ryrs ' .V, ■^ ^O/ M 3iE %Bmf\hh ^>2'^ -^r^ A s.*/-\ ©lasft i*^i '^ -^v ^^ AO^^-'^'' f ^ /^ '\ A '*, / '^^A, i^-^ k ■■^•■■^rsr ;^--r^% \- mm KJ C?/^ ^PewyorkbotmcalgardJI ir-^^'^ ^' ^.^^^9^'C r Ar f/i:^'.^" 'h^^ m \rsf\f^^r^'^ ..^ ^--,*=V -A^^:^■'• -. /k 1 -O .'^^ _-*. (A ■'^- .-^ '^ cMp^;. .^: '/. ^^p-:^- .^^€^: W;.s^V^ <^. ■m^ //a '/S!&~,#:i^ 'Sj^C®' 'n^?^A^'' .^^" 'jf^.^.^. Vi^;'N^ ^^>^M^/^^^ ^^^r. ly^ ;=^'_ THE JOUENAL OF HOETICULTUEE COTTAGE GAEDENER, Aina A MAGAZINE OF GARDENING, RURAL AND DOiVIESTtC ECONOMY, BOTANY. AND NATURAL HISTORY. CONDUCTED BY GEORGE W. JOHNSON, E.R.H.S., and ROBERT HOGG, LL.D. THE FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDENS, by Mr. J. Robson, Gardener to Viscount Hohnosdale, M. P.. Linton Park; and Mr. T. Weaver, Gardener to the Warden of Winchester College. THE FLOWER GARDEN, by Mr. G. Abbey, Stansty Hall ; and Mr, J. Wills, Gardener at Himtroydo Park, Burnley. STOVE. GREKNHODSE, and WINDOW GARDEN, by Mr. R. Fish, Gardener, Putteridge Bury, near Luton. FLORISTS' FLOWERS AND FLORICULTURE, by the Rev. H. H. I>ombrain, GAJIDENING CALENDAR, by Mr. William Keane. POULTRY-KEEPING, by Mr. J. Boily, Rev. W. W. Wingfield, E. Hewitt, Esq., and other well-known contributors. BEE-KEEPING, bv H. Taylor, Esq.; T. W. Woodbury, Esq. " B. & W. 1 " and Mr. S. Bevan Fox. HOUSEHOLD AIITS, by the Authoress of "My Flowers," and others. LIBRARY NEW YORK BOTANICAL QARDEN. "VOLTJMB XII., NEW SERIES. VOL. SXXVII., OLD SERIES. LONDON: PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETORS, 171, FLEET STREET. 1867. LONDON : PRINTED AT THE JOTJENAL OF HOETICULTCRE OFFICE, 171, FLEET STREET. TO OUR READERS. There are periods when "we would not if we could be gay," and this is one of them. We huve had to assort the letters accumulated during many years ; and as they were perused and placed aside, the picture seemed realised of the old soldier returned to his boyhood's home, and, as be etood within its open door, the admitted breeze " Caught the old dangling almanaclis behind, And up they flew like banners in the wind ; Then gently, singly — down — do\Tn — down they went. And told of twentj' years ii-revocably spent." Each almanack in that series recalled events — some craped, some golden — and so was it with our letters of years gone by. Many from friends now busied with life's sterner employ- ments; others from those who have adopted "a home across the waters;" and not a few from Beaton, and Errington, and Chitty, and Payne, and others whose life's work is finished. Now, though we would not be gay, yet we have yielded to this train of thought, because we can add a record of those characteristics of life — merciful compensations. Many pens that enriched our earliest numbers still add value to those now current. Many pens that once were active for us in " the old country " still afford us aid — novel aid — from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and even the Isles of the Pacific ; and still more numerous year by year are the fresh pens ably employed to add value to our columns. When we laid down the last of the accumulated letters of bygone years we observed, " What kindly feeling pervades them all!" That sentence is now endorsed on each bundle; and when at the end of future years we have to assort a fresh accumulation of letters, we have no fear that the same sentence will not be appropriate, for all continue to be like spirited to those from which we give these two extracts : — b' " Canada West. — Your kind and genial letter gladdened the heart of myself and wife more than anylliing in tlie epistolary line ever received by us. Its thoroughly English tone and fraternal good wishes were particularly enjoyable, and, withal, very seasonable ; for on the day of its receipt I was rather downhearted after discovering the fearful liavoc made by those pests, field mice, among oui- young trees. We should be indeed dull without the weekly gleams of sunshine brought by "' our Journal ;" but the additional warmth produced by your note will long be maintained. " I trust that before long we may have the pleasure of shaking hands personally, although now we can do so across the water. The idea, too, that my little scrawl will please " AVilthhire Rector " will, in our eyes, give increased value to his ever-welcome contributions. On the day of the arrival of your letter another inspiriting event occurred in our establishment. Some days previously, while in the bush, as it is here termed, I discovered under the snow a small Hepatica, which I chopped out of its frozen suiToundiugs and brought into the house, and after thawing it out, potted it. On the day above named it opened the iirst blossom, and I can assure you it is as liiglily prized as the first Orchid in a great establishment.' The other extract, from a letter signed "A Poor Working Man," is as follows : — " The kindest thanks of myself and all my fellow worldng men are due to all those who have kindly interested themselves in promoting, by then- wi'itings in your Journal, the instruction and comfort of the working man. All honour to the noble band. May they live to write, and see tlie fruits of their labours in the improved condition, both moral and social, of the poor and often neglected sons and daughters of toil." Every reader will join with us in chorusing that gratifying, cheering wish. We retain the aid of that "noble band;" therefore we renew our advance cheerily. Yet there must occur some oversights, so for our future volumes we will employ the words of the old herbalist Gerarde — "Accept them, loving countreymen, as tokens of our good will; and we trust that the best and well-minded wil not rashly condemne us, although some things have passed worthy reprehension." INDEX. AOiCIA9,TARNE9IA,NA,53; PLATVPTEEi after b.ooflung, 10^ ; soil for, 109 Accrinjitun I'uultrv yhow, 270 AchimencB-and Tydsa, 63: cuUnre, 110; gru^nDg speciinen. 1S4 ; list of, SiS; liquid iiianuro (or, 453 Aorophyllmn veiiosum culture, 4o2 Ai^avo sohidiu'era, HtiO Asncullunii ( Koyal). Sooiety's Poultry Show, 1 .2, S.'y : Slmw at Bury, 319 Allamiintht Mtartiuj,', 54 Aloyaia citriodora cuttings, 381 Alston Poultry Show, S7 Alum-crys lull i Bed flowers, 429 AljS8uni, Sweet, for edging, 152 Aniarnnihub melanchoficua ruber cul- ture. 414 Amayllia Adonif, W ; pardina, 410 Aiaateiira and pentlemen'd gardeners at exhibitions, 127 Anemones', lakintr up, SS2 Angelica culture, IGa AuKTiBcuin ci ralum. 163 Aonuals-for bedding, 152; for orna- ment and bouquets, 102; orniiratn- tal-folias,'cd, 134; for pots, IGcJ ; for lato blooinini,', ilH ; cultui'e of early, 451 An hurium Scherzerianum culture, 168 Ants— drivinff away, 199, 815; exter- minatms, SS3,4S:;; exptilling, 397 AphiUoB, destroying iu tlio opuu air, S33 Apples— for XorlTi of Ireland, 109: branch-w sawn off, 111 ; pruniup py- ramidal ireefl, 251 ; crop ot 1867, 372 Apricot — u- Peach treatment, 74; pro- fusely s.jt, 276 April, liii-dy plants flowering, 407 Aquilegia pyrenaiea, 28 Aiabia-v.irie-iata, propagating, 398 ; lucida Taviepatu for edging, 432 Artt-misia jninu;:, S4S Aria and Sciences. Hall of, 313 Ash, grafting a \V(CT»ing, 199 Aspara .us -ueds.eii.t up, 218 : making, £52.3.11; planung. i;'i2 ; cullurt-, 2S2, 314 ; blighi. 317; couch prasB in beds. S18; a bundle ot, 390; fasciated, Aspect of greenhouse. 233 Asphalt -w altis, 2ti(> Aflpbaliin^t i'. gravelling, 104 Asphudelus culttirt*, 74 Asier, Cape, cut nr«, SIJ4 Ancuba — berries ptjisonous ? 45 ; atandish's hi.-rmaphrodile,71; pol- len of, 23:;: flowers, f^rlilising, 30 ) ; cuttings, 816 ; raisin;; from seed, 381 Auricula secdlngs, pricking out, 3:^2 Aviary— rtmovjng paint from, IIG; birds for. llii; bir(!& in, 273 Ayr Poult i» y how, 335 Azaleas- foiciug. imd culture, 18 ; Her Llajcstv, 2S; soil for, &1 ; manage- ment. 74 ; leav.-M f:Lliiug, 109 ; list of, 119 : potting, 167 : not lloweriuij, 218, :i33 ; prupagatiiig, 2u7 ; cuiUnga, Bacon, "Wiltshiek mode op cucino, 20 Budminton ronltry Show, 4:14 Balm, propagatui:^ Guldtjn, 453 Bals.ims for.luh, 94 Bant, ms— with Cochin-Chinat;, 20; duiibing Game, fH), 420: Sebright, 211-1; i-c-.ted. 318; storv of tho Black, SU'-. chictr-ijs, food 'nr, 438 Barii-bed, funjrxi<* in, 413 Bitrli'.stou 1 u.i, 9 Barltria GibbOni, 1G3 Buaket plan',>-, lia/dy, 300 Bath and West i.f En;;lRnd Poultry bh.)w, 117 : dotting-* at, 431 Beans, protecting. '.23 Bedding plMniM-ntiw vai-iegated, 153; from Beed, 103; exhibiting collec- tions of, 2iS : fo- a iinrth :d, hives, artificial swarms, 204; brecdinp iu supers, younp, successful driving, gh>veH, employing empty combs, Wood- bury's unicoirb hive, 220 ; foul brood, queeuleafi, unfertile queens, 339; distiince of drones' influence, breeding in supers, 240; ndvantnpea of iramo hives, hy'nidisati'm, 255; hives, situation of, entrance to Nutt's collateral, 25G: Bagster's melting honeycombs. 270 ; propa- gating Ligurians, 271; preventing ewarming, flowers for, arliliciul swarms, production of qupcns, ven- tilating, 272; plurality of queens In a hive. 287 : how to empty honey- comb^i, non-refiatinp. propapating Biguriau, Payne's hives, 23S; in Russia, 303, 401 : frame hives, ft-ed- iug. range of flight. SiH ; Ligurians in Ireland, drone-Hi-ood, S19; honey candying in combs. 3:20; jiiistnUiug their hives. 335; mend or nu-thep- lin, preventing loss of swarms ; Li- gTiriins in Irtland, obtaininp arti- ficial swarms. 33o; hvbridisation, 351; obtaining artificial awarnis, prcventinp si cnnd swanns, 352; non-resisting, 367; "Why did ye die?'' comb-emptying macliine. not working in a sup.^r. dctroying drones and drone-brood, 363 ; Li- purian disappoiutmente, mead, mt- theglin. and hydromcl, 383: dress- ing hives and feeding BWiirms, 391; 11 city of. queen layinp eggs in one cell, artificial swarms. 402: LitiU- rian dis'.ppfiintmema. 413; in Egypt. 419, -iSo: iirtificial swarms. 420: bar-frame hivf>B. 435; at the Manchester Eshibilinn. iS'' ; pro- moting swai-ming, confining. 455; trapping drones, united swarms. Bwarms. foul brood, destruction of drones, honey harvest, 45fi Bei^'onia Pt-arcei cnltrre, fcl Berkeley. Bev. M, -l , nM BerJcs and Hants Poultry Phow, 899 Bipnonia— arpyrco-viola'sccns, SI; ra- dicans. propapatinp, 260 Billhergia sph;icel.'t;f. 410 Bindweed, destroying, 373 Pivd dorlfM-<^. *"> Bii-mingham Eoae Uhovr, 351; Albion P.peuii ituu ......uiL .->ln)W, 413; Poul'i-v Show, this v.-^ar'^, 43a Bleti.f Sherrattianfl.410 Bos soil, trees fur, 110 Boilera— tubular, 13; piping ono will heat, 5t; improved saddle-back. 89; for heating three houses, 93; ma- na.,'ement of, 133 ; heated by kitchen firo. 151; h.-ated by gas, 199; and their bursting, 232 Bones, dissolving, 109 Border, plants for shaded, 109 Botanic (Royal) Society's Showo. 22f;, 277, 3r.8,375, 392, 425 ; tiorists' flowers ut. 413 B'lttom heat. 165 Bougainvillroa glabra, COO P.owioa volubilis, 23 Bowling-green making. 217 BoK— cuttiug,217 ; edgings, trimming, 281 ; cutting. 307 Brahma Pootra^ ISG, 319, 382, 434: characteristics, 40; at the BriRlol Show. 76, 96, 112, 136; and Grey Dorkings. 140; breeding Bark. 170. 185. 200, 2o7, 302. 317; food thev consume, 187; vulture-hocked, 188, 2i4; usurpation, 199. 219 ; coraba and hooks, 218, 219; not hatchinp, 220 ; crosses in dark, 236. 238 ; couph- ing. feathers, 240 ; colour of dark, 2J3 ; size and symmetry of, r. Ham- burghs. 254; comb of, 269; pea comb, 2S5 ; chickens losing feathers. 320 Breasts, crooked, 20 Br^nt, Mr. B. P.. 71 Brighton Poultry Show. ir4 Bristol and Clifton Poultry Show, 35 56,78 Broccoli for sprinp, 293 Bulbs after flowering. 414 BuHoek's liver for fowls, 210 Cabbage ~ CUT.TURE, 149; new, l.'"i3; manuring, 163 : sowing, 1»2 ; rarly, 2S3; Veitch's Improved Matchless, 431 Caladiums— rootstocks decaying, 131; culture, 150, 152 ; growing specimen, 1S4 ; liquid manure for, 453 Calceolaria cuttings, 185 Ciilifomian items, 69 Camassia esculenta culture, 394 Camb'^rwell, beware of, 366 Camellias — stocks for, leaves yel- low. 32 : buds falling, praftrng, 54; soil for, 54, 67. 381 : propagating, manapement, 74; stocks for, 93; culture. 118, 225, 2-14. 276, 293. 361 ; list of. 119 ; prrafting, 151 ; green turf for, ly4, 210; Mrs. Dombrain, 211; in conservatory-bed, 216 : not flower- ing, tubs for. 218 ; for market, prun- ing roots, 234; select, 2.'j2; remov- ing, 266; soil and treatment, 292: unhealthy,316.414; leaves rusted, 348 Campvlobotrys refulsrens cnltiire, 2^i2 Canada— friends in, Ifii ; notes in, 229 ; jottini^s from. 293 : West.. 414 Canaries- pairing, 1-10, 368; ^\iih in- flamed skin, 15'j; among U :o.;odfn- drons, £20; for an aviary, 2ijfi : asthma in. 272 ; eating eg .'h. 2>h ; footless, 352; eggs shell-hRs, 3.^1: prizes for, 401 ; feathers diseased, 438 Cannas. plantinp, 318 Carnations —select, 94; and Pinks, supports for. 431 Carrots for fodder. 93 Cftsi'uiroa fdulis, 81 CdBsia corymboaa culture, SIC Catalopnes, 4 r.-^tarrh in fowls. 116 r>'t. chicken-entinp, 402 a tleva Dowiana.l Wars caw iczii ■Sing. 156; distini;uishing age of, ITi; II. Brahma Pootras, 254; varieties, 256 ; merits of. 454 Hardiness of shrubs, 284 Hamoi^B-room stove, 60 Hatcbing, artificial, 367 Hays's Constant Stove, 184. 253 Haythovn, Mr. John, death of, 195 Heat— danger from accujnulated, 81 ; accumulated 108, 223; radiating from pipes, to prevent, 152 Heaths, cutting down, 333 Heating-modes of. 41: failure in, 53 : small plant-houses. 184,439: by hot ■water, regulating, 167 ; pipes parti- ally hot, 163 Hec!anondwike Poultry Show, 13 Hedge, evergreen, 74 Helianthemum ocvmoides, 28 Heliotrope unhealthy. 234 Hens-abduiaen swollen, 80; propor- tion of cocks to, 140 : feathered, 18S; eating eggs. 272. 304, 368: induc- ing brooniness, 366; not laying, SS4 ; witn inflamed vent, 420 Herbitry maua-^iement, 298 Hoe, a scuflSe. 360 Hoeincr, its influence. 354 Hollies — crafting and budding, 3.?, 109 ; transplanting, sowing, 283; watering ns^wly-plnnted, 316 Hooper's Nursery, 433 Hop— drving, 41 ; for Strawberry-beds, 315 Hornbeam. rropfifraMng, 74 Horticultural Exhibitions, conflicting, 82 Horticultural (Royal) Soeiety, Annual General Mi'eting, and Report of Council, and Chiswick Board. 90, 103, 120; becoming a Fellow. 332; Botanical Lectures, 181, 215, 26^, 278, 2'J4. 309; Bury Show Special Prizes, 47. 90,195; Committees and General Meetings, 66. 145. 177. 209, 245, 279. 825,357, 373.390, 424: CapC. Coekerell's resignation. 130 ; and Commissioners of International Horticultural Exhibition, 145 ; First Spring Show, 20-^.222; Mr. W. Paul's Show of Spring Fliwers and Lec- tures. 22t, 216 ; Second Spring Show, 278; Special Prize Show. 325; Floral Fete. 344, 357 ; Tricolor Pelargonium Show. 857, 373; June Show. 377, 389, en-ors in prize list of. 410, at- tendance at, 411; WeeklyShowH. 4, 325, 314, 357. 373, 391, 424, 443; trar- deners' esaminarions. 3i3, prizes awarrfed. 411; Journal, 69; Vice- lYesidents. 181 Horticultural Shows in July, 4.'^0 Hospital for hoart diseases. 413 Hotbeds— heatinc, 54: mtiking. 198; for cuttings and seeds, 205; for raising seedlintrs, 2i3: making a slight. 299: temporary, 3S2 Hot water— heating by, 54: pipes for bottom heat, covering, 364 Houdan fowls, 301. 331 ; confined, 80; characteristics. 204 House-of-all-work. heating, &c., 259 Humeas- dying, 316; elegans culture, 403 Hyacinths — Tho Roman, 67; in a room, 13; Early Roman, 84; dime blooming, 151, 167 ; effect ol tlteir perfume. ; in Inner Temple Gar- dens. 219 Hydrangea paniculata, var. grsmdi- flora, 3C0 Hygrometers, 7 Ice— EKEPiNO. 7, 106 ; PTiEREnvrxo, SO : ceUars, 47: stack. 53 : collecting and Btorin-r. 64 ; amusements on. 91 '■ Icounm Bofinicarum Index," 51 Inipatiens laHfo'.ia, 163 Incubators. 1''., 187; management, 38. 416; V. ntilating. 98; and tempera- tures. 188: a new, 171, 219; batch- ing bv, 238, 269, 456 ; xiviU, b67 ; regu- lator, 4 2. 438 Indian Com growing, 199 Inspcte. lianishing, 218 *■ Instantaneoue Reference for Poul- try, PiL'Gons. and Ratibits," 139 International Horticultural Exhibi- tion of 1866,391 Ireland (South), Poultry Show, 116, Ircsine Herbatii. 258; in N»rlh Ame- rica, 159; aureo-reticulata, 252; pro- pagating, 817 Ins- KiTmpferi. 216, 234 ; a small, 381 Iron, oxide of, in water, 8,s0 Inmene amancfPS culture. 364 Isolated plants in flower gardens, 889 Ivy— for feraery, 151 ; pruning, 168 ; variegated, 421 Ixias under hand-lights. 51 Ixora coccinea leaves browned, 234 Javuap.t. nAUDY Fi.owEns in, 85, 17? Jasmines shedding their flowers. 349 Jedburgh Poultry Show, 113 Juniperus rccurva, 112 KenBAL POIJLTBT SHOW, 77 Kidd, W., 51 Kirkcaldy Poultry Show. 57 Ivitchen— range, hot air from, 5; fire, hot air Irom, 74; boHer, heating from, 217 Kumquat, 147 Labels for kruit tkees, 4 Ladder, the .American, 248 Lalia— albida var.roaea, 2G3 ; majalis, 425 La Fleche fowls, 834 Langholm Poultry Show, 37 Lapageria rosea— seeds sowing, 152: propagation, 300 Lapwmg8,2S9. 240 Latania seed sowing, 74 liHunceston Poultry Show, 400 Laurels- leaves for fumigating, 31 ; on a bank, 233 Lawn — worms in. 252; r'"novating, 2^3; covered with lichen. 284; im- proving, 316 ; destroying fuugus on, 432 Laying, promoting, 80 Leaf mould making, 414 Leaves- bleached, mauagemcnt, 83 : skeletonising, 51 ; collecting, 132 Le Brest fowls. 456 Leeds Poultry Show, 34 Leg weakness- in fowls, 20 ; in chick- ens, 334 Leigh Park, 404 Liability for loss, 210 Lilac-tide. 372 Lilacs— forcing, 151; leggy. 163 Lilium— lancifolium culture. 103; an- ratum. aud tenuifolium suwir.g, 134 ; hiematochroum, 163; auraium cul- ture, 185, 257; management of off- Fets. 252; seedlinss. 343 ; bulbs, 310 Lily of the Va'ley, forcins. 234 : alter flowering, 316; bulbs from Japan, 848 Lime- with animal manure, 32; and salt, applying, 167; for fowls, 220; cement, 253: ru'ibish, grasd on,2C7: water, making. 846 Lindky Libmry, S91 Linum flavum, 234 Liquid manure in a stove, 151 LobeiiaP. tall. 343 Long Finn again, 171 Lonji Sutton Poultry Show, 413 Loquat. 199 Lui.'U HoriionlturalSh«w,12C Lycaste Skinneri calture, 94 Madagascar, i^oumes pitoM, 291 Magnolia Lennei, 410 Maiden-hair fronds decaying, 1C8 Maize. Japanese, 364 Malt comus tor Strawberry-beds, 315 Manchester Poultry Show, 16; Na- tional Horticultural Exhibition, 375. 406 Mantrold Wurtzel for poultry, 153 Mantraps illegal, 109 Manettia micans, 81 Maranta illustris, 410; roseo-picta. 361 Masters, Dr.. lectures by, 181, 245, 262. 278, 294, 399 Mathiola bicomis, 28 May, flower« blooming in, 334 Mead or motheglin, SSti; v. honey beer. 437 Mealybug. 317 Melons— for Julr, 94; p'* constmet- in'-'. 169 ; for exhibition, 199 ; to ripen in August, 234; plants killed, 251; pit healing, ii&\; in a cold frame, 413 ; dving off. diseased. 414 Melrose Poultry Show, 233 Men for iin acre, 13 M..sospinidium sanguineum. 1G3 Meteorology of 1866 at Linlon, I'ifl " Meteorologj', Handy Rook of." Cll Mignonet'.e, tree, alter flowering. 364 Millet as poultry food. 381 Mimulus cupreus. sowing in heat, lij4; maculu^UB oultitro, 331 vu HisHetoe, 267; seed, sowingt 93, 151, 16tt Moles, 316 Mo33 un lawn, 234 Mulberry tree— wiser than the Peach. 109 ; uQf rai'.fal, 199 : pTOpagaCioD, 266: bearing early, 28J Monster Poultry Show, IS MuBhrooms— culture, 12,2^: forcing. 132; encouraging in a field, 184; beds, wuodlice in, 125; spawOj in- aertim: in fields, 316 MyoRotiri olpcBtrin, 163 MyrtUB Cheken, 360 Nastwich Poultry Sh*w, 236, 154 Nectarine trees— treatment of, 277; unfruitful, 347 : blossoms foiling, 881 Netting— for seed-beds, 32; for Peach trees, 151 ; fur protection, tanning, 1&4 ; a yard of, 234 ; for doors, &c., 334; cost of, 234; for a Jruit garden, S16 Kewcaetle-t'n-Tyne Columbarian So- ciety, 57 : Uird Show, 114 Newchurch Poultry Show, 335 New Zealand, inseetivoroua birds for, 167 Nitrate of soda for a lawn, 32, 54 ; as a manure, 383 Northern Poultry Club Show, 153 Oak — EVERQHEEN. INJimED BT PEOST, 300 ; and Ash. leafing of, S3S, 442 Oats, ground, 220 OdontoRlossum grande culture, 500 Okeford Fitzpaine, 2S ; Roses and fruits at, 356 Oleanders not flowering, 267 Oncidium tocrratum. 211 Onions, sowing, 182 ; culture, 264 Orange-house in Januarv, 119 Orchards, old, in Kent, 69 Orchard-houses, as a protective, 210; future, 241; management, 197,265. 310, 314, 3y3; Peaches in, 310; blos- soms in, falling, S33 ; the fors and againsts, 342 : pros and cons, 405 Orchids, Mr. Bateman'a notes on, 347 Osier planting, 32 Osmunda regalis culture, 316 PAISLEV ORNTrHOLOGICAL SHOW, 34 Pampas Grass, culture, 1; frosted, ir>2; drying, 364; injured bj &ost, 414 Pancratium culture, 364 Pasaifiora laurifoUa self- fertilising, 64 Pausies— Thomas Downie, Miss J. Kay, Imperial Blue, and Hugh Adair, 28; sowing in heat, 134; dying sud- denly. 279 Paris Universal Exhibition, 327, 537, 3SS; horticultural jurors, 249; hor- ticulcultural awards, 300 ; Garden, 370 Parrot eating leathers, 288 Parsley culture, 233 Parsnip seed eaten, 349 Pass ifl or as— lanri folia self-fertilising, 64 : for a greenhouse, 348 Passion-Flower for open air, 216 Paulo%vnia imperialis, suwiiig seed, Paul's (W.), show of spring flowers, and lecture on, 224, 216 Peach trees- covering, 13; wood of red spider on. 32; newly planted, 54; scale on, 54; not hurt by the frost. 94; failing in peachery, 106; (Tummor-rmniDg, training in a bouse, 109 ; wash for, Un ; buds. 192 ; treatment of. 277 ; glands in leaves, 2M ; fruit fallin-;, 317 ; nearly killed, 364 ; leaves blistered, 364 ; blos- soms falling, 381 ; and Nectarines in orchard-house, thinning fruit, 414 : leaves diseased, 432 Peacock's feathers skinned over, 320 Pears— planting. 4; protecting blos- som, 13; culture, 27, 50. 70, 44R ; pjantinET, 47 : and perplexity, 85 ; Huyshe's Victoria, Prince of Wales, Princess of Wales, and Prince Con- sort. 88, S61 ; on Quince and Pear stocks, 173, 190 : Beurro Clairgean, 511; eighteen guineas per dozen, 235 : pruning pyramidal, 251 ; cul- ture, fan training, 295 ; blossomless, itl6: leaves diseased, 333 ; unproduc- tive in pots, pyramids unproduc- tive, ?*0 : summer pruning, 447 Peas— earlv, 4, C7. 103. 159. 192, 193, 197, 225. 249, 2C0, S95, 419; seed needed, estimate of varieties, 28; sowing and protecting, 149; protectors for, 199; Marrow for autumn, 199; tender- ness of forced, 215; Gardener's De- light, 223; protectin?, 226; planting out, 350; cnlture of. 258,342; roots eaten by millipede, S32; early, tested ftt Chiswick, 39S ; the Dew. 449 ; fail- mg.4£<2 Peat chareoal, 184 ; snaking, 216 Pelargoniums— Meteor, 28 ; grafting, 32; cuttings, waterintf, 74; Tire- buck's, 126; cultinc down Zonal, 134; Custlemilk. 151 ; for exhibiiiun, 169; treatment of old beddint; and Mrs. Pollock, 184; sports, cutlinps, 1H5; of the past season, 191; Miss Martin, 211; for bedding, 216; sift- )Dg soil for, 218; pinching, 234; old plants of Tom Thumb, 234; Trico- lored, 213, 357, 373; Milton and Negress, 263; culture of Tricolored. 273; origin of, 275. 291; estimate of bedding, 2«9; at Koval Horticultural Society, 297; bedding, 301; culturo and turf soil for Tricolored, 308; "Treatise on hybridisation and cul- tivation," 312. 326; leaves blackened, 816; origin of Tricolored, 323 ; exhi- bition at South Kensington, 330; leaves spotted, 349; sporiing, Mrs. Grieve, 380 ; origin of variegated, 387; definition of Zonal and Nose- gay, for exhibition, 414 ; what are variegated ? 441 ; at Bury St. Ed- munds Show, 445 Pentstemon seed sowing, 343 Peperomia arifolia i-. argyreia, 211 Perches for fowls, 172 Perennials, merits and culture of hardy, 353 Perth Poultry Show, 97 Pests of the garden, 451 Pets, ladies', 40 Pheasants— confined, 80 ; in an aviary, 220: silting and feeding, 402 Philadelphus mexicanus not flower- ing, 217 Philesiahuxilolia culture, 452 Philoperisteron Society's Show, 78 Phloxes, list of, 3&1 Photinia serrulata propagating, 283 Picotees, select, 91 Pigeons, 384 ; Barbs at York, 20 ; flight feathers of Owl, 80; dung as ma- nure, 151 : preparing Runts for ex- hibition. Pouter cock ill. 116; en- trance for Fantails, 156 ; Turbits, 204; notes on fancy, 235; Society, 267 ; for a lady, pole-houses for, 25fi ; Runts, 30i ; laying soft eggs, 40S *' Pigeons, their structure, &c.," 270 '* Pigeons, Breeding of Trumpeter," 154 Pimeleas—flfter flowering, 316; decus* sata culture, 54 Pin in a fowl's breast, 219 Pine Apples— black inside, 93; select, 109; in small pots, 173 Pine-pit heating, 185 Pink, parentage of Clarke's Lord Lyon, 445 Pipes, circulation of water in quad- rangular, 301 ; hot -water, quantitv needed. 198 Pits, shaded, 109; converting to a house, 33 Plantain, eradicating, 16S Plant case, 218 Plants— drj-ing, 82; recently intro- duced, bl Pleroma sarmentosa, 211 Plough, snow, 216 Plum tree blijihted, 349 Plungingmaterial, 93 Poa trivialis argentea elegans, 548 Poinscttia culture, 266 Portulaca culture, 284 Potatoes, 6, 144 ; and their culture, 21 ; notes on some. 43; early, 67; frince of Wales, 85; alkaline ma- nures for, 93,111.393; sprouting for planting, 94; gOoSip about, 99, 127: best first eariy, 134 ; Birmingham Prize, 147; estimate of, 159: plant- ing, 167, 1S3, 2;^4 ; for the far north, 174; Grammars, 184; cause of dis- ease. 194 ; York Regent, 223 ; grow- ing on ridge- an d-forrow system, 233; earthing up, 394; diseased, 412; ex- periments with various, 410 Pots, cleaning, 214 Poultry— past and future, 14 ; judging, 15, 94; show netflects, 16 : keeping profitably, varieties together, wings cut, 20; proportioning sexes, 40; cottager's, in confined space, 55 ; in confined space, Go, 80; cross-breed- ing, 60 ; yard inclosure, height for, 80; handling at sales, 80: Com- mittees, want of courtesy 95 ; pro- tracted detention of, 95 ; mutilating at shows, 95, 135 : exhibiting bor- rowed, 95; washing, 98; keeping, results. 111; effects of season on, 111; "Instantaneous Reference for Poultry, Pigeons, and Rabbits,'' 189; mortahty amonc. food, market, 140 ; consumption of, 152; cross-breed- ing, 153; for damp yard, 156; sick, 156; flooring fr>r, 156; produce, 201; shows, summer, 201: doings, 255; keeping, year's result, 268: runs, 272; breeding hints, o51 : houses, por- table, 350,382, 416 ; shows and their management, 350 : keeping, exten- sive, 415 ; run. grrasH for, 420 Poultry Club, 15, 34, 30-2: late Treasu- rer of, 55 ; Secretary, 76 " f oaltr7-keep«r, The Frsotieol,'* 100 Primrose, bine, 25«, 29S Primulas — seed, sowing, IS; seedlings, &4; corlusoides amfsna, 81; dis- eased, 169; blue, 258, 293; Chinese, after flowering, ssl, blooming a Sfcond year, 439 Privet berries poisonous, 266 Propagating— and Cucumber - house, 93: bouse, heating, 151 Propagation of shrubs and trees , 893 Pi'otecting material, 72 Prunus sineusis, double, after flower- ing, 316 : pruning, 349 Pruning-time, 397; evergreens, 399 Psidiums, 44 ; Kaddii, 8 Pteris serrulata, sowing, 32 Pullets, what are, 438 Pyreihrums and Peonies at Versailles Nursery, 423 Queensland, 132 Quickset hedge, caterpillars on, 54 Rabbits — lop-eared, ears op, ex- hibiting. 140; Welsh, 155; prizes for, 401,415 Radiation of heat from the earth, 312 Radishes, 281 Rain- gauges for, 135; water becoming hard, 198 Railway charges, 16, extortion, 285 Ranunculuses, taking up, 333 Raphanus caudatus culture, 169 Raspberries, training, 132 Red spider— on Peach trees, 32; on wall trees, 89 ; a devourer of, 147 Rhododendrons — seed sowing, graft- ing, 110 ; protectinij, 111 ; flowering early, 152; marginato-punctatum, 163; seedlings, 168, 252; not flower- ing. 218; longifoUum, 230; propa- gating, 2S3; pruning. 316; Exhi- bition, J. Waterer's, 407 ; injured by frost, 414 Rhubarb running to seed, 316 Ribbon border. 266 Rice for fowls, 116, 402 River bank planting, 151 Rivina lievis for table decoration, 275 P.ock plants, list of, 364 Roofs, double, 73 ■■ Rose Amateur's Guide." 193 Roses — importation of, who raised our best, 2; Napoleon III., 28: French with English names, abusi™ of terms, 46: pruning, 53,216; exhibi:- ing, 83; effects of the frost, 105 ; fes- toons of climbing, removing old Banksian, 110; notes of and about, 129 ; growing plants under standard, 133 ; forcing, 151, 234, 246 ; in pots in greenhouses, 157; for clayey soil, 169 ; sowing Alpine, 199 ; in a frreen- house, 184; Tea-scented in a green- house, 234 ; culture of pot, 253 ; train- ing against a house, 266; and other florists' flowers at the Royal Horti- cultural Societv'g Show, 292; bark of trees eaten, 333; Tea-scented and Noisette in August, 832 ; prospects this year. 340, 341; insect on, 347: leaves blistered, 348; not flower- ing. 349 ; at Okeford Fitzpaine, 356; attar of, 361; insect destroying the leaves, S64 ; for list of stocks. 876; on Manetti atocKs, 386 ; mildew on, 388; Isabella Gray not bloom- ing, for training to house, 398 ; effect of frost on their pith, 405 ; injured by frost, 425: retarding their blooming, 432 ; at Brie-Comte- Robert, 450 ; removing in July, 452 ; taking up Tea-scenied in winter, 452; cuttings, 453 Rubbish heaps, 101 Rubua leucodermis, 283 SACCHARIKE food foe FOWT.S, 172 Saceolabium Bicranteum,262 St. Cloud, trees before. 380 Salt for poultry. 98, 237. 254 Sand, granitic, for Ferns, 233 Sarcanthus crinaceus, 211 Sashes, double, 73 Savoy, Feather-stemmed, 338 Scale on Pine Apples, 283 Scilla sibirica, 41'J Screen under trees, 316 Scutellaria costaricana, 419 Sea-kale— sal tin ur, running to seed, 168: forcing, 182; management after forcing. 252 : culture, 399, 314 ; bitter, 364 ; leggy, SSO Sedum maximum versicolor, 361 Selaginella denticulata variegated, 252 Season, mildness of, 7 Seaweed as manure. 397 Seeds, protecting, 431; sowing small, 431 Seemann, Dr. return of, 429 Sewage— management, 53 : town, 409 Shading. 346 ; material, 169 Shows of 1867, 8 Shreds, substitute for. 93, 109 Shrubs, hardy, forcing, 151 Simpson, Mr^ teetimonial to, 19& Siphoeampylns Humboldtianus, 2U Silting, preventing hens, 415 Skinnt- r, Mr. G. U.. 147 ; death of, 139 Sloping bed, planting, S33 Slugs— and snails, 5l3; deatroyiof; 348; and seeds, 378 Snak« millipede, 332 Snow on walks and houses, SO Soap-suds as a manure. 109 Society of Arts' prizes awarded to gardeners, 411 Sola for manure, 300 Solanum capsicastrum culture, 398 Soot water, making, 346 SophronitiB prandiflora, 211 Sorghum tartaricmn, 310,327; aliat cemnum, 297 Spanish fowls— worn out, 116; cock's comb black, 220 ; face treatment. 240 ; cock become thin, 256 ; cockerel dia- ordered, 272 ; cock's face alcer«d« 288 ; cock's face, 456 Spar^xis under hand-lights, 54 Spharogj-no lalifolia culture, 168 Spinach, Australian, culture, S64 Spir^a salicifolia, 169 Spring- flowering plants, list, 266, 441 Spring flowers. 371 " Standard of Excellence." 415 Stanliopea oculata culture, 300 Stemonacanthus Pearcei, 410 Stephanotis iloribunda in a green- house,348; cutting down, 381 Stones, removing from soil, 152 Stoves in plaut-houses, IZI Strawberries — for market, 4; plant- ing. M : what is a good crop of? 82, 160; injured by frost, 93; forcing, 101; planting out forced. 168, SS3; Dr. Hogg. 276; going blind, 284; price of, 309 ; culture, 345 ; scapea eaten, 848 ; out of doors, 879 ; pro- pagating by runners from unfruit- ful, 381; good crop of, 394; May Queen early, 395 Sugar-bakers' skimming, 54 Sugar Grass, Chinese, 216 Sulphate of lime as a manure. 233 Sulphur— in coals. 217 ; and lime, 234 ; burning in vinery, Sb3 ; quantity needed for fumigation, 348 Sunderland Bantam Show. 59 Snper-phopphate of lime. 316 Sussex, cottagers' fowls in, 254 Sweet Williams removing, 453 Sycamore grafting, 218 Synadenium Grantii, 211 Tacsonia ionea not ploweeino, 53 Tallies. &c., making, 214 Tan— old, for Ferns, 216; insects in 234 Tapeinotes Carolinje, 163 Telopea speciosissima, 448 Temperature'*, natural, 355 Thorne OrnithologicaJ Show, 202; Poultry Show, 455 Thuja gigantea and Lobbiana con- founded, 143 Tinnea a:thiopica, 263 Tobacco -Pooley's ground, 377, SW; dutv-frce for gardening purposes, 407, 423. 442 ; touch paper. 445 Todea superba browned. ?6l Tomato culture in cold frames, 444 Towerville, 25 Town— Gardening, 189, 207, 227 ; flower garden planting, O'^O Trees, overhanging, 1B4 Tricvrtis hirta, 217 Triteleia uniflora. hardy, 180, 213, 243 Tritoma uvaria. sowing, 134 Tritonia planting, 110 Tropaeolum tricolorum culture, 848 Tuberose culture, 110 Tulip Tree of New South Wales. 448 Tulips— under hand-lights, 54; early, 324; taking up. 332; siniile, ten va- rieties, 410; double, five varieties, 410 Turf— soil, 61; green, for soil, 95; storing for potting, 132 ; burned for compost, 152 Turfing, 265 Turkeys— fattening, 60; for breeding, 116 ; food for, 20-1 ; failures with, 304; young, picking their feet. 456 Turnips, 1H2; storing, 107; fly, pre- venting, 396 Tussilago farfara variegata, for bed- ding, 134 TyditJi and Achimenea, 53 Uecbolisa aurba, si Vacaxt r.RorvD, 13 Vallota purpurea culture, 169 Variegation of leaves, causes of, 385 Varieties - what is meant ? 377 Vegetable Marrow culture. 199 Ventilating orchard-bouse, 432 Verbenas — cuttings, striking, 94 ; mil- dewed, 109; culture, 141. 176 : cut- tings, 1^; planting ont, 213; flower ing in pots. 217 ; for exhibition, 81 tiweet-econted, cuttings, 381 Vermin, IflS Vines— 8 in, 93; roverin-f ^or, 95. 4r.3: chsircnnl for, 151; plautinfT. 110, 8.10: produce of, in a vinpi-)-. lU; cuUtire, 117; stop- pinp Tinfrtiitfnl, 134: brown pntches ou. 1R7 ; rcnovutiiip old, VJS ; prnnini:; old, 199 ; w-ith titts on, waterinsr iu inside border, SOfl; frnitful liccoinint,- un- fruitlnl, 4n«: tbrip« on Ica^'ts, 414; ienvos scorehed, 414; Mnscnt Ham- bnrch mildewed, 453; borders, wii-f- worniB in, 414: nso of n glazed ont- side. 422; sho^rts miUU-wcd, und bunchoB brown. 4.13 Vinery- dividin(T, .'•! ; pipeR for. 111; heatinp, 108; roof anfjle, 199: ven-i- latinn, 175 ; pronnd, 179,211 ; mjikinji, 217: aspect, 800; fire inside, ItlG ; evlindric or tower, 40ft Viola cornuta, 371, SK9, 444. 4.'>2; sowim,' in heat, 134; from seed, 234 ; plant- in p, !11H VioK-tfi— Xeapolitnn, mnnaETeraen' of, of. 132 : effects of their perfnme, 249 ; Czar, euUnre. 300; inpotB,881 Vultnrc hocks, 135 Walks— coKCUETE, B2 ; loobe ciuvel, 181 ; mana-j'ing', SG5 ; sabdoing weeds on, 430 "Wall trees—pruning old. 110; bordera, '^\'a'nnts. renovafinc old. 175 ■WiilHalt Poultry Show, U, 96 Wiiratah. 413 Wiirficpwicr. J. It. von R., death of.lSl Wart under hen'a eye. 40 Water Lilies in a vase, oultnre, S3 Water containing iron. CIG Waterinp. !I2, 4r.2 ; Geedhnjjs, 299 f Weeds on walks, to destroy, 228, 234; buminp, 317 Week, work 'or. 11. 29. 51. 71, 90, 106. 131. 148, lfi.% ISl. 1!>6. 213, 230, 249, 263. 2aO, 297, 312. 330, S44, 361. :^.77, 395, 411. 42'J. 449 : doinirs of last, 12. 30, .V2, 7-\ 91. 107. 131. 149. 166, 182, ly7. 214. 231, 250. 264, 231, 299. 313, 331, 345, 362, 378,306.412,4:^0,450 Wr-llingtonia gigantea from cnttinps, 16S Wentworth Pooltry Show, 36 \Vpa(, ont in the, 22 9 Wh:tr-'edale Poultry Show, 287 Wheat, Bpron(ed. for fowls. 2-1* Whitehav.m Poultry SUoa-, &8; the disquitifi'-ation n', 76 Wicton I'onltry Sti»w.269 Willows and (isifr.-i, 73 Winter's ellecis at Messrs. iTery'a, 340 Wireworms, 347; destroyinp, 253; in Vine border. 434 WoodbridKe Poultry Show, srj), 367 Woodlice-dcstroyint,',251,43a; eating fruit, 414 Woodseat, 426 Worms, destroying, 410 YKWB— MAKAGINO IbISR, 216; TRANS- PLANTING, 283 Yucca leaves drooping, 199 Zamia elliptic* culture, 801 Ze;i,japonica foliis Hlbo-vittaiis, 861 Zinc flower-pots, 233 WOODCUTS. PAGE Barlaeton Hall, flower garden 10 Bee-Mves, Pettitt's moveable comb, and bar-frame 172 Flower-garden Plans 10, 428 Pruit-treo borders, formation of 50, 51 Hoe, Scuffle , . 360 Icehoase 106 Ladder, American 248 Paris Universal Exhibition, horticultural department 828 Pear, Huyshe's Prince Consort 89 „ „ Prince of Wales 83 y, „ Princess of Wales 89 „ „ Victoria 83 „ Fan training 296 Pear, Fan training, modification of 296 „ Horizontal traiuing 70, 71 „ Oblique Cordon 447 „ Pyramid training 446, 447 „ Upright training 298 Poultry-houses, portable 350, 883, 416 Roses, exhibition stand for 129 Strawberry ci'inoline 210 Training, Double Lateral Cordon 212 Pear trees 70, 71, 296, 448, 447 Vinery, Ground 212 Wood seat, Flower Garden at 428 January 1, 1867. ] JOUBNAL OP HOKTICDLTUBE AND COTTAGE GARDENEB. WEEKLY CALENDAR. Day of Month Day of Week. Tn W Th F S SnN M JANUARY 1—7, 1867. ClECCMCISION. Myoporum parvifolioizt* Oralis marginata. Osalis sansuinea. Oxalis variabilis. Epiphany. Twelfth Day. Pittosporum tobira. Average Temperature near London. Day. 43.3 42.4 48.0 42.6 41.8 41.0 41.6 Night. 80.9 29.5 30.6 31.3 SO.O 28.8 28.6 Mean. 87.1 85.9 36.8 86.9 85.9 84.9 S5.1 Rain in last J9 yeara. Daya. 12 16 19 16 14 IS 14 Son Rises. m. h. 9af8 9 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Snn Sets. Moon Rises. m. h. m. h. 69af3 j 83afS 83 SO 24 12 55 32 Moon Sets. m. h. 23afl 56 1 33 2 17 3 7 4 8 5 8 6 Moon's Age, Days. 25 26 27 1 Clock before Snn. m. 8. 8 44 4 12 4 41) 5 8 5 So 6 2 6 28 Day of Year. From observations taken near London daring the last forty years, the average day temperature of the week is 42.2' ; and its nighl temperature 29.9^. The greatest beat was 57% on the 3rd, 1860; and the lowest cold 4\ on the 2nd, 1854. The greatest fall of rain was 0.86 inch. N.B. — The Calendar contains the names of plants flowering in the greenhouse. LIBRARY ' Pi-ofesseur Koch Eushton Radclyffe George Prince Madame Verschaffelt Madame Victor Verdier Leopold Premier Prince Camille de Rohan Alpaide de Eotalier Madame Caillat Mareehal Niel Joseph Fiala The foregoing list shows that we are indebted to M. Eugene Verdier for several of our best Eoses. notwithstanding the severe censure that has been occasionally passed upon him on account of the great number he sends out annually. That he does this to a fault cannot be denied, and it would be well if he withheld the inferior kinds. I am not quite certain if I am correct in assigning Leopold I. and Alpaide de Eotalier to him, having mislaid or lost his list for the years in which these Eoses were sent out. Marfchal Xiel was raised by an amateur named Pradel, but mis en commerce by M. Eugene Verdier. CHAKLES VEKDIEB. Duchesse de Cavlus Madame W. Paul Vicomtc Vigier Fran*ois Lacharme The first two are very properly in Mr. Eadclyfte's Ust. The last is a superb Eose, but of weak growth. LACHAKME. Charles Lefebvre Xavicr Olibo Alired de Rongemont Madame Charles Verdier Baron \. de Rothschild To Lacharme belongs the honour of raising the best crimson Eose known. The last two, I am inclined to think, require further trial. ILiRGOIIIN. Soavenir de Comte Cavoor Jean Goxijon Rev. H. Dombrain Louise Margottin Mdile. .\mt'iie Halphen Charles Margottin Nos. 3 and 4 liave been proved here to be well worthy of a place in the Eose garden, though somewhat too rough for ex- hibition purposes. 5 and 6 are Bourbons not yet surpassed in their class for colour and form. GIUNGEE. General Washington Due de Wellington Mam-ice Beruardin Leopold Hausburg Baronne Pelletan de Kinkelin 2, 4, and 5 are the best. GUILLOT FILS. Engene Verdier Abbe Berleie No. 1 is distinct and good. GONOD. Madame Moreaii Achille Gonod Celine Gonod No. 3 is a very pretty Bourbon of satiny rose colour, with slightly incurved petals. OGEK. Soeor des Anges Belle Nonnnnde LECOMPTE. Martjchal VaiUant One of the best and certainly one of the most Pei-petnal Roses known. I have had blooms of it in all weathers, from the end of May to the middle of December, in the past season. TOUVAIS. Dnc de Gazes Frant^ois Louvat Serairamis Julie Daran The last two must give place to many better in the scarlet crimson class. DAILAIZIN. Alphonse Damaizin Of perfect form and colour, but hardly strong enough in constitution. PORTEIIEE ET FILS. Pien-e Netting Charles Wood Jean Rosenkrantz LIABAUD. Clemence Joigneaus Mons. Eoncenne Madame de Canrobert The third was one of the best, if not the best Eose shown at the National Show at Kensington last summer ; it was in Mr. Cant's box. Like too many other fine Eoses, as Furtado, Vidot, and MdUe. Bonnaire, it is reported to be not sufficiently vigorous to be a first-class kind. LEVEQDE ET FILS. Due de Rohan Ellse Vilmorin Madame Derreux Douville All of these are surpassed by others of similar colour. No. 1 is in Mr. Eadclyffe"s list. No. 3 is very good. JAIIAIX. Madame Boutin Marguerite de St. .4mand Both first-rate. No. 2 is probably the best light Hybrid Perpetual in cultivation. By stretching my leniency to its utmost, I can find but fifty- seven out of three hundred and thirty sent out during the five years 1861-5 that I consider at present to be worth cultivation. To the rosarian it will be evident that many of these must be dismissed before long. — Adolphcs H. Kekt. (To be continued.) THE GREAT SHOWS OF 1867. While taking note of the dates fixed by the various societies for holding their gi-eat fi-tes for 1867, I have been sorry to observe that the National Exhibition at Manchester and the five-days Show of the Eoyal Horticultural Society of Loudon are appointed so that it is impossible for the same exhibitors to attend both Shows. I think this is much to be regretted, as no doubt the object of both Societies is to collect into one focus as much of the horticultural and floricultural skill of the country as possible, and, of course, by so doing, they deserve the liberal support of the public. In those respects the one is sure to interfere with the other. Of course the E^yal Horti- cultural Society has a right to be looked upon as the premier Society, but as the Manchester folks had advertised the date of their week's Show long before the Eoyal Horticultural Society gave notice of theirs, would it not be a graceful act to pay some deference to that which had every prospect cf affording the toOing thousands of the great emporium of trade such a feast of beauty as they never saw before ? As one v.ho has not the slightest personal interest in either fete, I think it a very great pity that some arrangement could not be made by which the two great Shows should be m,",de available to all exhi- JOUENAL OP HORTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GABDENEE. i Jannary 1, 1867. bitors, and doubtless there are such, who wish to aWend both gatherings. It is a pleasing thing to see these Societies profiting by the example set by the International Horticultural Exhibition of 18CC, and determining to keep their fetes open for nearly a week ; thus, by varying the price of admission on various days, affording an opportunity to the millions to pay plea- sant court to Flora and Pomona. It is now a recognised fact that if shows are to pay and societies to exist, the basis of their constitution must be widened in the matter of admission, so that the general public can have an opportunity of seeing the gorgeous flowers and fruits brought together on such occa- sions ; and I think that this, the first great attempt of " Cot- tonopolis," with its toiling thousands, should have as little opposition as possible. — D. Thomson. P.S. — In the advertisement of the five-days Show of the Eoyal Horticultural Society, which appeared in the last Num- ber, you have printed July for June. [The dates given were those sent to us. A corrected adver- tisement appears this week.] ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Weekly Ssovf, necembei- 22mr.—-Mr. Wm. Bartlett, Sliaftesbni-y Eoad. Hammersmith, was awarded a first prize for a coUectiou of Pi-imiilas, &c. Mr. B. Brown, gardener to E. H. Wyatt, Escj,, Wandsworth Lodge, Upper Tooting, had also a first prize for a col- lection of flowering plants. A collection of plants consisting of Camellias, Hyacinths, Primnlas, Tulips, and Heaths, was exhibited from the Society's Garden, Chiswick. Mr. B. Brown, gardener to E. H. Wyatt, Esq., obtained a first prize for a collection of fruit ; and Mr. T. Neale, gardener to R. A. Cartwright, Esq., Edgeott House, Banhuiy, was awarded an extra prize for a Smooth-leaved Cayenne Pine Apple. Thrctifbcr 2^tJ(. — On this occasion an extra prize was awarded to Mr. W. Bartlett, Shaftesbuiy Eoad, Hammersmith, for a collection of flowering plants ; and a coUection of Cinerarias, Heaths, Mignonette, &c., from the Society's garden, Chiswick, completed the exhibition. MARKET STRAWBERRIES. One word more, and I have done with this subject. I do not recede from my original list. The varieties I named are all sure and gr-eat croppers. It is pleasing to me to find that " EciLA " adopts these sorts named by me in my two last com- munications: Empress Eugenie, Frogmore Late Pine, Mar- guerite, Sir J. Paxton, and Wonderful. Patrick's SeedUng is a good cropper, and a good Strawberry. With regard to the others, British Queen is not to be depended on. Amateurs, even, are hereabouts giving it up. Cornucopia was raised by the late Mr. Nicholson. I do not know it. Comte de Zans, Alice Nicholson, and another Strawberry, were kindly sent to me by Mrs. Nicholson this spring in an envelope ; but they were so much dried, that, though carefully potted, they died. La Constante is a wonderfully good Strawberry, handsome, level, beautifully formed, of distinct and delicious flavour, suited to strong land and a northern aspect. It is a great cropper, and would be an admirable market sort were it not apt to burn in hot seasons in some lands, and slow to reproduce its^ plants. It is of. the same tufted formation as Kivers's Eliza. Mr. AT. Prince, of Flushing, says, " it burns consider- ably, and is a poor cropper ! " I agree to the former, not to the latter. Myatt's Eleanor is a noble wedge-coned Strawberry, but a fitful cropper. It is entirely superseded (also Elton Pine, a very good market sort), by the four late Strawberries, Won- derful, Cockscomb, Dr. Hogg, and Frogmore Late Pine. They are hardy, sure setters, great croppers, mostly large fruit, and more or less Queen-flavom-ed. As Wonderful and Frogmore Late Pine seem to be agreed upon, let me induce market gardeners to try Dr. Hogg and Cockscomb. These four will distance British Queen and Caro- lina Superba. If flavour is not a matter of great consecjuence, Cremone's Perpetual, Hooper's Seedling, and Ananas Lecoq would do. I agree with " Ecila " that it is desirable that market gar- deners and gentlemen's gardeners should relate their experi- ence. 1 shall in due time be found to be right. I am no puffer, and will be no party to appraising commodities, no matter by whom they are raised or sent to me, to the deception of the British public. I haTe always been guided by the nature, and not by the names of persons or things. I have " The Lady," strong plants, on trial. It will gratify me much if I be able to speak favourably of her. Mr. Turner says Dr. Hogg is first- rate. — W. F. Eadclitfe, Okeford Fitzpaine. PLANTING PEAR TREES. My principal motive for writing is to state my objections to the practice which Mr. Abbey recommends. " Holes 9 feet square (see second column, page 4()0), should be dug, and of such a depth that the stem will not only be as deep in the soil as it was before, but so that the union of the stock and scion will be covered to the depth of 3 inches." No hole in any cultivated garden need be more than from .3 to 4 feet in diameter and 20 inches deep, and the covering of the junction of the bud or graft 'with the stock, as fully pointed out in your columns last spring, pages 180, 193, leads to injurious consequences, for besides placing the tree by far too deeply in the soil, it induces the putting forth of roots from the graft, by which the effect of the Quince stock in giving fertUity is destroyed. Here, where there are more Pear trees old and young on Quince stocks than in any other garden in Europe, great care is taken every spring when the ground has been slightly dug to bury the weeds, which in seasons like this we are reluctantly compelled to do, for digging among bearing trees should be avoided. Great care is taken to withdraw all loose earth from the base of the tree, so as to leave a space of about an inch between the swollen junction of the graft with the stock and the surface of the ground. This mode of culture has been followed here with Pear trees on Quince stocks twenty to twenty-five years old, and is the only sound method of culture. In planting, I may add a word of advice. Before the tree is placed in the hole throw in some loose earth in the form of a mound in the centre of it, tread it gently, and on this place the tree ; no sinking will then take place, so as in wet soils to have the roots in a basin of water. — T. E. CATALOGUES. With regard to the subject entered upon by your correspon- dent, " MoNTicoLA," I may observe, that terrible as is the cattle plague, the catalogue plague is in some respects worse. Though the symptoms are different in the two, they are equally contagious and destructive, the former of bulls and cows, the latter of truth and confidence. Queen, Lords, Commons, the farmer, the justice, and the peasant, have with one will agreed to stamp out the cattle plague ; but the catalogue murrain stUl rides rampant. The progress of this terrible complaint was arrested for a time a while ago, by a few indignant spirits, and the name your humble servant gave to the " fat " catalogues will cling to them for ever. An abatement of symptoms, temporary, alas ! and illusive, ensued, only to be succeeded by an outburst more violent and destructive than ever. Fatty degeneracy of the worst form has set in ; who shall arrest the downward course ? Let the young, bold, muscular horticulturists of the day, and there are plenty, who are the consumers of these wares, set their faces at, turn up their noses at, shake their heads at, drive their quills at, and withdraw their support from, the great im- posture. Let me recommend to a certain large class of your readers, a good commercial speculation — to wit, a catalogue which shall " tell truth and shame the ." It would pay, sir — it would pay.