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THE 


COTTAGE      GARDENER, 


COUNTRY     aENTLEMAN, 


BEE-KEEPEU.    AND    POULTRY    CHliONIOLE. 


A  JOUENAL  OF   GAEDENING,  UUEAL  AND  DOMESTIC  ECONOMY,  BOTANY,  AND  NATURAL  HISTORY. 


CONDnCTED   BY 

GEORGE  W.   JOHNSON,   F.KH.S.,   a^d    ROBERT   HOGG,  LL.D. 


THE  FRUIT  AND  KITCHEN  GARDENS,  by  Mr.  J.  nobson, 
(iardener  to  Viscount  Holme?d.ilc,  ]\I.P..  Liutou  Park;  aud  Mr. 
T.  Weaver,  Gardener  to  the  Warden  uf  Winchester  College. 

THE  FLOWER  GARDEN,  by  Mr.  G.  Abbey  ;  "  Ayrshire  Gardener  ;  " 
and  Mr.  J.  Wills,  Ashburnham  Park  Nursery,  King's  Road,  Chelsea. 

STOVE,  GREENHOUSE,  and  WINDOW  GARDEN,  by  Mr.  R.  Fish, 
Gardener,  Putteridge  Bury,  near  Luton. 

FLORISTS'  FLOWERS  AND  FLORICULTURE,  by  the  Rev.  H.  H. 
Dombrain. 


GARDENING  CALENDAR,  by  Mr.  WilKam  Keane. 

POULTRY-KEEPING,  by  Mr.  J.  Baily  ;  E.  Hewitt,  Esq.  ;  and  ot'acr 
well-known  contributors. 

PIGEON.^,  AVIARY  BIRDS,  &c.,  by  "Wiltshire  Rector;"  W.  A. 
EUkston.Esq.,  and  others. 

BEE-KEEPING,    bv  H.   Taylor,  Esq.;  T.  W.    Woodbury,  Esq. 

"B.  &  W.;"  and  Mr.  S.  Bevan  Fox. 
HOUSEHOLD  ARTS,  by  the  Authoress  of  "My  Flowers,"  and 

others. 


LIBRARY 
NEW  YORK 
BOTANICAI 

QARUEN. 


VOLUME    XV.,    NEW^    SERIES. 

VOL.  XL.,   OLD   SERIES. 


LONDON : 
rUBLISIIED    FOR    THE     rROPRIETORS,     171,     FLEET    STREET. 

18(58. 


/  VJ 


/pse 


LONDON : 

PRINTED   AT   THE   JOURNAL   OF   HORTICULTURE  OFFICE, 

171,  FLEET   STREET. 


TO     OUR    CONSTITUENTS. 


The  fortieth  ■\'olume  bciug  closed,  the  two  Editors  offer  themselves  for  re-election;  and  they 
trust  that  you  will  consider  their  care  for  your  interests  during  the  last  twenty  years  entitles  them  to 
a  continuance  of  the  confidence  you  have  hitherto  reposed  in  them. 

It  is  needless,  after  so  protracted  a  service,  for  them  to  enter  into  minute  details  of  their  principles  ; 
but  there  are  a  few  points  on  which  it  may  at  this  time  be  considered  desirable  that  they  should  be 
explicit. 

They  will  vote  for  the  proposed  inquiry  whether  a  Head  Gardener  should  be  established  in  every 
parish  of  Ireland  at  the  parish  expense ;  and  they  seek  for  your  opinion  whether  a  Gardener  should 
be  thus  established. 

They  will  oppose  uncompromisingly  the  use  of  the  Ballot  in  Gardeners'  Clubs,  because  every 
one  voting  ought  to  act  upon  conviction ;  and  only  those  who  are  afraid  then-  conviction  is  erroneous, 
or  who  have  promised  yet  wish  to  be  unfaithful,  would  resort  to  secret  voting. 

If  the  question  is  brought  before  them,  whether  Gardeners  should  wear  particularly  coloured 
Aprons,  they  will  give  that  question  their  earnest  attention,  and  endeavour  to  divest  themselves  of 
any  preconceived  opinion  that  the  Master's  appreciation  of  a  Gardener's  services  can  be  or  cannot  be 
influenced  by  the  colour  of  his  apron. 

All  other  questions  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  Editors  will  receive  their  candid  and  unprejudiced 
consideration;  and  where  they  have  any  doubt,  or  where  they  require  fuller  information,  they  will, 
as  heretofore,  consult  and  co-operate  with  the  party  with  whom  they  have  previously  acted,  and  who 
deservedly  have  your  confidence  and  approbation.  That  party,  they  rejoice  to  say,  remains  not  only 
undiminished  but  strengthened  ;  and  thus  sustained,  they  hope  for  many  future  years  to  appear  again 
before  you  confident  of  re-election. 


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INDEX. 


Abbott's  Castle,  cou.egtion  of 
I'l.ANTS  tuehk.  '24H 

Aliutilouft  —repotting',  486;  vexilla- 
riuiit,  U 

Aciicijisnot  hiirily.  -ISfi 

Acnuttniii  vir^'iiiii'iuii.  VIA 

Ai-oriis  for  iiuiiUi.v  lunl  i'it,'s.  GCl 

A(rri(Iociir]iua  iinIiinliUH,  .HNl 

A(lv<rtisri's  f,Tirviiin>'.  Wi 

Acrittos  tiiitnitiini,  '2liT 

Amiliiivlii  staiiin.ii.  441 

A^'tiiuinUnia  uiiilii-llutiis  culture,  27, 
1(69 

Asave  (lasylirioidort.  44 

A^e,  murks  of  in  fowls,  200 

Air--'iviii(,'  iu  winter,  424 

,U<llMiroiiirIi  1111(1  Borouf^hbriilgo  Toul- 
trv  Show.  14(1 

AllcVti.ii  I'miUry  Show,  120 

Altcriiitiitlicni  a mccn a— propagation, 
it:.;  forlKadiiKi,  S4t; 

AUniicImm  Poultry  Show,  255 

AnuuaiitUus  discolor.  32 

A'li.trvUisea— sowing  seed,  48:  water- 
ing'," l:t 

Amateur?  who  is  an,  06 

American  bli^'ht,46ii 

A.ndalnbian's  faci-,  SC. 

Aii'lromeda  floribunda,  calyculata,  &.C. 
77 

Annuals— new,  6;  for  Bpring  flower- 
in  ir.  271 

Antipodes,  sprins  flowers  at  the,  261 

AntH.  32;  destroying,  S>,  22i).  328 

Aplidandra  —  Jjeopoldi  leggy,  460; 
niteuB,  381 

Apples— Bunvard's  seedling,  190;  for 
poultrv,  2(Ht;  Gunter's  tart.  21S;  for 
an  orchard.  231;  from  Tasmania, 
247;  American,  301;  btat  required 
to  ripen,  SOI ;  dwarf,  302 ;  Paul's 
Beedling.  342;  list  of  845;  keeping 
from  frost,  401;  8tor;nj.'.410 ;  in  an 
orchard  house,  441  ;  stocks  for,  447  ; 
forming  pvramidHi,  4t>G  ;  Karly  Non- 
pareil. 264,  323;  Mtlon.  unfruitful, 
.S28,  485;  Hivers's  Eailv  Nonpareil, 
284;  Smalls  Admirable,  S23;  Stir- 
ling Castle.  247,  823 

Apricots.  184  :  their  merits.  57  ;  stewed, 
88;  for  south  wall.  251 ;  Japanese, 
405:  castini:  fruil,  4tiO 

AQuarinni  tnuibles,  255 

Aquatics  for  stove,  326 

Araha  japonica  culture,  283 
Arancaria  partly  brown,  486 

Arbor-Vitn?-managemcnt  of  seedling, 
118;  prupauiiliun,  174,288;  pruning, 
213;  from  cuttings,  231;  seed,  389 
Arctostaphylos  uva-urai,  77 
Ardisiaa,  scale  on,  410 
Areca  Baueri,  2C4 

Arranging  and  planting  shrubs,  277 
Artichoke  seed,  sowing,  154 
Ashford  Poultry  Show,  472 
Aaparai,'us  —  thinning    seedling,   154 : 
manure  for,  VJ'i;  culture  in  Eugluud 
and  France.  4SG 
Aftplenium  trichomanos  culture,  SOI 
Asters  for  exhibition,  13 
Aucvibas,  from  cuttings,  327 ;  berries, 

487 
August,  plants  in  flower.  184 
Auricula— John  Waterston,  44;  raising 

from  seed,  506 
Australian  —  paroquets,     70 ;     Boeils, 

Bowing,  425 
Aylesbury  Poultry  Show,  254 
Azaleas,  77  ;  Sir  K.  Napier  and  Lizzie, 
44;  list  of,  213;  scale  on.  S(l6;  soil 
for,  847  ;  repotting,  8S8,  425,  447  ;  cul- 
ture, 411;  leaves  falUug,  4-17;  lorc- 
ing,  604 


Bachelor  noisEnoLD,  my, 217 
Badminton  Poultry  Show,  139 
Bailey,  H.f  de;Uh  of.  204 
Balm,  variegated,  planting,  194 
Bantams— dubbing  Game,  SG;  Japan- 
ese, 67,  83,  124;  legs  of  Game,  124; 
Red  Game,  218;  other  than  Game, 
232;  hfttchmg.  236;  grey  and  tufted, 
23fi ;    Game,  334 ;    black  and  white, 
852  ;  Black  and  Game,  494 
Barbarea  vulgaris  variegata,  485  ;    for 
winter,  417  ;  as  a  decorative  plant, 
Ci       440 

^— ^    Barnstaple  Poultry  Show,  84 
askcta— plants  for  hanj;' 
windows,  plimts  for.  41u 
'         Bath  and  West  of  England  and  South- 
k  ^      eru  Couutit;^  Atibuciutiuu,  175 


Biittersea  Park.  131.  167,  298;  subtro- 

pieal  plants  at,  321 
Bedding'  plants— Ilm-lieiited   pit    for, 
llil;  frame  for  prui.ctiiic.  i;t8  ;  pro- 
pagating, 230  ;  trciitiiiciii  of  cuttingB, 
2liH;  tcnip<  ratiire  for,  327  | 

Bedding -out     plants,      cuttings      of, 

287 
Bedding   without    wintering    under 

gliiss,  495 
Bees— in  America,  142;  Asiatic,  86; 
from  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  ^51,  392; 
Mexican  native,  331 ;  Aic  they  car- 
nivorous V  197 ;  comb  fallen,  142 ; 
comb  broken  in  bar-hive,  218;  in  a 
cask,  1)9 ;  in  a  house  roof,  218;  in  a 
wall,  25G;  supposed  Christmas  phe- 
nomenon, 514;  Darmstadt,  meeting 
of  apiarians,  452;  decamping.  236; 
destroying,  142  ;  disaster,  17;  drone- 
slaughter  early,  17 ;  Do  they  hunt 
bv  scent  or  sight?  334;  exhibiting, 
236  ;  changing  floor  -  boards,  7U ; 
glasses.  17,  Gil:  invasions  of,  69; 
irregularities,  104,  216 ;  keeping  pro- 
fitably, 70  commencing,  276;  Koeh- 
ler's  secret  revealed,  141;  lecture 
on,  200;  Pettitt's  gratings,  180;  re- 
moving, 124,  352:  restless  in  %vinter, 
515 ;  robber.  352 :  Southcme  on, 
454:  not  thriving,  293  ;  transferring, 
352,  871;  at  Woodstock  Show,  225; 
at  Clogheen,  276;  in  Lanarkshire, 
275;  near  a  manufacturing  town, 
B14;  in  a  rosery.  276;  in  Somerset- 
shire. 313;  in  Wicklow,  276;  waxen 
sheets  for,  161.  192,  217,  89.%  474. 
Drivings^,  106,  124,  162,  198,  292. 
F(:vrf(;i(7-256;  in  winter,  894.  Foul- 
brood-35,  53,  276,  434,  514;  Baron 
von  Bcrlcpsch  on.  86,  HI4 ;  micro- 
scopical investigation  into  its  nature 
and  origin.  311,  372,  494 ;  Schieberle's 
method  of  curing,  493.  Hivrs— 
two  to  one  super  18;  communica- 
tions with  supers  too  small,  124; 
Berkshire,  293,  351,  293 ;  large,  123, 
833,  394, 414,  451.  .513  ;  moveable  comb, 
514;  moving,  256;  Nutt's,  106;  Petti- 
grew's,  314;  queenless,  372;  Stew* 
arton,  314:  storitied,  215;  straw, 
bulging.  36;  Woodbury,  161.  Honey— 
crystallised,  162;  depriving  of,  180; 
the  German  centrifugal  honey-ex- 
ti'ucting  machine,  36,  123;  harvest, 
236,  351 :  in  Hants,  256;  in  Lanark- 
shire, 294;  larKC,  123;  from  one 
hive,  293 ;  in  the  north,  141 ;  im- 
ported, 162;  sale  of,  70,  162.  Liffu- 
riaus — 53;  new  mode  of  propagating. 
141 ;  cheap  queens,  180 ;  raising,  255 ; 
as  htiney-patberers,  331 ;  introduc- 
ing queens,  893 ;  Lignrianising  an 
apiary,  180.2^6.  Queens— tv/o  in  one 
hive,18;  cheap  Litiurian,  18j  unpro- 
lific,  372;  introducing  Lipunan,  893. 
Sicarm*!— causing  second  and  third, 
36;  not  sent  forth.  SG ;  uniting  se- 
cond, lOG ;  eccentric,  41 ;  from  su- 
f^ered  hivo,  200 ;  friim  infected  eo- 
oniea,  434 ;  fightinp,  494.  Suprrs— 
preventing  breeding  in.  161,  180: 
iToiid  in,  215  ;  their  miinagement  of, 
434,  474;  their  uses,  2)G;  communi- 
cations with  hives  too  small,  124; 
glass,  36,  69.  Uniting— 124,  198,  2y2, 
334;  failures  in,  216;  autumnal,  255 
Bee-mnth,  105. 106 

Beet,  Dell's,  as  an  ornamental  plant, 
110;  as   a   beddcr,  323,  356,  398;  in- 
sects on  leaves,  860:  storing,  426 
Begonia  manicata  culture,  868 
Bellord  Canary  Show,  449 
Belladonna  Lilies  —  culture,  251;  not 

flowering,  327 
Benyalies,  red-collared,  management, 

162 
Bentley  Priory,  133, 186. 361 
Berbens  nepaienaiB,  propagating,  410 ; 

the  common,  380,  41)6 
Beverley  Poultry  Show,  14 
Bideford  Poultry  Show,  84 
Bingley  Poultry  Show,  178;   Pigeons 

at,  195 
Birmingham  Rose  Show,  23 
Birmingham  PhiloperisteronSociety'a 

Show,  370 
Birmints'ham   Poultry  Show,  253,  870, 
427.  448.  450,  451 ;    meeting  of  poultry 
exhibitors,  507 
Blandfordia  Cunninghomii,  264 
Boiler— cost  of  heating,  &c.,  S60;  heat- 
ing without  a,  481 


Bones  —  dissolving,  270;  potash  for 
dissolWng,  828;  boiled  or  unboiled 
for  manure.  426 
Borecole,  culture  of,  175;  variegated, 

223 
Boronia  serrulafa,  scale  on,  12 
Botanic  diuviil)  Society's  Sln.w,G,  40 
Bottom   heat,  4iim  ;  Imw  to  olitain  for 
forwai'ding  and   propagating,    119; 
failures  in,  283 
Boueainvillea  glabra    and   Bpccioaa, 
culture,  271 ;  lateritia  to  flower   in 
.Tune,  447 
Bow^nan.  Mr.  D.,  172 
Box  edging.  605 

Brahma  Pootras- vuUure-hockcd,  18. 
218,  SG9,  432 ;  for  exhibition.  70 ; 
Dark  cockerel,  88;  points  in,  twist- 
ed-winged, 106;  Light,  at  Hasling- 
den.  142;  for  exhibition,  180:  self- 
plucking,  200;  legs  paralysed,  218; 
colour  of  legs,  218:  marking.  256; 
not  roosting,  314;  licht-coloured,848; 
Combs,  &c..  412;  trimming  vulture- 
hocked,  432;  eharacteriaticB,  494; 
colour  of  eggs,  494 
Breda  fowls,  .54 

Brewers'  grains  for  chickens,  236 
Briars,  planting.  389 
Bridlington  Poultry  Show.  102 
Britrhouse  Poultry  Show,  83 
Brisbane  Botanic  Gardens,  321 
Bristol  and  Clifton  Poultry  Show,  348, 

510 
British  Ferns,  prizes  for,  175 
Broodiness,  subduing,  308 
BryanthuB  ereetus,  78 
Buclrw'heat  for  fowls.  200 
Buddintr,  191:  experiments,  92 
Bude  Haven  Poultry  Show.  67 
Eulb<uis  plants,  wintering  288 
Bulbs,  tiip-dressing  beds.  410 
BullfincheB,  teaching  to  pipe,  70 
Burnley  Poultry  Show,  157 
Bush  fruit  trees,  heavy  crop  from,  284 
Butter  in  sacks,  833 


Garbage- SEED  saving,  66,  91 ;  blight, 
889 

Caladiums,  w^nteri^g,  889 

Calcareous  loam,  230 

Calceolarias— seed  sowing,  47;  seed 
savintr,  99:  cuttings,  409:  cuttings, 
failing,  346;  disease,  878;  culture, 
484 

Califomian  Eden,  75 

Callas.  wintering,  307 

Camellias— value  of,  174  transplant- 
ing and  pottine,  251 ;  list  of,  306  ; 
buds  dropping  327;  repottintr.  425, 
447;  forcing,  504;  for  standards, 
505;  culture, 466 

Campanula— pyramidalis  culture,  368, 
406 ;  isophylla,  441 

Canaries— wintering  and  breeding,  35 ; 
queries  about,  gas  in  their  aviary, 
62,  86;  prolific.  88;  young,  d>'ing, 
106:  laving  soft  eggs,  121;  plucking 
each  other,  142  ;  dying,  142;  rearing 
young,  160,  180;  marked  and  varie- 
gated, 160;  young  and  old  together, 
200 ;  parasites  on,  294  ;  black  legged, 
and  beaked,  294;  groafS  for,  294; 
feathers  bent,  814;  food  for  exhibi- 
tion, 314;  varieties  of,  351;  disorder- 
ed breathing.  351;  asthma  in,  371; 
Norwich  and  Yorkshire,  at  York, 
371 :  Goldfinch  Mule.  892,  493 ;  colour- 
ing ;  breeding  from  weak-eyed,  494  ; 
management,  514 

Canary  aviary,  gas  stove  in,  52 

Carbolic  acid  among  plants,  847 

Carnations—  seedling,  48;  seed-sow- 
ing, 101 ;  pipings  failing,  231 ;  layers, 
potting,  252;  tree,  for  winter,  411 

Caasiope  tetragona.  78 

Cauliflowers,  protecting,  304 

Cedar,  Deodara,  280 

Cedar  of  Lebanon, 280 

Celery— blanching,  183,  249;  culture, 
210.  343 :  Dwarf  ^Vhite  Incompa- 
rable. 229 ;  good  white,  486;  San- 
dringham  White,  602 

Celosia  aurea  pyramidalis  culture, 
419 

Centaurea  candidissiraa  culture.  366 

CentranthuB  macrosiphon  in  a  hot 
season, 97 

Cerastium  tomentoBum,  planting,  194 

Chalk,  ground,  199 

Chamieledon  procumbcns,  78 

Charcoal  making  and  using,  401 


Chelmsford  Poultry  Show,15,  290 
Cherries— for     cxliibition,     66 ;     and 
birds,  72;    Bigarrcau   not  stoning. 
100;    Bigarrcau    apparently    dying, 
138;  miniature  trees,  843;  aa  pyra- 
mids, 425  ;  utocks.  447;  covfering,  505 
Chchhirc  J'.Miitrv  Show,  255 
Chester  I'oiiltrv  Show,  850 
Chieken-fcidiiii,'  fold,  Crook's,  52 
Chickens— hatched  in  June,  30  ;  droop- 
ing   suddenly,    54;     feathering,    70; 
April-hatched, 88;  and  the  weather, 
139 ;  separating  different  breeds,  142 ; 
their  feathers,  IHO 
Chicory  culture,  344 
Chippenham  Poultry  Show,  431 
Chnstchurch  Poultry  Show  (New  Zea- 
land), 291 
ChriBtma8,475 

Chrysanthemums- exhibiting,  347 ;  Ja- 
panese, 368,  498  ;  Salter's.  381 :  losing 
Jeaves,  388 ;  Mr.  Forsyth's,  401 ; 
Temple  Gardens, 402  ;  mildewed,  im- 
perfect, 410;  propagating,  not  quite 
hardy,  411 ;  in  the  orchard  houiie» 
419;  notes  on,  498 
Cider,  sweet,  334 
Cinerarias  —  leaves  curling,  46S,  502 ; 

thrips  on,  446 
Clarke's      inacct-destroying    powder, 

859 
Claw,  loss  of  a  fowl's,  294 
CieaniuK-up,  504 

Clematis— Jackmanni  naked,  252;  not 
flowering,  252;  John  Gould  Veitch, 
44 
Clerodcndron  culture,  326 
Clethra  arborea, 411 
Clifton  Horticultural  Show,  326 
Climbers— for  a  London  garden,  137; 
for  summer  house  under  trees,  138; 
for  W.  and  N.W.  waUs,  175 
Clitheroe  Poultry  Show,  177 
Cliveden,  bedding-out  at,  284 
cioudben-y,  411 

Club  root.  847 ;  in  Cabbages,  327 
Clumps  of  trees,  planting,  446 
Cochiu-China  —  cockerel,    weight  of, 
814;  management  of  Bufl",  3.^2;  hen 
not   laying,  894;    Grouse,  414;  vui- 
ture-hocked,  463;  cock's  comb,  494 
Cockatoo  self-plucked,  18 
Cocki'oaches,  dcstrojing,  368 
Cocoa-nut  sowing,  486 
Coleuses— the    hybrid,   440;    GoldeD 
varieties.  385,    462;    wintering,  346, 
466:  seed  sowing.  505 
Commelina  eailestis,  wintering,  251 
Conifers  for  Queensland,  138 
Conservatory— arranginp,  231  ;  climb- 
era  for,  plants  for  with  Vines,  271 ; 
heating,  426 
Convolvulus  mauritanicus,  146;  in  a 

hot  season, 97 
Cordons  —  training,    154 ;    tightening 
wires  for,   252;    vertical   v.    lateral 
for  Apple  trees,  840 ;  vertical  Plum 
and  Pear  tree,  457 
•'Cottage  Gardeners'  Dictionary  Sup- 
plement," 76 
Cottingham  Poultry  Show,  179 
Couve  tronchuda  cooking,  314,  374 
Covent  Garden  Market,l2, 31,47,  66,81, 
100,  118,  137,  153,  178.  193,  212,  23(J,  251, 
269,  287,  306,  325,  345,  367,  387,  409,  425, 
446,  465,  484,  504  ;  its  measures  and 
weights,  100 
Cow,  feeding  in  winter,  374 
Craven  Poultry  Show,  179, 194 
Creve-Cceurs— White,   36;    points    in, 

256 
Crickets,  destroying,  868 
Cripps's  Nurseries,  Tnnbridge  Wells, 

95 
Crocus  —  seeds,    sowing,    100;   filling 

holders,  232 
Crook  Poultry  Show,  235 
CrvptococcuB  alveans,  311 
Crjstal  Pal  ace  Show,  148 
Cucumber  troubles,  75 
Cucumbers— for  winter,  32,  288:  depth 
of  soil  for  bed,  137;  bitter,  100;   cul- 
ture,  100,  466,  467,496;  soil  for,  154; 
uses  of  house  for,  271;  after  Potatoes, 
846;  good  varieties,  378;  leaves  in- 
jured, 888;  out  of  doors,  411;    ear- 
liest, 447  :  forcing,  488,  486 
CupresBUB    macrocarpa/  protecting, 

446 
Currants— second  crop  of,  284 ;  prun- 
ing, 806,  346  :  a  new  red,  323  ;  Black, 
346  ;  trees,  moss  on,  426 
Custard  Apple  seedlings,  154 


INDEX. 


"  Cat  flowers,  twelve  boncheB,  diatinct 
varietieaj"  what  meant  by,  21S 

Cuttings  of  bedding-out  plants,  287 

Cyoas  revoluta,  75 

CyclamenB  —  propagatine,  1S5;  forc- 
ing, 32fi ;  sou  for,  Zi7 ;  after  flower- 
ing, ilO :  persicura  in  a  cold  pit,  447 

CyperuB  altemifolius  variegatus,  49 


DACTYLIS     GLOIIERATA    rROPAGATION, 

Dahlias,  Belfs.ttc,  82 
Darwinian  theories,  224 
Deflnitii'DS,  155 
Deodar  Cedar,  280 
Derby  Poultry  Show.  232 
Dewsbury  Poultry  Show,  15G 
Diarrhcea  in  fowle,  18 
Digging,  444  ;  in  winter,  8S3 
Dinner-table  decoration,  154 
Dioacorea  batatas  culture,  411 
Dioapyroa  virginiana,  402 
Dogs,  my,  68, 199,  373 
Dorkin;,'  Poultry  Show.  448 
DorkingH,  68  ;   cockerel's  growtb.  35 ; 

rate  of  chickene'  growtb.  67;  exiiibit- 

ing   AVhite,    70;     Silver-Greyn.   70; 

ear-lobes,  291;  one-eyed,  834  ;  \Vhite. 

834;   selecting    a  White    cock,  352; 

uaeful  cross  with,  453 
Dorsetshire,  a  fragment  of,  242 
Doyenne  or  Doyeune?  441 
Drainage  from  cow  house,  446 
Draining.  487 

Driffield  Poultry  Show,  103 
Drigblington  Poultry  Show,  177 
Dublin     ( Royulj      bociety's     Poultry 

Show.  471 
Ducks,  453  ;  diarrhoea  and  ci*amp  in, 

106;  eggs    dark-coloured,    874,   413, 

433,434;  keeping,  412  414;  Mnscovy, 

514 
Durham  Coon  ty  Poultry  Show,  102 


Earth  heat,  3,  837 
East  Sutton  Park,  T 
Ecclesfieid      Agricultural     Society's 

Poultry  Show,  274 
Echeveria      metallica     propagation, 

252;  cultm'e,  S26;    secuuda  culture, 

863 
Eggs— preventbig  soft,  36 :  preserving, 

70 ;  bens  pecking,  124 ;  producers  or, 

894;  s.if  1,494 
EleplianL'a  Foot  culture,  467 
Ellesmere  Poulti'y  Show,  291 
Elm  injured  Iiy  insects,  S28 
Emigration,  a  (ew  words  on,  461 
Endive,  S04 
Entomological    Society's  Meetinff,  7, 

131,  403,  441 
Entry  fees,  253 
Epacrises,  list  of.  306 
Epideudrum  pauieuhitum,  207 
Epipbylluras,  gi-aftiug,  4t;7.  486 
Eriuus  lychnjdea  cctlture,  66 
Escallonia  niacrautha,  261 
Espalier  fniit  trees,  155 
Eston    and   Normauby  Canary  and 

Pigeon  Show,  177 
Eucalypti,  gigantic,  113 
Eucharis  amazonica  not  flowering,307, 

SG8;  dividing  masses  of,  410 
Evaporation  from  the  soil,  checking, 

818 
Evergreens— cutting  down  and. trim- 
ming. 97 ;  propagating.  270 
EvtrlastingB— dr>-Lng,  138;  gathering, 

175 


Faesworth  Poulxrv  Show,  271 
Fasciatiou,  31 

Feathers,  cleaning  white.  494 
Fernery  —site  for  hardy.  82 ;  subBtitute 
for  turf  in,  154  ;  heating,  251;  erect- 
ing, 270  ;  climbers  for,  425 
Ferna— mildewed,  13;    sjTinging,  82; 
insects   on,   231;  drainage  for,  306; 
culture     of,     395,    501;    prizes   for 
British, 402 ;  aome  hardy, 437  ;  fronds 
disfigured,    439,    466;    packing  tree 
for  importation,  447  ;  culture  of  tree, 
mixed  with  dung  lor  hotbeda,  486; 
oulture  of  some,  501 
Ferrets,  management  of,  124. 142,  199 
Feverfew,  propagating  Golden,  194 
Figs  —  flavoui-leaa.  100;   falling.   231; 
JD'Ageu.   284;  culture,  316,  3^6;  pot- 
ting, 346 ;    for  vineiy,  4bJ ;   in  pots, 
426;  pruning,  447 
Filberts— bearing  of,  73 ;  pi-uning,  367 
Fires,  management  of,  12:1 
Fisher,  Holmes.  &  Co.'a  NurBerieB,260 
Florist,  who  is  an  amateur?  270 
Flower  beds,  planting,  90 ;  in  autumn, 
296.  322 ;  borders  during  last   sum- 
mer, 398 ;  digging  borders,  410  ;  gar- 
den, altering,  504 
FlowerlesB  and  dicecioua  plants,  230 
Flowers— darkening  colours  of.  258  ; 
for  cutting,  3s9  ;  popular  namus  of, 
410 
Flue— not  acting,  174;  a  fight  with  n, 

354  :  management  of, 423 
Fowl-fancying,  nieht  aide  of,  347 
Fowls — foreign,  54 ;  plucking  each 
other.  106,  256,  514;  ovt-r  -  fat.  121: 
tiieir  evening  meal,  eating  sheep's 
dung,  230;  black-legged.  311,  848; 
trespassing,    814;    catarrh  in,   3S4; 


Fowls— Continued : 
feeding,  874,  394 ;  management  of, 
374  ;  feeding  Golden-Hpangled  Ham- 
burghs,  374;  promoting  size,  394; 
dunti  as  a  manure,  446 ;  throat, 
noise  in,  474 

Frames,  protection  for,  409 

France,  fruits  from,  82 

Fraudulent  exhibiting,  469 

Frost,  effects  of.  325 

Friiitcrc-rs'  Company,  207 

Emit — crops,  11 :  bow  to  dispose  of, 
111 ;  new  and  notable,  133 ;  gather- 
ing early,  173;  keeping,  19') :  cause 
of  excellence,  226 ;  storing.  2;)0 ; 
cause  of  flavour,  '.'58 ;  gathering  and 
forwarding  out-door,  269 ;  anionnt 
of  heat  required  to  ripen,  801 ; 
weigh!  of,  323:  gi'O'wing  for  market 
at  Little  Sutton,  3%,  459 ;  borders 
for  trffS,  11;  ripening  wood,  89; 
bush,  304  ;  selection  for  walls,  326; 
priming  hardy,  346;  a  large  garden 
of,  376 :  arranging,  387,  411 ;  out  of 
tloors  in  pots,  S8l :  at  Liitle  Sutton, 
3%,  459;  garden  arrangemcnf,  426, 
505 ;  fornear  Manchester,  426 ;  p.vra- 
mid  1'.  bush,  447 ;  planting  miniature, 
479 

"Fruit  Garden,  The  Miniature,"  359 

Fruit  room— constructing.  154;  neces- 
sity of  cleanliness  in,  173 

Fuchsias — new,  6 ;  seed  saving  and 
sowing,  82  ;  training',  100  ;  select, 
119;  unhealthy,  119;  losing  their 
leaves.  1S8:  for  exhibition.  270:  Rio- 
cartoni,  317 :  cuttings.  346 ;  cutting 
down  stragglin;;.  340  ;  coccinea,  881 ; 
watering.  411.485 

Fungi— connected  with  disease,  224; 
leetui'e  on  parasitic,  244;  classifica- 
tion of,  246;  book  about,  864;  on 
tau,  368,879 

Fyide  Poultry  Show,  254 


Galvamsed-iron  wntE,  155;  lor  fniit- 
tree  training.  505 

Game  fowls— preparing  for  exhibition, 
70,  101;  I'eedin;,'  for  exhibition,  83 ; 
not  digesting  their  food,  124 ;  dub- 
bins iind  trimming  stags,  271;  cock's 
leg  broken,  2^4  ;  breeding  Duckwing, 
8'iy;  Cock's  beak  broken,  852.  874: 
breeding  Piles,  390;  Pile  and  Duck- 
wing,  412 ;  characteristics,  467 ; 
cock's  wiug8  drooping,  494 

Gander,  breeding  ago  of,  314 

Gapes  in  chickens,  18 

Garden— airangement,  218;  planting 
a.  328 

Gardeners'  Roysl  Benevolent  Institu- 
tion's anniversary.  6 

Gardeners'  examinations.  45;  re- 
sponsibilities, 99;  troubles,  841 ; 
wages.  S60 

Gardening,  instruction  in,  212 

Gard'^nins  in  the  far  west,  403,  458 

Gas,  heating  by,  465 

Geese,  453;  Chinese,  crossing  Tou- 
louse and  Nortidk,  394 

Gentiana  pyrenaica,  881  ■ 

Geography  for  gardeners,  379 

Gesnera  exonieusis,  240,265 

Giants  of  the  ve«etable  world,  113 

Gishurst  Compound,  447 

Gladioluses-exhibition.  41,  90;  prizes 
for,  45:  M.  Souchet'B.  56,  95;  spawn, 
S06 ;  varieties.  P.07,  369.  496 ;  planting, 
869;  Lady  Alic.- HiU.  381 

Glass  —  Newington'a  screens,  207; 
washing,  424 

Glazing,  366   . 

Gloucestershire  (West)  Poultry  Show, 
235 

Glow-worms,31 

Gloxinias  to  flower  in  June,  326 

Gold  fish-  fungus  on.  474 ;  manage- 
ment, 514 

Goolc  Poultry  Show,  102 

Gooseberries— influence  of  the  hot 
weather  over,  71 ;  exhibition,  78 ;  in- 
fluenced by  the  season,  141;  mis- 
named by  Frenchmen,  828;  moss  on 
trees,  42^ 

"Gooseberry  Grower.^'  Register,"  859 

Goslings,  weight  of.  374 

Gourd  —  culture.  101 ;  the  Mammoth, 
175;  unfruitful.  lyS 

Grafting.  191 ;  blending  Bpeciea  and 
varieties  by,  163 

Grapes— in  Au<niHt,  363;  not  colour- 
in'^'.  155.  288,  4ti5;  cvaclunff,  174;  ex- 
hibiting, 48;  exliibition  of  at  P^oyal 
HortiLultnral  Society,  2S4  ;  in  green- 
houae,  32 ;  keeping,  118, 4lu ;  marked. 
IOI4  out-of-door,  415,  497 ;  packing, 
32 ;  aetting  imperfectly.  13,  26 ; 
shrivelling.  13b;  shanking,  138,  231, 
279,  288,  306;  ispotting,  81.  279  ;  nut 
Bwclliui,',  31  ;■  vagaries,  226;  weight 
of  bunches,  212;  Alicante  (Mere- 
dith's). 212;  Early  Ascot  Frontig- 
nan,260;  Espiran,  4Ij9,  4fi5 :  Golden 
Champion.  208.  'JM ;  iladrestield 
Court  Black,  441 :  Muscat  Ham- 
burgh. 109.  lln ;  Itnjal  Ascot,  4al, 
158;  Kyton  Muscat,  174:  Swect- 
watei-.  keeping,  118;  Trentham 
Black,  389,  417.  4j5 

Grass— u.  gravel,  31 ;  management. 
36S;  verges,  166;  under  a  tree, 
605 


Greenhouse,  plants  to  flower  in  vrinter 
and  spring,  82 ;  erecting  a  small,  154 ; 
heating  a  small.  174,  231,  fi07.  327; 
plants  under  stage,  213;  flue  heat- 
ing, 368 ;  arranging.  604 

"  Greffer,  L'Art  de."  419 

Griffinia  hyacinthina  not  flowering, 
289 

Growth  in  fowls,  progress  of,  S3 

GuiTno  versus  stable  manure,  174 

Gueldrea  fowls,  54 

Giierasev  Lilv  culture,  251 

Guildford  Poultry  Show.  490 

Guinea  fowl  maDa?ement,  162,  215 

Guiseley  Agricultural  Society's  Poul- 
try Show,  274 


Halifax  and  Caldeh  VALE'PotiLTRT 
Snow,  176 

Hamburg  International  Horticultural 
Exhibition,  407 

Hamburgha— crossing  Speckled  with 
Black  Spanish,  cock  roupy,  124 ; 
points  of  Golden  -  pencilled,  142 ; 
Silver-spangled  feathers,  314;  Gold- 
en-pencilled cockerel,  334;  Silver- 
spangled.  414 ;  cockerel  giddy,  494 

Hauum,  118 

Hardenbuiah  church,  170,  171 

Hnrdwicke,  77 

Hardwoorted  plants,  culture.  505 

HartlepNol  Poulti-v-  Show,  194,  23G 

Haslintrden  Poultry  Show,  103 

Hnltbmg,  notes  on,  14 

Hay,  weight  of  a  cubic  yard.  162 

Heaths— list  of,  306:  pottinc,  467 

Heating  a  small  house  within  a  con- 
servatory, 119 

Heat  of  the  season,  68 

Heckmondwike  Poultry  Show,  510 

HeUotrope  seed  sowing.  282 

Hf-n-cock.  394 

Hens— retarding  laying.  36:  flesh 
spotted,  200;  inflm-nce  of  batching. 
2:i6:  broody,  270;  dying  suddenly, 
Itilled  on  railway,  434 ;  prolific,  488 

Hepatica  leaves,  486 

Herbaceous  plants,  three  useful bardy, 
128 

Hcssle  Poultry  Show,  139 

Iletton  Poultry  Show.  140 

Hippopbue  rhamnoides.  2S8 

Hollyhock— culture,  125  ;  seed,  sowing, 
154  ;  improvers  of,  183,  221,  240,  258  ; 
winterini?,  252 

Hooker's  (Dr.)  address  to  the  British 
Association,  189 

Hops— bines  as  a  textile  material,  207; 
acres  of  in  Great  Britain,  238 

Hornet's  nest,  destroying,  162 

Horse-chestnuts  for  cows,  884 

Horslorth  Exhibition  schedule,  153 

"Horticultural  liuildiuire."?? 

Horticullnr^il  Concress,  4S'i 

Horticultm-al  (Roval)  Society,  Com- 
mittee Meetings,  22,  94,  130, 168,  205, 
262.  300,  382,  4G0  :  Exhibitions.  4,  at 
Leicester,  57.  edible  Fungi,  189,  262, 
out-ol-door  Grapes.  284,  in  1869.  115, 
857;  ChiBwiek  Garden,  26.  orchard 
house.  172  ;  Council.  78,  97  ;  experi- 
ments on  herbage,  94;  freo  day,  133, 
172 ;  gardeners'  examinations,  20, 
188 :  Pea  and  Potato  trials,  22 ; 
Seed  Adulteration  Committee,  281 

Hospital  horticulture,  264 

Hotbeds,  leaves  and  dime  for,  445 

Hot  water  in  trough s,  347 

Houdans,  IS.  52,  67.  214,  289.  852; 
chickens,  colour,  of  36;  points  in, 
200;  and  Hambursbs  as  layers,  414 

H'lya  caniosa  culture.  327 

Hunslet  Poultry  Show,  158 

Hurst,  Mr.  William.  504 

Hyacinths — prizes  for  at  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Societv's  show  in  1869, 115; 
for  exhibition,  144 ;  in  pot^,  328,  462 ; 
soil  for,  328 

Hyde,  The,  3 

Hydrangeas,  hardy,  447 

H\'pocaust  heating  at  Leeds  Castle, 
226 


Ice  plakt  —  iiANAGEMENT ;  propaga- 
tion, 327 

Xlchester,  the  JEonrth  Earl  a  lover  of 
plants.  243 

Indiarubber  tree,  cutting  down,  82 

Insects— and  weeds,  21:  destroying, 
72 ;  luminous.  359 

Ipoma-a  hederieftjlia,  13 

Ipswich  Poultry  Show,  349,  370 

Iresine  Lindeni,  114 

Irish  Royal  Agi'icultural  Society's 
Poultry  Show,  180 

I vv— propagating,  32,  SOS;  on  trees 
466 


jACKiiiN  &  Son's  Nurseht,  188 

Jasmine  propatjation,  213 

Jasminum  granditiorom  flowerB  fall- 
ing, 425 

Jer-sev  —  fragments,  202;  Autumnal 
Fruit  Show,  801 ;  for  winter,  883 ;  ve- 
getables in,  3s4;  its  live  stuck,  433, 
5l:( :  Poultry  Show,  5iO 

.Tohnstone  Poultry  stow,  481 

July,  plants  flowi-riup  in.  Ill 

June,  plants  flowering  m,  41 

Justicia  speciQ£U  mildewed,  270 


Kale,  TBtJB  Scotch,  356 
Kalosanthes,  watering,  485 
Keighley  Poultry  Show,  351 
Kettering  Poultry  Show,  120 
Keynes's  nurseries,  128 
Kidney  Beans,  210;  culture  of,  47,  844 

forcing.  4uS 
Kilmarnock  Poultry  Show,  449 
Kimpton  Hoc,  3 
Knareaborough  Poultry  Show,  197 


LaBP.LS— GARDEN,  498 

Labourers'  condition,  how  to  improve 
475 

Ladder  for  fruit-fathering,  26 

La  Fleche,  cock's  comb,  124;  cock 
characteristics,  352 

Lapageria  rosea  from  seed,  49 ;  prun- 
ing, 426 

Larch  trees,  barking,  138 

Lasiandra  macrantba,  207 

Laurels,  propagating,  28S 

La^vns — Dutch  Clover  i;.  grass  for, 
167;  Dutch  Clover  for.  183:  weedy, 
327;  disfigured  by  trampling,  388; 
m.tnagement,  464 

Leaf-collectin^',  408 

Leather  refuse  for  Vines.  154 

Leavenworthia  aurea,  207 

Leeds  Horticultural  Show,  187 

Leeds  Poultrv  Show,  48R.  471 

Leigh  Poidtry  Show.  254 

Leighton  Buzzard  Show.  469 

Lettuces,  304  ;  culture,  344 

Leueadendron  argentenm  sowing,  289 

Lever,  handy  and  powerful,  78 

Liliums- auratum,  fine,  116,  compost 
tor,  174,  sowinji  seed,  271,  rubrum 
vittatum,  28,  62,  etem  broken  otT.  82 ; 
giganteuni.  potting,  289;  lancifoli- 
um,  exhibiting,  100.  ite  treatment 
after  flowering.  137,  culture,  252. 
potting  307  :  tigi-inum  splendeus,  204 

Lily  of  the  Valley  forc:ng,  408 

Lime  and  leaves,  ?47 

Linaria  oriLianifoiia  orii8SifoUa.264 

Lindley  Library,  gift  to,  133 ;  Queen's 
gift  to,  406;  Library,  works  in  de- 
fective, 462 

Litter,  securing,  365 

Liverpool — improvements.  42 ;  Winter 
Show,  420  :  Poultry  ^how.  488 

Llandudno  Childi'cn's  l-loral  Society, 
340 

Loam,  447 ;  defined,  82 

Lobelias,  new,  6 

Long  Sutton  PotUtry  Show,  0",  '-■••yj 

Longtown  Poultry  Show,  4611 

Lucerne  culture,  a06 

Luton  Hoo.2 

Lowestoft  Poultry  Show,  490 

Lychnis  Lagascfe,  441 


Magnolias,  propagating,  252, 288 

Mahaleb  Cherry  stock,  425 

Maiden  fmit  tree,  328 

Malays,  exhibiting,  70 

Manchester  Botanical  and  Horticiil- 
cuitural  Show,  185  -  • 

Manchester  Poultrv  Show,  prize  1^ 
214,232:    Show.  25fi,  273,  503  '  ' 

Manley  Hall.  335,  457  '     ^     • 

Manures,  what  constitutes,  409 

Manuring,  386 

Market  gardening  about  London  and 
Paris,  315,  375,  436 

Masdevallia  Veitcliiana,  SSI 

Matched  fowls  in  a  pen.  414 

Mealy  bug— on  Cucumber  plants,  100 ; 
destroyinpr,  486 

Medlars,  25:i ;  presening,  326 

Meigle  Poultry  Show,  158 

Melons  —  imprepnating  flowers.  12 ; 
training,  13;  seed  ck-aneing_,  31: 
plants,  habit  of  gro^^'th.  68;  frmt  not- 
setting,  66;  thrips  on,  82;  growing 
in  ground  \'ineries.  127;  seed  germi- 
natmg  in  the  fruit,  194 ;  seed  pilfered 
at  shows,  213;  .seed,  spurious,  839; 
good  varieties,  378 ;  Golden  Quean, 
;s80,  425  :  for  June,  425 

Meteorological  en'ors,  244 

Meteorology.  31 

Middleton  Poultry  Show,  284 

Mignonette  —  cutting  back,  109;  for 
winter  flowering,  118 

Mimulus  tricolor,  328 

Mice,  trapping,  6ul 

Mistletoe  sowing,  S3 

Moles,  345 

Monizia  edulis,  114 

Morley  Poultry  Show,  233 

Moss,  to  dye  green,  38 

Mote,  The,  810 

Moulting— food  during,  200,  219;  treat- 
ment during.  2^6 

"MouvemenlHorticole  de  1367," 420 

Mulchmg,  80.  447 

Musa  Cavendishii,  308 

Mushrooms  —  after    Cucumbers,    S3; 
failing  in  hot  weather, 76:  not  swell- 
ing, 101 ;  in  the  fields,  l.'i4 ;  preserv- 
ing for   winter   use.  Iho,  218;   bed 
making,  212;    culture,    S17,  yi4,   41ft, 
440,  445,  502;  on   a   grass  plat,  S07 ; 
under  a  summer  house,  846;  spawn- 
ing beds,  38y 
Myrica  Nagi,  206 
Myrinpbyllum  verticillatam,  1E4 
Slyrtles  pot-bound,  '^12 
Mysore  Agri-Horticultnral  Society,  338 


NiNoiiEB  Mmrs-K,  114 
Nasi'iiiii  imiu'tfttn,  44 
"Naiuniliurt*  Nolo  Hook,"  (112 
Nectiiriii.-    11.  w.  ia3.  ICft;  AlliortVictor, 

IIW,  '^IW;    littt  of  itnil    cnllurL'.   201  ; 

gT<)wuii;.  "'► ;  liiiviH  unhciilthy, 2»8 
Newnmrket  roiiUry  Show,  33 
Newport  Poultry  Show.  473 
Now  ZfidBDd  Biirliiu'fioworB,  261 
NkTcm^orjria  jrrafilis  cuUiirc,  198 
Nortlmllertoii  l'..uUry  Shnw,'2S4 
North  Brititth  Colnmbarian  Society's 

Show.  85.  470 
North  Oniubhv  Canary  Show.  35n 
North  limb  crhmd  OmitholoKical  Show. 

41» 
Northwicb  OooFf^bcrry  Show,  73 
NoUcL-  to  quit,  ai-i  .      ,     .„ 

November,  plants  flowertng  in,  4S8 


Oakham  Pnrr.Tnv  Show,  480,  448,  SO? 
Oula— kTouuil.  for    poultry,  lUG,   474; 

crushfd.  for  fowls,  414 
Otrtohcr.  plants  l.lonininff  in,  839 
Oilonlok'loNsuio  coDBtriotum.  264 
Okefonl  Fitzpoiiu^  lu  the  autui<ni,244 
OkUiitiu  r.'ultry  Show,  195 
OU-a  fratfraiiB  calf  uio,  282  ^_      , 

Olcnmiors  —  cuttint.'-in,  13;  trontinen* 
after  llowcriDK.  4't;  cnltiim'  hack,  49, 
174;  llowcriiig  twice.  100;  culturo, 
218,  417 ;  Bcale  on.  411 ;  not  flower- 
ing. 42ti 
Ouciciinm  —  Miirshallianuni,  114 ;  ma- 

craiithiini.lll 
OuiiiD,  cuimrt-  of  Potnto,  486 
Oranut!   tree-management,  137,   270; 
repottin-r,'.  WiT ;    scale  on,    3G8,    880; 
leaves  siioHid.Shit:  Tanfricrme.40tJ ; 
pninmtr.  410;  culture  iu  Florida,  4-21 
Orchard  house3-work  in  11, '2S7  ;  con-  | 
structiDK.  Si.  828;  culture,  109:  snc-  ; 
ccsbfiil.  i:'.2  ;  trees.  259,  iiSS  :    railway 
for,  204;  plantinjT  trees.  212;  during 
the     past     Rummer,    166;   Messrs. 
Rivers'.    160 ;     converting    into    a 
pround  ^inrry,  174;  trees   in  pots. 
S6fl;  arranfieuient.  505 
Orchard,  noies  on  a  Kentish,  164 
Orchids,  list  of  hardy  exotic,  49 
Omameutal-foliaged    plants    in   au- 
tumn. S3  5 
Onndie  Poultry  Show,  SI 
OutinfT.  A  lew  hours',  2 
Oven,  Shrewbbnrj's portable  gas,  275 


P.r.OXIA  F.SIODI,  44 

Palms,  and  their  culture,  115;   tlicir 

cost,  127. 174  :  for  rooms.  166. 223    , 

Pansies— for  June  floweiing,  IS;  bst 

of.  sy,  154 ;  plantjig,  153;   cuttings, 

486  • 

Paraffin  oil,  for  mealy  bug,  846;  on 

fruit  buds.8S8 
P.irrolia  persica.  441 
Parrots,  106:  sell-plucked,  474 
I'iirtrifij^es,  rearing  young,  218 
Passitlora  cUicinnata,  Sbl 
Pasi-ion-fio%\ers.  keeping  open,  137 
Paxton  memorial.  6,  24 
•■  Paxton's  Botanical  Dictionary,"  63 
Peaches— culture.  18',  201.  220,  206, 239, 
801,  404,  442  ;  early,  28, 145  :  of  186-8. 
3711;  flavourless.  IDO,  if.4;  loreing  to 
fruit  in  May,  288;  fruit  tailing,  327, 
410 :  glands  of  leaves.  410 ;  glazing 
wall.  231:  graftinr.  207,  212;  house 
heating,  81:    for  jmi?^,  425;  leaves 
falling,  327;  mildewtd,  32.100;  new, 
2ft,  114,  133,  169;   in  pots.  194,  212; 
pruning  «ud   training,  266,  301.  404, 
426,442;  as  standards,  154;  unfruit- 
ful, 100,  807  :  protecting  from  wasps, 
119;  winter  dressinji,  306;  wire  for. 
411:   wau-rint,'.  11«.  194:  Alexandra 
or  Alexandra  Noblesse.  171:  Exqui- 
Bite,    172;    Nectarine,  208;   Saiway, 
S26;  Susquehanna,  172,207 
"  Pcach-nruner,  The  Moaera,"  155 
Pea  fowls,  distinguishing  sex  of,  374 
Pearce.  Mr.  R..  Ib4 

PearH— branch  split.  425;  as  bushes 
and  cor't<'«B.  416:  partly  dead, 
466;  in  D(Von.48(J;  harsh-flavoured, 
288;  fungus  on  leaves.  212:  leaves 
bhghtcd,  I'jj;  mealy,  82S;  mildewed 
orchard  bouse,  270 :  preservind, 
384;  pyramid,  2S9,  306,  416,  466; 
Btorinp,  194.410;  for  walls,  239, 317  ; 
Anairal,  114;  Ananas.  114;  Beurre 
du  Cercle.  324 ;  Beurre  Claireeau, 
324;  Charles  Van  Mons,  247;  Deux 
SoeuTB,  234 ;  Doyenne  Bonssoch, 
208 ;  Doyenne  du  Cornice.  406 ;  Little 
Muscat,  2iil ;  Madame  Treyve,  227 ; 
Summer  Beurre  d'Aremberg,  171 
Pearson's  Nurseries  at  Chilwell,  109 
Peas— trial  of  at  Chiswick.  22:  in  hot 
dry  seasons.  32;  stoppin?.  183;  dwarf. 
306;  keeping  mice  from,  410;  height 
and  Bucccsbion  of.  426 :  as  poultry 
food.  514 ;  DickBon's  First  and  Best, 
The  Prince.  2C4 
Peat  charcoal.  251 

PehtrL'oninms— compost  for,  119;  cut- 
tine?.  174, 193,  306,  846;  double  whito 
flfid  yellow.  231;  leaves  curled,  193  ; 
seed,  ripeness  of,  31,  sowing,  306; 
86lf  sown.  SOI:  seenling  manaee- 
mcnt,  193, 446    unhealthy,  119 ;  water- 


PFLAnnoxirMB— Continued ; 
int.',  411 ;  wintering,  467  :  for  winter 
hloominfi.      485.      Bedding,     4;      at 
Camden  Lod^e.  921 ;  i-H-iniateR  and 
selections  of,   lOH,    143,  182,  2i'5.  927, 
437;  in  a  hotseafiou.'Jl ;    and  froKt, 
316;    potting,    198;    wintering,    252, 
:i<'7,  825,  467.     Fancv,   French,    and 
Show,  108. 119,  15:..  C.uM  and  Bronze, 
212,321;  points  of,  127.  821,  ^.IH.  Ciold- 
edged.   322.     Silver-edged     290.    h22. 
835.    Tricolor.    296,    335 ;     brealiiiic, 
281;  cut  down.  806:  exhibiting,  i:4  ; 
freiikH.  307;   removing  flowerw,  -iHe. 
Varienated.  Idri :  compost    for,    213. 
447  ;    proi)ak'ating.    227  :     winterinc, 
806.     Zonal,  4;  What    are?    39,   s-2; 
select.  108,  143, 182.  295,  327,  437  ;  pot^ 
ting,  193,8(17.327 
Pen  of  fowlfl,  what  is  a  ?  200 
Peristeronic  Societv.  National,  811 
PorMinimon  tree.  402 
Peterhorouirh  Poultry  Show.  51 
'*  Peter  Parley's  Annual,"  4r»8 
Petersburg    Intern  a  t  ional     Horticul- 
tural Exhibition,  482 
Pettmias— new,  C;  appcarinff  tmsown, 

857 
PharhitiH  nil,  vor.  limbata,  44 
Phaseolus  eiiritcalla  culture,  252 
Pheasants-Silver.  36;  Golden,  roupy, 

142;  Golden,  on  la\vn,  200 
Phloxes  raising  from  seed,  271 
Physiauthus   albens    ripening    fruit, 

251 
Phytolacca     decandra,    807;    out   of 

doors,  247. 206 
Picotee  pipings  failintT.  231 
Pigeons-at  Birmingham  Show,  450  ; 
liisqualifled  at  Birmingham,  478; 
buying  unseen,  434;  canker  in,  103, 
452  ;  diseased.  374  ;  exhibitors'  arti- 
fices. 451 ;  and  Judges.  318  ;  fanciers' 
Societies.  311 ;  absence  of  feathers. 
162;  food  for,  452:  flvinK  match,  6S: 
beat  for,  452;  homing.  314;  jndfrmg, 
KM.  121,  158, 197,  235,  348  ;  at  Birming- 
ham. 474  ;  lost  at  a  Show.  414  ;  place 
for  keeping,  474;  manatrement,  fa; 
at  Newcastle-on-T>Tie  Show,  422 ; 
notes  on.  292;  in  the  olden  tinie, 
203;  showing  pairs,  215;  a  pair  of, 
256;  peas  for,  514;  prizes  for,  34S; 
roupy,  256;  sitting  in  wintf-r.  514; 
yearl"ing,  510;  varieties,  remarkson, 
121:  Antwerps,  16.  52.  84,  197,  235; 
their  poinU  and  tramintr.  140  :  Bah'- 
heads  and  Beards,  874,  432 :  Can-iers 
not  hatching,  "0  ;  Dragoons.  16,  52, 
84,  152.  197:  Fancy,  notes  on,  422; 
Jacobins'  eyes,  142 ;  Knnts,  keeping, 
276  ;  Tumblers.  891,  474.492,  in  gene- 
ral, 330 :  Turbit  characteristics,  434 
Pine  Apple— culture.  175.  289 ;  a  large 
Cayenne,  343  ;  pit  for,  212  ;  for  frmt- 
ing,  pit  and  Cucumber  house  com- 
bined, 138 
Pink— pipings   failing,   231;    autumn- 

flowerine  white,  242 
Pipes,  joints    of    hot-water   leaking, 

505 
Pits,  turf— 4S,  137  :  flue-heated  for  bed- 
ding   plants,    119;    cold,    237;     for 
plants,  271 :  heatintr,  271 ;  earth,  286 
Plan  disquaUfied,  212 
Plane  tree,  plants  under,  486 
Pantations  f<  r  ornament  ani  shelter, 

307 
Plant  houses,  constructing  economic- 

ally,  208 
Planting.  250,364.  366;  early,  H 
Plantsof  prey.l 

Plants— growing  when  inverted.  137 ; 
given  by  Government,    247 ;  select 
lists.  388 
Plalyloma  flcxnosum.  888 
i  Pleroma  macranthum,  114 
j  Plums,  184;  standard,  for  dinner-fable 
decoration,  154;   Kentish    orchard. 
'      164;  a    new,   171;   imfruiifnl,    S07 ; 
I      Cherrv,  296,   860:    Late    Bluek    Or- 
leans,* 301;  the  Mirabelle,  359;  San- 
dalls,  247 
Plymouth  Poultry  Show,  490 
Poinsettiapulcberrima,  leaves  falling, 

827 ;  poisonous,  479 
Polands  —  white-created  Black  cock, 
88:  cockerel  with  crooked  tail,  142; 
plucking  each  other,  494 
Pomegranates.  301:   ripeninir  unpro- 
tected, 243  :  ripening  on  a  standard, 
861 ;  in  the  open  air,  479 
Pomological  gleanings.  171,   190,  207, 

247,  301.  323,  e42.  360,  405,  441,  479 
Pomoloidcal    Society,    rules    of    the 

American.  205:  American,  248 
Pontefract  Poultry  Show,  84 
Portulaca  Thellu8oni.l27 
Postage  stamps,  paying  wiih.  272 
Potatoes- trial    of    at    Chiswick,    22; 
Veitch's  Early  A.shleaf.  48;  snpertn- 
^  boratint:,  estimate  of  varieties,  74, 
239:  disease,   115:    culture    of,    146; 
acres  of  in  Great  Britain.  288;  super- 
tuberating,  \i20:  crop,  saving  seed, 
257,  268  ;  two  crops  of,  824  ;  at  Wood- 
stock Show,  225 :  for  early  crops,  466 
Potted  plants,  treatment,  466 
Poultry  Club.  236 

Poultry— prolit able,  32;  culture, -facts 
coneeming,  49 ;  for  table  and  laying, 
70;  for  u Be,  88;  judges,  162,  389; 
judging,  253;  co&t  of  food,  256;  tres- 


Poi'LTiiY— Continued : 
passing,  276;  at  the  yeor*8  decline. 
289;  diseased,  29^1;  commencing  to 
keep,  294;  .at  the  approaeh  of 
winter,  3fl8  ;  fancier's  sonftWB.  30H; 
show  detailH.  :^2!^.  370,  448  ;  market  in 
Kdward  I.'rt  reign,  848  ;  show  frauds, 
869:  secretary  exhibiting,  389  ;  show 
management,'  412;  food,  468;  on  a 
farm,  i^-i ;  fntteninfc'.  514 

Prr-btoe.  Mr,,  death  of.  885 

Primulas— Knibrt  dtstrojing,  281 ;  fari- 
uosa  in  border.  251 

Prionium  Palniita,  114 

Privet,  propayatint:,  288 

Prizes,  awarded   withheld,  187;  post- 
in  c  lists  of  awarded,  102, 120 

Protector  for  tree,  501 

PrunuH  mvrohalana,  29G 

Pulleiiie,  Rev.  R..  death  of,  40C 

Puya  Whytei,  201 

Pyrethruui,  propagating  Golden,  194, 
410 


QtnXCES,  252  J  THE  POETUGAL,  82 


Rabbits  —  i.EKOTtiE^fiNO  eaus,  200 ; 
diseases,  294;  Eel^ian,  414;  attack- 
ing Firs,  466;  lop-eared,  a  cannibal 
doe.494  ;  judginir  at  Leeds,  keeping 
not  in  hutches,  512 

Rain,  absfnce  ot,  33 

Ranunculuses —  not  sncceeding,  346; 
protecting,  447 

EaphanuB  caudatus,  cooking,  138 

Raspbemes— planting'.  174,  213,  347 ; 
Belle  de  Fontenay,  299 ;  digging  be- 
tween. 410 ;  pruning.  446 

Rating  garden  stnicturee,  82 

Rats— in  gardens,  destroying,  297;  in 
Pigeon  house.  514 

Red  spider— en  Vines,  C6.  100;  on 
Peach,  Pear,  and  Apple  trees,  C6 ; 
on  Plum  trees,  100;  destroying,  193 

Rendle's  tank  heating,  231 

Rhipidopteris  peltata  culture,  12 

Rhododendrons— select,  112,  213;  cul- 
ture, 150;  budding.  191;  injured  by 
193 ;  for  a  town  garden,  after  forcing' 
388;  grafting,  407 

Rhubarb  forcinc,  232,  445 

Ricinus  seeds,  307 

Ridging,  44* 

Ringing  to  induce  roots,  479 

Rivers'  Nui'series,  Sawbridgeworth, 
169, 240 

Rochea  falcata  not  flowering.  270 

Rockwork  arch,  jilants  for,  12 

Bollisson  &  Sons'  Nursery,  480 

Rooks  and  crows.  403 

Root-pruninc,229.  305,  422 

Rope,  to  make  pliable,  834 

Rose  lore,  397 

Roses— at  Birmingham  show,  23 ; 
budding,  48,  92,  387 ;  influence  of 
charcoal  on  colour;  119;  forming  a 
collection,  137  :  compost  for  potted, 
48;  culture,  325.  367,  484;  cuttings, 
48,  288,  410  ;  sadden  decay,  368  ;  for 
exhibition,  346:  forcing  in  cold  pits, 
288:  fungi,  460;  galvanised  wire 
arches  for,  138;  gross  shoots,  466; 
wrubs  466;  at  Jlr.  Keynes's  nursery, 
11*8:  for  London,  137;  manures  for, 
119.  270,  327.  446;  for  market,  2.'d  ; 
merits  of,  78. 119,  327  ;  mildew,  154, 
806:  mulching.  410:  new,  110,  127, 
151,  227,  278 ;  notes  on,  92 ;  at  Oke- 
ford  Fitzpaine.  Ill;  over  luxuriant, 
81;  paleness.  CH;  pegging  down,  12, 
288.326;  preparing  ground  for,  425; 
planting.  327;  in  pots.  48,  213,  425, 
426;  protecting,  368.  466:  prunine, 
466:  in  unfavourable  soil  and  cli- 
mate. 219;  removing,  174,  193,368; 
at  Salisbury.  Ill ;  seed  and  seed- 
hngs,  499;  prospects  of,  438;  sow- 
ing, 828;  select.  48,  66,  101,  288,316, 
326,  409,  425;  shoots,  368;  soil  for, 
137  ;  stocks,  2, 119,  145.  388.  446  ;  Ma- 
nelti,  48,  155, 174, 193,  213,  270 ;  black 
spot  on  leaves.  19 ;  on  east  wall, 
367;  Alfred  Colomb,  298;  Blairii 
No.  2  not  flowering,  138 :  old  Cab- 
bage. 86S;  Cai-dinal  Patrizzi.  81 ; 
climbing,  174.252;  Gioire  de  Dijon 
culture,  138,  270;  Hybrid  Perpetual, 
dark  and  pink,  81;  white.  17 J;  La 
France.  114;  MadameAlice  Durean. 
261:  Madame  FiUion,  280;  Marechal 
Niel,  138,  155,  2.38,291;  Narcibse  cul- 
tnre,  138;  Reine  du  Portngal,  181; 
yellow,  66;  leaves  dj-ing,  367 

Rotation  of  crops,  444 

Roup,  814 


SACCOLABrUM  AMPCLLACECM  EOSECM, 
44 

Safl'ron  Finch,  what  is  it?  142 
Saco  Palm,  75 

Salvia  argentea  seed  sowing,  101 
Sanchezia  nobilia  variegata,  soil  for, 

467 
Sarcocaalon  Bumianni.  207 
Scale,  plants  infested  with  white,  4.s6 
Scarlet  Runners,  storing  roots  v.  seed 

sowing.  175 
Seaford  Grange,  376 
Sea-kale— manure  for,  planting,  198 ; 

forcing,  408.  445 


Benson— the,  In  Korf-Ik,  76;  cn- 
coiinteriiiK  its  dryne«H, 'jP  ;  leKgf.nK 
from  the  paht.  191 ;  mildio-N  ..'.  49i 

Sedum  califomicuni  prtipat-aM.  n,  62 
Seeds  —  failing,  64  ;    adult^rrauon    of, 
281,  824 ;  of  trees,  sowing,  503 

S-fUm  P.irk,  42 

September,  plants  in  flower  In,  282 

Shading  bv  whitening  the^'lasB.  81 

Shelheld  Colnmbarian  Society's  Show, 
370 

Shepton  Mallet  Show  fchodnle,  155 

Shrubbery,  ir.-es,  Ac,  f<.r.  HW 

Shrubs— omaiiiental  mid  ll'iv.ering, 
96,112,150;  tranhphuiled  lat/  in  the 
season.  108;  tor  a  town  garden,  271 ; 
arrangingfand  planting,  881',  489; 
as  standards,  435 

Silkworms— cocoons,  18 ;  rearing  In 
Kngland,  .''.8,87, 123 

Skipton  Poultry  Show,  179 

SluvH.  excluding,  488 

Snaith  Poultry  Show,  84 

Soil,  culture  of  cohl  stiff,  883 

Solanum  capsicaHtrnm.  447 

Southampton  I''iultr>  Show,  891 

Southporl  PcKiltrv  Show,  195 

Spalding  Poultry  Show,  10 

Spanish  fowls— weitrht.  18;  crossing 
Black,  124:  and  Minorcas,  White, 
200 ;  cock  blind,  2SG 

Spirrea  palmata.  206 

Spring,  flowers,  477;  gardening,  notes 
on.  It) 

Staehys  lanata  propagation,  327 

Statice,  Holfordi,  propagating,  40 : 
latifolia,  126 

Staveley  Poultry  Show,  14,  8C,  67, 
290 

Steam  condensed  in  a  vinerj'j  81 

StcphaiioUs  floribimda  in  u  warm 
greenhouse,  66 

Stirring  the  soil  deeply,  C5 

Stocks— cultare  of,  41;  sowing  for 
spring  flowering,  118;  transplanting, 
889;  Intermediate,  culture,  32C 

Stocks— for  pome  fruits,  447 ;  lor  graft- 
ing, planting.  505 

StocKwood  Park,  2 

Stoke  Newington  Chrysanthemum 
Show.  S57 

Stoke-on-Trent  Poultry*  Show,  214 

Stonehouse  Poultry  Show,  15 

Stove— heating  a  small,  101;  flucless, 
194 

Stii\vmarket  Poultry  Show,  ."il 

Strawberries— for  light  soil,  12:  an'!" 
culture,  37, 154, 175  ;    list  for  ^lU'r-- 
sion.  48:  notes  on  various,  5*">:    f  r 
show.  6G;    beds,  old.  32;    Tdat.tir.j.-, 
K-O;   rambles  m  England,  107 ;  cul- 
ture at  Okeford  Fitzpaine.  Ill :  torn- 
ing,  126.  i:'.7,  11:2,  2SS.  3C:..  ^^■^4  :  form- 
ing beds.   174:  potting,  211:  ir.'i'r:;-- 
ing  witli  seaweed,  2r,2 ;    f'^jr. 
cold  pits,  288;  too  deeply  t 
280:  Cockscomb,  155.   174,    :  it  :  1 
do  MalakofT,  96,  166.  204;  Du!:c   vi 
Edinhnrgh.  107;  Early  Prolific.  K7; 
I       Frogmore    Late    Pine.    4*^;    SuU;'.!;, 
107  ;  William  James  Nicholson,  107 
i  Subtropical   Hardening,  357;    in    the 
!       north,  398,  408 

Sulphur,  .ipplj-ing  to  Vines,  S46 

Suluhuring  hot-water  pipes.  400 
,  Summer— effeet 3     this   year,   $'22 ;  rty 
suits  of  tlie  past,  342  ;  consequences 
of  last,  438 

Summers  of  ia^5  and  l&CS,  413 
!    Sunday  work.  129.  231 

Sunderland  Bird  >how,  492 
Sunderland   Working  Men's  PonUry 
Show,  510 

Sunflower  seed  saving,  82 

Surface-stirrinc,  152 

Sweeping  the  floor,  S34 

Sweet  ■Williams,  transplanting,  389 


Tacsotha  Vax-Volsbmt,  PRr?tTNr.  174 ; 

not  flowering,  231 ;  bmls  failing,  252 ; 

mollissima  not  flowering,  485 
Tails  of  fowls  awry.  494 
Tan  hotbed,  making,  12 
T.ank  heating.  389 
Tea  plant  management,  81 
Thinning,  10 

Thistles,  cutting  down,  45 
Thuiiidou,  Mr.  D.,  284;  preseniat.on 

to. 358 
Thorns  dying  after  budding,  2S8 
Thripa  ori  Cinerarias,  101 
Tobacco  —  powder,  32;    effects,  11; 

growing,  101;  dr>ing, 213' 
Tomatoeft— in  a  greenhouse.  CC;  cul- 
ture,  165,  206,  271;  proservhig,  218: 

jam,    236;    Common    Red.   -JTO:  The 

Orangefield,  200,  270;  the  TtVher:k- 

berrj\  205 
Trachelium  crcnilemn,  128 
Training  wall  trees,  4;il 
Transplanting  trees,  464;   time   for, 

213 
Tredegar  Poultry  Show,  330, 473 
Trees— overshado\\Tng  a  neighhoar's 

garden.  230;  right  lo  remove,  270, 

306;  in  pots.  447 
Trenching,  3S6.  444 
Triehomanes  radicans  culture,  4SC 
Trimming,   poultry,   412;   and    other 

artifices  at  shows,  487.  4S8;    (o-rI.; 

for  exhibition,  protest  rtsahst,  UH, 

508 


rUl 


INDBX, 


Tropffiolum  JaiTatti  grandiflorum  for 

window,  252 
Troubles,  masters',  fG4 
Trowbvidffe  Show  schedule,  ISS 
Truffle -hunting,  f!C4 
Tumour  ill  lowrs  eye,  514 
Turfing.  409 
Turf  management,  494 
Turkeys— Buffeiing  from  cold,  124;  for 

cooldng.  41^:4 
Turnips,  storing,  446 
Tjdaea  cultui'e,  347 


TJlvekston  Pocltbt  Snow,  178 
Umbrella  Pine,  411 
Uttoxeter  Poultry  Show,  173 


Vallota  pubptteea,  cri-TUKE.  13 ; 
not  flowering,  307 :  dividing,  410 

Vases,  plants  for.  213 

Vegetable  s.  what  a  gardener  is  allowed 
to  take.  U"IJ 

Vegetable  Marrows  after  Potatoes,  S4C 

Ventilating,  446 

Verbenas  —  species  v.  varieties,  55 : 
venosa,  wintering.  194;  seed  sowing, 
232;  cuttings,  269 

Veronicas,  hardy,  447 

Vilmorin,  Madame  Eliza,  134 

Vinery— covering' back  wall,  ISfi;  erect- 
ing. 82.  251 ;  flue  constructing,  307  ; 
heating  by  a  stove,  3S8 ;  potting- 
shed  converted  into,  174;  glazed 
cylinder,  326 ;  ground,  growing 
Melons  in,  127.  planting,  271 


Vines— stripping  bark  from,  426;  bor- 
ders asphalting,  368,  watering,  425. 
inside.  322,  outside,  426;  compost 
lor,  175;  planting  cool  hou«e,  411; 
consei-vatory,  81 ;  cut  back  not  start- 
ing, 48;  twenty  years  on  the  exten- 
sion system,  317;  from  eyes,  194; 
flowering.  252  ;  forcing  Black  Ham- 
burgh, 389;  forced  too  much,  425; 
fmiling  canes,  486  :  fruit  on,  828; 
for  fiTiiting  in  May,  2aS;  glass  en- 
closure for,  447 ;  grafting  to  bear 
the  same  season,  447 ;  in  ^een- 
house.  307.  505;  in  ground  vinery, 
271 ;  inarching,  252,  347 ;  layering, 
ir.4;  leaves  falling,  410.  shading 
Grapes,  101,  removing,  306,  warted, 
388;  management,  routine,  12;  what 
to  do  and  avoid  in,  353  ;  manuring, 
389,  410;  mealy  hug  on,  411 :  mildew, 
82,  112;  one-year-old  produce.  360; 
in  orchard  house,  307  ;  nut  of  doors, 
13.  252,  446,  459;  planting.  271,  411, 
4S5;  in  pots.  Black  Haniburghs,  342, 
planting  out  from,  440,  4GC,  top- 
dressing,  346;  pruning,  137,  194,  425, 
'147,  486;  red  spider  on,  138;  root 
pruning.  146;  roots  diseased,  252; 
scale  oil,  188;  soil  for,  328;  stem  re- 
moving, 252;  stopping,  12;  thrips 
on,  410;  top-dressing,  316,  426;  train- 
ing, 81,  82.410,446;  unfruitful,  252, 
347  ;  watering,  425;  winter  dressing, 
3U6 

Viola  comuta,  failures,  3,25,68;  aaa 
bedder,384 


Wakefield  Potji-trt  Show.  136 
Walk  of  fowls,  what  is  a  ?  200 
Wallflowers — transplanting,  889 ;  sow- 
ing for  spiing  flowers,  407 
Walls— fruit  tr^^es  for  north,  4G6 ;  pro- 
tection, 478;  plants  for  a  south,  fruit 
ti'ces  for  various,  231 
Walnut  tree,  heading  back,  194 
Washing  fowls  for  exhibition,  18 
Wasps,  212;  destro>'ing,  117,  119,  173; 

protecting  fiiiit  from,  117, 119 
Waterer,  Mr.  John,  death  of,  364 
Watcrford  Poulti-y  Show,  255 
Watering,  29,  4G,  79,  80;   in     winter, 

402 
Water — impregnated   with  iron.  101 ; 
conveying.  116;   supply,  135;  soften- 
ing hai'd,  154 
Waterproofing— calico,  307 ;  ■uith  tar, 

347 
Weather,  the  hotj  39 
Weeds,  303 ;  and  insects,  21 
Weeks  &  Co.'s  heating  apparatus,  154 
Week,  work  for.  9,  28.  45.  GS,  78,  97, 115, 
134.  151,  172.  IHO,  209,  228,  2^9.  267,  285, 
302,  324,  343.  364,  3S5.  407,  422,  443,  463, 
482,  502 :  doings  of  the  last,  10.  29.  46, 
(i9,  79,  f:8.  116, 135, 152, 173,  191,  210, 229, 
350,  268,  236.  308,  325,  S44,  SC5,  386,  408, 
423.  444,  4(;4. 484.  503 
Wellington  Poultry  Show,  235 
WcUingtonia    gigantea,     protecting, 

4-lH 
Wells.  SI 
Whitby  Poultry  Show,   156;    Canary 

Show,  235 


Whitehaven  Poultry  Show,  294 

Whitworth  Poultry  Show,  157 

TMiortlebenies,  282 

Wiltshire,  a  iragment  of,  170;  to  Glas- 
gow, 481,  511 

Window-gardening  exhibitions,  27 

Wine  fining,  70, 88 

Wines,  Greek,  ISO,  3?4 

Winter,  the  present,  ."jOI,  502;  orna- 
mental gardening,  477,  499 

Wireworms,  193 

Wirral  PoulU-y  Show,  233 

Wistaria  smensis,  shelter  for, 
259 

Wolverhampton  Pon2tr>-  Show,  SID 

Wonderful,  beware  of  the,  75 

Wooden  leuce  or  fruit-tiee  training, 
4^6 

Woodlicp.  destroying,  174,  368;  trap- 
ping, 438 

Woodstock  Poultry  Show,  233 

Worms  in  pots,  destroying,  118 

Wounds  ol  trees,  trcauuiOit,  4^ 


YAMAMO-Mr.KI,  207 

Yangmac  fniit,  207 
Yates's  Nurserieb.  259 
Yew,  removing  a  large,  527 
Yews,  pruning  Irish,  467 
York    and    District    Kabbit 

York  Poultry  Show.  491 
Yucca  flowering,  846 


WOODCUTS. 


