UMASS/AMHERST m^m 2066 0333 3108 3 K/ '.-^ .:■ i>x ::--^J -V ^ir •^^15^ ?f:£>J**i4,-^-^ '^ -■ ,> y c?'>'t'«"-^H(^ V^6 I t; LIBRARY OF THE ll^l ^jWMy ^^^ MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE NO._.51t>lQj. DATE.S-.LSS7.- souRCE.X.n._.W,_.i:Y«eY\c]3.... V,^ J_ ^X i\cxi. vx \ cT6^6c^ ^•'^ .-.^V' --"^ >H^ y> .\\V >oA >^v>^1^\ THE jT^kSSAcp JOUKNAL OF HORTICULTURE^^ COTTAGE GAEDENEE, COUNTRY GENTLEMAN. A MAGAZINE Of GARDENING, EUKAL AND DOMESTIC ECONOMY, BOTANY AND NATURAL HISTORY. CONDTJOTED BT GEORGE W. JOHNSON, E.E.H.S., and ROBERT HOGG, LL.D. THE FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDENS, by Mr. J. Robson, Gardener to Viscount Holmesdale, M.P., Linton Park; and Mr. T. Weaver, Gardener to tlie Warden of Winchester College. THE FLOWER GARDEN, by Mr. G. Abbey, StanstyHall; and Mr. F. Chitty, Uplands, &c. STOVE. GREENHOUSE, AND WINDOW GARDEN, by Mr. R. Fish, Gardener, Putteridgc Bury, near Laton. FLORISTS' FLOWERS AND FLORICULTURE, by the Rev. H. H. Dombrain. GARDENING CALENDAR, by Mr. William Keane. POULTRY -KEEPING, by Mr. J. Baily, Rev. W. W. Wing- field, E. Hewitt, Esq., andotber well-known contributors. BEE-KEEPING, by H. Taylor, Esq. ; T. W. Woodbury, Esq. ; " B. & W. ; " and Mr. S. Bevan Fox. HOUSEHOLD ARTS, by the Authoress of " My Flowers," and others. • ic vt; _ yOT.TTT\r-p VTT N.'EJIW SERIES. M LONDON: PUBLISHED EOR THE PROPRIETORS, 171, ELEET STREET. 1864. c J 826 5 'YVL'.'^' ^■*' ^ 7 LONDON : PRINTED AT THE JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE OFFICE, 171, Fleet Steeet. mm UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSEHS AMHERST. MASSi lI TO OUR EEADEES. " When I look thi-ough the Numbers of 1864 I am bold to say they are as good, or better, than their predecessors." This verdict of our Chaplain, " The Wiltshire Rector," is sus- tained by more evidence than we need record ; and it makes us pause to consider, as a guide for the future, why our pages in the Volume to which our present Address is prefixed deserve the gratifying praise. One reason is very patent — our standard contributors have written as ably as heretofore, and many others, fresh and well-skiUed, have enrolled themselves among our pensmen. Another reason is also manifest. All the contributions have been based upon the sound practical knowledge of the respective ^niters. All have related to subjects of interest to one or more classes of our readers, and all have had for their aim tlie improvement of practice or the acquirement of truth. A thii'd reason is, that even in controversy a spirit of kindness and courtesy has been maintained. All seem to have been animated by the just conviction that an opponent has as much right to entertain an opinion as he has whom he opposes, and that lie need not have his face scratched to make him feel that he is wrong. May these characteristics which have earned for this Journal approbation and success in 1864 be maintained and intensified in 1865 ; and when this year's days are concluded, and our first Number of its successor appeal's, may it bear as its introduction an address as kindly-spirited and truthful from the same friendly heart. INDEX. Acer Lobelii, 190 AchimencB — not fl.'wering, 261 ; roots, preservlDgj 399; Rollissonii, 414 Acmena floribunda, 513 Aconite, Winter, culture, 269 Agapanlhus umbellatus, culture, 15; potting, 280 Aglaonema commutatum, 179 Agricultural Show, jottings at, 17 Agricultural Hall -Poultry Show, 96, 118, 138, 280; and the Poultry Club, 160. 180, 199 Ailanthi culture, lecture on, 432 Air-giving, 93 Alligator Pear, sowing, 279 Alocasia metallica and Lowil drying off, 380 Allspice, propagating Carolina, 220 Alpines in masses, 449 AIstroDmeria culture, 328 AlyBsum aaxatile seedlingfl, 309 Amaranthus melaiicholicns ruber,13G AmarylliB formosissima, is it hardy? 179; longifolia aad rosea culture, 380 .Ammoniacal liquor, use of, 95 Among the Welsh Mountains, 151 Amphiblemma cymosuui, 291 Anaectocbiluses and their culture, 41 Anemone — culture, 327 ; apennina culture, 491 Annuals for garden decoration, 268 Ants — driving away, 35 ; to destroy, 110, 157; protecting wall fruit from, 173; trap, 27G Aphelandra Liltouiana, 111 Aphides, destroying, 62, 158 Appetite, depraved, in fowls, 344 Apples as food for poultry, 142 ; for espaliers, 292, 31G; dwarf, '33S; sauce (New England), 344 Apricots — new, Royal de Luxem- bourg. De Jonghe's SweetKernel, 127; Dc Jongrhe's Diamant, 128; bush, 157; in pots, 198; gum on, 517 Aquatics in pots, 19S Aquilegid coerulea, 414 Ai'abis lucida variegata, 276 Araucaria imbricata forming cones, 116 Arauja angustifolia, 513 Arbor Vitas browned, 359 Artichokes — preserving, 137; win- ter dressing, 438 Asparagus — making beds, 35, 400, 415; covering in winter, 479; re- moving, 137; cultui-e, 351 ; sea- weed for, 400 ; forcing, 476 ; French culture of, 510 Asphalt path, 517 Ancuba japoaica bearing berries, 405; sex of, 518 Auricula, Lord CWde, 51 Aviary, mice in, 484 A zalCdS— Souvenir de Prince Albert, 51; grafting, 56, 198; buda not expanding, 116; amoena potted in loam, 440; shifting, 499'; leaves falling, 518 Babiana culture, 328 Bacon — preserving, 464; Wilts v. Herts, 526; caring, 526 Bantams — keeping small, 20; my Black, 160; Nankin, 206. 324 Black Game. 223; legs of, 324 buying, 266; legs and weight, 424 white, 504 ; weight of, 6U4 Eartonia nuda, 513 Battersea Park, 214 Bath and West of England Poultry Show, jottings on, 18 ; Turkeys at, 19 Bedding-plants, hardy, list and cal- tureof, 81, 110.137; propagating, 135 ; management, 432 Bedding for winter and spring, 365 " Bee-keeping," 321 Bee-book, is one wanted? 361 ; new, 422, 484 Bees— unhousing, price of honey, Li- gurianising an apiary, 20, 39; su- pering, 20; artificial swarming, flowers, 38; in Australia, a "bee- bob," 39: ascertaining loss of queen, rules for purchasing, foul brood and dysentery, preventing swarming, outside a hive, queens, &C..40; in Lincolnshire, 59; Li- gurian swarms, Ligurians in Ayr- shire,maiden swarms.nnlting weak stocks ; transferring, 60 ; in Perth- shire, 79 ; queen worried, natural and artiflcial swarms, In supers, 80; transferring, aspect for, re- moving to the moors, times of swarming, existence of queen doubtful, 98 ; adding queens, at Royal Agricult-ural Society's Show, in Surrey, substituting boxes for straw hives, 99 ; Ligurian swarm?, dying from confinement, dura- tion of life, do not injure poultrv, flowers for, 100 ; at Daventry. 1 06 ; preparation of wax, depriving stock?, 121 ; '* A Devonfihire Bee- keeper " V, the Times " Bee- master," 140, 102: uniting volun- tarily, conmiencing bee -keepinsr, purchasing stocks and hives, works on. 142. 319, 321, 361, 422; ill-success in bee-keeping, 162; forsaking a stock-hive; depriving, unions, good hives, 163. 164; au- tumnal removiug.arid transferring, 163; selection of queens, small swarms, 184 ; management and food, uniting, honey from combs not full, the season, foul brood, queens in 1862, 205 ; in Surrey, distance of flight, characteristics of Ligurian, borage - sowing for, 2 6; working supers on common hives, stocks from condemned, comb- pruning, autumnal unions, robbing, transpoitiug, 224 ; ad- ding queenci, foul brood, 225 ; Wildman at Dobney's Gardens, 226; comb-pruning. 244; ruin of a new stock. triend mistaken for an enemy, 245 ; are they omnivorous! treatment of weak swarm ; honey dark - coloured, 246; managing on natural system, 265 ; foul brood in Ycrkihire, 266 ; wasps and ivy blossoms ; queen's excursions; comb pUtes, 2S3 ; at Whilworth show, causing swarm to settle, analysis ot excreta, 234; management, 301 ; dark honey, food, Woodbury-hives ; joining Ligurians to common ; foul brood in Yorkshire, 302 ; foul brood, what written about it, 303 ; working hours ; spider and wax moth, 301; book on, 319; boxes and supers, 320; carnivorous; lec- ture on, 321 ; robbed by bees ; ear- wigs in hives, from a distance, 324; uniting queens to, &c., varia- tion in Ligurian, carnivorous, 342; foul brood, 343 ; winter feed- Beer— Continued. Ing, Woodbury and other hives, 344; Woodbury-hive, 361 ; are they carnivorous? uniting queen to; wasps eat, their management, 362; beginning keeping, feeding, 364; Ligurian degenerating, not carnivorous, 382 ; joining Ligurian to common, hive protectors, foul brood, times of swarming, 383 ; management in common hives, 4'>3 ; rectifying irregular combs, variation in Ligurian, joining Ligurians to common, 404; work- ers short-lived, young reversed in cells, apiary in 1864,420; taking honey from common hives, new b-*e-book. caution in operating with, rules for purchasing, 422; not carnivorous, stands fir, 423; removing honey from hives, 424 ; swarming system, carefully feast- ed, 444; open firiving, 463; death of a queen, 464; caution on mild wenther, reglcldal, driving, new book on, breeding Ligurian, re- moving tn a distance, 4St; old comb, foul brood, 50i; regicide among, 521; swarming v. depri- ving, 525 Beet culture. 211 Begonias, potting, 417; ■wintering, 417 Belfast Poultry Show, 58; Botanic Gardens, 133 Bignonia jasminoides not blooming, 158 ; radicans cuUure. 49S Bewley'3, iMr., Kockrille, Dublin, 102 Bindweed killir.g, 218 Bird«--compronfiise with, 333; crop saved bv, 370 ; protecting buds from, 511 Birmingham Rose Show, 27 ; Fruit, Chrysanthemum, and Root Shows, 451,492,510 Birmingham Poultry Show, 401, 441, 458 ; matters relative to, 503 ; Committee, censure on, 520; re- sults. 524 Blindness in Cauliflowers, 16 Bloomsbury Flower Show, 69 Boiler — setting, 137; for stove, 457 ; witlinut brickwork, 480.495 Bolton Greys, 344 Rone;, crushed, as a raanurp, 493 Border, plant'" for a dry, 498 Botanic (pLoyal) Society's Show, 5, 25 Bot om heat— Interrupted, 469; de- ficient. 518 liougainvillfca splenriens, 179 Bouquets, artiflcial, 15 Bowling green, mending, 298 ; making, 338 Box tree, moving, 3i9 Brahma Pootras, 324. 400, 418, 442, 463, 480. 499 ; characteristics, 284 ; at Islington Show, 299, 300; origin of. 3G0, 4io; pullet stag- gering, 504 Bread, preventing bitterness In, 206 Briars, moving budded, 250 Brighton Horticultural Show, 254; Poultry Show, 483 Brussels Sprouts, cathering, 360 Rryn-y-Neuadd, 294 Bude-Haven Poultry Show, 118 Bulbs— forcing, 208, 247; culture, 227 ; for garden decoration, 268, 2S5, 327 Bromeliacete, notes on, 64 Butter, imported and exported, GO Cabbage— GKOWiNQ seed, 35; cul- TiTRE, 240. 277 Caladiums — in greenhouse, 261 ; wintering, 479 Calceolaria cuttings, 337, 378, 416 Calceolarias dying, 16,191; in beds, 94 ; in exposed poor soil, 280 Calf, raising the, 38t Californian large trees, 237 Camellias— buds falling, 369; not opening, 499 ; grafting, 360 ; blooms failing, 441; In cocoa-nut fibre refuse, 457 ; thrips on leaves, 457 Camlin. U9 Campvlobotrys regalis culture, 116; refulgens, 179 Canaries— disordered, 40 ; asthmatic, 464; dull and moulting, 526 Caponising, 266 C.irliead, 123 Carnations— perpetual, 243 ; seaweed as a manure for, 498 Caipets, to clean, 40 Carrots— grubs, 137; crop failing, 441; trenching fur, 478 Caterpillars, 296; on Cabbageworts, 315 Cattle, to prevent jumping, 383 CatteU's Nursery, 312 Cauliflower— blindness In. 16; cul- ture, 33. 240, 296, 397 ; under glass, 515 Cayenne pepper, 197 Celerv — blanching, 19G ; earthing- up,"2l2; culture, 241,253. 296 Cement to exclude air from bottles, 40 Centaurea — candidissimi. sowing, 198; wintering, 221, 279; propa- gating, 279 ; argeiitej, propaga- ting, 243 Cereus he.sagonus, grafting, 116 Chalk soil, CNergreena for. 180 Charcoal-heated stoves, 457 ; fames among plants, 467 Cherry — trees in po^s, 14 ; De Jonghe's Transp.irent, 27 ChicKens — decline in. 19; rearing, 36 ; r. green fly, 51, 86 ; mortality among, 58; pudding, recipe for, 159 Chicory for salads, 397 Chippenham Poultry Show. 462 Chiswick garden, I ; trial bedding plants at. 191 Cbrvsanthemums — stopping, 76; Show at the Agricultural Hall, 409 ; Birmingham, 409; Mr. Salter's 428; Mr, Forsyth s. 429; select list, 440; Bob, 493; childrens* show, 493: not flowering, 498; cuttings, 499 ; done blooming, 517 Churchyard, planting, 360 Cinerarias— seedlings, culture, 15 ; wanted to bloom, 279 ; leaves curling, 479 ; not blooming in large pots, 480; maritiraa propa- gating and wintering, 279 Cissus porpbyrophyUus, 179 City gardening in New York, 105 Clay soil, improving, 95 Clematis— Townsend's seedling, 29; Jackmauni, 215; rubro-violacea, 291 513 CUanthus Dampieri seedlings, 6 Climbers— evergreen, 138; for house walls, 299 ; for conservatory, 440 Clover seed statistics, 35, 76 Cob-uut culture, 485 Coboea scandens not flowering, 479 l^DEX. CochIn-CUina'5. 424 ; points in, 100; legs of, 246; Silver-BufF.s 3Ul; cock, weight, 324 ; meriis, 401 ; diiirrhcoa in, 52G ; at the Birming- ham Show, 501 ; tail of Pdrtiidge cock, 504 Cockatoo eating its feathers, 424 Cocoa-nut fibre refuse for mulching, 229 Coelogyne odoratissima, 111 Coleus VerachaffeUi, wintering, 410, 467 ; Blumei and Vericbatt'elti, wintering, 467 Collirghara Poultry show, 402 Coltsfoot, to eradicate, 158 Compost-heaps, charred, formenting, and turf, 315 Conifers — fast-growing, 21; for sandy soil, 478 Conservatory sliading, 110; healing, 338 ; stag'', 3611 Cooking meats, 60 Cookery again, 1-53 Cooks, coukery, and Wiltsbacon, 323, 423 Co.-n bin, moth in, 20 Corylopsis spicata, HI Cottage gardens, 278 Cottager and how to tenant ihem, 289 *'Cottegc-i'8 Garden Guide," fill Cuttinyhdm Poultry Show, 181 Cotton cake a^ manure, 29S Corent Garden Market. 1-X 35. 55. 76, 94, 115. 136. 157. 17'J, 197. 219, 212. 2eO, 278, 297, 315 338. 358, 379. 399, 417. 440. 45G, 478. 495. 517 Cows robbed of milk. 019, 342,3t>I; t»clf-milkeJ, 424, 414; jumping, 464 Ci(;»e Cocur fowls, 4S3 OriuuiiiB not hloomiiicr, 399 Cra.np in chickens, ISl Crocuses— culture, ^70; list of, 221 ; forcing. 248 ; at Christinas. 2K0 Crvatal P'lace Hose r>how, 4 ; Gar- dens, iy5; Show. 211 Cackona, 142, food for, 183; winter* ing, 204, 265 Cucumber— dijcase, Ti, 35 ; and re- medies 131; gum in. 94; dying, 95; Snake, not setting Iruit, 187; mildew, 137; pit or houee, 158; culture. 253; pit, heatine, 360; pollen preserving, 360 ; large crop, 411 ; house, hot-water pipes for, 479; in winter, 241; in dung-beils, 467 Currants—new, 27 ; best varieties, 68; on trellises, 296 Cut*ines of various plants, 280 Cyanotic-! nodiUora, 291 Oyinbidium tigrinum, 51 Cypripedium caricinum, 215 Dahlia glabrata, 370 Dandelion* for salads, 397 Darlingtoii Pouttr>' Show, 480 Datura arboreu, cutting back, 298 Deane Poultry Show, 201 Delphinium Brunonianum, 111 Dendrobiums — marginatum, 51 ; eburneuin. 111 ; noOatum, 291 ; lifter bloomiug, 31G; JAponicum, 513 Derby Poultry Show, 263 Derbyshire, absence of cottngc gar- dening in north, 473 Dewsburr Poultry Show, 199 Dibbling," 54 DickRon & Sons' Chester Nursery, 288. 430 Dinorbeu House, 435; fountains, &c , at, 514 Dioucious plants, remarks r^ some, 253 Disd arandiflori superba. 513 Dominique fowls, 37, 1.S2 Dorking cock — bumble-footed, 20: wheezing, 100; weight of, 266; feet swollen. 304 Driffield Poultry Show, 119 Drought and Its conaequences, 177 Dry weather and watering, 143 Ducks— asiuming drake's plumnge, 119; wild, preventing Hying, 184 ; plumnge of Mack, 304; Uouen's logs, 341 • murder among, 463 ; biil and legs of B.ack Indian, 464; lavinsr bad egga, 484 Ducklinga — dying, 20 ; rearing, 36 Dudley Hill Poultry Show, 202 Durdham Down, jottings on, IS KkI., an AOl^D, 122 ligga— import Jticn of, 57, 526; white- spotted, 184; packing for trans- port, 266; unfertile, 344 Elder, propagating variegated, 457 Elephant's foot, 158 EUesmere Poultry Show. 282 Emigrating to New Zealand, 242, 371, 392 Endive cnlture, 397 Entomoloeical Society'^ Meeting, 32.92, 174, 255. 33:. 437, 513 Enville Hall, 353, 373, 39S; vinery at, 499 Epistpphiura Williamsii, 513 Eranthemum Cooptri, 215 Eriocnciua marmorea, 179 fclrythroniam culture, 285 Eppalters, wood v. iron, 417 Evergreens — removing and plaTiling, 259 ; branches in winter flower- beds. 316 Evidences of progress, 106 Eye, f Uiication ot, 112, 238 Experiences of a country parson, 144 Eyes and no eyes, 174 FANCtEH, RECOLLECTIONS OF AN OI.P, 363 Farfngiam, wintering, 417 Ferguson— Mr. D., death of, 25 ; Mr. W. H., appointed Curator of Bel- fast Botanic Gardens, 133 Ferns — sowing spores, ISn, 198; drying Hpecimen. 179 ; hardy, how I collected and cultivated, 267, 325, 365, ^05, 474, 486; in higher tem- perature, 311 ; moving common, 339; potting, 417, 499 ; replanting under gl'iss, 441 ; British for ex- hibition, 440; for glas6-case/440 Feverfew sowing, 77 Figs-cultnre. 55, 75. 296,439; and packing. 55 ; tree throwing its fruit, 131; trees, managing, 359 ; protecting, 399 ; for back wall of vinery, 400; Singleton or White Ischia. 439, 511 ; in orchard-house, 94, 250 Filberts— pruning, 191 ; storing, 258, 279 ; culture, 485 Finlayson, J., deceased, 89 Fire too powerful, 10 Flower shows— remarks on, 145 ; our metropolitan, 168; improving our. 229 Flower-beds, raised, 260 ; garden- ing in 1864, 275; for garden deco- ration in winter and spring, 30C, 345, 36a, 367, 385, S9'>; garden pluns. 30, 236, 474; farming, 352 Fountains, 332 Fowls— useful, 206; washing plu- mage of, 206, 384, 484; for profit, 404 ; eating walnut husks. 444 ; preventing their raids, 480; for cold wet district, 524 Frarae-lights, 230; double-glazed, 350 Franciscca to free from thrips, 116 Frame Poultry Show, 340 Froct in August, 192 Foxglove taten by cattle (?), 15 Fruit, new, 27 ; raising seedling, 65; maturing of, 512; under glass *'. that on walls, 6 ; time for guthering, 176; garden, forming, 198; trees, protecting, 198; dwar', msmagement. 291 ; planting, 314, 496, 498 ; on east wall, 499; room management 407 Fnchsia — stopping, 35 ; Cloth of Gold, 51; buds falling, ISO; red spider on, IbO ; drying, 399; win- tering, 360 Fumigatrng imparts flavour to fruit, 14 Furze, propagating, 479 Gallkry, surub FOR,4i0 Galvaniaed netting, its effect on flowers, 148 Game fovrln, Red-breasted Duck- >vingeil, 101; at Islington Show, SOU; cock's tail, fluff at base, 414; cockerel crowing, 52G Gape.-. 184 GnrcJening under difficulties, 87 Gardens — visiting distant, and how to see them, 129; produce of a gentleman's and a market, 74 Gardener's Royal Benevolent Anni- versary, 28 Gardeners benefited by travelling, 01 Garlic— culture, 35 ; planting. 415 Gas— heating by, 50, 479, 517; in greenhouee, 55; tar inside boxes, 380 GenethylUs fimbriaia, 215 Geraniums— bedding, 71,85, 159, 19^, 216, 221 ; propagating, 71. 85, 166, 219; selecr, 116; Beaton's, 233; Scarlet, plantinc-out and plunging, 115; qualifications of tor bedding, 165, 2dl ; select variegated, 159; Golden Fleece, 159; autumn pro- pagation, 166; planting-out, 167; in Dots and planted out, 137 ; Cloth of Gold failing. 198 ; cuttings, 219; autumn treatment, 279 ; Ma- dame Vaucher, Cloth of Gold, and Golden Chain. 253. 293 ; Zonale, classed list of, 3G5, 330; wintering, 243, 316, 360, 416 German paste, 404 Gesnera flov/ers falling, 417 Gishurst compound v* American bli«ht, G2 Gladi(dn9 — manceuvre with, 238 ; exhibiting. 250; taking up bulbs, 220, 498; pnccessful, 271; plant- ing, 457 ; Eleanor Nurman, 513 Glasgow Pigeon and Canary Show, 443 Glazing, double, 517 Gloucestershire Bird Show, 402 Gloxinias — in vinery, 317 ; winter- ing, 479 Gnaphalium lanatum, 399 Gold fish breeding, 164 Goldfinch — beak elongating, 164 ; lice on, 424 Gooseberries, 85 ; a few show, 61 ; se- lect show, 63; and CuiTants, &c., in kitchen garden, 76 ; on trellises, 296 ; green fly on, 517 ; shows, 150 Gooseberry caterpillar o. "White Hellebore, Fur7.e, Garlic, Tan, and Broom, 46; destroying, 12; sawfly propagation, 91 Goose— breeding, 59; distinguishing from gander, 284, 344 ; young, laying, 424 ; giddy, 444 Grape growers, American, 274 Grapes— Muscat, 29; varieties set- tled, 188 ; nnt ripening, 261 ; Black Prince, 4">; spotted, 66, 380 ; shri- velling, 76. 198; growing large bundles, 76 ; blotched, 77 ; mil- dewetl, 116; at Carhead, 128 ; not colouring, 137, 357 ; shanking, 279 ; failure ot Black Frontignan, 297 ; Trentham Black, 410, 473, 514 ; Chasselas Vibert, 411; Trentham Black and Chasselas Vibert, 426; admitting air to, 316; for late vinery, 480 ; at Coombe Abbey, 455 Grasses— ornamental, 123; annual, and culture, 171 Grease spots, &c., removing, 284 Green fly, destroying.H Greenhouse — to supply conserva- tory, 77; building, 146; and stove, a cheap, 148 ; for Vines, Peaches, and plants, 187 ; heating, 192, 316 ; stove for, 77, 220 ; heating a small 261; heating from kitchen boiler, 293 ; removable, 209 ; facing Borth, 316 ; ventilation, 457 ; bad smell in, 479 ; plants management, 297 ; evergreens for inside back wall, 35 Grievance, a gardener's, 158 Grubs, 295; at the greens, 1 76, 191 Quano water, 159; for evergreens, 400 Guinea fowl* in trees, 424 Gypsum, use of, 15 Haolev Hall, 509 Halifax Poultry Show, 200 llambnrgbs— Silver-pencilled cock's tail, 384, 424 ; fowls, are they pro- fitable, 419; in south of England, 420 ; hackle of Silver-pencilled, 341 ; Spftng!ed pullets' feathers, 484; early brood of, 504; profit- able, 518; characteristics of Black, 520 Handsworth Horticultural Society's rules. 492, 510 Haslingden Poultry Show, 119 Hautbois, derivation of name, 95, 109 Heaths, culture. 15 ; shifting, 499 Heating — by stove, 103 ; from a kitchen boiler, 498 Hedge trimmer, 216 Hedgehogs sucking cows, 301 Hens, eating their eggs, 142, 444. 484; eating each other's feathers, 464 Herbarium, insects in, to destroy, 457 Hibiscus Cooperi, 179 Hives, Marriott's, 184 Holly hedge unthrifty, 77 Hollies— not thriving, 242; moving, 339 Hollyhocks — new, 147, 148; win- tering, 417 Honey, keeping, 204 Horticultural (Royal) Society's Chis- ■wick Garden, 1 ; Kensington Gar- den, 62 ; Show, 23, 210, 328, 470 ; Kose Show, 2 ; Show ot New Plants, 169 ; Chrysanthemum Show, 391 ; Floral Committee, 3, 24, 67, 147, 232, 2M, 271, 310. 391, 471 ; Fruit Committee, 25, 68, 148. 190, 251, 272,471; intended Straw- berry Fete, &c , 42; lecture on the Rose, 66; Sir J. Paston on its Exhibiliuns, 12G; "Proceedings,'* 127; and it* flower shows, 145; decay. 425; man.igeinent, 450; special general meeting, 488 Horticultural prizes, and for whit they should be given, 169 Horticultural shows; hints for pro- vincial. 309 Horticultural society, a national one well-managed, 238 Horseradish culture, 478 Hot-water apparatus, water boiling over, 70 1 Hothouse near the sea, 149 Hotbeds, remarks on, 155 ; a farmer s, 154 Hottentot's Bread, 158 Hoya culture, 15; earnosa culture, 339 Hyacinths— rules for growing in glasses, 172; for forcing, 208; in pots, 227; in glasses and baskets, 228 ; culture. 285 ; in water, 299 ; how grown for prizes, 411 Hybridismg, 242 Hvdrangea (variegated) cuttings, '379 Ice, 51G; houses and _^ ice heaps, HINTS FOR MAKING, 47 Illinois cnltivators, 3S2 " HiustraCed Bouquet." 450 Indian gardening, 127 ; seeds sow- ing, 441 Insects, destroying, 199 Iris Madamoiselle Patti, 112; forc- ing, 24S; culture, 328 Iresine Heibstii, 414 Ishngton Poultry Show, 341 ; Judges, 56, 77; prize list errors, 300 Ismene calathinum pottin;^ 380 Ivy — detached from a wall, 179; propagating, 221 ; not poisonous to sheep, 266; on an Oak, 359; for edgings, 473 Ivery & Son's Nursery, 8 Ixias— forcing, 248; culture, 328; planting, 457 Jacoexa Lily, 359; uardy, 198 Japanese plants and culture, 372 Jonquil forcing, 248 Jottings, 116, 188 Judging poultry, rules for, 79 K*T>GANG,417 Kalanchoe grandiflora, 111 Keighley Poultry Show, 222 Kent Poultry Show, 533 Kew Gardens, Sir J. W. Hooker's Report on, 107 Kidney Beans, forcing, 258 Kilskeery Gardening Society, 213 Kitchen garden, changing site of, 70 Knotty point, 264 Laboue, lessening in flowee GAaOENS, 116 Lapageria rosea culture, 35 Latimers, 333, 347 Laurel cuttings, 220, 261 Lawn — panelled, 45 ; mossy, 56 ; weed on a, 76 ; sowing. 95 ; Seven Years' History of, 101 ; mowing in winter, 359 Leather-coat Grub, 191 Leaves, collecting, 456 INDEX. VIL Leeds Horticultural Show, doubt at, 4 ; Poultry Show, 502 Leg -weakness in fowls, 266, 314; of cock ulcerated, 526 Leicestershire and AValtham Poultry Show, 118 Leigh Poultry Show, 243 Leopard's Bane culture, 512 LeschenauUia culture, 15 Lettuce culture, 218 Light, influence on insects, 173 Lily culture, 359 Lilies ot the Valley forcing, 416 ; not blooming, 457 Liliuras — wintering, 399 ; lancifo- liura in a window, 260; culture, 359, 393, 431 Limnantbes grandiflora powing, 457 Linnsea borealis culture, 449 Linseed oil-cake, as a manure, 418 Linum flavum, autumn-transplant- ing. 221 ; Macraei and Chamia- sonis, 291 Liquid manure, evaporating, 56 Liverpool Botanic Gardens, 170, 252 Lobelia— pink-flowered, 198; Gor- donii, 518 Long Sutton Poultry Show, 318 Love Birds dying, 444 MaCLEVNIA — SPECrOSISBIMA, 51; PDLCHR.A, 215 Mald6tone Gardeners' Mutual Im- provement Association, 369 Malay fowlp, 96 Manchester Gooseberry Show, 150 ; Poultry Show, 520 Mangold Wurtzel and Swedes grow- ing alternately, 427 Market gardening— to learn, 137 ; commencing, 18o Marking fowls, 246 Marlborough, a few days at, 233 Wasdevallia civilis, 413 Maurandya Barclay ana wintering, 299 Meadow or clay soil. 220 Mealy Bug, destroying, 417 Medinilla magnifica, 179 Medlar seedlings, 469 Mtconopsis aculeata, 51 Melon culture— soil, planting out, ailing, watering, fruit setting, 22 ; shedding fruit, 36 ; wateiing, train- ing, pruning, renewing growth, 42 ; succession, supply, fermenting materials, economising heat, se- cond crop, shading, 62-4 ; cracking, *J5\ culture, 22, 114, 274, 293, 412, 494 ; frames and pits for, 110, 132, 133 ; pits for, 194 ; water, 137 ; hot-water pits for, 152; pit and vinery, 158; not setting, 219; pit drain', 220; seed, old r. new, 230; shrivelling. 261; late, 511 Miconia pulveruk-nta, 179 Micranthella Candollei, 51 Middleton Poultry Show. 264, 282 Miniulus — striking cuttings, 116; cupreus flowers eaten, 16 ; cul- ture, 220 ; luteus rar. cupreus, 414 Minley Manor, 433 Mietletoe on the Oak, 73 Monochcetum ensiferuiu leaves shri- veUing, 498 Jlonraouth Poultry Show, 341 Morlcy Poultry Show, 263 Moss, to remove, 158 Mulching, 53 Muea Cavendishii culture, GG Mushrooms, culture, 116, 218, 258, 277, 337, 440; beds out of doors, 137; beds, 197; bed in a frame, 298; forcing, 477; growing mon- ster, 257 ; in London cellars, 859 Myrsiphylluni aspuragoides culture, 316 Narcissus, forcing, 247; cutTrHT:, 286 Nasturtium propagation, 316 Nectarines, period of ripening in orchard - houses, 125 ; on west aspect. 316; not ripening, 456 Nepenthes disiillatonri rci-tmg, 380 New Zealand- eardenera emigrating to, 242, 371, 392; garden require- ments for, 352 Newca3tle-on-T> ne Poultry Show. 78 Newmillerdam Poultry Show, 139 New York, eity gardpning in, 105 Nice, Society centrale d'Agriculture, &C.4 253 North British Columbarian Show, 523 Northwieh Gooseberry Show, 150 Nopegaya. preserving, 86 Notice to quit service, 298 Oak paling, staining, 498 Occupations, changing, 49, 68 Onions, maggotted, 76 ; storing, 196 ; culture, 277 Orange seedling, to blossom, 279 Orchard -house. My. 1, 43, 84, 125, 188, 207, 249, 287. 448 Orchard-bouses, 153, 337,452; pro- duce, 62, 86, 512; glass for, 77; experience of, 170, 190 ; in Guern- sey and Herts. 83; in the north, 105 ; Mr. Kivers's and Mr. Pear- son's, 130 ; at Great Marlow, 256, 313; t?. walls, 250; lean-to, 271; erecting, 290; routine, 296 ; trees, 308, 313; top-dresaing and pot- ting, 259 ; pruning, 293 Oichavd ot three acres, planting, 3V7 Orchids and Grapes in same house, 189; packlne for importation, 195, 209, 233; packing Phalse- nopsis, Sophronitis, and Burling- tonia, 252 ; for plant case, 399 ; in flower in November, 430 "Orchidaceous Plan's, Select." 289 Ormskirk and Southport Poultry Show, 160 Ornamental trees and shnibs, 445 Ornaraental-foliaged plants, 479 Ornlthogalum thyrsoides, 51,280 Ornithologv, 122 Owston Poultry Show, 182 Pansv— ITS NAMES. 371 ; John McNab Mrs.Dombraio, Mrs. R.Dean, and Mrs. Scott, 215 Parke and Pleasure Grounds, ex- penses of Royal, 107 Paris, notes from, 44, 350 Parroquete, taming, 526 Parson, experiences of a country, 167 Partridges in a town, 504 Passlon-Flower. pruning, 498 Paul & Sons Nursery, Cheshunt, 209 Paul's, W., Nureery, 272 Peaches— under glass at Bradford, 45; period of ripening in orchard- houses. 125 ; Mr. Radclyffe's, 168 ; in orchard-house, 207; spotted, 220; for market, 221 ; in America, 255; Belle de Dou^, 159; Ex- quisite, Early Albert, 152 ; Mon- strueuse de Doud, 257 ; on west aspect, 316 ; larce crop of, 348, 379, 388 ; New American at An- gers, 429; Canary and Honey, 511; trees, management of, 145; repotting, 192; catting down old, 276; manuring, 427; scale, 17, 35 ; planting in a greenhouse, 457; in pots and maiden trees, management of, 472; pruning, 480 ; house, construction, 279, heating. 392, trees for, 56; rou- tine, 296 Pears— grub on tree, 76 ; Fondante de Cuerne, 128; Easter Beurre, 220 ; Coneeiller de la Cour, 312 ; Vicar of Winkfield, 414 ; Beurr^ de Ranee, 418 ; tree hidebound cured, 261 ; removing dwarf, 2G1 ; on quince stocks, 313 ; for espaliers, 316; pyramidal, 316; preventing fall of, 331; culture, 369; dwarf, 377 ; sis for wall, 380 ; large speci- men, 348 ; choice 352 ; trees dis- eased, 499; for Thorn stocks, 510 Peas— and sticks for, 13 ; mildewed, 35 ; for seed, 116 ; raising earlv, 467, 490 Pelargoniums— stopping, 35; Anne Page, Edear Turner, 112; select fancy, 159: United Italy, 215; British Sailor and John Hoyle, 291 ; seedlings, wintering, 261 ; new greenhouse described, 506 Pent.stfDions Princess of Wales and Attraction, 513 Poru, culture of its soil, 91 Petunias — dwarfing, 220 ; propaga- ting double, 260 Pheasant hen assuming mule plu- mage, 37 Pheasants, Golden, 284 Phlox Drumnfiondi, dwarfing, 220 Picea amabilis imthrifty, 230 Pig destroying fowls, 241 Pigeons— Antwerp, 59; management, 97; at Newcastle-on-Tyne Exhi- bition, 97, 183; canker in; sett- ling in a new home, 120 ; Tumblers dying, 122; at Newcastle-upon- Tvne and Darlington Sbows, 13S, 162, 203 ; food for, 161 ; Tumblers not flying, 365; Laced Fantails, 364; training high-flying Tumb- ler, 444; Satinette, 463, 524; Turbit affected with cold, 526 Pine Apples — many-crowned, 77 ; removing suckers, 316; bottom- heat for, 360 ; scale, 95 Pinery routine. 296 Pinuses. digRing round, 137 Pipes— hot- water, coating for 379; in open giOund. 455 Pits-heating. 220, 457, 518; con- structing, 299 Planting and transplanting. 505 Platycerium stemmaria, 35 Plum— leaves diseased, 16; trees blighted, 76; Green G^ige unfruit- Iiil, 76, removine, 159; dwarf, 330; six choice, 379 Plumage, black turned white, 3G1 Pocklington Poultry Show, 2u3 Poinsettia pulcherrima, culture. 159 ; dying, 479; propagating, 517 Porch, evergreen for, 158 Potatoes- Royal Aahleaf, 111 ; crop- ping ground after, 137 ; storing. 159 ; supplving London with, 238 ; produce, 352. 452, 472; pits, 258; Hand's Freedom, 359; cropa in Ireland, 371; varieties for varioub modes of culture, 465 Poultry— season, the present, 20; judging, 36, 56 ; keeping success- fully. 57, 118 ; at Linton Park, 67 ; pride in, 59; shows deficient in the south, 221; in a small enclo- sure, 243; judging, 244; show, metropolitan, 262 ; sweepstakes, trial about, 254; judges, 283, 381, 418, 457 ; shows north and south, 300, 419 ; Shows in the south, 339, 880,401,403; feeding, 344; keep- ing from a commercial point of view, 501, 518; weights of. 503; shows, why simultaneous ? 520 Poultry Club, 138; Show, Judges at, 13, 36, 56, 77; Meeting, 317, 461 Primula— farioosa culture, 331 ; ni- valis and cortusoides culture, 449 Protecting materials, 516, 517 Pudsey Poultry Show, 203 Pyracantbiv pruning, 499 Pyramid beds, 472 Pyrethrums, Annie Holborn, Ful- gons plenissima, and Nemesis, 215 Quick hedge thin at bottom, 339 Rabbits— HUTCHES for, 120 ; losing, hair ; ears falling to one side, 121 ; indications of their age, 122; re- collections of an old fancier, 203 ; Patagonian, &c., 204 Railway charges for poultry, 418, 444 Ranunculus culture, 327 Raspberries, in dry soil, 137 ; un- fruitful, 480 Red spider, destroying, 9, 261,493 Reed Hall, 310 ; Roses at, 311 Renanthera Lowii, 413 Reptile, monster, 122 Retinospora obtusa culture, 512 Rhododendrons— watering, 77; Prin- cess Alice, 112 ; Princess Helena, 414 ; seedlings, 220 ; mulching, 229 ; leaves, holes in, 330 ; stocks, 457 ; soil for, 457 Rhubarb— forcing, 477 ; to preserve, 142 Ribbon-border — at Putter idgebury, 94 ; planting, 220 Ridging light soil, 440 Ripon Poultry Show, 57 Rochdale Poultry Show, 181 Roekville, 102 Rockery, flowering plants for, 242 Rooks, 97, 121 Root-pruning out of doors, 259 Rosery, 338 Roses— on their own roots, 16 ; mil- dewed, 16 ; lore (1864), 44 ; leaves, drying, 35 ; Kev. W. !■'. Radclyffe's lecture oc, 66; at Christmas, 76 ; leaves blotched, 76; pruning, 95; Roses— Continued. Lord Macaulay, 112 ; King's Acre, 179,291; Alba rosea, 215; Charles Lefebvre, 493; select, compost for, 116 ; culture in pots, 137 ; propa- gating Manetti stocks, 137 ; ele- gant mulching for, 195; budding Manetti, 19!1 ; Moss over-luxuviant, 220 ; Manetti stocks, 221; i liia year, 232 ; standard, 242 ; to blooiu at ChristmaP, 260; White Per- petual described, 290; bed«, pre- paring, 298 ; cuttings, potting, 316; white, 325; pruning climb- *ing, 339; treatment of budded, 33y; new, 87, 346, 349, 408, 426; Committee on proposed, 34S ; past, present, and future. 38S; pillar in conservatory, 410 ; in the north of Scotland, 436; seed sowing. 441; budding on the Blackberry, 456, 470; suitable to the North, 468; gratting on Manetti, 499 Ruellia culture, 15 SaL-X SnOOT FASCICULATED, 243 Salvia argentea, 46 Sand (pit) for potting, 359 Saponnria, dwarling, t20 Sarracenia Drummondi, 112 Saverniike House, 234 Sasifragd Fortuni, 513 Scale, destruction of, 490 Scarborough Poultry Show, 182 Scarlet Runner culture, 314 Scilla culture, 285 Sea-kale at Christmas, 279; forc- ing, 477,493 Season, lessons taught by this dry, 192 Seat, Whittlesey's locomotive, 90 Seaweed for Asparagus-beds, 4J7 Seeds, sowing various, 359 Selaginella denticulata, cause of failure, 46 Selby, &c.. Poultry Show, 37 Sewage, house, its value and mode of application, 508 Shallots — maggotted, 76 ; planting, 415 Shot in fowls' crops, 304 Slirubs— for a division hedge, 221; flowering, for winter garden, 315 Sileae acaulis culture, 450 Skeletonising leaver, 8, 29 Skylark food, 404 Smith's Nurseries, Worcester, 369 Smith's Nursery, Dulwich, 3S9 Smoke, its efl'ects on vegetation, 106 Soooky localities, plants for, 11 Snaith Poultry Show, 58, 100 Snowdou, wild plants found on, 152 Snowdrop— forcing, 248 ; at Corist- mas, 260; culture, 269 Societies, small local scientific, 72 Soldanella alpina culture, 449 Somerford Park, 453 Southampton Bird Show, 463, 4S3 Spanish— chickens' combs, 100 ; pul- lets moulting, 404 Sparaxis— culture, 328; failing, 359;. forcing, 248 ; planting, 457 Sparkenhoe Poultry Show, 222 Spinach, New Zealand, 370 Spring-blooming hardy plants, 242 Squirrel in confinement, 344, 404 Stand for a window, 137 Stenocarpus Cunninghami, 339 Stocks, Intermediate, sowing, 220 Stoke Newington Chrysanthemum- Show, 391 Stove and greenhouse, a cheap, 148 Stoves, heating by, 103 Strawberries — Royal Hautbois, 11,. 71 ; Bijou, and Souvenir, 11 ; Royal Hautbois, Lucas, Boisselot, Bijou, Lord Clyde, 31 ; La Con- stante, 62 ; new, John Powell, 31, 104; Ingram's Rifleman, The Pre- sident, 104 ; Princess of Wales, Sir Joseph Paxton, 105; clay for beds^ 16; mildew, 16; rooting runners, 54; on chalky soil, 55; estimate of sorts, 84; beds, making, 95;. planting, 221 ; this year, 231 ; plants, reforcing, 249; culture, 296,497; trade of Aberdeen, 329; Alpine culture, 159, 389 ; potting for forcing, 399 Strulhiopteris germanica, 280 Succulent plants, culture of, 135 Sulphur— paint for fruit trees, 440; I', red spider. 472 Sultan fowls, 181 vm INDEX. Sunderland ard Newcaitle Ornitho- lORicnl Society, 142 Sundwrland Pigeon Show, 3^1 Sweepstrtkee, trial about, 183 Sweet Waee, 35 Sweet Willitira varieties, 414 Tacsowia manicata not blooming, 168 Tatretes eignata puraila as a bctMer, 4rt8 Tan, fungus in, lfi8 Teriaeeii, planiintr, 399 Thladiantba dubia, 291 Tliom stocks, Fearw for, 510 Thripo, 176; on Halsam leaves, oti; on Vine. 95; destroying, '261; on Feins, 440 Todmorden Botanical Societv, 132, 232, 331 Tomatoes— planting. 56; sauce, 324, 3G4, 384 Tong Poultry Show, 182 Tredegar Poultry (Show, 522 Tredennick, J. Esq., his garden at Caralin, 149 Trees— in plea u re groundsnotsutti- ciently vari^.d. o\, PH; shrubs tor growing beneath, 479 Trellises in stoves, plants for, 432 Trichomanes raditans culture, 260 Trichinium Manglesii, 291 Tritoma uvaria, 283 ; lailure, 270 ; culture, 311 Tiitonia culture, 328, 339, 410; planting, 457 Tropccoluni speciopum culture, 220; elegans culture, 399 Tuberose culture, 479 Tulips— compost for, 95 ; forcing. 247 ; culture and list, 286 Tunbridge Wells Poultry Show, 317 Turf soil, 132 Turkeys with swollen heads. ISi Tyldesley Poultry Show, 362 Upas tree, 298 Urcfolina penduln, 215 •* Utilization of Minute Life," 173 Uttoxeter Poultry Show, 2fi2 Vallota purpurka. 116 Vegetables running to seed, 13S Ventilating, 90, 261 Verandah trellis, climbers for, 359 Verbenas — propagating, 135; best purple, 316 ; obtaining a stock of, 479 Veronica Hulkeana, 513 Vinery— construction, 116: heating, 138; with Melon-pit, 158; andCu- cuuiber-house henting, 220; rou- tine. 29G ; The Ground, 369 ; gl i.-^s for, 441; furnace, 469; profits of, 512; late. 518 Vines— syringing, 14, 35; in pots, 15, 16, 440,498 ; under sashes, &c., 16 ; leaves rough beneath, 35 ; in a pit, 35 ; altering mode of prun- ing, 95; border, covering, 116, 441; Ecperione, as a stock, J 70; shoots diseased, 179; renovating, 220; for a cool vinery, 136, 261, 317 ; stocks for grafting, 159 ; n-d spider on, 191; Hampton Court, 198; with Camellias, forc- ing, 221 ; in pots, forcing, 221 ; in Canada, 250; bone-dust for, 262 ; in balcony vinery, 279 ; in pots failed, 299 ; moving into greenhouse ; fruiting in pots ; roots in greenhouse, S16; from eyes r. layers ; planting old small ; ViNKS— Continued, planted in side and outside, 327; inarched, 338 ; not; breaking well, 338; mildewed, 359; roots in tan, 359; for orchard-house, 365; not thriving, border widening, 379; fruited in pots in 1S64, 387 ; plant- ing, 399; from eves. 400; sewage for, 417; unfruitf.ll, 418; plant- in. 427 ; improving old, 430 ; back- wall 1'. rafters for, 431 ; for green- I house. 440; in an orchard-house, 449, 493; grafting, 499; in pots, forcing, 516 ; charcoal for, 517 ; unfruitful, 518 Virginian Stock, transplanting, 399 Visits to gardens public and private, 102 Viiis Bainesii, 291 ; macropus, 414 Wagks, 198 Wakefield Poultry Show. 160 Wall-fruit trees for midland counties, 400 Walks, washing and weeding, 456 Wallflower. Graham's Yellow Per- fection, 51 Walnuts, preserving. 260, 261, 398, 332 Walls— trees, insects on. 192; fruit trees for low, 261 ; Foxley's corru- eated, 275 Wasps — destroying, 157, 206; t'. bees, 183 ~ Water— as an ornamental feature, 88 supply of, 93 ; cooling in hot wea- ther, 133; reservoirs for, 177 j in Herts. 189 Watering, 17s ; pnt plants, 135; in dry weather, 143; barrow. 111 Water Lily, white, planting. 299 Water Melon culture, 137 Watsonias, planting, 457 Weeds, eradicating, 196 Week, work for, 12, 32, 52, 73, 92, 113, 133, 156, 176. 195, 217, 239, 257, 276, 295, 313, 336, 356, 377, 397, 414, 438. 455, 476, 495. 515; doings of last, 13, 33, 53. 74, 93, 114, 134, 156. 177, 196, 217, 240, 258, 277, 295, 314, 337, 357, 377, 397, 415, 438, 456. 476, 496, 515 Welli>onia gigantea, 473; culture, 15; in California, 238 Whitley Abbey, 474 Wild fowl, food for, 100 Wild plants— culture of, 13G; on Snowdon, 152 Williams's Victoria Nursery, 174 Winter Cherry, propagating, 293 Wintering plants without artificial heat, 511 Wire edging, 77 Wire netting for protecting fruit trees, 136 Wirral Poultry Show, 202 Wood Pigeons destructive to Goose- berry bushes, 109 Woodstock Poultry Show, 281 Woolhope Naturalist's Field Club 72 Worcestershire Poultry Show, 318 Worms— ground impervious by, 242; in pots, 298; heapB oa a lawn, 497 YlCLLOW-FLOWEKED STOVE PLAlITa, S79 Yews— plants under, 339; hedge injured by drought, 359; tree poisonous, 383 Yorkshire Agricultural Society's Poultry Show, 139, 482 Yorkshire Pomologlcal Society, 42i^ WOODCUTS. PAGE. Apples, bush trees 293 Ucc-hive, a good 164 ., Adjuster and Bar 320 Hece, Inverted Bottle-feeder for 364 I*oiler, Pruffi's 495 I Conservatory, Mr. Williams's New 175 „ at Enville 375 Enville Hall Fruit-houses 354, 355 ,, Plan of Grounds 374 „ Conservatory 375 ,, Sea-hoise Pool 394 Flower-garden Plana 3D, 236, 335, 434, 454, 474 Fountain, liebc 514 l-'oxley's CoiTUgated Brick Walls 27.'i Funiace, a Vinery 469 Gas-heating 50 Grafting the Vine 499 Heating 10,60, 70 Hot- Water Apparatus 10 70 Hedge Trimmer 216 Ice-HouscB ^ 47 Latimcvs, Ground Outline 334 „ Flower Garden 335 Melon Pruning and Training 49I PAOE. Melon Beds, Pits, and Houses 110, 132, 133, 152. 153, 194, 274, 293 Minley Manor Flower Garden 434 Orchard-houae at Great Marlow 25C Pears, mode of preventing their fall 381 Pine Stove at Enville 355 Poultry, Floor of Run 502 „ Drinking Fountain 502 „ Feeding Trough 602 „ Feeding Fountain 502 ,, Earthenware Nest 618 ,, Hatching-room 519 ,, Home and Vinery &19 ,, Netting-in their Run 520 Somerford Park, Flower Garden 454 Strawberry, Rivera's Royal Hautbois H ,, House at Enville , 354 Ventilating Plant Structures 91 Vine, Grafting 499 Vinery, Furnace 469 Wall Case at Enville Hall 355 Watering Barrow » HI Wedge for Air-giving 22 Whitley Abbey 475 Whittlesey's Locomotive Seat 90 July 5, 1864. ] JOURNAL OF HOKTICTJLTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. WEEKLY CALENDAR. °o7 Day of JtJLI 5-11, 1864. Average Teinper.ature near Loudon. Kain in last 37 years. Sun Rises. Sun Sets. Moon Rises. Moon Sets. Moon's Age. Clnck bef.ire Day of Year. M'nth Week. Day. Night. Mean. Days. m. h. ID. h. m. h. m. h. Dl. s 5 Tu 77.3 51.0 612 16 52af 3 17af8 37 5 38 8 1 4 13 187 6 W 76.1 51.2 636 16 53 3 16 8 41 6 4 9 2 4 28 188 7 Th Smooth Meidow Grass ripe. 73.S 51.7 62 6 20 54 3 16 8 45 7 28 9 3 4 38 189 8 F YouDK Partridges fledged. 74.1 60.2 621 19 65 3 15 8 48 8 1 49 9 4 4 47 190 9 S Everlasting Pea flowers. 73.7 fiO.l 61.9 17 56 3 14 8 52 9 1 9 10 5 4 6S 191 10 7 Sdndat after Triniti. 744 50.7 62 5 15 67 3 13 8 56 10 29 10 6 5 .5 192 11 M Wild Basil flowers. 74.6 51.1 62.9 10 58 3 12 8 after. 52 10 7 5 13 193 g the last thirtv-seven years, the avera£?e day temperatare of the week is 74.8 ^. and it night temperatar 5 50.9°. The greatest heat was 97° on the' 5th, 1S52 ; and the lowest cold, 36°, on the 7th, 1860. The greatest all of rain was j 1.07 Inch. 1 THE CHISWICK GAEDEN OF THE KOYAL HOETICULTIJEAL SOCIETY. ONDAY, the 27tli of June, was a great day foi' the old garden at Cliis,wick ; andno one came away from it 'without a feel- ing of regret and indignation at the neglect with which it is treated by the present management of the Society. No one could walk amongst the ornamental trees now attained to a noble growth, and now showing fully the taste which dictated their arrangement, without expressing the anger that is felt for men who are lavishing thousands of pounds upon the gew-gaw garden at South Kensington, whilst upon these noble grounds at Chiswick the same management declared that the Society could not spare " ten pounds " more ! The fact makes one pause in writing the words, and think a second time whether such a perversion can be, and that the horticultural Fellows do not gather together and resolve that such a perversion shall not be. It would be no idle resolve, be it remembered ; but we believe that they hesitate, hoping that the management will take to a course more consistent with the objects of a Horticultural Society. Among these objects is the increase of a knowledge of fruits and their cultivation — and at Chiswick the Society has to operate with the most complete collection of Apples, Pears, and Grape Vines that exists in Europe. Its noble vinery and the excellence of the Vines within it are worth a day of railway travelling to inspect. To be able to exhibit all this, and much more which we need not detail, was a triumph for the Chis'wick Garden, for every one of the fifteen hundred who visited it that day felt how it towered above its disproportion- ately pampered competitor at Kensington. That number — 1500 visitors — should speak with a trumpet tongue a lesson to the Society's managers. Of that number, 1360 ^ were Fellows of the Society and their friends. Wow, if this Strawberry Fete had been advertised as the fetes at Kensington are always advertised, how many more hundreds of the pubUc would probably have attended .'' Why was it not more publicly announced ? Why was a less powerful band engaged tban is engaged for the Kensington fetes ? If it was to obtain evidence that the Chiswick Garden is less attractive than the garden at Kensington, that intention was abortive, of which no better evidence is needed than the joyous groups as- sembled there compared with the formal, dressed-for- display throng at Kensington. Quite sure are we that the Fellows who were at No. 171.— Vol. TII., Neit Series. Chiswick that day would record their votes, not only for more such assemblings there, but that the expendi- ture upon the garden shall be more liberal ; that its turf and other parts of the ground shall be kept in good order worthy of what should be the model Society of Horti- culture ; and then those Fellows might be content to allow some of the glass structures to remain as they all are at present— mere propagating and nursing places for the plants to furnish the beds and borders at Ken- sington. MY OKCHAED-HOUSE.— No. 4. A LEARNED friend who has written an extensive work on the Channel Islands, and who is an excellent authority on the matter, having resided in Guernsey for several years, in describing the climate of these islands represents them as being the " chosen battle field " for all the -winds under heaven. The whole group lies in such a way off the main continent, that every fierce blast from the vast Atlantic Ocean meets a corresponding storm from the land, exactly at the spot where these favoured isles are placed. Guernsey has, however, the distinction of a bad pre- eminence even here, while it frequently appears to mc that our front walk, near which the orchard-house stands, is selected above all other spots in the island as that where furious storms most love to contend. On the 1st of Januaiy, 1861, about two-thirds of our orchard-house fell suddenly, as if a shell had exploded therein, under the violence of one of these gales, with a pressure of what seemed to me of about a hundredweight to the square foot ! As no one would venture in, all the trees were crushed and the pots smashed, while the rafters feE among our Bose trees, levelling these at once. It was a sad sight for me, and it needed all my love for the work and conviction of its utility, even as a model and school for others around, to reorganise the house afresh. A clerical brother quaintly reminded me, that " it was not a gin palace I was building, but a suggestive and useful structure." The house was accordingly rebuilt, the mutilated trees sprang up afresh, new plans were adopted, everything was on a better scale, and I hare never regretted doing so. When I think how many have profited by inspecting the work, and that I am able, I ti-ust, to contribute some- thing towards my brother amateurs by describing matters exactly as they are with me, it is impossible not to feel ; gratified. Orchard-houses seem especially adapted for amateur fruit-growers. More can be learnt in them in one year than in, perhaps, ten out of doors. And among other things it must not be forgotten, that time is to us all that which is most precious. Let us, then, bo ever ready to contribute towards another's innocent pleasures. ' so few in this world ; and let us shun all bitterness of expression, in gardening matters especially. ' The continual strong breezes and generally cold weather , of the last fortnight have been very trying to vegetation. Tender bedding plants, such as Amaranthus melaneholicuE No. 823,— Voi,. XXXII , Did Sekies. JOUKNAL OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAUDENEE. [ July 5, 1864. ruber, have been witli us destroyed by the hundred. The wall Peaches look much injured ; even standard hardy Pear trees have suffered, but under glass we have none of this, except that the season for gathering the fruit will not be so early as seemed likely during that wonderful May. Peaches are colouring fast and are large. Apricots are ripe with us. De Milan, the earliest full-sized Apricot, was, however, ripe last year a week before this. The extreme heat of May obliged us to give much water to the roots, and, probably, they are somewhat chilled and the tree put back from this cause. I regret now that tepid water was not o-iven, as it is a great object to forward these trees. Early Favourite Plum is ripe. Doyenne d'Etii Pear is about 2 inches in length. Is it of any use to my brother amateurs to note the follow- ing ? It seems to me that it would be very interesting for .some northern amateurs to forward us southerners the sizes of the fruit in some of those decried houses. Comparisons would not be odious in this case, for we must be at least ten days in advance in ripening power. I have never before seen that best of early Peaches, Early York, so fine as at this date. Some fine specimens fi-om half a dozen trees arc nearly 6 inches in circumference, though Early York is but a medium-sized Peach. Some- thing as early, as good, and full-sized would, indeed, be an acquisition. Canary comes near to it in excellence, it is a heavy cropper, of a lovely yellow, forming with Early York and Golden Purple, another rather late and singularly and beautifully-streaked Peach, such a triad as rejoices the amateur who has pleasure in colour. Early Crawford is about the size of Early York at present. Eivers's Orange Nectarine, of which we have some twelve trees, is 4i inches in diameter ; Violette Hative about the same ; Hunt's Tawny, a little larger ; Downton, 5 inches in cfrcumference. Chau- viere, a very excellent bearer, and Stanwick, two of the very beat Nectarines, are 5i inches ; while Exquisite and Galande (French) Peaches are 6J inches in circumference. De Milan Anricot is 5} inches, and De Coulange 5 inches. The Peach Apricot and Kaisha are smaller. On these trees the crops are very heavy, about one hundi-ed on one of them, and this makes them smaller this year. It must be a mistake to try to grow quantity at the sacri- fice of quality in orchard-houses, and wherever this is done the fault will soon show itself in the loss when s-^nt to market, or in the next year's produce. But I must resume the consideration of the other classes of Peach shoots. In the preceding paper we had dis- cussed two classes and now anrive at a third, which is of rather a puzzling character. This class will be met with .ilong the branches, more or less, at about their central portions of extension. They ai-e slender, fr-om G to 8 inches in length, and present the disagreeable phenomenon of an unusually large number of fruit-buds unaccompanied with leaves. There are, however, some very small buds visible near the bases of these slender shoots which are not fruit- buds, but they are dormant. For summer pruning under glass we can dispose of this diiticulty without much risk. If there is time to recognise the peculiar character of the shoot it would be proper to pinch to three leaves, instead of to four at the fii'st pinching- in, but it does not matter much. Some pruners in the autumn, out of dooi's, would cut back to the small buds at the base of the shoot, having no expectation of fruit from them. Others would treat them aa fruit-bearers, and cvit-in to 4 inches for this purpose; but in the summer orchard-house pruning, which alone is now the question, it will be well to pinch-in a little more closely these shoots. By this means they will be closer to the branch (always a great object in a small space), and by the stimulating influence of the concentrated heat they may bear and grow too. It seems uufair to expect the same slender shoot to bear fruit and to extend itself much. It is always better to have a certain number to select from. Some should bear, others should extend and ripen for the next season. Those which have borne their fruit should then be cut back below the spot where that fruit was grown, directly after it has been gathered in the autumn. The buds at the base will thus be stimulated by the sap being now dii-ected to them. What they accumulate in the autumn is thus most precious for ' the following spring. After a few seasons much becomes clear to the pleasing observer, and yet each succeeding year he will be reminded by mistakes and failures that gardening in its various branches is, indeed, an art, and he will be led to study the works of those scientific men who have done so much for him and his pleasures. — T. Collinos Bkehaut, Richmond House, Guernsey. THE EOYAL HOETICULTUEAIi AND NATIONAL EOSE SHOW. This was held at South Kensington on Wednesday and Thursday last, and never has it been our lot to see a finer display of old England's national emblem. Stand after stand, filled with the finest blooms from all the southern parts of England, and some from the north, extended in a close and in some places double line the whole length of the conseiTatory arcades, affording to the view a glorious dis- play of the richest coloui-s, and filling the air with a delicious perfume. The day being fair, though not so bright as one expects at the end of June, the attendance of visitors was very numerous, so much so as to render it almost an im- possibility to get near the tables, especially where the nur- serymen's collections were situated; and it was pleasing to observe the evident interest taken in the merits of the respective stands, and of the several varieties of which they were composed. The first Class was for seventy-two kinds, one truss of each ; a great improvement over the old and almost un- manageable Class of ninety-six. Here Messrs. Paul & Sou were fii-st with magnificent blooms, among which we parti- cularly remarked Madame Charles Wood, Charles Lawson, Madame C. Crapelet, General Washington, Lselia, John Hopper, Victor Verdier, Praire de Terre Noire, Hamlet, Olivier Dclhomme, Lord Canning, Professor Koch, Prince CamUle de Eohan, Gloire de Santenay, Glofre de Dijon, Nar- cisse, and Madame Eugene Verdier. Mr. Cant, of Colchester, was second, and Mr. W. Paul third, the competition in the case of all three exhibitors being very close. Of Mr. Cant's, Monte Christo was notice- able on account of its blackish pui-ple colour, Madame Cail- lat as a fine bright cerise, Maurice Bemardin for its fine colour, besides which there were fine examples of several of the kinds afready named. Queen Victoria fr-om Mr. W. Paul, white, slightly shaded with pink, and Princess of Wales, as a fine briglit crimson, were remarkable for their beauty ; to these must be added Charles Lefebvre, Beauty of Waltham, and a host of better-known kinds. Mr. MitcheU, of Pilt- down Nurseries, Maresfield, was fourth; Mr. Keynes and Mr. Cranston also showing fine stands. In Class 2, forty-eight kinds, three trusses of each, Mr. Turner was first with fine examples of Charles Lawson, La Eeine, Queen Victoria, Louis XIV., Duchesse d'Orleans, Victor Verdier, La Ville de St. Denis, Senateur Vaisse, Anna de Diesbach, Gloire de Dijon, Souvenir de Malmaison, and others. Messrs. Paul & Son were second, Mr. Keynes third, and Mr. Cant fourth. The next. Class 3, was for twenty-four kinds, three trusses of each, and in it Mr. Keynes took the first prize with beau- tiful blooms of Charles Lefebvre, Madame Furtado, Madame Charles Wood, La Brillante, Olivier Delhomme, Marechal Vaillant, Francois Lacharme, John Standish, and Mademoi- selle Bonnaire. Messrs. Paul & Son were second, Mr. Cant third, Mr. Turner and Mr. Eraser being fourth. ' In Class 4, twenty-four kinds, single trusses, Mr. Turner was first, Mr. Keynes second, Mr. Cant third, and Mr. Eraser fourth. In the different stands were some excellent examples of Laelia, Madame C. Wood, Charles Lefebvre, Madame C. Crapelet, Vicomtesse de Cazes. Madame Bravy, Clement Marot, and many others. In the Amateurs' Classes, J. Hedge, Esq., of Eeed Hall, Colchester, was first both in forty-eights and twenty-fours, showing, among others, fine trusses of Souvenir d'Elise Vardon, a splendid cream white; Eubens, white, shaded with rose ; Comte de Paris, a superb white, all belonging to the Tea class ; Madame Masson, Noisette Celine Forestier, Madame Boll, Charles Lawson, and L'Enfant Trouve. Mr. Moffat, gardener to Viscount Maynard, Dunmow, was second for forty-eight, Mr. Ingle third, and Mr. Exell, garderer to July 5, 1864, ] JOUENAL OF HOETICITLTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. J. Hollingworth, Esq., was fourth. For twenty-fonrs, C Worthington, Esq., Caversham Park, Eeading, was second, Mr. ExeU, third, and Mr. Ingle fourth. For eighteen kinds, the Eev. V. Knox Child was first with a fine stand, Mr. Blester second, E, B. Postans, Esq., third. Dr. Cooper, Slough, fourth; and the Eev. H. Helyar, Pen- domer Eectory, Yeovil, had an extra prize. All these exhi- bitions consisted of good blooms, and many of the trusses were very fine. The Eev. V. Knox Child was again first in twelves ; Mr. Churchfield, gardener to E. L. Charrington, Esq., Carshalton, second, and Dr. Cooper third. Class 9 was for eighteen new Eoses of 1863 and 1864. Mr. Keynes was first, Mr. Fraser second, Mr. W. Paul third, Messrs. Paul & Son fourth. Prominent among the kinds shown were Princess of Wales, Lord Maoaulay, Lord Herbert, John Hopper, a fine violet purple seedling from Mr. Wm. Paul, Baron Adolphe de Eothschild, a fine fiery red, shown by aU the competitors; Alba Eosa, white, with rose centre, the finest white Tea Eose which has appeared since De- voniensis ; Alfred de Eougemont, a large crimson purple ; Le Baron Eothschild, carmine centre, shaded with violet towards the outside ; and Le Ehflne, rich vermilion. Madame Soupert, white, with flesh centre, also seemed a very desir- able white Hybrid Perpetual ; Emotion (Bourbon), white, more or less tinged with rosy pink, was very pi-etty in colour ; and Louise Margottin, rose, was very desirable. Some beautiful blooms of this, firom Mr. Fraser, were placed first in Class 10 for the best twelve trusses of any new kind of 1863, Mr. W. Paul taking the second prize with Lord Macaulay. For twelve trusses of any kind, Mr. Keynes was first with Charles Lefebvi'e (magnificent), Messrs. Paul & Son second with Mrs. Elvers and Comtesse de Chabrillant, Mi-. Hedge fourth with the same kind, and Mr. Ingle third with Prince Leon. The first prize for the best twelve trusses of yellow Eoses, not less than six kinds, was adjudged to Mr. Hedge. These consisted of Jaune of Smith, Celine Forestier, Am-ora (very beautiful), Narcisse, Solfaterre, Triomphe de Eennes, Cloth of Gold, Louise de Savoie, Vicomtesse de Cazes, Isa- bella Gray (a beautiful deep yellow), and Enfant de Lyon. Messrs. Paul & Son and Mr. Cant took the remaining prizes in the order in which they are named. Classes 13 and 14 were for Tea-scented and Noisette Eoses, and the trusses exhibited comprised good examples of nearly all the best varieties, while the perfume they exhaled was delightful. Mr. Hedge vrae first. Mi-. Worthington second, and Mr. Ingle third among Amatem-s; Messrs. Paul& Son, Mr. Cant, and Mr. W. Paul holding the same relative posi- tions in the Nm-sery men's Class. Class 15 was for single blooms of twelve distinct kinds, and here remarkably fine blooms were exhibited by Mr. Keynes and Mr. Turner, also by Mr. Cant and Mr. Hedge. Celine Forestier, Madame Furtado, Charles Lefebvre, Sena- teur Vaisse, Madame C. Crapelet, Lffilia, and La Eeine may be particularised as a few of the finest, and Gloire de Dijon was magnificent. A few competitors came forward for the prizes offered for decorated baskets or vases of Eoses. By far the best came fi-om Mr. W. Adcock, gardener to Mrs. Forbes, Petersfield, and from the simplicity of the materials employed it was particularly deserving of credit, as well as for the good taste, which avoided anything like overloading with flowers — a fault which was vei-y apparent in the other designs. It was made something after the form of March's stands, the base being of moss, with a few Ferns and Grasses appearing to grow out of it ; and the stem, which was, in fact, merely a crooked stick, was covered with moss, and supported a circular stand covered with moss, , in which Eoses were bedded (and not too many of them), a cluster of Eose-buds with the stalk and foliage forming the centre. Mi-. Turner was second with a simple stand, in which Isolepis gra- cilis was employed with good effect ; and Miss Wint third, with a basket supported by an imitation rough glass rook, with Ivy, Ferns, and Eoses at its base, and beneath which was spread an anti-macassar, which would have been far better dispensed with. Class 17 was for six bouquets of distinct kinds. Mr. Hedge was first with Comtesse de Chabrillant, Senateur Vaise, Madame BoU, Madame Bravy, Madame Vidot, and L'Enfant Trouve; Mr. Turner second; and Mr. "W. Paul third. Madame Furtado and Praire de Terre Noire from the latter, were very fine, as indeed were the whole of those exhibited by the prizetakers. Moss Eoses, as shown, lost much of their principal attrac- tion, the mossy covering being to a great extent hidden by the blooms. It is questionable whether they would not have been seen to greater advantage had they been shown in three trusses of a kind, and with an interval between each kind. Messrs. Paul & Son were first, Mr. W. Paul second. The varieties were the Crested, White Bath, Baronne de Wasse- naer, Gloire des Mosseux, Common, Nuits de Young, a dark purple, Julie de Mersent, and Lanei. For the best three trusses of Hybrid Perpetuals Mr. Keynes was first, with immense trusses of Charles Lefebvre, the blooms measuring between 4 and 5 inches across, and the wonder of aU who saw them. Mr. Cant was second with the same kind almost as large, and first for the best three trusses of Tea Eoses with Souvenii- d'EUse, Mr. W. Paul being second with Madame YOlermoz. In pot Eoses Mr. Turner and Messrs. Paul were first and second, Mr. W. Paul thii-d. Among them were Caroline de Sansal, a good summer pot Eose ; President, fine ; Gloire de Santenay, Souvenii- de la Eeine d'Angleterre, an effective autumn pot Eose ; Lselia, La Eeine, La BriUante, Gloire de Dijon, Modele de Perfection, Orderic Vital, pretty in coloiu-; Madame Furtado, &c. For new Eoses in pots Mr. W. Paul stood first, Messrs. Paul & Son second. Among those of the former, the best were Alphonse Damaizin, scarlet purple ; Alba Eosa, one of the finest Tea Eoses; Professor Koch, a very fine shaxied crimson; Madame Caillat, with large smooth petals of great substance ; Beauty of Waltham, Ch^irles Lefebvre, Olivier DeUiomme, fine colour, purplish red; Francjois Lacharme, exquisite in form ; and Emile Dulac, a fine lilac rose. Messrs. Paul & Son, besides several of those already re- ferred to, had La Brillante, vei-y good ; Maurice Bemardin, fine ; Le Baron Eothschild, already noticed as one of the best of the new varieties ; and Madame Wm. Paul. Of miscellaneous objects some good wax flowers, of which the Eoses were the best, came from Mrs. Mitchell, Wands- worth Eoad; LUium auratum fi-om Messrs. Veitch ; plant cases from Messrs. BaiT & Sugden ; and, finally, a Cocoa- nut, ripened in the Duke of Northumberland's stove at Syon, for which a first-class certiflcate was awarded by the Fruit Committee. It will be recollected that this nut was set and began to swell under the management of Mr. John Smith, now Curator at Kew, and its maturation has taken place under the eye of Mr. Fairbairn, who is the present gardener. Floeal CoiiMiTTEE, JuNE 29th. — The great Eose Show was held on this daj' at the South Kensington Gardens. A Sub-Committee was summoned to inspect such new plant-s and florists' flowers as might be sent for examination, the introduction of which added much to the interest of the Exhibition. Mr. Hally, Blackheath, sent several scarlet Pelargoniumg. Enamel, a pleasing variety, pale rosy salmon trusses, with dark zone on bright green foliage, received a commenda/- tion ; Eed Eiding Hood, distinct white eye, bright scarlet flowers, medium truss, broad zone on dark green foliage, very dwarf habit — second-class certificate; Queen Mab, too much resembling Adonis ; and Goliath, a coarse-growing plant with vai-iegated foliage. Mr. Bull, Chelsea, sent a collection of scarlet Pelar- goniums, impressing the Committee with the idea that they were all seedlings. A selection of the following sorts was made, but the Committee do not recognise them as seed- lings, as the names of some of them appear in the catalogues of 18G4 : — ^Eosamond, pale salmon, new in shade of colour, zonate foliage, fine truss — second-class certificate ; Madame Eendatler, deep rose, compact truss, fine form, slightly zonate — first-class certificate ; Faust, fine truss of intensely deep scarlet fiowers, zonate foliage — first-class certificate ; Hector, deep rose, fine form — fii-st-class certificate ; No. 10 Psyche, pale salmon, centre shaded to white, small truss but fine petals, zonate foliage — second-class certificate. There were many other beautiful varieties in this mixed coUection : Clipper, a fine flower, which received a first-dass JOTTENAi OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GARDENES. [ July 5, 1S54. certificate on a previous occasion ; Achilles, a second at the last meeting; Persian, a delicate pale-shaded scarlet; Eose Eeudatler, Eve, Fanty, &c. From Mr. Bull also came Canna nigricans — iii'st-class certificate; Geonoma Ghiesbreghtii — first-class certificate. Mr. Bull sent also three suedling Kimulus. From T. Laxtou, Esq., Stamford, came Fuchsia Harle- quin, i^ale pink corolla striped with purple, and Othello; neither of them were in any way novelties. From Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing came Verbena Sir G. Musgrave, a dwarf-habited scarlet; truss average; flowers act fii-st-rate in form; colour not equal to Lord Leigh and others of that class. Mr. Wm. Paul exhibited several seedling Scarlet Pelai-- goniums of the Nosegay section, these seedlings being results of the perseverance ol the late indefatigable and enthusiastic florist, Mr. D. Beaton. There is a decided novelty in their colour and style which will render them indispensable in every oollectiou. They ai'e but the first fruits of careful hybridis- ing, and we may reasonably expect fiu-ther progress. Some of these seedlings have much broader petals than the usual Nosegay section, such as Stella, Merrimac, &o. : but that by no means gives a coarseness to the truss, although it would almost constitute an intermediate position between the broad-petaUed section and the Nosegays. Amy Hogg, Ught rosy purple, very large, fine truss standing well above the foliage, which is s'ightly zonate ; this variety is quite new Mid distinct in colour ; as a bedding plant it wUl be invalu- able ; it was the admiration of all who saw it — first-class certificate. Eebecca, rosy scarlet, bi-oad petals, fine truss, distinct and new iu colour; a most useful variety for bedding purposes — fii-st-class certificate. Beauty of Waltham, darker shade of colour, fine flower, medium truss — second-class cer- tificate. Glowworm, quite a novelty, with bright scarlet upper petals, the lower deep carmine. The trusses of this seedling were thin. If this jdant can be grown stronger it wiU not be surpassed by any other Nosegay. Beaton's Indian Yellow : this, again, though quite novel in colour, in its present state did not produce sufficiently large and compact trusses, the essential quaUflcatioa oi this section of Pelargoniums. Orange Nosegay, had the same deficiency as the last two. Some of these seedlings will doubtless be exhibited again, when thoy may jn-esent an improved appearance. Mr. W. Paul also exhibited four seedling Eoses : — Globosa (Hybrid Perpetual), a globular, compact, crimson red flower — second class certificate ; Dr. Lindley, a shaded dark flower of very promising quaUtios; Princess of Wales, which has been much adrau'cd ; and Eobusta. The specimens exhibited were in bad condition to judge of their merits. Ml'. J. Vralker, Thame, sent a collection of Sweet "Williams caUed Auricula-eyed. They were vei-y pretty, and received a Bpeeial certificate. Messrs. E. G. Henderson sent Variegated Scarlet Pelar- gonium Queen of the Nosegays ; Petunia picturata, a white- striped variety, like many otliers ; Petunia gigantea plena, a monster in size, large creamy white flowers faintly veined ; Verbena Velvet Cushion, a most useful bedding variety, dwarf habit, dark rosy purple floivers, said to have been crossed with the old hardy garden variety venosa. The colour of this Verbena wdl be most teUing' in a mass, the foliage being very small. From Messrs. Ctirter, Holborn, came Clarlria integripetala flore pleno, a very beautiful and showy annual, not spoiled from its numerous petals forming what is called a double flower. It received a first-class certificate. Mr. Townsend, Hornsey, sent three seedling plants of Clematis lanuginosa ; but as there seemed some reason to believe that these seedlings had been before the Committee last yeai' under different circumstances, they v.oro conse- quently unnoticed until some further inquiry be made All wo can say is, they were strikingly like the seedlings ex- hibited by Mr. Jackman, of Woking, last year-. thought it eligible to compete in that class or not; and if the fruit being ripe it ought to have had the preference over a Peach tree iu a pot with fruit anripe. Enclosed is our schedule. — E. F. [The schedule has these two classes " LL. Fruit Tree in pot (bearing fi-uit). MM. Vine in pot (bearing fruit) ;" and the classes are preceded by this general mle, " AU fruits exhibited must be ripe and fit for table,'' We consider, therefore, that the Vine with ripe fruit was entitled to the prize, the Peaches being not ripe ; and we consider a Vine in pot might be exhibited in Class LL,, for it is a fruit tree. There should have been the words, "Grape Vines excepted," if the Committee intended to exclude them from that class. — Eds. J. Off H.] DOUBT AT THE LEEDS HOETICULTUEAL SOCIETY. A DISPDTE having arisen at our late Exhibition respecting a Vine that was exhibited as a "fruit tree in pot," for our satisfaction it was agreed to ask your opinion wUtther you CEYSTAIi PALACE EOSE SHOW. The diiiicidty of reporting on a Eose Show with an at- tendance of 15,000 visitors and crinolines three deep before the boxes is a matter of no ordinary character, and I was unable until after the rush of visitors came in to get near the boxes in which the magnificent blooms contributed by our leading nurserymen were placed. When I did so the thought occui-red to me. What good will it be to write down the names of ninety-six Eoses ? and for whose benefit will it be done? and might I not adopt some better plan for benefiting the lovers of the Eose than such a process im- plies ? There are various classes of Eose-lovers and Eose- growers who frequent these shows or who wish to know about them. There are exhibitors who have an eye to the iuture, and who desire to know what Eoses which they have not may be useful to add to their collection ; simi- larity to other varieties out does not affect them provided they be good exhibition Eoses. Now it is quite evi- dent that if a Eose be a good one, a large grower and a large exhibitor will not bo over-careful as to its similarity to another kind, it may be useful to him some day for making up his 96's or 48 trebles. Then, again, there is the small grower, who also desires to be an exhibitor. With him the selection must be more particular, for he cannot afford room for all, and of those sorts which are most like each other he must discard some, keeping one only out of the number. Then, the amateurs pur et simjile, who have no ambition to excel as exhibitors, love a few Eoses, and love them only for then' own sake. With them colour and effect are more thought of than size and shape, and a brilliant fiery crimson is much more thought of than a delicate flower which to a florist is the perfection of shape and substance. There are some Eoses which meet all such classes, there are some which do not. Thus, take such a Eose as Charles Lefebvi-e. No one can do without it — however small the collection, it must be there ; while, on the other hand, when you heal- Turenne or E. Bourcier is a fine Eose when you can catch it, why, the amateur cannot want to catch it. He cannot afford to give it space, and only, perhaps, get one bloom on a plant. To a nurseryman this is a matter of uo moment ; sjjace to him is comparatively a trifling matter compared to the chance of getting a fine bloom some show day when he wants it very much. Let us see how this applies in the Class of new Eoses, in which Mr. Wm. Paul was first, Mr. Keynes second, and Messrs, Paul & Son third. There were in all these boxes Eoses which without doubt are fine, but so like one another that amateurs would hardly care to fill then- gardens with them all. Thus, Maurice Eernardin, Olivier Delhomme, Madame Boutin, Mad. Julie Dai-an, La Brillante, and others come at times so close to one another, that even an expe- rienced Eose-grower will find great difiioulty in determining the name of one of the flowers. Such a case did occur. One of our very best amateur- growers had misplaced the name of one of his flowers, and brought it to one of our most successful and experienced Eose-growers in order to ascertain its name. He said, " It may bo any of these, but I think it is so and so." Of the Eoses of 1861, sent out here in 1862, the following occurred in these stands, and have established beyond doubt their claim to be distinct, and will probably remain a long time on our lists. H,P, Charles Lefebvre (Lacharme), the finest crimson Eose we have, a fine grower, and of a July 5, 1861. ] JOTIKNAL OF HOETICULTirRE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. substance of petal quite wonderful ; Due de Rohan (Leveque at fils), a noble flower of the Senateur Vaisse type, but of a somewhat lighter shade of colour; Fran9ois Lacharme (Verdier et fils), brilliant carmine with a purplish shade, very globular flowers, and altogether a first-rate Rose ; Jolm Hopper (Ward), beautiful Ulao rose with a rosy crim- son ceuti'e, very flne, and of excellent habit ; Madame Boutin (Jamin), beautiful well-formed Rose, of fine habit ; Madame CaiUat (E. Verdier), this Rose does not seem much known — it is not in Margottin's or Rivers's hsts, but I have it veiy fine, and some blooms of it exhibited in the various stands were excellent — it is a bright Rose, well shaped, and very effective ; Madame Charles Wood, a beautiful Rosa, of large size, with large petals, and very lasting; Mareehal Vaitlant (Leconte), rosy crimson, double, and well formed ; Maurice Bemardin (Granger), rich crimson, at times very like others of the same style ; Monte Christo (Fontaine), brilliant dark crimson, a fine and distinct Rose ; Olivier Delhomme (Verdier et fils), brilliant crimson, good shape and outline — I have not found it a very vigorous grower, but it may be so ; Prince CamUIe de Rohan (E. Verdier), a very distinct Rose, rich dark maroon crimson — some blooms looked a little too thin ; Souvenir de Comte Cavour (Mar- gottin), a beautifully brilliant dai'k Rose ; Souvenir de Lady Bardley (GuUlot pere), a rich rosy purple Rose ; Vicomte Vigier (Verdier et fils), splendid colour; Beauty of Wal- tham (Wm. Paul), Hght rosy crimson. There were other Roses of the same year in the various stands, such as Christian Piittuer, Alphonse Damaizin, EmUe Dulac, Ma- dame Julie Daran, but I do not think them equal to others of the same style amongst those I have selected. And so with another Rose which it goes to my heart to say a word against for the name it bears — I mean Reynolds Hole ; but although very bi-ight and very pretty in Mr. Wm. Paul's stand, yetfi fear it is too small for our present taste. Amongst the Roses of 1862, let out here in the spring of 1863, the following were very noticeable, although I do not think that any of them were equal to Charles Lefebvre or Franijois Lacharme ; still they were very beautiful, and are Roses we must have : — Alfred de Rougemont, rich crimson purple, a very attractive colour ; Baron Adolphe de Roths- child, brilliant red, approaching to Lord Clyde ; Baron de Rothschild, a fine rose; Deuil de Prince Albert, dark crimson, but has the great defect of hanging its head when on the bush ; Jean Goujon, light crimson — broad and flat Rose, one or two blooms of it wore very bright ; Le Rhone, rich colour, fine shape, but, I fear, likely to be delicate ; Madame Freeman, pale flesh and white ; Mrs. William Paul, red, shaded with dark crimson ; President Lincoln, brilliant cherry rose ; Wil- liam Paul, dark crimson ; Andre Leroy, large deep crimson ; Laurent Descours, purplish crimson; Vainqueur de Goliath, a fine dark purplish crimson flower; Beauts Fran(jaise, in Mr. Cant's stand, very like Leon des Combats, but brighter, I think ; Paul Desgrand, bright red, shaded ; M. Alfred de Rougemont, white, shaded with rose. I have not entered into detailed descriptions of these, for I think we hardly yet know which will stand the best ; but I am inclined to think I have selected those which are most likely to be enduring. The Roses of 1863, sent out here this spring, were not very numerously exhibited. Amongst them I noticed as good : — Alpaide de Rotalier (Campy), clear satiny Rose, but flat in shape ; Madame Derreulx DouvUle, a beautiful Rose, to which I alluded last week — the flowers exhibited were small, but it will be a good and useful Rose — Paul Delameil- laray, a very vigorous large-petalled Rose; Lord Herbert, bright crimson, very much like Beauty of Waltham ; Lord Macaulay, a good dark; and Lord Clyde, a very splendid Rose. Of new Bourbons let out during the same period, there were exhibited Louise Margottin (incorrectly placed in some lists amongst the H.P.'s), a very pretty rose-coloured flower, of good shape; Emotion, somewhat similar in shape but paler in colour; Mademoiselle Em.ain, another light- coloured and pretty flower ; and Reverend H. Dombrain, a beautifuUy-shaped and high-coloured Rose, as exhibited not quite so fuU as I have seen it, especially on the old plants at Margottin's, where it was very tine. Of new Teas there were shown Rubens, a fine white, shaded ; Triomphe de GuiUot fils, white, shaded with rose and salmon, and in one instance exhibited yrith a great deal of coppery bronze shading, which gave it a very striking appearance; and Alba, or Alba rosea, a magnificent new Rose, somewhat in the style of Madame Bravy", light, almost white, with rosy centre. It were an almost endless task to enumerate the various Roses exhibited in the stands of both niu'serymen and amatem-s. In the former the first prizes were, as it will have been seen, very much distributed, having been re- spectively assigned to Messrs. Paul & Son, Mr. Cant, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Keynes (two). The second prizes went to Mr. Mitchell (Piltdown), Messrs. Paul & Son, and Mr. Turner (two). Not so amongst amateurs. Here aU the first prizes were taken by Mr. Hedge, whose Roses equalled, if not surpassed, his former productions, and whose Teas were a marvel of fine growth and care. And here I may be excused for one word touching a personal matter. My name appears as a prizetaker, and also as a judge. Let me say that in the Class of 18's I requested my able coadjutor to decide without me, which he did; but, feeling that thig might not be generally known, I thought it advisable, on my retm-n home, to write to the Secretary of the flower show, saying that I was contented with the position assigned me, and declining to receive the amount awarded, desiring to " avoid even the appearance of evil." I should think that amateurs must have haUed with pleasure the rule of the Royal Horticultural Society, which excluded the exhibitor in the larger classes from exhibiting in the smaller ones, as, where Mr. Hedge is, there is but little hope of any other competitor taking a first prize. The rule seems to me a good one, as it enables small growers to have some hope of a prize, which is almost out of the question when one has to enter the lists v.'ith those whose collection is as large as that of many nurserymen, and grown with perhaps greater care. — D., Deal. THE EOYAL BOTAISIIC SOCIETY'S SHOW. JULT 2nd. This was the last Show of a brilliant and successful season ; and it was not only equal, but in many respects superior to its predecessors. Although the dazzling colours of the Azaleas which lighted up the eai'lier shows were absent, and although the Pelargoniums, as a whole, were not equal in size or beauty to these, previously exhibited, yet, as a compensation, the Stove and Greenhouse Plants were in greater abundance, the Heaths in greater pei'feetion, the cut flowers more numerous and beautiful than ever. Then there was the Fruit — and such fruit ! What Black Prince Grapes have ever been saen to equal tliose from Mr. Hill ? At other shows he had exhibited three bunches weighing S J lbs. and 10 lbs. 6 ozs., and these were wonderful ; but, more wonderful still, he now came with bunches weighing 13 lbs. 10 ozs., and 11 lbs. 10 ozs. for the three, and of which the lai-gest could not be less than 17 inches long, and the smallest 14 or 15, and these perfectly ripe, and symmetrical. That such a display as that of Saturday last, unlike others which have been recently made, should bo conducive to the advancement of horticulture cannot be doubted ; and that such purely horticultural exhibitions can be made to pay their expenses, and leave a wide margin, not of profit, but of funds to carry out other objects connected with gardening science, the large and fashionable attendance of visitors on that occasion, amounting to many thousands, is abundant proof. Stove and Gkeeneouse Plants. — The collections ex-, hibited by Messrs. Whitbread, Gilbert, Eraser, and some others were remarkably fine, and, containing several kinds not before exhibited this season, they excited greater interest. That fine Melastomad Pleroma elegans, as shown by Mr. Whitbread, was covered with numbers of its highly oma mental purple flowers, and it was seen in fine condition in other collections. Ixora salicifolia with magnificent heads of reddish orange bloom came from Mr. May and Jlr. Rhodes ; and t3ie old but very pretty white-flowered species alba, from the fc -mer and Mr. Peed, was also very effective. AUa- manda J, consisting of Schotti and cathartica, were very fine, particularly the former; Draeophyllum graoile was in good condition in several collections, also Roudeletia speciosa JOURNAL OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAUDENEE. [ July 5, 1SS4. Polygalas, Pimeleas, Vincas, Dipladenias, Statices, Ehynoo- spermum jasminodes, growing very gracefully, and covered with its white Jasmine-like flowers ; and Eoella ciliata, very conspicuous from its lavender and violet flowers. Lesche- naultia formosa, with numerous scarlet blooms, from Messrs. Lee, forming a bushy little plant, was very pretty. Erica Parmentieri rosea, from Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Ehodes, was covered with its splendid deep rose-coloured blooms ; Mr. Whitbread sent an immense Azalea magniflora in excellent condition, both as regards flowers and foliage ; and from Mr. Gilbert came Kalosanthes superba, with truly sui)erb scarlet flowers. CJerodendron Thomsoniai, from Mr. A. Ingram, though not fully out, was also very striking, and when better known this beautiful species will no doubt become a favourite exhibition i^lant. The prizes awarded were : — For sixteen, Mr. Whitbread fii-st, Mr. Gilbert (gardener to E. L. McMuido, Esq., Hastings) second, Mr. May, Hawkesyard Park, thii-d ; for ten, Mr. Fraser, Lea Bridge, fu-st, Messrs. Lee second, Mr. Williams third, Mr. Ehodes fourth ; for ten (Amateurs), Mr. Peed first, Mr. Chilman second ; for six, Mr. Wheeler fii'st, Mr. KaOe second, Mr. Page third, Mr. Cross fourth. Fine-foliaged plants were of the usual character, com- prising Alocasias, Crotons, of which the nan-ow-leaved sort from Messrs. A. Henderson had the yellow variegation fully developed, and the plant formed a beautiful weeping bush ; a very tall Draciena indivisa from Mr. Williams ; Latania borbouica, Encephalartos latifrons, the rush-like pendant- leaved Littaja juncea, and Sabal Blackburniana, a noble plant, from Mr. Taylor. Messrs. Lee were first in the Nursery- men's Class ; Messrs. A. Henderson and Williams equal second. In the Amateurs' Class the collections of Messrs. Baines, of Bowden, Cheshire, and of Mr. Fairbaii-n, of Syon, who were fu'st and second, were very fine ; Mr. Taylor and Mr. Toung were third and foui-th. Fekns. — Collections of the exotic species comprising large specimens of Cibotium princeps, Cyatheas, Gleichenias, Dicksonias, Todea africana, &c., were sent by Mr. Williams and Mr. Bull, who received first and second prizes ; and those from Mr. Toung and Mr. Martin, which were placed equal thii-d, were also good. In British Perns, Messrs. Ivei-y's fine collection, as usual, carried oii the fii'st prize. Oechids still made a fine display. Among those from Mr. Baker were the curious greenish-yellow-flowered Den- drochilum filiforme, iErides odoratum niajus, an old but very free-fiowering species, of which this was an excellent speci- men, Cattleya amethystoglossa, Saecolabium guttatum, Holfordianum with six fine spikes, Vandas, Lselias, Cypri- pediums, &c. In the other collections we noticed the green- and-white-fiowered Brassia ven-ucosa, the rare Brassavola Digbyana, Cypripedium Hookeri, and several good varie- ties of barbatum, Oncidium Lanceanum, Cattleya citrina, with bright yellow flowers, and which does well under cool treatment ; Oncidium flexuosum, blooming, as it gene- rally does, very freely ; also a very fine example of Cattleya Mossia; from Mr. Penny, besides iErides, Saccolabiums, Vandas, C.attleyas, Lailias, Phalffinopses, in fine condition. A dark crimson and yellow Stanhopea, from Mi-. Ehodes, attracted much attention from its remarkably large and handsome flowers ; and by those who did not know that it was a peculiai-ity of the genus Acineta Humboldtii, pro- ducing a long spike of flowers from the bottom of the pot, was considered wonderful. This came from Mr. Parker, of Tooting. The prizes awarded were : — For twenty, Mr. Baker, first, Mr. Miiford second, Mr. Peed third; for twelve, Mr. Penny first, Mr. Page second, Mr. Chilman third; for six (Nursei-ymcn), Mr. Williams first, Mr. Parker second, Mr. Woolley thu-d, Mr. Ehodes fourth ; for six (Amateurs), Mr. Wiggins first, Mr. A. Ingram second, Mr. Wilson third, Mr. Wheeler fourth. (To be continued.) CLLVNTHUS DAMPIEEI SEEDLINGS. Some time ago I sought your directions as to the culture of some Clianthus Dampieri seedlings, and was requested to let you know whether I succeded in flowering them ; with much pleasure I therefore do so. I potted my two seedHngs in a compost of peat, charcoal, turf soU, and sand, following your instructions as nearly as I could, and giving the plants a good place in the greenhouse. Both seedlings progressed healthily for some time, but the most vigorous one about two months back suddenly drooped and gradually withered without any apparent cause, the stem of the plant, below the collar, and the roots seemed black and diseased, leading me to suspect that the drainage was faulty, although I had taken great cai'e about it. I am glad to say, however, that the surviving plant has thriven well, and during the past month has thrown out several splendid blooms in trusses of three or four flowers, with every appearance of continuing to do so for some time to come. The brilliancy of the flowers amply repays the at- tention required, and I have to thank you for the directions afforded, which have enabled me to flower the plant suc- cessfully.— A ToTjNG Amateur. P.S. — Is bast matting better for budding purposes than worsted or woollen thread ? I budded many stocks with the latter last season with hardly a failure. What is the advantage of bast-matting strips ? [We know of no superiority that the one has over the other.] FLAVOUH OF FEUIT UNDEE GLASS v. THAT ON WALLS. I AM indebted to " Wteside " for his temperate communi- cation at page 437, in reply to my call for information as to fruit grown under glass being superior in flavour to that grown on walls. He says I have undertaken a very diffi- cult task when I attempt to prove that those who have suc- ceeded in growing as fine fruit under glass as others upon walls, ought not to have done so for physiological reasons. I never xvndertook to do anything of the kind. What I said and still maintain was, that fruit grown under glass is superior in flavour to that grown on walls in the full sun, was an assertion diametrically opposed to the law* of Nature as expounded to us by vegetable physiologists. " Wteside " says facts are against my argument ; and yet he does not furnish us with a single fact wherewith to afford ground for a discussion of the topic, but leaves others to speak of them. Whether does a Peach tree on a south wall or in an orchard- house enjoy the more light ? This is the point on which " Wteside " asserts I am so much in error as to astonish him, yet he adduces no facts ; and as for his a priori reasons, showing that orchard-house trees enjoy more light than trees on walls, I will show that they even bear out my argument. " Wteside " says, " A wail shuts out half the light of heaven." Admitting this (which I cannot as ap- plied to Peaches on a south wall), it must follow that an orchard-house with an opaque back wall, ends, and sides for some height above the surface is as dark as the wall, from the opaque character of the back wall, darker from the total obstruction of light by the also opaque ends and sides, stUl darker again from the obstruction of light by the woodwork of the roof, and darker even yet by the impurities ever present even in the best glass, without adding another item to the darkness by the rays reflected, let the angle formed be what it may. If this be true of lean-to houses, how happens it that fi-uit grown in them is earlier than that in span-roofed houses ? What is the cause of their being warmer ? " Wteside " does not take cognizance of the fact in the one case, nor of the cause in the other. Is not fruit produced sooner in lean-to houses by that which " Wteside" says makes walls darker than orchard-houses ? If a lean-to house be much lighter than a span-roofed, which I contend it is not, how comes a tree on a waU to receive less light than one surrounded by light on every side — such as one under a span-roof with glass ends and sides to the house ? A tree surrounded by light on every side, as in a span-roofed house, does not receive nearly so much direct light nor even heat as one in a lean-to ; for it is absmd to argue, that be- cause a hou^e presents a larger surface of glass (more than half of it to a difi'used light), to the open firmament, that it must necessarily be lighter than another presenting its sur- face at such an angle that very few rays of light are reflected. I suppose "Wteside" is aware that it is owing to the greater proportion of rays reflected by the roof of a span- roofed house over that reflected by a lean-to, which causes the trees in the former to assimilate the food of the tree in the leaves more slowly than in the latter, through the less intensity of the light ; and the heat being less also, less food July 5, 1861. ] JOUBNAL OP HOEXICUIiTUEE AND COTTAGE GARDEJTEE. is pumped up into the leaves and tlie process of assimila- tion goes on more slowly, and the result is, fruit not ripe and the growth not perfected so early as with trees under a lean- to house roof. " Wyeside " may explain this away by con- tending that a span presenting a larger proportion of exposed surface to the air is sufficient to account for the difference of temperature in favour of a lean-to, which owes its heat to the smaller proportion of glass surface presented to the cooling influences of the atmosphere. I admit it ; but how comes the lean-to to be heated much more quickly than the span ? For the same reason ? Decidedly not. Very well, then, we come to the point at once. A span-roofed house affording light to its inmates on every side, they are in- debted to refraction for all the light on the west side of the house when the sun's rays fall on the east ; and are not Pears on a west wall the same ? Cherries on an east wall or aspect are also indebted to the same refraction when the sun's rays are obscui-ed from them by the bricks that in- tervene between them and the west aide on which the sun's rays are falling ; but is the light not less intense on the side of the wall opposite that on which the sun shines ? I sup- pose a wall on the sun-side casts no greater shadow than the sun-side of a glass roof, and the trees upon it receive the sun's rays equally from top to bottom. But who can say the same of a glass roof? Why, the trees beneath it are indebted for the light they receive to that which passes through the glass, directly or indirectly, it is aU the same; they cannot receive any or but little of that light which the angle of incidence causes to be reflected back into space. If it be as light on the north side of a wall, or in the shadow of anything that obstructs or causes a deviation from the natural course of the rays as in an open space where the sun's rays are not broken by some substance suspended or other- wise causing a deviation from the natural course of the rays, then are trees under glass in the enjoyment of more light than trees on a south wall. There is an equal amount of light on the earth when the sun's rays are obstructed by the clouds, according to " Wteside's " argument as when there are no clouds to intercept them. " Wyeside " again, speaking of light, says that an Apricot on a west waU is deprived of the light which is sufiicient to ripen Cherries on the east side by the bricks that intervene. Suppose we take away the wall and the Cherry trees, would the ,Apricot trees have more light ? Not a particle ; for immediately we take away the wall leaves appear on that side and shut out the light from the others on the opposite side, rendering them as dark as they were when the wall prevented their receiving any Ught from that point ; and, in addition, they are deprived of the heat absorbed by the bricks and the shelter walls afford. Then as to trees on walls shooting at an angle from the wall on whatever aspect, does it not arise from the same eause as that which makes orchard-house trees grow upwards towards the glass V Surely trees shoot from walls for the same reason as that which causes orchard-house trees to grow upwards, the lowest branches to be weak and continually dying off — viz., towards the point from which the light is most intense. All trees on walls push their branches to- wards that which is necessary to their existence — viz., light. In whatever position or situation a plant is placed it is always found pushing its leaves towards the light. "Does Mr. Abbey imagine that light proceeds only in direct rays fr-om the sun ^ " asks " Wyeside." I can only answer that the theory of light rests on three laws : 1st, The rays of light are straight lines, given and reflected in the same. 2nd, The angles of incidence and refraction are in the same plane, and equal. 3rd, The angles of incidence and re- fraction are in the same plane, and thefr sines bear an in- variable ratio to one another for the same medium. As to the Apricot from a wall with a pallid hue on the side nest the waU. Is not that pallid hue due to the absence of the same agents that cause those in an orchard-house to be of a " sickly colour " all over — the absence of sun, its light and its heat P But I must not lose sight of " Wyeside " striving to make it appear that I consider it colder under glass than in the open air. If he refers to page 213, he will find that I state that I found the atmosphere 5° warmer in a span-roofed orchard-house than in the open air ; but if he expects me to become couTerted to his views — viz., that haat is not inter- cepted by glass, or that orchard-houses owe their warmth over that of the open air to any increase of heat caused by the passage of solar heat with its light through glass, I must say he expects me to assert that which I know to be er- roneous. The best glass is that which stops the most heat, as Hartley's rough plate, for all horticultural purposes, when the structures are heated or not heated, such struc- tures being warmer than the interior of houses covered with 16-oz. glass. Let "Wyeside" keep a register but for a week of the temperatures of three structures equal in their cubic measurements, and also equal in the area which is to admit the sun's rays, and make the latter surface of — 1, 16-oz. glass ; 2, Hartley's rough plate glass ; 3, oiled paper ; and he wiU find more heat or a higher mean tem- perature under 3 than under 2, and higher under 2 and 3 than beneath 1. Further than this, let him take a large pane of glass, and place it over a thermometer so that the sun's rays will pass vertically through it, and he will find the sun's rays do not raise the mercury more than were there no glass over it ; but suppose he place the pane of glass so that the angle of incidence be more than 45°, the mercury sinks proportionately lower than when under the pane of glass with the sun vertically over it. Again : let him erect a house with an angle of 25°, a second 35", a thu-d 45", against a south wall, or with an opaque back wall, and complete his experiment by erecting a span-roofed house with the ends respectively north and south, with the roof at any angle he pleases, and glass down to the ground if he chooses ; in short, have glass where we have some opaque material in the first three. All shall be equally well stocked with Peach trees, and all equally well attended to, and which wiU furnish ripe Peaches the earliest ? Why, they wiU come in order as named, the span-roofed house being fuUy a month behind the first of the others, and this with double the amount of ''■ glass not intercepting the heat," according to "Wyeside," for it is so hot in houses with a glass roof securing light for the trees enclosed on aU sides, as to render the heat quite unendurable. Mr. Elvers tells us such a climate is quite delightful. I myself had any time rather spend a week in a span-roofed orchard- house pinching-back the young growths, or otherwise at- tending to its inmates, than remain an hoiu' in fi'ont of a south wall trimming Peach trees trained to it during very hot weather. The air is really so bracing in the former, and so roasting in the other, as to leave no doubt about which is the most comfortable situation to be in. The heat is another question, for heat as determined by the senses is no crite- rion to go by. In fact, degrees of heat and moisture cannot be determined by the senses with any degree of accuracy. In conclusion, I can only say that out of the sis northern counties of England, and the whole of Scotland, we have but two cases of Peaches and Nectarines being grown in cold or unheated orchard-houses in that extensive range of country, much the largest half of Britain, one cited at Seg- gieden, near Perth, by " S. E.," aud the other by "Pendle," near the famous peak of that name in Lancashire. Mr. Pearson also states the success of orchard-houses atPrescot, but whether Peaches and Nectaries are successfully grown in houses unheatod and detached from a wall is not stated. This is all the evidence we have been favoured with relating to the success of orchai-d-houses in the north. Surely there have been more successes than those named. I have grown Grapes in unheated lean-to houses within the sound of the striking of big " Peter" of York, and had them ripe by the races held there in the last week of August ; Peaches and Nectarines also in unheated lean-to houses in the lattpr part of July, and beginning of August ; and gathered Earyl Anne Peaches from a south wall in the second week in August ; and gone night and morning with a peek basket and collected fallen Peaches from a net in the last week in August and on through September, and more than once have had to go twice, the basket being too small to take aU at once. At Bradford, however, such things are not seen, though I have seen Peaches ripen on a wall, yet I looked into all the hoorchard-uses round there, from that under 20 feet in length up to those 300 feet long and 20 feet wide, and never yet saw a crop in any of them, nor in those situated in much more favourable localities. Mr. Elvers, after giving us a racy account of his liking for Cherries, and some excellent information as to their cnltiva- 8 JOUENAL OP HOETICULTTJEE AND COTTAGE GAKDENEE. [ July 5, 1864. ^ion under glass (and I can bear witness to how well they do under glass, ia unlieated orchard-houses in the north), expresses his regret at the " rather low idea of the capabili- ties of the gardeners in the neighbourhood of Bradford," which, he says, has been given by me, and this in conse- quence of my having given an account of the failure of Peaches and Nectarines in orchard-houses in that locality. He says that the gardeners there " ought to be able to con- quer all the difficulties of the position." They, let me tell him, ai-e qualified to do so ; but it will be by heating their orchai'd-houses, if they mean to have Peaches and Nec- tarines with certainty, and not in vmheated structiu'es. They have grown as good fruit as ever was eaten, but they have received little aid from orchard-houses, except in the matter of Cherries, Plums, Pears, and Apples. tTnheated orchard- houses answer well for these, as I stated on former occasions. Mr. Thomson may deserve great credit for growing Grapes, and having them ripe in January, but I believe he was not the fu-st to accomplish the feat of having ripe new Grapes on the 1st of January ; for, some twelve years ago, Mr. "Watson, gardener at Kibstone Hall, Knaresborough, Yorkshire, at that time had some nice ripe Grapes, when I called there early in January, growing in a Pine-stove, specimens of which were exhibited at one of the Horticul- tural Society's meetings in January, and duly reported in the " Transactions " of that Society. At Harewood House, the residence of the Earl of Harewood, I believe Grapes were produced by Mr. Fowler on New-year's Day before Mr. Thomson accomplished the feat at Dalkeith. As for the ripening of Grajjes in January teaching us to " look doubt- fully on our present laws of vegetable physiology," as far as regards the influence of light ripening fruit, I must refer Mr. Elvers to the exhibiting of old Grapes vei'sus new in January, 18G3, the former being contributed by Mr. Tillery, Welbeck, and the latter by Mr. Thomson, Dalkeith, with a ■view of deciding on the relative merits of old over new Grapes. The old, ripening with more " light and sun heat," ■were unanimously pronounced the best in point of flavour ; whilst the new were the freshest, and consequently most attractive in appearance, and as such were px-eferable to old Grapes. It was said that Mr. Thomson's Grapes were not so "well coloured nor so well flavoiired" as they were from the same Vines in the January preceding, which was attri- buted to the prevalence of cloudy weather whilst the Grapes were ripening. New Grapes, then, ripened in January, were not equal in flavour to those ripened at a period when the sun's light and heat were more powerful. In reference to my visiting either of the places named by Mr. Elvers, I do not see the necessity for going to either Nottingham or Liverpool to see what I every day see on my present employer's gai-den walls and espaliers. If Mr. Elvers be at all desirous of testing the capabilities of York- shire gardeners, he has nothing to do but send some of his very best orchard-house fruit to any of the York, Leeds, or Bradford Shows, and they will teach him to have anything but a " low idea" of them in futxire. — George Abbey. [We consider this a very unprofitable discussion. We have eaten Peaches and Nectarines ripened under glass nearly as fine, nearly as luscious, and nearly as high-flavoured as the best ever grown against a waU. Grant that they always are more or less inferior — what then? They are grown under glass for earliness and certainty. As to less light being received by fruit under glass than when grown in the open air — granted ; but what then ? Fruit trees are grown under glass for the purpose of retaining heat to them. As to Peaches not being ripened in an orchard-house at Bradford, we are quite sure that Mr. Abbey only states what he knows ; but the fact only proves that there must be something peculiarly unfavourable in the situation of that town, for it is certain that Peaches are so ripened in many places much further northward.] sej;letonisikg leaves and seed VESSELS. Put the specimens in r.xin water, in which they must remain till decomposition takes place, so that they may be freed from the pulpy matter, and after macerating in clear spring water dry them between sheets of blotting paper, then bleach them in diluted chloride of lime sufficiently strong to burn the tongue. When whitened, to be washed again in clean water, and dried by sun or fire. Take care not to allow the destructive process to be carried on too long, or it will injure the fibres, nor must they remain too long in the chloride. They may be cleansed, if leaves ■with strong fibres, ■with a softish naU brush, or pricked out ■with a pin, when the pulpy matter adheres too strongly to be removed with water. Some leaves takes months to de- compose. No two years are aUke as to the time of gather- ing, or time required for the process. If obliged to be taken out of water during the process, for travelling, &c., the leaves must not be allowed to dry, but be kept folded in a damp towel. The softer the water the better. You must not bleach the leaves directly, but wait till you have a quantity to whiten. Lea^ves. — I^vy, Magnolia, Pear, Apple, Butcher's Broom, Andromeda, Tulips, India-rubber, Sycamore, HoUy, Aspen, Poplar, Apricot, Lemon, Orange, Box, Lime, Hornbeam, Passiou-Flower. Seed-vessels. — Stramonium, Henbane, Poppy, White Cherry, Campanula, Lavatera, Mallow, Hydrangea, Hore- hound. Sea HoUy, Deadly Nightshade, Eadish, Flax, Hemp, Stinging Nettle, stalk of Cabbage, tuber of Turnips. MESSES. IVEET & SON'S NUESEET, DOEEZNG. Of the many beautiful spots along the ridge of the North Downs, which stretch nearly across the county of Surrey, there are none from which a finer or more diversified view can be obtained than from Box Hill, in the neighbourhood of Dorking. This, as the name implies, is remarkable for the quantity of common Box (Buxus sempervirens), growing there, and believed to be indigenous ; and which certainly adds materially to the beauty of the place. At the foot of the hill is a station on the Eeading branch of the South- Eastern EaUway, known as the Box Hill station, thus afford- ing a facility for such as live at a distance to visit this delight- ful spot. The convenience of approach is largely availed of by hundreds of persons, and among them, doubtless, by many of your readers who love to enjoy the beauties of nature ; so that every fine day in summer numerous groups of cheerful faces may be seen scattered over the green turf, enjoying their picnic and the glorious landscape spread before them. To enter into detail as to the many salient points of interest that can be viewed from Box Hill is not, however, the object of this article; but to remind the reader, and all interested in horticultui'al jjursuits, that less than ten minutes walk from Box HiU station is one of the most important niu'series in Surrey, and, in some respects, in England — viz., the establishment of Messrs. Ivery & Son: for here originated many of the most splendid of the varie- ties of Azalea indica, that have excited such general admi- ration at the metropolitan and other flowei- shows, .and which are found in every private collection of merit in Europe ; and here also exists the wonderful collection of British Perns that has now become an adjunct to the great floral displays. When an improved arrangement of those shows shall be effected, nothing will be found more suitable to aid in moderating the overwhelming blaze of the gorgeous speci- mens produced by the skill of our gardeners than the lovely foliage of the British Ferns. A visit to this establishment, then, wiU be found highly interesting, and although mine was made when the Azaleae were out of bloom, there was much to be pleased with. A brief inspection of the various houses in which the stock of Azaleas are kept was sufficient to be convinced of the excel- lent state of health and fine condition of the plants ready to be sent out, of which there are several thousands. Among the most important may be mentioned Iveryana, Criterion, Admiration, Barclayana, Gem, Beauty of Eeigate, General WiUiams, Eosea elegans. Striata floribuuda, and several other approved kinds, all of which were originated by Messrs. Ivery ; .and more recently— Carnation, Tricolor, and Levia- than. Of novelties about to be sent out. Beauty of Dorking is ready at the present time. It is white striped ■with rose, of fine form and good substance. Forget-me-not, reddish purple, ■will be ready in May, 1865 ; and Fascination, rose edged with white, in the autumn of next year. Those last- Jal7 5, 1S64. 2 JOUENAIi OF HOBTICULTTTSE AlfD COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 9 of named will prove great acquisitions. Vast numbers plants of all the leading kinds raised by other growers are in equally fine condition. Next, and in no way inferior in merit, is the magnificent collection of hardy Ferns, chiefly British, irith about a dozen exotics. Altogether there are in cultivation here 158 varie- ties of British Fenis, but very many of these originated here as the offspring of other kinds. At present there appears to be no limit to the number of varieties likely to be obtained. Variations occur every year, and some of them of great beauty and distinctness ; but it also happens that the seedlings (if I may use this term as applied to Ferns) frequently go back to the form of their original paa-ents. It is worthy of note that all the Ferns actually found wild in this country are kept in stock, so that every lover of this description of plants can readily obtain kinds that would take a long time and distance to find in their wfld state. The British Ferns, then, when brought under the training of the skilful cultivator, are yearly showing some new feature of interest, and, because of their hardiness, will at no dis- tant period be eagerly sought for as important items in garden decoration, for dinner tables, plant-cases, and many other purposes where foliage is required as much as colour. Their cultivation is also easy, therefore they may share the attention of all. The collection of Messrs. Ivery is familiar to the visitors of the great metropolitan shows ; but to such as may not have had the opportunity of seeing them the subjoined list may be depended on as containing some of the most beau- tiful and distiact kinds. Adiantum capillus-Veneris (Common Maiden-hail-). Aspleniums. — Asplenium fontanum (Smooth Kock Spleenwort); septentrionale (Forked Splenwort); viridis (Green Spleenwort). Athyriums Filix-fwmina (Lady-Fems). — ^Athyrium Filix-fcemina apuasforme, very beautiful, the out- line of the frond resembling a fish, and the pinnae little fishes ; corymbiferum, fronds and pinnce bearing light tassels at the ends, a vigorous grower, very distinct and lovely ; crispum. a dwarf tufted variety, very curious ; diffissum, rather rare ; Fieldis, a new and striking variety, it should be in every collection. The same may be said of Frizellios. Laciniato- lineatum and plumosum rank among the most beautiful of the Lady-Ferns. Blechnum spicant (Common Hard-Fern.— The best of the tribe is probably Blechnum spicant ramosum, all the ii-onds being beautifully ei-ested at the ends. Nearly as good and distinct are polydaotylon ; striotum ; subser- ratum ; and subserrato-imbrioatum. Lastrea (Aspidium). — Lastrea Filix-mas (Male Pern) : BollandiEe, one of the hand- somest of the non-cristate varieties of FiUx-mas, and very distinct ; crispa is quite a unique kind, diflfering from the species in the widest manner imaginable ; cristata is a fine variety ; cristata angustata, a new and rare form of the pre- ceding ; and Jervisii is an interesting variety ; Osnvimda regalis cristata is very handsome. Polypodiums. — The four following are pretty: — Polypodium Drjopteris, Phegopteris, Eobertianum, and vulgare cambricum (Welsh Polypody). Polysticlmms (Prickly Shield-Ferns). — Polystichum angulare imbricatum ; angulare proliferum ; angulare WoUastoni ; and lonchitis (Holly Fern), are the most desirable. Scolopen- driums (Hart's Tongue). — Of about thirty of the Scolopen- driums, the following half a dozen are good: — Scolopen- drium vulgare sculptm-atum ; vulgare Wardii ; vulgare cris- pum ; vulgare digitatum ; vulgare macrosorum ; and vul- gare muricatum. The following four new Ferns are now ready for dis- tribution:— Athyrium FUix-fcemina mucronatum and glo- meratum (which have both received first-class certificates from the Eoyal Botanic and Eoyal Horticultural Societies) ; Athyrium FHix-fcemina Parsonsia, and Polystichum aculea- tum aorocladon. The last received a second-class certifi- cate from both Societies, but when shown it was not fuUy developed, so that its merits have not yet been fully recog- nised. Of the mirseiy stock out of doors, the most prominent aie the Coniferse, on account of the number, size, and form ■of the specimens. The Home Nursery, small in extent, con- tains a large number of fine plants of all the most important Mnds used for ornamental purposes. Wellington! as are from S to 12 feet high ; and among them is one veiy inter- ■esting at the present time from the circumstance of having twelve perfectly-formed cones. The cones were first noticed last summer, but, not coming to perfection in the autumn, were suffered to remain, and are now firmly set ; but it is not certain that they will produce seed. My own supposition is, that they are abnormal, caused by frequent removals of the plants. They are formed round the main stem at the end of the growth of 1862. Also deserving of notice is a Cupressus Lawsoniana, with abundance of seed. The Araucarias are very fine. From thirty to forty of them, ranging from 10 to 15 feet high, planted in olose proximity, offer a curious and interesting sight, such as can only be seen in the old-established nurseries of England. It is a mistaken notion that Conifers are only fit for parks and large pleasure grounds. They should be planted every- where, in the smallest as well as the largest gardens (so many of fastigiate habit have, of late years, been introduced that'the size can no longer be pleaded as an excuse), much more the compact kinds, as Thuja (Biota) aurea, Junipems ericoides, &c. Any one taking the slightest interest in his garden, and looking at the planted space in front of Mr. Iver/s house, filled vrith Conifers of all sizes and forms, would not hesitate to acknowledge their beauty, and the wide range of their adaptability. Among the other plants most worthy of note is a large one of Lonicera aureo-reticulata, which stood out in a rather exposed situation the whole winter. It continued growing the whole time, excepting in the severe fr-osts, when very small portions of the ends of the shoots suffered trifling injury. The hardy character of this beautiful climber is thus sufficiently proved. At the upper end of the mu-sery on the north side of the boundary-wall is a collection of Ivies and Vincas, suitable for shady and other places, where many things will not grow. Of the former Mr. Ivery tells me he has thfrty-nine varie- ties. Many of them are very distinctly striped and blotched. The Eoses are here, as they must be in every nursery, an important branch of the business. A judicious selection of the really best kinds is infinitely better than an indiscrimi- nate propagation of the good and bad that have always been muddled together in extensive collections. Without getting behind the times, the Messrs. Ivery are careful to keep out, as far as possible, the rubbish sent to England every year by the French growers. At the time of my visit there were good blooms of Triomphe d' Angers, Triomphe de Caen (good colom-, but rather too thin), DeuU de Prince Albert, L'Ele- gante, John Hojiper, Charles Lefebvre (good), Senateur Vaisse (stUl Al), Cecile de ChabrOlant (ditto). Duchess of Norfolk, Mademoiselle Bonnaire (one of the best light Eoses), Willimn Griffiths, America, General Jacqueminot, Baronne Prevost, &c. In conclusion, I have to acknowledge the courtesy and kind attention of Mr. Ivery in pointing out the various objects of interest. — Adolphtjs H. Kent, BlecldngUy. DESTEOYING THE EED SPlDEE. The mixture used for the destruction of the red spider (and noticed by you at page 461) is not made from gum, but sago flour — a much cheaper mixture than gum, as it costs in Liverpool only about 10s. per cwt. (Potato starch wiU do equally well, if sago flour is not obtainable). My starch was made in the following manner: — 2 lbs. of sago fiour were made into a thin paste, thickening it in the same way as the laundry-maids do when making starch. This paste was then poured into three gallons of boiling water, and the mixture well stuTed up until it came to boiling again, it was then mixed with six gallons of cold water, and applied to the trees immediately by a syringe having a jointed nozzle. Thirty trees in my orchard-house were syringed with the effect shown on the leaf sent to the office of The JotrBNAii OF HOKTICULTTTEE. It cannot be used too soon after being made. The cold water with which it is mixed reduces the temperature to something like 100° F., which is quite safe, but if allowed to get cold it has not the same fluidity as at fii'st. I think it best suited for Peaches and Nectarines. The pubescence on the under side of the leaf in the Apple and the Plum, hold the film of paste more tenaciously than does the leaf of the Peach. For the thrips it ought to be very fluid to get close alongside the midrib of the leaf, and at the 10 JOUENAL OF HOETICULTIIRE AND COTTAGE GAKDENEE. [ Jaly 5, 1S61. same time be so strong as to impound them. This requires greater strength than is needed for the red spider. I fhi'Tilr the trees require syringing two or three times, as a single leaf missed is sufficient to stock the tree with those pests again. — T. G. P.S. — It is not effectual for the aphis. MOEE FIRE THA^' ^'EED^^L TO HEAT THE WATEE CmCTILATED. Last autnmn I put up a small house (Xo. 1) chiefly for j propagating purposes, a semi-span, on Hereman's Paitoman principle, 20 feet by 10 feet. It was heated as shown in the j plan. I soon found that I had not enough water for my i heat, for no sooner does the fire bum up than it boils. At first I had a half-inch gas-pipe led through the glass roof at j, ■ for the escape of the steam ; but this was quite insufficient. ] Then I had a tube of zinc made 6 inches in diameter, secured [ over the pipe junction, and carried through the roof, and then covered with a perforated lid — the whole shown at j, ; in the section L. But this scarcely mends the matter, for the space enclosed in this six-inch pipe is insufficient to hold the swollen water at boiling point ; and so, ever and anon, , it rushes and roars up, throws off the lid, and pouis in streams upon the glass roof, penetrating down to the plants beneath, scalding them, and filling the house with steam. This is difficulty the first. Now, as a remedy, it has been suggested that I have a parallel-sided cistern made of zinc or sheet iron, to hold about twenty -four gallons, and put this instead of the present steam-pipe, soldering it over the open junction, as shown by the section (i/i), dotted in section L. This would have a moveable lid, for supply, and it is thought that the increased contents would both leave ample room for swell- ing under heat, and also by the increased body of water obviate the tendency to too ready boiling. BACK WALL. ■■ tx- HOUSE NO. 2. a, "^Valled pit, filled with tan, for planein^. J, c. Flow and return four-icch pipe for bollom heat, d. Tap at end of ditto. e. Flow and retnm foar-inch pipe for atmospheric heat. /, Boiler. g, Fireplac**. h. Stokehole, ander a shed. Please to give me your opinion on this, and if you approve, say whether the proposed cistern should be of zinc or sheet iron. Now then for difficulty the second. I want to put a little heat into house No. 2, and think that my boiler (/) is adequate to the work. The distance from house to house is about 9 feet, and it is proposed to caiTy one-inch connection- pipes from the flow and return at j. to similar flow and return fonr-inch pipes to be placed in house No. 2. The proposed connections and pipes are indicated by the lines (n). But the space between the houses is occupied by the garden walk (i), which cannot be removed. May the connection-pipes dip beneath the gravel, and rise again to t. Front shelf. j\ Steam-escape pipe. k, Garden walk. 1, Section of front shelf at J, on larger scale. m, Pioposed wa5te-ci.«tern. n, Proposed continuation of pipes to House 2. their proper level within the house. No. 2 ? since \their level, even when so buried, would not deecend nearly so low as the point at which each pipe respectively issues from or rejoins the boiler. Please to tell whether such a dip is practicable. I have omitted to say that as the heating of house No. 2 will only be occasional, while the heating of No. 1 is con- stant, the pipes (n) must each have a valve or stop; but this will present no difficulty, I presume. — ObchidophiI/US. [The primary cause of your trouble is having too much fire for the body of water to be heated, which causes the water to boU, and very likely to form steam next the boiler, the force of which throws the water up the six-incb Jnly 5, 1864. ] JOUENAL OF HOKTICTJLTXJEE AND COITAGE GAEDENEE. 11 waste-pipe which you take right up through the roof of the house. We have had similar trouble in smaU houses and pits, from the expansion of the water when heated to or near the boiling point. If you have no more heat than you want, with the pipes thus hot, you had better add more piping, and not have them so hot, as the heat given oflF from the pipes at from 200° to 212° is very trying for tender plants. It would be safer not to have the water above 170°, or lower than that. Then the water would expand less. If, with water at 170°, or lower, you will have enough of heat, then the next point wUl be to moderate the strength of your fire, either by using inferior ftiel or banking-up with ashes, and keeping the ashpit-door close whenever you have obtained as much heat as you want. By this means a gentle uniform heat may be kept up under any boiler, as the draught, if not regulated by the ashpit-door, can also be regulated by a damper. If from neglect or other causes there would be a doubt of this answering, the great means of safety would be your proposed expansion-cistern. It matters not how this is fixed, whether by the side or on the top of the open end of the pipe, provided the cistern communicates with the pipe and stands mostly above it. When the fire is lighted the water in the cistern should not stand much above the orifice of the open pipe. This will aiford all that more room for expansion of the water ; and if the cistern is covered, to prevent the escape of vapour as the water cools, there will be plenty of water to fill the pipes and boiler, with, now and then, a little addition being made to it. Now, but for yoiu" safety-pipe through the roof, there would be danger of an explosion. With that safety-pipe, and the large discharge you speak of, there is danger of air getting into the pipes, especially the lower ones for bottom heat; and then, not to speak of danger, it ought to be generally known that a body of air enclosed between two columns of water gets, for all circulation purposes, as impas- sable as a barrier of solid rock. We perceive you have a tap or turncock at the farther end of the pipes for bottom heat, and, we presume, at the highest point of the pipes. The turning of this will let oflf any accumulated air : but why not have an open gas-pipe going outside the house instead, which would be continuously self-acting, and save you all the trouble of turning the tap ? If a little hot water was your object, you could obtain that from your cistern ; but for all delicate purposes it is best to use pure soft water, warmed in the house by being set over the cistern. As to the material for the cistern, either zinc or sheet iron will answer well enough, but they will soon oxidise. If either is dipped twice in a galvanising trough they will last much longer. We wovdd as soon have a wood box, say of IJ-inch boards, well beaten and joined at the comers. This kept constantly supplied with water will last a long time. Even if lined with zinc or thin lead both wiU last much longer from the support of the wood. As already stated, the large cistern wiU be the best safety valve. Secondly. As the junction-pipes to the second house, even when xinder the gravel path, will not be so low as the pipes in the fii-st house when they issue fi-om the boiler, the simplest mode of heating the second house, which only needs heat occasionally, would be to take a flow-pipe from the proposed cistern, which you could plug up, when not wanted, with a wooden plug. But the return-pipe must not return to the cistern, but form one of the other returns, or communi- cate at once fi-om house No. 2 to the bottom of the boiler. We state this because it is best that the return-pipe from No. 2 should not rise, but rather decline from thence to the boiler. Tou might have taken only one flow-pipe from the boiler to the cistern, and from thence taken pipes for bottom heat, or top heat, wherever you liked, provided the pipes in no place were lower than the boiler, and the return-pipes, if anything, fell to the bottom of the boiler. The one-inch connecting-pipe you propose must be bedded in sawdust, or some non-conducting material, or it will lose much heat in the course of 9 feet. We would prefer at least a two-inch pipe.] PLAINTS FOE. SMOKY LOCAIITIES. The reply which you have given to " L. H. S." shows you to be well acquainted with all the trees and shrubs which caji grow in the vicinity of smoky large towns. I live a mile distant from the centre of Manchester, on the east side. My garden is protected either with trees or buildings, except from the north. Limes and Elms appear to grow well for two or three years, and then either break off midway down the trunks, or, as if by magic, die in a moment. Poplars are thin, ragged, and unsightly, and are certain to die off. The Copper-leaved Beech holds its place, certainly, but with great struggling. The Mountain Ash does tolerably. The Horse Chestnut grows freely, but never blooms. The north and north-west winds affect the young leaves severely, making a wreck where abundant foliage existed. Pear trees grow well, but bloom only occasionally. This year three Pear trees, each of them at least 45 feet in height, have been profusely covered with leaves ; one only bloomed, the other two disdained the trouble. Thorns grow well, and flower freely, both white and red. Lilacs, Gueldres Eose, Siberian Crab, and the Elder do well, more especially the latter, which seems as if it took a pride in combating the enemy, smoke, and routing it altogether. Azaleas grow well, the yellow one more freely than any other sort. The Azalea thrives best when it is protected from the keen blast or the blazing midday sun. But of all the evergreens which thrive here let me sing the praises of the Ehododendron. Some of the less hardy varieties have great diificulty in maintaining their footing, and indeed, like consumptive people, die off. Our garden would be nothing without the Ehododendrons, they are charming and beautiful whether in flower or not; waving their heads with every breeze of wind, they become the most polite and courteous of evergreens. Aucubas do very well indeed, they grow up into strong bushy trees, suffering from nothing but unkind Jack Frost. White and yellow Brooms, as you say, do fairly, but that is all that can be said of them. Young Hollies appear to be doing well, but their seniors keep on disappear- ing. Laurustinus will not do ; whilst the Ledum latifolium make their balls of snow every season. The Eibes thrives very weU. Weigela rosea will not bloom, coax it ever so much. Privet is successful, and makes wood freely. Labur- nums are very satisfactory for a town buried in smoke, but when compared with those grown in more favoured situations they are scarcely worth naming. I have thus gone through almost all the kinds I am able to grow, which agrees with nearly all you have written. There is, however, one remark I am desirous of making to aU who desire to have trees and shrubs in the neighbour- hood of large towns, and it is this — that if they want to be successful they must look carefully after them, and never cease their efforts in protecting them from the enemies which they have to fight against. — H. A. NEW STEATVBEEEIES. The Eoyal Hatjtbois. — Through the kindness of the E«v. W. F. Eadclyffe, of Eushton, we have received a basket of the fruit of Elvers' Eoyal Hautbois, which, notwithstanding the distance travelled, came in excellent condition. This is by far the best variety of the Hautbois we have ever seen. It is the largest in size and the most abundant bearer, and the flavour is superior to any other of the Hautbois. The colour, like that of all the other varieties, is partly purplish rose and partly pale yellowish ; and the flavoiu-, as a friend remarked, was "like Strawberries and cream." Mr. De Jonghe, of Brussels, has sent us specimens of two new Strawberries which we think will prove useful additions to those already in cultivation, if it were for no other pro- perty than that of bearing a long journey without injury. In both of these the flesh is so firm and solid that the con- dition in which we received them was most excellent, ^and the flavour was not in the least destroyed. Bijou. — This is evidently of the same race as that other excellent variety raised by Mr. De Jonghe called La Con- stante. The stalks of the leaves and fruit are short and stout, clothed with spreading hairs. The blade of the leaves is of a glaucous green beneath, and a clear shining dark green above. Flowers small. Fruit not so large as that of La Constante, fr'om which it was raised, ovate or conical, regularly formed, and having large seeds, which are level with or rather prominent on the 12 JOUENAI. OF HOETICtrLTTTEE AhiD COTTAGE GAEDENEE,. [ July 5, 1861. surface. The skin is of a clear, varnished cheixy-red, well coloured all over the surface. Flesh firm and solid, white throughout, juicy, rich, and with a sprightly flavour. This seems a very hardy variety, judging from the leaves and fruit that were received. SouvuNiE. — This is apparently of more luxuriant growth than Bijou and La Constante, but it has all the appearance of belonging to the same hardy race. It is an immense bearer, and produces masses of noble fruit. The stalks of the leaves and fruit are clothed with spreading hairs ; the leaves are broad, roundish, and deeply dentate, of a dark and somewhat shining green above. The fruit is large, sometimes very large, varying from rounded ovate to long conical, and in some instances it is irregular and corrugated in shape. Seeds large and even with the surface. Skin of a uniform shining cherry-red colour. Flesh white, firm, and solid, juicy, richly flavoured, and with a fine ijine-apple aroma. This is a very excellent Strawberry, and, in our opinion, surpasses all the other varieties raised by Mr. de Jonghe. DESTEOYING THE GOOSEBEREY CATEEPILLAE. In No. 168 I see your correspondent complains of the leaves of the Gooseberry tree being injui-ed by the wash, the recipe of which I sent you. This 1 suspect was owing to the soap not being sufficiently dissolved. In that case, wherever the clots of soap touch the leaf, they leave a brown speck similiar to the mark of the Celei-y grub, but if care is taken in this respect, I still adhere to my original state- ment, that it is the best cure for the caterpillar pest. Only yesterday I discovered some young trees aifeoted. I instantly watered them over with the solution from a fine-rosed water- pot, and in less than half an hour the caterpillars were dead by hundreds on the ground. — Evan York Nepean, Bucknall Rectory. The question of the Gooseberry caterpUlar having so frequently come before our notice, and being still under discussion, I beg permission, among the rest, to offer a few remarks on the subject; and, at the same time, to give a brief description of its habits, and the various changes it undergoes during its season, which, I think, will tend to show how easily parties may be mistaken when guided only by fancy and heai-say. About thirty or thirty-five years ago my trees were so infested with these destructive larvse that I was induced to watch very carefully the different movements and changes. both of these and other insects destructive to vegetation. But to proceed with the catei-pUlar. This pest is the progeny of a very small fly, a species of Tenthredo. The fly of the fii-st brood emerges about the end of March or beginning of April fi-om its chrysalis state, in which it has continued all winter, a few inches deep in the earth, under the bush. Each insect deposits its eggs, end to end, sometimes to the number of thii-ty or forty, along the ribs and under the expanding foliage. Here they remain in the embryo state a few days, till nature pushes them forward into living depredators ; and in a few days more marks of their existence will be visible upon the foliage — viz., small round holes, like pin-holes, to the amount of the number of caterpillars. After the insects produced upon the several leaves have devoured those leaves, they then spread over all the other unoccupied parts of the trees, consuming them leaf by leaf, until they ai-e full-grown ; and then nature bids them retire from the bush, preparatory to the appearance of a second brood, which wiU be about the end of May or the beginning of June, when the caterpillars may be seen casting their maculated skins amongst the remaining leaves of the trees and the weeds under them, when they enter the earth a few inches as before, and there remain about six weeks, and again leave the cocoon or case to establish the latter brood, which feed as usual until the caterpillars are fuU-grown, at which time they retire into the earth for theii- winter quarters. After having fully satisfied myself about their habits, &o., my next step was to provide a remedy for these ravenous de- predators. I first tried salt and water, and in about half an hour the trees were in a dying state. My next application was alum and water, 1 lb. to eight gallons of water. This had the effect of dispersing them, only to wander over the branches and upon the earth. Some, however, died, while others in a day or two resumed tiieir work. I then tried common brown or mottled soap, thinly sliced, and dissolved in gently-boiling water; to this I added six gallons of rain water and two gallons of tobacco water. This mixture was applied with the engine in fine spray over the bushes, and followed by a man with a fine whisk, dashing the wet gently in amongst the foliage. This treatment proved effectual, and destructive to the caterpillars. But alas ! like many other things now-a- days, both soap ond tobacco water are no longer genuine: indeed the tobacco water