— ***. EARLY PEAS. Seeing a remark about Peas in The Journal of Horticul- ture, I am induced to say a word in favour of Dickson's First and Best. I have grown for the last ten years several of the new Peas as they came out. As regards Dickson's First and Best, I can most unhesitatingly affirm that it is the very best early Pea I ever grew as regards earliness, productiveness, and quality. It may be that there is a difference betwixt "Theta's " soil and mine, as it is a well-known fact that what will do well in one place will not answer satisfactorily in another ; but if the Pea in question does not suit "Theta's" soil, that is no January 1, 1867. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTUBB AND COTTAGE GABDENEK. reason why it should not suit that of othei- localities, and I would recommend gardeners to grow it, and prove it tor them- selves.— J. Eastwood, Gardener to E. Xatlian, Esq., DUhbury. OUR VINES. " Cue Vines," as we always call them, though they helong to Cousin Herbert. He lives near to us, just over the wall — an ugly red brick wall, built by a neighbour who did not like us. Well, these Vines had been thought and talked about for years. Great piles of sods had been laid together in heaps until they crumbled into soft mould from very old age. Every known preparation had been made for them, everything done for them that could be heard of or read about in books, from Mcintosh and Thompson down to the last weekly and monthly magazine. Great thought, and talk, and curiosity, gathered about this was-to-be new vinery, some saying one thing, some another, all the household seeming to have a right to argue and dispute, as if Cousin Herbert had not long since come of age. Uncle Tetley said, " It was a very foolish idea, would not pay cost for the land covered, only cause their highly-rated house to be rated higher still ;" and Aunt Margaret said, she " was sure they were not rich enough to have such a place, and that every mouthfol would cost a shilUng, if, indeed, we ever managed to grow any." But yet the work went on, foundations were dug, books pored over, fresh soil laid up in heaps for fear there should not be enough, scrapings from the roadside, sods from a field and a neighbouring common — wherever a bit of grass grew that could be spared it was doomed to the great heap under the wall. How often this heap was contemplated I cannot tell, but it appeared ever to give satisfaction to the inspector. Now it did crumble into pieces just like the dust soil found under old evergreens. It had rested idly under that west wall for five years, and when turned about had a rich moist look, for every bit of grass and fibre had rotted away. Then came cart- loads of manure. This, too, was put down under the west wall ; a west wind filled the house with its odour. Cook said she had " no need to season her dishes, it was done for her." Next came bags and bags of bone dust. Our wondering neighbours asked if we were going to open our stately mansion for a flour depot. Then came loads of leaf mould black as coal. " Grand stuff this," said the man who brought it, " fifteen year old if it's a day, worth its weight." Nest came lime rubbish. Cousin Herbert had had some trouble to obtain it. It was the plaster, and dust, and bits of lime from old bricks, and the pulling down of a bank just furnished the opportunity of obtaining it. This lime rubbish was put down alongside of the leaf mould, and a gentle breeze blowing put a thin coating of it over everything, as if the first snowstorm had come. Then all the woollen rags we could find were put together, old coats, waist- coats, and such like torn into shreds, or cut into small pieces and laid by the side of some crushed bones, the last arrival. So all the heaps were side by side under the wall, fibry loam, leaf mould, manure, crushed bones, lime rubbish, woollen rags, and bone dust — mounds of such strange size and appearance, I think poor Boffin would have been distracted. During this time the fair structure was reared, space and capabilities for eleven Vines. Then the Vine-bed or border was made, dear me ! with what minute care. A little soil mixed with the crushed bones forming the lowest deposit. " This is the solid food not yet proper for the infant Vines," said Cousin Herbert, as we stood watching. " They will have arrived at an adult age before they reach the ale and beef cellar, for you see they have to grow down as well as up." Then all the mounds were carried away bit by bit ; even the woollen rags disappeared ; layer after layer, first of one sort, then of another, till the border inside and out would hold no more. What work there was about this border, to be sure ; no one must dig in it, or tread upon it, or plant plants in it, or sow seeds in it. Cousin Herbert was so very particular he watched it night and day. I often wonder he allowed the weeds to grow. Then we had so much trouble, for Aunt Margaret would walk across it coming to our house, because she said it was nearer, though it only saved 3 yards ; and Cousin Janet would in spite oi all we could do or say, sow her Mustard seed in it. Poor thing ! she never knew how often we pulled the seed up before it grew. I think the deposits must have been put in too lightly, or some father mole had chosen the site for the mani- polation of a new home, for little hollows or sinkings we could not account for were constantly appearing. Uncle would have it somebody's hens came there to scratch ; and yet they could not, for the holes were no larger than sparrows make in any bit of gardening done up with great care, and the more care taken with it the more they go there to bathe or roll themselves. After this there came the eagerly discussed question. Where were the Vines to be purchased ? " Oh, " said papa, " I would not go to any of those men with their long puffing advertise- ments, it is all show and no good." " No," said Uncle Tetley, " I would go to some quiet un- heard-of experienced gardener." "Yes, and then if they all turn out rotten you will get no recompense," said Cousin Herbert, looking down tenderly upon his new Vine-border ; and well he might, for it was nearly all his own hard work. " I would not go to a young man anyhow," said papa, '• for he will think he knows everything, and yet if you go to an old one they will say he knows nothing." " I am not sure all the Vines in the world are worth this," said Cousin Walter, rubbing the blisters inside his soft white hands. He had spent his Saturday's half-holiday helping his brother, and was not used to a spade and barrow. " I would go somewhere for them, where I could purchase them old enough to bear next year. There is no good in waiting until yon are too old to enjoy them." At last the decision was made, a nursei^man of high stand- ing was chosen, the choice of the Vines left to his better and more practical judgment. A man was sent over with them to plant them, the vinery and border having been previously examined and declared almost perfect in their arrangements and ingredients. There were one Lady Downe's for the centre, six Black Hamburghs, two Muscat Hambiu'ghs, and two Eeeves' Muscadine. It was an October afternoon, a clear white sky with crimson bars, a cold wind going up and down making hard hnes and crosses in every pond and gutter, and crisping up the noisy autumn leaves. The sun shone into the new vinery for a few minutes, lighting up the empty space and touching the pale, thin, unpromising-looking canes, the return for so many pounds. " You wiU not need to put a fire in here yet for the sake of the Vines," said the gardener who planted them, "but you must keep out the frost, or it will spoil your plants." I will tell you about these plants some day if all is well. " A fire, indeed !" said Aunt Margaret, " it will take a barrow- load to fill that big grate ; we cannot afford it, and coals rising every week. I think Herbert has gone clean out of his mind." So at last we had our vinery, at which people laughed, and predicted doleful things. An amateur's Vines succeed, indeed ! They needed a professional gardener to make them do that, and even then they did not always, and at Uncle Tetley's they kept no regular gardener, only a man once a-week or so to tidy up. " To think that a gentleman with a fine education should come down to wearing an old coat out at the elbows, and to dig, and mix up, and barrow, and tear, and work Uke a common man, all for the sake of growing Grapes better than his next door neigh- bour, was ridiculous," So said the gardeners about . "I wish the Vines were at Jericho," said Cousin Janet snap- pishly, or growing stUl in that Bradford nursery, for you can talk about nothing else." " I wish he had never built it," said Cousin Kate, " for I am afi'aid it will lead to nothing but trouble, and work, and cost, and dirt. Only this morning Herbert said, ' Now you girls must look after that place to see all goes right.' No, it will lead to nothing but bother, and dissension, and failure, utter failure ; and instead of growing such Grapes as were never grown before, we shall be laughed at by the whole country side." Nor was this all ; the servants complained, called the vinery " a nuisance." The one-day-a-week man refused to clean up about the boiler ; as a great favour he would make the fire ; but theii the very best fires will not keep in for a week, and what was to be done then '? An old man in the village was hired to do what others would not ; but he was very expensive, and very trouble- some ; and cook said, " It was wearisome, for he was always going past her kitchen window either with ashes or clinkers. Sure as ever it was windy down he would go and scrape in'.O his basket all the ashes he could find," and these ashes blew in at the windows, and under the doors, and filled every place and every thing, even the ovenwas not safe. Poor cook declared " she could not go anywhere, open a cupboard or drawer, with- out meeting with ashes. It was a very Pharaoh's plague." The housemaid said, " Sure as ever Saturday afternoon came, and the yard was scoured out, and no Uttle doing it took, and all cleaned up, then they would bring either coals, or cinders, or JOURNAL OF HOETICCLTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. ( Janunrv 1, 1867. slack," and these had to be put down very near to the front- lutohen door. And certainly a great deal of fuel was consumed, for the old man burnt away at the coal, and often said he had the best fire for miles round ; he had no thought about him, for the hotter the sun shone the more and more he put on the fire. It had uo rest, no peace with him. When spoken to about it he took offence, and never made his appearance again. Then, too, all the dust, and dirt, and spoiled dinners, and mischief that happened in the house, were put down to the greenhouse. Aunt Margaret, who had lived with uncle Tetley many years, ever since his wife died, and had brought up .Janet and Kate, was very much put out ; she often said she would go away before the time of ruin came, for that vinery wouldpiove to Herbert, if not to all of us, a very white elephant. , Things wore on in this uncomfortable way until December, when one evening just as it was growing dark, Kate came run- ning across to our house in great trouble, exclaiming, "Oh, Maud, what shall we do ? all our plants wiU be killed. The thermometer in the garden is standing below 30°. The green- house fire is out, the old man has not come, and there is no one to make it. What shall we do ? Papa told the housemaid to see after it, and she walked straight up-stairs to Aunt Margaret, and gave notice to leave. The kitchen girl would have tried to make it, but cook kept her very busy , and would let her have neither fire nor wood. What must we do ? " We must go and make it, Kate. We have more plants than we can afford to lose." " I wanted to do it, but Aunt Margaret said it was not a lady's work, and if I were bringing myself down to minding a furnace fire, it was a pity Papa had spent so much on my education." " Never mind that, we must go." So we pulled on our hoods, ran through the two gardens as fast as we could, tucked up our sleeves and flowing skirts, and commenced operations. It was a good thing Uncle Tetley was so fond of herrings, but for the old boxes I do not know what we should have done ; with the help of a huge blocker they were soon chips, that day's Times, found by chance near at hand, for we dare not go into the house, was thrust into the long, narrow grate, wood after wood piled upon it, then coals, then a light put to it, and all shut up close, fire-door, and ash- door, and so close did they fit. not a ray of light reached us as we sat on the lowest step of the stairs in the splendour of a twenty-four dip candle. Our white petticoats were soiled, and no wonder, for dust from the coals, and ashes, and soot, and spiders' webs, lay thick upon the walls, and the flue-doors, and in every comer. Three cell-like cellars opened out before us, for coals, cinders, and slack ; into their gloomy darkness we dare not penetrate, they lay beyond the reach of our poor rush- light. " It does not make a bit of noise, Kate, it must be going out." So we opened the door and tried to look in, we could see nothing for the volumes of smoke that rolled out, half blinding us. This soon cleared away, for our fire would not bum, was dying out as fast as it could, smothered, though we knew it not. All this time Master Frost came on, nearer and nearer; already he stood close by, working fast with his icy tools, carving strange fantastic figures on the glass, roof, and window, travelling round every square of glass, seeking any point how- ever small for entrance ; and then we knew full well, ruin and death, death and ruin we could not avert, must follow. Again and again we tried to make our fire burn, thrusting in wood and paper and coal, and found out after an hour's toil that it would burn- if we would let it have air. All by chance we left open the ash-door, then crackling and sparkling up went the fire with a roaring noise, as if to make up for lost time. Once more we sat down upon the stairs to watch and wait, no use in going up into the \inery, and so letting in great gushes of frost. The sun had shone upon the house all day, and it had not been opened, so the chance was it might contain enough heat to set at defiance, for an hour or two at least, the outside cold. What beauties we were to be sure ! Our elbows sooted, our arms grimed, as if some Indian chief had painted us for his especial pleasure. And, then, what hands we had ! Kate de- clared " we should have to take in washing for a mouth before they were clean." When they knew all about it, how Uncle Tetley laughed, and Aunt Margaret scolded, and Cousin Herbert said, " It must not happen again, something or other must be done." And yet what ? for Aunt Margaret would not have a man hanging about the house, doing nothing two-thirds of his time, and then to have a regular gardener, why that would run away with more than £1 a-week, and to get a man or boy for an hour or two each day was just impossible ; and then, too. Cousin Herbert wanted to manage the Vines— have them all his own way. And we wished to have our plants all to ourselves without a gar- dener to knock them about, and call them his, and to look cross when we cut a few flowers for our pastor's wife. So we talked about it at home, and at Uncle Tetley's, and were doing so one day, when Mary, the cook's help, a young girl from the country, came into the room with some coal ; in her eagerness to speak, she dropped her box down with a great noise, saying, " I am sure I could manage that fire if you would teach me, Miss Kate." So we set to work under Cousin Herbert's directions, re- ceiving our lessons night and morning, and duly imparting the same to Mary, who acted under our supervision. A month and the fire was managed to everybody's satisfaction. There might be mistakes sometimes that could not be prevented ; but we kept the frost at bay. Cousin Herbert always made up the fire safely for the night, that was his portion of work, his duty. My own opinion is, many a young girl would manage a greenhouse fire as easily as she does one in her kitchen grate, if she were rightly taught. Kate had often called the little boiler-house the darkest, dirtiest, and most badly-planned one in the world. It soon changed under Mary's management, brush, and broom, and lime, making short work of ashes, and coal dust, and spiders' webs, and we could w-alk down into it without soiling our feet, or having to take extra care of our skirts. — Maud. (To be continued.) [Heartily, very heartily, the Editors respond to your good wishes. They thank you for your kindly greeting, and wish for you and yours a very merry Christmas and a truly happy New Year. Tlieir Christmas would be merrier, and tlicir New Year happier, if they knew more of your name than " Maud," and more of your whereabouts than is revealed by the post- mark.] POTATOES. In page 462, Mona's Pride is highly eulogised, in the follow- ing page it has a poor character. Mr. Myers, an experienced cultivator, in his advertisement last sin-ing gave it a high character. I have found it not earlier than the Ashleaf, and so inferior in flavour and liable to disease as to be worthless. What, then, can we say to opinions so equally balanced ? I have been for many years a sort of amateur cultivator, trying all or nearly all the varieties to test their qualities, merely to gain a knowledge of the sorts best adapted to the wants of my family, and have come to the conclusion, that except the Ash- leaf and two or three other early sorts, there is scarcely a variety that can be safely recommended for all soils and climates, as they differ to so great an extent according to the nature of the soil, and, I may add, of the season. In 1862, 1863, and 1864, 1 imagined that my choice was fixed for life — Ashleaf forced for spring, in the open ground the same sort for summer, the Lapstone tor autumn up to Christmas, and the King (Hud- son's), for early spring. They were all perfect, and when steamed and brought to table with their jackets bursting, one often declared that one could dine off them. Alas ! that this is for the present passed away. In 1865, the bines of all but the very late sorts died off in August from the disease, but as they had finished their gi-owth and the tubers were particularly clean and sound, I thought but Uttle of it. Towards the end of the month the tubers of the Royal Ashleaf became too firm and had lost their flavour. As these had been our grand resource for the summer and early autumn and had never failed, we were loth to credit the fact. It was too true, however, and so we turned to our autumn favourite, the Lapstone, steamed and served as usual To our discomfort we found the flesh yellow, firm, and flavour- less—no bursting of jackets — so for the first time for many years paring and boiling with salt, and drying-cloth i:i-c>mdiim artevt, was resorted to. They were drier, but still flavourless, and this lasted all through the winter, not only with the Lap- stone, but with the King and Pink Fluke, both hitherto so good, and thus two unsatisfactory Potato seasons have nearly passed ; for this season they are exactly of the same character there is no satisfaction in eating them. I may add, that in 1865 I planted for trial eight or ten of the popular sorts of Kidney Potatoes, all of which proved as unsatisfactory as my hitherto above-mentioned favourite kinds. The question is, Is this disagreeable change to be permanent ? I hope not, but Janunry 1, 1867. ] JOUKNAL OF HORTICULTUBB AND COTTAGE GAEDENER. I am thinking of a change, and intend to try one or two of the white floury kinds, which I have up to this time considered deficient in flavour. I am, however, firmly convinced that soils influence the quality of Potatoes to an extent greater than has ever been calculated: hence the necessity of a trial before any variety is planted to a large extent. I may add, that I changed my seed of the Lapstone last spring. Its produce is, if anything, inferior to that from my own seed. In 18G5, " The Boon " was as described by " D.," page 463, and the Silverskin but little better. The " disease " has this season assumed a curious phase. Here formerly if Potatoes were taken up early, just before being ripe, and exposed to the air for a few weeks, they always proved sound and healthy seed. This season the converse of this has t;ikeu place. A large quantity taken up at the end of July and laid ou the surface of the soil for two or three weeks till they were perfectly green, are now a mass of rottenness, while those taliou up some weeks later and stored in the same place are comparatively sound. With four early kinds — Early Ten-Week, Coldstream Early, Shutford Seedling, both free- bearing excellent early sorts, and Early May, all planted on the same day, and all taken up at the same time fully ripe, and free from the disease at the time, it has been more violent and destructive than I ever remember. They were spread on the surface of the soil for a week or two till green, then placed in shallow baskets, which were placed in a shed exposed to the sun and air. In October, on examining them previous to storing them in the cellar, two-thirds of them were found covered with patches of mould and perfectly rotten. The state of the atmosphere which, as is well known, was con- stantly overcharged with moisture, must have encouraged the growth of the fungus which so mysteriously destroys one of our most valuable products. Hitherto exposure has acted as a_ preventive, but this season apparently as an incentive to disease. Thus are science and practice alike baffled, and we must bow to that which no man can comprehend, the will of the great Pailer of All. — Solanum. HYGROMETERS. We can generally learn from any horticultural work the temperature which will suit the plants which we wish to culti- vate ; but we seek in vain for any definite directions as to the degree of atmospheric moisture which they require. It was, therefore, with much pleasure that I lately saw in a contempo- rary a recommendation from Mr. D. Fish, that during the season of active growth the wet bulb should stand 4° below the dry, and during the ripening period from 10° to 15°. Observations upon this subject have been few, not only be- cause gardeners in genaral have not been sufficiently alive to its importance, but also because of the trouble of keeping in working order a wet-bulb thermometer, and the difficulty of finding for it a suitable position in the house, sheltered from the sun and cold currents of air. Some time ago I tried a cat- gut hygrometer. I spliced together two A violin strings, and thus got a length of about 8 or 0 feet, which being passed over a brass pulley took up only 4} feet. One end was fixed, and to the other was attached a quarter-pound weight. It acted, it is true, but it did not respond sufficiently quickly to in- creased moisture to be of any practical utility. Two years ago I had an illustration of the importance of the subject. One side of an orchard-house was filled with Figs ripening off their second crop ; the other side was filled with plants of Physalis edulis. There was no syringing, but the Figs were poor in flavour. It occurred to me that as the Physalis was a thirsty plant, requiring a large quantity of water at its roots, the air might be too damp, so I removed the Phy- salis, and the Figs became perfect. It is possible that some cases of Peaches not ripening well in orchard-houses may arise from some mismanagement as regards moisture either in the air or at the roots ; but it also may arise, as your con-espondent " G. H." thinks, from a deficiency of heat. In my own case, this, I believe, is the cause why so few of the Peaches in an unhealed house, though well swollen and well coloured, are really sweet. The house has no sun after three or four o'clock, and there are too many tall trees near it. lu that exceptionally warm year, 1858, the Peaches were exceptionally good, and all that could be desired. — G. S. hood, and in my garden (on a sunny bank, it is true), several plants of Keens' Seedling have fine trusses of bloom. Be- sides this, in the open garden, but in a sheltered spot, a small Hampton Court Vine has not yet lost its leaves, which are at this moment as green as they were at midsummer. — H., J'entnor, I.W. ICE-KEEPING. Should we be deficient of ice this season as we were last, I think the following account of ice-keeping may be worth a place in your columns. I was not able to take any ice from the ponds here last season, till the first and second days in March, and then it was only about li inch thick. As we had a fall of about 2 inches of snow ou the "iTth of February, I set a man to work to put together in a ridge a quantity of snow, by pushing it up with the back of a wooden rake, and on the 1st and 2nd of March, I fiUed our ice-house with ice and snow. I began with ice, putting in three cartloads of ice, and then one load of snow. I levelled the ice before putting on the snow, spread the latter over the ice, and rammed all well down. For this purpose I used a cylindrical piece of wood 9 inches in diameter, and 14 inches long, into one end of which I had made a hole and driven in a plain stake for a handle, so that a man could stand upright, and, taking hold of the handle with both hands, walk over the ice and snow, and ram all well down. Two or three men can ram each layer well in about fifteen minutes. I kept on in this way till I had filled the well, which is one of the old- fashioned barrel-shaped wells, 16 feet deep, and 12 feet wide at the middle. Now, all gardeners who are in the habit of storing ice, know within a little how much ice and snow I had in this well. Carts vary much in size ; twenty-eight of our cart- loads will fill this well, if the ice is thick enough to build up a little above the sides of the cart ; but when ice is very thin we cannot do so. I have stored away ice in wells and stacks for the last thirty years, and I never knew ice keep so well as the snow and ice have done. I took from the well no less than twelve bushels of ice every week for three months, and used some before for dinner-parties, so I have since, and now there is in it more than 2 feet thick of ice, and it has not wasted more than 15 inches from the side walls. I took some ice from this well yesterday (December 18th), and no one would know that there is snow amongst it. The ice is rather rough- looking, but it is all ice now. I do not think we shall be so short of ice this season. I think we shall have plenty in .January ; but if the ice be 3 inches thick when I fill the well, I will put snow with it, if I can obtain it clean, but at present we have a great many leaves on the park. — G. Shoet, Fluton Hall Gardens. Mildness of the Season. — On this shortest day of the year, fine bouquets of Primroses may be gathered in our neighbour- VINES AND VINE BORDERS. So much has been written by practical men about the forma- tion of Vine borders, one recommending them to be 5 feet deep, another 3 feet, whilst another grows full-sized, high-coloured, and fine-flavoured Grapes without any prepared border, that an employer of labour who wants to lay out his money to the best advantage is perplexed to know how to proceed. I do not think the five-feet-deep borders are the best for growing Vines. Some years ago I had the management of three vineries where the Vines were planted in such borders, and in all three houses the Grapes were liable to shank. The roots of the Vines had a tendency to go straight down to the bottom of the borders in search of food instead of spreading out in a horizontal direction as they ought to have done. I have dug these borders over, and never found a root near the surface. In the first house which I will mention were planted Black Hamburgh, Red Frontignan, and Chasselas Musque ; the two latter were grafted on the Black Hamburgh, but even then the Grapes were liable to shank as soon as they were ripe. The Black Hamburgh, being of a hardier nature, succeeded better. In the Muscat-house matters were much the same. Some- times the stalk of a single berry, sometimes the stalks uniting several berries, and in some cases whole shoulders, would shank without any apparent cause. In this house the Muscat of Alexandria Vines were the least liable to shanking their fruit, whilst the Canon Hall Muscat on its own roots was the most so, and the flesh of this sort had not that degree of firmness which it acquires under the best cultivation. This is a Grape 8 JOUKNAL OF HOBTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. [ January 1, 1867. seldom seen in perfection, although one deserving of exten- sive cultivation. It is, I think, very much improved by being grafted on the Blixck Hamburgh. The best fruit of it which 1 have seen was from Vines grafted on that sort, the border being composed mostly of the natural soil of the garden. In the third house were planted Black Hambui-gh, and, I think, Eoyal Muscadine on their own roots. This house used to do better than the other two ; but I always thought the Vines would have succeeded still better if the roots had not gone down so deep, and further experience has confirmed me on that point. With regard to the next Vines that came under my notice, the borders were what would be called shallow — that is, from 2 feet 3 inches to 3 feet deep, and they were made at first about half the width they were ultimately intended to be. The soil was taken out to the required depth for about (i feet wide on both sides of the front wall, so that there was a prepared border on each side of the wall, one outside and one inside. The soU was composed of the top spit of an old pasture, with- out the addition of manure of any sort. The Vines were planted on a ridge raised about 9 inches above the floor line, a single rod was taken up from each plant, and nearly in every case the Vines reached the top of the house the first season, making strong short-jointed wood, and well ripened, without the assistance of artificial heat, even in the case of the Muscats. In the following season they were cut back, the rods being left from 8 to 10 feet in length ; and being carefully started in the spring they broke regularly, showing in most instances three bunches at each joint. Of course the greater part of these were removed at once, leaving in the end only from three to six bunches on each Vine, so that they ripened these well, and again made strong growths. They were supplied during the growing season with liquid manure, but not in large quantities, about three or four times in the course of the season. Next year the Vines carried a good average crop of from six to twelve bunches each. I did not see any of them weighed, but I judged some of the Black Hamburgh bunches weighed upwards of 3 lbs. each ; they were beautifully coloured and of excellent flavour. I will now notice the state of the roots in these vineries. In lorking the borders over in order to add some farmyard manure, the roots were found to have spread in a horizontal direction to the outside of the prepared border, quite close to the sur- face. If I had had the sole management of the borders, and if the materials could have been obtained, I would have pro- ceeded in this way : I would have thrown equal quantities of fresh hoise-droppings and cowdung into a heap together ; they would soon have heated, and if the cowdung was wet, as it sometimes is, it would have dried in the course of fermentation. After the heat was gone — (the heap ought not to be allowed to heat violently ; if it do so it should be spread out on the floor of the shed. I presume, of course, that it is in a place where the rains will not reach it) — to every two barrowloads I would have added one of turfy loam, and surface-dressed the "Vines with the mixture instead of digging amongst the roots. The repeated waterings would have washed the nourishment down ; and the manure being kept on the surface, the roots would be near it too, and there they would be better able to feed the Vines than if they were down at the bottom of five-feet borders, and that is where they will go, especially if bones or other manure be added to the loam when the borders are made. Since then I have had the charge of forming the borders for two vineries, and I was prevailed upon to add some manure to the loam when the borders were made ; a small quantity of lime was also added, and the Vines imder the same treatment have not done so well as in the case when only the turfy loam was used. The borders were rather more than 3 feet deep, and scarcely any roots are to be found near the surface. I have therefore come to the conclusion that turfy loam without the addition of any manure the first season is the best material of which to form a Vine border. There is plenty of nourish- ment to be found amongst the decaying roots of the grass the first season, and manure can always be added either in the liquid form or by means of surface-dressings. In the preceding observations I have simply recorded the results of my own experience. When I say that borders made without the addition of bones or other manures are the best I do not intend to assert that borders formed in the other way will not answer. I have no doubt they will, otherwise practical gardeners would not be found to advocate them ; but I hope onr amateur friends will not be disheartened because they cannot go to the expense of having flagstones and other ex- pensive materials buried at the bottom of the border, because I am fully convinced that they are not necessary. — J. Douglas. psidiu:m raddh. I WISH your correspondent who signed himself " EiDDii, Pctcrhorouijh " (December 20, 1805), would state whether the above fruit is superior in quality to V. Cattleyanum, and whether it is equally hardy. Of the latter there are two varieties, the fruit of one being spherical, of the other somewhat Pear- shaped. The nurseryman of whom I bought my plant assured me that it required a stove, and it certainly came out of one, but it soon accommodated itself to a slightly-warmed orchard- house, and fruited abundantly. On two occasions it stood a temperature of 30° uninjured. The fruit seemed to me de- cidedly inferior to the larger tropical Guavas, so I gave up growing it. — G. S. HOT AIR FROM A KITCHEN RANGE. " EusTicrs," in the Number for December 18th, inquires how he can utilise a fire situated in the kitchen, of which the wall containing the fireplace forms the side of an out-buUding. This he can easily accomplish by passing an ordinary piece of gas-pipe, bent at two right angles, through the fire, so as to let one end project into the room towards the hearth, the other into the out-building. The heated air in the intermediate part rises into the out-building, and the air rushing in from the room to supply its place passes in its turn through the heated tube and is delivered warm into the out-building. This simple plan can also be advantageously used to increase the heat of ordinary stoves, whether in the greenhouse or hall. — J. M. F., Streatham. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY'S MEETING. The December Meeting of this Society was held at Burlington House on the 3rd inst.. the President, Sir John Lubbock, F.K.S., in the chaii'. Amongst the donations to the Society's Ubrary received since the last meeting were the Memoirs of the Linnean Society of Normandy, the " Hymeuopterous Memoirs " of M. Sichel, &c. Six nes members were balloted for and elected. Mr. W. F. Evans, F.L.S., sent for exhibition a number of insects, chiefly Beetles (especially the beautiful Pyronota festiva. belonging to- the family Melolonthida!), which had been found amongst wool im- ported from New Zealand. Mr. Stainton exhibited living specimens of Gracdlaria scalarieUa, bred from lai-vre found at Cannes in the South of France, mining the leaves of Echium vulgare, communicated by M. Milliere ; also some ilat pouch-like galls, obtained from IMeutone, near Nice, formed on the leaves of Pistacia lentiscus, apparently by Aphides, hut which were inhabited by a Phycideous larva. Mr. lanson exhibited" a box of insects collected by Mr. W. Home in the vicinity of Rio Janeiro. Mr. Daer exhibited a chrysalis of the common TortoiseshtU Bntter- ily, from each shoulder of which depended a slender filament nearly as long as the chrysalis itself. The Secretai-y communicated a notice on the employment, in tropical countries, of mahogany timber of Westei-n Australia, that Hnd of wood not being subject, from its peculiar qualities, to the attacks of White Ants, which are so destructivo to aU other woodwork in hot climates. Dr. Sharp exhibited Stenns major, a species of Staphylinid® new to the British lists, taken at Southend. Professor Westwood communicated a biogi-aphical notice of the late Mr. S. Stone, whose collections of insects, nests of "Wasps, &c., a& well as his antiquarian collection, had been presented to the museums at Oxford. He also exhibited a number of specimens of the Gipsy Moth, Liparis dispar, reared by Mr. Briggs, of St. John's College, Oxford, showing the variations which had resulted from feeding some of the individuals exclusively on T>'hito Thorn and others on Elm. The females of the latter set were invariably crippled, and the whole of them sterile. This exhibition gave rise to considerable discussion. Professor "Wcstwood also communicated a letter fronj Edward Holds- worth, Esq., of Shanghai, containing a description of the caterpillar of the beautiful Moth Bombyx Selene. The discussion, commenced at the preceding meeting, on Natural Selection and Mimetic Analogies, was resumed, and continned at gi-eftt length, being participated in by Dr. Sharp, Messrs. Bates. Belt, Stainton, Weir, '\\'allace, McLachlan, Professor Westwood. and the President ; during which the immunity of the Heliconian Butterflies in South America from the attacks of birds (suggested by Mr. Bates as a cause of the mimicry which he assumed to have been adopted by January 1, 1867. ] JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 9 certain species of Pieridio), wag confirmeJ by Mr. Belt, who stated that he had observed, for a considerable period, a particular nest of a pair of insectivorous birds at Marauam in Brazil, and had noticed that although they captured other Butterflies, Dragon Flies, .tc., in great numbers for the food of their young, not a single Heliconian was taken, although flying about slowly in great quantities at the time, and close to the spot. Mr. Stainto"n also stated, in proof of the dis- taste of birds for certain species of insects, that on one occasion' he had captured a quantity of Moths flying rouud a lighted lamp, the whole of which, with the exception of a single Spilosoma Menthastri, proved to bo the common Noctua exclamationis. On discovering this next morning, the whole were thro^vu to some young turkey.;, which greedily devoured them, except the Spilosoma, which they could not be prevailed upon to touch ; and Mr. Weir stated that he had offered the larvfo of the same species of Spilosoma to some birds which he had kept in an aviary, aud^that in Uke manner they had refused to touch them. Mr. McLachlan read two papers, entitled, " A Description of a New rT-)@ri~)c S >(S^' ^ m(T][ o 3 CDCB } C^®CZ}CZ^®^^J {^}® s'l •3 ft » 3 cu S .S S »r - " Q 2 to"- a M •g.s 2 S. oc' c-^ «=^ i-t' -« cc *r fh" o t- ^ 5i S i , 5 "^ -! 9 ■=> tc o 0 3 ^i^-^-S 5 .;; o ^ ^ S-^ 5^ 2 ;:i oj 3 o H b *- i^ Cfl •r; c PL, ^ -^ tf'S - . o S 5 "S „- 9 o ^ "S q cr. 5; 5 o ■s g 3 g X -3 fc. •3 §1 « g fa :- r: S 3 S 3 . " "fr. a H q'S So-S-=g t£.q c-^.^ S'SfagS ic: SOCTH SIDE — WJI,K 104 FEET LONG, lOJ FEET WIDE. with ornamental stonework. Through the kindness of Mr. Myatt, the head gardener, I subjoin a list of the plants with which the beds were adorned during summer, and also a second Ust, giving a description of what the beds are now filled with Jor spring decoration. In conclusion, all that I saw at Earlaston was very praise- worthy. The extensive grounds were in good keeping ; each department gave commendatory evidence for Mr. Myatt and his assistants, from whom I received the utmost courtesy.— QuiNTiN Read, Port Hill Gardens, Burslem. Jannaiy 1, 1867. J JOUENAL OF HOBTICULTUllE AND CioTl'AGE GAUDENEB. 11 NOTES AND GLEANINGS. Those of our readers who have rooms a:'A 'conservato- ries with a north aspect, or which are overshadowed by other buildings, will be aided by the following note of a suggestion by Sir David Brewster : — " If, in a very narrow street or lane, we look out of a window with the eye in the same plane as the outer face of the wall in which the window is placed, we shall see the whole of the sky by v,'hich the apartment can be illu- minated. If we now withdraw the eye inwards, we shall gra- dually lose sight of the sky till it wholly disappears, which may take place when the eye is only (i or 8 inches from its first position. In such a case the apartment is illuminated only by the light reflected from the opposite wall, or the sides of the stones which form the window; because, if the glass of the •window is 6 or 8 inches from the wall, as it generally is, not a ray of light can fall upon it. If we now remove our window and substitute another in which all the panes of glass are roughly ground on the outside, and flush with the outer wall, the hght from the whole of the visible sky, and from the re- motest parts of the opposite wall, will be introduced into the apartment, reflected from the innumerable faces or facets which the rough grinding of the glass has produced. The whole window will appear as if the sky were beyond it, and from every point of this luminous surface light will radiate into all parts of the room." We have received from Messrs. Lucombe, Pinoe, & Co., of Exeter, a bunch of that admirable Grape, Mrs. Pince's Black Muscat, which was ripe on the Vine twelve montlis ago. We need hardly say it is now in the state of raisins, and these nre as fine, fleshy, and delicious as the finest imported ^luscatels. We take this opportunity of stating that Mrs. Pince's Black Muscat is one of the most valuable acquisitions in the way of Grapes which has been introduced for many years. Imagine the de- licious but milTy old Black Muscat of -Alexandria, with a robust constitution, a thick, stout, sturdy, berry-stalk, a tough mem- branous, though not thick, skin, and with the property of hang- ing till the sap rises again, and you have Mrs. Pince's Black Muscat. WORK FOR THE WEEK. KITCHEN GARDEN. We have but little to add to former directions in this depart- ment. The principal routine of business to be performed at this season is thorough draining, opening, clearing out, and repairing old drains, and making new ones, altering walks and fresh casing them with some good hard materials, the edgings having first been evenly made up. There is nothing in a kitchen garden which has a more neglected, dilapidated ap- pearance than uneven, weedy walks, with gapi)y, overgrown, or irregular Box or other edgings. Tlie wheeling out of ma- nures on spare borders and quarters, and trenching, must be proceeded with, and all possible speed should be made with these operations in suitable weather. Hoeing and surface- stirring amongst all kinds of progressing crops must be per- formed in tine days. By this practice the mutilation and de- struction occasioned by obnoxious insects and their larviE are to a great extent prevented. We should never hear of the destruction committed by slugs, snails, wireworms, or other vermin to any considerable extent if such a system were faith- fully carried out. Abundant preparations for the coming spring must be made in this department. A stock of garden mats must be procured for covering-purposes, and a mat or two cut up, tied in bunches in two classes, and hung up ready for summer use. Plenty of shreds for wall trees will require cutting, and the old ones should pass through the ordeal of boiling water. Here, too, the preparation of labels for dating and naming crops must proceed, and the seed-drawers should be thoroughly examined, cleaned out, and the old seeds dated and classified, in order that their relative value may be readily known. The new seeds will, of course, want arranging. Above all, a scheme of cropping, based on a judicious rotation, should be laid down forthwith. Broccoli, Celery, Carrots, Eudive, Lettuce, Parsley, and other needful articles, should be pro- tected in due time from frost. FEUIT GAEDEN. Figs against walls will require some protective material placed over them in the midland and northern counties. This, indeed, has been a favourable autumn for performing opera- tions in the fruit department. We hope that all speed has been made. It may be said that the ground has been damp under foot for standing to prune and nail ; but surely a dry board to stand on could be obtained. It should always be cleaned and put to dry in the tool-house, so as to be in readi- ness and comfortable for the feet again by the next day. FLOWER r.AKDEN. Tiie weather is still exceedingly favourable for the eseOution of alterations or new work, and it will not be the fault of the weather if such work be not finished in good time this season ; but we know from experience that it is in many cases easier to commence such operations than to know when or where they will end, and we would merely recommend here that every possible dispatch should be used to complete all such opera- tions as speedily as possible, in order to have the hands at liberty for the regular work, which, save in a few favoured cases, will soon require all the labour that is allowed. If not yet done, the leaves should be cleared up and the shrubbery borders lightly forked over to give them a fresh appearance. Lawns and gravel walks must be frequently rolled, so as to keep them firm and smooth. Those who purpose planting in the spring — for many persons still retain the notion that planting can be done in spring with greater certainty of suc- cess than at any other season — should lose no time in pre- paring the ground by trenching, or whatever may be deemed necessary for the plants. On light saudy soils there will be no particular necessity for making the pits at once ; but, how- ever friable the nature of the soil may be, it will be all the better of exposure for a month or two to the action of the weather. Where Ehododendrons are grown in masses and ex- hibit any indications of having exhausted the soil, a top-dress- ing of cow-manure, well decomposed, some .3 inches deep, and extending as far as the roots, should be applied at once. This will strengthen the plants for flowering, prevent rapid evapora- tion in summer, and keep the ground cool and moist, which is essential to the well-being of this handsome tribe of plants. GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. Attend carefully to valuable pot specimens of hardwooded plants, whicli it may be necessary to winter in the conservatory, for many of these are very impatient of fire heat and a con- fined atmosphere, and ought, therefore, to be kept as much out of the way of its influence as circumstances permit. Such plants should be placed near the glass, turning them partly round every week so that all their parts may be equally exposed to light ; and admit fresh air on every favourable opportunity, but carefully avoid cold cutting winds, which, if allowed to blow through plants just after they have been kept close with fire heat for some time, are sure to disfigure the foliage. Use no more fire heat than may be indispensable, and be careful to counteract its drying effects on the atmosphere, either by means of evaporating-pans or by sprinkling the border, &c., as may be necessarv, to prevent anything like a dry, parch- ing state of the atmosphere. Look'weU to plants in a grow- ing state, such as Leschenaultias, and Pimeleas ; remove the bloom as fast as it appears, but those plants of the former which are intended for early bloomiug must not have their flowers removed after this time. The number of plants brought forward will depend upon the demand, and must be regulated accordingly. Azaleas and Ehododendrons for forcing, still out of doors, must have some protection should severe I weather occur, or remove them to any spare house till wanted. i Narcissus, Hyacinths, &c,, should be protected by a frame ; as i they now begin to grow, remove the plunging material down ! to the surface of the pots to prevent them rooting upwards. Mignonette and Neapolitan Violets will require abundance of light and air to keep them from damping. As a change from the present to severe weather may come on suddenly, be pro- vided with ample means for covering pits and frames should it occur. As, with the exception of forced plants, most of the others are now in an inactive state, the temperature of plant- houses should fall to its minimum point, consistent with the safety of the various inmates. Nothing can well be worse for the development of a healthy, vigorous growth in plants than subjecting them to a high temperature at the present season of the year when light, so important to the healthy action of vegetable life, cannot accompany it. STOVE. Here all is still and quiet. Keep a moderate heat of from 50° to GO', and give plenty of air. The Ixoras should be elevated near the glass to set their bloom, and have plenty of air at all times ; keep them comparatively ch-y. Stephanotis, Allamandas, &c., may be potted and trained preparatory to starting, and the staking of all specimen plants must be pro- ceeded with as fast as possible. 