom Thumb scarlets and yellows, which are very beautiful, the best plan is to sow seeds at the sides of the boxes in April, or, what is better, sow in a pot inside the window at the end of March. Pot-off into small 3-inch pots as soon as the plants are 2 inches high, and then in May turn out the nice, established plants in the sides of the boxes on the balcony. WORK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Tu weather lately has encouraged a rapid and luxuriant growth in vegetation. Plant the Broccoli and Winter Greens in all disposable vacancies. Some attention should be directed to the proper distribution of sorts of Broccoli, appropriating, for instance, all protected situations to the tender sorts. Avoid planting borders fronting fruit trees. Continue to ridge- out Celery. Plant Leeks in well-prepared land. Advancing Peas should be well attended to, and successional Kidney Beans will require some protection against the attacks of slugs. The early crops of Peas, Spinach, Radishes, and Cauliflowers should be cleared-off the ground as soon as their edible supply is ex- hausted ; the ground, well manured and dug, might be planted with Cauliflowers or Walcheren Broccoli. Sow Endive, Let- tuces, Spinach, Turnips, and Radishes to maintain the suc- cessional supply. If weeds be not followed-up and destroyed they will become most mischievous in their effects. FRUIT GARDEN. As close gloomy weather is fayourable to the fecundation of aphis, additional attention should be given at this time to Peach, Cherry, and other trees, both on walls and espaliers, with a view to the timely destruction of insect annoyances. Peach trees will require repeated attentions directed to the judicious regulation of the wood, with the view of maintaining the equilibrium of the tree. An undue growth of laterals should be suppressed, the shoots regularly tacked-in to the wall, and the fruit exposed to the light. Trained Pears de- mand similar attention. Remove Raspberry suckers where a disproportionate quantity exists; four will be sufficient to remain. Strawberry runners will be found sufticiently ad- vanced for layering. Small pots are generally preferred for the purpose, shifting them twice. FLOWER GARDEN. Now is the time when all flowers in masses or mixed beds should undergo a thorough regulation for the season. Much of the beauty of mixed beds depends on observing a due proportion as to the amount of foliage. It does not look well, for instance, to find Phloxes, Asters, and other gross herba- ceous plants with a score oi shoots each, smothering such delicate neighbours as Verbenas, Nierembergias, or Calceola- vias. Such overgrown specimens, where they exist in mixed beds or borders, should be much reduced in size; in fact, four or at the most five shoots are amply sufficient. All ripening bulbs should be removed into a cool, dry, and shady situation ; those still somewhat green, if they must be removed, may be taken up with a ball of earth and heeled in a somewhat shady place for a few weeks longer. This will be better than forcing them into a state of rest. Many of the bulbs, however, as the Crocus, &c., with small leaves, may have flowers introduced around, and mingled with the patches. Sweet Verbenas, Petunias, the Myosotis, and even German Stocks or Asters, may soon be made to cover their remains. Above all, let everything be well staked, for summer storms when the season turns out ungenial, frequently proye very destructive in a fow hours. Perpetual Roses which have blossomed freely will be benefited by a slight top-dressing and an application of manure water, to insure a healthy second bloom. Climbers generally should be looked to. Lay Pinks and Cloves for potting. Russian Violets may be separated and new plantations made. Mow and roll grass. Trim edgings. Attend to the propriety of walks, the weather at present encouraging the growth of weeds. Plants growing in baskets and vases should now have a final stirring at the roots before the surface is entirely covered with foliage, likewise put on a layer of moss to check excessive evaporation, and thus save some labour in watering, which they otherwise would frequently require, as they are generally elevated above the surrounding surface, and, therefore, more exposed to the rays of the sun. Bear in mind that Fuchsias in vases should be attended to daily as regards watering; it is inattention to this that causes the bloom to drop, and in course of time renders the plant unsightly. The shrubbery will require frequent attention at this season. Remove all decayed flowers and seed-vessels from American shrubs; this will not only give them a neat appearance, but will in a great degree add to their strength, and, as a result, will secure an abundant bloom next season. Now is a good time for layering Rhododendrons, Azaleas, &e., just as they are com- ing into full growth. Single specimens of choice trees and shrubs planted upon the grass in open places should haye the long grass regularly cut away from about the stems. Be sure that the fences placed around them for protection from hares and rabbits are in good repair. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. At this season, when the plants in the conservatory are making their growth preparatory to blooming, it is of the greatest con- sequence that the border in which they are planted should be properly examined as to its humidity throughout, and receive, if necessary, a thorough soaking of weak liquid manure. This application should not be delayed too long, or, if applied late, it might prolong the growth so much in the autumn as to pre- vent its getting ripened in due time. ; These remarks apply, of course, to those plants permanently planted out, such as Camellias, Oranges, climbers, &e. Give all the air possible at this season both night and day. The greenhouse at the pre- sent time is occupied principally with Pelargoniums and such- like softwooded plants, and possibly also with specimen Bo- ronias and Hriostemons. Keep a sharp look-out after the former, and see that they are not suffering from mildew, which will quickly play havoc with them. Leschenaultias which haye done blooming must be repotted, if necessary, and placed in a shady situation to make their growth. The flower- buds should also be remoyed constantly from the young grow- ing plants, which should now be making rapid growth. Look well to those stove and greenhouse plants which are preparing for winter blooming, also Achimenes, Gloxinias, Gesneras, &e., a good stock of which will be found useful in the autumn. Chrysanthemums must be duly potted and attended to. Supply them liberally with manure water, and sprinkle them oyer- head every evening. Destroy insects on Cinerarias, and above all things see that your Azaleas are clear of thrips. If they are not, take them from the pit or house and give thema thorough good washing, then place them in a close room, fumigate them, and wash them thoroughly again before returning them to the pit. STOVE. Here a number of Clerodendrons and such-like softwooded plants will now be showing bloom, and with the late-blooming Txoras, Dipladenias, Echites, &c., this house will be very in- teresting for some time to come. Give abundance of air at all times, and endeayour to keep the air of the house saturated with moisture. Look closely after insects, especially the mealy bug, which delights to get into a truss of Ixora flowers, from which, undisturbed, it will soon colonise a whole house. Weak liquid manure should be used here once or twice a-week, as well to sprinkle the house as to water the plants. The young plants which have been removed from the dung pit to this house must be duly attended to. Encourage the young Ixoras, by giving them plenty of air both night and day, to make strong hardy growth, and do not stop them any more this season. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 4, 1872. PITS AND FRAMES. Alpine plants in pots should now haye a little attention. These miniature beauties are fully entitled to and deserve all the care they require ; they add not a little to the beauty of the flower garden during the spring months, for ‘though small they are lovely gems.”” They should now be collected together. Some will require division of the roots to increase the species. Many will require weeding and top-dressing, and others shift- ing into larger-sized pots; finally, plunge the pots up to the yim in sand, or finely-sifted coal ashes if sand is a scarce material. They should now be regularly syringed with clean water early in the morning and late every evening. These re- peated waterings will tend to cool the atmosphere in the frames, as the majority of these plants grow in high altitudes, and are indigenous to northern countries. Keep a watchful eye after slugs, mice, and other vermin that generally find a refuge in this quarter at the present season. Keep store plants in a healthy state by paying attention to watering and the destruction of insects. Collect all empty pots together, and have them tho- roughly washed before they are stored away.—W. Kane. DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. House Sewage.—As instanced the other week, we are no admirers of cesspools and dirty water near a cottage door or window, but we have no hesitation in saying that the contents of such a receptacle of dirty water, be it a covered hole or barrel at the farthest distance from the house, when applied to the rougher-growing vegetables not too strong, will nearly double the weight of the produce, and even a heavy watering, though somewhat strong, is soon deodorised by the earth. All owr experience leads to the conclusion that such rich waterings mainly affect growing crops. If size were a chief object we could do almost anything with Cauliflowers, Cab- bages, &e., by a free use of rich sewage. For the cottager and his family a huge Cauliflower will never be a drawback, but the gentleman’s gardener must be careful not to sacrifice the idea of quality to quantity. When we frequently see rich dark-coloured liquid running to waste, we wish that some cottager had it at the roots of his Cabbages and Beans. Staking Scarlet Runners.—A little stopping when these are 3 or 4 feet in height keeps them more at home, and renders them more productive. Staking should always take place in good time, as soon as the shoots run fairly off, and we like to see the noble lines; but those who have not stakes need not despair. We haye gathered quite as many pods from rows 4+ feet apart and not staked at all. These we topped several times, and the chief precaution was mulching with clean litter or long grass to keep the pods clean. We know that it is a common practice after gathering the pods to wash them, or put them in water when sliced, and let them lie some time. Tf the pods are quite clean, the less they have of water before they are tumbled into the boiling liquid holding a little car- bonate of soda in solution, the richer will be the flayour. When we used to go more from home than we do now, we wished that some one would teach the proprietors of inns and hotels, and gardeners’ wives too, how to cook vegetables. The late Mr. Loudon used to say that not one lady of the house in twenty knew anything of the matter. We have too often seen what, when sent from the garden, must have been fine vegetables, hardly fit for being placed in a hogtub; for the hog, despised though he often is, has his ideas of the tasteful and the nice. Peas.—The hot weather, with occasional heavy showers, has been all in favour of this queen of vegetables. For many years we have run a tight race with the ducklings, but with out-door Peas we were beaten this year, the ducklings being ready be- fore our Peas were sufticiently swelled. As regards gathermg Peas, some men are perfect savages, pulling the pods off as if the strength of a giant were required for such a lilliput affair. The greater the strain on the stem of the Pea, the greater the injury to succession of pods. v ever been devised than taking a clean, small, open knife in the hand, and severing the footstalk of the Pea between the knife andthethumb. One word more: The gatherer should see that all the pods are uniform in size and age, otherwise no cook can boil them properly. We have frequently gone over a basket of Peas after a man had gathered them, and picked some twenty to thirty pods out. Even these few would have marred the uniformity of the dish, and when this is done several times the gatherer becomes more careful. Eyen those picked out would have come in well for soups. No better or simpler plan has | We missed a fine opportunity of estimating and contrasting lots of the finest new Peas at Luton Hoo last year. This season Mr. Cadger has beaten us with Sutton’s Ringleader, but he sowed earlier. He says, however, that though not quite so early, Dickson’s Early is a better podder; but in our ex- perience we can hardly draw a line between these and Carter’s Karly and Chater’s Karly. One thing we should like to do, and that is to recommend to everyone who has only a small garden Maclean’s Gem. It is a very superior Pea, little behind those earliest, and though not more than a foot in height, yields a profusion of large well-filled pods, and the flavour is above the ordinary run of early Peas. The dwarf-growers are of great importance where ground is measured by feet and yards. Celery.—We used to pride ourselves on early Celery, but owing to circumstances we are behind this season, and must make up for lost time. If any of our readers are in a similar predicament, let them beware of ever allowing their Celery plants to be dry. If kept damp enough they will soon make progress. Onions.—The spring-sown, after being thinned and hoed, have grown amazingly. The autumn-sown ones in three suc- cessions are fine. There is a little secret, and, as usual, we must out with it, to get them to bulb well and early, and that is, not to wait until a central flower-stem appears, but to nip- out the centre of each plant long before there is the appearance of a flower-stem. Just try arow, and leave another row longer, and mark the result as respects early free-bulbing, instead of huge neck-bulbing. We all have our surprises at times. After showing a rather particular man how to do it we were mortified on visiting the ground to find it covered with the remains of Onion tops, three or four times the quantity being taken from the plant that we wished. Of course the check was great, but nevertheless the plants bulbed freely. It is, howeyer, always best to avoid checks, unless on an infinitesi- mal principle. The nipping-out the centre of a large autumn- sown Onion increases the tendency to bulb freely, and arrests anything like a seeding process as effectually as if more of the centre had been removed. The taking away more arrests free growth, which is not at all desirable. Cauliflower, Peas, d:c.—Instead of taking our machine-mow- ings to the rubbish-heap we have lately used them largely as mulching. The grass is so short that it takes with it no seed weeds, and keeps the ground moist for the roots. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. Thanks to “J. A.” for his note on Strawberries. We must find out the cause why Dr. Hogg Strawberry dies with us out of doors. Such notes are most valuable to all concerned, and show clearly howa candid record of failures is often as valuable as a record of successes. It did mortify us to find such fine fruit in pots, and such wo-begone and dead plants out of doors. As “J. A.” states, the crops of Strawberries seem plentiful out of doors, and the foliage in many cases is extra fine, but we fear we shall not be able to gather the splendid single specimens we have been haying for months in pots. Orchard Houses.—We have still a few Strawberries in pots excelling at present those coming-on out of doors. We have watered these houses freely with sewage water—that is, water that goes from all parts of the mansion, laundry, &c., and is taken from a tank. If very strong we add some clean water to it. Cherries in pots for the last three weeks seem, from their size and brilliancy, as if they liked it. Some of our readers err in giving manure water too thick and toostrong. We like it clear, so as to leaye little or no sediment on the surface of the soil. It is best to err at first on the side of weakness. Brandy itself is agood medicine, and it is often a valuable stimulant, but what would soon become of the man who used it without being diluted with five or six times its bulk of good water? Two of the cheapest and best washes for plants under glass, or eyen in the open air, we know, are soot water and soft-soap water; but the first we use as clear as sherry and water, and the latter, though greyish in colour, without a particle of sedi- ment, merely by dissolving a pound or so in hot water, allow- ing it to stand, and pouring it off clear into thirty-six gallons of clear water. As far as insects are concerned that appli- cation, forcibly applied, will beat all the costly nostrums that are so enticingly spread-out before us. Though there is a trace of a greyish colour on the water, nothing of that is seen as the leaves get dry. Of course, just as in the case of the useful Gishurst, it is easy to overdo with soft soap, and to kill wood as well as insects. We generally use it weaker than stated above, and if used now and then insects will be kept at Suly 4, 1872. 1 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. bay. All applications are pretty well useless when once they have obtained the mastery. ‘A stitch in time saves nine.” Very often in gardening, if the one stitch is neglected you may save all labour as respects the nine, because it will only be labour thrown away. We have known of hundreds of pounds of tobacco used in gardens, when for all the utility concerned they might as well have been burned on an open heath; 2 or 3 lbs. judiciously applied might have answered and told with profit. ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT. By renovating our lawns we have given ourselves extra work, as the grass does grow. Flower-beds have as yet re- quired little attention, except planting and securing, and but for four-footed intruders we should get on swimmingly. Our Roses on walls that were grand are now at a standstill; they haye had a dusting of sulphur and soot, and washings with soap water—not suds. Pinks and Carnations have had supports; the easiest to use is a twisted wire. Lots of plants have been potted for succession. The great drawback in most places is room. People see a few things good in alittle house, because appro- priated to these things alone; they forget that they demand ten or twenty times the quantity from the same place. Cut flowers in some places are getting to fever-heat. We placed a number of plants under shade to save watering and ex- | haustion. We shall propagate Pinks, &c., ere long, slipping the cuttings out by their sockets. Gave rich manure water to Chrysanthemums, large Pelargoniums, and Fuchsias, and clear water to successions. There is a fitness in things. We would as soon feed a baby on roast pork as give rich soil and vich manure water to small plants.—R. F. TO CORRESPONDENTS. N.B.—Many questions must remain unanswered until next week. Ty1Inc Rosks Down To A Hoop (A Constant Subseriber).—This is called quenouille fashion. Céline Forestier could be so trained better than Gloire de Dijon, as its wood is more pliant. When the shoots of Gloire de Dijon, or of other Roses, are able to bear it, put a small weight proportionate to its strength towards the end of the shoot.—W. I’. RADCLYFFE. WEEDs (J. C. C.).—There is a book by J. Donaldson, published in 1848, | entitled ‘“‘The Enemies of Agriculture, Botanical and Zoological, their De- scription and Ixtirpation;” there is also a better volume by B. Holditch, “The Weeds of Agriculture.” AspHALT Watxks (Horti).—Take two parts of very dry lime rubbish, and one part coal ashes, also very dry, and both sifted fine. Ina dry place, ona dry day, mix them, and leave a hole in the middlo of the heap, as bricklayers do when making mortar. Into this pour boiling hot coal tar; mix, and, when as stiff as mortar, put it 3 inches thick where the walk is to be. The ground should be dry and beaten smooth. Sprinkle over it coarse sand; when cold, pass a light roller over it, and ina few days the walk will be solid and water- proof. We think it would answer for a threshing floor. Rose Boups WirdERING (C. Jones).—It is probably caused by want of manure. Remove the surface soil down to the first roots; cover them with some thoroughly decayed stable manure; return the soil, water abundantly, and keep the surface mulched all the summer. Your plant is an Euphorbia, and we think E. lathyris, but the specimen was smashed. ADIANTUM FARLEYENSE.—4 Lady Gardener writes to us thus :—‘‘I have in my stove a large plant of Adiantum farleyense, and a plant as closely as possible resembling farleyense has come up in a pot in the stove. Can any of your readers inform me if farleyense has yet been raised from spores ?” LEAVES OF Rose TrEeES INJURED (A. C.),—The leaves of your Roses were so smashed that it is difficult to answer your questions. The Saw-fly, Selandria wthiops, has nibbled the surface of the leaves. Mildew is a fungus that affects the tender leaves in hot dry weather. It also proceeds from the roots, and passes through the circulation. A fine yellow Rose, a wall tree 14 feet high, some years ago died, and when dug up it was discoyered that the whole of the roots were white with mycelium. Mr. Radclyffe had some Roses under glass much affected with mildew; he had them sponged with vinegar, which completely removed it. If the trees are not dressed for mildew, it is best to cut off all the mildewed portion. He has got rid of orange fungus, which did so much mischief last year, by cutting below it to a dormant eye. Srortnc Porarors (Wear Hall)—So far from its being judicious to take up the tubers before the stems ave quite faded, there can be no doubt left upon the minds of those who have tested by experiment the antagonistic modes, that upon no account should any Potatoes be taken up, either for seed or storing, until the stems are totally dead. The Potatoes will be best kept by placing them in layers alternately with earth, so as not to touch each other, on the north side of a wall, covering the whole about 12 inches deep also with earth, and with a smoothed inclined surface outside to shoot off the rain. No implement ought to be employed for taking up the roots but a fork with three flat prongs; and the mode most economical of time and labour, and consequently of expense, is to sort the Potatoes at the time of taking them up. If the Potatoes are thus stored there will be no shoots requiring to be rubbed off at planting time. We never wait to dry the tubers, but take them up and store them between the layers of earth at once. SHRUBS FOR AN IsLAnD (F. W. H.).—It would be well to have the open stone wall cemented, so as to keep the water from the soil; besides, it would improve the appearance, giving the character of a rocky isle. We haye such a one, and it is completely covered with Gorse, yellow Broom, and grass, and it has an excellent effect. Wehaye another that has upon it a rather scrubby Holly, two or three good Hollies, some Whin, Broom, and Heath, and it has a very fine effect. We have no experience of other evergreens on islands, and in-our case the roots are not in stagnant water. On ground not free from water we have the Weeping and Cut-leaved Birch, Kilmarnock and American Weeping Willows, scarlet and variegated Dogwood, Deutzia scabra, and eh ores Rose. The ground is covered with Sedges and Grass to the water's edge. CABBAGES FOR EArty Crop (Cave Hill)—We do not sec in what way we could improve on your treatment, which to us appears quite sound. For market purposes we do not think you can improve much on the kinds, but you may try Cattell’s Reliance, Wheeler's Imperial, and St. John’s-day Drum- head. Sow from the 10th to the 15th July, and pursue the treatment you haye adopted in other years. If you do not care about a large Cabbage, but want a compact one with a good heart, we recommend Atkins’s Matchless (Veitch’s Improved). Hill’s Dwarf Incomparable is a fine early variety. Matchless may be planted 15 inches apart every way. PLANTS FOR A Hancinc Basker (Dolly Varden).—To come in during September there is no finer subject than Torenia asiatica, but some strong plants ought to be planted out forthwith, encouraging them with plenty of heat and moisture. Maidenhair Ferns would do well, with Selaginella cesia for the edge. Finer subjects, however, ave Adiantum setulosum, Nephrolepis tuberosa, Goniophlebium subauriculatum, and Adiantum Capuillus-Veneris, but they require some time to become established. If you wish for flowering plants we should employ varieties of Troprolum Lobbianum, as Brilliant, elegans, or Crystal Palace Gem, and the Ivy-leaved Geraniums. Brrars ror Rose Stocks (P. T. B.).—By the root-stem we meant that part of the Briar below the soil from which the fibres or roots are produced. In taking up the Briars, if you can preserve any fibres within a foot of where the stem was exposed above ground it is well, but their preservation is not material: and if you leave from 4 to 6 inches of the root part from which fresh fibres can be emitted it is sufficient. If you have about 6 inches of the root it is as good as a foot or more, tor the longer it is the greater will be the likelihood of suckers. By all means take up the Briars and plant in November. HyacmytH SEED Sow1ne (Idem).—Sow the seed as soon as ripe in pots of good, rich, light soil, and cover it with a depth of soil equal to the thickness of the seed. Afterwards place the pots on a shelf in a greenhouse, and keep the soil moist.. Vegetation will take place in due time, and when the seedlings have made a scason’s growth they may be planted out of doors in a warm situation; take up annually in the usual way, and in due time they will attain sufficient strength for flowering. We cannot name any firm in particular. | We cannot recommend dealers. BANIsHING Ants (Idem).—A solution of 2 ozs. of guano to the gallon | poured into their haunts will drive them away, and so will the ammoniacal | liquor of the gasworks. Two table-spoonfuls of spirits of turpentine to a gallon of water poured into their haunts will be equally effectual; but the turpentine and ammoniacal liquor have the disadvantage of browning the giass, which the guano does not. HEATING BY A Stove (H, L. T.).—The great secret of heating a house by a stove, be it metal or brick, is to concentrate the heat as much as possible in the stove, an&to depend but little on what heat escapes from the smoke pipe. The use of the fire lump standing, say, 3 inches before the smoke pipe is just to prevent the free egress of the heated air. If the smoke pipe were 4tinches in diameter this fire lump should be some 6 inches wide. It acts best, and so will the stove altogether, if the smoke pipe go out not from the top, as it is often made to do, but from the side—say the side opposite the feeding door, and some 6 inches or so from the top of the stove. The fire lump we used to consider a great advantage, and we do not undervalue it | now, but our chief reliance now on regulating draught would be on close- fitting ftunace doors, and especially ashpit doors. By the latter the draught may be regulated to such a nicety, that the intricacy of the fire lamp may be entirely dispensed with. When once a stove is hot enough yery little air supports a slow combustion—say an opening 1 inch long, and some twelfth part of an inch wide. Thus managed we have often had a stove so hot that you could not touch it, and yet the smoke pipe from it would be almost cool. You must exercise a little patience, and become acquainted with your stove before you can do this. No mere rule will enable you to succeed, but a little perseverance will. The economy of heating by a stove consists in concen- trating the heat from the fire in the stove. A fire-box only 8 inches deep will keep in all night if the coke is well broken and the above attention is given to curtailing the air necessary to slow combustion, but in the great majority of cases where stoves are used, proyided enough of heat is obtained, it is not necessary that the fire should be kept in allnight. For mere security one good fire would often be sufficient. For effective heating we should prefer an open space between the fire-box and the sides of the stove. But practically we find lining with fire-bricks little if anything inferior. If an iron stove is used for a plant house there ought either to be this open space or a lining of fire-bricks; in other words the burning fuel ought never to touch the sides of the iron stove. When it does, the ironis apt to get red hot, and few plants will stand that uninjured. A close-fitting furnace-door for feeding is suffi- cient, but if made double with, say, an inch between them, the outside door is less liable to be warped by the heat. We have also found with such double doors with an open space for air between them, that a small opening in the outer door greatly obviated the unpleasantness of smoke coming densely from the smoke pipe. 5 Is answered in No. 1. Pir FoR WINTERING Currines (E. G. S.).—A heated pit 6 feet wide, sunk beneath the ground level, in front a fiue surrounded by clinkers and fine grayel at top, with sand for plunging in, or earth for growing in, would answer well. The success will greatly depend on haying upright pipes—say from 2 to 3 inches in diameter eyery 4 feet, to allow of the escape of heat upwards, and to give a command of moist or diy heat at pleasure. Of course, two 4inch pipes at bottom instead of a flue would be better, and two for top heat. For small affairs hot water is dear, for large affairs itis the cheapest. As to baying too much heat we haye little sympathy. Why not manage the stokehole better ? Sow1nG GERANIUMS, VERBENAS, AND PETUNIAS (4 Subscriber).—The seed should be sown in pans filled with two parts turfy loam, one part leaf soil, and one part of sandy peat, chopped up finely and sifted through a half-inch sieve, adding to the sifted part a sixth part of silver sand. The pans should be drained to one-third their depth, over that place about an inch of the roughest of the compost, and fill to within a quarter of an inch of the rim of the pans with the sifted soil, making the surface smooth, and pressing rather firmly but not very hard. Scatter the sced evenly, just cover it with fine soil, and press very gently. Water lightly, and place in a hotbed with a gentle heat of 70°. Keep just moist, and when the plants appear keep near the glass with abundance of air. The plants will be up in a fortnight or less; but Ver- pena seed is sometimes long in yegetating, therefore do not discard the pan JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July 4, 1872. but keep it fora twelvemonth, Of course that will be unnecessary if the plants appear. When they have a pair of rough leaves prick them off an inch apart in pans prepared as for the seed, and return them to the frame. When they become established, and before they are crowded, pot them off singly in 3-inch pots, and place them in a frame, keeping them rather close and shaded for a few days, and then harden them off, admitting air freely. If you wish to grow them in pots they should be shifted into others of a larger size as soon as those in which they were first potted are full of roots; or you may plant them out in good rich soil and in an open situation out of doors. They will flower the same season as that in which they were sown, but do not take the Geraniums up in autumn; pot them, and winter them in a greenhouse. ‘The best time to sow the seed is in March; but you may sow now, and if you have the plants established in pots before winter they will flower early and well next year. They should be wintered in alight airy position in a house from which frost is excluded. RuNNERS FROM UNFRUITFUL STRAWBERRIES (Idem).—We do not advise your taking runners from the plants which are this year unfruitful. Very likely they will be as unfruitful as the plants from which they are taken. In no case plant runners of unfruitful plants. CATERPILLARS ON CAULIFLOWERS (J. N. R.). — Dust them with white hellebore powder; but hand-picking is the cheapest and most effectual remedy. BorroM-HEATING A PLANT Stove (G. T. B.).—It is easy to let the water out of a trough by means of a tap or plug. In very dull weather it is pos- sible to have too much moisture at bottom. We should have no difficulty with your coiled pipe enclosed ina chamber with sand over, a few pebbles or some rough grayel laid on the top of the covering, and an open pipe in which to pour down water. Thus you could give a moist bottom heat, even when it was desirable to keep the surface sand rather dry. Except in very ex- ceptional circumstances, as in continued cold damp weather, damping the sand would be quite suflicient, and thus you might have saved the galvanised trough. BuppinG Roses (G. 7. H.).—Full directions have been detailed in works on Roses, as My. Paul’s, Mr. Cranston’s, and the Rey. S. R. Hole’s “ Book on Roses.” It is difficult to give a verbal description of any use for practical purposes. One hour's practice under any experienced budder will do more good than any written directions. The following golden rmles may be ob- served :—Bud when the sap flows freely, and when the bark separates easily ; with Manetti stock, bud low. Choose buds that are plump and well de- veloped, but not too far gone, and let the stock be rather in advance of the scion. Do not cut off the top of the stock as the bud is at first fed by the yeturn sap. Make the bark of the upper part of the bud fit accurately with the cross cut on the stock. Do not tie too tightly, but at the same time fumly. Look at the buds from time to time, and loosen the ties as soon as the bark seems to be too tightly bound. Do not cut the eye from the scion till you are ready for budding, nothing is so fatal as letting the eyes in the bud get dry. GARDENERS’ Unions (W. H. S.).—We must decline your communication and all others on the subject, for relative controversy is unsuited to our columns. THE BRITISH GARDENERS’ MUTUAL AND SELF-SUPPORTING SocrETY.— We are informed that “ W. A.” and several others who haye forwarded stamps for rules, will find by this time their copies have arrived. Foncus) (——).—The plant is Bupleurum fruticosum, and not British. The Fungus is Polyporus versicolor. Curtinc Tyy—Srrreine Ivy Curries (Poor Cockney).—The Ivy against a wall should be clipped closely and evenly with the shears. This is best done in April. At this time of year you need only remove any irregularity of growth, preserving, however, the young leaves, but you may take off some of the old ones where they are too crowded. Defer the general trimming until next April. Ivy cuttings may be put in now in good, light, sandy soil on a north border, choosing cuttings about a foot long, and inserting them half their length in the soil. —JoHN PoWELL. [If you can establish by evidence what you state, we consider that the company are liable. But you must also prove the amount of damage.—EDs. | LIGHT BRAHMAS. Attow me to reply to Mr. J. Long’s correction of my adver- tisement. I would not occupy your space, or note his remarks, but for two reasens—viz., the probability of the depreciation in the estimation of the birds by the gentleman who bought them, and the attack he makes on a lady who never advertised or ex- hibited a pen of Light Brahmas. At the late Plymouth Show Mr. J. Long made the following statement in the presence of one of the Committee and myself before the awards were known, that his Crystal Palace cockerel and Young Sampson were there, and that he was sure of first and second prizes—there were no birds to compete with them, but his birds were not noticed. Ido not deem it any honour or feel any particular pleasure in beating ‘‘ Young Sampson,” con- sidering how seldom he has figured in the prize list since taking the cup at Plymouth in 1870, and at which Show Mr. Long claimed him, and since which Mr. Long has talked a great deal but performed very little. Atthe late Exeter Show Mr. Long’s two pens were respectively highly commended and commended, and my only penshown second prize. Will he deny that ‘‘ Young Sampson ”’ was not there ? In conclusion, if the gentleman who bought my birds is at all dissatisfied with them, I shall be very pleased to take them back on his paying carriage both ways, and making good all losses, if any.—lI'. Seccomse, Totnes, Devon. LUTON POULTRY SHOW. Tuts was held on the 25th July in connection with the Bed- fordshire Agricultural Society’s Show. The following are the awards :— Dorxines.—l, T. C, Burnell. 2,J.L. Loundes. c, M. Leno. : Cocurins.—Buf.—1, Lady Gwydyr. 2,H. Liloyd,jun. he, M. Leno; J. Blood- prone Any other Variety—Cup, land 2, R. 8. S. Woodgate (White). he, H. oyd, jun. Game.—Black-breasted and other Reds.—lang 2,R. Hall. Any other Variety. —l and 2, R. Hall. SpanisH.—l, Nicholls Bros. 2,W.R. Bull. he, R. Wright. HampBurcus.—Gold or Silver-pencilled._1, W. Speakman. 2, W. K. Tickner. he,M. Leno. Gold or Silver-spangled.—1, L. Wren. 2,M,. Leno. he, T. Love. Braumas.—Dark.—l, R. B. Wood. 2, Lady Gwydyr. he, W. Ewer. c, H. Yardley. Light—l, M. Leno. 2,J. Bloodworth. hc, Mrs. fT. Turner; Rey. R. M. Ridley. c, Mrs. T. Turner; J. Atkins. F Bantams.—Sebright.—_1 and 2, M. Leno. he, U. Speary (2). Any other Variety. —l1, Rey. E. Tiddeman. 2. C. Bloodworth. Creve-Ce&urs.—l, R.B. Wood. 2,J.J.Malden, hc, A.E.Deane; W. Dring; J. K. Fowler. c,C.A. Barnes. FrENcH.—Any Variety.—1, Rev. M. Ridley. 2,J.K. Fowler. he, R,B. Wood. PoxtanpDs.—l and 2, M. Leno. a ANY OTHER VArreTY.—1, R. S.S. Woodgate (WhitejSilkies), 2, Rev. R. M. Nidley (Malays). he, Lady Gwydyr (Silkies). c, J. K. Fowler (White Leghorns). SELLING CLAss.—l, Lady Gwydyr (Buff Cochins). 2,R.Hall(Game). he, G. Shrimpton (White Cochin); J. Cockrell (Golden-spangled Hamburgh) ; R. Tread- well (Dorkings); T. C. Burnell (Dorkings);-J. Bloodworth (Buff Cochins); C. Reed (Chinese Bantam); J. K. Fowler; Rev. E. S. Tiddeman (Light Brahmas T. Chambers, jun. (Game); T. Sear (Dark Brahma). c,M.Leno (Light Brahma) ; E. Latour (Houdan). TurkeEys.—l, E. Arnold. 2, G. Oakley. Guinea Fowrs —1, T. Conder, jun. 2,M. Leno. Ducks.—Aylesbury.—l and he, J. K. Fowler. 2, J. Hedges. Rowen.—l, C. A. Barnes. 2,J.K. Fowler. hc, A. Page,jun. Any other Variety.—1 and 2, T. T. Malden. he, M. Leno. GEESE.—1 and 2,J. K. Fowler. he,J.Hern. c, T. Kingsley. PIGEONS. Carriers.—l, H. Yardley. 2, T. Chambers, jun. Watkins. Pourers.—l, R. Ashton. 2, H. Yardley. JacoBins.—l, W. Minson. 2, H. Yardley. TUMBLERS.—1 and he, J.M. Braid. 2, H. Yardley. Fanraits.—l, J. F. Loversidge. 2,H. Yardley. c,R.S.S. Woodgate. AnTWERPS.—1, C. F. Copeman. 2 and hc, H. Yardley. c, W. Bull. ANY OTHER Vanrrery.—l, J. H. Watkins (Black Carriers). 2, J. S. Price (Silver Runts). he, R. Ashton (Black Carriers); W. Ewer (Trumpeters); T. Homes (Blue Turbits); W. Minson (Swallows); W. Nottage (Black Swallows) ; A. Saddington (Archangels). c, E.T. Dexter (Blue Dragoons); R. Hall (Barbs). Raxspits.—Lop-ear.—l, G. Johnson. 2, T. E. & H. Lord. he and ec, F. Ivory Angora.—1, W. G. Hancock. 2,Adams & Russell. Himalayan.—l, Adams and Russell. 2, H. E. Gilbert. he, E. Robinson. Silver-Greys.—2, Miss A. Cran- stone. Selling Class—1, G. Johnson. 2, Adams & Russell. - RABBITS. Txovex the Rabbits at Luton were not so numerous as we had hoped, yet there was every reason to feel satisfied. We feel no hesitation in asserting, that with an attractive prize list arranged with due regard to the requirements of fanciers as re- gards a proportionate entrance fee as compared with the prizes, and the entries to be for single Rabbits, there would be no reason why this should not in every respect be an excellent Show for Rabbits. We are certain that the Committee are willing to profit by their experience, and so arrange for the future that even greater success than that recently achieved will be their reward. he, G. C. Mann. c,J.H. 122 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August S, 1872. The Rabbits were arranged in five classes, including the Selling one. The first-prize pair of Lops, black and white, were fairly marked ; not quite in so good condition as we have seen, yet worthy their position as regards the greater length of ears and excellence of marking. The second-prize pair (fawn) were fitting companions in position, and large well-formed specimens. There were seven entries. Of Angoras there were three entries. The first-prize pair were excellent as regards size, fineness of wool, and general points of attraction. They were scrupulously clean and white, and evidently owned by those who had some regard for their appearance in public. The second-prize pair were worthy the same remarks as regards their general appear- ance and points of excellence ; they were not quite solarge. Of the Himalayan there were three entries. In this class there was an excellent pair both in size, darkness of extremities, and the general appearance. The second in position were also good, lacking somewhat that excellence observable in the first-prize pair. The highly commended pen displayed a little too much of the grey shade in the feet. The Silver-Greys were rather too dark and small. In the Selling class there were four entries. The first in position, a pair of well-marked Dutch, were neat and nice- sized ; the second probably a little larger, yet not quite so good, but fair specimens. The ears of the longest-eared pair of Rabbits in the Show were 22 by 4¢ inches, buck, and 204 by 43 doe, by painless measurement. Jupces. — Poultry: Mr. G. Sainsbury, Devizes; Pigeons: Mr. W. B. Tegetmeier, Finchley; Rabbits: Mr. C. Rayson. Didsbury. NORTON AND EAST DERBYSHIRE POULTRY SHOW. Tuts was held at Chesterfield on the Ist inst. The Dorkings, Brahmas, and Game were very superior specimens. The cup offered by Mrs. Arkwright for the best pen of fowls in the Show was awarded to Dr. Holmes’s Dark Brahmas. Dorxres.—l, Mrs. F. S, Arkwright, Sutton Scarsdale. 2, W. Harvey, Shef field. he, D. Britt, Duckmanton, Chesterfield. SpanisH.—1, J. Mansell. 2, W. Harvey. he, H. Wilkinson, Earby, Skipton; j Burch & Boulter, Sheffield. GameE.—1 and he, C. Chaloner, Whitwell, Chesterfield. 2, H. E. Martin, Seul- thorpe, Fakenham. Cocuin-Cutna.—l, W. Harvey. 2,S. R. Harris, Cusgarne, St. Day. Braumas.—l and Cup for best pen of fowls, Dr. J. Holmes, Chesterfield. 2, W. Harvey. he, Dr. J. Holmes; Mrs. F. S. Arkwright ; R. B. Wood, Uttoxeter. Hampoureus.—l, Ashton & Booth, Mottram. 2, G. Holmes, Great Driffield. Poxanps.—l, W. Harvey. 2, W. Silvester. Sheffield. FrENcH.—1, 2, and vie. R. B. Wood. he, G. W. Hibbert, Godley, Manchester ; W. Dring. Faversham ; J. S. Rooth. GAME Bantams.—l and 2, W. F. Entwisle, Westfield, Bradford. he, W. Harvey. : Bantams (Any other variety)—l, R. H. Ashton (Black). 2, W. Harvey. he, Mrs. F. S. Arkwright (White); Burch & Boulter (Gold-laced); J. Watts, King’s Heath, Birmineham. ANY OTHER VArIETY.—Chickens.—1, Mra. F. S. Arkwright (Dorkings). 2, Dr. J. Holmes (Dark Brahmas), he, Dr. J. Holmes (Dark Brahmas); Mrs. F. S. Arkwright (Dark Brahmas); J. Earnshaw, Rotherham (Dark Brahmas); E. Brown (Spanish); Burch & Boulter (Spanish); J. S. Rooth (Malay); Mrs. F. W. Vernon, Sutton-on-the-Hill. Old Birds.—1, J. S. Rooth, Chesterfield. 2, R. S.S. Woodgate. he, J. Heeley; J. Watts. Ducxs.—l, J. Shillito, Pitsmore, Sheffield. 2, Hon. Mrs. Vernon. he, Dr. J. Holmes; C. Chaloner. GEEsE.—1, T. P. Wood. Chesterfield. 2. C.R. Chamberlain, Alfreton. Tourkeys.—l, E. Kendrick, jun., Lichfield. SELLING Ciass.—l, Burch & Boulter. 2, W. Harvey. SWEEPSTAKE FOR GAME Cock.—1l, C. Chaloner. 2, G. Boot, Chesterfield. The Judge was the Rey. A. G. Brooke, Shrawardine Rectory, near Shrewsbury. : NEATH POULTRY SHOW. Tue third annual Show was held on the Istinst. The arrange- ments were very good, Billett’s pens being placed under cover along the sides of the field, and the birds well attended to. Dorkings were very good, but the Cochins much better, and a pen of good Buffs won the cup against Brahmas. The winners in both Dark and Light Brahmas may be pronounced good, but out of feather. Game, Spanish, and Hamburghs were very poor, but French fowls were better; Créve-Coeurs won both prizes. Chickens of Any variety numbered twenty-five pens, and many of the pens were excellent; two first, two second, and two third prizes were awarded. The two first prizes fell to the lot of Light Brahmas, one second to Créve-Cceurs, the other to Houdans, and the third prizes were won by Game and Dorkings. Ducks made a fair display, and the Geese, mostly Toulouse, were very large and fine to feather. In Pigeons the birds most worthy of notice were the first-prize Carriers and Pouters, Red Jacobins, and the pair of Ice Pigeons in the Variety class. Tumblers were poor, but the Antwerps were of fair quality; both the winners in the latter class were Red Chequers. Dorxrnés.—1, J. Buckley, Penyfai, Llanelly. 2, J. M‘Connell, Ewins Harold, Hereford. Cocuin-Cuina.—Buff and _Cinnamon.—1 and Cup, H. Lloyd, jun., Hands- worth, Birmingham. 2, C. Bloodworth. Cheltenham. he, D. W. J. Thomas, Brecon. c, T. Jones, Swansea Gaol; R. Jones. Any other Variety—l, H. are jun. 2, J. Dyer, Pencoed, Bridgend. RAHMA PooTra.— Dark.—1, H. Feast, Swansea. 2, J. Buckley, jun., Bryn-y-Caerau, Llanelly. c, T. H. Williams, Brecon; J. J. Evans, Brecon, ' Light—1, J. Bloodworth. Cheltenham. 2,T. A. Dean, Marden, Hereford. he. J. G. H. Morris. Bridgend. c, H. Feast, Swansea. i Gaue.—l, C.H. Miers, Crynant. 2, J. Owen, Hafod, Swansea. he, S. Bur- ford, Swansea. SpanisH.—l, H. Feast. 2, T. R. Mitchell, Swansea. Hampureus.—Gold-pencilled or Spangled.—i, C. Blo Cheltenham. Silver-pencilled and Spangled.—1, J. Carr H. Feast. ec, J. M‘Connell. Potanps.—l, R. Jones. 2, J. M‘Connell. FRENcH Fowts.—l, G W. Hibbert, Godley, Manchester. 2, H. Feast. c, W- Harris, Penyfai, Bridgend. Game Bantams.—l, R. Wilkinson, Bridgwater. he, G. Palmer ; R. W. Thomas; H. Feast. CRoss-BRED.—2, H. Feast. s Any Variery.—2, C. Maggs, Melksham (Black Hamburgh). Chickens.— land Extral, T. A. Dean (Light Bralmas). 2, W. Harris, Penyiai, Bridgend (Houdans). Extra 2, Mrs. Thompson, Bridgend (Créve-Cceurs). ¢, C. H./Miers, Crynant (Black-breasted Red Game). Extra 3, H. K. Jordan (Coloured Dork- ings). he, J. Carr; Mrs. A. Studdy, Haverfordwest (Light Brahmas); Mrs. P. H. Rowland (Brahmas); J. Dyer (2); J. Sims (Light Brahmas); J. R. Paramore, Preswylfa (Light Brahmas (2); H. K. Jordan (Coloured Dorkings). Special Prize, T. Beynon (Gold-pencilled). Ducks.—Rouen.—l. J.J. Evans. 2,J.T. Griffiths. c,G.J.May. Aylesbury. —1, Mrs, M. H. Knight, Bridgend. 2, J. Buckley, Penyfai, Llanelly. hc, Mrs. A. Studdy, Ashdale, Haverfordwest; J. Buckley, jun., Bryn-y-Caerau, Llanelly. c,J.F, Davies. Any other Variety.—1 and 2, W. Binns, Pudsey (Bahama and Teal). c, H. Feast (Peruvian). GEESE.—1, T. Edwards, Brecon. 2, J. Buckley, Penyfai. he, Mrs. Starbuck (Toulouse); Mrs. A. Studdy. TuRKEYS.—1, J. Buckley. 2, H. Cuthbertson, Penrhiewtyn. land, Glyn-Clydach. c, Mrs. A. Studdy. SELLING CLass.—l, C. Bloodworth (Silver-spangled Poland). 2, J. Westren, Brintirion (Partridge Cochin). 8,J.M’Connell. he, J. Carr (Game Bantams) ; D. W. J. Thomas, Brecon (Buff Cochin); C. Bloodworth (Buff Cochin). Ducks. —l and 3, Miss M. H. Knight (Aylesbury). 2, J. Buckley, jun. (Aylesbury). PIGEONS. r Se OURS es and 2, W. Crook, Swansea. he, H. G. Holloway, jun., Stroud > .G. Bale. Carriers.—l, H. Yardley, Birmingham. 2, P. Charles, Maesdyrhaf. Prize, C. W. Prior, London. he, W. Crook TumsBLERs.—l, H. Yardley. 2, W. Crook. JscoBins.—l, H. P. P. Price, Castle Madoc. 2,H. Yardley. 3, W. Crook. Fantais.—l, H. Yardley. 2 and he, W. Crook. Nuns.—l, W. G. Davies. 2, W. Crook. Barss.—l, W. Crook. 2, H. Yardley. ANTWERPS.—1, H. Yardley. 2, W. Crook. he, H. P. P. Price. TumBLERS.—I and c, W. Crook. 2, P. Charles. ANY OTHER VaRIETY.—1, H. Yardley. 2,J. Buckley (Archangels). 8, W- G- Davies, Swansea (Yellow Turbits). hc, W. Crook (Ural Ice, and Black Mottled, Trumpeters). Canartes.—l, T. Mears. 2, Miss E. Llewellyn, Court Colman, Bridgend. ES J. Baylis. he, S. Daniel (2); T. Mears; W. Gwyn, Neath Abbey (2). ¢, D- Rees, Tynycaeau; J. Granger. JupGEs.—Messrs. Hutton, Pudsey ; and Nicholas, Newport. 2, J. Cockrell, | , Swansea, 2, 2, J. Carr. he, Mrs. Row- Speciad THE PRESENT BEE SEASON. Foiuowine in the wake of ‘B. & W.,” I shall, with your per- mission, detail my experience of the present season. Although only a novice in bee-keeping, I must confess to an absorbing in- terest in the occupation, and sometimes feel quite inclined to plead guilty to the charge of ‘‘ bees on the brain” that some of my friends make. The letter of “B. & W.” has shown to me that. although a novice I have been more fortunate than some of my fellow apiarians, and it is the desire of contrasting my experi- ence with that of your correspondents that has induced me to address you upon the subject. I commenced bee-keeping in March, 1871, with one purchaseé stock, and during the year by purchase and increase by swarm- ing I raised my stock to thirteen hives, one of which was tenanted by very good hybrid Ligurians. Theseason was so unfavourable here for the gathering of honey that I had only two stocks heavy enough to stand the winter ; but with a determination not to go backward in my new pursuit, I laid in a stock of sugar and fed my light hives liberally. I had the satisfaction of finding in October that all my stocks were heavy enough to stand the winter, but the study of my sugar bill was rather disheartening to my ideas of profit to be gained by apiculture. During the winter I carefully read up my subject from the works of Taylor, Neighbour, Huish, and Thorley (not the cattle- food man), and in the spring I was fortunate enough to add to my library Pettigrew and Langstroth. The latter I gaye pre- cedence over all others, and by following his teaching and the advice of Mr. C. N. Abbott (always kindly and readily given), I managed to bring through the disastrous spring the whole of my thirteen hives. In June I became a subscriber to the American Bee Journal, and received my first number at the end of that month. Two things Iam firmly convinced of—First, that bar-frame hives are the only ones that an advanced apiarian wall suffer his. bees to occupy; and secondly, that they must be tenanted by Ligurian bees to obtain the greatest results. On May 6th I transferred bees and comb from a straw skep to my first bar-frame hive, and on the 28th of the same month I successfully introduced an Italian queeninto it. To-day (Aug. 3), its nett weight is 70 lbs., although I have abstracted from it seven or eight combs of brood to build up other hives. One of the most successful results of such assistance is a cast from my hybrids that was hived on June 14th, and to-day contains 61 Ibs. nett. The heaviest hive I have is one that I prevented from swarming by the addition of a large under hive of an octagonal shape. They weigh to-day 114 lbs. nett. I have two of the sized hives that Mr. Abbott recommends in the English Me- chanic, 17 by 12 inches, by 11 inches insidemeasure. The first I August 8, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 123 made was given to my first swarm which issued on June 4th, and they now weigh 78 lbs. nett. The second is tenanted by a swarm of black bees that were hived on June 17th. This weighs to-day 84 Ibs. nett. These hives have eight frames. I am trying to ligurianise all my stock, and all my bar-frame hives are headed with young queens raised from brood abstracted from my first bar-frame hive, which is a ten-frame Woodbury. My hive of hybrids threw off four swarms, all of which are the +enants of wooden hives, and are all heavy owing to the assistance they have received by the introduction of brood combs from other hives. ‘ j ; I have one Stewarton hive which I obtained from Messrs. Craig, of Stewarton. I hived a swarm in one of the four boxes on June 14th, and another in the second portion on the 15th; they united easily. I added a third box asa nadir and put on the super, and to-day they contain 93 Ibs. nett, both of the upper boxes being filled with sealed honeycomb. My stock now consists of twenty-three hives, all but one heavy with honey. This one is queenless, and I fear will have to be broken up. I have thrice introduced a queen, and in each case she has been killed by the bees. I think of having one more try withian im- ported Ligurian queen. The season has not been a good one, but the white clover has been very luxuriant for nearly a month, and to this fact doubt- less I owe much of my success. One word for my favourites the Ligurians. Let any keeper of the English black bee place a hive of Italians in his apiary and carefully compare them with his blacks, and he will find that they are more prolific, more ready to resent an insult, and more industrious than our English bees. They are greater robbers it is true, but that arises from their superior pluck ; where they are introduced black bees must go the wall. Ihave forgotten to instance how very disastrous the spring was to the old-fashioned bee-keepers (not bee-masters) in this neighbourhood. Out of three that I know, one lost twenty stocks out of thirty-one, another fifteen out of twenty-three, and the other three out of six; whilst a fourth, who, although a labourer, was open to conviction, by the use of the feeding-bottle success- fully carried his six hives into the summer.—R. Symineron, |. Market Harborough. {We wish many of our readers would send us notes on their apiaries.—EDS. | BEES NOT WORKING IN SUPERS. I nave now kept bees for the last two years, and so far have hhad every success with them as regards fertility and supply of honey; but I have been much puzzled with supers and bee- glasses, to neither of which can I get the bees to enter. In my Neighbour’s cottage hive there are three bell-glasses, and both last year and this I set these glasses open for the bees to enter, but they have not done so. What am I to do?—R. H. {As your bees have equalled your anticpations as to fertility and consequent sufficiency of population, it is not easy to account for their refusing to enter the supers. Have you not only ex- eluded all light, but also kept the glasses warm by cloth or flannel wrappings? These are points often neglected, but they ‘are very important, particularly at the time of the bees com- mencing work in the supers. It is not always necessary to attach guide combs, but itshould never, if possible, be neglected, as it may make a -difference of many days in the time of the commencement of comb-building. For glasses we usually make a sort of inverted cross, the arms being afew inches from the bottom; the end of the upright, passes through the hole at the top of the bell-glass, and is sup- ported by a wire or brad. Two pieces of clean worker comb are selected, and are secured merely by thrusting the arms of the cross through them, there being one comb on each arm pushed up near the upright stick, and so suspended that their lower parts shall almost, if not quite, touch the board on which the glass stands. This induces the bees at once to ascend and attach the combs to the bars, &c. Care must be taken that the dip of the combs is in the proper direction. The combs need not reach the top of the glass. Another plan is to have a thick piece of wood without arms suspended in the same manner, to which four bits of comb are attached in the form of rays or spokes of a wheel. In some re- spects this is preferable to the first plan, but the fixing of the guide combs is more troublesome. In this mode, also, the combs should reach very near the bottom of the glass.—Hbs. | — ' To Kerr Eecs THroucH tHe Summer.—Ten gallons water, five pints slaked lime, five pints coarse salt. Put this brine in a good barrel, removing one head. Place the eggs in the brine, most of them will settle to the bottom and arrange themselves small end down; some will float on the surface, but small end down as the others. Now place the head of the barrel which you had taken out on the surface of the brine, for the purpose _ of weighting down the eggs which float and also to protect the lime in the mixture from becoming carbonised on the surface ‘\ and falling in little grains and flakes, which cement themselves to the eggs, giving them a rough and yellow appearance. Eg, packed in this way will keep six months, and I do not know how much longer. BEES IN A DILEMMA. I KEEP bees in the common straw hives. My first swarm was in the first week in June. On the 2lst July I noticed a great disturbance amongst the bees of the first swarm, and the next day there was quite a stream of honey running out of the mouth of the hive. All the bees seemed to be out, and they were clustered on a straw thatch with which the hive is covered. They are very vindictive. The honey has stopped running, but the mouth of the hive is full of dead bees, and the others do not ioe into the hive. We have had very hot weather here ately. When the bees first swarmed I covered the hive with a bag to protect it from the rain. About three weeks afterwards I had the bag taken off and put oma straw thatch. I was surprised to find a nest of ants under the bag on the top of the hive, and I rubbed the hive with sulphur to expel them.—J. H. S. [We imagine that the entrance of your hive must somehow have become so contracted (perhaps by the weight of the combs pressing the whole structure down), that ingress and egress became impossible for the bees: hence a great commotion inside, and the weather being hot and the combs fresh, a collapse of the honeycomb. Otherwise we must suppose that the mere heat of the weather suddenly brought down a piece of honey comb upon the doorway and choked it up; then followed, perhaps, the further catastrophe hinted at above, the dying bees inside choking-up the entrance. One of the objections to straw hives is the danger of this very mishap. If not very well made—that is, if loosely put together, they are pressed down by the increasing weight of the comb, and the entrances become gradually closed. We have seen quite new hives with such shallow entrance-ways that we could predict such an accident as that which has befallen you. We would advise your examin- ing the hive, cleaning-out the dead bees and corrupting brood comb, and putting some late swarm into it.—EDs. ] TAKING HONEY IN SUPERS. I HAVE a Swarm of bees hived on the 27th of May, have taken in a super 6 lbs. of honey from them, and put in its place another super, which is now quite full. Should I leave that on or take it off, and if requisite feed in autumn and early in spring? They are hived in a common straw hive (a large one), and are a numerous colony. I may add, my bees this season have done very well. I have taken 9 lbs. from some of them, with plenty remaining for winter feed—aA. T. K., New Hampton. [You are fortunate with your bees this year. By all means appropriate the second super if the stock hive is pretty well supplied, and make-up any deficiency by feeding in October.— Eps. ] OUR LETTER BOX. Tone AND DupLEy SHow.—‘In Antwerps, J. Hawley is put as taking the first prize; and in Owls, T. Annakin, both of which prizes I won.—GEoRGE CRESSWELL.” Merton Mowsray, CLEVELAND, SHEEPSHED, AND GREAT Horton SHows.—We conclude they were local, as they were not advertised. Licut BraumMas.—‘I throw the gauntlet to anyone that can show that the so-called Light Brahmas were ever Brahmas at all. There is another breed of good birds that have got a name that does not belong to them, and I will show who the usurpers are and the anthors of the usurpation, but one iron in the fire at once is enough for—JoHN EVERGREEN.” CHICKEN OR CHICKENS? (An Old Hen).—We believe chickens to be the correct plural of chick. BanTaMs IN CONFINED Space (W. H.).—The run (24 feet by 6 feet) is small for rearing chickens, unless you tax yourself to proyide them with that they lack by constant supplies of sand, grit, sods of growing grass, and such things as they get when at liberty. Why doyounot allowthem constant access to the kitchen garden? They neither can nor would do any harm. They are not like Cochin, Dorking, or Brahma chickens. We cannot think but even a gardener would delight in seeing the pretty little things running across the paths. We do not like your feeding. Discontinue the sharps and the wheat ; both tend to make them crop-bound, especially the wheat. Feed on ground oats slackly mixed with water morning and evening; give some barley mid- day either whole or crushed. While they are poorly substitute some bread and ale for the mid-day meal of corn. You do not state the age of the chickens. We are prescribing as thongh they were nearly adults. If they are young chickens you must feed accordingly on egg, curd, bread and milk, and such like, and feed often. Sirrina Swan BECcoME Burnp (C. R.).—We have never heard of flyblows being deposited in the eyes of living animals. The action of the lid alone is a sufficient protection as long as any life remains, or at least sufficient strength to open and close the eye. The Swan must have been in articulo mortis when the flies were at work. Maggots in the eye would soon cause death by reaching the brain. In support of our opinion that the Swan was dead, we may mention we haye known one sitting on eges and observed never to move, or even leayethe nest for a minute. Examination proved she had been long dead, and the eggs were cold. So far as posture and appearance were concerned, there was nothing to indicate she had ceased to live. We have known the same in hen and Pheasant. ‘The position is unaltered till the rigidity of the muscles relaxes. We know no nick-names for Swans. They 124 ‘JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 8, 1872. are sometimes called cock and hen, but move frequently male and female. Bewick calls them the latter. PrIcE oF Crive-Caurs (7. H.).—If you desire only pure-bred fowls you can biy them in a month’s time at from 12s. to 14s. each. You ask for points. If you mean to insist on them you will have to give more money. Square bodies, short darklegs, good top-knot and beard, large size, or the promise of it. Skin or Smuetes (G. B. F.).—The skin of a Silky must be very dark blue, almost black. The comb should be dark, and the face and deaf ear light steel-blue. These are the distinctive marks of a Silk. Withont them the pird is a pretender, and can only be disqualified if shown among pure birds. Hovpans—Game (G. P.).—Excepting when it is necessary to have the earliest eggs we should never discard hens only a year old. For breeding chickens we prefer two-year hens, but they do not lay as early as pullets. Houdan hens are better the second than the first year. Many other breeds— Cochins, for instance—are neyer so good after the first year. They lay more the second year, but not as early. The difference in Game fowls is only in feather, but for satisfactory and easy breeding we prefer the Black and Brown Reds. Ducks Convutsep (H. H. C.).—Your Ducks pick up something that dis- agrees with them, and from your description we should say something that swells and hardens in the weasand. A Duck has no crop. This would inter- rupt the circulation to the brain, and cause the bird to roll over as you de- scribe. If of frequent occurrence it would, of course, cause inflammation and death. You can test this by shutting them up where they have only that which is given. You will see whether they recover, or whether they are still attacked. Duckiines Dyrne (#. H.).—You will in future save your young Ducks if you put the old Duck and her brood in an old pigstye or such place, where there is shelter within and opportunity without of foraging among loose and irregular stones, and the puddles formed by inequalities of the outside. They will do here for a fortnight or three weeks, and can then be let out with the Duck. We do not think the addition to the contents of the ditch would aecount for mortality, as they are not squeamish in appetite or digestion. We do not admire your feeding. Ducks will die of poverty, starvation, and vermin, although plentifully fed on rice. Boiled potatoes are very bad food for all poultry; they cause extensive disease of the liver. Barleymeal and whole corn are better feeding. * Hovpans Lame (A. C. C. H.).— What do you mean by “therun?” Is it merely the roosting-house, or is all their space covered ina similar way? If it is, you need seek no farther for the cause of lameness. The feet of birds will bear contact with gravel stones, however rough, without lameness, but they cannot bear the sharp corners of broken bricks, nor their indented sides. If you have no other run, have all the brickbats carefully raked off, and leave the rest as it is. It will not do to have the bricks broken and rammed in, as it-forms a surface too hard for the fowls to scratch, and also holds damp, that is injurious tothem. Unlessyou do this all will become lame. Carrier Lavine Sorr Eees (J. B.).—This may arise from the bird not being able to procure materials for the formation of the shell. If this be so, put into your loft a pan filled with broken old mortavr, and a little salt mixed with it. If the bird has this already, the cause is inflammation, and give her a calomel and rhubarb pill and low diet. TARRING A PrGEoN Houser (Rat Trap).—Tarring the Pigeon house will haye no bad effect on the Pigeons. The best time to do itis any time while the weather is dry. PRESERVING KipNEY BEANS AND PEAS (Note).—We never pcereeded in keeping them green and palatable for winter use. Any reader who has been , successful will oblige many of our readers by detailing the process. JUDGING JUDGES (Don’t bother me . —We quite. agree with you in con- sidering that a judge should not be assailed personally or in any way for his decisions; but if by being so assailed he is induced, as you say, at some future show to give a prize undeservedly to his assailant, then he is totally unfit to be a judge. If he is discreet, a judge will not needlessly enter the ex- hibition after giving his awards, for losérs are not usually amiable in temper. WATER FoR Ragsits (J. A. A.).—Your Rabbits should not be allowed to go through the water, or eyen drink of that in the pond, at any rate not as freely as you state. A little fresh water at times is beneficial to them, especially if confined in hutches, and during hot weather in particular, but three or four table-spoonsful every alternate day will be sufficient. Mice Prst.—‘ NortH Writs” says, “ My house being near a rick yard is overrun with mice; they have in fact taken entire possession of me and mine. My cat, though an excellent mouser, appears to have given up her vocation in despair. Iam afraid of using poison lest mine enemies should be more terrible in death than in life. Can any of your readers tell me of a poison that will kill the mice in such a way that they will not retire to die in their holes, and thus create a nuisance? Were I the Emperor of Morocco, a second Whittington should be my prime minister.” [We fear unless you use strychnine there is no poison of which it can be truly said ‘“‘eating is instant death.” We believe that pills containing phosphorus are the best poisons to employ for the destruction of these marauders. The following mixture also lures and destroys them:—Black hellebore root powdered, 1 oz.; seeds of stayesacre powder, loz.; oatmeal, 21bs.; oil of caraway, thirty drops. Mix, and place little heaps of the powder near their haunts.] Do Brees Anways Bring Home Honry WHEN LoapED witH PoLLEN ? (B. S. H.)—When honey is abundantly secreted by the flowers, we believe that bees gather both honey and pollen; it is probable, however, that the greater part of the honey so collected is employed in the feeding of the , young brood. Pollen is often extremely abundant when the secretion of honey is limited. Do Humete Bees Ste? (C. R.).—The workers of the humble bees haye stings,’and will use them when provoked. The males, like the drones of the hive bee, haye no stings. The red-tailed bees defend their stores ‘with great zeal and pertinacity. Whether the sting of a humble bee is more severe ‘than that of our hive bee, we have had no personal opportunity of demonstrating. THe Ayrsatre Cow (Z. H. R.).—You had better advertise for one. We only know that the Shetland cowis very small. The following is a description of the Ayrshire cows:— They are a middle-horned cattle, excelling, perhaps, any breed of dairy cows in the kingdom. Small in size, their want of sym- metry is not so obvious. They afford milk of a very rich quality, and rather oily. They fatten more rapidly than many other races of cattle; for when the butyraceous deposit is stopped by drying, the system soon Aecustoms itself to secrete fat, which they soon acquire on a pasture inferior to that required by more tender animals. ‘There are two characteristics which seem so thoroughly belonging to this breed, that they ought not to be passed over. The one is the black muzzle, and the other is the yellow-red, which seems to be the natural colour of the race, arranged not in considerable quantities but in blots or patches. Thus the animals generally present a sort of checked aspect of golden yellow, red and white. The produce of these cows in milk and butter is very great. An Ayrshire cow will give from 600 to 800 gallons of milk in the course of the year; and five gallons per day is by no means uncommon for three months after ealying. This milk is also very productive of butter. Three gallons and a half of such milk will yield a pound and a half of butter; so that as much as 2601bs. of butter will be yielded by an - Ayrshire cow ; ‘and it is no uncommon thing to haye 8 or 9 Ibs. of butter pro- duced from one of these cows for some weeks after calving. About twenty- six gallons of milk will afford 141bs. of cheese; or a good cow will yield some 35 stone of cheese per annum, which, taken at 10s. per stone, will produce in this article alone as much as £18 per annum. There is another peculiarity of the Ayrshire cows which is deserving of notice. They hold to their milk to avery late period. They are cultivated and nurtured to give milk. Nature would teach an animal to give a supply so long as its calf needed that nu- tritious assistance; but so far have the milking qualities of the Ayrshire cow been brought out, that in some instances it has been known to yield milk all the year round, and even retain it to an advanced age.”—( Milburn.) DryiInG EVERLASTING Frowers (F. W.).—If thoroughly dried, and kept in a dry room, they never mildew. ‘ METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, CaMDEN SQuaRE, LONDON. 40’ N.; Long. 0° 8’ 0’ W.; Altitude 111 feet. ——— Lat. 51° 32’ 4 IN THE Dax. Dare. AM. aelnee go Shaaé tem |enaarsceete ee 1872. [339 .| Hygrome-| 33 perature. |Temperature| -8 July |5258| tr EE a Aug. (2335 Fa lpecats aa) fea \yaai—} Dry. | Wet.| Q°? Max. pai | eee, deg. deg. | deg = We. 31 53.4 N. 633 | 69.0 —_ neeee yt 56.1 S.W. 62.8 | 73.7 7 0.162 2.19 55.0 — 62.5 | 66.1 0.230 8B} 544 N. 61.2 | 712 3 2 0.220 xed 5LS Ww. 61.2 | 628 9 75.4 0.080 5 58.2. E. 60.3 | 63. 2 88.8 0.200 6 593 Ww. 60.0 | 72.6 | 2 V7.4 0.030 Means 55.8 61.6 | 68.4 ; 52.7 | 107.3 52.5 | 0.922 REMARKS. 31st.—A very fine day. and very pleasant from being cooler than the weather we have had lately. August 1st.—Fine day, with pleasant cool breeze. 2nd.—Rain in morning, thunder at intervals all day, from 11.30 4.m to § P.n., some very loud, and the lightning very vivid; rain at night. 8rd.—Fair in morning but cold; rain afterwards occasionally during the day, which was on the whole a very uncomfortable one. 4th.—Rain in morning; dull, dark, November-like day; but finer and brighter in the evening. 5th.—Fine for a short time in the morning; but rainy, cold, and uncomfort- able afterwards. 6th.—Fine in early morning, but clouding over between $ and 9 a.m; rather showery during the day, but much better than yesterday. A worderful change i in temperature, the¢mean in the shade ate9 A.u., being 10° lower than last week, and the mean in the sun 20° lower; we have not had so cool a week since the beginning of June.—G. J. Symons. COVENT GARDEN MARKET.—Aveusr 7.” Bustness has fallen off very much, and the markets are not nearly so well attended. Soft fruit is becoming scarce, and very few Apples or Pears of home growth are offered. The supplies from France and other parts of the South of Europe continue large. FRUIT. s.d. gs.d a 8 0to0 O | Mulberries.. 0 - 2 0 4 O| Nectarines. 6 0 0 0 O 0} Oranges 8 0 140 0 0. 0 0} Peaches 8 0 18 0 5 0 6 0| Pears, kitchen. 00 00 50 6 0 desse’ 2° 0) 4,10; 4 0 8 0] Pine Apples BO. Ga 10 O 0} Plums... 50 00 00 O 0} Quinees. 00 00 0 9 1 O/} Raspberries OfGe 20), Grapes, aothouse.. 2 0 5 0O| Strawberries Tl) 1) 9 eae lt} Lemons. 8 0 14 0 | Walnuts... 10 0 2 0 Melons... AOS 0) ditto......se00-. P100 1 0 2 0 VEGETABLES. 5.d. s.d sd. sd Artichokes.......... doz. 4 0to6 0 Mushrooms........pottle 3 0to5 0 Asparagus.... --%100. 0 0 O 0 Mustard & Cress..punnet 0 2-0 0 Beans, Kidney tsieve 8 0 O 0 Onions............ bunch 0 4 0 0 Broad... bushel 8 0 0 O pickling........ quart 0 6 0 0 -..doz. 1 0 8 0 Parsley per doz. bunches 3 0 4 0 0 9 1 6 Parsnips............ doz 09 10 LO TG) Pease... TRU ont i9 8 0 4 0 Potatoes... 210 40 ko 06 00 Kidaey a 20 £0 Canliflower- 20 4 0) Round............d0, 20 4 0 Celery........ 16 2.0 Snes 5 “doz. bunches 0 6 1 0 Coleworts.. doz. bunches 2 0 8 06 Rhubarb. bundle 0 0 00 Cucumbera..........each 08 10 Salsafy . P~bundle 0 9 10 Pere 00 00 Savoys... ...doz. 00 06 2 0 0 0 Scorzonera .... #bundle 0 9 1 6 03 00 Sea-kale... -. basket 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 Shallots .. Baas (Wy od) 8) 0 8 0 0 Spinach.... bushel 8 0 4 0 5 0 7 0 Tomatoes « doz 20 40 00 O 2 Turnips.... bunch 0 3 O G6 O'9) 5-1 10)} Vegetable Marrow. .doz. 2) 0 20 August 15, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 125 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day | Day Average Tempera-| Rainin| Sun Sun | Moon | Moon | Moon’s| Clock | Day ian on AUGUST 15—21, 1872. ture near London. |43 years,| Rises. | Sets. Rises. | Sets Age. | peters | ony Day. |Night.|Mean.| Days. | m. m. h.|m. h.| m h.| Days. | m. s. | 15 | TH | Assumprion. 73.1 | 50.0 | 61.6 17 47 af 4 | 20 af7 | 83af 5 | morn. | 4 11 | 228 16 F 73.0 | 51.5 | 62.2 21 48 4/18 71 30° 6) 49 0 12 s| 8 58 | 229 7 | 8 72.7) 50.1 | 614 | 23 |50 4/316 7|14 7| 5 2] 18 .| 8 46)| 280 18 | Sun | 12 Sunpay arrer TRINITY. 73.2 | 50.7 | 62.0 16 SLE A) a A) 4k 288) 8 fe) 3 33 | 231 19 M 73.1 | 49.2 | 61.2 21 563 4/12 7 dated agi sis Mtb 15 3 19 | 282 20 | Tv | Wotton-under-Edge Horticultural Show. 72.8 | 50.6 | 61.7 20 55 4/10 7/28 8| 34 6 16.| 8 5 | 233 21 WwW Royal Horticultural Society, Fruit, Floral, | 72.6 | 49.7 | 61.2 14 56 4 8 7145 8|59 7 17 | 2. 50 | 234 5 L re {and General Meeting. From observations taken near London during forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 72.9°; and its night temperature 50.2°, The greatest heat was 92°, on the 18th, 1842; and the lowest cold 36°, on the 18th, 1866. The greatest fall of rain was 0.81inch. ABOUT ERFURT SEED-GROWERS, AND GETTING TO THEM.—No. 1. ; AM on the road.” Whither? To the land of the Teuton. To the land of brown bread and saurkraut, poetry, and music—what seeming incongruity! To the land where every woman is a Minerva and every man a Mars; to the land that bristles with bayonets and expands in education. Yes, I have passed through fertile and. unpicturesque Rhenish Prussia, and now I: have crossed the Rhine, forsaken the ordinary route of English travel- lers, and am journeying onwards through what may be truly called Germany proper. Scarcely has the elegant fretted outline of Cologne cathedral faded from view, when the hitherto flat sur- face of the country begins gradually to become more undulating, and at last breaks up into a range of mode- rately lofty hills. Through these, in most tortuous course, a tolerably broad river picturesquely winds its way, and over this the railway frequently passes until necessity demands that it should take an opposite direction. At a glance the traveller can see it is not a fertile district. The hills in some places are rocky and steep, and appear to be but thinly covered with soil, wherein nothing seems to flourish but certain Conifere and some sparely-growing shrubs. In the alluvial deposits among the hollows exist the only signs of successful cultivation, and here in in- termittent tracts are grown grass and those cereals for which the climate is best adapted. Any farmer from the Eastern Counties or the Border could hardly resist an in- voluntary smile on looking over the little patches which here cover the face of the ground. No jealous hedges or ditches, but the crops rest beside one another in charm- ing simplicity, seemingly glorying in their numbers, and looking very much like a seedsman’s trial-garden on a somewhat larger scale. With this primitive style ‘of farming the numerous hamlets, some one. of which is always in sight, seem to be in perfect keeping. The houses which form them almost invariably have walls of a framework of whitewashed wood, the intervals being filled up with rafters and clay or bricks; the roof of thatch, in most cases overgrown with moss, and having a green- ish-brown colour. The village church, as a rule, is a most simple, bare, and ugly erection, very different from the steepled or towered churches of our own rural homes, so often overgrown with Ivy and surrounded by noble trees. Now and then there would come in sight, situated on some rocky eminence, and in picturesque decay, the once-proudly towering home of the feudal baron. Onward the train still goes at no very rapid pace and with frequent stoppages. Here, at the stations, one hag time to remark how the type of the people’s countenance is gradually changing, and the further on we go the greater becomes the resemblance to the Saxon type of our own English race. Here, too, is almost invariably to be seen a soldier—generally a medium-sized weighty- No. 594.—Von, XXIII, NEw Serres, Belgium, left behind me the iron district of | looking fellow, who, like the verb in their own German sentence, looks as if he might often be a long time in coming up to the mark, but very effective when he got there. And so on Igo. The scenery grows less hilly, but otherwise much the same; now appears another river, a more than ordinarily large wood, a good-sized town with a castle in the middle, a distant tower, a waste. The train goes slowly, and the hours in proportion ; night draws on; a junction, two hours waiting, three hours more travelling in darkness, and then I am at the point. Yes, is it surprising that under the provo- cation of sixteen hours’ travelling in order to span over less than two hundred miles one’s mind is apt to be irritable, and one indulges in-a tirade against journey- ing generally, or to become discursive and indulge in prattlings, as I have? But now at last it is all over, and IT have come to the point from which I hope to send you some information more congenial, perhaps, than that which has gone before. My destination was Erfurt, and at last I am there. Here, within the town the worship of the god of war is diligently pursued, and the temples erected in his honour frown grimly forth upon tlie smiling country over which the gifts of the goddess Flora are thickly strewn. In prosaic language Erfurt is an important fortress, and the seat of a considerable trade in flower seeds. There is nothing very interesting in the town itself, unless it be its ancient history, its cathedral, its ramparts, and the unevenness of the stveets—which last property seems to be common to most German towns. The houses de not appear to be particularly old, and if there are any of remarkable age they do not possess the picturesqueness of those of the old Flemish cities. This may, perhaps, be due to the fact that several times in its history great portions of the town have been consumed by fire, the last fire having taken place in 1814, when, after the battle o Leipsic, the French defended it against the advancing army of the allies. At present it has a population of about 40,000 persons, and possesses a pretty thriving trade; but although this time may be justly called the most flowery period in its history, still the most flourish- ing was during the early part of the fifteenth century, when it was one of those towns through which the trea- sures of the east found their way westward, and when it carried on a great trade in woad, which, in those days, was used instead of indigo. Then the population num- bered 80,000, but what with struggles for liberty against the supremacy of the Archbishop of Mayence, what with the intrigues of ambitious electors and princes. round- about, and the bitter dissensions among the citizens them- selves, it gradually sank lower and lower, until in 1620 it had but 15,000 persons within its walls, and retained but a small fraction of its once so prosperous trade. It can boast of having been the home of Luther in his younger * years, and also of having given birth to many other men, who, although not much heard of now, were nevertheless noted in their own day. It once possessed a celebrated university, but that had descended to such a state of infirmity that it was disestablished in 1816. It was here, No. 1246,—Von. XLVIII., Oup SERrEs 126 in 1808, that Napoleon held his assembly of crowned heads, at which there were present the Emperor of Russia, four kings, and an innumerable concourse of princes, counts, and other persons of high degree. The site of the town is in outline not unlike that of a kidney, the concave side of which looks towards the west, the convex towards the east, and the two ends respectively north and south. At the upper end, near the Briihler Thor (or gate) a somewhat large stream enters the town, and following roughly the conyex outline leaves it again near the Johannis Thor at the lower end. Before this begins to curve it throws off a branch which, passing through the middle of the town, rejoins the main stream at the point of egress. Thus it will be seen that the inhabitants here stand in no need of water, and it is, doubtless, in some degree due to this fact that the cultivation of seeds has been carried to such an extent around the walls. Deep in the concave side of the said kidney-shaped outline lies the great square of the town, the Frederick William’s Place, on the southern side of which is the cathedral placed side by side with the church of St. Severi. The former is built with one end upon a hill in the elaborate Gothic style, somewhat like Cologne on a smaller scale, and has the chancel end, which looks out upon the square, elevated upon a course of arches about 30 feet in height. This naturally tends very much to increase the important look of the building, and to it a broad flight of steps leading up between the two churches to the cathedral door greatly adds. The church of St. Severi runs nearly parallel, and separated by but a few feet from the cathedral. The body of the structure presents a very ordinary appearance on the outside, and has, what seems very strange in a building of its size and situation, a roof composed of red tiles. The most notable feature about it is the tower in front, consisting of three steeples all combined, the middle one of which projects to some distance beyond its twin brothers on each side. Without the church of St. Severi, and to the right of it and the cathedral, is the fortress, planted upon a con- siderable height, and commanding a splendid view of the sur- rounding country. There is nothing very imposing in its external aspect as to the spectator below it seems to consist simply of some earthen ramparts and a few long, low-roofed, domestic-looking houses. Crossing to the southern side of the Frederick’s William’s Place, and keeping round through a small lane, we come to the back of the cathedral, whence, passing over the smaller branch of the Wilde Gera, as the river is called, and continuing our walk for about ten minutes along the street, we at last arrive at the Briihler Thor. Of these Thors there are in all six. To the eye of an English- man, who is not accustomed to see fortified towns in his own land, they seem very imposing. Without is a moat, which runs right round the walls, but is not kept flooded, except near the gates. Across this moat the road is continued, but in case of the approach of an enemy all communication can be cut off by raising a small drawbridge, whilst the ominous look of the loopholed walls shows very plainly what kind of a re- ception the adversary who had the boldness to advance thus far would receive. Since 1814 the town has not had occasion to test the effectiveness of its defences; but in 1866, at the time of the six weeks’ campaign, everything was got in readi- ness, and many trees in the environs cut down in expectation of an invasion from the Bayarian frontier. And now, leaving all matters martial and historical, I will proceed to the horticultural. Situated at but a stone’s throw frdm the Briihler Thor is the establishment of Mr. Benary, the largest seed-grower in Erfurt, and, perhaps, in Germany. Any person passing along the road that leads from the town at this point cannot fail to remark the spacious granary house at about 60 yards from the highway, built of red brick, inter- sected by pieces of wood, called in England “ brick-nogging,” presenting a chequered and somewhat fanciful appearance. The front of the grounds is bounded by a brick wall surrounded by a railing, in the centre of which is a rather important-looking gate and porter’s lodge. From this gate there runs a well- beaten carriage-driye up to the private house of the owner, which lies somewhat behind the granary, but notin the slightest degree hidden by it. In fact their respective positions are like the strokes of a Z, if the down stroke be drawn strictly per- pendicular. On the right hand of the path, between the railing and the front of the granary, is a small dressed ground, con- sisting of four yariously-shaped plots of thick and neatly-kept grass, laid out in beds containing, some of them, concentric borders of Centaurea candidissima and Perilla nankinensis, crowned in the centre with thriving specimens of Musas, others JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. { August 15, 1872. having double edgings of Pyrethrum Parthenium aureum and Cineraria maritima, crowned with circles of Perilla nankinensis and Salvia splendens. In the middle a fountain is in course of erection, and when finished will no doubt add greatly to the already pleasing aspect of the grounds. Crossing over to the other side of the carriage-drive we come upon some sheds filled with fine collections of Petunias, both double and single ; Calceolarias, whose beauty is now gone; Phloxes, Begonias, some plants of Lilium auratum, and smaller quantities of other garden plants in considerable variety. Passing along towards the house there came to yiew two glass houses, directly opposite the granary, and running parallel with it and each other. In the first of these is a col- lection of about six hundred Gloxinias, the richness of which when seen, as I saw them, in their prime, is a sight worth going some distance to see. In the other was avery creditable assortment of Ferns, Musas, and other subtropical plants, arranged in the neatest order, and to all appearance making most satisfactory progress. At the very back, lying in a direct line with the dwelling- house, and bounded behind by a stream, are a cool house con- taining Fuchsias, and a warm one holding more Ferns, Musas, and Caladiums. Here also is the heating apparatus of the establishment. Going out by the gate and crossing the high road I came to the trial grounds, where, although no very large quantity of any one plant is to be seen, there is, nevertheless, a compensa- tion in point of variety. In the first field are a large number of Cockscombs, both light and dark varieties, Portulacas, a small quantity of Delphinium nudicaule, a house containing about three hundred Gloxinias; also some Clintonias, Queen Victoria Lobelias, and Salvia splendens. In the second field the varieties were so many, and the number of plants so small, that it would become tedious to mention all, but among them were Campanula carpatica, Aquilegia Skinneri, and Callirhée verticillata. The third field contained the greatest attraction, and that was a large collection of Pinks, the more valuable kinds of which were upon a parallel range of stands, and in this elevated position displayed their beauties to a greater advan- tage than could their less fortunate rivals below. Of this, the, in my opinion (dare I say so?) most charming occupant of the flower garden, there were many very sweet-scented and beau- teous varieties, varying from the most delicate flesh-ccloured, plain or dark-edged, to the deepest pure or variegated red, and running through all the intermediate tints in indescribable profusion. By passing out through the Briihler Thor and bending round to the left, two more of Mr. Benary’s fields are reached. In these the principal feature was a large number of Balsams, among which were some very pretty carmine and crimson varieties, and after these came Phloxes, comprising seyeral yariegated-striped kinds.. In a corner of the farther field was a strip of Alyssum Benthami, which shed its delicious honey- like odour around. Here the proximity of a running stream has enabled Mr. Benary to effect the watering of his plants without that laborious trotting backwards and forwards from the pump to the flower-bed, which is the detestation of all gardeners. By means of a wheel turned by the stream, water is pumped up into a number of barrels elevated at some height on a stand, whence it is conveyed through pipes to those points from which it can most conveniently be distributed, this being performed by the aid of a hose. Retracing my steps to the Briihler Thor and turning round to the right of it, I came to the greatest number of Mr. Benary’s fields, which succeed one another with very little interval. In the first, which lies on the other side of the road, and is about two acres in size, were growing nothing but African and French Marigolds. In the second were a number of Pinks, some Stachys codecinea, some fine double Campanulas, and certain varieties of Sweet William, comprising in particular a new and very pretty one of Mr. Benary’s own raising, which has not yet appeared before the public. Here, also, was a very sombre but dignified-looking Pansy, with a dull sheen lke that of a splash of Indian ink slightly touched with purple. Ivis yery appropriately named Dr. Faust. Besides these there were many more varieties of Pansies, nearly every one of which had some beauty to recommend it, and a mixed collection of Ver- benas, many of them of a deep rich red or purple colour, and very distinctly eyed. In the third field the most striking feature was a number of Tom Thumb Nasturtiums, consisting of light and deep yellow, orange, purple, and rose-coloured varieties. Although not a particularly rare plant, and there- August 15, 1872. ] fore not be valued for its own qualities, unless for pickling, there is probably searcely any other which can excel this in effectiveness when planted in masses, if the different colours be harmoniously blended together. As seen here from a redoubt, peeping through the trees from the top of an eminence, these flowers appear most charming. Besides Nasturtiums, there were here also a quantity of Antirrhinums, but these were thrown most completely into the shade by their more gaily-attired associates. Crossing over the road I came to the fourth of Mr. Benary’s fields in this quarter. It is much larger than any of those which have hitherto been described, and was chiefly occupied in the upper part by different kinds of Larkspurs, and a purplish red variety of Senecio. In the lower part was a con- siderable amount of Dianthus Heddewigii (of which Mr. Benary, as he has given particular attention in this matter, supposes himself to have the finest stock), Marvels of Peru, Godetias, Antirrhinums, and Dianthus diadematus. ee the remainder of Mr. Benary’s fields I must speak here- ter. ; In élosing I would remark, that if the purposes for which the cultivation of flowers is carried to such a high extent are effected anywhere, it is here in Erfurt. Although not laid out with all the taste displayed in the finest of our English gar- dens, in the midst of neatly trimmed lawns, or along the borders of gracefully-winding, well-gravelled walks, they never- theless fulfil in a somewhat wilder but not less charming manner the purpose for which they are intended. As seen from the tower of the cathedral, breaking forth here and there from among the surrounding underwood and groups of trees, the full force of their great beauty as appendages to natural | scenery when thus grown strikes the beholder at once. I feel almost inclined to-say, Give me instead of the formal neatness of a highly-kept pleasure garden, the wild luxuriance of the | grounds in the environs of Erfurt as they appear between the end of June and the beginning of August. In this sentiment I should find ardent supporters in the bees, which revel within each bell of the numerous Foxgloyes, and among the other flowers of these Flora-favoured plains.—Roszin. LILIUM AURATUM. As but little mention has been made the present summer of the merits of the various species of Lilium that were intro- duced in quantities from countries widely apart, the inference to be drawn would be that none of them exceed in beauty some that we already possess. In alluding to this I do not by any means wish to detract from the merits of any of the new Kinds, but as those which have come through my hands have only presented botanical rather than floral claims to distine- tion, I fear the mass of growers will be disposed to fall back on old well-kmown species of unquestionable merit when they haye only the means of growing a few. As the culture of these is a much easier matter than is often supposed, I venture to refer to one such species that has flowered’ here in great perfection without any especial attention being bestowed upon it: in fact, it has flowered well without being assisted in any way whatever, unless the aid of a stake be accepted as a help to cultivation. The advent of Lilium auratum created no little sensation among plant-growers, and very high prices were quickly ex- changed for low ones, as the importation of large quantities of bulbs was met by a doubt of their genuineness, which rendered buyers cautious, but the fact of their being the Lily represented being confirmed by their flowering, the next year’s importations were more eagerly bought up; and as the losses from bulbs dying off have always insured a sale, fresh con- signments from Japan have been made every year without in any way diminishing the demand. Of this the large quantity passing through the hands of an eminent London auctioneer last winter is a proof. Certainly there is no Lily yet discovered to be compared to a fine head of Lilium auratum. As the best way to secure such fine heads is also both the easiest and safest mode of cul- tivation, I have no hesitation in at once recommending the bulbs to be planted out in an open bed, or, what is better, in the spaces between shrubs, where the young shoots can have a little shelter from late spring frosts, for in such places there is less danger of the bulbs being lost than when confined in pots. Iam the more convinced of this from having planted ‘ out some bulbs several years ago—in fact, soon after they were to be had in quantity, and they have thriven better on the JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 127 whole than those retained in pots. In point of hardiness, I regard this species as more capable of enduring a severe winter than L. lancifolium and its varieties, for I have lost some of the latter, while in most instances L. auratum continues to improve. That this is the case is confirmed by a plant which is in full flower at the time I write (August 5th). There are upwards of one hundred fully-expanded flowers on one stem, with some more in bud, the total number as carefully counted before being expanded being 111. The stem is 7 feet 6 inches high, round and smooth for about one-half of its height, when it assumes a flattened form, and it is thickly set with leaves from about 2 feet from the ground up to the commencement of the flower-spike, which is limited to about 20 inches of the top. The flowers are on the two sides of the flattened stem, but have, nevertheless, spread in the opening, so as to quite meet and close up around one of the edges (that facing the sun), but there is a slight opening on the other side, otherwise the mass of flower would resemble a blunted cone of about 18 inches diameter at bottom, and more than that high. I need hardly add that the flowers are too much crowded to allow of their being fully expanded, and half the number would probably have looked as well. The occurrence of 111 blooms on a single spike is certainly uncommon, and I should like to know if the number has been exceeded. The girth of the stem at about 2 feet from the ground, where it is round and smooth,-is 34 inches, and the stem had attained its full height before it was staked, but the certainty of its leaning to one side, or, perhaps, breaking off at the collar, rendered it ad- visable to afford it asupport. The situation in which the plant is growing is dry and sheltered, but the soil, instead of being | rich and nutritious, would seem to have been robbed of every thing it once contained. Nearly thirty years ago a bed for Rhododendrons was made; in it leaf mould and other sub- stances were mixed with peat, and for a year or two the Rho- dodendrons succeeded tolerably well; but there being very large and fine Elm trees on both sides of the bed, it was soon invaded by the roots of these intruders, and in spite of re- peated cuttings there are Elm suckers within a yard of the base of this Lilium, and most likely all over the bed. The well-being of the plant can therefore hardly be due to the richness of its food, and no artificial stimulant whatever has been given. The Rhododendrons, I may observe, merely exist, but this and other Lily bulbs have stood there several years. Last year the plant had upwards of thirty blooms, and this season a neighbouring plant bore also about the same number of flowers on a spike. No protection, either winter or spring. was given at any time, but I believe the shrubs by which it was screened from the sun after the frosty mornings in May were of great service to it, as other bulbs that were planted out in winter in an open bed, and fully exposed, were all but killed by the frosts at the time named. Although the specimen described above is good, I am not sure that the site is that best adapted to this Lilium, neither am I sure that peat alone, or peat with the usual addition of sand, is the best material in which to grow the bulbs, for we have had some good heads of bloom from soils of a widely different character. It seems strange that a good-sized bulb, such as that referred to must have been last year, when it produced thirty blooms on one spike, should not haye broken up into several smaller ones. I confess I do not expect so great a number again from the bulb that has done so well this year, as I imagine it will break up into several. There is one thing I would strongly urge on all growers of this species, and I may add of L. lancifolium also, and that is, not to disturb the bulbs in the ground for at least three or four years, for I attribute many of the losses in pot culture to,. perhaps, keeping them too dry after flowering, or it may be keeping the bulbs in paper, or exposed to the action of the dry air for many weeks. Such treatment can hardly have its. parallel in nature, for, assuming even a dry period to occur. the earth is never so dry as the atmosphere; besides which. there is every reason to suppose that the bulbs are carefully screened from the sun’s rays or the drying influence of the air by a covering of herbage of some*kind not their own, and whether such herbage be in a green or dried state, it, never- theless, acts the part Nature intended it to do, and the bulb vipens gradually under such fostering care, rather than by the scorching process I fear we often give it in this country, where it is, perhaps, only half grown. To avoid such extremes, I advise all to plant out the greater portion of their stock, and if some natural protection do not exist for saying the young 128 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 15, 1872. shoots from our late spring frosts, artificial means ought to be adopted, either by sticking a few evergreen boughs in the bed, or something of the kind. A similar shading had better screen the ripening bulbs in September from the drying sun we often have at that time. Perhaps Mignonette would serve this purpose, and I do not think a better substitute could be found; at all events, my advice to all haying a good stock of the Lilium is to plant out as many as they can.—J. Rosson. P.S.—Since I wrote the foregoing the wind has broken off the fine head of bloom I described, and although much bruised and injured before it starts, I think you might like to see it, and have this morning sent it to you. You will only be able to guess at what the cluster of flowers was like. {A grander head of Lilies we never saw; it was a dense eluster of flowers nearly 2 feet in length, and 15 inches in diameter, in form that of the housemaid’s Turk’s-head broom. The unique occurrence of such a cluster is explained by the fact that the flowering part of the stem was fasciated.—EDs. ] ORNAMENTAL GRASSES. THERE are very few families of the vegetable kingdom to which the terms ornamental and useful may be more justly Briza maxima. challenge attention ; yet although most of them are of lowly growth, they possess such elegance and diversity of form that they are worthy of attention, and are, besides, extremely useful for a variety of purposes, notably for mixing with cut flowers, to which the pretty spikes impart an air of singular grace and lightness. One of the best Grasses for such a purpose is that prize of our childhood, Briza media or minima, the Quaking Grass; Briza maxima with large pendant spikelets is also a fine, useful, hardy kind, very striking and effective. So are Chry- surus cynosuroides, Stipa pennata, and Setaria macrocheta. It is unnecessary, however, to enumerate a list of kinds suitable for such a purpose, the sorts being as numerous as their forms are varied ; nor need much be added as to the best method of arranging Grasses when gathered, for it may be seen at a glance which kind is most suitable for a given pur- pose. Very frequently vases may be seen containing nothing but feathery spikes of Grass, and they almost invariably pro- duce a pleasing effect. To avoid monotony, however, it is desirable to introduce a few well-selected flowers with the Grasses. I know it is more usual to introduce the spikes of Grasses among cut flowers-to afford relief and lightness, than to use them so largely as to make Grasses the principal feature of an arrangement, yet those who have not so used them will find Chrysurus cynosuroides. the plan worthy of adoption. One of the most beautiful vase bouquets I have seen was composed of a few sprays of crimson Celosia, a bold spike of variegated Japanese Maize, and a number of spikes of common Grass gathered from a bank. These simple materials were blended together so skilfully, that one felt no desire to ‘ desect” the bouquet, but rather to con- applied than to the numerous species and varieties of Grasses. } template it as an object of rare grace and beauty, and to ad- This assertion may at first appear too sweeping, for there are | mire the skill that could effect so much by such simple means. not many kinds of Grasses sufficiently bold in character to Many kinds of Grasses are suitable for pot culture, such as August 15, 1872 J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 129 the variegated forms of Dactylis and Panicum; but there are two sorts which I wish to recommend for the beauty of their flowers—namely, Lagurus ovatus, with beautiful, soft, velvety spikes, and the charming little Agrostis pulchella. A quantity of both should be grown in moderately rich soil in 5-inch pots, as they are of most easy culture, and very desirable for a ya- riety of decorative purposes. Many of the stronger-growing Grasses are worthy of a place in the shrubbery, herbaceous border, and by the margin of ornamental water. The stately Gynerium must, of course, rank first for such a purpose, and with it may be associated the choicer kinds of Sorghum, Cyperus, Spartina, Arundo, Maize, Phragmites communis, and many others. Like the Zea, Sorghum does not in our climate often ap- proach that mature development requisite to render it valuable Stipa pennata. for forage; it is, therefore, not likely ever to rank so highly among home-grown economic plants as was at one time ex- pected. It is only in exceptionally hot seasons that its juices become sufficiently charged with saccharine matter to yield much sugar, yet the fact is noteworthy that sugar has been experimentally manufactured from plants of Sorghum grown in the south of England. In their native country, the varieties of Sorghum, growing to an extraordinary height and size, pro- duce wonderful crops of seed, and the huge stalks are given as food to cattle. They are also used by the natives in some parts of Africa for building huts. Many other tropical Grasses, and their allies the Reeds and Rushes, are valuable economic plants. Of these the most im- portant are the Rice of India and America, Maize, a staple article of food in America, the Sugar Cane, and the Esparto Grass (Stipa tenacissima), imported from Algeria in such large quantities for paper-making. There are other Reeds and Grasses that are commercially important, such as the Bamboo, so much valued for a variety of useful purposes, and the oil- yielding Grasses belonging to the genus Andropogon. Stately of growth, and undoubtedly useful as are these tropical species, to us they appear comparatively insignificant in value when con- trasted with the Grasses flourishing in this country. . Nature’s green carpet that makes the rural scenery of our temperate climate so fresh and pleasant, has no equivalent in the tropics, for there we find no green pastures in the sense in which we understand the term. Much attention has been given for many years to the selec- tion of Grasses suitable for forming and improying permanent pastures. A series of experiments conducted some years ago under the auspices of the Duke of Bedford, at Woburn Abbey, by Mr. Sinclair, the results of which are clearly set forth in his ‘‘ Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis,” did more to promote Grass culture to the rank of a science than anything else that has been done. This in its details is, of course, more interest- ing to the agriculturist than to the gardener. I may state cs LAY sits I \ Setaria macrocheta. briefly that a large number of varieties were carefully col- lected, cultivated in distinct patches in various soils, and care- ful notes taken. Thus a mass of valuable and most reliable data was accumulated, and the formation of permanent pastures established upon a broad firm basis, the entire details of the work being explained with such clearness as to render the selections of suitable kinds that are now included in almost every seed catalogue an easy matter—Hpwarp LuckHURST. TEA-ROSE ELECTION. Marécuat Niet, Gloire de Dijon, Madame Levet, Devonien- sis, Madame Willermoz, Souvenir d’Elise Vardon, Souvenir dun Ami, Adam, Rubens, Sombreuil, Madame Margottin, and Madame Trifle. I consider Devoniensis, Souvenir d’Elise, Madame Willermoz, and Maréchal Niel to be the best four. My plant of Marie Sisley is dead. I had a globular and hand- some full bloom from it. It is of a creamy colour, with roseate band. Its shape is spheroidal.—W. F. Rapcuyrre. SpaRaXIS PULCHERRIMA.—I notice in the Journal of August 1st, page 93, Sparaxis pulcherrima is said to be ‘“‘ an Ivis-like plant of surpassing beauty; it usually grows from 2 to 3 feet in height.’”’ It certainly belongs to Iridacex, but in no way I think resembles the Iris in its flowers. Plants in my 150 possession have been for the past month, and are still, in | bloom, not, however, ‘‘2 to 3 feet in height,” as one spike measures 9 feet 6 inches, another-9 feet 2 inches. It has a branching habit like Watsonia fulgida and rosea marginata, except that it is pendulous, whereas the Watsonia is erect, but I think resembles that genus. It is a most elegant plant, the flower-stem being divided into from ten to thirteen thread-like branches, each bearing six to eight flowers of a beautiful rose colour, and ‘haying the appearance of being suspended in the air, giving the plant a most graceful character. I fully endorse the opinion of your correspondent that ‘‘no words can do justice to the elegance of this plant.”’—C. Sur, Caledonia Nursery, Guernsey. ORANGE FUNGUS ON ROSES. OrancE fungus seems to have become a serious evil, if I may judge by the numerous questions I have with regard to it. The Editors have forwarded me specimens of the leaves sent to them by ‘‘ D.” of Deal. Having had but very little of it myself, T have not had any practical experience in dealing with it, as I take no n»tice whatever of what I have, and with me a few leaves come off and the shoots start afresh, but I have hardly ever had it.on the wood. Isee in the same Journal Mr. Rad- clyffe recommends the use of a solution of blue vitriol. I have no doubt that blue vitriol (sulphate of copper), will be a good thing on account of the sulphur it contains, though I should prefer green vitriol, sulphate of iron, as being less poisonous, and the iron would do good to the plants instead of harm, as the copper would. If the orange fungus is as bad as it is with “TD.” of Deal, the spores, which are very minute, would be sure to get into the ground. I should like him to try a top-dressing of dissolved bones. This would not only strengthen the growth of the plant, but the sulphuric acid, some of which always remains in an unchanged state among the dissolved bones, would kill the spores of the fungus wherever it touched. It might be more efficacious still to remove an inch of top soil and then apply the bones with fresh soil. Chloride of sodium (common salt), is also very efficacious in the destruction of fungus, but it would always be doubtful how much salt the Roses could bear without injury to the roots, though salt in small doses would be no doubt beneficial as a stimulating manure. I hope, however, that Rose-growers who have had practical experience with the disease, and have succeeded in checking it, or eradicating it, may come forward, as the Editors request, and state their experience. I do not think situation has much to do with it. I fancy much depends upon the winter treatment; coddling to prevent frost often also prevents the frost from killing the spores of different kinds of fungus growth. I have seen orange fungus, black fungus, and mildew on plants in pots in-doors as well as in the open air; but I fancy the constant watering of Roses in pots, especially where liquid manure is used, helps to prevent the disease, and, therefore,-it is less often seen in houses.—C. P. Pracu. To me it seems highly improbable that ‘‘D., Deal’s” Roses were killed by Coleosporium pingue. I also greatly doubt the correctness of your editorial remark, which states this fungus to be ‘“‘ every year becoming more severe and destruc- tive.’ However severely Roses may be afflicted with this para- site, I haye never seen anything like fatal. effects following its presence. I will give a casein point. Last year all the Roses in Mr. Smee’s garden were literally powdered and blistered over in every part with this fungus; it not only burst through the cuticle of the leaves, but opened seams in the stems and distorted some of the flowers out of allshape. Now Mr. Smee, according to his own words, has “‘ tens of thousands of Roses in flower at the same time,”’ and yet as far as I have been able to see, not a single plant has been injured in the slightest degree, and, moreover, I have not seen a single orange fungus on his Roses this year. . Now, in your correspondents’ column, your first reply from Mr. Radclyfie states that his Roses were never finer, and that he has but little fungus of any kind. There can be no doubt but last year the orange fungus was unusually abundant on Roses ; and as far as my experience goes it has been just the reverse this year. About London sometimes a certain fungus is extremely common, and then we never see it again; some- times it lasts a year or two, sometimes only a few weeks, whilst others are almost permanent denizens. It is manifest that the scarcity or abundance of any species depends upon delicate atmospheric influences prevailing at the time when JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE | they utterly perish by millions. AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 15, 1872. the spores are set free. If the weather is just favourable for their development they at once germinate, but if unfavourable We know on the authority of the Rey. M. J. Berkeley that healthy Roses have been infected with this fungus after being watered with water in which leaves infected with orange fungus had been placed. However undesirable this parasite may be in a Rose garden, one can hardly imagine its Killing half the plants. As to a sure pre- ventive against these attacks, it is quite a different thing ; but. Mr. Radelyffe gives some hints at page 120.—W. G. S. Last year my Roses were injured to a great extent by the orange fungus. A border of about a hundred plants on the Manetti stock was mulched with long litter from the stable = on these there was not a sign of fungus, but horse litter fell short, and I had recourse to the cow yard for the rest, about. four hundred. Every plant was covered with fungus, and this time last year they were utterly leafless... This season I saved all my stable manure and used that alone, discarding the cow yard altogether ; I have not a plant that is yet affected. Was cow dung the cause? I must add that this season I have kept. | the surface of the ground constantly moved with the hoe. The Briar Roses were not affected at all last season. In the spring I had my Maréchal Niel Roses planted in the conservatory very much mildewed. I syringed them with half a wineglassful of Condy’s fluid in four gallons of water ; its. effect was decidedly satisfactory, the foliage rapidly regained its freshness. If red fungus appears I fully intend to try Condy as a remedy; it is cheap, so that a free use of it with the syringe can be made. I shall anxiously watch the ex— perience of other growers in conquering this pest.—StirF Som. [As the urine of the horse contains four times the amount. | of ammonia that is contained in that of the cow, the above facts would suggest that ammonia may be a- preventive of orange fungus. Ammonia is certainly destructive of fungi, —Eps.] SPIGELIA SPLENDENS. Tuts is a grand but little known stove plant, it belongs to- the order Loganiaceew. It would appear that several species have highly poisonous properties, but I am not acquainted with a single fault in this plant. I believe it was introduced to Europe by my esteemed friend Mr. Wendland, Inspector of the Royal Gardens, Hanover, from whom I received it ten years azo, and it flowered with me in about twelve months- Eyeryone who saw it was enchanted with its surpassing beauty, and I have ever since been urging all plant-growers with whom I have come in contact to procure the plant. I have here and there found it, but it would seem to be somewhat difficult to procure. Howis this? I hope it will not slip out of cultiva— tion, as so many really good plants have done, for it is well worthy of a place in every stove. It usually grows from 18 inches to 2 feet in height, pro- ducing in great abundance its dark green oblong or obovate leaves. The apex of each shoot is surmounted with numerous, recurved, one-sided spikes of bloom. The flowers are tubular, upwards of an inch long, set in a double row, and bright searlet, except the mouth of the tube, which is white. It | makes a handsome plant, and with me produces its richly coloured fiowers late in autumn and spring, but I have little doubt that by starting it early it might be flowered sooner if required. It succeeds admirably in a mixture of loam, rough peat, and a little-sand. When growing it may be watered freely, pro— viding the drainage is good, and an intermediate house suits it well as regards temperature ; in fact, I haye treated it in eyery respect the same as the flowering species of Begonia. It continues in bloom a long time, and after the flowers are past the stems will gradually die away; when this occurs, withhold water to a great extent, but never allow the plant to become thoroughly dry. As soon as it shows signs of return- ing life, carefully remove old and worn-out soil, and repot, but do not shake it quite clear of the soil. It comes from Costa Rica.—EXxPERTO CREDE. AQUILEGIA CERULEA AND LEPTOCERAS.—I see no one has taken exception to the assertion of ‘‘ ExpErto CrepE” in your issue of August 1st as to the identity of Aquilegia lepto- ceras and A. cernlea. As I am interested about this tribe of plants I shall be glad of his authority. I grew A. leptoceras August 15, 1872. ] long prior to the introduction of A. cerulea by Mr. Thompson, of Ipswich, and I believe them tobe quite distinct, one coming from Siberia, the other from the Rocky Mountains. He has got confused between Fischer’s plant (the true A. leptoceras), and Nuttall’s plant, which is Torrey’s A. cerulea.—A. R. HABROTHAMNUS ELEGANS FRUITING. Ir this beautiful Mexican plant could be induced to fruit freely, how much its value as adecorative plant, would be en- hanced! Although it is a first-rate winter-flowering plant, it will bloom more or less all through the year, especially if vigorous growth is encouraged, and its shoots shortened and thinned out occasionally. If these conditions are carried out persistently the plant will set a few berries on shoots here and there ; but what is wanted to make it doubly-useful as an orna- mental plant, is for its fruit to set in bunches or clusters of fair size and shape, and in quantities sufficient to attract one’s attention ; then gardeners might well say that they had one ‘of the best plants that could possibly be found for conserva- tory decoration. Habrothamnus elegans has fruited very fairly in the conser- -vatory at this place for two seasons, and just now the plant is bearing some good-sized bunches of fruit quite equal in size, ‘shape, and colour to those of the berry-bearing Aucuba. It is not the strongest but the medium-sized shoots that appear | The plant will be found to | to set the best bunches of feuit. thrive best for both flower and fruit if it be planted where it will have plenty of light and air but very little sun. Train it up a pillar or over a trellis, or even against a wall, and if planted in sound turfy loam, sand, and rotten manure, it will be quite at home, and will quickly repay any trouble that may be bestowed upon it. It must be plentifully supplied with water during its growth, and even manure water may be given occasionally. I have sometimes grown this Habrothamnus in pots for flowering twice a-year, but Ido not recommend such a mode of culture on account of its shy blooming, the plants being, I should say, too much confined at the roots.—THomas RecorpD. MERITS OF NEW ROSES. I nAve been looking anxiously to see what response is made to Mr. Peach’s request in respect to some of the Roses I have recommended, but no one makes a sign. few days ago from Mr. William Paul. In it he says, ‘“ Perfec- tion de Lyon, Madame Chirard, and Baron Chaurand have been first-rate with me.’ They have here quite justified my words. Baron Chaurand is not large, but it is a first-rate dark beauty. I think it is the best of the dark Roses. The other two are fine growers, of great size, of good form and beauty, and are eminently show Roses. Edward Morren and Marquise de Castellane have been grand, and are both good growers. I have had a very beautiful and perfectly-cupped ‘bloom of Clémence Raoux. Its colour is creamy white, with a slight pink suffusion. It is one of the best light Roses that I have lately seen. Lords Macaulay and Herbert have passed an admirable degree. Devienne Lamy is bomb-shaped and fine. The Roses, new and old, have bloomed here abundantly and magnificently. I never had them better. The first series is now over. People cannot judge from a) solitary plant. I have thirty Perfection de Lyon, twelve Madame Chirard, and ‘six Baron Chaurand to judge from.—W. Fy Rapciyrrr. MR. AYRTON AND DR. HOOKER. A MEETING of a committee of Horticulturists and Botanists was called at the rooms of the Royal Horticultural Society at South Kensington on August 7th, 1872, for the purpose of dis- cussing the recently issued Treasury minute relating to the management of the Royal Gardens, Kew. At this meeting G. F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S., presided. There were also present W. W. Saunders, F.R.S.; T. Thomson, M.D., F.R.S.; H. Stanton, F.R.S.; John Standish; Andrew Murray, F.L.S: J. B. Haig, M.D.; Rey. M. J. Berkeley, F.L.S; W. Paul; T. Moore, F.L.S.; Prof. Thiselton Dyer, M.A.;-Anthony Parsons, William Earley, John Peel, F. R. Kinghorn, John Lee, Robert Parker; Robert Hogg, LL.D.; George Smith, Charles Green, John S. Lane, John Richards, James Douglas, James Cutbush, Charles Lee, Thomas Perkins, Edward Rosher, Thomas Record; John Denny, M.D.; J. R. Fernyhough, J. Croucher, Henry Webb, John Fraser, John Laing, George Blenkins; and Maxwell T. Masters, M.D., F.R.S., Honorary Secretary. I received a letter a | ~ JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. the exhibits. 131 The following resolution, proposed by W. W. Saunders, Esq., F.R.S., and seconded by Robert Hogg, LL.D., was adopted, and the Secretary was requested to forward a copy of it to the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., First Lord of the Treasury :— “That this Committee gratefully acknowledge the considera- | tion which the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury have paid to the subject of the future management of the Royal Gardens, Kew, as evidenced in the Treasury minute of July 24th, 1872. “The Committee desire to express their sense of the impor- | tant concessions made in support of the principle that the Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew, responsible for the good condition of the establishment committed to his charge, should have full control (subject to the appointed ministerial authority over all details and management. “The Committee also desire respectfully to express their grave doubts whether the fourfold division of responsibility laid down in the Treasury minute, is likely to secure to the full the harmonious co-operation of the several officials. “The Committee wish to call attention to the fact that the ‘Pleasure Grounds’ so called really form an important branch of the scientific department of the gardens, and constitute by far the largest and most important part of the arboretum, or named collection of trees and shrubs; and they are of opinion that to putsuch department under a different management from | that of the rest of the scientific departments of the gardens is likely to be injurious to the interests of horticultural and arbori- cultural science. “They would also wish to remark that, ‘he ‘nursery for young trees’ alluded to in the minute forms no part of Kew Gardens, but is placed in the private grounds belonging to Her | Majesty, and to which the public has no access. “The Committee regret to find that there is no direct pro- vision made in the Treasury minute for securing to the Director, in case of need, the services of an engineer specially versed in the management of hot-water apparatus as applied to horti- cultural purposes. “And lastly, the Committee venture to hope that the same publicity may be given to any reply that the Director may make to the First Commissioner’s ‘Memorandum’ as has been accorded to the original document.’ TAUNTON DEANE FLOWER SHOW. Way is it that our southern and home counties are so put to shame in the matter of flower showsby other parts of England ? Why is there not the same zeal in their cause in Kent and Sussex that there is in Somerset or Yorkshire? Take, for example, this Show, which I had the pleasure of assisting at for the first time. Why, the whole town was en féte. Trium- phal arches, decorated houses, flags flying in all directions, booths set up like a fair, the carriages of the neighbouring gentry filling the streets—all testified to the fact that it was regarded as a matter in which everyone had an interest; and then, towards evening, multitudes kept thronging in, the whole place was alive, being regarded by them quite as much a holiday as by the gentlefolics who came in the earlier part of the day. How different is this to what we are in the habit of doing in our part of the world! And then let it be remembered that every town has its flower show, that there is no difficulty in obtaining subscriptions, and that all is done as if it were a real pleasure to have a hand in it. With regard to the Exhibition itself, it gave conclusive evi- dence that good plant-growing is by nomeans confined to London, and that when the Royal Horticultural Society holds its shows in the provinces it has not much to teach either in plant-grow- ing or management; in fact, it may learn a good deal on the latter point. The collection of stove and greenhouse plants, for which the liberal sum of £20 was offered, sent by Mr. Cypher, of Cheltenham, was very fine; while those exhibited by Mr. Saunders and Mr. Newton amongst amateurs were also remark- ably good. Ferns were really grand, some splendid plants of Adiantum farleyense being staged ; while in the Tricolor Gera- nium class there were some as well-coloured plants as I have seen anywhere this season. Our metropolitan growers might learn a lesson on the growth of Achimenes from those coutri- buted by Mr. H. Badcock, so remarkably well were they done. With regard to cut flowers, when I say that Roses were exhi- bited by Mr. John Keynes, of Salisbury, and the Rev. J. B. M. Camm ; Gladioli by Messrs. Kelway & Son; and Dahlias by Mr. Keynes and Mr. Kelway, I indicate enough the excellence of Fruit was also remarkably good, and so were the vegetables. There was a nice lot of Potatoes, amongst the handsomest of which was one from Sherborne called Lady Paget, and it was said to be as good as it looked, which is not always the case. The arrangements were admirable. ~-A good staff of clerks was employed, and before-the gates were open all the cards, with the names of the exhibitors, &c., were placed; while the indefatigable Secretary, Mr. Saunders, seemed to be ubiquitous, 132 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 15, 1872. and by his courtesy and kindly manner contributed in no small degree to the success of the day. Happily the day was asplendid one, and all passed off well. I may add that a little impromptu meeting was held by a few of us who love the Rose, and that it was determined to start a Western Counties Rose show, to in- clude the counties of Wilts, Dorset, Somerset, and Devon, in which the exhibition is to be held in tum; that a guarantee fund was commenced; and, knowing what I do of the energy of those who have taken it in hand, I have little fear of its success, —D., Deal. GREEN ROSES. We give a woodcut of what is rather a curiosity in the gardening way, a perfectly green Rose, which has been sent us by Mr. J. Smith, seedsman, Romford. Green Roses, or rather green-centred Roses, have certainly been known for some time, but the specimen sent us was larger and more perfectly green for its size than we had ever seen; moreoyer, the flowers are the same every year. Those who like to cultivate curiosities in the floral way may be interested in growing it, and it is still more interesting as an illustration of morphology. NOTES AT THE HIGHLAND SOCIETY'S SHOW AT KELSO. Berne at Kelso at the time of the holding of the above Show, I thought I would look in and take note of anything appertaining to floriculture and gardening in general, the more especially as I was told there was a ‘‘ proper” flower show within the space occupied by the Highland Society. Of the Show “proper” I confess I was much disappointed, there being scarcely any novelties, and many of the classes for flowers and fruit being almost beneath notice, some of the trays of Roses, for instance, not containing one good flower ; so with Pansies, Phloxes, African and French Marigolds. The Stocks and Pentstemons were singularly deficient of compactness, as also the Antirrhinums. Nor was the general collection of plants good, or, as a rule, well grown. The only novelty in flowers was a double Lilium auratum. Amongst the fruit the Raspberries took a foremost place, being fine, as also some dishes of Red Currants. Amongst the Grapes Mr. W. Thom- son showed a nice bunch of his new Grape the Duke of Buccleuch. It is a white Grape with large round- ish berries, and I think it is likely to be found a serviceable variety ; though one could scarcely judge, as the specimen shown was not ripe, though, from the taste I had of it, I think, if so, the flavour would prove agreeable. I may also mention as deserving of praise a tray of double Petunias exhibited by Mr. Brown, of Tweedmouth ; these were large, varied in colour, and good ; but on the whole the Show to my thinking was exceedingly poor and almost devoid of interest. Turning from the Show ‘‘ proper,” Icame upon a large stand and col- lection of evergreens, flowers, &c., belonging to that well-known firm, i Messrs. Stuart & Mein. Under their awning was a fine col- lection of Ferns, Saxifrages, Sempervivums, seedling Tricolor, Bicolor, Bronze, and other Geraniums in large quantities and many varieties neatly arranged with other bright-foliaged plants. In front of these in an enclosed space were in tubs a number of specimens of the rarer kinds of Conifere, such as Abies inverta, a fine weeping sort; Picea nobilis with its deep blue foliage, said to be true, though by some described as glauca, with a couple of score others equally good. Adjacent was the stand of Messrs. Little & Ballantyne, of Carlisle, who exhibited amongst others plants of Wellingtonia gigantea va- riegata, Thuja occidentalis pendula, Retinospora plumosa aurea, Pinus Balfourii, Pinus monophylla, and others; but the cream of their collection was their noyelty, Wellingtonia gigantea pen- dula vera, a drooping variety of the Wellingtonia of very grace- ful habit, which no doubt will take its place in every arboretum of any pretensions for its extreme elegance. This firm also showed some very exéellent seedling Petunias. Before closing my notes I think I ought to mention the ex-— cellent collection of glass ornaments mostly applicable to table decoration, exhibited by Mr. Jenkinson, of Edinburgh, many of which were new and elegant in design. But perhaps the newest of the new, and not the least beautiful, were his semi- biscuit flowers arranged as flexible wreaths. Those represent- ing the Maréchal Niel Rose, though pure white, left no doubt in the beholder’s mind, as the modelling was so true to nature ; and I venture to predict that these wreaths and spray will find much favour, the tinted, coloured, and white, in helping our in-door decoration when natural flowers are scarce. leave of the Kelso Show, I felt that the three stands I haye mentioned were more instructive and interesting to the general obseryer than the flower show “ proper ;’’ the latter, I take it, is capable of vast improvement.—F. R. H. 8. In taking PITFOUR.—No. 2. Tue Sear or CotoneL FERGUSON. In the centre of the grove, described last week, is a garden which was planned by Mr. Robson, and, as will be seen by the accompanying engraving, it is a masterpiece. Leaving this and the Temple Garden on the right, and August 15, 1872. ] crossing the stream by a bridge at the south end, we pass through a light fence by a small gate, separating the grounds from a large pasturage in which hundreds of sheep are pastured. The next prominent object is Saplin Brae House, leased by Captain Blair, which has altogether a very tasteful and plea- sant appearance. Stately Beeches are studded all over the pleasure ground; but passing these by, we come to the turn- pike, about a mile further westward than the point at which we entered. Almost directly opposite is the kitchen garden. Before entering it, however, I must observe that from this spot a glorious prospect bursts upon the eye—that of the luxuriant valley of Deer. The view to the south is pleasing. There is a hollow through which a stream takes a serpentine course; and beyond, on a gentle eminence, is situated the ancient village of Old Deer, which contains but few houses, but these are neat, and the whole is surrounded by beautiful JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 133 plantations and large spreading trees. The soft and hilly slopes ascending in the background, with their varied outline | and wood-clad summits, have a very picturesque appearance. Aden House, with its surrounding plantations, is just visible to the east; and to the west is a fertile country, the most eon- spicuous part of which is Aikey Brae, where Robert Bruce defeated Comyn, Earl of Buchan, in a stoutly-contested battle. The whole district is dotted with clumps of trees, and presents an appearance of superior cultivation, being laid-out in farms | of from seventy to two hundred acres, with small crofts here and there. The kitchen garden (see page 134), stands on the south side of the turnpike, descending to the north bank of the river Ugie, and is sheltered from the north and north-east by the beautiful old timber covering Saplin Brae, which rises abruptly from the north side of the turnpike. The gardenis surrounded. POLYCHROME GARDEN AT PITFOUR. 1, Bed of shrubs, centre a large vase. The other circles are also planted with shrubs and other plants. 2, Grass verge. 3, Beds of shrubs. 4, Verge of grass. 5, Broken slate. by substantial stone walls, with an efficient coping, 18 feet high on the north side, 14 feet high on the east and west sides, and 12 feet high on the south. The area enclosed is upwards of four imperial acres. Orginally the extent of this garden was more than nine acres. It was laid out about the beginning of the present century, and has ever since held a high position amongst gentlemen’s gardens in the north. It is in the form of an irregular quadrilateral figure, laid out in seven plots, as will be seen from the accompanying plan. A range of glass houses, over 350 feet long, and varying from 20 to 12 feet wide, extends along part of the north wall, and these I yisited first. The greenhouse, which stands with its gable to the north wall, is 26 feet long by 20 feet wide, with centre and side stages. On the centre stage I observed a good plant of the Double White Camellia, as also a collection of choice Fuchsias, mostly pyramid-trained, ranging from 2 to 7 feet high. Among the Coleuses were excellent plants of the newest varieties, with the leaves well coloured. There are also on this stage some good greenhouse plants. On the side 10, Gravel walk. 11, White stones. 12, White stones, broken about the size of a hen’s egg. 7, Broken bricks. 8, Grass, Grecian pattern. 6, Verge of grass. | 9, Grass border. stages were thirty choice varieties of Tricolor Geraniums; Some were trained as pyramids, some as half-globes, and others in the round table shape; all were highly coloured. The diameter of the plants ranged up to 23 feet. Of other varieties, such as double Geraniums and the Zonal section, there was also a choice collection. Ferns were well repre- sented, and in the best of health; there were also some good specimens of young Heaths in flower. Leaving the greenhouse by a door in the east side, we enter the stove, 32 feet long by 12 feet wide; it is fitted up with side stages. The back wall is covered with climbers, such as Allamanda nobilis, Euphorbia jacquinieflora ; and on the back stage is a good plant of Clerodendron Balfourii, trained in the pyramid shape on a wire frame. Of Caladiums there is) a collection of well-grown plants, including such as C. argyrites, C. Chantinii, C. pecile, C. Belleymei, C. Houlletii, C. pictu- ratum, and C. Wightii. I observed some healthy clean-grown plants, and although young, promising well. Amongst these were Maranta regalis, M. Veitchii, M. zebrina, M. roseo-lineata 134 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 15, 1872. illustris, picta, Porteana, and Lindeni, besides some species of less note. There were good plants of Croton variegatum, C. angustifolium, Sanchezia nobilis variegata, Anthurium cor- difolium, and A. Scherzerianum (the last-named had the re- mains of twelve spikes of blossoms on it), Spherogyne latifolia, Alocasia metallica, Eucharis amazonica, a splendid young plant of Cyanophyllum magnificum, beautiful pans of Fittonia argy- roneura, and a good little plant of the Eriocnema marmorata. On the rafters were trained Stephanotis floribunda, Cissus dis- color, Clerodendron Balfourii, and a few Hoyas. Among the Orchids I observed Cypripedium insigne, C. pur- puratum majus, C. Veitchii, C. venustum, C. barbatum, Stan- hopea oculata, S. tigrina, S. oculata lutea, S. maculosa, and $. grandiflora, suspended in baskets from the roof, and coming into flower; Saccolabium guttatum in flower, Aérides affine also in flower, Dendrobium nobile, D. densiflorum, Oncidium vinery, 90 by 14 feet. flexuosum in flower, Peristeria elata (the Dove plant), and Ceelogyne pandurata. Of Ferns the collection is good, comprising many of the newest and rarest, and the whole in fine health and very clean. Turning to yisit the Cucumber pit, 12 feet wide by 28 feet long, we pass to the east side of the main entrance, and enter a line of continuous glass houses, 270 feet by 12, divided into six compartments. The first three compartments consist of a Peach house and two vineries: there was a prospect of a good crop of Peaches, and the Vines promised a fair yield. This house is in rather bad repair, but I believe it is to be renewed by-and-by. The remaining portion of this line of houses, 180 feet long by 12 feet wide, with a hanging roof, is in excel- lent repair, and divided into three compartments. The first two are Peach houses, with the appearance of an abundant crop. The third compartment is the Plum house; the trees 22, Walk, 7 feet wide. Ay merely wall, 375 feet A ples on we. side in« ong. 6 T= 7 side flower border; = “pores = side flower borders 1, Plot, 14 by 26 feet. 2 13 a walk (22). 2, Gates. = 17, Grass plot with vase 3, Vegetable border, 104 in centre; flower _by 26 feet. 5 border on north side. is Cae sPehwide, » 18, Vegetables. A , Greenhouse, 20 b; Ig 19, Walk, 7 feet wide, 26 feet. y, es Is iP a 500 feet long. 6, Stove, 28 feet by 12. 20, West wall, 382 feet 7, Cucumber pit. = long. 8, Entrance, 16 feet wide. 21, Border, 14 feet wide, 9, Peach house and 834 feet long. | ee oO 10, Vine border, 90 by 12 feet. 11, Two Peach honses and Plum house. 12, Vegetable border, 180 feet-by 14. 13 Walk, 8} feet wide. 14, Strawberries and Gooseberries ; flower border on north and east sides, and on east side, inside flower border, line of pyramid Apple trees. 55, Walks, 10 feet wide. 16, Strawberries, Goose- berries, and Onions; flower border on north and ~ west } Sides; pyramid Ap- 34 2 23, Vegetables, with flower border next walk (15), and a line of pyramid Apples inside. 24, Vases. - 25, Gooseberries and Black Currants 5 flower border next walk (15); pyramid Apples inside. 26, Strawberries. 27, Walk, 8 feet wide. 28, Vegetables. 29, Melon bed. 30, Walk. z 31, Two lines of Rasp- erries, Red Cur- rants next wall. 32, Tool house. 33, Gardeners’ bothy. Pitfour Kitchen Garden. are lately planted, but promise well. Along the south side of this last house is a line of dwarf pyramid-trained Pear trees, many of them heavily laden with fruit. I felt satisfied with the order-and healthy appearance of everything in the garden, with the exception of some old Apple and Pear trees covering the east and a portion of the north wall, and the hedging extending down the side walk No. 3 from the west, which has a few gaps init. A panelled border in lozenge-shaped figures skirts both sides of the second walk from the west. The lozenges are 9 feet by 11, and edged with Cerastium and Beet, the centres various Geraniums, Cal- ceolarias, and Verbenas, and the whole is carpeted with Lo- belia speciosa. On each side of the walk, behind the flower border, is a line of pyramid-trained Apple trees, with the ap- pearance of a good crop. There are many tastefully-arranged ribbon panels and flower borders which a want of space pre- vents me from describing. The west wall is covered with fan- trained Pear and Apple trees, which, though young, are pro- mising well. Beyond the west wall is the Abbey of Deer, a hoary ruin of former greatness ; Ivy has almost entirely covered its walls. This abbey was founded by William Comyn, Earl of Buchan, in the thirteenth century. Cistercian monks first resided at the abbey. The walls are built of red sandstone. After saying good-bye to Mr. George, the gardener, who accompanied me on my tour of inspection, and who is a man with a clear head and great knowledge, I left Pitfour thoroughly satisfied with the pleasant day I had spent.—Jaues Brucn. GARSTON VINEYARD. I, an old subscriber to ‘‘ our Journal,’’ accompanied by Mr. G. Dayies, nurseryman, of Birkdale Park, have journeyed to ‘Garston for the purpose of visiting the far-renowned yineries of Mr. Joseph Meredith. : The ground occupied by Mr. Meredith is of considerable extent, but the passer-by on the public road would not suspect that behind the tall and well-kept Hawthorn hedge which en- closes the Vineyard there existed such an establishment. The vineries are thirty in number, varying, of course, in size, but mostly of very considerable dimensions, the two larger houses being respectively 144 feet long by 25 feet wide, and 202 feet by 45 feet; the latter such a structure as many towns would be glad to possess as a railway station. On stating our business at the counting-house we were most obligingly. conducted through the establishment by one of Mr. Meredith’s sons. principal growers of Grapes for sale, and by his skill in their culture has taken prizes in Belgium in competition with Con- tinental exhibitors. The Garston Vineyard being on so exten- sive a scale, Mr. Meredith bas the advantage. of growing each principal description of Grape in a separate house, which greatly adds to their perfection. There are no less than seyen large structures devoted to the Grape. In the first: house visited, which was 78.feet long, Black Hamburghs, almost ripe, hung in luscious bunches, the berries large, and the crop a valuable one. The next house was oceupied by the Muscats, of which there was also a large and splendid crop; and in a congenial position was a large Fig tree loaded with fruit. Another house, 144 feet by 25, was filled with Syrian Vines, the Grapes on which were in a for- Mr. Meredith is celebrated as one of our | ward state; and on the stages on each side were countless pots containing Azaleas whose blooming season was Overs August 15, 1872. ] The next house inspected was the large one alluded to above— the Crystal Palace of the group—and at the entrance of this was a gigantic specimen of the Sooly-Qua, or Chinese Cucum- ber, the fruit being, when full grown, 6 feet in length. The growth is very rapid, some Cucumbers not more than a week old having already attained the length of 24 inches, and a profusion of flowers coyered every stem of the plant, which was carefully trained to a lofty trellis. On inquiry we were in- formed that the flavour of the Cucumber is “ flat,” but that in China it is much relished, being there boiled and eaten with rice. In this house was a tempting crop of Pine Apples _ in every stage of growth; also hundreds of young Vines in pots. In other Grape houses were successional crops of late Grapes—Lady Downe’s, Alicante, Mrs. Pince’s Black Muscat, &e. _ Hitherto Mr. Meredith has confined himself almost exclu- sively to Grape-growing, but recently he has turned his atten- tion to floriculture as well, and in one of the small houses was a magnificent stock of an old, but now somewhat neglected favourite, the Balsam. In another house was a large assort- ment of Fuchsias, well trained, and, by the appearance of the foliage, of most healthy growth. The fernery appeared to be stocked with a choice collection of Ferns. In the stove were numerous specimens of Nepenthes, or Pitcher Plants; I noticed also, a fine Stephanotis floribunda, the branches from which extended upwards of 40 feet along the supporting wires. Bou- gainvillea glabra, with its singularly beautiful bracts, was also there in vigorous growth. Out of doors the frames, &c., were crowded with thousands of Pelargoniums, Coleuses, and other bedding plants, and alarge space of ground was laid-out as a rosery. Altogether nearly two hours were most agreeably spent at The Vineyard.— Tryro, Southport. P.S.—On the parsonage green of the village is a cottage, in front of which is a Vine said to be three hundred years old. The stem is about a foot in diameter, and although rugged and perforated in several places, it still spreads its branches luxuriantly over the adjoining cottages, and produces a yearly vintage of Grapes. TRIAL OF BOILERS AT BIRMINGHAM. _ Tyeonsequence of some advertisements and letters appear- ing in the horticultural press representing that the Royal Horticultural Society gave medals and appointed judges for the recent competition of boilers at Birmingham, I am directed by the Council of this Society to ask you to be kind enough to make it known that they had nothing to do with the awards made, nor the appointment of the judges, neither was any medal of the Society given to the competitors.—JameEs Ricuarps, Assistant Secretary, Royal Horticultural Society, South Kensington. LARCH AND WOODEN PAVEMENTS. Tue Pendulous Larch (Larix pendula), sometimes called Red Larch, has been highly extolled for many uses,-as a durable and valuable timber tree. But I do not recollect of much having been said about its superiority for wooden pavements. Itis hard to split, very tough, quite durable, free from swell- ing or shrinking, and will not rot for many years. Therefore, if sawed into blocks about 10 inches in length, more or less, and made either 4 or 6 inches square, or round, and set on end, it will make a more excellent pavement than any other kind of wood. The corks of the horseshoe will not chip it, and it will wear longer and keep in better condition than any other timber now used for that purpose. When green, a cubic foot will weigh from 33 to 36 lbs., and after being thoroughly seasoned for two or three years, will yet weigh from 30 to 33 lbs., showing a very slight shrinkage in both size and heft, while most other kinds of wood will lose in drying from one quarter to a third their original weight, and considerably in size. On this account it is also valuable for floor plank, and all kinds of building timber, especially for beam timber on which to lay the floors. Pine, oak, and white wood will shrink so as to erack the plastering or draw the base boards away from the floors, which is very injurious to a first-class house. NOTES AND GLEANINGS. We have received the following from “D., Deal:"—“1 haye heard that my excellent friend Mr. Jones, the gardener at Lord Leconfield’s, Petworth House, has been appointed JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 135 Her Masesty’s GARDENER aT FRoGMORE in succession to Mr. Rose. AsI have had the pleasure of his acquaintance for a number of years, Ican safely say that no more worthy appoint- ment could have been made, and I cannot but rejoice that he is now, in the full vigour of life, placed where his abilities will have full scope, and in a position where he will necessarily be brought more into contact with the gardening world generally.’” —— Merroproriran Froran Socrery’s SuHow.—This is to take place at the Crystal Palace on the 28th and 29th inst., and in addition to the liberal schedule for cut flowers, there is an equally liberal one for fruit, the Crystal Palace Company having decided to revive their fruit show; and from the num- ber of entries already received, and the character of the season, we can confidently predict a successful exhibition. — Tue Report of the Government CrycHona PLAN@?ATIONS at Ootacamund in India for 1870-71 states that the growth of the plants has been very satisfactory. The older shrubs have grown into trees 22 to 23 feet high, and 18 to 21 inches in girth. Of the Cinchona succirubra, the finest samples reach a height of 30 feet, with a girth of 3 feet. Amongst the new species of plants lately introduced is the Pitayo bark, which appears hardy and well suited to the climate. During the year 51,353 lbs. of fresh bark were supplied to Mr. Broughton, the Government quinologist, for the manufacture of amorphous quinine. From one thousand eight-year-old plants of the Cinchona succirubra as much as 25601lbs. may be expected to be extracted this year. This average of more than 24lbs. to each tree will yield, at the present rate of 2s. Sd. to 3s. per lb., a clear profit of at least 2s. per 1b.—(Nature.) Ar the Nursery, Huntingdon, on the Sth inst., Mrs. Wood, aged 88 years. WORK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Gert more Cape Broccoli and Cauliflower out in warm situ- ations, and hoe through former plantings, watering also when necessary. Late Celery must be planted out—the final planting —taking care to water it frequently. Other Celeries growing fast must be soiled in due time, taking care not to add too much soil at once. About 2 inches in depth once a-week is a good maxim, and it is an excellent,plan to give a thorough soaking of manure water the day previous to soiling. The slug defaces the stalks much. It is also a good practice to give the plants a thorough liming previous to the first earthing. Let the Horn Carrots for drawing young be thinned and weeded. To those who would insure a constant succession of the choice kinds of vegetables and salads, the next fortnight. will be the most important of the whole year. Endive plant- ing must now be proceeded with in earnest, for what is now planted will constitute the great bulk of the autumn and midwinter salads. Let elevated beds of 4 feet in width and possessing a bold curvature, be provided in an open and dry situation. Such beds should be a foot or more above the ground level, and must be made very rich. These beds may be hooped over at the end of October, and be readily covered with mats when frost arrives. Let ripening Onions be bent down in order to get the ground clear for Winter Greens. Winter Spinach for the whole winter supply must be sown from the 7th to the 15th of the month, according to the situation. FRUIT GARDEN. The preservation of wall fruit from birds and insects should oceupy attention. Worsted or other small-mesh netting may be employed with advantage to protect Green Gage or other Plums, the scarcity of which fruit this season invites such pre- cautions. Look carefully over Peach and Nectarine trees, and remoye nails which are near to the swelling fruit. In stopping and arranging the wood let only such as can conveniently be laid-in be allowed to remain. It is also am error to retain a large amount of wood, to be removed inevitably in the winter pruning; an undue excitement and extension are given to the roots, which with a superabundant supply of sap, induce in the spring the growth of rank and unmanageable wood. Pear shoots which have been left or only partially shortened should now be pruned to three or four eyes. Proceed with Straw- berry planting. Removerunners from established plants. FLOWER GARDEN. This year’s beauty should assist to suggest next year’s im- proyement in the distribution of the masses in the flower gar- den. Attention should be given to insure duration of bloom, habit, and colour in the different plants, and another arrange- 136 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 15, 1872. ment planned for a futureseason. The propagation of Scarlet | produce a profusion of bloom during the following spring and Pelargoniums, Verbenas (for stock plants), and Calceolarias should commence. China Roses should be put in, and budded stocks examined, bandages removed, and failures replaced. Mark the best Hollyhocks for seed. I am glad to see that this magnificent flower is likely to meet with the attention its beauty well entitles it to. Attend to the routine of staking, pegging, and the general security of fragile plants. We are now rapidly advancing in the Dahlia season, and the amateur’s attention must be specially directed to this splendid autumnal flower. As seedlings advance for blooming, it will be advisable to disbud so as to get the blossoms as fine as possible for exhi- bition, recollecting that the weakest plants usually produce the best flowers. Many contrivances are in use for protection against sun, wind, rain, and vermin, which all at certain periods act detrimentally. After all the endeavours to entrap earwigs in the immediate locality of the plants, still as these destructive insects fly, their visits can never be effectually guarded against unless the blooms are bagged. Very fine point net lace is generally used; this allows the flower all the air possible, and at the same time effectually excludes the insect before alluded to. Haythorn’s hexagon netting will be found useful for the purpose, though, perhaps, it should be of the smallest mesh. It must cover the flower and should be fastened round the stalk ; the bloom must then be protected by 2 cap with wu spring at the back, which adjusts it at any given height. The continued rain has precluded the necessity of watering, but it will be advisable to mulch the surface of the soil with very rotten manure, and to pay strict attention to the lateral shoots of the plants being secured. Prick-out setl- ling Auriculas and Polyanthuses ; the latter may also be parted, and will get well established before winter. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. Should the weather continue unsettled it will be an advan- tage to many delicate plants to give them an early introduction into the conservatory. It is better always to anticipate an evil by precaution than to supinely await its arrival. The ‘continued humidity and gloom of the weather may well origi- nate apprehension for tender, when even hardy plants are suffering. The gaiety of the show house should not be allowed tto decline while the common resources of Fuchsias, Verbenas, Achimenes, and Scarlet Pelargoniums are in hand. The dew ilicious fragrance of Lilium tuberosum should always be secured at this season for the conservatory. Let all the faded blossoms be constantly removed, straggling growth pinched, and ex- thausted stock cut-in previous to making a new growth. Let it be remembered that the autumn is fast approaching, and that tthe sooner new growths are encouraged, in order to become ‘somewhat hardened, the better. Successions of Brugmansias, ‘Clerodendrons, Euphorbias, Poinsettias, &c., should receive a last shift, in order that they may produce a rich display in the ‘conservatory. Climbers on ornamental trellises should be occasionally cut back, with the view of having a succession late in the season when flowers become scarce. A batch of such plants as Thunbergias, Ipomzas, Stephanotis, and Passi- floras, should be got up ornamental trellises without delay. Clematis bicolor and C. azurea grandiflora force well in early spring; rest them behind a shady wall in June and July, and they will flower again in October and November. The Cle- amatises, although perfectly hardy, are well adapted for conser- vatory trellises. Chrysanthemums should now receive their last shift, if possible, using chiefly sound fibrous loam for the purpose with plenty of charcoal. This is the best way to keep them stiff in habit, and to preserve their leaves. Any neces- sary amount of strength may be imparted to them when the flower-buds are formed by good liquid manure. Let adequate provision be made for the prolonged supply of small flowering subjects, such as Primulas, Phlox Drummondi, and Cinerarias. STOVE. This house should be particularly well aired at this season. Shade less; indeed, while gloomy days prevail, withhold shad- ing altogether, and apply less humidity. It is better to apply gentle fires with abundance of air night and day, than to finish the season with immature growth. Withhold water altogether for a short time from those that have quite finished their season’s growth, having previously gradually lessened the supply from time to time. Place the plants at the coldest and driest end of the house if no other resting structure is at hand. The absence of bright sunshine will more especially render it desirable to expose all plants to the little sunshine we haye, in order that the shoots may be ripened before the approach of winter. It is a great error to keep plants that are required to | summer actively at work late in the autumn. Summer is the season when rapid development should be promoted, and autumn the period when the young wood should be completely hardened and ripened preparatory to the approach of winter. PITS AND FRAMES. Some of the first struck cuttings will now be fit for potting off. Place them in a pit or frame; shade, keep them close until they are rooted, when they should be set out to harden previously to being stored up for winter. Continue to put in cuttings, more particularly the best kinds of bedding Pelargo- niums, which ought to be struck as soon as possible.— W. Keane. DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK. Comet or no comet, never was there more distracting wea- ther—rain, not in drops but in sheets, threatening to lay every- thing prostrate, and the lurid lightning to burn all up, and yet, after all, in our neighbourhood but little injury has been done. Of course, where the crops were very thick and heavy the rains and winds twisted them and laid them down, so that reaping machines could not be much used, and the old sickle had to be employed instead. Piecework.—Many good men, especially the proprietors of small gardens, have consulted us as to piecework, and we haye been obliged to tell them we could not help them. Large jobs ina garden might be let on piecework to the advantage of all concerned—as men will and ought to work for themselves better and more heartily than for a day-labour employer; but in the routine of a garden it is next to impossible to get work done on the piecework principle, because a man must haye so many little things to attend to, and no conceivable reckoning could come in justly to allow so much for this, and so much for that. In the general routine of garden work nothing will be more satisfactory on the whole than wages by the day or the week. Fresh work in laying out, &c., is a different affair. One matter, however, ought to be seen to in gentlemen’s gardens, and that is, independent of strikes and all their eyils, some knowledge must be had of the abilities of the workmen. We have sorrowfully parted with men to better themselves, though we felt the extra money would have paid as well here as elsewhere. There is a mistake here which ladies and gentle- men, we hope, will learn to rectify. We have had many men all receiving the same money on Friday night, the right night to pay labour, and we felt when paying all alike that some men were worth any two of the others. We have neyer been able to do as much as justice required in this direction, and servants never can do what masters can; but there is neither reason nor justice in paying all assistants alike, whatever may be the distinguishing characteristics of the men. Besides, an active energetic man has no stimulus to bring out his energy and activity. ‘I get no more than that sleepy-headed, woolly- fingered fellow, who never wants a handkerchief in the hottest day. A little sweat would be poison to him.” We throw out the hint because we have never been able to satisfy ourselves. We are quite sure that in piecework some men in gardens, if they acted as they generally do, would easily double the wages of some other men. Independent of present appearances, we do hope that the harvest will be profitable to all concerned, as so many depend on a few weeks’ extra labour now to clear off all scores at the shop, pay the rent, and get shoes and clothing for the youngsters. The more we see of the working of everyday labouring life, the more we are conyinced (of course with certain unfortunate drawbacks) of the sterling honesty of purpose of the great mass of general labourers in fields and gardens. KITCHEN GARDEN. See previous notices. We dug ground which had been cropped with early Peas, and planted with Winter Greens, Let- tuce, Endive, &c. We would refer to what we lately stated about plants of Cauliflower and Broccoli turning out badly. Ours have required much superyision, and we have been short of Cauliflower in consequence. Fine large plants have not a bit of heart in them. We cannot assign the reason, but true it is that great numbers of plants of the Cabbage tribe seem to have lost the terminal bud. It is of no use leaving them, as the plants will come to nothing. This day we have pulled up some hundreds of Caulifiowers which ought to have shown signs of heading. We are rather surprised that some of our con- temporaries have made no allusion to the subject. Well, per- haps they do not like to confess themselves beaten as we do; August 15, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 137 for we know nothing of the direct cause of this evil. One of our men told us yesterday that he pulled up more than three- fourths of his winter stuff. Will not some clever scientific man endeavour to helpus? We confess ourselves beaten. Red-leading Sceds:—We mentioned one case in which red- jeading was not effective in keeping birds, mice, and rats from the seed. We were doubtful then if our instructions were carried out, as we could not see the marks of the red lead on the seeds half, or more than half, eaten. We did not see them sown; since then we have not had a seed touched, whether of Peas, Beans, Cabbage, or Lettuce; but, of course, after the plants were up and growing freely they had multitudes of enemies. Still, on the whole, we are more convinced than ever that red-leading seeds is the best preservative until they arrive at the seedling state. FRUIT GARDEN. We have turned out a number of Strawberries from pots. We gave the ground a good coating of short grass, dung, &c., tread- ing down, as the plants will stand two or three years, and as we have long been convinced that to have first-rate Straw- berries out of doors there must be rich deep feeding for the roots, and rich mulching at the surface. Finished layering for forcing Strawberries. Some of our first planted forced Strawberries are now in bloom. But for press of work we should have had many more, and when time can be given they do come in well in the autumn. Orchard House.—We gave an extra watering with sewage, as the trees seemed to require some help. Went over the trees again, and removed some two bushels of fruit, chiefly Peaches and Nectarines, thus so far showing the importance of a glass covering. A thorough watering now will aid much in swelling the fruit. Care must be taken not to overdo the watering, otherwise the fruit will be thrown off after being duly thinned. We have two cool houses; one we shut up early, and we are now gathering from it; the second we wish to keep as late as possible, and from it we generally manage to gather Peaches and Plums later than from the wall and open border. If after these deluges of rain the weather should be sunny and warm, it would be advisable to daub all empty spaces in fruit houses with flowers of sulphur made into a paint with softsoap water. Prevention is always better than cure. ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT. No weather could have been worse for mere flowering plants out of doors. A few bright days, however, will make all right again. Just now the flowers are nowhere. We took some trouble in plunging Chrysanthemums and Salvias, so as to save water- ing.” It is as well to place a tile or slate below the bottom of each pot. Sedum acre (Stone-crop), how killit? Some may say, How get such a pretty, yellow-flowering succulent to live? Well, with only the smallest quantity of decayed vegetable matter it will thrive on tiles, slates, cement, bricks, or almost anything, and thus used many an outhouse, shed, or coal place in our large towns may haye a roof like a dense green carpetall the season, except when the plants put on their bright yellow livery in the summer months. Once let it take hold and it will need no further trouble, but look after itself, without even requiring a pail of water, for it will absorb enough from the atmosphere to keep it healthy. In our case we want to get rid of it from a walk in the pleasure ground. Years ago it settled on a space of 2 or 3 square yards. We had it hoed and raked on sunny days, we extra salted it, at other times we took the surface gravel away, and, as we thought, all trace of this little succu- lent, but, in spite of us, ere a month or two had gone, back again came our unwelcome friend. Ere now it threatens to take possession in time of the whole walk. The smallest bit will grow, and though scuffling and salting will brown up the old plants, we suppose that neither has the slightest effect on the seeds. We shall salt and fresh-surface again, but we have no faith in thus being able to destroy it. Wecould with- out much trouble easily obtain a Sedum walk. Will any reader tell us what more we can do? One year we dug over a piece of the walk, thinking thus to bury plants and seeds deeply enough, but that was of no use, as in a short time young plants appeared as thickly as ever on the surface. Lawns are looking very well, but they give endless labour this moist season, and all the more as we had relaid a great portion last year, and were forced to use additional soil to attain the regular sweeps, but it was of a richer nature than we liked for such a purpose on our heavy ground. On poor soil the rich earth would have been excellent. We may just say a few words in answer to many inquiries as to renovating old and unlevel lawns. The best made will have inequalities in the course of time, and these, besides being unsightly, cause much extra labour either to scythe or machine. Several who wished to amend their lawns in this respect were horrified at the plan here adopted of taking up a good space at a time, so as to see all the inequalities (and that is the best way to see them), and then sweeping the line over to get the uniform level before the turf, cut to an equal thickness, was laid down again. They proposed lifting and laying down the worst bits. Now, we can only say that that mode will rarely prove satisfactory, and before allis done it will be found that little has been gained in labour. Judging from our own practice, if a fine level or regularly sloping lawn is desired, and there are many inequalities, we should, early in winter, take up the turf, and after levelling lay it down again. It will then have a beautiful uniform surface, which it is next to impossible to give it by the most careful pieceing. If such work is not done in winter, it should be done early in the spring, so that the grass may gain firm hold before the warm weather, and thus all future care will be prevented. By sweep- ing off large spaces at a time, and placing wood pins at the requisite height for straight and sweeping levels, we found that men unused to garden work, and who had never laid a piece of turf, did the work very well.—R. F. TRADE CATALOGUE RECEIVED. B.S. Williams, Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, Upper Hol- loway, London, N.—General Bulb Catalogue—Fruit Trees, Roses, dc. 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, éc., 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 answered 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. Booxs (W. J. S. Horton).—“ The Garden Manual” will suit you. It can be had free by post from our office if you enclose twenty postage stamps with your address. Bouquet Maxine (Amateur).—The season will decide in a great measure the kinds of flowers. At present we may say that a white Rose half ex- panded forms a capital centre; it should be set in its own leaves. The next or first row may be crimson or scarlet Roses, second row pink Roses, third row deep velvety crimson, fourth row rose-coloured Roses, and the outer margin yellow and white Roses alternately; the whole set in their own leaves. That is not we think what you want, we therefore give you another arrangement :—Centre Stephanotis floribunda, set in Adiantum assimile ; first row pink Zonal Pelargonium, set in Pheasant’s-foot Geranium, arranged alternately with Verbena Mauve Queen ; second row Erica Cayendishii, set in Adiantum cuneatum, alternately with Verbena yenosa, the Erica correspond- ing to the Mauve Queen Verbena, and the Verbena to the pink Pelargonium ; third row white Verbena and double Pelargonium scarlet, or Ixora acuminata and the Pelargonium, set in Myrtus microphylla; fourth, Ixora javanica floribunda and Pleroma elegans, set in Adiantum cuneatum; fifth, Allamanda, grandiflora and Dipladenia splendens, arranged around the beuquet in quarters as regards the Allamanda, with the Dipladenia on both sides adjoin- ing, and fill in with Stephanotis floribunda or Eucharis amazonica, setting all in Adiantum farleyense. Vartous (Idem).—You may convert a lean-to greenhouse into a stove, the only difference is in providing for more heat; but as you say nothing of the temperature you can command at present, we can only remark that you will need to have double the amount of heating surface as compared with that of a greenhouse. Greenhouse plants with blue flowers are Pleroma elegans, Witsenia corymbosa, and Kennedya inophylla floribunda. Clerodendron Bal- fourii cannot well be grown in a greenhouse. Six Orchids for greenhouse culture are Lycaste Skinneri, Epidendrum macrochilum, Oncidium leuco- chilum, Odontoglossum Alexandre, O. grande, and Lelia superbiens. Linum not Heatrurut (M. L.).—The leaves you sent exhibit no traces of insect attacks, and appear simply to be owing to the heat to which they haye been subjected, a warm greenhouse being too exciting for plants of this kind. The roots may be in soil which is heavy and sour from imperfect drainage. Packine Ferns FoR Importarion (E. L. J.).—The Ferns should be taken up with a moderate amount of roots and soil, and most of the fronds remoyed. They should then be thoroughly wetted and placed on a 6-inch layer of damp put not very wet moss in a shallow box, surronnding and covering the roots and ball with 8 or 4 inches deep of the same material, securing them firmly in position with laths, cut so as to fit exactly inside the box on the moss, and nailing them in position. A space of about 3 inches between the moss and lid JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 15, 1872. = of the box will be sufficient, and it may be filled with any kind of dry material, light, of course. The Filmy Ferns may be packed in the same way, using wet moss, and giving the roots and substances adhering to them a thorough soak- ing in water before placing them in the wet moss. It is well to put about 8 inches of dry moss in the box, then the wet as before described, and a like thickness of dry moss on the top. The tree Ferns should have the fronds cut off to within a foot of their base, and be taken up with about a foot square of roots; the stems as wellas the root parts ought to be enveloped in damp moss and secured with string, then place the plants in a packing- case, well surrounding them with dry material, as straw. The best time to send them is when the plants have ceased growing; and the seasons at the Antipodes being the reverse of ours, March or April will be a suitable time. The tubs in which tree Ferns are to be placed should not be tarred inside; the tar would act injuriously on the roots. LinivuM AURATUM AFTER FLOWERING (A Subscriber).—Your plant should be continued in a cold house, or it may be placed out of doors until October, then wintered ina house from which frost is excluded. Keep it moderately supplied with water, and when the stem turns yellow cut it away and repot, Keeping it no more than moist until the shoots are pushing freely, then water in proportion to the growth, avoiding oyerwatering at any time. We should not remove the offsets unless increase were particularly desired, when you may pot each offset separately. Ifyou donot want more plants, but a good-sized specimen, pot with all the offsets, removing whatever soil may come away freely, clearing it out down to the crown of the bulbs, and cover these with silver sand. If there are few roots, so that soil may be removed to the bulb, in potting surround the bulb with silver sand. Pot with the crown about 3 inches below the rim of the pot, and cover the crown about an inch. The piant will continue to improve both in size and number of blooms for years. GATHERING AND DRYING EVERLASTINGS AND GRASSES (K.).—The proper time to gather Everlasting flowers is when they are full-sized, ora day or two after they are expanded. They may, however, be cut before the flowers open, and we then think them the prettiest, but the larger their size the more durable they are. We gather largely both kinds at noon on a fine day, tie them in small bundles, and hang them up in a dry airy room. They dry well, and do better than when dried out of doors inthe sun. The flowers dry best in a house -where -Peaches or Grapes are ripening. The Grasses should be gathered as soon as they are fully developed, and there is no better plan of drying them than that described for the Eyerlastings. We like to gather them about a week after flowering. Strreine Rose Currines (F.).—The most successful plan we have ever tried with regard to striking Roses, is to put the cuttings into sandy soil in 6-inch pots, about five or six cuttings,to a pot, plunge the pots in a moderate hotbed, shade from direct sun, and give air, especially at night, but always leaving a certain amount of air, so as to prevent damping-off. The cuttings should. be kept moist, but not too damp. More depends on the kind of cuttings used than on the treatment.. The best cuttings are taken from flowering shoots as soon as the flowers are over, taking the shoots off witha piece of the older wood or heel left on, and taking care that the wood is sound and well ripened. Any soft succulent wood is almost sure to damp off. Rose cuttings are impatient of too much heat, but in order to strike them quickly they should have a moderate bottom heat. After four or five weeks the cuttings will be struck and ready to pot off. Put them into 4inch pots filled with moderately rich and light soil, containing a good proportion of decayed. leaf soil. Plunge the pots fora time in ashes over a moderate hotbed, harden- off when the roots are re-established, and keep them in well-ventilated cold f-ames during the winter. GRAPE VINES (True Blue).—All the varieties you name will thrive together in the same temperatures. The Black Champion is a superior kind of Black Hamburgh. The Alicante is a good black yariety, ripens late, and keeps well The Coleus leaves are very inferior. Lear or Rep Oak (A. R.).—The leaf sent is large, but not much larger than is usual on the variety from which it was taken, Quercus rubra latifolia, or Champion Oak. VinE LEAVES UNHEALTHY (A. B.).—An insufficient supply of water at the roots would cause the leaves to assume the appearance of those sent. You could ascertain this by examining the border, as too wuch water would haye a similar effect; it would destroy the rootlets, and thus check the flow of sap. We do not believe it is caused by insufficient ventilation. TREATMENT OF PorreD VINES (B. C.).—As you intend to start them in November, they should have been in their fruiting pots by July, and be kept in 2 growing temperature until September. If your Vines require repotting we would pot them at once, and if the leayes are still green, place the plants in heat until they assume a yellow tinge. Apples, Pears, and Plums will ripen their wood out. of doors. Allow the Peach trees to remain in the orchard house, and give them plenty of room. Fruit-buds will not be freely produced jf either the branches or the trees are crowded. PERFECTING CUCUMBER SEEDS (4 Young Beginner).—If your Cucumbers are grown in rich soil they will not produce seeds freely—indeed, some of the best exhibition yarieties produce seeds but sparingly under any circumstances. Those plants which you intend should produce seeds must be planted in soil without any manure init. Ii you have a Cucumber house you could grow a plant or two in pots. Place them in a position fully exposed to the sun and near the glass. You may get seeds in that way, but itis too late in the season now to attemptit. PEARS CRACKED AND DEFORMED (L. I. K.).—The roots of the trees have descended too deep. Open a trench on one side of each, and cut underneath through all the descending roots; drain the soil, and keep the surface mulched throughout the summer to induce the roots to remain near the surface. =Etm Bieepine (A Subscriber)—Apply a red-hot iron to the wound, and when the surface is charred apply carpenters’ red knotting. GALEOPSIS TETRAHIT (P. D.).—Your specimen is Galeopsis Tetrahit, and it certainly has fifteen ribs in the calyx. Some botanists give five nerves, and others five to ten as the generic character of Galeopsis. ‘ Curtines (J. C. M.).—You will see advertisements in our columns stating where they can be had. The distinctive markings of Hamburgh fowls are in “ Poultry Book for the Many,” which you can have free by post from our office if you enclose seven postage stamps with your address. Krew GARpDENS (Fred.).—Write to Mr. Smith, the curator, and tell him what you wish. Insects (Nicol).—The larger beetle is the notorious Hylobius Abietis, very destructive to Fir trees; and the smaller one is Strophosomus Coryli, hitherto reputed a harmless species. Are you sure that the latter gets inside the twigs and eats the whole of the pith? If so, would you be so good as to send specimens of twigs so eaten, with the insects, to Professor Westwood, Oxford. —I. 0. W. Names oF Fruits (Bradney Manor).—Orangefield Tomato. Brailbrook Seedling. Names or Prants (H.).—Delphinium pictum. (East Susser).—We must compliment you on your admirable specimens. 1, Cattleya Loddigesii, Lindl. (C. Harrisonie, Paxt.); 2, Lantana aculeata; 3, L. nivea; 4, Eucalyptus sp. ; 5, Cotula coronopifolia; 6, Peperomia, near Saundersii (Bot. Mag., 5634), and avifolia; 7, Impatiens parviflora; 8, Epidendrum oncidioides; 9, Hartwegia comosa. (T.B. W.).—1, Indeterminable; 2, Celsia Arcturus. (C. G.).—Aspe- rula ciliaris. (H. R. S.).—1, Verbascum pheniceum; 2, Celsia Arcturus; 3, Russelia juncea. (J. P. R.).—1, A Spirea, perhaps a fragment of S. Arun- cus; 2,8. Fortunei; 3, Escallonia macrantha; 4, Indeterminable; are leaf and pod from the same plant? (J. G.)—We cannot name your Begonias, nor any florists’ varieties. They are too numerous and difficult to distinguish. (A. Jones).— POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. PRIZES FOR BANTAMS. In April and May last it was suggested in our Journal that subscription cups should be offered for each of the above classes at the coming Ipswich Show, when I promised to do what I could to assist so laudable an object, but am sorry a severe illness prevented my then giving much attention thereto. Lam happy to announce Mr. R. H. Ashton, Mottram, Manchester, has guaranteed the £3 3s. cup for Blacks, and I trust not only those who promised to subscribe (as per the Journal of May 2nd), but others, will now send their subscriptions to Mr. Ashton, and if more than the 63s. be collected the surplus will be applied in creating a fourth and in increasing the second and third prizes. I am sorry the Brown Red Game and the Whites have not more supporters, but we must hope the success of the Blacks will be such as to warrant not only the Committee of the Ips- wich Show, but others also for the future making separate classes for each.—W. B. Jzrrriss, Secretary. COMPARATIVE EXPENSE AND PRODUCE OF VARIOUS FOWLS. Isaac Lynpz, of Ohio, in the Poultry World, describes an ex- periment tried by him last season. At the 1st of September he took ten pullets each of five breeds, each within a week of being six months old, and placed them in yards 40 feet square, with comfortable houses. For the next six months he kept an account of their food and egg-production with the following results :— The Dark Brahmas ate 369} quarts of corn, oats, and wheat: screenings, laid 605 eggs, and weighed 70 lbs. : The Buff Cochins ate 406 quarts, laid 591 eggs, and weighed 73 lbs. 4 The Grey Dorkings ate 3093 quarts, laid 524 eggs, and weighed 594 lbs. The Houdans ate 2141 quarts, laid 783 eggs, 454 Ibs. i The Leghorns ate 231} quarts, laid 807 eggs, and weighed 363 lbs. All the eggs were sold at 18 cents a-dozen. The Leghorns ate less corn than the Houdans, so their food cost less, and the receipts, deducting cost of food, was largest from them. Tt would have been interesting to have had the weight of the eggs laid by the hens of each breed. The difference in yalue of the light and heavy fowls should also be taken into. consideration.— (Canada Farmer.) and weighed ORMSKIRK AND SOUTHPORT POULTRY SHOW. Tuts Show, held in connection with the Southport and Orms- kirk Agricultural Show, was held on the 6th and 7th of August in a well-appointed field adjacent to the railway station of this so-called Montpellier of the north, and was a great success both as regards the quality of the birds and the number of visitors > the latter could be counted by thousands on both days. A better working Committee we do not wish to meet, and they well deserve the support of our principal exhibitors. : In poultry, the Mayor’s cup for the best pen in the Show went to a capital pen of Partridge Cochins. In Dorkings the Whites do not make that progress we should like, and their coloured brethren were represented by some good old birds, but out of feather; the chickens, however, were most noticed by the Judge. Cochins were also a good lot, more especially the prize Partridge Cochin chickens, to which, as before stated, the Mayor’s cup went. Of Brahmas many birds that have won before were in the prize list. Spanish were not in good con- dition, and not so good as usual for this district. Hamburghs were not a large show, but Mr. Beldon took all the first prizes with capital birds. Game Bantams were very good. . August 15, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 139 In Rouen Ducks and Geese we were agreeably surprised to find that the weights and quality are still on the increase, but we cannot say so much for the Aylesbury Ducks. Among the Pigeons were representatives from some of the best exhibitors, and the competition for several of the cups was very close, though many good birds were passed over, giving evident signs of being overshown. The Pouter cup went to a very grand Blue hen; that for Black Carriers to a good Black cock; and the cup for any other colour to a splendid Blue be- longing to Mr. Duckworth, who also took the cup for the best Dun Carrier. Both, if we mistake not, were the winners at the late Birmingham Show. In Carriers of this year’s breeding Mr. Buckley was deservedly first with a very good bird. In Dra- goons Mr. Wakem won the cup with a pair of Blues of the first quality against as good a lot as we have ever seen. He also won both prizes in foreign Owls in a very good class. The cup for Barbs went to Mr. Fulton’s Blacks in a not very strong class, and his wife won the cup for the best pen in the remaining classes with a fine pair of Trumpeters. In Fantails, Jacobins, Tumblers, Turbits, &c., as the prize list will show, there were some very good birds, Mr. Horner’s Swallows in the Variety class being especially good. Dorxines.— White.—1 and 2. J. Robinson, Vale House, Garstang. 8, M. Fairhurst, Woodlands, Ormskirk. Chickens.—1, J. Watts, King’s Heath, Birmingham. 2and 8, J. Robinson. Dorxincs.—Coloured.—l, E Leech, Rochdale. 2, J. Stott. Healey, Rochdale. 8. J. Robinson. hc, T. Hornsby, Lathom; J. Copple, Eccleston, Prescot. pclae E. Leech. 2, J. Stott. 3,3. Robinson. he, J. Copple, Eccleston, rescot. Cocuin-Cuina—Buff.—l and he, W. A. Taylor, Manchester. 2, A. Bamford, Middleton. 8, H. Lacy, Hebden Bridge. Chickens.—1 and he, W. A. Taylor. 2and 8, C. Sidgwick, Ryddlesden, Keighley. PARTRIDGE OR GROUSE.—1 and Cup, C. W. Brierley, Middleton. 2, W. A. Taylor. 8, T. Stretch, Ormskirk. Chickens.—1 and 8, C. Sidgwick. 2 and hic, W. A. Taylor. BrauMa Poorra.—1 and 2, H. Lacy. 38. T. F. Andsell, Cowley Mount, St.Helens. he, E. Leech. Chickens.—1, T. Andsell. 2, W. A. Taylor. 3, J. H. Pickles, Birkdale. hc, T.H. Dean, Warder, Hereford; C, Morris, Grassendale ; W. Gamon, Chester; H. Lacy; E, Smith. SpanrtsH.—l, J. Leeming, Broughton. 2,H. Beldon. $8, H. Wilkinson, Earby, pion: he, J. Carlisle, Earby, Skipton. Chickens.—1, H. Wilkinson. 2, J. arlisle. GamEe.—1, C. W. Brierley. 2, J Wood, Wigan. 8, T. P. Lyon, Liverpool. Chickens.—1 and 8, J. Carlisle. 2, J. Wood. Hamerrcus.—Golden-spangled. —1, H. Beldon. Silver- spangled.—1, H. Beldon. 2,3 Robinson. Hameurcus —Golden-pencilled.—1, H. Beldon. 2, W. Speakman, Dodding- ton. 8,J. Robinson. Silver-pencilled.—i, H. Beldon. 2, J. Robinson. Bantams.—l, W. F. Addie, Fulwood. 2, T. Sharples, Rawtenstall. 8, R. H. Ashton, Mottram. GameE.—Cock.—1, C. W. Brierley. 2, J. Wood, Wigan. 8, G. F. Ward, Wren- bury, Cheshire. moe AS Clee and 2, T. Sharples. 8, G. Maples, Wavertree, iverpool. ANY OTHER VARIETY.—1 and 2, H. Beldon. 3, W. H. Crabtree, Levenshulme (Créve-Ceurs). Ducks —Aylesbury.—l and 2, E. Leech. Rowen.—1, R. Gladstone. jun., Court Hey, West Derby. 2, T. Wakefield, Golbourne. Newton-le-Willows. 38, E. Leech, he, T. Hornsby, Lathom; R. Gladstone, jun.; J. Kenwright, Tarbuck. GEESE.—1, E. Leech. 2, T. Harrison, jun.,Gateacre. 38,J.Bryers, Ormskirk. Goslings.—1, E. Leech. 2,J3.Bryers. 8, T. Harrison. TurkeEys.—l, E. Leech. PIGEONS. PovurErs —Cock.—1 and he, R. Fulton, Deptford. 2, E. Horner, Harewood, Leeds. c. R. Fulton; E. Horner. Hen.—Cup andc,R, Fulton. 2, E. Horner. he, R. Fulton; E. Horner. Carriers (Black).—Cock.—l, R. Fulton. 2,3. 0. Wakem, Town Green, Orms- kirk. he, J.B. Buckley, Southport; E. Horner. c,J.O. Wakem; R. Fulton. Hen.—i, R. Fulton. 2, J. B. Buckley. he, J. Stanley, Salford, Blackburn; J. B. Buckley (2) ; E. Horner. Carriers (Blue or Silver).—Cock.—1. Cup, and 2, C. E. Duckworth, Wavertree. Hen.—1i and 2. C. E. Duckworth. he, E. C, Stretch, Ormskirk. Carriers (Dun).—Cock.—Cup, C. E. Duckworth. 2, E. Horner. he, H. Yardley, Birmingham ; J. Stanley; E. C. Stretch. Hen.—1 and 2, E. Horner. Carriers (Young).—1 and he (2), J.B. Buckley. 2, E. Horner. Bargs.—Cup, R. Fulton. 2, H. Yardley. c, A. Justice, Salford. JacoBins.—1l, E. Horner. 2, R. Fulton. he, R. Fulton (2); E. Horner. TumsBiers.—l,2,and he, R. Fulton. c,J.W. Woodhouse, Lynn (2); ©, Horner. - Dracoons (Blue).—Cup, J.0.Wakem. 2, W. Hill, Stockport. he, F. Graham, ‘Birkenhead; H. Yardley ; W. Gamon, Chester. Dragoons (Any other colour).—1 and 2, F. Graham. he, F. Graham; J. Stanley; R. Fulton. Owts (English).—l, A. Ashton. Middleton. 2, J. Kemp, Haslingden. Owts (Foreign).—] and 2,J.0. Wakem. hc,C. Dennison, Halifax; J.Stanley; E. Horner. TURBITS.—l and 2, R. Fulton. Fanrarus.—l, T. Rule, Durham. J.¥F. Loversidge; T. Rule; E. Horner. SELLING Cusss.—l, H. Adams, Beverley. 2, F.Graham. he, R. G. Teebay, Burscough, Ormskirk. Any OTHER VariETY.—l, E. Horner. 2, H. Yardley. he, J.O.Wakem. ae J. Stanley. 2,J. W. Collinson, Halifax. he, H. Yardley; W. amon. Nuns.—l, J. B. Bowden. Blackburn. 2, E. Horner. TRUMPETERS.—Cup and 2, Mrs. Fulton. c, T. Rule. Jupcrs.—Powltry : Mr. Teebay, Fulwood, Preston; Pigeons : Mr. Hedley, Redhill, Surrey. 2, J. Robinson. 2,J. F. Loversidge, Newark. he, J. Kemp; c, J. Walker, Newark. Cock-crow IN Ausrrati1a.—The following extract from Mr. Millett’s “Australian Parsonage” may interest your readers. “The cocks crowed vociferously precisely one hour before mid- night, and again at two in the morning; on the last occasion without any reference to dawn in the sky, for the sun did not rise till nearly five o’clock upon the longest day. This peculi- arity of the domestic fowl is mentioned in most descriptions of Australia, but in none that I have ever read has any notice been taken of the extreme regularity with which the crowing occurs at certain fixed hours.” Perhaps some of your correspondents can tell us at what hours precisely the cocks this side of the world are accustomed to crow.—E. Barrrumu, Berkhamstead Herts. POULTRY AT THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND’S SHOW. Tue following awards were made at this Show, held at Belfast on the 7th, 8th, and 9th inst :-— DorxinG. — Silver-Grey.—1, W. Charley, J.P., Seymour Hill, Dunmurry, Chickens.—1 and 2, G. Martin. Glenview, Castlereagh. SpanisH.—l, J. Pollock, Dundonald. 2, W. G. Mulligan. Springfield, Belfast. hen Nes ap EN Belmont, Belfast. Chickens.—1 and he, W. G. Mulligan, 2, J. Pollock. GameE.—Black-breasted Red.—1, J. Meike, Stranraer. 2, Miss C. Chichester, Runnamoat, Roscommon. Cocuin-Cuina.—Buf.—l, W. G. Mulligan. 2, F. H. Green, Windsor, Belfast. c, Miss C. Chichester; R. Lovg, Belfast. Brown or Partridge-colouwred.—l, F. H.Green. 2,R. Long. Chickens.—1 and 2, F. H. Green. Black or White — 1 and 2, Miss C. Chichester (White). BrauMa Poorra.—Dark.—l, W.G. Mulligan. 2, F. H. Green. c, W. Mullan. Chickens.—2, W. Gregg, Belfast. Light.—1, R. Long. CREVE-C@uR.—1, Miss C. Chichester. WuitE-OrEsTED Buack Fowu.—], W. G. Mulligan. HameurGus.—Golden or Silver-pencilled—i. E. R. Lucas, Belfast (Golden- pencilled). Golden or Silver-spangled —1, 2, and.c, W. J. Davison. GamME Bantams.—l, W. J. Mulligan (Black Red). __ Z Ducks.- Rouen.—l and 2, W. J. Mulligan. hc, Miss C. Chichester. Aylesbury.—l, W. Charley. 2 and he, W. G. Mulligan. GEESE.—Grey and Mottled.—1, W. Mullan, Willowftield, Belfast. TurkeEys.—l, Miss C. Chichester (Cambridge). Poults.—1, W. Mullan. ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL.—1, Miss C. Chichester (East Indian Ducks). CorraGErs’ Prizes.—l, W. Gibson, Carnamuck, Castlereagh (Silver Dork- ings). 2, W. Magrath, Blesinton (Silver-Grey Dorkings). Ducks.—l, W. Magrath (Aylesbury). 2, W. Gibson (Rouen). c, W. Magrath (Aylesbury); W. Gibson (kouen). PicEons.—Pouters.—], J. Frame, Comber. 2, J. Waters, Belfast. whe, T- M'‘Quiston, Belfast. he, J. Waters; T. M'Quiston. Curriers.—l, J. Frame. 2» J. M‘Calpin. Tumblers.—1 and 2, J. Frame. Fantails—1 and 2, J. Frame Nuns.—1, T. M‘Quiston. JupGr.—Mr. E. Hutton, Pudsey, Leeds. White ALLERTON POULTRY SHOW. Amone the multiplicity of shows now being held in Yorkshire and Lancashire, few take a better position than the annual Show at Allerton. The Committee are practically conversant with all that is necessary to insure a good Show, and to a man are deter- mined to deserve success. In this year’s Show the poultry were placed so as to form a large square, and the Pigeons and Rabbits occupied a double row down the centre. The general appear- ance was therefore very good. i In adult Game fowls, condition, a8 must at this season be ex- pected, was wanting, and in some cases very much so; the hens were mostly in tolerable feather, but the cocks, excepting the Brown Reds, were really very much out of plumage. A pair of Red Piles, winners of the first prize in the class for Any other variety of Game fowls, were in capital order for the show-pen. Spanish were few, and as the day proved showery, they did not show to advantage. The Cochins were not so good as they might have been, if the prize birds are excepted, and we re- gretted much to find so many with diseased feet. Brahmas were good, but their numbers were very limited. Only a single pen was entered in the class for French breeds; these were Créve-Ceeurs, and were an admirable pen. In Hambuwrghs all varieties were shown in perfection, Mr. Beldon’s best birds taking their usual place at the head of most of these classes. Those classes devoted to young Hamburghs were better than we can recollect for some years past. It may be noticed that this district stands unrivalled for its Hamburghs of all kinds, and the competition of every breed was unprecedentedly good. Polands were excellent, but few. In the Any other variety class Dorkings were the only breed shown, consequently were the only prizetakers. Black Red Game Bantams were good, as were also the Black and one pair of White ones, but no other superior pen of any breed was in the lists. The young Game classes were excellent, but scarcely, as a rule, advanced enough for theshow-pen. They were, however, classes of large numbers, and contained superior specimens almost without an exception. Capital Partridge and Buff Cochins were shown, and some high- class Game Bantam chickens. Both Aylesbury and Rouen Ducks were shown better than at most late meetings, andin the Variety Duck class were evidently the pick pairs in the kingdom. They were the principal attrac- tien on the whole Show ground, and the three prizes were awarded to grand-plumaged pens in the following order:— Whistling Ducks, Bahamas, and Kasarka Ducks ; a large number of other deserving birds had in so great a variety to be con- tented with high commendations. The attendance quite equalled the expectations of the most sanguine, and all the visitors appeared highly gratified with the treat before them. PieEons.—Pouters—a pair of Whites’ stood first, and Blues second and third, the second-prize pair being rather longer in feather and limb, but not in the same condition, which may perhaps be accounted for when it is considered that the cock 140 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 15, 1872. bird (which is 19 inches in feather and 7 inches in limb) is a bird of this season. There were but two pairs of Carriers. In Short-faced Tumblers Almonds stood first and second, and Red Whole-feathers third, the Almonds being models of their kind’ Tt is seldom there is such a display of common Tumblers at any Show, the prizetakers winning solely by condition and bloom, and every pen deserved a prize. The first were Red Mottles, the second Black Baldpates, and the third Black Mottles, while Silver Balds and Red Mottles were highly commended. The first-prize pair of English Owls were Silvers, and the second and third Blues; and this being the first year the class was admitted into the schedule, we were glad to see so many entries. Foreign Owls were also very good, and the competition very keen, Blue winning first, and Whites second andthird. Turbits were not so large a class as we have seen at this Show, but to improve upon the prizewinners would be hopeless. The first and third were Reds, and the second Yellow. Jacobins, with the exception of the first-prize pair, were rather coarse, though good in other points. Fantails were good though not numerous, but Barbs were poor. In Dragoons the winners were Blue, the first- prize pair being in all points as good as can be desired. There was also a very good pair of Reds. Short-faced Antwerps were a large class, but many of the birds were neither long nor short, though extremely good in all points as common Antwerps. The first prize went to Silver Duns, the second to Blues, and the third also to Duns. In Long-faced the entries were also large, but several pairs were not well matched. The first prize went to a handsome pair of Red Chequers, the second to Duns (which pair was superior in every point to all the rest, except that the hen was a little spindly in bill), and the third to Duns, not in the highest condition. Reds were first in Magpies, Blacks second, and Blues third. Archangels were a good class, and the birds in good bloom. In the Variety class were also some handsome birds of the fancy varieties, and in the Selling class Blue English Owls were first, White Dragoons second, and Red Pouters third. GamE.—Black-breasted.—Cock.—1, W. Spencer, Haworth. 2, J. Mason, Wor- cester. 3, W. Speakman, Nantwich. Hen.—l, W. Spencer. 2, H. Jennings, Allerton. 8, Miss Ackroyd, Eecleshill. - GameE.—Brown-breasted.—Cock.—1, Miss Ackroyd. 2,J. Fortune, Keighley. 38, C. W. Brierley, Middleton. Hen.—1, T. Dyson, Halifax. 2, J. Carlisle, Earby, eeiDLOns 3, W. Spencer. he,J. Smith, Allerton; C. W.Brierley. c,M. Jowett, ayton. Game.—Any other Variety,—1, C. W. Brierley. 2, Miss Ackroyd. 3, E. Win- wood, Worcester. SpanisH.—Black.—l, J. Powell, Bradford. 2, H. Beldon, Goitstock, Bingley. 8, J. Thresh, Bradford, Cocnin-Cuina.—l, A. Bamford, Manchester. 2, C. W. Brierley. 3, W. Harvey, Sheffield. he, C. Sidgwick, Keighley; H. Beldon ; W. Mitchell, Birkenshaw. BrauMma-Poorra.—l, W. Whitley, Sheffield. 2, W. Harvey. 38, E. Leach, Rochdale. FreNcH.—1, H. Beldon. Hampureus.—Golden-spangled.—l and 8, H. Beldon. 2, J. Rollinson, Lindley, One ales C. Holstead, Fearncliffe, Bingley. Silver-spangled.—1, Cup, and 2, . Beldon. Hameporeus.—Golden-pencilled.—1 avd 8, H. Beldon. 2, J. Preston, Allerton. Silver-pencilled—1 and 2, H.Beldon. 3,H. Pickles, Skipton. c,H. & A. Gill, Crawshawbooth, Rawtenstall. Hampurcus.—Black.—l, H. Beldon. 2, J. Smith, Gilstead, Bingley. 3, J. Moore, Bingley. c.C. Sidgwick; J. Sharp, Bingley. Poxanp.—1, 2, and 8, H. Beldon. eee OTHER VARIETY.—l, E. Leach. 2, E. Smith, Passmars, Rochdale. 3, W. arvey. 3 Game BanTams.—l and 2, W. F. Entwisle. Westfield, Bradford. 3, G. Noble, Dewsbury. he, W. Harvey. c, W. Adams, Ipswich. Bantams —Any other Variety.1 and Teapot, H. Beldon. 2,R.H. Ashton, Mottram, Manchester. 8, W. Harvey. he, J. Waddington, Guiseley, Leeds. CHICKENS. GameE.—Black-breasted.—Cockerel.1, W. Spencer. 2, Barker & Charnock, Tilingworth, Halifax. 8, W. Fell, Adwalton. he. J. Hird, Fearncliffe, Bingley; H. Jennings. Pullet.—l, M. Jowett. 2, Wilson & Hodgson, Dlingworth. 3, E. Winwood, Worcester. he, J. Hird. Game.—Brown-breasted.—Cockerel.—1 and 2, W. Tillotson, Cotes Barnolds- wick. 3, J.Spencer, Clayton. hc, A. Kershaw. Clayton; J. Smith. c, T. Dyson; es Spencer J. Carlisle. Pullet.—1 and 3, W. Tillotson. 2,J. Smith. he, J. arlisle. Game.—Any other Variety.—1, Miss Ackroyd. 2, R. Walker, Gomersal, 3, T. Dyson. he, Wilson & Hodgson; M. Jowett. Cocutn-Cuina.—1 and 2, C. Sidgwick. Hampurcus.—Golden-spangled.—l, H. Beldon. 2, J. Preston, Allerton. 38, Duke of Sutherland, Trentham Hall, Stoke-on-Trent. Silver-spangled.—l, H. Beldon. 2, T. Fawcett, Baildon, Leeds. m Hampureus.—Golden-pencilled.l, H. & A. Gill. 2, E. Clayton, Keighley. 8, H. Pickles. hc, W. Driver, Keighley ; J. Thornton, Keighley ; W. Clayton ; J. Smith. c,H. Beldon. Silver-pencilled—i, H. Beldon. 2, H. Pickles. 3, H. Smith. he, H. Smith; J. Preston; Duke of Sutherland. Hampvreus.—Black.—1 and2, C. Sidgwick. 8,J. Smith. he, J. Moore; Duke of Sutherland. Game Bantams.—l, 2, and 8, W. F. Entwisle, Bradford. c, W. Shenstone, Worcester; G. Noble. Bantams.—Any other Varvety.—l, R. Pickles. 2, W. H. Robinson, Keighley. 3, R. H. Ashton. SELLING Crass.—l, J. Powell. 2, A. Kershaw. 8, C. Carr, Bingley. Ducks.—Rouen.—1 and 2, J. Newton, Silsden. 8, E. Leach. Azylesbury.— land 3,E.Leach. 2, J. Hedge, Aylesbury. hc, H.Beldon. Any other Variety. —1, H. B. Smith, Broughton, Preston. 2 and 3, W. Binns, Pudsey. Leeds. he, H..B, Smith ; C. W. Brierley; W. Binns ; J. J. Malden, Biggleswade. PIGEONS. PovutErs.—I, 3, and he, J. Hawley, Girlington. 2, W. Harvey, Sheffield. Carniers.—l, H. Yardley, Birmingham. 2, J. Hawley. TumBLERS.—Short-faced.—1, $, and he, J. Hawley. 2, W. Harvey. Common. —land 2,J.Hawley. 8,D. Riddihough, jun., Bradford. he, W. Harvey; D. Riddihough, jun. (2). wis.—English.—l, A. Wadsworth, Ovenden. 2, W. Harvey. 3, J. Hawley. he, W. F. Entwisle; J. Hawley; J. Thresh, Bradford. Foreign.—l and 8, J. Hawley. 2, C. Dennison, Halifax. hc, J. E.Mason, Bradford. c, H. Yardley. Tursits.—l, Clayton & Bairstow, Bradford. 2and 8, J. Hawley. 4, T. Foster, Bingley. he, W. Binns. Jaconins.—l, W. Binns. 2, Hinchcliffe & Holt, Bradford. 3,J. Hawley. he, J. Lister, Keighley ; J. Hawley. ap eee and 2,J. F. Loversidge, Newark. 3 and c,J. Hawley. he, H. ardley. Barss.—l, H. Yardley. 2, R. Wade, Halifax. 3, J. Hawley. Dracoons.—l, H. Yardley. 2,J. Hawley. 8, W. Harvey. hc, W. Stanhope; Clayton & Bairstow. TRUMPETERS.—1, 2, and 3, J. Hawley. Nons.—l, J. Hawley. ANTWERPS.—Short-faced.—l, J. Lister. 2,D. Riddihough, jun. 3, H. Yardley. he, J. Lister; Whittingham & Bishop, Skipton; F. Darnford, Leeds. Long- Jfaced.—|, D. Riddihough, jun. 2, H. Jennings. 3, J. W. Collinson, Halifax. he, J. Lister (2); Clayton & Bairstow (2); H. Jennings; J, W. Collinson. pee and2,J. Hawley. 3, H. A. Saddington, Northampton. he, H. ardley. 5 SCE ER GEL Set H. Yardley. 2,W. Harvey. 3, W. Binns. he, H. Yardley; - Hawley. ANY OTHER VaRIETY.—l, J. Hawley. 2, D. Riddihough, jun. 3, H. Yardley. he. J. Rhodes, Hareweod; J. Hawley (2); W. Harvey. SELLING Crass.—1, W. Stanhope. 2 and3,J. Hawley. he, J. Lister; Clay- ton and Bairstow (2); L. Watkin, Northampton; J. Hawley. Rapgtrs.—Common.—l, J. Knight, Allerton. 2,E, A. Fairbank, Allerton. 3,E. R. Waddington, Girlington. he, IT. Roper, Allerton. The poultry were judged by Mr. H. Hewitt, of Sparkbrook, near Birmingham, and the Pigeons by Mr. E. Hutton, of Pud- sey, Leeds. TUMBLERS NOT TUMBLING. “Scotcu TuHistLe ” notices with regret the fact that by far the greater majority of Tumblers do not tumble. Is this a modern grievance? I incline to think that at any rate it is an increasing grievance. In respect to its being a modern trouble there is this to be said, that none of the old writers allude to it 5 they all speak of the birds as if their tumbling were taken for granted, this being always the case with regard to flying Tum- blers ; and they even go so far as to say the Almond could per- form as well, being clearly desirous of removing a supposed stigma from the Almond. According, therefore, to those old writers, all Tumblers tumbled. Even the author of ‘‘ The Dove- cote” speaks with rapture about “that darling little cinnamon Tumbler” and ‘‘theseven times he went over;’ whereas those said darlings may be bought in dozens, and not one tumble at all, or only tumble badly. Eaton is, I think, the first writer who notices the scarcity of the proper aérial performances of the Tumbler, saying, ‘‘ How often you observe a flight of Tum- blers, say twenty or more, but how seldom, or how few tumble at all! You may observe one or two. I cannot think what has come to the Tumblers as regards tumbling.” And then he speaks of their being so different when he was a boy, and how delighted he used to be with their tumbling. I can look back some thirty years and a little more, and remember being invited when a boy to see this fancier’s flight and that, and among poorer men this or that red or black bird’s performances. This year I have been experimenting in flying Tumblers, and have an arrangement with the keeper of a bird shop to send me any good-losking Tumblers, to be returned by me if not good performers—and every bird has as yet been returned, or will be, they not tumbling, or only backing, or not tumbling well. No bird is to be sent to me unless it be pearl-eyed, and properly marked, and made according to the variety. Sometimes I have had a pair sent with these words, ‘‘ The person I bought them of said they tumbled, and I rather think they will, as they have a few feathers on their legs.” For once I overlooked the feathers, as they were very few, but in spite of them they did not tumble, and I returned them last week. Then we have in this world a rule that money will bring anything ; so I advertised in this Journal for three hen Bald- pates (my particular favourites, because of the pleasing contrast of colour when in the air): the birds were to be good performers. Well, I had not one answer from any single individual who could warrant that his birds were actually and really tumblers. I had indeed plenty of answers and offers of Baldheads from 2s. each to 20s., and one man said his bird looked as if it would tumble! The general reply and inducement to purchase was, that the birds were not flown, and therefore no opinion as to their performances could be given. In the end I hadto be satis- fied with properly marked and coloured birds. This experiment and its failure are, to say the least, singular, and it seems impos- sible to answer the question, Why do not modern Tumblers tumble? Clearly this variety received its name because of its performances in the air; and the account given by the oldest writers of the shape of the bird, its eyes, markings, &c., show that our present breeds resemble exactly those Inown a century since as Tumbler and tumbling Pigeons. The Short-faces have all greatly improved. The Almond of seventy years since was not much to boast of: this we all know by the engravings of the birds of that date. There may be found one reason for the deterioration of Tumblers (fulfilling their name) in the fact that shows have so much increased the breeding of Short-faces, and in many strains of flying birds traces of Short-face blood are to be seen. As these always tumbled less than the flying birds, an infusion of their blood has injured the flyers in the air, though improved their appear- ance on the ground. August 15, 1872. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 141 Being conscious that a great many people who have not time to attend to the higher classes of fancy Pigeons, and have not any inclination for the homing birds, yet greatly enjoy a flight of performing Tumblers, which give no more trouble than common Pigeons and add a pleasant feature to the home round which they circle—it would, considering these things, be a useful and, I believe, profitable thing for fanciers to cultivate the flying and tumbling birds ; and it would be a comfort to be able to purchase birds which were as true to their name of Tumblers as apparently they were a century ago. This perhaps would best be done by an infusion of Scotch House Tumbler blood; this would be better than too much of the Roller strain, as the House ‘Tumblers, such as I have seen, are better shaped, smaller, and without the objectionable feathers on the legs, which wholly destroy, if long and large, the dapper shape of the Tumbler. Another point would be to cultivate white wings, as they twinkle in the sunshine, and altogether give the birds a pleasanter ap- pearance in the air. A dark-winged bird looks like a jackdaw; even one in a flight, to my mind, mars the appearance of the whole flight. Lastly, I would say that the Pigeon fancy wants to move on in the direction I have indicated.—WiILTsHIRE REcTOR. APIARIAN NOTES. Srxce I last wrote we have had a fortnight of very remarkable weather, but quite in harmony with the previous weather cha- racteristics of the year. One fine hot week following Sunday the 14th has saved my apiary and given me some 50 Ibs. of honey in supers. There would have been more but for the continued determination on the part of my bees to swarm. The last of the season issued on the 28th July, a monster swarm; but during my frequent absences from home I feel sure I have lost many swarms this year. Virgin swarms, too, have been common. Of such I have had at least two. A fine one out of an Italian stock was discovered to-day in an old pollard; and a swarm of the middle of June is now piping in my bee house (August 5th). The mention of piping recalls an occurrence which proves that this note proceeds undoubtedly from liberated queens—I do not say in every case. We started for a three-weeks holiday in Cornwall on the 15th of July, taking with us an Italian swarm of no great size, which had issued on the Friday previous. It was a second swarm, and had been re-hived on the Saturday into a small box containing several combs of last year’s con- struction. My boys had a fancy to try the effect of a sojourn among heather on a colony of bees, which certainly could not have collected honey enough to maintain themselves at home. They travelled beautifully by rail and omnibus some 150 miles, and after an incarceration of about fifteen hours were liberated at Kynance Cove at about 1.30 p.m. on the 16th. It was during the journey in the train that we distinctly heard the young queen piping. Only once before had I reason to believe this an actual fact from personal observation; this was when I was watching a young queen which was perambulating the combs just after the issue of a second swarm. I saw her suddenly stop on the edge of acomb and fan her wings for a few seconds, and simultaneously I heard the sound of piping close to my ear. Both the fanning of her wings and the piping ceased instant- aneously as she rushed off with the same hurried movement as before. But what of our travelled bees? They were asource of much interest to us from first to last, although their end was sadly tragic. Your readers must know that Kynance Cove, within two miles of the Lizard, is one of the most romantic spots in the south of England. It is surrounded on the land side by high downs of table land enamelled with wild flowers of every description, including several varieties of heather, one or two peculiar to the Lizard district. Not five minutes had elapsed after the liberation of the bees before we discovered them hard at work chiefly on the wild thyme, of which there is a vast quantity for miles around. Being very pure-bred Italians there was no mistaking our little friends. Gradually they extended their flight up the gorge which terminates in the cove, and over the brows of the surrounding hills, and before evening had become quite at home as if they had been born and bred there. Strange to say, however, we very rarely saw any of them after the first day or two in any of our rambles, but we had evident proofs of their activity and the success of their foragings, in the rapidity with which they filled their box and also a small super, which they completely filled with comb and partially sealed up with honey by the eighteenth day, when we prepared for our journey home. Including box and contents of the super, they had gained about 15 Ibs. in weight. - The question now was whether to plunder the hive of its honey and leave the bees behind us to recover themselves, as they doubtless would before autumn, or to attempt their return home. The purity of their Italian blood decided us to try the datter course, although with many misgivings; for it is an easy thing to transport bees in autumn or in spring when the combs are tough and breeding has ceased or hardly begun, but far otherwise in the heat of summer under different circumstances. However, we got them quite safely over three-fourths of the journey ; but as we approached home the weather became op- pressively hot, and I became aware that the poor bees were suffering greatly from a peculiar hissing sound that issued from the openings. At last a stream of honey was seen issuing from below, which toldits tale of disaster. About half a pint of honey was thus lost; but what troubled us most was the loss of our little favourites, whom we found for the most part drowned in their own sweets. As it was Saturday evening when we got home, there was no help for it but to drown them all in water. The lesson of this story is manifest—namely, that bees will travel well even in summer, provided they are not overloaded with brood and honeycomb. ‘The packing of a wooden box hive is very simple. A few screws at bottom, securing the box to its board, and a thorough ventilation by means of the entrance way and one or more holes at the top, covered over in each case with a piece of perforated zinc, the whole tightly corded—this is all the care required, beyond some personal attention on the journey to see that they are within reach of air, and are not unnecessarily knocked about. Straw hives are not so easily transported, but require some management. In this case we would have the hive, board and all, tied up in a sack, taking care to leave a large hole free in the bottom board as well as in the top, only covered over with perforated zinc carefully nailed to both top and bottom boards. The common skep might perhaps dispense with any hole at top, but we cannot speak here from experience. In this case we should have two large holes covered with zinc in the bottom board. I will only add, for the information of any persons who are looking out for a summer or autumn place of retreat, that Kynance Cove is very accessible by railas far as Penryn, and thence by omnibus to Helstone and the Lizard. Very clean though humble lodgings and good attendance, with all the neces- saries and even luxuries of life, can be had at Mrs. Jane Oliver's. Both trout and sea-water fishing are to be had within easy reach, but not at the Cove itself. The scenery of the coast is fine beyond description. Very fine ladies and exquisites would probably soon spoil their complexions, their gloves, and their tempers there. For health, commend me to the air of this part of Cornwall, which is moderately bracing and by no means relaxing —B. & W. SUPERING. I wave been a bee-keeper in a small way, and at intervals, for nearly thirty years. I have now five hives standing in a row, three on separate stands, and two on the same board, and all some- what close together, asmy space is very confined. It is of these last two Iam about to write. One, 4, is a hive of three years’ standing ; the other, B, is a decidedly large swarm which came off from one of the other three at the end of May. Some weeks ago I took from 4 a small glass super holding 6 lbs. of honey, and put in its place the only available thing I had for the moment at hand—an earthenware jar, in fact a leech jar. A few days ago I took this away asit was full, containing about 5 lbs.; and having in the meantime procured new glasses, I put one on again. The swarm B, having rapidly filled their hive and hang- ing out in large clusters, evidently required more room. As the hive was of the common shape, with around top, I proceeded to cut out from the centre, with a sharp carving knife, a piece about 3 inches in diameter, and put on a small glass super, placing over this, to exclude the light, a straw hive. On examining them a few days afterwards I found that while the bees were busily working in the glass, many of them had escaped from under it, as it did not fit closely on the uneven top, and they were beginning to work in the straw cover. Taking this off and in- yerting it, I placed a small glass with a small piece of comb in it over the cluster of bees, and they went up into it very readily ; first covering it with thick paper to exclude the light, I placed it on the board as close to the hive as I could. As, in spite of my endeavours to prevent it, the bees still persisted in working in the straw cover, they were at the same moment at work in three different places, and you will presently find that they did so in a fourth. On the same day that I took the jar from aT took this outer glass from 8 filled with honey. Until I read ‘‘ Bee-keeping for the Many” I had always placed such glasses on the top of a box under an adjoining shed, lifting up one edge sufficiently to allow the bees to escape; this, your book says, they will do in ten or fifteen minutes. Ihave never yet found this to be the case ; on the contrary, for the most part they take a longer time than this to apparently realise their separation from the hive, and to prepare to return to it; and not until evening do I find the glass anything like empty, and even then some few bees linger behind, and have to be displaced with a feather. In this case Ladopted the recommendation in your book, and placed the jar and glass each on three inverted garden pots, and left them as usual for some hours, hoping then to find all going on well. But alas! What did I find? Both fuller of bees than ever, and all but empty of honey. Barely 11b. was left, when I 142 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 15, 1872. ought to have had 10 or 11 at least; the rest had been robbed, and this was not the first time I had suffered in this way; from a glass containing 16 lbs. of honey I had but one-third; but as I deemed this to be an exceptional case I did not profit by the warning. I shall therefore for the future adopt my own Jan. : The foregoing statements are merely preliminary, possibly explanatory, of what I am nowabout to relate. The day follow- ing I was watching these two hives 4 ands, and much to my surprise saw a continuous stream of bees orderly and quietly passing from hive 4 to hive B, where they were apparently wel- comel, as no opposition was made or tumult excited, both of which I have found to be common when the bees of one hive visit another. Again, a few days after this curious scene, finding the bees of & still hanging out idle, I gave them afresh the glass they had assisted in robbing, placing it on the other side of their hive, and between the two. To prevent as much as I could the bees of a going into it, I put athin board so as to intercept them ; they, however, quickly evaded this by passing along the front edge of the board on which they stand, and entering the glass worked amicably with the bees of 8. For some reason only one of my hives threw off aswarm this season, and a cast followed in due time. Many agricultural labourers and small artisans around me keep bees, and, not knowing better, resort usually to killing the bees for the honey. I have been long looking out for a treatise on the subject suitable to their wants, but as yet have found none: all, yours included, are far too scientific for them readily to understand. Can you help me in this matter ?—T. P. F. CuEpstow Pouttry SHow.—We recommend any poultry fancier who either is in the neighbourhood, or hesitating whither to journey for a holiday, to decide in favour of Chep- stow; it is well worthy of a visit for its other attractions. OUR LETTER BOX. SATIRE oN CocHIN-Cutnas.—“L. W.” wishes to be informed when and where the parody appeared, beginning, he thinks, “ At Hong Kong when the moon was low, (Second line forgotten) A giant Shanghae’s awful crow Awoke the deep solemnity.” Hens Dyine (G. H.).—The fowl we received died of atrophy; in every way the bird was out of condition. We cannot guess at the cause, but where two fowls in the same yard are in as bad condition as these, the others cannot be well. If you wish to know more, you must send description of food, run, and lodging. AGE oF GAME Cocks ror Dupprine (H. R.).—As soon as they are hard- feathered. They must not be dubbed while they have any stub feathers. From four to five months old is, in our opinion, the best time. CONSEQUENCES OF CROSS-BREEDING (Frenchman).—We can answer your question by giving you our experience; it is that such crosses have always caused us loss and trouble. We do not wonder at it. Some breeds are best for laying ; some for sitting. To mix the two is to destroy the quality for which the breed is famous by engrafting on it that which is antagonistic to its nature. We believe you will not succeed in getting good sitters from any crosses with Houdan or Spanish. Nature did not intend them to sit, and they cannot contribute a quality they do not possess. GAME CHICKENS OVER-STIMULATED (An Old Subscriber).—You have pro- bably done too much by half for your chickens. Your feeding is bad. Dis- continue the hempseed and the wheat, both will help to cause the symptoms you complain of. If you had stated the ages of the chickens we could have spoken more positively. They are chickens from the time of being hatched till they are nine months old, but the young want more attention than the older. They do not want the stimulants now they require in cold weather, and when the nights are long. Boiled egg, curd, bread and milk, and crushed corn are food for young, ground oats and barley for older birds. PrcEoN Race (H. J. R, L.).—You will find particulars in the sporting newspapers. s Prcron Trap (V. L.).—We do not know the trap youreferto. Thereisa description of one on page 85 of ‘The Pigeon Book,” which book you can have by post free from our office if you enclose twenty postage stamps with your address. Meap (S. W.).—There are various kinds of mead manufactured. We copy two recipes:—To a gallon of water put 2 lbs. of honey and 1 Ib. of sugar; boil for an hour, put in the whites of four eggs to raise the scum, and skim it quite clear whilst boiling; then put it into a clean tub, and let it stand for a week, putting in a toast with honey to make it work; then turn it, put in the peels of three or four lemons, let it stand for a month, and thenif it is not suffi- ciently fine put in more honey, and let it stand longer. Frontignac Mead.— Take 50 Ibs. of honey, 50 lbs. of fine raisins, and 50 gallons of water; boil about fifteen minutes, keeping it well skimmed; put it in a tub to work, and add to it a pint of ale yeast, letting it work until the yeast begins to fall. When taken clear off tun it with the raisins. Let it continue in the cask for twelve months, then fine it down, and put it into bottles. : Wax Anp Honey (4. Lewin).—There is no special market for them. - Apply to Messrs. Neighbour; Messrs. Fortnum & Co., or to other Italian warehouse- men. PoULTRYWOMAN’S CHARADE (Suffolk).—The following includes yours and many additions. Why is the hen immortal? Her sun never sets. Why is a hen on a fence like a cent? Head on one side, tail on the other. Why don’t hens lay at night ? Then they are roosters. Why is the first chicken of a brood like the mainmast of aship ? A little forward of the main hatch. Why is a chicken just hatched like a bull’s tail? Never seen before. Why should ; not a chicken cross the road? It would be a fowl proceeding. Ifa ship cap- tain had no eggs what should he do? Lay to (two). And to conclude, a hen is a poor economist, because for every grain she gives a peck. To PRESERVE KIDNEY BEANS FOR WINTER Use.—Put a layer of dry salt about half an inch thick in the bottom of a well-glazed earthenware pan, on this a layer of beans about linch thick, another layer of salt, then another layer of beans, and continue in the same order until the pan is full. Keepin a dry cool place. When wanted for use they must be taken out in layers.— c.L. 8. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, CAMDEN SquaRE, LONDON. Lat. 51° 32’ 40’ N.; Long. 0° 8’ 0’ W.; Altitude 111 feet. Dare. AM, IN THE Day. »Ae ag iS Shade Tem-' Radiation : 1872. | ge"9 Hy sromes 22 | aes perature. |Temperature & August] 3335 BES eke In| On| @ mr SH pry. | Wet.) Ae oa Max.| Min.| sun. ‘grass Inches,| deg. | deg Pp deg. |deg.| deg.| deg. | deg.| — We. 7 | 29.521 | 650 | 61.5] _S. 61.1 | 72.0 | 57.4 | 1162 | 57-9 | 0.310 Th. 8 29.620 | 60.2 58.5 | N.W. | 60.5 | 72.2 | 50.3 | 198.5 49 8 | 0.020 Fri. 9 | 30.46 | 63.0 58 3 $.E. 59.8 | 71.5 | 47.8 | 1099 45.7 | 0.022 Sat. 10 29.691 66.0 | 59.4 8. 60.4 | 70.0 | 56.8 | 109.1 53.7 | — Sun.11 | 29.782 | 62.1 | 548 | s.w. | 60.4 | 67.8 | 553 | 1912 | 530] — Mo. 12 | 30.057 | 61.2 | 55.3 | N.W. 3] 708 | 520 | 1192 | 499) — Tu. 13 | 30.206 | 61.2 | 56.2 Ww. 73.6 | 45.1 | 127.8 43.8) — Means |, 29.846 | 62.7 | 57.7 60.2 | 711 | 52.1 | 118.1 50.5 | 0.352. REMARKS. 7th.—Tolerably fine till 6.30 p.a., then very dark with vivid lightning, distan thunder, and heavy rain at § p.m.; but fine at night. 8th.—Fine early, but rain at 9 a.m.; rather bright just before noon; thunder at 2 p.M., showery after 4 p.m. ; but fine at night. 9th.—Very fine early, rather storm-like at noon, but a fine day. 10th.—Fine morning, with rather a strong breeze; a fair but not bright day. : 11th.—Beautifully fine at 6 A.m., but clouding over before 9 4.m., and rather so all day, with strong breeze. 12th.—Fine throughout, with splendid sunset, and starlight night. 13th.—Very fine all the morning, with bright sunshine, and so continuing all day. Much less stormy and rather warmer than last week, but by no means warm. for the time of year.—G. J. Symons. COVENT GARDEN MARKET.—Aveust 14. Tue state of the market and the prices remain nearly stationary. A limited quantity of English fruit finds its way here, but the imports are large this week, and go far to supplement our deficiencies. The Potato trade rules very heavy, with large stocks and much comp!aint of the blight. The last cargo of West Indian Pines is reported in the river; they have not been so good nor so cheap as during the last two or three years. FRUIT. n n HOHOCONMNODAOM! THEME OOWDOROCOROY t+ Mulberries.......... Nectarines... Oranges. ...eee- Peaches..3.22.¢ | Pears, kitchen a 3 S CohonmoeoY Quinces.... Raspberries... Strawberries. Walnuts.. | ditto}. or oe ies Gooseberries.. Grapes, hothous: Lemons Melons:.........00e0 i<] LOTS ecoecococoooo” i] DONWOSHROMCONW? cococooscococco ecoomesoooooco™ escosogo Seogoogs os ° BOR ROOHOHOMPRE REE OOOMn Mushrooms........ Mustard & Cress..punnet Onions : Artichokes.......... Asparagus. . He) Beans, Kidney Turnips Vegetable SCOMNSSONSCCHHNPOWMOMMWoRY CWOWNWOSWOMOEMOOLSSOSCS HONCCOOOH MND RORHHWOSOR ecsceooosoosceccoaacess DOWWMSSOCOCOCOONNNHONCOOmW Swoomo“easonmoccosoanno” PSOSSvoq>S90C0999090NFS59000F ‘OWS.. doz. POULTRY MARKET.—Avavsr 14. TRADE will now be almost at an end for some time. but they are too recent to permit a quotation. Grouse have begun,. gd. 3s. d. s.d. s.d. Large Fowls .......... 8 0 to 38 6 | Hares....ccce--eeeeeeee 0 0 tO0 & Smaller ditto . - 26 8 0} Rabbits.. 3 16 et Chickens ..... - 20 2 8 | Wild ditto 0 9 010 Geese ..... 0, Ge (Q 6 6] Pigeons.... 010 10 Ducks ...,... - 20 2 6] Pheasants .. 00 00 Guinea Fowls ........ 0 0 0 0| Partridges .....e-s-+0e 8 0 00 August 22, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 143 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day | Day Average Tempera-| Rainin| Sun Sun Moon | Moon | Moon’s| Clock | Day rin moary AUGUST 22—28, 1872. ture near London. |43 years,| Rises. | Sets. | Rises. | Sets. Age. | Betors oe Day. |Night.|Mean.| Days. |m. h.|_m. h.|m. h.| m, h.| Days, | m. s_ 22 TH 71.6 | 49.7 | 60.6 17 58 af4 6 af7 laf 9 | 2laf9 18 2 35 | 285 23 | F Keighley Horticultural Show. 71.8 | 49.0 | 60.4 21 59 4/ 4 #7] 18° 9] 89 10 19 2 19 | 236 24 | 8 71.6 | 47.9 | 59.7 | 16 By) )5 |) 2), 871686) 9.57, 21, 20 2) 8] 937 25 | Sun | 138 Sunpay arTeR TRINITY. 74.1 | 49.7 | 61.9 16 8.5] 0. 7 | 0.10 | after. ¢ 1 47 | 238 26 M 72.5. | 48.4 | 60.1 15 4 5|58 6) 29 10) 24 2 22 at 380 239 27 | Tv | Banbury Horticultural Show. 73.8 | 49.1 | 61.2 12 6 5|56 6) 5 11/29 38 23 1 us ze 28 | W | Crystal Palace—Metropolitan Floral and | 72.7 | 49.7 | 61.2 19 Ser S54 GiiPoVT das az 4 24 0 56 | 241 I _ [Fruit Show. From observations taken near London during forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 72.59; and its night temperature 49.1° The greatest heat was 89°, on the 25th, 1859; and the lowest cold 31°, on the 26th, 1861. The greatest fall of rain was 1.32 inch. FLOWER GARDENING. HAVE been interested of late by several communications in the Journal relative to the desirability of a more extensive cultiva- tion of the hardy and simple class of flowers which have almost fallen into disuetude, but there are signs that their restoration to public favour is drawing nearer and nearer as each year rolls round. In my younger days as a gardener—I am by no means an “old hand” now—I became convinced that our system of flower-garden decoration was a system of extremes, and that the worst of all ex- tremes—artificialism. I could not help regarding the plan which required two-thirds of the year for prepa- ration to produce just half that time of pleasure and en- joyment as bordering on the absurd, and I have many times felt that I could not defend my craft when I have seen in spring and early summer a dreary expanse of nothing in the cultivated garden, while the uncultivated part of this beautiful earth was full of interest. I could not but think that when the sun of spring awoke into beauty the slumbering genius of Nature, when bank and brae, earth and air, were welcoming summer, that a garden at such a time bleak and bare, and destitute of flowers was, and is, a misnomer. I thought all this in my boyish enthusiasm, and in manhood I think go still. Do not, reader, anticipate a tirade against the bedding- out system—lI am its friend, not itsenemy. I love flowers of all sorts and at all times, and I love to see them, and to grow them too. I can enjoy in the fullest sense the massive beauty of the modern formal flower garden in autumn, I can appreciate the skill in elegant device and nice balancing of colour, and can heartily rejoice in the success of those who are successful in producing these grand displays. I go further and say, that when required, I can go heart and soul into preparations for this parti- - cular style of garden-decoration; but I cannot give toit my whole energies, or concentrate on it my entire resources. I cannot wholly ignore the claims of spring and summer, and bring them into absolute and complete subserviency to autumn. I give to autumn its full share, but nothing more, and because of this I feel I am not an enemy but a friend to the bedding-out system. There never was an extreme yet but in time defeated itself: the reaction always comes. A good thing usually continues long if used, but certainly dies if abused. Holding these views firm and long, I determined, if ever I had an opportunity, to give a fair share of attention to the early months of summer in then making the garden bright, and for some years I have been able on asmall scale to indulge in that which I felt was right. I have carried it out on the bedding system, and have carried it out on the mixed or natural system. I have tried these plans, and have made a special point of ascertaining which was the more generally pleasure-affordine. If the essence of ‘good government consists in doing the sreatest good to the greatest number, the essence of good flower gardening No. 595.