PAGE. 

JEcidinm 24fi 

Apple,  Eunyard's  Seedling 190 

„      Early  Nonpareil 284 

Bees,  Berkshire  hive  351 

„      Comb-building  guide 70 

Bentley  Priory,  flower  garden 363 

Chickeu-feediug  fold,  Crook's 52 

Cliveden,  Succulent  bed  285 

East  Sutton  Place,  flower  garden  at 8 

Erysipliei 246 

Flower-garden  plans    8,  285,  363,  385 

Frame,  span-roofed 2'26 

Fungi,  types  of 246 

Fruit  trees,  pruning  and  training 266,  267,  302,303,  404,421,442 

Gas  Oven,  SUrewsbury's  portable 275 

Hardenhuish  Church 170 

Heating  by  hot  water  without  a  boiler    4h1 

Ij adder,  fruit  gathering 26 

Lever,  a  handy 73 


PAGE. 

Pencb,  Nectarine 204 

„       tree,  training 2G6,  267,  802,  803 

„       mode  of  bearing  and  pruning 404,  442 

Pear,  Amiral 114 

„       Ananas    114 

„      Madame  Treyve  227 

„      Summer  Eeurr e  d'Aremberg    171 

Peronosporei 24G 

Pits,  cold 238 

Plant  Houses,  economical 20?,  209 

Puccinisei   246 

Sashes,  economical 209 

Tree  Protector  501 

Urcdinei  248 

Ustilaginei 246 

Vandyke  border    365 

Wall,  hollow     2C8 

Wall  trees,  training    421 

Window  garden 27 


Joly  a,  1868.  1 


JOUBNAL   OP  HORTIODLTUaB  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


WEEKLY    CALENDAR. 


D»y 

Day 

of 

ol 

Month 

Week. 

•2 

Th 

3 

P 

4 

S 

5 

Son 

a 

M 

7 

To 

8 

W 

JULY  2-8,  1868. 


Royal  Rotanig  Society's  Show  closes, 
Loutll  Horticultural  Show. 
Uiivftl  Horticultural  Society,  Promonatlo. 
4  Sunday  At-rEu  Trinity. 
Mcetintr  of  Entomolof^'ical  Society. 
Itoyal  Horticultural  Society.  Fruit.  Floral, 
[and  General  Meeting. 


Averaire  Temperature 
near  London. 


Rain  in 

last 
41  years. 


Day. 

7.S.S 

74.1 

7fi.l 

77.3 

76.3 

73.7 

78.8 


Nlcht. 
50.9 
60  1 
5J.3 
60.G 
61.1 
60.8 
49.9 


Mean. 
6-2.1 
G2.1 
68.2 
63.9 
68.7 
62.'2 
61.8 


Dava. 
16 
18 
14 
17 
19 
22 
20 


Snn 

Rises. 


m.  h. 
.10  af  8 
51       8 


Sun 

Sets. 


m.  h. 
17a«8 
10      8 


Moon 
Rises. 


Moon 
Sets. 


m.    h.     m.     h 
1  af  6   I  19  12 


Moon's 
Age. 


Days. 
12 
18 

o 

15 
10 
17 
18 


Clock 

before 

San. 


m.     fi. 
3    47 


D.T    LlBRARV 

Year   fieW  YORl 


184 
185 
186 
187 
188 
189 
190 


liOTA.N»CA 


From  observations  taken  near  London  dnrinR  the  last  fnrty-ono  years,  the  average  day  temperature  of  the  week  is  74.9';  and  its  night 
toinporature6U.5  .  Ihegroatest  heat  was  97',  on  the  5th,  1852  ;  and  the  lowest  cold  35  ,  on  the  7th,  1804.  The  greatest  fall  of  ram  was 
O.'/S  inch. 


PLANTS  OF  PREY. 
RTUNATELY  a  throt 
through  all  nature,  an  inherent  lovo  of  mis- 
chief for  its  own  sake.  In  some  it  may  be 
said  to  constitute  the  whole  warp,  while  in 
others  it  only  crops-out  here  and  there  among 
a  host  of  good  and  noble  traits.  It  shows 
itself  in  a  thousand  forms,  many  of  them 
harmless,  and  some  criminal  in  the  highest 
degree.  The  miss  in  her  teens  who  tries  to 
break  hearts  "  just  for  the  fun  of  the  thmg," 
or  the  lU'chin  who,  reaching  his  switch  through  your  iron 
paUng,  tries  to  knock  oif  the  heads  of  your  Rhododendrons 
for  the  same  reason,  both  receive  the  impulse  to  do  so  from 
the  same  source  as  the  incendiary  or  bushranger,  who  will 
fire  a  stackyard  or  shoot  a  traveller  from  no  other  motive 
than  the  gratitication  of  this  propensity. 

Were  it  needfid,  many  proofs  might  also  bo  adduced  to 
evidence  that  something  near  akin  to  this  is  also  inherent 
in  the  lower  annuals :  but  that  plauts  and  (lowei'S,  which 
have  for  ages  been  emblems  of  beauty,  purity,  and  grace, 
should  show  traces  of  this  moral  perversion  is  something 
very  hard  to  believe,  yet  some  species  do  exhibit  traits  of 
character  which  inevitably  lead  to  this  conclusion  were 
there  not  many  reasons  for  suspecting  that  there  are 
functions  connected  with  the  economy  of  plants  scarcely 
yet  dreamt  of  in  our  philosophy. 

As  instances  may  be  cited  the  well-known  Pitcher- 
plants,  or  Nepanthes,  found  in  the  tropical  swamps  of 
India,  Cliina.  and  elsewhere.  N.  distillatoria  may  be  taken 
as  the  representative  plant  of  the  order,  although  upwards 
of  twenty  species  have  been  found  and  described  by  bo- 
tanists. After  divesting  its  history  of  all  those  fabulous 
stories  which  have  gathered  around  it  in  bygone  days, 
when  travellers'  tales  were  not  what  they  now  arc,  it  still 
remains  one  of  the  most  curious  plants  in  existence.  It  is 
of  a  half-shrubby  character,  4  or  Ti  feet  in  height,  and  the 
flower  is  a  panicle  of  greenish  yellow  ilorets,  about  which 
there  is  nothing  remarkable  ;  but  the  oblong  leaf  has 
attached  to  its  extremity  by  a  gracefully-coiled  tendril  a 
pitcher-like  vessel  of  chaste  and  elegant  form,  furnished  with 
a  close-fitting  lid,  which  opens  on  a  membranous  hinge 
when  fully  developed.  This  pitcher  contains  a  quantity  of 
sweetish  but  wholesome  water,  and  is  generally  found  a 
little  less  than  half-full.  It  was  once  thought  that  this 
liquid  was  an  accumulation  of  dew  stored  up  by  the  plant 
during  the  night,  and  kept  to  sustain  its  flagging  energies 
under  the  next  day's  sun,  or  that  it  was  intended  for  the 
use  of  wearj',  panting  beasts  and  men,  from  which  suppo- 
sition comes  the  name  Nepenthes,  sorrow-soothing.  It  is 
now  known,  however,  to  be  a  secretion  from  the  plant 
itself,  though  for  what  purpose  has  never  been  clearly 
explained  ;  but  from  the  fact  of  the  plant  never  being 
found  except  where  there  is  water,  we  may  infer  that  it 
is  not  a  provision  of  nature  for  quenching  the  thirst  of 
animals :  indeed,  from  the  shape  of  the  vessel,  and  from 
its  never  being  full,  very  few  of  these,  except  man,  could 
avail  themselves  of  its  contents  even  if  they  required 
to  do  so. 

No.  879.-VOL.  XV.,  New  Seeies. 


But  perhaps  some  may  say.  Do  the  pitchers  not  serve 
for  drinking  fountains  to  moths  and  butterllies,  and  all  the 
myriad  forms  of  insect  life  with  which  tiiose  regions  teem  ? 
and  would  it  not  be  more  in  keeping  with  the  order  of 
things  in  these  lands  to  see  a  gaily-painted  humming  bird 
sipping  from  a  fairy  cup  growing  on  a  tree,  instead  of 
drinking  at  a  muddy  pool '.'  Perhaps  it  would.  At  any  rate 
we  have  ample  proofs  that  the  contents  of  these  vessels 
are  highly  appreciated  by  flies,  moths,  and  other  insects. 
Attracted  by  the  slightly  saccharine  nature  of  the  secre- 
tion and  by  the  always-open  lid,  they  descend,  but  it  is 
only  to  taste  the  bitterness  of  death,  for  they  never  return. 
Their  egress  is  prevented  by  reversed  glands  placed  roimd 
the  inside  of  this  treacherous  pitcher,  which  pointing 
downwards,  are  no  obstruction  so  long  as  the  victim  is 
going  in  that  direction,  but  when,  from  fright  or  satiety,  an 
ascent  is  attempted — sad  thought  to  bibulous  men  and 
moths — it  is  all  but  impossible. 

The  existence,  conformation,  and  arrangement  of  these 
glands  put  a  verdict  of  accidental  death  altogether  out  of 
the  question.  It  has  been  said  that  the  dead  insect  when 
decayed  or  during  decomposition  ministers  to  the  health  of 
the  plant;  but  this  is  also  highly  improbable,  for  some  of 
those  in  this  country  which  grow  most  luxuriantly  in  our 
stoves  produce  no  pitchers  at  iill,  and  even  those  which  do 
have  comparatively  few  opportunities  of  gratifying  their 
insectivorous  appetite,  yet  live  and  thrive  like  other  honest 
plants  ;  so  that  the  case  seems  to  stand  thus  :  These  dead 
flies  either  are  or  are  not  necessary  or  benelicial  to  the 
plant :  if  it  be  proved  that  they  are  not,  then  most  as- 
suredly the  fly  is  not  the  benelited  object,  and  the  only 
legitimate  inference  we  can  draw  is  that  the  death  of  the 
insect  is  all  that  is  sought. 

Another  plant,  a  briglit  tiny  thing,  with  a  gladsome 
name,  against  which  a  similar  charge  might  be  preferred, 
is  to  be  found  growing  plentifully  on  some  of  our  own  bogs 
and  marshes  ;  but  as  the  evidence  against  it  is  not  so 
conclusive  I  will  not  press  for  a  conviction.  Minute  flies 
are  said  to  have  been  often  found  within  its  suspicious- 
looking  little  tentacles,  but  they  may  have  got  there  by 
accident,  and  not  being  able  to  release  themselves  have 
been  the  means  of  bringing  down  the  breath  of  slander 
upon  the  pretty  little  Sundew.  In  the  case  of  another 
member  of  the  same  familJ^  however,  these  reasons  do  not 
obtain,  consequently  it  cannot  be  so  gently  dealt  with. 
The  Dionica  musoipula  is  known  in  tliis  country  only  as  a 
very  tender  greenhouse  or  cool  stove  plant,  diflicult  to 
grow,  yet  well  repaying  all  the  care  and  attention  it  may 
receive  by  its  curious  structure  and  habits.  The  leaf  con- 
sists of,  or  rather  the  true  leaf  is  terminated  by,  a  toothed 
apparatus  composed  of  two  lobes  hinged  together  in  much 
the  same  fashion  as  the  shells  of  the  mussel  or  oyster,  and 
in  general  appearance  resembling  nothing  so  much  as  a 
common  u'on  rat-trap.  The  inner  surfaces  of  these  lobes 
are  covered  with  a  gummy  substance,  and  on  each  are 
placed  three  or  four  bristles  in  such  positions  that  any 
fly  entering  must  touch  tliem,  wliich  springs  the  trap  ;  for 
these  hairs  being  highly  irritable,  they  in  some  way  com- 
municate the  touch  to  the  nervous  system,  if  such  there 

No.  1031.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  Seeies. 


JOURNAL  OP  HORTICDLTTJEE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  July  2,  1868. 


he,  of  the  plant,  and  the  two  lobes  instantly  close  up,  the 
bristly  teeth  interlock  like  clasped  hands,  and  the  unlucky 
creature  is  crushed  to  death.  That  they  have  not  the  power, 
however,  of  distinguishing  the  touch  of  an  insect  from  that  of 
anything  else  is  evidenced  by  the  lobes  grasping  with  equal 
aridity  the  head  of  a  pin  when  inserted  between  them  ;  but 
the  same  want  of  judgment  may  be  seen  in  the  case  of  the  Sea 
Anemone,  which,  though  possessed  of  animal  life,  will  enfold 
within  its  tentacles  a  small  stone  with  as  much  eagerness  as 
it  does  a  piece  of  the  daintiest  food.  When  the  leaves  of  the 
Dionffia  begin  to  grow  old,  they  by  degrees  lose  their  irritability, 
and  it  is  curious,  almost  painful,  to  watch  one  that  is  fast 
passing  into  the  "  sere  and  yellow  leaf,"  how  it  will  feebly 
clutch  at  a  tly  that  has  been  put  within  its  reach  when  the 
power  to  kill  is  altogether  gone. 

We  can  understand  something  about  the  various  mems  of 
self-defence  with  which  many  plants  are  provided  ;  why  the 
Thistle  presents  at  every  point  a  threatening  spear,  and  why 
the  Eose  stands  armed  to  the  teeth  with  hooked  spines  ready 
to  lacerate  the  incautious  hand  which  may  try  to  pluck  one  of 
her  peerless  flowers  ;  but  when,  instead  of  these,  we  find  plants 
fitted  up  with  engines  of  destruction,  seemingly  for  no  other 
€nd  than  to  destroy,  we  are  naturally  not  a  little  surprised. 
The  two  described,  together  with  a  few  more  which  present 
somewhat  similar  characteristics,  have  often  been  commented 
upon  by  botanists,  without  any  very  definite  conclusion  having 
'been  arrived  at  concerning  their  spider-like  propensities. 

Yet  why  should  they  not  be  accepted  for  what  they  really 
seem  to  be  ? — instruments  provided  by  Nature  for  helping  to 
preserve  the  balance  of  insect  life.  Our  world  is  flooded  with 
vitality  in  innumerable  forms,  and  "  the  reaper,  whose  name  is 
Death,"  uses  weapons  of  diiifereut  kinds  to  cut  the  strings  of 
life  in  every  form  which  it  assumes  ;  and  having  fluttered 
"through  a  life-time — the  length  of  a  summer's  day — is  it  not 
better  for  the  little  fly  or  moth  to  expire  in  a  cup  of  neetar,  or 
in  the  arms  of  a  tiny  flower,  than  to  die  by  disease  or  starva- 
tion ?  No  doubt  the  number  thus  destroyed  must  be  very 
small,  compared  with  that  of  those  which  die  from  other  causes  ; 
but  that  variety  is  the  watchword  of  Nature  is  a  truth  illustrated 
as  forcibly  by  the  varied  means  of  death  as  by  the  myriad  forms 
and  modes  of  existence. — AiESuir.E  Gat.denek. 


where  they  get  heat  without  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun.  How 
beautifully  are  they  blooming  here  under  these  circumstances 
now  !  If  "  C-vniL  "  hud  these  Eoses,  or  any  of  them,  he  will 
be  pleased  with  them.  I  believe  I  have  here  4.50  plants  of 
Charles  Lefebvre,  Senateur  Vaisee,  Prince  Camille  de  Eohan, 
Jules  Margottin,  and  W.  Grifliths.  One  cannot  have  too  many 
of  them.  They  never  go  wrong  at  any  time,  and  charm  every- 
body.— W.  F.  Eabclyffe,  Oh'ford  Fitzpaine. 


ROSES  SUITABLE  FOR  VARIOUS  STOCKS. 

"  Ctf.il  "  wishes  to  know  the  names  of  the  best  Eoses  for 
budding  upon  the  "Dog  Eose,  some  for  Manetti  stocks,  also 
for  Celine  stocks." 

Before  I  attempt  to  answer  this,  I  must  make  a  few  obser- 
vations. The  Dog  Eose  is  an  excellent  stock  for  unctuous  clays. 
It  will  do  respectably  in  light,  rich  land,  provided  the  owner 
wiU  go  to  the  expense  of  mulching  and  watering  copiously  in 
summer.  It  does  not  like  its  roots  burned.  For  bad  or  mo- 
derate-growing varieties  it  is  the  only  suitable  stock.  For 
those  of  strong  growth,  with  the  rarest  exceptions,  Manetti  and 
Celine  stocks  are  adapted.  Moreover,  the  Dog  Eose  likes  strong- 
growing  kinds,  and  is  kept  healthy  by  the  strong  growth  of  the 
Eose.     Weak  growers  will  in  due  time  destroy  the  Briar. 

1.  Eoses  that  succeed  extremely  well  on  a  Briar,  even  in 
light  lands,  on  their  own  roots,  and  on  Manetti  stocks : — Gloire 
de  Dijon,  Celine  Forestier,  and  Triomphe  de  Eennes.  These 
are  yellow  Eoses  of  the  highest  excellence. 

2.  Eoses  that  I  know  bloom  and  grow  splendidly  on  Manetti : 
— Brilliant  Crivison  or  itn  aliadrs. — Charles  Lefebvre,  Senateur 
Vaisse,  Lord  Macaulay,  Maurice  Bernardin,  Alfred  Colomb. 
Duchesse  de  Caylus,  Madame  Victor  Verdier,  Lady  SuilJeld, 
Baronne  Adolphe  de  Eothschild,  Madame  Boutin,  Jules  Mar- 
gottin, Globosa,  and  Man'chal  Vaillant.  Dark  Maroons. — 
Prince  Camille  de  Eohan,  Ssuveuir  de  Dr.  Jamain,  and  Em- 
pereur  de  Maroc.  Darl:  Crimsons. — Due  de  Cazes,  Pierre  Net- 
ting, Vicomte  Vigier,  and  Souvenir  de  Comte  Cavour,  superb, 
but  not  quite  full.  Blush. — Caroline  de  Sansal,  and  Marguerite 
de  St.  Amand.  Rose  Colour  or  its  shades. — Baronne  Prevost, 
Comte  de  Nanteuil,  W.  Griffiths,  Comtesse  de  Chabrillant, 
Charles  EouiUard,  new  and  fine,  and  Duchesse  de  Morny. 

The  above  are  here  in  abundance ;  they  are  the  elitf  of  the 
Eose  kingdom.  There  are  others  very  good,  but  I  could  not 
recommend  them  to  any  but  experienced  persons.  Some  are 
only  fit  for  first-class  soils.  Some  are  most  splendid  under 
certain  conditions — for  instance,  JIadame  JuUe  Daran  and 
Leopold  Premier.  The  first  loses  colour  under  strong  sun  in 
the  early  part  of  the  year,  and  both  open  well  in  a  shady  place, 


A  FEW  HOURS'   OUTING. 

Unless  in  particular  cases,  all  visits  to  gardens  at  this  season 
should  be  confined  to  as  short  a  time  as  possible,  that  the 
time  of  the  gardener  visited  may  not  be  encroached  upon. 
By-and-by,  when  all  is  straight  sailing,  an  extra  hour  will  not 
be  of  the  same  consequence  as  now.  'The  four  places  I  called 
at  have  been  already  described  in  these  pages,  and,  besides 
shaking  hands  with  old  and  new  friends,  my  principal  object 
was  to  see  how  the  dry  weather  had  affected  their  gardens.  I 
will  not  enter  into  particulars,  but  chiefly  confine  myself  to 
that  one  point  of  observation. 

At  Stockwood  Pake,  standing  on  elevated  ground,  there  used 
to  be  a  great  want  of  water  in  dry  summers.  Sometime  ago  a 
huge  brick  and  cement  tank,  or  rather  reservoir,  was  formed  in 
the  park,  and  part  of  the  park  drained  into  it,  and  that  has 
never  been  dry  since.  Water  from  this  reservoir  can  be  con- 
veyed to  other  parts  of  the  park  by  pipes  for  the  service  of 
cattle.  I  presume  this  cannot  bo  done  in  the  case  of  the  gar- 
den, and  I  suppose  could  not  be  done  unless  the  water  was 
first  pumped  into  an  elevated  cistern.  But  for  the  labour  of 
carting,  however,  the  garden  is  now  well  supplied.  Except  in 
some  cases,  in  order  to  apply  it  to  the  flower  beds  in  the  flower 
garden,  the  water  is  not  taken  from  the  cart  and  used,  for  in 
that  case  there  is  apt  to  be  either  a  waste  of  horse  power  in 
keeping  the  horse  standing,  or  a  waste  of  men's  time  in  coming 
and  going  to  another  job,  so  as  to  empty  the  cart  as  soon  as 
possible,  and  when  this  must  be  done  considerable  care  must 
be  taken  to  have  other  work  at  hand  that  the  time  spent  in 
moving  from  one  piece  of  work  to  the  other  may  be  as  little  as 
possible.  In  most  of  the  watering  at  the  garden  this  is  avoided 
at  Stockwood  by  having  in  the  water  barrel  a  large  tap  which 
soon  runs  the  water  into  tanks,  and  from  thence  one  man  may 
pump  and  take  it  away  in  a  small  barrel  as  wanted.  This  plan 
also  permits  of  the  watering  chiefly  being  done  towards  the 
evening,  when  it  has  greater  eiiect  than  when  done  during  the 
day.  when  horse  power  can  chiefly  be  obtained. 

Here,  considering  the  season,  the  flower  garden  looked  re- 
markably well,  and  I  could  not  help  wondering  where  the 
young  gardener  conld  manage  to  keep  such  multitudes  of  strong 
plants.  Amongst  the  many  of  Mrs.  Pollock  Pelargonium  I 
was  struck  with  fine  beds  of  a  bronze-leaved  kind  called  Top6. 
Some  of  your  readers  may  recollect  of  a  small  enclosed  flower 
garden  with  glass  houses  on  two  sides.  Here  the  beds  have 
been  greatly  enlarged,  and  well  planted,  but  for  want  of  being 
able  to  look  down  on  them,  &c.,  they  will  seem  too  much  like 
one  bed  in  Mr.  Eobson's  style,  without  showing  the  same  unity 
in  arrangement.  As  to  looking  well,  there  can  be  no  doubt, 
only  I  think  there  would  have  been  a  more  distinctive  beauty 
if  the  beds  had  occupied  only  some  fourth  of  their  present 
ground. 

The  weather,  thanks  to  the  watering,  had  not  affected  either 
the  Strawberries  or  the  other  crops  ;  the  houses  were  very  neat, 
the  fruit  houses  well  supplied,  and  in  excellent  order ;  and  here 
I  noticed  a  simple  thing  worthy  of  record.  In  a  Peach  honse 
the  chimney  passed  through  the  back  wall.  Near  the  chimney 
fruit  was  gathered  some  weeks  earlier  than  from  the  same  tree 
further  from  the  chimney,  but  the  extra  heat  almost  always 
induced  the  presence  of  the  red  spider.  To  counteract  this, 
the  wall  was  faced  with  wood  as  a  nonconductor,  and,  in 
addition,  a  semicircular  wire  trelhs  was  brought  out  a  foot  or 
so  from  the  chimney,  and  thus,  though  the  wood  trained  over 
it  ripened  earlier  as  before,  it  was  not  subject,  as  previously, 
to  the  attacks  of  red  spider. 

At  Luton  Hoo  I  did  not  see  much  of  how  the  weather  had 
treated  the  flower  garden,  as  this  is  made  less  a  point  than 
formerly,  and  more  efl'ort  is  concentrated  on  the  kitchen  garden, 
fruit  in-doors  and  out  of  doors,  and  house  plants  of  all  kinds, 
hardy  flowers  out  of  doors,  and  fine  shrubs  and  trees.  The 
park  in  some  places  seemed  much  parched,  but  there  was  no 
,  sign  of  such  being  the  case  in  the  garden.  The  whole  of  the 
I  houses,  rich  with  rare  plants,  and  attractive  from  the  fine  show 


July  a,  1868.  ) 


JOUBNAL  OP  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


of  Grapes,  chiefly  the  Muscata,  Teaches,  Melons,  &(:.,  had  a 
peculiar  charm  about  them  in  tho  humid  atmosphere  that  met 
■  you  BO  pleasantly  after  being  nearly  parched  out  of  doors.  This 
was  more  particularly  the  case  in  tho  tropical  orchard  house, 
where  a  large  tank  in  the  centre  was  kept  supplied  with  moving 
■water,  heated  with  pipes  when  necessary,  and  almost  all  the 
bouses  were  shaded  with  line  tillany,  Ac,  which  contributed  to 
the  pleasant  sensation,  the  same  rolls  of  tiffany  coming  in  for 
covering  the  Peach  and  Apricot  walls  in  the  spring.  I'ine.s,  a 
-new  feature  here,  were  also  doingwell  in  a  narrow  house,  not 
>the  best  fitted  for  them. 

But  whilst  giving  all  due  honour  to  tho  energy,  and  the  in- 
dustry, ond  the  intelligence  of  tho  gardener,  ho  would  own 
that  one  cause  of  his  success  was  tho  good  supply  of  excellent 
water.  Naturally  he  was  no  better  situated  that  many  of  us, 
but  a  water-ram  at  a  fall  in  tho  river  Lea  sent  up  a  good 
supply  of  water  for  house,  garden,  and  farm.  If  one  ram 
should  be  iusullicient,  a  second  would  only  involve  a  fresh  set 
of  pipes  for  a  mile  or  so.  What  a  pleasure  it  is  to  be  able  to 
dash  water  along  paths,  on  stages,  over  foliage,  &o.,  and  not  be 
troubled  with  the  thought  that  if  you  act  so  lavishly  to-day, 
you  may  have  plants  starving  for  what  you  cannot  give  them 
to-morrow. 

The  HviiE  stands  equally  high,  not  quite  so  far  from  the 
Lea,  but  with  no  cascade  or  waterfall  so  near.  Its  gem  of  a 
little  flower  garden  promises  to  ha  as  fine  as  in  Mr.  Donald- 
son's time,  and  would  only  be  more  pleasing  if  the  huge  raised 
terrace  walk  in  the  middle  of  it  were  removed. 

The  want  of  plenty  of  water  has  always  been  a  drawback ; 
and  does  not  the  gardener  almost  dread  to  use  it  in  this 
weather,  and  plumb  his  tank  every  day,  fearful  that  he  will 
quite  run  out  and  be  dependant  on  carting  up  a  steep  hill 
from  the  river  ?  And  yet  much  has  been  done  to  meet  the 
want ;  a  huge  pond,  puddled  and  concreted,  near  the  farm  has 
been  made,  and  it  holds  the  water  drained  into  it  well,  and 
held  a  great  body  of  water  in  its  centre  on  our  visit.  A  deep 
large  tank  about  20  feet  deep  and  15  feet  or  more  in  diameter 
had  been  sunk  at  the  back  of  tho  garden,  and  as  the  ground 
above  it  shelves  all  round  like  the  sides  of  a  basin,  the  bricking 
and  cementing  that  ground  would  nearly  double  its  size.  It 
was  considered  wasteful  to  have  such  a  large  tank  bricked  and 
cemented  at  first,  but  on  our  visit  there  was  not  more  than 
2  feet  at  the  narrowed  bottom,  and  well  might  the  gardener 
look  on  every  drop  used  as  valuable  as  tho  finest  vintage.  This 
is  supplied  by  drainage  from  the  garden  and  park,  and  the  over- 
flow of  house  cisterns,  &c.,  but  large  as  the  tank  is,  and  large 
as  the  widening  shelving  basin  around  it,  it  soon  gets  full  and 
water  runs  away  by  the  waste-pipe  every  winter.  How  valuable 
that  wasted  water  would  be  now.  I  had  not  seen  the  pretty 
old  place  for  some  years  ;  its  kitchen  garden,  with  its  trellises 
for  common  fruit,  was  and  is  an  example  of  how  much  can  be 
obtained  from  little  room.  I  have  lived  to  see  the  realisation 
of  many  a  musing  dream.  Some  day  we  may  seek  for  the 
much-praised  old  terrace  walk  and  find  no  trace  of  it  left.  The 
dream  of  a  comfortable  cottage  home,  close  to  the  garden,  for 
the  gardener  and  his  helpmate  has  already  been  realised,  and 
most  likely  when  I  return  there  some  day  I  shall  find  a  piece 
of  ground  outside  the  walls  appropriated  to  garden  purposes 
and  means  secured  for  even  more  water  than  now.  Neither  in 
plant  houses,  fruit  houses,  nor  even  out  of  doors  among  flowers 
and  excellent  vegetables  had  the  drought  told  very  injuriously, 
but  that  was  a  fortnight  before  this  will  be  read. 

KrMPTox  Hoo. — Spirits  of  envy  and  covetousness,  stand 
aloof  !  I  will  nought  with  you.  Surely  we  may  admire  the 
blessings  that  others  have  without  detracting  from  the  value 
of  our  own.  The  mansion  and  flower  garden,  like  our  own 
and  the  places  mentioned,  stand  on  the  highest  ground  in  the 
neighbourhood.  Turning  from  the  dusty  road,  and  through 
a  wood  in  which  Rhododendrons  and  some  of  the  best  I'inuses 
are  growing  luxuriantly,  we  come  ou  the  little  flower  garden  in 
front  of  the  mansion,  and  every  sense  of  the  oppressive  heat 
and  the  stifling  dust  leaves  you  as  by  enchantment.  You 
might  even  fancy  you  were  enjoying  all  the  luxuries  of  a  shower 
bath,  as  a  man,  after  watering  the  roots,  was  sending  a  shower 
of  spray  water  over  the  flower  beds.  The  water  comes  on  turn- 
ing a  tap  from  a  cistern  ou  the  top  of  the  house,  supplied  by  a 
water  ram  from  the  lake.  Just  think  of  taking  hold  of  gutta 
percha  tubing,  and  giving  what  your  plants  require,  and  how 
they  require  it,  with  so  little  wear  and  tear  even  to  the 
physical  machine.  These  flower  beds  showed  the  perfection  of 
keeping. 
There  were  three  things  here  that  were  gratifying  to  me. 


When  I  described  tho  place  tho  flower  garden  was  on  three 
Hquares  of  lawn.  Now  mark  !  It  is  concentrated  in  one  square. 
1  do  not  say  but  that  all  three  squares  might  not  have  been 
eifually  good,  but  tho  same  hands  could  not  have  done  for  the 
three  what  they  would  have  done  for  tho  one.  Secondly,  an 
elegant  conservatory  has  been  built,  which  will  bo  a  great 
acquisition  to  the  house,  and  more  especially  as  it  is  intended 
to  keep  the  bulk  of  the  floor  for  promenading  purposes,  the 
back  wall  being  set  out  with  Derbyshire  ragstono  for  growing 
Ferns  in  the  interstices.  Thirdly,  the  ugly  sunk  ditch  and 
wall  close  to  the  principal  walk  liave  been  removed  and  the 
lawn  extended,  which  isagreat  improvement,  as  anything  would 
have  been  which  would  have  prevented  the  ditch,  tho  ha-ha 
being  such  a  prominent  object. 

The  kitchen  garden  is  near  tho  river,  but  as  the  water  here 
had  to  be  carried  some  crops  were  showing  the  effects  of  the 
drought ;  but  what  surprised  me  was  a  quarter  of  Peas  just 
snelliug  and  showing  no  distress,  though  never  watered.  Dr. 
Hogg  and  Premier  Strawberries  were  in  fine  condition  ;  and  the 
luto  Kleanor  was  looking  well,  even  though  water  had  to  be 
carried.  It  was  delightful  to  see  the  water  at  the  bottom  of 
the  garden  and  over  the  outside  part  of  it  pretty  well  all  round 
it.  In  such  a  position  the  subsoil  could  scarcely  ever  be  very 
dry.  It  was  not  on  the  low  part,  however,  that  the  fine  Peas 
stood  ;  no  mode  of  preparing  the  ground  would  have  enabled 
me  to  have  had  them  equally  good  in  such  a  season  without 
watering. 

It  is  pleasant  to  see  improvements.  I  called  on  Mr.  Cox 
when  he  had  only  a  small  vinery  and  a  few  frames.  Now  there 
is  the  flower  garden  and  the  conservatory  at  the  mansion, 
almost  a  new  gardener's  house,  numerous  suitable  sheds,  fruit 
rooms,  &o.,  and  a  good  supply  of  glass  in  the  shape  of  span- 
roofed  houses  and  brick  pits  and  houses  ;  and,  as  in  most  other 
places,  most  additions  sho'.v  that  some  other  little  addition 
would  be  desirable. — R.  F. 


VIOLA  CORNUTA  AND  ITS  FAILURE  IN  DRY 

SEASONS. 
My  experience  of  Viola  cornuta  is  exactly  opposite  to  that  of 
Mr.  J.  Kobson.  Last  year  our  summer  was  wet,  and  my  Viola 
hardly  flowered  at  all.  This  year  (the  plant  has  been  out  all 
winter)  it  has  been  a  mass  of  bloom  tor  the  last  six  weeks,  and 
looks  like  continuing  for  weeks.  I  am  satisfied  that,  if  pos- 
sible, it  does  better  if  not  moved  after  flowering. — H.  A., 
Frestaich,Maiieliester, 


EARTH  HE.\T. 


Much  was  at  one  time  written  about  the  supposed  discovery 
of  a  natural  means  for  the  preservation  of  plants  from  frost, 
and  for  enabling  us  to  attain  greater  perfection  in  the  production 
of  early  and  late  crops.  'Through  its  agency  many  plants 
treated  as  half-hardy,  or  requiring  protection  by  fire  heat  from 
frost  were  to  be  kept  unharmed  over  winter,  and  in  summer 
we  were  to  grow  many  plants  and  fruits  which  are. only  ob- 
tained in  perfection  from  heated  and  costly  glass  structures. 
The  so-called  discovery,  however,  was  recognised  in  this  country 
as  a  means  well  known,  and  extensively  utilised  for  all  the 
purposes  it  was  to  aid  in,  and  about  which  some  of  our  oldest 
and  best  horticulturists  were  able,  retrospectively,  to  say  far 
more  than  the  discoverer.  The  new  name  of  the  discovery  I 
will  not  employ,  but  shall  content  myself  with  calling  the 
means  earth  heat,  though  this  seems  to  me  neither  more  nor 
less  than  the  absorption  and  retention  by  the  earth  of  the  sun's 
rays.  It  is  absurd  to  consider  the  earth,  so  far  as  vegetation  is 
concerned,  in  the  light  of  a  heat-supplying  medium,  for  the 
earth  so  far  as  it  conduces  to  the  growth  of  plants,  is  entirely 
dependant  on  the  sun  for  its  warmth.  The  sun  being  the  ote 
great  centre  of  light  and  heat  to  the  earth,  it  is  evident  the 
earth's  internal  heat  has  a  very  insignificant,  if  any,  influence 
on  the  temperature  of  the  earth's  surface.  It  is  very  interesting, 
and  even  desirable,  to  know  that  the  further  wo  descend  into 
the  earth  the  higher  the  temperature  is.  Facts,  however,  in 
connection  with  the  earth's  upper  or  surfacial  temperature  are 
of  far  greater  consequence  to  the  gardener  than  the  knowledge 
of  the  earth's  internal  formation  and  heat.  We  know  that  coal 
and  other  mines  have  a  greater  mean  temperature  than  the 
surface  of  the  earth,  and  that  the  temperature  increases  with 
the  depth.  Earth  heat  proper,  then,  is  distinct  from  the  heat 
derived  by  the  earth  from  th.e  sun  :  the  former  has  no  essential 


JOUKNAIi  OF  HOETIOULTUBH  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENER. 


I  Jaly  2,  1888. 


effect  on  the  beat  at  the  surface,  and  it  is  entirely  the  latter 
upon  -which  the  horticulturist  is  dependant. 

Taking  the  sun  as  the  one  great  and  only  source  of  heat  we 
necessarily  must  arrive  at  the  conclusion,  that  to  make  the 
san's  heat  available  in  cold  and  dull  periods,  it  is  essential  that 
Ihe  heat  produced  in  bright  weather  be  retained,  and  for  its 
retention  it  must  be  absorbed.  In  general  terms,  the  earth  is 
the  only  absorber  of  the  sun's  rays,  but  as  the  sun's  rays  are 
direct,  and  the  earth  does  not  present  its  surface  to  them  ver- 
ticBlIy  in  our  latitudes,  a  large  per-centage  of  them  is  not 
absorbed,  but  reflected  ;  but  walls  surrounding  a  garden  would 
giTe  a  slight  increase  of  temperature,  for  there  will  be  a  greater 
absorbing,  and,  consequently,  radialing  surface.  An  enclosed 
space,  whatever  the  material  forming  the  enclosure,  will  neces- 
sarily have  a  higher  temperature  than  an  open  space,  because 
the  heat  absorbed  is  retained  longer  through  the  check  given  to 
the  air  passing  over  the  enclosed  space  ;  there  is  shelter,  a 
greater  absorbing,  and,  of  course,  a  greater  radiating  surface, 
and  a  sensible  increase  of  temperature  is  afforded  plants  in 
the  area  enclosed. 

It  will  have  been  noticed  that  trees  against  a  wall  invariably 
posh  their  shoots  directly  towards  the  point  whence  they  have 
the  greatest  light,  or  opposite  the  diiect  rays  of  the  sun  ;  this 
is  commonly  termed  the  shadow  of  the  wall :  or  rather  the 
growth  of  the  shoots  is  induced  by  the  shadow  being  cast  in 
that  particular  direction.  I  simpjy  name  this,  so  that  solar 
light  and  heat  may  not  be  confounded  ;  for  solar  light,  however 
macfa  it  may  contribute  to  a  plant's  growth,  is  not  to  be  treated 
as  heat,  though  it  is  simultaneously  transmitted.  Solar  light 
is  the  governing  power  of  a  plant's  growth  ;  the  plant,  whatever 
it  IF,  will  p  sh  its  growth  in  the  directiun  of  the  light,  but  the 
light  being  equally  diffused  the  plant  will  make  equal  growths 
in  all  directions,  subject,  of  course,  to  the  formation  of  the 
plant  and  its  natural  habit.  Solar  heat  does  not,  on  the  con- 
trary, appear  to  have  any  great  influence  on  a  plant's  direction 
of  growth.  It  is  the  great  natural  stimulant  to  activity  of 
growth,  and  upon  it  depends  the  perfection  of  vegetable  life. 
Plants  live  and  grow  for  a  time  without  light,  but  never  thrive, 
and  it  is  in  that  point  of  view  that  we  must  look  at  earth  heat 
resnlting  from  sun  heat  being  absorbed  and  radiated — absorbed 
when  the  surrounding  atmosphere-is  hotter,  and  radiated  when 
the  atmosphere  is  colder  than  the  earth's  surface. 

The  surface  of  the  earth  is  the  culminating  point,  so  to 
speak,  of  the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold.  The  temperature  is 
greater  there  than  higher  in  the  air  upon  an  average  of  annual 
means,  for  though  a  thermometer  will  read  3°  or  more  lower  at 
the  ground  than  at  4  feet  from  the  ground  by  night,  it  will 
read  several  degrees  higher  by  day  than  one  at  -i  feet.  From  a 
carefnl  register  of  the  readings  of  thermometers  at  different 
heights,  I  find  that  the  temperature  progressively  decreases 
with  the  height,  being  led  to  the  experiment  from  noticing 
some  time  ago  a  statement  in  a  contemporary,  that  at  10  or 
12  feet  from  the  ground  frosts,  and  especially  spring  frosts,  are 
never  so  severe  as  at  or  near  the  surface,  consequently  the 
blossoms  of  fruit  trees  would  be  less  liable  to  destruction  if  tlie 
trees  were  cultivated  as  standards  than  as  dwarfs.  Assuming 
this  to  be  the  ease  (and  it  is  incontestiblej,  there  is  still  a  dead 
loss  to  the  tree  of  several  degrees  of  temperature  by  day,  and 
thongh  sensibly  warmer  at  night,  in  cases  of  sudden  frosts,  the 
trees  at  that  height  experience  a  greater  loss  on  account  of  their 
not  being  immediately  within  the  reach  of  the  heat  constantly 
radiated  from  the  earth.  The  frosts  most  destructive  to 
fruit-tree  blossoms  are  those  which  are  of  long  continuance, 
and  in  dull  periods  the  blossoms  most  distant  from  the  earth 
are  those  chiefly  destroyed,  whilst  those  nearer  the  earth,  from 
the  constant  radiation  from  its  surface,  enjoy  a  higher  tem- 
perature, and  are  very  often  preserved.  Hence  Pear  and  other 
fruit  trees,  as  dwarfs,  almost  invariably  produce  fruit,  whilst 
the  same  kinds  cviltivated  as  standards  do  not  yield  a  crop. 
Indeed,  many  kinds  of  Pears  that  do  not  succeed  as  standards, 
thrive  and  produce  fruit  admirably  as  dwarfs  on  the  Quince, 
and  even  on  the  Pear  stock.  It  is,  then,  useless  grasping  at  the 
air  for  heat ;  if  we  desire  it,  we  must  look  to  the  earth. 

The  temperature  of  the  atmosphere  decreases  proportionately 
upwards  ;  that  of  the  earth  increases  downwards.  The  mean 
temperature  of  the  earth  at  1  foot  from  the  surface  is  equal  to 
that  of  the  atmosphere  at  4  feet.  It  never  in  this  country,  at 
1  foot  from  the  surface,  is  reduced  to  i  he  freezing  point  by  the 
cold  of  winter,  at  least  not  in  my  .  xperience,  and  if  we  de- 
scend the  temperature  is  higher,  su  that  nothing  further  is 
required  than  to  make  an  excavation  deep  enough,  and  we  have 
at  length  a  temperature  sufliciently  high  for  the  preservation 


of  plants  from  frost.  We  must  bear  in  mind  that  in  penetrat- 
ing the  earth  we  have  not  only  a  source  of  heat  but  of  damp, 
and  that  the  heat  thus  secured,  or  I  ought  in  this  case  to  say 
attained,  will  be  speedily  lost  unless  it  be  prevented  from  ra- 
diating. We  must  also  bear  in  mind  that  plants  must  have 
light,  particularly  when  growing,  and  this  is  one  of  the  greatest 
obstacles  to  the  employment  of  earth  heat  generally ;  but  it 
may  be  more  employed  as  an  agent  in  the  preservation  of 
plants  than  it  has  hitherto  been,  for  we  have  in  the  earth  suffi- 
cient heat  to  enable  us  to  winter  most,  if  not  all,  of  the  plants 
known  or  cultivated  as  half-hardy,  and  by  that  heat  we  may 
cultivate  successfully  the  Vine  and  other  fruit  trees.  With 
half-hardy  plants  damp  must  be  avoided,  and  snfBcitnt  pro- 
tecting material  provided  to  prevent  the  radiation  of  the  earth's 
heat  and  to  keep  out  cold  ;  whilst  with  fruit  trees  the  points 
are  to  provide  a  medium  for  absorbing  the  sun's  rays,  and  to  give 
the  plant  the  full  benefit  of  the  heat  absorbed  and  being  always 
radiated. 

I  hope  in  subsequent  papers  to  show  some  of  the  variona 
uses  to  which  earth  heat  has  been  applied,  and  how  mishaps 
maj-  to  some  extent  be  obviated. — G.  Abbey. 
(To  be  continued.} 


JUDGING  AT  THE  ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL 
SHOAV. 
How  can  "  P."  call  zoneless  Pelargoniums  true  Variegated 
Zonals  ?  The  gentlemen  named  in  his  letter  had  an  un- 
doubted right  to  exhibit ;  but  that  is  no  reason  why  they 
should  obtain  a  prize  if  they  did  not  exhibit  in  accordance 
with  the  schedule.  If  the  schedule  of  any  society  is  not  to  be 
the  guide  for  both  exhibitors  and  judges,  of  what  use  is  it? 
Undoubtedly  there  is  plenty  of  room  for  improvement  in  the 
arrangement  of  the  schedules  of  our  horticultural  societies ; 
but  wiien  the  schedule  remains  unaltered  up  to  the  day  of  the 
exhibition,  it  is  the  duty  of  both  exhibitors  and  judges  to  abide 
by  it.— J.  W. 


ROYiiL   HORTICULTURAL   SOCIETY. 

Rose  Show,  Jutw  30/A. — This  Exhibition,  with  which  is  incoi-po- 
rated  the  National  Rose  Show,  was  a  success,  both  as  regards  the 
nomber  of  the  competitors  and  the  qnaUty  of  the  flowers  which  they 
produced  at  a  time  when,  owing  to  the  gi-eat  heat  and  drought  which 
have  so  long  prevailed,  the  beauty  of  a  Kose  is  gone  in  an  hour.  The 
majority  of  the  flowers  had  snfiered  from  these  causes,  and  very 
many  of  them  were  quite  different  in  colour  from  that  which  they 
usuallv  jtresent ;  still  there  were  trusses,  for  instance  those  shown  by 
Messrs.  Paul  A:  Son,  Messrs.  Perkins,  of  Coventry-,  Mr.  Cant,  and  the 
Rev.  E.  Pochin,  such  as  are  rarely  surpassed  ;  but  even  these  had 
gi'eatly  deteriorated  in  beauty  before  the  close  of  the  day,  notwith- 
standing the  awning  employed  to  keep  off  the  sun.  As  regards  the 
attendance  of  visitors,  the  Show  was  also  very  successful,  for  the  gar- 
dens, which  are  just  now  in  high  condition  and  extremely  gay  with 
bedding  plants,  were  thronged  with  a  large  and  fashionable  company; 
and  in  the  afternoon,  besides  other  eminent  personages,  their  Koyal 
Highnesses  the  Prince  and  Princess  Christian,  the  Prince  and  Piincess 
Louis  of  Hesse,  the  Princess  Lotuse,  and  other  members  of  the  Royal 
Family  were  present. 

Class  1,  was  for  seventy-two  single  trusses,  and  for  nurserymen 
only.  In  this  Mr.  Cant,  of  Colchester,  took  the  tirst  prize  with,  among 
others,  excellent  examples  of  Fisher  Holmes,  Mrs.  Rivers,  Comtesse  de 
Chabrillant,  Horace  Vemet,  Madame  C.  Crapelet,  Mathurin  Regnier, 
Marie  Banmann,  very  tine  ;  Anna  de  Diesbach,  President,  Yicomtesse 
de  Cazes,  Senatexu-  Yaisse,  Queen  Victoiia,  Marechal  Vaillant,  -Jean 
Lambert,  Lord  Macanlay,  fine  colour  ;  Paul  Verdier,  La  Bonle  dOr, 
OUvier  Delhomme,  Rubens,  Beauty  of  Waltham,  Dr.  .\ndry,  Madame 
Deneux  DonvUle,  Exposition  de  Brie,  Mdlle.  Bonnaire,  Charles 
Lefebvre,  fine,  but  touched  with  the  sun ;  Marichal  Niel,  very  fine  ; 
Alfred  Colomb,  Madame  Bravy,  Leopold  Premier,  Mdlle.  Marie  Rady, 
Souvenir  d'Elise,  Niphetos,  very  tine  ;  Duchesse  de  Caylus,  Xavier 
OUbo,  Madame  Victor  Verdier,  Cloth  of  Gold,  Marguerite  de  St. 
Amand,  and  Souvenir  dun  Ami. 

Messrs.  Paul  &  Son  were  second,  pressing  very  closely  for  the  fu-at 
place,  and  had  Exposition  de  Brie,  very  tine  ;  Mdlle.  Marie  Rady, 
Madame  Vidot,  Madame  Furtado,  Camille  Bemardin,  P;-ince  de 
Portia,  Felix  Genero,  Xavier  Olibo,  Mdlle,  Marguerite  Dombrain, 
Alfred  Colomb,  Horace  Vernet,  Madame  Victor  Verdier,  Pierre  Net- 
ting, Black  Prince,  Maurice  Bemardin,  Monsieur  Furtado,  and 
Leopold  Premier,  the  last  very  fine,  Mr.  Eraser,  of  Lea  Bridge  Road, 
who  was  third,  had,  among  others,  Madame  Bellenden  Ker,  a  pretty 
white;  Gloire  de  Vitry,  small  but  good;  Andre  Leroy,  fine  velvety 
crimson  purple,  but  rather  open  ;  Jean  Lambert,  Dr.  Andry,  Senatenr 
Vaisse,  and  Due  de  Rohan.  Messrs.  Francis,  of  Hertford,  were  fourth, 
and  Mr.  Clarke,  Streatham  Place,  Brixton,  also  exhibited  in  this  cla8»_ 


July  2, 18C8.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTOBE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


In  ClauB  '2,  for  throe  trnsaes  of  forty-eight  varieties,  Messrs.  Paul 
Bud  Son  were  first  with  trnsBes  which  for  eiTeot  and  general  excellence 
censtitnted  the  finest  exhibition  seen  ou  this  occasion — indeed,  there 
■was  hardly  a  truss  which  was  not  iiuo.  The  most  notable  were  Duke 
of  WeUiufjton,  t'omte  do  Nantcuil.  Miinchiil  Nicl,  8i>lundid,  Alfred 
Colomh,  Jean  Lambert.  Souvenir  d'uu  Ami,  Maurice  lioniardiu,  Com- 
tcsse  de  Chabrillant,  Victor  Vcrdicr,  .1  oscidiiue  Beanharnais,  Dr. 
Audrv,  Madame  Caillat,  Monsieur  Bonceune,  fine  velvety  crimson, 
.John"  Hopper,  Madame  Margottin,  Xavier  Olilio,  very  fine,  Lielia, 
Madame  Morcau,  Mdlle.  Bonnairc,  Duke  of  Kdinbur{;h,  rich  scarlet. 
Prince  de  Portia,  Puchesse  de  Caylus.  Senatcur  Vaisse,  Leopold  I., 
Ijueen  Victoria,  Baron  Gonella,  Gloiio  do  Santenay,  Antoine  Duchor, 
I'ierre  Netting,  Marguerite  de  St.  Amand,  Millie.  Marie  Rady,  Tri- 
omphe  de  Keuues,  Clement  Marot,  and  Marie  Baumann.  Mr.  Cant, 
to  whom  the  second  prize  was  awarded,  bad  also  a  remarkably  fine 
.stand,  in  which  were  La  Brillante,  La  Boulo  d'Or,  Exposition  do  Brie, 
Madame  Victor  Verdier,  Camille  Bemardin,  Mrs.  Rivers,  Devouiensis, 
Maurice  Bemanlin,  Lord  Clyde,  Mdllo.  Bonuaire,  .lean  Lambert, 
Madame  Vcrschaffelt,  President,  Marie  Baumann,  Xavier  Olibo, 
splendid,  Marcchal  Niel,  beautiful  in  colour,  Niphetos,  Duchesse  de 
Caylus,  Pierre  Netting,  John  Hopper,  Alfred  Colomb,  Thorin,  bright 
rose,  Rubens,  Fisher  Holmes,  Souvenir  d'Elise,  and  Monsieur 
Boneenne.  Messrs.  Francis,  who  were  third,  had  very  good  trusses  of 
.Kavier  Olibo,  Madame  Boutin,  Alba  Mutabilis,  Triomphe  de  Rennes, 
Mdlle.  Bonnaire,  Charles  I.cfebvre,  Pierre  Netting,  Louise  de  Savoie, 
Madame  Victor  S'erdier,  Dr.  Andry,  Duchesse  do  Caylus,  and  some 
others.  The  fourth  prize  went  to  Mr.  William  Paul,  who  had  splendid 
trusses,  hut  owing  to  the  hot  weather  mostly  overblown.  Still  they 
were  very  effective,  especially  Marie  Baumann,  Lady  Suffield,  Black 
Prince,  a  splendid  Rose,  Abel  Grand,  Marcchal  Vaillant  with  a  brilliant 
glow  of  scarlet.  Lord  Macanlay,  Louis  XIV.,  Fran(;oi3  Lonvat,  and 
Madame  Victor  Verdier. 

Class  3  was  for  twenty-fonr  Hybrid  Perpetnals,  three  trusses  of 
each.  In  this  the  first  prize  went  to  Messi-s.  Perkins,  of  Coventry, 
who  furnished  fine  trusses  in  beautiful  condition,  the  kinds  being 
Sreur  des  .-Vnges,  Lord  Clyde,  Prince  de  Portia,  Ltelia,  Beauty  of 
Waltham,  Camille  Bemardin,  Madame  Victor  Verdier,  Mdlle.  Margue- 
rite Dorabrain,  John  Hopper,  Due  de  Rohan,  Pierre  Netting,  Duchesse 
de  Caylus,  Baron  Gonella,  MiUle.  Marie  Rady,  Mdlle.  Bonnaire, 
.Jean  Lambert,  Senateur  Vaisse,  Marguerite  de  St.  Amand,  Alfred 
Colomb,  Madame  Moreau,  Charles  Lefebvic,  Victor  Verdier,  Mathurin 
Regnier,  and  Madame  Charles  Wood.  Mr.  Cant,  who  was  second, 
and  Messrs.  Lee,  who  were  third,  had  tine  fiowers  of  several  of  the 
above  and  other  varieties.  A  fourth  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Clarke. 
Class  4  was  for  single  trusses  of  twenty-four  kinds.  Here  Mr. 
Camt  was  first  with  a  stand  in  which  were  Charles  Lefebvre,  Rubens, 
Mdlle.  Annie  Wood,  Madame  Rival,  Beauty  of  Waltham,  Anna  de 
Diesbach,  Maurice  Bemardin.  Niphetos,  Jean  Bai-t,  Souvenir  d'Elise, 
Madame  Charles  Wood,  John  Hopper,  Horace  Veruet,  Marcchal  Niel, 
splendid.  La  Brillante.  Mdlle.  Marguerite  Dombrain,  Xavier  Olibo, 
Marie  Baumann,  ilathurin  Regnier,  Madame  PuUiat,  Madame  C. 
Crapelet,  Marcchal  Vaillant,  Gloire  dc  Vitry,  and  Dr.  Andry.  To 
Messrs.  Perkins,  of  Coventry,  the  second  prize  was  awarded  for  a 
stand  in  which  were  Dr.  Spitzer,  a  showy  bright  red  Rose,  Rushton 
Radclyffe,  fine,  Mrs.  John  Berners,  Antoine  Ducher,  Alfred  Colomb, 
Pierre  Netting,  and  good  blooms  of  several  other  kinds.  Mr.  Clarke, 
of  Brixton,  took  the  third  prize. 

The  beat  stands  in  the  amateurs'  class  for  forty-eight  single  trasses 
came  from  the  Rev.  S.  Reynolds  Hole,  Caunton  Mauor,  Newark,  and 
contained  John  Hopper,  Souvenir  d  un  .\mi,  Madame  Charles  Wood, 
Mathurin  Regnier,  the  best  bloom  of  the  kind  in  the  Show,  Fisher 
Holmes,  splendid,  Madame  Moreau,  Senateur  Vaisse,  -Juno,  Marcchal 
Vaillant,  Triomphe  de  Rennes,  Gloiro  de  Vitry,  Gloire  de  Santenay, 
Leopold  Premier,  very  fine.  Lord  Raglan,  Alfred  Colomb,  Comte  de 
Nanteuil,  Prince  Camille  de  Rohan,  Antoine  Ducher,  Marcchal  Niel, 
Madame  Victor  Verdier,  a  splendid  Due  dc  Rohan,  Charles  Lefebvre, 
Pierre  Netting,  Lord  Clyde,  and  Louise  Magnan.  The  second-prize 
stand  of  Mr.  Hedge  contained  excellent  examples  of  some  of  the 
above,  Madame  Willermoz,  Lamarquo,  Cornelia  Koch,  Marie  Bau- 
mann. Arc.  Mr.  Chard,  gardener  to  Sir  F.  H.  Bathurst,  Bart.,  Salis- 
bury, was  third  ;  and  Mr.  Porter,  gardener  to  P.  Hughes,  Esq.,  Wal- 
thamatow,  fourth. 

In  Class  6,  for  thirty-six  single  trusses,  Mr.  Keen,  gardener  to  J.  G. 
Sheppard,  Esq.,  Campsey  Ash,  had  a  magnificent  bloom  of  Due  de 
Rohan,  by  far  the  largest  in  the  Show.  Alfred  Colomb,  Queen 
Victoria,  Johu  Hopper,  Madame  Victor  Verdier,  Pierre  Notting, 
Niphetos,  and  several  others  were  also  good.  The  Kev.  S.  R.  Hole 
was  second  with  fine  examples  of  Sophie  de  Coquerelle,  Alfred 
Colomb,  and  other  kinds  already  named  as  being  exJiibited  in  his 
stand  of  forty-eight.     Mr.  Ingle  was  third  ;  Mr.  Hedge,  fourth. 

In  Class  7,  for  twenty-four  single  trusses,  the  Rev.  E.  Poehiu,  Sileby 
Vicarage,  Loughborough,  gained  a  well-merited  first  prize  with  a  stand 
in  which  all  the  trusses  were  in  fine  condition.  Maurice  Bemardin, 
Alfred  Colomb,  and  Vicomte  Vigier,  among  crimson  kinds  were  remark- 
ably good,  so  was  Charles  Lefebvre,  though  showing  a  little  eye.  Xavier 
Olibo  was  splendid,  and  of  other  kinds  we  noted  Pierre  Notting, 
Francois  Lacharme,  Felix  Genero,  Francois  Louvat,  Devoniensis, 
Loaise  de  Savoie,  Niphetos,  Madame  Willermoz,  General  Pelissier, 
very  good,  but  not  often  so ;  Baron  Gonella,  Due  de  Itoban,  Gloire 
de  Vitry,  Marcchal  Niel,  Madame  Boutin,  Anna  de  Diesbach,  Louise 


Peyronny,  and  Madame  Boll.  Mr.  Postans,  of  Brentwood,  was  second, 
and  had  excellent  trusses;  Mr.  Skinner,  gardener  to  Capt.  Chnstie, 
Westerham  Hill,  and  Mr.  Stoddart,  Wivenhoe  Park,  being  third  and 
fourth.  . 

For  twelve  trusses  the  Rev.  E.  Pochin  was  again  first,  exhibitini: 
beautiful  exftmiilen    of  Leopold  Premier,  Louise  Peyronny,   Charles 


xamplos  of  Leopold  Premier,  Louise  Peyronny, 
Lefebvre,  Gloiro  de  Vitry,  Due  de  Rohan,  Marcchal  Niel,  Pierre 
Nottiug,  Madame  Derrcnx  jlouville,  M.  Boncenue,  Madame  C.  Crapelet. 
Alfred  Colomb,  and  Baron  Gonella.  Mr.  Sodor,  gardener  to  O.  Han- 
bury,  Esq.,  Brentwood,  took  the  second  prize,  the  tliird  was  withheld, 
and  the  fourth  went  to  Mi.  tioinneU. 

The  next  Class,  0,  was  for  eighteen  new  Roses  of  1KR.5  or  1866. 
After  a  continuance  of  such  hot  dry  weather  as  we  have  lately  had, 
very  little  can  with  safety  bo  said  about  them  and  their  colours.  Still, 
as  a  rule,  it  may  bo  concluded  that  varieties  which  are  good  under 
such  circumstances  will  also  be  good  in  more  favourable  seasons. 
Messrs.  Perkins,  of  Coventry,  took  tho  first  prize  for  a  stand  in  which 
Black  Prince,  shaded  dark  crimson,  largo  and  full,  was  conspicuous  as 
one  of  the  finest  Roses  in  the  Show.  Among  others  were  Gloire  da 
Ducher,  bearing,  as  shown,  considerable  resemblance  to  Black  Prince, 
but  not  so  full ;  Horace  Vernot,  shaded  crimson  and  scarlet ;  Jean 
Lambert,  Mdllo.  Marie  Rady,  Camille  Bemardin,  and  Prince  de 
Portia,  crimson  scariet ;  Alfred  Colomb,  cherry  red  ;  Thonn,  bright 
rose  ;  Mdllo.  Marguerite  Dombrain,  Comtesse  de  Jaueourt,  Charles 
Verdier,  and  Madame  Eugene  Appert,  shades  of  rose  and  piuk.  Mr. 
Cant,  who  was  second,  had  besides  some  of  those  just  named,  Madame 
George  Paul,  crimson  scariet ;  Mdlle.  Annie  Wood,  fine  red  ;  Hip- 
polyte  Flandrin,  salmon  rose  ;  Exposition  de  Brio,  Antoine  Ducher, 
Napoleon  III.,  Mrs.  Berners,  lilac  rose  with  a  glow  of  scarlet  in  tho 
centre  ;  Mrs.  Ward,  peach  ;  and  others.  Messrs.  Paul  and  Son  were 
third ;  Mr.  Coppin,  fourth.  The  first  prize  in  Class  10,  for  twelve 
trusses  of  any  new  Rose  of  18i;6,  was  adjudged  to  Mr.  Cant  for  An- 
toine Ducher  ;  and  extra  prizes  were  awarded  to  Alfred  Colomb,  from 
Messrs.  Lee  and  Mr.  Fraser.  This  Rose  from  both  exhibitors  was 
splendid,  and  especially  the  trusses  shora  by  Messrs.  Lee,  and  would 
have  taken  the  first  and  second  prizes  had  it  not  been  considered  a 
Rose  of  186.5.  .,  ,  , 

Of  vellow  Roses  shown  in  Classes  V2  and  13,  beantitul  trusses  came 
from  "Messrs.  Cant,  Fraser,  Hedge,  and  Stoddart.  Marcchal  Niel 
from  Mr.  Cant  was  remarkable,  not  only  for  tho  size  of  the  trusses, 
but  its  rich  golden  colour.  Other  kinds  well  represented  were  G\mT0 
de  Dijon,  Ccliue  Forestier,  Vicomtesse  de  Cazes,  La  Boule  d'Or,  Cloth 
of  Gold,  SoUaten-e,  Madame  Falcot,  and  Narcisse,  of  which  Mr.  Hedge 
had  fine  trusses.  Mr.  Cant  took  first  prizes  in  both  classes  ;  Mr. 
Fraser  and  Mr.  Hedge  being  second  in  Classes  12  and  13  respectively.  ^ 
Of  Tea-scented  and  Noisette  Roses  tho  best  twelve  in  the  amateurs 
class  were  contributed  by  Mr.  Hedge,  and  consisted  of  Souvenir  d  ml 
Ami  Triomphe  de  Rennes,  Moiret,  Souvenir  d'Elise  Vardon,  Marcchal 
Niel  Cornelia  Koch,  Gloire  de  Bordeaux,  Niphetos,  Devoniensis,  La 
Soule  d'Or,  Gloire  de  Dijon,  and  Adam.  Mr.  Stoddart,  who  was 
second,  had  Homer,  pale  yellow  edged  with  pink,  Niphetos,  and  Adam. 
In  the  nurserymeus  class  for  the  same  Roses  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son  and 
Mr  Cant  took  the  first  and  second  prizes,  each  with  very  fine  examples 
of  varieties  just  named.  Monsieur  Furtado,  Madame  Margottm,  La- 
marque,  Rubens,  and  Madame  Bravy. 

The  best  stand  of  twelve  single  blooms,  shown  m  the  open  Class  lb, 
came  from  Mr.  Cant,  and  consisted  of  Charles  Lefebvre,  Marechal 
Niel,  Marechal  Vaillant,  Anna  de  Diesbach.  Xavier  Olibo,  Alfred 
Colomh,  Madame  Caillat,  Madame  Moreau,  Niphetos,  .John  Hopper, 
Mad.  C.  Wood,  and  Exposition  de  Brie,  all  of  which  were  fine.  Messrs. 
Perk-ins  were  second,  and  Mr.  Coppin  third.  ,      „    ^      • 

Of  vases  and  baskets  of  Roses  but  few  were  shown.  The  first  pnze 
went  to  Mr.  Chard  for  a  prettv  arrangement,  along  with  Fems,  in  a 
March  stand,  the  stem  of  which  was  entwined  with  the  young  growth 
of  Biononia  argj-reo-violeseens,  presenting  a  vciy  agreeable  change 
from  the  Japanese  Honeysuckle  generally  employed.  The  second 
prize  went  to  Mi-.  Soder  for  a  simUar  stand  with  Japanese  Honey- 
suckle round  the  stem,  and  the  third  to  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  tor  a 
large  basket  on  a  wickerwork  si  and. 

Several  fine  bouquets  of  five  trusses  of  Roses  were  exhibited,  mostly 
in  Hyacinth  glasses,  the  best  beuig  from  Messrs.  Paul  <fc  Son,  and 
consisting  of  Marie  Baumann,  Pierre  Notting,  Triomphe  de  Rennes, 
Lwlia,  Alfred  Colomb,  and  Xavier  Olibo.  Mr.  Cant  had  in  his  six 
fine  trusses  of  Niphetos,  Marechal  Niel,  and  MiUle.  Bonnaire.  Mr. 
Hedge  was  third.  ^  ^.. 

Of  miscellaneous  subjects  but  few  were  exhibited.  Messrs.  KoUis- 
son,  of  Tooting,  sent  a  collection  of  Orchids,  in  which  were  cattleya 
citrina,  Calanthe  masuca.  Aerides  Lobhii,  with  a  spike  fiiUv  18  inches 
long,  Barkeria  species  with  pretty  pale  lilac  fiowers,  Dendrobium  Mac- 
Carthiie  with  four  flowers,  Cvpripedium  superbiens,  Phatenopsis  cervi- 
cornu  with  yellow  flowers  barred  with  rich  cinnamon  brown,  a  hne 
varietv  of  A.-ridcs  odoratum,  and  a  seedling  Heath,  apparently  the 
result"  of  a  cross  between  the  Aristata  and  Tricolor  sections.  F  rom 
Mr.  Sherratt,  gardener  to  J.  Batomau,  Esq.,  Kuypersley,  came  fruit 
of  a  species  of  Mvrica,  under  the  name  of  Vangmae.  and  cones  ot 
Abies  nobilis  ;  Mr."  Noble  sent  cut  spikes  of  the  beautiful  Spiriea  pal- 
mata,  noticed  last  week  ;  Mr.  Perrj-,  new  Verbenas  ;  aud  lastly  Mr. 
Dobson,  of  St.  James'  Street,  contributed  a  fine  example  of  dinner- 
table  decoration,  in  which  the  centrepieces  resemble  the  March  stands 
but  have  gracefully  curved  twisted  glass  arms  supportmg  glass  pendant 


JOURNAIi  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  Jii!y  2,  1868. 


baskets,  to  be  filled  with  flowers.  The  effect  of  these  is  excellent. 
Bordering  the  table  were  japanned  zinc  troughs,  of  course  very  shallow, 
with  semicircular  projections.  Flower  glasses  being  attached  to  these, 
both  at  the  outside  of  the  pai-ts  farthest  advanced,  and  on  the  inside 
elsewhere,  a  double  row  of  flowers  or  other  ornaments  ia  obtained 
round  the  table. 


Floral  Committee. — The  Committee  was  summoned  to  meet  at 
Chiswick  on  the  '29th  to  examine  the  Fuchsias  and  annuals,  at  least 
those  of  the  latter  which  have  survived  the  long-coutinned  drought. 

Among  the  Fuchsias,  which  were  fine  young  healthy  specimens,  the 
following  received  awards.  Many  of  the  newer  kinds  were  not  in 
flower,  and  will  be  inspected  on  another  occasion.  Elyste  d'Amour, 
three  marks,  a  rich  highly  coloured  corolla  with  bright  scarlet  sepals  ; 
Vainqueur  de  Paebla,  a  fine  double  white  corolla,  two  marks  ;  Light 
Heart,  vei-y  dark  corolla,  tine  form,  three  marks ;  Rhoderick  Dhu,  fine 
flower,  but  rather  lax  in  habit,  two  marks ;  Constellation,  fine  dark 
corolla,  three  marks  :  Bland's  Floribunda,  one  mark.  This  is  not  a 
pot  plant;  to  judge  of  its  merits  it  must  be  planted  out ;  and  then  for 
its  compact  and  neat  habit,  its  conspicuous  though  small  flowers, 
scarlet  tube  and  sepals,  with  white  corolla,  it  is  most  useful  and  orna- 
mental. Enoch  Arden,  with  a  large,  dark,  expanded  corolla,  and  bright 
crimson  sepals,  is  a  flower  of  gi*eat  merit — three  marks  were  assigned 
it.  Father  Ignatius  was  not  so  flue  as  last  year.  Two  marks  were 
given,  but  the  plants  were  not  in  condition.  .  This  is  one  of  the  best 
varieties  when  well  grown. 

Double  Petunias  were  also  examined.  Elise  de  Fontadier,  which 
received  three  marks,  is  a  fine  rose-coloured  variety ;  La  Coquette, 
three  marks,  a  neat  but  small-flowering  plant,  with  beaulifully  veined 
flowers — this  is  a  very  desirable  variety. 

Among  the  seedling  Petunias  there  were  many  good  as  seedlings. 
Fanty,  one  of  Mr.  Bull's,  was  superb ;  a  veined  gi'ey  flower  with  in- 
tensely dark  stripes,  nearly  circular  in  form,  of  fli-st-rate  habit.  It 
received  three  marks. 

Among  the  annuals,  which  have  nearly  all  come  to  grief  from  lack 
of  rain,  Trop.-eolum  Tom  Thumb  Cairuleum  roseum  received  three 
marks.  This  is  novel  in  colour,  a  dull  rosy  red  shade,  its  chief  recom- 
mendation being  novelty  in  colour.  Troparolum  King  of  Tom  Thumbs, 
with  viHd  flowers  and  dai-k  foliage,  received  three  marks.  This  plant 
seemed  to  be  of  close  and  compact  habit.  Sweet  Pea  Invincible  main- 
tains its  good  character,  and  is  now  duly  appreciated  by  the  public  as 
a  distinct  and  beautiful  variety — three  marks.  Sweet  Pea  Invincible 
Black  is  another  distinct  and  good  flower,  the  darkest  yet  seen.  Three 
marks  were  given  it.  This  is  worthy  of  cultivation  as  the  best  dark 
variety.  Gilia  laciniata,  a  dwarf  kind,  of  a  dark  leaden  blue,  was 
approved  of  as  a  useful  plant  as  an  annual.  Three  marks  were  given 
it. 

The  bedding  Lobelias  of  the  Erinns  family  were  examined.  Beauty 
of  Ravensbourne,  a  pinkish  red  variety,  very  dwarf  and  compact,  re- 
ceived three  marks.  Trentham  Blue,  which  has  been  sent  out  by  the 
Messrs.  Veitch,  was  much  admired  for  its  freedom  of  flowering  and  its 
robust  habit  and  dark  blue  flowers  :  this  will  prove  a  most  useful 
plant  for  bedding  or  edging  purjioses.  Three  marks  were  given  it. 
Little  Gem  Lobelia,  a  neat,  dwarf,  compact,  light  blue  and  white 
variety  of  the  Paxtouian  strain,  was  awarded  three  marks. 

The  Pelargoniums  were  passed  through,  but  at  present  are  not  fit 
for  adjudication.  The  specimens  planted  out  are  in  fine  condition, 
fihovring  much  flower,  and  many  of  the  new  varieties  promise  to  be 
of  first-rate  quality.  These  will  he  examined  at  the  end  of  July,  or 
when  in  condition. 

It  is  very  satisfactory  to  see  what  has  been  done  in  the  Zonal 
section  of  Pelargoniums.  No  plant  has  ever  been  brought  to  such  a 
state  of  perfection,  whether  we  consider  the  beautiful,  highly  coloured, 
and  varied  foliage,  or  the  perfection  of  the  form,  or  the  truss  of 
flowers.  As  bedding  as  well  as  greenhouse  plants,  the  Zonals  have 
arrived  at  their  meriilian  ;  and  now  it  will  be  well  for  horticulturists 
and  florists  to  give  a  little  attention  to  a  plant  which  is  always  a 
pleasing  comiiauion  to  the  Zonal  Pelargoniums  in  the  autumn  months 
— we  mean  the  Fuchsia.  It  is  most  desirable  that  attention  should  be 
given  to  this  plant,  for  it  is  quite  as  capable  of  improvement  as  the 
Zonal  Pelargonium  was,  A  simple  rule  as  to  perfection  is  all  that  is 
required;  old  and  worthless  kinds  will  then  be  discarded,  and  the 
standard  of  perfection  sought  after.  We  have  many  Fuchsia  raisers  ; 
jierhaps  among  them  Mr.  Banks,  of  Sholden,  in  Kent,  stands  pre- 
eminent. Many  of  his  flowers  have  been  introduced  to  the  public  by 
the  Messrs.  Henderson,  of  Wellington  Road,  but  we  have  not  yet  seen 
any  well-gi'ouTi  specimens  of  the  newer  kinds.  We  may  hope  that 
Mr.  G.  Smith,  of  Hornsey,  one  of  the  best  and  most  successful  raisers 
of  Fuchsias,  will  direct  anew  his  energies  to  improve  this  flower  ;  and 
vei-y  much  may  be  esx>ected  from  Mr.  Cannell,  of  the  Fuchsia  Nursery, 
Woolwich,  in  tho  same  direction,  Mr.  Cannell  being  at  present  the 
largest  cultivator  of  the  Fuchsia.  We  hope,  then,  soon  to  see  the 
cause  of  this  most  graceful  and  useful  flower  warmly  advocated  ;  when 
once  set  in  motion,  there  will  be  many  ardent  admirers  and  cultivators 
to  give  an  additional  impetus.  May  a  Fuchsia  mania  soon  show 
itself  among  us. 

Paxton  Mehoeial. — A  few  days  since  an  address  was  pre- 
sented to  Lord  Charles  Russell  \>y  the  "Working  Men's  Mutual 


Improvement  Society  of  Leighton  Buzzard,  sustaining  his 
Lordship's  suggestion  that  a  memorial  of  Sir  Joseph  Paxton 
should  be  erected.     We  hope  to  give  full  particulars  next  -week. 


ROYAL    BOTANIC   SOCIETY'S   SHOW. 