12 JOUENAL OF HOETICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. [ January 1, 1867. PITS ANn FRAMES. Plants of a succulent character will require much attention during damp, rainy weather. Geraniums, Calceolarias, &c., are very liable to become mouldy. Eemove all leaves so atJected as soon as they are discovered, or the evil will spread. — W. Keane. DOINGS OF THE LAST "WEEK. The general worli has been very much the same as in pre- vious weeks. Some time was taken up in preparing, by orna- menting for Christmas festivities, which we hope will never become so old-fashioned as to lose their force and influence upon all ranks and ages of the community. Keenly enjoyed as Christmas gatherings are by the young, we question very much if they are not e%"eu more henelicial to those getting up in j-ears, as in their case especially it is well that the heart should be kept young even whilst the body is feeling the effects of age. In ornamenting a room with evergreens, there is generally a great objection to anything in the shape of a nail in the wall ; but much may be done by having poles covered, a flat piece of board fastened to the top, and that covered with layers of cloth to go against the wall, and then these poles may be con- nected together with strings of leaves ; and the running line obtained, all sorts of festoons and wreaths may be added at pleasure. For this purpose the twigs of Laurel, Laurustinus, Holly, etc., should not be too large, so that they may be nicely tied to the cord ; and the more neatly this is done, the more nice and symmetrical will the wreaths and festoons appear. A good variety may be given even by making the most of the strings of common Laurel, and having prominent parts done with Laurustinus in bloom, and different colours of Holly, with or without flowers, natural or artificial. Christmas Trees. — These are events chiefly for the young, and beautiful they look when well done. We mention them here because we find there is a great difiiculty with some of our friends — first, in obtaining a symmetrical tree, and, secondly, in making it stand upright when it is of a large size, and more especially if much weight is hung upon it. This must be the only excuse for adverting to such a simple matter here ; but the simplest matters are often the most puzzling to those who have never attended to them before. Last year we heard of more than one Christmas tree that came to grief, falling over on its broadside just when the children were clapping their hands in approbation at the brilliant light from the many coloured wax candles, and the glitter of many a beautiful toy. Of all trees the Spruce is the best for a Christmas tree, as the dark foliage contrasts well with the brilliancy when the candles are lighted. The tree may be of any size ; from 10 to 13 or more feet would be a good height from the floor for a large party and a large room. We do not trouble ourselves with the roots of the tree, but cut it over at the desired height. The more regular the Layers of branches are the better, and if the foliage on them should he rather thick, a good deal may be cut away from the lower side of the branches, so that the light may appear to more advantage and the different things sus- pended be better seen. This will also secure the candles fixed on the different tiers burning without coming in contact with any of the twigs above them. The long point of a young Spruce tree also forms a natural place, as it were, for fastening the principal flag. to, and less flags may be fastened to stand out obUquely from the base of this terminal shoot. The tree will always look best when, from the wide branches at the base to the terminal shoot, a somewhat equal but slightly irregular cone is formed of the different layers of branches. Were you to search a whole day in a wood for a fine-balanced tree, you would not find one in which there would not be some breaks in the conical outline, and hence, where a very tine regular effect is required, not only will the branches require thinning in some places, but it would be well to have a number of branches in reserve from the largest to the smallest size. By means of a large gimlet for the smaller branches, and an auger for the larger ones, we can make each l.iyer or ring of branches regular all round — that is, moderately so. so as not to interfere with the natural appearance of the tree, by securely fastening a branch in the bole where wanted, and of the requisite length. By this means the poorest and most un- Symmetrical tree may be rendered very symmetrical. This is all that would be required where the articles to be suspended were light ; but when they are heavy and useful, as for a women's club, all the main branches could be kept firmly in their places, and hold a good weight without being depressed out of shape, by a fine copper wire being fastened 2 feet or 30 inches from the top of the tree, taken round each main branch from top to bottom, and then fastened by a nail to the tub, in which the tree was placed. From six to a dozen of such strings would keep all the main branches in their places, and as the higher tier could not be unduly depressed too close to the branches beneath, the candles might burn with little or no attendance. AVe recommend small brass wire instead of small string, because hardly to be seen, and also because string would be liable to be burned, and then the weight might un- duly depress the branch. For light toys no such bracing would be required. Some of this work may be done before the tree is fixed, but the most particular should be done afterwards. As a pot for the tree, nothing answers better than a moderate-sized tub or an old beer-barrel without one end. A four-gallon barrel will do for a small cut-over tree ; a nine-gallon barrel wUl hold a large one, on which almost any likely weight may be suspended. In placing, the first proceeding is to saw the bottom of the bole of the tree across horizontally. Then we measure the bottom of the vessel, say a barrel, and if it is circular we take a board cut round, and half an inch less in diameter than the inside diameter of the vessel. This is nailed at the centre securely to the centre of the bole of the tree. The tree is then lifted, and the board and the base of the tree are placed in the barrel, the board resting on the bottom of the barrel. This is a better holding than even a lot of roots would be. On the top of this board the barrel or tub is filled to the top with bricks or stones and sand well jammed in, and no common weight will cause tree or tub to swerve. The top and sides of the vessel may be concealed with Ivy, &c. A Spruce tree has a good weight of itself ; and when much weight has to be put on it, some such precautions are necessary if the tree is to main- tain a natural position, and the floor of the room is to be encumbered by no bracings. No doubt there are other modes of making and then securing fine symmetrical Christmas trees ; and as we learn that in some parts of the country these trees will be in request until at least the 12th of .January, if any extra hints can be given before that time we are sure that many would be obliged. We have merely treated of the tree in its skeleton appearance, or in its merely gardening point of view. The furnishing of the tree is a matter for the ladies, who can do it with a grace that few of us can hope to equal, though we can appreciate it when done. KITCHEN GAr.DEN. Mushrooms. — In our out-door open shed the Mushrooms were like broad blue Scotch bonnets ; and we mention the fact fcr the purpose of disclosing a great secret. As the bed had become a Uttle dry from the covering, they were watered all over the bed from the spout of a pot, with water in which dried cowdung had been soaked. Now, for such watering of Mushroom-beds we rather disapprove of manure water from any dung that is in a green state ; but when previously dried and then soaked, we have great faith, so far as large Mushrooms for broiling are concerned, and we would prefer dried sheep and dried deer- dung to cowdung. In all such watering we never like young Mushrooms to be touched with the water, it is apt to make them leathery, and therefore we prefer the spout of the pot to the rose ; and if the bed should be at all dry whilst the surface is moist enough, we prefer making holes with a stick instead of soaking the surface soil. Fr.riT AND OEXAMEXTAL DEPAET3IEXT. Much the same as last week. Managed to plant out in weU- prepared rich borders, lots of the single and double blue Violets, which had been pricked out thickly in a temporary bed. A pressure of other work prevented us striking cuttings, or divid- ing the plants of Neapolitan Violets, growing, and then lifting them into a frame or pit in autumn, which along with never allowing a runner to appear, is the best plan for managing such desirable plants. Some plants in a pit were put in late last season, and being rather small, we thought they might do with top-dressing for another year ; but although they will do fairly they will not be so good as if they had been treated as stated above. — E. F. TRADE CATALOGUE RECEIVED. James Veitch & Sous, Eoyal Exotic Nursery, King's Eoad, Chelsea, S.W. — Catalogue of Garden and Flower Seeds, d!rc. — List of Gladiolus. January 1, 1867- ] JOURNAL OF HOETICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENEB. 13 COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— December 29. A RETURN to dulness in the trade penernlly is the characteristic now, and heavy consignments reach us both English and foreipn. there being a large supply of rough home-gi'own Apples, which hardly command prices to pay commission. Pears are limited to Winter Nelis, Glou Morcean, and Passe Colraar. Some excellent Pines have come from the Azores, quite equalling those we have had occasion to remark upon in former years. The best Potatoes have slightly advanced in price. S. d. B. Apples J sieve 2 0to3 Apricots ,'. doz. 0 0 0 Cherries lb. 0 0 0 Chestnuts bush. 10 0 18 Currants ^ sieve 0 0 0 Black do. 0 0 0 Figs doz. 0 0 0 Filberts lb. 0 0 0 Cobs lb. 0 9 1 Gooseberries .. quart 0 0 0 Grapes, Hothouse.. lb. 4 0 8 Lemons 100 5 0 10 Melons each Nectarines doz. Oranges 100 Peaches doz. Pears (dessert) ..doz. kitchen doz. Pine Apples lb. Plums i sieve 2 0 5 0 0 d. s. d 0to4 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 Quinces doz. 0 Raspberries. Strawberries , .lb. , lb. Walnuts bush. 10 0 20 0 VEGETAELES. Artichokes each Asparagus bundle Beans, Broad., bushel ScarletRun.:^ sieve Beet, Red '.. doz. Broccoli bundle Brus. Sprouts ^ sieve Cabbage .'. doz. Capsicums 100 Carrots bunch Cauliflower doz. Celery bundle Cucumbers each pickling .... doz. Endive doz. Fennel bunch GarUc lb. Herbs bunch Horseradish . . bundle 0 OtoO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Leeks bunch Lettuce per score Mushrooms pottle Mustd.& Cress, punnet Onions per bushel Parsley, .doz. bunches Parsnips doz. Peas per quart Potatoes bushel Kidney do. Radishes doz. bunches Rhubarb bundle Savoys doz. Sea-iiale basket ' Shallots lb. Spinach bushel I Tomatoes per doz. Turnips bunch Vegetable Marrows dz. s. d. B. 0 StoO 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 3 0 3 9 0 6 0 TO CORRESPONDENTS. ••• We request that no one will wi-ite privately to tlie depart- mental writers of the "Journal of Horticulture. Cottage Gardener, and Country Gentleman." By so doing they are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. Ail communications should therefore be addressed solehf to The Editors of the Journal of Horticulture, d'C, 171, Fleet Street, London, B.C. We also request that correspondents will not mis np on the same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them an- swered promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate communications. Also never to send more than two or three questions at once. Htacinths rN A Room 'C. .V. TI'.).— The bc^innincr of October is the best time to pot Hyacinths and to place them in glasses. You may pot the small bulbs now in 41-iuch pots, and large ones in six-inch pots. Drain the pots well, and use a compost of turfy loam two-thirds, and well-rotted manure one-third, with a free admixture of sharp sand. Three parts fiU the pots with soil, place on the surface a little sand, and on this set the bulb in the centre of the pot ; then fill in soil around the bulb, so as to be level with the crown, leaving the least possible part of the crown uncovered. Give a gentle watering, and place the pots in a dark cupboard for a fortnight, then set them on a ledge or shelf in a window having a southern aspect ; keep the soil moist by watering, never allowing it to become either too wet or too dry, and turn the pots round frequently so as to have the spike and foHage erect. If you grow Hyacinths in glasses, fill these to within an inch of the bulb with soft water, and place tiicm in a dark cupboard imtil the bulbs begin to push and have made considerable progress. A piece of charcoal about the size of a small walnut may be put into the water, and it will tend to keep the water sweet. Do not change the latter so long as it remains sweet, and when it is changed use soft water which has been in the house some hours. Keep the glass replenished with water as this evaporates. Azaleas Forcing (A Younqstcr). — Your house with a day temperature of 60 , and a night one of 50^, is sviitable for bringuig on Azaleas. In such a temperature, with a fair amount of ventilation and a moist atmo- sphere they will flower in sis or eight weeks, dependant, of course, on the state of the buds. Some Azaleas lose many of their leaves at this season ; many shed them through their having had the soil much too dry at some time. Azalea Culture fH". H.\— The small-leaved kinds you name do not require treatment different from that of Azaleas generally. It is seldom we find it necessary to thin out the shoots of Azaleas, for weakness is favourable to flowering rather than otherwise, and gi'oss shoots fre- quently do not flower. "We fear you do not give the plants liberal treat- ment, nor sufficient moisture, as they are so liable to thrips. PiinnrLA srsENsrs Flowers (D., Ncicark). — The pips are very fine, but no judgment could be formed of their merits, for they were bruised by the post-office stamping. Flowers must be sent in a bos and in damp IU05S. Covering Peach THEEa {Agnes).— It is not necessary at this season to protect Peach trees. When the buds exhibit indications of swelling the coviTiuR may he put on, and remain on day and night in order to retard the blossoms. After the flowers open the covering should only be used at night, except on frosty or foggy days. Whenever the days are mild the covering should be removed during the day. Your proposed mode of protection is verj' good, only the covering must not remain down by day after the blossoms expand, when the weather is fine and mild. The mesh of the nets should not exceed a ijuarter of an inch. Woollen nets are best, but cotton will do if the meshes are not too large. You may double or treble the netting. CccusrBER Fruit not Setting (Jame» Pfm).— The fruit fall when they should swell because you do not fertilise the flowers, which is necessary with some kinds at this season. Other causes are a deficiency of bottom heat or a too high night temperature. Withno particulars we are unable to advise further. Vacant Ground (T. M.).— Fork over your Ught sandy soil now, and pick out the roots of weeds, but do not lay on manure. Your ton of scrapings from the footpaths, mixed with leaves, weeds, &c., and to which you have added three pecks of lime, \W11 be further improved by the same quantity of salt the next time you turn it over. Put this compost on the ground in the spring when digging, previously to planting, sowing, &c. The " Garden Manual " will suit you. If you enclose twenty postage stamps with your direction you can have it free by post from our office. Cotton Seed of all varieties m«y be obtained from the Secretary of the Cotton Supply Association, Newall's Buildings, Manchester. Ix-DOOR Plant Case (Lover of the Coitn/rt/).— Either of those yoa mention would do for forcing on a small scale. Everlasting Flowers (E. M. B.).— The varieties of each species of what are termed " Everlastings," are so numerous that it is impossible to identify them — in fact, they are unnamed. The two heads you enclosed, for instance, are each Helichiysum bracteatum. and in ordering seeds of them, all that you could say to distinguish them would be to describe one as the white, and the other" the crimson variety. The large yellow Ever- lasting is the yellow variety of H. bracteatum. The small yellow, if you mean that used in constructing "Immortelles," is Gnaphalium are- narium. Protecting Pear Blossom: (A. Q.).—In most cases it will be sufficient if a piece of thin calico or tifi'any be thrown over each bush or pyramid, there being at each comer a piece of string which can be tied to the tree so as to prevent the covering being Mown off by the wind. Where con- venient a stout stake may be inserted by the trunk, and extending 1 foot higher than it, and then* other stakes should be placed against this up- right, outside the branches, one end resting on the ground and the other secured with string to the upright. These stakes, which may be slaters' laths, 1* by ^ inch, should be placed l' feet apart in a circle round the tree. The covering being fastened with string at a distance of 1 foot from the ground, will be secui-e against vriud, and home at such a dis- tance from the blossom as not to injui'e it. Primuxa Seed Sowing {Anxious to Enow).— To have good Primulas, seed from good flowers must be sown, and to seciure this the purchaser must give rather a high price. Good Primula seed is dear. Your time of sowing is suitable for an autumn and winter bloom. Our plan is I this : the seed is sown in the first week in March in pans one-third filled with broken pots, an inch of moss, coooa-nut fibre, or the sittings of the 1 compost being placed thereon; and then the pans are filled to the rim ! with turfy loam, sandy peat, leaf mould, and silver sand in equal parts, i passed through a half-inch seive. The surface is made smooth, the ! seeds scattered thinly over it, and just covered with the same compost. i A gentle watering is then given, and the pan is placed in gentle heat, I such as that of a' Cucumber-frame. Care is taken to keep the soU moist, but by no means wet, and when the plants appear the pan is brought , near the glass, so that they may have abundance of air and all the light ' possible. Here they remain until they are of suflSclent size to pot off; they are gradually hardened off and removed to a vinery or other house, and in Jime or early in July transferred to a cold frame, where they are shifted as occasion may require. Swollen Black Currant Tree Buds (W. J.).— We know of no insect that deposits its eggs in the buds of the Black Currant " causing them to swell to an enormous size." If you send us shoots having on them some swollen buds we will endeavour to determine the name of the insect. NuitBER OF Men NEEDFtx (R F.)—A general rule used to be a man for each acre ; but flower gardens and pleasure groimds need much more labour than kitchen gardens. Soil, proportion of each department, and other considerations, have an influence also. Vinery (A Sco( .— We do not think you would do any good with a vinery on such a north-east aspect without heating the house, and even then the situation would be unsuitable. We would prefer devoting the wall to Plums, Cherries, and Pears. Vine Boots in Wet Subsoil (B. T.I.— The best thing you can do, having drained the border, is to concrete the bottom, place 6 or 10 inches of rubble over it. and having carefully ir.ken up the roots of the Vines, to wTap the roots in mats covered with straw, make a fresh border, .ind replant carefully about 6 inches from the surface. Add as much hot litter on the i;m-"face as will give a temperature of from 65^ to 80' in the earth, and let the Vines break natm-ally. Tubular Boiler {Tubular) —We do not remember the account of the boiler your refer to in 1862. We do our utmost to oblige our readers, but we cannot afford time to seek for references for them ; they must do tbat. We place less value than some people on having pipes with water under the fire; we believe that good bars are in ever>- way better. Your boiler ought to heat 1.200 feet ; but a Ko. 4 does not give us a defi- nite idea, as difl'erent makers differ in sizie, and the size would have enabled us to have judged better. If well set, &.C., do you keep the heat from going up the chimney by a damper ? Names of Fruits [Bichard Xic7ioUon).—Ap2ile8 : 1, Warwickshire Pippin ; 2. Crimson Queening ; 4, Feam's Pippin ; 5, Alfriston ; 6, Holland- bury. Pear: 1, Susette de Bavay. Nasies of Plants (A Kovice).—h Adiantnm, insufficient to determine the species; 2, Onychium japonicum : 3, Pteris longifolia; 4, Gynmo- gramma caJomelano's ; 5, Aspidimn molle {?) (i-Ved).— Oporanthus luteus* (^m(i(tur).— We cannot satisfactorily name the scraps you send. 1 is u JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ Jununry 1, Specularia si)eciilum ; 2, probably a loaf of Albizzia lophantha; 8, Con- I nu8 fasciculatus. (An Old Suii«cri!)fr).— Garrya elliptica. (Frederick taurea ragusina; and 4 maybe Cineraria maritima. I J. Bri/an) — 1, Rivina Wehheri.—l, Pellica geraniifolia ; 2, Pteris semipinnatn ; 3, Pblebodium teris; 2, Euphorbia jacquiuuctlara; 3, Justicia spcciosa ; 4, Habrotham- ' aureum; 4, Platyceriuin alcioorne (?); 5, Davallia canariensis. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS in the Suburbs of London for the Eight Days ending December 29th. Date. THERMOMETER. Wind. Rain In inches. General Remarks. BAROMETES. Air. Earth. Max. Mm. Max. Min. in. dp. 2 ft. dp. Sat. .. 22 Snn. .. 23 Mon... 24 Tues. . 25 Wed. . 2i> Thure. 27 Fri. .. 2« Sat. .. 29 Mean ao.sin 80.333 .30.244 S0.102 29.988 29.831 29.950 29.788 80.301 30.313 30.223 80.073 29.912 29.742 29.365 29.404 42 45 43 48 63 54 55 51 32 31 28 34 37 40 40 30 43 44 45 46 46 46 47 47 43 43 43 S* 44 46 45J S.W. w. S.W. S.W. S. w. w. S.W. .01 .00 .01 .00 .10 .00 .00 .04 Foggy throughout : slight drizzle at night. Hazy ; overcast ; fine throughout. Hazy, and mild for the season ; thick uniform haze ; slight frost. Very tine throughout ; overcast at night. Densely overcast ; very fine throughout ; rain at night. Boisterous ; cloudy ; starlight at night without frost. Overcast ; fine ; warm for the season. Fine ; very fine ; boisterous, with rain at night. 30.083 29.979 4S.25 34.00 45,37 4S.87 0.16 POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE. THE PAST AND THE FUTURE. In this first Number of "our Journal" appearing in 1867, we, as is our custom, uow review the past and sahite the new year. We hope we are, as we should be, very grateful ; we have been spared to addre.ss our numerous frieud.s again. It is now many years since we first did so, and although the " insatiate archer " makes his annual gaps, yet we are thankful that the original phalanx remains a numerous and serried one. Many will remember the past year with gloomy feeUngs. It has been to them, v.c fear we may say to most, a period of gloom, loss, and trial. We are indeed thankful we have not to do with those themes, nor should we advert to them were it not that the destruction of cattle owing to the rinderpest, and the consequent rise in the price of meat, have forced the public of all classes of society to look at poultry as a valuable auxiliary in providing food for a nation. The wonderful increase in our importations of eggs and every article of food produced in the farmyard has awakened the attention, not only of those who seein to consider it their province to provide the food of millions, but of the political economists who assess the loss that is snffered by the community when money leaves the country. We have no doubt the exceptional state of the food market during the past year has awakened the attention of those men whose energies are never directed to a subject with- out producing a visible result. There can be no doubt that the question is capable of great development, and that food, both meat and eggs, may be provided in much larger quanti- ties than at present, without any increase of expense. The beginning of 1866 was notorious for the number of com- panies that were formed, and of speculations that were entered into. Poultry w.as represented by two companies ; one has been some time Jefimct ; the other is, we beUeve, the " sick man" of the poultry world — no other result could be expected. None but a very theorist could have dreamed that poultry could be profitably bred on five acres of land in sufficient quan- tities to enable the Company (limited) to sell it by weight at per nound in the metropolis. While on the subject of production, we must mention the fact of several hatching machines being brought before the public. We anticipate much good from them. They will never supersede hens, nor would it be a gain if they did, but they will undoitbtedly increase the poultry stock. The Poultry Club still exists ; some of its originators and old office-holders are retiring, and a few new members are joining. The account furnished of their Rochdale Show was discourag- ing, and the " Standard of Excellence " has not become the text book of amateurs. We wish them every success in all that tends to the good of the pursuit. Birmingham, the great mother of shows, aud the originator of most of our schemes as connected with exhibitions, has again been in the van of innovation, and new ideas were adopted with success at her last Show. It is no uncommon thing in larger undertakings than poultry shows for classes to clash, and for one to ignore the other. Directors and managers can speak feelingly of conflicting interests, and exhibitors, spectators, aud purchasers form three of them. The first class is often threatening to withdraw from exhibiting unless certain things which they desire are complied with. The third ia supplied from the second, and they declare justly that they supply the sinews of war. Birmingham has tried to please all, and has partially succeeJed. Purchasers wished to be able to buy a hen of their own selection, aud one that might be bred from without having brother aud sister in the yard. The new classes have proved a success, having nearly doubled the sales ; while purchasers have been suited, the sales of the birds have proved a welcome addition to the profits of the prizetakers. Manchester has again been the scene of a large and successful Show. Mr. Jennison deserves well at the hand of amateurs for the care and punctuality that attend all his dealings. The South is giving signs of vitality, and shows are spring- ing up. The Royal Agricultural Society of England will again have poultry at Bm-y St. Edmunds, where the show mil be held this year. Dorkings have held their own, but have made no progress in weight. There must be a limit, and they have, perhaps, at- tained it. Spanish remain stationary. Cochins are decidedly improving in quality and popularity. Brahma Pootras are realising our predictions, and not only form a very large class, but an offshoot, the Light Brahmas, is treading on the heels of the Dark birds. Polauds increase in numbers aud quality. Game are always admirable, but they have surpassed them- selves in the past year. Hamburghs are numerous and good, but we doubt whether the best pens are as meritorious as they were some years ago. Crame Bantams are deservedly favourites with the public, and their classes are not only numerous but produce exquisite specimens ; Blacks and Whites hold their own, but Sehrights fall off in numbers. The Eouen Ducks have at last beaten the Aylesburys in weight, and have also formed more numerous classes. Geese are still improving. We should be afraid after what we have seen to fix a limit to the weight they may be made to attain. The same may be said of Turkeys. We feel somewhat as we should imagine a Judge feels when at a maiden assize he is presented with a pair of white kid gloves. We have no fault to find, no grievance to dilate upon, no complaint to make. While this gives us great pleasure in our task, of necessity it curtails our paper. Our profession of faith is an old one. We have never willingly hurt the feelings of any one. We have to tell the truth so far as lies in our power. The old saying will recur to many, " On nr sf fache que lie !a verM." If we have caused pain by any remark, the fact that we did not intend to do so will make the amende easy — we apologise for it. Our career has been smooth and easy through a troublous time, we thank our subscribers for it. Our support years ago, and our great comfort and happiness now, have been, that among those who form our subscribers we have none but friends. Our success has ]>rGved that we were not mistaken in the line we chalked out when we started ; and now, when we address all, our subscribers, contributors, aud friends — when we close a year of unusual trial to those who are still numbered among the workiug classes — we feel strong in our motives and practice, and hope and believe there will be a hearty response from all when, forgetting the past, except so far as it may have taught useful lessons, we heartily wish to all A H-iPPY New Year. Walsall PonLTKY Show. — As an additional attraction to this Show, sweepstakes are being arranged for the following January 1, 1867. ] JOUENAL OP HOBTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 15 varieties of poultry : — Dorking, Spanish, Buff and White Cochins, and the two classes of adult Game. Subscription one guinea each, to be divided among subscribers only into two prizes — three-iifths for the first, two-fifths for the second. The Hon. Secretary, Mr. .T. Bayliss, will receive subscriptions, which will close on the same date as the entries — viz., January .5th. Several gentlemen have already given in their names as sub- scribers to the Buff Cochin and Game classes. THE POULTRY CLUB. Absence from home prevented me last week from correcting one or two errors in your report of the Club meeting at Bir- mingham. The first I observe is with reference to the motion proposed by me with regard to the detention of the Club funds by the Hon. Treasurer without explanation. You say, " An explanation was offered by Mr. Zurhorst exculpating Mr. Tud- man," when in point of fact the very reverse was the case. The facts are as follows : Mr. Tudman, having had due notice of the resolution calling on him to explain why he had not paid over the money voted and ordered by the Stewards on account of the Rochdale prize list, came to the meeting, anticipated the call for an explanation by giving in his balance-sheet, resign- ing, and leaving the room before the motion could be brought on, without remark of any kind, except that some of the money received on account of the " Standard of Excellence " had not passed through his hands. Mr. Tegetmeier explained that he had offered it to Mr. Tudman, who declined to receive it, and that as a last resource he had remitted it to the Hon. Secretary. As Mr. Tudman had apparently run away to avoid explana- tion, I deemed it necessary to offer some remarks, before with- drawing the motion, as to why I brought it forward. In doing so I dealt as lightly as possible with the absent ; but I was compelled to show how far, in the gi-atificatiou of private feel- ing, Mr. Tudman had jeopardised the credit of the Club, and I stated circumstantially my reasons for calling on Mr. Tudman for a public explanation. As he did not choose, though tilling a most responsible office, to afford this, I was compelled to come to the conclusion that his conduct was unjustifiable to the honourable body for which he was trustee ; and so far from exculpating him I left the facts in the hands of the meet- ing, expressing my own opinion of the undignified and selfish eoui'se he had pursued. The motions respecting the judges were consolidated ; and SO close was the division of opinion, that the first voting re- sulted in a tie. The second voting had the same result, an additional vote having been obtained on each side, and the i Chairman finally gave the casting vote. There was no question submitted as to the disposing of the remaining copies of the " Standard," for the Club has no doubt on this subject, as there is still a fair demand, though not as great as at first.— F. W. Zurhorst, Hon. Sec. Poultry Club, Donnybrook. Absence has prevented me replying to " A Member," whose letter appears in your Journal of the 18th ult. ; but I am, no doubt, all in good time, and I am sure the spirit of fair play which always animates your Joiu-nal will afford me space. The communication in question is a tissue of misstatements fi"om beginning to end. But to begin. He says, ' a member high in otfice informed him that the ' Standard ' had been cast aside as useless long since," &c. Now this is so utterly at variance with the facts, that I am inclined to think " A Mem- bee " must have dreamed it (I should not venture to think it was a concoction), as the following figures are well known to all members, including those " high in office," who have taken the trouble to read the reports or attend the meetings. The " Standard " cost some £27 to publish and bind a five-hundred edition. The whole of the members then on the books received a fr-ee copy. The numbers sold have been sufficient to pay the whole expenses and leave a balance of from £8 to £10 appli- cable to other purposes, together with some 1.50 copies available for sale or presentation free to new members on application to the Honorary Secretary. At our next balance our publishers wOl have a goodly balance of cash to hand us, and I am this day sending off copies to individuals outside the Club who have applied for them. So much for assertion No. 1. Now the next. The numerous commendations of the " Standard of Excel- lence " that have appeared in the columns of the press, and its large sale, render any further comments on its merits unne- cessary. With reference to the Club Judges not judging book in hand, "A Member" again displays his ignorance of facts. I will simply quote a portion of the minutes of a meeting held the 1st of October, 1801, Mr. KeUeway in the chair. Mr. Beldon said that some misapprehension existed as to the rules for judging, " no judge could be expected to go about book in hand ;" and it was then unanimously resolved that to pre- vent misapprehension the title of the forthcoming book should be changed from "Rules for Judging" to "The Standard of Excellence." The Club prospectus published in January, 1865, stated that it " was for the guidance of exhibitors," and to "obtain as far as possible uniformity of judging." I presume our well-informed " Member " (?) will now understand why the Judges at Rochdale did not go about book in hand. As to the discussion and division on the additions to the Judges, I suppose " A Member " will allow others to entertain an opinion. It is a pity he did not, as he says he attended ihe meeting, assert his, instead of confining himself to writing anonymous uncertainties ! Again, with regard to the Rochdale Show, how reliable is " A Member's " information ! how exquisitely just his informa- tion ! He says the Rochdale Show must have cost the Club £30, and then says he was at the Birmingham meeting. Had he either opened his ears or lifted one of the balance sheets on the table, he would have seen that the Show unfortunately cost the Club £128 (not £30 as he suggests) — viz., £75 guarantee money, and £53 from Club funds, and that though the entries paid the prize list, the receipts at the door amounted in three days to but £13, the rain having come down incessantly from end to end of the Show. I may add that copies of the balance sheet were laid upon the Club table, as well as sent to each guarantor, and the promptitude with which those gentleman to a man paid the call after receiving the balance sheet needs no comment. What Mr. Tudman said at the meeting I have stated above. I am in possession of the shorthand-writer's notes, and the omission of the full report respecting Mr. Tudman's resignation and its causes was dictated by a desire to avoid personality. As to what Mr. Tudman and Mr. A.^hton did for the Club, the minute-book before me shows that they attended the first meeting, with manj' other gentlemen at Liverpool, but that they proposed no resolutions. They were appointed joint Secre- taries— Mr. Ashton speedily resigned, and Mr. Tudman followed him twelve months after. With regard to the Club costing half its subscriptions to work, I have only to point to the fact that the annual income is £57, a small amount of which is in arrear, that no less a sum than £40 has been paid this year out of the Club funds towards the Show, and that Mr. Tudman by his balance sheet had upwards of £12 in hand at the Birmingham meeting, the printing, stationery, and postage for the whole year being under £8. In conclusion I would advise "AMembee" ere he again rushes into print to get up his facts a little more accurately. It was only due to the members of the Club that this refuta- tion should be written, but no further anonymous correspon- dents will be recognised or replied to by — F. W. Zurhorst, Hon. Sec, Poulinj Club, Donnybrook. POULTRY JUDGING. I SEE quite enough to dishearten exhibitors in the present system of judging, and the rejection of the motions on this subject before the Poultry Club show that we have little hope of reform in that quarter. The Poultry Club has proved a disappointment. I agree for the most part with the letter of your correspondent lately on the subject. I make no charges of dishonesty against the judges, although I am quite aware that dishonest judges do exist. I think a vast deal of mischief arises rather from a friendly feeling towards local exhibitors, and a pertinacious interference of officials, than from any pre- meditated favouritism. Not a sufficient number of judges is employed, too much is expected of them, and many of them are wilhng to believe that they are competent to judge in all classes. Everything connected with the fancy bl-eediug of poultry is undefined, uncertain, and unsatisfactory. There is no point of authority. We have no fixed rules — no standard by which to work ; every- thing seems to be a matter of taste and opinion. With this feeling I attached myself to the Poultry Club; but however good a man the present Secretary may be, the 16 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GABDENER. [ Jauu;iry 1, ISi?. members Jo not seem inclined to do anything. Except the " Standard of Excellence," which with all its faults is a useful production, nothing has been done. I am inclined now to go in for poultry as an article for food. I dare say you have seen Mr. Geyelin's circular, " Our SyRtcm of Selling Poultry, and the Eernedy." He has, I think, the right plan, but at present he fails in bringing it to boar. The National Poultry Company may answer as a place for breeding and selhng good birds, but there is a want of vigour there, iiud under the present system they will not produce any change. You will think I am a general grumbler, but I am sure you will agree with me in many things. I want to work certain reforms, and I will do so, if possible, without angry feeling or personal attacks. — Egojiet. SUNDRIES. In reply to " Cleeicus," before he accuses his " Black Country " dealer of imposition in the matter of his Partridge Cochin cock, he should be able tojmivc that some imposition h.ad been practised. I do not think any person conversant with the changes of plumage that fowls undergo in moulting, would be satisfied with the simple statement offered by " Cleeicus." Changes from black to white are well authenticated, and would appear much more like '■ shameful dishonesty," than the case mentioned, and yet Dame Nature may be alone to blame. In reference to " Poultry Show Neglects," and " Exhibitoe," I can sympathise with him in the matter of catalogues and prize lists, though not as relating to Newport. I have before now in the pages of " our Journal," advocated certain cour- tesies to exhibitors. A ticket of admission is one courtesy I have advocated; it might induce the exhibitor to attend the show, he might purchase, and thus aid the funds ; and in any case I do know this, that it gives the exhibitor a more lively interest in the welfare of the exhibition. As to catalogues, I feel that exhibitors ought to be the fust persons considered. I have gone myself to an exlnbition to find all the catalogues sold, though I had ordered one. It does appear to me that ex- hibitors are really the backbone of exhibitions. This may be diseased imagination on my part, but I think that as the great majority must be unsuccessful, it would be wonh the while of managers to pat all on the backs, and show them some little attention. Let it be a rule at every exhibition, to dispatch by the first possible post a catalogue and prize list to every ex- hibitor. Would the managers of a large show lose £5 by such generosity? I should say, certainly not; but a very few ex- hibitors declining to enter at a second show would cause a loss of far more than £5 in entries. Railway charges, however, seem Hkely still to be the stumb- ling block to increase of exhibitors. To myself quite recently, obtaining prizes has not been sufficient to preserve me from losing money by exhibiting. I have just paid 4s. Gd. for one hamper of Polish fowls (therefore not heavy), travelling one hundred miles on a single railway, and since that I have sent to the Nevrport Show three pens for 5s. 2d. ; the return jom-ney cost me 10s. 3d., the distance being under one hundred miles. Mr. Cork is right, most probably, in his reply to " ExHiBiTon." The railway should be blamed for detention. I can only say my birds returned from New Shoreham in capital condition. One cock has been exhibited three times successfully since that Show, without being any the worse. This could not be if he had sultered from neglect at Shoreham. The " Ex- hibitoe " at New Shoreham might probably, with trouble, have traced the packages, and found out where the fault was. Per- haps he had better pocket the affront. My crusade against the railways has ended, as I think, in all poultry parcels being charged to me on our local railway 50 per cent, extra. I cannot help fancying that orders have been given to all clerks to look out for my name, and to lay it on heavily. — Y. B. A. Z. INCUBATORS. If "Edgwoeth" and " A Sr.ixisH Beeder " will put them- selves in communication with me, I shall be most happy to reply to their queries about my incubator. I have endeavoured to construct it to be as perfect as possible in command over internal and external temperature — I believe hitherto the weak point — and I will guarantee that if one is fitted according to my instructions, it shall keep the requisite temperature, 102' to 103°, absolutely without vari- ation ; further, that if the slight extra expense is incurred of having my outer anti-radiation casings, many a mishap of the gas or lamp going out will have no evil effect, for the incubator shall keep its proper temperature for six hours without any heating medium whatever. One thing, however, I cannot guarantee when an incubator has gone out of my hands— that is, another's attention thereto. Lastly, in reply to " H. Wilcocks." There must be some error, for Mr. Massey assures me all correspondence is duly answered. May I request ' ' H. W." to write once more ? — Feedk. ScHEciDEE, Manager, National Poultry Company (Lindted). MANCHESTER POULTRY AND PIGEON SHOW. Most amateurs of experience anticipated a fii-st-rato Show this year at the Belle Vue Gardens, Manchester, and their anticiimlion was correct, for the Show of December 21st, 22uil, and 24th, has been by far the best of any yet held under the management of the Messrs. .Jcunison. This is not to be wondered at, for every successive year proves only the more certainly that no better place exists for the accommoilatioc of a large show, nor can there be any more praiseworthy individuals as regards the general attention paid' to every portion of the valuable live stock exhibited, in proof of what we have just stated, a large quantity of homo-baked bread was expressly made on the premises, each loaf being from 5 to G inches thick, and about the size of the large flagstones used for paving our general thoroughfares. These immense loaves of bread, each pretty well as much as a man could Uft, had been mads a few days previously, and were consecpiently in excellent condition for the purposes intended, being not in the least clammy, but, on the contrary, sweet and good-flavoured. They were broken to small pieces, well soaked in cold water, and then mixed with barley flour, and this con- stituted the first food of the poultry after bein" tnken from their travel- ling baskets. During the whole Show, once each day they were allowed a similar meal, the remainder of theii- food being a mi'^ture of excellent barley and Indian com. From this careful n.anagement doubts can- not exist but that many pens of poulti-y will actually be returned in far superior condition to that in which they were received at Manches- ter. Nor war, the scrupulous care of the pioprietors of the Belle Vue Zoological Gardens expended exclusively on the poultiy, as a very large entiy of dogs had also been consigned to them. To meet the require- ments of this host of animals, quite a string of living horses an-ived at the Gardens a few days previous to the meeting, nor was a single one of these animals slaughtered until it had undergone veterinary inspection to ascertain if it was perfectly free from constitutional disease. The quantity of this flesh when mixed with a duo proportion of barleymeal would hive staggered the beUef of almost any one. The small toy and pet dogs were provided also with other kinds of food more especi- ally adapted to their respective wants. This careful management, under so experienced a supenision, renders the Manchester Show so popular and well supported. It is by experience proved that railway companies are always among the last parties to avail themselves of suggestions, however urgently directed ; but wo cannot forbear once again drawing the attention of railway directors to the impolicy of putting dogs and poultry to travel in the same van, for we are informed several valuable pens of fowls were destroyed by their- canine fellow- passengers during transit, to the no small annoyance of the owners of the poultry, and as inevitably to the ultimate serious loss of the railway companies themselves, wlio, as a matter of course, are legally liable for such gi-oss neglect and mismanagement. The arrangement of the pens throughout the whole Show was ad- mirably adapted for the inspection of the public, and it would, indeed, be inviiUous to particularise the merits too closely of individual classes, when we are fortunately enabled to say that scarcely an indifferent class throughout the whole Show could be selected. The Grey Dorkinf/s were most commendable, the young classes exhibited (of a cockerel and pair of pidletsl proving exceedingly good and popular. A reference to the printed prize list will show our readers that in this, as in almost all other breeds throughout the Show, the premiums were very widely sown. Perhaps besides being one of the most extensive, the best class in the whole Show proved to be the young Black SjuuiisJi. Never had the Judges awarded prizes to better specimens, nor could their con- dition throughout the whole entry be sui-passed. The Cri're C/nirs mustered strongly, and were good ; nor were the Polands less worthy of our highest praise. The Game classes were remarkably well iilled, but the condition of many of the birds from the late wet weather was not equal to what it might otherwise have been. In Cochin.'