of the present day is useless. For the next remedy; when the caterpillars became more advanced in growth, or nearly matui-ed, a piece of canvass was provided, say 5 feet square, a slit was cut halfway through it, and it was drawn by two men round the tree, the stem of which was then struck smartly once or twice with a stick provided on purpose, with a cross-piece, 6 inches long, nailed on the end of it, covered with cloth to avoid bruising the trees, "When the stem was struck down came all the pests upon the canvass, which was emptied from time to time, and the caterpillars destroyed. This was an important operation, for it removed all apprehension of another brood. But pre- vention is better than cui'e, and I am of opinion that picking off the leaves the moment they exhibit the small round holes mentioned above, is decidedly the best plan of all, and they must be looked for about the two periods I have named above. It may appear a tedious process ; but when we consider the great mischief that is prevented by destroying these young depredators before they quit the leaf they are pro- duced upon, and spread over the whole tree, I think the trouble wiU hardly be worthy a consideration. I may just add that neither placing Elder, Broom, Furze, nor, indeed, any other plants, in the bush will have the desu'ed effect; and all applications about the roots are useless, as the shell protecting the chrysalis is so hard and well manu- factured that no application can penetrate it. I can only help your clerical correspondent over his mistake in imagin- ing the branch of Furze placed in the Gooseberry bush to have destroyed the caterpillar by supposing that it was most probably leaving the trees at this time, preparatory to its fii-st change. In conclusion, I may just observe that I have not a single Gooseberry catt rpiUar, I think, in my gai'den, and have not had for years, owing, I really believe, to the encouragement I give to birJs. Blackbirds and Thrushes, with other birds, are singing delightfully all day long ; and large armies of that much-despised bird, the Sparrow, spread themselves over the ground, daily gathering caterpillars, aphis, &c., not only from the Gooseberry bushes, but from most other kinds of fruit trees, shrubs, &c. — Joshua Major, Landscape Gar- dener, Knosthorpe, near Leeds. WOEK FOE THE WEEK. KITCHEN GAKDBN. The frequent showers we have had of late have been veiy favoiu'able for all necessary operations. Every yard of ground that can be spared should be prepared and planted with winter vegetables. Stir the surface of the soil amongst all growing crops where practicable; it will enable the rain to penetrate through it with greater fiicility as well as check evaporation. The early crops of Peas, Spinach, Radishes, and Caulifiowers should be cleared off the ground as soon as they are exhausted. The ground, well manured and dug, might be planted with Cauliflowers or Walcheren Broccoli. Con- tinue to ridge out Celery, and plant the Broccoli and winter Greens on all disposable vacancies. Sow Spinach, Turnips, Endive, Lettuces, and Eadishes to maintain the successional supply. Plant Leeks in well-manured laud. FLOWER GAKDEN. As we may presume the principal planting-out for the season is over, and for which the late rains will be of much service in promoting a free start, the usual routine of pegging down plants intended to bo kept dwarf, tying others up, and keeping the surface of the beds free from weeds until they ai'e covered by the growing plants, wUl comprise July 5, 1864. ] JOTJKNAL OP HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 18 most of what is required for the next few weeks. In the meantime some attention must be paid to propagating various kinds of perennial plants of which a stock is required. Cuttings ma.y be put in of Tea and China Eoses, selecting wood of the present year when it becomes a little firm at the base. Boots, bulbs, &c., of Anemones, Tulips, Crocuses, ScUlas, Pritdlarias, &o., which have been out of the ground for some time to dry, should be properly labelled, and put by till the autumn, when they will be re- quired to fiU up their respective beds for spring flowering. Keep the smaller and seedling plants free from weeds, and lose no time in sowing perennial and biennial flower seeds for blooming next season. Quick and Privet hedges should be closely cut-in with the shears. Let them slope-in a little towards the top, which will give them a better appearance ; but hedges of larger-leaved plants as Laurel, Turkey and Lucombe Oak, and Sweet Bay, must have the young wood cut back with the knife, as the shears would destroy the beauty of their leaves. Shrubs grown to embellish Italian and geometric gardens, terraces, &c., should now likewise be out into the figures they are to assume ; in many cases wires will be necessary to keep the branches in the proper places at first, when afterwards the knife and shears wiU suffice to keep them in proper form. Portugal Laurel, Cy- presses, Arbor Vitass, Tews, Bays, and tree Box, are the plants most commonly employed for this purpose, and when cut into architectural figures are fine accompaniments of the above style of gardening. They should, however, be clipped- in two or three times during the season, to preserve correctly the required outline. Flowering shrubs as they go out of bloom to have the dead flowers, &o., removed, and be slightly cut back. For the same reason remove the seed- pods ii-om Ehododendrons, tree Paeonies, &c. These little attentions will be followed by an increased growth of the plant, and with the greater certainty of then- blooming every season. Late-sown annuals should be thinned out as soon as they are well above ground, for if left to grow too thickly they spoil one another, and never make half the display plants do that are allowed plenty of space, and which ai-e grown strongly from the first. Plants grow- ing in baskets and vases to have a final stining of the surface of the soil before it is entirely covered with foliage. Likewise put on a layer of moss to check evaporation, and thus save some labour in watering. On light dry soils Ame- rican plants will be greatly benefited by a good soaking of water after flowering, and the finer specimens should be mulched to assist in keeping the roots moist during the growing season. Water Dahlias in dry weather ; it will also be serviceable to mulch the surface of the soil with rotten manure Trap earwigs. PKiriT GAKBEN. Peach trees will require repeated attention directed to the judicious regulation of the wood, with the view of main- taining the equilibrium of the tree. An undue growth of laterals should be suppressed, and the shoots regularly tacked to the wall, and the fruit exposed to the light. Trained Pears demand similar attention. Eemove Easpberry suckers, four win be sufficient to remain. Strawberry runners wiU be found sufficiently advanced for layering. GEEBNHOUSE AND CONSEEVATOKT. Should the plant-structures require repairs or cleaning, the stock may be removed with greater safety at this than at any other period. It is injudicious to leave the com- pletion of such work until late in the season. Enjoin care in watering. Some importance belongs to the due adjust- ment of the supply to meet the varying requii-ements of the plants. Attend to the propagation of Pelargoniums and herbaceous Calceolarias, and other half-hardy plants. For- ward Chinese Primroses for winter blooming, and watch the general stock for autumn decoration. See that the Lilacs, Deutzias, and Provence Eoses forced the preceding season are plunged and top-dressed. Propagate the Chinese Chry- santhemums for blooming in small pots. Go over the twiners in the conservatory frequently, and regulate the growth before the shoots get entangled; but avoid keeping them tied too closely, for they are never seen to advantage tmless they are allowed to hang in their own natviral and graceful manner. A number of hardwooded plants which were cut back some weeks since, will now have recovered themselves, and be commencing a fresh growth. This is the proper time to shift into larger pots any plants requiring it. After potting keep the plants close for a few days, and syringe them daily, but avoid giving any more water to the roots than is sufficient to preserve the old ball moist. Mind the roots of the plant are well moistened before being potted. At this season when the plants in the consei-vatory are making their growth preparatory to blooming, it is of the greatest consequence 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; if applied late it might prolong the growth so much in the autumn as to prevent its getting ripened in due time, and hence the blooming of the plants would be injured. These remarks apply, of course, to those plants permanently planted out, such as Camellias, Oranges, climbers, &c. STOTE. The stock here will now be growing very rapidly, and must be afforded sufficient space to allow of the perfect de- velopment of the foliage, and the formation of compact, handsome specimens. The atmosphere of this house can hardly be kept too moist, and the plants should be sprinkled overhead morning and evening, and every available surface kept constantly moist. A slight shade will be necessary for tender plants in active growth, for a few hours on the fore- noons of bright days ; but this should be used as sparingly as is consistent with the perfect safety of the foliage. Plants that are known to suffer from the direct action of the sun's rays should be placed in a shady part of the house, or kept together at one end, where they can be shaded without in- terfering with the plants that require plenty of light. Mealy bug and thrips will require to be looked after here for some time to come, and the utmost diligence must be used to keep these pests in check. W. Keani;. DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK. KITCHEN GAKDEN. Sowed two rows of Peas. Planted out more Celery. Pricked out more winter stuff. We envy those who can plant out quarters at once, for we have to do the next best thing and must lift if possible with little balls as we get some ground cleared. The rains and the sewage together have made early Peas continue so long in full bearing, that we shall not be able to remove them for some time. Plants of Sangster's, turned out from being sown on turves, and which have been daily gathered from since the first days of June, are now nearly 6 feet high, and so loaded that people will not believe they have been gathered from at aU. With, plenty of nourishment and close picking much may be done in little room. Went over a piece of Dwarf Kidney Beans under protection, and picked off all the larger beans for the hall, as one pod with beans foiTning and swelling inside will more exhaust the plant than a dozen nice crisp ones in which no sign of the bean appears. Staked Peas and Scarlet Eunners, using for the latter the rough tops of some young larch trees, which we have kept several years for this purpose. This and spruce after the foliage has fallen ai-e excellent for this purpose, and owing to the resin and turpentine which they contain, will last long after common pea-sticks from hazel, beech, hornbeam, &c., have rotted into dust. Twigs from these resinous trees answer well for the plants in the flower garden, and we prefer the spruce for bushiness and their lasting properties. Fresh twigs of lai'ch — that is, those taken last winter, make also capital hair-pin pegs for the flower-garden. They axe nipped off in bundles 6 or 7 inches long, ai-e just cracked in the middle, and the two ends stuck in the groimd over the shoot to be pegged down. Thinned Turnips, sowed suc- cession of them and Eadishes. Planted Cauliflower, watered that producing with manure water. Gave larger pots to Cap- sicums from which we expect ripe fruit for Cayenne pepper. Prepared Mushroom-bed in shed. Thinned out Tomatoes. Thinned and top-dressed Cucumbers in frames, which up to this time have done splendidly and as yet gave no signs of the Cucumber disease, which troubled us last season and for which we could find no remedy except fresh soil and frequent planting. u JOTJENAL OP HOETICULTtTEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. [ July 5, 18M. This disease for two years, showing itself in little brown spots on the leaf, and a guttering gumming of the fruit, showed itself on every member of the Cucumber family except Melons, which never were more healthy. In-doors and out of doors, by hot-water heat, and dung heat, and no heat at all, under hand-lights, and in the open air. Cucum- bers and Vegetable Marrows suffered and in almost every variety of soU, and we failed to have good Cucumbers except by frequent planting. We were not at all troubled last year in the early part of the season. As yet we have seen no appearance of the evU, and we hope we shall escape the infliction. It was annoying to be scarce of Cucumbers when they could be bought for " two a-penny." We have nearly a dozen of inquiries on this subject, and we say honestly to them all, that after trying all sorts of schemes ws could not destroy the evil, and the safest plan is just to sow again whenever a trace of the disease appears. Grow the plants to a good size in pots, and destroy the old ones. Clean the place well and plant in fresh soU. What brings it we are quite unable to say, as in almost every con- ceivable position, Cucumbers were affected here after mid- summer last year, when they had borne only a short time and produced at first healthy fruit. Generally a bed of Cucumbers used to last the season, but they have not done so lately -with us ; but we hope that our beds -will con- tinue to produce as abundantly as they have done this season. If so, we shall be glad ; but if we should be so fortunate, we freely confess that we shall be as unable to account for the continued success, as for the previous presence of disease, as the course of treatment is much the same as that followed for many years, when Cucumbers were such a matter of covirse as to give no trouble whatever except the routine of management. PEUIT GARDEN. Much the same as previous week. Plenty now to pick and choose fi-om. Gave a little more water to British Queen Strawberries, where the crop was heavy. Hope to have drier weather for the other kinds to get them gathered. Eaised Melons on flats to keep them from the soil, and thus prevent cracking. Gave a drier air to those ripening, so as to secure flavoui- by that and fuU sunshine. The shading of Melons is one cause of their inferior flavour. In managing Melons disbudding is better than pruning. The mode ot' disbudding and stopping which we consider most systematic and correct has been given several times already. Here we think it necessary to state a little fact in the way of caution. We have used bruised laurel leaves for destroying greenfly and other insects. We tried it a short time ago on Cucum- bers and Melons, where a little green fly showed itself. The leaves or young shoots of the laurel are very strong in prussic acid when bruised now, and, therefore, much fewer of them must be used than in winter and spring. In a two-light box of Cucumbers half a peck of these leaves, bruised, were placed in an open box, and they settled the insects without hurting the plants. When about the same quantity was placed in a bed of Melons the larger leaves were consider- ably injured, and had to be removed ; and this also injured the fruit then set a little more. As we had others about the same stage we removed the fruit as well as the affected leaves, and allowed the young shoots to run again, which are now setting with young fruit. We have often found that Melon leaves are more sensitive to tobacco smoke than Cucumber leaves. The same seems to hold good with the fumes fi-om laurel leaves. Such facts tell us to beware of strong doses of anything. We believe that the Melon leaves were dry. We do not think we can give the ratioiiale of the result, but we have seen the half of a house syringed before smokiue attributable to improper planting, as in a cold^ wet, clayey soil, and on the level without any preparation. Our advice is : selecting a showery time in September, remove the turf for a space of 6 feet all round the tree. Have a cartload of moder.itely rich loam— if turfy loam with an equal quantity of leaf mould intermixed, so much the better — in readiness, then take up the tree carefully with a ball if practii-able, and dig the whole of surface from which the turf is removed one spit deep. Spread about half the cartload of h-esh compost on the newly dug ground, and point it in with a fork. This done phice the tree in the centre with the bottom of the ball upon the surface, and put fresh compost round the ball, so as to cover it an inch or two higher up than before, pressing the soil gently around the ball. Place the soil over the dug portion of the field, so as to slope from the tree down to the turf all round. Your tree will then stand on a gentle mound, flattened or dished at the top for about a yard wide, to hold water, of which give a good supply immediately after planting, and thtn reUy the turf, which will not be sufficient to c^ver the little hillock, but will leave a space about I foot 6 inches wide all round the tree. The edges of the turf will form a dish very useul in supplying the tree with water about twice a-week in dry wciither, if any bo needed afterwards, which will be the case if September be dry ; but none will be needed after planting if the weather be at all wet and showery. Try this, and your tree will astonish you. Agapanthbs uaiBELLATUS CULTURE (Jdcm).— Pot in a compost of turfy loam and leaf mould in April, and place in a light airy situation in a cool greenhouse. Water moderately after potting, but when the pots become filled with roots water abundantly from May until October, keeping rather dry at the roots at other times, but not so as to affect the foliage much. The plants may be placed out of doors in June, and returned to their winter quarters in October. Under this treatment they mostly fiower in September, and when distributed in large clumps in vases, or tubs, ou terraces, they have a fine appearance. Kept in the Rreenhou-^e continuously they usually bloom ia May, sometimes in autumn, and occasionally at both periods. Cut Flowers {R. 5.).— A prize "for the best collection" is very in- definite. We suppose the judges will be infiuenoed not only by the number of different kinds, but by the tuste with which they are arranged ; and here we cannot heip you, unless we had the flowers before uj. 16 JOITRNAL OP HOETICULTTJRE AND COTTAGE GAJRDENEE. [ July 5, 1864. Vabiocs (TV. Jf.!.— 1, With the greater heat in sunthine in a curnte's tmery, there would be the greater cold in dull weather, bpc.iiise the ae- cumnlated heat would scorer radiate. The larger orchard- hgiise would haye the advantage of greater uniformity of teKperature, heinif not so qmckly heated nor so quickly cooled, and the comparatire earliness of the two would decend more on circumstances anc the management, than on the merits uf the rfspective systems. 2, Common sashes, wide or narrow may easily he mode to fit to the ridge form, by plncinif them toRitlier at top, and a yard or more apart at the haso in the shape of a triangle. 3, Your proposed plan of tisicj! your sashes over a sloping frame with the Vines underneath 18 »n old and a good plan. We have seen hundreds of good bunches thus obtained. Vines were grown attainst a wall, the frames were moved along the walls, fo that a frefh piece of t>je Vines was taken in every year. A rough liotbed of litter w.i8 made, the frame set over it, and the Vine stems introduced, either thiough holes in the back of the frame, or just amongst the dung beneath it. The steam did good at first. By the time the manure had become sweet the buds would be swelling, and the material somewhat consolidated. Then the surface was covered with slates, most likely painud with sulphur, and the Vine stems trained, say 10 inches above the slate. Air was rnly attended to ; and a warm dull day selected lor thinning the Grapes. The san-.e plan ansiiers admirablv, as in the cnrate s vinery, without any fermenting material, but they will not come to maturity so early. The mere distancof the Vines from the slates, provided the sun strikes on the latter, Is of less importarce as respects earline»a than careful attention to the early giving and the early taking awav of air, 60 as to enclose the concentrated power of the sunbeams. 4 Bj' in- creasing the huglit of your frame-bouse, so .is to be able to walk underrieuth V^C °° '"* work standing, and having no slates, vou would be no better on than in jour orcliavd-hcuse. But, without the slates, you may ripeu good Grapes in such a place ; and you would succeed all the belter and earlier, IJ you had a floor or wall that, from its dark colour, would absorb heat in the csrly part of the season ; and of a light ci.Iour, so as to reflect heat and light in the autumn. We only speak of the latter colour in such a raised ? ?i^*V A" '"'^ '^' should dread burning from the white colour. 1 t' '■^ "'■'^ ^'■'■y "■"■''' ">' "''y "« managed. Good gardeners arc loath to say "we cannot;" but no work has ever contained so many confessions of failures and disappointments, from head men in the profession, as his work does. We believe all our coadjutors act on the principle that a lailure understood is as instructive as a success. It is folly to condemn Wholesale what many succeed so well in ; ai,d our columns are as open to rauuree as to successes. Our own opinion is, that almost anj thing maybe grown ma pot or tub ; hut that it can be so grown economically for general purposes is entir, ly another affair. The watering alone would make" havoc m the profits, b.;t that allowed, there can be little question as to obtainin- crops. Ot course, let thrm hang as they grow, and failure is crrtain. Mosl l^A^ L"^ ™J'" sanguine, buy a lut of cheao trees, with unripened wood and obtain no fruit that will stand. Good folks should at least try trees next season that they have themselves looked over this se.ison. 6,'lf von could tell the rea.^un wky your Peach and Apricot trees in pots, so full of bloom, dropped their fruit, that would be a gain to youiself. and to the uro- .r.r" /*"«^»"'-- The n.ere fact of failure is less against a system tnan a fact of success is in its favour. It is just possible that, like spoiled cmiaren, your plants had too much atiention. Wo should conclude the growth was rather vigorous. We hope to have a hi tter : ccount of these S!t."j '^''"^^, ^^ ''°'''" 5°" ^'" succeed with Vines, either in boxes or piamefl out. We also believe you will succeed with Peach trees, if vour enthusiasm points that way, even though you should somewhat diminish w '"'f""''n lo' stcurir.g lusmiance, and give a little mote to the harden- ing of the wood early m autumn r^h ,1 ^{■*7'" U Xeader).--We do not notice anything the matter KthJ^ leaf enclosed, and think the leaves fall naluiallv. With the JUbergia vittata the cause may also he the same- namely, the old parts aecaying as new ones take the strength and rigour of the plant, {our ?tHlf,;„ ,' ^^ ^^"- "" ""• "P'ously syringed, and the sun's rays Iodiarubber'l»ar"had°'"'°' "^""^ ""^ '^°""' »i'P"''"":e which the M^dZil TJ"""" ,"7," """' ff-)..- We are at a loss to account for your fl. M V -j"?'^' ""'■ '''°°™"'S- It '3 one of the freest-blooming amongst the Hybrid Perpetuals, 1, We have not found any of Hybrid Perpetual' shy boomers on thiir own roots; generally the reverse. 2, Caioline de M^rlr,;.- ■^'^ J " NanteuU, Baronne Prevost. G^^neral Jacqueminot, Jules Margottin Madame V.dot, William Jetse, Prince L«on, Senateur Vai'se Pnncesse Mathilde, ilardchal Vaillant, and Lord Kaglan. ^7™^^ '!! Pots- Roses fir. Treas^tre) .-The best kinds of Gra?e Vines for you will be the Koyal Muscadine and Black Hamburgh-soil rich loam • 5f.„. . ^'* than 16 inches across The best plan would be toget Iruit'ng- plants at once. The difficulty will be that, if you take a heavy crop frofo ^>,1 ^ i '? '" '" ''' ■it'r-c'ive in your windows, the plants will not do much good aftrrivards, and yon must have a ficsh supply. Tou can easilv fin,n.H "'".S"'"''' ""' ""^ lifflcuUy ^vill be in geuing the wood well ^ili .-. the autun.n, if you have not a wall to uive then, a good heat against it. Is there no me.i.s of planting Vims outside, so that you could take so many shoots inside the window every year, and save the trouble with the pots ! Ihe pots will keep best in winter in the cellar; the pota even then smroundid with litter a little moist, or moss, or anything of the Kind. If your Roses make such good wood, merely nip the poinls off in nlentf^T" ""''.''"'I, tl'^ "■I'""" tt 'i"le in spring, and you will have Plenty of Roses. Keep the same principle in view wiih your strong-growin" young p.oses. Keep them drjish in autumn, to ripen the wood wVll, H.?.'t^'^i^'■l,"7" P"''T8 Blihb Cr. If. U. fl.).-We attribute this to some nf HnVh, f '°™?'«','' of the teed. Ihat it is a defect of the seed we have no doubt ; for su'h ph.nts never exhibit any traces of a pluu.ule or growing point beyond the seed-leaves and a few rough leaves, and the plai^tra°wLyf •how, even fro,,, the seed-leaf, the want of a ceitre, or that wh ch in ^^'^"7, 'V'f^^' " •'^a- We at one time were indined to attribute t lm,n, r, 1 """' '"""'• ''^''"^ "'= ™' '"8 """•« of 'be plant whilt LT/'.li ' l-y """"'^l"*P"tion wo could find no trace of such an occur- rence still auch to confirm us in the opinion that the defect was due to the defective organisaliou of the seed in the pod. We never csperlenTed ar,y difference between sowing the seed in poor and in rich soil ; and thick ad seed, tl'-f "'■,1' "''"^ ^""'i^'^ ''^ "8«''» "'« "fmbcr of blind plaSs f«l; „; ""^Tk""^ t*"'' P°'i"' «"'"> '" '^'«"'"" P'"". »"e all alike perfectpTanuo'l "*"""""" I"'^''='. "-der the s'mue ionditioua, gavl MiLnuwEp STRiWBEEitT PLANTS ( S. M. P.).— The Black Prince Straw- berry plants, if the leaf sent is a good specimen, are eaten up with mildew, the result, we should say, of being grown thickly in the bed, and standing too long m the same ground. They may also have suffered by want of water. The partial shade, and extra manuring may be the cause in the younger (the twn-year-old) rows. Have vou examined the state of the roots? After the fine showers we wore surprised to find heavv crops of British Queen not swelling so fast as expected, and we found the roots too dry for the crop. We would advise change of soil, fresh plants from another garden, and not excessive manuring. We cannot be certain as to the Straw- berry yon describe, but we have very little doubt that it was the Hautbols. MiMuins cuPKins Flowers Eaten (S. E. 77".).— Slugs will eat the flowers; hut if you have made sure that there are none in your garden, it must be the earwigs. They will eat the flowers of nearly .^nything, and in all pro- bability they are the cause. We never suffered trom sparrows; but if they be the cause of the mischief, some strips of glass, suspended on black thread or worsted, and about a foot above the plants, will make the sparrows cautious about visiiing th- spot. Earwigs may be caught by setting a number of earwig traps, which are to be had of most seedsmen for a trifle ; or bean. stalks, cut into five or six-inch lengths, and pla-ed horizontally on the bed, will catch a goodly number. They should be daily examined, and the earwigs blown out and destroyed. Si:edling Geranium (M. .■!.).— It is pretty, but its value must he decided by the habit of the plant. If very dwarf it would be worth while to send a plant 01 It m a pot. when in blcom. to the Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society. The petals of the French Pelargonium were all shed ; and from a flower only it is not often that the name can be determined, the varieties are such legions. Plum Leaves Diseased ( " — They are infested with a parasitic fungus. It evidently commences giowth wlthiu the tissue of the leaves. Its pro- duction of spores might ho checked, perhaps, by dusiing the leaves with flnners of sulphur. We would also, in the autumn, have the walls painted with some mixture of which sulphur formed an ingredient. Salt, snrinkled over the border in the spring, might also he beneficial. Calceolahias Dvinq 'A Comlant Rfader].-Zl your plants turncl out in pots had been those only that died, we could most likely have hit upon the reason. If the pots were at all full of roots, and were tnrnecl out dry, and with the ball unruffled, no amount of future watering would damp the hulk of the roots, and, when exposed to a bright sun, there would first be flagging and then death. Those lifted from bids are not so sutject to the.,. ^ July 5, 1854. ] JOURNAL OF HOETICITLTUUE AND COTTAaE GARDENER. 17 Vine Leaves (21. T.).— The rou^hiiePs beneath the leaves never "occura but Oft very vigorous Vines. It will not deteriorate the crop. Admit air very freely. Dbsxroyisg Gheek Fly on Plants in Bloom (^mofeur).— Fumigate th,e plants with, tobacco smoke. pEACir Tree Infested -with Scale {A Constayit Header). — You can do little towards destroying the pests that infest your trees now beyond dub- bing the infected parts with cum water, made by dissolving 4 czs. of gum arable in a quart of cold soft water, applying it with a soft brush. In aboutaweekitfterit is applied it should Ise washed off by syringing strongly with water at a temperature of 120°. After the leaves fall wash the trees ■with a solution of Gishurst compound at the strength of 8 ozs. to the gallon of soft water. Apply it with a brush, rubbing it well into the cracks and crevices of the old wood, being careful not to injure the young fruit-buds with the brush. They must, however, be coated with the solution. CoLTDRB OF FoEEST TnEES (iJwsh'su*).— *' The Forester," written by Mr. Brown, of Amistoun, and published by Messrs. Blackwood, will give you every information. Names of Plants ( TT. L.).~l, Styrax officinale, Linn. ; 2, Chionanthus virginica, Linn., with terminal inflorescence; 3, Sassafras officinale, X^ees ; 4, apparently Finns uncmata, but we cannot decide without seeing the con-s ; 5, Chionanthus virginica, Linti., with axillary inflore?cence ; 6, Rhododen- dron hirsutum, Linn. (I. C, SheffisMj.—l, Symphoricarpus racemo&us, Michx. It i^ not a "British plant," as supposed, but a native of North America, arid -has escaped from gardens in this country. 2, Sagina pro- cumbens, L. ; 3, Carex remota. L. ; 4, Veronica serpyllifoUa, L. ; 5, Are- naria tenuifolla, L. {F. S. Ji.).— Tt\e two Ferns are : 1, Ptoria serrulata. L., var. ; 2. Adiantum hispidulum, Sw. ; and the flowering plaots: 1, Glaus ttiaritinja, L. ; 2, Cynoglossura officinde, L. The Moss we cannot name without a proper specimen in fruit. (S. y. E,), — 1, Adiantum capilius- Veneris, L., var.; 2, Aepleniura fragrans, Sw. ; 3, Onychium japonicum, Vize ; 4, Erica Irbyana. Andr ; 3, E. tricolor, Don ; 6, E. ventricosa, Thunb. {A Constant Suhscriher).~\, Adiunrnm pedatum, L.; 2, Poly- stichum aculeatum, L. ; 3, Lomaria spicant, Desv ; 4, Not in a fit tstate to be named; 5, an Anemia, but the specimen is not sufficient to show which species. (E. TT.).— 1, Hemerocallis flava, L. ; 2. Spircea filipendnla, L. ; 3, cannot be named from such a scrap; 4, Epilobium angustifolium, L. {A. J.).— Tbe plant with red flowers is Callistemon lanceolatum, JD. C. ; and the other Pittosporum uncniatum. {/. J^'ichoUs). — The flowering plant is Spiraea salicifolia. L. ; and the Fern, Scolopendrium vulgare, Sw. (5., Wansteaf^).—'£he Vine leaves hive u fangus upon them, but it is more connebted with excessive luxuriance th^^n any other cause. We cannot name tht- seed-pod with certainty. It appears to belong to a Bignoaia, or 8omethii;g c'osely allied. POULTRY, BEE. and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE. JOTTIJN'GS AT AN A&EICULTUKAL SHOW. Tee county Agricultural Meeting was held this year at Mannering Maudit, and being of the number of those who have nothing to do, I determined to go, and ordered my bed at the Angel. I arrived in the evening, and found the gate- way full of hearty-looking men. As I belong to the northern division of the county, and the Show was held in the south, and most of those present were judges and local committee- men, and as I had only lately taien to agriculture (I now farm twenty acres, and have two cows, two horses, several pigs, and lots of poultry), I was unknown. I verily believe I work harder upon and think more of my farm of twenty acres than I did at my business when at the head of a firm in the city. My object, therefore, was to get into the thick of the learned in agriculture, and to store all I heard in my mind. My anxiety on this point may give you the origin of these notes. As the evening grew later, the Angel fiUed. Most of the visitors had friends in the town, and they dropped in one by one till the room was full. My first note was that the conversation was confined to the subject for which all had met. There were plenty of exciting political topics, but they were not mentioned. One young man, who seemed to be " getting on," introduced hunting, but the subject dropped. Another said something about the Malt-tax ; even that found no seconder ; but the merits of sheej) and oxen, of a certain horse bred in that county, of a breed of pigs recently introduced, of the weight of roots, and the probable average of the wheat crop, were endless subjects. Later the Judges came in. They knew most of the company, and everybody knew them. They knew their work would be early, and they soon retired — I did the same ; but my bed was over the sitting-room, and it was getting towards daybreak when the cessation of the noise below allowed me to go to sleep. It was evident the real agricultural element had long retired to rest, save a few young ones, and these joined to many of the loose fish of the town, treated the inmates of the house to hunting and Bac- •chanaJian songs, varied with negro melodies, the instru- mental part of the concert consisting of rapping to time with the knuckles on the table, and striking tumblers with spoons, . every man to his taste. On a fine morning in June, be- tween two and three, there yet remained some finding plea- sure in declaring they would not go till morning and day- light, both of which had arrived. At this Show they follow the very objectionable plan of public judging, and this led me to notice the difference in the manners, habits, and characters of these gentlemen. Being on the spot, and a member of the Society, I was enabled to get early admittance, before there were many people on the ground, and to notice all that interested me. The Judges were in sets of three for each department. First, the Demonstrative. This Judge rather prefers to have the public around him, or at least within sight. He attitudi- nises ; he likes to prove the task is not an easy one ; he likes three or four competitors brought out from ;lieir pens and put side by side. He is then in his glory. He walks round them; he handles them, he appeals to his colleagues. With his right leg thrown well out, his head and bust thrown back, he stretches out his hands and arms, the former palms uppermost, and then comes the music; he hears from the sijectators, "Lookathim!" "What pains he takes!" "First- rate Judge !" And if his colleagues are against him he leaves them " not in anger," and walks towards the admiring spectators. It needs all the stern discipline of a ponltiy show to check the tendency to applaud. We have seen such a one have out a sheep between two rows of pens, and, after trying to impress its merits on his colleagues, at last kneel down to demonstrate the points he w.os describing. The next is the Passive. He wishes to have no one present but the Judges ; he speaks but seldom, when he does it is to the purpose. He rarely handles anything ; he speaks almost in a whisper; he is a first-rate judge, and his colleagues know it. The spectators say, "they don't think much of him." The third is the "Have-his-own-way" man. He walks along the pens or stalls, and, having made his survey, at once points to a pen of fowls, or to any animal or animals, and says, "This is my first." It is useless to try and convince him he is wrong ; he knows better ; and he'll stand there all day, or sleep there all night, but " that's his iii-st." As for the others it's all a parcel of stuff. No doubt the other Judges honestly mean well, but they are wrong ; there isn't a beast in the class fit to hold a candle to his. At last the two unite in deciding against him. Well, he's beat, and he can't help it. but he wiU say, and he don't care who hears it, there never was a worse decision ; he'd sooner have his choice than any other three beasts in the class. These were the Judges, and I found them the same when I dined with them afterwards. There was no assumption of character, no acting. The first and third really believed it was one of the highest offices a man could fill. I did not envy them ; but, as I was walking about unconcerned and they were stiU handling, I think they envied me. Next I had to look at the public — I like to do so. The first who came in was one of the leading men of the place, but rather notorious for his love of money. He seems to wear the same clothes, in every particular, that he wore and that were worn fifty years ago — blue coat with metal buttons, buff waistcoat, and drab trousers. As he passed through the wicket, he displayed his card. "Wish for a catalogue, sir?" said a young man. "Of coxirse I do — member and sub- scriber." He took it. " Sixpence, sir." " Nonsense, my good fellow — member and subscriber, I tell you." "I have to pay for all, sir, and you must pay." "Where is the Secretary ? " asked the now irate man. " Sixpence for a tiumpery catalogue ! it is unbearable — hand always in one's pocket — I won't pay for it. Ah ! there goes Jubbins, the Secretary. Here Jixb, my dear fellow, tell this tiresome man I am a member and subscriber. He wants me to give six- pence for a trumpery catalogue." " So you must." "What ! pay for a catalogue ! Never ! Here take it back, you man. Sixpence indeed, to me, a membe^ and subscriber ! " While I was walking about the Show, he borrowed mine three times, having mislaid his own. Then I noticed a man to be met with everywhere. He pays his price for admission, he buys a catalogue, he takes every paper of every kind that is offered to him. He thanks the man who is working the machine, and who shows him the process of making a di-ain-tUe. He had a try at a hydro- pnlt, but he was unfortunate, and discharged it full in the 18 JOtTKNAL OF HORTICHLTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. f Juljr 5, 1804. face of the " rural " who was looking on. I was wondering whether he ever bought anything, when the question was solved for me by two men who were in attendance on their master at an implement stand. "The guv'nor did not make a customer of him, Jim." " No, I should think not ; them civil fellows that say Thank ye, and admire everything, never buy." Next, there was another class equally ubiquitous, young, well dressed, tolerably well informed, and rather fast ; ec- centric in his choice of neck-tie, and his jewellery. He was standing near the fii'st-prize pen of very fat Pigs; some young ladies were opposite, and a very stout man was look- ing complacently at the swine. "The owner, I presume," said the young man. " Yes," said the farmer. " Things do well in your part." " Yes, not much the matter." He glanced across at the young ladies, and went on. There was the important gent smoking a cigar placed in a case that was composed of two kittens playing with a small ball, which had a hollow in it to receive the end of the cigar. He had a neck-tie remarkable from appearing to have every shade and colour that could be got together, and fastened with a most elaborate ring. His conversation was that this Show was very well for a small thing, but they should see the Show at "Porsey," in France. He always went. Then the ladies' man, weai-ing a straw hat surrounded by a dainty ribband, his open throat spanned by a diminutive collar, held in its place by a narrow blue tie, which was passed tlirough a ring. "Ever and anon" he removed his hat to pass his fingers through his rather long and curling hair, and to show how accurately it was parted down the middle. He was surrounded by ladies who seemed much pleased with his answers to their many questions about stock. He wished he might never be smiled upon again if he knew anything about the animals ; but he thought those things in the square dwellings formed of hurdles were baa lambs, and that great thing with horns was a moo cow, and so on. We got tired of him and dropped on a man who was sure of nothing ; the only answer to be had from him was, it might or it might not be. We asked him a question, which he answered in the aflii-mative, and then sent a friend on purpose, to whom he said. No, because the question leaned to that answer. He was delighted with the whole Show, which he declared to be marvellous. Then the Lord-Burleigh man, who joins every party that is looking at anything in particular, and when appealed to or spoken to, either nods his head, or sapiently rolls it fi-om side to side, and then passes on. These all give way to the man who either follows his calling by being at the Show, or gleans the knowledge ne- cessary to enable him to indulge a hobby, with the satis- faction of knowing he was doing good while he was indulg- ing his fancy. I have always thought shows were most excellent things, and I have met with more common-sense men and conversation in a showyard, than I often have at an exhibition during the London season. Lately, I have seen your columns open to contributions that only bear on the pursuit : therefore, if you think fit, you can find a comer for one who sometimes thinks with — Pen and Ink. JUDGES AT THE INTENDED POULTRY SHOW AT THE AGRICULTUEAL HALL. Observing it stated in your last, that Mr. Hewitt is to be one of the Judges at the forthcoming Poultry Show at the Agricultural Hall, I beg to state that no such appointment has yet taken place, consequently your article and remarks are premature. — Edwd. Tudman, an Hon. Sec. to PouUrv Club. [We saw a letter from Mr. Tudman to Mr. Hewitt, dated June 20th, asking him to be " a Judge for the Club," and ending with this — " I know full well your determination of being free and unfettered, and, therefore, do not press upon you rules or anything of the kind for your guidance. All I now simply ask is. Will you act as a Judge for us ? A large Show is about to take place imder the management of the ' Poultry Club,' and we trust you will give us the benefit of your ac- knowledged ability, with another member or two of oui' Club." To that Mr. Hewitt replied — " I can only assure you it will give me equal pleasure to o£5ciate for the ' Poultry Club,' as for any other Committee of Management, the re- strictions (as now, by you proposed), being withdrawn." The above offer of a judgeship fi-om the Club's Secretary and Ml'. Hewitt's acceptance of the offer we considered con- clusive.] JOTTINGS ON DUEDHAM DOWN. " 'Tis first the true and then Ihe beautiful. Not first the beautifal and then the irue," Said I to myself while wending my way through,* or rather past, busy Bristol to beautiful Clifton. Plenty of the true in black, narrow-streeted, St.-Mary-Eedcliffe-shadowed Bristol, and still beautiful as ever stand out the town rocks of St. Vincent — there they are before me this bright shining Monday, June 13th. Now, I did not trust my reverend person to the jostlings sure to be met with on a busy day at the Bristol Station, but slipped out quietly at Keynsham, evidently to the wonder of the whole train. " Strange gen- tleman that not to be going to the Show ! " The one porter at the little station was with difficulty prevailed upon to accept my ticket. The monstrous train at length rolled slowly on, and left me to go my own way. On, skirting pleasantly as I neared it, the great black city, missing all its horrors, and chuckling at my own escape and comparative freedom from trouble. Temple Street Station, well I know it on a busy day. Bristol roughs in a ring round ; cabs run- ning into omnibuses ; omnibuses threatening cabs ; wheels caught into wheels ; your neighbour's cab horse putting his head into your cab and giving you a moist kiss (suggestive of glanders) on your right cheek, and you not at all inclined to offer him the other also. Then the narrow streets, with black artizans, and worn-looking, lack-lustre-eyed women gazing listlessly at one from every alley. Oh ! this jolting Bristol may jii-oduce the best of floor-cloth, but it is not pleasant to be in danger of being floored. Oh ! inodorous, dangerous, horrible streets, I have missed you all, and here I am on Durdham Down, raising my hat from my aching brow. I took three services yesterday, to enjoy the beautiful, ever beautiful Clifton air, which, like the water of the Nile, no one tastes and forgets, for taste the air you verily do. Two years ago I was present at the meeting of the Society at Wells ; so, well remembering it, I determined to compare the two all through. At Wells the Exhibition ground was good enough, and there was a capital view from it of the fine Cathedral, and the finer Glastonbury Tor; but to Clifton must be given the palm. There was a wide carriage- approach, and the Down turf and soU made wet feet im- possible. Straight to the poultry show. Now, at Wells there was but one over-crowded tent, with the poor Pigeons put above the fowls (sm-ely the latter should have had the cociloft). Here the Pigeons were as well seen as the fowls. As I was staying in the neighbom-hood for a few days, and attended the Show both on Monday and Wednesday, "doing it" fully, I am prepared to give a more decided opinion upon some points than I could have done had I been present only one day. Was, then, the poultry tent a chief or secondary object of attraction ? On Monday with some 7000 people ijresent at this Show, it was pleasantly ftill; on Wednesday, with 18,000 present, the poultry tents were fuU all day, one regular stream of people ; and on Thursday, when 50,000 people were present in the grounds, thousands I am told never did, or could, see one pen of fowls. At all times the poultry tent was quite as crowded as the horticultural, and more crowded than the fine arts tent. And why ? Because God's works are more loved than man's, and living creatures with their ever-changing posture and attitudes bring out fresh beauties, and people, therefore, love to go and see them again and again. Oh ! ye expellers of the Crystal Palace, Clifton Show condemns you. There I saw prim quaker ladies, fast-going ladies, invalid ladies on wheel chairs, enjoying to the full a show of — cocks and hens. I saw there church dignitaries, one chaplain to the Queen at least, I ran my elbow into a magistrate's " Fair round belly with good capon lined." I trod upon the toes of a bishop's nephew, and all these well- bred people had come to see — cocks and hens, which none July 5, 1804. ] 'JOURNAL OF HOETICULTUKE XNB COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 19 but low folks ought to care about. Well, never mind, I will not be angiy. On to the birds. Spanish — "Ah! Mr. Kodbard, in your old place — namely, the first ! " While I was looking at that wonderful cock bird, a kindly little man with a tailor visage said—" Poor fellow ! it's a pity you're blind." The white corrugated skin was regarded by my little friend as a deformity, doubtless. Dorkings. — Lady Holmesdale's were giants : indeed, their ancestors which Julius Csesar ate were, I fancy, a trifle smaller; and those of which Sir John Falstaff partook at Justice Shallow's, were, perhaps, not so large either. Eight pens of White Dorking — very glad to see you, for you are the real original proper colour, and Mr. CUft, of Surrey, has kept up the fame of his county by taking first prize. Coclmis, beautifully tigly as usual, and having no tails, must, on Lord Monboddo's theory, have more head, and, indeed, I think they had. The Cuckoos struck me as being very good. Next, Game, sixty pens in all, and, as a rule, what good pens ! Mr. Fletcher, of Stoneolough, Manchester, I congratulate you upon your great success. Tour first-prize Duckwing cock was, in my humble opinion, the most perfect bii'd I ever beheld, and wonderful was the condition in which he was shown. "Arn't he a pictur. Sir?" said a neighbour in fustian. "Never saw a picture equal to him, my friend," said I. Next, Malays, only three pens happily, their horrible ugliness increased by the bad feather in which they were in. They looked as if the cook had caught each, begun to pluck each, and had thrown down each in disgust, with " Drat the birds, they ain't worth plucking." Surely these horrible creatures ought to have been put in a dark corner ; or they might at any rate have had a curtain hung in fi-ont of them, inscribed, " Malays, but not iit to be seen, the half dozen peojyle in all England who admire these can inspect them after six o'clock." Samburglis of all kinds good, but I thought the Spangled the best, and I was glad to see the too-much -neglected (in Wiltshire, cei-tainiy). Silver- spangled mustered strongly. Polands. — Mr. Edwards, of lyndhurst, deservedly first, with a pair of the grand old Black and White Crests. May he breed many sach. The "Any other variety class," always an interesting class, deserves a few words. Brahmas in abundance. What a pity they are not shown among the Cochins, as " Black- speckled Cochins." The Black Hamburghs have a very Spanish look, especially the hens. I fear Rose-combed Spanish would be the oon-ect name. Just a word about the White Spanish pen mai-ked " disqualified, cook's tail made up." They seem by the catalogue to belong to a lady, one I neither know nor know of; but in the spirit of that charity which liopeth all things, I will say that to my mind no deception was intended. The cock's tail was broken, very likely in the basket, and mended with cotton (this very injudicious), the mend was inches above the quill, and a child could see it. It needed not Mr. Hewitt's sharp and practised eyes. I pass over the sweepstakes, merely noticing Lady Holmesdale's monstrous Dorking cock. Eeally my lady you, slightly to alter Shakspeare, " Have supped full of prizes." Now for the pretty Bantams. The black cock shown by Mr. Davies, of Newport, was the best I had ever seen ; and Mr. Forrest's pen of Duokwings, the best pen I had ever beheld, with only one fault, they were a little too large for my fancy. The Turkeys were good; but why those " highly commended " did not take the second prize is to me a marvel, as they were certainly, unless my eyes deceived me, much larger. Last, but not in esteem, came the Pigeons, and these were generally excellent. Carriers a goodly row. I think Can-ier breeders should beware of getting their birds too small. I lilce the robust look blended with the elegant, such as I used to see in birds twenty years ago. Tumblers with ■heads perfect in roundness. Powters large, but not in good trim, feeling, perhaps, their confinement. Euuts, would there were more. These are the Dorkings of Pigeons, and ought to be made profitable. Jacobins, the first-prize a little too large according to my judgment ; delicacy of ap- pearance should never be separated from a Jacobin, which is the type of a refined lady, hence an approach to coarse- ness is clearly wrong. Fantails very good, though I scarcely liked the Turncrowns in the second-prize. The character ot the FautaU head is, I hold, injured by the turn crown. The first-prize was excellent, and the birds robust, which they should be. Owls extremely good, neat, and clean. So also the Turbits, which were numerous. May they always be as they are — distinct sorts. Nuns, not so excellent; but Barbs a treat to see, so wide were they in the forehead, and good in aU points. Dragons were numerous, and Mr. F. G. Stevens showed a Buff pair with very excellent points. The Trumpeters were good. The first-prize birds, black and demon-like, with huge wings to their legs resembling Lord Dundreary's whiskers enlarged. Archangels, a great many. Among the "Any new and distinct variety" class, were some nice birds which would have surprised the old fanciers. The Satins were certainly very pretty. Last of all came the poor " wild Hawk," very wUd, and very out of place, beat- ing with bloody beak the iron bars. Oh! cruel fate, not unlike that of Tantalus, so many Pigeons to see, and never a one to eat, not even a little Almond Tumbler to convert into a roller. Poor Hawk ! The fowls soon got used to the Show, and grew happily excited; the Pigeons endured it, but each day the poor Hawk was wilder and more unhappy. May I never see in a poultry-yard or a poultry show another " wild Hawk." Now, to finish these jottings, let me say that the birds seemed well fed and weU eared for. Such care was shown, that if a cock disliked his wives he was removed to another pen. They were likewise well supplied with water. Where the birds have large rose-combs the triangular troughs need to be pushed in a long way. I could ask for no improvement except more space for the Turkeys. I fear their quills were bent, and they not wholly comfortable. Much did I enjoy the Show. " Be that a Duckwing, Sir ?" said a countryman of a POe cock, and I acted as his showman, and soon found I gathered an audience. Even the crow of the Cochins, that long, lengthened Alexandrine crow, seemed to be a novelty to some, and called forth now and then a wondering " Lor my ! " May the Bath and West of England Committee have ever the success they had on Durdham Down is the wish of— -WiLTSHIBE Eector. TUBKEYS AT THE BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND SOCIETY'S SHOW. We feel greatly indebted for your notice of us as " one of the most popular portions" of the late show at Bristol. Doubtless such would have been the case could we have been seen there ; but we were placed on the ground, and no more space afforded us than that occupied by a Bantam cock over our heads. We heard repeated inquiries amongst the crowd for the Turkeys, and we have generally much to say for ourselves ; but where was the opportunity for dis- play when each masculine was squeezed with his partner into a pen of 2 1 feet square ? May we entreat you to impress upon Committees of poultry shows, that when they invite giants to exhibit at their meetings the least they can do is to provide for their accommodation ? We have the honour to subscribe our- selves your obedient servants. — Class 29. DECLINE IN CHICKENS. I AM happy to be able to give your correspondent "A. K. C." what I have found to be a sure cure for the croup in chick- ens, if this is the name of the complaint from which his suffered, as what they died from he does not distinctly state. I have reared fifty-six Dorking chicks this spring. The three first broods were all attacked when about ten days old, and I was in despair. Having great experience in poultry-rearing like "A. K. C," and finding all ordinary means fail, I doctor them as I should a human being with sore throat — viz., with sub-carbonate of ammonia, one tea- spoonful to a table-spoonful of water, and each chick had three or four drops at a time three or four times a-day. Every one recovered ; but their fondness for me was turned into hatred, the remedy was so obnoxious to them. As it is a certain cure, perhaps " A. K. C." will forgive this one bad effect. Soot is also a very good thing to pu - into their water. — A Subsceibek, [We think the disease for which our correspondent states 20 JOimNAl OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENBE. [ July 5, 1864. the remedy and calls the "cronp," is that of decline and derangement of functions, to which chickens of a few weeks old are so hahle, and drop their wings in that desponding mode which we have heard called " Putting on their Mourn- ing Cloaks."] I OBSEBVED in yonr Jonrnal of June 21st that your cor- respondent "A. K. C." complains of losing his Dorking chickenB. I found great difficulty in rearing such from their being affected with drooping of the wings, after they were a week or ten days old, in the same manner as stated by "A. K. C." I was recommended to try cow's liver boUed in water with a piece of soda the size of a walnut, and found it most bene- ficial. I have lost none of my chickens this year, although they began to show signs of drooping. The liver should be crumbled and given in their food. — H. A. F. [Another correspondent recommends Baily's poultry pills.] THE PEESENT POULTRY SEASON. In the last Number of the " Pordtry Chronicle " you ask poultry-keepers to favour yon with their progress this season : if mine is worth inserting it is at your disposal. I have a mixed stock, but the Cochin element predomi- nates ; and on the 29th of February I commenced the hatch- ing season by setting thirteen Cochin eggs. This was fol- lowed after a few days' interval by other two being set. Out of the three lots my produce was two birds. Many of the eggs were filled, but the birds were dead. I attribute this unsatisfactory result to the cold weather then prevail- ing— cold enough in the south, but more so in Scotland. My hatching-boxes were placed outside, at the back of the garden wall, and covered on cold nights with matting. That plan succeeded well with me formerly ; but this season's ex- perience will lead me to be more careful, and place the boxes in a more sheltered situation in futxu-e. After my three failures, however, I succeeded better. There was a fortnight's interval between the third and fourth sitting ; and as by that time the season was farther advanced and the weather more moderate, I had no reason to complain of my success. From six to, in one case, four- teen chickens were the usual hatchings, and fine, strong, healthy birds. Of the fom-teen lot the hen has brought up thirteen, one was accidentally killed by being trampled on. Of aU I have hatched I have not lost one from disease ; and I do not recollect in previous seasons having seen them so advanced at their age. I have a great respect for pure- bred fowls, but for usefulness find the cross-bred ones far excel them. The advantages they possess are that they arrive more quickly at maturity and have a hardier consti- tution; and these are advantages which those who look principally to their useful properties cannot afford to de- spise. I was told some years ago, when beginning poultry-keep- ing, that eveiy egg would cost me 2d. I have never found that to be the case, but, on the contrary, the eggs we sell pay for the food consumed, and we have the eggs and chickens used in the house for our trouble ; and all that is necessary to secure this result is to give them personal and particular attention. — An AiiATEtrE. UNHOUSING BEES— PEICE OF liONET. On the 14th of May I hived a swarm and put a super on immediately ; this they filled, and on the 8th of June they began to cluster. On the ISth of June I thought they would have taken flight. I took off the super, which was ap- parently full of honey, but which turned out to have some brood in a very forward state in the centre of it, and put on another. I shoiJd state the front of my bee-house is boarded up, and in consequence of the boards warping a little the bees can get into the house. On the 20th of June and follow- ing days much rain with a rather high wind prevented any chance of a swarm, so that thousands took possession of a comer of the bee-house adjoining their hive, and built a great deal of comb. What ought I to do therefore ? for I cannot fumigate' them, the house, of course, not being suffi- ciently air-tight. I have put on several glasses this year, but not one have the bees worked in, although each had a ventilator. I have put on three straw supers, but only the one above mentioned has been at all used. How do you account for it ? Once more : I find poor people cannot get more than 6d. a^pound for their honey here, however good it may be. Where is the best place, therefore, to send it? — DxjaiPLING. [Put on your bee-dress and gloves, and after blowing a little smoke from the fumigating-tube amongst the combs built in the bee-honse comer, cut them boldly out and brush off the bees with a feather. They wiU supply excellent decoy- combs for your glasses, the want of which is the most probable cause of failure. Messrs. Neighbour & Sons, 149, Regent Street, and 137, Holborn, give a fair price for honey accord- ing to quality.] LIGHRIANISING AN APIAEY. Would " B. & W." say how he keeps his Lignvian and black bees from crossing in the same apiary. — A. W. [In reply to the above inquirer, " B. & W." would state that he has hitherto not attempted to keep the Ligurians from crossing with the black bees, knowing it would be futile. By getting rid of all his black bees this year, " E. & W." hopes another year that all the drones in his apiary will be pure Italians, be they the offspring of his original pui'ely impregnated Italian queen, or of those he has bred from her, but which are all, probably, impregnated by black drones. If not, there is no trust to be placed in the doctrine of par- thenogenesis, for "B. & W.'s " apiary is a considerable dis- tance from any other.] SUPEEING. I HAVE a stock of bees in the common old straw hive with hole at top. On the 19th of May last they threw off a first swarm ; same evening placed a small straw-cap hive on old stock, expecting them to fill it ; they will not work in it. Will you kindly infonn me what I am to do to obtain honey from them this season without destroying the bees ? My first swarm, which came off the 19th May last, now show strong symptoms of swarming. Can I do anything to prevent it or let them do so ? Most probably both the old stock and first swarm will throw off a small cast each if allowed to do so. What shall I do with themP^O. 0. [If you wished to prevent swarming altogether you should have put a fuU-sized super on the stock in April. After swarming a super of moderate size may be placed on the swai-m, not on the old stock, and this will, probably, prevent the issue of a " maiden." If you get two casts you had better unite them at once.] OUE LETTEE BOX. DrcKLiNes Ptixg [Constant Header).— It has been a very barl Dock season, and they have been scarce in con^eqaence. The compl dnts we have heard have been more about haiching than rearing. Whenever Dticba are out of condition, they show it by a tilm on the eye. Tliey are subject to cramp and it is fatal to them. We have never known one to recover when it procecils from illness ; butwhere it is caused b> roostins: in a house with a brick, stone, or wooden floor, they oiten get well if they sire removed Irom it. Give ihtm some oats put in a pan or other vessel wilh pravel. Dorking Cock Bcmelr-fooied {Inquirer).— The Urge lumps in the feet, and iheswoUn legs indicate, we are afrai'i. .* bad case. Dorking funis, from their great weight, and the fineness of their fkin, are always liablo, after two or three years, to become '*bumbli?-looted ;" bat their dding so is not ii'.t w.ible; and if they have low perches, and j-troper floors, with a e'ftss run, thty may, as we have often seen, remain clean-footed, even though five or ^ix years old. SuAiL Bantams (71 D.).— Those who wish to keep their birds very Fmall, generally lu'ced them late, so as to rear them when the weather in getting colder. We know no food that prevents growth. t Moths is corw Bin (-4. IT.). — Perhaps airing and turning the com to prevent the moths breeding in it, and scalding the hoppers and corn boses frequently, will prevent the evil. Banishing Bees {Grateful Beart, Ipsivi(?:\—V^e ctinnot tell you how to keep your neight-our'a bees out of your guruen. ItOE?Es' MANOKiiS (J. Priggs),—y^t never heard of the mcchine. July 12, I86i. ] JOXJENAL OF HOKTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GAJRDENEE. 21 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day of M'nth Day of Week. JULT 12—18, 1864. Average Temperature near London. Rain in last 37 years. Sun Rises. Sun Sets. Moon Rises. Moon Sets. Moon's Age. Clock before Sun. Day of Tear. 12 13 14 15 IB 17 18 Tt; •w Th F S Sum M Buckwheat flowers. Traveller's Joy flowers. Oat Grass ripe. Hedge Parsley flowers. ■White Poppy flowers. 8 Sdndat afteh Trinity. Eyebright flowers. Day. - 7.1.4 75.8 761 75.8 75 8 75.8 74.7 Nisht 50.7 51.8 51.5 60.3 50.1 52.0 51.0 Mean. 63.0 63.8 63 8 63.1 63.0 63.9 63. a Days. 12 13 14 20 15 13 18 m. h. 59af3 0 4 1 4 2 4 4 4 5 4 6 4 m. h. 12af8 U 8 10 8 9 8 8 8 7 8 6 8 m. h. 1 m. h. 6 1 17 U 14 2 45 U 22 3 morn. 28 4 : 23 0 29 5 1 7 1 24 6 ' 5 2 11 7 j 12 3 10 u 12 13 14 m. s. 5 20 5 2S 5 34 5 40 5 46 5 51 5 56 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 From observations taken near London during the last tliirtv-seven years, the average day temperature of the week is 75.6\ and its night temperature 51.0°. The greatest heat was 93^° on the Hth, 1S17 ; and the lowest cold, 41", on the 13th, ISIO. The greatest fall of ram was 1.60 inch. ^^^^►I-i?^'' -^^^ FAST-GEOWDSTG CONIFEES. i^ AM glad that the subject of remai'liable Pinuses has at- tracted attention in yonr pages, and I willingly add my testi- mony to all that has been giren as to the beauty of the WeUingtoHia and its adaptability to most, if not all, situations. For ra- pidity of growth it is second only to one or two species that I am acquainted ■with, and possibly local circumstances may have given them an advantage which they might not enjoy elsewhere. Mr. Kidgway has given, at page 434 of the last volume, very minute particulars respecting the growth of the fine roeoimen at Fairlawn ; and I believe there is a similar me tree at Eedleaf, near Timbridge. Both of these spe- cimens are two years or more in advance of the best that we have here, and which was not planted out until January, 1859, when it was 1 foot 9 inches high. The ■wet season of 1860, and the severe winter which followed, did not affect it further than that it was a little browned on its eastern side, and the growth of 1861 was less than before or since. At Christmas, 1861, it was 6 feet 6 inches high. I have not its dimensions for the follow- ing year, but last Christmas it was 12 feet 11 inches in height, having made a growth of 6 feet 5 inches in two years, and a corresponding increase in diameter of stem. The growth of last year may be considered the more remarkable when I mention that last summer, about the beginning of June, a squirrel or some other animal nipped off the leader, cutting off about 9 inches. Such a disaster, I admit, alarmed me at the time ; but such is the accom- modating character of the ti'ee that it speeddy formed another, and now it is not easy to see that it had lost a leader. We may, however, justly conclude that but for this accident the tree might have been a foot higher ; as it is, the fact of the tree so quickly forming another leader, and assuming its true conical outline again, is worth recording. Eapid, sturdy, and symmetrical as the growth of the WeUingtonia is, it is equalled if not excelled in these respects by Cupressus macrocarpa or C. Lambertiana, for I believe the two arc identical. A plant of this, about 18 inches high, was planted out in Apnl, 1854 ; and in De- cember, 1861, it was 21 feet high and 13 feet through at bottom, dense and bushy to the ground, and of the deepest green, on which the sharp winter of 1860-61 did not seem to make the slightest change. It is now about 28 feet high or more ; but at the end of the growing season I ■will measure it. So rapid-gro'wing a tree requires careful handling when young. A tree that has been some time in a pot, and has its roots so twisted that it is impossible to lay them out perfectly straight in planting, will only be a disappointment ; for the tree being much more No. 172.