The  last  Show  of  this  Society  for  tho  season  opened  yesterday,  and 
will  be  continued  to-day.  In  addition  to  a  fine  display  of  flowering 
stove  and  gi-eeuhouse  plants  furnished  by  Mr.  Peed,  Mr.  Williams, 
Mrs.  Cole  &  Sons,  Mrs.  Glcndinning  &  Sons,  Mr.  Tanton,  Mr.  Donald, 
and  other  exhibitors,  there  are  in  the  collections  of  omamental- 
foliflgcd  plants  from  Mr.  Fairbairn,  gardener  to  the  Duke  of  North- 
umberland ;  Mr.  Smith,  gardener  to  T.  Nixon,  Esq.  ;  Mr.  Williams, 
and  Mr.  Baines,  gardener  to  H.  MichoUs.  Es(|.,  some  remarkably  fine 
specimens.  The  Sarraceuias  from  Mr.  Baines  form  masses  such  as 
have  only  been  exhibited  by  himself.  Heaths  are  again  numerously 
shown  ;  and  of  Pelargoniums,  Show,  Fancy,  and  Zonal,  excellent 
collections  are  furnished  by  Messrs.  Eraser,  Ward,  Catlin,  Weston, 
Stevens,  Watson,  and  others.  Mr.  Penny  and  Mr.  Wilson,  gardener 
to  W.  Mar?ha]l,  Esq..  send  fine  Orchids,  and  hardy  Ferns  are  largely 
exhibited  by  Messrs.  Ivery  &  Sou. 

Messrs.  Veitch  have  a  very  extensive  and  interesting  collection  of  new 
and  rare  plants,  one  of  which,  a  species  of  Puya,  has  bluish  flowers  with 
a  metallic  appearance  and  lustre,  and  prominent  yellow  stamens,  alto- 
gether a  very  remarkable  plant.  Ampelopsis  Veitchii,  a  very  orna- 
mental hardy  climber,  the  new  Coleuses,  Gloxinias,  and  a  large  number 
of  other  novelties  are  includ'^'l  in  this  collection.  Mr.  Williams  also 
sends  several  new  plants  in  addition  to  his  fine  contributions  of  older 
plants,  and  Messrs.  E.  G.  Henderson  have  a  large  grouj)  of  bedding 
plants  beautifully  arranged. 

The  fruit,  however,  confltitutes  the  gi-eat  feature  of  the  Show. 
Among  collections,  a  very  fine  one  comes  from  Mr.  Miller,  gardener 
to  Lord  Craven,  Combe  Abbey  ;  in  it  the  Black  Hamljurgh  and  Foster's 
White  Seedling  Grapes,  and  the  Violette  Hutive  Peaches  are  especially 
worthy  of  remark,  Mr.  Bannerman,  gardener  to  Lord  Bagot,  Bnge- 
ley,  and  Mr.  Johnson,  gardener  to  the  Marquis  of  Ailesbury,  Saver- 
nake,  have  also  excellent  collections.  Of  Pines  there  are  several  very 
fine  specimens  from  Mr.  Barnes,  of  Bicton,  who  has  Black  Prince, 
weighing  10;^  and  12  lbs.,  Queens  of  nearly  0  lbs..  Charlotte  Roths- 
child of  5}  lbs.  Mr.  Young  sends  remarkably  fine  heavy  Queensland 
Smooth-leaved  Cayenne,  and  Mr.  Davies  and  Mr.  Kemp  beautifully 
ripened  Queens,  whilst  Mr.  Hannen,  Cyfarthfa,  has  large  fruit  of  the 
Providence. 

Of  Grapes  Mr.  Hill,  Keele  Hall,  Mr.  Meredith,  and  Mr.  Henderson, 
Cole  Orton.  send  baskets  of  Black  Hamburgh  ;  and  very  fine  dishes  of 
the  same  variety  come  from  Mr.  Meredith,  Mr,  Meads,  Mr.  Henderson, 
Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Johnson,  Mr.  Squires,  and  some  others.  BacMamd 
Sweetwater  is  shown  in  fine  condition  by  Mr.  Meredith  ;  and  of  Royal 
Vineyard  very  large  bunches  come  from  Mr.  Kettlewell.  Mr.  Meads  has 
excellent  Black  Prince,  and  Messrs.  Standish  finely  ripened  Muscats. 
Other  exhibitors  show  large  bunches  of  these,  but  not  exhibiting  the 
beautiful  golden  tinge  of  perfect  ripeness.  Messrs.  Standish  &  Co. 
again  exhibit  their  excellent  Royal  Ascot  Grape,  and  bunches  of  Ascot 
Citronelle,  a  delightfully  flavoured  white  Grape,  which  promises  also 
to  form  good-sized  bunches. 

Of  Peaches  Mr.  Miller  has  splendid  fruit  of  Royal  George  and 
Violette  Hative  ;  and  Mr.  Bailey,  Shardeloes.  has  several  fine  dishes 
of  Strawberries. 

Mr.  Barnes,  of  Bicton,  has  quite  a  novelty  at  exhibitions — the  im- 
mense cone  of  Araucaria  imbricata  weighing  5  lbs.,  also  male  catkins 
of  the  same  plant,  cones  of  Picea  nobilis  weighing  2  lbs.,  and  tJiose 
of  other  Coniiers. 


GARDENERS'   ROYAL  BENEVOLENT 
INSTITUTION. 

The  twenty-fifth  Anniversary  Meeting  of  this  lustitutiou  was  held  at 
the  London  Tavern  on  the  *2-lth  of  June,  M.  T.Bass,  Esq.,M.P.  in  the 
chair.  The  company  was  more  than  usually  numerous,  and  the  room 
in  which  the  dinner  took  place  was  even  gaj-erthan  usual  with  flowers 
and  fruits  from  Sandringham  and  other  gardens.  Behind  the  Chair- 
man was  a  fine  display  of  flowering  plants,  with  large  tree  Ferns  on 
each  side,  and  other  parts  of  the  room  as  well  as  the  staircases  leading 
to  it  were  studded  with  fine-foliaged  plants,  the  whole  being  the  con- 
tributions of  Messrs.  Veitch,  Lee,  Williams,  Turner,  and  Eraser. 

The  usual  loyal  toasts  having  been  di-unk,  the  Chairman  in  propos- 
ing the  toast  of  the  evening,  "  Success  and  Prosperity^  to  the  Institu- 
tion "  urged  its  claims  to  support,  and  expressed  a  confidence  that  that 
support  would  not  be  wanting,  for,  said  he,  ''  show  me  a  man  who  takes 
pleasure  in  his  garden,  and  I  will  show  you  a  kindly  fellow.  Show  me 
a  lady  who  is  fond  of  her  garden,  and  she  will  be  found  to  be  possessed 
of  the  most  elevated  tastes  and  acquirements.  It  is  the  ladies  who 
lead  the  way  in  gardening,  it  is  the  ladies  I  wish  to  enhst  in  the  cause 
of  the  Institution,  and  wherever  the  ladies  lead,  the  menmust  follow." 

Sir  Robert  Peel,  Bart.,  M.P.  in  proposing  the  health  of  the  Chair- 
man expressed  gratification  at  seeing  around  many  who  had  supported 
himself  at  the  last  Aaniversary,  but  there  was  one  whom  he  missed, 
ill-.  Veitch,  who,  Le  r.^gi-ctted  to  learn,  was  absent  from  illness.     It 


July  2,  1808.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF    HOBTIOULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENEE. 


was  at  Ilia  (Sir  Itohort  rcol's)  recommendation  tlmt  Mr.  Bass  had 
consented  to  take  the  chair  on  the  occasion,  and  there  rouM  not  have 
been  a  better  Chairman  than  ouo  who  furnished  so  bright  an  example 
of  liberality  of  conduct,  whose  parse  was  ever  open,  whose  hand  was 
never  closed. 

The  next  toasts  ^iven  were  the  "  ITonsos  of  Loppslatnro,"  coupled 
with  tho  name  of  T.  \V.  Kvans,  Ksq..  M.P.  ;  "The  Treasurer,"  Mr. 
Wrench;  "  Tho  Seeretarj'."  Mr.  Cutler;  and  Tho  Jlortienltural  and 
Botanio  Socioties  of  London,  coupled  with  tho  name  of  Mr.  O.  F. 
Wilson. 

Mr.  Wilson  in  replyinf;,  said  that  he  had  onco  before  had  tho  pleasure 
to  respond  to  the  same  toast  on  ft  similar  occn.'iion.  but  since 
that  time  the  Koyal  Horticultural  Society  had  been  eiertinf;  itself  in 
two  very  opjiosite  direction?^,  in  ouo  of  which  it  had  already  met  with  a 
marked  success  as  exemplilied  in  tho  new  Coleuses,  and  in  tho  other 
tho  new  Scientitic  Committee  promised  most  favourably. 

Sir  Robert  IVel  then  proposed  "  Tho  Nursery  and  Seed  Trade,"  to 
which  Mr.  .John  Lee,  Mr.  Nash,  and  Mr.  Harry  Veitch  replied,  the  last- 
named  remarkin}::  that  his  father's  indisposition  was  brought  on  by 
overwork  and  would  probably  soon  pive  way  to  rest. 

The  douations  amounted  to  nearly  .t'-lOO.  and  included  tho  follow- 
ing :— M.  T.  Bass,  Esq  ,  .fio  r,s. ;  Mrs.  Bass,  £10  10s. ;  A.  Bass, 
Esq.,  £10  10.«.  ;  Lord  Sondes,  XW  ICls.:  Baron  Rothschild,  £10  lO.?.  ; 
Sir  Robert  Tecl,  Bnrt.,  £10  Ws. ;  .1.  C.  Evans.  Esq.,  £'21 ;  F.  Wigan, 
Esq.,  £10  10s. ;  O.K.  Cozier.  Esq.,  £10  10s.  ;  W.  Banbury.  Esq., 
£10  10s. ;  J.  Foster,  Esq.,  £10  10s. ;  Thomas  Moore,  Esq.,  £5  i>s.  ; 
Dr.  Hogg,  £5  5s.  ;  Messrs.  Veitch  &  Sons,  £10  10s. ;  Messrs.  Lee, 
.£5  5s.  

ENTOMOLOGICAL   SOCIETY'S  MEETING. 

Thk  Juno  Meeting  was  held  at  Bnrlington  House,  the  President 
W.  H.  Bates,  Esq.,  in  the  chair.  Amongst  tho  douations  to  the 
Society's  library  received  since  the  last  meeting,  were  tlie  publications 
of  the  Zoological  and  Botiuiicnl  Society  of  Vienna,  the  Entomological 
Society  of  Stettin,  the  work  of  Ilerr  Thomsen  on  the  Insects  of  Scan- 
dinavia, &c. 

The  Secretai-y  called  the  attention  of  the  meeting  to  the  proposed 
exhibition  of  economic  entomology  during  the  month  of  August  next, 
the  progl-amme  of  which  is  of  a  very  extended  character,  and  promises 
to  render  tho  exhibition  a  very  valuable  one.  It  is  to  be  held  in  the 
great  building  in  the  Champs  Elysees. 

Mr.  McLachlau  exhibited  the  caterpillar  of  one  of  the  Phryganidie, 
which  was  taken  by  Mr.  Fletcher  crawling  about  the  bark  of  a  Willow 
tree  near  Worcester,  thns  differing  from  the  aqnatic  habits  of  the  re- 
mainder of  the  tribe.  He  considered  that  it  was  the  larva  of  Enoycila 
pusilla,  which  has  been  ascertained  on  the  Continent  to  be  a  non- 
aquatic  species,  and  of  which  the  female  is  wingless. 

Mr.  Butler  exhibited  specimens  of  Otiorhynchus  picipes,  which  had 
proved  very  injurious  by  biting  off  the  young  shoots  of  Roses  and  Horse- 
chestnuts. 

Mr.  Jennev  called  attention  to  a  report  of  the  Proceedings  of  the 
Scientific  Committee  of  the  Horticultural  Society,  in  which  the 
operations  of  the  larvae  of  Coleophora  Hemerobiella  were  detailed,  and 
in  which  it  was  erroneously  stated  that  the  insect  acts  in  the  same 
manner  as  a  leech,  in  sucking  the  leaves,  and  rolls  up  the  leaves  like 
a  cigarette. 

Mr.  Keays  exhibited  Psyche  crassioreUa  from  Hornsey  Wood  ;  also. 
Oak  leaves,  portions  of  which  had  been  rolled  up  into  egg-cases  by 
Attelabus  Curcnliouoides. 

The  Hon.  T.  Do  Grey  exhibited  larvre  and  pupa^  of  Hj-percallia 
Christiemaua,  the  former  found  during  the  months  of  April  and  May, 
upon  Polygala  vulgaris,  near  Shoreham .  One  of  the  larva?  had  changed 
to  the  pupa  state  during  the  sitting  of  the  meeting. 

Mr.  H.  Burmeister,  jun..  exhibited  drawings  of  the  larva;  and  pnpie 
skins  of  many  species  of  Brazilian  Butterflies.  He  had  detenuined  the 
true  character  of  the  pupa;  of  the  genus  Ageroma,  which  Mr.  E. 
Douldeday  had  from  false  characters  created  into  a  distinct  family. 
The  pnpa  is,  however,  simply  suspended  by  the  tail  like  those  of  the 
ordinai-y  Nymphalidro.  He  had  also  ascertained  that  the  larva?  of  the 
anomalous  genus,  Castnia,  feed  on  the  bulbous  swellings  at  the  base 
of  the  stems  of  Orchidaceous  plants  in  Brazil. 

Mr.  Edward  Sheppard  read  a  note  relative  to  the  formation  of  small 
balls  of  earth  by  the  curious  Beetles  belonging  to  the  geuus  Meloe, 
and  Professor  Westwood  gave  an  account  of  tho  manner  in  which  the 
sacred  Beetles  form  and  roll  large  pellets  of  dung  and  earth,  which 
they  bury  in  the  sand,  as  recently  observed  by  himself  at  Cannes  and 
Pompeii.  Mr.  De  Grey  also  exhibited  specimens  of  the  longicom 
Beetle,  Agapanthea  Cardni,  which  he  had  bred  from  the  larva;  which 
reside  on  the  dead  stems  of  Thistles  in  the  Norfolk  fens. 


EAST  SUTTON  PARK. 
Is  travelliuf;  from  London  to  Dover  by  the  Sonth-Eastern 
Eailway,  it  will  be  found  that  the  line  from  Tunbridge  to  Ash- 
ford  passes  in  a  great  measure  through  a  flat  country,  more 
especially  beyond  the  Paddock  Wood  station  ;  but  the  traveller 
will  perceive  a  more  hilly  country  two  or  three  miles  to  the 
north  of  the  line.  This  rising  ground  soon  appears  to  assume 
the  character  of  a  ridge  of  considerable  elevation,  ■which  extends 


for  some  miles  parallel  or  nearly  so  to  tho  railway,  and  three 
or  four  miles  from  it.  The  base  of  theridpe  forms  the  northern 
boundary  of  the  district  called  the  Weald  of  Kent,  of  which 
geologists  speak  so  much,  and  which  may  be  described  as  a 
rather  flat  district,  though  not  a  dead  level,  in  which  the  soil 
has  a  heavy  clayey  sub.soil,  and  in  most  places  is  highly  culti- 
vated. Tho  riilgo  differs  considerably  from  tho  valley,  although 
it  is  not  on  tho  chalk  formation  met  with  elsewhere,  Kentish 
ragstone  cropping  out  as  well  as  being  (luarried  in  many  places  ; 
while  in  others  the  .surface  is  thickly  strewn  with  a  hard  kind 
of  stone  in  pieces  not  much  larger  than  road  metal,  the  soil  in 
tho  latter  case  partaking  more  of  an  oolitic  character,  and 
water  is  less  plentiful  in  this  description  of  surface  than  where 
ragstone  predominates.  Eoth  soils,  however,  are  favourable  to 
the  growth  of  certain  kinds  of  trees  to  a  degree  which  their 
appearance  would  not  indicate,  most  deciduous  trees  and  hedges 
thriving  remarkably  well.  The  heights  have  for  many  years 
been  favourite  places  to  build  residences  upon — not  on  the 
top,  which  is  perhaps  too  bleak,  but  on  the  southern  slopes, 
which  overlook  the  Weald  above  mentioned  for  many  miles. 
Among  the  mansions  which  adorn  these  commanding  positions 
one  of  the  most  ancient  is  Sutton  Castle,  no  longer  a  dwelling 
house,  but  an  Ivy-clothed  ruin.  It  is  said  to  have  been  the 
residence  of  Aymer  de  Vallance,  Earl  of  Pembroke,  soon 
after  the  Conquest,  and  the  adjoining  village  still  retains  the 
name  of  its  once-proprietor,  being  called  Sutton  Vallance.  This 
pleasantly  situated  village  as  well  as  the  Castle  is  built  on  a 
steep  declivity,  there  being  as  much  as  two  storeys  difference  in 
the  height  of  the  bouse  on  the  lower  and  upper  sides.  Modem 
improvements  aided  by  the  disciples  of  McAdam  have  removed 
many  of  the  romantic  features  of  the  place,  but  its  lovely  view 
over  acres  of  orchards  and  hundreds  of  acres  of  Hop  gardens 
remains  the  same,  if,  indeed,  it  is  not  improved;  but  as  my 
journey  is  still  further  eastward  I  must  dismiss  the  village  and 
its  venerable  ruin,  and  u  short  and  pleasant  walk,  the  greater 
part  of  it  through  the  park,  brings  me  to  the  place  I  more  par- 
ticularly wish  to  describe. 

East  Sutton  Place  the  seat  of  Sir  Edmund  Filmer,  Bart.,  is 
one  of  those  commodious  mansions  erected  in  the  time  of  the 
seventh  Henry.  The  brick  house  enriched  by  angles  and  re- 
cesses, windows  plentifully  furnished  with  stout  mullions,  and 
gables  and  chimney  stalks  to  match,  constitutes  a  building  of 
large  extent,  stamped  with  the  marks  of  .antiquity,  yet  not  so 
much  so  as  to  create  a  feeling  that  di.scomfort  must  exist  inter- 
nally, and  improvements  judiciously  introduced  have  rendered 
the  interior  all  that  could  be  wished.  The  mansion  is  snugly 
and  delightfully  situated  in  a  park,  which  of  itself  presents 
more  diversity  of  surface  and  features  of  interest  than  most 
enclosures  of  the  kind,  and  commands  a  view  of  a  dozen 
miles  or  more  to  the  south,  east,  and  west.  It  is  built  on  the 
slope  of  the  ridge  alluded  to,  about  four  miles  from  the  Head- 
corn  station  on  the  South-Eastern  Bailway,  and  about  the  same 
distance  from  Staplehurst.  The  carriage  front  is  on  the  south- 
ern side,  which  is  open  to  the  park,  and  near  to  the  house  this 
is  moderately  level,  but  it  soon  begins  to  descend  rapidly  to 
the  south,  and  a  piece  of  ornamental  water  occupies  the  lowest 
corner  on  the  south  side  ;  while  the  steep  and  irregular  ground 
is  here  and  there  plentifully  furnished  with  timber  trees  of 
great  size  and  age,  many  of  those  near  the  house  being  'SVa.l- 
nuts,  whose  whitened  bark  has  evidently  been  blanched  by 
many  a  winter.  Oaks,  Chestnuts,  Elms,  and  other  trees  also 
abound,  and  I  incidentally  measured  an  Ash  tree  that  promised 
to  do  duty  yet  for  a  century  or  more,  and  found  its  circnm- 
feaence  in  the  smallest  part  between  tho  root-claws  and  the 
branches  to  be  27  feet.  There  possibly  might  be  many  lar,ger, 
but  this  one  happened  to  be  near  at  hand.  A  herd  of  deer 
reposing  in  the  valley  formed  an  appropriate  feature  ;  while 
the  eye  had  only  to  extend  its  research,  and  thriving  orchards, 
Hop  gardens,  and  the  appearance  of  a  highly  cultivate4  country 
bounded  the  view  far  and  wide. 

Having  said  that  the  carriage  front  is  open  to  the  park  on 
the  south  side,  the  dressed  ground  may  be  said  to  surround  it 
on  all  the  other  sides.  A  neat  geometrical  flower  garden  occu- 
pied a  position  facing  the  west.  The  beds  were  all  well  filled, 
and  had  evidently  been  very  gay  at  an  earlier  period  in  the 
year  ;  Stella  Pelargonium  retaining  the  highest  position  amongst 
its  class  here  as  well  as  at  most  places  that  I  have  seen  it,  even 
when  competing  with  newer  kinds.  As  an  ornament  to  the 
flower  garden  it  is  questionable  whether  it  is  more  necessary 
to  general  effect  than  Christine  or  a  similar  variety,  of  which 
there  were  excellent  examples ;  but  it  was  rather  painful  to 
witness,  amidst  the  general  success  o£  plants  so  used,  that  Cal- 


8 


JOUBNAL  OP  HOBTIOULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENEH. 


[  July  2,  1868. 


ceolaria  Aurea  floribunda  was  a  failure  in  some  degree,  though 
not  to  the  same  extent  as  at  eome  places,  Lintou  for  one. 
The  blanks  left  by  plants  partly  dying  off,  or  at  all  events 
ceasing  tlooming  long  before  they  ought  to  have  done,  led  Mr. 
Skinner,  the  very  able  and  intelligent  gardener  here,  to  threaten 
to  do  away  with  if,  as  another  variety  of  taller  growth  seemed 
not  to  be  so  affected.  Among  Verbenas  Purple  King  and 
Crimson  King  were  the  greatest  favourites;  while  a  seedling 
Petunia,  or,  rather,  plants  propagated  from  a  seedling  of  a 
former  year,  seemed  to  have  prospered  better  than  this  plant 
usually  does  in  most  places. 

A  large  flower  bed  in  another  place  now  caught  my  eye,  and 
I  left  this  interesting  group  and  proceeded  to  the  new  attrac- 
tion. I  found  that  it  was  a  circle  placed  so  as  to  be  well  seen 
from  an  important  window  facing  the  north,  which,  notwith- 
standing what  may  be  said  about  looking  out  in  that  direction, 


is  certainly  the  very  best  point  to  view  flowers  from  ;  for  as 
many  of  them  open  to  the  south  only,  the  brightness  they  present 
on  that  side  contrasts  strongly  with  the  appearance  which  they 
have  when  viewed  in  the  contrary  direction.  Of  course  the 
bed  was  far  enough  from  the  house  not  to  be  shaded  by  it,  and 
the  flowering  was  all  that  could  be  desired.  This  bed,  repre- 
sented in  the  accompanying  figure,  is  4.j  feet  in  diameter,  and 
is  annually  planted  with  bedding  plants  arranged  to  form  a 
pattern,  of  which  that  now  given  is  perhaps  not  the  best  ex- 
ample, as  it  is  altered  each  year ;  a  fresh  disposition  of 
plants  for  winter  ornament  is  likewise  made.  The  bed  is 
placed  on  the  lawn,  trees  and  shrubs  being  at  no  great  distance 
from  it ;  but  it  is  not  bounded  by  any  walks.  Its  appearance 
from  above  must  be  like  a  piece  of  rich  embroidery,  and  with 
the  exception  of  the  Calceolaria  the  plants  seemed  to  have  all 
done  well. 


FLOWEK  BED  AT  EAST  SUTTON  PLACE. 


a.  Pelargrinium  Stella,  edged  with  a  tall  yellow  Calceolaria  called  Visco- 
sissima.  and  in  the  centre  of  all  a  group  of  Humea  elegans, 

2.  Verbena  Purple  King  In  eight  compartments,  edged  with  the  same 

Calceolaria  ns  that  used  in  No.  1. 

3.  Pelargonium  Shottlsham  Pet,  silver-edged,  forming  the  groundwork. 

As  will  be  seen  by  the  above,  the  varieties  of  plants  used 
were  not  numerous  ;  nor  is  it  advisable  that  they  should  be  so, 
as  the  most  pleasing  results  are  often  obtained  by  a  judicious 
selection  of  the  most  simple  colours.  In  the  present  arrange- 
ment I  believe  an  outer  edging  of  Golden  Chain  was  contem- 
plated, but  abandoned  for  want  of  sufficient  plants,  and  it  is 


4.  Calceolaria  Anrca  (lol'ibuuda  in  a  single  line  or  ring,  separating  the 

centre  from  the  ■  'iter  band. 

5.  Verhena  Crimson  !    r.g  in  thirty-two  circles,  each  edged  with  Ceras- 

tium.     Lobelin     Lieniosa  forms  the  groundwork  on  both  sides,  as 
well  as  an  edgiL,^  next  the  turf. 

questionable  whether  it  would  have  been  any  improvement.  The 
single  line  of  Calceolaria  Aurea  floribunda  (4),  after  flowering 
well  in  the  early  part  of  the  season,  died  off  very  much,  and 
thus  in  some  degree  injured  a  design  which,  as  those  who  have 
such  things  know,  is  rarely  perfect  in  all  its  parts ;  but,  taken 
as  a  whole,  the  bed  may  be  regarded  as  a  great  success,  the 


Jnly  2,  1B68. 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOBTIOULTUEE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


other  plnnts,  including  tlio  taller  j'ellow  Culccolarin,  beioR  nil 
that  could  bo  dusireJ,  and  when  at  its  best  muBt  have  been 
much  admired. 

In  another  part  of  the  grnnnds  I  noticed  a  flower  border  on 
a  rather  steep  bank  planted  very  effectively.  The  border  was 
about  12  feet  wide,  and  was  divided  into  dinmond-fbaped  and 
triangular  compartments  by  diaj^onal  cross  lines  of  Cernstium, 
making  a  good-sized  diamond  shaped  compartment  iu  the 
centre,  and  triangles  of  half  the  size  at  tbo  outside.  The 
diamond-shaped  portions  were  planted  with  Tom  Thumb  Pe- 
largonium, which  still  retains  a  good  place  in  the  bedding-out 
flower  gardener's  estimation,  and  the  triangles  with  Lobelia 
speciosa,  the  whole  being  edged  with  Cernstium.  Consisting 
of  only  three  kinds  of  plants  of  as  many  colours — namely,  red, 
white,  and  bUio,  this  arrangement  had  a  very  pretty  effect. 
Another  border,  not  so  wide,  was  arranged  differently,  the  lines 
of  demarcation  forming  a  sort  of  zigzag  or  serrated  iiattern ; 
but  it  was  on  the  whole  less  effective,  n,  greater  number  of 
plants  being  used  :  and  although  all  had  done  well,  the  sim- 
plicity of  the  design  previously  noticed  was  preferable. 

Some  other  beds  in  the  grounds  wero  very  attractive,  par- 
ticularly one — a  raised  bed  of  three  circles  united  at  the  edges ; 
the  central  one.  larger  than  the  other  two.  was  very  good.  The 
only  plant  showing  symptoms  of  going  off  was  Centaurea  can- 
didissima,  which,  as  with  mo  both  last  year  and  this,  was 
anything  but  healthy.  In  another  place  was  Centaurea  gym- 
nocarpa,  luxuriant  enough,  but  not  so  much  to  be  depended  on 
as  Cineraria  maritima,  to  which  Mr.  Skinner,  as  well  as  myself, 
and  I  believe  Mr.  Fish,  give  the  preference :  for  although  the 
Centaurea  is  of  more  free  growth  than  the  Cineraria,  the 
aptitude  of  the  autumn-struck  plants  to  run  to  seed  early  in 
summer,  and  when  in  that  condition  their  liability  to  die  off 
without  making  foliage,  leave  a  greater  number  of  ugly  gaps 
than  is  pleasing.  Centaurea  candidissima  is  crrtainly  not 
subject  to  this,  and  is  less  prone  to  flower  and  seed  than  any 
of  the  three  ;  but  with  me  during  the  last  two  years  the  points 
of  the  leaves  have  become  crumpled  and  dead,  and  a  sickly 
appearance  pervades  the  whole  plant.  Tbis  is  much  to  be 
regretted,  as  we  have  no  plant  so  white,  and  its  habit  and  other 
features  are  all  that  can  be  desired.  Mr.  Skinner  had  discarded 
Ireiine  Heib^tii ;  but  Coku-!,  Araarontlius,  Porillfi,  and  other 
plants  were  introduced  with  good  effect  where  wanted. 

In  the  grounds  I  noticed  some  good  specimens  of  Conifer;e, 
particularly  one  of  the  best  specimens  of  Taxodium  semper- 
virens  that  I  have  ever  seen,  and  which  was  standing  out  pro- 
minently amongst  others,  while  there  was  no  lack  of  Boses  and 
other  shrubs. 

The  kitchen  garden,  which  adjoins  the  eastern  side  of  the 
pleasure  ground,  also'  contained  good  examples  of  ribbon 
borders  by  the  side  of  one  of  its  principal  walks,  and  the  glass 
•structures  excellent  Black  Hamburgh  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria 
Grapes.  A  new  vinery  devoted  to  late  Grapes  showed  unmis- 
takeably  that  the  very  popular  Lady  Downe's  requires  almost 
the  same  amount  of  heat  as  the  Muscats,  for  its  condition  was 
less  satisfactory  than  that  of  the  Hamburghs,  which,  as  well  as 
the  Muscats  in  another  house,  were  all  that  could  be  desired 
Peaches  had  been  gathered  early  in  the  year  from  another 
house,  and  in  a  central  one  greenhouse  plants  were  grown  as 
extensively  as  the  house  would  allow.  Perhaps  the  most  in- 
teresting feature  was  another  kitchen  garden  separated  from 
the  first  one  by  a  road  passing  between.  This  garden  was  only 
formed  about  four  years  ago,  and  yet  the  walls,  11  feet  high, 
are  quite  covered  with  excellent  bearing  Peacii  and  Apricot 
trees  on  the  south  and  west  aspects.  Tlie  Apricots  had  done 
remarkably  well  in  ISGG,  but  less  favourably  in  1867,  which 
was  amply  made  up  by  the  heavy  crop  of  Peaclies,  some  con- 
tinuing iu  bearing  till  October ;  a  fine  crop  of  Late  Admirable 
was  showing  well  at  that  time.  The  central  aud  cross  walks  of 
this  garden  were  lined  with  Pear  trees  trained  as  pyramids,  most 
of  which  were  in  fruit.  Of  other  crops  common  in  kitchen 
gardens,  not  the  least  conspicuous  was  a  fine  breadth  of  Bed 
Beet,  the  tops  of  which  might  vie  with  any  of  the  occupants  of 
the  flower  beds  for  depth  and  richness  of  colour.  Strawberries 
for  forcing  occupied  a  sunny  corner,  and  amongst  them  Sir 
Charles  Napier  was  conspicuous  ;  while  in  the  open  ground 
the  same  variety  was  much  esteemed  for  its  bearing  qualities, 
as  well  as  that  of  enduring  travelling  well — a  qualilication  not 
sufliciently  valued  in  every  case,  but  an  important  one  in 
most. 

The  general  good  appearance  of  the  garden  crops,  not  less 
than  the  trimness  of  the  flower  beds,  and  the  abundance  of 
everything  required  for  a  large  family,  showed  that  the  head 


as  well  as  the  hands  of  the  manager  was  judiciously  and  skil- 
fully employed.  In  looking  round  it  would  be  diflicult  to  point 
to  anything  which  indicated  what  was  the  gardener's  hobby, 
which  is  often  enough  evident,  for  at  Sutton  Park  all  things 
were  equally  well  cared  for. — J.  Eobson. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    OAm>EN. 

Thf.  principal  sowings  aud  transplantings  will  now  soon  be 
over  for  this  seoson,  and  as  the  nights  lengthen  a  more  vigor- 
ous growth  will  commence.  Hverything  lately  planted  out 
ought  to  be  watered  occasionally  till  the  plants  begin  to  grow 
freely.  Birds  are  very  troublesome  to  the  early  fruits,  and 
must  be  watched,  and  although  the  garden  has  been  kept  free 
from  weeds  all  the  season,  there  are  thousands  of  seeds  of 
weeds  now  floating  on  every  breeze,  and  those  which  fall  on 
good  ground  will  soon  become  troublesome  if  not  looked  after. 
Cabhai/e  and  CauHflotn'r  plants  for  autumn  use  should  be  trans- 
planted at  regular  intervals ;  those  last  planted  out  should 
have  the  ground  well  stirred  about  them,  and  a  little  soil 
drawn  round  their  stems.  Celcnj,  the  main  crop  might  now 
be  planted  out,  and  the  rows  formerly  planted  should  have  a 
little  earth  drawn  to  them,  first  taking  the  precaution  to  stir 
the  soil  on  each  side  of  the  rows  which  has  been  battered  into  a 
crust  with  the  watering.  If  the  earliest  row  does  not  throw  np 
seed  stalks,  you  may  assist  it  very  much  by  a  good  dose  of 
liquid  manure.  Cucumbers  under  hand-lights,  and  Vegetable 
Marrows,  should  have  a  little  long  litter  spread  over  the  soil 
before  the  shoots  are  pegged  out  to  their  full  extent,  which  will 
keep  the  fruit  clean,  save  watering,  and  bring  up  the  Mush- 
rooms quickly  where  spawn  was  inserted.  I'eas  and  Bcaiis, 
{ev/  people  think  of  sowing  Peas  after  next  week,  and  this  is 
about  the  time  that  mildew  is  so  troublesome  on  Peas.  A 
liberal  supply  of  water  is  the  best  preventive.  SiKccxswn 
Crops,  these  are  now  reduced  to  salad  plants,  which  are  always 
sown  according  to  the  demand  and  the  state  of  the  last  sowing. 

IRUIT    OARDEN. 

Those  who  thought  proper  to  attend  to  the  stopping  of  the 
shoots  of  Pear  trees,  &c.,  against  walls,  will  be  gratified  by 
perceiving  the  buds  swelling  beautifully  at  the  points  of  the 
small  spurs,  and  at  the  bases  of  the  shoots  shortened.  Allow 
the  young  shoots  which  have  started  from  the  foremost  bud  of 
the  stopped  shoot  to  grow  a  little  longer,  or,  if  becoming  long, 
merely  pinch  out  its  point,  as  any  sudden  check  to  the  flow 
of  the  sap  after  such  genial  rain,  would  be  apt  to  break 
into  shoots  those  promising  buds  which  you  would  rather 
see  adorned  with  blossom  and  fruit  next  season.  It  is  a 
general  observation  that  fine-looking  old  Pear  trees  against 
walls  produce  sparingly,  and  th.at  chiefly  on  the  points  of  the 
branches.  This  is  partly  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  other  parts 
of  the  tree  are  so  smothered  with  breastwood  during  the  best 
part  of  the  summer,  that  the  buds  finally  left  cannot  be  ma- 
tured by  the  juice-elaborating  influence  of  light,  and  to  the  ob- 
jection of  employers  to  leave  the  borders  uncropped  ;  the  conse- 
quence of  which  is,  that  the  roots  are  incited  to  go  so  deeply 
that  they  absorb  juices  of  so  rank  a  character  that  our  longest 
and  best  summers  are  insufficent  to  ripen  the  buds  on  the 
puny  shoots.  The  remedies  for  this  are  raising  the  roots 
nearer  the  surface,  timely  foreshortening,  and  slight  or  no 
cropping.  By  taking  off  the  young  wood  from  every  alternate 
branch  on  old  trees,  choosing  good  shoots  about  a  foot  apart 
on  the  other  branches,  and,  commencing  at  the  top  of  the  tree, 
tying  these  shoots  in  a  pendant  position  to  the  denuded  branches, 
and  taking  out  these  branches  in  the  succeeding  year,  in  a 
year  more,  other  circiamstances  being  favourable,  the  tree  will 
be  regularly  covered  with  young  fruitful  wood.  The  prin- 
cipal work  now  is  to  guard'  fruit  from  birds,  i-c,  to  gather 
and  preserve  Strawberries,  and  to  procure  plants  of  these  for 
next  forcing  time.  Fill  a  number  of  GO-sized  pots  with  rich 
compost,  take  a  dibber  and  make  a  row  of  holes  alongside  of  a 
row  of  Strawberries,  push  a  pot  into  each  hole  down  to  the 
rim,  then  single  out  the  runners  and  pinch-off  the  tops  just 
below  the  newly-formed  plant,  double  the  runner  on  the  other 
side  of  the  plant,  aud  with  the  forefinger  push  the  doubling 
down  to  the  bottom  of  the  pot,  and  by  this  means  the  bottom 
of  the  young  plant  is  just  brought  within  the  soil,  and  is  firmly- 
pegged  down  by  its  own  runner  or  string  in  half  the  time  you 
could  do  it  with  a  peg,  or  with  a  stone  or  lump  of  soil. 

FLOWER    GARDEN. 

There  is  little  to  attend  to  in  this  department  at  the  present 


10 


JODENAL  OF  HOBTICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENEB. 


[  July  2,  1868. 


time  except  cleaning  and  keeping  everything  and  everyplace  as 
neat  and  tidy  as  possible.  Attend  to  the  removal  of  Uowers 
as  fast  as  they  decay,  as  nothing  looks  so  untidy  in  a  well-kept 
garden  as  dead  flowers.  Brompton  Stocks  must  be  sown  im- 
mediately, but  Brompton  Ten  \Yeek  Sleeks  should  be  sown  in 
the  first  week  in  August.  This  is  favourable  weather  for  bud- 
ding, and  where  the  buds  are  properly  matured,  as  they  are  in 
most  places,  it  must  be  attended  to  immediately.  Established 
plants  of  Koses  that  make  very  strong  branches  which  hide  the 
flowers,  should  have  them  shortened-in  below  the  level  of  the 
flowers.  Tulips  ought  now  to  be  safely  stored  ;  those  which 
are  seeding  on  the  bed  must  occasionally  be  examined.  AVhen 
the  stalk  assumes  a  yellow  tint  the  roots  may  be  taken  up,  and 
the  stems  with  capsules  attached  may  be  placed  in  an  airy 
room  till  they  become  perfectly  dry.  Plant  out  the  first  crop 
of  pipings,  if  proper  attention  can  be  given  them,  such  as 
shading,  watering,  &c.  Take  advantage  of  the  first  showery 
weather  to  plant  out  young  Pansies. 

GREEXnOUSE    AND    CONSEEVATOET. 

If  the  plants  in  the  greenhouse  are  all  of  the  true  greenhouse 
kinds,  give  them  as  much  air  as  the  house  will  admit ;  but  if, 
as  is  generally  the  case  at  this  time,  they  are  a  mixed  collec- 
tion of  half  stove  plants,  annuals,  &o.,  they  may  be  Kept  close 
at  night  with  a  very  damp  atmosphere,  and  the  house  may  be 
allowed  to  become  well  heated  by  the  sun  before  giving  air  in 
the  morning.  Training  and  staking  plants,  surfacing  pots, 
and  all  routine  work,  must  be  attended  to.  Climbers  in  the 
conservatory,  if  they  are  what  they  should  be,  will  now  require 
the  greatest  attention  ;  training,  thinning,  and  arranging  them 
properly  occupies  much  time,  and  should  never  be  done  in  a 
Lurry.  Formerly  it  was  customary  in  many  places  to  tie  up 
climbers  close  to  the  pillars  and  rafters,  &c.,  in  a  stiff  formal 
manner;  hut  now  it  is  thought  they  can  hardly  be  allowed  too 
much  freedom,  providing  that  they  do  not  injure  other  plants 
with  their  shade.  Orange  trees  and  many  other  large  speci- 
men plants  require  less  water  about  this  time,  but  diminish 
the  quantity  very  gradually.  A  cool  refreshing  air  loaded  with 
perfumes  in  this  house  is  always  agreeable  in  summer,  and  the 
only  way  of  obtaining  this  is  by  large  portions  of  air,  by  slight 
shading,  and  by  pouring  large  quantities  of  water  over  all  spare 
places  round  the  house.  Stove  plants  brought  in  here  for 
flowering  do  not  require  half  the  quantity  of  water  which 
gieenhouBB  plants  do  in  the  same  place. 

STOVE. 

For  the  next  six  weeks  or  two  months,  according  to  the 
•weather,  stove  plants  ought  to  have  more  air  and  light  than  at 
any  other  period.  After  this  time  shade  as  little  as  possible, 
with  the  exception  of  Orchids  and  young  or  newly-propagated 
plants. 

COLD    PITS 

Are  warm  enough  to  allow  of  the  glass  or  canvas  being 
taken  off  at  night  to  give  the  plants  the  benefit  of  the  night 
dews,  which  seem  to  suit  them  better  than  any  sort  of  artificial 
moistening.  When  the  sun  shines  strongly — that  is,  if  it  con- 
tinues to  do  so  as  of  late,  throw  a  slight  shade  over  the  Ca- 
mellias, Azaleas,  Ehododendrons,  and  similar  plants. — 'SV. 
Keane. 


DOINGS   OF   THE   LAST  WEEK. 
With  the  exception  of  a  dull  day  and  a  shower  on  the  22nd, 
the  drought  has  still  continued,  and  on  this  day,  the  27th  of 
June,  has  been  more  trying  to  most  things  than  on  any  pre- 
tIous  day, 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

After  the  shower  took  the  opportunity  of  planting-ont  strong 
plants  of  Brussels  Sprouts,  Broccoli,  and  Winter  Greens, 
and  sowing  Turnips,  Lettuces,  Sec.  Those  growing  freely  were 
snrface-hoed  to  preserve  in  the  soil  the  little  moisture  that  fell. 
It  was  down,  however,  to  such  a  sUght  depth  that  the  ad- 
vantages of  the  shower  were  more  owing  to  the  cool  and  shady 
atmosphere  than  the  quantity  of  water  that  fell,  though  in  the 
space  of  a  quarter  of  an  hour  we  added  a  good  many  gallons, 
collected  from  our  glass  roofs  and  sheds,  to  the  supply  in  our 
tanks. 

Lettuces  of  various  kinds  have  been  very  good  hitherto, 
chiefly  those  sown  thinly  and  left  to  grow,  as  they  have  scarcely 
needed  a  drop  of  water,  but  looked  after  themselves — a  great 
advantage  in  such  weather  over  transplanted  ones,  which  could 
not  grow  without  watering  and  even  shading.  Our  two  first 
crops  of  Cauliflower  have  been  excellent  owing  to  the  deep 
mulchiiig,  and  a  bed  of  a  third  crop  wiU  be  fair-,  but  we  fear  for 


our  next  succession,  unless  there  be  a  change  of  weather,  as  we 
can  scarcely  give  them  enough  of  water  to  keep  them  from 
becoming  blue  in  the  foliage  in  the  hottest  days,  and  ia 
such  circumstances  they  are  apt  to  throw  up  their  heads  too 
soon.  Even  the  next  crop,  standing  between  rows  of  early 
Peas,  we  can  hardly  keep  from  showing  distress,  though  shaded 
by  the  remains  of  the  Peas  on  each  side  of  them.  These  Peas 
we  would  remove,  turn  up  the  ground  on  which  they  grew,  and 
plant  it  with  Cauliflower  again  so  as  to  have  two  successions 
on  the  same  piece,  but  we  are  unwOUng  to  lose  the  benefit  of 
the  shade  of  the  Peas  as  yet. 

We  have  sown  Turnips,  Lettuces,  Carrots,  &c.,  but  we  drew 
the  drills,  watered  before  sowing,  and  after  covering-in  spread 
over  the  ground  a  slight  layer  of  litter.  In  such  heat  and  dry- 
ness it  would  be  vain  to  expect  young  plants  to  grow  or  get 
above  the  soil,  unless  where  there  was  an  abundance  of  water, 
or  an  easy  mode  of  applying  it  where  wanted.  Our  Peas  have 
as  yet  been  very  good,  but  some  of  the  succession  crops  refused 
to  set  the  bloom  without  watering,  and  we  have  helped  in 
this  way  Peas,  Dwarf  Kidney  Beans,  and  Scarlet  Eunners, 
watering  at  the  root  and  mulching  with  grass  or  litter  im- 
mediately afterwards. 

Thiiuiinf]. — Finally  thinned  all  our  crops  of  Onions,  Garrets, 
Beet,  Parsnip,  Salsafy,  &c.,  as  they  were  more  easily  moved 
after  the  rain  on  the  Monday,  but  these  had  all  been  partially 
thinned  some  time  ago.  Ouions  were  very  easily  thinned  when 
the  ground  was  hard  and  dry,  as  the  roots  broke  when  touched, 
close  to  the  ground,  but  those  thinned  later  will  be  more  useful, 
as  when  laid  in  rows  thickly  they  will  do  for  salads  ;  and  many 
will  just  grow  enough  to  give  a  good  supply  of  buttons,  a  thing 
we  can  scarcely  obtain  from  our  strong  ground  in  any  other 
way.  All  these  root  and  bulb  crops  look  well,  though  they 
have  never  received  any  watering.  By  running  a  Dutch  hoe 
along  the  surface  weeds  have  been  kept  from  appearing,  and  a 
couple  of  inches  beneath  the  surface  the  soil  is  moist  enough 
to  keep  on  growth.  In  thinning  Carrots  at  this  season,  the 
Carrots  if  from  a  quarter  to  half  an  inch  in  diameter,  if  laid 
in  thickly  in  rows,  as  stated  above  for  Onions,  come  in  well  for 
soups  when  the  main  crop  would  be  much  too  large.  From  the 
middle  to  the  third  week  in  June  is  a  good  time  to  sow  a  piece 
of  Carrots,  as  for  many  purposes  such  Carrots  are  sweeter  and 
better  than  the  spring-sown  crop,  and  they  are  less  likely  to 
have  a  speck  on  them  from  the  attacks  of  Carrot  enemies.  One 
of  our  best  gardeners  always  sows  a  good  breadth  of  Carrots 
in  June,  but  this  year  he  grumbles  that  the  seedUngs  will  not 
show  above  ground.  In  such  weather  they  would  have  no 
chance  unless  the  drills  were  previously  watered  and  the  ground 
slightly  shaded  with  litter,  &c.,  afterwards.  Onions  for  salading 
we  find  come  like  points  of  needles  without  this  protection. 

Much  against  our  will,  we  will  prick  out  quantities  of  Cauli- 
flower and  Winter  Greens  in  beds,  as  there  we  can  attend  to 
them  with  watering,  &a.,  much  more  easily,  and  lift  them  after- 
wards when  the  ground  is  more  suitable  to  receive  them.  In 
trying  to  dig  a  piece  of  ground  on  which  there  had  been  a  heavy 
crop  of  Spinach,  it  was  too  much  for  the  spade,  being  as  hard 
and  dry  as  if  clay  had  been  baked  in  an  oven.  We  find  even 
our  Celery,  though  strong,  must  have  more  shade,  as  well  as 
more  water,  or  it  will  stand  still,  or  do  what  Celery  rarely 
does  with  us,  will  run  up  its  flower  stalks,  which  must  be  pre- 
vented, if  possible.  We  have  been  forced  to  water  Turnips,  as 
we  found  that  otherwise  they  would  be  hard  and  stringy,  in- 
stead of  sweet  and  succulent,  as  a  young  summer  Turnip  ought 
to  be. 

But  for  the  labour  in  carting  and  carrying,  it  wiU  be  some 
time  before  we  are  so  badly  ofi  for  water  as  we  were  four  years 
ago,  though  depending  entirely  on  r.'iin  and  drainage  stored  up 
in  tanks  and  ponds  ;  but  many  farmers  in  this  neighbourhood 
have  already  to  drive  water  for  their  animals  fiom  three  to 
four  and  more  miles.  This  is  a  serious  affair,  and  shows  the 
importance  of  having  more  means  of  storing  up  what  falls 
freely  from  the  heavens  in  the  course  of  the  season. 

FECIT    GARDEN. 

In  the  open  air.  Strawberries  with  us  will  be  too  much  of  a 
glut,  as  the  crop  will  not  be  so  continuous,  on  account  of  the 
dryness,  and  smaller  fruit  will  look  nothing  alter  the  large  fruit 
of 'the  first  few  weeks'  gathering.  Many  of  ours  are  drying  up 
from  the  drought.  It  is  right  to  state  here,  that  an  old  favourite 
of  ours,  as  one  of  the  best  of  bearers,  and  from  its  hardness 
valuable  for  preserving,  the  Black  Prince,  is  one  more  sen- 
sitive to  drought  than  any  other  we  have  met  with.  We 
generally  force  a  few  for  their  earliness,  but  in-doors  the  least 
dryness  injuriously  affects  them,  when  Keens'  Seedling,  Pre- 


July  2,  1868.  J 


JOURNAL   OF  HORTIOULTURB  AND   COTTAGE  QARDENEB. 


^11 


Bident,  Britisli  Queen,  &o.,  woulJ  not  show  any  baJ  effects 
under  similar  circumstances.  When  wo  gathered  from  ft  heavy 
crop  for  preserving,  the  berries  were  actually  flagging  and 
withering,  when  other  kinds  close  to  them  were  showing  no 
distress,  though  treated  exactly  aUke.  This  Strawberry,  there- 
fore, is  peculiarly  fitted  for  u  damp  position.  Of  course,  in  our 
case,  the  myriads  of  succession  fruit  would  not  come  to  much, 
but  in  a  damp  season,  or  where  plentifully  supplied  with 
water,  this  kind  continues  a  very  long  time  in  bearing.  Late 
kinds,  as  Elton,  Eleanor,  &c.,  will  be  most  useful  this  season, 
especially  where  they  could  be  kept  moist.  They  are  not  to  be 
compared  with  others  in  tiavour,  but  then  they  aro  Btraw- 
berries,  and  their  comparative  acidity  may  bo  neutralised  by 
Bome  pounded  sugar.  A  great  epicure  in  Strawberries,  even 
as  respects  these  late  ones,  was  very  particular  that  each 
berry  should  be  gathered  by  touching  the  stalk  merely,  and 
be  sent  in  the  basket  in  which  it  was  placed,  or  merely  re- 
versed on  a  plate,  without  any  attempt  being  made  to  give  a 
neat  appearance  iu  dishing.  So  particular  was  ho  iu  this 
respect,  that  he  often  gathered  his  Strawberries  himself ;  and 
then,  seated  with  a  small  vessel  of  cream,  and  another  of 
pounded  sugar,  beside  the  Strawberries,  as  ho  dipped  the 
Strawberry  by  the  stalk  in  the  cream,  and  then  in  the  sugar, 
before  disposing  of  it,  he  used  to  say  that  the  ancients  never 
tasted  such  a  luxury,  or  they  would  not  have  talked  such  wild 
romance  about  ambrosia  and  nectar  as  food  and  drink  fit  only 
to  be  partaken  of  by  their  divinities. 

Fruit  Crops. — Of  Gooseberries  there  is  an  extraordinary 
crop,  far  too  thick  after  thinning  for  tarts  and  preserving,  and 
they  should  be  thinned  before  ripening,  to  give  the  wood  a 
chance  of  growing  sufEcieutly  ;  and  Currants  would  have  been 
equally  thick  but  for  the  birds  that  cleared  them  rather  un- 
mercifully when  quite  green,  and  in  their  case  we  will  thin 
and  shorten  the  shoots  as  soon  as  possible.  Baspberries  only 
want  a  thorough  watering  to  make  them  nice,  and  without  it 
the  fruit  will  be  small.  Cherries  are  ripening  sooner  than  we 
want  them,  and  all  our  netting  will  not  prevent  our  bird 
Tisitors  from  having  a  few.  What  makes  the  stupid  things 
sing  out  when,  inside  a  net,  they  see  any  one  approaching '!  Is 
it  because  they  have  a  strong  consciousness  of  wrong-doing, 
and  are  crying  for  mercy?  Our  Cherries,  especially  the 
earliest,  as  we  could  not  water  theru,  are  smaller  than  usual — 
much  smaller  than  similar  kinds  in  the  orchard  house  iu  pots, 
where  they  had  what  watering  they  needed.  Plums  and  these 
iruit  mentioned  have  mostly  received  their  summer  dressing, 
and  if  we  cannot  attend  to  all,  we  will  at  least  shorten  the 
shoots  at  the  top  of  the  trees,  and  let  the  lower  ones  have  a 
little  more  growth.  Apples  are  dropping  their  fruit  a  little, 
partly  owing  to  the  dryness,  and  thus  thinning  the  super- 
abundance are  doing  for  themselves  what  should  have  been 
done  for  them. 

Most  of  our  dwarf  Apple,  Pear,  and  Cherry  trees  would 
have  been  benefited  by  a  good  watering,  and  this  is  just  one  of 
the  cases  where  the  amateur  with  only  a  few  trees  may  be  able 
to  do  better  for  them  than  a  gardener  who  has  much  to  look 
after,  and  affords  an  evidence  why  most  improvements  in  all 
trades  and  professions  are  more  due  to  the  amateur  enthusiast 
than  to  the  men  who  engage  in  the  profession  as  mere  work- 
men in  a  trade  by  which  they  must  live. 

Went  over  the  most  of  our  Apricots  and  Peaches  out  of 
doors,  removing  strong  shoots,  or  what  would  be  too  strong  for 
fruiting  next  season,  as  it  is  now  quite  late  enough  to  stop- 
back  such  shoots  in  order  to  secure  two  or  three  of  less 
robust  strength,  which  would  ripen  their  wood  for  next  season. 
This  early  stopping  of  very  strong  shoots  is  one  of  the  best 
means  of  filling  up  gaps  in  trees,  and  of  regulating  the  strength 
of  growth  all  over  the  tree,  as  every  one  of  these  strong  shoots, 
if  allowed  to  grow,  not  only  robs  the  rest  of  the  tree  of  its  due 
strength,  but  proves  useless  of  itself,  as  such  extra  growth  can 
rarely  be  so  matured  in  our  climate  as  to  be  fruitful  in  the 
succeeding  year,  whilst  if  stopped  early  and  from  one  to  two  or 
more  shoots  taken  from  it,  the  stopping  would  divert  the 
strength  of  growth  into  other  channels,  and  the  one  or  more 
shoots  that  came  from  the  stopping  would  have  the  chance  of 
being  perfected  and  ripened,  so  as  to  jjroduce  in  the  following 
year.  We  have  not  watered  such  trees  as  yet  out  of  doors, 
but  we  see  we  must  do  so  ere  long  if  there  be  not  a  change  of 
weather,  or  there  will  be  a  risk  of  the  fruit  falling.  This  is 
neutralised  so  far  iu  our  case,  as  the  borders,  some  5  feet  from 
the  wall,  have  been  cropped,  and  the  crops  needed  a  little 
water. 

We  woidd  have  no  objection  to  deep  borders  for  fruit  trees, 


nay  would  rather  prefer  them,  provided  we  could  so  treat  them 
that  wo  could  by  mulching  and  watering  entice  the  i>  uts  within 
a  reasonable  distance  from  the  surface.  In  such  seasons  as 
this,  where  the  above  means  cannot  bo  resorted  to,  the  roots 
will  go  down  iu  search  of  moisture,  just  as  we  sink  a  well 
deeper  when  the  shallow  one  becomes  dry ;  and  the  conse- 
quence of  the  roots  going  deep,  where  they  obtain  moisture 
without  much  of  the  oxygen  of  the  atmosphere,  and  especially 
iu  dull  seasons,  is  the  production  of  gross  watery  wood,  which 
our  seasons  are  not  bright  and  hot  enough  to  mature,  and  the 
result  is  either  fruitless  wood,  or  wood  so  soft,  juicy,  and  im- 
mature as  to  be  killed  by  the  frosts  of  winter.  Iliuce  where 
such  care  as  above  cannot  be  given,  the  most  fruitful  borders 
for  trees  will  be  those  where  the  roots  cannot  go  too  deep,  and 
where  the  means  for  securing  due  strength  can  be  communi- 
cated from  the  surface.  If  we  plant  an  Oak  or  a  Pear  tree  for 
timber  we  may  treat  them  nearly  alike ;  but  if  we  plant  a 
Pear  tree  and  wish  to  eat  fruit  from  it  as  soon  as  possible,  we 
must  treat  it  dilferently  from  the  Oak. 

Again,  as  respects  Pftieli  trees.  Aprieots,  ifc,  on  waUs  out  of 
doors,  let  it  not  be  forgotten  that  next  year's  frultfulnee& 
depends  on  having  the  bearing  wood  of  next  season  as  much 
exposed  to  the  sun  of  the  present  as  possible,  and,  therefore, 
that  all  extra  and  useless  wood  should  be  removed  as  soon  as 
this  can  be  done.  We  sometimes  offend  in  this  respect,  just 
because  among  conflicting  claims  some  things  cannot  be  at- 
tended to  as  soon  as  they  ought  to  be.  We  have  heard  of 
cases  where  the  gardener  used  to  be  nonplussed  what  to  senc! 
his  men  to  do,  everything  was  in  such  good  order  that  he 
actually  was  troubled  to  find  a  job.  But  we  must  say  that  in 
our  own  observation  and  experience  we  never  met  with  such 
an  instance.  The  great  trouble  is  to  do  work  in  sufficient 
time  so  that  nothing  may  suffer  from  being  passed  over.  Never- 
theless, when  one  sees  the  shoots  of  Peaches,  &c.,  against  walls 
hanging  in  a  natural  state  in  July  and  August,  and  being  fixed 
up  to  the  wall  when  the  sun  is  declining  in  power,  we  need  not 
wonder  that  year  after  year  the  trees  produce  less  and  less,  and 
only  want  a  sharper  winter  than  usual  to  destroy  them  al- 
together. 

Such  winters  as  1860-01  killed  or  much  injured  many  trees 
well  treated.  We  saw  the  other  day  a  wall  that  was  a  picture 
iu  185'J,  and  which  has  never  recovered,  and  never  will  recover, 
the  injury  sustained  at  the  Christmas  of  another  year  of  the 
period  named,  even  though  treated  in  summer  iu  the  very  best 
manner  ;  but  if  such  was  the  effect  of  the  frost  on  trees  well 
treated,  what  can  we  expect  from  the  watery  wood  hanging 
like  a  thicket  from  the  wall  in  July  and  August  ?  The  great 
secrets  for  securing  wall  fruit  are — stop  strong  robber  shoots 
early,  get  the  bearing  wood  exposed  to  all  the  sun  poFsible,  anfl 
keep  the  trees  clean  by  clearing  off  all  insects  before  they 
establish  themselves,  and  for  a  rough  and  ready  and  effectual 
means  for  doing  this  latter  cleaning,  though  valuing  tobacco 
dusts,  grains,  and  liquids,  commend  us  to  a  good  lathing  with 
soft-soap  water  from  a  syringe  or  engine. 

Tohacco  Powder,  &c. — Here,  in  passing,  let  ns  state,  that  we 
had  some  of  the  kinds  advertised  as  made  up  free  from  duty, 
and  there  may  be  differences  in  the  mixtures  sent  out  by  dif- 
ferent makers,  but  for  certain  things  we  wiil  use  them  with 
great  care  especially  under  glass.  Not  wishing  to  fumigate, 
nor  yet  under  the  circumstances  to  syringe  overhead,  we  dusted 
some  fine  shows  of  British  (Jueen  Strawberry  on  which  the 
green  fly  had  presented  itself,  but  for  such  a  purpose  we  will 
not  use  it  again.  In  most  oases  the  dusting  killed  the  fly,  but 
the  young  fruit  on  which  it  chanced  to  light  never  grew  after- 
wards but  became  hard  and  shrivelled. 

Orchard  House. — In  last  week's  number  we  should  have 
stated,  that  we  used  the  soap  water  at  a  temperature  ranging 
from  120'  to  130°,  and  with  no  bad  effects.  Yesterday  we 
selected  ten  leaves  near  the  top  of  the  house  most  affected 
with  the  red  spider,  and  though  closely  examining  these  leaves 
with  a  magnifying  glass,  we  found  only  one  red  spider  alive. 
Though  depending  something  on  the  daubing  the  wall  with 
sulphur  and  soft-suap,  we  will  ere  long  give  the  trees  another 
good  lashing.  It  will  not  do  to  use  soap  water  after  the  fruit 
is  swelling  to  ripening,  especially  Peaches.  The  fruit  has 
mostly  been  gathered  from  the  front  of  the  Peach  house,  and 
there,  too,  the  red  spider  has  been  making  its  appearance 
lately,  but  we  cannot  resort  to  very  severe  measures  there  until 
the  ripening  fiuit  is  all  gatherec". 

Vineries. — In  re-arranging  plant  houses,  itc,  we  have  been 
able  to  clear  out  all  plants  from  the  vinery  from  which  we  are 
now  cutting.     The  most  tender  sorts  will  not,  therefore,  be 


12 


JOURNAL   OF  HOBTICULTURE   AND  COTTAGE  GAKDENER. 


[  Jvdf  2,  1868. 


damped  or  split,  as  reepecta  the  berries,  from  the  watering 
necessary  to  plants  beneath  them.  This  honse  will  also  be 
kept  drier  inside.  The  stage  and  every  portion  of  the  back 
wall  that  could  be  reached  has  also  been  lime-waphed,  and 
plenty  of  air  left  on  night  and  day,  so  that  the  fumes  of  the  lime 
should  not  be  felt.  The  white  surface  thus  presented  will 
throw  more  light  to  the  foliage  than  if  walls  or  stage  had  been 
of  a  duller,  dingy  colour.  Though  these  walls  are  regularly 
washed  every  spring,  the  growing  of  many  plants  in  the  hou?e, 
Strawberries,  &c.,  renders  them  anything  but  bright  by  this 
time  of  the  year,  and  according  as  opportunity  offers  we  make 
the  walls  and  stages  whiter  for  the  extra  light  that  will  thus 
be  reflected. 

Proceeded  with  thinning  Grapes  in  the  late  houses  and 
orchard  houses.  In  our  vineries,  to  obtain  huge  bunches  we 
want  fresh  borders  and  replanting,  meanwhile  we  have  plenty 
of  fruit,  for  after  cutting  off  bushels  of  bunches  before  thin- 
ning, we  have  left  still  far  more  tlmn  enough.  These  vineries, 
contrary  to  what  we  would  wish,  have  the  roots  outside,  the 
stems  taken  through  a  hole  in  the  front  wall  in  the  old- 
fashioned  way,  and  the  outside  borders  we  have  had  watered 
after  merely  breaking  the  surface.  The  first  vineries  covered 
with  litter,  and  used  with  ohl  sashes,  for  bringing  on  bedding 
plants,  had  no  watering,  until  lately  the  covering  was  removed, 
after  the  Grapes  were  colouring.  Many  early  vineries,  with 
the  Vine  roots  out  of  doors,  suffer  from  removing  the  covering 
too  early.  In  some  cases  it  would  be  better  to  give  no  covering 
except  a  little  dry  litter,  in  preference  to  clearing  all  off  too 
early.  Some  of  our  best  gardeners  prefer  mulching  all  the 
summer,  instead  of  watering  much,  if  any,  faither  than  what 
the  rains  supply,  and  these  they  exclude  from  early  houses  by 
August  and  September,  by  means  of  tarpaulin,  sashes,  &c, 

ORNAMENTAL    DEPARTMENT. 

To  this  we  will  return  with  more  minuteness  nest  week, 
meanwhile  our  flower  garden,  with  a  little  water  at  the  roots  of 
the  most  needy  plants,  for  eight  or  ten  days,  is  looking  as  well 
as  could  be  expected,  we  are  assured  better  than  where  the 
plants  have  been  watered  well  every  day.  It  is  so  easy  to  give 
too  much  of  a  good  thing. — R.  F. 


C0\T:NT  garden   market.— July  1. 

Falling  prices  and  a  slow  demand  rule  here,  nnd  this,  coupled  with  the 
astonishing  quantitiesof  some  descriptions  of  produce,  such  as  Peaches, 
Nectarines,  and  Pines,  renders  it  difficult  to  effect  sales  for  one-half  nf  it. 
How  long  this  may  last  we  cannot  say ;  but  it  is  very  unsatisfactory  at 
present.    Kent  Shaw  Potatoes  bring  4s.  per  bushel,  Regents  5». 


Apples '^  sieve 

Apricots doz. 

Cherriee lb. 

Chestnuts bnsh. 

Currants i^  sieve 

Black do. 

Figs doz. 

FUberts lb. 

Cobs lb. 

Gooseberries  ..  quart 
Grapes,  Hothouse,  .lb. 
Lemons 100 


B.  d.  B. 

1  (UoO 

2  0  4 

:t  1 

0  0 

0  0 

0  5 

0  8 

0  0 

9  1 

4  0 

0  5 

0  12 


FRUIT. 
.  d 


Melons each    ; 

Nectarines doz.  4 

Oranges 100  12 


d. 

Oto6 


Peaches doz. 

Pears  (dessert)  ..  doz. 

Pine  Apples lb. 

Plums 1^  sieve 

Quinces doz. 

Raspben-iP9 lb. 

Strawberries  . .   per  lb. 


Walnuts bush.  10 

do per  100    1 


VEGETABLES, 


Books  (Pomona). — "Fruit  Gardening,"  which  you  can  have  free  by 
post  from  our  office  for  five  postage  stamps,  wo  think  would  suit  you- 
{G.  E.  B.). — As  you  do  not  stipulate  as  to  the  price,  we  recommend 
Me'Intosh's  *'  The  Book  of  the  Garden,"  Johnson's  "  Cottape  Gardener's 
Dictionary,"  the  new  edition,  with  supplement.  Smith's  "  Ferns,  British 
and  Foreign." 

Supplement  to  Cottage  Gaedekers'  Dtctionary  (A  Gardener  and 
Othtrs).—'Ihe  Supplement  will  be  publithed  by  tbo  end  of  next  week. 

Peas— Strawberries  {A.  J?.).— There  are  loo  mnny  varieties  of  Peas 
for  us  to  be  able  to  name  one  from  a  few  pods.  The  size  of  your  Empress 
Euemie  Strawberries  is  a  full  average.  The  gardener  who  talked  about 
a  Strawberry  weighing  six  ounces  must  have  been  joking.  Ho  never  saw 
one  of  half  that  weight. 

Black  Spots  ok  Rose  Leaves  (E.  F.  TT.).— "The  black  spots  on  the 
Rose  leaves  are  said  to  be  caused  by  some  fungus,  but  I  have  never  yet 
been  able  to  detect  a  spore.  I  never  saw  them  under  glass,  but  I  have 
more  than  I  like  on  my  Roses  now.  It  is  not  improbable  that  the  cause 
may  be  sudden  and  extreme  atmosphericchanges.  The  leaves  invariably 
fall  off  in  course  of  time.  After  a  Rose  has  bloomed  you  may  cut  buck  to 
the  first  fresh  plump  eye.  If  a  bad  start  and  loi  k  pointed,  cut  to  the 
nest  plump  eye. — W.  F.  Radclyffe," 

Roses  for  Pegging-down  on  a  Lawn  (Idem). — "I  recommend  the 
following  thirteen  Roses  for  pegging-down  on  a  lawn  ;  they  are  very  free 
bloomers.  For  this  purpose  they  must  be  plants  with  pliable  wood.  Stiff, 
erect  growers  are  not  so  suitable,  Pink'—3i\]cs  Margotlin;  Maroon — 
Camille  Bernardin  ;  Vermilion — Maurice  Bernardin  ;  While — Baronne 
de  Maynard,  mot^t  beautiful;  Yellow— Celine  Foreetier,  it  must  not  be 
cut  much,  and  requires  great  room;  Rose  colour— Comie  de  Nnnteuil; 
Eed — Sanateur  Vaisse  ;  Scarlet  Crimson — Baronne  Adolphe  de  Rothschild 
(not  Baron),  beautiful:  Purple  Crimson,  dark  xhaded-Dxic  de  Cazes ; 
Purplish  or  Brilliant  Crimson — Marechal  Vaillant  :  Waxy  Flesh — Mrs. 
Bosanquet;  Bhixh — Marguerite  de  St.  Amand;  Eosjf  (.Vimpon— Lady 
Suffield.  From  these  thirteen  Roses  selection  is  safe. — W.  F.  Radclyffe.'* 
Sowing  Peas  [S.  B  ).— There  is  nothing  new  in  the  plan  you  adopted 
to  keep  off  birds.  Thread  or  string  stretched  over  seed  beds  may  be  seen 
jn  almost  everj-  cottager's  garden. 

Skeleton  Leaves  and  Seaweeds  {E.E.). — It  is  impossible  for  as  to 
tell  the  value,  so  much  depends  on  the  specimens  and  their  condition. 
Such  things,  as  a  rule,  are  just  worth  what  the  buyer  pleases  to  give, 
unless  you  fix  a  price  and  wait  a  long  time  to  effect  a  bale. 

BoRONiA  SERRtjLATA  Infestcd  WITH  ScALE  (Drina). — The  Specimen  IS 
much  infested  with  scale.  You  will  find  It  upon  the  stems  and  under 
sides  of  the  leaves,  appearing  as  a  small,  browui^ih,  slightly  raised  long 
speck,  that  couus  off  readily  when  touched  slightly  with  the  point  of  a 
knife.  The  gummy  substance  is  honeydew  caused  by  the  scale  insect, 
and  the  black  substance  is  the  honeydew  infested  with  b)ack  fungus.  We 
cannot  say  what  is  the  cause  of  the  attack,  but  it  probably  is  the  plant 
being  kept  in  too  close  and  warm  an  atmosphere.  The  best  remedy  is 
to  pick  otF  all  the  insects  with  the  point  of  a  knife,  then  lay  the  pot  on  its 
side,  syringe  the  plant  forcibly  with  water  at  a  temperature  of  140^,  tnm. 
ing  it  and  the  pot  round  so  as  to  thoroughly  syiinge  it  on  every  side. 
This  repeated  a  few  times  at  intervals  will  free  the  plant  of  the  scale- 
W'e  advise  you  to  keep  it  in  a  cold  pit  or  frame  during  the  summer. 

Making  a  Tan  Bed  (A  Younff  Beginner). — The  tan  or  bark  we  presume 
is  old  and  spent,  as  it  ought  to  have  heated  before  it  had  lain  "some 
time,"  which  we  presume  is  some  weeks.  If  fresh  it  would  become 
heated  within  a  fortnight  if  the  heap  was  Inrge  enough.  No  sprinkling 
with  water  would  cause  it  to  ferment  or  heat,  nor  ought  Jt  to  be  screened 
— indeed  we  consider  it  worthless  ;  but  tan  may  be  spread  out  too  thinly, 
and  there  may  be  too  little  of  it  for  fermentntion.  For  the  width  of  bed 
you  name  the  tan  should  not  be  less  than  4^  feet  in  depth,  and  it  should 


s.  d.  B.  d  I 

Artichokes doz.  2    0  to  3    0  i 

Asparagus  100  2    0  6    0 

Beans,  Kidney  ^.  sieve  4    0  0    0 

Beet,  Red doz.  2    0  8    0 

Broccoli bundle  0    0  0    0 

Brus.  Sprouts  ''-  sieve  0    0  0    0 

Cabbage doz.  10  16 

Capsicums 100  0    0  0    0 

Carrots bunch  0    6  10. 

Cauliflower doz.  3    0  6    0  | 

Celery bundle  16  2  .  0  i 

Cucumbers each  0    4  10 

Endive doz.  2    0  0    0 

Fennel bunch  0    8  0    0 

Garlic lb.  0    8  0    0  ; 

Herbs  bunch  0    8  0    0 

Horseradish  . .  bundle  3    0  5    0  i 


Leeks bunch 

Lettuce ....  per  score 
Jlushrooms ....  pottle 
Mustd.A  Cress,  punnet 
Onions  per  doz  bchs. 

Parsley per  sieve 

Parsnips doz. 

Peas per  quart 

Potatoes bushel 

Kidney do. 

Radishes  doz.  bunches 

Rhubarb bundle 

Sea-kale basket 

Shallots lb. 

Spinach   bushel 

Tomatoes. . . .  per  doz. 
Turnips  bunch 


d.      B. 

4  toO 


fi 

1 

n 

4 

a 

n 

n 

u 

0 

4 

9 

1 

9 

1 

fi 

(! 

n 

fi 

6 

0 

4 

0 

n 

n 

8 

0 

0 

s 

n 

4 

6 

1 

TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 

We  request  that  co  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.  All 
communications  shotild  therefore  be  addressed  solebf  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture^  dCf  171,  Fleet 
Street,  London^  E.C. 


0  1  be  fresh,  putting  about  a  foot  of  screenings  of  old  tan— that  remaining  in 
a  half-inch  sieve— on  the  surface  for  plunging  the  pots  in.  Cheilanthes 
fragrans  (odora)  is  a  somewhat  scftrce  Fern,  being  rather  difficult  of  cul- 
tivation. It  is  iucluded  in  the  catalogues  of  our  principal  nurserymen, 
and  is  not  high-priced. 

Impregnating  Melon  Flowers  (T.  TF.).— It  is  scarcely  necessary  at 
this  period  to  imi>reguatc  the  flowers,  but  it  is  well  to  practise  it  at  all 
seasons.  The  process  is  a  very  simple  one.  All  that  is  necessary  is  to 
take  the  male  flower,  wh=ch'is  that  without  fruit,  nnd  nipping  it  off 
the  plant,  strip  it  of  the  corolla,  leaving  the  centre  entire.  This  will  be 
covered  with  a  fine  yellow  powder.  Taking  the  flower  by  the  stalk,  place 
it  in  a  flower  having  a  fruit  beneath  it.  Twist  it  gently  round  a  few 
times,  and  the  pollen  or  yellow  dust  will  be  diPtributed  on  the  sti^>ma  of 
the  flower.  The  flowers  Vhould  be  impregnated  when  they  are  fully  open 
and  fresh,  and  during  tbo  early  part  of  a  fine  day.  going  over  them  fre. 
quently  for  the  purpose,  so  as  to  perform  the  opt-ration  before  they  shut. 

Stopping  Vines  (JI.  £.1.— It  is  not  desirable  to  stop  the  leading  shoots 
until  they  reach  the  top  of  the  house  or  length  of  rafter  ;  then  they  ought 
to  be  stopped,  and  not  turned  back  as  you  seem  disposed  to  do.  We 
invariably  pinch  out  the  point  of  the  leading  fchoot  when  about  1  foot 
from  the  top  of  the  house  or  rafter,  and  allow  the  laterals  to  grow  to  some 
extent  before  stopping. 

Strawberhies  for  Light  Soil  (OrTTistirA).— Forpreserving  we  recom- 
mend Sir  Charles  Napier  ;  and  for  table  use.  Eclipse,  La  Con^ante,  and 
Frogmore  Late  Pine.  Roses  cannot  be  successfully  cultivated  in  a  draw- 
ing-room. 

RHiprDOPTEBTs  PELTATA  CULTURE  (S.  A.  ]\I.).—It  is  a  very  rare  Fern 
from  the  We^t  Indies,  succeeding  admirably  in  a  rather  close  moist  atmo- 
sphere. Avoid  wetting  the  fronds  more  than  can  be  helped.  A  moderate 
amount  of  air  is  necessary,  and  shade  from  bright  sun.  When  growing 
freely  water  liherallv.  and  always  keep  the  soil  moist,  but  drier  in  winter 
than'in  summer.  Keep  it  near  the  glass,  and  afford  plenty  of  room.  Give 
a  liberal  amount  of  drainage;  and  for  soil  use  a  compost  of  brown,  sandy, 
fibrous  peat  torn  m  pieces  with  the  hand  and  made  fine,  adding  silver 
sand  freelv.  The  temperature  may  be  from  r.5-  to  ^5=  or  70'  in  winter. 
and  from  GD^  to  65^  at  night  in  summer,  and  from  80-  to  SS*^  by  day  with 
sun. 