—Vou, XXIII., New Series. may be properly adjudged to be that which provides the greatest and most continuous pleasure, and elicits and sustains the greatest interest and admiration. There can be no justification, that I know of, for dis- euising the fact that apeishness almost amounts to a principle, and exerts a vast influence on social usages. Flower gardening is not an exception. A grand example of a certain type of gardening is produced. The style is exactly in harmony with the place and. its surroundings. Adequate conveniences are provided for the preparation of a given class and number of plants for a given end. Working and results dovetail, as it were, into each other to anicety. The effect of the whole is striking, imposing, beautiful. What is the result? It may be summed-up in the illustrative sentence, ‘“‘I must have a bonnet like missus ;” and then commences the scheming and dodging in manufacturing the means. I know too well that m the matter of preparations for bedding-out the analogy is perfect. Ihave a vivid recollection of the unreasonable amount of labour which has fallen to my lot in this re- spect. Ihave for weeks together spent my days in water- ing, in moving plants, and in scheming conveniences, besides the ordinary routine duty, and had perforce to trust to candle light to keep fnaster of the potting. I have potted until twelve at night and past that hour night after night, and many times not seen bed at all for fear of being too late at my post in the morning, and Sundays have been anything but days of rest. All this was for an idea—being “like missus”—it was done for bedding-out in a place not adapted for it, lacking con- veniences, and when all was done that could be done, lacking the effect desired. Depend upon it, owners of gardens have, and can have, but little idea of the extraordinary efforts made by gar- deners to carry out a type of flower gardening in places where proper conveniences are denied, or they would provide means of working or be satisfied with a different mode of floral decoration—one simpler, more suitable to the place, and one which, by its manifest fitness, would in most places be more agreeable and pleasing. he But in fairness it must be said that the responsibility of much of the present muddle by attempting too much does not rest with employers, but with gardeners them- selves. Iam proud of the energy and enterprise of the eraft to which I belong, and believe that much of the success of gardening is due to the spirit of emulation existent amongst the workers. This perseverance 1s generally admitted and appreciated. But recognising this, one cannot be blind to the fact that it is sometimes overdone, inasmuch as it is not always prosecuted under the governance of sound and good judgment. A gardener, especially a new beginner, is perhaps rather too prone to ‘‘¢o ahead.” He must make alterations—do something grand. He has seen a pattern—a result, and must imitate it, forgetting that a perfect success is In one place comparatively easy, while in another mediocrity n the same style is next to a certainty. One has not to go far to see that mistakes of this nature are frequent. A man attempts what his place is not adapted for. He No. 1247.—Vou. XLVIIL. OLp Serres. 144 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 22, 1872. increases his work, and so long as he ean master it, even by extra exertion, he does not complain, but as soon as he finds he has overreached himself—when he finds he cannot keep things to his mind, he applies to his employer for more assist- ance and is refused, and thinks himself hardly dealt with, when, at the same time, independently of the question of ex- pense, the master would greatly prefer his plan as it was before the ‘‘improyements.”” This is a very common order of things, ending too often in much discomfort, and by the master being regarded as a churl and the man as a grumbler—appellations unjust to both, In determining on a particular style of flower-garden decora- tion a few conditions must be attended to—conditions de- pendent on position and surroundings, circumstances and con- veniences, and the particular time at which the greatest display is most desired by owners. The last condition is very important, yet how commonly it is ignored! It is surely disappointing to both master and man that after months of preparation and attention, and just when results are approaching the height of beauty, the time has arrived when those for whom all is pro- vided must leaye for their annual autumnal tour. “I must go, but so regret leaving my garden, the full beauty of which I never see and enjoy,” is the parting lament of many. Under such circumstances the bedding-out systemis wrongly selected to give the greatest amount of pleasure. Under different circumstances, as when the summer months are | selected for travelling, and the return home is in autumn, then by no other plan than. bedding-ont can such a rich floral welcome be provided for family and guests. A style may be perfectly right in one place, and perfectly wrong in another. So much for time and circumstances; and now for position and surroundings independent of time, but not of circum- stances. Perhaps the greatest number of proprietors of flower gardens are those who have no stated period of leaving home for any length of time. They are always at hand to enjoy whatever is provided for enjoyment at whatever time. Well, such have a perfect right to indulge in their own per- sonal tastes, and if they prefer to go without flowers for three months in summer for the sake: of two grand months in autumn, no one has any right to interfere, especially if they provide proportionate means and conveniences, and do not press unduly on any poor dependant, and expect him to get blood out of stone. But, putting aside personal tastes es subservient to broad principles, I am satisfied that in half the places where bedding-out is attempted, a system less formal, more easy, and less costly, would be more suitable and satis- factory. Without elaborate reasoning I will submit as my notion, that the places which in themselves are best adapted for the bedding-out plan are those in which a considerable amount of labour has been expended in their formation; where Nature has as much as possible been shuffled out of the way by art; where everything is done by mathematical lines, and symme try reigns supreme. The severe formality of such places seems to require a style of decoration correspondingly formal, and it ean be had in perfection in some type of the art of bedding ; and in such places special provision is generally made to carry out a system well. But there is the other class of places—plain, unassuming British homes, large and small, where only the gentlest touches of art ought to be seen, and these ever subservient to the boldness and ease of Nature; where the knolls have not been levelled, and the little undulations raised to one smooth straight line; where old trees, irregularly yet tastefully dis- posed, form a feature in the home; where there is nothing ornate in the architecture, and only one idea prominent, and that suggestive of a comfortable unpretending residence. Our island is fayoured in haying very numerous mansions of this elass dotted over its surface. In such places I cannot but think that, of all the styles of flower gardening, that most suitable and pleasing is the mixed system, for there should be some system eyen in mixture. This plan, when well carried out, is enjoyable, enduring, easy, and inexpensive, and better adapted for hundreds of places, because easy to carry out, than attempts at florid bed- ding which cannot be carried out well for want of adequate means. It is at one of these plain old English homes embosomed amid stately trees of noble growth, where mere show and arti- ficialism in any form haye no abiding place, that it is my pleasurable duty tolabourand live. Asin many other very old places, only a merep lot is set aside for flower gardening; but this has for many years, because in perfect harmony and character, been principally conducted on the mixed system. It has been found in practice also specially suitable, in that the family generally leave home in August for a term of several weeks, and would thus, had it been conducted on the bedding system, miss the period of greatest display of this particular and popular style. The plan laid down as right in theory is thus proved sound in practice. Besides, however, there is, for com- parison, a little bedding-out which if not well done is so from want of ability, and not from want of care, attention, and interest. Now, these are only two very small examples of flower gardening, yet they are as sufficient for comparison as if they were measured by the acre. They are simply divided by a wall and door, and are convenient for comparative examination and ~ judgment. In the lapse of a few years the two styles have been inspected and criticised by hundreds of nearly every rank—lords and ladies, clerics, nurserymen, and gardeners, have compared and weighed them in the balance. For myself I have a standing self-imposed rule to which I inflexibly adhere, and that is, not to offer any opinion at all, but to listen and gather the opinions of others as to the relative amount of pleasure the two types of gardening give. I note such most carefully, and find that the palm is given to the mixed garden by an immense majority, and am perfectly justified in saying that fully eight-tenths prefer the mixed beds to the more artistic and formal mode of planting. It is quite common to hear expressions such as this —‘ What a nice design! how complete and well filled! Itis really yery pretty, but, after all—yes, after all, there is a quiet charm about the mixed beds that one likes to linger oyer, and wishes to see again. I must say I like mixture the best, but can scarcely tell why.” Such expressions every year appear to become more frequent, which seems to indicate that the time is arriving when the old style of flower gardening can no longer be laughed down. I must add that such comparisons are not frequent after the middle of August, and, perhaps, for the following six weeks, opinions might be more nearly equal. The mixed beds also may show to special advantage because the situation is pecu- liarly suitable. But are there not hundreds of other places also suitable? Besides the consideration of season and position another condition is necessary to good mixed flower gardening, and that is large beds of plain outlines. Fanciful needle-pointed paths are quite unsuited for the system. I should state that I do not exclusively grow hardy herbaceous plants, but every- thing that will add interest is laid under tribute to contribute its mite. I hardly know whether it is worth while to enter on the working of a plan so simple. The notes must either be very short or rather lengthy, but I have said enough for the present.—J. Wricut, Gardener to Hon. A. L. Melville. STRAWBERRIES ON A LIGHT SOIL. Evenrreopy taking an interest in Strawberry-growing must feel thankful to the Rey. C. P. Peach for his excellent and impartial information, both as regards his mode of culture and the descrip- tion of the sorts grown by him. I can fully endorse what Mr. Peach says of cultivating Strawberries in a light soil, as I happen to find myself here in exactly the same circumstances. I had previously occasion to grow Strawberries in France under similar circumstances during my long stay in that country, near Fontainebleau, and in seasons where the cockchafer grub was not too troublesome, obtaining very fair results in spite of the continuous droughts but too frequently occurring in France. Iam glad to say that here I have not thus far met with my old and eruel enemy the grub, and consequently am fully satis- fied with the mode of cultivation described by Mr. Peach. Tam pleased to see Mr. Peach speaks so strongly in favour of Sir Joseph Paxton, a Strawberry which I consider for all purposes one of the best ever raised, and for which great credit is due to Mr. Bradley. It will sooner or later become the very Strawberry for market purposes; fruit large, handsome, of fine colour, and carrying well. The plant is, moreover, of a yery healthy constitution, and bears even in a young siate most abundantly. , 5 me Asavyery early kind, quite as early as Vicomtesse Héricart de Thury, I would recommend Dr. Roden’s Early Prolific, which is much handsomer in shape, finer in colour, and unrivalled as regards flayour. Frogmore Late Pine undoubtedly requires a stiff soil to ripen off its noble fruit to perfection; here my young plants bore well, but soon afterwards suffered much August 22, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 145 from the intense heat, and I am afraid will not do for another ear, Mr. Radclyffe is not identical with Dr. Hogg; and rather belongs to the British Queen race, which it resembles. Mr. Peach’s strong recommendation of Lucas is worthy of attention, as too much cannot be said in its praise. In France I never could do anything with that noble Strawberry Dr. Hogg, whilst here thus far it has thriven well, and promises a better result. As a late sort I would recommend Aromatic, sent out by Mr. Turner. I had fifty plants last October, and although planted so late, they all bore a comparatively fine crop of large fruit of a handsome cone shape, and of exquisite flavour. They ripened quite as late as Frogmore Late Pine, which is an additional merit. I would advise Mr: Peach to try likewise James Veitch, which will admirably suit his soil. Iam sorry to see that Black Bess is still mentioned as a dis- tinct Strawberry, whilst it is but justice to Mr. Knevett, of Isleworth, that it should be grown under the true name, Empress Eugénie. Bonne Bouche here was neither large nor handsome, but its peculiarly agreeable flavour will make it a welcome addition to the list. I suspect that Royalty, sent out last year, is nothing else than Myatt’s Eliza ; at any rate itis impossible to detect the slightest difference between the two. The same may be said of Brown’s Wonder, quite like Cambrian Prince, sent out by Messrs. Roberts, in Denbighshire, several years ago.— Frrpinanp GuLorpr, Oppendorf, Hamburgh. LILIUM AURATUM MERITS AND CULTURE. Havina read Mr. Robson’s interesting article on Lilium auratum (page 127), perhaps you will allow me to make a few remarks upon it. I quite agree with him that L. auratum is a grand flower, and where it is happily placed a most easy plant to grow. This year, with us, it has prospered most in the shade, where it was kept back so as not to have the tall shoots hurt by the May frost.. The shelter of shrubs, as in a Rhodo- dendron bed, secures not only L. auratum but the earlier, and therefore more susceptible, L. longiflorum. I need hardly say that the varieties of colourin L. auratum are almost endless ; there are also the many-flowered varieties and the few-flowered (which last I prefer), with their huge broad-petalled flowers. Of these I think the dark-banded crimson-dotted variety, the petals of which are hardly recurved, is the most beautiful. There are also the early and late-flowering varieties, and those of tall and short growth. I have just measured one in a Rho- dodendron bed very nearly 8 feet high, with others not more than half the height close by. I must demur to Lilium auratum being considered the head of the Lily family. I am in correspondence with the principal Lily-growers, and have found that we, one and all, have settled down into what I believe to be the old faith of the Japanese, that L. speciosum (lancifolium) is queen. Its varieties album, punctatum, roseum, rubrum—all are lovely, and the sub-varie- ties are endless both in colour and growth, from the squat compact form of the late-flowering true old speciosum (lanci- folium), with its deep crimson not mingling with the white, to the stately L. speciosum (lancifolium) splendidum of Loddiges, -a plant of which I have to-day measured standing in its pot 7 feet 9 inches high, and at the bottom of its flowers 2 feet 6 inches across. Mr. Robson speaks of ‘‘the newer kinds of Lilies which haye come through his hands having botanical rather than floral claims to distinction.” I wish he had seen the admira- tion, as a garden plant, excited at Birmingham by a spike of the beautiful Lily, L. Robinsoni, brought from the Rocky Mountains by Mr. Robinson. Lilium tigrinum Fortunei is beautiful side by side with auratum in a Rhododendron bed ; and when we get the rare tigrinum splendens 8 to 10 feet high, with its noble head of flowers with the large spots, the effect will be superb. In a rockwork here we have at the top a large clump of L. tigrinum Fortunei in bloom, mixed with speci- osum not out; a little lower L. superbum pyramidale, with its tall graceful stem, in large bud; and below L. Leichtlinii in bloom ; the effect is considered good. L. puberulum is a most effective garden Lily; L. tigrinum flore-pleno too, and having no pollen, it lasts well, and as the bulbs get larger it will, I think, equal tigrinum Fortunei in height. There are many other ‘“‘new” lilies which, though hardly yet sufficiently tested in the open, will, I doubt not, hereafter have their great merits done justice to by Mr. Robson in his garden, and in our JourRNaL oF HorricuntuRE.—GrorcE F'. Winson, Heather- bank, Weybridge Heath. THE CLOVENFORDS VINEYARD. Haviye lately paid Mr. Thomson a visit, I can say,I was amply repaid for my trouble in taking so longa journey. The vineries are the best and largest I ever saw, and considering the short time they have been planted, the crop of fruittis superb. A really good crop on Vines planted only two years since is something to be proud of. As may be supposed, I asked to see Golden Champion, and it looked in its then half-ripe state really fine. Mr. Thomson told me it had shown no signs of the spot either with him or his brother till last season, when he had a few berries which went spotted. Icould not help saying, ‘‘ Then you do not consider we are all muffs who have failed to grow it?” ButI found it was too sore a subject to joke about. ‘‘ Would that my enemy would send out a new Vine,” said he with an air of great vexation. He then showed me the finest new Grape I ever saw, the Duke of Buccleuch, of which he had planted scores of Vines. Tf this do not turn out the best new Grape of our time I shall be deceived. It is earlier than the Black Hamburgh, and larger than the Golden Champion, and appeared in its then state all that could be wished. ‘I will grow a ton weight of this Grape next year, and if it show no fault, will let you all have plants at half price who purchased the Champion of me,” said Mr. Thomson. If he do so, I for one shall be quite satisfied.J. R. Prarson, Chilwell. COTTAGE FLOWER GARDENS. I wave no doubt my friend, “D., Deal,” will think me very obstinate, but I cannot quite agree to his dictum that we ought to keep bedding-out from cottage gardens. I do not see why every cottager may not please his own taste. Those who may like old-fashioned cottage gardens, with tall and short perennial spring and autumn plants all growing together in a mixed border, need not insist that his next-door neighbour should do the same. I by no means wish to do away with the old plants to be found in cottage gardens, but neither do I find fault with those who have a small space of garden in front of their houses, if they try to keep pace with the age, and take advantage of some of the most lasting half-hardy plants to make their gardens gay in summer and autumn. I can only say that in my own parish by far the best cottage gardens are to a certain extent bedded-out, and I find those who are fondest of flowers and pay most attention to them, and are the most successful in keeping their cottage gardens oftenest gay, are the very ones who have adopted the system of bedding- out to the greatest extent. I do not want in making these remarks to let your readers conclude that I am in favour of cottagers adopting the bedding-out system exclusively ; but as nobody, and more especially no cottager, can grow every kind ef plant, I claim for cottagers, as well as others, to grow what- over kind of plants they prefer.—C. P. Pracu. GARDEN STRUCTURES AND IMPLEMENTS AT THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S BIRMINGHAM EXHIBITION.—No. 3. In continuing our remarks on the horticultural implements and structures at Birmingham, we come next to Stand 64, Messrs. W. 8. Boulton & Co., Rose Lane Works, Norwich. They exhibited a very nice ornamental conservatory, 43 feet by 19, though the price, £167, struck us as somewhat large. There was also a very useful tenant’s portable greenhouse with centre and side staging. We were much pleased with the Melon and Cucumber frames, and the portable plant-preservers, which were strong, serviceable, and moderate in price. ‘They were adjudged a medal. : In Stand 65, Messrs. Cranston & Luck, Highgate Street, Bir- mingham, exhibited several of their horticultural structures; a gardener’s greenhouse, 24 feet by 18, price £75, of which we append an illustration, being a very efficient and useful house, with a range of pits on each side and connected with the house, being heated from the house and with the same apparatus as the house itself. The stage for the plants is connected with the outside framing of the pit, and is made to carry the house itself, which can be fixed either upon dwarf walls, or on the ground. The ventilation in this house and in all the other houses erected in this stand was carried out by the patent system which has now been for some time in use by this firm, and of which we append the description given by them in their circular. The houses are made of wood, and the roofs ‘‘are divided into 146 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 22, 1872. planes, or steps, with pierced ventilation-plates between them. Through the perforations in these plates the air passes into the house, entering all over the roof surface, and circulating—in the case of yineries—between the glass and the leaves of the plants. Valves are applied to the inside of the plates, so that the whole or anyjpart of the house may be opened or closed at will. The ‘planes between the pierced plates are formed of bars and glass, each of the bars being made in two parts, triangular in section, and grooved to act as small gutters. The half-bars are screwed top and bottom to the yentilation-plates, and the glass is laid upon them, the edges of the panes coming up to the small gutter in each bar. The top parts of the bars are screwed down into Cranston’s Gardener’s Greenhouse the lower half-bars, closely upon the glass, with square-headed | | three thicknesses, and made to assume any canted or arched galvanised screws, turned byakey. By this mode of glazing, which is both wind and water-tight, putty is not required, and | an unskilled labourer can perform the glazing of a whole house | The planes of | f | would scarcely vary from a narrow one—of course allowing ic as well and as easily as the most expert glazier. wood and glass, with the pierced ventilation-plates between them, are supported on laminated wood ‘ principals,’ formed of contour that the width and height of the house may require. By this mode of construction buildings of any width up to 50 or 60 feet may be erected; and the cost of the widest house Richardson's Lean-to House. the area covered and its cubical contents. Under the ‘-princi- pals’ of the houses stout wooden plates are placed, and these rest upon dwarf brick walls; or, when the buildings are in- tended to be moveable, as tenants’ fixtures, upon wooden blocks let firmly into the ground. Between these bottom plates, which are framed together with a space varying from 7 to 20 inches between them, pierced boards are fixed, at the back of which louvre ventilating shutters are made to open and close. “By the regular diffusion of the air as it enters the house, gaining admission as it does immediately under the glass, a perfect and effective system of ventilation is maintained, and this without moving lights of any kind; all glass beimg fixed and made quite independent of the ventilating apparatus. By this means the breakage of glass in windy weather, or from other causes so frequent where glazed sashes have to be opened to admit air, is entirely avoided. “The glass in the roofs and other parts of these houses is always in long lengths, and without ‘laps.’ So thoroughly August 22, 1872. J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 147 diffused is the air in this system of building, that every piece of glass has its separate quotum of air openingimmediately under it: and all the openings being immediately under control, wherever the sun may shine hottest, there air may at once be admitted through the ventilation-plate, to curl up along the inner surface of the heated glass. * As all the ventilation openings are.in horizontal positions, well sheltered by the overhanging wood and glass, the venti- lation of the houses can go on as well in wet weather as in dry All vertical openings in roofs have the great disadvantage of ad- mitting rain as well as air, and in wet weather houses so made are subject to one of two evils—either a close and poisonous at- SSS = Richardson’s Span-roofed House, mosphere, or water everywhere. whe ventilation-plates of these patented buildings, even the amost driving storm is wholly prevented finding its way through the perforations, even though the buildings stand in the most exposed situations.” e f{Passing from Messrs. Cranston & Luck’s stand we came next to that of Messrs. Dennis & Co., Anchor Works, Chelmsford, who exhibited a wrought-iron ornamental span-roofed con- servatory, which had too many cross-ties and iron connecting- By recent improvements in } rods to please the eye, though as the construction of the house | was light they were most probably necessary. The same firm | also exhibited a villa greenhouse, and a small amateur green- hhouse to be erected as a lean-to against a low wall, at the cost, mot including walls or fixing, of £5. The material was wrought dron, and the house would be very serviceable for those who wished to put up asmall house at a slight expense. Stand 67.—Mr. Perry, of Banbury, exhibited a span-roofed house of good shape, but we do not like the introduction of strong, old-fashioned lead bars. Near to this was erected stand No. 61, by Mr. Bickley, Small- brook Street, Birmingham, which we thought a good serviceable house, and as cheap for the price as any exhibited. The next stand we came to was that of Messrs. W. Richardson and Co., of Darlington, who exhibited two very good and useful houses, one a lean-to 40 feet by 12, for £77; another a span- roofed, 30 feet by 15, for £92. They were fitted-up with their patent system of ventilation, of which we append the patentees’ description :— “The patent system of ventilation is effected, as herein shown, by narrow openings in the roof (about 9 inches wide), the full length of the lights from top to bottom, and from 4 to 5 feet apart, covered with glazed frames made perfectly weather- tight with grooves up the sides, fitting down on to galvanised iron tongues; these frames are 4 inches wider than the opening they cover, and when lifted are clear above the fixed lights, leaving an open space at both sides as large or as small as may be desired, thus allowing a free and even circulation of air throughout the house, and at the same time protecting the in- terior effectually from rain, wind, or a direct down-draught upon the plants. These venti- lating roof-lights are made in either one or two parts, each separate set or range from one end of the house to the other being simultaneously’ opened and regulated by a single handle placed in the most conyenient position, and balanced in such a way as to be easily worked by a lady. Any ventilating light can, if desired, be thrown out of gear, so as not to open with the rest, or it may be lifted entirely off for glazing without the removal of screws. “Tn the houses with front lights, bottom ven< tilation is obtained by wood-panelled doors or flaps along the full length, and about 8 inches wide, these also opening and being regulated by a single handle to each range, and affording complete protection from the weather ; the airis thus admitted below the level of any foliage and immediately over the hot-water pipes, by which it is slightly tempered on entering the house.” This method of ventilating under the staging is, in our opinion, preferable to the system of opening the whole front lights by means of levers and cranks, which brings the cold air direct on the plants. The next stand was one from Mr. Parham, Parham’s Glass Walls. of Bath, containing different forms of glass houses, wall-fruit protectors, glass walls, patent 148 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 22, 1872. iron espalier trainers, and a very useful iron stile called a ladies’ stile, which moved on pivots sideways to allow a person to pass, and then closed again after passing. The glass in the house was fixed in a special manner. The mode of con- struction consists in using specially rolled channelled iron rafters, on which the side edges of the glass are laid, the squares overlapping each other at their ends. Along the rafters over the edges of the glass, iron cover plates are fixed in lengths corresponding with the panes, with flanges or tails to hold up the glass, screw pins with brass nuts retaining them in position. By this arrangement the glass is securely kept in place without being nipped upon the iron, so that either the iron framework or the glass is free to move under the influence of variations in temperature, whilst the channelled rafters carry to the eaves- gutter any rain which may get under the cover-plates and effectually prevent the possibility of its dropping into the house. Stands 70, 71, 72, and 73 were occupied by collections of plants, Conifers, &c., exhibited by Mr. Smith, of Worcester ; Dickson, of Chester; and Vertegans, of Edgbaston. Stand 74.—Messrs. Carter exhibited their large collection of seeds, roots, &c. Stand 74a, contained a very useful collection of charcoal filters of all sizes, exhibited by Mr. Busse, of Manchester, and which will be found of great service wherever the water for the use of the house is liable to be contaminated by any impurities, and we can strongly recommend them to the use of paterfamilias or mater. In stand No. 75, Mr. Unite exhibited a collection of small tents, flexible tarpaulins, rope, and cordage,-all of good quality. Stand 76 we have already described at stand 34. In 764 were a collection of garden-pots. 77. Mr. Weeks exhibited his boilers and models of boilers ; and 78 was another boiler by Mr. Clarke; and 79 contained Mr. Rendle’s exhibits, which we have already noticed. Stand 80 contained models of ash-screening closets, &c. From Messrs. Bamford, Stand 81, came garden engines, water-barrows, &c. In Stand 82, Phipps & Co., Gold Street, Northampton, ex- hibited rustic flower vases, garden seats, arm chairs, &c., and some of the other accessories of the croquet lawn. Stand 83, Messrs. Hill & Smith, Dudley, showed ornamental flower stands, hanging flower-baskets, &c.; Stand 85, Leicester vases, seats, tables, &c. In Stand $8, Mr. Inman, Rose Bank, Stretford, Man- chester, exhibited a variety of rustic garden houses, rustic tables, vases, seats, stools, &c. Mr. Harris, Bristol Street, Birmingham, in Stand 89, had a very good assortment of garden implements. We could have wished that, as Birmingham is the centre of the hardware trade, there had been a greater variety of ordinary garden tools shown, as rakes, spades, trowels, forks, &c., as it struck us, and we have little doubt others as well, that there was, as a rule, a great deficiency in these smaller useful articles. Stand No. 90 was occupied chiefly with wirework; and in Stand No. 91 was one of the most beautiful collections in the Show of fountains, vases, &c., from Mr. Andrew Handyside, of Derby. This concludes our general summary of the exhibits, and we shall conclude another week with a review of the different boilers exhibited at the Show, which we’have hitherto deferred, hoping that the full report of the trial of boilers at the Show would be published, but it seems unnecessary to wait any longer. Al- though we cannot but regret that the full report has not been given to the public, yet we must also raise our protest against the manner in which some of the disappointed exhibitors have tried to throw discredit on the whole trial. It was a very thank- less office to act as judge, but when some of the exhibitors have been defeated, it is very unjust, and we might add un- English, to accuse three judges who have, no doubt, done their best to give a fair trial to all, of combining together to favour a particular maker. If judges are to render themselves liable to accusations of this kind, it will soon be difficult to get persons to act at all. BOILER TRIALS AT BIRMINGHAM. Avr a meeting of competitors in the trial of boilers at Bir- mingham, held at Kettlewell’s Rooms, Covent Garden, on the 14th inst., the following protest was unanimously agreed to :— To rHe Locan CommiTTEe oF THE RoyaLt HorvrovunTuRaL Socrety’s MEETING HELD aT BrrmincHAM, JuNE, 1872. Protest of the compeiitors at the late trial of boilers at the Lower Grounds, Aston, Birmingham, against the decision of the Judges, by which they assigned the sold medal to Messrs. Hartley & Sugden, of Halifax, against the evidence and in violation of the regulations for the conduct of the trials, which award, therefore, the undersigned believe to have been improperly made, and which should, therefore, in their opinion, be withdrawn. The undersigned base their protest upon the following facts :— ; 1. The boiler to which the medal was assigned was entered in the catalogue as being of the value of £15 10s., whereas the true value was, as they, supported by the opinion of other boiler makers, believe, double that amount; and thus the regulations of the Committee were violated, and the boiler ought to have been excluded from competition; in proof of which they refer to the Witley Court boiler, very similar in construction, and only about 6 inches longer, and which was sold, with fittings complete, for £54. This latter boiler was awarded a silver medal by the same Judges. a 2. Messrs. Hartley & Sugden’s boiler was entered for 1000 feet. of piping, but was in the first instance tried with only 500 feet, and was after this again attempted to be tried with the same length of piping, but upon the remonstrance of some of the competitors the trial was discontinued, and it was afterwards tried for 1000 feet. The size of this boiler was excessive for the quantity of pipe (500 feet) with which it was tested, and there- fore any result obtained by such trial was unfair. 3. The first trial of this boiler, though so large, and set with the greatest care, under the immediate and careful supervision of Mr. Sugden, of the firm of Hartley & Sugden, by the person. in the immediate employment of the Judges for the manage- ment of the trials (which person supplied the fuel, took the management of the fire, and, indeed, conducted the trial through— out), was yet a palpable failure, as it failed to preserve a fire and. proper heat during the night, and the fire was found to be out and the pipes cold in the morning. 4. In the judgment of the competitors this failure, after sc full and complete a trial under such highly favourable circum- stances, ought to have entirely disqualified the boiler in question. from further competition. 5. After the above failure, the boiler was allowed to be reset. with extended masonry, new arrangement of doors, flue frames,. and dead plates, and thus made really into a different boiler from the one originally entered for competition; and, contrary to custom in similar cases, and contrary to the expectation of the other competitors, this new, or renovated, altered, and improved boiler, was allowed to be tried a second and a third time, and thus secured the medal, the whole of the new fittings used being supplied by Mr. Hassall, one of the Judges. 6. Application for a second trial, made by two at least of the competitors (Messrs. Cannelland Deards), owing to the inclemency of the weather, and under circumstances much more clearly justifying a concession, if such were allowable at all after a full and complete trial of any boiler, was refused by the Judges, and therefore ought not to have been granted to Messrs. Hartley and Sugden. 7. Whilst desirous of avoiding any imputation of wrong motives or conduct, the competitors cannot divest themselves. of the conviction that there was shown to Messrs. Hartley and Sugden a great amount of partiality by the Judges, and that those gentlemen were in their third trial supplied with fuel of a much superior character to that supplied to the other competitors. 8. The undersigned believe that Messrs. Hartley & Sugden failed to show the essential qualities of a boiler calculated to command a general sale or use, inasmuch as it was evident to them the boiler would, in order to keep up a regular and uniform heat in the required quantity of pipe, demand constant and unre- mitting attention during the day, and that it could not with any safety or security be left for along winter’s night without atten- tion, or without the certainty of being found in the morning with the fire out and the pipes cold, as the competitors believe was the case in most, if not all, the trials made with this boiler. 9. The boiler is of too costly a construction to be generally useful, and therefore does not meet the requirements of horti- culturists, or the conditions of the trial. 10. The competitors consider that no person should be allowed to judge an article or articles of which he is a seller. In this instance such, however, was the case, Mr. Hassall, one of the Judges, being a dealer in the boilers manufactured by Messrs. Hartley & Sugden; this alone should disqualify them for com- peting for a prize. ll. That after the three trials they, Messrs. Hartley and Sugden, did not gain the points which are the most essential in a good hot-water boiler, the water in the pipes being cold, and the fire out (or nearly so), on examination at the unsealing in the morning. : 12. That no report has yet been published, although the trials terminated six weeks ago, and repeated applications have been made by the competitors. (Signed) ; : HENRY CaNNELL, Chairman. FREDERICK JOHN MEE. T. H. P. Dennis & Co. B. Hartow. SamvenL Dears. THos. GREEN & Son. Epwin Lumsy. Fine Liics avratum.—We have here a very fine specimen of Lilium auratum; it was one bulb shifted on, and is now in a 20-inch pot. Nurserymen and gardeners calling here tell me they have not seen anything approaching it in size. Height 9 feet, number of blooms 185; the largest flowers 11 inches in diameter. There are six strong stems—two with twenty-two flowers a-piece—and several smaller stems. In 1870 there were August 22, 1872. J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 149 twenty-three flowers a-piece on two stems; last year every flower-bud was destroyed by frost. Please say is the size un- usual? {[Very.]—A. ANDERSON, Glenlee, Hamilton, N.B. ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. AvuGust 21st. = No finer weather than that which now favours our southern harvest could be desired ; and though the fashionable world has now for the most part taken its departure to the Continent, the seaside, or the moors, there are yet in a city so vast as London, with its wide-spread suburbs, stay-at-homes sufficient to make a goodly company; and thus it was there was a fair attendance at this Show, though not equal to what there was earlier in the season. The Gladiolus was the flower which had the leading position on this occasion, and right worthily it was represented. The Hollyhocks were also good, though few. In the open class for twenty-four cut spikes of Gladiolus there were four exhibitors. Messrs. Kelway & Son, of Langport, Somerset, were first with splendid spikes bearing flowers of remarkable size. The varieties were Madame Desportes, La- mirus, Palici, Helicon, Osi, Oasis, Latour, Lydus, Mira, Lycoris, Maria, Otus, Helores, Helle, Orcus, Opici, Origin, Hallen, Lacépéde, Rossini, Hecate, Osci, Hemon, and Herdonia. Mr. Douglas, gardener to F. Whitbourn, Esq., Loxford Hall, Lford, was second with an excellent stand consisting of seedlings, with Virgile, and a few named kinds. Messrs. Standish & Co., of Ascot, were third with a stand of named kinds of their own raising, some of them very distinct in colour. Mr. J. Welch, gardener to J. Marshall, Esq., Belmont Park, Taunton, was fourth. The next class was for twelve spikes. In this the Rey. Lord Hawke, Willingham Rectory, Gainsborough, was first with ‘Celiméne, Lacépéde, Orphée, A. Brongniart, and Horace Vernet, in magnificent condition, and fine spikes of other kinds. Mr. Douglas was second. The third prize went to the Rey. H. H. Dombrain, who had Norma, white, noticeable as the finest spike in the Show. Mr. Welch was fourth. For six spikes, the Rev. H. H. Dombrain, Westwell Vicarage, Ashford, was first with Michel Ange, Norma, and Meyerbeer, very fine ; and good spikes of Adolphe Brongniart, Madame Vilmorin, and Rosa Bonheur. Lord Hawke was second, Rev. J. G. Hodgson third, and Mr. Douglas fourth ; the latter had Virgile, splendid vermilion. Hollyhocks were only shown by three exhibitors—viz., Mr. W. Chater, Mr. J. J. Chater, and the Rev. Lord Hawke. Myr. W. Chater was first for six spikes, and Lord Hawke took a like position for twelve blooms. Mr. W. Chater and Mr.J. J. Chater also exhibited fine stands of blooms not for competition. Mr. Chater’s spikes consisted of Midnight and Queen of Yellows, very fine; Walden Primrose, Alfred Chater, and two seedlings. Lord Hawke’s blooms comprised several fine seedlings, Phryne, Constancy, Purity, Leviathan, and some other named sorts. In the class for twelve cut Phloxes Mr. Parker, of Tooting, was first with spikes inserted in pots, so as to form fine masses, but giving no idea of what the individual spike is like, and therefore a mode of exhibition, however effective, by no means to be commended. Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing, of Stan- stead Park Nurseries, Forest Hill, were second. Of twelve Hardy Perennials in 12-inch pots there was only one collection shown—viz., that from Mr. R. Parker, of Tooting, who took for it a first prize. It comprised Tritoma Uvaria glau- cescens, Helianthus rigidus, of which the yellow flowers are ‘yery showy, Galega officinalis alba, Sedum spectabile, Helian- thus orgyalis, and Tanacetum vulgare crispum, two plants with ornamental foliage; Campanula carpatica, Tanacetum boreale with elegantly-cut foliage, and a fine specimen Phlox. . Among the miscellaneous subjects were two pots of Agapan- thus umbellatus from Mr. Larke, Rockham Terrace, Moore Park, Fulham, each with six fine heads of blue flowers; a pan of the highly-ornamental rich scarlet Nerine Fothergilii from Messrs. Standish & Co., of Ascot; and from the same firm a magnificent basketful of Vallota purpurea, one of Bouvardia Vreelandii, which has been frequently shown before this season, and a large collection of Gladiolus. Messrs. Kelway also sent a mumerous and remarkably fine collection of the same flower. From Mr. J. J. Chater, Gonville Nurseries, Cambridge, came an excellent collection of Asters and a stand of fine double Zinnias. Fruit Commrrer.—G. E. Blenkins, Esq., in the chair. The following letter was read from Dr. Hooker in reference tc the recent action of the Committee in connection with the dispute between Dr. Hooker and the Chief Commissioner of the Board of Works :— “Royal Gardens, Kew, August 8th, 1872. “‘Srm,—I have to request that you will conyey to the members of the Fruit Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society my most sincere thanks for the valuable opinion they have been so good as to express on the subject of the responsibility, as regards heating apparatus, which should attach to whoever is responsible for the cultivation of plants under glass. Whatever may be the issue of the difference of opinion now made public in reference to the control of the apparatus now in use at Kew, I feel sure that the opinion of the Fruit Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society will carry a greater weight than that of any other body whatever. ‘“* Again thanking you for fortifying me with this timely opinion, “Believe me, most faithfull;7 yours, “ Jos. D. Hooxer, Director. “G, Wilson, Esq., Chairman Royal Horticultural Society’s Fruit Committee.” Mz. Barron read the following report of his investigation of the Duke of Buccleuch Grape, raised by Mr. Thomson :— “In accordance with your instructions, I visited Clovenfords last week and saw the Vines growing there. Mr. Thomson hasit planted pretty extensively —1st, Twenty-two Vines in one house at 6 feet apart, two rods to each Vine, the rest of the house being filled with Black Hamburgh, Golden Champion, and other sorts; 2nd, About forty Vines on either side of a span-roofed house at 9 feet apart, three rods to each Vine, the rest of the house being filled with Muscats, Golden Champion, &c. The whole of these Vines were planted in the autumn of 1870. The greater portion of the crop (300 lbs.), had been eut previous to my visit. . There were still, however, about 250 bunches hanging, which enabled me to arrive at a pretty good idea of its bearing qualities. There was a singular uniformity in the appearance of the whole, both as regards the growth of'the plants, general productiveness, size, colour, and general appearance of the bunches and berries. In growth it somewhat re- sembles Canon Hall Muscat, Mill Hill Hamburgh, and Golden Champion, the shoots being rather gross, and in some instances not ripening berries tho- roughly. Generally, however, the wood was well ripened, the leading shoots being very strong and thoroughly ripened, of about the thickness of one’s thumb. I could detect no spot or other blemish on the berries; whereas the Golden Champion alongside, although large and well grown, was much spotted. As to ripening, in comparison with the Black Hamburgh grown in the same house under the same circumstances, it was much earlier—evidently some weeks. Few of the Hamburghs were ripe or fit to cut, whereas the most of the Duke had been cut and sent to market a month previously. The Ham- burghs were, howeyer, overcropped, which tends to retard the ripening. The Muscats under the same treatment had not begun to colour, whilst the Duke was dead ripe; and at Drumlanrig, the Muscats being ripe, the Duke was quite overripe and spoiled. Golden Champion, also, by comparison was quite green and acid. At Cloyenfords and at Drumlanrig each Vine of this variety seemed to have fruited as freely as a Black Hamburgh, one bunch to each spur; the bunches being of a fair average size of from 1 to 2 lbs. each, and some larger. Grafted on the Muscat it did not seem to do so well; in one instance the fruit was much greener and later, and in another it had not set regularly, some berries being enormously large, and the rest small. “The Duke of Buccleuch is a Grape which will evidently not keep long after being ripe, being thin-skinned. It is extremely pleasant to eat, the flesh tender and juicy, with a rich sparkling acidity, somewhat of the Hamburgh character. The berries are enormously large, round or oblate like the Dutch Hamburgh, and haye rarely more than two seeds in each. I should describe it as a very valuable summer Grape.—A. F. Barron.” After giving consideration to the report, and taking this in connection with the fine condition of the fruit exhibited at the last meeting, the Committee awarded a first-class certificate. Mr. Smith, the Gardens, Exton Park, Oakham, sent three bunches and a basket of Black Hamburgh Grapes of excellent quality, which received a cultural commendation. These were accompanied by the following communication :— “Exton Park, Oakham. “Tn taking charge of the gardens here in the spring of 1869, I found the Vines from which these Grapes were cut in a yery bad state. The Vines were bearing a large crop of very small bunches, which, instead of ripening, shanked so much that there was not a perfect bunch in all the house. I managed to get a number of moderate-sized rods up from the roots, and by encouraging young wood I thought I would prevent the shanking; but, no, they were quite as bad on the young wood in 1870 as they were on the old in 1869. My employer remarked, ‘that they always had shriyelled off, and nothing would preyent it, only by destroying the old Vines and planting young ones.’ I asked permission to lift the roots, add fresh soil, and try them another year, which was at once granted. In September, 1870, I commenced operations by lifting the roots and placing them in fresh soil, which consisted of turfy loam, wood ashes, lime rubbish, and broken bricks. After they were lifted I laid all the rods on the floor of the vinery, and encouraged them to make young wood by keeping the house continually syringed till November. Last year the shanking entirely disappeared, and this year they are bearing a good full crop of moderate-sized bunches, which have all coloured well. The bunches shown are an ayerage sumple of what the house contains. The ‘Vines are about thirty years old, and had been grown on the spur plan, now they are grown on the extension system. “James SMITH, * August 21st, 1872.” ‘*Gardener to the Earl of Gainsborough. Mr. Hill, of the Gardens, Keele Hall, sent an excellent bunch of Muscat Hamburgh, from a Vine grafted on the Black Ham- burgh. Mr. Tillery, of Welbeck Abbey Gardens, sent a collec- tion of fruit, consisting of a well-conditioned bunch of Golden Hamburgh Grape, a dish of Barrington Peaches, Moor Park Apricots, and Morello Cherries. A cultural certificate was awarded to the Barrington Peaches. Mr.Smith, Bristol House, Putney, sent a dish of Lord Palmerston Peach, the flesh of which was firm and hard, and the flavour inferior. Messrs. Lucombe, Pince, & Co., of Exeter, sent a dish of Pince’s Golden Nectarine, a fine-looking fruit, but inferior in flavour. Mr. T. Bray, the Gardens, Nynehead Court, Wellington, sent two dishes of Morello Cherries. Mr. Rooker, gardener to John Gretton, Esq., Coton Hall, Derby, sent Ward’s Scarlet-flesh Melon, and Mr. Hill, of Keele Hall, sent Keele Hall Hybrid, both scarlet-fleshed varieties, but neither of them possessing good flavour. Messrs. Barr & Sugden sent three Cucumbers, severally marked No. 1,2, and 3. Mr. John Hepper, The Elms, Acton, sent a Cucumber, beautifully variegated with green and white longitudinal stripes. ; Prizes were offered by Messrs. Carter & Co. for the best and second best dishes of Runner and Dwari Kidney Beans, to in- 150 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 22, 1872. clude Carter’s Champion Runners. The first prize went to Mr. C. Ross, gardener to C. Eyre, Esq., Welford, for Sir J. Paxton, Negro, and White Dutch and Champion Runners—the last- named not so long by 2 inches as we have seen them. The second prize went to Mr. Frisby, gardener to H. Chaplin, Esq., Blankney Hall, Sleaford, for very good pods; whilst Mr. Lums- den, Bloxholm Hall Gardens, ceded to none in the quality for culinary purposes of the pods he exhibited, for they were crisp, just as a Kidney Bean should be. Frorsat Commirrer.—W. Marshall, Esq., in the chair. From Mr. Wilson, Mr. Marshall’s gardener, Clay Hill, Enfield, came Lelia elegans Marshalle, darker than the usual form; it received a first-class certificate. Mr. Eckford, gardener to Earl Radnor, Coleshill, sent stands of seedling Verbenas, of which Memorial, purple, and Mrs. Lewington, shaded rose, were very fine. From Mr. Keynes, Salisbury, came stands of new Dabhlias. First-class certificates were awarded for James Service, dark maroon, very fine both in shape and colour; for the Rey. J. M. Camm, large, yellow flaked with red; for Ne Plus Ultra, pale lilac, very pretty; second-class certificates for Lucy Fawcett, milk white, slightly tipped in some of the florets with purple, and for Mr. Sinclair, rose tipped with purple. First-class certificates were awarded to Messrs. Kelway for the following varieties of Gladiolus—namely, Lamirus, salmon, scarlet, and white; Orcus; Helores, white and lilac; Osci, magenta and cream colour; Grandeur ; Lycoris, orange streaked with crimson, and in the lower segments marked with white. Mr. Douglas had first-class certificates for Rosy Morn, white | ground, veined, and suffused with rosy. purple; Gwendoline Morgan, purplish rose and cream colour; and Day Dream, salmon scarlet and white, with a slight purple feather. Messrs. Veitch sent a fine group of Orchids, including On- cidium macranthum, Dendrobium chrysotis, and Mesospinidium vuleanicum ; also a group of Amaranthus salicifolius lifted from the open ground, and fully justifying the high opinions which have been entertained of it. Messrs. Rollisson, Tooting, ex- hibited a white-flowered Saccolabium, which proved to be S. Wightianum album, seemingly a desirable addition to_this family of Orchids; and Mr. Laurence, gardener to Bishop Sum- ner, a species of Oncidium from New Grenada, with a spike 10 feet in length, also a good specimen of Acineta Humboldtii. By far the finest specimen exhibited was, however, a plant of Nepenthes Rafilesiana from Mr. Baines, gardener to H. Micholls, Esq., Southgate, and which was, indeed, a magnificent example of that noble Pitcher Plant. It had no less than fifty pitchers, of which forty-seven were fully developed. It was awarded a well-deserved cultural commendation. Similar commendations were also given to Mr. J. J. Chater’s Zinnias, and Mr. W. Chater’s Hollyhocks. Mr. J. J. Chater sent a cross-bred Ever- lasting Péa, white streaked with rose colour, also seedling Verbenas. Mr. G. Smith, Tollington Nursery, Hornsey, had a first-class certificate for Fuchsia Delight, white corolla and scarlet sepals, probably a good market kind. TT. R. Tufnell, Esq., Belmont, Uxbridge, had also a first-class certificate for Lilium Lishmanni, orange, much spotted with dark crimson. From the Society’s garden at Chiswick came some of the best-grown plants of Amaranthus salicifolius that we have seen, also a very dwarf: free-flowering Phlox, called Heynholdii, with orange flowers. This had a first-class certificate. NOTES AND GLEANINGS. Mertropourran Frorat Socrery.—With reference to the notice given in last week’s Journal of our contemplated Show, I am glad to tell all lovers of the Gladiolus that the finest exhibition of this flower ever held will be at the Palace on the 28th and 29th; for in addition to numerous entries in the classes, Messrs. Kelway & Son will exhibit a collection of nearly five hundred spikes of the very best and choicest varieties in culti- vation, including many of their own seedlings. Nothing equal to this exhibition has ever been seen in the metropolis as far as lamableto judge. Messrs. Kelway’s display at Kensington last year was very fine, but when to this is added the large number in the competing classes the Show will indeed be a grand sight.—D., Deal, Hon. Sec. Mr. Benyetr, formerly of Osberton, and recently gar- dener to the Earl of Stamford and Warrington at Enville Hall, has succeeded Mr. Record in the charge of the Marquis of Salisbury’s gardens at Hatfield. : —— CrickeT.—Watruam Cross NuRSERIES versus THE OLD CuesHunt Nurseries.—This match, which came off on Thurs- day, the 8th inst., was played in the Cheshunt Cricket Ground, and resulted in a victory, decided by the first innings, for the former eleven. The scores were as follows :—Cheshunt Nur- series, lst innings, 27; 2nd innings, 68. Waltham Cross Nur- series, Ist innings, 40; 2nd innings, 26, with one wicket to fall. Owing to the quantity of rain which fell in the early part of the day the game was much delayed, but as soon as the weather cleared up play was commenced, and a capital match ensued. In the evening the party adjourned to the ‘Green Dragon,” where a few hours were spent in a very pleasant manner. HOLLAND HOUSE, THe Resmence or Lapy Horan. Ir must be told, though it seems superfluous, that this mansion is in the parish of Kensington, and it has been well said, ‘‘ The house is not handsome; it is not ancient; but it is of an age sufficient to make up for want of beauty. Itshows us how our ancestors built before Shakspere died. A crowd of the reigning wits and beauties of that and of every succeeding generation passes through it to the ‘mind’s eye’ brilliant with life and colour; and there it stands yet, on its old rising ground, with its proper accompaniments of sward and trees to gratify everybody that can appreciate it. May it everlastingly be repaired, and never look otherwise than past times behelé it.”’ The De Veres, Earls of Oxford, were lords of the manor in the Norman era, and some fragment of their residence is believed to remain, but the existing mansion was erected by Sir Walter Cope in the year 1607. By the marriage of his daughter to one of the Riches, who were ennobled as Earls of Warwick and Holland, it passed to the family who are still its possessors. We must not detail its very various tenants, nor dwell upor the events and acts of which it was the arena when Fairfax, and Cromwell, and Monk were either residents or visitors. Here Ormond was gay, and Addison died; here James I1.’s daughter lived in state, and here dwelt William Penn the Quaker. We could lengthen out our list of the tenants if we included others of lesser fame, and could fill a volume if we enumerated its celebrated visitors, and the events they have planned and discussed. Of Wilkie, Talleyrand, Fox, and Mackintosh we have many anecdotes connected with Holland House ; but then we should enter upon that ocean of Whig politics with which it has ever been associated. It is more suited to these pages to remind our readers that the garden of Holland House was the first successful home of the Dahlia in England: Sir Joseph Paxton told us that ‘ Indisputable authority shows that this plant was first introduced into this country from Spain by the Marchioness of Bute so early as 1789 ; but, as it was not subsequently heard of, it is supposed to have been lost shortly after this introduction. “Tn 1804, accounts are recorded of seeds of this plant (Dahlia sanmbucifoliaj having been transmitted by Lady Hol- land, from the Royal Garden at Madrid, to Mr. Buonaruti, then resident in this country. From these seeds a few plants were produced, and some of them flowered in the following season; while two others are said to have flowered in the garden of Lord Holland in the autumn of the second year. ‘From this period to the year 1814 the cultivation of the Dahlia made very little progress with us, although during this time it had been most successfully cultivated in the royal gardens of Spain, France, and Germany; and from thence roots of several varieties were imported into this country. After 1814 the Dahlia was introduced to more general notice, and cultivated in most collections, but it was reserved for the intelligent cultivators of the last few years to circulate it more extensively, and make the most rapid advances towards a state of perfection. Indeed, so lately as less than thirty years since it was considered a perfectly novel sight to witness Dahlias with double flowers in the garden of a tradesman or cottager.’” Any reader desirous of a fuller history of this flower should refer to the first volume of the second series of the Trans- actions of the Royal Horticultural Society. Tue grounds of Holland House are entered by a splendid pair of gates from the high road between Kensington and Hammersmith, and is approached through an avenue of Elm trees. Before the south front is a large square bowling-green terrace bounded by balustrades adorned with flowers in vases, and Orange trees, and in the centre with a large basin foun- tain. Before the east front is the carriage square. Before the north front is a terrace walk 200 yards long by 5 feet wide, with a colossal statue of Charles James Fox, which overlooks it fromthe highest point. Parallel with the east side of these grounds runs a long broad walk under a grove of fine old Elm trees called Louis Philippe’s walk, from the circum- August 22, 1872. ] stance of the King of the French haying visited Holland House and grounds at the time it was made. The ground rises on all sides to a beautiful knoll in the park, crowned with an old and picturesque Cedar of Lebanon. Fine old Cedar and other trees creep up the slopes, and form groves around the base and along the valley—not thick groves of gloom, but groves in which the forms of the trees are fully developed, and, being planted at. various distances apart, producing glades of pleasing landscape scenery. Before the west front of the house (of which the accompany- ing is a representation), is a flower garden, a rich parterre and beautiful pattern, the walks brimful of gravel, and the beds overflowing with all the most choice and best sorts of flowers. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 151 It is arranged in the best manner to give the pleasing variety, the contrast, and the distinctness of colours which are clearly and expressly defined throughout the composition, and is seen to advantage when the whole is overlooked from the terrace, surrounded by balustrades, on the top of the banqueting room. It is protected on the north side by a wall, and on the west by the ruins of what had originally been a stable, which is now made, by the stables having been arched with masonry and covered with Ivy, to resemble a ruined aqueduct. An Italian garden runs parallel with it, and terminates in front of the conservatory. The part of the flower garden nearest the west front cf the house is composed of eight very large beds of Roses pegged | Holland House—West Front. down, a fine mass of bloom, edged in pairs with an Ginothera, Prince of Orange Calceolarias in splendid bloom, Saponaria calabrica, and yellow Calceolarias, with a large fountain in | the centre surrounded with Maltese vases filled with plants | in flower. Then there is a square piece composed of six _long triangular-shaped beds, with a sun-dial in the centre from which the beds radiate. planted with the variegated Geranium Flower of Spring, and the inside rows with scarlet Geranium. Small round beds in the | | 20 feet high ; and in winter season with the large Orange trees centre are planted with Cloth of Gold and scarlet and variegated Geraniums, with a broad margin of dwarf Ivy around the whole. A chain border of 50 yards long is composed of fifty-four beds | planted in pairs, with Madame Vaucher Geranium, Coleuses; Annie, Flower of Spring, Flower of the Day, Gloire de Corbeny, Excellent, Clipper, Princess Mary of Cambridge, Vesuvius and . other Geraniums, bordered with blue Lobelia at the back, with Christine Geranium and a standard Rose beautifully in flower in the centre of each bed. Having passed the leafy corridor of young Lime trees I entered the Lily Pond garden. The pond from which it takes its name is encircled by four beds, which are planted in corre- sponding pairs, with a border of dwarf creeping Ivy; then dwarf Ageratum, Cloth of Gold and scarlet Geraniums. The oblong beds are planted with Golden-leaved Feverfew, blue Lobelia, Flower of Spring Geranium, Stella Geranium, and yellow Calceolarias. Against the north wall of the conservatory is a high bank planted in rows with Echeveria, Golden-leaved Feverfew, Sem- pervivum glaucum, Ageratum Imperial Dwarf, Baron Hugel The outside rows in the beds are | Geranium, Prince of Orange Calceolarias, yellow Calceolarias, Orange Lily, with Ferns and the Ivy-clad wall at the back. Close by is the Italian garden, on terraces bounded by low walls adorned with yases of flowers. The beds and borders are planted with Mrs. Pollock Geranium and other good sorts | of bedding-out plants. The conservatory is 60 feet long, furnished with some speci- mens of Camellias planted in the border; scarlet Geraniums, Fuchsias, &c., in full bloom trained on trelliswork to the pillars that now adorn the square before the south front of house. Attached to the conservatory on the north side is a banqueting room of handsome proportions, and furnished in the best style of art and ornamentation. Close to it on the east side is a tower, which is approached by a flight of steps; and from the south side of the conservatory is a colonnade 66 yards long, running east, which is continued to the front of Holland House. By this means a cofhmunication under cover is opened from the house to the conservatory, then to the banqueting room, then to the loggio, then to the tower, and home by the flower garden, by the pleasure ground, or by the terrace walk along the whole length on the top of the colonnade. Passing from the square where Orange trees and other green- house plants stand during the summer months, we enter the orchard house, 30 yards long. It contains Peach and Nec- tarine trees planted against the back wall and in pots, besides Plum and Cherry trees in pots bearing good crops, also Fuchsias, Hydrangeas, and Lilies of the best sorts. Haying crossed the green drive embosomed in a grove, we 152 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 22, 1872. enter a range of glass 45 yards long, heated by hot water, and divided into five parts—Ist, young Vines; 2nd, Peaches Figs in pots; 5th, very late vinery. The Peach house and early and succession vineries had splendid crops, the Grapes both large in bunch and berry and well ripened. The Figs were also showing for an abundant crop. There are two ranges of pits also heated by hot water, 20 yards long, with Cucumbers and Melons in abundance. Contiguous is the gardener’s house, with an oblong bed on grass in front planted with blue Lobelia, Echeveria, Golden- Jeaved Feverfew, Harry Hieover Geranium, Flower of the Day, and pink Geranium. ; _A new green walk has been made on the north side of the kitchen garden, planted on each side with Pampas Grass, Prince of Orange Calceolarias, and large bushes of white Feverfew, backed by Dahlias and Holly bushes; also another broad gravel walk running parallel with the walk from the Addison Road, backed with choice trees and shrubs. _ The new ranges of houses and pits, and the pleasure-ground improvements were all planned and executed under the super- intendence of the head gardener, Mr. Dixon. To him may be applied the words of the epitaph of Sir Christopher Wren, * Visitor, if thou seekest his monument, look around” and see the flower garden in early and full splendour, and abundant crops of fruit in the houses. The crops of Pears and Apples, past fruit, and vegetables in the kitchen garden, are also very good. Holland House is surrounded by pleasure grounds so nicely connected with the park that a beautiful and varied landscape is produced, bounded by deep shady groves that form the frame- work of this delightful picture. In these well-wooded grounds are many fine old trees. An Elm measured 17 feet 3 inches in girth, and two Cedars of Lebanon 14 feet 9 inches, and 12 feet 6 inches each at 2 feet from the ground.—W. Kranz. THE GERANIUMS AT THE CHILWELL NURSERIES. _TaeE most convenient way to reach these nurseries is to go direct from Nottingham to Beeston by the Midland Railway, a distance of about four miles. The nurseries are about ten minutes’ walk from the railway station. It is not my intention to enter into a full description of all the interesting objects these extensive nurseries contain, but to make a few remarks respecting the splendid collection of Geraniums I had the plea- sure of seeing a few days ago. It is well known that for many years past Mr. Pearson has deyoted much attention to the raising of new Geraniums, and money, labour, and house room have not been spared to ac- eomplish his object. To give some idea of the painstaking of Mr. Pearson to enable him to arrive at a just estimate of the merits of his Geraniums, I may mention the fact, that on his own lawn near his residence I saw seventy circular beds, each planted with one separate sort in sufficient quantity to give a good mass of colour, and to test its adaptability for the flower garden. Many of these beds were planted with sorts already in commerce, and others with some that are intended to be “introduced” next season. : Besides these seventy beds, all of sterling merit, I noticed about four thousand seedlings planted in the trial grounds; these have all been carefully crossed, and most of them by Mr. Pearson’s own hands. It is from this large number that he has selected those that possess superior properties as compared with kinds already known, and he makes his selection with a keen eye, discarding all those which do not possess points of Superior excellence. There are four or five thousand seedlings raised annually, and hundreds are regularly consigned to the rubbish heap, though far superior to many that are sent out at enormous prices. ° Besides the above, there was a house 100 feet long filled with a glowing mass of dazzling beauty, far beyond my ability to describe. We often talk about the beauty of our conservatories during the season of Azaleas and Camellias, but nothing could surpass in brilliancy the rich and yaried tints of this house of gorgeous Geraniums. It would be impossible fully to describe all the newest sorts of Mr. Pearson’s Geraniums, but I will try to give a rough sketch of some of the leading varieties. I will take them in their separate colours, and first begin with Prxxs. For seyeral years he has deyoted special attention to this class of colour, | and his labours have been crowned with great success. 1 | ranth, perhaps, possesses the deepest shade of blue of any and Nectarines ; 3rd, early vinery ; 4th, succession Vines and | Ama- Geranium yet in cultivation. It is a good bedding variety, of the style and habit of Christine, with plain leaves; the truss compact, with a deep blue-tinted rose colour, and is likely to take the lead in this class of Geraniums. Rose Bradwardine is a valuable variety by its profusion of loyely rosy pink- coloured flowers; the habit of the plant is compact and free- flowering, with immense large trusses, and referring to my note-book it is described as being a very good flower. Rose Peach is a deep glowing pink, dwarf habit, highly attractive flower, a most interesting variety. Lady Louisa Egerton is a bold pink flower with a bright centre, immense truss, the in- dividual flowers very large; habit good. Mrs. Lowe, a beautiful dwarf habit, half-Nosegay, with a wonderfully good truss; it will prove a valuable bedding variety from its compact habit of growth, and its profusion of rich flowers. A bed of it in the trial grounds proved its adaptability for flower-garden purposes. Florence Durand is a rosy pink with a deep shade of purple. I have it in bloom in the conservatory, and it stands pre-eminent as an in-door plant; its great substance of petal and its freedom of bloom make it equally as good for out-door embellishment. Mrs. F. Burnaby produces fine, large, round trusses, the flowers perfect in form and shape, a pretty shade of pink, with a good compact habit; a most effective pot plant. Amy Robsart, dark pink, merging into rose; fine habit and truss. Hon. Mrs. Eden is a gem, with plain leayes, half-Nose- gay, flowers pink shaded with violet, dwarf and compact; a first-class bedding variety. The foregoing include most of the pinks already sent out, and coming to the Scartets and Cruison ScaRLeTs, we have some wonderful productions. The most conspicuous and best in all respects among the scarlets, the most useful either as a conservatory plant or for the embellishment of the flower garden, is Corsair. Itis a rich scarlet, of perfect form, is so prolific in bloom, so fine in habit, substance, and truss, and so wonderfully good in all respects, that Lord Derby and all others of that class are completely put inthe background. Mrs. Hetley is a fine bold scarlet, with a yery large truss, and answers well out of doors. Itis marked in my note-book as one of the best. Chunder Sen belongs to the same class of colour, though more dwarf in habit. I think it will prove useful for ont-door de- coration. Lord Belper, dark scarlet shaded with crimson, very large truss; one of the best for bedding. Miss Stubbs, Mrs. Sibray, and Miss Sanders, are all dark crimson flowers, with bold trusses, and good habit. Thomas Adams is a fine-shaped flower, red shaded with salmon; also Charles Burrows, much in the same way, only a deeper red. Col. Halden is a rich rosy crimson, of faultless shape, good in substance, truss, and habit. Rev. T. F. Fenn, Mary Flower, Smeaton, and Samuel Bennett, have rich deep crimson flowers, and the trusses are very large and well-shaped. Mrs. Hole is also a useful intro- duction, with deep magenta flowers, of the habit of Violet Hill Nosegay. Then come three other varieties of the Violet Hill type, Mrs. Vincent Fenn, Red Dwarf, and Shakespeare. These are likely to prove the most useful of all for bedding pur- poses; they have the habit and freedom of bloom of Violet Hill, with a deeper dash of scarlet in their flowers. Violet Hill Nosegay, though one of the very best of all bedding Geraniums, looks pale and washy and meagre by the side of the three last-named sorts. ; Among the GotpEn Tricotors I shall mention Mrs. Docksey as one of the brightest and most attractive Lever saw. Lady Manners was also good, the colours so bright and pure. Mrs. Pollock growing near to it looked poorand mean. William Sandy is one of Mr. Pearson’s best Tricolors. A clergyman who had visited the Chilwell Nurseries, wrote to me from the north of England a short time since that he considered it the most perfect Tricolor he ever saw. I had it growing in a pit during the spring months, mixed up with other similar sorts, and it was always picked out as the best Tricolor we had even by the uninitiated. There were others in this class all good and superior sorts, such as Abram Bass, Miss Locker, and Mon- sieur Durand, but the above I considered the best. Coming to the Smyer VaRrecaTeD section, I may mention as an old favourite one called Pearl ; it has a broad pure white leaf margin, with a dark zone, the flowers a pretty shade of pink, which contrast most beautifully with the foliage. While on the Silver-edged section I may mention three gems that Mr. Pearson showed me that will not be sent out for some time—Mrs. Bishop, Mrs. William Hollins, and Miss Minna Hollins. They are the most perfect, and free from fault of August 22, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 153 anything I ever saw, and there is such a sweetness and soft- ness in the flowers, and such chasteness in the foliage, that the flowers and foliage contribute to each other’s beauty. Mrs. Bishop had lilac pink flowers, and those of Miss Minna Hollins soft delicate pink. I must now return to a few Zonals that will be sent out next season. Some of them were planted out in the trial- grounds in a mags, so that there was every chance of testing them both for out-door and in-door purposes. Rosina May was excellent in the open garden; it had a fine bold truss. Contessa Quarto was bright and beautiful, with dark pink | Mrs. Holden and Mrs. Miles were also very trusses of bloom. Matilda appeared one of good, with fine pink flower-trusses. the best as a conservatory plant. I noticed on a small plant in a small pot seven or eight trusses of immensesize. Mrs. A. Bass was darker than some in this section; but Mrs. Musters was the finest and the best of this class of Geraniums. I was curious enough to measure one truss, which was nearly 7 inches across. Mrs. Young and Miss Skipworth, however, were also without a fault; the trusses fine, but not so large as Mrs. Musters. The above lists of Geraniums consist of varieties of sterling merit, and far superior to many popular well-known kinds. Many of those sent out we have growing in our own houses. and without exaggeration can testify to their superior qualities, I cannot close this paper without adding that the pot Vines were in excellent health, and in a large house of seedling Vines there were several that promised to reward Mr. Pearson for his labour and care in this direction. The fruit trees in the orchard houses were a great success, and whether in pots or planted in the open ground, they were loaded with fine fruit. Iwas delighted with the system of growing Figs in pots plunged in the open border; the trees were vigorous and healthy, and covered with an abundance of large fine Figs. La Madeleine was among the best and earliest in the collection.—Q. Ruap. AMONG THE MANX MEN.—No. 3. A terter from a cleric—a friend of ‘‘our Journal,’ and therefore my friend—has this unnecessary sentence :—‘‘ Say something of the Manx women, and don’t forget good Bishop Wilson, the most apostolic bishop of the eighteenth century.” Just as if it were likely that I should ignore either, specially the first. : “For gentle and kind are its brilliant-eyed daughters, My vision ne’er pictured one other more fair ; Though lovely and noble haye come o’er the waters, Give me the Manx maid with the dark flowing hair.” Yes, and the very light blue eyes which prevail among them and the truest York-and-Lancaster-Rose complexion. Yet they are a strange mixture of our four races, and such they may well be, for as you stand on the summit of Snaefell—said to be the central point of the British Islands—you can see the mountains of Ireland, Scotland, Hngland, and Wales. The names of places similarly indicate the varied extraction of their original settlers. A large portion of the names begin with Balla, Irish for a village, and there are others evidently of English, Scotch, Welsh, and even Danish derivation. One Glasgow lady asserted that the name of this town showed that it owes its origin to her countrymen, and it was of no avail to tell her that it was named after the rivers Dough and Glas, which here unite, and that both these names are old British. Many and deep “ Traces of History in the Names of Places” are to be unrayelled, and those who delight in such researches, as Ido, should read and keep as a handbook Mr. Flavell Ed- monds’s volume so entitled. Let me dabble a little in this lore, and I will only meddle with places named from trees. Askham, of Anglo-Saxon origin, for Aesc,is the Ash, and ham, a village in that language; whereas, if the old Britons had named it they would have used some compound of Onn, their name of the Ash, just as they called the Shropshire river Onny—that is, Onn-wy, the water near the Ash trees. Again, if the Anglo-Saxons entitled a place in connection. with the Oak, they applied their name of that tree, Oec, as at Oc-cold, in Suffolk, which means the Oak-holt, or Oak grove; but if the ancient Britons had named a place after that tree they would have used their name for it, deru, as they did at the town now called Nant-y-derry—that is, the brook of the Oak. The Elm thrives in some of the valleys, and I travelled specially to see an avenue of this tree at Kirk Michael. Let no one suppose that this name has any reference to the arch- angel; it is an entire old Anglo-Saxon name—Kirk, church, and mycel, great, alluding to the parish having the episcopal residence. There is not usually any great interest to be felt in an Elm avenue, but there is in that at Kirk Michael, for it was planted by that good bishop of whom our clerical friend wrote, and he retained the bishopric long enough for the trees to have attained such dimensions that the wood from one of them fittingly formed his coffin—fittingly, because he strove to improve the habits as well as the spiritual welfare of the Manx; and no habit then, and still, more needed improvement. than that of cultivating the soil; then, and even now, too little attention being paid to planting; thousands of mountain acres might be made beautiful and profitable by judicious planting of Conifere. He found the episcopal residence a ruin, but that he more than restored, and showed by example, as he did by precept, the benefits derivable from ‘ large gardens and pleasant walks, sheltered with groves of fruit and forest trees.’ He lived to do good, and not to accumulate wealth ; and although the income of his bishopric was small, and he expended more than that income upon his people, yet he de- clined to be removed to a richer see, and when the offer was made, replied, ‘‘No, I will not leave my wife in my old age because she is poor.’ So he lived through an episcopate of fifty-eight years, and rests in the churchyard with this enviable inscription on his tomb :—‘‘ Sleeping in Jesus, here lieth the body of Thomas Wilson, D.D., Lord Bishop of this isle, who died March 7th, 1755, aged 93, in the fifty-eighth year of his consecration. This monument was erected by his son, Thomas Wilson, D.D., a native of this parish, who, in obedience to the express command of his worthy father, declines giving him the character he so justly deserves. Let this island speak the rest.’ I turned from reading that inscription with an increased wish to walk in the gardens the good bishop had founded, but it was a withheld pleasure, for the present bishop only admits visitors to the grounds on Sundays. I could do no more than stand within the Elm avenue and look into the garden. There Jerusalem Artichokes were in abundance. ‘‘ May be that’s cause they comes from the Holy Land,” said one to whom it would have been useless to explain that the Jerusalem we apply to this vegetable is only a corruption of Girasole, the Italian name for the Sunflower, of which it is a species. Inattention to planting—to the beauty obtainable by the addition and arrangement of outdoor flowers, or shrubs, or trees—prevails in every district, and in every enclosure of each district. In England our cemeteries are so planted and adorned as is consistent with the hope that the grave is the portal of Paradise, but it is not so in the Isle of Man. I am of the ‘‘ Old Mortality” genus, and feel deep interest in search- ing among the memorials of the dead. In many a graveyard in lone, unhistoried, unrailwayed country corners, often has the epitaph faced me of some one fondly associated with events in days long ago, and perhaps such might face me in the Douglas cemetery, an unadorned enclosure, well placed for adornment, yet unadorned; so thither I turned, little antici- pating among a crowd of tributes to the memory of Manx com- monalties, to read this—‘‘In memory of John Martin, his- torical painter, born at Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, 19th July, 1789. Died at Douglas, Isle of Man, 17th Febru- ary, 1854.” Yes, there remains all that was mortal of him who painted ‘‘ Belshazzar’s Feast.” Few of your readers will remember that picture; it was sneered at as tricky, mechani- cal, theatrical, yet it was marvellously effective ; it was original, and no one has succeeded in being similarly effective. Martin was of humble origin, and he left notes of the struggles by which he succeeded in rising and pursuing his chosen path. Those notes show the activity of his mind, but they at the same time show why he failed to be one of the chiefs among artists. No man can be great in any profession who allows his thoughts to be divided among many ; he thus reveals the cause of his unsuccess :—‘‘ My ‘attention was first occupied in endeavouring to procure an improved supply of pure water to London, diverting the sewage from the river, and rendering it available as manure ; and in 1827 and 18281 published plans for the purpose. In 1829 I published further plans for accom- plishing the same objects by different means—namely, a weir across the Thames, and for draining the marshy lands, &c. In 1832, 1834, 1836, 1838, 1842, 1843, 1845, and 1847, I pub- lished and republished additional particulars, being so bent upon my object that I was determined never to abandon it ; and though I have reaped no other advantage, I have at least the satisfaction of knowing that the agitation thus kept up constantly, solely by myself, has resulted in a vast alteration 154 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 22, 1872. in the quantity and quality of the water supplied by the com- panies, and in the establishment of a Board of Health, which will, in all probability, eventually carry out most of the objects I have been so long urging. Amongst the other proposals which I have advanced are—my railway connecting the river and docks with all the railways that diverge from London, and apparently approved by the Railway Termini Commissioners, as the line they intimate coincides with that submitted by me, and published in their report; the principle of rail adopted by the Great Western line; the lighthouse for the sands ap- propriated by Mr. Walker in his Maplin Sand lighthouse; the flat anchor and wire cable; mode of ventilating coal mines; fioating harbour and pier; iron ship; and various other in- ventions of comparatively minor importance, but all conduc- ing to the great ends of improving the health of the country, increasing the produce of the land, and furnishing employment for the people in remunerative works.” Some of those pro- jects and efforts entitle him to a notice in these pages, but the constant excitement brought to him death. He was seized by apoplexy, and died at the house of his friend, Thomas Wilson, Esq., 4, Finch Road, Douglas, and, by a strange coin- eidence, the man in whose arms he died stood by my side as I copied his epitaph. My Manx notes are ended, and Iam about to pass over to Furness Abbey, but I fear that my jottings about its monks will not be suitable for this Journal.—G. POTATOES AT BEDFONT. “Upwards AND OnwArps”’ has been so long a contributor of valuable articles to this Journal, more especially as regards Potatoes and their culture, the utilisation of house-sewage, and wine-making, that he has become an authority on these matters ; for whatever he writes is the result of long experience. As it is now pretty generally known who it is that writes under the nom ade plume of ““Upwarps anD Onwarps’’—these things some- times ooze out despite all our care—it will be no breach of con- fidence to state at once that he is Mr. Robert Fenn, of Wood- stock, whose name is identified with many of the varieties to be noticed. Mr. Fenn informs us that he has raised during thirty- five years’ practice some 10,000 seedlings, and the pick of these were submitted to an inspection at Bedfont on Friday last. They had been severely ‘“‘ weeded” before by Mr. Fenn, they ~were weeded again, and the following are those which came best -eut of the trial. Foremost among the new round kinds was Rector of Wood- stock, a second early, which received a first-class certificate from the Fruit Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society dn 1870. It is very smooth, clean, and handsome, a little flat- ~tened, very white both when taken up and cooked, of excellent flavour, a good cropper, and, it is stated, an excellent keeper. As regards its appearance, quality, and productiveness, it was -all that could be desired, and if it be as good in respect to its keeping qualities, it must be considered a decided acquisition. A cleaner, smoother Potato—one with less eye, less to cut to waste, we never saw. As a late kind, Woodstock Kidney was specially remarkable, being very large and clean; it, too, is ex- cellent cooked, being white-fleshed and by no means waxy. My. Fenn considers, however, that the second earlies are far preferable to the late kinds for keeping. Coming now to other varieties, those already named being in our opinion the best in their respective classes, we have Boun- tiful, a long-keeping red kidney, a good cropper, and with short haulm ; Fenn’s Early Market, a very good-flavoured first early round kind, white-fleshed, but, like all the rest of its class, be- coming yellow as it grows older; Fenn’s Harly White Kidney, a small-topped variety, coming in with the Ashleaf, and having even-sized, very smooth tubers; and English Rose appears to be another good variety of the round class, a second early and a good cropper; the skin, however, is pink, and the flesh has also a pink tinge, but we believe that, as with many other coloured Potatoes, it boils pure white. Little Gem, an early Kidney, is said to be excellent for pot culture, but of this we bad no means of judging. Multum-in-parvo appears to be a desirable variety for suburban gardens, being a miniature Lap- stone, which may be planted a foot apart. Other sorts, old and new, noticeable for good quality were Dean’s Excelsior Kidney, large and very productive; Waterloo Kidney; King of the Flukes, which may be shown either as a round or kidney-shaped variety ; Wellington, fine, late-keeping, second early round; Red Breadfruit, round; Cottagers’ Red, a productive yellow- fleshed variety. There were several of Paterson’s varieties, and though these may be very good for field culture, the length of haulm was far too great for gardens ; and the American Potatoes, of which so much has been said, did not come up to the mark, their produce being, root for root, not perhaps greater than some of the Eng- lish kinds, whilst coarser, though less diseased. This mention of disease reminds us that most of the samples lifted had suf- fered from it severely; no variety appears to be exempt from its attacks; some may be earlier than others, and so ina great measure escape in one year, and others that may be scarcely affected in that year may suffer most severely in the next. It is possible by growing several varieties that a good crop may be saved where otherwise there would have been next to a total failure, and therefore we consider it prudent not to plant one kind of Potato only but several, as then all the venture is not embarked in one ship. AQUILEGIA CHRULEA AND A. LEPTOCERAS.—In answer to your correspondent ‘‘ A. R.,”’ Iam quite aware that the true A. lep- toceras is a native of Siberia, but it is not the plant meant in your issue of August 1st, page 93; but as the plant I refer to at that page under the name of A. cerulea has been figured in the twenty-fourth volume of the ‘‘ Botanical Magazine,” t. 4407, under the name of A. leptoceras, I think I was not ‘‘ confused ”’ in saying ‘‘it is also known by the name of A. leptoceras,” which was quoted as a synonym.—ExperTo CREDE. WORK FOR THE WHEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Tue destruction of weeds should always be considered an obligation due to the crops as well as soil, the efficient per- formance of which is weakened by delay. The wet weather which has prevailed lately will probably cause very general activity amongst annual weeds; corresponding exertions should attend their arrival. The various crops of hardy vegetables ought by this time to be fully established, and the general appropriation of the garden ground completed. Precautions for insuring a continued supply of salads should be imme- diately taken. No further delay should be allowed in sowing for the main crop of Cabbages. Attend to the earthing-up of Celery, and when the attacks of slugs are apprehended, dust- in lime about the plants before closing the earth around them. Broccoli will be benefited by being earthed-up a little. The Endive should now be fully prepared for planting. The raised beds in an open quarter will be suitable for the main supply, which should now be planted out. The successional planting may be made on a warm border where protection can be afforded, and at a later period get another batch of plants for removal into unoccupied frames. Let an adequate sowing of Bath Cos and Cabbage Lettuce for spring use be made. Collect herbs for drying, and on no account allow vegetable seeds to remain exposed after maturity on the parent plant. Continue to sow Radishes. A bed or two of late winter Spinach should be sown about this time. The rapid growth of Turnips will compel the use of the hoe frequently. Thin the shoots of Tomatoes, particularly where they shade the fruit, and keep the main stems tacked to the wall. FRUIT GARDEN. The weather encourages a constant growth of wood on wall trees ; it will thus be necessary to attend to them frequently, as well with the view of giving the fruit a full exposure as of laying-in or stopping superfluous wood. If the trained Pear and Apple trees which have been stopped are examined many laterals will. be discovered, which should at once be stopped- back to one leaf. FLOWER GARDEN. The late heavy rains and boisterous winds haye caused con- siderable derangement amongst the flowers. Immediate at- tention should be given, and all deficiencies from such in juries at once replaced. The propagation of stock for next year’s decoration must be actively proceeded with. So much wet weather will increase the amount of active business in every way in this department. The rapid and succulent growth of many plants will demand prompt attention in tying, layer- ing, and other regulation necessary, ds well to preserve the fair propriety of the garden as the safety of the plants. The pro- pagation of herbaceous plants, if the stock is deficient in any respect, should be attended to; the division of the old plants will in many instances be the preferable mode. Pentstemons after blooming may be headed back, the smaller shoots will then flower. Evergreens intended for autumn remoyal should now be prepared for the purpose; a trench should be dug round the tree nearly to the depth of the lowest roots. The advantages attending on early preparation of this kind are manifest. Most florists have now looked over their stock of Tulips and have decided on what they haye to spare, and pur- chasers also are on the look-out for additions to their beds‘ It often happens that most advantageous bargains may be August 22, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 155 made at this season, and I would press on those who are starting in the fancy at once to place themselves in the hands of some respectable grower, stating the amount required, and leaving it to his honour to supply the best strains, &e. Beds of splendid flowers may be thus obtained at a much eheaper rate than if purchased singly. Offsets should most certainly be got into the ground in the early part of* next month; therefore, if the bed for their reception is not pre- pared, let it be done forthwith. Attention must be paid to the layers of Carnations and Picotees. It sometimes happens that the wireworms (young ones almost as thin as hairs), have in- sidiously introduced themselves into the pith of the layers to their certain destruction. When one is destroyed it is adyis- able to lift the pegs which hold down the others and closely examine them ; if at the section of thestem a branlike appear- ance is visible the enemy is not far off, and it must be care- fully sought for and destroyed, otherwise the loss of the whole ‘of the layersin the pot will be the consequence. New varieties of Pinks had better be purchased now, and old ones planted out. The heavy storms which haye occurred of late have made sad devastation where Dahlias have not been properly staked. Attend to tying the side branches out. This is requisite. Remove all malformed flowers. The beauty of bedding plants is of but comparatively short duration in most localities even in the best of seasons, and now that they are in full flower every care should be taken to render them as attractive as possible. Go over the beds frequently and remedy any defects that may be perceptible, such as pegging- down plants that have an inclination to grow too high for the others, and keep the edges of the masses well filled-up without allowing them to become too bulky. Where the plants are still pushing freely some considerable trouble will be involved in stopping the shoots, but this is an operation which must be attended to sufficiently often to keep the plants within due dimits, for nothing looks worse than to see them running over the edging or encroaching upon the grass. Attend to plants in vases, taking care that they do not suffer from want of water at the root, and some plants: grown in this way may even be benefited by an occasional supply of manure water, proyided it is given often and weak. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. It will now be advisable to house the more tender green- house plants; those allowed to remain should be carefully ex- amined, and the assurance obtained that they are receiving no injury from defects of drainage or the presence of worms. The appearance of mildew on any of the plants out of doors should be immediately followed by an application of sulphur. Camellias may be grafted. The operation may be performed with the greatest success by pursuing the method called grefe en placage, which is merely inserting that portion of wood that includes a bud and leaf longitudinally into a corre- sponding cleft in the stock. The grafted subjects should be plunged in bottom heat and kept covered for at least a month. The tender Rhododendrons may be increased in the same manner. Pelargoniums which have been cut down and have commenced to grow may be shaken out of their pots and repotted into others of smaller size. Give attention to Chinese Primulas, and sow Mignonette for blooming late in the season. Those plants which have been retained within the house have very probably been rendered somewhat delicate by such pro- tection, and should be secured from any considerable de- pression of temperature, at the same time they should be allowed to enjoy the full advantage of favourable weather. 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 large enough. Keep the plants thin, that their foliage may be preseryed from injury. Crowea saligna and Plumbago capensis are both valuable autumn-blooming plants, and the latter furnishes a large supply of cut flowers. Attend to Chry- santhemums. 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 doing so will forward their blooming. The appearance of bulb catalogues shows that Hyacinths and Narcissus for forcing must soon occupy attention. About equal portions of good soft loam and decayed leaf mould, with silver sand, willbe the best soil for them, if for forcing; but well-de- composed 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 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 forcing when wanted. Van Thol Tulips for forcing may be potted early next month. Place them on coal ashes, and 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.—W. Kranr. DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK. Arter the thunderstorms and rains there has been a highly favourable week for the harvest, and for gardening productions as well. The sun at times was bright, and yet the great heat has left us, and we can go about in comfort. Vegetables look quite differently, and even fruit trees are green where, during the early part of the season, the leaves looked half scathed and withered. Cool Workrooms in Summer.—Looking over the roofs of a manufacturing town, and where much of the work is done in the upper storeys, which are not always ceiled and plastered, and consequently where the heat from the slates must have been terrible in the late tropical weather, we could count only seven roofs that had obtained the advantage of a good lime- washing. Putting fresh limewash on slates and tiles when dry with a whitewashing brush is no doubt the best plan, and so done it will often stand a long time, and will thus secure cool- ness in summer and warmth in winter; but where there is a man-hole or a trap-door to the roof, merely taking a pail of limewash and scattering it over the roof with an old syringe would be a great advantage. We found a potting-shed, roofed with slate and without any ceiling, quite unbearable in the hot days, until the slates outside were freely spattered all over with limewash from a syringe. Whiting itself will do, but it does not stand so long as fresh limewash. Many of our readers who keep a horse, a cow, pigs, &c., under a slated roof without any packing inside beneath the slates or tiles, would greatly promote the comfort of the animals thus housed. Hundreds of men and women might have worked in a temperate atmo- sphere instead of being baked as in the torrid zone, and worse, because deprived of the free air without draughts, if merely the roofs had been well whitened. KITCHEN GARDEN. Celery.—We regulated and cleaned Celery plants. This season, from unavoidable causes, we are much later than usual. The little trouble given in clearing out suckers neatly and tying each plant, is anything but labour thrown away. Potatoes.—Much time has been occupied with hoeing among all advancing crops and taking up, as after the thunder and such deluges the disease presented itself. This is as yet chiefly confined to close heavily-cropped gardens, and we fear, there- fore, that cottagers will be apt to suffer. We have as yet noticed little or nothing of its presence in the open fields, and by-and-by people will find out that the opener and larger the fields, in moderation, and the less they are divided by hedge- rows and timber the better will the crops be, and the more safe will such crops be from disease and other enemies. We saw no trace of disease on Potatoes helped forward early, or grown on steep banks out of doors. It is only those on the flat that haye been troubled, and thus there is an indirect advantage in earthing-up in such a season of flooding rains. When once the haulm is attacked it is useless preserving it, and cutting it off close to the surface of the ground will often—not always—prevent the tubers being affected, and it is better to have tubers not full grown than have them unfit for use. We felt almost sure that late Potatoes after such heat and rains would be affected, especially in confined places. Taken up at once the ground could be cropped with Winter Greens, or with early kinds of Turnips and Horn Carrots, which would produce a great amount of food before the winter. Even with such occasional failures, felt to be a heavy misfor- tune by our cottage gardeners, it is strange, but true, that the most of such gardens are still filled with the Potato, to the exclusion of such rich nourishing vegetables as Parsnips, Dwarf Kidney Beans, and Searlet Runners. Even a short row of the last-named, topped and made into a compact mass without stakes at all, will yield gatherings for four months, and when gathered young, and kept closely gathered and well cooked, hardly anything can be more delicious. Cabbages.—We find now and then a man starts out of the beaten track. For instance, the other. year a man sowed Atkins’ Matchless Cabbage in the middle of July, planted it 156 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 22, 1872. out in rows 16 inches apart, and a foot apart in the row, and besides a fair allowance to himself and family, the winter being favourable, he sold enough of crisp early Cabbages to pay the rent of his cottage and garden. This, of course, was a little exceptional. This man could cut nice, crisp, hearted Cabbages a fortnight before we had them equally good, and it was the earliness that paid him. All slops, soapsuds, &c., were saved in an old barrel at the end of the garden farthest from the house, and when dry the Cabbages drank in the liquid and rejoiced in it. We recollect seeing this little piece of Cab- bages in June, and again in the middle of July, and if there had not been a daily cutting of the second growth, every stool would have produced three or four nice little Cabbages. ‘‘ Ah!” said the man, “it is little use selling these now, they are more valuable here than in the market; but these early ones, didn’t they pay primely, and got me out of a little difficulty from being laid aside for a few weeks, and no wages, you know!” Allotment Gardens.—As we are writing something at ease, and wish to put down what we think, we should like to record our opinion that whenever a labourer or an artisan possesses a garden he should have the sole and undoubted control of the produce. In some cases this may not work so well as could be wished, but on the whole it is the best and common-sense view that can be taken of the matter. Instances have several times come under our notice where the landlords of cottage gardens and allotments have objected to anything being sold; have stated, ‘‘ We wish that ground to be cropped solely for the benefit of your family, and if you have more than is need- ful for that, we will let some one else have a portion.”” Now we think the whole of such interference is based on a mis- apprehension of the case. When aman pays for his garden and allotment he has a clear right to deal with the produce to his best advantage. In the case referred to above, the fine piece of early Cabbages could not have been used with advan- tage, and the man, but for the money obtained for them, could not so soon or so easily have righted himself. Provided there is due industry developed, the less interference there is with results the better it will be for everybody. Sowing and Planting.—We sowed Spinach for the main winter crop, Onions to grow and draw, Radishes for succession, and Lettuces to stand the winter. We shall again sow a few Cauliflowers for early work at the end of the month. We planted out Egdive where we could find an opening. When it is desirable the plants should stand the winter, ridges, the same as advised last year for Lettuces, are the best for this purpose. On these ridges we did not lose a plant in winter. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The work has been much the same as in previous weeks. We have almost finished nipping-in and foreshortening bush and pyramidal trees out of doors. When we made pet objects of such trees and could overtake the work, we used to do the pinching early, by the time the shoots were from 3 to 6 inches in length, and then by merely nipping out the points, we have had fully the half of the Plum, Cherry, Apple, or Pear shoot left clothed with plump fruit-buds in the autumn. Very often, however, gardeners, even the young and most energetic, find it impossible to get at their work in time, and must overtake it as they can with the means at their disposal. For all bush and pyramidal trees the mode of early pinching is the true one. Plant the trees as lately adverted to—that is, on hillocks, with the roots near the surface; mulch to encourage the roots near the surface; pinch out the points of the shoots early ; and even without root-pruning or replanting there will be no difficulty in having compact little trees, say from 6 to more feet in height, and rather wider at the base, clothed with flower-buds, and yet having enough of luxuriance to perfect well-swelled fruit. Most of our pyramids show that they will haye a fair amount of flower-buds, but shortening shoots as late as this will do little or nothing to cause flower-buds to form at the base of the shoots made this season. Fruit Crops.—We are sorry to say that all the larger fruit out of doors will be deficient this season, and we do not think that on the whole the quality will be good. Visitors tell us that we have more than our share—say, for instance, Apples and Pears, but they are nothing to what we used to have, and even greatly inferior to those of last year, which was not up to the mark. Though some of our Apples and Pears look well, others have a stunted appearance, as if they refused to swell freely. We felt sure that the sleets and frosts of spring would tell on the blossom, which might struggle through. We never had a finer show of bloom. Small fruit on the whole did well, and we would have had abundance if we could have kept out or terrified intruders. We have no love for the sound of gun or pistol in a garden; but if such sound is never heard in a country place, and no cat must be seen, the birds will have their own way with buds and fruit, do what you will otherwise to prevent it. Netting will be of no use if the meshes are larger than half an inch, and what net will keep out rats, except one of fine wire? This season rats for the first time have cleared off numbers of Gooseberries, making a mere pastime of climbing the bushes- What with new arrangements, protected Dutch barns, and asphalt floorings at the farm, they cannot house themselves there, and therefore we have more than the usual allowance. An adept set twenty-eight traps one night, and had twenty- seven rats next morning. ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT. As stated lately, to keep our lawns properly has given us far more than the usual trouble and labour, but the beds, on the other hand, have troubled us little in the way of watering ; so if we look for it we shall generally find some counterbalance to stop all useless grumbling. After the rains we had to pick the beds again, and to remove from the Searlet sections of Pelargoniums many of the larger leaves, to throw more strength into the flower-stems, and now, after such a week of fine weather, the appearance again is very nearly all that can be wished. - We must remark here, however, that to have things passable, and everything as neat, complete, and trim as may be, requires a very different outlay of attention and labour. We often compromise the matter by keeping the extra neatness nearest the mansion, and allow matters to get rougher farther away. We prophesy that ere long in many places where there are large lawns the practice will come on of allowing the more dis-- tant parts to be left rougher, merely cutting them two or three times in the season. We feel sure that in many cases the con- trast between the rougher ground and the more thoroughly dressed would be found agreeable rather than otherwise, and the labour power could be better employed. Gladiolus.—We do not think much of these by themselves, whether for beds or lines; but in either case they do well when mixed with other plants—with low evergreens, as Rhododen- drons—and in large beds or back rows of borders, where they eithey mix with or have separate rows with such subjects as tall Ageratums and Salvia fulgens. We have frequently had a fine row of the scarlet Gladiolus in patches 2 feet apart, and then a Salvia planted between. As the Gladiolus failed, and most of the flower-stems were gone, the Salvias came in and supplied their place. We say nothing of growing them in pots, but all the hardier kinds will stand out of doors if kept from severe frost and rather dry. When the plants are in rows itis a good plan to raise a little ridge over them, and cover it with rough half-rotten dung orleaf mould. They may stand two or three years in the same place, but they will dete- riorate if kept there longer, as the new corms so form on the top of the old ones, that the roots cannot have free access to the soil. Deep planting—not less than 6 inches—is also im- portant. If taken up, the corms may either be planted again in fresh soil, or, if early in winter, may be kept in any cooi dry place until they just show signs of moving, when they should be sized; and we think they do best when some fine corms, or bulbs as they are generally called, are planted in a group, placing one in the centre and the others round, at from 4 to 6 inches from each other. We shall begin next week to propagate a few plants for the flower garden, commencing with Verbenas and variegated Gera- niums, and finishing with Calceolarias at the end of October, but we fear that we can say little that will be fresh.—R. F. TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, London, N.—Bulb Catalogue for 1872. William Paul, Waltham Cross, London, N.—Bulb Catalogue. TO CORRESPONDENTS. N.B.—Many questions must remain unanswered until next week. Booxs (Lodge).—In the first place we would give your gardener the cheap manuals from our office, and the ‘Cottage Gardeners’ Dictionary.” When he had mastered these, then we would recommend Thompson's ‘3 Gardener's Assistant,” or Loudon’s “ Encyclopedia of Gardening.” In addition to the August 22, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 157 manuals, the “Science and Practice of Gardening” would be most useful: These are frequently advertised in our columns. Back Votumus (J. O.).—If you advertise them at a moderate price you will probably hear from some one who would purchase them. PENCILS FoR Zinc LaBens (Subscriber).—Ink pencils and labels may be procured of any of the principal London seedsmen. Rosz Leaves Mrtpewep (T. Freed).—The “ white mealy substance” is a parasitic fungus, one of those known popularly as “mildew.” Syringe and then dust the leaves with flowers of sulphur; mulch over the roots of the bushes, and water liberally. The purple-flowered Peas are produced by some field Pea, probably the Maple, accidentally mixed with the seed of Champion of England. i Ravina NugseryMeEn’s Guass Houses (Nurseryman).—We think they are rateable. CaBpace Heart Leaves Twistep (H. C.).—We have many complaints of Cabbages being blind and other defects, and this indicates that the seed was imperfectly ripened. : _WHAt Is A BLoominc Puanr? (W. B.).—We think that a Fern is not eligible to compete in a class specified “ Single specimen, stove or greenhouse plant, in or out of bloom.” SPRING-FLOWERING Buxzs (dA. C.).—Adonis vernalis, Anemone apennina A. fulgens, Bulbogodium yernum, Hyacinths, Narcissus, early Tulips,’ Crocuses, Snowdrops, Winter Aconite, Iris pumila, I. reticulata, double Ane- mones, Cyclamen coum, C. Atkinsi, Scilla sibirica, Helleborus niger, Hepaticas, Leucojum vernum, and Triteleia uniflora. These have none of the Lily habit youre for, and we do not know of any that have. They will bloom by pril. WATERING ORcHARD-HOUSE TREES (An Amateur).—Instend of the drain- age being imperfect, we should say it is too plentiful, and the soil must be very loose, or it has parted from the sides of the pots. Loosen the surface, soas to fill up the cracks, and apply a top-dressing, ramming it firm, then water thoroughly. BrGonra CuLTURE (H. A. L.).—You do not say what kinds you grow. Be- Gonias are divided into those cultivated for their leaves, and those grown for their flowers. We think yours are of the latter description,in which case you will best succeed by propagating them by cuttings of the points of the shoots taken off 3 or 4 inches long, and inserted round the sides of a pot in a com- post of light loam, leaf soil, and sandy peat, with the addition of one-fourth of silyer sand. Cut the shoots over below the lowest joint, remove the leaves halfway up the cutting, and insert it that depth in the soil. Place the pot in a gentle hotbed of 75°, and keep it close and shaded until well rooted; then the cuttings should be potted-off singly, and be returned to the hotbed until established, when they may be removed to a warm greenhouse or cool stove. If you wish to propagate the Begonias which are grown for their Teaves, you may take a leaf and peg it on the surface of a pot or pan filled with the compost previously recommended, and place it in a frame or hotbed ‘kept close, moist, and shaded, and young plants will be formed along the mid- rib of the leaf. These may, when large enough, be taken up and potted separately in small pots, returned to the hotbed, and when established re- moved to a cool stove or warm greenhouse, shifting them into larger pots as required. To succeed well, Begonias require a winter temperature of 45° to 50°; they will thrive in a greenhouse in summer, but much depends on the kinds grown. The most likely cause of your not securing seed is the antics heat, and the atmosphere needs to be kept drier than for growing plants. AMARYLLIS SEED Sow1ne (Amaryllis).—Sow the seeds at once in rich loamy soil, with a half part each of sandy peat, leaf soil, and silver sand. Cover them about an eighth of an inch deep with fine soil, and place them in a house with a heat of 65° to 70° at night, and plenty of moisture. Pot the plants when large enough to handle, and grow them for the first two or three years without drying them off. They will grow the stronger and flower sooner qf afforded a good bottom heat. Kipney Bran Frowers Fantine (4 Subscriber).—It is usual for the flowers to fall as soon as the pod begins to swell; but we suppose it is of the pods not swelling that you complain. This we should attribute to the cold paairet of the present season. With finer weather we think they will swell well. ASPARAGUS SHoors (P.)—The reason Asparagus shoots are allowed to grow is to provide for a good supply of heads or shoots the following spring, for on the development of the spray this year depends that of the buds at the vrown, which give rise to the shoots or heads the following year; therefore, it is not possible to encourage the growth of the shoots too much after cutting the heads, which should be discontinued after June. The beds cannot have too frequent soakings of liquid manure from that time to the middle of September. We find that without a strong growth large heads of ‘this delicious vegetable cannot be expected. WINTER GREENS Buinp (Idem —We cannot account for the prevalence of blindness this year in plants of Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Savoy, and other winter Greens. We think it arises from some imperfection of the seed, and we are confirmed in this opinion from the circumstance that plants exhibiting this abnormal condition do so in a young state, and seldom start any shoot below the place where the growing point appears destroyed. It is very common this year, but we have not suffered to any great extent, not ‘having one plant in a hundred so affected. Lapy Downe’s GRAPES ScALDED (B. G.)—We do not think the border has anything to do with it. This Grape is very liable to scald and spot just before the berries change colour. Throw all the ventilators wide open by day, and do not shut the house up too early or close at night; this will prevent it. Hearing Vinery, &c. (Inquirer).—Your present piping will not keep up a temperature of 55° in severe weather in winter. You will want at least three of such pipes (2}-inch) instead of two. Having the pipes there it would hardly be worth while having a flue, as there is so little room for a stoke- hole. As much of the earth taken out on the coldest side—that from the earth-platform as would enable you to place a stove there (iron with a flat ‘head for an evaporating-pan)—would do all you want with an occasional help from the pipes, when you must use your boiler to keep the frost from the vinery. This stove could be fed most easily from the pathway inside; but it would give least trouble if fed from the outside, the furnace-doors being a little inside of the perpendicular of the side wall. In either case a small chimney—say 4 inches in diameter—furnished with a cap, must go through the roof. You may avoid all this by placing a stop-valve in the flow-pipe that enters the vinery, and behind that, nearer the boiler, fix a 1 or 14-inch pipe to ~the span-roofed house. go right on through the vinery, and connect at once with the flow-pipe in This small pipe will not affect the vinery much. We thus take a l-inch pipe directly from a boiler and heat a house separately some 70 feet from the boiler without having more heat in the intermediate houses than is given off by the l-inch pipe. CovERING Vine Borper (7. C. W.).—If your Vines are forced early—that is, to have ripe Grapes in May or the beginning of June—the border should have some covering to throw off the rains. You may utilise the spare lights you have for this purpose. Strawberries in pots may be kept under them, and would not damage the Vines. Hor-waTtrr Piprs In GREENHOUSE (J.).—Cinerarias and Calceolarias would be the most likely plants to be damaged by being placed near hot- water pipes; but we do not think they will be injured on yours, as your stage is of slate, and you haye a layer of sand between them as well. Porrine Som (Z. I.).—Is the peat soil you have from an upland heath» or is it from a marsh, such as is used for fuel? If it is the former, the material is useful in moderation for most plants—in good quantity for all hair- rooted plants, as Heaths, Azaleas, &c. The latter is better kept out of all composts. There is no general rule for compost. For Heaths we would use fully three-fourths of heath soil, the other fourth equal parts of silver sand and charcoal, with a few bits of sweet turf mingled to give consistence. For such plants as Pelargoniums we would use three parts of your best sod loam, one of silver sand, one of leaf mould, one of peat, of the proper description, and one of small charcoal. If you mix all together and allow the mixture to lie in a dry place it will do very well. On the whole we prefer mixing the soil as we want it, and then we can make many little differences to suit different plants. For instance, we should never give such a rich compost to Pelar- goniums as we would give to Chrysanthemums and Salvias. A little lime mixed with your compost, if you allowit to lie some weeks previous to use, will destroy the worms that are alive. We do not like to mixlime with compost for tender things when the compost is to be used directly. The heat would be too much for some roots. When mixed some weeks the lime is changed into simple chalk, and unless for plants which dislike chalk and lime in all forms, as Rhododendrons, it would do no harm in the mild chalk state. The chief evil of worms is, that they unsettle the roots and clog the drainage. Heatine A Pir (Idem).—In heating such a little pit by gas you would need from 48 to 60 feet of 2-inch piping, and for such work we should prefer copper or zine to metal. All such heating is expensive. If gasmust be used, we would prefer a gas stove with anargand burner, close on the top, but with a pipe through to take off the burnt gas into the open air. As to piping, you will want two 14 to 2-inch pipes allround. The plants, if not too close to the pipes, would not be injured. If a slip of wood, say from a quarter to half an inch thick, ran along by the side of them there would be no danger. Sussom (EZ. M. Rathgar'.—It is clayey, and would improve the surface soil if this is light. Any manure of animal and vegetable origin may be applied, and bricklayers’ limy rubbish, after the brick fragments had been taken out from it. ‘ GREEN Rosse (A. R.).—The specimen sent was not the ‘‘ viridiflora.” Borer Heatinc Two Houses (Aphelandra).—If you can place a valve in the flow-pipe leading to each separate house, you can heat your houses separately or together; but whenever you put a fire on you must be sure that one of your valyes is open. You need not trouble with the return-pipes if, as we suspect, each house has its separate return. Kipney Beans on Curistmas Day (@. M. B.).—To obtain these you must sow on the 1st of November, or earlier if you cannot afford a tempera- ture of 60° at night, and from 60° to 70° during the day. | Joints or Hor-watTER Press (W. M.).—Unless the sockets are made with the elastic bands so constantly advertised, there is some trouble in getting the common pipes taken to pieces again, when done with rope-yarn and red lead as yours. Putting a brazier below the joints expands them, and the stuffing material is more easily taken out. When the joints are put in with yarn and then filled with Portland cement, a little fire heat applied will cause the cement to crack, and it is punched-out easily. Ants (E. Pratt).—You canexpel the ‘‘emmets” by daily sprinkling guano or pouring ammoniacal liquor from the gasworks, over their haunts until they disappear. Insects (I. S.).—The ‘‘insect or reptile” was completely smashed, and glued the papers together. hi Names or Prants (W. S.).—Panicum suleatum. (Boveran).—We cannot name plants from such withered unflowered specimens. (B. Smyth).—The shrub is Rhus Cotinns, the Venetian Sumach. (7. L. K.).—We cannot name the varieties of florists’ plants. They are too numerous and too nearly alike. (A. C.).—A Thunbergia or something like it. (Rockrose),—Apparently some Caprifoliaceous shrub, near the Honeysuckles, but specimen too imperfect.” (W. D.).—Crategus pyracantha. Any pruning must be very judiciously administered. (W. H. M.).—1, Athyrium Filix-femina; 2, Polystichum angulare. (Downie).—1, Solidago Virgaurea; 2, Melampyrum pratense; 3, Torilis infesta. (Julia)—Azum maculatum. (J. R. .—Probably Funkia subcordata yariegata; but half a leaf is insufficient to determine. POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. WATER FOR POULTRY. Tar a supply of water in poultry runs is unfavourable to ege-laying in the common fowl is what “J. F. P.” states in this Journal on the Ist inst., and in support he relates that in two runs of poultry of twenty-four birds each, nearly allied in age and breed, and, I suppose, similarly fed with the exception that one run has a supply of water and the other has none, the run of birds supplied with water furnishes fewer eggs than the run which has none. On this question theory must be silent in the presence of experience. However, such a state of matters is caused either by a defective supply of food in quantity or quality ; or by functional inactivity. A supply of .water to healthy fowls is in every sense of the word beneficial, and of incalculable im- portance in promoting nutrition and a salutary condition of the 158 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 22, 1872. animal economy. Besides the fact that three-fourths of the animal body is composed of water, the law of endosmosis is almost controlled by the solution of food by fluid, and instead of tending to obstruct digestion water is an indispensable ele- ment in carrying on digestion. The natural craving for fluid after meals is because it is required to effect the solution of the food, and the dilution of the digested portions directly favours its assimilation into the blood. Water is universally present, and without it no organisation could take place, and no animal body exist. It is found in all the tissues and fluids of the body. Soif “J. F. P.” would introduce into his run supplied with water two dozen strong healthy birds not more than three years old (as after that age they fall off laying, and by four years old they are only fit for stewing for the table), and if these hens are properly attended, warmly housed, and have a variety of food, never neglecting to give bone dust, oyster shells, lime, and ashes, with grass laid down here and there in the run, he will then be satisfied that the water is not the cause of the re- duced egg-production.—J ames Bruce, Veterinary Surgeon, New Deer, Aberdeenshire. LIGHT BRAHMAS. Mr. Seccompe says that I made a statement in the presence of a committeeman and himself before the awards were known, that Young Sampson was there, &c. In reply Isay there was no committee. I made no statement whatever, and moreover I did not enter the show until after the awards had been made ; and much to my astonishment the judges had then gone by train. AsT stated in my last, the above bird has not been in competition for twelve months or more, and consequently was not at Plymouth, nor, indeed, at Exeter. Though I am com- pelled to say this a second time, as Mr. Seccombe insinuates that I wrote what was not true, I can bring a dozen witnesses to prove what I say.—James Lone. P.S.—It is true that I did claim Young Sampson, although but for my faith in size I should have exhibited him myself. _ [The above extract is all that we can publish; and we must decline inserting any more on the subject.—EDs. | CLEVELAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S POULTRY SHOW. Tuts was held at Redcar on the Ist inst. the prize-list :— SpanisH.—Black —1, Pickering & Duggleby, Driffield. 2, T. Robson, Bishop Auckland. he, G. Holmes, Great Driffield. Dorxines.—l, J. White, Warlaby. 2, W. Bearpark, Ainderby Steeple. _ CocHIN-CHINS.—Buff or Cinnamon.—1, G. Holmes. 2, D. Ibeston, Whitby. Any other Colowr.—l, Rev. R. L. Story, Wensley, Bedale (Partridge). 2, H. Crabtree, Levensholme, Manchester. BranMa Pootra.—l, R. Moore, East Rainton, Fence Houses. 2, R. M. Biavely Ripon. he, Rev. R. A. White, Whitby. c, Lady Bolton, Bolton Hall, edale, Game. — Reds. —1, T. Robson. 2. J. Watson, Knaresbrough. Any other Variety. —l, O. A. Young, Driffield. 2.G. Holmes (Duckwing)._c, J. Kobson, Bishop Auckland (Duckwing). Cock.—l, O. A. Young. 2, T. Weatherell, Whitby. Bantams.—Game.—1, T. Robson. 2, J. Torbock, Middlesbrough. c, E. Barker, Stokesley. Any Qe WEA F. Powell, Knaresbrough (Gold- c, O. : 2, G. Holmes. _ Silver- laced). 2, G. Holmes. . Young. Hampureus. — Golden-pencilled. —1, R. Moore. pencilled—l, G. Holmes. 2, W. Bearpark. Golden-spangled.—l, G. Holmes. 2,W. Bearpark. Silver-spangled—1, Ashton & Booth, Broadbottom, Mottram. Bari Ck ering: & Duggleby. c,G. Holmes; W. Bearpark; W. Dickinson, Lythe, itby. PotisH.—l, C. E. Morgan, Bishop Auckland. 2, W. Bearpark. c, J. T. Proud, Bishop Auckland. e ANY OTHER VARIETY.—1, Miss Barclay, Aske, Richmond (Créve-Ceurs). 2, R. Moore. c, Rev. J.G. Mulner, Bellerby, Leyburn. Any Variety of Cross for the use of the spit.—l, T. P. Carver, Langthorpe, Boroughbridge. 2, J. Gales. Kirby, Northallerton.” Somme neth “ 1 Ducks.—Aylesbury.—l, T. P. Carver. 2 and he, O. A. Young. c, W. Stone- house. Whitby. Rowen.—l, R.M. Staveley. 2,G.Sadler, Boroughbridge. Any Variety.—1 and c, W. Binns, Pudsey. 2,0. A. Young. he, Rey. J. G. Milner (2); G. Sadler. GEESE.—1, Miss Walton, Acklam, Middlesbrough. 2, O. A. Young. Rasrits.—Lop-eared.—1 and 2, A. H. Fasten. Any Fancy Breeds, H+ Wilson, Great Ayton (Himalayas). 2, S. W. Boyes, Seamer, Yarm (White Angolas). JupGEs.—Mr. §. Burn, Whitby, and Mr. W. Cannan, Bradford. [We publish the foregoing list of prizes only because from judges and exhibitors we have received letters complaining that by withholding it they are injured; and one adds, “ Societies whose shows are not reported in your columns are also injured, for many exhibitors are influenced by such reports being published. Committees should consider the expense you incur.”’—Eps. ] The following is HETTON COLLIERIES POULTRY SHOW. Tuts Show was held on the 14th inst. in the splendid park at Hetton Hall; and the beautiful gardens and grounds adjacent, through the kindness of Lindsey Wood, Esq., were also thrown open to all visitors tothe Show. Of poultry there were 160 pens, and the birds while in the hands of the Committee were well attended to. Of Spanish the adult birds were of fair quality, but the chickens too young for the show pen. Dorkings were large and good in colour, and sound-footed in both classes; but the cream of the adult classes were the Buff Cochins, several of which (those in the first-prize pen) being near perfection. Brahmas in both classes were but poor; but in all classes of Hamburghs there were some capital birds, notably the first-prize Gold-pencilled, and the Silver-spangled and the Silver-pencilled in young birds. In adult Game Brown Reds of good quality were first, and Black Reds second; and in chickens this order was. reversed, and the first-prize cockerel was a very promising bird. Polands—Silvers first and Golden second, both pens being very good in crest and marking. In Game Bantams only the first- prize pair were noteworthy, but there were good Blacks in the Variety class; and in Ducks the Aylesbury were correct in bill, but the Rouens were very faulty in that respect. Of Pigeons there was but a moderate show, the amount offered not being such as to induce much competition. The Pouters, Turbits, Dragoons, and the Frillbacks in the Variety class were among those worthy of notice. SpanisH.—l, W. Atkinson. 2, H. Dale. Doremes.—Coloured.—l, W. Bearpark. 2, Buglass & Williamson. Cocurn-CHInA.—l and 2, G. H. Proctor. Brauaa Pootra.—l and 2, R. Moor. HampurGus.—Silver-pencilled.—l, W. Whitfield. 2, W. Bearpark._ Golden- pencilled—i, W. Bearpark. 2, W. Whitfield. Silver-spangled—1, W. Whit- field. 2, W. Bearpark. Golden-spangled.—1, W. Whitfield, 2, W. Bearpark. Povanps.—l, W. Bearpark. 2, CU. E. Morgan. bea, Game.—Black-breasted and other Reds.—1,T. Robson. 2, Buglass & William- son. Any other Variety.—1, W. Whitfield. 2, Buglass & Williamson. GamME BanTamMs.—Black-breasted and other Reds.—1, W. Atkinson. 2, D- Hunter. Duckwing and other Greys.—l, H. Mulley. 2, W. Whitfield. Any Variety.—1, H. Mulley. 2, W. Atkinson. ANY OTHER VaRretTy.—l, W. Bearpark. 2, R. Moore. Ducss.—Aylesbury.—ti, C.E. Morgan. 2, W. Laing. Rowen.—l, T. Roddam- 2, J. Miller. COCKEREL AND PULLET OF 1872. SpantsH.—1, H. Dale. 2, W. Laing. Dorxrines.—Coloured.—1 and 2, Mrs. Clark. Cocurn-Curxa.—l, G. H. Proctor. 2, T. H. Readman. BrauMa Pootra.—1,C. E. Morgan. 2, R. Moor. HAMBuRGHS.—Silver-pencilled—l, T. H. Readman. 2,N.H.Scott. Goldem pencilled.—1, W. Atkinson. 2, T. H. Readman Silver-spangled.—l, T. H. Readman. 2,R.Moor. Golden-pencilled.—l and 2, R. Moor. PotanDs —1, C. E. Morgan. 2, J. Robson, Gaue.—Black-breasted and other Reds—1, Buglass & Williamson. Any x other Variety._1 and 2, W. La Lxtra.—Game Buntam Chickens.—1, J. Harrop. Picrons.—Carriers.—1, J, Guthrie. Pouters—1, G. Robinson. 2, R. Wilson- Tumblers—1, J. Guthrie. 2, R. Wilson., Owls—1, T. W. Kilburn. DaSRE Wilson, Trumpeters—1 and 2, R. Wilson. Barbs.—l, G. Robinson. 2. R. Wilson. Tw ; R. Wilson. 2, W. Bearpark. vacobins.—1l, R. Wilson- 1 Dragoons.—1, H. Scott. 2, R. Wilson. Raxegits.—Lop-ears.—1, W. Whitfield. 1 and 2, I. Palmer. The Judge was Mr. Hutton, Pudsey. 2,R. Wilson. Any other variety.—l, T. W. Kilburn. 2, T. Roddam. Common Breed.— BAWTRY POULTRY SHOW. Tis was held on the 15th inst. The following is the prize list :— Dorxrncs.—l. W. H. Harvey, Sheffield. SpanisH.—l, W. H. Harvey. ie Braumas.—l, W. H. Harvey. 2, G. Green, Gainsborough. Gawe.—l, C. Challoner, Whitwell, Chesterfield. 2, J. Woods, Scofton, Work- sop. he, C. Challoner; J. Woods. HamBurGHS.—1, G. Green. 2, C. Gray, Bawtry. oe, BantTams.—l, C. Challoner. 2, W.H. Harvey. he, W.G. Waters; J. Bingham, Tickhill. i ANY OTHER VARIETY.—1, W. H. Harvey. 2, W. G. Waters, Elsham, Brigg- he, Mrs. Postlethwaite, Bawtry. f SELLING CrAss.—l. C. Challoner, Whitwell. 2, W. H. Harvey. Ducxs.—l, C. Challoner. PicEons.—Carriers.—1, W. H. Harvey. 2. J. E. Crofts. Pouters.—l, W. H Harvey. 2, W. Delanoy, jun., Doncaster. Tumblers.—1, W. H. Harvey. 2, J- E. Crofts. Fantails.—1, W. G. Waters. 2, J. F. Loversidge, Newark. Mag- pies.—1 and 2, J. E. Crofts. acobins.—l, W. H. Harvey. 2, J. Marsden. Turbits.—1, W. H. Harvey. Any other Variety—l, W. H. Harvey. 2, Miss A. H. Kitching, Bawtry. Selling Class.—1, J. E. Crofts. 2, W. H. Harvey. Cace Brrps.—Canary.—Yellow.—1, R. Richardson. Bug.—l, F. Downs Bawtry. Goldfinch.—1, J. Middleton. ALDBOROUGH AND BOROUGHBRIDGE POULTRY SHOW. Tue twelfth annual Exhibition was held at Boroughbridge on the 16th inst., on a spot well chosen for the purpose. The pens, which were uniform in shape, were well arranged, and every- thing the Committee had done gave promise of excellent returns, but the rain defeated them. This was undoubtedly the best show of poultry ever held at Boroughbridge, the Dorkings being as good a class as has been seen of late; but the adult Spanish were not of high quality. Young Spanish were very forward and very good in face. Game of both classes were poor, but the one pen of adult Buff Cochins were good in all respects. The adult Hamburghs com- prised some good birds, but in point of quality the young classes were a failure. Game Bantams were but moderate. The Black and Golden Sebrights were very good. The Variety class con- tained some good birds, the first being Créve-Cceurs and the second Black Hamburghs. Some of the best classes in the Show were the Geese, Turkeys, and Guinea fowls. Few better Rouen Ducks could be found. August 22, 1872. J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 159 In the Pigeon classes the entries were small, but some good birds were shown. In Rabbits the competition was close ; and in Lop-eared bucks - the first was a very young fawn, ears 20 inches by 44, and the second of the same colour, though much larger and older, 194 by 43. The does were larger and broader in ear than the bucks. Dorxrincs.—l, W. Bearpark, Ainderby Steeple. 2. H. R. Farrar, Greenham”™ merton Hall. hc, Miss Barclay, Upleatham Hall; T. P. Carver, Langthorpe: Boroughbridge; W. & F. Pickard, Thorner. e, H.S. Thompson, Kirkby Hall- Cockerel and Pullet.—l, H.S. Thompson. 2,T. P. Carver. hc, Miss Barclay ; T. P. Carver. 2 . Spanisu.—l, Pickering & Duggleby, Driffield. 2, W. & F. Pickard. he, H. Dale, Northallerton; W. & F. Pickard. Cockerel and Pullet—l and 2,W.& F. Pickard. hc, T. P. Carver. GameE.—1 and he, J. Watson, jun., Knaresborough. 2, W. Bearpark. Cockerel and Pullet.—1, Miss Barclay. 2, J. Bell, Thornton-le-Moor, Northallerton. he, J. Robshaw, Whixley ; T. Mason, Whixley. Cocuin-Cuina.—l, T. S. Turner. Cockerel and Pullet.—1, H. R. Farrar. Brauma-Pootra.—l, T.S. Turner. 2,H.S.Thompson. Cockerel and Pullet. —land he, T. P. Carver. 2,H.S. Thompson. Hampureus.—Golden-spangled.—1 and 2, W. Bearpark. Hamupurcus.—Golden-pencilled._1, W. Bearpark. 2, Pennington & Kidson, Thirsk. he, P. Gill, Boroughbridge. Cockerel and Pullet.—l, Miss E.M.Ellerby, Easingwold. 2, Pennington & Kidson. he HampBureus.—Silver-spangled.—1, Pickering & Duggleby. 2, W. Bearpark. Cockerel and Pullet.—l, G. Huby, Newton-on-Ouse. 2, J. Robshaw. Hampureus.—Silver-pencilled.—l, W. Bearpark. 2, Pickering & Duggleby. Cockerel and Pullet.—1, W. Croft, Killinghall. 2, J. Clayton, Thirsk. Poxnanp.—1l, W. Bearpark. 2,T.S. Turner. Cockerel and Pullet.—l and 2, T. 8. Turner. Bantams.—Game.—l, T. P. Carver. 2,H, Dale. hc, H.S. Thompson; J. Graves, Knaresborough; Pickering & Duggleby. Bantams.—Any other Variety.—l, E. R. Turner, Boroughbridge. 2, F. Powell, Knaresborough. he, Mrs. Croft, Aldborough Hall; J. Watson, Knaresborough. Farmyarp Cross.—l, H. S. Thompson. 2, R. Potter, Whixley. he, Miss Woodward, Minskip; W. P. Garret, Low Dunsforth. Cockerel and Pullet— 1, T.P. Carver. 2, Miss Woodward. ANY OTHER Variety.—l, Miss Barclay. 2.W.Bearpark. hc, H.R. Farrar (Houdans); J. Best, Boroughbridge (Créve-Ceur). TurKEYS.—1l, J. Braithwaite, Otterington House. 2, I. Moorey, Mulwith, Skelton, Ripon. Poults.—1, Mrs. Mangles, Givendale. 2 and hc, I. Moorey. GEESE —l, Mrs. J. Smith, Humburton. 2, J. T. Renton, Ox Close, Ripon. he, C. W. Clarke, Minskip. Goslings.—1, Mrs. J. Smith. 2, J.T.Renton. he, I. Moorey. 4 Docxs.—Aylesbury.—l and 2, T. P. Carver. hc,H.S.Thompson. Ducklings. —land2,H.S. Thompson. hc, H. R. Farrar; Mrs. Taylor, Langthorpe House. Ducxs.—Rouen.—1 and 2, Mrs. J. Daglish, Aldborough. Ducklings.—1, Mrs. J.Daglish. 2, W. Foggin, Ripon. Any other variety.—l, G. Sadler, GuInEA Fowts.—l, J.T. Renton. 2, I. Moorey. ks SELLING CLass.—]l and 2, T. P. Carver. he, Mrs. Taylor; J. Watson, Knares- borough; W. & F. Pickard (2); J. Clayton. f Exrra Stock.—l, — Cook. 2, J. King, Boroughbridge (Peacock). he, G. Moisley, Langthorpe (Parrot); — Moorey, Mulwith (Turkey and Guinea Fowls). PIGEONS. Pouters.—1 and 2, G. Sadler. CARRIERS.—1 and 2, G. Sadler. TRUMPETERS.—1 and 2, W. Croft, Killinghall. Jaconins.—], A. J. Sellers, Norton, Malton. 2, W. Croft. Fanraits.—l, W. Bearpark. 2, J- Watson, jun. ‘TuMBLERS.—1, G. Sadler. 2, E. Wrighton, Minskip. Nons.—l and 2, W. Croft. he, A. J. Sellers. Turpits —1, W. Croft. 2,A.J. Sellers. he, W. Croft; W. Bearpark, ANTWERPS.—1, G. Sadler. 2, T. Horsman, jun., Ripon. Ow ts (English).—l, A. J. Sellers. 2, G. Sadler. ANY OTHER VARIETY.—1, W. Bearpark. 2, A.J. Sellers (Swallows). he, W. Croft. SELLING CiAss-—l, G. Sadler. 2, W. & F. Pickard. he, T. P. Carver; W. Scott, Broom Close, Rassits.—Buck.—l, W. Turner, Boroughbridge (Fawn). 2, W. B. Boden, West Hartlepool. hc, G. Umpleby; H. Cawood, Thorne, Doncaster. Doe.— 1, — Rich, Helperby. 2, W.B. Boden. hc, W. Bearpark. Juper.—Mr. E. Hutton, Pudsey. DISEASES OF CANARIES. {Te following will give the information asked for by several correspondents. ] Tur mortality which waits on Canaries from the moment they leave the shell, and even before they leave it, and which follows them so closely through life, but specially during the _first few weeks of their existence, is one of the greatest causes of anxiety to the breeder. Under the cheering and encouraging influences of early spring, when animal and vegetable existence alike seem to be rousing from the sleep of winter, and making active preparation for the business of the year, when everything is anxious for a fresh start in the race for life, and the chills and disappointments of bygone days are forgotten in hopeful antici- pations of the future, it is not to be wondered at that the oft- repeated occupation of castle-building and counting one’s chickens before they are hatched should be indulged in, despite our experience of the fallacy of such a mode of procedure. When the breeder retires to his sanctum sanctoruwm, and seated on the orthodox chair—an inverted show cage—views his score or more pairs of strong healthy birds, all busily engaged in setting their houses in order, is it to be wondered at that he casts an eye to his large empty flight cages, and pictures to him- self the not-far-distant time when he may expect to see them filled ? and as he watches the smoke from his post-prandial pipe curling gracefully upwards, can he be blamed if he indulges in a dream of something hazy and indistinct looming in the future, assuming the shape of freshly-moulted young birds, making his name famous, and rewarding him for months of patient care and attention to his well-selected stock? Thisis the view of matters in March or April, but August sees the flight cages almost empty, and disappointment written over everything. How to account for it is the question. His twenty hens have laid upon a moderate calculation upwards of three hundred eggs. A reasonable per-centage have been empty, a few young birds have died in the shell, but the remainder have been duly ushered into existence fine, healthy, lusty little ‘‘raw gobbies,” who were never tired of stretching their long necks and opening wide their red mouths to beg for food. Of these a large propor- tion never received a bite, but continued to beg most piteously till too weak even to raise their little heads in a mute appeal to their apparently unnatural mother. Perhaps paterfamilias, when he occasionally found the hen off the nest, would give them a mouthful on the sly, and it may be that the anxious breeder himself went the round of his cages as often as oppor- tunity permitted, doing what he could with a bit of stick and a little moistened yolk of hard-boiled egg, screwing up his mouth, and manufacturing most affectionate and enticing little squeaks to induce some half-starved morsel of skin and bone to consent to be fed. But it was only to put off the evil day. The end of such neglected nests must come, and come it does. Another portion would go on famously for five or six days, both parents being most assiduous in their attention, but at the end of that time nest after nest of young ones as fat as moles would die from no neglect of their parents, but apparently killed by kindness. From six days to a fortnight old no young bird seemed free from the attack of some insidious enemy, and only a very few ultimately found their way into the roomy flight prepared with such careful hands in the early spring. Once there and able to shift for themselves surely all danger is past! But no, they still die, and anxious inquirers write to know the reason why, and to ask is it possible to avert the fate of these last, the small results of a season’s breeding. I can only say what Ido myself. WhenTI find a young bird mopes and sits with his head under his wing, and his feathers turned the wrong way, I blow the feathers from the breast. So long as that remains plump and round I leave Nature to work out her own cure; but if the breast bone begins to show a sharp edge, and there is a falling away of flesh, I discharge the contents of the bowels by giving two or three good drops of castor oil, which operates quickly, and in the majority of instances the sick birds recover. As # precautionary measure give as little soft food as possible, but grind or crush some white seed, and make them eat that or nothing.—W. A. BuaksTon. BEE SEASON NEAR DERBY. I wit’ make a few extracts from my journal. Our apiary faces south-south-east—a verandah with a glass roof and open front well sheltered. The hives we use are flat-topped straw ones, known as Payne’s cottage “hives, with straw supers of various sizes. No. 1, A swarm of June 10th, 1871. The first swarm issued June 15th, 1872; the second swarm June 24th, 1872. Ireturned it the same evening. I took a cap on August 7th ; weight 13} lbs. No. 2, A swarm of June 7th, 1872, adding a weaker swarm June 15th, 1872. A cap taken August 7th; weight 16 lbs. No. 3, A swarm of May 24th, 1871. The first swarm issued June 7th, 1872. The second swarm issued from it June 21st. * TI returned it the sameevening. Acap wastaken July 3rd, 1872; _ weight 13 Ibs. weight 11 Ibs. No. 4, A swarm of June 2nd, 1869. First swarm issued from it June 17th. A cap was taken August 7th, 1872; weight 16 lbs. No.5, A swarm of June 19th, 1872. A glass was taken August 6th, 1872; weight 33 lbs. No. 6, A swarm of June 2nd, 1871. The first swarm issued June 15th, 1872. The second swarm issued June 27th, 1872. I returned it the same evening. A cap was taken August 7th, 1872; 174 lbs. No.7, A swarm of June 17th, 1872. added the following night. weight 173 lbs. The store hives average 20 lbs. nett weight. I may add that it is contrary to our general practice to allow the bees to swarm, but this season from some cause we have been unable to prevent their doing so, although our hives are well protected from the sun by loose-fitting circular wooden boxes.—JoHN CAMPBELL, Gardener to C. EH. Newton, Esq., Mickleover Manor, near Derby. A second cap was taken August 7th, 1872; A weak swarm was A cap was taken August 6th, 1872 ; THE WOODBURY HIVE: WE purchased one in 1869, into which a swarm, weighing 41 lbs., was hived on June 2nd, adding another swarm of 33 lbs. weight on the 10th of thesame month. We took away a comb of 4 lbs. weight on July 23rd. When weighed in September the hive was 22 lbs. nett. 1870—A swarm was added early in June, with no more favourable results than in the previous year. 1871— We added a swarm atthe end of May, and the following day gave the hive the glass box or super, which, by the second week in July, was more than half filled. On examination a week later, the bees had carried down the greater portion of the honey into 160 the stock box. 1872—a swarm was united to the hive on June 17th, and a large glass, 12 inches in diameter, was added the next day. A swarm came forth on the 29th of the same month, which was returned to the stock in the evening, but I believe the cunning old queen took refuge in the super, and took her second trip on the 3rd of July. We then hived her and her followers in a separate hive. But little work has been done in the glass; s0 now, as we despair of doing any good with the Woodbury hive, we think of driving the bees into a Payne’s cottage hive, which is our favourite. Will you give us your opinion?—A Constant READER. [In the first place we cannot understand why your hive should have required the addition of a swarm every season after the first, in 1869. You should not have taken away the comb from the stock box in that their first year. The year 1871 was so generally bad; that we do not much wonder at your failing to obtain any tangible results; but during the present season yon ought to have done better, as we know of very fine supers having been obtained from these hives, in some instances, in addition to their having previously afforded strong artificial swarms, or numerous sealed and other brood combs removed for that purpose. Wewouldadvise you not to discard the hive from your apiary. Procure, ifyou have it not, our ‘“ Bee Manual,” and try again. See ourreply to “AN Inqurmer.”’ Feed liberally in autumn if required; and again in smaller quantities, but con- tinued during a longer period, in the following March and April. This will conduce to early brecding, and you will not be likely to have toadd afresh swarm every summer. We shall be pleased to help you further if you desire any additional advice.—Eps. ] SILK WORMS. I wAD in the beginning of the year some silkworms’ eggs laid by last year’s moths. They in due time were hatched ont, and went through the usual courses; the worms being fed on lettuce leaves, mulberry leaves,and now and then, butseldom, oak leaves. The silk was all wound off the cocoons, and the new eggs laid about a month ago. On Tuesday, August 13th, five or six silk- worms were hatched from the eggs of this year, and are now growing fast and doing well. The weather has not been hot lately, and the eggs have been in a room with a northern aspect. I should be glad to know if any of your correspondents have had a similar occurrence in this or in previous years.—VERMIS. OUR LETTER BOX. 4 Warery Tumours on Cocutn-Carnas (Constant Reader).—It is gene- rally the result of inflammation. The water is contained in a “sac” which adheres to the breast bone. There is no cure but letting the water ont, and using every possible means to lessen the size of the sac. Some strap it up with adhesive plaister, others use the strongest astringents they can get. JUNGLE Fow. (Jack).—The Jungle Fowls of whatever variety should be shown in the Various class. They are distinguishable from the Black Red Bantams by their singular comb, their peculiar less, their solitary gill, their Tich colours, and “‘the star of light” at the extremity of the hackle and saddle feathers. Their carriage is different from other breeds; the tail is carried drooping, and among the true-bred birds their wildness makes them the hyznas of the poultry yard. Nothing tames them, and in India when they want to move them they sew the upper and lower lids of the eyes together with horsehair. Lieut Braumas (J. W.).—We cannot answer your question about the plates in Mr. Wright’s “Poultry Book.” The Light Brahma shonld have peacomb, yellow legs very well feathered. but not even the suspicion of a vultnre hock; white plumage save the flight and tail feathers, which should be black, and the hackles should be accurately striped with black. Precocious SpantsH Pouuxet (T. A. Y.).—It is unusually early fora Spanish pullet to lay when five and a half months old. Ezgs may be looked for any time after seyen months, but we do not expect them before. It has been 2 very bad hatching time for everything, but we have never a better rearing than this year. A little camphor in the water will always prevent “capes.” _CONTINUANCE OF Cock’s INFLUENCE (E. H. B.).—Much depends on the : time of year. As a rule, a month or at least three weeks should elapse, but it is a disputed point. In the winter when a hen is not laying a mésalliance is often unimportant, but not so in the spring or summer. Our own chickens are running together now. They will be separated the end of October, and we shall depend on theireggs in December. Two years since apullet running at large and receiving everybody’s attentions stole her nest. The produce distinctly showed five breeds. H ImpeRFEct Hovpan (Subscriber).—Both are serious defects in birds in- tended for exhibition, but we should infinitely prefer the swollen toe to. the crooked les. Lees or WHITE Bantams (Long Subscriber)—Either white or yellow legs will do, and the colouris immaterial, but the yellow is most attractive. It is not, however, an indication of greater purity. Being rose-combed the are not Game Bantams, but would show among the Whites, and there is more latitude in that class than there would be in the Game. : GOLDEN-PENCILLED Hampurcas (Old Reader).—We should not breed from the hen from whose back the feather was taken. If it be a fair speci- men of the plumage, it must be “mossy.” The pencillings on the feather, instead of being sharp-cut, are indistinct, and the colours are blended. A feather taken from such a hen as we should like to breed from, should have a Tich, brown, go:den ground colour, marked by five clean-cut, sharp, dark stripes. The approach to mossiness in the feather you send should not be tolerated in a stock bird if good progeny are looked for. PIGEONS IN A Pountry House (Minorca).—We believe you can keep your Pigeons and your fowls in your house without injury to either. You must, however, avoid the dung fluff and feathers. Either over the door or in JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 22, 1872. some accessible place let there be made a small enclosure or box with pigeon- hoies outside for access. It must be entirely closed all round. You must put some pans in it for the birds to nest in, and it must be cleaned out when- ever possible. After it is cleaned as well as can be with hoe and brush, it should be thoroughly washed out with carbolic soap. We would much rather have Pigeons than Ducks in our fowl house. Book FoR BEGINNERS (An Inquirer).—The best practical cheap book for beginners that we are acquainted with, is “‘ Bee-keeping for the Many,” which you can obtain from our office by enclosing five stamps. Supers For Straw Hrves (Idem).—Supers of almost any material and of any reasonable sizes, may be worked on ordinary straw hives, provided that a 38-inch hole be cut out of the crown of the hive, anda clamped board having similar aperture be secured on the hive with putty. We use bell-glasses, octagonal glass boxes, and square wooden boxes in thismanner. Small straw caps may also be employed. The swarm should be hived in the stock hive, and if the weather be favourable, communication with the super given a week or a fortnight later, or,in a bad season, not until the following year. Goup FisH (7. H. T.).—The tank in your vinery will answer; but the water must be frequently changed, a layer of sandy gravel be at the bottom, and aquatic plants grown in it. PoLIsHING BUFFALOES’ Horns.—‘ B. Y. S.” wishes to Know how this is effected. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, CaMDEN SquaRE, LONDON. Lat. 51° 32’ 40’ N.; Long. 0° 8’ 0” W.; Altitude 111 feet. Date. AM. In THE Day. = 1BS | ed Shade Tem-|_ Radiation = 1872 [22.3 By Ome 28 perature, | Temperature 4 |S Saal Z 3 | & August) 3 29) Hey : | In | On fa) | ae Max.| Min |} sun. grass | | —- | | deg. |deg.| deg.| deg deg | — We. 14 | N. 609 | 758 | 695 | 1253 g84) — Th 15) N.E. 61.8 | 73.2 | 488 | 117.0 486) — Fri. 16 N. 605 | 74.0 | 504) 102 | 502) — Sat.17 E. 61.0 | 830 | 520) 1200 512 —= Sun 18 N. | ete] 776 538 | 19s |e) = Mo. i9 | Ss 6s | 775 524] 1220 520] = Tu +0 63.3 | NW. | 62.6 | 75.8. | 55.0 | 1205 54.8 | — Means | 61.1 61.2 | 76.7 518| lsd sll] = REMARKS. 14th.—A very bright, fine, and pleasant day; but the moon hazy at night. 15th.—Rather dullin the morning; but getting gradually finer in the after- moon; evening very fine. 16th.—Somewhat dull in the morning; but afterwards a splendid day and night. 17th._Fine, though rather hazy early, but a very fine day, and perhaps a trifle too warm, though there was a nice breeze. 18th.—A brilliant day, almost without a cloud either by day or night; the moonlight almost dazzling. 19th.—Another cloudless day, bat with a cool bfeeze. 20th.—Clondy early, but soon disappearing, and again gathering in early part of afternoon. looking almost stormlike; brilliant late afternoon and evening. " A week without rain, and the latter part of it almost withoutacloud. Except for a short time on the 20th, the days have been very warm, but the evenings cool and pleasant, and even in the hottest part of the day there was a nice air to temper it. Barometer very steady, temperature about 5° above that of last week.—G. J. Symons. COVENT GARDEN MARKET —Aveutsr 21. MareEeETs are slow and inactive, the chief amount of business being among the imported goods, which continue to be heavily supplied, and realise good prices. We have a great deal of complaint respecting the spread of the Potato disease, and large quantities are forced into market. FRUIT. s.d. s. d. s.d. 8s. d. 3 0tod 0 1 Otod 0 20 40 oath Un oO) 00 od9 $8 0 14 0 00 00 4620 00 00 60 00 BO) pa eee a - 20 40 30 60 Eom OP Om 0) 50 00 ee ee |) 00 00 0.9 00 006210 20 50 1020 8 0 14 0 10 0 2 0 20 50 10 20 VEGETABLES. Sads ead s.d. s. a Artichokes.......... doz 4 Otv6 0 | Mushrooms........ pottie 1 0to3 O Asparagus.... ne 0 0 O © | Mustard & Cress..punnet 0 2 0 0 Beans. Kidney.... $ si 3 0 O 0| Onions............ bunch 0 4 00 30 00 pickling........ quart 0 6 0 0 10 80 30 40 OSG OIE LU, Th peti 15 10 16 870° 2 0 20 40 06 00 20 40 20 40 be Ie a) 16 2 0 0 6E 10 20 8 0 00 00 08s 10 o9 10 00 00 06 00 20 00 OSG 0s 090 00 0086 08 00 04 609 03 00 30 40 ee 20 40 0 2 O 0} Turnips.. 08 06 - 0 9 1 0! Vegetable ete 0 August 29, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 161 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day | Day Average Tem in i Clock | D . P rae: Average Tempera-| Rainin| Sun Sun Moon | Moon | Moon’s fds ay, pret ee. AUG. 29—SEPT. 4, 1872. ture near London. |43 years.| Rises. | Sets. | Rises. | Sets. Age. petore | oe F Day. |Night.|Mean.| Days. | m. C ms) *hs|ems oh! innave 8. | 29 | TH | Sevenoaks Horticultural Show. 71.2 | 47.6 | 59.4 16 9af5 | 52af6 | morn. | 15af5 25 0 38} 242 30 | F Bishop Auckland Horticultural Show. 74.5 | 48.2 | 61.3 11 10 5|49 6/47 O| 52 5 26 | O 20 | 243 31 |S 71.5 | 47.4 | 59.4 Li lee 4s Gulp S Ie Nyaa Gs OTe Omran pode 1 | Sun | 14 Sunpay arrer TRINITY. 71.1 -| 47.5- | 59.3 21 14 5) 44 6)|57 2) 45 6 28 after. | 245 2 |M Partridge Shooting commences. 71.0 | 47.6 | 59.3 19 16 45|42 6 OA 207, 29 0 86 | 246 3 | Tu | 71.8 | 47.7 |592] 19 |17 5|40 G/19 5/19 7] @ 0 55 | 247 | 4 | W Royal Horticultural Society, Fruit. Floral, | 71.0 | 46.7 | 58.9 19 Spe omEsor GO| oles Gy |b S2 07 1 1 15] 248 [and General Meeting. | | | From observations taken near London during forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 71.7°; and its night temperature 47.5°. The greatest heat was 85°, on the 1st, 1843; and the lowest cold 30°, on the 4th, 1850. The greatest fall of rain was 1.92 inch. THE CULTIVATION OF THE PHLOX. HE bi-monthly meetings of the Royal Horti- cultural Society at South Kensington are, without doubt, the most useful gatherings of the kind we have at present. always something exhibited of much in- terest to the botanist, the pomologist, or the florist, and growers of any description of fruit or flowers have an opportunity of ex- hibiting them when at their best. the year, the subjects exhibited are necessarily diverse in their nature. On the 7th inst. the justly-celebrated growers of florists’ | flowers, Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing, of Edinburgh and London, exhibited a large and exceedingly well- grown collection of Phloxes. Nearly twenty years ago the firm was noted for raising new sorts of the early- flowering kind, Phlox pyramidalis. This section succeeds best in Scotland, and is held in high estimation there for exhibition purposes; it seems to delight in a cool and moist climate, as it does not succeed at all in the neigh- bourhood of London. All the varieties exhibited on this occasion were of the P. decussata, or late-flowering section. Cultivators of this lovely autumn flower are much in- debted to Mr. Laing for many improved varieties; some of those exhibited were shown for the first time, and will be sent out next season. Amongst those not yet sent out I noted Ada Louisa, very clear white, with distinct red eye ; Countess of Eglintoun, rosy purple, flowers of good shape; H. M. Simons, rosy crimson, fine-shaped pips, large spike; J. K. Lord, rich carmine, crimson centre, good spike; Princess of Wales, very large flowers, dis- tinct crimson eye; Purple Prince, rosy purple, dark eye, and large spike. ‘ Amongst older varieties the best were A. F. Barron, a splendid variety, lilac, with a purplish-crimson eye, the flowers very large, and of fine form; Amabilis, salmon, with a purple eye ; Chancy, large, rosy purple; De Caen, blush, well-shaped flower ; Madame Autin, very brilliant, violet red ; Madame Billy, blush, purple centre; Madame la Comtesse de Turenne; Madame Domage, a good old sort, fine habit; Monsieur Marin Saison, salmon red, dwarf, and extra fine; Lothair, in the way of Amabilis, but a much better flower (this and A. F. Barron are, perhaps, the best flowers yet sent out); Liervallii, a very distinct rose-coloured flower with white stripes; Monsieur Conrad, very handsome truss ; Czarina, very dwarf, white ; La Candeur, white, with cerise eye; Monsieur Thaillard, glowing reddish salmon ; Queen of Whites, pure white, a splendid flower ; Souvenir de Nancy, rosy purple ; Souve- nir de Berryer, crimson purple centre; and Mrs. Laing, pac, perfect-shaped flower. e culture is very simple, and the propagation easy. Cuttings should be cana eoniie in ewan I insert me cutting in the centre of a small pot, and place the plants ina hotbed. Very little bottom heat is required. The frame should be kept close for a few days, and the cut- No. 596.—Von. XXIII., NEw SERIEs, | | There is | | cially after the pots are full of roots. Spread. | as the meetings are over the whole course of | tings shaded from bright sunshine; in two weeks most of them will be rooted, when more air should be admitted ; in a week or two more the young plants should be re- moved to a cold frame, and when well established place the plants in 6-inch pots. By this time they may stand out of doors in an open position, but not in a current of wind. A neat stick, about 18 inches in length, should be placed to each plant. No other attention will be required, except to supply them very liberally with water, espe- The pots should stand on a hard bottom of ashes, and if they are plunged in ashes much less water will be required. The plants will flower well in these pots about the beginning of August, and are useful in many ways. A few of them may be arranged in the greenhouse or conservatory with the long stalks hidden amongst a green undergrowth of Ferns or foliage, in which way a fine effect is produced. T have also found such plants exceedingly useful in filling up a background in the flower garden. When the flowers have faded the stalks should be cut over close to the ground, and the pots plunged out of doors, if a cold frame is not at liberty; in either case the pots should be plunged to protect the roots from frost. If the plants are out of doors, some litter should bé at hand to throw over them during severe frost; some common bracken is as good as anything for this purpose. In spring, when the shoots have grown an inch or two, the plants should be turned out of the pots, some of the soil picked out from amongst the roots, and the plants repotted in 7-inch pots. Five or six shoots will be enough on one plant. Should more be thrown up they must be thinned-out, and may be used, if required, for cuttings. When the pots are filled with roots, which will be in a surprisingly short space of time, repot into 10-inch pots. The potting material used throughout should be good, and may be composed of turfy loam four parts, good solid cow and stable manure in equal propor- tions one part, and one part decayed leaf mould. A fresh lot of cuttings should be struck every year, as when the plants grow old it is best to throw them away. Some persons—I cannot call them cultivators, but I sup- pose it is to save trouble—divide the old plants from the open ground by cutting them through with a spade, but good plants are never obtained in this way. Phloxes are excellent subjects either for planting in beds or in the open borders; but to obtain superior spikes the former method is the better, as then the beds can be made on purpose for them. The ground should be well trenched and highly manured, and the plants should be “set out” in rows (four rows in-a bed) 2 feet apart, with 20 inches between the plantsin the row. The best time to plant-out is in spring, after the plants have started into growth. One-year-old plants are to be pre- ferred, and the shoots should be thinned-out and trained in a similar manner to the plants in pots. ? Tn dry hot weather Phloxes must be well supplied with water, as should they suffer from lack of moisture at the roots, whether planted-out or in pots, nearly all the | stalk-leaves will drop off, and the spikes will present a No. 1248.—Vou. XLVIII., OLD SERIEs. 162 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 29, 1872. miserable appearance. It is also highly necessary to place a stick to each spike to prevent it from breaking over close to the ground. Amateurs who have little or no knowledge of this plant ought to grow it. Glass protection is not essential to the culture of the Phlox, as cuttings readily throw out roots in the open ground, and they can be at once transplanted into beds. Not half the trouble is required to grow it that there is with scarlet Gera- niums and other bedding plants which require to be wintered in a glass house.—J. Douenas. STRAWBERRIES ON A LIGHT SOIL. I can give confirmatory evidence of the mode of growing, detailed by the Rey. C. P. Peach, on page 108. Tam quite certain that the great point to be attended to in light soil is to have it firm. Iam not quite so sure, however, that is generally safe to make a cardinal point of raking the manure put on in autumn clean off the following April. I do not mean to say the practice is to be deprecated, but it requires a little thought in carrying it out, such as is sure to be given by practical men; but, perhaps, not so surely by others who like Strawbérries, and try to grow them almost solely by book-guidance. I once saw a Strawberry crop nearly ruined by the clean raking-off of the manure in April, and the lesson I have never forgot. It was a large bed of Keens’ Seedling, and I was one of the rakers acting under instructions. Thad at that time been fourteen or fifteen years in the houses as foreman, &c., anda notion came over me of a danger of getting a little too kid-gloved in habit, and lacking a suffi- ciency of practical knowledge in kitchen gardening. I there- fore determined on a retrograde step, and although it may seem paradoxical, the retrograde movement was the greatest step in advance I ever made in gardening, and one which I have found the most useful. I had had a surfeit of the houses and meant to be out of them for a time. I desired out-door work, and offers of kitchen-garden foreman were made, but the idea of playing foreman over a lot of men ten times more experienced than myself was too much for me, so instead of being foreman over, I preferred to be labourer working with some good men of life-experience in out-door work. I could hear sinister hints at a “let-down,”’ but the only way I felt the let-down was 12s. per week instead of 17s.; yet I knew I was a learner and put up with it, and it was here I learned the following :—Orders were to rake the manure clean off. In went the rakes and up came the beautiful white young fibres of the Strawberries. The ground bristled with them. The sun shone brightly and browned and burnt them quickly up. Attention was gently drawn to them, but the order was re- peated, ‘‘Go on raking,” and on we went accordingly. But after a [time we held a secret confabulation, and decided to “slip” some here and there for experiment, and to hide our deceit sprinkled a little soil over the manure as nicely as possible. The spring continued hot, and those with the manure leit on were by far the best. The others threw-up too short bloom-sialks and gave too many black-eyed blossoms to form a fine crop. I have since seen rather unsatisfactory results from the same practice. It may be all right in rainy districts, or, as in the case of Mr. Peach, where others can be made so by attention given in watering, &c., at the right time; but in dry localities with a lot of all sorts of work to look for- ward to, I think the safer plan is to leave some of the manure on. Of course, it must not remain packed round the crowns. I generally, in the spring, go down the rows and with the hand thoroughly expose the stools, and by this, and leaving between the rows the little manure that remains, obtain better crops than by taking it all away. It is well to look at all sides of a question, to adduce what can be said against as well as for it, and with this little ex- planation on one point, I know Mr. Peach’s plan to be good. But yet, even in light soils and with stout early runners put in during July, I often get nice crops the first year, and by plant- ing three plants triangularly about every 2 feet, there is, the first season, every appearance of a two-year-old established plantation. I have nowa bed of six rows of President, one half being one-year-old, and the other half two-year-old plants, and it would require a very expert grower to tell which are which. But a specially wet season has made the young plants grow very freely, and I will not say that in the end, taking one season with another, that Mr. Peach’s system is not the better. In good, sound, real Strawberry soil it is easy to have fine crops the first year. I think such are annually produced in the capital garden of ‘‘C. C. E.,” who plants at 1 foot apart, and after the first crop removes every alternate plant. This is a good, quick, and profitable mode of culture. I have had good crops on this light soil on the easy plan once described in the Journal by the Rey. W. F. Radclytte. Itis without either digging or manuring (except on the surface), and by liquid ma- nure. After taking a crop of Cauliflowers, and when the ground was quite hard, I scooped out some hollows a foot in diameter, and poured into each a three-gallon can of drainings from the cowyard. The next morning I levelled and planted on each soaked place three plants. They grew well and produced a fine crop the first year, one a little finer the second, and the plants look in excellent condition for another year’s bearing. We cannot, however, always secure a good supply of early runners; then there is Mr. Peach’s system as a sheet anchor to fall back upon. Every fresh letter proves how capricious the Strawberry is. With me President for general usefulness heads the list. With Mr. Peach it is not worth special mention. With Mr. Peach Rivers’s Eliza has honourable mention; with me it is of no use, I have tried it well and have now dug it up in order to bury it to make other sorts grow. I hope I may find it of some use below the ground; it was certainly none above it. We want the Strawberry season prolonged. I have Black Prince and Vicomtesse Héricart de Thury for early use, and wish to hear thoroughly reliable and practical information of Dr. Roden’s Prolific. I want some proofs that a-sort is really good before I try it, the supply of a large family from a limited space pre- venting much experiment. I have not Hleanor, but for late kinds have, I hope, Elton and Frogmore, and by the kindness of a friend, late Prince of Wales. If I find them good I will, for the benefit of others, let the results be known. For prolonging the season raisers must look for lateness. We cannot well have much earlier sorts on account of late frosts. In a distinct late kind high-class flavour will be willingly overlooked. The great bulk of Strawberry-eaters are not connoisseurs. The point to be aimed at is to place present- able dishes on the table now. They would be warmly welcomed, and a thousand gardeners would rejoice to grow them. He who ean send out a kind later than any we now possess, dis- tinctly and constantly later, so long as it is a free bearer and fair-looking fruit, even if it is not of the highest possible quality, will deserve honour and reward, and will obtain both. —J. W., Lincoln. P.S.—If the Rev. C. P. Peach would undertake the same duty in regard to Strawberries that he so well carried out with Roses, I think he could not fail to do good service—viz., lists from growers of the best, early, medium, and late sorts, with the nature of the soil and other conditions in which each was grown. NOTES ON ROSES. Ir is with some diffidence that I venture to add my mite to the contributions which have appeared in the Journal on Rose- culture, nor can I claim to approach some of your correspon- dents either in experience or skill, and yet the struggles of a beginner towards light and lmowledge may possibly be of service to others. I never go into a garden without learning somethine—that is, either something to imitate or something to avoid: so, one can searcely read an article on Roses without picking up some crumbs, even though they be as scarce as the rays of sunshine during a part of this autumn. What a marvellous and eccentric season this has been! My poor Climbing Deyoniensis, my pride and glory last year, covering an expanse of south wall with a profusion of beauti- ful blossoms, was scorched by the frosts just when about to bloom, and for a long time looked a perfect wreck; Margarita, another free grower, suffered a similar fate, together with many others; but Glory of Waltham, on the same wall, which I had previously despised and thought of uprooting, bloomed in- cessantly from the end of April, and was the pride of the place, with its fresh bright colour and handsome look when not much opened. Maréchal Niel did not suffer so much, but the leaves, with me, seem susceptible of cold, although the branches do not die off. Cloth of Gold put in last antumn—a tall strong plant several feet high—has not bloomed, but a friend tells me that I must not expect any blossom for three years. Is it true that this golden beauty is so chary of her charms? Climbing Victor Verdier has bloomed most beauti- fully, and I do not grudge Messrs. Paul & Son the 5s. which they asked for their new plant, but there is no “climb” at August 29, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 163 present about my Victor Verdier received from them; how- ever, the fault may be mine, as I ought to have sacrificed bloom to growth—at all events for a time. Perhaps, too, I should have waited until June before planting it out. I have always hitherto planted Roses from October to January, whether tender or otherwise; this year, however, I planted Réve d’Or, Souvenir d’un Ami, Belle Lyonnaise, and a climber which Messrs. Lane recommended, but of which I know nothing, Princess Louise Victoria, as soon as the frosts were over, and they are all making marvellous progress. They were transferred at once from the forcing house to the base of a south wall, and seem quite at home in their new quarters. As I have touched upon climbers, I may mention that no Rose this year has done better with me than the Rey. H. Dombrain, a Rose first brought to my notice by Mr. Wright, the well-lmown foreman of Messrs. Lane, now unhappily de- ceased. Another of his nominees, Madame Deslongchamps, classed among the Noisettes, ought not to be overlooked by those who want a free climber combined with good form. Ophirie and Solfaterre, said to be among the best of the Noisettes, are at present with me rather failures, but possibly I am wanting in patience. Nor must I forget Pierre de St. Cyr, a fast climber, with a flower whose glossy pink is often very charming; nor Blairii No. 2, which, when it blooms, is simply superb. -I have not succeeded in inducing Triomphe de Rennes to mount my walls, but a poor neighbour of mine has a specimen on his cottage which I would walk five miles to see when in full bloom; it is, I should think, 10 feet high. Sénateur Vaisse, I suppose, would never be called a climber; T have a specimen, however, which must be 6 or 7 feet high. Neither Céline Forestier nor Lamarque has been a success with me, but I am convinced that my mistake has been that I have planted in November instead of the end of May. -I have been very much struck of late with what seems to me the want of skill among Rose-growers in keeping up a con- stant succession of blooms all through the season. Wander- ing round the grounds of Castle Ashby, in Northamptonshire, a few days since, I did not observe a dozen blooms among the hundreds of Rose trees there. Gloire de Dijon, of course, was to be seen, but was alone inits glory. The weather, it is true, has been as bad as is possible; all Roses have been peculiarly short-lived this season; still, am persuaded that much may be done by keeping a proper selection, by taking off all the dead blooms, removing suckers, and feeding liberally with liquid manure to insure a regular succession. Our gardeners supply us with Peas from the end of May to the middle of October; why not with Roses? This point I cannot but think is often overlooked by those who recommend us lists. The leaves of many of my Rose trees this season have been as it were perforated with holes in a strange fashion, the evil being occasioned, I believe, by a wretched little caterpillar which has attacked other flowers in the same way. I have directed my gardener to try the hellebore powder, which I often see recommended in the Journal; but he seems afraid of the cost, as well as doubtful of its efficacy. As I am-writing away from home I cannot say whether the recipe has succeeded or not. _Thave often seen the claims of Homére advocated in your columns. Permit me to add my testimony to its merits. It is a very free bloomer, has a tint and a colour quite its own, and never fails to please when presented to a stranger. It is curious that this Rose is missing in some of our nurserymen’s lists. How long will a standard Rose last? This is a question which I have never seen discussed in the Journal. A friend of mine, who is famous for his Roses, declares that they ought to be got rid of after three or four years; but I have seen blooms on standards which must have been planted from ten to twenty years. Their gnarled and knotted stems seemed to indicate Rin age, but possibly they were in this state when first mdded. : Your columns contain so many lists of Hybrid Perpetuals that i will not encumber them further than to say that Antoine Ducher, John Hopper, Madame Clémence Joigneaux, Alfred Colomb, and Madame Thérése Levet have done particularly well with me this season. Allow me in conclusion to ask some of your readers to re- commend a good white Rose which does not bloom in clusters, but singly. Baronne de Maynard and Louise Darzens I have already, but Alba Rosea, Niphetos, Boule de Neige, &c., are “shadows of a name” only. I want a few white standards, “and have no more room on my south wall.—E. Barrrom, Berkhamsted, Herts. WINTER-FLOWERING PLANTS.—No. 3. CENTROPOGON LUCYANUS. Tuts is an evergreen herbaceous plant with pale green rather large leaves, and terminal heads of bright red, long tube-like flowers. It is of moderate growth, attaining a height of about 2 feet; but small plants may be flowered at a height of from 9 to 15 inches. Cuttings of the young shoots may be put in at any time, and in a gentle heat they root freely. I usually insert the cuttings in April, early in May, or as soon as shoots 3 or 4 inches in length can be had. They are cut over below the lowest joint, the leayes removed 2 inches up the cutting, and then inserted singly in pots 24 inches in diameter, using a compost of two parts fibrous loam, one part leaf soil, and one part sandy peat, with a free admixture of silver sand. In putting in the cuttings make a hole in the centre of the pot, drop in some silver sand, and fill up round the cutting with the same material; then water gently, and place the potsina close frame with a temperature of 70° to 75° at night, keeping close, shaded, and moist until the cuttings begin to grow; afterwards admit air, and gradually harden them off. They will root all the more freely if they have a bottom heat of 75°. When the roots are matting the sides of the pots shift the plants into 44-inch pots, using the same kind of compost as before, and place them in a house with a temperature of from 65° to 70° at night, having a moist well-ventilated atmosphere. The shelf of astove so situated that the plants may be 15 inches from the glass will answer well. They will need to be encou- raged by a gentle sprinkling overhead two or three times a-day, and moderate watering at first, increasing the supply as the pots become full of roots; but when the plant has taken to the fresh soil after having been potted, the shoot ought to be cut back to within three or four joints ef the surface of the soil, which will render watering less necessary for a time, and yet the moisture must be sufficient forfree growth. By August the plants should be in their flowering pots, which for this class of plants may be 7 inches in diameter. The drainage should be good, but need not be, excessive, and the plants must have a moist atmosphere and due supplies of water to keep them in a free state of growth. This kind of treatment should be continued until they have made a good growth, and as it will be of no use for flowering unless it is strong, stiff, and short-jointed, they must be kept close to the glass and well attended to in point of ventilation. No training is required, for by turning the plants round frequently and exposing opposite sides to the light, they will grow evenly. Irregular growth, however, may need some re- gulation, which should be seen to in time; a peg at first may give the required direction to a shoot, which, if allowed to grow unassisted, might require a stake to bring it to the position desired. After October the plants should have the lightest and most airy position in the stove, and the watering should be no more than is sufficient to keep the foliage iresh. This will cause the wood to ripen, and the terminal head or point of the shoot to set for flower. When the plants show signs of flowering water more freely, but ayoid making the soil sodden, or syringing much overhead. Though sprinkling overhead once or twice a-day does good, yet when it is heavy, and the leaves remain long wet, they become spotted and fall. The plant usually flowers in January, and the blooming continues until April. The heads of bloom are excellent for cutting, and though it is not so attractive a plant as many, it is never- theless useful for decorative purposes, and deserves extended culture. Centropogon Lucyanus is a stove plant, but may be grown in a house having a winter night temperature of 50° to 55°. The main point is to secure good growth in summer by giving plenty of heat and moisture, and in winter it endures dryness and coolness, and flowers all the better under these conditions. Should plants in small pots be wanted, the points of the strong-growing shoots may be taken off in July, inserted in small pots, and struck in heat, shifting them in August into 4-inch pots, and keeping them on shelves near the glass. Thus treated they will flower on stems from 6 to 9 inches high, and are very pretty. The old plants need only have the worn-out and weak wood cut out in April, and after they have pushed fresh shoots a few 164 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 29, 1872. inches long, they should be shaken out and repotted, keeping them close, moist, and shaded for a few days unti! established. Shift them into their blooming-pots at the end of July. A well- grown large plant is very handsome at midwinter, and inyalu- able where cut flowers are in demand, as it will in no way be impaired by the removal of the bloom, for all the blooming shoots need to be cut back. DALECHAMPIA ROEZLIANA ROSEA. This may not inaptly be termed a perpetual bloomer, for it produces its flowers nearly throughout the year, and that on plants only a few inches high. The leaves are long, oak- like, deep green when full-sized, but pale rose-coloured in a young state, very durable, and so abundant as to completely cover the stem. Above this mass of deep green foliage are produced the fiowers, which owe their beauty to the large rosy-pink bracts, which are very persistent, continuing several days in beauty. Its flowers are sweet-scented, but its chief attractions are its dwarf leafy habit, free-flowering character, and continuous flowering. It springs up freely from seed; indeed is such a weed with me in the stove that I have not had to resort to any other mode of propagation, and owing to its continuous blooming the seedlings are plentiful at most times of the year. I usually take up the plants in spring when they have two or three leaves besides the seed leaves, pot them singly in 3-inch pots, using a compost of equal parts turfy loam, sandy peat, and leaf soil, with a free admixture of silver sand, and place them on shelves in the stove. Isprinkle them overhead twice daily, and shade from bright sun for a few days if the sun is powerful. In these pots the plants re- main until the end of July, when they are shifted into 43-inch pots, and encouraged with heat and an abundance of moisture. Syringing twice a-day may be practised up to October, when they should be kept rather dry—not so much so as to affect the foliage, though the plant will endure the extremes of dry- ness and wet, heat and cold, better than any other I know. By keeping the plants moderately dry we secure, however, a cessation of growth, and they will flower as soon as the days have turned, and continue doing so from January to May. If we wish the plants to flower in less than 43-inch pots we have only to turn them out of the 3-inch pots, remove all the soil we can, and place them again in the same size of pot. They will flower well in this size of pot, and whether we pot them or not they invariably flower when 3 to 4 inches high. In fact I have some plants now in 3-inch pots that have not been without their bracts for months, and are not likely to be, as they still throw out more. It is well to note, that though this plant is almost con- tinuous-blooming there are times when the flowers are pro- duced more abundantly than at others. These periods are with me early in spring and late in summer—February, March, and April; and September, October, November, and Decem- ber. Whenever it begins to grow it begins to bloom, for the flowers are produced from the axils of the leaves, and by remembering this we can have the plants in flower at any time required. We have only to keep the plants rather dry and cool for, say, two or three months, and then introduce them into a house with a temperature of from 70° to 75°, fresh pot, encourage with free watering and atmospheric moisture, and it begins to grow and flower. Half its beauty consists in the manner in which it clothes the stem with its persistent long leaves which hide that completely, and hang down over the pot. As a plant for table it is unique, and very handsome speci- mens may be formed. The way to do this is to stop a seed- ling plant when 3 inches high, which will cause it to break and produce two or three shoots. These should be stopped again at the third leaf, and repeatedly until we have half to a dozen shoots, no flowers being permitted to more than show until we secure the number of shoots required; then it is well to keep the plant rather dry and cool for a few weeks, and imtroduce it into heat and moisture when we want it to bloom, a month to six weeks being required. The plants need not be potted oftener than twice a-year, and I consider March and July the best months. The compost for both old and young plants may be the same. It seems to delight in vegetable soil, and the bracts are improyed in size by the addition to the compost of one-fourth of old cow dung or well-rotted manure. A 6-inch pot is large enough for a plant with half a dozen shoots, whilst an 8 or 9-inch pot will well grow one with a dozen. The plants for decorative purposes are best in small pots; in their case, instead of shifting into a larger one, at pot- ting, reduce the ball and return it to the same sized pot. The fresh soil seems to do wonders—plants do not grow any better because we leave the old soil, but seem to benefit only by the fresh. A plant in a 6-inch pot with half a dozen shoots, each carrying as many flowers, or twice the number oi bracis (they just appearing so high above the foliage as to show to good advantage) not more than 9 inches to a foot high, and with foliage drooping over and partly hiding the pot, is a subject well worth our attention, and a plant twice the size is very handsome. Whether grown in the shade or in the full sun— at a few inches or several feet from the glass, it is always dwarf, always free-growing and free-flowering.—G. ABBEY. SOME PREDATORY INSECTS OF OUR GARDENS.—No. 34. He who looks upon insect life with the eyes of one who is half a poet and half a naturalist, sees things very differently to a farmer or a gardener, who is practically acquainted with the injuries done to the produce of cultivated ground by these pertinacious foes. Thus, we may imagine such a stroller con- templating with satisfaction the amusing evolutions of a host of Turnip “fleas” just about this season of the year. He might exclaim about the liveliness and rapidity of their move- ments, the harmony which prevailed amongst them, the strength of their muscles, and the admirable adaptation of the structure oi their tiny, yet well-cased bodies, to the life they lead. But the Turnip-grower, like one of Milton’s imperson- ations, will most likely “ grin horribly a ghastly smile ;” their numbers, instead of exciting his astonishment, only create disgust, and every skip they take means mischief, while their form and habits are just such as he would not have endowed them with if he had had the ordering of them, because they render the destruction of the insect more difficult; in fact, Haltica nemorum stands forth prominently amongst those insects which the farmer would like to place in his Index Ex- purgatorius, could it be thus got rid of. But indignation ayails little; the insect prevails against the cultivator of the ground, feeble as it appears, by force of number and rapid multiplication ; nor could any process of exorcism be brought to bear upon the Turnip fiea which would force it to flee from those-localities where its presence is so undesirable. Let it be noted here, ere we proceed, that though the species before us is indifferently called by observers the ‘‘ fly” or “flea,” it has certainly no right to the former name, as the Turnip is infested by more than one true “fly,” while this is obviously a beetle. Therefore, indeed, the name “ flea” is in a manner as inappropriate, if the structure be considered, and it is only the habits of the insect which can at all render the cognomen allowable. But why is the specific name nemorum applied to it, some might ask, since the beetle frequents gardens and fields, not shady spots! I cannot justify this; and yet, singular to say, I believe that some of the species of Haltica (and H. nemorum possibly amongst them) do occasionally resort to woods. Once, passing along the edge of a wood, just within the cover, I noticed hosts of small beetles leaping about the bushes, seemingly for amusement merely, as they were not devouring the leaves, nor engaged in oviposition, so far as I saw. At the time I took little heed of the occurrence, but as there were Rape fields not far off, it afterwards struck me that these might have been Turnip fleas or their congeners, which, for some reason best known to themselves, had temporarily sought the shade of the woodlands. Yet, on the other hand, it must be granted that this species is, on the whole, of more frequent occurrence in open fields than in the enclosed, and usually more sheltered, kitchen gardens, which would not tend to prove that it was partial to retired localities. How- ever, it is probable the giver of the name knew little about the habits of the insect at the first: I might add that in the vernacular some folks call H. nemorum “ Black J ack,” and this may be, because, as Dr. Johnson says, “ Jack is a diminutive and general term of contempt; or, is this name connected Haltica nemorum. August 29, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 165 with the French jacque, a coat of mail, alluding to the tough wing-cases of the insect ? It has often been a matter of wonderment from whence . the insects suddenly appear in early spring, and pounce upon the seed-lobes of the Turnips immediately upon emergence from the earth; and authorities differ as to whether they pass the winter in the pupal stage, or whether they have lived through it as beetles in a semi-torpid condition. However, they are lively enough, and very voracious, just, unfortunately, at the time when the plant has quite enough to do to hold its own without having to withstand an attack of this kind. Later in the season (for there seems to be a succession of these insects upon the crops), of course, a minor degree of injury is produced. The history of H. nemorum has been made in some measure obscure from the circumstances that both the larva and beetle prey upon the Turnip, and authors have not been always sufficiently careful in explaining to which they were referring. The beetles or ‘ fleas”? are to be found from April to September; the larve are most frequently ob- seryed in May and June; but the habits of the species in these two conditions are markedly different. There can be no ques- tion that the beetle is the worst enemy, since it is this which will, if unchecked, entirely destroy in some years two or three successive sowings in the spring. It we pick up one of these and examine it with a pocket glass, we see at once, from the appearance of the wing-cases, that it is undoubtedly true that the insect is not hurt by con- siderable pressure, and we can understand how it can, if it wishes, enter the earth. The elytra, or wing-cases, are both elastic and strong, rather glossy, with minute punctures scattered over them, and a well-marked pale stripe in the middle of each. The thorax, which is narrow, is also punc- tured, and of the same dark hue as the wing-cases. The whole length is hardly one-eighth of an inch. One naturalist has stated that the work of egg-laying goes on slowly, for it was observed that ten pair in the course of a week only laid forty-three eggs; but if this calculation was made with speci- mens in confinement, it is of little value, the rate of oyviposi- tion being always modified under an unnatural constraint. It is certainly probable that the total number laid by each indi- vidual is not large, but from the mode of life of the young | larvee they escape perils which beset some when very juvenile. These mine the leaves of the Turnip, forming tracks in the parenchyma or pulp, which are often tortuous. It has been asserted that they are full-grown in about sixteen days—a rate of growth which is presumably exceptional, and occurring only under very favourable circumstances. When adult they descend to the earth, and, with singular instinct, choose a temporary resting-place at the root, where they are best pro- tected from rain, and also excessive heat. The larve or “‘orubs”? have the usual characteristics of those of their order, being of a dull flesh colour, with dark eyes and two dark patches on the head and the last segment of the body. The feet are six in number, and supplied with muscles very helpful to the larve in their work of burrowing. There is much force in the assertion of Stephens, that it is better to prevent the appearance of the ‘ flea” than to wage war against it. But how? » 12 4, 2feet 2in. or) oy OF 6 1 foot 6 in. ” ” ” ” ” The covers, being 7} inches in depth at the back, and 5 inches in front, 4 feet linch in length, 1 foot 7 inches in breadth, and haying a narrow beading within the four sides, half an inch from the bottom of the lid, overlap the boxes, leaving ample room for the ‘Roses, and are secured for travelling by stout leather straps. Within the boxes some exhibitors have holes pierced at equal distances on a uniform surface of wood; but as Roses differ in size, it is more convenient to have the facility of placing them where we please, and for this purpose it is desirable to haye strong laths (three-fourths of an inch in depth, and 1 inch seyen-eighths in width) extending the length of the box. These laths should be six in number, and should be nailed on two strong pieces of wood, crossing the box one at each end, 2 inches below the surface. The upper and lower laths should be fixed one-eighth of an inch within the box,and the four remaining so arranged that there will be five interstices 1} inch in width—three for the Roses, and two merely to reduce the weight. There will be a space of 14 inch between the laths and the upper edge of the box, to be filled as follows: Cover the laths with sheets of brown paper, two deep, and cut to fit the box, and upon-these place the best moss you can obtain. The Roses are placed in tubes of zine 44 inches in length, 2 inches wide at the top, gradually tapering until they become 1 inch in width at the centre, the tops being moveable. This top is taken off, and the stalk of the flower being brought through until the Rose is held securely, it is replaced upon the tubes, previously filled with pure rain water.” Prars on NortH Watt (F. H. Law).—Probably the Pears you name may bear fruit on a north wall in the north of England, but they will not ripen, and will only disappoint you. We think Morello Cherries and Red Currants the best fruit trees to plant on a north aspect. Pear TREE UNFRUITFUL (Idem).—You have evidently a late worthless variety, which you had better cut over, and regraft with a sort that succeeds in your neighbourhood. Ratmc Marker GarpEeN (LZ. M.).—We do not understand what you mean by “‘rates to the rector.” He is entitled to tithe yourmarket garden. Grow- ing garden crops for sale constitutes the ground on which they are grown a market garden. SENDING Nuts Tro AusTRAtra (S. B.).—Put them ina small caskin layers alternating with dry sand. We cannot give an opinion as to whether they will pay or eyen flourish, for Australia is a country including even a’ tropical climate. MusciE Pivum For Stocks (G. S.).—The best are raised from seed sown as soon as the Plum is ripe, in drills 2 inches deep, and a foot apart. In the autumn of the next year the saplings should be taken up, their tap roots shortened, and then planted in nursery lines, to remain one year, and then cut down to within two buds of the surface. One shoot of the next year is to be retained for budding or grafting on. Cork For Rockwork (A Swbscriber).—It has been advertised by the Lisbon Corkwood Company, 28, Upper Thames Street, London, and is sup- plied by many of the London seedsmen. -HouiyHocks AT THE Royan HorricunTuRAL Socrery’s SHow.—The cut spikes referred to at page 149 as taking the first prize, and which were ascribed to Mr. W. Chater, were shown by Lord Hawke. Hor-waATER Pipes ror Harty Forcrné (Bob).—For a vinery 18 feet by 14, height of ridge about 20 feet, span-roof, you will require three 4-inch pipes to commence forcing the first week in November. Borer FoR SMALL Conservatory (J. Smith).—We should ourselves pre- fer a saddle-back boiler from 24 to 30 inches in length. GuAss ror Vinery (E. C.).—The glass and size proposed will answer well. Brack MinpEW oN RosES—VINEGAR TO ORANGE FunGus (Charles Smith). —the leaf sent is affected with black mildew or spot. It is the effect rather than the cause of disease, and arises from insufficient root action, so that the flow of sap is checked. Give the plants a good watering with liquid manure, and syringe with guano water 2 ozs. to the gallon, well stirred up, and only the clear liquid used after the mixture has been allowed to settle. We are not surprised at the foliage of your Roses being injured by the application of vinegar. We have tried a very weak solution of sulphuric acid and water. Tt certainly, like the vinegar, checks the mildew, and will kill the orange fungus, but unfortunately it kills the foliage as well. We have heard of but- termilk being successful as a cure; have any of our readers tried it? You need not be afraid of your trees dying from their losing their leaves from black mildew ; they will start afresh if properly watered and manured. The alternation of temperature and very hot sun haye been very trying for some kinds of foliage. SEEDLING GERANIUM (J. C.).—The trusses are very large and the growth robust, but no one can judge of its merits as a bedder without seeing a plant growing. FLOWERING CHLIDANTHUS FRAGRANS (G. S.).—This increases so rapidly by offsets that it is difficult, as you say, to flower it. We do not know of any | treatment calculated to lessen the production of offsets. Probably your best plan will be to grow the offsets to a flowering size, and when they begin splitting up into offsets discard them. We have an idea that the tendency to break up into offsets is produced by too liberal watering and treatment. We should be glad of any information on the subject. CurTinGc LAUREL AND Honity HepcGEs (Esmeralda).—If they do not re~ quire more than cutting off the irregular growths of the current year, the early part of August is a good time, and it may be practised now; but if the hedges are overgrown and need cutting-in severely to the old wood, it should be deferred until showery weather early in April, when you may cut back as much as you like, going over the hedges again early in August, and removing any irregularities of growth. LILIUM SPECIOSUM (LANCIFOLIUM) AND GLOXINIAS AFTER FLOWERING (Idem).—Keep the Lilium moderately supplicd with water in an open warm position, not removing the flowering stem or the stems, whether they have flowered or not, until they are quite yellow; then cut them away, repot the plants, and keep them in a cool house safe from frost with the soil no more than moist. After flowering, the Gloxinias should only have enough water ta keep the leaves from flagging, and when these are withered cut them away. with the stems, and set them in a house with a temperature of not less than 45°, They should be kept from becoming dust-dry, to prevent which the pots may be placed on a damp bottom, or be sprinkled with water once a-week. PROPAGATING CoLEUS VERSCHAFFELTI, IRESINE LINDENI, AND CEN- TAUREA (G, F. R.)—The cuttings of the Coleus and Ivesine should be put in now, taking off the growing points about 8 inches long and inserting the Coleus singly in 8-inch pots, the Lresine round the sides of pots or pans at about an inch apait. Both strike readily in a temperature of 70° if kept close, moist, and shaded. When the roots reach the sides of the pots the Coleuses should be shifted into 6-inch pots, taking out the puints of the shoots, and be kept in a house with a temperature of not less than 50° at night during the winter, giving no more water than enough to keep the plants fresh. In March you may make cuttings of every available shoot, and in a hotbed they will speedily root. When they are rooted shift them into larger pots, keep them well stopped so as to have them bushy, and encourage growth by afford- ing plenty of heat, moisture, and light, either ina frame with a gentle heat, or in a house ranging from 55° to 60° at night and 70° to 75° by day, and 80” or more from sun heat, admitting air freely. By May they willbe fine plants. Harden them off gradually, and do not plant out before the first week in June. The Iresine should be potted off singly in 38-inch pots when well rooted, returned to the hotbed until established, then placed in a light airy position in a house with the winter temperature named for the Coleus, stop- ping the plants at 3 inches high, to cause them to branch. ‘These will produce shoots in spring, but they should be potted and their growth encou- raged, and they will be nice plants by May. Cuttings put in during March will also make good plants by May, but to secure these it is well to take up the old plants in autumn before frost, pot them, and winter them in a cool stove or warm greenhouse. They should produce a number of cuttings in February or March, and these, if potted-off, stopped, and grown in hent will be fine plants in May. All should be well hardened off before planting out. June is quite early enough. Of the Centaureas we like candidissima (ragusina) the best. It may be raised from seed sown in a hotbed in March, potted off when large enough to handle or when the rough leaves show, watering carefully. If growth be encouraged the plants will be suitable for bedding-out at the end of May. All succeed in a compost of two parts sandy fibrous loam, one part leaf soil, and a sixth of silver sand; but use one part of silver sand for the cuttings, with a half-inch surfacing for the cutting pots for the Tresine. NERINE CORUSCA NoT FLoweRtne (0.).—The potting will not promote flowering, but a firm soil, and keeping the plant under-potted will do so. Re- potting every second or third year is often enough. Good yellow loam is the most suitable soil. Keep the plant dry when itis at rest, but to prevent the roots drying up, set the pot on a saucer filled with sand, which should always be kept wet. When growing, water freely. A light airy position in a green- house is most suitable. SEEDLING CARNATIONS FLOWERING (Idem).—The plants now showing for flower will bloom so late that we should remove the flower-stems. Allowing them to flower would weaken the plants. Their throwing up so early is not a good sign. We presume they are not tree Carnations. If they are, take them up about the middle of September, place them in 6-inch pots, and ina house with a temperature of about 50° they will bloom finely. In their case the flower-stems must not be removed. ReMovING GERANIUM LEAVES (Idem).—In remoying partially-decayed cr yellow leaves, take them off close to the stem. If left on, the stalk might decay and affect the stem. Rose Currimes (Idem).—The cuttings now well rooted should be potted singly in 4-inch pots, return them to the cold frame, keep them rather close and shaded until they are re-established, then admit air freely. Before frost plunge the pots in coal ashes, and with the protection of mats over the lights they will winter safely in a cold frame. Kerrpine Ripe Menons (A. B., Ireland).—We know of no means of ‘Keep- ing Melons after they are ripe, except putting them in a cool place, as an ice house. They will keep much longer if they are cut when they first commence ripening, and they are not much injured in flavour. SELECT GOOSEBERRIES (Idem).—None of the large show kinds have thin skins. These are good—Red: Hopley’s Companion, Guido, Prince Albert, Atlas, Huntsman, Top Sawyer. White: Whitesmith, Ostrich, Sheba’s Queen, Wandering Girl, Tallyho, Smiling Beauty. Green: Angler, Wistaston Hero, Elijah, Massy’s Heart of Oak, Conquering Hero, Thumper. Yellow: Two to One, Marigold, Broom Girl, Bank’s Dublin, Teazer, and Husbandman. We are not aware that soil has any effect on the thickness of the skin. GRUB ON FRuIT-TREE LEAyEs (F. Appleby).—It is the Slimy grub, larva of a saw-fly, Selandria ethiops. Dust the trees with slacked quicklime. Insects (A. R.).—The pretty two-winged fly sent is the common’/Ortalis pulchella. (Z'. Nicol .—The young Fir shoots are attacked by the common Hylurgus piniperda, a species quite distinct from Strophozomus Coryli which you previously sent as one of the causes of the mischief in question. —I. 0. W. Names or Prants (F. G. S.).—Sedum Cxpea. (Mrs. H. L.).—The Editors cannot name the varieties of florists’ flowers. They are too numerous and too nearly alike to be distinguished from single blooms. (C. F.).—Antennaria margaritacea, and a Sedum not in floyer—S. Telephium, or near it. (M. Dz). —Verbascum pheeniceum. (Downie).—1, Gentiena Amarella; 2, Melampyrum pratense; 3, Montia fontana. (Hlla.).—A Muhlenbeckia (Polygon acez), pro- pably M. complexa or near it. (J. C.).—1, Blechnum boreale; 2, Nephrodium e 178 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ August 29, 1872. (Lastrea) Filix-mas; 3, N. (L.) dilatatum or spinulosum, but too young to determine. Fruiting fronds of Ferns should always be sent. POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. WATER FOR POULTRY. REFERRING to Mr. Bruce’s remarks in your issue of August 22, I beg to say that the fowls in all my runs have unlimited range in grass, all are fed alike, and the different lots are as nearly alike in age, breed, and every other particular as possible, with the exception before named—that one run has a stream of fresh water constantly passing through it, and 1am not aware that the others get any water except when it rains and lodges on the surface. I did not say that the supply of water was the cause of fewer eggs, but that I had fewer eggs from that run where the water is. The question with me is, whether the fresh-grown grass (which the fowls are almost constantly eating, and which is nearly all water), compensates for the want of water in its liquid state, and answers the same purpose as if water were given to them.—J. F. P., THE COMING WORCESTER SHOW. My old acquaintance, Mr. John Martin, formerly manager of Lady Holmesdale’s poultry at Linton Park, writes to tell me about the first Worcester Show, which is to be held on Septem- ber 18th and 19th. Worcester is a place that should have such an exhibition, from its size and population, and the schedule shows a careful and good arrangement. There is this special inducement, the cups will be given in addition to the money prizes. This is a very liberal arrangement. Then the Corn Exchange is to be the place of exhibition, which is well, for the weather may be in another month unsuited for poultry being exposed night and day in a tent. I see there are to be two prizes for each variety of Hamburghs, making in all eight prizes; then, three for each variety of large fowls, and for Any other distinct variety, and two for the different Bantams. I hope the Polands will muster sufficiently to merit. the three; they ‘certainly ought to do, and Worcester is fairly central. In regard to the prizes for Pigeons, I see there are two prizes for Any other variety of Tumblers, besides those for Almonds. The Any other variety should include, and it does doubtless, the Long-faced as well as the Short-faced. Thus the possessors of well-shaped flying birds will have an opportunity of showing their birds. The last thing I would remark upon is, that a cup is to be awarded for the best couple of dead fowls. This should produce an increase of numbers in this class, and surely poultry for profit ought specially to be kept in these days of dear meat. Tam inclined toregard the schedule as quite a model, and such I hope will be the Show. Nothing Ilike more to attend than a first Show, and I shall try to be at Worcester.— WILTSHIRE RECTOR. ROCHDALE POULTRY SHOW. (From Correspondents.) PIGEONS. _ Powter cocks, Red or Yellow, were a good class. Both prizes went to good birds measuring upwards of 19 inches in length, and 6? inches in leg. In Red or Yellow hens, Mr. Horner was worthily first, and Mr. Fulton second and highly commended. In Pouter cocks, any other colour, a good Blue was first. In hens of any other colour, a Blue hen of great length of feather, with good legs and in perfect feather, was first. A very showy White, though rather too coarse in girth, was highly com- mended. Carriers.—For cock birds, Black, good examples were first and second. Inthe class for Black hens I am sorry to say the Judges had to pass over a bird for being trimmed. The classes for Carrier cock of any other colour, and hen of any other colour, were represented by Duns. Young Carriers, bred in 1872, con- sisted of nine pairs of good birds, Captain Heaton taking the medal, second prize, and a high commendation for the best young pairs I have seen this year; they were good in all points. Almond Tumblers were a good class, the first prize going to a pair such as is seldom seen. The hen is the most perfect- feathered one I ever saw. In Balds or Beards the first prize went to a pair of young Blue Baldheads that well deserved their position. They were perfect in every point. Beards were second. For any other variety of Tumbler, Yellow and Red Agates that well deserved their positions were first and second, and an extra prize went to a pair of Red Rosewings. ; For Foreign Owls, the prizes went to White and Blue re- spectively. This was a remarkably good class of ten entries. English Owls were a strong class of fifteen entries. First came a Sood soaie of Blues, second Silvers, and Blues highly com- mended. Barbs were represented by all colours, a good pair of Duns being first, Blues second, and Reds and Blacks highly com- mended. Turbits were good. Jacobins were a good class of all colours, the first and second prizes going to Yellows and Reds. Antwerps were the best class of sixteen entries I have met with at any show except Birmingham. First, second, and extra prizes went to Red Chequers, Silver Duns, and Blue Chequers respectively. Fantails were very good; the first prize went to Whites, the second to a splendid pair of carriage birds (Blues). Whites were also highly commended. Blue Dragoons were represented by sixteen entries. Good birds were first and second, and an extra prize went to a nice pair. For anyothercolour, Yellows were first and second. Two pairs of brown-barred Silvers were shown, and not being up to the mark were passed over without a notice from the Judges. In Trwmpeters Mr. Fulton had it ell his own way. Black Mottles were first, and Black second. These were two grand pairs of birds. For Any other Variety, a pair of Ice in splendid condition were first, Blondinettes second, Red Magpies third, and a good pair of Blondinettes, when in condition, highly commended. In the Selling Class Black and Yellow Balds divided the prizes. I never saw a one-day show with so good a lot of Pigeons. Everything was done that was needed for their comfort, and too much praise cannot be awarded to the Stewards for the way they waited upon the Judges, and for the liberality of the Com- mittee in giving extra,prizes to any class that the Judges thought deserving of one. RABBITS. THERE were fifty-five entries in six classes, exclusive of the Selling class. The pens were large enough for one specimen, and if the wirework could be more conveniently arranged for easy removal of the Rabbits, all the better. The Lops, bucks, (five entries), were all good, and the Black specimen gives pro- mise of great excellence, for he is large and well formed, of good carriage, and as he is only eight months and a half old he may be expected to be in more than one first position. The Sooty Fawn is also good, with length of ears and general form so desir- able; and the highly commended pen and others were by no means much less attractive. The does (four entries), were also good, and the Tortoiseshell was worthy of her position; the Yellow-and-white was a fitting companion in honours. The remaining specimens in this class were also valuable and worthy companions to their more fortunate neighbours. The Lops as two classes were exceedingly good. Silver-Greys (eight entries)—Amongst these were some pre- senting the true silver shade so desirable in this variety. The specimens were not quite so large as are seen at times, yet, as bulk is not the only requisite, other points of excellence were presented, rendering the prizewinners worthy of their position. The Himalayan (ten entries), were an excellent class with few exceptions; but some of the specimens were unfortunately in a state of moult, and should not be forwarded for exhibition, for the extremities will then present anything but the deep dark shade so essential to their success. The Angoras (eight entries), were an excellent class; some large, with that fineness and length of wool so essential, others less than five months old give evidence of great promise. All were clean andwell groomed. They were white, with the excep- tion of two young ones six weeks old, of a good strain evidently. The Any other variety class (eleven entries), contained a splendid Patagonian as first prize, a Belgian Hare as second, and Lemon-and-white Dutch as highly commended. The Selling class (nine entries), contained the usual variety, and some good specimens fully worth the 10s. fixed. The first- prize Angora, second-prize Lop buck, and highly commended Himalayan doe-were all worthy their position. The length of the ears of the longest-eared Rabbit in the Show was 22§ by 47 inches. j We would suggest that a little more attention be given to the rabbitry, more especially during hot weather, as regards the use of sawdust, and also that the interior of the ear be examined to detect the presence of gum. SPANIsH.—l, J. Leeming. 2, Birch & Boulter, Sheffield. he. W. Harvey felch Chickens.—1, C. W. Brierley. 2, J. Walker, Standeford, Wolver- ampton. COnuINS/— Cinnamon and Buf.—i, W.A.Taylor.Manchester, 2,A. Bamford, Middleton. he, H. Lacy. Chickens.—1 and he, W.A. Taylor. 2, C. Sidgwick. Any other Variety.—1, C. W. Brierley. 2, W. A. Taylor. Chickens.—1 and 2, W. A. Taylor. he, C. Sidgwick. BrauMas.—l and2. H. Lacy. he, T. F. Ansdell, Cowley Mozant. St. Helen’s. c, J. Watts, King’s Heath, Birmingham. Chickens —1, T. F. Ansdell. 2, W.A. Taylor. hc, H. Lacy (2).; J. F. Pickles, Birkdale, Southport. _ 3 Game.—Cock.—1and2, C. W. Brierley. Hen.—1 and2, C. W. Brierley. Chickens. —1, T. Dyson, Halifax. 2, C. W. Brierley. he, A. Milns, Rochdale; H. Wynn, Martin Hussingtree, Worcester. 4 Potanps.—l, H. Beldon. 2, T. Wakefield, Golborn, Newton-le-Willows. Chickens—1,J.Fearnley. 2,H.Beldon. hc, P. Unsworth, Lowton, Newton- le-Willows. Hampureus.—Golden-spangled.—1, H. Beldon. 2, W. A. Hyde, Hurst, Ee August 29, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 179 oa Ashton-under-Line. he, T. Walker, jun. Chickens.—1, T. Walker, jun. 2, W. A. Hyde. Hampurecus.—Silver-spangled.—l, H. Beldon. 2, H. Pickles. he, Hon. Lady Tankerville, Chillingham. Chickens.—1, D. Lord. 2, J. Fielding, Newchurch, Manchester. Hamnurcus. —Golden-pencilled.—l, H. Beldon. 2,H. Pickles. he, J. Wrigley, Tonge, Middleton, Chickens.—1, T. Wrigley, jun. 2, H. A. Gill, Crawshawbooth, Rawtenstall. he, J. Bowness, Newehurch; T. Wrigley. jun. Hamevureus.—Silver-pencilled.—i, H. Pickles. 2, H. & A. Gill. he, H. Belden. Chickens—1, Lady Tankerville. 2, H. Pickles, Earby. he, Duke of Suther- Jand, Trentham. Hampureus.—Black —1, Stott & Booth, Huntley Brook, Bury. 2, H. Hoyle, Lumb, Newchurch. Chickens.—i, W. A. Taylor. 2, Lady Tankerville. he,T. Walker, jun.; Duke of Sutherland. Dorxines —1, Lady Tankerville. 2,E.Leech. he,J.Stott. Chickens.—l,E. chaeeh 2, W. Harvey. he, J. Stott, Healey, Rochdale; Lady Tankerville; J. ANY OTHER Distinct BREED, EXCEPT Bantams.—l, W. Harvey, 2, E. Smith, Timperley. Bantams.—Game.—Hen—1, W: F. Addie, Preston. 2 and he, W.F. Entwisle, Westfield, Bradford. Cock—l, W. F. Addie, 2, W. F. Entwisle. he, G. Mor- ling, Lynn; W. F. Entwisle. Bantams.—Any other Variety, except Game.—l, R. H. Ashton, Mottram. 2,E. Walton, Horncliffe, Rawtenstall. hc, R. H. Ashton; W. Harvey. Ducks —Aylesbury.—l and 2, B. Leech. he, H. Smith, Passmonds, Rochdale. Rouen.—1, T. Wakefield. 2,P. Unsworth. hic, E. Leech (2); P. Unsworth: J. Newton; T. Wakefield. Any other Variety.—1 and he, H. B. Smith, Broughton, Preston. 2, C. W. Brierley. ae! and 2, E. Leech. he, C. M. Royds, Rochdale. Goslings.—land2, TuURKEYS.—1 and 2, BE. Leech. SELLING CuAss.—Cocks.—1, E. Leech. 2, P. Unsworth. 3,17.Powell. he. J, Butterworth, Rochdale (Dorking); C. W. Brierley; B. Leech. Hens—1, W. Harvey. 2, J. Powell, Bradford. 3,J.Waltaqn. he, C. W. Brierley; J. Fearnley, Lowton, Newton-le-Willows (Golden-spangled); E. Leech; S. Uttley, Rochdale, } PIGEONS. Pourers.—Red or Yellow.—Cock.—1 and 2, R. Fulton, Deptford. he, B. Horner, Harewood; R. Wade. Hen.—l, B. Horner. 2, R. Fulton. he, T. Waddington, Feniscowles. PourEers.—Any other Colowr.—Cock.—1, E. Horner. 2 and he, R. Fulton. Hen—i, R. Fulton. 2, W. Stiles. Kettering. he, E. Horner; W. Harvey. CarriErs.—Black.—Cock.—1 and 2, R. Fulton. he, J. Stanley, Blackburn. Hen.—l, R. Fulton. 2, £. Horner. CarriERrs.—Any other Colour.—Cock.—l, J. Stanley. 2 and he, R. Fulton. Hen.—i, R. Fulton. 2,E. Horner. Young Birds.—l, 2, and he, Capt. H. Heaton. (A very good class). TuMBLERs.—dlmond.—1 and he, R. Fulton. 2, E. Horner. Variety—1 and 2, R. Fulton. Extra 2, J. W. Ludlow, Birmingham. Fielding, jun., Rochdale. Baxps or Bearps.—l and he, W. Woodhouse. Lynn. 2, J. Fielding, jun. Ow1s.—Foreign.—l-and 2, J. Fielding, jun. he, E. Horner. English.—1, T. Oddy. 2,W. Gamon. he, A. Mangnall. Barss.—1,R. Wade. 2,R. Fulton. he, J. Fielding,jun; R. Fulton. (A very good class). S Tourpits.—1, W. Lumb, Rrotheron, Rochdale. 2, W.Kitchen. he,E. Horner; J. B. Pinder, Harpurhey. Manchester. JAcoBINS.—1 and 2, R: Fulton. he. 1. Horner; W. Kitchen, Feniscowles. ANTWERPS.—1, 2, and Extra 2, J. W. Ludlow. (A remarkably good class). Fanvarus.—l, J. F. Loversidge. Newark. 2, H. Yardley. he, E. Horner. Dracoons.—Blue.—l. W. Markland. 2,S. Green, Birmingham. Extra 2, J. Hetherington. he,R. Fulton. Any other Colowr.—l, J. Watts. 2,R. Fulton. TrRoMPETERS.—1 and 2, R. Fulton. ANY oTHER Vartery.—l, W. Kitchen. 2, J. W. Ludlow. 8, E. Horner. he, J. W. Ludlow; H. Yardley. SELLING Crass.—l, J. Fielding, jun. 2,E. Horner. he, W. Harvey. RABBITS. Lop-carED.—Buck.—1, J. Hume. 2,T.C.& H.Lord. he, W.H. Webb, jun. c, A. H. Easten. Doe—l, A.H.Easten. 2;T.C.&H. Lord. c.H. Cawood. Srnver-Grey.—1, T.C. & H. Lord. 2, S. G. Hudson. he, J. Irving. c, J. Irving ; T. C. &H. Lord. HIMALAYAN.—1 and c, J. Butterworth. 2, S$. Ball. he, W. Whitworth. ANnGorRA.—1 and 2, W. Whitworth. he, J. Baron. e¢, J. Irving. 2 ANY OTHER BREED.—1 and he, W. Whitworth, jun. (Patagonian). 2,J. Irving - Belgian Hare). Jupens.— Pouliry: Mr. R. Teebay, Fulwood, Preston. Pigeons: Mr. P. Eden, Salford, and Mr. H. Allsop, Birming- ham. fabbits: Mr. C..Rayson, Didsbury. Any other he, J. CHEPSTOW POULTRY AND PIGEON SHOW. THE annual Exhibition of Poultry and Pigeons was held on the 21st, in the fine old ruins of Chepstow Castle. The entries numbered about 650; well-known breeders in different parts of England, and even Scotland, sending pens to compete for the prizes offered—fifteen silver cups, besides nearly 150 money prizes. The cup to the exhibitor of first-prize birds that had the most points was awarded to Mr. Fulton; the cruet-stand to the exhibitor of second-prize birds having the most points to Mr. Yardley; and the guinea extra for most points in third- prize birds to Mr. W. Crook. Our reporter adds, “The system of the exhibitors not knowing the numbers on their pens, and no one knowing the Judges, is an excellent plan.” Brana Poorra.—Light—Cock or Cockerel—1. Cup. and 8, T. A. Dean, Mar- den, Hereford. 2, H.M. Maynard, Ryde, Isle of Wight. 4, Rey. J.D. Hoysted, Chippenham. Hens or Pullets—1, Cup, and Extra Cup, T.A.Dean. 2and4, M. Leno, Dunstable. Equal 2and4, Mrs. A. Williamson, Leicester. 38, Messrs. - Hoare. Southampton. Equal $, Mrs. A. Williamson. BranMa Poorra.—Dark.—Cock or Cockerel—i, T. F. Ansdell, St. Helen’s. 2,R. B. Wood: Uttoxeter. 8, H. Yardley, Birmingham. Hens or Pullets.— land Cup. H. Lingwood. Needham Market. 2 and 8, Rev. J. Bowen, Talgrath. Cocut1n-CuIna,—Cinnamon or Buff—Cock or Cockerel.—1 and Cup. H. Lloyd, jun., Rirmingham. 2, Miss Will, Errol. .8, H. Yardley. Hens or Pullets.——1, Miss Will. 2.T.A.Dean. 8, Mrs. A. Woodcock, Leicester. Cocury-Curna—Any other colour.—Cork or Cockerel.—l, H. Lloyd, jun. 2, J. Bloodworth, Cheltenham. 8. J. Nash, Walsall. Hens or Pullets.—land Cup, 5 Re SepWogdeate, Tunbridge Wells. 2, H. Lingwood. 8, G. Lamb, Wolver- ampton. Dorxines.—Cock or Cockerel.—l and Cup, Miss Will. 2, Mrs. Somerville, Ruabon, North Wales. 8, H. Edmonds, Chepstow. Hens or Pullets—1 and 8, Mrs. Somerville. 2,L. Dean, Chepstow. Spanisu.—l, J. F. Sillitoe, Wolverhampton. 2, W. Hodgson, Bristol. 8, — Tonkin, Bristol. Frencu.—l, H. Feast, Swansea, 2, J. A. Lyne, Newport. 8, Rev. N. J. Ridley, Newbury. Poxanps,—1 and Cup, J. Hinton, Warminster. 2, C. Bloodworth. Hamevureus.—Gold or Silver-pencilled.—1 and Cup, L. H. Ricketts, Barnwell. 2, W. Speakman, Nantwich. 8, J. W. Edge, Birmingham. Hampurcus.—Gold or Silver-spangled.—1 and 2, L. H. Ricketts. 8, T. May, Wolverhampton, GameE.—1, J. Fletcher, Stoneclough. 2, H.E. Martin, Fakenham. 8,H. Feast. Bantams.—Game —1 and Cup, J. Mayo, Gloucester. 2, E. Davies, Worcester. 8, Rey. F. Cooper, Chippenham. Any other variety.—1, M. Leno. 2, J. Blood- worth. 8, H. Feast. SELLING CLass.—Brahmas, Cochins, or Dorkings.—Cock or Cockerel.—1 and Cup, J. Bloodworth, 2,H.Lloyd. 8,L. Dean, Hens or Pullets—1, J. Blood- worth. 2,L. Dean. 8, B.F. Parrott, Bristol. ANY OTHER VaRIETY.—Cock or Cockerel—l, — Nash. 2, Capt,T.B. Cowburn, Chepstow. Hens or Pullets.—1 and Cup, J. Nash. 2, H. Vaughan, Wolver- hampton, 8, F. Perrin, Bristol. Ducrs.—Aylesbury or Rouen.—1, Rey. J.J. Evans, Brecon. 2,L.Dean. 8,F. Davies. Any other variety.—1, W. Binns, Leeds. 2, G.S. Sainsbury, Devizes. 8, H. B. Smith, Boughton Preston. GEESE.—1, T. A. Dean. 2, W. Butt, Portskewett. _ PIGEONS. ARCHANGELS.—1, J. H. Watkins, Hereford. Yardley. : ANTWERPS.—1, H. R. Wright, Birmingham. 2, C. I’. Copeman, Birmingham. 8, H. Ryland, Birmingham. e Barss.—1 and 2, R. Fulton, London. 8, H. M. Maynard. CarRRIERS.—] and 2, R. Fulton. 3, F. Smith, Birmingham. , DraGoons.—Blue or Silver.—l, R. Fulton. 2,F.Graham. 24th Extra Keens’ Seedling . see esti s 26th Good President ..... 3. hora » 26th Extra The Amateur . 53) sb July Ist Extra May Queen (?) . ssf) LS x 1st Poor Mr. Radeclyfie . » 6th = 1st Good Sir J. Paxton . » 10th | rae eb Extra British Queen ... | » I1sth a Ast Good Jeyes’ Wonderful .... 3 8th : 4th Extra Bicton White Pine .... | 3, 20th nm 5th Extra Oscariyja-ieeleases Se so) LLtly 7B 5th Good Dr. Hogg... 3, “Sth oo 6th Extra Elton Pine....... » Sth a 6th Poor Empress Eugénie. Seb Langs ne 6th Good Nimrod 952/02. » 22nd 5 12th Good The Lady ..... a6 » 2oth » 12th Poor Sir C. Napier..... 