— ToL. Y3.., New Skeibs. dense in its habit than the WeUingtonia, it is much more exposed to the wind, and if it is not very careiully planted in the fii'st instance it will not be able to resist the wind. I have known more than one tree 6 or 8 feet high blown down in consequence of the roots at the collar still retaining the coiled form which they took while they were confined in the pot, and therefore offering little resistance to the wind. The one above alluded to was well attended to, and has hitherto maintained its upright position. . . Differing very considerably from either of the above in character, but I believe equal to them in rapidity of growth, is Thuja Lobbi, a most graceful Fern-looking tree of the Arbor v its? class ; but it appears to have a greater disposition to make a tree, sending up a long slender leader several feet in advance of the side shoots, which also have a tendency to point upwards. A young plant of this species in a sheltered position has made a growth of 9 feet in the last two years, the tree being now 13 feet high. Thuja Lobbi promises to be second to none for beauty, and being perfectly hardy, must prove a great acquisition. Thujopsis gigantea and T. borealis also pro- mise fairly, but have not the spiral form of T. Lobbi. Mr. Palmer asks for the dimensions of other Pinuses- as well as of the WeUingtonia. It would either be better to give the heights during the past winter or wait vmtil the season's growth is completed ; but it may interest him to know that Pinus excelsa is here considerably above 30 feet in height, and perhaps 35 feet, and about the same in diameter, while P. insignis wiU by the autumn be fast approaching 50 feet high, and upwards of 40 feet through,; Cryptomeria japonica is 35 i^et or more, beautifullyi tapering ; Abies Smithiana about the same, and dense and compact ; Picea pinsapo, the finest of all, is a perfect cone, about 26 feet high or more, and densely clothed to the ground. Our largest Deodar had to be taken down for the benefit of another tree, and I hardly think we have any exceeding 38 feet high. An Araucaria hasy however, attained the height of about 30 feet, and is a finely-formed tree. My purpose, however, is not to go into detaUs, but to in^vite those interested in arboriculture to report such particidars about their trees as cannot fail to be useful to aU concerned. As Pinuses sometimes ex- hibit growth of more than ordinai-y dimensions in parti- cular situations, an inquiry into the cause may throw much light on their cultivation. As an example of rapid growth in a species not generally supposed to be fast- growing, I may instance a Picea nobilis which we have here, that 'vriU by the end of the present gro^wing season have increased its height 10 feet or more. Before closing these stray notes on Conifers I may remark that I hope to hear of other instances of fast gro'wth, and of remarkably fine trees. The genial climate of Devonshire doubtless favours the gro'wth of trees of many kinds which cannot be expected to become equaUy fine in a cold bleak district, but we now and then meet with fine specimens where they are least expected. Many years ago I remarked one of the finest Araucarias that I ever met with in an old garden in Northumberland. 1 No. 824.— Yoi,. XXXII., Old Sebiss. 22 JOTTRNAL OP HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. [ Jaly 12, ISM. think the same enclosure also contained a very good Deodar, but of this I am not certain. I may also mention that although I am tolerably well conversant with Mistletoe growing on various trees in Kent, I have never noticed so fine a specimen of this parasite as I observed on an old Apple tree near the Ai'aucaria above alluded to. I shall be glad to hear how the species I have referred to, as well as others, succeed, and no doubt planters will be interested to know in the autumn where the finest Welling- tonia is to be seen. Though the particulars given by Mr. Palmer as to the height of the best-known ti-ees are interest- ing, I should not wonder if changes in their relative heights take place, and some outsider, not thought of. be found at the head of the list. The subject is one well worthy of attention, and at a future time I promise myself to go further into details than I can with any degree of accuracy do now, the middle of the growing season necessarily increasing the altitude of trees considerably, and it would be better for those who report dui-ing this progressive period to mention what their specimens were in the past winter. J. EOBSON. CULTIVATION OF THE MELON. (Continued from page 475.) Soil. — Vai-ious descriptions of soil have been recommended for growing the Melon, but none is better than a strong rich loam with plenty of vegetable matter. The turf cut to form loam for the Melon should be taken 4 inches thick from a pasture which rests on a bed of clay; and if it can be had from the rich warped lands bordering rivers such is decidedly to be preferred. These turves should be laid in a heap for twelve months and turned over twice, and a bushel of soot mired with every cartload at each turning, to enrich the compost and to make it obnoxious to wireworms and other pests. The whole chopped up with a spade makes a compost suitable for growing any kind of Melon ; but it often happens that substitutes have to satisfy the cultivator. Ecid-scrapings form no bad substitute, but they should be taken from a road noted for being muddy ; and the materials forming the road must not be limestone, for Melons will not thrive in lime- stone. The road-scrapings, mixed with an equal bulk of well decomposed manure, and turned over occasionally for a year-, make a very good compost for the Melon. The next best compost is ditch-cleanings turned over ouce or twice for a year ; and if the cleanings are little besides clay mud mingled with tree leaves, so much the better. With the ordinary strong soil of gardens Melons may be grown very well ; but light composts of whatever kind are valueless for Melon culture, yet they may be made to afford some fair ii-uit by adding an equal quantity of cowdung, and turning them over frequently so as to thoroughly incorporate the mass. The above are all improved by being exposed to the in- fluence of the atmosphere for a year. The compost should be made firm by treading or beating after being placed in the frame, in order to force the roots to run slowly through the soU, and give a stiii' short-jointed growth. Planting Out. — The bed being covered with one of the composts, and all being in proper order as to bottom heat, sweetness of atmosphere, &c., select the pots that contain the shortest-jointed plants — that is, those of which the leaves ai-e nearest to one another ; and any that have lateral branches shooting fi-om the neck of the plants are to be pre- ferred to those that have none. Tiu-ning the pot upside down, and gently tapping the edge against the edge of the frame, the ball will come out entire. Plant this immediately in the centre of the cone, in the hole, so that the cone, after the plant is put in, may be 0 inches higher than the 3 inches of soil with which the bed is covered. The top of the cone or hillock should be rounded a little to hold water, and the soil having been pressed rather firmly round the ball, give a gentle watering to settle the earth about the roots, using water of the same temperature as the frame. In this manner plant the remainder of the lights. Two plants are suihcient for one light after March, but earlier in the season three arc- requisite as they do not grow so vigorously; but if they do, and there is any fear of the frame becoming too full, it is easier to cut a plant away than to plant to fill up the vacant space if a plant go off. Air will now be needed daily in mild and sunny weather, the amount being regulated by a thermometer within the fr'ame. For about a fortnight after planting the temperature should be 70° at night, and 65° afterwards ; but when the fruit is ripening a temperature of 75° much improves the flavour, especially if accompanied by a corresponding dryness. Air should be admitted when the thermometer is at 80° if there is a prospect of more sun, and the frame should be closed with the thermometer in- dicating 85°. Admitting Air. — It ia important to do this without causing draughts of cold air, and in the early stages, when the external air is cold and cutting, a thin mat or piece of tiffany or hexagon netting placed over the openings will admit sufficient fresh air, and yet prevent the deleterious effects of cold. As the season advances air wiU be needed in larger quantities, regulating the time of opening and shutting up by the thermometer. Begin in the morning by opening the frame a little at the back, and then open wider as the heat increases. I know of no better contriv- ance for admitting air to frames than the notch system, in which a wedge is usually made out of an inch deal board, and cut with a aaw to repre- sent steps, the first of which is 1 inch wide and 14 inch long, and cut slantingly, so that the lights can be elevated half an inch or an inch. The other notches are 15 inch wide and long, and are generally four in number. The accompanying engrav- ing (fig- 1) ■*'ill show this useful contrivance, which is decidedly pre- ferable to sliding the lights down, as this Fig. 1. causes a current of air at once by the escape of hot air at the back, and the ingress of cold in front to supply its place. This is extremely injurious to any plant, for by ventUation we seek to dis- place foul air and supply its place with fresh ; but no one would seek to enjoy fr-esh air by opening two doors or windows from opposite points, and then sit down be- tween the two in the fuU current of au\ If such draughts are injurious to man they are equally so to vegetation. In giving air to Melons it is well to give a little air as early in the morning as safe, say a notch or half a notch as the case may be, and to increase the width of the opening an the sun increases in power during the forenoon, reducing the open- ing again in the afternoon in i^roportion to the decline of sun heat. Watering. — It is necessary that the plants be watered moderately when planted, for the moistness of the heat assists in keeping the soU moist— so much so, indeed, that early in the season very little water is requii-ed. Waterings, at first, must be given near the stems of the plants, but as the roots extend and reach the sides of the hiUook more soU must be pOed round it. Adding Soil. — It should be placed in the frame twenty- four hours to get warmed before it is placed in contact with the roots. This fresh soil must afterwards be watered in place of that near the stem, for the Melon is at all times extremely susceptible of moisture at its neck and main branches. More soil must be added as the roots extend, so that about three earthings wOl be necessary at intervals of a fortnight, to cover the bed all over to a depth of 8 inches for eai'ly Melons. This wiU leave the stems slightly elevated, and so prevent water reaching the neck at the time of watering. It is imperative to keep the neck dry, or the plants will almost to a certainty canker there, and the result wUl be a loss of crop or immature badly flavoured fruit. For the second crop of Melons it is only necessary to earth the bed twice after planting, covering it to the extent of 10 inches ; and for later crops it is not necessary to wait longer than a fortnight or three weeks before covering the bed with 1 foot of soil. In all cases the soil should be made firm, for Melons enjoy a firm strong soil. Water should be given once or twice a-week as the state of the soil may de- termine, it being essential to have the soil moist but never sodden, so that the plants may grow freely from the time the fruit appears up to the time of its maturation. Feuit Setting. — A moist condition of the soil being ne- cessary to insure free growth, — light, air, and temperature Jut 12, 186-1. ] JOURNAL OF HOKTICULTXJEB AJTO COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 23 making that growtli stiff or long-jointed, fruitful or barren, in proportion as they are judiciously or carelessly admin- istered,— so is it desirable to have the soUin a healthy moist condition when the plants are in flower ; at the same time, as is well known, the siirface of the soil, at any rate the atmosphere, should be dry at the time of setting, otherwise the blooms set very indifferently. Though a rather drier ttate of the atmosphere assists in the process of fecundation, yet I am certain that the real cause of Melons being so uncertain iu setting is not the moisture of the atmosphere, but a sluggish root-action owing to the bottom heat being slack ; and in many cases the soil is dust dry, and can scarcely keep the leaves green, much less support a flower and swell the fruit. Keeping the frame close at the time of setting also prevents the pollen from being properly aired, which is a certain cause of not setting. I am not quite sure, but am inclined to think, that Melons and all other plants require quite as much moisture at the root at the time of flowering as at any other time ; and though the pollen of any plant may be more freely distributed during dry weather, I am certain that a moderate degree of mois- ture is necessary to insure its perfection and consequent fertility. For a sui-e method of making Melons set, I know of nothing better than giving a good watering a day or two before the flowers are likely to open, to have the bottom heat brisk, and to admit abundance of fr-esh air, which cannot be given to Melons on dung-beds in dull weather unless the bottom heat be brisk. It is to want of air and active root-action that I attribute the difficulty ex- perienced in getting Melons to set in frames. I may, how- ever, be wrong; bat I never experienced any difficulty in this respect in pits heated by tanks and hot-water pipes. While the fruit is setting no water should be given so as to wet the surface of the soU much ; but if any be needed it should be supplied through drain-pipes with one end inserted in the soil to the depth of an inch. These, distributed 18 inches apart, will enable any one to water the bed with- out wetting the surface, for it is only necessary to fill the drain-pipes with water and leave it to sink into the soil. This is not a bad method of applying water to the roots after the vines fill the fi-ame, especially in dull weather, when water on the stems is certain to cause " gout," if I may coin an expression, or a gummy exudation from the branches. rm t. x.- j \ G. Abbey. (To oe conanuca.) EOTAL HOETICULTUEAL SOCIETY'S SHOW. July 6th. This, the last of the great summer shows, was well at- tended by exhibitors, by visitors interested in horticulture, and by many more belonging to neither class, who were drawn to it by the presence of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. Notwithstanding the large numbers who visited the Exhibition, at no time were the Exhibition tables overcrowded — a circumstance which can only be accounted for by the preponderance of the non-hor- ticultural element, and the superior attractions for such of the fresh air and military bands. It must, however, be admitted that but for the flowers there was little to induce a prolonged stay in the arcades ; for the dust was swept up by the ladies' dresses, and the stages for the plants were remarkable for their ugliness. They consisted of bare boards ■which had once been green, but had become of a nondescript hue between green and earth colom-. How different this from the fr-esh green turf banks of the Regent's Park ! Stove and Gkeenhouse Plants. — These were for the most part the same as at the Royal Botanic Show on the previous Saturday. Among them were fine examples of Ixoras alba and salicifolia, Kalosanths, Aphelexes, Vincas, Ericas, Hedaromas, Draeophyllum gracile, Allamandas, Dipladenias, &c. Pleroma elegans was shown in fijie con- dition in several collections. Sollya linearis with drooping blue flowers, and Mussaeuda frondosa with its large white calyx and small yellow flowers, were also very attractive. Eor twelve Mr. Eraser was first, Messrs. Lee second, Mr. Williams third; for nine, Mr. Peed first, Mr. ChUman second, Mr. May third, extra Mr. Wheeler ; for six, Mr. Page second ; for six (Nm'serymen), Mr. Rhodes first, Messrs. A. Henderson second. FiNE-FOLiAGED AND Vaeiegated Plants. — Mr. Baiues, gardener to H. MiclioUs, Esq., Bowden, took the first prize with a remarkably fine collection, of whicli the narrow-leaved variegated Croton, Theophrasta imperialis, a very large and fine Gleichenia speluncce, and Alocasia metaUica with mag- nificent leaves, were the most noticeable. Messrs. Lee were second, having their large Cordyline, and fine specimens of Neottopteris australasica, Cibotium jDrineeps, Ehopala mag- nifica, and other plants which have been noticed in previous reports. Variegated plants were confined to Caladiums and Eems. Of the former, Mr. J. Veitch, of Chelsea, had the finest collection. It contained magnificent i^lants of argy- rites, Baraquini, Houlletti, Troubetstoi, BeUeymei, Lowii, Chantini, and regale. Messrs. A. Henderson were second, their plants being also very large and fine. Their collection contained of kinds not already named, ptecile, mirabile, Wighti (very pretty), and bicolor magnifica. In variegated Ferns, Mr. Bull was first with Pteris tricolor, argyrfea snblobata, and albo-Hneata angusta. Mr. Toung was second with Pteris tricolor, argyrosa, and cretica albo-lineata. Ferns and Lycopods. — For twelve exotic species, Mr. Bull took the first prize with a fine collection, consisting of Cyatheas, Dicksonias, Gleichenias, Cibotium prinoeps, Ma- rattia, elegans, Microlepia platyphylla, &e. Mr. Martin, gardener to J. Taylor, Esq., Woodberry Down, was second ; and Mr. Young third. For British Ferns, Messrs. Ivery had first and thfrd prizes, and Mr. Salter, of Hammersmith, the second, the collections of both containing many pretty forms. HymenophyUums and Triohomanes were shown in good condition, especially demissum, by Mr. Watson, St. Albans ; Lyoopods by Messrs. Higgs, Young, and Ingram, each of whom took a prize. Among the pans exhibited were fine examples of Galeotti, Martensii, dumosa, umbrosa, mi- cvophylla, cassia, and apoda. Orchids chiefly consisted of Cattleyas, Vandas, Lselias, .brides, Saccolabiums, and Oncidiums, many of them large specimens and in excellent bloom. Most of them, however, have been noticed in previous reports. Of iErides Larpentoe two or three fine examples were shown. Vanda teres came from Mr. Williams ; and from others Oncidium divarioatum with showy yellow, orange, and brown flowers, Epidendrum crassifolium, Phajus albus, very fresh and pretty, and iErides affine superbum with seventeen spikes of bloom, large and small. Among Ancectochils, Lowii and macodes petola were well shown by Mr. A. Ingram, of Highgrove, who had first prize in that class. The prizes awarded were : — For .SIrides, &c., Mr. Baker first, Mr. Milford second ; for Cattleyas and Lffllias, Mr. MU- ford first, Mr. Baker second ; for nine Orchids (Amateurs), Mr. Baker fii-st, Mr. Milford second, Mr. Penny thiid; fcr nine (Nurserymen), Mr. Williams first, Mr. Parker second, Mr. WooUey third; for six, Mr. Wiggins first, Mr. Baker second. Mi-. Page third. PELAKGONiTnsis. — Mr. Bailey, Shardeloes, was, as usual, first in the Amateurs' Class. His plants consisted of Lady Canning, very fine ; Lord Clyde ; Sir C. Campbell, very large and profusely covered with bloom ; Desdemona; Etna; and John Leech. Mr. Wiggins was second. Maid of Honour, Kettledrum, and Eegina forraosa being the best. In the Nurserymen's Class, Messrs. Dobson & Son were first, Carac- tacus, Queen of England, and Lord Clyde were the most noticeable ; and Mr. Eraser second. In Fancies, Mr. Bailey was again first with fine plants, but not equal to those exhibited a month ago. The varieties were Madame Eougiere, Ellen Beck, Edith, DeUcatum, Princess Royal, and Queen of the Valley. Mr. Shrimpton, gardener to Mis. Doxat, Putney Heath, was second ; his Eoi des Fantaisies, Cloth of Silver, and Lady Craven were very good. Scarlet Pelargoniums, for which there wei-e several classes, were a new feature, and one which promised to become very interesting and instructive. When further experience shall have been gained in the exhibition of these plants improve- ments wiU no doubt suggest themselves from time to time. For twelve distinct kinds, of any colour, zonale or plain- leaved, Mr. Eraser was first. Among the best were Virgo Mai-ie, a beautiful white ; Leoni, salmon ; Comte de Morny, Woodwardiana, rosy carmine; Madame Vaucher, and Rose Eendatler, bright rose. Mr. Salter was second ; Helen Lindsay, Amelina Griseau, and Merrimac, the latter with an immense truss, being particularly good. Eubens, a fine 24 JOURKAL OF HOETICULTXJRE AND COTTAGE GARDENEE. [ July 12, 1864. salmon rose, came from Mr. Duke, Finchley, wlio was first for six. Of the variegated-leaved kinds the best of those shown were Mrs. Pollock, Mountain of Snow, with pure white margin ; Golden Vase, fine golden foliage. Mr. Fraser had the first prize in this class, and also in that for six scarlets ; of these Martin Gii'eau and Attraction were very fine. In Nosegays Mr. Salter was first. Model Nosegay, pink. Lord Pahnerston, and MeiTimac were fine. Miscellaneous.. — Under this head it will be most conve- nient to group the remaining classes. Mr. Rhodes had a first prize for Heaths, of which amabilis, Paxtoni, and Fau-reana were excellent. Mr, Watson, Clapham Park, had a similar awai-d for Disa grandiflora and its variety superba, the bright scarlet blooms of which were very striking. Mi-. McLellan, Barnet, exhibited some large and well-grown Bego- nias; Mr. Baines, SaiTaoenias and Auaectochilus Lowii in fine condition ; Mr. Higgs, Putney He.ith, three standard Fuchsias about 10 feet in height, and in excellent bloom; Mr. CoUins, gardener to Major E. Trevor Clarke, Cotton, Tea, and Coffee plants; Mr. Bull, Green and Black Tea, also a collection of medicinal and officinal jDlants, such as Vanilla, Cotton, Ginger, Quassia, Pepper, &c.. under their scientific and popular names. Mr. Bull and IWr. Williams also con- tributed collections of their new plants, most of which have been previously noticed, and others that will be referred to in our Floral Committee report. Mr. Salter had a dwarf Sedum, which is used with good effect as an edging at his nursery at Hammersmith ; Messrs. Veitch, LUium auratum, and then- fine ivhite Lapageria alba, also a collection of garden Turnips ; and Messrs. E. G. Henderson, plants with orna- mental foliage for the summer decoration of flower gardens. Stands of cut flowers, consisting of Carnations, Pinke, Pico- tees, and Pansies, were sent by Messrs. Tm-ner, Hooper, and Weymouth. Eoses were shown in good condition by Mr. Turner and Messrs. Paul & Son; and, finally, hanging- baskets, tastefully filled, by Blr. Williams, and A. Henderson and Co. ; and plant cases and ornamental stands by Messrs. Barr & Sugden. Numerous prizes having been awarded for the various objects above enumerated, we must refer to the prize list for the names of those who were successful in taking them. FEUIT. The show of Fruit was very limited in extent, though the quality of that exhibited was good. When one calls to mind the palmy days of Chiswick wlien a hundred Pines were •staged in one day, it looks something like retrogression to find only fourteen. The Grapes and Strawberries were finer than in the old times, but the best of the Peaches and Nectarines were nothing extraordinary. Of Pines the best Cayenne came from Mr. A. Henderson, one of the Smooth-leaved variety. Mr. Brown was second with a Prickly Cayenne of 5 lbs. In Queens the best came from Mr. Grant, Finchley ; Mr. Cawkill, and Mi-. A. Hender- son, Mr. Hannan and Mr. Bailey were first in the Any variety Class, the former with a Providence, the latter with an EnvUle, veiy fine. Mr. Kerfoot was second with Black Prince, weighing 0 lbs. 2 ozs., and third with a New Provi- dence of 85 lbs. In Grapes the best Black Hambm'ghs came from Mr. Meredith and Mr. Petch, and very good they were; Mr, Sawkins was second, Mr. A. Henderson thii-d. Mr. Meredith also had a fii-st prize ior Black Frontignan. In the class for Any Black variety Mr, HiU was first with his enormous bunches of Black Prince, Mr. Cross second with fine bunches of the same kind, Mr. Brown third. In Muscats Mr. Sage stood fii-st, Mr. Turner second, Mr. Erabrey thhd. Buckland Sweetwater from Mi-. HiU, the three bunches weighing 6 lbs. 3 ozs., was first in the class for that variety, Mr. Goldsmith being second. The best Golden Hamburghs came from Blr, C. Smith, Norwood, the bunches and berries large ; Mr. Bain was second. In Any White kind long bunches of Chaptal, fr-ora Mr. A. Henderson, wore fii-st; Canon Hall Muscat, from Mr. Embrey, being second ; and Foster's Seedling, from Mr. Meredith, third. In Noblesse Peaches Mr. Tillery, Welbeclc, was first, Mr. McLellan second ; in Violette Halivc, Mr, Sawkins first, Mr. Sage second, and Mr. Brown third, the fruit of all being fine ; in Grosse Mignonno Mr. Eobinson, gardener to E. Benyon, Esq., M,P., was first, Mr. Tillery second. In Nectarines finely ripened Pitmaston Orange came from Mr. Cross, and highly coloured fruit from Mr. Brown, who was second ; and in Elruge Mr. Cross, and Mr. Wills, Oulton Park, were first with excellent fruit of that variety. The best Figs were Brown Turkey from Mr. Eobinson and Mr. A. Henderson. In Chenies Black Tartarian, very fine, from Mr. Turner, were first ; Elton, from Mi-. Widdowson, second ; Black Tar- tarian, from Mr. Sawkins, thii-d. Strawberries generally were very good. In single dishes Mr. Widdowson was first with Admii-al Dundas ; Mr. Budd, Cobham Hall, second with Empress Eugenie ; Mr. Kaile third with Admiral Dundas, one berry of which was of re- markable size aad about 2 ozs. in weight ; and Mr. Beasley, Twyford Abbey, had an equal third prize for Sir Harry. In sis dishes Mr. Bailey was fii-st with Filbert Pine, C'scar, Bicton Pine (a lai-ge white variety), Su- C. Napier, Won- derful, and Admiral Dundas, all of which were large and fine. Mr. Widdowson was second, Mr. Budd third. Melons were not numerous. The best Green-fleshed was Oscar, from Mr. Bailey ; and in the Scailet Class Windsor Prize, from Mr. Goldsmith, was fia-st. Of MisceUaueous Objects, excellent Barrington Peaches were shown by Mr. Petch ; very large and fine Brunswick Figs by Mr, Eobinson ; Vines iu pots by Messrs. Lane and Son and Mr. Standish ; Orchard-house trees iu fine bearing, consisting of Peaches, Nectarines, and Plums, by Mr. Cocks, Clapham Park, and Messrs, Lane, the latter also having a collection of Apples, Pears, Cherries, Figs, itc. ; Orange trees by Mr. Higgs, gardener to Mrs. Bai-chard ; Straw- berries in pots by Mr. Turner; Kaspberries by Mr. Young, Highgate, and Mr. Sawkins ; and good Grizzly Frontignan Grapes by Mr. Beasley. Floral Committee, July 6th. — One of the most beauti- ful of the Exhibitions of the season was held in the Society's Gajrdens, South Kensington, on this day. The introduction of prizes for collections of Scarlet Pelargoniums promises to be a success, judging from the several excellent collections brought forward for competition. Next year we hope to see many more exhibitors in this class. Several certificate* were awarded by the Sub-Committee for examining new plants. Mr. Veitch, of Chelsea, received a fii-st-class certifi- cate for Quercus sp. nova, from Japan; and a commendation for Linum Chamissonis. Messrs. Ivery, Dorking, had a flirst- class certificate for Polypodium vulgare pulcherrimum, and Polystichum aouleatuni acrocladon. Messrs, Jackman and Son, of Woking, had Clematis viticella pallida, new in shade of colour, pale pink, fine form — second-class certificate; and Clematis viticella Mooreana — commendation. J. Day, Esq., Tottenham, sent PolyohUus cornu-cervi, a small-flower- ing Orchid, for which he received a commendation. From Mr. Bull, Chelsea, came Cypripedium Hookeri, OpMoglossum palmatura, and Salpichtena volubUis, all of wliich received first-class certificates ; also, Pandanus Blancoi, which was awarded a second-class certificate. Mr. Watson, St. Albans, sent Astelia bivittata, a gxaceful foliaged plant — commenda- tion; Messrs. A. Henderson, Gardenia v.ariegata floribunda — first-class certificate; Mr. Williams, HoUoway, Erica Lind- leyana — first-class certificate ; Dendrobium Moulmeinense — fii-st-class certificate; Beaucarnea species — first-class cer- tificate ; Nidulai-ia Innocentii — first-class certificate. Mr. Baines, gardener to H. L, MichoUs, Esq., Bowden, sent an Ixoi-a, from Moulmein, which received a commendation. Anthurium sp., from the Society's Garden at Chiswick, a plant sent home by Mr. Weir, had a second-class certificate ; it is a handsome Caladium-like-foliaged plant. Among the florists' flowers but few certificates were awarded. Messrs. Smith, Dulwich, sent seedling Scarlet Pelargoniums Pactolus, Model, Bright Eye, Princess Alice. Mary Ann, in no way improvements on older sorts ; also Princess Maiy, a handsome variegated seedling, but not equal in foliage to many others. Mr. Wataon, St. Albans, had Calceolaria Beauty of Herts, light orange brown, like Kentish Hero, of dwarf habit, free flowering, and a useful bedding variety — second-class certificate ; Calceolaria Gene- ral Tom Thumb, very dwarf, compact h.abit, with small bright yellow flowers, very free flowering — this also received a second-class certificate as a good vai-iety for edging pur- poses. Mr. Salter, Hammersmith, sent a seedling Scarlet July 12, 1164. ] JOUENAIi OF HOETICTJLTUEE AND COTTAGE GAUDENER. 25 Pelargonium Mr. G. Natchefc, bright scarlet ; fine bold truss of good compact form, thi-own well above tbe zonate foliage : this will make a fine specimen plant : it received a second- class certificate. Scarlet Pelargonium Ornement de Massife also came from Mr. Salter. It was an imported variety; the flowers bad in form, but novel in colour, shaded purple aaid carmine. It was commended as a decorative plant and useful flower for hybridising. If its colour could be secured in a flower of perfect form and good substance, which doubt- less will be done, something beautiful and novel would be the result. Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing sent Scarlet Pelargonium Golden Sceptre, one of the innumerable varie- ties of Mrs. Milford. Mr. Wills, Oulton Park, sent Verbena Ariel and Verbena Helena; Messrs. E. G. Henderson, Wel- lington Eoad, Fuchsia Lucrezia Borgia, a large-flowering kind with expanded corolla, light red broadly striped with purple, bright red sepals — first-class certificate; Fuchsia Sunshine, crimson sepals, with pale lavender corolla ; Fuchsia Don Giovanni, pale crimson sepals, with greyish expanding coroUa ; Oberon, refiexed crimson sepals, dark corolla ; Charming, very much resembling Crinoline ; H Trovatore, white waxy sepals, rosy corolla edged with carmine; Ver- bena Velvet Cushion, noticed last week ; Petunia Cinderella, semi-double greyish-veined flower ; Petunia Princess of Wales, semi-double, pure white striped with mauve. Messrs. E. G. Henderson also sent a collection of their beautifully variegated-foliaged seedlings, many of which had been' seen tefore, and received certificates. Mr. G. Lowe, Beeston, had a very beautiful collection of cut Show and Fancy Pansies ; Mi-. HaUy, Blackheath, Scarlet Pelargonium Monitor, of the Marbled section, with zonate foliage; Mr. Keeler, two seedling Scarlet Pelii'go- niums — Noble, a fine truss, with zonate foliage, and Alba floribunda, very similar to the former, perhaps more abund- ant in producing its trusses — both good Cowers, but not superior or equal to Madame Vaucher or Virgo Mai-ie. From Mr. Turner, Slough, came Picotee Princess of Wales, white ground, light delicate pm-ple edge, fine petals, a most beaiT- tiful variety — first-class certificate ; and from Mr. Vooknies Gloxinia Princess Alexandra. Mi'. Hooper, Bath, sent seed- ling Pink British Queen ; seedling Carnation Duke of Cam- bridge, rose flake, coarse flower ; Pansy Snowball, pure white, with dark centre, a very superior and distinct variety — first-class certificate ; Pansy Yellow Beauty ; and Perfect Model, dark purple. Among other Pansies in the stand we noticed Bob as a very fine flower, dark maroon upper petals, yellow ground, good eye, deep belt, fine form ; and Harry, dark pm-ple upper petals, white ground, good eye, belted with puri^le, a very fine flower. Feuit Committee (G. P. Wilson, Esq., in the chair). — There were exhibited three excellent bunches of the Duchess of Buccleuoh Grape fi-om Mr. Thomson, of Dalkeith. This, which has already had a first-class certificate awarded to it, was in excellent condition, and, for the produce of a pot Vine, the bunches were unusually large, and the flavour exquisite. Mr. Turner, of Slough, exhibited a seedling Strawberry called Sh- Joseph Paston. It is not one of those soft, pappy, fluted, cockscomb-shaped sorts, of which we now have so many, but a handsome and regulai-ly-shaped ovate fruit, with a solid iirm flesh, of a rich fiavour, reminding one of that of the Hautbois. It was awarded a first-class certificate. Mr. Ward, of Oxford, sent a seedling Strawberry which seemed, from its colour, as if it had a dash of the Black Strawberi-y in its breed, but it was not sufficiently rich in flavour to command an award. A Black Grape from Oran was exhibited by Mr. J. G. Cocks, gardener to J. Cundell, Esq., Clapham Park. The berries were rather large, and hammered in an extraordinary way; but the fiesh was hard, hollow, and flavourless, as many of those Afi-iean and Asian Grapes are. appointed to the curatorship of the Belfast ^garden twenty- eight years ago. He was well known in Ireland as a land- scape gardener, and was very much employed in the north. His decease wili be heai-d with regret by many ; for he was not only able in his profession, but kind, courteous, and honourable. We are glad to hear that the Directors have signified their intention of appointing as his successor his son Mr. W. Hooker Ferguson; for Ins successor has been trained in the gardens under his father, and is of acknow- ledged high attainments, not only as a botanist, but as a cultivator. Death op Mr. Daniel Feeguson. — Mr. Ferguson, Cu- rator of the Eoyal Botanic Garden, Belfast, died there on the 5th instant, aged sixty-two. He was a native of Perth- shire, and was for a long time foreman of the Glasgow Botanic Garden, at which place he assisted in getting up specimens, &o., for Su-. Wm. Hooker's (then Dr. Hooker) botanical lectures, and on whose recommendation he was THE EOYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY'S SHOW. (Conclvxled from pcuje 6.) Heaths were in great perfection. Among them were some splendid plants of Parmentieri rosea, ventricosa Both- welliana, obbata, Savilleana, and Fain-eana. The last-named, also nobQis and Paxtoni, were very fine in Mr. Ehodes's col- lection, which took the fii-st prize in the Nurserymen's Class for ten, Messrs. Jackson & Son being second, and Mr. Baxen- dine, Guildford, third. In the Amateurs' Class for eight Mr. Peed was first, Mr. Wheeler second, Mi-. Page third, and extra prizes were awarded to Mr. Chilman and Mr. May. Fuchsias. — Of these several collections were shown in excellent condition. Eose of Castille, Lord Elche, Madame Comelissen, Fair Oi-iana, Souvenir de Chiswick; Fairest of the Fair, and Senator were the leading varieties. Mr. Can- neU was fii-st; Mr. Cross, second; Mr. Weston, third; Mr. Hayes, foui-th. PELABaoNiiJMS, although less numerous than at the pre- vious Show, and not equal in size and profusion of bloom to the enormous plants tlien exhibited, were, nevertheless, very good, especially those from Messrs. Dobson, Mr. Eraser, and Mr. Bailey. Queen of Whites, white spotted with cai-mine, was very attractive ; Lord Clyde and Conflagration were very striking fi-om theii- rich glowing ooloui-. Of Desdemona, Etna, and Sir Colin Campbell splendid plants were shown; SanspareU, Perdita, Illuuiinator, and Empress Eugenie being also fine. For twelve (Nurserymen), Messrs. Dobson and Sons were first, Mr. Fraser second ; for ten, Mr. Bailey first, Mr. Wiggins second; for plants of large size, Mr. Bailey first. There was in addition a class for new Pelargoniums sent out ia 1S61 and 1862. In this the first prize was awarded to Mr. Bailey for Beacon, Pericles, Eegina formosa, Land- seer, Royalty, and Koyal Albert ; and Mr. Fraser took the second. But the best collection in the opinion of the Judges was that sent by Mr. Wiggins, of Isleworth, but v/hich was disqualified for not being in accordance with the rules, there being varieties more recent than the years named. They consisted of Eurydice, white, with deep crimson upper petal and light edge ; Koyal Albert, rose, white centre, large dark blotch ; Paris, rosy pink, maroon top ; Diana ; Maid of Honoiu-, a very pleasing Ulac ; and Eegina formosa. In Fancies, Mr. Fraser was first in the Nurserymen's Class ; and Mr. Bailey first, and Mr. Shi-imjiton second, in that for Amateurs. Cloth of Silver and Delicatum among light varieties were very beautiful and in profuse bloom ; Ellen Beck, Eoi des Fantaisies, Princess Eoyal, Sai-ah Turner, and Lady Craven were also sent in fine condition. Of Scarlet Pelargoniums large plants were sho^vn by Messrs. Cathn, Pettit, Duke, and Windsor, who each received prizes in the order in which they are named. Some of the plants, however, had theii- trusses tied down in a very ob- jectionable manner. Of the varieties sLuwn, Vivid was per- fectly dazzling ; David Manning had large bright flowers ; Madame Vaucher, though not in full bloom, was evidently the best of the whites. Cut Flowers, consisting of Eoses, Pinks, and Pansies, were numerously exhibited. The former consisted of the same varieties as shown at Kensington on the previous Wednesday, and it would be useless repetition to record the names of the best. For fifty, Messrs. Paul & Son and Mr. Turner had first prizes, Mr. Cant was second, Mr. Fraser third; for twenty-five, Mr. Ingle first, Mr. ExeU second; Mr. Wright, gardener to Mrs. Eamsden, thii-d ; for twenty- four, Messrs. Paul & Son first, Mr. Tm-ner second, Mr. Cant thiid. Of Pinks several very fine stands were shown by Mr. Turner, Mr. Hooper of Bath, and Mr. Hall. Car- 26 JOtmNAIi OP HOETICULTUEE ANB COTTAGE GAUDEKEE. [ July 12, 1864. nations and Picotees were also sliown in fine condition by Mr. Turner; cut Pelargoniums by the same; Pansies by Messrs. Downie & Laird, and Hooper; and Sweet Williams by Mr. Hally, Blackheatb. New Plants. — Many of tbose exhibited have already been frequently noticed in these pages, and it is, therefore, un- necessary to repeat their names. The beautiful white- flowered Lapageria alba, however, which came fi'om Messrs. Teitch, and Lilium auratum cannot be allowed to pass un- noticed. Mr. "Williams, of HoUoway, was awarded first-class certificates for Beaucarnea sp., for a HemerocaUis with dis- tinctly white-striped leaves, and for a Yucca having thread- like appendages at the margin of the leaves. A second- class certificate was awarded to the same exhibitor for a variety of Mimulus cupreus with the leaves much variegated with white. Mr. Bull had a first-class certificate for the magnificent and scarce new Araucaria Eulei, which was shown along with one of its long cones; also, for Canna nigricans with dai-k red leaves ; for Salpichlaena volubilis, a Fern of twining growth ; and for Geonoma Ghiesbreghtii, noticed last week. Second-class certificates were given to Mr. BuU for Pteris albo-lineata angusta, with narrow fi'onds having the central portion white ; for Peperoraia arifoUa with prettily variegated deep green and white leaves ; and for Pandanus Blumei. Messrs. F. & A. Smith again exhibited their new Lobelias, of which compacta was the best for dwarf edgings, having at the same time large flowers ; and Gordoniana superba, azure blue with a white eye was a vei'y fine kind of taller growth. Dendrochilum filiforme, an Orchid with long racemes of small gi-eenish yellow flowers more cm-ious than beautiful, came from Mr. Lawrence, gardener to the Bishop of Win- chester, Farnham Castle ; and a brOliant variety of Disa grandiflora, called superba, from Mr. Watson, gardener to C. Leach, Esq., Clapham Park. Messrs. Low, of Clapton, had first-class certificates for two very fine new Heaths, one of which was called Lind- leyana, the other venosa ; and a similar award was made to Messrs. A. Henderson for Gardenia florida variegata, the leaves much vai-iegated with yellow ; also for a variegated form of Ehyncospermum jasminoides. Eose Dr. Lindley from Mr. W. Paul, a shaded dark crimson and very fine, had a first-class certificate. Amy Hogg, a beautiful rosy purple approaching magenta, and others of the late Mr. Beaton's Geraniums already noticed at page •*, came from the same gentleman. Scarlet Pelai-gonium The Clipper and Calceolaria Charmer from Mr. Bull ; Verbena Velvet Cushion from Messrs. E. G. Henderson, and Clematis lanuginosa varieties from Mr. Townsend, of which an account was given at the same page, were again exhibited. Scarlet Verbena Earl of Aylesford fi-om Mr. Perkins of Coventry, with a large truss and flowers, had a first-class certificate. Messrs. E.G.Henderson had a Hke award for Fuchsia Lucrezia Borgia ■with enormous flowers, the sepals reflexed and fine crimson scai-let, the corolla violet and scarlet mixed; Mr. Holland for_ Petunia striata perfecta, a charming rose-and-white- striped variety; and Messrs. Ivery for Polystichum acule- atum acrocladon. Beauty of Herts Calceolai-ia from Mr. Watson, St. Albans, a free-flowerinsr orange and brown sort, appeared likely to be useful for bedding pui-poses. FETJIT. The show of Fruit was excellent, but more limited in extent than one would have expected at this season. Good collections were shown by Mr. Henderson, of Trentham; Mr. Bannerman, gardener to Lord Bagot at hugeley; and Mr. Lynn, Hedsor, who received prizes in the order in which they are named. Mr. Henderson's, which was for the best, consisted of Queen, Enville, and Smooth-leaved Cayenne Pines; three Melons; Chaptal, Muscat, and Black Ham- burgh Grapes; Peaches, Nectarines, Cherries, Figs, and Strawberries. Pines were not numerous. Mr. Bailey, Shardeloes, had two very fine Providences, and the same number of Envilles ; Mr. Young, gardener to C. Bailey, Esq., Aberaman, a Pro- vidence of 9 lbs. 10 ozs., and Queens of 5 lbs. 4 ozs. and 4 lbs. 4 ozs. ; and Mr. A. Henderson an Enville of 7 lbs. The largest Providence, however, was one from Mr. BaUey, weighing 12} lbs. j another from Mr. Haunan, gardener to E. T. Crawshay, Esq., Cyfarthfa Castle, and from a sucker only twenty-one months old, was 7i lbs. A Prickly Cayenne from Mr. Brown, gardener to Sir C. Knightley, Bart., was 5 lbs. ; and of Queens excellent finit were shown by Mr. Cawkell, Mr. Chitty, Mr. Perkins, and Mr. Godfrey. The prizes awarded were : — For collections, Mr. Bailey first, Mr. Young second, Mr. A. Henderson third ; for Providence, Mr. Bailey first, Mr. Hannan second; for Queens, Mr. Cawkell first, Mr. Chitty, Mr. Perkins, and Mr. Godfrey second ; for any other variety, Mr. Brown first, Mr. A. Henderson second, Mr. Budd and Mr. Gardiner tliird. Gkapes. — In three dishes Mr. Meredith was first with Trentham Black, Victoria Hamburgh, and Black Hamburgh, very fine ; Mr. M. Henderson, Cole Orton Hall, was second with excellent Black Hamburghs and Muscats; and Mr. Embrey third with Canon Hall, Muscat of Alexandria, and Black Hamburgh ; a similar award being made to Mr. Peachey for Black Hamburgh, Golden Hamburgh, and Grizzly Frontignan. The next class, for baskets of any kind, was a somewhat unfortunate one, as it involved the com- parison of such dissimilar Grapes as Black Hamburghs and Muscats. The latter, shomi by Mr. Turner with large ber- ries and in good condition as regards ripeness, carried off the first prize ; Black Hamburghs from Mr. Meredith, black as sloes and very fine, taking the second ; and the same kind from Mr. M. Henderson had a similar award. Black Hambm-ghs were almost without exception fine. Mr. Sawkins, gai-dener to G. Brassey, Esq., Bramfield, was first, Mr. Meredith second ; the former being, we understand, the heavier bunches, whilst those fi-om Mr. Meredith were the best coloured. Opinions were much divided as to the respective claim of these two exhibitions to hold the first position. Third prizes were awarded to Messrs. Hyde, M. Henderson, and A. Henderson. Of Black Prince, of course, there was no exhibition to compare vrith Mr. Hill's magnificent bunches, of which special mention was made last week; an error, however, crept in as regards the weight of the largest three, which should have been 13 lbs. 1 oz., or 9 ozs. less than formerly stated. They were the produce of a Black Prince grafted, we believe, on a Mill Hill Hamburgh. Mr. Pottle was second, Mr. Goldsmith third. In Muscats Mr. Turner was first with excellent bunches, Mr. Embrey and Mr. Sage second, and Mr. M. Henderson third. In the Any variety Class, Buckland Swsetwater, shown by Mr. HiU, was first, the three bunches weighing Gibs. 3 ozs., and a second lot was 51bs. These were much admired. Golden Hamburgh, very fine, from Mr. C. Smith, Norwood, was second ; and the same kind was also shown very weU by Mr. Hyde. Duchess of Buccleuch from Mr. W. Thomson, of Dalkeith, attracted much attention ; the three bunches were from a pot Vine, and weighed 3J lbs. The other varieties exhibited were Grizzly Frontignan, Trebbiano, and Foster's Seedling, many of them uniipe. Melons. — Golden Perfection, Bromham Hall, Beechwood, Orion, and Hybrid Cashmere were the chief Green-fleshed kinds, and Scarlet Gem the best of the Scarlet-fleshed classes. Mr. Gadd was first in both classes, Mr. Meredith and Mr. A. Henderson taking second prizes. Peaches and Nectarines comprised fine ftTiit of Grosse Mignonne, Violette Hative, Early Ne\vington, Eoyal Char- lotte, and Noblesse Peaches, and Downton and Elruge Nec- tarines. First prizes were awarded to Messrs. Eawbone, Sawkins, and Ford; second prizes to Messrs. Hill, Holder, and Miller. Cherries. — Black Tartarian from Mr. Turner, very large and fine, took the first prize in the Black Class ; the same kind from Mr. Beck, gardener to Lord Broughton, being second. Mav Duke was shown by Mr. Meredith, Knight's Early Black by Messrs. Lane. Mr. Enstone and Mr. Turner were first and second in the White Class, both with Elton. Strawberries. — The kinds exhibited chiefly consisted of Admiral Dundas, Oscar, Sir C. Napier, Sfr Harry, Empress Eugenie, and British Queen, all of which were fine. Mr. Turner had Sfr Joseph Paxton, which has already been noticed in these columns. It is large and of handsome form, less irregular in outline than most large kinds, in colour dark red, and it has a slight Hautbois flavour. It has, moreover, the merit of ripening at the same time as Keens' Seedling. Mr. Bailey had the first prize, the second going to Mr. Lydiaid. Jaly 12, 1864. ] JOUENAI, OF HOETICULTTTE.E AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 27 MiscELLANEorrs. — Some good Pigs, chiefly Brown Turkey were exhibited by Mr. A. Henderson, Mr. Brown, and Mr- Pottle ; Raspberries by Mr. Young, Strawberries in pots by Mr. Turner, Viues in pots bearing fine bunches by Messrs. Lane and Standish, and orchard-house trees by the former and Mr. Fraser, Lea Bridge. The Cocoa-nut from Syon was again exhibited ty Mr. Fairbairn, and a cluster of Musa Cavendishii by Mr. Carr, gardener to J. Hinds, Esq., Byfleet, whose success in cultivating this Banana was specially alluded to in No. 144. BIRMIXGHAM EOSE SHOW.— July 7 and 8. The third annual Exhibition of Eoses was held on the above days in the Town Hall, Birmingham. It so happened that the second Exhibition of the Birmingham Botanic So- ciety fell on the 7th; but whether this made any difference as regards the number of visitors I can by no means state positively. The day was fine but not hot — indeed such a day as is most suitable for a flower show, so that visitors could enjoy both the Eose Show in the Town HaU and the •other in the Society's gardens. If the two Shows faUing on the same day made no difference in the number of visitors, it certainly did in that of plants ; for Eoses, however they may be prized as flowers, do not fill a large hall without an antermixtiire of foliage. This was not wanting, but more plants would have been better. The orchestra was nicely decorated with an intermixture of fine-foliaged and flowering plants, which looked exceedingly well, the effect being en- hanced by a temporary fountain. The Roses were very fine, and made a grand display, both in the body of the hall and also in the galleries, the whole being differently ai'ranged from last year, so as to allow more room for the visitors. Altogethei' the arrangement was very good, both in the disposal of the blooms and plants, and in that of the various gardening implements, &c., exhibited. Though I believe the Eoses were as numerous as last year, or nearly so, I missed several of the larger exhibitors, and some of the smaller ones also. The Show was, however, a very good one, and there can be no question as to its success. The following is a list of the prizes awarded : — No. 1. Ninety-six varieties, three trusses. — First, Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt. This collection contaiued some of the very finest blooms, and was exceedingly fresh, although, probably, too fuUy blown for a two-days show. I noted the names of some of the best, but I do not think it would interest the generality of readers to give them. Mr. J. Keynes, of Salisbui-y, was second, his collection very closely following that of Messrs. Paul & Son. The flowers were mostly ver'y brilliant in coloui', and sustained the chai'acter of the grower. No. 2. Forty-eight varieties, three trusses of each. — First in this class was Mr. B. E. Cant, of Colchester, with a most splendid collection, the blooms being full and generally well formed, besides being very brilliant, although placed within the shade of the fvont gallery. Second in this class came Messrs. Paul & Sons, and third Mr. Keynes, both with very good collections. No. 3. Twenty-four varieties, thi-ee trusses of each. — Fu-st, Mr. Cant ; second, Mr. Keynes ; third, Mr. Batley, of Eugby ; fourth, Mr. Davies, of Newbury. No. 4. Twenty-four varieties, single trusses. — First, Mr. Treen, Eugby ; second, Mr. Batley ; third, Mr. Vertigans, of Edgbaston. No. 5. Twelve varieties, three trusses. — Fii-st, Mr. Treen; second, Mr. Batley ; third, Mr. Vertigans. No. 6 (Amateurs). Forty-eight varieties, single trusses. — • First, Mr. S. Evans, Arbui-y ; second, Mr. J. Perry, Castle Bromwich. No. 7. Twenty-four varieties, single trusses. First, Ml'. E. Stuart, Leicester; second, Mr. Evans; equal third, Mr. Sage, Atherstone, and Mr. Perry. No. 8. Eighteen varieties, single trusses. First, Mr. S. Evans; second. Mi-. Brown, Elmden Hall ; third, Mr. Hunt ; fourth, Mr. Garnet, Moor HaU. No. 9. Twelve varieties, single trusses. First, Mr. Sage ; second, Mr. Stuart ; third, Mr. C. E. West, Suther- worth. No. 10, Twenty-four varieties, single trusses. First, Mr. W. Brown ; second, Mr. Perry ; equal third, Mr. Garnet and Mr. Smythe, Solihull. No. 11. Twelve varieties, single trasses. First, Mr. W. Brown ; second, Mr. "Wright, Perry Bar; third, Mr. Smythe; fourth, Mr. J. Peny. No. 12. Six varieties, single trusses. — In this class the exhibitors are limited to such as grow their Eoses withia three miles of what is considered xhe centre of smoky Bir- mingham. Last year there was not one entry, but this season there were several, and the trusses exhibited were no discredit to the growers. The first prize was awarded to Mr. H. Lowe, Edgbaston; the second to Mr. E. Sansome; the third to Mr. Wragge, Edgbaston; and the fourth to Mr. E. Sturge. In No. 13, New Eoses of 1863, 1863, or 1864, twenty-four blooms, Mr. J. Keynes was first. His collection contained splendid blooms of John Hopper and Baron Eothsohild. The second prize went to Mr. B. Cant for a very nice col- lection. The third to Messrs. Paul & Son, whose collection contained very fine blooms of Paul Delameflleray, Jean Goujon, Madame Soupert, and Professor Koch. The fourth prize was awarded to Mr. Batley, who had Clement Marot, very good. In No. 14, the best New Rose of 1862, 1863, and 1864, Mr. Keynes was first with Madame Charles Wood, and second with Charles Lefebvre ; Mr. Cant second with John Hopper ; Messrs. Paul & Sons fourth with Lord Clyde and Marechal VaUlant. No. 15. Best Design, Basket, or Yase of Eoses and Rose Foliage. — First, Mr. Vertigans ; second, Mr. Evans, Arbury ; third, Mr. J. Cole, Birchfield. No. 16, Best Design for Dinner Table Decoration, Flowers to be Eoses with other Foliage. — Fii-st, Mr. Vertigans ; second, Mr. Brewer, Isling- ton, Birmingham ; third, Mr. J. Cole. No. 17, Best Bouquet of Eoses and Eose Foliage. — First, Mr. Vertigans ; second, Mr. Cole; third, Mr. Treen; fourth, Mi-s. Sandford, Chep- stowe. The above are all the prizes; but there were contributions in the way of plants and fiowers, particularly a stand of Verbenas irom Mr. J. C. Perry. There were also stands of Eoses which were not for competition ; one row of boxes fi-om Mr. J. Cranston, containing several hundred blooms, and most of them very fine. — F. Chitty. NEW EEUITS. This morning I have had the pleasure of sending you another small case containing two varieties of Cherries and sis of Currants. The Cherry No. 61 is Montmorency a longue queue (cultivated among us under the name of Cerise Orange*), and the other is De Jonghe's Transparent. The latter was raised from seed in 1844, and produced fruit for the first time in 1852 or 1853. The tree is of very moderate gi-owth and great fertility, a point which one feels the dis- advantage of when strong shoots are required to supply buds for budding. Since 1854 I have tried it in every way, and I have found in the last experiments that the variety succeeds best grafted as a half standard or fuU standard on the Red Gean. It is less at home on the Black Gean, and much more stiU on the Mahaleb. Planted en cordon oUiqiie against a wall or espalier, leaving the stem to develope itself at leisure, but taking care to pinch the laterals, there will be, in the second year, all along the stem, fi-uit double the size of the specimens I send in the case. As you see it the fruit is of vei-y good quality. When the tree first bore fruit, after having examined and tasted it, I gave it the name of " Transparent," and, to dis- tinguish it from other varieties bearing this name, I added my own as raiser of the variety. This denomination is in con- formity with the system of Baron Truchsess, now generally admitted in the science of pomology. It is also under this name that I have furnished m.any plants of it to Mr. Thomas Elvers, and you have described itf from fruit received from that gentleman, without at all indicating its origin.— J. De JONGHE, Brusseh, July Gth. [De Jonghe's Tkanspaeent Cheret. — ^We cannot speai too highly of this delicious Cherry, which in size equals the May Duke; the skin is thin and transparent, showing the texture of the flesh through it, and is of a pale red colour. It is sweet and richly flavoured. Eed Ctjerants. — No. 5 is an abundant bearer, and pro- • This is a very distinct Cherry from our Kentish, with which it is made synonymous in the Horticultural Society's Cutaloi;ue. + JOCBHAL OS BOKTICf LTUBE, YOl. IV., page 41. 28 JOTTENAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GAEDEKER. [ July 12, 1864. duces good-sized bur'^hes, bearing from fourteen to eighteen berries on each. Tie colour is of a fine brilliant red, and the flavour much 1. -js acid than that of the Eed Dutch Currant grown in 1 'is country. No. 6. In this we do not distinguish anythin(: different from the Eed Dutch, and it is inferior to the Lon^^-bunched Eed. No. 7 produces shorter bunches than either of the above, and is possessed of a mild acidity. It is not, however, an improvement on existing varieties, except in that respect, for it is much less acid than even Knight's Sweet Eed. No. 8 is too much lite Eed Dutch in every respect. White Cubbants. — ^No. 35 appears to be a very late variety, comparing it with the fruit of the following, which is dead ripe while the former is quite hard and green. No. 38 appears to be a great bearer, but in the bunches and berries it is not superior to existing varieties.] THE GAEDENEES' EOYAL BENEYOLENT INSTITUTION. The Anniversai-y Meeting of this excellent Society was held on Friday, July the 8th. The Eight Hon. Charles Lawson, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, presided, supported by E. Wrench, Esq., J. A. Henderson, Esq., J. Lee, Esq., J. Veitch, Esq., Messrs. Addiscott, Barnes, J. Bolton, J. Bruce, J. Cutbush, &c. The LoED Pbovost said — T beg now to propose the health of " Her Most Gracious Ma-jesty the Queen." Although I have never had the honour to propose this toast in London, I feel assm-ed that it will be greeted with the same hearty loyal reception which it never fails to c.ill forth in the north, and eveiywhere throughout the British dominions. We are a loyal people, and will always respect and pay homage to our Sovereign. But Queen Victoria possesses, and deserves to possess, more than mere homage and respect. She has gained the love and confidence of her people ; and well she may, for her whole life has been adorned by the unaffected display of virtues, never more brilliant than when they grace the exalted and illustrious position which Her Majesty occupies. The Queen has earned a gi-eat and a good name in history, and I trust she may be long spared to us. The LoKD Provost said — Our next toast is to " The health of their Eoyal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the other members of the Eoyal Family." From what little I have had the honour of seeing of the Eoyal Family, and from a great deal I have heard, there are few families owe more to the care and anxiety which their parents have bestowed upon their eai-ly training, and few parents have ever had more teachable, well-disposed, and noble-minded chDdren. I believe there is but one feeling in the country regarding the Eoyal Family, and that is, that the Prince of Wales, his fair Princess, and every individual member of that illustrious circle, are conducting themselves with a propriety and a grace which reflects the highest honour upon themselves, and, I may almost say, if possible adds tothebrilliancy of that lustre which their Eoyal parent has shed over the British Court [loud cheers]. The LoED Provost — I have now the honoiu: to propose the health of those services which have for centuries guarded the fi-eedom and the honour of our flag. If ever there was a time when we should desire to see our Navy and our Army in good discipline and ready for work, in my opinion we should desire to see that now. For some time past those clouds which have been gathei'ing round the political horizon of Europe have been creeping on towards us, and darkening as they crept. Whatever may be the result of the excited state of feeling abroad, it is impossible to say ; but, come what may, our soldiers and sailors are as brave and daring as they ever were ; and if cu-cumstances compel us to assert the dignity and authority of the British flag, woe betide the foe that may have the temerity to question our doings. I am glad to know that our Volunteers are stDl keeping up theb numbers, and are still maintaining their efficiency in drill and rifle exercise. They may yet be called upon to guard our sliores, and I know they will do it well. I beg to propose the health of those services [tre- mendous cheering]. The Lord Pkovost — I have now the honour to propose what on the present occasion must be regarded as the most important toast of the evening': " Success and Prosperity to the Gardeners' Eoyal Benevolent Institution." It is, perhaps, one of the finest features of this country, that private generosity and the kind feeling of the prosperous perform those obligations which the fortunate owe to the unfortunate, which in some countries are discharged by the Government, and in others left undischarged altogether. Now, in Great Britain the number of benevolent institu- tions is most amazing, and they form in my humble opinion no unworthy monument in honour of the public sense, of duty which beats nowhere stronger than in a British heart. Amid aU the benevolent institutions in the country, I do think it is but fair that one should be devoted to gardeners, for I do not know that a more deserving, a more hardwork- ing, or a more useful class of men exist than they ; and more than this, their profession is peculiarly calculated to excite oiu- sympathy for them in the days of their adversity. We have undoubted testimony that the gardener's is the most ancient profession of all ; and it has often occurred to me that the employment of gardening is the most innocent, and productive of the most happiness and pleasure. In a perfect state of things one can almost imagine all kinds of professions being done away ; indeed, things would be any- thing but perfect if certain learned professions continued to exist ; but the tending to aU the beauties of the floral crea- tion and the caring for the rich variety of fruits with which Providence has so bountifully endowed this earth, honestly appears to me to be compatible with an existence as perfect as we can imagine it to be. In that perfect state of things gardening would be a pastime, and gardeners, probably, something like angels ; but at present they are only hard- working men, and they have to go thi'ough much toil to sup- port wives and children, and unhappily it not unfrequently happens, that in old age the poor man who has been the means of administering so much comfort to his fellow creatures, who has, no doubt, again and again adorned our tables with flowers, and seiwed us with the choicest friuts ; who, in fact, has done his little to help in restoring the earth to its pris- tine beauty from which it has so lamentably fallen, — I say it often happens that this quiet, hardworking administerer to our joy and comfort, is overtaken by the hand of mis- fortune, his age embittered by sickness, and nothing to look to but the kindness of those who are unwilling to see an honest, good man go without a helping hand when he needs one. Happily this Institution exists, and we now celebrate its 21st anniversary. I am sure the historj' of the Institution is well known to most of those friends I see around me ; but as some strangers have honoured us with their company, I think I may be forgiven if I say a few words as to its pro- gress : — During the early years of the Institution little or no good was effected, but in 1843 some beneflcial changes in the management were introduced ; it received the Eoyal patronage in 1851, and has gradually progressed in useful- ness, affording annuities to deserving applicants above sirty years of age ; of ^£16 and J312 to men and widows respec- tively ; giving always a preference to subscribers, which has been found to encourage habits of prudence and economy through life. At this moment there are fifty-five persons preserved from the evils of poverty and sickness by this Institution. It is entirely supported by annual subscrip- tions, collection at the anniversary dinner, and the dividends on .£5500 funded stock. My friends Mr. Wrench and Mr. Cutler kindly consent to continue their services as Treasurer and Secretary ; and of the twenty-four members forming the Committee of Management, one-thii-d of that number are always practical gardeners. Now, I hope no one will esteem it a fault on my part when I say, if all the well-to-do gardeners were to come honourably forward and subscribe their mite towards an institution eminently their own, they would only be doing by their less fortunate brethren what reason, or- dinary kindness, and duty should prompt them to do. I hope that all our landed gentry will consent to become subscribers to this Society — every one should, indeed, who enjoys the luxury of flowers, fruit, and vegetables. The ladies, especi- ally, ought to think of the poor gardeners, whose hands have reared the flowers which give them so much pleasure, and enhance so beautifully their charms ; but with the gardeners ii is a positive obligation, and I trust that ere long such wiH be the success of the Gardener's Eoyal Benevolent Institu- tion, that not a single gardener or gardener's widow in the- July 12. 1864. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTUEE AOT) COTTAGE GAEDENEE. country, who may be in true misfortune, may have to ask twice, or ask in vain, for its sheltering protection. The LoKD Pkovost said — The next toast which I have the pleasure to propose, is one to which I am not sure whether I should aUude in its official or private capacity. I beg leave to propose " The Health of the excellent Treasurer of this Institution, an esteemed friend of my own, Mr. "Wrench." In the particular branch of commerce in which I and many around me have been engaged, it is well known that Mr. Wrench's name is a kind of household word ; and I am sure I only say with truth, that both his own name, and the name of his father before him, are held in an esti- mation which reflects the very highest credit upon the firm . and upon every individual member of the family which raised, by their talent, industry, and high sense of honour, that firm so high in public opinion. It is most creditable to Mr. Wrench to find him, while even yet immersed in the anxieties of business, holding a responsible office in this benevolent Institution; and I well know that he holds it with great credit to himself, and that he has spared no effort to bring his services to bear successfnlly on the pro- sperity of the Institution. I know that for the success of the Gardeners' Benevolent Institution we must also look to others than the Treasurer ; but I always think it good to have a lucky Treasurer, and, as I cannot but regard Mr. Wrench as a lucky man this evening, surrounded as he is by so many munificent benefactors to the Institution, I congratulate the Institution in possessing so fortunate an omen of its futru-e prosperity. The Lord Provosf s health was next drunk most enthusi- astically, when in returning thanks he said : — I am quite at a loss how to thank you adequately for the very kind manner in which my health has been proposed, and the more than kind manner in which it has been received. I assure you when I was asked to preside at the dinner I felt myself much complimented, for I knew how many more distin- guished persons and more deserving might have been chosen for such an honour ; still, from a feeling of pride I suppose, I could not refuse the compliment, and I have now had the intense satisfaction of presiding at an English dinner in your own English metropolis. Permit me before I sit down to say a word in praise of what I consider a noble feature in the English chai'acter — it is ft-ee from all prejudice, and in this forms a brilliant example to your neighbouring fellow countrymen north of the Tweed and across the Channel. In this great city you invite all and sundry — Scotch, Irish, foreign — no matter where they come from they are all welcome, and welcome to do as thoy choose. I caU this a grand national characteristic, and to it London is in no small measure indebted for the proud position she holds amougthe nations of the world, even England herself, indeed, for her greatness ; and, to compare great things with small, I am indebted for appearing here this evening. I shall long remember the agreeable entertainment we have just had, and again thank you most warmly for your kindness to me. The health of the Ladies, who mustered strongly in the gallery, was next given. The musical arrangements were admirably carried out by Miss Poole, Mr. W. H. Cummings, Mr. Montem Smith, and Mr. Lewis Thomas. Mr. W. H. Thomas acted efficiently at the grand pianoforte ; and our old friend Hai-ker as usual made an able toastmaster. The dinner was of a most richercM character, and gave great satisfaction. to a pint of water. Dry them gradually between folds of blotting paper not too much pressed, and remove them, either to mount or to preserve in any manner you please before they are quite dry. SKELETONISING- LEAVES. Soak the leaves in soft water until the green parts are perfectly decomposed. Pour off this water and fill the basin •with fr-esh water. The basin must be large enough to hold the hand comfortably. P\it the hand into the basin, and, holding the leaf under the water, gently manipulate it be- tween the fingers and thumb (using only the tips of the fingers); until every particle of green comes away. If it •does not do so easily, the leaf requires more soaking. Fingers have a far more delicate touch than any brush. A piece of white blotting paper raises the leaf out of the water better than writing paper. Pass the leaf once or twice through a solution of chloride of lime, half a teacupful of the powder JIUSCAT GRAPES. As the interesting and instructive remai'ks on " Choice of Grapes" by Mr. Pearson (page 454), were offered partly for the purpose of eliciting the opinion of others, I am induced to offer a few remarks on the choice of Muscat Grapes. When Mr. Pearson says that it signifies very little which. variety of Muscat, excepting the Ciuon Hall, is planted, I have no doubt he speaks from his own experience; and there is no doubt that under skilful management and favour- able circumstances he is, to a certain extent, correct. There are, however, varieties of the Muscat which are not attended, under ordinary circumstances, with that precariousness in setting which belongs to what is generally known as the old Muscat of Alexandria, and which results in the many samples of that Grape which are to be met with having irregularly set or stoned berries, and which gi-eatly disfigure the bunches. Fii'st-class management can and does overcome this objec- tionable tendency in the old Muscat ; but there are many instances in the present day in which Muscats are planted and fruited at the hot end of comparatively cool vineries, and under other circumstances not favourable to complete success in setting and maturing the berries. Under such circumstances I think the selection of varie- ties of the very greatest moment, because I have found that there are one or two varieties of Muscat, every berry of which sets and ripen.? in a temperature where the same success does not attend the old Muscat, and which are in size of beiTy and flavour, more particularly in the former point, more than equal to any of the Muscat section. The varieties I allude to are the Tynningham and Bo- wood Muscats, both of which set as freely, and can be thinned as fr-eely, as the Black Hamburghin a temperature lower than is necessai-y to secure the same result with the old Muscat. Moreover, both these varieties, with me at least, make finer berries than the old Muscat, while they ripen sooner, and are easier brought to that amber pitch characteristic of first-class Muscats. They can be shut up for forcing the first week of February, and placed ripe on the table in the last week of June. I think these are points well worthy of the attention of those who grow Muscats in a mixed collection, or who have not the command of a high temperature. The two sorts I recommend I am certain wUl give more satisfaction in setting and ripening in a moderate temperature than the old Muscat. What Mr. Pearson says about their general appearance when ripe and placed on the table may be, to a certain extent, correct. But I have for some time grown the three sorts to which I refer, and I would never think of planting the old Muscat while I could obtain the other two. Some time ago an effort was made to prove the Tynning- ham and Bowood varieties identical, but some who enter- tained that opinion think differently now ; and they are, with me, more distinct in wood, foliage, and general cha- racter, than are some of the Black Hamburgh varieties of Grapes, which are, nevertheless, varieties. — D. T. ME,. TOWNSEND'S SEEDLING- CLEMATISES, Mr attention has been directed to the concluding para- graph of the proceedings of the Floral Committee of the Eoyal Horticultural Society of June 29th, as reported in the last Number of your Journal. The insinuation contained in this paragraph is calculated to seriously damage my character as a florist, and, therefore, I beg to be allowed to occupy a small space to furnish the gentlemen composing the Floral Committee (and of whose names I am entirely ignorant), with some information respecting the seedling Clematises submitted by me for their judgment. The seed fr'om which these Clematises were raised was hybridised and gathered by me. I came to St. Mary's Nursery, Hornsey, at Christmas, 1S62, immediately after which the seed was sown. The plants exhibited were the 80 JOUENAL OP HOETICULTURE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. r July 12, 1864. produce of that seed, and have never been out of my posses- sion. Some of them bloomed last year, and one of the plants exhibited is a plant of this year's growth, and bloomed for the first time this summer. I still have of this year's growth more than twenty plants from the same seed, none of which have yet bloomed, but are now showing bloom, which I shall be happy to show to any person who may favour me with a call, and answer any questions concerning them. None of these Clematises have ever been shown till they were exhibited at the Alexandra Park Flower Show, June 22nd ; they were there awarded first-class certificates of merit. They were then submitted to the judgment of the gentlemen composing the Floral Committee of the Eoyal Horticultural Society, June 2l)th. Since then they have been exhibited at the Eoyal Botanic Society's Flower Show, Eegent's Park, when they were also awarded certificates of merit. These were the only times the plants have ever been exhibited. I feel assured the gentlemen of the Floral Committee would not willingly injure my reputation as a florist by unjustly doubting my integiity ; and as they ap- pear to have withheld their commendation of these Clema- tises from some doubt as to their origin, I trust this explana- tion wOl be satisfactory to them, and that they will do me the justice to award me any certificates they may think these plants merit ; or should they desire it, I am willing again to submit them for their opinion at any future meet- ing of the Committee. — Thomas Townsend. FLOWEE GAEDEX PLAX. ENTRANCE GATES. 1. Centre Golden Chain Ger,inium, snrrounded with Bijou, and edged ■with Lobelia. 2. Henri de , Nierenibergia, Variegated .\r.ibis. 3. Boule de Nieee. Spitfire, Lobelia. 4. Bijou Geranium, Golden Chain, Lobelia. 5. Chilst'ne Geranlom, Nierember- pia. Vnriegated Alyssum. 6. Ceriso Unique Geranium, Lady riymouth. Lobelia. I (2, 3. 4, 5, 6, planted as No. 1.) 7. 8, 9. 10. Cera.-tiuni with lialtera aj) shown in Perilla. II, 14. Lady Plymouth Geranium, dottel with Brilliant. 12, 15. Lady Plymoalh, dotted with Lobelia. 13, 16. Cloth of Gold Geranium, edged on outsirip only with Perilla. 17, 18. Ct^rise Unique Geranium ; Caleeolaria Aurealioiibuada, ed^ed on outside only with Perilla nan- kinensls. 19. Tropa:olum flegans, edged witlT Lobelia, and Lady Plymouth Ge- ranium planted alternately. 20. Christine Geranium, edged witlb Nierembergia 2). Perilla nankinen&is, edged witlL Variegated .\ivs5uru. The garden is surrounded by a wall as shown. The giuvel path is wide, as it is used as a drive up to the house. The T" I JO centre beds 19, 20, and 21 are raised one above the other. as in the accompanying woodcut. The sides are of slate painted like stone. No. 6 bed would have been planted as- No. 3, simply reversing the position of Boide de Niege and Spitfire, but I had not a sufficiency of these Geraniums. — A Suffolk Sitbsceibeb. [We think your garden will look very well as proposed if you give it the necess.ary pruning and regulating, especially as respects the Perilla outside of the beds. We think, however, that you have too much PeriBa; and a line all round the figures 13, 16, 17, 18 wUl give a sombre appear- ance, especially being next the grass. Charlw^oodii and Purple King Verbena would suit better. The Perilla will Jnly 12, 1864, ] JOURNAL OF HOETICULTtTEE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 31 want so much regulating outside Cloth of Gold and Aurea floribunda Calceolaria, that if you must use Perilla we would put it in the middle— thus : 13, 16, Perilla, Cloth of Gold ; 17, 18, Cerise Unique Geranium (strong plants), Perilla, Aurea floribuuda. In 21 we would put Scarlet Geranium instead of the PeriUa ; 19 and 20 as stated. Then as you cross 11, 14, and 12, 15, which wOl do well, and aU the better from the above proposed alteration, we would take that crossing as the guide for the other planting ; and we would thus make pairs of 1 and 4, 3 and 6, 7 and 9, 8 and 10 : the last two might have Amaranthus melancholicus instes-d of Perilla. By your proposed mode all your edgings of the corner beds would be Perilla, all the outside ones Lobelia. By the proposed plan the inner would be yellow, the outer blue. Even blue is tame against grass. Give rich top- dressing to the Verbenas, and rotten leaf mould to the Cal- ceolarias, firming the soil well.] THE WANT OF VAEIETY AMONG TEEES AND SHEUBS IN PLEASUEE GEOUNDS AND OaXAilEIfTAL PLANTATIONS. When we consider the great taste for ornamental garden- ing at the present time, the numerous fine hardy trees and shrubs which are capable of enduring our climate, and the moderate price at which they can be obtained, it is rather strange that the shrubberies and ornamental plantations in very many places of note are stUl mostly composed of the oldest and commonest kinds of trees and shrubs ; which, with few exceptions, have occupied similar places in our gardens since the days of Philip Miller and Abercrombie. The great lack, however, of variety at the present time in most pleasure grounds and ornamental plantations is per- haps more owing to the generality of planters not knowing the different species and varieties of hardy trees and shrubs that we now possess, and the kinds which are best suited for the purpose. One of the principal reasons for planting different kinds of trees and shrubs in a plantation or pleasure ground is to create as much variety as possible in the scenery, by the display of the natural character and outline of the heads of the larger trees at a distance, and the smaller trees and shrubs near at hand ; for the object of variety is not like that of mixture, to puzzle and confound the spectator, but to charm and delight by leading the eye a sort of wanton chase, as Uvedale Price has expressed it, "from one beauty to another; alike, but yet different; — presenting in the detail novelty at every movement, and aU parts consph-ing to form a beautiful and harmonious whole." Therefore, when trees and shrubs are planted for ornamental purposes in or around the pleasure ground, or near the mansion, they should in all cases present as much variety as possible, so as to make these spots attractive and interesting, more especially as the trees and shrubs planted in such places are for the most part permanent and confined to belts or clumps placed in prominent pai-ts, for the purpose of forming screens, or planted singly for varying the gen eral aspect of the place, or separating one part of the grounds from another. Mr. Loudon says, " The first step towards a knowledge and taste for variety is to be able to distinguish variety from mixture," and " that a knowledge of what variety is would lead to an effectual desire to possess it." Now, if, as Mr. Loudon so justly observes, such a desire were applied to the planting of the various hardy trees and shrubs which we now possess, what an amazing increase it would produce in the arborescent riches of country seats as compared with what they now are ; besides, it would lead to the employ- ment of ten times the number of species and varieties of hardy trees and shrubs that is at present grown, and so displace the present meagre, monotonous, thicket-like mix- tures that ladies and gentlemen are now content with in most parts of the country. Again, if all the species and varieties of trees and shrubs which bear the open air in this country, and which have any pretence to ornament or dis- tinction, were planted at gentlemen's country seats, what an interest would such places then excite as compared to what they do at present; and all that seems wanting to produce this interest, enjoyment, and commerce is a more general knowledge of all the hardy trees and shrubs, their habits, and the sizes which they attain, on the part of those who are entrusted with their selection and planting, and a little more taste, ambition, and a desire to have them pro- perly named by their employers ; for when a large variety of trees and shrubs are properly arranged and named they form a fine contrast, and add greatly to the interest of the place. The number of hardy trees and shrubs which we now possess is large and admits of very great choice in the format tion of ornamental plantations, where variety always adds both to the attraction and beauty of the place ; for every tree and shrub has its peculiar character. The Lombardy Poplar, for instance, has unity of design and an unsocial habit, which forbids the mingling of its branches with those of other trees ; while the 'Weeping Ash disobeys the ordinary law of vegetation, and grows downwards. Every tree and shrub, likewise, has its two characters, both of which are natural to it, the one when it grows up in a mass or among others, and the other when it grows singly, with ample room for the extension and development of all its parts. In the former case the stem or stems are mostly straight, and comparatively free from branches near the ground, while in the other the tree extends its branches amply on all sides, and retains them down to the ground. It is, therefore, obvious that plenty of room and pruning are of the greatest importance in the management of ornamental plantations and shrubberies, and quite as requisite as in timber planta- tions. In plantations where large and small kinds are inter- mixed, and especially flowering ones, the chief object should always be to show the individual character of each species or variety and the beauty of its blossoms, and for these pur- poses the plants must never be crowded together. Nearly all trees and shrubs are planted as permanent objects, which increase both in size and beauty every year, and when a large assortment of them is introduced and properly arranged in the pleasure ground or ornamental plantation, a succes- sion of changes, not only of foliage and flowers but in the general aspect, takes place nearly all the year roixad ; for a perceptible change is constantly going on in the plants, caused by their perpetual progress, not only to maturity, but to dormancy. Such changes are exhibited by the various tints of the young expanding leaves in the spring and the maturer shades of summer, by the various hues assumed by the dying foliage of deciduous kinds in autumn, and by their leafless spray in winter. Every species of tree and shrub has its peculiar habit of growth, tint of colour, and outline, and, consequently, reqxiires sufBcient space for the full develop- ment of its characteristics, and if these are not carefully considered at the time of planting an evil is created that frequently is not noticed afterwards until it becomes too late, and the result is either the mutilation or sacriflce of some of the finer specimens, which, if due consideration had been exercised at first, would have been avoided. Nothing can be worse than to see in a pleasure ground two or three nearly full-grown trees of different species and habits with their heads and branches mutilated or interwoven, and destroying the outlines of each other. — Georoe Goedon, A.L.S. ■ NEW STEAWBEEEIES. It is a rule with me, from which I seldom depart, to speak only of good Koses and Strawberries, and say nothing of those which are bad or unsuitable to my locality, especially if they have been kindly sent by the raiser. Moreover, an article may be good elsewhere that is not good here. These are very good ; and judging them under unfavour- able circumstances, they may be safely recommended. 1. The Kotal Hadtbois (Rivers), is an immense cropper, and the fruit is very large and delicious. The plant is a hardy hermaphrodite. 2. Lucas (De Jonghe), derived from La Constante, is excellent, hardier, and a better grower. I do not think, as some do, that it is superior to La Constante, but it is excel- lent, and is a heavy cropper. The fruit is nearly round, and handsome. It is more suitable to different soils and locali- ties. The plant does not burn under a toriid sun, as I have seen La Constante do. It is also a better winterer. 32 JOTTENAI, OF HOETICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GAUDENEK. t July 12, 1864. 3. BoissELOT Seedling No. 1 (called, I believe. La Vin- euse), a latish Strawberry, is excellent, as a plant a heavy cropper, with round fruit of good flavour, with a slight brisk- nese. It is very hardy and quickly established — a point of great moment in this precarious climate. I speak of these three Strawberries after their second yeai-'s trial. 4. BijOTJ (De Jonghe), is a pretty dwarf-habited plant, slow in growth, but healthy and tolerably hardy. The fruit is of regidar and perfect shape, round-coned ; but alas ! from my only three plants the innumerable birds have pulled off the net, and saved me the trouble of tasting. 5. John Powell (Ingram), is Queen-leaved and Qneen- flavoured. The plants came late last autumn, I could not therefore expect a crop. I have tasted sufficient berries to say it is first-rate. The fruit is irregular, round-coned, and handsome. The flesh is solid to the centre and firm. It is juicy and pine-flavoured. I fancy it will be one of the very best new sorts, and remain in the catalogue. I have taken off all the remaining fruit in order to " make plant," as the plants had a severe winter in their unestablished state. The Frogmore Pines (in huge crop and size here), and John Powell do Mr. Ingram the greatest credit. The former is one of the greatest leaps in the Strawberi-y line. 6. LoED Clyde (Dean), is strong as a plant and quickly established. I received it late this spring in the midst of hoar frosts. It is a fii-st-class Strawbeny. I saved sufficient fruit from my two plants to speak of it highly. It is of fine flavour, and also the most honey-sweet Strawberry that I ever ate. I think it will be a cropper. The berries are not uniform. They are round, cockscombed, or double- breasted. They are not so firm as John Powell, but I fancy they are equal to it in flavoui-. These three are in their first year of trial. The last two have well pleased me. Here, then, are five novelties, a pentateuch of excellence, that stand out in bold relief from an annual inundation of ti'ash. — W. F. Eadcltpfe, Bitshton. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY'S MEETING. The June meeting of this Society was presided over by A. T. Stainton, Esq., F.L.S., in the absence of the President. Amongst the donations to the library received since the last meeting were the publications of the Zoological and Botanical Society of Vienna, the Eoyal Agricultural Society, the Entomological Society of New South Wales, &c. ; also a new work by M. Simon on the Spiders, and an elaborate monograph on the Bos Flies ((Estridae), by Herr Brauer of Vienna. Mr. Morris exhibited some leaves of the Sugar Cane re- ceived from the island of Mauritius, where the canes are infested to an alarming degree by a species of Coccus closely resembling the common Vine Coccus, and which was sup- posed to have been introduced from Belgium or Prance. The young leaves of the canes both in Maui-itius and the island of Reunion are especially infested to a great degree by the insect. Sulphur had been applied to a certain ex- tent, but it was vei-y difficult of application. Carbolic acid had also been strongly recommended to be used as a wash in a diluted form. It was in dry weather especially, when the leaves are succulent, that the pest is the most troublesome. Mr. P. Smith exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Atkinson of Cal- cutta, a number of drawings of the Lepidopterous insects of India, executed by native artists with a delicacy of touch and precision of colouring quite marvellous. Many very rare and interesting species were thus represented, especially some singular varieties of the extraordinaiy Epicopeia poly- dora and Calinaga Buddha. He also exhibited a Humble Bee (Bombus sp.), captui-ed by his son on Deal sands, which was evidently distinct from any previously-described British species ; also, on behalf of Mr. S. Stone, a series of six nests built by a colony of Vespa germanica in cubical boxes glazed in front, and exhibiting a variety of most fan- tastic forms, one resembling a large cup on a pedestal, another the columns of a stalactite cavern, and one was a fair miniature representation of Stonehenge. Professor Westwood suggested that Mr. Stone had induced the Wasps to build their nests in these curious shapes by iutroducing small pieces of wire in diiferent positions, of which the wasps took advantage as affording support to their combs. Some notes were also read on the destruction of queen Wasps in the spring of various years, proving how greatly the development of these insects is affected by the varieties of climate. In cold springs scarcely any wasps could be seen, but in dry and warm ones vast numbers were found ; thus, in 1841 as many as 586 dozen of queen wasps were caught and destroyed. Mr. P. Smith objected to this wholesale destruction of Wasps (each queen, of course, representing an entire future colony), considering that Wasps were rather beneficial in the economy of nature than otherwise. Mr. McLachlan exhibited a Case bearing caterpillar found on Thyme at Box HiU, differing fr'om any hitherto observed Lepidopterous Case-bearer. The specimen in question was, however, stated by Professor Westwood to be the larva of the Coleopterous genus Clythra. Professor Westwood also exhibited a number of minute four-footed Acari, which had been communicated to him by Mr. Chapman of Glasgow, and which had proved very de- structive dra-ing the present spring to the buds of the com- mon Black Currant, within which they were found in vast numbers, and of which they destroyed the embryo bloom. He also exhibited and read the description of a new and remarkable Butterfly from Assam and Singapore, forming the type of a new genus, to which he gave the name of Liphyra Brassolis ; the Butterfly, although belonging to the fiimily LyciEnidce, exhibiting a great resemblance to the robust body Brassolis of South America. Mr. Bates read a communication from Mr. Trimeu of Cape Town, giving an account of an interesting instance of mimetic resemblance traced to its object in the instance of a species of Spider which resides on the Senecio pubigerus, Linn., and which so exactly resembles the flowers of that species of Ragwort in its colours and markings as to de- ceive the small species of Butterflies, which it captures and devours when they fly down to settle upon the supposed blossom. Major Parry exhibited a curious case of monstrosity occur- ring on an exotic species of Stag Beetle, Odontolabis Ste- vensii, the antennae of which were divided into three branches. Mr. Stainton exhibited the curious pupa of a small Moth, Anchinia verrucella, which closely resembles that of the Butterflies of the genus Pieris, being attached by threads at the tail and girt round the body. Mr. Tegetmeier made some observations on the economy of Hive Bees, especially with reference to their habit of clearing out and taking possession of old combs, which they have the instinct to fasten with fresh wax at the top, and also on their feeding upon pollen. Dr. A. Wallace gave an account of the successful rearing and winding-off of the sOk of the Bombyx Cynthia, which feeds on the Ailanthus, at Colchester. Specimens of the silk as carded from the cocoons, spun silk, and woven silk were all shown, together with a skein of ailanthine spun from the cocoon in a continuous thread, which had untU quite recently been considered impracticable. Mr. F. Walker communicated a memoir containing de- scriptions of new species of Chalcidites, of the genus Smiera, brought from the Amazons by Mr. Bates, and now in the British Museum. WOEK FOE THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Persbveke in the all-important operation of stirring the surface of the soil at every favourable opportunity. There is no kind of sod which will not be benefited by this ope- ration, but more particularly for those having a tendency to I run together or bind it is indispensably necessaiy. No one who has not followed out the system perseveringly can truly estimate the great advantages resulting therefrom. It is very proper to apply stimulants in the shape of manure trenched in and incorporated with the staple soil, or in a liquid state during the growing season ; but the benefit of such applications is greatly increased by continued, and, OS far as possible, deep surface-stirring ; for it is the atmo- spheric agents acting upon and combining with the sub- stances composing the food of plants, which reduce them to a fit state to be taken up through the roots and aseimi- Jnly 12, 1861. ] JOTJENAL OF HOETICUI-TIIKE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 3SC lated by the plants. Cabbage, make another sowing for autumn use. Carrots, make a small sowing if they are in request for drawing young, also a few more Onions for the same purpose. The Tripoli Onion answers best. The au- tnmn-sown ones transplanted in the spring will now be attaining their full growth ; as soon as this is perceived lay the tops down with the back of a wooden rake for some time previous to puUing. Celery, the main crops must now be got out without delay. Let the plants be well supplied with water, and shaded for a few days if necessary. The early crops to be UberaBy supplied with liquid manure, and the soil about them frequently stirred with a fork ; but by no means make any attempt at moulding up untU they have nearly attained the desired growth. Peas, continue to earth up and stake, the last sowing of these may now be made. The Early Frame is generally recommended, but Knight's Dwarf Marrow wOl also succeed if the season prove fine. Potatoes, the spaces between the rows of early Po- tatoes should be deeply forked up, and jilanted with the latest crop of Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Coleworts, and other winter and spring Greens. They will not interfere with the well-doing of the Potatoes. Scarlet Runners, earth-up and stake the later-sown, unless they are required dwarf, when the tops must be frequently pinched out ; but it is always best to stake them if possible both for neatness and pro- ductiveness. Tomatoes, keep them well thinned ovit and constantly nailed. Turnips, keep up good sucoessional sow- ings, of which a large breadth may now be got in. Dry wood ashes or charred refuse sprinkled over them when they axe wet is a good preventive against the fly. FRUIT GARDEN. Keep the young wood of wall trees constantly nailed in. Spur-in the young wood of Gooseberries and Currants, it increases their productiveness, and also the fineness of the fruit. Cai'e will stiU be required to keep down the ravages of aphides on wall trees by frequently syringing. Straw- berry plantations, that are to stand to bear another crop, to have ajl the superfluous runners cut away between the rows, and all weeds carefully removed ; but on no account let any of the foliage be cut away at this season. Most kinds of fruit now ripe or ripening, will require the protection of nets to preserve them fi'om birds. Peaches and Nectarines should have their final thinning- when the stones in the fruit get firm and hard, as all the risk of dropping during the stoning process will then be over. Vines against walls to be nailed to the wall. Pinch out the points of the current year's wood (except the leaders), of Pigs when they have made five and six joints. GEEENHOUSE AND CONSEBVATOBT. Shading should be used sparingly, except on bright days, for during dull unsettled weather plants require all the light that conservatories, the roofs of which are partially shaded by twiners, afford, and are greatly benefited by an occasional gleam of sunshine. The beauty of most softwooded plants ■will be considerably prolonged by the use of weak liquid manure, which should be given frequently. Indeed such things as Achimenes, Clerodendrons, &c., may be had in fuU beauty from Jxme to Octobei- through being liberally sup- plied with manure water ; but this must not be given too strong at first. Keep the atmosphere as moist as can be done; but avoid damp on cold nights by leaving sufficient air to cause a gentle circulation, and spare no attention to keep the plants clear of insects. Chinese Primulas, especially the double varieties, if at all backward, should be placed in a cold frame and shaded from the sun, where they will make rapid progress, particularly if the pots stand on a slight bottom heat. A thorough revision of plants belonging to the greenhouse should now take place with the view of affording them a final shift for the season, giving, where necessary, support by judicious tying, and repairing irregu- larities of growth. The obvious reason for shifting during the summer is, that before the approach of winter the plants may possess a sufficient mass of roots to support them through that trying season. FLOVTEK GARDEN. Go over the beds frequently, and keep the young shoots of 'Verbenas, &c., nicely regulated and pegged down until the ground is faii'ly covered, after which the shoots may be allowed to grow more at liberty. On poor dry soOs two or three applications of weak manure water, given at intervals of a few days, and when the ground is moist, will greatly assist in getting the beds covered without loss of time. See that Dahlias, Hollyhocks, &c., are securely staked and properly tied as they advance in growth. Maniire water wiU also be useful to these. Eemove dead flowers and seed from Eoses, and give the autumn-flowering varieties plenty of manure water, in order to keep them in vigorous health and secure plenty of wood for blooming in the autumn. Bud- ding should be proceeded with in cloudy weather. Mildew is sometimes very troublesome after this season, and no time should te lost in dusting the infested plants with sulphur. PITS AND FRAMES. The stock here wiU now be growing freely, and should be fi-equently examined individually to see that all is going right, for plants when growing rapidly very speedily suffer through neglect in watering, or fr-om the attacks of insectfe. Examine young specimens that were potted early in the season, and shift at once such as require more pot room, so as to get the pots moderately well filled with roots before the winter, in which state plants are much more easily carried through the winter than when either over or under-potted. Leschenaultias should be carefully examined for green fly. Chorozemas, Bossioeas, &c., must also be frequently examined for red spider and laid upon their sides on a clean mat and thoroughly washed with the syringe, repeating the syringing as often as may be necessary to eradicate the pest. Young specimens of valuable hardwooded plants should be carefully- trained, keeping the shoots nicely tied out or pegged do-wn in order to secure close compact specimens. W. Keane. DOmGS OF THE LAST WEEK. kitchen GARDEN. Here our work has been much, the same as in previous weeks, -with the exception of clearing off our first Cauli- flower, and dunging and trenching the ground for Straw- berries— to be transferred from pots that were forced under gl.iss — and clearing off some early Potatoes, to get in Brus- sels Sjjrouts and Scotch Cabbaging Kale. Dug down, also, some Strawberry-borders after being cleared of fruit, which borders are also supplied -with dwarf bush Apple trees, and planted thickly with Colewort Cabbage, except for a square of 4 feet or so round the trees. We do not by any means re- commend this hard cropping of fitiit-tree borders ; but must- do has a language of its own, as with a small garden, and a continuous supply, there is little use to think of nncropped fi-uit-borders, however much you may desire them to be so.. For all tender fruit the injury done is not so much owing -to what the cultivated plants take from such a border as from the shade given, which keeps the soil cold ; and as the surface is apt to become dry from the absorbing propei-ties of the roots of the vegetables, or smaller fruits, as Strawberries, the- roots of the trees are natiu-aUy inclined to go down deeper after moisture than is good for them. Above we have spoken of clearing off the remains of the early Cauliflower, as in the veiy busy days of May and June, when every moment was valuable, heads were frequently cut, and the stumps left remaining until a slacker time could be obtained for thefr removal. In general, however, this is a bad, wasteful, slovenly plan — wasteful because the large leaves left on the stump continue to pump up for themselves much of the nourishing properties of the soil, as we found beneath such stumps the ground dry, and thoroughly permeated by roots, at the depth of 30 inches ; wasteful, too, because they thus not only uselessly exhaust the son, but the nourishment which the decomposed stumps and leaves would give to other crops is so much longer held in abeyance. The plan is slovenly, because, if followed in the case of a Cauliflower, it is apt to be followed in the case of Potato-haulm, Lettuces, &c., it being somewhat easier to cut a Lettuce than to pull it up and leave all that is not wanted for the table to give its nourishing properties to the rubbish-heap, and all such remains left in the garden give it an untidy appearance, conjuring up the ideas of a thorough cleaning-up day ; whilst the prominent ideas in a well-kept garden should be constant tidiness, comfort, and elegance. Why should not a row or a bed of Cauliflower be 84 JOtTRNAL OP HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENER. [ July 12, 18M. as interesting as a flower-bed ? It has at least all the ad- vantages of utility to recommend it. The cut-and-leave- stump system is also very deceptive to all but the indi- vidual who cuts. A quarter of Cauliflower which has been thus treated, seen at a little distance, would look a quarter of Cauliflower stUl. When the useless parts are at once removed, the superintendent or the proprietor can see what he has left, and take stock without an effort. From this cause alone we have known unpleasantness from circum- stances that would be comical, but for the annoyance associated — such as gentlemen offering half a dozen or half a score of heads of Cauliflower to a neighbour, when he him- self had not one left fit to cut. This gossip about stumps of Cauliflower brings to our mind two questions that should have been answered a week ago. The first is, " What do you consider the best size for Cauliflower to be when sent to a gentleman's table ? " We do not consider the question of size as of so much importance as the question of quality. Insure quality, and then size will be an advantage, for large parties especially. The larger the better, if the head is white, compact, firm, no flower- iness on it, no openings, and forming about three parts of a solid ball. The same rule will hold good as to prize Cauli- flower at shows. A large head, if at aU open or flowery on the surface, or with open spaces between the parts of the heads, will be passed over, and the preference given to a smaller head if quite firm and compact. As to ourselves, for the parlour table we prefer compact heads rather under than over the ordinary size of a man's closed fist. When larger or beginning to open they are sent to the hall, and if they come in too fast even to suit rotations there, they are given in turns to the men who help to grow them. This brings us to the other question from "A Young Gaedener : " "My Cabbages are many of them beginning to split and my Cauliflowers to run because they come in faster than they can be used. Is it not a usual thing to give such vegetables to the labourers who choose to accept them ? Would I not be perfectly right to do so?" We thoroughly approve of your intentions. It is a pity that what is fit for human food should be wasted; but if you wish to be safe you must dismiss from your mind all reliance in such matters on mere usage, and aU feelings with respect to anything like right. The right alone rests with the proprietor, and if you are wise you will do nothing in the matter with- out receiving his full sanction. Even after this, such a com- mendable proceeding must be accompanied with prudence. After much observation and experience we consider that two things are essential. First, that you yourself see the vege- tables thus distributed ; and, secondly, that you take care that no more be given at a time than can be used at once by the receiver. There must be no inducement in the shape of quantity for the labourers to dispose of them. There are many high-minded proprietors who would not con- descend to sell, but who feel a great pleasure in giving to their friends, and who are very pleased that any surplus should be given to the workmen ; but we have known in- stances of great mortification, unpleasantness, and even the giving vap of a good old benevolent usage, because it came out that the workmen sold what was given to them. Well, then, in return for what we consider prudent advice, we want some of our readers and friends to help us. Of all vegetables there is nothing that delights more in sewage water aiul manure water of aU kinds than Cauliflower. We have a pump for one sewage tank, and the men as yet have never said anything about it, as we do not think they have ever found the smell offensive. But our own nasal organs are excessively sensitive, and we are not satisfied with anything we have done to render the sewage inodorous before it is com- mitted to the eai'th. After that, the earth soon makes all right. Now, what we want is some cheap and easily-obtain- able substance, and one, too, which would not interfere with the nourishing value of the water— a substance which would have the desired effect, either when thrown into the water or, better still, placed in the barrel in which the sewage is pumped. A short paper on this subject from a practical scientific friend, would, we are sure, be read with great interest. Perhaps a correspondent who gave us some good ideas the other week would be good enough to amplify on Oie subject. The gi-eat essentials are cheapness, retaining nutritive properties, simplicity and safety in the application. so that a common labourer may use it safely, and the humble cottager may apply it to the hole in which he husbands all his slops and washings for manure- waterings. We lately saw two plots of Cabbages in two neighbouring cottage gardens, those in the one plot having a light slaty woe-begone ap- pearance, with the leaves flabby, and little or no hearts, whilst those in the other plot had nice iirra hearts, and a rich dark appearance in their foliage — a beautiful contrast to then- neighbours. The kinds were the same, and the culture and treatment much the same, with this exception, that fi'om one house all the slops were allowed to pollxite the highway, and from the other the most of aU that could be saved was put to the roots of the Cabbages. Some half a dozen plants had been burnt up by an overdose, but this was knowledge which would be valued in future, and lead to diluting slops when otherwise too strong. In all cases it is safest to use such waterings weak enough. rP.UIT GARDEN. Much the same as in previous weeks. Notwithstanding the showers, have had to water some heavy crops of Queens and other Strawberries, as the flower-stems looked as if inclined to droop. Want of watering when there is plenty of bloom is the chief cause of Strawberries failing to produce well. The first-turned-out Strawberry plants from forced pots are now coming nicely into bloom, and will come in as succes- sions to such late kinds as the Elton. In all small gai'dens the fruitful plants of such late kinds as Elton 'and Eleanor should be marked for runners as stated the other week, as barrenness is more apt to be transmitted from them than from some of the earlier kinds. ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT. Here it would take a long article to tell all the ins and outs of potting and repotting greenhouse and stove plants, fresh arranging with huge Balsam plants. Scarlet Geraniums, &c., looking over beds, fastening and training plants, so as to have all the beds full, so that they may not have that desert appearance until August, of which a correspondent spoke lately, and wliicli is a common accompaniment of the present system of flower gardening. This and various other matters we cannot now allude to, farther than to enter a protest against the idea so currently gaining ground, that fine fiower gardens, say from July, and comparative dreariness in the spring, are the fault of the gardening body. Let the biu-den be laid on the right shoulders. Let labour, material, and means be given, and with previous experience, and the help of Mr. Fleming's little book, there would be no difficulty in having gardens gay from spring to November at least. But the truth is, that in a great many places the energies of gardeners are already overtasked to make the most of the bedding system for summer and autumn; and to fill the same number of beds continuously, say from March to the end of October, with the same means and the same expense for labour, is to attempt an impossibility, though the word impossible does not come much in our way. Where this extra expense cannot be afforded, and spring gardening is, as it ought to be, quite as much considered, and rather more valued than a blaze of colour from midsummer and onwards, then the right policy is not to gnimble that the gardener cannot do this and that, however willing, but to curtail the extent of the planting, and thus to enable him to keep all in good order from spring to autumn. For this purpose a reserve garden and a great number of pots wiU be necessary, that when spring beds are removed they may at once be filled with plants in bloom. One word as to thin and thick planting of beds in answer to two inquu-ies. Our rule would be to p'aut according to circumstances — that is, the common bedding plants, such as Scarlet Geraniums and Yellow Calceolarias. Where the finest possible show was desh-ed in Juno and Jtdy we would put good plants in some C or 8 inches apart. Where the best display was wanted from August until frost came, then we would put in similar plants fi'om 12 to 16 inches apart. It is true you may thin in the autumn those plants turned out thickly ; but even then, independently of the trouble, they will not bloom so well generally as plants put in thinner, and that have thoroughly covered the beds without injuring each other. Circumstances, therefore, should regu- late the thickness of our planting. — K. F. July 12, 186i. ] JOURNAL OF HOETICULTTIRE AOT) COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 3S TRADE CATALOGUES EECEIVED. Smith & Simons, Argyle Arcade, Glasgow. — Catalogues of Dutch Flower Roots and Select Boses. COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— July 9. Supply good and demand brisk. Apples and Pears liayo made their appearance, the latter chiefly Jareonelle from ahroad, and of these a few good eamplee may be obtained. Plums are cominE in abundantly from the continent. Pines, Grapes, and Strawberries are very good and quite suffl- cient for the demand. Peaches and Nectarines are more plentiful and prices are reduced. Melons are rather scarce, but of good quality; Figs more abundant. Common Cherries are brinjrinff from id. to 6d. per lb. Of entrants there is a good supply of all kinds. Asparagus is nearly over. The supply of other vegetables is good. FBtriT. \pples Apricots Cherries . 1 sieve doz. lb. ..J sieve .. do. s. 1 1 1 3 4 4 0 3 4 6 4 4 d. B. d 6 too 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 6 5 0 0 S 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 6 5 0 0 8 0 0 12 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 VEGET Mulberries ... ...quart (■. 0 10 10 12 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 14 a. n. OtoO 0 20 0 16 0 30 0 0 0 3 n 10 0 0 0 0 4 0 6 1 0 20 d 0 n Oranges 100 0 n Black FlRS.. .. Pears (kitchen )...bu8h. 0 n Filberts & Nut Gooseberries . trrapes, Uambi s 100 lbs. ..i sieve irghs lb. '.'.'.'.'.V.'lW each Pine Apples... Plums Quinces lb. .. J sieve do. lb. ..punnet 0 0 n Muscats... Lemons Raspberries... Strawberries 8 6 0 ABLES. Artichokes ... .....each bundle ..^ sieve qtn. .... doz. bundle s ^ sievo .... doz. 100 . bunch .... doz. . bundle ....each doz. s. 0 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 d. B. 4 too 0 6 6 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 9 1 0 0 6 0 0 4 6 2 C 1 0 0 3 2 3 0 8 0 0 0 3 0 6 4 d 6 0 0 6 0 0 0 6 0 8 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 s- 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 8 5 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 d. s. 4to0 9 1 0 2 2 0 4 0 6 0 0 1 9 1 6 1 0 5 0 12 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 4 0 0 2 d R Asparagus snnrfi 3 Beans Broad... Kidney ... Beet, Red Broccoli BrusselsSprout Cabbage Capsicums Mushrooms pottle Mu.'jtd.& Cress, punnet Onions ....bunch pickling quart Parsley J sieve Parsnips doz. Peas quart bushel Potatoes ^lack New bushel Radishes doz. bunches Rhubarb bundle 0 4 6 8 G C 6 ft Cauliflower .... Celery Cucumbers .... pickling ... 0 0 9 0 n Fennel Garlic and Shal Gourds&Pump Herbs . bunch ots, lb. S8. each . bunch bundle Sea-kale basket Spinach sieve Tomatoes doz. Turnips bunch VegetableMarrows doz. 0 0 0 6 0 Horeetadish „ TO CORRESPONDENTS. *«* We request that no one -will -write privately to the de- partmental writers of the " Journal of Horticultm'e, Cottage Gaxdeuer, and Country Gentleman." By so doing they are subjected to uniustifiable trouble and eitpense. All communications should therefore be ad- dressed solely to The Editors of the Journal of Sorticul- ture, cf-c, 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. Peach Tree Infested with Scalk (Old Siihscriber) .—'D^s?o^ve 4 ozs. of gum arable in a quart of water, and paint the infested parts with it by means of a soft bruj^h. Allow it to remain on a few days, then Wiish it off by strongly syringing the tree with water at 120°. In winter nfler the leaves have fallen dress the tree with a solution formed by dis-olvincr 8 ozs. of Gishurst compound in a gallon of soft water, and brush this well into the cracks and crevices of the wood, being careful not to injure the fruit bads. Garlic Coltdhe (Jdff7»1.— Plant the offsets in rich ground in an open situation in February, and in rows 1 foot apart, and 6 inches from offset to offset in the rows. The drills should be drawn about an inch deep, and the offsetB placed with their Rrowing points upwards in the drill, and be gently pressed into the soil. When planted cover with an Inch of fine light soil. Keep them clenr of weeds, and when the tops turn yellow take up the roots, and lie them in bunches of about half-a-dozen, ana suspend in any cool dry place. Growing Cabbage Seei> lldcm),— Sow the seed in April, pricking off the seedlings when strong enough, and finally plant out in rows 2 feet apart, ^nd the same from plant to plant. Earth up and keep clear of weeds, and in autumn transplant into good rich deep soil and in rows a yard apart, and sufficiently deep in the soil to cover the stem to the lowest leaves. The Cabbages should be 2 feet apart. A sheltered situation is to be preferred. The plants will bloom in due time, and seed will follow soou afterwards. Steinqinq Vines (Jdem).— They may be syringed every morning before the sun becomes powerful with clear soft water, except when in flower, and after the Grapes change for ripening. It is, however, much more advan- tageous to syringe Vines at the time of shutting up the house in the after- noon, sprinkling the paths, &c., the following morning. CocDMBERS Diseased [F. C.).— The disease which is so prevalent at present amongst Cucumbers and the Cncurbitaceffi family generally, is evi- dently of fungoid origin, the cause and cure of it being as yet concealed from scientific eyes. We know of nothing more likely to mitigate the evil than procuring sound seed from plants free from disease, and, after pro- viding a mild bottom and top heat, to keep both sustained so as to make tho plants grow freely ; to employ soil that has been well exposed to the influences of the atmosphere, and moderately rich— that furnished by rotted turf being rich enough without any addition of manure or leaf mould ; to renew the plants often, and when they have produced a fair crop and show symptoms ol decreasing vigour, and it may be slight traces of the disease, to pull them up and throw them into the fire, and put in young plants in their places, having previously removed the old soil and replaced it by fresh sweet compost. We shall ne obliged by any of our correspondents favouring us with particulars of anything they have found useful in remedyinR the effects of this disease, which threatens to become as great a scourge to the Cocnrbitacea; as tho Potato murrain was to the Potato a few years ago.— G. A . Cottage Gaedknees' Dictionary (O. D., o/ ff.j.—Bohn's edition is the last. No supplement has yet been added. Antirrhinum and other Seeds (A Young Amateur Subacrihir).—Wx\te to any of the great florists who advertise in our columns and ask them tbe same questions. Tliey will readily reply. We never recommend tradesmen. Vine Leaves (E. P. ffn?/).-What you call an " eruption," only occurs on very vigorous Vines, It wUl not affect the crop. Keeping the house cooler, drier, and better ventilated usually prevents its occurrence. CtovEii Sf.ed tJS. JI. TT.).— Some Clover seed is grown in all the counties of England where the cUraate is mild and the rainfall small ; but it is grown most extensively, we believe, in Cambridge.-hire. The largest quantity, however, is grown in the German States bordering on the Rhine, and it is exported chiefly from Hamburgh ; yet that which comes to England from Ho land and Belgium has found its way thither principally from the German States. In 1861 there were imported into this country 198,120 cwts., in 1862, 163,974 cwts., and in 1S63, 272,626 cwts. We have no means of ascertaining the quantity usually ripened in this country. Ground Vinerv (A. S. A.).— Tot four penny postage stamps sent with your direction, you can have, free by post, the Number containing the plan iind descriolion. Or if you wait for a few weeks a JIanual will be published at our office containing that and all other particulars relative to Vine- culture. Platvcericm stkmmaria (IT. j1.).— This is the Fern you mean, and though you saw it growing in a greenhouse it flourishes more vigorously in a stove. It is a native of Guinea and introduced in 1822. You will flnd it described in some botanical works as Aorostiohum stemmaria. The usual treatment of stove Kerns is all that it needs. Making Asparaoos-beds (Novice',.— We prefer making the beds any dry time in autumn from September to November. It is not of much moment whether tho ends of the beds are north and south, or east and west, but preference is given to the flrst when we have the choice. The plants should be two and not more than three years old. They should be planted in the last week in March or first week In April. Any nurseryman can supply you with the right kind of plants. We do not recommend dealers. Lapaoebia rosea Culture (A Subscriber).— It requires a compost of turfy peat with a little turfy loam added, abundant pot room, and perfect drainage. It reqniivs watering every day from the time growth commences until it ceases, and double the quantity at a time to that given to a Fuchsia. It should bo trained near the glass on the north side of a span-roof, or be slightly shaded if on a southern aspect. Lasirea opaca will do well in a cold greenhouse in winter. Stopping Fdchsias and Pelargoniums t» Bloost in September (A Young ^ma^cHr).— Fuchsias may be stopped until within six weeks of the time they are wanted to bloom, l>ut to make sure if you stoo them when this appears in print they will need no further stopping. Pelargoniums to bloom well In September should not be stopped after Juno. Ants (A. ./. ff.!.— We do not think that they will Injure either your Cucumber-roots or Mushroom-spawn. You may drive them away by sprink- lings of guano or Scotch snuff. Were they in any other place watering frequently with gas ammoniacal water would banish them, but it might; injure your crops. Mildew ox Peas (W. £,).— On light soils the mildew may usually be pre- vented by manuring the soil liberally, mulching over the surface close up to the steins, and for a foot wide on each siiie, with stable manure, and watering freely in liry weather. Dusting with lime we do not think will be of any use. More vigour requires to be imparted to the plants. SWE7.T M(CE (i5c/f«).— The plant so called by the south Derbyshire cottagers is Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare. EvEiiGREEN poR Inside Back op Greenhouse (iJ. 'eeond, \V. Cannan. Com- mended, G. Holmes, Great Driffield. Chickens.- Prize, C. Snowdon, Tock- with. HAMBDHfiH (Silver-spangled).— First and Second, ■Vr. Cannan. Chickens. — Prize, W. Cannan. Golden. PENCiLHD HAjinunoH Cocn.— First nnd Seconl, W. Cannan. Haubcboe (SilTer-pencdled).— First and Second, W. Cannan. Chittepeatt on Cohsican.— First, W, Cannan. Second, withheld. PoLANDS.— First, W. Cannan. Sec™d. O. A. Young. Any othee v'akiett.— First, F. Powell (Brahmas). ' Second. W. Cannan (Black Hamburghs). CAiViens.— Prize. Mrs. Moore. Boston Spa (Wbile Dorkings). Commended, F. Powell (Brahma Pootral: H. Lacy (Brahma Pootra). * Bantams (Any variety).— First, T. E. Kell (Game). Si-cond and Com- mended, Lridy LoniiesborO'igh (Golden). Commended, W. Cannan (Golden). Cock op any oiher Beeed.— Prize, W. Cannan. Pair of Hess of ant other Breed.- Prize, T. E. KeU. Commended, W. Cannan ; T. B. Ireland. Geese. — First, 0. A. Younp. Second and Commended, W. K. Goodbame. DnCKS (Any variety except Aylesbnry).- First, 0. A. Young. Second, W. n. Park, Mewton Kyme. Commended, W. Cnnnan, Duces (Aylesbury)-— First, "SY. Cannan. Second, O. A. Toun?. TcEKETs.— First. \v. Cannan. Second, Miss Walton, North Mitford. Commended, Mrs. Blacker, Healaugh. DOMINIQUE FOWLS. This variety is, very justly, becoming popular where best known, especially for hardiness. We find the following de- scription of it in a very valuable article upon poultry, in the late report of the Department of Agriculture. " The Dominique is the best fowl of common stock that we have, and is the only fowl in the country that has enough, distinct characteristics to entitle it to a name. These fowls are full medium size, being but little less in weight than the Dorking, have full breasts, rounded full bodies, double or single combs, and yellow legs. Their main plumage has a light grey ground colour, while each feather is barred cross- wise with a darker shade. They are frequently known by the name " Hawk-coloured fowls." They are hardy, easily raised, retain their peculiarities with great tenacity, have yeUow skins, a colour prefen'ed by many for a market fowl j and taking these fowls all in aU, they are one of the best varieties in common use." The flesh is good and they are fine layers. They roost high, and hence are not in the way like the lazy Asiatic fowls. The Black Spanish are most beautiful fowls, but a winter like the past is very disastrous to them. Undoubtedly, with extra care in winter, they ai-e the best layers in the world; but we would not recommend them for the general fowl of the fai-m by the side of the Dominique. The Spanish for a village or city are first. To substantiate otu- estimate of these fowls we wiU state that Mr. Wentworth, who has experimented with almost every known kind of fowl, has abandoned all others, and is now starting with the Dominique. — {Prairie Farmer). HEN PHEASANT ASSUMING- THE PLUMAGE OF THE MALE BIED. This change of feather is not nearly of so rare occurrence as many suppose it to be ; and as the subject is now before the public, I willingly add my own experience to the state- ments of others already published. Some five and twenty years back I obtained a brood of young Pheasants, which after a time became exceedingly docile and familiar. Without exception they proved of the general common feather. A portion of them I kept by me for many years. The hens all laid weB, and the eggs proved fertile when placed under common fowls. Matters went on in this way for some ten years or more, when I found one of the hens become exceedingly pugnacious, ill-treating alike both her female and male companions. She ceased laying altogether, or rather did not commence laying at all at the customary time, though the others were as productive as heretofore. Her worst feature now was, she ate eveiy egg she possibly could obtain of the other Pheasants, and this caused me to remove her to run with some fowls, whose eggs she also took a fancy to, with a zest equally depraved as when in the company of her fellows. It was when taking her from her original pen that I first perceived she was assuming the feather of the cock bird. It showed the first year chiefly about the neck and head, the breast also becoming of a pecuhar ruddy hue. That first moult, too, the tail-feathera were evidently much longer than in the other hen phea- sants ; and during the three or four years I afterwards kept her she gradually altered more and more to the cock's plumage. At length she became so indomitable a virago as to allow no other bird of any kind to live in the same aviary. She was then kOled, and I still have her preserved. The head and neck feathers are precisely the same metallic bluish green as a cock's would be, but she never assumed the coral velvety appearance roimd the eye as in the cock. Her breast is of the ground colour of a cock, but devoid of the black mai'kings. The back and tail feathers are still much JOXJENAl OF HOETICCTLTTIEE AND COTTAGE GARDENEE. [ July 12, 1861. the colour of the hen Pheasant, but her tail had each year become longer and longer, tiU the principal feathers reached that of a male bird. They are peculiar, the shaft of the longest feathers being somewhat depressed. A neighbour of mine had also a hen English Pheasant that changed its feather in the same way, but to a much greater degree, a few years after : indeed she, when living, looked at first sight like a young cock. She, too, became furious to other birds, and an inveterate egg-eater. When I last saw her she was closely approaching a clear blotting- paper colour, and had very slight markings on the breast, towards the crop only. She, too, was an old-reared bird. From what I have now stated alone, facts seem to carry out the supposition that aU such birds are old birds, and in several shot Pheasants of like character they were evidently aged specimens. It is well here to mention, that in all cases I ever narrowly examined, the ovary was much diseased, though the bird showed well as to flesh or feather — in fact, appeared like an expressly fatted fowl. But I must briefly mention another case of a somewhat diiferent character. I once hatched a young Pheasant that at her first moult, long before she had arrived at laying time, became of the questionable feather referred to ; but as she consumed every egg within her reach, and was the worst of neighbours to all others, as time drew on her last appearance was on the dinner-table, devoid of all outward peculiarities. I also have known the same fact in a fowl, a Sebright Gold-laced Bantam hen, from whose eggs I for years reared many chickens of excellent markings. At one moult she obtained partial sickle feathers with a hackle and saddle feather that would be held as abominable in this particular breed; yet prior to this moult so perfectly feathered had she been, that at three diiferent Birmingham shows she figured in the first-prize pen. Her spu-it of il!-wiU was then similar to the Pheasant's before named, and as I wanted eggs (though she never laid after her change), and she ate all other eggs at hand, I gave her to a medical fi'iend, who, on examination after he had killed her, found a diseased ovary, as I had ajiticipated would be the case. In conclusion, it appears that all such birds are useless and very expensive as hobbies if allowed the run with others, and therefore it is expedient to put them aside as soon as this strange freak is first manifested. — Edwabd Hewitt, Eden Cottage, Sparlcbrool;, Birmingliam. AETIFICIAL SWAEMING. Tbce following account of my first and successful attempt at making an artificial swarm may, perhaps, interest some of your readers, as it took place under peculiar circum- stances. In May last I received a hive of Ligurian bees from " A Devonshire Bee-keeper." Early in the morning of the 4th of June I found the queen in a dying state on the alighting-board, and the bees passing in and out over her body with the most perfect indifference. On the 13th several young queens were heard piping ; but day after day the weather prevented their swarming. On the 16th they attempted to come off, but the high wind drove them back again. The next morning I expected to find the super- numerary princesses thrown out ; however, they were still piping, and the weather was wet and cold, so I determined to divide the bees. The stock which I shall call A was taken to an unfurnished room, and placed at some distance from the window. An empty hive, which I shall name B, was placed in the window. Both hives are made on the Woodbury plan. I removed the crown-board from A and puffed in some smoke ; then, taiing out a frame from the middle of the hive, I carried it to the window and found it contained what I wanted — a royal cell with a piping queen in it, and a fine young queen at liberty on the comb. This young lady I captured and returned to A. Having fixed the fi'ame in B, and placed the crown-board on, I proceeded to brush a sufficient number of bees off the bars of A to keep the brood warm during the night. Then I placed the crown-board on A, closed the entrance, collected with a feather the bees which were trying to get out of the window, and placed them at the entrance of the hive. They all settled in before dark, and the hive was placed in the house which A had occupied, and A conveyed to another part of the garden. The next day was fine, and all the bees that left A went to B, which by the evening contained a good swarm, and a sufficient number of bees were left behind to carry on the work of the hive. The young queen in B piped for about two hours, and the piping continued in A until the next evening, when a fierce slaughter of the diones took place, and continued untU all were lying dead on the floor-board, from which I swept them the next day. The bees in A have not settled down to thefr work as I could wish, and there appears to be a nervous timidity about them. They seem afraid to leave their hive, guarding the entrance against some foe, and disputing the passage of their own bees into the hive. A little pollen is carried in, but they leave off working early in the afternoon. I do not think anything can be wrong with the queen. I found two young grey bees on the alight- ing-board yesterday morning, and some drones that appeared after the great slaughter were worried. I think this ner- vousness must have been occasioned by the unaccountable desertion from their hive. Have any of your readers met with anything similar to this ? The young queen in A is much darker than her mother was, whom, no doubt, she had slaughtered. If I ever perform an operation of this kind again I shall provide myself with indiarubber gloves, as I was very much stung through my dogskin. The moment I moved the frame I was attacked most savagely, and my left hand was veiy much swollen the next day. This is the second instance I have known of young queens having been kept beyond three days. I once had a hive that swarmed on a Monday early, having been kept back by the weather on the evening when piping commenced, and they piped until the next Sunday, when they swarmed. The whole of the week was wet and cold. — J. L. [The cessation of honey-gathering in A is owing to all bees of sufficient age for this purpose having deserted it, and returned to the old spot. Time will set this right. The young queen will become much lighter when, as a matron, she is expanded to her full size. "A Devonshire Bee- keepek" says, "Apologise for having misled this lady so much as to induce her to use leather gloves," and we do apologise ; and as bees do not sting us through our gloves, we can only conclude that the skins of Editors are very thick — and so they need to be.] FLOWEKS FOE BEES. The following notes are published in reply to a correspon- dent, " A ToUNa Bee-keepek :" — BoKAGE is probably the best of all bee flowers. It flowers in July (earlier if self-sown), on through the summer until cut off by autumn frosts, and is an annual. It should be sown in an open situation in beds 4 feet wide, and as long as desii-ed, sowing the seed broadcast, about an inch apart over the surface and then throwing the alleys out over the beds, so as to cover the seed with from a quarter to half an inch deep of soil. A sowing made the first week in March, and another the second week in April, will afford a supply of flowers in most seasons fi'om June until November. Mignonette. — Sow the seed the fu-st week in April in beds as described for borage, only it should be sown more thickly, and be only just covered with light fine soil. It flowers in July onwards through the season. Salvia nemobosa. — An herbaceous perennial with blue flowers. It is readily increased by divisions of the root, which should be taken off, or the old stools or plants divided, in March, planting the offsets like Sage slips in rows 2 feet apart and 1 foot from plant to plant in the rows ; or they may be planted in four-feet beds with one-foot alleys between, and three rows in a bed. It delights in a light gravelly soU, but wiU grow in almost all soils and situations. Planted on sunny hedgebanks, and on the borders of woods it grows well, being not only useful for bee forage but highly orna- mental. It should have an open situation, and after the stems decay they should be cut down to the ground, and a Uttle leaf mould or any waste vegetable refuse placed around the stools between the rows, which shovdd be neatly forked- in in the April following. Beyond keeping clear of weeds Jnly 12, 18«4. ] JOUENAL OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 39 it needs no farther attention. It flowers from June to October. Crocuses. — The bulbs of these should be planted in rows by the sides of walks, 1 foot apart and about 3 inches deep, in October, or in clumps, of three, five, or more together. Planted in sunny situations in shrubberies they add a charm to such places, and wUl grow well in all soils. Light soils, however, are preferable. They need no care beyond taking up once in three years, and dividing, planting a number in the same place again the same day, and others on hedge- banks, in fact anywhere not much overshadowed by trees. They should be replanted and divided in October. Single Bltje Hepatica. — These, like crocuses, wiU grow anywhere in open situations, and are increased by division of the plant. They are best divided in autumn after the foliage decays, parting them so that two or three crowns are left to each division, which may then be planted in rows 1 foot apart, and the same distance between the rows. They should be planted so that the crowns are level with the surface. In future years it is only necessary to place a little fresh soU or waste refuse of any kind between the rows, to dig or fork it neatly into the soil, and divide the plants when too large for the allotted space, and replant. They flower early, often in January, and last a long time in flower. We have seen them in April. Crocuses usually flower in March and April. BEES IN AUSTRAIIA. Enolish apiarians will probably be interested in the fol- lowing extract from the address of Dr. Bennett, delivered before his Excellency the Governor (Sir John Young), and others, at the annual meeting of the Acclimatisation Society of New South Wales, on Monday, AprU 4th, 1864.