Plants  for  a  Eockwork  Aechwat  [A  Twrlre-years  Suhscriber).— Your 
rockery  archway  being  in  the  shade  will  answer  very  well  for  some  of  the 
hardy 'Ferns;  but  there  are  no  Lyeopods  that  would  succeed,  except, 
perhaps,  Selaginella  denticulata  planted  in  a  sheltered  cavity  or  crevice. 


July  2,  1868.  J 


JOURNAL  OF   HORTICULTURE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


13 


Tho  following  Ferns  would  probably  succpod,  providing  tbe  rockery  is 
not  subjected  to  tho  aun's  riijfl,  but  Hhaded  from  thorn,  and  can  be  kept 
moist :— Allosorus  crispus,  Aaplonium  ndiautum  niKTiim,  A.  ruta-muraria, 
A.  trichomanos,  A.  virido,  ('yHtoptcris  fratfilifl,  P.dypodium  iilpestre. 
P.  vulRftro,  P.  dryoptoris,  Bldohnuni  Bpicant,  PolyHticbum  aculeatuin, 
P.  annulare,  and  itn  varictioH  proliltrum  and  cristatura,  and  Pulystichum 
lonchitis.  The  rockwork,  on  tlio  othi-r  band,  huiuR  in  tho  full  huu,  will 
need  plants  aceordinsly,  and  n<.t  I'mis— js  Anbrititift  doltoidca,  Aronaria 
verna,  Arabia  iilbida,  iJampanuIu  f'arctanica,  Coraatium  tomentoBum, 
Cbeiranthus  alpinuH,  Druba  aizoidoH,  Erinus  alpinus  (slionld  be  planted 
liberally),  Linaria  cymbalaria,  Oxaiia  tropieoloides,  Polyj^alu  vulparis, 
Saxifraga  affinis,  S.  aizoon,  H,  cymbalaria,  and  S.  juniperina;  Sedum 
acre,  S.  aunlicura,  S.  For.sterianuni.  and  S.  kmntHclmticnm ;  and  Sem- 
pervivum  aracbnoideum,  S.  Rlobulilerum,  and  S.  calif oraicum.  They 
can  be  procured  throuKb  any  of  the  principal  nurBeryniou. 

Fern  Frokds  Mildf.wkd  (O.  A.  S.).— We  nro  obliged  by  tho  Fern 
fronds.  The  plants  should  have  thorough  and  frequent  syringings.  The 
mildew  or  fundus  would  then  disappear. 

L\DY  DowNE's  GRAPF.fl  Skttino  Badly  (S.  C.).— The  Lady  Downe*s 
Vine  should  bavo  ii  higher  teniponture  to  set  its  fruit  well,  and  the  floors 
and  other  surfaces  should  bo  sjirinkled  with  water  twice  or  tbriee  a-day. 
Rocjuiring  a  higher  temperature  than  tho  Black  H;iinburghs.  I.ady  Downe's 
Vine  onght  not  to  be  p-own  in  the  same  house,  but  the  Hauiburghs  will 
succeed  with  the  treatment  required  for  the  Laily  Dnwne's,  only  the  fruit 
owing  to  the  temperature  may  be  ripe  earlier  thau  desired. 

Gansel's  Beroamot  Pear  (A  Subscribt'r).—li  would  not  succeed  as  a 
standard  if  you  reside  in  tho  northern  counties.  Your  planting  it  in  a 
warm  sunny  orchard  would  be  feuccessfnl  if  your  locality  is  mild  and  not 
far  north. 

CuTTiNo-iN  Oleanders  (C  M.  Jl/.).— Xow  is  a  good  time  to  cut-in  tbe 
old  Oleander  trees,  but  we  should  have  preferred  doing  so  a  month  or 
six  weeks  earlier.  In  pruning  leave  some  young  wood  if  you  can,  as  they 
do  not  push  freely  from  such  thick  stems  as  you  describe.  We  should 
prefer  putting  in  cuttings,  shoots  of  the  current  year  that  have  com- 
pleted their  growth  being  taken  off  when  the  wood  is  rather  firm.  Cut 
them  below  a  joint,  take  oif  tbe  lower  leaves  for  about  two-thirds  the 
length  of  the  cutting,  and  insert  the  cuttings  in  a  compost  of  equal  parts 
of  turfy  loam,  sandy  peat,  and  silver  sand,  with  an  inch  in  depth  of  silver 
sand  on  tbe  surface.  Place  tho  cuttings  in  a  hotbed,  and  they  will  be 
well  rooted  in  about  six  weeks,  and  may  then  be  potted-oflF.  The  young 
plants  will  serve  your  purpose  better  than  cutting  down  the  old  plants. 

Watering  Amaryllis  (Idein).-— Watering  shouhl  be  continued  until 
the  plants  show  signs  of  going  to  rest,  which  you  will  notice  by  the  alter- 
ation in  tbe  colour  of  the  leaves.  The  seed  wiU  ripen  fully  without 
giving  water  specially  on  their  account.  As  a  rule,  watering  will  bo  re- 
quired until  September.  We  fear  vou  have  destroyed  the  seed  pods  by 
too  liberal  supplies  of  water  overhead.  Give  only  enough  water  to  keep 
the  foliage  from  flagging,  and  when  tbe  leaves  turn  yellow  ceise  watering 
altogether,  placing  the  plants  near  the  glass  in  the  full  sun. 

Vallota  purpurea  PoTTiNr,  {Idem)  — For  autumn  fiowering  no  time 
should  be  lost  in  having  tho  plants  repotted  ;  but  unless  tbe  drainage  is 
bad  we  would  not  repot,  but  leave  tho  bulbs  as  they  are.  If  the  drainage 
is  bad  repot,  but  do  not  give  a  largo  shift,  as  Vallotas  and  all  bulbs  never 
do  so  well  as  when  tho  roots  are  confined  and  touching  the  sides  of  the  pot. 
Ipomjea  heoer.efolia  (A.  CI/.).— Yon  have  the  plant  we  meant  by 
German  Ivy,  and  when  it  flowers  we  will  thank  you  for  a  specimen.    The 


I  true  Ipomipa  hedertefolia  has  paie  lilac  flowerw,  and  i»  very  like  a  Con- 
I  volvulus.— G.  A. 

I  Passies  for  Flowerino  at  the  Esn  or  June  (^■'nfiirMn).-  To  have 
I  Pansics  in  flower  at  tbe  end  of  June  cuttings  should  be  put  in  late  in  the 
I  previous  autumn,  and  planted  at  tho  end  of  Miirch  or  early  in  April. 
I  These  plants  should  be  kept  well  supplied  with  water,  and  shaded  from 
j  bright  sun  during  hot  dry  pcriofls.  so  that  thny  may  grow  well  during 
Jliiy  and  the  early  part  of  June.  Instead  of  flowering.  To  prevent  their 
exhauhting  theni'aelvcs  pick  ofi"  tho  early  blooran.  Top-dreHsiJigs  of  rich 
,  compost  should  bo  given  in  April  and  iMay. 

i  Asters  for  Exhiuition  (fi.  C.j.- Tbpy  must  be  grown  in  good,  rich 
well-manured,  and  deeply-dug  ground.  The  aeed  should  be  sown  at  such 
'  ft  time  that  they  will  be  in  flower  at  the  time  required.  Sow  in  gentle 
heat,  keep  the  seedlings  near  the  glass,  prick  tbem  off  when  large  enough 
to  handle,  and  plant  them  out  when  of  gufficient  size.  Afterwards 
attend  well  to  them  with  water,  shade  from  bright  snn,  nnd  take  every 
means  to  encounigo  free  vigorous  growth,  giving  libera!  supplies  of 
liquid  manure,  and  a  top-dressing  of  rich  compost  when  the  flower  buds 
are  formed.  The  treatment  is  not  difi'erent  from  thac  for  Asters  grown 
'  in  borders,  only  moro  pains  are  taken  with  tlicm. 

Traisino  Melons  (/rfcni).— It  is  impossible  for  us  to  tell  how  many 
shoots  ought  to  bo  left  on  a  plant.  The  main  hranches  should  be  trained 
about  1  f.)ot  iipart,  and  from  them  you  will  have  lateral  or  secondary 
shoots,  on  which  the  fruit  is  produced.  The  surface  of  the  bed,  therefore, 
should  be  covered  with  main  branches  not  nearer  than  9  inches,  nor  ex- 
ceeding a  foot  apart,  which  will  be  equal  to  about  three  main  shoots  per 
plant,  two  plants  being  planted  under  a  light.  One  fruit  will  be  sufficient 
on  each  branch,  but  we  never  leave  more  than  two  fruits  on  a  plant,  or 
three  at  tho  most  when  it  is  exceedingly  vigorous,  and  only  one  on  a 
main  shoot  or  branch. 

OuT-DOOR  ViNE-GROWiNO  {All  Amateur  Vine-ffroii-rr). — "  Hoare  on  tbe 
Vine  "  is  a  good  work  on  out-door  Grape-growing.  It  chiefly  refers  to  the 
cultivation  of  Vines  on  walls.  Mr.  iioare's  system  is  practically  that  of 
the  rod,  now  so  much  written  about  under  the  title  of  the  "  extending 
system  of  Vine-growing,"  as  if  it  were  a  novelty.  Tbe  information  in 
air.  Hoare's  book  is  sound ;  but  with  tho  introduction  of  cheap  glass  has 
come  superior  and  extended  culture  of  all  fruits.  We  shall  have  an 
article  on  the  culture  of  Vines  in  the  open  air  in  an  early  number. 

Turf  Pits  (L  J.  P.).— We  shall  publish  some  notes  on  these  shortly. 
Your  letter  we  reuret  having  mislaid. 

Insects  (F.)  — The  small  snail-like  insects  on  your  Jargonelle  Pear 
leaves  are  the  slimy  larva.'  of  a  black-winged  Sawfly,  Tonthredo  ..EthiopSi 
Dust  the  leaves  well  with  powdered  lime,  or  syringe  them  well  with  strong 
lime  water.  (Centurion). — Your  Pear  leaves  are  attacked  by  the  slimy 
larvie  of  a  small  black-winged  Sawfly ;  your  Rose  leaves  by  those  of 
another  kind  of  Sawfly;  and  one  of  the  leaves  sent  enclosed  the  empty 
chrysalis  skin  of  a  small  Moth  (Tortrix  sp.).  Lime  water  and  powdered 
lime  will  destroy  the  former.  For  the  latter,  in  addition  to  hand-picking, 
we  would  sprinkle  or  dust  the  bushes  with  white  hellebore  powder,  or 
they  may  be  syringed  with  a  solution  of  one  peck  of  lime  and  2  lbs.  of 
soft-soap  to  thirty  gallons  of  rain  water.  The  Pear  trees  may  be  treated 
in  the  ?ame  wav,  svringing  them  in  the  evening.  The  Pear  leaf  is 
evidently  that  of  Winter  Nelis,  but  we  cannot  name  fruit  trees  from 
leaves. 

Names  of  Plants  (J*7norrtmws).— We  have  repeatedly  stated  that  we 
cannot  name  plants  from  leaves,  nor  florists'  varieties. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  June  30th. 


Date. 

THERMOMETER. 

BABOHBTEB. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Wind. 

Rain  in                                              General  Remarks. 

Max. 

Min. 

Max.  1  Mia. 

1 «.  tip.  1  a  ft.  dp. 

Wed...  24 
Thnre.  25 
Fri.  ..  26 
Sat.  ..  27 
San. ,,  28 
Mod...  29 
Tnes.  .  30 

29.998 
8l).ie7 
30.252 
80.220 
30.159 
80.250 
30.250 

29.916 
30.050 
30.054 
31C90 
30.083 
30.177 
3a.l47 

75 
78 
81 
85 
79 
80 
76 

40 
41 
43 
53 
46 
43 
53 

63 
63 
fS 
68 
6? 
'    68 
63 

61 
69 
60 
60 
6D 
61 
60 

s.w. 
w. 

E. 

S. 

S.W. 

N.E. 
N.E. 

.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.0) 
.01 

Clear  and  fine  ;  overcast,  very  fine  at  night. 
Overcast,  cloudy  ;  overcast ;  clear  and  fine. 
Hazy,  fine  ;  very  fine  ;  clear  and  very  fine. 
Very  fine  ;  exceedingly  hot ;  very  fine,  clear. 
Slightly  overcast ;  fine:  very  fine,  cloudy. 
Clear  and  fine  ;  very  fine  ;  fhie  at  night. 
Very  fine  ;  clear  anil  fine  ;  cloudy,  cold  wind. 

Uean 

30.185 

30  075 

78.85 

45.57 

63.00        60.14 

•• 

0.01 

POULTRY.  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD   CaRONICLE. 

HOUDANS. 

EEDEEsnsG  tbe  promise  we  vanie  last  week,  we  continue  onr 
notice  of  tbe  Frencb  breeds.  We  dtj  so,  repeating  we  are  re- 
sponsible only  for  translation,  the  description  still  belongs  to 
M.  .Jacque.  Nevertheless,  as  very  old  breeders,  we  will  guaran- 
tee tbe  truth  of  tbe  description  be  gives. 

It  may  be  that  when  we  speak  of  ourselves  as  very  old 
breeders  it  will  be  thought  we  should  say  something  of  our 
own  experience.  It  is  that  tbe  Houdan  is  tbe  hardiest  of  all 
the  Frencb  fowls  introduced  to  us  of  late  years.  It  is  an  ex- 
cellent layer,  a  fowl  easily  and  cheaply  kept,  bearing  any 
amount  of  confinement,  but  determined  to  have  its  own  way, 
and  to  seek  a  substitute  for  anything  that  is  lacking.  Thus,  ! 
we  cannot  tell  whether  it  was  from  drought  and  consequent  j 
lack  of  green  food,  or  that  tbe  efforts  of  our  English  feeder 
were  unpalatable  to  tbe  French  taste  of  our  imported  stock, 
but  they  certainly  lacked  something,  spite  of  grass  and  lettuces. 


and  from  results  it  would  appear  that  the  nearest  approach  to 
a  substitute  was  feathers.  The  hens  have  eaten  all  tbe  cock's 
feathers,  tbe  cock  has  eaten  tbe  ben's.  It  is  lucky  the  moult- 
ing time  is  at  hand,  that  the  damage  may  be  repaired. 

'There  is  a  peculiarity  in  tbe  French  breeds,  which  will  be 
understood  by  all  who  keep  them  :  the  difficulty,  almost  im- 
possibility, of  keeping  tbe  cocks  healthy.  We  have  given  it  up 
with  tbe  unfortunate  La  Fl'^-che.  Tbe  cocks  will  be  well  in  the 
morning,  moribund  in  tbe  evening.  Who  has  not  read  Sponge's 
sporting  tour?  Who  has  not  noted  the  difference  between 
.Jawle^ford  addressing  his  tenantry,  and  tbe  same  .Jawleyford 
getting  himself  up  to  put  off  that  "  horrid  Mr.  Spraggon." 
The  unlimited  costume  and  great  flow  of  spirits  in  the  first 
place,  the  downcast  face  and  handkerchief-bound  head  in  tbe 
second,  are  fair  representatives  of  the  Frencb  cocks.  In  the 
morning  they  are  seen  gay  and  cheerful,  and  you  are  tempted 
to  believe  they  are  greatly  libelled,  or  (and  this  is  the  most 
pleasing  interpretation),  that  others  do  not  understand  the 
management  of  them  so  well  as  you  do.  You  give  your  opinion 
freely  during  tbe  day  to  your  friends,  and  offer  one  of  them 
an  unUmited  supply  of  strawberries  and  cream  if  be  will  go 


14 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTUHB  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  July  3, 1 


with  you  and  see  the  birds  after  office  is  over.  Yon  increase 
the  bribes  till  he  consents.  The  first  visit  is  to  the  poultry. 
Where  is  the  bold  bird  that  cried  defiance  at  you  in  the  morn- 
ing? Yon  cannot  see  him  ;  but  on  close  examination  you  per- 
ceive a  sort  of  semicircular  bunch  of  feathers  in  the  corner  of 
the  pen.  There  is  the  gallant  bird  of  the  morning.  His  tail 
is  on  the  ground,  his  head  as  near  it  as  may  be.  You  can  only 
say,  "It  is  very  odd."  He  will,  and  does  recover;  but  those 
■who  keep  them  know  this  is  a  common  case.  Now  for  M. 
Jacque. 

Proportions  and  general  characteristics  :— Body  slightly 
rounded,  of  ordinaiy  proportions,  tolerably  near  to  the  ground, 
standing  firmly  ou  large  feet.  Breast  high,  legs  and  wiugs  well 
developed,  large  head,  half  top-knot,  whi&kersand  beard,  triple 
transversal  comb,  five  toes  on  each  foot.  Plumage  splashed  or 
spotted  white,  black,  or  straw  colour ;  in  chickens,  black  and 
white  only. 

An  adult  cock  should  weigh  from  0  to  7  lbs.,  made  up  prin- 
cipally of  flesh,  the  bones  weighing  only  an  eighth.  He  should 
be  put  up  to  fatten  at  sixteen,  and  be  killed  at  eighteen  weeks 
old. 

His  comb  should  be  triple  and  transversal  to  the  direction 
of  the  beak,  composed  of  two  lengthened,  rectangular,  and 
flattened  spirals,  opening  from  right  to  left  like  the  leaves  of  a 
book ;  they  should  be  thick  and  fleshy,  and  notched  or  uneven 
at  the  sides.  The  third  spiral  should  grow  from  the  middle  of 
the  other  two,  be  about  the  size  of  a  lengthened  nut,  and  shaped 
like  an  irregular  strawberry.  A  fourth,  independent  of  these, 
and  about  the  size  of  a  tare,  grows  above  the  beak  and  between 
the  nostrils. 

Deaf  ears  small,  and  hidden  by  the  whiskers ;  half  crest 
inchning  backwards  and  to  the  fides. 

Beard  begins  between  the  wattles  under  the  beak,  and  should 
he  larger  at  bottom  than  at  top. 

Physiognomy  of  the  head  differing  from  that  of  other  breeds 
in  many  remarkable  particulars.  The  head  forms  with  the 
neck  a  very  close  angle,  so  that  the  beak  takes  the  appearance 
of  a  nose.  The  square  and  flattened  comb  looks  like  a  fleshy 
forehead,  the  cheeks  are  surrounded  with  curling  feathers  that 
look  Uke  whiskers,  the  drooping  corners  of  the  beak  look  like 
a  mouth,  the  feathery  cravat  joined  to  the  gills  simulates  a 
beard,  the  top- knot  looks  like  a  luxuriant  head  of  hair,  and  the 
whole  face  immediately  gives  the  idea  of  that  of  a  man. 

In  the  adult  the  legs  should  be  of  a  leaden  grey,  in  the 
chicken  bluish  grey  and  white,  with  rose-coloured  spots. 

The  plumage  of  both  sexes  should  be  entirely  composed  of 
black,  white,  and  straw  colour ;  those  that  show  any  red  should 
be  pitilessly  got  rid  of.  The  plumage  of  the  Houdan  should 
be  either  spotted  or  splashed,  irregularly  made  up  of  alternate 
black  and  white  feathers,  sometimes  of  black  tipped  with 
white,  sometimes  of  white  tipped  with  black. 

The  adult  hen  should  weigh  from  5  to  0  lbs. 

Both  sexes  must  have  five  toes  on  each  foot.  The  hen  is  an 
abundant  and  early  layer  of  large  eggs. 

This  is  truly  a  hardy  fowl,  and  is  reared  more  easily  than 
any  other  French  fowl.  They  are  also  more  domesticated  and 
less  destructive  to  gardens  and  crops  than  any  other. 


the  loth  of  June,  five  weeks  from  the  11th,  the  first  goshngs 
appeared,  and  the  others  came  out  during  the  following  day. — 
L.  B. 


NOTES  ON  HATCHING. 

The  necessity  of  keeping  eggs  damped  previous  to  hatching 
is  adverted  to  in  page  396.  I  find  doing  so  very  beneficial, 
and  very  rarely  lose  a  chicken  at  hatching  time.  I  sprinkle 
the  eggs  at  intervals  with  flowers  of  sulphur,  but  not  when  the 
eggs  are  ready  to  hatch.  Just  before  I  expect  them  to  do  so  I 
take  a  bowl  of  water,  and  try  the  eggs,  put  them  all  in,  and  it, 
after  carefully  watching  them  for  a  few  sescnds,  there  is  no 
movement,  remove  the  bad  ones ;  it  gives  the  others  more 
room,  and  facilitates  hatching.  I  seldom  sprinkle  the  eggs 
during  this  hot  weather,  but  pour  half  a  hand-bowl  of  water 
over  them. 

"  Nemo,"  in  the  same  number  of  the  Journal,  thinks  an 
easterly  wind  prejudicial  to  hatching.  I  cannot  now  call  to 
mind  the  time  the  east  wind  prevailed.  It  is  said  about  this 
part  of  Sussex  (near  Uckfleld),  that  if  a  Goose  sits  when  the 
wind  is  easterly  she  will  require  five  weeks  to  hatch.  My 
Geese  have  hitherto  hatched  in  about  thirty  or  thirty-one  days. 
One  of  mine  laid  a  second  time,  and  sat  on  the  11th  of  May. 
Of  this  I  am  positive,  as  I  put  the  date  on  all  the  eggs.  I 
found  she  did  not  hatch  at  the  usual  time,  and  would  have 
taken  her  eggs  away,  but  she  sat  in  a  damp  place  out  of  the 
way  near  a  bed  of  rushes,  and  not  far  from  a  pond.      On 


STAVELEY  POULTRY  SHOW. 

Having  entered  a  pen  of  birds  for  the  Stp.7eley  Show,  which 
was  fixed  for  June  23rd,  I  was  somewhat  surprised  on  the  •22nd 
by  receiving  a  letter  from  the  Secretary,  stating  that '•  owing 
to  the  small  number  of  entries  the  Committee  are  soiTy  that 
they  cannot  see  their  way  clearly  to  holding  the  proposed  Show 
at  the  present  time,"  and  returning  the  amount  of  my  entry  fee. 
The  entries,  it  appears,  closed  on  June  13tb,  therefore  the 
Committee  must  then  have  been  aware  of  the  "  small  number 
of  entries."  Why,  then,  I  ask,  did  they  not  immediately 
signify  the  abandonment  of  the  Show  without  waiting  eight  or 
nine  days,  and  until  almost  the  day  of  the  Show  ?  Had  they 
done  so,  I  for  one  should  have  been  less  displeased. 

I  would  suggest  to  the  Committee  of  the  Staveley  Show,  and 
the  same  suggestion  may  apply  to  some  other  committees,  that 
in  their  advertisements  they  should  state  more  definitely  where 
the  place  is  situated.  After  ferreting  through  a  gazetteer  and 
Bradshaw's  Guide  I  concluded  that  this  Staveley  was  either  in 
Westmoreland  or  Derbysbue.  I,  however,  addressed  my  ap- 
plication for  a  prize  list  simply  "  Staveley,"  and  in  due  course 
received  a  list,  but  by  which  I  was  not  further  enlightened. 
Seeing,  however,  that  the  list  was  printed  at  Chesterfield,  I 
concluded  it  must  be  the  Derbyshire  Staveley. — Lex. 


BEVERLEY  POULTRY  SHOW. 

The  entries  at  Beverley  this  season,  -were  scarcely  so  nnmerous  as 
in  previous  years,  no  doubt  from  the  dates  for  the  Spalding  and 
Stareley  Shows  being  almost  simultaneous.  The  latter  matting  was 
withdrawn  by  the  Committee  all  but  at  the  last  moment,  on  acconnt 
of  the  paucity  of  entries,  and.  consequently,  many  intending  com- 
petitors were  thrown  entirely  out  in  their  calculations,  and  from  this 
cause  only  a  large  number  of  excellent  fowls  that  would  otherwise 
have  been  at  Beverley,  remained  at  home.  Kven  with  this  disad- 
vantage, there  were  "290  entries,  and  with  the  single  exception  of  the 
Game  classes,  the  birds  <^juite  maintained  the  reputation  which  this 
meeting  has  enjoyed  for  eleven  years. 

This  year's  Show  was  held  in  the  grounds  of  W.  Croaskill,  Esq., 
of  Walter  Gate,  and  certainly  a  moie  beautiful  spot  for  such  an  ex- 
hibition could  scarcely  he  imagined.  Very  extensive  tents  were  pro- 
vided, the  arraogements  were  complete,  and  although  at  repeated  in- 
tervals a  thunderstorm  seemed  imminent,  the  weather  fortunately 
proved  fine  throughout.  The  Honorary  Secretary,  Mr.  Harry  Adams, 
was  as  indefatigable  as  ever,  and  the  most  complete  order  and  regu- 
larity prevailed. 

A  veiy  extraordinary  effort  to  surreptitiously  obtain  possession  of  a 
much-coveted  premium  at  this  year's  Beverley  Show  deserves  a  mo- 
ment's notice  at  our  hands.  An  exhibitor  who.  we  are  informed,  holds 
a  very  good  social  position,  within  a  few  days  of  the  Show  addressed 
a  private  letter  to  the  Judge,  directing  his  particular  attention  to  hoth 
the  class  and  likewise  number  of  his  pen  that  he  purposed  to  exhibit 
for  a  silver  cup,  and  then  very  modestly  requested  its  appropriation. 
The  letter  also  contained  a  post-otHce  order  drawn  by  the  exhibitor  in 
the  Judge's  favour.  The  sequel  will,  we  trust,  teach  most  expressively, 
that  such  conduct  will  never  receive  the  sanction  of  any  pai-ty  worthy 
of  the  position  of  a  public  arbitrator.  The  course  pursued  by  the 
Judge  was  this  :  The  evening  before  the  Show  he  read  alond  the  letter 
to  a  full  meeting  of  the  Committee,  signed  the  post-ofiice  order  in 
their  prf sence.  and  at  once  handed  it  over  to  the  funds  of  the  Show, 
expressing  his  unalterable  determination  "to  pass  over"  this  par- 
ticular pen,  good  or  bad,  as  an  empty  one.  when  engaged  in  hia 
decisions  of  the  morrow.  This  done,  the  Committee  passed  unani- 
mously a  resolution,  that  the  exhibitor  should  not  be  permitted  again 
to  exhibit  at  any  future  meeting  of  the  Beverley  Poultry  Society.  It 
is  but  justice  to  the  birds  themselves  to  add,  they  proved  a  very  ex- 
cellent pen,  but  from  this  cause  only  they  were  (as  foretold),  ''  passed '' 
unheeded  by  the  Arbitrator,  though  they  did  not  at  all  lack  the  especial 
attention  of  visitors  generally.  We  pass  without  comment,  for  it  needs 
none,  from  this  really  unpleasant  affair. 

ilost  of  the  Game  fowls  exhibited  were  birds  of  high  repute,  and 
again  added  other  laurels  to  the  many  they  had  preriously  obtained, 
but  the  rapid  moult  that  is  taking  place  this  season  so  unusually 
early,  caused  the  Game  classes,  to  an  unpractised  eye,  to  appear  of 
far  less  interest  than  on  former  occasions.  Six  weeks  or  even  a  couple 
of  months  must  now  elapse  before  the  fowls  can  again  recover  their 
usual  condition  and  essential  hard  feather.  The  silver  cup  for 
A^i«7(iV;  fowls  was  awarded  to  an  extraordinarily  good  pen  belonging 
to  E.  Jones,  Esq.,  of  Clifton,  the  competition  being  at  the  same  time 
unusually  severe  for  the  remaining  premiums  in  this  class.  Of  Cochins ^ 
the  display  was  excellent,  and  the  emulation  for  the  cup  proved  that 
the  breeders  of  Cochins  were  fully  aware  of  the  value  of  its  possession, 
both  as  to  the  sale  of  extra  stock,  and  also  as  an  addition  to  their 


July  2, 18G8.  : 


JOURNAL  OF  HOnTICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


15 


Sideboara.  W.  A.  Taylor,  Esq.,  of  23,  Turner  Street,  Mnncbcsler, 
Proved  tliu  winner,  with  an  excellent  you  shown  in  first-vate  feather. 
All  Iho  Uamhmyh  classes  wero  woU  lilled,  JIi-.  BeUlan  takinf  the 
Irnlk  (if  the  premiums,  anil  the  silver  cup  was  awarded  to  a  pen  of 
Golden-pencilled,  shown  in  perfect  condition  hv  Mr.  .1.  K.  Jessop,  of 
Hull.  In  the  "  Variety  class,"  a  pen  of  Ptarmigans  were  shown  of 
eioellont  quality.  The  Diuhs.  with  the  exception  of  tho.so  iu  the 
'•  Variety  class, "  were  not  so  good  as  customary  at  the  Beverley  Shows, 
bat  the  Pigeons  throughout  were  so  unexampled  for  good  quality  as  to 
create  quite  a  public  interest  in  this  portion  of  the  Exhibition,  and  a 
reference  to  the  list  of  awards  will  best  prore  that  the  competition 
throughout  the  whole  of  these  classes  was  without  a  precedent  at  former 
meetings  of  this  Society.  There  was  also  a  very  good  display  of 
Cunanc-f  and  singing  birds  generally. 

Game  (Black-breasted  or  other  Reds).— First,  W.  Boycs,  Beverley.  Se- 
cond, S.  Matthew,  Stowmarket.    Commended,  H.  M.  Julian,  Hull. 

Game  (.\nv  other  varietv).— First,  H.  M.  Julian.  Second,  A.  K.  Bnggs, 
Bradford.    Commended,  W.  Boves  ;  W.  J.  Cope,  Barnsley ;  S.  Mitthew. 

Game.— CocA-.— First  and  Cup,  S.  Matthew.  Second,  H.  M.  Julion. 
Highlv  Commended,  G.  Sutton.  Bootham,  York.    Commended,  W.  Boyes. 

Spanish.— First  nnd  Cup  E.  Jones,  Clifton.  Second,  H.  Beldon, 
Biagley.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Walker,  '(Volvcrhampton ;  J.  Thresh, 
Bradfo'rd;  T.  J.  Hanison,  Singleton  Park. 

DOKKINBS.— First,  J.  White,  Warlaby.  Second,  H.  Lingwood.  Needbam 
Mni-ket.  Highly  Commended,  Rev.  G.  Hustler,  StillingBeet ;  Miss  Milne, 
Ottarburn.  Commended,  Rev.  J.  F.  Kewton,  Kirby  in  Cleveland;  H. 
Pickles,  Earby. 

Cochins  (Cinnamon  or  Buff).— First  and  Cup,  W.  A.  Taylor,  Manchester. 
Second,  H.  Mapplebeck.  Woodfield,  Birmingham.  Highly  Commended, 
J.  H.  Dawes,  Moselev  Hall,  Birminabam  ;  W.  A.  Taylor.  Commended,  R. 
White,  Sheffield  ;  C."W.  Brierlev,  Middleton,  Manchester. 

Cochins  (Any  other  variety).— First.  T.  Stretch,  Ormskirk  (Partridge). 
Second,  E.  Tu'dman,  Whitehurcb.  Salop.    Commended,  C.  W.  Brierley. 

Hamborghs  iGold-spansled).- First.  H.  Beldon,  Bingley.  .Second,  G. 
Holmes,  DrilHeld.  Hiahlv  Commended,  J.  White,  Whitley.  Netherton. 
Commended,  J.  Elgar^  Newark :  W.  X.  Hvde,  Hurst,  Ashton-under- 
Lyne  ;  H.  Beldon,  Binglev;  J.  Walker,  Hava  Park,  Knaresborough. 

HjiMBUROHs  (Silver-spangled:.- First.  H.  Beldon.  Second.  J.  Walker. 
Highly  C.mimended,  H.  Beldon.    Commended,  J.  A  .  Taylor,  Manchester. 

HiMBuncns  I  Gold-pencilled;.— First  and  Cup,  J.  R.  Jessop,  Hulk  Se- 
cond, H.  Beldon. 

Hambcrbhs  (Silver-pencilled).— First,  H.  Beldon.    Second,  H.  Pickles. 

Polish.— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second  and  Highly  Commended,  Miss 
Proctor,  Hull. 

Any  other  Vakietv.— First.  R.  Loft.  Woodmanaey  (Ptarmigan).  Se- 
cond, R.  White  (Brahmas).  Highly  Commended,  L.  Biney.  Manchester 
(Brahmas) ;  H.  Beldon  (Cochin  Bantams).  Commended,  Key.  G.  Hustler 
(Unlays). 

Game  B-^ntams. — First  and  Cup,  J.  R.  Robinson,  Sunderland.  Se- 
cond, W.  F.  Entwistle,  Leeds.  Commended,  T.  C.  Harrison  ;  E.  Toder, 
Little  Carlton. 

Bantams  (Black  or  Whitel.— First,  Mes.srs.  Tonkin  &  ITuckey,  Bristol 
(Black).  Second,  J.  R.  Jessop  (White).  Highly  Commended,  W.  H. 
Tdmlinson,  Newark-ou-Trent.    Commended,  A.  Jones,  Stapleton,  Bristol. 

Game  Banta.m  Cock. — First,  J.  Bamber,  .\ccrington.  Second.  J. 
Donglas,  New  Delaval.  Highly  Commended,  L.  Biney.  Commended, 
T.  C.  Han-ison. 

DncKS  (Aylesbury).— First,  Messrs.  Bowman  &  Fearon,  Whitehaven.  Se- 
cond, M.  Harrison,"  Warter.    Highly  Commended,  Rev.  G.  Hustler. 

DcrcKS  (Rouen). — Second,  Messrs  Bowman  &,  Fearon. 

DtrcKS  (Any  other  variety). — First  and  Second,  T.  C.  Harrison  (Pintails 
and  Cnrohnas). 

Selling  Class  (.^ny  variety\ — First,  H.  M.  Julian  (Game).  Second, 
J.  Walker  (Silvev-spangled  .  '  Highly  Commended,  G.  Holmes;  T.  C. 
Harrison  (Bantams) ;  J.  Walker  (Gold-spangled). 

PIGEONS. 

eAERrER.-roct-.— First  and  Second,  R.  Fulton,  Dcptford.  Third,  H. 
Beldon.  Highly  Commended.  R.  H.  Artindale,  West  Derby,  Liverpool. 
Commended,"  H.  Yardley,  Birmingham.  Hfn.— First  and  Second,  R. 
Fillton.  Third,  H.  Yardley.  Highly  Commended.  F.  Graham,  Birkenhead, 

Pouter.  —  Cock.  —  First  and  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Third,  H.  Beldon. 
Commended,  H.  Beldon ;  H.  Y'ardley.  JToi.— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second 
and  Third,  R.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended,  J.  EUetson,  Thorngumbald, 
York.    Commended,  H.  Y'ardley. 

Almonds.— First,  F.  Key,  Beverley.  Second  and  Third,  R.  Fulton. 
Highly  Commended.  W.  Winter,  Derby. 

Tdmblers  (Any  other  variety). — First,  Cream  Jug,  and  Third,  R.  Fulton. 
Second,  Jesse  Thompson,  Binglev. 

BARBS.- Fu-st  and  Second,  T'.  H.  Frean,  .4.nfield  Spore.  Third,  F. 
Graham. 

Owls. — First,  H.  Y.ardley.  Second,  T.  Newell,  -\shton-under-Lvne. 
Third,  R,  Mole,  Hull.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Clark,  Thirsk  ;  T.  Statters, 
HqU,    Commended,  J.  Walsh,  Halifax. 

FANTAILS.— First,  H.  Yai-dley.  Second,  E.  Mole.  Third,  J.  T,  Lishman, 
Girlington. 

Jacobins. — First,  J.  Thompson.  Second,  T.  Newell,  Ashton-nnder- 
Lyno.  Third,  R.  J.  Bell,  Hull.  Highly  Commended,  C.  Lythe,  Cotting- 
ham. 

Trumpeters. — First,  J.  T.  Lishman.  Second,  Messrs  Beaumont  and 
Stephenson,  Beverley.  Third,  H.  Y'ardley.  Commended,  J.  Campey, 
Beverley. 

TCRBITS.— First.  H.  Y'ardley.  Second,  G.  H.  Pickering,  Driffield.  Thurd, 
J.  Thompson.  Highlv  Commended,  J.  T.  Lishman.  Commended,  R. 
Wilson,  Thirsk  ;  H.  Beldon. 

Nuns.- First,  C.  Lythe,  Cottingham.  Second.  H.  Yardley.  Thli-d,  E. 
Mole     Highly  Commended,  R.  Wilson,  Thirsk  :  J.  Thompson. 

Dragoons. — First,  F.  Grsham,  Birkenhead.  Second,  J.  Thompson. 
Third  and  Highly  Commended,  H.  Y.ardley, 

Any  other  Variety.— First  and  Second,  J.  T.  Lishman.  Third,  H. 
Beldon.  Highlv  Commended,  H.  Yardlev;  J.  Clark  (Swiss);  R.  Mole 
(Black  Spots) ;  T.  Statters,  (Red  Swallows):' C.  Lvthe  (Blue  feather-legged 
jackerlins).    Commended,  R.  Wilson ;  T.  Newell. 


Sellino    CLAS.S.— First.   W.   Watson,  Beverley.    Second,  H.  Beldon. 
Third,  J.  Thomson,    Highly  Commended,  K.  Dawaon,  Beverley. 

The  Judges  were— for  Pou/(ri/,  E.  Hewitt,  Esq.,  of  Birmingham; 
for  Piiifons.  Dr.  Boulton,  of  Beverley ;  and  for  Canaries,  ire,  Mr.  J., 
Moreton,  of  Hull. 


CHELMSFORD   POUI-TRY   SHOW. 

This  Show  was  held  in  conjunction  with  the  Essex  Agricnltnral , 
Society's  Meeting,  on  .Tune  ■2.5th  and  *Jtjth. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  prizes  awarded  : — 

Dorkings  (Coloured).- First,  Cup,  and  Second,  for  best  pen  of  Dorkings. 
D.  C.  Campbell,  M.D.,  Brentwood.  Third,  H.  Lingwood,  Barking,  Need- 
ham  Market.  HiKbly  Commended,  F.  Parlett,  Great  Baddow,  Chelmsford, 
Commended,  C.  Tmner,  Chelmsford  ;  F.  Parlett. 

Dorkings  (Any  other  variety).- First,  H.  Lingwood  (White).  Second. 
D.  C.  Campbell,  M.D.  (White).  iThird,  Rev.  E.  S.  Tiddeman,  Childerditch 
Vicarage,  Brentwood  (Silver-Grey). 

Cochins  (Buff  or  Cinnamon).— First  and  Cup  for  best  pan  of  Cochins, 
H.  Lingwood.  Second,  H.  Mapplebeck.  Woodfield,  Hoselcy.  Third,  Mrs. 
Christie,  Glvndeboumo,  Lewes.  Highly  Commended,  W.  A.  Gibbons, 
Chiddington;  J.  H.  Dawes,  Hasoly  Hall,  Birmingh.am. 

Cochins  (Any  other  variety).- First,  H.  Lingwood  iPartndge).  Second, 
A.  O.  Worthington,  Burton-bn-Trent  (Partridge).  Third,  J.  K.  Fowler, 
,\vlesbury  (Partridge).  .    t,  tt  _i 

'Brahmas  (Dark).— First  and  Cup  for  best  pen  of  Brahmas,  A.  F.  Hart, 
Alderwasley,  Derby.  Second,  J.  K.  Fowler.  Third,  H.  Lingwood.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  H.  Cuff,  Metropolitan  Cattle  Market;  F.  James,  Peckham 
Rve 

'Beahsias  (Light).— First  and  Second,  H.  Dowsett,  Pleshey,  Chekasford. 
Third,  A.  O.  Worthington.  „,,_.  j    t,        x. 

GA3IE   (Black-breasted  and  other   Reds).— First  and  Third,  Bev.   i. 
Watson,  Messing,  Kelvedon  (Brown  Red).    Second,  S.  Matthews,  Stow- 
market  (Black  Red).  Highly  Commended,  U.  Loe,  Appuldurcomba  (BlacK-  ^ 
breasted  Red  I :  W.  B.  Jeffries,  Ipswich. 

Gajie  (Any  other  variety).- First  and  Cup  for  best  pen  of  Game.  b. , 
Matthew  (Duckwing).    Second,  Rev.  F.  Watson  (Pile).    Third,  T.  Dyson, 
Halifax  (Duckwingi.  ,  rr.ii, 

Spanish  —First.  P.  H.  Jones,  Fulbam.  Second,  F.  James  (Black). 
Third,  R.  Ede,  Worthing  (Black).  Highly  Commended,  H.  Lingwood;- 
F.  James  (Black).  .  , 

Hamburohs  (Gold  or  Silver-pencilled).— First,  W.  K.  Tickner,  Ipswich. 
Second  and  Third,  C.  Havers,  Insatestone  (Golden  and  Silver). 

Hambcrghs  (Gold  or  Silver-spanaled).- First,  Bev.  F.  Tearle,  Gazeley 
Vicarage,  Newmarket  (Silver).  Second,  Mrs  Pattisson,  Maldon.  Third, 
T.  Penfold,  Newhaveu  (Silver).  ^  /t.,     ■ 

French  (.\ny  variety).— First,  Ladv  L.  Charteris,  Attleborough  (Black 
Creve-CcEurl.  'Second,  Col.  Stuart  Wortlcy,  Grove  End  Road,  London 
(French).    Third,  J.  K.  Fowler  (Creve-Coeur). 

Game  Bantams  (.tay  variety).  -First,  W.  Dale,  Weston-super-Mare. 
Second,  W.  B.  Jeffries  (Black  Red).  Third,  E.  B.  Edwards,  Brentwood. 
Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  Sheerman,  Chelmsford  ;  Mrs.  Holmes,  Shep- 
herd's Bush  (Brown-breasted  Red) ;  J.  Parlett  (Black  Red). 

Bantams  (Any  other  varietyl.- First,  Rev.  F.  Tenrle  (White).  Second, 
T.  Burgess,  Br'ighouse.  Third,  G.  Manning  (Golden  Sebright).  Com- 
mended. J.  Allen,  Ampthill. 

Any  other  Variety  not  PHEvionsLv  Mentioned.— First,  P.  H.  Jones 
(Polish).  Second,  Mrs.  J.  Mayhew.  Great  Baddow  (Pea  Fowls).  Third, 
D.  Mutton.  Brighton.  Highlv  Commended.  J.  Pool,  Little  Waltham  (Pea 
Fowls) ;  Mrs.  Tippler,  Dukes,  Roxwell  (Guinea  Fowls) :  Col.  Stuart 
Wortley  (Frizzled  Japanese);  J.  K.  Fowler  (Silkies) ;  LadyL.  Chariens  . 
(BuffPoUsh). 

Decks  (Rouen).— First,  Second,  and  Third,  H.  Dowsett. 

DrcKS  (Aylesbury).— First,  J.  K.  Fowler.  Second,  W.  Tippler,  Dukes, 
Eoxwell.    Thud,  Withheld. 

lirCKS  (.Any  other  variety).- Prizes  withheld. 

Turkeys.— First,  Mrs  Mayhew.  Second,  H.  H.  Tippler,i'Dnkes,  Rox- 
well.   Third,  R.  Pigott,  South  Weald.  . 

Geese.— First,  J.  K.  Fowler.  Second,  Mrs.  Upson,  Rivenhall.  Third, 
H.  H.  Tippler.  ,     , 

Sklling  Class  (Any  variety).— First,  Miss  A.  L.  Dowsett,  Pleshey.  Se- 
cnnd.  D.  C.  Cimpbell,  M.D.  (Coloured  Dorkings).  Third,  G.  Simpson, 
Chelmsford  (Colotired  Dorkings).  Highly  Commended,  E.  Bice,  Sand- 
wich (Black-breasted  Game);  G.  Simpson  (Coloured  Dorkings).  Com- 
mended, E.  Rice  (Duckwing)  ;  .K.  Barker,  Eoxwell  iBuff  Cochin). 
PIGEONS. 

C.lBRiERS.— First,  H.  Yardley,  Birmingham.    Second,  E.  Sheermau. 

PocTERS.— First  and  Second,  P.  H.  Jones,  Fnlham. 

Tdmblers.— First.  P.  H.  Jones  (Almond) .    Second,  H.  Yardley. 

Jacobins.— First,  P.  H.  Jones.    Second,  H.  Y'ardley. 

Trumpeters. — First  nnd  Second,  E.  Sheerman. 

Fantails. — Prize.  H.  Yardley. 

Any  other  Variety.- First,  P.  H.  Jones  (Barbsl.'^Second,  H.  Yardley. 
Highly  Commended,  P.  R.  Tippler,  Dukes,  Roxwell  (Turtle  Doves);  H. 
Y'ardley.    Commended,  P.  H.  Jones  (Turbits). 

Selling  Class- — First  and  Second,  E.  Sheerman. 

Judges. — 'W.  B.  Tegetmeier,  Esq.,  Maswell  Hill,  London,  and  J. 
Monsey,  Esq.,  Thome  Lane,  Norwich. 


STONEHOUSE    POULTRY   SHOW. 

June  '26th  akd  27th. 

The   Judges,    Mr.  Matthew  Hedley,    of   London,    and  Mr.  'Wmii 
Rone,  of  Bristol,  awarded  the  prizes  as  follows  : — 

Spanish.— First,  Third,  and  Commended,  R.  Barrett,  Stroud.    Second, 
E  Bhck,  Stonebouse. 

Dorking.— First.  W.  Sims,  Stroud.    Second.  D.  Darke,  Stonebouse. 

Cochin-China  iLisht).— First,  G.  E.  N.  Rawlinson,  Gloucester.    Second 
and  Commended,  B.  Barrett. 

Cochin-China  (Dark).— First.  R.  Blick.     Second,    J.   E.    Borghope, 
Stroud.    Highly  Commended,  T.  Gee,  Hardwicke. 


16 


JOUBNAL  OP  HORTIOULTDEE  AND  COTTAGE  QABDENEB. 


[  July  2,  isee. 


Beahma  Pootra  (Light)  —Prize,  IL  H.  Tyte,  Minchinhnnipton. 

Bhahma  Pootka  (Dark).— First.  W.  Sims.    Second,  R.  Blick. 

Game  (Blackbreasted  and  other  Reds).— Prize,  R.  Blick. 

Hambdeohs  (Golden-pencilled).— First,  J.  S.  Hoggs,  Tetbary.  Second, 
B.  Blick. 

Hahboboiis  (Golden-spanKlodj.— First,  J.  S.  Maggs.  Second,  R.  BUck. 
Commended,  R.  Blick;  C.  Webb. 

Hambcrghs  (Silver.spanRled). —First,  R.  Blick.    Second,  J.  S.  Maggs. 

Polish  (Silver).— First,  Mise  K.  Barrett,  Stroud.    Second,  R.  Blick. 

Ant  other  Distinct  Variety.- First,  Mrs.  Barnes,  EnHtingtnn  (Silkies), 
Second,  R.  Blick  (.^ndalu.sians).  Highly  Commended,  E.  W.  Winter- 
botham.    Commended,  .T.  Burghope. 

Single  Cock  (Any  variety).— First,  W.  Knee.  Second,  R.  Blick.  Com- 
mended, R.  Barrett. 

Best  Chicken.— First,  R.  Barrett.  Second,  R.  Blick.  Highly  Com- 
mended, R.  Barrett.    Commended,  J.  Brinkworth. 

Ducks.- First  and  Second,  J.  Webb,  Strond.  Highly  Commended, 
S.  S.  Dickinson  (Muscovy  Duck  and  drake). 

PlGEON8.—  ''arri<'r8.— Prize,  R.  Blick.  TmmpcU'rs.—Vnze,  E.  Blick. 
Black  and  IC/iitc. -First  and  Second,  W.  Knee. 

Canaries.— iit*8(  Cage  of  Birdi. — First  and  Second,  Mrs.  Smith,  Stone- 
house.    Sltuile  Cock. First,  G.  Cummiug,  Gloucester.    Second,  Mrs. 

Stephens,  Stouehouse. 

Any  other  Variety  of  Foeeion  Bird.- Fiist,  Miss  E.  Hayward. 
Second,  R.  Blick. 

Best  Case  of  Stuffed  Birds.- First,  R.  Blick.  Second,  Miss  Hay- 
ward.  ^___ 

SP.VLDING  POULTRY   SHOW. 

The  second  aunanl  meeting  of  the  Spalding  Society  was  held  June 
25th,  and  being  combined  -with  a  Floricultural  Esliibition,  it  was 
unusually  attractive.  The  weather  being  most  favourable,  the  at- 
tendance was  very  good.  Every  effort  was  made  by  the  acting  Com- 
mittee to  promote  the  comfort  of  the  poultry  and  the  convenience  of 
visitors.  Turner's  pens  were  used,  and,  consequently,  the  display  was 
effective,  whilst  an  ample  tent  accommodated  all  the  sightseers,  and 
wonld  have  sheltered  them  had  the  weather  been  bad. 

For  Durkiii^/s,  Dr.  Campbell  took  the  cup  with  some  excellent  speci- 
mens, and  not  without  a  severe  competition  from  his  rivals.  Mr.  J. 
Fletcher,  of  Stoneclough  near  Manchester,  sent  a  collection  of  Game 
fowls  calculated  to  fully  support  the  high  reputation  of  that  gentle- 
man's yard,  and  they  proved  to  be  in  wonderful  condition,  and  one  of 
the  greatest  attractions  in  the  Show.  All  the  pi-incipal  Game  prizes 
were  secured  by  these  birds,  and  it  took  the  Judges  a  considerable  time 
to  determine  to  which  of  these  particular  pens  the  silver  cup  for  the 
best  pen  of  Game  should  be  awarded,  the  Judges,  of  course,  little 
supposing  that  the  whole  of  those  so  closely-competiug  pens  belonged 
to  the  same  individual.  We  can  speak  in  the  same  high  terms  of 
commendation  of  the  Cochin  classes,  Mr.  Taylor,  of  Manchester, 
taking  the  Cochin  cup  in  an  unusually  excellent  class.  Some  veiy 
beautiful  Cuckoo-coloured  Cochins,  and  also  some  Black  ones,  were 
shown.  BniJimas  were  good,  more  especially  the  dark-feathered  ones.  J 
Spanisli  were  excellent  as  a  class,  and  hero  Mr.  Beldon  was  the  cup-  | 
■winner.  Some  first-rate  Cochin  Bantams  were  shown,  and  also  some  I 
of  the  best  White  ones  we  have  seen  for  a  long  time. 

The  collection  of  Fancy  Ducks  was  a  chief  feature  of  the  Show,  all 
the  prizes  being  taken  by  the  well-known  exhibitor.  Mr.  Harrison,  of 
Hull,  and  by  another  Mr.  Harrison,  a  local  resident. 

Of  Piiji'd'ns,  we  cannot  speak  too  highly,  as  a  reference  to  the  names 
of  the  winners  would  lead  any  lover  of  Pigeons  to  anticipate,  and 
those  persons  who  missed  the  opportunity  of  viewing  this  division  of 
the  Show,  where  so  much  was  calculated  in  other  portions  of  the 
meeting  to  arrest  the  attention,  lost  a  treat  they  little  imagine. 

The  Iluhljits  were  especially  good,  and  the  entries  in  this  department 
were  numerous. 

The  Committee  were  everywhere  congratulated  on  the  success  of 
this  year's  K  xhibition,  and  with  similar  attention  no  doubt  future 
meetmgs  vnll  prove  equally  well  supported. 

Doekinos  (Coloured).— First  and  Cup. —Dr.  Campbell,  Brentwood.  Se- 
cond, H.  Lingwood,  Ncedham  Market,  Barking.  Third,  J.  Vorley,  Wood- 
bouse,  Holbeach,  Commended,  G.  Clarke,  Long  Sutton. 
Dorkings  (.Anv  other  variety).— Prize,  H.  Lingwood  iWhitel. 
Game  (Black-breasted  Reds  .—First  and  Cup,  J.  Fletcher,  Stoneclough, 
near  Manchester.  Second,  J.  Fletcher.  Third,  J.  Laming,  Cowburn, 
Spalding. 

Game  (Brown  Reds).— First,  J.  Fletcher.  Second,  J.  Laming.  Third, 
J.  Shepherd.  Spalding. 

Game  (Any  other  variety).- First,  .1.  Fletcher.  Second,  J.  Laming 
(Duckwing).     Third,  S.  Mattliew,  Stowmarket. 

Cochins  (Cinnamon  &  Buffi.— First  and  Cup,W..\.T.aylor,  Manchester. 
Second,  H.  Lingwood.  Thir  I,  H.  Mapplebeck,  Woodfield,  Moseley,  near 
Birmingham.  Highly  Commended,  J.  W.  Harrison,  Spalding.  Com- 
mended, J.  Vorlev  (Bulil. 

Cochins  (Partridge  and  Brown'.— Fii-st,  Rev.  G.  Gilbert,  Claxton, 
Norwich.  Second,  J.  Stephens,  Walsall.  Third,  B.  S.  Lowndes,  Stonoy 
Stratford,  Bucks  (Partridge). 

Cochins  i  Any  other  variety).— First,  G.  Furness,  Accrington  (Cuckoo). 
Second.  H.  .1.  Godfrey,  Melton  Mowbray  (Black).  Third,  Mrs.  WiUiam- 
80n,  Leicester  (White).  „    „.,  .,  , 

Bbahmas  (Dark).— First,  E.  Leech,  Rochdale.  Second,  W.  Whitcley, 
Sheffield.  Third,  G.  P.  Hobsou,  Long  Sutton.  Highly  Commended,  .1. 
Dring.  Gedney  Marsh.  Commended,  H.  C.  Woodcock,  Rearsby,  Leicester ; 
J.  W.  Harrison. 

Beabmas    (Light;.— First,   J.  Pares.  PostEord.  Guildford.     Second,  H. 

Dowsott,  Plesbey,  near  Chelmsford.    Third,  Miss  E.  S.  Maples,  Spalding. 

Spanish  i  Any  variety).— First  and  Cup,  H.  Beldon,  Bingley.    Second, 

J  Marchant,  Halifax.  "Third,  F.  .James,  Peckhnin  Rye  (Black).    Highly 

Commended,  Messrs.  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt,  Epworth,  near  Bawtry. 


Hambdeohs  (Gold  and  Silver-pencilled). — First,  J.  Laming.  Second, 
G.  Dykes,  Spalding. 

Hamburghs  (Gold  and  Silver-spangled). — First,  Second  and  Cup,  J. 
Laming.  Third.  Rev.  F.  Tearle.  Newmarket.  Highly  Commended,  J.  F. 
Loversidge,  Newjirk-on-Trent. 

French  Fowls  (.\ny  variety). — First,  T.  Hardy.  Crowland  (Creve- 
Crt-ur).  Second,  Col.  Stuart  Wortley,  Grove  End  Road,  Loudon.  Third, 
H.  Beldon. 

Any  othee  Distinct  Variety   not  previously  mentioned. — First, 
H.  Beldon.    Second,  G.  W.  Boothby,  Louth.    Third,  S.  S.  Mossop.     ,—^ 
Local    Class    (Any    variety). — Chickenn. — First    and    Third,   J.    W. 
Harrison.      Second,  J.  Reynolds,  Cowbit. 

Selling  Class  (Any  variety). — First,  J.  Laming  (Red  Game).  Second, 
E.  Vine,  Spalding  (Black  .    Third,  Miss  E.  S.  Maples  (Light  . 

Ducks  (Ronen).—First,  E.  Leech.  Second,  Rev.  G.  Gilbert.  Third,  J. 
J.  St.  tt,  Rochdale. 

Ducks  (Avlesburv). — First,  J.  W.Harrison.  Second, E. Leech.  Third, 
Rev.  G.  Hustler,  Stillingfleet. 

Ducks  (Any  other  variety). — First  and  Third,  J.  W.  Hanison.  Second, 
T.  C.  Harrison.  Hull.  Highly  Commended.  Messrs.  S.  &  R.  AshtoD, 
Mottram  ;  J.  W.  Harrison.    Commended,  .1.  W.  Harrison. 

Bantams  (Game). — First,  W.  F.  Entwisle,  Leeds.  Second,  J.  Parlett, 
Huntingdon.  Third,  G.  Maples.  Highly  Commended,  W.  F.  Entwisle: 
.J.  Laming  (Cup).  Commended,  J.  ^V.  Harrison ;  A.  Storrar,  Peter- 
borough. 

Bantams  (Any  other  variety). — First  and  Cup,  Rev.  T.  Tearle  (White). 
Second,  H.  Beldon  (Pekin).    Third,  H.  C.  Woodcock  (Japanesel.     Highly 
Commended,  T.  C.  Harrison ;  H.  Dravcott,  Humberstone,  near  Leicester 
(Silver-laced);  X.  Storrar  (Black I ;  Cotnmeuded,  J.  W.  Harrison.  (Sebright). 
Geeee  (Any  variety).— First,  G.  Hustler.    Second  and  Third,  T.  Hardy, 
Turkeys  (Any  variety). — Prize  and  Cup,  E.  Leech. 
Pheasants,    Guinea    Fowls,    and    any    Variety    of    Ornamental, 
Foreign,  or  Domesticated  Poultry. — Prize,  G.  G.  Maples,  Wavertree 
(Pea  Fowls). 
Sweepstakes  foe  Single  Game  Cock.— Prize,  C.  Ulyat,  Spalding. 
SwtEPsTAKE  FOE  GAME  BANTAM  CoCK. — Prize,  C.  Mum'o,  Stamford. 

PIGEONS. 
Carriers  (Any  colour).- First.  F.  Crossloy,  Elland,  near  Halifax.    Se- 
cond. R.  Fulton,  Deptford.    Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton  ;  F.  Crossley ; 
H.  Yardley.    Commended,  R.  Fulton.. 

Pouters  (Any  colourl.— First,  Cup,  and  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Snushall  (White)  ;  P.  Cro.ssley  ;  H.  Yardley. 

Tumblers  (Any  variety). — First,  R.  Fulton  (Short-facedi.  Second,  F. 
Crossley  (Almondl.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Ashbumer,  Dalton-in-Fur- 
ncss  (Black);  J.  Fielding,  jun.,  Rochdale  (Almond);  R.  Fulton  (Short- 
faced).    Commended,  J.  Hawley  ;  R.  Fulton  (Short-faced). 

Barbs  (Any  colour).— First,  F.  Crossley.  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Highly 
Commended.  H.  Yardlev. 

Jacobins  (Any  colour).— First,  R.  Fulton.  Second.  Messrs.  T.  C.  &  E. 
Newbitt,     Commended,  J.  Thompson,  Bineley ;  H.  Yardley. 

Fant-uls  (Any  colour)  —  First,  J.  Hawley.  Second,  H.  Yardley. 
Highly  Commended.  Messrs.  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt. 

ANY  other  Distinct  Variety.— First,  .1.  Fielding,  juu.,  (Owls).  Se- 
cond, J.  Thompson.  Highly  Commended,  Miss  F.  Easten,  Hull  (Blue- 
tailed  White  African  Owlsi;  F.  Crossley  (Owls):  H.  Yardley;  H.  C. 
Woodcock.    Commended.  J.  Thompson  ;  T.  Asbburner. 

Selling  Class  (Any  variety).— First.  D.  Young,  Leamington  (White 
Dragoons),  second,  G.  Clarke.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Barnes  :  J. 
Queenboro,  jun.,  Boston  (Sandv  Antwerpsl ;  H.  Yardlev;  Messrs.  T.  C. 
and  E.  N'ewbitt.  Commended,  H.  Dravcott;  H.  Snushall:  J.  Queen- 
borough  ;  J.  Thompson. 

CAGE   BIRDS. 
Canaries  (Clear  Yellow  and  Bu£f).  — First  and  Cage,  E.  S.   Smith, 
Boston  (Yellow  Belgian).     Second,  E.  S.  Smith  (Boffj.     Highly  Com- 
mended, G.  C.  Oshorn. 

Canaeies  (Variegated  Yellow  and  Buff).— Fir.st,  J.  Green,  Spalding. 
Second,  W.  Cross,  Spalding.  Highly  Commended,  E.  S.  Smith  (Buff 
Belgian,  Buff  Norwich,  and  Yellow  Norwich).  Commended,  J.  W.  Harrison. 
Linnet,  Goldfinch,  or  other  English  Finch.— First,  W.  Bingham, 
Deeping,  St.  Nicholas  (Bullfinch.  Second  and  Highly  Commended,  E.  S. 
Smith  (Linnet  and  Goldfinch).  Commended,  W.  Ringham  (Linnet);  E. 
S.  Smith. 

Blackbied,  Theush.  Staelino,  Lark,  oe  othee  English  Cage 
Bird.— First  and  Second,  E.  S.  Smith  (Thrush  and  Blackbird).  Highly 
Commended,  E.  S.  Smith  (Lark):  J.  W.  Harrison  (Thrush,  Nightingale, 
and  Blackcap).     Commended,  J.  W.  Harrison  (Wood  Lark). 

Paeeot,  Paeaqcetto.  Lory,  oe  other  Foreign  Bied.— First,  G.  E. 
Storr,  Spalding  (King  Parrot).  Second,  G.  Ecclesfield,  Spalding  (Para- 
quetto).  Highly  Commended,  C.  A.  Cartwright  (Parrot) ;  E.  S.  Smith 
( Paraquettojl;  J.  Watson,  Spalding  (Grey  Parrot);  J.  Barnes,  Spalding 
(Lorv). 
^  R.iBBlTS. 

Heaviest.— First,  P.  Booth,  Spalding.  Second.  J.  Taylor.  Sheffield. 
Highly  Commended,  T.  Boor,  Wykeham.  Commended,  A.  H.  Easten, 
Hull;  R.  W.arner.  Sjialding.  „     ,,      „ 

Lop-EAEED.— First  and  Cup,  M.  Millington,  York  (Yellow  Buck).  Se- 
cond A.  H.  Easten  (Yellow  and  White  Buck).  Highly  Commended,  M- 
Millington  (Yellow  Buck  and  Black  and  White  Doe);  A.  1.  Easten  (Black 
and  White  Doe.  Fawn  Buck,  and  Fawn  Doe) ;  H.  Yardley;  J.  Taylor; 
W,  Allison.  Sheffield.  „.,        „       ,      „ 

Fancy  Variety.- First,  R.  Wise.  St.  Ives,  Hunts  fSilver-Grey).  Se- 
cond W.  S.  Hornby, Clifton  Garth,  York  (Himalaya).  Highly  Commended, 
A.  H.  Easten  (Silver-Grev  Cream  Shade  and  Silver-Grey) ;  R.  'Wise  (Silver- 
Grey) ;  J.  Hockerston.    Commended,  J.  W.  Taylor. 

Mr.  Edward  Hewitt,  of  Sparkbrooli,  Birmingham  ;  and  Mr.  Eichard 
Tecbay,  of  Fulwood,  near  Preston,  were  the  Judges. 


DEAGOON  AND  ANTNYERP  PIGEONS. 

I  .va  very  glad  that  my  remarks  upon  the  above  varieties  of 
fancy  Pigeons  have  called  forth  a  few  words  from  two  writers, 
for  in  this  way  knowledge  is  increased.  Perhaps  it  may  be 
thought  right  for  me  to  add  a  word  or  two  in  reply. 


July  2, 18«8.  ] 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUKB  AND  COTTAGE    OABDENEB. 


17 


"  A  FonKiGNER,"  aa  a  rigeon -fancier,  takes  a  different  view 
from  myself,  an  English  fancier.  The  fact  is,  we  view  the 
subject  from  dillorcnt  points  of  night,  for  from  all  I  have  read 
or  heard,  Pigeon  opinions  on  the  continent  are  very  different 
from  ours  in  England.  The  old  writers  called  the  Pouter  the 
English  Pouter,  and  they  might  have  pr.'tixed  the  word  English 
to  other  varieties  ;  the  continental  Tumbler,  for  in.stunce,  was 
always  different  from  our  JOnglish  bird 

To  mark  the  differences  now-a-days  1  will  quote  the  descrip- 
tion given  of  "  The  Hamburgh  Pigeon  Show  "  in  our  Journal 
of  August  'i'.Hb,  1H(!7.  There  I  read,  "  The  Carriers  were  very 
poor  indeed  in  quality,  but  an  improvement  on  the  German 
idea  of  them  a  few  years  since,"  and  "  the  Pouters,  according 
to  German  ideas,  were  all  that  could  be  desired.  In  my  eyes 
the  true  English  Pouter  was  very  badly  represented."  "  The 
Tumblers,  according  to  English  ideas,  resolved  themselves  to 
two  pairs  !"  "  Of  Barbs  much  cannot  be  said."  "  Turbits 
were  awfully  low  in  quality,"  and  so  throughout.  Nations 
differ  in  opinion,  and  it  is  right  they  should  ;  national  feelings 
vary,  well  they  may,  and  may  they  always  ;  it  would,  indeed, 
be  a  dull  world  if  every  nation  were  exactly  like  every  other 
nation.  Further,  at  the  end  of  the  article  I  have  quoted  is  an 
account  of  forty  thousand  visitors  who  met  to  see  two  or  three 
hundred  Antwerps  tossed  off;  in  England  the  men  would  not 
have  been  nearly  as  numerous  as  the  birds.  Then  mark  the 
conclusion,  "  The  attractions  of  the  Pigeons  seemed  immense, 
and  in  many  a  group  of  some  half  dozen  staid-looking  men 
one  would  have  imagined  that  the  fate  of  kingdoms  was  being 
discussed,  rather  than  the  produce  of  some  particular  bird." 

All  this  would  not  have  happened  in  England.  We  love  in 
poultry  and  Pigeons  to  breed  pet  birds  with  Sue  and  remarkable 
points  and  properties.  We  delight  to  reach  a  certain  difficult 
standard  of  merit  in  marking  and  colours,  and  only  a  small 
class  of  fauciers  care  for  plain-looking  but  sharp-flying  birds. 

I  am  sorry  I  cannot  recede  in  any  way  from  what  I  have 
said.  I  have  kept  Antwerps,  and  did  not  find  them  as  interest- 
ing, from  my  point  of  view,  as  other  varieties.  Two  years 
since  I  saw  the  Birmingham  Show,  and  think  with  "  J.  I.  B." 
that  "some  Antwerps  were  little  better  that  Blue  Rocks."  I 
am  also  happy  to  agree  with  the  author  of  "  Pigeons,"  where 
he  says,  page  82,  '•  Antwerps  often  have  a  class  given  to  them 
at  the  poultry  and  Pigeon  shows  ;  a  very  absurd  arrangement, 
as  they  have  no  qualities  that  can  afford  any  criteria  for  a 
judge  to  decide  upon  in  a  show  pen."  These  words  are  stronger 
than  mine.  Again,  this  writer  says,  page  83,  "  Speed  and  en- 
durance are  the  objects  to  be  attained,  and  colour  is  altogether 
disregarded,  another  proof,  if  any  were  wanting,  of  the  ab- 
surdity of  offering  a  prize  for  a  pair  of  well-matched  Antwerps 
in  a  show  pen,  a  prize  which  is  generally  given  to  a  pair  of 
birds  that  would  never  be  seen  again  if  let  out  fifty  miles  from 
home." 

The  right  way  would  be  to  exhibit  Antwerps  that  had  per- 
formed very  long  journeys,  these  performances  being  duly  cer- 
tified and  authenticated,  not  merely  the  written  word  of  the 
owner;  then,  being  sure  they  had  done  a  great  feat,  they 
would  be  regarded  with  great  interest,  and  would  deservedly 
have  much  notice.  But  as  a  fancy  bird  I  cannot  for  one  mo- 
ment place  the  Antwerp  on  the  same  level  with  the  very  grace- 
ful, striking-looking  English  Dragoon,  a  bird  which  merits 
much  care  and  pains,  and  without  which  it  cannot  be  bred  to 
perfection.  "  A  Foreigner"  is  quite  entitled  to  his  view,  and 
so  also  is  an  English  fancier. — Wiltshire  Rector. 

P.S. — I  see  Eaton  says  of  Antwerps,  "  The  more  ugly  they 
are  the  better  they  perform  their  work — that  is,  of  flying." 
Ugliness  is  an  unfortunate  qualification  for  a  show  pen,  unless 
the  admirers  of  Antwerps  regard  them  as  a  man  who  had  an 
extraordinarily  ugly  wife  did  bis  spouse,  for  he  said,  "  I  am 
very  proud  of  her  ;  no  man  has  such  an  ugly  wife,  and  there- 
fore she  is  unique.     Oh  !  I  am  very  proud  of  her." — W.  R. 


EARLY  DRONE  SLAUGHTER. 
Upon  looking  at  my  bees  on  .Tune  23rd,  at  noon,  I  noticed 
that  in  one  of  my  hives,  a  Woodbury  nine-bar  and  frame  hive 
all  glass,  placed  inside  a  summer  house,  the  bees  were  killing 
the  drones.  The  hive  has  not  yet  swarmed,  but  is  very  strong 
both  in  bees  and  honey.  For  several  days  I  have  seen  the 
queen  U|  oi  the  top  of  the  bars  inside,  surrounded  by  her  at- 
tendants ;  she  will  stay  about  half  an  hour  at  a  time  and  then 
go  down  again,  and  perhaps  in  an  hour  or  two  will  re-appear. 
Can  you  tell  me  the  cause  of  the  drones  being  killed  so  early  ? 
The  queen  looks  well  and  lively,  not  languid  or  slow  in  her 


movements.  The  bees  hang  out  in  thousands  at  the  front  of 
the  hive,  but  still  she  does  not  seem  inclined  to  lead  them  off. 
I  passed  last  winter  with  fifteen  stocks  and  did  not  lose  one.  I 
have  had  several  swarms,  but  none  before  May  Slat. — A  South 
L.\scAsniuE  Bee-keei'ER. 

[This  somewhat  premature  massaore  of  drones  arises  from 
the  recent  break-up  of  fine  weather  putting  a  stop  to  the 
honey-harvest,  and  indicates  that  however  populous  the  hive 
maybe  it  is  not  likely  to  swarm  naturally.  Kvery  available 
cell  being,  doubtless,  filled  either  with  brood,  honey,  or  pollen, 
the  queen's  occupation  is  for  the  present  gone,  and  she,  there- 
fore, idles  much  of  her  time  at  the  top  of  the  hive.  The  true 
remedy  for  this  unsatisfactory  state  of  things  is  to  make  an 
artificial  swarm,  which  we  should  do  immediately  in  the 
manner  described  by  Mr.  Woodbury,  in  page  80  of  "  The  Gar- 
dener's Almanack  "  for  1868.  The  swarm  should,  of  course, 
be  fed  it  the  weather  is  unpropitious,  in  order  to  enable  it  to 
proceed  with  comb-building.] 


A   BEE   DISASTER. 


'•  By  other's  faults  wise  men  correct  their  own."  I  think  I 
remember  this  proverb  being  on  my  copy  slip  long,  long  ago, 
and  it  is  in  the  hope  that  others  may  profit  by  my  woeful  ex- 
perience that  I  send  you  the  account  of  to-day's  disaster.  I 
took  a  pin  swjirm  of  Ligurian  bees  last  September,  after  it 
had  been  in  the  rain  all  night,  hived  it  in  the  only  hive  at 
hand,  a  rotten  old  affair,  brought  it  home,  added  two  or  three 
(I  forget  which)  common  swarms  to  it,  fed  them  to  the  amount 
of  25  lbs.  of  food  during  the  winter,  and  had  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  them  thrive  to  my  heart's  content. 

When  this  unlucky  day,  June  13th,  1  attempted  to  drive  an 
artificial  swarm — the  bees  had  been  hanging  out  for  days,  and 
as  I  was  obliged  to  go  from  home,  I  feared  they  would  swarm, 
and  go  off  in  my  absence — so  I  turned  up  the  rotten  old  hive, 
when  down  fell  all  the  precious  combs  full  to  overflowing  with 
honey,  brood,  and  bee  bread.  The  hive  was  so  tender  that  the 
pressure  I  used  in  attempting  to  invert  it,  though  1  thought  I 
was  most  careful,  was  too  great,  and  a  confused  mass  of  bees, 
combs,  and  honey,  was  all  that  remained  of  my  so  lately  pros- 
perous colony.  No  words  can  describe  my  distress.  I  have 
packed  up  as  much  as  I  can,  and  placed  it  in  a  super,  in  the 
forlorn  hope  that  the  bees  may  rally  round  it.  If  you  can 
advise  me  what  to  do,  I  shall  be  grateful ;  if  not,  publish  this  to 
warn  others  against  a  like  disappointment. — An  Unfortunate 
Bee-keeper. 

[We  fear  that  this  is  a  hopeless  case.  The  probability  ia, 
that  the  combs  had  become  attached  to  the  floor-board,  and 
that  the  catastrophe  might  have  been  averted  by  the  use  of  a 
moveable  floor-hoard  which  could  have  been  inverted  with  the 
hive.] 

BEE   GLASSES. 

My  attention  has  been  directed  to  the  very  admirable  sketch 
of  a  glass  of  honey  which  was  given  in  your  Journal  for  June 
4th.  With  a  little  further  improvement  this  glass  would  prove 
a  great  acquisition.  First  of  all,  supposing  that  the  hole  of 
communication  by  which  the  bees  enter  from  the  hive  below  is 
at  the  base  of  the  glass,  as  it  stands  in  the  engiaviug,  and  that 
the  upper  part  is  quite  open,  would  it  not  be  better  for  the  top 
to  rest  upon,  and  not  within  the  marginal  rim,  as  it  appears  to 
do  in  the  engraving?  Methinks,  too,  it  would  be  better  made 
of  wood  than  of  glass,  in  which  case  the  bees  would  make  their 
combs  adhere  to  it,  and  we  should  nut,  as  now,  see  the  bees 
constantly  obliged  to  repair  their  labours,  when  the  comb 
breaks  down  from  its  own  weight,  and  from  the  difficulty  of 
making  it  adhere  to  the  glass. 

Then,  I  should  like  to  know  how  the  bottom  hole  3  inches  in 
diameter  is  closed,  so  as  to  prevent  the  honey  from  oozing  out 
when  on  the  breakfast-table,  which  without  some  sort  of  stopper 
it  will  certainly  do,  as  soon  as  the  comb  begins  to  be  eaten.  A 
cork  would  probably  suffice,  but  then  some  allowance  must  be 
made  in  the  stand  below  for  the  recepii'  n  of  the  projecting 
part.  But  for  some  arrangement  of  this  kiod  the  glass,  how- 
ever beautiful  as  "  a  drawing-room  ornament,"  will  be  practi- 
cally useless  where  it  is  most  wanted,  "on  the  breakfast-table." 

I  have  long  given  up  glasses  as  odjuncts  to  ny  apiary,  find- 
ing practically  that  those  in  common  use  are  on  extravagance. 
Often  the  bees  will  not  work  in  them,  and  when  tbey  do,  the 
industrious  insects  are  constantly  baffled  by  the  difficulties 
they  meet  with   in  constructing  and  securing  their  combs, 


Vl8 


JODKNAL  OF  HOETICULTDBE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENEK. 