00 » 10th » Ldth Good Bleanor .............. » 2oth » 20th | Extra —H. Harris, Naseby Woolleys, Northamptonshire. THE ROCKERY. Ir is not without considerable hesitation that I address my- self to this subject, as I am fully aware that the views which I shall put forth will be at variance with those of many who consider themselves authorities on such matters; but as the columns of the Journal are as free to them as to me, if it be thought by anyone that I am in the wrong in condemning cer- tain works on which a great amount of labour has been bestowed, and possibly a like amount of artistic skill, I am open to conviction, and will at once retract. But to the matter in hand. Fortunately, it isnot somomen- tous as the building of hothouses, nor the difficult problem of which is the best heating boiler; but it is one more difficult to define by practical rules than either of these, for it is only by those arbitrary maxims that govern what is commonly, but often erroneously, called ‘“‘ taste,” that the merits or short- comings can in the present case be judged. We all know of what a convenient material “‘ taste’? seems to be made, for, to take it to task for the commendation it has given to only one article of attire—let us say ladies’ bonnets—during the reign of her present Majesty, it would certainly require a considerable stretch of the imagination to pronounce them all alike good, convenient, and tasteful. The same vagaries may be met with in other things, and I am not sure but the present mode of distorting plants of a peculiar growth, soas to make them assume one of a contrary description, thought to be a grand feat at horticultural shows, may not hereafter be exposed to as much ridicule as the young lady of the present day bestows on the bonnets of 1835 or thereabouts. There is, however, in the matter about to be entered upon this advantage, which ab- surdities in dress cannot lay claim to, and that is, ‘‘ Nature steps in and amends what deformities we make in the case.” This compensating nfiuence is the all-important one; and as the mechanic with a leer remarks that a coat of paint often eoyers a multitude of sins, so Nature, in a like manner, obli- terates faulty work, and that, too, ina more substantial manner than the painter. A lady from the West of England writes for instructions about making an Alpine garden. Now, I apprehend many who assume to be garden artists would say there is a good oppor- tunity for a display of artificial ruims or rockery, and here we meet the stumbling-block at once. Artificial ruins are rarely well constructed; most of those I haye seen possess one and the same fault—i.e., they are overdone. Too muchis attempted; too many lancet or other ornamental windows; too many clustered columns and carved corbels, and the like, and show- ing too little the damaging influence of time to cheat us into the belief that they are real; besides which, they are some- times placed where there seems to be the least of all likelihood of their ever having been, while other incongruities render it advisable to hide them with plants as soonaseonyenient. Now let us turn to what is called rockwork. We now and then see this and so-called ruins blended together—a great monstrosity —but this is not often done, and the best examples of artificial rock arevery creditable. But the site is often ill-chosen. Ire- member some years ago seeing a huge block resembling an irregular cube of sandstone as large as a small haystack, quite isolated on the lawn in front of a mansion near Newcastle- on-Tyne, the owner of which occupied a high position in the engineering world. The workman who manufactured this huge mass had performed his duty well, as it was a good imitation of sandstone, but the placing of a large mass of stone in front of a brick house in a level clayey district was more than open to criticism—it was decidedly bad. I have seen artificial rockwork put up in other places also liable to the same censure. How often do we see an incongruous mass of flints, scorie from a glass or iron furnace, bits of spar and granite, brick burrs, and the like, piled up against an Italian house, concealing its plinth, and, possibly, some other features on which the architect bestowed some pains to render them ornamental, but the miscellaneous character of the materials confounds the whole. There is, however, one place where sometimes such a pile as that alluded to may be tolerated near such dwellings, and that is near asuburban villa, where it is advisable to afford some shelter to the front door or other exposed part of the house, by erecting a bank against one corner to break the wind, and, if necessary, this bank may be fronted by something of the kind referred to, encouraging at the same time the growth of such trailing plants as are likely to run oyer it quickly. I am inclined to advise an earth bank in such places where immediate shelter is wanted, in prefer- ence to planting shrubs, as it is not always easy to get them to grow well in the position referred to. Let us now take a peep at some of the artificial rockwork prepared by practised hands, where very often Ferns are the plants mostly intended to be cultivated; and here I expect to encounter no small amount of opposition, for my purpose is to attack much that is done, quite as freely for its lack of utility as for incongruities in the matter of taste. Of the latter I will not say much, as that has been already done in describing how often things of the kind exhibit too much intricacy, but in the matter of utility they are plainly faulty. I was painfully struck with this a short time ago on visiting the garden of a gentleman who devotes large sums to the embellishment of his glass houses and grounds, and who a year or two before my visit had a mass of artificial rockery put up out of doors for Fern-growing, employing an artist of high repute in such matters. The mass formed a sort of embankment by the side of a walk, and the workman- ship, in an artistic point of view, was thought to be well done ; but what was the working of it? Masses of stone coated over more or less with Portland cement afforded very little hold for vegetation when exposed to the drying influence of the open air: hence the impossibility of covering them with Ferns without almost continually watering them, and this in a neighbourhood where water was not at all times plentiful entailed a duty impossible to perform. Hence the grotesque projections and recesses had to remain in their naked loyeli- ness or ugliness, whichever name was the more suitable, until Ivy and other ereepers started from the bottom and grew up to hide them, so that only a few of the most robust Ferns could be grown. This is no overdrawn picture; the matter of after and continuous waterings seems to be taken as a perfect certainty by those to whom the erection of ferneries is often entrusted, and as in dry seasons such watering is not always possible, failure takes place, much to the chagrin of the owner, and causes no httle unpleasantness to the working gardener. It is all very well to admire a Fern planted on a sort of table or shelf of the hardest stone, propped up from September 12, 1872. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 205 the ground or stuck against a wall in such a way that no moisture from below can reach it by any means; but it must be remembered that as it is placed in such an artificial position, artificial means must also be used to keep it alive, and, like a plant in a pot, it will soon languish and. die when water is withheld because it is not to be had. If designers of ferneries, rockeries, and Alpine gardens would take a few more lessons irom Nature they would find that where vegetation does flourish there means are taken to make it do so, and where nakedness and sterility are the order of the day, the means are much the same as those which the rockwork artist adopts—i.e., there ig no repository for either earth or water, hence the absence of vegetation. Of course, climatic influences are also at work in Nature’s operations, but in man’s handi- work they cannot well be blamed for such failures as are often met with.—J. Rogson. (To be continued.) DROPMORE PINETUM. Ir may be interesting to many of your readers to know the growth and progress that some of the trees have made in the last half-century, or say in the service of one man. Mr. Frost came to Dropmore on the 3rd of November, 1822, and conse- quently will have been there fifty years on the 3rd of Novem- ber, 1872. A packet of Pine seed was sent to the late Lord Grenville from the Royal Horticultural Society, under the name of Pinus taxifolia, which has since been changed, in honour of poor Douglas, to Abies Douglasii; this packet of seed was put into the hands of Mr. Frost to sow in December, 1827, or early in January, 1828. Only three of the seeds vege- tated; two of the trees are now growing at Dropmore, and one had to be cut down, being planted too near a fine Araucaria. The larger of the two is now 102 feet or more high, as the leader leans obliquely to the north. This tree is as perfect a specimen of its sort as can be grown. It is not necessary to be an enthusiast to enable any person to admire its gigantic proportions. The lowest branches are flat on the grass, occu- pying a space of 66 feet in diameter, from which they rise tapering to the top. The trunk at 3 feet up is 9 feet 7 inches in girth. I doubt if there is a finer or more perfect tree in Great Britain, without the additional interest of still having its raiser and trainer to keep its leaders single and give ad- ditional food to its surface-feeders. Ii we take some of the other Coniferz, we find a Pinus insignis, purchased at Mr. Lee’s Nursery, Hammersmith, planted in 1839 (a cutting plant), height 68 feet, girth of trunk 8 feet 7 inches, diameter of the branches 48 feet ; Cedrus Deodara, planted 1834, height 52 feet, girth of trunk 9 feet, diameter of branches 47 feet—there are others better, but not so large a seedling; Pinus insignis, irem the Royal Horticultural Society, planted in 1843, height 61 feet, girth of trunk 9 feet, diameter of branches 41 feet; Pinus Benthamiana, planted 1843, height 30 feet, girth of trunk 3 feet 4 inches, diameter of branches 30 feet; Picea amabilis (cutting plant), height 42 feet 8 inches, girth 3 feet 9 inches, diameter of branches 21 feet, planted 1847; Pinus monticola, planted 1835, height 58 feet 6 inches, diameter of branches 33 feet, girth of trunk 5 feet 6 inches; Pinus Lambertiana, planted 1841, now 40 feet high. The large Araucaria is 51 feet high, its girth of trunk at 3 feet from the ground is 6 feet 4 inches, the diameter of the branches 28 feet; it was planted in 1830. Whether it is the finest or highest in Great Britain or not I leave others to decide. I have seen none so perfect nor so high either in Great Britain or Ireland. A great portion of the success of these trees is no doubt due to the care in preparing the places before planting, also the great amount of surface-dressing. Mr. Frost gives them every autumn as many dressings ‘as he can; they seem to root up into these however thickly put on. It is proposed by some friends to present Mr. Frost with some sort of testimonial on his completing his fiftieth year at Dropmore in November next.—J. Fummrine, Cliveden, Maid- enhead. BEDDING GERANIUMS. Havine a house of these in full bloom, I cannot help feeling that their value as greenhouse plants is not fully recognised. What tribe of plants is so easily cultivated? Who can name another which will remain in full beauty for so long a time, or is so free from insect pests? Yet at our shows, at Birming- _ham for instance, we see the same old kinds year after year as if there had been no improvement made. I do not show myself, but I should like to see my kinds well grown for once, and would give a prize of £3 or £4 for a dozen plants of kinds I have sent out. If other raisers would do the same with their varieties, I think it would make a far more interesting show than one of variegated kinds; there is so much more variety in flowering Geraniums with green leaves than there is amongst the ‘‘ Tricolors.” Talking about variety, I think the Royal Horticultural So- ciety ought to vary the time at which the country shows are held, otherwise people will not long travel great distances to see them. There was great sameness between the Birming- ham and Nottingham shows.—J. R. Pearson, Chilwell. PROPAGATING BEDDING PLANTS. Nor having a reserve ground in which to grow plants for the purpose, I take cuttings late, so as not to interfere with the symmetry of the flower-beds, and go over these several times, so that I have two or three successions of cuttings. Verbenas are generally placed in pots, Pelargoniums in wooden boxes of all sizes, from 18 inches by 6, and 2 inches deep, to 3 feet long, Yinches wide, and 3inches deep. In fact if I can obtain posses- sion of any old wood, the boxes are made accordingly on wet days. There is no doubt that all our bedding Pelargoniums would strike well out of doors in August and September in an open border; but taking into consideration that the struck cuttings must be lifted before winter, and boxed or potted, I prefer potting or boxing the cuttings at once, so that we can move them without much trouble in an emergency; as a general rule those cuttings now, on which I depend for large healthy plants the following year, remain in their cutting quarters all through the winter, and more room is only given them in the spring. On an average, for cuttings of Verbenas about three- quarters of an inch is allowed, for variegated Geraniums 1} inch, for stronger-growing kinds 2 inches, and for Calceo- larias 14 inch, and with this allowance they must grow as best they may until about March. I know that some advocate planting the cuttings out in a border, and then lifting and boxing or potting them, as it checks too free growth; but I can easily secure the same result in the boxes by letting the soil become rather dry. I wish if to be clearly understood that it is rarely my plants have more than the above room, or are potted or planted out until spring. I know it is desirable to pot separately in the autumn, but I never could find the room to do so, and therefore never attempted it. If any should imitate me in using these rough-made wooden boxes there are a few things to be attended to, more especially if old unplaned wood be used. First, give the boxes inside and outside a good coating of limewash; this will greatly tend to prevent fungus. Then, again, as the boxes will be open enough, nothing much is required in the way of drainage, except the roughest part of the soil. In default of that some rough leaf mould might be used, but only if you are sure there is no spawn of fungiinit. I have so often suffered from this cause that I generally eschew such material altogether, as nothing is more unpleasant than to have the boxes covered with spawn, and find it creeping over the plants. Strong lime water will destroy fungus, but it often injures tender plants also. In filling these boxes, then, we prefer, on the whole, sandy loam, such as can be procured from the sides of a highway road, riddled through a half-inch sieve, the riddlings placed at the bottom, the riddled above, and then surfaced with the riddled soil and sand, with a surfacing of sand over all. One word more, if there is the least trace of fly or thrips on Verbenas or Calceolarias, pass the cuttings through a vessel of tobacco water without immersing the root end of the cutting.—R. F. S NOTES UPON FERNS.—No. 4. Ix my last communication (vol. xxii., page 360) I took a cursory glance at the variations to be found in the veins of Ferns, but far from exhausted the subject, for yery much more might be written upon the peculiarities of these organs. As my articles, however, are not intended to be exhaustive, or to detail all the differences which these plants assume; and, moreover, as the tastes and requirements of so many thousands who read the Journal have to be catered for—sufticient, I think, has been said on those organs to enable ‘‘ Preris”’ and other lovers of Ferns to resume the subject and prosecute their 206 studies to any extent their inclinations may dictate, or their leisure hours allow. Many assert that the veins of Ferns are a very doubtful guide to generic distinction; but it must be remembered that genera at the best are but arbitrary groups formed by the botanist for his own convenience, and therefore I consider any variation which can be found in one group of plants, sufficient to distinguish them from another group, is a great character found on which to establish generic distinction; and as the venation of Ferns is very distinct and not liable to change, it must, I think, be allowed that they form a safe and natural guide for this purpose to the student, especially when used in conjunction with the mode of growth and manner of fructifi- cation. I shall, therefore, leave my readers to prosecute their studies of the veins, and proceed to briefly examine the various modes of fructification, or the manner of fruiting. Hymenodium crinitum. The statement may be accepted in a general way that the fructification of Ferns is produced more or less regularly upon the under side of the fronds, either in round masses or in lines, the former being situated on the points of short veins, the latter running parallel with and upon them. Some few exceptions, however, must be taken to this statement, as, for example, in such cases as the genus Trichomanes, where they are situated upon a yein in the margin, or become exserted and stand upon the yery edge of the fronds. Again, in the tribe Acrostiche they cover the whole of the under side; a good idea of this may be found by the illustration of Hymenodium erinitum. Another variation from this rule may be found in our native Moon-wort, Botrychium Lunaria, and the Royal Fern, Osmunda regalis. In these cases, through the contrac- JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 12, 1872. tion of the fertile fronds, the fructification assumes a spike- like character. In speaking of the fructification of Ferns it is usual to call | the place on which the sporangia are situated the receptacle ; thus, when on the points of the veins it is said to be terminal, a familiar example of which may be found in Leucostegia immersa (see illustration). Again, the receptacle is said to be axillary when situated in the forking of the veins; an example of this form may be seen in the genus Cystopteris. The basal receptacle is familiarly represented in some species of Oleandra, whilst a medial receptacle may be understood by the figure of Goniopteris crenata. In this case the receptacle is called medial and punctiform, whilst in the case of Platy- cerium alcicorne it is termed amorphous, and elongated when disposed in lines. The sporangia are the spore-cases which contain the minute spores, and these spore-cases are borne in clusters upon the receptacle. They are divided into two sec- Goniopteris crenata. Leucostegia immersa. tions—those having a jointed ring surrounding them, and called annulate, and those being destitute of this ring, and thus exannulate. The position which this ring takes is either vertical, horizontal, or oblique, each being characteristic of certain genera, but Ido not purpose going into details on this subject. The masses of the sporangia clustered together on the receptacles are called sori. These in some cases are naked, in others they are covered with more or less membranous or coriaceous scales, which are called indusia. This organ is sometimes persistent, but more often very fugacious, and al- though it affords valuable aids to generic characters, too much reliance must not be placed upon it on this account... I shall now endeayour to give some illustrations of the various kinds of indusium. The special indusia are membra- JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. September 12, 1872. } 207 | case it is attached in the centre, having its margins quite free ; nous in texture, and are attached to the receptacle in various give a good idea of the peltate orbicular indusium. In this ways, The accompanying figure of Aspidium trifoliatum will Platycerium aleicorne. Fadyenia prolifera. - BN Neottopteris nidus. Balantium Culcita. Cyathea elegans, 208 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER. [ September 12, 1872. another form of special indusia is shown in the figure of Fadyenia prolifera. In this case it is attached on one side, and thus becomes a reniform sub-oblong indusium, or by a still further attachment along one side it becomes linear, as shown in the illustration of Neottopteris nidus, whilst in some instances it becomes cup-like (calyciform), as shown in the figure of Cyathea elegans. Another form of indusia is that called the accessory indusia, as an example of which I may instance Balantium Culcita. In this case the margin of the frond becomes changed, assumes the form of and joins the true indusia, and thus becomes a somewhat two-lipped cup. The Jast form of indusia to which I shall draw the attention of my readers is called the universal indusia. This consists simply of the contracted fertile frond, the margins of which are rolled inwards, and thus enclose and protect the whole of the sori, a good example of which may be found in the Parsley Fern, Allosorus crispus.—Exprrro CREDE. THE POTATO DISEASE. ** Thus I, Colin Clout, As I go about, And up and down I walk, I hear the people talk.” A crrat deal has been said, in exaggeration, about the Potato disease, let alone all those letters in the Times, so wonderfully made, and I must say rather old in ideas; for have not those electrical shocks, the wide planting and all the silicates, ap- peared years ago in these very pages? Well, better late than never: there is a great deal of truth in them if one is practical enough to sift it from the nonsense written. For my own part I am sorry to say exaggeration will apply to me with a vengeance, for never since the disease first ap- peared in 1845 has it affected my crops so direly, and this in opposite soils and different counties. I have it in Oxfordshire, on the stonebrash of Stonesfield; at Woodstock, on a made dark stony loam, with glass bottles, potsherds, oyster-shells, and bones galore, shot down as a sub-layer centuries ago, and which for the last twenty-five years I have never allowed to rest, but kept moving and disintegrating by annual trenchings, and the soil otherwise recruited with dry earth-closet soil, and house sewage, woody fibre, and old thatch; so that way of working is nothing new, but it is a very good and proper way of going to work. Mr. Moule is quite right so far, and very lucky in his Potatoes having escaped the murrain; but I should be sorry to pin my faith on the power of any ‘“‘ phospho- silicate manure’? to eradicate the disease. At Bedfont, in Middlesex, I rent some land—a sandy loam on gravel, very poor—into which I had well-trenched raw strawy London stable-manure last autumn, and got the soil limed at the rate of seventy bushels per acre just before Potato-planting this spring; here the tubers are rotted worse than with me in Oxfordshire. Iam staying at Brighton, and took a drive on the Lewes Road the other day, and here Mr. Moule’s silicate system can be seen in allits glory, or rather a type of it, for in a field sloping down to the road in the vicinity of the bar- racks—a gravelly soil on the chalk—are Potatoes in as flourish- ing a condition as can be, haulm ripening-off healthily, and I should think scarcely a diseased tuber to be found, and where town refuse, broken bottles, and crocks crop-out most palpably. Now, I had conscientiously read my Times and Mr. Moule’s letter merely a few hours before I saw the above pleasant sight, and if my own sad case had not anteriorly presented itself, I should have been ready to haye sworn that Mr. Moule had hit the disease on its head most satisfactorily. I do not believe any of us can do that, but it is no reason why we should not all do as Mr. Moule is doing practically, and to the best of our ability. Another instance: I was walking up from the sea towards the Wick, and in a corner garden where, no doubt, refuse had been shot, an old man was digging up what appeared to me to be Turner’s Flourball Potatoes, ‘‘ Snowball” they eall them here; the haulm had ripened, and the tubers were perfect. In another part of the garden were what I dubbed some years ago in ‘“‘ The Cottage Gardener” ‘Brighton Re- gents,” a late sort; they were green as grass, and without a fatal spot; the old man told me the tubers were perfect. I was sorry he was called away to his dinner, or I should hay “‘ been in” for a longer chat. . However, as we have excellent Potatoes to eat, and as the samples that I continually observe in the market and at the shops are so free from disease, I hope that the clamour is in- creased by interested persons, and that other large districts as well as the surrounding country of Brighton may be free from the murrain. One thing must be borne in mind—Brighton in its soil must be naturally a favoured district, bemg, as it is, a. sharpish grayel on the chalk. Nevertheless, agreeably to my fine poetical text, I have noticed a great difference in the green- ery of Potato plots in closely adjacent neighbourhoods, through arather extensive distance in travel, which leads me to hope that the late sorts may ripen off free of the disease; and there is one consolation with which I buoy myself up—vyiz., I have frequently noticed when our early sorts get stricken, the later kinds escape, particularly in our northern and more important Potato districts. We shall see. Harly sorts for the south, western, and midland counties are, nevertheless, those which we should cultivate. I cannot help, from long years of battles with the Potato. disease, thinking that the origin of the murrain comes from the effect of the thunder and lightning, and that indescribable- state of the atmosphere then predominating—a stink that can. be felt sometimes; and when accompanied, as it was this. season, with continued wet and heat, ‘‘ Despair”? may be pla- carded on those Potato plots which are just about to reachs maturity, at whatever time of the year such a state of things may occur, unless they are at once taken up. In 1845 I had a considerable breadth of the old Birmingham Blues under my hands, at Stanton Lacey, near Ludlow, im Shropshire. My hobby then was Potatoes, and it was my pride to beat my neighbours in their cultivation. The disease: came and blackened them; a secret satisfaction was indulged in I could plainly see, and it was said I had been experi- menting to some purpose. Iwas always earlier than my neigh- bours, but ere long my friends’ crops became blackened also. and, then they said my “tampering” was the cause. Soon however, the newspapers taught them differently. I set te. work and had my Potatoes taken up, salted, boiled, and rammed down in old cider-barrels (previously sunk into the- earth), rode off to ‘‘ Welch Knighton,” and bought some pigs,. which my neighbours called ‘‘ greyhounds,” and otherwise smothered me with an abundance of “chaff.” I never knew hungry pigs do better than those did on the ‘“ pickled taters,’” and by the time they were finished-off (about the following Christmas), I sold their carcases to Mr. Harding, grocer, of Ludlow, averaging 21 score a-piece. I ‘‘chaffed” my neigh- boursthen. I told you all about this years ago, and I cannot recommend a better plan even at the present day. We must suffer, however, to be fine, and my pride this year- of having attained to nearly the perfection that I set before myself in regard to the Potato, induced me to leave my crops- in the ground to ‘ crow over them” to my friends, and all other comers who chose to view them. I gained my object. and lost my crops. What I should haye done, and what IL recommend all others to do, is to grow early and second early ripeners, and then when the disease first appears, unhesi- tatingly and carefully to lift their crops, and to place them at. once in the dark, in layers about a foot thick, where they will zipen-off as much as they can, and almost equally well as when they are left without their foliage in the soil. I have frequently tried cutting the haulm off, but then the short— ened stems exude sap, and sour the soil into fermentation about the tubers, which makes the remedy worse than the disease. To tread firmly on each side of the stems, and pull them bodily away is the better practice ; but then the ground cannot be at once sown with Turnips, or any other fleeting crop, and there is much extra work in digging them up minus. their tops, on account of not knowing where to prick for them ;. and, as I said above, they will ripen almost as well in a dark. place, minus their foliage, as in the soil where they grew. Agreed, they cannot be so good one way or the other from the premature loss of the foliage, but then one does derive all the advantages which are to be obtained. If they will not boil: mealy, mash them; and to those who can in addition have a. little dripping, or butter, or cream, it would be well under the circumstances, or for a housewife to pop them into the pot with her bit of bacon and Cabbage. I do not think a hungry- family would quarrel with her for that matter, or care much. about the mealiness; at any rate, too fastidious people could get the best use made of them for the pigs as above. With regard to seed for another season, these unripened. tubers are sufficiently matured ; in fact, I prefer an unripened. tuber for seed, and always choose the medium-sized sets, as so- considered, in preference to the large and best-ripened tubers ; and from the day that I take them up, I keep them in single: layers on shelves or boards, or in any other dry place, in twi- September 12, 1872. J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 209 light, free from frost till planting time, and am very careful not to injure their first and best shoots. A few days before planting I go to the trouble of delving-out with a penknife every shoot except one, the first and best. One shoot is quite sufficient to leave on a moderate-sized tuber, with careful planting in order not to rub it off, and where this twilight- single-layering plan is at once adopted, it signifies nothing whether a Potato-set is greened by the sun in the open air or no. It becomes sufficiently greened and toughened when spread out in moderate light, in preparation for seed. My pride has got a sufficient fall this year never to allow my seed Potatoes to be destroyed in future. Very rich people might cover an acre of ground or so with a glass structure, and grow Potatoes under it, giving plenty of ventilation and artificial watering. This, I consider, is the only way to set the disease at defiance, with the glass as a nonconductor and repellant of the fungoid rain during thundery, hot, muggy weather. I grew my newest crosses rom seed under glass last season, and not asymptom of disease appeared on them. I shall lose two-thirds of them this year -from disease in the open ground. What do you think of that ? The best strains of the best sorts studied and combined for flavour, form, and appearance, years of trials dashed away just at the close of alifetime! Still I hope for consolation, for out of about a thousand seedlings I may fairly calculate on some ‘three hundred sorts of my pretty ones being left—enough you may possibly think for any man with a conscience.—Urwarps AND ONWARDS. We are of opinion that the outcry proclaiming the extensive prevalence of this scourge is vastly exaggerated. We know -from personal inspection that the Potato disease is not preva- lent in the Isle of Man, where it is the principal crop, and from whence thousands of tons are annually exported. We also hear that in Ireland the disease is not excessively de- veloped. The Irish Farmers’ Gazette, one of the most ably con- ducted journals of that island says, ‘‘ So far as Ireland is con- cerned, it would be folly to deny that the state of the Potato -erop is far from being satisfactory. _Disease exists in a large number of districts, and owing tothe unfavourable weather for planting last spring, until a considerable part of the season had -passed, the tubers in many parts of the country are small and immature, so that, as a County Kilkenny farmer expressed it, a large extent of ground-has to be ‘ stript’ before a sufficient -quantity of fair-sized tubers can be obtained to send to market. With all this, there is nothing like a panic in Ireland, nor is ‘there the slightest dread that ‘a second Irish famine’ is about ‘to occur, as a London daily, noted for its sensational proclivities, recently asserted.” A Much do we marvel to see any man of intelligence affirm that lightning accompanied by storms in early autumn occasions the disease. The wet accompanying the high tempe- atures of that season may promote the progress of the putre- faction of the tubers, but the disease was in them before the occurrence of these storms. Twenty-five years since the writer of this published as follows: —This disease was most extensively destructive of the tubers of ‘the Potato crop in the British Islands in 1845 and 1846. But at is not a new disease to the vegetable nosologist, nor confined ‘to these Islands. In July, August, or early in September, whilst the fibres connecting the tubers with the stem are still full of sap and the vital circulation is still in force, this disease makes its ap- ‘pearance. The leaves and stems become blotched with black decayed parts: the putrefaction or ulceration is moist, and, if the weather be wet and ungenial, proceeds so rapidly, that an unpleasant efiluvium is very perceptibly evolved. The stems uleerating and decaying whilst the fibres connecting the tubers with them are still vigorous, the infectious ichor is communi- ‘cated with the sap, and, passing into the still immature and juicy tubers, imparts to them the gangrene. The infection is first apparent at the end nearest the connecting fibre, spreads gradually throughout the liber of the tuber, rendering it brown like a decayed Apple, and lastly, causing the putrefaction of the whole interior. Previously to this final decay the increased ‘Specific gravity of the tuber is very remarkable, amounting to about one-third more than when the Potato is healthy. When boiled the infected portions become black; but when sub- mitted to a dry heat of about 200° they rapidly part with ‘Moisture, and the progress of the ulceration is checked, if not entirely stopped. When the disease makes its appearance before the stems and foliage are dead, it has been judiciously recommended by Dr. Lindley that these should be pulled up. This, of course, pre- vents the communication of infected sap to the tubers. Cut- ting off the stems has been found ineffectual, apparently because some of the stem then remains to impart the sap. Messrs. Dillistone, of Sturmer Nursery, Suffolk, say, ‘‘ We tried the plan of pulling up the haulm immediately upon per- ceiving the disease this year on the early varieties—viz., Shaws, Ash-leaved Kidney, &c., and the result is all that could be desired. We have lost scarcely any. The tops were left on the ends of some rows of Shaws for the sake of experiment, but nearly all the Potatoes spoiled. Mowing off the tops we find to be useless.” It has been suggested that either fungi or insects are the cause of the disease; but I think both these are excluded by the fact that it appears in every quarter and latitude of the globe—in the frigid climate of North America, in the temperate locality of Devonshire, and between the tropics at St. Helena. Now, I know of no fungus or insect that has its habitat alike uninfluenced by heat or cold; and even less conceivable is it that a fungus or insect is just created for the purpose of de- stroying the Potato crop. The fungus or insect, it is more rational to conclude, must have existed throughout time, and its ravages have only been felt by increasing degrees, as the Potato has gradually reached a state of disease fitted for the nutriment of the parasite. The same and other facts preclude unfavourable seasons from being the cause of the disease, though they may hasten its progress. The disease was quite as prevalent in 1846 as in 1845, yet no two years could have had seasons more different. It is quite clear that no local cause—such as the employment of any particular manure, the staple of the soil, or the mode of culture—can be the origin of the disease, for the crop has been grown on all possible varieties of arable soil, with and without manures, and in various modes; the sets have been dug-in and dibbled-in; the plants have been earthed-up and left unearthed ; yet in all and in each has the disease appeared. The cause, then, must be one of universal applicability, for the disease is epidemic in the widest sense of the term. Does it arise from the vital powers of the varieties being exhausted? No; for, in many instances, the most recently raised from seed are as productive of diseased tubers as the oldest, cultivated kinds. Does it arise from the almost universal practice of taking up the tubers as soon as the stems are dying or dead, and keeping those tubers out of the soil for four, five, or more months? I am of opinion that this is the cause. The practice is nearly universal: it is the practice throughout Europe, as it is in America, St. Helena, and the hill districts of Hindostan; and in all those regions the disease prevails. It is not the practice in New Zealand, and there the disease is unknown. Now, has the withdrawal of bulbs and tubers from the soil the effect of gradually rendering them and their progeny diseased? I think no horticulturist or vegetable physiologist will answer in the negative. A writer in the Gardeners’ Chro- nicle of the year 1846 (p. 478), most correctly observes that the bulbs of Hyacinths, Tulips, and Crocuses keep well in the ground, but if taken up have a strong tendency to decay. But what effect has this treatment upon the plants to which they give birth? Why, it imparts to them disease. The strain, the beauteous variegation of the Tulip’s petals, are the effects of disease. Leave the bulb in the soil throughout the year and it returns to its natural vigour and simple colours. No variety occasioned and preserved by such artificial treat- ment will endure beyond a few years. It is no effectual objec- tion that seedling Potatoes are now affected with the same disease, for such diseases are hereditary in vegetables as well as in animals, and the seedling’s tubers have been subjected to the same keeping out of the soil for months as were its parents. Neither is it an effectual objection to say that only of late years the disease has prevailed, for it has been noticed for full fifteen years, and it is only by such detention from the soil through a series of years that the disease is advanced to its prevailing malignant form. It is only thus that varieties of the Tulip and Dahlia are gradually destroyed.* Tubers and bulbs kept out of the soil, whether freely ex- posed or in covered heaps, all undergo the same chemical changes—absorbing oxygen and emitting carbonic acid, and * Tt is no new disease—no modern introduction into the lists of vegetable nosology. Ihave noticed it for the last fifteen years. From 1830 to 1841 it seriously injured the Potato crops of Germany, and is noticed by Von sae as the Potato gangrene.—Von Martius ‘On the Epidemics of Pota- eS. 210 the longer they are so kept, so proportionately does all expe- rience show that they lose the power of healthy vegetation. In the Potato so treated the foliage produced is diminished, and liable to the curl and its premature decay; and I have a strong opinion that the small produce and early decay of the tubers has its origin from the same cause. I quite agree with Dr. Lyon Playfair in thinking that the disease itself is an ulceration or decay of the Potato tissue, arising first in the sap of the leaves, and, like all other putre- factions, attended by the phenomenon of combination with an unnaturally large amount of oxygen. The diseased spots in the tubers appear first near the spiral vessels which convey air to the internal cells. The rapid decay of the cells, I agree with Dr. Playfair in thinking, arises from their unnaturally weak constitution—a weakness we have seen, from Mr. Grey’s experiments and almost universal experience, occasioned by a lengthened detention of the tubers from the soil. From those opinions the writer has not changed, but he has changed from the opinion that autumn planting would prevent the occurrence of the disease. He so thought because he con- cluded that such planting would insure an earlier ripening of the tubers; but experience has proved that autumn-planted Potatoes ripen their crops later than spring-planted Potatoes of the same variety. He does not alter, however, from his experience-founded conviction that early-ripening varieties are safe from the disease. He recommends that varieties pro- ducing tubers ready for storing by the end of July should be exclusively cultivated. If this practice be adopted, and the Potatoes are stored in a shed in layers, alternating with dry sand or dry earth, there will never be any serious loss from *‘the Potato murrain.”—G. DURATION OF STANDARD ROSES. In your impression of August 29th, Mr. Bartrum asks the question, “To what age standard Roses may be expected to last?’ and I venture to give some results of my own expe- rience, in the hope that others also will let us know the con- clusions at which they have arrived. With regard to Hybrid Perpetuals, the class of Roses in which we take most interest, the answer is not a very easy one, as we must take into consideration accidents of tempera- ture as well as natural decay. The winters of 1860 and 1870 well nigh cleared off all the old standards which were then in existence, and those which were not directly frozen to death were so injured as to die shortly afterwards. I,in common with many others, lost at least nine-tenths of my standards on each occasion. A few, however, survived, and of these I have Louise Odier and Enfant de Mont Carmel planted in 1859, - Jules Margottin about 1862. Theso are all I can identify, though probably there may be others as old. The former two are in bad order, and would have been removed ere now, but that the place where they were first planted was the front of a plantation, which has so far overgrown the border as to render it useless to plant any Rose there which I care about. Jules Margottin in a better position is in good health and vigorous, but the flowers are small. I have several more which I know to be seven or eight years old, and I daresay I should have many but for the two great frosts, my custom of weeding-out all second-rate sorts (and there are few which are not superseded in six years), and all, even of the best varieties; which show signs of old age, as soon as I can supply their place with younger plants. Of summer Roses I have but few, but of those some half- dozen grow where they were planted in 1856 under similar circumstances to the two mentioned above, and one, La Joyeuse, which I believe (I am not certain) to be twenty-four years old, still vigorous, in spite of age and neglect, as are several others. How long it is advisable to keep standard Roses is another matter; not many, I think, will produce good flowers for more than five or six years, and if I could spare time for the con- tnt budding required I would have none for more than three. The age of Roses on their own roots is much more extended, and seems practically indefinite. I remember an old Maiden’s Blush, which was said to have been an old Rose when my father was a boy, say eighty years ago, and was vigorous and healthy till, alas! modern improvements, quite lately, im- proved it off the face of the earth. I have very few Roses on their own roots; one I know to be twenty-three years old—Lamarque; it has been moved twice, JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 12, 1872. and killed down twice, and covers a wall for the space of more than 100 square feet. Of the Manetti standards I know prac- tically nothing, as Roses do not take kindly or grow well on it with me. I suppose my goil is too heavy, suiting Briars admirably.—Duckwine. Your correspondent, page 162, wishes to know if worked Roses will last in good health longer than three years, and in doing so opens up a very large question. Many undoubtedly perish after two years, or so degenerate as to be worthless, while others with good constitutions will live and thrive for a score of years or more. Those who doubt the ability of Roses to thrive so long should see a lot planted by the late Mr. Rogers at Riverhill. They are principally strong-growing kinds of Perpetuals and Hybrid Chinas. The latter are trained om the umbrella principle, the old shoots being taken out and young ones tied down each year; they thrive amazingly, and are trees in fact as well as name. One great cause of failure is, I think, attributable to working on stocks not properly ripened. I consider the stock should have at least two years’ growth before it is taken from its native hedge. Many are, however, mere suckers, and as suck are frozen through the first year they are planted; and though they may grow strong enough to be budded, the seeds of disease are in them, and in a short time the trees will perish. Another cause of failure arises from amateurs persisting in trying to keep tender Roses out of doors when they ought to be taken up and put in a house every winter. In some of the principal nurseries this course is followed, not only with Teas and Noisettes, but also with many of the delicate Hybrid Perpetuals. The Roses here have been all that we could wish this season, and many kinds before thought worthless have turned out first-rate. Cloth of Gold flowers freely enough if the shoots are laid-in entire. I should like to add a word on October Peas. With me they invariably fail, nor do I ever remember seeing a crop worth the name in the middle of October.—CHartes WoopHams, Barn Elms Park, Barnes. GREAT INTERNATIONAL FRUIT SHOW. We are in a position to announce that there will be a Great International Fruit Show held at South Kensington on Wednesday, November 6th, in which all home and foreigm growers of fruit are invited to take part, and on which occasion prizes will be offered for very varied collections of fruits. The schedule will be found a copious one. THE BEDDING-OUT IN THE LONDON PARKS. (Continued from page 167.) In the account already given of the bedding in Hyde Park, we left off.at the Marble Arch ; we will now strike across the Park to Mr. Chamberlain’s house, in front of which is an ad- mirably executed piece of bedding in the form of a semicircle. In front of the house is a semicircle, at the outside, next the Park, a semicircular border, and in the space between the two are circular and heart-shaped beds in two ranks. Beginning at the outside, first there is a row of Echeveria secunda glauca, next Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum; in the middle, small ovals of Gnaphalium lanatum, surrounded by » chain of Alternanthera magnifica, which in its turn is sur- rounded by a chain of Golden Feather Pyrethrum, between which and triangles of Antennaria tomentosa the ground is carpeted with Alternanthera amcena, which has a bright and lively appearance. At each end of this border are planted mis- cellaneous fine-foliaged plants, as Palms, Dracenas, Coleuses,, and Solanums. Coming now to the heart-shaped beds forming the first rank in the space included between the two semi- circles, the two end beds are margined with Sempervivum tabuleforme, edged with Alternanthera amcna, and filled with a mixture of white-variegated Pelargoniums and Purple King Verbena. The other two heart beds are margined with Sempervivum californicum, edged with Alternanthera mag- nifica, and filled with a mixture of bronze-leaved Pelargo- niums and Viola cornuta. The circles forming the inner rank are all margined with Echeyeria, and edged with Mesem- bryanthemum cordifolium variegatum, next to which is a band of Alternanthera magnifica, the centre being occupied with Geraniums, except in the middle circle, which has a rich September 12, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 211 centre of Coleus Verschafielti. The back semicircle is mar- gined and edged like the circles, and within there are Achy- ranthes Verschaffelti and Mrs. Pollock Pelargonium, the re- mainder of the bed being a fine mass of Fire King. ‘These are the dry details of one of the most effective examples of bed- ding we have seen this year, but to be duly appreciated it must be seen. By the side of the broad walk to the old Palace of Kensington there are several fine oblong beds of Scarlet Pelargoniums, surrounded with White Perfection Lobelia, edged with Alter- nanthera magnifica, and margined by Golden Feather Pyre- thrum. Alternately with these are circles of Pillar of Gold Calceolaria in fine bloom. The beds in front of the broad space of grass are also effectively planted with Coleus Ver- schaffelti, blue Lobelias, and variegated Pelargoniums, and the oblongs with scarlet varieties and yellow Calceolarias. Pursuing our circle we next come to the subtropical plants, which are to be found between Albert Gate and St. George’s Gate. We miss this year the tall Abyssinian Bananas, noble plants, but their leaves were so torn by the long sweep of the winds across the Park last year, that wisely Palms and other harder-leaved plants haye been employed this season. Notice- able among the beds in this part are a half-moon one of Cala- dium esculentum, carpeted with Dell’s Beet, and surrounded with Golden Pyrethrum. A scroll bed of the Coral Tree (Erythrina Crista-galli) is also very striking, and there are numerous fine beds of Indiarubber Plants, Cannas, Castor Oil Plants, and Solanums. Of the last-named genus, 8. margina- tum and Warscewiczioides are singularly effective. Beds in which are Acacia lophantha, with the ground carpeted with Amaranthus bicolor, and of the graceful Fern-like Grevillea robusta carpeted with Koniga maritima variegata, mixed with Brilliant blue Lobelia, a splendid kind, edged with Begonia wel- toniensis, and margined with Alternantheras, are well worthy of note. The Acacias along the drive form the centres of little circles of blue, yellow, and purple Violas, which were till lately very full of bloom. In the subtropical beds not already referred to, the margins and edgings of which it would be tedious to describe, we noticed Musa Cavendishii, with a carpeting of the pale-blue-flowered Plumbago capensis; a heart-shaped bed of Wigandia caracasana, a large heart-shaped bed of Polymnia grandis, and beds of Musa superba, which, though not of such noble port as the Abyssinian Banana, is, nevertheless, a grand plant for sub-tropical gardening, and the roots can be kept over the winter in a cellar if dried like Hyacinths after flowering. Of isolated specimens there are handsome examples of Dracrena lineata, Strelitzia Nicolai, Dracena australis 13 or 14 feet high, D. Veitchii, Musa Ensete, Variegated New Zealand Flax; and among Palms Seaforthia elegans, Chamsrops humilis, Latania borbonica, the Date Palm, Areca rubra, and Seaforthia Cun- ninghami, the last-named very graceful. Crossing into the Green Park, we find by the side of the walk parallel to Piccadilly a charming series of circular and oblong beds, two of the former being placed between every two of the latter. As far as Down Street they have a margin of Blue King Lobelia, within which is an edging of Alternanthera magnifica surrounding a band of Dactylis glomerata variegata, and the middle portion of the oblongs is filled with ‘scarlet Pelargoniums, and the circles with variegated Pelargoniums. From Down Street to the late Lord Palmerston’s, Echeveria secunda glauca is used as a margin, Alternanthera amcna as an edging, and Golden Feather Pyrethrum as a first row. The centres of the circles are filled with variegated Pelargo- niums mixed with bedding Violas or Lobelias, the oblongs with scarlet Pelargoniums, forming fine masses of bloom, especially Stella, Lucius, and Culford Rose. The mixture of the Gera- niums and Lobelias or blue Violas in this series, as well as the use of the variegated Dactylis in that previously noticed, has a peculiarly agreeable effect. Just opposite Lord Pal- merston’s is a fine bed of Coleus Verschaffelti, surrounded with Robert Fish golden-leaved Pelargonium. From this point to the end of the walk the beds are all edged with Alternanthera magnifica, and margined with Golden Feather Pyrethrum, Cineraria maritima being planted as a first row, and the cen- tres of the circles filled with a mixture of variegated Pelar- goniums and blue Lobelias or Violas, the oblongs with scarlet Pelargoniums. Of these Lord Palmerston is conspicuous by its profusion of bloom ; circles of bronze-leayed kinds mixed with Viola cornuta or Blue King Lobelia, and Mrs. Pollock mixed with Viola Blue Perfection, are also very effective. On the east of the park we have a series of oblong beds, but as many of them are much exposed they are not generally so fine as the beds already noted. They are margined with Stachys lanata, edged with Ivesine Herbstii, and planted with scarlet Pelargoniums, or with silver variegated kinds and Purple King or Sportsman Verbena, or blue Lobelias. Crossing St. James’s Park, the next place which we shall note is St. Margaret’s Square, close to the Houses of Parlia- ment. Here there are two enclosures rather longer than they are broad, surrounded by a low wall and open iron railing, and separated by a pathway. The high condition of the turf is a triumph of London gardening; the sward is as green, as velvety, and as close as it could be a hundred miles from the London smoke; in fact we begin to think the London smoke cannot be so bad after all as it is represented to be, or rather as it really was before so many large open spaces were formed. Along the sides and ends of the enclosure are oblong beds with circular beds at the corners, the former margined with Echeyeria secunda glauca, and edged with White Perfection Lobelia, the latter margined with Sempervivum montanum, and edged with White Perfection Lobelia. Within the edgings the first row in the oblongs is Golden Fleece Pelargonium, in the circles Tom Thumb Ageratum. The centres of the oblongs are filled-in with Glow, Indian Yellow, Waltham Seedling, and other scarlet Pelargoniums; the circles with bronze or ‘silver-variegated Pelargoniums mixed with blue Lobelia. In the southern en- closure the planting is to match that of the northern one, but blue Lobelia is employed as an edging instead of the white- flowered. In New Palace Yard, close at hand, there are some beds of Cannas and Coleus, intermixed with Abutilon Thompsoni. The preceding details of the bedding-out in the parks and gardens under Mr. Gibson’s management, from the very fact of their being details and not generalities, will show that the planting is worthy of imitation. Mr. Gibson’s talents in form- ing beautiful combinations of flowers and foliage, and in pro- ducing landscape effect, are too well known to our readers to need further comment; but it would be unjust to withhold from Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. Gibson’s estimable lieutenant, his mead of praise for the way in which he assists his chief in marshalling those big battalions in scarlet, white, and blue, with many-coloured facings. < Rare Burrerruy.—We have just taken (August 29th) the Camberwell Beauty, Vanessa Antiopa. It was seen resting on the front wall-plate of a Fig house ; it next visited the Peach houses, where I made an unsuccessful attempt to capture it. In half an hour it came back to nearly the same spot, and was finally taken resting on the border close to a few Peaches that were ripening on the open wall. Ithink it is more than likely it has a taste for fruit like its near relative V. Atalanta.—Wu. Rozins, The Gardens, Oakley Park, Suffolk. ADARE MANOR.—No. 1. County Limerick, IneLanp. Apart Manor is situated about eleven miles south-west of Limerick, and is a residence of the Earl of Dunraven. It isa most remarkable place in the history of Ireland; the immense piles of ruins scattered over the demesne give the idea that we are on the ruins of some ancient city. The modern mansion is of the mixed Tudor style. It was among the acres of surrounding ruins we had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of the late Karl of Dun- raven many years ago. The last time we met was among the ruins of Desmond Castle, where he had a hundred men at work clearing out the moats, tracing out the old founda- tions, and picking up the buried curiosities of that ancient seat of warriors; and in last October we saw the mortal re- mains of the warm-hearted and zealous Har] laid in the vault of what was the Augustinian Abbey. The splendid book which the late Earl published on the antiquities, and the still larger work now publishing, according to his testamentary directions, on the abbeys, &e., of Ireland, will be a lasting me- morial of his genius and love for antiquarian research ; and his love for arboriculture is equally illustrated by the beautiful plantations rising up so artistically and picturesquely round Adare, and in the county Kerry, in which he took such singular delight. ; : Adare has been for ages the residence of the ancient family of O’Quin, of Inchiquin. The O’Quins, of Inchiquin, in the county of Clare (of which family the Earl of Dunraven is a 212 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. { September 12, 1872. direct descendant), are a branch of the ‘‘ O’Briens,” kings of Munster, of whom the last of the race was ‘‘ Rory the Black,” who, it is said, married the daughter of a soldier serving the | Lord Inchiquin, and this was supposed to have caused the death of his father, who wished him to marry a daughter of | O’Brien, Lord of Thomond. This caused a disruption between the O’Briens and Rory the Black, which ended in a fierce war, and the clan of O’Quin were driven from their patrimony of | Inchiquin, and crossed the Shannon into Limerick, and the noble owner of Adare is now the direct representative of the ancient clan. The first O’Quin who settled at Adare died in 1671, and was buried in the old Franciscan Abbey; his son, Theodore Quin, born in 1645, may justly be esteemed as the second founder or restorer of the family, and from his time we date the forma- tion of the demesne of Adare. The beauty of the park at Adare is much enhanced by the river Maigue running through it from south to north, washing | the base of the Manor as well as the massive ruin of Desmond Castle, and it runs out of the park through the quaintest-look- | ing bridge we ever saw. This bridge forms part of the great picture of Desmond Castle; the arches are very irregular in size, the distances between them most peculiar, and the picture | is completed by huge masses of Ivy projecting as only can be seen in the south of Iveland. This bridge is supposed to have been built by Gerald, fifth Earl of Kildare, about 1390; the | bridge blends, as it were, with the Ivy-clad walls of Desmond | Castle, and when the group is seen reflected in the lake-like river—for lake-like it is here—it is the most artistic com- bination we ever saw. The walls and outlines of Desmond Castle are in substantial order; the keep is accessible by stairs, and from the summit | is a rich view of a highly fertile country round. The date of | the building of the castle is not known. The style indicates known to have belonged to the Earls of Desmond for half a century, then it passed to the Earls of Kildare, or Geraldines, and was dismantled by Cromwell in 1657. This great ruin consists of two wards, an inner and outer. There are three gateways to the outer ward; the two principal ones are in square towers in the west and north walls, and were defended by porteullises. The moats are in good order, especially that surrounding the inner ward and keep, and the Nymphea alba, flowering so abundantly, is a very striking object. In the outer ward are some fine trees of Beech and Horse Chestnut, which give a peculiar freshness and repose in the mass of ruins, which is well expressed in the lines of Gerald Griffin :— “ Peaceful it stands, the mighty pile, By many a heart’s blood once defended, Yet silent now as cloistered aisle, Where rung the sounds of banquet splendid; Age holds its undivided state Where youth and beauty once were cherished, And leyerets pass the wardless gate Where heroes once essayed and perished.” Leaving Desmond by the carriage drive, on our left appears another group of ruins. This was the old parish church of Adare and burying-ground; here the Ivy is growing in ex- traordinary masses, and the stems quite tree-like in size. In 1807 the old church of the Augustinian Abbey was given by the then Earl of Dunraven for a Protestant place of worship, and the good Earl fitted-up the church substantially. Behind the Adare Abbey. that it belongs to the close of the twelfth century. It is | burying-ground isan old orchard which belonged to a turnpike, a place of tribute happily now unknown in Ireland. The late Earl had this ground effectively planted with Coniferous trees some twelve years ago. Already these trees are striking objects, the most noticeable are Pinus insignis, Pinus Laricio, and Cupressus macrocarpa; several varieties of Piceas and the Deodars are also very flourishing. Near this we observe some groups of trees very skilfully planted and making rapid growth. These trees have only been planted a few years. The groups consist of Wellingtonias, Deodars, Cupressus macrocarpa, and Silver Poplars, and farther on by the side of the Limerick- road are well-arranged groups of the Austrian Pine. In a few years this planting will wonderfully change and improve this side of the park. It may here be stated that all the Coniferous trees planted at Adare for the past twelve years have been grouped for ultimate effect. On the edge of the park, near where these young trees are, is a meeting-house belonging to the ‘“ Palatines,” who settled at Adare in 1777. In our time the name of “ Palatine” is barely understood; it may interest some to hear a few par- ticulars as to their settlement in Limerick. We need not refer to their being driven out of France by Louis XIV., and their arrival in Ireland, where a large number of them settled at Rath Keale, some six miles south of Adare, on the property of Lord Southwell; they were embodied in the free yeomany of the country under the name of ‘True Blues,’ or German Fusileers, and were commanded by a Captain Brown. Each September 12, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTTAGE GARDENER. 213 man, woman, and child was given eight acres of land. They were introduced to Adare by Colonel Quin and his successor, Sir Richard Quin, first Earl of Dunraven. We now pass along the Limerick carriage-drive until we reach the spot where the original entrance-gate was, and stand before the magnificent pile of the Franciscan abbey. This ruin is in excellent preservation, and so skilfully were the necessary repairs done for the preservation of this fine abbey, that it would require an expert to be able to state that | the building is not as it stood four centuries ago. This abbey was partly built by Thomas Earl of Kildare, in 1464, in | honour of St, Michael. The Earl of Kildare only erected the church part and a fourth part of the cloister. He also be- stowed a bell of great value, and two silver chalices. His Countess (who was a daughter of James Harl of Desmond), laid the foundation stone of this abbey. James Earl of Des- mond was attainted in a parliament held at Drogheda, and executed ‘“‘for alliance and fosterage with the Irish,” in 1467. This abbey was added to by many devout Ivishmen, among whom we find the names O’Sullivan, O’Dea, Fitz- maurice, Fitzgibbon, and John, son of the last-named Earl of Desmond, all of whom were buried within the walls. During the wars of the great Karl of Desmond the friars were ejected from the abbey, and when Queen Elizabeth bestowed it on a soldier of fortune named Wallop, he allowed it to go to ruin. The abbey, however, became again tenanted by monks, but during the civil wars in the time of Charles I. it was said to have been burned by an Earl of Inchiquin, called ‘* Murragh of the Conflagrations.” The gateway on the south side is the only one standing, and is in tolerably good order. The ruins of the ‘‘ old mill” are quite distinct, and in the garth stands a venerable Yew tree of large size. Close to the east end of this abbey there is a stump of an Ash tree, under which John Wesley is said to have preached to the Palatines, and the Wesleyans continue to hold an annual meeting on the same spot. This ruin covers about two acres of ground. ITXORAS. Tus popular genus of Rubiaces includes amongst its mem- bers some of the most gorgeous plants which serve to orma- ment our stoves, and contributes some of the finest subjects for the decoration of the exhibition tent which it is possible to setup. A consi- derable number of species are now in cultivation, all of which I believe are natives of the Kast Indies and the is- lands of the Indian Archipelago; but in addition, the ranks have been consider- ably augmented by the production of numerous varieties through the skill of the hybridiser in our gardens. It is not my intention to take the whole ge- nus in detail, beau- tiful though they undoubtedly are, but merely to call attention to the two fine varieties which I am enabled to figure through the kindness of Mr. B. 8. Williams, of Up- per Holloway, who distributed them to the public in the spring of 1871. Ixora Williamsii (fig. 1), is an espe- cial favourite with me, and is, I think, destined to become a universalj favour- ite. It is of free habit ; the foliage is bold and stout in texture; the trusses are yery large, the colour most pleas- ing, and they are produced in great profusion even on small plants. Ihave now young plants of this variety which are only 8inches high, and they are bearing one and two trusses of bloom upwards of 6 inches in diameter, whilst the individual flowers are upwards of 2 inches long and of a charming shade of reddish salmon. Every person who sees this variety is delighted with it, and I have no doubt that it will become a favourite exhibition plant. The next variety, Prince of Orange (fig. 2), is an equally profuse bloomer with the one dedicated to Mr. Williams, flow- Fig. 1, Ixora Williamsii. ering when quite as young; indeed I haye this kind with two and three trusses of bloom on plants not much over 7 inches high. his very floriferous habit, combined with the distinct colour, which is rich orange red, with a tinge of violet on the limb, renders it at once distinct and beautiful; at the same time it is but fair to add that the trusses are not quite so large as in jig.1, yet they mea- sure some 4 inches in diameter even upon these small plants. All Ixoras de- light in strong heat and a humid at- mosphere ; but the notion which some have that they will not grow well with- out being plunged in bottom heat is quite erroneous. I find my plants thrive well in good peat and fibrous loam with a little sand added, using about two parts of the peat to one of loam. The drain- age should be kept clear, as they de- light in an abun- dant supply of water. If wanted for blooming at the end of May and be- ginning of June, I like to prune and start? them early in January, whilst those for later flow- ering may be left until - about the middle of March; on the contrary, those plants which are not wanted to flower at any stated time, but the flowers of which are welcome whenever they appear, will need but a very limited period of rest. Txoras are peculiarly liable to the attacks of mealy bug and thrips; the former becomes a pest, and presents a very un- sightly appearance if allowed to get into the trusses of bloom— in fact, when the flowers have expanded it is scarcely possible to clean them out without injuring the appearance of the truss. A little care and attention will, however, keep off this pest of Fig. 2, Ixora Prince of Orange. 214 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 12, 1872. the stove, the best and easiest remedy I have found being an occasional application of the ‘‘ Abyssinian Mixture.” When plants are large it is somewhat difficult to dip them, but the result will warrant any trouble taken, whilst in the case of young plants nothing is more easy.—EXxPERTO CREDE. HEATING SMALL GREENHOUSES. Aut things considered, there is no such easy and economical mode of heating a small greenhouse, say 20 to 30 feet by 10 feet, as by an iron stove, because it can be so easily moved out of the way from April to the end of October. The numerous failures of which we hear are chiefly owing to the stove being made too hot, and very hot. iron will ever be hurtful to plants, because the air round the stove is burned and deprived of its oxygen. This, again, is the result of having a single iron barrel stove with the firebox abutting against the side iron, and not only in plant houses but in workrooms I have seen the iron opposite the firebox red hot. No wonder if plants suffer, and young women and lads faint and get knocked up. No such single-barrel iron stove ought ever to be placed in a plant house. Hither the stove should be wide enough—say from 12 to 15 inches square or in diameter, so as to have an 8 or J-inch fizsbox standing in the centre, with a space all | round it so as not to abut on the sides, or there should be a firebox made of the best firebrick. In either case the iron at the sides opposite the fire never becomes much warmer than the rest of the stove. For several seasons I kept the frost out of an ornamental house, a lean-to, some 50 feet long, 10 feet wide, front glass 12 feet high, with a hipped roof considerably higher, by a cylindrical iron stove, with the fireplace lined with firebrick, and the plants near the stove suffered nothing from the prox- imity. Of course, I prefer hot water, and have it, but there is no comparison between the two systems as regards expense. The purpose for which I chiefly write this is to guard those who have a little house against getting a single-barrel iron stove with the fireplace abutting against the sides, as these will be sure to become red hot. Two years ago I saw such a small rusty stove some 18 inches high, and 7 inches in diameter, in a small house in the shape of a baleony from the third floor, and even that small stove gave heat enough, but it was burning, parching, destroying heat. For about double the money a stove with the fireplace lined was procured, and there was no more parching and burning. For a house such as I have referred to, instead of having a trumpery stove, it would be the truest economy to purchase at once, at the expense of £3 to £4, a good article, offering the conditions to which I have referred. But for the ease in moving, I would prefer a brick stoye to an iron one. I am the more anxious on this point because, after all that has been said on the subject, people will persist in getting a thin paltry iron stove with the fuel abutting against the sides. I say emphatically that no stove where the burning fuel comes in direct contact with the iron sides is fit to go into a house of plants. This matter clearly understood, I have no doubt that many thousands of small houses would be heated comfortably for a mere trifle in winter, that now are little better than a desert in the winter months. For small places I honestly be- lieve that no other mode of heating will be so economical, and a little practice makes it cleanly and effective.—R. Fisx. A PLEA FOR GARDENERS WHO HAVE CHILDREN. Iam one of those gardeners, and I feel quite justified in making an appeal to the general readers of Tor JouRNAL OF Horticti7ure to try and remove the unjust punishment which we who have children haye for a long time suffered. How can anyone with common sense expect that if a young healthy couple marry they are never to have a family? Itis true there are several who do not have any, but they are seldom happy or contented ; they have no idea of the comforts derived from children, and as years pass on and they become old, what can be more distressing than to see one of either sex, whether rich or poor, left without son or daughter, perhaps on a death- bed, with no one to whisper comfort ? I am sure that many good gardeners are passed by because of their family, andin many cases they are the best men; they are more thoughtful and more persevering—in fact, circum- stances compel them to be so. It is a very hard case when a gardener with a family leaves one situation, and, hearing of another going, makes application for it, and finds because he has a family he willnotdo. Scarcely a week passes but we see an advertisement with the words, ‘‘ No incumbrance.’’ It is very much like the advertisements that may sometimes be seen in the daily newspapers—viz., ‘‘ No Irish need apply.” Then what is a family man todo? The best thing for him is to emigrate to some newer country, where his family in- stead of being a hindrance to him will be a blessing; but in my opinion it is a disgrace in a country like England to lose a man with a good character and good abilities, and who is also able to do all sorts of work. I am happy to be able to say there are a few kind and thoughtful gentlemen yet who do not despise us, mostly fathers themselves, who know what it is to bring up a family—know the anxiety, the thought, the trouble, and with all this there is a pleasure that none but a parent can enjoy. Again, I am sure that in boys whose fathers are gardeners, and who are sometimes allowed to visit the potting-shed—in them we gene- rally find our best gardeners. The boy generally learns to crock pots, he learns all the different sizes of pots, the names of all garden tools, the names of the different soils, and, be- sides, he learns the names of many plants, and when it is time for him to leave school (provided he take to the pro- fession) he is already conversant with all the minor details of an ordinary garden. I have been a constant reader of the Journal for the last ten years, and I do not remember anyone writing much on this subject during that time. It is true our friend ‘‘ Wir- sHtRE Rector” did write a little on the death of poor Mr. Chitty, but I hope that he, or some one as able, will take our case in hand, for we feel at present something like a very large Dahlia without a stake-—Jamers R. Pocoox, Gardener to R. N. Dale, Esq., Prince’s Park, Liverpool. GREEN ROSES. T wave no doubt many of your readers will feel much inter- ested with the record and accompanying accurate illustration of the green Rose given at page 132 of the Journal. I remem- ber taking note of one which was, and I believe is still, grow- ing against the ornamental brick wall which encloses and separates the herbaceous department from the other botanical pleasure grounds in the Royal Gardens, Kew. There, inrather a northern position, in company with other miscellaneous climbers, it was growing luxuriantly, and producing abundance of blooms quite as green as the foliage. From this it may be inferred that there is nothing peculiar in its cultivation. As in the engraving, the petals were of ragged outline, the entire bloom being deficient of that desirable symmetrical form characteristic of the queen of flowers. The unattrac- tiveness of the bloom, or rather the want of a contrasting colour, will not secure its extensive use, as, unless when closely inspected, the bloom is scarcely distinguishable from the foliage ; nevertheless, its singular distinctiveness from all others will gain for it a place in the most unpretentious collection— that is, when it becomes more plentiful. At present I believe it to be as rare as it is curious.—J. M. C. HEATING BY HOT WATER AND BY HOT ATR. I VENTURE again to trouble you, this time with some notice of the remarks made by your correspondent, “‘ J. C. M.,” and by your reporter. Itseems to me that dogmatic remarks such as those made by “J.C. M.,” at page 111, do not aid in deciding the questions raised. I do not see how “J. C. M.’s” veto acquires force because some one once hatched red spider by Polmaise when he was an apprentice. My plan is not Polmaise. For the remarks of your reporter I am much obliged. I think, nay, I am sure, that many of the reasons he gives for his opinions are wrong; but reasons are given, and candidly and courteously stated. I hope to be able to point out, without giving offence, where I think that his mistakes lie. The opinions of my plan which he holds must have been formed after a cursory inspection only, at least, so far as respects the stove ; for, far from ‘the iron being heated through a thickness of brick,” the gaseous products of combustion play directly on the interior surface of the gilled iron dome, if I may so callit. The mass of ignited fuel is below, in a firebox of masonry. This box of masonry is by some, especially by iron-founders, ob- jected to as cumbrous; but as it prevents contact of the fuel with metal, and affords a reservoir of heat in cases of careless stoking, I cannot dispense with it. Just before writing thus about the stove, your reporter makes a broad assertion, “ That September 12, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 215. it is impossible to get cold outer air completely saturated with moisture by means of evaporating-pans.” Now, if he speaks of evaporating-pans such as are used by me, I can but answer by a shrug such as Galileo must have given when he was told that the earth ought not to, and did not, and could not, move round the sun. I, therefore, only shrug, and ask my wet and dry bulb thermometer what it thinks of that story. But I have a difficulty in finding common ground of argument with your reporter, for his notions of the laws which relate to heat and heated fluids seem to me to be, to say the least, in- accurate. For instance, I stated that of heat produced from fuel a certain portion, much or little as the case might be, must be used to draw the air through the fuel, and that the heat necessary for this purpose could not be made available for the further purpose of heating. This is a ‘ dictum” your reporter “cannot agree with.’ Yet it is as self-evident as the dictum that two and two cannot make five, and has been so self-evident ever since folk agreed that they could not eat their cakes and have them. So, again, your reporter says, ‘‘There is no real economy of fuelin a tall shaft, it only insures more perfect combus- tion,’ and then he gives some reasons which are exquisitely wrong. The true reason why air rises through (let us say), a 6-foot chimney, is because the 6-foot air-column within the chimney is lighter, say by 1 0z., than the 6-foot column outside it. It has been made this 1 oz. lighter by the consumption of the necessary quantity of fuel. If we raise the chimney to 12 feet, the difference between the weights of the outer and inner columns will be doubled; and if we wish the smoke to issue with no greater velocity than it did at first, we must burn only half the fuel. The half saved from draught uses is thus available for heating uses. To set all this out fully would take some time; but, even as Abernethy said, ‘‘ Read my book,’ I would refer your reporter to a paper you were good enough to print in vol. i., new series, entitled, “‘ What Causes a Draught.” If your reporter can accept the explanation there given he will no longer say that “the rapidity of the rise of my hot-air current entirely depends on the amount of heat it extracts from the stove.” On the contrary, he will find that I rely upon a shaft to induce temperate currents, instead of urging a stove to impel hot ones; and this shaft may be above or below the ground level, but if possible should be below. I fear that I have already trespassed too much upon your space, but if I may continue I would say that my principle No. lis nota “truism,” for many gardeners advocate imperfect glazing, and rejoice in their chinks. But while I denounce all such “fissures of imperfect structure,’ I am fully sensible of the need which they rudely supply. If nothing better could be offered we might well accept such orifices as a means of in- troducing fresh air. But if outer air is to be introduced, inner air must be expelled, and the question remains, Shall we expel the hottest or the coldest portion of it? If you depend on chinks or on top air the hottest is lost, by my system the coldest departs. Your reporter speculates on the effect of a gale acting on the escape-orifices, but does not seem to have observed that these orifices are in duplicate, so that only those on the lee side need be opened. But if I sin in this point I sin in good company, for like remarks would apply to Mr. Taylor’s very useful arrange- ment (exhibited in the gold-medal house), which received, as it deserved, your reporter’s praise. Mr. Housman does not forget how rapidly air cools (odd, isn’t that, when it is so diffi- cult to warm ?), for he points out how the vacuum produced by such condensation induces a swifter rush through the stove chamber, and so permits of fiercer firing on a fierce night. Nor has he forgotten to provide slides in the middle house, from which, if the surplus heat from the warmer houses is not suffi- cient, supplies from the air-canal may be turned on. Space forbids me to treat of the laws relating to the radi- ation of heat, and to it conductivity. These laws are widely different, yet by many persons are confounded ; but I must ask your reporter not to suppose that what he has said on these points is unanswerable because unanswered, and ask him also to acceptan expression of thanks and good will—Hpwarp Hovs- MAN, Bromsgrove. WORK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Remove decaying leaves from Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, and other crops of the Cabbage tribe, and trench them into the soil in some spare part of the garden set apart for early spring crops. Plant Endive in sheltered corners, where it can be covered in severe weather with fern, dry litter, or mats. Sow Cauliflowers on a warm border, in case the early sowings prove too forward. Sow and plant Lettuces. Onions are not generally so sound as usual, and are likely to keep badly. They will, therefore, require to be spread out thinly and fre- quently looked over. Thin Winter Spinach ; vacancies may be filled-up by transplanting, and by this means also the crop of Lettuce-leaved Spinach may be extended. FRUIT GARDEN. Particular attention is now required to be directed to the gathering of the earliest varieties of Apples and Pears. Asa rule, the latter may be considered fit when the stalk parts from the spur by merely raising the fruit to a horizontal position without pulling. The Flemish Beauty is, however, an ex- ception, and must be gathered whilst it still retains consider- able hold, otherwise it becomes dry and musky instead of being melting and sweet. The particular tinge of colour which Peaches and Nectarines acquire when ripe should be particu- larly observed, in order that they may not be touched till they readily part from the tree. Funnel-shaped gatherers lined with velvet have been recommended, but the hand is far pre- ferable if applied so as to grasp the fruit with gentle and equal pressure on five points of contact. In some cases the flavour of these fruits will be improved if they be not used till the day after they are gathered, but they must be laid softly on cloth or on cotton covered with tissue paper. FLOWER GARDEN. As the numerous varieties of Verbenas are now in bloom, the best kinds should be selected for bedding-out next year. The particular habit and colour of each should be noticed in order to select desirable varieties for bedding-out next year. The same precaution and observation hold good in regard to Petunias, Fuchsias, and Pelargoniums in order to ensure good arrangement at planting-out time next season. Where there are conveniences for storing them in winter, as many kinds should be grown as possible for planting on rockwork, in borders, &¢., to produce variety; but in clumps nothing but first-rate kinds should be planted. Auriculas must be sheltered from bright sunshine as well us excessive rain, keep- ing the pots free from weeds, and occasionally stirring the surface of the soil with a blunt stick. It is now a good time to procure plants from a distance, that they may be estab- lished before winter. Layers of Carnations and Picotees when sufficiently rooted may be taken off the stools and potted in pint pots; the soil should be of a sandy texture without any manure being mixed with it, in order to prevent. the plants assuming too gross a habit, which is prejudicial te their health during winter. Pinks should be planted in their blooming beds without delay. “Occasionally they are potted and sheltered in a similar manner to the Carnation, and therm turned out with the ball entire in the spring; where there is the necessary convenience this is best. Pansies may now be divided and planted out. Cuttings of the weakest shoots now strike root easily and make better plants than those of more robust habit. Dahlias should have all malformed flowers removed as soon as perceived, and where necessary some of the branches thinned-out. Trap earwigs in every possible way, and keep the ground clean round the plants. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. Climbers will always require attention to keep the shoots in their proper places. Take care, in training, that that part of the trellis or stakes nearest the bottom does not become bare of flowering shoots, as the beauty of these plants depends on their being clothed with foliage and flowers from the rim of the pot. Pot-off seedling Calceolarias in small pots, and keep them close in a frame for a few days. Put in cuttings of all the best kinds, which will readily strike in a common frame. Lilies from Japan will now be in great beauty ; supply them bountifully with water, and shade the flowers from powerful sunshine to prolong their beauty. Pay attention now to Chry- santhemums; they must not be stopped later than this to produce fine heads of bloom; a little liquid manure will assist them, let it be applied twice a-week if your desire is fine plants with large flowers. The plants out of doors should now be in readiness for housing whenever a change in the weather is apparent. The season is now so far advanced with a con- tinuance of summer-like weather, that we should be pre- pared for the reverse. See that every plant is duly staked and drained, the pot or tub it may be growing in clean- washed, the surface of the soil open and free from weeds or moss, and if any indication is apparent of slugs or worms give a root-watering with lime water. See that thorough cleanliness and order is established throughout, and that each plant is so placed as to admit of its receiving its due share of light and air. Keep these structures open night and day after the plants are placed, only reducing the ventilation when un- fvvourable weather occurs, and even then with moderation 216 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 12, 1872. and caution if sturdiness and blooming in perfection at the proper season be aimed at. Water must now be applied with more ¢aution in proportion to the difference in the supply of natural light and other changesin the atmosphere. The Orange trees should now be placed in their winter quarters, the drain- age thoroughly examined, the roots top-dressed if required, and a good fumigation of tobacco smoke applied. STOVE. The plants in this structure should now be neatly arranged, and both heat and humidity diminished by degrees as we get Jess solar light. Top-dress any plants that require it, and see well to the drainage of all plants, particularly established plants that have not been repotted for a considerable time. As the nights become cold a little fire must be given, not with any intention to promote growth, but to assist in ripening the succulent wood. As all liberally-potted specimens have made unusual progress, it now becomes a serious matter with the sultivator how to sufficiently harden their growth in order to make it stand the winter. Admit as much sunlight as possible, and give air abundantly when the temperature exceeds 80°. PITS AND FRAMES. Continue to pot-off such cuttings as are rooted, place them im a cold pit or frame for a few days in order that they may become established in the pots, when they should be removed to a sheltered situation to harden. Keep every pit or frame well filled, as no time should be lost in securing a sufficient stock for next year. One of the first things claiming attention at the present time is potting bulbs, as much of the success of early forcing depends upon early potting. Respecting the kinds, I will only remark, the common and cheap single varieties are the best, and it is much better to have a dozen or two of the ame kind than to provide a collection, many of which will mot force. I never saw bulbs in finer condition than they are this season. They are not only large, but sound and perfectly aatured. Pinks and Violets must also be looked to, the latter both for potting and blooming planted out in the frame or pit. Take them up carefully, breaking the roots as little as possible, and pot them in 32’s or 24’s, in a mixture of good loam and deaf mould. Place them in a shady situation until they make fresh roots; or a frame may be put over them if it can be spared. After they are rooted expose them as much as possible; as the only thing to prevent their damping-off in the winter and to make them flower abundantly, get the shoots thoroughly ripened. Such Violets as are not wanted for forcing should be planted out at the foot of a south wall, where they will bloom early in the spring. Mignonette should be thinned in due season. Ten-week Stocks should be sown for pricking into pots by the end of next month. Cinerarias should now be repotted, and Calceolarias parted, placed in 3-inch pots, and plunged in some cinder ashes in a cold pit or frame close éo the glass —W. Kranz. DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Hoerne, planting where there was room, looking after young erops, and earthing-up Celery have been our principal work. We have also picked rather closely Scarlet Runners and Dwarf Kidney Beans, even though we did not want them particularly, as we know that one pod allowed to seed will have a greater tendency to distress the plant than twenty pods gathered when crisp and young. The closer the gatherings the more wiil there be to gather. We have. known cottagers often sacrifice scores of fine dishes of Beans in order to save a few seeds; in other words, to secure a shilling’s worth of seeds they sacri- ficed from ten to twenty times that value of rich nutritive vegetables. Our advice is, Except for a few seeds, gather closely, and never allow a pod to grow old. If the pods do not break easily across they are too old for use. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. We have only been acting in routine. Two things, however, are worthy of consideration. First, we are perfectly foiled in endeavouring to find something like a clue to the reason why, even now, some trees are laden with fruit and other trees have not a single fruit on them. We had the idea years ago that some kinds of hardy fruit stood better than others ; but the very best to stand in our old memoranda are really the very worst this season; so that we confess to be perfectly at sea on the matter. However, a feeling of ignorance is one advantage, in so far as it makes us anxious to pick up even stray leaflets of intelligence. In this direction there is a wide field for observation well worth the attention of our younger brethren. The other matter concerns Grapes in greenhouse vineries. Many of the varieties would ripen perfectly without any help ; still, to have Grapes well ripened, a little fire heat is of great advantage, and if it is desired to keep the Grapes some time, the more thoroughly they are ripened in September the better they will keep, and for this thorough ripening moderate firing at the end of August and during the first fortnight of Sep- tember is worth more than any amount of firing in Octcber. Many would enjoy a bunch of Grapes in the first months of winter all the better if they gave a little fire heat to help them in the early autumn months. Keep in mind that Grapes well ripened in September will keep better and longer than those ripened in October or later. ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT. The heavy rains have given us the trouble of picking over our beds again, as many fine corymbs of bloom were black- ened, and spoiled the effect of the fresh ones and those just opening. A few days of moist weather make such a change, that we hope to live long enough to see small flower gardens covered with glass, so that the rains shall not rob them of their beauty. We have known many seasons when we did not require to pick leaves from scarlet Geraniums. We are obliged to do so pretty freely now to give the fiower-trusses due prominence. The damp weather has just suited Calceo- larias ; they are still splendid, and showing innumerable buds. We wish our readers would send us their observations on the hints of the other week. We are convinced at present that free blooming in the autumn depends on continuous free growth and fowering in summer; but we are unwilling that such an idea should be received generally without more corro- boration.—R. F. TO CORRESPONDENTS. N.B.—Many questions must remain unanswered until next week. Booxs (BR. J.).—You can have the “ Cottage Gardeners’ Dictionary”’ free by post from our office if you enclose 7s. 2d. with your address. Fern Case (Ff. B. S.).—One or two makers of plant cases advertise in our columns; any one of them could supply you. BENEFI? Soctety (A Constant Reader).—We cannot give you the infor- mation. Arnott’s Stove (J. C. R.).—See an article in another page. You willalso find the pros and cons in No. 354, January Sth, 1868. SuMMER AND WINTER Rave (Y. N. 7.).—Very few genera are in more confusion in their nomenclature than the genus Brassica. We believe that practically any one species of Rape may be sown so as to be ready for use at any season of the year. However, the Rape or Colsat of our winter provision is the Brassica Napus. The species known as Summer Rape, Navette d’Ete of the French, and Kohl Reps of the Germans, is Brassica precox. Tomazo (W.S.).—It was named on page 138, Orangefield Tomato. CATERPILLARS ON CAULIFLOWERS (A Subscriber). — Dusting over them white hellebore powder destroys them; but hand-picking is the remedy we employ. A woman will clear a large bed in a very short time. Wrres FoR Trarnine (F. H.).—From post to post, and an inch from the boards. Awertcan Grapes (A. W.).—If of merit they will be soon introduced here, but at present we know of not one equal to those we usually cultivate. WHITE-FLOWERED RUNNER Kipney Bran (J. T.).—It is quite common. WINTERING ALTERNANTHERA MAGNIFICA (R. J.).—You can winter this safely in a greenhouse along with the Geraniums and other bedding plants, taking up the plants early in October, potting, and placing them in alight airy position, giving no more water than is needful to keep them fresh. LiLiuM SPECIOSUM Not FLrowertne (M. F.).—We presume the cause is the weakness of the bulbs. We should adyise you to set the pots out of doors in an open but warm situation, and when the stems turn yellow repot them. After turning the plants out of the pot remove the soil down to the crown of the bulbs, cut off the stems just above the bulb, and remove all the soil that comes away freely from the roots, if there are any; if there are none, clear away the whole of the soil. Drain the pots well, and place about an inch of the rougher parts of the following compest over the drainage—viz., two parts light fibrous loam, one part sandy peat, and one part leaf soil, with one-sixth of silver sand. Fill the pots to two-thirds of their depth, introduce the bulbs, placing a little silver sand under them, and then add soil so as to cover them about half an inch deep. Place the pots in a house or frame secure from frost, give water as required to keep the soil moist; and in spring, when the shoots are a few inches higher than the rims of the pots, top-dress with the compost named, filling up the pots nearly level with the rim, but leaving a space for watering. Keep the plants clear of insects, and water liberally, but not so excessively as to saturate the soil. Lilium bulbiferum grandiflorum will succeed under the same treatment. Our “Greenhouses,” 6d., or free by post, 7d.; or “In-door Gardening,” 1s. 6d., free by post 1s. Thd., will suit you. Either may be had from our office if yon send stamps with your address. ~ Grapes WitHERING (U. V. 4.)—We suppose the Grapes are shanking, or the footstalks of the berries dry up, and the berries, as a consequence, shrivel. Tt results from an insufficient supply of sap, generally caused by the roots being inactive from being in a wet and cold border. There is no remedy but to provide a drier and consequently warmer soil, and allow a good amount of September 12, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 217 foliage, so as to encourage free root action. Do not resort to excessive removals of the laterals, but stop or remove them at short intervals. Currine Watt Ivy (W. B.).—Ii your Ivy has not been cut for six years, it should be cut-in closely from the middle to the end of next April. It is now too late to eut Ivy, but you may remove any irregularities, deferring the close-cutting with the shears until April. DRESSING AND RipGinGc Heavy Som (Idem). — Ashes, lime riddlings; sand, leaf soil, or anything not so rough as to cause trouble in the working of the ground, may be advantageously applied, and we should add the manure you propose applying, ridging up roughly for the winter. The first dy weather in February or March we should give a dressing of lime, and then turn the ground over with a fork, breaking the clods up well. PLANTS FoR Back WALL or ConsERvATORY (G. H.).—We presuma you have a border, and in that case we advise you to have Habrothamnus fasci- culatus or elegans, both fine winter-flowering plants. Lapageria rosea will also suit if not too much shaded, and so will Tacsonia Van-Volxemi. Luculia gratissima is also good, and autumn and winter-flowering, but it is of slow growth. We recommend the first named. CurantHUS Damprert Srokny (C. W.).—The plants are probably sufferinS from cold and damp. Remove them at once to the greenhouse, giving them a light airy position, and not watering more than is sufiicient to keep the soil moist. Pot them in a compost of light turfy loam two parts, and one part sandy peat, with a sixth part each of silver sand, and charcoal in lumps between the size of peas and hazel nuts. .In their early stages a temperature of 45° to 50° is most suitable, and in summer one of from 60° to 75°. Harden them off when well established, and remove them to the greenhouse. Pear For Breppine Pranrs (F. I.).— The peat of which you sent a sample is to all appearances good, and may be mixed with the soil for bedding —one part to two of good loam, but it is only as an addition to loam of a heavy nature that we should advise its adoption as an ingredient of the com- post for bedding plants. Two parts loam and one part leaf soil are prefer- able, adding sand liberally. SEVERAL GERANIUMSIN A Por (E. M. J.).—You may place several plants in a pot as you propose, and such kinds as Bijou and Flower of the Spring will do as well in that way as other kinds. It is not, however, nearly so good a plan as potting each separately. It is desirable to remove the old leaves when potting, as they only damp or wither on the plants if left. Cut away any old, long, and weak shoots, but leave the young and stubby ones. We do not advise pruning to any great extent at the time of potting, especially as you do not appear to be ina position to encourage fresh growth by placing the plants ina house with gentle heat. After potting, the plants should be placed under glass, or in a position where they can be protected from heavy rains ; and though the shelter you think of giving them under the trees would be all that would be required to save them from frost until the end of Octo- ber, we fear the soil would become very wet, especially if the autumn be rainy. Weshould choose a warm open situation, set the pots on coal ashes, and protect them from heavy rain or frost by mats or other coverings. Place the plants under glass as soon as possible after potting. Vine LEAVES Brownep (Leyton).—The leaf you sent showed evidence of the attacks of red spider, but there was none onit. Your only remedy will be to coat the pipes whilst hot with flowers of sulphur brought to the con- sistency of paint with a solution of 8 ozs. of soft soap to a gallon of water. The shrivelling of the Grapes probably arises from shanking, to which the Frontignan varieties are subject. We know-of no remedy except securing a well-drained border, and encouraging more foliage on the Vines. It would benefit the Vine to cut the Grapes for making wine. HEATING A CHAMBERED BorRDER (C.).—You should have the soil over the crown of the arches in the border from 20:to 24 inches in depth. Even then the flow and return pipe in the arches will disappoint you, unless you either cover the surface of the border with litter, or, better still, place sashes over the border. We think much may be done with chambered borders, heated from beneath, but only when the heat is kept there. The angle of 45° is very good for early forcing, but we consider a curvilinear roof better still, as the light falls at so many more angles. HEATING A GLAZED VERANDAH (M. L. Grifiths).—For such a small place (11 feet, by 4 feet, by 9 feet), we should have a strong jet of gas connected with a 1-inch pipe all round, so that you could have the heat without the fumes. A more economical mode would be to take the gas into the small narrow house, and burn it in a small iron stove, but with a half-inch pipe at the top to carry off the products of combustion. We know something of coal gas to our sorrow, and some people are unwise enough to haye it in plant houses to give light at night, but in every case the results are ruinous where means are not adopted to insure the burned gas haying a free outlet. Remoyine Roses (Alpha).—Cut round their roots at once about a foot from each stem; and you may remove them in the last week of this or first week of next month. TRAINING VinES (An Old Subscriber)—In your small house, 14 feet wide, you have room for five rods, trained up 2 feet 9 inches apart, and 1 foot 6 inches from each end, which is as close as they should be to each other. We do not see in what way you can train any more rods, so as to expose the leaves to the light. Itis a mistake to crowd the roof with leayes, and it is immaterial whether you train up the rods under or between the rafters. Stoprinc SHoots or Wau Roses (Peak of Derby).—You are right in stopping the strongest shoots of Gloire de Dijon to encourage side blooms, provided you do not cut much away. If the long shoots are trained-in to the wall they will flower eventually at the ends; but you will hasten the time of blooming if you pinch out the ends of the long shoots, though the Rose will not cover the wall so quickly. Iron Stprporters ror Roses (H. M.).—If iron arches and iron supports for standard Roses are not painted they are apt to injure Roses by rust where they are tied. Iron rust, however, will not produce the spot on the leaf, and |) your Roses are most probably suffering from black mildew or orange fungus, which is very likely caused by poverty of soil. BrraincHam Borers (LZ. & Co.).—Only the upright tubulars have hitherto been described. The horizontal tubular, and Deard’s centrifugal will appear in our next number. If you send woodcut it will be inserted. (Other In- quirers).—The notice of the boilers at the Birmingham Show will be con- tinued in our next number. Our reporteris not classifying them into those entered for competition and those merely sent as exhibits, but has divided them into upright tubulars, of which there were three—Weeks’s duplex, Harlow’s, and Clarke’s; horizontal tubulars, of which there were also three— Messenger’s, Dennis’s, and Truss’s; Deard’s centrifugal, and modifications of ‘ t he saddle, which include the tank and conical boilers, five varieties of which were entered for competition. Thewhole number of competitors was— Harlow, upright tubular; Dennis, horizontal tubular; Deard, centrifugal pipe; Mee, double saddle; Cannell, circulator; Lumby, Excelsior; Hartley & Sugden, saddle with exterded water way; Green, saddle boiler with shelves. Our next notice will include the horizontal tubulars and Deard’s centrifugal; the last notice the saddle and its modifications, both those competing and those only exhibited. Any boiler-makers exhibiting who wish to send descriptions and illustrations are at liberty to do so. MELON WITH SCARLET AND GREEN-FLESHED Fruit (C. M. McC.).—We have not seen nor heard of scarlet and green-fleshed Melons being produced on the same plant. It is a curious occurrence. Eraproatinec Nerriers (L. EL. S.).—These being surface-rooting, or haying their crowns and creeping stems near the surface, the best plan is to take them up, dig the ground, and after letting it dry for a short time beat the soil from the tufts, fork over the ground, and remove every part of the Nettles. Any which may survive the operation should be forked up as soon as they are perceived, and in this way you will soon clear the ground. Salt will destroy them, but it requires to be laidon in such quantity as to destroy everything in addition to the Nettles. For the disease in the sheep, consult a veterinary surgeon. CEREUS GRANDIFLORUS NOT FLOWERING (MW. A. M.).—We think your plant: has not gained sufficient strength for flowering. We advise you to plant it out in a border 18 inches wide and 2 feet deep, composed of half fibrous loam, one-fourth old lime rubbish, and one-fourth broken bricks and charcoal well mixed. The border should be well drained. The plant may be planted out now, and should be kept dry until March, when it will begin to grow. It should have plenty of moisture until growth ceases, then gradually withhold water up to the end of September, after which keep it quite dry till March. The plant should be trained on a strong iron trellis fixed against a wall. If the wall has a south exposure, and the plant is not much shaded by climbers on the roof, it should flower. It requires to be grown in the stove. GERANIUM LEAVES CATERPILLAR-EATEN (Walsall).—The leaves have been eaten by a caterpillar, probably the bright green one so common this season- We do not know of a better remedy than examining the plants well, especially the under sides of the leaves, and destroying them. This is a tedious but. sure mode. You may also destroy them by sprinkling the plants overhead through a rose watering pot with water to which an ounce of white hellebore powder has been added to every gallon. The “ Cottage Gardeners’ Diction- ary” willsuit you. It may be had from our office for 6s. 6d., or free by post jor 7s. 2d. A PEARS For A Sourm Watt (A Subscriber).—Jargonelle, Beurré d’Amanlis, Gansel’s Bergamot, Marie Louise, Van Mons Léon le Clerc, General Todtleben,, Forelle, Glou Morc¢eau, Joséphine de Malines, Winter Nelis, Bergamotte Es- peren, and Ne plus Meuris. PLuMs ror AN East Wari (Idem).—Belgian Purple, Transparent Gage, and Coe’s Golden Drop—these are for dessert. If you want culinary sorts, Prince Englebert, Prince of Wales, and Victoria. DEsrTRoyinG Stucs (M. A.).—We find no dressing so effectual as limer We dust the ground all over, as well as the plants, every three or four days if the weather is wet, or if dry once a-week, and usually two or three dressings are sufficient to save most crops; but should the depredations continue, per- severe in the lime-dustings, stirring the gfound with a hoe previous to apply- ing them. The lime should be quick, but reduced to a powder, as it will be after a few days’ exposure in a shed. As your ground is so much infested with slugs we should now apply a dressing of lime at the rate of two hundred bushels per acre, placing it in small heaps, and directly it has fallen spread it evenly over the surface and then dig it in. This will in most cases prove effectual, but we should apply a dressing of nitrate of soda before putting in. the crops, at the rate of 3 cwt. per acre, or 2 lbs. per rod, the ground haying. previously been dug over with a fork. PANCRATIUM ILLYRICUM NOT GROWING (Idem).—This and P. maritimum. only require a cool greenhouse, and will thrive wellin a cold pit, or they may be planted in a warm situation out of doors, and be protected in severe weather. The plant may probably have lost its centre, but as it is rooting freely we think it will soon start into growth. Winter both in a cold frame or pit, plunging the pots in coal ashes, and protect in severe weather with mats. Water sparingly in winter, but when the plants are growing freely water abundantly. They will flower after they have gained sufficient strength- IsMENE CALATHINUM NOT FLOWERING (Idem).—We should attribute this to the plant not having had a season of rest. Plant it out next April in rich, deep, sandy soil in front of a greenhouse, water it freely in dry weather, and in autumn take it up, and keep it dry during the winter. The bulbs are best potted in sandy soil. They should be kept safe from frost, and dry. Fie (G. S8.).—We do not recognise the name of the specimen. Insects (F. C.'B.)—Your caterpillar is that of the common Puss Moth (Cerura Vinula). It feeds upon various plants, and changes to a large white: moth, beautifully marked with dark zigzag lines.—I. O. W. Namus oF Puants (Alpha).—8, Lavandula Stechas (?) Specimens insuf- ficient to name. (J. B.).—1,Funkiasubcordata ; 2, Apparently some Eucomis. (J. R.).—1, Calluna vulgaris flore-pleno; 2, Erica multiflora albiflora; 3, Cal- luna vulgaris albiflora; 4, Erica carnea; 5, Rhododendron hirsutum; 6, Le~ dum palustre; 7, Leiophyllum buxifolium; 9, Rhododendron ferrugineum. (4. S.).—Parnassia palustris. (Old Subscriber).—1, Cleome speciosissima or C. spinosa; 2, Arabis albida variegata; 3, A fasciated stem of some Sedum, probably 8. reflexum. (Kittie).—Saponaria officinalis fi. pl. POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. POULTRY EXPERIENCE PURCHASED. Ir is a long time since you received my last letter, for IT have been waiting till I could make your readers all envious by de- scribing how blushing honours had crowded thick and fast upon me; but ——, well, I won’t say a word about honours this time, for I want to know what has given two or three of my fowls diseased liver. I have just opened a fowl that has for the last week or two walked lame. Guessing it was afflicted with the disease that had before proved so fatal in my little poultry-yard, 218 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 12, 1872. I killed it, and, as I expected, its liver was three times its proper size ; the kidneys also were very large, and both covered with, I might say entirely composed of, hard white lumps of all sizes, from small mustard seed to that of small beans. My chickens have all been healthy—remarkably so, and it is only three or four hens that have been affected this season, though last year I lost several, and it is the only disease I am troubled with. Surely it cannot be from overfeeding, for I adhere strictly to Mr. Wright's advice, and keep my Brahmas ravenous, though I must admit if I err it will be on the side of humanity, for I have loved my pets so long and so well it is next to impossible I should neglect them. In a morning they are fed with a mixture of good wheat and barley, at noon with barleymeal made into a stiff paste, then just before roosting time, or rather bed time, a few handfuls of corn. They are always supplied with fresh water, have the run of a yard about 60feet square on one side of the house, and are kindly permitted a large piece of the grass plat enclosed by 2-feet wire netting. Woe to that unhappy chicken which takes advantage of an accidental hole left in the netting to wander forth amongst fruit, flowers, and cabbages, all of which are the especial pride of their master, for then I have to listen to dreadful hints of their never again being per- mitted to enter their green pasture, and that, like a very ancient couple, they must for their sins be driven from the garden for ever. I could tell, if I durst, how cauliflowers, having their cutside leaves sadly disfigured, are hastily cut for dinner, long before they have arrived at perfection, through somebody just leaving that blessed gate open; then that was not their fault, poor things. HereI willsay a word formy favourite Brahmas to those who, like myself, have not much room for poultry, but can appreciate for breakfast a really fresh egg with what I call a bloom on it(and a newly-laid Brahma egg has a bloom on it, just as well as your hothouse cucumber), and can enjoy an occasional chicken for dinner, whose precise age can be relied on. Some years back, before my experience was purchased, I made a point of bringing home every pretty-looking chicken I fancied to my little latticed run, quite irrespective of either age or breed, and then wondered why they looked so wretched, and persisted in ‘shuffling off ;” but ‘‘experience teaches wisdom,” and mine has taught me that it is of no use trying to keep in confinement those breeds that require a grass run. (To give this last clause its requisite import- ance it deserves printing in italics). For years I tried and could mever succeed. They are restless and discontented, always flying into other people’s gardens, to their disgust and my discomfort. Formal messages and letters from once kind and friendly neigh- bours, detailing in harsh terms their destructive exploits ; vision- ary lawsuits for damages; laying away over walls where you durst not ask for the eggs; birds often missing altogether, retribution having come upon them suddenly while they were trespassing ; Sanguinary battles (very trying to a peaceful mind) between rivals, resulting in death or injury—all this I have endured till I determined never to keep fowls that brought me so much trouble, till I could give them an unlimited space to range in. Yonder are my pets, all so stately and substantial, so peaceable and happy, so docile and intelligent. Blessings for ever on the man who brought us Brahmas; may his account at his bankers mever be small, and his shadow never be less! Then what eggs every morning! so large, so rich, and so many of them! What models of maternal devotion! Their sitting propensities I turn to good account by sitting every hen upon Ducks’ eggs (I keep three to supply me with eggs), after [have hatched as many chicks as I require. I invariably get large broods, and plenty are glad to buy the ducklings at 6d. each when they come off, and by doing so Iam a gainer, as the oftener they sit the more ducklings I have. Before I close my rambling letter I will tell you how delighted I am with Mr. Wright’s new book. To any who, like myself, know a little, and are anxious to know more, it is invalu- able. I may thank him for many a “wrinkle;” Nil desperan- dum.—i. K. L. MALMESBURY SHOW.--No. 1. RECENTLY I drove to Malmesbury, as I heard there was a hor- ticultural show to be held there. I do not state as yet what kind of a show, and scarcely knew to which part of ‘our Jour- nal” to send the account, whether to ask for its insertion in the garden or poultry department; but as fowls, and even harmless Pigeons, are abominations in the sight of most gardeners, I elect the poultry part, for many lovers of fowls and Pigeons dearly love their garden. Hence if I chat of lawn and terrace, bedding plant and Fern, they, I know, will excuse me, and the gardeners’ feathers remain unruftled. ‘The monks of old” had many a fair settlement in the district around Chippenham, Wilts. Three miles in one direction was Laycock Abbey, in the fine remains of which resides Mr. Fox Talbot, the inventor of photography. Two miles in another direction was Stanley Priory. Six miles in another was Baden Stoke Priory, now a farmhouse; and last, but by no means least, in another direction, nine miles distant, is Malmesbury Abbey, the remains of which are large and most interesting. The iron king, has, however, not always followed the track of the ancient and venerable; and as no railway is nearer than the Great Western, and Chippenham station is distant, so, few comparatively, find their way to Malmesbury. It is off the rail and off the road. Soon, however, this will be remedied, and Malmesbury will no longer be out of the way. Nine miles in the dust ona sultry day in August is something ; and after passing to the left the village of Kington St. Michael, where chatty John Aubrey was born, and also John Britton the antiquary, there is little to interest the traveller, the district being for the most part flat and unpleasing. A few coveys of partridges (large ones, to be thinned soon) ran and then flew before us. Ugly windmill-sail-like reaping machines were at work on each side of me; but I met no one, and no one overtook me for the first six miles. Then symptoms and signs of a fete day came on me by degrees—walkers in their holiday garb; aman walking first with his arms behind him, followed by a woman—that man is a husband; another man with a woman on his arm—that man is not a husband yet. Smart equipages are soon visible. Bright faces and bright ribbons and dresses are seen—I am so glad that women now wear pretty colours, blue especially, and that the long reign of drab and duster- coloured dresses isover. We reach the village of Corston, where many are on thestir. Girls, rosy and plump, and pale and thin, all with the unmistakeable look of holiday folks, are on the road. Good looks, good humour, good spirits mark all the walkers and drivers, as if no strikes existed, no dear meat and dear coals were thought of. Happy forgetfulness or happy in- difference! Life after all is only thought, and what we think at the time is reality. “ Life is but thought, so think I will That youth and I are housemates still,” said the aged and feeble and sedentary Coleridge, and while he | thought so he felt so. Now as we approach Malmesbury from the Chippenham di- rection nothing is seen of the abbey; it commands no conspl- cuous situation, and is nowhere visible, although it and the town are on the sides of asharp hill. Passing a large cloth mill to the right and crossing the Avon we enter the old borough and market town of Malmesbury. Remains of old architecture crop out here and there. A steep, very steep, pull gets us into the principal street, and before us are the beautiful ancient market cross and more beautiful abbey. Malmesbury people had trimmed up their old town. Arches were above us; even lamp- posts looked green and gay with evergreens and flowers, and the grand old market cross was well nigh covered with garlands and inscriptions. By the way, a friend of mine inquired of a ° working man recently as to what he had been domg lately. The man replied he had been putting up ‘‘the velcomes and the harches,” meaning welcomes and arches, it having been the flower-show time in the town. “Welcome” is a pretty word, but there might be a little variety. The Malmesbury Show is not open yet, so I took a turn in the abbey, and thought of William of Malmesbury of excellent and worthy memory, and of Thomas Hobbes of at least doubtful memory, for his works, says one, ‘“ were censured by Parliament, ordered to be burnt by Convocation, and opposed by the English Universities.” The present remains of the abbey comprise only that part of the church called the nave with its aisles now used for service, parts of the transept, and the south porch—but they are glorious fragments, and one felt, standing under the lofty uncovered arches which once supported the central tower, that indeed the dark ages might be dark, but were not stone blind ; at any rate they knew how to mould the stone into marvellously beautiful forms. About a fourth, perhaps, of the abbey still remains, and happily within the memory of the very old guide to the ruins decay has not visibly increased. I had approached the abbey from the south side, and from that side I had noticed that it was not far visible; but it is just the contrary on the north side, on which is a wide valley towards Tetbury, hence in that direction the abbey must be seen for many miles, as the ground continues to slope from it immediately. . Watching my watch, I find it is three o’clock, the time the Show opens; and as I had, in entering Malmesbury, caught a glimpse of white tents, I had to retrace my steps some distance, and at length stand before the gates of Burton Hill, the residence of Col. Miles, where the flower, poultry, and Pigeon Show is held by the courtesy of its owner, for it is a flower, poultry, and Pigeon Show. Now, having had something to do with the management of shows, and twice having had my coat almost torn from my back by crowds struggling to get “tickets,” and knowing that other committee-men have frequently been in the same position, I am, therefore, sure that a practical hint, albeit on a very humble subject, is of value. What, then, is the best way to avoid the tremendous crush at a flower show when the day is fine, and the sixpenny time, five o'clock, arrives? When people want to get in, and are hindered, and the hour not long before the show closes, they crush, jostle, struggle, and lose their tempers. If the pay-place is the entrance itself it is im- possible to keep the crowd back, and many enter without paying atall. If, as often, the tickets are to be had at a tent near, over September 12, 1872 ] goes the tent with the crowds pushing. Here, then, is the best plan—lst, Have a large number of tickets printed. This pre- vents the necessity of getting back the tickets from the entrance, and I have seen poor committee-men sadly mauled in their struggles to get back a few dozen tickets from the men at the gate, while the crowd were shouting, ‘‘ Tickets here, quick!” A large number being printed this is avoided, and let the man at the entrance have a bag on his left arm to drop the tickets in, so that there can be no possibility of anyone getting hold of them for use without payment. 2ndly, A hundred yards or so from the entrance have an omnibus drawn up against a wall, and three, or better four, committee-men shut inside, and give the tickets and receive the money through the windows, as at a railway station. This is done quickly, people are pacified, and they walk on quietly to the gate. 8rdly, Let there be a conspicuous placard high up above the omnibus, with the words, “Tickets only to be had here.” This avoids people clamouring at the entrance, and then having to walk back for their tickets. If these rules are observed, and they were partly at Malmesbury, all will go on smoothly. It is not to be wondered at if people are impatient to get inside a show when in an hour or two the specimens will begin to be removed. I receive my ticket from the omnibus and walk up to the gate guarded by two rosy- cheeked policemen, who look far too good-natured to interfere with the British subject unless he is very troublesome—just, in fact, what John Bull requires of the gentlemen in blue, and nothing more. Of the Show itself I will prattle next week,— WittsHire REcToR, VALE OF TODMORDEN POULTRY SHOW. Tue third annual Show of the Todmorden Agricultural Society took place on the 7th inst. The entries of poultry, Pigeons, and Rabbits amounted to nearly four hundred, and the attendance of visitors was also good. The pens used were Turner’s, and so placed that visitors could examine the specimens from both sides. The care and attention of the Secretary of this depart- ment were commendable. In the poultry classes most of the birds were young. The entries in the Game classes were not numerous, and though some of the winners were promising birds, there were many etherwise good that were duck-clawed—the most unsightly fault this variety can suffer from. A cup was offered for adult Brahmas, and this was easily won by excellent birds in fine order, and the winning Brahma, chickens were also fine. In Cochins a handsome full-coloured pair of Buffs were first; and Partridge, good in colour and well grown, second; a pair of Whites being highly commended. Dorkings were large and good in colour, all of the Dark variety, except one pen of White. The first-prize pair were the best we have seen this season. Spanish were few and poor. Golden-spangled Hamburgh pullets were good, but the cockerels only of ordinary quality. Golden- pencilled Hamburghs were an even lot, although the pullets were a little open in marking. The Silver-pencilled were the best of the Hamburghs, and if we except the cockerel’s tail, which was a little grey, the first-prize pen was perfect. Black Hamburghs were only of moderate merit, whiteness of face prevailing in the cockerels. Game Bantams, with the ex- ception of three pairs of Piles, which were respectively first, second, and highly commended, were not good, many of the Reds being faulty in colour. In the class for Any other variety of Bantams, a pretty pair of Gold-laced were first, and Blacks second. In French Fowls a handsome pair of Créve-Cceurs were first, closely pressed by very good Houdans. In the Variety class Golden Polands won both prizes, and in the Selling class Gold Polands were first, and Rouen Ducks second. The winners in Aylesbury Ducks were very good in all points. Of Pigeons there was a good entry in most of the classes, the Pouters being first on the list; the winners of the first prize were Blue, and the second-prize birds Red; both pairs were of great size. Carriers were fair, Blacks being first and Duns second. Of Almond Tumblers there were only two pairs; the first were fine in every particular. The second-prize hen was very good, but the cock a little cloudy in feather, though good in head, beak, and eye. In Tumblers of any other variety Black Mottles were first, with a very neat pair of Blue Beards second. Dragoons formed a large class, and the competition was close. Blues were first, and Yellows second. Fantails were good. The style, tail, and carriage of the winners were perfect ; small- ness of size alone turned the scale for the first prize. Jacobins were poor, with the exception of the winners; Reds were first, and Blacks second. Barbs were a fair lot, Blacks taking both the prizes. Antwerps were very fine; both pairs of prize birds were Duns. Turbits, with the exception of the winners, were poor. Yellows and Blues took the prizes. Trumpeters were poor, but the English Owls were a fair class. The first-prize cock was a gem. In the class for Foreign Owls, Whites were first, and Blues second. Both pairs were of rare quality. There was a class for Blue Rocks, which produced some good birds. In the Variety class Black Swallows were first, and a grand pair JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 219 of Ice Pigeons second. In the Selling class good Yellow Beards and Mottled Tumblers won the prizes. Of Rabbits there was a good entry in most classes. In Lop- ears a Sooty Fawn buck stood first, and a Fawn-and-white doe second, both Rabbits being good in general properties, a capital Black buck being highly commended, which would, doubtless, have been higher in the list had it not been in a bad state of moult. Angoras were good, and the winners extremely fine in fur, but young, and not large. Himalayan were in good order, and good in points. Silver-Greys were a splendid lot, and the contest close, the silvering of the two winning Rabbits being very even throughout. In the class for Any other variety a fine Patagonian was first, and a perfect Grey-and-white Dutch second. In the Selling class were some very cheap speci- mens, a Black-and-white Lop, 22} inches by 4% being first, and a Lop 19} by 48 second, while a pretty Angora was highly com- mended. GamE.—Cockerel.—l, C. W. Brierley, Middleton. 2, T. Dyson, Halifax. he, W. Ormerod, Todmorden; W. Tillotson, Coates, Barnoldswick. Pullet.—l, R- Hutchinson, Shaw-moss, Littleborough. 2, C. W. Brierley. hc, T. Dyson; W. Ormerod; A. Milns, Rochdale. & Game —Black or Brown Reds.—Chickens.—1, T. Dyson. 2, C. W. Brierley. he, W. Ormerod; W. Tillotson. Any other Variety.—Chickens.—1, T. Dyson. 2, M. Collinge, Todmorden. ; Brauma Poorra.—Dark.—l, Cup, and 2. H. Lacy. Hebden Bridge. he, J. he, A. G. Wallis, Southport; J. Watts. c,J. Watts. 2 : Cocutn-Cuina.—Chickens.—l, H. Lacy. 2, C. Sidgwick, Keighley. he, C. Skipton. Dorkinc —Chickens —1, H. Pickles. 2, J. Stott, Healey, Rochdale. he, SpanisH.—i, C. W. ocucys 2, W. Eastwood, Whitileese, Littleborough. Hampurcus.—Gold-pencilled.—Chickens.—1, J. H. Fielden, Inchfield, Wals- Chickens.—1, Countess of Tankerville. 2, R. H. Ashton, Mottram, Manchester. HampurGus.—Silver-pencilled.—Chickens.—1, J. Bowness, Newcharch. 2, Bowness. 2, H. Pickles. hc, H. Stanworth, Worsthorne, Burnley. Black,— Chickens.—1, Countess of Tankerville. 2,J. Bowness. hc, C. Sidgwick. c,H. Banrams.—Game.—Chickens.—l, W. F. Steel, Halifax. 2, W. Barton, Hasling- den. hc, T. Barker, Hill-end, Burnley (2); W. F. Steel (2). Any other variety.— Walton ; W. Moor. Keighley. FRENCH.—1, E. Smith, Timperley. 2, R. Coney, Alford. he, J. D, Ashworth, ANY OTHER VaRIeETy.—1, P. Unsworth, Lowtown. 2 and he, J. Fearnley, Lawton, Newton-le-Willows. Littleborough. he, H. Leech, Rochdale; R, Hutchinson, Shaw-moss, Little- hampton. c, J. Mitchell, Stoodley, Todmorden (Brahma); J. Fielden (Blue Ducxs.—dylesbury.—l and 2, E. Leech. Rouen.—l and 2, T. Wakefield. Golborne, Newton-le-Willows. hc, P. Unsworth. Any other Variety.—l and 3, Preston. 4, J Trickett, Waterfoot. hc, H. B. Smith (Fancy); Countess of Tankerville (Shell Ducks). Burnley; E. Leech. TurkeEyYs.—l, E. Leech. PIGEONS. Carniers.—l, J. Stauley, Blackburn. 2, H. Yardley, Birmingham. he, E. Horner (2). 2, E. Horner. Any other Variety.—1, E. Horner. 2, J. Fielding, jun. he, W. Sefton, Blackburn (Blue); H. Yardley. Markland, Dean, Bolton; J. Stanley; E. Horner: W. H. Mitchell. Fantaits.—l, J. F. Loversidge, Newark. 2, H. Yardley. hc, J. F. Lover- Barss.—l, J. Fielding, jun., Rochdale. 2, E. Horner. he, H. Yardley; E. Horner. - Jaconins.—l, W. Binns, Pudsey, Leeds. 2, H. Yardley. hc, E. Horner. H. Siddall, Todmorden; J. Stanley. c, A. Justice, Salford. y Turpits—l, J. E. Mason, Bradford. 2, J. Fielding, jun. he, W. Kitchen, ‘TRUMPETERS —1, E. Horner. 2, J. Furness, Dewsbury Moor. y Owrs.—English.—1, B. Cockroft, Hebden Bridge. 2, J. Ingham, Halifax. he, he, E. Horner; J. Watts. Rock:.—Blue—1, J. Crabtree, Ewood, Mytholmroyd. 2, M. Uttley, Long- worth ; E. Horner; J. Crabtree. J ANY OTHER Varirty.—l, E. Horner. 2, H. Yardley. he, J. Watts; W. SELLING CLAss.—l, W. Binns (Yellow Beards). 2, J. Fielding, jun. he, W. Markland, Dean, Bolton. Irving, Blackburn. t AnGora.—l, W. Sutcliffe, Higher Howorth-fold, Burnley. 2, J. Baron, Roch- Hrauayan.—l, J. Baron. 2, S. Ball. Bradford. he, J. Boyle, jun., Black- burn; S. Ball. ¢, B.S. Rothwell, Rochdale. Watts, King’s Heath, Birmingham. Any Colowr.—Chickens,—l and 2, H. Lacy. Sidgwick; R.S.S. Woodgate, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells; H. Pickles, Earby, E. Leech, Rochdale; J, Watts. den. 2,H. Pickles. hc, Countess of Tankerville, Alnwick. Gold-spangled.— Countess of Tankerville. hc, H. Pickles. Silver-spangled.—Chickens.—l, J. Hoyle, Lumb, Newchurch. Chickens.-1, E. Walton, Rawtenstall. 2, J. Sutcliffe, Hebden Bridge. he, E. Burnley. 8 SELLING CLass.—l, J. Fearnley (Golden-spangled Polands). 2, J. Uttley, Spanish). W. Binns, Pudsey, Leeds (Fancy). 2, H. B, Smith, Brooklands, Broughton, GEESE.—l, BE. Leech. 2, J. Hindle, Darwen. he, J. Higgin, Hurstwood, PovutEers.—l and 2, E. Horner, Harewood, Leeds. he, J. Watts. TumsBLeRs.—Almond.—l, J. Fielding, jun., Rochdale. Dracoons.—l, E. Horner. 2, W. H. Mitchell, Moseley, Birmingham. he, W. sidge; E. Horner. AntwerPs.—l, H. Yardley. 2, E. Horner. he, J. W. Collinson, Halifax; D. Fenniscowles, Blackbarn (2). J. Watts; B. Consterdine, Littleborongh. Foreign.—l and 2, J. Fielding, jun. lees, Walsden. he, J. Wilcock, Banks, Mytholmroyd; J. Fielden, Holling- Kitchen, Fenniscowles, Blackburn (2). SpAnisH.—l and 2, T. C.& H, Lea BTaalersfield. he, J. Hume, York; J. dale. hc, W. Whitworth, jun., Longsight, Manchester (2); S. G. Hudson, Hull. SrtvER-GREY.—l, R. H. Glew, Wakefield. hc, J. Boyle, jun., Blackburn; J. Irving, Blackburn. ANY OTHER Variety. —1, W. Whitworth, Longsight, Manchester. 2, J. Boyle, jun. hc, W. Whitworth; J. Irving, Blackburn; J. Baron, Rochdale; S. G. Hudson, Hull (2). SELLING CrAss.—l, J. Boyle, jun. 2, R. Leggott, Thorne, Doncaster (Lop- eared). vhe, J. Baron, Rochdale. he, W. Higham, Middleton (Spanish); F. F. O'Donoghue, Biddulph, Congleton (Silver-Grey); J. Boyle, jun., Blackburn ; J. Baron; S. Buckley, Ending, Healey, Rochdale (Himalayan). JupGEs.—Mr. E. Hutton, Pudsey, Leeds, and Mr. D. Ashworth, Halifax. Lone Surron PountRy anD Piceon Exurertion.—We have just received the prize schedule of the Long Sutton Show, which is certainly a liberal one. In poultry the classes are twenty nine, in each of which will be awarded prizes of 30s., 15s., and 220 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 12, 1872. 7s. 6d. respectively, except the Selling classes, which will have four prizes—yviz., 40s., 30s., 15s., and 7s. 6d., and this irrespective of five silver cups, each valued at five guineas, for the best pens in certain of the general classes. Twenty-one classes are ap- pointed for Pigeons, 20s. and 10s. being the respective prizes in each class; and again, in this division of the Show four silver cups for the best pens willbe given. Rabbits have seven classes, with 20s. and 10s. prizes to each, and a three-guinea silver cup for the best pen shown. There are local prizes given specially for amateurs resident in the neighbourhood. The entries close on September 28th. As the whole will be exhibited under an excellent tent, and the acting Committee are fully conversant with the management of such an exhibition, no doubt this meet- ing of October the 9th and following day will be very successful. POCKLINGTON PIGEON, RABBIT, AND BIRD SHOW. Taourspay last, the 5th inst., was a gala day at Pocklington. Besides the thirty-seven classes of Pigeons, Rabbits, and Cage Birds, which completely furnished a capacious tent, there were a large horticultural show and other attractions. The Pigeon, Rabbit, and Cage Bird classes contained many very choice speci- mens, which were much admired by the numerous visitors to the Show ground, including excursionists from York and other places. The arrangements were admirably conducted by the Honorary Secretary, Mr. T. Grant. PIGEONS. : DraGcoons.—1, H. Yardley, Birmingham. 2, C. N. Lythe, Cottingham. ANTWERPS.—1, J. N. Collinson, Halifax. 2, C Auton, York. PouTERS OR CroprEers.—l, Blanshard & Marshall, Driffield. 2, C. Auton, TUMBLERS.—1, Blanshard & Marshall. 2, C. Auton, Barss.—l, H. Yardley. 2, C.Auton. JAcoBINS.—1, R. G. Sanders. Leven. 2, A.J. Seller, Norton. Fanrarts.—l, C. N. Lythe. 2, W. Bearpark, Ainderby Steeple. - TRUMPETERS —l, Blanshard & Marshall. 2, C. Auton, Owuzs.—l, A.J. Seller. 2, H. Yardley. TuRBITS.—1 and 2, Blanshard & Marshall. Carriers.—l, H. Yardley. 2, C. N. Lythe. Nons.—l, Blanshard & Marshall. 2, C. Auton. ANY OTHER Variety.—l, A.J. Seller. 2,C. N. Lythe. RABBITS. Loncest Ears.—l, T. Taylor, York. 2,J. R. Lunn, Hull. ANY OTHER VaRIETy.—1, J. R. Lunn. 2, R. A. Taylor, Hull. Any Varrety.—Buck.—l, W. H. Webb, jun., Bilston. 2, C. Miller, Hull. Doe. —l, R.A. Taylor. 2, C. Miller. i CAGE BIRDS. Canartes.—Belgian,—Clear or Ticked Yellow or Buff—1 and 2, W. Forth, Pocklington. HALF-BRED BELGIAN —Clear or Ticked Yellow or Buf.—1, J. Hird, Market Weighton. 2, W. Forth. Norwicu.—Clear or Ticked Yellow.—1, T. Barwell, Northampton. 2, W. H. MCollin, Hull. Buff.—t, J. Calvert, York. 2, T. Barwell. CrestEp,—Any Breed —i, J. Calvert. 2, W. Forth. YorxsuirE.—Clear or Ticked Yellow or Buff—i, A. Brazendale, Pocklington. 2, R. Hutchinson, Pocklington. Norwich on YoRKSHIRE.—Lven-marked, Yellow or Buffi—1, W. Petty, York. 2 dnGoode, Leicester. Uneven-marked, Yellow or Buff.—l, W. Forth. 2, W Ys ANY OTHER VaRriety.—l, J. Calvert. 2, J. Shaw, Pocklington. pee or Youne Canaries.—Any Variety—1l, J. Downs, Beverley. 2, T. well. GOLDFINCH MuLE.—Variegated.—1, J. Goode. 2,D. MW Collin, Hull. Dark.— 1, W. Forth. Go.pFincH.—1, W. Petty. 2, H. Shaw, Pocklington. Linnet.—1, H. Shaw. 2, A. Brazendale. BuLurincy.—l, W. Petty. 2. W.J. Appleby, Pocklington. Larx.—l, H. Curtis, Pocklington. Parrot OR PaRRoOQUET.—1, J. Calvert. 2, A. Remner, Naburn. CacE Birp.—Any other Variety.—l, J. Boulton, Pocklington. 2,'— Wilber force Pocklington. CAGE oF CANARIES IN VARIETY.—1, J. Calvert. 2, W. Petty. Extra PrizE.—J. Calvert (Rose-breasted Cockatoo). JupcE.—Mr. G. J. Barnesby, Derby. SCOTCH HOUSE AND AIR TUMBLERS. To the uninitiated it will no doubt seem somewhat strange that birds bred from the same parents should in some cases prove Air Tumblers, and in others House Tumblers ; this, how- ever, is easily understood when it is explained that the most successful method of breeding performing birds is to cross birds of high merit in the one class with birds of equally high merit in the other class, the object aimed at being, by the use of the Air Tumbler, to prevent the tumbling of the House Tumbler from degenerating into rolling, an evil which cannot be too carefully guarded against in birds which tumble so near the ground. On the other hand, ifit is wished to add to the amount of tumbling done by the Air Tumbler, with regularity in the performance of it, there is nothing to equal the cross with the House Tumbler for producing it. Of this fact I had lately a striking testimony from an old fancier of probably between sixty and seventy years of age, who told me that he had bred Flying Tumblers during the greater part of his life, but that until he obtained a cross of some House Tumblers some four or five years ago he had done comparatively little good with them. On account of the method in which numbers of these birds are bred the produce must vary considerably in the character of their performances, and, besides high-class House and Air Tumblers, many birds of fair quality are produced whose characteristics are of an intermediate type, and many possess- ing little merit at all, even when the parents are highly bred and the matching all that could be desired. Indeed, if one-half the young produced prove of first-rate or medium quality, the owner may be considered to have extraordinary good luck, as this would be much above the average result. I shall now endeavour to describe some of the characteristics displayed by these birds from the time of their leaving the nest until they finally develope into the full maturity of high-class performers, leaving out of account altogether birds of an inter- mediate or inferior type, as it would be impossible to describe in a brief space all the vagaries which one observes. House Tumblers vary greatly in the age at which they begin to tumble; some commence almost as soon as they can fly ; in some rare instances they have been known to do so the first time they were seen to come out of the nest; others, again, do not begin until they have reached some considerable age, one of the best I ever had never having been known to tumble until it was three years old. In fact they may begin at anyage between six weeks and three years, or possibly even later, although I never knew of any older, but I suspect very few birds which have not previously shown any tumbling properties, are al- lowed to reach this age, the one to which I have alluded having been discarded by two different owners who knew how it was bred, and ultimately developed into a ‘first-class incapable” in the hands of a party who bought it for 6d., and knew nothing about its parentage. T incline to think, although ultimately there comes to be little difference between the performances of the two sexes, that as a general rule hens begin at an earlier age than cocks, but in the majority of cases both sexes are tumbling by the time they are fit for pairing; in either sex, if a well-bred bird possesses any special merit in shape or colouring to make it desirable to breed from it, it should not be parted with for want of tumbling until thoroughly well tried, asit is a popular belief, perhaps not with- out some foundation, that it is the best birds which develope latest. The great bulk of young birds, before beginning to tumble, “back” for some time, but in a few cases they go clean over at the very first attempt. I have amongst this season’s birds two hens which I never saw “back” at all; the one is now tumbling excellently in the house, and the other doing as well for its age outside; the latter I counted doing twenty times a-minute when it was little more than two months old. After the young House Tumblers begin to tumble, as a general rule they do not do any great amount of work at the very first, but perhaps tumble only at intervals few and far between ; if kept, however, in regular training they generally all improve more or less, and many of them soon do a pretty fair amount of work, tumbling moderately if not excessively when flying in the air: At this stage it is very difficult to say to what class they will ultimately belong, but if they reach thirty times a-minute I set them down as Air Tumblers, as but few House Tumblers ever come to do this amount of work when flying, the change from an Air Tumbler into a House Tumbler generally taking place before this point is reached. The transition generally takes place very suddenly; in one instance, which I have on the authority of a gentleman on whose word I rely as much as if I had seen the performance my- self, it took place in a bird which had never previously tumbled at all, while it was sitting on the top of his house, the bird all at once becoming unable to fly for tumbling, and ever after- wards remaininga first-rate House Tumbler. In birds which are kept in training the change is generally preceded for a few days by a rapid improvement in the amount of work done, but as the performance becomes more regular and steady the style of doing it generally becomes worse, the tumble being accom- panied with a greater sweep in going over; and although they may now do less steady flying between the performances than an Air Tumbler, doing forty times a-minute, they will rarely count more than twenty times. When the flight rises a bird at this stage will now be speedily seen in the rear unable to rise with it or make the same progress, and if, finding its inability to continue with the others, it turns in time and settles on the top of the house, it will be better to confine it afterwards, as it will probably be tumbling inside in the course of a few days, if itis not already doing so. Should it persevere and go too far from home it may become exhausted, and be obliged to settle down on the top of some house from which it may not be able to rise for hours, and perhaps not at all, as some prowling cat may put an end to all farther efforts on its spat, or perhaps it may come down tothe ground by gradually descending tumbles resem~ bling a flight of stairs. Butit should not roll down; if it do so, the robability is that if it come from any great height it will be illed, or at least severely injured; if it descends in the way I have described it will reach the ground from any height totally unhurt. Should it happen to alight in the public street it will probably be seized by the first boy who passes, instantly thrust out of sight under his jacket, and without loss of time exchanged for 6d. in the first poulterer’s shop he comes to, in happy un- September 12, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 221 consciousness that he might have made a better bargain by returning it to its disconsolate owner. While it would be impossible to set down any certain time for Air Tumblers to begin performing, I think they make a com- mencement more uniformly when young than House Tumblers do, and in their case the improvement in the amount of work they do goes on steadily increasing with age, untilit reaches the full maturity of growth, without any of the spasmodic spurts to which House Tumblers are subject; and not only does the amount of work they do increase, but the more numerous the tumbles become the more cleverly is the performance made, the improvement in style being more particularly noticeable after they have reached the stage at which House Tumblers begin to deteriorate. The only reason which occurs to my mind for the difference between the two birds is that the Air Tumbler is by far the gamer bird of the two; that while the House Tumbler gets frightened and overpowered by the weight of tumbling which is upon it, the Air Tumbler through sheer courage learns to catch himself up so quickly that the tumbling proves but little im- pediment to his flight. This does not, however, account for the whole difference, as a House Tumbler will develope into an “in- capable,” even if never trained, but only allowed liberty in the open air, and some, even although never flown out of the loft; such birds never having been under the influence of any great amount of tumbling cannot possibly succumb to that. I may here add that I have experience of never allowing them out of the loft, of giving them entire liberty, and of training them, and of the three ways have found least success in the first, and the greatest in the last. It undoubtedly requires a good deal of attention to keep them in proper condition, but Seo it the qualities of the best Air Tumblers must remain id. In structural differences there is little to note between the two classes. I find amongst my own birds that the Air Tumblers possess eyes of surpassing clearness in the pearl, decidedly superior to the House Tumblers, but I am told by persons of more experience than myself that thisis not at all a general rule. I have also two first-class House Tumblers, a cock and a hen, with drop wings, but do not recollect of having seen a good Air Tumbler with such, and do not think that they would give sufficient power to keep the air and tumble much, as I look upon a drop wing as an indication of a weak wing. In my next communication T shall give some notes on the House Tumbler as a bird of the loft or aviary.—Scorcu THIstLe, FEATHER-EATING PARROT. I mAve a grey Parrot which has the bad habit of eating his tail feathers, and as he is a very valuable bird for his talking qualities, I wish some of your correspondents could inform me of something that would cure him of this evil pro- pensity. He has never had any animal food, but is fed on Canary seed, and occasionally bread soaked in tea or water.— JoHN Sruart. f {Should the bird’s cage have a wire bottom, let it be taken out at once, and give the Parrot plenty of sand with some small stones in it, so that the bird may pick out some and swallow them, then give a change of diet ; let the bird have some soaked Indian corn, and some fruit and green food, watercresses, &c. You are quite right in not giving it animal food; a piece of bread dipped into a boiled egg is an enjoyable morsel to a Parrot. Tf change of food and what we have recommended has no effect on the habit, then make whatis called a“ cradle” in the:stable, and put it on the bird’s neck until the bad habit is forgotten. The collar, or cradle, can be made either of leather or pieces of cane fastened with string. It will not in the least hurt the bird to wear it. ] OPENING oF THE Srason—Canary SHow, Wurrpy.—Intending exhibitors at this Show are reminded that the entries will close on the 17th inst., and that the Show will be held on the 24th Kpes advertisement). W.A. Blakston, Esq., has been appointed udge. DRONE EGGS LAID BY WORKER BEES. I wave a queenless Ligurian stock in which this abnormal state of things exists: hence an interesting question has been raised, Are these drones perfect ? Jf so, it is proposed to allow the fertile workers to go on breeding, and, if necessary, unite some worker bees to them late in autumn, so asto keep up some kind of organisation and vitality in the hive, supplying drone comb also if necessary. Then, if they survive the winter, we should have a hive of Ligurian drones with which to operate in producing pure Ligurians in the spring before other drones are abroad. Will you kindly give your opinion as to the value of the drones in question, also stating whether you think there is any chance of success in trying the proposed experiment, or if it is worth trying ? I have another hive in a perplexing state, respecting which I should be glad to have your opinion and advice. To understand the position of affairs properly it will be neces- sary to be particular as to details. The colony, a black one, a first swarm of last year, occupies a Taylor’s bar hive. At the end of May this year it was in a strong and vigorous state, but about the beginning of June the queen seems to haye died, as soon after the hive was observed to be retrograding. On June 22nd a carefulinspection was made, and neither queen nor brood in any stage was found. On July 3rd, through the kindness of a friend, I obtained a closed Ligurian queen cell with a small piece of comb attached. It had to be brought several miles and afterwards kept artificially warm for several hours before it could be introduced to the bees; but they took to it at once, brooding over and covering it, and showed by their increased vigour and energy that a new era had dawned upon them. On July 8th I removed the piece of comb and cell, and found it empty. The queen was evidently hatched, and this was con- firmed also by the continued zeal and activity of the bees; but on July 13th my garden was submerged by the floods which prevailed over Lancashire, and being from home my apiary was almost ruined. On returning home in the evening I found this young Ligurian queen and about a third of the bees had been saved in a singular manner. The hive, when floated from its stand by the water, had been tilted over on its side, causing a piece of glass which covered the crown hole to slip off. The queen and part of her subjects escaped through this hole and were found clustered outside. I got them under the shelter of an empty straw hive, and there being no brood in their own hive, I removed the bars and combs, and carefully dried them as well as the hive itself; and the second day after the disaster T restored the queen and bees to it, together with the remainder of another stock whose queen, with the greater part of the bees, was lost in the deluge. The two lots united made but a weak swarm ; however, I commenced to feed sparingly but frequently, so as to stimulate them in their unfortunate condition. Three weeks after the mishap I began to look for young Ligurians, but it was not till the morning of August 17th that I found one in front of the hive dead, which on examination proved to be a small drone raised in a worker cell. Next morning above a dozen of the same sort were found in the same place. This was ominous, as it indicated an unimpregnated or otherwise drone- breeding queen ; but at noon of the same day well-marked young Ligurian workers appeared, and these have increased rapidly every day since; but the small abnormal drones are still being ejected, apparently as they emerge from the cells. They are evidently not allowed to take wing, but are ruthlessly expelled as they appear. Had these only been produced it would have been easily accounted for, but the partial aberration is myste- rious, and in my experience unprecedented.—J. B. [We much doubt the success of your scheme, although we should be extremely glad on ‘scientific grounds if you would carry it out. Your only chance of success lies in keeping up a sufficient supply of worker bees all through winter and early spring, and keeping them up to the breeding point throughout. Your second case of perplexity is a very interesting one, but evidently you have a very fertile and valuable queen. The fact of her breeding drones so early in her life, and at the same time producing workers in abundance, is a proof of her excellence in our judgment. We should advise this hive being carefully tended and fed. Your loss from the deluge reminds us of a similar loss which Dr. Bevan, at the age of ninety, experienced during a flooding of the Wye at Hereford some twenty years ago. | BEE-KEEPING, 1872. Tue account of the present bee season given by “B. & W.’ in your issue of August 1st so nearly describes our ¢ase, that I feel somewhat consoled to find that we beginners have but shared the fate of experienced bee-keepers. Our bees have swarmed with equal persistency. A succession of cold, wet, and windy days, which kept the bees prisoners while their numbers were hourly increasing, was followed by a warm gleaming day, when out came the swarm, and no super, whether large or small, straw, wood, or glass, proved lastingly attractive to them. We have no reason to complain with regard either to healthi- ness or population ; they increase abundantly. At the close of last season, by dint of uniting several stocks, we reduced our number to ten hives, all strong and healthy. They kept well through the winter; one showed signs of weak- ness in the unseasonable month of April, but a little timely feeding soon brought it round. In spite of the winterly weather in the spring all the stocks seemed active and thriving, and by May 28th seven were work- ing in supers. But alas! our hopes were soon destroyed ; one after another came swarm upon swarm, though beautiful pieces of comb had been made in the supers, aud in some a few cells of honey were sealed over. The swarming continued through- out June; at last we hived some bees in empty supers, placing 922 2a JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. { September 12, 1872. them over the hives whence they issued. They quietly fra- ternised, and a dead queen on the ground the next morning led us to hope they would rest in peace, which they did, and swarmed no more, but still the supers were deserted. A prime swarm, hived on June 3rd, is now working in two supers, the second having been opened when the bees showed signs of overcrowding. One of the old stocks is also working in the super, and we took one off filled on the 19th of July, while eleven supers show nothing but empty comb. Our neighbourhood (West Norfolk) is essentially agricultural, and therefore not a honey-producing district. Very rarely does even a field of white clover gladden our eyes ; and in the spring, when the blossoms of fruit trees and wild flowers abound, the weather is so ungenial that our little favourites can with difii- culty venture out to forage. We do all we can to help them in our garden, which is large. We have thousands of snowdrops and crocuses, box trees in abundance, long ranges of thyme, mignonette, borage, &c., Phacelia and Salvia nemorosa, which two last flowers they are remarkably fond of. Our hives are of various kinds—the improved cottage, the economic, Sadler’s Berkshire hive, and two Woodbury hives. The last-mentioned have greatly disappointed us; the bees have not filled one super in either of them in any one year, and the only honey we have obtained from them has been by taking out the two outer frames at the end of the season. All our hives are well protected from rain and sun, even the deluges of this season have failed to pro- duce any trace of damp. As to Ligurians, our attempts to introduce them have proved so disastrous that we have bid adieu to them for ever. Our black bees are fully as prolific as we could desire.—Dnrina. OUR LETTER BOX. EARLY-BREEDING PuLiEts (M. A. W.).—In many breeds, as Cochins and Brahmas, it is not uncommon to find layers at sixteen weeks old, but careful breeders never set their eggs. One of the best poultry authorities has said, ‘“‘ Never set the early eggs of a pullet.” We agree with him. Your expe- rience will agree with ours. The chickens may be strong, but they will never be large. We nevertheless thank you for your letter. It is only by com- municating our experiences one to the other that we can derive the profit and pleasure attached to the pursuit we like so much. Lice on Fowts (Subseriber).—Your fowls are dying from the effects of parasites—call them what you like. When they attach themselves to a bird they worry it to death. The treatment for the fowls is to daub them with oil at the back of the head, on the backbone, and under the wings. To prevent the continuation of the plague provide the birds with plenty of road grit, placed in heaps of about a bushel in their haunts. Wash the walls with carbolic acid diluted according to necessity. Let the operator mix it very Brong; and, above all, work it into every hole, corner, and cranny of the ouse. CHARACTERISTICS OF SILVER-GREY DoRKING Cock (Frodsham).— Scru- pulously black tail and breast, white hackle and saddle, wing barred with dark blue steel and white bars. One spot of white in the tail, or on the breast, is a positive disqualification. Musk Ducks (H. E. R.).—They are thus described in the “ Poultry- keeper’s Manual: ”—The Drake often weighs 9 or 10 lbs., but the Duck never exceeds 5 or 6 lbs. The bunch of red, warty flesh near the bill, and the crest raised or depressed at pleasure, are striking characteristics. They often rest on a wall, or branches of a low tree. The drake has a harsh, croaking note; but the Duck is rather silent. Eggs dull white; weight about 3 ozs. —— (W. H. W.).—Next week. ENGLISH GuANO (4 Struggling One).—We never knew poultry dung sold and we know of no market for it except the market gardeners in your own neighbourhood. It is a very rich manure. RawBerr’s Eye DiscHareine (S. Hill, jwn.).—Your Rabbit seems to have some internal gathering in the region of the eye, which will require a little patience in its cure. Wash it two or three times during the day with warm tmailk and water; keep it free from cold, and well supplied with food of the most nutritious kind. Ulcers will be found at times, but we think yours suffers from the effects of cold. As the eye is exceedingly delicate, all treat- ment should be very careful. When the eye is free from the discharge, an application every alternate day of the following restorative for the growth of the hair will be of service—yiz., 1 oz. of honey, }oz. of laurel oil, 4 oz. linseed oil, and 3 oz. of onion juice, all mixed well together. THE ANDALUSIAN Raseit (H. B.).—It is a native of Spain, reared also in France, and in the neighbourhood of Paris in particular, as the Ram Rabbit, and called so in consequence of its head being large, with a round forehead. The ears hang loosely, almost as in the half-lop Rabbit. The largest im- porters of this variety are Messrs. Baily & Sons, 113, Mount Street, Gros- yenor Square, London, yet several private gentlemen keep them in their rabbitries, and might have some to spare. Two Queens (C. L. V.).—When bees are driven together from different pives the queens always settle their differences, and the weakest goes to the wall. Bee Specmaen (Thos. Smith).—The bee you forwarded to us for inspec- tion was a worker, and not a queen. _Wak or THE Bees (B. B. Alerander).—We are glad to find that your difficulties are so well over. Pray give us the description of your house, which you speak of. HONEY IN Surer (W. J. J.).—We advise you not to meddle with your stock hive, but to content yourself with the honey in the super. You may possibly so injure the bees as to cause their destruction in the winter. The gain of honey would not compensate for your loss. As to the super, one or two puffs of tobacco at the entrance of the hive will drive the bees in, then lift the super gently, and give a few puffs while doing so. Next lift the super off, and if it has only a few bees in it, brush them out with a feather near the hive, blowing in a puff of the tobacco now and then; but if full of bees, imprison them for half an hour or more in a dark place near the apiary, then let them go. At this time of year, when bees are quick to detect the scent of honey, you must watch the super for fear of robbers, and act accord- ingly, shutting them up again if necessary for atime. A fine afternoon is the best time. TRANSFERRING BEEs (4. I. W.).—It is quite as feasible to hivean ordinary swarm in a bar-frame hive as into any other hive. Perhaps, however, you mean to ask ifit is easy to transfer the bees of an established swarm into ® par-frame hive. This can be done too by taking out the combs and affixing them to the bars, but it wants a very practised hand to do this. We have forwarded your letter to the gentleman to whom you allude. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, CaMDEN SQuaRE, LONDON. Lat. 51° 32’ 40” N.; Long. 0° 8’ 0” W.; Altitude 111 feet. Date. 4M, In THE Day. 138 eg |S Shade Tem-|_ Radiation 2 1872. \eSa3 ERR: SB ae perature. |Temperature| S255 Babe EES Hep a Sept. |2589 Bu |Sn In | On \a~ #4) Dry. | Wet.| AS S Max.| Min.| sun. !grass Inches.| deg. | deg. deg. | deg. | deg.} deg. | deg. In. We. 4 | 29.617 | 71.4 | 67.0 S.W. | 6238 | 77.4 | 61.6 | 121.6 58.0 | 0.672 Th. 5 | 29:798 | 663 | 61.2 | S.W. | 62.5 | 740 | 61.2 | 121.2 | 58.1) — Fri. 6 | 29.841 | 65.3 | 60.0 s. 61.8 | 74.5 | 55.0 | 124.5 51.3 _ Sat. 7 | 29.840 | 65.0 | 59.8 aWe 61.5 | 72.8 | 57.3 | 121.7 54.2) — Sun, 8 | 29.971 | 63.5 | 55.8 Ww. 60.6 | 70.6 | 51.0 | 1168 | 491 — Mo. 9 | 29.908 | 62.9 | 583 Ss. 60.4 | 69.0 | 54.8 97.3 | 52.9 | 0.020 Tu. 10 | 29.950 | 61.2 | 55.7 | S.W. | 6).1 | 68.6 | 49.9 | 108.3 | 48.2 | 0.010 Means | 29.846 | 65.1 | 59.3 61.3 72.4 | 55.8 | 116.0 | 53.1 | 0.102 REMARES. 4th.—Dull morning, rain about 11 a.m.; fine afternoon; much lightning ir the N.N.W. after 8 p.m. 5th.—Hazy at 7 a.m, fine after; a most lovely day, nice breeze; stars very bright at night. 6th:—Fine in the early part of the day, but cloudy and rain-like in the evening; fine night. 7th.—A few drops of rain about 8 a.m, then fine all dey. 8th.—Fine bright morning, rather cloudy about 11 4.u.; fine after, with nice breeze, making it very enjoyable. 9th.—Fine morning, but some very slight showers during the day, heavier in the evening, but fine night. 10th.—A very pleasant day, a few drops of rain occasionally, but very slight. Temperature higher than last week, warm for the time of year, and equable, the extreme range being only from 49.9° to 77.4%. Very little rain, and plea- sant winds.—G. J. Symons. COVENT GARDEN MARKET.—SeptTemser 11. A LOOTED supply of fruit, and the greater part of that fit for dessert is Continental, most of the English growth being rough and yery much spotted. s.d. s.d. s.d. s.d- 3 O0tod 0 1 0to0 0 0000 30 8 6 00 0 0; 8 0 14 © 00 00) 461206 00 00 10 3.0 00 0 0} 20 46 16 38 0} lb. 3 0 60 T0,,80) 503} Bo 50 00 10 0 0} = oz 10 20 Gooseberries.. 0 0 O 0} Raspberries SRD OR ORO 0 Grapes, hothous: 2 OS: 0) Strawberries. lb 00 00 Lemons 6 0 10 0; Walnuts.... bushel 10 0 25 © Melons.. iS 20 5.01 ditto............8100 10 2 6 VEGETABLES. s.d. s.d s.d. 8s. d. 2 Oto4 0) Mushrooms....-.... pottle 1 0to3 0 0 0 O 0} Mustard & Cress..punnet 0 2 0 0 Beans, Kidney 2 0 O O| Onions............ bunch 0 4 0 0 0000 pickling........ quart 0 6 00 10 8 O|} Parsley perdoz.bunches 3 0 4 O 0 9 1 6} Parsnip OVS ro. 10 1 6] Peas... 10416 3 0 4 0} Potatoes. . bushel 2 0 4 0 06 00 idney. -do. 20 40 20 40 Round.... edo) 20) 2 (0 16 2 C| Radishes.. doz.bunches 0 6 1 0 2 0 8 0O| Rhubarb..........bundle 0 0 0 @ 0 3 I O| Salsafy... bundle 09 10 00 00 di 00 00 20 00 Oo 6 03 00 00 00 06 00 Orzo j0N Ss os 00 20 830 Ey fin) sacé 10 20 pOCaG 0 2 O O} Turnips............bunch 0 3 O 6 Lettuce.......-......d0z. 0 9 1 01} Vegetable Marrows..doz. 0 6 1 0 POULTRY MARKET.—SeEpPTEMSBER 11. Bor little trade. Partridges above the average price. There are many old birds, and the young are small. The supply of Grouse is falling off as the guns trayel southward. s. d. s. d. s. d. Large Fowls .......... 2 6 to 3 0 0 0to0 0 Smaller ditto .. 20 26 15 16 Chickens .... o mk 20 og 010 Geese.... 6 0 6 6 | Pigeons... 0 10 10 Ducks . 20 2 6 | Pheasants 00 00 Grouse ...... socona, FU 2 6| Partridges .. 20 2 6 September 19, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 223 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day | Day Average Tem in i | | | Clock Da - ee y. g pera-| Rain in Sun | Sun Moon Moon | Moon's! = ay; aan eee SEPTEMBER 19—25, 1872. ture near London. |43 se Rises. | Sets. | Rises. | Sets. INS atte =o Day. |Night.|Mean.| Days. |m. h.| m. b.|m. h.| m hb ons m. 8 19 | TH | Twilight ends, 8.3 p.1. 67.8 | 45.8 | 56.3 21 | 42ef5 | 5af6 | 21 7] 18af8} 16 6 27 | 2638 20 | F 68.0 | 44.0 | 56.0 | 20 | 4405) 2° 6)38 (7 | 84.9) 17 6 48 | 264 21 | 3 66.4 | 45.6 | 56.0) 24 | 46 5! 0 6] 0 81/53 10 18 7 9 | 265. 22 Sun | 17 Sunpay AFTER TRINITY. 66.4 | 44.7 | 55.6 | 21 48 5/58 51|28 8] after. 19 7 30 | 266 = M Autumn commences. 66.3 | 45.7 | 559) oe 226 | 5085 156). 75 OW = 9h | S17 REIS | 820 7 51) 267 24 Tu | 66.1 | 48.5 | 548 | 19 | 51 5|]54 5/43 9] 21 2 |} S 11) 268 25 W 65.8 | 43.1 | 544 | 21 | 53: 65152 5 | 386 10) 12 3 22 8 $82. 269 From observations taken near London during forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 66.6°; and its night temperature 44.5°. The greatest heat was 82°, on the 25th, 1872; and the lowesteold 27°, on the 25th, 1863. The greatest fall of rain was 1.2linch. AUTUMN-SOWN HARDY ANNUALS. | (ees ECENTLY, in “Work for the Week,” a re-| \ i minder was given of the advisability of pre- — paring for a spring and early summer display SN ey of this very easy-grown, cheap, and pleasing SS class of flowers. It is just one of those simple 6) > affairs of gardening to have these things to IR admire, that by its very simplicity is some- | Ken times overlooked. There is nothing great | O and glorious and noble about annuals. Their | cultivation does not demand any special | display of skill and care in production. It is not in their nature to add any wreath of honour to those who grow | them, or any particular renown to the gardens which | they are made to decorate. They are not the stately plants, but the little twinkling stars of earth studded in chaste and quiet beauty, and they brighten up many a place otherwise dull or monotonous by lack of variety in habit or colour. No, annuals are not rubbish; they are flowers inter- esting and attractive when afforded the trifling care and attention they demand. They are in truth rubbishy enough when the seed is thrown in heaps in the ground, and a hundred plants left to struggle in the space that would barely suffice for half a dozen. A practice so care- less and unreasonable would be simply ruin to any class of plants, bring them into disrepute, and unjustly con- demn them as unfit for that which in their very nature they are specially adapted to do—viz., to give beauty and pleasure. Annuals should have reasonable care be- stowed on them or be let alone altogether. In many gardens and under particular systems of decoration plants of this class are not required, but in many others they may advantageously play an important part in the general display. In places where bedding-out must be completed at the earliest possible moment, annuals would be in the way, and would have to be cleared off when in the height of beauty, and this is always a dis- appointing proceeding. There is only a limited number of annuals, limited in colour and variety, that are naturally over before the middle of May. Amongst these are the Forget-me-nots, but they must be sown in June, and the Silenes, which must be sown in August to be off in May. The same may be said of Collinsia verna, the little blue Veronicas, and the yellow Lasthenia. These, if sown early enough, may be cleared off im time for ordinary summer bedding, but it is now too late to sow them with that special end in view. Under another plan of summer bedding—the ubtropical, the above, however, and many other annuals are the very plants to convert the dreary blankness of the garden in May and June into a scene of fertile beauty. But in the mixed garden, where every week fresh blos- soms are unfolding, autumn-sown annuals are most ap- propriate. Every year I can see what a great amount of pleasure these simple flowers are capable of affording. I know no time of the year when the garden is so attractive | No. 599.—Vou. XXIII., New SERrEs. and so generally admired as at the end of May and throughout June, when annuals may be said to form the staple display. Dazzling masses of Larkspurs and Clarkias, never so fine as when sown at this season; rich glowing groups of Viscaria cardinalis; and dense masses of Campanulas, especially C. pentagonia and Venus’s Looking-glass, with floriferous tufts of Saponarias, Lep- tosiphons, and many others, including Collinsias, Candy- tufts, and especially Nemophilas. Such are never seen in full beauty except in the early summer months, and from seed sown now. They have a brightness, a robust- ness, and continuance that spring-sown annuals never possess. In all gardens where this class of plants can be fitly introduced, and they are not a few, they should be given a fair trial, and, in proportion to cost and care, not many things will return better interest for the outlay. I never yet saw the lady who did not admire greatly a garden in which these easily-grown plants were represented in spring and early summer,.and I have heard many regrets that their cultivation is not more general. With regard to the management, the first point to attend to is to sow the seeds at once. Every day’s delay will at this date tell against their success. I generally put in mine from the 1st to the 16th of September, and have never yet failed in preserving a good stock safely through the winter. Indeed, there is no valid reason why annuals should perish any more than autumn-sown Cauliflowers, Lettuce, or Spinach; but who could expect these vegetables to survive if left standing thickly in the seed bed, each plant making the other tender by over- crowding, and inviting destruction by the vicissitudes of winter ? It is so with annuals. They cannot survive the winter if left thickly together, but they will do so if thinned-out in time and sufficiently. This thinning is an all-important point, and if it cannot be attended to the seed had better not be wasted by sowing. The position selected for the nursery bed for wintering annuals should, if possible, be sheltered from the full sweep of cutting winds. It should also be distant from old walls, shrubs, or vegetables likely to harbour slugs or snails. It is important that this be attended to. It matters little what the nature of the soil is so long as it is not light and rich, for if it is so, over-succulent growth will be induced. If it is made loose with the hoe and fine by the rake to the depth of an inch, that will be sufficient for every pur- pose. The seed should be sown in drills 9 inches or a foot apart, and covered very lightly according to its size. If the soil is not naturally fine, preparing a little and sowing it by hand from a basket over the seed will not be labour lost. When the seedlings are above ground run the hoe through them frequently, and keep slugs at bay ; but, above all, thin-out in time, and let each plant stand separately. In very severe weather some Asparagus tops laid over them will be good protection, but the best protector is the snow, and the greatest enemies slugs and a neglect of thinning-out: The young plants may be planted in spring where required to bloom. They are sure to be attractive, and are within the reach of all No. 1251.—Vou, XLVIII, OLD SERIEs. 224 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 19, 1872. haying a plot of ground to spare and a crown to spend.— J. W., Lincoln. WINTER-FLOWERING PLANTS.—No. 4. MONOCHZTUM ENSIFERUM. Tuts is a free-growing evergreen shrub, with deep rose and purple flowers produced from the points of the small twigs as well as the strong shoots. It is of erect pyramidal habit, and altogether of very neat habit. It succeeds admirably in a moderate-sized pot ; a plant 2feet high, and from 15 inches to 18 inches in diameter at the base can be grown well in a 7-inch pot, and one 15 inches high in a 43-inch pot. Monochetum ensiferum is one of many plants which require an intermediate house. In catalogués it is classed both as a stove and greenhouse plant, but treated as one of the latter with me it does not thrive; I therefore grow it in the stove. We will commence by putting in cuttings oi the young growths in February or March, each about 3 or 4 inches long, with the base a little firm. They are inserted singly in small pots filled with a compost of equal parts of loam, leaf soil, peat, and silver sand, and placed in a close frame, or covered with a hand-glass in the stove. Ii the cuttings are kept in a bottom heat of 75° to 80° they strike root more certainly and sooner than without that assistance. I keep them in the close frame until the plants have grown 6 inches or more high, and the pots are full of roots; they are then hardened off, and placed in a light position in the stove, where they will have plenty of moisture and a moderate amount of air. Shift them into 44-inch pots by June, and they will grow rapidly. A neat stick may be put in to keep the centre shoot steady and erect, and without further trouble they will become pyramids. If, how- ever, irregular growth takes place the plants must be regulated by pinching, but not after July. If all go on well the plants may have 6 or 7-inch pots from the middle of July to the beginning of August. The soil re- commended for the cuttings will suit the plants, using it rather rough, and potting firmly. After the middle of September they should have no more water than will be sufficient to keep them irom ilagging, otherwise they can hardly be kept too dry, or have too light and airy a position. This will secure the thorough ripening of the wood, and in a temperature of 45° to 55° they will commence to flower in November—some later— and continue in good bloom for a long time. When flowering are always impatient of heavy supplies, especially during the winter and spring months. Afier flowering they should be sparingly supplied with water; take off the requisite number of cuttings, and then prune-in moderately. When the fresh shoots are afew inches long repot the plants, envourage growth by giving an abundance of moisture and heat, and afterwards thoroughly ripen the wood by keeping them dry late in summer in alight and airy position. These plants will be larger than those from cuttings taken off early in spring, yet in my opinion they are seldom if ever so free in growth. Monochetum ensiferum is so liable to die off without apparent cause that I shall in future raise my plants from seed, as such are freer in growth, and otherwise superior to those from cuttings. POINSETTIA PULCHERRIMA. This is deservedly admired and extensively grown for its searlet bracts, which from November to March are very useful for decorative purposes. It is one of those subjects which should be reared in quantity. It is most useful when it is grown dwarf, and in small pots. Poinsettia pulcherrima is propagated in spring both by cut- tings and eyes of the firm ripe wood aiter flowering, in either case cutting below the eye, and for eyes leaving about an inch of wood above, whilst a cutting will have two or more joints— I consider two sufficient. The eyes should be buried in the soil about an inch deep, and the cuttings inserted from 1} to 2 inches deep in light sandy loam, on a hotbed of 75°. They should be kept no more than moist, and when they have rooted and are growing freely, withdraw them gradually from the hotbed, and put them singly in 4-inch pots. As the roots are very brittle, I insert the eyes and cuttings in 2-inch pots. This prevents any loss of roots in potting, and the young plants do not experience so great a check as by the other plan. After potting, the plants should be placed near the glass in a house where there is a moist growing atmosphere, and a tem- perature of 65° at night and 75° to 85° by day. The most suitable compost is light turfy loam two parts, one part each leaf soil or old decayed manure, and sandy peat, with a sixth they need to be watered more freely than at other times, but | duced Py those cubtengeepay Ty vou oreo oaees of silver sand. required. By the beginning of July the plants will require to be shifted into larger pots, which may be 6inches in diameter, potting firmly. They must be stopped if they are expected to be dwarf; but this is the time when the cuttings for dwarf plants are put in, and I therefore mark for this purpose the shoots that would otherwise be stopped, and make cuttings of them. Com- mencing at the top of the shoot I count downward two joints, or from 3 to 4 inches from the growing point, and under the nearest leaf to that length of shoot I cut half way through with a sharp knife, and at every third leaf from this down- wards a similar cut is made. These half-severed portions remain on the plant about a fortnight, when they are com- pletely separated from it. Then all we have to do is to remove the lowest leaf, but even that I take off three or four days be- fore separating the cuttings from the plant. They are inserted singly in small pots, 14 to 2 inches deep, in very sandy loam, plunging them in a bottom heat of 75°, keeping them close and moist by covering them with a hand-light and shading them from bright sun. They will soon strike root, and when they begin to grow remove them from the hotbed by degrees, and admit air gradually. When somewhat hardened shift them into 43-inch pots, employing the compost before named, and place them near the glass in a house with a temperature of 60° to 65° at night, and 70° to 75° by day, with a rise to 80° or 90° from sun heat. The atmosphere can hardly be too moist, only it must not be stagnant. When the roots reach the sides of the pot shift the plants into 6-inch pots, well drained, and pot firmly, using the com- post rather rough. Growth should be encouraged until the end of September, when the plants may have a drier atmo- sphere, and no more water than is sufficient to keep the Drain well but not excessively, and water as | foliage fresh. In all stages of their growth they cannot be kept too near the glass as long as they do not touch it. After September the plants will succeed ona shelf in a house with a temperature of 55° at night, and when they are coming into flower, and the bracts begin to form, they may be watered with weak liquid manure. They will continue in flower from November, and will be succeeded by the plants stopped in | July, which will be of taller growth, but have heads of bracts more numerous than those raised from summer cuttings. They have but one or at most two flowering shoots, which are pro- The plants propagated from cuttings or eyes in spring require to be kept growing until the close of September, and should then have a drier atmosphere. When in flower they continue longest in a temperature of 45° to 50°, but must be kept rather dry. After flowering, the plants should be kept dry without allow- ing the wood to shrivel, and about the middle of March cut each shoot to within two or at most three eyes of its base; then water sparingly until the plants have broken, afterwards more freely. Turn them out of the pots, removing most of the old soil—in fact, all that comes away freely, and place in a size of pot that will just hold the roots, using very sandy loam for the first potting, and at subsequent pottings employing the compost before named. The plants will now succeed all the better if afforded for some time after potting a mild bottom heat and a close moist atmosphere, and will afterwards do well in a light and airy position. If bushy plants are wanted, the shoots ought to be stopped at every third or fourth leaf up to August, after which the plants should not be stopped but be kept in a light position with plenty of air, so as to msure a close firm growth. They may have larger pots in May and in July, if those in which they are growing are filled with roots ; pot firmly at each potting in order to produce a stiffer and shorter-jointed growth. After the middle of September keep the plants rather dry, and treat the same as young plants. Poinsettia pulcherrima needs no training, but it is not un- usual to see long shoots bent round stakes, which in my opinion is ugly. A plant of this Poinsettia looks well ona trellis against a wall. Take care to plant it out in rich light soil, with abundant drainage, and, by cutting the shoots of various lengths, a wall of considerable height may be clothed from top to bottom. It needs, however, to have light, air, and dryness, and then the plant will produce its rich scarlet bracts for the greater part of the winter, when it is one of the finest objects that can be grown in the stove or warm green- house.—G. ABBEY. Ligurp Manure ror Rosrs.—My Roses this year are making most extraordinary growth, which is, I believe, partly to be September 19, 1872. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 225 attributed to the following treatment :—A thirty-six-gallon cask is placed in a warm situation, and into this all chamber slops, together with the dirtiest of the laundry water, are poured. The mixture receives an occasional stir, and, fer- mentation commencing, ammonia is produced. Sulphuric acid is added to fix the ammonia before using the contents of the eask. A trench being cut in the earth round the Rose stock, the liquid is poured in. I have given a dose about once a-fortnight.— IF’, CHESHIRE. THE SALWAY PEACH. Tuts Peach, a native of Italy, can now be seen in great per- fection in the gardens of Mr. J. Blyth, Woolhampton Park, near Reading, and any persons who entertain doubts as to the possibility of cultivating it successfully in this country are at liberty to visit the gardens, and I can promise them a hearty welcome from Mr. Colborne, the talented and courteous head gardener, who challenges the whole kingdom to produce a Salway Peach tree equal to that which has been the object of his care and attention for some years past. The tree was planted some twelve or thirteen years ago in the open, but our atmosphere was not such as would allow of its fruiting, and some fruit-growers have been much prejudiced against it, ulleging the fruit was woolly; but I think no objection against it can be urged as grown by Mr. Colborne, and a proof of its excellence is afforded by the fact that last year the Fruit Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society awarded that gentleman a first-class certificate for a dish of magnificent Peaches from the tree in question. Mr. Colborne, finding the tree did not thrive out-doors, placed it under glass, and with such success that in no year since has it yielded less than from five to seven hundred Peaches, which have come to perfection after other varieties have disappeared. The tree presents a magnificent and won- derful sight, and has been greatly admired by a large number of visitors. The finest of the fruit weigh 12 or 14 ozs. each, and the estimated value of the yield this year is about £25. The leaves around the iruit were removed to admit the sun’s rays, and the Peaches are of a splendid colour. In the same gardens the Sooly-Qua, or Chinese Cucumber, is growing to the length of 14 yard, and this will be exhibited in the harvest festival trophy at the Crystal Palace.—G. Cospurn, Newbury. [Our correspondent is in error in saying that the Salway Peach is of Italian origin. The seed was taken from a Peach eaten in Italy by Colonel Salway, but the tree is certainly an English production. We can confirm all the commendation our correspondent says on this excellent variety.—Eps.] NOTES ON ROSES. My old friend’s Berkhamsted notes on Roses induce me to add again my mite. With us, in this bleak-spring country, that terrible May frost well nigh annihilated Maréchal Niel, and it certainly deprived us of nearly all the blooms. Cloth of Gold I have not even seen here this year, and my friend the Rey. E. Bartrum need not be surprised if he do not. see a bloom on his for five or six years. Let it grow and well nigh cover his house, and then when eight or ten years old he will be repaid, possibly by abundance of bloom, but certainly by its beauty. i In our little Rose-growing town I faney La France has this year been our most constant bloomer, excepting always glorious Gloire de Dijon, and the former is still steadily supplying us with flowers. As alate bloomer this year I have been parti- eularly delighted with Exposition de Brie; it has been a truly magnificent Rose. Monsieur Noman, I saw in one of your notices of shows, has been splendid this year; with me it has not produced a single bloom that was moderately respectable, neither did it last year. Emilie Hausburg has perhaps charmed me more than any other Rose this year; it is a beautiful Rose, one that I think will please most growers. Marquise de Mor- temart is a beautiful blush-white Rose. I am afraid it is tender and not very vigorous in growth, but it is a lovely Rose, and if Mr. Bartrum has not obtained it I advise him to try it. Malle. Bonnaire is also a beautiful light Rose; so is Louise Magnan, but the latter is very brittle, and I know no Rose which parts more easily with its branches when blown about by the wind. Miss Ingram is perhaps the largest white-blush Rose, of splendid form; but perpetual only in refusing to bloom but once, and then very shyly. Madame Rothschild has not with me been nearly so good as last year, still it is a gem. How long will astandard last? Certainly not seldom a score of years ; but the BriarI failto understand. Why two Briars, apparently fac-similes of each other, should, the one make a magnificent head, the other continue a sort of starved exist- ence for two or three years and then slowly dwindle away, I know not. I fancy the summer Roses always do well on the Briar. Is this a fact? and if so, why? Tea Roses, again, prefer the Briar. I am no radical, and therefore, although I should never vote for annual parliaments, yet I should vote for an annual “ election ’? of Roses, such as the Rev. C. P. Peach kindly gave us last year. We have had new comers among the Roses this year, and perhaps some of those which last year stood high may this year lose their pride of place. Isee a correspondent has suggested to Mr. Peach to undertake the same duty now for Strawberries as he did last year for Roses. Perhaps it may be too much labour to be returning officer for both Strawber- ries and Roses; and I can only say that if this is the case, and no worthier ‘‘R. O.”’ can be found for Roses, I will wil- lingly try to do it.—Josrpa Hinton, Warminster. HORTICULTURE POPULARISED. Frw things are more interesting in a gardening point of view than to see the efforts that are being made, in the several districts of Britain, to extend the pleasures and benefits of horticulture among the great mass of the people. It is with the fruits of the earth as with various branches of commerce and trade, nothing is so well calculated to bring them to per- fection as friendly rivalry and a spirit of emulation amongst the workers, impelling them to increased effort in the produc- tion of better results than have been attained before. If this is true in respect to handicrafts, it is especially so in respect to gardening as confined to amateurs, artisans, and cottagers, because it can be prosecuted in addition to the bread-winning vocation, and may afford profit, as it certainly will pleasure, as well as add to the comfort and contentment of home. It is surely well to seek to encourage, by every possible means, such home pleasures as even the humblest garden may be made to afford, as it has a direct tendency to counteract the indulgence in coarser and less creditable means of recreation. It is a recognition of this principle that many gentlemen in- terest themselves in providing the means of helping their dependants to help themselves to the enjoyments which are inseparable from the horticultural fétes which are instituted around their mansions and in their parks. There is no class of men who haye done more to originate and Spread a love of horticulture and kindred exercises amongst those by whom they are surrounded than the clergy of the Established Church. In dwelling on this subject names familiar will occur to our minds, as ‘‘ D., Deal,” Revs. S. R. Hole, Radclyffe, Lea, and ‘‘ WintsHinz Rector,’ men who by purse, and pen, and example have left their mark on the times; and to these we must add the efforts of another in the same direction, the Rey. ‘CC. C. E.,” of Bracebridge, whose success is so remark- able as to be special and to demand chronicling for the encou- ragement of others. Four years ago this gentleman, by the assistance of four friends, raised £6, and established a little cottagers’ show for vegetables. This year he has had the assistance of some three hundred friends and nearly £200, and the show, in a village of perhaps four hundred souls, was visited by ten thousand people, including the Mayor and Corporation of the adjacent city. Is not this sufficiently remarkable to be special, and to be excused notice in the columns of this Journal? The exhibition has outgrown its original bounds, and is not done growing yet- The open classes had competitors far and near, the ten-guinea fruit class eliciting a splendid response, eleven grand eights of splendid quality being set up. In the plant department a special feature was noticeable and worthy of record. Lacking large-specimen exhibitors, a happy idea occurred to the Hon. A. L. Melville to propose a class for little men and little plants. It started rather poorly in the city show, but has culminated into something really good and interesting. It is the arrange- ment of plants for effect in spaces of 6 feet by 6. ‘These col- lections were tastefully arranged and exceedingly attractive, ° and the hint may be useful for others not having large plants. Besides the flowers, fruit, and noble vegetables, the Grenadier Guards’ band and the Crystal Palace pyrotechnist lent their in- valuable aid; and the indefatigable committee—for ‘‘ C.C. EB.” 226 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 19, 1872. would not like all the honour—may well be satisfied. I have yet something else worth telling. In all this company, ten thousand strong, there was no drunkenness, quarrelling, or disturbance of any kind, but all was orderly, lawful, and re- spectable. Could this be the case in any week-day pleasure gathering under any other than garden auspices? This show bas now been visited, amongst others, by the following nota- bilities in the horticultural world—the Revs. C. P. Peach and S. R. Hole; Dr. Hogg, and Mr. Pearson; and amongst gar- deners by Messrs. Speed, Miller, Tillyard, Gardiner, and— J. W., Lincoln. SOWING HERBACEOUS CALCEOLARIA SEED. Ar one time I grew these Calceolarias largely, as I liked them for furnishing a gorgeous display in the spring months— say up to June, for in summer they will not flower much unless you can afford them a cool moist atmosphere, or at least cool- ness and moisture at the roots. I used to subdivide and pro- pagate them early in a cool shady place; but treat them as you may, they require much trouble, and I only did so to keep what I considered superior varieties. I preter, on the whole, sowing seed instead of propagating by cuttings, and for ama- teurs there is a never-failing pleasure in watching the opening | of every seedling, and if there should only be a few first-rate kinds the others will come in usefully as cut flowers. For such | purposes the seed may be sown at any time; but keeping the | ideas of moisture and coolness in view, I think the best time to sow is from the end of July to the second week of Septem- ber. All who have sown the seed know that a pinch like a pinch of snuff will contain great numbers of seeds—hardly any seeds could be smaller; and the reason the seedlings do not come up more thickly than Mustard and Cress is simply that the small seeds are buried and cannot vegetate before they come in contact with the air. They require more nicety in sowing than even the smallest-seeded Lobelias. i Another reason why many a half-crown or crown’s worth of seed proves u failure is the careless mode of watering the seed pot. With many of these small seeds it is well not to water at all until the little seedlings have attained some size. If one is about to sow in 5 or 6-inch pots, the pots should be drained, then filled to within an inch of the top, first with rough soil, then with some a little finer, and lastly with the finest of all. The soil in the pots should be thoroughly soaked and left for a day, so that the surface may be just a little dry ; pat that down with a circular board, and if the surface is not smooth enough scatter a little dry sand over it; then sow, and just sprinkle a dusting of sand—not more than a dusting —over the seed, press slightly with the circular board again, and place the pot under a frame or hand-light, if plunged all the better, putting a square of glass over the top, and shading. Any moisture the little seedlings may require before they are strong will be better given to the plunging material outside of the pot instead of watering them overhead, however carefully. Such little matters of detail attended to with these and similar small seeds, would be an instructive source of pleasure to many, and would save seed-dealers from blame that ought rightly to be placed on the shoulders of the sower and not the seedsman. If, independently of these precautions, a seed pot should want watering, then never apply the water overhead with a rose, but take the pot or jug in your hand, place a bit of broken pot, oyster shell, or a piece of wood or slate against the inside of the pot, pour the water on that until the surface of the pot is flooded all over—that will never injure the smallest seedlings. Water overhead with a rose, and three-fourths of the little seedlings may damp or shank off before night. Iam not learned enough to tell you the cause of the difference, but the fact I well know; and the fact must be acted upon if we wish to achieve the greatest amount of success, and more espe- cially with dust-like seeds.—R. F. Larce Onrtons.—By the Journal of the 5th inst. I see the weight of twelve Onions which took the prize at Banbury was 15 lbs. To-day I have weighed twelve bulbs of the Giant White Tripoli Onion, which turned the scale at 19 lbs. 9 ozs., three of the largest weighing 5 lbs. 124 ozs. All had been dried in the sun, and must have been out of the ground fully a week. The largest when dug-up measured 20 inches in circumference, and the smallest to-day 162 inches. The seed was sown under protection on the 6th of February last. Owing to the season haying been so wet, the tops of the Onions became affected by mildew. This being my first trial, I look for a still better result in a drier summer.—W. W., Hertford. GRAFTING.—No. 11. _ Fork-grafting the Beech.—In this case the graft (4, jig. 1), is fitted upon the stock at the meeting point of two branches Fig. 1. by means of a cut, a, formed by the gradual thinning away of the wood on one side, until it assumes the wedge-like shape shown at a’. The graft is then slipped into a cleft in zB. which does not extend beyond two-thirds of the diameter of the stock, and where, although held tightly, it must be further secured by binding and waxing. If, instead of a cleft, an opening such as that represented at ) is made, the work will become much more complicated without increasing the pro- babilities of success. At first the branches c and p may be allowed to remain somewhat long, but should be shortened as the graft in- creases, so that the two snags can be taken off in the following autumn, the grafting having taken place in the spring during the months of March or April. The Oak can also be fork- grafted in this manner. For a long time M. P. de Martillet multiplied the American Oaks upon stocks of the European ones by this means. We have succeeded in doing this with the European and American Walnuts. Perhaps the Chestnut and other hardwooded trees would equally admit of being grafted in this manner. Simple Splice-grafting (fig. 2).—Next to budding, the simple Fig. 2. English splice-grafting is the best for the Apricot. The stock September 19, 1872. ] and the graft should be of equal diameter, and cut in a sloping manner without the slightest notch, in order to avoid the danger of gumming, which is always fatal to the union. The two portions are made to coincide as perfectly as possible, when it becomes a mere question of simple graft-application. We give (jig. 3), an example of another mode of grafting. On comparing it with the work of a carpenter, we might call Fig. 3. it morticed. Being a firm arrangement it offers a double security by the oblique notches of the graft a, and of the stock 3%, which are finally united as at c. We have cut the slope of the graft opposite a bud, d, which serves to draw up the sap, and form cambium to cement the graft.—Baurer, L’Art de Greffer. SPORT OF GLOIRE DE DIJON ROSE. Av the Bracebridge Horticultural Show, held last week, we saw a specimen of Gloire de Dijon Rose exhibited by Mr. A. Kemp, gardener to Rey. J. Brooke, Haughton Hall, Shifnal, which has sported most effectually from its normal state. The Rose was struck about four years ago as a cutting, and is now growing on its own roots in ordinary garden soil, which has never been manured or disturbed in any way since the tree was planted. Previous to this year the flowers have been of the ordinary colour, but this year they have come of a salmon rose, altogether different from the original. If Mr. Kemp pro- pagates this new form by budding, we have no doubt he will secure a new variety to the Rose garden. This occurrence is similar to what has frequently taken place in zonal Pelargo- niums, and may also be illustrated in Roses by Bessie Johnson and Climbing Deyoniensis, both of which are sports. DOUBLE PELARGONIUM JEWEL. On a recent visit to Stamford I paid a visit to Mr. Laxton’s garden, which has now become famous by the successful results of his hybridising, especially amongst Peas and Pelargoniums. Although I am interested in the former, I am still more so in the latter, and was greatly pleased to see how well his per- severance and judgment have been rewarded. The most re- markable gain in doubles is one which he has named Jewel, and which has already received a first-class certificate from the Royal Horticnltural Society. The great charm of the flower is the remarkably double form of each pip. Mr. Laxton compares it to a miniature Sénateur Vaisse Rose, and it is really no inapt illustration. It will be of immense value for the purpose of button-hole bouquets ; the pips being tied sepa- rately on wire will look very charming. The habit of the plant is dwarf, and it blooms very freely. Altogether I consider it a great acquisition.—D., Deal. FAILURE OF THE FRUIT CROP. Ix almost all gardening publications I see it is taken for granted that the frosts of last spring are the sole cause of the JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. | hotbed manure. 227 another cause for this failure, and that is the imperfect ripen- ing of the young wood last year; when the chief growth of new wood, owing to the cold weather in June, was chiefly made at the end of the summer. So impressed was I with the idea that this imperfect ripening of the wood would be prejudicial to the fruit crop of this year, that i mentioned it to my friends, and also took the precaution to root-prune last September a row of dwarf trees. The result has been that the Pear trees thus treated are full of fruit, while on my other fruit trees, with the exception of two old Pear trees which have been fresh grafted lately, I have scarcely any fruit.—G. M. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES AND QUERIES. Last year a Melon produced both red and green-fleshed iruit here from the same plant. The sort was called the Denbies Green-fleshed. Upon the whole, greenhouse cultivation is best for Ismene calathinum. Grow the bulbs singly, use moderate-sized pots, neyer allow them to form clumps, or eyen doublets, if you can help it. For soil employ light loam, with a little rotten Give a slight shift about midsummer, or, indeed, as soon as the pot is getting full of roots. Keep on growing to the last moment, whether the plant has flowered or not. Keep the plant perfectly dry in winter. Pot early in the spring, shaking every particle of soil from the roots. Get the right sort; there is an inferior one in the trade under the name of undulata. Is the true yellow Amancaes in the trade, or is it not? Pancratium illyricum is as hardy as a Daffodil, and should be grown out of doors under the commonest hardy bulb treat- ment. Ismene calathinum may be grown out of doors to bring on spare offsets, but the bulbs do not flower satisfactorily. I have grown very fine bulbs thus in warm summers, but the best plants should be grown under glass to get ripe bulbs, and so insure success. The curious and beautiful Hlisena succeeds under exactly similar treatment. Is the variety of Magnolia grandiflora called precox to be had in these days ?—R. J. C. ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. SEPTEMBER 18TH. Tue subjects specially invited on this occasion were neither numerously shown nor remarkable for high quality; but of those submitted to the Floral Committee many were of high quality. On the whole the exhibition in the Council-room sustained the interest of the fortnightly meetings. In Class 1, for the best twelve double Zinnias, the prizes went to Mr. Porter, gardener to Mrs. Benham, Isleworth; and to Mr. A. Donaldson, gardener to W. E. Barry, Esq., Norwood Green, Southall. Stocks and Pentstemons, which formed the subjects of exhibition in the next two classes, were not equal to our expectations. Mr. Rowe, gardener to Mrs. Lewis, Roe- hampton, was first for Stocks; and Mr. Donaldson second. The only exhibitor of Pentstemons was Mr. B. Porter, who was awarded a first prize. He was likewise the only exhibitor of Helichrysums and feathered Celosias. For the former the prize was withheld, for the latter a third prize was given. For six fine-foliaged Begonias the prizes went to Mr. Walker, gardener to H. J. Atkinson, Esq., Gunnersbury House, Acton, and to Mr. Farrow, gardener to G. Batters, Esq., Enfield. In both cases the specimens were very well grown and in excellent condition. Prizes were offered for the best dishes of Dessert Apples and Pears. For the former, Mr. E. Clarke, gardener to J. K. Hall, Esq., Sutton, Surrey, was first, and Mr. W. Harley, the Gardens, Valentines, second, with Ribston Pippin. The other varieties chiefly shown were Summer Golden Pippin, Wyken Pippin, and King of the Pippins. For Dessert Pears, Mr. A. Donaldson was first with Marie Louise; Mr. J. Stephenson, gardener to F. C. Barker, Esq., Leigh Hall, Essex, second, with Beurré d@’Amanlis. Louise Bonne of Jersey, Jersey Gratioli, and Williams’s Bon Chrétien were the principal other kinds. The best collection of Tomatoes came from Mr. Pagnell, gar- dener to G. D. W. Digby, Esq., Castle Gardens, Sherborne, the second best from Mr. Porter, Isleworth. THarley’s Defiance, Orangefield, Trophy, Red and Yellow Cherry, Pear-shaped, and Large Yellow were well represented. Mr. George and Mr. Roberts, Holwood, Keston, Beckenham, also exhibited. _ Messrs. Barr & Sugden, of Covent Garden, offered a prize for the best assortment of typical forms of Beet, not less than ten varieties, which was taken by Mr. Pragnell. Henderson’s Dwarf Waterloo appeared to be the best flavoured, but the whole of the \ 228 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 19, 2872. samples were only half-baked. Beet is now consumed to a greater extent than in former years, and for culinary purposes flavour rather than bulk of produce must be looked to. Dell’s Crimson, or Osborn’s, as well as the Egyptian Turnip-rooted, the former an excellent coloured-foliaged plant, the latter useful for shallow soils, appeared to be of good flavour, and on that account alone desirable, setting aside their other recommendations, but the bad cooking spoilt all. Mr. Donaldson exhibited a good collection, also Messrs. Veitch, not for competition, as well as some others. _ For Messrs. Barr & Sugden’s prizes for typical forms of Cab- bages (exclusive of Savoys), Mr. Farndell, 6, Buckingham Villas, Park Road, Birmingham, exhibited a collection grown on the Corporation Sewage Farm, including fine examples of the St. John’s Day, Fearnought, Atkins’ Matchless, Enfield Market, &c. Mr. Donaldson also exhibited. Messrs. Carter & Co., of High Holborn, offered prizes for three dishes of Beet, to include Carter’s Perfection of Beets, and six dishes of Onions, to include the New Giant Rocca, New Giant White Tripoli, and New Red Italian Tripoli. Mr. Prag- nell was first with the stipulated kinds—Lobjoit’s and Osborn’s Beet; of Onions, James’ Keeping, Giant Madeira, and Sher- borne Improved, apparently a well-selected White Spanish. The Onions were remarkably fine. Mr. W. Cross, gardener to J.B. Lousada, Esq., Sidmouth, was second. Frourr Cosmmrrer.—G. F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S., in the chair Thomas Laxton, Esq., of Stamford, by direction of the Com- mittee of the Stamford Horticultural Society, sent collections of about eighty varieties of Apples and thirty of Pears, which had been exhibited at a recent exhibition of the Society at Stamford. These had been collected from the districts about Stamford, Oakham, Kingscliffe, and Market Deeping; the two former from the oolite, and the latter from the fens. These were of considerable interest, and an unanimous vote of thanks was given to the Stamford Horticultural Society. Mr. Peas- good, of Stamford, sent a seedling Apple of great beauty and merit. Itis large, round, and handsome in shape, partaking of the appearance of Cellini and Blenheim Pippin. It is said to be a culinary variety, but in all probability when perfectly ripe will not be unworthy of the dessert. The fruit was named Peasgood’s Nonsuch, and received a first-class certificate. The following letter was received from Mr. Peasgood :— “Mr, A. I. Barrron. “Stamford, September 16th, 1872. “DEAR S1R,—Acting upon the advice of the judges at the horticultural show recently held here, I have forwarded for your inspection a sample. of Apple grown in my own garden. You have, I believe, already had the Apple brought under your notice by Mix. Laxton, and he will now state that he has examined the tree, and is convinced ofits beinga seedling. A pip wasplanted in a flower-pot either eighteen .or nineteen years ago at Grantham, Lincoln- shire; after being for some time raised in-doors, it was there put into a garden, and about seyen years ago removed to Stamford. Last year it bore one large Apple only one), this year it had eleven all equal in size to those sent. You will notice they were pulled before ripe, this was to exhibit them at the show here a fortnight ago. The large decayed one was eaten when upon the tree, and is sent to show the original size, though it has somewhat shrunk, I think you will pronounce the flavour as being very fine. Mr. Laxton told me particularly to mention that it is a standard tree. I have enclosed two Apples off another tree, and should be much obliged if you will kindly give me the name. The leaves in the box are off the seedling.—I am, dear sir, yours obediently, J. F. PEasGoop.” - Mr. J. Gardner, Elsham Hall Gardens, Lincolnshire, sent a seedling Melon, raised between Bromham Hall and Bodorgan Orange, but it was very deficient in flavour, as were also those sent by Mr. Mundell, The Gardens, Beechwood Park, Tonbridge Wells, and Mr. E, Rowe, The Rookery, Roehampton. The latter gentleman sent a seedling Apple, which is small, and not pos- sessed of any merit. Mr. J. Clarke, Lower Grove House, Roe- hampton, sent some bunches of the Aleppo Grape, a variegated variety, producing black and white, and occasionally striped berries on the same bunch. Mr. F. Dancer, of Chiswick, brought fruit of Autumn Paradise Pear and Belle de Septembre Plum. The former is a Pear of considerable merit, and being generally an abundant bearer, is worthy of more general cultivation. The Plum is of great beauty and excellent in flavour. Messrs. Osbern & Sons, of Fulham, exhibited a dish of the White Wax Runner Bean, a variety which is from its earliest growth of a pale cream colour. Tt is the Haricot d’Alger of the French, and one highly deserving of general cultivation, as it is neither “stringy,” nor has it any lining in the pods; itis, therefore, eaten entire. A first-class certificate was awarded to it. Mr, John Reid, of Haigh Hall Gardens, Wigan, sent two large fruit of Passiflora quadrangularis, to which a cultural commendation was awarded. Mr. Charles Noble, of Bagshot, sent fruit of Lagenaria vulgaris, or Club Gourd, under the name of Asmah Vegetable Marrow. The fruit was upwards of 3 feet in length, and Mr. Noble stated that he had grown it upwards of 4 feet long. Mr. W. King, gardener to J. Baum, Esq., Cremorne Gardens, Chelsea, showed a dozen plants of Black Hamburgh and six of the Trebbiano Vine in pots, which received a cultural commenda- tion. The Committee then inspected a Tomato, called’ Hatha- way’s Excelsior, grown at Chiswick from seed brought from America. It is a very early and prolific variety, the fruit per- fectly round like an Apple, and the leaves curled, and to all appearance in a withering condition, though perfectly healthy. Although perfectly satisfied with it, the Committee determined that it had better be subjected to another year’s trial to watch the effect produced by the change of climate. Frorat Commirrer.—Dr. Denny in the chair. Messrs. Stand- ish & Co., Ascot, sent a number of Rhododendrons to show the varying results produced by hybridisation. In one set R. Auck- landii Griffithsii was used as the female parent, and was crossed with R. cinnamomum Cunninghamii, also with R. Leviathan, giving rise to two very distinct races, one being much dwarfer in habit than the other, while the colour of the shoots was also different—in one case yellowish green, in the other red. Another set of seedlings were the result of hybridising R. Blandyanum (the seed-bearing parent) with R. Thomsoni, and in this case the pollen parent was reproduced almost without difference Messrs. Standish also sent baskets of Bouvardia Vrelandii in fine bloom ; the plants in one basket had been grown out of doors and were blooming profusely, exhibiting, however, a slight pink tinge. From the same firm came also Acanthopanax va- riegata, with ornamental yellow-variegated foliage; the plant, moreover, has the merit of being hardy. From Mr. A. Parsons, gardener to W. J. Blake, Esq., Danesbury, Welwyn, came a very fine Achimenes called Rosy Circle, with six or seven divisions in the flower instead of the ordinary five. Mr. J. Stevens, gar- dener to C. J. Boyd, Esq., Cheshunt, exhibited a seedling searlet Verbena named Prince of Wales, which received a first-class certificate as a good bedding variety. From Messrs. J. & C. Lee, Royal Vineyard Nursery, Ham- mersmith, came shoots of Cornus mascula aurea elegantissima. with the leaves beautifully variegated with golden yellow, and, further, diversified withrose—a first-class certificate was awarded, Mr. J. Croucher, gardener to J. T. Peacock, Esq., Sudbury House, Hammersmith, had first-class certificates for Agave striata Richardsii, a handsome kind, with narrow bluish green leaves, and A. Gilbyii, with thick deep green leaves striped with light green, and having hooked brown or grey spines. Both are natives of New Grenada. Messrs Dick Radclyffe & Co. sent Pyramidal and Dwarf Compact Mignonette; and Mr. Porter, gar- dener to Mrs. Benham, Isleworth, Pelargonium Prince Charlie, a large-flowered scarlet variety. From Mr. Walker, gardener to H. J. Atkinson, Esq., Gunners- bury House, Acton, came an excellent specimen of Hucharis. amazonica. Mr. Burnett, gardener, The Deepdene, Dorking, sent a flower of Funkia alba. Messrs. Cripps, Tunbridge Wells, exhibited Clematis Viscount Neville, dark velvety purple with a somewhat brighter band ; also Duke of Edinburgh, dark violet- Mr. P. Grieve, Culford Hall Gardens, sent cut specimens of a. hybrid bronze Ivy-leaved Pelargonium called Dolly Varden. Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea, contributed a collection of plants,, including two finely-coloured specimens of Amaranthus salici- folius, Cypripedium Maulei with two fine blooms, the hybrid Cypripedium Dominii, and Cattleya Devoniensis, Maranta oli- varis with very handsome leaves, varieties of Hippeastrum pardinum, and Bowman’s variety of Odontoglossum Alexandre. Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Son, Wellington Nurseries, St. John’s Wood, sent a handsome Asplenium bulbiferum, which received a first-class certificate; cut flowers of Zephyranthes. carinata, bright rose, very pretty, and of Antirrhinum majus Hen— dersoni, white, edged with purple, and tinged with yellow. Mr. Wilson, gardener to W. Marshall, Hsq., Enfield, exhibited a plant. of Amaranthus salicifolius, with pale sulphur-coloured leaves ; it had been kept in shade in the stove, and afterwards placed in a greenhouse. Mr. Wilson received a well-deserved cultural commendation for a noble specimen of Platyceritum grande 5 feet 6 inches in diameter, also a cultural coramendation for a fine example of the Stag’s Horn Fern, Platycerium stemmaria. Mr. Wilson also exhibited pans of seedlings of both species. From the Society’s garden at Chiswick came a plant of Coleus. Baroness Rothschild quite 3 feet in diameter, and though only in a48-pot it had never rooted through the hole in the bottom. Mr. C. Noble, Sunningdale Nursery, Bagshot, sent a collection of cut flowers of Clematises to show their autumn-flowering’ properties. Mr. Eckford, gardener to the Harl of Radnor, Coles- hill, exhibited several seedling Pelargoniums, of which Countess of Radnor had large trusses of scarlet flowers with a slight tinge: of magenta. , yt Mr. Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough, exhibited a number of seedling Dahlias. [First-class certificates were awarded for Laura Haslam, which also received a like award at the Crystal Palace and Glasgow, primrose tipped with white; for Prince: Arthur, rich yellow; Nelly, cream tipped with lilac purple 5 Arbitrator, fawn with a yellow base. A second-class certificate was given for Miss Bateman, pale yellow slightly tipped with orange. Herbert Turner, pale blush, was also a finely formed flower. Mr. Turner likewise exhibited a fine stand of established varieties. Mr. Eckford had first-class certificates for Dahlia September 19, 1872. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 229 Queen’s Messenger, rich purple ; Cremorne, yellow tipped with brownish red, very effective ; and Walter Reid, purple, with a magenta tinge. Mr. Eckford likewise sent a stand of Verbenas, in which Mrs. Lewington was very fine, but had before received a certificate. Mr. King, gardener to Rev. J. S. Wiggett, Allanby Park, Binfield; Mr. Rawlings, Romford, and Mr. G. Wheeler, Warminster, exhibited seedlings. From Mr. Turner, Slough, and from Messrs. E. G. Henderson came stands of bouquet Dahlias ; those from the former were remarkably fine. The Rev. H. N. Ellacombe, Bitton Rectory, sent specimens of the Jalap plant, Exogonium Purga, in bloom, but which did not arrive until after the Committee meeting was over. In a note which accompanied them he remarked that the plant had a special interest, inasmuch as it had flowered out of doors with him for five years, without any protection—not even that of a wall, yet from the beauty of the flowers it well deserved protec- tion. The flowers, he stated, are short-lived, but there is a con- stant succession of them. ‘The plants die down at the first frost, and do not come up till the frosts are well over. GLASGOW AND WEST OF SCOTLAND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S SHOW. SEPTEMBER 111TH, 121TH, AnD 137TH. Tus, the first great international Show of fruits, plants, flowers, and vegetables of the Society, may be considered, as a whole, the finest and largest ever held in Scotland. Taking the classes individually, the display of fruit was by no means so fine as that exhibited in Edinburgh in 1869, the most un- favourable season, incessant rains, and absolute want of sun- shine, being anything but conducive to highly-finished fruit. Grapes were shown most extensively; small fruits were also of good quality. Mr. Fowler obtained the most prizes for Grapes, his fruit showing signs of excellent cultivation. Mr. Hunter's Grapes were all large fine bunches, and exceedingly well finished. Mr. Johnston exhibited in a most creditable manner. ‘The fruit was arranged along two long tables in the centre of the Hall, where it was seen to great advantage. he magnifi- cent collections of plants contributed by the London, Glasgow, sand Edinburgh nursery-firms constituted the largest body of the Show, and all contained specimens of very rare plants, arranged in the most artistic and striking manner. Messrs. Veitch & Sons exhibited many new plants of great interest. The weather on the first day did not prove an exception to its usual character, heavy showers in the morning and continu- ous rain in the afternoon rendered it most unfavourable for visitors; notwithstanding this there was quite a large and fashionable attendance. Though plants were shown in such number and fine condition, ‘still, in point of public interest and attraction, they were of an order inferior to that attributed to the fruit; therefore, dealing with the two divisions in the order of interest, we first come to the fruit. For the collection of twenty sorts of fruit there were only two competitors, Mr. Johnston, gardener to the Earl of Strathmore, Glamis Castle, and Mr. Ingram, gardener to the Duke of North- umberland, Alnwick. Mr. Johnston gained the first place with a very fine group of excellent fruit, comprising Black Hamburgh Grapes; Golden Champion in splendid condition, ‘berries large in size, quite ripe, and finely finished; Buckland Sweetwater; Black Prince; handsome Muscat of Alexandria ; Duchess of Buccleuch, a Grape of fine flavour when ripe; a beautiful cluster of Bananas (Musa Cavendishii); Golden Per- fection and Lord Strathmore’s Favourite Melons; Stirling Castle, Noblesse, and Royal George Peaches; Duc de Telliers, Elruge, and Pitmaston Nectarines; Green Gage, Victoria, and Jefferson Plums; a punnet of Cape Gooseberries, and two small ‘Queen Pine Apples. Mr. Ingram’s second-prize collection con- tained a finely swelled Smooth Cayenne and Queen Pine; Mrs. Pince’s Black Muscat Grape; Black Morocco; Lady Downe’s, - fine in colour; Black Hamburgh, Muscat of Alexandria, and Muscat. Escholata [Muscat of Alexandria] Grapes; Prince of ‘Wales and Queen Emma Melons; Royal George and Barrington Peaches, good; Jargonélle Pears; Moor Park Apricot; Nec- arines ; Plums in variety; Apples, Wc. In the collection of sixteen sorts, Mr. Bain, Downton Hall, Salop, was first; his bunch of Buckland Sweetwater was the finest in the room. Madresfield Court, Muscats, and Ham- burghs were especially fine; these with Queen Emma Melon, Walburton Admirable and Noblesse Peaches, Morello Cherries, and assortments of Nectarines, Pears, and Plums formed the prineipal. Mr. Temple, gardener to J. Balfour, Esq., Balbirnie, was second with excellent Muscat Hamburgh, Muscat of Alex- candria, Black Hamburgh, and Royal Vineyard Grapes ; beautiful Brown Turkey Figs, Violette Hative and Noblesse Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Pears, Apples, and a Trentham Hybrid Melon. The third prize was awarded to Mr. Dickson, Mount Melville, St. Andrews, Fife. Mr. Cummings, gardener to the Harl of Wemyss, Amesfield, Haddington, was first for twelve sorts of hardy fruits; he had some very nicely coloured Peaches, also good Pears and Plums. Second came Mr. Brunton, Gilmerton, Drem; and Mr. Crosbie, Luss, was third. The principal prize for Grapes, and that which created the most interest amongst Grape-growers, was for the eight bunches of eight varieties, which was keenly contested. Mr. Hunter, gardener to the Earl of Durham, Lambton Castle, gained the first place with splendid Black Alicante, Golden Champion, cut from a plant growing on its own roots, fine Black Hamburgh and Barbarossa [Gros Guillaume], grand Muscat of Alexandria, Calabrian Raisin, Trovéren Frontignan, and Burchardt’s Black Prince, all finely finished, and bearing the stamp of good culture. Second came Mr. Fowler, Castle Kennedy, Stranraer, with Muscat Hamburgh, Muscat of Alex- andria, Victoria Hamburgh, Lady Downe’s, Muscat Escholata, Alicante, Trebbiano, and Barbarossa. Third came Mr. Johnston, Glamis, with Buckland Sweetwater, Black Hamburgh, Royal Muscadine, Alicante, Black Prince, Muscat of Alexandria, Oak- ley Park, and a much superior bunch of Golden Champion than that which he showed in his large collection, in a most perfect state of maturity. For four bunches of Grapes Mr. Louden, The Quinta, Salop, was first with fine examples of Muscat Hamburgh, Black Ham- burgh, Black Prince, and Muscat of Alexandria. Second, Mr. Bruce, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester. Mr. Fowler was first for Muscat Hamburgh, with a very handsome exquisitely finished bunch. Mr. Dickson, Mountuillvil, Fife, was second. For two bunches of Black Hamburgh Mr. Fowler was placed first with small bunches, but finely finished. Mr. Boyd, Oak- lea, Galashiels, was second with two compact bunches, large in berry, and quite ripe. Third came Mr. Johnston. For two bunches of Muscat of Alexandria, Mr. Ross, Eccles, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, was first with very nicely-formed bunches, beautifully coloured, and in fine fresh condition. Mr. Johnston was second with two larger bunches, but not quite ripe. Third came Mr. Fowler. With two bunches of Black Lady Downe’s Mr. Fowler was first with large bunches and berry for that variety. Mr. Smart, Netherard, Dolphinton, Peebles, was se- cond ; and Mr. Fraser, Stobo Castle, third. Madvresfield Court Muscat Grape was shown in fine condition—long, well-formed bunches, with good colour and bloom—by Mr, Hood, Glasslough, Armagh, Ireland. Mr. Boyd was first for the single bunch of Hamburgh, Mr. Fowler, second, and Mr. Irvin, Herronhill, Hawick, third. Mr. Boyd was also first for one bunch of Black Alicante, which was large in size, and fine colour and bloom; Mr. Craig, Glen Huntley, Port Glasgow, second; and Mr. Dick- son, gardener to J. Jardine, Esq., Arkleton, was third. Mr. Thomson, Tweed Vineyard, Galashiels, gained the first prize for one bunch of a new Grape with an extraordinarily fine example of his new Grape, the Duke of Buccleuch. Second, Mr. H. Moncer, Rockfield, Dundee, with Mrs. Pince’s Black Muscat; third, Mr. Smith, with the same variety. Mr. Johnston had a first prize for Buckland Sweetwater, showing a bunch excellent for size of berries and colour; second came Mr. A. McIntire, Partick; and third, Mr. George Reid, Blackness Terrace, Dundee. Mr. Dickson, Arkleton, was first for the heaviest bunch of white, showing an enormous bunch of Syrian, weighing no less than 19lbs. 50zs.; it was not quite ripe, but sufficiently so for the purpose. Large bunches do not create so much interest at the present time as they did some years ago, when Mr. Fowler exhibited his large one bordering on the same weight. Mr. Fowler was second on this occasion with White Nice, weighing 14]bs. For the finest-flavoured white Grape Mr. Bruce was first with Muscat of Alexandria ; many of the berries were assuming a very raisin-like character. Second came Mr. Brown, Abercairney, Crieff, with Chasselas Musqué; and third Mr. Shaw, Donisla House, Newington, Edinburgh, with a nice bunch of Muscat. For one bunch with the finest bloom Mr. Bruce was first with Alicante; Mr. Low, Hill Park, Bannockburn, second. In the class for the best collection of Muscats Mr. Fowler was first with some good examples of the Tynningham, Bowood, Escholata [Muscat of Alexandria], and Muscat Hamburgh. Mr. Ingram, Alnwick, was second, and had the Canon Hall and Tottenham Park [Muscat of Alexandria} very fine. The only exhibitor of a pot Vine in fruit (white) was Mr. McLeod, Newbattle, Dalkeith, who had a very creditable plant bearing twelve bunches. The black Grapes in pots were below the average, fruit much rubbed and unsightly. Mr. Adamson, Balcarras, Fifeshire, was first, Mr. Ingram second, and Mr. McLeod third. Mr. Fowler’s Grapes, as a whole, were undoubtedly the finest in the Hall, bearing marks of good finish and careful packing, in the latter respect contrasting very favourably with numerous ae which had been rendered unsightly by the loss of their oom. Melons were shown in quantity. Mr. Hetherington was first in the Green-fleshed class with Colston Basset; Mr. Johnston in the Scarlet-fleshed class with Gilbert’s Victory of Bath. 230 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. Pines were fewer than we are accustomed to see at a Sep- tember show. Two fine Smooth Cayennes from Mr. Wilson, Castle Hill, Devon, were first in their class ; and Mr. Ingram Alnwick, was first in the class for any variety, with two fruit of Prince Alfred. Peaches were very good. Mr. Brown was first for the twelve, and Mr. Johnston second. For twelve Nectarines, Mr. John- ston was first, Mr. Brown second, and Mr. Ingram third. Mr. Cummings was first for Apricots, and Mr. Henderson, Haf- field, Ledbury, Herefordshire, was first with very fine Brown Turkey Figs. Plums were shown well by Mr. Bruton and Mr. Wilson. In the collection of dessert Apples, R. Webb, Esq., Calcot, Reading, was first with a fine assortment; Mr. Culton and Mr. Robertson, Hartrigg, Jedburgh, showed well in this class. Mr. Webb was also first in the collection of kitchen Apples. Pears were well represented by those from Mr. Carmichael, gardener to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, Sandringham, and Mr. Miles, gardener to Lord Carington, Wycombe Abbey, Bucks. Great quantities of other small fruits were shown of more or less value or merit. Mr. Methven, gardener to Col. Campbell, Blythswood, was first for the specimen dessert decoration of fruit and flowers; his table was simple and elegant in the ex- treme. Flowers and Adiantum fronds were principally used, with a Melon at the one end, and a very handsome (Queen Pine Apple, the finest in the room, beautifully swelled, with a very small crown, at the other. Grapes were also very good; Mr. Lewis, gardener to Colonel Buchanan, of Drumpeller, was second with a very nicely arranged table. Plants occupied the principal part of the Hall. Mr. Bullen, of the Botanic Gardens, had a large circle in the centre filled with a choice collection of stove and greenhouse plants, succulents, &c. ‘Tables ran along both sides ; conspicuous amongst the collection on these was that of Mr. B.S. Williams, of Holloway, containing some very choice and valuable specimens. Of Lapageria rosea he had a magnificent plant trained in a globular form, very large and beautifully bloomed; Odontoglossum Bluntii had one very fine spike, which was much admired ; Epidendrum pris- | matocarpum was finely bloomed; Curcuma, with its singular centre ; Nepenthes Rafflesiana, a grand example, with very large pitchers; Crotons were numerous, varied, and of the choicest description ; Agaves were nicely mingled throughout. Saccolabiums, Trichomanes, Dionwas, Bouvardias, Ericas, Da- vallias, Adiantums, &c., were in every respect highly praise- worthy. Messrs. J. & R. Thyne, nurserymen, Glasgow, were awarded the first prize for the table of plants arranged for effect. This occupied the west end of the Hall, with large Palms, tree Ferns, Pandanuses, and Crotons along the back, and smaller plants beautifully arranged along the front. Alocasia macrorhiza variegata was a very fine indeed; Todeas were in fine condition, the Crotons beautifully grown and coloured, Glei- chenias remarkably fine, and Cycas reyoluta, the finest specimen we ever recollect seeing. The mass of foliage was enlivened with some excellently-flowered Odontoglossums, Ixoras, Val- lotas, &c. Mr. Solly, gardener to Provost Russell, Mayfield, Falkirk, was second; his plants were much larger than those in the first-prize group. Palms and tree Ferns formed the larger section, whilst of Adiantum farleyense and many Orchids there were magnificent specimens. Mr. P. McKenzie, nursery- man, Gordon Street, Glasgow, was third. Messrs. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, were first for new plants not in commerce, and also for the collection of new and rare plants. In their collection we noted as being wonderfully fine, Berto- lonia margaritacea superba, Saccolabium Blumei, Cattleya su- perba, Aralia Veitchii, very graceful; Lapageria alba, very fine ; Selaginella japonica, Phormium Colensoi, Cypripedium Domi- nianum, very curious and one of the finest; Cycnoches, and Caladium Princess of Teck, a dwarf very pretty variety ; while Bertolonia guttata and Eriocnema marmorata were beautifully marked. Messrs. Veitch had also some choice dwarf Palms; and from a small arch along the centre of the table were sus- pended fine little plants of Nepenthes hybrida, Hookeri, Sedeni, Rafflesiana, phylamphora, and maculata. The position of these showed them to the best advantage. With other tables of plants Messrs. Smith & Simon; Dickson & Co., Edinburgh; Paul, Crossflat Nurseries, Paisley ; and Mr. Thomson, gardener to T. Coats, Esq., Ferguislee, deserve the highest praise. In the gardeners’ classes, Orchids were few. For six fine- foliaged plants, stove or greenhouse in flower, Mr. Buchanan was first with Rondeletia speciosa, Erica Marnockiana, Vinca alba, Statice profusa, covered with its delicate blue flowers ; Allamanda Hendersoni, and a finely-flowered plant of Ixora coccinea superba. For three stove or greenhouse plants Mr. Hetherington was first; and for one fine-foliaged plant ex- clusive, Mr. Ollerhead, Killermont, was first. Mr. James was first for the finest tree Fern; and in Mr. Fleming’s collection of six Ferns was a remarkable handsome plant of Adiantum farleyense upwards of 3 feet in diameter. Davallia tenuifolia picta and Gymnogramma Martensi were both fine specimens. Zonal Pelargoniums and those in flower were very deficient. [ September 19, 1872, The best twelve came from Mr, Campbell, Holmwood, Catheart. Liliums were few, and Fuchsias quite miserable. Cut flowers were exhibited in a small tent in the grounds out from the principal building and formed a moderate display in some classes. The weather has been very unfavourable to out- door flowers, and many of these bear sad marks of its effects. Hollyhocks were quite unnoticeable, and Roses were few, small, and poor. We failed to find one well-developed bloom in the collections. Dahlias were very good. Many of the varieties were unnamed. Mr. May, Hope Nurseries, Bedale, Yorkshire, was first in the nurserymen’s class for thirty-six blooms; Baron. Taunton, Octoroon, Self, Flag of Truce, and Lord and Lady Derby were the finest. Second came Mr. Edward, Castle Gate, York; third, Mr. White, Paisley. Mr. May was also first for twelve Fancies ; Mr. Edward second; and Messrs. Little & Bal- lantyne, Carlisle, third. Mr. James Service, nurseryman, Dumfries, was first for thirty- six spikes of Gladioli, witha magnificent collection; Madame Desportes, Argus, La France, and Calypso were especially fine. Second came Messrs. Stewart & Sons, Dundee; Sir William Hooker, Vesta, Reine Victoria, Dr. Livingstone, and Humboldt were extra good. Third came Messrs. Robertson & Galloway, Ingram Street, Glasgow. Messrs. Kelway & Sons exhibited the finest stand of thirty-six Gladioli in the tent, all seedlings. Mr. Charles Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough, exhibited some very fine seedling Dahlias, and was awarded first-class certificates for Prince Arthur, gorgeous yellow; Herbert Turner, elegant pure white; and Laura Haslam. In the gardeners’ class for twenty-four Dahlia blooms, Mr. Neil, Glass, was first; i the twelve, Mr. Fyfe, Kilmarnock; and for twenty-four spikes of Gladioli, Mr. Hetherington was first. Annuals, Asters, Verbenas, Phloxes, Pentstemons, Mari- golds, &c., possessed little merit. Bouquets were well shown and tastefully made-up, though rather too many flowers were used in some cases, but they were very much admired. Floral designs in the models of flower gardens were very tastefully ar- ranged. In the amateurs’ class Dahlias were shown in fine con- dition by Mr. Whiteford, Kilbirnie; Mr. McIntosh, Ardock,, Perth; Mr. Foster, Polmont; and Mr. Logan, Coldstream ; Gladioli by Mr. Findlay, Mauchlin; Mr. Ross, Laurencekirk ;, and Mr. Cumming. Vegetables were shown in great quantity and of first-rate quality. Although the Potatc disease has been so prevalent this season, the display of Potatoes was the finest we ever recol- lect seeing. For twelve, Mr. Wm. Noble, Ladeside, Newmilns,, was first; second, Mr. Smeall; third, Mr. Gigg. Peas were very poor on anayerageandrusty. Cauliflowers, Dwarf Kidney Beans, Beet, Leeks, Onions, Carrots, Celery, Parsnips, &c., were well represented. Cucumbers were also very good; Marquis of Lorne was exhibited, and very large in size, and it would in all likelihood have gained the first prize, but it was much older and yellower in colour than the first-prize fruit, which was of an unnamed variety. The hardy coniferous plants were shown out of doors. Messrs. Barron & Sons, Elvaston Nurseries, Borrowash, were easily first with a very choice selection, conspicuous in which were Retinospora plumosa aurea, Picea Parsonii, Thujopsis dolabrata, Biota orientalis, Arthrotaxus selaginoides, and the curious and rare loose-jointed Arthrotaxus laxifolia. Messrs. Austin McAslan were second with Thuja gigantea, Cupressus Law- soniana, Retinospora pisifera; and Messrs. Dickson & Turn- bull, Perth, were placed third, with a lot in which seemed to us. more deserving than the second. In it were some fine Welling- tonia gigantea aureo-variegata, Abies Douglasii elegans, Pinus sylvestris argentea, Picea grandis, &c. A first-class certificate was awarded to Mr. Thomson, Tweed Vineyard, Clovenfords, by Galashiels, for his famous new Grape, the Duke of Buccleuch, handsome in the form of its compact bunch, with berries of enormous size and excellent flavour, while the Vine has arobust and fertile constitution. The berries. on this occasion were scarcely so large as those certificated by the Fruit Committee, and at Belfast, Bishop Auckland, &c. The colour which was then rather green has now become of a beau- tiful transparent golden yellow. It has proved itself to be equal to any other early Grape in its keeping qualities, as a splendid basket of it which was quite ripe in the first week of July, was shown by Mr. Thomson in the finest possible condition. For this it was awarded a special commendation. To Mr. Lees, gardener to the Harl of Haddington, a first-class certificate was awarded for Verbena Lady Haddington, an improvement on Crimson King, larger in the flower, and brighter in colour, with a beautiful bright eye. Similar awards were made to Messrs- Kelway & Sons, Langport, Somerset, for seedling Gladioli; to Mr. Maurice Young, Milford Nurseries, Godalming, Surrey, for Juniperus chinensis aurea, a very beautiful yellow-tinted variety, neat in habit, and very ornamental; to Mr. Webb, Calcot, Read- ing, for twenty-two sorts of Filberts, some of them very large, and a stand of Maréchal Neil Roses, which were the finest exhi- bited in any class. The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society had in aid to the September 19, 1872. ] success of this Exhibition, generously postponed their annual autumn show, which was formerly held in September, until December. The Judges for Fruit were—Messrs.Carmichael, Sandringham ; Barron, Chiswick; Dunn, Dalkeith; Rust, Eridge Castle; Allan, Broomlow, Lurgan; McLellan, Invergary; and Speed, Chatsworth. For Plants—Messrs. Moore, Chelsea; Bruce Find- lay, Manchester; Fraser, Lea Bridge Road, London. For Cut Flowers—D. T. Fish, Hardwicke; B.S. Williams, Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, London; Mitchell, the Nurseries, Dean Park, Edinburgh. For Florists’ Flowers—Messrs. Turner, Slough; Downie, Forest Hill,London ; Paul, Crossflat Nurseries, Paisley. For Vegetables—Turnbull, Bothwell Castle; Henderson, Castle Wemyss; Campbell, Buchanan Castle. BRIGHTON AUTUMN SHOW. THE various aspects under which a horticultural exhibition may be regarded offer much that is interesting, instructive, and amusing. Such an institution is not always devoid of certain trifling blemishes perhaps, yet on the whole it is calculated to foster and improve all branches of horticulture; but it takes even a higher grade of usefulness in its humanising tendency, promoting, as it does, much kindly feeling and genial intercourse. Certainly there is at times a slight per contia in the shape of an irate non-successful exhibitor or two, with whom one would always feel disposed to deal tenderly, remembering how bitter is the first feeling of disappointment that failure brings, though generally followed by a healthy resolve at least to endeavour to gain some instruction from failure, and to try again with more earnest effort and better skill. The extensive and very excellent autumn Exhibition of the Brighton Horticultural Society was held at the Pavilion on Wednesday and Thursday, the 11th and 12th inst. It em- braced ornamental-foliaged plants, stove and greenhouse plants, Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, a class for single specimens, &c.; then there were table decorations, and cut flowers in a variety of classes and degrees, with fruit, vegetables, and various miscel- laneous subjects. All the classes were well represented except- ing vegetables, of which there was a miserable paucity. A ten-guinea cup offered for ten variegated and ornamental plants by the London and Brighton Railway Company brought . together four collections, forming a noble group of plants, occu- pying the whole of the banqueting room. The cup was won by Mr. J. Hudson, gardener to J. Imthurn, Esq., with noble tree Ferns, a huge Chamerops humilis, Alocasia macrorhiza varie- gata, A. metallica, Croton pictum, C. angustifolium, Yucca quadricolor, and a magnificent Stevensonia grandifolia. Of stove and greenhouse plants there was a really splendid display, not unworthy of South Kensington. The first prize for eight was won by Mr. 8. Hudson, gardener to F. Barchard, Esq., with Allamanda cathartica, A. nobilis, an even well-shaped plant of Erica retorta vittata, a splendid specimen of Vinca oculata; a fine plant, somewhat over-tall and thin, of Ixora javanica floribunda, the charming Echites splendens, with its lovely flowers of a delicate peach shade, Ixora amboynensis, and a magnificent Rondeletia speciosa major, which was quite the gem of the collection. Mr. Parsons, who took the second honours, had a capital Stephanotis, a fine example of skilful training and culture, and the beautiful Dipladenia amabilis. The third and fourth prizes were also taken with good plants, among which was a fine Clerodendron Balfourianum, with a pro- fusion of its creamy white and crimson flowers. In the class for fours were fine examples of Vinca rosea and Bougainvillea glabra. Ericas were represented, but the plants were of no great merit. Liliums, too, were of indifferent quality. I note this with regret, for they are a most desirable class of plants, useful for a variety of decorative purposes, and of very easy culture. The class for single specimens contained a few good plants; the first prize was given to a healthy but very ragged plant of Ixora amboynensis, the second going to a splendid specimen of Statice imbricata, which, although of a large size, presented a singu- larly graceful and elegant appearance. Of Fuchsias there was a considerable number of large plants, which, although well and even profusely flowered, were deficient in symmetry; one plant only of Mrs. Marshall—a white-flowered variety—was well-shaped, and even this was disfigured by having « portion of the rough stake that supported it protruding from the top of the plant. Zonal Pelargoniums were numerous and fine, notably Mr. G. Parsons’s Hydrangea, a desirable variety, having large trusses of fine pink dark flowers, and Mdlle. Nilsson, of a deeper shade of pink, and with immense but very compact trusses. Among the plants of other exhibitors the bright scarlet Leonidas was con- Spicuous, as was Mons. Thomas, a really splendid variety, with fine large compact trusses of a soft pleasing shade of scarlet; Bride, with pretty compact trusses of white flowers with pink centre, and Mrs. W. Paul, an old but useful delicate pink variety, were also good. Achimenes were all good and well- finished plants. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 231 Among numerous other excellent plants were a noble San- chezia nobilis variegata, a quantity of Begonias of the flowering section, and collections of Ferns, including fine examples of Lomaria gibba, Adiantum farleyense, Davallia divaricata, and Gleichenia glauca. The table decorations were most excellent, and were a remark- able advance upon anything of the kind one is accustomed to meet with at provincial shows; the whole of them—and there were some two dozen stands—were characterised more or less by an air of lightness and elegance, obtained in almost every instance by the judicious use of spikes of Grass and Maidenhair Fern. Cut flowers were in great force, and generally were very good. Mx. Mitchell, of Piltdown, took the leading position with Roses, as did Mr. Keynes, of Salisbury, with Dahlias, of which there was a fine display. Gladioli, Asters, Hollyhocks, Phlox, and Cle- matis were all well represented. Of the latter Mr. Cripps, of Tunbridge Wells, had an interesting collection, both of well- known kinds and of seedlings of considerable merit. The display of fruit was an excellent one. Mr. G. Ward, gardener to J. N. Miller, Esq., Bishop Stortford, took the premier prizes for three bunches each of black and white Grapes, with splendid bunches of ‘Black Hamburgh, and equally fine fruit of Muscat of Alexandria. The same exhibitor also stood first in the class for baskets of 12 lbs. ; but the victory was by no means an easy one, for the basket of Black Hamburgh from Mr. R. Norris, gardener to R. Bosanquet, Esq., which was placed second, contained some extraordinary fruit, immensely superior in size, and very little inferior in colour to Mr. Ward's. Pines though not numerous were good, notably a Queen Pine weigh- ing 5} lbs. by Mr. Rochford, Page Green, Tottenham. The first prize for Melons was taken by good examples of that fine old kind Egyptian Queen, both in the open class and in that restricted to local growers. Apples, Plums, and Cherries were all good. Pears, too, were in great abundance ; Williams’s Bon Chrétien predominating, but of no great merit in any instance. Here again first honours in both classes were taken by fruit of the same kind, which was Marie Louise. I have thus sketched the most prominent features of this suc- cessful Exhibition, and will conclude my report by observing that while in its plants and table decorations a marked improve- ment was visible on former efforts, it was as a whole worthy of London-super-Mare, and in some points not unworthy of London itself—Epwarp Lucknurst. ADARE MANOR.—No. 2. County Liuerick, Irevanp. Wz cannot but linger and take note of the surroundings of the grand old Franciscan Abbey, ‘Where many a saint and many a hero trod.” The rich pasture is striking, but that part of the demesne op- posite the Manor is poor in landscape beauty compared with the other sides of the park. However, the young plantations, to which we shall afterwards refer, on the south, or Mount William side of the park, will in a few years vastly improve the landscape of this part. : From the old Abbey we obtain a glimpse of the giant Elms and of the Manor. The broad swelling knoll, so finely wooded, behind the Manor, isa great central feature in the park, and on this rise we still see traces of the Elms for which Adare was so famous in the last century. The first great breach made in the majestic avenues of Elms was caused by a storm in 1814, when hundreds of the large trees were uprooted; again much hayoe was caused by the storm of January, 1839; and that of January, 1842, left only a few fragments of the grand avenues of Adare. Arthur Young, on visiting Adare ninety-six years ago, spoke in raptures of the Elm trees, and of the Oaks in the large deer park, and “‘ hoary Thorns of great size.” The deer park is isolated from the demesne, and contains about 400 acres. Close to the Abbey the approach to the Manor crosses the river by an old stone bridge. As giving access to a mansion of such a stately character, occupying a central position in a large park, this approach is the very worst in design that can be conceived. We hope the present noble owner of Adare will remedy this weak point; the late Marl had serious intentions of making a grand approach from the gate near Desmond Castle, and then sweeping it round the hill to the noble entrance of the Manor. On crossing the bridge from the Abbey we follow a walk winding along the river’s bank; from here there is a very beautiful evening view of the Manor seen past the row of towering Elms. Between the walk and the carriage drive on the right is a considerable strip of ground, on which we noted the following thriving trees—Pinus pyrenaica, P. excelsa, to Bo) nS) JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 19, 1872, P. insignis, Picea Pinsapo, and Cupressus macrocarpa. Farther to the right on the rising ground is a considerable plantation of Deodars thriving well. We pass now to a nearer inspection of the giant Elms, of which there are fourteen in a straight line. The walk runs between the trees and the river, and their great limbs are sup- ported on props, forming a very picturesque arcade—quite a sight to be remembered. ‘The trees rise to about 130 feet in height, and at 4 feet from the ground the girth of five of them is respectively, 19,17, 16,14, and 13 feet ; the smallest is 12 feet in circumference. These monarchs stand just where we enter the flower garden at the river side of the Manor. The strip of viver garden is laid out in seroll beds well filled with bedding plants. On this, the east side of the house, the building is plain. The kitchen buildings stand at the north end of the mansion, and the walls are beautifully covered with climbers supported on trellises. On the square block of the kitchen building a tablet shows that the structure was begun in 1832. On a large buttress on the river side of the mansion is a tablet to the memory of the master mason who conducted the building from its commencement until his death in 1852. He was a native of Adare, and on looking at this tablet we felt pleasure at this recognition of plain industry. Leaving the river garden we ascend to the south front of the mansion by a massive stone stair in two flights. This front of the mansion is very rich in architectural beauties as well as broad rich landscape. The flower garden in front is of a pretty geometric design, and has on the river side a highly- dressed architectural wall, some 15 feet high where it touches the Manor, but falling at least half the height where it returns on the south side. As seen from the drive on Mount William, the wall is a very pretty picture; but looking at it Adare Manor. standing on the upper terrace it is far too contracted for such | bosses in the centres where the ribs meet bear the different a breadth of ground, and for blending the grounds with the large mansion. The terrace on the south front is 4 feet above the flower garden, and is on a level with the walks on the entrance side of the Manor. A green ramp divides the flower garden from this upper terrace, but has a mean appearance in supporting a narrow terrace at the base of such a grand pile of buildings. It is worth noting, that of the steps leading down to the flower garden, two whole steps are each 18 feet inlength by 14 inches wide; they are limestone, and show what a fine quarry there is near Adare. The front of the mansion has a very striking effect, and we cannot leave it without giving a few particulars of the peculiar style of building. The stone used is a limestone, of which the blocks are of alight grey and a warm red, and the blending of these colours has been studiously carried out. The work is done in dressed ashlar, finished in the most perfect style, and the effect is the lightest and most elegant we have ever seen. The string courses are beautifully done, and the carving highly finished, the subjects carved being varied. : The colonnade in this front is a great feature, showing five Gothic arches, and being a copy of one belonging to the old Abbey in the ground; it illustrates that charming combi- nation of comfort with open-air life which the learned men of Adare studied ages ago. The inner walls of this colonnade are of red limestone of dark and light hues; the roof is groined in the same stone with deep ogee ribs forming panels, and the arms of the family on highly ornamented shields. This colonnade is partly divided by an arch, also Gothic. The second part is square, and a charming study, whence we see the distant hills, and where we hear the murmur of the river ; while the flutter of waterfowl, and the sheep on the broad meadow, give animation to the scene, and complete a great pic- ture. In this part of the colonnade the ribs of the roof are bolder, and spring from corbels with beautifully worked faces. In the centre where the ribs meet is a large rayen with wings expanded; under each wing isa shield bearing the arms of the family; around the raven is the motto ““Qu@ sursum volo videre,’ in medieval characters. On the front of the last finished part of the buildings is a panel with the following inscription :— “This goodly house was erected by Windham Henry, Earl of Dunraven, and Caroline his Countess, without borrowing, selling, or leaving a deht. | A.D. 1850.” The square tower seen in the illustration is 82feet high to the battlements, and to the top 103 feet. The north-west front, or main entrance side, shows a very distinct style of building. The gable of the last finished part of the Manor has a bay window of very peculiar construction, and highly ornamented. In recessed panels are ravens holding in one claw banners, while on scrolls around them is the family motto. This mode of ornamentation is followed up over all the bay windows of the new wing, but instead of the September 19, 1872, ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 233 vaven being repeated, shields of different shapes bearing the family arms are used. This wing was completed under Hard- wick of London. The rest of the building was chiefly designed by the late Mr. Pugin. The hall door is a massive piece of work in a recessed porch, with groined roof, the ribs springing from shields showing the Turis genus contains some very beautiful stove ornaments, which deserve to be more grown than they are. causes which have brought them into bad repute with many may be non-suita- bility for exhibition. Although no one can be fonder than my- self of growing spe- cimen plants, or of seeing grand plants staged at a public exhibition, I should consider it one of the createst mistakes for anyone to grow no- thing else but a few large plants for that purpose alone —it certainly is not the way to enjoy a gar- den, or the number- less beautiful forms to be found in the vegetable kingdom. JicumMEA Mariz- Reoinz.—The plant to which I now de- sire to call attention is one of the very finest, if not really the finest member of the order which has yet been introduced to Europe, and is a native of Costa Rica, whence it was brought by my es- teemed friend Mr. H. Wendland. It has only flowered once in this country, and that was in the establishment of Mr. B. S. Williams, of the Victoria Nursery, Upper Holloway, to whose courtesy your readers are indebted for the illustration given, but which is necessarily much re- duced in size. The plant is of robust habit, and when well erown is very orna- mental, even when not in flower. The Wyndhams. alliances of the last four generations of the Quins and the Over the hall door is the large bay window of the west end of the picture gallery. This window and the arch of the entrance door is between two octagon towers with battlements. One of the BROMELIACEOUS PLANTS.—No. 3. XCHMEAS. é The stone in these towers is prettily contrasted ; the quoins are of grey, and the centres of black stones. ever, of only secondary importance, but which, nevertheless, afford a nice contrast to the bracts. blue in the young state, but change to pale rose with{age. They are tipped with The cultivation of this plant, like that of the majority of its race, is extremely simple, the first and most essential point in its culture being the keeping of the crown well supplied with water, for in this lie the life and vigour of the plant. The pots should be well drained, for in a state of nature the plants are epiphytal, growing in the forks, and upon the branch- es of trees in the so- ciety of Orchids and similar plants. The soil should be a mix- ture of about two parts peat, one of leaf mould, and one of loam, with the addi- tion of a little sand. In watering, I al- ways pour the water into the crown of the plant, allowing it to trickle between the leaves into the pot, and it should be grown in a_ good stove heat. JECHMEA DISCOLOR. —This is a fine old species, although not so robust or showy as that previously described ; yet it is well deserving of ge- neral culture on ac- count of its brilliant flowers, which are produced during July and August, and re- tain their full beauty for a considerable time. The leaves are broad, recurved to- wards the ends, de- stitute of spines at leaves are arranged \ ! the edges, dark green in a vase-like man- Achmea Marie-Regine. on the upper side, and stained with red - ner, recurved to- wards the upper part, and measure from 12 to 18 inches in | dish purple below. The panicle is branched, ‘longer than length; they are armed at the edges with sharp teeth-like the leaves, and coral red; the flowers, which are naked, are spines; in colour they are dark green on the upper side, but | deep bright red tipped with blue, affording an elegant and somewhat paler below. The flower-spike rises erect from the | pleasing contrast. It is a most desirable plant, and of the centre of the vase-like plant, and is about the same length | most easy culture to those having a stove. as the leaves, the lower portion being clothed with large, Aicumea WetLBacui.—Leaves broad, strap-shaped, like the oblong, boat-shaped bracts, of a most pleasing rich magenta | rest of the species sheathing at the base. The panicles are of shaded with rose (a colour so charming and so rare amongst | about the same length as the leaves and branched, clothed flowers and plants), and which retain their full beauty for fully | with bright scarlet bracts, whilst the flowérs are deep blue and two months. The upper portion of the scape, as the illus- | pink. It is a very handsome plant, a native of Brazil. tration shows, is densely clothed with flowers, which are, how- | icumEa pist‘cHANTHA,—This is another superb plant from 234 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 19, 1872. Brazil, where it is epiphytal upon trees, like the majority of the members of this genus. The leaves are long, linear-oblong, and acuminate, glaucous, and armed at the edges with reddish- brown spines. The scape is densely clothed with bright red bracts, whilst the petals are bright blue enclosed in rose- coloured sepals, the whole forming a rich and attractive display. ANCHMEA GLOMERATA.—This, again, is another species from Brazil well deserving the attention of allloversof plants. The leaves are about 18 inches long, broad, obtuse at the apex, and armed at the edges with small, distant black spines. The scape is erect, stout, from 8 to 12 inches long, densely clothed with bright red bracts, whilst the flowers are deep blue.— Exrerto CREDE. SOME PREDATORY INSECTS OF OUR GARDENS.—No. 35. Tue caterpillar of the Leopard moth (Zeuzera Asculi) is cer- tainly more common than formerly in many places; perhaps this may be due to the circumstance that rather a wholesale destruction of sparrows has been carried on in some districts, and these birds are known to be particularly fond of preying upon the moths when they emerge in June and July. This caterpillar is to be found in a much greater variety of trees than its relative, the Goat moth, which divides with the | former the honours of tree-boring in our London suburbs; but the Goat moth seldom attacks trees in orchards, while the Leopard moth frequently works insidiously in the wood of Plum, Pear, and Apple, being very partial to the Pear, and preferring the main stem to the branches. It has been asserted by a distinguished entomologist that, in the first place, it rarely diminishes the fruit-bearing power of the tree, but eyen sometimes makes the tree yield more plentifully; and secondly, that it never kills a tree. vineed that these are logical conclusions. A tree mined by the Leopard caterpillar may appear to do well, and ‘‘ put on a spurt,’ but this is, in all probability, followed by a reaction, and I have noticed trees thus infested which have almost jaws, the caterpillar prepares the way for other insect ma- rauders, and also by the holes which it makes in the wood communicating with the outer air, it exposes the tree un- favourably to the influences of rains and frosts; caterpillar, unlike most other wood-feeding larve, occasionally quits its gallery, as I have lately observed, especially in the spring of the year, and it likes to have a handy track to the exterior, by means of which it will now and then eject “‘ frass.” There is now no doubt that the larval condition lasts two seasons, perhaps even more, though there is an annual emer- gence of the moths. The females remain very inactive upon the trunks of the trees for some time; the males are more on | Aman, | the alert, and fly briskly, but die off much sooner. crossing one of our metropolitan parks, picked one of these Leopard moths off a tree as a great prodigy, and it was taken into a public-house and placed in the parlour for exhibition under a glass. It happened, however, to be a male specimen, and a series of frantic evolutions soon removed all-the scales from the elegantly-spotted wings, very much to the surprise of the discoverer as he surveyed his rarity when it had settled down from exhaustion. = Common enough just at this season” of the year in the flower and kitchen garden, and even appearing occasionally in the conservatory, though entering that locality rather by acci- dent than design, is the caterpillar of the White Ermine (Arctia Menthastri). The moth is often seen in June, sitting on walls and palings, or crawling on grass plats rather languidly in the daytime. This caterpillar is one of the general feeders, and when nearly frll-grown consumes a good number of leaves in a short time. Probably its more natural food is a variety of*low plants, it being frequently seen along the roadsides in the country feeding upon chickweed and plantain. Having found its way into our ga» lens, however, it thrives well enough there, and a list of the species on which it has been caught regaling would be a long one. Its inclination to hide during the day often prevents the horticulturist from detecting it, and, moreover, upon a sudden alarm it rolls into a hairy ball in the manner of the, as abundant, Tiger caterpillar. The name ‘ Woolly Bear” is loosely applied to this caterpillar in common with others. Though from its protective coating it escapes almost entirely from being made a prey by birds, an ichneumonideous parasite deposits its eggs on the hairs, and I am not, however, con- | for this | the grubs produced burrow into the body of the caterpillar. Also individuals not unfrequently die at the time of change of skin. The hairs in this caterpillar are brown, almost approach- ing black; the body is also brown, with a pale stripe along the back, and less distinct stripes along the sides. Having ma- tured, it spins a cocoon of hairs and silk intermingled, in which it remains through the winter. Many of these may be found by gardeners in the winter attached to boards, old flower-pots, dead leaves, and twigs, and, if not of an entomo- logical turn, the finder will do wisely to destroy them, as each female moth deposits a considerable number of eggs, which are yellow, pearly, and laid in clusters of twenty or more. The moth receives its name of Ermine from the cream-coloured wings covered with black spots, varying in number and size; the body is marked conspicuously with three rows of these on a yellow ground. The Latin name was given because the insect | was supposed to be partial to the species of Mentha, but though I have seen it on M. viridis in gardens, it was not more numerous on that plant than on others. Near akin to the species just described is that called in our vernacular the Buff Ermine, and in science Arctia lubricipeda, and we may say of it, as of its predecessor, that it is one of those caterpillars which are a source of annoyance rather than of positive injury to the horticulturist. A certain number of them appear each season, but, unless in very excep- tional cases, they do not muster strongly enough to do much harm. Arctia lubri- cipeda really has a preference for weeds, such as the com- Be mon docks, and hence it is z often more prolific in waste Arctia lubricipeda. places than in cultivated ground; but if a moth finds itself in a garden it deposits eggs | there readily enough, and the young brood takes to any plants which are handy. Still, it would not be advisable to do as | some one suggested—namely, to grow a select bed of weeds in ceased to bear. On the other question, though innocent of | causing the death of the tree by the immediate effect of its | 2 corner of one’s garden, as a sort of refuge for the destitute, because caterpillars of an omnivorous habit are also very erratic in their disposition. I do not know that in this par- tieular instance the caterpillar deserves to be called lubricipeda —i.e., slippery-footed, but it is certainly a remarkably rapid walker; and though under ordinary circumstances one of these ereatures crawls along demurely enough when engaged upon a caterpillar’s chief pursuit—filling its interior, yet if it be interrupted or alarmed it suddenly becomes excited, and moves along at a rate which is astonishing. Something, however, of a spasmodic character this must be, for it pulls up as sud- denly after awhile and remains still. Perhaps it was through a habit of the moth’s that the species received its name, for if it be touched it draws up its legs and feigns death, and A. Menthrasti does the same thing—a natural protection against enemies, birds especially. The Buff Ermine has the colour its name describes, the wings being chequered with | spots of a black hue, some of the smaller forming a line across the fore-wings, the hind-wings have only two or three. We at once distinguish this caterpillar from its hairy relative by its dirty-white, unpleasant-looking colour, the hairs being long and light brown; a broad stripe runs along each side. The cocoon is placed near or on the ground. This insect is said to be very scarce in the north. The caterpillars of these Ermine moths cannot be snared to their destruction, nor are they appreciably afiected by fumigants, though, when tolerably young, they may be lilled by thoroughly wetting the leaves on which they have been noticed. If they have escaped in the beginning of the season, and so have attained a good size, they must be searched for in the evening, or early in the morning when they are mostly “on the move.” Reports vary somewhat, but it is generally asserted that this is a bad year for Pears, and personal observation on my part confirms this so far as the metropolitan distriet is concerned. As a friend remarked to me sorrowfully, the bad years seem to be more frequent than the good, and he was, I found, inclined to attribute this more to the influence of unfavourable springs than to the predatory insects, of which so many attack the Pear and its allies. But it is certain that the insect called the Red Bud caterpillar, Spilonota ocellana, does much injury, just at that time when the tree is in a critical condition in the matter of fruit-bearing. The moth which it produces might be deemed a pretty species were it not so harmful. The September 19, 1872. ] wings are of a reddish grey, and across the fore-wings there extends a broadish band of white, chequered with grey spots. | The markings in different specimens vary considerably. In size the species is small, the expansion of the wings being less than an inch; it is not frequently observed with the wings ex- tended, but closes them compactly in the fashion of its brethren, and sits on the trunk or branches of the trees, not often flying in the day, being easily alarmed. Cold or wet weather, however, dislodges it. The eggs are laid during June either on the fruit or leaf-buds. Wherever they may be pluced they are usually concealed from view, and they remain un- hatched for the long period of eight or nine months. When the sap begins to stir in the tree, and the vernal season is call- ing it into activity, this tiresome little pest is prepared at once to begin an onslaught upon the buds while they are tender and sensitive. McIntosh observes that after one of these caterpillars has commenced to gnaw a bud, ‘a drop of honey (?) is not unfirequently seen on it, which, issuing from the wound, serves as asign to tell us that the fate of the bud is decided. The bud is prevented from growing by this drop, the points of the calyx thus becoming so closely glued together that its unfolding is prevented.’ The caterpillar, however, does not become a life-long prisoner in the closed-up flower- bud; but when it has satiated its appetite on one it migrates to another, and so on, until it arrives at its mature size, being eyen then but small, though the worker of a good deal of mischief. The larve are greenish or brownish in colour, the head being darker, and there are a few short hairs on the body. If alarmed they drop by a silken thread, by which they can wind | themselves up again very dexterously. Much as I advocate | nipping evils in the bud (or in the egg), I must confess that hunting the eggs of the species before us is tedious and rather hopeless work. Burning weeds and refuse under the trees in | early spring has been found to be of service, and a great dimi- | nution of their numbers has been effected by dusting the branches and shoots of the Pear and Apple with powdered | lime, which is almost, -if not quite, innocuous to the tree, while it decidedly ‘‘ settles’ the juvenile caterpillars.—J.R.S. C. GREEN ROSES. As your correspondents seem interested on the subject of green Roses, I may mention that I obtained a small one from Baltimore, U.S.A., in 1854. It is now a large bush, perfectly hardy, and flowering profusely all through the summer and autumn. At this moment it must have thirty or forty blos- soms and buds upon it. It is clearly a monstrosity, as the green flowers are not petals, but rather the expansion of the green centres sometimes seen in Roses. It has ‘a very faint scent.—B., Liverpool. NOTES AND GLEANINGS. We may hope that we and the public have now heard the last of the unfortunate Hooker anp AyYRTON DISPUTE. We | learn that Mr. Ayrton has expressed himself satisfied with Dr. Hooker’s explanation of the ‘ offensive’? matter in his letter to Mr. West, and here the matter will probably rest. It would be more satisfactory to know that all probability of similar un- pleasantness for the future had been removed, and that the Government recognises the principle that a servant selected to control a great scientific establishment must necessarily be entrusted with all the details of its management. The rejec- tion, by the Committee of Recommendations of the British Association, of the resolution of Section D respecting the treatment of Dr. Hooker as Director of Kew Gardens, resulted in the sending-up to a subsequent meeting of the Committee of a more strongly worded resolution to the same effect, which was then passed, not only by the Committee of Recommenda- tions, but by the General Committee.—(Nature.) In the Argeriture Republic the culture of Tue Sun- FLOWER is strongly recommended, because the flowers are believed to afford bees the best material for wax, and the best honey ; the petals of the flowers to yield a valuable dye; the seeds to give fifty per cent. of oil excellent for cooking and illuminating purposes, while they are also a superior food for poultry and for cows, increasing the flow of milk; the bottom of the calyx may be used for food in the same way as the Arti- choke, which it closely resembles; the wood will yield one per cent. of potash, while common hard wood only yields one-tenth as much; the leayes may be used as food for animals, or made JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 235 into a good smoking tobacco; while the bark, properly pre- pared, affords material for the manufacture of paper. A very good ‘‘Frora or Lrverpoon”’ has been pub- lished by the Liverpool Naturalists’ Field Club. The area in- eluded is within fifteen miles of Liverpool and two of South- port, and embraces some yery interesting districts. The work has been performed by a Committee of the Society appointed for the purpose, with the assistance of amateurs and previously published records, which have all, when possible, been verified. | It appears to have been carried out with great care, and some valuable notes are appended to the records of some of the species.—(Nature.) Branpy From Mosses anp Licnens.—In Russia alcohol and brandy are now largely manufactured from Mosses; the quality is said to be exceedingly good, and many distilleries are making profits of 100 per cent. by this novel industry.— (Mechanics’ Magazine.) : Tue trade in PHormium TEeNnax, or New Zealand Flax, is again reviving, owing to the improved processes of prepara- tion adopted by Dr. Hector, who discovered that by keeping the Flax constantly wet with the oil of the weka, or wood-hen, when being woven into rope, greater suppleness is obtained, and the rope does not rot from exposure to rain. Some trials have been recently made by him with Phormium, Manilla, and oiled Phormium, and the following results obtained: The ropes having weights attached to them were placed over a revolving shaft and wetted from time to time; it was found the common | Phormium ran twenty-two days, the Manilla forty-five, and the oiled Phormium ninety-five. Further experiments are being made as to the best oil to be used and most effectual prepara- tion of the fibre.—(MMechanics’ Magazine.) Amone the most recently-published foreign floras we may note Dr. J. A. Knapp’s ‘‘ Plants of Galicia and the Buko- wina,’’ just published by Braumiiller, of Vienna, in one thick volume.—(Nature.) VANESSA ANTIOPA. Mr. Frank Fowner, Rayensdale Park Gardens, Co. Louth, Treland, writes— We have seen this beautiful butterfly here on two occasions this season, though not able to capture it. I think, like Mr. W. Robins, it has a taste for fruit, having been seen near the Peach house.” Ir may interest some of your readers to know that I caught a fine specimen of the Vanessa Antiopa, or Camber= well Beauty, in this neighbourhood (Exeter). It was resting on a Willow at the time I captured it.—W. K. Barcnetor. Tur Camberwell Beauty butterfly appears to be unusually numerous this season. A fine specimen was caught here (Buxted) a fortnight ago. Subsequently another rare butter- fly, the Bath White (Pieris Daplidice), was canght while hover- ing over some Lavender flowers.—Epwarp LuckHuRST?. A Goop specimen of the rare butterfly, Vanessa Antiopa, or Camberwell Beauty, was taken yesterday, September 15th, hovering around some bee hives at Bramtingham Thorpe, near Hull. Since 1845 few entomologists haye seen or captured a specimen. In 1858 a specimen was seen on the wing in the same locality.—R. C. K. A GOOD WHITE ROSE. Ir your correspondents desire a most reliable and beautiful white Rose I can name one unsurpassed—Madame de Som- breuil. The foliage continues throughout the winter of a rich myrtle green. I pick off the first buds, or it would bloom in May. Ido so because the weather at that season rarely admits of uninjured blooms, and from then till November it blooms incessantly, by careful cutting-back. On a piece between windows 2 feet by 10 feet I counted last night fifty-seven open blooms starred all over the tree, each one perfect, and beau- tiful exceedingly—seen as I see it, with clump of scarlet Gladiolus in the border in front, too beautiful for words.— Harriett ASTEN. WORK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. . Sxouxp the fine weather continue, the opportunity may still be employed in advancing work which can be proceeded with 236 most advantageously where the soil is in fine working con- dition. Prick-out an adequate supply of young Cabbage plants. Attend to the earthing-up of Celery likely soon to be wanted for use, keeping it closely soiled so as to blanch it well. If Globe Artichokes are desired at an early period of the year some strong suckers should now be selected, potted, and protected by being piaced in a cold pit throughout the winter; planted- out early in the spring they will precede in bearing the old plants by at least a fortnight. It is advisable to adopt pre- cautions at this moment to avert the effects of early frosts from the last crop of Kidney Beans and other tender vege- tables. A good store of Lettuces should be planted in a position where they can be protected from heavy rains. The general erop of Onions will be fit for housing by this time. The quarter they have occupied should be dug on their removal. Cabbages would be a good successional crop. Lights from the Melon- pits sloped against the wall will protect the Tomatoes and hasten the progress of the fruit. There seems to be a general desire amongst Potato-growers to ascertain without further delay the state of their crops, and, apprehensive of the con- tinued progress of the disease, to rid themselves of the sur- plus supply without loss of time. -In regard to the propriety of this proceeding I may offer an opinion. By this time, I imagine, the Potato haulm is pretty generally decayed ; con- nection, therefore, no longer exists between it and the tubers. I suppose that infection would be distributed while vitality existed in the stem, affecting the Potato in proportion to the power of the disease, and as sufficient time has elapsed for its action, we may conclude that its full force has been expended and a determinate portion destroyed. Assuming the correct- ness of this opinion, apprehensions in regard to a further loss of Potatoes at present ripe and sound are unfounded, and nothing will be gained by raising them from the ground, unless, indeed, the situation. be particularly unfavourable from excessive humidity, or the number of the other enemies of the Potato, when, of course, the sooner they are taken up and housed the better. FRUIT GARDEN. Remove rubbish of all descriptions from fruit-tree borders. No obstacles should prevent the roots participating in the ad- vantages of favourable weather. Gather carefully and pro- gressively the various Pears and Apples as they arrive at their full growth. FLOWER GARDEN. As cold nights may now soon be expected, scarce plants which it may be desirable to secure before they are injured should be taken up and potted at once, or carefully covered when there is the least cause to expect injury. That cuttings taken from plants in the open ground are liable to damp in a moist warm place is well known, and the variegated Geraniums are, perhaps, more so than most others; but persons who can com- mand a gentle bottom heat without keeping the atmosphere warm and moist, will experience no difficulty in striking them now. ‘The old plants of these are, however, well worth winter- ang wherever room can be found for them, for these go much further at planting-out time and cover the beds sooner with foliage and flowers than either autumn or spring-rooted cut- tings ; hence they should be carefully guarded from frost until the beauty of the garden is destroyed, when they should be taken up, potted, and stored for the winter in a cool dry house. Continue to put in cuttings of Hollyhocks, as these can be obtained, until there is an ample stock of rooted plants, and do not allow those that were rooted early in the season to suffer from the want of pot room. Cut off the flower-stems of herb- aceous plants as soon as they become shabby, and endeayour to prolong the beauty of Phloxes, &c., by keeping them well supplied with water at the roots. Keep the beds and every- thing about the flower garden and grounds trim and orderly. Should Verbenas and other mass flowers show signs of ex- haustion, manure water will be found a useful stimulant. See that the faded blossoms and seeds are regularly removed from beds, other blossoms will be thus encouraged; much of the energy of a plant is expended in the perfection of its seeds. As soon as the beds can be spared they should be prepared for the reception of bulbs. When many cut flowers are required, it is a great advantage to possess a flower border that is near to any large building; the heat thrown off at night is sufficient to prevent injury from early frost, and a little cover- ing at night insures their safety. In other cases certain beds should be selected and regularly matted at night. Use the present opportunity of effecting a complete clearance of weeds from walks and borders. Roll and mow grass, trim edgings, JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 19 1872. and prepare evergreens for removal. Prick-out young plants of Berberries, Rhododendrons, &c., that they may become established before the winter. Year-old Pinuses and Cedars are better kept in small pots in a protected sitnation than planted out. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. The most desirable object in the management of the ma- jority of plants in these structures, and one which must be constantly kept in view, is that of procuring a robust and hardy growth, and of lessening their vital energy that they may gradually accommodate themselves to the changing cir- cumstances of the season. The influence of the autumn weather should be permitted to exert in a degree its legitimate influence. Ventilation, judiciously managed, will assist to ac- complish the result recommended. Water will be required in less quantities both to the roots and foliage. Keep New Holland plants which have been placed under glass cool and airy, and avoid crowding, especially in the case of subjects which are in a growing state; but everything must be allowed sufli- cient space, so that the foliage may be fairly exposed to light and air, and rather than be under the necessity of huddling specimens too thickly together, some of the least valuable should be thrown away. Look sharply after mildew upon Heaths, as this pest is sometimes very troublesome upon plants that have been growing very freely in a shady situation in the open air and are in rather a soft state when taken in-doors, and apply sulphur freely on the first appearance of the enemy. Also see that everything is clear of insects. Take advantage of leisure hours to get Azaleas which have made their season’s growth nicely tied, and also anything else requiring training, and endeavour to keep everything trim and neat in order to compensate as far as possible for the paucity of flowers among hardwooded plants this season. COLD PITS. Plants which have made their season’s growth should be freely exposed to sun and air on every fayourable opportunity in order that the wood may be well ripened, but those still in free growth should be encouraged by every possible means while fine weather continues, keeping them rather close, guard- ing them carefully from cold winds, and giving a liberal supply ot water at the roots. If any plant requires more pot room, get such shifted as early as convenient, keeping the atmo- sphere rather close, and watering very cautiously for some time afterwards until the roots get hold of the fresh soil. Con- tinue to pot-off cuttings from the first batch of bedding plants. It is important to get scarlet Pelargoniums established and hardened before winter. Pot Neapolitan Violets, and let them be plunged in a frame. Lily of the Valley for forcing should now be potted, and Mignonette placed on an exposed and warm shelf in the greenhouse.—W. Kzane. DOINGS OF THE LAST WHEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Celery.—This, though not so strong as usual at the present season, has made wonderful progress after the nights became longer and cooler. It has also received a good watering of sewage just before the arrival of rain, which would clear off from the leaves all sewage that had rested thereon, and this, although beneficial to the roots, is rather too strong for the foliage. We allude to this watering because it was rather more than necessary. We were depending too much on the sharp and frequent showers, and were surprised to find the soil in our Celery beds so dry; so dry, indeed, that if not watered we should have expected some of the plants to throw up a seed-stem. In dry days we cleaned and tied-up loosely the most forward beds in succession. Just now we do not care to earth-up much more than a month before it is likely to be wanted. The plants will grow all the better with an inch of soil once or twice placed over the rocts. In earthing- up we haye no doubt the paper sockets, advertised at such a cheap rate, answer admirably. Not having tried them as yet, we would remind our readers that we have found semi- circular tins, such as those made from old spouting, answer yery well, placing the tins side by side so as to enclose the plant, filling round the plant with dry ashes, and placing well- broken earth between in the usual way. We press the earth up to the tins before drawing them up and using them for other plants. To give easein moving, these semicircular pieces of tin should not be less than 15 to 18 inches in height, and the diameter of two when placed together should not be less than 4 inches. September 19, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 237 Prepared ground, by lifting Onions, for the main Cabbage crops, planted-out more Coleworts and Borecoles for succes- sions, and gathered lots of Dwarf Kidney Beans and Scarlet Runners to keep up a plentiful succession of young produce. We ran the hoe through young crops of Onions, Spinach, &e., and tried by a similar mode to beat the weeds, which is no easy matter this dripping season. Pruned Cucumbers a little freely, and top-dressed them with rich compost, in order that the plants turned-out early in spring may give a yet plentiful pro- duce. Potted young Cucumber plants, and gave them just a little bottom heat. The weather as yet has required little to help it in the way of artificial heating. FRUIT GARDEN. Gathered most of the early Pears, including Williams’ Bon Chrétien, which has been the most forward for some time. Gathering at different times and helping the earliest, is the only way to prolong the period of this fine Pear. With Apples we have done the same, with all the most forward at least, for as soon as they approached maturity, birds, rats, and wasps found them out and holed some of the best of them, which is all the more trying, as we have not our usual quantity this season. We went over some of the bush trees a second time, and but for other matters pressing would have paid them even more attention, as it is the summer and not the winter prun- ing and nipping that tells on the future fruitfulness. Strawberries in pots required considerable attention, as though they dislike being flooded, and especially before the soil in the pots is like a cheesecake so hard and full of roots, they must never become dry. These sudden showers are often deceptive, damping the surface and yet leaving the bulk of the ball far too dry for healthy growth. We are later this season than usual, and, therefore, more care will be necessary. To perfect the later Peaches in the orchard-house we find, also, a frequent good watering is required. Damping floors of fruit houses is still useful in hot sunny days, but is less required in dull days and shady afternoons, except when there is a considerable amount of artificial heat given. A little firing with ventilation is very useful for late Grapes, both for thoroughly ripening them and insuring their long keeping. Late Melons in houses should also have a little heat in cool nights, and those in frames should have a little lining. A coyer over the glass will also be useful in cool nights, as the heat enclosed will soon be cooled by radiation from the glass.~ A very thin covering, even, laid on the glass will do much to arrest the radiation of the heat, and will be still more effectual if raised 2 inches or so above the glass. In that ease, to render it most effectual, the glass should, as it were, be shut in, as a draught from front to back would soon do away with the advantages of a clear space between the glass and the protecting covering. : } ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT. Lawns and walks are what one likes to see, but the first have entailed a vast amount of labour this season, partly owing to the rains, and partly owing to our relaying a portion last season and using some soil richer than we liked for thorough levelling; but for the extra cutting, it has well paid for the labour. Flower-beds and borders are still standing well with one exception, and that is the pearly Cerastiwm tomentosum, which, unlike all our experience hitherto, is becoming studded with dried buti patches in many places, which greatly mars its beauty. In a straight row this browning is confined to the outside next the grass margin. In one row, planted afresh in March, there is hardly a brown mark, and, perhaps, the older edgings are the worst; but to show that it is not all owing to the time the plants have been in the ground, we have one large artistic bed of leaf colours, and the outside is this Ceras- tium planted carefully this spring and looking beautifully, with a low purple behind, and now it, too, is becoming dotted with brown patches half as large as one’s open hand. We think it may be partly owing to fungus and red spider, as of the latter we discover traces on close examination. In one long line this patching is chiefly—almost entirely— confined to some 2 or 3 inches in width next the grass, whilst for 5 inches or so in width above that, next a scarlet row, it is pearly white and uniform throughout. In this prominent position, if we could obtain a load of small coal dust, we should not doubt what to do. We would place the line along, cut off this patchy part, wash the coal dust, and lay down a row of the bright, small, black, shining coal in front of the pearly white. Years ago we did this with good effect, but before the end of the season the Cerastium intruded too much on the thin black line. Black ashes or coal dust will be a poor sub- stitute for the little sparkling bits of coal from which the dust has been washed. Be this as it may, the fact of the Cerastium becoming patchy by losing its white colour, and looking as if next to dead, though most of the patches show a fresh growth, is worthy of attention, as thus we may obtain some hints as to cause and remedy. For a pearly-looking white-leaved plant that will stand any amount of cutting and training, we could hardly find anything to equal it. Watering Beds of Flowers.—As a general rule this has not been required, but we found a few beds shaded a little by large trees that needed watering if we wished to preserve the free growth and free blooming for six weeks longer. No doubt. the trees acted to a.certain extent as umbrellas in preventing the rain falling equally on these beds; and again, though the beds are a long way from the trees, still we have no doubt that the roots of the trees did find their way to the good soil of the beds, and thus robbed that soil of its richness and its. moisture. A good soaking with sewage made the plants hold up their heads as briskly as ever. From the above cause, where a small flower garden is sur- rounded with free-rooting trees, it is next to impossible to secure alike fine trees and fine beds, unless either by an open invisible deep trench where that need not be seen, or a wall of brick and the best cement, the roots are prevented entering the beds. We once examined a circular bed some 12 feet in diameter, raised 15 inches above the ground level, and found the soil one dense mass of Ash roots. The very moderate- sized Ash tree was 80 feet from the bed, but the roots found their way to the fresh soil. Propagating Calceolarias.—All the shrubby Calceolarias we generally propagate by cuttings, and spring and autumn are the best times for that. We putin most of ours at the end of October in a cool place merely kept from frost; they take gome months, however, to strike. In the spring, with a little heat, they will strike in as many weeks. Unless well hardened off they do not succeed quite so well as those struck in the autumn without any artificial heat; in fact, the less artificial heat of any kind such plants have the better they will thrive. Nerium Oleander.—lt gladdens us to see the handwriting of an old friend on this subject. At one time we grew the pink and the white varieties largely. They suited our purpose then, and we may return to thent once more. We have had them as small plants in 6-inch pots, and as high shrubs in tubs. Our friend says his blooms are poor and flimsy, not such as he used to see. We think that the best account of the Oleander ever given appeared in the pages of the Journa} from Mr. Beaton, where he described it as growing on the banks of the Jordan, pretty well roasted at one period, and then made something like a marsh plant when the Jordan overflowed its banks. When we used to grow it well we adhered to these conditions, giving comparative dryness in winter and plenty of moisture in the growing season. There is just one other little secret for securing not small but huge umbels of bloom. When the flower-truss appears at the end of a shoot, three or four young shoots will appear at its base. Allow these to grow, and in many cases they will injure and sometimes spoil the flower-truss ; pick these shoots out with the point of a kmife, and the flower-truss will be improved—R. F- TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. Alfred Legerton, 5, Aldgate, London, E.—Wholesale Cata logue of Dutch and other Flower Roots. B.R. Davis, Middle Street, Yeovil, Somerset.—Flower Garden Pocket Companion—a Catalogue of Bulbs, dec. John Scott, Yeovil, and Merriott Nurseries, Crewkerne, Somerset.—Catalogue of Flower Foots. H. Curtis & Co., Devon Rosery, Torquay.—Descriptive Cata- loge of Selected Roses, &c. Hooper & Co., Covent Garden Market, London, W.C.—Garden- ing Guide and General Catalogue for 1872. Robertson & Galloway, 157, Ingram Street, Glasgow, and Helensburgh.—Catalogue of Hyacinths, Tulips, éc. Butler, McCulloch, & Co., Covent Garden Market, London, W.C.—Catalogue of Dutch and Cape Bulbs, &c. T. Bunyard & Sons, Maidstone.—Select List of Dutch Flower Roots. W. Hooper, New Wandsworth, London, $.W.—Catalogue of Dutch Bulbs and other Flower Roots. : R. H. Vertegans, Chad Valley Nurseries, Ed Gbasions Birming- ham, and Promenade Gardens, Malvern.—Catalogue of Contfere, Evergreens, and Deciduous Shrubs, Trees, éce.—Catalogue of Roses.—List of Dutch Bulbs. 238 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 19, 1872. B. J. Hdwards, 222, Strand, and 25, Bishopsgate St. Within, E.C.— Catalogue of Hyacinths, Dutch and Cape Bulbs, &c. Dick Radclyffe & Co., 129, High Holborn, London, W.C.— List of Dried Natural Flowers, Horticultural Decorations, dc. Drummond Brothers, 52, George St., Hdinburgh.—Select List of Hyacinths, Early Tulips, dc. Sutton & Sons, Reading.— Catalogue of Bulbous Flower Roots, Plants, Seeds, dc. W. Bull, King’s Road, Chelsea, London, 8.W.—Retail List of Bulbs and Tuberous-rooted Plants. R. Dean, Ealing, London, W.—Catalogue of Hyacinths, &c. 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, &c.,171, Fleet Street, London, E.C. N.B.—Many questions must remain unanswered until next week. Books (J. Sturge).—Thomson on the “ Pine Apple,” published by Black- wood, will give you every information on the subject. GEORGE’S CALORIGEN Stove (M. C.).—We haye had no experience of George’s Calorigen stove, and consequently we cannot speak with any sauthority upon its merits or mode of working. SeLEcT Hyacrntus (0. P. Q.)—The following are a dozen good non-expen- sive single kinds—viz., Red: Madame Hodgson, Robert Steiger, Solfaterre, ‘Sultan’s Favourite, Amy, L’Ami du Coeur. White: Grandeur 4 Merveille, Madame Van der Hoop, Queen of the Netherlands. Blue: Baron Von Tuyll, Charles Dickens, General Lauriston. Of double varieties you may thave Duke of Wellington, La Tour d'Auvergne, Van Speyk, Regina Victoria, Prince of Waterloo, Grootyoorst, and Laurens Koster. If you want early ‘bloom, pot this month; if not, pot in October or November. Keep the pots ‘in the dark about six weeks, but the time must be regulated by the growth, which you must not allow to become drawn up. Youcan hardly fail if you ‘have good bulbs to begin with, an equable temperature, and gradually expose to light when the spikes begin to appear. . ACHILLEA MI~LeroLtium.—A Constant Subscriber wishes to know if there is anything that will destroy common Yarrow. He says, “I have had children svorking on the lawn for weeks grubbing it up, and I think it has come worse than ever. For two years I haye used Watson’s lawn sand to destroy daisies and dandelions, and I fear it has greatly increased the growth of the Achillea.” PROTECTING CHRYSANTHEMUMS OUT OF Doors (Alfred).—We cannot ad- vise you further than to adopt the canvas covering you propose. Arrange it -so as to throw off the wet. If you can keep them dry the flowers will endure @ considerable amount of frost. We presume you will haye sides to your covering. The covering should be ready in October, but only employ it in severe weather. In mild weather they cannot be too fully exposed. In very ‘Severe frosts you may put on mats or other material. We suppose, of course, that the plants are in a sheltered position. SARRACENIA CULTURE (L. M. E.).—Drain the pots or pans well, and All her with a compost of fibrous brown peat two-thirds, one-third chopped sphagnum, and a sixth part each of crocks broken small and silver sand. Do not pot hard, but let the material lie loosely, so that the water may pass away freely. Water well after potting, and then twice a-week throughout the winter. From February to October, not inclusive, they will require water daily. Set the pots on rough shelves that will absorb the water passing rom the pots; unpainted deal willdo. The moist corner of a house, where no air is admitted in the immediate neighbourhood, is found the most suit- able position. From October to February afford a temperature of 50° at night, with arise of 5° or 10° by day, and at other times 60° by night, with ‘65° to 75° by day. Plenty of moisture in the atmospbere, with a very thin shade in sunny weather, are the other essentials to success. For further particulars of successful treatment see what Mr. Baines says in this Journal of May 9th, 1872, page 382. He is the most successful cultivator of these plants. MANURE FOR Poor Sanpy Som (J. W. R.).—Good farmyard manure is the best you can use; we should apply it in November before digging for the winter. Twenty tons per acre will be a good, but not too heavy, dressing. As the Broccoli will follow some other crop, the ground need not be ma- nured for it, though under the circumstances a dressing of well-rotted manure dug in would be more beneficial than otherwise. Artificial manures are not nearly so good for your soil as farmyard manure, especially when it is mostly cow dung, which, from its lasting character, is best for a light soil. In spring we should give the Onion ground a further dressing of old manure, pointing it in with a fork lightly; and you may still further benefit the whole of the ground, as well as that intended for Onions, by dressing with lime and soot in equal parts, with half a part of salt, the whole well mixed and applied at the rate of one peck to 30 square yards. A mixture of guano and salt is an excellent manure for all kitchen-garden crops, and should be applied to them in moist weather. Cxius Roor 1n CasBaces (S. W.).—Clubbing is very frequent in old garden ground, Frequently change the positions of the crops; dig, trench, and expose the soil well to frost; lime it, or point-in a dressing of soot. As regards the plants, transplant them frequently, rejecting all that exhibit pro- tuberances on the roots. A little wood ashes or soot dropped into the holes at planting may also prove beneficial as a preventive; but when once a plant is fairly affected, the best thing to do is to burnit; evenif the protuberance is removed the plant rarely comes to much. SowrinG APPLE AND PEAR Pips (P. W.).—Apple pips should be sown moderately thickly in autumn in beds of good light soil, and covered with an inch of fine soil. They will come up in spring. The Pear pips should be sown in February after being washed from the pulp in autumn when the fruit is fully ripe, drying and preserving them in the same way as other seeds. The seedlings will come up in the year of sowing. The Dog Rose heps should be gathered in November, be kept in dry sand until Feb- ruary, and the mass should then be broken to pieces with the fingers, and sown at the end of that month or early in March in good rich soil, covering with about half an inch deep of soil. Some of the plants will appear in May, but very often the seed does not germinate until the second spring. count need to be’on the look-out for mice. They are very fond of all the seeds. TULIPS AND Narcissus FoR Por Cunrure (J. F. K.).—Tulips: Belle Alliance, Bride of Haarlem, Chrysolora, Keizer Kroon, Le Matelas, Proser- pine, Vermilion Brillant, White Pottebakker, Rose Aplatie; these are single varieties. Double varieties are Imperator Rubrorum, Princess Alexandra, and Tournesol. Narcissus: Bathurst, Bazelman major, Queen of the Nether- lands, Golden Era, General Wyndham, and Lord Canning. Boer (Derry).—A saddle-back boiler 18 to 20 inches in length would be ample for such a place, and about 50 feet of 38-inch piping. We prefer 3-inch pipes for a house of such small size, as they will soon heat, and only occa- sional fires will be wanted. We always consider hot water the most expensive means of heating such small places. GREENHOUSE ARRANGEMENT (4 Novice).—We have looked over your letter and sketch, and hardly see the particulars you want. Your flow-and-return pipe under the stage will keep out frost in a 12-feet-wide house, but it will scarcely do more in severe weather. To keep flowering plants in winter— not to be under 45°—would require an extra pipe, unless your two pipes were very hot. The earth you could lighten with well-aired, dried, rotten dung, lime rubbish, and sandy loam. In the earth border we should plant Vines from 4 to 5 feet apart, chiefly Black Hamburghs. A shelf could cover the border for plants. Your most serviceable plants will be Camellias, Epacrises, Cinerarias, and Chinese Primulas for winter and spring, with the addition of some Cytisuses and Sweet Daphnes. Pelargoniums of the scarlet section and Fuchsias would do well in summer, and tender annuals if the Vines did not shade them too much. VINES IN GREENHOUSE (4 Constant Reader).—You are acting quite right in applying a little fire heat during the day, letting the fire go out or keeping it very low at night, and giving air day and night. The fire heat is very necessary in such a dull, wet, and late summer as the present. The covering of the border with Melon-frame lights will, by throwing off the rain, assist in the ripening of the wood through the dryness checking growth; and the heating of the border by the flue will contribute to the same result. The border will be rendered drier by it, and that will tend to make the Vines rest. THrips ON Fucustras (4. Z.).—The leaves you sent us were devoured by thrips, of which the white is the young, the black the old state. No speci- mens reached us with any numbers on them. In addition to the thrips, there were on the leaves vast numbers of their eggs; and as these will become thrips, first white, then black, you will need to pursue a lengthened course of treatment for their destruction. The plants will be going out of flower, and will soon be at rest. We should at once lay them on their sides and syringe them with a solution of 2 ozs. of soft soap to a gallon of tobacco water. This may be made by pouring boiling water on the strongest shag tobacco, covering up until cool, and then straining. Two ounces of tobacco are sufficient for a gallon, along with two ounces of soft soap. Apply with a syringe, turning the plants round so as to thoroughly wet the under sides of the leaves—in fact every part of the plauts. Repeating the application in about ten days will be sufficient for this season; and if the thrips reappear next year fill the house with tobacco smoke on the first appearance, and whenever one is seen repeat the fumigation. The house should be so filled with smoke that not a plant can be seen through the glass. MESEMBRYANTHEMUM CORDIFOLIUM VARIEGATUM, ALTERNANTHERA, AND EQCHEVERIA SECUNDA GLAUCA PROPAGATION (G. F. R.).—You may raise the Mesembryanthemum and Alternantheras by cuttings, which should be put in now, the former in very sandy loamy soil, and those of the Alternantheras in a compost of two parts loam and one part each leaf soil, sandy peat, and silver sand. Place them in a mild sweet hotbed of 70° to 75°; shade them from bright sun, and keep them close, though air must be given if they are likely to damp off from an excess of moisture. When rooted remove them to a house with a temperature of 45° to 50°, giving only water enough to keep them fresh. In March they should be potted-off singly, and grown on in gentle heat. If there are cuttings they may be put in, and they will make nice plants by planting-out time. They should be well hardened-off before plant- ing out. The plants should have richer soil when potted-off, increasing the proportion of leaf soil, or one part of well-decayed manure may be added. The Echeveria may be raised from seed, which should be sown early in March in pots well drained, and filled with a compost of equal parts light fibrous loam, leaf soil, and silver sand; press firmly, water, scatter the seed, and then sprinkle very lightly with silver sand. Place in a hotbed of 70° to 75°, just keeping moist. When the plants are up keep them near the glass, and admit air moderately. When large enough to handle pot them off singly in the smallest size of pot, using the same compost as for the seed. Return them to the hotbed, and keep them no more than sufliciently moist, but shaded from bright sun until established ; then admit air freely, and remove them to a cold frame when they are growing. The plants will be small the first year —in fact they are hardly of a planting-out size until the second season, HorvticuLtTuRaL Bumpers (T. Bignell)—We do not know of any horti- cultural builders in the immediate neighbourhood of Walton-on-Thames, but there are several at Chelsea, whose names you will find in our adyertising columns, who will no doubt deliver any buildings you may commission of them, on terms nearly as advantageous as if they lived nearer Walton-on- Thames. Various (C. A. J.).—Seedling Apples, to insure your having good fruit, should be grafted with scions of some known variety. You may winter Geraniums by covering them with hoops and a thick coating of litter or straw. We have not noticed Holkham Hall yet. We will attend to your other suggestion. Puantinc Fiuserts (A Regular Subscriber).—We have not raised the Fil- bert from seed, but, like most fruits of an improved kind, seedlings will be liable to degenerate, though occasionally there will be amongst them one better. Generally the stock for planting is obtained either from suckers or cuttings. If you only want a small quantity you had better go to some respectable nurseryman, and he will supply you. With regard to your other inquiry, we expect an article on the subject. Fumreator (Zobacco).—We have never seen the fumigator you refer to, sold by Messrs. Barr & Sugden; but we have used Dreschler’s, and found it effective. TREATMENT OF YouNG Vines (M. P., Balham).— Your Vines haye done well. The buds towards the tops are generally the most prominent, but @ September 19, 1872. ] those near the bottom of the rafters will produce good bunches. as you propose, cut the rods back to 8 or 9 feet; they will each bear from two to four bunches without injuring the Vines. You must bend the cane down, so that the top may be brought to the base of the rafter; this will cause the bunds to break regularly. Dust the affected leaves with flowers of sulphur; this is a sure remedy for-mildew. Keeping the ventilators open would not bring it on. See that the Vines are not dry at the roots, and a little fire heat with ventilation would be beneficial in dull weather. Keep your Peach house rather warm until the wood is ripe, and preserve a moderately dry atmosphere. Leave the ventilators a little open at night. YounG GARDENER Improvine (J. M. C.).— At your age, seventeen, we would remain at least until the following spring where you are, then decide, if possible, whether you will be a gentleman’s gardener or insome way connected with the commercial department, as nurseryman or seedsman. In either case a year or two in one or more of the metropolitan nurseries would do you great good, eyen if you gave your services for little remuneration. Such diversified knowledge acquired by day, with close attention to study in the evenings, would give you a good basis, if you resolved on gardening, for getting in as journeyman or foreman into a gentleman's garden. If the nursery depart- ment is your object, you must move into different nurseries to see the differ- ent modes of doing the work, and learn to generalise for yourself, so as to suit your mode of working to your circumstances. The more knowledge you ob‘ain the better, but bear in mind that mere knowledge will never compensate for a deficiency in courtesy, atteLtion, and obliging manners. Lawn Sanp (J. R.).—You will see it advertised in our issue of the 5th inst. WINTER TREATMENT OF TAcsONIA. VAN-VOLXEMI AND MANDEVILLA SUAVEOLENS (J. R. N.).—Our plant of Tacsonia is now in full flower; in fact, it has not been without flower except for a few days for the past two years, and will continue flowering for a considerablo time. It is planted out, and will have but little water during the winter. You do not say whether your plants are planted out or in pots. In either case they should have but little water from October to March; but how much, depends on the condition of the plants. Ours will not be watered as long as the shoots do not droop; once a-fortnight will be suflicient to prevent that, but if they are in pots water may have to be given once a-week. The same remarks apply to the Mandevilla. Keep dry, but do not allow the foliage to flag. Thin out the shoots in February, and encourage the plants with moisture. Pium Leaves Eaten (Idem).—Probably the leaves are attacked by the larvee of Selandria atra. The most effectual remedy is dusting the tree with quicklime, say twice at a short interval. Syringe the trees in the evening with lime water, made by adding one peck of lime to thirty gallons of water. Stir well up, let it stand forty-eight hours, then take off the clear liquid and add 2 ozs. of soft soap to every gallon of the lime water. dissolved apply it to the tree, wetting every part. _PeaR TREES UNFRUITFUL (S.).—You seem to have what is generally con- sidered a good soil for Pear trees. Under the circumstances we cannot account for the trees not bearing. It may be, as the old gardener surmises, that the varieties are not suitable. You ought, however, to bear in mind that this has been an exceptionally bad season for out-door fruit. Many Pear trees in our own garden though smothered with blossoms have borne no fruit, We do not think the roots getting into the subsoil would be the cause, as the Pear likes a clay subsoil. If the ground is poor we would work some decayed manure into it with a fork, and wait until we saw the result of another Season. SELEcT Hyacrnrus (A. R.).—Hyacinths for pot culture. Single Red.— Amy, Duchess of Richmond, Gigantea, L’Ami du Cceur, Macaulay, Madame Hodgson, Mrs. Beecher Stowe, Reine des Jacinthes, Robert Steiger, and Sol- faterre. Single White—Alba maxima, Alba superbissima, Baroness Van Tuyll, Grandeur 4 Merveille, Mont Blanc, and Orondates. Single Blue.— Argus, Baron Von Tuyll, Charles Dickens; Grand Lilas, Leonidas, Marie, and Mimosa. Single Yellow.—Anna Carolina. Double Red.—Lord Wellington, Noble par Mérite, and Regina Victoria. Double White-—La Tour d’Auvergne and Prince of Waterloo. Double Blwe.—Blocksberg, Garrick, Laurens Koster, Louis Philippe, and Van Speyk. Single varieties are the most suit- able for glasses. SeLect Earty Torres (Idem).—Single.—Couleur Cardinal, Bride of Haar- lem, Fabiola, Keizerskroon, Pottebakker, white; Rose Aplatie, Vermillon Brillant, and Wouverman. Dowble—Duc Van Thol and Tournesol. _VINERY ARRANGEMENT (E. P.'.—We should not advise you to interfcre with your present vinery, as you would not only need the partition but also a re-arrangement of the pipes, which would entail considerable expense. We do not see what is the good of the 4-inch hot-water pipe buried in the soil, except to heat it, and then it ought not to be in contact with it, but sur- rounded with rubble or in a chamber. If the pipe is intended for top heat expose it at once. To the conversion of the conservatory we cannot see an objection ; it will answer admirably. You would need two more rows of inch pipes, aud with this amount of additional piping we think your boiler will be heating to its utmost capacity. It is well to attach under rather than over the full amount of piping to a boiler. In the case of too much piping the fire has to be kept up to a great heat with a heavy loss of fuel and considerable additional attendance, besides straining the boiler beyond its heating capacity. _ Earwics Eatrnec Fern Fronps (F. W. K.).—The only remedy we know is to cut some broad beanstalks into lengths of 5 or 6 inches, and lay them about the Fern case. The earwigs will secrete themselves in the hollowof the beanstalk, and should be daily examined and blown out into boiling water. CLIMBERS FOR CoNSERVATORY (7. B.).—We should plant the back wall with Camellias in preference to Clematises, which are hardy. The roof we would cover with Tacsonian Van-Volxemi, Passifloras, Bignonia Tweediana and jasminoides, and Mandevilla suaveolens; the pillars with Cobea scandens variegata, Kennedyas, Lapageria rosea, Hoya carnosa, Luculia gratissima, and Rhynchospermum jasminoides. The stage may be filled with such plants as Pelargoniums, Calceolarias, Cinerarias, Primulas, Azaleas, Acacias, Vallota purpurea, and a great variety of other subjects. Destrovinc Meaty Bue (G. T. B.).—It spreads most rapidly in a dry atmosphere. There is no specific for it. Water is its great enemy. Freely syringing with soft water, and especially soot water made by pouring thirty gallons of water over a peck of soot, stirring well up, and straining before use, will help to keep it under; but as a dressing there is nothing equal to two tablespoonfuls of spirits of turpentine to a gallon of water at 140°, with the addition of 4ozs. soft soap. Lay the plant on its side over a tray or bath, and syringe it with the solution, turning it round, and thoroughly wetting every part. After half an hour syringe with water. Repeat as required. If the house generally is infested sprinkle the floor and other surfaces with guano, You may, | When thoroughly | JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 239 haying previously damped them with water. When the house is shut up the atmosphere will soon be laden with the ammonia evolved by the guano, and this ammoniacal yapour is fatal to the mealy bug and red spider. The sprinkling may be repeated at weekly intervals, and will tend to invigorate the plants rather than otherwise, and is attended with no bad consequences, only it must not be applied in too powerful doses, otherwise it will destroy the tender foliage of such plants as Gloxinias, Achimenes, Gesneras, and others with soft hairy leaves. All plants with smooth hard leaves it will not injure. It must be used with care, and it is better to employ two moderate doses than one powerful one that may do more harm than the insect. Metons Crackine (Idem .—The cause is too little water during the swell ing, and as a consequence the rind of the Melon becomes hard, and the fruit small. If a dull moist period set in about the time of ripening, or if the plants are in a free state of growth, sap is impelled into the ripening fruit, and, the rind being incapable of growth or expansion, the fruit bursts—the matter inside literally breaks through the skin. The only remedy is to encourage free growth during the swelling period, and to lessen the supply as ripening goes on; indeed when Melons are ripening they can hardly be kept too dry, and the growth should be as small as possible. AcrkID TuBER (W. Nocks).—Raise a plant from one, and send it to us when in flower. Wasps (W. J. T.).—If muslin or lace-net bags are used to enclose each bunch, or if lace-net is stretched over the opened space of ventilators and opened windows, the Grapes or other fruit ought to be safe. The bags you mention must be either imperfectly made or imperfectly fastened round the stalk of the fruit. SEEDLING GERANIUM (An Amateur Gardener)—The dimensions of this year’s seedling stated by you are very unusual. STEEL TRAPS AND SPRING Guns (Blenheim House).—To set them in any way, either with or without notice, is now illegal. CELERY DisEAsED (W. Adderly).—Dust the plants thoroughly with slacked quicklime, and earth all the rows up fully. The collars are only intended for excluding the earth whilst the earth is being applied. APPLES AND -CHERRIES FOR GatLoway (Mrs. C.).—Apples: for dessert? Devonshire Quarrenden, Kerry Pippin, Grey Leadington, and Wyken Pippin: For kitchen purposes, Keswick Codlin, French Crab, and Yorkshire Greening- Cherries: Biittner’s Yellow and Belle Agathe, neither of which are attacked by birds, will ripen with you unless at a great elevation. Insects (C. M.).—The large looper caterpillar eating Pear leaves, and occa- sionally nibbling the fruit, is that of the moth Biston betularius; not rare, not a pest; it feeds on other trees; the moth is a handsome one.—I. O. W. Names oF Fruits (W. M.).—Coul Blush. (Haresfoot)—It is very like Violette Grosse. How deliciously your Figs are flavoured. (G. C. C.).— Your Pear will never be ‘‘ripe in July.” It is Comte de Lamy, and will ripen about the middle or end of October. (J. K. Y.)—Your Apple is not the old Golden Pippin, but Franklin’s Golden Pippin. (R. K., Streatham).—1, Louise Bonne of Jersey ; 2, Eyewood; 3, Bergamotte Cadette ; 4, Beurré Diel; 5, Red Doyenné; 6, Beurré Citron. Names oF Puants (Albert).— Ginothera biennis, the Evening Primrose. (L. V. A.)—Melilotus officinalis. (H. B. M).—Apparently a form of Pteris aquilina, but specimen insuflicient. (Ravensdale).—Cornus sanguinea. = POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. FEATHER-EATING. Tur discussion which took place on this subject last year will doubtless be remembered, though none of us were able to come to any very satisfactory conclusion. I do not like to be too sanguine, but I have some reason to think that since then I have met with a remedy which is either a specific, or, at least, more deserves that name than anything which has yet been given for this disgusting complaint. 2 . : In my own communication I pointed out the various things which in particular cases had been known to effect a cure ; but in reflecting upon all that appeared, and all I could learn privately, I was struck with the fact that the free use of let- tuces running to seed seemed to have had more beneficial effect than any other single remedy which had been tried. The chemical and medicinal properties of this plant led me to advise the trial of sedatives. Being very fortunately free from the plague referred to in my own yard, I have had the disadvantage of not being able personally to make experiments, and time has necessarily been consumed in receiving reports from others, but I think I may now say that acetate of morphia has, at least, a very marked effect upon the complaint. In treating it in detail, the various causes should be re- membered if it is to be treated with success. There is, first, the unnatural, morbid appetite, probably connected in some way with the conditions of the female system, though in a late case a lot of cockerels were as bad as the pullets. There are, besides, the immediate or exciting causes, which I haye most fully proved, as I hinted before, are in nearly all cases either idleness or thirst ; sometimes, also, the irritation of the skin from over- crowding and dirt and their consequences. Thirdly, in bad cases, there is the stimulus of the raw places with the confirmed habit or vice. To meet this last, any very badly-pecked bird should be secluded till healed, all small stumps should be extracted, and the parts, unless actually raw, dressed with a very stiff lather (like shaving lather), made with carbolic acid soap, which will soon nauseate the palate of the birds. Any unusually wicked fowl should also be penned apart for a while if possible. Treat- ment will commence with aperient medicine, such as ten to 240 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 19, 1872. fifteen grains of jalap, or one to two grains of calomel twice a-week according to the size of the fowls, with one-eighth to one-fourth of a grain of acetate of morphia daily. It may be made into a pill in any simple form. Beside this, enough car- bonate of potass should be put in all the water to give a slight alkaline taste. To meet the other causes, the fountain must be kept clean and cool, and always filled with the alkaline drink, and either some straw thrown down for the birds to scratch in, or a cabbage, or half swede, or mangold hung up by a long string to bob about as they peck at it. This will give much amusement and occupation, as well as green food, which must be regularly supplied. In a case the other day, a whole lot of Brahma chickens took to the habit, cockerels (which were separate), as well as the rest. They were cured in a week by the medical treatment alone, but were on small grass runs. In most cases the other subsidiary measures would be needful as well. I shall be glad to hear further of the results of this treatment. My hopes are great of its being found generally successful —L. WRIGHT. LIVER DISEASE IN FOWLS. In reply to the letter of “I. K. L.” last week, there can, I think, be little doubt that the disease of the liver she speaks of is of the regular strumous character. I say regular, because breeders of Asiatics have long been acquainted with it after unusually cold and wet seasons, such as last summer has cer- tainly been. There must, of course, be some predisposition, and in this case the seeds of the complaint may have lingered on from last year, as the disease is usually of slow growth. Thad a note the other day from our old friend, “Y. B. A. Z.,” on this very subject, in which he states that the proper treat- ment would be alterative doses of mercury followed by tonics— say for a Brahma two grains of calomel, with single-grain pills afterwards twice a-week, followed by half a teaspoonful twice a-day of the preparation known to all druggists as ‘“ Parrish’s Chemical Food.” This is a syrup of phosphate of lime, potash, and iron, prepared in a soluble form from a formula by Mr. Edward Parrish, of Philadelphia. I have given the formula in the work “T. K. L.” so kindly refers to, as I have not the slight- est hesitation in saying that for high-bred stock it is the most valuable tonic ever discovered, being also daily more prized by medical men for more important cases. Its effect on weakly breeds or chickens is sometimes magical. I may mention that a friend to whom I had recommended it for his fowls on account of leg- weakness, was so pleased that he again recommended it toa friend who bred dogs, and the latter became quite as enthu- siastic about its efficacy in his peculiar line—. Wricur. RAMSEY POULTRY SHOW. pars was held on the 11th inst.; the following awards were made :— j Dorxines.—1. J. Longland, Grendon. 2, R. Wood, Clapton. Chickens.—1, J. Longland. 2,R. Wood. Cock.—i, J. Longland. Hen.—l, R. Wood. Cockerel. —1,J.Longland. Pullet —1, J. Longland. SpanisH.—l, H. Yardley, Birmingham. Chickens.—1. H. Yardlev. 2, Mrs. Sucre Abbotts Ripton Hall. Cock or Cockerel.—l, H. Yardley. Hen.—1, H. ardley. & Gaia S. Deacon, Polbrook. 2, H. Yardley. Cock or Cockerel—i, H. ardley. Game Bantams.—Black-breasted or other Reds.—1, H. Yardley. 2, J. Gooa- liff, Huntingdon. MixEpD Brrep.—] and 2, J. Longland, Cocuin-Curna.—l and 2 H. Yardley. Chickens.—l, H. Yardley. Hampurcus.—Any Variety —1, W. Cutlack, jun., Littleport. », H. Yardley. PoxisH.—1 and 2, Rev. W. Thornhill, Offord Darcy. ANY OTBER VaRIEtTy.—1, Miss Fryer, Moulton Paddocks. Newmarket. Ducks.—Aylesbury —] and 2, Rey. W. Thornhill. Ducklings.—1, J. Goodliff. 2, Rev. W. Thornhill. Rowen —1, J. Goodliff. 2, R. Wood. Ducklings.—l, J. Goodliff. 2,R. Wood. Any other Variety.—l, H. Yardley. 2, J. Goodliff. Duck- lings.—1 and 2, J. Goodliff. : . =GrEsE.—l,S. beacon, 2,J.Goodliff. Goslings.—1, H. Wymann, Conington Lane. 2, J. Goodliff. TurKtys.—l, Mrs. Morton, Offord Darey. 2, E. Arnold, Whittlesford. Poults. —I, Mrs. Morton, 9%, E. Arnold, Extra Prizr.—To the exhibitor gaining the greatest number of prizes in the foregoing classes.—H. Yardley. _ SPECIAL PrizEs.—For the Best Pen of Wowls.—H. Yardley. Ducks.—J. Good, liff. Geese —S. Deacon. Twrkeys—Mrs. Morton. Pigeons—W. Minson- St. Ives, Hunts. , es or PIGEONS, NOT LESS THAN THREE, VARIETIES.—1 and 2, W. insov. JupcE.—Mr. Tegetmeier, Finchley. SEDGEFIELD PIGEON SHOW. Tue first annual Exhibition of this Society took place on the 10th inst. The entries, numbering 135 pens, greatly exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the Committee, so much so that they intend revising the schedule next year. The medal for the best birdin the Show was awarded to a Carrier belonging to Mr. Sadler, Boroughbridge, which was immediately claimed at £3 3s., and the medal for the second best was won by a Fan- tail belonging to Mr. J. Walker, Newark-on-Trent. The Variety class (24 pens) contained some exceedingly good birds, and had two extra prizes awarded. Foreign Owls were first and second, a Trumpeter third, a Blondinette fourth, and an Antwerp fifth. Canriers.—Medal, G. Sadler. Borobridge. 2, A. Brown, Gilesgate. Durham. 8, H. Yardley, Birmingham. he, A. Brown; G. Sadler. c, k. & T. Sanderson, Stanhope; J. Guthrie. Hexham; J. E. Pyman, West Hartlepool. Pcuters —l, R. & T. Sanderson. 2, J. Bell. jun., Newcastle. 8, G. Sadler. he, A. Brown. c, R. J. Anderson, Neweastle; J. E. Pyman. TUMBLERS —1,J.E.Pyman. 2 and 3, W. R. & H. O. Blenkinsop, Newcastle. Fantarts.—Medal, J Walker, Newark-on-Trent. 2,R.&T.Sanderson. 3, H. A. Ayrton, Saltburn-by-the-Sea. c, J. Walker. Turpirs.—1, A. Brown, 2, J. Young, Bishop Auckland. 3, H. Yardley. he, A. Brown; J. Young; R. G. Anderson. Jaconins.—1 and he, W. R.& H. O. Blenkinsop. 2,H. Yardley. 3. J. Young. a DRAGOON ETA H. Yardley. 2 and he,J.G. Dunn, Neweastle-on-Tyne. 8, J. uthrie. Macpres.—1, R. Smith, Durham County Asylum. 2, M. Ord, Sedgefield. 8, A. N. Dodds, North Shields. he, N. H. Scott; M. Ord. Bares.—l, H. Yardley. 2. W. R. © H.O. Blenkinsop. 3, R. Thompson. ANY OTHFR Varrety.—l, W. R. & H. 0. Blenkinsop. 2, C. Dennison, Halifax. 8,J.E.Pyman. 4,M. Ord. 5,R. Simpson. he, M. Ord; R. Thompson; T. W. Kilkurn, Bishop Auckland. JupcEe.—Mr. T. Rule, Durham. MALMESBURY SHOW.—No. 2. ENTERING the grounds of Burton Hill, I find myself in one of the very prettiest and best-kept places which in my somewhat large experience it has ever been my lot to see. As far as I know this neighbourhood—and I have Imown it for eighteen years—Col. Miles’s residence is quite unique ; there is no other of the same kind. We have large and noble places, as Badmin- ton, and Bowood, and Corsham Court; the residences also of many large squires. For the most part at squires’, large and small, the gardens are only kept up just according to general re- quirements, and the gardener’s taste not sufficiently encouraged. Then we have trim well-managed villa gardens, particularly one near Chippenham called ‘‘ The Clift,” in which the taste, and care, and industry of its owner have in twenty years produced a charming combination of variously-foliaged trees and many- tinted flowers. But Burton Hill is neither large mansion nor villa, but something between—a comfortable residence—a place big enough for space and small enough to be cosy in. I have not the least idea who planned the gardens, or the gar- dener under whose care they are now, but to both there is much credit due. The grounds are not by any means large, but good taste in laying them out has made them in appearance very much larger. A long and narrow avenue, part firs, part, if I remember rightly, elms, shuts out the road winter and summer, and its narrowness gives an idea of length and consequent size to the grounds. Then, if the garden had been a natural slope merely, the eye would have seen all at once; but the surface being broken by grass terraces, with here a deep bowling-green- like lawn, in the centre of which was an artificial circlet of water, with the stiffness of its margin broken by ferns, and around it a dazzling show of bedding plants in geometric beds ; then there, a long line of small beds, with a geranium in the centre of each trained like astandard rose. Then I must not forget the shrubs, so many evergreen, so that Burton Hill must look cheerful in the very heart of dreary winter. This year, too, has been a fine one for lawns; not a blade of grass has been scorched, but the deep rains have kept all in richest greenness. Climbing a grass terrace, I peep into a conservatory forming a part of the house, and used for the nonce as a tea-room, many tea-tables standing between its columns covered with creepers. But what pleased my eyes, and specially my nose, was a sheet of heliotrope bloom covering the whole of one side of the conservatory. The deli- cate odour of this flower never struck me as so pleasing; and several square yards of bloom gratified the eye. In short, the gardens at Burton Hill and all the gardening arrangements re- flect the highest credit to the gardener. It is so pleasant to see a place where the owners must delight in their garden and give scope for their gardeners’ ability. Ihave noticed that when a. lady and gentleman do not care for their garden their gardener is discouraged ; while, on the contrary, when they love and especially understand flowers, he is encouraged and cheered in his work, and puts forth all his energies. The flower and poultry Show was held in a field beyond the garden connected therewith by a temporary bridge. From this field one caught a pleasant glimpse of the venerable abbey. Here were tents and bands of music, and the usual attendants ofashow. The flower show was interesting as a local gathering and exhibition, but only a fair one as to quality and quantity. The poultry and Pigeon Show was also but small. The latter surely might have been much larger if the Committee had ad- vertised their Show. Itis not possible that, unadvertised, an out-of-the-way place, especially in the south of England, can have a good exhibition of poultry and Pigeons, because few keep them compared with the number in the north. I learned that there were fewer Pigeons this year than last, and poultry as well were diminished. The fowls were shown in the old-fashioned way—viz., three in apen. This isa mistake; twomay be fairly good, but the third spoils the look of allif nota match. There are two gentlemen who are poultrymen in and near Malmesbury —yviz., Messrs. Hanks and Maggs, the former at Malmesbury, the latter at Tetbury, and they took, naturally enough, most of September 19, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 241 the prizes. There were about fifty pens of poultry, and not more than half that number of Pigeons, and about the like of Rabbits, which latter seemed to please the boys especially. An extra prize was given for the best brace of chickens trussed for the spit, and for ducklings as well, but they only brought two entries each. Some good Black Hamburghs were shown, anda pair of good Runts. My readers will readily understand that it was not so much the Show as the place and the people that were worth seeing —the quaint pretty garden, the grass terraces, the gay flowers, the dark evergreens, and the bright dresses of the ladies, cer- tainly some of the prettiest slender maidens and stately-looking comely matrons that could be seen anywhere. The old borough of Malmesbury and its neighbourhood is certainly rich in beauty. The benefit of such shows as the one I have endeavoured to describe must be great. They are harmless; there is little drinking, much sociality of a good sort, and a refined taste is created orstrengthened. One finalremark: Babies and tobacco are out of place in a flower tent. My ears and nose were at Malmesbury offended by both. I wish at all such shows neither could be allowed admittance, or, if the pipe be produced, the offender be gently told to return it to his pocket. At Malmes- bury, while I was revelling in the delicate scent of the Roses, a fellow thrust his tobacco stench under my nose. Smoking, like all selfish gratifications, should be enjoyed alone, or with those only who have a like taste. Railways now properly have their smoking carriages, so in travelling the annoyance has ceased, and it should not be tolerated in a flower tent. Babies are also best at home with their nurses or mothers.—WILTsHIRE RECTOR, CANARY AILMENTS.—No. 1. I went to see how it was getting on. I had known it from its birth, and had watched it during the various stages of its growth. Before its feathers were fully developed to the naked eye I had examined it with a powerful glass and pronounced it marked on each wing, each eye, and each side of the tail, and such it proved to be. When I last saw it alive it was a month old, fully feathered, strong, lusty, and giving promise of becom- ing a very high-class bird—not exactly a fitting successor to Black-eyed Susan, who departed this life about a month ago full of years, honours, and asthma, but a mule which would require some beating. True, I had heard of another celebrity, a Jonque, marked on each eye only, but my affections were placed on the subject of this memoir. Well, I went to see how it was getting on, for I had heard it was sick. When I entered the house there was a quiet and a gloom about the place which told me some calamity had happened, and I was simply motioned up-stairs in silence, in the direction of the bird-room, where I found him—I wo’n’t say who—him sitting in silent misery, seeking consolation in the society of a “churchwarden.” I did not speak, for I knew his great heart was broken, but waited patiently till he told me in faltering accents that ‘“‘it died last “Thursday.” ‘Died? The poor thing was murdered, that’s what it was. Murdered I call it. I suppose you dosed it with castor oil? Somebody I know has a deal to answer for.’ And then I became aware there was a second visitor, and had also a pretty good idea who “somebody” was. For an hour I sat and listened to a lecture on homeopathy; and though my allegiance to allopathy was not one whit shaken, yet what my friend advanced sounded so much like sense, that I asked him to give me a short course of lectures on homeopathy as applied to the treatment of bird diseases, and the result is as under.—W. A. BuaksTon. z Ir is quite needless for me to attempt here a dissertation on ‘homeopathy, for its great principles must be learned from abler sources than the present. For the “fancy,” however, suffice it to say, that the medicines being given in minute doses are quite safe, and will only affect a bird when the remedy given is homeopathic to the disease intended to be cured. It is, of course, advisable in all cases to put a diseased bird into “hospital,” but from want of space I have frequently had to treat a bird whilst along with healthy ones, and always with benefit to the sufferer, and without any ill-effect to the others. Fanciers, therefore, haye nothing to dread from giving a wrong remedy, which, indeed, is an error all beginners are liable to, for nothing but the closest attention will enable one to arrive at a correct diagnosis and cause of a disease; and one should never dlespair if a remedy does not work as miraculously as he would wish, for I can assure him from my own personal experience, that with perseverance and careful thought success under this treatment is certain. Before going further I may as well say that you are perfectly at liberty to make any use you like of the contents of this com- munication, for I should only be too glad to be the humble means of alleviating in the slightest degree the sufferings to which our little feathered friends must be subjected as long as the lamentable ignorance and quackery of the old system, -which has hitherto been and is continually being, palmed upon fanciers are allowed to exist. The remedies hereinafter mentioned are in tinctures of the third dilution, and may be obtained from any homeopathic chemist in sixpenny phials. I shall take the diseases in the order in which they are most likely to occur from infancy upwards. InDIGESTION.—This disease is commonly known as rupture or surfeit, and is, I believe, the cause of the great majority of the fatalities which so many breeders have experienced of late years. I have treated birds thus afflicted at the early age of fourteen to twenty-one days; but the period at which they are most liable to contract it is either shortly before or shortly after they can shell seed. When first attacked they look rather thick, dim about the eyes, and then, touse a fancy term, turn ‘soft,’ with their feathers all coarse and ruffled, and on blowing them up more or less inflammation and distension of the abdomen are observable. In the case of nestlings, the last two symptoms are not such safe guides, for they are generally a shade rosy and full. I therefore look principally to their droppings, which, when the birds are affected, gradually lose shape, and turn lighter and brighter in colour, in very.inflammatory cases almost approaching the colour of egg-yolk, and are sometimes very watery, and more or less mixed with a chalky mucus or slime. The causes of this disease are—too much green food, rape or hempseed, stale egg, impure water, and too much soft food. In the case of nestlings, they can only get too much soft food when fed occasionally by hand, so care should always be taken not to distend their crops overmuch. The remedies are—aconite, pulsatilla, china, and arsenicum, The first is to allay inflammatory or febrile symptoms; the second is for defective digestion ; the third for looseness of the bowels ; and the fourth is required when the purging is more severe, and there is greater inflammation of the abdomen. T also give a spare diet, and of the kind hereafter mentioned. My mode of administering the medicines is as follows :— _ For nestlings, I take a teaspoonful of egg and bread or biscuit previously mixed, a teaspoonful of warm water, to which I add one drop of aconite and one drop of one of the other medicines according to the symptoms, then mix all together and give to the birds with a quill or match four or five times a-day, as in ordinary hand-feeding. For birds which can feed themselves and are under six weeks old, I mix the remedies with their soft food in the same manner, and also put one or two drops into their water-fountains accord- ing to the size of the latter; after six weeks old putting it in their water is sufficient. Whenever any beneficial effect is observable after administering the remedies, it is advisable in all cases to diminish the quantity, and continue to do so gradu- ally until there is complete convalescence. I have never had a single failure under this treatment, and I am quite certain that if attention is given to the first symptoms of this disease the two first-named remedies will nearly always effect a cure in an exceedingly short time. If this disease is neglected the result will be a severe form of diarrheea, or, perhaps, dysentery and death. Diet.—The following is the diet I give my birds (during me- dicinal treatment, of course in small quantities), and if it were generally adopted by fanciers, and-cleanliness always strictly observed, I think this disease would scarcely ever be contracted. For nestlings, give the parents only a small quantity of scalded rape seed with their Canary seed, green food in moderation, and egg and pounded biscuit, which latter should in all cases be quite fresh. White bread a few days old is, I believe, often given with the egg, and is, perhaps, very good; but as there is always some danger of its fermenting in the stomachs of the birds, I prefer biscuits, and generally use milk or water ones, which I pound in a small mortar, and use in the proportion of two to one egg. I frequently add a small teaspoonful of oatmeal and sugar to make the whole more easy of digestion. Some fanciers use baked flour instead of either bread or biscuits, but I do not approve of it, as it makes the mixture rather too dry, and alone is indigestible. It may, perhaps, not be generally known to the fancy, that the finer the quality of flour the less value it is as an article of diet, it being almost entirely deprived of those nu- tritive salts which are necessary to render the starch, which it to a great extent consists of, available for nutrition. It is to make up for this deficiency that I add a little oatmeal to my egg and biscuit. I have fed nestlings on baked flour and egg, but always found that much of the flour came through them un- digested, thus showing the want of the natural salts. After the birds are out of the nest, and can feed themselves, they should have neither rape seed nor green food, and soft food only in moderate quantities, and more pounded biscuit should be gradually added to their egg as they get on to seed, so that the change from soft to hard food may not be too abrupt. After they can feed sufficiently on Canary seed, egg, which in quantity would cover a shilling per bird per day, is all they require. They should have fresh water every morning, as it is soon 242 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 19, 1872. turned putrid by the small particles of egg which fall off their beaks when drinking. On the foregoing diet I find birds, old and young, will have better general health, and also retain the colour and quality of their plumage much later on in the season. For the moulting season I suppose I must allow breeders to follow their own peculiar whims and fancies. I will, therefore, only warn them that unless they abide by the same rules as before moulting they will have the same dangers to encounter, with this differ- ence—more fatal results. They must bear in mind that too much soft food, food of an oily nature, or anything of an open- ing tendency, will soon disorganise the bowels of their favour- ites, then disease and death; verdict, as usual, ‘‘ Moulting sick- ness.’ I have never lost but one bird during the moult, and that was, I believe, by an epileptic fit. (To be continued.) BAR HIVES. Waite thanking Mr. Symington for his favourable recognition in the Journal, September 5th, page 201, I trust you will permit me to explain that the inch which the shallowness of the frame permits at the bottom ‘of the hive (too faithfully copied by Mr. Symington’s workmen) is the space once occupied by the notched rack for steadying the bottoms of the frames—a la Woodbury, but which Ido not now recommend. My idea of a comb frame is that it should have no bottom bar or rail at all until filled with comb to the lowest natural point, when the bottom of the comb might be squared off, and a piece of lath, which need not be more than a sixteenth of an inch thick, tacked on. By this means the combs would be worked down to their natural depth—i.e., to nearly a quarter of an inch from the bottom board, and would be fixed solidly on to the bottom bars or rails of the frames, and there would then be no loss of space in the hive. Mr. Symington is making his hives double-walled, and for summer such hives are admirable; but in winter the bees are as if they were ‘‘down a well,” so little can they possibly be affected by any of the few sunny hours of winter. In my new hive, which is roughly described in a February number of The English Mechanic, I have adopted the double-wall system, but for winter have arranged for the front outer wall to be of glass, so that the whole front of the hive shall have the full benefit of all the winter sunshine. The super cover is pierced and glazed with the same object, so that the upper storey may be occasion- ally warmed and dried. In summertime the hive would be turned round, with double wooden walls to the front, there being two entrances to permit of that variation of aspect. The crown board is in pieces for ventilating and to prevent warping, and is held in place by two ledges slightly hollowed underneath, so that one screw in the centre of each pinches the whole down tightly, and any part of the hive may be opened without disturbing the whole. The entrances are 9 inches wide by half an inch high, it being easier to contract an entrance than to increase it, especially in the busy time. The hive is 20}inches wide, 17 inches long, and 11 inches deep inside, and has two division boards, and will contain twelve or thirteen frames.— C.N. Apporr. BEES, BEE HIVES, AND HONEY. Owr1ne to an advertisement appearing in your columns that there would be prizes offered for bees, bee hives, and honey, in connection with the Burton-on-Trent Floral and Horticultural Exhibition, August 21st—being myself a bee-keeper of many years’ standing, and a constant reader of your Journal—I made a few remarks on that part of the Exhibition which most interested me. Having business at Burton about that time, I arranged it so that I might be present at the Show, and certainly it far sur- passed my expectations. The exhibitors were not numerous, but the subjects excelled anything of the sort I ever saw before. First in hives came Mr. T. Young, Hornington, with a practical ten-bar frame hive; second, Mr. G. Cross, Uxbridge Street, also with a bar frame hive; third, Mr. T. Pegg, Dalton Street ; fourth, Mr. Thomas Young, Hornington. An extra prize for a hive adapted to cottagers went to Mr. T. Young, Hornington. For a practical observatory hive, the first prize was taken by Mr. T. Young, Hornington. This hive was stocked with Italian bees, the finest I ever saw. I learned from the exhibitor that the bees were supplied to him by Mr. W. J. Pettitt, of Dover. Mr. Young also exhibited two sets of collateral hives, one stocked and one unstocked. The unstocked one in particular was fittéd with every improvement, yet to my surprise they were not mentioned in the prize list. The prizes for super honey were as follows :—First, Mr. G. Cross, Uxbridge Street ; second, Mr. T. Pegg, Dalton Street; third, Mr. H. Withnall, Rangemore. Extra prizes were awarded to Miss Baggaley, Whittington Hall, Lichfield ; Mr. H. Withnall, Rangemore; and Mr. E. Statham, Doveridge. If the same spirit were shown in other towns as there was at Burton, I think a bee show would prove a great success at all floral exhibitions.—J. E. B. Tomato SwEETBREADS.—Cut up a quarter of a peck of fine ripe Tomatoes, set them over the fire, and let them stew in nothing but their own juice till they go to pieces; then strain them through asieve. Have ready four or five sweetbreads that have been nicely trimmed and soaked in warm water. Put them into a stewpan with the Tomato juice, and a little salt and cayenne, add two or three table-spoonfuls of butter rolled in flour. Set the saucepan on the fire, and stew the sweetbreads till done. A few minutes before you take them up stir-in two beaten yolks of eggs. Serve the sweetbreads in a deep dish with the Tomatoes poured over them. OUR LETTER BOX. Booxs (A. N. C.).—Mr. Wright’s book of poultry can be had of every book- seller. It is published by Messrs. Casséll in parts price 1s. monthly. Botton, WELLINGTON, AND STAFFORD SHOWS (- ). — They were not advertised, except in local papers. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, CAMDEN Square, LonDoN. Lat. 51° 32’ 40” N.; Long. 0° 8’ 0” W.; Altitude 111 feet. DatE. A.M. In THE Day. sas ag |S Shade Tem-|_ Radiation 5 1872. eins Hypromes 24 oe perature. |Temperature 4 Fics ber. 3 ano Sept. |3 538 ae 53- In| On e q~ SH Dry. | Wet. Qo |& Max.| Min.| sun. | grass deg. | deg. | deg.| deg. | deg.| In. We. 11 S.W. | 60.4 | 76.0 | 596 | 111.2 | 561] — Th. 12 We 61.8 | 75.2 | 60.4 | 122.6 | 582) — Fri. 13 w. 1.6 | 80.2 | 58.9 | 131.8 5Li —_ Sat. 14 Ww. 62.2.) 72.7 | 57.5 | 10138 55.6 _ Sun.15 w. 62.4 | 74.2 | 58.1 1152 | 552 _ Mo. 16 S.W. | 61.2 | 65.2 | 48.6 117.2 | 45.8 = Tu. 17 Sb 6).6 | 73.9 | 52:9 | 101.2 | 50.8) — Means | 30.095 | 64.6 | 60.9 61.5 | 74.8 | 55.9 | 114.4 | 53.38 | — REMARKS. 11th.—Fine day, and very oppressive, notwithstanding there was a strong win@ all day. 12th.—Beautifully fine all day and night, though still rather windy. 18th.—Very fine day, but rather too warm for the time of year; somewhat cloudy for a short time about noon, then fine, and splendid sunset. 14th.—Fine, with cool breeze, alternate sunshine and cloud all day, and yery close. 15th.—F air, though hazy at 8 A.m., then fine, but occasionally cloudy during the day; very red sunset. 16th.—Morning rather dull, day fine, at times very bright, but much cooler. 17th.—A very enjoyable day, now and then cloudy, but very pleasant. A week with frequent cloud, but no rain; a total absence of thunderstorms, although the weather was occasionally somewhat oppressive in spite of the wind, which was frequently rather high. Temperature above the average, especially on 13th.—G. J. Symons. COVENT GARDEN MARKET.—SeEpremser 17. qo tHEBE is no alteration worth quoting, and the markets generally are very FRUIT. 8.d. s.d. s.d. s.d. 3 Oto0 0} Mulberries... - 1 0tod 9 0 0 O 0} Nectarines.. - 8 0 8 O 00 O O| Oranges....... 8 0 14 6 0 0 O O} Peaches..... 4612 0 0 0 O 0} Pears, kitche 1) Be) 00 00 20 40 LG Shi 0, 80 60 On mOLs0) 50 00 . LOe 0)80) eles Osean, Gooseberries. 00 00 = 0 0° 0) 0 Grapes, hothouse 20 50 a OOO RO) Lemons 6 0 10 0 . bushel 10 0 25 0 Melons.. 20 50 ditto............ #100 1 0 2 0 VEGETABLES. s.d. 8. d. s.d. 8. d. Artichokes.......... doz. 2 0to4 0| Mushrooms........ pottle 1 OtoS Oo Asparagus.........-4100 0 0 0O 0| Mustard & Cress..punnet 0 2 0 0 Beans, Kidney....} sieve 2 0 0 0/ Onions....... ..--. bunch 0 4 0 0 Broad........ ‘OOO 0) pickling........ quart 0 6 0 0 Beet, Red.. we 10 8 O| Parsley perdoz.bunches 3 0 4 0 Broccoli... 0 9 1 6) Parsnips.. ONS 0 110) (1) 6)|"Peass.. ¢ Oe 6. 80 40 20 40 06 00 20 40 20 40 20 40 16 20 06410 20 830 00600 03 10 ONS SL: 00 00 00 00 AO On 0) OS a G 03 00 00 00 06 00 04 09 mele 08 00 20 830 Horseradish. 50 70 RoOLS ey Olan Leeks..... 0 2 O 0} Turnips............bunch 0 8 0 6 Lettuce.......- 0 9 1 O| Vegetable Marrows..doz. 0 6 1 0 September 26, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 243 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day | Day Recon a | i 1, | Clock | Day { ; = y. age Tempera-} Rain in Sun Sun Moon Moon | Moon’s 5 4 rece moths SEPT. 26—OCT. 2, 1872. ture near London. 43 years,| Riscs Sets. Rises. | Sets. Age. pitta ieee las i . |Night.|Mean.| Days. |m. h.| m. h.| m. h. | m. h.| Days. | m. 8. | 26 | Tx 438/547 | 2 | 55eaf5 49af5| 38 11) 55at3 | 23 | 8 53 | 270 27 EF 44.6 | 55.0 24 57 5,47 5 | morn. | 26 4 24 9 12) 271 93 | 38 Rudbeck died, 1702. 44.0 } 54.5 22 59 5) 45 5145 0} 51- 4 95 | 9 82 | 272 29 | Sun | 18 SuNDAY AFTER TRINITY. MIcHAELMAS 44.3 | 54.9 26 a PCY Gs | tae ab Sy, G3 26 | 9 52] 273 30 | M Day. 43.3 | 54.2 24 LG g89l me Sil 5605 8° 2650/50] sory i MOmdtao74 1 Tu Robert Bakewell died. 44.7 | 54.1 21 2. 6,736) 95.) 17) 4-1 40. 5 28 | 10 30 | 275 2 WwW Royal Horticultural Society, Fruit, Floral, 43.9 | 54.1 19 40 1672.3) %5 | 28 5 | 53 5 @ 10 49 | 276 uA ‘ Mid {and General Meeting. J | je ben eel 5 : From observations taken near London during forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 64.9°; and its night temperature | 44.1°. The greatest heat was 79°, on the 27th and 29th, 1832; and the lowest cold 23°, on the 28th and 30th, 1836, and 29th, 1842. The greatest fall of | rain was 1.68 inch. ( GLADIOLUS CULTURE. HIS splendid autumn flower has in the pre- sent year been represented at the metro- politan exhibitions as it has never been be- | fore, and amateurs especially have far sur- passed their previous productions. This re- sult is mainly due to the spirited manner in which the culture of this flower has been taken up, owing to the liberal prizes offered by the Royal Horticultural and Metropolitan Floral Societies. Not only is the Gladiolus desirable as an exhibition flower, but it is also very useful for in-door decoration, either alone or mixed with the long fronds of the com- moner Ferns. Cut spikes may be placed in bottles of | water and set in the conservatory, care being taken to hide the bottles with the foliage of other plants. Gladioli succeed well in pots, and grown in that way are specially adapted for greenhouse and conservatory decoration. It is unnecessary to again enter into all the details of culture. The ground should be well trenched and ma- nured in the autumn, so that it may have the benefit of exposure to all the winter frosts. Planting should be performed in March and April when the ground is dry. During hot weather in summer water well, and mulch over the roots with decayed manure. As soon as the spikes appear secure them to sticks; if this be not done at once a gale of wind may throw numbers of them on their sides, and cause irretrievable damage. The first flowers will appear about the end of July. I had the best spikes this year about that time and the beginning of August. Of course the time of flowering depends on that of planting, and the situation in which the bulbs are planted. By planting a few about the end of February in a south border, and selecting early-flowering sorts, such as Shakspeare, Reine Victoria, Madame Furtado, Princess of Wales, &c., the first spikes would come in about the 1st of July; and by planting successionally a continual display may be kept up until October. In planting do not omit a small quantity of sand round each bulb. Upon the whole this has not been a very favourable season for the Gladiolus. Much rain and cold change- able weather told upon the plants up to midsummer, but Ihave not seen any disease amongst them; a few became prematurely yellow, but on pulling them up, as I in- variably do, the bulbs were perfectly sound; indeed I cannot say that I have had any diseased plants at all since commencing the culture of this flower. Many valuable rcots have died off when the plants were in full growth, but this, Ido not doubt, is to be attributed to local causes, and not to disease. The best way is to pull such plants up, and throw them away ; the bulbs in most cases will be sound, but all the fibrous roots will be found dead. I would advise all who have a good stock of bulbs to pull up and throw away all sickly-looking plants; this is now my own practice. When first commencing Gladiolus culture I used to pot all such roots, and in this | decayed manure. turfy loam, leaf mould, sand, and a small portion of The greatest trial to those taking up the culture of the Gladiolus for the first time is losing the plants when in healthy and luxuriant growth; it is bad enough to plant seemingly healthy and sound bulbs, and find that the plants do not appear above ground at all. The purchasers of new Roses, Dahlias, Pelargoniums, &e., if they give their plants anything like justice, are _ sure to keep them, losses seldom occurring. However, | the enthusiastic cultivator will triumph over every dif- ficulty, and will the more highly value those spikes which arrive at a high stage of perfection. IT would also draw attention to the lifting of the bulbs after flowering is over. The end of October is the best time to commence. Some cultivators lift the plants bodily up, and plant them in a dry place amongst soil, cocoa-nut fibre, or some similar material. I do not ad- vise this plan; the best way is to cut the spikes over at once, and put the bulbs in a dry place, where they should be spread out, and then stored away. I wrap each sort up in paper separately, and place them all in a box, where they take up but little room. They should be kept ina cool place during winter, but do not let the frost get at them. In digging up the roots, the bulblets which cluster in greater or less numbers round the large bulbs should be saved by themselves, and potted at once, if the pots can be plunged over the rims in a cold frame during the winter. If this mode is not convenient place a smal quantity of sand with each sort, and wrap the whole up in paper; they may thus be kept with the old bulns, and if planted out in March, they will make very fine flower- ing bulbs the second year. I will now make a few remarks on the new varieties of this season sent out by M. Souchet. From what I have seen here and elsewhere, there is but little new or good amongst them; indeed some of them are merely repetitions of the old sorts. Beatrix is a good white flower, and specially noticed by the Rey. H. H. Dombrain as being very fine in my stand at the Crystal Palace, but if I had labelled it Norma no one would have known the difference ; and the spike of Beatrix was not nearly so good as that of Norma exhibited by Mr. ‘Dombrain at South Kensington the previous week. Minerve is similar to Phidias. I plucked a single flower from each variety, and placed them together, and could not say which was the one and which the other. Vir- ginalis, again, is rather paler than Mary Stuart, and much like it, but does not produce such a long handsome spike. Jupiter is new in colour—a fiery crimson—and if the spikes are not large, the flowers are, and it is an acquisition. Phoebus, Mr. Dombrain has spoken highly of. Ihave not seen it yet, but a spike exhibited by him at South Kensington did not seem to be honoured with a certificate. M. Souchet has sent out in former years many splendid varieties, and we owe him many thanks for them. I hope that those put in commerce from his establishment next season will main‘ain his reputation; the present batch has signally failed to do so. way have saved them. The potting material used was | No. 600.—Vou, XXIII., New SERIES. There have been many very fine flowers exhibited No. 1252.—Vou. XLVIII., OLD SERIES. 244 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 26, 1872. within the last few years that have been raised in England, but they do not seem to get into the trade, consequently it is hardly fair to comment upon them; indeed all the really good flowers have been faithfully described in these columns at the time they were exhibited. T have nothing new to add as regards culture, but would like to read in this Journal the experience of other culti- vators.—J. Douanas. THE POTATO DISEASE. In the remarks we are about to offer on the Poraro DIsEASE, we do not intend to enter into any speculation on the origin or nature of it; neither shall we tread such tender ground as to speak with any affectation of learning on tissues and fungi, as some do with as much confidence as a Berkeley or a Mohl, but with less modesty. Our observations shall be confined entirely to our practical experience on the subject, and what we have to relate may be not new, but it is at least truthful and opportune. After several years’ experience and close observation of the coming and going of the Potato disease, we are quite satisfied of one thing, and that is, that there is no variety of the Po- tato which is free from liability to the attack. It matters not whether we take the old Scotch Dons, the Kentish Blue Eyes, the Dunbar Regents, Dalmahoys, and Walnut-leaved Kidneys, or the more modern varieties, such as Lapstone, Coldstream Early, Myatt’s Prolific, Mona’s Pride, or Paterson’s Victoria, allin their turn have to succumb more or less to the ravages of this scourge. Some haye attributed the liability of attack to the wearing-out of the old varieties, others to the high breeding of the new; but neither wearing-out, high breeding, or breeding ‘‘in-and-in” has anything to do with it, since an importation of tubers direct from what is supposed to be the native habitat -of the plant proved to be equally susceptible of the disease, and was attacked with as great virulence as any of the cultivated varieties. Even the Tomato, which is an ally of the Potato, has also been attacked, as if to contradict any such supposition as that the impaired constitution of the Po- tato was the cause of its liability to the disease. The only safeguard against the disease—or rather the best avoidance, for there is no safeguard—is early planting of early sorts. For many years we have been in the habit of planting early only such varieties as we can clear off the ground by the end of July. It rarely happens that the disease ever appears to any great extent before the beginning of August, and although there may be cases where it shows itself earlier, it is never with that severity which we find at that period. One of the best Potatoes is the Lapstone, and there is no variety suffers more from the disease. For the last three years circumstances compelled us to grow our crop of this variety in field culture and by late planting. The consequence was, that notwithstanding a strong desire to become possessed of a large quantity of seed of a really true stock of this valuable sort, we rarely ever obtained sufficient for the succeeding year’s plant- ing. This-year the sets were planted early in March, and the crop cleared at the end of July, when of the abundant yield there were comparatively very few diseased. They have now been sorted over, and those selected for seed next year are spread out to become green. This greening of the seed by ex- posure to light we find to be a check to the attack of the disease. There is ono remarkable fact we haye discovered during the greening process. All the diseased tubers which may have escaped notice when being taken up, and which would rot when stored, probably communicating infection to the healthy ones—these neyer become green, but retain their original colour, and shortly ferment and rot. They may be observed sometimes with a small hole on the surface from which froth is oozing out, and then putridity ensues. ‘‘ Greening,” if it did nothing more, enables one at least to secure sound seed; but it does something more, for we have observed that all the varieties the seed of which has been so treated, haye this year scarcely suffered at all, while those not so prepared have. The variety which we found most attacked of the early sorts is Dalmahoy; but the Walnut-leaved Kidney, Winkworth Seed- ling, Coldstream Harly, and Paterson’s Victoria, were but little affected, while the Lapstones and the Pebble White were attacked much to the same extent as the Dalmahoys. ARAUCARIA IMBRICATA.—Seyeral trees of Araucaria imbricata are now covered with cones in the nurseries of Messrs. Lane and Son, of Berkhampsted, and in every case the trees are dicecious, the male catkins being produced on different trees from those that bear the cones. A PLEA FOR GARDENERS WHO HAVE CHILDREN. Mosr readily and gladly do I accept Mr. James R. Pocock’s challenge to say a few words on this subject. I never see an advertisement with the addition ‘no incumbrance,” but I own I feel angry—I feel my blood boil; and I own, further, that it is one of those cases in which I feel ‘‘ that I do well to be angry.” In the increase of a people consists a nation’s strength and security. In the declining evil days of the Roman empire its population was yearly diminishing, and soon followed its last days. So in modern times, the decrease of the numbers of the French preceded their utter overthrow, and the infiuence of France now goes for nothing in the councils of Europe; while, on the other hand, the German nation has grown great and taken the place of France—and why? Because every year its population has increased. So itis, happily, with Britain, and we now, because of our numbers, “dare to speak with our enemies in the gate.” Therefore, on the highest ground, on the principle of patriotism, we have all cause to rejoice in our numerical increase, and, consequently, no one ought to stigmatise that increase by the word ‘‘ incum- brance.”’ I could fill pages on the blessing of children, how they tend to stamp out selfishness from the human heart. Possibly there may be a selfish father, but who ever knew a selfish mother? Children make a home; without them it is but a dwelling. The love of them, the love for them, makes a man work willingly and work well. The evening is looked forward to, the fireside is doubly warm and snug from their presence. The sweetest outburst of affection is a joyful tear, and that stands most usually in a parent’s eye when his or her child has done the right and shunned the wrong. But I must restrain my pen, and come simply to the matter—the hindrance which gardeners sometimes find in procuring situations be- cause they have families. My advice is as follows. I ask other writers of this Journal but I ask especially my friend Mr. Fish, whose face I have had the pleasure of looking into, to give his view, and itis a subject on which, I am sure, he will write kindly and wisely. Others will, doubtless, now the subject is opened, write also their opinions, for it is one which comes close and home to gardeners, having to do with their very bread. I will subjoin a few remarks, and then, if picked from all the writers, a little sheet could be printed and published at the office of “ our Journal.’? Copies could, for a mere trifle, be obtained at any time by gardeners when they needed them, as, for instance, when one was applying for a situation. A gentleman could not be asked to read through a long correspondence, even if it could be placed in his hands; but the applicant could say, “T have a family, which I trust you will not consider an ob- jection; on this subject a little pamphlet is enclosed, which I should be greatly obliged if you would do me the favour to read.”’ Such a pamphlet—it need only be short—I would gladly undertake to edit, under the supervision of our worthy chiefs, Mr. Johnson and Dr. Hogg. I think that giving my name to it would, as I am a clergyman, free the writer from the suspicion of any interested motive, for a clergyman could not be a candidate for such an office, and could only wish well to master and gardener. I do not think that children are either a hindrance to a gardener or objectionable to a master, for the following reasons :— ist. A man who has a wife and family is more likely, be- cause of them and for their sakes, to be a moral and sober man. The fact of his being such is a benefit to both gar- dener and master. 2nd. Such a man is settled in life; he is no rolling stone, he is more content, is less likely to have a love of change, haying made for himself and wife a position in a neighbour- hood. Now, all masters know that their gardens are injured by a change of gardeners. It takes a man some time to under- stand fully a garden’s capabilities, and to put it to the most profitable use in every respect. This, then, is a gain to the master. N.B.—I would advise all gardeners, if possible, to remain in the neighbourhood where their children have been brought up. If distress or sorrow comes they are known, and are sympathised with and assisted as they could not be in a September 26, 1872 ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 245 land of strangers; their children, perhaps, also are helped out in life. 3rd. I have noticed that pride in and a love of the profes- sion are most felt by those who are sons and grandsons of gardeners. Old family gardening books are treasured and read. A man is proud of his calling; he delights in it; he will constantly be endeavouring to excel, and if so, is happy in his work, and does it well. This is, of course, a benefit to the master. 4th. When a gardener has sons, teaching them keeps up and increases his own knowledge. His mind does not grow rusty. He will be pointing out to his boy the best plans, noticing results of the experiments of others; will say, “ Now, my boy, let us see what Tur Journau or HorricuLTURE says this week,’ &c. This will be also a gain to his master. 5th. There is frequently the necessity of a boy in a garden in addition to the men employed, and boys without a turn for gardening are useless and a great trouble to gardeners, but a gardener’s son would have a turn for the business; also, boys being indiscreet, are apt to carry much gossip into the village, often utterly untrue, from what they see and hear at the great house. This all masters and mistresses naturally object to. Tf, however, a gardener introduces his own son, no member of a village family is brought in, and he will, if wise, teach his boy that his business is to learn his profession, and that he is to see and hear, but carry no gossip from his masters. This, then, is a gain to man and master. 6th. A married gardener is more likely to be a keeper at home; he will not depend upon others, perhaps residents in the town or village near or distant, for what all people must to a degree have—viz., society. He will, therefore, be at hand when wanted; he will be near when a sudden frost sets in, and the fires must be lighted, and lighted quickly too. Here also isa source of advantage to the master. Gardeners desirous of getting and keeping good situations should take pains and manage, with their wives, their children discreetly and well. If their cottages be in or near the gar- den, the children should be kept from playing in or straying into any part of the grounds which may cause annoyance. If the management and bringing-up be good, I cannot see that a gardener should be ‘‘ punished” by loss of place, or failure in obtaining a place, because he has a family. On the con- trary, I believe that, for the above reasons, the fact of his having a family will be a benefit both to himself and to his master, and the unsteady men of the profession that I have personally come across have been invariably single men. I hope Mr. Fish and others will give their advice. And finally, as a clergyman, a father of a large family, and a friend of gardeners, I protest against the word “incumbrance”’ being used to describe those who are helps, not hindrances, remember- ing in what Book it is written, that ‘“ children are a heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord.”—Wintsuire Rector. APPLES IN AN ORCHARD HOUSE. Tue finest specimen of the old Golden Pippin (perfectly true), we have ever seen, has been sent us by Mr. Bass, of Moat Bank, Burton-on-Trent. This was accompanied by a very handsome fruit of Cox’s Orange Pippin. The Golden Pippin was in flesh most delicate, and in flayour exquisite. We do not know if any intelligent person lives who believes the popular fallacy that the old-Golden Pippin died-out in Thomas Andrew Knight’s time. Literary Bohemians now and then unearth the old fallacy, and, doubtless, find some to believe it. There is no truth in the statement. The old Golden Pippin flourishes as vigorously as ever, and Mr. Bass whose great success in orchard-house culture has discovered in that treatment, that one of the fruits best worth cultivating is the old Golden Pippin. Not less beautiful, and not less ex- quisite in flavour, was a specimen of Cox’s Orange Pippin grown in the same house. CAN PLANTS COMMUNICATE DISEASE TO THEIR CONSUMERS? Ir a poisonous substance is placed in the earth at the root of any plant—a succulent plant especially—will not poisonous infection be conveyed by the juices into the body of the plant itself, and impart a portion of it to any animal feeding upon that succulent? The idea has occurred to me that the abun- dant use of chemical manures, so much in fashion at the pre- | sent day, may possibly account in some measure for the prevalence of the cattle disease. Before the introduction of these chemicals, and when farmyard manure alone was used, I believe that these diseases among cattle were unknown; and I also believe that where the latter is exclusively used the animals are preserved free, except, perhaps, by contagion from others already infected.—C. P. [It is quite certain that poisonous substances can be intro- duced into plants, both by their roots and other organs; but we are not aware of any poisonous substances used as manures. We should be obliged by experience-founded information on this subject.—Eps. | PROPAGATING ZONAL PELARGONIUMS. I wave been asked to give some details respecting striking cuttings of Pelargoniums of the Scarlet section. The first consideration is the size of the cuttings. The larger the cutting, the larger under like circumstances will be the plant. The smaller the cutting the less room it will occupy. Middle-sized cuttings are generally the best, as most medium modes and ways are. I have not the least objection to place a single cutting in a small pot, or a dozen in a larger one, or five dozen in such a portable rough box as I haye lately de- seribed (see page 205). I use the latter, and place the cuttings thickly, because room could not be found for them if separately or thinly planted. Whether they are placed in rather large pots or these shallow wooden boxes, if we are making several hundreds of cuttings at a time, they are thrown into two or three heaps, according to their size; as the future plants will not only do better but look better if each receptacle has plants of a similar height. Suppose some Geranium cuttings of one kind to be 7 inches, some 4, and some 24 inches long, how much better they look when sized, the doing of which takes up no more time. With regard to removing leaves from the cuttings or allowing” the leaves to remain, I am asked, What is my general practice ? The whole question lies in a nutshell. Provided you can place a cutting in such conditions of shade and atmospheric moisture as to force the leaves to absorb as much as they perspire, the more foliage that is left the sooner will you haye a strong, healthy, well-balanced plant. If these conditions cannot be given, the more leaves left the more will the juices of the cutting be perspired, and dropping and flagging will be the result. This is not s0 conspicuous in a Geranium cutting as in most plants, ag the succulent stem makes the cutting so much more inde- pendent. In general circumstances it is best to remove a portion of the lower leayes, and thus lessen the evaporating surface, leaving the top- leaves to carry on the natural func- tions. This may be deemed the medium path of safety. In the case of a large number of cuttings which must be struck and wintered in a little space, say 2 inches from cutting to cutting, the leaves would only be in the way, would soon damp from crowding, require picking-off, and thus cause an expenditure of labour. : The cuttings are selected from the bed, taking them from parts where they are least likely to be missed, and with care a great many may be thus obtained without a stranger seeing where they came from. If taken off with a heel all the better, but with strong cuttings that must be dispensed with, as I prefer each cutting to have its point left untouched. We cut through at a joint in the usual way, removing the leaves and eyen buds there. The most of the upper leaves we also remove, snagging them short in, but not touching the buds at their base, and only a few of the smaller leayes at the top. I lay stress on not remoying the side buds; these, though the cuttings be kept close together, will make a little show during the winter, and will grow still faster in spring when the cutting is not stopped but merely has its terminal bud taken out. The plants grow freely when they are afforded more room under protection in March and April. Strong Geraniums in beds, now like little shrubs, and which if taken up carefully would fill a large pot, were at the end of last September just such skeleton cuttings as I have described. Circumstances must regulate our opera- tions. There is often so much trouble in moving these plants to get them some size before finally planting them out, that had I plenty of space I should be tempted to put each cutting into a small pot at once. However, many a one could keep a hundred cuttings in a moveable wooden box, taking up but little room in winter, when he could not find room for a hundred pots, and the cuttings could have more room under 246 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 26, 1872. protection in spring. Every mode has its own peculiar advan- tages and disadvantages. Iam also asked about drying the base of these succulent euttings for twenty-four hours before planting them. Well, one may just please himself. I have tried the plan again and again, but I do not like the time that thus passes. Even with Milkworts, as Euphorbias, I prefer sticking the ends into powdered lime and sand, instead of allowing them to lie long. In the case of Geraniums I used to slightly shade the tops, whilst the cut end was exposed. Of late years I have inserted the cuttings as soon as made and roughly sorted into sizes. Another question is, Whether they will do best in the open air, or with old sashes, frames, &c., over them? At the beginning | of August I would préfer the open air, and if the foliage be | reduced the cuttings will stand a great amount of sun. After the middle of September a little protection will help them, such as will throw off heavy rains. The fifth inquiry was answered lately. ‘* Whether prick-out im a border and lift, or prick-out into boxes and pots at once.” Qn the whole I prefer the latter. Any tendency to free growth can be neutralised by comparative dryness, and when lifted | and repotted there is generally plenty of withered-leaf-picking afterwards.—R. F. BOILERS AT THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S BIRMINGHAM EXHIBITION. No. 2. In continuing our remarks on the boilers at Birmingham, we eome next to the horizontal tubulars, of which there were three, exhibited respectively by Mr. Truss, Friar Street, Southwark lower series by means of a syphon. In the larger sizes of boilers hollow triangular-shaped furnace-bars are also introduced, through which all the water has to pass. This boiler is no doubt a powerful one, but as the water has to traverse so much horizontal space, and as the flow-pipe is put at one end, the circulation will be much checked. This is a fault, however, common to all horizontal tubular boilers, and where a series of houses has to be heated from a large boiler, it is a matter of great importance; asif the circulation through the boiler is impeded, even though the tubes are so placed as to extract a great deal of heat from the fire, still those houses which are heated by the pipes furthest from the boiler require a proportionate degree more piping in order to keep up the heat, as the slower the circulation the greater the difference between the heat of the flow and return pipes, and the greater the quan- tity of piping required in those houses which are heated by the return pipes. The next boiler we notice is a portable tubular boiler of Mr. Truss’s. Truss’s horizontal tubular boiler resembles a saddle boiler when covered with its external casing. Both the front and back are hollow, forming water-chambers, which are con- nected together by horizontal tubes, in the largest-sized boiler we saw twenty-four in number. The water entering by the return finds a stop halfway up the chamber, and is consequently compelled to traverse the lower pipes before passing into the | other chamber, and thence by the upper tubes to the flow-pipe. Bridge Road; Mr. Messenger, of Loughborough; and Messrs. | Dennis & Co., of Chelmsford, the last of which only was for com- etition. = ~ : a Yj Lo pole /, Yi 7 We 7 oo Fig. 1. Mr. Messenger’s boiler, of which jig. 1 is an illustration, con- sists of parallel triangular tubes, with continuous water-spaces at each end. There are two sets of tubes, the lower ones being arranged in the form ofa saddle boiler, leaving two horizontal openings on each side between two rows of pipes for the fire and gaseous products of combustion to pass through, which is then made to pass under and over another series of longitudinal The tubes where they join the front and back are made to butt against indiarubber prepared by a patented process, which is said to render it practically indestructible, and further, Portland cement is used to prevent leakage. It is claimed for this boiler that, owing to the indiarubber allowing for the expansion of the tubes, there is no danger of cracking. The only horizontal tubular boiler entered for competition was one by T. H. P. Dennis & Co., Anchor Iron Works, Chelms- ford. In this boiler a series of tubular pipes are arranged in the form of a rectangular pyramid or cone, the tubes being con- | nected with an upright rising shaft or tube at each of the four Yyy 7), a UU ane 7, Ly | comers. There are two flows and two returns on the opposite | sides of the under and upper rows of pipes. The fire plays | through and all round the pipes, which are set ata little dis- tance from each other. In this boiler much of the check to circulation which is common to many horizontal boilers is ob- viated by the four upright tubes at the corners, the length of the horizontal tubes being reduced very much at the upper part of the boiler, and the water has free ingress or egress at each end of the pipes, and need not necessarily traverse the whole triangular tubes laid flat, and which are connected with the | length. September 26, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 247 We in common with many others regret that a full report of the boiler trials at Birmingham has not been published, as it would be of great interest to the horticultural world; aud al- though the trial was conducted under many adverse conditions, yet the summary of results arrived at would give much insight into the relative rapidity of circulation in different boilers. We pass on next to a boiler entered for competition by Mr. 8S. Deard, of Harlow, Essex, and which deserves very honourable mention, as having the truest circulation of any boiler yet con- structed. The large one exhibited by Mr. Deard was the first one ever made. The boiler is on the principle of a spiral pipe, the pipes in the boiler being of the same diameter as the pipes to be heated. The boiler is formed of close coils of cast iron pipes formed in half-segments of circles continuously jointed together by cast iron clips. At each end of the semicircular segments is cast a screw; the two segments of the circle are placed together, being previously turned and planed to a true surface, and the clips are cast on the pipes, so as to make a solid connected spiral coil (fig.2). A T-piece is inserted in the lower part of the return pipe for the purpose of removing sediment when necessary. The boiler is fed by a furnace from the bottom and not from the top as most tubular boilers are, and so will burn any kind of fuel. The coils are set close, and, conse- quently, the patentee is enabled to put flues on the exterior by means of six cast iron flange plates, which are made to fit the coils of the boiler, and are inserted in the surrounded masonry, and the products of combustion are thus made to play up and down on the exterior surface of the boiler. We noticed that at Birmingham the boiler was tried at a disadvantage, as the flange ‘plates were not there in time, and the separation between the flues had to be made by means of bricks, with a loss of heating surface represented by the comparative thickness of six rows of bricks or six thicknesses of iron plate. We think the apparatus deserving of great commendation, and in the hands of the in- wentor will turn out a very efficient boiler. The same exhibitor had at work in an adjoining stand a small Tin Ta it l Fig. 3. centrifugal heating apparatus, of which we give an illustration, and which obtained a bronze medal for its efficiency. This combined stove and hot-water apparatus might be used with great advantage in a hall or corridor, the pipes being taken to-heat an adjoining greenhouse. By means of proper dampers and regulators both in the chimney and ash-box either slow or xapid combustion may be set up, and the whole stove might be used inside the conservatory, as, if the coil pipe were made to surround the whole of the fire, there would be no fear of air being burnt by red-hot iron. The same boiler might be heated by means of gas, air to regulate combustion being supplied in each case by an outside pipe. Gur next notice will include the saddle boilers and modifi- cations of saddle boilers, as tank, conical, and cyliudrical boilers, though as there were so many exhibited we fear we cannot give a full description of all. Those of the competitors who made notes of their own boiler trials are requested to forward the same to the office. We have already notes of two. We do not neces- sarily intend to publish them. CONIFERS AT LINTON PARK. Isec to thank Mr. Fleming for having, at page 205, given us the dimensions of some of the important Conifers at Dropmore, as we are thus enabled io compare notes and to see how far our Specimens are behind those in the much-famed Dropmore col- lection. With the exception of Bicton there is no place where this class of plants has been so extensively cultivated as at Dropmore, and I am not sure that some of the specimens there do not exceed those in its rival’s more favoured climate. I now purpose giving such short notes on some of the specimens here as will enable the reader to judge of their growth. Pinus INsIGNIs, planted 1844, is now 64 feet 6 inches high, feathered to the ground. The diameter of the branches is 51 feet, and the girth of the bole at 4 feet up, as taken at the most slender part between the branches, is Sfeet 2 inches. This tree, I may observe, lost its leader about 1848, and remained three years without one. Since then its growth has been very rapid. It did not suffer in the least in the winter of 1860-61, and but very slightly (hardly perceptibly), in that of 1866-67 ; although another specimen of the same kind not so large then suffered much. It is a fine tree, has coned for many years, but since it commenced doing so and producing the catkins which precede the cone, it has to a certain extent lost that deep emerald green which gave it so important a character when about 30 feet high. I find this is also the case with other young trees of the same species. Although the tree referred to is in the best possible health, it is not of so fine a green as it once was, and a specimen of P. austriaca near it that was once its inferior in that respect, is now its equal if both are looked at from a distance of 100 yards off. I may remark that P. insignis exceeds in size any of the Scotch or Silver Firs that were planted as a screen, and as nurses to the pinetum. To show that this rapid growth is not confined to the tree alluded to, I may state that one planted in 1855 is now 46 feet 6 inches high, feathered to the ground, healthy, and vigorous; while others planted at the same time are nearly as large. Pinus ponpERosA.—As Mr. Fleming does not mention this, I apprehend the tree is either not a good specimen or is con- founded with P. macrocarpa. Here, however, it is the finest of the long-leaved species, the average length of the leaves being 10 inches with three in a sheath; the general hue of the tree a darker green than the Scotch Fir, although not so much so as P. insignis. In many places fault is found with it for its lack of foliage, andthe decaying leaves being persistent ; here the latter -charge is unfounded, for as the tree is healthy and vigorous it throws off its decaying foliage, and its naked and formidable limbs stand out boldly, each with a dense tuft of most sturdy foliage at the end. Our tree is 55 feet high, and retains most of its branches from the ground, but as they chiefly point upwards it has not the dense habit of P. insignis. It was planted in 1844, and has only once shown symptoms of coning. It is a noble and deserving tree, quite equal to P. Benthamiana, of which, however, we have not a large specimen. Pinus austriaca, 54 feet 6 inches high and feathered to the ground, but more cylindrical in skape than most others. This was also planted in 1844, is a fine tree, and from what I have seen of it elsewhere, seems to be one of the most desirable of its class. Its deep green hue and upright timber-like bole re- commend it alike for use and ornament; and I have seen it thrive well on very poor ground. In a young state it is very bushy, but, in fact, most other Pinuses of a similar kind are thus in their early growth. Pinus ExcELsSA.—Upwards of 40 feet high, and quite 55 feet in the spread of its branches, forming, in fact, an immense bush of dwarf conical form; for it starts with a decided leader. There appear to be two varieties of this, or it may be that they are two distinct species, one of them having its spring buds enclosed in scales of a bright rosy pink colour, the other one plain green, there being no perceptible difference in colour, habit, or character of foliage. Both bear very long cones of a purplish colour, and hanging downwards; occasionally the cones are in pairs, but oftener are produced singly. The rich silvery grey foliage is in a great measure pendulous; and differing as it does from most other Pinuses in its glaucous hue, this species is of great value in a collection; it is also hardier than many kinds. Our tree was planted in 1844. Pinus Cempra, 54 feet 6 inches high, was probably planted about 1835. Itis a pretty cylindrical rather than a conical form, and has leaves of the same fine texture and silvery-grey hue as the Weymouth Pine, from which, however, it differs in many respects. It is a distinct Pine well worth growing, and no doubt one of the very hardiest. Pinus ALpertiana.—Of this there is a promising tree only planted in 1868, and now 12 feet high, resembling in some degree the Hemlock Spruce, but of more vigorous growth. It is Likely to form an excellent addition to the pinetum, being evi- dently very hardy, and starting at once into the tree form, not lingering on as a mere bush. Picea Pinsapo, 44 feet high, densely branched to the ground, forming as compact a cone as the best-formed Wellingtonia, the closely-packed mass of twigs and foliage concealing the bole nearly the whole way up. This tree was planted in 1844, and during the last six or eight years has grown very fast. It has only once had a few cones on it—namely, in 1869, and these in some degree resembled the cones of P. cephalonica. Most persons who have seen this tree consider it to be the best of its kind in England, and as Mr. Fleming does not mention it in his list, I conclude that there is not a remarkably good specimen at Dropmore. It is not the class of tree to please planters who 248 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 26, 1872. look for immediate effect, for its progress for some years after planting is tardy, even in the most favourable situations, but once established, and a fair start made, it grows as quickly as most. The tree here is one of the finest in the grounds, of a deep dark green hue, with a conical outline, almost as close and as true as if pruned into that shape, though the knife has never been used. Its close compact branches resting on the ground have killed all herbage as far as they extend. I shall be gins to learn the height of specimen trees of this kind in other aces. J Picnsa cepHaLonics.—This differs from the preceding in its leaves being longer and more pointed, and the habit lower. The largest treé here is 50 feet high; it is also branched to the ground much wider, but not so densely as P. Pinsapo. It was planted in 1844, and has coned several times, the cones being somewhat smaller than those of the Silver Fir, but more in clusters, and oftem covered or nearly so with resin. Like P. Pinsapo and many others of the Picea family, it is slow in making a start, but grows fast enough after. Picea nopruis, 40 feet high, also planted in 1844, lost its leader in 1847, and was eight or nine years without one, when it pushed two, and, one being taken away, the other is as straight as aramyrod, and inevery respect uniform. The tree has for several years borne a great number of very large cones, often more than a dozen in a cluster, with some good seed in them, but the bulk abortive. Itis a fine tree, its silvery hue attracting everyone’s attention, while the huge well-formed cones are very con- spicuous. For several years its growth upwards averaged fully 3 feet, but it has not been so much since it begun to bear cones. It is, nevertheless, a fine tree, but I believe there are many finer, the situation possibly being too dry for it. Picea Weeptana.—The tree is 37 feet high, and was planted in 1844. I do not mention it as being of any remarkable size, but to ask for information, as it is the only specimen amongst several which is at all healthy, and is not by any means so robust as many other species near it. We have had several trees that have succumbed altogether or nearly so. When in health its appearance is good; its dark green leaves are more silvery underneath than most kinds, while its noble cones of a rich purple black, so widely different from everything else, give it a claim to attention which no other species possesses. It is, however, delicate; its young shoots are nipped with spring frosts, and it often loses its leader, so that it is seldom a good tree is met with, and itis possible the specimen here mentioned may be as good as the generality. It is nota tree that I would recommend, except for some special situations, and must leave to others the task of selecting them. PicEA LAstocarpA.—This is nearly 17 feet high, and was planted in 1865. Itis a promising tree, and with P. Lowii and Parsonii, which I take to be all one, it is the largest-leaved of the Piceas. The leaves being also curved upwards (awl-shaped), differs much from those of P. Nordmanniana, which curve the reverse way, besides presenting other points of distinction. The tree is not so densely clothed with foliage as the last named species. Picra NorpMAnnisna, planted in 1865, is upwards of 12 feet high. It appears to grow fast, and is a desirable tree, but the specimens here are small, and my only purpose in alluding to itis to inquire if when it attains greater age it resolves itself into the common Silver Fir. I have heard of this being the case, but am not able to offer any opinion myself on this point, as all the specimens here are sufficiently different in their present condition to entitle them to be considered to belong to a distinct name. PIcEA MAGNIFICA, P. AMABILIS, AND P. GRANDIS—We have specimens of these and other species, but not very large; and the distinctions amongst them not being clearly defined, I refrain from mentioning them further. TaxoDIUM SEMPERYIRENS, 37 feet high ; planted in1852. A fine tree, very hardy, and not particular as to soil, as we have more than one specimen succeeding tolerably well, growing in the most unpromising position possible. Its thick spongy bark is singular.—J. Rosson. (To be continued.) HEATING BY HOT WATER AND HOT ATR. T am afraid Mr. Housman and I must agree to differ. He will think me, no doubt, very obstinate, but I fail to be convinced. I speak from experience, having a hot-air heating apparatus which warms a greenhouse next to my house, and also my hall and staircase. The firebox is made of fireclay lumps inside a brick chamber, ana I pass the products of combustion through four rows of 4-inch pipes, three pipes in each row, representing in all 48 feet of 4inch piping within the chamber. The chamber is fed direct by a current of outer air passing over evaporating- pans. I can obtain plenty of heat, but it is not economical, as, in spite of the 48 feet of horizontal iron piping through which the smoke has to pass, the chimney is too much heated. This I can test very well, as the first part of the chimney after leay- ing the pipes in the chamber is through a 9-inch fireclay pipe in a passage in my cellar. There is no error from want of a tall shaft, as the chimney is a very tall one, at least 45 feet from the level of the firebox. I find no difficulty in saturating air, after it is heated, by passing it over evaporating-pans in the flues or pipes, by which it is conveyed to the place to be heated; but if cold air is to be drawn by rapid currents over evaporating-pans previous to its being heated, it will be found almost impossible, in spite of Mr. Housman’s wet and dry-bulb thermometers, to saturate it. Itis of no avail towards extracting the heat from the gills of Mr. Housman’s stove to saturate the air after it is heated, the object aimed at being—as moist air is a better conductor of heat than dry—to supply moist air to the stove to extract the heat.. As heated air is capable of containing far more moisture than cold air, and the proportion of vapour it can contain increases. in accordance with the heat, so it is easy to saturate air with moisture after it is heated, by supplying plenty of water in the: pipes it has to traverse. So little fuel is really required to- create a draught, that the practical loss of heating power in. creating the draught is a matter of small moment; and as high chimneys conduce to more rapid combustion, they are, if not properly attended to by regulating the dampers in the flues, &c.,. more likely to produce waste of fuel than economy, especially in heating horticultural boilers. I likewise do not agree with Mr. Housman’s argument, that with the same amount of fuel burnt. the draught would be twice as quick. through a 12-feet chimney asa6. Mr. Taylor’s evaporating-troughs are in my mind very different to Mr. Housman’s. The house does not depend for its: heat on the air admitted, because the troughs are on the top of the pipes which heat the house. Mr. Taylor’s troughs merely ventilate the houses with air which is heated and made moist by passing over troughs before it can enter the house, and he has a small ventilator in the roof. Theoretically it sounds right —that if air is to be allowed to escape, it is better that cold air should escape rather than hot; but the fault I find with Mr. Housman’s system is, according to his own statements, it is made to depend on rapid currents of air impinging on heated gills of iron, and consequently there must be also a rapid exit of air and consequent loss of heat. This is very different from slowly changing the air in the house by means of such appli- ances as Mr. Taylor’s. I, for one, do not believe in the necessity for plants living in such draughts as some of the modern appli- ances for ventilation are suggestive of; they do not consume oxygen so rapidly as to require this constant change. With regard to the loss of heat in creating a draught, and the impossibility of economising the heat used for that purpose, I. can assure Mr. Housman that I Lave put up a heating apparatus in a church, where there are two rows of 9-inch fireclay pipes set hollow inside a wide flue, which takes the products of com- bustion from a firebox made of 3-inch fireclay lumps. The first pipes from the firebox are iron, and every fourth one of the length of the pipes is iron. The length of these pipes before they enter the chimney is about 70 feet, and so completely do they extract the heat, that the pipes near the fire may be red-hot, and yet there is hardly any perceptible heat in the pipes furthest from the fire before they enter the upright shaft. My object in putting up the heating apparatus was to see whether it was not possible, by means of a long horizontal shaft of fireclay pipes only three-quarters of an inch thick, to economise all the heat caused by the products of combustion, A small stove is used at first at the base of the upright shaft, which is not a tall one, to create a draught, but when once the fire in the heating ap- paratus is going, there is no further necessity for the stove, and the fire is allowed to go out; the draught is still good, even though the smoke, or rather gases, are so nearly cold by the time they reach the upright, that the waste is practically nz. It is this which leads me to doubt the practical accuracy of Mr. Housman’s remarks, that the heat necessary to cause a draught cannot be used for the further purposes of heating; and though there must be a certain waste of heat in a chimney, yet it can be reduced to such a minimum as to prove of no great moment. If anyone wishes to test the relative power of conduction, or of extracting heat from iron, between water and air, he has only to heat two iron bars to the same degree of temperature, and see iow much sooner the bar will cool when plunged into water, than if left in air of the same temperature as the water. The true. value of water as a means of conveying heat is, that it has such power of storing up latent heat, and that it parts with it slowly. The best conductors do not necessarily cool the fastest, even if they heat the soonest. However, this is entering on a wide subject—in fact, the discussion between Mr. Housman and myself is one about which there are many differences of opinion both practically and theoretically, though I believe, if we had the opportunity of discussing the matter together, we should agree in the main points at issue, but not in the details. I forgot to add that when I spoke of the products of combus= tion playing on to fireclay lumps, I alluded to the fire itself. Mr. H. makes a distinction between the ignited fuel and the products of combustion. I was contrasting the difference September 26, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 249 between the fire in his apparatus and that in a horticultural boiler where the ignited fuel comes in direct contact with the iron, which never rises above the temperature of boiling water. In his apparatus it comes in contact with fire lumps, which I quite agree with him is the right thing for all air stoves, but it is here they contrast disadvantageously with boilers. Thanking Mr. Housman for his courteous reply, l am—Your REPORTER. {Here this controversy must close.—EDs. ] ADARE MANOR.—No. 3. County Limericr, IRELAND. (Concluded from page 233.) Tue ground at the entrance front of the Manor is the Knoll, that is so effective in the picture as seen from the old Abbey. Here it is undulating and broken-up by large mounds, on which stand some of the great old Elms. Here there are some good masses of shrubs and some promising evergreen trees. Until Mr. Laidley took charge of the grounds at Adare the planting of ‘Conifer was a failure. This arose from the peculiar subsoil, which is a white limestone gravel of a very hard texture. On this natural formation the English Elm is the only tree that grows freely and to a good size, and Mr. Laidley deserves the highest credit for the successful way in which the ornamental trees are growing up. The success has been accomplished by excavating large quantities of the subsoil, and securing good drainage, and substituting soil suited to the growth of the trees to be planted. The trees here referred to have been about ten years planted, and were then small; yet a Wellingtonia is now 21 feet high with fine branches ; a Cupressus macrocarpa 30 feet high and 20 feet through the branches. Others are equally thriving. Some Cedars of Lebanon on this ground were in a sickly state, the points of the young shoots dying back, but they have now a fine healthy appearance. The Abies Douglasii is the most difficult to deal with on the limestone formation, and with few exceptions this tree is not thriving at Adare. A fine broad walk running parallel with the terrace garden, and sepa- rated from it by a green ramp, leads to the kitchen garden and pleasure grounds south of the Manor; on each side of this walk is planted, at 20 feet distant, fine pyramidal specimens of Gold and Silver Hollies. At about 200 yards from the Manor there is on a rising ground a group of good Cedar of Lebanon. ‘These trees are quite a feature, but their future beauty will be greatly impaired if some of the Sweet Chestnuts are not cleared away from them. Near this is a broad-headed gnarled Oak called the Killarney Oak; the circumference of the branches is 90 yards. This is a hoary-looking tree, but its age is only about fourscore, as we find inscribed on a large block of stone that ‘‘I left the woods of Killarney in 1791 in the pocket of Sir Richard Quin’s shooting jacket. Dear owner of Adare, don’t put me into your pocket.” Just under the Cedar branches is a group of peculiar interest to the antiquary ; this is a collection of Ogham stones, presented to the late Earl of Dunraven by Mr. Shine Lawler, on whose property they were found in Co. Kerry, in an old Danish moat. The stones now stand as arranged by the late Earl, assisted by the late Dr. Petrie of Dublin, and Dean Graves, now Bishop of Limerick. At this spot are some fine trees of the common Yew, which _luxuriates in the stiff limestone formation; but here we find the Avaucarias a failure. Never will that tree thrive on that reten- tive soil, unless special means are taken to provide the tree with -its natural requirements, which, singular to say, the late Harl did not believe. Further on the enclosed pleasure ground extends considerably, ‘and great part of it has been planted within the last twelve years. Here is a fine old specimen of Pterocarya caucasica, and we notice a good Ailanthus at least 30 feet high, which was transplanted two years ago, and is growing as if never moved. In this new ground is an extensive collection of rare trees and shrubs. Thriving well is a large plant of the elegant Cupressus Knightii, a species which should be largely planted in Ireland. Before passing from this ground, the outside. of the garden wall deserves notice for its peculiar battlements and the great old Magnolias which, up to the winter of 1860-61, were a great fea- ture of Adare; the old tree-like stems have thrown up suckers, which are again flowering as of old. In passing through this “part of the grounds it is gratifying to see the Pinus insignis in such a fine thriving state ; and we learn a mostimportant lesson from Mr. Laidley’s practice—namely, to plant this rapid-srow- ing tree in a seedling state. When the P. insignis is planted in an exposed position, it will rarely stand the wind unless planted when young. ‘ We now follow a drive leading towards the river through the open park, and enter a wood of considerable extent, where we are at once attracted by the extraordinary fleeces of lichens on the trees. Some years ago Mr. Laidley wrote some very practical articles on the injury done to trees by such excess of lichens, but we cannot enter into this matter now further than to state that the plantation is seriously injured by the lichens. On a strip of ground close by the river, and about a mile from the Manor, we come upon a plantation of Conifere, of which the great Californian Cypress is the most remarkable. This ground lies between the hydraulic ram which supplies the Manor with water and the river, and is covered for a large part of the winter with water, yet the tree is in the best of health; and so pleased was the late Earl with the unexpected growth of the Cupressus macrocarpa in such a position, that he greatly in- creased the planting of this tree up the river until we come on an open meadow, where are planted Evergreen Oaks in groups. This meadow is backed by a rising pasture, in which is the wood, where stand the ruins of the house built by*a son of “ Shady Quin,” and here still remain the ancient rows of Elms. We are now at the Islands, round which the river divides in a very peculiar manner, and the three streams are crossed by flat iron bridges. The first island stands nearly in the centre of the river, and is planted chiefly with groups of Poplars, Golden and Scarlet Willows. On the other island is planted a variety of Cypresses, Piceas, &c.; and from the centre of this island is seen the historical tower of Dysart, which stands on the farm of Messrs. Christy, the celebrated short-horn breeders. This tower is 67 feet high, and is said to have been founded by a friar in the eighth century, and tradition says the master builder was a woman. We are now over the river and pass through some good Beech trees, ascending to a plateau, from which there is a beautiful view of the valley through which the river flows; andthe Manorand old Abbey, divided by the great Elms, also present a grand picture. The drive leads on to Mount William opposite the Manor, where the young plantation is most interesting. Here are striking groups of Sequoia sempervirens and Cupressus macrocarpa, also fine thriving Pinus insignis, and promising trees of Abies Douglasii. Farther on we come on deep old grayel pits well planted with choice trees and shrubs. From here we get the splendid view of the Manor (see page 232), with the terrace wall and fine Cedar tree. Again we sweep round on the old Abbey and cross the bridge, turning to the right on the drive towards Adare village, and coming in front of the massive ruins of Des- mond Castle. We can scarcely move a step without being re- minded by some monument of the stirring events of this his- torical place, while we stand looking at Desmond Castle, the old ruins and burying ground near it; the Augustinian Abbey, now the Protestant Church; the Trinitarian Abbey, now the Roman Catholic chapel, and founded by Maurice second baron of Offly in 1230. We are asked to note a stone at our feet, which had been placed at an old Ash tree wow decayed, telling that beneath the roots of this tree the valuable silver plate, &c., was secreted in the troublesome times of 1798. We must now leave this group of ruins by stating that in 1599 the Earl of Essex slept within the ruined walls of the Augustinian Abbey when he came to Ireland to assail the Geraldines. We now reach the main walk, and sit where we may suppose Griffin sat when composing the following lines— “Oh sweet Adare! Oh lovely vale! Oh soft retreat of sylyan splendour! Nor summer sun nor morning gale Wer hailed a scene so softly tender.” This walk leads us on the highest ridge of the grounds into the kitchen garden. It is a plain square, with heavy stone walls and subdividing walls. The fruit houses are of a plain substan- tial kind, and there are useful ranges of pits; but the glass structures at Adare are not in proportion to the requirements of the family and the dignity of the place. The gardening, how- ever, is not the less meritorious. We have never met with a higher combination of gardening talent combined with unwearied industry than we meet in Mr. Laidley. POTATOES DISEASED AND UNDISEASED. Prrnars it may interest some to know that I have this day (September 18) dug up Potatoes (Sutton’s Flourball) without a single diseased tuber; though Paterson’s Victoria on one side and Racehorse on the other close by, are very bad indeed. I find one thing worthy of remark, that though that red Potato is free from disease, a great many of the finest tubers are honeycombed out by a grub, which is not seen in the other kinds. This is the case in two gardens that I haye more than a mile apart, with soils quite different—T. 8. C., Bristol. [We wish our readers would state to us the varieties they find least diseased, as wel! as those most diseased. Ifa grub is sent to us we may be able to identify it.—Eps.] FRENCH LOVE OF FLOWERS. An American in Paris writes as follows:—‘‘The French woman must haye her daily supply of flowers even if she is compelled to stint her table to obtain them. When she pur- chases the substantials for her breakfast she is sure to take 250 home with her a bouquet of flowers. You will scarcely pass a window at an inhabitable house where, from the basement to the pens erected upon the roofs, six-or seven storeys from the ground, there is not a display of flower-pots. Having secured quarters high up in the Louvre we can look down upon the upper storeys of the neighbouring houses, in each room of which there appears to be a separate family. They seem to be tailors, and at daybreak in the morning the men are plying | their needles, and the women preparing for breakfast and arranging their bouquets for the breakfast table. The cultiva- tion of flowers in all the palace gardens and squares, and even by the street sides in the Champs Elysées, is carried to perfec- tion. The Luxembourg garden is the finest display of flowers cultivated in the open air I have ever witnessed, and it is thronged every evening with admiring visitors. So also at the Jardin des Plantes, which we visited this afternoon. It was crowded with visitors, and the flowers attracted more attention than the great exhibition of the cattle of the field, the bird of the air, the beast of the jungle, and the fish of the sea, which are here collected, and open free to the inspection of the public.” ERIDGEH CASTLE, Tuer Seat or tHE Hart or ABERGAVENNY. Eripce Castie is an elegant modern building with embattled walls, and numerous towers and turrets. It is rich in elaborate architectural embellishments, beautiful in its graceful outlines and in the contrast of the deep green of the Ivy gradually overspreading and concealing its white walls, and certainly very striking in its pleasing freshness of aspect, so bright, so entirely in harmony with the scenery around it, and so differ- ent from the stern repellent state and grandeur of those old feudal structures— “ With towers vast, Broad, massive, high, and stretching far, And held impregnable in war.” Eridge Castle is finely situated upon a turfy knoll, having a few fine trees and shrubs skilfully dispersed over its trim sur- face, and the ground slopes gently downwards till it meets the park. The view of the park from a terrace on the south front is very fine. Immediately in front the turf dips downwards to the winding shores of a lake of about twenty acres, and be- yond it rises again in grand irregularity, now spreading out in ample breadth, overshadowed at parts by noble old trees, and then ascending till it is lost in the thickly-wooded slopes of Saxonbury Hill, which, with a tower crowning its summit, forms a majestic and fitting background to a scene of singular and uncommon beauty, which has been described in a poem not without enthusiasm, from which the following is an extract :— “Tis beautiful, this sylvan scene around ! What sunny glades! what dark’ning woods abound! And sloping lawns, where brouse the sprightly deer; And crystal lakes, where swans majestic steer. On towing heights the Birch waves in the gale, And ancient Oaks befriend the sultry vale. The Hawthorn bush upon the extended plain Adds its wild glories to this proud domain, Whilst Beech, and Larch, and Scotia’s sombre Pine, Form pleasing groups, or show in martial line. Here, opening vistas glow with brightest green; There, bonnie Heath on distant hill is seen— The whole how grand, harmonious, and chaste!” This grand old park is supposed to be the oldest recorded deer park in England; that the adjoining woods are extensive may be inferred from the fact that they are intersected by seventy miles of grass drives. It is in the Sussex parish of Frant. In Anglo-Saxon times the manor belonged to Godwin, Earl of Kent, but the Norman Conqueror seized the estate and granted it to his follower, the Earl of Mortaigne. There was a large mansion here from the earliest times, and members of the Royal Family resided here until the time of Charles I., but it had long before passed to the family of the Nevills, Earls of Abergavenny. It belonged to them when Queen Elizabeth was a guest here in 1573, and “Henry Neyill, Lord Bergayenny, who died in 1586, was a favourite of the Queen.” It came to the Nevills by Sir Edward Nevill marrying, about the year 1450, Lady Elizabeth Beauchamp, heiress of Lord Bergayenny, created Earl of Worcester by Henry V. Tunbridge Wells owes much to Eridge Castle, if it be true that the efficacy of its mineral waters was accidentally discovered by Dudley, Lord North, who was staying at the Castle, suffering from a lingering com- plaint. This was in the reign of James I., and his lordship effectually made known the sanitary powers of the waters. JOURNAL O& HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 26, 1872. The lawn is extensive, and sweeps boldly around three sides of the Castle. On the north side it has an abrupt descent, with a large semicircular opening or chasm in one part of the face of the bank, the steep irregular sides of which are planted with Rhododendrons, and will eventually form a picturesque and important feature, thus bringing into promi- nence a portion of the dressed grounds which formerly could hardly have been worthy of the name. This, I should observe, is one of many important improvements being gradually effected under the able supervision of Mr. Rust. Numerous older groups of Rhododendrons dispersed among: other shrubs were very luxuriant. The shrubs and trees generally were very vigorous, notably a fine example of Weep- ing Birch and some yery large and symmetrical Portugal Laurels, which present the appearance of a beautiful mound of deep green glossy foliage. Of this Laurel it may very justly be said, that when unhealthy nothing can be more unsightly ; but when thriving, as at Eridge, there are few shrubs that can compare with it, either for beautiful foliage or symmetrical growth. There were, besides, numerous flourishing examples of Araucaria, a Picea grandis planted by Mr. Disraeli, some black Italian Poplars curiously laden with immense clusters of Mistletoe, and some very handsome Wellingtonias upwards of 30 feet high, raised from seed sown in 1851. The flower garden is enclosed on three sides by the Castle and a conservatory. The flower-beds, of medium size and simple form, were in full summer beauty. Very little sub- division was observable, most of the beds containing a distinct mass of one colour. Numerous vases, elevated on pedestals and well filled with plants, contributed very materially to the appearance of the garden. These vases form a charming avenue, with a path paved with broad flagstones, and edged with neat terra-cotta tiles, leading to the conservatory. By the side of another similar path was a fine ribbon border, haying a row of Echeyeria secunda glauca next the terra-cotta tiles, then a fine belt of Alternanthera maculata, with pretty foliage of mingled crimson and orange, followed by a row of Lobelia pumila grandiflora, each plant having the appearance of a pretty compact mound of blue enamel, for the plants were arranged with excellent taste—just far enough apart to admit. of their touching each other when in flower, without the growth becoming so blended as to affect their outline. With Lobelia speciosa we are content to obtain a compact even line of blue, but in the pumila section we have colour of an equad depth and richness, and a beauty of form that renders indivi- duality very desirable. The fourth, or back row, was of Mrs. Pollock Pelargonium. The conservatory, by Ormson, is of plain exterior, but an excellent structure, well adapted to its purpose, as was clearly shown by the excellent condition of its occupants, more espe- cially the climbing plants, which were in great beauty. They were trained beneath the roof on pendant chains in the form of festoons, from which trailed flower-laden branches in charm- ing profusion. There were the fine old Tacsonias mollissima and manicata, the beautiful Van-Volxemi, neyer so fine as when seen thus suspended, the variegated Cobra, Clematis Lady Caroline Nevill, the sweet Mandeyilla, and a fine blue mass of that excellent but much-neglected plant Plumbago capensis. Beneath and among the branches of the climbing plants were hanging-baskets suspended from the roof, and tastefully filled with a brilliant mixture of plants. These, seen as they were among the somewhat wild yet graceful growth of the roof plants, had a charming effect. Two fine groups of Camellias, surrounded by a variety of interesting pot plants arranged in excellent taste, occupied the centre of the building, and various plants in flower, elevated on stands and brackets, gave to the scene a pleasing air of lightness and grace. A winding walk, fringed with Rhododendrons, leads to a more secluded part, where was a ribbon border 700 feet long, having a sheltering belt of shrubs behind, and agreeably re- lieved by a considerable breadth of turf stretching along its front. The border contained six rows; the first of Ageratum Imperial Dwarf, bluish grey; the second of Pelargonium Little David, scarlet; the third, Verbena venosa, purple; the fourth, yellow Calceolaria; the fifth, Iresine Lindeni, crimson ; and the sixth or back row, Anthemis fcniculata, a species of Chamomile, a capital plant for the purpose, having serrated foliage and simple flowers of a pure white. This arrangement, composed as it was of simple yet most suitable materials, had an excellent effect. Ageratum Imperial Dwarf is really a fine dwarf plant, easily raised from seed, as is the Anthemis ; and I believe I am correct in stating that the whole of the plants, September 26, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 251 both of these and Verbena venosa, were seedlings, so that the materials for such a border are within the reach of those having yery limited glass accommodation. Taken as an ex- ample of a clever arrangement of plants easily obtained and | out in rich variety all along the ribbon border, beyond which | downwards to the lake. cultivated, and producing a strikingly beautiful effect, it was | very praiseworthy. Apart from this consideration such dis- plays do not very much interest one, and I must confess to a | decided preference for herbaceous plants in borders so situated. Very rare, indeed, is it that one meets with a really good and well-arranged collection of herbaceous plants. Out-of-the-way borders, in which a few of them are suffered to exist in miser- able unkempt disorder, are common enough; but they are surely worthy of something more than this, for they are so beautiful and interesting, that I do not doubt eventually due attention and prominence will be given both to herbaceous and Alpine plants. Fine views of the beautiful undulations of the park open a walk winds in pleasing curves between high turf-clad banks Upon the top of each bank is a line of Conifers planted in pairs by members of the family—that is to say, any plant on one bank is of a similar kind to the one opposite it on the other bank: as these gain size, the beauty and finish of this part of the grounds will be much enhanced. Another feature of interest very near this walk is a Rose garden made and planted last season. The situation is good, for it is upon a gentle slope quite at the extremity of the dressed grounds, beyond some dispersed groups of Rhododen- drons, and is well screened from the south-western gales—so trying and seyere in this part of Sussex—by a thick irregular belt of trees and shrubs. The design is of a circular form, | consisting of a double series of curved oblong and circular beds surrounding a central group of iron pillars, with pendant chains for climbing Roses, Eridge Castle. The glass houses, pits, and offices are arranged in a spacious quadrangle, enclosed by walls adjoining the kitchen garden. The stove, a span-roofed structure, haying a raised bed along its centre with a water-tank beneath, and wide shelves along its sides, contained an interesting and very healthy collection of the plants generally found in such houses. Among them were some well-flowered Eucharis, the curious Drosera dicho- toma, the charming Adiantum farleyense, one of the finest and most distinct Ferns of modern introduction, and a rich variety of Caladiums, Dracenas, and Lycopods. Planted in the centre bed of this house, and trained along wires under the roof, were four climbers which were worthy of note as being in Mr. Rust’s estimation the best four stove climbers; they were Bougainyillea spectabilis, Stephanotis floribunda, Passi- flora princeps laden with brilliant racemes of its bright pink flowers, and the magnificent free-flowering Allamanda Hendersoni. Among the Vines were good bunches of Lady Downe’s, well coloured and with fine berries. The White Lady Downe’s was not so satisfactory, shanking being visible in the whole of its bunches ; that this is peculiar to it was evident from the fact that the fruit of several other varieties of Grapes growing in the same house was quite free of this evil. I noticed excel- lent fruit of Mrs. Pince’s Muscat, and that distinct and yalu- able late Grape Black Alicante. Pines, both fruiting and succession, were in excellent condition. Pot-culture is followed, and the favourite kinds are Smooth-leayed Cayenne and Ripley Queen. Melons are grown extensively in pits, and although many kinds are cultivated, preference is given to Bromham Hall. 4° 147° S07|"32:" 8 950) | 165 sb 80n 28 | M Sr. Sron AnD Sv. JuDE. 54.5 | 35.9 | 45.2 27 49 6/88 4/58 -1)]48 8) 26° |16 9} 302 29 Tu 54.0 | 85.7 | 44.8 20 BAe 6a Siacy Aad Bris 8l AL|| eO7pee Geese S03: 30 WwW Hare hunting begins. 54.9 | 88.3 | 46.6 | 22 53 6/385 4,25 4 | 15 4 28 16 16 | 304 se il sail | | esate eed From observations taken near London during forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 55.2°; and its night temperature 37.5°. The greatest heat was 67°, on the 25th, 29th, and 30th, 1833 ; and the lowest cold 22°, on the 28th, 1836. The greatest fall of rain was 1.03 inch. JOTTINGS ON THIS YEAR’S GARDENING.—No.1. | THE POTATO DISEASE. - HE only preliminary remarks I shall offer are that the following and future “Jottings” on garden subjects in 1872 have been made in the north-east corner of the North Riding | of Yorkshire, about three miles from the sea, over which the wind from the north- east to south-east mects no barrier but the shore, and being at a considerable elevation, we are exposed to its influences, which, however invigorating to man, often tell dis- astrously on vegetation. T'rom the south-east to north- west, following the same course, there is no shelter but distant Heath-clad hills. Northward we have the sea, but the force of the wind from that quarter is broken by high cliffs, with woods near at hand. The soil varies very considerably—peat in some places, sandy loam, medium- textured loam to strong loam, and stiff clay—the subsoil being clay, sand, or gravel, rock cropping up very near the surface in some spots. I think enough has been said to justify a not very favourable idea of the jottings to follow. They are given, however, with a view to profit. I shall, therefore, deal with the most profitable subject first—viz., Potatoes. Potatoes are generally very much diseased. The early kinds planted on a south border at the end of February, and comprising Ashleaf and Myatt’s Prolific, had no diseased tubers, as they were ripened and up before the disease prevailed. They are laid on latticed shelves, are greened, and show no evidence of the diseajge, which, as was stated in this Journal a short time ago, a greened Potato never exhibits. Of Lapstone, Early Oxford, and Victoria planted at the same time (end of February), a few of the Lapstone are diseased, fully half of the Early Oxford—it also produced a bad crop this season, though usually a good cropper—and Victoria is in as bad a plight as to disease, but there is a very much better crop. The ‘soil where the last three were grown is much stronger and wetter than where the Ashleaf and Prolific matured. Though a light soil is best for Lapstone, there was an excellent crop of it, and the little disease amongst the tubers is the more remarkable. In March we planted in a light soil Ashleaf, Veitch’s Ashleaf, and King. The growth of these was not good. They came up and were all along weak; the only crop good was Veitch’s Ashleaf, and of it very few were dis- eased. King was fully half diseased, Ashleaf not many diseased; it was, however, a poor crop. At the same time as these were put in we planted in stiff soil Mona’s Pride; a round but rather flat sort, name not known; Early Rose; and a late kind of Lapstone that has a purple sprout like that kind, but very strong and stiff. Of Mona’s Pride one-fourth was diseased, and of Early Rose about the same; of the “‘ unknown” flattish round kind about a tenth was diseased ; and of the Lapstone variety yeferred to fully half, this being the third season of its growth, up to which it resisted the disease. No. 604—Vot, XXIII., New SERIEs. Early in April we planted Early Rose and the Lapstone variety, rose or pinkish-skinned, in light soil. These produced a heavy crop, and when mature one-sixth of the Early Rose and one-fourth of the rose-skinned Lap- stone variety proved to be diseased. The last kind being like the other variety of Lapstone in its third year, up to which it showed no symptoms of disease, says nothing in favour of kinds recently raised escaping the disease better than the sorts that have been many years in cultiva- tion. Last season I had a great many more kinds, but though some were heavy croppers, and others of tolerably good quality, I did not consider them deserving of garden culture, and the kinds I have now might be reduced to three or four—namely, Veitch’s Ashleaf, Myatt’s Prolific, Lapstone, and Victoria. The best of the lot is, as to crop and quality, Lapstone. It ought to be stated that there are numerous forms or types of the Lapstone, many of them poor croppers and of inferior quality. The true kind has a flat, broad, thick, and not very long tuber ; eyes few and small, scarcely visible; skin rather rough or russety, free from irregularities; sprout bright purple, very thin or small, and not showing many rootlets; haulm stiff; leaves large, light green; flowers large, white, not plentiful; “apples” few; fit for use about the middle of July; ripe and fit to store by the end of that month or beginning of August. The “ flattish round sort” I have without a name I had highly recommended as a second first early, coming in at the same time as Myatt’s Prolific. Whether itis a kind of local name and origin I have not been able to ascertain. Whatever its name or origin, it is a flattish round tuber, eyes few and small, skin rather rough and russety, sprout reddish purple, moderately strong, haulm stiff and short, leaves large, flowers none. Fit for use the middle of July, and ripe the end of that month or early-in August. The cropping quality is good, the tubers being of a good and even size with scarcely a small one. I am so well pleased with this that I shall prove it more extensively next season, and grow it largely should it bear out its good character, which is that it is as early as any of the second early kidney sorts, and equal to the Lapstone in quality. AIL the round sorts that I know, used before mature, are so waxy and watery as to resemble a Turnip or Jerusalem Artichoke. It is the same with the round kinds, whether srown in frames or the open ground; until the haulm be yellow or the skin set, it is of no use expecting any- thing approaching mealiness or dryness in them. Unripe (and they are later than most kidney sorts), they may suit those who do not value a Potato only because it is “new,” and have no heed to quality. Mona's Pride IT can only speak in favour of for frames, and that because it attains maturity soon; the tubers, though not nume- rous, arrive at good and even size, and their quality is good. That kind, Veitch’s Ashleaf, and Myatt’s Prolific, I consider the best for frames. Respecting the disease, I would submit that it has never presented itself with me in the kinds grown in pots or planted in beds under glass. They are planted early, commencing in November, ‘and planting is con- No. 1256.—Vou. XLVIII., OLp SzRIEs. 322 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ October 24, 1872. tinued at intervals of about three weeks up to the middle of February ; they mature before the disease manifests itself. The true cause of the disease appears to me to be too moist an atmosphere and soil, which induce over-luxuriance or a gyoss growth ; the tissues of the plant are consequently gorged with crude sap, requiring light and heat, with dryness, for its due digestion or elaboration. When a close, moist, dull atmo- sphere prevails and the soil is wet—when, too, there is but little range of temperature—the leaves are unable to digest or elaborate the sap impelled into them, and the descending sap by which the tubers are formed (I know that Potatoes will form tubers without the presence of leaves, but in this case the elaboration of the sap takes place by the skin of the tubers in course of formation, and they are very deficient in starch, being mere waxy lumps of matter) not being perfectly elaborated, it is conveyed by the stem to the tubers along the root-stem, and reaches them in a crude state, and thus a fitting medium is prepared for the spores, mycelium, and development of the fungus (Botrytis infestans), or Potato disease, which spreads until it destroys every part of the diseased tuber, or that part of it containing but littlestarch. The disease attains a greater degree of development in some tubers than in others. Some are entirely destroyed by the fungus, and become rotten; others are only diseased in part, the disease commencing at the core, and manifesting itself on the surface or skin in specks or blotches. The parts of the tuber which resist the attack contain starch, which those which are diseased do not contain, or only in small quantity. It is also desirable to notice that a Potato diseased, but having the growing parts or eyes not affected, will on exposure to light have the parts not diseased greened. Those in which the growing parts or eyes are diseased will not green, even in the sound parts, but will retain their original colour as dug from the soil; ulceration sets in, and a peculiar unpleasant smell, the accompaniment of putrefaction,is emitted. In some instances the tubers do not rot, but the parts dry in. This is commonly the case with those having the eyes (though in some parts diseased) unaffected by the disease. If the disease originates from the imperfect elaboration of the sap, or the crude matters taken up by the roots from the soil, or by the leaves from the atmosphere, how does it happen that the leaves first show evidence of the disease, the stem next, and the tubers last of all? The leaves are the seat of the imperfectly elaborated juices of the plant; by the leaves the sap is drawn up or derived, in them it is digested or fitted for the formation of the tubers, and from them it is conveyed to the stem and tuber. This imperfectly elaborated sap is diseased in the stomach and lungs—i.c., the leaves are dis- eased with the greatest virulence and first—they are first attacked, simply because they present a proper state of the plant to receive the spores or mycelium of the fungus; next to the leaves the stems are attacked, they acting as conduits of the imperfectly elaborated juices and receiving the diseased matter after the leaves; and lastly, the roots receive it, but with less- ened virulence. Here we have an instance of the care taken by Nature and her All-wise Originator for the preservation and perpetuation of everything of its kind. The tuber, being the continuation of the Potato, were the disease to originate in it there is eyery reason to believe that a diseased tuber would communicate the disease to its progeny. On the other hand, a diseased tuber gives a stiff sprout and stiff sturdy haulm, ripens its tubers off in good time—a considerable time before those that are planted quite sound; and whilst the latter have, if the season be favourable to the development of the disease, many diseased tubers, those resulting from the diseased set are quite free, perfect in every way for the perpetuation of the kind. In this I see the care of Providence for the con- tinuance and preservation of everything; also that the Potato disease is not hereditary. If the aboye premises are just, and the theory established, it will follow—ist, That the disease is producible; 2nd, That it is avoidable. With the view of proving the correctness of the first proposition, let us suppose that we plant a frame, say a three-light one, with Potatoes in February, with the ayowed intention of producing diseased tubers. The soil shall be rich, in garden phrase ‘full of manure,” such being conducive to free growth. Let the frame stand in the open ground, and let the sets be of a kind that has never been known to be diseased, or let them be of any kind whatever, due regard being paid to planting them ata distance suitable to the full development of the variety. We shall not put on the lights until the haulm is strong and tubers have begun to form; then we will raise ‘the frame 13 inches on bricks placed under the corners, and put on the lights. Over the frame let a wooden framework be formed 4 feet larger than the frame every way, and high enough for a man to walk erect round the frame, and let it have a span-roof with an angle of 45°, and a door. This framework of wood must be covered with tiffany No. 3, and made close-fitting. The frame shall be kept close, except when the Potatoes are watered, which must be with rain or pond water to which half an ounce of sulphate of ammonia has been added to every hundred gallons. Let five gallons be given per square yard with a rose watering-pot throughout the whole extent of the covered space, both over the Potatoes and the tiffany enclosure, replacing the lights at once. Water twice in the following week, giving half the quantity at the week’s end, and the other half in three days. The haulm to be made thoroughly wet—leayes and stems—four times a-day, not con- fining the sprinkling to the frame, but applying it to the enclosed space, and it must-be impregnated with the ammonia. The sprinklings to be continued until the haulm is quite decayed or the leaves fallen, the waterings also—viz., one watering at first with five gallons per square yard, second week five gallons, but at twice, third week five gallons at once, and fourth week five gallons at five times, to be continued at this rate until the leaves and haulm perish. Be sure that the tubers are diseased after about four or six weeks of this treat- ment. The rainfall will be equal to (with the sprinkling) nearly 6 inches per month; the atmosphere close, moist, such as we experience in dull wet weather, and perceptibly impreg- nated with ammoniacal vapours. This treatment, I believe, will induce a state of the plant suited to the disease, of which it, along with the tubers, will inevitably perish.—G. ABBEY. HYBRID VIOLAS. In a season like the present, unprecedented for its wetness, it is a great matter to haye something to depend upon to em- bellish the flower garden besides our usual Geraniums, &e. Leayes rather than flowers were the characteristics of beds com- posed of these, and almost all other bedding plants were equally disappointing, with the exception of hybrid Violas. It is in praise of the latter class of plants that I wish to direct attention. Mr. Williams has conferred a great boon on the flower gardener in giving Viola Perfection, Enchantress, and Magnificent, which, when better known, will be universally cultivated. The late weather seems to have suited’ these Violas well, as they have flowered most profusely since the month of May till this late period of the autumn. Many persons are engaged in trying to improve the race, and obtain new colours between the Pansy and Viola cornuta, and in consequence of this Viola Perfection is surpassed both in quality of petal and dwarfness of growth. The two principal objects to be aimed at in obtain- ing improvements on existing varieties, are dwarfness of growth, and profusion of bloom, with variety in colour. Although many crosses have been obtained from Viola Perfection with various coloured Pansies, I have my own doubts if they will prove as useful as the seed-bearer. Blooms from this cross are more like Pansies than Violas; but they all possess the botanical distinction which gives the name to the race V. cornuta, ‘‘ the horn” projecting, and in some instances curling behind the footstalk. If the seed-bearer is the Pansy, the progeny are simply hybrid Pansies, and want the distinc- tion mentioned above, as the spur or horn hardly reaches the footstalk. No doubt some of these hybrid Pansies will prove useful bedders; but I am doubtful if they will not take more after the Pansy than the Viola, and lack the robustness of growth of the latter. In the first instance, then, it is desirable to have the Viola cornuta for the mother. Mauve Queen and Purple King are both excellent in growth and shade of colour in the flower. The white variety, as far as I know, has not been: tried as a seed-bearer, but would, doubtless, yield white and yellow hybrids crossed with self Pansies of these colours. The Violas are easily fertilised, as a rule, if the following precautions be used. A fine sunny morning is the first re- quisite. About eleyen or twelve o’clock remove the under petal carefully from the Viola to be operated on, and examine the pistil with the glass to ascertain that the bees haye not anticipated you, and that there is no pollen already there ; next very carefully remove the under petal of the Pansy, and ob- serve in the suleus or furrow with the glass and you will per- ceive the fine dust or pollen there—that is to say, if the flower is in a proper state, and apply this under petal so that the top of the pistil may be drawn through the furrow among the October 24, 1872. ] pollen. A well-charged under petal will fertilise several blooms of the Viola. Now tie a piece of scarlet worsted round the footstalk of the blooms operated on, to direct us to the hybridised capsule, and protect the blooms from the intrusion of insects with a piece of fine net. If the weather should prove favourable, which is indispensable, and the cross prove suc- cessful, the capsule will ripen in three weeks. The seeds, whenever they become brown, should be sown immediately, and the seedlings brought on as fast as possible. This season a batch of seedling hybrids from a Viola like Perfection, crossed with various-coloured Pansies, have flowered here. Among others there are two very fine shades of blue, lilacs, clarets, dark shaded with blue; but their constitution, dwarfness, and freedom of flowering has yet to be proved. This season I have a large quantity of seedlings from crosses with V. cornuta Mauve Queen and various coloured Pansies. The above-mentioned hybrids from Perfection are to flower next spring, and Viola cornuta Mauve Queen is invariably the mother. I feel sure without the Viola habit we shall not succeed in obtaining the desirable properties requisite for a good bedding plant; but I am as sure that in a very few years we shall have splendid variety in the colour of the cornuta race, quite ex- celling all bedding Pansies in constitution and freedom of flowering. To assist in attaining this desirable end I offer these few thoughts on the subject, with all deference to hybrid- ists, for what they are worth.—C. Stuart, M.D., Hillside, Chirnside, N.B. SUCCESSION OF GERANIUM FLOWERS. Many may be glad if you would call their attention to the facility with which a good show of Geraniums may be secured in flower through a great part of the winter by merely taking off the buds during the summer. Very little glass is required, as the plants stand out of doors till the end of September, when they may be left to flower inaroom. My neighbours often say to me, ‘* How is it you always get flowers in your rooms in the winter, when hardly anyone has any?”’ They have been surprised to hear how easy it is.—H.F. G. T. MOVING LARGE TREES. I wave long thought that moving large trees is a mistake, and generally involves a waste of money. Where funds are forthcoming it is easy enough to build houses, but timber trees are things of the past as well as of the present, and ancestral Oaks cannot be bought except as felled timber. Even eyer- green shrubs cannot be planted too smallif the finest speci- mens are desired in the future. In making a new garden, were the same money expended in manuring and trenching the soil as is spent in large shrubs over and above what small ones would have cost, I believe that in five years the advantage would be obvious to anyone. Most shrubs make a great pro- gress in good soil in five years; large shrubs transplanted often take that time to recover, and nearly as long to die; but in the case of timber trees I can hardly think anything more unlikely than that they can be moyed of large size, and afterwards make permanent trees. Who does not know that trees make roots in proportion to _their wants? A timber tree in an exposed situation must be well anchored to the soil, but if a thick plantation be too much thinned at once, the first high wind will show how little hold the trees have on the soil. What takes place when a large timber tree is removed? It may have been growing in a shel- tered situation; you plant it, perhaps, in an exposed one; the soil in which it has been growing may be light and sandy, that to which it is removed may be clay. In a deep soil its roots may have found plenty of moisture, and it is planted, perhaps, on a dry hill top. It is a fine specimen, and you desire to remoye it; because it. found everything favourable to its de- velopment where it has grown for perhaps fifty years, is it very probable it will continue in good health and beauty for another fifty when the circumstances—its ‘‘ surroundings,” as the Americans say—are so different ? But the question, How is it going to fasten itself to the earth ? is to me the most difficult question. Of course you must support it effectually, or the first high wind will lay it pro- strate. Plenty of wire rope tied a good way up, and well fastened to oak stakes driven in the ground, will render it secure, and give you, whilst they remain, as much idea of a ship’s mast as an ‘‘ ancestral Oak.’ But this is only for a time, some will say. When the tree has made fresh roots they can be removed. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 825 There is, I think, the question of most importance. When will it have made these fresh roots? No doubt, if the tree in any degree gets over its removal, it will make fresh roots to sus- tain life, and in some case—few cases, I think—grow vigor- ously where the soil and situation are favourable ; but how is it to make roots sufficient to maintain its position when the wire rigging is removed? Is it in any better position than a crowded forest tree? I think not, and that those who spend their money in this manner ought to look on it as spent to produce a temporary effect merely till trees planted of small size have time to grow.—J. R. Parson, Chilwell. CALCEOLARIA FAILURES. Farnures being common with the bedding Calceolaria, I give the following as a successful mode of culture, involving half the usual labour, and securing continuous growth and bloom. Prepare the frames early in October, by putting under them 4 or 5inches of sandy soil, and so as to allow of the frames being tilted on bricks to give air at the bottom. Apply lime water, if necessary. Insert the cuttings firmly at the latest possible period, putting them in 24inches apart. Water them overhead, and keep them close till they look fresh ; then push off the lights and lift up the frames in front, except in wet and frosty weather. If the thermometer fall more than 8° below freezing, cover up with plenty of litter till the plants have thawed. Twice stopping will be sufficient, once in Feb- ruary, and again towards the end of March. Turn out the plants permanently 9 or 10 inches apart during the first mild days in April, using them for back lines or centres. The borders should be deeply dug in autumn, ma- nured if poor, well forked in spring, and surface-stirred in hot weather. In 1871,I planted about the middle of April. In 1872, on March 18th, and the plants were blooming in the last week of June, and have not ceased to do so yet. Four hundred plants wintered in the shrubbery unprotected were fourteen days later. The sorts I grow are—Sparkler, height 14 foot; Kayii, 1} foot; Aurea, 1 foot 3 inches; and Victor Emmanuel, 1 foot.—Cuanues Prinsep, Goldthorn Hill. HARDY GEMS.—No. 4. Lirnosreruum Gastoni1.—This takes rank as one of the most beautiful as well as one of the rarest plants belonging to the flora of Europe. The honour of introducing it belongs to Messrs. Backhouse, of York. It is dwarf in habit, rarely ex- ceeding 10 or 12 inches in height, producing straight branches from the base; the leaves are ovate-lanceolate, tapering to a point, about 2 inches long, and bright rich green on the upper side, but considerably paler below. In May it forms a leafy corymb of brilliant flowers of a rich violet colour, shading off to a lovely blue, with a white eye. It-is a most desirable plant; indeed, it may be styled a gem of the first water.. Native of the Spanish side of the Eastern Pyrenees. Lycunis Lacascm.—Again I come before my readers with a plant from the Pyrenees, but this time from the north-western side. The plant in question is far too little known, for as a rock plant I really do not remember one that pleases me better. It is dwarf in habit, forming a dense much-branched. tuft, clothed with linear-obtuse, or somewhat lanceolate, and glaucous leaves. The flowers are abundantly produced, and are of a charming soft rose colour, witha white eye. It blooms during the months of May and June, and is a rare plant even in its native country. ErirricHum NANUM.—This plant reminds one somewhat of a Forget-me-not. It forms dense tufts; the leaves are fur- nished with short white hairs, which give the plant a some- what hoary appearance. During May these tufts or patches are covered with flowers of the most vivid azure blue it is possible to conceive. The effect the plant produces when judiciously planted must be seen to be appreciated. It re- quires to be well exposed to the sun and light, but must have a good supply of loam and peat to root into. It comes from the Swiss Alps, where, we are told, it is covered with snow for several months in the year. fe Iseris yucuNDA.—With me this plant has died during the winter, but as it lived through the previous one I cannot call it anything but hardy. It is a charming species, forming compact tufts or bushes, ranging from 4 to 6 inches high. It is an abundant bloomer, producing ‘its terminal soft pink heads of flowers about the end of April, and continuing nearly 324 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ October 24, 1872. two months in perfection. It must be planted in well-drained soil to do well. Native of Mount Taurus. Bropi®a coccinEA.—This is a bulbous plant, belonging to the natural order Liliacee, a native of California, and per- fectly hardy in this country. The leaves are upwards of a foot long, linear obtuse, and dark green; the scape is longer than the leaves, and the flowers are borne upon a terminal umbel, the number yarying from ten to twenty; the blooms are tubular, drooping, 14 inch long, and of a deep blood red, tinged with yellow towards the end, whilst the lobes are pea green. It blooms during May and June, and is a grand addi- tion to our border plants. Native of California.—ExpErro CREDE. GLADIOLUS CULTURE. Iam extremely pleased to see the prominent place that is given to this flower, and the valuable contributions the Journal is obtaining, from various cultivators; and I gladly respond to the challenge of “J. B.” to give my estimate of the varieties sent out last autumn. There are other points touched upon in these papers of more importance than even this, and on these points I hope to say something. I am always sorry to differ from my excellent friend Mr. Douglas, for I have a sort of lurking suspicion that I shall be found on the wrong side of the hedge whenI do so; but so far from thinking the sorts sent out last autumn the worst set we have had for some years, I think them one of the best. Comparing them especially with those of 1870, which were much more numerous, I think that there are more good tlowers to be found in them than in those of that year. Phoebus I regard as the finest Gladiolus yet sent out, and in this opinion J am confirmed by my friend Mr. Edward Banks, of Sholden, who is the largest amateur grower of the flower that I know of. To this I may add, Lord Hawke is equally strong in his high estimate of it. On September 9th I sent to Brighton a spike, in my opinion the finest of its colour that I have ever seen. I also sent a spike to the Floral Committee, which was not noticed; at this I am not at all surprised. It is evi- dently a seedling of Legouyé, and has the good qualities of that flower in a higher degree. It is of nearly the same shade of colour, but the white blotch and the white lines in the petals are much more decided, while its thick leathery sub- stance ensures its lasting a considerable time. The spike is large and the habit seems to be very vigorous. fault—it is a late bloomer. I could not get any blooms in for either Kensington or the Crystal Palace, so I fear it will not be of much use to northern growers. Beatrix I have seen very fine. Whether it will equal Madame Desportes or Norma I do not know, but I differ from Mr. Douglas in thinking it like the latter flower; it is entirely different in shape, and the white is of a different shade. The one doubt I have about it is whether it has substance enough. Jupiter I look upon asa decided acquisition. It received the award of a first-class cer- tificate when shown by Mr. Wheeler, of Warminster, and myself at the Crystal Palace, and attracted a good deal of attention. Itis a striking flower—a deep rich crimson with blackish crimson flakes—a great improvement on Newton, which it resembles, and not unlike a seedling of Mr. Kelway’s which ‘he had at South Kensington, named Helle. Ariane I had but one spike of ; but with meit was not like Delicatissima either in colour or shape. The flowers were set very closely together and faced well; indeed this is one character of all the four above named, as far as I have seen them. Minerve, Mr. Douglas thinks, like Phidias. I confess I do not see the like- ness, and I am rather inclined to ask whether he has the right sort. Lord Hawke sent me a flower which he had received as Phoebus, but which was evidently Minerve. The colour of Phidias is more purplish than Minerye, and the marking quite distinct from that variety. Antigone is, I think, likely to be a useful flower, haying a grand long spike. Virginalis is very similar to Marie Stuart, but I should not be surprised to find that it is an improvement upon it. Celemine is a second-rate flower, and the same may be said of Antiope, Ossian, and Didon; while neither Aleyon or Arsinée will be retained unless by those who wish to have a large number of varieties. © With regard to the varieties now being sent out I know nothing. Iwas at Fontainebleau early in July—too early to see anything. All that I could gather from M. Souchet was that he had des belles flew's to send out in the autumn. As an observation somewhat similar to that referred to by Mr. Harrison Weir was made by me, I may as well explain what I It has one | said, or, if I did not say it, what I meant—it was not that good seedlings could not be raised in England, but that I had never seen in any stand but those of the raiser any English flowers that could compete with the French ones. I again repeat it ; nay, more, I have never seen in any stands staged for competition any English flowers, except by the raisers. Why this is I do not pretend to say. A clue to it may be afiorded by the fact that two years ago Mr. Douglas exhibited a fine seedling of which Mr. Standish became the purchaser, but he could do nothing with it the second year, it came so very indifferently, and I know Mr. Douglas does not speak very hopefully of his seedlings. While I think we have this to-bear in my mind, as “J. B.”’ has well said, the flowers may be fine and attractive now, but they can hardly be sent out for five or six years, and who can tell what we might have by that time ? I do not think that “J. B.” is far outinhis lists. I should put the best and second twelve thus— BEST TWELVE. SECOND BEST TWELVE. 1. Adolphe Brongniart. 1. Eurydice. 2. Madame Desportes. 2. Beatrix. 3. Meyerbeer. | 3. Moliére. 4. Horace Vernet. 4. Ulysse. 5. Monsieur Legouyé. | 5. Schiller. 6. Michel Ange. | 6. Armide. 7. Norma. | 7. Virgile. 8. Madame Furtado. | 8. Madame Vilmorin. 9. Marie Stuart. [eeno: Delicatissima. 10. Orphée. | 10. Six J. Franklin. 11. Pheebus. | 11. Primatrice. 12. Jupiter. ' 12, Nestor. I have not added Shakspeare, for it is too early for us in the south. Moliére, I know, often comes amiss, but when caught is very fine, while Virgile is splendid in colour. I hope to return to the subject next week.—D., Deal. THE POTATO DISEASE. (Concluded from page 307.) Ir is easy to see from the figure (fig. 2, page 307), the damag- ing effects the fungus must have upon the plant: the fungus stems protrude from its mouths, and prevent the emission of perspiration; the Potato plant thus gets surcharged with moisture, which rots the stems and leaves, whilst the mycelium preys upon the tissues. Fig. 3.—Peronospora infestans, spores and zoospores, enlarged four hundred diameters. When the mature spores (G, jig. 3) fall from their apices, they readily germinate, as at H, H, by rupturing their outer coat, and discharging their contents: these contents- im- mediately take the form of confluent mycelial threads, and produce the characteristic brown colour in the cellulose. The spores in this figure are enlarged four hundred diameters, or to the same scale as jig. 1. In jig. 1, however, it must be remembered that the spores represented are immature. In the perfect condition of the Potato fungus, certain privileged spores acquire greater dimensions than others, as shown at J, fig. 8; the contents of these privileged spores become differ- entiated, and produce within themselves a number of distinct nucleated cells, which at length are set free in the form of active zoospores, each zoospore being furnished with two thread-like processes (k), with which, when in fluid, they are October 24, 1872. ] enabled to move rapidly about. These bodies germinate exactly in the same way as the ordinary spores, by discharging their contents through the ruptured outer coat (x), and must play a very important part in the economy of the plant; for it is manifest that although they cannot move unless immersed in fluid, yet it can easily be imagined that during rainy weather, or affer heavy dews, and when the leayes of Potato plants are all wet and blown against each other by the wind, a few zoospores, originating from two or three infected plants, would speedily contaminate a large field of Potatoes: then, when we remember the hundreds of thousands of ripe ordinary spores blown about everywhere by the wind, their rapid germi- nation, and immediate reproduction of other ripe spores and mew zoospores, the rapid and fatal spread of the murrain remains no longer a mystery. Fig. 4.—Peronospora infestans, spore germinating, enlarged four hundred diameters. Fig. 4 shows a section through the stalk of a Potato plant, with a single mature spore germinating upon the surface, its mycelium penetrating the epidermis (a1) and cortical layer (NN). _ Now, not only is Peronospora infestans able to reproduce itself from its spores and zoospores, but amongst the mycelium in the intercellular passages of spent Potatoes are found other bodies which there grow and fructify. These bodies, dis- covered by Dr. Payen, though referred to the Sepedoniei by Montagne (the order next in succession to Mucedines, to which latter order the genus Peronospora belongs), are con- sidered by Berkeley and others to be probably a secondary form of fruit (oospores) of the Potato fungus itself. These bodies, named by Montagne Artotrogus hydnosporus, are Fig. 5.—Artotrogus hydnosporus, enlarged four hundred diameters. shown in fig. 5 magnified four hundred diameters; the young Artotrogus being shown at o in its mother cell (with threads), and at p free. These bodies make the study of the Potato disease more complicated, and its ultimate eradication far more difficult; for they do not germinate at once (as do the spores and zoo- spores), or perish, but remain quiescent for a whole season, till certain favourable external conditions cause them to burst from their sleep and reproduce the parent. Resting spores and dormant sclerotioid tuberiform bodies are very common amongst fungi, a very remarkable instance being found amongst the Agaracini. In Agaricus tuberosus we have an Agaric springing from a tuberiform base, which is invariably found growing from the dead remains of the previous year’s fungi, generally the Russulx ; but we have found the sclerotia at the bottom of the tubes of some of the Polyporei, the per- fect Agarics emerging through the tubes. _ Closely allied to the Potato fungus is another species found infecting Chickweed (Stellaria media), and named by Casparry Perenospora alsinearum. In this species, and some others of JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 325 the genus, male organs, or antheridia, have been detected, as shown at q, jig. 6, where the mycelial filaments are shown Fig. 6.—Peronospora alsinearum, enlarged four hundred diameters. bearing the oogone, with which the mature antheridium is shown in contact: the contents of these cells are interchanged, and thus an oospore or resting spore is produced. At R is shown a section with the inflated summit of the fecundating tube of the antheridium (x) touching the gonosphere: this latter has a neat outline, produced by the membrane of cellu- lose which has just been secreted. At jig. 7 (s) is shown a ripe oospore, furnished with its thick reticulated epispore, the surrounding protoplasm having almost disappeared; and at Ta ripe oospore, whose epispore has been detached by maceration in water; a thick, colourless endospore remaining, composed of two thick layers containing protoplasm, with two unequal yacuities. The fecundating tube may be seen still fixed in the endospore at u. These oospores, or resting spores, of the Chickweed parasite, like those of the Potato, possess the singular property of remaining dormant during the winter, and germinating (under fayour- able circumstances) during the following season. We have now glanced at the fungus and its effect upon the foliage and stem; but we are all of necessity most interested in its fatal effects upon the Potato itself. In the vast majority of instances the fungus makes its first wholesale attack upon the leaves, sending its destructive mycelial threads down the leafstalks into the stem, and thence, and lastly, into the Potato itself. If this takes place when the Potato plants are WES Fig. 7.