— G. F. B., Spalding. "The English-imported bee has neai-ly driven away the small Australian stingless species, and the recent intro- duction of the Ligurian bee wiU be a great acquisition to the colonies, being very prolific, and yielding a larger supply of honey and wax than any other species ; and the rearing of bees has the advantage of requiring very little capital, and but a small amount of labour. The quantity and value of the honey and beeswax produced in the colony is very great, and the latter has lately been exported to England at a remunerative profit." A footnote in the Sydney MorninglSerald adds the fol- lowing : — " I have been informed that the small black stingless bee in Australia has sometimes been seen in close proximity to the English bee, both having formed their nests in the same hollow of a tree, being only divided by a mud partition. When in that position one or the other lose their brood; they attack each other, and the Australian bee contrives to cut off the wings of the English bee. The honey from the native bee has a more agreeable acidulous flavour than that produced by the naturalised English insect." SUCCESSFULLY LIGUHL^lNISING AN APIAEY. Having had a beautiful Liguiian queen sent to me last September, I removed the English queen from a common stock of bees in one of my improved observatory-hives, the four sides and the top of which are of glass, and placed her at their head. She immediately commenced laying worker eggs. I examined the combs on the 9th of October, and found many young Ligurians hatched, and the queen stiU laying eggs. In none ofmy common stocks could I find any eggs on that day. This, I thought, was a very convincing proof of the great superiority of the Ligurians over the English queens in their prolific powers. The stock passed through the winter in the best possible health. The hive was exposed iu an open latticed arbour, without any cover over the glass ; and the thermometer inside of the hive, ob- servations of which were taken three times each day, in- dicated a mean temperature of 3.88'' in December, 3.90° in January, and 4.55° in February, higher than the mean tem- perature inside my other hives. March Uth. — I cleaned the floor-board for the first time. and only found two dead bees. I had not before seen a single dead bee upon it during the whole winter. April 20th. — I commenced my Ligurianising operations by removing the queen out of one of my English stocks, and gave to it two Ligurian combs filled with eggs and brood. I also removed all the drone brood and cells out of thirteen common stocks. April 22nd. — Examined the two Ligurian combs, and found no signs of any royal cells commenced (second day). April 2oth. — Examined the two combs and found the bees had about half made a royal cell on each comb, but only one of which contained larvae, the other ceU was empty (fifth day). They had also about half made three royal cells on the next comb, which was entirely empty. ApHl 27th. — Examined the two Ligurian combs and found the cell containing the larvae enlarged. They had about half made another royal cell on the other comb, and the one pre- viously made was in the same state as it was on the 25th, neither of them contained eggs or larvae. The bees had also constructed four more royal cells on the empty comb (seventh day). April 29tk. — Examined the combs and found the larvae in the royal cell nearly straight, and the bees about finishing the closing of the royal cell (ninth day). The two cells on the other comb, and the seven royal cells on the empty comb, were in the same state as on the 27th. I put another comb, containing drone and worker brood and eggs, into the hive out of the Ligfurian stock, and I also placed worker eggs out of it into the nine empty royal cells, but I after- wards found that the bees removed all of them again. This is only the account of the operations with one stock, but the end of it all was, that on the 31st of May I had beautiful Lig^urian queens at the head of fourteen stocks, and had also hatched many more Ligurian queens than I required. On that day I made my first Ligurian swaim artificially, a very large one, and that night they had their queen hatched, and have done very well since. My great difficulty has been to prevent a single common drone being hatched in my apiary. About every ten days I examined every comb in each hive, and removed all the drone eggs or cells that I found the bees had made. I shall now be able to keep the Ligurians pure, as I have only Ligurian di'ones in my apiary, and there is not a single common stock within about three miles. Thus I shall not have the same difficulties to contend with in keeping them pure that Mr. Woodbury has, as he is surrounded by com- mon English bees. My old Ligurian queen is the finest and most beautiful one I ever saw, and she has certainly done wonders in laying eggs this spring. By the middle of May I had removed from her no less than twenty-two combs nearly filled with worker and drone brood and eggs, and the hive is crowded with bees quite ready for swarming. — ^Wm. Cakb, Clayton Bridge Apiary, Newton Seath, near Manchester. TEY A "BEE-BOB." Me. Langstboth says, "Having noticed that a new swarm will almost always alight where they see a mass of clustering bees, I find that they can be determined to some selected spot by an old black hat, or even a mullen stalk, which, when colom'ed black, can hardly be distinguished at a distance from a clustering swarm. A black wooUen stocking, or piece of cloth, fastened to a shady limb in plain sight of the hives, and where the bees can be most conveniently hived, would probably answer as good a pur- pose. Swarms are not only attracted by the bee-like colour of such objects, but are more readily induced to alight upon them if they furnish something to which they can easily cUng, the better to support their grape-Uke clusters. By proper precautions before the first swarms issue, the bee- keeper may so educate his favourites that they will seldom alight anywhere but on the spot which he has previously selected. The Eev. Thos. P. Hunt, of Wyoming, Penn., has devised an amusing plan, by which he says that he can at all times prevent a swarm of bees from leaving his premises. Before his stocks swarm he collects a number of dead bees, and stringing them with a needle and thread, as worms are strung for catching eels, he makes of them a ball about the size of an egg, leaving a few strands loose. By carrying. 40 JOTJRNAIi OF HORTICULTTJEE AND COTTAaE GAEDENER. [ July 12, 1864. fastened to a pole, this ' bee-bob ' about his apiary when the bees are swarming, or by placing it in some central position, he invariably secures every swarm." I wish some of my apiarian friends would try a "bee-bob" of some kind, and report results in The Journal of Hob- TICTJLTTJEE. — A DeVONSHIBE BeE-KEEPEB. APIAEIAJSr NOTES. A EiTLE TO Ascertain the Loss of Queens. — Soon after they swarm, the queens when on a bridal trip, and are en- joying the society of the drones, as they course through the air, become so intoxicated with their amorous enjoyments as to be confounded on their return. Not recognising their distinctive homes, they mistakingly land in a foreign colony, only to meet a sudden death by the subjects of a queen, whose jealousy prompts them to the attack. Should we inspect a hive about this time, and find no eggs or brood, it is proof positive that it has no queen. The usual time for this is about twenty days after the issue of the first swarm. Again, if the bees allow the drones to remain in the hive long after the general massacre — say to the 1st of September or October — it is a never-faQing sign that the queen is want- ing, or that she is in an unhealthy condition. In such a state the stock should be supplied with a queen immediately, or united to another. Rules p oe PuECHAsiNa Bees. — Select two-year-old stocks of large size, that swarmed the previous year. It has been demonstrated that such stocks have young and vigorous queens, and are generally well-conditioned, promising a healthy generation. A very old stock should be rejected, even if it swarmed the year before and contained a yearling queen, for the obvious reason that the bees, having been bred in the old contracted cells,. wOl be found of small size and insignificant in numbers. If you take your hive away to get a swarm placed into it, always purchase the first or prime swarm, and see that it is given you. Do not be put off with a second or late swarm Choose a stock to commence with as you would choose a wife — get the best you can find. If you obtain one in the old box-hive invert it, and secure the bees by a cloth tacked securely over the bottom. Take it home when the air is cool, attend to it regularly, obey the directions as given, and then congratulate yourself as having started right. In the purchase of bees there are many things it is well to observe. Remember if stock-hives are to be procured, ascertain the age of the queen. To select a young healthful mother seems to be a forward step towards a vigorous pro- geny.— (Flander's New Bee-hook, American.) FOUL BEOOD AND DYSENTEEY. As it is the desire cf some of your con-espondents to learn from different observers theii- experience of foul brood, I give you what has come under my notice regarding it during the last few months. The first case was a hive that was much diseased, and was broken up in autumn, and the contents given to a healthy hive for the very purpose of proving in- fection, by " A Stewaeton Apiarian," and no bad result has accrued therefrom since. The hive is all but healthy. The second is a hive in my own apiary which was almost reduced to a mere handful in the spring from what is termed dysentery. But I differ a little in my opinion, thinking it rather an overgorging, or feeding in winter more than they ought to do, in consequence of sudden changes of temper- ature arousing them to activity and causing them to feed oftener than would have been the case had they been shaded from the sun. At all events I have never found those attacked that were thus shaded. The bees were not able to fly, falling in hundi-eds on the ground, and leaving their excrements in the hive until it was thoroughly polluted. I took the advantage of the first fine day and turned the hive up to the rays of the sun for an hour and half tiJ the bees were perfectly dry and able to fly. I then removed all filth, and took away one stock-box (it being in a square bar-and-sUde hive), leaving in it one box only. It immediately commenced breeding, being about six weeks eai-lier than the majority of hives here. The spring this season was backward Until April, the weather then continuing favourable till the 17th of May, when it took a turn and continued increasing in cold tiU the 31st, when it appears to have reached its climax. The frost on the 31st of May and 2nd of June was so severe that icicles were suspended from the roofs of the bee-houses and covers, whilst the ice was an eighth of an inch thick, and newly- wrought ground was penetrated half an inch, so that all tender plants and the Potato crop have suffered severely. But I must return to the condition of the hive. It had not been long in the breeding state when I found there was something wrong from the strong effluvium emitted. I im- mediately tm-ned it up and examined it, when I found it in a backward state, with foul brood, and the bees scattered throughout the whole hive, evidently paying all the attention they could to the scattered brood. I used no means what- ever to restore it farther than cutting out some of the worst combs for microscopical examination. This forced the bees to concentrate themselves, having very few combs for the queen's peregrinations, so that at the present time it is ia a very thriving state and has got additional room. I am not, however, oversanguine of its future prosperity, but if spared I will report to you how it gets on. — A Lanaekshibe Bee-keepee. [" Who shall decide when doctors disagree ? " In illuB- tratiou of this adage we quote the following paragraph from a letter recently received from an able and highly- valued apiarian coiTespondent in the adjoining county of Dumfr-ies : — "The past winter has been cold and change- able. We had occasionally severe frosts, but at no time in this county above an inch depth of snow. On the 14th December, the bees in hives exposed to the one-o'clock sun got all out and evacuated. Those shaded remained within and were obliged to remain till after the middle of March. The consequence, as might have been expected, was dysen- tery, and, in most instances, destruction." Foul-breeding stocks should be isolated as much as possible in order to prevent the disease from spreading to others. Yours appears at present to be what Dzierzon terms the mUd and curable type. Take heed lest it degenerate into the vfrulent and incurable.] HOUSEHOLD EECIPES. Soiled Caepets. — When soiled, carpets may T>e cleansed after beating with the following mixture: — Two gallons of water, with i lb. soft soap dissolved iu it, to which add 4 ozs. of liquid ammonia. This may be rubbed on with a flannel cloth, and the carpet then rubbed dry. Cement foe the Mouths of Coeked Bottles. — Melt together Jib. of sealing' wax, the] same! quantity of resin, aud 2 ozs. of beeswax. When it fr-oths, stir with a tallow candle. As soon as it melts, dip the mouths of the bottle into it. This is an excellent thing to exclude the air from such things as are injured by being exposed to it. OUE LETTER BOX. Preventing Swarming {An Amateur, Presfon). — Raising the hive on on eke 4 ov 5 inches deep may prevent its swarminj, or if the bees will work in a bell-glass it may have the farae effect. Payne's improved cottage-hive is good and chf^ap, and may be obtained of Messrs. Neighbour. Buy "' Bee- keepmg for the Many," price 4i., free by post fi om this office for 6rf. Bees Outsidk a Hive (Oardenia).—'rhe entire colony appears to have taken up its quarters outside the hive, and Dot merely thrown out a swarm as you imiigiuc. Durmg the middle of a fine day we should disperse and quiet them by the means of a little smoke, cut off the combs (keeping a sharp look-out for the queen), and fit them into a frame-hive into which we should then sweep the bees. If you oannot manage this, we see nothing for it but to destroy them in the autumn and appropriate their stores. Bees— QoEENS, &c. (/. Jf.).— It is impoflsible to say exactly what amount of delay ft'om bad weather or other causes may suffice to compel a virgin queen to lay eggs and thus become a drone breeder. On one occasion I knew impregnation deferred a month without injury. A month after the l5sue of the last swarm the presence of a queen may be ascertained by driving the bees into an empty hive and inspecting the combs. If sealed brood be found the stock is, of course, all right ; if none can be seen it Is, probably, queenless. If you cannot drive bees you may, perhaps, obtain a sufficient insight into the state of afifairs by simply turning up the hive and dispersing the bees by means of a little smoke.— A Devonshire Bee- KEEPElt Canaries {P. Cater).— We conclude from what yon state, that either the weather is too cold for your Canaries, or that the other birds do not allow them to feed. We would recommend their being taken out of the aviary and removed to warmer quarters, and that their food be hard-boiled eggs, bread, and canary seed, with occasionally a little hemp, mawseed, and green meat, "We presume you supply the birds with plenty of sand in the aviary. July 19, 1864. ] JOTJENAL OP HOKTICTTLXTJRE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 41 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day of M'nth Day of Week. JUL-J 19—55, 1864. Average Temperature near Loudon. Rain in last 37 years. Sun Rises. Sun Sets. Moon Rises. Moon Sets. Moon's Age. Clock before Sun. Day of Year. 19 30 21 22 23 24 25 Tu W Th F S Son M Cotton Thistle flowers. Spear Thistle flowers. Sun's declination 20° 24' N. Crested Dog's Tail Grass ripe. Burdock flowers. 9 SOKDAY AFTER TeINITT. [1797. St. James. Duchess Cams. Bobn, Day. 72.8 72.5 73.1 73.4 740 72.5 73.9 Night. 51.0 5L1 50.6 61.8 52.7 52.2 49.7 Mean. 61 9 61.S 619 62 6 62.3 62 4 61.3 Days. 21 22 16 21 19 13 10 m. h. 8af4 9 4 10 4 12 4 13 4 U 4 16 4 m. h. 5af8 3 8 2 8 1 8 0 8 58 7 57 7 m. h. 61 7 24 8 53 8 19 9 45 0 12 10 41 10 m. h. 27 4 48 5 11 7 34 8 55 9 13 11 after. O 16 17 18 19 20 c m. 8, 6 0 6 3 6 6 6 9 6 10 6 12 6 12 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 From obaervationa taken near London during the last thirty-seven years, the average day temperature of the week is 73.2 temperature Sl.S". The greatest heat was 92° on the 25th, lS4t; and the lowest cold, 36°, on the 2l5t, 1S62. The greatest 1.37 Inch. ^ and its night fall of rain was THE AJN-^CTOCHILUSES. HESE deserve more atten- tion, tlian is bestowed upon them ; for well do they merit the title of gems of the vege- table kingdom, from the con- ' trasts in the colour and ex- quisite markings of theii' leaves. As.exotic Orchids they require at least a stove temperature,in which with proper treatment they thrive well, though there is a general impression that they are very dif- ficult of culture. To this cause alone can I attribute the want of specimens of this genus in almost all stoves; certainly it is not in the prices charged for them that the cause is to be found; and I think that with a greater acquaint- ance with their real habits, and a certain, and by no means diiScult, mode of treatment they may yet be brought into more general cultivation. Perhaps the only plants under cultivation which have to submit to an unvaried treatment the whole year through, save, it may be, an increase iu the minimum temperature during the summer, are those of the genus Anaectochilus. Instead of potting these plants as occa- sion suits, and then placing them under bell-glasses, there to remain an indefinite period, I advise a certain routine of treatment to be observed annually, the heads of which are here given, having myself had proof of the attendant success. Time OF Potting. — ^AU the plants, both large and small, should be fresh potted each spring, as, whether they require pot-room or not, and even when they are ap- parently doing well, it will at aU times, in consequence of the moist state in which they are kept, be well to put fresh and sweet material in the room of that in which they have remained all the winter, and which must have become more or less soured. They will thus be assisted in making a good growth during the summer. The time of potting them must depend entirely upon that at which the house, whether a stove or Orchid-house, in which they are grown begins to receive its summer treatment ; at no time would I pot them until a temperature of at least 75° is attained. This, perhaps, would be about the beginning of March. Compost and Mode op Potting. — The material in which I have found them thrive best has been a mixture of two parts of sphagnum, two of silver sand, and one of broken potsherds. The sphagnum, being finely-grown pieces separated from the more minute and dusty rem- nants, should be well chopped into small pieces ; but pre- viously to this, it, as well as the sand, and even the pot- sherds, should be well washed with clean water. This to some may not appear necessary, but I hold it to be an No. 173.— Vol. VII., New Ssries. essential to' success. These materials should be well in- corporated together. I prefer a shallow pan to a pot for growing them, and when possible it should correspond with the size of the plant ; or if a specimen-pan is required this should be of the size to which it is desired to grow the specimen, taking care that it match the bell-glass which is to be placed over it. The glass must at all times be kept over the plants. This I prefer to a mode often practised — that of plunging the pan into another, upon which the glass is then placed. Tlie drainage should be abundant, taking care to place a thin layer of sphagnum upon its surface to prevent the sand from passing down. The compost having been then placed very firmly in a conical form in the pan, the plants should be planted carefully over the surface. Where the creeping rhizomes have rooted pretty freely they can be firmly embedded in the compost, otherwise a stem without roots should bo firmly pegged upon the surface only. Give the whole a liberal watei-ing with a light rose, slightly shaking the heavier drops of moi.sture from the leaves before the bell-glass is placed over them. A shady warm corner will be the best place for them for a fortnight, taking care if the weather be very bright the first day or two after potting to place over them, in addi- tion to the customary shading, a thin sheet of paper. Propagation. — The most ready way of propagating them and that generally practised is by division of the creeping stems when ot sufficient length, which will be about midsummer ; this period, about the middle of their growth, being the best time. The stem may be severed by a sharp knife into as many pieces as will insure to each piece so severed two distinct roots, each having more or less hold of the soil below the surface. The plants so divided should be encouraged by a con- tinuation of the summer treatment recommended below until the following spring. Summer Treatment. — When the plants have become more or less established under the bell-glasses after the shift, a frame should he procured sufficiently large to admit the whole without undue crowding. It should be high enough at the back to allow of the pans lieiag elevated upon pots. Three small 60-pots to each will be best, as thus the outer air will be more readily admitted through the apertui'es at the bottom of the pans amongst the crocks. The air will prove very beneficial to the plants, especially when the roots have struck well down amongst the crocks. No better position could be found for the frame than upon a side stage over the pipes and not too far from the upper glass. The plants will be better of being kept close for a day or two, after which the system of treatment I advocate during the summer, and which seems so beneficial to them, may be commenced. This consists in taking the glazed light away from the frame about ten o'clock every morning, and giving the whole a moderate watering overhead with clear tepid water ; just brush away from the axUs of the leaves any heavy drops, leaving them then fully exposed to the .. No. 825,— Vol. XXXII., Old Sekibs. 42 JOUENAL OP HOETICTTLTtTEE AOT) COTTAGE GAEDENEE. [ July 19, 1864. atmosphere of the house until the plants have become thoroughly dry, when the lights should be returned, shut down close, and allowed to remain so until, at the same time next day, the treatment be repeated. Should the sur- face of the soil be disposed to green over, remove carefully the worst, adding afterwards a slight surfacing. The Antectochiluses already number upwards of thirty, of which superior as ready-growing are, intermedins, Lowii, Lobbi, superbus, Veitchii, striatus, argenteus pictus, se- taceus, and setaceus albo-marginatus. W. Eaelet, Digswell. INTENDED STRAWBEEEY FETE AND BOTTQUET EXHIBITION OF THE EOTAL HOETICULTtJEAL SOCIETY. These were wished to be on the 13th inst., but proved entire failures. There were twenty-five classes with corre- sponding prices for Strawberries, but only entries in seven of the classes, and it may be said there was no competition in them, for ten prizes were awarded, and of these Mr. Lydiard, of Batheaston, near Bath, received seven ! The heaviest single Strawberry was a British Queen, from Mr. Lyiliard, weighing 1 oz. 8 dwt. ; the heaviest twelve Myatt's Eleanor, also from Mr. Lydiard, 12} ozs. Then it was announced that " arrangements would be made by which it was hoped that Fellows, &g. (and others ?) might be able to purchase a supply of the different fruits ex- hibited;" yet it surpassed belief at the time, when it was acnounced on the first day, that aU the fruit that could be purchased came from Mr. Solomon and Messrs. "Webber, the fruiterers in Covent Garden, and that if you bought the fruit you could not have it until the day following ! Did not the managers know that freshness is essential to excel- lence in Strawberries? The exhibition of bouquet-holders was equally defective. The very beautiful one presented to the Princess of Wales by the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh, was kindly sent for exhibi- tion by Her Eoyal Highness, and there were eight or ten others in a glass case, but no one knew anything about them, nor did any one seem to care. If prizes had been offered for the most tastefully arranged bouquets, some interest would have been excited, and they would have been more consonant with the objects of a Horticultural Society. CUITITATION OP THE MELON. (^Continued from page 23.) Wateeing afteb the Fkuit has Set. — When the fruit has set and begun to swell water will be needed once or twice a-week, or it may be every other night, so as to keep the soil in a moderately moist condition ; and in addition to this a watering, which should be given about two o'clock in the .afternoon in April, or if earlier in the season in the morning, and after April at the time of shutting up the frame, let that be when it may, so that the plants may not only feel the refreshing influence of water at the root, but that of a moist atmosphere, such as is produced naturally after a shower. They should be lightly sprinkled overhead daily at the time of shutting up the frame on the afternoons of hot days, to create a moist atmosphere, presently to be cooled down by the cold of night, thereby producing a kind of artificial dew to repair the waste in the day, and rein- vigorate the plants. This sprinkling overhead should not be practised in dull, cloudy, or rainy weather, nor should the watering be then so plentiful ; but at the same time it is necessaiy to have the soil in a moist state whdst the fruit is swelling ; three gallons of water at the same temperature as the frame being sufficient to apply to one light at a time. Whenever water is given, or the plants sprinkled overhead, care should be taken not to wet the stem or centre of the plant whence the branches radiate, or the stems will very soon decay at that part. The soil beneath the centre of each light should be slightly elevated above the rest of the surface, so tliat water may be caiTied away from the stems of the plants, and a space a foot in diameter, which is sup- posed to contain the stems of the plants, in the centre of each light, should never be wetted more than can be helped after the bed is eaithed. When the fruit begins to net water must be supplied rather less copiously, stUl keeping up a moderate moisture in the bed and atmosphere ; but when the netting spreads to nearly every part of the fruit, cease syringing or sprink- ling the plants overhead, and diminish the supply at the root to one-half what it was when the fruit was swelling. After the fruit has become netted all over desist altogether from watering the surface of the soil, and unless the foliage begins to show signs of want of water, no more shoidd be given until the fruit is ripe; but if water be absolutely necessary to keep the foliage in good order, it must be given by making holes in the soil and pouring water into them through drain-pipes, for a dry atmosphere is essential to the perfection of the fruit. The sod even when the fruit is ripening should be in such a state of moisture as to cause the fruit to ripen fully. Watery and insipid fruit is the result of a moist atmosphere ; but dryness induces richness of flavour, yet too dry a soil affects the juiciness of the fruit. Too much moisture in the atmosphere, also, at the time of ripening, with a wet soil, causes the fruit to crack, especially if accom- panied by a low temperature. The soil, therefore, should only be kept moderately moist after the fruit begins to net, and the atmosphere cannot be kept too dry if fruit is desired that needs no sugar to make it fit to eat. Tkaining. — It is presumed that the plants were stopped prior to planting out, and supposing them to be stopped at the second rough leaf, they will each push thi'ee or four shoots, one from each of the rough leaves, and gene- rally one from each of the bases of the seed-leaves, and these shoots do not spread much before they push laterals. These laterals, if left, overcrowd the neck of the plant ; but as we are not certain that the shoots on which we are de- pending to produce fruit will do so, it is advisable to retain two or three laterals on the two shoots that spring from the base of the plant, and such laterals should be stopped at the second leaf. The first and third lateral of every al- ternate principal shoot should be cut away close to the shoot from which it takes its rise, the intermediate shoots having the first and third laterals retained, the second only being cut away. The laterals retained to supply the place of the principal shoots should these not set their fruit, or in order to supply shoots for a second crop, should be stopped at the second leaf, so as to throw as much support as possible into the principal shoots. These will grow rapidly and continue to throw out laterals as they advance, each of which must be stopped at the second leaf, and this stopping win again cause the sap to fiow freely into the principal shoots. These should be trained at equal distances apart towards the front or back of the frame, according to their position ; the distance between them shoidd be 1 foot. We have now only to cut clean out every alternate lateral for 1 foot from the lateral left at the base of each principal shoot, stopping those left at the second leaf unless fruit be shown, when they must be stopped at the joint above the fi-uit, but not until the flower has been properly impreg- nated and the corolla has closed. By the time these laterals push sub-laterals the principal shoots will be advanced to within 6 inches of the sides of the frame, when we stop them. This will induce laterals, and on these and the laterals already stopped, now pushing sub-laterals, we expect fr'uit will be shown in sufficient numbers to warrant our keeping the atmosphere dry for a time, to facilitate the setting. The proper number of fruit on a plant is two at an early period of the season, or later on when large fruit are required ; three after April, to afford full-sized fruit, and as many more as desired, only no one need expect to have on one plant six Melons equal in size to those on plants pro- ducing two or three. It not unfrequently occurs that the laterals retained near the stem of the plant show fruit, in consequence of the frequent stopping, before those on the principal shoots do so. Some make a practice of taking such fruits away, the reason being that if they should set they will require moisture for swelling, and that if not sup- plied with it they never attain any size, whilst if moisture is supplied on their account it endangers the principal show of fruit. Though it is preferable to have the flowers open at nearly the same time, yet I do not consider it wise to miss a couple of fruit on a plant, though it be the only one in a frame that shows so early, for fruit formed early near the Jaly 19, 1864. ] JOTTENAL OP HOBTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 43 stem invariably swell the best, and are the most handsome. It should, however, be borne in mind, that it is very un- desirable to treat such fruit as if the principal crop were to be subordinate to them. Many cultivators of the Melon, however, consider that an early fruit, or one in advance of the rest, prevents others from setting freely, if at all ; or if these do, they seldom attain the perfection they would were there no fruit in advance of them. This opinion I must say is also in accordance with my own experience, but I never could resist the temptation to get fruit set as early as possible ; and from plants in difierent stages in the same frame, I have had fruit insipid in one case, and excellent in the other. It is desirable, therefore, to have the fruit set as nearly at the same time as possible, and though we have provided for this, it may happen that the plants do not show fruit so freely as we could wish, or if they do they do not set. I have said before, and I now repeat it, that the bottom heat should be brisk (80° to 85°), and a dry atmo- sphere with a change of air daily must accompany the set- ting. With these conditions secured, the soU moist and firm, the plants not far from the glass, and strong, short-jointed wood, there is no difficulty in the matter. After the fruit is set provide a piece of blue slate or tile, and on this stand the fruit, which will prevent the side next the earth rotting, and to a great extent its not ripening on that side. I have tried glass, &c., for keeping the fruit from the damp soil, but have found nothing equal to pieces of common roofing slate. Pbuning. — Pruning the Melon after the fiTiit is set is confined to stopping all growths as fast as they appear to two leaves, so as to throw as much support as possible into the fruit, which will swell rapidly, and in order to insure its doing BO, all the leaves should be retained, except such as are yellow. After the finiit begins to net, a few of the small shoots should be cut in closely so as to admit more light and air to the fruit ; but do not remove the large leaves, for on them depend the size and quality of the fruit. After the fruit is set and swelling all pruning, therefore, should be limited to thinning-out the useless wiry shoots that spring from the principal shoots or laterals, and to keeping those left above the fruit stopped at every second leaf, so that neither the wiry shoots nor those above the fruit may rob the principal leaves of their due share of light, air, and nourishment. Some make a practice of cutting away most of the laterals after the fruit is set, but retain a growing point above the fr-uit, and it is stopped repeatedly at every two or three eyes. This is a first-rate system if the principal leaves can be preserved in a healthy state until the fruit is ripe, and when no second crop is desired fr'om the plants ; but should the leaves be scorched or attacked with red spider or thrips, the fruit does not attain that per- fection it would were there leaves in a healthy state to elaborate the food absorbed. When the fruit approaches maturity the greater part of the laterals and leaves, with the spray-like shoots above the fruit, should be removed, retaining, however, any healthy laige leaves that may be on the main shoots for a short dis- tance each way above and below the fruit. These will be sufficient to attract and elaborate the food necessary for the maturation of the fruit, whilst the removal of the spray -like shoots with their small leaves will admit more sun heat and ' air, and materially improve the flavoxir, giving a richness that renders sugar unnecessary. The fruit may now be elevated on an inverted flower-pot, still keeping the slate beneath it, for if it be placed on the pot without the slate, the steam of the bed or moisture rises and keeps the under side of the fruit wet, and may cause decay there. This raising the fruit nearer the sun completes the ripening, and heightens the aroma. Ebnbwing Gbowth. — Should the plants appear disposed to grow vigorously after the laterals are removed, and a second crop be desired, choose four or five of those that are near the stem of the plant. Give no water, however, except enough to keep the plants alive, and in a rather healthy state. Trim away all other laterals except those bearing fr-uit, which win cause those left to take the extra sap, whilst the small quantity now needed for the support of the fruit will not deteriorate the quality in the least ; but should extra support now be thrown into the fruit it not only injuriously affects the flavour, but is a direct cause of cracking. The fruit being ripe the old vines or principal shoots are cut back, the bed watered, and the shoots retained for a second crop treated in the same manner as those for the first crop. It is of little use attempting to obtain a second crop unless the fruit is ripe in July, or sooner, so that a good plant can be preserved, and the fruit can be set in August. Anothbe Mode op Training. — The most simple and most generally-adopted system of training Melons in dung-beds is to stop the plants at the second rough leaf, and then allow them to grow for a fortnight or so after planting-out, by which time they wiH be well furnished with shoots. Four or five of the strongest shoots are then selected, and spread out at equal distances, with their extremities pointing to- wards the sides of the frame, care being taien not to cross the shoots of one plant with those of its neighbour, one plant being taken to the back, the other to the ft-ont of the bed. Then cut clean out the spray shoots that cluster round the stem, which should at all times be kept free both of these and leaves, as they prevent the circulation of a due amount of air, and cause weakness, canker, or gummy exudation at that part of the plant, resulting in the death of the plants before the fruit attains maturity. The shoots are encouraged by taking away the small worthless shoots near the stem, and are trained from 9 inches to a foot apait. When they reach to within 6 inches of the sides of the frame their pointe are pinched off at a leaf. This causes the production of side shoots or laterals, and on these blooms appear nearly simultaneously throughout the frame. The atmosphere is kept dry, the flowers are duly impregnated, and by these means, with a brisk bottom heat, the setting of the fruit generally takes place. When that is effected a piece of slate is placed under each fruit, the shoots are kept rather thin by cutting out the weakest, and stopping the strongest, so as to cause support to pass into the fruit, and a good root-acSon kept up by the formation of new growths. The shoots are repeatedly stopped and thinned after this, so that the principal leaves may not be prevented from duly performing their functions for want of light and air, nor robbed of sup- port by a quantity of useless small shoots. This is all the training given in many cases, and I can vouch for large and fine-flavoured fruit being obtained in this way. — G. Abbey. (To he continued.) MY OECHAED-HOUSE.— No. 5. " Eheu fugaces !" How swiftly fly the precious moments ! Let us employ them well. It seems but yesterday that I saw my Peach trees in bloom under a canopy of snow, so thick and heavy overhead as to make it seem twilight in- stead of a February morning. Conspicuous among them was the Honey Peach, with its lovely rosy blossoms, so unique that any one could recognise the variety at a glance. And already we are gathering the fruit ! Ever since the beginning of the month we have had fine ripe Early York Peaches, generally 8 inches round, and well coloured. This is what the orchard-house does for us — it hastens the ripen- ing, and secures us a certain crop ; it also enables us to grow delicate varieties of Peaches and Nectarines, which would never thrive out of doors. But to my mind, its great value lies in the succession of ripe fruit which can be ob- tained by a little skill. It is worse than useless to grow Peaches for a six-weeks season. In favourable seasons many are wasted, and this noble fruit degenerates in value from its very abundance, while in cold and wet seasons there are not only very few, but these do not last. Now, in the orchard-house there is no need to dread these results. Unless, as it is facetiously said, there are none produced at all, there is no reason why we should not have a three-months Peach-season, not to speak of Plums, Cherries, Apricots, &c. Three months con- stitute a large portion of the whole year, and if we can secure any particularly valuable fruit for this length of time it is saying a great deal in its favour. Orchard-houses do this — first, by ripening fraits early in themselves, and by making them earlier still ; then by hastening midseason varieties, so that the same kinds on the wall shall come in directly afterwards; and lastly, by producing late fruits such as the open wall cannot be expected to ripen at all. This has been our regular practice, and from July to No- vember it is easy for our numerous visitors to judge for 4* JOHENAL OF HOETICULTUEE AITD COTTAGE GAEDENEK. [ JttlT 19, 1S64. themselves. A large portion of the fruit is sent to Covent Garden Market, though the house is not organised for the sale of the produce by eliminating valuable but not prolific > sorts, and it is really painful to see the gorgeous varieties sent to an indiscriminating public, and .to rapacious dealers. What would these care for tropical Peaches — rare sorts im- ported by Mr. Eivers, and carefully selected and sent to me as a favoui- by him ? The pubUc has much to learn still about the trouble these things cost the producer. Judging from the average knowledge of our visitors, I should say about one-third do not know a Nectarine from a Peach when they see it. We find, too, that many who themselves can- not grow even common things, are much disappointed un- less the orchard-house is literally breaking down with the weight of early Peaches. As if anything early is ever re- maikably fine or prolific ! There is undoubtedly gi-eat igno- rance about these matters — not that we know much more ourselves as yet, but orchard-houses are excellent instructors; even for that reason they should be built. One thing orchai'd-houses do teach, and that is not to overwork the trees. I believe that the poor things, if called upon for the credit of the house, would risk any amount of vegetable vitality. I once put it to a favourite diagonal cordon to show visitors what we could do working sympa- thetically together. I was to prune scientifically, to water carefully, and to feed it well ; besides, abundance of light and air was to be provided for it. It then engaged to do its best, and being young had no thought about consequences. The result was one hundred and twenty fine Early Newing- ton Nectarines, but the poor diagonal has never been quite well since. It occupied about 30 square feet of the back wall, making thus four Nectai-ines per square foot. To prove what I advanced before — that orchard-houses have the valxiable quality of hastening the pei-iod of ripening firuits as years advance — Early York, ripe August the 1st in 1861, was ripe on the 23rd of July in 1S62, while this year it is as early as July 4th. Canary, ripe July 23rd in 1862, was ripe on July 20th, 1863, and July 11th, 1864. As to produce. This year we have 1200 fine fruit. Peaches and Nectarines ; about 100 Apricots, and a fine promise of rigs ; a few Plums, no Chen-ies, having no room to spare ; but I see them growing well in my friend's houses. We have also, along the rafters, about 100 bunches of Grapes. All this produce is first-rate in quality, and would be much gi'eater but for the variety of trees gi-owing, many of which, though good, are not prolific. These are retained for the sake of erperiment, but will ultimately be condemned. The weather has again changed, and become warm, and there is much lack of moisture. Our tanks are sadly tried, Mid I have no doubt that watering is a sad toil to many just now. Syringing is freely kept up ; and we always syringe, even when the fruit is colouring. The practice is condemned by some ; but I must confess that the reasons given do not seem very sound. At night, especially, how does syringing affect the fiavour of fruit more than a heavy dew? As to ventilation, it seems in July and August as if no amount of openings can be sufficient. The atmosphere is at times inconveniently close and unwholesome, do what we will. This must aliect the vitaUty of the trees, especially if at all crowded. At any rate we find that the red spider abounds, and does most injury in trees placed in comers, where the di-aught does not affect them. In the same way, branches and shoots in dusty or neglected places are sure to become a prey to insects. The shoots on the Peach trees have now elongated con- siderably, and, if destined to prolong the branch, have even requued to be stopped freely. It is well not to do this too eaily in the season, unless the tree is bare at the lower portions. By allowing them to extend and strengthen first, the tree will much benefit in general vigour. As to those destined to be fruit-bearers, we have already discussed three classes of them. There remain now only two more classes, and these I shall briefly notice. The first of these two is a shoot composed in neaily equal proportions of fruit-buds and of wood-buds, the latter, of course, nearest the stem. If out of doors, in the winter cut above the second triple bud; but if in the orchard-house, at the summer pi-uning pinch in to four weU-coloured leaves at the first pinching-in. The other class are very vigorous and long, composed chiefly of wood-buds, perhaps a few fruit-buds near the summit or point of the shoot. Out of doors, in winter, cut in to two buds close to the stem, to produce two new shoots next season. In-doors, if you recognise these shoots clearly, and do not require them to fill up, then pinch back very short — to two leaves. At any rate, be much on your guard against these shoots ; they are not useful, nor productive, and may become very gross and rampant, absorbing sap and doing no good with it. Should the close summer prun- ing be early, by having discerned their nature in time you will probably obtain two weaker shoots from the two eyes left, and these may ripen too, and bear. However, by pinch- ing in to four weU-eoloured leaves when the summer shoot has had time to be sturdy, and not before, and then to two leaves the second growths, as soon as these are pretty sturdy, the third gi'owths may be pinched in closely any way. The leading branches to be allowed to gather strength before stopping them also. This is the easy science of in-door Peach-pruning. Summer laterals (antidpes in French), to be pinched in just above the first pair of leaves. But these also should be aUowed to make a little growth, or they may shrivel up. This is the chief secret — close summer pruning in, but not too early in, the season. — T. Collinos Bbehadt, Richmond House, Guernsey. jS^OTES FEOjVI PAEIS, 1864. eose lobe. To me there is no greater treat connected with a trip to Paris than a few hours' chat with my good friend M. Mar- gottin, of Bourg-la-Eeine. I am always sure to get infor- mation, and reliable information too, on many points con- nected with the Eose. And then he is such a thorough enthusiast — and one does like an enthusiast, for it im- plies earnestness — and the Eose has been so especially his fiower, he has given so much time and thought to it, that he is not a mere Eose-grower or Eose-seUer, but also a Eose-lover. He wUl discard Eoses which some other growers would send out with high-sounding names and descriptions ; and hence there have been comparatively few Eoses sent out from his establishment which we can well do without, while Jules Margottin and Louise Odier will be grown as long as Eoses are grown. Some people say he ia bigotted in his opinions. I dare say he is, and he has a right to be ; for if a man knows a subject thoroughly, if he has grasped it in all its proportions, he must be necessarily in the eyes of others, when he maintains views and opinions which he knows to be right, considered as such. In a very old book I find it written of one, " Unstable as water he shall not excel," and so with those who ai'e readUy moved by what this or that i^erson says ; but I am bound to say I find a good deal of good honest common sense in all he says, and were he on our side of the channel I should call him a thorough John Bull. We had, then, on that bright sunny day after the thunder- storm of the 9th, which had so much damaged his bloom, a good chat as we went amongst his fine stock of standard plants. The hybridising of Eoses came up on my asking him his opinion of John Hopper, which he pronounced a grand Eose, and telling him he had something to say to it, as it was a child of Jules Margottin ; he then stated what I was before unaware of — that he, at any rate, of the French nurserymen, does not trust to the chance hybridising of insects, but that he has for years regularly crossed some of his flowers. At the same time he does not seem very much enamoured with the results, and thinks he has perhaps done as well where he has not done so. He found, as most liave done, that strange freaks are played in this matter. As my friend Mr. Standish has found that from two white Grapes he has produced the very blackest Grape he knows, so from two red Bourbons he had obtained a fine white, of which he had entertained great hopes. He had grown it for several years, and he then determined on propagating it for sale. But alas ! it would not then open well, and so he discarded it; for, as he justly observed, a Eose that will not open well in France is sure not to open weB in England. The Bourbon Eose which he sent out this season named Eeverend H. Dombrain, was a seedling from Louise Odier crossed with General Jacqueminot j and as I saw it there it July 19, 1864. ] JOTJENAL OF HOETICTJLTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 45 combined the qualities of botli parents, tlie shape of Louise Odier and the colour and per&me of the General. Then, again, his seedling Duchesse de Montpensier, raised by him in 1845 and sent out in 1847, was a seedling ii-om Madame Laffay and Mrs. Bosanquet. Due de Cambridge, again, was a seedling of Madame Premion raised by him in 1850 ; while Jules Margottin, probably the best and most useful Eose he has ever produced, was a chance seedling, and the plant did not bloom for six: years. From this Eose he has a seedling to be let out this year, very bright and clear in colour', and of large size. He had, he tells me, crossed Persian TeUow with a rose-coloured Hybrid Perpetual, and obtained a pure white Eose ; but this never opened, and all his efforts in this dii'ection had been fi-ustrated. The immense number of red, scarlet, and crimson Eoses annually sent into the market, and their great similarity one to the other, was also commented upon. In excuse of the French raisers, he said that there being no such com- petition as in England, raisers knew very little of what they each were doing. One man at Lyons, another at Caen, another at Abbeville, another at Angers, raise a very fine Eose. It is good — seems to them, at least, magnificent; and hence it is "put into commerce." All come over here ; and when they bloom with us, alas ! it is the old story of tweedledum and tweedledee. In truth, he says, ever since the introduction of General Jacqueminot the rise has been all in that direction ; and he has now determined to, in sporting phrase, " try back." He has a number of Eoses planted under sashes, and these of vaiieties which were sent out before General Jacqueminot, and he hopes from these to obtain something novel. When I was there the pips were already well swollen ; so that, doubtless, with a fine summer he wiU secure a good crop of seed. Concern- ing the General, he told me that it was obtained by a M. Eoussel, at Meredon near Paris, who had for thirty years been seeding from Gloire de Eosomene, convinced that some day or other he should obtain something good fi-om it. When on his deathbed, he told his gardener (Eouselet) that he had not much to leave him, but he would give him all his seedlings, aind that if he managed well he would sooh make his fortune. That very year Jacqueminot bloomed, though its raiser never saw it, and in 1853 was let out; but Master Eouselet was too fond of his glass and did not make his fortune. Geant des Batailles was raised, I believe, near Lyons, by an amateur of the name of Nerard, who in the same way for many yeai-s had been saving seed, convinced that he would obtain something good. It was sold to GuiUot and by him let out. Margottin said he had not been any more successful than others in striving to intro- duce other blood amongst the present race of Eoses. He had tried to hybridise with the microphyUa Eose, but never could get anything worth keeping. Concerning some of the newer Eoses, also, we had some interesting conversation. I do not at all find him disinclined to acknowledge the merits of the flowers of other raisers. He pronounced Francois Lacharme and Charles Lefebvre to be the best two Eoses in their class. Monte Christo comes sometimes very fine ; but those Eoses described by French raisers as nearly full are very disappointing. You imagine you are going to have a fine bloom ; it looks beautiful, colour excellent, but it has hardly expanded before the eye shows itself. This is the case with Peter Lawson, Vicomte Vigier, Mdlle. Julie Daran, and many others — splendid when you can catch them in the bud, but very soon disappointing your hopes and expectations. Beaute Fran<;aise he pro- nounced to be too like Leon des Combats, as I have myself since proved it to be in my own garden. John Hopper, as already said, he pronounced to be a first-rate and distinct Eose. Baron de EothschUd he also thought, as we have found it here, excellent, and Le Ehone also. With regard to new Eoses, M. Eugene Verdier purposes sending out six this season. Of these the finest are Eev. F. EadclyfFe, named in compliment to the Vicar of Eushtou — a Eose of the Madame Victor Verdier class, but very bright and clear in colour; and Marechal Niel, a very fine Tea Eose, said to be a seedling of Lamarque, very vigorous, jfree-flowering, and clear in colour. It is not absolutely new, as it was raised somewhere in the provinces, but is very little known. His other Eoses were only under figures, aad therefore to say aught of them now would be of little use. M. Charles Verdier has two of his own raising of which he speaks highly ; while Leveque has at present one. Mar- gottin has one, certainly not yet named; and another, a white, of the shape of Madame Eivers, but pui-e white. Of this he is not certain, and waits to see how it is this yeai before offering it for sale. Marest is also said to have one. This is all I could hear or see of Paris Eoses. Mr. George Paul, who had the kindness to find me out in Paris, went further south — to Srie, Fontainbleau, and Lyons, and has doubtless notes of what he saw. I am inclined to think that French raisers generally are awakening to a sense of what they have put on English growers ; and I am hopeful there win be more caution in selling, while I am quite persuaded there will be more caution on this side in buying. And now adieu to Eoses, and flower shows, and gardens for a while. Ere this is in print I shall be off to the wilds of the far west of Ireland, engaged in other work than this, and in revisiting the scenes where many a happy day was passed — feeling, I dare say, how like a dream life is, and how impossible it is to conjure up the feelings of past days even in the midst of those scenes. — D., Deal. A PANELLED LAWN. A FEW days since I saw a beautiful variegated, or, rather, almost white, grass, suitable for lawns. I think that a lawn planted with such grass, or worked into panels or ribands with green grass, would have a very fine effect. Has the plan been tried anywhere ? — Jno. Clayton. [Is the grass a dwarf variety of the Gardener's Garter (Phalaris) ? Whether or not, we do not think it would be effective ribanded with other grass alone; but it might make a good edging to flower-beds, with the gi-ass lawn round. We should like to see a i^iece of the grass, and then we should be better able to give an opinion.] BLACK PEINCE GRAPES. Allow me to correct an error you have allowed to creep in with regard to the weight of our Black Prince Grapes, page 26 last week's Jouknal op Hoetictjltuke. Your weights of the four- dishes in the previous week's Journal were perfectly correct, page 5. The weight of the heaviest dish was 13 lbs. 10 ozs. The centre bunch weighed 5 lbs. 7 ozs. The heaviest dish previous to this was shown June 24th, 1863, at the Eoyal Botanic : the threeJjunches weighed 9 lbs. 5 ozs. The whole of the Black Prince Grapes exhibited from here for the last four years ai-e from gi'afts on the Frankenthal, not MiU Hill as mentioned this week. The first dish was exhibited on the 5th and 6th of June, 1861, on the opening of the Eoyal Horticultural Garden, and weighed 8 lbs. 14 ozs. I find the Frankenthal the best of all stocks for grafting, and the Barbarossa the worst. — W. Hill. [We shall be glad if our readers will furnish us with the heaviest weights of Black Prince they have met with.] PEACHES UNDEE GLASS AT BEADFOED. There has been much said about growing Peaches, &e., between Mr. Abbey and some others of your readers, and a slur was cast upon all the gardeners about Bradford and its neighbourhood. I have been in my present situation nearly twenty years, and I have grown good crojM of both Peaches and Grapes. If you look in The Cottage Gaedenee for December 23rd, 1852, you will find an article by Mr. W. Dobson, entitled " Grape Forcing, good specimens of." Our place is as black as possible ; for, about half a mile north of it, there are some chemical works ; three hundred yards to the north-west there is a brickyard; and I have had to close the houses at midday when a kiln of bricks has been burning, or else the sulphur would have destroyed all in the houses. Then, from west by south to east, lies Leeds, a town, I should think, as black as any in England — nothing like it in Herts. The houses ai-e all close to the garden wall, and, except on the north-west, it is as black as anything you can conceive. 4G JOUENAL OF HOSTICrrLTtTKE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ July ID, 1864. I send you a specimen of Peaches grown in the gardens of J. 0. March, Esq., and I have had a good crop for the last fifteen years, except one season. The largest Peach was 12J inches round, of the Boyal George variety, the same as I send. The tree has no grand south border to grow in, but the roots are under a path 4 feet wide. The sun shines on it about three hours in a day. There are Vin«s in the house as well. If we poor soot-persecuted gardeners grow fruit like that I send, what ought our more favourably-placed brethi'en to grow, with theii- pure air and fine soil — for oiurs is nearly clay — with good leaf earth ? Nothing wUl grow in our leaf mould ; it seems to poison everything. — J. Acomb. [The Peach sent was a very fine specimen lOJ- inches in circumference, weighed fuUy 9ozs., was highly coloured on the most exposed side, fully ripe, and of good flavour.] WHITE HELLEBOEE \-eesus GOOSEBEEEY CATEEPILLAES— BIRDS. It is all very well for your Yorkshire correspondent to talk of his Gooseberry trees being free from catei-pillars, and to give the credit to the birds. Birds abound in my garden, and caterpillars would abound too unless means were taken to prevent it. There is an easy cure for the Gooseberry caterpillar, and a certain cure if it be only rightly used, and that is hellebore powder. Some will tell you that hellebore does no good, and no wonder when it is used in the manner many do. They let their trees get half covered with the caterpillar, then sprinkle them with the hellebore, and think they have done what is necessary. They might just as weU do nothing. The right plan is for a man to keep his eyes open, and so soon as he sees the very first signs of the caterpillar to dust all the trees with hellebore, and to repeat the dose in two or three days. Let this be done when the caterpillar fh-st shows itself, and success is certain. But I repeat that all depends upon the remedy being applied in time. Many, very many, gardeners spoil their work in this and other things for want of being soon enough. They are constantly too late, and you will see them locking the stable door long after the horse has been stolen. And now for a word about " the birds." They are very pretty to look at, and it is very pleasant to hear them sing ; but, notwithstanding, I would rather have their room than their company. I am told they do much good. It may be so, but I am sure they do a great deal of harm. While the good in my judgment is problematical, the mischief is mani- fest. In the matter of fruit, birds are the greatest possible nuisance. It is impossible to keep any fruit from them with- out nets, and not seldom they will have it in spite of nets. It is fortunate that orchard-houses help us here as well as in other points. I am glad to say that my orchard-houses are again full of fruit this year, as they have been for the last eight years, notwithstanding that I live so far north as — North Lancashike. PTTBZE versus goosebekry caterpillars. As regards the placing of Furze in a bush for the destruc- tion of the caterpillars, I can say that I tried it in one bush which was much infested, and in a few days they had all disappeared, nor have I seen any one since on that bush, though plenty have made their appearance in other parts of my garden. — A. H. F. QABLic versus gooseberry caterpillars. Ha VINO noticed the discussion as to the prevention of the caterpillar by Furze, I think it may be interesting to some of your readers to know, that I was looking over a gentle- man's garden in the neighbourhood a few weeks ago, and observing some roots of Garlic planted round the Gooseberry bushes, I asked the gardener what they were planted there for, and he replied, " To keep the caterpillars away," and he assured me it was quite effectual. This remedy may be •worthy of a more extended trial, for Garlic is more useful than Furze in a kitchen garden, and it may as well be planted round the Gooseberry bushes as anywhere else. Can you inform me if there has been published at any time any alphabetical list of flowers with the different com- posts proper for them ? Such a list on card in the form of a chart to hang up in the potting-shed would, I think, be useful to many amateurs, at least, I know it would he so to me and to all beginners. I have often thought of preparing such a list for myself, but could never find the time. — K. B. B. [We know of no such list. A gardener would not require it, and an amateur would consult our " Garden Manual," or some other work if he had any doubt as to the formation of the compost.] TAN versus gooseberry caterpillars. My Gooseberry bushes were much damaged by caterpillars last year ; and a^ I read in your paper that the best remedy was to place a circle of tan about 2 inches deep under each tree, I have this season tried it with perfect success to the present time ; and as the Gooseberry bushes in the garden adjoining mine are this year, although not, perhaps, so much as last, attacked by the same pests, I am glad to make known what I believe is a simple as weU as effectual remedy for this evil. — H. M. Gammon, Oxford. BROOM versus caterpillars. If your readers will, as I have done for many years with perfect success, twist a good wisp of fresh Broom round the stem of each Gooseberry bush, so that no vermin can creep up from the earth except thi-ough the Broom, and see that it is properly twisted round and not a mere show, and that it is done just before the leaf-buds begin to open, so as to be fresh and bitter to its crawling friends, they never will be troubled with caterpillars. — J. Mackenzie, M.D. pailuee of SELAGINELLA denticulata. EDGINGS FOE CONSEEVATOET FLOWEE-STANDS. In an open colonnade here we have three semicircular stands exactly like those in the conservatory at Kensington. This is the second year we have had them, and as yet we have not been able to make the Lycopod (Selaginella den- ticulata) answer well for the edging. Do you think the following mode of treating it ought to insure success ? In March of this year I filled the wire baskets nearly to the top with good turfy loam chopped fine. I then spread the Lycopod all over the surface, and covered it thinly with finer soil, and placed the baskets under the stage in the green- house, where they remained untU the end of June, when they were placed round the stands. The Lycopod seemed to be going on nicely up to that time, but since then it has begun to look worse. My opinion is, that the cause of failure may be attributed to the fact, that from the time the suu reaches the meridian untU the time of setting, it shines fidl upon the stands. My employers have an idea that Mignonette would answer better than the Lycopod. — BOLNOBE. [The fuU exposure to the sun of the stands in the open colonnade is the reason why your Selaginella denticulata will not answer round the edges. It must have partial shade as well as moisture. Instead of Mignonette for such edgings, we would recommend a fringe of drooping Ana- gaUis, or of Verbena pulcheUa. If the sides of the stands are of a white colour, dull them to a dark colour. After the creepers are all over it, the colour wiU be of less consequence.] SALVIA AEGENTEA. Among the many plants which are cultivated for the singularity of their foliage this is by no means the least remarkable. With a leaf as large as that of a Cabbage when fit to transplant, and of a thick and woolly texture, its appearance amongst other plants is singularly beautiful. In point of whiteness it is not equal to Centaurea candidis- sima, nor even Cineraria maritima, but it is possible by planting it in suitable soU that it may be improved in that respect ; but in its dwarf sturdy habit, and thick blanket-like foliage, clothed with a long hairy down, it possesses features widely distinct from anything else that I am acquainted Jaly 19, 1854. ] JOURNAL OP HOETICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARBENEE. 