^, both the Bufl" and the Partridge-coloured ones, the Manchester Show held a very high position : they were evidently the picked birds of the king- dom, most of them having been specially reserved by theii- owners to test their quality at Belle Vue. The young Buff Cochins, although the first prize was £10, strange to say, undoubtedly proved by far the least deserving of any of the Cochin classes. Geese, Tiirl-etis, and Diiel-x, were shown in great abundance : and here, as nsnal, Mr. Charles Jennison exhibited a veiT- well-filled class of a gi-eat variety of "fancy " water fowls, taken purposely from the pools of the Gardens. Another scarcely less interesting feature of the Show was a class composed of foreign Zfores, some varieties being so January 1, 1867. 3 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 17 small as hardly to be larger than sparrows, though of the most ex- quisite colour and martings. This class for Doves, and the collection of Pigeons with which they were closely connected, were literally thronged with visitors during the whole time the Show was on view. The weather being very favourable, everjlhing went off most satisfactorily. Dorking (Coloured, except Silver-Grey). — First, Mrs. F. S. Arkwright, Etwall Hall, Derby. Second,Viscoantess Holmesdale, Linton Park, Stai)le- hurst. Third, J. Anderson, Ruthven House, Meigle. Fourth, J. White, Warlaby, Northallerton. Hif^hly Commended, E. Shaw, Plas Wilmot, Owestry; J. White. Commended, Hon. W. H. Fitzwilliam, Wentworth Woodhouse ; Rev. J. F. Newton, Kirby-in-Cleveland ; J. Robinson, Vale House, Garstang ; W. H. Walker, Sbenfield, Brentwood. Hens. — First and 6econd,Viscountess Holmesdale. Third, Mrs. F. S. Arkwright. Highly Commended, W. McConnell, Chelford, Manchester; Miss Davies, Wrex- ham Road, near Chester; Duke of Newcastle, Clumber Park, Notts ; Mrs. A. Hurt, Alderwasley, Derby ; H. Anderton, X>eigh, Lancashire. Com- mended, T. Statter, Stand Hall, Whitfield, Manchester; Admiral W. Hornby, Knowsley Cottage, Prescot ; Mrs. Dale, Falconer House, Scar- borough. Chickens. — First, D. C. Campbell, M.D., Brentwood. Second, Viscountess Holmesdale. Third, T. Statter. Fourth, J. White. Highly Commended, Admu-al W. Hornby; Viscountess Holmesdale ; J.Anderson; D. C. Camjibell, M.D. ; Mrs. F. S. Arkwright. Commended, E. Longton, Woolton, Liverpool; Miss Davies. Pullets. — First, Duke of Newcastle. Second, Miss Davies. Third, D. C. Campbell, M.D. Highly Commended, Hon. W. H. FitzwUham ; Miss Davies; Messrs. Guuson it Jefierson, Whitehaven; J. K. Fowler, Prebendal Farm, Aylesbury; Viscountess Holmesdale. Commended, Viscountess Holmesdale ; J. Anderson. Dorking (Rose-combed). — Prize, Viscountess Holmesdale. Chickens. — First and "Second, Viscountess Holmesdale. Dorking (White).— First, Second, and Third, H. Lingwood, Needham Market, Suflolk. Highly Commended, J. Robinson. DoRiiiNG (Silver-Grey).— Fii-st, R, D. Holt, Orrest Head, Windermere. Second, Rev. T. O'Grady, Hognaston Vicarage, Ashbourne. Hens or Pullets.— Fii-si, Rev. T. O'Grady. Second, Miss Milne, Otterbum, Kelso. Highly Commended, D. Parsons, Cuerden, Preston; J. Hardie, fcorbie Ewes, Langholm. Extra Dorking Prizes.— First, Admiral W. Hornby. Second, Messrs. Oonson & Jefferson. Third, J. Robinson. Commended, J. Anderson. Spanish.— Cocfc.— First, Messrs. Burch & Boulter, Sheffield. Second, H. Lane, Ashley Road, Bristol. Third, R. Teebay, Fulwood, Preston. Fomlh, E. Jones, Berkley Place, Clifton. Highly Commended, T. B. Hartley, Hoywood, Manchester; D. Parsley, Kingsdown, Bristol; R. Tee- bay ; J. H. Wilson, St. Bees, Whitehaven. Commended, W. R. Bull, New- port PagncU ; J. Thresh, Bradford. Hvns.—First, E.Jones. Second, H, Beldon. Third, E. Brown. Highly Commended, G. Bridle, Didsbui-y ; Messrs. Eurch&Boulter; J. Thresh ; W.H.Walker. Commended, J. Stevens. Chicktns.—Fiist, D. Parsley. Second, Viscountess Holmesdale. Third, E. Jones. Fourth, T. Clilf, Hanley. Highly Commended, Miss Davies; Miss Eiggar, Ecclefechan. Commended, E. Jones ; A. O. Worthington, Newton Park, Burton-on-Trent ; W. R. Bull; J. R. Rodbard; Hon. Miss D. Pennant, Penrhyn Castle, Bangor; Messrs. Burch & Bo^llter. Pullets. —First, J. Stephens, Walsall. Second, W. R. Bull. Highly Commended, T. B. Hartley. Extra Spanish Prizes.— First, H. Beldon. Second, Thii-d, and Highly Commended, R. Teebay. Commended, E. Brown, Sheffield. Cochin-china (Cinnamon and Buff;.— Ooct.— First, E. Smith, Middle- ton, Manchester. Second, H. Tomlinson, Birmingham. Thii-d,A. Fenton, Crimble Hall, Rochdale. Foiurth, Rev. F. Taylor, Keastwick, Kirkby Lons- dale. Highly Commended, A. Fenton; R. White, Eroomhall Park. Shef- field. Commended, G. Fell, Springfield. Warrington ; R. White ; H. Bates, Yardley, Binnlngham ; H. Mapplebeck,Woodfield, Moseley. Hens. — First, H. Tomlinson. Second, E. Smith, Middleton. Third, A. Fenton. Highly Commended, G. Fell ; Rev. C. Spencer, College House, Attleborough ; A. Fenton; Mrs. R. White. Commended, W. A. Taj-lor. Chickciis.— First, H. Mapplebeck. Second, G. Fell. Third, Hon. Mrs. Sugden, Stapeley House, Nantwich, Cheshire. Fourth, A. P'euton. Pullets.— First, H. Mapplebeck. Second, T. Boucher. Highly Commended, Hon. Mrs. Sug- den ; Rev. C. Spencer ; W. A. Taylor. Commended, Hon. Miss D. Pennant. Cochin-China Extra Prizes {Cinnamon and Bufl"j. ~ First, A. Fenton. Second, J, Nelson, Heaton Mersev, Manchester. Third, C. Jennison, Belle Vue, Manchester. Highly Commended, A. Fenton. Cochin-China (Brown and Partridge-featheredl.- Coct.— First, R. White. Second, J. R. Rodbard, Aldwick Court, Wrington, Bristol. Thii-d, A. Fenton. Highly Commended, E. Tudman, Whitchurch, Salop, Com- mended, Messrs. Bowman & Fearon, Whitehaven ; E. Tudman ; J. Elliott, Westleigh, Leigh ; A. Fenton ; J. R. Rodiiard. Hens.— First, J. Stephens. Second, E. 0. stretch. Ormskirk. Highly Commended. E. Tudman; A. Fenton. Commended, E. Smith. Chickens.— First, E. Tudman. Second, J. Horrocks, Tonge, Middleton, Manchester. Third, E. C. r-treteh. Com- mended, A. Fenton. Piillcts,~FiTst,J. Pool, Ulverston. Second, E. Smith, Highly Commended, E. Tudman ; A. Fenton. Commended, E. C. fatretch : C. E. Ridsdale, Copley, Halifax. Cochin-china (White).— Coct.— First, R. Chase. Ealsall Heath, Bimiing- ham. t^econd, F. W. Zurhorst, Donnybrook, Dublin. Commended Rev- W. J. Mellor. Hens.— Fir&t, R. Chase. Second, F. W. Zurhorst. Extra Cochin-China Prizes.— First, R. Chase. Second, E. Tudman. Third, E. C. Stretch. Highly Commended, J. Holme. Commended, Hon. Mrs. Sugden ; E. Tudman ; H. Beldon ; J, Horrocks. Brahma Pootka f Dark).— First. R. W. Boyle. Second, J. Stevens. Third, W. Hargreaves. Highly Commended, M. Brooksbank. Commended, T. Pomfret; H, Lacy. Hebden Bridge; J. K. Fowler; G. H. Roberts. Brahma Pootra (LightJ.— First, A. O. Worthington. Second, C. Maples, jan. Brahmapootra (Either varietv).—CbcR.-.— First, R. W. Bovle. Second, Col, Stuart Wortley. Third, J. Shorthose. Commended, C. Cork. Extra Brahma Puotea Prizes (Any variety).— Fiist and Second, T. Pomfret. Polish (Any variety).— First, Sir St. G. Gore, Bart. Second, P. Unsworth, Highly Commended. G. C. Adkins, The Lightwoods; Sir .it. G. Gore Bart.; T. Walmsley; H. Beldon ; H.Carter; Mrs. C. W. Brierley. Com- mended, T. Wiilmsley. Chickens.— First, P. Unsworth. Second, Su- St. les, Rawtenstall. Highly Commended, J. Thresh. Cocfc.— First, H Beldon. Second, T. Sharpies. Highly Commended, J. Parr,Barton-on-IrweU. Commended, B. Bee. HA^rEURGH (Pencilled).— Fu-st, A. O. Worthington. Second, J. E. Powers. Pencilled Hamburgh Extra Prizes (Either variety). — First, J. E. Powers. Second, H. Beldon. Hamburgh (Golden-spangled). — Chickens. — First and Second, J. Roe, Abfield, Manchester. Third, N. Marlor. Darton. Manchester. Highly Commended, J. Buckley, Taxmton, Ashton-uuder-Lyne ; J. Andrew, Waterhouaes, Ashton-im'der-Lyue ; J. Ogden ; T. Scholes, Hollinwood, 18 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ Jauunry 1, 1BC7. Mimchester; E. Brierlcy. Commended, W. Hortun : J. Buckley; W. A. Hyde ; T >choIes ; J.' Pun- ; H. Carter, Upperthong, Holinlirtli : J. Wiilkor. Co<-;; —Fii-st, J. Ogden Second, T. Walker, jun Third, W. A. Hyde. Ashton-imder Lvne Highly Comraeniied, J. Roe; J. Buckley; N. Miirlor. Commended, E. Bricrlev ; H. Carter. Hamburgh (Silver-spanBledj.—C/nclfjia.— First, J. Fielding. Second, .7. A. Taylor. Third, .T. Walker. Highly Commended, H Beldon : .1. Lancashire. Commended, J. Fielding ; J. Jackson ; Mrs. A. Hurt. CocJ:.— First, T. Sharpies. Second, J. Fielding. Commended, T. Wrig- ley, jun. HAsmoRon fSpanglcil). — Hc)r«.— First, J. Ogden. Second. J. Roe. Very Highly Commended. T. E. Hartley ; J. Fielding Highly Com- mended, T. i-choles; N, Marlor; J. Walker Commended, J. Buckloy. Spangled Hamburgh Extra Prizes.— First, N. Marlor. Second, J. -Andrew. Game Bantams (Elnck-brcasted and other Reds).— First. .1. Fi-yer, Staveley, Derbyshire Second. J. Crosland. jun. Third. G Smith. Fom-th. J. W. Morris. Highly Commended. H. Ashton. Polefield, Prost- wich ; D. Parsons ; G. R. Dayies ; Miss E. A. Crawford. Commended, Sir St. G. Gore. Bart. ; A. Fenton ; J. Holme ; R. MacGregor. Game Bantams f.\ny other variety). — Ch ickenn. — First, J. Crosland, jun. Second, Sir St. G. Gore, Bart. Third, Rev. W. J. Mellor. Game Bantam.— CocA-.s\ — First. J. Ban-. Swan Island, Atherfon, near Manchester. Second, Mrs. C. W. Brierlev. Third, J. Crosland, jun. Fourth. G. Griggs Highly Commended, F. L.Roy, jun. ; A. Fenton; J. A. Taylor ; Miss E. A. Crawford. Commended, Sir St. G. Gore, Bart. ; G. R. Dartes; W. Parker. Game Bantam (Any variety).— iTciK.— First, S. Lang, jun. Second, W. M'Connell. Commended, .1. Anderson. GAjfE Bantam Extra Prizes (Any variety).— First and Third, D. Pal'sons. Second, J. BaiT, Bantams (Any variety except G.ime). — First. A. K. Briggs (Black Bantams). Second, M. Leno (Gold-laced). Third, G. Griggs (Speckled- booted Bantams). Highly Commended. F. L. Roy. jun. (Silver-laced Sebright) ; H. Ashton (White-booted; ; J. W. Monis ^Black Bantams). PIGEONS. Powtehs (Any colom-).- First. J. Thackray, Petergate, York. Second. F. Crosslcy, Elland, rear Halifax. Highly Commended, J. K. Harvey, M.D , Cork; E. E, M. Ruyds, Greenhill, Rochdale. Carriers (Black).— Cocl-.—Fij-st, J. Firth, jun.. Webster Hill, Dews- bnry. Second. P. Crosslcy. ifen.— First and Second, F. Crosslev. Carriers (Any other colour).— Coct- First, G. H. Roberts. Pen- wortham, Preston. Second, A. Mangnall, Broughton. Hfii.— First. J. Hawley, Bingley, Yorkshire. Second, A. Lowe, Over Hutton. near Bolton. Youni) Birdi.— First, J. Hawley. Second, F. Else, Westbournc Grove, Enyswater, London. Third, G. H. Roberts. Commended, M. Hedley, Claremont Green, Redhill. Surrey. Dragons— First, H. Yardlev,'Marhet Hall, Birmingham. Second. J. Percivall. Highly Commended. H. Yartlley. Commended, F. Crosaley. Antwerps —First, S. A. Taylor, Sutton Coldfield. near Birmingham. Second, .7. Hawley. Highly Commended. S. A Hawley. Jacobins {Any colour).— First, T. H. Ridpeth, Rusholme. Second, J. Mur, Glasgow. Commended, A. Mangnnl NcNS— First. F. Else. Second, C Bulpiu, Bri.lgewater. Somerset. Commended, H B. Wliittaker, Alkrington. Middletou. Runts.- First, T. D. Green, Saffron" Walden, Essex. Second, E. E. M. Eoyds, Greenhill, Rochdale. Highly Commended, H. Yardlev. Barbs. — First, J. GeU, York. Second, J. Thackray. Highly Com- mended. .7. Fielding, jun.. Rochdale. Commended, J. Thackray. " Torbtts.— First, J. Thackray. Second, C. Bulpin. Highly Commended, J. Hawley. Owes.— First. F. Crosslcy. Second, J. Fielding, jun. Highly Com- mended, J. Fielding, jun. ; j. Bnily, jun. Trdhpetess.- First, J. Hawley. Second. W. H. C. Gates. Besthorpe, Newark, Notts. Highly Commended, J. Firth, jun. Commended, J. Thackl-ay. Fantails.— First and Second, H. Y'ardley. Highly Commended. F. Else. J a J Tumblers (.Umond).— First, J. Thackray. Second. R. Fulton, Dept- lord. Third, F. Crosslev. Beards.- First, J. Thackray. Second and Highly Commended, W. H. C. Gates. Balds.— First. T. H. Ridpeth. Second, J. Fielding, jun. Highly Com- mended, J. Hawley. Tumblers (Any other variety).- First, J. Thackray. Second, R. Fulton. Highly Commended, .J. Fielding, jun. ; E. E. M Eoyds. Ant other Varietv not Before Named.— First. Third, and Highly Commended, J. Bnily. jun. (German Toy, Archangels, and Austrian Powters). Second, H Yardlej-. Doves (Any variety).— First. Second, and Highly Commended, J. Jennison. ZooIogical.Gardens.Manchoster (Chinese Doves, FrenchDoves, and Stock Doves). RABBITS. Black and WHiTE.--First, J. Read, Coventi-y. Second, W. Newsome, Leeds. Y^lowand White.— First, W. Steltox, Greenheys. Second, J. Taylor, Sueffield. ToRToisEsHELL.— First and Second, G. F. Jones, Bootham, York. H^hly Commended. H, Handford, Wilford, Notts. Blue and White —First, G. F. Jones Second, W Newsome. Grev and White.— First, W. Stelfox. Second and Highly Com- mended, H. Handford. Self-colour — Fir.^t, J. Taylor. Second, J. P.eed. Highly Commended, H. Handford. Longest Ears.- First, W. Newsome. Second, G. Mellor, Macclesfield. Highly Commended, E. E M. Boyds, Green Hill. Rochdale Angora.— Prize, A. Parry, Rochdale. Highly Commended, C. Rayson, Prestwich, Manchester. Other Foreign Rabbits —First and Highly Commended, S. A. WvUie, East Moulsey, Sun-cy (Leporides). Second, t). Barker, Cheadle Hiilme (Himalayan). Judges. — Dorlings, Spaimli, Cochins, Bralanas, and Creve Cxurs : Ml-. Edward Hewitt, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, and Mr. W. B. Teget- meier, Muswell Hm, London. Game, Game Bantams, tie. : Mr. J. H.. Smith, Skeltou Grange, York, and Mr. E. Teebay, Fulwood, Preston, Hamhiin/Jis, Polanth, Duels, itc. : Mr. .Tames Dixon. North Park Bradford, and Mr. S. Fielding, Trentbam. riijfons : Harrison "Weir, Esq.. Pecldiam, London, and T. J. Cottle, Es(]., Cheltenham. EalMts: Mr. Henry Yardley, Market Hall, Birmingliam. HECKMONDWIKE POULTRY SHOW. December 26th. A GOOD numlicr of first-class birds were exhibited, and the visitors seemed highly gi-atified while examining the various classes of birds shown. The Committee consider the Exhibition a success, and feci in a measure repaid for the labour bestowed in connection with it. Game (Black-breasted Red) —First, Extra, and Second, G. Noble, Stain- cliffe. Highly Commended, W. Fell. Adwalton. Game (Brown-Red). — First, J. Hodgson, Bowling Old Lane, Bradford. Second, H. C. Mason, Drighlington. Bighly Commended, W.H. Robinson, Long Lee, Keighley; T. Kilburn, Batley Carr. Commended, J. Ineson, Staincliffe. Game (Duckwings and other Grey and Blue). — First, W. Fell. Second, C. Smithson.Heckmondwike. Highly Commended. W. Kellett, New Road, Birstal ; J. Elam, Heckmondwike. Commended, W. Fell. Game (White and Pile).— First H. C. Mason. Game (Black and Brassy-winged). — First J. Ineson. Second, J. Ibbotson, Gomersal. Game Bantam (Red). —Extra Cup and First, C. Clegg. Second, G.Noble. Game Bantam (Duckwing).- First, J. Hirst, Hillhouse, Heckmondwike. Second, J. Elam. Highly Commended, J. Ibbotson ; H. Shepley, Carling- how. Commended. — Armitage. Gomersal. Bantam (Black).— First, J. Parker, Heckmondwike. Second, S. Schofield, Heckmondwike. Spanish (Black).— First, W. H. Charlesworth. Newhouse. Huddersfield. Habiburgh (Golden -spangled). —First, H. Firth, Dudley Hill. Bradford. Second. J. F. Loversedge, Newark. Notts. Hamburgh (Pencilled). — First, J. Ibbotson. Cochin-China.— First, H. Firth Second, S. SchofieW. Anv other Distinct Breed. — First, P. Greenwood, Rawfolds, Cleck- heaton. Game (Red).— First, W. Fell. Second, G. Noble. Game (Any colour).— HciL-First, —Suddick, Tong Street, Dudley Hill, Bradford. Second, G. N«ble. Extra.— First, J. Brooke. Second, G. Noble. Eighly Commended, J. Elam ; J. Beaumont. Judges. — Mr. J. W. Thompson, Southowram ; Mr. Enoch Hntton, Pudsey ; and Mr. Mason, Kochdale. MUNSTER POULTRY SHOW. 0\ December 'JOth, the Exliibitiou of PouUit^. Pigeons, song and ornamental birds was opened in the new market, which was appropri- ately decorated for tlie occasion. The pens were arranged on stands in rows, so as to give intermediate space between each row for a pro- menade, enabling the visitor to see evei-y bird in the Exhibition. The entries amounted to 444, and the Exhibition was decidedly the finest of the Idnd ever held in Muiister, or perhaps in Ireland, and in the opinion of the gentlemen selected to judge of the merits of the various classes, is highly creditable to Limerick. The department for Pigeons, singing and ornamental birds, was a source of the gi-eatest attx-action. Mr. Corbett. of Castleconnell, ex- hibited a complete aviaiy, composed of foreign and native birds, both song and ornamental, and it is not too much say his birds would form an exhibition in themselves, for this gentleman has perhaps the finest private collection of this Idnd in Ireland. In the Fiffcon classes there was a keen competition in, conseqnence of the superior quality of those exhibited. Mr. A. W. Shaw gained the medal for the gi-eatest number of points in Pigeons, and Mr. Per- rott, of Cork, won the silver cn]i for Iht: best pail* of Powters of any age or colour. The collections of those gentlemen were very extensive, and remarkable for the beauty exhibited by the birds they contained, and they likewise were gi-eat objects of attraction to visitors, particularly to connoissenrs. lu the poultry department the entire collection was worthy of admiration ; and to those who are not rearers of fowl it showed to what perfection those birds required for domestic use can be bred, and how lamentably deficient Ireland has been hitherto in their rear- ing. Now that this Exhibition has been so great a success, let us hope that it v.ill lead to the establishment of a permanent Society in Lime- rick, so that in the course of a few years it will not only take the lead in this country, but that it ^"ill result in establishing annual exhibitions of all Iduds of fowl equal in extent and breed with the most favoured ones in England. Ireland is eminently adapted for being a first-class fowl-breeding country ; and we see no obstacle that could not be over- come in having as good a breed as that which exists in England. — {CJiroiiich'). Dorking (Coloured or Silver-Grey).— First, F. W. Zurhorst, BelvilJe Donnybrook. Second, R. P. Williams, Cloutarf, Dublin. Highly Com- mended, J. C. Cooper, Limerick. Commended, Mrs. Fosberrv, Clorane, IviUUmo; T. O'Grady. Roughgrove, Bandon. C'l u-Atchs.— First, t. O'Grady. Second, Major Vnndcleur, Limei-ick. Highly Commended, F. W. Zurhorst; J. C. Cooper. Cuiumended, T. O'Grady. Spanish.— First, R. P. Williams. Second, J. C. Cooper. Highly Com- mended, Miss E. de C. Drevar. Commended, A. Comyns, jun. Chielieng, —First, A. Comyns. jun. Second, R. P. Williams. Commended, R. P. Williams; J. C. Cooper. January 1, 1367. J JOUKNAL OF HOETICULTURB AND COTTAGE GAKCENER. 19 Gajie (Blnck or Brnwn-breasted).— First and Second, J. C. Cooper. Commended, J. Purcell. CarriR. Gisre (Any other variety).— First, A. E. Allen, Cork. Second, J. C. Perry, Brow-nins's Town, Cork. CocHiN-CniKA (Cinnnraon or BufiT).— First and Second, F. W. Zurhorst. Highly Commended, R. P. Willinnis. Commended, F. W. Zurhorst. CocHiN-CiUNA (Brown or Pjirtridpe-feathered).— First, C. F. Staunton. ClondiUkin. Second. J. C. Fitzgerald, Abingdon House, MuiToe. Cochin-China (White or Black).— First and Second, F. \V. Zurhorst. Highly Commended, A. Comyns, jun. Brahma Pootra (Dark).— First, R. W. Boyle, Bray, Co. Wieklow. Second, J. C. Peiry. Highly Commended, J. C. Cooper. La Fleche — Firs:t, F. W. Zurhorst. Second, J. C. Cooper. Malay.— First and Second, J. C. Cooper. Creve CfEUR.— First. J. C. Cooper. Second. D Sullivan, Ballyhrown. HouDAN.— First, F. W. Zurhorst. Second, J. C. Perry. Commended, J. C. Cooper. Sultan Fowl. — First and Highly Commended, F. W. Zurhorst. Second, J. C. Cooper. White-crested Black or Black-crested White Fowl.— First and Second, Miss E. de C. Dvevar. Golden or Silvrr-crested Fowl. — First and Second, W. Sylvester, Sheffield. Highly Commended, R. P. Willinms, Hamburgrs (Golden or Silver-pencilled).- Prize, F. W. Zurhorst. Hahtborohs (Golden or Silver-spangled),— First, J. C. Perry. Second, R. P. Williams. Gaime Bantams.— First and Second, C. F. Staunton, Castleconnell. Commended. W. Coi-bett ; J. Lloyd, Warren's Place. Cork. BANTAiis (Any other variety).— First, Miss F. Croker, Ballynagarde, Limerick. Second, F. W. Zurhorst. Ayy OTHER Variety of Fowl.— First. W. Corheti. Second, J. C. Perry. Commended, R. Wheeler: Ciipt. Gilbert. Killalne. Ducks iKouen).— First. R. P. Williams. Second, T. Hollis. Reading. Third and Highly Commended, J. C. Cooper. Commended, Lady Clarina, Elm Park, Clarina. Ducks (White Aylesbury .—First and Third. F. W. Zurhorst. Second, R.P.Williams. Highly Commended, F. W. Zurhorst; R. P. Williams; D. O'Grady. Commended, J. C. Cooper. Geese (White).— First and Second, J. C. Cooper. Third, W. Corbett. Gosli lips.— First and Second, J. C. Cooper. Third, S. F. Dickson, Ver- mont, Limerick. Geese (Grey and Mottled).- First and Second, J, C. Cooper. GonUngs, —First and Second, J. C. Cooper. Third, T. Costelloe, Murroe, Com- mended, -J. C. Cooper ; S. F. Dickson. Turkeys.— First. T. Hollis. Second, F. W. Zurhorst. PowUs.— First and Second. J. C. Cooper. Third, Mrs. E. E. LlewelUm. Selling Class 'Anvdistinctvarietv)-— First and Second. Capt. Gilbert. Third Mrs. Webb, Kno'cldong. Highly Commended, R. P. Williams ; Capt. Gilbert; J. C. Cooper. Commended, J. Christie; Capt. Gilbert; J. C. Cooper. Cup (value five guineas), for the greatest number of points in poultry, J. C. Cooper. SINGLE COCKS. Dorking (Anv colour).— First. D. O'Grady, Ballynorth, Pallaskenry. Second, R. P. William^. Commended, J. C. Cooper. Spanish. — Prize. J. Bresnahan, Limerick. Game. — First, .J Downey, Garvey's Range. Second, P. Mack, Newtown. Cochin-China.— First and Second, F. W. Zurhorst. Erahua Pootra.— First, R. \V. Boyle. Second, F. W. Zurhorst. COTTAGERS' PRIZES. Ant Distinct Breed.— First and Third, J. Christie, Ballybrown. Second, P. Enright. Mackinich. Fourth, Mrs. M. Switser, Clarina. DtTCKS.— First, Mrs. M. McMahon, Cooper Hill. Second, T. McMahon. Third, Mrs. M. Switzer. PIGEONS. PowTERS Yellow. Red, Mealy, or other colour^— First, J. H. Perrott Cork. Second. A. W. Shaw, Limerick. Highlv Commended and Com- mended, A. W. Shaw : J. H. Perrott. PowTERS (Black-pied and Blue).— First and Second. J. H. Perrott. Highly Commended, Dr, Harvey, Cork ; J. H. Penott. Commended, J. H. Perrott. Powters 'White). —First, Dr. Harvey. Second, J. H. Perrott. Highly Commended, A, W. Shaw. Carriers iBlackl.— First and Secnnd.G.'Wherland, Cork. Very Highly Commended. G. Wherland. Highly Commended, A. W. Shaw. Com- mended. A. W. Shaw; Dr. Hnrvey. Carriers (Dun).— First and 6econd,G. Wherland. Highly Commended, A. W. Shaw. Carriers (Blue or other colour.— Second and Highly Commended, A. W. Shaw. Short-paced Tumblers (Almonds). — First. Dr. Harvey. Second, A. W. Shaw. Vci-y Highly Commended and Highlv Commended, A. W. Shaw. Short-faced Tumblers (Kites or whole feathers).- First and Second, A. W. Shaw. Short-faced Tumblers (Mottles or other colour).— First and Second, A. W. Shaw. Common Tusiblers (Balds or Beards). — First, Second, and Commended, A. W. Shaw. I Common Tusiblers (Ermine or Fawn-booted). — First and Second, C. Cooper, Cooper Hill. Limerick. Barbs (Bbickl.- First, G. A. Wherland. Second, C. P. Staunton. Highly Commended, G. A. Wherbmd ; J. H. Perrott. Barbs (Anv other colour).- First and Second, J. H. Perrott. Com- \ mended, G. A. Wherland. Jacobins 'Red or Yellow).— First and Second, J. H. Perrott Com- mended. C. F. Stnnnton ; J. Lloyd ; T. O'Grady. Jacobins f.Anv other colom-). — First, and Second, T. O'Grady. Pantails (White .-First, J H. Perrott. Second, C. F. Staunton. Highly Comni'^nded. J. H. PeiTott. Commended, T. O'Grady. Fantails ("Anv other colour). — Prize, J. W. Edge, Birmingham. Owls (Blue or Silver).— First, C. F. Staunton. " Second, J. H. Perrott. Owls (Any other colour).— First, A W. Shaw. Second. J. W. Edgii. Trumpeters (Mottles). —First, J. H. Perrot. becuud, A. W. Shaw..j Highly Commended, J. H. Perrott. Trituteters (Any other' C:ol6ur).~First, C. F. Stattoton. Second, T. O'Grady. Tubbits. —First, A. W. Shaw. Second, F. Waitt, Sparkbrook, Eirming- ham. Highly Commended, F. \Vaitt. Commended, C. F. Staimton ; T. O'Grady. Nuns.- First, T. O'Grady. Second, A. W. Shaw. Any other Variety of Merit — First, J. Lloyd. Second, J. H. Per- rott (Brunswicks). Extra Second, W. Corbett. Highly Comraonded, F, Broemcl, Ladywell, Kent ; F. Waitt ; J. W. Edge. Commended, F. Waitt ; J. Lloyd For the Best Patb of Powters (Any age or colour). — Cup, J. H. Perrott. Medal.— A. W. Shaw. CANARIES. Yellow (Belgian). — First and Second, W. Corbett. Commended, T. Fitzpatrick, Catherine Street, Limerick. Buff lEelgian).- First, Mrs. La Touche, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. Se- cond, W. Corbett. Variegated (Belgian).— First and Second. Mrs. La Tonche. Crested or other Varieties. — First and Second, W. Corbett. Highly Commended, .Mrs. La Touche; Miss F. Croker, Ballynagirde, Limerick. Commended, Mrs. La Touche. Goldfinch Mule.— First and Second, Hon. E. Roche, Whitegate, Cork. Highly Commended, J. LjTich, Limerick. Commended, MissF. Croker. Linnet Mule.— Prize, C. Cooper. Ornamental Waterfowl. — First, Second, and Third, R. P. Williams. ORNAMENT,iL Birds.— Highly Commended, W Corbett. The following were the Judges : — Poultry and Pifjcons: Mr. P. Jones, Fulhara, London ; Small Birds: Mr. James Keating, Cork; Mr. John Donotrhue, Limerick, HIVE OVERTURNED. An accident has happened in my apiary which has cloubtless occurred to many others. The night of the 13th-14th of December was very boisterous here, and after long-continued rains the ground had become much and deeply saturated ; on Friday morning the news was brought me that a stock o^ bees had been blown over, and I found my only remaining primitive hive standing out on a post driven into the ground had come to grief, the pedestal having given way with the weight. The hive with its contents, after having rolled 12 or 14 yards down an inclined plane, had furtunately righted itself as to position, and the poor bees, ever ready to make the best of matters, had collected and clustered, with the ex- ception of those crushed and a knot on the two or three bits of comb that had tumbled out in the descent, on the only comb that had not been detached, and which remained up inside the hive. The great mass of ruin was on the ground under the hive, the honey of course running out. Having ascertained the state of aff:iirs, I called to my gardener to bring his spade, and, making it quite clean, we pushed it under the comb and hive, and in that manner lifted the lot on to a floor-board, and carried it to another stand near to its former place, but more secure. We then placed a tea-tray under the lip or landing-board to catch the honey that was draining out, and on this, an inch or so above its surface, a piece of perforated zinc to give the bees that might come out with it a chance of escape from drowning. I then left them until the evening, when I took away the floor-board with the great mass of debris, and put in its place a clean dry one with some sealed combs of honey, to enable the bees to go in and out with safety. On Saturday there was a great commotion cleaning up the outside honey, not only by the rightful owners, but also, 1 feared, by robbers from stocks not far distant ; and yesterday, to be certain, I placed more honey outside, and soon perceived proof of their being robbed, some slaughter being caused by fighting, although the thieves had the worst of it. I now propose feeding by filling a short-neeked water-bottle with honey and sugar, tying muslin or the like over the opening, and placing it inverted in the hole at the top of the hive, cut for supering. Will this plan, by giving the necessary quantity of food, save the bees ? (I could not see the quet>n among the two or three hundred killed, so trust she is safe;, or could j'ou under the circumstances suggest a better plan ? — A. T. [With only one comb remaining in the hive and at this season, a fatal issue appears almost inevitaMe. Still, with the exceptionably mild weather we are now experiencing, and in the genial climate of Jersey, the poor bees may possibly have the ghost of a chance ; but in order to enable them to avail themselves of it, food should be given in a wide-mouthed pickle-buttle, which should be"perseveringly refilled as rapidly as it is emptied. The stock would, however, have a better chance of surviving if the broken combs were pieced together, and the whole fitted iuto frames and retained therein by means of strips of wood, zinc clips, or any other mode which your ingenuity may suggest. V/hen the job is complete, the combs 20 JOURNAL OF HOBTICOLTDEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEB. [ January 1, 1867. sboiild be placed in a hive, and tlie bees either knocked out or brushed from their present domicile on to the top of the frames, whence they will find their way down between the conabs. The remaining comb should now bo out out of the old hive, fitted into a frame, and added to the others, and, the crown- board being put on, the hive should be placed on the old stance. After the expiration of two days, advantage should be taken of the first few hours of mild weather to open the hive and remove the artificial supports from all the combs which have been fixed by the bees, after which the necessary supply of food must be furnished as rapidly as possible by means of an inverted pickle-bottle.] SWAEMS DESERTING THEIR HIVES. I FIND in page 476 a few remarks on the subject of bees leaving one of Neighbour's hives shortly after they were hived, which appears in your opinion to have been caused by the smeU of the wood. I cannot say that I coincide in this idea. I had once two swarms which were put into two straw hives in one day, but to my mortification they deserted their hives a few hours after being hived and flew away. This took place in my early days, but since then I have not in one instance had any difficulty of this kind to contend with, al- though I have hived several hundreds of swarms, some of which I have put into wood, straw, and glass hives. I have also stocked Nutt's collateral boxes, Woodbury bar-frame boxes, Stewartons, Langstrotbs, and boxes invented by myself known as Addey's ten-bar sUding boxes, likewise Neighbour's and other kinds, of which some were newly painted inside, and others not painted at all. I once put swarms into some straw hives which were sewn with tarred twine and used as soon as made ; but I have not in one instance had the bees leave after hiving since I made a practice of cementing wax inside at the top in such a way that the bees can attach their combs to it. With irons made expressly for the piu-pose I cement a bit of comb to the top before hiving, and in boxes which contain bar- frames I coat them with wax inside, and fix small bits of combs under the top part of each bar ; by so doing I have escaped the difficulty which many apiarians have had to con- tend with. I may add, that I admire the humane principle, having during the last autumn taken not less than two hundred stocks of condemned bees in this neighbourhood to make unions of, and I shall always feel it a pleasure to impart information on the humane system of management. — Thos. Addey, Sen. HOW LONG MAY A ROYiVL CELL REIMAIN SEALED? I NOTICED a singular circumstance' in raising queens this year. After having supplied a queenless stock with some brood-comb under a bell-glass on the top of the hive, as is my custom, three queen cells were started, one of which was sealed over in thirty hours after it had been commenced, whilst the other two were not sealed till four days after, and both emerged from their cells on the twelfth day ; yet, strange to say, the one that was first sealed was not hatched until the fourteenth, being about eleven and a half days after being sealed.— -A Lamaekshire BEE-KSErEK. OUR LETTER BOX. ToRKSHTUE Society's Poultry Show. — The first prize for Cochin- China (Yellow or Buff), was awarded to Heni-y Steward, Laurel Villa, Bistiopsthorpe, York, Analyses of Egos (W. H. M.).—-'\Ye are obliged by yonr commnnioa- tion ; but we have several much fuller and more particular analyses by Dr. Prout and others. Game Fowls (Query).~-*^1 do, of course, include hens in statinp that Brown Reds stand first for shape and carriage. The best Game hens are the Dark Grey and Brown Ked hens, with dark combs and faces; these are always the gamest and hardest. If by Blood hens is meant Red Blood hens, which is the correct meaning, the hens of the Cheshire Piles, and the White-legged wbeateu hens are tbe best, as described by me in page 436, together with the other red-eyed breeds there mentioned. Game hens should be short in body, and rather upright and erect, with sloping backs. Hens carrying their backs level or horizontal are less Spirited birds. The sportsmen's breeds described by me lately are all the best breeds for spirit. I mean to give some further notes on Game fowls, if possible, soon ; un judging and breeding them first. Having visited Batavia in Java, Singapore in Malacca, and the coast of China in l84lt and 1850, and Spanish America previously, I can also give some notes on the wild Indian 'breeds, and ou the so.ts used, for fighting iu those countries, such as Gallus Bankiva, Sonneratii, giganteus, reneus, furcatug, Sianlcyi, Jungle Fowl, Firebacks, and a few other foreign breeds. Should "Query" wish to write to me privately he can have my address, and I will wiUingly answer his queries to the best of my ability. There were two slight errors or misprints in my article in page 4it6. In Dark Black- breasted Reds 'clear-hackled' is spelt ' clean-hackled;' and in Red Duns * dark shade ' is made * dark shape ' as to the legs. — Newmakket." IvEEPiNG Poultry Profitably {F. J. C.).— Mr. Brent in his notes upon this subject, meant that if eggs only were desired he would recom- mend White Dorkings to be kept. If chickens only, then Brahma Pootra heus and a Houdau cock. To keep the breeds pure if allowed to run together in a farmyard would be impossible. We have found for both eggs aud chickens either Dark Cochin-China or Brahma Pootra pullets and a coloured Dorking cork were productive. Various (F. T,). — We never give salt to fowls. Citrate of iron is only given to individual fowls afflicted with leg-weakness. Four grains daily is the dose. If bruised oats are the food given to fowls, and they have a good grass run, there is no need fur soft food, except that a change occa- sionally is always desirable. Production of Eggs, &c., {Aliquis). — We published Mr. Brent's notes» and you will see an answer to-day to another correspondent. It is not usual for a Grey Dorking cock to lose all his black feathers and become quite white the third year. Many poultry-breeders in 1867 will keep journals who never kept them before, and we hope will send us the re- sults of their experience. Poultry Run Glazed (Frances). — Do not have it heated. Being glazed it mil be quite warm enough for early chickens, even in the severest weather. Lkg-weakness (CoTistant Siihscriber). — The weakness you speak of, ap- parent in yonr Houdau cockerel, is unusual at this time of year, or in the breed you keep. We therefore seek for some other cause. Is your poultry-house paved, bricked, or boarded ? Either would cause it. There is no healthy flooring to a poultry house but earth. Either of the floors we have mentioned causes an unnatural action of the feet (toes), and they induce cold in the limbs, which causes the weakness you com- plain of. At this season of the year you have Uttle hope of a cure ; bat if the bird promises well, and you wish to save him, put him in a small place on oat-straw, feed on oatmeal slaked with strong ale, and give him raw eggs to eat. Break the shell iu hall, and let him have the yolk only. Give him also cooked meat chopped fine. Feed very frequently, and a little at a time. Crooked Breasts (F. N.).—We are not responsible for the omissions of the "Standard of Excellence." The crooked breast-bone of 5'our Dorking cockerel may be hereditary, or it may arise from quick growth and narrow perches. It is always a bad sign, and we should not breed from a bird that had it. Where a fast-grown, and consequently weak bird roosts on a narrow perch, it lacks the power to support the body by the clasp of the feet, and from very lassitude the breast rests on the perch. At an early age, being only a gristle, it takes the impress of it. Eggs Laid at the Birmingham Show (J. L. A.). — Those who frequent the Birmingbnm Show caunnt fail to have observed the men who go about to collect the eggs. Evei-y one is broken tbe moment it is seen. It has been .attempted to purloin them, but the offenders have always been given into custody. Game Cocks (A Subscriber).— V^e can give you no rule for preventing Game cocks fighting. Many have tried it : none have succeeded. It is their nature. They may be separated for a time by the following pro- cess;— When two are determined to fight, let two persons take a long rod each, and at the end fasten an empty bag or pilJow-case. As soon as the birds are spaiTing closely, each person must choose one of the two cocks and buffet him well with the empty bag. They will leave off fighting, but the jirocess must be frequently renewed. Varietifs Running Together— Proportion of the Sexes fE. M* ^_ J.) .—Separate your fowls at once. There is no certainty after the new vear begins. In breeding for exhibition a cock should not have more than three hens in January. As the weather gets warmer and the days become longer the number may be increased. The disappointment in early eggs is caused by the neglect of this rule. Bantams with Cochin-Chinas— White Cochin-Chinas (Marti/n). — We speak under correction. We have for many years kept Bantams aud Cochin-Chinas together. We have never had the suspicion of any bad results ; others will tell you differently. No coloured feather of any hue is admissible in the saddle of a White Cochin cock of any age. Fowl's Wing Cut— Hamburgh's Combs {H. C. G.).~A cut wing is a disqualification. The comb of a Hamburgh must not only be quite up- right, but firm on the head. Barbs at York Show.— Your coiTespondent is labouring under a mis- take in writing that my birds were so highly dressed that one of them was nearly blind before leaving the Show. It was merely the effect of cold. The bird's eye had not even been bathed with anytbing except water. I hope you will oblige me by inserting this, and clear me from what amounts to a charge of cruelty.— E. E, M. Royds. Wiltshire Mode of Curing Bacon {B. i?.).— Directions for an eight- score pig :— Lay the flitches on a long wooden tray, slightly tilted for the brine to run out of a hole made iu one corner. In Wiltshire there are always four chines ; lay eveiything in the tray. Allow one stone of salt, one pound of saltpetre, half a pound of bay salt. Mix all in a pan, and rub in at first daily, and after the first week every other day for a month. At the end of that time rub the flitebes with bran, aud bang them up in a dry kitchen, mth a stick placed between them and the wall-- A Wilt- shire Lady. POULTRY MARKET.— December 31. We have had a curious Christmas market. There was a good supply and a bad demand in the early stages, and things were reversed at last. Turkeys were sold at high prices on Monday and on the Christmas morn- ing. "They monopolise all, aud other quotations are not to be made. Now, as at other times, one fact remains apparent— that Turkeys are in a measure, and with rare exceptions, subject to the law of meat, and quality being given, tbe more that thev weigh the more they are worth. This rule is good up to 18 lbs.; after that they maUe fancy prices, and J over 20 lbs. every pound adds greatly to valve. January 8, 1867. ] JOUKNAIi OF HOBTICULTOaB AND COTTAGE GAEDENEB. 9% WEEKLY CALEND; IR. Day of Month Day of Week. JANDABT 8—14, 1867. Average Temperature near Loudon. Rain in last 39 years. Sun Rises. Sun Moon Sets. Rises. Moon Sets. Moon's Age. Clock before Sun. Day of Year. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Tn W Th F S SDK M Rhododendron arhorcum. Salvia fulgens. Ceauothus azuxeus. Azaleas. Fuchsias. 1 SUKDAY AFTER TRINITY. Primula sinensis. Day. 40.9 41.3 42.0 41.9 42.5 48.0 42.1 Night. 30.0 80.8 30.5 30.8 80.8 32.2 29.9 Mean. 35.4 86.1 36.2 36.3 86.6 87.6 86.0 Days. 12 14 16 20 16 18 18 m. b. 7at8 6 8 6 8 5 8 4 8 4 8 3 8 m. b, m. h. 7af4 ; 4af9 8 4 84 9 10 4 2 10 11 4 28 10 18 4 65 10 14 4 , 22 11 16 4 62 11 m. b. 6af7 12 8 20 9 30 10 41 11 morn. 58 0 Days. 3 4 5 6 m. 8. 6 64 7 19 7 44 8 8 8 31 8 64 9 16 8 9 10 11 12 IS U From observations taken near London daring the last forty years, the average day temperature of the week is 41.9' ; and its nighl temperature 30.7'. The greatest heat was 54', on the 9th, 1862; and 12th, 1852; and the lowest cold 6', on the 8th, 1841 and 1861. The greatest fall of rain was 0.86 inch. N.B.— The Calendar contains the names of plants flowering in the greenhouse. POTATOES AND THEIR CULTURE. HERE are few subjects dis- cussed in the pages of The .Journal of Horticulture that interest me more than the Potato. I need, there- fore, scarcely say that I liave paid much attention to tliis useful tuber. I have read with interest what has been recently written by " D," of Deal, and Mr. Dobbie, and can corroborate what the former has said about varieties, and what the latter has stated about plantinjr wliole sets in preference to cut ones. Like ■' D.," of Deal, I consider the Prince of Wales the most worthless Potato imaginable, notwithstanding that it was sent out with the flaming character of being " a boon to the world." Any person who knows a really good Po- tato would not tolerate it imder any circumstances. I also agree with him in considering the Lapstone Kidney the finest in quality of all Potatoes. I may name, in addition to the five varieties enumerated by "D.," of Deal, the Dalmahoy and American Early, both well-known varieties in Scotland, and first-rate second earlies. They are hardy in constitution, heavy croppers, and excellent in flavour — certainly in all respects not in- ferior to Daintree's Early. Ross's Early is an amazing cropper, and of the very best quality, but it requu-es much room, and is only a tlurd early, eating well all winter. Myatt's Ash-leaf is with me the heaviest cropper of aU the Ash-leaved varieties, and it is fourteen days later than the common old Ash-leaf, yet the best early sort. The Curly Top, mentioned by Mr. Dobl3ie, deserves all he has said of it in point of carliness and constitution, but it is a little inclined to be waxy — a great drawback to any Potato. Touching the chief features in the culture of Potatoes, I have, like Mr. Dobbie, proved over and over again that there is no greater mistake than that of selecting very small sets or of cutting up large Potatoes into many. Any one can put this matter to the test by planting a quarter of Potatoes, beginning at one side, and putting in a row of very small sets, gradually increasing thek size in every row till the very largest are planted. It will be found at harvest-time that the small sets give the greatest propor- tion of small fry, and vice versa, so that when Potatoes are planted whole, medium-sized sets should be chosen. Of the early Kidney varieties I always save suflicieut of the very largest tubers I can select, and have ever found them produce the finest crop with the least proportion of small Potatoes unfit for table. The seed sliould always be saved from the earliest crops, and in garden practice it is a good plan to green them, and store them thinly on shelves tn a No. 302.