—Peronospora alsinearum, enlarged four hundred diameters. young, growth is at once arrested; but if the plants are well established, the tubers are found to be discoloured. This is undoubtedly caused by the presence of the fungus beneath the cuticle of the Potato; for if the Potatoes are taken up and kept in a damp air for a day or so, the perfect parasite pre- sents itself upon the surface. From the exterior of the Potato the fungus penetrates to the interior, decomposing the tissues, and making the tuber a suitable nidus for various other fungi, which are not long in making their appearance. With the decomposition comes the disgusting odour so well known in connection with diseased Potatoes; the diseased tuber is now attacked by insects, and its endis one horrible fetid mass. It generally happens that the eyes are the last to succumb to the disease; and it is stated, that if these are cut out and planted, they grow into healthy plants; but if the fact is taken into consideration of the resting spores being produced within the intercellular passages of spent Potatoes, and that these resting spores are capable of lying dormant during a whole season, it seems reasonable to imagine that the planting of such eyes would be the one certain means of spreading the disease. That the fungus attacks apparently healthy plants there can be no manner of doubt, the prevailing opinion now being that it is by no means necessary that a plant should be in ill health for a fungus to find thereon a suitable nidus. Contrary opinions have, however, long been held, and are still held on this point, many observers thinking that excessive moisture, oyer-cultivation (if such a thing be possible), electric influences 326 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. or attacks of insects, first affect the health of the plant, and | predispose it to succumb before the attacks of the fungus. | Mr. Alfred Smee, surgeon to the Bank of England, has long | held his ground upon the hypothesis that the Potato is first attacked by an aphis, and so rendered a ready prey to the Peronospora, and says from his own observations he believes that an aphis invariably punctures the leaves before an attack of the fungus: he holds the same views with respect to the | Ascomyces of the Peach; but Berkeley and others nail their | colours to the fungus, the whole fungus, and nothing but the fungus—and not without sufficient grounds; for, amongst | other reasons, the immediate allies of the Potato fungus do not | prey upon decaying matter; other species of fungi do, but these do not. Whilst it is comparatively easy to say when and where the Potato murrain was first brought prominently into notice, and what the Potato disease is, it is by no means an easy matter to suggest an effectual antidote to its ravages. Dr. Hooker has recently published in the daily papers a plan devised by Pro- fessor Henslow for preserving the nutritive portions of diseased Potatoes; but, from its tedious nature, it is never likely to be carried out to any extent, or made use of by the people at large. When the disease first appeared, a quarter of a century ago, it was suggested that the moment it became manifest in the leaves the whole crop should be raown down and burnt before the de- structive virus reached the tubers. Now, after all this lapse of time, no better plan can be suggested; but such is the rapid growth of the fungus, that unless the haulms be destroyed im- mediately on the appearance of the parasite, it will be too late; if a week or less be allowed to elapse, the mycelium will be in the tubers, and all the haulms a rotten mass. In the case of the Vine disease, sulphur has been found very efficacious ; but it is impossible to apply the fumes of sulphur to the Potato crops. Mr. Smee has destroyed Oidium in his Grape house with the fumes of bisulphide of carbon; but it is not easy to see how any fumes can be applied in the open fields. ; It has recently been said that it is a disgrace to.science and to scientific men that no perfect remedy has yet been found for | the ravages of the Potato disease. The same may be said, I presume, respecting the rayages of the rinderpest, foot-and- mouth disease, and cholera itself ; but I fail to see the disgrace to ‘‘scientifie men.” If there is any disgrace in the matter, it rests with those persons who are commercially interested in the success of our Potato crops; for, although we have had the fatal disease amongst the Potatoes for a quarter of a cen- tury, these gentlemen have still the stupidest possible ideas of what it is and how to cope with it, as is abundantly proved by the melancholy balderdash recently printed in the news- papers. — Worruineton G. Sanru, F.L.S. (in Hardwicke’s Science-Gossip.) CALLS AT THE NURSERIES. Messrs. VrrrcH’s, CHEtsEa.Among subjects peculiarly attractive at the present time are the Lapagerias, of which both the rose-coloured and the white are in great beauty. It is much to be regretted that the latter is so scarce, especially as it forms so charming a companion to the ordinary rose- flowered form, but scarce it seems likely to remain on account of the difficulty of propagating it in quantity. In a cool house, along with Chorozemas and Boronias, where it has been flowering all the summer, we noticed the hybrid Begonia Sedeni still producing numbers of its showy crimson-scarlet flowers, and promising to continue in blossom for a long time. In one of the stoves the large, rich yellow-flowered Allamanda nobilis and Hendersoni, trained on the roof and blooming freely, are making a gay display, along with the orange scarlet Aphe- landra aurantiaca Roezlii, Dalechampia Roezlii rosea, Urceo- lina aurea, Hippeastrums, Ixoras, Vincas, and Dipladenias. The large and beautiful violet flowers of Lasiandra macrantha floribunda are here very conspicuous, and though individually of but short duration, they no sooner drop than others take their place. Anthurium Scherzerianum naturally occurs to one’s mind when referring to successional flowering, for it may be said to be hardly ever without its brilliant-coloured spathes in one stage or other; and here they are both expand- ing and expanded, and -give a life and colonr which are now more welcome than even in spring and summer. Small hanging baskets of Panicum variegatum may also be noted as having a charming effect. Among Crotons several of the recently- ntroduced kinds are in great beauty, as C. variegatum undu- [ October 24, 1872. latum, with undulated leaves blotched with golden yellow, changing to dark red; C. vy. maximum, a fine free-growing sort beautifully variegated with yellow; and C. v. Wisemanni with very natrow leaves. Dracenas regine, Mooreana, and magnifica are also very striking by their fine broad leaves. In a house devoted to fine-foliaged plants we will only pause to notice, among the host of subjects with which it is filled, Thrinax elegans, Demonorops fissus, and Cocos Weddeliana as extremely handsome Palms, and of the last-named the spe- cimen is consideréd to be one of the finest in Europe. Of the singular Madagascar Lace Plant (Ouviranda fenestralis), there is also a fine specimen. In another house is a collection of Pitcher-plants, large, in the most luxuriant condition, and with fine pitchers. Among them are the hybrid Nepenthes Sedeni and hybrida maculata, together with Hookeri, ampul- lacea, and Rafilesiana, all ‘‘ pitchering”’ freely. The cool fernery, as heretofore, is one of the sights of the establishment, so fresh and verdant that one finds oneself at once transported far from the regions of London smoke. Of Orchids, of which the collection is, probably, unrivalled in Europe, those in fiower at present are not very numerous. Among them are the beautiful sky-blue Vanda czrulea; Cattleya Dominiana alba, a pretty hybrid of Mr. Dominy’s raising, with a lemon and purple lip; C. Dominiana lutea, yellowish white and rose; Pleiones, which are the autumn Crocuses among the Orchids; several Cypripediums ; Sophro- nites grandiflora, of which the intense scarlet never fails to catch the eye at once ; the beautiful Odontoglossum Alexandre, and Cymbidium Mastersii just coming out. In the ferneries we notice fine specimens of Davallia Moore- ana and Marattia Cooperi, not to mention Adiantums, Gym- nogrammas, and others almost without number. Of Todea Wilkesiana, a miniature tree Filmy Fern, there is a remarkably fine specimen, whilst of Todea superba, and others less novel but not less beautiful, there is an abundance. These are but a few of the features at Messrs. Veitch’s at the present time, and, in a rapid sketch like this, necessarily the subjects of in- terest which are omitted vastly outnumber those noted. Mr. Buuw’s, Cuensrs.—Mr. Bull, it need hardly be said, makes new and rare plants his speciality, and of such, cer- tainly, his large show house and other minor houses contain no lack, and many of the specimens are of unusual size and beauty. Among fine-foliaged plants (including Palms), which are an especial feature, we noticed on a recent visit several species of Demonorops, plants eminently suited for table de- coration; Kentia Canterburyana or K. Fosteriana, and Liyis- tonia altissima, two handsome Palms for the same purpose ; Pandanus ceramensis, also a fine plant for the table ; Areca lu- tescens, a handsome yellow-stemmed cool-house Palm; and Welfia regia, one of the most handsome of new Palms. Pan- danus decorus, with long bright green leaves, is also an elegant fine-foliaged plant. Other noticeable plants with very orna- mental leaves, are Heliconia vinosa, the Bertolonias, a Hig- ginsia with corded velvety foliage; Syngonium maculatum; and Ficus dealbata, with the backs of the leaves sityery. Among Dracznas, splendens, excelsa, regine, and pulchella are particularly fine; and of the new Crotons, as undulatum, Veitchii, Wisemannii, and interruptum, there are excellent specimens. Croton majesticum is splendid in colour, its nar- row leaves dark olive, yellow, and red ; and C. spirale with the foliage very narrow, and twisted in a spiral form, in colour purple, green, and yellow, is a singular as well as handsome novelty, which, we believe, has never yet been before the public. Dieffenbachias, a new and handsome plumose Cycas, and Amorphophallus campanulatus, just putting forth the leaf, which is enclosed ina curiously spotted and streaked sheath, are other notable features. New Cycads, Palms, and Ferns are too numerous to enter upon; and the large Cyatheas and Dicksonias must not be forgotten. There is likewise a speci- men of Pandanus elegantissimus, which must be quite § feet. high. ‘Orchids in flower are represented by Mesospinidium yulea- nicum with pretty rosy-purple flowers, Sophronites grandiflora, Odontoglossum grande, Barkeria spectabilis, Cattleyas, Cypri- pedium Schlimii, and Pleiones. In the Geranium house, which is now extremely gay, a plant of Brunswigia minor has thirty of its showy pink flowers, and in other houses a fine specimen of Lapageria alba had just ceased producing its pretty, bell-shaped, white flowers—to the charming effect of this plant we have already alluded ; we also noticed a new Maranta, called Mackoyana, green, laced with white, and blotehed with olive, a very handsome fine-foliaged ee Oetober 24, 1872. ] plant; together with Masdevallia Chimera, Odontoglossum vexillarium, and other new Orchids. DOUBLE GLAZING. Ar the request of the Editors I beg to inform them that my experience with regard to the cultivation of plants under double glass has been rather limited; however, as far as it goes the results of this method have been entirely in its favour. ; As the house I have constructed has many new features, it vould oceupy too much space to enter into details at present. I will only add that it has thoroughly realised my expectations, and that I have no occasion to deviate in any way from my first design. Every facility would be given to anyone wishing to take a plan of my double-glazed house. The builder and gardener of P m Castle, Exeter, took advantage of this often last summer; at the same time they took a plan of the Peach avenue, an illustration of which appeared in this Journal about two years since. During the last six months of my experience of double glass I have found that there is no dew on the under glass, no drip, scald, or scorching; the house is cooler during sunlight, and when shut up early retains its heat many hours beyond those of single glass. The develop- ment of leaf and fruit is greater, especially the fruit, when the crop has not been too great, though a Rivers’s Orange Nectarine in a large tub ripened seyen dozen of excellent fruit this summer, and the tree is now covered with bloom- buds of full size. I have now sixty of these plants in tubs, which contain a large quantity of earth, and require but little watering. These tubs, when soaked for two hours in boiling ereosote, seem to last for an indefinite period. They can be moved about by two men by means of a chain and band of iron passed round them, and two poles inserted in the chain. T have found two top-dressings during the season suflicient to earry the crop through, I think this gradual decay of leaf mould, black dung, and a small amount of wood ash better than flushing the plants with liquid manure ; it is more natural, and the plants, by watering, get their food daily. The fruit vipens about a fortnight to three weeks earlier in this house.— OBSERVER. WOOLHOPE NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB. Tue concluding meeting for the season of the Woolhope Na- turalists’ Field Club was keld on the 10th inst. The party pro- ceeded to Whitfield, on their annual ‘foray among the Funguses.” They were very hospitably received by Mr. and Mrs. Archer Clive. The result of the “foray”. was pleasantly evident at the “Green Dragon Hotel, where aseries of large tables were covered with a collection of specimens of Fungi, arranged very carefully by Mr. Worthington Smith, of London. All the various families and species were distinguished by labels, and it was quite easy for a student, beginning with the white-spored specimens on the left hand, to make a cireumambulation of the fungoid world ‘by simply passing along the line of tables. Some of the speci- mens were intensely interesting on account of their habitat. The phosphorescent Fungi which grew on the Oak beams far down in the coal pits, 1,200 feet beneath the cheerful day, were repre- sented equally with the beautiful little Agaric which has its “home amid the needle-like leaves of the Fir on the breezy hilltop. Here, too, were specimens of the deadly Fungus which kills almost at once, and the Lactarius deliciosus, truly worthy of its name, which differs very little from it. Then, too, there were several exceedingly rare Fungi, some of which have been noticed amd described this year for the first time; and above all the wonder was, that with a summer and autumn so unfavourable, there should be any Fungiat all. The members and their friends, coming from widely distant localities, had all the same story to tell of the almost total absence of Fungi from field, lane, and road. The exhibition of Funguses was, indeed, most interesting, and contained a very large variety of plants considering the great scarcity of the tribe during the present year. It was ex- cellently arranged; every Fungus was in its own place in the family to which it belonged, saan its name attached, so that it afforded the most favourable opportunity to students of my- cology to become scientifically acquainted with them. We have not space at this time to enter into a general review, or give the names of the several Funguses exhibited. We can only say that the rare Thelephora multizonata and the Thelephora Sowerbei, which created so much interest at the Royal Horticultural So- ciety, in London, were there. The Polyporus intybaceus, which is an edible species, is said to have been very useful in Alsace and Lorraine during the recent famine produced by JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 327 war. Several specimens new to Britain were exhibited—one found at this meeting, Gomphidius maculatus, by Mrs. Cooper Key, of Stretton; another, one of the most brilliant Funguses recently found, Cortinarius cinnabarinus, was found by Mr, Renny, at Downton, and for its brilliant metallic tint of carmine and gold it is really the most interesting of the year. One other interesting feature of the exhibition we must find time to notice, and it shall be the last. Mr. Cruttwell sent a most interesting box of Funguses and their mycelium, collected 1,200 feet below the surface of the ground in the Glyncorrwg Colliery, near Briton Ferry. They were growing on the pit wood supporting the roof of the main heading of the No. 2 Rhondda seam. The principal Fungus was the Polyporus annosus. It is very in- teresting, because it is often phosphorescent in the dark galleries of the mine, and sometimes has been the cause of much terror to the miners. At the dinner, E. Y. Steele, Esq., presided. A great number of sketches of rare Fungi, coloured to nature, and very cleverly executed by Dr. Bull, were explained by him and were handed round. A diseussion followed on various phenomena of fungology, upon the appearance and disappearance of certain species ; upon the position occupied by the Fungus in regard to decaying matter, several speakers holding that the Fungus was the effect and not the cause of decay ; and upon the position occupied by the Fungus in the system of nature, whether it is really the scavenger, whose mission is to absorb decaying matter,.and thus remove that which might be injurious to higher orders of existences. On the same day a show of Fungi was to have taken place in the rooms of the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland, at the Rotundo, Dublin, but we regretted to observe that the prizes offered by Dy. Wright for collections of Fungi did not evoke any competition whatever; but this defect was to no small extent remedied by the splendid collection of drawings of edible and poisonous Fungi kindly forwarded by the distinguished fun- gologist and artist, Worthington G. Smith, Esq., of London. These drawings were seventy in number, no less than twelve being devoted to illustrating the different varieties of the com- mon Mushroom. All were from Mr. Smith’s own pencil, and were faithfully and artistically executed. For this valuable and interesting collection Mr. Smith was awarded the Society’s silver gilt medal. A NEW FORM OF BARROW. Tue new form of barrow shown in the accompanying illus- tration has been recently registered. The inyentor claims for it that while it can be made quite as cheaply as any of the ordinary designs, its durability is tenfold. It cannot easily be broken, for, as will be seen, the legs are bolted through the frame, and secured by a couple of screws at the ends resting on the ground, a construction which renders them far less liable to break-off. Iron stays or cleats are dispensed with as unnecessary; and the body may be constructed of the re- quisite shape to suit any special requirements.—(Hnglish Me- chanic and World of Science.) POTATOES DISEASED AND UNDISEASED. Ir is very sad to read the accounts from nearly all parts of Great Britain of the ravages of the Potato disease. It is still a question whether one yariety is more susceptible to the disease than another. It seems all to depend upon the state of the weather when the Potato is in a certain stage of growth. Heavy thunder-showers, with a continued electrical state of the atmosphere just before the crop is fully ripe, will cause it ; and if this state of the weather does not exist at that time the crop will escape. This year the earliest varieties are en- — tirely free from disease. I grew Veitch’s Perfection, round, and Myatt’s Prolific, kidney, and did not find a single diseased tuber in either of these sorts. The American Harly Rose was grown in the fields, but it is an utter failure, not from disease, but because there was no crop; it was free from disease, as 28 eo JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ October 24, 1872. the haulm was decayed before its appearance. Dalmahoys and Regents are the principal second early crops ; about half are affected by disease. The Early White Don has not come up to our expectations; the crop of it is not good, and it is much more affected by disease than the Regents. Of Suttons’ Flourball there is a very fine crop; the tubers are very large and coarse, but it is almost free from disease. A tuber here and there is affected, but I dug up five or six plants in different parts of the field, and did not find one. It is a very good Potato for spring use.—J. Dovenas. I senp a list of Potatoes grown by me this season, classed under three heads—namely, those nearly free from disease, those partially diseased, and those badly diseased ; I also send a few remarks respecting them. Last season I gaye a list of some twenty sorts I had under trial, and I have this time had thirty-nine varieties, many of them sent me from distant parts of England to see if the change of soil and locality would in anywise check the disease. I fear, however, it is past our skill to prevent it, except by planting early kinds as much as possible, and only some of the late ones, which we must have, and by giving them plenty of room. We must also plant those kinds which resist disease the best, and are the most suitable for the locality. This season has been an exception- ally bad one for Potatoes, and has not afforded a fair trial, although such kinds as have this time proved good I think may be considered good indeed. Iam glad to be able to speak in the highest praise of three newly-sent-out varieties—namely, Climax, an extra cropper, boiling very floury and white, and quite free from disease; new Late Rose; and last, but not least, the new Hundredfold Fluke, sent out by Messrs. Sutton & Sons, of Reading. It is not only good in quality and yield, but is a curiosity to look at—a perfect piebald. The stems grow very erect, and that, I think, is very much in favour of the variety as a disease-re- sister. The Red-skinned Flourball is much better with me this year than last, still it is far from being first-rate, but it improyes by keeping. It is quite free from disease, an extra good cropper, and lam glad to say I found none of its tubers attacked by the grub like your correspondent ‘ T. §. C.” and others. I have found some other kinds of Potatoes, also Car- rots and even Onions, similarly affected, and I have caught the Leather-coats in the act. I always manure in the autumn the ground I intend planting with Potatoes, and I have it turned up in ridges until planting time; I then fork them down and trench-in the seed, which I always prefer, as far as possible, to be medium-sized whole sets. SORTS NEARLY FREE FROM DISEASE, Kidneys. Round. Ashleaf (Rivers’s Royal). Red-skinned Flourhall Gloucestershire Kidney, (Sutton’s). Myatt’s Prolific. Climax. Early May. Wood’s Scarlet Prolific. New Hundredfold Fluke Peach Blossom. (Suttons’). Prairie Seedling. New Late Rose. Champion of England. King of Earlies, MEDIUM DISEASED. Ashleaf (old). New unnamed seedling from Messrs. Sutton & Son. Oxfordshire Kidney. American Early Rose. Caversham Defiance. Manning’s Kidney. Bresee’s Prolific. Bresee’s Pearless. SORTS BADLY DISEASED. | Manchester Blue. Skerry Blue. Worcester Silks. Smith’s Dwarf. Sutton’s Seedling (round). Pink-eyed Cheshire. Devonshire Kidney. Lapstone Kidney. Prince of Wales. Paterson’s Victoria. Sutton’s Early Racehorse. Taylor’s New Hybrid. Golden Gem. Alma. Negro. King. Early Emperor. Scotch Regent. —S. Taytor, Sion Hill, Kidderminster. Tue state of the Potato crops here is yery different to those are free from disease and the crops good.—H. W. H., Twicken- ham, Middlesex. LARGE FLOWER OF FUCHSIA DUCHESS OF LANCASTER. THE accompanying portrait is of a flower of the variety named, and well known for its fine rose-coloured corolla and ivory-white sepals. It was sent to us by Mr. Olley, gardener to R. N. Byas, Esq., Quarry Hill, Reigate. We cannot coincide in the opinion that a plant raised from the branch which bore this yery large flower would bear none of a smaller size. In our opinion it is a fasciated flower, two flowers united. However, it is worthy of a trial, for we know that the Top-knot Pea (Pisum comosum) has a fasciculated stem, and is propagated by seed. NEW BOOK. The Clematis as a Garden Flower. By THomas Moors, F.L.S., and GEORGE Jackman, F.R.H.S. London: John Murray. Tuts work is a treatise, and a very comprehensive one, on a of your correspondents’ ‘‘ T. S. C.” and “8. B.,” for I found | genus of plants deservedly popular in every garden, and of Suttons’ Flourball nearly half diseased and more affected than | late years very much more so since Messrs. Jackman, Messrs. any other sort grown here. Of Prince of Wales about one- third of the crop was diseased. Of Scarlet Prolific there is an Cripps, and Mr. Noble have by hybridisation produced so many varieties elegant in form and splendid in colouring, which excellent crop, both as regards size and quantity, and very few | have become established favourities in the flower garden. tubers diseased. Myatt’s Ashleaf, Racehorse, and York Regents The different species of Clematis which were formerly cul- October 24, 1872. ] tivated in gardens were ill adapted to figure in the gorgeous ) tempted or anticipated. The modest yet fragrant | violacea bloomed for the first time, and then came in rapid style of modern flower gardening. Flammula, the vigorous, rambling, and profuse-blooming | montana, the slender and pretty florida, the equally pretty | Viticella were for many years the most common representatives | of the genus; but for covering a trellis or screening a wall their cultivation was limited in extent. Since the introduction of those gorgeous forms like patens, Fortuni, Standishii, and lanuginosa the Clematis has developed almost into what is com- monly called ‘‘a florists’ flower.” We believe the Messrs. Hen- derson, of Pine Apple Place, were the first who raised a hybrid that attracted any notice among plant-growers, and several noted cultivators both in this country and the Continent were successful in producing hybrids or cross-bred forms, which were, for ornamentation, an advance upon the old species. But it was reserved to Messrs. Jackman & Son, of Woking, to startle the world with such a stride as had not previously been at- JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGEH GARDENER. | flowers will be read with pleasure and with profit. | take as an example of the latter the following :— 29 a oO In 1862 C. Jackmanni and rubro- succession a host of new and yaried kinds. The hybridising was eagerly and successfully followed by Messrs. Cripps & Son, | of Tunbridge Wells, and Mr. Noble, of Sunningdale, and by the united efforts of these gentlemen, and others whose labours in this field have been crowned with more or less success, the Clematis has risen in importance as a garden decorative plant. The authors of the work before us haye produced a treatise at once of great value and exhaustive. There is no species o1 variety, a description and qualitative analysis of which has not been given. SBotanically and horticulturally everything that can be said or thought of has been said respecting the numerous varieties of which the work treats; and chapters are devoted to their culture, which by the mere lover of garden Let us Clematis Jackmanni as a Permanent Bedding Plant. _ “The employment of the Clematis as a bedding plant was first brought about in a kind of accidental way. It happened that some of the plants, in the plantation of hybridised seedlings | from which C. Jackmanni and others were selected, were blown down during the early part of the summer, and the poles were not renewed. As the summer and autumn passed on, it was noticed that these plants spread out their branches over the sur- | face of the ground, and flowered as profusely there as when elevated in the usual way. It was thence inferred, that if pegged down like Verbenas the varieties of Clematis would make good bedding plants, while they would have this advantage over ordinary bedding stock, that they would be permanent, flowering year after year, and that with increased vigour as they became more thoroughly established at the root. Experience proved that this inference was correct, and for some years the beds of Clematis Jackmanni and other hybrid varieties, to be seen at the Woking Nursery, have been objects of great beauty. The conditions were, perhaps, not the most promising, for the soil at Woking is of a light sandy character, and one which it might be supposed would not afford the plants sufficient nourishment, at least as permanent bedders ; but the result has proved in every way most encouraging, the beds showing a mass of the richest blossom from July onward, till damaged by frosts. “These beds were prepared during the winter months by deep trenching: a liberal dressing of good rotten dung, and a lighter one of calcareous earth, being thoroughly incorporated with the soil. About the end of March the Clematises were planted out, each being headed-down to within some six or eight good buds or about 6 inches of the base, in order to start the lower buds. As they grew, and before they became entangled, the young branches were pegged down over the surface, and at the natural season—July, they camefreely into flower, and were the admira- tion of all who saw them. As in the case of plants grown in other ways, a later crop of flowers may be had by late pruning— that is, if the plants are pruned late, the profuse head of bloom will come in later, but in all instances when once they come into bloom, the flowering goes on in succession for an incredible period, all that is wanted being some inducement to continue forming new growth, such as a supply of water if the weather is dry, or of liquid manure if the soil is exhausted. Let but growth be obtained, and flowers are certain to follow. This hint may be the more necessary, as when growers become more familiarised with the plants, the extraordinary ‘profuseness of flowers may lead to the neglect of the aids which the plants really require, and which they so thoroughly repay. “We recommend that when employed as a bedding plant, the Clematis should be permanently planted out, so that the roots may not be disturbed. The soil should be rich, open, and deep, of a calcareous loamy character if possible. If it be of a heavy texture it must be well drained and ameliorated by admixture of gritty matter, such as road scrapings, the sand washed up by the road side, burnt clay, or even ashes, in moderate quantities ; an admixture of half-rotten leaf mould would also be hene- 330 ficial. If, on the contrary, it be light and dry, the soil should be strengthened by the admixture of good and rather heavy loam. Deep trenching and a liberal manuring should be resorted to before planting; and a thorough dressing of good sound manure should be forked-in annually in November, when, in ordinary cases, the summer growth may be cut back. “When the beds are left bare and bald throughout the winter, the effect during the dull portion of the year is not altogether sightly. In order to avoid this, we have employed, and we strongly recommend the introduction of, such hardy evergreens as small bushy plants of both the green-leaved and variegated warieties of Aucuba japonica; of Berberis Aquifolium ; of Holly, both green and variegated; of Box, and dwarf Conifers; and of close bushy plants of common Rhododendrons, &c. These should be planted, or plunged in pots, between the permanent plants. Then, some time in March, earlier or later according to the season, this temporary winter evergreen furnishing should be removed, so that it may not interfere with or prevent the timely training of the early spring growth of the Clematises. In this way the Clematis beds may be made to form part of a design for a winter garden of evergreens; or even an isolated bed, if thus filled in the winter, becomes changed from an eye- sore into an object of interest and attractiveness. “The young plants of Clematis, when planted out, should be set at about 2 feet apart, so that they may cover the surface quickly. When they become strong and well established, a portion of them may be removed if desired, as from the more vigorous growth of established plants they will branch moxe freely and cover more quickly. The growing shoots should be looked to at least once a-week, and pegged down or trained where most required to cover the surface. They cling to- gether so firmly by their clasping leafstalks that this should always be done before they get at all entangled, for the young shoots would be certain to suffer injury in the process of disentanglement. The plants should be raised by some means 80 as to give a convex surface to the bed, and thus the better to display their flowers. This may be done in a variety of ways—either by raising the surface of the bed itself to the desired shape; by pegging down a layer of twiggy branches, such as pea sticks, for the plants to grow over; by fixing a common hooped trellis of rods, to which the shoots should at the first be tied; or, what in many situations would be the best plan of all, but which would be scarcely admissible in a dressed parterre, by arranging root-masses of suitable bulk on the sur- face of the beds for the plants to scramble over and amongst. Whatever plan may be adopted, the plants must be trained as already recommended till they have furnished the space to be covered, when they may be allowed to grow more at random. “As the plants do not throw up flowers from the lower portion of their stems, it is desirable in training them to cover the beds, that the points of one series of plants should be so arranged that they may overlap those portions of the adjoining ones which remain bare. This point should be borne in mind from the first, and wet the whole surface is evenly covered with flowering wood. “Tt has already been intimated that continuity of flowering is dependant upon continuity of growth. Now this at once suggests summer feeding. Thus,in dry weather manure water should be given alternately with pure water, the water not being applied over the leaves and flowers, but beneath them. It is to be recommended, if the summer is at all a dry one, to have the beds thoroughly saturated with pure water just as the buds are being developed and begin to acquire size; if this is done thoroughly it will increase the size of the flowers, and will carry the plants on for a considerable period. One or two such thorough waterings may be given subsequently if the season is such as to require it, applying at least one dose of liquid manure when the plants have been flowering for a considerable period. No other attention is required till the frosts of November come, after which the plants may be pruned hard back. “Tt has been recommended to water beneath rather than over the flowers and leaves, but it is surprising, considering the size of the flowers, how well they withstand heavy rains and storms. Though necessarily affected to some extent, they show less damage than most of the ordinary bedding plants. “We have hitherto mainly referred to the summer and autumn-flowering varieties, but the bedding season of the Cle- matis may be commenced at an earlier period by the employ- ment of C. Standishii, which is exceptionally hardy, and pro- bably also by the use of some of the newer sorts bred from it, but which have not as yet, so far as we know, been tried. As regards their general treatment, the foregoing remarks apply to these also, but, being of a more slender habit, they should be planted in rows at 18inches apart. These spring-blooming sorts commence and finish their flowering before the ordinary sum- mer bedding begins, say the middle of May and June, but the effect at that early part of the season is most pleasing. As they flower from the old wood, it becomes necessary with them to train the young shoots so that they may be exposed to light and air and become thoroughly ripened; but this would not interfere JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ October 24, 1872. with the growth of other dwarf summer bedders, as the branches of the Clematises, if neatly trained in lines, or as a border, at about the level of the plant used with them, would not be un- sightly ; or the Clematis shoots could be trained as a carpet over the beds, and flowering plants in pots plunged at intervals between them, but not so closely as to interfere with their maturation. We can especially recommend C. Standishii for this purpose. In certain cases, after becoming well established in a bed, we have known C. Standishii to push with so much vigour just before the flowering time as to make it advantageous to cut off the young growth in order to show up the flowers. When this has occurred, we have found that the later summer shoots were quite sufficient to furnish the bed with flowering wood for the following season. “Though, as we have just stated, the spring-blooming varie- ties of Clematis may be advantageously made use of whenever it is desired to have a flowering bed in May or June before the ordinary bedding plants come in, yet we wish it to be under- stood that, from many points of view, the summer and autumn- flowering hybrids, of which C. Jackmanni is the type, are the most suitable for bedding-out, especially by reason of their habit of profuse and continuous flowering. ““We have as yet only referred to the principal furnishing of the beds, either for spring or summer flowering; but in practice it is found that when Clematis beds are formed on grass, an edging of some kind, which may intervene between the deep rich hue of the Clematis and the green of the turf, is desirable. Plants with white or yellowish, or at least light-coloured foliage, seem to be most effective for this purpose. We have used the hoary Stachys lanata, the flowering stems being cut off as soon as they appear; but the habit of this plant, otherwise appro- priate enough, is rather too flat to be fully effective. A better habit is that afforded by Lonicera aureo-reticulata when kept closely pruned, and the colour of this plant also forms a pleas- ing combination with its surroundings. The dwarf-growing variegated-leaved EHuonymus radicans, the golden reticulately- marked Vinea elegantissima, and the neat Buxus argentea nova, are all useful plants, well adapted for edging the beds of Cle- matis, and very effective if kept closely pruned, and thus pre- vented from acquiring too much height. Cineraria maritima, a free-growing white-leaved plant, with finely-eut leaves, as well as some of its modern varieties, would be very suitable if kept constantly stopped back. The hoary Senecio argentea, Achillea Clavenne, Artemisia Stelleriana, and Santolina incana, again, might be advantageously selected, or the Centaurea yagusina, or C. gymnocarpa, if kept from flowering. In fact, any hardy free-growing dwarfish subjects, of which the leaves or sprigs stand erect and afford a pleasing contrast in colour, would, provided they were kept within due bounds by the timely use of the knife or pruning-scissors, be found efficient as edging lants. y “Mr. Fleming has recommended the introduction, here and there, in Clematis beds, of an upright or standard plant for the sake of affording variety of outline, and he suggests planting Clematis Flammula for this purpose. If kept symmetrically trained to a dome-like head, some 4 or 5 feet high, as it may be, or if trained up in a pyramidal form, and then allowed to drop down fountain-like, it would have a very good effect in large beds of the purple varieties, as would the equally fragrant C. cerulea odorata planted in a bed of any of the pale-coloured kinds. “Where basket-like edgings are adopted for beds in the flower garden, the Clematis might be usefully introduced as an edging plant, either as a supplement to the edgings of Ivy now sometimes used, or alone. When properly cared for, the sum- mer-flowering hybrid varieties of Clematis make from 10 to 15 feet of growth in a season.” The work is elaborately illustrated both with well-executed wood engrayings and lithographs, some of which are beauti- fully coloured. The illustration which accompanies this article was obligingly lent us by the authors, and it only remains for us to say that we highly commend this well-written and exhaustive work to the attention of all lovers of this charming flower. First Ick Hovusr in Encuanp.— Oct. 22nd, 1660. A snow house and an ice house made in St. James’s Park, as the mode is in some parts in France and Italy and other hot countries, for to cool wines and other drinks for the summer season.”’— (Add. MSS. in Brit. Mus.) Tur Frat Peacu or Cun is peculiar among the fruits of this species. It is as if pressed-in from the top and the bottom, so that the eye and the stalk come close together, the whole-having the appearance of a ring of flesh with a stone in the middle. The colour of the skin is pale yellow, mottled with red on the side next the sun; the flesh of the same October 24, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER. 331 colour, with a beautiful radiating circle of red surrounding the stone, and extending into the fruit. A FEW NOTES MADE IN FRANCE. On October 2nd, as I strolled into the garden of the Hotel de Ville at Rouen, which garden adds so much to the pictorial effect of the beautiful church of St. Ouen, I was much struck with the beauty of the sward, which I found to consist wholly of the small-leayed white Clover, forming a surface as smooth as velvet and green as it was possible to be. Going on, I noticed a raised device in several of the smaller lawns around the borders, which was so ingenious and effective that I took out my note-book, thinking it possible it might give an idea to some of the readers of the Journal. The device was that of the imperial fleur-de-lis, about 3 feet from point to point and 2 feet in its depth; the whole shape raised about 6 inches from the general lawn, carefully made, and kept with scrupulous neatness, the turf of which it was formed being as firm and smooth as if moulded in clay. At the points of the fleur were small round stones as if to receive pots of flowering plants, but none were there, and I could not find a gardener of whom to make the inquiry. This note-book may afford you some jottings by the way if worthy of reproduction. In the neighbourhood of Boulogne no fruit trees are eulti- vated except the Pear. It is the speciality of the district. When roaming into the sequestered valleys away from the sea, Pear trees are seen in every garden large or small on the walls of all aspects. By the side of the walks they are always trained as pyramids, or, as we call them, French-trained—closely pruned, and never allowed to grow tall. Summer-pruning is evidently universal. I do not remember to have seen a standard tree. Apples and Plums are altogether wanting. Another peculiarity of tree-culture struck me: All the forest trees when planted seem to have been pollarded. The leading shoot of 2 inches diameter had been cut off, so that to English eyes the beauty of the future tree seemed to have been per- manently spoiled. There may be some local reason for this habit, but I could not guess what it might have been. In the market of Boulogne the Pears most esteemed were the Louise Bonne, Beurré Diel, Duchesse d’Angouléme, and Catillac, besides some others of second quality and more abun- dant in quantity whose names I did not know. The same applied to the shops of Amiens, Rouen, and Hayre. On the road to Abbeville nothing but the Poplar is to be seen, as is the case in the hedgerows around Boulogne. Why it should be so general is unaccountable, its wood is go useless, and fuel is so scarce. The markets of these towns are largely supplied with white Grapes sent from Paris, but nowhere did I see any cf the Black Hamburgh, which in English markets is at this time of year the most abundant. These Grapes must have been ripened under glass, but had not received the same careful culture we give them. The vegetables in use-were such as we are accus- tomed to, except that Twmipsare less frequent. Lettuces are not seen, but Endive forms a most important item both in the gardens and at every table. Scorzonera, and a white root like it, were also abundant, they give flavour to the stews. Haricot Beans are on every stall, As you leave Amiens and approach Rouen (a most lovely ride, and that morning superlatively beautiful, as the sun gradually rose and illumined the land- scape), Apples are everywhere to be seen. The trees are all standard, not often, as in England, collected into an orchard, but scattered everywhere over the fields whether in pasture or tillage. This is the centre of an extensive cider country. Cider is as often written over the doors of the estaminet as beer, brandy and liqueurs not being forgotten. On the swampy country near Amiens in many fields were shocks of what appeared to be reed for thatching. On closer examination this could not be the crop, and I was puzzled till T learnt that these were sheaves of Hemp drying, a crop I had never seen. In some fields I noticed that they were stripping the seeds from the stalk by drawing each stem through a forked stick. The father sat on the ground, and rapidly thus stripped of their seeds the plants, which were handed to him by women and children, forming a very interesting rural group. A cart laden with Hemp just in from the fields, to the unac- customed eye is fairly a puzzle. The absence of rabbits from some lands peculiarly fitted for them, and the few to be seen in the ordinary markets, as well as the few pigs dead or alive, surprised me, as the poorer classes are on the look-out for food which would be rejected with disgust by the same class in this country. One clever dodge to obtain fuel that otherwise was wasted is, I think, worthy of record. In the harbour there are pieces of wood floating about, to obtain some of which a boy urged with much address his dog into the water. To tempt him thither the boy threw stones; in the dog dashed, snapped up the wood which was the object of his master’s wishes, received his well- earned praise, and again dashed in after another stone, which was always skilfully pitched near a piece of wood. At length, by the shrewdness of the boy and labours of the dog, an arm- ful of wood was carried away, to the mutual satisfaction of man and beast. In the country around Boulogne the smaller birds were as numerous and as varied as they are in our corresponding lands. On one occasion I’ saw a woman whose only article for sale was six starlings carefully plucked. I wonder what octroi she had to pay, for nothing so surprised me as the zeal with which this municipal tax is sought. I had to pay 7d. for taking into France four partridges; and everybody entering Havre from the opposite town, Honfleur, was carefully examined to see that he brought no Apples nor Pears without paying duty. This small town, Honfleur, is the great seat of egg-merchandise, the value of eggs imported into Southampton is marvellous. Can any of your readers tell us what are the circumstances which give rise to councils and discussions among the sparrows ? At certain times before roosting among their Ivy beds there will be a great clatter, but never did I hear such a chatter ag amid a storm of wind and rain the sparrows made on the Bourse at Havre. It drowned every other sound. The talk of men was silence compared to their twitter. The plan of tethering the cows to eat down the clover equally seems one quite worthy of imitation, as there is no loss of herbage, though doubtless not so agreeable to the cows, who enjoy lying about where they, not their masters, choose. The Normandy sheep are very picturesque, but are very poor when compared with the compact well-made horses and cows. T travelled with a most intelligent horse-dealer, who told me one man near Havre had imported English Southdown rams to improve his stock. This man yearly travelled through Eng- land to buy up all the good horses he could, and complained much of the increase of continental buyers, whereby the prices in England had so gone up. The marvellously free growth of the Acacia struck me very much. Tor miles the embankments were covered with it—a dense bank of green, the saplings springing up more abun- dantly than Thistles by a neglected roadside. Though the land is very ferruginous I did not notice a plant of Heath of either kind, and but few patches of Gorse or of Bracken, till we approached Havre. This is a lesson how gardeners should study the nature of the soil and its fitness for certain plants if they wish their pets to thrive and look well. Near South- ampton I noticed the same tendency of the Acacia to flourish and to cover large breadths of ground. As you pass the gardens the number of the cloches struck me, as well as the careful way in which they were packed away —a thin layer of straw between each, that when nested they might not be cracked. Borders of the large yellow Pumpkin were everywhere to be seen, a vegetable we never use in common, whereas in these markets large slices, or halves or quarters, were everywhere for sale. Tf any of your readers should be at Abbeville let them, if interested in such matters, visit the museum of M. Perthes, where there is a wonderful accumulation of genuine old cabinets, china of all kinds, but, above all, a marvellous collection of implements of the so-called stone age; Abbeville being the district most noted for these memorials of a bygone age. In the garden at Rouen I noticed a most ingenious, and, I should presume, successful device in transplanting large trees. Around the bole of the trees there was sewn, running to the ground, a stiff canvas covering. This was filled with sand, forming a coating of about 4 inches. At the top of this canvas bag a large zine funnel was fastened, whereby all the water that fell into the funnel was conveyed to the sand, keeping the bark of the trunk moist. This answered the purpose of the haybands which we use under the like circumstances, but it must be more effectual. On one tree I noticed that three of the funnels had been affixed to corresponding large branches, an amount of precaution few here would have taken. In the same garden was a very neat and most effective protection of the lawns from trespassing feet. Rods of iron thick as the little finger, with prominences to imitate natural branches, were interlaced in semicircles of about 15 inches diameter and §32 7 inches from the path, a margin of 2 inches being kept that the edges might be properly cut. The deception was so com- plete that I stooped down to learn of what tree these were twigs, the colour of the paint was so good. It is anidea worth remembering. On several large beds the planting was very effective. In the middle was a line of dark Cannas surrounded by green Cannas. The next line was the dark nettle-leaved plant rvyhich is so commonly used (its name I forget), edged with a free-growing Composite plant with very divided leaves like the \VYormwood, but it had no odour. As a foreigner I did not venture to pluck a leaf for your verification. This row was intermingled with the large blue Ageratum, having scarlet Geraniums next the grass. The whole formed for a large bed a most effective grouping. In the square at Havre one range of borders with a north aspect presented new features. The back row consisted of Rhododendrons, followed by the variegated Veronica Hendersonii; in front of which, part of the border was oceupied by a Fuchsia with deep red leaves varefully pegged down, part with Ferns of various kinds; the remainder with Solanacew of different kinds—Wigandias four or five varieties, Tobacco, Solanum Capsicastrum, and one with very finely divided leaves. The group as a whole was most effective. Yuccas were planted around the orchestral plat- form. One of the squares had a row of Hickory trees around it, forming a good contrast with the Plane trees with which all the Boulevards are lined. On the farms one instance of saving of labour struck me forcibly. The ploughs were driven by one man without a*boy, the horses three abreast, so that there was no loss of traction. ‘What English ploughman would manage three horses abreast ? The local love of embellishing the horses, which is so marked in this region, was shown, for all the horses had the remains of what had been handsome harness. On another occasion I noticed a man driving a light plough two horses abreast, and he was followed by a gang of women, who planted what ap- peared to be the thinnings of Swedes. The season for planting Turnips of any kind is so far advanced that I mistrusted my conjecture, but could get near enough to test its truth. In England near our country houses we are accustomed to let our trees assume their natural shape; but in the district under notice all the trees are carefully shrouded, so that instead of a handsome plantation of Beech or other trees, there are growing tall ungainly poles with a mop of small branches at the top. The reason for this unpicturesque culture is shown on looking at the extensive wood yards, where straight pieces for firewood are so much more useful and so much more easily packed away. The tenders for firewood at one of the hospitals were for Elm, Beech, and Oak, showing what trees are most common in the neighbourhood.—J. G. Barrrum. NOTES AND GLEANINGS. _ Horricunruran Scuoou.—Mr. McKenzie, superintendent of the garden of Alexandra Park, has been asked by the Company to arrange for a school of horticulture. They will appropriate twenty acres for a garden for the practical instruction of the pupils. WE have received the announcement of a subscription for a TESTIMONIAL to be presented to Mr. P. Frost, on the completion of his fifty years’ continuous service as gardener at Dropmore. There are few of the present generation who can remember when there was not a Frost at Dropmore, and there are equally few who will not hail this movement as a well-merited tribute to one who, we believe, has neyer lost a friend and neyer made an enemy. These honours—for honours they are—are not only gratifying to the fathers of gardening, but encouraging and stimulating to the young and aspiring; and we trust that the hopes of the influential Committee which has been formed to promote this laudable object will be crowned with success. We observe that Mr. J. Fleming, of Cliveden, and Mr. T. Moore, of Chelsea, are the Honorary Secretaries. Ty their examinations during 1873, the Socrmry or Arts will include Floriculture, Fruit and Vegetable Culture. The programme will be issued as soon as possible. It will not differ materially from that for the present year. The papers for the elementary examination will be supplied as usual. A terrer dated the 21st inst. says of the crops NEAR Dorwam, ‘ We haye rain every other day. Some corn is still out, and even uncut. Potatoes here, as elsewhere, are much Giseased and a bad crop. Singular it is that there has not JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ October 24, 1872. been one field Mushroom seen in the north this year. I never knew this before.” Ixy the last nine months there were 1,571,429 bushels of OraNncEs AND Lemons imported, and the value, as declared, was £791,257. Ir appears that in the nine months ended the 30th ult. the declared value of Porators imported was £452,549. We learn that the Swiss Frurr TRapE has increased this year to enormous dimensions. The united Swiss railways are scarcely able to supply sufficient waggons for the masses of fruit which are deposited at the stations for transport to Ger- many. —— THE ancient gates of Constantinople, which endured the attacks of decay for more than 1100 years, were made of Cypress wood. WORK FOR THE WEEK. “KITCHEN GARDEN. Now is a good time for thoroughly draining any part of the garden not hitherto done; to replant the Box and other edgings, or mend the gaps whereit is not necessary to remove the whole ; to prepare gravel, &c., for new walks and for repairing the old ones; to make any necessary alterations ; and to thoroughly trench and drain the ground newly taken in, and every spare piece in the garden, choosing suitable weather for these operations. Care should be taken not to operate on close, retentive, badly-drained soils when full of water, which they will continue to be while heavy rains prevail. Broccoli that is now getting too luxuriant may be checked by laying. Some of the Cauliflower plants of suitable size and age should be potted and placed in Melon pits and frames, turf pits, or temporary pits made with a few stakes interwoven with evergreens, long Furze, Heath, Fern, or straw ; they may then be covered when frost is likely to occur with Pea haulm, evergreen boughs, mats, or anything that is convenient laid on cross poles or sticks. A quantity may also be placed in a warm sheltered corner or border, and if taken up with balls of earth and sheltered as above recommended, both Cauliflowers and Cape Broccoli can be secured in succession through the winter until the early varieties of Broccoli come in naturally in the borders and quarters, thus securing a regular supply of these useful vegetables throughout the year. Warm dry borders and banks should be prepared for early Peas and Beans, so that time may be allowed for exposure to the influence of the atmosphere. Strong plants of Lettuce, of the hardy kinds, should now be planted in well-prepared, dry, warm ground, to stand the winter. Secure the supply of the best Red Cabbage for pickling while they are sound and good, after they have had sufficient frost to stay the natural colour. Small Onions, too, should be thought of for the same purpose while they are good.’ See that the Pea and Scarlet Ranner sticks are securely tied in bundles stored away tidily, and thatched with reed, straw, or evergreen boughs. Prepare in wet weather straw mats, thatched hurdles, &c.,and have Russian mats in readiness for use. Hoe and stir the soil amongst all growing crops in suitable weather, and collect all dead and decaying leaves. Those who have still spare ground should continue to put out Coleworts and other Cabbages ; and if any strong plants of Savoys, or the va- rieties of Kale, should be left in the seed-beds, by all means put them out thickly—say at Colewort distances. Those who are fond of Turnip greens at an early season, if they have any overgrown bulbs left in their beds, should at once collect them and plant them 1 foot apart on warm borders, quarters, or sloping banks; if they have no Turnips of their own, they should procure afew from the nearest farm, for all kinds of greens will be found useful in the spring on account of the Potato failure; if not wanted they can be trenched-in for manure. FRUIT GARDEN. Be careful in collecting the late varieties of Pears; they do not come evenly to the proper condition to collect, but ripen in small patches, while others on adjoining branches cling firmly, and in some cases are not in a fit condition to gather for several days. The Medlars and Quinces should be collected in good condition. Those that have sweated should be -well cleansed by being placed in a dry sack and shaken by tw persons from end to end, the friction will clean them perfectly, when they may be stored. Pruning may now be commenced, be- ginning first with the Currants, and following with Gooseberries and Raspberries; this will clear a good deal of ground, to be dressed and dugin fine weather. Next prune Apple and Pear trees; then look over the walls, and cut away useless laterals and late growths on the Peach trees; indeed, any shoots you think will not be wanted in the spring had better be cut out at once to make more room for the others, and let in the sun and air to ripen the bearing wood for next year. The leaves of Peach trees are of very little use after this time, and they do much harm by shading the wood; you may therefore take your knife October 24, 1872 ] and cut them off by handfuls, but do not strip them off for fear of injuring the buds. FLOWER GARDEN. Use all diligence in pushing forward any alterations required. Proceed with laying turf and the removal of shrubs. Lengthy discussions and conflicting opinions as to the proper time for transplanting Hollies and other things have frequently occupied the columns of our gardening periodicals, but I hold that there is nothing sounder in practice or more valid in theory than early antumn planting. The uniformly moist atmosphere in October and November, and the general exemption of these months from severe frosts and_ drying winds, are circumstances too favourable to the crippled energies of large evergreen or deciduous trees under removal to be overlooked by those who would succeed; therefore, those who intend alterations should proceed at once. The ‘condition of the autumn-struck cuttings should be ascertained, and whenever indications of damping appear, remove the pots to drier quarters. Give air liberally to young plants in pits and frames. Scarlet and bedding-out Geraniums should be kept in houses where fires can occasion- ally be lighted, by which they will grow gently through the winter. As the vineries are cleared of Grapes fill them, unless they are otherwise occupied, with the more choice plants, re- serving the pits and frames for the Calceolarias, Lobelias, and similar plants, which do not suffer so much from cold and damp. As soon as the greater part of the leaves are off the trees, let the pleasure ground be thoroughly cleaned and swept. The leaves, if of sufficient quantity, should be stacked up for forcing purposes, covering borders, and thé like. Such parts of the lawn as are contiguous to the house should be swept daily to remove leaves and wormcasts, and the gravel walks should be frequently rolled to preserve a smooth surface. The present is a good time for re-arranging the herbaceous ground, which is xendered hecessary every two or three years by many of the free-growing plants becoming too large. Let the borders have a dressing of well-rotted cow dung before replanting. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. Cuttings of Pelargoniums that are now thoroughly rooted should be immediately potted-off, so that they may be well established in their pots previous to the approach of winter. Those who flower their Pelargoniums late in the season, and, consequently, propagate’ late, will find it preferable to the dis- advantage of late potting, to leave the cuttings in the store pots until early in spring, placing them on the shelf near the glass, where they can have plenty of air on all favourable occasions, and no more water than is absolutely necessary to keep them in health. A few of the strongest of the Cinerarias should now be shifted and encouraged to grow freely. They will be found useful in the conservatory early in the spring. Place Chrysan- themums under glass, and finish potting Dutch bulbs, &e.— W. KEANE. DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. . We continued to partially earth-up Celery as lately referred to, and looked over banks, or rather ridges, of Lettuces, in order to make-up deficiencies ; also, with the same object, the plant- ation of Cabbages for spring use. Few plants in either case have gone wrong this season from the attacks of slugs, grubs, or wireworms. The constant scuffling with the hoe and moving are great deterrents, but one year we lost large numbers of Cabbages from the grub of daddy-longlegs, and there was just as much scuffling and hoeing then as now. Strange to say, we have often been less troubled with grubs, snails, and’ similar enemies after a mild winter than after one in which there was severe frost. We planted two rows of Lettwces, a Brown and a White Cos, in the front of a late orchard house, in which little is left but Plums. Close to the fruit is a row of Parsley, and the Lettuces are behindit. Ina severe winter the Parsley is invaluable, and the Lettuces come in early in spring, after those protected in frames are over, and before those on south banks and ridges come in. If at any period a nice crisp Lettuce is a luxury, it is in the early spring months. Cauliflowers——Those coming into use are still fine, and if the weather be open the others will continue so. If it be otherwise, we must protect and take up. Young plants under hand-lights planted as previously referred to, are all secure, but as there were trails of slugs we scattered ashes and quicklime over the ground outside. We shall try to find a frame empty ere long, and will fill it with stubby plants to turn out in the spring. Even Cabbages, if pricked out now, will make better succes- sions when planted out in spring than if left standing in the seed-bed. We cleared-off Rhubarb, Sea-kale, &c., preparatory to forcing, and cleaned Mushroom-beds, putting a slight covering of dry hay and litter over those from which we wished to gather ere jong, as our first bed in the house, though bearing well, does not produce a basketful every day. Gathered a lot of Vegetable JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 333 Marrows, as we wanted the space, and they will keep a good while in a cool place. In the wet days we were busy making tallies, washing pots, and cleaning and washing houses intended for plants. We have a new potting shed, with a boiler in connection with the water- receiver, so that hot water or cold water can be supplied at pleasure. Washing pots becomes quite a comfort in a wet cold day when warm water is used. One advantage of the hot water is that the pots dry so much sooner than when cold water is used. For pots that are to be plunged it is of little use to take much pains with the outside, but the inside should be scru- pulously cleaned. It is next to impossible to take a ball clean out of a pot if, at the time of repotting, that pot was dirty, had some encrustations of soil inside, or was even wet from the tub, One secret of success with pot plants is using thoroughly clean pots. If clean, a pot, however old, is just as good as one fresh from the kiln. For some purposes it is better, as for tender particular plants it is well that new pots should be soaked in water and dried previous to use. New pots used at once are apt to absorb too much moisture from the soil, and thus leave a space between the soil and the pot, through which the water passes too freely without penetrating the ball of earth. FRUIT GARDEN. We have pruned the Vines in a vinery, and thoroughly washed. the woodwork, glass, and stages with hot soap water. As there had been plants of Coleus in it, and some mealy bug had aps peared, we scraped off the surface soil to the depth of nearly an inch, and watered all over with water as near the boiling point as possible, using a rose, so that the water would sink from half an inch to-an inch in depth, and thus destroy any eggs that there might be. The Vines were well scrubbed with stronger soap water. Our experience leads us to place much reliance on hot water for getting into every hole and crevice, and though nearly at the boiling point, it is much reduced in temperature before it reaches stems or twigs when applied by a syringe or otherwise, and we have never found that thus applied to deciduous trees when dormant it ever did any harm to twigs, shoots, or buds. A Peach house, which we shall prune shortly and clean, so as to fill every available inch with bedding and other plants that are receiving temporary protection out of doors, has undergone the first process of cleaning by copiously syringing wall trees, woodwork, glass, &c., with water as hot as a man can put on with the syringe, using a stout cloth round the syringe where itis held with the left hand. Warm water with half an ounce of soft soap to the gallon, is one of the best protectors from legions of insects. A small copper is therefore valuable in a garden. For home-made mamure water it is also useful, as all the eggs and larve in the droppings of the sheep, horse, cow, and other animals can by its use be destroyed, and, therefore, the manure water thus made is purer and safer than when the droppings are merely soaked in cold water. ; Proceeded with pruning as the weather would permit, and cleared out the superfluous and weaker shoots of Raspberries. This ought to have been done earlier, as in all our experience we never saw the shoots so green at this season. We fear that owing to the dull and dripping autumn the wood of many fruit trees where there was anything like free growth, will be im- perfectly matured. In this respect we feel sure there will be a difference next season in cases where free growth has been per- mitted, and especially in the case of those pyramidal and dwarf trees that owing to high planting and summer-pinching have been allowed to make but very moderate growth. We looked over the fruit-room frequently, and removed all fruit that was decaying. Though this season our crop on the whole was deficient, yet the samples are fair, and we never knew Apples and Pears keep so well. What we have lost is a mere nothing. Apples, though a little spotted, can be used for kitchen purposes, though they would scarcely be tolerated in seasons when they were abundant. In such dull moist weather late Grapes should be frequently looked over. As yet we have not hada dozen decayed berries, but one allowed to remain will soon destroy a bunch. A little fire heat and plenty of air during the day, keeping the atmo- sphere dry from having few or no plants in pots, greatly contri- bute to sound and good keeping. Except in severe frosts, there ought always to be a little air at the back or top of the house at night. We dare not open our front lights, otherwise we should have four-footed intruders that would do more injury than damp.—R. F TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. W. Paul, Waltham Cross, London, N.—Descriptive Catalogue of Hardy Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. Charles Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough.—Catalogue of Roses, Fruit Trees, Conifere, Shrubs, &e. ; A.C. Wilkin, Tiptree, Kelvedon, Essex.—List of Forest Tvees, Shrubs, Apples, Pears, &c. C ding j J. Harrison, Darlington.— Descriptive Catalogue of Fruit Trees, Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. y wo (SE) io JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ October 24, 1872. W. Chater, Saffron Walden.—Catalogue of Hollyhocks and Roses.- TO CORRESPONDENTS. N.B.—Many questions must remain unanswered until next week, AppREss (M. Chapman).—We do not know the address, but our corre- spondent knows about the shelter you name, GARDENERS WITHOUT CHILDREN (Lover of Morality, F. K., Selfish, and Others).—We must decline inserting more on the subject, and will only add, Let every one consider both sides of the question. WEIGHING Fruit aT SHows (R. B.).—Avoirdupois weights are employed— 16 ozs. to the pound. PRUNING PEACH AND Prum Trees (Amateur).—You may cut back the strong shoots on your Plum trees now, but defer the pruning of the Peach Gears spring, when the buds swell. You will then be able to prune toa leaf-bud. EMPLOYMENT IN A Nursery (Anwious).—Write to two or three of the principal nurserymen and florists near London, and state to each what you have stated to us. BuFF-cOLOURED Brick Watt (W. D.).—If the wall is not to be protected by glass, we should prefer this colour of wall to one which is darker. REMOVING GREENHOUSE (4 Sub.).—We think that if the woodwork is screwed on to the plates, you may take the woodwork away as well as the sashes. TRANSPLANTING GOOSEBERRY AND CURRANT BusHEs (Amateur, Dewsbury). —If the bushes are not yery old you may remove them quite safely; but if otherwise, though they will grow they do not succeed so well us younger plants, and in this case we should advise you to plant young bushes at the required distance from the walk. If they are not more than eight or ten years old we should now take out the soil all round the bushes at about 2 feet from the stems to a fullspade’s depth, then remove the loose soil over the roots, and with the spade work round the ball towards the stem, and when the spade is beneath the latter press the handle downwards, which will, of course, raise the ball. In this way proceed until you have loosened the roots and are able to remove the bush with a good ball of soil, then plant no deeper than before. If you have some well-decomposed manure, after covering the roots to the depth of an inch or two with soil, spread round each bush from four to half a dozen spadesful of the manure, then cover with soil, and tread gently. Any pruning they require should be done, thinning out the shoots well, especially the old branches, leaving the young shoots well disposed for forming main branches.~ Cut off the side shoots in the usual way. Mulch over the roots with any littery manure at command. The end of March and beginning of April are the best times to remove Hollyhocks, but this may be done now if the crowns of the plants be afterwards protected. PRUNING Fruit TREES (M. Henderson).—You may prune your fruit trees at once. LirtmG AND REPLANTING VinE Roots (dAmateur).—We advise you to lift the roots at once, and replant in fresh compost. You might try a few Vines on the bush system, though we do not think you will be very successful. Royal Muscadine is a good variety to grow. In exceptional cases late blossoms will be produced on fruit trees; probably lifting and replanting the tree would prevent it. % Lirtine THE Roots or LApy Downe’s Vinrs In BEARING (B. G.).—If your Vines are planted inside and the roots are allowed to grow outside in the usual way, we should renew the outside border first |it may be done now); the inside border could be renewed next season. Remove all the old material of the border up to within 3 feet of the stems of the Vines, and lay the roots out near the surface in the fresh compost. You will not fail to obtain a crop of Grapes every year. VINES FOR A VinERY (H. T. H.).—Your house, 18 feet long, will take four Vines. Plant Black Hamburgh, Madresfield Court, Buckland Sweetwater, and White Muscadine. These will all do in a cool house. Now is a good time to transplant Roses. The best white Grape is Muscat of Alexandria, but it would not succeed in your house. = PruNING VINES (Amatewr).—Cut-back the long side shoots to two eyes, and the leading shoot to 3 feet ; or, as your Vines are very strong, to within 4 feet of its origin. You will need to bend this part of the cane down before the eyes begin to swell, to ensure the eyes breaking regularly. VINCA ROSEA AFTER FLOWERING (Idem).—Keep the plant rather dry from the present time till February; then cut it in rather closely, and do not repot until it has made fresh shoots an inch or two long. Encourage the formation of fresh roots by affording a gentle bottom heat and promote free growth by a moist brisk heat, shading for a few days until it has re- covered from the potting. It loses the old leaves at this season, and most if not all of them during the winter. It is a stoye plant requiring a winter temperature of 55° by night, and 65° by day. PRUNING Fucustas (Idem).—The pruning, or trimming to shape, should not be done until February; up to that time keep them cool, dry, and safe from frost, butnot so dry as to cause the wood to dry up. Early in March they may be turned out of the pots, the old soil removed from the roots, and placed in pots that will just hold the roots. Use a compost of light turfy loam two parts, one part leaf soil, and half a part of old cow dung, with a sixth of sharp sand, and afford good drainage. They will need to be shifted into their blooming pots when they haye made good roots in their first pots. TRANSPLANTING Roses (Idem).—The best time to transplant standard and all description of Roses, except the tender Tea-scented kinds, is November. You may moye Maréchal Niel at the same time to a position against a wall; if in the open grotind it should be protected in seyere weather. Mulch well with litter over the roots after moving. y TILLANDSIA CULTURE (Jdem).—All the Tillandsias are stove plants requir- ing a winter temperature of 55° to 60°. Your plant would probably survive in a greenhouse if kept very dry, but then you will need to give a stove heat in summer so that a good growth may be perfected. WINTERING LOBELIAS (Idem).—Take up the plants, cut off the greater parts which are flowering or have flowered. Secure to each plant a moderate- sized ball. Place them in a pit or house safe from frost, and give no more water than enough to keep them fresh. Pot in light soil. Four, or at most 5-inch pots are large enough. VINE Prunine (A Constant Reader).—Your specimen of Vine pruning is correct. Cut above the eye as in the specimen sent. The young wood ought to be removed, leaving one or two good eyes at the base of the shoot. SIEVE AND HALF Sreve Measures (Poma).—The Halj Sieve contains three and a half imperial gallons. It averages 12} inches in diameter, and 6 inches in depth. Steve.—Contains seven imperial gallons. Diameter 15 inches, depth 8inches, A sieve of Peas is equal to one bushel; a sieve of Currants twenty quarts. GUERNSEY AND BELLADONNA Lines AFTER FLOWERING (Florence).— Set the pots on pans filled with sandkept always wet, on shelves in the green- house, orin a pit safe from frost, and give plenty of water until the leayes begin - to turn yellow, then withhold it. In summer keep the sand in the pans wet. Strong yellow loam is the most suitable soil. CAMELLIA LEAVES BRowNED (Idem).—The leaves you sent us are not in- fested with insects, but they are browned on the upper surface, owing, we think, to exposure to the powerful rays of the sun, from which Camellias should be shaded. We advise you to remove the surface soil down to the roots, but be careful not to injure them, and top-dress with rich light loam and old cow dung in equal parts. At every alternate watering apply weak liquid n¥anure, and have the leaves sponged with a solution of 3 ozs. of soft soap to a gallon of water made as hot as the hand can well bear. CAMELLIA CuLTURE (7. B. B.).—At all seasons they require to haye the soil moist, never dry, and when they are growing water liberally; good supplies should also be given when they are swelling and expanding the buds. The chief causes of the buds falling are an imperfect root-action inducing un- healthy growth, and a saturated condition of the soil occasioned by bad drainage, or too heavy and frequent watering when none is needed. A tem- perature of 40° to 45° is needed in winter, and when expanding the flowers the heat may be 45° to 50°; the latter is the maximum temperature needed from fire heat at any stage of their growth. Onur ‘‘ In-door Gardening” gives instructions for the cultivation of Camellias. It may be had free by post from our office for 1s. 74d. PRESERVING GERANIUMS THROUGH THE WINTER (JV. S.).—You ask for the best method of preserving these during the winter. Without any pre- tence to ours being the best, we give it for what it is worth; with us good plants at planting time result from it. Now that we are taking up the plants, they are stripped of all but the young leaves, the roots trimmed-in a little, merely cutting away the long straggling parts, and placed in pots that will just hold the roots. Soil two parts turfy loam, light rather than heavy, and one part leaf soil or very old manure, adding a sixth of sharp sand. They are placed in pits or on a lattice stage about 18 inches from the glass, and are watered so as to: keep the soil moist ; but no water is given until they become dry, and then a good supply is afforded. The temperature is kept at 45°, though in cold weather it may fall to 40°. Abundance of air is admitted whenever the weather permits. Early in March we take what cuttings we can, pot them singly in 3-inch pots, place them in a gentle heat, and they soon strike. When rooted they are stopped, and if grown in frames they make good plants by planting-out time. By this means the plants are freed of their straggling growths early in March, and they are shifted into pots a size larger, or 6-inch pots, being in the first instance placed in 4inch or 4}-inch pots; and the compost is the same, with the addition of half a part of well- decayed manure. They are returned to the pit, have water as required, and about the middle of April the point of any shoot growingirregularly is pinched out. This causes the plants to grow more compactly. The chief point after this is to admit air freely, withdrawing the lights wheneyer the temperature out of doors is above 45°, and only using them to keep the temperature inside the pit from falling below that. The consequence is, when they are put out they are strong, compact, and hardy, and show no check after being placed in the beds at the end of May, or, if cold, in June. TECOMA JASMINOIDES NOT FLOWERING (Florentine).—You may plant it out now-in a conservatory border well drained, in a compost of two parts fibrous loam, one part sandy peat, one part leaf soil, and half a part sharp sand; the loam and peat chopped-up rather small, and the whole well mixed. In spring it will grow freely, and should be encouraged with copious supplies of water and frequent syringings, which should be continued up to Septem- ber; then reduce the supply, but do not allow the leayes to flag. Train the shoots 9 inches to afoot from the glass, and in pruning cut out the old wood. The shoots should not be allowed to become too crowded, then thin out where they are disposed to grow too thickly. Growrne CUCUMBERS IN WINTER (N. F. H.).—The plants should not be ‘stopped until they have reached the trellis and can be secured to it, then stop them so as to produce shoots for covering the trellis, and these should be stopped one joint beyond the fruit repeatedly throughout their growth. We think you have, in the “Garden Manual,” mistaken “salt” for soft water, with which the plants should be watered until February, bringing it to the tem- perature of the bed by adding a proper quantity of warm water. After Febru- ary they may be watered once a-week with 1 oz. of guano to a gallon of water, or one peck sheep’s droppings to thirty gallons of water. Usrs oF HorticuLturaL Houses (Subscriber).—We do not see how you could better utilise your stoye house than by devoting the centre bed to the growth of the Pine Apple, and the side stages to Vines in pots. The latter will only do for one year’s-fruiting, so that you will need to raise or purchase a fresh set of plants annually. If you think pot Vines too troublesome you could have the Vines planted out, but not nearer than 4 feet, and as you must have the border outside, we do not think you can hope for any great result from these, though we have seen them good. You could have the border made now, but we should not advise you to plant the Vines until they had begun to grow. You will need to arrange so that the rods can be taken out of the house in winter and introduced when you wish to start them: You may procure the Pines at once. By the latter arrangement you will be able to retain the climbers on the back wall, and the plants on the side stages. In your other house already occupied with Vines, we do not see that you have yoom for much. In the pit you may plunge Fig trees in pots, and have Figs on the back wall as well. We would start the Vines at the beginning of March so as to have the fruit ripe in July, and the Black Hamburghs will keep sound up to October, when, your other house being in bearing, you will have the fruit of the Vines in the stove. As these are Muscats the Grapes will hang until late, or you can cut them and keep them in water. For further particulars of treatment you are referred to the ‘‘ Vine Manual,” and “Pine-Apple Manual,” to be had from our office, by post, 2s. 73d. each. Marzu (F. Richards).—The time to sow Maize is in the first or second week of May. Any good garden soil will do for the purpose, but in fresh soil the plant grows much more luxuriantly. Draw drills as for Peas, and sow the seed thinly; when up, thin the plants to 18 inches apart. a ee ee a October 24, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 335 Pears Not Rrenrne (Alpha).—If your Pear is Beurré Diel it will ripen in December. Some varieties do not ripen well this year with us. Beurre Bose used to ripen with us in October, but to get it in this year we have laced some of the fruit in a Pine house with a temperature of from 60° to 5°; the fruit is there ripening well. If you place yours in a warm room it will probably ripen. That is the only way we know of. INARCHING VINES, DRESSING VINE BonrpeErR (R. S.).—Inarching is better than budding or grafting. It is the surest method and most easily performed. Join young wood to young wood when it is green, cut a slice of each shoot to half its diameter, and tie the two together firmly with a strip of matting. _The two shoots should be fastened together both above and below the union. In three weeks undo the fastenings and tie another strip of matting round a little more loosely: the two edges must fit together, at least on one side. Bud- ding may also be performed. We obtained a bud of a variety we wished to grow in October last year, it was sent several hundreds of miles, and was at once inserted in a young shoot of Muscat of Alexandria, and this year it has madea strong growth. You must take some of the wood with the bud and fit it in neatly, tying it round with matting, and covering over with grafting- wax. It is best to bud or graft on the young wood. We would not use lime pure and simple, nor plaster of Paris to dress a Vine border. Lime rubbish is a good thing to mix in, as it keeps the border open. The dressing should be applied in autumn. NECTARINES FoR A Coot House (Nectarine).—Victoria, Violette Hative, Albert, and Balgowan. These will all succeed well, and are very choice varieties. ScREEN oF ConrreRs (Conifer).—As the length is 80 feet you will need twenty plants; and as you wish for the best only, we name for the back row, as they will not be seen to their base, Pinus Laricio and Pinus austriaca alternately, planted 8 feet apart, with a common Holly between each pair, so that for the back row you will need nine Hollies, and five of each of the Pines. Tn the next row, 8 feet from the back row, and opposite the Holly, plant Abies Douglasii, Wellingtonia gigantea, and Thuja Lobbi, in equal numbers at 8 feet apart. In the third row, at 8 feet from the last plant, Picea Nordmanniana, P. grandis, P. nobilis, P. Pinsapo, Cedrus Deodara, Cupressus Lawsoniana, Retinospora pisifera, Thujopsis borealis, and Thuja orientalis, employing these where you have the greatest width ; and at the narrow parts towards the ends Thuja elegantissima, Taxus adpressa, T. elegantissima, Abies Clan- brasiliana, A. pygmea, A. compacta, and A. pumila. The whole of the internal space we should fill up with common Laurel, which can be removed as the Conifers grow, making them throughout 4 feet apart, but the Conifers will stand § feet apart every way. The front you can fill up with any of the low-growing shrubs, as Juniperus Sabina, J. prostrata, Vinca elegantissima, Skimmia japonica, Berberis Aquifolium, &c. Now is the time to plant them ; _ the ground, however, should be well trenched. PEARS FOR WEST Wau (Idem).—We presume you want them to succeed each other. Beurré Superfin, Marie Louise, General Todtleben, Beurré Diel, Joséphine de Malines, and Bergamotte Esperen. PASSIFLORAS FOR GREENHOUSE (J. D.).—We do not know any scarlet- flowered Passifloras that will succeed in a greenhouse, but Countess Nessel- rode has reddish purple flowers. P. kermesina might probably succeed. We would especially recommend Tacsonia Van-Volxemi; with us it is always flowering. The flowers are bright crimson. TacsonrIA, MANDEVILLA, AND LAPAGERIA IN COLD ConSERVATORY (H. F'. F.’. —aAs the temperature of your house sometimes falls below 32° keep the plants dry at the roots, giving no more water than is absolutely necessary. The Tacsonia and Lapageria are Imown to endure several degrees of frost without injury, and yet we should advise you to cover them in severe weather with mats, which should not be removed as long as the temperature is below 32°, and not after a change of weather until the plants are thoroughly thawed. Tritoma grandis is quite hardy,:but it is well to mulch round the crown after November with partially-decayed leaves and short manure, placing a mat over all in severe weather, and not removing the dead parts until spring. VioLA QUEEN Vicrorta (H. Cannell).— Your Viola is lovely. , At this season of the year, when colours in the flower garden are becoming rare, and the gaudy show is past, its charming violet tint cannot but be admired by all Jovers of a flower garden. PoINSETTIA PULCHERRIMA TREATMENT (Box).—This plant should have a temperature of 55° to 60° from fire heat, and be kept in a light airy position near the glass. Watershould be given to keep the soilmoist. For particulars of treatment throughout the year see page 224 of JouRNaL oF HORTICULTURE for September 19th this year. UsEs oF TAN (Idem).—The only way is to form it into a bed of about the same height and dimensions as if you were using well-fermented dung. The sides will need to be held up by litter, and from your pony you will probably haye enough for that purpose. Any kind of litter will do, or you may employ faggots; the object is to keep the tan from falling. The tan if fresh should be thrown into a heap, and allowed to attain a good heat before being used for forming the bed. CHRYSANTHEMUM STAKES—MANURING ROSES—TUBEROSES NOT FLOWER- Inc (S. P. S. X.).—The stakes for the Chrysanthemums would be much im- proved if you were to have them painted green. Nowis a good time to manure Rose beds; put on rather littery manure, and in spring point it in with a fork. ‘This is also a good time to plant Liliums in the open ground, well drained. We are unable to account for not more than two Tuberoses out of half a dozen flowering. Probably the tubers were too weak, like the majority of those we have grown for many years. The American roots are considered finer than the Italian. LavREL LEAVES FOR DESTROYING GREEN FLyY—LOBELIA NoT FLOWER- Inc Continvovusty (Idem).—Laurel leaves are destructive to insects because they evolye prussic acid. Cover the floor of a house with them, shut it up closely in the afternoon, gather them up in the morning, and well syringe the plants. A decoction of the bruised leayes is also useful for syringing plants infested with green fly, using as much water as will just cover the leaves. Pour boiling water over them, cover, and allow the liquid to cool, then apply it with a syringe. Lobelia pumila grandiflora blooms continuously until frost, and we can only account for your plants not doing so by the heavy rains, and the plants coming into flower so early in the season.. The growth of the plants should be encouraged, and the flowers pinched off so as to keep them free in growth, and only showing for flower at planting-out time. It is not anusnal for Cinerarias to flower in October. GREENHOUSE VENTILATION (A Lover of Flowers).—The temperature of a greenhouse should not exceed 45° by fire heat, nor be less than 40°, the former being the day, and the latter the night temperature. Gentle fire heat in mild wet weather is often desirable to cause a circulation of air, but it should not be given with the view of raising the temperature. There cannot be too much ventilation in mild weather, and a little air should be given daily except in severe weather, but without lowering the temperature. In order to prevent too high a temperature from sun heat, air should be given early in ine day, rodueed by the time the temperature falls to 50°, and entirely with- ‘awn at 45°. CHaRcosL STovE IN GREBNHOUSE (ZL. A. P.).—A charcoal stove will injure the plants in a greenhouse, unless you have a small chimney to take off the products of combustion. We know what effects a close charcoal stove has had on men, and plants are even more tender. We have known great destruction caused by using gas-burners, and they are not worse than charcoal. FLUED STovE (E. G. G.).—In such a small house (9 feet by 6 feet), the one stove (9 inches by 7 inches), would be quite sufiicient to keep the frost out. The mere keeping-in of the fire, if there be enough of heat, will be of less consequence. The keeping the fire in will depend on a close-fitting furnace- door and a close ashpit-door;a slight opening in the latter, say 1 inch by one-eighth of an inch, will keep-up the combustion. The close fitting of the latter is of importance, as the smoke-pipe goes up from the top of the stove. As you would see in previous numbers, we prefer that the smoke-pipe should issue from the side and that the firebox should be lined with firebricks, and stand separate from the sides of the stove. AMMONIACAL SOLUTION FoR Dippine Puants (C.J. W.).—Hali an ounce of sulphate of ammonia is a sufficient quantity for one gallon, and this should not be given oftener than twice a-week. At the same rate any of the ammoniacal salts would probably answer for dipping and syringing plants. but we should be obliged by information on the subject. DeEstRovING Stues (Amatewr, Dewsbury).—In the flower garden, before planting, we should dress with salt at the rate of one peck to 30 square yards. In the spring we should point lime inte the flower borders, and if slugs are troublesome dress with it late in the evenings of showery days. Any un- sightliness will soon disappear by hoeing and raking. You may also dress with nitrate of soda, 1 Ib. to 30 square yards. It destroys slugs, and is bene- ficial to most plants. ' In the kitchen garden we should apply the dressing of lime as you propose, and dust the growing crops with lime if the slugs should proye troublesome. You may also dress with salt, which is beneficial to plants and destroys slugs. The Celery we should water with nitrate of soda, 1b. to twelve gallons of water, and also dust with soot before each earth- ing-up. Rep SPER oN VINEs (H. B.).—At this advanced period of the season you need not trouble about your greenhouse Vines infested with red spider, further than to remove the leaves as they fall, and to burn them. When the leaves are all off remove the loose portions of the bark, and when the Vines are pruned dress them with a composition formed of 8 ozs. of soft soap and one gallon of tobacco juice, adding sufficient sulphur vivum to bring the com- position to the consistency of paint. Apply this with a brush to every part of the wood, working it well into the holes and crevices, and taking care not to rub off the eyes. It should be applied at a temperature of 120°. We should | wash the canes previous to this application with water and a brush, then apply the composition. The temperature trom fire heat in your greenhouse ought not to exceed 45°, and should not fall below 38° to insure the safety of the plants. 40° to 45° from fire heat will suit the plants and not unduly excite the Vines. The temperature may rise to 50° or more from sun heat, but the fire heat at such times shoulé be kept at a minimum. During the winter it is not necessary to apply manure water to any plants in a state of rest or when the growth is not active, but such as are adyancing for flower- ing will be the better of weak liquid manure once a-week when the pots are full of roots. Our “In-door Gardening” will suit you. It may be had free by post from our office for 1s. 73d. SS Names oF Fruits (D. F. J. K.).—Your Pear is certainly not worth a south wall. The cracking and imperfect ripening are caused by the roots being in ungenial soil. It is so poor a specimen we cannot determine thename. (Cen- turion).—1, Worthless, certainly not Cellini; 2, Dredge’s Fame; 3, Winter Nelis; 4, Certainly not Beurré Bachelier; 5, Beurré d’Aremberg; 6, Inferior specimen; 7, Red Doyenné; 8 and 9, General Todtleben. Names or Prants (7. Hill).—Lasthenia californica and Cheiranthus Marshalli. (S. S.).—Croton variegatum. (Pinetwm).—1l, 4, 5, Abies Men- ziesii; 2, Taxus baccata elegantissima;-8, Thujopsis borealis; 7, Taxus baccata adpressa; 8, Pinus lasiocarpa; 9, Pinus excelsa ; 10, Abies orientalis. (H. W. D.).—2, Juniperus virginiana; 1, Chamecyparis Lawsoniana ; and 3, C. sphrroidea, apparently; but specimens not very satisfactory. (H. Payne).—8, Pellwa hastata, var.{macrophylla. (Constant Reader).—Sedum spectabile. (R. Maries).—Wulfenia carinthiaca variegata. (EZ. R., Llanfair). —1, Asplenium dimorphum; 2, Nephrodium decursiyo-pinnatum; 3, N. (Lastrea) Thelypteris; 4, N. (Lastrea) Filix-mas. POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. RETURNING FOWLS FROM A SHOW. Ix calling attention to the treatment my birds experienced at Croydon Show, I do so in the hope it will be the means of pre- venting a recurrence ofthe serious injury which may be in- flicted on very valuable birds, owing to want of a little attention and of the employment of experienced and responsible persons in and about a show, particularly a firstone. —. Although I am situated nearly on a direct line of the London and North-Western Railway, my birds did not arrive home till three days after the Show closed, and when they did arrive the cockerel was put in the small pullet hamper, and, vice versd the pullets in the tall cockerel hamper (without, of course, the least regard to numbers); consequently the cockerel during the three days’ journey had never been able to stand up, and as may be imagined, was so cramped ai hardly to be able to stand. TI heartily wish this had been all, but one of the very splendid pullets was so injured either by rough handling in penning or by a blow on the head or neck, thatit will take some time for her 336 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ October 24, 1872. to overcome the injury, ifsheever do. Have we another illustra- tion here of the “ foighting” scene described by Mr. Hewitt in the last number of Wright’s ‘Book of Poultry?” Of course, valuable birds being so long on a journey will cause some anxiety to their owners, and if the Secretary had replied to telegrams, much expense and anxiety would have been prevented, and it was only by making free use of telegrams that I succeeded in getting my birds fed and finding their whereabouts. I believe mine is no solitary case. Two days after the Show closed, after writing twice for them, a catalogue and prize list arrived, ten days after that two more. Honorary secretaries, no doubt, have very onerous and thankless duties to perform, and it is to be hoped the experience of the past will be a lesson for the future.— EH. TupMAN. IPSWICH POULTRY SHOW. Tue seventh annual Show at Ipswich took place on the 16th inst. and two following days, and though the entries were not so numerous as they have been on some former occasions, the quality of the birds manifested improvement rather than dete- rioration of quality. The weather on the day of opening was as adverse as could be well imagined, for incessant rain and dense fog marked the whole of the morning, and the still threatening aspect of the afternoon no doubt caused many would-be visitors to absent themselves altogether. Of Cochins, the entry was of the highest possible character, Lady Gwydyr and Mr. Henry Lingwood exhibiting their choicest specimens in admirable condition. The first-prize Buff pullet is certainly one of the largest and best in all points that has been exhibited for some time. Lady Gwydyr’s cup cockerel is also a glorious bird in style and colour, but wants size. Mr. J. K. Fowler’s Partridge cockerel, the winner of the second prize, will be a superior one, but will require another fortnight to complete his moult. Dark ones were particularly so; Mr. Lingwood, Lady Gwydyr, and Mr. Caborn, a new exhibitor, being the prizewinners. In Light Brahmas the competition was severe, and as will be seen by reference to the prize list, the prizes were awarded among the proprietors of some of the best strains in the kingdom. | The Dorkings were certainly not nearly equal to what-might have fairly been anticipated. The Game classes were not large, but of first-rate quality, the ardour of exhibitors being, no doubt, damped from the fact that the Game prizes ati the previous Ipswich Shows had, without exception, been mo- nopolised by very high-class birds from one of the most noted Game-breeders in the kingdom, a resident near the town. This season, however, in an extremely close rivalry between those noted exhibitors, Mr. James Fletcher, of Stoneclough, and Mr. S. Matthews, of Stowmarket, the north-country birds secured the first prizes, but could not maintain any position for the second premiums. Créve-Ceurs and Houdans were quite equal to those generally shown at the largest shows. In Ham- burghs, with birds of the highest character, Mr. Tickner, a local exhibitor, had it entirely in his own hands; never before have such good representatives of all four varieties of Hamburghs been exhibited in this district. The prizes in the Variety class were awarded to Ptarmigan and Frizzled fowls. The Selling classes contained some extraordinary bargains, and the entries were most satisfactory. The Game Bantam class, always a chief feature of this Show, was again one of the best filled in the Exhibition ; but, unfortunately for visitors, this class-was placed not by any means in the best light, and this, coupled with the dense fog that prevailed, caused them to be seen to great disadvantage. The Honorary Secretary, Mr. Jeffries, who exhibited four pens of his best birds “not for competition,” would certainly, but for this proviso, have left his rivals far in the rear. Still the class, independently of these pens, contained excellent Black Reds and an exceedingly well-matched pair of Red Piles. In the variety Bantam class were exhibited a most singular pair of Bantams, booted to excess, and each carrying the tail as closely on the back as a squirrel; their oddity excited the attention of most visitors, and their gait when alarmed was most extraordinary. In this class some good Silver-laced and Japanese were the prizetakers. As there were only two classes for Pigeons—a general class for any variety and a Selling class, this division of the Show was inferior to those of former years. Black Barbs and Black Car- riers were the respective winners. ; Forty-two pens of Rabbits proved a-great addition to the Show, and, although so numerous, scarcely a pen contained an indifferent specimen. The Lop-eared class was well worthy of the public interest it secured, the two prize animals measuring 22% inches by 5 inches, and 214 inches by 5 inches. The first was slate-coloured, the second fawn-and-white ; both were shown in faultless condition. Angoras of high quality, with admir- able Silver-Greys and Himalayan Rabbits, made up a fine collection. : The centre avenue was this year given up to an entirely new feature—viz., an entry of forty-eight pens of Cats; to many persons ,.more especially lady visitors, this portion of the Show Brahmas were good throughout, and the | appeared highly attractive. Among the oddities in Cais were a pair very singularly marked, each having a perfectly white body and head, with the exception of one small black spot about the size of a shilling at the root of the left ear. There were also Tortoiseshell Tom Cats that appeared especially popular, Manx Cats without tails, Angora Cats of various colours, White Cats with intensely bright blue eyes, and kittens that from their very playfulness alone brought together groups of ad- mirers. We may caution exhibitors of Cats to take special care in firmly fastening the travelling packages containing their pets, as these animals evince anything but partiality for railway excursions, in one instance the basket being delivered by the railway officials minus the cat, though from the food placed in the basket, no doubt it must have escaped during transit. When Cats become excited and resolute a basket, unless well made, is not to be relied on. The arrangements within the Corn Exchange were as credit- able as in former years, but. the heavy rain was, we regret to say, a drawback to visitors from a distance, and even to local ones. We are informed that every pen was securely packed and delivered to its owner or to the railway company on Friday evening in time for the night mails. Cocuty-Cutxa.—Cockerel.—l and Cup, Lady Gwydyr, Ipswich. 2, J. K. Fowler Aylesbury. vhe, Lady Gwydyr. he, Henry Lingwood, Needham Market (2); A Darby, Bridgnorth. Pullet—l and vhe, Lady Gwydyr. 2, Henry Lingwood. he, C. Bloodworth, Cheltenham; E. Fearon, Whitehaven. c,J.K. Fowler; R- S. S. Woodgate, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells; J. Watts, Birmingham. Brawis-Pootra.—Dark.—Cockerel.—1, Horace Lingwood, Needham Market. 2, Lady Gwydyr. he, W. Cutlack, jun., Littleport; H. Smith; P. D. Maddox; Lady Gwydyr. Pullet—i, R. Caborn. 2, Lady Gwydyr. vhe, Horace Ling- wae he, F. Harris; Horace Lingwood; Lady Gwydyr. c, O. E. Cresswell, Bagshot. Breanwas.—Light.—Cockerel.—l, Mrs. A. Williamson, Queeniborough Hall. Leicester. 2, H. M. Maynard, Ryde, Isle of Wight. he, J.T. Hincks; H. Dow- sett, Pleshey, Chelmsford; P. D. Maddox; C. Tindall; F. Waller. c, J. Long. Forest Hill. Pullet—l, M. Leno, Markyate Street. 2,H.M. Maynard. he, H- Dowsett; Rev. N.J. Ridley, Newbury; 4. Freeman; C. Chawner,jan. ¢,C- Chawner, jun., Uttoxeter. Dorxrines.—Cockerel.—1, O. E. Cresswell. 2, H. Lingwood. he, F. Parlett, Great Baddow. Pullet—1 and Cup, F. Parlett. 2,E. Fearon. c, 0. E. Cress- well. Game.—Cockerel.l, Cup, and vie, J. Fletcher, Stoneclough, Manchester. 2, S. Mathew, Stowmarket. he, W. Kitson. c, H. E. Martin, Scuithorpe- Pullet—1 and he, J. Fletcher. 2,S. Matthew. vhe, H. E. Martin. CrEVE-Cetr, Houpay, on La FLEcHE.—Cockerel—1, J. Walton, Croydon. Surrey. 2, W. Dring, Faversham. he, J. K. Fowler: J.J. Malden, Biggleswade- Pullet —1, J.J. Malden. 2, W. Cutlack, jun. he, G. W. Hibbert; J. K- Fowler. Hampurcus.—Gold or Silver-pencilled—Cockerel._1, W. K. Tickner, Ipswich- Qandvhe, H.& A. Gill. Pullet.—1, W. K. Tickner. 2, H. & A. Gill. ‘ _ Hampureus.—Gold or Silver-spangled —Cockerel.—1, Cup, and 2, W. K. Tick- ner. c, M.M. Cashmore, Sheepshed. Pullet—l and 2, W. K. Tickner. he, H- Churchyard. c, W. Turner; M. M. Cashmore. ANY OTHER VaRieTy.—l, J. Watts. 2, W. Grave (Frizzled). he, E. Leeds (Brown Red Game). Ducss.—Aylesbury or Rouen.—l, J. K. Fowler. 2, Lady Gwydyr. vhe, F. Parlett. he, Hon. Mrs. Vernon. ) {16 5] 818 9 |8 PRINCE OF WALES Bory, 1841. 50.5 | 33.8 | 42.2 16 10 7/18 4]|40 2] morn. 8 | 15 59} 314 10 | SuN | 24 Sunpay AFTER TRINITY. 50.4 | 84.0 | 42.2 24 1167/16 4/59 2) 42 0 9 | 15 53 | 3815 uw a Stoke Newington Chrysanthemum Show opens.| 50.2 | 34.2 | 42.2 15 TS) Tela ea GLa hS bao 10 | 15 46) 316 13 UO ” ayniss » Closes.) 50.2 | 83.8 | 42.0 17 7,18 (4) 29 8.) 26, 8 11 | 15 89 | 317 Ww Royal Jersey Horticultural Exhibition. 49.9 | 85.2 | 42.6 22, Tom 7) Ud 4a e445 18): 46)) 4 12 | 15 30 | 318 | { oe fe observations taken near London during forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 50.8°; and its night temperature .6°. The greatest heat was 63°, on the 12th, 1841; and the lowestcold 17°, on the 9th, 1864. The greatest fall of rain was 1.16 inch. NOTES ON THE CAMELLIA. = 2 'T is now some years since the use of fresh- ek ae, cut turfy loam was advocated in this Journal SV ia\q as the best material in which to pot the " Ps Camellia; and by the number of communi- y, cations which appeared at that time and sub- sequently, it would seem that many of your readers have given it a trial, and they must by this time be able to speak confidently about it. Many years previously to Mr. Pearson’s remarks appearing in print I had seen turfy loam used—not light loam, but that which would be termed medium; the plants, however, did not take kindly to the potting material, making very weakly growths. About the same time I had to repota collection of Camellias; and the only potting material that could be obtained was very black peat earth, the small hillocks which the moles cast up being gathered for this purpose. The plants made very good growth in this, and the foliage was of a deep healthy green. After that time I used turfy peat, with a small proportion of turfy loam added to it. Ihave also tried the loam which can be obtained here ; it is a very light sandy loam, and the plants suc- ceeded in it for a time, but afterwards the leaves assumed a sickly colour, and it was thought desirable to return to the turfy peat and loam for potting. I do not know whether it is general, but the plants have made unusually good growth this season, and are well set with flower-buds. A cloudy wet season, with a temperature below the average, seems to suit them. There are some plants which the modern system of hothouse building does not agree with, and the Camellia is amongst the number. Large panes of glass and close glazing look very well from an architectural point of view, but for many practical purposes the old system, with closely- placed bars and small panes, is the best. ‘To many per- sons this may seem downright heresy; it is an opinion shared, nevertheless, by some of our best practical gar- deners. At this place, in a closely-glazed lean-to vinery in which the squares of glass are very large, I have much difficulty in keeping the leaves of the Vines from being scorched before the Grapes are ripe. Especially is this the case with the old Muscat of Alexandria. 1 pointed out this to a friend on one occasion, a very successful plant-grower, and in a conversation that followed my friend made this remark—‘‘I believe that the modern style of hothouse building has killed nearly all the fine old Camellias ”"—he was speaking of the neighbourhood of London. Again, take the now-popular Orchid family ; it is pretty well Inown that they do not succeed nearly so well in the new style of hothouse as they did in the old- fashioned houses where the small squares of glass were used.. In the old style so much artificial shading was not required; it was only necessary to use canvas screens during very hot weather. Shading of some sort is abso- lutely necessary, but the less it is required the better for the plants. The small squares of glass may also create a purer atmosphere by the admission of air between the No. 606.—Vou, XXIII., NEw SERIES, panes, as the glass does not always fit so tightly but that there are minute spaces through which air is admitted. Having said thus much, I do not wish it to be inferred that Iam an advocate for the old system for every pur- pose. There are some classes of plants that require as much light as can possibly be afforded them ; and in the northern parts of these islands an unintercepted admis- sion of the sun’s rays may be desirable. Doubtless there are many sides to this question, and taking into considera- tion the large number of persons who can now afford the luxury of glass structures, its importance is obvious, and I should much like the opinion of fome of our best practical gardeners on the matter. At any rate, as regards the Camellia, it will be found that the old style of house with a west aspect, a lean-to or half-span, suits it best. The plants must also be shaded from the sun’s rays during summer. If a whole house can be given up to their culture it is comparatively easy. A greenhouse temperature suits them nearly all the year round. At the time they are making their young wood a close, moist, and rather high temperature is desirable. When the plants are grown in a greenhouse with other plants it is best to remove them to a warmer house to make their growth. Some growers remove their plants out of doors after the buds are set, but this I do not approve of; there is always danger of the buds dropping off when they are removed to the house in the autumn. Of course, with good management this may be avoided ; it is not so much the change of temperature that is the cause, it is, I think, mainly the atmospheric change; they are removed from a moist to a dry atmosphere, consequently a check is experienced, and the buds drop. After the plants are taken inside they should be dewed over once or twice a-day with a syringe for about a week or ten days, after which they. will be safe. It is also highly important to keep the roots in a healthy growing state, as few plants are more easily injured either from being stinted or from an excess of water. An overdry atmosphere, caused by overheating the pipes or flues in winter, is a frequent cause of buds dropping. The Camellia does not require to be potted frequently, so that the operation ought to be carefully performed. The crocks should be carefully placed at the bottom, and over them put some tough fibrous peat or loam. If the plants require repotting and are in good condition, a large quantity of tender white fleshy-roots will be found round the outside of the ball of earth. These active rootlets ought not to be destroyed, some of the surface mould should be removed, and a little should be carefully picked out from the ball, if it can be done without much injury to the roots; but if the roots are in bad condition from having grown in unsuitable material, it will be better to shake the soil away from them as much as possible before repotting. : Camellias should be kept quite clean. If the plants are small, and the collection is not large, it is best to wash the leaves separately with a sponge, using tepid water ™m which some soft soap has been dissolved. Frequent syringing during the summer months will help to keep No. 1258.—Vot. XLVIII., OLD SERIES. 4 353 JO JRNAL GF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ November 7, 1872. the plants clean, no scale nor bug ought to remain on them; red spider will also do considerable damage during hot weather in summer if syringing be neglected. Amateurs ought to observe that the Camellia is comparatively hardy, and will stand 20° of frost; it is more likely to be injured by heat in winter than by cold.—J. Doveuas. FUNKIAS. - Tuts beautiful tribe of fine-foliaged plants, like many other perennials with attractive foliage and flowers, is not sufficiently taken advantage of by those who appreciate elegance of form as well as colour in their flower gardens. Indeed, so rarely do we find Funkias used, that it is obvious few have ever seen the magnificent displays they produce in masses. For out- door decoration of a sub-tropical aspect they far surpass any of the usual sub-tropical plants, as, unlike these, they succeed admirably in the coldest district. The somewhat tough texture of their leaves fits them for being planted in exposed situations, where tender fine-foliaged plants soon assume a ragged un- sightly appearance. In habit they very much resemble the dwarf form of Cannas, and have oval leaves longitudinally striped with golden yellow, pure white, and deep green. The flowers, which are borne on small peduncles, are slightly raised above the foliage, and are principally of a puce colour. They are not, however, very attractive, and are of short duration. In the dwarf section Funkia ovata variegata, F. lancewfolia, and F. japonica lutea variegata, are amongst the finest, and seldom exceed 9inches in height. Of the taller kinds, F. um- bellata aurea variegata, F. cerulea, F. undulata, and F. Sie- boldiana, are the handsomest, and frequently attain a height of 18 or 20 inches. For bedding purposes, where a stock has to be secured, raising the plants from seed will be more expeditious than haying to resort to the tedious process of dividing a few crowns. The most certain mode of obtaining seed in a mature ‘state is to retain a few plants and grow them in pots under glass during the summer. A greenhouse or frame does very well, a little fire heat being afforded in autumn if required. Sow the seed early in spring in pots or small pans filled with a mixture of silyer sand and peat, and if these be plunged in gentle bottom heat it will soon germinate. When large enough to handle, the young plants may be placed singly in small pots, or be pricked-off into boxes, there to remain until May, when they should be planted out in the reserve ground. The soil should be deep and rich, and the situation warm and sheltered. Attention must be paid to watering liberally in dry weather, as the principal object during this period is to en- courage the growth of strong crowns suitable for bedding in the following season. It is not necessary to lift the plants until the foliage has died down, which generally is towards the end of October. This also applies to those which may have been planted in the flower garden. The roots should be carefully lifted, and, after having been potted, placed in a cold frame with a covering of ashes or cocoa-nut fibre. Thus treated they remain in an ex- cellent state of preservation until March, when they should be shaken from the pots and repotted in an open mixture of loam, peat, and silver sand, in equal parts. In the potting the largest crowns may be divided. The whole should be placed in gentle heat, which greatly encourages free growth, and the plants must be gradually hardened off and turned out with the other bedders in May. In preparing the beds a rich deep loam should be employed, as being most conducive to the production of fine foliage, which is so much admired either when Funkias are planted in groups by themselves, or along with other orna- mental-leaved subjects. For forcing purposes during the winter and early spring months the Funkias are extremely useful, supplying at that time an abundance of foliage not to be obtained from any class of greenhouse plants; moreover, their usual rich- «eoloured foliaye is then of a more delicate tint than when exposed dming summer. The timely introduction of succu- lents and other fine-foliaged plants, has modified the predomi- mance, and rescued our flower gardens from an undue excess of colour, but in our winter and spring flower-houses there is a great deficiency of contrasting or harmonising foliage—a de- ficiency which is not easily remedied, especially amongst early forced roots and bulbs, the blooms of which are seldom accom- panied with much foliage. Even the Lily of the Valley, which is naturally luxuriant in leaf-growth, frequently produces its sprays of bloom without foliage. As a means of compensating for this deficiency of foliage early in the year, I have found no class of plants can compete with the Funkias, as they are so easily forced. If they have been doing service in the flower garden during the summer, it is not yet too late to secure from them a display thoughout the winter. With this object in view, while lifting the crowns, the strongest and best matured should be selected, having pre- viously prepared a nice compost of loam, peat, silver sand, and a sprinkling ofleaf mould. In this they should be at once potted, using 48-sized pots for the largest single crowns, or three may be placed in a 6-inch pot. After potting give a good watering, and place the pots in a cold frame with a covering overhead, as recommended for lifted plants. In three weeks the plants will have become sufficiently established in their pots for a few to be removed into a forcing pit with a humid atmo- sphere, where a temperature of not less than 60° can be main- tained. Under this treatment they make rapid growth, and soon develope their leaves. Successional lots may be introduced into heat as required. ‘The first, however, if placed in heat at the beginning or towards the middle of November, will be found very useful in December, and under ordinary treatment will retain their pleasing hues for a considerable length of time. The plants which haye been thus made use of should, when done with, be carefully attended to with water, and be planted out in May in the reserve ground to recruit their energies; they again form vigorous plants well adapted for forcing the second year.—J. M. C. MORE ABOUT ROSES. My Roses this year have been very good: out of eight hun- dred plants I have had very little occasion to find fault with any of them. The season has been far from favourable for fine blooms, many of them rotting-off when only half grown, which, I suppose, is owing to the wet. Amongst summer Roses the following have been very good: —Baroness Rothschild, Victor Verdier, Sénateur Vaisse, La France, Duke of Edinburgh, Charles Lefebvre, Dr. Andry, Francois Louvat, Alfred Colomb. The last-named I could not get to bloom to my mind on the Manetti stock, though it was first-rate on the Briar. Prince [?} Christian is a poor addition to our light class of Roses, but beautiful when half expanded. I do not know how it is, but I can never get Xavier Olibo good, except from maiden plants. Amongst the autumn bloomers the following are very fine:—Auguste Mie, Victor Verdier, Madame Hugénie Verdier, La France, and the ever-faithful Gloire de Dijon. I had my plants much affected with mildew in July, and reading in Mr. Cranston’s book that soot was an effectual remedy, 1 thought I could not do better than give it a trial; so, procuring a quantity, I gave my plants a dose, which I certainly meant to kill or cure. After leaving it on for a couple of days (too long, I am afraid) I proceeded to syringe it off, when I found it had not only cured them, but very nearly killed them as well, it having killed all the young shoots, and turned all the leaves quite brown, and when touched with the hand they all crumbled to bits. In future I shall be more cautious in the use of soot. I have no doubt it would stay the ravages of mildew if given in time, and not overdone. Some Roses are much more liable to mildew than others ; I have several plants of Lord Raglan, which is always affected with it. All being well, lintend kicking his lordship out of my collection next year, as I believe him to be guilty of bringing the pest amongst my favourites.—T. J. Harrison, Marndon. Dantr1a Cort as A BreppEr.—As this fine bedding Dahlia is so little known, and consequently but rarely grown, I am induced to make a few remarks respecting it. About three years ago a friend strongly recommended it to me as being the best bedder of the day. I therefore ordered one dozen plants and gave them a trial; and I was so much pleased with the result that in the following year I filled, or rather planted, four large beds, and the effect was such as to arrest the attention of everyone who approached them. So pleasing was the dis- play when massed, that many were the inquiries, What have you here? Dahlia Colibi is of sturdy growth and a most pro- fuse and continual bloomer; height 2 feet ; colour a rich orange scarlet. The flower is of good form and substance, and does not show the eye till some days after itis at perfection. Ican, and do without the slightest hesitation, recommend Dahlia Colibi to all, particularly to those who, like myself, require a November 7, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 359 great variety of bedding plants.—J. GarpNnEeR, Elsham Hall Gardens, Brigg. A KNOWLEDGE OF DRAWING FOR GARDENERS. Tun winter is at hand, bringing with it long evenings and opportunities for self-improvement. Now, I know of few branches of knowledge more useful and interesting to a gar- dener than drawing. The mechanical portion is particularly suited to young men engaged in gardening pursuits. It can be studied by an isolated individual, or by several persons to- gether if they are like-minded; and to those who have a desire to find a suitable employment in leisure hours during the winter season, I know of no pursuit which recommends itself more than drawing. Where to begin and how to begin, is a difficulty which deters many. If an artisans’ evening class for drawing is within your reach, by all means take advantage of it. You will there learn the great extent of the subject, many of the early diffi- culties will be smoothed, and you will find that a small portion of accurate knowledge will be of great practical use. An hour or two of steady application to a subject of this kind each evening affords a rest to the mind, and leaves it better pre- pared for returning to the more engrossing pursuit of garden- ing, just as a day’s holiday makes the burden of daily care seem lighter by its removal for the time being. Tf you cannot join a drawing class you must be your own teacher. You will then require an instruction book of some kind, as well as a few drawing materials—viz., a drawing- board, T-square, a few drawing pins, and a small case of in- struments. I think geometry is the most suitable branch to begin with, and a very useful book for a beginning is Cassell’s ‘Linear Drawing,” 2s.; it is specially designed for self-tuition, the directions are plain and very easily understood, and the author’ supposes that the pupil has no previous knowledge of the subject. Afterwards, if the pupil wishes to acquire a more general acquaintance with the subject, I know of no better work for self-teaching than Cassell’s ‘‘ Technical Educator,” which is now being issued in monthly parts. The lessons on drawing are very plain and practical, with good instructions for colouring drawings, and the proper use of the instruments. One thing I would endeavour to impress on the minds of any commencing geometry, &¢.—namely, aim at absolute accuracy from the first. Do not be content if the lines are nearly right, but try again, and again, till the work is perfect, and-exactness will then become habitual. Another point I would mention is, tolet the pupil from the beginning accustom himself to the use of the inking instruments. To ink neatly requires considerable practice, and much depends on the ink- ing pen being in good order and the ink pure. After the pupil has gone through the lessons on geometry, let him learn the use of the scale, and, beginning with simple structures, draw plans and sections of glass buildings, remem- bering the previous hints with regard to accuracy. Ti a gardener can draw he can make his own plans for new houses, &¢., and arrange every detail at his leisure, instead of being to a great extent at the mercy of the builder; he can also form a better judgment as to whether the work is being satisfactorily executed. The use of drawing in the formation of flower gardens is, of course, apparent to. any practical gardener.—W. P. r LARGE-CROWNED PINE APPLES—GLOXINIAS, T wave lately seen inquiries made about overlarge crowns on Pine Apples, and in reply I can state the following remedy for the eyil. As soon as a crown is of the desired size I take a not very sharp-pointed but sharp-edged flower-stick about 8 inches in length, insert it into the centre of the crown, and twist it like a gimblet into the heart of it; I then remove the few loosened leaves, and the crown will cease to grow, but the operation is not detrimental to the swelling of the fruit. An article appeared on page 272, in which it is stated that Gloxinia maculata and speciosa were both introduced into Europe in 1739 from South America. I beg to differ from Mr. A. Kerr, inasmuch as L’Heritier, a French botanist, brought Gloxinia maculata first into public notice as late as 1774, the plant being named in honour of P. H. Gloxin, of Strasburg, who published several articles on botany in 1775. As for Gloxinia speciosa, it fiowered for the first time in Europe in Loddiges’ establishment in 1817; and I daresay come aged members of the profession will recollect the sensation caused in the gardening world on the first plant developing its blue flowers.—A. Wier, Gardener, Heighington Hall. [You are wrong relative to G. maculata. It was discovered by Mr. Robert Millar near Carthagena in South America, who sent seeds to Europe; and Mr. Philip Miller, author of the well-known Dictionary, cultivated it in 1739.—Eps.] MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF SPANISH CHESTNUTS. On Saturday, October 26th, I placed in a basket on the floor of my fruit-roomrather more than a peck and ahalf of S panish Chestnuts, thinking to store them away in sand on Monday. I saw them all safe about ten o’clock on Sunday morning, but upon going in about the same time on Monday every Chestnut had disappeared out of the basket, and, what was worse, out of sight; so, as the window was fast, the door locked, and the key had not been out of my possession—there being, moreover, no other aperture by which anyone could gain access to them —we commenced moving some seed Potatoes, Beetroot, Onions, and, in fact, everything except an empty barrel standing upon some bricks, and not asingle nut could we find. The head of this barrel was out, a piece of lath across the top, and upon that some garden mats. We did not for one moment expect to find them there, as the distance from the basket to the top of the barrel was 114 feet; but to my great surprise, when the mats were removed there were the Chestnuts, and the industrious little fellow that had so mysteriously emptied my basket (a mouse), which seemed rather alarmed at my appear- ance at his storeroom; but of course he had no chance to make his escape, so had to sufier the penalty of death for his pains. He was a large light brown mouse with a very long tail, but nothing approaching to a rat either in size or culour- I have no doubt that many will read this, and not only think, but say, that it was impossible for a mouse to convey the Chestnuts from the basket to the barrel in the space of twenty- four hours, which he did, and by himself, I believe, as no trace of any other mouse has been seen since then in the room or near it, and there was no chance for a rat to have assisted. him, as there was not eyen a mouse-hole. This little fellow- must have got in some time when the door was open.—S. Taynor, Sion Hill, Kidderminster. [The stealer and storer was not a house mouse, but the garden mouse, Mus sylvaticus ; it frequently comes into'a house at this time of the year, and establishes a store. —Hps.] WATER PREVENTING FREEZING. CouLp you or your correspondents tell me whether placing a pailful of cold water in a room would keep away frost, so that Potatoes spread on the floor should not be frosted when there was ice on the water half an inch thick? I have never tried it myself, but an old man assured me that it would, and that he had done it dozens of times. He says the water draws the frost to it, and so the Potatoes escape unhurt.—A. P., Charlton. [As long as the water remained unfrozen the Potatoes would probably remain uninjured, for the obvious reason that the cold is not sufficiently low to cause freezing ; but so soon as ice appeared upon the water the Potatoes would be badly off. As for the water drawing the frost to it, that is only the utterance of ignorance. Water in freezing gives out heat, and so for a short time would render the air less cold than if the water were not there.—EDs. | BOILERS AT THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S BIRMINGHAM EXHIBITION. No. 4. CoNTINUING our notes, we come next to Stand 54, Mr. Hdwin Lumby, West Grove Works, Halifax, Yorkshire, who had for competition a boiler called the Excelsior. It is cylindrical, made of wrought iron, with two flows and two return pipes. The smoke is made to traverse the outside of the boiler, passing through an aperture with a smoke-erating left on one side of the boiler; and by means of midfeathers placed on two sides of the boiler the smoke is made to descend under the midfeather and to rise on the opposite side, the draught being divided, and the whole of the boiler encircled with the products of com- JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ November 7, 1872. bustion. The circulation in this boiler will be rapid. Its chief , fault is that it is fed from the upper part of the boiler, and is more suited to burn coke than coal or cinders; with this excep- tion we have no doubt it will prove an efficient boiler. CHIMNEY | DAMPER ¢ The next stand was that of Thomas Green & Sons, Smithfield Tronworks, Leeds, who had a boiler for competition (figs. 1, 2, °, +‘, which requires no brickwork for setting. It is of the shape or a saddle boiler, 4 feet long, 20 inches wide, and 30 inches ! | brick-setting. or where the boiler had to be often exposed to view. We do not think any boiler where the products of combustion are not passed round the outside of the boiler has a chance in com- petition with those boilers which are completely surrounded with a flue; we were not, therefore, surprised that this boiler was not mentioned by the Judges. But for a boiler to stand complete by itself, without any masonry or other fittings being required, we think it worthy of very honourable mention ; and as the shelves are so contrived as to extract a great portion of heat from the smoke, we think it would economise the greatest portion of the heat. Fg. 5 represents Green’s duplicate boiler, two boilers so connected that they can be worked conjointly or separately. Stand No. 56, Messrs. Hartley & Sugden, Atlas Works, Halifax, exhibited several forms of boilers—independent tank boilers, independent dome-top, saddle, and conical boilers—called inde- pendent because, like the one last mentioned, they require no They also exhibited a wrought welded saddle boiler, with check-back and extended water-way, which obtained the gold medal in competition. This boiler (jig. 6) has an aper- ture left in the back through which the smoke passes, and is conducted by means of midfeathers on the exterior of the boiler, so as to pass round the whole of the surface before it ascends the chimney. The setting of the boiler is very good, and the extended water-way a very valuable means of extract- ing heat from the fuel, which rests on it at the farther end, and which is, consequently, prevented from being too rapidly con- sumed, as it is beyond the draught from the firebars. We have little doubt that this is a very simply-constructed, efficient, and economical boiler, and from its obtaining the gold medal at Birmingham it has confirmed our previous impression that there was hardly any better boiler than a well-set saddle, though, of course, the check-end and extended water-way add much to its efficiency. The patent independent dome-top boileris adecided u he < =z = - ° = zZ S c CROSS SECTION. Fig. 2. Fig. 3. high,-and has two water-shelves, placed one above another, round which the flames have to pass. It is also fitted with a sole plate, and has two upright tubes at the further end of the firebox, connecting the lower sole plate with the bottom water- — GOLD MEDAL BOILER. BOILER = WITHOUT BRICKWORK OR FITTINGS. Fig. 6. shelf. The outside of the boiler is covered with hair, felt, or other non-conducting material, and encased with wood. The SESTICN ON LINE A,B. LONCITUDINAL SECTION boiler has a very neat and finished appearance, and would be very suitable for any situation where space was a desideratum, FRONT ELEVATION Fig. 4. improvement on the conical, having the flow-pipe on the highest point, and it is fitted with a flue-feeder with sandrim. This, like Green’s boiler, which we have previously mentioned, would be very suitable for erection in any place where the boiler is often seen, or where there is no room laterally for brickwork. In the next stand the North Staffordshire Engineering Com- pany exhibited some of Stevens’s Trentham Improved Cornish boilers. These are modifications of the old. Cornish boiler, which will be well known to most of yourreaders. Their chief objection is their length, but the principle on which they are constructed is good. Stand No. 58 was occupied by Mr. Henry Ormson, of Chelsea, who has been so long known for the efficiency of his boilers. He showed two forms of convoluted boiler, and a flued Cornish boiler. The convoluted boiler, of which we give a drawing (fig. 7), has the external form of a large saddle boiler; it has, however, as the drawing shows, an interior wrought-iron water- way, somewhat of the form of a letter H laid on one side, and the interior of the saddle boiler has convoluted hollow gills, which fit into or between the spaces of the internal boiler. The fire passes all round the internal water-way, and through a series of small holes left in the upper part of the saddle boiler. In setting the boiler the four corners are elevated about 3 inches on small fire-lumps, so that part of the fire on each side the boiler is deviated to the external surface of the boiler, so that every part of the boiler is exposed to the direct action of the ignited fuel. This is a very powerful boiler, with free circulation, and being made of wrought iron, is not liable to fracture from uneven expansion. ats Stand No. 58a was occupied by Mr. Wright, of Birmingham, November 7, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENEP. 361 not conclude, however, without an expression of thanks to the Local Committee at Birmingham for their endeavours to give the public the benefit of a trial of boilers, in order that by practical test something more might be known of the relative with some small hot-water apparatus not requiring any observa- tion. This concludes our notice of the boilers exhibited at Birming- ham, and which formed a very interesting collection. We can- value of boilers, not only in an economical point of view, but , trial of boilers next year at South Kensington, where the trial in a practical one with regard to circulation, and we again regret FlowPipe that the conduct of the Judges was impugned. We hope the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society will undertake a could be conducted under more favourable conditions, and where, perhaps, other boiler-makers who have hitherto refrained from competition might be represented, as not only were there many boilers at Birmingham not competing, but there are several other good forms of boilers, as Machin’s twin boiler, Foster’s, described in the pages of the Journal some time ago | (vol. xvii., page 9), and Jones’s double L, the latter of which, for its size and price, is one of the best boilers in our opinion of any. Where, however, there are so many good boilers it is difficult, without an extended trial, to say which are the best; but among upright tubulars we should choose Clarke’s, among horizontal tubulars Dennis’s, and among tank, saddles, and modifications we should take the Whitley Court flued saddle, Mee’s double saddle, Ormson’s convoluted, and Hartley & Sug- den’s saddle with extended water-way. The much-vexed question of the relative value of cast or wrought iron greatly depends on the quality of the water employed, as well as on the iron which is used for casting, and cannot be decided by the dictum of any boiler-maker. Soft water ought always to be used where it is available, but with wrought-iron boilers it is not a bad thing to use hard water for the first few months, which helps to form an inside crust on the iron and prevents corrosion, soft water being used afterwards, so as not to allow the return-pipes to be encrusted up too much. Of this much we are certain, that the motive power, as we have before said, in boilers is so weak that nothing ought to be allowed to interfere unduly with circulation, which is the first essential test of the value of a boiler. ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY—Noy. 61H. : © Tue Exhibition on this occasion took everyone by surprise. The floral department was well represented for the season, and despite all that has been said of the scarcity of fruit, and great and grievous we know it is, there was such a show both in the Society’s classes and more particularly in the associated In- ternational competition, as, taking the two together, has been rarely equalled. The quality for a season in which the out-door fruit crop has been almost a failure throughout the length and breadth of the land was something marvellous, and no marvel, then, that the Show, held in the conservatory, was crowded to excess, and had it but lasted another day it would, doubtless, have been visited by thousands more. Chrysanthemums were not so good as usual; there were a few very good cut blooms, but the quality of those on the pot plants was below the usual standard. In Class 1, six large-flowered, the first prize went to Messrs. S. Dixon & Co., Amhurst Road, Hackney, for exceedingly well-grown specimens of Prince of Wales, Annie Salter, Mrs. Rundle, Lady Hardinge, Dr. Sharpe, and Bernard Palissy. Mr. E. Rowe, gardener to Mrs. Lewis, Tae Rookery, Roehampton, was second. For six Pompons, 362 Mr. Rowe was first with Antonius, Cedo Nulli, Golden Cedo Nulli, Aurore Boréale, Duruflet, and Salamon. Messrs. Dixon were second; and Mr. W. Whittaker, gardener to S. Williams, Esq., The Laurels, Putney, third. Class 3, twenty-four cut blooms, large-flowered, Mr. Rowe was first. Mr. Woodham, The Bower, Havering, was second. Class 4, twelve cut blooms, Mr. Rowe was first; Mr. Douglas, gardener to F. Whitbourn, Esq., Loxford Hall, ford, second ; and Mr. Berry, Roehampton, third. An extra award was made to Mr. J. H. Hinnell, gardener to F. Davis, Esq., Surbiton, for some very fine cat blooms of the Japanese varieties ; The Daimio, Bronze Dragon, Oracle, and Red Dragon were very fine. In Class 6, nine decorative plants bearing berries or orna- mental fruits, Mr. George, gardener to Miss Nicholson, Putney Heath, was first with a very nice lot of plants, consisting of Pernettya mucronata and speciosa, Skimmia japonica, Ardisia crenulata, Aucubas, and different varieties of Solanums. Mr. Rowe was second with Skimmia japonica and oblata, a nice Ardisia crenulata, and others. In Class 7, collection of Potatoes, Mr. J. Betteridge, The *Common Hill, Chipping Norton, Oxon, was first with a col- lection of fifty-three sorts. The best amongst the kidneys were —the Ashleaf, Rivers’s Royal Ashleaf, Lapstone, Jackson’s White, Betteridge’s Eclipse, a fine-looking red ; Prince of Wales, and Sutton’s Racehorse ; of rounds—Early Handsworth, Model, Walker’s Improved Regent, King of Potatoes, Bresee’s Climax; and there was a good dish of the Fluke. Mr. R. Dean, seedsman of Ealing and Bedfont, was second with a very even collection of fifty-one sorts, some of the rounds models in shape. Mr. P. McKinlay, Woodbine House, Beckenham, was third. Messrs. Carter & Co. offered a prize for vegetables, which was awarded to Mr. W. G. Pragnell, gardener to D. W. Digby, Esq., Castle Gardens, Sherborne. Carter’s Brussels Sprouts and Carter’s Dwarf Mammoth Cauliflower were particularly fine. Tn Class 8, Dessert Pears, six dishes, Mx. W. Fowler, gardener to Sir H. Mildmay, Bart., Dogmersfield Park, Winchfield, Hants, was first with magnificent examples of Duchesse d’Angouléme, Hacon’s Incomparable, Beurré Clairgeau, Flemish Beauty, Glou Morgeau, and Léon le Clere (Van Mons). Mr. P. F. Le Sueur was second, also with fine examples. Mr. G. Mills, gardener to Lord Carrington, Wycombe Abbey, Bucks, was third. : One of the best features in this Exhibition was a grand col- lection of choice Orchids contributed by the Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea, consisting of the rare Oncidium Rogersii—we counted one hundred expanded flowers on its magnificent branched spike ; and Vanda cerulea with four spikes. Fruit Commtrres.—G. F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S., in the chair. Major T. Clarke was awarded a special commendation for a brace of remarkably well-grown Telegraph Cucumber; and Mr. Gilbert, of Burghley Gardens, sent a brace of Selected Telegraph. Mr. R. Dean, of Ealing, sent roots of Californian White Radish. He also sent a Turnip called Cestrian Golden Stone Turnip, which was recognised as the old Golden Ball. Mr. Mitchell, gardener to Lord Wenlock, Escrick Park, sent Veitch’s Autumn Giant Cauliflower, showing fine large white heads. Mr. Miller, Sherborne, Dorset, sent a Potato called Lady Paget, which was to be tried in the garden. Myr. Temple, Packington Gardens, Aylesford, sent a large Pumpkin called Tong Qua, 23 feet long, and 2 feet 10} inches in circumference in the thickest part, and as a curiosity it was awarded a cultural commendation. Mr. Edmonds, of Chiswick House, sent a large Pumpkin imported from New Zealand, which the natives use either raw or cooked. Itis a variety of Potizvon Jaume. My. C. Lidgara, of Hammer- smith, sent a collection of five varieties of Celery. Mr. Sweeting, gardener to T. Y. Venn, Esq., Sneyd Park, Bristol, sent a seedling Black Muscat, a long tapering bunch similar to that of Mrs. Pince, wellset. The berries are medium- sized and black, and covered with a thin bloom. The flesh is very firm and crackling, with a sugary rich flayour, and with a faint trace ofmuscat. The Committee unanimously commended the Grape, and requested to see it again. Mr. Pearson, of Chilwell, sent two bunches of Chilwell Ati- cante, a new seedling raised by himself. The bunches are very large and shouldered, much larger than those of the old Alicante, remarkably well set, and of handsome shape. The berries are medium-sized, oval, and of a dark mahogany colour. The Committee were of opinion that the Grape was not sufficiently ripened. It was grown in a span-roofed Pelargonium house, and received no especial Grape cultivation. The Committee decided that it be seen again. The following report was read by Mr. Barron— ‘At Ma. Pearson’s request I visited Chilwell, and have to report to the Com- mittee on the seedling Grape now exhibited as follows:— “The Vine, a young seedling plant about three years old, is growing on the north side of a large span-roofed house along wiih several other seedling Vines, and examples of Lady Downe’s, Madresfield Court, Gros Guillaume, Mrs. Pince, Alicante, &c. Thebody ofthe house wes fiiled with Pelargoniums and other bedding plants, conseqtently not very beneficial to the keeping of Graves in good condition. “The crop on the plant consisted of seven bunches of about similar size to JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. { November 7, 1872. those exhibited, being large and broadly shouldered, and in appearance, as to size and form of berry, it greatly resembles the Muscat Hamburgh. The plant resembles Mrs. Pince, haying the same deeply cut foliage and vigoxous constitution as that variety. “ Although growing in a north berder and north aspect the plant presented a fully more fruitful and handsome appearance than either of the other varieties named, which had the advantage of much better positions in the south border. “T should consider it infinitely superior to the Alicante, and haying the same free-frniting good-keeping qualities—A. F. Barron, Secretary.” Mr. Pearson also showed another seedling from Alicante, a long, narrow, tapering bunch, with long, narrow, oval berries. The skin is thick, of a deep amber colour. The berry-stalks are very stout. Flesh crackling, richly flavoured, and with scme- what of the Ferdinand Lesseps flavour. Mr. Tillery, of Wel- beck, sent a bunch of Grapes with large white berries closely resembling the Golden Champion, and was considered by some to be identical with it. W.E. Essington, Esq., of Ribhesford House, Bewdley, senta dish of Autumn Joséphine Pear, but the flavour was not good enough. Mr. Tillery also sent a dish of fine large fruit of Grosse Calebasse Pear, and Calville Blanche Apple. Mx. Hill, of Keele Hall, sent a dish of the Styrian Pear, a variety which attains great perfection in Staffordshire. The fruit in this instance was rather past. Mr. H. Hooper, Vine Nursery, Widcombe Hill, Bath, sent a dish of Chaumozitel Pears. Mr. I. Islep, Stamford, sent a seedling Apple raised from Ribston Pippin, a small conical-shaped fruit, covered with broken stripes of crimson; but it was not approved by the Committee. : Mx. Ross, of Welford Park Gardens, Newbury, sent a seedling Apple, called Welford Park, of a round and rather flattened shape, beautifully coloured, and with the flavour and flesh of Blenheim Pippin. It was awarded a first-class certificate. Mr. Piccirillo, of Wigmore Street, sent an Italian Apple, called Mela Gelate. Itis asmall or medium-sized oblate fruit, with a green skin and a remarkably transparent flesh, having the appearance of gelatine. Ma. R. Westcott, Raby Castle Gar- dens, sent.a new red-fleshed Melon, called Raby Hybrid, which isa very excellently-flavoured fruit for this late period of the season. Mr. Davidson, The Gardens, Sandon Hall, sent a very fine fruit of Passiflora macrocarpa, and another of less size was received from Mr. D. Cunningham, Moor Park. Hach received a cultural commendation. ; Frorat Commrter.—Mzr. J. Fraser inthe chair. The display of novelties on this occasion was rather limited. Messrs. Veitch had first-class certificates for Maranta olivaris and Drac:ena imperialis; the former beautifully marked, and the latter de- cidedly one of the most splendid of ornamental-foliaged piants, with red, white, and bronze-coloured foliage, and moreover very handsome in character of growth. Mr. Bull was also awarded first-class certificates for Dracwna imperialis, as well as for Maranta Makoyana, dark green, with light green markings ; Mesospinidium vulcanicum, an Orchid to the beauty of whose rosy purple flowers we have referred to in another column ; for Malortia simplex, and for Calamus ovoideus. Messrs. E. G. Henderson also received a first-class certificate for Maranta olivaris, before referred to, for Rhopala magnifica, and Coleus Crown Jewel, a singularly handsome rich-coloured variety. Mr. Wiggins, gardener to W. Beck, Esq., Isleworth, sent a collection of Cyclamens with beautifully-marked foliage, likewise one of the same plant in flower; Mr. Blackley, Leyton, Per- petual Tree Carnations of three kinds, with white flowers, named Lady G. Lennox, La Belle, and Lady E. Campbell, and which were stated to be very free-flowering. From Mr. Cannell, Wool- wich, came cut blooms of Geranium Master Christine, which has before received a certificate, and is unquestionably a very fine variety ; also Payne’s Perpetual, a remarkably dwarf free-flower- ing scarlet. From Mr. Rowe, gardener to Mrs. Lewis, Roehamp- ton, came Chrysanthemum White Venus, a sport from Venus, a flower of excellent quality; also Elaine, a Japanese land, with very large flowers, quite 5 inches in diameter, pure white, and with the extremities of the florets notched, so that, viewed as a whole, the flower has the appearance of being fringed. For this a first-class certificate was awarded. Mr. Fairbairn, gardener to W. Terry, Esq., Peterborough House, Fulham, sent Oncidinm serratum, which has before been certificated. Mr. Croucher, gardener to J. Peacock, Esq., Sudbury House, Hammersmith, had first-class certificates for Yucca Hylesii, a very handsome plant with pale green leaves, those at the lower portion of the head drooping, the others erect or nearly so; for Pilocereus Peacockii, P. Hoppenstedii, Mammillaria Peacockii, and Gasteria Peacockii. INTERNATIONAL FRUIT SHOW. Tur show of Grapes was very extensive, and in the single dishes the quality was very good. In Class 1, the most complete collection, two bunches of each, Messrs. H. Lane & Son, of Great Berkhampstead, were as usual in the first position. They exhibited the following varieties—Muscat of Alexandria and November 7, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER. 363 Bowood Muscat, large in berry and of a fine amber colow'; Trebbiano, Foster’s White Seedling, Duchess of Puccleuch, Lady Downe’s, Gros Guillaume, Esperione, Frankenthal, Black Prince, Muscat Hamburgh, Alicante, Royal Ascot, and Mill Hill Hamburgh. Mr. A. Donaldson, gardener to the Right Hon. Lord Chesham, Latimers, Chesham, was second with a good collection; it contained two handsome bunches of Gros Guillaume, Mrs. Pince’s Muscat, and others. Two other collections were shown. In baskets of Grapes weighing not less than 12 lbs., all the prizes went to Muscat of Alexandria ; Messrs. Lane were first, Mr. G. Ward, gardener to T. N. Miller, Esq., Bishop Stortford, was second, and Mr. W. Cole third, an extra award being made to My. G. Morrison, gardener to Lord Wolverton, Stanmore Park, Middlesex. Messrs. Lane were first with splendid Muscat of Alexandria in the class for that variety. Mr. W. Cole, gardener to J. S. Budgett, Esq., Haling Park, W., was a very good second; Mr. F. Deuxberry, Cobham Hall, Gravesend, being placed third. In class 4, the best dish of Black Hamburgh, only two dishes were exhibited. Mr. P. F. Le Sieur, Grand Vale Vineries, Jersey, was first, and Mr. C. Davis, gardener to EH. Rosher, Esq., 23, Upper Hamilton Terrace, was second; Mr. E. Morris, gardener to H. T. Salmon, Hisq., Gayton House, Northampton, third. Class 6, any other variety of Black Grapes, single dish—Mr. W. Toomer, gardener to W. Knowles, Esq., Ribblesdale, Leigham Court Road, Streat- ham, was first with three handsome bunches of Alicante covered with a beautiful bloom. Mr. G. Silvock, gardener to Sir C. W. Shakerley, Bart., Somerford Park, Cheshire, was second with very large bunches of the same variety, with the bloom a little rubbed; Mr. J. Neighbour, Bickley Park, Bromley, being placed third. Some exceedingly fine Mrs. Pince and Gros Colman were exhibited in this class. Class 7, White Grapes, except Muscat and Frontignan.—Mr. G. Sileock was first with three immense bunches of Trebbiano, weighing in the aggregate 18 lbs.; Mr. A. Dondald@son was second, and Mr. W. Toomer third. An excellent dish of Muscat of Alexandria and one of Alicante came from Mr. Wattam, gardener to C. Longman, Esq., Shendish, Hemel Hempstead, but unfortunately they were not entered previously, and therefore could not compete. Class 8 was for the most complete collection of Dessert Apples. Mr. John Scott, nurserymen, Merriott, Somerset, sent ninety- eight dishes ; Mr. Drieu, St. James’s Garden, Belvedere, Jersey, sent thirty-two kinds, many of them excellent specimens. From Mr. G. Thomas, 45, Don Street, Jersey, came also thirty- two kinds; and from Mr. W. O. Ward, Ramsey, Harwich, forty sorts. The Fruit-Growers’ Association, Halifax, Nova Scotia, likewise sent the same number, and, taken on the whole, in ex- cellent condition. R. Webb, Esq., Calcot, Reading, exhibited 104 dishes, and Mr. F. Rutland, gardener to the Duke of Rich- mond, Goodwood Park, seventy-one varieties. Mr. Webb was first, Mr. Scott second. The next class, 9, was for the best twelve dishes of Dessert Apples ; fifteen collections were shown. Mr. T. Jones, Royal Gardens, Frogmore, was first with fine specimens of Blenheim Pippin, Claygate Pearmain, Nugget, Court of Wick, Small’s Imperial, Princess Augusta, a late-keeping variety, Court- pendu-plat, King of the Pippins, Small’s Admirable, Scarlet Russet, Fearn’s Pippin, and Windsor Castle, a handsome new Apple. My. Jones, gardener to EH. Pursor, Esq., Wallington Bridge, Carshalton, was second; and Mr. Thomas, Jersey, third, with a collection including fine specimens of Royal Russet, Beauty of Kent, and King of the Pippins. Very finely coloured specimens came from Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Pluck. Class 10 was for the best dish of Cox’s Orange Pippin. The examples from Mr. F. Dancer, Little Sutton, Chiswick, were _wery large and fine. Mr. Gardiner, gardener to E. P. Shirley, Esq., sent good examples of the same kind, as also did Mr. Cole, gardener to J. S. Budgett, Hsq., Ealing Park,; Mr. G. Ward, gardener to T. N. Miller, Esq., Bishop Stortford; and Mr. J. Read, Northwich. Mr. Dancer was first, Mr. Cole and Mr. Ward taking the other prizes. The prize for the best dish of Golden Pippin was awarded to Mr. F. Rutland, gardener to the Duke of Richmond, for speci- mens grown on a south wall; these were so large that many had doubts whether they were actually the sort or not, but they roved to be correct. Mr. T. Farrow, gardener to G. Batters, Sq., was second, and Mr. Earley, Valentines, third. For the best dish of Ribston Pippin, very fine specimens from Mr. Rutland were first. Large fruit, butnot so highly coloured, from Mr. Dean, seedsman, Maling, were second; and Mr. E. Clarke, gardener to J. R. Hall, Hsq., The Grange, Sutton, Surrey, was third with excellent specimens. For Adams’s Pearmain Mr. Rutland was again first with large splendidly-coloured specimens, Mr. Drewett, gardener to Mrs. Cubitt, second; and Mr. Gardiner third. Golden Reinette, large and beautifully coloured, came from Mr. Stephenson, gardener to F. C. Barker, Esq., Leigh Hill, Hssex, and well deserved the place of honour. Mr. Rutland was second; R. Webb, Esq., third. For Nonpareil, Mr. Drewitt, Mr. Dancer, and Mr. Broadbridge, Walton Gardens, Warwick, were the prizetakers, the fruit in each case being excellent. In collections of Culinary Apples, Mr. G. Thomas, 45, Don Street, Jersey, was first with a collection of thirty-six sorts, the most noticeable being Belle des Bois, Green Pippin, Beauty of Devon, Alfriston, Emperor Alexander, Windsor, Yellow Reinette, Restorick, Reinette of Canterbury, and Reinette du Canada. Mr. §. Ford, gardener to W. E. Hubbard, Esq., Leonardslee, Horsham, Sussex, was second, and Mr. R. Webb, Calcot, Read- ing, third. A very fine collection of culinary Apples was sent from the Fruit-Growers’ Association, Nova Scotia, and would, no doubt, have occupied a position on the prize list had they not been bruised very much in transit. Dumelow’s Seedling, that most popular of Kitchen Apples in our markets, was exceedingly well represented, there being many very fine dishes; Mr. Dancer was first with very large finely-coloured specimens, Mr. Gardiner and My. Drewitt being respectively second and third. Alfriston was generally very fine; the first prize went to a dish weighing 5 lbs. 15 ozs. from Mr. Pluck, Jersey; the second to Mr. C. J. Perry, and the third to Mr. Drieu. Myr. Gardiner, Mr. Rowe, and Mr. Craddock also sent large fruits. Emperor Alexander, beautifully coloured and very large, came from Mr. C. J. Perry, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Drieu, as well as from Mr. Moffat, the first three being the prizetakers. Of Gloria Mundi but few dishes were shown; the best came from Mr. C. J. Perry, Mr. Frisby, and Mr. Dancer. For Bed- fordshire Foundling no prizes were awarded. For Yorkshire Greening Mr. J. Neighbour, Bickley Park, was first with very good examples. Mr. Mortimer, Wallington Bridge, was second, My. Gardiner third. The heaviest six fruit of any variety were Alfriston, 6 Ibs. 8 ozs., ~ from Mr. Pluck; second came Mr. Gardiner with Warner’s King, very fine. My. Dancer showed Dumelow’s Seedling, weighing 3 lbs. 10 ozs. The collections of Dessert Pears shown in Class 24 were a little exhibition of themselves. Mr. Thomas, Jersey, was first with large and splendid specimens of Beurré Bachelier, Forelle, Beurré Clairgeau, Chaumontel, Colmar d’Aremberg, Duchesse d’Angouléme, and many others scarcely less fine. The second prize went to Mr. Drieu for a collection in which Beurré Clair- geau and Triomphe de Jodoigne were specially noticeable among the large specimens exhibited. Class 25 was for the best dish of Conseiller de la Cour. Messrs. E. P. Francis & Co., nurserymen, Hertford, were first with very large and fine specimens; Mr. G. Thomas, 45, Don Street, Jersey, was second with excellently-ripened fruit, and Mr. T. Jones, Royal Gardens, Frogmore, third. G. F. Wilson, Esq., sent specimens from pot trees equalling any shown. The best dish of Doyenné du Comice came from Mr. F. Drieu, Belvedere, Jersey. These were very large and fine, and closely pressing on them were the fruit from Mr. C. J. Perry, Castle Bromwich, who was second; Mr. J. Pluck, Jersey, being third. Duchesse d’Angouléme was shown in splendid condition, especially by the Jerseymen, who carried all before them. Le Sueur, Grande Vale Nurseries, Jersey, was first with large beautifully-ripened specimens; Mr. G. Thomas, second, with fruit closely approaching in size; and Mr. Pluck, third. Mr. Drieu; Mr. Carmichael, gardener to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Sandringham; Mr. Deuxberry, Cobham Hall, Gravesend, and others, exhibited excellent fruit. Marie Louise was very numerously shown, and almost without exception very fine. R. Webb, Esq., Calcot, was first; Mr. A. Hankins, Ashcott House, Bath, second; and Mr. Thomas, third. Glou Morceau, very large and fine, from Mr. C. Ross, gardener to C. Eyre, Esq., Welford Park, Newbury, was first in thé class for that Pear; the second prize going to Mr. J. Neighbour, Bickley Park, Bromley; and the third to Mr. A. Moffatt, gardener to H. Allsopp, Esq., Hindlip Hall, Worcester. By other exhibitors very fine specimens were also shown. For Passe Colmar, the first prize went to Mr. Jones, gardener to Her Majesty at Frogmore; the second to Mr. Miles, gardener to Lord Carrington, Wycombe Abbey ; and the third to Mr. J. Drewett, gardener to Mrs. Cubitt, Denbies. Of Catillac immense specimens were shown. The first prize was taken by Mr. C. Tivey, gardener to P. Gassett, Esq., St. Saviour’s, Jersey. Mr. Pluck, Jersey, was second, the dish weighing 8 lbs. 1 oz.; third came Mr. Drieu. The best dish of Uvedale’s St. Germain came from Mr. Le Sueur, Jersey; the second from Mr. Pluck—these weighed 9 lbs. 9 ozs.; the third from Mr. J.J. Jacobs, Belgium. . Hankins, Mr. Drieu, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Lumsden, Bloxholm Hall, also sent large‘specimens. ; In the class for the heaviest six fruit of any variety, Uvedale’s St. Germain weighing 13lbs. 1 oz. from Mr. Thomas, Jersey, was first; the same kind very finely coloured from Mr. J. Scott, Merriott, second; and from Mr. Drieu third. Catillac, weighing 7 lbs., was shown by Mr. Pluck; Grosse Calebasse, weighing 64 lbs., came from Mr. Harvey, gardener to P. Wroughton, Hsq., Woolley Park, Wantage—these were very fine—and beautiful 564 specimens of Beurré Clairgeau from Mr. O. Goldsmith, gardener to Sir W. Farquhar, Polesden, Dorking. : In the Miscellaneous class there were some fine collections of Pine Apples. Mr. G. Ward sent six excellent Smooth-leaved Cayennes and Charlotte Rothschild; Mr. Rochford, Page Green, Tottenham, a magnificent Charlotte Rothschild. Four fine Black Jamaicas came from Mr. Deville, Wooton Hall, Ash- bourne. Mr. Jones, of the Royal Gardens, Frogmore, Mr. Ben- ham, and others, were contributors of Pines. THE EARLIEST OF ALL PEAS. LAXTON’S HARBINGER. Among the hybridising feats which Mr. Laxton has been suc- cessful in effecting, one of the most useful, and in a com™ mercial point of view one of the most valuable, is the pro: duction of the earliest variety of garden Pea. The value of earliness commercially is not always taken into account in estimating early varieties of Peas; but it must be borne in Vii y Dy ON Harbinger. mind how great the gain is to the gardener who can in the season be first in market with his early Peas, if it be but three days before his rivals; eyen these three days may be of incalculable advantage to him. It was long thought that it was hardly possible to raise a Pea which would surpass Dillistone’s Early in the rapidity with which it attained maturity. With the exception of the inferior Early Kent, no other has ever rivalled that variety in this respect; but that which has now stolen the laurels it has long and honourably worn, is one which not only possesses earliness as its merit, but quality and colour also. Harsincer is a blue Pea raised between Dillistone’s Early and Laxton’s Alpha. Its habit of growth is similar to that of Dillistone’s, and its height is from 23 to 3 feet. The stem is simple, producing from seven to eight pods, which are single, 22 inches long, full, plump, and rounded, with a slight curve, and of a light green colour. They are very tightly filled with about six ordinary-sized Peas of a fine colour and good flavour. The ripe seed is small, round, and light blue. The seed was sown on the 23rd of February, the first flowers appeared on the 9th of May, and it was in full flower on the 15th. The slat appeared on the 21st, and it was fit for use on JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ November 7, 1872. the 6th of June, being three days earlier than Dillistone’s, and six days earlier than Sangster’s No. 1. The Fruit Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society de- servedly awarded it a first-class certificate. THE LARGEST OF ALL PEAS. LAXTON’S SUPERLATIVE. Mr. Laxton has been equally fortunate in raising the largest as he has the earliest of all Peas. It is not unlikely that he may live to reap the honour of having produced the best of all. There is nothing of this kind impossible in the hands of people Superlative. who, like Mr. Laxton, make brains the groundwork of their operations. The success that has attended him in this branch of gardening is greater than that which has accompanied any other who has laboured in the same field, not even excepting that ardent Pea lover, the late Dr. Maclean, of Colchester. This success is due to good reasoning carried out to a success- ful issue; for all Mr. Laxton’s Peas are cross-breds—cross- bred with a design which has almost always been attained. These Peas are not results of selection taken here and there from an ordinary crop when a disposition to vary has been observed, and the truant secured, but are the produce of crosses made and carried out with great perseverance and patient labour. This Suppruative, the largest of all Peas, is a cross between Ne Plus Ultra and a hybrid of Supreme. The plant is an ex- November 7, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 365 ceedingly strong and robust grower, having a stout, succulent stem from 7 to 8 feet high, with large, broad, pale green foliage, generally simple, and bearing from fourteen to sixteen pods, which are generally in pairs. The pods are very large, some- times as much as 7 inches long, pale green, broad and some- what irregular in form, much curved and pointed, containing from seven to nine large peas of a pale green colour, and no | particular flavour. The dry seed is flattish and parti-coloured. | The seed was sown on the 23rd of February, and the first | flowers appeared on the 30th of May. The plants were in full | bloom on the 5th of June, the slats appeared on the 10th, and the Peas were fit for use on the 26th of June. This wonderful variety was awarded a first-class certificate by the Fruit Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society. STONELEIGH ABBEY, Tue Resmpence or Lorp Lerten. (Concluded from page 348 ) STONELEIGH ABBEY was most anciently called Stoneley or Stanley-in-Arden Priory, and was here established in 1154 by Henry Il. Its tenants were Cistercian Monks. The Priory was suppressed in the year 1536, being the 27th of Henry VIII., and he granted it in fee three years after to his favourite, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. From him it passed to his sons, who dying childless it was inherited by the Cayendishes, by whom it was sold to Sir Rowland Hill and Sir; Thomas Stoneleigh Abbey. Leigh, London aldermen. Stoneleigh was taken by the last-named, and, with other neigh- bouring lands, was confirmed to him by patent in the fourth year of Queen Elizabeth. Large and many were his and his | descendants’ charities, fully set forth by Dugdale, and even an epitaph on the monument of the Stoneleigh Abbey porter tells the same, for it concludes with— ‘““ Tf markets rise, rail not against their rates, The price is still the same at Stoneleigh gates.” In previous centuries the lords of the manor may have | been charitable too, but at harvest time their inferior tenants had rather a hard time of it, for so soon as the lord of the manor gave them notice they were obliged to be reaping for him from sunrise to sunset, ‘not sitting down to breakfast, but each eating what he brought with him as they worked, and after breakfast they might sit down once before dinner, the lord finding them drink, but at noon they were to have meat and drink provided by the lord, everyone having a little wheat loaf, four eggs and pottage—namely, grewell without | flesh boiled in it.” Much of the mansion erected soon after the dissolution of the abbey remains, but the front and other chief portions of the present residence are of freestone, erected about the year 1760 by Edward, Lord. Leigh, the plans being furnished by Mr. Smith, architect, Warwick. Other alterations and im- On dividing their joint purchases | provements haye been made subsequently, and of the ancient. Cistercian Abbey, with the exception of the vaults, there are but few remains. Tue Avon flows so near the mansion that the intervening space is all required for a geometrical flower garden. At this place I think the river has been somewhat widened, and possibly dammed back, for a little lower down a waterfall is formed ; but instead of being prominently brought into view, it is in a great measure concealed by an island of Rhododen- drons in robust health, yet its murmuring is heard from the principal walks, and it may be reached by pursuing a cir- cuitous path. The whole place is lovely. The mansion oc- cupies a slightly elevated position, having its carriage entrance to the north ; »n ornamental balustrading forms the boundary between the park and the pleasure ground to the west; while to the south the river forms a natural and effective margin. The kitchen garden is to the east of the mansion, but separate@ from it by shrubs and trees, while to the south of the kitchen garden are’ pleasure grounds extending considerably to the eastward. Trees and shrubs, with well-kept walks, extend along each side of the river much further than I had an opportunity of seeing, but enough came under my notice to justify my giving it the character of a very fine place. I was next introduced into a flower garden, which an eyer- 366 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ November 7, 1872. green hedge had before prevented my seeing, and there I was glad to find that the usual massing flowers were not the only subjects grown, for occupying conspicuous places amongst them were two specimens of Pampas Grass, I think the finest LTever saw. I estimated that more than 150 spikes of bloom would grace each of them, and I hardly expected to see them in so forward a condition in the first week of September as they then were, showing the neighbourhood is early as well as productive. The geometric beds formed an agreeable whole ; there was an ample space of grass between them, and their occupants were the best varieties of the different flowers em- ployed. A handsome conservatory near this garden was also well stocked with permanent plants, and would mosi likely be still more gay at a time when out-door plants were less tempt- ing. Separated from the flower garden just referred to, was another large flower garden, also geometrical and on giass, facing the principal front of the mansion. Hach bed was well filled with the most popular bedding plants, and the whole was in excellent keeping. The accompanying view in the pleasure grounds, as well as that of the mansion, at page 347, are from photographs by Mr. F. C. Earl, 46, Broad Street, Worcester. At Stoneleigh the kitchen garden is several acres in extent, and is enclosed with suitable walls well covered; against them I noticed some good Pears, and, I think, also Plums, but most of the latter had been gathered. Peaches, as at every other place that I have heard from, were scarce on the open walls, but under glass they were and had been abundant. Most vegetables seemed to thrive in it, and especi- ally Asparagus, Celery, Lettuce, and Potatoes. In the yvineries were some good Grapes in various stages. The latest Grapes were just ripening, the others had been all cut, and abundance were awaiting their turn. Figs, which in comparatively few places can be depended on without the aid of glass, were here afforded that protection, the earliest crop being produced on pot trees. Melons and Cucumbers there svere, of course, in abundance. ; On the walls some yery gcod Morello Cherries still re- mained, and, as before observed, good crops of Pears, but Apricots had been scarce. I did not need to inquire about the well-doing of Strawberries, for the huge plants, almost attain- ing the size of bushes, indicated that the adversities of the season and not they would be the cause of a failure if there happened to be one. Apples on trained trees were quite as plentiful as in the majority of places, and the appearance of the trees was all that could be desired. Currants and Goose- berries, I learned, had not been so good as in former years, owing to the severe frosts in April and May. Everything looked well in the garden, and reflected great credit on Mr. Elworthy, who has the management of it, and notwithstand- ing the rain which so encourages weeds, every place was clean and tidy; the crops, the walks, and the edgings being alike faultless.—J. Rosson. VIENNA EXHIBITION. A muetine was held at South Kensington yesterday, at which His Serene Highness the Duke of Teck presided, to consider what steps should be taken to secure a worthy representation of British horticulture at the approaching Great International Exhibition at Vienna. It was decided, asa preliminary course, that the leading nurserymen and amateurs should be invited to a meeting to be held on Wednesday next, at South Ken- sington, at two o’clock, to discuss this subject, and to promote, if possible, the desired object. Dr. Hogg was appointed to preside on the occasion, and to report to an adjourned meeting to be held early in December. CALLS AT THE NURSERIES. Mr. Winurams’s, Vicrortas Nursery, Hontoway.—The large conservatory, as heretofore, has for its leading features mag- nificent Tree Ferns, Palms, and Cyeads, together with rich and valuable collections of Yuccas, Beaucarneas, Agaves, and Dasylirions, many of which are of great rarity. It may be noted that the stems of the two large Dicksonias which stand one on each side of the central walk measure 10 feet in height from the tub to the branching of the head, and 4 feet in cir- cumference; while Cyathea Cunninghami is 11 feet high from the pot’s surface, and C. Smithii 84 feet. Four noble plants of Draczena indivisa, which had grown too tall for the house, are in course of preparation for being lowered, pots filled with soil having been placed round the upper part of the stem, with the view of taking off the tops when fairly rooted. Among the Cycads may be noted remarkably fine specimens of Huce- phalartos caffra, horrida, and latifrons; the last, in particular, is supposed to be the largest in Euzope. Among the Dasyli- vions, longifolium, with graceful drooping leaves, would be a handsome plant for a vase, and D. plumosum is another elegant species. Passing next into a Palm and Fern house, we find there noble examples of Cibotium princeps, Cyathea dealbata, the scarce C. MacArthuri, and large stems of Dicksonia: antarctica, fresh imported, and which have not yet broken. Among Palms we find large specimens of Latania borbonica, Arecarnbra, and two magnificent plants of Pheenicophorium sechellarum, one of them with leaves as large as we ever remember seeing on- this, certainly one of the grandest of tropical Palms, and which, with the nearly-resembling Verschaffeltia splendida, is not exceeded in majesty of port by any of its order. In another division are large plants of Adiantum farleyense in the finest possible condition, and which cedes to no member of the genus in beauty, beautiful as the others are. Among flowering plants we noted the pure white Hucharis amazonica in great beauty, and Euphorbia splendens, one of the most useful of winter- flowering stove plants. In a stove fernery adjoining, besides specimens of Platycerium grande, Gleichenia flabellata, and hosts of others, there are several new varieties of crested Pterises of the serrulata tribe; while in the New Holland house, in addition to the hybrid Solanums, which as berry- bearing plants have firmly established themselves as favourites for winter decoration, there are Bouvardia jasminiflora, white, and Hogarth, red, various winter and spring-flowering Heaths, and Cyclamens just coming in. Orchids, with which Mr. Williams’s name is inseparably associated, comprise neatly every known species of beauty, but the number in flower at present is not large. Foremost must be mentioned the new Mesospinidium vuleanieum, with charm- ing purplish rose-coloured flowers, Sophronites grandiflora, which for brillianey of colour is not excelled among Orchids ; whilst of others we noticed Maxillaria venusta, Dendrobium nodosum, Odontoglossum nevium, Calanthe Masuea, Vandas, especially the lovely pale blue cerulea; Pleione Wallichi, lagenaria, and maculata, and Miltonia Clowesii. A stove chiefly devoted to fine-foliaged plants contains a great variety of Crotons, including not only finely-coloured speci- mens of C. pictum, variegatum, and angustifolium, but Veitchil, interruptum, and indeed most of the new kinds. In the way of flowering plants there are Ixora javanica in full bloom, and other species of the same genus; and, reverting to foliage, Dracenas of all the older kinds, together with Guilfoylei, xegine, and other handsome novelties. Livistonia rotundifolia and Calamus ciliaris are noticeable as two handsome Palms, and there are many more elegant members of the same great order. Of Pitcher-plants, too, Mr. Williams has here a remarkably fine collection, for both to them and the equally curious North American Sarracenias he pays particular attention. Marantas, Cyanophyllums, Sphxrogynes, and the Ouvirandra fenestralis we pass over, merely remarking that they are such as do credit to the high reputation of the Victoria Nursery for plant- growing. In other houses there are fine stocks of Heaths, Aphelexes, Pimeleas, half-standard and pyramid, Azaleas, and Camellias in great abundance, from large bushes down to small plants, all in the healthiest possible condition, and profusely set with buds. Changing again to denizens of warmer climates, we have Dipladenias, the new Ixoras figured at page 213, Gardenias, Clerodendrons, and Allamandas, some in flower, some not; and lastly, in the Pine stove one of the best lots of Pines to be met with at any nursery we know. Mnssrs. Cursusv’s, Hicucarr.—The name of this firm is so bound up with their splendid exhibitions of Hyacinths, Tulips, and other spring-flowering bulbs, that when people go to High- gate in the spring months they seldom go further than the house in which those grand spikes of Hyacinths and the multi- iudes of gay-coloured Tulips offer a striking contrast to the usually dreary aspect of out-door vegetation at the season they are in the height of their beauty. There are, notwithstanding, things to be seen then, as there are now, worthy of note out- doors as well as in-doors. The latter, however, we shall just glance at on our way to view the former. Among the contents of the show and other houses may be mentioned excellent stocks of Cytisus racemosus and Attleeana, the latter extremely useful for early spring flowering ; winter-blooming Heaths, as E. caffra, hyemalis, and persoluta; Epacrises, Azaleas, Gar- November 7, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 367 denias, Epiphyllums, young Palms suitable for table deco- ration, Ferns, Amaryllids, and numerous miscellaneous plants. Passing out of doors Mr. James Cutbush incidentally pointed out some frames of Mignonette—‘‘ On that spot,’ said he, “« Mignonette has been grown for fifty-two years, and we have never missed a crop but once, and we always sow on August 31st or September Ist.’? But we have inadvertently somewhat anticipated—it ought to have been stated before that the grounds of the Highgate and Cholmeley Nursery, Finchley, a subsidiary establishment, altogether extend to fourteen acres, so it will be seen that Cutbush’s is no mere bulb nursery, but one in which trees and shrubs, both fruit-producing and orna- mental, can be grown in quantity. Of Ivies there is a fine collection, in which we especially noticed the Silver Tree, with a broad white margin to the leaves; a fine golden tree variety of the Irish; Caenwoodiana, with small deeply-lobed leaves ; algeriensis variegata, with fine white variegation; Glymii, beautifully marbled; marginata robusta, rose-edged ; and rhombea argenieo-marginata, a quick grower. Aucuba japonica aureo-maculata deserves high and honourable mention as one of the boldest and most striking | varieties of late years introduced into our gardens, so large and | so rich in colour is the blotching in the centre of the leaf. | Another yery beautiful hardy variegated shrub is Ligustrum | lucidum variegatum, which, for a Privet, has a very large leaf | beautifully margined with yellow. Weigelas for forcing, Gueldres Roses, Deutzias, &c., are largely represented. Of Deodars and other Conifers there are many handsome speci- mens, and of other trees and shrubs there is a very choice collection. Among variegated hardy trees Ulmus viminalis variegata deserves especial mention on account of its beauti- ful white-variegated leaves, which the tree retains much later in autumn than Acer Negundo variegatum, though they are not produced so early in spring. There is also a very pretty Elm with golden-tipped leaves on the young growth. The Evergreen Oaks, of which there is a larger quarter plunged in pots, the | trees averaging 5 feet high, are ready for immediate and safe transference to other quarters, as indeed they would be at any season. Laurels are extensively grown; among them, besides the common and Portugal, may be noted Laurus caucasica, and colchica with longer leaves than the preceding. many trees of the Western Plane growing on to form standards, such as are employed with such good effect on the Continent ; and we must not omit to mention the Populus tremula pendula, one of the most graceful of all deciduous trees. nursery stock we pass over; but of Hyacinths, whether they come under our notice or not at the spring exhibitions, we may be sure there will be a splendid array, for between three hundred and four hundred pots had been placed in that judicious seclu- sion which is so necessary for the production of roots, and, we need hardly say, those superb spikes of flowers which astonish all beholders, for it cannot be denied that if the Dutchmen grow the bulbs, we, at least, can make them flower better than they can. NOTES AND GLEANINGS. There are } Ordinary | As we formerly anticipated, tHe Royan Honrricunrounan | Sociery’s Country Exarsrtion for 1873 is to be held-at the Park Farm, Bath—a most beautiful spot. The Mayor writes to say that the guarantee fund is complete, and from what we know of the Committee the affair is likely to be pushed on to a success. — In your Journal of the 24th ult. I see in a letter dated 21st, with reference to rreLD Musurooms, ‘‘ Singular it is that there has not been one field Mushroom seen in the north this year.” This is incorrect, for I gathered in August of this year very fine ones. Some were 30 inches in circumference, and all were of good size.—W. H., Swinbourne Castle, Northumberland. —— Some enormous trees of the genus Eucanyprus have lately been found in Victoria and Western Australia. Several were measured and found to exceed 450 feet in height, and 40 feet in circumference. It seems, therefore, that Australia can boast of possessing the loftiest trees in the world. These trees, as well as those of the Banksia and Acacia kind, are admirably adapted to stand the long droughts which some- times prevail here. Every year the CurysANTHEMUMS IN THE TrMPLE GaAR- DENS are a theme in everyone’s mouth. They are always very good, but never have we seen them better than this year. Mr. Newton, the gardener of the Inner Temple, a most worthy successor to our good old friend Broome, kas this year fairly established a reputation of being a grower of blooms which, for size and quality, without ‘‘ dressing” of any kind, have never been surpassed. That such a result has been secured by thorough good culture from first to last is evident by the healthily luxuriant character of the foliage. Prince Alfred, in particular, we haye never seen larger nor more perfect—each floret laid as if by hand, and yet the blooms have neyer been touched. Vesta, Empress of India, White Globe, General Slade, Mrs. George Rundle, and Little Harry are also very fine, and among the Japanese kinds, which are rapidly rising in favour, The Daimio, James Salter, and Hero of Magdala. We may add that Mr. Newton has this year secured a display a fortnight earlier than most other growers. In the Inner Temple Mr. Dale, who is later, has Progne, remarkable for its fine colour, Little Harry, Vesta, White Globe, and others ex- cellent; and, though not connected with Chrysanthemums, no one could fail to remark the beauty of the long stretch of lawn extending towards the river. To its verdaney no doubt the moist autumn has greatly contributed, but we look upon the green sward of the two Temple Gardens, so gladdening to the eye, not only as a proof that the smoke nuisance is abating, but also as an evidence that gardening there, as elsewhere, can be successfully carried on under difficulties. —— WE are informed that the Rey. H. Honywood Dom- brain (“D., Deal,” of our contributors), is preparing for pub- lication a series of Treatises on the History, Culture, &c., of Fronists’ Fuowrrs. The first of the series, ‘‘ The Gladiolus,” will probably be published on the first day of next year. WINTERING CUTTINGS. Ar this season, when many are thinking how to keep their cuttings, perhaps an account of the means I used last winter may be useful. My greenhouse is on a humble scale; it is a lean-to, 10 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 5 feet 6 inches high. I fitted a stove pipe inside as follows:—There is an upright piece 4 inches in diameter, and 3 feet 6 inches long, in which is a joint at right angles to carry a pipe 24 inches in diameter. ; The upper part of the upright pipe is closed with a moveable plug; the lower end rests on two tiles placed about 2 inches apart to admit of draught. The end of the horizontal piece is partially closed when the fuel is well ignited. I burn charcoal at 3s. per sack, and light the stove at the bottom by dropping some lighted charcoal through the top of the upright pipe, then close the top and open the plug at the end of the horizontal pipe. The charcoal burns brightly in three or four minutes. Ithen illup the upright pipe to the rectangular joint. The stove is thus self-feeding, and if supplied with small pieces of charcoal about the size of a walnut, wilk burn without attention for nine orten hours. The plugs I find most conyenient are flower-pots. For the plug marked c, I have a 48-sized pot half filled with plaster, and p is a 60-sized pot, through the hole of which all fumes escape into the open air. Last winter I kept some fifteen dozen Geranium and Calceolaria cuttings with about three sacks of charcoal. The expense of the apparatus was 8s. As will be seen from the sketch, no fumes can escape, as the plug p is outside the house, and the plug c entirely closes the upright pipe except when feeding the fire. This contrivance may be useful to any who do not care to go to the expense of a regular flue. aL shall be happy to show this stove to anyone who wishes to see it.— 1s ee AB. Wall of ‘greenhouse. The arrows show the direction of draught. WORK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. ae Kerrp the heaps of compost well turned over, as the time is approachine when every advantage must be taken of frosty 368 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ November 7, 18/2. mornings to wheel it over the land. Asa general rule, ground that is very deeply trenched should be manured after trench- ing, and the manure forked-in, except in the case of fusiform- rooted plants, which will require the manure to be trenched-in deeply and not incorporated with the surface soil. Trenching up all vacant compartments must be vigorously followed up, taking care to turn-in all green and decaying refuse, which is much better than throwing such materials in a heap to decay, for this entails a positive loss of fertilising matter. The large amount of rain which has fallen recently has in most places in- terfered considerably with the progress of out-of-door operations. Whatever remains of Celery earthing should on such occasions be attended to. Digging, trenching, the formation of fruit-tree borders, and any necessary working on the soil, should be pro- ceeded with as early as circumstances will permit. Any kitchen gardener without a tank to receive the drainage of the dung heap, or for the mixture of manure water, should speedily remedy the omission. The weather has favoured the slugs, if nothing else, lately ; they must be closely looked after, or the destruction of the young and tender Cabbages and Lettuces will infallibly be the consequence. Kidney and Haricot Beans not sufficiently matured for preservation for seed, may, nevertheless, be sup- plied to the table. They will form an excellent and wholesome dish. Protect Rhubarb intended for forcing, and remove all dead and decaying leaves from both the Rhubarb and Sea-kale Deds. , FRUIT GARDEN. Pruning Pears, Apples, Plums, Cherries, and Currants should be carried on, and nailing should be commenced. Much more can be accomplished ina day, and with greater ease, when the weather is mild. Lay the wood in easily without an abund- ant quantity of shreds; a good eye and a quick hand are the essentials in this matter. Let the shreds correspond with the size of the wood. Prepare shreds and clean nails in wet weather. : FLOWER GARDEN. _ When the land is not too wet, alterations of ground and plant- ing should be carried on with dispatch, but on no account at- tempt planting when the soil is ina state of puddle ; the drier the soil is when placed round the roots of newly-planted trees and shrubs (provided they are judiciously watered-in), the sooner they will emit fresh roots. Mulching is, however, requisite to keep out frost, and earlier in the season to prevent evaporation. As tree leaves are always in request either as a fermenting material or for leaf soil, they should at this season be carefully collected. If they are required as a manure they may be stored away in any by-place and left to rot; but if, as is generally the case, they are in demand as a cheap mode of furnishing bottom heat to Pines, as well as for forcing different kinds of vegetables, some pains should be taken to keep them dry. For this pur- pose they should be stacked-up in some dark place or behind the garden walls, where access may be had to them at all times, and, after allowing time for them to settle, put on a coat of thatch to effectually secure them from rain. By these means they will be found in a state fit for use for a twelvemonth to come. During the present month more than common attention is required to preserve the garden from the desolating effects of the weather. All traces of the sedulous care and cleansing of one day may be effaced by the storms of the next. Flat, or ill-drained and constructed gravel walks will suffer from de- position of mud from pools which such walks are liable to; this if not removed immediately, will destroy the appearance of the gravel. Examine all gratings, drains, and watercourses, and prevent as far as possible the evil above alluded to. The im- portance of a well-drained walk free from the influence of trees, their shade and moisture, will be appreciated by those who re- cognise the importance of exercise and fresh air in all weathers and seasons. Walks subject to moss had better be raked and left rough and loose during the winter. The protection of half- hardy plants established out of doors will shortly call for at- tention, mats and fern should be duly prepared for the purpose. Collect Hollyhock and other seeds ; transplant Sweet Williams and Wallflowers into borders; plant bulbs, and examine those Previously set. Mice are particularly prone to destroy them. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. In most places Chrysanthemums will be the chief feature of attraction at present, and where these are largely grown, which they should be wherever there is a demand for flowers at this season, they make a fine display, and are worth every necessary attention to preserve them in beauty as long as possible. They are very impatient of a close rather warm atmosphere; and if the house contains plants requiring this treatment, the Chry- santhemums should, as far as possible, be placed in the coolest part, where air can be given freely on every favourable oppor- tunity, for unless they can be freely exposed to air their foliage is soon attacked and disfigured by mildew, especially if the plants are bushy and well grown. See also that they are kept well watered at the root. Use fire heat only when it is abso- lutely necessary, either to prevent the temperature from falling % 0 low, or to dry the atmosphere. If Calceolarias, Geraniums, and Cinerarias must be wintered in the same house with Heaths and other hardwooded plants, they should be kept as much as possible by themselves, as they will reguire a somewhat closer temperature than hardwooded plants; but where circumstances admit of it these should occupy a house or pit by themselves. Cinerarias and Geraniums intended for late flowering will do very well in a cold pit if the weather should not prove very severe ; but those intended for flowering very early should be placed at once where fire heat can be used at will, so as to be able to preserve the foliage from damp. Roses for early forcing should be pruned by this time, and placed where they will at least be safe from heavy rains. Where American and other shrubs are used for forcing they should be taken up and potted without delay, placing them in a cold pit until they are wanted for forcing, or in a turf pit, where they can be protected in severe weather by straw mats, shutters, or other covering. PITS AND FRAMES. Everything should be finally arranged here as soon as possible. See that the Mignonette has a very light situation, plunged close to the glass at the back of a frame free from drip. Store Ver- benas growing rapidly should have their tops pinched, as also Petunias and other ordinary mass flowers. Admit all the air possible, and give water grudgingly. Leave air on all night, be it never so little; this should be done even when matted overhead, except in very severe weather. Now is the time to pot all the Cape Iridacex, with others from Mexico, Chili, &e. The whole order delight in light open-soil. The stronger Gladioli and the like are much benefited by the addition of one-third rotten leaf mould, the rest peat and light loam in equal portions, with a little sand; and the more delicate sorts do better in two-thirds sandy peat, the rest of loam and sand in equal proportions. The Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissus, &c., to flower late in the spring, may now be potted, and those first potted will now have the pots pretty well filled with roots, and may, therefore, be brought into a glass frame to get up the foliage and flower- stems slowly, when smart forcing will not much injure the bulbs.—W. KEane. DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Tue work has been much the same as mentioned in previous weeks’ notices. We prepared Rhubarb and Sea-kale for forcing in the Mushroom house, cleared-off the withered stems of Asparagus, and will throw a little salt and some decayed dung over the beds, not because it is the best time, for that is in sum- mer, but the salt now will keep weeds, worms, and slugs under, and the roughish dung will protect the crowns from the ex- tremes of frost. It is always advisable to give an extra covering to Asparagus intended to be taken up and placed in pits or frames for forcing. This wasteful plan can only be defended on the principle that ground from which Asparagus is thus taken is valuable in carrying out a rotation of cropping. But for this, beds forced where the plants grow would ever be the most economical system in the end. However, we have been able to do little this way, and mostly take the plants up; in all such cases the roots are thrown away afterwards, at least we cannot use them as we do forced roots of Rhubarb and Sea-kale, which are often brought in to force again after they have had two sum- mers’ free growth. Though we like to force Asparagus where we can green the shoots by free exposure to light and air, we have often had fine dishes from old roots placed in warm dark places, and then the shoots were exposed for two or three days, when cut, in a light place, with the temperature not lower than from 50° to 60°. Even when this vegetable is forced in frames, air should not be given too freely in cold weather, although a few degrees above freezing, for a cold temperature is very apt to make the shoots hard and stringy. Mushroom House.—The wet close weather made us take away all the artificial heat we could, as a fresh bed that has just been reduced enough in temperature for spawning made the house quite hot enough, and we prefer in general to lower the tempe- rature in winter instead of admitting draughts of air. We never much care how much the diameter of a Mushroom may be, but whenever the stalks become rather long it is a good sign that the temperature has been quite high enough. Much can be done by uncovering when there is the least sign of drawing the footstalks, and much may be done with a little dry covering when the Mushrooms do not come fast enough for use. For keeping woodlice down there is no simpler plan than pouring in hot water at the front and back of the beds. If a small spout be used for the purpose the beds will be little or not at all injured. A friend of ours used to apply water nearly at the boiling point all over his bed, and the Mushrooms, he said, never suffered. However, we never went so far as that, and we knew of some cases where wonders were to be done by this mode, but no Mushrooms were gathered. We do not like extremes of any kind. When a bed is made in a house there will often be a little crevice between the bed and the material by which it is bounded ; and there, if the crevice is not one-eighth of an inch wide, wood- lice will congregate, and a little boiling water, or water not far November 7, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 369 from the boiling point, poured down will destroy the woodlice and do no harm to the bed if used sparingly at these crevices. With every care it is hardly possible to have Mushroom beds without also having woodlice, as, however much you may clean, smoke, and scald the empty house, the woodlice are carried in with the fermenting material. At this season, and in such dull wet weather, it is difficult to get the material for Mushroom beds dry enough. One of the simplest modes is to throw the material into a heap, and if really very short and damp, to cut up some dry litter or straw and mix with it, covering the outside of the heap with dry litter. It will then soon heat itself, so as to be sweet and sufficiently dry. Of course, we are aware that by this mode some of the most nutritious properties of the manure are dissipated, but by the practice we save time and labour, and obtain Mushrooms as thick and fleshy as cooks care to have them. One bed gave Mushrooms rather thinner than we liked them, but to bring them in we gave them rather too much warmth. In spawning a bed we have put about half an inch of moist cow dung under the soil. With fair treatment that will ensure Mushrooms thick and flesh7 enough. Provided we have 2 or 3 inches, chiefly of droppings, for the surface, we care comparatively little what the bulk of the bed is composed of, so long as it will retain a mild constant heat for some time. One of the best beds we ever had in an dut-door open shed was made chiefly with tree leaves, a little long grass, and cut stubble. After being firmly trodden it had altogether a surfacing of from 2 to 3 inches of droppings mixed with short litter. The depth of the bed was 18 inches at the back and 14 inches in front. When cleared out after a twelvemonth almost every straw of the stubble was covered with the spawn. The bed had several manure-waterings, made by steeping cow and sheep dung in warm water some days before using it. Cucumbers.—In such dull wet weather it is better to have a comparatively low temperature instead of a high one. Particular care should be taken that much fire heat and sun heat do not act together, us it is trying to the plants after such dull weather. slight skiff may be given from the syringe, but if a bright day should occur suddenly, it will be better to have less fire heat, and even a little shading, instead of a great addition to air- giving. Dwarf Kidney Beans.—We have gathered the last from an earth pit, which we could protect with old sashes, &c. Had the weather been sunny, we should have gathered some time longer, but the continual rain made the plants begin to damp-off. A late crop from the open air is thus often worth trying for. Those in forcing pits and houses should seldom in such dull weather be much above 60° with fire heat alone. Little can be done with them by fermenting heat in winter, unless all damp and steam are shut out. 9 4 FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The ground hereabouts is too wet to permit of fruit-tree planting, but it must be kept steadily in view, as the sooner the roots are in their new places the better they will thrive. The more the soil is sweetened and exposed to the air the better will the plants thrive; and where such material can be obtained, every tree should have one barrowload, or as much as can be obtained, of sweet new loam, such as that obtained from meadows or the sides of highways, with the grass decomposed and the fibre not yet wasted away. For giving least trouble afterwards, and insuring early and continuous bearing, no plan és simpler than planting on raised mounds, and mulching the surface for some years afterwards. Pruning may now be proceeded with where the ground is not so wet as to become puddled with the feet. Most of the foliage is now changing, and cutting, though removing a few leaves with a little green on.them, is a matter of little importance, and it is very desirable that all such work should be forwarded as much as possible, for the spring brings a multiplicity of matters to attend to. Strawberry plants in pots are now all under some protection from rain. We shall place a lot in frames presently, with just the least heat below them to give them a gentle start. Orchard Houses.—In order that these may help us as pro- tectors by their glass roofs, we have removed the most of the now discoloured foliage, as thus we secure more room for many plants that will be found useful. Even Chrysanthemums for eutting are much safer than standing anywhere out of doors. Lettuces, Endive, Violets, &c., may thus be safely kept. No better place could be found for Strawberry plants in pots, but we cannot accommodate them there at present. There is scarcely a garden, large or small, but there will be plenty said of the lack of all such accommodation. Even such unheated houses are most useful, and dear coal cannot be urged against them. If the present price of fuel continue, people will begin to think of utilising the heat that goes into the air from boiler chimneys. HARDY GEMS.—No. 5. I nAve followed no systematic plan in my short notices of these plants, preferring to jot down my thoughts and expe- riences as the ink flows from the pen, so that my readers will have a great variety of both genera and species brought to their notice, somewhat in the manner they are thrown in our way during a botanical ramble; I therefore now ask you to observe those beautiful patches of bright yellow flowers, which are so conspicuous, they are— ms ite 378 ° JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ November 14, 1872. ALYSSUM ALPES?TRE, one of the finest spring-flowering plants known to us. The plant is of dwarf spreading habit; the large dense heads of bright yellow flowers stand up well above the foliage, rendering it very effective. It comes from the Italian Alps. Drapa viotacea.—This is a truly beautiful plant, offering a great contrast to the majority of the species belonging to this genus of Crucifers. It forms a tolerably dense somewhat hoary tuft, which seldom exceeds 12 or 15 inches in height. ‘The flowers are large, of a soft violet colour, and freely pro- duced in March and April. In addition to its individual beauty it is exceedingly interesting, on account of the great altitude at which it flourishes on the Andes—viz., from 13-15,000 feet, where, however, it is by no meaus plentiful. Drapa TRIpENTATA.— A very dwarf plant, and especially valuable in the rock garden, as its brilliant yellow flowers are produced from June to Au- gust, and thus it maintains a rich display after the early- blooming members of this family have lost their beau- ties. Native of Russia. Drasa azorwes.—This ele- gant native species presents quite a dense mass of bright yellow in April and May. It bas a splendid effect in the rockery, and is also valuable as an edging plant for the parterre, where spring bed- ding is patronised. Drapa GuActauis is another very beautiful dwarf species, growing 4 or 5 inches high. It is dense and compact, pro- ducing its gay yellow blooms in April and May. It should be grown in deep sandy loam. Native of the Pyrenees. NERTERA DEPRESSA. — This charming little -plant belongs to the order Cinchonacee, and is not introduced here on account of the beauty of its flowers, for they are small and inconspicuous, but these small blooms are succeeded by a profusion of deep orange- coloured berries about the size of a large pea, which, contrasted with the deep green of the leaves, render it a lovely object on a rockery. The plant is dwarf and compact, forming handsome little rosettes. It is from the antarctic regions, and is reputed to be the southernmost member of the order. Sprr#a PpALMATA.—Beyond doubt this is one of the very best herbaceous plants which have been introduced from Japan. It attains a height of about 2 feet; the leaves are large, deep green, and palmately lobed, the stems and branches being reddish purple. The flowers are produced in terminal corymbs, and are rich crimson, shading off to rosy purple. It blooms profusely throughout June and July, forming a delightful ornament either in the garden or when used in vases for the decoration of apartments, a purpose for which it is admirably adapted.-Hxprrto CREDE. Draba azoides. REPORT ON GARDEN PEAS.—No. 1. Dunine these twenty years the numerous names that have been given to the different varieties of Peas have been most puzzling, and have led to great confusion. A variety of great excellence is allowed to degenerate, and in due course it gradu- ally becomes like anything but what it originally was. Some grower has been careful to keep his stock very select, and find- ing in time that it is much superior to the degenerated one syhich is in general cultivation, he concludes that he has secured something new, and presently announces it to the world under a new name, and at a high price. But it is the old variety notwithstanding. It is generally the best varieties that are liable to this, and we haye seen crops of what were called Champion of England and Ne Plus Ultra, which resembled these only in name, while the true varieties were growing alongside under their new designations. It is, therefore, for the purpose of attempting to bring order out of confusion, and of placing on record the true characters of all the varieties, that I have undertaken for the third time during the last twenty years to report on the subject. In this I have combined all the former reports, so as to make the subject as complete as possible. I—FRAME PEAS. Divutstone’s Earty (Carter's First Crop; Sutton’s Ring- leader ; Clarke’s Rapid Prolific)—The plant is of a slender habit of growth, producing a simple stem 2 feet high, bearing on an average from seven to nine pods. These are generally single, but occasionally in pairs, almost straight, and containing seven peas in each. The ripe seed is small, smooth, and white. This is the earliest of all the white-seeded Peas, and, with the exception of Mr. Laxton’s Harbinger, is the earliest known. When this variety first appeared, twelve or fourteen years ago, and before it had been allowed to degenerate, it was far in ad- vance of every other variety. Sown on the 19th of February, the plants were a mass of bloom on the 19th of May. On the 5th of June the blooms dropped and the slats appeared, and on the 22nd of June the whole crop was ready to be gathered. At that period it was quite seven to eight days earlier than a per- fectly pure stock of Sangster’s No. 1, which up to that time had been regarded as the earliest of all. A striking feature of Dil- listone’s Early is, when pure, that the plants are all of a uni- form height, they bloom in a mass, the pods all appear together, and the whole crop is ready to be gathered at the same time. Sanester’s No. 1 (Daniel O'Rourke; Carter’s Harliest ; Dickson's First and Best ; Sutton’s Champion; Sutton’s Im- proved Harly Champion; Dickson's Climax; Washington ; Isherwood’s Railway ; Early Caractacus ; Taber's Perfection ; Hooper's Early Rival).—This variety is of a slender habit of growth, more so than Early Emperor, and consists of a single stem 2 feet high, producing, on an average, from eight to ten pods on each plant. Pods generally single, but frequently in pairs, 10? inches long, and upwards of half an inch wide, quite straight, thick, and plump, and terminating abruptly at the point. en fully grown they become much swollen, broad in the back, and somewhat round or quadrangular. They contain, on an average, seven, but frequently eight, peas. The ripe seed is white. This and Waite’s Daniel O‘Rourke were sown in ad- joining rows 5th of April, 1853, and came into bloom on the 5th of June; on the 9th the first blooms began to drop, and the slats (young pods) to appear; by the 22nd the whole plants were nearly out of bloom; and on the Ist of July the pods were quite filled and ready to gather. Iwas most particular in my obser- vation of these two varieties, as it had been said by some that they are distinct. That there should be no mistake I procured Sangster’s No. 1 from Mr. Sangster, and Daniel O‘Rourke from Mr. Waite. They were sown on the same day, came up on the same’ day, slatted on the same day, podded on the same day, and died-off on the same day, after having attained the same height, and presented the same habit of growth. This is a very valuable Pea. It is not so tall by some inches as Emperor, stops growing and blooming much sooner, and is ripening-off when Emperor is still fresh and growing. In this respect it is very valuable to the gardener, as it enables him, after obtaining a prolific crop of early Peas, to clear the ground for something else. It comes into use seven days later than Dillistone’s Early, and matures its crop more slowly. Earty Kent (Harly May; Prince Albert)—The true Early Kent is now almost, if not quite, out of cultivation, and de- servedly so, its place having been occupied by Dillistone’s Early, a more prolific and an equally early Pea. It is of a very slender habit of growth, and rarely more than 2 feet high, producing a scanty crop of small ill-filled pods. Its only recommendation, even in its best days, was its earliness. It was this variety which was formerly grown extensively at Higham, in Kent, a very early locality, from which the first Peas of the season came into the London markets. TayLor’s Protiric.—The pods are all strictly single, and are of the size and shape of Sangster’s No. 1, containing on an average from six to seven peasineach. The plant is2 feet high, and pro- duces perfect pods even to the top of the haulm, when the whole ripen-off simultaneously. Taylor's Prolific seems to be a very superior variety of the old Harly Kent, from which it has, no doubt, originated. Earty Emperor (Harly Sebastopol; Morning Star ; Rising Sun; Warner's Conqueror ; Warner's Hmperor).—Plant of a slender habit’ of growth, always with a single stem, which is 2} to 3 feet high, and produces from eight to ten pods on each plant. Pods generally single, but frequently in pairs, from 23 to 3 inches long, perfectly straight, and terminating abruptly at the end. They are well filled, and contain from five to seven peas, which are roundish and flattened, seven-twentieths of an inch long, six-twentieths broad, and the same in thickness. The ripe seed is white. The seed was sown on the 5th of April, 1851, and the plants } came into bloom on the 5th of June; the blooms began to drop November 14, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 379 on the 9th, and on the Ist of July the pods were completely filled and ready to gather. Ruextte Micwaux.—This is a French variety, and is a very inferior stock of Early Emperor, having short broad pods, and coming into use at the same time. DaneEcrorr Rivau (Girling’s Pea; Glass Pea).—In habit of growth, height, and productiveness, this closely resembles Early Emperor, but it can be easily distinguished from that and every other variety by the total absence of glaucescence or bloom on the leaves, which gives it a singular and sickly appearance. The plant is remarkably tender. It is now preserved only in the gardens of the curious, where it is grown more for its singu- lar appearance than for any great merit it possesses. This was raised about thirty-five years ago by Mr. Girling, of Stowmarket, but it isnot now worthy of cultivation. Surron’s Harurest or Auu.—This is evidently an inferior form of Danecroft Rival. It has the same habit of growth, and, like that variety, is destitute of the glaucescence which all other Peas possess; the pods are smaller, and though it comes into flower two days earlier, it is fit for use at the same time, being four days later than Dillistone’s Early, as proved in the trial of Peas at Chiswick, 1872. Becr’s Gem (Tom Thumb; Turner's Royal Dwarf; Nain hatif extra; De Grace).—This is the most dwarf-growing of all the varieties. It rarely ever exceeds a foot in height; the stem is of a stout habit of growth, and branches at every joint to within three or four of the top, producing from fourteen to eighteen pods. rarely singly, and are produced at every joint, particularly to- wards the top; they are smooth, of a dark green colour, and well filled, containing from five to eight peas, which are almost as large as Imperials. ‘The ripe seed is somewhat ovate, and of a greyish pearly colour. This is a very excellent Pea for forcing, and for early sowing under walls or othershelter. It is remarkably prolific, and can- not but be of great use in small gardens where sticks cannot be conveniently obtained or made use of. This ripens at. the same time as Harly Emperor. TrLEGRAPH.—This is in every respect, as regards habit of growth and general appearance, similar to the Karly Emperor, and differs from it in the ripe seed having a black hilum like the Egg Pea. It also partakes of the character of the Ege Pea in flayour, having the rough Bean-like taste which is remark- able in that variety. It produces, on an average, five to eight pods on a stem, and these contain from seven to eight peas. Sown the same day, it ripens two days later than Early Emperor. The variety is not worth growing. Harty Rinewoop (Ringwood Marrow; Flanagan’s Early; Beck's Marrow ; Essex Rival)—This produces a very large well- filled pod, and is a most abundant bearer; but it has a peculi- arity, which, by some, is considered an objection, from the pod being white instead of green, and presenting, when only fully grown, the appearance of over-maturity. This objection, how- ever, is chiefly taken by those who grow it for market, and who find a difficulty in convincing their customers that, notwith- standing the pod being white, it is still not over-ripe. So far from being soon out of season, the Ringwood Marrow retains its tender and marrowy character longer than many other varieties. Plant with a moderately vigorous habit of growth, produc- ing a stem which is 3} to 4 feet high, and always simple, ex- cept in wet seasons, when it makes a second growth by throw- ing out shoots from near the ground. The lowest pods are within about a foot of the ground, and are produced at every joint, even to the extremity, the whole number on each plant being from ten to twelve. The pods are single and in pairs, in about equal proportions, from 3 to 34 inches long, and six-tenths of an inch wide, slightly curved and waved on the upper margin, and terminated rather abruptly at the point. As they ripen they become thick and fleshy, with a rough, pitted, and shrivelled surface. They contain from six to seven large peas, which are roundish and not compressed, about nine-tenths of an inch Bag ecwon eenths wide, and the same in thickness. The ripe Bee as white. It comes into use six days later than Sangster’s 0.1. Harty Warwick (Racehorse; Essex Champion).—What is now grown under the name of Early Warwick is very different from the variety to which the name was originally applied. When first obtained at Evesham, in Warwickshire, it was a single-blossomed Pea, and somewhat earlier than the double- blossomed Frame of those days, but it gradually lost its single- blossomed character, and has now become identified with the ordinary Early Frames. Harty FRamE.—In adopting the name “Early Frame,” I mean to include all the forms known under that name, whether they are called single or double-blossomed, for in fact there are none that are absolutely “ single ” or absolutely “ double-blossomed.” These expressions are not meant to indicate any peculiar struc- ture of the flower as regards the number of the petals, but merely hat the blossoms are produced singly or in pairs on the same The pods are almost always borne in pairs, | peduncle. Great efforts have from time to time been made to preserve the single-blossomed character, and notwithstanding the care that has been bestowed upon the selection, growers have hitherto failed in rendering it permanent. There is, however, no real advantage to be obtained even if that character were secured, for the supposed earliness of the single-blossomed Frame Peas is now far exceeded by other varieties that have been introduced of late years. Dicxson’s Fayourtte (Dickson’s Favourite Improved ; The Wonder; Cotterell’s Wonder; Torwoodlee).—This seems to be a form of the Auvergne, but the plant has a more slender growth than that variety, and it is a day or two earlier. It grows from 4 to 5 feet high, with a single stem, and pale green foliage. The pods are produced in pairs to the number of twelve or fourteen, and are curved, but not so much so as in the Auvergne, and contain from six to seven peas in each. Ripe seed white. This variety, like the Auvergne, has a strong ten- dency to degenerate, and to lose its distinctive charaeter, and therefore requires to be closely selected to preserve the stockin a state of purity. It is decidedly an inferior Pea to the true Auvergne, which it resembles, and which produces long, curved, well-filled pods containing from nine to twelve peas in each. Leopotp II.—This bears a close resemblance to Early Ring- wood, the foliage and pods being of the peculiar pale green colour of that variety. The pods are long, narrow, nearly straight, very badly filled, the middle pea in each pod being abortive. It is two days later than Harly Ringwood. BrisuHor’s Lone-poppEp (Bishop’s Improved).—The old Bishop’s Dwarf is now entirely out of cultivation. It was a low-growing plant, 9 inches to a foot high, with a branching stem, and pro- duced small insignificant pods 23 inches long and half an inch wide. Such a Pea is of no use in these days. Bishop’s Long-podded is a great improvement on the old variety. It grows ‘about 2 feet high, produces numerous branches, and bears from eighteen to twenty pods on a plant. The pods are either single or in pairs, and contain from seven to nine peas in each. Ripe seed creamy-white. Surton’s Lonc-poppEep Tom THums.—At the trial of Peas held in the garden at Chiswick this season, the Committee decided that this was identical with Bishop’s Early Dwarf. Carter’s Farmer’s Proxtreic.—Plant with a strong and robust habit of growth, 5 to 6 feet high, producing fourteen to sixteen pods on each stem, which are narrow, and very closely filled with six or seven small peas. It is a very prolific variety, and comes into use about the same time as Dickson’s Favourite and Auvergne. Spanish Dwarr (Dwarf Fan; Dwarf Bog).—This is an old and worthless variety. The plant is about a foot high, branch- ing out on each side in the manner of a fan, and hence it is called the Dwarf Fan. The pods are either single or in pairs, from 2 to 2} inches long, and about half aninch broad, termi- nating abruptly at the point, and containing from five to six rather large peas. There is a variety of this which is called the Improved Spanish Dwarf, and grows fully 9 inches taller than the old variety, but it possesses no particular merit to recom- mend it. 4 Guory or CassrL is similar but inferior to Auvergne, and is about two days earlier. AUVERGNE (White Sabre; White Scimitar)—The Auvergne Pea was introduced from France some years ago by the Royal Horticultural Society, but, although it very far surpassed every other variety of White Pea then in cultivation, it never became widely known or generally cultivated. It is a most characteristic variety, and always easily distinguishable by its long and curved pod. The plant is of a moderately strong habit of growth, pro- ducing a single stem from 4 to 5 feet high, according to the soil in which it is grown, and bears from twelve to fifteen pods on each. The pods are generally small, but sometimes in pairs ; when fully grown, 4} inches long, and over half an inch broad, tapering towards the point and very much curved ; they contain from nine to twelve peas, which are very closely compressed, and are the size of the Early Frames. Even the small pods contain as many as from seven to nine peas in each. The ripe seed white. It is four or five days later than Harly Ring- wood. Suitiine’s Grorro.—The plant is of a strong habit of growth, always withasingle stem 4} to 5feet high. The pods are generally single, but frequently in pairs, 34 inches long and about half an inch wide, and containing on an average about seven large pease The ripe seed is white. ‘i It is thirty years since this Pea was introduced, and at that time it was a decided acquisition, being a great improvement on the second early varieties then in cultivation. Since the in- troduction of Champion of England, Champion of Paris, Prize- taker, and several others to which it is certainly inferior, and which ripen at the same time, it may very well be dispensed with. It ripens at the same time as Auvergne. Cuariton.—It is a hard matter to say what the Charlton Pea is now-a-days. The old variety, which was so long known under that and a dozen other names having disappeared, the Charlton 380 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. { November 14, 1872. Pea, as a variety, exists only inname. For very many years it was the most extensively cultivated and the most highly esteemed of all the varieties then known. It was the earliest and the best, and the care bestowed on the growth and selection of the stock was as great as is now exercised on that of Emperors or Number Ones. The same propensity for the multiplication of the names of a good thing seems to have been as great in former ages as in this; and hence we find Charltons and Hot- spurs with designations almost as numerous as the names of the persons who grew them. The original name of the Charlton Pea was Hotspur, still used by~some, and by contraction Hots; or, rather, it may be that Hots is the original, for I have somewhere read, in an old author, the word “hot” made use of in the same sense as we do “‘early.” I do not know at what period this variety first became Imown; but I can trace it as far back as the year 1670, and from that period till about 1770, or as nearly as possible for one century, it continued to stand first in the lists as the earliest Pea, until it was supplanted by the Early Frame, about 1770. . The various names by which it was known during the last century were Reading Hotspur, Master’s or Flander’s Hotspur, Golden Hotspur, Brompton Hotspur, Essex Hotspur, Omerod’s Hotspur, Early Nichols’s Hotspur, Charlton Hotspur, and, finally, Early Charlton. The last name became general about 1750. There can be no doubt that these names were applied much in the same way as we have described under Early Frame, and that the varieties were distinguishable according to the care with which the growers selected them. Master’s Hot- spur, which is still retained in some catalogues of the present day, was so called from a person of that name, who, it is said, selected it, and who was a nurseryman at Strand-on-the-Green, near Brentford, 140 years ago. It has also been called Hastings, Marquis of Hastings, and Essex Readings. It is not in our power to furnish a description and a figure of this variety, for, as we have said, there is in reality no such thing as the Charlton Peain existence. That which is sold for Charltons is any degenerated stock of Harly Frames, or any stock of Frames which cannot be warranted or depended upon, but which are, nevertheless, of such a character as to admit of their being grown as garden varieties. Let writers on garden- ing, therefore, be careful in future, when called on for a list of Peas, not to give, as is often done, the Charlton as “the best second early.” There is no distinct variety grown for Charltons by the seed-growers. DwarFr WATERLOO BrancHinGc.—This closely resembles Bishop’s Long-podded, but is two days earlier. In other respects there is really no difference. Naszos (Lazton).—This was raised by Mr. Laxton from a cross made between Little Gem and Laxton’s Prolific Long-pod. The plant is 18 inches to 2 feet high, strong and robust in habit, with large dark green foliage. It produces from ten to twelve pods, which are long and curved, of a deep green colour, and contain- ing from seven to nine medium-sized pale green peas. This is the largest and most handsome of the dwarf early white Peas, and it is exceedingly productive. Royan Dwarr (White Prussian; Poor Man’s Profit; Dwarf Prolific).—Plant of medium growth, with an erect stem, which is 3 feet high, generally simple, but occasionally branching. The pods are sometimes single and sometimes in pairs, but generally single, and from 23 to 3 inches long, half an inch broad, almost straight, and somewhat tapering to the point; the surface is quite smooth, and the colour bright green. They are generally well filled, and contain from five to six peas, which are somewhat ovate, not compressed, eight-twentieths long, seven- twentieths broad, and the same in thickness. The ripe seed is white. The seed was sown on the 5th of April, and the plants bloomed on the 26th of June. The blooms dropped and the slats appeared, and on the 16th of July the pods were fit to be gathered. : This is an old and very prolific variety, well adapted for Bold culture, and long a favourite in gardens, but now super- Seded. CxiamartT.—The plant is very vigorous, and in its habit much resembles Early Emperor. It grows late, and maintains its fine green foliage to the last. Pods generally in pairs, pro- duced in succession, from sixteen to eighteen on each stem, and containing from six to eight peas each. It is a week later than Early Emperor. ~ PreaBopy.—This is of a dwarf, bushy, and compact habit, and the leaves are rather small, numerous, and of a bright green colour. The stem is 2} feet high and branching. Pods rather narrow, small, and extremely well filled, deep green, and con- taining from six to seven rather small peas. ‘This is a very pro- - ductive variety, and stands the dry weather well, but is of inferior quality. Itis eight days later than Auvergne, and five days later than Royal Dwarf. ‘VicTor1sA Brancuine (Pawl’s Harly Dwarf; Paul’s Prolific).— Plant with a strong robust habit of growth, 3 feet high. The stem is generally simple, but sometimes branching, and bears from twelve to sixteen pods, which are 3 to 34 inches long and half an inch broad, and contain from seven to eight large peas. The foliage is dark green. Ripe seed white. 7 ea is avery abundant bearer; itis three days later than Royal wart. Crown (Bunch; Cluster ; Wuwmmy).—This is a very charac- teristic variety, known at once by producing its pods at the extremity of the stem in a bunch or tassel. The plant is 44 to 5 feet high; the stem gradually increasing in thickness from the root upwards, in some instances to the thickness of a man’s thumb, when it becomes quite dilated, producing twenty-four to thirty pods in a bunch. These are small, round, and well filled, in appearance like those of Early Emperor, and containing from four to seven small peas. Ripe seed small, round, and white. This curious but useless Pea, sown on the 23rd of February, first bloomed on the 16th of June, and was in full bloom on the 17th. The slats appeared on the 21st of June, and the crop was ready for use on the Ist of July. IIL—MARROW PEAS. <] Ripe seed white, large, smooth, uneven, compressed, irregular or egg-shaped. Skin thick. Foliage blotched. Panavise’ Marrow (Champion of Paris ; Excelsior Marrow ; Knight's Excelsior ; Stuart’s Paradise)—This was introduced in 1851, and in my published description at the time I remarked —This is a novelty which fully maintains the high character with which it was brought out. It is as yet very little Inown, having appeared at a time when the public were somewhat awakened to the necessity of caution with which new varieties ought to be received. As regards this, however, there need not be the slightest misgiving, as I have found it to be one of those which must ultimately become one of the standard sorts if pre- served inits present true character. The podis of very large size, remarkably well filled with a deliciously flavoured Marrow Pea, and is fit to be gathered as soon, or at most within a day of the Ringwood Marrow. With such properties, therefore, every- one will allow it is a variety well worthy of general cultivation. The plant is of a strong and vigorous habit of growth, with a stem from 5 to 6 feet high, which is branching towards the top. The pods are generally single, but frequently in pairs, about. 4 inches long, nearly three-quarters of an inch wide, remarkably well and closely filled with from seven to nine large peas, and when they begin to ripen they are thick-backed, succulent, and fleshy. The ripe seed is white, round, and smooth. This does its work very quickly, at least much more so than some others; for although it came into bloom five days later than the Ringwood, it was not, even at the utmost, more than two days behind it in podding. Drxon’s Harty Dwarr Paracon.—In its habit of growth this resembles Bishop’s Early Dwarf. The plant is from 2 to 2} feet high, with a robust branching stem which bears from sixteen to eighteen pods, generally in pairs. They are of a fine deep green colour, but do not fill well, containing from five to six medium-sized peas. Ripe seed large, white, flattened, and in- dented. It comes into use at the same time as Paradise Marrow and Bishop’s Long-podded. Harrison’s PERFECTION.