[  July  i!,  1868. 


■  wasting  much  time  and  wax  in  repairs.  If  this  new  glass  had 
•  only  a  flat  wooden  top,  and  were  otherwise  improved  according 

to  the  suggestions  I  have  ventured  to  offer,  many  of  these 
-  difficulties  would  be  removed,  and  the  glass  would  be  all  but 

perfect.  Will  your  correspondent,  "  A  Eesfp.ewshike  Bee- 
I  KEEPER,"  kindly  state  where  these  glasses  can  be  procured,  and 
'.at  what  prices  ?— E.  &  W. 


WILL  TWO  HIVES  OF  BEES  WORK  IN  THE 
SAME   SUPER? 

■  Place  the  hives  back  to  back,  with  a  space  of,  say,  6  inches 
between.  Place  on  them  a  super  having  holes  to  communicate 
with  each  hive  through  which  the  queens  cannot  pass.  Divide 
the  box  in  the  middle  with  perforated  zinc,  and  have  the  same 
over  the  entrance  holes.  Then  first  draw  away  one  slide  and 
allow  one  lot  of  bees  to  pass  up,  then  in  a  day  or  so  let  the 
other  bees  come  up.  There  then  being  free  communication 
between  the  two  hives,  divided  only  by  the  zinc  plate,  the 
smell  of  the  one  will  mingle  with  the  other.  After  a  short  time 
would  the  bees  know  the  dii3ference  in  each  other?     The  zinc 

■  plate  if  stopped  up  by  propolis  could  easily  be  exchanged  for 
another,  and  if  the  plate  were  entirely  removed,  what  then  ? 

"Would  they  fight  ?  Or  is  the  experiment  worth  trying  or  no  ? 
The  object  of  this  would  be,  I  presume,  an  immense  number  of 
bees  at  work  in  the  same  super.  Of  course,  they  would  go  out 
of  either  hive,  but  always  return  into  their  own,  I  suppose. — X. 
[The  same  idea  has  occurred  to  us,  but  we  have  been  deterred 
from  trying  it,  by  the  expectation  of  a  quarrel.  There  is  also 
the  risk  of  regicidal  attacks  being  occasioned  by  the  inter- 
mixtm'e  of  the  bees  of  two  different  hives.  We  know  of  an  in- 
stance in  which  the  attempt  was  made  to  work  a  large  glazed 
super  by  dividing  it  into  four  compartments,  and  admitting 
into  each  the  bees  from  the  same  number  of  hives.  The  result 
was  not  encouraging,  for  all  would  not  commence  at  the  same 
time,  so  that  the  work  in  the  different  compartments  advanced 
at  a  very  unequal  rate,  then  some  of  the  queens  went  up,  and  a 
large  quantity  of  brood  appeared.  Finally,  one  or  two  colonies 
swarmed,  and  declined  to  continue  the  work,  until  in  the  end 
the  huge  super  had  to  be  taken  off  with  its  contents  in  a  very 
chaotic  condition.] 


TWO  QUEENS  IX   ONE  HIVE. 

The  following  instance  of  two  queens  in  a  hive  will  probably 
be  of  interest. 

Premising  that  of  nine  young  queens  which  I  have  lately 
raised  from  a  Liguriau  imported  by  Mr.  Woodbury  the  half 
are  remarkably  Ught  and  well  marked,  and  the  other  of  a  dark 
mahogany  colour,  with  hardly  a  vestige  of  rings,  I  may  state 
that  having  formed  a  nucleus  with  two  combs,  I  saw  'on  the 
30th  of  May  two  royal  cells  sealed,  the  first  of  them  on  the  22nd. 
On  the  2nd  of  June  I  found  a  young  queen,  which  I  consider 
to  have  been  hatched  May  31st,  and  very  large,  remarkably 
light-coloured,  and  with  the  hind  extremity  very  black.  1  did 
not  remark  the  condition  of  the  royal  cells,  but  put  the  box 
into  the  cellar,  according  to  the  receipt  of  "  M.  J.,"  for  impreg- 
nation, and  which,  I  may  remark,  has  in  two  nuclei  on  which 
I  have  tried  it  in  second-rate  weather,  proved  a  failure. 

On  June  .5th  I  showed  the  queen  to  your  correspondent 
"E.  S  ,"  when  she  appeared  very  large,  but  her  bright  yellow 
a  little  dimmed  by  confinement,  as  was  that  of  the  workers. 
On  the  8th  I  looked  at  the  queen,  and  was  astonished  at  the 
change  in  her  appearance;  she  was  now  of  a  dark  mahogany 
colour,  and  very  slight,  which  change  I  ascribed  to  the  confine- 
ment, which  ended  three  days  previously.  On  the  11th  I 
again  saw  the  queen  under  the  same  aspect,  and  on  the  18th 
observed  her  entering  the  hive  about  noon,  the  day  being  calm 
and  cloudless,  and  remarked  that  sho  had  quite  recovered  her 
pristine  looks  and  condition.  In  the  evening  I  looked  and 
found  her  encased,  a  great  beauty  for  size  and  colour,  and  with 
the  evidences  of  a  recent  successlul  wedding  flight.  Dispersing 
the  knot  of  bees,  I  shut  the  box  up  for  about  a  quarter  of  an 
hour,  when,  looking  again,  I  found  her,  as  I  supposed,  at 
liberty  ;  but,  wonderful  metamorphosis  !  she  was  now  dark, 
slender,  and  evidently  unimpregnated.  Suspecting  at  last  how 
the  matter  stood,  I  examined  the  other  comb,  and  there  was  a 
knot  with  the  yellow  queen  in  the  middle  of  it  as  before. 

It  is  evident  that  in  this  case  two  queens  inhabited  the  same 
box  for  more  than  a  fortnight  in  harmony,  but  when  one  took 
a  flight,  she  was  received  on  her  return  as  an  alien.    Is  it  not 


possible  that  this  may  happen  oftener  than  is  suspected  ?  and 
that  it  may  account  for  the  manner  in  which  young  queens 
are  frequently  destroyed  on  their  return  from  their  wedding 
trips  ?  In  this  case  I  should  never  have  suspected  anything 
had  it  not  been  for  the  remarkable  dissimilarity  of  the  two 
queens ;  when  first  the  yellow,  and  then,  perhaps,  the  dark 
queen  would  have  been  destroyed ;  for,  as  it  was,  after  I  had 
removed  the  yellow  queen,  I  found  tho  bees  very  mutinously 
disposed  towards  the  other,  which  I  eventually  removed  and 
then  caged  the  yellow  queen ;  but  until  dark  the  regicidal 
furor  remained  unabated. 

I  may  remark  that  I  immediately  examined  all  my  other 
young  queens,  and  found  them  intact,  so  that  the  supposition 
that  one  of  them  might  have  fotmd  its  way  into  the  hive  is 
excluded  ;  indeed,  there  was  not  any  young  queen  within  many 
yards  of  the  spot. 

For  the  information  of  one  of  your  recent  correspondents  I 
will  observe  that  I  have  fitted  an  adapting  board  with  gratings 
three-sixteenths  of  an  inch  wide  to  exclude  the  queen,  and  that 
the  super  is  progressing  as  well  as  if  the  passage  were  free. 
As  an  experiment  in  hastening  fertility,  I  selected  a  glass 
unicomb  hive  with  one  common  Woodbury  frame  on  which  a 
queen  was  hatched  on  the  twelfth  day  of  its  removal  from 
the  parent  hive,  and  I  fed  the  very  moderate  population  day 
and  night  from  the  time  of  the  queen's  being  hatched.  They 
built  much  comb,  and  on  the  ninth  day  of  her  life  she  was 
rendered  fertile.  I  have  never  before  had  a  queen  so  before  the 
fourteenth  day. — Apicola. 


OUR  LETTER  BOX. 

Gapes  in  Chickens  (G.F.). — If  your  chickens  died  from  poison  they 
woald  not  be  then  as  you  describe.  We  believe  tbcy  die  of  gapes.  There 
is  only  one  cure  for  them.  No  ordinai-y  treatment  is  of  a»y  service,  as 
it  is  a  purely  local  disease,  and  that  only  ivbich  comes  in  contact  with 
it  can  be  of  any  service.  You  must  administer  pills  of  camphor,  one 
at  a  time,  and  each  pill  halt  the  size  of  a  garden  pea.  These  most  bo 
given  every  eight  hours  till  the  bird  is  relieved.  lu  slighter  cases  a  cure 
ia  effected  by  giving  the  chickens  water  strongly  impregnated  with 
camphor  to  drink.  The  diseai^e  is  caused  by  small  red  worms  at  the  end 
of  the  windpipe,  and  these  die  as  soon  as  the  odour  of  the  camphor 
reaches  them.  Adult  fowls  do  not  surfer  from  gapes.  Chickens  are 
strengthened  by  having  wormwood  iu  their  water. 

Weight  of  Spanish  Fowls— Coubs  TrRKiNG  Black  (H.  B.  T.). — 
There  is  no  standard  weight  for  Spanish  cocks  and  hens.  They  are  birds 
of  feather,  and  should  be  judged  accordingly.  It  is  very  likely  your  birds 
are  approaching  the  moulting  season  ;  that  would  account  for  the  appear- 
ance of  the  combs.  Those  of  the  hens  always  shrivel  up  at  that  time. 
We  look  with  suspicion  when  a  cock's  comb  falls  over,  always  fearing  lest 
it  should  remain  so.  Feed  them  well.  Let  them  have  their  grass  ruu  as 
usual.    You  must  not  expect  their  combs  to  be  as  florid  as  in  the  spring. 

Hen  Suffering  from  Biarrhcea  (P.).— Gi\e  your  hen  Baily's  pills 
[  If  yon  have  not  them  at  hand,  mix  some  pounded  chalk  with  hard  old 
strong  beer,  and  give  the  pills  every  two  hours  till  she  is  better. 

Washing  Fowls  for  Eshibition  (/ciem)-— You  may  wash  the  plumage 
of  any  fowls  with  a  sponge  and  cold  water,  if  very  dirty  add  a  little  soap. 
Wipe  the  feathers  the  right  way,  as  it  is  only  the  outside  that  is  dirty. 
Put  them  in  a  basket  with  hay  to  dry  ;  in  the  winter  before  a  fire,  now  in 
the  sun.    You  may  wash  them  the  day  before  they  leave  you. 

Brahmas  Vcltcre-hocked  {Kovice).~li  is  very  rexatious  that  your 
birds  should  come  vulture-hocked.  You  are  right;  they  arc  valuable 
only  for  the  cook.  This  may  occur  in  spite  of  every  precaution  on  the 
part  of  the  seller,  as  his  birds  may  throw  back.  The  birds  that  won  the 
cups  were  not  vulture-hocked  in  all  probability.  The  seller  of  the  eggs 
will,  probably,  regret  the  result  as  much  as  you  do,  and  be  willing  to 
make  compensation  by  sending  you  some  more  eggs,  especially  selected 
with  a  view  to  prevent  a  similar  result. — B. 

Cockatoo  Self-plucked  {C.  E.  S.).— Continue  to  give  your  bird  a 
good  syringing  of  water,  slightly  warmed,  two  ( r  three  limes  a-day  with 
a  watering  pot  through  a  tine  rose.  Give  it  coif,  sopped  bread,  dry  plain 
biscuits,  Indian  com,  canary  seed,  and  fruit,  a  pleutiful  supply  of  clean 
water,  and  some  bread  dipped,  not  soaked,  in  milk  occasionally.  If  the 
bird  has  plucked  its  feathers  any  length  of  time,  there  is  no  remedy,  we 
fear,  of  curing  it  of  the  habit  of  doing  so.  This  answer  has  been  acci- 
dentally delayed. 

Ground  Oats  [Verr). — Apply  to  Mr.  Agate,  Slaugham  Mills,  Crawley, 
Sussex. 

Est.ablishing  a  Hive  {D.  TF.).— It  is  certainly  not  too  late.  A  trifling 
expenditure  in  sugar  will  in  any  event  set  matters  right. 

Silkworms'  Cocoons  [M.  l'.  J.). —  Three  hundred  are  too  small  a 
quantity  for  commercial  purchasers,  and  are  only  worth  28.  or  3s.,  pro- 
ducing about  I  oz.  of  silk,  but  if  good  they  might  be  useful  for  iiroduction. 
If  you  send  a  sample  to  Mr.  L.  Harman,  Jan.,  Old  Catton,  Norwich, 
perhaps  he  will  buy  them. 


poultry  market.— Jcly  1. 

We  jire  daily  getting  a  larger  supply  of  poultry,  and  prices  are  hardly 
maintained,  although,  as  is  usually  the  case  in  very  hot  weather,  there 
is  a  good  demand. 


s  d.  s  d 

Large  Fowls 4  0  to  4  6 

Smaller  do S  6  0  0 

Chickens    2  0  2  6 

Goslings 5  6  6  0 

Pncldings 2  6  3  0 

Pigeons 0  8  0  9 


e.  d 


s.  d 


Pheasants    0  0  to  0  0 

Partridges    0  0       0  0 

GuineaFowls 0  0       0  2 

Hares 0  0        0  0 

Rabbits 1  4       1  6 

WUddo 0  3       0  9 


July  9,  1868.  J 


JOURNAL   OF  HOBTIO0LTDRB  AND  OOTTAGE  GARDENER. 


IS 


WEEKLY    CALENDAR. 


Day 

Day 

of 

of 

Month 

Week. 

9 

Ta 

10 

F 

11 

S 

12 

Sun 

13 

M 

14 

To 

15 

W 

JDLY  9-18,  1888. 


Alton  Ilorticalttiral  Show. 

Royal  Ilorticnltaral  Sooioty,  Promenade. 
5  Sunday  afteb  Trinity. 


Newport  (Salop)  Horticnltoral  Show. 


Averasfe  Temperature 
near  London. 


Day. 

74.0 
74.7 
76.1 
76.9 
K.O 
74.3 
76.6 


Nieht. 
43.7 

60.4 
51.6 
60.4 
51.3 
60.5 
60.5 


Mean. 
61.8 
62  5 
62  8 
63.1 
63.7 
62.4 
63.5 


Rain  in 

laat 
tl  years. 


Days. 

18 
16 
10 
13 
14 
14 
20 


8nn 

Rises. 


m.  h. 
57  at  3 

68  3 

69  8 

0  4 

1  4 

2  4 

3  4 


Son 

Sets. 


m.  h. 
12  at  8 
12      8 


Uoon 
Rises. 


Moon 
Sets. 


TO.  h.  '  m.  h 
82atlO  i  80al8 
64  10  1  35  9 
16    11   I  37     10 


89    11 

mom. 

8      0 

31      0 


44  11 
alter. 
2  2 
13      3 


Moon's 
Age. 


Days. 
19 
20 
21 
22 
( 
24 
25 


nook 

before 

huo. 


Day 

of 

Year 


191 
192 
198 
194 
196 
196 
197 


From  observations  taken  near 
temperature  50.5".     The  greatest  heat  was  93 
was  1.46  inch. 


London  durina  the  last  forty-one  years,  the  average  day  temperatnre  of  the  week  1b  75.2' ;  snd  its  night 
leat  was  93y.»   on  the  14tn,  1817  ;   and  the  lowest  cold  33',  on  the  9th,  1863.    The  greatest  JaU  ol  rain 


NOTES  FOR  AND  AGAINST  SPRING 
GARDENING. 

'F  the  present  movement  in  favour  of  spring 
gardening  be  calctdated  to  lessen  the  amount 
of  summer  bedding,  as  it  is  called,  many 
hard-working  gardeners,  whose  glass  struc- 
tures of  all  kinds  are  overcrowded  in  the 
spring  months,  will  hail  it  with  delight,  as 
relieving  them  and  the  legitimate  occupants 
of  houses  and  pits  from  a  pressure  that  has 
been  yearly  increasing.  It  is,  however,  to  be 
feared  that  no  diminution  of  the  number  nor  important 
change  in  the  description  of  plants  wanted  in  summer  will 
be  made  ;  on  the  contrary,  the  cultivator's  attention  to  the 
plants  intended  for  spring  display  will  have  to  be  added  to 
the  amount  of  work  which  he  has  at  present  to  perform, 
but  with  this  difference,  that  the  plants  intended  for 
summer  display  will  remain  longer  on  hand  before  they 
can  be  finally  planted  in  their  flowering  beds,  and  the 
spring  gardening,  if  well  carried  out,  will  be  found  to 
entail,  at  a  time  generally  the  busiest  of  any  during 
the  year,  a  much  greater  amount  of  labour  than  is  often 
expected.  A  heavy  crop  of  spring  flowering  plants  cannot 
be  removed  from  the  bed  which  they  have  been  occupying, 
without  that  bed  ha-ving  to  undergo  some  kind  of  renova- 
tion in  order  to  render  it  capable  of  supporting  immediately 
afterwards  another  crop  in  a  healthy  and  vigorous  con- 
dition. Besides,  many  of  the  so-called  spring-flowering 
plants  continue  to  be  ornamental  until  the  beginning,  or 
even  the  middle,  of  June.  Possibly,  too,  the  weather  at 
the  time  the  bed  is  ready  may  not  be  the  most  suitable  for 
planting  out  subjects  which  have  not  each  a  separate  pot, 
and  loss  or  delay  must  take  place  ;  and  even  under  favoura- 
ble circumstances  they  cannot  be  so  early  as  others  planted 
out  at  the  proper  time,  unless  they  have  been  specially  pre- 
pared at  the  same  trouble  and  cost  that  as  many  ordinary 
greenhouse  plants  would  involve.  Hence  those  persons 
who  are  taxed  with  as  much  work  as  they  can  possibly 
do  with  advantage  to  the  plants  under  their  care,  ought 
to  pause  ere  they  commit  themselves  too  hastily  to  an 
extensive  system  of  spring  bedding,  if  an  eaily  summer 
display  be  wanted  also. 

The  example  of  the  past  winter  ought  not  to  be  too 
hastily  quoted  as  showing  what  can  be  done  towards 
producing  a  display  in  spring,  for  it  has  been  one  of  the 
best  for  the  purpose  that  I  ever  remember.  Some  Prim- 
roses made  an  excellent  show  early  in  February,  and  were 
never  injured  by  frost,  but  we  can  hardly  expect  this  to 
occur  often ;  beds,  likewise,  may  endure  one  winter's  crop 
without  showing  that  exhaustion  which  they  would  do  if 
winter  planting  were  repeated  year  after  year.  That  good 
results  will  not  follow  every  season  I  have  myself  wit- 
nessed this  spring.  Nevertheless,  I  by  no  means  wish  to 
disparage  a  system  that  has  attracted  attention  at  intervals 
during  the  last  thirty  years,  but  has  been  abandoned  by 
all  but  those  who  have  the  means  of  carrying  it  out  well. 

A  short  time  ago  I  had  an  opportunity  of  witnessing  a 
good  example  of  spring  gardening,  combined  with  summer 
Ko.  680.— Vol.  XV,  New  Sebieb. 


bedding-out.  In  this  case  the  early-flowering  plants  had 
been  removed,  the  soil  of  the  beds  in  a  great  measure 
exchanged  for  fresh  compost,  and  Pelargoniums,  'Verbenas, 
and  other  plants,  each  growing  in  an  8-inch  pot,  were 
employed  to  fiU  the  beds  again,  the  plants  being  large 
enough  to  place  on  the  stage  of  a  greenhouse.  The  effect 
was  complete  at  once,  but  few  have  the  means  of  practising 
such  a  system  on  a  large  scale,  and  every  one  must  do  the 
best  he  can  with  the  conveniences  at  his  disposal.  Some 
modification  of  this  system  wiU  be  attempted  by  many 
who  cannot  adopt  it  in  its  integrity,  but  those  who  have 
not  had  much  experience  should  not  embark  too  extensively 
in  spring  gardening  unless  they  are  in  a  position  to  carry 
it  out  well;  and  I  would  especially  guard  them  against 
pursuing  a  plan  practised  in  some  places — that  of  mixing 
the  summer  bedding  plants  in  the  same  bed  as  the  spring 
ones,  in  the  expectation  that  the  former  will  out-grow  the 
latter.  Such  mixtures  rarely  answer  well,  and  are  often  a. 
source  of  much  disappointment ;  the  bedding  plants  being 
late  and  irregular,  and  the  season  in  a  great  measure  gone 
before  they  cover  the  space  allotted  to  them. 

The  present  year,  as  I  have  already  remarked,  must  not 
be  taken  as  furnishing  a  fair  example  of  the  results  which 
will  bo  achieved  in  spring  gardening  in  ordinary  seasons, 
for  the  weather  was  unusually  mild  from  the  middle  of 
January  up  to  May,  and  annuals  attained  a  robustness  of 
character  which  they  would  not  have  done  had  the  frost 
been  more  intense.  The  winter  was  so  mild  that  here  and 
at  other  places  in  the  neighbourhood  several  rows  of  the 
single  white  Primrose  commenced  flowering  by  the  end 
of  January,  and  the  frost  was  never  sharp  enough  to  injure 
the  flowers,  though  it  often  is  so  as  late  as  April.  This 
variety  blooms  earlier  than  the  wild  Primrose,  and  during 
the  past  season  it  also  flowered  more  profusely  where 
both  were  growing  together.  I  regard  it  as  one  of  the 
best,  if  not  the  very  best,  of  early  spring-flowering  plants  ; 
but  I  only  mention  it  here  to  show  that  the  mildness  of 
the  season  enabled  it  to  continue  for  more  than  two 
months  one  of  the  most  ornamental  plants  we  had  ;  btit 
such  would  not  have  been  the  case  had  frosts  of  an  ordi- 
nary kind  occurred  while  it  was  in  flower.  Forget-me-not, 
Scenes,  and  other  plants  were  equally  favoured  by  the 
mild  weather. 

I  advise  those  desirous  of  attempting  spring  gardening, 
and  who  wish  to  have  their  beds  at  liberty  by  the  middle 
of  May,  to  grow  only  the  earliest  of  all  spring- flowering 
plants,  and  to  avoid  as  far  as  possible  all  which  do  not 
begin  to  flower  by  the  beginning  of  April,  or  at  latest  by 
the  middle  of  that  month.  The  number  of  such  plants  is. 
of  course,  limited,  but  they  afford  a  good  variety  of  colour, 
and  it  is  better  to  reject  the  later-flowering  ones  than  have 
to  perform  the  unpleasant  duty  of  destroying  them  when, 
perhaps,  just  at  their  best,  in  order  to  clear  the  ground  for 
the  next  crop.  Of  course  I  am  now  advocating  the  cause  of 
early  spring-flowering  plants  only  ;  those  which  bloom 
about  Whitsuntide  or  later,  beautiful  and  showy  though 
they  are,  may  be  more  properly  considered  as  belonging  to 
summer.  Assuming,  therefore,  that  only  early  flowers  are 
wanted,  the   following  short  list  may  form  a  nucleus  for 

No.  lOKi— Vol..  XL.,Ou)  Sbbibs. 


ao 


JOUENAL  OF  HOETIODLTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


[  Julj  9,  1868. 


others  to  add  to.  All  the  plants  named  in  it  are  very  hardy,  and 
easily  transplanted,  except  in  cases  where  it  ia  stated  that  they 
are  olherwise. 

Adbrietia  pxjepurea,  a  dwarf,  spreading,  berbaceons  plant, 
likes  dry  ground,  and  is  raised  either  from  seeds  or  cuttings, 
the  former  being  preferable.  As  a  permanent  edging  it  deserves 
a  place  almost  everywhere,  brit  it  bears  transplanting  well ; 
being  densely  covered  with  pale  purple  flowers,  it  is  a  great 
favouiite  in  spring.  A  striped-leaved  variety  is  still  more  pretty 
as  a  plant,  although  its  flowers  are  less  ornamental.  A.  Camp- 
belli  has  darker-coloured  flowers.     AH  are  good. 

AfiiBis  ALBiDA  is  One  of  the  earliest  and  most  easily  culti- 
■vated  of  all  our  spring-flowering  plants,  but  it  ia  often  neglected 
at  the  time  when  its  propagation  ought  to  be  attended  to. 
Being  of  a  free-growing  habit,  it  speedily  becomes  too  large  for 
removal  with  case,  and  it  is  preferable  to  pull  a  few  plants  to 
pieces  in  June,  and  insert  the  cuttings,  or  rather  slips,  for 
they  may  be  6  or  8  inches  long,  in  a  piece  of  nursery  ground, 
using  the  spade  for  the  purpose  much  the  same  as  in  plant- 
ing Box  edging.  They  will  form  useful  plants  to  take  up 
iu  autumn,  when  they  may  be  removed  to  their  flowering 
quarters.  The  perfect  hardiness  of  this  plant,  and  the  profusion 
of  flowers  which  it  produces,  entitle  it  to  more  attention  than 
it  receives,  and  its  propagation  is  on  the  whole  less  trouble- 
some than  that  of  some  annuals  which  require  twice  trans- 
planting. 

Arjbis  AiBiDA  VAiuEGATA. — Of  less  robust  habit  than  the 
preceding,  its  flowers  are  not  less  beautiful,  while  as  a  plant 
for  winter  decoration  it  has  few  equals.  I  mention  merely  the 
plant,  not  its  flowers,  for  winter  decoration,  because  the  cha- 
racter and  appearance  of  the  plant  are  of  more  importance  at 
that  season  than  the  flower,  and  it  will  be  admitted  by  all 
that  out-door  flowers  present  only  a  sorry  appearance  in  the 
dead  winter  months  when  this  plant  is  so  neat  and  interesting. 

Akabis  lucida  aukeotaelegata. — I  have  never  been  able  to 
make  much  of  this  plant,  which  seems  to  require  a  soil  in  which 
lime  does  not  predominate  to  such  an  extent  as  with  us.  Its 
leaves  rather  than  its  flowers  are  its  chief  merit. 

Primroses. — The  great  variety  of  colour  and  compact  habit 
presented  by  this  family  render  it  a  favourite  with  everyone, 
nevertheless  it  does  not  succeed  alike  in  all  places,  and  with 
us  dry  summers  affect  it  most,  more  especially  the  Polyanthus 
section.  In  general  the  single  varieties  make  a  better  display 
than  the  double  ones,  and  are  more  readily  propagated. 
The  single  white  and  siuule  pink  are  my  greatest  favourites, 
but  the  common  wild  Primrose  is  a  desirable  addition  to 
these.  Taken  np  and  transplanted  in  some  shady,  rather 
moist  soil.  Primroses  generally  do  very  well;  but  where  such 
north  borders  are  wanted  for  summer  Lettuces  ond  similar 
crops  and  the  plants  have  to  be  placed  in  some  dry  corner,  the 
drought  of  summer  affects  them  very  injuriously.  In  general 
the  best  specimens  of  Primroses  are  those  which  have  remained 
two  years  or  so  in  the  same  place  without  having  been  dis- 
turbed ;  when  longer  in  one  place  they  very  often  become 
unsightly. 

Altssum  BAXATrLE. — I  know  of  no  plant  which  in  dry  soils 
is  equal  to  this  iu  intensity  of  colour  at  the  period  when  it 
flowers;  it  is  also  hardy  and  readily  adapts  itself  to  trans- 
plantation twice  a-year.  We  have  grown  it  extensively  at 
Linton  Park  for  many  years,  and  we  have  two  varieties  of  it, 
one  much  dwarfer  than  the  other,  the  flowers  of  both  being  of 
a  vivid  golden  colour.  A  variety  with  variegated  foliage  does  not 
flower  so  freely,  but  it  looks  well  as  a  plant,  and  being  very 
hardy  is  well  adapted  for  winter  work.  It  must  be  propagated 
by  cuttings,  but  the  ordinary  form  of  Alyssnm  saxatile  is  easily 
raised  from  seed,  which  it  produces  freely.  A  dry  soil  appears 
to  suit  this  plant  best,  as  it  clings  to  a  dry  corner  with  a 
tenacity  not  met  with  in  every  plant.  I  consider  it  amongst 
the  best  and  most  useful  of  spring-flowering  plants;  i  »  gay 
appearance  gives  it  an  importance  even  when  viewec  om  a 
distance,  and  the  sturdy  character  of  the  plant  when  ^ot  in 
flower  is  also  in  its  favour. 

Hepatica. — I  mention  this  more  on  account  of  what  I  have 
seen  elsewhere  than  as  being  successful  with  it  myself,  for  I 
have  never  been  able  to  manage  it  satisfactorily  ;  either  it  did 
not  transplant  well  or  did  not  flower  freely,  so  that  I  have  not 
tried  it  for  many  years.  In  some  places,  however,  it  has  been 
fine,  and  the  neat  character  of  the  plant  and  its  other  qualities 
are  great  recommendations,  if  it  can  be  made  to  endure  trans- 
planting twice  a-year  and  will  yet  bloom  well. 

Ibbkis  oiBiiALTABicA.  —  This  is  somcwhat  later  than  the 
AlfBSUiu,  but  ia  a  compact  plant,  which  preserves  a  good  ap- 


pearance all  winter.  As  an  edging  it  also  looks  well,  aod 
after  flowering  bears  cutttingin  better  than  most  plants  of  its 
kind.  I  have  used  it  more  as  a  permanent  edging  than  for 
spring  bedding.  An  improved  sort  has  lately  been  introduced 
called,  I  believe,  I.  ternata.  The  flowers  are  of  a  clearer  white, 
and,  instead  of  forming  an  umbel,  are  collected  in  a  sort  of 
short  spike  or  head,  the  habit  of  the  plant  being  about  the  same 
as  that  of  I.  gibraltarica. 

Daisies. — I  have  not  planted  these  much,  but  where  I  have 
seen  them  the  double  white  was  of  most  service.  Much,  how- 
ever, depends  on  the  distance  a  plant  is  from  the  observer.  If 
it  is  50  yards  off  or  more,  usually  pale-coloured  flowers,  m 
contrasting  most  strongly  with  the  ground,  look  best,  and  those 
of  a  dull  red  colour  are  but  little  seen,  but  when  close  under 
the  eye  both  look  well. 

Bulbs. — Although  last  on  the  list  these  ought  to  have  been 
first.  The  Snowdrop,  which  is  noticed  the  least  of  all  by  bulb- 
vendors,  is  the  most  useful,  as  it  transplants  well  in  all  stages 
of  its  growth,  flowers  the  earliest,  and  has  the  important  re- 
commendation that  when  planted  near  woods  and  similar 
places  it  is  not  liable  to  be  attacked  by  mice  like  the  Orooiu 
and  Narcissus.  Bulbs,  however,  are  too  well  known  and  ap- 
preciated to  require  more  than  a  passing  notice. 

To  the  above  may  be  added  many  other  beautiful  and  serviee- 
able  plants,  and  the  Winter  Aconite  for  one ;  but  although  it 
thrives  remarkably  well  here  when  not  removed,  its  success  is 
not  so  satisfactory  when  it  is  taken  up  twice  in  the  season,  and 
the  same  remark  holds  true  with  regard  to  the  Christmas  Bose. 
There  are  so  few  annuals  that  meet  our  requirements  of  what  may 
be  called  a  winter  plant  that  my  list  of  them  is  a  very  meagre 
one.  Many  years  ago  I  used  to  plant  the  Virginian  Stock  for 
early  flowering,  and  I  am  not  aware  yet  of  any  annual  that 
blooms  before  it,  but  as  a  plant  to  look  at  and  handle  it  is 
poor,  although  it  is  quite  hardy  and  only  resembles  many  other 
annuals.  The  Forget-me-not,  which  is  very  sturdy,  also  flowers 
tolerably  early  during  a  mild  season,  and  nothing  could  well 
excel  two  large  beds  of  it  which  I  had  this  spring  ;  but  then 
every  winter  may  not  be  like  the  last,  and  when  I  say  that 
plants  of  Tritoma  uvaria  were  in  full  bloom  in  March,  it  need 
hardly  be  wondered  that  other  plants  were  in  a  like  manner 
unhurt  by  the  cold.  I  fear,  therefore,  that  the  Forget-me-not 
must  not  be  classed  with  the  very  early-flowering  ones,  while  a 
variety  called  Impfiratrice  Elizabeth  is  very  much  later,  in 
fact,  it  did  not  flower  tillJune,  when  the  hot  weather  decreased 
both  the  size  of  its  flowers  and  the  duration  of  their  beauty. 

There  are  no  doubt  other  early  flowers  besides  those  whioh  I 
have  mentioned  ;  but  many  say  that  the  Pansies  do  not  do 
well  in  dry  summers  and  on  dry  soils,  and  Yiola  cornuta  does 
not  meet  our  requirements  of  the  class  of  plants  I  am  referring 
to,  as  old-established  plants  do  not  flower  early  enough,  while 
the  very  pretty  family  of  Mimulus  requires  a  greater  amount 
of  moisture  than  is  generally  given.  Wallflowers  will  do 
better,  but  they  require  somewhat  more  attention  during  the 
summer  than  they  often  receive ;  and  the  same  may  be  said  of 
several  other  plants  equally  beautiful.  The  really  early-flower- 
ing plants  are  not  so  numerous  as  might  be  supposed,  and 
those  which  present  a  good  floral  display  in  April  after  a  hard 
winter  are  the  kind  wanted.  Later-flowering  subjects  are 
plentiful  enough. 

Having  gone  thus  far  without  lauding  the  prevailing  rage  for 
spring  gardening  so  much  as  many  have  done,  but  without  at 
the  same  time  wishing  to  disparage  the  system  (my  purpose 
being  to  confine  it  to  the  class  of  plants  flowering  early  enough 
to  allow  of  the  beds  being  cleared  and  prepared  for  the  summer 
bedding  plants  at  the  proper  time),  I  would  particularly  urge 
all  whose  beds  are  objects  of  daily  inspection  to  try  to  make 
them  as  ornamental  as  possible  during  the  winter  months. 
In  general  it  is  hopeless  to  look  for  many  out-door  flowers 
from  the  middle  of  November  to  the  middle  of  February,  and 
sometimes  even  during  a  longer  interval;  but  there  is  no 
reason  why  ornamental  plants  should  not  occupy  such  beds 
during  this  period,  and  the  plants  available  for  the  purpose 
are  quite  as  numerous  as  those  flowering  in  April.  The  winter 
decoration  of  the  flower  garden  is  not  of  less  importance  than 
the  spring  display,  while  it  has  the  advantage  of  not  interfering 
in  the  least  with  the  summer  bedding,  which  in  most  places 
is  after  all  of  the  greatest  consequence. — J.  Bobson. 


EOYAL    HORTICDLTTTBAI.    SoCIKTY'g  EXAMINATIOX    OF  GABDBH- 

EES. — The  next  examination  of  candidates  for  certiBcatea  will 
take  place  at  Kensington  on  the  14th  of  this  month,  and  for 


July  B,  1S6&  ] 


JOOBNAL  OF  HOaTlCULTUQB  AND  COTTAGE  GAKDENBB. 


Bl 


MSooiatesbipB  on  the  ISlh.  Those  requiring  information  on 
the  snbjeot  may  obtain  it  by  applying  to  Mr.  Janaea  Iliohards, 
Assistant  Sacretai^,  Rjyal  Hurtioulturol  Society,  Soutli  Kun- 
sington. 

INSECTS  AND  WEEDS. 

Few  have  been  used  to  country  life  who  have  not  often  heard 
BOmetliing  like  the  following — "It's  a  sharpish  morning!'' 
the  farmer  says,  rubbing  his  hands  in  the  vain  endeavour  to 
turn  his  fingers  any  other  odour  bat  blue ;  "  but  it's  very 
healthy,  and  it  will  kill  all  the  grubs  and  weeds."  Now,  the 
ideas  meant  to  be  conveyed  by  such  observations  as  these  are  so 
generally  entertained  that  one  has,  perhaps,  never  heard  a  dis- 
sentient remark  about  them ;  and  it  is  hence  concluded  by 
everybody  that  a  hard  winter  is  destrnotive  to  insects  and  weeds, 
and,  indeed,  that  "King  Frost"  destroys  more  grubs  than 
hoFts  of  swallows,  whilst  he  is  duly  honoured  as  "Winter  the 
Weeder."  Bat  widely  spread  as  are  these  ideas,  I  take  upon 
myself  to  dissent  from  them,  in  the  belief  that  my  opinion  will 
be  shared  by  others  upon  due  observation. 

With  regard  to  both  insects  and  weeds,  we  must  take  into 
oonsideraiiou  that  those  here  named  are  indigenous,  and  that 
they  are  among  our  wild  native  plants  just  because  they  are 
endowed  with  powers  to  resist  the  cold  and  frost  to  which  in 
winter  they  are  liable  to  be  subjected.  Look  at  the  snug  retreats 
of  insects  in  the  bark  of  trees,  in  the  moss  of  the  wall,  or  the 
leafy  bank  ;  see  how  they  are  further  protected  by  swathings 
of  cottony  material,  by  thick  varnished  cases,  or  nicely  con- 
straoted  houses  ;  and  above  all,  inquire  into  the  immense 
fecundity  of  most  species,  and  we  shall  be  aware  that  this  vast 
superabundance  is  made  for  the  due  continuance  of  the  species, 
in  Bpite  of  atmospheric  action,  which  with  insects,  as  with 
humanity,  exerts  a  decided  influence.  Yet  the  world  would  soon 
te  overstocked  with  insect  life,  were  it  not  that  insects  are  kept 
in  check  by  insectivorous  creatures  of  various  kinds,  amongst 
which  none  will  be  found  such  active  insect-destroyers  as  birds. 
A  few  weeks  of  frost  may  aid  in  the  destruction  of  some  insects, 
and  especially  in  the  larva  state  ;  but  then,  though  so  tightly 
bound  up  in  the  frozen  earth,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that 
they  are  wonderfully  well  prepared  for  the  event ;  and  it  must 
be  recollected  that  birds  during  all  this  time  must  starve,  or, 
what  is  as  bad  for  our  crops,  they  must  attack  the  buds,  roots, 
and  softer  parts  of  our  cultivated  plants  for  the  means  of  a 
seanty  subsistence.  Under  these  conditions  it  is  no  wonder 
after  all  that  even  those  farmer  friends  who  have  been  so  pleased 
with  a  hard  winter  "  for  killing  the  grubs,"  should  wonder  in 
the  following  summer  "  how  there  can  be  so  many  insects  after 
the  cold  winter  we  had."  For  myself,  I  view  this  as  a  natural 
consequence ;  and  observation  has  seemed  to  me  to  verify  the 
conclusion  that  severe  winters  are  succeeded  by  summers  pro- 
lific in  both  insects  and  weeds. 

A  very  little  inquiry  will  be  sufficient  to  show  that  the  same 
evidence  is  afforded  by  the  growth  of  plants,  and  more  especially 
of  those  we  term  weeds.  These  for  the  present  purpose  may 
be  very  conveniently  divided  as  follows  : — 

1.  Perennials,  or  those  in  which  the  stem  or  rootstock  is  pertQ.ancnt. 

2.  Biennials,  or  those  in  which  the  plant  is  prepared  in  one  year,  and 
the  seed  griWQ  in  the  following. 

S.  AQQualg,  in  which  the  seed  is  sawn  in  autmna,  but  its  germination 
and  the  re-seeding  oconpy  the  following  year. 

On  reviewing  the  Perennials,  we  shall  see  that  we  ought  to 
have  but  few  weeds  belonging  to  this  division,  if  we  except  the 
shrubs  of  various  kinds  which  find  their  way  into  hedgerows  to 
the  detriment  of  the  Quicks,  such  as — 

Vibornum  opnlus,  Oueldor  Rose 
Rosa  and  Rnbus,  all  species  grow- 
ing in  hedges. 


Sambncas  nigra,  Elder 
Vibumam   lantana.    Wayfaring 
Tree 


Of  weeds  with  perennial  rootstocks  we  have  such  as — 


Triticura  repens.  Coach  Grass 
Convol  vulas  arvensis,  Corn  Bind- 
weed 


Convolvalus  sepium,  Hedge  Bind- 
weed 
Carduas  arvensis,  Com  Thistle 
These  form  a  good  example  of  a  class  of  weeds,  the  rootstocks 
of  which  are  all  the  better  protected  from  being  beneath  the 
surface,  for  frost,  instead  of  being  injurious  to  them,  forms  a 
pellicle  above  them,  and  thus  provides  far  their  greater  safety. 
As  regards  the  second  set  of  weeds,  it  may  be  said  of  them, 
as  of  insects — they  live  in  our  climate  by  virtue  of  their  adap- 
tation to  it ;  and  if  we  duly  study  the  plants  in  the  list  which 
I  give  iu  the  next  column,  we  shall  see  that  a  hard  winter  is 
more  favourable  to  their  full  second  year's  development. 
Plants  of  this  kind  are  either  developed  fi-om  seeds  which. 


falling  in  tbo  autumn,  remain  until  spring  without  germinating 
and  BO  occupy  one  season  in  developing  a  plant  from  which  the 
seed  is  produced  iu  tho  following  year  ;  or  the  seed  when  sown 
iu  autumn  may  at  once  germinate,  and  the  plant  and  seed 
development  each  occupy  a  year  afterwards  ;  whilst  some  may 
in  the  vear  the  seed  is  sown  make  sufficient  progress  to  form 
the  seeds  the  next  year.  This,  however,  depends  to  a  great 
extent  upon  tho  season,  as  biennials,  which  occasionally  take 
parts  of  three  years  for  growth  and  re-seeding  when  the  weather 
is  severe  in  winter,  produce  seed  tho  first  year  aftev  sowing  il 
tho  weather  is  mild. 


Rannncalns   repens.  Creeping 

Crowfoot 
Papavor  hybridum.  Smooth-head- 
ed Poppy 
Papavcr  rha?aa,  red  Poppy 
Coninni    maculatnm,    Hemlock, 
and  others  of  the  same  family 
Knantia  arvensis,  Field  Scabious 
Soocbus  arvensi8,Corn  Sowthislle 
fo^ichue  olcraceus,  common  Sow 
thistle 


Leontodon  taraxacum,  DandclioQ 
Carduue  natana,  Mask  and  ether 

Thistles 
Centaurea  nigra,    BlaclE   Knap- 
weed 
Centaurett  scabioso,  Great  Ecap- 

weed 
Plantogo  media.  Plantain 
Rumex  pratcuuiij,   Ueaiiow    and 
other  Ducks 


On  examining  these  plants  we  shall  find  them  all  so  well 
prepared  for  winter,  that  unless  they  have  severe  weather  to 
arrest  their  growth  and  make  them  strong  and  hardy,  they  will 
grow  up  weakly  and  attenuated,  and  produce  as  little  seed  as 
would  non-transplanted  Cabbages  and  Lettuces  in  garden  cul- 
ture. Hardiness  and  consequent  after-size  are  induced  by  the 
autumn  sowing,  and  the  retardmg  process  is  further  aided  by 
transplantation.  No  fact,  then,  is  better  established  than  this 
— that  supposing  a  few  weeds  of  biennial  growth  to  be  destroyed 
by  winter,  yet  the  effect  of  cold  and  frost  is  to  harden  the  rest, 
and  thus  to  make  them  far  more  productive  of  seed  than  they 
would  be  after  milder  weather  ;  so  that  in  reality,  when  we  see 
iu  midwinter  examples  of  Sjwthistles  and  Docks  wilh  just  a 
small  living  central  bud  hidden  in  a  mass  of  dead  leaves,  and 
cringing  to  tho  very  ground  as  though  afraid  of  the  biting 
blast,  we  must  not  conclude  that  these  have  been  destroyed  by 
frost ;  on  the  contrary,  their  very  stunted  growth  is  an  evidence 
of  their  well-being,  and  such  specimens  will  assuredly  produce 
well  at  seed  time. 

Annual  weeds  are  by  far  the  most  troublesome,  as  they  grow 
up  so  quickly,  and  frequently  so  abundantly  with  every  crop, 
that  they  usually  smother  the  young  plants  unless  soon  re- 
moved. Who  has  not  seen  this  in  the  case  of  roots,  where  it 
is  an  evidence  of  the  farmer  having  allowed  their  parents  to 
seed  in  the  soil  with  a  previous  crop  ?  Many  of  this  section  of 
weeds  do  not  take  the  whole  of  the  year  for  the  production  of 
their  seed,  but  seed  more  than  once ;  others,  again,  require 
but  a  few  weeks  for  their  development,  and  so  come  up  with  an 
early-sown  spring  or  summer  crop  indifferently.  Of  course, 
seeing  the  largo  production  of  seeds  in  most  of  the  annual 
species  of  weeds,  we  shall  be  prepared  for  many  of  them  being 
destroyed ;  but  cold  or  frost  should  not  be  considered  as  de- 
structive to  them,  except  to  a  limited  extent,  as  annual  weeds 
are,  if  possible,  better  adapted  than  any  other  for  withstanding 
the  wiliest  vicissitudes  which  our  soil  and  climate  can  offer; 
and  though  it  is  true  that  different  soils  possess  different  species 
of  annual  weeds,  yet  there  are  some  that  are  common  through- 
out the  country,  from  John  o'  Groil's  to  the  Land's  End. 
Amongst  the  causes,  however,  whioh  tend  to  lessen  weeds  1 
may  mention  the  following  : — 

Their  seeds  may  be  scattered  by  high  winds  to  places  un- 
congenial for  them.  Numberless  seeds  are  destroyed  by  insects, 
many  species  of  which  partly  live  upon  them. 

By  far  the  greatest  destruction  of  the  seeds  of  weeds  that 
takes  place  is  due  to  such  birds  as  the  finches.  We  all  know 
what  large  quantities  of  seeds  are  ealen  by  some  of  our  bird 
pets,  and  as  with  them  the  seed  is  almost  reduced  to  powder 
by  their  active  little  mandibles,  birds  of  this  kind  really  de- 
stroy the  seeds  of  weeds  in  the  most  perfect  manner.  Many 
of  us  have  been  before  now  amused  in  watching  a  piping  bull- 
finch enjjjing  his  cruciferous  seeds,  and  when  I  say  that  be- 
8  des  these  his  daily  tl.owance  of  GrounJsel  has  about  a  Lxm- 
dred  heads  of  flowers,  each  of  whioh  may  perfect  as  many  as 
fifty  seeds,  we  have  100  x  50  =  5000  seeds  of  a  pernioious 
weed  daily  destroyed  by  a  single  bird,  and  this  by  no  means 
represents  all  his  weed  fooJ,  still  less  does  it  give  us  more  than 
a  faint  idea  of  the  numbers  of  weeds  destroyed  by  birds  of 
this  kind  in  the  wild  state. 

This  amount  of  good — and  I  maintain  that  our  small  birds 
are  amongst  the  farmer's  foremost  weeders  aud  best  friends — 
is  interfered  with  by  winter.    Frost  binds  up   the  soattereii 


US 


JOURNAL  OP  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


C  Julf  9,  1B6S. 


seeds  of  nnlnmn,  snow  covers  those  not  scattered,  and  all  this 
time  tho  birds  are  starviDR.  The  appearance  of  the  bare  earth 
in  winter  is  very  different  from  that  which  it  presents  in  sum- 
mer  when  clothed  with  verdare  ;  the  difference  is  known  to  be 
caused  by  cold,  and  so  wo  hastily  conclude  that  winter  is  a 
weeder  to  whom  we  may  safely  trust ;  but  the  very  green  of 
summer  is  ouly  preparatory  to  the  growth  of  plant  seed,  and 
if  we  waste  that  season  by  allowing  this  consummation  to  f^o 
uncheckeri.  we  miy  be  quite  sure  that  Nature  has  thus  amply 
proyided  f  jr  the  continuance  of  species. — Geouge  Newltn. 


ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 

July  7th. 

flnmT  CosoirrTEE.— George  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  in  the  chair. 
Mesars.  Carter  &  Co.  and  Messrs.  Hurst  &  Son  exhibited  a  dish  of 
Laxton'a  Sapreme  Peas,  a  fine,  large,  and  very  distinct  early  Pea  of 
the  Green  Man-ow  race.  It  was  awarded  a  first-class  certificate. 
Meaara.  Wood  &  Son,  of  Mareafiold,  sent  a  dish  of  a  seedling  Potato, 
which  wassnbmitted  for  trial  in  the  collection  of  Potatoes  at  Chiswick. 
Mr.  Carver,  gardener  to  J.  Walker,  Esq.,  Southgate,  sent  fine  fruit  of 
tiie  Camellia. 

Three  splendid  bnncheg  of  the  Golden  Champion  Grape  were  ex- 
hibited by  Mr.  William  Thomson,  of  Dalkeith  Park.  This  is  the  first 
time  it  has  been  aabmitted  to  the  jadgmeut  of  the  Committee,  and  it 
fully  realised  all  that  has  already  teeu  said  of  it.  The  bunches  are 
large,  and  tho  berries  are  enormous  ;  tho  latter  are  oval,  with  an 
amber  tin;;o  when  quite  ripe,  a  nolid,  tender  flesh,  and  a  flavour  di^er- 
ing  littlo,  if  at  all,  from  the  Blaok  Hamburgh.  In  size  and  appear- 
ance it  far  anrpa'ises  any  white  Grape,  and  in  flavour  it  is  exceUed  by 
none  except  the  Muscats.     It  received  a  first-class  certificate. 

Mr.  TUIery  of  Welbeck,  sent  dishes  of  very  fine  fruit  of  Galaude 
-Peach  and  Violotte  Hative  Nectarine,  both  of  which  were  hand- 
some. Mr.  Wnstcott,  gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Cleveland,  at  Raby 
Castle,  sent  a  large  oblong  ribbed  Melon,  a  hybrid  between  Scarlet 
Gem  and  Scarlet  Rock.  It  was  a  handsome  fruit,  but  the  flavour  was 
very  deficient.  Mr.  Jack,  gardener  to  tho  Duke  of  Cleveland,  at  Battle 
Abbey,  flent  a  green- fleshed  Melon,  called  Battle  Abbey,  the  flavour 
of  which,  though  good,  was  not  of  sufficient  merit  to  warrant  the 
-award  of  a  certificate.  A  collection  of  Gooseberries  came  from  the 
Sociiitj'a  garden  at  Chiswick.  Legerdemain,  a  large  green  Lancashire 
•variety,  was  very  richly  flavoured.  Beeston  Castle  was  also  good,  but 
not  80  rich.  Old  Ship,  a  yellow  variety,  was  rather  more  acid. 
Teazer,  also  a  hairy  yellow,  was  of  good  flavour.  Early  Amber  and 
Pitmaston  Green  Gage  were  very  rich,  and  Red  Champagne,  though 
'  not  quite  ripe,  was  very  good. 

The  Committee  had  previously  met  on  June  29th  at  Chiswick,  and 
proeeeded  with  its  examination  of  Peas  growing  in  tho  gardens.  If 
the  early  varieties  have  suffered  in  this  excessively  dry  season,  later 
kinds — the  large  foliaged  dwarf  Marrow  sorts — are  still  more  affected, 
it  being  well  known  that  these  varieties  succeed  best  in  rather  a  rainy 
season  ;  and  the  present  being  just  the  reverse  of  that,  they  are  con- 
seqaeutly  considerably  under  the  usuiil  average,  both  in  quantity  and 
quality.  One  or  two  exceptions  to  this  state  of  things  have,  however, 
been  observed ;  or,  rather,  some  varieties  seem  to  succeed  in  this  dry 
season  and  to  withstand  the  summer  drought  better  than  others.  The 
following  decisions  were  arrived  at ; — 

McLean's  Princess  Royal  is  a  first-class  second-early  white  Marrow, 
distinct,  with  large,  well-filled  pods ;  it  withstood  the  summer  drought 
well. 

Peabody  is  a  vory  prolific  dwarf  white  Pea. 

Somersetsliire  Early  Prolific  is  very  much  in  the  way  of  the  old  white 
Prussian. 

Dillistone's  Early  Prolific  Green  Marrow  is  the  same  as  Prize- 
taker. 

Heale*g  Matchless  Marrow  is  the  old  Matchless  Marrow — a  large  and 
very  good  grpeu  Marrow. 

Blue  Excelsior  (Knight)  is  a  very  good  and  prolific  green  Marrow 
Pea,  in  appearance  while  growing  like  Champion  of  England ;  the 
dried  seeds  of  a  light  bine.  Blue  Emperor  is  a  dwarf-growing  and 
inferior  variety  of  this. 

Carter's  Surprise  is  very  much  in  the  style  of  Scimetar — a  prolific 
variety. 

Grotto  is  a  tall  growing  late  green  Marrow,  of  pretty  good  quality, 
distinct. 

Laxton'a  Supreme  is  a  grand  Pea,  a  green  Marrow  of  excellent 
quality,  with  very  long,  well-filled,  curved  pods.  It  is  a  hybrid  betwen 
'Prolific  9j]d  Little  Gem.  The  stock  of  this  variety  is  very  true  this 
season,  entirely  free  from  that  mixed  character  which  was  its  great 
drawback  last  season.  Laxton'a  Quality  is  very  similar  to  this,  bat 
partaking  moro  of  the  wrinkled  character  of  Littlo  Gem,  a  very 
excellent  variety. 

Laxton'a  Leader  is  in  the  style  of  Veitch's  Perfection. 

Cooper  Wyton  is  a  very  good  dwarf  wrinkled  Marrow,  with  large, 
well-filled  pods. 

Dwarf  Incomparable  is  a  very  dwarf  and  prolific  late  wrinkled 
Marrow,  with  small,  well-filled  pods,  of  good  quality. 

Forty-fold  ia  a  very  excellent  Pea  ;  an  improved  form  of  Champion  ' 


of  England,  with  larger  and  more  curved  pods.     It  stands  the  drj 
weather  well. 

Premier  is  tho  finest  and  best  form  of  the  dwarf  wrinkled  green 
Marrow  class. 

Paterson'a  Matchless  Marrow,  a  variety  which  has  been  grown  by  Mr. 
Whiting,  of  the  Deepdone,  for  many  years,  is  the  same  as  Veitch's 
Perfection. 

New  Tall  Wrinkled  (Hurst),  is  very  much  in  the  way  of  Britiall 
Queen. 

A  tall  Marrow  (Bradley)  is,  tall  white  Mammoth. 
Spider  Pea  is  a  dwarf  white  wrinkled,  much-branching  variety,  with 
small,  well-fiUed  pods. 

Hybrid  Poa  (B.  Sandiland),  is  a  hybrid  between  the  Sugar  Pea  and 
Knight's  Marrow.  It  is  of  a  very  distinct  character,  remarkable  for  the 
shining  glossy  colour  of  the  leaves  and  pods,  resembling  the  old  Glass 
Pea  in  that  respect.  It  is  a  large  white  wrinkled  Marrow,  of  very 
excellent  quality  ;  its  appearance,  however,  militates  against  it. 

The  Committee  then  proceeded  to  examine  the  collection  of  early 
Potatoes,  which  in  this  (Iry  season  is  remarkably  fine — large  in  size, 
and  of  fine  appearance  and  good  quality,  without  the  slightest  trace  of 
disease  amongst  them.  The  following  were  tho  most  remarkable 
varieties  noticed  : — 

Lemon  Kidney  (an  old  variety),  quite  ripe.  Large,  full-eyed,  clean, 
and  handsome.     Prolific. 

Rivers's  Ashloaf  is  a  vei-y  prolific  variety,  handsome,  but  not  so 
early  as  others. 

Birmingham  Prizetaker  is  a  very  handsome  variety,  of  medium  size, 
oblong,  flattened,  early. 

Mona's  Pride  (quite  ripe),  is  a  first-class  early  kidney ;  large,  full, 
regular,  and  handsome  ;  excellent  cropper, 

Gloucester  Kidney  is  a  very  excellent  early  Potato,  of  fine  size, 
good  quality,  and  very  prolific. 

Milky  White  is  a  very  distinct  variety,  the  whitest  of  all,  of  excellent 
quality,  and  a  good  cropper. 

Giant  King  ia  a  very  handsome  variety,  large  and  regular,  of  oblong 
shape,  with  a  fine  clear  skin.  A  splendid  Potato  for  early  market 
use. 

Red  Ashleaf  Kidney  is  a  very  large  and  fine  variety,  of  a  dark 
purple  colour,  fit  for  use  as  early  as  the  White  Ashleaf;  a  heavy 
cropper. 

Smith's  Early,  which  is  the  same'as  the  Coldstream,  is  the  earliest 
round  Potato. 

Myatt'a  Ashleaf  (quite  ripe),  ia  a  very  fine,  large,  and  excellent 
stock. 

Old  Ashleaf  (quite  ripe),  large  and  very  handsome. 
Paterson's  Red  Kidney  (quite  ripe),  ia  a  very  fine  Potato,  of  hand- 
some appearance,  recommendable  for  field  culture. 

Floral  Committke. — A  greater  number  of  certificates  than  usual 
were  awarded  this  day ;  and  a  more  interesting  exhibition  could  not 
be  seen,  whether  we  consider  the  beauty  of  some  of  the  plants,  or  the 
botanical  interest  of  others.  The  Society  may  well  be  satisfied  at  the 
continued  interest  of  these  fortnightly  meetings. 

The  silver  Flora  medal  was  offered  for  tho  best  twenty-four  Cama- 
tiona,  also  for  twenty-four  Picotees.  These  medals  were  awarded  to 
Mr.  Hooper,  of  Bath,  there  being  no  other  competitor.  A  special 
certificate  was  also  given  to  Mr.  Hooper  for  his  general  collection  of 
Cloves,  &c.  There  were  some  very  tine  varieties  among  the  Cloves, 
and  we  hope  Mr.  Hooper  and  others  will  give  their  attention  to  the 
improvement  of  this  most  welcome  and  favourite  flower.  There  ia 
much  to  be  done,  and  easily  done,  with  this  flower ;  bold  and  smooth 
outline  and  guard  leaves  of  substance  being  the  principal  points.  Per- 
fection in  form  and  colour  must  also  be  studied.  From  what  we  have 
seen  we  may  hope  this  flower  will  prove  a  favourite  of  the  ladies. 

Messrs.  K.  G.  Henderson,  of  the  Wellington  Road,  St.  John's  Wood, 
exhibited  several  new  Lobelias,  but  not  in  a  condition  to  judge  of  their 
merits.  These  plants  in  pots  are  apt  to  be  deceptive  :  the  ouly  sure 
way  of  judging  of  theij-  merits  is  from  plants  planted  out.  Lobelia 
pumila  Distinction,  much  resembling  Beauty  of  Ravensbourne,  received 
a  first-class  certificate  for  its  robust  habit.  Viola  cornuta  alba,  from 
the  same  firm,  received  a  second-class  certificate.  Pelargonium  Flower 
Queen,  exquisitely  white  in  its  margin,  but  with  foliage  of  rather 
flimsy  texture,  had  also  a  second-clasa  certificate.  Lass  o'  Gowrie,  a 
silver-edged  Zonal  Pelargonium,  received  a  tii-st-class  certificate. 

Messrs.  RoUissou  sent  a  collection  of  Orchids,  which  received  a 
special  certificate.  From  Messrs.  Downie,  Laird,  &;  Laing  came 
a  hybrid  Nosegay  Pelargonium,  with  bright  scarlet  flowers  in  a  largo 
compact  truss  ;  it  was  named  Robert  Bowley,  and  rectived  a  first-class 
cei-titicate.  Red  Ring,  a  bronze  Zonal  from  the  same  firm,  had  also 
a  first-class  certificate. 

Mr.  Williams,  of  Holloway,  exhibited  several  interesting  plants,  and 
among  them  Txichomanes  fimbriatum  and  Trichomanes  maximum 
received  first-class  certificates.  He  likewise  sent  some  others.  Mr- 
Whitehead.  gardener  to  Mr.  Dodgson,  contributed  a  cut  spike  of  On- 
cidium  luridum  of  unusual  size,  and  a  special  certificate  was  awarded 
it.  Messrs.  Veitch  had  first-class  certificates  for  Lindssea  sp.,  to  be 
deteiTuined  by  Mr.  Moore  ;  Ampelopsis  Veitchii,  a  hardy  climber  with 
small  foliage,"  but  of  rapid  growth ;  Adiantum  sp.,  niime  to  be  deter- 
mined hereafter ;  Nepenthes  Hookeri.  a  most  beautiful  plant  ;  Ne^ 
penthes  rubra,  equally  interesting;  Phorminm  Cooksii,  a  beautiful 
foim  of  the  New  Zealand  Flax ;  Draca-na  nigra  rubra,  a  very  fine 


JtUr  9.  1668.  ] 


JOUBNAL  OP  HOBTIOULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


variety  ;  Pnya  or  Djokia  species,  with  a  cnrions  and  nnnsnal  tint  of 
colonr  in  its  tlowerp,  an  intorcBtinR  plant ;  Croton  tricolor  nnd  Croton 
Hillii,  both  fino  variutiea,  especially  tho  latter.  MeBORpiniilium  sau- 
;^iiieuni,  a  ilelicate  cherry-roso-coloured  Orchis,  rocoivcd  a  Borond- 
clasa  certifionto,  and  n  fino  specimen  of  Dcadrobium  MuoCarthiuj,  a 
special  ccrtitirato. 

Mr.  C.  Turner,  Sloni;b,  sent  Zonal  Pelargoninm  May  Qaeon,  Silver- 
edged,  and  which  would  now  be  designated  hh  a  bicolor  Pelargonium. 
A  first-class  certificate  wan  awarded  it.  Mr.  G.  Smith,  Ilornscy  Road, 
exhibited  a  fino  doable  Zonal  Pelargonium,  with  a  good  truss  and 
largo  flowers  of  a  bright  scarlet  celonr.  It  received  a  first-class  cer- 
tificate, and  is  the  best  yet  exhibited  among  Knglish  seedlings.  Nose- 
gay Pelargonium  Lizzie,  very  peculiar  in  colour,  probably  a  new  tone 
of  colonr,  also  from  Mr.  G.  Smith,  was  likewise  a>Yardcd  a  first-class 
certificate. 

Mr.  Parker,  Tooling,  exhibited  a  curiona  form  of  Cjrpripodinra 
Veitchii,  with  an  apparent  doable  Up  ;  also  a  very  beautiful  seedling 
Ixora,  callod  amabilia,  larger  in  the  truss  of  flowers  than  javauicum, 
and  of  tho  same  colour.  A  first-class  certificate  was  awarded  to  this 
desirable  plant.  Mr.  Patey,  Milton,  near  Steventon,  introduced  a 
moat  exquisite  and  beautiful  form  of  Polystichnm  augulare,  called 
Patcyi,  for  which  a  first-class  certificate  was  awarded.  This  is  very 
distinct  and  fine,  and  was  a  .needling  picked  up  in  a  ramble  in  Devon- 
shire. Tho  discovery  of  this  beautiful  form  of  Polystichnm  may  well 
encoarago  those  members  of  the  Society  who  are  about  to  migrate 
into  green  fields  and  shady  lanes  ;  such  a  prize  is  well  worth  seeking. 

Mr.  Ley,  nurseryman.  Croydon,  exbihited  Coleus  Carteri,  which 
was  awarded  a  second-class  certificate.  This  so  much  resembled  a 
plant  brought  by  Mr.  Green,  gardener  to  W.  W.  Saunders,  Esq.,  that 
it  coald  hardly  be  distinguished  from  it.  Mr.  Green's  plant  was  a 
.sport  from  Coleus  Verschaffelti.  Messrs.  Lee,  of  Hammersmith,  sent 
Zonal  Pelargonium  Mrs.  John  Glutton,  a  Silver-edged  variety,  which 
received  a  first-class  certificate ;  also  Quercus  Concordia,  a  golden- 
leaved  Oak,  and  very  banilsomo,  to  which  a  similar  award  was  made. 
Euonymns  aureus  elegantissimus,  from  the  same  firm,  a  well-marked 
variegated  form,  likewise  received  a  first-class  certificate. 

Messrs.  Jackman,  of  Woking,  exhibited  some  good  specimens  of 
their  Clematises,  which  were  awarded  a  sjiecial  certificate;  also  some 
cat  flowers  of  socdling  Clematis  Sir  Kobert  Napier,  a  dark  purple — 
first-class  certificate ;  Beauty  of  Surrey,  a  greyish  blue,  a  very  fine 
flower — first-class  certificate  ;  and  Clematis  viticella  rubra  granditiora, 
a  new  tint  of  dark  brownish  red  ;  the  flowers  were  small,  but  very  dis- 
tinct.    A  first-class  certificate  was  awarded. 

Mr.  Green,  gardener  to  W.  Wilson  Saunders,  Esq.,  sent  a  small 
collection  of  interesting  plants,  among  them  several  beautifully- 
marked  terrestrial  Orchids,  for  which  a  special  certificate  was  given. 
Mr.  Robert  Thompson,  of  the  South  Kensington  Museum,  exhibited  a 
most  interesting  collection  of  British  Ferns,  well  grown,  and  good 
varieties.  Among  them  was  a  variety  of  Aspleninm  adiantum  nigrum, 
to  which  the  name  of  flabellatum  was  provisionally  given.  This  re- 
ceived a  first-class  certificate. 

Messrs.  Carter  <fc  Co.  sent  fine  groups  of  their  Variegated  Zonal 
Pelargoniums.  These  are,  doubtless,  among  the  very  best  of  the  first- 
rate  Tarieties.  Ettie  Beale,  with  finely-coloured  brilliant  foliage,  re- 
ceived a  firstciass  certificate.  Sir  Robert  Napier,  very  dark,  fine,  and 
distinct,  a  first-class  certificate,  and  Black  Prince,  a  bronze  Zonal, 
first-rate  in  quality,  a  first-class  certificate.  A  special  certificate  was 
also  awarded  this  firm  for  a  basket  of  well-grown  specimens  of  Tri- 
chininm  Manglesii. 

Mr.  Davis,  gardener  to  W.  Stride,  Esq.,  sent  cut  specimens  of 
Rignonia  cherere,  very  fine  in  colonr,  bat  we  hear  rampant  in  growth. 
Numerous  other  plants  were  sent ;  some  of  them  had  received  previoos 
awards.  Mr.  G.  Maw  sent  specimens  of  a  new  garden  label,  made  of 
their  peculiar  earth  at  the  Broseley  Works.  These  were  approved  of 
by  the  Committee,  and  recommended  for  pot  labels.  Those  of  the 
size  exhibited  were  a  shilling  per  hundred.  They  are  made  in  various 
colours,  and  can  be  used  for  the  pencil,  or  a  prepared  enamel  ink. 
They  will  be  found  very  durable,  but,  like  all  materials  made  of  clay 
or  earth,  fragile.  With  fair  usage  they  may  be  considered  a  boon  to 
tho  amateur. 


General  Meeting. — W.  Wilson  Saunders,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  in  the 
chair.  After  a  vote  of  thanks  for  numerous  donations  of  plants,  seeds, 
•fee.,  and  the  election  of  seven  new  Fellows,  the  usual  announcement 
of  awards  was  made. 

The  Rev.  M.  J.  Berkeley  then  offered  the  following  remarks : — It 
was  some  time  since  there  had  been  more  than  a  formal  General  Meet- 
ing, but  those  who  were  present  at  that  held  on  May  19th,  would 
probably  recollect  an  Orchid  shown  as  the  Arachnanthe  moschifera,  of 
Blume,  but  doubts  were  expressed  whether  its  name  was  correct  or  not, 
and  on  examining  a  figure  of  the  Arachnanthe,  ho  had  found  that  the 
plant  exhibited  was  totally  different.  Tho  opinion  had  been  mooted 
at  the  Floral  Conamittee  that  it  was  one  of  the  Angrxrums,  but  on 
looking  over  the  specimens  of  these  in  the  herbarium  at  Kew,  he 
fonnd  nothing  like  it.  A  few  meetings  ago  Mr.  Wilson  Saunders  had 
referred  to  the  subject  of  raising  Orchids  from  seed,  and  he  himself 
had  recommended  all  who  might  try  experiments  in  this  direction  to 
sow  the  seeds  on  branches  covered  with  moss,  an  idea  which  he  (Mr. 
Berkeley),  had  taken  from  the  late  Mr.  Joseph  Henderson,  who  was 
gardener  to  Earl  Fitzwilliam,  at  Wentworth.     Mr.  Berkeley  said  he 


had  afterwards  visited,  along  with  tho  Scientific  Committee,  Mesarg. 
Vcitch's  establishment  in  pursuit  of  an  inquiry  into  Orchid  spot,  and 
he  there  met  with  Mr.  Dominy  who  had  been  so  successful  in  raiflinpj 
hybrid  Orchids,  and  who  confirmed  all  that  ho  (Mr.  Berkeley)  hail 
said,  stating  that  no  success  whatever  had  been  met  with  except  when 
the  seeds  were  sown  on  mosa.  Mr.  Berkeley  then  pointed  out  a  flowct 
of  a  Cj'pripedium,  the  singularity  of  which  consisted  in  tho  lip  being 
apparently  double,  but  in  reality  there  was  but  one  lip  which  had  be- 
come split  in  two,  the  case  being  analogous  to  what  anatomists  call 
spina  bifida. 

Mr.  Bateman  had  last  year  given  some  Interesting  information  rela- 
tive to  an  insect  called  Sirex  joveucus,  which  proves  very  injurious  to 
I*ine  trees,  and  Mr.  Berkeley  said,  that  in  a  village  near  him,  observing 
this  insect  abundant,  he  looked  about  for  tho  cause,  and  found  that 
the  rector  was  making  a  new  parsonage.  In  all  probability,  therefore, 
it  came  from  the  deal  which  was  used  ;  but  not  only  was  there  Sirex; 
juvencus,  but  a  much  finer  species,  most  likely  S.  gipas,  which  watf 
also  met  with  near  Market  Harborongh.  It  was  desirable  that  thosa 
who  had  large  plantations  should  pay  attention  to  these  insects. 

The  magnificent  specimens  of  Golden  Champion  (Jrapo  sent  by 
Mr.  Thomson  were  next  noticed,  and  Mr.  Berkeley  remarked  that 
fine  as  they  were,  all  the  berries  were  not  healthy,  for  on  cutting  thenr 
open  in  some  cases  he  found  that  the  seeds  were  affected  by  a  disease 
which  often  attacks  Muscat  and  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes,  and  whichc 
also  deterioratis  the  pulp.  His  opinion  as  to  the  origin  of  the  diseasa 
was,  that  either  the  roots  get  in  a  bad  condition  and  can-y  up  some 
putrescent  matter  from  the  soil,  or  that  the  Vines  are  unable  by  evapo- 
ration to  get  rid  of  a  superabundance  of  moisture.  He  did  not  believe 
that  the  disease  originated  from  any  fungus,  but  afterwards  ferment- 
ation took  place,  followed  by  monldiness. 

Some  specimens  of  labels  from  Messrs.  Maw,  of  Broseley,  and  whiclr 
can  be  had  at  Is.  per  100,  were  ihen  pointed  out  as  being  an  improve- 
ment on  the  ordinary  wooden  labels,  after  which  Mr.  Berkeley  ob- 
served, in  reference  to  the  Puya  shown  by  Messrs.  Veitch,  and  o£ 
which  the  flowers  have  a  singular  metallic  appearance,  that  he  waar 
uncertain  whether  the  plant  was  a  Puya  or  a  Dyckia,  or,  indeed,  one 
of  a  distinct  genus.  The  only  instance  he  knew  of  a  plant  so  singular 
as  the  Puya  in  colonr,  was  Agaricus  aeruginosus  (Peziza  fflruginosa), 
which  gives  its  tint  to  the  green  Oak  used  at  Tunbridge  for  a  variety 
of  ornamental  purposes. 

After  a  brief  reference  to  Osalis  megallorrhiza  which  forms  the  first 
plant  in  Mr.  Wilson  Saunders's  "  Refugium  Botanicum,"  and  the 
sport  of  Coleus  Verschaffelti  from  tho  same  gentleman,  Mr.  Berkeley 
announced  that  tho  two  prizes  for  Fungi,  spoken  of  on  a  previoua 
occasion,  would  beoiTered  at  the  first  meeting  in  October.  ThatwonU 
be  the  best  time,  for  it  often  happens  when  tho  autumn  rains  come, 
that  Fungi  spring  up  abundantly.  He  hoped  to  see  exhibited  both 
useful  and  reputed  poisonous  species  ;  and,  in  connection  with  the 
latter,  remarked  that  Dr.  Badham  stated  that  an  Agaric  which  wa^ 
nearly  fatal  to  his  schoolmaster,  he  had  again  and  again  eaten  with- 
out evil  results.  In  conclusion  the  Yang-mae,  the  fruit  of  a  species  of 
Myrica  commonly  cultivated  in  China,  was  referred  to  as  being  really 
very  palatable. 

Mr.  Wilson  Saunders  said  Mr.  Berkeley  had  well  observed  that  tho 
colour  of  the  Dyckia  or  Puya  was  vei-y  remarkable,  and  except  in  the 
other  instance  which  Mr.  Berkeley  had  mentioned,  he  (Mr.  Saunders^ 
did  not  know  any  case  of  so  peculiar  a  colour  among  plants.  Some  o£ 
the  Dyckias.  although  related  to  the  Pme  Ap^le,  could  be  grown  out  of 
doors,  and  they  would  flower  in  a  cool  greenhouse.  Some  of  thenip 
too,  produced  long  flower  spikes  which  hung  down,  and  such  should  be 
grown  on  pedestals.  The  flowers  were  of  various  colours,  and  al- 
together these  plants  were  well  worthy  of  attention.  With  reference 
to  bhe  Coleirs  sport  which  was  produced  by  Coleus  Verschaffelti,  antf 
was  permanent,  be  had  exhibited  it  less  on  its  own  account  than  |to 
direct  attention  to  the  fact,  that  the  present  dry  season  is  very  pro- 
ductive of  sports.  When  such  remarkable  alterations  in  the  dryness 
of  the  atmosphere  occur  sports  are  set  up,  and  we  should  be  on  the 
alert  to  detect  them.  As  regards  Sirex  juvencus  it  was  a  pest  in  Laroh 
forests,  and  very  destructive  on  the  continent.  Here  it  was  yearly 
becoming  more  common,  and  though  at  one  time  it  was  diflacult  foe 
entomologists  to  obtain  a  specimen,  now  wherever  Pine  trees  wera 
growing  there  was  a  good  chance  of  finding  it. 

Mr.  Wilson  Saunders  then  announced  that  the  nest  meeting,  which 
was  to  have  been  held  on  tho  21st  of  July,  would  be  postponed  to  iM& 
4th  of  Augvst,  in  consequence  of  the  Leicester  Show,  which,  he  waff 
glad  to  say,  promised  to  be  a  very  successful  one. 


BIRMINGHAM  ROSE  SHOW. 