— Vol. XII., New Series. dry airy place ; as soon as they begin to sprout they should be planted the first opportunity. I consider that the cutting of sets is attended with many evils. The Potato loses much of the sap that should be husbanded. In dry seasons, and particularly in field cul- ture where the ridge system is practised, and the manure ploughed into the centre of the ridge in a dry state, the cu6 Potato is surrounded with a medium wliich sucks the sap from it like a sponge, and unless rain set in blanky fields are the result, and the farmer says liis Potatoes have takeit the " dry rot." It is not a matter of imfrequent occuiTence to see Pota- toes first allowed to grow in pits, and then be cut into smaS pieces, and planted as above ; and surely it is a practi6e which cannot be regarded as anything but most irrational. In garden practice I either plant in soil that has been well manured for the previous crop, or else trench in the manure in autumn, and in doing so mix it well viith the whote staple. One-half the manuring wliich takes place in field culture I regard as positively miscliievous, just because it is gene- rally done in dry weather in April, and when the manure, if not well rotted, becomes diicd before it is ridged-in with the plough. The ridge system itself I look upon as very objectionable on light dry soils. The manure and sets are enclosed in a dry state in an elevated ridge, where the manure when once dry is not easily wetted, and can be of little avail to the crop ; indeed, I have seen it turned out in autumn in very much the same state as when it was ridged-in in April. If the sets were planted on the flat instead of in ridges in tlry soils it would be the means of producing fine crops, and more especially if the manui-e were well incorporated with the soil in the previous autumn. The system of grubbing with horse-hoes close to the stems of the crop, loosening the plants about the neck, and, tearing up the' stringy roots on which the yoimg tubers are formed, is pernicious in the extreme. In gardens where the soil is generally rich and deeply worked I think wide planting should be practised. By tills means light and air are allowed to play freely about the tops, and the rays of the sun can benefit the soil. For such sorts as Myatt's Ash-leaf, Lapstone, and Dainti-ee's I allow 2 feet 10 inches, and from Li to 14 inches between the sets ; and for larger- topped sorts such as Ross's, .'? feet by 15 inches. I am persuaded that more fine useable tubers are thus produced than when thick planting is practised. The early varieties, such as the Ash-leaved, may, when planted at such distances, be allowed to grow with two shaws ; and the later sorts at the widest distance named sometimes I leave with three -nithout any bad efi'eets. In- deed, if allowed to grow with only one top, such as Ross's Early, are apt to be too large for any purpose, excepting baking whole in their jackets ; for this pm-pose I am re- quired to grow a few of Ross's every year. One season, about three years ago, I took the trouble to weigh twenty- four tubers out of about three barrowloads, and tlieir imited weight was 41 lbs., whilst one set reached the enonnous No. 954.— 'Vol. SXXVII., Old Series 22 JOURNAL OP HORTICUXiTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEB. [ January 8, 1867. weight of 3J lbs. These were sound to the centre, and when baked, camo out of their skins sparkling like powdered sugar. They were produced from large Potatoes plauted whole and wide, and when turned out the soil looked as if it had been literally paved with Potatoes of enormous size, and there was scarcely a single tuber that could be called small. — D. Tuojison. MAKING VINE BORDERS. After reading the article by "ViTis"on the construction of Vine borders at page 420 of the last volume, I thought it was really requisite for some one of experience in the matter to make a few remarks as quickly as possible, for what " Vms " says is calculated to lead people sadly astray, and it is pro- bable that any one about to make Vine borders will be proceed- ing with the work at once. Therefore, without any apology, I offer the following remarks. In the first place, I consider it exceedingly presumptuous on the part of " Vitis " to refer to the system proposed by a prac- tical man like Mr. Wills in the jeering way that he does, thus endeavouring to detract from the merit of that method which is not only undeserving of condemnation, but than which, when the exact proportions of the materials are stated, it is impossible to imagine a more correct mode of making a Vine border where the question of expense is no consideration. I do not suppose Mr. Wills for one moment thought his method would meet the requirements of such men as " Vitis." If " Vitis " bad politely requested Mr. Wills, stating his means and the object in view, I have no doubt Mr. Wills would have had much pleasure in giving instructions as perfect in their ■way as the plan which he has already laid down. With regard to the depth of the border described by Mr. Wills, his provision for airing it and its being composed of such open materials sufficiently remove all objections on that score, especially if it be made 2 feet C inches above and the same depth below the ground level, seeing that a foot or 1.5 inches of the lower portion consists of drainage, so that the layer of turf forming the bottom of the compost will be only 15 inches below the ground level. This, with perfect drainage, will, I am quite satisfied, protect the mass of compost from be- ooming dank or unhealthy for the roots of the Vines in any part. I am no advocate for applying bottom heat to Vine borders in the usual way with hot-water pipes, but I cannot see any- thing but what is right in the way in which Mr. Wills pro- poses to apply it, the object being merely to keep up a circula- tion of air around the mass of compost. After very extensive experience in the formation of Vine borders, I can with confidence strongly recommend Mr. Wills's plan to all who do not mind going to the expense. I am sure Mr. Wills must have bestowed much thought on the subject, and I am sorry he did not make calculations, which I have no doubt he is well able to do, showing the exact pro.portions of the materials used, as his doing so would have prevented sharp people, who are always ready to point out errors in such a nice way, having the opportunity of doing so. I beg to propose that Mr. Wills shall be allowed to make a chapter of remarks on his own article, to give bim an opportunity after more mature deliberation of adding and supplying whatever may be deficient, so as to make it perfectly plain to the most ignorant on the subject. I maintain that the article is a good one, and worth bringing prominently forward so that it may be made perfect. A few words more respecting the depth of the border. I have found that it is not right to water Vines after the fruit begins to colour, which process lasts about one month, and if the Grapes are wanted entirely for private use it may be a month or two more before the crop is cleared off, during which time the Vines should have no water poured on the roots. As Vines thrive best in very open material, three months, with the shallow borders made entirely inside, and composed of open materials, is too long for the roots to be without water in, it may be, the hottest three mouths in the year : hence my reason for recommending the deep border, which will retain moisture sutlicient for the Vines until water may be applied after the crop is cleared. I would not make the deep border on any account without the provision for airing it. With regard to the method of making a Vine border described by " Vitis," there is one tbiug aloue in it that in nine cases mit of ten would lead to nothing but disappointment and labour in vain. I do not mean to say there would be no Grapes, but in most cases the Vines, if used for early forcing, would Le backward at breaking, come on slowly, and at the best be only middling when finished. How this state of things would be brought about is soon told. The roots of the Vines would go down not only many feet, but 3'ards, out of the influence of the atmosphere, either natural or artificial. One February I planted some Black Hamburgh Vines, and forced and fruited them the second season. The border was made entirely inside the house on a good floor composed of two layers of bricks grouted in mortar, and was about 3 feet deep. It was composed of fifteen parts of the very best turf from an old pasture, three parts of old lime rubbish, two parts of an ex- cellent quality of sand, as the turf was destitute of sand, but neither heavy nor light, and one part crushed bones, with a little nicely-prepared horse-droppings, just sufficient to make the roots start boldly. It was not hunger that drove the roots from home, yet the Vines during the second season perplexed me sorely, for in many respects they showed indications of their roots having gone down into wrong quarters, which I could scarcely believe to be possible. At the end of the second season the Vines were lifted and removed to another house. I was astonished to find that the roots had found their way through the floor at the bottom, and I traced them 9 feet down below the level of the floor, and then cut them of the thickness of my finger ; how much further they went I do not know. What I want to impress upon the minds of those who aro looking out for instructions in the making of Vine borders, is that they should make sure of preventing the roots from rambling away from the prepared border, and how difficult this is to accomplish ; and if they are not willing to go to the expense of doing this, to let it alone altogether. I recommend them not to be satisfied with anything less than the foUswing carefully executed. After the necessary preparations are completed for laying the floor, which should be made before any brickwork con- nected with the structure is commenced, scrape together in heaps 2 inches of the material forming the bottom, and saturate it with coal tar, which may be procured at a trifling expense from the gas works, if any such exist in the neigh- bourhood— if not, use another material destructive to the roots of the Vine. Mix the whole well together, let it lie a few days, then spread it all over the bottom again, and upon this place close together a layer of brickbats, or any other material, to the thickness of 3 or -1 inches. The man when putting this down must have a board upon his own work to stand upon ; the substance under the layer should be so stiff that it will not ooze up when trodden upon. Next grout the layer all over with mortar so stiff that it will not work up the tar on being spread and brushed about with a broom ; then let it remain a few days to dry and harden. The boundary walls and all the walls connected with the structure must have their foundation upon this floor, or if brought from below must have a layer of slates at this level. The boundary walls from the level of the floor must be made so that the roots may have no chance of find- ing their way through. This may be effected by means of slates put in the middle of the wall, or by leaving a cavity to be filled with a layer of the material used for the bottom of the floor. This may appear to be an unnecessary precaution, but I have found it quite requisite. I have known the roots of Vines go through a floor composed of two layers of bricks, and two brick walls besides, hence my reason for applying something more than ordinary brickwork to secure them, and never in my experience have I lifted Vines without finding that they had wandered away from the prepared border. I do not think Muscats can be grown to perfection without this precau- tion, but with it, and covering the outside border, they may be fruited as perfectly as the Black Hamburgh— that is, they may be made to produce bunches as full and regular in the berry and finely ripened, the berries being of an enormous size. " ViTis's" experience of Vine-growing leads him to think that under any circumstances a little drainage is ail that is re- quii-ite, then again he speaks of the border being trodden upon until it is quite hard. To say the least of it, this is a very loose style of gardening to set before the pubUc. — A Gardiskee. At page 481, in your Journal of December 25th, a writer who signs his paper " Fokwards " states he has rtad Mr. Pearson's little book on the Vine, in which he reccmmeuds green turf, which he says from many soils would make the worst possible Vine border. I have referred to the work in question, and find the passage stands thus :— " The soil for Vines should bo light and porous, and moderately rich, and is better for ccn- Jannary 8, 1867. J JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 23 taining a good quantity of lime. The bulk of it ought to be chopped turf from an old pasture ; if neither too sandy nor too heavy, this alone would grow good Grapes. It may be used the day it is cut as advantageously as if kept a year. To ten bavrowloads of this turf soil add two of broken oyster-shells, old lime rubbish, or chalk, or a mixture of the three, which is preferable ; one of horse-droppings, and half a bushel of broken bones." Now I would ask, Is the remark of " Forwards " a fair one ? Is not the sort of turf soil pretty well indicated in the passage I have quoted from Mr. Pearson's book ? — A Lovek of Fair Play. PEAS— QUANTITY OF SEED NEEDED- ESTIMATE OF VARIETIES. In reply to the question relative to the quantity of Peas sown per acre of kitchen garden ; that here is nearly five acres in extent, and there is a large demand for Peas, yet I find 24 quarts ample for the whole season. Too much cannot be said in favour of Essex Rival and AVon- derful. Although Essex Rival is about a week behind Dick- son's First and Best in coming in, I depend upon it for large gatherings. For a first crop I sow in pots in the end of .Januai-y, harden off, and plant-out the first opportunity, and find the yield to be more than double those from November sowings, and quite as early, to say nothing of the trouble of the latter from mice, &c., and especially from the gardener's feathered friends. I find the following sorts are as good as any I have tried :— Dickson's First and Best, Essex Rival, Dickson's Favourite, Wonderful, Yeitch's Perfection, Hairs' Dwarf Mammoth, and Ne Plus Ultra.— Ct. E., Strawhen-ij Hill. OUR VINES. {Continued from page 6.) Through all the winter time, day after day, we looked at our Vines. They were still pale, leafless, uupromisiug-looking canes, giving no sign of growth, nor even of life. Uncle Tetley peered at them through his spectacles, and papa bought a large magnifier ; but yet we could make nothing out. Cousin Herbert took a trowel and turned away the soil from about the Vines. There were lots of little white thread-like roots push- ing in all directions ; but, then. Cousin Herbert had never seen Vine roots before, and did not know whether they were right or wrong, so I asked George, our gardener, a supposed clever man. " Why, you see. Miss, I never took much notice that way. I am not sure they should be either white or brown, I have seen them both. I don't think it matters much." February passed, JIarch came — a dry, sunny, blustering month, as much dust in the streets and on the moors as would have ransomed every kiug in Christendom, our Vines at South Field were out in full leaf ; those at llidge Close had not a leaf to be seen, nor even the least appearance of any swelling of the eyes. " They are dead right out, I am sure," said papa; " I would write to that Bradford man and tell him, if I were you, Herbert ;" but Herbert had larger hope and longer patience, so waited on. One morning in the first week of April, a little glistening tear had gathered in the eyes of several of the Tines, and during the same day the had-beeu-owner walked in. " What ! Tour Tines in this state yet ?" He took up a syringe and doused them over and over again. It was a regular thunder-storm inside, with heavy rain. How it did run down the glass, carrying with it a good many Yorkshire blacks we did not know to be there. Certainly it was a cleansing opera- tion. Kate timidly suggested the idea of drowning, but he only S3'ringed away the harder, saying, " Do you not know I pledged myself for the success of these Tines ? and unless you wish mo to fail yon will not let them die of thirst. Tell your brother to syringe them night and morning, and during the day while the dry sunny weather lasts, and tu water them once a-week, giving them at least three gallons each." Then he took up a watering-can and emptied the cistern that always stood fall in the vinery. After this the Vines grew apace. Cousin Herbert syi-inging them every morning before he went to his ofiice, and in the evening when he returned, and Kate looking after them during the day. There was no doubt they bad wanted water, for in the moist atmosphere they grew amazingly, leaf after leaf un- folding itself in the warm April sunshine. Soft delicate leaves they were, and very beautiful. One morning going into the vinery we found several of the leaves on the Lady Downe's Vine and one Muscat Hamburgh eaten by some insect, nearly all the young leaves were more or less disfigured ; perfectly round holes they were, as if they had been cut out with an instrument. Cousin Herbert said " We must see after it, for the Vines would be injured if not de- stroyed ; if the leaves went wrong the roots would follow, for the leaves are the great root-feeders." Uncle Tetley always laughs at this theory, and calls it absurd, and says, " There never yet were and there never can be leaves without roots." So Kate and I spent much time seeking for something that could have done the mischief. Aunt Margaret thought it was a caterpillar. No one seemed to share her opinion. Janet said, " The likeliest thing was an earwig," but then it was too early in the season for those little, lazy, comfort -loving pests to have become troublesome, and in all our search we never met with one. I said, " Miglit it not be a snail or slug ?" " Oh, no ! " said Kate, very wisely, " it cannot be that, for the little molluscs never make those clear ring-like holes, they are much too greedy, they eat on straight before them until leaf, or flower, or whatever they have attacked is done with, unless they meet a midrib or dry stem which proves harder than they like. Besides, they would have gone to the Ferns at our feet in preference to making a long uphill journey for very doubtful food." Cousin Y'alter said, " It might be the crickets," with which om- vinery was already sadly infested. " That cannot be," said Janet, " for crickets are anti-vegetarians." So the search went on day after day, and the wonder what- ever it could be agitated the two households in no small degree. Even Aunt ilargaret shared in the search, and came in con- queror after Kate and I had spent a weary time, and Cousin Herbert pounds of paraflin composites, for the evening was his only spare time, and he would not use our farthing rushlights. Yes, Aunt Margaret came in one day with a little cinnamon- brown beetle stuck at the point of her darning-needle, looking hard at it as if afraid it would escape. " Is this the gentle- man you are seeking?" said Aunt Margaret. " A clever fellow he is to hide away just on the very bit of Tine bark nearest to his own colour. I tell you what, Kate, with all your cleverness and your quick eye for shade and colour, you could not match yourself like this." " Clever do you call it. Aunt Margaret ?" said Kate, " I caU it the Divine instinct of self-preservation." "Well! well!" said Aunt Margaret. " It is all chance," said Janet, " you might just as well have found it anywhere else — across the way on Maud's Dendrobium nobile, for instance." Janet's book-learning and French read- ing had made her rather sceptical about what she called simple things. " I do not think it looks like an insect to eat Tine leaves," said mamma, who was at Ridge Close at the time, and who is a great lover of those little hard-backed fellows. " Then, pray," said Cousin Herbert, " what was he doing up there ? In truth, I searched the leaves under and over, but never once thought of the canes. You deserve a gold medal for your success, Aunt Margaret." Then the poor little beetle was put under the magnifier and subjected to close observation. If he had any shyness about him he must have been greatly troubled. Some one wanted to keep it as a specimen for future use, but Aunt Margaret coolly put it in the fire, saying she was a member of the " Humane Society, and, doubtless, it was suffering from the prick of her needle." After this we found several ; they were always hiding away on the bark, on the shady side of the cane. Whenever a new hole was seen then fresh search was made until they were fairly exterminated. Through all the long summer days, and the shortening ones of autumn, the Tines grew and flourished. How much we thought of them ! How proud we were of them ! If they had been chickens, or children, they would have been spoiled right out with over-kindness or over-praise. Everybody admired them. They shot right out straight as an arrow, as if aiming to reach at one-year's spell the light graceful roof. Uncle Tetley used to go round the vinery nearly every day, and slacken the strings which tied up the Tines to some Uttle brass hooks Cousin Herbert had put in by the sides of the windows for that purpose, saying as he did so, " The poor things must have room to grow." I have a fancy Cousin Herbert used to tighten them many a time to keep them up in their proper i place. However, the canes did thicken fast, almost past beUef. 24 JOURNAL OF HOETICDLTUEE AND COTTAGE GABDENEE. [ January 8, 1867. Far into November the leaves were fresh and green, growing on still. Cousin Herbert became uneasy, " It could not be right," he said, " they ought to be going to rest as aU the Vines in the houses about were. Papa sent George in to look at them and hear what he thought ; but George came back a Job's comforter. " Ah, well ! " he said, " they have grown much too fast. Such soft, hollow, fuzzy canes will never ripen to bear fruit, whatever Mr. Herbert may say, or his fine gentleman gardener. I know better than that, a bit of practice is worth a deal of theory." Soon after this some frosty nights came and the leaves changed rapidly. Bright golden leaves they were, speckled over with brown, and they tumbled down in all directions, dust- dry withered things. Then, in December, Cousin Herbert bought a new knife to cut back the canes. It was quite an affair; we formed a procession to the vinery to see the opera- tion. " They are easy enough to cut," said Cousin Herbert, when high up the ladder, " did not need a new knife for the operation." I begin to think, After aU George is right, they are a. bit soft and fuzzy. " They are no such thing," said papa, who always sticks up for the Vines against everything and everybody. " Why, look here, at these good thick buds, I should not wonder but you may have fruit next year." " Yes, if our Vine doctor will let us," said Kate, "but he says they ought not in justice to the plants." " I would take no notice about what he says," said papa. " To be sure not," said Cousin Walter, " take the gifts the gods send, and not wait for the years that may never be." ^ " I rather think your Vine doctor, as you call him, will have his own way, in spite of all you can do or say," said Aunt Mai-garet, " and I would not injui-e my Vines for the sake of one year's waiting. Some of us may live to see the fruiting years if Walter do not." Cousin Herbert had a soitv time of it up the ladder, one wanting them to be cut shorter, another to be left longer ; but in and out among the canes his knife went, and the work was soon done. So the Vines were once more at rest ; the canes were thicker and darker, the little brown beetle would have to get himself a darker coat if he wished to escape observation as easily as before ; and the buds were large and plump and full of promise. Throughout the month of February we could see the sign of coming growth, the hidden life ready to burst forth when the spring sunshine called it. March they were out in fuU leaf, growing vigorously— nay, madly growing, as the Willow grows by the waterside, as if all hfe meant so much cane and leaf, and nothing more. Such monster leaves George could not find on our South Field Vines. He said he " was glad he could not, for coarse leaves would lead to coarse fruit." In this second year we did not forget the syringing process, and tried our best to keep the house at a proper and increasing temperature. Several bunches of incipient bloom made, their appearance to our infinite deUght, but as the weeks passed the bloom did not open, but twirled and twisted itself up into tendrils. We puUed it down, even made httle cotton bags and put in stones and bits of bricks and hung them up to the bunches to keep them straight, but they still twirled and twisted and would have their own way. " Why, there would have been blossom. Miss," said George, only Mr. Herbert has washed it all away. Vines should never be wet after they come into leaf." One day the Vine doctor, as we call him, came in. "I have been into youx hotise," he said, " and looked round. Your Vines are in first-rate condition. I have cut them back properly and stopped the laterals. They will go on now famously. It should have been done before, but I could not get over sooner." " I suppose they are bleeding, then," said Kate. " Well, perhaps you had better take in some basins, or dishes, or something ; it is a pity anything should be wasted ; and yet it will do them no harm, they are in such rude health they can bear a trifle with impunity. I would cease syringing for the present if I were you, they grow fast enough." When we went into the vinery and found the floor and shelves covered with leaves, and shoots, and laterals, we gave a great cry of horror. We thought surely ruin had come and no mistake, and asked in dismay, "Where would be the roots which all these leaves would have made ?" " Never you mind the philosophy of the roots ; but look here, these are the leaves to take care of, for they feed the buds for next year's bloom ; they must not be injured or broken off by any means. If you want Vine leaves, take some of those high up belonging to the eyes that will be cut away. It is better, though, to let them alone. Next year you will have fruit, I hope." Although we told all this to Uncle Tetley, he laughed and would not believe, and a few days after a lady came begging Vine leaves to put about her French Grapes, a sort of make- believe they were English. What does Uncle Tetley do but invite her in to choose. So she, of course, all unknowing, chooses the lowest down, easiest to get, and the largest. Poor Kate declared boldly he must not take those, but one, two, were already gone. By main force — half play, half earnest — we held him back, Janet scolding all the time, asking what right we had to interfere to prevent her father from breaking off any leaves he might fancy — all of them, if it would give him pleasure. He was surely worth more than all the Vines in the world. " If I were you, papa, I would take what I wanted, they are all your own." " They are not," I said sharply, " they are our Vines, and Uncle Tetley never calls them his." Uncle only laughed, and the visitor declared she would much rather have a few small leaves if they could be reached. Though she said so, I am afraid she went away with her hand- ful of leaves which our young Vines could ill spare, thinking us shabby, niggardly creatures. So on into the summer months we went all prosperous, and yet we were not quite safe through the wood ; for during August several of the leaves on two of the Black Hamburghs assumed a strange appearance, the edges of the leaves curl- ing in as if to hide the stems ; and the leaves when broken off and examined were scabbed and blistered, as if the green liquid which fills the little cells had flooded over, and in seme evil hour broken up the light tissue boundaries. What could it be ? what had caused it ? were questions asked continually. We turned to the gardening books which had been pored over beforetimes without number, and soon found a name for the disease, its cause and prevention. But, oh ! those warted leaves, how beautiful they were when seen through a magnifier ! What a marvellous world each seemed to hold in its hollow ! What glorious mountains covered with green moss and scarlet Lichens, the very stones among which seemed to sparkle like diamonds ! and then such soft deep-sheltered vaUies as to live in would be Paradise. Where the scabbed edge had been broken there seemed to rise up immense rocks, pile upon pUe, and beyond these stretched long weary gi-een plains, over which a feeble spider moved, like one of those huge, clumsy, extinct animals of the era before man was. " Never mind fretting about it, Herbert." said Aunt Mar- garet one day, "it's my opinion Vines are like little ehildreu; there are so many diseases they are liable to, which they must have if they are ever to grow up. It's only their measles or chicken-pox period ; they wiU be all the better when they get through it." " Then after all we may sit under our own Vine and Fig tree, and hope to eat the fruit of our own growing," said Cousin Herbert one evening in autumn, as we lingered in the vinery. The rich sunset was tinging the dark leaves oS an old Sycamore tree, and a silver-barked Birch was swaying to and fio, making long graceful shadows on the grass beneath. "I wonder," said Kate, "if we should ever grow rich and great, and be forced to keep gardeners, if we should have as much enjoyment in proportion as we have in this little place." " No, indeed, you would not; you are too independent, and like your own way too aauch, Kate, and you know too much. No, you would feel very like renting your own property, or living by sufferance in the house you had mortgaged," said Cousin Herbert. '■ I think there would be a great deal more pleasure and com- fort, certainly less labour," said Janet. " I think there would be less idle time," said Aunt Margaret. " All, girls ! you waste a gi-eat deal of precious time. When I was young, people never sat as you do, with folded hands doing nothing ; they even took out their work with them when they went visiting." " Then, I think, dea!f Aunt, we must be living in the re- action period," I said, "and yet aU rest, aU folding of the hands is not idleness." " Perhaps," said Kats,. " we work harder when we do work, and so get through mors. At any rate, they say Ufe's pulses- beat faster than of old." " Then why do you work so hard,." said Janet, " and at a man's work, too ?" " Because 1 Mke it," said Kate, "■ smd aertainlp it i& not moift January 8, 18G7. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GARDENEB. 25 a man's work than a woman's. I think, indeed, it is the world's great plot of neutral ground belonging to all who have skill, or taste, or strength, to work in it, and all may work in it on a level, for the necessary outlay is small, it needs no costly tools. I often wonder dear i3essie Parke? never tried it as a good, a pleasant, and a remunerative emploj'ment. To be sure the Latin names might he hard to learn ; but then many Vi"omen have learnt harder things." "And very fine they would look out in the rain and puddle planting monster trees they could not carry," said Janet. "Well, I suppose few women live beyond the rench of a man's stronger arm, and help could always be procured to do what women were unable or unwilling to perform for them- selves,'' said Kate. So the autumn and the winter came again, the leaves all fell from the Vines ; they were once more at rest. All rubbish was carried away, the house was smoked, well swept down, and our fire-maiden came in with hot water, soap, and brush, to " clean out the place," as she called it. How she laughed and sang at her work, called it her holiday, and how clean and fresh she made it, and the only extra cost to ns was a new print dress for the one cook said she " had spoiled doing new-fangled work." — Maud. (To be continued.) THE GL.VDIOLUS IN POOR SOIL. Being a great admirer of that beautiful flower the Gladiolus, I beg to state, in support of the opinion of some growers, that this flower does exceedingly well with me in very poor SOU, very little better than brick-rubbish, and the atmosphere is not very good, the place being only one mile from London Bridge. I mention these facts for the encouragement of those who may think soil and situation may not suit this flower. I have had spikes equal to those I saw this season at the Crystal Palace ; they have been admired by experienced gar- deners.— WiLLi-iJi Edw.yrds, Bcrmonilscij. A VISIT TO TOWERVILLE, HELENSBURGH. Ai this season (October), when the shadow of approaching winter is beginning to fall on the parterres and flower-borders, the lover of floral beauty can still find under glass much of the brilliance of summer, and even some of the first fresh- ness of spring. On tho afternoon of the 16th was gathered and arranged what it was feared would be the last bouquet of out-door flowers for the season. It was for an invalid lady friend in London, who would appreciate the gift all the more that it came from her natal district. It seemed to be the finest of the many which had been gathered and arranged in the course of the season. Next morning the hoar frost lay thick on plant, and flower, and grass, and at a glance it was evident that, in as far as the more tender specimens were concerned, my worst fears had been realised. Cast down though for the moment I unquestionably was, the thought that I was that day to pay a long-promised visit to a very dear friend, one of the most enthusiastic and successful amateur horticulturists of my acquaintance, dispelled the rising gloom, and made me forget the grudge I owed John Frost for coming on so very soon. The day was not far advanced when I started. Glasgow was soon reached, and then by rail to Helensburgh — one of the most sunshiny seaside towns in the west of Scotland. The sun was bright overhead, but a misty veil hung over the Frith of Clyde, and shut out from view one of the most glorious panoramas on which the eye can rest, and which, if equalled, is certainly not surpassed. Arrived at our terminus, I hur- ried on to TcwerviUe, along pleasant streets, skirted on either hand with villas and villa gardens, and, after a ten-minutes walk, arrived at the private entrance. The first object that attracted attention was the flag which my hospitable friend had raised in expectation of my arrival, and which the morning breeze flung out from its folds with a force that made the strong flagstaS bend like a Willow saphng. Next the villa came in view, enlarged since my last visit ; but so skUfuily had the architect adapted the addition to the origi- nal building, that even a practised eye would fail to detect what recollection alone informed me of — that its parts had been plaimed and erected at different times. As it now stands it is, both iatemally and externally, a very model of its kind, and, _ whik) aeithei imposing iamm its siae nor pretentious in its style, it gives one that idea of elegance and comfort whioh we deem essential to a seaside summer residence. Another turn in the road brings the owner in view. He is leaning on a gentleman's arm, for, unfortunately, Mr. Hender- son has been for the last eight mouths an invalid, set aside from any active share in the business of the important and in- fluential firm of which he is a partner ; but here his love of flowers and plants has served him in good stead, occupying without fatiguing his mind, affording healthful recreation, giving a present enjoyment, and leading heart and mind " from Nature up to Nature's God." As a man of business, as an enlightened patriot, as a warm-hearted friend, he has gained a name both in this country and in Italy, where he is even better known; and if it be the will of Providence that "a youth of labour " should be followed by an " age of ease," amid such scenes as those by which he is surrounded. I am persuaded that, even as he has no occasion, so he will not be tound to complain. The first cordial welcome over, and a slight repast disposed of, we are once more on the gravel on our way to see the latest novelties and improvements. The lawn, with its adjoining terraces, stretches away east- wards from the villa. It is sufficiently extensive to admit of the intro4uction, without confusion, of a large number of our rarer Conifers and evergreens. All along the main approach, on the right hand there is a row of Cedi'us deodara, while on the left hand these are admirably balanced with large Portugal Laurels, in the intervals between which rise deciduous trees in great variety, and a fine effect is thus produced. Among others were fine specimens of Welhngtonia gigantea, Cupressus ma- crocarpa, and C. Lawsoniana. One feature in the decoration of the lawn is quite unique in this part, biit is easily accounted for by Mr. Henderson's long residence in Italy. Here and there, partially hidden by the evergreens, or skh-ting the line of walk, or forming the terminating point in some pleasing vista, are beautiful marble statues, copies of well-known works, and although, assuredly, we have not the warm, dry chmate which some regard as essential to this kind of ornamentation, stiU the effect on the day of my visit was charming ; and after the eye became accustomed to their presence I would not on any account have dispensed with them. The great attractions of Towerville, however, are under glass. Adjoining the house is a small conservatory, in whioh a matchless collection of tree Ferns have their temporary abode. The larger number are specimens (some of them 10 and 12 feet high), of Cyathea dealbata, the fronds of which are already 5 feet long, and yet only one-half of their original size when they were dug up in their native habitat. The taUies attached to these splendid plants tell a marvellous tale. I They inform us that in the beginning of this year (1860), they were growing in the depths of a New Zealand primeval forest ; j and now, after the lapse of only eight or nine months, they are throwing out their graceful fronds in every direction, over- arching the on-looker with their silver tracery. What care must have been bestowed on them in their transit from the Antipodes ! and what skilful treatment by ilr. Henderson and his clever painstaking gardener before a result so satisfactory could have been realised ! A new house is being planned by Mr. Clark, of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, for the reception of this interesting collection of valuable plants. A few steps from the small conservatory is the Orchid-house • — a spacious building, with a passage all round, so wide that it is obvious that the comfort of the ladies of the household has in this been consulted. The impression produced on enter- ing this house is one not likely to be soon effaced. In front you have a tiny sheet of water, on which the huge leaves of the Victoria regia are floating as healthily as if on the surface of a Guiana lagoon, and in which some gold fish are glancing like flashes of fire. Overlooking the little lake, as if the i;enii(s loci, is a statue — a beautifully executed copy of the famous Nina del' Arno, surrounded on all sides by foliage df the richest colours and the rarest forms. Overhead a Banana (Musa Cavendishii), showing unmistakeable signs of fruit, shoots upward to the lofty roof its broad leaves, some gra- dually unrolling. The effect of the central row of plants, including another Banana (Musa textihs), is very fine, and is greatly heightened by the splendid specimens in front, by which their stems are concealed. Among these may be parti- cularly noticed Cissus discolor (7 feet high), Maranta zebrina (4 feet high and 7 feet in diameter), Alocasia zebrina, and Alo- casia metaUica. Interspersed are large plants of Golden and Silver Ferns, such as are seldom seen elsewhere, and at least 26 JOUENAL OF HOKTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. t January 8, 1867. one magnificent specimen of Adiantum euneatum, for which 1 confess a special fondness. Between the pathway and the sides of the house a bench runs all round covered with plants, and over them, depending from the roof iu wire baskets and on wooden matrices, you have Orchids iu endless variety ; the odd Eiiape of the flower in one ease, the rich colours in another, and the jiowerful perfume in a third, compelling you to pause and admire. Not a foot of space in this large house is lost, and yet the arrangement is so perfect, that when at the farther end you meet with n lovely copy of the Venus de Medici, you are satisfied that her presence there is in thorough keeping with the whole. Attached to the larger building is a smaller one, in which the temperature is lower, and where another class of Ferns and Orchids is under cultivation. Here you may rest on the sofa and admire the wall over against you, clad with Moss and covered with graceful Ferns, which are retained in their position by ornamental wirework ; on turning your eye to the right you may see reflected iu the large mirror which forms the outlet the whole passage along which you have come, with its verdant and variegated fringework — " So wondrous fair, the whole might seeui The scenery of a fairy di-eam." Space will not permit me to speak of the greeuTiouse, or vinery and Peach-house, in the former of which are many rare and beautiful plants. My object is so far served, in showing what men of meaus and taste may do to provide an endless source of instruction and enjoyment for themselves and their friends, and in paying a just tribute to one who has used with such industry and liberality the advantages and facilities which, as an extensive shipowner, he enjoys for introducing new plants and splendid specimens of known species to our land, in which the disadvantages of climate can be overcome by the aid of art. — J. E. A. CURRANT CULTIVATION. The Currant is one of our most useful hardy fruits, and may be grown to perfection as well in the gardens of peasants as in those of the wealthy. Under ordinary circumstances it will be ripe by the early part of July, and by careful protec- tion from the depredations of birds the Bed varieties may be had in use until the end of October. Although I venture to offer a few cultural remarks on this useful fruit, I do not by any means wish it to be understood that I anticipate offering any new suggestion, or writing any- thing not well known to the majority of gentlemen's gardeners ; but I write for the amateur. Whatever mode of pruning the Red and White Currants may be adopted, they require to be regularly pruned every year. In rearing young trees various methods may be practised, but the easiest and most general is by cuttings. In raising trees from cuttings the first object to be attained is a clear stem about G or 8 inches high, and free from suckers. The cuttings are procured from the growth of the previous year, and for them the strongest, straightest, and best-ripened shoots should be chosen. All the buds on the portion to be inserted in the ground should be carefully picked out, leaving three or four of the terminal ones, and reducing the cutting to about a foot iu length by taking off the unripeued points. By removing the buds, or eyes, the trees are prevented from throwing up suckers, which are injurious, besides being un- sightly and troublesome to displace. The cuttings may be planted in a shady situation in rows about 18 inches apart, and about 9 or 10 inches asunder in the row. They will gene- rally iu the first season produce about three shoots each, all of which may be allowed to grow during the summer, in order to assist in the production of roots. If it is intended that the trees shall be grown in the open quarters in the usual bush tnm — open in the centre, then when the leaves have fallen in the autumn, two out of the three may be cut away, leaving the third, the most upright, for the future stem, and shortening it down to about three buds ; the lowest bud below the cut must be about 8 inches above the grouud. Three shoots will usually be produced in the following year, and iu the autumn the trees will be ready for their final planting. Any common garden soil will suit the Currant, and it will grow freely and bear abundantly either in an open or a shady situation ; but to insure good fruit the ground should be well cultivated, and, previous to planting, be trenched to the depth of 2 feet. While they will grow in almost any soil, Currant trees delight in a strong loam, and will there produce best, but on a sandy soil the crop will come in rather earlier. The time of planting will be from the fall of the leaf to the be- ginning of March, but to insure success they should be planted in October. When the trees are planted the roots should be nicely and carefully spread out in a horizontal position, and the shoots may be reduced one-third of their length, taking care to cut to a bud pointing outwards. We have now a tree with a stem 8 inches high, and three branches diverging from it. Several shoots will be produced in the following season ; but two should be encouraged on each branch, the rest being shortened to within one or two buds, or an inch of their base. The six shoots left will form the framework of the future tree, and should be again shortened to two-thirds of their length, or about 9 inches. On these other branches may be encouraged from near their base, and at a regular distance from each other of G or 8 inches at their extremities, and confining the head to the height of 4 J or 5 feet. When the trees are thus formed, by allowing the re- quisite number of branches to rise at regular distances from each other, they will require every winter the laterals or side branches produced in the previous year to be cut back to one or two eyes, around which a number of little fruit-spurs rtill be formed ; and the leaders having attained the desired height must be cut to within two or three buds of their base. There are some people who recommeud summer pruning for bush Ciirraut trees. Where trees are strong and luxuriant, producing a mass of watery spray, crowding the centre of the bush, this may be removed in June to admit sun and air — agents essential for perfecting the growth and flavour of the fruit. All the root-suckers may be twisted off. I may here observe that if there be no more shoots retained than will be necessary to remain at the winter pruning, the next season the tree will iu consequence be less vigorous, for more leaves are encouraged, or more of the respiratory organs of the plant ; and in proportion to these so wiU the roots be, and the more roots the more vigorous the tree. Besides being planted in the open borders. Currant trees may be trained against a wall. For this purpose they may be planted 3 or 4 feet apart. In training wall trees two branches should be taken, right and left, in a horizontal direction, about G or 8 inches from the bottom of the wall. From these, up- right shoots should rise at about 8 inches from each other. As these grow upwards the leaders will require shortening, ac- cording to their strength, to encourage the formation of fruit- spurs. The laterals must be shorteued-in in June, and at the winter pruning should be cut nearly close to the old wood. Many other modes of trainiug may be adopted, according to the inclination of the cultivator; but the same S3'stem of pruning may be invariably pursued — namely, spurring-in the laterals and shortening the leading shoots. My remarks have hitherto been applicable to the Red and White Currants ; the system of pruning to be followed with the Black Currant must be somewhat different. The Red ' and White Currants bear the fruit both ou the young wood of one, two, or three years' growth, and on the older branches, from small snags and spurs ou the sides of these, and which often continue fruitful for several years. The Black Currant bears chiefly on the wood of the preceding year ; also from spurs, which, however, are less abundant and smaller in size than on the Red and White Currants. In pruning very little short- ening is required. The chief thing to be done is, when the branches are too crowded, to thin them oat, or to shorten back any that are becoming too high. No two shoots should be allowed to touch each other, and all cross branches must be cut clean away. The fruit is disliked by some peoijle, and never brought on the table for dessert. It is used in tarts and puddings, and made into jellies, wines, and preserves.