—Plant with a robust habit of growth, having a thick succulent stem, 3 to 3} feet high, and large dark green foliage. The pods are produced in pairs from every joint, averaging sixteen or eighteen on a plant, but they are yery irregularly and badly filled, and contain only from four to six peas. The peas are large and thick-skinned. Ripe seed white, medium-sized, and somewhat Lentil-shaped. When this was first introduced it was considered a great acquisition, as being an early dwarf Marrow Pea, and as such it would have deserved all that was said in its favour, provided it had not the very objectionable property of filling irregularly. The pods early assume the appearance of being ready for use, but when opened are found to contain half-grown peas, four to six of which only come to maturity. It ripens at the same time as Prizetaker and Paradise Marrow, and is some days later than Advancer, which has the same habit, is far more productive, and has the additional advantage of being a sweet wrinkled Pea. Laxton’s Prouiric Lone Pop (Laxton’s Prolific Selected).— It is to be noted that there are two varieties of Peas in culti- vation under this name; one has the ripe seed white, and the other is mixed white and olive. The former, with white seed, is the true, and the latter is merely an inferior stock of Prize- taker Green Marrow. The true plant is of a robust and vigorous habit of growth, and with large pale-blotched foliage. The stem is from 5 to 7 feet high, producing from twelve to fourteen pods, which are in pairs. The pods are very large, of a pale green colour, broad, much curved, and pointed, and containing from seven to nine medium-sized peas. Ripe seed white, indented. The seed was sown on the 23rd of February. The first flowers appeared on the 1st of June, and the plants were in full flower on the 5th. The slats appeared on the llth of June, and the crop was fit to gather on the 25th—that is, within a day of Paradise Marrow. Tuurston’s Rexrance (Reliance Marrow).—The plant is a strong and very robust grower, always with a simple stem, Noyember 14, 1872. ] which is 6 to 7 feet high. At3feet from the ground the pods begin to be produced, and are regularly placed at every subse- quent joint, even to the extremity of the plant, numbering in all from ten to twelve on each. The pods are generally single, but sometimes in pairs, from 3} to 44 inches long, and three- quarters of an inch broad. They are very broad and flat, which shape they retain even when quite filled. The under edge is very much of a Scimitar shape, and the upper is slightly curved and tapering gradually to the point. They are of a deep bright green colour, and the surface quite smooth, containing from seven to eight peas in each, which are large, nine-twentieths of an inch long, seven-twentieths broad, and the same in thickness. The ripe seed is white. This is a very distinct and very useful Pea, an abundant bearer, and the pods are of a fine deep bright green colour, which is a recommendation to it when grown for market. It comes in at the same time as the Auvergne, but itis of a more tender constitution. QUEEN or Dwarrs.—A very dwarf-growing variety, not more than 6 to 9 inches high. i sometimes branching, and the foliage of a dark blue-green colour. Hach plant produces about four or six pods, which are of a curious elliptic shape, and rarely contain more than three or four large peas. Ripe seed white, medium-sized, egg-shaped, unevenly compressed. This is a very worthless variety, and unworthy of cultivation for any purpose whatever. The plant is so remarkably tender, that even in favourable seasons it does not develope nor fill its pods freely. In summers like the last it is chilled with cold, and in those that are warmer or more genial it is almost invari- ably attacked with green fly. NovemMsEeR Prouiric.—The plant is 2 feet high, with dark .gzeen foliage. The stem is rather robust, generally simple, but occasionally branched, and bears from twelve to sixteen pods. The pods are generally in pairs, rather short, and contain from four to six peas in each. Ripe seed white, medium-sized, smooth, and compressed. It is two to three days earlier than Victoria Marrow. This somewhat resembles in growth the Royal Dwarf, but is very inferior to that variety, and, in fact, is not worth growing for any purpose. Eec.—This is a very old variety, and long Inown by the name of Black-eyed Susan, from the seed having a black hilum or eye. ‘The plant is of a strong and robust branching habit of growth, and from 7 to 8 feet high. It produces about eighteen pods, which are almost always in pairs, and these contain about seven good-sized peas, which are large and oval like a Horse Bean. Ripe seed white, large, egg-shaped, and with a black hilum. This, though an abundant bearer, is quite a worthless variety, and it would be difficult to say for what object it is cultivated. The peas have a very thick skin, and a coarse Bean-like flavour, and when cooked are generally of a dusky brown colour. Victoria Marrow (Waterloo Marrow ; Giant Marrow; Tall Marrow ; Wellington; Royal Victoria; Gibbs’ Defiance) —The plant is of a strong and vigorous habit of growth, haying a simple stem from 6 to 7 feet high. The pods are produced near the top of the stem, sometimes singly, sometimes in pairs in * about equal proportion, and contain from five to seven very darge peas. Ripe seed white, large, uneven, and roundish. Princess Royau.—The variety under this name grown in the Chiswick Garden this season proved to be as early as Paradise Marrow and Laxton’s Prolific Long Pod. The true Princess Royal, raised by Dr. Maclean, and grown in the trial of 1860, was as late as Tall Green Mammoth and seven days later than Victoria Marrow. In the true variety the plant is 3 feet high, a strong and vigorous grower, with dark green foliage. The stem -is generally simple, but occasionally branched, bearing from ten to twelve pods, which are usually in pairs. The pods are Jarge, and have an attractive appearance, but they fill slowly and indifferently—so much so that when opened they average only from three to six large peas in each. Ripe seed large, round, uneven, and white. Danecrort Protiric.—The plant very much resembles the Victoria Branching in habit. Itis 3 feet high, robust, and fre- quently branching, and produces from twelve to sixteen pods, which contain from seven to eight peas of good size. This is an abundant bearer, and four or five days later than Wictoria Branching, to which it is not superior. GREEN MARROWS. Ripe seed of a mixed white and olive colour, either small, round, and pitted, or large, ivegular,and uneyen. Foliage dark green and blotched. Pods dark, bluish green, very glaucous. WrrM I.—This is one of Mr. Laxton’s new cross-bred varieties, and is the earliest of all the Green Marrow Peas. It as nine days earlier than Prizetaker, and ten days earlier than Laxton’s Supreme. The plant is from 43 to 5 feet high, somewhat slender in. growth, being in this respect similar to the Harly Frame class. Stem simple, producing from fourteen to sixteen pods, generally single, but frequently in pairs. The pods are long and very JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. The stem is thick, succulent, and | 381 handsome, of a dark bluish green colour, covered with a thick bloom like Prizetaker, and contain from seven to eight fair-sized peas also of a dark green colour. The ripe seed is small, round, indented, of a mixed white and olive colour. This received a first-class certificate from the Royal Horticul- tural Society. Uni1quE.—This is another of Mr. Laxton’s cross-breds, which is five days later than William I. It was obtained by crossing Laxton’s Prolific and Little Gem. The plant is of the same habit as Tom Thumb and Little Gem, and is from 1 to 1} foot high. The stem is moderately robust, branching, and producing eight to ten pods, which are usually in pairs. The pods are rather long, broad, slightly curved and pointed like those of the Blue Scimitar, and of a fine dark green colour, each containing from six to eight bright green peas. Ripe secd is parti-coloured. A fine long-podded and prolific early dwarf Pea, to which a first-class certificate was awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society. PRIZETAKER (Bellamy’s Early Green Marrow; Prizetaker Green Marrow ; Rising Sun; Leicester Defiance).—The original name of Bellamy’s Early Green Marrow has now been entirely superseded by that of Prizetaker. In 1860, when the latter name was new, and the two Peas were grown side by side, I could not see any difference between the two. The old Harly Green Marrow, from which this is a selection, is an inferior variety, and now not worth growing. Prizetaker is 4} feet to 5 feet high, of a vigorous habit of growth. Thestem is sometimes simple and sometimes branched. and produces from twelve to eighteen pods. The pods are in pairs, very rarely single, and of a deep bluish-green colour, covered with a thick and distinct bloom; they contain six to seven large peas in each, which are of a dark bluish-green. The ripe seed is small, round, and of a mixed white and green colour. It is as early as Ringwood and Paradise Marrow. Laxton’s Supreme.—This has much the same character as Prizetaker, than which it is one day later in coming into use, and the pods and foliage are of a paler green. The pods are very large, long, broad, and are not so well filled as they appear to be, yet they contain from seven to nine large peas. ‘The ripe seed is olive green, and indented. This is a large and very handsome Pea. Laxton’s SUPERLATIVE.—This is the largest-podded Pea in cultivation. It was raised by Mr. Laxton from crossing Ne Plus Ultra anda hybrid of Supreme. The plant is very robust in its habit of growth. The stem, which is strong, succulent, and not branching, is from 7 to 8 feet high, with large, broad, pale foliage, producing from fourteen to fifteen pods, generally in pairs. The pods are very*large, being 7 inches long, broad, and somewhat irregular in their outline, much curved and pointed, and of a pale green colour; they contain from seven to nine large pale green peas. Ripe seed flattish, parti-coloured. This large and handsomely-podded Pea does not fill very well, many of the pods being only half full. It received a first-class certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society. Marcuiess Marrow (Milford Marrow ; Stradsett Marrow). —Plant 5 feet to 6 feet high, of strong and robust habit of growth. The stem is always simple, and bears from twelve to sixteen pods. The pods are generally in pairs, rarely single, and contain from six to seven very large peas. The ripe seed is large, un- even, variously and irregularly shaped, and of a white and olive colour mixed. Sown February 19th, bloomed June 13th, slatted June 28th, ready for use July 15th. This is a great bearer, and produces large, plump, well-filled pods, which come into use ten days after Prizetaker, but itisa tender variety. GarguTtT’s Amazon (Denyer’s Early Prolific Green Marrow). —Plant a strong robust grower, 5 feet to 6 feet high, having a simple stem, which produces not more than sixpods. The pods are either single or in pairs, and contain six large peas in each. Ripe seed white and olive mixed, large, uneven, variously and irregularly shaped. This is very much in the way of Matchless Marrow, but comes into use five or six days later. It is also much less productive, and the pods, which are few, fill indifferently, so that it is not a desirable variety. Is it not the old Tall Green Marrow ? Surron’s BrerksHmRE Hero.—This is a much taller and stronger grower than the preceding, and five or six days later in allits stages. The plant is 7 feet high, and produces eight or ten large pods, which contain from six to seven very large peas. The ripe seed is larger than that of the preceding and of Matchless Marrow, uneven, variously and irregularly shaped, and of white and olive colour mixed. This is a very late Green Marrow, being nineteen days later than Prizetaker. Mossy Popprep (Grotto Pea; Oyster Pea; Mummy Peas Blankney Marrow ; Australian).—The plant is 6 to 7 feet highs of a strong and vigorous habit of growth, with deep green foliage, which remains green for a lengthened period. Stem 382 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, [ November 14, 1872. enerally simple, producing from twenty to twenty-four pods, |. eight medium-sized dee een peas closely pack i ene w aire, ; the pods are long, slightly curved, full, and = inferior in flavour. pace x Y Packed, andes rounded, of a bright green colour, and frequently covered, espe- This is a very late Pea. Sown on the 23rd of February this cially where shaded, with a rough granular excrescence, whence | year it bloomed on the 20th of June. Slats appeared on the the name of ‘Mossy Podded.” They contain from seven to | 24th, and the pods were ready to gather on the 3rd of July.—H. THE CLEMATIS. Ix continuation of our notice of Messrs. Moore and Jackman’s ; young plants till they acquire specimen size. Or established work on the Clematis, we now give the following extract treat- | plants may be taken up out of the border and put into tubs; but ing of the Clematis as an exhibition plant :— this should not be done in the same season as that in which they, are required for exhibition, for the disturbance of the roots would “ The Clematis promises to become one of the most telling of | prevent a successful issue. They should be established in the exhibition plants at two different periods of the year, the species | tubs the previous season, and dwing that in which they are to and varieties of the pa- be shown should be tens and florida types kept in vigour by furnishing excellent means of mulching, materials for the spring and by feeding with shows—about Apriland manure water. — May; while those of the “Beyond this the Viticellaand Jackmanni cultivation of the Cle- types especially, as well matis for summer ex- as some of the lanugi- hibition purposes offers nosa strain, come in at no difficulties. Good a season which renders vigorous plants are to them particularly ac- be potted-up in rich ceptable for shows held light loamy soil, in during the late summer well-drained tubs of months. convenient size. They “The spring -flower- must be pruned down ing sorts cultivated for rather closely in the the early shows may first and in each suc- be grown in 10-inch or ceeding year, while to 12-inch pots, ina rich favour the free and loamy soil. In pots of healthy growth of the this size the plants branches during the should sufficiently fur- summer, a_ judicious nish cylindrical trellises use of stimulants must of about 2 feet high and be resorted to — top- 1 foot 6 inches across. dressing or liquid-ma- They flower from the nuring, as may best suit well-ripened wood of each individual case,. the previous year’s for- being the means em- mation, and hence a ployed. supply of this wood “Specimens of the must be kept up annu- summer-flowering yva- lly by encouraging a rieties grown in tubs free growth after the of about 2 feet across flowering season is past. by 1 foot 6 inches deep The general treatment should cover a cylin- recommended for con- drical trellis 4 feet in height and 2 feet 6 inches across, and at the usual season shoulé throw a mass of flow- ers, of which the ac- - companying is a fair servatory plants may be followed out with these also, the earlier plants requiring gentle forc- ing. During the sum- mer months, when free growth is desired, it is \ . al \\ illustration. These, advantageous to plunge ASN \ ny f ] however, will not bear the pots into some por- ‘ Nt Mn mM Ui Ml shutting-up or forcing, ous medium, as old S \ I | aT | or eyen at that season to be placed under glass, since it spoils the colours, but they are to be flowered in the full sunlight. The only mode of acceler- ating their flowering season, should they be likely to be rather: behind the time at which they are re- tan, ashes, or cocoa- nut refuse, and also to mulch the surface of the soil in the pots with half-rotten dung. For show purposes the flowers should be per- fected under glass, or at least under a sunny south wall. « A somewhat differ- ent treatment is re- iit Clematis Jackmanni as an exhibition plant. quired, is by submit- quired by the summer- ting them to sun heat flowering sorts. The plants, in fact, require to be kept as nearly | in the open air under shelter of a south wall. as possible asif they were growing in the open garden. The “Specimens grown in this manner are not only very suitable limitation of root-space is probably the greatest source of failure | objects for spring and summer exhibitions, according to the with them, since it seems next to impossible to get them so finely | varieties selected, but they also make admirable objects for developed in pots or tubs as they are when growing in the open | placing in prominent positions, such as on terraces or open ground. They require very ample root-space, and are, therefore, | spots in flower gardens. The late summer varieties are nos, best grown in tubs, which are more convenient and manageable | however, suitable plants for shady positions.” than very large pots. The plants may be formed by shifting on PRIZE PEARS IN JERSEY. THE annual Fruit]Show of the Royal Jersey Agricultural and | reputation the island has acquired for the production of hardy Horticultural Society was held in the Vegetable Market on | and forced fruits and vegetables. On this occasion the fruit, October 16th, and was in every way worthy of the world-wide | especially in the Pear and Apple classes, was truly magnificent. November 14, 1872. ] Chaumontel Pears, the entries for which were numerous, were the finest display the island has ever made. In Class 61, fifty Chaumontels, were unexampled samples of this queen of Pears, whether for table use or for culinary purposes. The first-prize set weighed over 58 lbs. Magnificent fruit, well coloured and of the true Chaumontel shape, were shown in Classes 62, 63, and 64 respectively, for twenty-five, twelve, and six. The other varieties which struck me as worthy of notice were Beurré Clairgeau, over 1 1b. in weight; Belle de Jersey [Uvedale’s St. Germain], some of which were over 2 lbs.; and extraordinary examples of Pound Pears [Black Worcester]. Van Mons Léon le Clerc, General Todtleben, Doyenné du Comice, Marie Louise, Maréchal de la Cour, Beurré Bachelier, Beurré Diel, Duchesse @Angouléme, Crasanne, Napoléon, Passe Colmar, Bergamotte Esperen, De Tongres, Groslin, Matthew’s Eliza, Beurré Super- fin, Nouveau Poiteau, Columbia, Pengethley, Beurré Hardy, Gansel’s Bergamot, Joséphine de Malines, Colmar d’Aremberg, &c., were very fine examples of their kind, and called forth the admiration of visitors. In the Apple classes the competition was very keen, and the samples exhibited of the following varieties were very fine and well coloured :—Old Pearmain, Cornish Gilliflower, Norfolk Beefing, Hawthornden, Hammond’s Seedling, Hooper’s Seed- ling, Royal Russet, Court of Wick, Ribston Pippin, Beauty of Kent, Golden Reinette, Alfriston, Harvey, Reinette d’Orléans, Reinette de Cour, King of the Pippins, Cockle Pippin, Golden Pippin, White Calville, Reinette du Canada, Emperor Alexander, Nonpareil. Grapes, of which the island exports such immense quantities annually, were well shown in both the in-door and out-door classes. Vegetables and agricultural produce of the usual kinds formed a prominent feature in the Show. The total number of classes in this Show was 142, whilst the number of entries was 549. The successful carrying-out is due to the indefatigable energy of the Honorary Secretary, Major Howell—Venritas, Lwrf Bank, Jersey. TWO CROPS OF PEAS IN THE SAME ROW. Burne very fond of Peas, and also very short of ground, I de- termined last season to try a new plan, which I will endeayour to describe. November’ 9th I began by drawing three drills across my little south border, which just took one pint of seed of First Crop, which grows about 3 feet high. Ithen sowed half a pint of Supreme in the same rows, rodding with sticks about 6 feet high, adding plenty of spray at their bottom. On May 29th I gathered my first dish of First Crop, and on June 18th my first of Supreme. The Peas hung literally from top to bottom. I have this day in the same land done likewise, and Ihave no doubt will again succeed. In the spring sowing I use Little Gem for early and Champion of England for late use.—AN AMATEUR GARDENER, Stamford. THE ROCKERY. (Concluded from page 348.) HERBACEOUS AND ALPINE PLANTS, Continued. Tux following Sedums and Sempervivums may be relied on as good :— Sedum Lydiwm.—One of the prettiest in the class, of which 5. acre may be regarded as the type. S. pulchellum.—Also good, haying a reddish tinge in summer. It is dwarf and compact. : S. acre variegatum.—Said to be good, but I have not been able to do much with it. S. Aizoon.—Pretty in foliage. S. kamtschaticum.—Pretty yellow-flowering plant. S. roseumv.—Also pretty, with large rose-coloured umbels. S. glawcwm.—For its foliage, which is of a silvery-grey colour. S. Sieboldii and its variety variegatum.—Pretty trailers. S. spuriwm.—tn the way of pulchellum. S. dentatum.—Different from the above, but dwarf. S. Fabaria.—Too tall for ordinary places, but the plant being so hardy and of easy growth I include it. Sempervivum arachnoideum.—Requires the full sun and a dry situation. S. globiferwn.—Green and showy rosette-like growth. _ 8S. californicwm.—One of tke very best rock plants known; it is not particular as to site. S. tectorwm.—The common Houseleek, not so pretty as the last named. S. tabuleforme.—Perhaps not hardy, but of handsome growth. S. auvergnense.—One of intermediate erowth. S. accwminatum.—Also of the thick fleshy-leayed section. Tournefortia heliotropioides.—Like a Heliotrope, only dis- agreeable-smelling ; it is also dwarfer, and quite hardy. Thyme.—A variegated form of the common Thyme is very effective, and I imagine a newer one is better still. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 383 Verbena venosa.—Very hardy, but nothing to look at in winter. Veronicas.—Several species, but only the dwarf ones are desirable. One or more variegated varieties are very good and useful. Veronica rupestris.—A bright blue trailing species. Very . showy. Viola cornuta.—Needs no comment. Besides the above-named plants, which are all herbaceous or of the Alpine class, a few low-growing shrubs are necessary to give a sort of outer clothing to a feature of this kind, the more especially if there be no neighbouring trees or large shrubs close by. Other shrubs may be added if the soil and situation suit them; but amongst the following will be found several that will be useful in the rockery :— SHRUBS. Cotoneaster microphylla—A trailing shrub, almost indis- pensable. Escallonia macrantha.—The bright shining leaves of this, with its interesting trusses of bloom, render it highly service- able for this work; it is also of moderate growth. Juniperus repens or prostrata.—Also a pretty trailing tree or shrub of low growth. Skimmia japonica.—Will succeed on the shady side and where the soil approaches a peat. Euonymus japonicus aureo-variegatus.—May be useful where the soil is not too rich to destroy the variegation. Euonymus radicans variegatus.—A. very pretty dwarf silver- edged plant, not likely to grow too large. Raphiolepis ovata.—Not likely to become too large. Its pretty white flowers and clusters of berries render it interesting. Hcl eemiees Bos of those of the neatest growth are ood. Box.—A plant or two may be introduced, as its lively appear- ance in winter is always agreeable. Yuccas.—One or two plants of Y. filamentosa may be planted. Irish Yew.—One or two plants may be allowed, but rather let them occupy the back than the front. Retinospora lepioclada.— Tne slow growth of this pigmy tree entitles if to a place in the front, and it will be several years ere it offends by its height, while its appearance at all times is everything that can be desired. Cistus.—I confess being unwilling to recommend the Cistuses, as their appearance is not pleasing at all seasons. There may be some other shrubs which the requirements of each case may suggest to the planter, as Heaths and other American plants; but I have taken little notice of them, not on account of their unsuitability, but because they require a special soil. Rockeries, where they are-expected to be inspected every day in the year, should be mostly planted with subjects that look well at all seasons; and if a considerable number of the plants assume their best appearance in winter, as some of the Saxi- frages of the hypnoides section do, so much the better—sum- mer always furnishes attractions elsewhere. If possible let the rockery look well in winter, and many of the plants enume- rated will contribute to such a result. As bloom in the dull winter months is always acceptable, let there be a plentiful supply of early Primroses, as well as Winter Aconite, Christ- mas Rose, Snowdrops, and Crocuses. Plants like these peep- ing out between boulders or roots have a cozy appearance and are always acceptable. On the other hand, omit annuals as much as possible; they smother other things and leave a sad blank when gone. It is for a like reason that I have recom- mended so many plants of moderate growth; large coarse- growing plants, however pretty, while sprawling over everything else, leave a sad blank when they are off. Too much grossness must be avoided by judicious cutting, for though the rockwork may and ought to present a certain degree of wildness, or rather an absence of all training, still means must be taken to prevent a too robust plant smothering one of more limited growth, especially when the latter is, perhaps, the more in- teresting of the two.—J. Rogson. LYTHAM HALL, LANCASHIRE.—No. 1. Seat or Cononen Tausot Cuirron. Ir has often been truly said that wealth creates want, but at the same time it possesses the means of satisfying that want, and in the present instance the supply and demand are re- ciprocal. The wealthy and hard-worked population of the great Lancashire and West Yorkshire towns want now and then a holiday and a mouthful of fresh air, as well as to feast their eyes on scenes different from the smoke-stained brick- work they haye to gaze upon so many months in the year. 384 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, [ November 14, 1872. nn nnn nee ad With a becoming liberality some of the finest gardens in the kingdom are at times thrown open to the operatives of these great manufacturing towns, and to their credit, be it said, that | but rarely do they misbehave when so trusted. The gardens | of Enville, Chatsworth, and Alton Towers—places of almost | national importance—have had their crowds of factory hands on various occasions, and to the honour of the owners of these places, as well as others, it does not appear that there is any abatement of the privilege accorded, although in all cases it adds considerably to the cost of maintaining the gardens. But apart from excursions to such places (and they are neither fewnor unimportant), there are other places to which the wealthy manufacturers and others send their families during a part of the year. Buxton and Matlock inland, have each their patrons, ’ while the best sites on the western coast of Lancashire have | become fashionable watering places in an incredibly short time, or haye emerged from the condition of unimportant | | villages to that of towns seeking for representation in Parlia- ment. Southport, Lytham, Blackpool, and Fleetwood have risen into importance by the rapid increase of the wealth | of inland towns, whose population flock thither if only for a few hours’ recreation, or it may be some weeks of residence, but by far the greater number are of the first-named class. However, it is not my purpose to dilate on such topics, but rather to endeavour to describe what has been done by the spirited proprietor of an estate adjoining one of these fashion- able watering places—Lytham—and to show that much that he has done might also be done elsewhere. The rising town of Lytham occupies the northern shores of the estuary of the Ribble, and is reached by rail from Preston, and a continuation of the same line goes on to Blackpool, a town of still greater importance; while opposite to Lytham, across the estuary, is Southport, which, however, is several miles distant, and only accessible by water when the tide is in ; for the waters of the Ribble, unlike those of the Mersey, are shallow at other times, and the tide recedes a very consider- able way, leaving a sandy beach ayailable for all descriptions of games, &e. The water is exceedingly rough at times when a regular south-wester sets in, but a large space has been em- banked, and an asphalted promenade has been formed along the top of the embankment for the use of the public, while the face of the embankment is cased with stone also cemented together, and damages, which are not at all uncommon, re- paired as they occur. The ground thus protected is several acres in extent, nearly all sand, on which only certain grasses live, but do not form a good sward; still it serves all the pur- poses of a recreation ground when the sands are not available owing to the tide. Beyond, handsome residences are rising, in addition to others that are already built, and shrubs suitable for such a place were planted in abundance. Added to these attractions soon will be a park for which Col. Clifton has given the land. : Such is Lytham which adjoins the Park of Colonel Clifton, whose residence, Lytham Hall, is but ashort distance from it; in fact, one of the entrances to the park is from the back of | the village, where a fine lodge has been recently built, and a | new carriage-road made leading to the mansion. My visit, | however, led me another way, and my astonishment was great } | to find myself so quickly almost shut-in by healthy vigorous trees, for the mansion and its surroundings seem embedded in plantations of from thirty to fifty years’ growth, which I was surprised to find in such a healthy condition within a mile of salt water, and that, too, on a coast so remarkable for its storms; yet there they were. My astonishment was increased when I was told by Mr. Shepherd, the gardener, that the level plain on which the mansion stood, including the garden and park, is absolutely 2 or 3 feet below high-water mark—that is, the point to which the highest tides rose. Some of your readers will doubtless expect to hear that the whole is a marshy swamp, but it is just the reverse, for vegetation was absolutely suffering from the dry weather, the soil being nearly all sand. Although the tides rose as high as indicated, they were banked out of the park and surrounding country, there being sluice gates to let off the inland water at low tides. The result has been that an extensive tract of valuable land has been re- claimed, and a large breadth around the mansion has been judiciously planted on the exposed sides, while other plant- | ations had been elsewhere formed. Although my visit was too short to allow of my noticing their appearance on the windward, or, rather, extreme seaward side, I could see that a kind of Willow formed the forlorn hope in that direction, but in the interior of the plantations all kinds of trees were growing, includ November 14, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 385 ing Conifers; and on the lawn Mr. Shepherd pointed out to me more than one Wellingtonia in the most robust health. The contents of the flower-beds were equal to anything of the kind I had seen, the Coleus being very fine. The accompany- ing representation of the entrance lodge and gateway is from a photograph by Mr. J. Wardley, of Lytham.—J. Rosson. PAULLINIA THALICTRIFOLIA. Tue subject of the present illustration is a native of Brazil, and belongs to the order Sapindacew. Some of the members of this genus are possessed of peculiar properties ; for instance, the seeds of the Guarana (P. sorbilis) are pounded into hard cakes, and become an important article in trade, being used in the preparation of a cooling drink, and distributed all over the Brazils under the name of Pao de Guarana. The active pro- perty is called guaranine, and is said to be exactly similar to the theine of the Chinese tea. | As will be seen by the figure, Paullinia thalictrifolia is a very elegant plant; its leaves are beautifully divided, remind- ing one of a very finely-cut Maiden-hair Fern; in a young state they are suffused with a charming tint of rosy pink, which changes with age to a rich bright green. The young shoots will form a splendid addition to the available objects for table decoration, and may be used with advantage for twining about the stem of a large vase or epergne, or for forming an arch over the dinner table. The fact of their A | \j } ON () (is Paullinia thalictrifolia. lasting for a very long time after being cut will considerably enhance their value forpurposes of this description. Looking at the plant, however, with a gardener’s eye, we shall find that it is of somewhat scandent habit, and that it may be used with advantage for covering a pillar or trellis, or for training up a rafter in the plant stove; it may also be grown into a bushy specimen, and thus managed will be found a most effective object either for home decoration or public exhibition. f This species is one of the new plants distributed to the publie by Messrs. Veitch & Sons, of Chelsea, for the first time COLD FRAME this season, and your readers are indebted to the kindness of these gentlemen for the accompanying illustration. Paullinia thalictrifolia requires the temperature of a stove, and should be potted in a mixture of about two parts light loam, one part peat, and one of good leaf mould, adding enough sharp sand to make the whole feel gritty when taken in the hand. As a plant to be cut for bouquets, or to be grown into little specimens for the decoration of apartments or for the exhibition tent, it is scarcely possible to find a more effective and pleasing subject, and I strongly recommend it to all whom it may concern.—ExPERTo CREDE. PROTECTORS. I nave often thought that a more effective plan might be | winter months than any now in use. - Coverings of bast mats adopted for the protection of plants in cold frames during the are the most usual, and are at the same time objectionable. 386 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ November 14, 1872. They are untidy, unsightly, and troublesome in wet or windy weather, and are also expensive and not durable. I would recommend the substitution of mats made of straw, worked and bound together after the manner of targets and bee hives, taking care, however, that they are not so tightly bound together as to prevent their being rolled up when not in use. These mats should be made the length and width of the frame, about three-quarters of an inch to 1 inch in thickness, and I feel confident they would last two or three seasons with ordinary care. Some years ago the poor living in the districts surrounding Manchester used such mats as mattresses for their beds, but they have now become more luxurious in their tastes, and such an article isnolonger to be met with. I have made several in- quiries in this and other neighbourhoods where such mats could be obtained, and have applied to the makers of bee hives and targets, but they do not seem disposed to undertake them. I should feel greatly obliged if some one of your numerous readers would kindly inform me where I could procure them, cs give suk instructions as would enable a gardener to make them.—R. (Mr. Fish has frequently described in our columns the method of making straw mats, though not of the kind you mention.—Ebs. | JOTTINGS ON THIS YEAR'S GARDENING.—No. 3. Pras after the middle of August were not good, but up to that time they were excellent. Dickson’s First and Best gave fully double the crop of Eastes’ Kentish Invicta, a blue Pea, in my opinion no recommendation, as many of these are no better than, if so good as, the white kinds. The last-named is as early as the earliest white kinds, which evidently are selected stocks of the true Dillistone’s Early. Princess Royal produced a capital crop, the pods well filled and numerous. Itis a white kind, of delicious flavour; one of the best for succeeding the first earlies. It is of moderate growth, not exceeding 3} feet in height. Huntingdonian I pitted against Champion of England. The former beats the latter in the number of pods produced, but they are smaller, and the peas are also of less size. Champion of England is still one of our very best Peas, if not the very best for flavour in its season; it is clearly a mid-season variety. Laxton’s Supreme had smaller pods than usual, but nevertheless pro- duced afinecrop. It was in use at the same time as Hunting- donian. The last three attained a height of 6 to 7 feet. My soil just suits Peas. It is neither light nor heavy loam, and is full of grit stone of various degrees of size, and loose to more than 2 feet in depth. All are sown 6 feet apart, and the ground between the rows is cropped with late Celery. This distance answers well for the kinds from 4 to 6 feet high; they form grand rows of 4 and 5 feet through, leaving just enough room for a person to pass between to gather the crop. Six feet is, however, too close for the tall sorts; they meet, are difficult to gather on that account, and are not nearly so good as at 7 or 8 feet apart. Maclean’s Wonderful, Maclean’s Premier, and Veitch’s Per- fection, which I depend on for the August and September crops, have not been nearly so good as in former years.. The wet told on them disastrously, but I must say they were not sticked so early as they needed; the haulms became a little laid, and I find again, as I have seen before, early requirements neglected are not. by late attention to be made up for. Peas can hardly be sticked too soon after they are above ground. The Pea is in every sense a climber and needs sticks. All laying on the ground diminishes the quantity and quality of the produce. Emperor of the Marrows offered a favourable ¢)mparison to these kinds. It is a large Pea, with fine pods, the sweetest Pea I have tasted, and as Mr. Rivers would say, had it been a new Pear, ‘buttery, melting, and most excellent.” As a late Pea I have grown it against Ne Plus Ultra. Emperor of the Marrows is a much stronger grower; the haulm goes up straight as an arrow, does not show a blossom, and, of course, a pod under 3, often 4 feet; it branches little or not at all until it has grown 5 or 6 feet, and very little even then. It is over 9 feet in height. Compared with No Plus Ultra the pods are about half as numerous, they are twice the size, and the peas are much more tender. It does not appear to be so hardy as Ne Plus Ultra, the latter not being at all affected by the 8° of frost we haye had, but some of the leaves of Emperor of the Marrows have been slightly blackened ; the pods, however, are not affected by the frost. It is very much too tall, and so is Ne Plus Ultra, for in exposed positions like mine they are liable to suffer from autumn winds and rains ; nevertheless, we send in Peas every day as yet (Oc- tober 29th), and may for weeks if weather permit. Premier and Mammoth Dwarf Green (Lord Raglan) I have along with the two tall kinds, and from previous experience, as also this season, it seems they grow so near the ground as to make growth so succulent in consequence of the autumn rains, or from the lessened height, as to be cut off by frost, whilst the taller sorts escape. It may be that they receive more wet from dew and retain it longer than the tall kinds; but, what- ever the cause, after September the 3 or 4-feet sorts are un- productive. CAULIFLOWERS haye been ag good as we may expect in a moist season. The late crops will have quite enough to do to come in, even with mild weather. Veitch’s Autumn Giant with its firm close head, and hardier than most, is only just now ‘‘ buttoning,” and Walcheren, with Stadtholder, are in a like plight. Nothing but fine mild weather will bring this late lot on, but when they have heads like a teacup they will be taken up and laid-in, the smallest in a frame, the larger in a spot where they can be covered up during frost, and those in the frame also, with protecting material, as dry litter. Coming into use late, they are as much esteemed as the earliest—often more. Lenormand’s is a fine kind for summer, and Dwarf Erfurt Mammoth for sowing in spring to succeed those wintered in hand-glasses or frames. Broccouirs haye not grown well; they are small, but grow fast. They will not be laid-in; the stems are so short that we can put litter between the rows when we have frost, and it answers just as well or better than laying. Besides, the litter, by the time the crops are cleared, is fit for digging-in. I con- sider there is no greater loss in thus applying the manure than when it is laid up in heaps or hotbeds. In the latter it heats, the ammonia escapes, whilst we entirely lose that carried off by wet. On the ground we secure the fertilising properties washed down by wet; and as the manure does not heat, and evaporation is not great, have we not more ammonia reserved for the soil? All our ground occupied with winter greens will be manured in this way. As for appearance, it has not been termed bad; I think it gives a comforting look. Except Savors, which are large and good, also BorEcoLEs, winter greens are poor and late. I put out some Cabbages at the same time as winter greens (middle of July), and they have now some fine hard hearts. J also planted a later lot, with nearly a thousand Savoys, Borecole, and Brussels Sprouts in the second week of August, and they are turning-in well. Brussels Sprouts are very dwarf, the sprouts not half so good as expected, or as they were last season. I give all the Cabbage tribe a dressing of salt at the end of September. I have an idea it is taken up by them, and the plants are not so liable to suffer from cold. It is put on so as not to come in the hearts of the plants. Salt also makes quick work of slugs, which have been a plague this year. Had it not been for quicklime frequently dusted over many crops as soon as they were above ground, and in some instances before, as Lettuces and Dwarf Kidney Beans, I fear they would have failed. What a curious thing it is that slugs will not eat Endive! It is about the only vegetable I know they will not. How partial they are to Mush- rooms, eating away the gills! I may mention the only harm- less help I have known in a garden is the quick and pretty pewitt. Ihave one now, pinioned of course. In summer we got a companion for it, but whether from the loss of blood in cutting the wing at the first joint, or from the excessive wet which followed its captivity, it died. Whilst on the subject of birds I would say, though seagulls will eat mice and not turn tail on a small rat, they will set to and take every leaf off and the delicate heart out of a lot of Cabbage or Cauliflower. Ducks, young or old, with their webbed feet, break the neck of every seedling put in, and what is a Cabbagewort good for after that? owls scratch everywhere but where wanted. I have no doubt insect food is good, and I believe essential for the health of fowls, but I believe anything that will act the part of an efficient destroyer of the pests they are put into gar- dens to feed on, and at the same time will serve as a fertiliser, is better than any insect-devyouring fowl. I state this from dire experience. Dressings of lime, salt, soot, guano, and nitrate of soda kill every slug they come into contact with, and are fertilisers which no gardener ought to be without. Dwarr Kipyry Brans were good, but entirely cut off by frost at the end of September. Canadian Wonder out of doors had the longest pod of any, but I only grow Sir Joseph Paxton November 14, 1872. J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 38 7 (an improved Six-weeks) for early use, Negro, and Liver- coloured. The Canadian Wonder grows about as strongly as Negro, has pods about 14 to 2 inches longer, and comes in at the same time. It is a good sort. Scanner Runners have been and still are (Oct. 30th) good. I grow the old sort and Champion ; the latter I prefer.—G. ABBEY. WIRING GARDEN Tur system of building garden walls of concrete, with brick pillars at regular intervals, and the whole faced with cement, is being chosen in preference to brick walls by many of those who require enclosures for large as well as small gardens, and I believe it is not too much to say that many persons have some doubt as to the satisfactory result of embarking in this form of construction for garden walls. Their belief is that they will not withstand the severe test of the weather in our climate for any great length of time, and they haye other reasons which I need not now mention. Be the result what it may, the concrete system is on its trial, and if it answer, foul HAUNT MMMM BAA MARANA A AAAR ARMOR WALLS. the best that I know, and most others who have seen it at Hatfield agree with me that it is both neat and strong, as well as correct in principle. The accompanying figure represents the system on which these walls are wired, and I will describe it as well as I can. In the first place, galvanised iron eyes are driven into the wall at intervals of from 9 to 10 inches as may be agreed upon, these are to regulate the line of wire which passes through them. At one end of the wall is an iron bar firmly fixed into the wall by iron fangs 4 inches long, and cemented-in TNT Pane earn tes and each wire first fast- ened firmly to it, and hundreds will be induced to adopt it. As regards first out- lay, there is not a doubt about conerete walls be- ing much cheaper than brick walls, and the work is very much more expe- ditiously executed; these are items for considera- tion where there is much ———— RSET TRE = Sy => \\nergt then passed through the eyes and connected to an iron frame or ratchet bar with rollers and cog- wheels. This is at the opposite end of the wall. Each wire has a roller and cog-wheel to itself, and is tightened by an iron spanner or wrench. The wires, and indeed WA lz iy y act LLG Bee Ss WOE all the connections, are ground to enclose and the much sironger than those walls high. The walls of the new kitchen garden of nearly seven acres at Hatfield House, the seat of the Mar- quis of Salisbury, are built of concrete and faced with Portland cement ; they are 12 feet high, 18 inches or more thick, and the whole length is over 750 yards, and protected by a narrow brick coping. The walls are supported by strong brick pillars at intervals of 20 feet; these are built-in with the wall, and therefore out of sight. The greatest part of this work was done while I was in the service of the Marquis, and completed in twelve months. with comparatively few hands. This expe- riment will be watched with considerable interest by those who have such work in contemplation. After completing the walls, the next thing for consideration was, How and after what fashion were they to be wired? The great aim was to deface or injure the walls as slightly as possible, at the same time to have strength and durability, and I need hardly say that this was found in the system of wiring walls adopted by Mr. R. Holliday, wire-worker, 2a, Por- tobello Terrace, Notting Hill Gate, London. His system is adopted by the French | in wiring their walls, as will be seen when the breaking strain of the wire on Mr. Holliday’s system is nearly, if not quite, double that of the wire used by the French—in fact, the whole piece of workmanship has so far turned out satis- | factorily, and is the best I have yet seen. With regard to the training of the trees to walls that are wired similarly to the above, there can be no question about there being a great saving of time over the plan of nailing. Horizontal-trained trees look handsome objects on a straight line of wire, and whatever form of training may be chosen for the trees it will always present aneat appearance, owing to the absence of shreds; if soft matting be used for tying, it is quite invisible to the eye a few feet from the wall, and if the ties be properly made no branches will get displaced or injury be | done to the shoots. The strength of wire used by Mr. Holli- | day precludes all possibility of the shoot pulling it out of its position.—Tuomas Ruconrp. THE UTILITY OF PRUNING. (Concluded from page 346.) As regards trees grown in the open ground, they chiefly - take the form of high standards if, like orchard trees, they are left unpruned—that is, they have a stem of variable length, topped by a bulky head of rounded outline. It is necessary to plant them at a considerable distance apart, and after all the quantity of fruit coming from them will be but little in pro- portion to the space they occupy, for the head, which consists of confusedly intermixed branches, will not allow a free en- trance to the light, and will bear fruit on the surface only. Tf, on the contrary, by means of pruning we induce these trees to assume the conical shape (in which the cones at the point near the soil where they spring have a diameter equal to a third of their height, a growth of their surface equal to that of heads of high standards, and lastly, a regular dispersion of the branches over the stem at such distances as to enable the light to penetrate them throughout the whole of their length), the following advantages are obtained: The trees can be moved nearer to each other, and they possess, by virtue of their conical form, an expanse of development equal to that of the high standards. A greater number of them can then be placed over the same extent of ground, and, moreover, their branches being more shone upon, a greater amount of fruit will be yielded by each than in the case of orchard trees. Trees trained on the double-espalier system with vertical cordons give, in the latter respect, more satisfactory results than eyen those trained on the conical method. We can, therefore, con- clude from what has gone before, that pruning, by changing the natural shape of trees, increases their fruit-bearing sur- face without augmenting their extent, and thus enables us to obtain a greater amount of fruit from the ground in which they are grown. But whilst speaking here of the different forms given to the framework of fruit trees, we feel it our duty to rise up in pro- testation against an immoderate practice which is now-a-days carried to the most extravagant bounds. On looking at the fruit gardens of certain of our amateurs, one is almost led to believe that the real end of pruning is the torturing and twist- ing of the trees into more cr less grotesque shapes. Many of these are truly ingenious and pleasing to the eye, but one is soon convinced that the time and care given to procure such effects are not rewarded by a more abundant crop. The oftener the main point is thus sacrificed for the sake of the outline, do those who think that pruning is useless in regard to its influence on the produce feel themselves more strengthened in this opinion. The shape of the framework should not, there- fore, be regulated by whim or fancifulness. It should above 388 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. { November 14, 1872. everything fulfil these two important requisites—to require the least possible amount of time and care in its execution, and to allow the accumulation of the greatest possible number of fruit-bearing branches upon a given extent of ground. The chief objection brought forward against pruning is that the practice of it shortens the life of the trees. This aspersion is deserved. It is certain that the suppressions made every year at the time of the winter pruning, and above all, those inflicted upon the buds during the course of growth, have a very baneful effect upon the good constitution of the organised matters intended for the yearly support of the tree. In con- sequence of these mutilations, the layers of wood and liber are imperfectly produced, and the newroots can with difficulty find their way into a region of earth which is yet unexhausted by the growth of previous years. The cause of this complaint inereases every year, and the signs of decrepitude appear long | horticulture at the approaching International Exhibition at g atione before the time when it would otherwise make itself known in trees left to themselves. Thus, if a Pear tree under a suitable stem of grafting is able to live for forty years, one of the | 5 . 2 2 YE meee WV CES 0 i | best mode of carrying out the end in view. Considerable same variety, if placed in similar conditions, but unsubjected to any such interference, will exist as long as seventy. Must we, therefore, give up pruning? We do not think so, for it affords us the following advantages:—1, On an equal expanse of land we get a greater number of fruit-bearing branches, and, consequently, a greater quantity of fruit. even if the amount of fruit obtained yearly did not exceed that given by the orchard trees, the balance would still remain upon the side of the pruned ones, although they live a shorter time than the former. An orchard Pear tree capable of exist- ing seventy years, does not begin to yield its greatest sum of fruits until the framework is perfectly developed, which gene- rally happens about its thirtieth year, and in the forty years still left to it in which to yield fruit it only does so biennially, or, in fact, only during twenty years, whilst pruned Pear trees, although attaining to but forty years of age, begin to give their greatest amount of fruit towards their sixth, and bear a crop every year. We have, then, at least thirty productive years instead of twenty, 2, The whole income which the tree is capable of yielding is not only more plentiful, but it is realised in a much shorter time. 3, Lastly, as we have shown above, the fruit is larger and betier. Must the necessary consequence of all we have already said be that the culture of orchard or unpruned trees should be- come abandoned? We think that this would be rather too Sweeping a decision. It is in every respect a question of capital. Orchards cost little to make and maintain, but the ¢apital required for their cultivation gives but a small interest. The fruit garden demands for an equal extent of ground a very large capital—aA. pu Breum.—(Revue Horticole.) CALLS AT THE NURSERIES. Mr. Forsyrtn’s, Brunswick Nursery, Stoxr NrewineTon.— On calling the other day we were glad to find Mr. Forsyth still maintained, and is determined to maintain, his high reputation for the culture of the Chrysanthemum. Mr. Salter, of Hammersmith, was at length compelled to retire after with- standing for many years the determined attacks of the rail- ways. He was called the ‘‘ Chrysanthemum King;” but if to Mr. Salter we owe the introduction of the major part of the splendid varieties cultivated at the present day, we are no less indebted to Mr. Forsyth for showing what they are when well grown, what great dimensions their blooms attain, and what effective objects large and well-grown specimens are. Depart- ing from his usual practice, Mr. Forsyth has placed his collec- tion, amounting to 300 or 400 pots, not in his show house, which is now filled with Camellias and Azaleas, but in a long span-roofed house, and he has not grown any large specimen plants such as in former years excited so much admiration ; still he has a display which for variety of colour and general excellence fully keeps up his well-earned reputation. Chrysan- themums near London are late this year; those at the Temple being an exception to the rule, but during the next week Mr. Forsyth’s will be in the height of beauty. We shall not give a list of the best of the older varieties, which are all excel- lently represented, but will confine ourselves to mention- ing a few of the best of the last and present year. Among the former may be noted Renown, orange with a lighter centre, large and finely incurved ; Model, rosy pink; Felicity, white, lemon centre; and Mount Edgeumbe, pale yellow, tnged with rose. Chrysanthemums of 1872 are repre- sented by Duke of Roxburghe, yellow, tipped with bronze: But | Mr. Howe, a sport from John Salter, orange amber; White Venus, a beautiful pure white, with larg> florets, altogether a very fine flower, like lilac Venus, of whi:» it is a sport; Laa- rinda, rose purple, fine; and Duches: «f Manchester. Cf Japanese varieties, Elaine, pure white, sent out by Mr. Forsyth, received a first-class certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society’s Floral Committee on the 6th inst., when exhibited by Mr. Rowe—a distinction it well deserves. Fair Maid of Guernsey, another variety of the same class and colour, but larger, will no doubt prove to be a valuable decorative kind. VIENNA INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. Art the meeting held yesterday at South Kensington to con- sult as to the steps to be taken to worthily represent British Vienna, Dr. Hogg, the Chairman, after stating the object for which the meeting was convened, invited discussion as to the doubt was expressed by several of those present as to the possibility of conforming to the official programme ; the gene- | ral impression was that this could not be strictly adhered to; and the length and expense of transit was another element which was a serious consideration, especially as there was no likelihood of assistance from the Government grant. It was thought, however, that the Austrian Government would meet that difficulty in a liberal spirit. Several exhibitors having promised their support, it was proposed by Mr. Harry J. Veitch, and adopted by the meeting :— 1. That cultivators be invited to make a permanent exhi- bition of hardy plants, such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Coni- fers, Hollies, Clematis, Roses, &c., and that these be sent as early in the year as possible, so that they may be established at the opening of the Exhibition. 2. That at a later period of the year cultivators be invited to unite in sending exhibitions of flowering, fine-foliaged, and pot plants, also cut flowers; and that all exhibitions be re- garded as simply illustrations of British horticulture, and without any competition between the exhibitors. 3. In addition to these, a great fruit exhibition will be made in the autumn under the management of the Royal Horticul- tural Society. Dr. Hogg said he ought to mention that at the last meeting it was stated that there were a number of vans at South Ken- sington which might be placed at the disposal of the exhibitors. STOKE NEWINGTON CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW. Tue Stoke Newington Society’s twenty-sixth annual Exhibi- tion took place on the 11th and 12thinst. Although the number of exhibitors of specimen plants was not equal to that of former years, and we think, too, there were not so many cut blooms, some of the latter in particular were so large and so perfect that it is hardly conceivable that they could be exceeded. In the open class for twenty-four cut blooms Mr. Rowe, gardener to Mrs. Lewis, Roehampton, was first with very fine examples of Prince Alfred, Lady Harding, J. Salter, White Globe, &c. Mrs. S. Dixon & Co., Amhurst Nurseries, Hackney, were a very good second. For twelve blooms Mr. Rowe was again first with Prince Alfred, Jardin des Plantes, Prince of Wales, Queen of England, Empress Eugénie, Lord Derby, Princess of Wales, Mr. Brunlees, Antonelli, Mrs. George Rundle, Princess Beatrice, and Lady Slade. Mr. Prickett, gardener to Mrs. Bowerbank, Stoke Newington, was second. For six Mr. Rowe was first, and Mr. Holmes, gardener to Mrs. Pannell, Upper Clapton, second. In the amateurs’ classes the principal prizetakers were Mr. E. Sanderson, Mr. C. Sanderson, Mr. Slade, and Mx, F. Godwin. In the ‘“‘maiden” class B. B. Baker, Esq., 3, Palace Road, Roupell Park, Streatham, was first with magnificent blooms of Prince Alfred, Prince of Wales, Lady Harding, Princess Teck, Baron Buest, and White Globe. For Anemone-flowered, large and Pompon, Mrs. S. Dixon & Co., Amhurst Nurseries, were first. The same firm was also first for Mr. Shirley Hibberd’s prizes for the best collection of plants, Mr. Monk being second, also first for six, and first for three specimens. These collections included fine plants of Dr. Sharpe, Mrs. George Rundle, Lady Harding, Annie Salter, and Prince of Wales. For six Pompons Mr. Monk was first with excellent specimens. THE WILLOW OF SCRIPTURE. I aw inclined to think that the Willow by the waters of Babylon is the Oleander, which is abundant in bloom on most November 14, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 389 streams in Syria, and is said by travellers to have the appear- ance of the Willow.—R. H. Witu1ams, Byford. (Mr. Tristram, in his ‘ Journal of Travels in Palestine,” seems to be of your opinion, for he there speaks of ‘“‘ Oleanders, Willows by the watercourses, shading them from the sun;” and it is certain, as he also observes, that the Oleanders there become almost timber trees, ‘‘ sometimes 25 feet high, with tall slim boughs borne down, like a Weeping Willow, by the weight of the blossoms.’ Yet the weight of authority is in favour of our Bible translation. Arabim and Arebim, the Hebrew word there rendered “ Willow,” the Septuagint and all other interpreters, we believe, sanction as the correct ren- dering. We are also told that the Arabs call the Willow Garabon, which approaches the Hebrew name.—Eps. | NOTES AND GLEANINGS. No one could fail to notice the admirable eut blooms of CurysantHemums exhibited by Messrs. Veitch at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Meeting of the 6th inst., and which, taken as a whole, though they may in some years have been equalled by those who make a speciality of the flower, have never been surpassed by any collection from our great nur- serymen. —— Tur mildness of the temperature at St. Lnonanps and its vicinity is demonstrated by Tropwolums being quite unin- jured, and bedding Geraniums, Veronica Andersonii, Migno- nette, and Picotees not only being uninjured, but in full flower in the open air, and unprotected, on the 9th of November! Five miles inland, on the other side of the Southdowns, all the abovenamed plants were struck down by the weather weeks since. We are glad to see the third edition is published of Mr. W. Paul’s ‘“‘The Rose Garden.’ It is the most compre- hensive book on all that relates to the Rose and its cultivation WORK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. CnEar away all decaying matter from Globe Artichokes, and rotect them with leaves. Cawliflowers already headed should e carefully taken up and stocked in any dry pit under the pro- tection of a wall, where a thatched shutter may be employed in unfavourable weather to ward off the wet. As many Endive and Lettuces as possible should be transplanted into frames, where they may be at least protected from rain. Sudden frost suc- ceeding the late heavy rains will more injuriously affect the ad- vancing Salads than any other possible circumstances of weather. Dig Potatoes ; those which are taken at this period sound may be considered secure. Sow Peds and Broad Beans in rich soil on a warm border. A sowing of Short-top Radish may be made in a similar situation. Plant Shallots and Garlic. Shutters thatched with reeds or straw should be prepared for the pro- tection of Endive, Parsley, &c., in showery weather. As soon as the leaves can be removed from Sea-kale plants, cover the crowns with wood ashes, or sand. FRUIT GARDEN. Gooseberry, Currant, and Raspberry pruning and planting should be in progress. An adequate quantity of cuttings of the first two should be put in every season to provide for possible losses. The due preparation of borders for the reception of -fruit trees should be completed, and the trees planted in the course of the month. Pruning and nailing may be commenced. A judicious system of stopping in the growing season renders the first-named operation a comparatively light and easy task. FLOWER GARDEN. | The weather now is comparatively favourable for executing alterations, and where these are in hand they should be pro- secuted with the greatest possible dispatch. Planting, or the removal of large trees, cannot be finished too soon, for it is of the utmost importance that the plants should be afforded some chance of making fresh roots before the trying winds of March. See to even small plants being secured against winds, for they are often injured by being blown about after planting, which a small stake and a few minutes’ work would prevent. Getina stock of Briars for budding upon next season. Let the roots be well trimmed, cutting back closely the strong ones, for these, if left, will be of little use except to furnish an endless supply of suckers. Protect the roots of the Tea and Perpetual Roses with a coating of wood ashes or moss. Fuchsias may be preserved in the same manner. In the disposal of the various shrubs let the natural and peculiar disposition and character be duly con- sidered—thus, the Rhododendron is seen with the greatest ad- vantage at the base of a lofty tree, the dwarf evergreen of the mountains on a hill side, while low and swampy ground should be characterised by such plants as Heracleum giganteum and some of the aquatic Grasses and Reeds. Amongst tall trees the common Honeysuckle, Wild Hop, and Bramble, may be intro- duced with excellent effect, or, when supported by stakes, some excellent effects may be managed by these. There have been few seasons of late years so unfavourable for the Tulip-fancier. In every part of the country there is the same complaint. We cannot plant, but we are now looking forward to a good planting time, though rather late. Amateurs, of course, have made up their beds, and are merely biding their time to commit their favourites to the earth. I would advise all growers to take the first opportunity and plant; every day that they are out of the ground the bulbs suffer. Carnations, as a matter of course, are in their winter quarters. Look over beds of seedlings ; with a small hand-hoe keep the ground stirred whenever the weather permits of its being worked. Turn over Ranunculus beds, and ex- pose every part to the action of frost. As for Pinks and Pansies, those in pots must have all the air possible; never close the frame except in excessive wet or hard frost. Dahlias are over for the season ; cut off the stems about a foot from the tuber, and turn them upside down, so that the sap may freely exude. Allow them to get quite dry, and then store away in a moderately dry place secure from frost. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. Some of the very earliest Chrysanthemums may probably be getting past their best, and these should be replaced at once by something of amore showy character. While the principal col- lection is in bloom a selection should be made of the best and most useful sorts, for there are many worthless varieties in cul- tivation, and it is better to grow duplicates of the really good kinds than to retain such as are but indifferent merely for the sake of having a long list of names. If the introduction of the larger decorative plants, such as Chrysanthemums, can only be managed by the displacement and crowding of the general stock, it would be better to restrict their entrance as much as possible. Crowding, at all times injurious, becomes at this season fatal to the appearance of many elegant plants, for what injury they may sustain now they have rarely the vigour immediately to overcome, and thus the blot remains. Beware of excessive moisture. Keep the surface soil of large pots open, and water only in cases of necessity: indiscriminate watering is a common and fatal error amongst amateur gardeners. Give timely at- tention to providing a succession of bloom with which to keep the conservatory gay, and avoid as far as possible the expense of hard forcing, which is, moreover, so very injurious to most plants. Be careful not to let the plants in bloom suffer from the want of water, giving clear weak manure water to Chrysan- themums, Salvias, Camellias, &c., and use every means to pre- serve the beauty of specimens in bloom as long as possible. Damp and mildew are the great enemies to be guarded against in the greenhouse, and these must be sharply looked after, espe- cially in the case of plants that have not well ripened their growth, and are in a rather soft state. Ifthe former is trouble- some it must be got rid of by means of free ventilation on mild days, using a little fire heat at the same time, and for the latter a dry airy atmosphere is the best preventive; but the plants should be frequently examined, applying sulphur on the first appearance of the enemy. Very little water will be required here at present, but the plants should be carefully looked over about twice a-week, so as to make sure that nothing is allowed to feel the want of it. Ifnot already done, get the plants tied with the least possible delay, for it is very difficult to tie a plant so that it will not look somewhat stiff and unnatural, and the sooner all this kind of work is done the better the specimens will look when in bloom. PITS AND FRAMES. In the treatment of the stock in pits and frames the above- named carelessness must be scrupulously avoided. Well-ma- tured plants with no stagnant water about the roots, although under ordinary circumstances peculiarly susceptible of frost, will be found to resistits attacks. Plants of Pelargonium Compactum, which in a very exposed situation have not suffered from the effects of a frost of 8°, had been starved by limitation of water previously. Not far from the position they occupied other kinds of full and luxuriant habit in amore sheltered position were com- pletely killed. From chance circumstances of this kind we may glean valuable hints.—W. Kmanz. DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Two fine days up to the 9th have given us a good oppor- tunity to further earth-up Celery; to place full-grown, three- fourths, and half-grown Lettuces in frames; to sow Radishes ; and to cover Endive for use three weeks hence. We have laid down rather rampant Broccoli, and have protection ready for a fine bank of Cauliflowers. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. : We looked over the fruit-room. With us Pears ripen sooner 390 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ November 14, 1872. than usual, and Applesseem to come later. A few decayed fruit soon taint a room. Orchard Trees—Where there is plenty of room we have no doubt that orchards will continue to be planted, and it is very desirable to have the trees far enough apart to allow fine meadow grass for pasture to grow beneath them; there is something rather pleasant in gathering the fruit even after it has fallen on long soft grass. In all such orchards, when full- grown, the trees and crops will often be greatly improved, first by pruning-out all crossing branches, so as to leave the trees rather open in the centre; and secondly, if the trees are old; by scraping moss and lichen from their bark, and giving the stems and branches a good dressing with limewash. If the lime should be unpleasant to the eye, it could be mixed with soot or cow dung. To mix the soot well, if dry, it should first be brushed- up with a little water into a thick paste, so that every particle may be wetted before it is added to more water and the white- wash. This, too, is the only way in which dry flowers of sul- phur can be thoroughly mixed with cold water. Just enough water should be used at first to make it into a homogeneous thick paste. For applying such mixtures as the above, a large whitewash brush is very good for the boles of trees; but for dispatch, and when smaller shoots and boughs are to be reached, nothing is so effectual as a syringe which has seen its best days. In small gardens, and where room is valuable, small bush or pyramidal trees will in every way be the best, most pleasant, most economical, most and soonest fruitful. What a comfort to be able to do almost everything for them—pruning, nipping, examining, gathering the fruit, &c., standing-on terra firma instead of incurring the danger of ladders! For comfort and a great supply in little room, commend us to dwarf trees bristling with flower-buds. We have stated lately that the cheapest mode to secure this is to plant on mounds, give the neces- sary strength, and encourage the roots to keep near-the surface by surface-mulching. We can hardly conceive anything more beautiful than such trees clothed with bloom, and again covered with fruit ; and there can hardly be a more pleasing occupation for an amateur than thinning the fruit, nipping-in the shoots, and in a bad season removing encrusted or malformed fruit to give more assistance to whatis really good, and all done so easily, without reaching or climbing. : We put on a brisk fire for the late vinery in the morning, with air all day, and little heat and less air at night, the object being to keep a somewhat dry moving atmosphere to prevent damp- ing, and the latter, notwithstanding the quantity of rain, has hardly shown itself. Other empty fruit houses are, after being washed and cleaned, crammed with plants. We stated lately that we brought off many of the leaves in orchard houses to give more light to under-crops. In one of these houses, damp season and alto- gether, Grapes ripened well, and we have cut the most of them, as in severe weather the frost might be too much for them when we could protect the under-crop. The ripening we attri- ‘bute partly to the large panes of glass—20 inches between the rafter sash-bars. Such houses unheated are very useful. They would be still more useful, and under better command, when heated even by a simple mode, hot water being the best when the houses are large. When left unheated, the safety inside, when the house is shut up, greatly depends on the comparative stillness of the air. Another safety-valve for all fruits that open their blooms early, as Apricots, Peaches, &c., is retarding the bloom by giving all the air possible to such houses, except in severe frost. It will take a very severe frost to hurt such trees in bud with the close still air insured from a protection of glass. Of course, if in bloom, the trees would not stand any- thing like the same amount of frost. The cooler such unheated houses can be kept from now until the buds swell to opening, the more secure will the fruit be. We should have no difficulty in this matter if perforce we did not fill our orchard houses in winter with many other things that need protection. The principle aimed at, however, is to retard rather than to advance in winter. It is not the only case in which comparatively standing still is the best means of safety. Some years ago we saw a nice bed of Calceolaria cuttings in a cold pit struck and grow- ing freely before ours were inserted. A very cold winter coming on, most of these fine-looking Calceolarias succumbed. We happened scarcely to lose a single cutting. The worst weather had passed before our cuttings made a single root. Want of growth was one cause of their safety. For a month the pit. was covered with litter, and when carefully removed the cuttings looked much as if they had passed through an ordinary night. Let amateurs be conyinced that it is not desir- able to have fruit trees in cold orchard houses blooming too early, and one chief cause of failure will be removed. ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT. We find the mass of our beds in the flower gardens still un- touched, Geranium leayes are still green, and we have gathered a few very fair blooms; there are still plenty of Ageratums, Salvia fulgens, yellow Calceolarias, &c. Our elevated position gives us the advantage of a later bloom than is generally found in more sheltered valleys. The Iresine Lindeni was very fine with us, but after the cold rains the leaves dropped. We lifted a few large plants previously, as the colour of the leaves comes in well for dressing. Centaurea.—We have taken up a few of the white-leaved Centaureas and placed them in as small pots as the roots would go into, after removing the larger leaves. They soon strike fresh root if they have a little mild bottom heat. If too much is given, the roots decay; if none at all, the plants will often look well enough for months, but when the time comes that you expect them to make fresh growth, they will go off and disap- point you. Even those which have alittle bottom heat must not be taken out of it all at once after they are rooted, but be lifted by degrees, and then they will stand in a comparatively cold place if not overwatered. One advantage of having a lot of these old plants established with their fresh-made roots is, that by picking-out the centre of each shoot early in the spring, there will soon be numerous small sucker-like shoots that strike as freely as Verbenas in a hotbed, and have only to be hardened- off. Like many other things, however, such cuttings will make more progress in a hotbed in spring than they will do in weeks in the autumn in a cool place. For instance, we have seen Cal- ceolaria cuttings make more progress in a fortnight in March and April in a close warm atmosphere, than they do, or we wish | them to do, in three months when inserted in a cool place at the end of October or during the first fortnight of November. These Centaureas may be easily raised from seeds, and some species and varieties come more true than others; but just as in the case of the Cineraria maritima, the white mealy tinge of the foliage is more to be depended upon from cuttings than from seeds. Wishing to have two strings to our bow, we gene- rally take off rather strong cuttings in September, and remove most of the leaves, leaving only the small ones at the point, and insert the cutting close to the side of a small pot; or if we put two in a pot, each is fixed close to the side, and a bit of slate stuck down in the middle of the pot between them. This is chiefly done to prevent the roots of the two cuttings inter- lacing with each other. When thus taken off we place them in a cold pit or frame for a month, and by that time the base of the cuttings has begun to swell—technically to callus, and we then give them a genial bottom heat, and the roots push quickly. We then gradually harden-off. By this means there are few losses. If put into heat at once there is danger of damping-off. If continued in a cold frame we might wait as long for roots as we do in the case of Calceolaria cuttings, which would hardly suit us as respects room. Most cf our plants, after rooting last season, stood the winter in the orchard house. It is very rarely that the Centaurea has stood out of doors with us, and when it has, it has been elevated so as to suffer little from damp. Many large plants out of doors seemed all right until examined in spring, and in most cases damp had been more injurious than frost. We proceeded with thinning, pruning trees and shrubs, &c., and making preparations for new work and planting.—R. F. TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. Kelway & Son, Royal Nurseries, Langport, Somerset.—Cata- logue of Gladiolt. J. Dickson & Sons, Newton Nurseries, and108, Eastgate Street, Chester.—Catalogue of Forest Trees, Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, de. G. Shrewsbury, 59, Old Bailey, and Lower Norwood.—Cata- logue of Gas Heating Apparatus, &c. 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, &c.,171, Fleet Street, London, E.C. 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 answered 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. Booxrs (Anxious Inquirer).—You can haye the “ Cottage Gardeners’ Dic- tionary ” from this office if you enclose 7s. 2d. in postage stamps with your address. Royan HortTIcULTURAL Society’s Frurr SHow (W. Fowle).—In our report we stated that you took the first prize. The mistake was the Society’sin their advertisement. Noyember 14, 1872. ] Maxine Manure or Hay (An Irish Subscriber) —yYour query is worthy of your countryman, Sir Boyle Roche—‘ How can waste hay or grass be made into dung where no animals are kept?” ‘‘ Dang” implies excrementitious mat‘er. You may best make the hay or grass into manure by wetting it, and mixing some lime and salt with it, and then making it into a heap with thin alternate layers of earth. New Roses oF 1872 (Amatewr).—The best new Roses of this year, some of which we believe will prove valuable additions are:—Lyonnais, Mad. Georges Schwartz, Madame Bellon, Madame de Ridder, Madame Lefebvre Bernard, Monsieur Etienne Leyet, President Thiers, Richard Wallace, Madame Frangois Michelson, André Dunand, Mad. Cécile Berthod (Tea), Comtesse de Nadaillac (Tea), Souyenir de Paul Neron. The following are also good, though perhaps not so certain:—Madame de St. Pulgent, Madame Guillot de Mont Favet, Madame Thérése de Parrien, Annie Laxton, Princess Beatrice. We are in hopes there are two or three other good English seedlings, besides the two last named, as Cheshunt Hybrid and Reynolds Hole, likely to prove a great addition to our English-raised Roses, and Bessie Johnson a sport from Abel Grand, which will take a place among light-coloured Roses, the sport being much lighter than Abel Grand. Prorectinc Watt Peacu TREES (J. B. M. C.).—You are right as to the glass projecting coping being desirable; but as you object to it on account of the expense, and as it will not be a safeguard without some protecting mate- rial when the trees are in blossom and whilst the fruit is young, we advise you to have a coping board of inch deal not less than 11 inches wide, and projecting over the wall, so as to throw off the wet and prevent the loss of heat radiated by the wall; and to this you can fix tiffany, to be kept from brush ng against the trees by posts, at a foot or 18 inches from the base of the wall. No. 3 tiffany will be ample protection. It should only be used in frosty nights and days, but in mild weather ought to be withdrawn. INSECTS AND WorMS IN Manone (4. M.).—We do not know of anything so destructive to worms as lime water. It may be made by pouring three gallons of water over 1 lb. of quicklime, stirring well up, and allowing it to stand two days; then pour off the clear liquid, and water the manure with the latter, making all thoroughly wet. It will destroy every worm, but then the dung will need to be dried before it is fit for use. For mixing with the soil for plants it would be well to place the manure in an oyen at a temperature of not less than 212°, and keep it there for half an hour. Quicklime dusted over the manure in turning, also soot, will make it obnoxious to many insects; but nothing is equal to heating in an oven or on a hot iron plate, turning and moving the manure, so as to keep it from becoming burned.—G. A. Soin FoR LAPpAGERIA ROSEA—VINES FOR COOL GREENHOUSE (A. C.),— Lapageria rosea succeeds in rough fibrous peat with silyer sand. The peat should be broken up moderately small, and the woody stems of the Heath, if any, should be removed, adding a sixth part of silver sand. The drainage should be quite efficient, as the plant requires copious waterings. The best two black Grapes for a cool greenhouse are probably Black Hamburgh and Trentham Black. Bowood Muscat would not, we fear, succeed in a cool greenhouse, it requires a yinery. If you wish for a white Grape, Foster's ‘White Seedling is good. TRAINING VINCA MAJOR ELEGANTISSIMA (F. I.).—The shoots need not be trained quite flat, but we should allow them to arch over, peg down the points so as to form a half-ball of the size you require, or you may form the shoots into a pyramid. We consider the half-globe form the best, with the shoots gracefully arched over. GATHERING KircHeN Appies (Idem).—They are fit to gather when, being inverted, they drop, when they part freely from the stalk, or, when cut open, the pips are brown. You may cut back your ill-shaped Pear trees as you propose, and train the shoots upright. If, however, you cut to where there are only spurs, it is likely you may wait years before you can get a shoot to start at the place required. In pruning, therefore, make sure of a wood bud either at or near where you wish to originate a shoot. CLEMATISES FOR ArcHES (G. S. H.).—Clematis Fortunei, John Gould Veitch, and Princess Mary ure all sufficiently hardy to plant in the open ground and train to arches over flower-beds. They succeed best in light, rich, well- drained soil, with liberal dressings of manure. Portryc-uP Roses (J. S.).—The Roses haying “done no good” planted out, we fear they will be very unsatisfactory in pots. As they are two years old you will need to pot them in 8 or 9-inch pots, and as they are on the Manetti stock the union of the scion and stock should be buried. We should cut the shoots back to within five or six eyes of their base if strong, or to three, or eyen twoif weak. They should be potted at once, and pruned when you take them into the house, say in January, keeping them up to that time ina Warm position or in a cold pit, the pots plunged to the rim in coal ashes. Your standard Niphetos, Safrano, Madame Falcot, and Maréchal Niel would succeed admirably in pots in a conservatory. - FuLowER oF EDEN CARNATION NoT THRIVING—CATTLEYA HARRISONIE (W. H.).—We think if you were to add a fourth part of old hotbed manure and a third part of leaf soil to your loam, which we presume is of a strong gritty nature and full of fibre, the plant would grow more strongly and no doubt flower. If this do not effect the desired end we should raise fresh plants. If once plants of this class become weak they seldom return to vigour, and there is no hope but to raise fresh plants from cuttings or layers. The Cattleya ought to succeed in the temperature you name, which we apprehend is only that of the present or winter season. If it is, however, the summer temperature, it is very much too low. During the growing period the tem- perature should be 60° to 65° at night, 75° to 85° or 90° by day, with shade from bright sun. The atmosphere requires to be moist, also the block or pot on which the plant is growing. In winter it should have a drier atmosphere, and no more than a sprinkling of water occasionally to keep it from shrivel- ling. In winter a temperature of 55° at night and 65° by day, with a rise from sun heat to 75° or more is suitable. = AutuMN RASPBERRIES NOT RIPENING (Kenilworth).—We presume you cut down the canes in February close to the ground, as advised by Mr. Rivers, and thin out the shoots in May, or rather pull up the weak ones, leaying the strons 1foot apart; but as they show abundance of fruit late in autumn which do not ripen we should say the climate is too cold. It may, however, be a result of wet andcold soil. Plant ina light soil, and warm exposure, but unless you practise in the southern counties we fear your chances of success are small. CELERY OvercRown (Idem).—This season, though large, Celery is not of very good quality. The stalks are hollow, and the centre stem is much more advanced than we are accustomed to expect at this season. We have about half a dozen sorts, and there is very little difference in them. The best is JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 391 Sandringham Dwarf White. We attribute it to the long-continued and ex- treme moisture of the season. CoNIFERS FOR Damp SitTvuaTIoNn (Conifer@).—The only subject that does well with us is the Norway Spruce (Abies excelsa), which roots very near the surface, and attains noble dimensions. We have many trees on sucha soil as you describe, associated with Huntingdon Willow, Weeping American, and Kilmarnock Willows, Weeping, Silver, and Cut-leaved Birches, Alder, Scarlet, and Variegated Dogwood, Deutzia scabra, and Gueldres Rose. The White Poplar succeeds well, and is very effective when coming into leaf. MakrinG A RosE-BED (A Five-years Subscriber)—Your proposed plan is good—namely, to trench the ground 3 feet 6inches deep, take the clay out, and put in about 9 inches of brickbats and lime rubbish at the bottom for drainage, then mix the marl and loam together with some good stable manure and a few crushed bones. We presume you have provided a drain to the bed, below the drainage, to carry off tho superfluous water; if not, you willneed one, otherwise your bed will only be a pit to hold water; and we have further to suggest that you add “strong fresh turfy loam” to your other ingredients equal in amount to the clay removed, which will raise the bed considerably. The bed should be 1 foot higher than the surrounding ground level, as from the depth of the loosened material it must settle considerably. We would commence operations at once, and plant this month or early in the next, mulching well with littery manure after planting. The Hybrid Perpetuals will probably thrive in your bed remarkably well. ConSTRUCTING A FeRNERY (Little Lady).—Havying the fernery sunk is good» and will be a means of securing more uniform moisture, and there will be a considerable accession of warmth. As to the arrangement, we should form the sides into arockery all round, except the doorway, and have it jutting out in some places and receding in others, arranging the stones firmly so that there will be no danger of their slipping, and varying the height of the rocks as much as possible, so as to give a rugged aspect. In building the rocks we would leaye some good-sized pockets, crevices, and ledges, in which soil could be placed for the plants. In the centre, or on one side, you can intro- duce a miniature waterfall, with a basin of water at the foot, and fountain playing fromit; but, though we have a fountain in our fernery, we consider it would haye been well omitted. The best stone we haye used is an open soft- grained freestone, and the next.best is probably sandstone. Pebbles or stones with a close flinty grain are not good. Materials from the limestone forma- tions are very good, especially petrifactions. Avoid all stones with a smooth hard face, they are slow in becoming covered with moss, and the seedling Ferns do not take to them freely. STovVE FoR AN OrcHARD Hovss (R. T. F.).—After the buds of trees begin to swell we object decidedly to any stove or any fuel that does not carry into the open air by means of a chimney the products of combustion. A good- sized iron stove with the conditions frequently and lately referred to, would suit your purpose best, as you could remove it easily when not wanted. A metal pipe 4 inches in diameter would make a good chimney if frequently swept. TREES FOR AN ORcHARD HovseE (7. W., Shrublands).—If you have not already the Pears against the back wall we would substitute Peaches and Nectarines in their place, or even late Plums, as Coe’s Golden Drop. For an early and late Peach we would select Grosse Mignonne and Walburton Admirable. The Cherries, Plums, &c., will do well, but in so small a house the back wall is rather too good for Pears. We haye had them fine even in pots, but the flayour was apt to suffer. REPLANTING A ViNERY (4 Constant Reader).—If well done Vines may be planted at any time, the timés requiring least trouble are October and March. Young Vines grow away well, but for ourselves we would prefer taking up nice Vines four years planted, and replanting them carefully, to young Vines. If the job is to be done, the sooner it is done the better. The Vine roots should be carefully lifted and kept damp before replanting, spreading them out nicely, and by mulching afterwards, keep the soil warmer than the air of the house until the buds break. Various (A Reader).—The Scilla under the glass of your jardiniére will re- quire more free exposure to air than will suit the Adiantum and Selaginella. We would remove the Scilla. For the arrangement of your beds with such variety we would plant on the mixed plan without any definite arrangement, though the back and centres of groups may easily be made to pair or contrast. We have far too little knowledge given to us to be able to judge; and then, though ready to adyise and criticise, we cannot undertake to plant gardens. If the place is small the best plan is to give a small space to each fayourite, and arrange chiefly by colour and height. FLOWER-BEDS (D. C.).—The looking-well will depend much on the bank of grass not being too steep. The planting would do, but we would alter the four l’s by surrounding Ivesine Lindeni with yellow, and the four 2’s, yellow Calceolaria, with Viola cornuta Perfection. The rest as stated. LiziumM GIGANTEUM CoLTURE (Idem).—It requires treatment similar to other Lilies. Should not be kept quite when at rest. Should haye a good crown preparatory to throwing up a strong flower-stem, and then should be fed with manure water, as the stronger the stem the finer will be the flower pyramid. E PruninG Roses (G. B.).—¥For flowering in the last week of June w should prune all the Hybrid Perpetuals and Bourbons now, and the Noisette and Tea-scented in February. We should haye preferred ashes to litter for plunging the pots in, but the latter will answer, though not so well. We should have plunged in ashes in a cold pit, with, for the Tea-scented varieties, some protecting material over the lights in severe weather, removing it and exposing fully in mild weather, but not during rain. We should not only winter but grow them in cold pits, or in such a position that they could be protected from frost and heavy rains, exposing fully in mild fine weather. Give top-dressings of rich compost, and water, after the buds show until the flowers expand, with weak liquid manure at every alternate watering, sprinkling overhead twice daily—i.e., morning and evening, from the com- mencement of growth until the buds show colour, then leave it off. Rose (A Subscriber).—There is no Rose called Celeste Forestier. Céline Forestier is meant. VALLOTA PURPUREA TREATMENT (dn Amateur).—The treatment required by this plant will be found at page 294 of the number for October 19th, 1871. Names or Fruits (R. W. H.).—2, Doyenné du Comice; 3, Beurré Bronzé; 4, Doyenné Rouge; 5and 6, Quite rotten. (J. Howard).—If you send us spe- cimens we will endeayour to identify them. We cannot afford space for descriptions. Names oF Prants (G. 4.).—Adiantum cuneatum, Wedge-leayed Maiden- 392 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE hair Fern. (Lady King).—A Gesnera, near G. polyantha, DC., and perhaps a form of that species. (R. Maitland).—1, Dicksonia (Cibotium) Barometz ; 2, Probably Nephrodium patens ; 3, Polypodium (Goniophlebium) appendicu- latum ; 4, Asplenium (Athyrium) umbrosum. (LH. L. H.)—Yes, Tecoma jas- minoides, of which Bignonia jasminoides is asynonym. (Anwious Inquirer). —1, Not in fruit; 2.and8, Varieties of Scolopendrium vulgare ; 4, Polystichum aculeatum. POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. A COUPLE OF HOURS WITH THE DARK BRAHMAS AT OXFORD. So much time has elapsed since your insertion of my last communication, that the ink has become hardened on the nib of my “grey goosequill,” and, as I resume again the use of my “poultry pen,” it seems by lack of practice to have well nigh lost any little cunning it may have possessed. But, notwith- standing this and the prolonged pause in my correspondence, I want to tell youa “ bit of my mind” in reference to the first Oxford Show, held on October 30th and 31st. Well, on the advent of the former dayI left my quiet home in a Somersetshire village, in the “grey dawn of the morning,” to proceed to the classic city, to see for myself how far it could hold its own in its first attempt to make a figure in the world of poultry. As far as the weather was concerned it was a miser- able day; the pitiless rain poured down from early morn to noon, and from noon to gloomy night—straight down in mono- tonous and well-nigh mathematical precision from the leaden clouds above ; no break in the steady downfall; no ray of sun- light to pierce through the murky atmosphere. In vain the weary traveller sought for a more encouraging prospect in the shape of a break in the clouds. No such vision of hope met his anxious gaze—only the same grim, moody, weeping prospect. “‘ Water here, water there, Water, water, everywhere.” You will admit that a journey even to Oxford, under such cir- cumstances, did not present features of a very lively character, and as I drew near the city of ancient and modern learning and renown, my sympathies were in active exercise with the local promoters of this initiatory Show. I soon wended my way through the wet and dripping streets, and was not long in find- ing the temporary lodgment of my feathered friends. I paid my half-crown entry fee with all the newly-acquired dignity of a virgin exhibitor, and entered the noble building which, for the first time in its history, was resounding with the fierce notes of defiance through the throats of hundreds of valiant cocks ; from the hoarse guttural groan of the huge and unwieldy Cochin, to the shrill and piercing cry of the Game and conceited little Bantam. As I entered I was struck with the evident care and attention which had been devoted by the Committee to make the arrangements as perfect as possible; and here let me say that the Secretary, Mr. King, so faras my experience went, so dis- tinguished himself by his courtesy and manifest desire to oblige and please, that I can only hope he may be spared to fill the same onerous, but often thankless, post for many a long year to come. The building is admirably adapted to the purpose of a poultry show—being very lofty, well lighted, and, judging from the state of the internal atmosphere, efficiently ventilated. On entering the hall I was soon in front of the pens which contained my favourite variety; and as I stood before those which, side by side, had won the highest honours, I could not help admiring the magnificent birds to which the first and second prizes had been so justly awarded, though I must con- fess the vexed question of hocks would intrude itself on my con- sideration as I sazed and admired. These noble birds stood out to the front like very monarchs of the poultry yard; but as I moved on and attentively examined the pens to which the other honours of various degrees had been awarded, I became per- plexed, and found the inquiry revolving in my mind whether or not there was any advantage at these shows in possessing a reputation—so much so, that I involuntarily uttered the wish that the judging could be entirely freed from any possible in- fiuence of this kind, by keeping the Judges in utter ignorance of the names of all the exhibitors until after the awards had been made. Without intending in the slightest degree to cast any reflections on the Judges, for whom I have, as a rule, a high respect, yet they are only composed of the same impressible materials as other ordinary mortals. It is said ‘“‘the rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” yet somehow or other there is a prestige in its name which wields an influence, un- conscious though it may be, and we are always involuntarily predisposed to accord to it a very high commendation on account of its simple nomenclature. As a class I was disap- pointed with the general features of this display of my favourite race, and considered the specimens, as a whole, much below an average, though redeemed by a few respectable birds here and there, and the immeasurable superiority of the first and second- prize pens. The commendations were a matter of wonderment AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ November 14, 1872. to me, and, as a friend remarked, there must surely have been some_‘‘ sweet little cherub aloft’? who had surreptitiously pur- loined all the cards from below, and mischievously flung them down to distinguish the pens on which they might happen to alight. It was really difficult to conjecture on what grounds such commendations were given to some of the birds that ob- tained this distinction, as compared with others of unquestion- ably higher quality. Of one pen in particular, containing a huge cockerel of an almost sky-blue speckle, with a pullet to match, a facetious friend declared that it had been “commended” for its “unadorned ugliness.” I have always thought it a great mistake for the judging to be proceeding during the presence of a crowd of spectators, and I was most forcibly confirmed in this opinion by my observations at Oxford. I may add that the Dark Brahmas were scarcely placed to advantage so far as the light was concerned, and the pens were cramped and small for such large birds; but the care and at- tention that were paid to the exhibited poultry in general, and the special efforts that were made in particular by the Com- mittee and their Secretary, to accommodate and please both the exhibitors and the public who paid for admission, determined my intention to do my best to put in an appearance again in both capacities at the next Oxford Show.— Brana. DEALERS AND SHOWS. I anways read in the Journal anything from the pen of Mr. L. Wright with pleasure and profit, and I have no doubt his article upon the above subject will have been read more than once by many who are interested in the matter. I have nota word to say in opposition to what Mr. Wright has written, but wish to add thereto. As to the necessity of such additions no doubt opinions will differ. I have no desire to exclude a dealer’s birds from any exhi- bition, but would rather have their numbers increased, because dealers usually exhibit first-class specimens, which are oft-times purchased from amateur breeders who never exhibit, and were it not for the spirited dealer such birds would never be seen except by the privileged few; they also keep up the price of good birds, as I find that the professional dealer is always will- ing to give a fair price for a good bird. I fully approve of the selling classes as recommended by Mr. Wright, if carried out so as to answer the purpose intended—viz., that anyone shall have the opportunity of purchasing a good bird at a fair price: but in the regulations of one, if not both the shows named there is a clause which neutralises the advantages professedly offered by such classes—t.e., All birds receiving prizes or commendations will be sold by auction, &c. With a clause like that the idea of a selling class at a fixed price is a farce. I remember visiting an exhibition where a very tempting prize was offered for the best pen in the selling class, “ price not to exceed £2.” I saw the first-prize birds in that class were such as I should be glad to secure for £5, but I could not claim them because they were to be sold by auction. I watched the sale of those birds, and the owner bought them in for £10. One gentleman present expressed his surprise, and said he thought it was not fair to other exhibitors that such birds should be entered in a selling class with the view of winning and buying- in. The answer made by the owner was, “ Do you think I am such a fool as to let them go?” I repeat, that if the birds ina selling class, because good enough to win, are to be sold by auction, then restricting the price in the catalogue is a mere farce.—L. WREN. TO ALL NEGLIGENT SECRETARIES. We were glad to see an exhibitor take up the subject of secretaries not sending catalogues until after the show. Only last week we sent for a catalogue to a show at which we were exhibitors; the birds were judged on the Wednesday, we got them home on Saturday at noon, and the catalogue on Sunday morning. Now, it ought not to have been later than Friday morning. We received one from Oxford the morning after the first day’s Show, and if the secretary is too busy on the first day, he ought to give one of the committeemen a list of those that have sent for a catalogue, and forward it as soon as the awards are printed.—A. & B. Duruam Prczeon SHow.—The entries for this Exhibition close on the 21st. inst. We recommend it to the attention of Pigeon fanciers, for the prizes are liberal—three in each class, and in addition there are four silver cups and eight gold medals, The voting for Judges is a new feature, and we shall be obliged by information as to how it works. DunpeE Pouttry Suow.—We like the business-like details of the schedule—the naming the Judges, Messrs. Hewitt and Tee- bay ; the qualified person to attend to the fowls, the liberal three November 14, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE prizes to each class, the six three-guinea cups in addition to the money prizes, and the promise to remit the prize money within ten days. Let exhibitors look to the advertisement and make their entries. In addition, a silver champion cup of the value of £10 10s. has been subscribed, and will be given for the best pen of birds exhibited. at NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE POULTRY, PIGEON, AND CANARY SHOW. THE annual Exhibition was held in the Corn Exchange, New- eastle-upon-Tyne, on the 7th and Sth inst., and was, without doubt, the best show that has ever been held in the north of England, both as regards quality andnumbers. The Committee and Secretary (Mr. H. O. Blenkinsop) worked with a will, and no doubt it is to the exertions of these gentlemen the success of the Exhibition may be attributed. The penning, feeding, &c., was under the management of Mr. Sims, of West Cramlington, to whom great praise is due for the very admirable manner in which the wants of the birds were attended to; indeed, it is very seldom we have ever seen so much care taken of the speci- mens as was the case on this occasion. Wednesday was apart for judging, and Thursday and Frida; days. The weather being very clear and fine, we fancy the Exhibition will have proved a success in a pecuniary point of view. ‘The entries for poultry numbered 400 pens, and Pigeons about 750. In poultry the pen consisted of a pair—cock and hen. In Pigeons all were single birds, except in one of the Selling classes. Cochins were fair classes. In adults first and cup went to a capital pair of Whites, second came Dark Buffs; in chickens the same exhibitor was second with a good pen of Bufis. Bralma Pootras were two good classes. The first-prize chickens are birds of very good quality, but scarcely in show condition, appearing to be overworked; the second-prize chickens were a very nice pen, good in colour and shape, but the cockerel rather small. Dorkings were only moderate classes; there were, however, a few nice pens, noticeably the first-prize adults. The adult Spanish were hardly up in condition, it being rather too early. The first-prize old hen struck us as being something out of the common run; she was a grand bird. Chickens were only a moderate lot. Polisi were well represented, a pen of splendid Golden taking the cup given for Spanish or Polish. The Game classes were well filled with capital birds, but the pick of the lot was unquestionably the pen of Brown Red chickens to which the cup was awarded. We do not remember having seen a better pen, and understand the birds were claimed by a noted exhibitor; we imagine they will be soon heard of again. Ham- burghs were first-rate classes, especially the chickens; it is somewhat early for old birds, they not having recovered from moulting. The cup given for the best pen of Hamburghs was awarded to a very perfect pen of Golden-pencilled chickens. The Game Bantam classes were also of a high order. These birds must be great favourites in the north, for a reference to the catalogue shows that a great number of the entries were from the immediate neighbourhood. The first-prize old Reds were a good pen of Black Reds. In chickens a fine pen of Black Reds, excellent in colour and style, took first and cup. In Any other colour, adults, first were beautiful Piles, second Duckwings ; in chickens, first a good pen of Duckwings. In Any other variety of Bantams, the first were good Blacks, second capital Silver Sebrights. Single cock Bantams any variety, first a good Black Red, a pretty Rose-combed Black second. Ducks were divided into two classes only. Amongst the Aylesburys were a few good pens, but the first were greatly ahead of the rest. In other classes excellent Rouens were first, Whistlers second. In the Any other variety class Black Ham- burghs were first, Créve-Ceurs second. Selling classes were divided, one for 40s. birds, the other for 30s., and both were well filled. The birds in these classes were put up by auction, the surplus, if any, being divided between the exhibitor and the Society. This is a capital plan, for the classes serve their legi- timate purpose—namely, the sale of surplus stock, and not merely for winning the prizes with birds worth four times the money, which are often bought-in again—a proceeding mani- festly unfair to the exhibitor who enters his stock for sale. The Pigeon classes were unusually large, and contained many of the best specimens to be found in the country. In Carriers Messrs. Fulton, Stanley, Massey, and Horner exhibited splendid birds, the cup for this department falling to Mr. Fulton’s grand black hen. The Pouter entries were less numerous, but each colour was well represented, the most noticeable being Mr. Fulton’s cup Yellow hen and Mr. Grant’s fine white cock. Short-faced Tumblers were a fine collection, the cup going to a beautiful Almond cock. In Almond hens there was not an in- ferior bird; while in Tumblers Any other colour Messrs. Blen- kinsop and Fulton took the first prizes in each class with capital Yellow Agates. In Barbs the prizes for the best cock went to finely developed Black and Red respectively, while in hens a splendid Dun took first and Black second, nearly every pen in the set | as the exhibition | AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 393 two classes being considered worthy of notice. In Foreign Owls the prizes were taken by Whites, good Blues and Blacks also competing. English Owls numbered forty-one pens, Mr. Edge taking the cup with his fine old White cock, a good Silver being second, Trumpeters were divided into Mottled and Any other colour, and were unquestionably the finest ever brought together, comprising a second batch of recently imported Russian birds. All the prizes were taken by this variety, the rose and crest of each bird being of the most extraordinary dimensions, though in some of the competitors there was a slight deficiency of feather on the feet. In Any other colour than Mottles, Blacks took the prizes. The sectional cup was awarded to a wonderful Black Mottled cock good in every point. Fantails were a large entry, Messrs. Walker, Rule, and Yardley taking the leading positions with birds of exquisite shape and carriage in a close competition. Jacobins were a pretty lot; the cup went to Mr. J. Thompson for a very fine rich Red. The class for Blacks was singularly large and good; while for Jacobins, Any other colour, Mr. Van Haansbergen had first with a beautiful White, a good Blue taking second. Turbits were divided into four classes, and had i -nine entries, Yellow, Red, Silver, Blue, White, and Black ing positions, many of the pens being of ¢ ellence. re an average lot. Nuns up in this to a particularly fine cl Dragoons had with a competition seldom exceeded. The sec- tional cup was taken by Mr. Sefton with a Blue excellent in every respect. Many of the Yellows, Reds, and Whites were also remarkably fine. In Antwerps Mr. Wright’s splendid Red- chequered Short-faced cock took the cup in a good class. Any other variety was not particularly attractive, Ice first, Yellow Swallows second. The following is the prize list :— Cocuins.—l, Cup, and 2, G. If. Proctor, Durham. he, H. Lloyd, jun, Hands- worth. c, D. Ibeston, Whitby. Chickens.—l, G. H. Proctor. 2, J. Websters West Sleekburn. ic, J. M. Derry, Wisbeach; H. Lloyd, jun. c, E. Fearon, Whitehaven. Branwa Poorras.—1, E. Pritchard, Tettenhall. 2, T. F. Ansdell, Cowley Mount, St. Helen’s. he, R. Henderson; J. M. Atkinson, Alford, Lanca- shire; H. Beldon, Goitztock. ChY¥ckens.—l, T. F. Ansdell, 2, H.Beldon. hc, R. Brownlie; H. Smith, Hyde; J. N. Lawson, Sunderland; J. F. Smith, Sheffield; J. W. Brockbank, Kirksanton. Dorxines.—l, J. White, Warlaby. 2, N. Russell. Chickens.—1, E. Barker, Stokesley. 2, Countess of Tankerville. he, J.J Waller; E. Fearon. he, H. Wilkinson, Earby. Chickens.— he, 8S. Rob- SpanisH.—l, H. Beldon. 2, W. Jaggs. 1, J. Bowness, Newchurch. 2, J. Younghusband, North Shields. he son, Brotherion, Ferrybridge; D. Waugh, Melrose Mills. c, H. Wilkinson. Pouisn. — Silver-spangled. —1, P. Unsworth. 2, W. Bearpark, Ainderby Steeple. he, B.A. Lloyd. Any other Variety—1 and Cup, H. Beldon. 2, P. Unsworth, Newton-le-Willows. hc, P. Unsworth; H. Beldon. Gamp.—Black or Brown Reds.—l, J. Mason, Worcester. 2, J. Bell, West Sleekburn, he, J. Vickers. c, J. Gibson, Stanhope. Chickens.—1 and Cup, E. Winwood, Worcester. 2, J. Fletcher, Stoneclough. he, Morris & Woods; J. Nelson. c,T. Robson. Gamp.—Any other Variety—l. J. Rowell, Newcastle. 2, J. Fletcher. he, Morris & Wood, Accrington; J. Fletcher. Chickens.—l and 2, J.¥Fletcher. he, L. Casson, Ulverstone; J. Robson. 5 Hamsureus.—Golden-spangled.—Chickens.—1, Countess of Tankerville. 2, R. H. Ashton, Mottram. vhc, H. Beldon. r x Hameurens.—Silver-spangled.—1, Countess of Tankerville, Ch llingham. 2, H. Beldon. he, Ashton & Booth. Chickens —1 and2, H. Beldon. lic, Ashton and Booth, Mottram; Countess of Tankerville; J. Bowness, Newchurch. | Hampureus —Golden-pencilled.—1, H. Beldon. 2, Countess of Tankerville: Chiekens.—1, Cup, and 2,H. Beldon. he, Ashton & Booth; J. Bowness; D. Cheyne, Blyth; J. Russell. | : Hampurcus —Silver-pencilled.—l, H. Beldon. 2, Countess of Tankerville. Chickens.—] and 2, H. Beldon. a Game Bantams.—Black or Brown Reds.—l, W. F. Entwisle. 2, W. Rodgers. he, R. Fairless. Wideopen; R. Brownlie; W. F. Addie, Fulwood; J. Barlow; T. Robson. ¢, Morris & Woods; Miss M. Short. Chickens—1l and Cup, Dob- son & Hunter. 2, R. Youll, Sunderland. he, J. R. Robinson; W. W. Gray; T. Bowker; W. F. Entwisle, Bradford; G. Hall; Wardle & Brace, Gosforth. ¢, W.F. Addie; R. Brownlie; G. Hall; H. Pickering. : Game Banrams.—Any other Colour.—i, W. F. Entwisle. 2, J. Ross. he, Bellingham & Gill: W. W. Gray; W.F. Entwisle. Chickens.—1, G. Hall. 2, R. Brownlie. hc, R. Youll; W. F. Entwisle; W. Rodgers, Sunderland; JA. Brooke, Leeds. c, W. F. Entwisle. A Banrams.—Any other variety except Game—1,J.Nesham, Bedlington. 2, M. Leno, Markyate Street. he, R. H. Ashton (2); H. Beldon; T. P. Carver; J. Watts, King’s Heath, Birmingham. Bantams. —Any variety—1, G. Hall. 2,H. Beldon. he, M. Leno; J. Aych- bold, Earlstrom; W. Banton; W. F. Entwisle; Wardle & Bruce. ¢, Wardle and Bruce. Duoks.—Aylesbury.—l, Miss F, Wilson, Morpeth. 2, T. P. Carver, Borough- bridge. he, T. Stansfield; J. Meiklem; W. Pattie, Castleyards, Dumfries. ¢, J. Rowell. Duoxs.—Any other Variety.—l, W. Swann. 2, M. Leno. he, Countess of Vankeryille; J. J. Malden ; R. Gladstone, jun., Broadgreen, Liverpool; P. Unsworth; G. F. Norvel, Swalwell; Miss F. Wilson. c¢, J. Nelson; J. We Brockbank. S Any OTHER VARIEDY.—Geese and Turkeys excepted, W. J. Thompson. 2; Mrs. J. Cross. he, J. Watts; J. Meiklem, Hamilton; J. Maule. c, J. J. Maldon; J. Bowness. SELLING CLass.—Price not to exceed 40s. per pen—l, H.Beldon. 2, J. Bow- ness. 3, T.P. Carver. hc, G. H. Procter; J.Nash, Walsall; H. H. Thompson; J. Russell. SELLING Ciass.—Price not to exceed 303. per pen.—l, H. Beldon. 2, W. J. Corner. 8, W.J.Thompson. he, G. H. Proctor; W.d. Corner; Countess of Tankeryille; J. W. Allison, Newcastle. c,J. Russell. PIGEONS. i Carnrers.—Black.—Cock.—1 and 2,R. Fulton, New Cross. vhe, E. Horner, Harewood. hc, W. Massey, Spalding; A. Anderson. c,H. Cockton, Middles- borough; S.A. Wyllie. Hen.—land2, R. Fulton. vhe, J. Stanley, Blackburn ; E. Horner. he, B. Horner. c, Hon. BE. C. Shore, Northallerton. Carrrers.—Any other Colowr.—Cock.—l, J. Stanley. 2, R. Fulton. he, H. Cockton; R. Fulton; J. Stanley. Hen.—l, R. Fulton. 2, E. Horner. vhc, W. Massey. he, J. H. Watkins, Hereford. Carrters.—Chickens.—1, W. Massey. 2, E. Horner. vhe, H. Cockton. he, T. H. Dows, Boston; R Fulton (2); J. Stanley; E. Horner. ¢, W. Ridley; C. H. Clark. Pourers.—Blue or Black.—Cock—1 and 2, R. Fulton. he, T. Rule, Durham; E. Horner. Hen. —l and he, R. Fulton. 2, T. Rule. G Pourers.—Red or Yellow —Cock.—1 and 2, R. Fulton, he, A. Wright, Morn- B94 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ November 14, 1872. ingside; E. Horner. c, A. Anderson; T. H.Dows. Hen.—l and 2, R. Fulton. he, E. Herner. PoutrEers.—Any other Colour—Cock.—1, J. Grant. 2, J. P. Fawcett, Whitby. he, J. Thompsen; A. Frame; A. Wintour; E. Horner. Hen.—l, R. Fulton. 2, H. Pratt, Birmingham. TumspLers.—Short-faced Almond.—Cock.—1, R. Fulton. 2, J. Fielding, jun. he, R. Fulton; E. Horner (2). Hen.—1, R. Fulton. 2,J. Fielding, jun. he, W. Drydone, Dunse; R. Fulton; E. Horner; R. & J. Anderson, Newcastle. TuMBLERS.—Any other Colour.—Cock.—1 and c, R. Fulton. 2, W. R. & H. 0. Blenkinsop, Neweastle. hc, E. Horner; W. R.& H. O. Blenkinsop. Hen.—l, W.R. &H.O. Blenkinsop. 2, R. Fulton. he, W. R. & H. O. Blenkinsop; W. Sefton, Blackburn; R. Fulton; E. Horner (2). Barss.—Cock.—1 and 2, R. Fulton. he, R. Wade; J. Fielding, jun. ; E. Horner; J. P. Faweett. Hen.—l, R. Wade, Halifax. 2, E. Horner. he, J. Fielding, jun; R. Fulton (2); J.Stanley. | Owts.—Foretan.—l, J. Fielding, jun. 2, R. Fulton. he, W. R. & H. O. Blen- Kinsop; C. Dennison, Halifax; S.A, Wyllie, East Moulsey ; J. Fielding, jur.; P. H. Jones, Fulham. Owxs.—English.—Cup, J. W. Edze, Erdington. 2, J. Chadwick, Bolton. he, A. Ashton; J. Dye, Hexham; J. E. Spence, Broughtyferry; J. Chadwick (2); J. Thresh, Bradford; A. N. Dodds, North Shields. c, T. Swithenbank. Trumpeters.—Mottled.—1 and Cup, R. Fulton. 2, W. B. Van Haausbergen, Neweastle-on-Tyne. vhc, R. Fulton; E. Horner. he, Miss E. M. Beveridge, Ayr: T. Rule; W. B. Van Haansbergen; E. Horner. 7149.0 8) 21) 1)! morn’ 8 | 7 40 | 343 9 M 46.7 | 84.9 | 40.8 17 56H 7, 54955 18a |e S77 vl | ales eal 9 | 7 18] 844 10 | Tu | Royal Horticultural Society's Examination | 47.0 | 82.8 | 39.9 26 57 7/49 38/53 1/383 2 10 | 6 45 | 845 11 WwW {of Gardeners. | 46.5 | 82.6 | 39.5 17 | Gish | 49 3)10 2/50 38 11 | 6 18] 346 | | if From observations taken near London during forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 47.5°; and its night temperature 34.9°. The greatest heat was 63°, on the 11th, 1844; and the lowest cold 13°, on the 8th and 9th, 1867. The greatest fall of rain was 1.02 inch. ASPARAGUS FORCING, aN said to form an important item in every garden, whether large or small. As an es- teemed luxury Asparagus stands second to none. It is true Asparagus culture often comes under discussion in gardening period- icals, but I have no recollection of having seen or heard any argument in the Journal as to the best method of forcing this excel- lent vegetable. As there is a great demand for forced Asparagus in almost every large establishment, and in many small ones, allow me to offer a few remarks on the subject, in the hope that some valuable information may be elicited from other correspondents... For several years in my previous situation I was expected to keep up a good supply of Asparagus from the early part of December until it could be procured from the open ground, and this I succeeded in doing by growing it on what I may term the old-fashioned way—vyiz., by lifting the roots from the oldest beds in the open garden, and planting them ona bed of prepared fermenting materials, over which are placed a frame and lights. That good Asparagus can be grown in this way there cannot be a doubt; but at the same time I consider it when so grown one of the most extravagant Juxuries that can possibly be produced in a gentleman’s garden, and for this reason—to haye good roots fit for forcing, four years’ growth at least are required, during which time very little can be grown that is fit, or ought, to be cut. After being forced in this way the roots are absolutely of no use, except to enlarge the size of the rubbish-heap. Notwithstanding, I think I may safely say this method is adopted in the majority of our gardens throughout the country. The mode of forcing Asparagus which I wish to bring under the notice of your readers, and which I consider highly commendable, is that which, is practised at Nyne- head Court, near Wellington, Somerset, the seat of W. A. Sandford, Esq., where on several occasions I have seen it growing in great perfection on what appeared to me to be a very simple and economical principle. It is grown in beds 5 feet in width, with alleys 24 feet in width be- tween each bed. These alleys are sunk to about 4 feet in depth, and when forcing is commenced they are filled with fermenting material, the heat from which is con- ducted through the beds by 9-inch round drain tiles, which are placed about 2 feet from the surface of the beds, and at about the same distance apart. Over the surface of the beds span-roofed frames with boarded sides, 2 feet in depth, are placed, the latter allowing the application of additional linings in severe weather, during which period the roof is also kept well protected with litter. With four of these frames 44 feet in width and 8 feet in length,. and by paying due attention to the linings, &c., and by keeping them changed in pairs when required on beds opposite each other, Mr. Bray, the intelligent and per- severing head gardener, is able to keep up a constant and No. 619.—Vou, XXIII., NEw SERIES. abundant supply for a large establishment from the early part of December until plenty can be gathered from the ORCED vegetables of many kinds may be | open ground, and that, too, with four beds 50 feet in to] 5 length. These beds are, however, only forced every alternate year, so that eight beds are kept entirely for forcing purposes. The linings in the trenches are allowed to remain there | during the summer months, during which time the roots of the Asparagus in large numbers luxuriate in them. A gzood medium for growing Vegetable Marrows, ridge Cucumbers, &e., is also thus provided. The frames are, moreover, turned to a useful account for Melon and Cu- cumber growing, &e. That the plan is not altogether a new one Iam well aware, but with many, I believe, it has fuiled to give such satisfaction as required; that it is, however, eminently successful with Mr. Bray is evident from the fact that during the seasons of 1869 and 1870 he was awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society three special certificates for forced vegetables ; and again at the same Society’s meet- ing on March Ist, 1871, he was awarded the first prize, the chief merits for which on each occasion lay in the Aspa- ragus. In the present year, at the Society’s meeting on January 17th, Mr. Bray was awarded a cultural certificate (the first presented by the Committee) for forced Aspa- ragus. He also received a first-class cultural certificate at the winter meeting of the Manchester Botanical and Horticultural Society, which was held on the 20th of February. This, in my opinion, is quite sufficient to prove that the system is a meritorious one. Mr. Bray attributes his success to the copious supply of liquid manure which he gives to the beds during the summer months, and to the extra care which he pays to the fermenting material to prevent it from scorching the roots. Asparagus, growing in beds encompassed with a 44-inch brick walls with brick flues underneath, or what are more commonly called pigeon-hole flues, is to be seen in some gardens devoted to forcing purposes; but as a rule these means are unsatisfactory and objectionable, not only on account of the extra expense they cause, but from their liability to get deranged, and therefore to quickly get out of working order, and which cannot very well be rectified without mutilating the beds, consequently it does much damage to the established plants; but with the 9-inch drain-tile system this objection is entirely obviated, as any derangement can be easily set right. Doubtless there are a great many who have some spare lights, with box- frames, at their command who could easily sink the alleys between their established beds to the required depth, and place the drain-tiles beneath them with very little trouble. T hope these remarks will induce some to adopt this practice, and they will, I trust, in return give your readers the benefit of their experience.—THomas Foote, Gardener, Clevedon Court, Somerset. A NEW NEW-ZEALAND DRAGON TREE. Tuts apparently new species of Cordyline or Dracena seems to me to deserve especial attention, its stem at the No. 1262.—Vou. XLVIII , Oup SeRIEs. 440 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTU RE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 5, 1872. top having a tuft of long broad leaves about 6 feet long, in the - manner of a Palm. It produces a larger flower on the panicle than the other species belonging to these genera. It was obtained at first by a gardener residing in this place when on a visit to our west coast gold fields about six years ago. It is now growing in his own cottage garden, and named by him Cordyline Gouldiana, in compliment to his late employer in Canterbury, Mr. George Gould. He states it to be the only _one cultivated here in Christchurch. Ihave not the least doubt that there are, like this plant, still many more treasures in store for us in unexplored parts of our southern and western alps, and in other places elsewhere both in the North and South Islands; more particularly in some parts of the North Island among the Maories, where a Hiuropean foot never trod. Many new additions already, I think, could be made to the number of genera mentioned in “‘ Forster’s New Zealand Kingdom,’ geographically speaking, of our indigenous plants and their whereabouts. Mr. J. C. Bidwell informs us about'this genus in his pamphlet entitled ‘‘ Rambles in New Zealand,” published by Orr & Co,, Gondon, as far back as 1840 or 1841, that“ a Draceena was very common in some places, and grew into a tree 30 feet high and 2 feet in diameter. If this tree could be brought to England it would make quite a new feature in ornamental plantations. There are in all three species which would grow out of doors in England; one of them, a most beautiful species, with the leaves large and striped red and yellow, must be very hardy, as the natives said that the mountain was always covered with snow in the winter. It was growing in a little gully on the very top, where the barometer stood at 25.20 ins., thermometer 45°.” I very often have the pleasure of seeing C. Gouldiana growing in the cottage garden by the roadside. Its leaves are justias long again as those of C. australis and indivisa. Pro- bably the species I am now writing about may be one of the three mentioned by Mr. Bidwell. Cordyline australis is nearly the last relic of New Zealand vegetation we have left on the plains ; it is commonly called the ‘‘ Cabbage Tree”? by Euro- peans. About their hardiness I agree with Mr. Bidwell, for this last winter we had two intensely severe frosts, which scorched all our large Eucalypti, and their green leaves now hang dead on the trees, giving them a very miserable appear- ance. Our native Cordylines sustained no damage. Our large Wattles or Acacias were quite killed in. some places. Mr. Bidwell, in his pamphlet, sums-up our climate better than any author I ever read on New Zealand. He writes :— ‘“My opinion of the climate of New Zealand during the time I was there would be summed-up by the word ‘raw,’ and I eertainly think that rawness is the principal characteristic of the air of that country, not so much, however, in winter as in summer and autumn. i have no doubt there will be quite sufficient heat for any crops which come to perfection in England, and perhaps France, but I do not think the wines, &c., will ever have the richness of those of Spain or Madeira.” We often get four seasons in one day—spring in the morning, about mid-day summer, about 3 p.m. autumn, and at sunset winter. With regard to wines, we have as yet to grow our Vines under glass in cold vineries in this part of New Zealand. Whether scientific botanists at home will .allow the specific name of the Cordyline mentioned to continue I cannot judge. For my own part I consider it is of little real importance what name an object bears, provided it serves to distinguish that object from everything else; still, home botanists may think it bold presumption in a gardener to have done such a thing in this country.—Winir1Am Swaz, Avonside Botanic Garden, Christchurch, Canterbury, N.Z. GLADIOLUS DISHASE. My friend “ W. G. 8.” is too wise by far to be “Ag one That smells a foul-fleshed Agaric in the holt, And deems it carrion of some woodland thing, Or shrew or weasel. ’—(Gare‘h and Lynette.) Nay, he, Limagine, rather thinks this world to, be one vast Agaric, and we ‘‘ petty creatures’’ but the, spores scattered over it. He challenges me on my remarks on the disease of Potato and Gladiolus. He says anybody can tell all about that of the former root, meaning thereby that it is of fungoid character. But with all due deference to my friend’s smell- fungus perceptions, I must take leave to say I still hold to my opinion; for, 1, it is by no means clear that this is not a con- founding of the post hoc and propter hoc. The eruptions on ' the skin in man are not the disease, but the effects of a poison in the system. Cholera, to which he alludes, is a fell disease ; but what is that poison which produces it? The mould on a decaying Apple is not the cause of the decay, but the effect ; so, I take leave to say, you may detect the Potato fungus. But what is it—the cause of the disease or the effect of it? But suppose I take it for granted that it is the cause: how comes it that it has only been known in its virulent form for the last thirty years, although the tuber has been cultivated since the time of Raleigh, and what are the things that cause it? He asks me what is the analogy between the two? I reply, 1st, That in both it seems connected with some atmo- spheric condition rather than with soil; 2nd, that in both the attacks are capricious; and 3rd, that no remedy seems suc- cessful.—D., Deal. SELECT ROSES ATTEMPTED TO BE CLASSED ACCORDING TO THEIR COLOURS. Séinateur VarssE’”’ requires the names of the best three Roses in different colours. This is a very difficult thing to do, because the colour of the same Rose yaries so much according to soil, cultivation, situation, season, and the time of the year, and also the stage of the flower. I will, however, do my best to answer his requisition without strict adherence to the exact number of three Roses of each colour or to the colours named. All Iname are good in growth with good general attributes, unless otherwise stated. Of course they are not of equal merit, but they are good, and adapted to exhibition or garden ornamentation, or both. White—Madame Willermoz, Sombreuil, Acidalie. For garden ornament, Baronne de Maynard, beautiful; Marguerite Bonnet, tinted white, lovely. Blush.—Souvyenir de la Malmaison, Duchesse @’Orléans, Ca- roline de Sansal, Sceur des Anges, Madame Emile Boyau. Silvery Blush.—Baroness Rothschild. For pot purposes, Princess Christian. Flesh.—Madame Audot (Alba). Variegated.—Giillet Parfait, the best, but tender and dwarf grower; Tricolor de Flandre, Madeline. They are all summer Roses and great beauties. Mottled Rose.—la Volupté (Gallica). Buf.—Madame Levet, Tea Rose, good grower and hardy. Orange Yellow.—Gloire de Dijon. Coppery Yellow.—Ophirie, a good wall Rose. Golden Yellow.—Maréchal Niel, the finest of all yellow Roses. Fine Yellows.—Céline Forestier, Triomphe de Rennes, both admirable : it is impossible to overpraise them. Rose Colour.—Perfection de Lyon, Madame Chirard, Gloire de Vitry, Monsieur de Montigny, La Ville de St. Denis, Mons. Woolfield, Duchesse de Morny, Comte de Nanteuil, Baronne Prévost, Madame Boll, Madame Charles Verdier, Marquise de Castellane, Madame Clemence Joigneaux, John Hopper, Felix Genero. Pink.—Marguerite de St. Amand, Comtesse de Chabrillant, Baron Gonella. Salmon Rose.—W. Griffiths, Madame Fillion. Bishop’s Purple.—Madame Jacquier. Lake Red.—Gloire de Ducher, Jean Bart, Le Léon des Combats. Carmine.—Duchesse de Caylus, Lord Herbert, Francois Lacharme. = Searlet.—Duke of Edinburgh, Fisher Holmes, Kean (Gallica). Fine Red.—Madame Victor Verdier, Dr. Andry, Leopold Premier, Prince Leopold (W. Paul), Sénateur Vaisse. Vermilion Crimson.—Maurice Bernardin, Prince de Portia, Madame Julie Daran. » Fine Crimson.—Charles Lefebyre, Alfred Colomb, Marie Rady. All first-rate. 4 ’ Purple—Napoleon (Gallica), Pierre Notting, Triomphe de Paris, Baronne Pelletan de Kinkelin, and Duc de Cazes. _ Maroon or Plum Purple.—Prince Camille de Rohan, Dr. Jamain, Empereur de Maroc. Black 2—The nearest to black at certain stages of the flower, according to atmospheric influences, are Souvenir de W. Wood and Xavier Olio. Blue 2—We have not this colour, but Prince Camille de Rohan, Souvenir de W. Wood, Dr. Jamain, Baron Chaurand assume a bluish tint, described by the French as bleuatre. Pure Slate.—Schismacker (Gallica). Its colour is purple ; it slates on expansion. Crimson and Maroon.—John Keynes, Baron Chaurand. Both December 5, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. A441 are very handsome; the first is large, the second smallish. The latter is one of the best dark colours. Subject to what I haye-said, the selector cannot burn his fingers. The best colours for foul weather are crimson, ma- yoon, and yellow. The light colours soil much in wet weather. Instead of getting heaps of varieties (so called), find out what are good and suitable to your situation, and accumulate those sorts. I have only 1851 Roses here. They are all first-rate and in good condition. One thousand Roses of good sorts, well looked after, will afford more satisfaction than five thou- sand picked at random and neglected.—W. F. Rapcnyrrs. ELECTION OF STRAWBERRIES. [From Communications to the Rey. C. P. Peach.] I senp you the following, which according to my experience, and from my ground, which is of a lightish deep soil on a gravelly subsoil, are the best—viz. In a succession of twelve sorts for large gardens— Early Prolific, Filbert Pine, Vicomtesse Héricart de Thury, | British Queen, Sir Joseph Paxton, La Constante, President, Cockscomb, Scarlet Pine, Frogmore Late Pine, Carolina Superba, Cuthill’s Prince of Wales. In a succession of six, good croppers and to carry well, all having good flavour— ' Early Prolific, La Constante, President, Cockscomb, Scarlet Pine, Frogmore Late Pine. Early Prolific being a seedling of mine, and not: yet being well known, will probably not be mentioned often, but it is quite the best early Strawberry. I hope, however, shortly to introduce a still earlier sort of first-rate quality, which I pro- pose to call Alpha, being as early as Black Prince, which is now useless, except as an early forcer and to preserve. I keep a few plants merely as a test of earliness. As to my new seed- lings, then I have Semper Fidelis, a very large handsome fruit, with a good deal of Queen blood, but very hardy, and an immense cropper. This I calculate to entirely supersede all others for main crop and market purposes. I have also Kn- chantress, which is about a fortnight later than British Queen, and—a great deal to say—better flavoured than that or any other variety, including La Constante and Scarlet Pine. It is of good size, beautiful in colour, and a good cropper. The above have been under observation some four or five years, and I hope next season to get time to go into the subject. I have five or six others of great merit which I must keep back for the present. Thanks to one of my seedlings, Excelsior, I have had ripe fruit in the open up to ten days ago. You will observe I have omitted Dr. Hogg from my lists. For several years running I have found it to be very tender in constitution, one-half the plants dying-off fast from cock- chafer grub; and the fruit, though of excellent quality, is so defective in form, that I do not think it should be admitted into any select list—W. Roprn, Morningside, Kidderminster. I maven resided twenty-two years in France, sixteen of them in the neighbourhood of Fontainebleau, where I had to struggle against soil and insects. My ground there was of a very light hot nature, scarcely 1 foot deep, upon a limestone subsoil. Add to this, scarcity of water, and, above all, the continual trouble of the cockchafer grub, the greatest enemy to Strawberries, and you can form an idea of my love of and perseverance in this culture. I had, however, finally to give it up as a bad job, and removed to Beauvais, where I took an old meadow with_ alluvial soil, and partly stony and wet. Here my pets gave me more satisfaction, inasmuch as I had water plentifully and no grubs, and without that folly—war, would very likely still be there. I found it very uncomfortable to live in France after peace was restored, people becoming more mad from day to day, and resolved to return to my native city, where I now am, and where Strawberry culture is still my favourite oc- cupation. I have here a light sandy loam to the depth of 2to 3 feet upon yellow sandy subsoil; and in spite of the ex- treme drought of the past summer in this country, Iam happy to say that my pets thrive admirably. In making-up the enclosed list, I have taken as a rule to give such sorts as have thus far given equal satisfaction both in light and heavy land. I wish the time had arrived when such valueless kinds as Black Prince, Keens’ Seedling, Elton Pine, and some others were no longer grown; and I firmly believe that a little good will on behalf of gardeners, and a thorough knowledge of improved kinds, will ere long bring about such desired result. It is true Keens’ Seedling has some merits, but I always found it deficient in size except at the first picking, and when fully ripe it will not carry well. You will see my list'is not along one. I might have added others of great merit, but this will come by-and-by. I wish my friend Dr. Roden, of Kidderminster, would send you a list; he is one of the most competent and independent judges, and grows Strawberries to perfection. In one of your previous articles you mentioned Filbert Pine, once a great favourite of mine, and it would still be such if I could grow it in a proper soil—Frrpinanp Guorpr, Eppendorf, Ham- burgh. EARLY KINDS. No. 1 should be Early Prolific (Dr. Roden), unequalled as a first early sort in every respect. Eclipse (Reeve). Vicomtesse Héricart de Thury, synonym of Prince Imperial, and Marquise de! Latour Maubourg. Gweniver (Mrs, Clements, the late wife of the Rev. Dalston Clements). Sir Joseph Paxton (Bradley).—This ought to be at the head if a little earlier; itis, however, quite a gem, and its raiser ought to have a national reward. MIDDLE SEASON. Lucas (De Jonghe). La Constante: (ditto). Carolina Superba (Kitley). James Veitch (Gloede). Her Majesty (Mrs. Clements). Empress Hugénie (Knevett), sometimes misnamed Black Bess. Sir Harry (Underhill), as an annual, a highly improved Keens’ Seedling. Ks Sir Charles Napier (Smith). Souvenir de Kieff (De Jonghe). British Queen (Myatt), or in its place La Chélonnaise or Mr. Radclyffe, which are of the same type. For a variety of colour, Bicton White Pine and La Reine, both pinkish white. LATE KINDS. Belle de Paris, very large and late. little soft. Cockscomb (Royal Gardens). Dr. Hogg, when well grown a grand-Strawberry. Frogmore Late Pine, ditto. Aromatic, new fruit like Filbert, but plant healthier. Rifleman (Royal Gardens), this I should at any rate prefer to Eleanor, which is handsome but sour. If quality is no objection I should grow Salter’s Jucunda instead of Hleanor, whichis quite as late, of the noblest appear- ance, and very large. A noble berry, though a My garden soil is light, and my selection gives those sorts that like-a light dry soil. Prince of Wales (Ingram), and La Constante have spread from this place into all the large gar- dens around me, succeed well in different soils, and are highly valued. I do not care for Lucas ; unless it do better than it has done for the last three years, the next season will be its last here. Sir Joseph Paxton is large and fine, flavour excellent ; it has a large core, which is drawn out with difficulty, to the in- jury of the fruit at times. I consider President the best of the three. But for crop, flavour, hardiness, and continuance in fruiting I decidedly prefer Prince of Wales (Ingram) ; 1t gives an excellent crop from runners, and not one runner will fail to fruit well. It is not oversweet and cloying, but sprightly, fresh, juicy, with a pleasant Pine flavour—just the thing for a hot summer’s day; colour of flesh, bright red—just the thing for preserving. I have taken friends around the garden tasting my various sorts, and the vote has been given to Prince of Wales as the best more than once. Mr. Dean, of the Bradford Nurseries, Shipley, who was frequently engaged as a judge in various shows, used every year to come here and taste the various sorts, as every year [| had, and have, some new kinds on trial. On his last visit he said, ‘If Thad your garden I should grow Prince of Wales, Dr. Hogg, and La Constante, and throw all the rest away.” I fully agree with this choice of three, but then they require special cultivation, particularly the second and third, and it is only here and there that they get it; hence the ery of failure of Dr. Hogg, &c. I find no failure, and gardeners do not like La Constante because it does not grow great large leaves and look well; yet it is the best Strawberry in cultivation taken in all its points—hardy as possible, never fails to fruit; flowers on yery short footstalks, 442 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 5, 1872. always hidden by the leaves, and so always escapes being killed by spring frosts ; fruits in the centre of the plant, hidden from birds, protected from wet, never splashed with soil. Fruit a beautiful colour, most regular in shape, delicious and distinct flayour, comes to table bright and good after forty-eight hours of drenching rain. Plant a moderate but continuous bearer. Being dwarf, it may be planted nearer than others, so 20 yards of La Constante will give a weight of fruit equal to the same extent of other sorts. What other variety will come up to this description of La Constante? It is said to make runners sparingly. I only know my gardener gaye Mr. Dean eight hundred runners of it in one season, besides supplying my own wants. Have you grown Crimson Queen? It is a petted sort, when you can coax it to do well. It gives the most magnificent crop of fruit I ever saw. The richest-flayoured Strawberry I have ever tasted. List of twelve Strawberries— 1. Keens’ Seedling 7. Mr. Radclyffe 2. Sir Joseph Paxton 8. British Queen 3. President 9. Crimson Queen 4, Prince of Wales (Ingram) 10. La Constante 5. Lucas 11. Eleanor 6. Dr. Hogg 12. Elton Pine Best six for amateurs for succession— 1. Sir Joseph Paxton 4. Dr. Hogg 2. President 5. La Constante 3. Prince of Wales (Ingram) 6. Elton Pine The most prolific market garden Strawberry I know is Waite’s Seedling, much grown in Lancashire for this purpose. Wonderful is nowhere beside it. Filbert Pine and Rivers’s Eliza do admirably in clay soils, worthless here. Carolina Superba is valuable in a soil of hazel yellow loam and red sand, where the sand abounds. Best three for general purposes—l, Sir Joseph Paxton ; 2, President ; 3, Dr. Hogg. ‘ My own selection for myself would be—if only three, Prince of Wales, La Constante, Dr. Hogg. If six, add Sir Joseph Paxton, British Queen, Elton Pine.. I like Sir Joseph because of its earliness; I omit President, because I like Prince of Wales better.—C. Marsprn, Vicarage, Gargrave. ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. DECEMBER 4TH. Tuts was the concluding meeting of the year, but instead of being in ‘‘ gloomy December,” from the brightness and fresh- ness of the flowers and their number, one could readily have supposed that it was May. The magnificent group of Orchids from Messrs. Veitch, along with the gorgeous Poinsettias from the same firm, at once rivetted the attention of everyone enter- ing the room, and facing these on the opposite side was another very fine group of plants from Mr. Bull. Class 1 was for twelve Tree Carnations. Of these, Mr. Turner, of Slough, exhibited a splendid- collection both as regards growth and colour, taking the first prize. The varieties were Avalanche, Blanche, Purity, Empress of Germany, and Vestal, white; Rosy Morn, Alice, Princess Christian, and King of the Belgians, rose; Valiant, crimson scarlet; Attila, scarlet-flaked ; and Minerva with rose-picotee markings. Mr. W. Lee, Cross- bush, Arundel, was second; and Messrs. E. G. Henderson, Wellington Nursery, third, with good groups. There was no exhibition in the amateurs’ class for six. For twenty-four Japanese and late-flowering Chrysanthe- mums, Mr. E. Rowe, gardener to Mrs. Lewis, The Rookery, Roehampton, was first with Japanese varieties Madame Chinard, Dr. Masters, and Grandiflora; and of others, John Salter, Miss Mary Morgan, Princess of Teck, Lady Slade, Empress(Anemone), Rey. J. Dix, &c., all of which were very fine. Second came Mr. Douglas with beautiful examples of Grandiflora, Dr. Masters, and Magnum Bonum, Japanese; and of large-flowering kinds Princess Teck, Pink Perfection, and Rev. J. Dix. Mr. Kemp, gardener to D. B. Chapman, Esq., Roehampton, was third. Mr. Hennell, gardener to F. A. Davis, Esq., Surbiton; Mr. Walker, nurseryman, Thame; Mr. Goddard, gardener to H. Little, Esq., Twickenham; and Mr. Clarke, Roehampton, also exhibited. The only collection of hardy evergreens bearing fruit came from Mr. George, gardener to Miss. Nicholson, Putney Heath. It contained well-fruited plants of Pernettya mucronata, P. spe- ciosa, and P. angustifolia, Skimmia japonica, and S. oblata. No collection of Hollies was exhibited except that from Messrs. Veitch, which was shown not for competition. This was, how- ever, one of the finest collections we have ever seen, beautiful in shape as well as in colours.—Waterer’s Golden, Perry’s New Weeping, finely berried ; Small Silver Queen, Silver Queen, both very handsome; Gold Queen, very fine; Weeping Green with semi-pendulous branches, finely berried; Silver Hedgehog, Golden Milkmaid, and Gold with dark shoots, both very effective by their golden variegation ; Ilex tortuosa with contorted leaves, I. ovata, and I. Sheppherdi were also very handsome. An extra prize was awarded. - For nine hardy evergreens of the Yew or Cypress tribe there was likewise no competition, but Messrs. Standish & Co., of Ascot, sent a collection in which there were fine specimens of Libocedrus decurrens, Cupressus Lawsoniana stricta, Taxus adpressa stricta, Retinosporas, and Cephalotaxus Fortunei ro- busta. An extra prize was awarded. The only collection of Herbaceous plants suitable for out-door winter decoration came from Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Son. This was arranged with great taste, and comprised numerous interesting and very ornamental plants, especially some charm- ing little Sempervivums and Saxifrages, Helleborus niger au- tumnalis flore-maximo with very large flowers ; Ferula gigantea, a Fennel-like plant; Daisies, Centaureas, &c. A first prize was awarded. Prizes were offered for pans of the pretty white Roman Hya- cinth (Bellevalia). Mr. Farrow, gardener to G. Batters, Esq., Brigadier House, Enfield, sent three excellent pans, and took the first prize. Mr. Rowe was second, but the plants were not sufficiently forward. The best collection of Endive and other Salading was exhi- bited by Mr. W. G. Pragnell, gardener to G. D. Digby, Esq., Castle Gardens, Sherborne, who had White and’Green Curled Endive, French Moss Curled, Williams’s Gloria Mundi, Digs- well Prize, Staghorn, Green and White Batavian, and Fraser’s Broad-leaved; Cabbage and Cos Lettuce; Mustard, Cress, Ra- dishes, Chicory, Chervil, Celery, Cucumbers, Water Cress, Beet, and Tarragon. Mr. J. Hepper, The Elms, Acton, was second, Mr. W. Earley, Valentines, Essex, third. Prizes were offered by the Messrs. Carter for collections of twelve varieties of vegetables, to include Parsnips, Leeks, Sal- safy, Scorzonera, Carter’s Perfection of Beets, and Carter’s Dwarf Crimson Celery. Here again Mr. Pragnell was first with an excellent collection, in which, besides the stipulated subjects, were Paterson’s Victoria Potatoes, fine White Spanish Onions, large Brussels Sprouts, Walcheren Cauliflowers, and James’s Intermediate Carrots. Mr. Osman, South Metropolitan Schools, Sutton, was second, and Mr. Harley third. Fruir Comnrrer.—G. F. Wilson, Esq., F.R.S., in the chair. M. A. de Biseau d’Hatteville, Secretary of the Society of Agri- culture and Horticulture at Binche, sent some seedling Pears. Of the first of these, named Joséphine de Binche, there were two sets of specimens, one of fruit taken from the parent tree, the other of that from a scion of the original grafted on a Pear stock. The former was the smaller in size, but superior to the latter in flavour. The Pear was highly commended by the Com- mittee, but they did not feel themselves justified in awarding it a certificate, as it had not been grown at home. The second Pear was from a seedling of Bergamotte d’Esperen, of which two specimens were shown, as in the former case. As before, the fruit from the parent tree was the superior, but_it was not so good as to obtain special commendation. The third Pear, a seed- ling from Belle Fleurissienne, and in shape somewhat like Beurré de Rance, passed unremarked, as did the fourth, which was a seedling from Nouvelle Fulvie. Mr. James Lacey, gardener to James Dixon, Esq., Gothen- burg, Sweden, sent the following varieties of Pears :—Joséphine de Malines, Duchesse d’Angouléme, Huyshe’s Bergamotte, Huyshe’s Victoria, Beurré Diel, Beurré Bachelier, Winter Nelis ; and the following varieties of Apples :—Court-Pendu-Plat, Calville Blanche, Golden Reinette, Reinette de Granville, Margil, Golden Pippin, Oid Nonpareil, Reinette de Caux, King of the Pippins, Mannington’s Peramain, Van Mons Reinette. They had all been grown under glass, were of splendid size and beautifully coloured, but for the most part were lacking in flavour. The Committee granted a cultural commendation for the Apples and another for the Pears. Mr. Bye, Hampton Court, Leominster, sent a small seedling Apple. A seedling Melon, called Raby Hybrid, was submitted by Mr. Wescott, of Raby Castle Gardens. Mr. Sage, of the Gardens, Ashridge, sent.a quantity of Tomatoes, which were admired for their fine _ condition. ; Mr. James Taylor, gardener to Mr. R. H. Powell, Maesgwynne, sent a Turnip which he called Cream of the Harlies. It was, however, identified as being the Green-Top Stone. Mr. Richard Dean, Ealing, sent a specimen of the Californian Radish. Two specimens of the Ulm Savoy were shown by Mr. Horley. Mr. Thomas Jones, of the Royal Gardens, Frogmore, exhibited a dish of forced Asparagus. He also sent four Pine Apples, for which he was awarded a cultural commendation. Messrs. Veitch & Sons showed fifteen varieties of Celery. Frorat Commirrer.—W. Marshall, Esq., in the chair. Messrs. Veitch’s splendid group, which has been already alluded to, December 5, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 443 xeceived a cultural commendation. It contained Cattleya exoni- ensis and Dominiana, the first a magnificent variety of this fine hybrid; a fine pan of Oncidium cheirophorum, with numerous trusses of its pale yellow sweet-scented flowers ; the rare Pleione Reichenbachiana, with two flowers on aspike ; Calanthe Veitchii and C. vestita, most useful winter-blooming plants. Messrs. Veitch also sent Aphelandra nitens with handsome, glossy, deep green foliage, and rich orange-crimson flowers; it received a first-class certificate. The same award was made to them for Poinsettia pulcherrima major, of which the purplish crimson bracts are more numerous than iu the old form, and it is doubt- less an improvement upon it. Mr. W. Bull also exhibited a fine group, which had likewise a cultural commendation. In it were Godwinia gigas, with a single dull purple-coloured spathe, the stalk singularly barred and mottled ; Diemonorops palembi- ensis, a handsome table Palm. Also the following, which had first-class certificates—Croton spirale, the leaves yellow, crim- son, and purple, singularly twisted; C. majesticum, a very hand- some species with leaves 15 inches long, mottled and veined with crimson and yellow; and Zygopetalum cerinum, a hand- some species, in which the sepals and petals are greenish white, the lip yellow, the throat barred with maroon. Mr. Clarke, market gardener, Twickenham, sent a fine collec- tion of Cyclamens, which were awarded a cultural commenda- tion. From Messrs. E. G. Henderson came double forms of the same flower, of different colours; not so attractive as the single form, though now that the break has begun no one can predict what a feature they may ultimately become. Mr. A. Forsyth, nurseryman, Stoke Newington, sent Chrysanthemum Mrs. For- syth, a seedling from Christine, with globular white flowers, much larger than those of its parent. Mr. George, gardener to Miss Nicholson, contributed a very pretty collection of cut flowers. From Mr. Turner, Slough, came a fine collection of dwarf standard green-leaved Aucubas, bearing a profusion of berries, together with A. Standishii, with a large head and very showy oblong berries. A cultural commendation was awarded to Mr. J. Jaques, pardener to P. Cunliffe, Esq., Hooley House, Coulesdon, for Ualanthe Veitchii, with two spikes, having two dozen to thirty flowers each, and most lovelyin colour. Mr. Croucher, gardener to J. Peacock, Esa., Sudbury House, Hammersmith, had a first- class certificate for Agave Corderoyii, with light green leaves set with purple spines. Mr. Green, gardener to W. Wilson Saunders, Esq., Hillfield, Reigate, received a second-class cer- tificate for Coliopsis hyacinthosma with waxwork-like white flowers. Messrs. Perkins, nurserymen, Coventry, sent Selagi- nella albo-lineata, which has been exhibited before. COLLETIA BICTONENSIS, C. HORRIDA, AND OTHER AUTUMN-FLOWERING SHRUBS. I am glad that notice is being taken of this very curious plant, and I can endorse all that has been said about it, except- ing its origin, which in some way seems to haye been con- nected with Bicton, but I believe its usual trade name now is C. cruciata. The plant altogether differs so widely from any- thing else that I am acquainted with, that there appears to be little doubt of its being a distinct species. Many years ago I had a plant from Messrs. Osborn, of Ful- ham, a firm famous for hardy shrubs and trees of all kinds. This was named C. bictonensis. It withstood the winter of 1860-61 in a fully-exposed place, but succumbed to that of -1866-67, having flowered more than once between these severe winters. Another plant was procured and planted in the same place, and this is now a sturdy formidable shrub upwards of 7 feet high, and the top covered with flowers, which are at least ten times as numerous as the tiny lanceolate leaves, which an ordinary looker-on might easily fail to see. I do not think it has ever flowered so abundantly as during this season, but it has bloomed on several occasions before. Respecting its suitability for a hedge plant, I fear it does not in all cases grow fast enough; but it is one of the most difficult plants I know to approach, except some of the Cacti, and these, as is well known, will not survive out of doors. Except- dng in 1866-67, I have not seen this plant in the least affected by the cold. C. horrida is also a formidable plant, which I do not remem- ber having seen flower; it is, however, not so remarkable as G. cruciata. The present autumn seems to be favourable to the blooming of shrubs, for I see Aralia spinosa has bloomed also. Might Task if A. japonica and A. spinosa are alike? The difference - with me is so small that I fail to perceive it, both being de- ciduous, with sub-pinnated leaves, the central stalk or midrib of which exceeds 5 feet in length—the largest deciduous leaf I know. A large cluster, or rather umbel, of flowers often ap- pears at the top of the shoots in fine autumns, and such were produced this year. The pretty evergreen species A. Sie- boldii, which has stood out here two winters in a very exposed place without any protection, is also flowering this season. I hope to hear of this shrub being more plentiful, its deep shining green leaves give it a striking appearance. Amongst other autumn-flowering, or partly-flowering, shrubs I find the spikes of Andromeda formosa are not so forward this season as they have been sometimes ; and the same may be said of the Cornish Heath and others of its class. Referring again to hedge plants, might I ask if anyone has tried Maclura aurantiaca (the Osage Orange) for this purpose ? Many years ago Mr. Ridgway, of Fairlawn, in this county, had some hedges of it, and it was at the time strongly recom- mended as a hedge plant, not merely as forming ornamental hedges, which, by-the-by, it has little claim to do, but for- midable fences, for which its sharp thorns fit it well. The plants which I had of it did not seem to ripen the whole of their shoots, thus showing it wanted a hotter summer. A | gentleman visiting here from Canada some years ago, said it made good hedges there, where the severity of the winter was even too much for our Whitethorn; but as a single plant it is rambling and unsightly, and in point of interest, if not also in utility, it falls far short of the two Colletias.—J. Rozson. A wortcre of Colletia bictonensis at page 406 will have re- minded the readers of THe Journau or Horricunture of the not less curious and interesting C. horrida, a specimen of which has been growing here for upwards of ten years, a period suf- ficiently long in connection with attendant circumstances to judge of its merits as a garden plant. It is now about 4 feet high, with a somewhat irregular head of dense clusters or tufts of sharp spines, and anyone, unless covered with a coat of mail or some other impervious protection, would hesitate a long time before attempting to make his way through a thicket composed of this shrub. At bottom the spines have dropped, leaving almost bare the main stem, which is not much unlike that of the common Furze of the same age and size, and branched. The plant is sheltered from the north and east by the house. The earliest growth of the season has generally stood well during the following winter, but the later shoots have been invariably injured more or less by frost, and in seyere weather killed entirely. The suitableness of C. horrida for forming a hedge, as the Editors justly observe of C. bictonensis, is more than doubtful from several causes—its irregular habit, which might, however, to some extent, be regulated by pruning; but the uncertainty attending its capability to withstand the severity of some of our winters, unless in a very sheltered situation, more than counteracts the advantages (if any) of the formidable barrier a hedge formed of this plant would offer to incursions; and even if a row or hedge of it were planted in a favoured situation, the effect of severe weather would render it un- sightly for several months. The dropping of the spines at the bottom would make it utterly fail to keep out small animals, as rabbits, against which an effectual permanent barrier is often a desideratum. As a single specimen it should be re- tained in the garden and shrubbery as a curiosity of vegetation, for the contrast which its peculiar colour would give, and for the botanical interest attached to it—A. H. Kent. EXHIBITING FRUIT NOT GROWN BY THE EXHIBITOR. Was it lawful for exhibitors to purchase fruit for competition at the late International Fruit Show held at Kensington? I intended to exhibit, but declined doing so, owing to a gentle- man, a stranger to me, who declined giving his name, coming to my nursery and inquiring for large Pears. He was search- ing this island over for large fruit, and he told me they were intended for the International Fruit Show. As this was being done, I decided not to show, and sold him my Pears at very high prices. Will you say if fruit thus obtained is eligible for competition ?—Cuarues SuitH, Caledonia Nursery, Guernsey. {In horticultural exhibitions, when no conditions are pub- lished, it is always understood and expected that the subjects exhibited are grown by and are the property of the exhibitors. In exhibitions where there are what are called ‘‘ open” classes, - in which fruiterers and dealers in fruit may compete, it can- not be expected that the fruit they exhibit should be of their own production. As there were no “‘ open”’ classes mentioned A444 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. | [ December 5, 1872. in the schedule of thelate Exhibition at South Kensington, it was presumed that the fruit exhibited was the production of the exhibitor.—Eps.] STRAW MATS FOR COVERING FRAMES. Ty answer to one of your correspondents, I have been accus- tomed to make several of these for the last three years, and I will state the method I adopt as briefly as possible. In the first place I procure a stool or trussle about 3 feet high, and. as long as the mat to be made; I next procure some good wheat straw in the front of this stool, and then I and my man stand behind the stool, each with a bunch of string cut into convenient lengths. I have a boy to draw a small handful of straw and supply me and my man alternately; we then tie it at four differeut places at equal distances apart, but not cutting the string. This done, I take another handful of straw, tie it with the other, and‘so‘on, until the mat is made. When one string is used I take another from the bunch from my shoulder. It may be as well to state that-a notch should be made in the,stool, and every time a tie is made I place the string in this notch, which enables the workman to keep re- with the tying from top to bottom. I find that these mats with a little care last from two to three winters. Care should be taken to have them thoroughly dry before they are rolled- up in fine weather.—H. Moors, Old Windsor. In answer to “R.,’ I will describe the way I make them. Procure some rods as straight as you can—a stout beanstick would do if nothing else were at hand. Make the length you require your mat, then make fast some large common tar twine 6 inches apart the whole length of your rod; next lay the rod on the potting-bench, and then drive some nails the same distance apart the farther side of the bench, and strain the strings to them. With some’small tarred twine make fast to the rod atthe same places as the others. We are now ready for laying on the straw ; some wheat sheaves with the ears cut off are the best. Now draw a dozen straws or so from the sheaf, and lay alongside the rod on the large strings, and then with the smallerpass over the straw, draw underneath the. large ones, and draw up tightly; your straw is then fixed between the two strings. Go along the length of the rod, and commence again, and so continue till you get to the nails, and then, if not wide enough, let loose the strings and strain as before till you have the desired width. Fasten another rod on the ends of the string, and then you have a neat mat to roll up and carry about at will. Mats may be made without rods, but I prefer those with rods. I first saw them made at Mr. Ivery’s, at Dorking. They are there made by simply drawing the straw from the truss and raking if smooth with the head of an old iron rake as itis drawn.—C..H. Taxsor, Gardener, Spring House, Midhurst. GLADIOLUS CULTURE. Aone with the many lovers-of the Gladiolus, I have taken a deep interest in the recent correspondence on the above subject in this Journal. Some of your readers may have had longer experience, but I very much question whether any of them have a warmer attachment for, or take a greater interest in the cultivation of that-noble flower than your present corre- spondent. Unfortunately in its cultivation, before the end of all our care can be attained, there are many and mys- terious difficulties to contend with; our best-laid pians are frequently thwarted, and where only health and heau‘y are expected, and certainly deserved, it far too often happens that a few sickly-looking leaves and a poor, shrunk, undesirable bulb are all that is left to recoup—sinking the labour—a very considerable expense. : My stock this season consisted of seven hundred bulbs, and I certainly never grew them previously with corresponding satisfaction, or took so many or such valuable prizes; but fortune with good named varieties having well-nigh driven me to despair, I this season relied principally on the seedling bulbs brought out by Mr. Cannell, of the Woolwich Nurseries, and which, I suppose, are raised by E. Banks, Esq. When I got them they were to some extent spotted, but after taking the greatest part of them up-I have not yet seen one spotted bulb amongst them, and was about to remark, neither have I amongst the named varieties; but I find on a further in- spection that some of the latter are spotted, but up to the present time there is not one such as far as I see amongst the seedlings, which are sound and plump, in fact the best I ever harvested. I have entirely discarded potting, but when this system is resorted to the pot ought never to be less than 6-inch, and then, never minding the height of the spike, the plant ought to be planted out before the roots touch the sides, as without ‘question it is better not to deter their spreading. I once re- commended the mixing of silver sand with broken charcoal to surround the bulb, which answered well, but nowI use nothing but common river-side sand for the purpose, and am not certain that it is of any material advantage. Independent of known diseases, unquestionably bulbs degenerate, and without their being spotted, the spike keeps getting unmistakeably less. This is the most disheartening circumstance that at- tends -them, and, consequently, that to which we ought to devote all our efforts. I have been able to turn brown foliage “green, but not to grow the spikes so well after the first year of their being imported. Ihave many times this season wondered, and occasionally, without getting an answer, asked the question, “Do the French cut their spikes?’ Next year for my own satisfaction, and as I never cared to keep secrets, and for any other lover of the Gladiolus, I intend to plant side by side the bulbs from cut and uncut spikes. I believe our frequent cutting is one great cause of de- generation. I once thought that ‘‘ inferior bulbs after being killed” were mixed and sent out, but I am now, after greater experience, rather more dubious about that opinion. I believe that fresh soil from the turf heap is more suited to their nature. When they turn brown it will be found that they have few if any healthy rootlets. By pulling them through your fingers the skin by disease slips off as it does off a mouse’s tail. This is the most important disease I have hitherto had to contend with, and the best remedy for which— and seyeral times the efiect has been most magical—is, as I have before advised, a strong mixture of nitrate of soda. I dug some into the soil last autumn, and some I used in water, but I am strongly convinced that I have frequently used too little, ‘‘ never too much.” A proper box to grow them inis also a matter of great import- ance. My own conirivance is simple, I do not think there is any better; and if ‘‘ D.” of Deal, Mr. Banks, or you, Messrs. Editors, will accept of one as a present, I shall only be too happy to send it, including glass prepared for the purpose. Of the same seedlings I am anxiously expecting a letter to say that I am thus next year to have one thousand, and I strongly impress upon all to get a few ‘imported’ bulbs of the best grown, and then back-up with English-raised seedlings. My own—that is, those spoken of, in many instances have been superb, one pure white especially, or with only a very thin streak of scarlet. around the'throat. I appeal to all who saw it in the winning stand at-the-Hetton Horticultural Show if it was not the best white bloom they ever saw; in fact, the three first stands. were decidedly the best set I have seen this season. My stand at Bishop Auckland second to the Rey. Lord Hawke was very second-rate, as were all the rest, save those of his lordship. The bottom bloom of the seedling measured 5} inches in diameter as it hung on the spike, and unfortunately it was. exhibited under a great disadvantage, as the second bloom through my own carelessness never opened. I sometimes practise wrapping a piece of bass around the bottom blooms to keep them back, and in this instance it had got slipped back and hid from view, and before detected the bloom had spent its strength and never opened. Should any other grower of Mr. Banks’s seedlings, or that gentleman have one similar, T should be glad if they would give the name I have thought. about, or at any rate let us give to one variety one name. This season I grewmy Gladioli where I had previously grown Dahlias, on ground the fourth season after been broken-up, and gave no manure, but I believe cow manure is the best. I should like to have had a word or two more on the same subject, had I not been held back by a pledge, but next year, possibly ‘‘)., Deal,” or Mr. Banks will devote one corner to a. plan they will otherwise hear of.—J. WitHERSsPooN, Chester- le-Street, Durham. HISTORY OF COVENT GARDEN MARKET.. No. 2. Tue disgraceful nuisances and the mere sheds and stalls occupied by the retailers continued during the first quarter of the present century. But during that period the great increase of the metropolitan population and wealth not only made the complaints of both vendors and purchasers more commandg attention, but the managers of the Bedford estate saw that its interests urged improvement. i Although fruits and vegetables were sold in the Borough, Farringdon, Portman,-and Spitalfields markets, yet more were - December 5, 1872..] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE . AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 445 sold in Covent Garden, or ‘‘ The Garden,’’ as costermongers term it, than in all the others united; and it was known that | there was a growing inclination among the higher classes per- sonally to make purchases, and if that taste was fostered by making the market more attractive, the tenants would be em- powered to pay higher rents, for more and wealthier pur- chasers would be tempted thither. The improyed shops and colonnades were consequently erected, and now in the centre row alone five florists, one fruiterer and florist, two seedsmen, and fourteen fruiterers have shops, and each of the twenty- two pay an average rental of £100 annually. There are forty- seyen fruit and vegetable salesmen in the fruit and long markets, and nine Potato salesmen in the south row, and a far larger number of vendors of fruits and vegetables in the shops and stalls under and about the exterior colonnades. Before incurring the large expenditure needful for construct- ng market worthy of the metropolis, the Duke of Bedford wisely had it determined whether he could increase the tolls. By the grant of Charles II. the Earl of Bedford was empowered to hold a market in Covent Garden, and to receive the ac- eustomed dues and tolls to such market belonging, but not specifying the tolls the opinion was that no tolls could be recovered at common law. This opinion was sustained, but under a subsequent Act of Parliament giving the owner of the market power ‘‘to take all such tolls as were usually taken or collected, or which were payable within the market,’ the Court of Common Pleas decided that the Duke was entitled to recover such tolls as were usually paid in any part of the market, although they varied on the same articles in different parts of the market (Bedford (Duke) v. Emmett, 3 B. & A. 366). Thus assured of remuneration, the Duke proceeded in the work of reformation. The market occupies rather less than two acres, its length from west to east being 326 feet, and its breadth from north to south 248 feet. In 1827, a plan was submitted to the Duke of Bedford by Mr. Fowler, and exhibited at Somerset House in the same year. A model was soon afterwards formed from this plan, and exhibited to all those interested in the market. The ground plan of this design, which was engraved in 1827, exhibits three parallel buildings, each surrounded by an open equal to those of old times. With rare exceptions they were not a good chss. The Spangled birds were very good, but in them we preferred the Golden to the Silver. The Polands were sufficiently numerous to bring twenty-three pens into the prize list, and were equal to anything we ever saw. We would especially name the Silver and the Black with white tops. They were perfect in clean-cut markings, and in the size and colour of their top-knots. In the Various class there was not the usual collection of novelties. The La Fléche, which for some years have had a class to themselves, have now returned to this refuge for the destitute, and two of them took a first prize. The second went to a very good pair of Silkies. It is difficult to say more for the Game than that they were a show of themselves. Every variety seemed bent on distinguish- ing itself. The first-prize Black Red, Brown Red, and Duck- wing were such as might give the world assurance of what a Game cock should be. But there were not wanting some that were ridiculous, inasmuch as they had more of the Malay than Game in them, and had as much pretension to one as to the other class. Exhibitors of such did not confine themselves to cocks, but showed pullets in numbers presenting the same un- deniable proof of the cross. It would be hard to say which was the best bird, but we should be disposed to take the Black- breasted Red birds that took the cup and first prize. The Duck- wings were numerous, and showed signs of improvement. Our old favourites, the Gold and Silver Sebrights, can make but a poor show with two colours mixed in one class. The Black, ‘White, and Game have overrun them. The latter especially form very numerous classes, and show almost as many varieties as their larger brethren. The Rouen Ducks have quite eclipsed the Aylesburys—fifty- one pens of the former to fourteen of the latter. The Rouens. are also the heavier. There were pairs of birds that weighed more than 22 lbs. the pair. An average may be taken at from 7lbs. to 8lbs. each bird throughout the class. Mr. Robertson Gladstone’s first-prize birds weighed 19 lbs. 10 ozs., and he had another pair 2 ozs. heavier. Mr. S. Burn’s weighed 22lbs. 2 ozs. Mr. Fowler’s Aylesburys weigh 18 lbs. 12 ozs. The Black Ducks were, perhaps, the best show of the breed that has ever been seen. Small size, beautiful plumage, and perfect symmetry, were the characteristics of the class. Exhibitors in these classes must bear in mind these are all birds of feather; and although great weight is looked for in the Rouens and Aylesburys, and diminutive size in the East Indian, yet important as these points may be, they can only be successful when allied to perfect plumage. The comparatively new classes for Ornamental Waterfowl are become a great success, and bid fair to form one of the most at- tractive classes in the Showy. Nothing could exceed the beauty of the Carolina and Mandarin Ducks. Twenty-two pairs of them were shown. But there were also Casarkas, Bahamas, Teal, Whistling Ducks, Sheldrakes, Call Ducks, and others. The Geese were very large and meritorious, but their weight did not exceed those of former years, nor did the entries. Mr. J. K. Fowler sent a pair of White Geese weighing 56 lbs. 2 ozs., ~ and his prize birds of the present year weighed 50 lbs. 2ozs., and his Grey and Mottled 53 lbs. Turkeys increase yearly, and their weights bid fair to go on till the supposed tables of former times become the sober facts of our days. On this occasion one cock from Mr. Lythall weighed 38lbs. 5o0zs., and a bird of this year 29 lbs., while two hens weighed 32lbs. Mr. F. E. Richardson’s first-prize hen weighed 323 lbs., while one of the present year from Mr. Lythall weighed 31lbs. We were sorry to see the pure American is dis- appearing, being merged in the Cambridgeshire. Many of the best birds shown were a cross between these breeds. The Pigeons will be reported on in our next. Dork1NnGs (Coloured, except Silver-Grey)—Cocks.—1 and Cup, W. H. Deni- son, Woburn Sands. 2, J. Longland, Grendon. 8 and 4, N. Russell, Bas- church, Salop. hc, H. Yardley, Birmingham. Dorxinas (Coloured, except Silver-Grey).—Cockerels.—1, 2, and 8, Mrs. Ark- wright, Chesterfield. 4, Mrs. E. Wheatley, Ingatestone. 5, J. Longland. 6, J. Copple, Prescot. he, Mrs. E. Wheatley (2); key. J.G. A. Baker, Biggleswade (2); J White, Warlaby, Nothallerton; Miss Whittington, Henley-in-Arden ; R. D. Holt, Windermere; J. Drewry, Burton-on-Trent; E. Fearon, Whitehaven. c, E. Miles, Tenbury ; N. Russell (2); Rey. J. G. A. Baker. Dork1nGs (Coloured, except Silver-Grey).—Hens.—l, R. W. Beachey, Fluder, Kingskerswell. 2, Mrs. E. Wheatley. 8 and4, J. White, Warlaby, Northaller- ton he, Miss Fairhurst, Ormskirk ; Colonel Lane, Bracknell; J. Copple; Mrs. E. Wheatley. $ DorxrnGs (Coloured, except Silver-Grey).—Pullets.—1, Mrs. Arkwright. 2and 5, Mrs. E. Wheatley. 8, Miss Davies, Chester. 4, R. W. Beachey. 6,J.Copple. he, Colonel Lane; J. Copple; Mrs. E. Wheatley (2); Miss Davies; Miss Whit- tington. ‘ DorxrnGs (Silver-Grey).—Cocks.—1, R. D. Holt. 2, W. H. Denison. Dorxines (Silver-Grey) —Cockerels—l, R. D. Holt. 2, H. Yardley. he, J. Horton, jun., Shirley (2); R. D. Holt. c, Lady Bagot, Rugeley. DorxinGs (Silver-Grey).—Hens.—l, W. W. Ruttlidge, Shortend, Kendal. 2, O. E. Cresswell, Bagshot. he, T. Raines, Stirling. c, Countess of Dartmouth, Patshull, Albrighton; Lady Bagot. Dork1nGs (Silver-Grey).—Pullets—1, Countess of Dartmouth. 2, R. D. Holt. he, O. E. Cresswell. f Dorxrna@s (White).—Cocks —1, J. Robinson, Garstang. 2, J. Choyce, Ather- stone. he, @. F. Cresswell; J. Robinson. c, Miss Fairhurst. Dorxinas (White).—Cockerels.—1, Mrs. Hayne, Fordington, Dorchester. 2, O.E. Cresswell. ic, Countess of Dartmouth Rey. F. Tearle, Newmarket (2); J, Watts, King’s Heath, Birmingham. c, Miss Fairhurst. ‘ December 5, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 455 DorxkinGs (White).—Hens.—l, J. Robinson. 2, 9. E.Cresswell. he, J. Choyce Rey. k’. Tearle Donrktxas (White).—Pullets.—1, J. Robinson. 2,0 E. Cresswell. Oliver, Toweester; Countess of Dartmouth; J. Choyce- Cocuts-Cuina (Cinnamon and Buff).—Cocks.—1 and Cup, W. A. Taylor, Man- chester. 2, H. Lacy, Hebden Bridge 8 and 5, H. Tomlinson, Gravelly Hill. Birmingham. 4, Mrs. Allsopp, Worcester. -he, Lady Gwydyr, Ipswich; T. Stretch; J. Bloodworth, Cheltenham; W. A. Burnell, Southwell; Mrs. All- sopp; R. White, Shirebrook, Sheffield. c, W. A. Taylor; R. White. Cocutn-Cuina (finnamon and Buff) —Cockerels.—1, Cup, and 6, W. A. Taylor. 2,Mrs.AUsopp. 38, H. Tomlinson. 4, Lady Gwydyr. 5, W. A. Burnell. he, Lady Gwydyr (2); H. Tomlinson (3); Mrs. Allsopp; W. Harvey; H. Lacy; he, Capt. W. A. Burnell (2); Henry Lingwood, Needham Market; W. A. Taylor. c, W. A. Burnell. Cocuin-Cuina (Cinnamon and Bnfi).—Hens.—l, W. A. Taylor. 2, H. Tomlin- son. 8, H. Lacy. 4, Mrs. Woodcock, Le cester. 5, T. F. Ansdell, Cowley Mount, St Helens. he, Henry Lingwood; T. Stretch; W. P. Ryland, Erding- ton (2); Henry Lacy. c, H. Lloyd, jun., Handsworth, Birmingham. Cocutn-Cutna (Cinnamon and Buff).—Pullets.—l, 4, and 6, W.A. Taylor. 2, Lady Gwydyr. 8, G. H.-Procter, Durham. 5, R. Allen, Shimdda Hir, Towyn, Conway. he, Lady Gwydyr; W. Harvey; J. Cattell; T. Stretch; E. Fearon, Whitehaven; D. Young, Leamington; Mrs. Allsopp; C. Bloodworth, Chelten- | ham. c, k. Chase; J. Cattell; H. Tomlinson. Cocurn-Cuina (Brown and Partridge-feathered).— Cocks.—1 and 8, T. Stretch. 2,W. A. Taylor, Manchester. hc, R. White; H. Lacy. c, E. Tudman, Ash Grove, Whitchurch. Cocain-CHina (Brown and Partridge-feathered).— Cockerels—1 and 2, E. Tudman. 8, W. A. Taylor. hc, G. Lamb, Compton (2); R. White; J. Taylor, Birmingham; W.A. Taylor; E. Tudman. c,J. Brown, Kegworth, Derby. CocuHiy-CHINna (Brown and Partridge-feathered).—Hens.—1 and 3, E. Tudman. 2,T. Stretch. he, W. A. Taylor. Cocutin-Curna (Brown and Partridge-feathered) —Pullets—1, E. Tudman. 2, T. Stretch. 8, W.A. Taylor. he, G. Lamb. Cocnuiy-Cutna (White)—Cocks—l, Whitehead & Beachey. Fluder, Kings- kerswell. 2and8, R.S. S. Woodgate, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells. Procter, Durham Cocuin-Cuina (White).—Cockerels.—l, Whitehead & Beachey. 2, H. Tomlin- son, Gravelly Hill, Birmingham. 2,E. Smith, Timperley he, R. S. S. Wood- gate; J. H. Law, Small Heath, Birmingham; Whitehead & Beachey. c, Miss Hales, Canterbury. Cocuin-CuHina (White).—Hens.—1 and 2, R. S. S. Woodgate. 8, J. Railton, he, E. Fearon, Whitehaven. c, A. J. E. Roseland, Fallowfield, Manchester. Swindell, Heathland, Stourbridge. Cocutn-Cutva (White). — Pullets —1, Mrs. Williamson, Queeniboro’ Hall, Leicester. 2. R. S.S. Woodgate. 8, R. Chase, Birmingham. hc, E. Fearon; Whitebead & Beachey (2); J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury. c, J. Bloodworth, Cheltenham. Brana Poorra (Dark).—Cocks —1, G. Maples, jun., Wavertree. 2, Rev. J. G. B. Knight, Danbury, Chelmsford. 8, W. Arkwright, Sutton Scarsdale, Chesterfield. he, W. Hargreaves, Huttock Top, Bacup; H. Lacy. c, T. F. Ansdell; I. Nutsey, Alford. BrauMa Poorra (Vark).—Cockerels—1, Cup, and 4, L. Wright, Crouch End, London. 2, Hon. Miss D. Pennant, Bangor. 8, H. Lacy. 5,G. Palfreyman, jun., Heeley, Sheffield 6, H. B. Morrell, Cae Mawr, Clyro. hc, Mrs. Wood- cock; L. Wright; &. Ensor, Alfred Hill, Bristol; Horace Lingwood (2); H. Tomlinson; K. B. Wood, Uttoxeter; F. Bennett, Shifnal, Salop ; Hon. Mrs. A. B. Hamilton, Ridgmont, Woburn; E. Leech, Rochdale; H. P. Moor, Oxleigh, Stoke Gifford, Bristol; Countess of Haddington, Coldstream; Dr. Holmes, Whitecotes, Chesterfield. c, H. Lacy; Rev. J. Richardson, Sandy Rectory, Beds; Dr. Holmes; Countess of Haddington: Lady Gwydyr. Brauma Poorra (Dark).—Hens.—1 and 2. T. F. Ansdell. 8, J. Watts. he, H. B. Morrell; H. Lacy; W. Hargreaves, Huttock Top, Bacup. c, L. Wright; E. Pritchard, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton; Mrs. Arkwright. Brauma Poorra (Dark). — Pullets —1, Mrs. Arkwright. .2, W. Arkwright 8,T. F. Ansdell. 4, H. B. Morrell. 5, R. Teebay, Fulwood, Preston. 6, G. Jones, Goldthorn Hill, Wolverhampton. he, W. 6. Etches, Whitchurch (2) ; Co). Lane, Lilly Hill, Bracknell; G. Maples, jun., Wavertree, Liverpool; Dr. Holmes; R. Teebay; Countess of Haddington (2). c, H. Beldon, Goitstock, Bingley; Hon. Mrs. A. B. Hamilton, Ridgmont, Woburn; Horace Lingwood; E. Kendrick, jun., Lichfield. BrauMma Poortra (Light).—Cocks.—1, Mrs. Williamson. 2, H. M. Maynard. 8, Mrs. D. T. Turner, Avon, Ringwood. he, W. T. Storer, Shutt Green, Brewood; J. Benton, Erdingtoo. Brauma Poorra (Light).—Cockerels —1, F. Urook, Forest Hill, London. 2, W.T. Storer. 3, L. H. Ricketts, Banwell 4, C. Morris, Holmleigh, Grassen- dale. he, Mrs. Allsopp, Hindlip Hall, Worcester; W.T. Storer; T. A. Dean, Marden; J. Rocke, Aston-on-Clun, Salop; J. Benton; Countess of Hadding- ton; M. Leno, Markvate Street; J. R. Rodbard, Aldwick Court, Wrington, Bristol; H. M. Maynard; F. Crook. c, R. Fulton, London; W. T. Storer. Bragma Poorra (Light)—Hens.—l, J. R. Rodbard. 2, Lady Gwydyr. 3, F. Crook. hc,M.Leno. c, F.J. Cotterell, Beechfield, Birmingham. Brauma Poorra (Light).—Pullets—1, F. Crook, 2, Countess of Haddington. 8, Mrs. Williamson. 4, T.A.Dean, Hereford. he. Countess of Haddington (2) ; C. Morris (2); J. Benton, Erdington, Birmingham; F. J. Cotterell; Mrs. Will amson; Rev. J. Ds Horsted .c, H. Langman, Wolverhampton; H. M. May- nard, Holmewood, Ryde, Isle of Wight; W. P. Dewes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Matay.—Cock.—l, Rev. A. G. Brooke 2, W. B. Payne, Shrewsbury. Matay.—Cockerel —1, R. Hawkins, Sunderland. 2, Rey. A. G. Brooke. Matay.—Hen.—1, W. Lort, King’s Norton. 2, Rev. A. G. Brooke. he, W. B. Payne; W. Lort. Mazay.—Pullet.l, R. Hawkins. 2, W. B. Payne. - re Creys-Ceur.—Cock—l, E. Smith, Timperley. 2, R.B. Wood. he, H. Feast, wansea. CreVE-C@ur.—Cockerel.—1 and2, R. B. Wood. he, Miss Mortimer, Rudhall, Ross; J. Kk. Fowler. c, E. Pritchard, Tettenhall. Creve-Caeur.—Hens—1, W. R. Park, Melrose. 2, R.B. Wood. he, W. Dring, Faversham. c, Rev.C.C, Ewbank. - CrevE-CeurR.—Pullets—1 and 2, R. B. Wood. 2, J. K. Fowler. c, Rev. J. Richardson. _ Houpans.—Cocks.—1, R. B. Wood. 2 and he, W. O. Quibell. Houpans.—Cockerels.—], R. B. Wood. 2, W. Cutlack, jun, Littleport. he. Mrs. Whinfield, Worcester; F. Bennett. Shifnal, Salop; B. Heald, Nottingham; C. Morris, Grassendale. c, W. O. Quibell. Hovpans.—Hens.—l, C. Morris. 2, W. O. Quibell. he, Rev. C. B. Rowland; ¥. Bennett; R. B. Wood. Hounans.—Pullets.—_1, W. Dring. 2, D. Lane, Hardwick. he, D.Lane; W. O. Quibe!l; B. Heald, Nottingham ; R.B. Wood. c,J. K. Fowler. Sp\nisH.—Cock.—Cup, E. Jackson, Finchfield, Wolverhampton. 2 and c, Hon Miss D. Pennant. SpaNisH. — Cockerels.—1, A. Mollons, Standiford, Wolverhampton. 2, W. Wooley, Bunbury, Tarporley. 3, E. Jones, Clifton. 4, R. Teebay. 5, Hon. Miss D. Penuant. 6, A. Jones, Stapleton, Bristol. he, J. Walker, Standiford, Wolver- ‘hampton; Hon. Miss D. Pennant; F. Cooper, Hanley. c, Mrs. Allsopp; E.Jack- son; J.H Raby, Stourport. : 2 Spanisu.—Hens.—1l, E. Jackson, 2, Mrs. Allsopp. 3, Mrs. Tonkin, Bristol. he, H. Beldon; R. Teebay. SpanisH.—Pullets—l, R Teebay. 2and3,E.Jones. 4, A. Mollons. HampurcGus (Black).—Cocks.—1, N. Marlor, Denton, Manchester. 2, H. Beldon. 3, Rev. W. Serjeautson, he, Duke of Sutherland, Trentham Hall, Stoke-on-Trent ; Rev. W. Serjeantson. © Hamporcus (Blaek).—Hens or Pullets.—1, H. Beldon. 2, Rev. W. Serjeantson. $,S.Shaw. hc, J. Moore, Bingley. = he, G. H. | Hampurcus (Golden-pencilled)—Cocks.—l, Duke of Sutherland. 2, J. Holt, Middleton. 8, C. Bloodworth, Cheltenham. c, J. Preston. HamburGus (Golden-pencilled).—Hens or Pullets.—1, W. R. Park, Melrose. 2and8,H Beldon. hc, W. R. Park; C. Bloodworth. Hampureus (Silver-pencilled).—Cocks —Cup, H. Beldon. 3. T. Hanson, Keighley. hc, Duke of Sutherland. HampurGus (silver-pencilled).—Hens or Pullets.—1, Duke of Sutherland. 2, J. Robinson, 8, H. Beldon. HamBurGus (Golden-spangled).—Cocks.—1, 8, and c, W. A. Hyde, Hurst, Ashton-under-Lyne. 2, Duke of Sutherland. 4, Burch & Boulter. hc, Duke of Sutherland; J. Buckley. » Hampureus (Golden-spangled).—Hens or Pullets.—1, Countess of Tankerville. 2and 8, J. Backley. 4, W. A. Hyde. he, E. Brierley; N. Marlor. c, E. Brierley ; Duke of Sutherland. n HamBuRGHs (Silver-spangled).—Cocks—1 and Cup, H. Beldon. 2,J. Fielding, Newchureh. 8,G. & J. Duckworth, Church. 4, W. McMellon, Glossop. he, Rey. H. Buckston, Hope, Sheffield; Ashton & Booth, Broadbottem, Mottram. c, W. R. Park, Melrose. Hampureus (Silver-spangled)—Hens or Pullets—1, Duke of Sutherland. 2 and4, H.Beldon. 8, Ashton & Booth. The class commended. PouisH (Black with White Crests) —Cocks.—1, S. Shaw. 2, H. Beldon. T. P. Edwards, Lyndhurst; P. Unsworth. c, T. P. Edwards. PoutsH (Black with White Crests) —Hens or Pullets.—1 and 2, S.Shaw. he, Mrs. Procter, Hull; T. P. Edwards (2). ; " Poutsu (Golden).—Cocks.—1 and Cup, G. C, Adkins, The Lightwoods, Bir mingham. 2, P. Unsworth. he, H. Beldon. Pots (Golden).—Hens or Pullets—1 and 2, H. Beldon. he, Mrs. Potter, East Court, Cheltenham ; P. Unsworth. . Pouisn (Silver),—Cocks.—1 and 2, G. C, Adkins. ; PouisuH (Silver).—Hens or Pullets.—1 and he (2), G. C. Adkins. 2, H. Beldon. ANY OTHER VaRIETY.—1l, Rey. N. J. Ridley, Newbury. 2, R.S.S. Woodgate, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells. 3, A. Da by, Bridgnorth. he, Rey. J. N. H. Thorp, Macclesfield; C. F. Montrésor, Herschells. Slough. c, W. Simp3on, jun., West Farms, New York, America; Dowager Countess of Aylesfora, The Bury, Leamington ; Countess of Dartmouth; G. Burnell. GAME (Black-breasted Reds).—Cocks.—l, Cup, and Extra, S. Matthew, Stow- market. 2,J. Douglas, Clumber. 3, C. Chaloner, Whitwell, Chesterfield. 4, Capt. Beck, Guilsfield, Welshpool. : Game (Black-breasted Reds).—Cockerels.—l, E. Aykroyd, Eccleshill, Leeds. 2,S. Matthew. 38, E. C. Gilbert, Penkridge. 4, G. Bagnall, Draycot. 5, J. Forsyth, Wolverhampton. hc W. J. Pope, Biggleswade; J. Mason, Worcester ; C. Chaloner; J. Forsyth; J. Fletcher, Stoneclough. c, E. Clavey, Burton-on- Trent; W. E. Oakeley, Atherstone; W.J. Pope; G. Bagnall. : Game (Black-breasted Reds).—Hens.—l, W. J. Pope. 2, C. W. Brierley, Middleton, 8, E. Aykroyd. hc, S. Matthew. Game (Black-breasted Reds).—Pullets —1, W. E. Oakeley. 2, W. J. Pope. 8, E. Aykroyd. 4, G. F. Peach, Wellington, Salop. 5, J. Forsyth. he, D. Harley, Rose Bank, Edinburgh; W. J. Pope (2); J. Fletcher; W.E. Oakeley ; T. P. Lyon, Liverpool. Game (Brown and other Reds, except Black-breasted).—Cocks.—1, T. Mason, Green Ayre, Lancaster. 2, W. H.L. Clare, Twycross, Atherstone. 3, T. Bur- gess, Burleydam, Whitchurch. 4, J. Wood, Wigan. 5, E. Aykroyd. GaME (Brown and other Reds, except Black-breasted)—Cockerels.—l, S. Maithew. 2, T. Mason, Green Ayre, Lancaster. 3, J. Fletcher. 4, C. W. Brierley. 5,J. Cock, Worcester. hc, W. Dunning, Newport, Salop; E. Mann, Stand, Pilkington; C. Minors, Sudbury. Game (Brown and other Reds, except Black-breasted).—Hens.—1 and 2, "Te Burgess, Whitchurch. 8. W. Boulton, Dalton-in-Furness. 4,C W. Brierley. Game (Brown and other Reds, excep’ Black-breasted). —Pullets.—1, Ss. Matthew. 2, W. Boulton. 8, T.Burgess. 4,E. Davis, Worcester. 5, T. Mason, Green Ayre. he, J. Wood, Wigan; C. W. Brierley; E. Aykroyd; J, Wood. Game (Duckwings and other Greys and Blues) — Cocks.—1 and Cup, S. Matthew. 2, E. C. Gilbert, eninge 33 aoe Harley. 4,J. Goodwin, Liver- ool. he, C. Chaloner. c, W. Boyes, Beverley. B GaME (Duckwings and other Greys and Blues).—Cockerels._1, J. Mason, St. John’s, Worcester. 2,S. Matthew. 8, Capt. Beck. 4, C. Chaloner. ¢,G. Bagnall; B. Jaryis, Mansfield; J. Fletcher. a, Game (Duckwings, and other Greys and Blues).—Hens.—1, J. Goodwin. 2, s. Matthew. 3, D. Harley. Game (Duckwings, pn other Greys and Blues) —Pullets.—l, J. Douglas, Clumber, Worksop. 2, E. Aykroyd. 8, E. Clavey, Burton-on-Trent. c, E. Aykroyd; W. Dunning ere (Black and Brassy-winged, except Greys).—Cocks.—1, 2, and Cap, C. F. Montresor. Game (Black and Brassy-winged, except Greys).—Hens or Pullets.—1, G. F. Ward, Wrenbury. 2andc¢, E. Kendrick, jun., Lichfield. Game (White and Piles).—Cocks.—1, C. W. Brierley. 2, W. H. L. Clare, Twy- cross, Atherstone. 8, W. Dunning. c, J. H. Salter, Tolleshunt D’Arcy, Kelvedon. Game (White or Piles). —Hens or Pullets.—1, C. W. Brierley. 2, W. Dunning. 8, C. F. Montrésor. ’ Bantams (Gold or Silver-laced).—1 and 3, M. Leno. 2, U. Spary, Markyate Street, Dunstable c¢, U. Spary; M. Leno. _ Bantams (White, Clean-legged).—1 and 2, Rev. F. Tearle. un. A < : Bantams (Black, Clean-lecged)—1, C. F. Herrieff, Banbury. 2, E. Cambridge, Bristol. 8 andhc, W.A.Tayler. 4,R.H.Ashton. c, J.H. Brad well, Southwell. Bantams (Any other variety except Game).—1, Rev. W. Serjeantson. 2, Mrs. Woodcock. Game BanrTams (Black-breasted Reds).—1, Cup, and 4, H. Shumach, South- well. 2, G. Maples, jun., Wavertree, Liverpool. 3. G. Hall, Kendal. 4, W. Straw, Farnsfield, Southwell. hc, T. Sharples, Rawtenstall; J. W. Morris, Rochdale. Game Bantams (Brown and other Reds, except Black-breasted). —1, S. Beighton, Farnsfield, Southwell. 2, E. Newbitt, Epworth. he, G. F. Ward, Wrenbury. c, W. Dunning. GaME iver (Any Oth ere a H.Shumach. 2,R, Brownlie, Towns end, Kirkcaldy. 3. BE. Newbitt. 5 GAME Tanners (Black-breasted and other Reds).—Cocks —1, G. Hall, Kendal" 2, H. Shumach. 3, A. Lockwood, Carden, Chester. 4, T. Sharples. 5, #. New- bitt. he, Capt. Wetherall, Loddington, Kettering; T. Sharples. c, W. C, Phillips, Worcester. Ghar Bantams (Any other variety).—Cocks.—1 and 8, W. L. Mason, Chester- field. 2,G Hall. Ducks (White Aylesbury).—1l and 4, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury. 2, E. Leech, Rochdale. 8, Lady Gwydyr. i ; .—1. , 2, and 8, R. Gladstone, jun., Courthey, Liverpool. eee Whi " 5, S. Barn, Whitby. 6, P. Uns- 4, T. Statter, jun., Whitefield, Manchester. rn Worth. he, 8. Shaw, Stainland, Aalifax; T. Statter, jun. (2); T. Wakefield, Golborne; W. Evans, Prescot; R. Gladstone, jun. ¢, R. Gladstone,jun.; Mrs. E. Wheatley ; W. Evans. Ducks (Black Bast Indian).—1, Cup, and 3, G.S. Sainsbury, Devizes. 4, F. Pittis, jun., Newport, W. Serjeantson ; LD EGE Ruch ardeony; S. Burn (2); G.S. Ha Fordington, Dorchester. Dear > pana H. Mapplebeck, Birmingham. 2, R. Wilkinson, Guildford. Carotina.—l and Cup, Miss E. Brown, Chard. 2, R. Gladstone, jun. he, H. Mapplebeck; J Watts, King’s Feo e Se EEE R. Wilkinson. Catu.—l, R. Gladstone, jun. . Wakefield. Ducks OR Qauwiomve WareRFowL.—1 and 2, M. Leno, Markyate Street, Dunstable. he, R. Was Cos Bee ene 5 se Be sea en GEESE (White).—1 and he, J. K. Fowler. 2, &. 5 GEESE (Wynits).—Goslingset and he, J. K. Fowler. 2,3. Lycett Stafford. 2, J. Robinson. he, he, G. Palfreyman, J. J. Malden, Biggleswade. 2, Isle of Wight. hc, Rev. Sainsbury (2). ¢,Mrs. 456 ee GEEsE (Grey and Mottled).—1 and he, J. K. Fowler. 2, E. Leech. GEEsE (Grey and Mottlea).—Young.—1, J. K. Fowler. 2, J. Lycett, Stafford. he, J. K. Fowler; Col. Lane (2); T. Watson, Coleshill. TURKEYS.—Cocks.—l, F, Lythall, Leamington. 2, W. Simpson, jun. he, Lieut.-Co]. Harrison, Stafford; J. Coxon, Freeford, Lichfield; F. E. Richard- son, Bramshall, Uttoxeter; H. J. Gunnell, Miltun, Cambridge. c, Lady D. H. W. Fitzwilliam, Wellingborough. TuRKEYS —Cockerels.—1 and 2, F. Lythall. he, F. Lythall; T. Watson; W. Mee Wolvey, Hinckley; Mrs. J. Nutt, Fillongley, Coventry; E. Leech; W. ‘ykes. TURKEYS.—Hens —1, F, E. Richardson. 2, Mrs. J. Nutt. TURKEYS.—Poults.—l, F. Lythall, 2, E.Leech. he, H,J. Gunnell; E. Ken- drick, jun. ; J. Nutt; W. Wykes (2); E. Arnold, PIGEONS, = TUMBLERS. — Almond. —1 and 2, R. Fulton. 3, J. Ford, London. he, R. Fulton; J. Ford. c,J. Ford. CarriE#s (Black).—Cocks.—1 and 2, R. Fulton. Birmingham; R. Fulton, Hens.—1, H. M. Maynard, Ryde, Isle of Wight. 2, R. Fulton. he, F. Smith, Selly Oak, Birmingham; R. Fulton. c, W. Siddons, sen., Birmingham. Carrrers (Dun).—Cocks.—1, R. Fulton. 2 and he, W: Siddons, sen. c, H. Yardley. Hens.—1, J.C. Ord, London. 2, H. M. Maynard. c, J. C. Ord; H. Mapplebeck, Moseley, Birmingham. CakrirRs (Any other colour).—Cocks —1 and 2, W. Siddons, sen. he, R. Fulton; J. Watts. Hens.—l, J. C. Ord. 2, W. Siddons, sen. he, R. Fulton. ¢, J: Watts. Carriers (Black)—1, F. Smith. 2 and ¢ (2), W. Siddons, sen. Carriers (Any other colour).—1 and c, W. Siddons, sen. 2, F. Smith. Poutrrs (Red).—Cocks—1, R. Fulton. 2, W. R: Rose, Kettering: Hens.— c, W. Siddons, sen., Aston, land 2, R. Fulton. c. W. R. Rose. Pourers (Blue).—Cocks.—l, Rey. C. C. Ewbank, Biggleswade. 2, R. Fulton. Hens.—1, R. Fulton. 2. Rey. C. C. Ewbank. c, W. Harvey. PouTE?s (Black).—Cocks.—l, Rey. C. C. Ewbank. 2,R. Fulton. Hens.— land 2,W. R, Kose. c, k. Cant, Brompton Road, London; Rev. C: C. Ewbank, PourTeErs (W hite).—Cocks—1 and he, W. R. Rose. 2, R. Fulton. _c, Mrs. Ladd, Calne, Hens—i, R. Fulton. 2, W. R. Rose: c, Mrs. Ladd'(8); H. Pratt, Lozells, Birmingham: Pourers (Any other colour).—Cocks.—l, R. Fulton. 2, Rev. C, C. Ewbank. Hens.—l and 2, R. Fulton. : Barss (Black).—1, H: M: Maynard. 2 and he, R. Fulton. c, H.M. Maynard; H. Mapplebeck. Bakgs (Any other colour).—1, R. Fulton. 2, H. Yardley. c, Mrs. Smith, Sutton Maddock, Shifnal. Bargs (Y oung)—1, F. Smith. 2, H. M. Maynard. he, R. W. Richardson, Beverley. c,J. Ford; J. Peace, Burton-on-Trent. BaLps on BEaRDs.—l, 3, and c (2), W. Woodhouse, Lynn. 2, W. H.C. Oates, Besthorpe, Newark. he. J. Fielding, jun., Rochdale (2); J. Percivall, Peckham (2); R. Fulton; W. Choyce. he, J. Thompson; R. TUMBLERS (Short-faced).—1l and vhe, R. Fulton. 2, R. Cant. he, J. Ford. TouMBLERS (Long-wuffed).—1l, J. W. Ludlow, Birmingham. 2, J. W. Edge, Tyburn, Erdington. he, J. W. Ludlow; H: Yardley. ToUMBL) Rs (any other variety).—1, W. Harvey. 2,J. Percivall. vhe,J.W. Edge. he, J. Watts. Runts.—laud he, T. D. Green, Saffron Walden. 2, H. Yardley. = Jacopins (Ked or Yellow).—l and 2, R. Fulton. he, J. Thompson; - W. E. Easten, Bull: S.Shaw. c, W.E. Easten; H. M. Maynard. Jacoprys (Any other colour).—1, R. Fulton, 2, J. B. Bowdon. he, J. Thomp- son, Bingley; R. Fulton. Fanratis (White)—1l, H. M. Maynard. 2, W. Choyee. 8, Rev. W. Serjeant- son. he, J. F. Loversidge; H. Yardley; Rey. W. Serjeantson. c, Rey. W. Serjeantson ; W. Choyce; J. F. Loversidge. Fanraits (Any other colour).—l and 2, H. Yardley. vhe, W. Choyce. c,J. W. Edge, Tyburn, Erdington. TRUMPETERS (Mottled).—1 and 2, R. Fulton. he, J. Baily, jun., London (2). N Se taoniaR (Any other colour).—1, R. Fulton. 2, W. H.C. Oates, Besthorpe, ewark. Owts (Foreign).—1 and 2, J. Fielding. jun. Owts (English).—1, J. W. Edge, Tyburn, Erdington. 2, W. Binns, Pudsey. ke, S. A. Cooper, Welsall; W. Tedd, Erdington, Birmingham; W. Gamon, Chester (2)._c, S. A. Cooper. Nuns.—l, R. Fulton. 2, R.W.Richardson. 8, H. Beldon, Goitstock, Bingley. he, J. B. Bowdon, Blackburn; H. Yardley; J. Watts, Birmingham. Tursirs (Red or Yellow).—l, 0. E. Cresswell. 2, R. Fulton. he, S. Shaw; J. Fielding, jun. Turgits (Any other colour).—l, S. Shaw. 2, L. H. Ricketts, Banwell. he, J. Peace, Burton-on-Trent; J. Fielding, jun.; S. Shaw. Dracoons (Blue).—1, W. Gamon. 2, H. R. Wright. Birmingham. he, J. Watts, Hazelwell Hall, Birmingham; W. B. Easten ; W. Gamon; F. Graham (2): H. Yardley. Dracoons (Red or Yellow).—l and 2, F. Graham. Fulton; J. Watts; W.H. Mitchell. Dracoons (Silver).—1 and 2, F. Graham. Dracoons (Any other colour).—l, F..Graham. 2, R. Fulton. he, W. H Mitchell; R. W. Richardson. Hig J.B. Bowdon, 2, J. Watts. vhe,H. Yardley. he, Mrs. Daw- 800 (2). AntTweRps (Silver Duns):—1, W. Gamon. 2,H.R. Wright. he, H. Yardley ; W. Van Wait (2): H.P. Ryland, Erdington; H.R. Wright (2); J. W. Ludlow. Axtweres (Blue).—l, W. Gamon. 2, W. Bourne, Shaw Heath. he, W. H. Mitchell; J. Watts. Antwexrps (Red-chequereé).—1 and 2, H. R. Wright. he, W. Gamon (2); W. ourne. ANTWERPS (Blue-chequered).—1 and 2, J. W. Ludlow. he, W. Bourne; W. Gamon; J. W. Ludlow. Antwerps (Homing).—1 and 3, J. W. Ludlow. 2, W. Bourne. hc, W. Van Wart; W. Binns. ARCHANGELS.—1, H, Yardley. 2, W. Harvey. he, J. Thompson ; H. Yardley: S VALCO WE a H. Beldon. 2,H. Yardley. he, Mrs. Dawson; W. Choyce. c, J. Watts. > ANY oTHER NEw or Distincr Varrety.—l and he, J. W. Ludlow. Equal], H. Yardley. 2,Mrs.Dawson. Equal2,H.Beldon. 3 and vhe, J. B. Bowdon. Equal 3,J. W. Edge. c, H. Yardley; J. Thompson. Jupees.—Poultry : My. J. Baily, Mount Street, Grosvenor Square, London; Mr. EH. Hewitt, Eden Cottage, Sparkbrook, Birmingham; Rev. G. F. Hodson, North Petherton, Bridge- water; Mr. J. Dixon, North Park, Clayton. Bradford; Mr. J. H. Smith, Skelton Grange, York; Mr. E. Lowe, Comberford, Tam- worth; Mr. H. Mapplebeck, Woodfield, Moseley, Birmingham. Pigeons: My. H. Weir, 9, Lyndhurst Road, Peckham, London ; Mr. E. L. Corker, Croydon; Mr. F. Esquilant, 4, Effra Road, Brixton, §.; Mr. T. J. Charlton, 62, Trafalgar Street, Bradford, Yorkshire, Exrra Prizn For Brack Has Inpran Ducks.—Permit me to thank the following gentlemen for their promised subscriptions towards a piece of plate for Black Hast Indian Ducks, Class 93, JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. { December 5, 1872. at the Birmingham Show :—F. Pittis, Esq., jun., Isle of Wight, £1 1s.; Mrs. Hayne, Dorchester, 10s. 6d.; Rev. W. Serjeantson, Shrewsbury, 10s. 6d.; Rev. John Richardson, Sandy, 10s. 6d. ; W. E. George, Esq., Bristol, 10s. 6d.; R. S. S. Woodgate, Esq., Tonbridge Wells, 10s. 6d.; J. K. Fowler, Esq., Aylesbury, 10s. 6d. ; G. S. Sainsbury, Esq., Devizes, 10s. 6d. These, with my own half-guinea, make up the five-guinea piece of plate, being, with the first prize, £8 5s. for the winner.—Samu. Burn. CAMBRIDGE POULTRY SHOW. Tuts was held on November 27th and 28th, in the Corn Ex- change, which is well suited for the purpose. Billett’s pens were used, and many of the members of the Committee being true fanciers, the birds were well attended to, and all regulations efficiently carried out. Many of the classes were very heavy, and the quality in most cases was high. : . Adult Dorkings did not compare well with the chickens which won the cup. Buff Cochins were very good; the cup-winners were adults, leaving little to be desired. In the Variety class of Cochins Partridge stood first, with Whites second, but among the chickens the third prize was withheld through want of merit. Light Brahmas, any age, were good, although some of the cocks were slightly tinged with yellow. The corresponding class of the Dark variety contained some excellent pens, and the cup was awarded there. Brahma chickens of any variety were very strong. The first prize was awarded to a handsome pen of Dark, and the second and third to Light. Some of the Game were too coarse, but the winners in all classes were very good. In the class for Red both prize birds were of the Brown variety, and the run for first honours was very close. The third prize went to a very firm-handling Black Red. Duck- wings carried off the cup, the pair being a perfect picture. Second came Piles, scarcely forward in feather, but an excellent pair; the third were Duckwings, in which the only fault was that the hackle of the cock was rather heavily marked. For Game chickens of any colour, Black Red in full bloom were first and Brown Reds second, the latter pen being of rare quality but late in feather. Golden-spangled Hamburghs were fair, the first and second prizes going to pairs composed of cockerel and hen, and the third to young birds. Of Silver-spangled Hamburghs only the winners were noteworthy, though the cup was awarded to a splendid pen of chickens. Gold-pencilled were poor, with the exception of the winners, though these had the proper style of marking. Silver-pencilled were good, but not in numbers. Several pens of Hamburghs were empty. Of Spanish there were only three pens; Messrs. Nicholls’s were very fine. French Fowls were a very good class ; Créve-Cceurs of great merit were first, Houdans second, La Fléche third. In the Variety class Silver Poland chickens were first, and adult birds third, while the second prize was awarded to Malays. Red Game Bantams were very numerous, but many of the birds were poor, heavy tails in cocks and pencilled wings in hens prevailing, though the winners were of fair quality. The first prize went to a grand- styled pair of birds, the only fault in which was a slight dulness of the bar on the cock’s wing; second came Brown Reds, third Black Reds. For Game Bantams of any other colour first camea capital pen of Duckwings, and second and third very good Piles. Black Bantams were a capital class, the cup for the best pen being awarded here. The first prize in the Variety class went to Pekins, the second to White, and the third to Japanese Booted. Both the Selling classes were very large, and there were many cheap birds, the prizes in cocks going to Pile Game, Partridge Cochin, and Light Brahma ; while those for hens or Ducks went to Aylesbury Ducks, Black Red Game pullets, and Cinnamon Cochins. : One class for Ducks completed the poultry section. The first and cup went to Rouens, the second to Aylesburys, and the third to Mandarins. ' Z 3 The Pigeon classes contained some good birds, the Carriers being foremost in that respect, and winning no easy affair. The cup was awarded to a splendid Black cock. In hens the contest was very close between a capital Black shown by Mr. Massey and two Duns by Mr. Metcalfe, all these birds being of the highest merit. Young Carriers were also a very good class, the winners being all Blacks, the first and second hens, and the third. to all appearance a cock of great length of face and strong beak, the only failing being in beak-wattle, which was a lit ile flat. In Pouter cocks a grand Blue of this year took the first prize and cup; Whites were second and third. All the prizes for the hens went to White. Among Almond Tumblers first came a cock, good in head, beak, and eye, and well-broken in feather, the second and third being hens, between which it was no doubt difficult to decide. In the class for Any other variety of Tumblers the prizes were evidently awarded to head, beak, and cye rather than feather, a Red whole-feather being awarded the first prize, an Agate the second, and a Kite the third. Barbs were young and smart, the winners were Blacks. Jacobins were a very good class, and the first-prize pair Yellow, the second December 5, 1872. ] Red, and thethird White. Fantails were good, but not numerous, and the Turbits also good. In thisclass Blacks were first, Silvers second, and Yellows third. In Dragoons there -was a heavy competition, the first-prize Silvers, which have capital black bars, being well worthy of the cup; second came a sound- coloured pair of Yellows, and third Reds. Antwerps were also numerous, the first being Short-faced Red Chequers, the second Long-faced Blue Chequered, and the third Duns. This class might be divided into three, one for Short-faces, with great advantage to the entries. The Variety class contained some good birds; the first were White foreign Owls, the second Ice Pigeons, and the third Red Pigmy Pouters. Lop-eared Rabbits were a grand lot, and measured well, but although they left little to be desired, the cup was awarded to a Silver-Grey doe, such as we have never seen before ; this Rabbit was very large, with heavy dewlap; the head, ears, and feet being quite equal in colour to the body, which was perfect in shade, and the condition faultless. The second-prize in the latter class went toa good Himalayan, and the third toa very good Angora. The Lop-ears were first a Sooty Fawn buck, in high condition, in ear 221 by 5 inches ; second, a Blue buck, 223 by 43; third, a Fawn doe, 22 by 4%; most of the others measuring “closely upon the above lengths. Many prizes were won by local exhibitors in several of the classes. Dorxrines.—l, Henry Lingwood, Barking, Needham Market. 2, Rev. E. Bart rum, Great Berkhampstead. Local Cup and 2, W. King, jun., Bottisham Chickens.—Cup and 1, Henry Lingwood. 2, Rey. E Barrum,. 3, F. Parlett: he, Mrs. F. Stevens, Abbots Hipton Hall, Hants; W. Tippler, Ipswich. Cocatn-CHina.—Cinnamon or Buf.—Cup and 1, Heury Lingwood. 2, H. Tomlinson, Graveley Hill, Birmingham. 38, H. Lloyd, jun, Handsworth. Local Cup. W. Mansfield, Cambridge. c, W. H. James. Ditton Rectory. Cocutn-Cuina.—Any Colour—Chickens.—1, Henry Lingwvod (Buff). R. Fielden, Muggington Rectory (Partridge). BrauMsa Pootra.—Light —1, T. A. Dean, Marden, Hereford. 2. H. M. May- nard, Holmewood, Isle of Wight. 8. Mrs. T,Tarner, Avon, Ringwood. he, Mrs. T. Turner; P. Haines. Palgrave; Horace Lingwood, Cree!ing. Brauma Pootra.—Dark.—Cup and 1, T. F. Ansdel!, Cowley Mount, St. Helens. 2, Dr. Holmes, Chesterfield. 3, Horace Lingwood. Local Cup, F. W. Bell, Little Shelford. he, W. Whiteley, Sheffield; J. Watts, Birmingham. c, W. Mansfield. Brauma Pootra.—Any variety.—l, Horace Lingwood. 2. Mrs, T. Torner (Light). 3, J. Long, Forest Hill. he. Mra. T. Turner (Light); J. T. Hincks (Light); G. Manders, Walthamstow (Dark); T. Spurr; W. Whiteley ; W. Birch, Coventry (Dark); W. Mansfield (Dark) (2). c, P. Haines (Light). Game —Black or Brown Reds —1, 8. Matthew, Stowmarket. 2, H. E. Martin. 8,R. Hall, Cambridge. he. R. Hall (2); H. Winn, Worcester. Gamr.—Any other variety —Cup and 1, S. Matthew (Duckwing). 2,H.C.J. W.J. Mason. Local Cup, 3, and he, R. Hall. 2, Rey. GameE.—Any Colour.—l, S. Matthew. 2, H. ©. Martin (Brown Reds). 8,5. Field. he, G. Hawkins; R. Hall; Capt. Barnett, Biggleswade. HanpurGus.—Gold-spangled —1, T. Boulton, Sioke-on-Trent. 2, L. Wren, Lowestoft. 3.T: May, Wolverhampton. hc, R. H. Ashton, Mottram; L. Wren. Silver-spangled.—Cup and 1, Ashton & Booth, Mottram. 2, J. Freeman, West Bromwich. Local ‘up, #. Hills, Ely- Hanupurcus —Gold-pencilled.—1, W. Speakman, Nantwich. 2, C. J. N. Row. 3, Capt. F. G. Coleridge. he, J. Walker, Newark: C. W. Gibds, Sutton Bridge; SpanisH.—1, Nicholls Bros., Camberwell. 2,H. Griss. 8, Mrs F. Stephens. Frencu Fowts.—l, 2, and Local Cup, W. Cutlack, jun. (Créve-Ceeur and Ceeur). hc, Rev T. C. Beasley, Saffron Walden; J. Long; W. Massey, Spald- ing (Créve-Ccenr). aan Morling, King’s Lynn. 3, O. E. Cresswell, Early Wood, Bagshot. he, W. B. Jeffries. Ipswich ; J. Long; Bellingham & Gill, Burnley; S. Salter, Oxford. c, Gamer Banrans.—Any other variety._1, W. Adams. 2 and 8, Bellingham and Gill (Pile). c. J. Watts. 2, G. B. Francie, Romford. 3, Rev. F. Tearle. Gazeley Vicarage. Local Cup. C. Reed, Cambridge H. Robinson, Keighley; H. M. Maynard; J. Watts; R. Wingfield. S. Lowndes, Stony Stratford (Pekin). 2 Rey. F. Tearle. 3, J. Watts. he, W. Stringfield, Lowestoft (Sebright). c, C. Reed (White). (Polish). 2. Rey. N. J. Ridley, Newbury (Malay). we, Miss Mill, Rickmans- worth (White Leghorns). S. Salter (Partridge Cochin). 8, D. Young, Leamington (Light Brahma). he, J. Walker (Hondan and Hamburgh); T. F. Upsher, Sutton, Isle of Fly (Rouen); - (Dorking); C. Bayes (White Derking); H. Dowsett (Light Brahma); A. C. Swain (Black Red Game); W Tippler (Rouen). c, J. King, jun. (Aylesbury) ; (Partridge Cochin); W. Speakman (Black Red Game); W. Tippler (Coloured Dorking): A. Hall (Dark Brahma). C.Swaim (Black Red-Game). 8, W. H. James (Buff Cochin). he, #. S. Wood- gate, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells (White Cochins); Rev. F. Tearle (Cuckoo (Polish); J. Foster, Kettering (Black Hamburghs); A. Darby (Rouen); H. M. Maynard (Light Brabma and Rouen); Capt. Barnett (East Indian Ducks); (White Dorking): H. Dowsett (Light Brahma). c, Major F. Barlow (Brahma and Houdan); W. H. James (Cinnamon Cochins); J. S. Pearson, Great Brahma); R. R. Parker (Gold-pencilled Hamburghs). Ducxks.—Cup, 1, and Local Cup, T. F. Upsher. 2, J. Wedges. 3,.G. 8S, Hall. King, jun.; I. H. Wilkinson; C. Churnal!, Wittlesford (2); U. Marshall. : PIGEONS. M. Maynard. 3, W. Massey. hc, W. G. Hammock, Ilford; H.M. Maynard; L. Wren. c, W. G. Hammock. E 2 and 38, F. W. Metcalfe. W.K. Tickner. Silver-pencilled -—1, H. & A. Gill 2, T. Hanson, Keighley. Houdans). 3, Rev. N. J. Ridley (La Fléche). vhc, C. A. Cobbe, Banbury (Créve- Game Rantams.—Black ‘or Brown Reds.—1, A. Smith, Halifax. 2, 8. Day, Milton, Cambs; A. Ashley, Worcester. Bantams.—Black —Cup and Medal, R H. Ashton. he, W. Bantams. —Any other variety.—1, B. ANY OTHER VARIETY EXCEPT BANTAMS.—I1 and 3, W. K. Patrick. West Winch SeLLInG Cuass—Cock or Drake.—1, H. C. F. W. G. Mason, Drighlington. 2, A. Darby. Bridgenorth (Rouen); Capt. Barnett (Game); Mrs. F Stephens W. Cutlack, jun. (Houdan); Miss M. E. Campain (Aylesbury); yeredaes SELLING Chass —Hens, Pullets, or Ducks—1, J. Hedges (Aylesbury). 2, A. Dorkings); TF. Upsher (Rouen); W. Cutlack, jun. (Houdan); W. K. Patrick W. Mansfield (Dark Brahma); E. Shaw, Plas Wilmot, Oswest y; C. Bayes Melton (Buff Cochin); W. Birch (Winte Cochin); W. Mansfield (Dark he,Mr-. J. Willimott; Miss M. E. Campain; F. Richardson, Chatteris, c, J. CarrreRs.—Cocks—Cup, 1, and vic, R. Cant, Brompton Road. London. 2, H. Carriers —Hens —1 and vhc, W. Massey. he, H. M. Maynard; F. W. Metcalfe (2); J. Baker, Spring Grove (2). c,S.D. Baddoley, Hereford; W. G. Hammock. Carriers.—Young Cock.—1 and 2, W. Bulmer, Spalding. 3, F. W. Metcalfe. whe, W. Minson, St. Ives; F. W. Metcalfe. hc, Master H. Turner, Ipswich; W. Bulmer (2). c, Mrs. Ladd, Calne. PoutEers —Cocks.—Cup and 1, W. R. Rose. 2, R. Ashton. 3, J. E. Palmer. ke, ue ae ; W. R.Rose; W. Stiles, Kettering H Yardley, Birmingham; F. . Mei e JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 457 PoutErs.—Hens.—1, W. R. Rose. 2, Rey. C. C. Ewbank, Langford Vicarage 8, Mrs. Ladd. he, J.B. Palmer; &. Ashton; Mrs. Ladd, TumBLers.—Almond.—Cup and 1, H. Hills. 2 and 3, J. Baker. he, J. T. Hicks. c,H. Yardley. Any other variety —1, H. Hills (Red). 2, H. Yardley. 3 and he, G. Cresswell. Barps.—l and 3, H. M. Maynard. 2, H. Yardley. he, J. H. Watkins; G. Cresswell; J. Watts. c,J. Long. JACOBINS.—l, A. A. Vander Meersch, Tooting., 2,G. South. 8,3. Baker. he, A. A. Vander Meersch; H. M. Maynard; E. Robinson, Kettering, c, A. A. Vander Meersch. Fantatts.—l, H. M. Maynard. 2, J. Walker. he, A. A. Vander Meersch. c, 0. E, Cresswell. Tursits.—1,S. Salter 2, H. Yardley. 8, A. A. Vander Meersch. Cresswell; G. Cresswell. c, G.S. Hall. Dracoons.—Cup, 1, and8, G Sowh, London. 2, A. W. Wren. well; H. Allsop; W. Minson; J. Watts. ANTWeERPS.—1, H. R. Wright,!Birmingham. 2,A.R.Burnell. 38,J.W.Collin sant Halifax. he, F. W. Metcalfe; F. Manthorpe. c, R. Hall; H. Yardley; J. aker. ANY OTHER VaRieTY.—Book, G.Cresswell. 2,J. Braid (Ice). 8, A.A. Vander Meersch. hc, J. H. Watkins; A. A. Vander Meersch; J. Watts; J. Baker uate Trumpeters). c, J. Robertshaw, Thornton, Bradford; J.8. Price; GS. 1. SELtiInc Cuass.—l and 2,.L. Watkin, Northampton (White Pouters. 3,S. Salter. hc, J. E. Palmer, Peterborongh (Black Carrier and Silver Owls); J. H, Watkins (Carrier); G.C. Livett, Cambridge (Carriers); J. Long; W. Wood- house (White Pouters); H. B. Massey (Black Carriers); G@. Cresswell (White Jacobins). 8,.J. F. Loversidge, Newark. he, 0. E. c, G. Cress- Razgpits.—Lop-eared.—1,: J. Cranch, St. John’s Wood. 2, F. Banks, London. 8, Shaw & Allison, Sheffield. he, J. E. Palmer; F. Banks; A. H. Easten, Hull; T. Buckland; J. T. Hincks, Leicester; W. Canner, Leicester. Any other variety —Cup and 1, A. B. Simpson (Silver-Grey). 2, S.G. Hudson, Hull (Hima- laya). he, A. H. Easten (Silver-Grey); W. Mayel!, Tolleshunt D'Arcy (Angora). c, A. H. Easten. (Himalaya); E. 8S. Smith, Boston (Belgian Hare); W. Mayell (Silver-Grey). The Judges advertised were Mr. Hewitt for poultry and Rabbits, and Mr. Tegetmeier for Pigeons ; but on.account of Mr. Hewitt’s unfortunate accident, Mr. Hutton judged the poultry and Rabbits, and Mr. Tegetmeier the Pigeons. OAKHAM POULTRY SHOW. Tuts Show, in connection with the Rutland Agricultural Shows was held at Oakham, on the 27th and 28th ult.,in the new Poultry Hall, recently built for the purpose, well lighted, and in every way suitable. This, coupled with the excellent manage- ment of the Hon. Sec. and the indefatigable Steward, secured the best Show ever witnessed in Rutland. The Pigeons were not numerous, but for quality far surpassed those at former Exhibitions. The only inferior classes were those confined to the county for a ten-guinea challenge cup, given by the Earl of Gainsborough; but the competition for a five-guinea cup, presented by the Marchioness of Huntley for the best pen of Howdans or Créve-Ceurs, brought together such a number of good birds that the Judges remarked they alone were worth going a journey to see. Cochins, Dorkings, and Brahmas were well represented. Spanish were nothing par- ticular. Hamburghs wére very good, the cup going to agrand pen of Golden-spangled. Game occupied seventy-seven pens, and included some remarkable birds. White, Black, and Laced Bantams were very light classes, but Game Bantams filled forty- five pens in the two classes, and contained some of the most beautiful specimens we have seen this season. Turkeys, Ducks, and Geese were numerous, and included birds of great weight. The following are the awards :— Dorxinc.—Chickens.—Cup, C. White, Clipsham, Oakham. he, C. Speed Exton (2). c, Countess of Lonsdale, Barleythorpe Hall. Game.— Chickens —he, A. Fludyer, Ayston Hall; Countess of Lonsdale. SpaNnisH, CREVE-C&uR, Houpan, og La FrecHE.—Chickens.—hec, J. M. Wel lington, Oakham. = Cross-BRED.—Chickens.—1. M. Kew, Market Overton, Oakham. 2, W. Hughes, Oakham. 38,J. Rawlings.Oakbam. hc, M. Kew; J..Pollard, Oakham. c, FE. Heycock, Braunston, Oakham ; J. Rawlings: Rev. G. Skipvorth, Oakham. Ducrs.—Cross-bred or Common.—i, J. M. Wellington. 2, W. Hughes. Dorutwe.—Coloured —Cock—Cup, J_ Tyler, jun., Loughborongh. 2, J. Long- land, Grendon. 3, R.Pawley, Manton. he, Mrs. Somerville. Chirk, N. Wales; C. Speed; J. Longland. c, W. H. R»bson, Louth. Hens or Pullets—1, L. Patton, Hilimore, Taunton. 2, Rey. E. Bartrum, Berkhampstead, Herts. 38, J. Stott, Healey, Rochdale. hc, E. Leech, Rochdale; A. Darby, Bridgenorth; W. H. Crewe, Etwall, Derby. DorkEtne —Silver-Grey.—Hens. or Pullets—1, O. E. Cresswell, Bagshot. 2, arebiowess of Exeter, Burghley Park, Stamford. he, W. Fowler, Barrow, a am. Dorxinc.— White.Cock.—1, Mrs. FE. Williams, Henllys, Berriew. 2, N. Whitchurch; Melton Mowbray. he, Marchioness of Exeter. Hens or Pullets. —1, 0. E. Cresswell. 2,J. Mitchell, Moseley, Birmingham. ic, C. Speed; C. Bayes, Kettering. 3 SpanisH.—Black.--1, H. H. Cooper, Walsall. 2, J. Dixon, Cotgrave, Notting- ham. 8, M. Brown, Melton Mowbray. Chickens.—Cup and he, J. F. Dixon. 2,W.R. Bull. 3, J. McConnell, Hereford. - Cocuiy.—Cinnamon, Buff, or Partridge —Cock—i, H. Lloyd. jun., Hands- worth. 2,Rey. R. Storey, Wensley, Bedale. he. Capt. F. G. Coleridge, Wargrave. G. H. Finch, Burley-on-the-hill. Hens or Pullets.—Cup, H. Lloyd, jun. 2, Rev. R. Storey. he, Capt F.G. Coleridge. c,A.Darby; G.H. Finch; H. Yardley, Birmingham; T. M. Derry, Wisbeach. ? Cocuin.— White or Black—Cock.—1, R. S. S. Weodgate, Tunbridge Wells 2, Rey. C. H. Lucas. hc, Mrs. A. Williamson. Leicester; Kev.C.H. Lucas; R.S S. Woodgate. Hens or Pullets—i, R.S.S. Woodgate. 2, H Vanghan, Wolver- ED LO: he, Mrs. A. Williamson ; Lady G. Gordon, Orton Longueville, Peter- rough. rhe Brauma Poorrs.—Cock.—l, J. M. Atkinson, Alford. 2, Mrs. A. Williamson. he, Mrs.A. W. Buchan Hens or Pullets—1, Mrs. A. Williamson. 2, R. Caborn, Biggleswade. he, R. B. Wood, Uttoxeter; Hon. J. Parker, Watlington; H. Chawner, jun., Uttoxeter. £ Hovpan —Old or Young —1.Lady Aveland, Stamford. 2, Mrs. Hill, Chelten kam, hc, W-. O. Quibell, Newark; W. Dring, Faversham; Mrs. G. Adcock, Melton Mowbray; R. B. Wood. Creye-Ca@urs—Old or Young.—Cup, R, B. Wood. 2, W. Dring. he, R. Wood; E. Pritchard, Tettenhall. : 458 Hampureus.—Silver-spanjled.—l, J. B. Bly, Lowestoft. 2, J. Freeman, West Bromwich. fc, J. MeConnell, Hereford; A. Goodrich, Northampton; W. Hughes. Gold-spangled.—Cup, W. K. Tickner, Ipswich. 2, J. Preston, Allerton, Bradford. Hampureus.—Silver-pencilled—l. J. Preston. 2, J. McConnell. Gold-pen- cilled.—1, W. K. Tickner. 2,J. Preston, hc, R. S.S. Woodgate; Rev. G. Skip- worth, Oakham. ec, T. Wild, jun. Game.—Red and other dark colours.—Cock.—l, W. H. L. Clare, Twycross, Atherstone. 2,S. Mathew, Stowmarket. 8,J. Tyler, jun., Loughborough. he, A.Fludyer; J Jones, Nantwich ; G. Lucas, Manstield; Lady Aveland; A. Peake, Oakham; T. Whitaker, Melton Mowbray; J. Richardson, Loughborough. c. E. Winwood. Hens or Pullets—Cup, J. Jeken, Eltham. 2. A. Peake. 3,N. Whit- church, Melton Mowbray. he, W. H. L. Clare; G. Lucas, Mansfield; E. Win- wood; F. H. Wright, Halifax; G. F. Ward, Wrenbury. c,J. Tyler, jun.; S. Matthew; C. Speed, Exton GamE — White, Piles, and Light Colours.—Cock.—1, S. Mathew. 2, E. Winwood. 3, A. Peake. he, W.H.L. Clare; G. Hibbitt, Exton; C. Chambers, Oakham; G. Va erickens Hens or Pullets—1 and c,E, Winwood. 2,S. Mathew. 3, W. H. . Clare. Bantams —White, clean legs—Prize, Rev. F. Tearle, Gazeley Vicarage, New- market. c, Miss Finch, Burley-on-the-bill. Black, clean legs.—Prize, J. Wad- dington, Guiseley. Bantams —Gold or Silver-laced.—Cup and 2, M. Leno, Dunstable. he, Miss Finch. Any other Variety.—Prize. Mrs. A. Woodcock. Gams Bantams.—Cock.—l, W. B. Jeffries, Ipswicn. 2, W. Robinson, White- haven. 3, W. Shenton, Worcester. hc, M. Brown, Melton Mowbray; E. Win- wood; H. F, Addie; H. C. Rogers, Newport Pagnall; A. Peake. Hens or Pullets —Cup, W. B. Jeffries. he, Lady Berners, Keythorpe Hall, Leicester; H. C. Rogers; Heppenstall and Otter, Newark; S. Deacon, jun., Wellingborough. c, C. F. Hore, Tonbridge ; Lord Lowther, Oakham. Poxnanps.—Ilst, Withheld. 2, F. J. Barlow, Oakham. ANY OTHER Variety.—l, R. S. S. Woodgate (White Silkies). 2,J. Freeman (Black Hamburgh). TurKEY.—Cock.—l, F. Lythall, Leamington. 2, L. Patton. he, M. Kew (2); E. Kendrick, jun., Lichfield; A. Provost, Thorney, Cambridge. Hen.—1, L. Patton. 2,M. Kew. he, E. Kendrick, jun. TuRKEY.—Young Cock.—l, F. Lythall. 2, E. Leech, jun. ~he, E. Arnold, Whittlesford. Young Hen.—land2.M Kew. he, B. Arnold; E. leech. Ducks.— White Aylesbury.1. E. Leech. 2, T. Holton, Buckingham. he, M. Kew; J. T. Sharp, Kettering; W. H. Robson. Ducks.—Rouen.—Cup, J. Wright, Melton Mowbray. 2, L. Patton. he. E. Leech ; W. Bughes; H. Marshall, Bingham; T. Burnaby, Kettering; L. Patton. c, J. White, Wakefield. Ducss.—Any other Variety—1 and 2,— Pickworth, Sleaford (Carolina and Sheldrake). he. Rev. C. H. Lucas, Stamford (Carolina and Ruddy Shield); M. Leno (Carolina); H. Yardley. i GEESE.— White—Prize, E. Leech. he, J, Barker, Melton Mowbray. Goslings —1l. M. Kew. he, Mrs. Berridge. GEESE.—Grey.—Cup, EB. Leech. hc, M.Kew; A. Provost; W. Kirk, Wymond- ham, Oakham. c,M.Kew. Goslings.—l, T. M. Derry. he, N. Whitchurch. _ SELLING Ciass —Cock or Cockerel.—1, J. Longlaud (Dorking). 2.J.M. Wel- lington (Créve-Ceeur). 3, T.M. Derry. he, J. Tyler. jun. (Game); Mrs. A. W1- liamson (White Cochin); Mrs. A. Woodcock (Buff Cochin): Marchioness of Exeter (Coloured Dorking); J. Freeman (White Dorking); J. Richardson; A. Darby (Buff Cochin); T. Garton (Game). i SELLING €xass.—Hens or Pullets——1, W. Dring (Créve-Cceur). 2, C. Speed (Dark Dorking). 8, Mrs. A. Woodcock (Buff Cochin). he, M. Brown (Black Spanish) ; G. W. Hibbert, Manchester ; W. R. Bull (Spanish) ; C. H. Kyte (Duck- wing Game), c, E. Kendrick, jun. SELLING CLass.—Cup, Rev. C. H. Lucas (Toulouse Geese). 2.N. Whitchurch 3, M. Berridge (Pea Fowl). he,M. Kew(Turkey) ; J. T. Sharp (White Aylesbury) E. Leech; T.M. Derry. c, Hon. C. Parker. PIGEONS. TumBLers.—l, H. Yardley, Birmingham. 2, W. R. Pratt, Oxford. Carxiers.—Cock.—1, E. Walker, Leicester. 2, A. Billycald, Nottingham. he, E. Walker; H. Yardley. c, W. Massey, Spalding. Hen.—l, W. Massey. 2, E. Walker. hc, E. Walker; H. Yardley. Carriers.—Young.—l, C. H. Clark, Nottingham. 2andc, W. Massey. he, A. Billyeald; C H. Clark; E. Walker. z Poutrrs.—l, H. Pratt, Lozells, Birmingham. 2, W. R. Rose, Kettering. W. R. Rose; H. Pratt. Jacopins.—l, T. W. Swallow, Northampton. 2, A. A. Vander Meersch. Fantarrs.—l, J. Walker, Newark. 2,J.F. Loversidge. c, W. R. Pratt; A.A. Vander Meersch; H. Yardley. TRUMPETERS.—1 and 2, W. Gamble, Melton. Nouns.—l, Withbeld. 2, H. Yardley. Tursits.—l, W. & G. Cutler, Crookesmore Sheffield. 2,0.E. Cresswell, Early Wood, Bagshot. Runts.—1 and 2, T. D. Green, Saffron Walden. hc, H. Yardley. ANY OTHER Variety —1, H. Yardley. 2, A.A. Vander Meersch. he, A.A. Vander Meersch; T. Chambers, jun., Northampton. SELLING CLass.—l, J. Nash, Walsall (Barbs). 2, E. Walker (Carriers). 3, J. Barker (Trumpeter). hc, A. Parsons, Nottingham (Blue Owls); J. E. Palmer, Peterborough (Black Carriers); J. H. Watkins (Pouters); T. Chambers, jun. The Judges were Mr. W. B. Tegetmeier, London, for Pigeons- Mr. W. B. Jeffries, Ipswich, poultry classes 1 to 21 inclusive. Mr. S. Fielding kindly officiated in the remaining classes in place of Mr. Hewitt, who, we are sorry to say, was prevented from attending by an accident he sustained on his way to the Crystal Palace Show. he, HARTLEPOOL POULTRY SHOW. Tus Show was an experimental affair, being announced as the “first” annual Exhibition; but from the support received, I should imagine Hartlepool will become a permanent fixture. The Society is composed of as enthusiastic a set of workers as can be desired, has an energetic Secretary, and is possessed of a very substantial-looking little yellow bag, such as one some- times sees piled-up behind bank counters. It has all the ele- ments of success within reach, and with a little more experience will rank high among the exhibition towns in the northern circuit. Subjoined is the award of prizes, a reference to which will tell those belonging to the great “‘ fancy’? who and what were successful. The catalogue is conspicuous by the absence of a few famous names, without which no list seems complete ; but a revised schedule will, on the next occasion, secure to Hartlepool the full meed of support it deserves. The variety of objects exhibited made the Show, as a whole, very attractive. Hartlepool seems to be great in stuffed birds. I never saw anything like the collection of last week. Apart JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 2, E. Winwood. 8, S. Stephens, jun., Stroud.- [ December 5, 1872. from the gorgeous beauty of some of the'specimens, the natural life-like mounting was admirable. The dressed poultry, too, had a very Christmas-like look. The prize birds were very large, and were prettily ornamented with ribbons. To one Turkey which was “dressed” at the King’s Head, I award a y.u.c.—W. A. BuaxstTon. t DorkINGS.—l, Countess of Tankerville, Alnwick. 2. H. H. Taylor, Wes Hartlepool. 8, Miss Procter, Hartlepool. he, H. H. Taylor; E. Frawn, White- haven, c, W. Whitfield, Fence Houses. g Cocutns.—1 and 2, G. H. Procter, Durham. 3, T. Braithwaite, Stockton. he, G. H. Procter; R. S. Storey, Bedale; T. Redman, Whitby. Brauma Poorras—l, T. 8. Turner, Boroughbridge. 2, H. H. Taylor. 8, J. N. Lawson, Sunderland. he, F. H. Williams, Brecon; H.H. Taylor; R. Henderson, Middlesborough ; R. Moore, East Rainton (2); T. Redman. SpaNisH.—l, E. Brown & Son, Sheffield. 2,R. Moore. 3, H. H. Taylor. GamE.—Black-breasted and other Reds.—1, E. Sbarp, Marley Hill. 2, Land J. Robson, Bishop Auckland. 8, T. Weatherill, Whitby. he, I. Spence, Wes} Har'lepool; I. Gibson, Stanhope; I. &J. Robson, Bishop Auckland. Any other variety.—1 and 2,I. & J. Robson. 8, P. Sharp. he, I. Gibson. E Hampurcus.—Gold and Silver-spangled —1 and 2, Countees of Tankerville. 8, G. Holmes, Great Driffield. he, G. Speedy;_R. H. Ashton, Manchester; W. Bearpark, Ainderby Steeple. Gold and Silver-pencilled —1, T. Redman. PIB Preston. 8, Ceuntess of Tankerville. hc, Countess of Tankerville; R. Moore; T. Redman; R. H. Ashton. i 2,R. Moore. Equal2, Miss Procter. hc, H.H. Barnpdoor.—l, R. Smith. Taylor; W. Whitfield. é FRENCcH.—1, Lady Bolton, Bedale. 2, H. H. Taylor. 2, Rev. J. Milner, Bellerby. hc, Countess of Tankerville; Miss Peacock, Wolviston; H. abs Taylor. ; ‘3 ANY OTHER VarrEry.—l, W. Bearpark (Polands). 2, T. Weatherill, Whitby- 8, Miss Stephenson, Wolviston (Polands). hc, T. Redman; W. Bearpark (Ham- burghs). BanTams.—Game.—l, D. Hunter, Sunderland. 2, I. & J. Robson. 8, W. Cl Dawson, Whitby. hc, R. Milburn, Towlaw; I. Torbock, Middlesborough (2) + T. Booth, Whitby; I &J.Robvsun (2); H. & C. Thompson, -underland; I. N. Lawson, Sunderland; W. Rogers, Sunderland; N. Maynard, Northallerton. Any other variety except Game.—l, W. H. Tomlinson, Newark. 2, G. Holmes, Great Driffield. 8,T.S. Turner. hc, R. Henderson; R. H.Ashton. c, H. H. Taylor; T. Carver, Boroughbridge. a : Ducks.—Rouen.—l, W. Swann, Hirst Head, Bedlington. 2, Rev. J. Milner. 8, W. Hedley, Yarm. hc, Countess of Tankerville; C. Graham; T. Simpson, Castle Eden; T. Weatherill. c,J. Alderson. Any other variety.—l, T. Carver- 2, Countess of Tankerville. 3, Rev. J. Milner. hc, W. Corner, Hartlepool. SFLLING Crass.—l, I. Preston. 2, J, Weatherill. 8, W. Hedley. lc,Countess of Tankerville; T. Carver; J. N. Lawson. pte ee R. Crowe, Wolviston. 2, Miss Stephenson. 3, F. McGee, Hutton enry. TuRKFYS.—l1 and 2, W. Corner. Ae GuINEA Fowxs.—l, W. Corner. 2, M. E. Egdell, Billingham. PIGEONS. TomsBiErs.—Almond Short-faced.—l, R. & I. Anderson, Newcastle. 2 and 3, FB. Horner, Harewood. hc, R. & I. Anderson; T. Rule, Gilesgate, Durham; T. E. Pyman, West Hartlepool; I. Blanchard, Driffield. Any other variety — 1,E. Horner. 2 and 8, R.&I. Anderson. he, R. & I. Anderson; W. Lumb, Rochdale; E. Horner. Carriers.—l, Dunn & Prest, Saltburn. 2, A- Brown, Durham. 38, E. Horner. he, R. & I. Anderson; H. Cockton, Middlesborough; E. Horner. ¢,R.&I. Anderson. 5 Pourers.—l, T. Rule. 2, FE. Horner. 3, I. Fawcett, Whitby. he, R. &I. Anderson; T. Rule (2); T. E. Pyman, West Hartlepool; E. Horner. Barss.—l, R. & I. Anderson. 2and8, E. Horner. he, R. & I. Anderson; I. Fawcett; C. G. Cave, Spalding; H. Tomlinson. TRUMPETERS.—1 and 2,E. Horner. 8,1. Rule. he, T. Rule(2); R. Moore; R. Helliwell, Halifax. i e FanTatLs.—l.2,and3, T. Rule. he,T. Imrie, Ayr; J. F. Loversidge, Newark ; J. Fawcett; T. C. Taylor; W. Tomlinson (2); E. Horner. c,J.F. Loversidge ; T..C. Taylor. JacoBINS.—1 and 8, E. Horner. 2,R.&I. Anderson. he, R.& I. Anderson; T. Rule (2); I. Blanchard. c.T. Rule; I. Blanchard (2); J. Smithers, Sheffield. Turpits —l, BE. Horner. 2,1. Blanchard. 3, A. Brown, Durham. (The whole class highly commended.) Owts:—l, R. & I. Anderson. 2, W.Binns. 3,E.Horner. he, R. & I. Ander- he, M. son; W. H. Tomlinson; U. Umpleby, Boroughbridge ; E. Horner. Maapies —1, E. Horner. 2, M. Ord, Sands, Sedgefield. 3, E. Speedy. Ord; I. Blanchard; E. Horner. c, R.&I. Anderson; G. W. Sivewright; Ww. Bearpark. DraGoons.—l, E. Horner. 2and 3, R. & I. Anderson. Hartlepool; W. Binns; E. Horner. ANY OTHER Varrety.—l, E. Horner. 2, M. Ord. 3. I. Blanchard. he, M. Ord; P. M. Crallen, Hartlepool; R. & I. Anderson; I. W. Collinson ; T. Imrie, G. Sadler; R. Helliwell; W. Lumb. p SELLING Cuass.—l, I. Blanchard. 2, E. Horner. 3, I. Smithers, Sheffield. he, R.& I. Anderson: H.Cockton; G. W.Sivewright; T. E. Pyman; I. Har- land, Norton; C. G. Cave, Spalding (2); T. C. Taylor. c, T. Rule. CANARIES. ; BeEtorans.—Clear or Ticked Yellow.—1, R. Robinson, Middlesborough. 2, J- N. Harrison, Belper, Derby. 3. R. Moody, Hartlepool. Clear or Ticked Buff. —1,R. Robinson. 2,J.N. Harrison. N 2 Norwica.—Yellow—1 and 2, G. J. Barnesby. 8,R. Robinson. c, J. Clemin- son, Darlington; W. Watson. Clear Buy.—1, J. Metcalf, Hartlepool. 2, G J. Barnesby. 3, J. Cleminson. c, G. J. Barnesby; M. King, Scarborough. Evenly-marked.—1, J. Cleminson. 2, T. Armstrong, Great Broughton. 38, W- W. Ellerton & Mounsey. cc. M. King. : i Crynamon.—Yellow or Buff.—1, Grainger & Allenby, Durham. 