47 ■with. It also possesses the merit of being of easy growth, and adapting itself to all situations. Altliough not an annual, it is most readily propagated by seeds, -which are to be had of most seedsmen ; and if sown early in spring the plants may ornament the parterre daring the same summer, and a few plants retained in pots will look well all the winter when such plants are far from plentiful. In the following spring, most likely, it wiU run up to flower, though the plant is not improved by its doing so. The flower, which is white, is by no means unsightly ; in fact, it is prettier than one that came out some years ago as a great acquisi- tion— namely, Salvia patens alba, for the flowers of S. ar- gentea are individually larger than the other, and in colour and form equally good. I have never tised it for bedding purposes, but for mixed borders a few plants intro- duced amongst other things give an aspect different from anything else I am acquainted with, Stachys lanata afford- ing the nearest approach to it. — J. Eobson. HINTS ON ICE-HOUSES AND ICE-HEAPS, &c. [Havinq recently had applications from some of our readers for No. 588, containing hints by Mr. Fish on the above subject, and that Number being out of print, we reproduce the greater portion of his article, with a few additional notes.] loE-HousES are generally made in the shape of an inverted cone, or an egg with the largest end uppermost, and a medium-sized house might be 8 feet in diameter at bottom, 11 feet at the widest part, and 14 or 15 feet deep from the bottom to the top. When bricks are used there is no diffi- culty in thus having it round ; but I have no prejudice at aU in favour of such a round house ; but for aU purposes would as soon have a square building, whether built of stone or wood, or any other material. Fig. 1 is a section of the egg-shaped well as commonly built, with a trap drain from its bottom, and the bottom covered over with logs of wood and rough brushwood for a depth of a foot or 18 inches. It is furnished with a passage and a door outside and inside, so that the space between, them may be fiUed with straw. As will presently be seen, we prefer a double wall instead of a single one, with an open space between of from 9 to 12 inches. The opening shown at the top is of great importance for filling the well, where the position of the ground will admit of it. If a layer of clay can be rammed against the outer wall it will be an improvement. The ground around the well should be shaded with trees and evergreens. Fig. 2' is a section of one of the simplest and best ice- houses I have met with. As far as I recoUect, it was built square, with stone walls, 16 inches thick, enclosing a square SOUTH S!!DE Fig. 1. o, Double doora. Fig. 2. &, Steep bank. e, Surface line. ef 16 feet by 18 feet deep. One side abutted on the level of a field, and the opposite one on a deep sloping bank, the base of which was below the bottom of the ice-weU. The ground being light the drain was of little use, as the moisture escaped at the bottom. The ice was carted along the level meadow to a platform ^t the doorway. There were two doors; the outside one was of stout deal, on hinges which enabled it to fold back on the roof. The corner one fitted loosely in a groove, and this door was lined with woollen cloth. Though these doors were on the south side of the roof, the ice never failed. The roof was formed of 12 inches of thatch, and then fuUy a foot of close heath or ling. The ice was pretty weE beaten outside, pitched in at the door- way, and then pounded down inside. Nothing as a house could be more simple, or keep ice better; and, the ice being taken from clean water, venison, game, &c., were kept in the house for long periods untainted. In most of the old-fashioned egg-shaped houses there is a long passage leading to the well, with two or three doors, and, in many cases, the ice must be all carried in and out through that passage. With two padded doors, and a space of 15 inches between them, the long passage may generally be dispensed with ; and, although the ice should be removed through these doors, it will always be an advantage to have an opening at the top for throwing the well-broken ice into the well. I have known several cases of severe illness as the result of men being kept for several hours in these long passages shovelling the broken ice past them. Where dryness may be secured there need be no objection 48 JOURNAL OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEK. [ J«ly 19, 1884, to sinking the well wholly below the ground. In soils retentive of moisture care should be taken to prevent the outside moisture penetrating tlii'ough the walls, by budding them in cement, ramming clay round the wall, with tar next the wall, or raising them partly, or nearly wholly, out of the ground. It is quite a mistake to suppose that to keep ice well you have merely to get it into a hole beneath the surface of the ground. On an average the earth will be warmer aU the year round at the depth of the bottom of the well than at the surface. AU moistui'e getting to the wall would melt the ice ; the moisture that would ooze out from a wall above the ground would actually cool the interior by evaporation. I have not had any ice-houses entirely above ground under my own charge ; but I have noticed how well the ice kept in several, though, as far as I recollect, half as large again as the size mentioned above. I remember one house above ground that was built with double brick walls, the walls being separated 12 inches fi'om each other, with a door in each wsiJl opposite each other, about 5 feet from the ground level. The top of the house, steep and cone-shaped, was thatched to the thickness of 18 inches, and extended beyond the walls for a couple of feet. The outside thatch got covered with mosses and lichens, and there was a dense shade of trees over all. A temporary staircase led up to the doorway, and a stone staircase inside led to the bottom of the house. The ice was pitched in from the carts, and broken inside, and it kept remarkably well. The gi-eat secrets in this case were the double walls and the enclosed space for air between them. Of all non-conductors of heat, enclosed isolated air is the best. Neither what we call heat, nor what we call cold, has the power, to any great degree, to pass through it. I recollect once noticing in the end of June the thermometer in the shade, against the outer wall of such a house, indicating 77", and another thermometer on the wall inside the ice-weU ranging from 32° to 34", but we shut the doors behind us. In sunk wells this double wall is just of equal importance. The outer one prevents the heat of the soil affecting the ice. I met with a nice example of this some time ago. An old-fashioned ice-well had been so built, and answered remarkably well. In course of time thi-ee or four ice-tubs had to be supplied at the mansion instead of one — every- thing in summer had to be cooled with ice — and the supply, from the house being opened so often, was not equal to the demand. The supposed genius of the establishment counselled the removal of the inner wall, which would at once make the house about 3 feet wider from top to bottom, and set at liberty so many thousand bi'icks for other pur- poses. What could seem more feasable ? and accordingly it was done, and the house well filled the next winter ; but the enlarged house was emptied fully six weeks earlier than it used to be before. Since then the waggon-loads of straw packed against the walls inside, and the ti-ouble, would soon cost more than the double wall, and, after all, with far inferior results. Few things are better non-conductors than straw, especially if not much bruised by the flail or thresh- ing-machine, as every space between the joints is, so far, a sealed-up air-tube ; but let that straw get thoroughly soaked inside a house, and its non-conducting powers would not only be gone, but the vapoixr always rising fi-om it would keep a damp fog always resting upon and melting away the ice. I have no fkith, therefore, in straw as a non-conductor inside a house unless it be kept dry. I have a lai'ge house which, when filled, generally secures pretty well a two-years supply ; that, too, had been built, I believe, with hollow walls, and the inner one was removed, before I knew it, to increase the size ; but I soon gave up using packings of straw, having come to the conclusion that, on the whole, from getting damp it did more harm than good. When either a stone, brick, or wood house is raised x^artly or whoUy above the ground level, covering the single wall, whatever it is, with from 6 to 9 inches of straw neatly fastened on the outside, and with the eaves of the roof projecting far enough to keep that straw dry, will be the best substitute for a double wall ; and if the ears of wheat are removed, so as not to entice birds or mice, the straw will last a number of years. Thus by using hoUow walls, or a non-conducting medium, it will be seen that regular ice-houses may be as well, partly or wholly, above ground as below it ; and in the 1 circumstances of soils retentive of moisture, much better above than below. When so built, and near the mansion, they could be turned to many useful pvu'poses, as respects keeping meat and vegetables, with more economy as to ice, than when the ice has to be brought in pails and barrow- loads to the house. So much for the place : now for the filling. The chief thing is to get ice from good clear water, and pound it well outside, but chiefly inside, of the house. If the water is not clean the ice will be unfit for preserving many things where fine flavour is an extra consideration. Every space of air enclosed between pieces of ice wUl hasten the decay of the ice whenever these spaces can gain access to the air above them. When filling in frosty weather it is a good plan to use a little water for filling up the crevices, which soon fi'cezes the whole into a compact mass. All ice with leaves and pieces of wood in it is to be rejected if better can be had, as they will make a sort of free space round themselves long before the summer is passed. In packing it is advisable tb keep the centre the lowest, and the outsides the highest, so that the moisture contained may fi.nd its way to the centre and there be frozen, instead of passing through the ice at the outside and escaping. This same rule should also be attended to in taking the ice out of the ice-house. It is impossible to break the ice too fine — the more like sleet and snow the better, and the firmer packed the better. This is even more necessary when the house for keeping it is small. As to keeping ice when obtained, the great object is to prevent it being surrounded with a moist stagnant atmo- sphere. A di-y afr, though warm, will exert much less influ- ence in melting the ice than a damp air though cold. Two facts tended to alter my views on ice-keeping. First : So long as the ice was above the doorway, or even somewhat above the ground level, it kept very well indeed : because, I imagine, there was so much less moist an- in the house, or air of any kind, and until it sunk somewhat lower it came less under the influence of the increasing heat of the summer acting on the ground sm-rounding the ice. The second fact was, that in opening such a house in summer, after the ice had sunk considerably, a stream of foggy air issued from the door like the vapour from a wash-house copper. I used to be anxious not to have the doors open a moment more than was necessary ; but I found that the dry hot air of a summer's day melted the ice less than this moist air hanging about it. The di-y warm afr, however, did melt the ice when playing at once upon it. A dry non-conducting medium over the ice, was, therefore, seen to be important, and likewise some simple mode of getting rid of the moist air. Both can easily be managed in unison with increased usefulness from the ice-house ; as, without such precautions, meat and vegetables, though placed there, will be kept there at the expense of flavour. These evils will be remedied by keeping the air over the ice dry and in movement. Have a hole in the door from 2 to 3 inches in diameter guarded with fine wfre, and a plug to regidate the (fraught, and have another of a simUar size in the roof, regu- lated in the same way, and then fog can hardly accumulate. Spread a clean cloth over the sm-face of the ice, split up the middle, so as to be moved easily to either side when you wish to place articles on the ice, and cover the cloth with 6 or 8 inches of clean straw, to be changed when it shows the least signs of mouldiness. The aii- thus admitted clears off the vapour, and does not act on the ice, owing to the straw on the surface — the only place where, as already remarked, I consider straw to be useful in a regular ice- house. In practice, I may here state, that I never satisfied myself that salt or salt water was beneficial for keeping ice in ice-houses or not. Sometimes I thought it did service, sometimes the reverse. The science of the matter is some- what conflicting. Where vei-y low temperatures are wanted, of course salt will be used with ice, and especially with snow, but in such cases it must be used with caution, or there may be too much freezing. Houses for ice, however, whether below or above ground, and of whatever they may be built, aie chiefly usetl for pie- serving various matters in them, and for such purposes should be near the mansion. When ice is merely wanted to be taken to the mansion it may be preserved in ice-heaps just as well as in an ice-house, and in some respects even better. The principles of action are the same, but the carry- July 19, 1861. ] JOf KNAL OF HOETTCULTHRE AM) COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 49 ing-out of these is a little different. Of two favourite positions for an ice-heap we should select, when we could get it, a level space some 24 feet or more in diameter, with a sloping bant ahove it on one side, and a slope or dell below it on the other. In such a place the ice could be brought to the top of the bank, broken there, and then sent down an inclined plane, in the shape of a trough, to where the centre of the heap should be. Suppose the heap were to be a cone some 16 feet in diameter, and to be raised 10 or 12 feet to a shai-p point, then the base for 18 feet or so should be raised, and the gi'ound slope from it on the bank side, as well as the other, and a little ditch be made there, so that no rains on the gi'ound near it should reach the ice. A few pieces of wood, a layer of faggots, and then some litter or stubble, wiU make a comfortable bottom. This bottom not only secures dryness, but prevents the heat of the earth in summer greatly influencing the heap from below. Men must keep the heap in a proper form, drawing it in gradually from the base to the summit, and using a little water if the ice is too hard to buHd nicely. The next best position is an open space, with a natural hillock for its centre. Prepare the bottom in a similar way ; but here there wOl be less danger of water. Carts may be emptied on either side, and the ice shovelled up and put in its place when broken. A cone of that size will require about thirty good loads of ice as taken from the water. The more compactly it is built the better it will stand. Though generally built in round heaps, yet an oblong parallelogram would answer equally well. The great thing is to have a sloping side to throw off the wet ; and it is of little moment whether a i^erson has one large heap or several smaller ones. When heaps are made oblong, some- thing like a huge Potato-pit, of course the opening to take out ice will be made at one end, in a round one at one side. Much depends on keeping the opening exposed as short a time as possible. However buUt the sides must not be too steep, or the coverings wUl not be easily kept on. When finished as firmly on the sides as possible, it is advisable to wait for a frosty night before covering it ; and if that should not come a good shower will do it good, as it will make the outside a dense sheet of ice. Snow rolled in heaps when weU consolidated, and a little water used to enable the workmen to compress it, is little inferior to ice, either for ice-weUs or ice-heaps. When a good fall takes place, and there is an open park to go to, it is easy to get a great quantity of it when fresh fallen, or when there is a slight thaw. When hardened, however, a little on the surface with frost or wet, it is vain to attempt to roll it into heaps. The heap being made and finished, the next thing is to cover it up securely. A layer of 3 inches or so of clean wheat straw should be placed all over it. After that, when possible, the covering next the straw should be of an open nature, and the very outside rather of a close nature. Pro- vided the outside air does not penetrate, the more air en- closed between the outside covering and the ice the better it will keep. Thus, after the straw, we have seen 9 inches of rough stubble put on, and the outside formed of 9 inches of tree leaves. Again, we have known small spruce or larch faggots used above the straw for a foot in depth, and then a thatching of straw from 9 to 12 inches thick, and both Answered well. "Where tree leaves can be easily obtained, I would prefer 3 or 4 inches of clean straw, and then 6 inches of leaves at first, increasing the amount gradually to 12 or 18 inches of leaves, according to the heat of the summer. When these are once settled it takes a very strong wind to •dislodge them, and if the sides are moderately steep rain passes freely down the outside without penetrating to any extent. If the above amount of leaves were put on at once, they might be liable to heat. Yermin rather dislike bui'- rowing in the tree leaves. Any other substance will do, provided the same conditions are observed. One thing we must guard against, as a cause of failure. Some people, extra careful, put a rough frame over their ice, and the covering over it. I never saw one case in which such a mode answered well. When the ice sinks the fr-ame does not sink with it, vacancies are formed between the ice and the coverings, these get filled with moist vapour and melt the ice, or sometimes holes are also formed in the covering, by which the warm air outside has free entrance to the heap. By placing the covering at once on the ice, the covering sinks as the ice sinks, and no space is given for damp vapours, nor yet much chance for any openings being formed. At any rate, I have never seen these kindly- intentioned rough frames used but disappointment more or less was the result. It would be better to construct a wood house at once, and have an air-tube in the roof and door- way. In heaps nothing should come between the ice and the covering. Several inquiries have been made as to whether an Ame- rican or Cobbett's ice-house would not be preferable to houses or ice-stacks ; and also requesting a short outline as to the mode of making them. First, then, as to making. Choose a suitable spot where you can describe a circle some 19 feet in diameter. In the centre fix a post 10 inches in. diameter, and 13 feet above the ground level. Describe a. circle 10 feet from the centre, and in this cfrcle, at regular intervals all round, fix fifteen posts, 9 feet above the ground level, and about 6 inches in diameter. Connect these with a plate at top. In the outer cu-cle of 19 feet you will want fifty-four posts, 5 feet high, and each some 5 inches in diameter. These also are to be connected with a wall plate. The centre pole will at its top form the apex of the building inside. Any carpenter will know how to put on the rafters, so that they may extend beyond the outer line of posts. These wOl be thatched with 4 feet thick of clean straw. The space between the outer and inner rows of posts is also to be filled with straw closely packed, and, of course, there will be a doorway, or rather two, with a space between, for admittance. The ice is kept in the ten-feet circle. ISow, we do not think there would be any economy in the use of such a house in many parts of this country — first, owing to the posts not being thickly enough placed to pre- vent our shorter straw fi'om bulging ; and chiefly because, independently of the yearly sinking of the straw, and the necessity of fresh packing, in most country parts it would be almost impossible to prevent such a building being bur- rowed in by vermin, and the holes would admit air to the ice. Our opinion is that a buOding of wood, brick, or stone, with double walls, would prove the most economical in a few years. One word more. When ice has to be taken to the man- sion for various purposes, the preserving of it as long as possible is a matter of some importance. Ice-tubs are, therefore, very useful for the superintendent of the kitchen or the cellar. They may be made of any size or shape. We have a very useful circular one near the cellar, 3 feet in diameter at bottom, outside measure, 30 inches in diameter at top, and 3 feet in height. The bottom is formed of wood some 4 inches thick, the sides of the same 3 inches thick, lined inside with cork 1 inch thick. It is supplied with two lids, one thick, and similarly lined, that fits into a groove, so as to be on a level with the circular outside ; the other to go over that, and come down a couple of inches over the outside. It used, also, to be lined with woollen cloth, but that seemed to be of little consequence. It is painted outside of a whitish colour. There is a small iron vessel fixed inside that would hold somewhere about two gallons of water; and, there being a pipe from it com- municating with a tap outside, there is always a ready com- mand of iced water during the summer. Bottles of wine, &c., are merely placed among the ice. Though this tub stands in an aii-y place, the ice keeps a good wMle, if the lid is not often opened. If some of our humbler friends desire a glass of cool water in summer, the simplest plan to obtain it is to fill a porous earthenware bottle and set it full in the sun, with a woollen cloth fastened round it, and that cloth kept wet. In such cu'cumstances the hotter the sun the cooler wOl the water become. Though a glass of such water is considered a luxury in hot weather, we question much if the frequent use of it would be conducive to health. — B. F. CHAlSTGrnG OCCUPATIOJN'S. I HAVE been a reader of your Journal for one year and a half, and at present being almost unable to decide what to do, I write to you for advice. Though I have taken your Journal for the time stated. 50 JOUENAL OF HOETICULTTIEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. [ July 19, 1861. yet I am not a gardener, but a tailor in a country village in Torkshire"; and the reason why I ask for your advice, is be- cause I have such bad health with my present trade, that I should Uke to become a gardener. If you could inform me how I am to succeed in getting a situation in the gardening line, you will greatly oblige — A Yeak and Half Subscriber. fWe would willingly aid any one who is in bad health. Ton do not say a word about yovir age, nor what you have been in the habit of doing beyond your trade, nor whether you have tried gardening much in practice and detail. For a man to change his occupation or trade is always a matter productive of very important consequences. The very best excuse for doing so would be want of health. Where the constitution is not materially injured, a change of occu- pation will often effect a great measure of benefit, especially where there is a natural bias or aptitude to the peculiar trade that is selected for adoption. We should not be sur- prised if gardening morning and evening would renovate your health, and thus enable you to follow your first calling. We have known village tailors become almost independent gentlemen in their circumstances; but it is rare, and the instances are few and far between, in which working gar- deners can do much more than merely make their way. EecoUect all is not gold that glitters. The glittering gold that comes to the gardener, as well as much of his payment, will consist in the belonging to " such a pleasant and de- lightful occupation." Be certain that you can make a little reality out of the poetry and romance of the occupation before you give up making garments. To make sure of this matter, try and get as a labourer into a nursery or gen- tleman's garden for a month or so, and then you, will be more fit to judge whether you had better change yovu: occu- pation or not. You will have little chance of getting a situation for yourself worth holding, until you have been some time in practice. We have known several cases of hard-studying clergymen who suffered frightfully from that scourge, tic doloreus or neuralgia, and who obtained no relief until they became active gardeners, working hard every morning and evening amongst vegetables and flowers, and from the fresh air and fresh-turned earth getting fresh vigour into their physical system. Try this and a short time as a labourer before you decide.] HEATING BY GAS. An article on this subject which appeared in your Number of the 7th of June induces me to send you my experience of heating a greenhouse by gas — with what success you can judge. I found myself last season with a house extending over an area equal to 30 feet by 11 without any means of heating it. I was in favour of gas from its manifest advantages to an amateur ; and in the face of much dissuasion I decided to set up a slightly formed circulating hot-water apparatus, heated by gas from a Bunsen's burner. I was able easily to keep the temperature in the house up to 40° or 45° in the most severe frost of last season. I had to light the burner about five minutes past four or five o'clock at night ; and I calculate that my ordinary gas biU was not increased ;£! by the additional consumption, gas being at 4s. Sd. per 1000 cubic feet; and the apparatus never failed or went wrong. I did not lose a single plant, but the foliage of some of my Pelargoniums and Cinerarias was slightly dis- | coloured, and they received a severe check. I attributed ; this to an escape of the fumes of the gas after combustion into the greenhouse, which I am sure I can prevent for the future, and I am determined to give the gas another trial. I will describe the whole apparatus, as I think it probable that some of your readers may, like me, be glad to avoid the trouble of attending to a fire in the middle of a winter night. The boiler, made of copper, is cylindrical, set on end. The bottom is 9 inches in diameter, and is slightly concave to collect the heat, and the top convex to an equal degree. It is placed on a skeleton iron stand, which raises it about 9 inches above the floor of the house, leaving only sufficient room for the burner underneath. From the boUer are two pipes, one from the middle of the side, the other over it as high as it can be placed (in fact ordinary flow and return pipes), of two-inch gun-baiTel tubing ; they are 20 feet in length, and then join a cistern made of galvanised sheet fron to contain about (.; /f^ eight gallons ; they have a rise of 9 inches from the boUer to the cistern. The cover of the cistern is moveable but closely fitted, and there is a small opening in the cover of about 2 inches in diameter fitted with a loose top, through which the gar- dener supplies the cistern with water as a, BoUer. 6, Bimsen's bnmer. c, c. Flow-pipe. d, d, Ketttrn-pipe. E, Cietem. p. Tin cover. o. Pipe to carry off hot air. H, Cover to prevent a down draught it is exhausted. This top is useful to allow of evaporation in case the air of the house becomes too dry. There is a stopcock at the bottom of the boiler to draw off the water if necessary. The top of the burner is about 3 inches under the bottom of the boiler, and in an hour and a half it will make the water nearly boiling hot. In fifteen minutes it wiU sensibly affect the temperature of the house. Most skilful gas-fitters understand Bunsen's burners. They are constructed to bum atmospheric air and gas together, the result being a clear flame almost free from smoke, giving out great heat but only a little light. Such is the entire heating apparatus, which is cert^nly capable of keeping frost out of an ordinary greenhouse. But an addition to rt has yet to be described ; for, judging that the fumes of the gas if allowed to escape through the house would be dele- terious to the plants, I had the boiler and burner all en- closed by a tin case set against the wall, and plastered round where it joined the wall to keep it close. A door in it allowed of the gas being lighted, and I think the escape which damaged the plants was about this door. A two-inch tin tube the entire length of the house, and then passing out, served to carry off the iumes of the gas ; and the hot air passing through it aided materially in warming the house. I intend this [season to have the door in the taai July 19, 1864. ] JOTJKNAL OP HOKTICUXTITEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 51 case soldered up, and one opened through the wall of the house instead (12 inches square wiU be ample), leaving no possible means for the gas to escape into the house. One great advantage of heating by gas is, that all the heat o-enerated is available inside the house, none of it is lost. An apparatus such as I describe ought to be set up for about £6. I found only one drawback in using this apparatus — viz., that a considerable quantity of water is precipitated by the combustion of the air by the Bunsen's burner (I would say as much as half a pint every night). This water flowed over the floor of the greenhouse, and kept it rather in a mess at that part of it, and I was informed by an eminent gas-engineer that this water was deleterious. It might have been the evaporation from it that injured the plants. However, as it will be precipitated altogether within the tin case, an arrangement can be easily made to make it flow off to the outside of the greenhouse by a small aperture left for the purpose. I cannot agree with Mr. Wills that it wUl be better to apply the heat direct by a flue or pipe, at least when heat- ing a conservatory. I think that the circulating hot water is necessary to fix and diffuse the heat through the house and give it out gradually. In the way that he uses it the earth lying on the pipe would produce the same effect as the hot water, but the apparatus must be made of light materials. A friend of mine lately set up one after seeing the result of mine. His gas-fitter would not have the light materials, but used the heaviest four-inch metal pipes ; and when his apparatus was set to work, he found he could not get as much heat with thousands of feet of gas as I did with hundreds. — S. J. H. POETKAITS OF PLANTS, FLOWEES, AJSTD FEUITS. Macleania speciosissima (Splendid Macleania). — Nat. ord., Vacciniaceae. Linn. Decandria Monogynia. Native of Columbia. A lovely flowering shrub, flowers scarlet tipped with yellow. Requires to be placed on a bracket, in a warm greenhouse, that its branches may hang down. — (Bot. Mag., t. 5453.) Dendrobium mabginatum (White-edged Deudrobium). — Nat. ord., Orchidacese. Linn. Gynandria Monandria. Intro- duced from Moulmein by Messrs. Hugh Low & Co. Flowers white, lip spotted with orange ; lower lobe orange, but white edged.— (I6iii., t. 5454.) MicBANTHELLA Candoluei (De Caudolle's Micranthella). — Nat. ord., Melastomacese. Linn. Decandria Monogynia. Native of the Andes at an elevation of from 9000 to 10,000 feet. Flowers purple, with very prominent yeUow anthers. " Well suited for greenhouse cultivation." — (Ibid., t. 5455.) Mbconopsis aculeata (Prickly Meconopsis). — Nat. ord., Papaveracese. Linn. Polyandria Monogynia. " We had the good fortune to have this rare and charming plant flowering in the open border in the June of the present year." Native of the Kumaon and other South Indian mountains at ele- vations of from 10,000 to 14,000 feet. Flowers large, pur- plish blue.— (I6id., t. 5456.) Ctmbidhtm tigkinusi (Spotted-lipped Cymbidium). — Nat. ord., Orchidaceae. Linn. Gynandria Monogynia. Native of Tenasserim Mountains at an elevation of 6000 feet. Intro- duced by Messrs. Low & Co., Clapton Nursery. Flowers cream coloured; Hp with short crimson stripes. — (Ibid., i. 5457.) Azalea — Souvenir de Prince Albert. White, with centre of each petal blotched with deep pink. — {Floral Mag., pi. 201.) Atjbicuxa — Lord Clyde. Raised by Mr. Lightbody. Dark maroon, paste rather too anguler, but solid. — {Ibid., pi. 202.) Ornitholoqalum thtbsoides. — Introduced by Messrs. Carter from Natal.— (Ibid., pi. 203.) Fuchsia — Cloth of Gold. Raised by Mr. Stafford, of Hyde, near Manchester, " a golden variegated-leaved sport of Souvenir de Chiswick." — {Ibid., pi. 204.) Wallflower — Graham's Yellow Perfection. Raised by F. J. Graham, Esq., of Cranford. " Pure yellow, large size, good form ; received a commendation at South Kensington as a beautiful, bright- coloured, hardy spring flower, remark- ably sweet-scented." — {Florist and Pomologist, m. 145.) CHICKENS vEESus GEEEN FLY. The subjects of which the two parts of this Journal treat — gardening and poultry-keeping — are usually supposed to be antagonistic. Poultry are gardeners' detestation, for they believe that their trim gardens are sure to be spoiled by them. Build up the wall of separation high ; let not the fowls, the awful fowls, into the sacred garden ; they peck, they scratch — in short, "My good sir," exclaims the gar- dener, " don't, please, even name the hoiTors to me : I shall dream about them, and wake in a fright." Now, for some years I have held, up to a certain point, an opposite theory, and carried it out in practice by keeping a few bantams, which have access to every part of my garden, being quite sure that they do more good than harm. As a, case in proof: the other day I was walking among my last year's budded Roses, brushing off the green flies with a painter's brush (the best and most efficacious thing I know; indeed, I usually carry a short one in my pocket for the purpose), when some-six-weeks-old chickens happened to be near, and first one and then another tried a green fly or two, and they settled that they were very good eating. I encouraged the chickens to follow me ; so I went from Rose to Rose, brushing the tender shoots and buds, and finally, before leaving each tree, giving a shake of the stem, when down rolled the already-disturbed troublers fr-om the leaves, to which in their perplexity and distress they were clinging ; once on the ground they were eagerly eaten by the chickens. Pleased with my success, I then went to another pai't of my garden, to my old standards, calling to me another brood of chickens of a similar age. The same scene was again enacted, and in addition I threw every grub I found, green, or white, or brown, to the old hen, wluch accepted my offer- ings with manifest delight. Thus I managed to dislodge and put beyond all power of re-appearance some thousands of greenflies, at the same time giving a treat to my chickens. I see that suggestions are sometimes made that poultry- lovers should communicate their experiences, so I send one of mine.— Wiltshire Rector. GAEDENEES BENEFITED BY TEAVELLING. There is a good old rule in Germany which has not yet become quite obsolete, that every apprentice should be obliged to travel for three years before he is permitted to open business on his own account. I have the honour of belonging to a little scientific society in London, formed of members anxious to study the great natural laws which have brought about the changes in our globe, and which are combined into one universal science — Geology. The President of that society is one of the greatest scientific men of the day, and, at the same time, he is almost entirely self-educated. I attend the meetings of that society when- ever opportunity permits ; and one of the points which are most frequently brought to our notice is the desirability of visiting different parts of our own land for the purpose of personally observing the effects of these phenomena, and the President is fond of showing us how easily this may be accomplished. Thus the subject has been repeatedly brought before me, and I believe that it applies with greater force to gardeners than it does to the members of any other pro- fession. The gardener who has learned and practised horticulture in his native country only has done but very little towards making himself proficient. He should travel as far and as widely as he can, in order to study the different effects of soil and climate, the various artifices which eaxjh renders necessary. The system of gardening carried on in a sandy arid country is altogether different from that which must be practised on a tenacious clay. While in one place he visits he wiU find it necessary to take advantage of every scrap of sunshine with which the spot is favoured, he will find in another that the sunshine is more injurious, and has more carefully to be guarded against than the severest frosts experienced in another place. With regard to cold, again, he win find in one place that a tiffany house will protect, during the winter, plants which require double sashes, straw mats, and all the appliances which can be invented at a place not much more than five hundred miles away. Then 52 JOTJENAL OP HORTICULTURE AOT) COTTAGE GAEDEOT}R. [ Jaly 19, 18S4. again, a gardener can seldom visit a garden at a little distance from his own without seeing something worthy of note. Every horticultural establishment managed by a thinking man (no matter how small it may be), is sme to present to the notice of the visitor some feature which is worth being remembered — something to think upon and carry into practice whenever the chance comes. The farther he liavelB from his own locality the more numerous these examples will become. Travelling, combined with a certain amount of observation, which is easily attained, will enable a gardener in a very few years to obtain an immense supply of the raw material, which, being properly worked-up, will place him in the front rank as a practical gardener. Our young men, generally speaking, are in too great a hurry to get into good places. They would get far better situations, and be very much better fitted to fill them, if they would only quietly work on for a few yeai's longer, working aa assistants, and travelling as fax from home as they can manage. But it may be said that this is all quite visionary. I may be, and often have been asked, " How is a young gardenei-, earning only some 10s. or 12s. per week, to afford to visit the distant parts of his own country, much less foreign lands ?" My answer is that " where there's a will there's a way." I could bring forward more than one example to prove this. I know one young gardener who, having finished his apprenticeship, worked in several gardens at 12s. per week, sometimes with, sometimes without the ad- vantage of a bothy. I knew him more than once give up 15s., to which his pay had been raised, and go to work at another place, where he could learn more, at the old wage of 12s. Once, for a short time, he got aa far as 18s., but this he gave up for a situation at a considerable distance, where he only earned the old pay. While working in these places he saved enough money to cariy him across to the continent. He got a situation and worked there for some time. He visited Holstein, Hamburgh, Prussia, Austria, Saxony, Hanover, and Belgium, as well as a number of the smaller States. He learned the language sufficiently to be able to converse in it with considerable fluency. He did not travel through these countries as one does who runs over to the continent for a month's holiday, but did much of it on foot, visiting the gardens most worthy of note ; or, when the railway was resorted to, the journey was done in short stages. AU this cost, in excess of what little he earned^ there, not a shilling more than .£9. He has ever since declai-ed that it was money well expended. He did not extend his travels so far as he intended, some domestic circumstance bringing him back to this country just at the time when he had got another situation at Frankfort-on- the-Maine, intending to make that the centre of a more southern series of jom-neyings, and hoping to visit Italy, and return by way of Switzerland and France. I take this simply as an instance of what may be done upon very small means. I know that the person spoken of had not a penny more than he had saved while working upon the rates of wages mentioned above. He did not get help from home, as many young gardeners do, to theu' great injury, nor did he while saving that sum deny himself any of the neces- saries, and some few of the luxiuries of life. The money expended upon travelling is Uke a sum placed at your bankers, and bringing in a good rate of interest all through Hfe. You can always discover whether or not a man has seen much of the world, even if you only have ten minutes conversation with him upon any subject, no matter what. You find that he is not so fuU of prejudices ; he gives credit where credit is due ; he does not think his own country is the best spot upon the face of the earth in aU respects ; he is willing to believe that other systems of gardening are as good or better than that he practises, and he is ready to axlopt and incoi-porate with his own every good and practical idea. Let me illustrate what I have advanced by one or two practical instances. Kitchen gar- dening may be very well can-icd out in many private gardens in our country ; but very few of them would bear being measured by a debtor and creditor account if the matter of rent were also taken into account. Will the value of the vegetables and fruit produced balance the expenditure in laboiu-, manure, &c. ? It is not, perhaps, expected that it should do so. So much the better for the gardener. There is not a young gardener in the country who would not be the better for a twelvemonth spent in a martet garden near London. High rent and heavy rates have to be paid there, and yet market gardening is far from being a profitless business. He would there learn how to economise to the utmost ; how to insure the greatest possible supply from the smallest space ; how to get three or four crops a-year from the same ground ; and the way in which not even a rod of ground is allowed to be idle for more than a day. The young gardener, in order to see how this was managed, would have to work very hard upon very small pay ; but he would in that year learn what would be invalu- able to him through life. He might, perhaps, attain the same end by getting a situation in the neighbourhood, and carefully watching the proceedings at some market garden near him ; but this, of course, would not be equal to working upon the spot. Then, again, to take another and widely- different instance, we may say that if half the precautions taken in Germany to secure plants, which we consider hardy, from the effects of frost were practised in this country, our gardens wovdd present a much more interesting appearance. What would a British gardener think of a Deodar with all its branches carefully packed together, and then thatched over with reeds or straws for four months in the year? And yet that and many other expedients are there regularly carried into practice. If the same trouble were taken with plants which are half-hardy here, how many more species might we not cultivate ? AU the beautiful South Australian plants, those of Chili, Japan, California, and many other parts, might then be freely introduced, and would have a glorious effect. I am trying this now with a Dasylirion, a species of Eucalyptus, and some others. Two winters have been safely got through. Then, again, a season would not be lost in watching the care taken in the growth of bulbs in Holland and Germany. But I might go on multiplying instances of the things worthy of observation to an almost unlimited extent. Forcing as practised in various 'parts, the different modes of ventilating houses, the management of timber on forest lands, and a score of examples might be quoted. The means for getting about from place to place are now very much greater than at any former time ; cheap excur- sion trains are plentiful, and steamboats win, for a few shillings, take one a long distance. Indeed, if one only has the wish, he can now readily travel very cheaply from one end of the counti-y to the other. No young gai-dener who seriously intends to educate and fit himself for taking a high stand in his profession should neglect the opportuni- ties with which these furnish him. He should take advan- tage of them to visit and observe as much as he possibly can, and in so doing he will surely find his reward. Travel- ling is one of the luxuries which were formerly confined to the rich, but it is now within the means of everybody ; it is no longer a means of education which the wealthy alone enjoy. To prove that I practise what I preach, I may mention that this paper was commenced at a spot six hundred and fifty miles away from that where it is now completed, and it has to be sent three hundred mUes by post to the place whei-e it will be printed— glorious Auld Reekie. — {Scottish Gardener.) WOEE FOE THE WEEK. KITCHEN OABDEN. Ply the fork incessantly amongst the growing crops of Cauliflower, Broccoli, and Winter Greens, and continue to mamire and trench up every piece of ground as it becomes vacant, and plant it with such as the above for late crops. Celery, prepare trenches for the late crop, water the growing crops of the same, and stir the soil about them. Cabbages, reserve and get ready a patch of ground for the sowings of Cabbages to stand the winter. The soil should be of a light, sandy nature, and not too rich, as such encourages a luxuriant growth, which is apt to make them tender. Endive, plant out the strongest from the early sowings, and sow also more for late crops, the Small Green-curled is the best. Garlic and SlwUots to be taken up and dried for storing. Onions, pull up the crops of winter Onions, lay them in rows with the roots turned to the sun, and frequently turn them until the jHly 19, 1864. ] JOTJRNAIi OF HOETICITLTUEB AOT) COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 53 stalks are withered, when they will be fit for storing. As they are Kable to decay if bruised, they should be care- fully handled, and not thrown about like so many stones. Let them be very dry when stored, and spread out thin, not laid in heaps. Zettuce, sow also more, and keep a good suc- cession of Eadishes and Salads. Peas, the late-sown should have attention paid to watering and staking. Potatoes, the lifting must be prosecuted as fast as they become ripe. Spinach, a good breadth sown now in rich soil wOl afford many successive pickings in the autumn, and will tend ma- terially to save the winter beds from being picked before they become strong. FRUIT GAKDEN. Espalier Apples and Pears to have the leaders tied in, the ■ superabundant shoots sprured, and the fruit well thinned. Attend, also, to choice Ajjples and Pears planted in the open quarters, but not trained ; remove superfluous shoots, and try the effect of tying downwards the points of some of the strongest shoots. It hag been practieed with very good effect on trees inclined to grow too luxuriantly. Attend to the stopping and nailing of wall fruit trees in general, and prosecute the thinning of Grapes on the open waUs. Remove all runners from Strawberries not required for making new plantations. Fruit trees generally may now be budded. FLOWER GARDEN. Dahlias that have attained a good size to have their side shoots properly thinned out, leaving three or four of the strongest and best-set shoots. Examine the fastenings care- fully ; if they have got too tight and are cutting the stem remove them, and retie them, allowing plenty of room to admit of the stem increasing in size. See that the pots on the top of the stakes are gone over evei-y morning, and aU the earwigs that are found destroyed. These insects, in common with others, are very numerous this season. We find that a little soot sprinkled on the plant when wet with dew is an excellent preventive to their ravages ; as long as that remains they wiU not touch the foliage. Cover the blooms of Carnations and Picotees as they expand, placing cardboard collars beneath them. Layering may be com- menced, beginning with the grass or shoots which are most forward. As the Pink pipings root, prick them out in good soil. Trimming, staking, and pegging-down must be well followed up at this period, where neatness and order are essential. See that suiSciently strong stakes are applied to plants with heavy foKage and gross habits, such as Dahlias, Hollyhocks, Larkspurs, Phloxes, and tall-growing Asters. Keep Eoses as much as possible free from insects, and if time can be spared, dead blossoms should be removed. Budding may be proceeded with. Proceed with the pro- pagation of favourite sorts which it may be desirable to increase, either by budding or cuttings. It is generally preferred to have the Hybrid Perpetuals, Teas, Chinas, and Bourbons, on their own roots, and firm short-jointed shoots of these root very freely at this season. To insure suc- cess they should be afforded a slight bottom heat, be cai'e- friUy shaded, and not kept too wai-m until they emit roots. They wiU, however, root under a hand-glass on a shady border. Eemove suckers fr-om worked plants. Cut back the shoots of the autumn-flowering varieties to the most promising eye as soon as all the flowers are expanded and begin to fade. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. This is generally a critical month with the greenhouse plants out of doors. The fervid heat is sometimes so great as to produce the tropical winter of vegetation, when the parching heat of the sun acts upon, and produces in some degree a dormancy in the system of plants ; at other times when occasional showers fall, and we see the surface of the soil in the pots moist, we are satisfied until the drooping or withering foliage upbraids us for our neglect, and often, particularly with Heaths, New Holland, and other such plants, it is noticed when too late to save them. The ill effects may be avoided by plunging the pots in coal ashes, and syringing the plants overhead of an evening, and ex- amining them when doubtful on the subject, by gently turning one or two out of their pots to see the state of the ball, as it requires some experience to distinguish whether a plant wants water or not fr-om the ring produced by rapping your knuckles against the side of the pot. The , conservatory will now be gay with Balsams, Globe Ama- ranths, Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Cockscombs, Thunbergias, Japan Lilies of sorts, and the rafters and trellises with creepers arranged in festoons, or in any other mianner most suitable to give a pleasing effect to the whole. The Camellias out of doors to be surfaced with fresh soil if they require it. The thinning of fruits and flowers is an operation that we generally perform with great reluctance ; nevertheless, it is one of the most useful to produce fine fruit and flowers, and a regular annual succession of them : therefore, we woiild advise that the bads of the early-flowering Camellias should be gradually thinned, leaving ultimately only as many of the most healthy and prominent buds as the condition of the plant woiild bear without fear of injury to its strength and productiveness the following season. Cinerarias, whether seedlings or suckers to have regular attention, and those intended for autumn work to be potted forward with- out delay. The Chrysanthemums that had been planted out in May, and repeatedly stopped as recommended during the summer, will now be bushy plants. The last stopping may be given towards the end of the month to such as are intended for early blooming. The stopping of the others to produce a succession may be continued to the middle of August. STOVE. Encourage the onward progress of the young stock for winter blooming. Maintain a moist and comparatively high temperature. Orchids must be carefully shaded during sunny days, but when the weather is at all cloudy allow them as much light as they will bear without injury. Keep the foliage clear of insects and dust, by frequent syringinga or spongings as may be necessai-y. W. Keane. DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. Besides taking up Potatoes and pricking out winter stuff, the chief work has been surface-hoeing among growing croj)s, alike to kiU miniature weeds and keep moisture in the ground, and mulching with short grass and litter the sides of rows of Peas in fvdl bearing and coming into bloom. We have been able to give but very little water, and even om- sewage-tank has been emptied three times during the week. In such parching weather Cauliflowers can scarcely produce large heads unless they be liberally watered or freely mulched. For the latter purpose, nothing of a littery matter comes amiss, and as soon as the crop is taken it is dug down and thus helps the next one. Thinned out Cu- cumbers, which stUl continue to do well. Planted out some of the smaller Tomato plants against a wall, and turned out larger plants fr-om lai-ge pots, the plants showing plenty of fruit, against the back wall of an eai-th pit, where they wiU receive pretty well as good help as if they were trained against a wall. These wOl ripen plenty of fruit before the cold weather comes. We have grown them plentifully against a wooden fence, and even on the open ground full in the sun ; but in the latter case it was late before the ft'uit ripened, and very often it had to be gathered when merely changing colour, and to be put into a warm place to colour. In the latter circumstances, connoisseurs have in- formed us that the flavour of the sauce was inferior. To get the fr-uit ripe early the seed should be sown in March, and the plants grown on under glass until the end of May and then be turned out. To grow them late and where green fruit are a consideration, it is best to sow about the middle or end of April, and plant out in the beginning of June, before the plants receive a check. In managing them afterwards the cMef points aa-e — to stop the shoots a joint or two above the clusters of fr-uit as they show, and to remove all the foliage, or at least the lai-ger leaves, that would at all shade the fruit. When grown in soil at all rich there is sure to be a superabundance of luxuriant foliage. This might be remedied by growing in poorer exhausted soil, but then the fruit will not be fine to look at nor yet so juicy. All things considered, we prefer rich firm soil, such as may be obtained by a couple of spadefuls of rotten manure to a, plant, and then regular stopping and disleafing. Each leaf- stalk has generally fr-om five to seven and more segments, and when such a stalk is not removed, from three to five of 5* JOURNAL OP HOETICULTUBE AND COTTAG-E GAEDENEE. [ July 19, 1864. these next the point are frequently taken oflF. This prevents the plants having a naked appearance. The stems are so juicy, however, that the plants will generally stand a good amount of disleafing. This is almost the only thinning that Tomatoes have, except when it is desirable to have a few very early fine fruit. In this case the above disleaf- ing will have to be attended to, and all fruit on the plant, except the three or four first-formed clusters, should be cut off as they appear. When grown on the open ground they should be stopped and trained very much the same as Cu- cumbers are done. It is rather surprising that the frviit has been little used by us in the green state, or as a component part of salads, though largely used in this way by our cousins in America. We are very anxious to defer planting out the Winter Greens, that have previously been pricked out, until the ground has been moistened, as, where other crops have been removed, the ground is excessively dry, and we can more easily keep the plants slowly growing where they are, in temporary beds, than supply them with water after planting. The planting has, therefore, been chiefly confined to turning out smaller plants by means of the dibber. In doing this we followed the good old custom of first watering the seed- bed before pulling up the plants, and then placing each handful of plants in a thin paint, made of water, soU, and rotten dung. By this means each plant, before being tui-ned out, was well charged with moisture— a matter of import- ance when turned out into dry ground, and where aU the watering that could be given was only a little drop close to the roots, extending little farther than the dibber hole. If we recollect aright, we said something about planting by the dibber some weeks ago. We recur to it now because ■we have never seen a man, who had not been previously instructed, use the dibber without a gi-eat waste of labour power. Only the other day we counted the strokes made by an uninitiated person in satisfactorily fixing a Savoy plant, and found that the strokes for each plant averaged from five to ten; and then we could be quite sure that five out of the ten were hung— that is, aU the potching had failed to fix the earth firmly about the roots, the chief thing to be attended to in dibber-planting. We shall never forget how Mr. Joseph Knight, the pre- decessor of Mr. Veitch at the Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, taught some clever fellows how to make a pointed flower-stick, rang- ing from less up to more than half an inch in diameter, by two strokes of the knife. The first stroke in a sloping direction took away half the diameter of the stick at its base, the other stroke took away more than the half of what was left, and there was the stick pointed at once. Previously the sticks were receiving numerous strokes and whittlings. Just 30 with dibbUng. So far as small things are concerned, two strokes ai-e quite sufficient. For larger things in the open ground, three strokes may be necessai-y. First, There is the perpendicular stroke into the ground, to make the hole for the plant. Then, whilst the roots of the plant are suspended in this hole, there is stroke second, the dibber entering the ground two or more inches from the first hole, in a slanting diagonal manner, the point passing beyond the roots of the phint ; and then a drawing quickly of the head of the dibber towards the stem of the plant leaves the roots and the biuried part of the stem pretty well as firm as if they had been placed in the vice of a blacksmith. This is all that is necessary for plantmg. On removing the dibber, however, the hole left might admit too much air, and thus dry the roots of the plant. To prevent this the point of the dibber is drawn through the ground towards the planter over the mouth of the second hole, which just fills it sufficiently. Every pat- tenng stroke beyond these three is just labour lost— a matter of no great consequence when only some half a dozen plants are to be put m, but a matter of some moment when the plants ai-e numbered by hundreds or thousands. Besides where many strokes are employed, the second diagonal plant- mg stroke 18 apt to be given imperfectly. We recently noticed a row or two of young Cauliflower plants, that though re- freshed with water once or twice, looked woe-begone whenever the sun rested on them. On inspection we found that the roots of almost every plant were hung when planted— that IS, the earth was not firmed about the roots. Though numbers of pattering strokes had been given by the dibber, the second stroke we have alluded to had not been given. and the slightest touch moved the plants out of the ground. Wheeled lots of fine, large, bolted Lettuces to the rubbish- heap, whence they might go to pigs to nibble. Without plenty of water it is next to impossible to keep them long in open positions. We were thankful we had lots on the north side of banks and walls, and beneath the shade of trees, where they needed but little water. Sowed Dickson's Fa- vourite and Sangster's No. 1, early Pea ; succession of Turnips, Eadishes, Spinach, &c., and a bed of Kidney Beans, where they can be protected late in autumn. FEtriT GARDEN. Proceeded with laying runners of British Queen Strawberries in small pots, to be afterwards moved and potted. Would have done it sooner, but even now find we cannot place the pots down without injuring the fine fruits, and the watering of the little pots will also be apt to injure them. Most likely will cut off a number of runners and prick them out in rich soil 4 inches apart, and then lift in balls and pot for forcing. Keens' and Black Prince previously layered will soon be fit for being transferred to their fi-uiting-pots. These runners, just showing roots, wUl establish themselves quickly in beds if shaded from bright sun and sprinkled with water two or three times a-day. This dry weather has brought on us whole clouds of birds. Nets they seem to laugh at. We have a small border planted with dwarf standard Cherries loaded beautifully, and the undergrowth British Queen Strawberry equally fine, and to save them we put a frame of posts to support the nets, and double-netted the whole ; but as we went past yesterday morning five huge blackbirds were enjoying them- selves, and singing out their notes of defiance. They one and all, with the impetus of a combined movement, broke through the net and escaped. The other day we stood at a short distance unseen, whilst a thrush went round and round the net trying to get his head in between the net and the ground, as, if they manage the head and shoulders, they wOl wriggle in the afterparts of their body. We had no gun with us, and if we had it would have been too bad to punish such patient determination. Lots of blackbirds and numbers of smaller birds escape by the same means, and when once they have found out this way of getting success- fully in and out there is nothing that will stop them except killing them. A net is no safeguard unless put on securely. The very sight of it tempts them into the forbidden enclosure. We hope that plenty of rain ere long will furnish them with other moist food. We have been obUged to gather Easp- berries just as they ripen to prevent the birds getting all, for as soon as the fruit was coloured they were sure to be at it ; and so hard up are they for moist food, that the ground in some places is strewed with strings of Currants almost green, which they had pulled off to get one or two ripe berries. Has any one ventured to decide how far there is a con- sciousness of doing right among the feathered tribe ? What a contrast between the shrieking out " Murder ! Murder ! " cry of the blackbird, when he is thieving your fruit, and you approach him, and the graceful confidence with which the wagtail trips over the lawn, almost to your very foot, in pursuit of an insect ; or the quiet deliberative hop from spray to spray of the white-breasted wall bird, in an orchard- house, looking so much at home in searching for insects as if he would Eke to be caressed, contrasted with a thrush, which, being disturbed at a Cherry tree, rushes to the end of the house, and stuns its faculties against the glass, which, if not strong, it also breaks. Why the seeming trust in the one case, and the terror in the other, but from some rather clear ideas of right and wrong ? If evei-y tree and bush round a garden are to be sacred game preserves, the time is fast coming that, if we wish out- door fruit, the fruit garden must be enclosed and covered all over with fine wire netting. Our old friend the robin, which we should fee sorry to touch, is one of the most acute at getting under a net. None, however fine, will keep him out, unless it is fixed into, instead of on, the ground. Wherever he can pass his head between the net and the ground, he will get in and out his stumpy body. The weather being so hot, we have just spattered a little whitened water on the orchard-house with a syringe. A very little dulls the force of the sun's rays. The first shower win take it off, and it is not likely we shall have much dull weather before we have rain, as, in dull weather, and in July 19, 1864. ] JOUENAL OF HOBTICULTTJEE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 55 moderate sunshine, the more light we have we like it the better — in fact, even now, the precaution taken has more reference to our water supply than to the force of the sun. We noticed a little spider coming on in two or three places in the orchard-house, and immediately we daubed all the open spaces on the back waU with flowers of sulphur, made into a paint with water and soft soap, so as to cause it to stick. We then shut up about three o'clock, and well syringed the trees. In three days we collected a handful of the worst leaves, about twenty; and though there were abundant traces of where the insects had been, we only detected one alive, and that sickly. The power of the sulphur is abeady going off, and so we wiU add a little more. The sulphuring should, indeed, have taken place before a trace of spider appeared. We have far more faith in preventives than in cures. Watered well the borders for trees on the back wall, and placed on the surface of the pots bearing heavy crops as much superphosphate as we could take up with the thumb and two fingers, and after watering we covered the surface with half an inch of rough riddled mushroom dung, to lessen the evaporation of moisture from the soU. The pots are also plunged for three-quarters of their depth, and that helps to keep the roots cool. Gave a good watering to Figs ; damped the floors of vineries where the fruit was late. Stopped and set Melons, and frequently turned large fruit ripening, as when they lie long in one position on a flat slate, &c., a mark is apt to be produced, and the rind wOl be apt to crack there. We have not yet uncovered our Vme-borders wholly, but we wish the sun had played on them for the last few days. Figs when fresh watered want more air, as otherwise they are apt to crack at the sides before being thoroughly ripened- up to the point. A correspondent asks the best way for sending fully- ripened Figs to a distance. WiU some friend teU us ? For ourselves, we consider that a Fig just fit to be eaten — that is, like a globule of honey, will not bear to be carried farther than from the tree to the dining-room. When they must be packed they must be gathered before they are nearly so ripe as this, and though, of course, eatable after a long journey, they give no better idea of the lusciousness of a Fig gathered when fuUy ripe, than Peas conveyed to Covent Garden in sacks give an idea of nice young Peas gathered just before they are shelled and cooked. Peaches in Peach-house have ripened faster than we wanted them, and we picked them frequently before they Vere quite dead ripe, as they keep better off than on the tree, and journey better in consequence. When fuUy ripe before being gathered and kept only for a short time, they become mealy and lose their rich juiciness. A good deal of tact 13 required to gather Peaches. The experienced man knows if they are ripe enough by putting his hand near them, hardly if at all touching them, as a touch is so apt to leave a blemish. A gardener who could scarcely be driven from his equanimity, did for once passionately jump out of it when a person who knew no better went along fingering every ripening Peach within his reach. This was even worse than a great gardener in a fit of absence of mind, going along admiring a house of Cucumbers suspended from a trellis, and picking off each bloom from the point of each Cucumber as he went along. " What are you at ? " at last burst from the enthusiastic cultivator, who (as he told the tale), was so astonished that he could not speak. OKNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT. We intended to have had a gossip about the potting and general management of stove and greenhouse plants, but we wovdd partly repeat the excellent timely directions of our friend Mr. Keane. The dry weather has rather browned our lawn in places. Mowing as generally practised was out of the question. Knifeing it so as to cut plantain and daisies was more in demand. The mowing machine even was little used, as it would have dipped rather deep, even when held with a Ught hand. In some cases the scythe was used lightly, and a good sweeping and rolling given. Of watering we need say nothing, for we have confined that almost to Calceolarias, and gave them only a little to keep them right. Most of the smaller things, as Verbenas and Calceolarias, have been slightly dressed with riddled old mushroom-dung. We could not give them more than half aa inch, but we should have given them more if we had it. Most of the Calceolarias were so treated a month ago, as the ground was quite hot enough for them. We are now giving the dressing partially to Scarlet Geraniums, as the ground is now hot enough to cause them to bloom freely. We would thus dress all our beds now if we had the material, as it saves much trouble in watering, and by keeping the roots near the surface encourages flowering. — E. F. COVENT GAEDEN MARKET.— Jttly 16. The market continues to be well supplied, and the demand ia brisk. Pines, Grapes, Peaches, and Nectarines are sufficient for all requirements. Of Apples some good fruit of early kinds may now be had ; and of Pears some excellent Jareonelles have come in from the continent. Strawberries are now falling off; the supply principally consists of Elton, with a few British Queens from late places. Of Asparagus, which is generally over by this time, some remarkably good samples are still to be had. Kidney Beans are beginning to come in in quantity, and bring 7s. per half sieve. PETJIT. Apples ^ sieve 1 Apricots doz. 1 Cherries lb. 1 Currants, Red. ..J sieve 2 Black do. 4 Figs doz. 4 Filberts & Nuts 100 lbs. 0 Gooseberries . ...i sieve 2 Grapes, Haraburghs lb. 4 Muscats 6 Lemons 100 4 Melons each 2 d. s. 6 toO 0 3 ». d. 8. Mulberries quart 0 OtoO Nectarines doz. 8 0 15 Oranges 100 10 0 16 Peaches doz. 12 0 30 Pears (kitchen), ..bush. 0 0 0 dessert doz. 2 0 3 Pine Apples lb. 4 0 8 Plums :^ sieve 0 0 0 Quinces do. 0 0 0 Raspberries ...lb. 0 4 0 Strawberries ...punnet 0 6 1 Walnuts bush, 14 0 20 VEGETABLES. Artichokes each Asparaffus bundle Beans Broad \ sieve Kidney qtn. Beet, Red doz. Broccoli bundle BrusselsSprouts J sieve Cabbage doz. Capsicums 100 Carrots bunch Cauliflower doz. Celery bundle Cucumbers each pickling doz. Endive score Fennel bunch Garlic and Shallots, lb. Gourds &Pumpk8. each Herbs bunch Horseradish ... bundle d. fi. 4 too 0 H Leeks bnnch Lettuce score Mushrooms pottle Mu.