— QuiNiiN Read, Fort liill Gardens. GRAPES IN A COOL HOUSE FOR MARKET. Aftek many years of plodding industry my friend has ac- complished his purpose. By the labour of his hands he has built himself a home. His plot of garden he has walled round, and in the enclosure he is about completing a vinery. His aim has been to obtain abundance of light and ventilation. He has succeeded admirably. The house is a lean-to, the back wall 18 feet high, length of rafter 18 feet, length of house upwards of 80 feet. He purposes planting twenty-seven Vines of a sort or sorts which will produce by sale the best returns. January 8, 1867. 1 JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 27 On this point he asks my advice, and so anxious am I that be shall be advised in the best possible manner, that undeterred by any false pride as a gardener, I appeal to you, and should be greatly obliged if in an early impression you would name the kinds you consider most suitable ; and what would you advise to be planted on the back wall? It is not intended to use much fire heat, but an apparatus is fixed in case it is re- quired.— YoilKsniKEMAN. [In such a house we would plant only Black Hamburghs. They are good croppers, and find a ready market. With the Vines at something like 3 feet apart, it would be useless plant- ing much against the back wall. If the house is wide, per- haps it would be as well to plaut Vines there, but they could not bo expected to bear much until they reached the roof, after the front Vines were established.] PEAK CULTURE. {Continued from Vol. XI., page 461.) 2.ND. — WALLS AND ESPALIEKS. Peau trees trained on walls with a few exceptions produce the finest, largest, and best-flavoured fruit. To have some kinds in perfection it is necessary to grow them against a wall, especially in cold, wet, exposed situations. Selections of the best varieties for wall culture according to my experience and taste are — Doyenne d'Ete Jargonelle BeiuTe d'Amanlis Gansel's Bergamot Brown Beurre Thompson's SecMe SnffolU Thorn Urbaniyte Flemish Beauty Figne de Naples Marie Louise IHIKTY-SIX. WiUiams's Bon Chretien Louise Bonne of Jersey Hacon's Incomparable Althoi-p Crasauue Beurr:. Prune espalier .4pples and Pears, and fork up ground about them in frosty weather, to disturb and destroy insects. In the orchard thin out cross and crowded branches from Apple, Pear, and Quince trees, it is a great mistake to have too much wood. Scrape off moss and lichen from the stems, and if time will serve, dress both these and espalier trees with a mixture of quicklime and blue clay mixed to the consistence of thick paint ; if this is well done there will be no need to scrape them for some years. GREEXHOUSE AND CONSEEVATOKT. Take advantage of bad weather to wash up and arrange the stock of dirty pots, to paint any tubs or baskets, wires, &c., out of use. Prepare labels of various sizes, and forked sticks for pegging down plants in the flower garden. Look over the stores, and provide whatever may be required tor the season's use. The princijial work in these houses will consist in keeping them and their inmates scrupulously clean. The conservatory should now be gay with Camellias and forced plants, which will take the place of the Chrysanthemums now over. Keep up a regular succession of plants to bloom in spring, by bringing forward the stock of forcing plants as wanted. Roses, both dwarf and standards. Honeysuckles, hj-brid Rhododendrons, and Azaleas, with a host of other things, will enable yen, in addition to the usual occupants of the houses, to make a brilliant shov.- through- out the spring. Hyacinths, Narcissus, Tulips, Lily of the Valley, and other plants of the above class, must be duly for- warded as wanted. Hardwooded plants will require a dry, pure atmosphere to guard against mildew and damp. The surfacing of many plants that are not likely to require shifting can he performed. Great caution is required in the application of heat, as it would have an injurious tendency for the future to cause excitement at the present time amongst any tribes of plants that are required to bloom in their natural season. A day temperature of 55° will be quite sufficient here at present ; if this cannot be maintained without strong fires, be c'ontent with 45°, and moderate tires, remembering that with this low temperature a very small circulation of the air will suffice. A high degree of heat would both hurry the beautiful Camellias and other choice flowers past their best, and create a neces- sity for the application of more atmospheric moisture, which, unless a warm ?'oof is secured by covering, must end in drip, to the great prejudice of the delicate blossoms. COLD FEAMES. As long as the temperature here can be maintained from 32° to 35°, little harm will ensue by keejiing them covered. Our practice is to tilt the hack and front alternately whenever the glass rises to 32° out of doors. By these means the accumu- lating damp is dispelled, and the plants receive as much light as will prevent etiolation. Take care that the roof is well protected ; the best way is to put a mat on the glass, then a coat of clean straw, and then another mat. — W. Keake. DOINGS OP THE LAST WEEK. ■" A FEW hints have come our way to the effect, " Beware of prophesying about the weather," merely because we mentioned frost as being likely to occur between Christmas and the new year. We never do assume to foretel what is to come, but our guesswork has not been so far wrong after all, as the new- year's morning brought a sharp frost with it, which would have been sharper still but for a fall of snow diuing the previous night. Ice. — Bat for the snow on Wednesday morning, which covered the ice on our ponds somewhat deeply, and thus prevented the thickening of the ice, so as to give it strength for the ice-hoot, we would have secured some on that day. We propose when the snow falls less heavily, and it the frost continue quite as severe as it is this (Wednesday) morning, to break holes in the ice and jet water over the snow-covering, which will thus by another morning give us a good thickness of ice, and enable the men to secure it from deep ponds without danger. We cannot say that the last season has taught us any lessons about ice farther than have been communicated in former years, except this, that snow that had been collected, and with no great weight of ice above it, when dug out was not so firm as we used to have it, and though it answered quite as well for the butler's purposes as ice, it did not suit the housekeeper so well for pastry and icing. On the whole, we consider ice better than snow, when it can be had. Both do exceedingly well when mixed, and especially when there is enough of moisture, either naturally or communicated, to run all into a solid mass, not an interstice being left for air. Ice itself will keep better when so pounded together. All our previous experience with snow alone would point to the importance, not only of pounding it to- gether well, but it the snow is at all dry, using a httle water to make it go closer together. Last season we did not use much labour with it, as we expected to put in a heavy weight of ice over it, which would have done the compressing process for us. As it was deemed unadvisable to do so, the snow-ice came out less firm and compressed than usual. When snow is thoroughly compressed, there is little difference between it and ice. When not well pounded, it will be too loose for freezing-mixtures, creams, &c., though very good for cooUng- purposes. Sifee2nnri Walla was a hopeless task. So long as the snow, though deep, was light, a broom could make a pathway quickly, but in half an hour there were 3 or 4 inches more snow. When the snow becomes deep, there is nothing better for walks and roads than simple snow-ploughs, such as a triangle formed of three stout pieces of wood 4 feet long, 1 foot deep, and from 11 to 2 inches thick for walks, with a handle to hold by at the base, and a ring and chain in front for another man or two to pull by, according to the depth of the snow. For roads, the pieces of wood should be stronger and deejDer, and if the base be G feet, the two sides should be 7 feet, and be well braced be- tween to hold men or heavy weights if the snow is heavy. Such a simple machine, with handles like a plough, and one or more horses put to in front, would soon clear a great space of road. When the snow is deep, 5 feet in width at the base would bo- enor.gh, and when once an opening is made, the space may be made wide enough by holding the plough sideways along each side of the opening, and thus sending the snow farther back- each way. Except in deep cuttings, and large snow-wreaths, men can do but little with shovels in comparison with what can. be quickly effected by such a simple plough. Gutters and Leads oi large houses should be examined, especi- ally when frost precedes snow, as in that ease, if a few leaves should collect in the cesspools for the water-pipes, the moisture contained about them may be frozen over hard, and if a sud- den thaw come, and there is much snow on the roof, there will be no outlet for the water, the gutters and the leads will be flooded, and the water will pass through the roof and the ceilings of the rooms. We aro apt to forget at times how much more quickly snow will disappear from a steep roof, even at an aver- age temperature of from 35° to 40°, than ice will become melted that has been formed in the cesspool of a pipe. We have known cases where generally-intelligent people would not acknowledge this simple matter until they consented to put a pound of ice into a ]iound of water, even at 40', and to wait until the ice melted. This simple e.xperimcnt, too, and testing the temperature of the water in the melting process, would give an idea of the amount of caloric that was parted with before water could become ice, and the amount that must again become absorbed before the ice could be changed into water. At any rate, we can recollect of fully half a score of cases in which, owing to the slow melting of ice, and the unwilhngness to incur the trouble and the expense of sending a man to the roof of the house to see if all the water-courses were clear, what would have been obviated by even less than a day's wages has involved a loss, in damage to ceOings, papering, and furniture, of scores of pounds, and in one or two eases himdreds would have been nearer the mark. This is a matter generally attended to by the carpenter, bricklayer, or gardener, and very often by the last. There is nothing very desiiable in January 8, 1867. ] JODENAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GAKDENEB, BL the job ; but it is important that some one should have it as a matter of duty to attend to, otherwise it may turn out that what is the business of everybody may become tlie business of nobody, until after much mischief is done. Perhap-s, too, the appointing some one in particular to look after such a simple matter is all the more important, as just in proportion to the energy, fidelity, and industry a man brings to bear on his own particular department, so in general will it be found that he is extremely sensitive as to going at all out of that department without clear and specific orders and defined arrangements. KITCHEN GAEDEN. Here the weather has pretty well brought all matters to a stand, and rabbits and hares will give us little trouble with some other things. We htve before had trouble with young plantations of Cabbages, but now we shall have none with a nice quarter planted in September. Not a single plant is left, and Brussels Sprouts will ere long follow them if the four- footed game are to have their way. These Cabbages had been netted round, but nothing but high wire netting would have kept the vermin out. Seeing how matters were going, we have potted some hundreds of strong Cabbage plants, and set them iu an orchard-house, resolving to plant them out in better times. We did so with a line lot of Caulillowers last season, and after all they were so cut off level with the ground b}' rats, that to have Cauliflowers moderately early we were obliged to force them on under glass lights. Wherever game and rabbits are encouraged close to and in the garden, rats follow as a matter of course, and they will increase do what yon will, until they pretty well frighten people to go out at night from the strength of their bauds, and their clearing everything that is eatable before them, as we have reason to believe, from the newspapers, they are already doing in some parts of the country. All forced' vegetables are much the same as in pre- vious weeks, and it is well to have a good stock iu such weather, as it makes one more independent of out-door supply. FRUIT GiEDEN. The weather did not jiermit of much being done out of doors, with the exception of wheeling to Gooseberries and Cur- rants manure and the decomposed rubbish-heap, which will be pointed iu when the weather changes. After the heavy snow on Wednesday morning we took the opportunity of sinokinii the orchard-houses with bruised Laurel leaves. The snow was shaken o£f the Laurels with a rake, and a dozen armfuls of the young shoots were obtained. The task was not one of the most pleasant, bat then it did not last long, as the shoots and leaves could be beaten and broken inside, and then there was plenty of in-door work for the day. These houses are so open that it would be a great trouble to smoke them with anything, unless at such times as there was a good covering of snow on the root. We need not give details as to making the small fires and piling the half-bushels of bruised Laurel shoots and leaves oa them, farther than this, that the great object is to obtain all the smoke possible, to have it cool, and never to allow a twig or a leaf to flare. The houses were filled with a very dense smoke for at least six hours, and though we have no faith in any kind of smoke destroying the eggs of insects, we would not give much after such o continued smoking for any- thing having the breath of life. Even a man could scarcely go iu to look at the smouldering heap for a few minutes. We forgot, we think, to answer the question put last year as to the efiioacy of such smoking with Laurel leaves and shoots as con- trasted with tobacco smoke if it could be cheaply obtained. Well, if equally cheap, we would by far prefer tobacco of home-growth or otherwise, and one of our correspondents lately showed how that could be successfully and economically grown iu shrubberies in fresh soil, and afford there, too, a nice appearance ; but at present, not to speak of the law interfering with private growth, there can be no comparison as respects expense between tobacco and the Laurel leaves for smoking for such purposes ; aud as prevention is better than cure, we would always be inclined to resort to the plan under similar circumstances. Through this and other precautions we have of late years been troubled with few insects, with hardly one all last season in these houses. We must not, however, make too sure, and a little effort to secure freedom from insects now will be much easier than killing them if they do appear at a critical time. With snow-covered glass and all together we could scent the pungent odour of the Laurels some hundreds of yards from the houses. ORNAMENTAL DErAItTlTENT. The great object has been to keep cold pits and frames secure by covering, and in houses just to keep plants safe, and at the lowest temperature compatible with safety ; and this re- quired the smallest amount of air to be given, and also pre- vented the waste of heat in raising into vapour the amount of moisture that would have been required in a higher tempera- ture. Until now, damp and excessive vapour in the atmo- sphere have had to he guarded against, and no great amount o£ vapour will have to be added to the atmosphere of houses kept in a cool state, say from 45" to 5o° — at least not much more vapour will be required than can be given by damping the floors and stages of the house, unless the outside thermometer should be much more than 10° below the freezing point. Much also will depend on the state of tho atmosphere, as a glass house will often be more cooled in a temperature of 5" below- freezing, v/ith a brisk wind, than it will be when the out- side is 10° below freezing, but with not even a zephyr moving. In protecting we threw a little straw over some pits suppliec5 with a little heat inside, but in all other cases we were glad of the heavy fall of snow. It will protect many vegetables from the cold, and it w-ill make cold pits and frames more secure. As we know that the temperature inside is low enough, so as to arrest growth, we will not take away the snow or expose the glass so long as this weather is likely to last, aud the keen frost along with the snow, even with a low barometer, would lead us to expect some days longer of it. So long as this stormy weather lasts the keeping the houses safe, with no waste of fuel, must ever be a first consideration. If the damper is not used, heating by hot water must always bo expensive, and for small single houses much more so than flues or stoves. We have been amused by the details given by " JIacd " about lighting a stove, and could corroborate- them with instances of those who ought to have known better. Looked at from " JIaud's " stand-point, the whole article is ad- mirable ; looked at, as we think unnecessarily, by bringing in the gardener's stand-point, there are several allusions that may receive hereafter a little healthy criticism. But as to the fire, we have had many smart young men beaten with a furnace, that, besides heating a boiler, went through a long tortuous flue in the back wall of the house. When this furnace fire was lighted after long periods of damp weather, there was no chance of making it draw if a soot-door, near the end of the flue, was not taken out and a small brisk fire put in the flue there. We recollect seeing four clever fellows once, almost as black as chimney-sweeps, hut with bright lines down their cheeks where the water was brought liberally from their eyes by the acrid, sour smoke. We had seen the smoke pouring out of the shed in which the stokehole was placed instead of coming out at the chimney-top, and had heard the men called in, one after another, to consult, as smoke-doctors, in the great emergency, as to how to make the smoke go up instead of out on them,''and all without avail. Well, everything had been done correctly, a little dry litter and dry wood had been used for lighting, the furnace door had been shut, and the ashpit door had been opened that the air might reach the fire through the bars, and yet out poured the smoke by the crevices of the furnace door, open ashpit door and all — and why ? because no one had thought of the damper, which was full in near the furnace, aud when jjulled out smoke aud flame shot up like a sky-rocket. We congi-atulate " Mavd " on having such close- fitting furnace and ashpit doors. They are the first essentials to economical heating by boilers ; and the second essential is the due regidation of the damper — that is, the dumper shoul(i be pulled out on lighting the tire, at least for half its length, and then whenever the fire becomes bright aud the heat is well up, shove the damper in to its full length, and afterwards draw it out just a little to give a little draught. There seems to be so much difficulty in this simple matter, even among professionals, who, by having the damper out at all unseason- able times, send the heat from tons of coals up the chimney, that we have come to the conclusion, that in all heating of small and moderate-sized houses by boilers, it would simplify matters to pull the damper out partly when lighting the fire, and after the fire was established to send the damper at all times right across the flue, but to have a hole in the centre of the damper about 1 inch in diameter, or two or three holes that would come to as much, which would be sufficient for draught, and yet send much heat back again on the boiler. — K. F. TRADE CATALOGUE KECEWED. William Paul, Waltham Cross, London, N. — Select list of Vegetable, Flower, and Agricultural Seeds, Seed Potatoes, dc. 32 JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. t January 8, 1867. COA^NT GARDEN MAKKET.— .Jantaey 5. The wintry weather of the past week Ims shut out tbe greater part of onr supjilies, ns the growers are nlmost nntible to tjet to mnrket, and rou(,'h t'l tills have considerably advanced in price. Orange'; and Nuts are plentiful, owing to the large stocks on hand ; but Pears are very limited in quantity, and good dessert Apples command a ready trade. Potatoes remain as before, liut there are few arrivals this week, and very little business has been transacted. Apples i sieve 2 Apricots ". doz. 0 Cherries lb, 0 0 Chestnuts bush. If) 0 Corrantfl A sieve 0 0 Black "..do. 0 0 Piga doz. 0 0 Paborts lb. 0 0 Cobs lb. 0 9 Gooaebemes ..quart 0 0 Orapes, Hothouse, .lb. 4 0 Lemons 100 5 0 d. R. OtoS 0 0 Melons each Nectarines doz. Oranges 100 Peaches doz. Pears (dessert) .. doz. kitchen doz. Pine Apples lb. Plums { sieve Quinces doz. Raspberries lb. Strawberries lb. 2 0to4 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 S 0 il 0 S 0 0 0 Walnuts bush. 10 0 0 0 0 0 u 0 0 20 0 VEGETABLES. Artichokes each Asparagus bundle Beans, Bronid. . bushel ScarletRim.A sieve Beet, Kcd '. doz. Broccoli bundle Bras. Sprouts A sieve Cabbnge ."". doz. Capsicums 100 Carrots bunch Cauliflower doz. Celery bundle Cucumbers each pickling doz. Endive doz. Fennel bunch Garlic lb. Herbs bunch Horseradish . . bundle B. d. s. d 0 OtoO 0 0 0 0 B. d. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 8 0 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 6 3 0 4 0 0 0 0 8 6 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Leeks bnnch 0 6 toO Lettuce per score 2 0 3 Mushrooms pottle 10 2 Mustd.& Cress, punnet 0 2 0 Onions per bushel 4 0 Parsley, .doz. bunches 12 0 Parsnips doz. 0 9 Peas per quart 0 0 Potatoes bushel 2 6 Kidney do. 8 Pvadishes doz. bunches 1 Rhubarb bundle 0 Savoys doz. 8 Sea-kalo basket 3 Shallots lb. 0 Spinach bushel 5 Tomatoes .... per doz. 0 d 0 0 2 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 1 8 0 0 4 6 4 0 1 6 0 0 4 0 Turnips bunch 0 6 Vegetable Marrows dz. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 9 0 fi 0 0 0 TO CORRESPONDENTS. *«• We request that no one -will write privately to the depart- mental writers of the "Journal of Horticulture, Cottage Gardener, and Country Gentleman." By so doing they are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. AJ] communications should therefore be addressed solebj to The Editors of the Jom-nal of Horticulture, d-c, 171, Fleet Street, London, E.C, We alHo request that correspondents will not mix up on the same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them an- swered promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate communications. Also never to send more than two or three questions at once . Eecrrf. de Rance Pear 7(h).— For white basketwork, the French Willow, Salix triandra ; for other baskets and fine wickerwork, Salix Forbyana. The annual shoots of the first are not less than 8 feet long, and of the second not less than « feet. The sets should be planted 3 feet from each otlier. We do not know which species is locally known as " The Packthread Willow." Books (A Sithsrribcr, Bandon).—'' The Garden Manual" for twenty postage stamps, " The Poultrj- Book for the Many " for eight postage stamps, and " Bee-keeping for the Many '" for five postage stamps. If you enclose the stamps with your direction, the books will be sent to you from our office post free, Gabden Walks (Idem). — You may make most excellent walks without gravel, if you can procure gas tar and follow these directions :— A layer of stones, brickbats, shells, or clinkers, G inches deep, to form a dry bottom ; a layer of chalk or lime, in the proportion of one to ten of the stones or other foundation, and well rolled and watered to the thickness of 3 inches, with a rise of 2 inches in the centre ; over this half an inch of gravel and lime, or fine chalk ; water and roll well again ; add one-eighth of an inch of the best coloured gi-avel; and again roll until quite solid. Have the wnlk 2 inches wider on each side than you desire, asthis checks the turf and weeds from encroaching, and prevents the rain water getting to the foundation of the walk. Stocks for Camellias— Propagating Azaleas (Cori'^tnnt Header, J. H.). —The best kind of stock is the single-flowering Camellia. The stocks are raised by sowing the seed, or fiom cuttings, but the latter are not nearly so free-growing. The beginning of April is a good time to graft Camellias. The varieties of Azalea indica are propagated by cuttings taken from the shoots of the current year when about half ripe ; inserted io very sandy peat and silver sand under a bell-glass on a gentle heat, they root freely. The " Garden Manual " will suit you. It may be had free by post from our office by enclosing tKenty-six "postage stamps with your address. Evergreen Trees for a Blind fi?cT().— The Weymouth Pine we fear would not serve yon ; but Pinus austriaca and Scotch Fir would, wo think, grrjw well when established. Pinus cembra will grow almost any- where, and Pinus mnritima thrives in such a soil as yours ; so does the Pinaster Pine, of which Pinus Hamiltonii, about which you inquire, is but a vai'iety. Pteris serrulata Sowing fJf. H.).— The spore-cases on the part of the frond sent us were ripe, and the spores shed. It will suffice to place the fronds over the pans full of compost, and to rub the under side of the frond with the hand gently, so as to cause the spores to fall on the sur- face of the compost. If you do this nntil the surface is covered with a fine brown powder perceptible to the eye, you have done all that is needed. CAMELLLi Leaves Yellow (Irff m).— Your plant is only shedding its old leaves. Continue it in the stove until the growth be perfected, beep- ing it in the coolest, lightest, and most airy part. When the wood be- comes firm, and the buds show in the axils of the leaves, remove the plant to a cool housi. Netting to Protect Seed-beds (Tj/ro).— You can obtain the netting of any dealer in fishing tackle, and such is frequently advertised in our columns, y^ou may save yoiu-self much trouble in the prutection of seed- beds by moistening the seeds you propose sowing, throwing a few pinches of red lead over them, and mixing up so as to give the seeds a reddish hue, or a slight;coating of the red lead. No birds take our seeds now, and we simply treat them in the above manner before sowing. Mixing Anislu* Manure and Lime (7(ifm).— From the fact that lime sets fi-ee the ammonia by causing rapid decomposition of animal matter, it is considered wasteful, ammonia being produced faster than the plants are able to appropriate it, and it is consequently often lost. Animal matters had better decompose slowly, and thus give out ammonia gradually. Trenching {Idtm). — Your gi-onnd will be all the better of a good trench- ing, bringing some of the subsoil to the toj), so that by exposure to frost and air It will be rendered suitable for the growth of plants. The black soil is best at bottom. The I'oots will go do^Ti to it. Grafting PELARGONimis (R. J.).— Your best mode of grafting will be side-grafting, leaving the head of the stock partially reduced imtil the union is complete. The operation would be much facilitated by placing the plants worked in a geutle heat of 50" or 55", and a bottom heat of from 65- to 70", and maintaining a close and moist atmosphere, with shade from brif^iht sun. The surest of all modes is grafting by approach, or inarching, and you may follow that mode by raising the plants for scions to the height required, they being in small pots. Bed Spider on Peach Trees {H. H..— Unnail the trees, and wash the wall with a sohition of H ozs. of soft soap to the gallon of boiling water. If tbe wall is very much cracked and full of crevices, have all the joints made good w ith hair mortar, and wash the wall with fresh lime and soot, mixed with sufhcient urine to bring them to the consistency of lime- wash. Apply the mixture boiling, and take care not to drop the wash upon the trees. Before naihng wash them with a solution of 4 ozs. of soft soap to a gallon of water, and apply it at a temperatiire of 140", taking care not to dislocate the fruit-buds. The best preventive of the attacks of red spider is to keep the trees well syringed with water from a garden engine during hot weather, and to aflbrd them plenty of water at the roots. Avoid gas tai". Cucumber [L. A.). — "Telegraph'* is, as you say, one of the most prolific and best varieties for early forcing. vVny of the principal London seedsmen, we should think, could supply you with seed of it. Wood of Peach Tree [X. A. B.). — The wood enclosed by you was perfectly healthy The dai'ker colour of the centre is natural. As you do not state whether the tree was over-luxuriant, nor any other particu- lars, we cannot suggest the cause of unfruitfulness. Cutting off the branches most probably was \vrong. Drying Plants (Hortni*). — Put them properly spread out on dry sand, and cover them with some of the same, and ch-y them in a gentle heat. When dry fasten them by stitches of thread on cartridge paper. Greenhouse Constructing (J. F. C). — We like, as a whole, the pro- posed plan of your house very well. We would advise that for a 14-feet- wide house, the back wall should be from 2 to 3 feet higher than the proposed 11 feet. The modes of ventilating will answer very well. The proposed conical stages in the house— that is. four shelves on the one side, four on the other, and one inder at top in the centre, will answer for storing away great numbers of small pots in winter. For showing ofl flowering plants in such a lean-to house, a flat-sparred table 24 or 27 inches ofl' the ground would do as well and cost much less money. The proposed heating will keep out sharp frost. If you wanted more heat you could take two pipes, smaller ones, along the back and as far as the doorway. You could also greatly help by having a cistern where your two proposed pipes terminate at the doorway. The IG-oz. glass you allude to would do, and so would the^ rafters 20 inclies apart, but to have a nice fixed roof, and be in little danger from hail, &c , we would advise the rafters to be 18 inches apart, and the glass to be 21 -oz , though it would cost nearly a third more. Wood will answer for the front shelf, but stone or slate would be better. To do justice to the plants the Vines should not be nearer than 5, or even 6 feet to each other. Conical boilera supplied from tbe top ai'e easiest fed, but unless the grating works on a I)ivot so as to let all fall down, they are worse to clean out. On the whole we think a small saddle boiler mil be as useful to you ; in fact, if the house had been ours, and the pathways had been tiled instead of being flagged, we would have had a small flue all roimd below the tiles instead of a boiler, and then on a cold day the warm tiles would be com- fortable to the feet. We think your stokeliole and all else will do. Lifting Vinxs (5. T>. M.). — The Vines you propose lifting will, if the operation be carefully performed, bear a crop next season, but we would not take more than half a crop, and if the Vines show weakly, we would not allow them to bear this season. After replanting cover the border over the roots w'th 18 iuches or 2 feet of hot dung, keeping the honse cool for a fortnight or three weeks, and allow the Vines to break naturally — that is, do not force them. The chalk will answer £or the border instead of lime rubbish, but we prefer the latter. January b, 1867 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 33 CoN\'EHTiNG Pits into a House (A PvoUx Inquirer). — Your range of brick pits 'JQ feet long by 5 in depth, we have no doubt would make a good house by poing to the expense of adding to them another side and end«, thereby making a span. You do not state the width, and we cannot, therefore, advise you as to size and the purposes for which it might be employed. Unless you have other pits or frames wo would not recom- mend the conversion of the former into houses; for .the expense is in many cayes equal to that of new structures, and after it has been in- curred the converted pits are seldom eijual to such in durability, appear- ance, and utility. Besides, after much has been spent in the conversion of the pits, further outlay will probably be necessary in providing new- frames or pits, which are for all intents and piu-poses the most useful of glass structures. If you do not want pits for Cucumbers and Melons, aud for alTording protection to plants, or if you elect to grow them in houses, wheu a place already built and needing no increased expenditure would answer as well, if not better, the proposed conversion may be made. The case will be different if the pits are of sufficient widtli for a house ah'cady. and only need iiathways and slight alterations for heating, &c.; but even then wt do not see how your garden will be complete without frames or pits, nor how you will manage without them. Labouk for a Garden of One Acre f J(^'hi).— Your garden of one acre, one-fourth of which is grass, one-fourth shrubbery, aud the remiinder kitchen garden, with, in addition, a greenhouse aud the pits above named, i\'ill be well managed by a gardener, affording him occasional help such as that you speak of by your gi'oom, though it is as well to keep everj' servant's work as distinct as possible, and interfering as little with that of others as the case will permit. Doing so saves much grumbling, v.hich is never pleasant to either employer or employed, and. besides, no master can teach a servant a more important lesson thiiu that of self-reliance. It does away with all excuses, and every one ii then able to answer for himself. An active and skilled gardener would manage your garden to your satisfaction, and he would have nothing to complain of in respect to being overworked. We think a gardener of the qualifications you re- quire, ought to have 'los. per week without a cottage, or 21s. per week with one. We think it is not only consistent with "your interest," but that of your gardener also, that " you should take an active interest in the garden," for where there is no interest the master will often neglect furnishing proper working plant and materials, which to au active servant is discouraging. CuLTCBE OF "Water Lhjces in a Vase (Ru« in Vrbe). — 1, Plant them '■■ during April or May, securing the roots in the mad, and pressing it about - them so that they may be kept at the bottom ; or tie a moderately large stone to the root of each, which we fiud from experience to answer well, i the plants being dropped into the vase at the desired place. 2, Plaoe 6 inches of turfy loam of a clayey nature at the bottom of the vase, and I equally over it, and a short time after the plants are put in cover the , mud with an inch of fine gravel from which the dirt has been washed j out. 3, The Lilies \\-iU thrive if fresh water bo admitted every day to the j amount of one-third the contents of the vase. By fi-esh water, rain or pond water is meant. 4, It would do to feed the vase with soft water by a pipe from a cisteni at the top of the house ; but as you say the supply j from that source would ouly be available when rain falls, it may be too I uncertain and insufficient. The vase should at all times be kept full of I water, and never have less than 1 foot of water in it, and bettor the full , depth of 18 inches. Gold lish would thrive in the vase vcr,- well in sum- I mer, but not in winter, for the water will be liable to be frozen in a mass I during severe weather, and if not it may be too cold for the fish in winter. If the vase were placed in the groundso that one-third or so were above i the ground, you might have the gold fi>h in winter as well as summer, j covering half the vase over on the approach of frost with a thickness of 9 inches or 1 foot of straw, and removing it in spiring. This would not i interfere with the Lilies, and it would save the fish, the ice of the on- I covered part being broken d:iily. Hollies Grafting and Budding llltx). — The grafting may take place wheu the slocks exhibit signs of growth, or begin to swell their buds, which will be the case in April, the scions being taken from the trees and inserted in the stock the sajue day. Let the scion be the wood of the previous year, and of free growth. Budding should be performed when the leaves of the tree from which the buds are taken have attained their full size and the buds are discernible in their axils ; it requires a certain amount of discrimination to make sure of wood-buds. These are more generally situated on the strong shoots, and especially those that come from a branch which has been cut back or shortened. Drawings and fuU directions for grafting and budding are given in " Fruit Gardening for the Many." which you can have free by post from our office, if you enclose five postage stamps with youi* direction. Nawt-.s of Fruits {W, B. S.). — No. 1, Beauty of Kent ; 2, Margil. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS in the Suburbs of Loudon for the Vreek ending January yth. Date. THF.EMOMETEE. Wind. Rain in inches. Geneeai. Eemaeeb. BABOMETEB, Air. Earth. Max. Min. Max. Min. 1 ft. dp. 2 ft. dp. Snn... 30 Mon... 31 Tnes. . 1 Wed. . 2 Thnrs. 3 Fri. .. 4 Sat. .. 5 Mean 29.850 29.270 29.343 29.600 29.810 29.9n0 29.974 29.313 29.347 29.350 29.004 29.650 29.888 29.902 45 35 35 30 33 30 30 19 19 15 — 4 2 —11 16 47 44 43 43 40 40 40 45 44 43* 43 40 40 40 W. s.w. N. N.E. N.E. S.W. N.E. .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .54 Clear ; iiuitc cloudless ; very fine ; frosty at night. Frosty ; partially overcast fine ; frosty ; barometer very low. Clear'and frosty : exceedingly fine ; fi-osty. Heavy snow storm ; drifting snow; intense frost at night. Hazy ; densely overcast snttwing ; overcast : severe frost. Intense frost, continuing tliroughout the day; 11' below zero at Hazy ; overcast ; cold wind at night. [ night. 29.686 29.450 34.00 8.00 42.43 42.21 •• 0.54 POXILTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE. GAME FOWLS. SHAPE AJiD CARRIAGE OF TAILS, AND OTHER POIXTS. Adtekting again to the article by " Yorkshire," of the ^Tth ol November last, I am Veil aware that many breeders, ex- hibitors, and judges prefer the close-switch or whip-tailed birds, but fully as many, I think, prefer the noble, full, ample, spreading-tailed birds, or " the up-and-spread-taUed " birds as they are termed. I never did or could like the very close- tailed birds, or pinched-up, cramped, and shrunk tails, as I think they give the birds a meaner appearance, and the narrow tail makes the body appear too bulky, or clumsy ; whereas the ample spreading tail makes the body appear smaller and neater in size and shape. The up-and-spread-tailed birds are shorter in body and in feather in general, as well as more spirited, I think. The advocates of the switch or whip-tailed birds say that these birds have neater tails, and are generally closer in feather. I cannot see this, and think the ample tail is nobler and gives the bird a nobler appearance, and I also think that th", full crescent-like curve of a well-sickled tail is one of its gi-eatest beauties. The best hens should have their two upper-tail feathers with a slight and graceful curve, which adds to their beauty, I think. The whip or close-tailed birds would look as well, especially the hens, if they had only a few upper feathers in their tails, as they might almost as well be without half their tail feathers. In my experience the least-spirited birds are those with the long, drooping, closed tails ; and the most spirited have the rather short tails, carried well up, and spreading or farmed, with curved upper feathers. Game fowls' tails should not. however, be so high as Bantams' tails. Long-tailed Game fowls are certainly longer both in body and in feather than short-tailed birds are. If not for this defect, the long-tailed would possess the most beauty. I do not, of course, admire the coarse and clumsy tails found in birds that are coarse in feather and in bone. The happy medium is, I think, best as to the length of tail, nor should birds be too cocked-tailed for true beauty. Doctors differ, however, and so do amateurs ef Game fowls on this point. Breeders diiier also as to the length of the legs and wings. I think the happy medium is also best here as well. A long- legged bird over-reaches his opponent in fighting, and moves his legs too slowly ; and a too-short-legged bird must " fight very close" to reach his opponent at all. A too-long-winged bird is too long in bpdy in general, though long wings are the handsomest. A too-short-winged bird is too heavy in the body in proportion to his wings for flight, and is ugly. Game cocks should never carry their wings upon their backs like Geese. They should carry the wing so as to protect the fleshy part of the thigh, but not so low as a Bantam's wing is. Cocks of 0 lbs. weight are too heavy and too slow in their motions. Cock chickens as a rule seldom reach quite the weight of their sires ; therefore, I think that brood cocks from 51 to 5.J lbs., or 5J lbs. at most, breed the best chickens for exhi- bition. Light-fleshed active birds are, of course, the best brood cocks. I have also noticed that the tail feathers in the spread or fauned-tailed birds stand stifl'er, stronger, and harder than in the close-tailed sorts. I am convinced that a drooping tail shows a drooping spirit. Remarks such as those by " Trent Side " and the old Scotch lady, of course, merit no reply whatever, and require none. Some admire clumsy beauty, and some the true and symmetrical beauty. I am of the latter number. I can only deny that I have ever been " put right," or " put out " either. 34 JOURNAL OF HOBTICULTUEB AND COTTAGE GABDENER. [ January 8, 1867. by any remarks made, as some of the writers of them appear to have been. — Newmakket. EXHIBITING BORROWED FOWLS. Yon ask, Is it not contrary to all poultry exhibition rules to exhibit birds not the exhibitor's own ? In reply, I say that scarcely is there a poultry show in this district (iiud I believe others to be the same), in which every pen of birds belongs to the person who exhibits them. I will take for example Mid- dleton, Lirminyham, and Manchester. I was at the whole three of the last Shows held at these places, and at two of them I know birds were exhibited that did not belong to the persons ■who had them in tlieir names, for I knew the birds as well as I know any person I do business with. Besides, it is, I assure you, quite common vrith the largest and most successful exhibitors to borrow and lend, particularly if their own birds get out of condition, &c. I could mention the names of a host of persons who would tell you they did it (if they spoke truly), and that it is a general understanding amongst friendly exhibitors to borrow and lend. Within the last few months I have known poultry travel for more than thirty miles, to be exhibited at local shows in the borrower's name ; and generally it is understood, as I have said before, to borrow and lend, if agreeable, which is often the case, to the parties so dealing. If this practice is brought up amongst the poultry world, a good many will say. What harm is there in it ? If birds can beat mine on their merits, I am glad to see them do so, no matter under what name, nor who is their owner. Certainly if they are borrowed birds there is no honour for the exhibitor, and no one knows that any better than the party who wins under such circumstances. In this district secretaries and committees, as my countrymen say, "wink" or close their eyes to the borrowing and lending system, and I think some schedules do not specify that the birds shall be the exhibitor's own, and this has been done because the exhibitors were the masters. — Exhibitok. [The foregoing is from an honourable exhibitor, who would not adopt a practice that is contrary to good faith. In his own oase he exhibited in the name of his breeder, which needs no objection ; but we consider that borrowing fowls to exhibit is open to great abuse, and, therefore, should not be allowed. Let us take as an instance a poultry-fancier, whom we will call G, having a yard of ordinary Cochin-China fowls, and hiring from a well-known breeder of that variety, whom we will call H, a pen of his best birds. G exhibits and gains a prize, and, consequently, is enabled to sell eggs and chickens at a high price. Is not that obtaining money under false pre- tences?— Ens.] INJURIES OCCURRING TO EXHIBITED BIRDS. I ExniBiTED a Golden-pencilled cockerel at Manchester. He ■was delivered to the railway company in perfect feather, and on my arriving at the Show on the first day (Dec. 21), at 10.30, I found both his sickle feathers had been drawn. The Secre- tary of the Show knew nothing of the matter, neither were the feathers in the basket. Who is responsible ?— Chakles Sidg- wiOK, Ei/dillesden Hall, Keit/hleij. [The difliculties in such cases are the proving the amount of damage, and who was the wrong-doer. If a railway porter eaused the damage the railway company would be responsible ; if a man employed by the Exhibition Committee, that Com- mittee would be liable. — Ens.] rated from blame, for this class was unfortunately placed in the worst lighted part of the building), while several pens, the most perfect I ever saw, were passed over without notice. If puckered earlobes and flesh-coloured legs bean "improvement" in Black Bantams, then, in the humble opinion of your corre- spondent, we, like I'addy, are advancing backward. — Black BANr.vM. After criticising the various classes up to No. 2G, your cor- respondent goes on to say, " The cup for the best pen of Ham- burghs fell to Mr. Eeldon's Silver-pencilled, and they well deserved it." I say that it was a mistake, to say the least, as the cockerel had one of his sickle feathers dark and the other light, which ought to have been a disqualification for the cup, which might have been very safely awarded to the first- prize pen of adult Ciolden-spangled belonging to the same per- son, and I believe Mr. Beldon felt ashamed of the decision. As regards the Black Bantams, the cock in the first-prize pen had white legs, and was altogether a large bird. So much for the judging in these classes, and it would not be much trouble to go further with the mistakes in other classes. — J. W. POULTRY CLUB. Mk. Zdehokst, in your impression of January 1st, attaches my name to a series of false statements, wbich statements if adhered to, or repeated, he will probably lind that he is not quite the immaculate being he thinks he is. — Bdwd. Tubman, Ash Grove, Whitchurch. LEEDS POULTRY SHOW. In the report of the above Show, page -193, is the following remark : — " Tbe next class was for Black Bantams, and they were good— so good that Birmingham first-prize birds could not gain the .Judges' notice." How your correspondent can so far have fallen into mistake is to me an enigma, unless his words are intended more in irony, as it was patent to all eyes that one of the greatest possible mistakes had here been made, if we may rely at all upon the rule laid down by our greatest authorities, ihat " Black Bantams shall have black legs." The first-prize pen contained a cockerel with flesh-coloured legs and puclicred earlobes, such as I have seen disqualified at many previous exhibitions (though the Judges may easily be exone- PAISLEY ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION SHOW. The thii'teentli annnal Exliibitiou of tlie a')ove Associalion was lield on the 1st and Snd iust., in tlie Volunteer Drill Hall, and was most successful. Upwards of 1200 birds were shown, and an unusually large number were sold. Spanish. — Firs^t, J. Hutcbisnn, Bisbopton. Second, J. K. Rennards, Helensburgh. Tbird, W. Creelman, Kilmarnock. Chickens. — First and Cuu, J. Fvfc, Kcmpock Point, Gouroek. cjecondj A. M'Lachlan, Paisley. Third, J. "Cvawfor-J, Beith. Dorkings (Colouredl.