Taking  rank  among  the  moat  important  annual  6oral  ejhibitiong, 
this  requires  special  notice,  not  only  for  tho  excellence  of  the  flowers 
and  specimens  exhibited,  bat  also  as  it  affords  an  occasion  of  bringing 
into  comparison  the  prodnctinns  of  growers  who,  on  account  of  dia 
tance  or  other  causes,  do  not  compete  at  tho  metropolitan  shows.  It 
is  not  always  that  the  stands  of  amateurs  generally,  excepting  thoea 
of  Mr.  Hedge,  Key.  E.  N.  Pochin,  Eev.  S.  R.  Hole,  and  a  few  others, 
who  exhibit  at  the  Crystal  Palace  and  Kensington,  will  bear  the  teit 
of  comparison  with  those  of  tho  professional  growers.  At  Birming- 
ham the  classes  for  amateurs  were  well  filled,  and  the  flowera  anl^ 
mittcd  for  competition  showed  ample  proofs  of  tha  pains  that  hair 


24 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARBENEB. 


t  Jid7  9,  1868. 


been  bestowed  upon  their  cnltore,  and  eDhanced  in  no  bzdoU  degree 
the  excellence  of  the  E^diibition. 

The  Show  was  hold  in  the  Town  Hall,  on  Thnrsday  and  Friday, 
Joly  2nd  and  Srd.  Thoagh  bo  good  on  the  whole,  indications  of  the 
severity  of  the  droa;jht  were  not  wanting.  For  example,  the  nursery- 
meo^s  classes  were  not  filled  np,  and  Mr.  Cranston,  who  bronght  eight 
stands  of  twenty-foar  each,  aChxed  a  notice  that  they  were  not  offered 
for  oompetition  on  this  account. 

It  is  usefal  to  append  lists  of  the  best  flowers  in  winning  collections, 
for  the  namerons  Hose  admirers  there  find  which  are  the  most  de- 
serving kinds  to  caltivate,  thongh  to  others  the  repetition  mayeeem 
ledions  and  unnecessary.  Thus  in  the  following  lists  giving  the 
very  elite  of  the  blooms  shown,  Alfred  Colomb,  Charles  Lefebvre, 
Mar^ohal  Niel,  Celine  Forestier,  Senateur  Vaisso,  Marguerite  de  St. 
Amand,  Madame  Charles  Woo3,  Madame  Victor  Verdier,  John  Hop- 
per, Charles  Roaillard,  and  Antoine  Docher  fignrein  almost  every  firat- 
prixe  collection,  and  theso  are  really,  with  a  few  others  which  Mr. 
Sadclyffe  has  pointed  oat  in  last  week's  Jonrnal,  the  best  Bosea 
known. 

Notwithstanding  that  Mr,  Cranston's  collection  was  not  for  compe- 
tition, it  mast  claim  a  priority  of  notice  on  account  of  the  wonderful 
aiaeof  the  blooms,  combined  with  freshness  of  colour  and  perfection  of 
form,  which  we  most  necessariiy  ascribe  to  the  beet  Rosea.  Extra 
fine  were  Charles  Lnfebvre,  Madame  Charles  Wood,  Alfred  Colomb, 
Madame  Moreao,  Margnerito  de  St.  Amand,  Dr.  Andry,  Antoine 
Docher,  Victor  Verdier,  Dovoniensis,  Triomphe  do  Rennes,  Marechal 
Kiel,  Senateur  Vaisse,  Madame  Furtado,  Antoine  Dncher,  Josephine 
Gayet,  and  Felix  Gentro  (new). 

In  Section  A  (Nurserymen),  Class  1.  for  seventy-two  varieties,  Mr. 
Keynes  was  first  with  magDificent  flowers  of  Alfred  Colomb,  Marechal 
Vailiant,  Madeleine  Nonin  (now),  John  Hopper,  Hippolyte  Flandrin, 
new,  of  remarkable  size  and  fnllness,  La  Ville  de  St.  Denis,  Pierre 
Netting,  Leopold  Premier,  Mdlle.  Marie  Rady,  new  and  good,  Charles 
Ronillard,  Madame  Caillat,  Mrs.  John  Bemera,  Triomphe  de  Rennea, 
Senateur  Vaisse,  Souvenir  d'un  Ami,  Souvenir  d'Elise,  Xavicr  Olibo, 
Charles  Lefebvre,  Marguerite  de  St.  Amand,  Madame  Margottin, 
Marechal  Niel,  Devoniensis,  &c. 

Messra.  Paul  &  Son  were  second.  In  their  stands  were  fine  blooms 
of  Charles  Lefebvre,  Comto  de  Nanteuil,  Leopold  Premier,  Laslia, 
Jean  Lambert,  Gloire  de  Santenay,  Marechal  Niel,  Charles  Rouillard, 
Souvenir  do  Monsieur  Boll,  Senateur  Vaisse,  Queon  Victoria,  Alfred 
Colomb,  &c. 

The  third  place  was  taken  by  Mr.  Durbin,  of  Bath.  There  were 
in  his  stands  good  blooms  of  Marguerite  de  St.  Amand,  Madame 
Moreau,  Midame  Fillion,  Gloire  de  Vitry,  Pierre  Notting,  Aoidalie, 
Sonvenir  de  la  Malmaison. 

In  Class  2,  for  forty-eight  varieties,  three  trasses  of  each,  Mr. 
Kejnes  was  again  first  with  a  collection  grand  as  a  whole,  varied  in 
colonr  as  far  as  yet  attainable,  with  such  perfect  flowers  as  the  follow- 
ing:— Alfred  Colomb,  Marguerite  de  St.  Amand,  Mdlle.  Marie  Rady, 
DeToniensis,  Sonvenir  d'nn  Ami,  Senateur  Vaisse,  Madeleine  Nonin, 
Madame  Moreau,  Comte  do  Nanteuil,  Madame  Boutin,  Gloire  do 
Dijon,  Madame  Willermoz,  Mdlle.  Marguerite  Dombrain,  Victor 
Verdier,  Pierre  Notting,  Mrs.  John  Bernera,  Marechal  Niel,  Sophie 
Coqnerel,  Triomphe  de  Rennes,  Due  de  Rohan,  &c. 

Messrs.  Pan!  &  Son  were  second  with  a  magnificent  display.  Among 
the  very  best  may  be  noticed  Alfred  Colomb,  Leopold  I.,  Madame 
Charles  Wood,  Vicomte  Vigier,  Due  de  Rohan,  Madame  Caillat, 
Xavier  Olibo,  Camille  Bernardin,  Victor  Verdier,  Princess  Mary  of 
Cambridge,  Josephine  Beauhamais,  Maurice  Bernardin,  Mdlle.  Marie 
Kady,  Gloire  do  Santenay,  Sophie  Coquerel,  John  Hopper,  Celine 
Forestier,  Marechal  Vailiant,  Comte  de  Nanteuil,  Madame  Victor 
Verdier. 

In  Class  S,  for  twenty-fonr  varieties,  three  trusses  of  each,  Mr. 
Keynes  again  carried  off  the  chief  honour  with  a  superb  collection. 
Among  the  very  beat  were  Marechal  Niel  of  course,  and  Alfred  Colomb  ; 
Hippolyte  Flandrin,  very  large,  and  Sophie  Coquerel,  a  pretty  light  rose, 
outer  petals  white,  or  nearly  so,  Messrs.  Perldna  &  Son,  of  Coventry, 
gained  the  second  place.  Their  stands  were  of  great  merit,  the 
following  blooms  especially — Madame  Victor  Verdier,  Pierre  Notting, 
Charles  Lefebvre,  Madame  Fillion,  John  Hopper,  Senateur  Vaisse, 
Marguerite  de  St.  Amand,  Alfred  Colomb,  Mdlle.  Marie  Rady. 
Messrs.  Paul  &  Son  were  third  with  Mdlle.  Marie  Rady,  Josephine 
Seauhamaia,  Marguerite  do  St.  Amand,  Madame  Boutin,  Pierre 
KoUing,  Comtease  de  Chabrillant,  Gloire  de  Santenay,  and  others. 
Mr.  Charles  Kimberley  was  fourth.  There  were  in  his  stands  fine 
itlooms  of  Francois  Treyve,  Alfred  Colomb,  Louiae  de  Savoie,  and 
Madame  Moreau. 

Classes  4  and  5  were  restricted  to  residents  in  the  counties  of 
Warwick,  Stafford,  and  Worcester.  The  stands  were  invariably 
good,  and  contained  many  weU-gro'ra  flowers. 

In  Section  B  (imateurs).  Class  6  was  for  forty-eight  varieties. 
The  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Rev.  P.  M.  Smythe,  whose  collection  was 
Bot  only  free  from  blemish  generally,  but  contained  some  very  remark- 
Able  flowers,  espBcially  a  truss  of  Marechal  Niel.  the  best  in  the  Show. 
Among  the  oiher^  were  Senateur  Vaisse,  Pierre  Netting,  John 
Ht^er,  Comtasse  de  Chabrillant,  Charles  Lefebvre,  Lord  Macaulay, 
Snd  Sonvenir  de  Comte  Cavour,  beautiful.  Mr.  C.  J.  Perry  was 
Seoond  with  Dr.  Andry,  Charles  Lefebvre,  Duchosse  de  Gaylus,  Gloire 
fle  Vitry,  Madame  Derreux  Douville,  very  pretty,    Alfred   Colomb, 


Madame  C.  Wood,  &c.  Mr.  Evans,  gardener  to  C.  N.  Newdegale, 
Esq.,  was  third.  He  bad  excellent  Mooma  of  Madame  C.  CrapeM, 
Alfred  Colomb.  Pierre  Notting,  Senateur  Vaisso,  La  Ville  de  St.  Detiia. 
and  Duchesse  de  Caylus. 

In  Class  7,  twenty-four  varieties,  single  trusses,  there  was  a  strong 
competition,  and,  as  in  the  preceding  class,  the  stands  contained  maay 
fine  specimens  of  the  same  kinds.  The  firat  place  was  taken  by 
Thomas  Lloyd,  Esq.,  of  Warwick,  the  second  by  the  Rev.  P.  M. 
Smythe,  the  third  by  Mr.  Hunt,  of  Leicester. 

Class  8,  eighteen  varieties,  three  trusses  of  each,  was  a  trial  ol 
strength  for  the  amateurs  of  the  midland  counties.  Here  Mr.  Bvans 
was  first.  He  had  excellent  trebles  of  Marechal  Niel,  Due  de  Rohan, 
Niphetos,  Charles  Lawaon,  Madame  C.  Wood-  Cloae  upon  him,  in 
the  second  place,  followed  Mr.  Hunt,  of  Leicester,  who  had  Charles 
Lefebvre,  Senateur  Vaisse,  and  Madame  Charles  CrapeleL  The 
third  place  wat  taken  by  Mr.  C.  J.  Perry. 

In  Class  9,  for  twelve  varieties,  the  contest  was  again  betweec 
Rev.  P.  M.  Smythe,  Mr.  C.  J.  Perry,  and  Mr.  T.  Lloyd,  who  took  the 
first,  second,  and  third  places  respectively. 

The  various  classes  from  10  to  14  indosive,  were  restricted  to 
residents  within  a  radius  of  a  certain  distance  from  Birmin;^ham,  with 
a  view  of  affording  encouraging  Rose-culture  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
the  town. 

In  Section  C,  Class  15  was  for  a  collection  of  new  Roses  sent  out 
by  English  nurserymen  in  the  springs  of  18^6,  1967,  and  1868,  tweaty- 
four  varieties.  The  first  prize  wc-i  t  to  Mr.  Keynes.  In  his  stand  were 
Hippolyte  Flandrin,  Horai  V  met,  Madeleine  Nonin,  Antoine 
Dacher,  Mdlle.  Marie  Rady,  Mdlle.  Marguerite  Dombrain,  Jean 
Cherpiu,  and  others.  Messrs.  Perkins  &  Son,  of  Coventry,  were 
second  with  nearly  the  same  kinds.  It  will  be  better  to  d^er  a 
critiqn©  on  the  new  Roses  till  later  in  the  season. 

In  Class  16,  for  the  best  new  Rose  sf-nt  out  in  the  spring  of  1^6-7. 
six  trusses,  the  first  prize  was  won  by  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son  with  Alfred 
Colomb,  Mr.  Keynes  being  second  with  the  same  variety,  and  thifd 
with  Mdlle.  Marguerite  Dombrain. 

Class  18  was  for  Teas  and  Noisettes.  These  were  not  in  conditiozi. 
The  competition  was  also  confined  to  the  takers  of  the  first,  seoond» 
and  third  prizes — viz.,  Mr.  Keynes,  Messrs.  Paul  Ss  Son,  and  Mt. 
Durbin.  of  Bath. 

In  Class  21,  for  the  best  bouquet  for  the  hand,  Miss  Anne  Twigg 
was  Cret;  Mr.  W.  Brown,  second. 

Class  22,  for  ladies  only,  was  for  the  best  design  for  dinner  taUe, 
Roses  the  only  flower  to  be  used,  combined  with  foliage  of  any  kind. 
In  this  Miss  Cole  took  the  first- prize.  Prizes  were  also  awarded  to 
Messrs.  Felton  &  Holiday  and  Mr.  R.  H.  Vertegans  for  deaigna  of 
Roses  and  Rose  foliage,  arranged  auitably  for  room  decoration.. 

Among  the  miscellaneous  contributions,  Messrs.  Downie,  Laird,  aad 
Laing  sent  Pelargoniums  Mrs.  Lewis  Lloyd,  Charming.  Sailor  Prinee, 
Magnificent,  Harrison  Weir,  and  another,  all  of  them  new  kinds,  with 
some  peculiarity  or  distinctive  feature.  The  merits  of  these  must  be 
decided  by  the  Floral  Committee  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society, 
or  by  connoisseurs  of  these  popular  plants.  The  same  firm  also  had 
some  stands  of  Pansies;  so  beautiful  and  varied,  surely  such  lov^y 
flowers  must  be  deserving  of  more  attention  than  they  now  receive, 
especially  in  the  south  of  England. 

Above  the  stage  on  which  these  were  placed,  together  with  the  dinner- 
table  devices,  were  Tea  Roses  and  ornamental  designs  for  holdiBg 
flowers,  of  which  there  was  a  good  display.  The  whole  of  the  deeo- 
rative  plants  occupying  the  gallery  opposite  the  orchestra  and  great 
organ  were  supplied  by  Messrs.  Felton  &  Holiday,  of  Birmingham. 
They  conaistod  of  Ferns,  hardy  and  exotic,  a  fine  plant  of  Cyathea 
dealbata,  Selaginellas,  Lilinm  anratam,  variegated  Yuccas,  and  tiie 
pretty  Acer  negundo  variegata,  in  pots,  in  large  numbers.  The  intro- 
duction of  these  plants  into  a  Rose  show  snggests  a  very  simple  but 
striking  improvement  of  exhibitions.  Particularly  noticeable  were 
the  Variegated  Maize  (Zea)  and  CoIgub  placed  alternately  between 
the  rows  of  stands  in  the  body  of  the  hall.  Messrs.  Felton  &  Holi- 
day had  Pelargoniums,  Fuchsias,  Petunias,  &c.,  taatefuUy  arranged  as 
a  miniature  flower  garden.  They  also  exhibited  their  new  Tricolor 
Pelargonium  Princess  Teck,  and  Silver-edged  variety,  Ladv  Calthorpe. 
Other  flowers  and  plants  were  exhibited  by  Mr.  R.  H.  Vertegans. — 
A.  H.  K. 

THE  PROPOSED  PAXTON  MEMORIAL. 

On  the  24th  of  June  the  members  of  the  Leighton  Buzzard  Workiiie 
Men's  Mutual  Improvement  Society  assembled  at  The  Cedars,  the  resi- 
dence of  J.  D.  Bassett,  Esq.,  for  the  purpose  of  presenting  an  address 
to  Lord  Charles  J.  F.  Russell,  advocating  bis  lordship's  euggestioB, 
made  at  the  inauguration  of  the  recent  industrial  exhibition,  to 
establish  an  educational  and  popular  institute,  to  be  associated  with 
the  name  of  the  late  Sir  Joseph  Paxton,  who  was  born  at  Miltaa 
Bryan,  in  the  vicinity. 

The  President  of  the  Working  Men's  Institute  introduced  tt© 
deputation  with  the  Society's  memorial  address,  from  which  the  follow- 
ing are  extracts : — 

"••  Wo  rejoice  in  the  hope  that  in  this  onr  memorial  yonr  lordship 
will  perceive  a  promise  of  fmitfulness  from  the  grain  which  ytm 
planted ;  and  we  proceed  to  call  to  your  recollection  that  portion  of 
your  address  on  New  Yeor's-day,  when  yon  did  us  the  kindneee  4o 


iwij  9,  1808.  ] 


JOUKNAL  OP  HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE  GARDENBB. 


35 


preside  over  tho  oponinR  of  onr  Indnstrial  Eshibition,  in  which  yon 
advocftted  tha  foundation  in  this  town  of  ft  momorinl  institntion  in 
hononr  of  Sir  JoBoph  I'uxton,  to  bo  dovotod  to  tho  advantaRO  of  tho 
indofltrial  claBacs  of  this  lociilily. 

"  On  that  occasion  yonr  lordship  spoko  aa  follows  : —  1  hero  remains 
T6t  another  part  of  yonr  Exhibition  of  so  pocnliar  a  character  as  to 
demand  a  epocial  notice.  An  article  maunfactnred  at  a  distance  from 
a  raw  material  found  in  this  noi^hbourhood— fjlass,  made  at  BirminK- 
h&m  from  onr  Heath— I  mi^ht  almost  say  our  Loighton  sand.  Wc 
haTO  reason  to  bo  proud  of  onr  contribution  to  the  most  perfect  of  tho 
products  of  English  industry.  In  china  and  earthenware  we  are 
excelled  ;  in  glass  pre-eminent.  The  Paris  Exhibition  settled  that 
point ;  and  in  this  climate  how  greatly  should  wo  appreciate  that 
beautiful  fabric  which  can  afford  ns  aheltor  without  intercepting  the 
oheenng  rays  of  light— tho  fabric  without  which  the  industries  of  all 
nations  concentrated  hero  in  1S51  would  have  been  sot  at  nought  and 
viewless,  hut  for  tho  palace  of  glass  and  iron  which  rose  to  receive  them. 
But  what  is  the  material  without  the  man  ?  The  man  who  overcame 
that  great  industrial  difficulty  by  his  creative  genius  was,  like  the  glass 
itself,  found  in  this  neislibourhood,  though  trained  at  a  distance.  Sir 
J^ph  Paston  was  tho  man ;  and  I  ask,  with  surprise  and  shame. 
Where  is  the  fountain-head  monument  to  him  from  whom  the  Crystal 
Palace  sprang  ?  Mcntmore  on  one  side  of  yon,  Battlesden  on  the  other, 
confront  eoch  other  telling  of  his  fame.  "Your  town  between  the  two 
seems  made  for  his  memorial  site.  I  knew  tho  man  well,  and  am 
intimate  with  tho  family  that  knew  him  best ;  and  I  can  safely  say,  that 
while  it  is  impossible  to  conceive  anything  that  could  exceed  the 
enthusiastic  gratitude,  affection,  and  respect  with  which  he  regarded 
the  noble  patron  of  bis  fortunes,  yet  there  was  one  feeling  in  hira 
paramount  to  all,  and  that  was  loyalty  to  the  class  from  which  he 
sprang,  embodied  by  a  deep  desire  to  afford  them  tho  advantages  of  a 
cultured  education  ;  and  I  say  it,  not  for  the  purpose  of  creating  excite- 
ment, bnt  on  my  honour,  and  with  a  certain  conviction  of  the  truth  of 
what  I  utter,  that  it  tho  man  conld  now  speak  to  ns  he  would  say  that 
of  all  the  testimonials  that  might  be  given  to  his  worth,  that  which 
would  be  most  grateful  to  him  would  bo  something  in  the  nature  of 
advantage  to  free  edncation  of  the  artisans  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
the  place  of  his  birth.  Then  what  I  say  is,  that  out  of  this  educational 
movement  there  should  spring  a  Paxton  Museum,  in  honour  of  the  man 
and  for  the  advantage  of  the  working  classes  of  the  town.  If  you  are 
of  my  opinion,  say,  Ave.  [Replies  of  '  Aye.']  The  ayes  have  it,  and 
the  work  is  done  ;  for' I  cannot  for  a  moment  think  that  any  man  can 
demur  to  the  appropriateness  of  the  movement,  nor  that  it  wiU  be  left  to 
this  neighbourhood  to  carry  it  out.' 

"  Our  Society  has  thoughtfully  weighed  your  snggestion,  and  has 
endeavoured  to  give  it  form.  It  has  embodied  its  conclusions  in 
resolutions." 

The  resolutions  wero  read,  and  Lokd  CniiiLES  Rdsskll,  in  reply- 
ing, said.  It  happened  that  Sir  Joseph  Paxton,  in  honour  of  whoso 
memory  they  were  that  day  met,  had  what  he  might  consider  tho 
singular  good  fortune  of  adding  one  link  to  tho  chain  of  friendly 
connection  that  had  existed  between  two  of  tho  oldest  and  highest 
families  in  this  country  for  the  last  two  centuries.  Some  two  hundred 
years  ago  William  III.  conferred  the  honour  of  a  dukedom  on  the 
house  of  Cavendish  and  on  the  house  of  Russell.  The  families  were 
connected  at  one  time  by  an  act  of  grateful  patriotism;  they  were 
afterwards  more  closely  connected  by  marriage.  From  that  time  to 
this  there  had  been  between  them  nninterrnpted  harmony  and  friend- 
ship. Well,  it  so  happened  that  the  first  shilling  Jospph  Paxton 
earned  was  earned  as  a  garden  boy  in  the  service  of  the  Duke  of  Bed- 
ford, and  the  last  days  of  his  lite  were  passed  in  tho  firm  friendship  of 
the  Duke  of  Devonshire.  What  Sir  Joseph  Paxton  was  as  a  link 
between  these  two  noble  families,  this  address  was  between  himself 
and  them.  They  wero  there  to  accept  from  the  late  Sir  Joseph  Paxton 
the  legacy  of  that  good  name  which  he  had  bequeathed  to  the  towns- 
men nearest  to  the  place  of  his  birth,  and  to  devoto  that  legacy  to  tho 
preservation  of  his  fame  by  erecting  a  monument  which  should  be 
strictly  in  accordance  with  the  work  and  with  the  lite  of  that  man. 
There  were  some  who  told  him  that  the  Crj-stal  Palace  was  the  noblest 
and  the  fittest  monument  to  the  worth  of  Sir  Joseph  Paxton.  He 
aceepted  the  Crystal  Palace  as  a  national  monument,  bnt  he  claimed 
something  nearer  home  as  a  local  memorial,  and  one  thing  which 
especially  m.ade  him  desire  it  was  this — that  though  Sir  Joseph 
Paxton  raised  himself  from  the  very  humblest  grade,  that  of  an  agi'ionl- 
tnral  labourer,  to  a  position  in  which  he  associated  with  most  of  the 
g^sat  and  noble  of  tho  land,  yet — his  lordship  spoke  from  his  own 
experience — he  was  always  loyal  to  tho  ranks  from  which  he  sprung  ; 
and  the  more  he  respected  the  aristocracy  of  tho  land,  the  more  did 
he  loot  to  the  working  classes  of  the  country — an  edacated,  a  contented, 
a  prosperous  work-ing  class — as  the  firmest  foundation  on  which  the 
aristocratic  institutions  of  this  land  could  rest  (cheers).  He  (Lord 
BoBsell)  remembered  Paxton  once  telling  him  that  be  had  been  all 
over  Europe,  and  had  seen  nothing  more  beautiful  than  the  site  on 
which  Battlesden  House  now  stood.  Now,  without  at  all  disparaging 
the  landscape  about  Battlesden,  he  might  say  that  they  in  the  midland 
counties  held  a  middle  position  in  landscape,  somewhat  higher  than 
the  fens  of  the  lower  coaatries,  but  considerably  lower  than  the  breezy 
uplands  of  tho  northern  counties.  But  when  he  told  them  that  Sir 
Joseph  Paxton  was  so  blinded  by  hia  love  for  bis  locality  aa  to  prefer 
it  to  anything  he  had  seen  in  Europe,  the  meeting  would  agreo  with 


him  that  somo  local  memorial  was  due  to  tho  memory  of  that  man. 
Now,  what  they  proposed  to  do  was  to  raife  a  monnracnt,  whidt 
should  bo  first  of  all  for  tho  benefit  of  the  working  men  of  tho  district 
in  which  ho  was  so  largely  interested.  Mr.  Bazley,  (ho  member  for 
Manchester,  told  him  that  not  long  ago  ho  went  with  a  foreigner  to  the  , 
Free  Library  at  Manchester.  A  boy,  about  thirteen  years  of  age,  clad 
in  fustian,  was  taking  a  book  h-)me  to  read,  as  he  was  entitled  to  do  ; 
it  was  "  The  Lives  of  Eminent  Men."  Sir  Joseph  Paxton  had  added 
another  chapter  to  thoso  lives,  and  one  thing  thf:y  desired  was  that 
those  lives  might  bo  read  by  every  poor  boy.  The  memorial  by  which 
they  proposed  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  Sir  Joseph  Paxton,  was 
to  consist  first  of  all  of  an  architectural  building,  (hen  a  mnsoum,  a 
library,  and  the  means  for  periodical  addresses.  Now,  he  woald  not 
have  those  present  to  understand  by  a  mnscnm  an  old  fossil  collection. 
That  they  might  have  in  due  time,  bnt  their  first  object  would  be  to 
have  a  museum  of  staple  manufactures  and  of  tho  present  industry  of 
this  land,  expanding  tho  idea  which  they  had  already  seen  so  well 
suggested.  With  regard  to  the  library,  their  first  object  wonld  be  a 
good  library  of  reference ;  there  must  be  numbers  even  of  clergymen 
and  "entlemen,  every  one  indeed  who  bad  not  tlie  advantage  of  a  firsl- 
class^library,  who  wonld  find  tho  benefit  of  being  able  to  refer  to  it. 
And  to  this  library  they  proposed  to  add  a  reading  room,  where  the 
periodicals  might  circulate,  and  whero  those  in  the  neighbourhood 
might  read  during  tho  day,  and  the  working  classes  when  their  work 
was  done.  Such  an  institution  wonld  be  a  proper  tribute  to  a  man  who 
had  done  mnch  for  the  first-class  recreation,  both  of  tho  educated 
classes  of  society  and  the  toiling  masses  in  this  great  workshop  of  a 
world.  Tho  meeting  would  ask  him— and  a  very  proper  question — 
"  How  do  you  mean  to  do  this?"  He  was  told  that  they  mnsi.  look  at 
a  cost  of  some  thousands  ;  at  a  venture  he  might  put  it  at  .il.'JtXX).  H* 
was  not  the  least  appalled  at  that.  There  was  nothing  worth  having 
that  they  could  get  without  a  little  toil  and  trouble.  He  conld  not  get 
it  alone,  bnt  he  meant  to  get  it  from  a  sense  of  what  was  due  to  tha 
memoi-y  of  Sir  Josepli  Paxton. 

A  conference  was  then  held. 

Ultimately  it  was  resolved,  "  Thai  this  conference,  held  nnder  the 
presidency  of  Lord  Charles  J.  F.  Russell,  having  before  it  the  memorial 
address  of  tho  Leighton  Buzzard  Working  Men's  Mntuol  Improvement 
Society,  presented  to  his  lordship  at  the  previous  meeting  held  thig 
day,  advocating  his  lordship's  suggestion  for  the  establishment  in 
Leighton  Buzzard  of  a  memorial  institntion  in  honour  of  Sir  Joseph 
Paxton,  and  having  received  the  resolution  nuanimonsly  adopted  by 
the  aforesaid  meeting  approving  the  proposal,  resolves  that  the  proposed 
memorial  shall  be  called  '  The  Paxton  Institute,'  and  shall  be 
devoted  to  the  advantage  of  the  working  classes  and  tho  inhabitants  of 
the  locality  generally." 

"  That  this  conference  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  proposed  in- 
stitution, to  bo  permanently  successful,  must  be  founded  upon  a  broad 
and  comprehensive  basis:  and,  whilstitisdesirablethat  it  should  meet 
the  requirements  of  the  more  educated  portions  of  the  community,  it 
is  essential  that  its  primary  object  of  affording  easily  accessible 
educational  advantages  for  the  indnstrial  classes  of  the  locality  most 
be  steadily  kept  in  view.  And  this  conference  is  of  opinion  that  a 
building  should  bo  erected  and  fitted  to  contain — 1,  A  mnsenm  ;  2,  a 
library;  3,  a  public  reading  and  news  room;  4,  rooms  suitable  for 
lectures  and  classes." 

"  The  BniLDiNO  should  be  in  a  centr.al  part  of  the  town ;  shoald 
present  some  decided  architectural  features,  and  it  is  snggested  that 
ornamental  ironwork  might  be  usefully  and  eftectively  employed  in 
its  construction  ;  its  general  character  might  thus  be  such  as  to  accord 
with  the  ideas  by  which  the  genius  of  Paxton  has  been  illustrated. 

"  The  Museum. — It  is  not  intended  to  gather  in  this  department* 
general  and  miscellaneous  collection,  but  one  which  wonld  represent, 
in  the  main,  the  products,  tho  industry,  and  the  natnral  history  of  the 
district. 

"  The  LiBiLiET. — A  room  should  be  specially  fitted  and  devoted  to 
this  purpose ;  the  library  should  consist  of  standard  books  for 
reference — viz.,  works  on  biblical  literature,  science  and  art,  history 
and  biography,  accepted  text  books  on  agriculture,  commerce,,  trades 
and  handicrafts,  local  history  and  maps. 

"  Public  Readinq  and  News  Room. — The  requirements  of  thia 
department  are  so  generally  understood,  that  it  seems  only  needful  to 
s.ay  that  it  should  be  made  as  attractive  and  popular  as  possible. 

"  Lectures. — It  is  believed  that  benefit  might  arise  from  the 
frequent  delivery  of  lectures  on  scientific  and  technical  subjects  by 
qualified  persons,  even  though  the  audiences  might  be  limited.  For 
such  purposes  a  large  class  room  or  fair-sized  room  fitted  as  a  lecture 
threatre  would  be  Decessary. 

"  Classes. — It  would  bo  advisable  to  encourage  as  far  as  practicable 
tho  holding  of  science  and  art  classes,  in  conformity  with  the  regulations 
of  tha  Science  and  Art  Department  of  the  Committee  of  Council  on 
Education.  Both  the  mnsenm  and  library  shnnld  be  keiit  en  rapport 
with  the  class  subjects.  For  these  purposes  one  or  two  rooderate-sined 
class  rooms  woald  he  necessary." — [Leiijhion  Bu^xard  Observer.) 


VIOLA  CORNUTA  FAILURES. 
I  BHOTTLDlike  to  hear  from  some  of  yonr  correepoBdents  how 
Viola  cornata  is  doing  tbis  Beason  ;  with  me,  I  am  sorry  to 
Bay,  it  is  quite  a  failure,  macli  worse  than  last  jear.    I  then 


26 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOBTIOXJIiTTJKE  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENEB. 


(  July  9,  ises. 


only  grew  the  variety  known  as  Purple  Queen.  Tbia  year,  on 
Ihe  strong  recommendation  of  Mr.  Wills,  who  was  kind  enough 
to  Bend  me  a  lot  of  Mauve  Queen,  I  have  tried  it,  but  with 
little  better  result.  It  succeeds  a  little  better  than  Purple 
Qneen,  but  the  plants  of  both  varieties  have  nearly  all  gone  off 
after  I  have  taken  every  possible  care  that  I  could  think  of. 
!rhe  beds  were  filled  with  fresh  rather  heavy  loam,  together 
•with  plenty  of  leaf  mould,  and  some  of  them  were  covered 
with  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse,  but  all  to  no  purpose.  Purple 
Queen  I  have  planted  in  different  situations,  including  shady 
cues,  but  in  all  it  is  much  alike.  Such  being  my  experience 
of  this  Viola  for  the  last  two  seasons,  it  is  wholly  condemned 
here. — Johk  Bryan,  Audley  End  Gardens,  Saffron  Watden, 


LADDER  FOR  FRUIT-GATHERING. 

I  SEND  you  a  slight  sketch  of  a  contrivance  (fig.  1),  which 
I  have  found  very  convenient  for  pruning  and  gathering  fruit 
from  some  pyramid  Apple  and  Pear  trees  from  12  to  16  feet 
in  height,  and  which  are  too  high  for  the  tops  to  be  reached 
from  the  kitchen  steps,  and  not  strong  enough  to  bear  a  ladder 
with  me  upon  it. 

Having  a  light  ladder 
12  feet  long,  I  had  two 
deal  props  made  of  the 
same  length,  with  slits  at 
Ihe  tops,  and  pointed  at  the 
feet  like  clothes-line  props. 
They  are  of  deal,  li  inch 
ihick  by  2i  or  2J  inches 
wide  at  the  foot,  tapering 
iowards   the  top,   and  the  , 

comers  are  taken  off.  About 
32  inches  from  the  top  of 
ihe  ladder  two  T-shaped 
pieces  of  iron  are  inserted, 
projecting  14  inch.    These 


tf- 


Pig.2. 

jpins  are  made  to  screw  into 
pieoes  of  iron  let  into  the 
%vood  of  the  sides  of  the 
ladder  so  as  not  to  project, 
and  to  allow  of  their  being 
lemoved  when  the  ladder  is 
wanted  for  other  purposes 
ihan  fruit-gathering.     See 

In  using  the  ladder  it  is 
first  set  up  against  the 
tree,  the  props  are  then 
adjusted  one  after  the 
other,  so  as  to  form  a  tri- 
ifmgle.  The  whole  is  easily 
lemoved ;  and  the  props,  being  loose,  can  be  inserted  between 
the  branches  of  the  tree. — Amatedb. 


GRAPES   SETTING  IMPERFECTLY. 

I  PLANTED  three  years  ago  a  Royal  Vineyard  Vine,  which  has 
grown  vigorously.  Last  year  I  allowed  one  bunch  to  remain 
and  ripen.  On  one  part  of  the  bunch  the  berries  were  large, 
i>at  on  the  other  only  about  the  size  of  Bed  Currants.  It  hung, 
and  the  berries  continued  plump  nntil  about  Christmas.  This 
year  I  have  sixteen  good  bunches,  but  out  of  them  only  two 
have  set  properly.  Unlike  the  other  shy-setting  Grapes,  the 
i)srrie3  adhere  and  ripen.  Of  course  I  did  not  intend  to  leave 
more  than  six  bunches  if  they  had  set  properly. 

My  Muscats  set  well  by  simply  drawing  a  dry  hand  over 
them  when  in  flower.  I  had  four  bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alex- 
andria 15  inches  long.  Only  four  years  since  I  put  in  the  eye 
of  this  Vine.     When  I  grew  the  Muscat  Hamburgh  on  its 


own    roots    it    sometimes  set    like    the   r.oyal    Vineyard. — 
C.  M.  McC. 

[We  think  yon  left  far  too  many  bunches  of  the  Royal 
Vineyard  on  the  Vine.  One-fourth  the  number  would  have 
had  a  better  chance  to  set  well.  We  can  do  nothing  to  help 
you,  as  you  are  so  successful  in  setting  Grapes  that  are  generally 
shy  setters.] 


THE  ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL   SOCIETY'S 

CHISWICK  GARDEN. 
As  a  member  of  the  Fruit  Committee,  it  has  struck  me  for 
some  years  that  the  great  want  of  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society  is  a  good  orchard  house  ;  not  a  little  paltry  place  like 
the  one  shown  at  Chiswick  as  an  orchard  honse,  but  a  really 
good  large  house,  where  trees  could  be  grown  in  a  satisfactory 
manner. 

To  prove  and  give  a  really  reliable  opinion  on  the  new  frnit 
not  generally  known  is,  I  think,  one  of  the  first  duties  of  the 
Society ;  but  before  such  an  opinion  can  be  formed  at  Chiswick, 
a  fruit  may  be  elsewhere  well  known  for  years.    Take  the  new 

Cherries,  for  instance.  I 
have  had  a  house  100  feet 
long  by  30  feet  wide  full  of 
fruit  this  season.  If  such  a 
collection  had  been  planted 
out  in  the  open  air  at 
Chiswick  spring  frosts 
might  have  prevented  the 
trees  fruiting  for  years,  in- 
sects might  have  rendered 
them  unhealthy,  and  even 
if  they  had  borne  fmit, 
birds  would  have  consumed 
the  crop  before  the  Com- 
mittee could  have  de- 
scribed the  varieties. 
Then,  again,  a  new  Pear 
or  Plum  might  be  fruited 
almost  to  a  certainty  if  it 
were  kept  in  a  pot  till  the 
danger  of  frost  were  over, 
when  it  might  be  turned 
out  into  a  well-prepared 
border  to  ripen  its  frnit, 
or,  if  preferred,  the  pot 
might  be  merely  plunged 
in  a  suitable  situation. 

It  must  be  nearly  twenty 
years  since  I  built  my  first 
orchard  house,  and  in  that 
time  I  have  had  only  one 
really  bad  crop,  though  my 
houses  have  no  artificial 
heat.  Trees  which  have 
been  bearing  for  the  teens 
of  years  are  this  season 
looking  better  than  ever. 
Difficulties  of  cultivation 
experienced  at  first  have  all 
disappeared,  and  I  am  more 
than  ever  convinced  that 
all  tender  fruit  ought  to  be 
grown  under  glass.  Whether  frnit  trees  are  to  be  planted  out 
or  kept  in  pots,  grown  as  standards  or  as  dwarfs,  trained 
or  grown  more  naturally,  is  a  mere  matter  of  taste  and 
convenience.  Whether  the  building  should  be  heated  or 
nnheated  must  be  determined  by  climate  and  the  time  the 
fruit  are  required  to  be  ripe.  All  I  would  insist  upon  is,  that 
they  can  only  he  produced  with  certainty,  and  of  uniform 
and  good  quality,  by  being  grown  in  glass  houses.  I  have 
received  Peach  trees,  for  instance,  with  the  highest  characters, 
and  in  one  or  two  years  have  proved  them  to  be  worthless. 
Now,  if  these  had  been  largely  propa'^ated  and  sold,  what  an 
injury  it  would  have  been  to  my  customers,  and  eventually 
to  me.  If  these  trees  had  been  trained  to  a  wall  it  might  have 
been  years  before  they  would  have  shown  a  fruit. 

I  believe  no  Society  in  the  country  is  better  served  than  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society  is  by  Mr.  Barron  ;  but  he  ought  to 
have  a  proper  structure  in  which  to  grow  new  fruits  in  perfec- 
tion, not  a  crowded  low  place  of  which  he  must  be  ashamed. 
Then,  again,  the  young  gardeners  ought  to  have  the  advan- 


July  9, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HOKTIOULTURE  AND   COTTAGE    GARDENEB. 


27 


tage  of  Bceing  good  orchardhoaso  caltivntion,  because  such 
knowledge  is  inoreasinf;ly  in  demand.  In  advocating  the  erec- 
tion of  a  good  house  of  this  kind  at  Chiswiclc,  I  would  most 
eameetly  oantion  the  Directors  against  spending  money  use- 
VeBsly  in  a  grand  showy  building,  and,  on  the  other  hand,  against 


putting  up  a  shabby  structure  on  wooden  posts,  which  cannot 
possibly  last  long,  and  would  not  in  the  end  be  cheap.  I  have 
seen  no  houses  equal  to  my  own  when  the  cost  is  taken  into 
consideration,  and  I  shall  be  glad  to  show  them  to  any  one 
who  will  pay  me  a  visit.^J.  Ve/lbboh,'  ChilweU. 


EXHIBITIONS  OF  WINDOW-GARDENED  PLANTS. 


We  were  among  the  first  to  advocate  these  shows  for  the 
promotion  of  flower-culture  under  difficulties,  for  we  knew  the 
beneficial  results  likely  to  arise  from  an  occupation  that  renders 
the  humblest  room  brighter,  and  which  adds  to  the  number  of 
pnre  pleasures.  These  exhibitions  are  yielding  a  large  measure 
of  good,  and  are  annually  increasing  in  number.  We  have 
received  the  following  particulars  relative  to  three  of  them. 
And  we  accompany  the  details  with  a  correct  representation 
of  a  southern  window  garden  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of 
Cactuses.  ' 

Society  fob  Prouottng  Window  Gardening  in  Westminster. 
— The  third  annual  flower  Show 
of  this  Society  took  place  on 
Tuesday  last,  the  7th  inst.,  in 
Dean's  Yard.  The  exhibitors  were 
working  men  or  women,  domestic 
servants,  and  children  in  paro- 
chial, national,  infant,  Sunday, 
or  ragged  schools.  About  six 
hundred  potted  plants  were  shown. 
This  excellent  Society  was  founded 
by  the  Rev.  Canons  Conway  and 
Jennings,  Rectors  of  St.  Mar- 
garet's and  St.  John's,  Westmin- 
ster, and  has  been  warmly  sup- 
ported by  the  Dean  of  West- 
minster (who,  with  Lady  Augusta 
Stanley,  takes  great  interest  in 
its  success),  Lord  Justice  Wood,_ 
and  many  other  influential  resi- 
dents in  the  united  parishes  of 
St.  Margaret's  and  St.  John,  in- 
cluding Jeremiah  Long,  Esq.,  the 
present  churchwarden.  The  com- 
petition amongst  the  working 
classes,  both  old  and  young, 
has  been  very  animated,  and  there 
cannot  be  a  more  pleasing  sight 
than  the  distribution  of  prizes, 
enlivened  as  it  is  by  the  presence 
of  the  patrons  of  the  Society,  the 
exhibitors  themselves  (about  a  hunlred  m  number),  and  the 
performances  of  a  band  of  music.  The  Fuchsias,  Pelargoniums, 
and  other  plants  cultivated  under  most  discouraging  circum- 
stances in  the  crowded  streets  and  courts  of  Westminster, 
would  do  credit  to  a  show  of  far  greater  pretensions,  and  it  is 
impossible  to  overestimate  the  dift'usion  of  light  and  air,  the 
habits  of  cleanliness,  and  the  general  refinement  which  the 
operations  of  this  Society  have  introduced  amongst  the  poor  of 
the  locality.  Prizes  were  given  to  Fuchsias  grown  in  the 
workhouse  windows. 

St.  Clement's  and  St.  Andrew's  Hortiocltukal  Society. — 


The  first  Show  of  the  season  will  take  placo  at  the  St.  Clement'  8 
Schools,  Lincaster  R^ad  West,  Notting  Hill,  on  Wednesday 
and  Thur.sday,  July  1.5th  and  IGth.  This  Society,  established 
last  year  for  the  encouragement  of  cottage  and  window  garden- 
ing amongst  the  poorer  inhabitants  of  the  districts  of  St. 
Clement's  and  St.  Andrew's,  has,  at  the  request  of  residents 
in  the  vicinity,  recently  extended  its  provisions  to  the  whole 
neighbourhood  of  Notting  Hill.  The  success  of  the  Show  held 
last  autumn  in  tha  infancy  of  the  Society  was  very  encourag- 
ing, and  the  interest  displayed  by  the  cottagers  has  far  surpassed 
anticipation.  Whole  rows  of  untidy  plots  of  ground  now  con- 
verted into  tasteful  gardens,  and 
IiTnilSMMl  numberless  windows  filled  with 
^SmUill  plants,  testify  to  the  eager  readi- 
ness of  the  poor  to  enter  into  the 
friendly  competition  which  this 
Society  invitee. 

Edinburgh  Working  Men's 
Flower  Show.  —  In  the  most 
crowded  districts  of  Edinburgh 
there  are  many  who,  having  few 
opportunities  of  so  innocent  en- 
joyment, regard  the  "Working 
Men's  Flower  Show  "  as  one  cf 
the  most  important  occasions  ci 
the  year ;  and  the  testimony  cf 
"  visitors  "  in  these  districts 
strengthens  the  belief  that  the 
attention  required  for  the  culture 
of  the  plants  for  exhibition,  and 
the  interest  they  awaken,  exert 
a  very  salutary  inflaence.  The 
show  of  1867  was  held  on  the 
3rd  of  August  in  the  Corn  Ex- 
change, Grassmarket.  Like  the 
two  former  shows,  it  proved  a 
complete  success,  the  plants  being 
considerably  better  on  the  whole 
than  those  previously  exhibited, 
and  the  Committee  were  grati- 
fied to  find  that  striking  evi- 
dence was  afforded  of  increasing  interest  on  the  part  of  the 
working  classes.  It  is  estimated  that  upwards  of  six  thousand 
persons  visited  the  Exchange  in  the  course  of  the  day,  five 
thousand  having  paid  one  penny  each  for  admission  after 
two  o'clock,  competitors  with  their  families  being  admitted 
free.  This  is  a  thousand  more  than  in  the  preceding  year. 
There  were  fully  three  hundred  competitors,  upwards  of  one 
hundred  of  whom  were  juveniles  under  fifteen  years  of  age, 
and  their  entries  of  plants,  &c.,  for  competition  numbered 
8.30.  In  1865  there  were  only  100  competitors,  and  in  1866, 
21-5,  with  -131  entries  for  competition. 


AGAPANTHUS  umbellatus. 


This  old  species  of  Lily  contributes  a  very  imposing  effect  to 
a  conservatory  in  August  and  September.  The  lovely  umbels 
of  bright  blue,  standing  boldly  erect  among  other  plants, 
contrast  well,  and  at  the  same  time  make  them  strikingly 
conspicuous  ;  indeed,  their  presence  never  fails  to  draw  greet- 
ings and  flattering  remarks,  especially  from  the  ladies,  though 
the  construction  of  the  heads  debars  them  from  entering  largely 
into  the  hand-bouquet,  unless  in  single  flowers  plucked  from 
the  crown. 

Propagation. — This  is  accomplished  by  seed,  division  of  the 
roots,  and  offsets.  From  seeds,  by  sowing  in  a  pot  any  time 
between  March  and  June,  so  that  the  seedlings  may  acquire 
sufficient  strength  to  resist  the  changes  in  winter.  Plunge  the 
pot  to  the  rim  in  gentle  bottom  heat,  and  keep  the  soil  con- 
stantly moist,  both  before  and  after  the  plants  appear  above 
ground.    Pot-ofl'  as  soon  as  the  seedhngs  can  be  conveniently 


handled,  and  attend  afterwards  to  watering,  shading,  i-c,  as  is 
u.^iually  done  with  such  seedlings.  Divieiun  of  the  roots  and 
offsets  are  a  ready  means  of  extending  the  stock.  For  a  com- 
post, a  light  loamy  mixture,  with  sand  incorporated  to  the 
extent  of  one-third  of  the  bulk,  will  do. 

General  Culture.— h'lMe  need  be  added  to  the  attention 
generally  demanded  by  free-growing  plants.  They  all  delight 
in  high  living.  A  rich  heavy  loam,  with  a  third  of  well-reduced 
cow  manure  and  sharp  river  sand  thrown  together  without 
riddling,  will  msike  them  grow  strongly  and  well.  Admit  air 
abundantly,  administer  water  copiously  in  the  growing  season, 
adding  a  stimulant  in  the  shape  of  a  little  guano  to  the  water, 
when  the  flowers  are  in  the  process  of  formation  ;  and  wherever 
situated,  air  plentifully  supplied  ought  never  to  be  neglected 
when  the  flowers  are  expaudiug,  else  the  flowers  will  be  defi- 
cient of  their  bright  blue,  so  much  appreciated,  as  weU  as  in 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETICUIiTOBE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENEB. 


[  July  9,  1868. 


good  substance.  When  the  flowers  have  dropped,  cut  down 
the  Btema  half-way  and  prevent  seeding,  unless  particularly 
wanted,  when  one  crown  will  be  enough  to  leave ;  and  it  ought 
to  be  remembered  that  a  stance  in  a  vinery  for  a  month  in 
antumn  is  of  material  consequence  to  the  maturing  of  the 
plants,  as  well  as  securing  an  advanced  state  of  condition  for 
the  following  year.  They  may  then  be  allowed  to  go  quietly  to 
rest,  by  withholding  water  to  a  considerable  extent,  permitting 
the  soil  to  get  almost  dry  in  their  pots.  The  plants  will  then 
be  quite  indifferent  whether  they  are  placed  above,  below,  or 
behind  the  stage  of  the  greenhouse  throughout  the  winter; 
only,  if  below,  they  must  be  turned  on  their  sides  towards  the 
sun,  that  they  may  enjoy  any  blinks  that  penetrate  through 
the  openings. — (Tlie  Gardener.) 


LILnjM  AURATUM  RUBRUM  VITTATUM. 
WoDLD  any  of  the  readers  of  this  Journal  inform  me  if  they 
or  any  one  else  had  flowered  the  above-named  Lilium  in  this 
country  before  the  5th  of  last  month  ?  With  me  one  flower 
opened  on  the  above  date,  and  magnificent  it  was.  It  far  sur- 
passes the  Lilium  auratum  in  the  beauty  of  its  markings.  I 
should  have  sent  it  to  one  of  the  London  horticultural  meetings, 
but  the  distance  deterred  me. — William  Owen,  Gardener  to 
H.  Neumann,  Esq.,  Wimnington,  Northwieh. 


A  FEW  WORDS   ON   MR.   RIVERS'S   NEW 
PEACHES. 

tiviMo  in  a  cold  district  as  I  do,  my  experience  with  regard 
to  Mr.  Bivers'a  new  early  Peaches  is  of  some  importance  to  the 
public. 

This  season  Early  Elvers  was  dead  ripe  on  the  4th  of  June, 
and  had  I  been  at  home  it  would  have  been  gathere-l  two  or 
three  days  before.  Early  Louise  and  Early  Beatrice  followed 
80  closely  that  all  three  were  ripe  in  the  first  week  in  June. 
Early  Beatrice  would  no  doubt  have  been  ripe  first,  had  not 
the  tree  occupied  a  position  close  to  the  ventilators,  and  which 
were  always  open  from  the  beginning  of  May ;  the  other  two 
■were  side  by  side,  3  or  4  feet  further  from  the  front  of  the 
house.  These  trees  and  a  Dr.  Hogg  grafted  on  the  Prunus 
padus  are  at  the  cool  end  of  the  compartment  of  a  house  heated 
by  two  4-inch  pipes  above  the  surface,  and  by  two  under  a  slate- 
bottomed  bed.  No  attempt  has  been  made  to  force  early,  a 
large  amount  of  air  being  always  admitted  ;  and  the  condition 
of  the  other  trees  proves  that  these  new  early  Peaches  are  at 
least  what  Mr.  Rivers  professes  them  to  be.  Grosse  Mignonne 
at  the  warm  end  of  the  same  compartment  is  just  beginning  to 
colour,  as  is  also  the  Dr.  Hogg  referred  to,  and  these  will  be 
ripe,  I  should  think,  in  about  ten  days'  time. 

This  Dr.  Hogg  was  grafted  in  March,  1867,  and  is  now  a 
sturdy  pyramid  C  feet  high,  with  the  lower  branches  2  feet 
long,  and  I  have  left  it  one  dozen  Peaches  to  mature ;  the  tree 
from  which  the  scion  was  taken  is  at  the  warm  end,  and  the 
fruit  has  not  yet  begun  to  swell  since  stoning.  I  mention  this, 
as  it  must  be  due  to  the  stock  that  it  has  become  an  early 
Peach.  It  flowered  and  set  its  fruit  several  days  before  any 
other  tree  in  the  house  ;  but  it  was  overtaken  during  the  stoning 
by  the  Early  Rivers,  Early  Louise,  and  Early  Beatrice.  I  may 
add  that  the  flavour  of  these  three  early  Peaches  was  first-rate, 
Early  Rivers  retaining  most  decidedly  the  White  Nectarine 
bouquet. — W.  KiNOSLEY,  South  Kilvington,  Thirsk. 


NOTES  AND  GLEANINGS. 

We  are  pleased  to  hear  that  H.E  H.  the  Commander-in-chief 
has  accepted  the  very  liberal  offer  of  Mr.  Rivers,  of  Sawbridge- 
worth,  to  supply  to  the  camp  at  Aldershot  a  quantity  of  minia- 
ture orchard  trees  for  the  use  of  the  soldiers'  gardens. 

Marvellous  Eabliness  of  the  Peach. — On  the  4th  of 

this  month  the  new  Peach,  Early  Beatrice,  raised  by  Mr. 
Eivers,  was  gathered  from  pot  trees  in  the  orshard  house  at 
Sawbridgeworth,  every  other  variety  being  perfectly  hard  and 
green,  and  exhibiting  no  signs  of  maturity. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK 

EITOHEN    OAEDEN. 

T&E  market  gardeners  about  London  have  now  large  beds 
of  early  Cabbages  sown  for  winter  and  spring  Coleworts,  and 


an  early  sowing  of  these  for  the  same  purpose  or  for  early 
Cabbages  in  spring  should  now  be  made.  In  private  gardens 
another  sowing  might  be  made  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks 
hence.  Sowings  of  Salads,  &c.,  for  autumn  use  must  now  be 
made  oftener  to  guard  against  the  uncertainty  of  our  climate. 
Broccoli,  after  the  main  crops  are  in  if  you  have  a  spare 
piece  of  good  ground,  you  may  try  some  ot  the  small  plants  left, 
and  these  you  may  plant  till  the  end  of  the  month  or  even  later, 
planting  them  more  thickly  in  the  ground,  and  it  they  grow 
too  strongly  they  can  be  thinned  out  when  tbere  is  more  ground 
to  spare  in  the  autumn.  This  will  afford  the  chance  of  a. 
longer  succession  next  spring.  These  late  plantings  some- 
times withstand  the  winter  better  than  the  main  crops.  ComU- 
flowers,  a  good  breadth  of  these  may  now  be  put  in,  as  they 
neither  button  nor  run  to  seed  late  in  the  autumn.  Spinach 
will  not  run  much  to  seed  in  autumn,  and  the  sowings  made 
now  may  be  twice  as  large  as  those  made  earlier  in  the  season. 
Spinach  will  grow  best  on  a  dunghill,  and  the  ground  cannot 
be  over-manured  for  this  sowing,  as  it  is  not  to  stand  over  the 
winter,  and  the  weather  late  in  autumn  is  against  it.  Turrdpt, 
except  for  the  earliest  crops  the  kitchen  garden  is  too  rich  for 
producing  good-flavoured  Turnips,  and  unless  you  have  a  poor 
light  piece  of  ground  upon  which  to  sow  a  large  breadth  of 
these  it  is  better  to  sow  in  a  field. 

FBDIT   GARDEN. 

Have  bunting  or  mats  ready  to  put  over  Currants,  Goose- 
berries, and  Cherries  that  you  wish  to  keep  late.  Bud  all  the 
stone  fruit  ot  which  you  want  an  increase.  Proceed  with 
thinning  the  shoots  of  Peach  trees  where  they  are  too  thick, 
taking  off  the  laterals  and  exposing  to  the  sun  and  air  all  the 
wood  which  is  to  be  retained  for  next  season.  On  old  trees  of 
Plums  and  Cherries  lay  in  a  succession  of  young  wood  in  all 
parts  of  the  tree ;  such  being  kept  close  to  the  wall,  will  in  a 
few  years  furnish  finer  fruit  and  produce  more  plentifully  than 
old  unsightly  spurs.  Shorten  the  side  shoots  ot  Currant  and 
Gooseberry  trees  if  not  already  done.  On  plants  previously 
shortened,  the  points  of  the  leading  shoots  may  be  taken  off 
with  advantage.  The  late  sorts  of  Strawberries,  such  as  the 
Elton,  should  be  well  mulched  with  grass  or  straw  to  keep  the 
fruit  clean.  Beds  that  were  covered  early  with  grass  now 
wants  covering  again.  Look  after  the  runners  of  Keens'  Seed- 
ling and  other  early  sorts.  Sprinkle  a  few  barrowsful  of  leaf 
mould,  old  tan,  or  rotten  dung  and  soil  on  the  outside  of  yonr 
Strawberry  beds  to  encourage  a  stock  of  young  plants  to  root 
for  making  a  new  plantation  by-and-by ;  when  these  are 
ready  to  plant  out,  take  ii  or  4  inches  of  the  runners  with  each 
plant,  and  make  these  pieces  ot  the  runners  firm  in  the  soil 
with  the  dibber,  which  is  better  than  planting  the  young  half- 
formed  plants  deeply  in  the  soil. 

FLOWEE   GARDEN. 

Edgings  of  Alyssum,  Virginian  Stocks,  or  Sanvitalia  pro- 
cumbens  are  apt  to  overrun  their  space  after  this  time,  but 
they  stand  clipping  as  well  as  Bux,  and  by  a  little  attention  to 
this  they  may  be  kept  neat  till  frost  come.  All  the  Petunias 
and  Verbenas  must  also  be  clipped  as  soon  as  they  begin  to 
extend  beyond  the  sides  of  the  beds.  Tbe  Dahlias  should  be 
pruned  regularly  through  the  season,  likewise  all  kinds  of 
plants  which  straggle  or  are  liable  to  grow  out  of  bounds.  Look 
over  the  beds  of  Scarlet  Pelargoniums  and  stop  the  leading 
branches  wherever  a  flower  bud  is  perceptible.  This  will  tend 
to  keep  the  plant  dwarf,  and  the  flower  buds  will  be  much  in- 
creased in  size  by  the  concentration  of  the  sap.  Still  attend 
to  the  cleanliness  of  Auriculas,  keeping  them  free  from  decayed 
leaves,  weeds,  and  the  green  fly.  Continue  to  part  Polyanthuses 
in  favourable  weather,  also  plant  out  seedlings.  Of  Tulips, 
little  can  be  said  just  now.  The  bed,  however,  must  not  be 
neglected,  dig  it  over  and  ridge  it  up  so  that  the  soil  may  be 
sweetened  by  the  action  of  sun  and  air.  Great  attention  must 
be  directed  to  tho  roots  ot  Ranunculuses ;  as  they  arrive  at 
maturity,  which  is  indicated  by  the  leaves  becoming  yellow, 
they  should  be  carefully  taken  up,  as  it  usually  happens  that 
some  are  ready  to  remove  before  others,  and  should  the  roots 
which  have  become  dormant  remain  in  too  long,  they  are  apt 
to  start,  or  commence  throwing  out  fresh  fibres,  which  is  at- 
tended with  ruinous  consequences.  The  blooming  season  for 
Carnations  has  now  fairly  begun,  and  these  favourite  flower* 
will  continue  to  attract  admiration  during  tbe  present  and  sno- 
ceeding  month.  As  seedlings  flower  pull  up  all  with  single  or 
semi-double  flowers,  as  well  as  all  selfs,  unless  the  variety  has 
some  striking  characteristic,  when  it  may  be  worth  while  to 
I  propagate  it  as  a  border  flower.  Commence  layering  the  shoots, 


J«ly  9, 1868.  ] 


JOtJBNAL  OF  HOBTIOULTDKB  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENBB. 


Uking  those  varieties  first  wbioh  are  most  forward.  Still 
tie-up  tlie  buds  as  they  advance,  and  do  not  let  the  plants  in 
pots  lack  muiiiture. 

GBEENnOnSE    AND    CONBEKVATOUV. 

All  the  regular  greenhoueo  jilants  are,  or  onglit  to  be,  ont 
ot  the  house  by  this  time.  Evea  Heaths  and  the  finer  spt-ci- 
men  plants  of  the  more  delicate  sorts  ought  now  to  bo  in 
eold  frames,  where  they  aro  far  better  than  in  the  best  oon- 
Btmotcd  greenhouse.  The  treatment  of  the  greenhnnfe  must, 
therefore,  bo  very  different  in  many  places  according  to  the 
kind  of  plants  wiih  which  it  is  now  filled.  If  for  Pelargoniums 
or  other  florists'  flowers  in  bloom,  ward  off  the  sun  by  blinds, 
and  if  for  the  hardier  stove  plants  keep  the  house  more  close 
and  warm.  All  Pelargoniums,  including  the  common  Scarlets, 
that  are  to  bo  forced  before  next  March,  should  not  be  stopped 
or  cut-in  after  this  time,  and  all  the  early-struok  cuttings 
Bhonld  now  or  soon  be  planted  out  in  bods  in  tlie  reserve  gar- 
den for  a  month  or  two ;  bat  as  soon  as  they  become  too  strong 
or  Bucculent  pot  them.  Another  rule  to  be  ohserved  with  forcing 
Pelargoniums  is,  that  the  pots  should  be  full  of  roots,  or  tho 
plants  pot-bound,  before  they  are  brought  into  heat.  As  soon 
as  they  show  for  flowering,  however,  they  may  be  shifted  into 
larger  pots  or  be  well  supplied  with  liquid  manure.  Any  one 
oan  supply  heat  and  moisture  to  flowers  in  winter,  but  much 
judgment  and  forethought  are  required  to  prepare  the  plants. 

BTOYE. 

There  being  go  much  sunshine  this  season,  house  plants,  nnd 
more  especially  stove  plants,  are  in  a  more  forward  state  than 
they  usually  are  at  this  time  ;  their  management  must,  there- 
fore, be  a  little  varied  for  the  next  six  weeks,  giving  them  more 
Tater  and  keeping  the  house  rather  moist.  Give  air  freely, 
especially  on  very  hot  days ;  this  will  prolong  their  growth  and 
allow  them  sufficient  time  to  ripen  their  wood. 

PITS  AND   PRAMES!. 

CnttingB  and  plants  divided  for  increase  now  find  their  way 
into  these  very  useful  structures.  Seeds  of  Calceolarias,  Pelar- 
goniums, and  many  other  families  now  come  np  readily  in  close 
pits  without  artificial  heat.  Grafted  Camellias,  Azaleas,  Bho- 
dodendrons,  Diphnea,  &c.,  now  do  very  well  in  close  piis  of 
this  kind,  taking  care  to  shade  them  well  from  the  sun.  la 
short,  all  the  houses  may  bo  relieved  by  thinning  out  the 
plants  in  summer  ;  but  plant  pits  and  frames  should  never  be 
empty  at  any  time.  Prepare  a  slight  hotbed  for  a  frame,  and 
begin  to  increase  such  plants  as  you  require  s  large  stock  of 
next  season.  Mangles's,  Mrs.  Pollock,  and  other  Variegated  and 
Zonal  Pelargoniums  are  generally  tardy  strikers  if  left  till  late 
in  the  season  ;  therefore,  begin  in  time.  Very  little  watering 
will,  however,  suit  them  until  they  make  roots. — W.  Keane. 


DOINGS  OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    OAKDEN. 

On  this,  the  4th  of  July,  we  have  had  cloudy  mornings  and 
a  falling  barometer,  but  still  no  rain,  and  for  several  nights  no 
dew,  so  that  do  what  we  will  matters  look  not  so  bright  as  we 
wonld  wish  them  to  do.  Our  work  has  been  chiefly  a  repetition 
of  that  of  last  week,  and  getting  every  bit  of  ground  hoed,  and 
what  was  cleared  of  early  crops  well  dug,  ready  to  be  planted 
as  soon  as  a  change  in  the  weather  shall  come.  The  extreme 
heat  is  causing  some  of  the  Cauliflowers  to  be  greenish  and 
deformed,  instead  of  firm  and  white  as  snow  as  we  like  to  see 
the  curd.  Gave  sewage  water  to  Peas  and  other  crops,  and 
mulched  as  much  as  possible  ;  bat  even  then  if  a  good  row  of 
Peas  be  allowed  twenty  pailsful  ot  such  water,  saturating  the 
ground  well,  it  is  astonishing  how  soon  in  such  days  as  the 
3nd  and  3rd  the  foliage  would  throw  so  much  of  it  again  into 
the  atmosphere. 

Watering. — Except  in  some  cases  for  merely  refreshing  the 
foliage,  we  are  no  advocates  fur  frequent  watering  out  of  doors; 
if  each  watering  is  heavy  enough  to  reach  all  the  roots,  and 
these  waterings  are  frequent,  the  ground  becomes  chilled  and 
the  roots  paralysed  by  the  very  abundance  of  the  water  that 
snrrounds  them,  and  also  by  the  absence  of  the  air  which 
cannot  well  penetrate  the  caked  surface  if  that  is  not  broken 
after  each  watering.  In  the  case  even  ot  crops  requiring  as 
mach  moisture  as  Peas,  we  prefer  in  such  seasons  as  this  to 
water  well  and  then  let  well  alone  until  the  service  of  the  pail 
is  again  required,  and  that  the  plants  will  soon  indicate  if  we 
stndy  their  appearances. 

Very  frequent  waterings  that  scarcely  go  beyond  the  surface, 
do  more  harm  than  no  watering  at  all.  Just  look  at  establLshed 


plants  in  a  field,  say  a  field  of  Wheat,  and  role  how  for  a 
very  long  time  tlio  plaits  hold  up  their  heads  rejoicingly  to 
tho  sun,  and  never  bhow  that  they  do  not  receive  a  lefresbing 
shower  every  other  diiy.  Kncli  plants  obtain  their  tupply  of 
moi?ture  from  beneath,  and  tho  greater  the  moisture  thrown 
C'ff  by  evaporation,  the  greater  tho  quantity  absorbed  by  the 
ro(»t9  from  great  distanccB  below  the  surface. 

The  chief  evils  of  surface-dribbling  are,  that  first  the  line  of 
absorptiim  from  beneath  is  broken  ;  evaporation,  it  is  true,  goes 
on  rapidly  from  the  surface,  and  the  moist  vapour  does  good  to 
the  foliage  as  it  passes  it,  but  until  the  applied  water  is  ex- 
haled the  roots  in  the  dry  soil  deeper  down  receive  no  benefit 
from  the  exhauslless  moisture  further  beneath  them,  but  are 
in  much  the  same  cocdition  as  the  roots  of  a  plant  in  a  pot 
would  be  where  the  water  applied  only  penetrated  to  about 
one-third  of  the  depth  of  the  soil,  leaving  the  lower  two- 
thirds,  as  respects  roots  and  soil,  much  as  if  they  stood  for 
some  time  in  an  oven.  Tho  second  evil  is,  that  the  freqaent 
suifaoe-wateriugs  encourage  tho  plant  in  self  defence  to  make 
rootlets  near  the  surface,  whilst  tho  lower  roots  are  rendered 
inactive  ;  and  then,  as  the  sun  exhales  the  surface  moisture, 
these  surface  roots  aro  parched  up  btfore  they  can  do  mueb 
for  the  plant,  and  thus  our  extra  care  has  a  tendency  to  pro- 
mole  a  fcickly  condition  of  giowth.  The  tine  rule  to  apply  in 
all  kinds  of  watering  is,  to  give  enough  to  reach  to  and  a  little 
beyond  every  fibre  of  the  plant,  and  that  done  to  give  no  more 
watering  until  it  is  absolutely  required,  and  this  rule  applies 
equally  to  a  plant  in  the  open  ground  and  to  plant  in  a  pot. 

When  plants  are  grown  in  small  pots  there  is  little  danger  of 
over-watering,  though  it  is  worse  than  useliSi  to  water  them 
when  the  soil  is  already  moist  enough.  An  animal  will  scarcely 
drink  unless  it  be  thirsty,  and  even  man  vill  seldom  take  a 
drop  more  water  than  he  absolutely  requires.  Most  plante 
are  equally  sensitive,  though  we  are  slow  to  learn  their  modes 
and  habits.  Often,  instead  of  being  pleaped,  they  would  shrink 
if  they  could  from  the  jug  that  visits  the  favourites  in  the 
window  every  day.  In  such  weather  as  we  had  lately  a  plant 
in  a  small  pot  might  need  refreshing  twice  a-day.  In  dull 
cloudy  weather  it  might  benefit  by  being  let  alone  for  three 
days  or  a  week.  When  a  small  plant  is  growing  in  a  rather 
large  pot  the  frequent  and  heavy  waterings  are  much  more 
disastrous  than  to  a  plant  in  the  open  ground.  The  soil  un- 
occupied and  kept  drenched,  even  with  fair  draira^e,  becomes 
sour  like  the  mud  at  the  sides  and  bottom  of  a  sluggish  stream. 
To  secure  health  in  such  a  case,  and  yet  from  a  good  body  of 
earth  to  avoid  the  trouble  of  frequent  shifting,  the  rule  should 
he  in  watering  to  give  as  much  as  will  reach  every  fibre,  but 
not  more  than  will  keep  the  outside  of  tho  ball  generally  moist, 
but  not  wet  to  saturation.  The  outside  soil  in  such  a  case  should 
only  be  somewhat  moist  until  the  roots  begin  to  permeate  the 
whole  of  it.  Watering  so  as  to  reach  every  fibre  is,  therefore,  the 
right  rule.  In  a  pot  filled  with  roots,  water  all  over  so  that 
every  root  shall  have  its  allowance.  In  giving  a  large  pot  to  a 
small  plant,  water  chiefly  at  the  centre,  increasing  the  cironm- 
ference  of  the  direct  moistening  as  the  roots  extend.  Thus 
out  of  doors,  if  we  had  not  been  forced  to  allow  some  large 
favourite  evergreens  to  cater  for  themselves  by  bringing  up 
moisture  from  beneath  to  compensate  for  the  evaporation  from 
the  foliage,  we  would  have  given  them  a  dozen  pailsful  of 
water  each — much  as  we  once  saw  given  to  the  beautiful  spe- 
cimens at  the  Dean  of  Winchester's,  one  of  the  secrets  of  their 
beauty  in  a  rather  light  soil ;  but  in  the  case  of  a  newly -planted 
Pelargonium  or  Verbena  we  are  equally  convinced  that  deluging 
the  soil  much  farther  than  the  roots  extended  wonld  rather 
impede  than  accelerate  growth.  The  rule  in  the  latter  case 
should  be,  Give  enough  to  extend  a  little  beyond  the  roots, 
and  stop  patiently  until  your  services  are  again  required. 

We  have  lately  observed  some  beds  that  were  watered 
regularly  every  day,  and  chiefly  overhead  with  the  rose  of  a 
watering-pot,  but  though  treated  in  other  respects  alike,  they 
were  far  from  equal  to  others  that  only  had  help  once  in  a 
week  or  ten  days,  and  that  applied  rather  close  to  the  stems 
with  the  spout  of  a  watering-pot,  so  that  the  liquid  might  reaefa 
the  roots  without  greatly  wetting  the  surrounding  soil.  So  far 
as  moisture  to  the  roots  is  concerned,  and  we  have  made  up 
our  mind  to  water,  we  may  sum  up  in  the  following  directions  : — 
I'o  not  water  so  frequently  as  to  puddle  the  roots  ;  do  not 
water  so  plentifully  as  to  deluge  the  ground  beyond  the  roots  ; 
do  not  resort  too  much  to  mere  surface-watering  either  in  the 
open  ground  or  in  a  pot,  and  see  that  the  water  so  given  ex- 
tends to  all  the  roots,  which  you  may  easily  know  in  the  case 
1  of  a  pot  by  ringing  it,  and  noticing  whether  the  sound  omitted 


M 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOBTICDLTDRE  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENEB. 


[  Jalr  9, 


18  dull  or  clear.  Bear  in  mind  that  watering  by  dribblets  and 
often,  out-doors  or  in-doors,  is  the  most  fruitful  source  of  ruin 
to  plants.  Give  onongh  to  reach  every  fibre  when  you  give 
any. 

To  be  consistent  when,  in  accordance  with  the  above,  we 
speak  of  refreshing  plants  with  the  syringe,  or  even  watering; 
overhead  with  the  rose  of  a  watering-pot,  we  say  we  have  no 
objection  to  that  being  frequently  done,  when  the  object  chiefly 
aimed  at  is  the  mere  refreshing  of  the  foliage,  or,  as  in  the  case 
of  newly-turned-out  or  newly-potted  plants,  it  is  to  diminish 
evaporation  from  the  foliage  until  in  their  new  position  the 
balance  between  roots,  and  stems  and  leaves  be  again  restored. 
Just  as  a  good  wash  or  a  bath  refreshes  us  when  travel-stained 
and  tired,  so  the  water,  however  communicated,  does  refresh 
the  foliage  of  plants,  and  we  would  use  the  syringe,  garden 
engine,  and  rose  watering-pot  much  more  in  this  way  if  we 
oould,  only  we  must  not  suppose  that  this  surface-refreshing 
will  serve  long  as  a  substitute  for  a  due  amount  of  moisture  at 
the  roots.  In  watering  the  roots  in  some  cases,  even  out  of 
doors,  it  is  useful  to  use  the  rose  of  a  watering-pot,  as  thus 
more  air  is  conveyed  by  the  water-drops  into  the  soil,  and  if 
all  the  roots  are  reached,  it  is  of  less  consequence  how  the 
moisture  gets  there,  provided  that  the  caked  surface  which 
would  result  from  such  frequent  rose-waterings  is  guarded 
against  by  frequent  surface-stirring.  Vfe  prefer  for  general 
waterings  the  pail  or  the  spout  of  the  watering-pot,  as  thus  we 
send  the  water  intended  for  the  roots  at  once  where  it  is  wanted, 
and  with  the  least  caking  at  the  surface.  Even  in  thus  water- 
ing a  flower  bed  we  generally  stir  the  surface  soon  afterwards,  to 
prevent  anything  like  a  caked  surface.  Plants  in  a  bed  out  of 
doors,  or  in-doors  in  a  pot,  will  thrive  all  the  better  and  be  more 
benefited  by  the  watering  if  the  surface  soil  is  loose  instead  of 
hard  or  caked.  The  natural  tendency  of  much  rose-watering  is 
to  make  a  hard  surface.  In  this  dry  weather,  though  we  knew 
our  flower  plants  in  beds  wanted  no  more  water  at  the  roots, 
we  knew  they  would  have  thriven  better — that  is,  grown  up- 
wards faster  if  we  could  have  moistened  their  foliage  every 
afternoon  or  evening,  but  that  mere  refreshing  would  have  been 
different  from  an  attempted  watering,  which  would  have  wet 
the  soil  for  one-eighth  or  even  one-fourth  of  an  inch  deep. 
It  is  such  waterings  we  wish  to  guard  people  against,  as  in 
general  they  are  worse  than  useless,  so  far  as  the  roots  are 
concerned. 

For  merely  refreshing  the  foliage  or  lessening  evaporation, 
we  prefer  the  syringe  or  the  engine  to  the  rose  of  a  watering- 
pot,  as  the  water  can  then  be  thrown  on  much  more  lightly, 
but  a  practised  workman  can  use  the  rose  also  lightly.  When 
it  is  attempted  to  reach  the  roots  by  rose-waterings,  it  is  im- 
portant to  keep  the  rose  low,  as  then  the  water,  having  less 
force,  will  not  cake  the  surface  so  much.  In  watering  with  the 
spout  of  a  pot,  the  same  mode  is  also  of  importance,  and  if 
not  looked  after  common  labourers  will  quite  disregard  it,  as 
they  stand  nearly  erect,  hold  the  pot  well  up,  and  send  out  the 
jet  with  force  enough  to  tear  the  soil  from  small  plants.  The 
end  of  the  spout  should  be  close  to  the  ground,  and  the  water 
b9  poured  gently  out,  and  if  the  surface  is  too  dry  to  receive  it 
it  is  best  to  come  over  the  ground  several  times  instead  of 
having  the  water  running  to  waste,  or  in  rivulets  to  one  place 
near  the  edge  where  least  wanted.  One  man  will  thus  water 
as  if  he  thought  of  a  gentle  shower-bath  for  himself ;  another 
will  water  as  if  he  thought,  if  thinking  formed  any  item  in  the 
case,  that  if  a  jet  of  water  were  to  be  poured  on  his  head,  the 
more  feet  of  descent  the  jet  had,  and,  consequently,  the  greater 
its  momentum  and  force  the  more  refreshing  it  would  be. 
After  all  such  waterings  stir  the  surface  as  soon  as  dryish,  to 
keep  moisture  in  and  to  admit  air. 