^td. & Cress, punnet Onions .....bunch pickliHg quart Parsley 4 sieve Parsnips doz. Peas quart „ bushel Potatoes sack New ...bushel Radishes doz. bunches Rhubarb bundle Savoys doz. Sea-kale basket Spinach sieve Tomatoes doz> Turnips bunch VegetableMarrows doz. d. a. 4to0 9 I TO CORRESPONDENTS. *#* We request that no one "vrill write privately to the de- partmental writers of the " Jotirnal of Horticulture, Cottage Gardener, and Country Gentleman.*' By so doing they are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. AH communications should therefore be ad- dressed solely to The Editors of the Jounud of Morticul- turcy Sfc.y 171, Fleet Street, Londouy E.G. We also request that correspondents will not mix up on the same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them 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. Bbukek Bosc Pbar Leaves {E. .B.)-— They are attacked by a parasitic fungus. We know of no remedy. Sbeds pbom thb Royal Horticulttiral Society [S. E. H'.).— The spe- cimen you enclosed is Erysimum Peroffskianum. We are surprised by your complaint of the seeds sent out by the Society, because we never heard before of their being unsatisfactory. MianjLus Flower {Mauchline).—li did not reach oor office until the 11th, and was totally dried up. Gas Burners in Geeenhouse (Jf. C. Lymington).—Th%j will be very injnrious to the plants, unless within a stove or a glass globe, with a tube rising from it and passing into the outer air. We mention a glass glote because you may wish the gas to light the greenhouse. STRA.WBERRTES OK Chalkv Soil {Provincial).— "Vfe have grown Straw- berries on a Hampshire chalky soil ; but we had to make the soil 18 inches deep of good loam. If you do this, and have the bed covered in the spring an inch deep with cocoa-nut fibre refuse, yon will be able to obtain crops of Strawberries. We found Keens' Seedling, Comte de Paris, and Hoepw's Seedling succeed well. S6 JOTJENAL OF HOB-TlCULTrTKE AND COTTAGE GAUDENEE. f July 19, 1864, MuPHBOOM-BEEs MkEiVG {W. TT.)-— "^6 "will be glad to give particulars ■when we have information as to circumstances and materials at hand. In the meantime see an article on the subject at page 447 in our Number for Jane 2l6t. Planting Tomatoes (Idem).— Tt is of little use planting Tomatoes out of doors until the middle of June; but the eeeds should be sown in March or April— that iP, for cold positions north of London. We are glad you have noticed what we said about thinning them. It should have been referred chiefly to the foliage. Ar soon as the bunches of fruit show we stop the shoots above them, and the foliage grows so fast that we frequently thin it and sborttn it, so as to expose the fruit more to the sun. The stems are so succulent that, like Nasturtiums, they will bear a good deal of disleafing and be the better of it^that is, if the roots have rich materials to grow in. In large clusters we have frequently removed the smaller fruit, but the thinning has reference chiefly to the foliage. We are glad the mistake has been alluded to. Those who know how most gardeners have to exercise mind and body at this season, will only be surprieed that such mistakes are not more frequent. FRriTTEEEs FOK Peach-hovse (S. i:.).— We would have VioletteHative and Vanguard Peaches, and Elruge Nectarine, with Barrington and Belle- garde Peaches for riders. Would it not be well to place the riders on the back wall? Any application of a paint to the Pear trees will be useful in epring. You can do little now except pick off the maggots, and syringe ^th clear lime water. Thrips on Balsam Leaves (^7i /n^wirfr).— We found traces of thrips vhich nothing will remove but smoking, and then well syringing the plants ■when laid down on a cloth. The rusty appearance on the leaves is chiefly caused by the sun shining on the leaves when moist, from air not being given early. If kept too moist in rich compost they will also be thus affected. Azalea Geafttng (W. B".).— There is no work specially devoted to so slight a topic. Side-grafting is best ; grafts not more than IJ inch long, fastened to the ptcck with worsted. Best season for the process, early spring. The grafted plants to be kept in gentle heat in a close frame, or under hand- glasses in a propacatiiig-house. The best time for Vine-grafting is early spring. The stock should be in a more advanced stage of growth than the scion. Muscat Grapes (C. i?.)-— They are very severely affected with what gardeners call the *'spot." It may arise from wont of moisture and warmth at the root, as you suggest; but we cannot give a decisive opinion, not knowing the temperature of the house, nor whether the Vines are planted inside or outside. Lawn— Greknhodse (Agnes).— Most probably a little thoroughly decayed stable-manure and earth spread over your mossv lawn would renovate it ; but yon tell us nothing about the nature of the snil, whether heavy or light. To heat your small greenhouse opening into ihe drawing-room, no plan would be more simple and manageable than a hot-water pipe passing round it, supplied from a gas-heated boiler. But not having a plan of the green- house, nor any other particular?, we can only give this general suggestioa Sulphur (.4. J.).— Stone sulphur is not more powerful than flowers of sulphur. EvAPOEATiNO Liquid Manure (G. J*.).— Mr. D. Thomson and other practical men have testifled to the beuefit derived by plants in heated Btmctures from having liquid ammoniacal manures put into the evaporatiog- pans. The ammonia is mingled with the air and stimulates the plants. A little of the ammoniacal liquor from the gas-works mixed with water and put into the evaporating-pans would probably be equally beneficial. New Pea (A. B. C.).— It is impossible to judge comparatively of a Pea without seeing it growing. From the appearance of the pods you sent us we should consider it belonging to the Early Gre^n Marrow class, and, in that case, nearly related to Prizetaker, which is only eight days later than Sangster's No. 1, and, like yours, grows about 6 feet high. We should like to see the two growing together. Spotted Grapes (An Inquirer, 7t. 4.).— The Grapes you describe as * damped," are what gardeners call "spotted," and yours are so very severely. Tou were wrong to syringe the Grapes after they had begun to colour. Tou could banish the thrips by fumigation, and keeping the air of the house moiet by frequently watering the path and syringing the brick- work. If the roots are outside water them, put mulch over them at night, but remove the mulch during the day if fine and warm. It may be. whether inside or outside, that the roots have descended too deeply, in that case, lifting the roots in autumn to nearer the surface will be your only remedy. POTILTRY. BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE. POULTRY SHOWS. JcLT 19th, 20th, 2l8t and 22nd. N!m-CASTLE-Dl>ON-TTNB. Sect., Nr. Vfm. Trotter, Bywell, and Mr. J. Shorthose, ShieldBeld Green, NowcMtle- npon-Tyne. Knlries close July 2nd. AuGvsT 2nd. Newmillekdam. ifcj., Mr. J. Turner, Walton, and Mr. W. Paehley, Newmillerdam. Adgbst 13th. Wakbfield and West Ridiso. Sec Mr. J. CroEland, jun. Ihome'a Lane, Wakefield. Entries close Augmst 4th. Atjocst 17th. CoTTiNGBAU. iS«c., Mr. JOBcph Biittain. AcotST 18th. BcRNiET. Sec, Mr. R. Whittara. Entries close Aue. 6th. AOGVST 22nd, 2Srd, 24th, and 25th. Alexanuha Paek. Poultry, Figeonis and Rabbits. &c., Mr. William Houghton. Entries close July 23rd. Anotier 27th. Ualifax and Caldbk Vale. Sec, Mr. \V. Ir?ine, Holm- field, Ovenden, near Halifax. Adovst SOth. PocKLiNoiOK. ««., Mr. T. Grant. Entries close Aug. 12nd. AuousT 31st Dewsburt. See., Mr. F. Aked. NOTEMBER 28th, 29lh, SOth, and December 1st. Birminohax. See., Mr. J. B. Lythall, 13, Temple Street. Entries close November Ist. RULES FOR JUDGING POULTRY. I HAVE been much surprised several times at articles in The Poultry Chronicle ridiculing the idea of judging poultry by rules ; and still more surprised that such articles apparent)^ received, not your sanction only, but approval. I cannot understand how any one can for a moment seriously argue that poultry cannot be judged by rule. It must be conceded thatcertain characteristics are essential to certain varieties of poultry. For instance : the Spanish fowl must have a white face and black pliunage ; the Polish a crest and so on. Put in other words, it is a rule that a fowl, to pass as a Spanish fowl, must have a white face ; to pass as a Polish, a crest. Does your correspondent who most persistently ridicules rules mean to say that he judges haphazard, and that no rules guide him ? Surely he must have in his head some rules by which he determines which pens shall receive the prizes ; and if so, what possible objection can there be to these rules, if correct, being reduced to writing and forming a code for poultry judging. I am surprised at Mr. Hewitt being opposed to written rules, for he evidently judges by rules. I know of no higher praise I can bestow on a judge, and can have no kind of reason for objecting to rules being written. — P. [That Dorkings must have five claws, Spanish white faces, Polands crests, and so on, no one denies ; those are the essential distinctive characteristics of the varieties, and no one sug- gests that their absence ought not to disqualify a bird ; but when rules are attempted as to non-essentials, then we con- sider them objectionable. When condition has to be balanced against better uniformity in size, or when any one exceUenco has to be weighed against other exceUeneies in competing pens, then we say rules are objectionable, and the decision should be left to the judgment of the awarder.] JUDGES AT THE APPROACHING ISLINGTON POULTRY SHOW. The correspondence of Mr. Tudman on the appointment of judges to the forthcoming Islington Poultry Show havinff left the matter in anything but a satisfactory position, I feel that some further explanation is due to exhibitors who ara not members of the Club; and as one belonging to that class, I wish to be informed in the first place, whether Mr. Tudman acts from his own responsibility in such appoint- ments, or under the direction of a Committee ? I ask this not only because it does not appear that any other parties were associated with Mr. Tudman in the recent appoint- ment ; but further, because at the Ulverston Show, which, if I am correctly informed, was under the auspices of the Club, after the appointment of the judge had been made public, a member of the Committee wrote in the pubUo papers to inquire by whose authority such appointment had been made, as he had not only not been consulted on the matter, but was altogether ignorant of any proceedings of the Club in connection with it. A second point which requires clearing up is the state- ment of Mi\ Tudman, that no judge was appointed ; when, as it now appears, Mr. Hewitt had been engaged for the office. To say that the communication to that gentleman was a private one is no explanation of a statement which, as it now stands, is at direct issue with the fact. Besides, what possible objection could there be to the appointment being known ? On the contrary, one would have thought that the interests of the Club would have been promoted by the fact of the Club having secured the services of that gentleman being made public. I am strongly impressed that the cause of Mr. Tudman's quarrel with you is not the publication of the circumstance of the appointment, but of the fact that the Club's rules forjudging have broken down; showing as it does, that to secure the services of any one in whom the exhibitors have confidence, the rules they have elaborated have had to be sacrificed. But if the riJes are to be suspended in Mr. Hewitt's case, under what an-ange- ment are his colleagues to judge ? and if the latter are to judge by the rules of the Society, how are their decisions to harmonise with his ? Or, is Mr. Hewitt to judge certain classes only ? If so, the exhibitors ought to know which ■ those are. In looking over the regulations, I find in No. 4 certain conditions prescribed according to which prizes are to be accorded. Can you inform me who are the parties who framed this rule? or whether it has emanated from the Jaly 19, 1861, ] JOUKNAL OF HOETICULTUEE Am) COTTAGE GAJBDENEK. 57 Poultry Club ? as the prize Bst is altogether silent on the subject. I need not explain that no exception is intended in this communication to the appointment of Mr. Hewitt, of the value of whose services I am fuUy sensible, especially in con- nection with such a Show as the Islington one. Indeed, the absence of Mr. Hewitt as judge in an exhibition on so large a scale would destroy confidence in its success. I have only to add, that if the three members of the Club selected for judges, of whom Mr. Tudman speats as the most extensive breeders and successful exhibitors in the kingdom, are still in the practice of exhibiting, they are among the most objectionable parties to fiU the office. In proof of this I need only instance the proceedings at the last Birmingham Show, a recurrence of which I should be very sorry to witness. In the present state of matters it would, perhaps, be most satisfactory to exhibitors who are not members of the Club, that the appointment of the judges to act with Mr. Hewitt in the forthcoming Show shoxild be left in the hands of the Manager, he being a gentleman in whose experience and honour such exhibitors have the fullest confidence. — An Exhtbitoe. SUCCESSFUL POULTRY KEEPESTG. I SEE many of your correspondents are complaining of want of success in chicken-rearing this season. I give the following as my experience : — COCHIN. JsnuarylSth.— 11 Hatched 7 Reared. April 16lh.— 9 9 „ 18th.— 9 „ 8 24th.-ll 8 May 4th.- 5 „ 5 „ :3th.— 9 „ 9 54 „ 46 „ SPANISH. June 7th.— 9 Hatched 9 Reared. 14th.-6 „ 6 „ 11 15 15 The first have been laying for just a month. The second and third average 4 lbs. 8 ozs. each. Perhaps you wiU teU me if that is not an excellent weight. [Certainly.] I feed my adult fowls early in the morning (at this season 6 A.M.) on wheat, and twice afterwards on a mixture of 1 cwt. coarse oatmeal, 2 bushels of bran, and 1 sack of fine barley- meal, and find them thrive and lay gloriously. They have also lettuce ad libitxim. — A Country PotTLTBY-KEEPEB. Bridport. THE POULTET AT LINTON PAEE. Theke may be some among your readers who are not unwilling to hear a few words concerning Linton and its feathered inhabitants. To begin. The park stands on a long hill side, the lower portion advancing into the vaUey, whilst the upper recedes over the plateau to the north. Soon after entering the gates a confused crowing — from what qiiarter it is not easy to say — strikes upon the ear, and on casting the eye around small shepherd-looMng huts are seen at long distances apart. But before proceeding further we must make the acquaintance of John Martin, a taciturn man with an honest face, a curt manner, and a house and salai-y the envy of all the curates around. He is the guardian of Lady Holmes- dale's famous birds, and of his own counsels too ; for if wrinkles there be in exhibiting, you might as well attempt to extract them from him as information from John Scott's confidential lad the night before the Derby. Let us walk round with him, and a long walk it is ; for about twenty bottomless huts, moveable on rollers, are scattered about the park near a few trees, the comer of a cover, or any such slight shelter, and each contains its in- dependent colony. Here maybe seen a score of lean-looking Spaniards foraging about; there a detachment of portly Dorkings ; whilst high up on the bleak and windy hill top Uve a lai'ge family of Pencilled Hamburghs, clean active bu-ds, wild as hawks, requiring aU the blandishments of their keeper's voice and a liberal disti-ibution of com to induce them to approach the unwelcome sti-anger. Nearer home some more Hamburghs reside, and a few maternal Cochins — fluffy tame domestic creatures, willing to make any one's acquaintance, and grateful for the smallest con- tribution. But where are the poultry-houses, where her ladyship's pampered bipeds spend their lives in idleness and luxury ? Where are the prize birds ? "All about. He took fast at Islington, Bu-mlngham, Manchester. His brother choked hisself last week after I had refused thirty- five sovereigns for him the week before that. He's worth forty," replies Martin, pointing to a monstrous cockerel with a briar- scratched comb and disordered plumage. Trae it was there running wild. One feed a-day, picking up a precarious ex- istence on grass and insects, roosting in the trees or in their little draughty huts, with less care than the \Tlest barndoor, during the coldest nights of winter, Uve and thrive the Linton poultry. Nothing can look simpler than the pro- cess. The least possible deviation from a statu of nature appears to a tyro the sole secret of success. Nor is there much stress laid upon breeding from "cup" birds. Out of hundreds the trios are selected on which it is shrewdly surmised the experienced eyes of Messrs. Hewitt, Baily, and Co. wUl most love to dwell, and on them a brief season of care is bestowed, under which the rough-and-ready customers of the park and shrubbery improve into the sleek and ponderous champions we have so often seen, maintain- ing in the hour of trial the honour of the county of Kent— A Pullet. EIPON AND CLAEO AGEICULTUEAL SOCIETY'S POULTEY SHOW. The fourth annual Meeting of this Society was held at Eipon, July 5th. Compared with last year, it exhibited a decided superiority in regard to quality. Game.— First, C. W. Brierley, Miadlelon, Manchester. Second, Miss E. Spanish.— First, Miss E. Beldon. Second, \t. Elliot. Thirst. DoRKiNo.-First, J. White. Northallerton. Seconrt, Miss E. Beldon. Poland -First, T. Heush, Bedale. Second, Miss E. Beldon. CoCHra-'CHiNA.— First, J. liell, Thirsli. Second, C. W. Brierley. Hambdkoh (Golden-splangled).— First, Miss E. Beldon. Second, J. Walker, Kn.iresborough. . „ „ ,j o j n n„m Hamburoh (Silver-spaogled). -First, Miss E. Beldon. Second, C. CoW- "haubvegh (Golden-pencilled).— First, Miss E. Beldon. Second, C. VT. "hammrgh (Silver-pencilled). -First, Miss E. Beldon. Second, W. R. Bavnes, Bedale. . . „ , ■« -irrv*- Bantams (Golden-laced).— First, Miss E. Beldon. Second, R. White, B°°TAM3 (Silver-laced).- First, C. W. Brierley. Second, Miss E, Beldon. Baxtams (Game).— First, J. Wade, Leeds. Second, Miss E. Beldon. Bantams (Any other variety). -First, Miss E. Beldon. Second, J. Wade. TuKKETS— First. C. W. Brierley. Second, J. Greaves, Clolherholme. Decks (Aylesbury).— First, Miss E. Beldon. Second, J. G. Milner, Ley- hni-n. Docks (Roaen).—Pri2e, Mi.isE. Beldon. „ „. , . , „.„ DccKs OF iNT Beked OR Cttoss.- Fir.st, C. W. Bnerley. Second, Mias E. Beldon. Extra Stock.— Prize, J. White, Northallerton. Pigeons.— Car»-i'fr« (Any colour).— Prize, Miss E. Beldon. I'umoisrt (Almond).— Prize, Miss E. Beldon. Tumblers (Any other variety).— Prize, Miss E. Beldon. Powters.-Ynze. Miss E. Beldon. iiunfs^Prize, J. Wade. Jacobins.— ■etize. Miss E. Beldon. J-an/mVs.- Prize, R. H. VTalSran. OioJs— Prize, W. Hughes. Leeds. Trumpeters.— Tnze, Miss E. Beldon. Barbs —Prize, Miss E. Beldon. 7>irJi(s.— Prize, Miss E. Beldon. Jfuns.— Prize, Misa E. Beldon. flro^oons.- Prize. G. Sadler, BorougbriJge. BoiUS or Beards.— Prize. Miss E. Beldon. Arehanffeis.—Vrize, Miss E. Beloon. Ani/ New or Distinct Variety.— Viae, Miss E. Beldon. Judges of Poultry:— Mr. H. C. Mason, Drighlington, Leeds ; Mr. M. Hunter, Greenhammerton, York. [We think this should be distinguished in the Society's Annals as "Emily Beldon's Year."] Alexandra Paek Show op Poultby, &c.— The entries for this Show, we are informed, wiU not close until Satur- day, July 23rd, instead of the 16th. Impoetation of Eggs.— It is a startling fact, that in four- teen years the importation of eggs into this country has increased more than one hundred and sixty-nine millions. In 1849 there were imported 97,745,849, and in 1863, 266,929,680. The wholesale price in France is 6s. for ten dozen. 58 JOUKNAIi OF HOETICULTTJEE AND COTTAGE aABDENEE. f July 19, 1864. SNAITH AGEICULTUEAL SOCIETY'S POTJLTEY SHOW. The tenth annual Exhibition of the above Society was held on July 7th, in the spacious and beautiful grounds of Mrs. Shearburn. The following were the prizes awarded : — Spanish.— First, W. Cannan, Bradford. Second, W. Houseman, Tad- caster. Chickens.— ?Tiie, F. Powell, Knaresborougli. Dorkings.— First, T. E. Kell, Wetherby. Second, T. B. Ireland, Tad- caster. Chickens.— Prize. T. E. Kell. CocHi.i-CHiNi.— First, W. Cannan. Second, E. Dewes, Knaresborough. Chickens. — Piize, R. Dewes. MiLAT.- Prize, 0. A. Young, Driffield. Chickens.— Tlize, O. A. Young. Game Cock,— First, R. Bickers, Beverley. Second, T. B. Ireland. Oamc Hens. — First, J, Harrison, Holbeck. Second, T. B. Ireland. Oame Chickens.— Pilze^ J. Barker, jun., Dunnington. Pheasants (Golden).— First and Second, W. Cannan. Chickens.— Prize, C. Snowdon, Tockwith. Pheasants (Silver).— First and Second, W. Cannan. Chickens.— Prize, W. Cannan. Hambueohs (Golden-pencilled).- Firstaud Second, W. Cannan. Haiubueohs (Silvev-pencilled).— First and Second, W. Cannan. Chitteprat oe Corsican. — Prize, W. Cannan. POLANDB (Any variety, with or without ruffs).— First, W. Cannan. Second, O. A. Young. Any Breed or Cross.— First, F. PowelL Second, H. Lacy, Hebden Bridge. Chickens.— Prize, Mrs. Moore, Boston Spa. Bantams.— First, T. E. Kell, Wetherby. Second, The Right Hon. Lady Londesborough. Cock (Any Breed or Cross).— Prize, W. Cannan. Hens (Any Breed or Cross).- Prize, T. E. Kell. Geese.— First, O. A. Young. Second, W. K. Goodbarne, Tadcaster. Ducks (Any Breed except Aylesbury).— First, 0. A. Young. Second, W. A. Park. Aylesebet.— First, W. Cannan. Second, 0. A. Young. TuEKETB.— First, W. Cannan. Second, Miss Walton, North Mitford. Guinea Fowls. — Prize, 0. A. Young. J. Bichardson, Esq., of Thome, officiated as Judge. BELFAST POULTRY EXHIBITION. (From a Correspondent.) The above Show oame off on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of July, and our anticipations were fully realised. Amateurs sup- ported the Exhibition in every way. All things were very comfortable, clean, and pleasant, there being plenty of light and air, and the pens were in a single row almost throughout. The Belfast market for butter and eggs is very extensive and covered in all round, and not a better place could be desired at this season of the year. This Society offer a £10 cup to be competed for by, and awarded to, the exhibitor most successful in gaining first prizes during three years. Mr. Beldou the great Yorkshire exhibitor, and Mr. Boyle, of Dubbn, were competitors for this; and Mr. Beldon, who took ten first prizes, won the cup ; Mr. Boyle gaining niae prizes. It must have been very instructive to other exhi- bitors to see such stock as shown here. Mr. R. Palmer Williams, and Mr. F. W. Zurhorst each showed very credit- ably. Dorhings were the first on the list. There were eighteen pens and all very pretty. Dorkings were not good on the whole. The prize Spanish were far a-head of all others. Cochins were strong, and if we may speak our minds it was the only class in the Show in which a fault could be found in the judgment. It was the general opinion that the second prize should have been first, and a splendid pen of Whites second. A pen made up of Partridge and Grouse took first ; the Yorkshire Judge had to give way to the faulty pen. Brahmxs were very beautiful and formed a strong and attractive class. It is another of the curiosities of poultry and poultry showing that the Haniburghs are never good alike. As they weic here, Mr. Beldon took the lead in aU the classes ; the Judges all agreed that there was not another pen in the Show, except the second-class Golden-pencUled, worthy of a second prize, but the Committee ordered all prizes to be awarded. Game were very poor except the first- prize Black Beds. Polands were strong but very poor except the first-prize pens. Bantams were very poor. Than the Turkeys, Geese, and Ducks shown by Mr. Boyle we do not expect to meet better. As will be seen by the prize list, he took all the first prizes. Dorkino.— First and Third, Col. Leslie, M.P., Castle Leslie. Glasslough. Second, R. P. Williams, GlaBliiin, Fairview, Co. Dublin. Chickens. — First and Second, R. P. Williams, GlaHlIno, Fairview. Third, Col. Leslie, M.P. Spanish. — First, H. Beldon, Gilstead, Bingley, Yorkshire. Second, G. Martin, Glenview, Belfast. Third, K. W. Boyle, Rosemoaat, Dundram, Co. Dublin. Commended, R. P. Williams. Chickens.-Firat and Second, R. vr. Boyle, RosemouBt, Dnndrum. Third, C. E. M'Cliotock, MiUmount, Randalstown, Cochin-Cbina.— First, F. H. Lewis, Nettlefield, Belfast. Second, H. Beldon. Third, F. W. Zurhorst, Belville. Donnybrook, Dublin. Highly Commended, F. Langtry, Malahide; F. W. Zurhorst. EiiABMA PooTRA.- First and Second, R. W. Boyle. Third, F. W. Zurhorst. Scotch Greys. — Prize, G. Martin, Glenview, Belfast. HAMEDRaH(Silver-spangledi.— First, H. Beldon. Second, R. P. Williams. Third, F. H. Lewis. Hamburoh (Silver-pencilled). — First, H. Beldon. Second and Third, F. H. Lewis. Hambdeoh (Golden-spangled.). — First, H. Beldon. Second, J. Mont- gomery, WolfhiU, Belfast. Third, G. Martin, Glenview, Belfast. Hamburoh (Golden-pencilled).— First, H. Beldon. Second, R. W. Boyle. Third, F. H. Lewis. Game.— First, G. Langtry (Black Eeds). Second and Third, F. H. Lewis (Black Game). Bantams ;Game).—Fir5t and Second, F. H. Lewis. Commended, F. H. Lewis. Bantams"( Any other Breed).— First, R. Niven.jun., Chrome Hill, Lisbom (Sebright Bantams). Sccond,|J. Wilson, Carriokfergus (Sebright Bantams). SINGLE COCKS. Dorking.— First, F. H. Lewis, Nettlefield, Belfast. Second, Col. Leslie, M.P., Castle Leslie, Glasslough. Commended, Lord Lurgan, Brownlongh House, Lurgan. Spanish (Black).— First, H. Beldon, Gilstead, Bingley, Yorkshire. Second, C. £. M'Clintock, Milmount, Randalstown. HENS. Dor.KlNo.— First, Col. Leslie, M.P., Castle Leslie, Glasslough. Second, R. W. Boyle, Bosemonnt, Dundruci, Co. Dublin. Highly Commended, G. Langtry. Montague House, Malahide. Commended, F. H. Lewie, Nettle- field, Belfast. Spanish (Black) —First, H. Beldon, Gilstead, Bingley, Yorkshire. Second, E. M'Clintock, MiUmount, Randalstown. Cochin-China.— First, F. W. Zurhorst, Belville, Donnybrook, Dublin. Second, F. H. Lewis. Brahma Pootea.— First, R. W. Boyle. Second, F. H. Lewis. FOWL WITH CRESTS . Poland (White-crested Black).— First, H. Beldon. Second, F. H. Lewis. Third, G. Martin, Glenview, Belfast. Poland (Silver-crested Spangled).— First, H. Beldon. Second and Third, F. H. Lewis. Poland (Golden-crested Spangled).— First, H. Beldon. Second and Third, F. H. Lewis. Highly Commended, E. P. Williams. Commended, G. Martin. EXTRA STOCK. Bantams (Gold-laced).— Prize, R. Niven, jun., Chrome Hill, Lisburn. Turkeys. —First, R. W. Boyle, Rosemount, Dundram. Second, K. MehalTy, Clontonacally, Newiownbreda. (Good). Geesk.— First, R. W. Boyle. Second, H. L. Prentice, Caledon (White). Third, R. W. Boyle. (Out of feather.) Ducks (Aylesbury).- First, R. W. Boyle. Second, R. P. Williams. Duck- lings.—Fitit, R. W. Boyle. Second, R. P. WilUams. Third, W. Charley, Seymour Hill, Dunmurry. Ducks (Rouen).— First, R. W. Boyle. Second, H. L. Prentice, Caledon. Third, E. P. Williams. Highly iCoramended, }. Montgomery, WolfhiU, Belfast. Commended, G. Martin, Glenview, Belfast. Ditcklings.-Fint, R. W. Boyle, Second, G. Martin, Glenview, Belfast. Third, 1. Wilson, Carrickfergus. The following gentlemen were the Judges : — Mr. John Crosland, jun., Mr. Patterson, and Mr. Williams. MOETALITY AMONG CHICKENS. Like " A. K. C," I considered myself no novice in poultry- rearing, and like him I have had my disappointments and vexations in rearing chickens. Although I well knew how to rear them for the table and stock, and had learnt to my cost that over-feeding and filth were the great and imme- diate plague to poultiy, yet, notwithstanding all my know- ledge, how puzzled and vexed was I with my chickens dying in the very same manner your correspondent describes after every stimulant had been offered. Without entering into details, I concluded that the cold had something to do with it. I immediately erected a shed well closed in, with a glass window, close to the grotind, looking south, and put all the necessaries of chicken life therein. The floor I spread with clean dry straw about 1 foot deep, and then placed my chickens in this shed. The result was that they gave up dwindling, and were soon healthy chickens. The dry straw and a few grains of wheat scattered throughout were the best preservatives to chickens that had come under the notice of — A Lanarkshibb Bee-keepee. I may also state that I found it easier to rear chickens in the early spring months than in May, June, or July. The dewy mornings then proved always fatal. New Varieties op Pigeons. — I am very much obliged to your Bingley correspondent for his description of " Bruns- July 19, 1865. ] JOUENAL OF HOETICrrLTTJRE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 59 wicks " and " Satinettes." His opinion quite agrees with mine — namely, that the Brunswicks are only one of the varieties of Priest Pigeons, and the Satinettes are a spangled- shouldered variety of Turbits. I do not know anything of the green Pigeons described by Dr. Livingstone, but no doubt they are a distinct species from the domestic Pigeon. — B. P. Brent. GOOSE BREEDING. As Geese are long-lived, so they are long in reaching maturity, not becoming good for breeding purposes before they are from three to five years of age. The third or fourth year is as early as is desirable to mate Geese for this pur- pose. Then having selected the best of their kind, one gander to no more than two Geese (and some males will only mate with one female), and the gander not related to the Geese, the breeder may consider that he is supplied with a good breeding stock for at least the next twenty years, or, as one writer says, "for life." In confirmation of this statement, Mr. S. Jaques, jun., of Boston, Massachusetts, wrote, in 1850, of a Bremen Goose that his father imported in 1821 : " She has never failed to lay from twelve to sixteen eggs every year for the last twenty-seven years, and has always been an excellent breeder and nurse, as has all the stock and offspring con- nected with her. I had the curiosity to weigh one of her brood in 1849, when nine months old exactly, and his weight in feather sent up 22 lbs. in the opposite scale." The earlier the goslings are hatched in spring the better, and there is no agent so good for this purpose as the Goose, though the Ducks do very well. Hens appear to have too dry a heat for the purpose, and though a part of the eggs may hatch, the gosUngs are not as strong as those hatched by the Goose or a Duck. For the first twenty-four hours after hatching, like chickens, the young require no feeding. On the second day they will begin to nibble a Httle fine grass, or young clover, from a fresh sod placed near the nest. They will also want a little scalded corn meal or oatmeal, or a few bread crumbs, and a shallow vessel of water. If the weather is fine, it will soon do to " turn them out to grass," but they should be housed every night and during stormy weather, on a dry floor, untU several weeks old ; and the better the young are fed for the rest of the season, the larger and better the fall goslings. Wheat bran or the best class of " shorts " mixed with boUed potatoes makes a good feed for goslings after a few weeks old. — (iJ.S. Agricultural Report.) POULTEY, PIGEON, EABBIT, AND CANAEY LOEE. I SHOULD be very pleased if Poultry, Pigeon, Eabbit, and Canary fanciers would follow the example set in The Jouknal OF HoBTicxTLTTTEE by the bee-keepers, and interchange in its pages their experiments and experiences. Poultry lore seems now reduced to an account of the prize lists of some of the shows, or an occasional cry from some despairing Brahma fancier ; still less is now written on Pigeons, while Babbits and Canaries are quite forgotten. I am very desirous of seeing more communications on these subjects, and wiUing to do what I can in the cause. — B. P. Beent. [Our wish is an echo of Mr. Brent's. Our columns are open to the fanciers of aU the pets enumerated by him, and we wish that one and all would communicate their modes of management, observations on their merits, diseases, or other relative topics. — Editoes.] ViajxE IN Fowls. — ^Fowls have plenty of vanity and pride. They are very sensible to admiration from man, and miss accustomed notice. The queen of the poultry-yard must eat first, and stand by the king at feeding time. She resists any invasion upon her rights, and will have a precedence in aU things. Indeed, precedence in the court-yard seems as valued as at earthly courts. Age and priority of residence in the yard, not less than size and strength, constitute right to precedence. No dowager ever treated young chits of girls more contemptuously than the senior hen treats her juniors. One has heard of a Swiss cow which died of vexation when her bell was taken from her. So did a hen of mine, long mistress of the poultry-yard, die of smothered pride, when a new queen-hen, partner to a new king (a pair I bought at a poultry show), came into my enclosure. The rival queens eyed each other for a moment steadfastly, then rushed to the combat. The new comer, though the old hen fought bravely, was the stronger. Mrs. Mercury, as we called the old hen, from the wing-like feathering on her legs, never attempted to try her chance again, succumbed in a melancholy manner, and after a few days' moping gave up the ghost. — {All the Tear Round.) [Note bt Ed. C. F. — ^The above is no fiction. We had a beautifulBantam cock, which died of mortified pride. A Black Spanish cock was uncooped in the same yard in which the Bantam was strutting about, when the latter attacked the new comer with beak and nail. The Spaniard treated the little fellow with cool contempt, and fr-om that moment the Bantam pined, drooped, refused food, and at length died.] — {Canada Farmer.) ANTWERP PIGEONS. In accordance with the request of " Paevo" I will endea- vour to describe the properties of the various breeds of Pigeons known as " Antwerp Carriers." The inhabitants of Belgium have long been famous for Pigeon-flying, and consequently we find among them several very superior strains of homing birds. The basis of these breeds, it would appear, was a cross between the Dovehouse Pigeons, or Eocks, and Tumblers. Such birds, known as Volans and Voyageurs, are common on the continent, and ai-e esteemed for their high flying. Such Pigeons having strayed or been lost have betaken themselves to the lofty towers and steeples of the churches, &c., in the larger towns, where they have had for ages to take care of themselves, and run the gauntlet against all sportsmen and birds of prey, which are tolerably numerous ; and it is easy to under- stand that the remnant of such a breed woxUd be pre- eminent as homing birds, and such, I am informed, is the origin of the real Antwerp Carrier Pigeon. I can only describe the breed as a small mealy Eock, which colovir greatly predominates among the Dovehouse Pigeons there- abouts. The true Antwerp is in shape much like a Eock or Dove- house Pigeon, but rather slighter built, bolting eye, and clean sharp-looking head. Many other kinds are bred ; for instance, about Li^ge the Owl form predominates. The Smerles, as they are there called, are very much like an Owl Pigeon, their colours being mealy, red or blue chequered, and sometimes blue. This breed is even more vridely diffused than the Antwerp. Their powers of flight are extraordinary; and, from some accounts of Pigeon-flying, I have computed that they home at the rate of forty-seven mUes an hour. I do not know that there are any very particular points of outward appear- ance, but their homing facility is their main recommenda- tion. These Smerles have been crossed with the English Dragoon, and have produced a stronger and stouter bird. I have also heard of Blue Pigeons, with feathered feet, of excellent homing qualities, brought from Antwerp ; and, doubtless, in a country so famous for flying Pigeon races, there are many choice strains that are little known except to their proprietors, particulars of which I am quite unable to give. — B. P. Brent. BEES IN LINCOLNSHIRE. As I some time ago troubled you with a chapter of lamen- tations, it is but fair that I should let you know something of my better success. The season in this neighbourhood has been a most wretched one so far as multiplication by natural swarming is concerned, though a good one for honey -harvest- ing. Few bee-keepers have had more than about one swarm from every six hives which they possessed, and very many have had none at all. My last autumn and winter's disasters left 60 JOTJENAL OP HORTICULTTJEE AND COTTAGE GAEDEKEE. [ July 19, 181i4. me with just two hives in good condition — a Nutfs collateral that has stood three years, and a common cottage-hive that has stood four years. I had intended to get a couple of first swarms nattiraUy from them, and then to unite the later swarms if any, and finally transfer the old stocks into bar- frame hives, as I intend to use none others in future. The bad season for swarming, however, quite frustrated this intention. They hung out till I was tired of watching them, and resolved to get artificial swarms by driving and transpos- ing. The result has surpassed my most sanguine expecta- tions, and not only are the driven swarms first-rate (of course I allowed a fortnight's interval after driving the one before operating similarly on the other), but the stocks are also in prime condition. I only regret that I did not adopt this course a month earlier than I did. After driving the first, the old stock in its transposed condition hung out strongly the day aftarwards. Of course, it has since been used only for transposition. My friend " E. B." very kindly sent me a Ligurian queen a short time since, and which I successfully placed at the head of a stock by a process which I have never seen described, and, therefore, to me quite original. The said queen arrived just after driving and transposing my two stocks ; and as I was unwilling to interfere with either of them or the swarm so soon, if I could avoid it, I made an arrange- ment with a bee-keeper in the neighbourhood for one of his stocks, which had been hanging out for some time. Having a bar-hive untenanted that was two-thirds filled with healthy comb and a considerable quantity of honey, I transposed it with the stock at about 11 a.m. when fully at work. The returning bees of course entered it, and a state of great ex- citement natui-aUy ensued. In an hour I placed a box over the top, containing the Ligurian queen and about a couple of dozen of her subjects, the box having a moveable top of glass, and a moveable bottom of perforated zinc. The excite- ment slightly abated on this being done, and I left her so till 3 P.M., when I took her own subjects away, and then allowed one bee to enter from below. Perceiving that it behaved most affectionately to her (if it had not, its death warrant had been sealed instanter), I admitted a few more, one at a time ; and finding that they aU appeared doubly affectionate, at last I withdrew the slide altogether, and allowed them all to descend. Work recommenced vigorously at once, and plenty of bees from the old stock joined them during the succeeding two days, and the result is a fine swarm headed by a Ligurian queen. There is an old proverb that " It never rains but it pours ;" for, on the very day that this queen arrived, a beautiful Ligurian swarm, with queen born in Italy, arrived through the kindness of a relative who is, however, not himself a practical apiarian. It was on arrival tranferred into a bar- frame hive and is doing remarkably well ; so you see that being quite free again from foul brood I am once more in a favourable condition. — G. F. B., Spaldiiig. EXTEAOEDINAHY LIGUEIAN SWAEMS. I WONDER whether I shall astonish you as I have done all about here when I tell you that the eight-pound swarm of mine in May (Ligurian), cast again for the third time on Wednesday, July 5. On the previous Saturday the bees flew out as though swarming, and on examination I found a dead queen ; yet on Wednesday they swarmed in spite of a super. The grandmother on examination proving to have no queen, I have joined this one to her, otherwise I should have Uked to have kept for a curiosity a third virgin swarm. A NoKTHtTMBERLAND BeE-KEEPEE. [The fecundity of this monster Ligurian swarm has evi- dently been quite on a par with its unprecedented magni- tude.] LIGUETANS IN AYESHEKE. My Ligurian hive having thrown a very fine swarm yes- terday (10. h July), a thing far beyond my expectation two weeks ago, I must pronounce Ligurians superior to blacks in multiplication. I can now see no means of getting the young queens impregnated with Ligurian drones, but wiU carry my after-swarms to the country, where they will be a reasonable distance from blacks. — A Stewabton Apiarian. [The old stock should, of course, accompany the after- swarms in their country excursion ; nor shoiUd the first swai-m be left behind if it contain drones, as is probably the case.] Cooking Meats. — Every wife and mother owes it to her- self, her husband, and her children, as well as to society at large, to prevent waste in every department of the house- hold, whether provisions ai-e cheap or dear, whether the husband is rich or poor : for waste is a crime against humanity, an insult to the bounteous Hand which " giveth us all things, riches to enjoy." On the other hand, a true economy is one of the wisest, the best, and ennobling of domestic virtues. A hundred careful experiments were made in England in reference to roasting and boiling meats in order to ascertain the respective losses. Eoasted chickens lost 15 per cent. ; beef ribs and sMoins, 19 per cent. ; geese, 19 per cent. ; boiled mutton legs, 10 per cent. ; boiled beef, 15 per cent. ; boiled shoulder of mutton, 28 per cent. ; tur- keys lost 20 per cent. ; mutton legs and shoulders, 24 per cent. ; ducks. 27 per cent. Boiling beef saves more than 4 per cent, over roasting. If a leg of mutton is boEed it loses 10 per cent. ; if roasted, 25 per cent, r " The fatter meat is, the greater the loss ; it should be moderately fat, to make it tender ; but there is an unprofitable fatness. Eleven pounds of roast beef rib lose 2 lbs. and the bones 1 lb., so that of 11 lbs. bought only 7 lbs. come to the table. Hence if roast rib l^ieces cost in New York, in AprU, 1864, 20 cents a-pound at the butcher's stall, it is more than 31 cents a-pound on the dinner-table. It is philosophically true that 1 lb. of clear roast beef is more concentrated than 1 lb. of boiled beef, has less water in it, and hence may contain more nourishment ; but the more concentrated food is, the more unwholesome it is, not only because it requu-es a greater digestive power to convert it into pure blood, but the sense of sufficiency at meals is induced to a considerable extent by the bulk of what is taken, and if we eat concentrated food until there is bulk enough to remove the feeling of hunger, there is so much nutriment in it that nature can't extract it aU in a perfect manner ; hence there is not only too much nutriment for the wants of the system, but all of it is imi^erfectly pre- pared and we reaUy get less of the strength and less pure blood out of it, than if much less had been eaten, or it had been taken in a more bulky, or, if you please, in a more watery condition. This is the reason why dyspeptics and others eat a great deal, but they do not get strong. But if there is too much bulk, there is not enough nutriment although a great deal is taken into the stomach. Porter and beer, for example, fill up the stomach, and seem to make persons fleshy, but there is little nutriment and great bulb ; gx-eat beer-drinkers are never strong but are puffy. — {Hall's Journal of Eealth.) QUE LETTEE BOX. SuPERioniTT OF THE LiGURiAN Bee (A. K, C, Dun$!eij).—Thls new species is unquestionably far superior in fecundity, good temper, and beaaty to the common hire bee. LI0DRI4.N Bees— A Window Apiary (Jf. B., Hampton). — Write to T. Woodbury, Epq., Mount Radford, Exeter. Bees will very probably do well in an upper room, but we do not think it possible to avoid the occasional loss of swarms from such a situation. M.\iDEK Swarms {H. P., yorth Lincolnshire). — ^Two swarms from a swarm of the current year are unusual but not unprecedented. Untting Weak Stocks {A Constant S'lbscriber). —^\ow a little smoke into each, and after allowing them two or three minutes to enable the bees to fill themselves with honey, invert one hive in a pail^ and surmount itwith the other, then drive the inhabitants of the lower hive iirto the upper one, and the union will be complete. This operation should be performed in the daytime, and, if adroitly managed, need not occupy many minutes. Transpkrhing Bees (A Constant .Header).— Although more than one swarm may generally be looked for. the rule is by no means invariable. If you mean to break up the stock it should be done in the autumn when the honey harvest is over, and little brood exists. Any attempt to transfer the bees to a Payne'a-hive at this time would probably end in their entire destruction. Comb*building in an upward direction is not at all unusual* Butter Imported and Exported (.E'«ca:),— Last year 985,708 cwts. were imported, and 102,406 cwts. exported. July 26, 1864. ] JOTIEXAi OP HORTICULTTTEE AHD COTTAGE GAEDEKEE. 621 WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day of M'nth Day of Week. Tu w Tb F S Sns M JUL1 26— AUG. 1, 1864. ATerage Temperature near London. Common Star Thistle flowers. Dwarf Elder flowers. Sheep's Fescue Grass ripe. Fennel flowers. Gipsey Wort flowers. 10 Sdndat affer Trinity, Wormwood flowers. Day. 73.4 74.5 76.0 75.7 74 9 74.9 76.1 NiEht. 51.0 51.6 51.7 60.9 508 50.8 50.9 Mean. 622 63.1 68 8 63 S 6-2 9 62 8 63.5 Rain In last 37 years. Days. 18 17 19 16 IS 14 17 Sun Rises. m. h. 17 af4 Sun Sets. m. h. 55af 7 54 7 52 7 51 7 50 7 48 7 46 7 Moon Rises. Moon Sets. m. h. 1 15 11 54 U raorn. 3.5 0 31 1 28 2 29 3 Moon's Age. 22 28 24 25 26 27 28 Clock before Sun. Day of Tear. 20S 209 210 211 212 213 214 From observations taken near London during the last thirty-scTen years, the average day temperature of tbe -week is 75.1°, and its nigrht temperature 51.1°, The greatest beat was 82° on the 26tll, 1S62; and the lowest cold, 36°, on the Ist, I8G2. Tbe greatest fall of rain was 1.39 inch. A FEW SHOW GOOSEBEEEIES. RED KINDS. ONDON, raised by Mr. Wilcock, of Acton, Cheshire, and sent out by Mr. John Banks, jun., at the May Pole Inn, Acton, Cheshire, on the last Tuesday in October, 1831, is at the present time the largest red G-ooseberry in general cultivation, and has obtained a greater nuniberof first-class prizes than any other kind, llr. John Flower, of Stoke- by-Stone, Staffordshire, ex- hibited of this variety at Lower Tean, near Cheadle, Staffordshire, on the 7th of August, 1852, the largest Gooseberry on record — viz., 37 dwts. 7 grains. This va- riety grows in various forms. Thethree-veined berries, well fit." j-JSL managed, will grow from I5 ^}^^>^^ "^rs mcji iq 2A inches in length, and from 5 inches to 5f in circumference. The long ones are generally the best inform, and are very nearly the same in girth the whole length of the berry, tapering slightly towards the top, which is rather fiat and ridgy, with the seed veins lower than the rest of the surface, which gives the ridged shoulders ; but the ridges do not extend far from the top, the berry terminating with a round prominent nose. The two- veined berries are similar in form, except that they are flat-sided and often a little longer. The shorter ones arc often deficient of seed, more ridgy, and deformed. In colour London is very dark red, almost chocolate, the berry perfectly smooth ; flavour tolerable, but not first- class. It makes a spreading bush ; the wood is almost smooth, producing but few thorns, and does not do well until the plants are strong. An uncertain cropper, but when caught sound will excel any other kind. . YouiJG Wonderful, or Wonderful, as now called, was raised by Mr. James Sanders, of Marson, Cheshire, and sent out by him at the Crown Iim, Peover, near Knutsford, Cheshire, on the fourth Saturday in October, 1829. This variety was the heaviest berry grown for the following years — viz., in 1833 it was equal with Lion, both being 27 dwts. 13 grains ; in 1833, 27 dwts. 17 grs. ; in 1831, 27 dwts. 8 grs.; in 1835, 24, dwts. ; in 1838, 30 dwts. 16 grs. ; in 184,1, 32 dwts. 16 grs. This variety is similar in form to London, but shorter, and eight or ten days earlier. It colours better to the top ; the skin has a softer appearance, and is strewed with brownish specks. The colour is darker than that of London, and the berry, not so much ridged, is perfectly smooth. Habit of growth upright, short-jointed, with thick shining leaves and short prickles. It breaks early in spring, and is but a shy cropper in some districts. Flavour good. No. 174.— Vol. TU., New Series. Companion, raised by Mr. WiUiam Hopley, of Wist- aston, Cheshire, from a Gooseberry grown by Mr. .John Bratherton, of the same place, was sent out by Mr. Hop- ley, at the Eoekwood Inn, Wistaston, Cheshire, on the last Monday in October, 1829. This variety is a general favourite, both as a show kind and for general cropping purposes. In 1836 it was the heaviest berry exhibited of any colour — viz., 28 dwts., and again in 183", one of tbe smallest seasons recorded, it was the heaviest grown — 23 dwts. 12 grains. Since that time London has taken the lead, except in the years 1838, 1841, 1859, 1862, and 1863. In 1842 Companion was 31 dwts. 5 grains ; in 1852 it was 31 dwts. 11 grains. It is a bright light red, very rough, generally two-veined, but plump in form, with one shoulder a little higher than the other, ratlier square at the top, the nose nicely rounded to the snufl" ; flavour very fine ; ripens well to the top, with nice supple skin ; rather early. It makes a fine spreading bush, and is 3 most prolific bearer, the fruit being much the same size all over the tree. That fine variety Antagonist is a seedling raised from Companion, and turns out to be the largest white berry, and, to all appearance, is likely to be the largest of any colour. EoARiNG Lion, or Lion, as it is now called, was raised by Mr. Reuben Farrar. and sent out by him at the Eaglo and Child, Whitefield, Lancashire, on the third Saturday in October, 1818, and for some years was the heaviest berry grown of any colour. In 1825, the heaviest berry weighed 31 dwts. 16 grains ; in 1828, 29 dwts. ; in 1829, 25 dwts. ; in 1831, 27 dwts. 6 grains. It is a very long^ berry, from 1| to 2 inches long ; the three-veined ones are finely formed, but not so ridgy as the London. The two- veined berries are long and rounder than the two- veined Londons. The skin is hard-looking, perfectly smooth, of a deep red colour, the veins of a brownish, hue ; the stalks arc very long and rather fine for the size of the fruit, being much smaller than the stalks of the London. It makes a fine-spreading bush ; the wood rather fine, and weeping a Httle towards the end of the shoots ; very vigorous. Flavour not fine. YELLOW KINDS. Leader was raised by Mr. WiUiam Piggott. of More- ton, Cheshire, and sent out by him at the Wolf's Head, Congleton, Cheshire, on the last day of October, 1826. This is, in every respect, a first-class variety, and has many times been the heaviest yellow berry shown for the season — viz., in 1829 it weighed 23 dwts. 14 grains ; in 1831, 26 dwts. 17 grs ; in 1832, 26 dwts. 9 grs. ; 1835,, 23 dwts. 12 grs. ; in 1837, 22 dwts. ; 1838, 26 dwts. 5 gTS. ; in 1841, 27 dwts. ; in 1842, 25 dwts. 10 grs. ; in 1843, 28 dwts. 14 gi-s. ; in 1844, 27 dwts. 21 gi-s. ; in 1847, 27 dwts. ; in 1856, 24, dwts. 12 grs. I have only named the weight for the years it was the heaviest of its colour. There are few that can excel it at present. This is a plump weU-formed berry with fine shoulders, which ar& prominent. The three-veined berries are very round, the- seed veins lower than the rest of the surface ; the two- veined ones rather flat-sided, but round-ofi" nicely to the- No. 826.— Vol. XXSII., Old Sbeies, JOTJENAL OF HOETICITLTTJEE AND COTTA&E GAEDENEK. [ July 26, 1864. nose. It has a beautiful soft-looking skin, with a bloom similar to a peach ; colour dull muddled yellow ; flavour of the finest quality. Makes a fine vigorous bush, growth upright ; and a most prolific bearer. Yellow Gunnek was sent out by Mr. Hardcastle about the year 1821, and, I believe, it is of Lancashire origin, but I am not certain as to when and where sent out. It is one of the best old varieties, and was the heaviest yellow berry shown in the following years — viz., in 1826, when it weighed 23 dwts. 4 grains ; in 1827, 27 dwts. 1 gr. ; 1828, 24 dwts. 5 grs. ; in 1833, 25 dwts. 2 grs. ; in 1834, 23 dwts. 11 grs. The berry is very round, handsomely formed, and covered with strong rough spines ; it is one of the roughest berries grown. In colour it is almost olive green, shaded and blended with a yellow tinge, the veins a little lighter than the rest of the sMn. It ripens well, and is of fine flavour. Habit of growth strong and robust, making a iine upright bush. Golden Soveeeion was raised by Mr. John Bratherton, of Wistaston, Cheshire, and sent out by him on the last Monday in October, 1821, at the Rockwood Inn, Wistaston, Cheshire. This was a useful variety for some yeais, but has long since been surpassed as a show variety. It is of a bright light yellow, of medium length, ripens early, is a free bearer, and of good flavour. GREEN KINDS. BtJMPEB was raised by Mr. John Bratherton, of Wistaston, and sent out by him at the Eockwood Inn, Wistaston, Che- shire, on the fourth Monday in October, 1832. This variety was shown as a seedling, and has weighed 30 dwts. 18 grains ; but was soon eclipsed by Thumper, sent out by Mr. Eichard Eyle, of Wistaston, on the same day. Bumper is light green, smooth, of medium length ; an early variety, ripens too soon at the nose, and is very subject to shanking in hot weather. Habit rather weak and spreading. At the pre- sent day it is useless. Tkoueler is a long berry, tapering very much towards the stalk. It is rough, and in colour very dark green. Quite useless at the present time for any purpose. WHITE KINDS. Eagle op the Sun, now called Eagle, was raised by Mr. Thomas Cook of Hatherlow, and sent out by him at the Spread Eagle, Hatherlow, Cheshire, on the 1st of November, 1823 ; and in 1825 it was the heaviest white berry exhibited — viz., 23 dwts. 20 grains ; and it weighed as follows — ^in 1827, 24 dwts. 18 grains ; in 1830, 27 dwts. 12 grs. ; in 1831, 25 dwts. 18 grs. ; in 1833, 23 d^vts. 11 gi-s. ; in 1834, 25 dwts. 22 grs. ; in 1835, 21 dwts. ; in 1840, 24 dwts. 9 grs. ; in 1844, 26 dwts. It is one of the longest berries grown. The three-veined berries are very fine in form, long, smooth, and very round. The two-veined benies are rather flat, and generally a little tapering towards the stalk, which is rather long and small. Colour yellowish white. Makes a fine bush. Wood long and rather fine ; bears freely : flavour tolerable. Ostrich was raised in the neighbourhood of AVistaston by Mr. James BUlington, was sent out by him on the last Monday in October, 1827, and was the heaviest white ben-y exhibited in 1829, 21 dwts. 11 grains ; in 1S33, 24 dwts. 20 grains. This variety is very long, rather flat on the side, and seeds badly, consequently seldom weighs well for the size of the fruit. It is a little rough, colour yellowish white ; in habit it grows freely, makes a fine spreading bush, and bears well. White Swan was raised by Mr. William Wood, and sent out by him at the Grapes Inn, Croston, near Chorley, Lanca- shire, on the third Monday in October, 1831 ; and was the heaviest white berry grown in 183S — viz., 24 dwts. 16 grains. The berry is of medium length, very smooth, of a darkish white colour ; the veins very conspicuous, being broad and much whiter than the rest of the berry. It makes a fine bush, and bears freely. It will be seen by the above that very few of the better kinds of show Gooseberries are of Lancashire origin, although so often called " Lancashire SJiow Gooseberries." — C. Lei- cester. Council have announced that on the 26th of August next, the late Prince Consort's birthday, the public will be admitted gratuitously to the Society's Gardens at Ken- sington, and that the same tribute to his memory will be continued in after years. OECHAED-HOUSE PEODUCE— DESTEOYING APHIDES. From an orchard-house, heated in cold weather, in five days last week eighty dozen of Peaches and Nectarines have been gathered for market, besides many not fit, but used at home. 18s. per dozen was the largest sum received for Nectarines this season. There are Vines in this house, but kept exposed until the middle of April, the crop from these is very large. My gardener made ^6164 for his Grapes this season from one house 110 feet by 15 ; the roots were covered with glass also to the extent of 5 feet in addition to the 15. He began cutting in the middle of April, when he sold the Grapes for 12s. per lb. I find the best remedy for aphides out of doors is 1 lb. of perfectly dry Scotch snuff and 3 lbs. of the white sUicions dust which can now be obtained quite dry in any quantity in our lanes ; being silicious, every particle can be syringed off. A puff-ball of indiarubber with a conical tube is the best thing for small growers to apply this with; a saucer being used for the powder, the ball when empty and com- pressed will suck up the powder. Yesterday, the 19th inst., the whole atmosphere in this neighbourhood was loaded all day with green fly. — Amateur. LA CONSTAISTTE STEAWBEEEY. Mat I be allowed to recommend such of your readers as contemplate making new Strawberry-beds to try La Con- stante ? I grow FUbert Pine, British Queen, Crimson Queen, Carolina Superba, and many others, but I do not think one of them is equal to this very fine variety. There is a pecu- liarly delicious aroma about it which no other Strawberry possesses, and it is a handsome-looking frnit and ripens thoroughly where British Queen will not. — P. [We quite agree with our correspondent in his praise of this most excellent variety.] EoTAL HoBTicuLTUEAL Societt's Gaeden. — In compli- ance with a wish expressed by Her Majesty the Queen, the GISHUEST COMPOUND veksus AMEEICAN BLIGHT. We have had a veiy bad year for the American blight on our Apple trees, so much so that we have been applying the Gishurst with the garden engine, and in doing so I noticed a fact that may interest you — viz., that all the trees that had been dressed with Gishurst in previous seasons were clean, or nearly so, while those that for ten years had never been blighted, nor dressed, were this year covered as with snow. The spread this season is beyond anything I have ever known; it is a hard matter to find a clean tree, but I am determined, if possible, to keep it down. My success with the Orange family has been complete. Three dress- ings in two weeks in the spring, with a solution not stronger than 2 ozs. to the gallon, will carry the trees through the summer clean. We do this when the fruit is gathered, and before the growth starts for the following season, and have no further trouble with them. — John Carson, MeWoume, Australia. CULTIVATION OF THE MELON. {Continued from i>age 43.) Succession. — To have a regular supply of Melons, it is necessary to have a succession of beds. Subjoined is a table of the principal operations, and the times of their perform- ance, on a number of beds and pits heated by dung alone, which furnished a regular supply of Melons of fine flavour from May to November. The time of setting was when the fruit began to swell freely. July 26, 1864. ] JOTJUNAIi OP HOETICtrLTITEE AOT) COTTA&E GAUDENEE. 63 No. 1, — Three-light Frame. Sort. Early Cantaloupe .. Sown, February 5th. Bed made March 3rd. Bed soiled, March 14th. Planted. Earthed. March 18th. April 17th. June 23rd. Fruit set. May 1st. July 18th. Sipe. June 16th. September 8th, JVo. cut. 21 18 Ko.ofPlants. 9 No. 2.— Two-light Frame. Orion . Febmary 5th March 3rd. March 14ih No. March 2l6t. April 16th. July 8th. 3. — Three-light Frame. May 13th. July 20th, June 28th. Sept. 18th. 14 15 6 • , Beechwood . * .1 . March 7th. April 1st. AprU 12th. April 16th. May 10th. August 1st. June Isti August 12th, July 26th. Sept 30th. 25 11 9 No. 4. — Two-light Frame. Scarlet Gem .. March 19th. April 3rd. April 15th. No April 19th. May 10th. August 6th. 5. — Two-light Frame. June nth. August 15th, July 28th. October 6th. 18 11 6 • Cocoa Nut April 17tb. April 17th. April 29th. AprU 26th. May 5th. No May 8th. May 8th. MaylSth. 6. — Two-light Frame. May 12th. May 28th. July Ist. July 18th. August 23rd. Sept. 17th, 8 7 4 Golden Perfection .. 4 Incomparable (Bon April 19th. AprU 29th. No. Mav 6th. 7. — Three-light Frame. Mav 9th. Mav 13th. July 14th, Sept. 11th. 29 9i No. 8. — Three-light Pit without means of lining. Egyptian May Ist. May 12th. May 28th. June ath. June 20th. Jnlv 28th. Sept. 21st. 20 9 No. 9. — Three-light Pit, -with means of lining. Stoke Farm .. May I2th. June 3rd. June 20th, June 23rd. July 1st. No. 10.— Three-Ught Pit with flue in August 6th. front. October 4th. 27 9 Cabnl May 12th. June 5th. June 20th, June 27th. July 14th. August 16th. October 12th. Total 16 9 ... 241 74 The above table refers to a place where the supply of fresh litter was equal to a cartload of dung per day, and the de- mands of the family great. For a moderate family three frames or pits are sufficient to afford a fair amount of fruit from June, or the beginning of July, until the middle of October. The following table gives the dates of the principal ope- rations in three such pits, with the heat at 1 foot below the svu-face, also the day anji night temperature at various First crop, also furnishing a second crop. — Sorts : Orion, Scarlet Gem, and Early Cantaloupe. Sown, Bed Made, Bed Soiled. Bed Planted. Mar. 21. 88° 84° 73= Bed Earthed Fruit Set. Fruit Ripe. Date Feb. 6, 85° 85° 70° Mar. 5. Mar. 15. 91° April 24. 86" 81° 70° May 14 84° 86° 65° JulylO BoU 81° Day temp.... Night temp. 65» ,67P Second bed or succession. — Sorts : Bromham Hall, Beech- wood, Bousie's Incomparable. Date Soil heat ... Day temp.... Night temp. Last crop. — Sorts : Egyptian, Stoke Farm, Excelsior. Mar. 3. Mar. 27. April 14 April 21 May 17. June 20. Au. ; 87° ... 88° 84° 82° 85° 83' 85°. 87° 85° 82° '86° 68" 71° 67° 64° 71° Date Soil heat ... Day temp.... Night temp. April 6. 1 April 28 84° I ... 87° I ... 70° April 30 97° May 10. 86° 74° June 7. 84° 85° 67° July 18. 81° 85° 65° Sep. 15. 76° 85° 63° Supply. — A range of pits of nine lights, divided into three compartments, each 11 feet by 6 feet, or separate frames, will furnish on an average fifty fruits of good size and flavour, some years more, others less. Two fruits are sufficient for a strong, healthy plant to bring to maturity ; more are had at the expense of size and flavour. Where, however, two plants only are placed under one light, three fruits may be taken from one plant, and where a quantity of Melons are desired, size being no object, more may, of course, be left on a plant. In 1861, I cut thirty-seven fruit from nine plants in a three-light pit in July, and in September seventeen more, making a total of fifty-four, the fr-uit weighing col- * After the fruit -was cut the old Vines were pruned in to near the root as the young shoots springing from the stem, or near it, determined. These Bhoots were encouraged when the fruit approached ripening, or became netted. A portion of the old soil was removed, and its place supplied -with fresh. Water -was supplied copiously, and a fresh lining of hot dung applied. By these means a healthy action of the roots was encouraged, and the result was a crop of fruit little, if at all. inferior to the first. lectively 41 lbs. ; whUst from nine plants in an adjoining pit of like dimensions, seventeen fruits were cut, which weighed 33 lbs., or, on the average, double the weight of those produced by plants carrying a greater number of fruit. Where the supply of fermenting material is only sufficient to make up a bed, it is useless to attempt to obtain a crop of Melons early, unless hot dung be in readiness to renew the heat by linings ; then a crop may be relied on. With only sufficient dung to form a bed, it is best to defer making it up until the middle of May, so as to have it in proper order for the reception of the plants, which may be pro- cured of some gentleman's gardener; or a few pots of the desired kinds might be accommodated in a neighboiu-'s frame to forward, and have them ready to plant in the bed when it is ready to receive them ; if not, a small frame must be placed on a hotbed, that the plants may be forwarded in it. If a Cueumber-fi-ame at work be at command, no difficulty will be experienced in raising plants. A bed made up early in May, 3 feet or more in height, and a foot wider than the frame, will retain a moderate heat for about six weeks, by which time the heat of summer will be almost sufficient to carry on the plants without artificial heat ; but if wet, duU weather set in, particularly at the time when the flowers axe on the point of setting, the short grass coming from lawns after mowing, placed round the frame on the dung, will revive the heat, and materially aid the process of fecundation. In dull, cold seasons, it is next to impossible to get Melons to set their fruit where there is not material at hand for lining the bed; but in the majority of seasons fruit of moderate size and flavour may be had by aiding the plants at the beginning with a little warmth, and then husbanding the sun heat. Fermenting Materials foe Hoteed. — W here the in- clination exists to have anything, means are eas ily provided, not that everything will do for supplying heat to Melons, but the most simple and common materials of a fermenting character may advantageously be employed. Tree leaves may be collected in the autumn when dry, and kept in "any out-of-the-way place, piled up or closely packed together so as to represent a stack, with a ridge roof thatched with coarse grass, reeds, or straw, which will throw off much of the wet, and keep the leaves nearly in the same condition as when stacked, until spring. Then by employing a little fresh litter to render the sides of the bed firmer, moistening the leaves with water, a good bed 5 feet high in April, 4 feet in May, may be formed, and it will be less violent in heating than stable-dung, but more lasting. With a supply of leaves, and the mowings of lawns, the heat may be maintained by 'Gi J0T7ENAL OP HOETICaiiTTJEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. [ July 26, 1864. lining the bed as the declining temperature indicates that a. renewal is necessary. Oak and Beech leaves are the best for this purpose. There are, besides, many vegetable substances, such as mettles, thistles, and other refuse growing by hedges, which tvith the remains of the flower garden, as HoUyhock stalks. Pea haulm, and a host of other things, cut into sir-inch IfflQgths, dried in the autumn, and kept over winter in any