— First, W. Reid, Hayston, Kirkintilloch. Second nnd ThiiJ, H. Keys, Springfield. Chichens.—First and Cup, R. Fulton, Cardross. Second and Third, J. Bums, Craigends. DoEKiKGS CWhite). — First and Third, J. Aitken, Paisley, Second, J. Pettigrew, DalracUington. Cochin-China. — Medal, First, and Second, J. Stuart, Helensburgh. Third, A. Patersou, Airdi*ie. Brahma Pootra. — First and Second, A. Campbell, Blytbswood. Medal, Brown & Cochran, Peith. Third. Mujor Smith, Janelield Place. Old Scotch Breed.— First. A. Grant, Glentyan MiU. Second, J. M'Diarmid, Glasgow. Third, W. Thomson, GlasgoV. Slodal, R. Watson. Busby. HAiTBURGns (Golden-spangled). — First, W Wotberspoon, Castlehead, Medal, Second, nnd Third, .R. Cunningham, Stewarton. Hajieurghs (Golden-ptiucilled).— First and Medal, R. M'Gregor, Perth. Second. E. M. Riebfird. jun.. Dumbarton. Tbird, A. M'Ewau, Stewarton. Haimburghs (Silver-spangled). — Mtdalj-First, and Thii'd, J. Stewart, South Arthurlie. Second, A. Glen, Erskine. HAMiJURGUS (Silver-pcucilled).— First and Medal, R. Calderwood, Stowarton. Second, A. Gieudinning, Stratbblane. Third, J. F. Hamson, Kendal. PoLANDS fTopped) — Fii'st, W. R. Menzies, Crossmyloof. Second, D. Murray, Eglinton Castle. Third, R. M'Nab. Cardonald. GA3IE {Black Reds).— First and Medal, J. H. M'Nah, Barrhead. Second, P. Alexander, Bridge of Weir. Third, J. Bryson, Ilogganslield, Game (Anv other colour).— First and Medal. J. J. WUson, Darlington. Second. J. M'Indoe, Barrhead. Third, W. B. Menzies. Any otiierBreed— First and Third, W. White, Paisley. Second, W. R. Menzies. Duces (Aylesbury).— First and Second, H. Heys. Thii-d, H. Jones, Aylesbury. "Ducks i Any other colour).— Fii'st, J. H. M'Nab. Second and Third, A. Grant, Kilbarchan. Game Bantam.— First and Medal, W. Mabon. Jedburgh. Second, J. Sharp. Johnstone. Third, R. M'Gregor. Bantams (Black).— First, A. Clelland, Crookitholm. Second and Third, J. C. Neilson, Airdrie. Bantams (Any kind). — First and Medal, W. Blorris, Paisley. Second, T.Knowles, Aberdeen. Third, W. Raesido, Irvine. PIGEONS. PowTERS. — Blue.— Fivf^i and Medal, R. Fultnn, London. Second, W. Lightbody, Glasgow. Third, G. White, son., Paisley. i3[a cfc.— First, J. Sharp, Johnstone. Second, K. Fulton. Third. G. White, sen.. White. — First, R. Fulton. Second J. Sharp. Tbird, W. Neilsou, Johnstone. Aivf other colour. — First, R. Fulton. Second, W. Lightbody, Third, G. AVhite, jun. Tumblers (Short-faced).— First, and Second, R. Fulton. Third, G. White, sen. Tumblers (Common).— First and Second, J. Sharp. Third, J. Fielding, Rochdale. CAr.raERS (Any colour).— Fji-st and Second, R. Fulton. Thhd, G White, ■ sen. January 8, 1867. ] JOUBNAL OF HOBTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GABDENEB, 35 Second, W. R. Park, Molrose. Second, J. Sharp. Third, F. Waitt, Park, Mokose. Second, J. Sharp. Third, J. and Pantails.— First, J. Mair, Glasgow. Third, J. Sharp. Jacobins, — First, G. White, sen Birmiugbam. Nras.— First, W. E, D. Gray. Kilbarchan. TunBlTs.— F. Waitt. Second, G. Brown, Kilbumic. Third, J. Sharp. Pigeons (Common).— First, E. Stirrat, Dairy. Second, J. Glasgow, Dairy. Third, G. Brown. Any other Distinot Breed.— First, J. Fielding. Second, G. White, ion. Third, J. Midi-. CANARIES. Paths for Silver Cup.— Cup, A. Kelly, Paisley. Second, W. Hunter, M. D., Kilbirnie. Third, T. Buchanan, Glasgow. Yellow.— Coc/m.— First, D.Bell, Beith. Second, J. Mair, Kilmaniock. Third, G. .\yton, Glasgow. Hciii. — First, J. Graham. Kilmarnock. Second, A. Mitchell, Paisley. Third, W. Harper, Paisley. BnFF (Coc/.s).— First, J. Mair. Second and Medal. T, M-Mutrie Third, H. Webster, Kilbarchan. Hem — First and Medal, W, Calderwood, Beith. Second, R, Hunter, Oakley. Third, D. Bell, Ueith. Pair Piebald for MED,iL. — Medal, A. Kelly. Piebald (Yellow).— ror/.-.-First. J, Wilson, Galston. Second, D. Dun- can, Carron. Third. W. Hunter, Kilbirnie. Hem. — First, A. Kelly. Se- cond, R, Hunter. Third, W. Hunter. Piebald (Buffi.— First, R. Hunter. Second. A. Crawford, Johnstone. Third, W, Sunter, Paisley. Hem.— ¥h-st.'T. G. M-Loan, Glasgow. Se- cond, G. Haddow. Kilwinning. Third, J. Mathers, Glasgow. Goldfinch Mule. First and Second, J. M. Laker. Goldfinch.— First, G. Haddow. Second, J. Crawford. Home or Foreign. — First, H. C. .\guew. Second, M. .\ndrew, Paisley. Judges. — Poult n/ : Messrs. W. Farquhar, Barrhead ; R. E. C. Benton, Daralee ; H. Todd, Paisley ; J. Holburu, Stewartou ; J. Stevenson, M.D.. .^rdrossan ; J. lledpath, Edinburgh ; J. Crawford, St. Hollox ; and J. Hunter, Greenock. For Pii/eons : Messrs. -J. H. Frame, Car- Inke, and J. Patou, Stewarton. For Canan/ Birds, tOc. : Messrs. W. Taylor, Glasgow ; W. Orr, Beith ; .T. Wren, PoUoksliaws ; A. Brown, Stewarton ; W. White, Renfrew ; M. Wilson, Paisley ; D. Buchanan Paisley ; and J. White, Paisley. BRISTOL .«D CLIFTON POULTRY EXHIBITION. No poultry show coukl have been better conducted than the one jnst named, although it was the first meeting of the Society. A veiy brief glance, however, over the names, as published, of the Committee, twelve in number, prove? that the whole of its members are known .is being among the most noted of our poultry breeders and exhibitors, and, consequently, well aware of every requisite to insure success. All of them seemed most willing to aid by their own personal super- vision, and the result was, that a Show so attractive in its general arrangements is very rarely to be scon. Another most favourable feature connected with the Show cannot possibly bo passed by without favourable mention — viz., the extraordinary suitability of the Clifton Rifle Drill Hall to the purposes of a poulti*y show ; in fact, if built ex- pressly for that end alone, it could not be improved. The great extent of the building, and the perfect light throughout the whole was most gi'atifyiug, and although T.S'J pens wcro exhibited, double that number at any future Exhibition could, if requisite.be accommodated. As might be expocteil, the classes for Black S2«'iush were quite woi-thy of the fame which the neighbourhood has so long enjoyed, as producing the best fowls of this variety in the kingdom, Messrs. Rod- bard, Jones, and Lane, taldng the three prizes in the adult class in the order named, with extraordinarily well-shown birds. In Spanish chickens no less than thirty pens competed, all good ; in fact, so excellent a competition was, perhaps, never before submitted to tho decision of public arbitrators. The Judges themselves, in an addendum to the piize list, say " that Nos. 20, 23, 38, and 42 were the best four pens ever seen." They belonged respectively to Messrs. Parsley, Roue, Lane, and Jones, all residing in the locality. It was to Mr. Parsley's chickens that the silver cup for the best pen of Spanish was awarded. In Dorh'nf/s, Bristol Show stood well. Lady Holmesdale showing a pen of old ones, that, though so long well known, seem to stand out as vigorous and perfect as ever. It is a proof both of com- bined careful management and vcrV stroug natural constitution, when Dorkings of such extreme size and weight remain eligible for com- petition after so many exhibitions. The triumph of this extraordinary pen of birds was, perhaps, gi-eater than even on any previous occasion, as they gained a triple honour ; being first in their own class ; takin™ the sUyer cup, value five guineas, for " the best pen of Dorkings," and, as a still higher achievement, a cup for the " best pen of poultry in the whole Show," given regariUess alike of breed or age. It is'but justice to say, this largest cup was decidedly the best ever allotted to poultry, and thongh at first announced in the schedule as bein" of only ten-guineas value, its real worth exceeded that amount by several pounds. Lady Holmesdale seems to have reserved the strength of her poultry-yard for this express occasion, by also taking the second prize for adults, likewise both first and second prizes for Dorking chickens. Mr. Lin,gwood took both first and second prizes for White Dorkings. In Buff CocJiiii.i the Show proved very good ; Mr. Fenton taking precedence in old birds. Colonel Wortley was second, and Mr. Cattell third. In chickens Mr. Chase was first, win- ning also the Buff Cochin cup, closely run by Mr. Mapplebeck, who secured both tho second and third positions. In White Cochins Mr. Chase obtained the first prizes in both classes, consequently the White Cochui cup also. This gentleman's bii-Js were exhibited ' in excellent condition. In BraJnnas Mr. Boyle, of Dublin, was the successful one, tlie silver Brahma cup finding its future home in the Sister Isle. In spealdng of G'tine fowls the name of Mr. Fletcher, of Stoneclough, appears in nuvai-yiug repetition. As to the rivalry in these classes, however, it must not for a moment be supposed that the entries were few, for on the contrary they far exceeded in numbers the generality of shows, as evidenced by the fact that Class IS, for Black or Brown Reds, contained scventy-ono entries. Never could Game fowls be shown in a condition more creditable to the exhibitor, and we may mention that it was this cup pen of Game fowls that ran so closely for the principal cup, that the Judges were some con- siderable time in giving the preference. Sir St. George Gore's first- prize single Black Red Game cock was a most excellent bird. All the Ilauihftrfjh classes were far better than of late, the cup peu beiug a glorious trio of Goldcn-sp.angled, tho property of Mr. Hyde, of Ashton- under-Lyne. The Puli.th class was one of the very best in tho Exhi- bition. Mr. Kelleway, of the Isle of Wight, gained the Bantam cup with an exquisitely beautiful peu of Duckwings ; it was, perhaps, the most admired of any of the pens of fowls in tho Show. It is long since any others so good were exhibited, although evidently identical with the late w'inners at Brighton. The Black Bantnms were parti- cularly good, and some extraordinarily good Booted Bantams were shown. Jlrs. Seamons, Sir St. George Goi'e, and Mr. Leech, as customary, took precedence for Biirl-.s, Geese, and Tarkeijs, in all of which classes the Bristol Show was well filled. The untiring attention shown by evei-y member of the Committee to the welfare of the valuable collection itself, as well as to the com- fort and convenience of evei"y spectator, is worthy of all praise. One of Briudley's patent incubators was on the spot. It is evidently somewhat novel in the mode of applying the heat, but, unfortunately, at the time of our visit was not in full operation. Spanish (Black).— First and Cup, J. E.Eodhard, Aldwick Court. Wring- ton. Second, E. Jones, Clifton. Third, H. Lane. Bristol. Highly Com- mended, E. Jones ; W. Roue, Bristol. Commended, R. Wright. Hol- loway Road, London. Chicl:ens.—F\vs{. and Cun, I). Parsley, Kingsdown, Bristol. Second, W. Roue. Third. H. Lano. 'Very Highly Commended, E. Jones. Higblv Commended, S. Healing. Borough Mills, Tewkesbury ; E. Jones; C. Bell, Kingr-down ; T. Bniufleld, Bristol; Hon. Miss D. Pen- nant, Ponrhyn Castle, Bangor ; H. Line ; W. Roue ; J. Davey, jun.. Town Mills, Taunton ; A. Heath, Calne, Wilts ; J. E. Eodbard. Commended, E. Jones; Hon. Miss D. Pennant. DouKiNos (Coloured).— First and Second. Cup for 'Best Pen of Dorkings, and Cup for the Best Pen of any v.rriety. Viscountess Holmesdale, Linton P.ark, Staplehurst, Kent. Third, G. W. Cooper. Andum, Cheshire. Commended, C. .-^mith, Dumford. Salisbury; Mrs. Hargreaves, Arborfield Hall, Reading. 67ii:c;cen.9.— First and Second, Viscountess Holmesdale. Third, J. U. Wilson, St. Bees. Dorkings (T\'hite).— First and Second, H. Lingwood, Barking, Need- ham Market, Suffolk. Thii-d, T. P. Edwards, Lyndburst, Hants. Com- mended, Rev. G. F. Hodgson, North Peiherton near Bridgwater. Cochin-China (Buff and Cinnamon).- First, A. Fenton, Crimble HaU, near Rochdale. Second, Col. Stuart Wortley, Grove End Road, London. Third, J. Cattell, Birmingham. Higblv Commended, H. Tomlinson, Bir- mingham ; .K. Fenton. Ckielceii3.—¥ivii and Cup, R. Chase. Balsall Heath, Birniingham. Second and Third, H. Mapplebeck, Woodfleld, Moselcy, Birmingham. Highly Commended, .\. Fenton. Commended, Miss -T. MiUward, Newton St. Loe. Bristol; Mrs. W. G. Burnall, Mount Hill. Cochin-China (Brown and Pai-tridge).— First and Cup, A. Fenton. Se- cond, B. Tudman, Ash Grove, Whitchurch. Salop. Third, J. Stephens, Walsall. Commended, A. Fenton. O/iiclcns.- First and Third, E. Tud- man. Second, J. E. Rodbard. Highly Commended, A. Fenton. Cochin-china (White).- First and Cup, E. Chase. Second, L. Samuels, Horfield, Bristol. Third, Rev. W. J. Mellor, Colwick Rectory, Notting- ham. Highly Commended, Rev. F. Taylor, Keastwick, Kirkby- Lonsdale. Commended, J. H. Wilson ; W. Zurhorst, Belville, Donnybrook, Dublin. CTiicAcns.— First, E. Chase. Second, J. G.ardiner. Bristol. Third, F. D. Johnson. Lozells, Birmingham. Highly Commended, E. C. BovUle, Wil- lington, Burtou-on-Trent. Brahmas (Dark).— First and Cup, R. W. Boyle. Bray, Wicklow. Se- cond, F. Sabin, Birmingham. Third, Col. Stuart Wortley. Chickens.— First, L. Wright, Kingsdown, Bristol. Se'-ond, E. W Boyle. Third. H. Lacy, Lacy House, near Hebdon Bridge. Highly Commended, Mrs. Har- gi'eaves. Brahmas (Light).— First and Second, J. Pares, Postford, Guildford, Third, E. Pigeon, Lympstono, near Exeter. Chiclccm.—Yivsi and Second. J. Pares. Third, F. Crook, Forest Hill. Malay (Any variety). — First, J. C. Cooper. Cooper's Hill, Limerick. Pecond, Eev. A. G. Brooke, Euyton XI. Towns, Salop. Third, J. Hinton, Hinton, near Bath. Creve CiEUP..— First, W. Blinkhoro. Watordale, near St. Helen's, Lan- cashire. Second, J. C. Cooper. Third, Col. Stuart Wortley. Highlj Commended, J. Walker, Haya Park, Knai'esborongh. Game (Black-breasted and other Eeds). — First and Cup and Second, J. Fletcher, Stoneclough, near Manchester. Third, W. Dale, Weston- super-Mare. Highly Commended, s. Dupe, Evercreech, near Bath ; f^ir St. G. Gore, Bart., Hopton Hall, Wirksworth, Derbyshire. Commended, Eev. F. Watsi.n, Messing, Kelvedon, Essex. Game (Duckwings and other Greys .and Blues). — First and Second. J. Fletcher. Third, H. M. Julian, White Frinr-gate-bridge, Hull. Highly- Commended, W. Bradley, Severn Navigation, Worcester ; W. W. Pyne, .South Lancing, Sussex; S. Dupe. Commended, W. Dale. Game (Any other variety).— First, J. Fletcher. Second, Sir St. G. Gore, Bart. Third. C. Bulpin, Eiverside, Bridgwater. Hameurghs Golden-pencilled).— Firbt, H. Beldon, Goitstock, Eingley, Yorkshire. Second and Third, F. Pittis, jun., Newport, I.W. Highly Commended, J. E. Powers, Biggleswade; H. Pickles, juu., Earby, near skipton. Hambubghs (Silver-pencilled).— First, H. Beldon. Second, H. Pickles, jun. Third, J. E. Powers. Hghly Commended, H. Belden. 36 JOUENAL OF HOBTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAKDENEB. [ January S, IBtV. Hamburghs (Oolden-spnnRlcd).— First, and Cup for Best Pen oJ Ham- borplis of any variety, W. A. Hyde, Hurst, Ashton-undcr-Lyne. Se- cond, .T. Buckley, Taunton, near Ashton-imdcr-Lyne. Third, I. Davics, Harbome, near Birniingliani. Ilit. G. Gore, Bart. Commended. T. P. Edwards. Any other DiSTrKCT ViniEXY.— First. S. A. Wylke, East Mouseler, Surrey. Second, H. Lcwortby, Newjiort, Barnstaple. Third. R. H. ^lcholas. Malpas, near Newport. Highly Commended, H. M. Maynard, Holmeivond, riydc, I.W. ; P.P. Cotlier, Salisbury : Col. Stuart Wortley ; J. C. Cooper: Mrs. .>;. Norlhcote, Upton Pvne, near Exeter. Game Bantams (Black-breasted and other P.eds).- First and .Second, H. Shnmock, Soulhwell. Notts. Third, C. Harris, Maindee Park, near Newport, Mon. Highly Commended. G. Griggs. Oaklands. near Romlord, Essex ; Rev. A. K. Cornwall, Beneombe. Dmslcv; E. .ToTOson, Liscard, Chesbu-e; R. Swift. Southwell, Notts; Miss E A. Crawf'ord, Famsfield, honthwell ; Sir H. G. Gore. Bart. ; A. Fenton. Commended, S. Lang, iun., Ban-ow Gumey, near Bristol. Game Bantams (Any other variety).— First, and dip for Best Pen of Bantams of any variety, J. W.Kellewny, Merston. I.W Second W S Forrest, Eacle ClitT, Greenhithe, Kent.' Third, Mrs. .^altmarsh, Chelms- ford. Highly Commended, Misses R and E. Todder, Little Carlton, near Newark, Notts. Commended, H. Dowsett, Pleshey, Chelmsford ; >ir St. G. Gore, Bart. Bantams (Gold and Silver Sebricht).— First. M. Lcno, Dunstable Se- cond and Third, U SpaiT. Dunstable. Highly Commended, Messrs. S. and R. Ashton ; M. Leno ; Rev. G. S. Crnwvs. Tiverton. Devon. Bajjtams (Black, clean-legged).— First, 'E. Cambridge, Stokc's Croft Road Bristol. Second and Third, H. M. Maynard. Highly Commended, Mrs. H. Freke, Highworth, Wilts : E. Cambridge. Bantams (White and any other variety) —First, G. Grigcs. Second • ^1 Jfssor. Beverley Road, Hull. Third, L. Samuels. Highly Com- mended, W. Osmond. Dorchester. " Ducks (White Aylesbury).— First, Mrs. M. Seamons, Hartwell. Ayles- bury, Bucks. Second, H. Jones. Dinton, Aylesbury. Highly Commended, J. Logan, Maindee House, near Newport, Mon. ; S. Lang, iun. ; Mrs. M. Seamons. DrcKs (Rouen).— First, E. Leech, Rochdale. Second, C. A. Nichols, Yatton, near Bristol. Highly Commended, W. Peach, Tockington Gloucestershire ; G. M. Hulbert, Perott Brook, Cirencester ; J. R. Rodbaj-d. DncKS (Any other variety). —First, Sir .H. G. Gore, Bart. Second, A. Jtenton. Highly Commended. T. C. Hanison, Beverley Road, Hull ; L. Samnels; G. W. Harrison, Spalding. Geese (.Any variety).— First. Mrs. M. feamons. Second, A. Sperrin, Bitton. Highly Commended, Mrs. Layer, Hewish, near Congresbury, Bristol ; Mrs. Matthews, Aredunnock, near Usk, Mon. ; A. Sperrin ; J C Cooper. Turkeys (.4ny variety. —First, E. Leech. Second, S. Lang iun. Highly Commended, B Sherralt. Tavnt:n, near Gloucester; J.Logan. Commended, C. Edwards, Wrington, Somerset ; J. C. Cooper. SINGLE COCKS. Spanish (Black).— Pii-st and Cup, T. J. Perry, Bristol. Second, W. Roue. Very Highly Commended, T. Cliff, Hanley, Staffordshire. Highly Commended, E.Jones: R.Wright ;HLaue. Commended. T Bamfield DoREiNG (Any variety).— First. H. Beldon. Second, J. 0. Cooper. Highly Commended. S Onlev, Cheltenham ; Hon. Miss D. Pennant ; J. Fox, St. Bees, Cumberland ; L. P.atton, Taunton ; F. Porlett, Great Bad- dow, Chelmsford; B. Johnson, LanKlev Bun-ell, near Chippenham. Commended, Rev. E C.adogan, W.alton Parsonage, Warwick. Cochin-Chixa (Buff and Cinnamon).— First, Col. Stuart Wortley. Se- cond, H. Mapplebeck. Highly Commended, H. Mapplebeck. Com- mended, Hon. Miss D. Pennant. Cochin-China (.iny other variety).— First, Messrs. Keal & Phillips, Westbury-on-Trym. Second, A. Fenton. Game (Black-breasted and other Reds).— First, Sir St. G. Gore, Bart. Second, J. Fletcher. Highly Commended, T. Dyson, Halifax. Com- mended, H. Thompson, Hilmarton, Calne, Wilts ; Rev. G. S. Cruwys. Gamt. (Any other variety).— First and Second. Sir St. G. Gore, Bart. HAMEtiHGHS (Spnngled>.— First, W. Ban-stow, Femcliff, Bingley, York- shire. Second, I. Davies. Hamburghs (Pencilled).- First, H. BeWon. Second, H. Pickles, iun. Brahma Pootra (Any variety).— First, R. W. Boyle. Second, E .Joyn- son. Highly Commt-nded, L. Wright. Commended, C. b. Lambert, Kings- wood, Bristol. Game Bantams (Any variety).— First, Sir St. G. Gore, Bart. Second, A. Fenton. Highly Commended. Sir St. G Gore. Bart. ; A. Fenton. Bantams (Any other variety).— First, J. W. Morris, Rochdale, Lan- cashire, .--eeond, S. Lang, jun., Ban-ow Gurnev, near Bristol. Highly Commended, Rev. F. Tearle, Gazeley Vicarage, Newmarket. Com- mended, M. Leno. Mr. Edward Hewitt, of Sparkbrook, Bii-mingham, and Mr. John Donglas, of Clumber Park, Motts, officiated as Judges. WENTWOKTH POULTRY EXHIBITIOX. This Exhibition was held on Saturday, the '29th, and Monday, the 81st of Becemhtr, and it would be an injustice were we not to accord onr highest ]iraise to the management of the Committee. Every effort was made to insure success, and this end was duly achieved by the col- lection of a show of poultry that would have done credit to any county of the kingdom. The Riding School, in which the Show was held, is a building that is most peculiarly well adapted to the pui-poses of a poultry show ; in fact, not thus less eligible thau for the uses for which it was originally intended — as a Riding School. The only drawback to the whole proceedings was the circumstance that the Committee, having a long time ago engaged the pens of Messrs. Tui-ner, of Sheffield, were through a delay in transit from the Limerick Show, compelled to adopt the most speedy measures to have everything ready for their own meeting, and fortunately having a large number of pens remain- ing from former meetings, they at once raised about the lialf of the number of the pens w-auted from resources directly at command. As Masborough is so near to Sheflield, we would snggest to the Messrs. Turner tlie propriety of having at instant disposal a number of extra pens on hand, to meet evei-;^' emergency for the future, as any want of fuliilmeut of engagement is a matter of the most serious im- port to poultry committees, thus thrown out of gear in arrangements over which they cannot possibly have any command. As the income per annum by per-ceutage on outlay from letting these pens is so favourable to the Messrs. Turner, we do not for a moment doubt this friindly bint on future management will he duly attended to, more particularly as the pens when they an-ived were placed in the back- ground unused, and at that hour unwanted. The Dorliinijs constituted a collection of unusual excellence, al- though we regi-etted to sec many othei-wise most excellent pens \vith the spurs fixed outside the legs in one or two of the inmates, a veiy fatal defect. The Dorkings, as a whole, were a most favourable feature, but numbers of the chickens were thrown out by the radical malformation just alluded to. Breeders of Dorkings cannot be too I careful on this point. The f'ochiiis were most creditable, as were also the Bt-alinufs It appears that although the last pens put up at Went- wortli were of these classes, they stood the adtlitional trial without any difhcnlty. The Game generally were of high repute, and the Hon. W. C. Fitzwilliam's Brown Ked Game cock seemed alike capable of testing bis individual superiority in the exhibition or the cock-pit. A bird in more unexceptionable condition has been rarely exhibited. The tS/'anish classes were, undoubtedly, very good, although we saw, -with regi-et, many specimens that from being the tirst-rates of their day, were, by age and over-exhibition, rendered only tit to be put aside as castaways. The Haiiibnnjhs were, as expected, generally good ; and the Polamh so good a class that evej-y pen. though unsuccessfal in prizetaldng, was highly commended. In truth, it was the best Poland class seen anjwhere for years past. Although the Game Bantams wanted condition most sadly, the class for the '* extra variety of Bantams," proved one of the gems of the Show : capital Cochin Bantams, Japanese Bantams (both Mottled and White) of extra- ordinarily good quality. Booted Bantams, and Golden and Silyer- laced Sebrights, being entered here abundantly. In Diicha, though somewhat unusually, Aylesbury and Kouens com- peted in the same class. Aylesbnrys had. undoubtedly, the advantage, and were sbo-ivn in a condition that could hardly have been complained of, even by the most critical exhibitor. The French Fowls were shown in large numbers, and. perhaps, never were two pens of La Fltche fowls exhibited so evenly matched for prizetaking. Both were the property of the Hon. W. H. FitzwiUiam. and the slightest alteration in condition must always tell favourably witb them as to their position in the prize list. Wentworth AYoodhouse Park, a favourite resort in the locality, -was not neglected at this meeting ; the attendance was good, and the weather most favourable ; nor can we omit to mention that the great care bestowed on the ponlti-y merits onr highest praise. The efforts, also, of Mr. H. Potter, the Hon. Sec. of the Show, realised all it so well deserved — unanimous approbation. Dorkings.- First, Hon. W. H. W. Fitzwilliam, Wentworth Woodhonse. Second, W. Harvey, Bank Street, sheflield. Highly Commended, G. W. Chambers, Clough House-, Eotherham ; Hon. E. D. Pennant, Penrhyn Castle. Commended. H..n.F. C. H. Hawke, Wormersley Park, Pontelract; Lady C. W. Fitzwilliam, t-iai-rowden House, Wellingborough. CUiclcens. — First, M. Brooksbauk, Manchester. Second, Rev. G. C. Stenning, East GrLnstead. Highly Commended, J. ^Vhite, Warlaby, Northallerton. Cochins. — First, E. White, Broomhall Park, Sheffield. Second, W. Fenton, Crimble Hall, Rochd.ile. Highly Commended, W. Fenton ; W. Dawson, Hopton Mirfield ; W. Harvey. Commended, Hon. E. D. Pennant ; W. Wood, shefneld. Chickens.— First, W. Fenton. Second, R. White. Highly Commended. W. Fenton. Bra'hmas.— First. R. W. Boyle, Galtriin House, Bray, Co. Wicldow. Se- cond, W. Harvey. Highly Commended. W. Whiteley. East Bank, Sheflield : F. Powell. Knaresboi-ough ; J. K. Fowler, Prebendal Farm, Aylesbury. Commended, E. Sheemian, Springfield, Chelmsford, ^hickt-m. — First, R. W. Boyle. Second, J. K. Fowler. Highly Commended, G. W. Chambers j F. Powell: J F. Newton, Kirby-in-Cleveland; M. Brooksbank. Com- mended, Hon. F. C. H. Hawke; Mrs. Newman, Worsbro", Bamsley. GA.-HE (Reds). — First, Earl Fitzwilliam. Wentworth Woodhonse. Se- cond, W. J. Cope, Barnsley. Highly Commended, R. Butcher, Cresswell, Chesterfield; J. B. Hepworth. Hatfield, Doncaster; C. Chaloner, Steetley, Whiteweil, Chesterfield. Chickens. — First. C. Chaloner. Second, F. Sales, Market Place, Crowle. Highly Commended, W. Cox, Brailsford Hall, Derby. Commended, E. .4ykroyd, Girlington Road, Bradford. GA:irE (.\ny other variety).— First, H. Snowden, Great Horton, Bradford, (Duckwing). Second, W. J. Cope (Duckwing). Highly Commended, R. Butcher (Piles). C/ijcA'c/w.- First, J. Cope (Duckwing). Second, Rev. G. C. Stenning (Duckwing). Commended. C. Chaloner. Spanish. — Fii-st, Messrs. Burch & Boulter, Sheffield. Second, J. B, Hartley, Roe Acre House, Heywood, Manchester. Highly Commended, W. Harvey ; J. Thresh, Bradford. Commended, Rev. W. J. Mellor, Colwick Rectory, Nottingham. Cliiekcvt. — First, Hon. E. D. Pennant. Second, Messrs. Burch & Boulter. Highly Commended, J. Thresh. Hamburghs (Silver-pencilled). — First, W. Harvey. Second, I. J. Harri- son, Smyleton Park, Oxenholm. Highly Commended, T. J. Saltmarsh January 8, 1807. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GAEDENER. 37 Chelmsford ; B. Heaton, Bingley, Yorkshire ; I. J. Harrison. Commended W. Cox. Haubdrghs (Golden-pencilled).— First, T. Crookes, Owlerton. Second, W. Har\-ey. Commended, J. Crookes. HAfttBUKGHS (Silver-spansled).— First, W. Harvey. Second, J. Crookes. Commended, Hon. W. C. W. Fitzwiliiam. HABintTROBS (Goldcn-spnngled).— First, G. Haifrh, Holmflrth. Second, Vt'. Harvey. Highly Commended. J. Roe, Hadtield. Manchester. PoLANDS.— First, R. Charlesworth. Brooks' IJar. Manchester. Second, Mrs. Procter, Hutt Street, Hull. Highly Commended, W. Silvester, Spring- Wood House, Sheffield; .T. Longley. Penistone ; Mrs. Proctor: W. Harvey. Any other Variety not Previously Mentioned.— First. Hon. W. H. W. Fitzwilliam (La Fl. die). Second, Hon.W. C. W. Fitzivilliam, Went- worth Woodhouse (La Fleehe). Highly Commended, Lady M. Thompson, Sheriff Hutt.m Park, York (Cr(ve Cceur) ; H. Sa\-iUe,'Rufferd AWiey, Ollerton (Black Hamhurghs); J.Elgar, Osmanthorpe, Newark (Houdanf. Game IIantams.— First. R. Charlesworth. Second, Rev. \V. J. Mellor. Highly Commended, J. Parlun, Clav Cross; W. Parker, Clav Cross; J. Ewing. Tuftou, Chesterlield ; R. Bentley, Finningley Park, Bawtry ; W. Fentou. Bantams (Anyother variety).— First, W. Harvey. Second, S. S. Mossop, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire. Extra Second, R. Bentley. Highly Com- mended, Messrs. S. & R. .\shton, Mottram ; W. Parker ; Lady C. W. Fitz- william ; W. J. Cope ; H. Saville. Commended, Mrs. Saltma'rsh, Chelms- ford. DncKs (Aylesbm-y or Rouen).— First, Hon. W. H. W. Fitzwilliam (Ayles- bury). Second, Hon. F C. H. Hawke (Rouen). Highly Commended. Messrs. Burton & Trariss, Thurgoland Bank, Sheffield ; 'F. G. Godwin (Ronen) ; Hon. W. H. W. Fitzwilliam (Aylesbury) ; J. K. Fowler (Ayles- bury). Commended, Lady M. Thompson (Aylesbury) : F. Powell (Rouen) ; W. Dranstield (Rouen) ; \V. Clarke, Wentworth (.Aylesbury). Selling Class (Anv variety).- First.Hon. W. H. \V. Fitzwilliam (Creve CoBurs). Second, J. thomilv, Hadfield, Manchester (Cochins). Highlv Commended, H. Saville (White Call): W. Dransfield (Dorkings); Hon. W. C. W. Fitzwilliam (Silver-spangled Hamburghs). SWEEPSTAKES FOR SINGLE COCKS. Game. — First, C. Chaloner. Second, G. Wostenholme, Exchange Street, Sheffield. Highlv Commended, C. Turner, Carlisle Street, Sheffield. Commended, W. .j. Cope. CocJ-en';.— First, W. J. Cope. Second, F. Sales. Commended. G. Wostenholme. Game Bantam.— First, F. S. Roy, Nenthom, Kelso. Second, R. Charles- worth. Commended, R. Swift. Southwell, Notts. Gajie (Undubbed).— Prize, W. Cox. Commended, C. E. Rhodes, Car House, Rotherham ; C. Chaloner. The Arbitrator was Edward Hewitt, Esq.. of Eden Cottage, Spark- brook, Birmingham. LANGHOLM POULTRY SHOW. The Exhibition of the Eskdale Society took place ou the 1st and 2nd inst.. and the following prizes were awarded : — Gajjte (Any colour).— First. J. H. Wilson, St. Bees. Second, J, Broush. Carlisle. Third. A. Thomson, Carlisle. Highly Commended, J. Brough; J. Hardie. Ga*ie (Black or Brown -breasted Reds).— First, A. Thomson, Harraby Green. Second, G. Bell, Wigton. Chickens. — First, G. Dobson, Longtown, Second, A. Thomson. Game (Duckwings or Piles).— First, A. Thomson. Second, J. Brough. Chickens. — Second, J. Brough (Lemon Pile). Spanish.— First. J. Huesb, Bradford. Second. W. Paterson. Langholm. Chickem.— First, W. Paterson. Second, J. Hardie. Highly Commended, W. Paterson; J. Strong, Carlisle. Commended, A. BallautjTie, New Lang- holm. Dorking (Silver).— Fu*st, J. Hardie. Second and Highly Commended. T. L. Jackj^on. Bush. Cft/cfr^ns.— First and Second, J. Hardie. Highly Commended, J. H. Wilson. DoBKiNGs (Dark).— First, Miss Malcolm, Milnholm. Second, -T. Hardie. Highly Commended, T. L. Jackson. Chickemt.—YiTsi, R. Reed, Moat. Second, J. Hardie. Highly Commended, D. Gellntlv. Meigle. Hambcrghs (Golden-spangled).- First, A. Hatclie". Selkirk. Second, S. Hyslop, Langhohn. C?ii<'/.-f n.*.— First, W. Blackstock, Con-iecommon. Second, J. Long, Longtown. HiglUy Commended. J. H. Wilson. Hamburghs i Golden-pencilled). -First, W. Bowe, CarUsle. Second, R. Burrow. Chickens. — First and Second, R. Burrow. Highly Commended, J". Hardie. Hamburghs (Silver-spangled) —Prize, W. Bowe. Chickcnft.—Fvcst and Second, J. Hargravos. Carlisle. Highly Commended, W. Dave}', Lang- holm. Commended. G. Macmilan, Jedburgh. Hamburghs (Silver-pencilled).—); iiet.T. Harrison. Singleton Park. Second, J. Musgravc, Longtown. Chickens. — First. J. Musgrave. Second, H. Greenwood. Bradford. Cochin-Chinas.— First, Mrs. W Ford, Harden Green (TA'bite), Second, Messrs. Bowman & Fearon. Whitehaven. Highlv Commended, J. Hardie (Buff). Commended. W. R. Park, Abbotts Meadow. Brahma Pootra.— First, Messrs. Bowman & Fearon. Second, Miss M. Jardine, Albie Hill. Any other Different Breed.— Second, W. R. Park (Crcve Coeur). Highly Commended, R. Plenderieith, Longtown. Game Bantams (Black or Brown -breasted Reds.)— First, J. Hervey, Jedburgh Second, A.Thomson. Third. H. Nicholson, Whitehaven. Game Bantams {Duekwing or Piles .— First. W. Easton, Jedburgh (Duckwings). Second, D. Little, Broomholm. Third, J. Lnnn. Jedburgh. Any other Variety of Fancy Bantams.— First, J. A. Robinson, Sun- derland. Second, T. Little, Netherby Gardens. Third, R. Burrow. Highly Commended, J. Wallas, High Moor, Wigton. Tdrkeys.— First, J. Hardie. Second, Mrs. Jackson, Bush. Langholm. Highly Commended. R. Reed; T. L. Jackson. Commended, Miss Max- well, Harkwhill. Poults.— First. T. L. Jackson. Second. J. Hardie. Very Highly Commended, Miss Malcolm, Milnholm, Langholm. Highlv Commeuded, R. Reed ; J. Hardie. Geese.— First and Second, J. Hardie. Highlv Commended, — Dickson, Iiokerbie. Ducks (Aylesbury).— First, T. Paterson, jun., Melrose. Second, J. Steel Kelso. Highly Commended. W. Macadam, Priorslynn ; J. Hardie. Ducks (Rouen .—first and Second, J. Hardie.' Highlv Commended, A. Warwick, Woodhead. Ducks (Any other varietv).— First, J. R. Jessop, Beverley Road, Hull. Second, Miss Bell, Billholni. Highlv Commended, T. J. Harrison ; J. R. Paterson. COTTAGERS' CL.\SS. Any Breed.— First. W. Urquhart, jun. (Dorkings'. Second, A. Ballan- tyne (Spanish). Third, J. Laidlaw (Spanish). Highly Commended, W. bole (Hamburgh) ; A. Rea (Dorkings); J. Con*ie (Game). Any Breed. —First, R. Latimer, Forgebraehead. Second, Miss C. Graham, BlisspiUh. Third, Mrs, Armstrong, Kirkton. Highly Commended, C. Beattio, Bush Cottage ; Mrs. Hnr\'ey, Sorbie Cottage. Commended, W. Gordon Milnholm : T. Irving. Selling Class.— Fii-st, R. Burrows. Second. J. Brough. Highly Com- mended, A. Thomson ; G. Mackie, Purdoms Crook ; T. L. Jackson. Single Cock.— Highly Commended, R. Bell (Wild Drake). Commended, J. Laidlaw (Brahma" Pootra) ; S. Hyslop (Hamburgh i ; T. L. Jackson (Indian Drake). PIGEONS. Croppers. — First. J. A. Robinson. Second, W. Cheyne, Selkirk. Highly Commended, A. Thomson ; J. Campbell, Langholm Distillery. Jacobins.— First, R. Thomson, Kendal. Second, T. C. Taylor, Middles- borough. Fantails.— First, W. R. Park. Second, T. C. Taylor. Carriers —First, A. Thomson. Second, T. C. Taylor. Bares.— First, R. Thompson. Second, J. A. Robinson. Highly Com- mended, A. Thomson. Nuns.— First, R. Paterson. Melrose. Second, R. Irving, Langholm. Uighlv Commended, A. Thomson ; T. Paterson, jun. TuKBiTs.- First, R. Thomson. Second, W. R. Park. Highly Com- mended, A. Ormiston. Kelso. Any other Variety. — First. A. Thomson. Second, W. R. Park. Highly Commended, A. Thomson ; J. Campbell. Commended, F. Waitt, Bir- mingham ; T Taylor. Selling Class.— First, W. R. Park (Fantails). Second, J. Campbell. Highly Commended, K. Paterson (Turbitsj. CANARIES. Scotch Fancy (Yellow Don! —Corfc.— First, H. M'Dougal, Edinburgh. j Second, R. Ballantyne. Hen —First, H. M'Dougal. Second, W. Tinline, I Galashiels. j Scotch Fancy (BuflF Don).— Co cfc.— First, H. M'Dougal. Second, J. R. Thomson. -ffc/t.-First, H. M'Dougal. Second, R. Ballantyne. Belgian (YeUow).—CocA'.— First, B. Carlyle, Carlisle. Second, W. Tin- line. Hen. — Second. H. Carlvle. Belgian (Buffj.—Coct.— First. IT. Carlyle. Second, A. Beattie. Hen.— First, W. Tinline. i-econd, W. Macadam, Priorslynn. Yellow Flecked Fancy. — Coct.— First. J. Cleghorn, GalashielB. Se- cond, T. Darling, Hawick. Hen — Second. J. Dalgliesh. Buff Flecked Fancy.— CocA-.-First, R. Paterson. Second, J. Hope. Hen. — First, W. Tinline. Second, W. Balmer, Hawick. GOLDFINCH MULES. Yellow Flecked.— Co cfr. — Prize, E. Graham, Rowanburn. Buff Flecked. — Cock. — First, J. C. Wilson, Langholm. Second, R. Graham. Yellow Common. — Cock. — Prize, R. Graham. Ht-n. — Second, R. Graham. Buff Common.— CocA-.-Second, R. Graham. Hen. — First, W. Balmer, Hawick. Second. W. Morrison, Langholm. Yellow Flecked CoaiMON. — Cock. — First, W. Hotson, Milnholm. Se- cond, W. Morrison. Hen. — First and Second, W^ Hotson. Buff Flecked Common. — Cock. — Second, W. Clai'k, Langholm. Hen. — i^econd, J. Hope. Goldfinch.- Cocfc — First, R. Gi-aham. Second, W. Hotson. ALSTON rOULTRY SHOW. This Exhibition was held ou the '^^nd of December, 1866, in the Town Hall, where some capital pens of bii-ds were exhibited, especially in the Oarnc, SjxniisJt, and Hamburffh classes. Game (Black-breasted and other Reds).- First, J. Haldon, jun., Alston. Second, J. Stephenson, Nenthead. Chickens.— F\xi. — First. J. T^ ardinfr. ^laxwcUtown. Third, I T. Hill, Collin. Highly Commended, M. Wells, Collin. i Spanish (Black).— Fir?t, Mif;s Biggar, Braes House, Ecclefechan. Se- j cond, J. Tbomson. Cocklicks, Annan. Chickens,— IPivsi and Medal, Miss Biggnr. Second. R J. Linton, Kirkmahoc. DoRKiKGs.— Kir.^t and Medal. Bliss M. A. Johnstone, Terregles Gardens. Second, W. F. H. Arundell, Barjarg Tower. Highly Commended, J. Pool, Croftheads, Annan; J. ?J'Kenzie,' BarnhiU. Chickm^t — First, Miss M, Holm, Hillhead. Second, W F. H. Aruudelk Highly Commended, Mrs. Corrie, Heithat Hill, Lockerbie ; Miss A. J. Douglas, Lockerbie House. Commended, Miss M. A. Johnstone. Cochin-Chinm (Any colour).- First, Miss Biggar. Second, W. Cowan, Clarancefield. Highly Commended, A. Reid, Kewtonreid. Chicknu-^. — First, Lady J. J. Douglas. Lolcerbie House. l=econd, Miss Biggar. Highly Commended, Mrs. Maclde, Erncspie. Hamburgh fGnldcn-spautrlert) — First and Medal. Mrs. Corrie. Second, T. Musgrove. Longtown. Highly Commended, J. liichardson, Lockerbie; A. M'Lean, Ruthwell. Chickcnfi. — First, Miss Biggar. Second, H. Currie, Ardrossan. Highly Commended, Sirs, i orrie ; R. Ken\ HAiTBDRGn Golden-peuciliedi.— First. K. Burrow, Longtown. Second, J. Ramsay, Carnsalloch. Commended. J. Malliuson, Dalbeattie. Chicken*. —First, W. Bowie, Carlisle, second. T. Musgrove. Highly Commended, "VV. Wallace, Kirkmahoc. Commended. T. Johnstone, Waterside. HAMncRGH (Silver spRngled..~First. J. Hunter. Gatelnwbridge. Second, J. Hutchison, Townhead, Mouswald. C«mmended, E. Chrystie. Dumfries. Cftic/it-ns.— First and Medal, A. M'Lachlan. Thovuhill. Second, Mr3. Deans. Drumlanrig Castle. Highly Commended, Mise Ross, Springfield, Applcgirth. Commended, R. Kerr. Hamburgh (Silver-pencilled). — First, J. Musgrove. Second, J. Thomson, Nethermill, luvkmichacl. Cltickcna. — First, N. Vv'ilsou, Croys. Second, R. Ilannay, Tarfi' Bridge. Commended. J. Musgrove Brahma Pooteas. — First, Mrs. Waugh, Castlehill, Lochmaben. Se- cond, Mrs. Groig, Kirkpatrick, l)m-ham. ChickcJit:. — First, Mrs. Gordon, Culvennan Second, W. W. Anderson, Chapel Moffat. Highly Com- mended, Mrs. Gordon. Any otuer Vakietv. — Fii-st and Second, Mrs. Gordon (Houdan, Crive CcEur). Selling Class, — First, Miss Biggar (Black Spanish). Second, T. Max- well, Allanton Mill (Dorkings). ■Bantams (Golden , and Silver-laced). — First, Miss Johnstone. Second, 'W. W. rtuderson. Bantams ( tlack).— First and Medal, R. Murray, Maxwelltown, Second R. Watts, Ci-aiR8. Bant.\ms (White).— First. W. Teenan, Locbsiae. Second, J. Maxwell, Allanton Milk t^ommcnded, H. Robinson, Riccartou, Kilmarnock. Game B.^ntasis Black Rtds and other Beds . — hirst, C. Harper, Thorn- hill. Second, T. Maxwell. Commended, B Coltart, Dumfries. Game (Duckwings and other Greys).- First, T. Maxwell. Second, R. Hope, Dumfries. Any other Variety.— First, J, Palmer, Maxwelltown. Second, A. Anderson, Ryedale. Ducks (Aylesbury).— First, Miss A. J. Douglas. Second, T. Johnstone, Waterside. Commended. Mrs. Gordon. Ducks iRoueu).- First, Mrs. Thomson. Second. J. Boyd. Fouthwick. Geese (Any variety).- First. J. Brown, Inglesloii. Second. J. Pool. Turkeys (Any variety). — First, Mrs. Henderson. Second, Mrs. H. Wilson. Langholm. PiGKONS.—THHi?)/cT5(Short-faced).— First, J. Sharp, Johnstone Second and Commended, R. Henderson, Maxwelltown. Common. — First, J. Sharp. Second, J. Love, Dumfries. Commended, J. Kennedy, Dumfries. Catriers. — First. J. Sharp. Second. T. Maxwell. Powicrs. —Prize, J. Sharp. Fan- tails. — PMrst, K. Maisie, Maxwelltown. Second, A. Easton, Lochanhead. Any other DiMinct JSrecd. —Fir&i, J. .sharp, (Bhick Magpies). Second, J. Thomson (Barbs). Commended, C. Harper (Trumpeters). CANARIES. Scotch Fancy (Yellow).— CocA^.-First, Second, and Medal, J. Harding, Maxwelltown. Thiid. J. Thorpe, Dumfries. Jfe^.s.— First and Third, J. Harding. Second, J. Thorpe. ScoTcH Fancy lBuff].— CocX.-.t— First, J. Harding. Second and Third. J. Thorpe. Hem.—First, J. Thorpe. Second. J. Harding. Third, J. M'Quhae, Maxwelltown. Pieb *ld (Yellow).- CocA-.v —First, Third, and Med.Tl. J. Law. Lockerbie. Second, J. Thorpe. Hens —Fhst,^. Law. Second and Third. J. Thorpe, Pikbald (Buff) —6'ocArs— First, J. Law, Second. J Thorpe. Third, R. M'Cubbin, Annan. Hens. — Fii-st, J. Thorpe. Second, J. Law. Tiiird, J. Little, Dumfries. B^■LGI^N (Yellow or Buffi —First. .T. Tweedio, Lochmaben. Second, T, Whitaker, Lochmaben. Third. J. Mallinson, Dalbeattie. Hens.— First and Third, T. Whitaker. Second, J. Malliuson. Goldfinch Mules (Yellow).— Fii-st, A. K. Herries, Dumfries. Second, J. Kirk, Dumfries. Goldfinch Mules (Buff).— First, J. Law. Second and Third, J. Hard- ing. Maxwelltown. GuLDFiNCH.— First, D.Aitkinson. Second, C. Grieve. Dumfries. Third, J. Wilson, Dumfries. FoRKiGN Birds. — Parrot, any colour. — Prize, W. Lawson, Dumfries. Foreign, ajij/ rarifi/i/.— First, J. AiTustrong, S.C.A. (Love Birds), liarcst Birds of any variety.— Viize, J. M'Cririe, b.CA. (Coek uf the North). Judges. — PonUr}i and Pir/rous : James Stevens, Esq., M.D., Ardros- san ; Mr. James Paton, Stewai-ton. Cannncs and I'orn'i/n Birds: Mr. G. Grant, Paisley ; Mr. G. Crawford, Boith. INCUBATOK MANAGEINIENT. I AGREE with your correspondent " Investigatoh " that it ■would be most useful if those interested iu the artificial hatch- ing of eggs would compare notes through your Journal. The subject is now being much inquii'ed into, and I am satisfied it will not be long before artificial incubation can be adopted with the certainty of a successful and profitable result. I have for a considerable time devoted much attention to the subject, and the results of my experiments have been considered very satis- factory ; but I cannot myself feel satisfied until with certainty I hatch every good egg that is placed in the incubator, and in a properly constructed machine this ought to be a certainty. " Investigatok " is mistaken in supposing that a tempera- ture of 110^ is fatal to the embryo life of chicks ; this I know by actual experience. In August last X started my incubator towards evening, and finding about 10 r.M. the temperature had continued gradually rising until it had reached 110', I lowered the gas to reduce the heat, but, as it turned out, not sufficiently, for on looking after il at 5 a.m. I found the thermo- meter still at 110". I determined upon changing the eggs, think- ing mischief had already been done, giving twelve of them to a broody hen, and leaving two in the incubator. The hen hatched eleven out of the twelve ; the twelfth contained a dead matured chick. The incubator hatched one, the other being a clear egg. In other cases during my first trials I have frequently had the heat up to 110^ in different stages of the hatching, and have found that if not continued too long it will not interfere with the actual hatching of the chicks. So great a heat ought, however, to be carefully avoided; one result that I have expe- rienced from too high a temperature being that you will have a lot of chicks matured, and nearly so, dead in the shell ; and another, that those which manage to escape from their shells, assisted or otherwise, will be extremely weak iu their legs, growing worse as they become older, scui'ding about more by the help of their wings than their leg?:, and most of them eventually dying. I will conclude by naming what I am satisfied are essentially requisite in the artificial hatching of eggs — viz., damp atmo- sphere, otherwise numbers of chicks will die in the shell, and those hatched will be weakly ; constant ventilation ; tempera- ture ranging from 100^ to 10(3°, but as steady as possible at 103°— the heat to be slightly increased towards the end of the hatching ; tiurning the eggs twice a-day ; and darkness imtil the chicks are due, otherwise numbers will perforate the shell prematurely. January 8, 1867. J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 39 The incubator should also be placed in a room upon which the sun does not act, or it will be impossible to maintain a uniform temperature. — E. S. THE EGYPTIAN BEE.