2, J. N. Harri- son. 3,J.Cleminson. c.T. Taylor, Middlesborough; W. W. Johnson, Carl- ton, Northallerton. Variegated.—l, R. Robinson. 2, W. W. Johnson. 3,3. W. Hearon, Old Elvet, Durham. a Lizard. — Golden-spangled. —1, J. Taylor, Middlesborough. 2 and 3, R. Ritchie, Darlington. c, J. N. Harrison; W. Watson (2). Clear Green.—1, J. Rowland, Skelton, Marske. 2, R. Hawman, Middlesberough. 3, J. Stevens, Middlesborough. ‘c, J. Rowland; J. N. Harrison. Silver-spangled —1, J. N- Harrison. 2, R. Ritchie. 3, J. Taylor.”c, R. Hawman; M. King; R. Ritchie. YorKSHIRE.—1, J. Stevens. 2,3. Rowland. c,J.Garbutt, Broughton, North- allerton; R. Hawman; T. Armstrong; J. Rowland; J. Cleminson. SELLING CLass.—l, J. Garbutt. 2, T. Jobling. 8, Moore & Wynne, North- ampton. GaiDEINGHe SIF Ellerton & Mounsey, Darlington. Middlesborough. 8,J.N. Harrison. © GoxuprFincH MvLes.—l, R. Hawman. M. Burton. x . Larks.—l, W. Gibson, Hartlepeol. 2, J. Nicholson, Hartlepool. c,F. Nichol son, Stranton, West Hartlepool. Parrots.—l, W. Boden, West Hartlepool. Whole class commended. he, C. Stroughair, 2, W. C. Burniston, 2, J. Stevens. 8, Grainger & Allenby 2, C. Thompson, Hartlepool Rassits.—Lop-eared.—1, A. Eastern, Bull. 2 and 8, W. Boden, West Hartle- pool. vhc, W. H. Webb, Bilston. hc, W. Boden; G. Hoggett; A. Eastern. Common.—l, R. P. Craggs, Har'lepool. Any other variety.—l, I. Barron, Roch- dale Lanes. 2,8. &G. Hudson, Hull. 38, T.E,Pyman, West Hartlepool. he, December 5, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 459 J.&A. Weaver, Leominster; C. Stephenson, Hart; S. & G. Hudson; T. E. Pyman (2); W. H. Tomlinson; W. Donkin, Driffield. Jupers.—Poultry, Pigeons, and Rabbits: Mr. Hutton, Pudsey, Leeds. Cage Birds: Mr. W. A. Blakston, Sunderland. SCARBOROUGH BIRD SHOW. Tre fourth annual Exhibition of Cage Birds was held in the Mechanics’ Hall, Scarborough, on the 20th and 21st ult. The classes, although not so numerously filled as at a show in the same town a short time previously, contained many very excel- lent specimens. Class 1, Clear Yellow Norwich, contained a specimen of very suspicious appearance, which, on being tested and closely examined, proved to have been disfigured with a deep dye. The Lizards, Cinnamons, Crested Norwich, and Mules were exceptionally good. The Show was well conducted, and the arrangements reflect credit on the Secretary, Mr. C. Haughton, and the Committee. The following is the prize list :— —Clear Yellow.—l and 2, Haughton & Robinson. 8, Moore and Wee tanainthampton: he, R. Hawman, Middlesborough. c, J. Calvert, York. Clear Buff—l and 8. M. King. 2, Haughton & Robinson. hc, Moore & Wynne. c, G. Meda, Scarborough. Norwicn.—Lvenly-marked Yellow.—1, R. Hawman. 2, Moore & Wynne. 8, Greenwood & Jackson. hc, M. King, Scarborough. Evenly-marked Buf.—l, M. King. 2, Moore & Wynne. 8, Green & Jackson. hc, Haughton & Robinson. Norwicu.— Ticked and Unevenly-marked Yellow.—1, S. Bunting. 2. G. Medd. 8, M. King. he, S. Bunting; M. King ¢, Moore & Wynne; Haughton and Robinson. Ticked and Unevenly-marked Buf.—1 and 8, S. Bunting, Wook Larkin, Derby. 2, G. Medd. he, Moore & Wynne. c, G. Medd; M. King; Haughton & Robinson. ie NON WICH Ary variety of Crested.—l, M. King. 2, 8, and hc, Wallace and Beloe. c, D. Quin & Son, York; Greenwood & Jackson. Yorxsuire.—Clear Yellow or Buff—l, R. Hawman. 2, G. Champley, Scar- borough. 3 G.Medd. he, D. Quin & Son. c, Tenniswood & Jobling. Even- aie Yellow or Buff.—i, J. Stevens. 2, Tenniswood & Jobling, North Aclam. Lizarp.—Golden-spangled.—l, J. Taylor, Middlesborough. 2, R. Ritchie. 8, J. Ellis. he, J. Taylor; J. N. Harrison. c. M. King. Silver-spangled.—i, R. Ritchie, Darlington. 2. J. Taylor. 8, J. he, S. Bunting; M. King. c, Moore & Wynne. ine Geowioweavellow or Buf.—1 and 8, Wallace & Beloe. 2, R. Ritchie. he, J. Taylor. Middlesborough; Wallace & Beloe; J.N. Harrison; Moore & Wynne. c, J. Calvert. . "ANY orHeR Varrety.—l, W, Catton. 2,3. Stevens, Middlesborough. 8, J.N. N. Harrison. Harrison. he, Haughton & Robinson, Mutes.—Even-marked Goldjinch.—1. R. Hawman. 2, J. Stevens. 8, M. Burton. he, R D. Waite: M. Burton. Dark.—l and he, M. Burton. 2, Tennis- wood & Jobling. 8, W. Lister. c, G. Medd. i CanariEs.—Cage of Four.—l, R. Ritchie. 2, Wallace & Beloe, Berwick-on- Tweed. 8, G. Medd. = a Forr1Gn Brrps.—Any variety.—l and 8, J. Calvert. 2, J. Wyrill. Townsend. JupcEr.—Mr. G. J. Barnesby, Derby. he, Miss CRYSTAL PALACE PIGEON SHOW. (From a Correspondent.) Tuts was by far the best Show of Pigeons ever brought together, and without doubt the same as regards arrangement and pens, and now and henceforth must be quite as attractive as the poultry, for the fancy is more popular, as is shown by £50 being given for one Dun Carrier hen of Mr. Wiltshire’s, £25 for a Dun Carrier cock, and £20 each for three young Carriers, the former being the highest price to my knowledge ever given for a single bird. The Palace has no equal as a place for showing off birds to advantage, as, besides being heated, there is plenty of room between each aisle to see the birds, and T have little doubt that many birds returned in better condition than they came, which is no small consideration in these days of high prices. The first class to attract my attention was the Pouters, shown in beehive-shaped pens, and, notwithstanding the absence of the Scotch fanciers, the birds were a very good lot,.very well - judged, and the prizes well distributed. The class for Pigmy ‘ Pouters contained good and delicately-marked specimens. I next came to the Carriers, where the competition was most severe, and too much for the powers of one Judge, and I would suggest that another year there should be two judges of this class, especially if Mr. Corker is on the list of judges, as its acknowledged fact that his knowledge of this breed is second to that of no other judge; besides which, Carriers, like all other shy birds, want a deal of persuasion to show their true form. The best bird (bought for £25), belonging to Capt. Heaton, was very highly commended only, on what grounds I am at a loss to conceive ; some said that the eye-wattle was toored. This I can hardly think, as it’s a sign of health, and not of a cross with a Barb, as I heard one party say ; but in my opinion the only possible fault was in his beak, which was a little spindly; in every other point this bird was the beaw ideal of a Carrier. The class for Black Carriers bred in 1872 was the strongest in all the Carrier classes, and contained some very excellent birds ; In Duns Mr. Wiltshire won the cup against the Blacks witha bird that left nothing to be desired, and which, though only com- mended at Croydon, we spoke of so favourably in our report of that show. The competition in Dragoons was very strong, the cup for Blues going to a bird of Mr. South’s. The class for Almonds and other varieties of Tumblers was the best I have seen for colour, and made birds were less nume- rous than usual. The prizes were well spread. In Jacobins the cup went to a very good Red in a strong class. | antails were a showin themselves, and were well judged. Trumpeters were few, but good. In English Owls the cup was taken by an exquisite specimen of White in the foreign varieties. In Turbits the cup was won by a good Silver. The prize for the best four pairs of Pigeons, exclusive of Carriers, Pouters, and Tumblers, went to a pen of White Fantails, some plain-headed and some with a peak. Tue Rassirt SHow ar THE Crystat Panace was the largest Rabbit Show ever held in England, had been looked forward to With much anxiety by all fanciers, and we are glad to be able to pronounce it a great success. The pens were large, and the management satisfactory. Of Lops twenty were exhibited vary- ing from 22 to 23 inches in length of ear, and two Rabbits measured over 23} inches. THE BEE SEASON IN CHESHIRE. I HAvE not had an opportunity before of sending you a short account of the honey season in this part of Cheshire, so now proceed to do so. I succeeded in wintering twelve out of four- teen stocks, and things looked very promising, for my stocks were unusually strong in May. The white clover in this neigh- bourhood was more abundant than I eyer remember to have seen it, and I had no difficulty in getting the bees to take to supers; but alas! then commenced wet weather, which con- tinued more or less throughout the summer, and was so persist- ently against the labours of our little friends that I wonder how they managed to keep things going; and yet, owing, I suppose, to the unusual luxuriance of the clover, honey was gathered very fast whenever the weather allowed the bees to work. From two hives in particular the results were excellent, as I obtained from them 64 lbs. and 50 lbs., respectively, of fine super honey, and both stocks in good condition for winter. I have had about 2 ewt. of honey altogether, and only broken-up one stock. I took thirteen hives to the heather, which was in fine bloom, in August, all being in capital condition as to population, and supers partly filled on every hive, for I had carefully prepared them to return me a grand harvest, thinking as the summer had been so wet the autumn would be fine. But ‘the best-laid schemes,” &c. I left them for six weeks, and it rained nearly the whole time, so what honey was in the supers disappeared, and I brought them back lighter than when they left home. Swarming has been easy to control this season. I have only had seven swarms, including casts, and most of them have been utilised in strengthening stocks, so winter finds me with fifteen hives in good condition, and I have only to feed two or three up a little; and taking a retrospect of the whole season I am con- tent to “‘rest and be thankful,” especially when my neighbours who still cling to the old way have done next to nothing; for stocks which were heavy in July had fallen-off lamentably by the end of September, and in most cases they are content to keep all their stocks and hope for better luck next year. Iam glad to notice that Mr. Pettigrew and a few friends have organised an annual meeting of bee-keepers, as good results to all concerned must follow such gatherings; indeed, I have often wondered that we should be so much behind our American brethren in these matters. It is also a sign of the increasing interest being taken of late in our favourite pursuit that the committees of flower shows are encouraging bee-keepers to ex- hibit ; and I am sure it will always be one of the most interest- ing departments of any show to see a nice lct of hives and honey, besides the novelty of the thing. I have never yet shown in competition, but will certainly do so if it be made a feature of any show within a reasonable distance.—W. BroucHton Carr, Higher Bebington. AUTUMN FEEDING OF BERS. However people may differ as to the benefits of feeding bees in the spring, we think they will all agree that to feed in the fall is poor economy, except in special cases. If stocks are in too poor condition to winter over, better make one good one out of two or even three, than to attempt at this season to feed them into good safe wintering condition. We have fed stocks that had not 5lbs. of honey in October, and made them good colonies, and wintered them safely. We did it as an experiment, and found that it “cost us more than it come to”—a homely and ungrammatical phrase, but an expressive one. Now, our course is to go through the apiary some time in October, see the condition of every colony, select the best queens to save, destroy poor ones, and then selecting the best combs from two colonies, place them in order in one hive, and sprinkling the bees well with sweetened water and peppermint, put them all together. This is no difficult matter. It may be done in afew moments. Every year confirms our opinion tha 460 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 5, 1872. a strong colony is the only one that preserves any value. We know that after a poor season the desire is strong to keep as many stocks as possible, but in this matter our strength is not in numbers. Better have one good one in the spring than a dozen that have barely lived through; you will be better off- even in point of numbers by June. In agood season, and under favourable circumstances, one can increase very rapidly (if he knows how!) In a poor season when all is unfavourable he had better far unite than divide. We have often found this true. The exact amount of honey necessary to keep @ colony | through the winter can hardly be estimated, so much depends on the season, the locality, and the manner of wintering. Re- member that bees do not waste it if they have a surplus, and that if it is not too much in the centre of the hive, it is no dis- advantage if they have more than they need.—_(American Bee- keepers’ Journal.) OUR LETTER BOX. Buack Bantam Cxiass aT MANCHESTER PouLttrRy SHow.—“ In answer to numerous inquiries relative to the Black Bantam class at the above Show on December 26th and 27th, I can state upon authority that the class is for one eock and two hens, any age.—R. H. AsHTon, Mottram, near Manchester.” PicEon Lost (P. I’Anson).—If the Secretary can aid you with evidence that the bird was delivered to the railway authorities, you could recover from them in the County Court. Points IN Buur AND Buiack Poutrrs (H. W. L.).—Blues should be of a clear-and bright colour; the sides of the wings, the head, breast, back, and tail should be blue; the wing-coverts should be crossed with two black bars; there is also a black band nearly at the edge of the tail; a well-defined cres- cent of white should be upon the front of the crop. Blacks should be marked similarly. As the Pouter has a great many important points and properties, being a high fancy bird, and you wish to become an exhibitor, you had better have Brent’s ‘“ Pigeon Book,” in which all are enumerated, sent from our office post free for nineteen stamps. Loss oF SonG In A CANARY WHILE Movuntine (4 Friend to Canaries).— The loss of song is one of the usual accompaniments of moulting. Even though the moulting may be complete, the bird will not, probably, break into full song this side of Christmas. He-will be none the worse fora good rest. The time occupied in moulting varies from three or four weeks to months. Birds which are apparently fully moulted will, upon examination, frequently show a great number of half-developed feathers.—W. A, BLAKSTON. BREEDING HIGH-COLOURED AND DARK-CRESTED CANARIES (HE. Barker).— Select for your breeding stock high-coloured birds, not quite clear, but having some slight marks or ticks about them. An absolutely clear bird is perfec- tion, and to breed from such is to ensure decline. From such as I have in- dicated you may expect to get high-coloured clear birds. I give this asa general rule without going into the theory of the matter. Your Buff cocks have what are known as grey crests. If you pair them with close-feathered hens having markings about them, you will get plenty of dark crests, and the more exact the marking of the hens the greater chance there is of getting well-marked and crested young ones. By pairing two Buffs you will get feather and compactness of crest, but at a sacrifice of colour. All marked Canaries are not higher in colour than clear birds, but a depth of colour is sometimes seen in a marked or ticked bird which is not attainable in a clear one.—W. A. BLAKSTON. TEACHING A BULLFINCH To Prez (J. Arthwr).—A bird organ can be had at any musical-instrument shop, The bird must be taken in hand when very young, and before he has had an opportunity of learning any other song. Confine him in a dark closet, or prevent him from having his attention dis- tracted by outward objects by covering his cage with a cloth. Then give him his lessons early in the morning on an empty stomach, and reward a chirp with a grain of hempseed. After morning lessons give him his breakfast and eat your own in the exercise of great faith. Always play your tune from beginning to end without a stop, with an organ—any other plan, of course, is impossible, the difficulty sometimes being to get a refractory instrument to stop when you wish it; but if you vary your instrumental solo with whistling, you must not whistle snatches of any melody, but the entire tune. Teaching Bullfinches to pipe well is an art almost entirely confined to the Continent, and well-drilled birds realise high prices. Many cun pipe a simple air almost to its close, but when they come to the last bar they finish with a cadence scarcely more melodious than the fag end of a Cochin cock’s melan- choly crow.—W. A. BLAKSTON. ° Lark Dectrnrne | Liverpool).—tts ailment appears to be the result of in- attention to the purity of its food and water, and exposure to draughts. If itis not as yet so far gone as to warrant its ailment being termed consump- tion, the following homeopathic remedies (which may be obtained at any homeopathic chemist’s in sixpenny bottles), would afford great relief, if not effect a cure:—Aconite, phosphorus, and nux vomica. The first for one day, given in its water in the proportion of one drop to a tablespoonful, and the second and third in the same way on alternate days for a few days, and then again have recourse to aconite. Give up the treatment gradually as soon as there are signs of improvement, or at once if there are none within a week. The diet should be as natural as possible. Substitute a few drops of cod-liver oil for the lard which has previously been given with its food. The bird should be kept free from draughts, and at an even and moderate temperature.—J. PARKER. Br Howse (J. P., of York).—You may have a zine or tin tube if you like as a passage through the wall of your bee house. We should prefer, perhaps, to have a good-sized opening, say 6 inches wide and 1 inch high, in the brick- work, and inside, against this, we should fix, the whole length of the bee house, apiece of wood of-suflicient thickness, say 3 inches square, through which we would make the various tunnels diagonally upwards. On the top of this the different hive-boards would rest, each with its entrance let into it, and corresponding with the tunnel in the block. This is, in fact, our own plan in our bee house. You must be careful to allow of no creyices between the brickwork and the wood block. DRONES LATE IN AuTuMN (Midland Cownties Bee-kecper).—It is not a normal condition of a hive to possess drones so late in the season as Novem- ber, and we fear it angurs ill for the prospect of its future prosperity. | It may arise either from the stock having lost its queen, probably at the time of removing one of the supers, in which case drones are frequently allowed to remain alive during the whole term of their natural ex s‘ence, in the very forlorn hope, perhaps, of their services being required; or it may happen in the case of a queen being a breeder of drones only, owing to retarded or non- impregnation. Also when queens become very aged, or sometimes in con- sequence ofaccident, they are unable to breed anything but drones. From whatever cause it may arise, there is little hope of saying such a colony, unless means are taken to supply it with a-fertile queen. During the sum- mer this is, of course, easy enough, but at the present season it can only be accomplished by the addition of a living queen or the bees of another stock. It is for you to consider whether the preservation of the hive is worth the expense and trouble which such a proceeding would at this time involve. Dark HonrEycomsp (G.S.).—The piece of comb sent, which you suppose to be filled with ‘nasty brown waxy stuff,” is simply densely filled with pollen, a few cells only containing honey. You cannot expect to have good honey extracted from such comb. To obtain ‘better honey, you must either place supers on your hives, or, if you will still work on the cottage system, you must have larger hives and take up your swarms of the current year instead of the old stocks occasionally, leaving a swarm or two to take the place of any that may die or be worn-out. It is a great pity that stocks containing combs such as you sent for inspection, so well’supplied with pollen, should be sacri- ficed for the very small portion of honey which they yield. They are always worth double as much to keep for the sake of the swarms. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, CAMDEN SQuaRE, LONDON. — Lat. 51° 32’ 40” N.; Long. 0° 8’ 0” W.; Altitude 111 feet. Dunes AM. | Ix THE ‘Day. 238 aa |%.. \Shade Tem-| Radiation ; 1872. ong .| Hygrome- Pe rane perature. | Temperature fi Nov. |£27'3 ter. ei Pea iS and |S@Sap)- | BE IAS [4 Dec. |2 338 = Be |Sa In On * Iq S4/ Dry.| Wet.) Qo |= Max.! Min.| sun. grass Inches.| deg. | deg deg.| deg.| deg.| deg. | deg} In. We. 27 }.29:710 | 51.0 | 471 | NW. | 47.2. )°550} 488 | 75.5 | 48:9.) — Th. 98 | 99.697 | 46.2 | 458 | Ww. | 470 | 49.5 | 453 | 52.1 | 435 | 0.080 Fri..29 | (29.586 | 42:2 | 413 | S.w. } 46.2 | 49.0! 39.2 | 73.8 | 35.8.| 0.170 Sat.-80 | 29.055 | 47-3 | 46.1] SB. | 459 | 522 | 47.0] 741 | 392 | 01652 co18)| 1991 47.5 | 464 6 | 50.6) 444] 62.9 | 41.2.1)0.045 Mo. 2 | 29.545 | 43.2 | 425 | 488 38.0 | 6L6 | 33.1 | 0093 Tu. 3 | 29435 | 44.6 | 43:7 | 45.8 423 49.7 | 88:8 | 0.C40 Means | 29.435 | 46.0 | 44.7 50.1 | 42.7 64.2 | 893 | 1.080 REMARKS. 27th.—Very fine early, rather cloudy towards noon, but on the whole a fine day, though rather cloudy at night. 28th.—Morning fine, rain at noon, fair after, but dull in the evening: 29th.—Fair in morning, very bright from noon to 4 P.m., then rather dull, and rain at 7.30. 80th.—Fair at 9 a.a., rain at 10.30, and alternate sunshine and heavy rain al? the afternoon; fair in the evening, but wet all night. Dec. 1st.—Very heavy rain at 8 a.M., fair by 9 A.m., and fine by 10; a shower about noon, and heavy rain between 6 and 7 P.m., and showery evening. 2nd.—Fair morning, fine forenoon, and till after 2P.m., then cloudy; rai at 5, fair for some time, but heayy rain again between 10 and 11. 3rd.— Wet morning, and very’showery all day. The barometer stilt continues low, and the termperature high, though not quite so high as last week. The weather generally has been very wet and uncomfortable. More than 1 inch of rain has again been registered, and scarcely any sun has been visible. The clouds prevented the meteors being seen in this neighbourhood.—G. J. Symons. COVENT GARDEN MARKET.—DrcemBeER 3. A very thin attendance at market, and consequently a general dulness prevails. Hothouse Grapes are sufficient for the demand. Pines continue in excess; and the late heavy consignments of Pears from the Continent and other places have caused a considerable decline in price, the most of them being ripe and fit for use. ‘ FRUIT. s.d. 3s. d. s.d. s.d Apples..... ..tsieve 3 0to5 0| Mulberries........,.%1b. 0 Oto0 O Apricots. - doz. 0 0 O 0} Nectarines ... doz 00 00 Cherries... perlb. 0 0 O 0} Oranges.. loo 4 0 10 0 Chestnuts. bushel 12 0 20 0| Peaches.... ..doz. 00 00 Currants... i 00 0 doz. 10 3 0 00 0 .doz. 20 40 00 0 Bode Ss Ge 10 6 }sieve 0 0 0 0 16 0 doz. 10 3 0 00 0 lb. 0 0 0 6 20 0 1b. 00 00 eves see) $100 46/10 0 shel 15 0 80 0 sieeeces C8CN, 1-16 0 ~100 20 20 s.d. 8. a. d. 8. Oto 4 Mushrooms........ pottle 0to8 punnet # bushel Parsley per do Parsnips.. Peas.... Cabbage Capsicums Carrots.... Cauliflower. .. doz. Celery...... bundle Radishes.. Coleworts.. Rhubarb.......... bundle Cucumbers.. each Salsafy. - bundle pickling. Savoys teens QO: Endive.... Scorzonera. % bundle Fennel., Sea-kale.. basket Garlic. Shallots.. Goo JN. Herbs... Spinach.. bushel Horseradish Tomatoes «-. doz. Leeks..... Turnips............bunch ap 3° o | B 3 i) a SOMOS OW SCONE NPONHOHOHON WWOWRWOSSCDSORBOMROSWSSOSSO HORS COOCON ON ROWHRECONO esccoososcosoeocOomamscoc([ SOsHN ODE HHOHSCOMOONONOHE SCuwsswosooSooooaoeSoaoN COW SOPH OHOSRORWORO coocoscomeoasaoosooeScosoCoom Lettuce..... Vegetable Marrows.. diz. December 12, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 461 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day | Day Average Tempera-; Rainin Sun Sun Moon Moon Moon’s| Clock | Day brite tee DECEMBER 12—18, 1872. ture near London. 43 years.| Rises Sets. Rises, | Sets Age. | aes iene’ Day. |Night.|Mean.| Days m. h.|m. .h.| m> h.| m. ‘h.| Days. | m. 8 | 12 | TH | Nees von Esenbeck died, 1837. 48.0 | 87.0 | 42.5 18 59 af7 | 500f8 | 29 2] G6 5 12 | 5 50) 847 13 |F 47.5 | 86.5 | 42.0 23 8/50 3/55 2/24 6 18 | 5 21 | 3848 14/8 PRINCE ConsonT DIED, 1861. 46.9 | 843 40.6 21 Ty 8 050) 8) 25831586007, O |} 4452) 14849) 15 | Sun | 3 Sunpay 1N ADVENT. 47.0 | 33.6 | 40.3 19 2 8 50 3) 6 (4) 44 8 15 4 24 | $50 16 |M Cambridge Term ends. 46.5 | 82.9 | 89.7 15 2 8 51 °81/58 °4| 40! 9 16 8° 547851 17 | Tu Oxford Term ends. 45.9 | 84.0 | 89.9 20 SP Sao UISE 59 ads pod 10) 17 8 95 | 852 18 WwW EMBER WEEK. 45.8 | 83.7 | 89.7 20 4/08) 451. 8) py ly/ | 57 10 18 2 55 353 From observations taken near London during forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 46.8°; and its night tompcrature 84.6°, The greatest heat was 59°, on the 15th, 1868; and the lowest cold 7°, on the 16th, 1853. The greatest fall of rain was 1.24 inch. ELECTION OF ROSES. those whom Mr. Hinton calls the more modest Rose-growers, I still venture to hope that a few remarks from me on the letter of “ SENATEUR VaIssE”’? may make the task of himself and others who purpose taking part in the coming election of Roses a more sure and easy one, and thus be the means of enhancing the value of the votes that may be forwarded to Mr. Hinton in favour of the different varieties. First, as to the qualification of the electors. It by no means follows that a lack of ability to judge correctly of the merits of exhibited cut Roses, should also imply a want of ability to judge of the quality of the plants from which those Roses were cut. Nor, on the other hand, does it of necessity follow that an expert judge of cut blooms should be also aware of the great difference that exists in the bloom-producing powers of the plants the flowers of which he sees before him in greater or less perfection. The judge must be able to decide between the merits of those flowers, but it matters not to him whether they were cut from: strong growers or weak growers, from certain or uncertain openers. He must know the distinctive characteristics of each variety as to wood, foliage, colour, &c.; but it is not necessary that he should be acquainted with the peculiarities which render those varieties of different value to the general cultivator. These peculiarities manifest themselves not necessarily to the judge or to the exhibitor; the one may have the needful amount of knowledge, the other be a skilled gar- | dener, but neither may have taken that personal interest in the propagation and cultivation of Roses which alone leads to a perception of their good and bad qualities as flower-producing plants. In my own case, for instance, though I should hesitate to undertake the responsibility of deciding between the ‘rival claims of Messrs. Paul’s and Cant’s show blooms, I still fancy that the knowledge I have gained in propa- gating my thousand Rose bushes, and tenderly antici- pating their wants, may not be without its interest and value to others. I may add, also, that as an exhibitor in a modest way—that is to say, chiefly in this locality, I have met with a very fair share of success, as out of ten col- lections exhibited during the past season I have been placed first six times, second once, and third twice. Such experience, then, I should say entitles anyone who has it to register himself as an elector, and if he chooses, to forward his vote to Mr. Hinton. Secondly, as to the candidates. The electors are re- quired to select one Rose pre-eminently as the best for all purposes; then twelve of the best Tea and Noisettes ; then the fifty best, distinguishing the best twelve of the fifty, I presume for all purposes. ‘SunaTeuR VAISsE” asks, ‘ What does ‘best’ mean?” “Best for what?” Mr. Hinton himself supplies the answer—“ For all the purposes” for which the Rose is No. 611.—Vou, XXIII., NEW SERIE { generally grown. The Rose is grown for the sake of its | flowers; the wood and the foliage, though beautiful in 1 themselves, are but a means to an end, and that end is the production of flowers. The more freely those flowers are produced the better the variety; the more beautiful and sweet and lasting they are the better the Rose. Now, it is well known that among the multitude of the varieties cultivated, some as flower-producers are emi- nently good, others miserably bad. What we want to arrive at, then, is the solution of the question, Which among all the Roses grown will produce the greatest quantity and the best quality of flowers with the least amount of labour ? A continuak supply of perfect Roses can only be pro- duced by those varieties which have the following ten qualities :— 1st, Hardiness, to stand ouv climate in winter. and, Vigour of growth, that health may be maintained, and flowering shoots freely produced. 3rd, Good foliage.—Good, substantial, handsome foliage is desirable, not only for appearance sake, but for health. A thin flimsy leaf is soon torn and disfigured by the wind; and loss of leaves means loss of flowers. 4th, The wood should not be too thorny.—This has special reference to the flower stalk. I do not myself expect ever to get perfect Roses without thorns. Most of our thornless ones are also scentless; Victor Verdier and his race, for instance. I would rather have thorns with scent, than no thorns and no scent. Nevertheless, some of our best and sweetest Roses prick one’s fingers dread- fully in the handling, and this is not nice. I like to be able to carry my sweet pets in comfort, and to be able to place one in my buttonhole or show tubes without such sharp reminders that there is nothing perfect in this world. All, however, are not so armed; witness Alfred Colomb, Madame Victor Verdier, La France sweetest of Roses, and most of the Teas. Well, why should not they all be so ? 5th, Free-flowering.—No amount of foliage will com- pensate for want of flowers. 6th, The flowers must open well in all weathers.— Many Roses produce an abundance of buds, but these buds either open badly or else not at all in ordinary weather; such Roses are worthless to the general cul- ‘tivator. I think, moreover, that it is almost a pity to perpetuate these inferior sorts, even for exhibition—that is, with a view to sale. A magnificent bloom of some uncertain Rose “caught” and displayed in all its glory may add to the attraction of a box, and to a certain extent repay one for the labour and ground required to produce it; but I fancy that the Rose is’ not the only thing “caught.” Many an innocent victim, struck with the beauty of the impostor, orders his half-dozen bushes, from which he is, perhaps, destined to cut not so much as one good bloom for the season. After a number of years’ experience nothing has struck me more forcibly than the vanity of trusting to the descriptions attached to the names of the various Roses in the catalogues of those who grow them for sale. Let beginners beware of pur- No. 1268.—Vou. XLVIII., OLD SzrrEs, 462 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. { December 12, 1872. chasing a Rose because it happens to be described as ‘‘ very large, full, and fine form,” or ‘large and full, a splendid variety.”’ Many such Roses, however large and splendid they may be when you get them, may keep you waiting on the tip- toe of expectation all the season to see their fat promising buds expand into lovely blossoms, and after all disappoint you; or else they may give you shoots and leaves without end, but hardly a flower—‘ plenty of tablecloth, but very little dinner.” Many, very many I regret to say, of the Roses to which these alluring descriptions are attached ought to have added, ‘* but a very shy bloomer,” or ‘‘ very uncertain opener,” or, again, ‘‘ very weak in growth.’ Intending planters would do well to make special inquiries on these points before order- ing, or else place themselves entirely in the hands of some respectable nurseryman, stipulating that none but free-flower- ing and good varieties be sent. 7th, The flowers must be large and symmetrical.—By “‘ large” I mean large for a Rose. We not consider a Cabbage large un- less it is a foot or 18 inches in diameter; but Roses are not Cabbages, nor are they grown for the same purpose. From 44 to 5 inches in diameter is, in my humble opinion, quite large enough for such a sweet morsel as a Rose. Ido not care for those great overgrown monstrosities like Paul Neron; to me they have exceeded the limits of Rosedom, and fail to excite my tender feelings and admiration. Moreover, it seems that as a rule symmetry must be sacrificed for size, and not only so, but often scent too. All this is a step backward from that ideal of perfection which raisers of new Roses should set before them. 8th, The colour should be distinct and pleasing. 9th, The flower should be sweet-scented.—Roses without per- fume are to me only fulfilling half the object of their existence, however great their beauty. Who can reckon-up the multi- tudes of noses that have been withdrawn from the delicate petals of Madame Rothschild, tickling with ungratified de- sire, while the owners exclaimed, ‘‘ Ah, no scent! What a pity!” ; 10th, The bloom in this climate should be continuous for at least seven months of the year—viz., from April to November. I do not know that we can expect more so far north, but we may wish for more, even though we may have to be contented with less. I have had some very respectable blooms during this third week in November from Gloire de Dijon, Céline Forestier, Safrano, Rubens, Fisher Holmes, and a few others whose names I did not notice at the time; and what some can do, all ought to do. I would suggest, then, that those who may make a return to Mr. Hinton should divide their voting papers into ten columns corresponding with these ten requirements, leaving room for the names of each Rose on the left-hand side, placing a 3 against such qualities as each Rose possesses in perfection, 2 for second-rate, and 1 for third-rate. By adding-up the total marks gained by each Rose we may thus arrive pretty nearly at the result demanded. Tested in this way the following Roses produce the best results—viz., Gloire de Dijon, 29; La France, 28; Alfred Colomb, 27; Marie Baumann, 25; Ferdinand de Lesseps, 24 ; Charles Lefebvre, 24 ; Comtesse d’Oxford, 23; Madame Roths- child, 23; Camille Bernardin, 23; Madame Victor Verdier, 23 ; Dr. Andry, 23; John Hopper, 23; Sénateur Vaisse, 23; Souve- nir d’un Ami, 23; Maréchal Niel, 23; Mdlle. E. Verdier, 23; Sonyenir de la Malmaison, 23; Duchesse d’Orléans, 22; Louis Van Houtte, 22; Prince Camille de Rohan, 22; Fisher Holmes, 22; Général Jacqueminot, 22; Pierre Notting, 22; Jules Mar- gottin, 22; Victor Verdier, 22; Comtesse Cécile de Chabrillant, 22; Madame Knorr, 22; Céline Forestier, 22; Duke of Wel- lington, 21; Exposition de Brie, 21; Reine du Midi, 21; Man- vice Bernardin, 21; Centifolia rosea, 20; Princess Mary of Cambridge, 20; Devoniensis, 20; Madame Willermoz, 20; Souvenir d’Elise, 20; Catherine Mermet, 20; Marguerite de St. Amand, 20; Elisa Boelle, 20; Marquise de Castellane, 20; Mdlle. Marie Rady, 20; Mdlle. Bonnaire, 19; Madame C, Joigneaux, 19; Xavier Olibo, 19; Rubens, 19; Antoine Ducher, 18; Abel Grand, 18; Baronne de Maynard, 18; Safrano, 18. The Rose at the head of the list is the best for all purposes. The best twelye would be the dozen first on the list. The best fifty stand in their order of merit. : The best twelve Teas: Gloire de Dijon, 29; Souvenir d’un Ami, 23; Maréchal Niel, 23 ; Céline Forestier, 22; Deyoniensis, 20; Madame Willermoz, 20; Souvenir d’Elise, 20; Catherine Mermet, 20; Rubens, 19; Safrano, 18; Madame Brayy, 18; Belle Lyonnaise, 18. SPEcOIEN oF TABLEs. z als el. Name of Rose. Salou) Be | S 5 z | | S Gloire de Dijon s{3s|/3s|3/s|s|2|3|3/ 38 | 99 La France .. 8) |] (20/43) | ASP eSiaes! 538i) i851 Si eames ‘A. Colomb ... 3 2[alsjal|s 3/3 2] 2 | 27 Real —R. W. BracHeyr. [To Mr. R. W. Beachey’s interesting- communication I have little to add, further than to regret that it did not appear earlier. The lists, forty in number, are being classified—no little labour, when in the fifty nearly 250 Roses have been named: hence for this election it is impossible, but it will be a most valuable guide in any future election, and possibly some of us may like to add one or two more qualifications. One thing I have discovered—that future Rose elections must take place earlier, say in September and October, for the nurserymen are now so busy in selecting them for customers. Imperfect as the election may prove, I fancy we shall most of us learn something from it.—JosrraH H1yton.] EARLY AND LATE PLANTING POTATOES, &e. ‘* A Lapy IN CHESHIRE” inquires as to the importance of early planting, and the true reply is, that it must always depend upon circumstances and the unforeseen. Your corre- spondent says ‘‘she will be glad to know what early planting is,” and that is a much easier question to answer; yet even that answer must be taken with a grain of salt, for I remember your late coadjutor, Donald Beaton, telling me how he took great pains to force some early Potatoes to sufficient maturity for a Christmas dinner party, and the applause came— “Beaton has sent us up some very good late Potatoes!” I believe my good old friend neyer more forced young Potatoes to appear upon the dining-table till the clock’s hand had gone fairly round the dial on the Ist of January. The atmosphere which produced those Christmas Potatoes would be required to be about that in which winter Cucumbers are grown, and so on till February; thenceforward till March a temperature ranging between 60° and 70°; and for March and April tubers nothing could be better, I should say, than the method of pot culture ‘in avinery not heated till spring,” which ‘A Lapy 1y CursHIrE” is in the habit of adopting. Mona’s Pride, too, is the very best kidney Potato for the purpose; I should also use for the earliest forcing Turner’s Union, round. When your correspondent mentions ‘‘ early summer Pota- toes and also winter ones,” the latter, I presume, meaning tubers to force, and the best time to ‘‘ start’ them, my practice ‘| teaches me that if seed is intended for forcing, that seed should be chosen from a previously forced crop when an incli- nation to start early with earlier productiveness becomes a matter of course. Choose medium-sized whole tubers. Better crops will be produced from youthful tubers than from those of ripe old age. A point of the first consequence, too, is the treatment which the seed should receive preparatory to planting. It is many years since I first broached the advice in these pages, how often since I know not; but to embrace the full seope of the queries I must beg leave to unfold the advice again. Sort the seed when the crop is being taken up, and single-out the medium-sized sets in preference to the largest Potatoes. From the day that they are taken up keep them in single layers on boards or shelves, or upon any dry sur- face where they can be exposed to light and air, and pro- vided with instant protection from frost till planting time arrive again. Be very careful at all times not to injure the first and best shoots, and then, probably, but few other “spurts” will make growth; neither will the first shoots do so to more than a certain extent, say to about the length and substance of a lady’s little finger, maintaining a greenness and sturdiness even till late autumn under the influence of dryness, coolness, and light, and the shoots will become as firmly attached to the tubers as the limpets to the rocks on the seashore. A few days before very early or spring planting I take the trouble to gouge-out with a penknife eyery supernumerary eye and shoot, except the premier one. I repeat “a few days December 12, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE before planting,’ because when the delving-out operation is performed at a more remote period the sets are, consequently, liable to become much shrivelled. But when the planting of them is deferred till late in the season, merely continue to disbud—viz., rub off those shoots that will be unnecessary ; and neither for very late planting need the disbudded or dor- mant eyes be made to undergo the gouging-out operation, for the first shoot will then have monopolised so many of the good things which were stored-up in the tuber, that it is a great chance whether the disbudded or dormant eyes will haye the power to push at all. At all times one shoot is quite suflicient to leave on a moderate-sized tuber, with careful planting, in order not to rub it off, and a good three weeks will thus be gained in ma- taring the crop. When seed Potatoes are made to undergo the above-described process of induration, it signifies little or nothing whether they are ‘‘ greened”’ in the sun on the open ground or no—better not. I have tried several times the system of planting Potatoes in the autumn in this ground, but I found the soil much too stiff for the purpose. The land during the winter becomes soli- dified to a brick-like tenacity, which no after-forking-over in the spring serves to ameliorate, and the young growing tops find the greatest difficulty, only after performing all sorts of whorls and antics, to push their way through; otherwise, in a light friable soil, and under circumstances such as Mr. Rad- clyffe pointed out lately on page 376, I have no doubt autumn planting would answer well, more especially for field sorts, such as Paterson’s Victoria and Sutton’s Red-skin Flourball. Allow me now to state the results of my Potato experience this season more fully than I had the power to do at my earlier writing in No. 598. Much did I marvel, however, when I read what your worthy coadjutor said at page 399, where he sums- up the Gladiolus and Potato disease by analogy, inferring that “‘we know nothing at all about either!’ I donotknow much, certainly, about the former, but if I did I would advise ‘‘ D., Deal,” to take up the bulbs as soon as ever he sees the leaves beginning to turn rusty. All fruit, flowers, and vegetables, whether they grow under or above the ground, depend for their well-being upon healthy leaves; and if from any unnatural check or blight their leaves becomes stricken and disabled, then the sooner the fruit is gathered, or the bulbs or the tubers taken up, the better. I feel almost certain ‘ D., Deal,’ will not dispute that. Iam not fond of going to war for an idea, but I stand firmly by my old colours—an electrical state of the atmosphere in connection with rain being a chief and first cause in bringing about the Potato disease; and I know that I lay myself open to your batteries by so doing. That cannot be helped ; this battle must be fought-out to the bitter end, and facts are stubborn things; they shall bear me up in my sequel. In the middle of July my new seedling Potatoes induced me to go and stay for a few days in the neighbourhood of Bedfont to watch their precocity and other peculiarities. Not a drop of rain had fallen upon them for some weeks, and my super- visor was praying for some to come down. I did not sympa- thise with him, as my note-book ran thus :—‘‘ July 10th, atmo- sphere becoming very foul and thickening ; I doubt the Potato disease is coming sooner than tsual this year.’’ In fact, I hinted at the advisability of getting them all up, as most of - the sorts were already very nearly ripe; but we had named the day when friends and critics were to meet to admire or pass condemnation upon them, so they were left to their fate and the elements, and I secretly hugged the hope that the already brewing tempests might pass over without wet, for then I knew they would remain without spot; or otherwise that the rain would come without the thunder and lightning, and then they would be equally safe from that which Lady Macbeth cried ‘out’? upon. Well, on the 18th the sur- charged clouds could stand it no longer, and on the 19th storms passed over this neighbourhood. But I was forearmed for what I intended to do; so on the very evening I worked till dark, taking up every other ‘“ stool’’ of my choicest proved seedlings from the ridges, and so on for two or three days both in storm and sunshine, till I had secured as many as I wanted of my precious ones. Many of them have since appeared in the Council Chamber at South Kensington, and it was lucky for me that my experience in the ways of atmospheric causes led me to make no delay, as those of their fellows which I allowed to remain in the soil, with the hope of a chance of being afterwards able to show them off in their growing state to my friends, &c., were almost destroyed by the disease, AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 463 whilst not a single tuber is lost, or touched with it, of those which I lifted before they became scarcely blotched in the haulm. Again, as regards my newest seedlings, which I raised from the seed-apples under glass last year, one-third of them I planted during the first quarter of last April in tbe open garden, and one-third of them, from want of room here, I sent to be planted out at Bedfont. In the beginning of July I began to have my suspicions about the disease, so I planted the remaining third part in any spare corners of the garden. Now, I beg of you to judge by the results of these precautions, whether the disease is so profound a mystery as ‘“‘D., Deal,” will have it to be. Of the April-planted lot, which were all of them, as amatter of course, left to acquire their full growth and features, not two dozen tubers survived the murrain. Those sent to Bedfont were somewhat more lucky; but of those which I planted in July—the very smallest of the fry—any- how and anywhere, and which ‘took to grow’’ after the atmosphere had become cleared of its electricity, I finished lifting them in the third week of October, a most perfect lot, and surely they have been saturated enough and to spare with mere wet. So, if merely plain rain unaccompanied with tempest will bring the disease, why is it that this last and late-planted third was left scathless? Iam most thankful to say that they were; and, as the above will serve to show, by simply guarding myself against that state of the atmosphere, which is sure to arrive sooner or later during July and August, Ihaye sayed my credit and as many as I chose of my crops, plus the results of years of experimental crossings for the future.—R. Fenn, Woodstock Rectory. NOTES ON DENDROBIUM.—No. 2. Dendrobium? Falconeri, from the mountains of Bhotan, is one of the most lovely and distinct forms of the genus, per- haps the queen of all Dendrobes. Like other good plants, it is found difficult to cultivate by many, but that a few good specimens exist Iam well aware. As regards culture, I con- sider it an exception to the general rule laid down for Den- drobes. In most cases the new growth is produced from the base of that of the previous year; and, as well as keeping up a fresh supply, it continues to lengthen and branch from the older growths; therefore, a plant under favourable circum- stances would soon form a well-furnished specimen. The finest I have seen is growing on a block some 2 feet long, filled from top to bottom with branching growths, from 18 inches to 3 feet in length. It also appears to be quite at home on flat pieces of cork, upon which has been placed some fresh sphag- num moss. It is very impatient of being meddled with at the root, therefore it should not be disturbed in the way of shift- ing, unless really neediul. It will grow for years in what seems a small compass for its roots. With regard to moisture, it should have a constant supply. Look at and examine D. Falconeri when you may, it is in a state of growth either in root or stem, so that to follow the drying-ofi system would prove very injurious. Water may be withheld to a great extent when it is not in active growth, but never allow the plant to become dry. Many may be induced to do so in order to obtain a free-flowering habit; rather than do this, place the plant as near the glass as possible, and string the growths in a careless manner with some neat pieces of bass, so that air and light may have free access on all sides. This will greatly aid them in ripening, and thereby induce them to flower. Better to be content with a moderate bloom obtained in this manner, than run the risk of losing the whole plant by drying-off. D. Falconeri should not be absent from any collection. A plant in flower presents an almost indescribable appearance. The predominant colours are white and purple: petals white tipped with purple; sepals pale rose, also tipped with purple ; the lip white, with a liquid raulberry-coloured and golden- bordered recess. It usually blooms in May, lasting about a fortnight in perfection. D. Wardianim, from Assam, is a very rare and beautiful species, forming a splendid companion to the foregoing, which it somewhat resembles in its knotted stems, although quite distinct, being more robust in its growths, which are pendulous, attaining the length of 2 feet or more. The flowers, pro- duced in twos and threes from the axils, are often 3 inches across. The sepals and petals are white, tipped with rosy purple; the lip, beautiful rich orange with a white margin, having a crimson spot on each side. ‘It blooms in spring and 464 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER. { December 12, 1872. early summer, lasting from two to three weeks. It is best adapted for growing in a hanging pan. D. MeCarthie, the native Mayflower of Ceylon, is a most desirable species, of pendulous growth, about 2 feet long ; its flowers are produced in racemes, bearing three or four of its lovely blooms, some 3 inches across, in shape not unlike those of a Thunia. The sepals and petals are extremely pointed, and of a pinkish colour; lip light and purple veined, the recess full purple. Its lasting qualities greatly enhance its value. Ifkept free from damp it will continue in perfection for five weeks, or longer. A specimen of this has been shown with one hundred flowers, the appearance of which must have been magnificent. D. Bensoniea, from Moulmein, is a distinct and truly hand- some species, with sub-erect growths, 1 to 2 feet in length, producing from near the points its delicate blossoms—two or three together, which are nearly 2 inches across, and snow white; the lip with an orange disc, and two purple spots near the base. It blooms in summer, lasting about three weeks. This is certainly one of the most splendid forms of the Moul- mein Orchids, which are both numerous and glorious objects. D. Devonianum.—Another Moulmein production, in praise of which I cannot say too much. None is.more worthy of the attention of all lovers of Orchids. It should be grown in a hanging basket, in which manner its lovely blossoms are seen to perfection; the pendulous growths often attaining the length ot 8 or 4 feet, flowering from the points quite half way back. The flowers are of a beautiful translucent white, purple-tipped, with a slight tinge of rose; the lip shaded with bright orange yellow, and its margin delicately fringed. These are produced in May and June, lasting about a fortnight in perfection. This and the preceding will endure a considerable amount of dry- ness during the resting period.—C. J. WuIrTE. WINTER-FLOWERING GERANIUMS. WaxeEN John Frost pays us a visit, and by the touch of his cold hand makes our out-door flowers succumb, then is the time that winter-flowering Geraniums will well supply the deficiency, and be highly appreciated and useful. There is no season of the year at which flowers are more coveted than just aiter the grand supply out of doors has been stopped, ladies especially expecting to have all the vases filled and the rooms decorated the same as usual; then how happy it makes the gardener feel when he knows that he has a ‘‘ reserve force,’ which he has been preparing during the summer, and which will do him good service. There is no class of plants more effective and that can be secured at so little ex- pense, for you may cut from them and come again; and now that we have such a number of suitable varieties, and of nearly all shades of colour, they will be of great assistance to the gardener. For the preparation of the plants for the particular purpose referred to, my plan is to take off cuttings in the spring of sorts that are suitable and that I find flower freely. Ii I were to give any preference to one part of the plant over another in taking off the cuttings, it would be to the tops of the plants that have bloomed well and are pretty firm in the wood, as I think they are not inclined to make so much gross wood as a cutting full of sap. The cuttings are inserted in 5-inch pots, five or six in each pot, and placed in a pit which I use ior propagating in the spring; but they will strike in any ordi- nary greenhouse temperature. When rooted they are potted- off singly in 4-inch pots in a soil that we haye here, which I find supplies all their wants admirably without any addition, except a sprinkling of bone dust: it is alight sandy loam. For potting Ihave the turf cut about 3 inches thick, and stacked so as to keep it as dry as possible, and for the abovenamed plants it seems to haye all the qualities necessary for the production of dwarf, compact, free-blooming plants. Iam convin @1 they would not do so well in the most complicated mixture that we could prepare. After potting, the plants are returned to the pit or any spare frame until they become established in their pots, when they are shifted into 6-inch pots, and they can then be either set out of doors or in a cold frame; the latter I prefer, as it keeps the wet from soddening the soil in the pots. Abundance of air must be given night and day, attention paid to pinching the shoots and picking off all blooms that appear during the summer, and they will make compact bushy plants by the autumn. When the cold nights and mornings indicate that frost is approaching I consider it time to put our reserve force in readiness. I then have all the plants placed on the potting- bench; a little of the surface soil is removed, and a top-dress- ing of some fresh loam, with a little well-decomposed manure, is applied. The plants are then removed to the greenhouse, and air is given every day if possible. If the weather is very dull and damp, a little fire heat will be necessary to keep the air of the house circulating, and to dry up the damp. In a tempera- ture not lower than 45°, nor higher than 50°, they will bloom to perfection. They must be carefully watered now, so as to make as little damp in the house as possible. Some guano in the water twice a-week will be very beneficial, and considerably increase the size of the blooms and the brightness of the colours. I have found the following varieties very suitable—viz., Duchess, Duchess of Sutherland, Excellent, Faust, Highgate Rival, Diadem, International, Mdlle. Nillson, Madame Le- moine, Mrs. William Paul, Madame Rudersdorf, Vivid, Lucius, Jean Sisley, Lizzie, Le Grand, Rebecca, and Leonidas. These, with others, are at the present time covered with bloom. It would be interesting to many of your readers if some of your correspondents would name a few sorts which they have proyed to be useful flowering varieties for winter.—J. ANDERSON, The Gardens, Hill Grove, Kidderminster. THE HOME OF THE APPLE TREE. Wuere did our eating Apples come from? I am not Darwinite enough to believe our Ribston Pippin ever came from the Crab of our hedges, any more than I believe our Editors ever had monkeys for their ancestors. I was much struck with a passage in a work of George Chaworth Musters’ ““‘V'ravels in Patagonia,’ where he mentions large woods of Apple trees which the Indians visited every year tu gather the fruit. These are spoken of as far distant from any settlements of the Europeans. Then, again, Adams, in his ‘‘ Wanderings of a Naturalist in India,” writes of the Apples, Apricots, Wal- nuts, &e., of Cashmere as if he had found them at home. In spite of the antiquity of cultivated Apples, one often sees writers take it for granted the hedge Crab improved is the source of all our varieties of this useful fruit. Why do they not talk of the time when our cats were tigers? What is the history, as far as known, of the cultivated Apples ?—J. BR. Pearson, Chilwell. STORING SOILS. Brrya often obliged to resort to numerous schemes to pro- cure the required quantity and quality of soils for the various uses in the garden, it struck me, on reading the recent article by ‘‘ R. F.,” that a few additional hints, the results of consider- able experience and observation, might not be uninteresting to many. It must not be understood that I wish to detract in any way from the instructive way in which ‘‘R. F.” has put the matter before the public, but rather to endorse more fully all he has said in regard to the stacking of soils, believing that by every additional ray of light that can be thrown on the subject we discharge a duty which may be of importance in guiding young cultivators, at least, to right conclusions. The practice of stacking soils in huge heaps cannot be too strongly condemned; it matters not whether it be loam of a strong clayey nature, a light sandy loam, or eyen peat, the practice is equally objectionable in all, and the longer soils remain in such heaps the worse they become, in my opinion. Look, for example, at a heap of strong loam where a quantity has been cut down for use, and the face of the remaining heap left undisturbed for, say, three weeks or a month, and not exposed to the direct rays of the sun; such a heap will invya- riably be found to produce a green scum over the entire sur- face, showing unmistakeably the stagnancy of the mass, and how unfit it is to use for potting either Cucumbers or Melons, or for. Vine-growing. Better to procure and char supplies as re- quired from the trimmings of lanes and wayside commons ; or if light loam be subjected to the huge-mass treatment, the chances are the whole of the fibre becomes speedily decomposed, or, maybe worse, if may be taken possession of by some dele- terious fungus spawn. To attempt anything like high cul- tivation with such soil is subjecting the cultivator to great disappointment and discomfiture, as the plants cr trees, or whatever may be planted in it, refuse to grow, and can only be induced by a great amount of coaxing to drag out a miserable existence. Not long ago I was requested to give an opinion as to the suitability of such a heap for Vine-growing purposes. December 12, 1872. ] I at once dug into its midst, and found it to contain masses of spawn very much resembling, both in appearance and smell, the spawn of the common Mushroom ; it was accordingly con- demned. I was afterwards shown a Vine-border made from the same heap about six months previously, and a houseful of Vines planted in it; but with all the coaxing imaginable they could only be induced to make canes the strongest as large as a goosequill, and at the time of my visit (end of Sep- tember) the Vines were badly ripened and leafless, with dark fungoid spots at intervals all over the bark. This is one of the reasons why I wish to direct the attention oi young cultivators to the subject—namely, to stack soils of all descriptions in narrow ridges, and particularly at this time of the year, when frost may be expected to exercise a very bene- ficial influence. It has been my practice for some years to stack all such soils, when they can be had, in the form of turf pits, building the walls from 12 to 16 inches thick, front walls 14 foot, back walls 24 feet high, in parallel lines about 6 or 7 feet apart. These pits are half filled in spring with fer- menting materials, and thousands of bedding plants are kept there until the final planting-out, when it is found the turf has been ‘‘ cooked to a turn” for almost all kinds of potting purposes. This mode of preparing soil or sod may commend itself to many, from the fact of its having done duty during the process of preparation.—\W. Muir. SCARLET-FLESHED MELON EMPRESS EUGENIE. In ‘Jottings of this Year’s Gardening” Mr. Abbey wishes some of your correspondents to name a good scarlet-fleshed Melon that will not crack in a dung frame. I recommend Bmpress Hugénie. This year I thought I should like to have some large Melons, and I had two plants in a two-light frame, and allowed one plant to ripen one fruit, and the other two fruit. The single Melon weighed 9 lbs., and the two on the other plant were respectively 6 lbs. and 7 lbs., and there was no sign of cracking in either, yet I think the past year has been a very good test, so far as wet has been concerned, to try their cracking propensitics. Malvern Hall is also a first-class early variety of the Melon, but does not attain the size of the above. These two varieties are free setters, and have good constitutions — recommendations which the scarlet-fleshed Melons do not always possess. I am sorry I cannot recommend a better late Strawberry than that mentioned; but as Mr. Abbey is to discard Black Prince, I think he would find a superior substitute in Dr. Roden’s Early Prolific, which is a first-class early Strawberry. —J. AnpERson, The Gardens, Hill Grove, Kidderminster. GLAZED GARDEN STRUCTURES. “Tue future of English gardening will be more and more under glass.” This has been my idea ever since the duty on glass was repealed. I have just erected a glass shed in imi- tation of Mr. Foster’s described last year. Mine is 60 feet by 12 feet, wired like a vinery, but for the growth of Apricots. The continued success of Mr. Foster’s shed is enough to induce anyone to build such a structure. The failure of Apricots on - the open wall was last year almost universal. Myr. Gadd, of the Wollaton Gardens, told me they had not three dozen Apricots from all their extensive walls, whilst other gardeners in this neighbourhood say they haye not gathered a single fruit. From two small trees which have been loaded—I should have said overloaded—tfor three years previously, Mr. Foster gathered this year, twenty-five dozen fine fruit. With the ex- ception of the first year, a very dry hot season, when cach tree received a bucketful of water once, these trees haye never once been either watered or syringed; the foliage has always been large, clear from red spider or other insects, and the fruit clean and bright as Oranges. Can anyone doubt that the proper mode of Apricot culture has been discovered ? Let us now turn to the Peach. What success has attended its culture on open walls in the past season? Can many persons boast of large crops or good-flayoured fruit? I have an orchard house 90 feet by 30, more than half filled with young trees for sale, and though much fruit was eaten by my family, friends, and visitors, I sold 163 dozen of fine fruit out of it. This fruit was sold wholesale at 6s. a-dozen, a pretty good proof, taking into consideration the profits fruit-sellers require, that it was of good quality. I know no work so disheartening JCURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 465 as to train, nail, prune, syringe, shade, &c., Peach trees on the open wall, though well aware all the time that there is no chance of good fruit more than once in five years, which is about the average in this neighbourhood. Surely a gardener’s time might be better employed, and the walls used to better purpose. Are late Pears so little valued that a south or west wall should be considered too good for them? Is a Green Gage, a Golden Drop, or Reine Claude de Bavay Plum, so poor afruit that any cast aspect should ke considered good enough for it? If people cannot afford a house for Peaches or a shed for Apricots, it is no reason their best walls should be wasted in their attempted culture. No doubt there are persons living in favourable situations, blessed with a fine climate and good soil, who will take ex- ception to my remarks. To such persons I do not refer, yet think even in such cases they might more profitably employ their Peach walls. It is not in man’s power to command success, but where a large outlay is yearly incurred, success should be as nearly certain as possible, and this in the culture of Peaches and Apricots can only be attained by the use of glass.—J. R. Prarson, Chilwell. GODWINIA GIGAS. Ture is now in flower at Mr. William Bull’s, King’s Road, Chelsea, one of the vegetable wonders—the Godwinia gigas. It is the first time it has bloomed in this country. The in- dividual flower, or properly spathe, is nearly 2 feet long, by 1} foot in circumference, and produced on astem only 18 inches high. This Aroid was thus described in our seventeenth volume, page 396. ‘ This extraordinary plant, which has proved to be the sole representative of a new monotypic genus of plants, has been figured in the ‘ Journal of Botany,’ where a detailed description may be found from the pen of its discoverer, Dr. Berthold Seemann. It is allied to the genus Dracontium, but differs from that genus in haying twice as many stamens as perigonal segments. It produces but a solitary leaf, this one leaf with its petiole being some 14 feet in length. When the leaf has quite died down the flower appears, after the manner of the Colchicum of our meadows, but the flower of this giant Aroid measures 2 feet in length, and 1 foot 8 inches in breadth. The leaf of the plant figured attained a height of 7 feet in two months, the leafstalk acquiring a circumference of 9 inches. The same plant ultimately nearly attained the dimensions of the Nicaraguan plants. The leafstalk has a beautifully mottled metallic surface, brimstone yellow in colour, barred and striped with purple, looking, says Dr. Seemann, ‘like a snake stand- ing bolt upright at the command of some eastern charmer.’ It was discovered in January, 1869, near the Javali Mine, in the Chontales Mountains of Nicaragua, and is altogether the largest Aroid of which we haye any knowledge. Its flowers emit the odour peculiar to many Aroidex. The base of the spadix, preserved in spirits in Central America, is now in the herbarium of the British Museum.” WARNING IN HEATING. Tue following is a recent episode in my horticultural expe- rience; andif you think there is anyone so stupid as to need the caution, you are at liberty to print it. Finding that through the fierceness of the draught the heat was unmanageable in a new flue, the lower half of which was formed of the usual square tiles and the upper or farthest part of 9-inch drain-pipes, I enclosed some of the latter in a sort of trough or bin, and filled-in with sawdust. This, I imagined, would carry off from the house some of the extra heat, and, serving as a reservoir of warmth, would give me a permanent hotbed for raising plants from seeds and cuttings. For a few days, while the sawdust continued damp, success seemed complete; but during one of the gusty nights we have lately been favoured with, the material caught.fire throughout the entire length. On examination, the layer next the stone- ware pipes proved to have been converted into a sort of fine charcoal, which, while only smouldering itself, was able to set the rest in a blaze, which was soon communicated to the wooden bin, and thence to the stand above and the shelves within reach. The circumstance that much of the surrounding work was of oak and elm unpainted, no doubt prevented the destruction of the entire house and the adjoining ones. As it | is, the downy-leaved plants, as Primulas, Cinerarias, and Gera- 466 niums, have been destroyed by the smoke, while the smooth- leaved Camellias, Azaleas, &c., have escaped, except where scorched by the actual flames. Amongst the latter was a fine plant of Solanum, whose berries were cruelly roasted, and ‘Calas! master, it was borrowed.” The accident took place too far from the furnace for any actual fire to have been communicated, even if the pipes had not been perfectly tight; and it shows how a low heat, cer- tainly never approaching that of boiling water, is able to get accumulated in woody fibre, and to cause it to enter into what can only have been a state of spontaneous combustion. I may add that I do not intend to give up the idea of such a permanent hotbed, but shall, of course, cover the pipes with sand or earth, on which the surface material, whether saw- dust, tan, or cocoa-nut fibre may, perhaps, be safely placed. —T.S. C., Bristol. IONOPSIDIUM ACAULE. How dull and cheerless just now is the aspect of garden and flower ground! Outside stove or conservatory the eye wanders in vain for any object of floral interest, unless, perchance, it may rest upon some pale solitary Rose or other unseasonable struggler, which only serves to make the floral solitude more lonely, and the decay and sleep of nature felt more sensibly. Amid this desolation and quiescence of plant life, it is, to any- one who ean feel and appreciate it, an agreeable surprise and a joy to come upon a hardy little plant-beauty which, at this | inclement season, all healthy, verdant, and vigorous, puts forth its modest charms in the shape of flowerets innumerable, and continues to do so far into dreary winter. gem is to be found in the lowly cushion-like violet Cress of the south of Europe—Ionopsidium acaule. From its neat low-grow- able situations it, no doubt, is well calculated, with such things as Arenaria balearica and the Sedums, to play a part on that recent and somewhat fashionable phase of modern flower gar- dening yclept ‘‘ carpet bedding.’’ Individually a plant of this pretty little Crucifer (flowers, leaves, and all) may be covered by a florin, and yet in that small compass are leaves innumer- able and flowers in profusion. The leayes are deep green, roundish or somewhat reniform, and compactly arranged. | The flowers, which are produced in great abundance and con- tinuous succession, are of a delicate. pale violet or lilac tint. Collectively the plants assume the appearance of a dense green cushion, with its surface thickly powdered over with delicate, pale, tiny lilac flowerets. A small bed of this plant is at this season a very pretty and telling object, and as it also does very well grown in pots, any- one who goes-in for or is fond of window gardening could not take under his care a more interesting or pretty subject. Its place in the garden is a bedor border with a north aspect, or it will be quite at home on the shaded side of rockwork. The soil most suitable is that of a peaty character. It is an annual, and flowers in a very few weeks after the seed is sown. Once established it seeds abundantly, sows itself, and comes up freely, so that it assumes a perennial character. In the American gar- den at this season our plant might be made very effective use of by stringing the beds with small bosses of it at short intervals. Tf, however, we can but induce our practical friends to make the acquaintance of this charming little hardy winter-flowering plant, it is enough for us; its whereabouts and combinations may be safely left to their good taste. Our object simply is to dvaw attention to it, and ask for it the place which it appears to us to deserve among the materials available for the floral decoration either of the winter and spring garden, or the dwell- ing-house window. Seed of it may be sown either in autumn or spring. When sown in the latter seasonit soon flowers and ripens its seeds, which, shedding quickly, germinate and pro- duce a crop of plants which flower in autumn and continue to do so through a great part of the winter. In this way it is almost perennial in habit and perpetual in flowering. Though far from being a new plant, it is neither so familiarly known nor extensively grown as it certainly deserves to be.—(Zrish Farmers’ Gazette.) Icr-Prant SrEpLines.—In reply to “‘ A. R., Bromley,’ I am in the habit of sowing Ice Plant on the outside of Cucumber and Melon frames, where it flourishes well, and has more than once flowered abundantly. In the warm summer of 1868 it must haye ripened seeds in open flower beds, for the follow- ing year numerous seedlings sprung up, I haying planted-out Such a hardy little | JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 12, 1872. afew of the spare plants from the outside of the frames in those flower beds, where they became fine plants, and must, of course, have flowered, although I did not notice the fact. The blossom being so insignificant, this is not surprising. I may add that this situation is 450 feet above the sea, and near the mountains of North Wales. The sea air so tempers the climate that we have very little frost or snow.—C. R. COLOUR CLASSIFICATION OF ROSES. Mr. Rapctyrre’s attempt to classify Roses by their colours only shows how utterly useless it is to attempt it, and that ‘“‘ SENATEUR Valsse’s” plan as an emendation to Mr. Hinton’s was no emendation at all. Mr. Radclyffe classes Roses in twenty-seven colours. What his object is in recommending such Roses as Millet Parfait, Tricolor de Flandre, Madeline, La Volupté, Madame Jacquier, Gloire de Ducher, Empereur de Maroc, Schismaker, and a few others, I hardly know, unless it was for the sake of dividing-out colours and having a motley group of all shades. How, again, could Madame Boll, Felix Genero, John Hopper, Madame Clémence Joigneaux, and Duchesse de Morny be all classed under the same head as rose colour, under which head, by the way, he has fifteen names (it having been suggested by ‘‘Senareur Vaisse’’ to name three)? How, again, can Duke of Edinburgh and Fisher Holmes be classed together as scarlet? If Fisher Holmes is , to be associated with any other Rose in point of colour, it must be with Charles Lefebvre, not with Kean or the Duke of Edinburgh. However, it is unnecessary to criticise further, as all good judges of Roses, and amateurs who have studied the question of the colours of Roses, will see how very far short of any accurate classification Mr. Radclyfie’s list is. Lee , v-grow- | Besides, to go no further, in naming about seventy-five Roses ng habit itis also sometimes called the Carpet Plant, and in suit- | he has omitted such Roses as Marie Baumann, La France, Emilie Hausburg, Madame Noman, Louis Van Houtte, | Countess of Oxford, Horace Vernet, Berthe Baron, Abel Grand, Mdlle. Eugénie Verdier, Duke of Wellington, Dupuy- Jamain, Princess Mary of Cambridge, Victor Verdier, Madame Caillat, Mrs. C. Wood, Madame Thérése Levet, and many others I could name, while putting in, besides those I have picked out before, such Roses as Sceur des Anges, Lion des Combats, Baronne Pelletan de Kinkelin, Baron Chaurand, Souvenir de W. Wood, and many others not worth nearly so much as those he has omitted. I should not have made these adverse criticisms, but such alist as Mr. Radelyfie’s, coming from a reputed judge, is apt to mislead the gardening world, and I must make a protest against it. Mr. Hinton’s list, which I hope shortly to see published, will, I think, verify what I say in regard to those which have been omitted from Mr. Radclyffe’s list and those which have been inserted.—C. P. PEacu. TEACH CHILDREN TO KNOW PLANTS. Curpren of two families met in a Hampshire lane, and one of the children was gathering from the hedge some berries and giving them to her sister, observing—‘‘ They must be good, they iook so nice.” ‘‘No! no!” exclaimed a daughter of the other family, ‘‘they are poison. They’re called Deadly Night- shade. Papa told us so when illustrating a proyerb—all is not gold that glitters.” ‘*T hope mamma will not die,’’ said a seven-year-old maiden ; ‘but if she does die, I hope she will die like a flower, and come again in the spring.” Now, those utterances—sentences truly uttered, and now truly told—were teachings from Nature, were lessons learned from Nature, and her lessons are among the most useful and last to be forgotten. One of the first instincts of childhood—a love of the beauti- ful—should be cherished, for it is the first step towards good- ness, and there is no beauty on earth so pure as that of plants. ‘“ Beautiful things ye are, where’er ye grow! The wild red Rose, the Speedwell’s peeping eyes, Our own Bluebell, the Daisy that doth rise Wherever sunbeams fall or winds do blow; And thousands more, of blessed forms and dyes— I love ye all!” Take a child along a country lane, and gather sprays of any or all the plants as you walk, and you may teach that child lessons in brief sentences that will never be forgotten. The Crab, parent of every Apple; the Briar, nurse of better Roses ; Tyy that adorns and shelters its supporter; Coltsfoot, Ground Ivy, and many more—the poor man’s medicines; Grass, the December 12, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 467 most refreshing garb of the world. Gather any flower, and point to the pistils and stamens—parents of all seeds; petals that adorn, and calyx that sheltered them all in their infancy. Such lessons add an interest to every ramble, and we know a man who told ‘all about some one plant in each stroll he took with children,’ and one of those children who now loves to be among flowers, and write of their history and ways, traces the growth of that love to the lessons learned in those strolls, and he has had them brought back to memory by alittle volume, entitled ‘‘ Buds and Blossoms.” All its tales are good, but he especially is pleased with ‘‘ The Story of a Daisy,” ‘ The Blackberry Gathering,” and ‘‘The Fir Tree’s Story.” He commends the little volume to all parents. It is published by Messrs. Groombridge & Sons, and is rendered further attrac- tive by its illustrations. HOTHFIELD PLACE, Tue RESIDENCE oF Sir Henry Turton, Bart. On day in the early part of September, having an hour or two to spare, I paid an unexpected visit to this pretty place, which has for years enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most skilfully managed and best kept in Kent. I reached the place by a cross-country road; but for the guidance of those who may wish to make a call, I willsay that Hothfield, a small village, is distant about three miles from the important and thriving town of Ashford, where both the South-Eastern and London, Chatham, and Dover Railways have stations. The landscape scenery in this locality is grand, and there are several gentlemen’s seats in the neighbourhood. Near it, too, is Eastwell Park, at present the residence of the Duke of Abercorn. Hothfield Place is situated at the extreme end of the village, coming from the turnpike road. On reaching the entrance gates, near the gardens, on the left-hand side is the gardener’s house, which is quite a model house for a gardener. It is of noble appearance, extremely convenient, and forms a suit- able introduction to this beautiful domain. I was fortunate in finding the head gardener, Mr. Durey, at home, and from him I received a hearty welcome. After passing by several sheds, storerooms, and potting-houses, we entered the kitchen garden on the right—a piece of ground nearly level, and four acres or more in extent, enclosed by brick walls 12 feet high and nearly 2 feet thick. The garden is divided into two by a eross wall of the same height and thickness as the boundary walls. In the upper garden are the vineries and Peach houses, the former four in number, large and convenient for their purpose, and in capital order. There have hitherto been no inside borders, but this improvement Mr. Durey has lately earried out; and as the old Vines were all planted outside and nearly worn-out, young Vines have been planted inside through- out the range. Seeing that the raising of young Vines under the growth of old ones is anything but desirable, I must say that they were all in a very satisfactory condition. There being no regular house for greenhouse plants, they have to be grown in the vineries. In No. 1, from which the Grapes had all been cut, were excellent specimens of Cycas revoluta, Rhynchospermums, Euphorbias, Acacias, and Palms, also a grand plant of Eugenia Ugni loaded with fruit: this plant was exceedingly ornamental. There were also Carnations _ for winter flowering, as well as a stock of Eupatorium agerat- oides and Stevia Lindleyana, both light-flowering plants for winter decoration. They should be more extensively grown by gardeners, as they last so long in bloom, and may be placed out of doorsin summer. In vineries Nos. 2 and 3 were most excellent crops of the usual sorts of early and late Grapes. No. 4, I think the largest house of the four, was at this time used more as a plant house, for there were five Orange trees in fruit, and a yery select stock of the Celosia or Feathered Cockscomb, both red and yellow, Statice profusa and Halfordii, Ferns, &e. Mr. Durey called my attention to a seedling zonal Pelargonium after the style of Madame Rudersdorf, but with the colours much more distinct and brighter, better shape, and almost a Nosegay in size of truss—a very attractive and useful sort indeed. Before leaving the vineries I may mention that Mr. Durey is no advocate for barking the Vines after pruning to the extent that some do. He believes it to be very injurious to them, and I quite agree with him. His practice is to take off the loose bark once in two years and then wash the Vines with Gishurst compound in water, but he never paints them as is usual in many places. Coming next to the Peach houses, two in number, the health, vigour, and large foliage of the trees were very remarkable. In the first house was one of the finest plants of Statice Hal- fordii Ihave ever seen. In front of these Peach houses, outside, there was a numerous collection of Alpine plants, all named, and arranged upon the rockwork in a most careful manner, according to their habit of growth, by Mr. Durey. On each side of the walk in front of the vineries, also on both sides of the broad walk through the centre of the garden, bedding plants were arranged in various fancy and tasteful designs ; but the severe frost that occurred a few days previous to my visit had so demolished the effect that it was impossible to do more than judge that there had been a very attractive display. Passing into the lower kitchen garden, on the left-hand side I found a very complete arrangement of Pine houses and forcing pits. There are seyen ranges, each from 80 to 100 feet in length and of various sizes. Most of them were heated by hot water. These may be called the working places of the whole garden establishment, and it is wonderful what a quan- tity of garden produce can be brought to perfection in such pits. Mr. Durey seems to be quite alive to the importance of such places, for in various divisions there were quantities of Dwarf Kidney Beans in two or three stages of growth; late Melons and Cucumbers, and quantities of Fuchsias, Primulas, and Cinerarias for winter and spring blooming; while in the larger structures were to be seen excellent examples of Heaths and Azaleas in perfect health and well set with bloom-buds. In other compartments there were numbers of choice Ferns and fine-foliaged stove plants in small pots for house decora- tion. The next pit was 12 feet wide, and was occupied with three hundred Pine plants of sturdy habit, healthy and clean. The largest structure of all, which is 14 feet wide and hip- roofed, and which is called the fruiting Pine stove, was at this time occupied with a varied collection of fine-foliaged and flowering stove plants. The Crotons were particularly attrac- tive in colour. There was also a large specimen of the lovely Cyrtoceras reflexa, with numerous trusses of its waxy-white singularly shaped flowers. I haye never to my knowledge before seen this plant in such perfection, and many others have said the same. If I remember aright, Mr. Durey pro- mised to describe to the readers of the Journal his method of growing this plant, and which, I am sure, will be appreciated by many gardeners. There were Ixoras, Clerodendrons, Gar- denias, and Marantas, alike in perfect health and general con- dition. Haying now noticed the principal features in the glass de- partment, we took a walk round the kitchen g&rden, which is well stocked with admirably trained fruit trees and vegetables in proper successions. Inthe lower part of the garden, how- ever, there was what appeared to be a vacant piece of ground laid-up in ridges as if for winter, but with a much smoother surface. This, I was told, was the Potato quarter. On in- quiring about the Potato disease, Mx. Durey said it was very bad in the neighbourhood, but he had not found it in the tubers he was digging-up for use. His plan is to earth the Potatoes in the usual manner when growing, but when the disease first strikes the haulm he has it drawn out of the ground, leaving the Potatoes there. After this, if the weather be fine, a good coating of quicklime is thrown over the ridges, and the rows earthed-up again in as sharp a ridge as the soil can be made to form. He does not dig-up his crops till the latter part of the season. Mr. Durey has treated them in a similar way for some yeurs, and he says that his crops have never seriously suffered from disease. To show me the quality of his crop several sorts were dug-up, and certainly nothing could be more satisfactory. Leaving the kitchen garden by the compost yard, and passing under a fine avenue of Elm trees, we come to what will one day be an interesting feature in the pleasure ground—that is, an avenue of Deodars. At the farther end of this is a very large collection of hardy Ferns arranged upon rockwork in a very tasteful manner. This fernery and the Deodars are an addition and improvement lately carried-out by Mr. Durey. Retracing our steps, and crossing the road towards the man- sion and principal pleasure ground, there are before us some thriving plants of Wellingtonia, and two very handsome and large specimens of Thuja aurea, quite 8 feet high and nearly as much in diameter, in perfect health and shape. Next I passed over a large and broad expanse of a beautiful and well- kept lawn towards the south front of the mansion, which commands an extensive view of the surrounding country as_ 468 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December ‘12, 1872. well as the picturesque and undulating surface of the park. I then reached the newly-laid-out flower garden, very pretty in design, but the severe frost before spoken of had told its tale upon the occupants of the beds in such a manner that it is impossible to describe the planting. The lawn enclosed in this direction has lately been very much altered and improved. Old shrubs and trees have been cleared away, and views opened- out to some distant object in the park; likewise the choicest of the Conifer on the lawn haye been greatly benefited by this alteration. Each occupies a place befitting its grandeur. This alteration has added to and materially improved the appearance of the mansion. To the north stand handsome specimens of Araucaria imbricata and Cedar of Lebanon, a magnificent specimen of Pinus macrocarpa 50 feet high, and about 30 feet in diameter 6 or 8 feet from the bottom; also many other species of excellent promise. Near this was a plant of the Pampas Grass, with from sixty to seventy flower spikes upon it. These and many other things connected with the pleasure grounds which I have not space to mention, and the improvements that have lately been made in this part, as well as others in contemplation, will make Hothfield Place more and more interesting year by year. Leaying the pleasure grounds, Mr. Durey took me to his office, where he had in excellent keeping half a dozen Smooth Cayenne Pines; two or three of them weighed 7 lbs. each, perfect in shape, with the pips well filled-out. In one of the pits in the garden there were also a number of fruit of the Ripley Queen Pine in various stages of ripening. After this, my long journey home compelled me to make an early start, otherwise I should have gone to inspect the improvements that have lately been made for supplying the gardens with water. I found Mr. Durey courteous and obliging in anything I wanted to know, and I was very pleased to find the place everywhere maintained the reputation it has for cleanliness and order. Mr. Durey has long been known as a skilful and intelligent gardener, which has not only been proved by the inspection of his place, but his name is very familiar as a successful ex- hibitor.—THomas Recorp. AUTUMN-PLANTING. POTATOES. I atways plant my main crop either the last week in Octo- ber or the first week in November, according to the weather, and the result is, I am not troubled with any diseased tubers, and they are of a better flavour than those planted in the spring. I plant them 6 inches deep, and 18 inches apart each way. I always have the ground in readiness aS soon as con- venient. Whefi planting time arrives I stretch the line across the ground ; at the proper distance for the sets I have a good spit of earth taken out with the spade, half fill the hole with leaf mould, and then put in the sets. I next cover them with the soilI took out. In this way I have splendid crops of Po- tatoes. I generally put a slight covering of litter over the ground to prevent any severe frost reaching the sets.—H. H. WINTER-BLOOMING ACANTHADS. Tuar so few grow these plants is much to be regretted, and IT am perfectly at a loss to understand why they have to such a great extent slipped out of cultivation. True, they are not very fitting subjects for the exhibition table, but then every grower of plants is not a public exhibitor. To what, then, ean we attribute the absence of these free-flowering and beau- tiful plants from our stoves? Not to want of grace or variety of colour, not to any difficulty attending their cultivation, nor to their paucity of flower, for their true character is the reverse in all these respects. In the absence, then, of any just grounds of complaint, and believing the order has been very badly treated both at the hands of amateurs and pro- fessional gardeners, I shall endeavour to win back the allegi- ance of some of the deserters, and enlist some new lovers to these highly ornamental plants. The first I shall notice is— Dipreracantaus Herssri1.—This is a very beautiful plant, well deserving the attention of everyone possessing a stove or intermediate house. It is a plant of free growth, and with a little pains may be grown into handsome little specimens in a season. Longer than one year I should not advise this plant to be grown, because cuttings are easily struck, and the one- year-old plants are much the handsomest, and produce the finest and most numerous blooms. The leaves are opposite, oblong-lanceolate in shape; the upper surface is dark green, haying a white stripe on each side of the midrib, whilst the lower side is of a uniform purplish red. The flowers are pro- duced in the greatest profusion during the whole of the winter ; they are tubular, some 4 inches long, the tube being delicate rosy purple, and the limb white. The plants should be potted in a mixture of about two parts peat and leaf mouid, one part. good loam, and one part sand. Let the whole be thoroughly incorporated; but neither for these Acanthads, nor, indeed, any other plants, should potting be attempted when very wet. After potting place them in a moist atmosphere. The tempe- rature of a cool stove or intermediate house will suit them admirably. A liberal supply of water, and occasionally stopping the shoots, in order to encourage the growth of laterals, are all that is necessary for the formation of bushy little plants for blooming in winter, at which season they will produce for some time a charming effect in the drawing-room or boudoir— that is, if not subjected to the baneful infiueuce of gas light. It is a native of Brazil. Erantuemums.—These plants need treatment nearly similar to that necessary for the plant above-mentioned, but will, perhaps, require more attention in the way of stopping to produce good plants. When in bloom they ave yery elegant, and they continue to produce their chaste and beautiful flowers through the whole of the winter months. E. asprrum.—A slender-growing plant, whose branches are clothed with narrowly-ovate dark green leaves, which are some 2 inches in length. The fiowers are produced in clusters from the axils of the leaves; the upper lobes are pure white, freckled and spotted with purple, whilst the lower portion is wholly deep purple of a rich velvety appearance. It is a most elegant plant for winter, and should be extensively grown. Native of the South Pacific Islands. E. Cooprrit.—This is a much stronger and larger-growing plant than the last, but equally beautiful and effective; in- deed, with a little care orly, a handsome shrub may be formed, which, when covered with its delicate flowers, presents a charming appearance. The leaves are about 3 inches long, lanceolate, with toothed margins, and deep green in colour. Like the other species, the flowers are produced from the axils, | and are pure white, beautifully freckled with continuous lines and dots of velvety purple. It remains in flower for several months during the dullest season of the year. Native of New Caledonia. HE. Anpersonu.—As a species, this plant is probably very nearly allied to EH. asperum, but for winter decoration it is both very distinct and beautiful. The flowers are produced on good-sized spikes, and a well-grown plant is a very attrac- tive object. The upper portion of the blooms is pure snow white, as also is the ground colour of the lower lobes, over which are diffused crimson dots; but as the margin is not dotted or spotted, it leaves a marginal line of white, which is very effective—Exrrrto CREDE. IS GALVANISED WIRE INJURIOUS TO FRUIT TREES? Havine received some inquiries respecting the use of gal- vanised wire for the training of fruit trees and plants, I think it best to give my experience and opinion publicly in this Journal, as I believe there are many, besides those who inquired of me, who entertain a strong objection to its use. From what I can learn, the prevailing opinion with those who object to its use is, that the bare metal has at certain times a sort of galvanic effect upon the branches of such tender sub- jects as Peach and Apricot trees, so as to cause the disease called gumming in the wood. It may beso, but in all my ex- perience of the use of galvanised wire of different sizes, both under glass and in the open air, I have failed to discover, when a case of gumming has occurred, that its origin could be attributed to the galvanic action of the wire. It may accelerate the evil after the wound is created, but Iam not so certain about that, and believe that in most cases, I will not say all, gumming is brought on in the tying and training of the trees. Mind, I am alluding to wire-trained trees only. It is well known that Peach, and especially Apricot trees, are very susceptible of the gum disease, and in some rich retentive soils, where luxuriant growth occurs, more particularly so. Itis as well known that the bark of the young shoots is as tender, and perhaps more easily injured than that of any other hardy fruit tree grown mm this country; therefore the process of tying and training the branches to wires is one of the delicate operations in their treatment. If the shoot when tied press-too tightly against December 12, 1872. J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 469 - the wire, it is a great chance if it be not bruised; or if the matting become tightened by the swelling of the wood, so as to enter the bark, gumming will most likely follow. Again, all loose shoots that are not secured against being continually moved by the wind will most likely become bruised, and gummy exudations will shortly be seen coming from the wound. In the growing season all trees so trained, more especially fast-growing young trees, should be looked over every week in order to guard against all the evils above alluded to; and I believe it matters not whether the wire used be gal- vanised or plain common wire, the same results may be ex- pected if proper attention be not paid to the trees. Some people are accustomed to give the wire a coat of paint every season, even though it may be galvanised; but I have never discovered that it is to any extent a preventive against the gumming of the trees. I should like to hear what others say about the use of galvanised wire for fruit trees.—T. Recorp. HISTORICAL NOTICH OF THE VINE. Ir must haye been in the east that the culture of the Vine first took its origin. The hieroglyphics of the ancient Egyp- tian temples show us that the making of wine dates back to as far as six thousand years from the present time. Vintage and wine-making scenes are still to be found in the tomb of Phtah- hatep, situated in the necropolis of Memphis, which were depicted under the fifth dynasty, or about 4000 3.c. They are in ‘‘ bas relief,” and represent the cutting of the Grapes, and the trampling of them in the wine-press in order to extract the juice. The picture is terminated by a man in a drunken condition, which shows that even at that early period wine was not alwmys partaken of in moderation. In the other vintage scenes, reproduced by Champollion, are portrayed the cultivation of the Vine on wicker frames, the gathering of the bunches, the system of watering employed in those days, the trampling of the fruit by men, held up by a cord attached to a tranverse beam supported upon two forked props, and finally, those untrustworthy vintagers who, in a | drunken state, are receiving the persuasions of the bastinando in the presence of their master. Champollion also tells us, that at a feast celebrated at Alexandria, 284 years before the birth of Christ, on the occasion of the accession of Ptolemy Philadelphus to the throne, a chariot in honour of wine was included among those which formed part of the procession. it was a four-wheeled one, 20 cubits long and 16 broad, and was drawn bya team of three hundred men. In the middle was constructed a wine-press full of Grapes, which sixty satyrs trod, singing at the same time the wine-pressers’ song to the accompaniment of the flute and other musical instruments. In this ceremony were also many children, who carried vessels for serving-out the wine, of which twenty were gold, fifty silver, and three hundred of variously-coloured enamels. Vines were often trained to wicker trellises, and were very regularly watered and tended during the time of the ancient Egyptians. Those used for the purpose of wine-making were in general the ones which remained over after the daily wants of the possessor had been satisfied. When cut they were carried in baskets to a tub placed between two Date Palms, where they were immediately trodden out by men, supported by a rope which hung from one Palm tree to the other, or by means of _ the appliance we have noted above. The offering of wine is often delineated in the representations of religious rites. It is here seen shut-up in large jars, which are firmly closed-up and yanged along the cellars. The production of cooked wine is also figured upon the monuments of ancient Egypt. The Grapes are placed in a large pot hung over a lighted furnace, and when sufficiently boiled the must and dregs are put into cloth, through which the clarified wine escapes into jars on the application of a strong twist given to the cloth by means of levers moved by hand- power. In another hieroglyphic the wine-press is in the form of a square tub, above which is a beam placed upon two forks. From this beam are hung strips of wood between which the Grapes are crushed, or bands of cloth in which they are pressed. Dion reproaches the Egyptians with being great bibbevs. The class which was prevented from drinking wine on account of their poverty, indulged in a kind of barley beer mixed with a bitter infusion of Lupin. Aristotle used to assert that those who became drunk with wine fell forwards, whilst those who got drunk upon beer fell backwards. Atheneus declares that drunkenness can be combated by eating boiled Cabbages. In ancient times the priests used to oppose the cultivation of the Vine, and tried even to put a stop to it. What justifies this feeling of the priests upon the dangers likely to result from the abuse of wine under a climate such as theirs, is, that the most part of the North African people had adopted this mea- sure long before the birth of the Prophet. The Egyptian priests contended that the use of wine prevented the wise men and philosophers from making discoveries, and that is why the Egyptian priest Calasiris, who played such a large part in the story of Heliodorus, refused constantly to drink it. This way of thinking, no doubt, arose from the fact that they applied themselves much to the study of geometry and astronomy, two sciences which require a great concentration of the mind. It is known that the effect of wine is bad in hot countries, and this is why none of it was ever presented to the Pharaohs. Pythagoras, also, adopted without restriction, the injunction of the Egyptian priests concerning wine. Moses, however, did not pay the slightest regard to it, and allowed his people to drink this liquor, for which they showed a peculiar pro- pensity. Noah planted and cultivated the Vine in the old land of Gessen, now called Bir-aban-ballah, and at the present time one of the most beautiful agricultural districts belonging to the Khedive. With regard to Noah’s Vine, here is a legend which has reference to the deluge. When the ark was cleared of all the animals which had been shut-up in it in order to escape the deluge, the Vine was not to be found, and Noah addressed himself then to the Angel Gabriel, in order to know what was become of it. He was told the Devil had carried it off. On Noah demanding it of him, he obstinately refused to give it wp, under the pretence that it belonged to him. ‘ Very well, then,” said the Angel Gabriel, “share it between you.” ‘*Iam very well contented,” replied Noah, ‘ to give him the quarter.’”’ ‘‘ ‘Thatis not enough,” said the Angel. ‘* Very well then, the half,” answered Noah. ‘“ That is not enough yet,” continued Gabriel; ‘‘he must have two- thirds of it, the remainder is suflicient for you.” By this the Angel of God would imply that as the juice of the Vine had the property of inebriating and destroying man’s reason, it ought to be partaken of moderately by him. The Egyptians cultivated their Vines as bushes—that is, they pruned them like shrubs without prop or trelliswork. They grew them in this way in large enclosures near their dwellings. Among the Romans the Vine was very frequently planted at the foot of Mulberries, Acacias, Poplars, and other trees with a bulky head. The shoots were allowed to grow to a great height, and were scarcely subjected to pruning. In this manner abundant and excellent raisins were gathered, and it is still the system pursued in Italy. We have ourselves, in the outskirts of Bologna, seen immense fields of Vines planted near Mulberries and Maples, and arranged in long lines as in the cultivation of Maize and Hemp. We have grown the Vine thus in several parts of the Khedive’s domi- nions, and have gathered abundant bunches of Grapes with- out pruning or culture. The Egyptians must have brought the Vine from Asia, for they had carried the transferring of plants from one country to another to a great extent. The hiereglyphies still show us the Egyptians disembarking from the Red Sea with foreign plants, which they derived in their victorious incursions upon the Asiatic nations. It must haye been from Asia, its original home, and where it is most often found in a wild state, that the Vine was introduced into Egypt. From Egypt it must have been carried to Greece and Italy, and thence into the centre and north of Europe. All clue as to the date of the introduction of the Vine into Europe is wanting. We only know that in the fifth century of the Christian era, the bar- barians of the north were attracted into Gaul by the juice of the Grape, and then two hundred years had passed since the cultivation of it had been practised upon the hills of the Rhone.—M. G. DrncHEvaLrim.—(Belgique Horticole.) USES OF A SMALL GREENHOUSE. Ty answer to ‘‘ Bricuton,’’ My. Fish writes as follows :— “You may do great things in your small greenhouse, but there is the risk that if you attemp$ too much you will fail in more than you can at present reasonably expect. The first place I occupied was visited by the celebrated nurseryman Joseph Knight, and as I had some little places crammed, resolving to get fruit and flowers out of them, he tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘Mr. F , 1 am.bad enough, but you are 470 ten times worse. You will never get all these things to thrive in company.’ Well, for a time I did, but ere long the man of more experience proved correct, and I had to cut out first this, and then that, and ultimately devote the little house to one or two, instead of half a dozen kinds of plants. “Your house is 153 by 11 feet, and has a hipped roof; the long roof facing the east 8 feet, the short roof facing the west 4feet. You propose devoting the last to Vines, and the former to Cucumbers, from May to September, with the help of a dung bed. I may state that the height of the house in front is 54 feet, height to angle of roof 10 feet. Now, as you wish to combine these with flowers in winter—Primulas, Cinerarias, Camellias, &c.—I say that you would command greater suc- cess if you had some means of heating the houses. With your large panes of glass you will grow Cucumbers well, and also hardy Grapes; but what will you do with your plants in winter if there be a sudden frost. “Secondly, Though you gain in warmth with a hipped-roofed house, you would be more successful, if you had heat, if your house were span-roofed and faced east and west, as on the whole, with unobstructed sunlight, that is the most favour- able position for a house, for then the midday sun strikes the house so as not to greatly interfere with the comfort of the inmates. “Thirdly, I have grown Vines and Cucumbers successfully under worse conditions, but I do not approve of mingling them too much in one house. I seldom smoke Cucumbers, but beginners will sometimes have to do so, and the smoke does not at all times suit the Vines or Grapes. The two can be well grown with experience and care. “Fourthly, As I can hardly see the state of your Vines re- ferred to, I would advise you to purchase strong fruiting canes from such nurserymen as advertise in these columns, and after cracking the pot to pieces plunge it in good soil, and take what you can get from it for a couple of years. As you are anxious for fruit I would do so, if I paid from 7s. 6d. to 10s. for strong plants unpruned. At the same time I would plant carefully young plants at from 3s. Gd. to 5s., and cut them back so as to be permanent Vines. The sorts I would recom mend would be one Royal Muscadine (white) and one Black Hamburgh. “Fifthly, The only place where I see in the circumstances you could grow a Peach and Nectarine would be upon the back wall that abuts against the hipped roof; but you could only succeed there by haying an open space in the roof to give light to the trees. With the east front covered with Cucum- bers, and the west hipped roof with Vines, where is the light to come from? You might have some half a dozen or more Peaches and Nectarines in a fruiting condition in pots, and could fruit them before the glass is covered with foliage. “ Although you set the fruit in spring, if the roof be covered with the foliage of Vines and Cucumbers, there will be little colour or flavour in the fruit. “Tn one word, I feel for you. I tried more than you speak of, and failed as the permanent plants grew; and one word more, if you wish your little house to yield you pleasure in winter, resort to some simple mode of heating.—R. F.” PORTRAITS OF PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND FRUITS. OpontoGLossuM PARDINUM. Nat. ord., Orchidacee. Linn. arr., Gynandria Monogynia.—Discovered by Dr. Jameson in the Andes of Ecuador. Panicle 2 to3 feet long, spreading, many-flowered. Flowers 2 inches in diameter, pale golden ' yellow, with a few orange-red ocellated spots on the petals and lip. Crest of two lateral wings with an erect spine.—(Bot. Mag., 5993.) Crenxowsx14 Kirxu. Nat. ord., Scitaminex.—Roots, tuber- ous fibres. Stem formed of the sheathing petioles of the leaves. Leaves large, with narrow translucent margins. Flow- ers 2 inches broad across the lip, with a double perianth. Inner perianth in two series; three outer connate, sub-equal, connate into a short tube at the base, white; three inner con- nate into a broad, round, expanded, three-lobed lip, split to the base next the axis, pale rose-purple, with a bifid golden spot opposite the anther.—(Bot. Mag., 5994.) ; Liranruvs pusituus. Nat.ord.,Liliacer. Linn. arr., Hex- andria Monogynia.—A very small Liliaceous plant, with leaves like green threads, and white nodding flowers. It is a native of Southern Africa. Leaves 2 to 4 inches long, in pairs, erect. Szape erect, rigid, about half the length of the leaves. Flow- | JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 12, 1872. ers solitary or in pairs, from one-sixth to one-quarter of an “inch long.—(Bot. Mag., 5995.) PELARGONIUM OBLONGATUM. Nat ord., Geraniacee. Linn. arr., Monadelphia Pentandria.—A native of South Africa. Re- markable for having a thick fleshy rootstock, which is about the size of a Carrot, being of a rich brown colour, and possess- ing a kind of flaking bark. Flowers umbelled, numerous, pale yellow.—(Bot. Mag., 5996.) CurysaNTHEMUM (PyreTHRUM) Mawit. Nat. ord., Composite. Linn. arr., Syngenesia Superflua.—This plant is in certain respects allied to the Myconia Chrysanthemum of the Medi- terranean region. It is a native of the Greater Atlas, on the lower range of which it is generally found. Heads about 1 to 13 inch in diameter, solitary, long-peduncled ; peduncle gradu- ally swelling upwards. Ray flowers about twenty ; ligule ob- tusely three-toothed, white, rose-coloured at the back. Disk flowers brown, tubular.—(Bot. Mag., 5997.) Wattuam Cross Grape.— This fine Grape is one of many seedlings exhibited before the Fruit Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society in the autumn of last year, and was awarded a first-class certificate. The largest berries on the bunch then shown were from 14 to 13 inch long. It is a late variety, hanging on the Vine till spring. The constitution is hardy, the Vine bears abundantly, and the berries set freely. Although the berry resembles the Muscat of Alexandria in size and form, the flavour and other characters are akin to the Black Hamburgh. It will be sent out by Mr. William Paul in the spring of 1873. It may be expected to prove a fine late- keeping white Grape. The bunches are very large, tapering. and well-shouldered. The berries also are very large, oblong- oval in shape, of a pale and very pure and clear amber colour ; the skin membranous, enclosing a firm solid flesh, witha sweet and pleasant flavour. It will be a desirable companion for Lady Downe’s Seedling.” —(Llorist and Pomologist, 3 s., Vol. v., p. 217.) WEED EXTIRPATOR. Messrs. Dick RapciyFFE & Co., of 129, High Holborn, London, have sent us a weed extirpator, of which the accompany- ing is an engraving, and which, we believe, will be found useful for the purpose of extirpating what are Inown to gardeners as ‘‘ root weeds.” It is, as they state, very light, and can be used without seriously dis- turbing the surface. They recommend it as being specially adapted for use on lawns and croquet grounds, and give the follow- ing directions for use:—Open the points slightly, and insert them into the ground under the plant to be extirpated, raising it by pressing on the fulcrum of the im- plement. Remove the tool from the ground, and pick out the weed with the points, when it will be found to come away with the roots unbroken, and little or no soil ad- hering to them. NOTES AND GLEANINGS. Tue crop of Apricots at CoLEsHILL GaRDENS, BERKSHIRE, an unusually heavy one, was entirely spoiled by mildew last year. The fruit which ripened was small and flayourless, and the trees seem to haye received a great shock, for this year they have produced but little blossom, borne no fruit, and made but small growth, notwithstanding the continual mild open weather. Such instances strengthen the opinion that Apricots, Peaches, and Nectarines will soon require to be culti- vated under glass shelters only. —— A Frencu farmer has discovered that the use of tan is an efficient preventive against Porsro pisEAse. For three years he has introduced a small quantity of the residue of the bark used for tanning into each hole on planting his Potato crop, and each time he has been completely successful in pre- serving his fields free from the annoying disease. ; Tur prospects of splendid crops in the Agra district have been destroyed by Locusts, which are, however, being turned to account by other bipeds than birds, as they are said to ‘‘ make capital curry, very similar in flavour to prawns.” — We learn from a foreign paper that nuts of the “ Tactva Tren” are being exported in great quantities from New > December 12, 1872. ] Granada to other parts of the world, particularly to the United States. They are very hard, and permit of being shaped into any form, and so ure often employed in place ofiyory. The tree belongs to the Palm tribe, and has been named by Spanish botanists Phytelephas macrocarpa. The following is a de- scription of it given by Spanish writers :—‘‘ The Indians cover their cottages with the leaves of this most beautiful Palm. The fruit at first contains a clear insipid fluid, by which travel- lers allay their thirst; afterwards this same liquor becomes milky and sweet, and it changes its taste by degrees as it acquires solidity, till at last it is almost as hard as ivory. The liquor contained in the young fruits becomes acid if they are cut from the tree and kept some time. From the kernels the Indians fashion the knobs of walking-sticks, the reels of spindles, and little toys, which are whiter than ivory, and as hard, if they are not put under water—and if they are, they become white and hard again when dried. Bears devour the young fruit with avidity.” . —— Tue following is an answer, well amplified, to a very old charade :—A lady requested to know Why a gardener is the most extraordinary man in the world? and the solution was, Because no man has more business on earth, and always chooses good grounds for what he does. He commands his own Thyme; he is master of the Mint; he raises his own Celery every year; and it is a bad year indeed that does not produce him a Plum. He meets with more boughs than a minister of state; he makes more beds than the French kings, and has in them more Painted Ladies, and more genuine Roses and Lilies than are to be found at a country wake. He makes raking his business more than his diversion, as many fine gentlemen do, but makes it his advantage both to his health and fortune, which is the case with few others. Then he indulges his own pleasures ; and then he is plain in his dress with his Bachelor’s Buttons, yet he encourages Cockscombs with Prince’s Feathers, and greatly admires the Pride of London, and with pleasure beholds his Love-lies-bleeding under a Weeping Willow. His wife, notwithstanding, has as much Lads’-love and Heart’s-ease as she can desire, and never wishes for weeds. Distempers fatal to others never hurt him, and he thrives most on Consumption; he is Nature’s assistant, and is as famous for his Balm of Gilead, Female Balsam, and genuine drops as an apothecary, and his Thrift abounds by Honesty. Heis a great antiquarian, having in his possession Adam’s Needle, the Tree of Life, Jacob’s Ladder, Solomon’s Seal, the Holy Throne, Venus’s Looking-glass, the Arms of France, and the Crown Imperial. He is well acquainted with the Globes, and has crossed the line oftener than any mariner in Great Britain; he is the King of Spades, and is happy with his beautiful Queen Margaret; he can boast of more Laurels than Alexander the Great, and Bleeding Hearts than your ladyship ; but his greatest pride, and the world’s greatest cause of envy is—that he can have Yew at any time. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY’S MEETINGS. Tue second meeting of this Society was held on November 18th at Burlington House, H. W. Bates, Esq., being in the chair. Mr. W. C. Hewitson sent for exhibition a fine specimen of the Camberwell Beauty Butterfly, Vanessa Antiopa, taken by him- _ Self in his garden in Oatlands Patk, near Weybridge, on the 1st of November. It was doubtless on the point of hybernating. Mr. Vaughan exhibited Crambus verellus, a new British Moth, taken by Mr. C. A. Briggs at Folkestone in the month of July last ; also some varieties of the Red Admiral and Painted Lady Butterflies. Mr. Meek exhibited another new British species of Moth, Nephopteryx argyrella, belonging to the family Phycide, taken near Gravesend ; also several interesting varieties of Bri- tish Lepidoptera. Mr. Wallace forwarded the exuvie of some insect, apparently belonging to the family Tineide, which had committed much damage in the collections of dried Mosses and Lichens made by Dr. Spruce in Brazil. Mr. Meldola exhibited a drawing of the dark variety of the caterpillar of the Death’s- head Moth. _The following memoirs were read:—Notes on the entomolo- gical papers published in the ‘‘ Verhandlungen der Schweizer- ischen Naturforschender Gesellschaft,’ from 1823 to 1864, by Mr. Albert Miiller; Reply to Mr. Dunning’s comments on Mr. Lewis’s strictures upon Dr. Hagen’s memoir on the British Psocide, by Mr. Lewis. Tur December meeting of this Society was held on the 2nd inst., the President, Professor Westwood, in the chair. Dr. H. Saussure, of Geneva, was elected one of the eight foreign honor- ary members of the Society, in the place of the late Professor Pictet. The President exhibited some drawings of details of JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. sea has lost more than half its flavour. 471 several hitherto unfigured species of Strepsiptera, in illustration of the recently published memoir by Mr. 8. S. Saunders on that remarkable tribe of insects ; also a coloured drawing of a singu- larly-marked variety of Cynthia Cardui. Mr. F. Bond exhibited some interesting British Lepidoptera, including a specimen of Lycena Aigon, one pair of the wings of which was brown and the other pair blue; a black variety of Acronycta megacephala ; varieties of Miselia Oxyacantha and Notodonta dodonza; and a large new British species of Ichneumon, reared by Mr. Mitford from Lasiocampa Trifolii. Major Munn, through My. F. Smith, inquired whether, in the experience of any of the members, the queen bee ever used her sting in stinging observers. Mr. Smith stated that on one occa- sion he had taken the queen from the comb without her attempt- ing to sting him; and the President stated that he had never in his hive-bee experience been stung by the queen. Mr. Smith added that the females of certain Sand Wasps of the genera Cerceris and Philanthus could not be made to sting the hand, although they stung the insects which they buried by way of store for their progeny. Mr. Champion exhibited two new British Beetles of small size, Thyamis distinguenda and Lithocharis picea. Mr. Albert Miiller communicated notes on the habits of a species of Ne- matus, belonging to the family of the Sawflies, the caterpillars of which, at the end of October, he had found devouring the leaves of a Sallow bush on Shirley Heath, the midribs of the leaves only being left, the larve residing together in small families. He had observed that these larve are attacked by the young of a species of field Bug (Pentatoma bidens, Linneus), which sucks out all the juices of their bodies, leaving only the outer skin. He had observed one of the latter destroyed as many as thirty-six of the Sawfly larve in four days. The mode of attack of these voracious insects was carefully described. Mr. Dunning read some notes on the genus Acentropus, com- pleting his memoir on that curious Moth, the species of which had now been observed in Scotland, Belgium, and Holland. No specimens had been found in Scotland since the days of Dr. Leach until recently rediscovered by Mr. Syme. Mr. Boyd had found the pupa on the destructive American water weed, Ana- charis, which had destroyed the Potamogeton, the true food plant of the caterpillar of the Acentropus. The following memoirs were read:—1, Descriptions of eleven new species and genera of exotic Beetles of the family Tene- brionide, by Mr. F. Bates. 2, The first portion of a descriptive catalogue of the Phytophagous Coleoptera of Japan collected by Mr. George Lewis, by Mr. J. Baly. 3, Descriptions of fourteen new species of Butterflies from the extra-tropical part of South Africa, by Mr. Rowland Trimen. MR. PYE’S ORANGE ORCHARD AT PARRAMATTA. How many out of ten thousand Europeans have plucked an Orange from its tree, or an oyster from its bed? Perhaps one or two of us—certainly not more. That golden fruit is familiar to such an extent to every Britisher that we almost forget that we never see it before it has been curiously boxed and bandaged and sent over the seas. The tree, with those silver blossoms, so dear to the dreams of the maiden, in hopes one day to wear them, and with that golden fruit, so dear to the taste of all of us, young or old, grows only in a sunny southern clime. The Orange is a lump of sunshine. It tells outside and within equally of the sun that coloured it, and of the golden sunbeams whose colour, sweetness, and taste live in all parts of it—palpa- ble to every eye that can feed the mind, and tongue that can taste beyond the mouth. All such thoughts and many more were with us when it was proposed that we should go some fifteen or twenty miles out from Sydney to see an Orange plan- tation—Orange grove, as it was termed. As the trip included a voyage up the pretty Parramatta River and promised to fill-up time in a day’s good outing, we cheerfully agreed to be escorted to an Australian orangery, and for the second time in our life to see a sight of which we had for twenty years retained a plea- sant remembrance. The remembrance went far over the waters to the island of Madeira, in which we saw our first Orange trees. We never tasted wine nor Oranges until we tasted both at Madeira. Itis said that tea that has been brought over the That -which is sold at the great fair of Nishini Novgorod in Russia, brought thither overland from China, we are told, is a delectable drink to what most of us get from the teapot. Whether the tea question in that view can be disputed we will leave now, but as to the Madeira wine and the Oranges that we got in that island we decline to admit of argument. That wine was nectar, and those Oranges, picked from the trees, ambrosia. All the wines that we have tasted since have been as ditch water to that old Madeira that had never left its own island home. We are going up the Parramatta River all the time we are JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 12, 1872. A72 al it mt ment ee iy in lM : Me | ORANGE ORCHARD AT PARRAMATTA. ae x December 12, 1872. ] thus talking about Madeira, and are getting sights of its pretty shores on both its sides. The end of two hours or thereabouts lands us at Parramatta, or as near to it as the tide will serve. The rest is done upon a stage coach—two or three miles—into the red brick township. Parramatta has one attraction—its Domain, a sort of botanical garden that almost rivals that of Sydney, and surpasses anything of the sort to be seen elsewhere in the southern hemisphere. An old English-looking town is Parramatta, with old English sort of inns, at one of which we get dinner, and then progress on our journey. Three miles or so onwards we approach Pye’s Orange grove, an Orange planta- tion twenty-five years or more in age, covering acres upon acres of sterile soil on both sides of the bed of a creek. The Orange, like to the Vine and the Olive, gathers its nourishment best from where we can least see sustenance. How such rich fruits can come of such miserable soils, if we may call rocks and pebbles and shingles by the name of soil, is beyond a limited comprehension, and is a perfect negative to the theories about cause and effect, and of like producing like. If such were good reasoning, the Oranges we saw should haye been dry as the Apples of Sodom, and have eaten like to a handful of gravel and triturated rock, instead of tasting like to lumps of spiritu- alised jelly soaked in heavenly champagne, and perfumed by the goddess Flora herself. The number of these Orange bushes was quite bewildering. Hardy shrubs about 15 feet high, with dark green leaves and spreading branches from the ground upwards, quite hiding the stem of the bush. Each one was loaded with its golden globes, well set-off by the dense background of green leaf. It seemed a sort of wrong-doing to pull the fruit, but the sense of sacrilege and desecration got blunted after the crime had been perpetrated half a dozen times. We never thought our Capacity for eating Oranges was half so great. Perhaps it was that we knew not what we can do until we try. Perhaps it was that the walk and the fresh air had sharpened our appetite, but most likely it was that the Oranges had a freshness and flayour to which since the days of Madeira our taste had been astranger. We think that was what was the matter. As oysters lose their flavour hour by hour, from the time they cease to draw the nourishment of their native feeding grounds, so do Oranges from the time that they are taken from the tree. We noticed once a racehorse christened ‘Old Orange Girl.” It was, and still is a question with us, whether the term ‘‘old”’ applied to the girl or to the Oranges, and whether it was intended to imply that the female or the fruit was at all bettered by the process of time. An ‘old girl” may still be a very good one, but we can answer definitely in the negative about Oranges. To- sit as we sat upon the rocks on the shelying sides of the creek, and to suck Oranges under the shade of the trees that produced them, was not a bad way of getting through an afternoonin New South Wales. We became quite posted-up about Oranges that day, and found that like to horses, no part of them but was useful for some purpose. The pulp, the peel, and the pips, all did good service, and that for half a dozen things. We had thought of Orange peel in connection with its sugared state only for Christmas-pudding purposes. If we had another thought thereon it was only as to the slippings-down it had brought us to upon the pavement. We understand that slipping-down now. It is but a silent pro- test on the part of the peel against its being thrown away and wasted. It calls out to us, in that way, of its value, and bids us not to tread upon that which we should carefully pick up and preserve. Of Orange peel only are made two chemicals, two preserves, Orange bitters, Orange marmalade, and another thing of commercial value — seven valuable things of that which we throw away, and which throws us down for so doing! What fortunes lay at our feet, and what simpletons we are !-— J. Hineston (in New Zealand Illustrated Press). PERMANENCY OF CONCRETE WALLS. Ir is yery encouraging to those who have built, and those who contemplate building, concrete walls, to know that such a high authority upon that sort of work as Mr. Pulham, of Broxbourne, should express himself so favourably of their durability (see page 426). There is a vast amount of truth in what is stated with regard to the need of good materials and skillful workmanship, and the copings should be more parti- cularly well laid, so that no cracking may afterwards take place; and if made of brick, as were those at Hatfield, the joints should be of the best material and well filled up, for if the wet should find its way in it will most likely do damage, JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 473 and, perhaps, at no distant period a portion of the wall wili give way. Considering the great extent of concrete wall built at Hatfield, and the peculiar situation of the ground, it is gratifying that there were so few defects, and these principally arose through the settling of the concrete; the cement facings also in some few places scaled off through imperfect adhesion, otherwise all was well. That portion which was finished before the severe frost in the winter of 1870, and, in fact, all the others, have borne the test of the weather remarkably well, and I should say is not likely now to give way. In laying-on the cement facings, which is generally done in lengths of from 20 to 40 feet, each length should be joined to the other in the imost careful manner, otherwise every length can be distinctly seen by the cement cracking from the top of the wall to the bottom at the imperfectly-made joints. Again, in mixing the cement, which generally has a portion of sand along with it, the greatest care should be observed that each mixture should be of exactly the same proportions as the other, otherwise some part of the wall will be lighter than the others, and thereby produce an effect not at all agreeable to the eye, nor will the work beso capable of withstanding the weather at all places alike.—THomas Recorp. WORK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. DratninG, trenching, and ridging should now receive at- tention. A winter’s fallow is almost equal to a coat of manure, especially in hard-tilled soil. The keeping roots should be ex- amined, especially where soiled-over. Potatoes are rotting in several parts of the kingdom. I should probably be correct in saying that one-sixth of them have decayed since their removal from the ground. They cannot under present circumstances endure fermentation ; this being their greatest bane, seems to point to it as probably the most active agent in originally bring- ing on the disease. Keep a sharp eye to the protection of tender crops, and cover some Parsley in beds in order to exclude snow. Old half-worn-out lights will do. FRUIT GARDEN. I looked over a garden not many weeks ago in which the out- lay during the last ten years in what are called improvements had been immense, and yet, strange to say, it was still un- drained, and almost every crop bore evidence to the fact. The soil is dark and adhesive, and slopes to the north—a most un- favourable site, and the Vine borders were actually below the ordinary ground level. As might be expected, the Grapes were very bad, and the fruit trees in general very slender and shabby in appearance. There are still many badly drained gardens in various parts of the kingdom, and at this period attention should be paid to remedying the neglect. If deep drainage is considered necessary to the agriculturist, it surely is at least equally important to the gardener; and believing the theory of deep drainage to be perfectly correct as to its ameliorating power in gradually deepening the soil, I would make garden drains at least a yard in depth. It ought to be remembered that the old mode of covering the drains with brushwood, straw, turf, or, in fact, any decomposable matter, is now repudiated by first-rate practitioners, as tending ultimately to choke-up the in- terstices of the drains with silt. Two-inch pipes are in most cases very suitable. These might be covered with a few inches of cinders or pounded stones from which the finer particles had been riddled ; on these place a layer of turf from the common or roadside, and finally the soil. The benefits of good drainage in damp or retentive garden soils will soon be manifest in the improved.condition of the fruit trees, to say nothing of the vegetables, and last, not least, in driving away a host of snails and slugs, which will be found to diminish as soon as the soil is in a mellow condition. FLOWER GARDEN. Now that the leaves are off the trees let lawns and shrubberies have a thorough cleaning. Examine pillar and trellis Roses, and if the weather is favourable see if it is necessary to renew the soil or the kinds. For choice sorts roomy holes should be made capable of containing three or four barrowloads of well- prepared soil. Turfy loam of good quality is the chief material ; to this add a portion of rich rotten manure, and, if at hand, alittle sandy peat orleaf mould. Proceed with whatever al- terations are necessary, delay nothing until spring which can be as well done now. It is a point of great importance to the florist to be not only acquainted with the nature of soils, but likewise with their action on the various flowers he cultivates. I am certain, from long experience, that Tulips, in particular, vary in purity of cup and intensity of colour according to the compost in which they are grown. I have grown a large and valuable collection of these fine flowers in 2 compost, the major part of which is decayed turf taken from pasture fields whose sub- stratum is red sandstone, and which appeared more or less im- pregnated with iron. In this soil the flowers were apt to he 474 tinged at fhe base. I have next season planted those bulbs, which I considered out of character, in some decayed turf (allu- vial soil), from the banks of a river; in this they produced flowers of the most perfect purity. From this it would appear that the presence of iron in soils has an injurious effect on the blooms, whilst in the same soil the plants flourish amazingly, increasing in an extraordinary degree. For Tulips the soil ought to be prepared the previous season. A most successful grower procures turf from'a pasture field of a loamy character. After placing a layer of this 6 or 8 feet square, grass side downwards, he covers it with 6 inches thick of cow manure and rotten leaves, and again with a layer of turf, over which are placed turf ashes, covering-up again with turf. This lies till February, when the whole is chopped over and two pecks of salt sprinkled on it as itis turned. In frosty weather it is turned once or twice, and in May it is again chopped over and two pecks of lime added. This may appear much trouble, but it will leave no insects in the bed ifitis perfectly sweetened, and the flowers have been always first-rate. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. The winter flowers will now be making a splendid display in the conservatory, at least where they have received special at- tention through the summer to this end. Huphorbia jacquiniz- flora is one of the finest of these beauties where properly cul- tivated. Unless, however, a most healthy root-action is main- tained, the leaves are apt to become yellow whilst the plant is in bloom, and this will at once spoil the effect. The plants require a very moderate allowance of water at this season. Poinsettia pulcherrima is a very bold and dashing conservatory plant, and indispensable at this time of the year. Well-grown plants of the Gesnera bulbosa or lateritia are equally useful. This plant should be slightly pot-pound in order to blossom very early. Gesnera zebrina under high cultivation is a most beautiful winter flower, and equally desirable on account of the elegant markings of the leaf, which become very rich indeed in the stove. The old Plumbago rosea and capensis are still amongst our best plants at this period ; the latter flowers freely against a south wall during the summer. Some of the genus Cytisus are very showy and fragrant, and, as yellow flowers are somewhat scarce, they become very useful. All these things should have clear liquid manure very weak at this period. I use guano and soot water, which, clarified and become stale, is not in the slightest degree offensive. i STOVE. Many plants will now be sinking into repose here, and from such water must be withheld. Of these may be named the Erythrinas, the Clerodendrons, the Achimenes, the Gloxinias, &c., with various bulbs. These should have a shelf or division of the house to themselves forthwith, and it should be borne in mind that the Gloxinia family and the Clerodendrons are very impatient of low temperature, even when at rest. I should not deem them safe below 50°. FORCING PIT. This is a good time to introduce the following subjects into the forcing pit provided they have received the necessary treat- ment during the summer— Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Persian Lilacs, Sweet Briars, Moss and other Roses, Ledums, Kalmias, Daphnes, Anne Boleyn Pinks, Dutch bulbs, &c. Unless, how- ever, they are in proper trim, it will be labour in vain, and no mode of forcing or form of pit can compensate for this.— W. Kerang. DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. We have never known more sudden changes of weather. On the evening of the 4th we prognosticated frost, and made pre- parations to meet it by sheltering Cauliflowers and protect- ing cold frames. On the morning of the 5th the thermometer fell from 4° to 6° below freezing, and just before sunrise as low as 10° below freezing point. ‘The opportunity was taken to wheel litter over the hard ground, to be ready for protecting Cauliflower under hand-lights, and Celery in beds. We made ready for another night’s frost, but in the afternoon we thought we should have a snow storm, and felt pleased rather than otherwise, as snow, unless in such excess as to break and crush by its weight, is one of our best protectors. Contrary to our expectations, darkness had scarcely set in when, instead of the snow, we hada continuous drenching rain, and since then the weather has been mild rather than cold, but so wet as to in- terfere greatly with out-door operations. Except trenching, ridging, and rough digging, all nice operations on the ground had better be delayed until a more favourable opportunity. Hardly anything will thrive when sown or planted in mud. It is true economy to wait for the ground being in better condition. Celery—As soon as the sun thawed the tops of the Celery, we drew a little long litter between the plants in the beds, chiefly three plants across. This of itself would afford much protection. Some more litter was left to be thrown lightly over the tops of the plants if the frost continued, but it remains there still. Hitherto this season we have not lost a single head of JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 12, 1872. | Celery—that is, not a single head has been taken up that was not fit to appear at table. When grown, as by many farmers and amateurs, in single rows, much injury, causing damping and rotting at the core, is produced from over-earthing-up. When we did not closely look after the earthing-up we have suffered from this in the spring of the year. A little long litter at the | top would be better than so much more earth, and would afford protection at the same time. We find, however, that too much | of this litter is dangerous in wet weather. It retains the wet too rauch, andis apt to damp the plants. Therefore, the lining we have referred to should not be too thick; and, again, in damp weather it should be shaken and turned—a matter involving no great amount of labour. Placing long litter along the sides of plants, requires greater watchfulness in our case than when Celery is grown in single rows, as we are compelled, in order to save space, to growitin beds. In either case a little long litter will be better than an extra earthing-up. A year ago we saw an amateur take up a row 30 feet in length, and every plant was rotten at the core. If there had been 9 inches less earthing-up, and 1 or 2 inches of litter instead, there would have been no peaton why every head should not have appeared at the dining- able. Celery is as hardy as any of our wild plants, but we have made it tender by our treatment. In severe frosts, therefore, it is advisable to shake lightly over the tops some light long litter, which protects the plants sufficiently, taking care that the litter shall be carefully removed the day after the thaw. Where a little long litter, tree leaves, moss, &c., can be obtained, it will be found true economy not to earth-up late Celery too much, just as it will be found true economy not to earth-up early Celery on the bit-by-bit system recommended in most garden books. Salads.—To save as much as possible Lettuces, &., under glass, we covered in the dry day before the frost a fine bed of Endive, by placing some useless mats over it to keep it clean, and then covered with tree leaves and a little litter to keep them from being blown away. This will be in fine order about Christmas time. Endive for late and present use has been blanched by slates and boards merely laid over the plants. The appearance in the salad bowl of Endive and Chicory well blanched is very enticing, but to our own taste we never think either equal to a Lettuce ; still we must think of appearances as well as quality in these days. There are numerous ways of obtaining nice Endive. Perhaps the best and easiest-blanched Endive we ever had was obtained by taking some thousands of fine plants into a large underground chamber at the end of a hothouse. We have seen milk-white Endive taken out of that chamber daily from November to March. Such a chamber heated from the stokehole of the large hothouse would, in addition to Endive, have produced a superabundance of Sea-kale and Rhubarb, where the pale colour was not objectionable, and even of Aspara- gus, if the heads could be placed in bright light a few days before being sent to table. As assistant we blanched Chicory in first-rate style in the same place. In a simple way, on a small scale, we never had Chicory better than by filling a 12-inch pot with good roots, placing another 12-inch pot over it, claying the junction to keep light out, closing the hole in the upper pot, placing the whole where there was a medium temperature of 60°, and cutting when the heads were 5 or 6 inches long. Some amateurs have thus had fine Chicory, and even Dandelions quite as good. Ona large scale nothing is better than a small barrel pierced with holes all round, the heads of the roots protruding, and the roots bedded in soil in layers in the interior of the barrel, and the barrel itself set in a dark place in a temperature of from 50° to 60°—just such a place as would grow Mushrooms all the year through. Mushrooms.—Several correspondents have complained that they are found fault with because they cannot have Mushrooms in plenty to a given day. All we can say is that we should be as blameable as they. With plenty of means there ought to be a constant supply ; with limited means the supply will be more uncertain. A late employer considered no cookery could be worth much without Mushrooms and the Onion tribe, and, of course, we tried to meet the want. With small and few beds, Mushrooms cannot be depended on fora day. For instance, a fortnight ago we could have gathered a quantity every day. Expecting company, we rather hastened them on. The company came some twelve days later than we expected, and when the visitors arrived the glut was oyer, and the succession, though white, were scarcely the size of pin heads. With the exception of what were wanted for cutting-up, instead of being able to send a good large dish every alternate day, we have been obliged to content ourselves with two dishes per week. If we could not have sent a dish at all after what was gabe there would have been annoyance, but there could hardly have been blame. We wish it to be clearly understood, that the best Mushroom-growers cannot depend on what will be the result at a certain hour or day some weeks hence. Where there are plenty of conveniences, the only security for a constant supply is plenty of beds and means. We can generally calculate within a fortnight or three weeks. We cannot calculate to a day or a week as to whata December 12, 1872 J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 475 bed will do. We think it is only right to state this. For a fortnight just now we should have found no quantity of Mush- rooms out of place, and we are scarcer than we have been for some time. Very probably, and most likely from appearances, a fortnight hence we shall be as well supplied as we were three weeks ago, when there was a glut rather than otherwise. To gardeners who have little experience, and to employers who do not enter into details, we say, as the result of much and successful experience, that with limited space you must not caleulate on dishes of Mushrooms to a day. Another thing we have long found out—that in a Mushroom house, where there are shallow raised beds, and these beds can be pushed on by fire heat or even dung heat beneath, shelf beds are more under command than beds built on the ground level. From shelf beds we generally calculate to have Mushrooms six weeks after spawning and earthing-up. In particular cases, by more shallow earthing-up and a little more heat, we have had fine gatherings in amonth. In general, such early gathering is not attended with the same continuance of bearing as when the bed has had more time to arrive at maturity. In bottom beds on the ground in a Mushroom house in winter, and in sheds and shady places in summer, we have often gathered in six weeks after spawning and earthing-up, but it was frequently much longer. We have waited as long as eight, ten, and in some cases twelve weeks, and then had rich gatherings. We state the foregoing simple facts merely to show that with limited space a gardener is not to be blamed if he cannot have plenty of Mushrooms to a day or several days, and more especi- ally if he has received only a few days’ notice. If employers want the most from their garden on particular occasions, the gardener should not havemerely hours, but weeks of notice, and he should have that notice direct. FRUIT GARDEN. The remarks of the last week will apply: the ground is too wet for planting, and even pruning should not be done unless the pruner has short boards to stand upon. We would rather delay a little than have the ground trodden when it is so wet. ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT. The same remark applies here. In fine days we have pruned Laurels and shrubs, because the turf was too solid to be much acted on by the feet of the men. The lawn, having been cleaned and light-rolled with the wooden roller, presents a rich green all its own after these heavy rains, and more especially as the worms seem to get enough to satisfy them beneath without coming to the surface and leaving their rich earth heaps. If they do come, the wooden roller soon puts the little heaps out of sight, and the roller only wants scraping to keep it clean. As regards planting Tulips, Anemones, and Ranunculuses, the work, though wanting to be done, had better be delayed until the ound become drier. The hardiest Roses may be pruned, but that, too, had better be delayed alittle if there should be any necessity for standing on the-wet soil, and thus making it so | 70° 9 peering g : solid that it would be a long time before it could be made friable, open, and healthy again. With the exception of the one frosty night our cold pits have had air night and day. On the day before the frost we exposed Violets and our cuttings of Calceolarias to the full sun, and were glad thus to get the surface alittledry. The Violets we covered between the rows with a coating of the driest and roughest ashes we could get. The flowers will be all the finer of this dry surface, and slugs, &c., will be deterred from approaching them. As yet we have had enough out of doors, and we keep these, planted lately in a cold pit, for an emergency, as a single night of frost, though it may not greatly injure the appearance of Violets out of doors, takes nway their chief attraction—their rich perfume. We have made Violets into bouquets because they looked well, though we knew their scent was gone. A few slower from a protected place did something to redeem the want. 4 Calceolaria Cuttings in the cold pit ere much the same as when inserted; not a cutting seems as yet to have gone. A few weeds were pulled out, and a pointed stick run-up between the rows to loosen the rather firm surface, as it was getting rather damp. The first-planted cuttings are just showing the buddings of roots. They have so callused at the base as to stand unflinchingly several days of rather strong sunshine with the sashes remoyed. After the exposure, the cleaning, and the surface-stirring, we felt sure that, if necessary, these cuttings might in severe weather have been shut-up for weeks night and day, and would have sustained no injury. The only precaution in such cases is simply this, that the inside temperature should be free from frost, and yet so low as to cause no elongation of growth. : We proceeded with potting, repotting, watering, &c., spilling as little water as possible in this damp weather, as most places are damp enough; and we gave weak manure water to Primulas, Cinerarias, Camellias, Huphorbias, Poinsettias, Hranthemums, and the later Chrysanthemums. To succeed the latter we shall have large plants of double Geraniums, &c., as we find them most useful, and they do not drop their flowers like single ones. TRADE CATALOGUE RECEIVED. Kirk Allen, Brampton, Huntingdon.—Catalogue of Roses, Vines, Evergreens, dc. TO CORRESPONDENTS. N.B.—Many questions must remain unanswered until next week. : SELEcr CurysaNrHEemuMs (W. S.).—Large-flowered : Prince Alfred, Em- press of India, General Slade, Jardin des Plantes, Beverley, John Salter, Prince of Wales, Princess of Wales, Venus, Lady Harding, Baron Beust, Fingal, Le Grand, Mr, Brunlees, Little Harry, Princess Beatrice, Rev. J. Dix, Mrs. G. Rundle, Bronze Jardin des Plantes, General Bainbrigge, Hereward, Lady Talfourd, Lord Derby, Queen of England. Pompons: White, Lilac, and Golden Cedo Nulli, Bob, Golden Aurore, Héléne, White Trevenna, Durufiet, Sainte Thais, Salamon, Aurore Boréale, and Mustapha. GARDENERS’ Royal BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION (W. G.).—Write to Mie Cutler, the Secretary, for the rules. His direction is 14, Tavistock Row; Covent Garden, London. EMIGRATING GARDENER (A Subscriber —We neyer recommend any pla: é to an intending emigrant; it would require far more information than we can possess to justify us. If we found all circumstances suitable, we should prefer Victoria in Australia. Write to the Emigration Commissioners; they will send you any information you need. CAMELLIAS FOR TRELLIS (Centurion)—We do not know any nurseryman who trains Camellias for trellises, but many plants in the bush form have the shoots well disposed for the purpose. Good kinds for a trellis are—Bealii (Leeana superba), crimson; Bonomiana, white, flaked and shaded carmine; Conspicua, scarlet, semi-double; La Pace, white, striped and shaded scarlet ; Mathetiana, crimson; Mathotiana alba, white; Monarch, scarlet ; Mrs. Cope, white, striped crimson; Reticulata flore-pleno, rose; Rubens, rose; Valteva- redo, rose; and Alba plena, white. You will secure young plants at from 3s. 6d. to 5s., or larger plants may be had at prices proportionately increasing with thesize. The border should be well drained, and the compost formed of the top inch of a pasture where the soil is a light loam, chopping it up rather small, and adding a third pari of sandy fibrous peat, and half a part of old cow dung or hotbed manure, well mixed, and put in 9 inches higher than the intended level. Pear For SourH Watt (Idem).—Of the Pears you namme—viz., Doyenné du Comice and Duchesse d@’Angouléme, we should prefer the former, though the latter would attain a much larger size on a south wall than in the oper. Céline Forestier Rose sometimes does not bloom vwell against a wall, nor do many others if the soil is very poor and unsuitable, and too dry. Plant it in good soil, water freely in dry weather, and syringe frequently, and it will flower well. DeEsTROYING StuGs—CxiuBRoor (Rf. Gregory).—For destroying slugs we know of nothing equal to quicklime, which should be dusted over the soil and plants in the evening or morning, repeating after rain, which makes the lime inert. “Lhis persisted in will effectually keep slugs under. Clubroot is not so easily dealt with, but a dressing of salt in March, at the rate of twenty bushels per acre, is a good preventive of club, and yery destructive to slugs. Gas lime may also be applied at the rate of twenty bushels per acre before planting, and dug-in; and you may also app'y 11. nitrate of soda to 30 square yards. We should use the means abovenamed to the seed beds as well as to the ground into which the plants are transplanted. Sootis also known to be a Make the ground quite black with it, and point it in with a fork lightly before sowing. LAPAGERIA ROSEA Porrine (M. C.).—Your plant will need to be potted early in February, and we should give it a 9-inch pot, draining it well, and using a compost of sandy fibrous peat two parts, one part very fibrous loam, half a part old cow dung or leaf soil, the whole torn in pieces roughly, aading a sixth of silver sand. Pot moderately firm, with the crown slightly raised in the centre of the pot. GARDEN GRUB-INFESTED (P. F. H.).—The most effectual and permanent remedy is to pare-off the surface and burn it. This may, however, be too costly a proceeding, and only applicable to portions of your garden; we therefore advise your procuring some gas lime, and applying it to all the uneropped ground at the rate of forty bushels per acre. Spread it evenly, dig the ground, and, as it is clayey, throw it up roughly in ridges for the winter. In February we should level the ground, choosing dry frosty weather, and in Mareh dress it with quicklime at the rate of a hundred bushels per acre, and fork this in whilst fresh. At this rate you may apply it to all fruit and flower borders. It will destroy every kind of slug as well as every egg it comes in contact with, and makes the soil obnoxious to almost all kinds of mubs. Early in April dress with salt at the rate of twenty bushels per acre, but it must be kept from the hearts of Cabbages and the leaves or stems of plants; though sprinkled around them, it will not do any harm, but is a great slayer of slugs, and is also a preventive of the club. Soot is likewise good, and may be applied at the same rate as the lime; the last two may be applied at all seasons without injury to the growth of the plants. The lime is, perhaps, the best destroyer of slugs; apply it in the evening or early in the morning after a shower of rain. If the surface be made white it is enough. The lime should be quick but fallen; if it is wetit will be of no use. CLEMATIS PLANTING (F. J.).—The best time to plant is at the end of March or early in April, when they are beginning to grow. The covering of the wali with Ivy is to take off the bare appearance of a wall in winter; the small- leayed kinds are particularly applicable, and especially for a low wall such as yours. We have the wall of a cottage covered with Ivy, and Clematis grows, as it were, on the face of the Ivy; when the Clematis becomes leafiess we cut it in, and the Ivy gives us a cheerful winter clothing to the wall, while enhancing the beauty of the Clematis in summer. For your low wall we should haye tke small-leayed Ivies, as Hedera taurica, H. donerailensis, Hi. variegata argentea, H. argentea rubra, and these will not impoyerish the Dorder so much as the larger-leaved sorts. You may annually cut their roots at about 9 inecbes from the wall; and if the border be mulched with leaf soil and enriched with manure, which are essential to the well-doing of the Clematis, we do rot think your herbacecus plants will suffer to any great extent. 476 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 12, 1872. ASPARAG cs Prantine (Meadow Pipit).—There is little, if anything, gained by planting large plants, which, from the loss of roots, do not trans- plant so well as younger and smaller plants. We prefer plants two years old; we have not found those three ycars old answer nearly so well as plants one, cx at most two years cld. The best time to plant is at the end of March or ealy in April; it is better to plant them when they are beginning to grow, yather than when dormant. As regards kinds, that known as Giant is most in repute. Connoyer's Colossal is said to be the largest variety known. You may, probably, procure plants of it cne year old. Por VINES IN AN Earty Hovse (Subseriber).—When particular advice is required the particular circumstances should be detailed, otherwise we might write an essay, and yet not meet your case. Start the Vines very gradualiy, beginning at 45°, creeping up in a fortnight to 50°, and then going on as gradually to 55°, and not exceeding 60° by artificial heat until all the buds have swelled and broken. With these precautions we have forced pot Vines very well on a platform or stage, with the ordinary care of moistening the buds several times a-day in bright weather. Secondly, if the pots can receive a mild bottom heat cf from 70° to 75°, and in three weeks 90°, it will greatly help the Vines. It matters little whether the pots are plunged in a mild hotbed or are placed in a sort of wooden case over a flue or pipes, provided the heat at first does not exceed 70°, and rises a little gradually ; it will be an advantage to get the roots n little in advance of the shoots. When we could not secure any of these advantages we still found it to be in favour of the plants if we could set the pots in large flats or saucers orer t' e hot-water pipes or flue; but in this case the pot did not rest on the bottom of the saucer, but on three pieces of pebbles or brick, an inch or 1} inch from the bottom, so that water could stand in the bottom of the saucer without the pot standing in it. These little matlers may seemr trifling, but after con- siderable experience we have no doubt that success will much depend on such diifles, and all the more when early forcing is the object. GRAPES IN A GREENHOUSE (4 Northamptonshire Subscriber).—We do not think that the Muscat will do much good in a house where the frost is merely excluded. For the six Vines to be added we would recommend one Royal Muscadine, one Buckland Sweetwater, one Black Champion, one Black Prince, one Trentham Black, and one Lady Downe's for keeping. As expense seems to be ne object, we would advise purchasing strong fruiting canes, say the half dozen, in large pots. Plunge the pots after cracking them all round to let the roots out. Take what fruit you can of these for a year or two. At the same time plant out younger Vines in the usual way, and treat them for enduring plants, taking little or nothing from them for two years, and by that time you can remove the forward exhausted plants. CHAUMONTEL PEAR TREES NoT SuUCCEEDING—PRUNING THE SWEET Bay (R. H.).—There is nothing the matter with the young wood of your Pear trees. The spotted appearance is natural to it. A heavy and deep soil ought to be well drained. Have you paid attention to this? Prunethe Bay tree in spring before it starts into growth; shorten-back the gross shoots, that is all that will be required. Place your ‘ Lemon” plants in heat in the spring; the young growing shoots will strike freely in a little bottom heat. PRUNING Orp APPLE Trexs (G. S.)—Your Apple trees have been bad y managed. When pruning is performed it is quite as necessary to thin-out the shoots as it is to cut them back. Thin-ont sufficiently to allow light and air to circulate freely in the centre of the tree. Cut out the greater number of the accumulation of spurs you write about, and cut the leading shoots back to within 1 foot from the base. Cut all young wood close back where it is not required. Parkes’s steel spades may be had of Palmer & Hodgkinson, Sutton Works, Birmingham; forks of A. & F. Parkes & Co., Dartmouth Street, Bir- mingham. Knicut's Monarch Prar nor Ripenrne (Janet).—We planted a Knight’s Monarch Pear on a wall with an east aspect, and like yours it bore a good crop last year, which never did ripen, but remained hard until April. This year they are now coming in, and are of excellent flavour. Pears ave very capricious as to soil and climate. If you find this variety will not ripen with you, cut down the tree and graft with some other variety. TREATMENT OF GREENHOUSE VINES IN WINTER (H. F. R.).—The only treatment required is to remoye the leaves as they fall, and after these have all fallen the Vines should be pruned between now and the new year, cutting the current year’s shoots to two eyes; and when this is done trim-off the loose parts of the bark on the spurs as well as rods, and then dress with 4 ozs. of soit soap to half a gallon of tobacco juice, adding as much sulphur vivum as will bring it to the consistency of thin paint, applying with a painter's brush, rubbing it well into every crevice, and taking care not to rub off the eyes. The Vines should not have a higher temperature in winter from fire heat than 45°, better if it do not often exceed 40° from fire heat. SHORTENING RaspBerry CAnzs (Bird’s-cye).—We think the failure of the crop this year was due to the ‘cold, dry, east wind just as the fruit was forming.” Cutting-out the old canes, and reducing those for next year’s frvit- ing to from 5 to 7 to each stool, are quite right, and we should have cut off the small extremities of the canes; but you may do it in spring when the buds are swelling. As arule, we cut off between 9 inches and a foot of the ends of the caues. If the wood is not ripe, the shortening of the canes is best done in spring. We presume you have given the plantation a good dress- ing of manure; if not, it should be done at once, not digging-in or using any mplement that will injure the roots. PRUNING WHITE JASMINE (Idem).—The irregular growths and old dead parts, if any, should be removed now, nailing-in all the shoots that are re- quired for extension or covering the wall. Defer shortening the shoots until spring. They should be cut back to within an inch of their base, except those which are nailed-in for extension or covering the wall; such should only have their weak points removed. Doxnin’s CHampron Leek (N. S. S.).—We do not know where you can obtain seed. “ Punnev.—“ Civis” writes to ask that we will condemn the use of deal shavings for forming this basket, as they give a turpentiny flavour to fruit put into it, but we can dono morethan publish the remonstrance. If any basket- maker will produce a cheap and urobjectionable punnet made of -any other amaterial, the fruit-dealers would probably adopt it. Fmpert Carkins (Octogenarius).—Like ourselyes, we fear you have to- wear spectacles, and that on the 31st of October you had lost them, for on page 553 of our number then published your query is answered. Your Gladiolus query we haye sent to a good authority, and hope to publish his answer next week. Srronc Manetri Rose Srocks (J. S.).—If your Manetti stocks have not grown too much, they may be reduced te me shoot each, and budded-in | another year; but if they have grown a good deal it is better to transplant, cutting oif all but one shoot, and carefully removing a] eyes below the ground. Bud on last year’s wood, which can be done by earthing-up the skoct, by ridg- ing-up the soil when planting in rows, and scraping away the earth when budding. See reply to ‘AN OLD READER,” page 452. Lawn WeEEpy (A Constant Reader).—The Daisies may be considerably re- duced in number by removing the roots with an old knife. We should advise their being removed in mild weather during the winter, and with them Plantains and ell cther weeds. Im March dress the lawn with any well- | rotted manure, or the remains of a rubbish heap mixed with a fourth of quick- lime, and in April give the surface a gcod scratching with an ircn rake, and remove the rough parts of the manure or compost. In calm dry weather, bus with an early prospect of rain, sow over the lawn evenly, 6 lbs. ci Festuca duriuscula, 12 Ibs. Cynosurus cristatus, 2 lbs. Poa nemoralis semperyirens, SIbs. Trifolium repens, and 4 lbs. Trifolium minus. Roll well after scwing, and do not mow muck until June, or rather not yery clcsely, and after that keep the grazs well rolled and mown, but not very closely in dry weather. The growth of Daisies and other perennial weeds has been much encozraged by the wet of the present season. It is not well to mow so late in the season as December, as if frost occur the grass is apt to become brown, which ap- pearance it will have all the winter. The grass sceds named are for renoyat- ing a lawn of one acre. EUoNYMUS EUROPEUS AND Kanma CuLture (0. W. D.).—The sprig you enclosed to us is one of Euonymus enropeus fructu-albo, the white-frvited Enonymus, very pretty, the berries at this season being fine, and we do not wonder et your-receiving it in a bouquet. It is a hardy deciduous shrub, succeeding in common soil, bat it does best in light well-drained ground. Cap Jasmine is the Gardenia florida, which will succeed in a greenhouse with a winter temperature of 45°. None of the Cane Jasmines or Gardenias are hardy. The Kalmias are all hardy, and require peat soil. They will succeed in 2 pot or tub if taken up with a good ball, and not placed in the greenhouse before the middle of January. They force tolerably well, and are sweet- scented. After flowering they should be placed ont of doors, plunging: the pots in coal ashes, in an open situation, and giving a good supply of water. RETARDING PHAJUS GRANDIFOLIUS (Ff. FW. S.).—The plant haying now begun to throw-up its spikes, and as you do not wish it to flower until the first week in April, it should be at once removed to a greenhouse where there is a night temperature of 40°, in which it will not take any injury if kept rather dry. You will need to introduce it into heat early in March, but you must exercise some judgment in this respect, for ii the spikes are only a foot high then, and the flowers barely showing, it will take nearly a month to bring them out; if they ave less advanced, more. The plant may be worth 42s. SvUccULENTS FoR GREENHOUSE (H. B. H.).—The leaves you enclosed to ts appear to be those of Hcheveria undulata. The reason you cannot find it in a catalogue, is its being generally known as Cotyledonundulatum. A few suc- culents for a greenhouse are;—Agave americana luteo-striata, Bonapartea juncea filamentosa, Bearcarnea recuryata, Dasylirion acrostichum, Yucca filamentosa variegata, Y. quadricolor; Epiphyllum Ackermanni, ©. crenatum, i. Jenkinsi, E. Mallissoni and var. roseum, E. speciosissimum, E. speciosum, and var. superbum, KE. truncatum, vars. purpureum, elbdo-lateritia, Ruckerianum, Russellianum, Salmoneum, splendens, and violaceum Snowii; Kalosanthes coccinea superba, K. miniata, K. Napoleon grandiflora; Styphelia tpbifiora, and Rochea falcata. These are fine either from their foliage or fowers. If you want some of the more curious—Mammillaria caput-Meduse ; M. elephan- tidens, M sulcvlanata; Opuntia senilis, O. Rafinesquiana, O. cyliadvica cristata; Echinopsis multiplex, EH. Pentlandi sanguinea; Echinocactus cornigerus, E. gibbosus, E. myriostigma, and E. tabularis. Insects (G. U. H.).—The grubs which have eaten the roots of your Cycia- mens, &c., are the larve of the very destructive weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus. There is no other remedy than carefully removing and sifting the earth, so as to find and destroy every grub, for if but a very few be left, they will swamp your house next year.—I. O. W. NaweEs or Fruits (Rev. F. Symons).—1, Beurré Diel; 2, Easter Beurré; 8, Passe Colmar; 4, Thompson’s; 7, Yan Mons Léon Leclerc; 8, Vicar of Winkfield; 9, Knight’s Monarch. Naites or Prants (7. L. W., Subseriber).—We are sorry we cannot name any of your plants, for they were all florists’ varieties, which we never venture to distinguish. (J. M.)—1, Doodia lunulata; 2, Blechnum occidentale ; 8 and 5, Aspidium (Cyrtomium) faleatuam; 4, Asplenium qaccidum ; 6, Chei- lanihes elegans; 7, Schizostylis coccinea. (C. #.)—Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium). The dowers enclosed are all it ever produces. (Robt. Miller). —Cymbidiuin elegans, Lindl. (G. G.).—Scolopendrium vulzare, var. multi- fidum crispum; Gomphocarpus iruticosus. (Jicd.).—1l, Tortula muralis; 2, Bryum and Hypnum mixed; 3, Racomitrium fasciculare; 4, Pogonatum aloides; 5, Sphagnum obtusifolium. POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. NOTES AT THE GREAT SHOWS. PREVENTED by a severe indisposition from undertaking the serious work I generally have on hand at the Crystal Palace and Birmingham, I wandered about this year a sort of “fancier un- attached,” or idle apprentice, and I am ashamed to say rather enjoyed it. It was pleasant to meet old and new friends, and have time to speak to them, without the pressing consciousness of work to be done; and instead of scanning the merits of pen after pen, to indulge my own individual fancy, and then turn to the general features of the whole. The one drawback was the serious accident which lamed Mr. Hewitt, and sent him home in hot haste as soon as judging at the Palace was over, and de- prived Birmingham of his valuable assistance altogether, to the sad loss of that venerable Exhibition. He was missed by almost everybody, and his absence forced on many minds the reflection What would the fancy do without him? Let us only hope that this contingency may not have to be faced for many years to come. It was impossible to avoid comparing the Palace Show with Birmingham. The authorities of each had almost avowedly December 12, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. ATT made a race of it, and each had indulged in a game of brag. Well, there is no great harm in that; and it was clear to every impartial spectator this year, that each was going on a dit- ferent track, and need in no respect feel jealous of the other, though it was highly amusing to hear the speeches cf the re- spective partisans. Both prosper, and deserve to doso. The Crystal Palace was what the Yankees call ‘‘a great success,” and had the proud Yankee distinction of being the biggest ever held, which, with other particulars, was duly set forth on the small bills. And the Crystal Palace issuch a place for it! The “Giant Shanghae’s awful crow ” is in no danger of blowing the roof off, and there are few dark pens—a very few there were, whatever may be said to the contrary. The new limited classes, which were first proposed a year ago in this Journal, were well filled with good birds, and paid their way, many pens changing hands, and the old selling classes were as enormous as ever. In sober truth, one was almost wearied with the vast rows of birds; and I may be permitted to say, now it has been tried, that the plan of showing single hens and pullets increased the feeling. Every fancier agreed that this was a great mistake, the birds looked moped andlistless, and hid away in the corners of the pens. Later in the season, when breeders want their birds, there may be reasons for the single-hen system, but in November these do not apply, and from a show point of view it was a decided failure, and I scarcely think will be repeated. Even the supposed gain to funds I fancy is a mistake, as the money gained in entries is lost in commission on sales. The advantages of this Show are so great that itis a great pity minor causes of reproach should not be removed. affixing prize cards is a great nuisance to visitors on the first day, and the manner in which the awards are stated in the catalogue afterwards is the most inconvenient possible, and The delay in | simply a disgrace to any exhibition of such high rank. A loose sheet, merely slippedin, containing only numbers and bare names without addresses, is really unworthy of such a show as this; and the Committee would do well to adopt some more efficient arrangement if they would retain the place they have acquired. The placing of coarse grit alone in the pens, again, was the cause of sad damage to the colour of all the white birds, which a little chaff scattered over it would have prevented. _ With another and more serious complaint I haye done fault- finding. This relates to the delay of birds, of which I heard many instances. I have myself no cause of complaint whatever, my own being returned in good time and first-rate condition, but others were not so fortunate. In every case I believe the delay to have occurred at some one of the interminable junctions which have to be passed to get to the Crystal Palace; and this being a necessity of the position, it would be worth while and would not cost much to post some person at each whose duty it should be to see all baskets promptly forwarded. It is not enough to see the work at the Palace is properly done; a | little care at these tiresome junctions would be well repaid in the avoidance of those many complaints which have always followed on the “C. P.” It is.a grand Show, and it is really worth “doing ” it well. i Still I may say I was, if possible, still more pleaseg with Bir- mingham, and have no fear our old friend will ever play second fiddle. The crowing of some of our London friends *‘in this connection”’ seems rather ridiculous. After giving the Palace full credit, it is still in all essentials a long way behind Birming- ham yet. Selling classes at 40s. per pen are not what a fancier cares to see, and when these, which are a mere poultry sale— not a show—are deducted, Birmingham is even in numbers far ahead. This will be seen on comparing almost any of the standard classes. The date, too, is in its favour, giving as it does ancther fortnight for growth or moulting; and still more‘is the careful attention to those business details, want of which is the ‘greatest blot on the Palace Committee, but for which Birming- ham_has always had such an enviable reputation. I do not | wonder at it when I see how the old veteran names still “hold on.” Long may they doso! They haye hard work, but they do it as no other show in the world does; and they reap their re- ward in the immense classes (Dark Brahma cockerels were ninety-eight pens) which as yet stand above, and will always, I believe, keep this Show the rendezvous of the skilled fancier, while the Palace, no.doubt, will take its place to a great extent as regards the mere sightseer. Yet there were some blots here too, and in no carping spirit I point them out. The new arrangement of pens was a great im- provement, but there were still some dark rows; though I believe this is to be remedied by still more skylights next year. But the new galleries, while answering admirably by daylight, had a fatal defect. When the gas was lit the heat and smell were absolutely sickening, and pregnant with danger to the Pigeons and fowls which cccupied them. Many were Game hens, some of which were in wonderfully hard condition; but what state would they go home in after five evenings with the ther- mometer at 112°, to say nothing of the foul gas? If nothing else can be done to remedy this, the Show ought to be closed with daylight ; the subject cannot but be dealt with, or disease and actual deaths will compel its consideration. Another fault was in the drinking pans or saucers. Many of these seemed made purposely to turn over and make a mess with, and asad mess they did make too. If tins which hang on outside cannot be obtained, the next best thing is an iron round pot with per- pendicular sides, just the size and shape of a marmalade Jar. These will go in the front corner, are not overturned, and do not get soiled by the scratching of the birds. Another annoyance at Birmingham was the difiiculty of find- ing the pens you wanted. The numbering was probably con- ducted on some occult system ; but what this was no one could possibly find out, and up to the last I could not finda pen which a friend had written to ask my special opinion of. Certainly, L only had one day to search, and by Monday, or perkaps Tuesday might have discovered it ; but the number of fanciers who were walking about disconsolate, and asking everybody wherever such and sucha class might be found, was a new and rather ludicrous feature of the gathering. Surely some simple straight- forward plan of numbering, as adopted at other shows, could be devised by 2 Committee which has overcome so many greater differences in its time. It is curious that having nothing else to do, I have been all the time finding fault. Well, it 1s meant in no unfriendiy | spirit, and I had intended a few remarks on my own special favourites as observed at these two Shows, but this I must leave for another occasion.—L. WnricHr. MISTAKES IN CATALOGUES AT OXFORD AND CROYDON. No one relishes more than I do a little good-humoured fur> even when the fun is poked at myself, but I think it is going too far when I receive letters asking how I can advertise a Brown Red cockerel, first prize at Croydon, when the catalogue dis- tinctly states that Mr. Swift, of Southwell, was first in that class. Although feeling the laborious duties and great respon- sibility the secretaries and committees of shows have to contend with, yet out of justice to myself, and as advice to secretaries, I cannot let this matter pass without drawing their attention to the grave fact of allowing catalogues to be forwarded in all directions without first proving them to be correct. Much anxiety was caused in Worcester in respect to the first-prize Brown Red cockerel at Croydon. The second morning of the Show I received a letter and post-card in respect to my bird, first at Croydon: this I made known to the local fanciers. Friday morning came and no catalogue; Saturday morning came and no catalogue—‘ Two days after the Show—this should not be.” neither were there any signs of poultry baskets; and some eight or nine fanciers came tp and from the station, all anxious to see our pets at home ‘‘after so longa delay.” Zhe Field paper is thrown from a railway carriage, and like hounds on scent we follow, to learn the news—lo and behold! to mea great surprise —‘‘First-prize Brown Red cockerel, R. Swift, Southwell.” TI thought to myself, Whichever is right—the letter or the paper ? Thenit was I did not relish the fun poked at me. Well, Ithought, I have faith in my bird yet, as having won several prizes, and having been sent away in good condition ; and not even a com- mendation! I said to myself, There must be some mistake. Mr. I’—— would not write me to purchase the first-prize bird, and know it to be wrong. So I resolved to content myself until the catalogue came to hand. I waited anxiously until half-past two, when the train ran into the station, and, hurrah! there ae my hampers atlast. All very anxious to see our pets we open ‘the hampers,and Iam sorry to say there is my bird—a dejected- looking creature. But joy again, I pull out of the hamper the first-prize card, and hold it up with glee to the fanciers pre- sent, who each said with me, “I cannot understand this.” But no time for thinking; I made the best of my way home, and showed every care to my worn-out birds. At four o'clock, post- man’s knock, catalogue at last. With eager anxiety Ilook at the prize list, and sure enough Mr. Swift is first, and my bird not even 2 mention. I visit friends, and again I get the fun poked at me—in fact it was carried on so far as for me to win—per- haps I should not mention it here—half the value of the prize. As I still had faith, and remembered the good qualities of the bird, the letter, the post-card, and the first-prize card outweighed in my opinion the catalogue and The Field paper. In answer to my letters the Treasurer writes me—‘ You win first prize,” and I also received a post-card from a well-known gentleman, who, in company at the show with a noted breeder of Brahmas, stated he pointed out the mistake in the catalogue to Mr. Nalder and Mr. Wiltshire, and also stated that Mr. Swift’s bird was not in competition. This is my reason for giving a long detail of my annoyances, as I think if we cannot receive the catalogues for days after shows have closed, secretaries should see that they are correct, especially when the mistake is pointed out, before sending them away to exhibitors. Ishould not have trespassed on your time and space had mine been the only case; but we find Mr. C. Dennison, of Halifax, writes to say that his birds were not in .competition at Oxford 478 Show, and yet we find them mentioned in the catalogue. E. Wixwoop, Worcester. EXPERIMENTING WITH LAYERS. Is the American “Poultry World,’ Isaac Lynde, of Ohio, gi ves the result of an experiment with different breeds of pullets ia laying for six months, and the cost of their feed. On Septem- ber Ist, he took ten pullets of each of the breeds mentioned below, about six months old, gave them a yard 40 feet square, with a comfortable house, and kept an exact account of eggs and feed, as follows :— The Dark Brahmas ate 3693 quarts of corn, oats, and wheat screenings, laid 605 eggs, and weighed 70 lbs. 73 lbs. sean Grey Dorkings ate 3093 quarts, laid 524 eggs, and weighed 593 lbs. The Houdans ate 45} lbs. The Leghorns ate 363 lbs. To make this experiment more complete, and to show which lot gave the most profit, including both eggs and flesh, we have supposed the fowls to be dressed and sold at the end of the six months at 20 cents per pound; also, that the eggs were worth 24 cents a-dozen (2 cents each), and that the cost of the feed was 23 cents per quart, or 80 cents per bushel. The figures would 2141 quarts, laid 783 eggs, and weighed 2313 quarts, laid S07 eggs, and weighed then be: Value Value Total Total eggs. meal. value. profit. Brahmas $12.10 $14.00 $26.10 $16.58 Cochins 11.82 14.60 26.42 16.27 Dorkings 10.48 11.90 S 14.66 Hondans 15.66 9.10 2476 - 19.41 Leghorns 16.14 7.30 23.44 17.67 The greatest profit on the investment is in favour of the Houdans, with the Leghorns next, and the Dorkings least. It would have been interesting, however, to know the weight of the eggs laid by the several varieties, to see what actual differ- ence there was in the amount of food furnished by them, and its value at a fair estimate of weight. On such a basis it is quite probable that the Brahmas would have shown the greatest profit. And another item to be considered by investors is, that, where the fowls must be confined, a four-feet fence will answer for the large breeds, while for the light-bodied breeds 8 or 10 feet will be necessary, and even then their wings will have to be clipped. In addition, itis the general verdict that the large breeds bear confinement the best, and are more easily kept in good health, and from those vicious habits of plucking each other’s feathers and eating their own eggs. Butall breeds will give trouble enough in confinement if not furnished with plenty of employment, water, and food. HARTLEPOOL POULTRY SHOW. A rirst Show was held at East Hartlepool on November 23th, and although the amount of the prizes was not great, the entries were nearly 460. The Market Hallin which the Exhi- bition was held, although spacious, was too small to accommo- date the great number of visitors. The poultry pens were not ef the most modern construction, and inconvenient for hand- ling the birds—a point never to be lost sight of. They were placed ina double tier round the building. The Pigeon pens, quite new, were borrowed from Mr. Rule, of Durham, and being placed upon the flat tops of the crescent-like stalls, presented a very attractive appearance. In every other respect the Show was well managed, and the prize money was paid on the day. Dorkings were very good, Dark birds winning all the prizes. The first and second-prize Cochins were adults and chickens respectively, and were Buffs of the highest order of merit. The third prize went to good Partridge. Brahmas were all of the Dark variety. The first-prize cock was of great size, but a little too light on the thighs, and the hen pretty good in all points. Second came a cockerel, full young for the show-pen, but mated with a grand hen; and third a splendid cock with but a moderate hen. Spanish were poor, except the first-prize pen. In Game, Reds were a fair lot, Brown Reds first and second, and Black Reds third. The gems of this section, how- ever, were the first-prize Duckwings, grand in style, colour, and condition. Hamburghs had but two classes, which in our opinion is a great mistake, as five classes would be well sup- ported. In Spangles, both first and second prizes went. to Gold and Silver respectively. Of Pencilled, the first were Silvers not to be easily surpassed, and the second very good Golden. French fowls were all Houdans, the first being very perfect in comb, a point very much neglected in this breed. For Any other variety, splendid Polands were first, and Black Ham- burghs second and third. Game Bantams were a very good lot, and many pens were noticed; the first and third were Black JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. { December 12, 1872. Red, and the second Piles. Bantams of any other variety were an excellent class; the first and second prizes were awarded to Blacks, and the third to Golden-laced. Of Ducks, Rouens were all good in size and quality of beak and plumage. The first two prize pens were very large. the class for Any other variety, Aylesbury were first, Carolina second, and Widgeon third. A valuable pen of Gold-pencils were awarded first in the Sellingclass, Black Hamburghs were second, and Brahmas third. Geese, as is usual in this quarter, were large and good in quality, and of the White Embden variety; Turkeys were mo- derately good, Guinea Fowls poor. The cup for the greatest number of points was won by Mr. | Thomas Robson, of Bishop Auckland, with sixteen points, the The Buff Cochins ate 406 quarts, laid 591 eggs, and weighed | 1 is : : ie ; Countess of Tankerville coming next with fourteen points. Of Pigeons there were 235 entries, and the birds were shown singly. Almond Tumblers were an extraordinary lot, and the winners unusually good in all points, hens winning the first and third prizes, and a cock the second. In Tumblers, any other variety, the first was a very small Red Mottle, perfect in flight and tail; second came a Yellow, and third a Kite, both of which were very good in skull. In Carriers were many very good birds, although all the best were more or less overdone in trimming. Pouters were an extraordinary class. The first prize went to a Blue cock, grand in style and marking, and193 inches in feather, with 63limb. The second-prize bird was also a Blue cock, wanting in style, but 20} inches in feather, and 7} in limb; third was a White 19 inches by 63, of grand style and carriage ; many of the others measuring well. Barbs, the winners | Blacks, the first a smart young bird, and the second and third better in quality but wanting in condition. The winning Trumpeters were, first a splendid Mottle, and the second and third Blacks, the first two being extraordinary rose and hooded birds, while the latter was the best in leg-feathering. Fantails were a grand display, the three prizes going to one exhibitor. The first-prize hen was in tail such as is rarely seen, the tail being almost circular and nearly meeting at the bottom. Jacobins were good, a Yellow first, Red second, and Black third. Turbits were a capital class, with a Yellow first, Red second, and Blue third, and the whole class highly commended. Magpies were a fair lot, although some were a little soiled. A Red was first, a Black second, and a Bluethird. Owlswere a large class. The first prize went to a small Blue foreign bird, the second to a very good Silver English, and the third to a foreign Blue. In Dragoons the winners were very good, a Blue cock being first, a White second, and Silver third. In the Any other variety, a Black Swallow was first, a Spangled Ice Pigeon second, and a Nun third. The birds in the Selling class were of but ordinary merit. The cup for points in Pigeons was won by Mr. E. Horner. Rabbits—Among Lop-ears, first was a splendid Tortoiseshell doe 22 inches by 43; and a Black 22} inches by 43, second ; the latter, -however, was in bad condition as compared with the former, though in other respects of high quality. The third was a Fawn buck 20} inches by 43, and in grand order. In the Variety class first came Himalayan, second Silver-Grey, and third Angora, We published the list of awards and the names of the Judges, together with some other particulars, last week. KILMARNOCK POULTRY SHOW. (Concluded from page 437.) THERE were 354 pens of Pigeons entered, and almost no empty pens, and few inferior birds. The Pouters and Carriers were all shown singly, all the other classes in pairs; Pouters having four classes, and numbering in all sixty-four entries. In cocks, Black or Blue, the prizes all went to Blues of rare quality; perhaps the finest-made bird in the Show was No. 372, a Blue, exhibited by Mr. James Millar, Glasgow, but only commended on account of being very badly ticked with black all over the wings, and foul in limb. In Pouter hens, Black or Blue, the first prize was awarded to a young hen of magnificent propor- tions, her only defect at present being an insufficient globe, but this will probably improve with age. Second andthird were also Blues, and the fourth a Black, an immense blower. No. 395, a Blue hen exhibited by Mr. James Millar, pleased us exceedingly in the general sweetness of structure, having a crop of capital size, as well shaped and as neatly placed as we ever recollect having seen, which, taken in connection with her slim figure, made a Pouter such as we always admire, even when feather and limb are not above an average length. Pouter cocks, any other colour, were not a large class, but included some magnificent birds, particularly the first, which was a White of extraordinary proportions. The second was a well-known Red, which seems to have had a constitution of extraordinary quality to stand the amount of showing and winning which he has done. The third was a Chequer, a fine blower, and in show from the time he was penned until he left. The fourth was a December 12, 1872. ] White. In Pouter hens any other colour, the first prize was given to a very lengthy hen, the second to a Chequer, which we believe has been a winner at some of the principal shows in the kingdom. Third and fourth were Whites. Old Carrier cocks, any colour, were an excellent class, the first prize being won by a bird first-class in beak, eye, wattle, and style, his only deficiency being in colour, which was not so good a black as it might have been; the second was also a good bird, but had recently been operated upon for spouts on the eye. Old Carrier hens, any colour, were nota very good class. The second-prize hen, we think, would have had a better chance had she not been so badly in moult. Young Carriers were a large and a good class, the first prize going to a Dun cock, which we fancy is a bird not likely to improve greatly. There were evidently two or three old birds exhibited here, and a few specimens were uncommonly well oiled, but we were glad to observe that no prizes fell to any of these. The special prize for the best Carrier was awarded to the first-prize old Black cock. Short-faced Tumblers were the best class of the kind ever seen here, not only in quantity but also for quality. The first-prize pair were Almonds, the hens being a little light. in ground colour, but with excellent heads, and what we now so rarely see, beaks of the true Gold- finch type. The second-prize pair were Yellow Agates, and an uncommonly well matched and good pair too. Their heads were remarkably good; and their beaks, although only of the barley- corn order, had a style about them not often met with in this type. The third prize went to Kites, the fourth to Red Agates. The quality of the winners may be gathered from the fact that birds which have won at the Crystal Palace and other principal shows only succeeded in getting highly commended and com- mended. Barbs were a small class, the first and second pair winning easily. Trumpeters had one pair of birds excellent in all points ; the second were good in rose and feet, but clearly inferior even in these to the first pair. The third were good in rose but poor in feet, and the fourth poor in rose but good in feet. All the prizes went to Blacks, which were better than the Mottles. The special prize for the best pair amongst the Short- faces, Barbs, and Trumpeters, was awarded to the first-prize Short-faces. Jacobins were not an extra class, the first prize being awarded to birds very superior as Whites. Fantails were an excellent class, mostly composed of Whites. The winners were wonderful in style, and some of them had good tails; but some birds were exhibited by Messrs. Loversidge and Yardley with tails of really wonderful build, but when this is not com- bined with great style it is quite impossible to win with a Scotch judge. Turbits seemed to us an extraordinarily good class, the first going to birds of excellent colour and good heads, but small enough in frill. The second-prize pen had one bird with an extraordinary frill, but both were of a poor colour. The third were uncommonly well-marked Blues, but rather Tumblez-like about the head. English Owls and Nuns were both good classes; in the latter a pair of excellent Reds won the first prize, not only on account of their rare colour, but because they were really excellent birds, haying seven coloured feathers in each wing. Common Tumblers were an excellent class, the first prize going to Blue Balds, second to Black Mottles, third to Red Beards, and fourth to Blue-barred muffed-legged birds. Any other variety was an extraordinarily good class, the first prize being awarded to Frillbacks, the second to what is de- scribed as a newly-imported variety, but looking exactly like small Foreign Blue Owls, with the frill of a somewhat exagge- rated type, the feathers being curled-up under the chin, and continued nearly round the neck. In the Selling class the first prize was awarded to a pair of Pouters, well known in the dis- trict for the extraordinary-sized birds which they have bred. The produce of this pair includes the extraordinary Blue cock with which Mr. Horner, of Leeds, has been starring it at the ~ English shows. Canaries were both numerous, and good in quality. Very few prizes came to local fanciers, which should teach them that if they will sell their best birds, they must buy others as good or lose the position which they have so long held. We were sorry to notice that a few English fanciers had evidently not observed that the classes were for “‘Scotch fancy” only, as they sent Norwich to compete. The Goldfinch Mules were first- mete ihe first-prize- Yellow coming from the other side of the order. ATRDRIE POULTRY SHOW. Tun following prizes were awarded at this Show, héld in the Market, Airdrie, on November 30th :— SPaNIsH.—Young.—l, A. Walker, Kilmarnock. 2, A. Robertson, Kilmarnock. Eh Se ORCS Motherwell. Old.—l and 2, W. Paterson, Cambuslang. 3,J. Young, 1 nD. Dorxines.—Young—1, W. Weir, Inches, Falkirk. 2, Mrs. A. Hair, Glasgow. 8, Z.H. Heys, Barrhead. Old.—t, Z. H. Heys. 2, A. M‘Donald, Easter Moffat. 3, W. Paterson. Game.—Reds.—Young —1, R. Stewart, Kelty. 2,D Harley, Edinburgh. 3, J. Sneddon, Linwood. OQld.—1, J. H. M‘Nab, Arthurlie, Barrhead. 2, J. Carson, Airdrie. 3, G. Williamson, Johnstone. Any other Variety.—], Z.H. Beys. 2, D. Harley. 3, P. Hamilton, Wishaw. z BrauMas.—1, H. Wise, Bishopbriggs. 2, A. Robertson. 8, W. Weir. Cocuins,—1, H. Wyse. 2,J.Drinnan. 3,3. Wyse, Falkirk. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 479 Scotcn Grers.—l, R. Clark, Dalserf. Thinacre Mill, Hamilton. Hampurcus.—Golden-spangled.—l, J. Holburn, Stewarton. 2,T.Mackie. 3,T. Love, Chapelhall, Airdrie. S?/ver-spangled.—1, P. Crawford, Glenfield, Paisley. 2, J. Holburn, 38, R. Mackie, Stewarton. Hanpurcus.—Golden-pencilled.—l, R. Clark. 2and 8,D. Gitb, Motherwell. Silver-pencilled.—1, T.G. Drummoni, Glentield. 2, Miss S. S. Lindsay, Glenfield. 8, J. Lochead, Kilbarchan. PoLanbds.—l, A. Wylie. 2, Blair & Laird, Johnstone. 8, J. Forsyth. Game Bantamus.—l, J. M. Campbell, Bonny Kelley. 2, Z. H. Heys. 3, A. Kennedy, Kilbirnie. Bantams.—dAny other Variety, J. Lochead. 2, R. H. Ashton, Mottram. 3, A. Robertson. TurRkEys.—l, E. Robinson. 2, W. Weir. 8, W. Baird, Airdrie. ANY OTHER VarteTy.—l, A. M‘Lellan, Barrhead. 2, W. Linton. Ducss,—Aylesbury.—l, Z. H. Heys. 2 and38, A. Robertson. Any other Variety. —l and 2, A. Robertson. 8, P. Fletcher, Overtown, Wishaw. SELLING CxLass.—Cock or Cockerel—l and2, A.M‘Donald. 8, W. Paterson. Hens.—1, W. Paterson, 2,A.M‘Donald. 8, W. Baird, PIGEONS. PoutEers.—Blue or Black.—1 and 2, J. Miller, Glasgow. Any other Variety — 1, T. Yuill, Glasgow. 2, J. Miller. Fantaris.—1 and 2, Blair & Laird. . Jacobins —1, J. Frame, Larkhill. 2, J. Dunlop, Paisley. CarrieRs.—l,J. Miller. 2, J. Dunlop. Bares.—l, J. Miller. 2, H. Paterson. “ Tumpuers.—Short-faced.—l and 2,J. Miller. Any other Variety.—l, J. Glen. 2, E. Robinson, Craig Elvan, Andrie. ANY OTHER VARIETY.—l1, J. Miller (Trumpeters). 2, A. Johnstone, Bathgate (Frillbacks), Jupces.—Poultry : Messrs. John Hamilton, Andrew Grant and John Jardine. Pigeons: Mr. James Huie. 2, R. Gibb, Newarthill. 3,J. Meiklem, GREAT YARMOUTH POULTRY SHOW. Tats was held at Yarmouth, in the Rifle Drill Hall, on the 4th and 5th inst. No place can be more suitable for such a purpose. The Game were good, and the cup was won by a Brown Red cock in high condition. In Dorkings the cup was awarded to a capital pen of Silver-Greys, the second being Dark Greys. The Spanish cup was won with a grand pen of chickens, and the second-prize pair were also good, the class being much better than usual. The Cochins were in five classes, the cup being won with a capital Buff cock, though little was left for choice betwetn that and a Buff hen shown in the next class. In single cocks, any other colour, the first was a Partridge, the second White, but in hens both the winners were Partridge. Brahmas, Dark cocks were not a good class, but the hens made compensation, being such a class as is rarely scea. The cup for Brahmas was awarded to the first-prize hen, which, for shape and marking, is almost unequalled. We confess some disap- pointment with the Light variety, however, for we consider the progress in quality we expected last season is not yet apparent, many of the best birds being somewhat yellow and the rest small. Hamburghs were not numerous, nor was their quality the highest, though the winners were good as a rule, and the cup awarded to a nice ‘pair of Golden-pencils. Game Bantams were a large but irregular class, many of the best specimens being sadly out of order, and some being badly matched, though the first-prize and cup Black Reds were exceedingly good; the second were Brown Reds. There were some good birds in the Game Variety class of Bantams, and Blacks were first and second. In the Variety class, Créve-Cceurs were first aud Black Hamburghs second. Both the Selling classes were very large, and there were some good and cheap birds. Ducks were poor in the mixed class, but the winning Mandarins and Carolinas were very smart. see In Pigeons was a close competition, the quality in most classes being extremely good; Mr. Jones took the cup with forty-six points, Mr. Hawley coming next with forty-four. The Carrier cocks were a nice lot. The first and second birds are ripe for work; both were Black. In hens a capital Dun was first, she being equally up for showing, and being very good in beak and wattle. The young Carriers were mostly Blacks, the winners being of that colour; the first, a very long bird and promising in all points, and the second falling little short in any point. Perhaps some of the best classes were the Pouters, there being an almost uniform measurement in both classes, and the style and condition left little to. be desired. In cocks a Blue was first and White second, and in hens a White first and Black- pied second. Barbs were a fair lot, but one of the best birds, a Yellow, was ill, and sent away from the Show; the winners were Blacks. Barbs, young, a handsome Red first and Black second—a very good class. Tumblers, Short-face, Almonds were first and Black Mottles second, both pairs being of high merit. Tumblers, any other variety, were Red Mottles, which were about perfect, first, and Yellow Beards second, both pairs being Long-faces. Fantails were of fair quality, but not nume- rous; and Dragoons very good, Reds being first and Yellows second. Both pairs of winning Antwerps were Red Chequers, the first being about one of the most perfect pairs we have seen. In the Variety class a pair of nice White Trumpeters were first and Blue Florentine Runts second, nearly the whole class being commended. In the Selling class a very good pair of Fantails were first, and Blue Pouters second. : > There was also a nice show of Canaries. The first eight classes, which were devoted to the Norwich varieties, fully bore out the high reputation of this county, the Dark-crested being 4€0 singularly perfect and attractive, the only class in the Show which may fairly be termed poor being the Mealy Cinnamons. Gold Lizards were very good both in delineation of cap and spangling, and the same may justly be said of the Silvers. The Selling class contained some good and cheap lots, but we have no knowledge as to what sales took place. Gaur —Black-breasted or other Reds,—Cock.—Cup and 1. H. E. Martin, Scul- thorpe. 2,J. Forsytn, Wolverhampton. Local Prize, 8. J. F. Stafford, Great Yaruwouth. Jc, W. Rayner, Ipswich. c, F. L. Salusbury, Market Overton. oy —1, ize E. Martin. 2, R. Hair, Buxkall, Stowmarket. he, W. Rayner. c, . Forsyth. eae an other variety.—l, G. Tricker, Fakenham. 2, W. Rayner (Duck- wing). Dorxrxcs.—Cup and 1, Wren & Page, Lowestoft. ing, Needham Market. R. Neville, Baschurch. 3 Spanrisu.—Cup and 1, Nichols Bros , Camberwell. 2, Henry Lingwood, Bark- he, J. Frost, Peckham; H. Brown, Putney Heath. c, 2, Mrs. Tonkin. Bristol. he, W. White, Lowestoft; E. W. Stratford; H. Brown; P. H. Jones, Fulham: Ge earer ner c, A. S. Cooper, Great Yarmouth; H. Grist; W. Duirant, Great varmouth. CocHIns.—Cinnanon or Buf.—Cock.—Cup end 1, Henry Tingwood. 2. H. Pearson (Cinna- ton (Partridge). d.jun.; C. Howard. Chickens —1, . Hen—1 2, R. S. S. Woodgate (White). he, H. Llo H. Lingwood. 2,1.M. Derry, Gedney (Portridge). Local, G. 5. Pearsun (Buff). he, C. Howard. c, W. Saunders (Buff). Braumas.—Dark.—Cock.—l, C. Gay, Lynn. 2, Wren & Pace. Leal, W. P. Mathews. he, W. Brooke; C. Howard. ffen--Lup aud 1, Wren & Page. 2, 0. N. Cresswell, Bagshot. Localand c. G.S. Pearsen. vhkc, Dy. Holmes, Chester- field. he, H. Lingwood; T.H. Williams; R. Caborn, Bigzleswade; H. Dow- sett; W. Hargraves. BrauMas.—Light—Cock. —1, C. Tindall, Ipswich. 2, Horace Lingwood. Local, E. Bostock. Great Yarmouth. he, H. Dowsctt; J. P. Case, Testerton. Hen—t1, C. 'Vindall. 2, b. Haines. Igrave, Diss. ke, H. Dowsett; J.P. Case. Branmas —Any varietu.—Chic 3. ckLu n, Bracondaie, Norwich. 2,C. Howard. Local, Misses FE. W. Birch, Great Yarmouth ir, Misses E. W. Birch; T. H. Will ams; Wren & Page; 4. Duwset:; W. Hargraves, Bacup; J. Long, Forest Hill Haupurcus.—Goiden spangled —1 and c, L. Wren. Lowestcft.. 2. F. May, Wolverhampton. hc, W.K. fickner. Silver-spangled —l. W. Groom. 2, J.B. Bly, Lowestoft. Local and ke. W. J. Nutman, Great Yarmouth. Hampurcus.—Golden-pencilicd.—Cup ard 1, W. K. Tickner, Ipswich. 2, J. W. Rust. Local, W. T. Lindsay, Great Yarmouth. he, K. R. Parker. Silver- pen-illed —1, A. Stebbings, Lowestuit. 2, 1. Hauson. Loeul, S.J. F. Stafford. he, D. C. Peckard, Chelmondiston. BastTaMs.—Game.—Cup and 1, Miss Jeffries, Ipswich. 2, G. Morling, Lynn. he, J. P. Pearson; T. Heaih, Norwich; W. Adams, Ipswich; J. lk. Rob nson, Sunderlan vy. T. C. Hose, Roydon Rec: or BanTans. J other varie: . W. HB. Tomlinson. Newark. (Black). he, T. EB. Thirve, Le oft; W. Hingiiela (Golden-laced Sebtrights); Hon. Mrs. Paget, Hoxne, Scolc; J. Ellis (White); L. Wren; M. Leno, Mark- yate Strect (Laced). i : ANY OTHFR VanreTy.—1, W. Cutlack, jun, Littleport (Créve-Cwurs). 2 and Local, A. Wright, Yarmcuth (Black Hamburghs). ic, 4. Page, jun. (HouJans); Miss J. Leathes (Créve-Ceurs); Col. Cockburn (Golden-spangled Polands); W. Burrow, Diss (La Fléche); E. Cox (Po'ands). c, E. Lantour. SELLING CLass—Cock, Cockerel, or Drake—i, P. Passmore (White Cochin). 2, G. P. Tickner, Stockport (Duckwing). thc, Wren & Page (Brahia). he, D. C. Packer (Silver-pencilled tlamburghs); T. P. Heath, Norwich (Cochin); T. Thornton (Game); L. Wren (Golden-spangied); W. Saunders, Lowestoft (Spanish) ; F. Parlett, Great Baddow (Coivured Dorkings); J. W. Waise (Dark Brahma); J. P. Case, Testerton (Light Brahma); W. ©. Martin (Brown Red Game); G.S. Pearson (Dark Brabmas): W. Hiil (Light Brahma). SELLING Crass.—Hens, Pulleis, or Ducks—l, ¥. barlett (Coloured Duck- Wings). 2, W. Rayner (Duckwings). hc, C. Denton; Miss E. J. M. Hawker, Tunbridge Wells (Silky); C. Sayer (Black Red); J. B. Bly (Silver-spangled Hamburghs); H. Dowsett (Dark Bratma); H. Hargraves; G, S. Pearson (Silver-spangled Hamburghs and Buff Cochins); Nicholls Bros. (Spanish); R. R. Parker (God pencilled Hamburghs): W. Hill (Cuckoo Coebin and Light Brahma). c, G. S. Pearson (Dark brahima) Decks.—dylesbuy or Rowen—1, J. N. Waite (Rouen). 92, A. Page, jun. (Rouen). Local, Misses E. W. Birch, Great Yarmouth (Rouen). Any other variety.—l, W. Birns, Pudsey (Fancy). 2, M. Leno (Carolina). PIGEONS. Caraiers.—Cock.—l and2,L.& A.W. Wren. he, H. Yardley; G, S. Clements, Great Yarmouth (8); P. H. Jones; F. W. Metca f. Hen.—l, F. W. Metcalf, Canbridge. 2,P.H. Jones. he, J Hawley; W. P. Kealz; L. & A. W. Wren; H. Thurlow, Downham Market; G $. Clements. ; Canuiprs.—Young.—l, W. Minson, St. Ives. 2, F. W. Metcalf. he, H. Turner; L. & A. W. Wren; G.S. Clements; W. Minson. Poutrrs.—Cock.—], W. Not'age. 2, H. Thurlow. Local, W. Durrant. he, J. Hawley; TP. H. Dows, Boston; H. Thuvlow; H. Pratt (2). c,J. Hawley; P. H. Jones. Hen—1, H_ Thurlow. 2, H. Pratt, Loze'ls, Birmingham. Jocal, G.S. Pearson. he, J. Hawley, Bingley (2); T.H. Dows; W. Nottage, North- ampton; H. Pratt. re Barbs.—l, H. Yardley. 2, J. Hawley. Local, 'T. Clements. hc, W. Bulmer; W. Brooke. Bary St. Edmunds; H: Thurlow; C. Norman; P. H_ Jones. Young.—1, P.H. Jones. 2, H. Thurlow. Local, W. Simmons. hc, J. dawley; P. H. Jones. - ‘TuMBLEES.—Short-faced —1,P.H. Jones. 2,J. Hawley. he, J.Hawley; W. Simmons, Great Yarmouth (2). Any other varicty—i, J. Hawley. 2, W. Binns. ke, J. Rawiey; W.H. Lincoln, Great Yarmouth. c. W. Hill. Fanpaits.—1, P..H Jones. 2, J. Hawley. Local, T. Clements. he, J. F. Loversidge, Newark; H. Thurlow. Dracoouns.—l, L. & A. W. Wren. 2. W. Hill. he, L. & A. W. Wren; W. Nottave, Northampton ; W. Minson; W. Hill. AnTWERPS.—-1, G. Bentley. 2, J. Hawley. Local. G. S. Clements. he, J. W. Collinson; W. Tomlins; W. Binns, Pudsey; H. Yardley. ANY OTHER VaRIETY.—l, P. H. Jones (Trumpeters). 2, Hon. Mrs. Paget, Hoxne, Scole (Florentine Runts). Local, . Simmons (Turbit:). hic, J. Hawley; G. Bentley (White Cumulets); S. J. #. stafford (Bronze-wing Jap nese); H. J. Dwelly, Peckham (Starlings); P. Passmore (Yellow Pigmy Pcuters); L. Allen, Lendon (Yeilow Owls); W. Minson (Jacobins); P. H. Joues (Trumpeters and Jac obius). SeLLine Crass —l, P. H. Jones (Fanta lx). 2, H. Thurlow (Pouters). he, J. Hawley (2); Mrs. Clements (starlings); Hon. Mrs. Paget (starlings); L. Watkin, Northampton; 8. J. F. Stafford (Japanese Doves); W. Balmer, Spalding (Carriers): W. Brook, Bury St. Edmunds (Dun Barbs); W. Nottage (Draguons); L. Allen (Jacks); G. S. Clements (Carriers); W. Minson (White Dragoons); P. H, Jones (Barbs and Nuxs), 9, B. F. Parrott CANARIES. Cirsr.—Yellow.—1, Collinson & Davison, Sprowston. 2, H. Lark. Local, C. Rumbold, jun., Great Yarmouth. he, C. kumbold, jun.: Colliason & Davison. Buf—1 and 2,G. & J. Mack'ey, Norwich. Local, c. Rumbold, jan. hc, R. Poole, Maldon. ¢ C, Qunton. JOURNAL GF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 12, 1872. MARKED oR VahiEcated.—Yellow.—l, 2, and he, G. & J. Mackley. Local, C. Rumbold, jun. Bug.—1 and 2, Collinson & Davison. he, C. Kumbold, jun.; G. and J. Mack&ley. TICKED 0&2 UNEVENLY-MAREED.— Yellow.—l and 2, G. & J. Mackley. Local, - Kumbold, jun. he, P. Willis, New Ca‘ion; Colliuson & Davison (2). Buff.—l, ce 1872. 2827.4| iy gromie: 33 ae perature. | femperature & SSaF = 2 \sas e Dee. aBE8 se | on In | On aq =| Dry | Wet.) Ao | Max.| Min.| sun. ‘grass | pti |— Renee | deg.| deg.| deg deg. | deg.| In. We. 4 N. | 4£8/ 4£1) 372] 67.8 | 341) — Th. 5 NW. | 42.1 | 43.5 | 97.2 | 50.2 | 23/2 | 0.946 Fri. 6 S.W. | 41g | 48.2] 27.2 | 70.6 | 27.0 | 0.580 Sat. 7 S.W. | 428 | 458 | 379 | 63.2 | 33:5 | 0.040 Sun. § s.w. | 42.2 | 48.5 | 37.1] 65.1 | 83.8 | 0.190 Mo. 9 W. | 426 | 481 / 384) 679 | 863) — Tu. 10 W. | 418 | 40.7} 344 | 421 | 29.3 | 0.190 Means | 99.47) | 388 | 369 #26 | 456 342| 6.9 | S11 |195 REMARKS. 4th.—A very beautiful day throughout, bright, clear, and pleasant. 5th.—Sharp white frost in the morning; rather hazy in the afternoon, rain in the evening. 6th.—Fine, dry, cold morning, cloudy at 8 P.m.; ruin at 3.80 p.m, and slight rain the remainder of the day. 7th.—Very fine, though cold all the day; rain in the evening, but a fine night. 8th.—Fine morning, dull afternoon; rain began between 4 and 5 P.M., it fell at intervals all night, with very high wind; quite a gale all through the night, and till the middle of the 9th. 9th.—Fine morning; no wind in the afternoon; all the roads quite dry from the wind in the night. 10th.—Rather foggy in the morning, clearer after, and no wind, and very little sun; wind rose in the eyening, and rain fell. Barometer fell rapidly, and at 6.55 P.M. was only 28.786 inches, corrected and reduced to sea level, being 0.068 inch lower than during the gale of Sunday. Another week of low barometric pressure, and excessive rainfall. The total this year is alveady nearly 25 per cent above the average.—G. J. SYMONS. nd COVENT GARDEN MARKET.—Decemeer 11. We have not anything fresh to report upon here; prices and supplies re- maining much the same as they were last week. FRUIT. s.d. 8s. d. s.d. 8. AppleS.....esesse. $ Sieve 3 Oto5 0O| Malberries..........@1b. 0 Oto0 Apricots. .-- doz. 0 0 O O| Nectarines... -. doz. 00 0 Cherries... » perlb. 0 0 O 0} Oranges ... -~100 4 0 10 Chestnuts. . busheli2 0 20 0| Peaches...... doz. 00 0 }sieve 0 0 O 0} Pears, kitchen doz. 10 8 -do. 00 00 dessert... doz. 20 4 doz. 0 0 0 0} Pine Apples.. ceopacti5 BD (8 1 0 1 6) Plums.... $sieve 0 0 0 : 1 6 2 0} Quinces.. --doz. 10 8 quart 0 0 O O| Raspberrie lb. 00 0 .lb. 2 0 6 O| Strawberries. .Blb. 00 0 Lemons.........- - #100 6 0 10 0, Walnuts.... bushel 15 0 380 Melons..............each 16 8 0! ditto............ #100 20 2 VEGETABLES. d. 8. da. b to Mushrooms........ pottle to Mustard & Cress..punnet Onions........ @ bushel pickling........ quart Parsley per doz. bunches Parsnips... . doz. Peas... Potatoes. Kidney. . Round......---+.. 0. Radishes.. doz, bunches SQeecSRSOADS999000590590900—R SOS aCoCes0SC00F COMSSONOOWHNWONDHOHOHON! CWOWMRWDOSDOROMOSNOOSSO! HOMROSCSCOCON WN ROW HWSO Scoc0SS00C9bSD90aARSSD90900 COMP CHW HE HHOHSOOWOONONOHa SwooBoooOSOOSCOMSHOaoNO™ SOW MODE HOMOCOMOHWOHOWND Y | Vegetable Marrows.. doz. Lettuce... December 19, 1872. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 485 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day | Day Average Tempera-| Rainin| Sun Sun Moon | Moon | Moon’s clock | pay ean eee DECEMBER 19—25, 1872. ture near London. |43 years.) Rises Sets. | Rises Sets. Age, | aver lyern, Day. |Night.|Mean DER | m. Ae a oe ie, h.| a ts SERED | m. et | aa 19 | TH ing of Li iety, 5 P.M. 45.4 | 82.5 | 39.5 6 5afS | 5laf3 | 14 8 2 2 5: ay a Meeting of Linnean Society, 3 P.M mae tate | Baia 16 Se A lon 6 | 46 fil my tw ae | ees 21 iS} i Te 44.1 | 84.0 | 39.0 WW 6 8| 52 8) 84 10] after. D1 ele 326) "856 22, Sun rigeeaas ADVENT. 45.0 | 32.5 | 38.7 21 G6 8] 53 38) 44.11 |.12,. 0 22 | O 56 | 357 #3 | M 441 | 81.7 | 37.9 | 21 7 8153 3| mom. |26 0] ©€ |! 0 26) 338 24 | To 44.0 | 31.3 | 37.6 17 7 8|54 8|54-0/40 0 O4 before ; 359 25 WwW Curistas Day. 43.4 | 294 | 36.4 9 7 8/55 3/ 8 2/55 0 25 | 0 84) 360 | i] { From observations taken near London during forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 44.3°; and its night temperature $2,1°. The greatest heat was 58°, on the 25th, 1827; and the lowest cold 4°, on the 24th, 1860. The greatest fall of rain was 1.13 inch. i ELECTION OF ROSES.—No. 1. CHE time has arrived for the declaration of readers the results. In the first place, a word of apology is due from myself. Had would have been completed so soon I should tried to make it as complete as possible. pied. I trust that all who have helped me will accept my grateful acknowledgments now for their assistance. _Some who assisted Mr. Peach last year were disposed to consider this election as antagonistic to his; this was far from my thoughts, and I was able to disabuse their minds. To Mr. Peach himself my thanks are eminently due, for he kindly placed at my disposal his last year’s lists as a guide. Of those who replied to him, Mr. C. J. Perry, of Castle Bromwich, is the only absentee ; the Rey. P. M. Smythe has passed away to a better country. Possibly I ought to apologise for the number of returns from Warminster. The fact is, most of us have a “soft place” in the matter of Roses, and we have for years kept a little amateur Rose Society going, and hold an annual exhibition. I may speak for those who have replied from this county, they know something about Roses—know what a good Rose should be, and can grow them, in spite of a rather bleak. district and a not-too- kindly soil, and I think their opinions valuable. I propose analysing the best fifty Roses first. Believing that it would greatly add to the interest of this elec- tion, I have kept it distinct as between nurserymen and amateurs. Column a denotes the number of times a Rose has been placed in the first twelve by amateurs; column B the number of times in the next thirty-eight by amateurs; column c the total number of amateur votes for any Rose. The same letters with an asterisk attached® show the voting for the same Rose by nurserymen. The remain- ing column denotes the combined votes of both parties. "The number in the first column before the name of the Rose denotes its position. When two or more Roses have the same number of yotes, I have decided their position by the number of votes each has obtained in the first twelve, Where the votes are still equal the Roses are bracketed together, having one figure only before the bracket. With this explanation they tell their own tale. Order. Name of Rose. | A | B| Cc | A* | L* | Cx P Total 1 | Charles Lefebvre | 26) 1) 27] 14) 1 | 35 fl 42 2 Maréchal Niel. . Qt 2 | 26 | 13 2)15% 41 8 { Alfred Colomb....... | 22. ZS XG) 2183 2/159 41 Madame Rothschild . 23 3 | 26 12) 3.) 15 41 4 | John Hopuct ocooace 6} 1s 27 4/10) 144 41 5 | La France . boodan| Pe) 3/25 |12! 3/155 40 No. 612.—Vou. XX. I., ear Sara. the poll, and I proceed to lay before your | I considered that the Strawberry election | have left the matter in the able hands of | Mr. Peach, but having undertaken it, I have | For all omissions and apparent lack of | courtesy in not acknowledging letters, &c., I must also | apologise; my little spare time has been thoroughly occu- | | Order Name of Rose. | a) Bo |a+| 2s | cx [rota | 6 | Marie Baumann........-..+++ a | 4)25|12| 3| 15] 40 7 | Comtesse d’Oxford....... -| 10 | 14] 24) 9) 6/15} 39 8 | Marquise de Castellane --| 9} 17 | 26] 9 4/13] 39 9 | Sénateur Vaisse........- ..| 9.117 |26| 5) S| 18, 39 10 | Piewe Notting ..... {| 6|20|26| 4) 9/18] 39 11 | Duke of Edinburgh . ..| 6) 17) 23] 8) 7) 35 38 12 | Louis Van Houtte. | 6/18) 24} 4) 9/13) 387 13 | | Mdlle. Eugénie Verd. 8 | 14) 22] 4) 9 | 18 35 || Madame Victor Verdier 8 | 13 | 21) 4] 10) 14] 85 14 | Gloire de Dijon ....... 5\| abt 10|21/} S| 5/134 34 15 | Malle. Marie Rady....-. | 4|18) 22) 2]10| 12) 34 16 | Marguerite de St. Amand 4|17| 21) 1/]12)138 4% 34 | 17 | Deyoniensis..........+- 7\18|}25| 4) 4) 8Ff 33 | 18 | Bdward Morren . 6|14| 20] 1/12) 134 33 | 19 | Xavier Olibo 3/18) 21) 2) 10) 12] 33 | 20 | Dr. Andry....... 5|15|20| 8) 8|11] 3t pao Victor Verdier ... -| 3 | 15 | 18 | 12 | 12 4 30 £2 | Expogition de Brie...... | 2) 15 | 17 | 10 | 10 27 | 23 | Comtesse de Chabrillant ANAS) U7 2b eval eee 26 24 | Dupuy-Jamain ....... | 2/18)15} 1} 10] 114 26 25 | Abel Grand ..... 10] SG Hl 7) ESE |S 26 26 | Emilie Hausburg . }11} 8|14)] 5] 5| 10 24 27 | Souvenir d’un Ami 5 } 7]12/19}| 2) 3] 5 at 98 | Prince Camille de Rohan..... | Bye alsa kN et t3 Be 29 | Ferdinand de Lesseps ........| 1 | 18 ) 14 | 9) OF 2s 80 | Madame Clémence Joigneaus. .| 15 | 15 | S| 8k 2 31 | Souvenir dela Malmaison ....; 3.| 11] 14) 2| 6) 8} 22 31a | Monsieur Noman ...........- OLS h | Sh Gane d 2B 32 Jules Margottin... 17 | 17 5| 5 22 33 | Paul Neron ... 12)12) 1) 8 9 a 34 {| Fisher Holmes ..... 14/14 7| 7H at Princess Mary of Cam 16 | 16 515g 2 35 | Maurice Bernardin ..,......- 1|12)18]| 1) 6) 7F 20 36 | Camille Bernardin g| 8|i1| 1] 7) Sy 19 97 {| Beauty of Waltham . 1 | 12 | 13 6| 6 a | Mrs. Charles Wood . 1} 12} 13 6} 6 1 38 | Duchesse de Caylus . 9} 11 | 18 5a BS 89 | Centifolia rosea ... 14 | 14 4/ 4] He 4o {| Lord Macaulay ........ 1 | 12/18 4| 45 ae Général Jacqueminot .. iy |paky) }) aut 6| 64 i 41 | Madame Vidot ...... 10 | 10 Teta oe 49, Due de Rohan. 1) 9) 10 6| 6{ te Horace Vernet WN Ty a 8} 9 ae { Elie Morel 10 | 10 1| 4 5 ie 43-5 | Felix Genero ........ RN oy |) SE ee) 8 ee ( Madille. Annie Wood aK) |} at} aby) "||| Leopold)l. 2... --. 05 6) 6 3) 3f A 55 | Francois Lacharme 1) 4) 5 3 3 fF 5 56 | Catherine Mermet...... 5) 5 3 3f 7 La Ville de St. Denis Ee | fy 2 2 | Reine du Midi.......... 5 | 5-1 Pale Al bed Pe Sophie Coquerel 4) 4 3 3 ae, °4 | Belle Lyonnaise . . 4| 4 3 s pee Madame Caillat . 6} 6 1 | 4 Clémence Raoux.. 4| 4 3 s ik Madame Boutin .. 5 | 5 . i Pets | Alba Rosea ...... 4| 4 a 2 [ 6 | Baronne Haussman 8) 38 SUB |B 58 | Boule de Niege .... Ais ever tee Duchesse d@’Qrléans 4/4 Al all @ Madame Fillion ...... 4) 4! Bales 6 Madame Alice Dureau 3) 33) alae 5 1 59 | Perfection de Lyon ..... 20 ela E13) || Wes 1264.—Vot. XLVIII, Oud SERIE;, 486 Les} a * (Total. c) m a Order.) Name of Rose. 60 | Lyonnais (| Madame Bellon . | Lord Clyde Gloire de Santenay Caroline de Sansal Baron Gonella Capitaine Lamure Miss Ingram Mons. Boncenne.. Nardy Fréres \ Madame Margottin President Thiers.... | Baronne de Maynard. Hs DO He OT bO CO HR CO CO DO bO CO HR BO HR OT DO COIR OO COR BREE RRL | Madame Lefebvre Bernard ....| BRI DH FOR Whee He He BO DO RH RCO Semen | HHS HR HR HRS OT OL OT OT OT OT OT OT OT OT OT Seventeen Roses received four votes; twenty-two received three yotes, amongst these Prince de Portia and Princess Beatrice, these Roses haying one vote out of the three, placing them in the first twelve; twenty-eight were named twice, André Durand and President Willermoz each receiving one first-class vote ; seventy-eight were noticed only once, amongst them Vicomtesse de Vezins, &c. Vicomtesse de Vezins and Madame “‘ Augusta’’ Verdier were named once only, in each case as amongst the best twelve. The latter, mentioned by an anonymous correspondent from Bury St. Edmunds, and described by him as “a grand Rose, keeps its colour so well,’ I cannot find in any catalogue; as both Madame Victor and Mdlle. Eugénie Verdier are also mentioned in the same fifty, I cannot suggest any explanation of the error, if error it be. This correspondent has to more than half of his selected fifty attached reasons for the faith that is in him, so that it is hardly a haphazard selection. This point leads me to mention another cireumstance—yviz., the names of Roses. Mr. G. F. Barrell writes, ‘‘ Can nothing be done to impress on raisers the desirability ofLimproving the present absurd-mode of nomenclature? Why should we have some nine or ten Roses named after various members of the ‘Verdier’ family, five or six ‘ Woods,’ &c., rendering confusion worse confounded? let alone the fact that not unfrequently we have one brought out of identically the same name as a predecessor some years before.” This is, indeed, a erying eyil, and is a fertile source of error. I notice, too, that the catalogues also differ in the names they give to the same Rose. A few words on the table of the fifty Roses. I received in all twenty-seven replies from amateurs or their gardeners, and sixteen from nurserymen. Of the latter, one received from Mr. Kirk Allen, the Nurseries, Brampton, Huntingdon, on the 2nd of December, I was forced to set aside, not because it was late, for I received three other lists at the same time, but be- cause more than fifty Reses were named, and there was no time left for alterations ; this 1 regret. This leaves forty-two electors, in the proportion nearly of two to one as regards amateurs and nurserymen; and as the voting is kept se- parately, and the provision for a scrutiny of the ballot is per- fect and open to all, by the addition of the full lists, it is open to ‘‘Stnarevr Vaisse”? and others to make their own con- clusions. By these forty-two electors no less than 249 Roses have been named move or less frequently in the fifty; one alone has been named by everyone, and that honour belongs to our tried friend and truly grand Rose Charles Lefebvre; he is, however, closely pressed by several. John Hopper is named by every amateur in the fifty; whilst Maréchal Niel, Alfred Colomb, Madame Rothschild, La France, Marie Baumann, Comtesse d’Oxford, and Duke of Edinburgh are named by all the nur- serymen. Comtesse d’Oxford, Marquise de Castellane, for Roses of 1870, have come well to the front, and, I think, richly deserve their honours. The latter would not haye fared so well but for the Wiltshire votes ; amongst us it isa great favourite, and those who had the pleasure of seeing thirty-six blooms of this Rose exhibited by Mr. H. Bennett, of Stapleford Nurseries, at the Frome Rose Show this year, are not likely soon to forget it. Lonis Van Houtte and Mdlle. Eugénie Verdier also stand well; the former would be the better for a little more stuff in it, but both are splendidly-coloured flowers. Whether Emilie Hausburg is as forward as Mr. Peach expected it to be I cannot say; but though standing 26 in order of merit, no less than sixteen out of the twenty-four votes received place it in the best twelve. To my mind it is a most lovely Rose; but—ah! there it comes—but, does it like a hard JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 19, 1872. winter? Ifear not. Some few Roses we amateurs do not value at the same rate as eur brethren in the trade, notably Horace Vernet, Louise Peyronny, and Madame Vidot; the latter I have seen grown magnificently by nurserymen, but I must | confess my utter inability to grow it much larger than a beau- tiful diminutive Ranunculus. In regard to the BEST TWELVE out of the fifty, sixty-eight Roses have been named. A reference to the table will show that, though John Hopper stands No. 4 in the general total, amongst the twelve he would have to go down several steps. I may draw attention here to the fact that President Thiers, one of the new Roses, has been named four times only, but in every instance amongst the best twelve—yiz., by an anony- mous correspondent at Ripon, and by those good rosarians, Messrs. Paul & Sons, of Cheshunt, Mr. J. Cranston, of Here- ford, and Mr. John Durbin, of Englishcombe, near Bath, so that we may calculate that this Rose will be an acquisition. Madame Bellony Belle Lyonnaise, Etienne Levet, and Madame Lefebvre Bernard also received fair support from the nur- serymen; Mr. R. B. Cant, of Colchester, adding, ‘‘I should have liked to have included amongst the fifty-three, new ones which I have a high opinion of, but think it better to wait another year. Madame Bellon and Etienne Levet I feel cer- tain ought to be amongst the best fifty, and may, probably, even get a further advance another year. The three new ones are Souvenir de Paul Néron, T., Baron de Prailly, and Madame Lefebvre Bernard, H.P.” This Tea Rose is named by that -veteran rosarian, Mr. J. Keynes, amongst his twelve best Teas, and in his fifty. In the election of best Tes Roszs, &., the same division has been adopted; there are, however, some differences. Mr. Kirk Allen’s list of Teas is added, and Mr. Proctor considers his locality unsuitable, and sent no list: the number of nur- serymen’s lists is, therefore, the same. In the amateurs’ there is one less—yviz., twenty-six, or forty-one voters in all. The pollis as follows :— = Votes. Votes. Order. Name of Rose. Amateurs. |Nurserymen. Total. | = 1 | Devoniensis .. 25 15 40 2 Maréchal Niel. 25 14 39 3 Gloire de Dijon . 24 12 36 4 Souvenir dun Ami ........ 22 13 35 ) Sonvenir d’Elise ........... 20 8 28 6 | Madame Willermoz ........ 16 9 25 {| Triomphe de Rennes ...... 16 8 24 “|| Niphetos .......... il 13 24 g {| Céline Forestier . 15 6 21 || Madame Margottin 15 6 21 9 | Belle Lyonnaise.... 10 8 18 yo {| Adam ....... 9 5 14 || Madame Falcot .. ob 7 7 14 4, {| Catherine Mermet.......... 8 5 13 | | Alba Rosea .............2-- 5 8 13 Del eRubens-eeceieceiteecercceee 5 6 11 13 | Cloth of Gold.............. 7 3 10 14 | Lamarque 6 3 9 15 | Madame Brayy 6 2 3 16 | President..... 2 5 7 17 | Madame Levet 4 2 8 AG wleGoltaterreteeeeeaeie see 4 i 5 Marie Sisley, Safrano, and Madame de St. Joseph each re- ceived four votes, seven received three votes, fifteen received two votes, and-the remainder one vote each. Of the newer Tea Roses, Madame Marie Van Houtte, Souvenir de Paul Néron, and Mdlle. Cécile Berthod received two votes each, the two latter receiving a vote from Mr. Keynes; indeed, he places the last of the three in his best fifty Roses. Mr. Durbin also places this Rose amongst the best Teas. Coupling this with Mr. Cant’s remark, we may hope that amongst these three there will be a useful addition to our list of Teas. Mr. George Prince also votes for Souvenir de Paul Néron. Of the Teas, as amongst the general list, we amateurs seem to undervalue certain Roses—yviz., Niphetos, Alba Rosea, President, and Rubens, whilst Belle Lyonnaise has nearly as many votes from the nurserymen as from us. I come now to the yoting on the last point, the selection of the pest RosE FOR ALL PURPOSES. My own belief was, that the voting on this question would haye been almost unanimous in fayour of Gloire de Dijon. Great was my surprise in noting that the first nine or ten returns gaye him only three votes. However, the later returns have placed that useful old Rose well at the head. : In replying to this question some appear to have found diffi- culty. Mr. Baker says he cannot, there being “many Roses which are equal favourites of mine ;”’ whilst one of our oldest December 19, 1872. Ji and most respected Rose-growers—may his shadow never be less—replied first, ‘‘ The Rose best suited for the purpose re- quired.” Pressed by me kindly to name one, he did so, but added, as if to express a greater admiration for one rather than another of his favourites had given him quite a pang, “< How is it possible to answer the question?’’ Another reply was more after my own heart— he, Rey. E. Bartrum; J. H. Barnes, Watford (2); Lord Chesham; J. H. James c, A. Heseltine, Stanmore. White.—2, Lord Ebury. Plate for best pen of Dorkings.—Rev. E. Bartrum. Cocuins.—Partridge.—1 and2,C. A. Barnes Any other Variety.—1 and 2, C- A. Barnes. he, T. Clutterbuck, Rickmansworth. Plate for best pen of Cochins.—C. A. Barnes. BrauMs-Pootrra.—Dark.—l andc, R. B. Day, Rickmansworth. 2, C. A. Barnes- he, C. A. Barnes; R.B. Day. c,R. B. Day. Light.—1, Lord Chesham. 2, R- Horsfall. Game.—1, C. A. Barnes. 2andhe,T.Paramor, Aldenham. _ Hampoureu.—l, A. J. Copeland. 2, J. E. Littleboy, Hunton Bridge. hc, Rev. R.L. James, Watford (2). c, T. Clutterbuck; W. J. Lloyd. BanTaMs.—Game.—l, J. H. Barnes, Watford. 2. C. A. Barnes. hc, J. M. Hughes, Bucks. Any other Variety.—1, W. J. Lloyd. 2,'C. A. Barnes. Plate for best pen of Game Bantams.—J. H. Barnes. E CREVE-C@&uRS aND Houpans.—l, U. A. Barnes. 2and he, J. White, Chorley. Wood, Rickmansworth. ANY OTHER VaArreTy.—l, C. A. Barnes. 2, T. Clutterbuck. C. A.Barnes. c,J.H. Barnes. - SELLING Cuass.—l, A. Heseltine. 2, Lord Ebury. he, A. Heseltine (2); J. H- James; Rev. E. Bartrum (2); J. H. Barnes. c,J. E. Littleboy; C. Snewing, Holywell, Watford. Ducks.—Aylesbury.—l, T. Kingsley, Tring. 2, Lord Chesham. he, J. H- Barnes; T. Kingsley. c,C. Snewing. Rouwen.—l and 2, C. A. Barnes. he, T. Clutterbuck; J. E. Littleboy. East Indian.—1, Countess of Essex. 2, C. A- Barnes. Any other Variety—1, T. Clutterbuck. Plate for best pen of Ducks.—T. Kingsley. GEESE.—l, J. H. Barnes. 2, T. Kingsley. he, C.A. Barnes; Lord Chesham ; c, C. A. Barnes. Plate for best pen of Geese.—J. H. Barnes. Turkeys.—l, J. H. Barnes. 2, W. J. Lloyd. he, J. H. Barnes ; Lord Chesham: A. Heseltine ; T. Paramor. c,C. A. Barnes ; R. Blackwell. Plate for best pen of Turkeys.—J. H. Barnes. JupGEs.—Mr. E. Smith, Orrels Farm, Timperley; Mr. J- Baily, Mount Street London. he, J. H. Barnes: BURTON-UPON-TRENT POULTRY SHOW. Tue fourth annual Exhibition of Canaries and other fancy cage birds, poultry, &c., took place in the Town Hall on the 8th and 10th inst., and was successful both as regards attend- ance and the number, variety, and value of the birds exhibited. Altogether there were about 130 entries of Canaries and fancy cage birds, and about one hundred pens of poultry. The speci- mens in each of the classes were considered to be of high merit, especially the Game, Hamburghs, and Bantams, to which additional prizes were given; and the Judge made a special remark in the prize catalogue that the mixed class of poultry was meritorious. The Parrots were particularly noticed, and a White Cockatoo, sent by G. H. Allsopp, Esq., was one of the chief attractionsin that department. The patrons of the Society highly complimented the Committee of Management upon the excellence of the Show. Braumas.—l, E. Pritchard, Tettenhall. 2, J. Freeman, West Bromwich. 5 oe aoe Worthington, Burton. he, J. Walker, Newcastle; H. Chawner, jun. ttoxeter. - Game.—l, Mrs. Allsopp, Hindlip Hall. 2,3. Hood, Tatenhill. 3, J, Lane, jun. Burton. 