FRUIT   GARDEN. 

Much  the  same  as  last  week.  Gathered  most  of  the  Black 
Onrrants,  Bed  and  White  for  preserving,  also  Raspberries, 
knowing  that  owing  to  the  flocks  of  blackbirds  we  should  soon 
have  few  to  gather.  Netted  the  Currants  and  Gooseberries  left, 
but  even  that  will  only  be  a  partial  protection.  For  a  few 
weeks  our  winged  visitors  were  comparatively  few,  and  thrushes, 
especially,  we  picked  up  dead  and  dying  from  the  drought ;  but 
now  blackbirds  have  come  to  us  in  myriads.  What  fruit  we 
cannot  keep  without  protection,  even  though  green,  seems  to 
be  safe  enough  in  neighbouring  villages,  even  when  entirely 
unprotected,  but  that,  we  believe,  is  partly  owing  to  the  want 
of  shrubs  in  which  to  shelter,  and  still  more  to  the  presence  of 
many  children,  from  whom  birds  instinctively  keep  aloof.  We 
shaU  commence  directly  to  prick-out  and  layer  Strawberries 
for  next  season's  forcing,  and  we  have  planted-out  the  greater 


portion  of  those  forced  last  season.  It  is  important  where  birds 
are  very  numerous  to  plant  Strawberries  in  beds  or  quarters  so 
as  to  be  easily  netted. 

We  shall  be  obliged  to  water  Peach  and  Apricot  trees  out  of 
doors  to  keep  the  fruit  from  falling.  Apricots  need  more 
moisture  at  the  roots  than  the  Peach,  and  so  much  is  this  the 
case  that  in  some  places  where  the  Apricots  were  a  comparative 
failure,  they  succeeded  after  the  borders  were  watered  in 
summer  and  autumn.  The  moisture  at  the  roots  seems  almost 
as  indispensable  as  dry  air  when  in  bloom.  All  fruit  houses 
wanted  extra  watering.  The  Peach  house  where  the  fruit  is 
now  becoming  thin  has  had  plenty  of  air  night  and  day.  but 
the  front  air-openings  had  all  to  be  netted,  as  the  blackbirds 
had  attacked  the  fruit,  which  we  never  knew  them  do  before. 
They  are  more  shy  of  going  in  at  the  slid  sashes  at  the  top  of 
the  house.  In  our  orchard  houses  we  have  had  such  birds, 
pheasants,  and  even  peacocks  nibbling  the  Cherries,  getting 
in  by  the  front  openings,  but  as  yet  none  have  gone  in  at  the 
top  ventilators.  The  weather  has  been  everything  for  securing 
good-flavoured  Melons.  A  little  shade  is  serviceable  to  most 
things  in  such  weather,  and  it  renders  frequent  waterings  less 
necessary.  All  fruit  plants  in  pots  will  be  benefited  by  rich 
mulchings  of  rotten  dung,  &c. 

ORNAMENTAL   DEPARTMENT. 

Our  lawn  at  length  is  becoming  brown,  even  in  our  heavy 
loamy  soil,  and  until  it  turn  green  again  the  beauty  of  the 
flower  garden  will  be  greatly  marred.  With  little  watering, 
given  chiefly  to  the  roots,  and  the  most  part  of  the  surface 
left  loose  and  dry,  the  quantity  of  bloom  is  greater  than  we 
could  have  expected.  A  good  watering  to  a  long  row  of  scarlet 
Gladiolus  acted  almost  like  magic.  As  we  knew  the  bulbs  were 
strong  and  rather  deep  we  had  left  them  to  themselves,  with 
the  exception  of  a  little  mulching  of  rotten  dung.  We  noticed, 
however,  that  the  points  of  a  number  of  leaves  were  becoming 
brownish,  and  only  a  very  few  flower  spikes  were  showing. 
After  stirring  the  surface  we  gave  a  good  soaking  of  sewage, 
and  the  very  next  morning  there  were  hundreds  of  spikes  peep- 
ing from  their  sheaths,  and  every  vestige  of  distress  in  the 
foliage  was  gone.  If  this  weather  continue  we  must  give 
another  watering  eight  days  hence.  Without  it  we  are  sure 
that  the  spikes  would  have  been  poor. 

Twigged  and  otherwise  secured  plants  in  flower  beds  unsafe 
in  our  windy  place.  Hollyhocks  and  Dahlias  will  require 
more  attention  than  they  have  yet  received.  One  part  of  our 
Eoses  we  have  been  obliged  to  leave  to  themselves,  and  they 
have  given  more  cut  flowers  than  we  could  have  expected.  Our 
best  flowers  have  come  from  where  the  plants  have  several 
times  been  watered  with  sewage,  &c.  For  first-rate  Roses 
these  things  are  almost  essential — the  best  sorts,  a  loamy  soil, 
plenty  of  rotten  manure  incorporated  with  the  soil,  a  mulching 
in  dry  seasons,  and  plenty  of  manure  water  after  the  buds  are 
fairly  formed.  Under  these  conditions  we  can  smile  at  Rose 
enemies.  The  watering  with  us  this  season  has  been  mostly 
out  of  the  question.  Now  is  a  good  time  to  insert  buds  on 
Briar  or  other  stocks,  and  every  young  gardener,  even  for  his 
own  advantage,  ought  to  practise  budding  even  in  his  own 
time,  that  he  may  be  expert  at  such  pleasing  work.  For  gentle- 
men, however,  it  is  generally  cheapest  to  purchase  budded 
plants,  just  as  a  man  whose  sole  work  is  to  propagate  young 
Heaths,  will  turn  them  out  at  a  price  which  no  gentleman's 
gardener  could  imitate,  with  hundreds  of  other  matters  demands 
ing  his  daily  attention. 

It  is  now  a  good  time  to  sow  thinly  Brompton  and  Queen 
Stocks,  to  receive  a  little  protection  in  winter.  As  soon  as  we 
can  we  shall  begin  putting  in  cuttings  of  Verbenas,  as  now 
they  are  mostly  free  from  their  usual  enemies,  the  worst  of  which 
is  thrips,  and  it  will  be  almost  sure  to  come  if  this  dry  weather 
continue,  and  we  have  but  little  water  to  counteract  it.  As  yet 
we  have  not  lost  a  'plant,  '^and  even  [the  thirsty  Calceolaria  is 
still  not  affected.  We  would  like  to  prune  a  number  of  Laurels  it 
we  could.  It  is  best  to  use  the  knife,  as  thus  the  cutting  may 
be  almost  concealed. 

In  plant  houses  the  chief  object  has  been  to  keep  them 
moist  by  syringing  the  stages,  floors,  &c.,  and  yet  waste  as 
little  water  as  possible.  Plants  set  out  of  doors  have  been 
kept  rather  shady.  When  placed  full  in  the  sun  the  pots 
should  be  protected  from  the  fierce  rays.  After  the  plants  are 
kept  a  little  shaded  for  a  few  days  they  will  mostly  stand  the 
sun  uninjured,  but  the  roots  close  to  the  sides  of  the  pot,  when 
equally  exposed,  will  be  more  or  less  injured,  water  how  you 
may. 
Pticked-o2  numbers  of  Cinerarias  and  Primulas,  and  potted 


ialr  9, 186B.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  nOUTIOULTUBE   Ai(D   COTTAGE    GARDENKB. 


SI 


the  first  lots,  plaoinp;  tho  latter  behind  a  aouth  wall  to  be  shaded, 
where  they  are  tliiivinK  boaulifully.  Old  cut-down  planlB  of 
Cinerarias  wo  Bhall  plant  in  a  shady  bed,  eo  as  to  tako  wliat 
good  strong  suckors  wa  want  from  them.  These  two  tribes 
alone  help  to  mako  houses  Ray  and  lively  in  winter.  Tlioso 
who  have  favourite  kinds  of  herbaceous  Calceolarias  wiiicb  tliey 
wish  to  keep,  should  turn  them  out  in  a  shady  place  after  cut- 
ting them  down,  and  depend  on  growing  on  again  from  the 
TOckers  or  shoots  that  puth  from  tho  roots.  Florints'  Pelar- 
goniums are  now  chiefly  standing  in  the  full  sun  on  the  ground 
out  of  doors,  and,  except  in  extreme  cases,  we  prefer  watering 
the  ground  instead  of  the  pots,  so  that  the  wood  fhall  be 
well  hardened  before  pruning.  The  moisture  at  the  bottom 
is  generally  sufficient  to  prevent  tho  plants  flagging  in- 
juriously.— R.  F. 

COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— July  8. 

Thk  fluppliea  flro  quite  aB  heavy  as  last  week,  and  most  of  the  hothouse 
produce  is  of  a  very  inferior  description.  A  considerable  quantity  of 
forei^  Apricots,  Pouches,  and  Nectarines  are  also  nmonff  the  dealers, 
and  the  first  instalment  of  ai.ono  West  Indian  Pino  Apples  was  oCfcrod  for 
sale  to-day  in  very  good  condition,  at  from  la.  to  2a.  each. 


a.  d.  B.  d 

Apples H  sieve  1  6  to  0  0 

Apricots doz.  2  0  4  0 

Otierrles lb.  0  3  1  0 

Ohestnnta bnsh.  0  0  0  0 

Currants 3^  sieve  4  0  0  0 

Black do.  4  0  6  0 

FlRs doz.  4  0  8  0 

Filberts lb.  10  0  0 

Cobs lb.  0  9  10 

Gooeeberries   . .  quart  0  4  0  8 

Orap«s,  Hothouse.. lb.  2  0  5  0 

Lemons 100  8  0  12  0 


fl.  d.    s.  d 

Melons each    !S  OtoG    0 

Nectarines doz.  4  0      8    0 

Oran!?es 100  12  0      0    0 

Peaches doz.    G  0    12    0 

Pears  (dessert)  ..doz.    2  0      0    0 

Pino  Apples lb.    3  0      5    0 

Plums !i  sieve    0  0      0    0 

Quinces doz.    0  0      0    0 

Raspberries  lb.    0  4      0    8 

Strawberries.,  per  lb.    0  6      10 


Walnuts. 


,  bnsh. 10    0    IS    0 


do per  100    1     0      2    0 


Artichokes doz. 

AsparafTus  100 

Beans,  Kidney  }4  sieve 

Beet,  Red doz. 

Broccoli bundle 

Braa.  Sprouts  ^  sieve 

Cabbage doz. 

Oapsicums 100 

CazTOts bunch 

Cauliflower doz. 

Celery bnndlo 

Gnonmbera each 

Endive doz. 

Fennel bunch 

Garlic lb. 

Herbs  bunch 

Horseradish  ..  bundle 


VEQETADLE3 
s.  d.     a.  d 
2    Oto.S    0 


0    6 
8    0 


Leeka  bunch 

0    0  '■  Lottuce per  score 

0    0  ;  Mushrooms pottle 

8  0    Mustd.&  Cress,  punnet 

0  0     Onions  per  doz  bchs. 

0  0     Parsley per  sieve 

1  6  !  Parsnips doz. 

0  0  j  Peas per  quart 

1  0    Potatoofl bushel 

6    0  Kidney  do. 

2  0    Radishes  doz.  hunches 

1    0    Rhubarb buuiile 

0    0    Sea-kale basket 

0    0    Shallots lb. 

0    0    Spinach  busijel 

0    0    Tomatoes per  doz. 

5    0    Turnips  bunch 


d.  a.  d 
4  too  0 
6  1  0 
0  4  0 
a     n    0 


0 
8    0 


0     0 
4    0 


S) 
9 
6 
0 
6 
4 
0 
8 
0 
n 
0    G 


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.  All 
communications  should  therefore  be  addressed  solehj  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  <&c.,  171,  Fleet 
Street,  London,  B.C. 

We  also  request  that  correspondents  will  not  mix  up  on  the 
same  sheet  questions  relating  to  Gardening  and  those  on 
Poultry  and  Bee  subjects,  if  they  expect  to  get  them  an- 
swered promptly  and  conveniently,  but  write  them  on 
separate  communications.  Also  never  to  send  more  than 
two  or  three  questions  at  once. 

N.B. — Many  questions  must  remain  unanswered  until  next 
week. 

Books  (Novice). — There  is  no  single  work  devoted  to  forcing  Vines, 
Strawberries,  and  Cucumbers,  but  all  of  them  are  included  in  the  '*  Cot- 
taRe  Gardeuer's  Dictionary."  a  new  edition  of  which  with  a  supplement 
will  bo  published  this  week.  They  are  also  included  in  Thompson's 
**  Gardener's  Assistant." 

Pasciated  Melon  Stem  (J.  F.). — Fasciation  only  occurs  in  very  lux- 
uriant plants.  We  have  seen  examples  of  it  in  Asparagus,  Ash,  Holly, 
Daphne,  and  Antirrhinum,  but  never  before  in  the  Melon.  It  is  the  for- 
mation of  an  excess  of  woody  fibre  in  the  fasciated  part,  but  tho  cause  is 
unexplained. 

Grates  not  Swellivg-off  (J.  Bryan). — The  few  large  berries  in  the 
bunches  sent  bad  been  set  (contain  fertile  seeds),  hut  the  multitude  of 
small  berries  contain  no  seeds-  You  should  assist  the  setting  as  was 
recently  recommended  in  our  columns.  The  bunches  you  enclosed  were 
not  thinned.  They  should  have  had  three-fourths  of  the  ben'ies  re- 
moved. 

METEonoLoov  (ObscrvcT). — There  is  no  doubt  that  a  knowledge  of 
meteorology  is  useful  to  the  gardener,  though  not  so  much  so  as  a  know- 


lodBO  of  botany  and  chemistry.  \<e  recommend  you  to  purohaso  ISuchan's 
"Handy  Book  of  Meteorology."  A  second  edition  ha  s  just  boon  issued, 
and  is  really  a  now  book,  so  much  has  bnon  added  sin  co  the  first  edition 
appeared,  aitbough  that  was  published  no  longer  since  than  laxt  year.  It 
is  an  excellent  work.  Its  author  is  Secretary  of  tho  Scottish  Meteorolo. 
gical  Society. 

Grass  ob  C.ravei.  (Emilyl.— On  no  account  have  your  lawn  supplanted 
by  gravel.  The  grass  may  bo  "very  brown"  during  this  tropical  dry 
heat,  and  it  may  be  "  very  weedy  "  sometimes,  but  thnse  aro  temporary 
deferts.  and  ea^dlv  prevented  by  watering,  and  uiiiig  tho  spud  to  unroot 
tho  weeds.  Nothing  would  compensate  for  the  loss  of  tho  lawn  iu  front 
of  your  drawing-room  windows.  Road  tho  following,  and  ropont  that 
you  ever  contemplated  destroying  your  lawn  :  — 

"The  grass,  the  grass,  the  beaiitifitl  grass, 
That  brightens  this  land  of  outm. 
Oh,  why  do  we  rudely  let  it  pass, 

Anil  only  praise  the  llowers? 
Tlie  blossoms  of  spring  small  jovs  would  brmg. 

And  tho  HiiiTiiner-blooni  look  sa'l. 
Were  the  earth  not  green,  ami  the  distant  Hcone 
In  its  cmeraMrobe  not  clad. 
Then  sing  tiio  grass,  the  beautiful  grass. 

That  brightens  this  land  of  ours ; 
For  there  is  not  a  blade  by  Nature  made 
Less  perfect  than  the  flowers. 
"The  grass,  the  grass,  the  feathery  grass. 
That  waves  in  the  suninier  wind, 
That  stays  when  tho  flowers  all  fade  and  pass. 

Like  a  dear  old  friend,  behind ; 
That  clothes  the  hills  and  the  valley  fills. 
When  the  trees  are  stripped  and  bare ; 
Oh,  the  land  would  bo  like  a  wintry  sea, 
Did  tho  grass  not  Unger  there. 
Then  smg  the  grass,  tho  bonny  green  grass. 

That  to  all  such  a  charm  can  lend ; 
For  'tis  staunch  a  i;d  true  tho  whole  year  througb. 
And  to  all  a  faithful  friend. 
"The  grass,  the  grass,  the  bountiful  grass, 
Oh,  weU  may  the  gift  endure. 
That  never  was  meant  for  creed  or  class. 

But  prows  for  both  rieh  and  poor. 
Long  mav  tho  land  be  rich  and  grand 
Where  the  emerald  turf  is  spread; 
May  the  bright  green  grass,  when  from  earth  we  pass. 
Lie  lightly  o'er  each  head. 
Then  sing  the  grass,  the  bountiful  grass. 

That  stays  like  a  dear  old  friend ; 
For  whatever  our  fate,  it  kindly  waits. 
And  it  serves  us  to  the  end." 

Shading  by  Whitening  the  Glass  (An  Irish  Sulucritcr).— The  details 
youreftrtoareprobably  these:— "We  have  found  no  m  >da  more  simplo 
than  skim  milk.with  a  little  poivdered  whitening  mixed  with  it— say  as 
much  whitening  as  the  size  of  a  walnut— reduced  to  a  flue  powder,  and 
thoroughly  mixed  with  two  or  three  quarts  of  milk.  We  would  advise 
those  trying  the  scheme  to  do  a  piece  of  gl.ass  first,  let  it  dry,  and  add  to 
the  milk  or  whitening  as  they  require  less  or  more  shading.  If  it  bo  put 
on  quickly  and  thinly  by  one  mau  with  a  brush,  and  another  follow  with 
a  dry  duster  brush,  merely  daubing  it  quickly  with  the  points  of  the  dry 
brush,  the  shading  will  have  the  appearance  of  sh  uled  ground  glass,  and 
look  neat.  The  least  quantity  of  whitening  in  the  milk  will  give  as  much 
shade  as  Hartley's  rough  gla'S." 

Cherry  (r^nfurion).- Your  doubt  was  well  grounded;  it  is  not  the 
Black  Tartarian,  but  the  Earlv  Purple  Gean. 

Cuss  35  at  the  Leicester  Show  (.■In  Inteniinn  Competitor).— ka 
"  hardy  fruits"  aro  specified,  we  consider  that  any  grown  under  glass 
would  be  inadmissihle.  You  had  bettor  write  to  Mr.  Cox,  tho  local  Secre- 
tiry,  and  ask  him  it  Grapes  and  Peaches  may  bo  exhibited  in  that  class. 
His  address  is  37,  Market  Place,  Leicester. 

Glow-worms  (C.  P.).— The  female  Glowworm  lays  her  eggs  in  tho  earth, 
or  upon  the  moss  and  low  damp  plants,  to  which  they  are  affixed  by  a 
viscid  secretion.  The  larva;  feed  upon  various  kinds  of  snails.  If  you 
have  the  means  of  providing  the  larvai  with  these  animals,  the  earth  in 
which  they  live  must  be  kept  moistened.  You  wi'l  find  a  summary  of  the 
history  of  the  insect  in  "  Westwood's  Introduction,"  vol.  i.,  page  250.— W. 

Ripeness  or  Pelabgonidm  Seep  (An  Inqvircr).—'The  seeds  are  ripe 
03  soon  as  thev  become  brown,  when  they  usually  separate,  and  are  sus- 
punded  in  a  kind  of  whorl  and  ultimately  fall,  having  a  sort  of  horn  to 
them.  The  seed  when  quite  hard  and  brown  is  quite  ripe,  and  should  be 
gathered  and  sown  forthwith.  We  cannot  say  much  for  its  germination  ; 
indeed,  we  thitk  it  abortive,  but  we  trust  we  are  wrong. 

Stove  Climber  (/.  ii.).— It  is  hard  to  say  which  is  the  best  stove 
climber,  but  our  choice  would  be  Stephanotis  floribunda. 

Tea  Plant  Management  (C.  P.).— It  succeeds  admirably  in  a  coo! 
greenhouse,  and  does  well  in  a  compost  of  two-thirds  sandy  fibrous  loam, 
and  one-third  turfy  sandy  peat,  adding  sand  liberally.  Tho  diainage 
should  be  good,  and  a  light  airy  situation  should  bo  afforded.  When 
growing  a  good  supply  of  water  should  be  given,  and  when  at  rest  it  will 
be  enough  if  tho  soil'bo  kept  moist.  Its  treatment  does  not  essentially 
differ  from  that  of  hard  wooded  gi-eenhouse  plants.  We  fear  it  would  not 
succeed  out  of  doors  in  winter,  unless  it  were  planted  against  a  south 
wall,  and  protection  given  during  severe  frosty  periods. 

Cleaning  Melon  Seed  (J.  P.).— Melon  seed  should  bo  separated  from 
the  pulp  by  washing  well  in  a  saucer  or  basin  containing  water.  Th;g 
should  be  done  effectually  without  injury  to  tho  seed,  and  when  complete 
the  light  and  bad  seeds  will  swim,  and  these  should  he  skimmed  otf,  and 
the  heavy  good  scols  will  sink.  Run  off  the  water,  place  the  seeds  on  a 
shelf  to  dry,  and  when  dry  put  them  away  in  paper. 

Condensed  Steam  is  Vinery  (,-(  Sovicc).—\S(!  are  at  a  loss  to  acconnt 
for  tbo  condensed  moisture  on  the  Grapes,  especially  as  you  leave  air  on 
day  and  night.  We  can  only  suppose  you  have  not  given  up  spnnklmg 
the  floors,  or  by  watering  plants  have  caused  too  much  moisture  in 
tho  house.  Leave  oCT  fires  at  night,  give  a  little  air  at  top  at  night,  and 
allow  no  more  water  to  he  laken  into  the  house.  It  is  not  possible  to 
remove  the  stains  on  the  berries.    Ho  not  attempt  it. 

Ice  Plant  TREATMKNT(/ISi'(<scr!6<T).— Your  plant  bfingstrongwcwou'd 
make  a  bed  for  it  by  digging  out  a  pit  about  18  inches  square,  in  a  warm 
suunysituation,  and  d. op  enough  I  j  hold  a  barrowful  of  hot  dung  ;  cover 


32 


aOUENAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE    GARDENER. 


t  July  0. 18^ 


thifi  with  9  inches  thick  of  a  compoBc  consisting  of  sandy  loam  two-thirds 
and  leaf  mould  one-third,  well  mixed,  placing  the  soil  taken  ont  of  the  pit 
around  the  sides.  In  the  centre  put  ont  the  plant,  tiimintj  it  out  of  the 
pot  with  the  ball  entire,  and  give  a  pood  waterinK.  If  convenient  cover 
■the  plant  with  a  hand-glass,  and  if  this  has  a  move.ible  top  pluce  the  top 
oroeswiae  daring  tbe  day  so  ae  to  admit  air,  otherwiee  tilt  it  on  one  sidu. 
Thia  may  remain  until  the  plant  requires  mom,  then  remove  it.  The 
kand  f,'las8  iB  not  a  necessity ;  the  plant  will  do  well  without  it.  Water 
oopiously  overhead  in  dry  weather.  It  will  in  that  way  be  much  larger 
and  finer  than  if  grown  in  a  greenhouse. 

GaowiNo  Mdshroomb  after  CocnurBERS  [W.  ST.). —  In  such  a  case 
without  removin-^  tbe  manure  of  the  hotbed,  the  best  mode  is  to  t«ke 
j»way  the  soil,  insert  spawn  in  the  manure  after  breaking  it  up  a  little, 
and  then  replace  with  2  inches  of  soil.  If  we  had  to  do  all  this  we  would 
not  ODiy  move  the  surface  of  the  manure,  but  we  would  add  a  few  fresh 
droppings  if  we  could. 

Ants  in  the  Soil  op  a  Potted  Apiuoot  [IT.  B.). — Water  your  pot 
with  gnano  water,  or  even  with  lime  and  soot  water,  made  by  mixing 
quicklime  and  soot  in  the  water,  and  the  ants  will  leave  you.  If  you 
were  to  place  tar  on  the  wadding  round  tbe  stem  thty  will  not  pass  it. 
Syrince  the  head  with  clear  soot  and  lime  water,  and  that  will  clear  it  fur 
tLfi  time. 

Hyacinths  {Slif/o'!. — We  cannot  search  florists'  catalogues  for  prices. 
You  had  ^>etter  write  to  two  or  more  florists,  tell  them  what  you  require, 
and  ask  for  prices,  &c. 

Orange  Tsee— Potted  Mobcat  Vine  (Saltert07i).—We  would  remove 
tbo  frnit  from  tbe  Orange  tree,  wash  it  well,  and  place  it  under  glass 
vbere  it  can  have  the  gi'oatest  heat  and  a  free  supply  of  air.  The  heavy 
crop  last  year  was  too  much  for  it.  You  had  better  fruit  Ibe  Muscat  in 
the  pet  under  glass.  Even  at  your  place,  we  do  not  think  it  would  do 
nnch  out  of  doors.    Do  not  cut  down  now. 

Amaeanthds  niBCOLOE  (P.  J.  Newlin]. — Amarantbus  "  discolor"  is  not 
known  to  Mr.  Gibson,  of  Eattersea  Park.  He  has  beds  of  Amaranthus 
bicolor,  tricolor,  and  meIancholica«  ruber. 

Peaches  Mildewed  (Dor^c^).— The  frait  is  afi'ected  with  mildew.  The 
OBly  remedy  is  dusting  with  flowers  of  sulphur  as  snon  as  a  speck  shows 
Iteelf,  and  ttiking  care  that  the  roots  are  not  sufTering  from  dryness. 
Dryness  at  the  roots  and  a  moist  atmosphere  is  n  frnitful  source  of  mil- 
dew. It  will  also  be  promoted  by  too  dry  an  atmosphere  with  too  much 
Boibtnre'  at  the  roots,  etpccially  if  the  weather  be  dull. 

Tobacco  Powdeb  (F.  i?.).— We  are  doubtful  if  the  tobacco  powder  will 
banish  Ihripti  from  Vines  and  red  spider  from  Melons,  but  you  should  try 
on  a  small  scale.  *'  R.  F."  stated  the  other  week,  that  though  it  destroyed 
flj  it  also  injured  the  green  fruit  of  British  Queen  Strawberry.  Smoke 
and  syriEge. 

Old  Stbawberet  Beds  (Agnes). — In  thinning  old  Strawberry  rows  or 
beds,  the  weakest  shoots,  and  the  shoots  or  crowns  having  the  smallest 
bOils,  are  cut  out.  This  is  dene  without  interfering  with  tho  roots,  con- 
sequently the  slips  remove  J  would  he  of  no  value  for  planting  when  com- 
pered with  runntrs  having  roots.  It  is  only  in  pood  Innmy  soils  that  such 
a  practice  is  at  all  desirable,  but  many  are  in  alarm  about  making  a  freeh 
bed  ;  and  ti  cated  as  above  and  fresh  mulched  every  winter,  we  have 
known  Strawberries  bear  well  many  years. 

"Lof/a  (Idem). — A  loamy  soil,  as  generally  understood,  is  synonymous 
with  a  good  garden  soil.  If  rather  stiff  from  having  a  porlion  of  clay,  it 
1b  called  a  clayey  loam,  and  in  that  the  Strawberry  flonrisbes.  In  a 
]if{Lter  soil,  a  Bandy  loam,  the  Strawberry  grows  freely,  but  does  not  last 
so  long. 

Winter  Cucumber  {Horicnsis). — The  best,  hardiest,  and  most  prolific 
viZLtcr  Cucumbers  are  the  old  Lord  Kenyon,  or  Sion  House,  and  an  im- 
proved larger  variety  called  Volunteer.  Tliese  are  smooth-skinned,  with 
little  or  no  spine,  and  are  not  so  well  liked  as  the  darker  Cucumbers  by 
Ibany  ;  but  they  arc  very  good  from  September  to  May,  but  in  summer 
are  ecmetimes  apt  to  be  bitter.  To  have  them  at  Christmas  they  should 
be  Bown  by  the  middle  of  July. 

Packing  Grapes  [Idem). —  Ihcre  are  many  modes  of  packing  Grapes 
to  go  by  railway.  One  of  the  best  is  to  fix  the  bunches  on  cotton  wad- 
diDg  or  tissue  p'lper  on  a  board,  tie  them  there,  and  then  fix  tbe  board  in 
a  box.  so  that  however  moved  tho  Grapes  will  remain  the  same.  Another 
good  plan  is  to  All  a  box  full  so  that  they  cannot  move,  and  place  it  inside 
a&oiher  box. 

Peas  in  Dry  Hot  Seasons  (S.S.). — "R.  F."  recommends  syringing  in 
saoh  weatber,  chiefly  to  newly-planted  subjects  in  flower  beds.  It  would 
be  of  little  use  syringing  rows  of  Peas,  though  they  would  be  benefited 
by  Buch  a  syringing  in  an  evening  after  being  watered  at  the  roots. 


From  one-eisbth  to  one-qaarter  of  an  ounce  of  tbe  materials  yoa  mention 
to  a  gallon  of  water  would  be  very  useful  in  a  watering  at  the  bottom. 
The  nitrate  of  soda  would  give  the  best  growth,  but  we  would  prefer  the 
guano  for  frnitftilness.  Hence  tbe  propriety  of  changing  the  fertiliser. 
The  watering  will  help  to  di&lodgo  the  moles.  Placing  tar  in  the  nms 
will  cause  them  to  move,  but  to  destroy  them  you  must  trap- 

ERR.vrDM.— Pige  12,  for  •' lIaroon,""CamiUe  Bemardin,  read  Prince 
Camille  de  Rohao. 

Catei:pillar.s  on  a  Pear  Tree  (B.  fT.).— They  ara  the  larva  of  Ten- 
threrio  clypeati. 

Dahlias  (J  Siihscribcr). — A  Self  is  a  flower  with  petals  all  of  one  colour; 
a  Fancy  has  pet  ils  of  two  or  more  coloars. 

Pea  {H.  Cullin). — It  is  a  well-kno\vn  variety  of  tbe  cf^mmon  garden 
Pea,  and  is  known  botanically  as  Pisum  sativum  macrocarpum— that  is, 
tbe  Large-podded  cultivated  Pea.  It  Is  much  cultivated  in  Franco,  where 
it  is  called  Pois  manoe-tout,  or  All-eatable  Pea,  because  the  shell  is  boiled 
and  eaten  with  tbe  peas  in  them. 

Hybrid  Lathyrus  (S.  £  M.). — J  s  being  a  profuse  boarer  is  a  merit,  but 
the  colours  ore  too  dull  and  confusod  to  command  public  patr  >nage. 

Plants  to  Flower  in  a  Greenhouse  from  OcroEERTO  May  (A.  A.  T.). 
— In  October  Chrysanthemums  will  be  coming  on,  and  they  are  well  sup- 
plemented by  Primulas  ;  in  addition  to  which,  bulbs  such  as  Hyacinths, 
Tulips,  Narci-sus,  and  Crocuses,  will  tend  to  mike  the  house  gay.  In 
March  and  April  Cinerarias  will  be  in  flue  bloom,  followed  by  OatceolariaB 
i'x  May,  and  then  by  Pelargoniums.  These  are  indispensable  for  green- 
houso  decoration.  You  should  also  have  a  plant  or  two  of  Deutzia  gracilis 
and  Dielytra  spectabilis,  which,  though  harly,  are  very  handsome.  Of 
greenhouse  plants  prupor  we  may  name  Camellia  Alba  plena  and  Pim- 
briata,  both  white;  Mrs.  Abbey  WiMer,  white,  striped  carmine;  La  Pace, 
white,  striped  and  shaded  scurlet ;  Storyi,  rosy  pink  ;  aud  Perfection,  red. 
Azaleas— Etoile  de  Gaud,  light  salmon,  wbite  margin ;  FJo*ver  of  tbe  Day, 
white,  strined  rose;  Gem,  crimson  scarlei ;  Mars,  orange  scarlet;  Ex- 
tranei,  v  olet  rose;  and  Gledstanesi  formosa,  white,  striped  and  blotched 
with  scarlet.  Epacrises  The  Bride,  white ;  and  Hyacinthiflora,  rosy 
scarlet.  Also  Correa  Brilliant,  scarlet;  Acacia  Drummondi,  A.  armata. 
A.  oleifolia  elegans,  and  A.  longiflora  magoifica,  all  yellow  ;  Boronia 
Drummondi,  pitik;  Chorozema  corditum  splendene.  orange  and  brown; 
Cyclamen  persicum,  white,  rose,  and  red  varieties  ;  Cypripedium  insigoe, 
gi-een,  tipped  with  white;  Cytisus  racemosus,  yellow  ;  Eriostemon  inter- 
medium, lilac;  Imintuphyllum  mlniatum,  orange  scarlet ;  Ifeschenaoltia 
furmosa,  orange  scarlet;  Luculia  pratissima,  lii;ic;  Monochcetnm  ensi- 
ferum,  rosy  purple  ;  Rhododendron  jusminiflorum,  waxy  white;  and  Val- 
iota  purpurea,  scarlet. 

Weed  on  Lawn  (i'l/rinf/a).— The  weed  enclosed  is  Plantain.  It  is  beet 
removed  with  a  knife  in  showery  weather,  cutting  the  root  a  few  inches 
below  tbe  surface.  This  is  troublesome,  but  is  the  only  effectual  means 
of  eradicating  Plantain  and  other  weeds. 

Grapes  in  Greenhouse  ildem). — We  can  only  conclude  that  tbe  leaves 
turuiug  ye!l,)W  at  this  season  are  affected  by  red  spider  or  ntildew.  The 
latter  may  bo  destroyed  by  dusting  the  bnnches,  leaves,  and  shoots  with 
flowers  of  sulphur.  The  Grapes  may  not  ripen  from  a  deficiency  of  heat, 
but  thc-y  do  so  admirably  with  us  in  a  cool  house  without  any  fire  heat 
whatever.  Give  air  early,  and  reduce  it  to  a  minimum  early  in  the  after- 
noon.   Tbe  kinds  you  have  may  not  be  suited  for  a  cool  house. 

Propagating  Ivy  {Idein). — Ivy  is  propagated  from  se^d  sown  as  BOon 
as  it  is  ripe  in  a  bed  of  ligh'  soil  in  a  rather  shady  situation.  CuttiBgP 
put  in  now.  or  from  now  to  tho  end  of  Argust,  in  sandy  soil  in  a  shady 
border,  and  kept  moist  and  shaded,  will  be  well  rooted  by  autumn.  Ivy 
is  also  easily  propagated  by  pegging  down  a  branch,  and  coveriug  it  with 
soil  to  tho  depth  of  2  inches  for  a  length  of  3  or  4  inches,  watering  in  dry 
weather. 

Insects  (Tr.B ).— The  patch  of  eggs  and  newly-hatched  caterpUlars  on 
your  Rose  leaves  appear  to  be  those  of  Bombyx  auriflaa,  the  Gold-tailed 
moth  ;  but  the  injury  which  tbe  leaves  huve  chiefly  suffered  appears  to 
be  owing  to  their  having  been  gaawed  by  the  larva)  of  a  small  Sawfly. 
we  know  no  better  remedy  for  the  former  than  careful  hand-picking. 

Names  op  Plaxts  {T.  B.  W.)  —1,  Astilbe  japonica;  2,  Lychnis  chalce- 
donica ;  3,  Nepeta  italica.  {T.  U  C.  D ). — Gornus  florida,  var.  scabra. 
(E.  E.). — Pteris  serrulata,  Aspidinm  angnlare,  Adiantum  htspidulum. 
Campanula  spathnlata,  Nierembergia  gracilis.  {./.  C.  S.). — Probably  He - 
racleum  gigitnteum,  but  cannot  be  certain  without  a  specimen.  {A  Lad}/, 
Chenhire). — Epimedium  macrauthum.  (F.  D.). — Stachys  betonica.  (J.  W. 
Dick). — 1,  Orchis  maculata  ;  2,  Cbierophyllum  cerefolium ;  3.  HypoohaBriB 
radtcata ;  4,  Kumex  acetosella;  5,  Lotus  ni'ijor;  6,  Mxosotis  repens; 
7,  Kumex  acetosa  ;  8,  Galium  aaxitile.  We  mast  defer  giving  the  i 
of  6ome  of  the  Ferns  sent  till  next  week. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  July  7th. 


Date. 

THERMOMETER 

• 

Wind. 

Ealnln 
inches. 

BABOSETEB. 

Air. 

Earth. 

GtKNEBAL  ReUABES. 

Mai. 

Min. 

Max. 

Min. 

1  (t.  dp. 

2  ft.  dp. 

Wed...    1 
Thua.    2 
Pri.  ..    S 
Sat.  ..    i 
Sun...    S 
Hon...    6 
Tuea. .    7 

Mean 

39.253 
80.U8 
29.958 
29.95H 
299-9 
23.991 
80.060 

39.149 
80.0C9 
29.9J9 
29  988 
29.955 
29.959 
3J.028 

72 
79 
72 
81 
76 
75 
79 

Dl 
f9 
61 
43 
48 
42 
46 

63 
65 

ts 

64 

64 
65 
65 

61 
62 
61 
62 
62 

6a 

62 

N.E. 

N. 
N.W. 

N. 
S.E. 

E. 
N.E. 

.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.0) 
.00 

Cloudy  ;  overcast ;  fine,  slightly  clonded. 
Overcaat,  fine;  very  fine;  clear  and  fine. 
Cloudy,  overcast ;  tine  ;  clear  and  fine  at  night. 
Cloudy  ;  densely  overcast ;  clear  and  very  fine. 
Clear  and  fine ;  overcast,  cloady  ;  slightly  overcast. 
Fine  aud  clear  ;  overcast;  clear  and  line. 
Very  fine  ;  overcast ;  clear  and  fine. 

30.047 

29  990 

76.29 

47.86 

64.14 

61.71 

•• 

0.00 

POULTRY.  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD  CHRONICLE. 

PROFITABLE   POULTRY. 
I  BEUEVE  the  majority  of  farmers  think  that   to   make  a 
profit  of  poultry  is  next  to  impossible ;  that  if  there  is  no 


great  loss  from  keeping  them,  and  they  can  be  kept  ont  of  mia- 
chief,  the  wife  or  sister  may  have  her  fowls  for  pin  money,  or 
to  indulge  her  fancy  for  pets,  bnt  that  as  to  piofit  it  is  ali 
nonsense. 

Some  amatenrs  on  the  contrary  think  that  they  if  had  bnt 
room  to  keep  half  a  dozen  large  yards  of  fowls,  wii  grass  land 


Julj  9,  1S6S.  I 


JODRNAIi  OP  HOBnOUIiT0EE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDKNKB. 


3S 


for  Hiem  to  mn  over,  it  would  insnre  them  a  little  fortune. 
The  truth  lies,  I  thick,  between  these  two  opinions.  Fuwla 
ougli^  to  pay  well  for  what  they  eat,  but  not  much  for  manage- 
ment. Of  course,  I  do  not  allude  to  show  fowls  at  £50  a-pen, 
but  fowls  and  their  epgs  sold  at  the  ordinary  market  prices. 

Having  cottages  in  my  orchards  which  are  laid  down  in 
grass,  I  can  keep  almost  any  number  of  fowls,  so  have  five  lots, 
of  from  one  dozen  to  thirty  in  each  place.  The  labourers' 
wives  receive  lid.  a-score  for  lookingup  the  eggs,  which  is  all 
the  money  paid  for  labour.  The  fowls  have  as  much  good 
barley  as  they  can  eat  without  waste,  once  a  day  in  summer 
and  twice  a-day  in  winter.  Chickens  aio  all  reared  at  homo. 
The  result  is,  that  the  eggs  and  fowls  sold  pay  for  the  corn 
consumed,  and  leave  a  balance  of  from  £5  to  £10  ayear, 
whilst  a  large  household  is  well  supplied  with  poultry  and  eggs 
coating  nothing.  This  has  always  appeared  to  me  quite  satis- 
factory. Some  of  your  readers  might,  perhaps,  like  to  know 
how  this  is  managed,  whilst  others  will  think  the  result  poor 
in  the  extreme. 

Having  made  poultry  a  hobby  for  more  than  thirty  years,  I 
should  be  happy  to  know  how  to  manage  better,  and  will  gladly 
take  a  lesson  from  those  who  obtain  a  better  result.  Having 
touched  uponagoodmaay  subjects  in  "our  Journal,"  I  thought 
— Suppose  I  give  my  ideas  on  poultry  management ! 

First,  eggs  pay  well ;  chickens  at  a  common  market  price  do 
not  pay  at  all.  If  you  intend  to  sell  eggs.  Silver-pencilled 
Hamburghs  will  lay  more  eggs,  particularly  in  winter,  than 
any  other  fowls,  and  Gold-pencilled  the  next.  No  others  are 
30  profitable,  and  none  prettier,  but  they  will  not  bear  con- 
finement. As  I  do  not  believe  fowls  are  profitable  or  long 
healthy  in  confinement,  this  is  to  me  no  objection  ;  but  though 
none  pay  like  Silver-pencilled,  I  neither  like  to  eat  them  nor 
their  eggs,  they  are  small  and  inferior  in  flavour.  The  Gold- 
pencilled  laying  nearly  as  well  in  winter,  and  their  eggs  being  a 
little  larger,  will  be  preferred  by  many.  Those  who  have 
several  good  grass  rues  will  do  well  to  keep  both.  As  they 
seldom  eit,  being  what  are  called  everlasting  layers,  some  other 
fowls  mast  be  employed  to  rear  chickens.  I  have  a  cross  be- 
tween the  Cochin  and  Dorking  for  this  purpose.  But  suppose 
joa  have  one  farmyard  or  grass  field  only  ;  in  this  case,  I  say. 
Do  not  on  any  account  keep  any  pure  breed  it  the  supply  of 
your  own  household  and  profit  be  your  object.  Are  your  fowls 
too  much  inclined  to  sit?  Procure  for  next  year's  breeding  a 
couple  of  well-bred  Hamburgh  cocks  of  any  colour  you  prefer. 
Are  they  too  small?  Get  two  Dorkings,  change  your  cocks 
every  year,  and  let  them  be  well-bred  birds,  not  mongrels. 
Yon  can  in  this  way  have  any  kind  of  fowl  as  to  size,  &c., 
because  the  chickens  will  resemble  their  well-bred  sire  almost 
always.  You  will  find  the  chickens  much  more  easy  to  rear 
than  (hose  of  a  pure  breed,  and  the  fowls  are  generally  more 
vigorous  and  healthy. 

Having  made  up  your  mind  as  to  what  fowls  to  keep,  re- 
member that  young  fowls  lay  more  than  old  ones,  so  never  kill 
a  pullet  or  keep  a  fowl  two  years  old,  unless  an  especial  favourite. 
Kill  off  all  the  young  cocks  as  soon  as  they  are  fit  to  roast; 
they  are  generally  kept  too  long.  In  corn  harvest  commence 
to  kill  oft  the  hens  if  in  good  condition,  and  they  ought  never 
to  be  poor. 

At  this  time  of  the  year  eggs  are  cheap ;  it  you  keep  the 
hens  till  they  have  given  over  laying,  they  will  be  moulting, 
and  are  then  unfit  to  kill,  and  will  for  many  weeks  yield  no 
return  for  their  food.  The  chickens  will  do  much  better  w'jeu 
part  of  the  hens  are  killed,  as  the  yards  will  not  be  so  crowded, 
and  the  young  pullets  will  have  a  quieter  time  of  it  when  most 
or  all  of  the  young  cocks  have  followed  the  hens.  Some  will 
say,  "  What  are  we  to  do  with  the  hens?  We  cannot  eat  them, 
and  they  will  sell  for  a  mere  nothing."  If  your  cook  cannot 
make  an  old  hen  in  good  condition  better  as  boiled  fowl  than 
any  young  chicken,  she  has  not  learnt  her  business.  To  my 
taste  nothing  is  so  utterly  flavourless  as  a  young  chicken 
boiled.  I  never  tasted  a  white  kid  glove  boiled  in  milk,  but  if 
boiled  tender  I  think  it  would  be  nearly  as  good.  A  fat  fowl 
boiled  gently  for  two  hours  and  a  hall  is  better  thnn  any 
ehicken  that  was  ever  cookfcd.  Now,  do  not  go  and  kill  some 
poor  skinny  creature  of  a  Cochin  or  Brahma  that  has  never 
had  a  full  meal  for  a  month,  and  whose  breastbone  i^  as  pro- 
minent as  the  back  fin  of  a  perch,  and  then  sny,  "  It  is  just  as 
I  thought,  catch  me  eating  old  hens  again."  But  if  the  hen  is 
of  a  respectable  breed  and  fat,  and  does  not  come  to  table  as 
tender  as  a  chicken  and  a  great  deal  better,  be  sure  it  has  not 
boiled  two  hours  and  a  half  or  more  ;  if  boiled  to  rags,  that  it 
has  not  boiled  gently. 


I  have  been  thus  explicit,  because  to  bo  able  to  kill  old  fowte 
without  loss  is  the  only  way  to  make  fowls  profitable  ;  in  other 
words,  keep  nothing  but  pullets,  rear  early  chickens,  always 
feed  well,  kill  oft  every  year,  and  you  will  find  poultry  pro- 
fitable.— J.  R.  Pearson,  Chilwell. 


NEWMARKET   POULTRY   SHOW. 

Thk  classes  most  conppiruona  for  excellence  were  tlioac  for  Qnj 
Diirkings,  which  wore  throughout  woU  Bhown,  tho  chickens  being 
a  first-rate  feature  of  tho  meeting.  The  (Jame  classea  were  not  lass 
excellent,  and  to  a  pen  of  Duckwings  the  Bilvor  cup  for  tho  beet  MB 
of  poultry  shown  was  awarded.  They  wlto  the  property  of  Mr. 
Mathews,  of  Stowmarket ;  hut  by  some  mistake  being,  with  several 
pens  sent  by  the  same  exhibitor,  entered  in  the  wrong  class,  a  protest 
aRainst  their  competing  was  given  in  to  the  Comaiitteo,  bnt  aftorwarfu 
abandoned,  as  tho  Honorary  Secretary  hail,  by  letter  to  tho  exhibitor, 
tngnged  to  correct  tho  error ;  consequently  this  somewhat  nnnsn*! 
cnsagomcnt  could  not,  under  such  circnmstanccs,  bo  otherwise  than 
fulfilled.  We  cannot  refrain  from  again  advising  exhibitors  to  be 
more  careful  in  stating  correctly  at  tho  time  of  making  their  entrie* 
the  number  of  the  class  thiy  purpose  showing  in  ;  as  very  little  care 
at  that  moment  not  only  prevents  trouble  to  tho  managers  of  shows, 
but  the  certainty,  where  rules  are  rigidly  adhered  to,  of  disqualification. 
Cochin- Chinas,  with  the  exception  of  the  first  and  second-prize  pen*, 
were  so  indifferent  that  the  third  premium  was  withheld.  Some  very 
superior  Game  Bantams  were  shown,  among  them  being  a  pen  rf 
nnusually  good  coloured  Duckwings.  There  was  not  a  single  entry  ol 
Sebrights,  although  prizci  of  the  value  of  £2  5s.  were  offered.  Ja- 
panese, White-booted,  and  Silky  Bantams  were  better  than  nsnal. 
The  Black  Spanish  class  was  the  worst  in  tho  Show,  and  conseqnent^ 
no  first  prize  was  awarded.  Bralima- Pootras  were  good,  but  tho  dark- 
feathered  were  most  perfect ;  each  variety  of  feather,  however,  enjoyed 
a  separate  competition.  Some  very  good  well-grown  Uoudan  chicken* 
were  shown  in  the  Extra  class,  also  Brahmas  ;  but  the  Sale  olaaa 
nnerpeetedly  proved  an  entire  failure,  and  no  second  prize  was  there- 
fore giren.  Turkeys  had  two  classes,  tho  first  being  exclusively  for  the 
Cambridge  variety,  and  these  were  unquestionably  good ;  but  in  the 
other  class  for  any  other  variety  of  Turkey  there  was  not  a,8i^o 
entry.  Aylesbury  Dncks  were  very  good  ;  and  in  the  "Variety  '  Dock 
class  some  Bnenos  Ayrean  of  high  quality  were  entered.     Tho  QoM 


were  as  good  as  conld  be  desired. 
A  very  excellent  collection  of  rlfiCQ 


u.  very  excellent  collection  oi  /  'ir/euns  was  entered,  Mr.  Fulton  taking 
a  large  portion  of  tho  prizes,  likewise  tho  silver  cup  for  tho  best  P™  of 
Pigeons  exhibited.  A  very  large  amount  of  money  was  taken  at  tn» 
gate,  and  the  weather  left  the  visitors  to  tho  full  enjoyment  of  a  pro- 
tracted inspection. 

DoESlNos  (Coloured).— First,  Rev.  C.  H.  Crosse,  Cambridge.  SocoBd, 
H.  Savile,  Bafford  Abbey,  near  Ollorlon.  Highly  Commpnaed,  H. 
LiuK^vood,  Needham  Market;  Dr.  Campbell,  Brentwood;  F.  Parlett, 
Great  Baddow.    Commended,  W.  Tippler,  Roxwcll,  near  Chelmsford. 

Dorkings  lAny  variety  except  Coloured).— First,  H.  LingwooJ.  Second, 
Dr.  lampbell.  Chickem.—Fiisi,  Rev.  E.  S.  Tiddemnn,  Childerdltdi 
Vicar.lge,  Brentwood.  Second,  H.  Savile.  Highly  Commended,  H. 
Pickles.    Commended,  Lady  L.  Charteris,  Atlleborongb. 

Game  (Black-breisted  or  other  Redl.— First,  Cup,  and  Second,  for bert 
pen  of  Poultry  in  Show,  S.  Matthew,  Chilton  Farm,  Stowmarket.  HigMy 
Commended,  H.  I.oe,  Godshill,  Isle  of  Wisht.  Commended,  W.  B. 
Jeffries,  Ipswich:  F   R.Hall,  Cnmbridgo  (Black  Rod).  . 

Game  (Any  olher  variety).— First  and  Second,  S.  Matthew  (Duckwing 
and  Piles).  ,    ,^        ^l  -_*• 

CocHlN-CHrXA  (Buff).— First,  H.  Lingwond.  Second,  Mrs;  Chnabe, 
Glyndebonrne,  near  Lewes.    Third,  Withheld. 

CaivE-CcEDRS.- First.  Col.  Stuart  Wortley.  Grove  End  Road,  London. 
Second,  Lady  L.   Charteris.    Commended,  Mrs.  M.  Seamons,  AyleBbajJ. 

HoDDANs —First,  H.  M.  Mavnard,  Hnlmewond,  Ryde,  Isle  of  Wight. 
Second,  W.  Tippler.     Commended,  Col.  Stuart  Wortley.  ,       „       _j 

Game  Bantams  (Any  variety).— First,  W.  B.  .Teffries,  Ipswich.  SeconJ, 
F.  Piltis.  jun.,  Newport,  Isle'of  Wight.  Highly  Commended,  Rev.  O.  H. 
Crosse,  OambridKe.    Commended,  J.  Parlett,  Huntingdon  (Piles). 

Bantams  (White).- First.  Rev.  F.  Tearlc,  Gazeley  Vicarage.  Second, 
J.  R.  Jossoi),  Hull.    Highly  Commended,  Eev.  F.  Tearle.  „     ,.  „ 

Bantams  (Blacls).- First,  H.  M.  Maynard.  Second,  Messrs.  S.  «  B. 
Asbton.  ,      .       „  ,, 

Bantams  (Any  other  variety)  —First,  C.  Bamford,  Impington  Hall^Mr 
Cambridge  (Japanese-.  Second,  J.  S.  Tharp,  Chippenham  Park  (White 
Japanese).  Highly  Commended,  J.  E.  Jessop,  Beverley  Road  (Booted 
Bantams).  .  -,         ^ 

Hambi  RGH3  (Golden-spangled).  —  First,  H.  Pickles,  jnn.  Beeond, 
Messrs.  S.  &  R.  Anhton.     Highly  Commended,  H.  Pickloa,  jun.;  H.  Loo. 

Hambobghs  (Mlvei-spangled).- First  and  Commended,  H.  Picklee,  Jos. 
Second,  J.  Robinson,  Tailsworth.  near  Manchoster. 

Hamborohs  (Golden-pencilled).— First,  F.  Pittis,  inn.  Sx^"?.  £• 
Pickles,  jun.  Highly  Commended,  C.  Havers.  Commended,  W.  ■. 
Mann.  «■     ^  ,     o  j 

HAMBUEOHa  (Silver-pencUled).- First,  W.  M.  Mann,  Kendal.  Seooad, 
C.  Havers.  ,      .     ,       „  tt 

Spanish.— First,  Witl'hel.l.  Second,  C.  Bamford,  Impington  Hall,  near 
Cambridge.    Third,  G.  9.  Hall,  Ely.  „    „    »       ,.    -or     >  -^ 

Brahma-Pootka  (Dark).— First  and  Second,  H.  P.  Leech,  Woolpit, 

"  "brahma-Pootea  (Light).— virst,  F.  Dowsett,  PIoshey,near  Chelm?Jori. 
Second  and  Commended,  H.  M.  Mnmnrd.  „.     .     .     „    t>        __ 

Air?  OTHER  Variety  not  bepoek  Mentioiti'd— First,  A.  S.  Kne.ji^ 
(Bilver-snanglpd  Polish).  Second,  Lady  L.  Cbarteria  (Buff  Poland^. 
Higlily  Commended,  T.  Jolly.  Newmarket  (Grey  Malays).  Commonded, 
W.  Turner,  Jan.,  Ipswich  (Partridge  GochinB). 


u 


JOURNAL   OF  HOBTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


C  Jnly  9,  186a 


Chickens  (Any  variety  except  Dorkings).— First,  Lady  L.  Charteri?. 
(White  Cr^ve-Coeuis).  Second.  Rev.  F.  Tearle  (Silver-spin^led  Ham- 
borghs).  Third.  H.  Pickle<i.  jun.  HiRhly  Commended,  H.  Loe.  Com- 
mended, H.  Savile  (Dark  Brnhm;i  Pootrnl ;  F.  R.  Hall,  Cambridge  (Game). 

Selltkg  Class.— First,  Rev.  C.  H.  Crnese.     Second,  Withheld. 

Turkeys  {Carabridpel —First.  C.  Wripht,  Fnlbouro.  ficcond,  C.  Bam- 
ford.    Highly  Commended.  R.  W.  King,  nenr  Newmarket. 

Guinea  Fowls  (Any  variety).— FirBt,  C.  Eamford.  Second,  W.  Peddar, 
Eennett. 

Ducks  (Rouen).— First.  H.  Dowsett.    Second,  J.  F.  Upsher,  Sntton. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury).- First  and  Secood,  Mrs.  M.  Seanmns,  Aylesbnry. 

Ducks  (Any  other  variety).— First.  Messrs.  8.  &  R.  Ashtnn  Carolina). 
Second  and  Hiphly  Commended.  F.  Pittis.  jun.  (Black  East  Indian). 

Geese  (Any  variety).— First.  Mrs.  M.  Peamons.  Second.  C.  Bamford 
(Tonlonse).  Highly  Commended,  C.  Bamford  (White);  H.  SaviUe  (Sebas- 
topol). 

PIGEONS. 

Caheiers.— First  and  Second,  R.  Fulton,  Deptford.  Highly  Commended, 
H.  Yardley,  BirminRbam. 

Tumblers.— First,  Second,  and  Highlv  Commended,  R.  Fnlton. 

Owls.— First,  H.  Yardley.  Set-ond,  Miss  F.  Eastern,  Hull.  Highly 
Commended,  G.  S.  Hall. 

Pouters.— First  and  Cup  for  best  pen  of  Pigeons,  R.  Fulton.  Second, 
H.  Yardley. 

Barbs.— First.  H.  M.  Maynard.  Second,  W.  E.  Jeffries.  Highly  Com- 
mended, R.  Fulton. 

Fantails.- First  and  Second,  H.  Yardley.  Highly  Commended,  H.  M. 
Maynard  ;  G.  S.  Hall. 

Jacobins.— First,  J.  Thompson.  Second.  H.  M.  Maynard.  Highly  Com- 
mended, H.  Yardley.    Commendf-d.  R.  I-ulton. 

'    ToRBiTs.- First  and  Highly  Commended,  J.  Thompson.    Second,  H. 
Yardley. 

Archangels— First,  H.  M.  Majniard.    Second,  H.  Yardlev. 

Runts.— First  and  Hiehly  Commended,  T.  D.  Green,  Saffron  Walden. 
Second  and  Commended,  H.  Yardley. 

I    NoNs.— FirBt,  H,  Yardley.    Second,  E.  Cocksedge,  Little  Bradley,  New- 
market. 

Any  other  Variety  not  before  Mentioned.- First,  J.  Thompson. 
Second,  Highly  Commended,  and  Commended.  H.  Yardley. 

Selling  Class.— First.  II.  Yardley.  Second,  Miss  F.  Eastern  (Tumblers). 
Highly  Commended.  H.  M  Maynard  (Swallows). 

Mr.  Edward  Hewitt,  of  Birmingham,  was  the  Judge. 


OUNDLE   POULTRY   SHOW. 

The  Northamptonshire  Agricultnral  Society  has  for  many  years 
added  both  poultry  and  Pigeons  to  the  many  attractions  of  its  annual 
meetings,  and  the  collection  this  year  was  certainly  considerably  in 
advance  of  those  previonsly  brought  together.  This  division  of  the 
Show  when  ready  for  public  inspection  proved  exceedingly  well  ar- 
ranged, and  the  attendance  of  visitors  all  the  time  the  Show  was  open 
proved  how  interesting  it  was  to  the  company  generally.  Much  trouble 
and  inconvenience  was  caused  by  the  pens,  which  were  supplied  by 
Messrs.  Turner,  of  Sheffield,  not  arriving  in  due  time,  though  tho 
stands  were  fixed  and  ready  a  long  while  previously.  The  man  e:^- 
pected  to  fix  the  pens  never  appeared,  and  a  few  men  had  to  make  the 
attempt  at  the  last  moment,  as  best  they  could,  with  string.  After  a 
delay  of  at  least  twenty-four  hours  from  the  time  originally  contem- 
plated, the  Show  was  such  as  to  compensate  a  large  company  for  the 
annoyance  thus  caused. 

The  Grey  Dorhings  were  one  of  the  chief  features  of  the  Show,  and 
of  this  variety  Mr.  Longland  exhibited  a  collection  such  as  is  rarely 
surpassed.  The  chickens  shown  by  this  gentleman  were  undoubtedly 
the  most  matured  of  any  we  have  seen  this  season,  and  in  first-rato 
condition.  In  the  classes  for /'^/Janw/i  thp  competition  of  adult  birds 
was  small  though  good,  the  chickens  being,  however,  generally  good 
throughout  the  class.  Many  excellent  Game  fowls  were  shown,  and 
Iklr.  S.  Deacon  took  a  great  portion  of  the  premiums.  Cochins  were 
numerous  and  good,  and  here  again  several  pens  of  finely  grown 
chickens  were  exhibited  ;  and  of  Brahma  Pootras  as  early  chickens 
the  same  statement  holds  good.  The  Aylesbury  Duds  and  Gccsc 
were  remarkably  good. 

We  noticed  in  the  Bantam  class  (here  open  alike  to  every  variety  of 
Bantams),  birds  of  very  novel  character,  being  evidently  a  cross 
between  the  Japanese  Bantam  and  the  Silky  Fowl.  They  were  so 
extraordinary  as  to  attract  the  special  attention  of  most  poultry-breed- 
ers;  and  a  pen  of  Frizzled  Bantams  in  the  same  class  was  scarcely 
less  worthy  of  attention. 

In  Bif/eons  the  Society's  nile  was  to  exhibit  pens  of  three  different 
varieties  from  each  fiub?;oriber.  The  competition  was  very  restricted 
as  to  entries,  but  the  birds  were  unusnally  good.  The  Show  was 
most  successful,  and  the  weather  all  that  could  be  wished  for. 

DoRKiNG.s  (Any  colour).— First,  J.  Lonpland,  Grcndon.  Second,  T. 
Tatham,  Kingsthorpe.  Third.  R.  Wood,  Clapton,  Thrapst'ne.  Com- 
mended, J.  Carter,  Farcet  Fen,  Peterborough  ;  Mrs.  M.  Seamons,  Hnrtwell, 
Aylesbury.  Hens. —First,  3.  LoDRland.  Seeond,R.  Wood.  Highly  Com- 
mended, W.  Prentice,  Aldwinckle,  Thrapstone  ;  Marchioness  of  Exeter, 
Stamford.  Chicketvi. — First  and  Second.  J.  Long'and.  Hij^hly  Com- 
mended. Mrs.  M.  Seamons.  Commended,  R.  Sykes,  Geddington.  Pullet's. 
— First  and  Second,  R.  Wood.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Sykes  ;  J.  Loug- 
Jand.  Commended,  Mrs.  M.  Seamons.  Cock- — First,  J.  Longland.  Se- 
cond, J.  BeasUy.  Chapel  Brampton.    Third.  T.  Tatham. 

Spanish.— First.  Burch  &  Boulter,  Sheffield.  Second,  J.  Stephens, 
"Walsall.  Third,  W.  R.  Bull.  Newport  Pagnell.  Commended,  C.  Wright. 
Northaniptnn.  Chickena.—FiTi^i  and  Second.  Eiirch  &  Boulter.  Highly 
Commended,  W.  R.  Ball.  Commended,  J.  W.  Smith,  Oundle.  Cock.— 
First,  W.  R.  BuU.     Second.  C.  Wright. 

Game   (Any  colour).- First  and   Third,  S.  Deacon,  Polebrook  Hall. 


Second,  Cant.  Wethcrall,  Loddington.  Highly  Commended,  S.  Deaoon. 
Commended.  Capt.  Wetherall.  Cocfc.- First,  Capt.  Wetherall.  Second, 
S.  Deacon.  Third,  H.  Lotan,  Onndle.  Highly  Commooded,  Capt.  Wether- 
all.   H^Tw.- First,  S.  Deacon.     Second,  H.  Lotan. 

Cochin-Chinab  (Any  colour).— First,  J.  N.  Beaslev.  Chapol  Brampton. 
Second  and  Thir/^,  W.  A.  Taylor,  Manchester.  Highly  Commended,  J.  H, 
Dawes,  Moeely  Hall.  Birmingham;  C.Wright;  J.  K.  Fowler,  Aylesbury. 
Commended,  J.  Stephens.  Walsall.  Chickens.— First  and  Second,  W.  A. 
Taylor.  Highly  Commended,  J.  N.  Beasley.  Commended,  J.  Longland. 
Cock.—Fixst  and  Second,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Highly  Commended,  Marchioness 
of  Exeter. 

Hambdrohs  (Any  variety).— First,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Second,  Burch  and 
Boulter.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Pinfold,  Newhaven  (Spangled).  Com- 
mended, W.  Barford,  Aylesbury  (Golden). 

Bantams  (Any  colour).— First,  W.  A.  Taylor  (Game).  Second,  Capt. 
Wetherall  ;Black-Red  Game).  Highlv  Commended.  S.  Deacon  (Game); 
J.  N.  Beasley  (Japanese*;  W.  A.  Taylor  (Game).  Commended,  S, 
Deicon  (Game) ;  J.  K.  Fowler  (Game). 

Any  other  Distinct  Breed  —First,  J.  K.  Fowler  (Brahma).  ?econd, 
J.  K.  Fowler  (CrO^^e-Coenr).  Third,  T.  Pinfold, Newhaven  (Black  Breda). 
Highly  Commended,  W.  F.  Marshall,  Branston  (Houdan) ;  Capt. 
Wetherall  (Creve-Ccear).  Commended,  G.  Turner,  Uppingham  (Dark 
Brahma). 

Geese  (Any  colour).— First,  Mrs.  M.  Seamons.  Second,  Ladies  Fitz- 
william.  Harrowden  House.    Highly  Commended,  S.  Deacon. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury).- First,  Mrs.  M.  Seamons.  Second,  J.  K.  Fowler. 
Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  M.  Seamons;  J.  K.  Fowler. 

DrcKS  (Puiuen).— First,  R.  Wood.  Second,  J.  K.Fjwler.  Commended, 
R.  Wood  ;  T.  Bumaby.  Pipewell. 

Ducks  (Any  other  variety).— First,  J.]  Beasley.  Second,  S.  Deacon 
(Efist  Indian), 

Turkeys  (Any  colour).— First,  J.  N.  Beasley.  Second,  J.  A.  W.  Under- 
wood, Warmington. 

Selling  Class— First  and  Second.  W.  A.  Taylor  (Spanish  and  Buff 
Cochin).  Third,  C.  Wright  (Partridge).  Highly  Commended,  J.  K. 
Fowler  (Aylesbury  Ducks).  Commended.  J.  Stephens,  Walsall  (Black 
Spanish) ;  J.  Longland  (Dorking  and  Cochin-China). 

Pigeons.- First,  H.  Vardley,  Birmingham  (Fairies,  Owls,  and  Ice).  Se- 
cond, H.  Yardley  (Carriers,  Pouters,  and  Runts). 

The  Jndge  was  Edward  Hewitt,  Esq.,  of  Eden  Cottage,  Sparkbroob, 
Birmingham. 

SNAITH   POULTRY   SHOW. 

The  fourteenth  annual  Show  of  the  Snaith  Agricultural  Society 
took  place  on  the  2nd  inst.  There  were  ninety-four  entries  of  poultry, 
Pigeons,  Rahbits,  and  cage  birds.  Tho  quality  of  the  fowls  shown  in 
the  classes  for  the  best  cock  and  hen  of  any  variety,  and  in  those  for 
Game  and  Bantams,  was  very  good.  The  Guinea  Fowls  and  Rabbits 
were  also  very  good,  likewise  Tumbler,  Pifjcons,  and  those  shown  in  the 
class  for  any  breed.     The  following  is  the  list  of  awards  : — 

Any  Breed. — First,  J.  Senior,  Dewsbury  Second,  E.  Akroyd,  Brad- 
ford Highly  Commended,  W.  A.  Taylor,  Manchester;  J,  Thresh,  Brad- 
ford. Commended,  W.  &  F.  FicUard.  Cocks. — Second,  E.  Akroyd.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Senior;  Messrs.  Gamble  &  Woodward;  Messrs.  W.  &  F. 
Pickard.     Commended,  J.  Thresh. 

Game.— First,  E.  Aykroyd.    Second,  J.  C.  Coupe. 

Pheasants  (Golden).— First,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Second,  J.  Senior.  Highly 
Commended.  Messrs.  Newbitt ;  G.  Holmes. 

Pheasants  ( Silver).— Prize,  G.  Holmes. 

Spanish  (B]ack).—First,  Messrs.  Newbitt.  Second,  J.  Thresh.  Highly 
Commended,  J.Elwood,  Goole ;  G.  Holmes.  Commended,  Messrs.  W.  and 
F.  Pickard. 

Cochin-China.— Prize.  W.  A.  Tuylor. 

Bantams. — First,  J.  Senior.  Second,  T.  C.  Harrison,  Hull.  Highly 
Commended,  G.  Holmes;  C.  Gravill,  Thome. 

Guinea  Fowls. — First,  C.  Harrison,  Hull.    Second,  G.  Holmes.  Highly 
j  Commended,  F.  T.  Carr,  Balno  Lodge.     Commended,  Mrs.  Bradley, 
PoUington. 

RAEBiTS.—Burfc.— First  and  Second,  C.  Gravill.    Doc— First,  C.  GraviH. 
Second,  W.  S.  Hornby.    Highly  Commended,  C.  Gravill.    Commended, 
W.  S.  Hornby.    Extra  Stock.— Prize,  W.  S.  Hornby. 
PIGEONS. 

Carbierr. — First,  Dr.  Thompson.    Second,  C.  Strickland. 

Croppers. — Prize,  Messrs.  Newbitt. 

Tumblers.— First,  Messrs.  Newbitt.    Second,  C.  Strickland. 

Jacobins.— First,  Messrs.  Newbitt.  Second,  Dr.  Thompson,  Snaith. 
Hiffhly  Commended,  G.  W.  Bullace,  Sykehouse.  Commended,  G.  W, 
Bullace  ;  J.  Robinson. 

Fantails.— First  and  Second,  Messrs.  Newbitt.  Highly  Commended, 
D.  Townsley. 

Any  Breed.- First,  D.  Townsley.  Second,  J.  Thresh.  Extra  Second, 
C.  Strickland;  Messrs.  Newbitt;  Dr.  Thompsou.  Highly  Commended,  D. 
Townsley.    Commended,  C.  Strickland. 

Canaries.— First,  M.  Holmes.  Second,  A.  Jennings.  Highly  Com- 
mended and  Commended,  T.  Hutchinson. 

Red  Caps,— First,  —  Waterworth.  Second,  W.  Fenton.  Highly  Com- 
mended, M.  Brain;  Messrs.  Newbitt. 

Mr.  E.  Hutton,  Pudsey,  Leeds,  officiated  as  Judge. 


BARNSTABLE   POULTRY   SHOW. 

This  was  held  in  conjunction  with  a  11  orti cultural  Exhibition,  in 
the  Market  House,  Barnstaple,  on  the  1st  and  2nd  inst.  There  were 
20(t  entries  of  Poultry,  Pigeons,  and  Cage  Birds.  The  following  is 
the  prize  list : — 

Cochin-China. — First,  Col.  Stuart  Wortley,  Grove  End  Road,  London 
(Buffi.    Second,  L.  Patton,  Taunton  (Buff).    Commended,  S.  R.  Higham, 
I   Morcham  Bishop. 


July  9,  1868.  ] 


JOUBNAL  OF    HOBTICULTURB   AND  COTTAGE   GARDBNEB, 


35 


BBAHMA3.— First,  MiBflC.Boylo,  Barnstaple.   Second,  G.  Pugsloy,  Barn-  ^ 
staplo. 

DottKiNos.— First  and  Second,  L.  Patton. 

FttKNCH  (Any  viirioty).— First,  Col.  Htuurt  Wortloy  {Crevo-Ccour).  Se- 
cond, E.  Leworthy,  Newport,  Buruataplo. 

Spanish.— First,  J.  Juce.  Second,  II.  Bright.  Commended,  W.  Boyle, 
Barnstaple. 

MiNoitcAa.— First,  H.  L.  Trowin,  Kolkliampton.  Second,  11.  Lowortny, 
Newport,  Barnstublo.     Commended.  8.  Northcote,  Upton  Pino. 

Amconas  —First  and  Second,  H.  Lowortliy  (Black-tipptd  White). 

Amdalubian  (Blue). —  First,  U.  Stone,  Newport,  iiarnstuplo.  Second, 
B.  H.  NichoUs,  Newport,  Mon. 

Game.— First  and  Socoud,  Rev.  O.  S.  Cruwys,  Cruwy^  Morchard, 
Tiverton.    Commended.  E.  Maunder,  Northraolton  iBlack-breasted). 

PoLANDS.— Urst,  J.  lliuton,  Uinton,  near  Bath.  Second,  K,  Andrews, 
Baroataple. 

Hambdrohs  (Gold  or  Silver-pencilled).- Firat,  W,  Clement,  Barnstable 
(Gold).     Second,  R    H.  NichoUs  (Gold). 

HAMB0BaHS(Goldor  Silver-spanKlod).- First.A.  Snell,  Bishop's  Tawton 
(Silver).    Second,  J.  Delroar,  Pouffhill  (Gold). 

Any  Breed  not  Previously  Mentioned. — First,  R.  Newcombe,  Hean- 
ton,  Punchajdon  dudiau).     Second,  E.  Maunder,  jun,,  (&lalay). 

Bantams  (Any  varit-ty). — First,  G.  F.  Hodson,  North  Pethorton.  Se- 
cond, H.  R.  HiRham  (Gold-Ianed).  Commended,  J.  It.  Bigham  (Black- 
broaated) ;  W.  Dale,  Weston-super-Mare. 

ToRKEYS.— First,  L.  Patton.    Second  and  Third,  J.  Real,  Ilfracomb. 

Geese.- First,  L.  Patton.  Second  aud  Third,  J.  Real.  Commended, 
F.  Brayley,  Irish  Borongh. 

D»OKs.— First  and  Third,  L.  Patton  (Rouen).    Second,  A.  W.  Jones 
(White).    Commended,  K.  Pethebridge  (American). 
PIGEONS. 

CARBrERS.- First,  C.  Bulpin,  Bridgewater.    Second,  E.  S.  Eeall. 

Footers. — First  uLd  Secuud,  C.  Bulpin. 

Jacobins.— First,  W.  Westucott,  Barnstaple,    Second,  C.  Bulpin. 

Tumblers — First,  W.  Westacott.    Second,  C.  Bulpin. 

Fantails. — First  and  Second,  C.  Bulpin. 

Barbs.— First,  T.  C.  Smith.    Second,  A.  D.  Smith. 

Tbdmpetees.— First,  J.  G.  Gilbert.    Second,  C.  Bulpin. 

Any  other  Vakiety.— First,  C.  Bulpia.  Second,  W.  Cooke,  Barnstaple. 
(Bunts). 

BRITISH    AND   FOREIGN   CAGE    AND   OTHER  BIRDS. 

Canaries. — First,  Mrs.  Boyle.    Second,  Mrs.  E.  Palmer. 

Goldfinches.— Prize,  J.  Sellick,  Barnstaple. 

Parrots.- First,  G.  T.  Gaydon  (African).  Second,  J.  Clement  (Airican 
Orey). 

Dotes. — Prize,  G.  Dowdle  (Ring). 

Dr.  Scott,  and  the  Kev.  J.  P.  Sydenham,  officiated  as  Jadgeg. 


PROGRESS   OF  GROWTH. 
I  SEND  yon  an  account  of  the  increase  in  weight  of  a  grey 
Dorking  cockerel  hatched  on  the  18th  of  February. 


AprU  18 

Us7     6 

..     11 

„     16 

"      i? 
„     25 

1  lb. 

2  „ 

2  „ 
8  „ 

3  .. 
8   „ 

7}  ozs. 

"* ;; 

4J    .. 
144    ,. 

June  4 
.,     7 
„   10 
„    14 
,.    18 

4  lbs.          lioza. 
4  ..                6     „ 
4  „                9     „ 

4  „              12     „ 

5  „                 li   ., 

WiLi,  breeders 
atements  of  the 

of 
pro 

grey  Dork 
gress  of  th 

ings  oblige   by  giving  similar 
eir  early  birds  ? — H.  S. 

NoBTH  British  Coldmbakian  Society. — The  prize  list  has 
just  been  isBUed,  aud  is  very  rich.  There  are  three  prizes — 
•20s.,  10s.,  and  5s.  in  each  class,  besides  twenty-three  silver 
medals  valued  at  two  guineas  each.  There  must  be  a  large 
Exhibition,  and  a  prize  gained  there  ought  to  be  considered  a 
oolambarian  blue  ribbon. 