— Part VK. HOIV I SUCCEEDED IN TBASSPORTISG IT TO AMERICA. Havino, as related in page 306 of the last Volume of " our Journal," completely purged my apiary of an element which had turned out so entirely obnoxious, and having published without reservation the very discouraging results of my expe- rience of the Egyptian bee, I had no idea that I should ever become possessed of the materials for another paper on the subject; such, however, turns out to be the case, and it came about iu a rather unexpected manner. During the latter half of September, I received a letter dated the Sth of the same month, from Mr. Jas. T. Langstroth, sou of the distinguished American apiarian, and member of that eminent transatlantic firm, " L. L. Langstroth & Son, of Oxford, Butler County, Ohio, Importers and Breeders of Italian Queen Bees, and Agents for Langstroth's Patent Move- able Comb Hive." Alter very politely acknowledging and replying to a letter written by me last spring, and enclosing for my acceptance a carte of his distinguished parent, the reception of which, as will readily be believed, afforded ma much pleasure, and which has formed a notable addition to my gallery of apiarian worthies, Mr. Langstroth, jun., went on to say — " We have been much interested in your articles in regard to the Egyptian bee, and, Uke true bee enthusiasts, are possessed with an insatiable longing for a queen of that variety. We would, therefore, ask you, as the highest favour you could bestow upon us, to forward us a pure queen of that variety, packed not like Herr Vogel's, but with sufficient honey for a twenty-five-days journey, and with rather. fcic worker bees. For this queen we will remit you in draft on London any sum you see fit to name, on receipt of your letter advising us of her shipment. You will easily understand that we wish to have the credit of first introducing these bees to America, and to give you the credit of furnishing them for exportation to this country. We have only received the first four Numbers of The Jonr.NAL OP HoiiTicni.TnRE, containing your description of these bees. If they do not mix with the natives or Italians as easily as the Italian race hybridise with the natives, and if they are less inclined to sting than the Ligurians, we shall hope that they may aid in the advancement of apiarian science in this country. If, however, uour opinion (which we have not yet seen), is that they are ' a humbug ' even, we still desire oue queen for the purpose of experimenting. We, therefore, sin- cerely hope that you may be able to send us a queen, even if you have to replace her by the procurement of another from Herr Vogel, as we give you carte blanche in regard to price." Reflecting on and admiring the facilities and wondrous speed of modern postal communication, by which the article aa- nouneiug the successfulintroduction of the Egyptian bee into my apiary, and published in London so recently as the 21st of August, could reach one of the Western States of America so rapidly as to admit of its perusal, and a long letter being ad- dressed to me in consequence within eighteen days, I debated how I coidd most speedily and completely fulfil the desires of my transatlantic friends. Evidently the first thing to be done was to " catch my queen," and as I had not one of the re- quired species remaining in my apiary, I penned a few lines to Herr Vogel, on the 2.5th of September, asking him to send nie another Egyptian queen as soon as possible, writing at the same time to Mr. Langstroth to report progress, and request farther instructions. Herr Vogel very politely acknowledged my note by return of post, informing me that he would dispatch a pure queen of this year on the Sth of October, and in due course I received from him the following, dated 9th of October — '■ Dear Sir, — I liave tlie pleasure of sendiug you a truly impreg- nated Egyptian queen, as advised in my last. " The workers tliat accompany her are true Egyptian bees, and are bred hy the quoeu you receive. She was reared about the cml of .July last, and all the queens reared from her brood turned out to be true Egyptians, the number being five. " If there should be a few black bees among the workers that ac- company her, they are not bred by the queen, hut mnst have found tUeir way into the EgT,-ptian stock from a ueighbonrinf? hive. " As the queen which you receive is unsurpassable in purity, I would suggest that in future yon should rear your queens from her brood only, for then they will all be like the mother from whom they are descended. ' This letter preceded by a day or two the arrival of the Egyp. tian queen, which came to hand on the Kith of October. She was packed this time in a small and light box, and reached me in much better condition than her predecessor, although both herself and her attendants were very torpid, and appeared be- numbed with cold. I, therefore, lost no time in introducing her to a hybrid Italian stock from which I had previously re- moved the queen, and by which she was well received. Prior to the arrival of the Egyptian queen, I had the follow- ing letter from the Rev. L. L. Langstroth, dated from New York, on the 2Sth of September, and iu which he incidentally alludes to my controvery with Dr. Camming : — " Dear Sir, — I have been reading in the tiles of the London Tim^^, to which I have just had access, your criticism of some of the state- ments of the Tuubridge Wells Bee-master. I had previously read his work called the ' Times Bee-Master,' and the perusal of your com- munication, which under the circumstances must he considered as both courteous and forbearing, only deepens my conviction of his unfair- ness in controversy, as well as his ignorance on the subject he dis- cusses. It would, however, be unreasonable to loolc for accuracy from a bee-keeper who not only describes an octagonal hive in use in his own apiary as a liexagonal hive, but who ascribes its great success to its hexagonal shape. " Since writing to you from Washington, I have seen in Champollion's work on Egypt, figures ef the queen, worker, and drone, of Apia fasciata. From my previous letters you will see how anxious I am to obtain this fall an Egyptian queen. As a matter of mere business, I can hardly expect to procure one of you this season, but venture to hope that yon will ' str.ain a point ' to put rae in possession of so valued an acquisition. I have sent an order to Germany, but fear that it cannot be filled this fall. If you can send me a queen in whose purity you have confidence, I will defray any expense to you of pro- curing one next season, to replace her in your apiary. If under all the circumstances you can part with one, I would suggest sending her in one of your straw trame-hives, with plenty of provisions sealed over in old combs, and with a very moderate allowance of bees. The whole arranged for transportation not d-la-mode Herr Vogel. I have planned a simple and efficient contrivance for draining honeycombs on the centrifugal principle, as applied by Major Von Krashna. His happy idea will prove especially useful in some of our apiaries, where even under present arrangements a yield of from lOD lbs. to 200 lbs. of honey is often obtained from a single colony. — Yours very truly, *' L. L. LANGSTKOTn." In compliance with these instructions, I packed the Egyp. tian queen and her alien subjects with the utmost care, in a straw frame-hive, and despatched them from my apiary to Liverpool on the 2l3t of October, thence to be sent on their long voyage across the vast Atlantic by the '■ Inman," line of steamships, one of which left England the next day. The result was communicated to me by the Rev. L. L. Lang- stroth, in a letter dated from Philadelphia on the 15th of No- vember, in which he says : — " Thanks for your great kindness in the matter of tho Egyptian queen. Thanks to your admirable paclriug, the colony arrived in per- fect condition, and although not delivered to nie until eight days after the steamer arrived, I found only a few dead bees — not many more, probably, than would have died had they remained on their stand in your apiary. A. bee-expert at the Custom House pronounced the package to be the best conceived and executed of any he had ever seen. I should Uke much to pay you a deserved tribute in the columns of our bee-journals, but fe.ar it would bring upon you an avalanche of in- quiries from our excit.able bee-keepers. " I am not surprised that you found the Egyjitians very cross in your cool and damp climate, for I find such weather as is the common rule with you makes the Italians quite irritable. Our drv and hot summers wdl, no doubt, seem natural to those daughters of the Nile." I need hardly express my gratification at the complete success which has crowned my endeavours to transmit the Egyptian bee to the New World ; and although I have myself very little hope or expectation that the extreme irascibility of this beautiful little Apis will become ameliorated by change of climate, it will, nevertheless, afford mo much pleasure to learn that the favourable anticipations of my distinguished co- temporary have proved more correct than the sombre vatici- nations of — A DEVoxsnir.E Bee-keeper. P.S. — I may add that I presented my trans\tlantic fiicnds with the bees which accompanied the queen, a^licK merely for repayment of my expenses out of pocket; a req'iest which was most promptly complied with. FOUL BROOD. I NOW give my promised experience with foul bvnod. The stocks which I experimented with were eight in number : three which had had a part of their combs excised, and five 40 JOURNAL OP HORTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GABDENEB. I January 8, 1867. which had combs from diseased stocks'. Two of those with excised combs and one of the others did not survive the winter, whilst another did well and swarmed twice. At this time I examined it, and found foul brood in the bottom box, while the two top boxes, which had old combs, were quite free, the disease having broken out in the new-made combs ; but when the young queen commenced breeding it spread throughout the whole hive. In another I ventilated, and retarded breeding as much as possible, and it was only when the weather became warm that this one fell a prey to the disease. The other three stocks are quite free, and at this time the best I have in my apiary. I am inchned to think that the disease which causes foul brood exists in hives even when no breeding is going on, and that transferring diseased combs to other hives will infect them. Infected combs may be known by their clammy and adhesive character, and are of a brownish colour, appearing also thicker than usual, as if some fungus existed. I believe it is impossible to get rid of the disease so long as any of these combs remain ; but I imagine that the side combs may be used with impunity if they have a fresh and dry appearance, as they were side combs only that were in the hives which escaped the malady, notwithstanding that the combs were taken from diseased stocks. My experience with foul brood leads me to believe, that instead of cold having anything to do with it, it is quite the reverse, and that it is warm weather which propa- gates it. This has certainly been the case in my apiary during the last two seasons. — A Lanakkshike Bee-keepek, WOODBURY HIVES. I WILL describe an improvement in the Woodbury bar-and- frame hive, especially where the compound bars and frames are used. I have tried it, and it quite answered my expec- tations. It is intended to facilitate the moving and removal of the frames, by doing away altogether with the notches in which the frames rest. In the front upper and inner edge of the hive you have, first the usual three-eighth rabbet ; below this, instead of notches, is another rabbet one-eighth of an inch wide, by three-eighths deep, and the positions of the bars and frames are marked by incisions or lines, which are inked to make them more conspicuous. The back upper and inner edge of the hive has the rabbet made three-quarters of an inch deep ; on this rabbet rests a loose piece of wood one-quarter of an inch thick, and three-quarters of an inch deep, by 14.{ inches long. This piece is also marked with lines in the same way as the front of the hive, to show where the frames are to be. Through the back of the hive are five set screws which are made to bear on the loose piece of wood, so that when the bars and frames are in their places, by turning the screws the wood is pressed for- ward and holds them all tightly, so tightly, indeed, that the hive may be turned upside down, and drummed, without their getting out of their places. A bit of brass or iron is let into the moveable piece of wood where the screws bear upon it,to pre- vent its being galled. I was led to this contrivance by the difficulty I have ex- perienced in moving the frames when well cemented by the bees. The advantage of this plan is, that by loosening the back screws the frames are all set at liberty at once. The loose piece of wood can be easily pressed back, no matter how well cemented, and the frames can be gently pushed one towards another without lifting up, as you must do when they are in notches. Another advantage is, that old hives can be easily altered to this plan. It is also inexpensive, and the notched piece of wood at the bottom is never required to keep the frames in their places. My experiments as yet have all been with the black bee, but I hope to have the opportunity of multiplying a stock of Ligu- rians next spring, and should hke to ask Mr. Woodbirry the way in which he would advise a bee-keeper to proceed with one Ligurian stock. Can you tell me where the queen-cages (pipe-oovers) de- scribed in Neighbour's book are to be obtained, and what is the price of them? — C. F. George. [Wire pipe-covers are sold by many tobacconists at a very moderate cost, and form excellent queen-cages. Mr. Woodbury premises sn article on the propagation of Ligurians at no very distant date.] RocEN DccKs (H. B.j.—U yoa read the report of the Birminghnm Show yon will see you were beaten in weiRht. Your birds of 1866, weighing 14 lbs. the pair, are, nevertheless, good birds, and would havo won years ago. It is a good plan to confine them for a fortnight or throe weeks before exhibition at a large show. Your feeding is good, and an increase In the amount of flesh will add weight. The great point in rearing birds that are intended to compete against all England is to feed them from the first with a view to success. By this we mean, never to allow them to_ become thin or out of condition. No amount of feeding will make winners of birds that have ever gone back. Indian corn is not good food for young growing poultiy ; it makes only fat. Brahma Pootras {Novice /». Jirakmax).— There are certain points that are in dispute. Both sexes should have pea combs ; yellow, feathered legs. The cock should have a black or spotted breast, we prefer the latter; and he should have a light hackle and saddle, black tail, and black-and- white-marked wing. The hen should be pencilled all over. For perfect specimens neither should have any buff feathers or shade. The hen should as much as possible be pencilled on the breast. Vulture hocks are objected to by many. Large size. Cheve Cceur's Head and Eyes Affected {Crire Cfvicr). — These birds are subject to such attacks as you mention when they change about from one place to another. We do not consider it infectious, and the conva- lescence is not long. While they are suffering they should have very little water. It is enough if they are allowed to drink three times per day. They should have no water within reach. Barley and oatmeal are the best food, with some whole Indian corn once in the course of the day. Buckwheat meal is good food for them, and that on which they are principally fed in France. Potatoes and pollard are not good. They mast have green food ; and if they have no grass run they should have good large sods of growing grass cut with plenty of earth — they will eat it all. It is not well to give them many peas. In such attacks you wiU find some stale bread soaked in strong ale very good food and beneficial. Apportiontng the Sexes in a Yard {Lex). — It depends on the time of year. At this season four or five hens are enough to run with one cock ; but it is not necessary to can-y this rule out strictly, as few hens are laying. As the weather becomes warmer the number may be increased to fourteen or fifteen. When you turn down another cock it is more than probable — almost certain — there will be fighting ; but after it is decided which is the master they will take separate walks and hens. You can insiu-e similarity of breed on one side by having all the cocks alike. We cannot teU you what the breed wiU be unless we knew the hens you keep. As a rule chickens take more after the hen than the cock. Wart Under Hen's Eye (J. H.). — If it is productive of no inconveni- ence we should take no notice of it. II otherwise, it might be burnt with caustic ; or if small at the roots it might be cut off. Sprinklfng Water on Incubating Eggs {Harriet].— The eggs require to be sprinkled with water once in the day (the morning is the best tirne), for ten days before hatching. If the weather is very frosty it should be done immediately before the hen goes on them after feeding. Half the failures in hatching are to be attributed to the neglect of this precaution. They do not want artificial heat, but at this season of the year they require to be in an outhouse sheltered from draughts, and the flooring of which is of earth and dust. They require high feeding, and it is well to give them a meal by candlelight at eight or nine o'clock, as the nights are so long. The chickens soon begin to look for it, and come out at the first glimmer of light. They should have beer to drink. Comb of Cochin-China Cock (W. H. Q.). — There is no fixed size for the comb of a Cochin-China cock. The essential points are that it shall be perfectly upright and correct in shape. We never saw a Dorking comb on a Cochin cock ; tlieir shapes are essentially ditferent. and the Brahmas I have pea combs, which are never seen on Cochins. Wherever the combs 1 are overgrown they show signs of turning over behind, and such are dis- I qualified. Most of the prizetakers at Birmingham have been successful I exhibitors for years, and are themselves too good judges to send faulty birds. Ladies' Pets {A Lover of the Country). — I see no reason why yon should not indulge your desire 'or some Pigeons; and if you procure some of the tamer varieties, as Fantails, Trumpeters, Jacobins, Nuns, &e., they will not be Ukely to leave your place, especially if yon have more than one pair. Of course, as pets you will provide them with comfortable board and lodging, and there isno reason to consider they would in :iny way prove a nuisance. A Jay may be kept tame in a cage and taught to talk, but Jays are very a2>t to be mischievous if allowed their liberty. CoUared Turtle Doves would roost in your trees, and if tamed before they were let out would make very interesting pets. Bantams are very pretty, and would do well in your ornamental grounds ; but if you fear them you might have Plovers if your grounds are enclosed. — B. P. Brent. Goldfinch Mule with Indurated Skin (if. BedweJl). — I have ex- amined the bird seut. I think rape seed injurious to cage birds from its pungency ; but whether it would affect a bird in the manner yours is I cannot say. Round one eye. down the back of the neck, and along the shoulder of one wing, the "skin is denuded of feathers, white, hard, dry, and granulated ; at the back of the neck was a tumour of a white cheesy- looking substance as large as a pea. When Uving at Bessel's Green my fowls were mostly attacked in a similar manner, and Ducks would not live long with me. I attributed it to some mineral in the water, it having a gi-eenish tinge, and the soil being what geologists call the green sand formation.— B. P. Brent. OUR LETTER BOX. Address {Rev. H. S.).~li you enclose a stamped envelop full direction we will send the address you aek for. your POULTRY IVLOIKET.— Janu.uiy 7. We have had an anomalous week. There is always a temporary dearth after Christmas ; but this year we have had snow enough to impede com- munications, and this has diminished our small supply. It has caused a rise that will not be maintained. d s d. a. Large Fowls 3 6 to 4 SnoIIer do 3 0 8 CLickens 2 6 3 Geese 6 0 7 Ducks 0 0 0 , Pigeons 0 10 1 6 Partridges 2 Pheasants S Grouse 0 Hares 3 Rabbits 1 Wild do 0 d R. d 0 to3 « 0 2 ti (I 0 0 n 3 t> 4 1 5 8 0 10 January 15, 1867. ] JOURNAL OP HORTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 41 WEEKLY CALENDAR. "o7 Month Week. JANUARY 15-21, 1867. ATerage Temperature near London. Rain in ladt 39 years. Sun Rises. Sun ' Moon Sets. 1 Rises. Moon Sets. Moon's Age. Clock before Sun. Diiy of Year. Day. NiRht. Mean. Days. m. h. m. h. i m. h. m. h. Davs. m. a. 15 To 41.6 28.9 84.7 12 2aI8 17 af 4 after. 6af2 n 9 38 16 W 41.7 80.6 86.1 19 1 8 19 4 ' 9an 19 3 10 9 .'^9 16 17 Th Trichonema bulbocodium. 42.5 30.8 86.6 13 0 8 20 4 58 1 31 4 11 10 19 18 F 42.7 31.3 37.0 16 0 7 23 4 56 2 88 5 12 10 38 19 S 43.0 30..'-, 36.7 18 58 7 24 4,4 4 36 6 13 10 57 19 20 StlN 2 SUKD,IY AFTER EPIPHANT. 42.5 Sl.O 36.7 15 57 7 2.-; 4 : 16 6 26 7 o 11 15 21 M Sun's declination 19° 15' s. 42.2 32.9 42.6 18 56 7 27 4 31 6 7 8 15 11 32 From obsfirvntiong taken near London dnrins the last forty years, the average day temperature of the week is 42.3' ; and its nipht 0 80.9^. The ffreatest heat was 6;l-. on the 19tli, 1,S28 ; and the lowest cold 4^- below zero, on the 19th, 1888. The greatest fau | of rain was 0.88 inch. N.B.— The Calendar cout.iins the names of plants fl owering n the greenhouse. 1 MODES OF HEATING. EAT. that subtle, invisible agent, exercises an intluence on both animal and vege- table life beyond aU ealcu- lation. In the case of ani- mals its presence in proper amount sustains life, and its absence causes death : wliile in the vegetable world it is scarcely' of less importance, as growth is most rapid where it abounds, and the plants there attain gi'ander dimensions than in colder climates. My remarks must, however, be restricted to tlie artificial means for the attainment of desired temperatures, the object being the suppljdng beat to a given space, wliilst wasting as little as possible of the materials emploj-ed to impart that heat. Combustion of coal or other fuel is the source of such heat, although fermenting materials also supply it. and recourse to the latter mode of heating is not likely to be ever abandoned. I will, however, first advert to the mode of supplying heat by the combustion of fuel. Let us now see how fire heat can be applied in the most economical manner. Assuming a given quantity of fuel to aftbrd a certain amount of heat, in wliich way can that beat be used for the purpose requii-ed with the least possible waste '.' for, that a considerable amount of heat is wasted, even in the best constructed apparatus, cannot be denied. I have on former occasions argued tliat one of the best examples of fire being applied to an object from which it is again abstracted witli the least loss, is aflbrded by an ordinary brick oven, where the combustion takes place inside, and the heated sides, bottom, and roof are all required for the purpose of baking bread ; externally, I believe, but little heat escapes, and the amount of that which goes up the chimney is less than in many heated structures. This economy, however, is attained by the fire acting directly in accomplisliing the object in view, and not by its heat behig communicated through another medium, as in the case of plant-houses ; for in the latter it is the atmosphere that requh-es warming, and it is diflicult to apply fire heat b}- any \-ery direct means without at the same time imparting to the air some properties injurious to vegetation. Heat, however, has sometimes been applied in a manner more dii'ect than is often thought practicable, but the results have not generally been satisfactory. A mode of doing so, however, which came to my knowledge many years ago is worth repeating, as it was one of tlie most remarkable cases of fire du'cctly supplying bottom heat that I am acquainted with. It was as follows : — In the coal districts of the north, before the demand was so great for small coals for steam-engines .and other pur- poses, large quantities were thrown away as waste at the mouth of the pit, and being ignited, and augmented daily N ). 303. -Vol. XII., New Seeies by several tons of additional fuel, an immense fiery lieap was always burning at the mouth of tlie pit. I believe some of the heaps covered an acre of ground, and a red and lurid fl;i,me might be seen miles off on dark evenings. Some of the heaps were ^!0 or 30 feet deep, the outer edge sloping oft' to meet the natural ground, and it was on the outer edge of one of these fiery heaps that some one at- tempted the out-door forcing of vegetables. As the fire had in a certain measure left the corner he intended to operate upon, although the aslies were still hot below, the operator determined to cover a portion of the heap with earth, and plant Potatoes, wliich he watered and attended to in the proper manner : and as at a local horticultural show prizes were offered for the best disli of Potatoes grown in the open air, liis crop was deemed eligible, and he easily car- ried olf the first prize. Here. then, was a case of the direct action of fire underneath the object forwarded. Although it is not an example which it would be prudent to imitate, some modification of it might be attempted ; and the mode adopted at Leeds Castle by C. W. Martin, Esq., M.IV, as detailed in the last Volume, is one of the methods iu which heat from beneath may be applied. This plan, as vnll be remembered, was by haWng an imdergi'ound chamber, at one corner or side of which a fire was kept, wliich, i)laying all over the chamber, was not allowed to ascend the chim- ney until all the lieat had been expended, and the little smoke uuconsumed rendered comparatively cool. This Mr. Martin calls the bypooaust mode of heating, and its merits are its simplicity and the ease with wliich the heat acts on the part where it is most needed, v.-hich is, of course, tiie roof. In this immediate district, where large quantities of Hops are gro\vn, the drying them by fire heat has called forth many modes of applying it, from some of which hints may, perhaps, be gleaned. Hops are more frequently gathered wet than dry, and even if they were always dry they would have to undergo a process of fire-drying in order that they might be kept ■n^thout moulding, for the moisture in the stalks and bases of the scales has to be driven out by heat, and tliis is an operation involving a large expen- diture of fuel. Such, too. iu the general construction of Hop-kilns is of a rather expensive kind, ordinary wood and coal fires being sekbim used, although in one of the cases where this is done the plan so closely resembles what is called the Polmaise system that it is worth de- scribing here. I may in the first place remark that Hops are generally dried on a floor up-stairs ; the floor, instead of being of the ordinary description, is composed of a hair- cloth spread over a latticework of timber not likely to ignite with the heat, Poplar wood being esteemed the best. Very often the k-iln is circular, and from 12 to 18 feet in diameter ; the chamber, where the fire is bmuing, is seldom less than I'i feet, and more fi-equently l.'i or l.s feet, high to the drying floor, and the roof tapers up in a conical manner from a little way above tliis floor to the apex, where ; an opening, o feet iu diameter, is left for the steam to escape. Tliis opening is protected from rain by a cowl' moving with the wind, and every care is taken to insm-e the steam passing off quickly. The interior is plastered So. 955.-VOL. XXXVII., Old Series. 42 JOURNAL OF HOKTXCOLTURE AND COTTAGE GAEDENER. t January 15, 1867. smooth, and the latticework is close enough to allow of a person walking over it in safety, the woodwork occupying about one- half of the area. On this floor, to which access is gained by a door, green or wet Hops are often laid quite a foot thick, and the moisture they contain is driven off in about ten or twelve hours, seldom more than the latter, as such kilns are kept going night and day, and two loadings in the twenty-four hours are expected. Allowing a little for loss of time in putting on and taking off the Hops, ten hours may be said to be required in drying a mass quite a foot deep by means of the fire kept on below, the heat passing np through the coarse hair-cloth and through the mass of Hops lying upon it. One of the modes of .applying lire heat to dry the Hops is by means of what is called the cockle system, being simply a cast-iron box of about a cubic yard in capacity, which is turned bottom upwards inside the heating chamber, and has the fire underneath it. There is in one side of the box a very small hole for the escape of the smoke, which afterwards tra- verses a flue passing round the chamber, and finally enters a chimney. There are dampers at proper places to check the fire burning too briskly. The heated metal, the fire being in- side, or rather underneath the box, gives off the heat that dries the Hops, and cold air is admitted from the outside, and passes over the top of the cockle. This mode, as will be seen, resem- bles in a great measure the Pulmaise system, and I need hardly remark that any kind of fuel is available for such a heating contrivance ; it has, however, all but gone out of use for Hop- drying, few kilns being now erected on this principle, and in most of the older ones open fires have been introduced. In their case the fireplace is raised a little in the middle of the heating chamber, and merely consists of bars a foot or so from the ground with a little brickwork surrounding them, and for about a foot higher. Directly oyer the fire, and about halfway between it and the drying iloor, an iron plate, about i feet square, is bung by a chain to the kiln fioor ; this, receiving the upward current of heat, spreads it all around, and at the same time prevents any danger of the centre of the floor taking fire. Coke, charcoal, and Welsh coals are burnt — not common coal or wood, as the smoke from either would be objectionable. The heated air from the fireplace in passing through the mass of wet Hops dries them by degrees from the bottom to the top ; and to encourage a stronger upward current of hot air various means have been adopted. With this view open- ings in the outer wall at the bottom are general, sliding shutters being provided to close them when required. A few years ago a patent was taken out for a plan in which a number of cast- iron pipes were carried iu a slanting direction from the bottom of the outer wall to the top of the fire. The pipes lying in this position, and their ends being open, it was considered that the heat acting on the upper ends of the pipes would cause the air which these contained to ascend, and that its place would be taken by air from the outside, entering by the lower end. This plan had many advocates for a time, and the principle was highly spoken of as affording a certainty of a greater volume of heated air being driven upwards than by the means previously in use ; but these advantages seem to have been more imaginary than re.al, for during the last year or two the plan has in many cases been abandoned, and the simple method of allowing an open fire to collect its own air to heat and send forth in the best manner it can has been again resorted to as the most simple and effective means of drying Hops. Ceiling's patent, as the invention alluded to is called, has, therefore, fallen to a considerable extent into disuse. — J. Ron-son. (To be contiaued.) ADMITTING AIR TO TINES. In a recent communication I made a few remarks, founded on experience, on the formation of Vine borders. I will now advert to a subject which is of as much importance in connec- tion with Vine-growing, and that is ventilation. It has been ably discussed iu The Journal of Horticulture already, but the more it is brought into prominence the more will its im- portance be appreciated, by young gardeners especially. As soon as Vines commence growing iu the spring they make rapid progress, and require unwearied attention until the Grapes are perfectly ripened and perfect in flavour. If the latter are not both there must be somctling wroug, and no cultivator ought to be satisfied until he arrive at some definite conclusion as to the reason of it. If the evil is in the borders no amount of attention to ventilation can remedy that ; but if the borders are not in fault, perhaps the ventilation may have something to do with it. To be successful in anything requires a great amount of patience and careful attention to the most minute particulars ; but more especially is this the case in gardening. A quarter of an hour's inattention in the early months of the year will do more mischief than can he remedied iu the course of the season. It is in the early months of the year that the gardener must be watchful, and especially so in regard to Vines. Judicious ventilation is of the utmost importance to them. When vineries are of the lean-to description it is seldom that there is any means of ventilation provided in the back wall of the house. Now 1 think this is a mistake. In wet weather the lights cannot be drawn down, and the front sashes must be opened instead; but if means of ventilation had been provided in the back wall it would have been better to have afforded a little air there. I have gone into a vinery in a dull drizzly day, and it was easy to perceive by the closeness of the atmosphere that none of the ventilators were open. The lights had been drawn up on account of the rain, and the person iu charge did not think it of consequence to open the front sashes. Now, if ventilation had been provided in the back wall, and the ventilators had been opened a little in dull weather, it would have kept the atmosphere pure without materially lowering the temperature. In a house 30 feet long, four spaces 18 inches long and 6 inches wide would be sulficient, with a board in each to hang on centres, and all to open at once with a rod and lever. If a fine wire netting be fixed over the outside it will prevent the ingress of all insects, check the force of cold cur- rents of air, and still admit enough in dull weather. I have often experienced the benefit of opening the venti- lators a little very early in the morning. I like to take advan- tage of that period of the day to thin the Grapes before the sun rises high and becomes troublesome. I put on a little air before commencing operations, at the highest point of the house generally, by drawing down every alternate light about 2 or 3 inches, and by this means the atmosphere is insensibly changed, and no oppressiveness is felt, which certainly is the case when no air is admitted. As the sun rises the thermo- meter will also rise rapidly, and more air must be admitted ; but a watch must be kept for the cold cutting winds which are so prevalent in the spnng mouths, for the berries are some- times injured by cold draughts, especially in their young state, while the foliage is apparently unaffected. There is also much to be gained by judiciously husbanding the sun heat, especially by shutting up early iu the afternoon. I think it well, also, to have the hot-water j)ipes or flue at nearly a uniform heat, excepting, indeed, in very severe weather, when the temperature of the house must not be too low. I would rather see in a cold frosty night the temperature 5° lower than usual, than the pipes overheated to raise it to the required point. In many cases enough pipes are not put in at first ; and for the sake of an extra first expense an ultimate loss is incurred, more fuel is wanted, and the plants are liable to be injured by the fumes from overheated pipes. In a house IG feet wide there ought to be six rows of four-inch pipes — that is, if the Vines are to be forced early, as half of that heating surface would keep the frost out if the Vines are only intended to start naturally, without the aid of heat artificially supplied. I may also allude to a circumstance connected with some young Vines planted here in the spring of 1864. It happened that with some of the sorts to be planted I was unacquainted, and if on bearing they were found to be unsuitable they were to be removed. Some of the others were not intended to be permanent ; so that by planting a permanent Vine between those which were not to remain I could in the second sea- son train a young rod up from each tide of the permanent Vines, to be ready to take their places in the autumn of 1865, when the first crop was cut. I found that where two rods were trained up in that way the main or central rod was stronger than in the case of the Vines which had only one rod, and I believe it had as many roots as any two of them. If I had the opportunity I would like to plant a vinery, say with room for nine Vines 3 feet apart, in this way — 2 1 2 2 1 '2 2 1 2 1 representing the permanent Vines not to be cropped the first season ; 2, those to be cropped heavily in the second season and then to be destroyed, while two young shoots must be trained up from each of the permanent Vines to supply their places. Thus there would be six Vines to bear a crop the second season after planting, each of which would carry from January 16, 1867. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 43 9 to 12 bnnchea. In the third season after planting the per- manent Vines would be able to carry a crop of twelve bunches each. They would, I have no doubt, support double that number ; but it is better to crop lightly at first, as the young rods will have to make wood that season. — J. Douglas. NOTES ON SOME VARIETIES OF THE POTATO. As planting time is approaching, in fact come, to those who have warm nooks and corners, allow me to state my experience of some of the leading kinds. Being located in one of the best Potato-producing districts, with a soil that can hardly be sur- passed for producing them to perfection, I have thus had an opportunity of growing, seeing, and proving many kinds under favourable auspices ; and I have paid attention to the subject for nearly half a century, collecting materials, very hetero- geneous I must say, on the management, cause of disease, and preventives, enougJi to supply an editor with clippings and anecdotes for several years ; but as the cattle and Potato plagues have alike set all our knowledge and writing at defiance, and proved one nostrum after another useless, I shall not vex you with extracts from my Potato hihlinthiquc, but give a list of sorts and their qualities as proved here (Somersetshire), on a fine, deep, sandy loam — a soil never too wet nor too dry. 1. T17ii(c Clumpcr first, as being our great staple produc- tion here, and a sort that resists the disease better than any other kind that I have tried. The crops of it have been extra fine this season ; and I have heard the growers say, that al- though they lost one-third by the disease, yet they had a good average crop left. This kind also keeps well until late in spring, or, in fact, till the early kinds come in. It is a good-flavoured sort, and boils dry, but having a yellowish tinge when cooked it does not look so well at table. 2. Grammar.— K red Potato, very like a Forlyfold, a great cropper, and was cultivated largely at one time in this neigh- bourhood, but having proved watery in the heart when cooked, it has been abandoned. I think this is the sort called Gram- part about London. 3. Forti/fuld Earhj. — Our best early and best second early sort ; white, mealy, and nicely flavoured. It requires a rich soil to grow it to perfection. It is, par excellence, my favourite Potato. When the size of a marble you can cook it, and it will prove dry from beginning to end. It is rather subject to disease. 4. Forty fold Late. — Exactly like the Early in colour, quality, and flavour, but is the best late-keeping sort I know. It is very subject to disease, on account of growing so late in the season. Perhaps the same as Covent Garden Blue. 5. York Recent is unsurpassed for dryness and other qualities. It comes in early, keeps late, and is fine all the year round. The Dahnahoy planted alongside of it proved to be the same. The seed was procured from Messrs. Lawson and Son, who sent it out under the new name. The seed had been evidently grown in that fine Potato district that lies be- tween Musselburgh and Dunbar, on the Firth of Forth. They looked a tine improvement on the Regent, but cultivated together I could see no difference. 6. Patterson's Victoria. — This has proved here to be one of our best kinds, and apparently an improved Regent of a flatter form, more like a Lapstone. It is mealy and excellent, finely flavoured, and a great cropper. It grows late, and is therefore subject to the disease ; one-third of mine perished. This is just the sort for " Solanum," it grins through its leathery jacket in fine style. 7. Fluke. — Now so well known that description is useless. Its thready appeai-ance when dressed is its only fault. 8. Mona's Pride is an early sort any one might be proud of having raised. Early, prolific, dry, and of fine flavour, I think it the best of the Ashleaf familj'. 9 and 10. Salmon Kidnei/ and Red AMeaf have been here famous croppers, but only second-rate in quality. 11 and 12. Royal Asldeaf and Imperial Asldeaf are two worthless sorts when compared with others ; the names are the only thing either Royal, or Imperial about them. 13 and 14. Teleyraph and President are very good pig Po- tatoes, and, like 11 and 12, the names are their best recom- mendation. 15. Myatt's Prolific. — A first-rate second early, mealy, and finely flavoureJ. Produces good crops. IG. Napoleon. — A fine mealy Potato, fit for a Prince's table. 17 and 18. Dean's Early Ashleaf and Dean's Royal Prolific seem very good, but I have not seen enough of them yet. I'J and 20. PaUerson's Blue Round and Seedling Rock are both so like others — viz., Jersey Blue and White Rock, that I cannot see any difference. The last is, however, a fine Potato, and does remarkably well in this locality. 21. Handxn-orth Prolific. — The most dwarf Potato I know, and the earliest. If its other qualities were equal to those, it would be first-rate as an early sort. It might be improved with Early Fortyfold. 22. Cvford Early. — This is designated by one of your adver- tising friends as " the best Potato out," and I endorse the opinion so far as to say that it is one of the earliest, one of the dwarfest, and one of the handsomest of its race ; it is also mealy, but yellow-fleshed — a great drawback with many people who prefer showy, laughing, mealy kinds, as " SoiANnii" says, tempting you to eat them. I have stated my experience with a few kinds that I have tried here from time to time, and described the kind of soil they were tried upon. "D.,"of Deal, would have added in- creased value to his article, page ■i(J2-3, Vol. XI., had he told us the sort of soil his is, which I suppose is a good one, being near the sea. — J. Scott. P.S. — On the morning of the 3rd, thermometer at 17' ; -ith, thermometer at 12° ; 5th, thermometer at 10°. Snow G inches. One o'clock, thaw going on fast. GARDENERS' EXAMINATION FOR HONOURS. Wr- are now enabled to give the list of the successful candidates at the recent examinations of the Royal Horticultural Society, and it is very encouraging to see so many of the young men who presented themselves come olif so well as they have done. Although this is the first examination of the kind the Society has held, it shows how large a per-centage of the young gar- deners of the present day really devote their time to the ac- quirement of a thorough knowledge of their profession ; and it is also evidence against an opinion, which was becoming some- what general, that the young gardeners of the rising generation had no aspirations, and that the race of the Paxtons, Spencers, and Thomsons was rapidly becoming extinct. We are informed, judging from the papers sent in, all of which were more or less liighly creditable, that if these examinations become pei- mauent, we may look forward in future years to having a much larger number of educated and high-class gardeners in the country than we have ever had, and we shall know also where these are to be found. We hear, also, that even those who failed on this occasion gave such evidence of better things .as to leave no doubt of their success on a future occasion. The Council of the Royal Horticultural Society, on the report of the Examiners, elected, on the 8th inst., Mr. K. C. Kingston, Royal Gardens, Kew, and Mr. George Stanton, Berry Hill Gardens, Taplow, M.aidenhead, to be Associate Members of the Society. A medal has also been awarded to Mr. G. Stanton for the highest number of marks in practical gardening. The following certificates have also been granted — viz. : FRUIT AND TEGE- floriculturt:. TABLE CULTURE. Geo. M. Woodrow, Royal Gardens, Kew Ist-class certificate 2nd-class certificate 2nd-class certificate William Siiiiiks .... -g-g Ist-class certificate Ist-class certificate Brian Wynne ^ ^^ 2nd-class certificate Tiiomns Wright '^ S Ist-class certificate 2nd-class certificate Henrv Hfinnan U y: Ist-class certiiicatG 2nd-class certificate John M. Henry, Royal Gar- dens, Kew 2nd-elas8 certificate 2ud- class certificate Fredk. Thninpaou, Royal Gardens, Kew Ist-class certificate 2nd-class certificate A Jamiesou, Royal Gar- dens, Kew Ist-class certificate John Stapley, Hoveuden, Eiddeudeu. Staplehurst. Ist-class certificate 2nd-class certificate Thomas Wtiddiugton, Mill- field House Gardens, Cob- ham Ist-class certificate 2nd-claBS certificate GiUDENERs' Improvemknt SOCIETIES. — Any of the Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Societies who have joined the Royal Horticultural Society, will oblige by sending to The Jouenai, OF HonxicuLTURE Copies of their rules and by-laws for the } guidance of young societies. — Taplow. 44 JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ Januai7 15, 1867. VINES AND VINE BORDERS. I THINK Mr. Wills has entirely misuinlerstooj my motive in asking for further details respecting tbo Vine borders at Huut- royde. It is not often that any gardener has the opportunity of doing what Mr. Wills proposes to do, and h.aving begun the culture of the Vine on a large scale without any practical knowledge of the subject, I thought Mr. Wills would be able to say whether I ought to be satisfied with the growths my Vines have made, or whether I could have doubled their growth if I had gone to greater expense in forming my borders. In the account I gave of my Vines (page 421), I omitted to say that I allowed many of them to bear fiom one to three bunches each. Where three were left two were on side shoots, and the other on the main shoot. These bunches were well coloured and ripe in the early part of September, four months from the date of planting. If Mr. Wills had followed my example, and given a fair statement of the cost of the proposed Vine borders, including brickwork. Hags, hot water, air-shafts, &c., I should have been much obliged to him ; and I can see no reason why my desire to know more about these Huntroyde Vine borders, which, when completed, will contain nearly 3000 cubic yards of com- post, should induce him to regard me as a foe or a grumbler. That the compost described by Mr. Wills will grow very good Grapes I have no doubt, from the fact that the Vine grows vigorously in all soils and in all countries, from the shores of the Baltic to the Peak of Teneriffe ; in the strongest clay, as well as the poorest of sandy and gravelly soils. The finest young Vines I ever saw were growing in or- dinary garden soil a few miles from Tirlemout in Belgium. The valley of the Garonne has no advantage in soil over the valley of the Medwny. Will Mr. Wills say why Maidstone has not its vineyards as well as Bordeaux ? If luxuriance of vege- tation depends more on soil than climate, why should not the Castor-oil Plant be grown in England as well as in Italy, or the Sweet Chestnut ripen its fruit in our woods as well as it does in the south of France. I assure Mr. Wilis that having made a section of his borders in accordance with the description given in his article of the 16th of Oclober, I am not likely to forget anything about them, and I am only waiting for the particulars as to cost which I have asked for to complete my notes for future reference. Notwithstanding Mr. Wills's explanation about the nine-inch layers of his border, I am still unable to see what benefit 336 pecks of soil will derive from 1 peck of bones. " The ex- pense is not so great to gentlemen." I am surprised that a writer of the Journal should forget that many hundreds of its readers are gentlemen without " a piece of land from which the sods can be cut," and whose purses are unequal to the demand of " ten guineas a-ton " for bones. I shall always be ready to exchange information with Mr. Wills, either about Vines or the soil and climate proper to grow them in, but only so long as he is disposed to discuss the matter in friendliness and candour. AVould Mr. Wills really be so very much astonished to see an "article by Mr. Thomson, or any other gardener endowed with a moderate share of common sense, advocating such a barbarous system of Vine culture " as that mentioned by your correspondent " Vitis? " If so, why has he not already given utterance to his indignation at the barbarity of shutting up a Vine in the mid-season of its growth in a mean tempera- ture of sr for Hftmburghs. and 85° for Muscats? Mr. Wills must surely know that this temperature, in which the " pro- prietors of villa residences who are not supposed to employ scientific gardeners" are recommended to grow them, is wholly unnecessary. Is Mr. Wills's silence to be attributed to the benefit he has received from the application of the author's styptic to the bottoms of his Pelargonium cuttings ? If we were to follow the -l.'jth degree of south latitude from the coast of the Bay of Biscay, making little excursions for a few degrees north and south of that lino till we come to Astra- chan or the Caspian Sea, we should pass through countries possessing great diversity of soil, but almost eijual summer temperatures, and nearly the same annual rainfall. In these countries, with 23 to 27 inches of rain annually, and a mean summer temperature of 70° to 73° Fahrenheit, the Vine grows and fruits well even without cultiv.ation. In Mr. TLomson's tre.