4, W.S. Mathews, Bretby Park. c, E. Clavey; J. Tyler, jun., Lough borough: W. Garratt, Burton. 5 HameBurcus —1, G. J. Mitchell, 2, E. Bell. 3, J. Freeman, West Bromwich. ee ee Daws. he, W. Cutlack, jun., Littleport; Boot & Sinclair, Horninglow. c, . Freeman. eer Bantams.—l, E. Bell. 2, F. Thomas, Burton. 3, C. H. Kyte, Nottingham, ANY OTHER Varrery.—l, J. Tyler, jun. (Dorkings). 2 and 3, Mrs, Allsopp (Spanish and Cochin). . i Cross Breep.—l, W. Cutlack. 2, E.J. Draper, Winshill. CAGE BIRDS. 5 Bexerans.—Buff or Yellow Clear.—l, T. Newbold. 2, R. Heath. Buff o7 Yellow-marked.—l, T. Newbold. 2, R. Heath. Norwicu.—Clear Yellow.—l, J. Mann. 2, R. Heath. 8, J. Dent. he, R Cowley. Clear Buff.—l, J. Mann. 2, T. Newbold. 3, R. Heath. he, W Gretton. : Norwicn.—Marked Yellow.—1, J.Mann. 2,J.Dent. 8,T.Newbold. Mark Buf.—1, J. Dent 2,T. Bidder. 8, W. Port. 2 OSTA HAZ LOG he ee EA oes Neon 3, R. Cowley Variegated Buff.—i, R. Cowley. 2,J.Mann. 8, A. Curtis, Burton. Norwicu.—Green Yellow.—l, T. Newbold. 2, J. Mann, 3, W. Jacksop, Crested Buff—|, J. Dent. 2, W. Holmes. 8,J.Mann. /ic, A. Curtis, Cinnamons.—_Bugf,—l, A. Curtis. 2, W. Gretton. Mutes.—Dark.—1, 4. Curtis, 2, W. Port. Go princHEs.—l, R. Heath. A. Curtis. 8, J. Dent. December 19, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 505 ® Reppotts.—l, A. Curtis. 2, J. Dent. Parrors.—Grey.—l, T. Pegg, Burton. 2,G. H. Allsopp, Burton. well, Burton. c,S. Haines, Burton; H. Freer, Burton. YOUNG CAGE BIRDS. Beuersns.—Marked Yellow.—1, T. Newbold, Burton. Norwicu.—Clear Yellow.—l, J. Mann, Burton. 2, W. Port, Burton. 8, R. Cowley, Burton. hc, W. Holmes. c,T. Newbold. Clea Buff.—l,J.Mann. 2, W. Gretton, Norwich. 8.'T. Newbold. he, T. Keeling, Burton. Norwicu.—Marked Yellow.—1, J. Mann. 2, W. Gretton. 38, T. Keeling. T. Newbold. Marked Buff.—1, J. Mann. 2, R. Cowley. 8,J. Dent, Burton. R. Heath, Burton. c, W. Gretton; T. Bidder, Burton. Norwicu.— Variegated Yellow.—1, T. Newbold. 2, J. Mann. 3, W. Gretton. hie, R. Cowley. Variegated Buff.—l, T. Bidder. 2, J. Mann. 8, T. Newbold. he, W. Gretton. c, R. Cowley; J. Dent. Norwicu.—Green Yellow.—1, W. Gretton. Norwicu.—Crested Yellow.—l, R. Cowley. 2, W. Port. 8, J. Mann. Dent. Crested Buf.—i, J. Mann, 2, W. Holmes. 8, W. Port. Crnnamon.—Buff.—l, J. Mann. Lizarvs.—Golden-spangled.—1, J. Mann. 2,3. Dent.. 8, T. Newbold. Silver- spangled—1,J.Mann, ¥, J. Dent. 3, T. Newbold. GoLpFincH MuLes.—Mealy.—1, A. Curtis. 2,J. Dent. 8, W. Gretton. Birds: Mr. JupGrs.—Poultry : Mr. E. Lowe, Comberford. J. G. Barnesby, Derby. he, J. Chis- he, he, he, J. c, R. Cowley. CHELTENHAM CANARY SHOW. Tuts was held in the Corn Exchange on the 10th and 11th inst. The following is the prize list :— Norwicu.—Clear Yellow.—l, W. J. Doyle, Nottingham. 2 and3,J. W. Lamp- Jough. he, Adams & Athersuch, Coventry (2); W. Walter, Winchester (2). c, Adams & Athersuch; J. W. W. Fantrass, Canterbury; G. & J. Mackley, Nor- wich ; Moore & Wynn, Northampton. Norwica.—Clear Buff.—l, 2, and 8, Adams & Athersuch. he, J. W. Lamp- lough; W. Walter; W. J. Doyle; G.& J. Mackley ; Prosser & Wood, Derby; mtoore Sian: ec, J. W. Lamplough ; W. Walter; W. Lee, Coventry (2); S- unting (2). Norwicu.—Lvenly-marked Yellow.— 1, 2, and 8, Adams & Athersuch. he, W- Walter; Moore & Wynn. c, G. & J. Mackley. NorwicH.—Lvenly-marked Buff.—i, 2, and 8, Adams & Athersuch. hc, W- Walter; J. Devaney, Knaresborough; G. & J. Mackley. c,S. Bunting; Mrs- Stephenson, Cheltenham. Norwicu.—Ticked and Unevenly-marked Yellow.—l, Adams & Athersuch. 2,S. Bunting. 8,G. &J. Mackley. he, Adams & Athersnch; J. C.ark, Derby ; W. Walter; J. Devany; S. Over, Coventry; Prosser & Wood. c, W. Walter; W,J. Doyle; G.& J. Mackley; Moore & Wynn; S. Bunting. Norwicu.—Ticked and Unevenly-marked.—1, G. & J. Mackley. 2, Adams and Athersuch. 8, S. Bunting. hc, Adams & Athersuch; J. Clarke; S. Over (2); Ss. Bunting; G.& J. Mackley. c, W. Walter; W. Lee; Ellerton & Mounsey, Darlington ; Moore & Wynn; Adams & Athersuch. Norwicu.— Crested Yellow.—1 and 8, Adams & Athersuch. 2, Moore & Wynn. he, G. & J. Mackley._ c, G. Cox, Northampton, Norwicu.—Crested Bufi—l, W. Walter. 2, G. & J. Mackley. 8, J. Goode, Branstone Gate, Leicester. hc, H. Gibbes, South Brent; J. Devany; G. & J. Mackley. c, W.J. Doyle. Beteran.—Clear and Ticked Yellov’.—1, 2, and 3, J, Rutter, Sunderland. he- S. Bunting; J. N. Harrison, Belper ; J. Rutter; P. Rawnsley. c, H. Gibbes (2)5 T. Dove. Beeran.—Clear and Ticked Buff.—l, J. N. Harrison. 2 and he, J. Rutter. 3, S. Bunting. c, H. Wootton. Aylesbury: T. Dove; P. Rawnsley. Lizarp.—Golder-spangled.—1 and 8, J. Taylor, Middlesborough. 2,J.Martin. he, T. W. W. Fantrass; T. Dove; P. Rawnsley; R. Ritchie. c, J. Martin. Lizarps.—Silver-spangled.—l, J. N. Harrison, 2,R. Ritchie. 8, P. Rawnsley. he, J. Martin; W. J. Doyle; J. Taylor; G. & J. Mackley; R. Ritchie. c, W. Richards, Bulwell, Nottingham; I. W. W. Fantrass. Crnnamon.—Yellow.—1, W. Watson, jun. 2,J.N. Harrison. 5, J.W. Lamp- lough. he, J. W. Lamplough; J. Waller, Finsbury, London; R. Hawman; J. Taylor; Moore & Wynn. ¢,J. Tear; J. Waller. Crnnimon.—Buf.—l, J. Waller. 2,J.W.Lamplough. 8, J. Tear, Northamp ton. he, J. faylor; J.N. Harrison. c, G. Cox; Moore & Wynn. YorisHtrReE.—Clear.—l, and c, P. Rawnsley. 2 and8, T. Fausett, hc, H. M. Cooper, Middlesborough; T. Fausett (2) ; J. Whittaker, Great Horton. YorusuHirE.—Variegated.—1 and 2, P. Rawnsley. 8, J. Brown, jun., Penrith. he, J. Brown, jun.; J. Taylor; G. & J. Mackley ; P. Rawnsley. ANY OTHER VARIETY.—l, J. Rutter. 2,J. Waller. 8, J. N. Harrison. he, J. Martin (2); Stevens & Burton; J. Taylor; J. Rutter; P. Rawnsley. c, R. J. Troake, Clifton (Pied Buff); J. Brown, jun.; Moore & Wynn; P. Rawnsley. MULES. GOLDFINCH AND Canary.—Variegated Yellow.—1, R.Hawman. 2,H. Ashton, Prestwich. 8,J. Goode. he, E. Stansfield, Bradford; H. Ashton (2); J. Brown, jun. c, J. Baxter, Newcastle-on-Tyne; B. Lancaster, Leeds. GOLDFINCH AND CANnary.—Variegated Buff.—l, G. & J. Mackley. 2and8, J. Baxter. hic, H. Ashton; E. W. Lulham, Brighton; Stevens & Burton, Middles- borough (2); J. Brown, jun. ¢,H. Ashton; E. W. Lulham. GoLDFINCH AND Canary.—Dark.—1 and 2, E. Stansfield. 8, G. & J. Mackley. he, Stevens & Burton; J. Baxter. c, Moore & Wynn; G. Cox. ANY OTHER VARIETY.—l, H. Ashton. 2, E. Stansfield. 8, Stevens and Burton. fic, H. Ashton; B. Lancaster (2). ¢, H. Ashton (2); Stevens and Burton. BRITISH BIRDS. 2, J.Goode. 8, J. N. Harrison, Ellerton & Mounsey. Go.tpFrincH.—l, J. Baxter. lJough; Stevens & Burton; Bristol. . i Liynets.—l, W. Carrick, Middlesborough. 2, T. Tenneswood, North Acklam. 3,J.N. Harrison. he, W. Carrick; R. Hawman, Middlesborough; S. Bunting. ANY OTHER VaRiety.—l, W. Haines, Cheltenham (Hawfinch). 2, J. Brown, jun. (Bullfinch): 8 Mrs. Moore, Cheltenham (Doves). he, R. J. Troake (Siskin); Ellerton & Mounsey (Bullfinch); S. Bunting (Bullfinch). c, — Clare » (Siskin); G. & J. Mackley (Bullfinch). FOREIGN BIRDS. Parrots.—l, Mrs. Drayton,.Cheltenham. 2, Miss Cannon. 8, S. Bunting. hic, W. Walter. Cocxatoo.—l, Mrs. Drayton. PaRAKEET.—1, Mrs. Drayton. 2, J. Bloodworth. Martin. Any OTHER VARIETY.—1, 2, 8, and he, W. Walter. SELLING CrLass.—l and 8, G. & A. Mackley. 2, Mrs. Stephenson. hc, W. Walter; J. Devany (2); G. & J. Mackley (2); J. Goode; Mrs. Stephenson (6); ¢, Mrs. Stephenson (4). he, J. W. Lamp- c, H. Pigeon, Redland, 3, W. Walter. he, J. A Crrar Yellow Norwich bird, No. 16, exhibited by Mr. S. Bunting, Woodlark, Bridge Street, Derby ; and also a Variegated Buff Norwich, No. 53, shown by Mr. Richards, Guerson Build- ings, Bullwell, near Nottingham, having been found to be arti- ficially coloured, these exhibitors forfeit all entrance fees and prizes, and will not be allowed to exhibit at future Shows of this Society, for such period as the Committee may determine. Also a Golden-spangled Lizard, No. 156, shown by Mr. W. Watson, jun., South Arden Street, Darlington, being proved to have been clipped in the cap; anda Silver-spangled Lizard, No. 163, shown by Mr. Robert Ritchie, 75, New Park Street, Darlington, being proved to have been plucked in the cap—these exhibitors Bee pay the same penalty—Hunry Cocurane, Hon. Sec., Chel- enham. LIGHT BRAHMAS AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE AND BIRMINGHAM. I wisu to say a few words on the only breed—Light Brahmas, which I can at all claim to understand, as exemplified in the classes shown at the Crystal Palace and Birmingham. Being really anxious to look up to the decisions of the Judges as, if not infallible, at any rate pointing out to me the right road, it is with real sorrow that I find myself totally unable to reconcile many of the awards at these Shows with the standard of points required by the authorities (especially by Mr. Wright), who have written on the breed in question. First as to the striped hackle both of neck and saddle in the cocks and cockerels. After the experience of this winter, sup- posing the Judges to be right, I hope Mr. Wright will see fit in his forthcoming number to say that this very beautiful feature can no longer be considered an essential point. Many noticed and prize birds, especially at the Crystal Palace, were almost white ; in fact it appeared to me that, provided a bird were fair in shape and had plenty of leg-feather, the presence or absence of marking on neck or saddle was perfectly immaterial. At Birmingham No. 809, which ought undoubtedly to have been placed among the first three cockerels, was not even noticed. Amongst hens and pullets what has become of the pure white which, we were told last year, was so all-important? Cases were not wanting in these classes where noticed birds might have had Buff Cochins for their not very remote ancestors; while at the Crystal Palace the two best pullets in the whole Show—the best, that is, by all the rules of judging to which I have been accustomed—viz., Nos. 792 and 793, were absolutely passed over without notice of any kind. I believe, however, unless I am much mistaken, that this very pair had their revenge by taking the first prize at Birmingham, where their enormous superiority over all competitors was so marked as to make the bewildered amateur shake a very puzzled head over the incon- sistencies of judging at the two Shows, and to wonder what type of bird he ought to try to breed for next year. Whois to decide when judges disagree ? Would it be too much to expect from human nature that if there really have been mistakes in the judging (and I'really do not see how we can escape from the conclusion that the late decisions have been so conflicting as to make these Shows of no value at all as a future guide), Mr. Wright or some other competent person might be authorised by the Judges to say so? I must confess that my own opinion of their future value as Judges would be greatly enhanced by their so doing. After a careful comparison of my notes of both Shows I find that the Judges seem to be of one mind in demanding ample leg-feather—a fact which I think breeders will do well to bear in mind. The sloping back, so strongly condemned by Mr. Wright in “The Brahma Fowl,” appears to be of no consequence in the eyes of the Judges; and the white edging to the tail feathers of the cock, eulogised in the same work, seems to be placed in the same category as dark-striped hackle—7.e., of no moment at all either way.—OUTIS. CRYSTAL PALACE POULTRY SHOW. CLASSES LIMITING THE VALUE TO £5. Tue establishment of these classes having been recently the subject of discussion, and quoted in connection with the con- troversy regarding dealers exhibiting, and since’ associated by writers in connection with other purposes, it will, perhaps, be acceptable to know the actual object for which they were made. Four years ago, being very anxious to make our show in Lon- don a success, I asked many friends who took an interest in poultry, but who were not exhibitors, to send a pen to the Crystal Palace, and I found among them a very nervous feeling with regard?to placing their birdsin an exhibition pen. They felt, and gave me many reasons why they considered they did not stend on an equal footing in placing their stock in competition with large and experienced breeders, and quoted instances in which some of the varieties had fallen into the hands of a few who always won, placed’a prohibitory price on their birds, and never sold them, which made their classes almost a monopoly. To remedy this it was suggested that we should make a class for amateurs; but in considering the question we found defining the amateur such a difficult and invidious task, that it was then abandoned, but on reconsidering the matter, I thought it pos- sible that the same end might be obtained by making some classes, limiting the value of the birds entered to a price that 506 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 19, 1872. would be acceptable to an amateur if his birds were sold, but that would shut out the champion. I find on reference to the “minutes of our meetings,’ this proposition was made by me three years ago, and therefore it could have no connection with any of the suggestions with which it has been recently asso- ciated. It was not then entertained by the Committee, the ma- jority thinking that it might possibly hurt the standard classes; but I have brought the same proposal forward again in con- nection with each of our shows, andit was at last adopted ; if the number of entries may be looked upon as a criterion, I am justified in saying with success. At the same time I am aware that all the objects I had in view have not yet been realised, but I think the classes may be regarded as a compromise, and that with a little modification they will offer a very favourable oppor- tunity for amateurs to make their début at a poultry exhibition. —C. Howarp. Nationan Prertsteronic Socrzrty.—This Society’s Show, the most aristocratic of the London Pigeon fanciers’ exhibitions, was held on the 17th inst. We must defer our report until next week. TrEDEGAR PoutTry SHow.—This high-class Exhibition was held on the 17th and 18th inst. It was excellent, but both prize list and report came too late for publication this week. PIGEONS AT THE BIRMINGHAM SHOW. I cannor congratulate the Society upon the collection of Pigeons brought together this year, either as to quantity or quality, for in number the entries were barely more than one- half of last year, being this year 389 pens against 574 pens last year. Several distant and former exhibitors were conspicuous by their absence, also several of the Birmingham fanciers who last year were foremost in offering cups for several varieties. I was sorry to see this falling-off in what was once the show of the year. I think the Committee would do well to revise their schedule in several classes, notably the Pouters, the prizes for which might be curtailed and the difference added to some of the other high-class varieties. Above all, the pens, if they cannot be altered, require proper food and water troughs to be provided. The complaints were loud and just on this score, and nothing prevents success so much as inattention in this department.—H. j OUR LETTER BOX. RovEN AND AYLESBURY Ducks CrossED (Z. T. F.).—They make a large and good Duck, and fatten easily. The only objection to the cross is, the produce of it is not as saleable as pure-bred birds if sent to market alive. WAtTFoRD SHow (E. .B.).—We haye not received a report, but we. are promised it for next week. Duck Dy1ne At Brruncuam (7. L. B.).—We have not had time to make an examination. We know the bird was in perfect health at the Show, as we saw and admired her several times. Srock oF Fowts (G. W. D.).—You will do better to begin at any rate with a quarter of the number, andto put fifty fowls in the space you mention. The bare part should slant sufficiently for the rain to run off. You may turn, or plough, or dig it twice per week in dry weather, but do not go on it in wet times. , Cocutn Cock DEcurntne (J, D.).—It is more than probable the cock has picked up some sawdust, or some indigestible substance at the show, and that it remains in his inside. Give him a good tablespoonful of castor oil. We fancy that will relieve him. If he is losing weight at the rate you mention he must soon die if it is not stopped. We find no difficulty in keeping a number of cocks shut up by themselves, and we keep them in health as easily , as hens or pullets. Inasmuch, however, as it is impossible they should do as well as when at liberty, some of them go back and pine away. Such may be the case with yours. Why do you not give him a companion, since you think the lack of it is the cause of illness ? SILVER-SPANGLED HampurGH Pornts (H. F. C.).—In both sexes the deaf ear should be faultlessly white and perfectly round. The tail should be white, mooned with black at the tip of each feather. The combs should be full of points, firmly placed on the middle of the head, piked behind, and the pike turning upwards. Breasts well mooned. The hens should have striped hackles. Weight is of no consequence. LEG-WEAKNEsS IN BRAHMA CHICKENS (W. W.).—It is more than probable the bird has outgrown its strength. At this time of year, and in this weather, he is not likely to remedyit. If you have other good chickons we advise you to put him in the stockpot, or in a pie or pudding. With cold weather and long nights the reparative process is very slow. Crossiné GAME AND Matay (G. L.).—The best way is to put a Malay cock to the Game hens. The cross is frequently used for the sake of certain qualities that are desirable, but all who use it are anxious to secure the pro- perties without publishing the cross. We therefore advise the Malay cock and Game hens. There were some yery remarkable cross-bred birds in the Game classes at Birmingham. UNANSWERED QuERTES (J, G, Lyall)—We have no queries unanswered. If they were signed with your name or initials they were not delivered here. BinmancHAm SHow (Mrs. R.).—We believe Mr. Tomlinson won five prizes. ASHFORD SHow (#. L.).—Thanks, but as it was not advertised, we con- clude it was wished to be lucal. CamBrinGr Poutrry SHow.—* Mr, Rose is wrong in stating that he won the first prize at our Show for hen Pouters with a young Blue. He sent four Pouters which I penned myself, and I can distinctly state that the first prize 2 for hens was awarded to a White, the second being taken by myself with a White hen, and third going to a bird belonging to Mrs. Lada, this also a White. I shall be glad if you will insert this, as the honour of winning second prize, instead of being attached to my name, went to Mx. C. C. Ewbank, who did.not take a prize, his birds being too late for competition. If Mr. Rose’s White bird was a cock, I can only say that he put it in the wrong box, asIam confident they were penned right, for I had another mem- ber of the Committee with me at the time, and we remarked that we thought three out of the four were cocks.—F. W. Mrrcaur, Hon. Sec.” Foop For Common PicEons (C. S.).—Any common waste grain, inferior beans, peas, barley. Give enough, and if young and healthy birds you will get ten or eleyen nests a-year. Guing4 Fowts (S. R. P.).—It is the hen only that utters the peculiar cry like ‘ Come-back,” the note of the cock is only a kind of wail. QUEEN EXPELLED FROM Hive (N. S. S.).—In all probability your stock lost its old queen late in the autumn. The bees raised another from the brood, but all the drones having by that time been destroyed, she remained unfertilised, and has been cast out by her subjects. If this is the solution of your case, the hive must perish before next spring. We do not know where you can obtain a stock of Ligurians in a straw hive at a cheaper rate than usually advertised. SrewaRton HivES—FEEDING UNITED Stocks (R. M. B.).—Will any of our correspondents kindly say where the Stewarton hives are to be bought, and mention the name of any book which treats of their use and management ? *Bee-keeping,” one of the ‘Manuals for the Many,’ describes them. You can get a copy from this office for 5d., postage included. Your united bees may by constant feeding in mild weather be kept alive till spring, provided you keep them warm. Perhaps “B. & W.’s” suggestion as to shutting bees up in cold weather would suit this case. Try it, and report the result in our pages. We cannot understand why they eat so little food. Are you sure they have a queen? You will know this by their camying pollen into the hive. FEEDING AND VENTILATING BrEs (H. F’. R.).—Bees consume very little food during December and January, therefore probably 1 Ib. of syrup would be sufficient to keep them alive till February. Then, however, they would want more liberal treatment. Our plan is, when hives are very poor, to put a feeder on during sunshine on every warm day, taking it off before night. In this way they feed themselves sufticiently with the least risk of loss. Feeding will not now €éxcite them if you are careful not to spill the food about, so as to excite other hives. Do not shut them up while feeding. We think the ventilation of bees unnecessary, and often worse than useless. Give them plenty of entrance-room, according to the size of the stock and the number of bees, and they will know how and when to ventilate themselyes. A 2-inch hole will be amply sufficient in the crown-board. The size of supers should be regulated by the strength of the hive. We do not think it matters what super you use, straw orwood. They do not take so kindly to glass supers. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, AMDEN SQUARE, LONDON. C. Lat. 51° 32’ 40” N.; Long. 0° 8’ 0” W.; Altitude 111 feet. DATE. AM, In THE Day. :ae ag IS Shade Tem-| Radiation 2 1872. g2a5 Hygrome; Be aes perature, | Temperature oa Seq) gE |e3n a Dec. 5.5 4 iS Sea | Onn Inj On 4? S| Dry.| Wet.| Ao |B Max.| Min.) sun. | grass Inches.| deg. | deg. Ge deg. | deg.| deg.| deg. | de; In. We. 11 | 29.340 | 88.5 | 87.1 | N.W. 408 roe a8 64.8 333 = Th. 12 | 80.015 | 28.9 | 28.0 Ww. 89.8 | 86.1 | 26.6 44.5 22.8 | 0.020 Fri. 13 | 29.925 | 39.2 | 883 | S.wW. | 39.7 | 46.5 | 927.5 45.4 27.2: | 0.210 Sat. 14 | 29.513 | 34.3 | $4.3 | N.E. | 39.8 | 419 | 32.0 41.8 | 29.4 | 0.190 Sun.15 | 29.782 | 44.1 | 44.0 Ss. 40.6 | 46.8 | 34.2 47.2 35.0 | 0.010 Mo. 16 | 29.850 | 88.0 | 38.0 | N.W. 42.0 | 45.9 | 36.5 46.0 33.1 | 0.810 Tu. 17 | 29.327 | 42.9 | 41.8 | S.W. 42.1 | 47.9 | 37.5 | 747.2 36.2 | 0.540 Means | 29.665 | 38.0 | 87.4 40.7 | 43.9 | 32.7 48.1 | 31.0 |.1.780 REMARKS. 11th.—Dull morning, but fine afterwards though cold. 12th.—Sharp white frost in morning, and rather foggy both then and all day ; very fine, and at times the sun shone yery brightly. 13th.—Rain at 8 a.u., and more or less allday. A regularly uncomfortable day; foggy at night. 14th.—Foggy in the morning, and rain at intervals all day. 15th.—Very dark fog during the forenoon, and damp and thick all the re- mainder of the day. 16th.—Very foggy all the morning, and part of the afternoon, then clearer, but raining at intervals all day. 17th.—Grey in morning, rain commencing at 9, and continuing right on the whole day. Temperature much the same as the previous week, but as the.sun has scarcely shone at all the temperature in sun is much lower, and only 4° higher than that inthe shade. Weather decidedly worse, and rainfall both continuous and heavy. The fall this year already exceeds that of any year since obserya- tions were commenced at this station. The total to the present time is 32.67 inches, whereas the wettest fyear since 1857—yiz., 1860, only gaye 32.24 inches.—G. J. Symons. COVENT GARDEN MARKET.—DecemsBer 18. FRUIT. 8.d. s.d. 8.d. s.a Apples........+...4 sieve 3 Oto5 0 0 O0tod Oo Apricots... 00 00 - 00 00 Cherries 00 00 4 0 10 6 Chestnuts. 12 0 20 0 00 00 Currants... 00 00 10 80 Black 00 00 20 40 Figs... 00600 30 60 Filbert: teh (5 00 00 Cobs. Li Ge 20. 1o 30 Gooseberries.,.. 00 00 -00 00 Grapes, hothouse 2 0 5 0} Strawberries. 00 00 Temons....... 6 0 10 0} Walnuts.... 6 0 8) 0 Mélons..: J......00-.enenit 4 8 Ol GittOs sce foc. seve GHLOOM2 OF 270 December 26, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day | Day Average Tempera-| Rainin| Sun Sun Moon | Moon | Moon’s| Clock | Day bean ie DEC. 26, 1872—JAN. 1, 1873. ture near London. Ee years.| Rises Sets Rises. | Sets. Age. before | Year. Day. |Night.|Mean.| Days. | m. h.|m. h.| m. h.| m. h,| Days m. | 26 TH Bank Holiday. 43.2 | 314 | 87.3 16 Taf8 | 57af8 | 24 3/11 21 26 1 4) 3861 27 EF 43.0. | 29.7 | 15 BSH ESTs! CATa ea ote el 27 1 34 | 362 28 8 Innocents’ Day. 49.6 | 29.5 | 13 By EShUSStsalpll 5 AGale Oke 28 2 3) 363 29 | Sun | 1 SuNDAy AFTER CHRISTMAS. 43.9 | 33.0 | 20 8 8|58.8)|84 7] 50 2 29 2 83 | 864 30 M 444 / 31.7 | 17 8 8|58 3)46 8) 53 3 Cc) 3 2 | 365 81 Tu 43.9 | 32.4 | 15 BP 88) 159) Bi | 4as 699) 128595 1 8 81 | 366 1 W CIRCUMCISION. 43.0 | 30.5 | 12 8 8| 0 4/]21 10/41 6 2 3 44 1 | From observations taken near London during forty-three years, the average day temperature of the woek is 43.4°; and its night temperature 81.1°. The greatest heat was 58”, on the 25th, 1855; and the lowest cold 8”, on the 28th, 1853. The greatest fall of rain was 0.70 inch. CHRYSANTHEMUM CULTURE. wet it has been this year; consequently a | bad season either for flowers or fruits keep- | ing well. There have been many complaints | of Grapes spoiling by damping-off, and the | Chrysanthemum blooms also kept badly. | During such unfavourable weather as we | have had recently much care is necessary. Spill as little water about as possible. A| circulation of air must also be kept up by using the heat- ing apparatus during the day, allowing the fire to go out, | or nearly so, at night, and shutting-up the house early in the afternoon. This season has been a bad one throughout for the | Chrysanthemum. A low temperature in May and June checked the growth of the plants, and caused much of the foliage to drop-off, especially from those grown for the quality of the flowers. Specimen plants of the large- | flowered varieties, as well as of the Pompons, have not been so well finished this year; the quality of the flowers has been below the usual standard. Those who do not grow their plants for exhibition have little idea of the labour that is expended upon specimen plants. Before this season’s plants are out of flower it is time to put in the cuttings for the following year. All intended to be grown into good specimens should be rooted plants by the middle of December, as it will be sufficiently evident that the larger the plants and the greater the number of flowers, quality being about equal, the greater the merit of the specimen. In order that the plants may experience no check, I place each cutting separately in the centre of a small pot, shifting on as may be required. The best place in which to keep the young plants during the winter is a low span-roofed pit, placing the pots close to the glass. The cuttings will strike root in such a place very well. The lights ought to be kept close until the cuttings are rooted. It is not desirable to plunge the pots in bottom heat at this season, or to use any more artificial heat than is necessary to keep the frost out. When the young plants have grown 5 or 6 inches stop them; this will cause the production of shoots near the top of the plant—five are a good number. These must be again pinched when long enough, and tied- out before they become too stiff, as the shoots are easily broken off at the joints. The secret of success is keeping the plants healthy and close to the glass, to cause the production of short-jointed wood. They likewise require liberal supplies of water during the whole season of their growth. If the plants are stinted of water, the foliage will have a sickly appearance, and die-off prematurely. At the time a specimen plant is in full flower the shoots should be completely clothed with healthy foliage. The flowers should be incurved and of full size, each flower to be supported by a slender stick. Some of the varieties with reflexed flowers are very showy; such as Annie Salter (yellow), Dr. Sharpe (purple), and others of this No, 613,—Vou, XXIII., Naw SEnius. class make exceedingly handsome specimens. The size of pot which is generally used for flowering them in is about 114 inches in diameter inside measure. The Pompon varieties are flowered in 83-inch pots, and require similar treatment to the others, except that only a few sticks are required to train the shoots into position. The Japanese varieties are also much grown now, and the treatment they require is very similar to that recom- mended for the large-flowering sorts of the Chinese section, except that it is preferable not to tie-down the shoots too closely; they should be allowed to grow more upright. The flowers of this section are yery distinct and singular in appearance, and the colours of many of them are very brilliant. February is a good time to put | in the cuttings, and I should advise their being pinched once. The shoots which will be thrown out should not be bent or twisted in any way, but be allowed to grow in a natural manner ; they will flower well in 10 or 11-inch pots. Each plant will carry two or three dozen flowers, and when judiciously arranged in the house they will relieve most effectively the dumpy and formal appearance | of regularly-trained specimens of the large-flowered and Pompon yarieties. Tt is not necessary to put in the cuttings of Chrys- anthemums intended to be grown for cut blooms until February or early in March. They should be struck in a little bottom heat; very little heat is required, as it only forces the plants into too rapid growth. When it is perceived that the plants are rooted, abundant supplies of air should be admitted to them, and as soon as they are fairly established remove them to a cold frame, the lights of which should be taken off in fine weather. Be careful to pot-on the young plants as they require it, placing them finally in pots from 9 to 12 inches in di- ameter, two plants in the smaller-sized pots, and three in the larger. Do not pinch them at all, remove only the side shoots; each of the plants will carry on an average three flowers. Those who grow for exhibition manage them in this way; but the plants are also very valuable for back rows in the conservatory, or arranged in groups as the Messrs. Salter used to exhibit them at ~ Hammersmith. A grand display of plants grown in this way was also exhibited by the Messrs. Veitch in their Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, during the present sea- son, where the noble and symmetrical blooms of the large- flowered section vied with the quaint and weird-like forms of the Japanese, the whole set-off to the best advantage with the handsome and glossy-green foliage of the Camel- lias planted-out in the conservatory border. I, for one, am well pleased that Messrs. Veitch have “ gone in” for Chrysanthemums, as whatever they undertake is done well, and if they go on as they have begun we shall soon cease to bewail the dispersion of Messrs. Salter’s collection. There will be little difficulty in arranging the plants to advantage in any establishment. The trouble is to grow them, and this is more a matter of labour than skill, as the plant is easily grown. They require great attention to watering during the summer months, when much other No. 1265.—Vou. XLVIII., OLD SERIES, 508 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. ; [ December 26, 1872. work has to be done, and neglect at this time cannot be made up for by after-care. The Chrysanthemum is worth all the care that can be bestowed upon it, as it produces an abundance of beautiful flowers at a time when, but for them, we should have great difficulty in meeting the demand. As regards soil, this requires to be substantial, the Chrys- anthemum being a gross feeder. The following compost is the best I have tried:—Four parts good medium loam, one part rotted manure, and some pounded oyster-shells, with one barrowload of leaf mould to eyery eight of the compost. With regard to varieties, there is a good general list given in Tur Journat or Horricunrure for December 12th, but a few of the best exhibition varieties are omitted, such as Princess of Teck, Miss Mary Morgan, Her Majesty, Lady Slade, White Venus, Aurea multiflora, Little Pet, Eve, William Edward, White Globe, Golden Beverley, and Emblem. Amongst the Pompons should be Mdlle. Marthe, Antonius, Astrea, and Monsieur Astie. The Japanese section is best represented by such sorts as Dr. Masters, Sol, James Salter, The Daimio, Bronze Dragon, Comet, Red Dragon, Grandiflora, Elaine, Fair Maid of Guernsey, Chang, Magnum Bonum, Tarantula, Meg Merrilees, and The Sultan.—J. Dovanas. JAPAN HONEYSUCKLE FRUITING. Ir may interest you or your readers to hear of the fruiting of the Lonicera japonica reticulata in the open air, as I do not remember hearing of an instance. I have a plant against a wall with a west aspect, and I may say that it is growing wild, and competes successfully with a dense mass of Ivy that overtops the wall from the other side. The Lonicera blooms every year, and most deliciously fragrant it is in the evenings; but this day I was surprised to find that it had fully ripened a dozen berries. The berries bear a great resemblance to those of the Laurustinus; they are quite black, shining, and round, without the metallic appearance of the Laurustinus. They are borne either singly or in pairs—at least, none of mine exceeded two on the same twig. I intend sowing these berries in the hope of getting a still hardier variety than the parent plant. Ishall be glad if you can spare room for this letter, as it may evoke further information on the subject—FREDERICE Txmons, Clerk, Clogbran, Co. Dublin. ADAPTATION OF STRAWBERRIES. As no tailor can make a suit of clothes to fit everybody, so I do not think anyone can select Strawberries that will suit or please everybody. Soils, climates, seasons have much to do with success. Few are the bond fide fragarians of extensive experience. I have been just twenty years a student, and have under my care at least 150 sorts of Strawberries. I know those well which I name below. For Forcinc.—May Queen, Black Prince, Keens’ Seedling, Alice Maude, Sir Joseph Paxton, and Eclipse. Later: Sir Charles Napier, Dr. Hogg, Mt. Radclyffe, Frogmore Pine. For Ovr-poor Cunturr.—Harly : Black Prince, Eclipse, Siz Joseph Paxton, Alice Maude, Prince of Wales, Empress Hugénie, Marquise de Latour Maubourg. Mid-season : Rivers’ Eliza, Napoléon III. (Gloéde), a first-rate plant and excellent. T have just sent for some plants of it again. It is not suffi- ciently known. John Powell (Ingram), quite first-rate. If I were to keep one Strawberry only, it would be Eliza; I never knew it fail me. Lucas, fine form of plant and berry, and of fine flavour. It has but one fault—it gives a few noble berries, but does not bring on to size its after-rearage. Late: Dr. Hogg, Frogmore Pine, Cockscomb, Wonderful, Mr. Rad- clyffe. Late White Strawberry: Bicton Pine. I have given up this Strawberry and Frogmore Pine, as the winters are occasionally too severe for them in the vale of Blackmoor. They are both first-rate when highly ripened. They are usually gathered too soon. Best Hautbois: Royal Hautbois. Best Alpine, Red: Galande. Isee no use in keeping a curiosity-shop. The. Strawberry Season is usually short, and can, I fear, be only lengthened by the Alpines. I had a capital dish of Galande, September 6th. My team is but small, but they do all I want. They are Rivers’ Eliza, Dr. Hogg, Mr. Radclyffe, Cocksecomb, Wonder- ful, Napoléon III., and Galande. I had a capital lot of Straw- berries this year, and supplied Sir William Marriott with two large baskets of Eliza, Cockscomb, Dr. Hoge, and Mr. Rad- elyffe, as late as July 18th. He had a cricket match, and ball, and supper, entertaining the ‘“ Wiltshire Wanderers.” He sent his under gardener oyer, saying, ‘I haye not a Strawberry.” STRAWGERRIES FOR CargeLEss Propite.—Alice Maude, Sir Joseph Paxton, Empress Eugénie, Napoléon III., Eclipse, Trollope’s Victoria, Prince of Wales (Ingram), Rivers’ Eliza. I sent this last Strawberry to Mr. Farquharson’s gardener (Mr. Knox) some years ago, and what did he say to me?—‘ Sir, I thank you for Eliza, for if it had not been for it we should not have had a Strawberry this season.” One word more and I have done. Scarlet Pine and Royalty, which as sent to me are the same in plant, form of berry, colour, and flavour, I cast out for being precarious setters. I know no higher-flayoured Strawberries. I think Royalty was the better setter of the two. Both were strong hardy plants. I was sorry to givethem up. I haye John Powell in their place. It is of very fine flavour, uniform in berry, the finest of all for colour, and a good setter. It is of the same flavour as the above, but slightly brisker.—W. F. Rapciyrre. ELECTION OF ROSES.—No. 2. BrroreE proceeding to give the votes of the several electors at the late poll I would remark that in the last issue the printer has, by misplacing a comma, made Mr. Cant’s remarks on the new Roses rather unintelligible. It should have been, ‘‘I should have liked to have included amongst the fifty, three new ones,” &c., not ‘amongst the fifty-three,” as in last week’s number. Another point to which I may draw the at- tention of your readers is the fact that only a very few Roses obtain the almost unanimous vote of the electors as in the best twelve, and that the drop in votes after these six or eight are named is something very curious. For instance, in the first twelve Charles Lefebvre has 40 votes; Maréchal Niel, 37; Alfred Golomb, 35; Madame Rothschild, 35; La France, 34; Marie Baumann, 33. Then comes the drop of nearly half the number of yotes—John Hopper, 20 votes ; Comtesse d’Oxford, 19; Gloire de Dijon, 19. Comtesse d’Oxford, I have no manner of doubt, must receive another year a great many more first-class votes; and, judging from the list, so must Emilie Hausburg. Then I have drawn the attention of fellow amateurs to the fact that we do not value some Roses in the same proportion as the nurserymen. I venture to suggest to the nurserymen that there is one Rose they do not sufficiently appreciate— Souvenir dun Ami: it is only named five times by them in the fifty. True, two out of the five proclaim it first-class, but five out of fifteen are a very small minority. For a Tea Rose it is fairly hardy. It is a free bloomer. The blooms them- selves are exquisite both in colour and form, and in my humble opinion add yastly to the charms of a stand. Amongst the fair sex—and of course they are the best judges of beauty— I know few Roses more admired; and then, although “a Rose by any other name would smell as sweet,’ no othername sounds so sweet to them. Itis in unison with the beauty of the Rose.—JosepH Hinton, Warminster. Mr. J. Keynes, Salisbury. 1, Maréchal Niel 83. Reine du Midi 2. Deyoniensis 84. Sénateur Vaisse 8. Alfred Colomb 85. Sophie Coquerel 4, Charles Lefebvre 386. Victor Verdier 5. Emilie Hausburg 87. Xavier Olibo 6. Duke of Edinburgh 88. Catherine Mermet 7. Madame Rothschild 89. Madame Cécile Berthod 8. Marie Baumann 40. Madame Camille 9. Marquise de Castellane 41. Souvenir d’Elise 10. Edward Morren 2 42. Duc de Rohan 11. Countess of Oxford 43. Duchesse de Morny 12. La France MM. Dupuy-Jamain - 45, Joséphine Beauharnais 18. Beauty of Waltham 46, Louise Peyronny 14, Etienne Levet 47. Madame Vidot _ 15. Ferdinand de Lesseps 48, Mdlle. M. Dombrain . Monsieur Noman 16, Fisher Holmes 49, u 17. Gloire de Vitry 50. Paul Neron 18. Hippolyte Flandrin 19. John Hopper TEAS AND NOISETTES. 20. Louis Van Houtte 1. Maréchal Niel 21. Lyonnais 2. Triomphe de Rennes , 22. Madame Bellon 8. Souvenir d’Elise 23. Madame Lefebvre Bernard 4. Niphetos R 24, Madame Charles Wood 5. Souvenir d’un Ami 25. Madame Victor Verdier 6, Deyoniensis 26. Malle. Hugénie Verdier 7. Madame Willermoz 27. Mdlle. Marie Rady 8. Catherine Mermet 28, Marguerite de St. Amand 9. Madame Cécile Berthod . Marquise de Mortemart . Madame Camille . Belle Lyonnaise 30. Monsieur Woolfield 11 4 31. Perfection de Lyon 12. Souvenir de Paul Néron . Pierre Notting $0 OTIS ETH 4 po bt ft S 11. 12. December 26, 1872. ] Mr. H. BENNETT, Stapleford Nurseries, near Wilton. . Maréchal Niel . Charles Lefebvre . Marie Baumann Duke of Edinburgh Emilie Hausburg Malle. Eugénie Verdier Marquise de Castellane La France . Dr. Andry . Hippolyte Flandrin Comtesse d’Oxford Alfred Colomb . Paul Néron . Louis Van Houtte . Abel Grand . Madame Victor Verdier . Madame Caillat . Madame Willermoz . Madame Clemence Joigneaux . Madame Charles Crapelet . Madame Boutin . Madame Rothschild . Mdlle. Marie Rady . Edouard Morren . Xayier Olibo . Sophie Coquerelle . John Hopper . Belle Lyonnaise . Francois Louyat . Catherine Mermet . Sénateur Vaisse Marguerite de St. Amand 33. Elie Morel 34. Comtesse de Paris 35. Louise Peyronny 36. Maréchal Vaillant 37. Camille Bernardin 38. Paul Ricaut 39. Horace Vernet 40. Duc de Rohan 41, Leopold I. 42. Duchesse de Caylus 43. Niphetos 44, Felix Genero 45. Duchesse de Morny 46. Exposition de Bria 47. Professor Koch 48. Prince de Portia 49. Pierre Notting 50. Baron Gonella TEAS AND NOISHTTES. 1. Maréchal Niel 2. President 3, Alba Rosea 4. Rubens 5. Souvenir d’Elise 6. Souvenir d’un Ami 7. Niphetos 8. Belle Lyonnaise 9. Cloth of Gold 10. Moiret 11. Madame Willermoz 12. Rubens Mr, T. Listen, Park Road, Bingley. . Maréchal Niel Marie Baumann Emilie Hausburg Malle. Eugénie Verdier Marquise de Castellane . Senateur Vaisse . Pierre Notting . Gloire de Dijon . Charles Lefebvre . Comtesse de Chabrillant . Comtesse d’Oxford . Madame Rothschild . Alexander Humboldt . Antoine Ducher . Abel Grand . Alfred Colomb - Beauty of Waltham . Centifolia Rosea . Clemence Raoux . Charles Verdier - Duc de Rohan . Duke of Edinburgh Dr. Andry . Dupuy-Jamain . Elie Morel . Exposition de Brie . Edouard Morren . Ferdinand de Lesseps . Nelix Genero . Louis Van Houtte . John Hopper . La France 83. Lord Macaulay 34. La Ville de St. Denis 35. Madame Vidot 36. Madame Cirodde 37. Madame Noman 38. Madame Victor Verdier 39. Madame Charles Wood 40. Marquise de Mortemart 41. Marguerite de St. Amand 42. Marechal Vaillant 43. Pitord 44. Princess Mary of Cambridge 45. Souvenir d’un Ami 46. Souvenir de la Malmaison 47. Thomas Methven 48, Thorin 49. Xavier Olibo 50. Victor Verdier TEAS AND NOISETTES. Maréchal Niel Souvenir d’un Ami . Adam Vicomtesse de Cazes Triomphe de Rennes Rubens Niphetos Madame Bravy Madame de Sb. Joseph 10. Madame Margottin 11. Gloire de Dijon 12. Devoniensis PDAS Sr CO bo pt Mr. J. CRANSTON, King’s Acre Nurseries, Hereford: President Thiers Maréchal Niel Alfred Colomb . Gloire de Dijon Andre Dunand . Baroness Rothschild . Comtesse d’Oxford . Duke of Edinburgh . La France . Lyonnais . Louis Van Houtte . Marquise de Castellane . Charles Lefebyre . John Hopper . Horace Vernet . Jules Margottin . Leopold IT. . Lord Macaulay . Louisa Wood . Madame Bellon . Madame Charles Crapelet . Madame Charles Wood . Madame George Schwartz . Madame Lefebyre Bernard . Madame Victor Verdier . Madame Vidot . Mdlle. Eugénie Verdier . Mdlle. Marguerite Dombrain . Marguerite de St. Amand . Marie Baumann Marquise de Gibot 33. Mons. Etienne Levet 34. Madame Alice Dureau 35. Mdlle. Annie Wood 36. Capitaine Lamure 37. Dupuy-Jamain 88. Edouard Morren 39. Charles Rouillard 40. Comtesse de Chabrillant 41. Dr. Andry 42. Emilie Hausburg 43, Iixposition de Brie 44, Paul Néron 45. Nardy Fréres 46. Pierre Notting 47. Reine Blanche 48. Sénateur Vaisse 49. Souvenir de la Malmaison 50, Devoniensis TEAS AND NOISETTES, . Alba Rosea . Gloire de Dijon Devoniensis Maréchal Niel . Triomphe de Rennes . Madame Berard Madame Faleot Madame Margottin Sonyenir d’Elise Céline Forestier . Souvenir d’un Ami 2, Madame Maurin a SOMA TP Coto pe beet i CHINO pwre Re be BREE OT CO 17. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 509 Mr. C. TURNER, Slough. . Alfred Colomb - Deyoniensis Duke of Edinburgh Madame Victor Verdier . Maréchal Niel . Marie Baumann + Madame Rothschild . Charles Lefebvre . John Hopper . Louise Van Houtte . Gloire de Dijon . La France . Abel Grand . Alba Rosea . Belle Lyonnaise . Camille Bernardin Capitaine Lamure . Céline Forestier . Centifolia Rosea . Charles Lawson . Charles Rouillard . Comtesse d’Oxford . Dr. Andry = - . Duke of Wellington 5. Exposition de Brie . Horace Vernet . Ferdinand de Lesseps . Jules Margottin . Géneral Jacqueminot . Madame Alice Dureau . Madame Clémence Joigneaux 2. Madame Faleot ODI OP go to et RH Ho 12. . Madame Guillot de Mont Favet . Madame Willermoz . Madame Charles Crapelet . Mdlle. Eugénie Verdier . Mdule. Therése Levet . Marguerite de St. Amand - Marquise de Castellane . Maurice Bernardin - Paul Néron . Prince Camille de Rohan . Nardy Fréres . Paul Verdier . Sénateur Vaisse . Souvenir de la Malmaison . Triomphe de Rennes . Xavier Olibo . Victor Verdier . Edouard Morren TEAS AND NOISETTES. . Alba Rosea Deyoniensis Belle Lyonnaise President . Madame Willermoz Madame Falcot . Gloire de Dijon . Souvenir d’Elise . Maréchal Niel . Triomphe de Rennes . Lamarque Niphetos Mr. G. WHEELER, Warminster. Abel Grand Alfred Colomb Charles Lefebvre Devoniensis Elie Morel Dupuy-Jamain Felix Genero . Maréchal Niel . Pierre Notting 10. . Marquise de Castellane . Marie Baumann . Achille Gonod . Alba Rosea . Antoine Ducher . Belle Lyonnaise . Céline Forestier . Charles Rouillard . Comtesse d’Oxford . Dr. Andry . Duc de Wellington . Duchesse de Morny . Duchesse d’Orleans . Edouard Morren . Ferdinand de Lesseps . Fisher Holmes . Francois Lacharme} . Gloire de Dijon . Gloire de Santenay . Henri Ledechaux . John Hopper . La France Souvenir d’un Ami 33. 34. 35. SCOTS TP C9 pO et 10. abl, 12. Louise Peyronny Louise Van Houtte Leopold I. . Mdlle. Marie Rady . Marguerite de St. Amand . Madame Chirard . Madame Charles Crapelet . Madame Charles Wood . Madame Fillion . Madame Moreau . Madame Rothschild . Madame Victor Verdier . Madame Liabaud . Marquise de Mortemart . Maurice Bernardin . Monsieur Noman . Princess Mary of Cambridge . Victor Verdier TEAS AND NOISETTES, . Belle Lyonnaise Souvenir d’un Ami Devoniensis Céline Forestier . Maréchal Niel . Gloire de Dijon . Lamarque i . Triomphe de Rennes . Madame Levet Madame Céline Noirey Alba Rosea Catherine Mermet Mr. Henry May, The Hope Nursery, Bedale. - Madame Rothschild . Charles Lefebyre Xavier Olibo . Maréchal Niel Marie Baumann Pierre Notting Souvenir de la Malmaison . Gloire de Dijon . Maurice Bernardin 10. . Marquise de Mortemart . La France Monsieur Noman . Abbé Giraudier . Alfred Colomb 5. Antoine Ducher .» Abel Grand . Anna de Diesbach . Baronne Haassman . Camille Bernardin . Charles Turner . Comtesse de Chabrillant . Comtesse d’Oxford . Duke of Wellington . Duc de Rohan . Duke of Edinburgh . Duchesse de Morny . Dupuy-Jamain . Duchesse de Caylus . Emilie Hausburg . Felix Genero . Francois Lacharme . Goubault ’ ONADMPcor re He HS . Louise Peyronny . Lyonnais . Madame Moreau . Madame Noman . Madame Vidot . Madame Victor Verdier . Mdlle. Bonnaire . Mdlle. Thérése Leyet . Mdlle. Annie Wood . Marguerite de St. Amand . Mdlle. Marie Rady . Madame Clemence Joigneaux . Prince Camille de Rohan . Sénateur Vaisse . Souvenir d’un Ami . Mdlle. Marguerite Dombrain . Baronne Louise Uxkull Princess Beatrice TEAS AND NOISETTES. Alba Rosea, .» Adam - Deyoniensis . Goubault Gloire de Dijon . Madame Margottin . Madame Willermoz . Marie Sisley . Marechal Niel . Madame Leyet . Triomphe de Rennes 2. Souvenir ’un Ami 510 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 26, 1872. Ma. W. Pavz, Waltham Cross, Londen. Ihave a high opinion of Tea Souvenir de Paul Néron, H.P.; Baronde Prailly, 1. Alfred Colomb 83. John Hopper and Madame Lefebyre Bernard.” 3 taboo ana 35. rave de St. Denis Mr. GEORGE PRINCE, Market Street, Oxford. 4. Louis Van Hontte 36. Lord Macaulay 1. Maréchal Niel 33. Mdlle. Marie Rady 5. Madame Rothschild 37. Madame Bellenden Ker 2. Alfred Colomb 34. Marquise de Ligneries 6. Madame Victor Verdier 38. Madame Charles Wood 3. Charles Lefebvre 35. Maurice Bernardin 7. Mdlle. Thérése Levet 39. Madame Chirard 4. Comtesse d’Oxford 36. Mons. Boncenne 8. Maréchal Niel 40. Madame Fillion 5. Horace Vernet 37. Mons. Noman 9. Marie Baumann 41. Madame Vidot 6. La France 38. Nardy Fréres 10. Marquise de Castellane 42, Mdlle. Annie Wood 7. Madame Rothschild 39. Paul Neron 11. Princess Beatrice 43. Mdlle. Eugénie Verdier 8. Madame Victor Verdier 40. Pierre Notting 12. Souvenir de la Malmaison 44. Mdlle. Marie Rady 9. Mdlle. Eugénie Verdier 41. Reine Blanche 45. Marguerite de St. Amand 10. Marie Baumann 42, Séenatear Vaisse 13. Abel Grand 46. Monsieur Noman 11. Marquise de Castellane 43. Victor Verdier 14. Antoine Ducher 47. Paul Neron 12. Xavier Olibo 44. Belle Lyonnaise 15. Baron Chaurand 48. Pierre Notting 45. Catherine Mermet 16. Beauty of Waltham 49. Princess Christian 13. Baron Haussman 46. Gloire de Dijon 17. Comte de Raimbaud 50. Victor Verdier 14. Camille Bernardin 47. Madame Margottin 18. Comtesse de Chabrillant 15. Capitaine Lamure 48. Madame Trifle 19. Comtesse @’Oxford TEAS AND NOISETTES, 16. Clemence Raoux 49. Souvenir d’un Ami 20. Devienne Lamy 1. Maréchal Niel 17. Dr. Andry 50. Souvenir de Paul Néron 21. Devyoniensis 2. Gloire de Dijon 18. Duke of Edinburgh 22. Dr. Andry 3. Devoniensis 19. Dupuy-Jamain TEAS AND NOISETTES. 23. Duke of Edinburgh 4. Cloth of Gold 20. Edward Morren 1. Maréchal Niel 24. Dupuy-Jamain 5. Céline Forestier 21. Emilie Hausburg 2. Sonvenir de Paul Néron 25. Edouard Morren 6. Alba Rosea 22, Etienne Leyet 3. Souvenir @’un Ami 26. Elie Morel _ 7. Belle Lyonnaise 23. Exposition de Brie 4. Madame Trifle 27. Felix Genero 8. Niphetos 24. Ferdinand de Lesseps 5. Madame Margottin 28. Ferdinand de Lesseps 9. Lamarque 25. Gloire de Santenay 6. Marie Van Houtte 29. Fisher Holmes 10. President 26. Hippolyte Flandrin 7. Madame Jules Margottin 30. Général Jacqueminot 11. Souvenir d’Elise 27. John Hopper 8. Devoniensis 81. Gloire de Dijon 12. Souvenir d’un Ami 28. Louise Van Houtte 9. Gloire de Dijon 32. Horace Vernet 29. Madame George Schwartz 10. Catherine Mermet 30. Madame Lefebvre Bernard 11. Belle Lyonnaise Messrs. Paut & Sons, Cheshunt Nurseries, Herts. 831. Mdlle. Thérése Levet 12. Adam 1; Alfred Colomb 88. Horace Vernet 32. Marguerite de St. Amand - 2. Madame Rothschild 34. John Hopper Mr. GrorGE CooLING, Batheaston Nurseries, Bath. 3. Charles Lefebvre 35. Louise Peyronny i ? = 4. Comtesse d’Oxford 36. Lafontaine 1. Alfred Colomb __ 33. Madame Noman 5. Dr. Andry 87. Louise Van Houtte 2. Camille Bernardin 34. MadameRivers G: Ta France 88. Madame Alice Dureau 5., Charles Lefebvre $5. Madame Victor Verdier 7. Paul Neron 39. Madame Clemence Joigneaux 4. Comtesse d’Oxford 86. Malle. Eugenie Verdier 8. Senateur Vaisse 40. Malle. Thérése Levet 5. Duke of Edinburgh ar ae Bonnaire, 3 9. President Thiers 41. Mdlle. Eugénie Verdier 6. La France 30, M schal Vaill ay 10. Gloire de Dijon 42. Maréchal Vaillant i. Madame Rothschild So eularental a 11. Madame Victor Verdier 43. Marguerite de St. Amand &., Marauite de Castellane, 40. Marguerite de/SiAmand 2 ; Mi . Pierre Notting 5 Né He Missense ale Chsieteae eg ware eae 10. Sénateur Vaisse 42. Prince Camille de Rohan AG isMonsisursNoman Acepioe Notting gy 11. Gloire de Dijon 43. Princess Mary of Cambridge 14. Abel Grand 47. Vicomte Vigier 12. Maréchal Niel pag ictorgyerdien 15. Antoine Ducber 48, Victor Verdier 13: Beauty of Waltt 48, William Grains 16. Baronne Adolphe de Rothschild 49. Lyonnais Tat co ue x ue aa 470 A viclie 17. Beauty of Waltham 50. President Thiers i Comte de Nauteuil = S So. fr de la Malmai 18. Camille Bernardin 5. Comtesse de Chabrillans 48. Souvenir de la Malmaison 19. Caroline de Sansal TEAS AND NOISETTES. 16. Comtesse de Jaucourt 49. Climbing Devoniensis 20. Centifolia Rosea 1, Gloire de Dijon 17. Dupuy-Jamain 50. Niphetos 21. Charles Rouillard 2. Devoniensis 18. Edward Morren SD NOISETTES 22. Comtesse de Chabrillant 3. Souvenir d’Elise ish Empereur de Maroc 1 Ad BS EY SO y 23. Dupuy-Jamain 4. Souvenir d’un Ami 20. Exposition de Brie - Adam 924. Duc de Rohan 5. Madame Willermoz 21. Ferdinand de Lesseps 2. Abricote z 25. Duke of Edinburgh 6. Madame Falcot 22. Fisher Holmes pPUEYONIENSIS 26. Edouard Morren 7. Madame Margottin 25. General Jacqueminot 4. David Pradel 27. Elie Morel 8. Alba Rosea 24. John Hopper _ 5. Elise Sauvage 28. Emilie Hausburg 9. Catherine Mermet 25. Jules Margottin 6. Gloire de Dijon aes - a5 26. Louise Peyronny 7. Madame de St. Joseph 29. Exposition de Brie 10. Niphetos 27 8. Mad Falcot 30. Fisher Holmes 11. President 27. Lord Macaulay b MURA EST® IRAIES 31. Francois Louvat 12. Rubens 28. Lord Clyde 9. Niphetos __ : Se Gencralljacqueminot 29. Louise Van Houtte 10. Souyenir d'un Ami 4 30. Madame Cirodde 11. Maria, Van Houtte . = 31. Madame Clémence Joigneaus 12. Maréchal Nie! 1. Alfred ae 5 ea ead “ag Mia cai ee pelet aos Madame Moreen - : om b - 2. Madame Rothschild SA warinme\ictorVerdicr Mr. Joux Durstx, Englishcombe Rosery, near Bath. 3. Charles Lefebvre 35. Madame Vidot 1. Maréchal Niel 33. Mdlle. Thérése Levet 4, Dr. Andry 36. Mdlle. Eugénie Verdier 2. President Thiers 84. Reine du Midi 5. Emilie Hausburg 37. Madame Thérése Levet 3. Duke of Edinburgh 85. Louise Peyronny 6. John Hopper 38. Monsietr Noman 4. La France 86. Clémence Raoux 7. Marguerite de St. Amand 39. Monsieur Etienne Levet 5. Charles Lefebvre 37. Anna de Diesbach 8. Mdlle. Marie Rady 40. Marquise de Castellane 6. Emilie Hausburg 38. Marquise de Mortemart 9. Deyoniensis 41. Pierre Notting 7. Madame Rothschild 39. Louise Van Houtte 10. Souvenir @’Elise 42. Prince Camille de Rohan 8. Souvenir d’Elise —40, Princess Mary of Cambridge 11. Marie Baumann 43. Senateur Vaisse__ 9. Mdlle. Eugénie Verdier 41. Camille Bernardin 12. Maréchal Niel 44, Maurice Bernardin 10. Comtesse d’Oxford 42. Xavier Olibo 45. Sophie Coquerelle 11. Alfred Colomb 43. Perfection de Lyon 13. Abel Grand 46. Xavier Olibo 12. John Hopper 44. Mons. Noman 14. Clotilde Rolland 47. Gloire de Dijon 45. Mdlle. Bonnaire 15. Comtesse de Chabrillant 48. La Boule d’Or 13. Sénateur Vaisse 46. Victor Verdier __ 16. Comtesse d’Oxford 49. Niphetos -s 14. Marie Baumann 47. Maurice Bernaréin 17. Deyienne Lamy 50. Souyenir d’un Ami 15. Mdlle. Marie Rady 48. Thorin 18. Duc de Wellington 16. Prince Camille de Rohan 49. Sophie Coquerelle 19. Duchesse de Caylus TEAS AND NOISETTES. 17. Madame Bellon 50. Niphetos 20. Duke of Edinburgh 1. Céline Forestier 18. Lyonnais 21. Dupuy-Jamain 2. Triomphe de Rennes 19. Duchesse de Morny TEAS AND NOISETTES. 22. Edouard Morren 8. Deyoniensis 90. Edouard Morren 1. Maréchal Niel 23. Ferdinand de Lesseps 4. La Boule d'Or 21. Boule de Neize 2. Gloire de Dijon 24. Francois Louyat 5. Niphetos 92. Madame Jacquier 5. Deyoniensis 25. Gloire de Vitry 6. Souvenir d’Elise “ 23. Francois Lacharme 4. Solfaterre 26. Horace Vernet 7. Maréchal Niel 24. Felix Genero 5. Rubens 27. Duchesse de Morny 8. Belle Lyonnaise 25. Madame Victor Verdier 6. Belle Lyonnaise _ 28. La France 9. Madame Willermoz 26. Madame Clémence Joigneaux 7. Madame Margottin 29. Louise Van Houtte 10. Gloire de Dijon 27. Madame William Paul 8. Catherine Mermet 30. Madame Charles Wood 11. Rubens F 2S. Madame Cirodde 9. Madame Willermoz 81. Madame Clemence Joigneaux 12. Souvenir d’un Ami 29. Marquise de Castellane 10. Malle. Cécile Berthod 52. Madame Bellon 80. Gloire de Dijon 11. Madame Falcot Mr. Cant says—‘ Madame Bellon and Etienne LevetI have no doubt ought | 31. Paul Neron 12. Cloth of Gold to be in the fifty, and may probably even get a further advance another year. | $2. Mdlle. Annie Wood December 26, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 511 Mr. Ricwarp Surrx, Worcester. 1. Alfred Colomb 83. Leopold I. 2. Madame Rothschild 34. Madame Eugéne Appert 3. Duke of Edinburgh 35. Madame Liabaud 4. Charles Lefebyre 36. Madame Noman 5. La France 37. Madame Victor Verdier 6. Louise Van Houtte 28. Madame Vidot 7. Mdile. Annie Wood 39. Malle. Bonnaire 8. Marie Baumann 40. Malle. Eugénie Verdier 9. Senateur Vaisse 41. Marguerite de St. Amand 10. Gloire de Dijon 42. Marquise de Castellane 11. Souvenir d'un Ami 43. Mdlle. Marie Rady . Maréchal Niel 44. Pierre Nott ng 45. Prince Camille de Rohan 13. Céline Forestier 46. Prince Humbert 14. Niphetos 47. Souvenir de M. Boll 15. Madame Falcot 48. Victor Verdier 16. Devoniensis 49. Xavier Olibo 17. Abel Grand 50. Souvenir de la Malmaison 18. Antoine Ducher - Baronne de Maynard - . Boule de Neige . Centifolia Rosea . Comtesse a’Oxford TEAS AND NOISETTES. 1. Gloire de Dijon 2. Adam 3. Alba Rosea 23. Comtesse de Chabrillant» 4, Devoniensis 24. Dr. Andry 5. Le Pactole 25. Due de Rohan 6. Madame Falcot 26. Exposition de Brio 7. Madame Margottin . Felix Genero . Dupuy-Jamain . Duchesse de Caylus 8. Madame Willermoz 9. Maréchal Niel 10. Niphetos 80. Henri Ledechaux 11. Souvenir dun Ami 31. Horace Vernet 12. Celine Forestier 32. John Hopper Mr. R. W. Proctor, The Nurseries, Ashgate Road, Chesterfield. 1. Alfred Colomb 26. Jean Lambert 2. Baronne de Maynard 27. Jules Margottin 3. Charles Lefebvre 28. Jean Bart 4. Comtesse de Chabrillant 29. Madame Boll 5. Comtesse d’Oxford 89. Madame Clémence Joigneaux 6. Duke of Edinburgh 81. Madame la Francaise 7. John Hopper 32. Madame Cirodde 8. Gloire de Dijon 83. Madame Victor Verdier 9. La France 34. Madame Wm. Paul 10. Mdlle. Marie Rady 85. Maréchal Niel -11. Prince Camille de Rohan 86. Mdlle. Bornaire 12. Sénateur Vaisse 37. Mdlle. Marguerite Dombrain 833. Marquise de Mortemart 13. Abbé Giraudier 39. Marie Baumann Abel Grand . Anna Alexieff . Alexandrine Backmetoff - Beauty of Waltham . Madame Rothschild . Charles Wood . Duchesse d’Orleans - Deuil de Prince Albert . Emilie Hausburg . Eugene Appert . Exposition de Brie . Général Jacqueminot 40. Pierre Notting 41. Paul Ricaut 42. Rey. H. H. Dombrain 43. Souvenir de la Malmaison . 44, Souvenir de la Reine de |’Angle- terre 45. Victor Verdier 46. William Griffiths 47. Xavier Olibo 48, Empereur de Maroc 49. Fisher Holmes 50. Peter Lawson Mr. Kirk ALLEN, The Nurseries, Brampton, Huntingdon. LIST OF TEAS AND NOISETTES. 7. Devoniensis 8. Madame Bravy 9. Madame Willermoz 10. Souvenir d’Elise 11. Madame Margottin 12. President . Maréchal Niel Gloire de Dijon . Souvenir d’un Ami Céline Forestier . Niphetos . Triomphe de Rennes Soe P.S.—When writing about the new Roses, I am made to say Madame Bellon, Belle Lyonnaise, &e. By some error Belle Lyonnaise has been printed instead of Lyonnais, Lyonnias, or - Lyonnaise, as three different catalogues name it, one of the recent introductions, and apparently one of the promising Roses.—J. Hinton. TOXICOPHLHA SPECTABILIS. Tuts beautiful plant has been introduced into cultivation by Mr. B. 8. Williams, of the Victoria Nursery, Upper Holloway. Mr. Williams tells us that the plants which haye flowered with him and been exhibited this spring were recently imported, and consequently had not made thelong growths which they would haye done when unchecked during the growing season, and as a result they have not produced such long racemes of bloom as they will ultimately form. The genus Toxicophlea is placed by Lindley in the section Carissee of the order Apocynacer, and next to Carissa, into which genus it appears to be the opinion of Professor Dyer it will be ultimately merged; this, however, will not affect the plant in a horticultural point of view—the light in which I shall here look upon it. Toxicophlea spectabilis is a plant that should be grown by every lover of plants possessing an intermediate house or warm greenhouse. It is a handsome shrubby plant, furnished with dark green leathery leaves, which have a somewhat polished appearance on the upper side, but are dull beneath; they measure nearly 4 inches long by about 2 inches in breadth, and are opposite, elliptic, becoming sud- denly acuminate at the apex, with undulated margins. The flowers are tubular, with a spreading five-lobed limb, pure white, sweet-scented, and produced in dense cymes both ter- minal and in the axils of the leaves. When the plants grow freely they will produce racemes of flowers upwards of a foot in length. In a cultural point of view this plant offers no difficulty to the amateur. It does not require a very strong heat, but, as before remarked, it succeeds well.in an intermediate house. The pots in which the plants are grown should be thoroughly well drained; by which, however, let my readers understand Ido not so much mean using a great quantity of material as the proper disposition of a moderate quantity; and let some such material as turfy peat or sphagnum moss be used to pre- yent the soil mixing with and thus choking it. The soil in which the plant appears to thrive is a mixture of peat, loam, and leaf mould, with a liberal addition of sharp sand. During the growing season it enjoys copious waterings both from the pot and syringe, but on account of the leathery substance of the leayes, little shade will be necessary during winter. The plants should by no means be allowed to suffer from want of water, as this will cause the leaves to fall off, and thus the specimen will be disfigured. The habit of the plant is such that very little pruning will be necessary, but should it require to be pruned to bring it into shape, this should be done imme- diately after the flowers have fallen. The flowering season is usually during early spring, but it may easily be retarded by putting the plants into the greenhouse during the autumn and winter months, when it will prove a most valuable subject for public erhibition.—Exrrrro CrEepE. THE ARECAS. Or the many beautiful and interesting plants included in the wide-spread family of Palms, the Arecas seem to be par- ticularly worthy of mention. The most striking feature about them is their foliage. This is composed of a number of large pinnated leaves sometimes called fronds, the bases of which are very much expanded, and firmly embrace one another so as to form along compact sheath. Springing from this sheath, which affords them a becoming and necessary support, the leaves fall gently outwards, where they droop in languid grace- fulness, as if exhausted by the effect of the intense heat to which they are naturally exposed. How sweet the rustling of their leaves in the evening breeze must be to the enervated native who lies beneath their shade when the sultry tropical sun has declined, we can form a faint idea from the pleasure we feel when placed in the same condition under sume of our own forest trees in a hot day during July or August. Their stems, like those of most monocotyledonous plants, do not at- tain a very great thickness, though they are, as a rule, propor- tionate to the foliage; whilst the increase of them in height can be measured by the succeeding circles of leaf-scars left by former generations of leaves, which extend as far as the base of the sheath. Immediately beneath this is produced the inflorescence. It consists of two smooth, much-branching, waxen-looking spadices, one of which is generally set a leat- scar higher than the other, and both oceupying different posi- tions with respect to each other in different plants. On them the male and female organs are borne, one of the latter being between two of the former. The male flowers fall off after having shed their pollen, and leave the fertile flowers to perfect their fruit. Many Palms produce fertile, unfertile, and perfect flowers in one inflorescence, and to this arrangement some Arecas show a tendency, their male organs often having a rudimentary pistil in the centre. The two spadices are enclosed by spathes, which are usually double, in some cases large and broad, in others long and narrow. The fruit is, botanically speaking, a drupe like that of the Plum, but the outer coatings are of a fibrous or leathery nature and not a succulent one. The seed or nut is frequently marked with red tracings on the outside and red veinings on the inside, when botanists call it “‘yuminated.” ; Notable among the various species of Arecas is A. Catechu, which yields the narcotic for which the natives of India show such a slavish liking. This is contained in the well-known ‘“‘ Betel,’ and, sooner than want it, the native chewer will forego the more ordinary and more essential articles of food. The Betel nut is the seed of A. Catechu, and of about the 512 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER. [ December 26, 1872. same size as a nutmeg, being, like it, mottled or “‘ ruminated.” The equipment of a betel-chewer is a store of nuts, a box of lime-paste, a pair of nippers, and some leaves of the Chavica Betel, a Piperaceous plant. The much-prized quid is composed of some slices of the nut smeared over with lime-paste, and then wrapped-up in the leaves of the Chavica. The effect of this preparation on being chewed is to turn the saliva and the interior of the mouth and jaws red, as well as the outer coatings of the alimentary ducts. The misery to be under- gone by the native aspirant for manly honours far exceeds that which the European youth, who is ambitious of smoking a pipe or a fragrant cigar, experiences. Intense giddiness, ulcerated throat, and loss of taste, result from an attempt at the practice, and should it be persisted in and a man succeed in becoming a confirmed chewer, the loss of his teeth before he has attained middle age is the fitting reward of his in- fatuation. All these effects, however, are said not to be due to the nut itself, but to the leaves in which it is enclosed. In defence of this baneful and unclean propensity an excuse that the practisers of it never suffer from fevers and dysen- tery has been put forward, and also that it excites digestion ; but when one considers that perpetual excitement of any organ destroys its delicacy, and chewing to the extent that many do must be constantly maintaining this excitement, the last plea may be very fairly transferred to the list of disadvantages. Those who have heard the arguments of immoderate smokers will be able to estimate the worth of these statements aright. On the whole, after weighing the advantages and disadvantages, it seems probable that the above are merely fictitious or fanciful assertions raked up in support of a disgusting habit, the injuriousness of which its slave is half inclined to admit, but the seductiveness of which is too great to allow him to renounce it after having said so. ~ The nut of A. Catechu contains a large quantity of gallic acid and tannin, and on account of this latter property is sometimes used in India for dyeing clothes. Its flowers are also employed for purposes of decoration on festal occasions in Borneo, as an ingredient of medicines, and as charms. A kind of Catechu, an astringent extract used in cases of internal relaxation and irritation, is prepared by evaporating a decoc- tion of the nuts. On the western coast of Hindustan the natives use the nut of A. Dicksonii as a substitute for the true Betel nut, which they are unable to obtain. Another species of this genus is the Areca oleracea or Cabbage Palm. It is a native of the West Indies, where it grows to a height varying from 100 to 150 feet. It is a very handsome plant, and much esteemed by the natives on account of producing the two delicacies to which we shall afterwards refer; but it is also valuable for the economical properties. The fibrous parts of the macerated leaves serve to form cordage for all kinds of purposes; the outer skin on the inside of the main leafstalks is, when dried, a very good substitute for paper; and the enormous sheaths of the fronds, which completely embrace the stem, are used by the native women as cradles in which to rock their babies. The terminal bud, however, is the great point of interest to the native epicure. ‘It lies in the centre of the crest of leaves, and consists of snow- white brittle flakes, which are the leayes in a very young and compressed state. It is called ‘‘ the Cabbage,” and as such is boiled and eaten. In flayour it is said not to be unlike the Almond. The removal of this bud causes the destruc- tion of the plant, but the owner is not distressed on that account, as, in a dead condition, besides yielding much useful material in the shape of fibre and laths, its pith supplies a sort of sago, and the hard exterior of the stem forms spout- ing. Besides, in the decaying hollow made by the extraction of the bud a beetle lays its eggs, which, on being hatched, give birth to a maggot, held by native gourmands to be superior to ‘‘the Cabbage” itself. These are called in the dialect of the country groe-groe, are in size about equal to a man’s thumb, and yery fat. They are a recognised article of barter, and are sold regularly at the market of Parameribo, in Suri- nam. The way of cooking themisas follows: They are strung on a skewer, and hung before a fire, sprinkled with bread crumbs, pepper, salt, and nutmeg in order to absorb the fat, and then seryed-up with orange and citron sauce. : Aveca Bateri is a native of Norfolk Island. A. sapida is a New Zealand species, inhabiting the northern and centre islands. Its bud is also eaten by the natives as a vegetable. Tur Prrstsn Rosr.—I do not know whether any of your readers have remarked that the scent of none of our Roses resembles the otto. In India a variety is cultivated under the name of the Persian Rose, which as tne otto perfume. If in- troduced here it would gratify tnose old-fashioned people who still think that a Rose ought to smell sweet.—G. S. GARDENERS’ SELF-IMPROVEMENT. Lirtuz if at all inferior in value to drawing is a knowledge of mensuration to gardeners. The gardener, if able to draw plans ground or structural, should be able to measure the ground on which they are to be carried out, to measure and find the contents of all superficies and solids usually measured, or those connected with gardening, and have a sufficient knowledge of land-surveying to enable him to give a sketch or plan to scale of any part or the whole of the grounds under his charge. The learner I shall presume to have received an average education, and to be well acquainted with arithmetic, includ- ing vulgar and decimal fractions, duodecimals, square and cube roots, which are essential for learning mensuration. Ii so unfortunate as to possess a small part of arithmetical know- ledge, but in full possession of a desire to learn, the way is clear and not paved with so much difficulty as many imagine ; or, if, as is not unlikely, the arithmetic previously learned has escaped the memory, it will be necessary in either case to pro- vide a book on arithmetic, of which there are now so many that it would be difficult to say which is the best; and I would advise the learner to provide himself with the key as well. The mastery of arithmetic, if not previously acquired, will take up some time; but a sound practical arithmetical. know- ledge is required for the satisfactory working of mensuration ; besides, arithmetical knowledge is of great value in itself, and ought to be possessed by every one. Mensuration is an art of the greatest general utility, and for acquiring it I know of no better work than Nesbit’s ; and if the student has no previous knowledge of figures this treatise affords examples of forming them. It is equally important that the student should know how to form the figures, and know what they are, as it is to be able to measure them. Nesbit’s ‘‘ Mensuration” treats in the first part of practical geometry and some geometrical theorems; the second part gives the mensuration of superficies, or the method of mea- suring everything with length and breadth only. This will enable the gardener to ascertain the area of any plane figure, to tell the number of plants required to plant a given figure, calculate the cost of digging, walk-forming, and the like. Part 3 treats of land-surveying, gives the methods of sur- yeying and planning single fields, woods, roads; also sur- yeying a number of fields, &e. ; instructions for parting-off or dividing land, by which a gardener will be able to measure land, and to givea plan toascale; also to divide or part-off land for alterations. The methods of finding the contents of solids forms the fourth part, and includes timber measurement, which, though appertaining to the forester’s art, may be of use to a gardener, for there are situations where the offices of gardener and forester are merged in one. Part 5 treats of the method of measuring the work of artificers, as masons, bricklayers, carpenters and joiners, slaters and tilers, plasterers, painters, glaziers, plumbers, and paviors: the value of this must be manifest. Part 6 treats of how to measure haystacks (many gardeners are bailiffs), drains, canals, marlpits, embankments, ponds, mill-dams, quarries, coal-heaps, clay-heaps. Part 7 treats of conic sections and solids, some part of which may be useful. Part 8 displays the method of gauging, which may also be found useful. Part 9 treats of plane trigonometry; and in Part 10 we have the ap- plication of trigonometry to height and distances, and some instructions on levelling that will be of use in ascertaining the height of trees, whilst the value of levelling is patent to most. Ihave given this brief outline of Nesbit’s ‘ Mensuration,” not that I think it the only treatise that is suited to give a sound practical knowledge of mensuration, but to enable those desirous to learn what is needful for them, and what a book they invest in will afford them for their money, knowing, as 1 know, that young gardeners as arule have but little to spare. T would just hint that those who have not been in the habit of giving their leisure to this and similar means of acquiring knowledge, spending it as many do in those pastimes and amusements that may dazzle and endure for a time but never enlighten, will find by giving them up that they can spare more than they anticipated, and will not only be able to lay- December 26, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 513 Jn a stock of materials for drawing and mensuration, but have a store to fall back upon when a ‘‘rainy day’ comes, as, rest assured, it will; and depend upon it, none pass through a “rainy”? period so well as those who have made the most of sunshine. I ought to say that if the self-instructor be not so situated as to ayail himself of a teacher he should provide himself with a key to the treatise, so that he may pursue his studies with success, which is insured in this, as in everything else, only by diligence and-perseverance.—G. ABBEY. DECISIONS OF ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S FRUIT anp VEGETABLE COMMITTEE. EMERALD GEM PEA. As Messrs. Suttons’ communication (page 496) acquires im- portance from its place in your columns, perhaps you will allow me in my individual capacity, and not as Chairman of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Fruit Committee, to make one or two remarks upon it. Messrs. Sutton appear to think that the Committee can be improperly influenced in its decisions by its seedsmen members, and to be unaware that its varied composition, consisting of gentlemen’s gardeners, seedsmen, nurserymen, fruit-growers, doctors, and clergymen, makes this impossible. In the im- mediate case, the Pea trials at Chiswick, no member knew what or whose Peas he was considering until judgment had been given. I have more than once heard a grower denounce what, on reference to the register, proved to be his own Pea. Having served on several of the exhibition juries, and therefore having seen something of the working of similar mixed judicial bodies, I may perhaps be allowed to speak to the care taken in, and absolute fairness of, the decisions of the Fruit and Vegetable Committee.—Grorce F. Winson. WIND AND GLASS. On the evening of the 8th and morning of the 9th inst. we had a greater hurricane than we haye experienced in this neighbourhood for thirty years. Some fine old trees have been torn up by the roots, and others have lost some of their principal branches; a few have been broken where the roots were too firm and extended to yield. In the garden our chief loss was half a score squares of glass blown out of the orchard house; and as the weather would not permit of fresh squares being put in, the openings were filled up with sacking, cloth, &c., to keep the wind from getting into the house. We glazed these houses in the simplest and cheapest manner; but if we were doing more, if we had not leave from a patentee to fasten with non-conducting material, we would make the panes slide in grooves and have a uniform plane. With the grooves deep enough there would be plenty of room for side expansion, and any light matter for packing would hold the glass firm without puttying. Ours are puttied in the usual way, and when the putty cracks and splinters, and there is such a hurricane as on the night of the 8th, or even a fierce gale, we are afraid of the wind finding its way into those houses, for a fierce rush would be apt to send a lot of squares wandering. We have had little of this as yet, but the houses have required much watch- ing, and if ever a square was blown out the hole was filled at once with something to keep the wind out. Doors, too, had to be made secure by pinning. When wind is expected we cannot sleep soundly if all steep sashes on roofs, and sashes fully ex- posed on pits and frames, are not securely pinned by fixing a pointed wedge-like stick firmly between the rafter and sash. In our corridors, conservatory, &c., all doors and large upright sashes were thus securely fixed, the doors having a tapered wedge driven in at the bottom between the door and the stone floor, and in extra cases a good strong tally, neatly pointed, driven in between two folding doors halfway up the height. _All these little matters are easily done, take up but little time, and in our high exposed place are absolutely necessary to prevent breakages and smashings from high winds. As a case in point, we may mention that years ago of two folding doors in the centre of a conservatory, the doors facing the south, one of these doors was wedged securely at the bottom, but the man to whom the work was entrusted having latched, locked, and bolted the other door to its neighbour, imagined that that would make all secure. The early morning told a different tale—latch, bolt, and lock were set at defiance by a southern gale. Some of the wood of the unwedged door was broken to splinters, and as more than three-fourths of it was glass, every square was smashed to pieces. Such a fact should carry its own teaching with it. A little in the way of prevention may often save a great deal of useless regrets. Many a sash is blown off in a gale that would have been perfectly safe if a little wooden-wedge pinning had been resorted to. Many years ago a very singular thing happened with a_large sash of a Peach house, a lean-to, facing the south, the roof in its slope consisting of two moveable sashes in the old-fashioned way, when exposed before the spring equinox to a strong westerly gale that uprooted some of our trees. Dreading what the effects might be, we got up early that morning, and the lantern we carried showed us something shining and glittering on the walk 50 feet eastward from the Peach house, and this glittering thing proved to be one of the long sashes that had first been blown off and then carried by the wind to that dis- tance; but the marvel was that the sash lay along the middle of the walk, and not a single square of glass was broken or even cracked. Bui for the facts that we had locked all the doors our- selves, no one else had then a key, and no one then lived on the premises, we might have thought that the light had been carefully taken off on purpose. A ciose examination of the ground, however, showed the erratic course of the light, where one end or one side had ploughed the soft ground with- out the least mark of a footstep. The sash on the house had its ends north and south, it had made several gyrations from the marks on the ground, and ultimately at the stated distance from the Peach house its ends reposed on the walk standing east and west. Once again, on a stormy night, from insecure pinning, either the same or a similar sash was blown off, but that did no travel a third of the distance, but every square was smashed. A little pinning, even if the pins are not larger than fair-sized 6-inch tallies, will often make all the difference between security and breakage.—R. F. GLOIRE DE DIJON ROSE. I wave carefully read the interesting paper by Mr. R. W- Beachey (see pages 461, 462), and I confess I am utterly unable to understand why he should give Gloire de Dijon the pre- ference to every other Rose. I admit that it possesses every good property that is desirable, with the exception of colour, and there I think his tabular scale is too limited to do justice. If Gloire de Dijon deserves three marks, Maréchal Niel deserves six, yet the latter had six marks less than Gloire de Dijon, and only one more than Céline Forestier, a Rose next to worth- less! With us, again, Maréchal Niel possesses every good property in common with Gloire de Dijon, with one exception —want of hardiness. I was also surprised to find omitted from the first twelve an old and never-failing favourite, Séna- teur Vaisse. I know of no Hybrid Perpetual that deserves a. more honourable position in any list of Roses than this, which is to be preferred to Comtesse d’Oxford. The latter with us produced deformed flowers ; and I might with equal justice name others, but upon the whole the list is a good one, and Mr. Beachey deserves the thanks of all Rose-growers. I trust that you will encourage the dissemination of the opinions of different Rose-growers, as they are always interesting, and useful knowledge is so obtained._S. Eyre. INFLUENCE OF THE ALDER UPON THE SOIL- Lovpon, in his ‘‘ Arboretum Britannicum,’’ referring to the notion that the Alder makes the ground about it boggy, ex- presses some doubt as to its correctness. I do not know whether he changed his opinion subsequently ; the fact is cer- tainly as stated by Selby, who rightly attributes it to the capillary attraction exerted by the extensive roots this tree makes. An illustration of it may be seen on Wimbledon Common, where in one of the hollows are scattered bushes of the Alder. Before we were acquainted with this property of the tree, a friend and myself used to be greatly puzzled how it was that on a bit of sloping ground there were more “yplashes”’ of water near the top than at the bottom, though there was seemingly no obstacle to prevent its finding its level. These boggy places are due to the influence of the Alders, as I now perceive. Yet, when growing on the banks of streams, this tree does not seem to sodden the soil, indeed, it rather tends to give it solidity; the roots, I presume, striking thus upon a source whence water can always be had, do not need to accumulate a store about them.—J. R. S. C. Visit oF THE Privce anD Princess of WALES To DERBY.— Mr. Cooling, of the Mile Ash Nurseries, supplied the bouquet which was presented to the Princess by the Mayoress. It con- sisted of the rarest and most beautiful flowers in eultivation, and was most elegantly arranged. The groundwork consisted of choice Orchids, including Dendrobium nobile and monili- 514 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 26, 1872. forme, Calanthe vestita rubra, Cypripediums, Oncidiums, &c., filled-in with red and white Camellias, Heaths, Violets, red white, and yellow Roses, Daphne indica alba, Azaleas, Migno- nette, Jasminum Sambac, Double Primulas, &c., the whole edged with the brilliant scarlet Poinsettia, which, lying ona margin of softest green, composed of Adiantum farleyense and Gleichenia spelunce, had a beautiful effect. The border was of Brussels point lace of an elegant and costly pattern, and the back was formed of tulle and white satin, corded with silk, and richly ornamented with gold fasteners. The floral de- corations of the Royal reception and retiring rooms were also entrusted to Mr. Cooling, whose ample resources and well- known taste produced an effect at once rich and charming. We do not remember to have seen anything more chaste than the arrangement of the three epergnes with flowers and Ferns. A large jardinet with a mirror at back filled with choice Dracenas, Heaths, Adiantums, Poinsettias, &e., added greatly to the appearance of the room, and various ornamental stands were occupied by specimen plants in China vases. The whole of the floral decorations at the Infirmary were by Mr. Cooling. Many hundred fine plants were used, and the effect was very good. NOTES ON DENDROBIUM.—No. 3. Dendrobium Lowii, from Borneo, is one of the rarest as well as one of the most curious and interesting species. In growth it somewhat resembles D. longicornu, although quite distinct. The stems are erect, about 12 inches high, and, together with the leaves, covered with minute black hairs, which give the whole a very dark greenappearance. The flowers are produced near the top of the growth, and are of a bright yellow, with red markings on the upper portion of the lip, which, like the stem, is furnished with small hairs ; these are red at the base, passing to yellow at their tops. The spur resembles that of a common garden Nasturtium. Altogether it is a peculiar, re- markable, and desirable species, which should be placed in all good collections, but it is difficult to obtain. D. chrysotis, from Assam, is an extremely showy and at- tractive species, with pendant growths from 3 to 4 feet long. It has a close resemblance to D. fimbriatum, although a decided rival to that variety. The flowers are produced in racemes of seyen, eight, or more on its leafy rod-like stems, and measure about 2 inches across. They are of a rich deep yellow; the lip has two dark blotches at the base, and the margins are beautifully fringed. A splendid specimen of this flowered a short time ago in the rich collection of exotics at Manley Hall, Manchester. To show the flowers to perfection, it should be grown in a hanging pan or basket. D. crassinode, from Moulmein, is a very distinct species, having stout upright growths from 6 inches to 2 feet long, furnished with knotted joints or nodes, from which it takes its name. The flowers are produced from these nodes, are about 2 inches in diameter, pure white tipped with purple, the lip haying a rich orange centre. It is said to be found growing on trees at an elevation of 2500 feet, where the moisture is considerable. It blooms during the summer months, lasting a considerable time in perfection. D. Dalhousianum, from India, is a most beautiful evergreen species, the noble growths often attaining the length of 7 or S feet. It produces its pale lemon-coloured fiowers from the old growths in the early part of summer; the lip has a pink margin, with two dark crimson spots in the centre. Specimens of this are extremely beautiful when in flower, and make fine exhibition plants. At Blackburn during the past year Mr. Varley, gardener to Capt. Shaw of that place, exhibited a spe- cimen with 440 blooms each 43 inches in diameter, several racemes bearing as many as fourteen flowers. Suchspecimens as that here referred to are, however, scarce. D. infundibulum, from Moulmein, is one of very diminutive size as compared to the foregoing, although not of less beauty. It is somewhat allied to, D. formosum, but rivals it in splen- dour. The stems are slender and erect, from 1 to 2 feet long, the flowers being produced from near the top on the old as well as on the present year’s growths, in colour ivory white. The petals are broad, with prominent veinous markings, which give them a great resemblance to the wing of a white butterfly, the lip having a yellow blotch ; this, together with the tapering funnel-shaped spur, renders it an extremely interesting species. Many people do not succeed well in its culture. At Fernie- hurst, in a cool house, it grows vigorously suspended from the roof in a hanging basket filled with good fibrous peat, sphag- num moss, and a free admixture of sand. Last summer it produced as many as eleven flowers at one time; and the fact of their lasting in perfection for six weeks or even more, greatly enhances its value. D. formosum gigantewm.—This splendid variety is somewhat similar to the above, except that it is stouter and more robust | in growth. -The flowers last in beauty about the same time. Tt is very desirable. D. longicornu, India. Of this there are two varieties, the best, perhaps, being majus. It is not quite so strong in growth as the last-named. Its flowers, however, are produced from the tops of the growths, which are white, the lip having a yellow centre, and also being fringed. It blooms about June, and if placed in a cool house will last a considerable time in perfection. D. transparens, India. This is a splendid species, having so soft and delicate an appearance that it cannot fail to prove @ general fayourite. It is somewhat sub-erect, and the flowers Dendrobium transparens. are produced in pairs nearly the whole of its length; they are rather small, of a pinkish lilac colour, the lip stained with a deep blotch of crimson. It blooms during the summer months, and succeeds well in a hanging pan. D. albo-sanguineum, Moulmein.—This is a yery compact and lovely species, growing about 1 foot high. The flowers are produced from near the top, creamy white, broken with markings of pink, the lip having a crimson blotch in the centre. It is a very distinct and beautiful Orchid, and, like the last, is best grown in a hanging pan, where it will require an abundant supply of moisture during the growing season. It blooms during summer, and lasts for some time in perfection. D. chrysanthum, India.—It is almost impossible to imagine a plant more chaste and elegant in appearance than this when in flower. It is a strong and robust grower, producing pen- dulous growths usually about 3 or 4 feet long, although under liberal treatment it will often attain the length of 5 or 6 feet, producing its rich golden yellow flowers for about two-thirds its length, having in some Cases as many as eighty blooms on one growth, which, being backed with dark green foliage, pre- sent a very pleasing appearance. It is one of the oldest and also one of the most attractive Dendrobes we have. As soon as the flowers fade it commences to show signs of activity, when it should be placed in the warm house, and have a plentiful supply of water till growth is completed; it may then be re- moved to a cooler temperature to produce its lovely blooms, which it will do about July or August.—C. J. Waite. - CAMELLIAS FOR AUTUMN FLOWERING. Exceprtine in gardens where there are large and varied col- lections of plants, there is a certain interval of time in autumn when the gardener finds greater difficulty than at any other time to meet successfully a large demand for flowering plants and cut flowers. This interval generally extends from the first Deceniber 26, 1872; JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 515 sharp frost of October, which cuts down the greater part of out-door bloom, till the beginning of December. It is during this interval that flowers of almost any description are, if not the most acceptable, used with the greatest economy. In gardens with limited collections of plants, scraps of bloom that at other seasons would be overlooked are, from the middle of October till the end of November, carefully culled and cherished. Blooming plants of standard character and beauty are then most esteemed, not only for their own intrinsic beauty, but because of the comparative scarcity of flowers how- ever humble. It is a wonder anda pity that so tractable and splendid a flower as the Camellia has not been more generally coaxed into bloom at the season to which we have referred. Hvery one admits its splendour further on in the season, even where it has to compete with many rival flowers, and yet claim the place of honour. Camellias in full bloom are rarely met with in October and November. The—in a certain sense correct to some extent accounts for this. They certainly will not do very well to be forced to open their blooms hurviedly in autumn. But the same applies with considerable force to the Azalea and other flowering plants not properly prepared for autumn blooming. If Azaleas have not been made to have prominent bloom-buds and well-matured wood by August, they will, when put into heat early in October, commence to grow afresh, instead of opening their blooms. Yet when properly prepared they come into bloom with comparatively little fore- ing, and at this dull season they, too, are much to be-recom- mended. These remarks apply with more force to the Camellia, though it is rarely met with in bloom till December. We venture to think that any person who early in October would place a large plant of the Double White Camellia on an exhibition table would receive a meritorious award for so unusual and unseasonable a production. We have not heard of such an example of Camellia culture more than once or twice. This is all the more strange, seeing how much appre- ciated the Camellia is at all times, and considering how easily its early blooming can be brought about when the forcing of it is practised at the right end of the year. It is only necessary to put the plants into heat in February, and to remember that, during its growing season, the Camellia is subject in its native country to a heat almost equal to that of Bengal, and acting accordingly, subject it to stove temperature, with a cor- responding amount of moisture both in the soil and in the air, and to prolong such conditions until the wood is firm and the bloom-buds prominent. Then, without sudden checks, gradu- ally withdraw the heat and moisture to supplies that are just necessary to keep the system of the plants healthy, but for the time being quiet. This, it may be said, is the usual routine of Camellia culture; andso itis. But to bloom Camellias at the time now referred to, it begins two or three months too late, and does not continue sufficiently long after it is commenced. When caused to make their wood and bloom-buds thus early and prominent, there is absolutely no forcing required in Oc- tober. And this is just the difficulty to be got over; for to force Camellias hurriedly to open their blooms by fire heat, causes many of the buds to drop, produces those that do open of poor quality, and forces the wood buds prematurely into growth. From our own experience, we are almost certain that anyone who once gets a fine bloom of Camellias in October and November, will come to the conclusion that at no other time are they so splendidly pure in colour, at no other time do they last so long in perfection, or are so much appreciated. At any time Camellias will always hold a high position as flowers, but after the period named they have more rivals. In frosty weather at midwinter, when more fire heat has to be applied to keep frosts from a general collection of greenhouse plants, with which Camellias are in the majority of places classed, Camellia flowers do not last nearly so long without dropping as they do in an atmosphere that is cool and kept moderately dry, with a minimum of fire heat. Like most blooms they dislike adamp stagnant atmosphere, and the drier air-currents of February and March are equally unfavourable to them. These remarks have not been made by way of depreciating the Camellia at any season, but with the view of inducing those who haye not tried to bloom a portion of their stock in autumn to do so, feeling sure that if they once get a good crop of Double Whites and Imbricatas in October they will never wish to be without them again. At this season they are most valu- able for table decoration, and for almost every purpose to which cut flowers are applied. Their effect in the conservatory at so dull a season is more striking and lasting than at any other time.—(T’he Gardener.) LAND DRAINAGE. In new work drainage ought to be the first consideration. Where turf can be had and is placed grass side downwards, so as to leave a little space between the drain and the turf, itis very desirable for covering the drains. Any covering of small stones with a sprinkling of finer material over them, as gravel with the finer portion washed or sifted out of it, will enable the drain to run clearly for many years. A drain of any kind is better than none. I have had drains made of brushwood, Thorn faggots, &c., and they answered well for years, and might have continued to do so much longer if I could have dispensed with an outlet, or so managed the outlet by trapping that the external air could not have free | access to the drain, as air, heat, and moisture soon rotted —idea that Camellias will not submit to be forced, no doubt | the faggots; and as these decayed the drain gradually became stopped up. I cannot tell how long faggots would last if so covered up that air could not reach them. Some were dug out that had been used to good purpose for bottoming a marshy piece of road, and after doing service in making a good road for thirty years ; they were more firmly wedged together by the superincumbent weight, but seemed as fresh as ever—not a sign of decay or rottenness. They had a thin covering of clay before the gravel and stones were placed over them. Rough stones neatly piled make a good drain, the smaller stones being uppermost. Some of these I have been assured have run well for forty years; and one advantage of their use is that they give refuge to few vermin, or only to the smallest. None of these methods, however, will be found so good as 2 or 38-inch pipes. I wish to bring before your readers for discus- sion, correction, or confirmation, two matters: the first is, the fallof drains. I used to think the greater the fall to the outlet the better, but I now consider that for effectual draining the fall may easily be too great. I have been assured that a fall of 3 inches or even less in 100 feet, will drain the land better, that there will be a more uniform flow, and that the drains will keep sound and effective longer, than when there is twice or thrice that amount of fall. I should certainly like more than 2 inches’ fall if it could be obtained. What do your experi- enced readers say to this? Simple though the matter appears, it is most important. , : Vhen, again, I am satisfied that it is not every soil—no, not even a stiff loam with a seemingly clay bottom, that will be improved by drainage. I have drained such land from 2 to 34 feet deep, deeper towards the outlet, and the drains flowed freely after much rain. I have drained other soil as much alike as possible, and but seldom had the smallest outflow of water from the drains. This puzzled me very much; but I imagined I discovered the cause when, on finding different colours and different degrees of compactness in the clay, and testing these with acids, I found that the clay was permeated liberally by veins of marl. Draining such ground was there- fore almost as useful as draining soil that lay on a thick bed of open chalk. What was wanted in such stiffish land was deepening the staple, by breaking-up the under strata by trenching and picking, if even the. under strata were left at the bottom after moving. This would allow the surplus mois- ture to descend more freely. I also noticed that in such ground, where the superfluous moisture found a way for itself naturally, the crops stood dry summers better than on the well-drained land. I presume the heat of the sun brought a part of the moisture back again, and that the roots obtained a share of it as it passed them. I throw out these hints for consideration, as ali that I have done in draining has been on asmall scale. Meanwhile I would suggest to your readers, that before they become acquainted with the true nature of their soil, and before they expend much money on pipes and earthwork, it would be well to dig a number of holes 3 feet deep. If no water stands in these holes they may well doubt if that land will Le improved by draining.—R. Fisu. DANGSTEIN.—No. 1. Tue RESIDENCE oF Reainaup H. Neyi1, Esa. Tur fame of Dangstein, in a horticultural point of view, rests not on the extent of its pleasure grounds, not on flower gardens in which thousands of bvrilliant-coloured bedding plants dazzle the eye in the summer months, not on its archi- tectural embellishments and the work of the sculptor’s hands, 516 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 26, 1872, but on its rich collection of plants, which, for rarity, number, | and diversity, is, we should think, scarcely equalled by any | private collection in this country. All parts of the world haye been laid under contribution to increase its stores, and it may fairly be said that Mr. and Lady Dorothy Nevill possess repre- sentatives of nearly every ornamental stove and greenhouse plant worth growing. In making these preliminary remarks, however, we have in some measure anticipated, for it ought to have been stated that Dangstein is situated on the borders of Sussex and Hants, about six miles from Petersfield, and between three and four miles from Liss station on the Portsmouth Direct | line, whence a nearly straight road leads across a heath of several hundreds of acres, and passes close to Dangstein, which lies on the right. The mansion occupies an elevated position, and, as will be perceived by the accompanying en- graving, is in the Grecian style of architecture, with Ionic columns. The principal entrance is on the north side. South- wards and westwards there are fine views, embracing the South Downs and Hampshire hills, and northwards the Surrey hills, whilst wild and woodland scenery is diversified by wide stretches of cultivated land. On the southern front of the house there is a broad well-kept lawn, and more to the west ward a pinetum (a portion of which is seen in our view of the mansion), containing many thriving specimens, though none of them are of remarkable dimensions; and on the west side there is a flower garden, in which pear-shaped and scroll beds form an agreeable combination. Passing now to the houses, which are situated to the north of the house, we first entered a range of lean-to pits, 84 feet long by 12 feet wide. These are partly used for plant-srow- ing and partly for vegetable-forcing. One was devoted to fore- ing Cucumbers, of which Sion House and Lord Kenyon’s are preferred for winter, but Blue Gown and other kinds are like- wise grown. We also noticed a large number of Ferns from Ceylon, some of which are expected to prove new, and a num- Dangstein.—South-west front. ler of plants from seed sent from the same island. Seedling | plants of Impatiens flaccida, with pretty lilac flowers, were freely dotted about. The next compartment was chiefly occu- pied with Asparagus and Dwarf Kidney Beans, while the shelf at the back, as well as those in other houses, were filled with Strawberry plants. There is in these pits ample provision for both top and bottom heat, and in summer they are used for growing Melons and other purposes. Of Pines only a few are kept, and these more for curiosity than use; there are, however, several plants of the Variegated Pine Apple which are very useful for decorative purposes. In a bed in one of the compartments Arachis hypogea, the Earth Nut, now so commonly met with in our markets, and so largely consuraed by children, is successfully cultivated. As it may not be known to some, it may be remarked that in this South Ame- rican plant, after the flowers fall the young pods are forced into the ground by the natural motion of the stalks, and are thus buried. At Dangstein these pods, or ‘‘nuts,” are fully equal to the best of those to be found in the shops. Next in order was a Peach house, a lean-to, 28 feet long and 14 feet wide, with a curved trellis in front, on which are strong trees of Royal George and Noblesse Peaches and a Nectarine. The trees being at rest, the floor and every available space was oc- cupied with bedding plants, and there was likewise a quantity of Mignonette. A Peach case the same height as the back wall of the Peach house, about 113 feet, proves very useful in pro- tecting a tree of the Royal George covering nearly 500 square feet of wall, as well as Endive and other salads. There were also trees of the Ailantus ¢landulosa for producing leaves for the Ailantus silkworm, in connection with which Lady Dorothy Nevill’s name will be familiar to our readers as haying placed its merits before the public, and both by precept and example done much to stimulate its cultivation in this country. The narrow Peach case just referred to is one of the simplest structures that can well be conceived, being formed, in fact, of sashes placed in front of the wall, so as to leave a width of 41 feet at the base, and meeting the wall at an acute angle at the back. Inexpensive as it is, however, Mr. Vair, the gar- dener, thinks highly of its utility. We now come to a range of lean-to vineries, three in number, 93 feet long, 14 feet wide, 13 feet high at back, and 6 feet 6 inches high in front. The latest contains Muscat of Alex- andria, Black Muscat of Alexandria, Black Hamburgh, Treb- biano, and others. All the Grapes had been cut, and the house was filled with bedding plants. The second vinery— chiefly planted with Black Hamburgh and Alicante Vines—con- December 26, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 517 tained also Fig trees in pots, which here, unlike many places, are well managed, besides Cinerarias, Chinese Primulas, and at this season the omnipresent bedding plants. In the earliest vinery (which will not be so next year), the Vines had been cut down to obtain new wood, Mr. Vair having found the ad- vantage of a similar practice in the other houses in previous years. It must be added that the shelves in these and other houses were fully occupied with Strawberries, sometimes varied with flowering plants. We now come to one of the great features of the place, the | magnificent collection of Orchids, one of the finest in the country both in the number of the species and the size of the specimens. In the Hast India house, which is 224 feet square, are several grand specimens of Vandas, especially Vanda tri- color insignis and Y. suavis, Aérides, and Saccolabiums of all the best kinds in splendid condition, and many of them of a size rarely met with, together with Phalsznopsids, Angreecums, | Angrecum eburneum was showing flower, and so, too, was A. sesquipedale, the latter having two spikes, on one of which there were four flowers. Some of the Vandas and Phalenopsis grandiflora were also in flower, and the brilliant flower-heads of Poinsettia pulcherrima, plants of which were dotted about among the Orchids, combined to give the house a gaiety of appearance not seen in many places at this season. On the back wall are plants of Vanilla lutescens and planifolia—the former pods the more freely, and is preferred to the latter-— also a fine specimen of Platycerium grande 5 feet in diameter. At the end of this house is another small house, forming a kind of lobby, which it was thought desirable to construct in consequence of the wind sweeping round a corner and robbing the East India house of its heat. A Lemon tree is trained at the back, and Orange trees at the side. The cool Orchid house comes next; in this we noted Odon- toglossum cariniferum, Lindleyanum, triumphans, grande, and members of other genera too numerous to particularise. | Bluntii, Dendrobium speciosum, and numerous Lycastes. The Dangstein.—Gardener's Residence and Plant Houses. plants here are nearly all grown in pots with troughed rims to receive a bell-glass, and when the trough is filled with water it serves as a barrier to the passage of many insects, and in summer for the evaporation of moisture. There is in this house a very fine collection of Sarracenias, comprising Drum- mondi, Drummondi alba, flava, psittacina, variolaris, and pur- purea; also many other curious plants, such as Darlingtonia californica, of which there were some three hundred seedling plants on a top shelf, Cephalotus follicularis, Drosera dichotoma, the rare Drosophyllum lusitanicum, and Venus’s Fly-trap (Dionza muscipula). Ornamental-leaved Begonias were ranged oneach side of the central pathway, and a covering of Lycopod on the end wall had an exeellent effect. The principal Orchid house, however, is situated in the main range, and is a span-roofed structure 50 feet by 24.) Here were Cypripedium insigne with thirty-six flowers, C. longi- folium which is nearly always in bloom, C. Dayanum; Lowii, Stonei, caudatum, and others of the same genus. Calanthe Veitchii was producing long spikes of’its lovely blossoms; and though the plant had been divided, it was still very fine. C. yestita was also well represented in several varieties. Peris- teria elata had formed an immense bulb and thrown up two spikes, each with three branches. One spike had been cut off after flowering, but the other was still bearing several of those singular-shaped flowers which, from their resemblance to a dove, have given rise to the plant’s scientific and popular names. The Pleiones, such as Wallichi and maculata, which haye been aptly called the autumn Crocuses of the Orchids, hal been very fine, and the Dendrobiums had made excellent growths ; of these the species cultivated are too numerous to mention. Lycaste Skinneri in several varieties was in great force. We also noticed an importation from Ceylon, among which it is expected some novelties will be found. Altogether this house presented a striking appearance ; the Cypripediums, Calanthes, Dendrobes, &c., furnishing an ample supply of bloom even without the Poinsettias, which had been introduced to give liveliness to the whole. é Passing back to another range, consisting of four low span- roofed houses, 103 feet long and 132 wide, we find in the first of these a varied collection of fine-foliaged plants, including Crotons, Marantas, Draczenas. Alocasias, &c., of the best kinds, and flowering Begonias. The second division contains more fine-foliaged plants on one side, Ferns on the other. Among the latter were Cionidium Moorei, nice plants of Drynaria musefolia, and fine specimens of Davallia Mooreana. Anthu- rium Scherzerianum (one of the most useful of stove plants in- 518 troduced of late years, producing, as it does, its gorgeous Roman-standard-like spathes, it may almost be said, through- out the year) which appears at our spring, our summer, and our autumn exhibitions, and which is welcome at all alike, was still in its most splendid garb, relieving the preponderance of green. Several plants of Psychotria cyanococca assisted by their violet berries in securing the same result. A very good plant of Cochliostema Jacobianum, was also noticeable, though not in flower, also the rare Lindsea Lowii. In the next division are tanks, one of which contains the Madagascar | Lace Plant (Ouvirandra fenestralis), though not the fine specimen which was one of the sights of Dangstein some years back; another, Nympheas, Limuocharis Plumieri, and other aquatics, of which N. dentata was in flower. Various fine- foliaged plants, among we particularly noticed excellent ex- amples of Alocasia Lowii and Veitchii; a number of Pitcher- plants intended to be trained to the roof; and Platyceriums grande, Stemmaria, and alcicorne, constitute the chief of the other inmates of this division ; whilst Gold and Silver Gymno- grammas are the main feature of the fourth compartment, in which, as well as in that just referred to, it may be mentioned in passing, there are two or three bell-glasses filled with some of the tiniest Ferns and other plants in the tiniest of pots. At the end of tha muzin rangs, at which we now arrive, there is a small house, about 12 feet square, through which we must pass on our way to the Orchid house, which has been already noticed. Nidularium Innocenti, Tillandsia zonata, and other singular Bromeliads attract attention, and would more were it not that the Orchids at once catch the eye. Next to the Orchid house is an orchard house 45 feet long, with beds back and front, and a bed in the middle, in which are planted out Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, and Plums. Vines cover the roof, and Vines are planted all round the central bed by the side of the path, forming a cordon. This house, besides yielding a good supply of fruit in summer, also contains anumber of Orchids and other plants imported from Natal, Leucocoryne ixiodes, and a variety of rarities. From this we pass into an orangery, 36 feet square, containing a fine healthy stock of fruiting Orange trees, chiefly of the Tangerine variety, though others are grown as well, with Bougainyillea on the roof. Gloxinias and Gesneras are also here stowed away for the winter. As within the limits of one article justice cannot be done to the whole of the noble collection at Dangstein, we must defer till next week the notice of the remainder, meanwhile giving a view of a portion of the houses and gardener’s residence. EXTRACTS FROM PAPERS COMMUNICATED TO OUR GOVERNMENT RESPECTING THE PHYLLOXERA VASTATRIX, OR NEW VINE SCOURGE. Sir C. Murray to Earl GranviLue. : Cintra, June 12th, 1872. Tats new scourge, that has recently attacked the Vines in France as well as in Portugal, threatens to be as desolating in its effect as the disease called Oidium, which for some years destroyed viniculture in Madeira, and has inflicted serious damage on it both in France and Portugal, notwithstanding the partial remedy that has been discovered and adopted in the free use of sulphur. The insect which has lately been making such ravages in the vineyards, Phylloxera vastatrix, seems, according to the report of those who have examined it carefully, to be of the same species as the aphis, but the Phylloxera appears to be not only particularly destructive, but also very difficult of extirpation. A printed paper states (I know not whether cor- rectly or not) that the French Government has offered, and hitherto without sucoess, a reward of 20,000 francs to anyone who can discover an effectual remedy. According to the state- ment of the paper above referred to, the injury inflicted by this scourge on some of the vineyards in the Douro district has been terrible, and one vineyard is specified, the average produce of which had been seventy pipes of wine, and which last year only produced one; and a certain Senhor Avelino, who was sent into that district to examine and report upon its condition, estimates the total loss on last year’s vintage there at five hundred pipes. The Portuguese Government has named a Commission, under the presidency of the Director-General of Commerce and In- dustry, to examine into the progress of this dangerous evil, and to gather from all quarters (whether scientific or practical) suggestions for the best mode of extirpating it. One French Vine proprietor reports that he has tried with some success the expedient of digging a hole round the stem of the Vine, which he half fills with chimney soot and then covers over with earth. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER. [ December 26, 1872. If this should ultimately prove an effectual antidote to the malady, it is much to be regretted that the Vine-growers of France and Portugal are not somewhat nearer to London, where it could be cheaply and abundantly supplied. Sir C. Murray to Earl GranviniE. Cintra, July 3rd, 1872. I appresseD a despatch to Mr. Consul Crawfurd, at Oporto, desiring him to make all the inquiries necessary in his neigh- bourhood. Ihave received his report, and enclose it herewith. Your Lordship will observe, on reading it, that Mr. Crawfurd seems of opinion that the fears, amounting almost to a panic in some districts, which have arisen concerning the ravages of this insect, are very much exaggerated, and he attributes this very much to the recent publication of a pamphlet on this subject by Senhor Oliveira. Iam inclined to agree in this opinion to some extent. I trust that the grounds on which Mr. Crawfurd ex- pects that the Portuguese vineyards will enjoy an immunity, total or partial, from the scourge, may prove correct. In reference to the case specially mentioned in the 6th page of Mr. Crawfurd’s report, itis a curious circumstance that I have, within the last few weeks, had one precisely similar in my garden in Lisbon. An old, strong, healthy, and hitherto very fruitful Vine, began suddenly to wear a sickly appearance ; the leaves began to wither, and to assume first a yellow and then a reddish appearance. My gardener had never seen this or any other Vine in my gar- den attacked in a similar manner (although we are obliged to sulphur all our Vines several times yearly to preserve them against oidium); so, thinking I had received my first visit from the Phylloxera, I desired the gardener to uncover and carefully examine the roots, but they appeared perfectly sound and healthy, and the disease which has destroyed this year’s crop of fruit and leaves remains a mystery. I have surrounded the roots with a bed of soot overlaid with earth; but whether the Vine will recover or die remains to be proved. (Report by Consul Crawrurp upon Phylloxera vastatrix.) Tue attention of the Portuguese wine-growers has not been called until the last two years to the existence of a new enemy of the Vine in the shape of Phylloxera vastatrix. The discovery in France of this supposed importation from America was not made till the year 1855, since which time its natural history and the effect of its ravages upon the Vine plant have been industriously investigated by French entomologists and cenologues ; and in the opinion of some persons the extent of these ravages has been not a little overstated. There is little doubt however that, after making due allowance for the exaggeration common to those who make a long study of special subjects, the injury done by this insect to vineyards in certain districts of France, and under certain circumstances of Vine cultivation, has been considerable. Phyloxera vastatrix is a small insect of the sub-order of Homoptera. The adult female only has, as yet, been discovered ; it is found in the apterous and also in the winged state. The eggs would appear to be generally deposited in galls formed by the insect on the leaf of the Vine. and the newly-hatched grub finds its way to the roots of the plant upon which it feeds. The first symptom of the Vine being attacked is the reddish yellow colour of the leaf. No means of checking the progress of the insect has yet proved effectual. : Senhor Oliveira, junior, has quite recently published a pam- phlet upon the subject, which, though a hasty and ill-judged compilation from French authorities, may, perhaps, have the effect cf arousing observation on the part of the Vine-growers. This work, however, is full of unpardonable exaggeration, tend- ing only either to encourage undue alarm, or, as is more probable, to excite utter unbelief in the writer’s assertions : e.g., the author begins by stating that a plague has fallen upon the Vine industry of the country one hundred times more destructive than the old Vine disease—the Oidium Tuckeri. The food of Phylloxera vastatrix being the roots of the plant, it is obvious that it is only where the young and more tender roots of the Vine are near the surface of the ground that they can be destructively fed upon by so small and delicate an insect. This is proved by the experience of French observers. In vineyards where the soil is of little depth, in those where the drainage is deficient, and particularly in those French vine- yards where, quantity rather than quality of wine being sought for, cultivation by the plough and frequent manuring are em- loyed, the presence of the insect has been found to be more or ess accompanied by damage to the Vine; for in all these cases the fine root-fibres are near the surface and within reach of the imsect. The same, of course, applies to newly planted Vines, which are especially liable to destruction. On the other hand, Phylloxera vastatrix is never observed to attack Vines allowed to creep over pollarded trees, or over trelliswork; and Vines so trained form, probably, nineteen- twentieths of all that are grown in North Portugal—the Vines in such cases being usually well-established plants of many years’ growth, with deep-reaching roots. Again, in the district in which port wine is produced, although the shape of the Vines is December 26, 1872. ] bush-like, as in France, the roots descend toa great depth in the schistose soil—a depth, as I have myself had occasion-to observe, sometimes exceeding 15 feet. The same holds good, though to a less degree, with regard to the Vines of the Bairrada district, and elsewhere in the province of Beira, where they are grown in bush shape; and it may be observed generally of this consular district that the wine can- not be profitably produced except in deep soils, on account of the frequency of long summer droughts, which cause the plant to send its roots far down in search of moisture. It will easily be concluded from these facts that the conditions of the growth of the Vine in Northern Portugal are by no means favourable to the development of Phylloxera vastatrix. Senhor Oliveira, junior, mentions two instances of the ravages of the insect in the port-wine district. In one of these cases, the yield of wine was reduced from sixty pipes to eight pipes in two years, but in neither case was it clearly proved that the destruction was the work of Phylloxera vastatrix. The roots of the plants in the above-cited instances were indeed found to be decayed, but no insects were discovered, and no particulars of the age of the Vines, depth of soil, or character of the exposure, are given in either case. I have inquired of several extensive Vine-growers in the Alto Douro (the port-wine district), and I can learn of no undoubted case of the appearance of Phylloxera vastatrix. One gentleman of great experience was inclined to think that the Vine has for many years been subject to a disease, the symptoms of which correspond to the appearance said to be produced by the ravages of the insect. He had lately rooted-up Vines of his own whose leaves were withered and yellow, but in no case were the roots in uny way affected. He mentioned having seen, in the month of May of this year, a vineyard in which, in four days, the leaves had changed from a healthy green to the colour and ap- pearance of the common zonal Geranium, but here, unfortu- nately, no further examination was made. The conclusions to which I have come, after fully investigating this subject, may be summed-up as being— 1. That no certain grounds exist for believing that any, or at least any serious damage has been caused in North Portugal by Phylloxera vastatrix; but, while no scientific observation what- | ever has been brought to bear upon the subject, it is impossible to pronounce definitively upon its existence or non-existence. 2. That the great majority of vineyards in North Portugal will, from their peculiarities of cultivation, escape entirely. 3. That it would be safe to predict that, if ever the insect becomes numerous here, its destructive influence will be felt first and chiefly in the vineyards which produce the Bairrada wine, and afterwards, and less extensively, in the district of port-wine production. Consul T. C. Hunt to Lorp Lyons. Bordeaux, July 2nd, 1872. Tuts insect, which seems to have been first observed in the course of the year 1863 among the vineyards of the Rhone, is said to feed on the juices of the most tender roots, and, by cutting off the flow of sap at its fountains, to cause the death of the Vine. I am not aware that it has been found in this part of France, although reports of its existence here were not wanting as far back as 1870. There can be no doubt that, as the situation of the evil is of very difficult access to any topical application, the introduction here of an insect of such enormous multiplying functions would have been a constant subject of reference by the local newspapers. Dr. Hooxrer to Viscount ENFIELD. Royal Gardens, Kew, September 19th, 1872. Your Lordship will have gathered from these papers that the Phylloxera attacks the Vine in a part—namely, the root—in which it is not only very sensitive to injury, but to which the application of any topical remedial agentis exceedingly difficult. Considering the undoubted injury which the culture of the Vine has already received from the Phylloxera, and our present ignorance of any effective means of arresting it, itis impossible to view without alarm its gradual extension in Vine-growing districts. The extreme anxiety which is felt upon the matter in France is evidenced by the extensive literature which has already been devoted to it. Asummary of this up to the end of last year, and dealing with no less than five hundred separate papers andarticles, has been recently published by MM. Planchon and Lichtenstein, under the form of an extract from the pro- ceedings of the thirty-fifth session of the “ Congrés Scientifique. de France,’ held at Montpellier. It appears from this that no remedy really effective has at present been devised, except that of flooding the vineyards during winter, by which means the insect is destroyed in its hybernating condition. Unfortunately, though this is practi- cable in the lower part of the Rhone valley, it is obviously not possible in others, and these the most important of the French wine-growing districts. The attention of the Portuguese Government seems to have JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 519 been thoroughly roused to the importance of the subject. A communication from the French Consul at Lisbon published in the “Comptes Rendus”’ for September 9th of this year “ stgnale la présence du Phylloxera dans quelques vignobles non loin de Porto, dans le district de Villa Real, prés des provinces de Douro et de Traz-os-Montes, ansi que dans le voisinage de Santarem, a 70 Kilom. de Lisbonne.” It is also stated that a Commission has been appointed by the Government to study the subject. Mr. Consul Crawfurd in his report dated June 29th (No. 56), was probably correct in his opinion as to the exaggeration of the statements current at that time. No harm can, however, arise from the Vine cultivators being thoroughly warned beforehand as to the serious nature of the malady. There is reason to believe that on the first symptoms of attack in isolated cases the prompt destruction of the Vine, its burning on the spot, and the subsequent treatment of the soil with some approved in- secticide, such as carbolic acid, would be of great importance. A communication from M. Louis Faucon, who has practised the method of submersion with success, was recently laid before the French Academy (‘‘ Comptes Rendus,” September 9th, 1872), in which the important fact, ascertained apparently with cer- tainty, is announced that the Phylloxera in migrating from diseased to healthy Vines comes to the surface of the ground during sunshine. Its dispersion is also, no doubt, in this case favoured by the action of the wind, by which it is blown along the surface with dust. With respect to Mr. Consul Crawfurd’s opinion that the deep rooted Vines of the port-wine district will enjoy an immunity from the disease, it is proper to remark that even deep-rooted plants have superficial roots as well, and, as the Vine is notori- ously sensitive in cultivation to influences injuriously affecting its root action, there is reason to fear that if the superficial roots of a Vine were materially affected by the Phylloxera, the health of the plant would not be altogether unaffected. 3 With reference to the dispatches and enclosures relating to the Bordeaux district, it appears that the presence of the Phyl- loxera has been definitely ascertained there by the Commission appointed to study the subject by the French Academy. Its ravages are, however, more slow in their extension than in the southern portion of the Rhone valley, and have taken a some- what different form. A remarkable fact is, the immunity which Vines of American species appear to enjoy in this district. Nor have the Vines cultivated in this country under glass escaped up to the present time. There are now several well- authenticated cases of injury from the Phylloxera, and there is even reason to believe that it is presentin many places where it has not as yet been recognised. GALVANISED WIRE FOR FRUIT TREES. Mn. Recorp (page 469), wishes to hear the opinions of others respecting the use of galvanised wire for fruit trees, &e. My experience of it is this: I have used it for some years for several in-door purposes, and more especially for Peach trees, and I have never yet traced asingle instance of gumming to the galvanised wirealone. If I wanted to produce gumming I should tie the shootsin quite tightly to the wires whilst very young and tender, and in avery short time they would be bruised to such an extent that I believe gumming would follow sooner or later. To keep the trees healthy and entirely free from gum, which is always my object, 1 haye adopted and hitherto succeeded with the following system: I twist the matting once or twice round the wires for the shoot to rest against, and then tie so loosely that the shoot can thicken considerably before receiy- ing any pressure, which must be avoided in so young a state. The shoots must be occasionally watched during the summer, and, if found to be the least pinched-up for room cut the tie at once and retie if needed. At the winter tying-in I adopt the same precaution, and I believe if everyone were to act on this principle, which has often been recommended, gumming would be to a great extent lessened, if not entirely preyented.— ~ H. Harnis, Naseby Woolleys. SOME PREDATORY INSECTS OF OUR GARDENS.—No. 38. A Goop many animals at one time or another get the name of insect applied to them, while they are, if not unlike the true insects in habit, exceedingly differentin structure. Thus, our facetious friend Punch depicts a railway traveller asking eagerly of a porter whether he should have to pay travelling charges for a good-sized tortoise he was carrying with him. In answer, the official assured him that the creature was exempt, as it was—aninsect! I was, however, about to say that there are instances where true insects simulate the appearance of 520 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. { December 26, 1872. animals both superior and inferior to them in the scale of creation. During the present summer the larva of Blennocampa Cerasi has been common in many places on the Cherry and Pear, and also occasional on other fruit trees. Nor is it confined to the orchard, for I have beaten specimens, which I take to be this species, off the Oak. In several districts it has been sufficiently numerous, small as are its proportions, to nearly defoliate the trees. In its aspect it has quite the appearance of a juvenile slug, and we can imagine a gardener shaking his head with anger and vexation as he picked, or tried to pick, one of these off a leaf, and soliloquising that things were coming to a pretty pass when slugs took to travelling high up on the branches of trees; and with prophetic eye he perhaps beholds them devouring fruit which has hitherto escaped their attacks, howeyer it may be exposed to other depredators. This larva belongs to the Sawfly tribe, and matures into a true winged insect, though so very molluscous in appearance and in its mode of progression. Some one haying asked the editor of the ‘‘ Entomologist’? whether powdered hellebore was effectual in exterminating it, that gentleman remarks patheti- cally that it was difficult to know when you had purchased an article by that nameif it was what yourequired.. The chemists may be left to defend themselves in this matter. I presume, though obliged to exercise much caution in the yending of so poisonous a drug, they would scarcely dilute it wilfully to make it less harmful. No doubt, however, the editor is right in adding, that if hellebore is of service in the destruction of Blennocampa Cerasi, the application of the remedy is not easy to carry out. Handpicking, even when the larve have attained some size, would be troublesome and tedious, the insect hold- ing so tightly as to squash in the fingers ere it be removed, nor is it always within reach. The application of fumigants would be more likely to answer, and compel the pest to double- up and lose its hold. imperfectly known, and I hope to revert to the subject again when I shall have been able to observe for myself the mode of the deposition of the eggs. Many of the methods of killing aphides, cocci, &e., would probably help to thin the numbers of these little unsightly pests; the nostrums sold in the form of powder would be, I suspect, generally too expensive and of no great efficacy. Lime thrown upon the trees in early summer, at a time when they are not positively wet but rather damp, has been suggested as likely to be useful. An enemy still better known both to the amateur and pro- fessional grower of fruit is the insect called the American blight, known in science as Aphis lanigera or Lachnus laniger, also termed Eriosoma Mali. Like thieves with various aliases, this circumstance does not prepossess us in its favour, and it is certainly one of the most troublesome and annoying enemies of the Apple: it is comparatively infrequent on the Pear. I have not the means of ascertaining by statistics whether it has been less common in England this season, but in some places its propagation seems to haye been considerably inter- fered with by the rough weather we had in the second winter or spring of 1872. It is amusing how much interest has been excited by the question as to where this insect came from if it be not a native of this country. The ordinary appellation, of course, throws the responsibility upon the new continent, though there is no yery strong evidence on the point, and we could not get up even the ontline of an ‘indirect claim” for the injuries cur fruit trees have received. All, or nearly all, that can be said is that Sir Joseph Banks saw an instance of the ravages of this species at a nursery in Sloane Street in 1787, and fancied it had been imported from America. On the other side, Mr. Salisbury avers that it came from France im company with some refugees much earlier, and first located itself at Paddington ; also he had been told by an old French gardener that in the neighbourhood of Montpellier and else- where this pest had been common for many years. No! em- phatically replies a French professor, the species came from England to France about 1812, and about a dozen years after that it travelled into Belgium. Then, again, we find the Ame- rican pomologists declaring that they imported it from Europe with some trees. After all, it seems very probable that this blight is indigenous in each country mentioned, as though instances have often occurred of an imported insect or plant establishing itself, it has also happened that the arrival of a Species from abroad has brought to light the fact that it was already a native of the country to which at first it was thought to be a visitor. When we investigate the economy of this insect, we see that As yet the economy of the species is but in some particulars it is very much like an aphis, in others it resembles a coccus. - The winged males have quite an aphis aspect, and, like those flies, they take excursions in the air sometimes, the object of which is doubtful; business rather than pleasure, some think, who believe they are then preparing for the continuance of the race. I am rather inclined to sup- pose that they wander off thus after the work of impregnation is completed. The downy females also travel from place to place, becoming detached by the wind, and thus float on until they effect a lodgment somewhere; should it be on the branch of a tree, then a new colony is soon established. This blight usually rouses itself from its winter inactivity in March or April, and if no measures have been taken against it during the cold season, the first sign of its approaching ravages is a peculiar hoariness, mostly about the old branches, in the cracks or crevices of which some of the insects haye*wintered. It should be noted, however, en passant, that Eriosoma Mali does not seem, in any stage of its growth, to be able to actually penetrate old wood; there must have been previously some crack or wound where the insects are observed to be engaged upon that. It is upon the wood of one or two years’ growth that they appear to employ themselves with most eagerness. However, when they have once succeeded in establishing them- selves in old wood, they. will continue their destructive opera- tions until branches are perforated, and even trunks. Huge excrescences often arise through the effect of the numerous punctures upon the alburnum. Thesecretion of sap is vitiated. In bad eases the blight spreads until the tree dies from the unhealthy action excited rather than from actual exhaustion of its strength. In orchards matters may sometimes be allowed to go on to this extent through inadvertence; in gardens it can scarcely happen if timely remedies are applied. By its habits it is evident that this blight thrives most in hollows and valleys, exposed trees often escaping. In autumn, too, nature will occasionally work a cure upon infected trees and shrubs, high winds and soaking rains dislodging multitudes from their resting-places, when they are hurled through the air until their downy investiture becomes their grave, unless a sudden change in the weather enables them, or at least a part of them, toreach a dry nook or crevice where, if they can fix them- selves securely, the down serves to shield them from wet and cold. This same secretion forms an admirable screen for the young, which are exuded alive, and which have, like their parents, a beak or rostrum, which is hidden under the breast, and occasionally when not in use it is bent so far down as to project beyond the abdomen as apoint. If we separate a mass of this downy substance (which it may be worth someone's while to submit to a chemical analysis), we find usually amongst the insects small ovoid or round bodies, which are not eggs but the excretions of the blight ; and it does not appear that ants resort to this so habitually as to the sweet secretion of the aphides. Indeed, few other insects approach Eriosoma Mali with pur- poses either friendly or hostile, so well is it secured by its cottony robe, though the larva of a Dipterous insect, I believe a species of Sceva, has been reported as a devourer of these creatures. Nor are they eaten by birds, but it is possible they may sometimes avail themselves of the down in their nest- building. We cannot use it for anything, though we might succeed in extracting a colouring matter from the insects themselves. As already noted, this blight is to be observed in winter by looking for it in sheltered angles of the trunk and branches, and under loose bark; but it is found also at that time about the roots of the trees, to which it descends in the autumn. Some writers recommend a careful watching about this season, and an occasional removal of the earth about the roots. What is carried away should be soused in water, and the fresh soil afterwards in its turn. This may be done several times. Where the blight is found to haye actually attached itself to the roots, if the trees are not too large they must be taken up and cleansed, then replanted in different earth. With trees of some size the soilmay be taken up around, and the roots exposed to a degree of cold—a sort of kill-or-curemethod. Or the roots may be surrounded with a muddy compound, made by the removal of a portion of the soil and stirring into the remainder some ammoniacal liquor or strong soapsuds. It may be added, that before betaking themselves to a subterra- nean life the insects free themselves from a great part of their cottony covering. ; What may be termed the general list of remedies is a pretty long one, and yet some who have tried 2 variety of expedients haye been glad to come back to simple means ; and they haye December 26, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 521 discovered that the careful removal of all rotten bark and cankered wood, followed by a thorough cleansing with water, done by means of a stiff brush, has answered very well. ‘“ Rus- gicus,” or at least a Rusticus, wrote many years ago as follows on the subject— Directly you see the least morsel of cotton, make up your mind to alittle trouble. Get a plasterer’s white- wash brush, then get a pot of double size, make your man heat it until it is quite liquid, then go with him into your garden, and see that he paints oyer every patch of white though not bigger than a sixpence. The next morning heat the size pot again, and have another hunt, and keep on every morning for a fortnight. Your man will tell you it’s no use: tell him that’s your business, not his. Your neighbours will laugh at you: doit before they are up. I have tried it and found it effectual.’’ In, Kent the folks are, as I perceive, strong in the faith of the efficacy of whitewash alone, which is applied indis- criminately to the trunks of the trees. Not much good is done by this, as arule. Recently the application of a mixture of quicklime, sulphur, and lamp-black, after the diseased and infected parts haye been cut away, has been strongly recom- mended; but some persons greatly dislike bedaubing their trees with this and other ill-looking and offensive compounds. Another nostrum is composed of vegetable tar, corrosive sub- limate, spirits of salts, and hartshorn. This has been known to injure the trees somewhat. Others have employed a pre- paration more of the nature of a varnish, made of oil and resin to about the consistence of honey. Diluted sulphuric acid, in the proportion of three-quarters of an ounce by measure -of the acid to seven ounces and a half of water is certainly a good thing if cautiously applied. Subsequent rains wash this into the crannies and crevices, and the blight does not relish it at all. Some advise the use of vinegar for young trees, as rather milder, and therefore less likely to be harmful to these.—J. R. S. C NOTES AND GLEANINGS. Ar Bordeaux the AmorrHorHattus Riviert is employed as an out-of-door ornamental plant. The spathes, which are of a blackish green, grow to the considerable dimensions of 54 feet in length by nearly the same in width. When laid-out in groups of four or five together they are said to have a very pleasing effect. THe Times says, ‘‘ Our New Zealand correspondent writes :—‘ It may be interesting to English, and still more to patriotic Scotch readers, to learn that the Scorcu TuisTLE plays a very important part in this colony in assisting the spread of the English Grass. It has indeed proved itself a most valuable agent in preparing the rough Fern hills for the reception of Grass seed. The Thistle has its fling for three or four years, taking full possession of the ground; but, though inconyenient, it is by no means without its uses during that time, for sheep, cattle, and horses greedily devour the seed- heads when in blossom, and often eat the leaves of the plant as well, and many runs when under Thistles have carried more stock than before the weed appeared. After the Thistle has exhausted the land of its particular requirements and has died out, which it does in about four years, it is invariably found that stray plants of English Grass and Clover have been nursed ‘into strength by their prickly neighbours, and that the long full taproots of the Thistle have opened and pulverised the surface soil, and prepared a seed bed in which the English Grass takes root and flourishes far better than on the natural surface of ground which has not been subjected to a similar course of preparation.’ ”’ : From reports which we receive from different parts of the country it is evident that the AppLe Crop In THE UniTep Srares is large this year—not so large, at least in western New York, as in 1870, but large enough to flood the markets of the great cities with perishable fruit, which must be disposed of at some rate or it willrot on the owner’shands. Consequently prices rule low, affording buyers a pretext for keeping down their offers for winter fruit to rates that will not afford orchardists profitable returns for their Apples. —— Some idea of the recent RAINFALL is given in the return of the Registrar-General. At Greenwich Observatory more than three-quarters of an inch of rain was measured during the last week of last month; the fall for November being thus raised to 2.9 inches. The rain measured during October and November was 7.3 inches, or 2 inches above the average fall in fifty-six years. Rain has now fallen seventy-five days. Messrs. VAN Expen & Co., of Haarlem, intend to publish from time to time representations of the finest BULB- ous pLants, of which they keep a stock. Each part consists of six chromo-lithographs, and costs 12s. We have just re- ceived specimens of the two first numbers, and can recommend them both on account of their beauty and execution. WORK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Give air freely to Cauliflower and Lettuce plants in frames; indeed, the sashes should merely be used to exclude frost and throw off rains, for they will do all the better in spring for being kept hardy and stocky over the winter. Take advantage of the first dry day that may occur, with the ground in a rather dry~ state, to earth-up closely any of the Celery that may have out- grown the previous soiling, and be prepared to protect the ridges in case of severe frost. Dry stable litter answers very well for this purpose ; but where they can be afforded, light straw or reed shutters are preferable, as being more easily applied, causing less litter, and these are also useful for excluding wet. It will soon be time to be providing seed for the early crop of Celery next season, and for this purpose we know of no variety equal to Cole’s Dwarf White. This is, as its name indicates, a dwarf variety, and cannot be grown to a large size; but where quality: is preferred to size it will give satisfaction, for itis very crisp, soon blanches, and the flower is everything that could be wished Attend to keeping up a regular succession of Asparagus, Rhu- barb, and Sea-kale, by introducing moderate quantities at short intervals, into heat. Draining, trenching, and the wheeling-out of manures must now be attended to ; the latter operation requires picked weather in which to perform it. Nothing is more in- jurious to soils than wheeling on them in wet weather. Abun- dant preparations for the coming spring must take place in this department. A good stock of garden mats must be procured and tied for covering purposes, and several mats cut and tied in bunches in two classes, and hung up ready for the summer use. Plenty of shreds for wall trees will require cutting, and the old ones proved and passed through the ordeal of boiling water. Here, too, the preparation of labels for dating and naming crops must proceed, and the seed-drawers ought to be examined, cleaned out, and the old seeds dated and classified, in order that their relative value may be readily known. The newseeds will, of course, want arranging. Above all, a scheme of cropping, based on a judicious rotation, should be laid down forthwith: much experience is requisite in this matter. FRUIT GARDEN. Push forward pruning, nailing, tying espalier trees, and such- like tedious operations as fast as the weather and circumstances admit. Get manure wheeled upon vacant ground when the weather is frosty and this can be done without injuring the walks; and get all spare ground turned up as soon as possible, so as to expose it to the action of the weather. For land that has been long cropped with vegetables, a dressing of fresh loam would in many cases be preferable to manure, and where this is wanted and can be obtained it should be got to hand, in order that advantage should be taken of frosty days for wheeling it upon the ground. When fresh soil cannot be obtained, charred vegetable refuse, such as the prunings of shrubberies, edgings of walks, and many things which turn up in the course of the season, may be cheaply made to form an excellent substitute. FLOWER GARDEN. The leaves being all thoroughly cleaned and removed to the compost yard, the next thing to be thought of is to take advan- tage of frosty weather, when other operations are temporarily closed, in running the billhook and saw through the overgrown shrubs, not with the idea of destroying the picturesque character of shrubs or evergreens which have reached their full expression, but in order to reserve the more delicate from the tyranny of their prouder neighbours, to remove dead branches, and to pre- serve adue right of passage through the plantation walk. The very mild season has already caused early or shallow-planted Tulips to show above ground. It will be advisable as soon as observed to put a small quantity of heath soil over them, to pro- tect them from frost and cutting winds; this may not be applied regularly over the bed, but in small cones over.each plant as it shows itself. In the past season I haye tried heath mould with the best success. Carnations and Picotees should be carefully examined. The foliage in some situations is apt to get spotted. As soon as this is observed remove the diseased leaf with a pair of sharp-pointed scissors, or it will spread through the stock most rapidly. Hxamine the axils of the foliage, dirt and dust are apt to lodge therein; this should be carefully removed—in fact, all Carnations will be better for being gone careful over, stirring the top soil, &c. Our Polyanthuses are showing _ swe have removed all the trusses as they appear. Examine the tubers of Dahlias, probably the labels may be getting nearly 522 illegible or the ties decayed; in either case immediate attention is requisite. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. Attend carefully to specimen hardwooded plants which it may be necessary to winter in the conservatory. Many of these are impatient of fire heat and a confined atmosphere ; use no more artificial warmth, therefore, than is absolutely necessary, and endeavour to counteract its drying effects either by means of evaporating-pans or by sprinkling the borders, &c., in order to prevent anything like a dry parched state of the atmosphere. it is in many cases difficult to maintain a sufficiently moist atmosphere without causing drip, as the moisture of the house is condensed upon the glass, and unless provision is made by means of inside gutters and pipes to catch the condensed moisture and carry it off, it is nearly impossible during frosty weather to preserve the beauty of the fiowers for any length of time ; and in cases where there is no provision made against this kind of moisture falling upon the plants, the temperature should be kept as low as may be consistent with safety, avoiding moisture in the atmosphere as far as possible whenever the glass is affected by frost. At the conclusion of the year I can do no better than recommend that all matters connected with the departing year which may by any means have taken the character of arrears, be brought up as much as possible, in order that the new campaign may be opened with vigour and system. The period will shortly arrive for in-door work, and and assuredly there is no lack of this in bad weather in estab- lishments where plant-growing is followed up, and where good gardening in general is carried out. The preparation of com- posts for orchidaceous plants, the making and renewal of labels, preparation of sticks, stakes, trellises, and the thorough cleaning of all garden pots or tubs, together with the preparation of draining materials, will now require attention. STOVE. If there is any prospect of a scarcity of bloom next May, a portion of the Achimenes and Gloxinias should be repotted at once and placed in a warm part of the stove, choosing such as have been the longest at rest; and a few Clerodendrons, Alla- mandas, a plant or two of Echites splendens, and Dipladenia crassinoda, may also be started for the same purpose. - COLD PITs. Plants in cold pits, when they have been excluded from light and air for a few days, must not be too suddenly uncovered ; on the contrary, they should be very gradually inured to ex- posure. Take advantage, however, of mild days to give air freely, and keep the plants very sparingly supplied with water at the root, so as to prevent the production of weak sappy wood. Look frequently over anything subject to the attacks of mildew; apply sulphur the moment this pest makes its appear- ance, and see that everything is perfectly free from insects; also look over the plants carefully, and remove dead and decay- ing leaves, which, when left, only encourage damp and mildew. See that the frames are well banked-up, so as to be proofagainst any ordinary frost, and do not neglect covering up securely at night.—W. Keane. DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK. Wet and drizzle continuously, making most out-door work unpleasant, except ridging-up and digging when at all favour- able. Draining was proceeded with, also pruning. Charring Tuigs and Small Branches—For this purpose we must reiterate what we stated a short time ago, that, to get the most char from such materials, we find it the best plan to use no covering, except some damp weeds or damp litter. We let the small prunings, &c., burn just sufficiently to char through, and then pull out with a hoe and extinguish the char with water, spread it out a little while, and then pile it into a heap whilst it has just sufficient heat left to dry itself, but not to ignite. When dryish it is sifted into diffrent sizes, the finest dust coming in well as a valuable antiseptic for covering the surface of the soil among small seedlings, boxes of cuttings, &c. The rest comes in very useful for mixing for pot plants —quite as useful as if we used the best and largest pieces of charcoal broken down to the requisite size. Ashes and Char.—F rom want of room—instead of making the refuse from the kitchen garden and flower-beds the basis of a huge rubbish heap, the heat from decaying Geraniums and Cal- ceolarias being sufficient to destroy most seeds of weeds, and throwing their nutritive propertiesinto the thin coating of soil, which prevented the escape of what was at all valuable—we burned the whole up, and on turning it over find wé have some cartloads of white ashes mixed with others black. and charred; and these, when cooled, put into a heap, and kept dry, will be very useful for many purposes, and the ashes, too, will act asamanure. But for the above necessity, however, we are con- vinced that we obtained far more rich manure from the slow and careful decomposition of all such rubbish, and more especi- ally when sprinklings of salt and lime were at times added to the heap. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 26, 1872. , KITCHEN GARDEN. On a day comparatively dry, and on a ridged bank after the Cauliflowers were cut, we turned the soil over and planted with Potatoes fully 2 feet apart from row to row, ané@ then planted a row of stout Lettuces between every two rows of Potatoes. In favourable seasons such Potatoes will tuber early, and yet, if at all fortunate, the Lettuces will be out of the way before the Potatoes require the room. We have been in the habit of pull- ing the earth over the tops of such Potatoes when they appeared early in cold weather, or shaking a little dry litter over them at night, and allowing it to remain on in a cold day, but removing it carefully when the weather was fine. We have also had Potatoes out of doors earlier than these by cutting out beds for Celery, 43 to 5 feet in width, a little deeper than usual, say fully 2 feet. On that we placed nearly a foot of hot dung and leaves, then a few inches of rather dry soil, and planted the Potatoes in rows across, with about 4 inches of s®il over them. Radishes were sown in single rows between the rows of Potatoes, and thatched hurdles or mats covered the beds at night and in cold mornings. Radishes may now be sown on warm borders between Pota- toes, by themselves, or with Early Horn Carrots as a main crop. We have not yet made beds for frames for Carrots and Potatoes, and we never think that for such a purpose we lose much by delaying until the new year has comein. Of all pro- - fitable things, hardly anything is more so than a small two-light box of Early Horn or Dutch Carrot. If not too much thinned, the drawings are wonderful. Thinning for use may commence when the Carrots are as large as a good-sized finger, though they are better when the top is as large as one’s thumb. Even at the smaller size the Carrots are very sweet, and, contrary to most things, though the young plants must not be choked, still the multitudinous gatherings will depend much on not thinning severely until the thinnings are of use. Caulzflowers, young plants. Those standing out of doors had become so soaked that we felt a little alarmed as to whata keen frost would do, and as they were small stubby plants. we filled the space of several lights in a cold pit, and after pricking them out some 3 or 4 inches apart, we covered the surface with dry sand and charred refuse, and will give plenty of air back and front, but will not slide or pull off the sashes whilst the wet and drizzle last. An hour of bright sun in mild weather should be taken advantage of by pulling the lights off all things in cold pits and frames; but in such weather there must be constant watching, as five or ten minutes of a sharp shower would do more harm than the free sun would do good. Damp in such a season must be ayoided as much as possible. Cucumbers.—Against our will we pulled out five lights of Cucumbers from a pit that had done good service for the best part of a twelvemonth. In one case we have met with a dis- appointment, and that, too, from seed saved on the place, but we fear not so carefully marked as it ought to have been. We had fine strong plants in 12-inch pots, but as they showed fruit freely we found the most of them would be quite unsuited to our purpose, and at a late period we struck cuttings of the sort desired (The Volunteer), and therefore the plants are yet but small. Cuttings have this advantage, that they fruit earlier and more abundantly at first, but they do not generally continue to bear for a season like seedlings. Those in the small narrow pit will be put in pots in a day or two, as described last season. We believe that by thus planting in pots we get more fruit and much smaller foliage—a matter of no moment ina large roomy Cu- cumber house, but of importance in a small, narrow, lean-to pit. Asa precaution, all the walls, woodwork, glass, &c., were well syringed and scrubbed with water close on the boiling point; walls white-limed and sulphured, and simple wire trel- lising run over with the paint brush. Such little precautions often save much future trouble. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. As soon as drier we shall proceed with out-door work, as pruning, nailing, planting, &c. All forcing must be gone about very gradually when there is so little sun to neutralise the tendency to drawing in heat in such dull weather. We should have had lots of Strawberries in frames, &c., with just a little heat below them to bring them on gradually. Much heat at the bottom of the pot will do more-to encourage the formation of large leaves than of strong trusses of bloom. Those who have had little experience would act wisely by setting the bottoms of the pots in’such mild heat on boards, slates, or tiles, so as to prevent rooting through as much as possible. It will also in such cases be easier to err on the side of too much moisture rather than dryness. ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT. Watering.—We alluded to this last week, but one important matter was omitted—the temperature of the water for pot plants. Some people err from using the water too warm; for instance, using water at from 65° to 70° for plants growing in a temperature of from 45° to 50°. Such watering isapt to produce weakness of growth, and the sudden changes at the roots do harm. Some, again, err as much on the other side, such as December 26, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. e523 applying water at 40° to plants and bulbs growing in rooms or houses in a temperature of 70°. The rule of safety is to use water as warm as, or afew degrees warmer than, the place is in which they are growing. There will thus be less tendency to weakening or checking. For instance, plants growing in a temperature of 70° might have water at from 70° to 75°; plants growing in a temperature of from 45° to 50° may have water at from 48° to 55°. There is one tribe of plants, however—the Calceolaria, which we always found injured rather than other- wise by a high temperature under glass, or using water warmer than the place in which they grew. A few of our cuttings in a cold pit close to the back wall became dry lately. The place then would be about 42°,and common pond water was used atabout 41°. Only those that were dry had a little drop, as the generality were damp enough, though receiving no water from the time they were watered to settle them firmly when they were inserted. Bulbs.—These in slight hotbeds should be watched so as not to get too hot, and before being taken to rooms, or to stand with the pots exposed in a house, they should have the pots raised gradually out of the bed, doing ita little at a time. Let them stand free and be kept a little cooler before being removed. Some of these trifles will in a great measure prevent the dis- appointments that often arise from sudden changes of circum- stances and temperature. These changes are the best of all means for making the plants the favourite abodes of insects. We have grown even Calceolarias to great size and luxuriance by giving a temperature in early spring of 60° to 65°, with pro- portionate humidity, but under such treatment we found that fumigating became a mere matter of course. In a cooler moist atmosphere we have scarcely needed to fumigate at all._—R. F. TRADE CATALOGUE RECEIVED. James Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic Nursery, King’s Road, Chelsea, London, S.W.—Catalogue of Garden and Flower Seeds, Horticultural Implements, dc. 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, éc.,171, Fleet Street, London, E.C. Posting OUR WEEKLY Numbers (W. M., Brixton).—You can have them on Thursday evening. Our Back Vontumes (C. D. W.).—Only vol. xv., containing the last six months of 1868 can be had, price 8s. 6d. The numbers of the first six months of that year are out of print. Each volume that we have perfect is price 8s. 6d. The Pouter has not been published in a separate form. INDIANRUBBER PLANT (R. W. G.).—It is the Ficus elastica, a tree that is fully 20 feet high in its native country. It produces a small fig sometimes in the spring. e _ CUCUMBER PLANTS FRom Currines (H. B. L.).—The stems may be layered in the soil, and they will root freely, but the plants do not transplant well. Plants from cuttings are better than those from layers. The points of the shoots should be taken off with two joints andthe growing point, which will give alength of about 8 or 9 inches. Cut the shoot across below the lowest joint, remove the leaf, and insert the cutting up to the next leaf in a compost of light fibrous loam, with a third of leaf soil intermixed. Place the cuttings in a hotbed of 75°, plunge the pots to the rims, and cover with a hand-glass or put a bell-glass over each separately. Keep the cuttings close and moist, shading from bright sun, and in a week to ten days they will be rvoted, and should have air admitted gradually, removing the hand-glass or bell-glasses as they grow. They may either be planted out or shifted into larger pots, planting rather low, and earthing-up as they grow. TURNIPS DONE GROWING (South Devon).—The Turnips will not now at- tain any larger size; the only increase will be of top, therefore they should be taken up, cutting off the tops and using them first. Store the Turnips in a shed, and cover them with straw. If they are a white or yellow kind they will not keep long, but they may be kept much longer if pulled up and stored than if left in the field and pulled up as wanted, especially if we should have a period of severe weather. Turnips do not exactly stop growth at this season if Ee weather is mild, but they go to top, which exhausts the juices of the root. Forcinc RHUBARB AND SEA-KALE (ZIdem).—To force the Sea-kale and Rhubarb, which you have at present covered with leayes where it grows, you have only to invert over the crowns of the Sea kale pots or boxes which are not less than 15 inches and need not be more than 21 inches deep. It is desirable to have openings large enough to admit of its being seen when the Sea-kale is fit to cut. The Rhubarb will require deep pots or boxes—even hampers will do. They should be from 2 feet toa yard deep, and it is well if the tops of these are moveable, so that the stalks can be gathered without going to the trouble of removing the pots, boxes, or hampers. The dung we should presume to haye been thrown into a heap about a week previous, watered if dry, and to have attained a good heat. We should mix this with an equal quantity of leaves, if you have them at command, place the fer- menting materials about 2 feet wider than the pots, &c., all round, and fill-in between and around these with the dung and leaves, forming a hotbed over the plants, carrying it about a foot higher than the pots—say 2 feet 6 inches for the Sea-kale, and 3 feet 6 inches for the Rhubarb. Place the hottest materials at bottom, and the longest and coolest at top. In a fortnight to three weeks you will have both Sea-kale and Rhubarb, and will need to staré another lot, therefore you must apportion your stock so as to keep up a succes- sional supply, not having a glut at one time and nothing at another. The heat will need to be seen to; thrust a stick into the litter about half its depth, and by feeling its end you will be able to regulate the temperature, taking off some of the litter if too hot, and covering deeply if not warm enough. The stick should be hot, without causing a sensation of burning. If so hot that it cannot be held in the hand the bed is too hot. Witp Frowers (Miss H.).—What you say is true, but it would be ob- jectionable not to give portraits of all flowering native plants. The present volume concluded with last month’s number. Hot-wATER CISTERN—TRAINING IN GRouND VinERtrEs (H. T.).—It is not of much importance where your supply cistern for the boiler is, provided it is higher than all the pipes, so as to keep them full when the air is expelled. The size is of little moment in large places, as the expansion is more gradual. In small houses it is well to have the cistern large enough to permit of the rapid expansion of the water, otherwise it will run over when hot, and be empty when cool. We have cisterns communicating at once with the extreme end of the flow pipes, and there all the pipes are filled. When convenient we prefer the cistern to be not far from the boiler at a proper height, and a small pipe to go from it at once to the bottom of the boiler. In ground vineries we have seen the Vines fastened to wires, and also laid on slates—in the one case the Grapes suspended, and in the other lying on the slates; and, on the whole, we should give the preference to the suspended, so far as the uni- formity of the berries were concerned. What say others? PLANTING Earty Poraroes (JZ. S.).—Last spring was unusually warm in the early part, and severe in the latter part. This told disastrously on early- planted Potatoes. Your soil, being grayelly and light, ought to answer well for early Potatoes, and your preparation is excellent. In such a soil we should not plant until early in March, and not then if the soil were not in a fit state. We should have the sprouts from one half to three-quarters of an inch long, and then plant not more than 6 inches deep, earthing well up when the tops were 6 inches high. Early Racehorse is a good sort; Veitch’s Improved Ash- leaf, Mona’s Pride, and Myatt’s Prolific, are all good. We like the last better than any, but it is a few days later than the others. PLANTS FoR Back Wau oF Vinenries (G. J. H.).—The late house will answer well forCamellias. They must have a good border, and be trained to a trellis. We should advise Camellias for the early house as well, if you find Camellia blooms desirable in November onwards, and by means of the two houses you will be able to keep up a succession from October to April. The kinds we find good are Bealii, bright crimson; Bonomiana, white, flaked and shaded red; Conspicua, scarlet, semi-double; Mathotiana, crimson; Mathotiana alba, white; Monarch, scarlet; MReticulata flore-pleno, rose; Rubens, deep rose; Valtevaredo, rose; Targioni, white, red stripes; and Alba plena. The only other subjects we advise are the Orange family, and we should have them, if you think one house of Camellias sufficient, in the early house. The following would succeed—Citrus Aurantium (Orange), C. nobilis (Mandarin Orange), C. acida (Lemon), C. decumana (Shaddock), C. Limonum (Lime), C. medica (Citron), C. myrtifolium (Narrow-leaved Orange). They would produce an abundance of flowers, and fruit in due course. Srove IN GREENHOUSE (I. J. I. K.).—We think the proposed site for the iron stove at the north end of the span-roofed house is suitable, but for Ferns you will require 2 pan over it to keep the air moist. The simplest plan would be to take the pipe through a square of the roof; but you would get more heat if you raised it nearly 6 feet from the floor, took it across to the back wall, and along it to the wash-house chimney. To draw, it must rise first. With your position, however, we should think nothing of an iron stove. We would make a small stokehole and furnace in your wash-house, and take a small flue under your walk from the south end, round the west side, north end, and east side, to the wash-house chimney. The tile that covered the flue would form part of the path, and in a cold day you need not have cold feet. Two bricks on bed and 5 inches between them, with a tile securely fixed across, would make a cheap and safe flue. A single brick on edge on each side we bave seen do, but two are better. If you tiled the path you would know nothing of the flue except from the heat. LiIvISTONIA ALTISsSIMA, &c. (F. L. S.).—Try 5° more heat—namely, an average of 60°, with a rise of 10° to 15° of sun heat when you can obtain it If the yellow tinge does not disappear, you had better examine the drainage and soil, and, if necessary, repot in a mixture of fibrous loam and heath soil, with a good bit of silver sand and little bright pieces of charcoal. Very pro- bably a smaller pot will be an advantage; and after shifting, if you could keep the roots in a bottom heat of 80° for six weeks, with the top heat as above, most likely you‘would see a great change. For your mixed greenhouse of Camellias, Azaleas, Epacrises, Acacias, Cinerarias, Calceolarias, and Primulas, we should not let the thermometer fall below 45° from October to April, and that would be a good average fire heat in cold weather. Of course, if the weather is warmer, take adyantage of it, and allow for a rise from sun heat, provided air is early given, and the rise takes place gradually. We do not advise admitting much yery cold air into such houses, but we can hardly tell you what is the lowest degree outside at which we would admit air, for we have let in a litgle when the air behind a wall was 25° below freezing point, and we were obliged to doit undera fierce sun. But the mode is the main point. For instance, in such a span-roofed house as yours we would give no front air in a very frosty day, unless we could warm it before getting among the plants. But if frosty and a bright sun, we would soon give « little air at the top, if it were only half an inch at first, increasing it, if neces- sary, by degrees, taking it away early, say by two o’clock, and regulating the heating medium accordingly. This top-air-giving under such circumstances: in common housesis the secret of safety; the hottest moistest air thus escapes in small quantities, and the heavier cold air rushes through it, and becomes warmed and moistened before it reaches the plants. Sprinkling the stage and floor gently with water, and letting the fires down in a frosty bright day, are better than giving too much air when the air is dry enough to parch-up everything tender. In a dull, cold, frosty day the air given would be small indeed, and that just to change it a little, and given with the same care. One flow and return—that is, we presume two pipes all round, are not enough for a span-roofed house 19 feet wide, and we presume somewhat lofty. You would consult economy in having two flow pipes on the same level instead of one, and then the pipes need not be made very hot, and so would not be so trying to such succulent-leayed plants as Cinerarias. As to your taking the pipes, as you must, 70 feet up an air-drain, you will see in answer to a corre- spondent that it is recommended to keep these pipes dry, and either pack them in sawdust, &c., or leave an opening fromthe drain into the house. A small opening at the other end will send the heat into the house. | Hovusr FoR MELons anp CucumsBERs (G. M.).—If you have plenty of 524 manure we think the proposed plan will answer admirably. We shall make a few remarksin answer to your inquiries. In the first place we would leave the whole space beneath the beds open, as a heap of fermenting material there would permeate the whole of the dung chamber, and the heat would rise to the flooring of slates, though the manure was not close to them. We would not have a pigeon-holed wall at H on that account; butif disposed, you might have a solid wall a foot or 1} foot or more from your flue, so that the flue also would giveyoubottom heat. By having a solid 4inch wall, as we presume you intend to have now at the side of the fine, you would have the dung heat and the fire heat quite distinct, and with a close flooring of slates you would never have any steam from the dung in your house, however rank the dung might be when you put it in; and for getting all the heat theranker the dung the better. By this plan, however, neither roots nor steam must pass your slate flooring. The roots coming through would be no advantage whatever, as they would be liable to be scorched when the dung was rank; and if they penetrated into it when mild, you would haye your foliage too large, and justice would not be done to the fruit. There is another thing you must do to get the full benefit of the manure in the chamber. With just enough of air to keep up fermentation, the trench for getting the manure in, marked G, should be covered with close-fitting wooden covers. Again, we notice that your bedis 5feet wide. We presume you intend training up the roof, and then a bed of earth a foot or lj inches less in width would be ample for Cucumbers and Melons, so that if disposed, the flue might be placed farther in from the back wall, and thus tell more on the bottom heat. And once more here: be the fiue where it is or a little changed, it would be advisable to have pans on it for water when deemed necessary, and these could be filled from little slides in the wall next the pathway, and these slides would enable you to have dry ormoist heat from the flue into the atmosphere of the house, or you might have plugs and holes along the top of the chamber. We think that in sum- mer—say from May, you will obtain enough of heat from the dung if well managed; but it would be a great auxiliary to be sable to put on a litile fire in dull cold weather, and in such weather it would be useful in giving a fine flayourto Melons. Theimprovement would beas suggested. A cover of frigi- domo or light canvas for the roof would be of great advantage in the winter and early spring months. The simplest mode would be to fix it to the ridge and a pole in frent, and pull up and let down with a pulley. Name oF Fruit (Rev. C. Badham).—Wormsley Pippin. Names oF Puants (C. Price).—Adiantum hispidulum and Cheilanthes elegans. The Moss is Selaginella cuspidata. 4, An schynanthus, near #. radicans. (Chester)—1 and 3, Adiantum cuneatum; 2, A. tenerum; 5, A. tetraphyllum; 4, Polypodium lineare? 6, Davallia pentaphylla. (R. M.).— Your Orchid was too far advanced for determination. (Seventeen-years Sub- scriber).—Peristrophe speciosa, Nees. (Justicia speciosa, Roxb.). (Cam).— Mosses shortly, but do not send a large collection. POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. JUDGING SILVER-GREY DORKINGS. T am sure it would be a satisfaction to breeders and exhibitors to have some definite standard of excellence with regard to this most beautiful class of fowl. As a persevering and successful breeder of these, and these only, I am grieved to see judges awarding prizes to male birds full of white on the breast, thighs, and even in the tail. I am quite sure that pre-eminently suc- cessful breeder Mr. Cresswell must be sorry for this, though I am inclined to think he may have something to do with this alteration of the standard of excellence if I judge from the colour of some of his birds. The difficulty of breeding this class of fowl we all know, and Mr. Cresswell, I am glad to find, does not deny it. Now, to my mind, there ought to be an utter absence of any white in the breast, thighs, or tail. I have been successful in taking the first prize at the Crystal Palace and elsewhere with a bird entirely free from any white; but the third-prize bird at the Crystal Palace was full of white feathers. Now, I am aware that two Judges differ in their opinions of the standard of excellence to be requiredin these birds. Ihave now in my yard excellent birds according to this new standard, but I regard them as simply fit for the pot. JI am sure we should all hail with gratitude a statement from three or four of the great Judges as to what they are determined shall be the qualifications necessary in these birds to make them prize- winners.—T. HE. Cato, Wye Vicarage, Kent. t NORWICH POULTRY SHOW. [Tue following are extracts from notes furnished by the Judges to the reporters. ] peeenciers of poultry on the 11th had the opportunity of inspect- g in the Corn Hall one of the largest and finest exhibitions of their pets ever held in the eastern counties ; 447 birds were ex- hibited. All the arrangements for the Exhibition (for which the Corn Hallis well adapted) were admirable, as might have been expected from the great experience of the Manager, Mr. Groom, and his staff of able assistants. x There was a very good show of Game birds, but some of them were found when handled to have crooked breasts. A Black Red took the first prize for cocks, and also the extra prize for the best bird in the first four classes. The second-prize bird was a henny-feathered Game cock, a fine specimen of a breed seldom seen except in Cornwall or Devonshire, where it is com- mon upon farms. These were the favourites of the-cock-pit when cock-fighting was fashionable. In the class for Game hens or pullets a fine Brown Red took the first prize, a Biack Red JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ Deceniber 26, 1872. the second; the latter was a finer bird, but it had a defect in carrying the tail over the back. There were some good birds in the classes for Game cocks and hens of any other variety. Buff Cochin-China cocks were strongly represented. A magnifi- cent bird took the first prize in this class, and was also awarded the extra prize for being the best of the breed in the Show. The hens were only fairly represented. The prize bird is of grand symmetry. Cochin-China cocks of any other variety were a moderate class. They, however, included a remarkably beauti- ful White Cochin, that was deservedly awarded the first prize. Cochin-China hens of any other variety were also a moderate class. The Brahma Pootras, which came next, formed a notable feature in the Show. Dark Brahma cocks: or cockerels were well-represented class. The first prize in this class was taken by one of the grandest birds exhibited this season. The second- prize bird is a fine specimen, and after a lapse 6f time, with the bestowal of care, will take a very good bird to beat him. The class of Dark Brahma hens was considered the best class in the Show. Both the first and second-prize birds were fine speci- mens of the breed. The first-prize in the Light Brahma cock class was a magnificent bird, weighing 18 lbs., recently imported from America. Only the prize birds in the Light Brahma hen or pullet class were worthy of attention. Dorkings showed up strongly. Besides the prize birds in the class for Dorking cocks there were many meritorious specimens. The prize hen in the Dorking hen class was a beautiful bird, and has been previously placed in the position of a prizetaker. Spanish cocks and hens were moderately represented. Most of them were hardly enough up in the face. Gold or Silver-spangled Hamburgh cocks were a rather inferior class upon the whole, nor were there any good representatives of the breed in the class for hens. The class for Gold or Silver-pencilled cocks included some pretty birds. The classes for Any variety were both interesting and good. In the class for cocks a Silver Poland, a fine bird, took the cup, and a good specimen of the La Fléche variety the second prize. Game Bantam cocks were a moderate class—in fact, hardly any but the prize birds were fit for exhibition. In the Game Bantam hen class the prize bird was a Duckwing Bantam. This also took the extra prize for the best bird in the two classes of Game Bantams. Bantam cocks of any other variety were a class that contained many handsome birds. A Silver-laced Sebright took the first prize, and a Black the second. The hens were mode- rately represented. There was one class for Ducks. The first prize went to Ayles- burys, and the second to Rouen Ducks. Half a dozen Turkeys well represented that bird. They were considered to be as fine specimens as ever exhibited. The names of the Judges and the list of awards were given last week. BARRHEAD POULTRY SHOW. Tue old Scotch breed was a very fair class. Thé Spanish class was excellent, the first and special prizes going to a very promising bird, which was also a winner at Kilmarnock. The birds shown in the Dorking class were all Silver-Greys with the exception of one pen, which were coloured. The Silver-Greys carried off the honours. The Black Red Game was well repre- sented, the first and special prizes going to a very superior bird. The Duckwing Game was not nearly such a good class as we have seen at this Show. The Gold and Silver-spangled Ham- burghs were a very good class, the special prize going to a Golden-spangled. The Gold and Silver-pencilled Hamburghs were two very fine classes, the special prize going to the Silver- pencilled, a bird that was nearly perfection. The Brahma class Was very numerous and very good, the first-prize pen being greatly admired. The Polands (Topped) were something worth looking at. Both classes of Bantams were good, the first and special Game Bantams being those which took the first and special prizes at Larbert. In the class for Any other pure breed the first-prize pen was a great attraction. The Aylesbury Ducks were pretty numerous, and the quality was quite up to the mark, the first-prize pen in this class gain- ing the special-for the best pair of Ducks in the Show. This pen has been first at all the local shows it has been shown at. The second-prize pen was notfar behind the first. The class for Any other variety of Ducks was not quite so numerous as we have seen them, but what were shown were of excellent quality. There was an English pen entered for this class, but too late for competition, as also a number of pens in other classes which only arrived after the decisions had been given, otherwise we believe a number of them would haye been in the prize list. We published the awards last week. WotveRHampPTon ANNUAL PouLTRY SHow.—This Show has gradually increased in success year by year. Last year the total number of. entries was 1159, an increase of 250 upon the Show of 1871. This year the amount of prizes is increased in all December 26, 1872. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 525 the divisions. In the poultry department several new classes are added, including Pile Game cocks and Silkies. The Selling classes, formerly two, are now four, the price being limited to 50s. Extra prizes are offered for Dark and Light Brahmas, Game cocks, anda special prize is offered for the best Blue Dun fowl whose feathers are suitable for making trout flies. The Pigeon classes are increased by the division of Carriers and | Pouters into classes for single cocks and single hens, and by the addition of a Selling class. The prize and commended birds in the Selling classes only willbe offered by auction on the first day of the Show, under the usual regulations. HYDE POULTRY SHOW. Brahmas were a large and excellent class—in fact, such a col- lection is seldom seen at a show like this, and in the midst of so many exhibitions. Game were notin great numbers, but the cup for the best pen in the Show was awarded to a good pair of Prown Reds. All the Hamburgh classes contained some choice birds, mostly from the immediate neighbourhood. The cup was awarded to Silver-spangles. Black Red Game Bantams Were in good numbers, and the winners very good; but the gems of this section were the first-prize Duckwings, which were near perfection. Black Bantams were a nice collection, the first- prize pair of the highest quality ; and in the other variety Silver Sebrights were first and Pekins second. There were two classes for French Fowls, one for Houdans, andasecond for Créve-Ceeurs ; the latter class containing seventeen entries, and the quality of both varieties was very good. Rouen Ducks were very fine and in the best plumage, but little can be said commendatory of the rest of the aquatic birds. Both the Selling classes were well patronised, and several lots Were sold. There was also a separate local competition for poultry, where some very creditable specimens were shown. In Pigeons, Carrier cocks, with the exception of the first-prize Dun cock, were poor in quality. The hens of that variety, how- ever, made compensation in quality, the first a Dun and the second Black. One of the leading features was the Pouter classes, in both of which the competition was severe. In cocks the first prize was awarded to a Re1-pied of great size in grand show, this bird also winning the cup for the best pen in the Show except Dragoons (to which a separate cup was given), the second being a capital White; and in hens, too, the same colour won. Of Almond Tumblers there were only three pens, two of which ran very close for the first position, the first winning only by a little superiority of colour in the flights of the hen. ‘In the class for any other Short-faced there were nine entries, mostly of Mottles, though the first was awarded to an exquisite pair of Blue Beards. Of Balds and Beards, Long-faced, only the Winners were good, but the Mottles in the next class were all very good. Jacobins were numerous and good, Reds taking both prizes. Of Barbs the first were Black and the second Yellow, and theonly good pens. Fantails were good, the first-prize pair very good-carriaged birds. Blue Dragoons had twenty-four entries, and were such a class as is seldom seen, four of the pairs running very closely upon each other for the first position and leaving little room for improvement, and the cup for Dragoons was awarded to the first pair. In Dragoons, any other colour, two grand pairs of Yellows and Reds won, several other pens be- ing also noteworthy. Short-faced Antwerps were an irregular class, and though there were some good birds, none matched perfectly. Long-faced Antwerps were a capital lot, and most of the pens were noticed; the first being Red Chequers, and the second Duns. The class for Owls included foreign and English, which we consider a mistake, as a class for English would be well supported in this locality. A very perfect pair of Blue Africans were first, and an equally handsome pair of Whites second. For Any other variety, Mottle Trumpeters were first, and Spangled Ice of great beauty second; and in the Selling class Black Barbs were first, and Nuns second. In the local competition the birds most worthy of notice were the Dragoons and Hnglish Owls, both classes of which contained some excellent specimens. We published the names of the Judges and the list of awards last week. TREDEGAR POULTRY SHOW. Tuts Show, which ranks high among the annual meetings, was held on the 17th and 18th inst. With the exception of the pens (which are of wickerwork, and not at all suitable for the pur- pose, being clumsy and unsightly), every arrangement was well carried out, and the birds properly attended to. Although there were fewer pieces of plate than usual, the entries were in excess of those of last year, and most of the winners in all classes were of the highest merit. Red Game headed the list, the three winning pens being very good. The first and second prizes went to Brown Reds, and the third to Black Red. In the corresponding class for chickens few were good, although the first and second-prize birds were very fine. First came Blacks, second Brown Reds, but the birds in the two Variety classes were only of modex rate quality. Two pens of adult Spanish were very good in all respects, but of chickens only one pen was entered. Dorkings in the adult class were large and good in colour, but were beaten entirely by the chickens, to which the cup was given for the best pen in the first eight classes. Adult Cochins were very fine, being large and true to marking. Partridge were first, Buffs second, and White third. The chickens were also ex- ceedingly good in feather and colour, but a little under-sized. Buffs were first and third, and Whites second. Brahmas were a fair lot in both the Dark classes, although in our opinion not quite equal to those of last year, but, on the contrary, the Lights showed great improvement, and the cup was given to a handsome pair of chickens of that variety. Hamburghs were good, and in most of the classes the winners left little to be desired. The Gold-spangled were especially striking as a class, and.so were the Silver-spangled chickens to which the cup was awarded. In Polands the first prize went to Silvers, and the second and third to Golden, but many of the birds had spoiled their crests by drinking out of the tins. French were a fair lot, the first and second prizes going to Créve-Coeurs, and the third to Houdans. With the exception of the first-prize Piles, the Game Bantams were not good, though most of the pens contained. one decent bird. Bantams, Black or White, were a very good class, and the cup for this section was awarded to as perfect a pen as we have seen of late. In this class we are sorry to say a capital pen of Whites arrived too late for competition. The rest of the classes of poultry were superior to those of previous years, and this remark applies more particularly to both Ayles- bury and Rouen Ducks, the latter of which were very close in point of merit. Two very large classes for sale completed this section of the Show. Of Pigeons there were but six classes, and these were well filled. Blacks of rare excellence won the prize in Carriers, and a capital pair of Duns was highly commended; in Pouters a splendid pair of Red-pied stood first, with Blues second. With the exception of the winners, the Jacobins were poor. Both pairs were Reds; but in Tumblers the competition was close, Almonds winning both prizes. Fantails came next and were good, a neat pair of Whites being first, and excellent Blues second. Excepting the first-prize Whites the Trumpeters were wretched in quality. The Variety class was very large, and the birds good. Black Barbs were first, Red-chequered Antwerps second, young Yellow Barbs third, and Blue Dragoons fourth. Game.—Btack or Brown-breasted Reds.—l, E. Aykroyd, Eccleshill, Leeds. 29 R..H. Nicholas, Newport. 8, J. Mason, Worcester. hc, Capt. P, A. Beck, Guils* field, Welshpool; A. B. Dyas, Madeley, Shropshire. c, G. S, Cole, Llanelly Chickens.—1, G. S. Cole. 2, J. W. Jones, Malpas, Newport. he, Capt. P. A, Beck; C. H. Miers, Brecon. c, Rev. C. T. Salusbury, Newport. 2, J. Andrews, Game.—Any other variety.—l, E, Winwood, Worcester. Worcester. c, H. Feast, Swansea, Chickens.1, J. Mason, Worcester. 2, J. ~P. Moses, Llandaff, Glamorgan. . SpanisH.—l, H. Sheppard, Blaenavon, Newport. 2, D. Lane, Hardwick, Gloucester, hc, H. F. Wells, Tredegar. Chickens.—1, J. McConnell, Ewias Harold, Heref. rd. Dorxincs.—Grey or Coloured.—l, H. F. Wells. | Mise A. R. Morgan, Dimlands, Cowbridge ; C. Harris, Neath. Newport; Col. Hon. F. C. Morgan, Newport. Chickens.—Plate, W. Harvey. 2, N. Russell, Baschurch, Salop. he, H. K. Jordan, Bridgend, Glamorgan; J. Watts, King’s Heath, Birmingham; J. McConnell. " Cocutn-Cuina.—l, J. White, Wakefield. 2, H. Lloyd, jun., Handsworth, Bir- mingham. 8, C. Bloodworth, Cheltenham. he, C. Taylor, Gloucester; J. Blood- worth; H. Tomlinson, Birmingham. c, Rev. R. W. Everett, Wyastone Leys, Monmouth. c, Rev. R. W. Everett. Chickens.—l, D. W. J. Thomas. 2, Je Bloodworth. 8, C. Bloodworth. he, W. Harvey, Sheflield. c, Mrs. Berrington, Abergavenny; J. Watts. BrauMma Pootra.—Light—1 and 2, T. A. Dean, Marden, Hereford. he, Mree Harding, Pentwyn, Moomouth; L. Dean. Chepstow. Chickens.—Plate and 2, T. A. Dean. hc, Lord Tredegar; W. Jenkins, Bridgend; L. H. Ricketts, Bane well; Mrs. Harding. Brana Poorras.—Dark.—l, EB. Pritchard, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton. 2, T.A.Dean. he, J Watts; Mrs. G. S. Vigor, Southfield, Uxbridge. c, H. Feast, Swansea; J. S. Tainton; T. W. Willams, Brecon. Chickens. —1, T. He Williams. 2, C. Taylor. hc, E. Ensor, Bristol; J. D. Pode, Springhill, Mais- more ; G. F, Stuckey, Pontypridd; W. W. Cunnick, Llanvaes, Brecon. Hampureus.—Gold-pencilled.—l, H. Beldon, Bingley. 2, H. Pickles, Earby. Skipton. Silver-pencilled.—1, H. Beldon. 2, L. H. Ricketts. he, J. Preston, Hampurcus.—Gold-spangled.—l, T. Blakeman, Te'tenhall, Wolverhampton. 2,T.A Dean. he, R. aH. Ashton; T. May, Wolverhampton; T. Boulton, Han- field, Stoke-on-Trent} J. Preston, Allerton, Bradford; H. Beldon. Silvere spangled,—Plate, H. Beldon. 2, H. Pickles. hc, Miss E. Browne, Chard. c, H. B. Hanson, Girlington, Bradford; H. Feast. n Potanps.—1 and 3, H. Beldon. 2, W. Harvey, Sheffield. he, J. Hinton, War- minster; Mrs. F. Hopkins, Llanarth, Raglan. Frencu.—1, H. Feast. 2, Miss Mortimer, Rudhall, Ross. 8, D. Lane, Hard wick; W. Harris, Penefai, Bridgend; Miss C. S. Edmondes, St. Brides-super Ely, Ely, Cardiff; W. Harris; Miss F. Hopkins, Llanarth, Raglan. 2, H. Feast, Swansea. he, c, Lord Tredegar, Bantams.—Game.—l, J. Mayo, Gloucester. 2, J. Andrews, Worcester. 8, Be. Ashley. he, E. Payne, Cardiff; E. Williams, Ebbw Vale; E. C. Phillips, Fennyfach, Brecon. c, ©, Williams. Black or White Clean-legged —Plate, T. Davies, Clifton. 2, R.H. Ashton. 8, J. Mayo. he, W. H. Tomlinson. c, R. Wingfield; J. Watts. Any other variety.—l, C. H. Poole, Bridgwater. 2, M. Leno. 8, J. Waits. lic, R.H. Ashton. c, J. W. Lloyd, Kington. a ANY OTHER VARIETY.—1, J. Watts. 2, C. Maggs, Melksham. 8, Miss E. Williams. GuINnEA Fowrs.—l, Col. Hon. F. C. Morgan, Newport. Ducxs.—Aylesbury.l, Miss M. H. Knight. 2, S. T. Evans, Newport. 8, Lord Tredegar. hc, Col. Hon. F. C. Murgan (Newport); Miss M. Skinner: Rouen.—l, E. Ponting, Frome. 2, Lord Tredegar. 8, L. H. Ricketts. Banwell. he, Lord Tredegar; L. Dean; E. Shaw, Plas Wilmot, Oswestry; Rev. J. J. Evans, Brecon. c, Mrs. R. Price, Brecon; S. Homfray. Any other variety.—1, W. Binns, Pudsey, Leeds. 2, S. Homfray. hc, S. Homfray; J. Watts; W. Binns. c, ™. Leno. ‘ GrEsh.—l, J. Watts. 2 and he, T. Edwards, Brecon. 3,L. Dean. c, Miss A. Workman, Castletown, Cardiff; J. Phillips, Penyvan. Aberbeeg. TuURKEYs.—l, Col. Hon. F. C, Morgan. 2, Miss J. Milward, Newton St. Loe, Bristol. 8, Lord Tredegar, 526 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 26, 1572. SELLING CLAss.—Fowls.—1, J. Preston, Allerton, Bradford. 2,D.Lane. 3, T.. A. Dean. 4, Miss E. Williams. he, R. H. Nicholas, Newport; J. A. White; Rev. J.B. Gwyn, Caerleon; D. Lane (2); Rev. J. Bowen; E. T. Edwards; H. Taylor, Newport: L. Dean; Mrs. Harding; D. W. J. Thomas (2); C. Biood- orbs H. Moore, Weston-super-Mare; J. McConnell; E. C. Phillips; Mrs. J. perrin. SELLING Ciass —Ducks.—1, Miss E. Williams, Thomson. 4, Rey. J. J. Evans. Harrison, Newport. 2, Miss M. Skinner. 3, H. he, H. Edmoads, Tidenham, Chepstow; J. c, L. Dean; Miss C. J. Harries, Newport; D. Lane. SWEEPSTAKES FOR COCKS. Game.—Il, Capt. P. A. Beck, Guilsfield, Welshpool. 2, J. W. Jones, Malpas, Newport. he, W. Daniel, Maindee, Newport. CocHtn-CHINA.—Prize. C. Bloodworth. he, H. Lloyd, jun., Handsworth. Brauma Pootra—i,T.A.Dean 2, Rey. J. B. Gwyn. Caerleon. Game Bantams.—l, W. Ivins. Chepstow. 2, E. C. Phillips. ANY OTHER VaRIETY.—1, J. Watts. PIGEONS. Cagriers.—l, H. B. Hanson, Girlington, Bradford. ham. he andc, S. D. Baddeley, Her- ford. Poutrrs.—1, H. B. Hanson, Girlington, Bradford. vhe, J. H. Watkins, Hereford. 2, H. Yardley, Birming- 2, W. Harvey, Sheffield. he, W. Crook, Swansea (2); H. Pratt, Lozells, Birmingham; H.B. Hanson. c, Miss J. Milward, Newton St. Loe, Bristol. Jacobins—l, H. B. Hanson. 2, H. Yardley. TumpBiLerRs.—l, H. B. Hanson. 2, W. Harvey. vhe, A. H. Oliver, Newport. he. H. B. Hanson; H. Yardley. Fantaits.—l, W. H. Tomlinson, Newark-on-Trent. 2, H. Yardley. vhe,J.F,. Loversidge, Newark. he, J. F. Loversidge; W. H. Tomlinson; H. Yardley; H. B. Hanson. c, Miss J. Milward; G. H. Gregory, Taunton. ee W. Harvey. 2, H.B. Hanson. he, T. F. Phelps, Ross: H. - Hanson. ANY OTHER Vartrty—l, H. B. Hanson. 2, S. Williams, Abergavenny. H. Tomlinson. 4, W. Crook, Swansea. he, R.E. Evans, Newport (2): H. B. Hanson (2); T. A. Dean; H. Yardley (2); J. Watts (2). c,L.Dean; W. Crook; J. Wheeler & Sons, Long Compton; R. E. Evans, Newport. JupcE.—Mr. E. Hutton, Pudsey, Leeds. 3, W. OVER AND WINSFORD POULTRY SHOW. Tue twelfth annual Show was held on December 19th, in the Town Hall, Winsford. Entries amounted in all to 162, and the general appearance of the Show was decidedly in advance of last year. SpanisH (Black)-—1 and 2, J. Siddon, Over. c, S.L. Edwards, Cotebrook. DorxginGs (Any colour).—l, T. Rigby, Darnhall. 2, S. Ki:chen, Warmingham. he, R. Beckett, Hartford. Cocurn-Cuwa4.—l, T. F. Ansdell, St. Helens. 2, R. Scholes, Darnhall. Slater, Woodford Hall. Brauma Pootras.—}, T. F. Ansdell. 2,R. Hulse, Over. he, J. Parnal', M wich; J. Johnson, Over; T. F. Ansdell. Hamepvress.—l, T. Edwards, Banton. P. Unsworth, Lowton. GameE.—l, W. Roycroft. Acton. 2. Over. Chickens. C,J- le- 2,J. Vernon, Over. he, R. Beckett; R. Ashley, Nantwich. he, S. Buckley, - Partington, West Leigh. 2, S. Buckley. hc, G. Sant, Crewe. Cock.—1, W. Sowerbutts, Nantwich. 2, W. Perrin, Nantwich. Cockerel. —l, W. Sowerbutts.. 2, W. Perrin. hc, S. Buckley; T. Sergeant, Nantwich. Hen or Pullet.—1 and 2, T. Wittingham, Nantwich. Game Bantams.—l, P. Hinde, Budworth. 2, F. Maitland, Worcester. J. Holland, Northwich; P. Hinde; J. Partington. BantTams.—l and 2, N. Cook, Chowbent. he. W. Latham, Middlewich. CROSS-BREED.—], G. Bentiey, Marton. he, W. Latham. ANY OTHER VARIETY.—1 aud 2, P. Unsworth, Lowton. he, J. Parnall; J. Fearnley ; J. Partington. Ducks.—Aylesbury.l, Mrs. Hornby, Darnhall. Rouwen.—1, Mrs. Cunliffe. 3, S. L. Edwards, Cotebrook. he, Mrs. Hornby; P. Unsworth; G. Moss, Upton. GEEsE.—1 and 2, J. Lycett, Staff..rd. he, R. Beckett, Hartford; S. Allen, he, TuskeyS.—l and 2, 1. Trelfa, Weaver. Onston. Canarres.—l and 2, T. Joyce, Runcorn. he, W. Palin, Over; J. Galley, Over; J. Taylor, Over. Canaries.—l, P. Raines, Runcorn. 2, W. Palin. he, J. Taylor, Over. The Judges were, for Poultry: Mr. J. Douglas, Chester; Canaries : Mr. S. Williams, Nantwich. LEWES AND COUNTY OF SUSSEX POULTRY SHOW. Tue first Exhibition at Lewes has been a success, and that success is due to the untiring exertions of the Honorary Secre- tary, Mr. J. G. Lenny, jun. The Show took place at the Corn Exchange on the 19th and 20th. More than a thousand speci- mens were exhibited, the entries numbering 561. Pens were arranged on either side and in the centre of the Exchange, the whole length of this long room being occupied. Dorxines.—Cnp, Viscount Turnour, Petworth. 2, R. @heesman, Westwell, Ashford. 3, O. E. Cresswell, Earlywood, Bagshot. 4,F. Parlett, Great Baddow, Chelmsford. he, E. & A. Stanford, Eaton, Ashurst, Steyning; W. J. Russell, South Norwood, London; Mrs. G. Meek, Brantridge, Balcombe; Rey. Bartrum, Berkhampstead. c, Miss J. Milward, Bristol. 4 Branuas.—Light—l, W. M. Maynard, Holmewood, Ryde, Isle of Wight. 2, M. Leno, Maikyate Street, Dunstable. 3, Mrs. T. Turner, Avon, Ringwood. ark.—l, Mrs. Brassey, Normanhurst. 2, T. Harris, Ramsgate. 3, R. B. F. eckles, Canterbury. Cocuixs.—Buf.—1, H. Tomlinson, Hawthorne, Birmingham. 2, J. Pares, Guildford. 3, C. Mercer, Stickisgs, Wye. Ashford. Any other variety.—Cup, 1, and 2, R.S.S. Woodgate, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells (White). 3, Mrs. Wilde, Uckfield. he, C. Howard; Rey. A. Warde. GamE.—Black and other Reds —Cup, W. Foster, Deal. 2, H. E. Martin, Scul- thorpe, Fakenham. jc, R. Hall, Cambridge; W. Foster. Any other variety.— 1, W. Foster. 2, J. Jeken, Eltham. hc, R. Hall. SpanisH—Cup, C. Howard, Peckham. 2, J. Francis, Hildenborough. Hamburcus.—Spangled.—l, T. Walker, jun., Denton,Manchester. 2,J.Long, Forest Hill. Pencilled—i, H. Thompson, Coleshill, Farringdon. 2, W. K. Tickner, Ipswich. FRENcH.—1 and 2, W. Dring, Faversham. 3, Rey. G. Chilton, Littleton, Guild- ford. he, J. Walton, Croydon. Poxisu.—Cnp, A. Cruttenden, Brighton. 2, J. Hinton, Warminster. ANY OTHER VARIETY EXCEPT BanTams.—l,J.Long. 2, T. Walker, jun. 3, T. Norwood. Game Bantams.—Black and other Reds.—Cup, W. B. Jeffries. 2, J. Long. 8, Rev. E.S. Tiddeman, Brentwood. he, E. H. B. Smith, J.ondon. Any other variety —l, C. Howard. 2, N. Hill, Upper Norwood. 3, G. J. Lenny, Lewes. BantamMs.—Any variety except Game.—1 and 2, M. Leno. 3, C. Reed. Ducks.—Rouen and Aylesbury—i, Rey. T. Cochrane, Stapleford Abbots, Romford. 2, F. E. Carter, Barham, Canterbury. he, E. & A. Stanford; N. Edghill, brant: Rev T. Cochrane. Any other variety—l, W- Boutcher. 2, R. Wilkinson, Guildford. he, O. E. Cresswell; M. Leno; W. R. Pratt. SELLING Cuiass—Price not to exceed 40s.—1, Rev. J. M. Rice, Steyning. 2, Viscount Turnour. 3, M. Leno. he, C. Corke, New Shoreham; F. Cheesman, Ashford; R.S.S. Woodgate; W. Dring, Faversham; J: Hinton, Warminster ; H. Homphrey,. Arhington, Pulborough; M. R. Pratt. SELLING CLass.—Price not to exceed 30s.—Cock or Drake.—l, R. Cheesman. 2,J.Jeken. 3,.R. W. Beachey, Fluder, Kingskerswell, South Devon. he, G. Ellis, Betchworth, Reigate; J. Long, Forest Hill; W.R. Helby, Southsea; F. Arter, Barham, Canterbury. | SELLING CLass.—Price not lo exceed 40s.—Hens or Ducks.—1, R W. Beachey. 2, Mrs. G. Meek, Brantridge, Balcombe. 3, Rev. J. M. Rice. he, Mrs. G. Meek; Viscount Turnour; E. & A. Stanford; H. Stanford; M. Lent; C. Howell, Hamsey; J. B. Foster, Barcombe; W. Dring ; — Cruttenden. LocaL Criass.—Any variety.—1, A. Cruttenden. 2, H. Humphrey, Ashing- ton, Pulborough. 3, C, Cork, New Shoreham. hc, H. Longley, Henfield. PIGEONS. a CarrieRs.—l and 2, W. Maynard. vhc, C. Cork, New Shoreham; J. Philpott, Clapham; J. Ford, London; s. Salter, Egrove, Oxford. Dxracoons.—l and 2, F. Graham, South Berkenhead. vhe,G- South, London; i ine Gilbert, Salisbury: H. J. Dwelly, Peckham; A. A. Vander Meersch; J. alter. Antwerps.—l, R. Hall, Cambridge. 2, E. F. Wilson, Wick Lodge, Brighton. TUMBLERS.—1 and 2, J. Ford. he, A. A. Vander Meersch. Barps.—l and 2, W. M. Maynard. vhe, C. L. Gilbert; S. Salter. Jacoprys.—l, A. A. Vander Meersch. 2, C. L. Gilbert. vhe, W. M. Maynard; G. South; A. A. Vauder Meersch. jc, N. Hill. Fantaits.—l and 2, A. A. Vander Meersch. vhc, W. M. Maynard; J. F. Loveridge; A. A. Vander Meersch. | ANY OTHER VaRIETY.—l, J. B. Foster. 2, A.A. Vander Meersch. vhe, Mrs. Taylor, Brighton; A. A. Vander Meersch; G. South; C. L. Gilbert; J. Reed. SELLING CLass.—l, C. Cork, New Shoreham. 2, S. Salter. ANTWERPS.—JVorking. — (Brighton Pigeon Society). — Cup, C. S. Johnson, Brighton. 2, A. Cruttenden. 3, E. F. Wilson. vhc,— Stedman; F. Long- hurst. he, S. T. Ridley. Rabpits.—Lop-eared.—l, J. Cranch, St John’s Wood. 2. F. Banks, London. 8, G: Johnson, Wadcroft, Kettering, Northampton. vhce, F. Banks. he, Shaw and Allison; C. King. c,A.T. Nye; Shaw & Allison. Any other variety—t, S. Burnett, ‘Sutton. 2, Miss Ingram, Hickwells, Chiley. 3, H. Johnson. he, W. S. Hancock. c, S. Flint; W. J. Mayell. Selling Class—l, W. Frank, Lewes. 2, G. Johnson. 3, W.J. Mayel, Tolleshunt d’Arcy. Jupces.—Poultry : Mr. S. Fielding. Pigeons: Mr. J. Perci- yall. Rabbits: Mr. J. Newman. DUNDEE POULTRY SHOW. Tus was held on the 19th, 20th, and 21st inst., in the Drill Hall, Dundee. The following awards were made by Mr. Teebay, who, in the absence of Mr. Hewitt through his late accident, officiated as sole Judge. Dorxtes (Coloured).—Cock.—l, D. Gellatly, Meigle. 2, N. Russell, Bass~ chuich. 3, A. Haggart, Leslie. Hen.—l, D. Gellatly. 2, A. Bruce, Meigle. 3, A. Bowie, Carnousue. hc, A. Haggart; J. Rutherford; A. Bowie. DorREINGS (Coloured).—Cockerel.—1 and Cup, D. Welch, Errol. 2, J. Tarnbull. 3, A. Bruce. he, Mrs. Chalmers; N. Russell; D. Gellatly; W- Langlands ; do Bowie; T. Raines, Stirling. Pullet.—1,T. Kaines: 2, J. Turnbull. 3, G. Cut- hill. he, D. Gellatly. z i Dorxcxes (Silver).—Cock.—l, J. Turnbull. 2, Miss M. G. Ru‘herford, Auchter- mee 3, A. Mackay. Hen.—l, Capt. M. Dougall, Scotscraig. 2,D. Annan. 2, T. Raines. ” DORKINUS (Silver)—Cockerel.—1, J. Tarnbull. 2,D. Annan. 8,3. Henderson. Pullet.—1, J. Turnbull. 2,3. Stewart. 3,D. Annan. he, Capt. M. Dougall. Cocury-Cains (Cinnamon and Buff).—Cock.—l, A. Burnett. 2,H. Tomlinson, 3, G. H. Procter. he. G. Shrimpton. c,J. Wyse, Falkirk. Hen—land Cup, G. H. Procter, Durham. 2, J. Mitchell. 8, A. Burnett, Montrose. hc, H. White. Cocuty-Cur1va (Cinnamon and Buff).—Cockerel.—1, J. W. Taylor, Ulverston. 2, G. Shrimpton, Leighton Buzzard. 3, H. H. Stephenson. hic, F. E. Paton; Miss Drummond; D. Welch. Pullet.—1, T. Stretch. 2, Mrs. M,. Moir. 3) A. Burnett. ° EH Cocsts-Cutna (Any other colour).—Cock.—1, R. S. S. Woodgate. 2, H. Stephenson. 3, W. Smith. he, Mrs. M’Arthur Moir. Hen.—l, R. S.S. bWoOUE A Fe Pembury, Tunbridge Wells. 2, J. W. Taylor. 3, G. Shrimpton. he, R. 8S. 5- Woodgate; J. Wyse. s Cocuty-Cursa (Any other colour).—Cockerel.—l, J. W. Taylor. 2, R. S. Be Woodgate. 3, A. Edward. Pullet—l,R.S. S. Woodgate. 2, W. Smith. 3, D. Alexander. he, W. Smith. t 5 F Branmas.—Cock.—l, J. Mitchell. 2, R. Brownlie. 8, J.S.Tainton. he, T. F. Ansdell; Lieut.-Col. C. Rice; H. White. Hens.—l. T. Kaines. 2, J. Stuart. 8,D. Anuan. he, T. F. Ansdell; J. Mitchell; H. White. Cockerels.— Cup, 1» and3,J.Staart. 2, J. Rutherford. he, Lieut.-Col. C. Rice; R. Brownlie; H. White; J. S. Tainion; T. Raines; Lord Kinnaird. Pullets.—l, T- ee 2,T. F. Ansdell. 3, Miss Morrison. he. J: Anderson; D. Annan; D. Welch ; J. Stuart; H. White. SpanisH.—Cocks.—l, A. Shepherd. 2, J. F. Sillitoe. 3, J. Smith. Hens.— 1,H. Beldon. 2,A. Shepherd. 3, J. F. Sillitoe. he, P. Symon. SpanisH.—Cockerels.—vup, 1, and 3, W. C. Hardie. 2,A.Shepherd. Extra 2, T. Abels. he, J.Souter; J.'Laylor: A. Adie (2); A.Shepherd; A. Martin. c, Pe Symon. Pullets.—1 and 3, W. C. Hardie. 2, T. Abels. he, A. Shepherd (2). Game (Black or Brown Red).—Cocks.—Cup and 1, T. Mason. 2, J. Nelson. 3.A. Gloag. he, T. W. Mitchell; J. & A. Blair; H. M. Julian; G. Spence; xb Harley; W. Stewart. Hens.—l. W. Boulton. 2, T. W. Mitchell. 3, F. oH. Wright. he, J. Dick; H. M. Julian. Game (Black or Brown Red).—Cockerels.—1, D. Hatley. 2, H. M. Julian. 3, J. Geddes. he,J. Nelson; C. Jamieson; D. Harley. Pullets.—1, C. Jamieson. 2,T. W. Mitchell. 3,J.Nelson. hc, D. Harley; J. Scott. w. Game (Any culour except Black or Brown Ked).—Cocks.—1, D. Harley. 2, W- Baillie. 3,H.M. Julian. Hens—1land2,D.Harley. 3, J. Dick. 1 Gam (Any colour except Black or Brown Red).—UCockerels—l, D. Harley. 2, C. pence igh © ao) Blair. Pullets—l, D. Harley. 2, C. Jamieson. 8,E. Aykroyd. he, G. Pounder. * Haarporcus (Silver-spangled).—1, J, W’Andrew. 2, W. R. Park. 3, H. Beldon. he, W. M’Intosh. Thee HawscrGus (Silver-pencilled).—1, H. Beldon. 2, J. Stevenson. 3,J- Wa bak HampureGus (Golden-spangle 1and Cop, G. & J. Duckworth. 2,J. a linson. 3, H. Beldon. he, J. ‘Yaylor; J. Ness; Rey. W. E. B. Gunn. C, tee Dickson. ? Hampurcus (Golden-pencilled).—1, G. Caithness. 2, J. Rollinson. 3, a 8, J. M. Walker. hc, Mrs. Cha'mers; W. R. Park. . a Bantams (Game).—Cock.—1 and Cup, T. Raines. 2, R. Brownlie. Campbell. hc, W. Robinson; R. Brownlie; Bellingham & Gill; J. Ramsay. Hen—1, R. Brownlie. 2,T. Raines. 5, Bellingham & Gill. he, J. Dick; J.M. Campbell; P. G. Walker; P. Symon; Miss C. E. Frew. Banrams (Any variety except Game).—Hens.—1, G. J. Bell. 2, J. Rutherford. 8, J.Taylor. he,R. H. Ashton; A. Frew. December 26, 1872. ] Any oTHER Varirty.—l, H. Beldon. 2, Rev. W. E.B.Gunn. 8,A.Fodd. he W. Smith; R.S.S. Woodgate; H. Beldon; J. Smart. _ TurKEys.—l, Capt. M. Douga)l. 2 aod 3, Lord Kinnaird. Poults.—l, H. H. Stephenson. 2,Capt. M. Dougall. 8, D. Murray. he, J. Mitchell. GEESE —1, Lord Kionaird, 2, H. H. Stephenson. 8,H. Ogilvie. Ducks (Aylesbury).—!, H. H. Stephenson. 2,A. Mackie. 3, H. White. he, A. Burnett; Lord Kinnaird. t : Ducks (Rouen).—1. Capt. M. Dougall. 2, Lieut.-Col. C. Rice. 8, A. Bowie. he, A. B. Esson: H. H. Stephenson (2). a Ducks (Any other variety).—l, G. H. Nicholl, 2,H. H. Stephenson. 38, J.C. amecon. SELLING CLAss.—l, I. J. Harrison. 2,J. W. Morrison. 8,4. Shepherd. he, T. W. Mitchell: Mrs. J. Sinclair; T. Bellman: J. Selkirk; D. Gellatly; A. Shephard ; H. White ; J. Henderson; P.Symon; J. Scott; A. Bowie; W. Smith ; Lord Kinnaird (2), NATIONAL PERISTERONIC SOCIETY'S SHOW. Tuts Society is a great institution of London in connection with the Pigeon fancy, and has hitherto confined its attention to a series of meetings during the winter season. The members bring their birds to these pleasant gatherings, and compare their merits and indulge in friendly criticism. Among the supporters are all the London judges of Pigeons. The Society thus offers to its young members the advantage of the advice of those whose great experience is acknowledged by their being called upon con- tinually to arbitrate at our greatest shows, and who doubtless would confess that in imparting their knowledge to others they are simply paying back as adebt much of that knowledge which they have obtained through the medium of the National Peris- teronic Society. me In connection with this Association a competitive Show has been organised, confined strictly to the members and _ the birds bred by the members during the year, and held at the Covent Garden Hotel on the 17th inst. It was largely patronised by the friends of the members and those interestedin the charming pursuit of breeding these birds. i The prizes were of a nominal value, a small entry fee being paid by each exhibitor, which was divided proportionately be- tween the prizewinners; and some friendly challenges were also made through the Association, which caused considerable ex- citement, and added much to the interest of the Exhibition. Of course in an institution of this description, nothing but birds of the highest class would be expected, and few who visited the National Peristeronic Show on this occasion would leave disappointed, the birds fully maintaining the reputation of the Association. The Dragoons were a grand class of birds; the Owls very beautiful, and the Jacobins and Barbs particularly good. Mr. Jones Percivall was elected to fill the very important position of Judge, Messrs. Esquilant and Tegetmeier exhibiting, and indulging their friends with a peep at a few of their grand studs of birds. i The arrangements were in every way Satisfactory, and no com- mendation is too great for the Hon. Secretary, Mr, Jones, for his indefatigable exertions in making this Show so great a success. Carrier.—Black.—Cock.—1 and Sweepstake, M. Hedley. 2, — Heritage. ‘en.—l, — Heritage. Dun.—Cock.—l, Col. Hassard, Blue.—Cock.—l, J. C. Ord. Hen.—1, J.C. Ord. Bawps or BEArDs.—1, 2, and 8, W. Woodhouse. Barps.—Black or Dun.—1 and Sweepstake, P,H Jones. Any other colow.— land Sweepstake, P. H. Jones. : DraGcoons.—Blue.—1 and Sweepstake, F. Esquilant. 2and 3,J. South. Silver. —1 and Sweepatake, F. Graham. 2, J. South. 8, W. B. Tegetmeier. Red or Yellow.—l, F. Graham. 2 and 8, S. C. Betty. Any other colour.—l and 8, — Greenfield. 2, F. Graham. Owxs.—English.—l and 2, P. H. Jones. 8, F, Esquilant. z FANTAILS.—1 and Sweepstake, A. A. Vander Meersch. 2, F. Esquilant. Jaconins.—Red or Yellow.—1 and Sweepstake, J. South. 2and 3, A. A. Vander Meersch. Anz other colour.—l and8,H.F. Nalder. 2, E. E. M. Royds. TourBirs.—Blue or Silver.—l, P. H. Jones. 2 and 8, J. South. Any other colour.—l, F. Esquilant. 2,H. F.Nulder. 8, W.E. Easton. Maapres, Nuns, SWALLows, oR Spors.—l, W. E. Easton (Nun). 2and 8, P. H. Jones (Nun and Magpie). ANY OTHER VarRiETY.—1, W. B. Tegetmeier (Pigmy Pouter). CUMBERLAND AND NortH oF ENGLAND PoutTRy SHow.—At this Show, to be held at Whitehaven on January 22nd-24th, the prizes are very good, three or four in each class, and in addition there are fifteen cups and plates varying in value from £5 to £2. There are prizes also for Canaries and Cats. THE NORTH BRITISH COLUMBARIAN SOCIETY’S COMING SHOW. Our friends at Glasgow are to have their Pigeon Show in their old quarters, the Drill Hall, on the 16th and 17th of January. This is well, for in 1870 and 1871 they hud no show, and a Glasgow show is much missed. I have looked over the schedule of prizes; of course there are many for Pouters, be- cause Pouters and Scotch fanciers are two united ideas, but other varieties are remembered as well, and liberally. There are seventeen silver cups; and as long as exhibitors so much prefer, as they seem to do, cups to money, so it is wise in com- mittees to take care and provide these prizes. All committees may be warned by the falling-off at Birmingham not to fall into the like error, for it is not well surely for a show, in round numbers, of six hundred entries, to dwindle and shrink at once JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 527 to four hundred. Let, then, in future, all committees beware. At Glasgow the entries are to be in single birds, with two ex- ceptions—viz., ‘‘ Any other variety of fancy Pigeon not before specified ;” and in the Selling class ‘‘ Any variety, price not to exceed £5 per pair.” In-both these classes the birds are to be in pairs. I trust that the Show will be asuccess, for I wish that the good old North British Society should again come to the front after its temporary withdrawal, and show itself, as of yore, a first-class exhibition —WILTsHIRE REcTOR. BEE-FARMING IN 1872. Tuts season, like 1870 and 1871, has not on the whole been favourable for the bee-farmer. In the north of England there has been too much rain and too clouded a sky for our little honey-gatherers. In the spring and early summer months bees had to be fed pretty constantly. At the commencement of July the weather became more propitious, and continued so till the floods came about the middle of the month, when the hives began to lose weight very fast. The month of August this year was very favourable for honey-gathering, enabling the bees to fill their garners pretty full. During fifteen days of this month Thad fifty hives of bees that gathered more than 1500 lbs. of pure speckless honey. While Squire Tollemache and party were knocking down and bagging more than one hundred grouse per day, the bees in the same locality were bagging and storing-up more than 100 lbs. of pure honey every day. Grand work this for our liliputian subjects and servants to accomplish! What will they not do when a good season comes ? My income from bee-farming this year is £95; expenses £28, profit £67. My object in presenting annually a balance-sheet of bee-cultureé is to quicken the attention of the rural population of England to the value of bees. The price of butter is so high that labouring men cannot buy it for their families. Honey is an excellent substitute, quite as healthy, and better liked by children. Well, around more than half the towns, villages and hamlets of England hundreds of tons of honey remain un- gathered. Honey of an inferior quality is largely imported from foreign countries. When English gentry want good honey and honeycomb they have to get them from Scotland and Ire- land. An old aunt of the writer’s, about eighty years of age, makes £10 a-year (200 lbs. of honey) from four hives in ordinary seasons. What is done by this old Scotch lady might be done in thousands and tens of thousands of instances by the rural population of England. One thousand pounds weight of honey at least may be secured by afew working people in almost every hamlet and village of this country. When the working com- munity open their eyes to this fact we shall probably have honey fairs in more towns than the solitary one of Wrexham. My bees are of the common sort, which I much prefer to the Ligurians. The hives are made of straw—large, cheap and beautiful; and I consider it right to state, in the interests of bee-keeping and new beginners, that straw hives are very much better for bees and honey-gathering than wooden hives of any kind or construction—A. Prerricrew, Priory Vineyard, Sale, Manchester. 5 THE STEWARTON SYSTEM. Your valued contributor, Mr. J. Lowe, graphically describess at page 395, the wretchedly poor bee season of 1872 in Scot- land; but I must take exception to the doctrine he there enun- ciates, that granting a good season and district, and strong hives, the results following are ‘‘equally good,’’ whatever description of hive is employed, and that . . . “it is an old error to suppose that we can compel our little favourites to augment their sweets.” In a paper on foul brood so far back as No. 410, Mr. Lowe, on the same principle, was good enough to assume that the ‘‘ mighty results ” attained by the present writer were due to the “Ca- naan in which he dwells,” such unfortunately being very far from the case. With the exception of an avenue of old limes, and a sprinkling of venerable planes, his camp is pitched in a comparatively desert land to such a bee-keeper’s paradise as Carluke, for instance, where, Mr. Pettigrew has told us, second swarms come up to 80 lbs., and prime ones to 168 lbs., 162 Ibs., &¢.; whereas in the days of my noviciate, when working exclusively on the old straw-hive swarming principle, 22 and 35 lbs. respec- tively were as good weights as I can recollect of. Ours being a continuous green cropping district is less favourable for bee- keeping than nearer the moors, in the less cultivated and older pasture neighbourhoods, where results used to be attained I had never hoped to emulate ; but thanks to the Stewarton hive and the hybrid Italian bee, the secret of my success, I can Bowe put the feats of former competitors pretty much into the shade. I must own to a feeling somewhat akin to the humiliating stealing over me on perusing the confession from the pen of so advanced and excellent an apiarian as Mr. Lowe, that in these days of progress we had adopted a common hobby, so 528 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ December 26, 1872. utterly exhausted and effete, that the ‘‘ bee-science of the age was inadequate for such a purpose.” What purpose? ‘To compel our little favourites to augment their sweets.” Com- pulsory education is Inapplicable to bees; is it not their de- lectation so to do? The desiderata are increased facilities, not to compel, but aid them to ‘“‘improve each shining hour.” We apiarians of the present day are not surely to act out the “yest and be thankful” spirit of that bee-keeper depicted on that piece of antique china on which my eye rests while I write, and who is stretched on a sloping bank sheltered by umbrageous trees from the sweltering heat of the noon-day sun, his hat, handkerchief, and cane by his side, an open book on his knee, while his spirit is supposed to be solaced by the sweet music emanating from a row of bee hives, all snugly en- sconced under the old orthodox straw hive and hackle. This picture of contentment had its charms for us in childish days, when we feasted our eyes between the sips of our ‘‘ sweet con- tent from a grandmothev’s hand ; but can there be no improve- ment on the old straw skep? The agricultural mind is said to be slow to move, is the apicultural slower still? With the “click, click” of the reaping machine in our ears, and reading ‘of such feats performed through its intervention the last back- ward season, of whole fields of wheat cut upon the Saturday and safely secured in the barn-yard on the Monday, with our honey-harvest in superabundance too to reap, are we to “compel” our little favourites to subdivide into little bands and scatter over the harvest-field after the old rook fashion? Better far procure a “‘Stewarton”’ reaper, combine our forces, and *‘make honey while the sun shines.” We denizens of this watery west coast are generally supposed to know something of rain, but really the past season exceeded all former experiences. A jocular farmer friend assured me his very Ducks had got fairly tired of it, that he noticed regularly at every fresh downpour as his workers hied-off to the steading for shelter, so did the Ducks. We had intervals of fine weather, however, for a few days now and then. Comparative results can be more fairly drawn from different systems wrought side by side than from one district contrasted with another. My apiary consists mainly of two descriptions of hives—the Stewarton for the production of honey, with a few common straw skeps furnished with imported Italian queens to supply first-cross princesses for my strong non-swarming colo- nies. In the beginning of July the weather dried-up for ten days or a fortnight; the inmates of the Stewartons at once took to their supers, and were busy storing the pure nectar from the white clover as quickly as the triple entrances to every colony would admit; while, on the other hand, the occupants of the straw skeps wrought in an inverse ratio of speed, gathering out- side in ever-increasing masses, and appearing to the uninitiated as if they had joined the short-time movement, and were out on strike. Certainly their appearance did not justify the sup- position that they were compelled to augment but rather to retard the collection of their sweets; but off came my first prime swarm at last, with a valuable as well as venerable Como queen at its head, imported by the late Mr. Woodbury, and, scorning the new nice roomy straw hive provided, rose high in the air, and embracing a favouring breeze, were soon lost to sight. It was nearly a month before I tracked my run- away yellow-jackets a mile or two over the hills “‘bee-line,” to-an old manse garden, where in the combs of a defunct colony they had, true to their instincts, augmented their store as well as population much more rapidly than they could have done at home. Other swarms followed in abundance, but the autumnal ex- amination in September showed that the honey collected by them had been chiefly absorbed in comb-building, and that they were all more or less light, haying to be very liberally fed to preserve them from speedy starvation; whereas the strong non- Swarming Stewarton colonies never required a particle of food, and yielded a couple of thoroughly sealed-out beautiful 20-lb. supers a-piece, in the third super a little honey, while the fourth contained only empty combs—most valuable, however, for the coming season. One of the above supers in particular was for straightness and massiveness of comb, with fineness of colour, the best it has ever been my good fortune to possess. Having already transgressed too» much on your space with these hurried remarks, I must reserve till another time further details of the superiority of the Stewarton system.—A Rern- FREWSHIRE BEE-KEEPER. THE AMERICAN HONEY HARVEST. Accorpine to the census of 1850 there were produced in the United States and Territories 14,853,790 lbs. of beeswax and honey, while in 1860 there were 1,357,864 lbs. of beeswax, and 25,058,991 lbs. of honey, showing an increase of about 77% per cent. Mr. Quinby, in his circular for 1872, states that Mr. Hildreth, of Herkimer, obtained in 1861 from thirteen hives 1500 lbs. of box honey, and doubled his original stocks. He also states that Mr. Underhill, of St. Johnsville, obtained from fifteen colonies six swarms, 1050 Ibs. of box honey, and over 600 lbs. of extracted honey. In his own apiary, he says, during the past year (1871), of those swarms that he took the trouble to weigh, one filled forty boxes weighing 5 lbs. each (200 lbs.); another thirty boxes. “From one we extracted 220 lbs. Very many others furnished as much more, but were not weighed.” Im 1870 one hive furnished 361 lbs. of extracted honey. The yield in one week, the last of June, was 83 lbs.—(American Live Stock Journal.) OUR LETTER BOX. N.B.—Owing to having to go to press two days earlier this week, we are under the necessity of omitting two or three Poultry Shows of which we have received reports and prize lists. _ CuHEPstow Poutrry SHow (£. C. Stretch).—Give notice that you will sue in the County Court if the money youask is not paid. The correspondence renders the Committee liable, and your claim is equitable. 2 Secretaries (E. Terry).—One lives at Wolverhampton, and the other af Northampton. Royat Dupin Socrery’s SHow.—Mr. W. G. Mulligan informs us that he had first prize for Light Brahma chickens and first for old Dark Brahmas. FEEDING PicEons (R. C. D.).—Your loft seems suitable, and the two varieties, Fantails and Archangels, are a nice contrast. We are glad you can give your birds full liberty. As to feeding, go on as you do; feed the old ones liberally as now, out of the loft, and they will take care of their young. It is one pleasant thing connected with Pigeons, that, the old birds feeding the young ones, there is no trouble personally to the fancier with the latter. FEATHER-ROT IN PrcEons (V. S.).—We have ourselves never had a Pigeon cured, but they have gone on from bad to worse, though often breeding excel- lent-feathered young ones. We haye known sheep ointment (blue with mercury) tried, and have seen cures advertised. Still, as the cause must be constitutional, the remedy ought to come from within. We believe it like wing disease—a form of scrofula, and a change of strain the best method to pursue. ScarBoroucH Birp SHow (Fringilla canaria).—We have no information on the subject, you had better apply to the Secretary. CHELTENHAM Bird SHow.—Mr. Watson denies that his bird’s cap was trimmed. We can insert no letters on the subject ; those who consider them- selves injured must appeal to the Committee. Movine A Hive, &c. (B. S. H.).—You cannot at any time moye your bees a distance of 50 feet at once without subjecting them to much loss und injury. Wait until the spring, when the bees are vigorously on the wing, and then shift the hive gradually a foot ox so at a time, allowing between each removal a clear day of good working weather to elapse. On the first occasion of taking the hive out of the bee-house, stand it exactly in front of its previous entrance, so that the bees may become accustomed to its appearance out of the shed ; after which, shift to the right or left, and a little backwards or forwards as the case may require. By these precautions you will lose few if any bees, but by attempting to move the entire distance at once the loss of bee-life will be very great. We know of no effects that honeydew produces, except directly or indirectly to increase the prosperity of the bees. COVENT GARDEN MARKET.—Drcemser 23. WE are not in a position to report more fayourably of the transactions here as an abundant supply of foreign goods amply compensates for the deficiency of our own produce, of which, however, theJsupply of Apples and Pears has by no means been so short as was represented by the growers. Upwards of two thousand barrels of American Apples were sold under the hammer during the past week. Hothouse Grapes and Pines are more than sufficient for the demand, FRUIT. g.d. 8. d.| ss a ee te Apples..scccceeess ¢ Sieve 3 OtOS | A oO asriects ed OZ ei0fL0 nO} 00 06 Cherries perlb. 0 0 O 40100 Chestnuts bushel 12 0 20 ~~ 00 09 Currants 00 0 OFS 0 Blac - 00 0 20 40 Figs.... 20) 40i0 80 60 Filberts eygloe Osh) 00 00 Cobs 16 2 00 00 Gooseberries. 00 0 e 00 0a Grapes, hothouse. - 3 0 6 Strawberries... -00 00 Lemons 6 0 10 Walnuts... 5 0 80 0 Melons......- 146 8 ditto... 20 20 VEGETABLES. 8.d. s.d. 8.d. s.d Artichokes... 6 Otol2 0| Mushrooms........pottle 1 O0to8 0 Asparagus... 0 0 O 0} Mustard & Cress..punnet 0 2 00 Beans, Kidne: 20 30 ® bushel 2 0 4 9 * Broad 00 00 06 00 Beet, Red 10 80 20 80 Broccoli OG 09 10 Cabbage TO) sl eOh MECRS scuiccies! 0000 Capsicums. 2 0 8 0| Potatoes.... 86 60 Carrots... 06 00 Kidney.. 00 00 Cauliflower. 20 40 Round.. 00 00 Celery o0 1 6 2 0} Radishes.. Uo) 2a Coleworts.. doz.bunches 2 6 4 0| Rbhubarb..........bundle 10 2 Q Cucumbers..........each 0 9 2 0} Salsafy...... qbundle 10 16 pickling... ..doz. 0 0 O 0}j Savoys.... Boones ys al WEP Endive..... . doz. 2 0 O 0} Scorzonera.... bundle 10 1 6 Fennel, bunch 0 8 O 0} Sea-kale.. 20 80 Garlic.. . lb. 0 6 O 0} Shallots 03s 00 Herbs........ bunch 0 8 O 0} Spinach. 20 80 Horseradish. bundle 8 0 4 0} Tomatoes. 10 20 Leeks...... «bunch 0 2 O O| Turnips... 0S 0ho Lettce.,..cccreeeeee OZ. 0 9 1 0} Vegetable Marrows..doz. 0 0 0 0 Ss pieced hag i a ee a eee ee