WINTERING  AND  BREEDING   CANj\JIIES. 

I  SHALi,  feel  obliged  if  yon  can  inform  me  whether  Canaries 
will  live  through  the  winter  in  cages  in  a  room  without  fire, 
and  whether  they  are  better  in  a  large  flight  cage  against  the 
wall,  or  in  a  large,  open,  wire  aviary  cage  in  the  window  during 
OUT  northern  winter  weather  ? 

I  should  also  like  to  know  if  a  patent  gas  stove  with  a  pipe  up 
the  chimney  would  sufficiently  warm  a  room  14  feet  by  12  feet, 
and  whether  so  burning  the  gas  would  injure  Canaries  and 
other  email  foreign  birds  ? 

I  also  need  directions  as  to  the  safest  and  best  method  of 
wintering  Canaries,  aud  the  dimensions  and  particulars  of  the 
best  stylo  of  cnge  for  breeding  purposes. — W.  D.  Skeltos,  jd.n. 

[Canaries  in  health  will  withstand  almost  any  amount  of 
cold,  and  it  is  nothing  unusual  in  a  severe  winter  to  have  to 
break  the  ice  in  their  drinking-vessels  twice  or  thrice  a-day.  I 
'know  several  irstances  in  which  they  are  kept  in  conservatories 
with  no  protection  and  no  artificial  heat  all  through  the  winter. 
It  is  quite  immateriul  whether  they  are  kept  in  a  large  aviarj 
cage  in  a  wiudow,  or  in  a  flight  cage  against  the  wall — that  is, 
as  far  as  regards  health  ;  but  birds  kept  in  an  open  aviary  case 


will  be  much  more  likely  to  become  dirty.  They  require  no 
special  treatment  which  might  be  classed  under  the  head  of 
wintering  them.  In  any  ordinary  winter  they  will  suffer  no 
inconvenience  from  the  low  temperature. 

I  have  in  my  bird-room  a  small  gas  stove  which  I  used  with 
great  success  in  the  early  part  of  this  breeding  season.  Owing 
to  the  unusually  fine  weather  we  experienced,  I  was  induced  to 
begin  much  earlier  than  usual,  and  I  made  a  practice  of  light- 
ing-up  my  stove  in  the  evening  to  keep  up  the  temperature 
during  the  night.  My  stove  is  of  the  simplest  construotion 
and  cost  only  a  few  shilhngs  including  the  man's  time  in 
fixing,  and  would  do  well  for  "  W.  D.  S.'s  "  room.  It  is  simply 
an  upright  cylinder  of  common  thin  sheet  iron,  about  0  or 
7  inches  in  diameter,  and  about  2  feet  high,  covered  at  the  top, 
and  having  a  pipe  to  convey  away  the  hot  vitiated  air.  1  use 
simply  an  ordinary  bat's-wing  burner,  and  when  the  gas  is 
turned  full  on  it  will  generate  sufficient  heat  in  two  or  three 
minutes  to  render  the  room  nncomfortably  hot.  A  very  small 
flame  is  sufficient  to  keep  up  a  comfortable  temperature.  The 
main  point  to  be  observed  in  its  use  is  the  finding  a  suitable 
place  for  the  outlet  of  the  pipe.  This  should  be  in  a  place 
entirely  free  from  draught8,*'or  the  down  draught  will  ex- 
tinguish the  light,  besides  returning  to  the  room  the  noxious 
vapour  which  it  is  the  object  of  the  pipe  to  convey  away.  My 
pipe  finds  its  outlet  immediately  under  the  roof  of  my  house, 
not  through  it.  I  question  whether  communication  with  a 
chimney  would  do.     I  have  known  it  faU. 

There  is  an  apparatus  for  heating  small  rooms  which  I  have 
seen  in  an  office  in  this  town  (Sunderland),  which  is  simpler 
than  my  own.  In  it  a  single  jet  of  gas  is  mtroduced  into  the 
mouth  of  an  iron  pipe  (an  ordinary  rain-water  pipe  being 
used),  which  traverses  the  side  of  the  office  under  the  desks 
against  the  wall,  rising  from  a  few  inches  above  the  floor  at 
one  end,  to  about  3  feet  at  the  other,  where  a  small  escape- 
pipe  up  the  corner  of  the  room  conveys  the  hot  air  to  a  vacant 
space  above  the  ceiling.  The  principle  is  the  same  in  both 
cases,  the  iron  pipe  in  the  one  serving  as  the  sheet-iron  cylin- 
der in  the  other.  The  cost  of  the  gas  is  next  to  nothing,  and 
not  the  slightest  injury  to  the  birds  results  from  its  combustion. 

"  W.  D.  S."  will  see  my  remarks  on  breeding  cages  in 
No.  304  of  the  Journal.  I  shall  be  most  happy  to  answer  any 
queries  from  the  uninitiated,  and  shall  at  all  times  esteem  it 
a  pleasure  to  do  so. — W.  A.  Blakston.J 


FOUL  BROOD. 

Ddbino  the  spring  of  the  present  year  I  paid  a  visit  to  a 
brother  bee-keeper  who  resides  within  a  few  miles  of  London. 
His  apiary  was  apparently  a  flourishing  one,  consisting  of  about 
a  dozen  stocks  in  various  kinds  of  hives  all  well  stored  with 
honey,  and  for  the  most  part  working  vigorously.  There  was, 
however,  one  weak  colony,  which  happening  to  be  domiciled  in 
a  Woodbury  frame  hive,  I  lost  no  time  in  examining.  Much 
to  my  own  astonishment,  aud  to  the  discomfiture  of  its  owner, 
1  found  it  far  gone  in  foul  brood.  This  discovery  prompted  an 
examination  of  two  other  colonies  in  moveable-comb  hives, 
and  both  proved  to  be  infected  with  the  same  terrible  disease. 
One  was  of  moderate  strength,  and  in  this  foul  brood  was  de- 
cidedly manifested,  although  not  nearly  to  so  great  an  extent 
as  the  one  first  examined ;  whilst  in  the  third,  which  was  a 
wonderfully  strong  aud  apparently  prosperous  stock,  only  a  few 
tainted  cells  could  be  discovered,  Fcattered  here  and  there 
amongst  immense  masses  of  healthy  brood.  My  hospitable 
entertainer  seemed  scarcely  able  to  realise  the  fact  that  his 
seemingly  flourishing  apiary  could  in  reality  be  smitten  by  so 
fearful  a  malady,  aud  declared  that  if  this  were  foul  brood  he  had 
been  fumiliar  with  it  for  the  last  eighteen  years.  His  experience 
was  that  he  considered  the  natural  life  of  a  stock  of  bees  was 
limited  to  five  or  six  years,  at  the  end  of  which  period  it  was 
liound  to  die  out,  leaving  the  combs  filled  niih  what  he  had 
always  called  "abortive  brood,"  but  which  was  in  point  of  fact 
identical  with  that  for  which  I  had  testified  so  much  abhor- 
rence, and  which  I  had  stigmatised  as  "  foul  brood." 

Tbis  state  of  things  opens  up  the  question  whether  there 
may  not  be  what  may  be  termed  a  chronic  form  or  phase  of 
foul  brood,  which,  although  ultimately  fatal  in  its  results,  is 
yet  of  su'  h  comparatively  slow  growth  as  to  admit  of  a  certain 
degree  of  prosperity  in  the  infected  apiary  ;  the  stocks  of  which 
tliMirieh,  and  throw  off  swarms  in  the  usual  way  for  two  or 
three  jears,  only  succumbing  when  the  disease  has  run  its 
course  in  five  or  six  years. 


36 


JOUBNAL  OP  HOBTICULTUBB  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENEB. 


[  Jul?  9,  1868. 


It  seems  difficult  to  over-estimate  the  importance  of  the 
subject.  My  own  experience  of  tLe  pest  daring  the  year  1863 
was  fully  detailed  at  the  time,  and  I  now  purpose,  if  the 
Editors  will  afford  me  space,  laying  before  the  readers  of  "  our 
Journal "  an  eibaustive  paper  on  foul  brood  from  the  pen  of 
that  distinguished  German  apiarian  the  Baron  von  Berlepsch. 
— A  Detonshike  Bee-keefek. 


CAUSING   SECOND   AND   THIRD  SWARMS. 

This  is  an  age  of  progress ;  but  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  the 
expedient  adopted  by  Mr.  Lowe,  of  Edinburgh,  for  causing 
(woond  and  third  casts  to  make  their  exndus  at  an  early  hour 
of  the  day  has  not  yet  been  reported.  The  process,  however, 
does  not  apply  to  top  swarms — at  least  it  failed  with  me  on 
several  occasions  last  summer. 

As  most  apiarians  know,  the  fact  of  giving  food  to  the  inmates 
ol  a  hive,  and  especially  food  of  a  particular  quality,  such  as 
pore  honey,  has  a  maturing  influence,  and  causes  great  com- 
motion and  activity.  It  is  also  well  known  that  when  "  piping" 
in  the  evening  is  strong  and  long-continued,  a  swarm  may  be 
expected  on  the  following  day.  It  is,  however,  impossible  to 
predict  with  certainty  when  the  expected  colony  will  take  wing. 
The  exodus,  however,  may  not  only  be  hastened,  but  may  be 
occasioned  almost  at  the  desired  hour  ly  giving  the  hive  a  little 
stimulating  food.  To  gentlemen  engaged  in  business,  who 
permit  natural  swarming,  and  wish  to  have  their  aftercaets 
lodged  as  early  in  the  day  as  possible,  this  hint  will,  I  presume, 
be  acceptable.— B.  S. 


ASIATIC   BEES. 


I  AM  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  the  Eev.  Henry  de  Bo- 
mestin,  English  chaplain  at  Baden-Baden,  for  the  following 
interesting  notes  of  Mr.  Cori's  experience  of  Asiatic  bees.  This 
gentleman,  who  resides  near  Teplilz,  in  Bohemia,  received 
ibeee  bees  from  Smyrna,  and  appears  to  consider  them  a  dis- 
tinct race  from  the  Egyptian  bee  (Apis  fasciata).  In  this 
opinion,  however,  I  cannot  but  believe  him  to  be  mistaken.  It 
is  well  known  that  Apis  fasciata  is  indigenous  in  Syria,  and  it 
womld  appear  more  than  probable  that  it  extends  also  to 
Smyrna,  whilst  any  one  who  is  at  all  familiar  with  the  Egyptian 
bee  can  scarcely  fail  to  recognise  it  in  the  description  which 
Mr.  Cori  gives  of  his  "  Asiatic  Bees." — A  Devonshiee  Bee- 

KBBPEP, 

"  May,  1867,  was  a  bad  month  for  bees  in  Bohemia.  The 
honey  season  began  with  the  26th.  In  June  there  were  seven- 
teen good  days.     The  neighbourhood  is  not  particularly  good. 

"  In  the  spring  the  only  Asiatic  bees  were  one  hive  under 
medium  strength.  On  the  20th  of  May,  a  small  artificial 
swarm  was  made,  and  the  original  stock  divided  into  two 
before  the  new  queens  were  hatched,  making  two  '  miniature 
swarms.'  The  artificial  swarm  of  May  20ih  sent  out  a  strong 
swarm  after  five  weeks ;  then  an  equally  good  second  swarm,  a 
third  swarm  good  enough  to  keep,  and  last  of  all  a  fourth. 

"  The  second  and  third  swarms  had  each  two  queens,  and 
were,  therefore,  divided.  So  the  one  weak  stock  became  nine, 
of  which  six  were  by  July  28th  in  a  state  to  give  no  anxiety 
for  the  winter.  In  the  same  season  and  neighbourhood  the 
black  bee  scarcely  swarmed  at  all. 

"The  Asiatic  bee  has  two  yellow  rings,  and  whitish  hairs, in 
shape  longer  and  more  wasp-like.  The  drones  have  the  first 
ring  reddish  yellow,  the  stomach  decidedly  yellowish,  with  one 
or  two  almost  imperceptible  black  spots,  and  are  larger  than 
the  black  drones.  The  queen  has  the  first  three  segments 
d&rk  reddish  yellow,  the  rest  dark  brown.  She  begins  to  lay 
before  the  blask,  the  Hungarian,  and  Dalmatian  queens. 

"  A  bastard  stock  sent  out  six  swarms  the  same  year. 

"  Some  original  comb  bad  somewhat  smaller  cells  than  the 
black  bees  ;  but  this  difference  was  not  noticed  in  comb  built 
afterwards.  They  worked  earlier  in  the  morning,  and  later  in 
the  evening  than  any  other  bees.  They  are  quieter  than  the 
black  bee,  unless  excited,  when  they  are  worse,  and  their  sting 
is  more  painful  than  that  of  the  black  bee." 


OUR  LETTER  BOX. 


Staveley  PocTLTiiY  Show  {Far  West). — It  is  qaiie  certain  ttiai  the 
Secretary  neglected  to  do  what  he  ongbt  to  have  done,  but  it  ia  uselees 
occupying  more  siiaco  with  a  detail  of  his  mistakes. 

DcBB'NG  Game  Bantams  fSttbteriber).—T>uh  yoar  Game  Bantams  as 
soon  as  they  have  done  crowing.  It  must  not  be  done  while  they  ore  Boft- 
featUered.  They  should  be  snalie-headed,  hard-feathered,  and  have  the 
wings  carried  up  and  ologo  to  the  body.  The  cock  should  not  have  too 
much  tail,  and  should  not  carry  it  upright  or  over  the  back. 

Chicekns  Hatched  in  June  tOld  Subscriber). — Yoa  may  go  on  setting; 
your  eggs  snfely.  We  d ..  not  know  why,  but  country  people  are  all  opposed 
to  June  chickens.    There  is  a  Hampshire  saying — 

"  Chicks  that  are  hatched,  when  there's  making  of  hay* 
Will  never  grow  up,  bat  fade  away." 

We  have,  however,  many  good  June  chickens  now,  and  are  sliU  setting 
o?g8.  We  believe  the  cause  may  be  traced  to  the  eggs  being  kept  too  dry 
during  the  great  heat.  We  are  glad  you  are  successful  with  your  poultry. 
Ireland  (ioes  not  sell  a  fifth  of  the  poultry  and  eggs  she  can  produce 
without  effort. 

HoDDAN  CniCKENs  (Bessu^). — We  greatly  prefer  the  chickens  that  arc 
nearly  black.  They  become  lighter  as  tbey  grow  older,  but  for  that  reason 
they  should,  when  young,  be  dark.  From  what  you  say,  we  should  not 
think  you  had  been  deceived  in  any  way.  The  eggs  have  hatched  well, 
and  t)io  chickens  have  the  principal  points  of  the  breed.  Wo  should  not 
get  rid  of  theoi,  but  would  wait  and  see  how  they  turn  out. 

White  CREVE-CcEtms  (S.M.  B.'.— White  Creve-CcBors  are  soaree,  but 
like  White  Spanish,  they  are  little  considered,  and  are  not  valuable. 

Face  op  an  Andalusian  {J.  B,jun.). — The  rales  of  Andalusian  fowls 
are  but  little  cared  f'  r,  as  the  birds  are  seldom  shown.  The  best  speci- 
mens we  have  seen  have  always  had  the  lower  part  of  the  face  and  the 
deaf  ear  white,  the  upper  part  of  the  faoo  red. 

Preventing  Soft  Eggs  (A.  M.  S.). — As  yoor  fowls  have  all  the  ap- 
pliances necessary  for  the  formation  of  egg-shelJ,  the  fact  of  laying  Bolt 
eggs  can  only  be  attributed  to  want  of  condition.  Your  feeding  is  not 
good,  and  lacks  nourishment,  with  the  exception  of  the  barley.  Tail 
wheat  is  a  gnod  plaything  for  small  chickens.  Fowls  do  not  like  bnck- 
whpat.  and  pollard  does  not  nourish  and  help  them  sufficiently.  Give 
them  barley  or  oatmeal  twice  every  day,  and  let  the  miii-day  meal  be 
barley,  or  Indian  corn  for  a  change.  If  you  wish  for  good  table  poultry  all 
the  year  round,  you  should  set  hens  every  month  so  as  to  have  a  confttant 
supply  of  young  poultry.  The  sister  to  the  nice  juicy  pullet  yoa  ate  in 
CIctuber,  is  an  old  hen  in  the  following  February.  It  is  cruelty  to  try  any- 
thing to  prevent  hens  from  being  broody.  It  is  their  nature,  and  they 
must  be  bo. 

SiLVEn  Pheasants  (Idem^, — We  have  kept  Silver  Pheasants  for  many 
years.  They  are  amongst  the  boldest  and  most  cheerful  of  that  family, 
and  if  yours  are  moping  about  they  are  out  of  health. 

Ketarding  Laying  {Lemon  Bvffi.—'^'e  know  of  no  food  that  will  retard 
the  laying  of  Coobin-China  pullets  Keeping  them  short  of  food  will  do 
it ;  but  as  your  object  is,  doubtless,  to"  encourage  growth,  yon  will  find 
that  low  condition  will  injure  them  far  more  than  early  laying.  We  know 
no  law  of  n«ture  that  can  be  altered  cr  set  aside  without  paying  the 
penally.  Wei  elievethe  smell  ofputrefied  meat  is  not  injurions  to  cliickens. 
We  have  been  told  it  is  beneficial  rather  than  otherwise  to  chickens  and 
their  owners.    It  is  therein  the  reverse  of  vegetable  matter. 

Pigeon  Judging  iR.  Fulton). — It  would  he  invidious  to  insert  the  list 
you  have  sent.    Many  you  name  we  know  would  not  act  as  judges. 

Old  Straw  Hive  Bulging  {B.).~If,  fls  we  imagine,  the  combs  are 
very  old  as  well  as  the  hive,  no  lime  should  now  be  lost  in  driving  the 
bees  into  a  new  hive  and  establishing  them  as  an  artificial  swarm  on  the 
old  stance.  Three  weeks  after  the  issue  of  the  first  swarm  is  the  best 
time  for  this  operation,  but  a  few  daj  s  later  will  do  very  well.  The  beet 
mode  of  driving  bees  was  fully  described  by  Mr.  Woodbury,  in  pRffe  105 
of  our  last  volume.  If,  on  the  other  hand.  Ihe  combs  are  not  too  old,  the 
bees  should  be  driven  and  the  combs  trnnsfe  red  to  a  frame  hive  in  the 
manner  described  in  page  ^19  of  our  twelfth  volume. 

Bees  not  Swahming  {H.  Wade^.—We  should  make  an  artifloial  ewflrm 
in  the  manner  often  recommended  in  these  pages,  and  last  described  by 
*'B.  &  W."  in  page  179  of  our  last  volume.  We  cannot  tell  why  the 
stock  fi  I  ot  swarmed  naturally,  but  there  seems  to  be  somelhing  pcoa- 
liar  in  •>>'-  season  in  this  respect,  for  the  scarcity  of  swarms  is  tt  very 
general  compluiut. 

German  Centripuoal  Honev-extbacting  Machine  {G.  J.)  —The 
square  platform  is  of  such  a  6i2e  as  just  to  revolve  frtely  within  the  ex- 
terior box.  The  four  ctimbs  stand  in  tbeir  nttural  pf.iiion  on  the  f'lur 
sides  inside  of,  and  in  close  contact  with  the  strained  fishing  line.  The 
best  mode  of  Lif^urianiMing  your  stocks  was  fully  detailed  by  Mr,  Wood- 
bury in  No.  315  of  our  New  Series. 

Glass  Supers  (John  IT.) — The  Avington  honey  glassof?  are  made  by 
Messrs.  James  Couper  &  Sons,  at  the  City  Flint  Glass  Works,  Glasgow. 
The  beauty  of  finish  of  those  manufactured  there,  both  for  Mr.  Mitohell 
and  himself,  is  testified  by  -^A  RENPitEWSHiRE  Bee-keispee.  ' 

Dying  Moss  Green  (Fenfrtnt).— We  should  try  soaking  the  moss  first 
in  a  solution  of  Frussi-in  blue,  and  then  in  a  solution  of  gamboge.  If 
any  of  oar  readers  will  give  infurmatiou  on  the  subject  ve  shoU  be 
obliged. 


Ebsolts  of  HATonTNG  (H.  i ).— The  lime  is  pac«ed  vben  Out  insertion 
of  the  resoits  yoa  taavo  sent  weroiatexeeUng. 


POULTRY  MARKET.— Jolt  8. 

There  is  a  slight  falling  off  in  the  demand,  and  the  supply  increase?, 
bat  owing  to  the  heat  prices  are   maintained    for  lots   of  fint-rate 

poultry. 


8  d.       s  d 

Large  Fowls 8    6  to  0    0 

EmaUer  do 8    0       3    6 

Chickens    S    0        2    8 

Goshngs 6    8        6    0 

6        SO 


DuoklijugB 2 

'  Pigeons 0 


B.  d  s. 

Pheasants    0    0  to  0 

Partridges    0    0  0 

Guinea  Fowls 0    0  0 

Hares 0    0  0 

Kabbits 14  1 

WUddo 0    8  0 


Jol;  le,  1868.  1 


JOURNAL   OF  UORTIOULT0RE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


37- 


WEEKLY 

CALENDAR. 

Day 

of 

Month 

Day 

ot 

Wcok. 

JULY  16-23,  1868. 

AveraRo  Tomporature 
near  London. 

Rain  in 

last 
41  years. 

San 
Rises. 

San 
Sets. 

Moon 
Rises. 

Moon 
yets. 

Moon's 
Age. 

Clock 

before 

San. 

Day 

of 

Year 

16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 

To 

F 

S 

SON 

M 

Ta 

W 

Boyal  Horticnltoral  Society's  Leicester 

[.Show  opens. 
Royal  Horticultarnl  Society,  Promenade. 
6  Sunday  aftee  Tri:<itv. 

Royal   llorticnltaral  Society's  Leicester 
IShow  closes. 

Day. 

7.1.9 

70.1 

74.fi 

7.S.2 

72.9 

73.6 

73.4 

Nioht. 
49.7 
61.0 

r.ii.o 

60.0 
50.O 
60.6 
61.2 

Mean. 
62.8 
68.6 
62.8 
61.6 
61.5 
62.1 
62.8 

Days, 
16 
15 
19 
21 
22 
18 
28 

m.      h. 
4aJ4 
6      4 

6  4 

7  4 
S      4 
9      4 

11      4 

m.    h. 
8af8 

7  8 
6      8 
5      8 

8  8 
2      8 
0      8 

m.    h. 

4af  1 
46  1 
86  2 
88  3 
60      4 

8  6 
29      7 

m.    h 

24af4 
3)       5 
37      6 
82      7 
20      8 
68      8 
82      9 

Days. 
26 
27 
28 
• 

1 

2 

8 

m.  6. 
5  46 
S     52 

5  56 
8      0 

6  4 
0  7 
8    10 

198 
199 
200 
201 
202 
208 
204 

From  obaervatlons  taken  near  London  dnrini?  the  last  fortv-ono  yeara,  the  average  day  temperature  ol  the  week  is  74.2^ ;  and  its  night 
temperature  50.3°.     The  greatest  heat  was  94^  on  the  17th,  1834;  and  the   lowest  cold  37°,  on  the  19th,  18B6.    The  greatest  Jail  of  rain 
was  1.60  inch. 

THE   STRAWBERRY,  AND   ITS   CULTURE. 

'  EVER  was  there  a  drier  or  more  trying  season 
for  the  Strawberry,  and,  it  might  be  added 
with  equal  truthfulness,  never  were  Straw- 
berries better  in  gi'owth,  llavour,  and  abun- 
dant produce.  The  vigorous  appearance  of 
the  foliage  and  the  splendid  crop  of  berries, 
convey  to  us  a  most  useful  lesson  as  to  the 
great  importance  of  deep  culture  for  the  suc- 
cessful production  of  fine  crops  of  this  the 
most  delicious  of  hardy  fruits,  and  as  most 
decidedly  necessary  to  enable  them  to  withstand  so  dry  a 
season  as  the  present.  What  a  season  it  is  for  the  fidl 
development  of  flavour  !  Surely  if  a  variety  fails  to  "  tickle 
the  palate "  this  year  it  is  Ixigh  time  it  were  discarded, 
or,  if  not  discarded  altogether,  only  grown  in  a  more 
suitable  climate ;  for  I  am  well  aware  that  in  discussing 
the  individual  merits  of  fruits,  as  well  as  of  flowers,  it  is 
wrong  to  make  sweeping  assertions,  and  to  say,  "  Well, 
I  have  tried  such  a  variety  under  diflerent  aspects,  and 
have  bestowed  the  most  skilful  treatment  on  it,  and  yet  it 
fails  in  approaching  sufficiently  to  the  degree  of  merit 
wliich  would  entitle  it  to  be  kept ;  it  must,  therefore,  be 
condemned,"  when,  very  likely,  the  same  kind  may  be  met 
with  elsewhere  good  in  every  respect. 

To  cultivate  Strawbei-ries  successfully  is  not  by  any 
means  a  difficult  matter,  nor  does  it  require  any  great 
amount  of  skill,  yet  there  are  a  few  points  wliich  must  be 
closely  attended  to,  otherwise  but  poor  results  will  follow. 
No  plant  will  bear  a  greater  amount  of  iU-treatment,  hence 
the  miserable  samples  of  fruit  which  are  so  frequently  to 
be  met  with ;  and,  again,  no  plant  will  better  repay  the 
cultivator  for  the  small  amount  of  care  and  labour  which 
is  requisite  to  produce  healthy  vigorous  plants,  and,  con- 
sequently, iine  fruit.  Sometime  ago  I  remember  being 
amused,  as  I  strolled  along  a  certain  gi-ass  walk  over- 
shadowed by  the  boughs  of  fruit  trees,  by  the  person  wlio 
accompanied  me  exclaiming,  as  he  pointed  to  a  Strawberry 
border  on  either  side  of  the  walk,  of  which  the  plants  pre- 
sented a  most  diminutive  appearance,  "  These  are  our 
Strawberry  beds."  "  Ah  I  "  said  I ;  "  and  how  old  may 
they  be  ?  "  "  Why,"  said  he,  "  Master  says  they  are  thirty 
years  old."  And  as  I  afterwards  discovered,  the  owner  of 
the  place  was  very  fond  of  and  most  enthusiastic  concern- 
ing his  Pines,  Grapes,  and  orchard-house  fruit,  hut  he  did 
not  care  for  Strawberries  ;  and  certainly  I  thouglit  if  he 
never  tasted  any  but  the  fruit  produced  by  his  own  vene- 
rable beds,  it  is  not  unlikely  he  might  continue  of  the 
same  opinion. 

The  mode  of  culture  which  is  followed  here  difl'ers  but 
slightly  from  others  which  h.ave  been  advocated  in  the 
pages  of  this  Journal,  yet  as  the  results  attained  are  all 
that  can  be  wished,  it  may  be  worth  while  to  give  the 
particulars. 

The  beds  are  prepared  by  trenching  the  soil  IS  inches 
deep,  and  properly  incorporating  a  good  layer  of  well- 
rotted  dung  and  charcoal,  or  coal  ashes,  with  the  upper 
portion  of  the  soil.    Early  planting  is  of  the  greatest  im- 

No.  381.— Vol.  XV,  New  Sebies. 


portance ;  the  young  runners  are  therefore  encouraged  to 
emit  roots  by  stirring  a  trowelful  of  leaf  mould  among 
the  soil  for  each  plant,  into  which  the  off'set  will  quickly 
root.  Early  in  July,  or  at  the  latest  in  the  beginning  of 
August,  as  soon  as  the  plants  are  ready  for  removal,  they 
are  separated  from  the  parents,  and  planted  in  the  pre- 
pared beds.  The  rows  are  2  feet  apart,  and  the  plants 
1  foot  apart  in  the  rows.  I  have  seen  it  advised  to  have 
the  rows  but  1  foot  apart,  and  to  remove  each  alternate 
row  after  the  first  year's  fruiting ;  but  this  is  a  mistake, 
because  it  is  found  that  young  plants  in  rows  2  feet  apart 
ripen  their  fruit  very  much  earlier  than  those  more  thickly 
planted;  and  this  is  a  great  advantage,  as  then  the  two 
and  three-year-old  plants  which  have  the  fruit  over- 
shadowed by  their  more  vigorous  foliage  form  a  nice  suc- 
cession to  the  yearling  plants. 

Immediately  after  the  fruit  is  all  gathered,  a  line  is 
stretched  on  each  side  of  the  rows,  so  as  to  just  touch  the  tips 
of  the  leaves  ;  the  runners  are  then  separated  with  a  spade, 
and  the  alleys  only  are  cleared.  If  any  young  plants  have 
taken  root  between  the  parent  plants,  as  will  most  likely  be 
the  case,  they  are  permitted  to  remain.  As  much  dung  as 
can  be  covered  is  then  forked  in,  and  the  plants  at  once 
commence  to  grow  vigorously,  the  fresh  young  roots  greedily 
feeding  on  the  manure,  so  that  by  the  autumn  the  rows 
are  one  mass  of  green  healthy  foliage.  This  treatment  is 
continued  in  the  following  season,  and  after  the  third  crop 
of  fruit  is  taken,  the  plants  are  hoed-up,  as  they  are  found 
to  decline  in  vigour  after  the  third  year. 

Two  waterings  of  liquid  manure  are  given  in  the  year  . 
the  first  soon  after  tlie  plants  exhibit  signs  of  activity  in 
the  spring,  and  the  second  as  the  fruit  commences  to  swell. 
These  are  no  mere  surface-wettings,  but  thorough  root- 
waterings.  If  the  plants  are  growing  in  a  well-manured 
loamy  soil  of  a  sufficient  depth,  no  further  waterings  are 
necessary  ;  but  to  plants  on  a  shallow  soil,  or  one  of  a  very 
sandy  nature,  additional  waterings  are  not  only  highly 
beneficial,  but  are  absolutely  necessary  to  success  in  dry 
seasons,  if  fruit  of  good  quality  and  of  fair  size  is  required. 
From  experience  I  should  say  it  is  very  advisable  only  to 
use  liquid  manure  at  every  second  or  third  watering,  clear 
water  to  be  used  at  all  other  times  ;  for  although  the  con- 
stant application  of  a  liquid  manure  may  cause  the  fruit  to 
gain  something  in  size,  yet  any  addition  to  the  size  of 
fruit  wliich  is  attained  in  this  way  is  decidedly  at  the 
expense  of  flavour,  and  in  this  opinion  I  believe  I  am  home 
out  by  the  decision  of  the  judges  at  the  late  metropolitan 
exhibitions  in  the  case  of  fruit,  in  the  production  of  which 
sewage  had  been  freely  used. 

In  the  selection  of  materials  for  preventing  the  fruit  from 
coming  in  contact  with  the  soil,  pebbles,  or  any  rank  grass 
or  rushes  wliich  may  be  obtainable,  answer  very  well ;  but 
where  notliing  of  the  kind  is  to  be  liad,  common  draining 
tiles,  of  about  2  inches  in  diameter  and  1  foot  long,  placed 
side  by  side,  do  admirably,  and  are  much  better  than  flat 
tiles  or  slates,  as  tliey  admit  the  rain  freely  to  the  soil, 
Roberts's  patent  Strawberry  tiles  are  also  very  useful,  but 
they  are  best  adapted  to  support  the  fruit  of  single  plants. 
Whatever  material  be  used,  it  ought  certainly  to  quite 

No.  10S3.— Vol.  XL.,   Old  ! 


3$ 


JOUENAIi   OP  HOBTICUIiTUEE  AND   COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


[  Juljr  16,  1888. 


cover  the  soil,  otherwise  the  fruit  will  fee  splashed  by  the  first 
thunder- shower  which  may  occur. 

In  packing  Slrawberries  for  travelling,  flat  tin  boxes  are 
frequently  used,  but  I  very  much  prefer  wooden  boxes  stout 
enough  to  resist  any  pressure  to  which  they  are  likely  to  be  sub- 
jected in  their  transit.  Boxes  13  inches  long  by  C  inches  wide, 
and  2J  inches  deep,  inside  measurement,  will  hold  six  dozen 
fine  fruit  in  two  layers  of  three  dozen  each.  The  boxes  are 
made  of  half-inch  board,  with  the  exception  of  the  ends,  which 
are  three-quarters  of  an  inch  thick.  A  leaf  is  placed  under 
each  fruit  and  between  every  two  fruits,  and  the  top  layer  is 
covered  with  leaves  three  or  four  deep ;  on  these  the  lid  is 
firmly  closed,  and  the  fruit  is  pressed  with  just  sufficient  firm- 
ness to  keep  it  in  its  place  without  bruising. 

Althougli  in  most  classes  of  fruits  good  standard  kinds  have 
had  the  advantage  of  being  tried  for  a  respectable  number  of 
years,  yet  it  is  not  so  with  the  best  kinds  of  Strawberries, 
despite  the  eloquent  assertions  of  a  certain  gardening  Bip  Van 
Winkle,  who,  after  a  thirty-years  sleep,  awoke  a  few  weeks 
back,  as  I  saw  in  the  report  of  a  Gardener's  Society,  and 
strongly  advocated  the  merits  of  Wilmot's  Superb! 

In  the  selection  of  sorts,  size,  quality,  and  time  of  ripening, 
combined  with  fruitfulness,  vigour  of  growth,  and  hardiness  of 
constitution,  are  the  principal  points  to  be  kept  in  view.  Out 
of  a  rather  large  collection  I  have  selected  a  few  kinds  which 
not  only  possess  most  of  these  good  qualities,  but  which  also 
give  a  most  satisfactory  succession  of  such  fine  fruit  as  a  gar- 
dener may  well  feel  proud  to  have  placed  on  his  employer's  table. 
Amongst  the  earlier-ripening  kinds  Le  Breton's  Marguerite 
most  worthily  holds  the  first  place,  for,  unlike  most  early  sorts, 
its  fruit  is  very  large,  having  a  fine  flavour,  and  the  plant  is  a 
moat  abundant  bearer.  Next  to  this  may  be  named  Oscar,  of  good 
flavour,  and  very  prolific  ;  and  then  comes  Trollope's  Victoria, 
the  hardiest  and  most  abundant  bearer  of  all  Strawberries. 
For  giving  a  good  supply  for  cooking  and  preserving  purposes, 
and  also  for  affording  some  fine  fruit  for  the  dessert,  this  kind 
with  me  has  no  equal. 

Dr.  Hogg  is  a  first-class  sort  in  every  respect,  quite  snper- 
aeding  British  Queen  ;  the  fruit  is  very  large,  and  of  the  finest 
fl8vour._  Duo  de  Malakoff  is  a  unique  variety,  worthy  of  general 
cultivation  ;  its  enormous  size,  peculiar  shape,  and  dark  colour 
causing  a  dish  of  it  to  form  a  novel  feature  iu  the  dessert.  I 
had  the  curiosity  to  weigh  twelve  fruit  of  this  kind,  gathered 
from  plants  planted  in  July,  18C7  ;  the  combined  weight  was 
just  1  lb.,  and  occasionally  a  berry  may  be  found  to  weigh  2  oz3. 
Sir  Charles  Napier  is  a  most  excellent  sort,  of  handsome  shape, 
fine  flavour,  and  a  good  bearer;  it  also  travels  well.  John 
Powell  is  a  splendid  kind,  having  a  pleasing  acidity  just  brisk 
enough  to  be  most  palatable  and  refreshing.  Bicton  Pine  is  a 
good  white  kind;  it  is  also  useful  for  variety.  Rivers's  Eliza 
is  pne  of  the  best  late  Strawberries  in  cultivation— good  in 
every  respect. 

_  Black  Prince,  although  small,   is  useful  for  its  earliness, 
ripening,  as  it  does,  some  days  before  any  other  kind. 

If  all  that  has  been  said  concerning  the  good  qualities  of 
Tha  Lady  is  correct,  I  can  only  say  that  after  two  years  of 
unceasing  devotion,  she  has  not  deigned  to  reward  my  attention 
with  one  charm  which  I  could  appreciate,  and,  therefore,  I 
conclude  "she's  as  fickle  as  she's  fair."— Edwakd  Ltjckbokst, 
Efjerton  House  Gardens,  Kent. 


PANSIES. 
Most  thoroughly  do  I  echo  the  sentiment  of  your  reporter 
when,  in  speaking  of  Messrs.  Downie,  Laird,  &  Laing's  Pansies 
at  Birmingham,  ho  says,  "  Surely  such  lovely  flowers  must  be 
deserving  of  more  attention  than  they  now  receive,  especially 
in  the  south  of  England."  Tbey  are  deserving  of  it ;  butinthe 
general  discredit  that  now  unfortunately  attends  most  florists' 
flowers,  I  fear  the  Pansy  is  so  involved,  that  it  will  require 
much  perseverance  to  enable  us  to  re-establish  it  in  the  position 
it  BO  well  deserves,  and  which  it  once  held.  My  earliest  recol- 
lections of  Mr.  Turner,  of  Slough,  are  conneetedwith  the  Pansy, 
when,  iu  his  garden  at  Upton,  he  grew  it  as  well  as  he  loved  it. 
His  change  to  Slough  brought  other  matters  under  his  notice 
and  care,  and  I  fancy  the  situation  was  not  so  suitable  ;  but  be 
that  as  it  may,  the  Pansy  no  longer  forms  one  of  the  attractions 
of  his  garden.  It  is  omitted  from  his  catalogues,  a  sure  sign 
of  its  decliuing  popularity.  The  eminent  firm  above  mentioned, 
however,  have  done  their  best  to  introduce  its  culture,  and 
from  their  having  their  northern  establishment  at  Edinburgh 
and  their  eouthern  one  at  Stanstead  Park,  are  enabled  to  have 


a  much  more  lengthened  bloom  than  if  they  were  dependant 

on  either  one  or  the  other  alone. 

There  are  many  persons  who  can  see  no  difference  between 
one  Pansy  and  another  in  the  same  class,  yet  who  can  go  off 
into  ccstacies  over  the  smallest  imaginable  difference  in  a  Fern, 
and  think  nothing  of  the  absurdities  of  an  Athyrium  Filix- 
foemina  multo-difliso-coronatum,  or  who  can  see  marvellous 
differences  between  Tricolor  Pelargonium  Tweedledum  and  Tri- 
color Tweedledee,  but  who  have  an  infinity  of  sharp  words  and 
extraordinarily  funny  sajings  about  florists'  microscopic  eyes. 
Well,  well,  a  reaction  will  come  some  day,  and  we  poor  old 
conservatives  will  be  found  to  Lave  some  followers.  Already 
the  grand  chromatic  of  red,  yellow,  and  blue  is  giving  way, 
foliage  is  needed  to  relieve  the  vulgarity  ;  and  erelong,  perhaps, 
my  lady  will  confess  to  a  weakness  for  Carnations,  and  made- 
moiselle, who  goes  into  raptures  over  her  Stellas,  Lobelias,  &c., 
may  perhaps  own  that  she  cultivates  a  few  Auriculas  on  the 
sly,  unfashionable  though  it  may  be;  and  the  venerable  doctor, 
who  talks  so  eloquently  of  his  Cannas  and  sub-tropicals,  may 
own  that  Pansies  are  worthy  of  cultivation.  Indeed  the  tables 
may  be  turned,  and  these  things  accounted  "  weeds,  sir,  weeds." 
I  live  in  hope  of  a  return  to  the  good  old  times,  when  florists' 
flowers  were  the  pleasure  and  glory  of  many  a  garden  which 
now  is  given  up  to  chaos  for  nine  months  in  the  year,  and  is 
like  a  Turkey  carpet  for  the  remaining  three ;  not  that  we  can 
do  without  the  bedding-out  system,  but  I  want  to  have  room 
for  all,  and  so  for  our  Pansies. 

Last  autumn  I  received  from  Messrs.  Downie,  Laird,  &  Laing 
a  collection  of  the  two  divisions  into  which  Pansies  are  now 
arranged,  (he  Show  and  the  Fancy  kinds.  They  were  planted 
in  my  garden  at  Deal,  and  looked  very  promising  at  the  end  of 
February ;  then  a  change  came  over  the  spirit  of  my  dream, 
and  I  had  to  remove  to  Westwell.  My  Pansies  were  amongst 
the  first  of  my  removals,  but  any  one  who  knows  what  such 
things  are  and  require,  will  not  be  surprised  to  hear  that  I  had 
not  the  bloom  from  them  that  I  hoped  to  have  had ;  besides, 
not  knowing  the  position  or  the  quality  of  the  soil  of  my 
garden  here,  I  placed  them  on  a  sunny  bank  instead  of  in  some 
more  shady  portion  of  the  ground.  The  exceedingly  dry  time 
that  we  have  had  has  been  most  unfavourable  to  them  ;  and 
yet,  with  all  that,  I  was  greatly  charmed  with  them,  giving  me 
'  their  beauty  as  they  did  in  the  first  "days  of  my  sojourn  here, 
when  all  was  strange  and  new,  and  one  had  hard  work  to  get 
reconciled  to  the  breaking-away  of  ties  of  so  many  years' 
standing.  During  their  time  of  blooming  (iu  the  open  ground, 
I  should  say),  I  have  taken  the  opportunity  of  marking  some 
of  the  best,  and  now  give  the  result  of  my  notes. 

SHOW  PANSIES. 
Yellow  Grounds. 

Gem. — Dark  yellow,  edged  with  rich  purple;  a  bold  dense 
eye  and  blotch.     Very  fine. 

Alexander  Whamond. — Eich  golden  yellow,  bronze  purple 
belting.     A  very  striking  flower. 

Eviily  Lylc.—QoMssn  yellow,  with  rich  bronze  purple  belt, 
large  solid  eye  and  blotch.  A  flower  of  remarkably  fine  pro- 
perties. 

J.  B.  Downie. — Bright  yellow,  bronze  belt.  An  excellent  flower. 

Prince  of  Walesa — Very  clear  yellow  ground,  with  dark  purple 
belting,  good  dense  blotch  and  eye. 

William  Austin. — Bright  golden  yellow,  deep  rich  belt ;  very 
round  and  smooth. 

White  Gi'minds. 

Mary  Eussell.— While,  broad  purple  belting.  Very  pure  and 
good. 

Cupid. — Pure  white  ground,  dark  purple  belting.  An  excel- 
lent flower. 

Lavinia. — White  ground,  light  purple  belting. 

Lady  Lucy  Dundas. — Clear  white,  deep  purplish  maroon 
belting.     A  very  fine  flower. 

Princess  of  Wales.— 'Pave  white,   belted  with  rich  purplish 
maroon  ;  dense  blotch.     Very  fine. 
Selfs. 

Alexander  McNab. — Dark  sell,  beautifully  shaded. 

Ladtjhurn  Beauty. — Intensely  dark.     Very  fine. 

Miss  Ramsay. — Pure  white.     Very  fine  form. 

Mr.  J.  Graham. — Dark  plum  colour.     Very  fine. 

Ret).  U.  Dombrain. — Very  daik,  and  fine  farm. 

Yellow  Queen. — Deep  rich  yellow  self. 

TANCT   PAUBIES. 

Miss  J.  Kay. — LigJt  purple  laaed.  with  mauye,  wiSJt-  pare 
felotch  of  dark  bluish  gnrple. 


July  16, 1868.  ] 


JOUENAL  OF  HOUTICULTDBB   AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENKB. 


Ninian  Niven. — Belted  with  light  rosy  oarmine,  dark  blotch. 
Very  \Avj.t>  and  distinct. 

Earl  of  Ito^ishjn. — Pale  crimson,  large  dark  blotob.  Very 
onriort'i  nnd  distinct. 

John  McNab. — Tjij^ht  yellow  lacod  with  purple ;  large  dark 
bronze  blotch.     Quito  distinct. 

Figaro. — Deep  violet  imrple ;  aide  and  lower  petals  edged 
with  whitp. 

Lailij  Montfjomcry. — Wliite,  belted  with  violet ;  dark  dense 
blotch.     Of  fioo  form  and  quality. 

Oriana. — French  white,  shaded  with  rose;  large  purple  blotch. 

Queen  Slab. — Piiro  white,  clouded  and  blotched  in  each  of 
the  petals. 

I  have  no  doubt  there  are  many  others  quite  as  good  as  those, 
but,  as  usual  in  such  oases,  I  only  give  tho.se  which  I  have 
been  enabled  to  bloom  under  my  own  eye.  Some  others  not 
quite  up  to  the  mark  I  have  omitted. — D.,  Deal. 


WHAT  IS  A  ZONAL  PELARGONIUM  ? 
WiLii  you  say  in  yonr  next  .Journal  what  is  a  Zonal  Pelar- 
gonium, and  thus  settle  some  dispute  which  has  taken  place  in 
this  quarter  ?— J.  McD. 

[The  whole  of  the  Pelargoniums  known  as  "Scarlets,"  though 
their  flowers  are  ofen  pink,  and  even  white,  owe  their  produc- 
tion to  three  species — P.  zonale,  P.  inquinans,  and  P.  Fother- 
gillii ;  and  inasmuch  as  tho  earliest  of  them  were  the  progeny 
of  P.  zonale  they  have  been  comprehensively  termed  Zonals, 
thoQgh  no  zone  is  on  the  leaves  of  some  of  them  ;  and  though 
the  name  is  misleading,  it  is  no  more  so  than  calling  those 
"  Scarlets  "  which  include  plants  with  flowers  of  other  colours. 
In  short,  the  term  "  Zonal  "  is  intended  to  include  a  section  of 
Pelargoniums  well  known  as  bedders,  without  any  reference  to 
their  being  zone-leaved.  Wishing  to  know  if  our  opinion  coin- 
eided  with  that  of  a  well-known  authority,  but  not  a  cnltivator 
of  these  flowers,  we  wrote  to  him  to  ask  his  opinion.  This  is 
his  reply  : — "  I  regret  that  this  zonal  question  has  been  again 
mooted.  I  believe  it  arose  from  the  disappointment  received 
by  an  exhibitor,  who  would  not  allow  that  his  competitor's 
plants  wer3  all  Zonals,  he  taking  it  for  granted  that  a  Zonal 
must  have  a  zone  folly  defined  in  the  several  leaves  of  the 
plant.  The  term  Zonal  has  been  taken  from  the  original 
plant,  Pelargonium  aonale,  the  old  Horseshoe,  from  which  the 
present  race  are  all  descendants.  This  is  one  view  of  the 
question.  But  when  some  of  the  seedlings  produce  plain  leaves 
without  any  sign  of  a  zone,  we  are  told  these  are  not  Zonals. 
In  one  sense  of  the  word  they  certainly  are  not  so  ;  but  these 
plain-leaved  plants  vary  iu  no  other  way  from  those  in  whose 
leaves  tho  zone  is  fixed — habit,  colour,  growth,  are  all  the  same. 
Bat  the  florist  chooses  to  subdivide  these  varieiies  into  Golden- 
edged  Variegated,  Silver-edged,  Golden-leaved,  Bronze  and  Gold 
Zonals,  Bicolors,  or  simply  green  leaves  margined  with  white. 
It  was  one  of  these  latter  plants  that  caiised  this  question  to 
arise. 

"  I  think  myself  it  is  absurd  to  quibble  on  this  point.  They 
are  all  doubtless  in  character  true  Zonals,  but  some  varieties 
are  minus  the  zone,  at  least  it  is  not  developed.  Whether  the 
colouring  matter  of  the  zone  is  absent,  or  why  it  is  not  visible, 
I  think  no  man  can  venture  to  say.  I  can  but  feel  that  all  are 
truly  Zonals,  though  not  developing  a  defined  zone." 

We  are  thus  sustained  in  our  opinion,  as  we  also  are  by  the 
facts,  that  some  of  the  Zonals  which  usually  have  no  zone  on 
their  leaves  will,  under  a  change  of  culture,  develope  zones  on 
them ;  whilst,  on  the  other  hand,  those  usually  with  zoned 
leaves  will,  under  di3erent  treatment,  produce  leaves  not  zoned 
—Eds.]  _^ 

THE  HOT  WEATHEPs  AND   ABSENCE  OF 

RAIN. 
Common  as  the  expression  is,  that  "  we  never  knew  such  dry 
(or  such  wet)  weather  before,"  there  are  many  who  at  the 
present  time,  the  beginning  of  July,  believe  that  the  last  few 
weeks  have  exceeded  all  similar  periods  for  heat  and  the  small 
quantity  of  rain  that  has  fallen,  and  in  some  cases  it  is  asserted 
there  has  been  no  rain  for  six  weeks  or  more.  Now,  a  certain 
amount  of  deduction  must  always  be  made  from  mere  casual 
assertions  or  grumblings,  but  it  would  be  well  to  correct  all 
false  notions  that  may  exist  in  the  matter  of  long-continued 
drought  or  rain.  On  close  examination  it  will  he  found  that 
neither  the  one  nor  the  other  continues  unchecked  for  so  long 
a  period  ae  ie  often  aesarted.    I  find  in  locking  over  a  register 


of  rainfall  kept  here,  that  only  on  three  occasions  during  the 
last   fourteen   ynars   ]\nn   there   hern   a  16  ii>d  of   twenty  aon- 
cecutive  days  without  rain,  and  one  o(  theso  was  in  winter, 
when  the  want  of  it  was  not  felt.     Dry  periods  have  been  fre- 
quent enough,  and  the  driest  of  them,  lasting  thirty-four  days, 
was  between  August  21ih  and  October  Oth,  18G5.    During  that 
time  there  was  only  0.08  inch  of  rain,  but  ibiit  falling  on  two 
occasions  reduced   the  numlier  of  consecutivo  days  actually 
without  rain  to  a  lees  number  than  might  be  supposed.     Be- 
tween the  7th  and  oOlh  of  ,lune,  18.58,  no  rain  was  registered  ; 
in  18G3  there  was  no  rain  from  tho  27ih  of  June  to  the  21st  of 
July,  while  during  the  past  month  (June),  a  little  rain  fell  on 
the  2ud,  -Ith,  and  22nd,  but  it  barely  amounttd  to  half  an  inch, 
most  of  it  falling  on  the  22ad.     June  being  ali'o  preceded  by 
four  unusually  dry  months,  it  is  not  surprihing  that  vegetation 
is  Buffering  much,    and    that   great    alarm    eiists  in  many 
places  as  to  the  water  supply   for  domestic  purposes,  more 
especially  as  tho  dry  weather  has  sot  in  so  early  in  the  season, 
.and  welis  and  streams  are  either  drying  up  or  getting  low. 
Even  deep-rooted  plants,  as  trees  and  shrubs,  have  made  less 
growth  than  usual,  and  many  of  them  will  grow  no  more  this 
season,  while  the  progress  made  by  such  as  commence  growth 
late  has  been  small  indeed  ;  for  instance,  Ehododendrons  in  dry 
situations  have  scarcely  made  any  progress.     Although  the 
foliage  of  most  deciduous  trees  and  shrubs  pushed  vigorously, 
and  the  growth  has  been  robust,  it  has  been  ehort,  and  mast 
bo  so,  as  in  many  cases  ripening  at  the  points  has  commenced.- 
I  do  not  think  that  in  this  there  is  anytLiing  to  complain  of  ; 
but  in  the  case  of  evergreens,  such  as  the  Ehododendron,  a 
continued  dry  season  may  be  fatal  to  many  of  them.     Three 
or  four  years  ago   some  established  plants  which  had   been 
planted  many  years,  were  pointed  out  to  me  at  Bury  Hill,  near 
Dorking,  as  having  been  killed  by  the  dry  autumn,  and  possibly 
this  year  the  same  result  may  be  experienced  at  other  places. 

As  regards  dry  periods,  we  must  not  forget  that  a  drier  one 
than  even  the  present  has  occurred  before,  as  the  following 
record  of  the  rainfall  in  five  oousecutivo  months  will  show. 


18S7-58.  Inches, 

December    0.4t* 

January   0  79 

February 0.77 

Marcli  0.80 

April 1.98 


EUN. 

1808.  Inches. 

Febrnary 1.35 

Mnrch  1-29 

April 1.21 

May  192 

Juno 0.51 


1.78 


6.28 


From  the  above  it  will  be  seen  that  the  winter  and  spring 
months  of  1858  were  even  drier  than  those  of  the  present  year, 
at  the  same  time  tho  rainfall  of  May  and  .tune,  1858,  exceeded 
that  of  the  samo  months  this  year  ;  but  1858  was  very  dry. 

This  season,  however,  iu  addition  to  being  dry,  has  been  early 
as  well,  most  plants  having  been  in  a  more  forward  state  by 
the  end  of  May  th,an  they  have  been  for  many  years ;  but  I  am 
not  certain  that  they  are  relatively  so  forward  at  the  end  of 
June,  notwithstanding  its  dryness.  H.iving  for  many  years 
noted  the  first  appearance  of  Wheat  ears  in  quantity,  and  in 
the  same  locality,  I  have  to  record  seeing  them  one  day  earlier 
this  season  than  I  have  observed  in  any  previous  year ;  the 
next  earliest  being  1859,  while  1860  was  the  latest.  There  was 
a  difierence  of  just  fifteen  days  between  the  earliest  and  latest 
year.  Hot  dry  weather  also  urges  many  plants  on  prematurely, 
but  the  above  examples  will  show  that  the  date  of  the  Wheat 
harvest  is  less  influenced  by  variations  in  the  atmosphere  than 
is  often  supposed.  The  ripening  of  fruits  is  more  influenced 
by  the  condition  of  the  atmosphere  at  the^ime,  and  the  growth 
of  plants  whose  roots  only  penetrate  a  short  depth  into  the 
soil  is  still  more  sffected.  The  long-continued  absence  of  rain, 
however,  affects  all. 

With  regard  to  temperature,  the  past  month  has  been  much 
less  remarkable  for  heat  than  dryness,  and  September,  1865, 
shows  both  a  higher  night  and  day  temperature.  I  find  the 
mean  night  temperature  of  that  Septemher  to  have  been  53°, 
and  that  of  the  day  78°,  as  against  49°  and  74°  in  the  past  month, 
a  marked  difference  when  the  much  shorter  days  which  we 
have  in  September  are  taken  into  consideration.  June,  1857, 
was  also  a  hotter  month  than  the  June  of  the  present  year,  and 
portions  of  other  months  have  been  still  warmer.  Wliilst  the 
weather  up  to  the  present  time  has  been  very  dry,  dew  has  been 
almost  as  scarce  as  rain,  and,  perhaps,  nothing  afiecls  vege- 
tation more  than  dry  withering  winds  at  night  from  the  north- 
east, and  such  have  often  occurred.  Thunder  has  rarely  been 
heard,  and  the  hot  days  which  in  former  years  frequently 
ended  in  a  thunderstorm,  have  this  seacon  often  given  place  tc 


10 


JOUKNAL  OP  HOBTIOULTURE   AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


[  Jdy  16,  1B68. 


a  greater  fall  of  temperature  at  night  than  was  expected  ;  but 
still  no  rain.  The  heat,  so  great  in  the  second  week  in  June, 
has  decreased  so  much  that  at  the  time  I  write,  July  Cth,  the 
temperature  is  below  the  average  of  ordinary  seasons.  Extreme 
heat  is,  therefore,  not  the  cause  of  the  dryness,  for  although  it 
has  been  very  warm,  the  thermometer  in  the  shade  has  never 
risen  higher  than  it  did  on  the  14th  of  August  last  year,  and 
not  quite  so  high  as  it  did  during  some  of  the  hottest  days  in 
the  summers  of  1830,  18J5,  1857,  1858,  1850,  and  1HC5.  The 
heat,  instead  of  increasing  after  the  longest  day,  has  dimi- 
nished ;  and  the  hottest  days  which  occurred  in  former  years 
being  after  that  period,  it  is  not  unlikely  that  we  may  expe- 
rience the  same  this  season. 

As  heat  is  not  one  of  the  characteristics  of  the  season,  to 
what  are  we  to  attribute  the  scarcity  of  rain  ?  Perhaps  the 
most  likely  theory  is,  that  having  had  considerably  more  than 
the  average  amount  of  rain  in  the  last  three  years,  a  dry 
ieason  was  necessary  to  restore  the  balance ;  and  if  cycles  of 
ten  years  or  more  to  a  considerable  extent  resemble  each  other, 
the  present  year  may  be  expected  to  be  unusually  dry,  if  it  has 
to  do  little  more  than  make  up  a  quantity  equivalent  to  the 
rainfall  of  the  preceding  four  years  ;  for  I  find  the  total  rainfall 
for  the  years  1861,  1862,  1863,  and  1864,  was  94.95  inches, 
while  the  amount  in  the  next  three  years — viz.,  1865,  18CG,  and 
1867,  was  '.12.71  inches,  nearly  equalling  that  of  the  previous 
four.  Although  the  first  six  months  have  been  remarkably 
dry,  there  does  not  seem  to  be  any  certainty  of  the  drought 
continuing.  The  autumn  of  1859  was  an  exceedingly  wet  one, 
although  the  early  part  of  the  season  was  so  dry. 

As  to  the  effects  of  the  dry  weather  on  vegetation,  there  are 
few  cultivators  in  the  southern  and  eastern  districts  of  England 
who  have  not  for  weeks  looked  on  their  various  crops  with 
great  anxiety  and  alarm.  Strawberries  came  in,  one  kind  after 
another,  with  a  rapidity  that  shortened  the  season.  Lettuces 
ready  for  use  one  day  had  run  to  seed  by  the  next,  while  the 
anxious  cultivator  poured  almost  in  vain  canfuU  after  canfull 
of  water  on  his  nest  crop  to  prevent  it  following  the  example 
of  the  first.  Cabbages  changed  their  hue  from  a  pale  crisp 
green  to  a  sickly  blue,  and  later  in  the  season  became  the  prey 
of  caterpillars.  Potatoes,  promising  well  at  one  time  so  far 
as  crop  went,  are  threatening  to  arrive  at  a  very  small  size,  and 
in  many  cases  are  too  far  advanced  to  benefit  much  by  rain 
without  injury  to  their  quality  or  danger  of  disease.  Peas, 
alas !  will  soon  be  over,  the  pods  not  filling,  although  I  have 
seen  the  haulm  more  infested  with  mildew.  Against  this  list 
of  evils  wo  have  the  counterbalancing  benefits  of  Scariet 
Banners  and  Dwarf  Kidney  Beans  doing  well ;  and  Kidge  Cu- 
oambers.  Tomatoes,  and  Onions  are  also  enjoying  the  near  ap- 
proach to  the  heat  of  their  native  climes.  Although  the  growth 
of  fruit  trees  and  shrubs  may  have  been  shorter  than  usual, 
the  wood  will  probably  ripen  well. 

Of  hardy  fruits,  as  already  stated  the  season  for  Strawberries 
was  short,  and  Easpberries,  which  promised  well,  have  suffered 
by  continued  drought,  but  Currants  and  Gooseberries  have 
been  plentiful.  Pears  are  rather  a  thin  crop,  but  Plums  are 
abundant,  and  Apples  a  full  average.  The  greatest  drawbacks, 
however,  of  a  dry  summer  are  the  lack  of  herbage  for  cattle, 
and  the  very  slight  hay  crop,  which  has  in  many  places  not 
been  worth  cutting.  Many  pasture  fields  have  passed  from  the 
green  to  the  brown  condition,  and  may  now  be  said  to  be  white, 
the  few  remaining  blades  or  stems  being  bleached  to  that 
ooloor.  The  dry  atmosphere  seems  to  have  even  reached  the 
loots  of  plants  which  usually  penetrate  deep,  as  Yarrow,  Plan- 
tain, and  Clover,  and  they  are  fast  passing  into  the  condition 
of  the  grasses. 

In  the  flower-garden  most  plants  have  been  arrested  in 
their  growth  where  they  could  not  be  watered,  or  rather  tbn.-e 
planted  in  May  have  made  but  little  progress,  but  they  hnve 
flowered  well  and  in  many  cases  prematurely.  Calceolarias 
especially.  On  the  whole  the  occupants  of  the  flower  garden 
have  benefited  rather  than  otherwise  by  the  dry  weather,  and 
many  of  them  are  in  a  condition  of  fair  promise  if  rain  fall 
-soon.  In  beds,  however,  containing  trees,  shrubs,  and  other 
robnst  subjects,  which  rob  the  bedding  plants  of  their  proper 
anpport,  these,  except  where  they  have  been  assisted  with  water 
or  otherwise,  are  in  anything  but  a  happy  condition.  In  beds 
well  prepared  before  being  planted  with  fair-sized  bedding 
Pelargoniums,  Verbenas,  Lobelias,  and  Gazanias,  these,  after 
having  been  once  watered,  have  made  satisfactory  progress. 
Nierembergias  have  not  done  so  well,  and  Viola  cornuta,  as  I 
calculated  on  a  ftw  weeks  ago,  has  ceased  blooming  much 
earlier  than  it  ought  to  have  done.     Possibly  watering  might 


have  saved  the  beauty  of  this  plant  as  well  as  secured  the 
more  robust  growth  of  others,  but  where  water  cannot  be  had 
many  plants  must  take  their  chance,  and  probably  a  large  pro- 
portion of  them  will  do  as  well  without  as  with  unlimited 
quantities  of  cold  spring  water.  Here  we  have  not  watered 
anything  excepting  plants  in  pots,  or  in  raised  artificial  mounds 
or  beds ;  all  those  on  the  level  ground  have  only  received  a 
slight  watering  at  the  time  of  planting,  and  none  since.  The 
progress  of  the  more  tender  subjects  as  Coleus,  Castor-oil 
plants.  Tobacco,  ornamental  Maize,  and  some  others  has  not 
been  so  rapid  as  I  expected,  and  excepting  Calceolarias,  which  I 
fear  will  flower  out,  nothing  as  yet  has  arrived  at  the  condition 
which  can  be  called  good.  One  of  the  plants  at  present  in 
its  best  condition  is  the  Golden  Feverfew,  which  is  really  a 
useful  plant.  I  wish  I  could  say  as  much  of  Dactjlis  glomerata 
variegata,  a  much  older  acquaintance.  Centaurea  candidissima 
threatens  to  be  more  green  than  before,  while  Cerastium  is 
evidently  suffering  much  from  the  drought,  which  on  the  whole 
seems  to  favour  Petunias,  Tagetes  siguata,  Tropieolums,  and 
that  very  pretty  annual  Portulaca  Thellusoni ;  but  the  begin- 
ning of  July  is  too  soon  to  pass  an  opinion  on  the  merits  of 
flower  garden  plants.  I  may  state,  however,  in  respect  to  the 
important  family  of  Pelargonium,  that  the  dry  season  has 
proved  the  superiority  of  the  robust  varieties  over  those  of 
more  limited  growth,  and  with  me  two  old  kinds  of  no  great 
merit.  Punch  and  Magenta,  are  about  the  best  of  their  class  at 
the  present  time,  none  of  them  having  had  any  water,  except- 
ing naturally,  since  they  were  planted. 

Those  who  keep  registers  of  the  weather  may  be  interested 
to  know,  that  from  the  Slst  of  April  to  the  '2'2nd  of  May  we 
had  only  0.11  inch  of  rain,  but  that  fell  on  four  days.  A  little 
rain  also  fell  on  May  '22nd,  23rd,  24th,  and  '25th,  and  a  very 
heavy  thunderstorm  occurred  on  the  29th.  In  June  there  were 
slight  showers  on  the  '2nd  and  4th,  followed  by  hot  dry  weather, 
with  a  little  more  rain  on  the  22nd,  making  only  0.51  inch  in 
all.  The  hottest  days  during  June  were  the  13th,  14th,  16th, 
17th,  20th,  2lBt,  and  27th,  the  maximum  temperature  being 
90°  on  the  20th,  and  the  same  degree  of  heat  was  registered 
on  the  14th  of  August  last  year.  The  winds  have  changed  fre- 
quently without  any  change  in  temperature.  The  barometer 
has  generally  been  high,  the  extreme  maximum  reading  during 
the  month  being  30.07  inch,  on  the26ih  at  noon,  and  the  lowest 
29.43  on  the  22nd,  at  the  same  time  of  day.  Greater  extremes, 
doubtless,  have  been  attained,  but  these  are  the  highest  and 
lowest  of  my  readings,  which  are  always  taken  at  noon. 
Thunder  has  scarcely  been  heard  since  the  29th  of  May,  and 
Uttle  or  no  lightning  has  been  seen. — J.  Eobson. 


NOTES  ON 


THE    ROY.M.   BOTANIC    SOCIETY'S 
JULY   SHOW. 

This,  like  the  Society's  preceding  two  Shows,  was  a  great  success  in 
every  point  of  view;  bnt  one  circumstance  diminishtd  the  extent, 
variety,  and  beauty  of  this  as  it  has  done  of  other  exhibitions — namely, 
the  practice,  now  becomicK  too  general,  of  continuing  the  show  longer 
than  one  day.  This  prevents  many  horticulturists  from  exhibiting, 
because  the  second  day  entails  an  expense  upon  them  which  the  prizes 
are  not  sufficiently  large  to  cover,  and  in  many  instances  employers  do 
not  like  their  plant  houses  denuded  for  a  longer  period  than  one  day. 
Another  serious  objection  is,  that  when  the  exhibitor  comes  from  a 
long  distance  his  employer's  plants  are  spoilt  by  the  time  they  are 
brought  back  again  ;  for  a  whole  week  is  occupied  in  taking  them  to 
and  from  the  show,  and  by  the  time  they  are  placed  in  their  former 
quarters  most  of  their  beauty  and  freshness  will  have  gone.  Nothing 
destroys  the  beauty  of  a  plant  so  soon  as  keeping  it  in  an  exhibition 
tent  two  or  three  days ;  and  the  case  of  fruits  is  still  worse,  for  to 
keep  a  dish  of  Peaches,  Strawberries,  Figs,  and  many  other  fruits 
longer  than  one  day  after  they  have  been  gathered,  is  to  spoil  them 
entirely,  and  render  them  perfectly  useless.  Add  to  this  the  great 
expense  which  has  ehietiy  to  he  borne  by  the  exhibitor,  and  there  is, 
I  think,  enough  to  deter  many  from  bringing  their  productions  to  an 
exhibition  which  is  to  be  continued  beyond  one  day.  I  therefore  think 
that  the  Royal  Botanic  and  other  societies  would  do  well  to  discon- 
tinue the  two  or  more  days'  show,  unless  it  be  once  now  and  then  on 
any  special  occasion  like  the  great  International  Horticultural  Exhi- 
bition of  1S6G,  or  the  Manchester  National  Exhibition,  when  a  very 
large  expenditure  is  incurred,  and  when  the  funds  will  admit  of  the 
exhibitor  being  properly  remunerated  for  his  trouble. 

The  plants  exhibited  were  generally  well  grown,  and  in  very  good 
condition,  considering  the  very  hot  and  trying  season  we  have  had. 
Amongst  the  new  and  rare  plants  a  very  curious  Bromeliaceoas  plant 
from  the  South  Sea  Islands,  said  to  be  a  Puya,  was  exhibited  by 
Messrs.  J.  Veitch  A:  Sons.  It  has  hard  spiny  leaves,  and  a  strong 
branching  habit,  and  bears   a  stout  upright  tiower  stem,  which  waa 


July  16. 1868.  ] 


JOUBNAL   OP  HOl^TICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


41 


«ovored  with  groen  bloaaoma,  having  a  bright  metallic  lastro,  and 
largo  yellowish  orango  anthers.  It  is  certainly  a  moHt  singular-look- 
ing i)laut,  and  a  groat  curiosity.  From  the  name  lirm  uIho  came  tine 
plants  of  l^racajKi  Chelsoni,  Croton  Veitchii,  and  Alocaaia  CIiolBoni. 
These  are  all  line  additions  to  our  coUectione  of  stove  plants,  and 
were  deservedly  awarded  tirst-elaas  certiticatea. 

Mr.  Fnisur  again  exhibited  Show  and  Kancy  Pelargoniums  in  fine 
condition.  It  wan  u  matter  of  much  suq>ri30  to  many  how  these  plants 
could  bo  made  to  retain  their  beauty  under  such  trying  weather  as  we 
hare  had.  All,  I  am  sure,  will  join  me  in  according  him  uuijualihed 
praise  for  the  way  in  which  he  haa  shown  his  plants  at  the  different 
exhibitions  this  seasons. 

Capo  Heaths  were  shown  in  good  condition,  and  formed  a  very 
effective  portion  of  the  display.  Those  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Williams, 
Jackson,  Khodes,  and  Peed  were  especially  good.  Fine  groups  of 
Orchids  were  also  shown  in  good  condition  by  Messrs.  Burnett,  Young, 
and  Ml".  Wheeler. 

Some  splendidly-grown  Lycopods  were  exhibited  by  Mr.  Parsons, 
gardener  to  li.  Attenborough,  Ksq.,  Turnham  Green,  and  the  large 
collections  of  tine-foliaged  plants  were  especially  attractive.  Mr. 
Bainos,  from  Bowden,  near  Manchester,  staged  his  collections  of  stove, 
greenhouse,  and  other  plants  in  his  usual  excellent  sfyle.  They  were 
greatly  admired,  and  formed  one  of  the  finest  features  of  the  Show. 
His  Ixora  javaniea  and  Clerodendron  Thomsonie  Balfourii  were 
wonderi'uUy  fine.  Mr.  Feed's  plants  were  also  in  good  condition;  hia 
Allamanda  grandiliora,  Ixora  coccinea,  and  Pleroma  elegans  were  ex- 
ceedingly well  grown. 

The  fruit,  perhaps,  formed  one  of  the  finest  attractions  of  the  Show. 
Mr.  Barnes,  of  Bicton,  had  numerous  Pino  Apples,  and  amongst  them 
were  magnificent  t^ueens  beautifully  finished  ;  Black  Prince,  weighing 
12^  lbs.,  and  measuring  22  inches  in  circumference  ;  the  copper- 
colonred  Montserrat,  and  a  Brown  Sugarloaf,  weighing  6i  lbs.  Mr. 
Carmichael,  gardener  to  His  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales, 
also  exhibited  some  fine  Pines.     His  Queens  were  especially  good. 

For  collections  of  fruit  there  were  seven  competitors,  all  of  whom 
had  good  collections,  but  the  gold  medal  was  very  justly  awarded 
to  Mr.  Miller,  gardener  to  Earl  Craven.  His  was  a  magnificent 
collection,  and  consisted  of  two  fine  Queen  Pines,  three  bunches  of 
Foster's  White  Seedling  Grape,  hardly  ripe,  but  exceedingly  fine 
bunches ;  three  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh,  perhaps  as  fine  as  any 
ever  exhibited,  the  only  weak  point  in  them  appearing  to  be  want  of 
colour  ;  they  were  in  eveiy  other  respect  excellent  examples  of  good 
Grape-growing.  The  other  fruits  in  this  collection  were  two  finely- 
formed  and  well-ripened  Trentham  Hybrid  Melons,  Waterloo  Cher- 
ries, Elruge  Nectarines,  and  Violette  Hiitive  Peaches,  both  of  which 
were  well  coloured,  and  a  fine  dish  of  British  Queen  Strawberry. 
Mr.  Clarke,  gardener  to  Earl  Cowper,  and  Mr.  Bannerman,  gardener 
io  Lord  Bagot,  also  exhibited  fine  collections.  Mr.  Bannerman  like- 
wise had  some  fine  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes,  as  also  Mr.  Hill,  Mr. 
Wallis,  and  Mr.  Kettlewell.  Bunches  of  Royal  Vineyard  were  also 
exhibited  in  fine  condition.     These  were  large  and  handsome. 

Mr.  Standish's  Royal  Ascot  Grape  was  exhibited  in  good  conditien, 
both  at  this  and  the  previous  exhibition.  This  I  think  likely  to  prove 
a  most  valuable  Grape,  and  one  that  will  hang  on  the  Vine  in  good 
condition  quite  as  long  as  Lady  Downe's.  It  seems  to  be  an  everlast- 
ing-fruiting variety,  and  the  flavour  I  considered  excellent. 

Mr.  Meredith  sent  up  a  splendid  basket  of  Grapes,  beautifully 
ripened,  and  exhibited  in  n.  style  not  yet  surpassed  by  any  one,  and 
equalled  by  a  few  only.  Mr.  Hill  and  Mr.  Osborne  also  exhibited 
fine  baskets.  The  Muscats  were  badly  ripened,  showing  that  it  is 
not  always  a  bright  hot  summer  that  is  required  to  bring  this  fine 
Grape  to  perfection,  and  amply  demonstrating  the  fact  that  this 
and  many,  if  not  all,  other  kinds  of  Grapes,  do  not  require  so  much 
light  to  ripen  them  perfectly  as  is  generally  supposed.  As  a  rule  I 
have  generally  grown  finer  Grapes  in  a  dull  season  than  in  a  very  hot 
sunny  one.  This  again  proves  that  any  aspect  will  suit  the  Vine,  and 
that  all  which  is  required  is  a  moderate  amount  of  skill  and  foresight 
in  its  cultivation,  and  the  proper  appliances  for  heat  and  ventilation, 
and  lastly  a  properly-made  Vine  border. 

Tolerable  examples  of  Black  Prince  were  exhibited  by  Mr.  Meads, 
but  I  have  seen  this  variety  shown  in  much  better  condition  both  by 
him  and  Mr.  Hill. 

Peaches  and  Nectarines  were  shown  in  quantity,  and  were  good,  and 
Mr.  Osman's  Figs  were  generally  admired  ;  they  were  a  very  even 
dish,  and  beautifully  ripened.  There  were  only  two  exhibitions  of 
Plums,  and  the  beat  of  these  was  from  Mr.  Thomas.  Fine  Black 
Cherries  came  from  Messrs.  Gliller,  Young,  and  Cross,  and  Melons 
were  numerous  and  generally  very  good.  A  few  good  dishes  of  Straw- 
berries only  were  exhibited;  among  these  were  wonderfully  fine  Bicton 
Pine.  Frogmore  Late  Pine,  Empress  Eugenie,  La  Constante,  and 
British  Queen. — J.  Wills. 


Bunyard,  of  Ashford,  and  others  ;  bo  that  it  only  requires  a 
vigorous  effort  to  carry  the  matter  out  effectually.  The  Crystal 
Palace  Gompauy  will,  1  have  every  reason  to  believe,  act  in 
their  usual  liberal  manner.  My  desire  is  to  have  three  classes 
of  exhibitors — nurserymen,  amateurs,  and  foreign  growers,  so 
as  to  make  the  competition  as  wide  as  we  can.  I  hope  all  who 
prize  this  fine  flower  will  let  me  hear  at  once. — D.,  Deal, 


PLANTS   IN   FLOWER  DURING   JUNE. 


SPECIAL   GLADIOLUS   EXHIBITION. 

I  AM  glad  to  say  that  some  progress  has  been  made  in  this 
matter.  Since  my  last  communication  I  have  been  to  Paris, 
and  my  kind  and  valued  friend  M.  Souchet  has  promised  to  be 
a  competitor,  as  have  also  M.  Eugene  Verdier  and  M.  Loise. 
At  home  I  have  received  assurances  of  support  from  Messrs. 
Garter  &  Co,,  Holborn ;  Mr.  Charles  Turner,  of  Slough;  Mr. 


Jane  1st.  Dentzia  crenata  June  ISth. 

gracilis 

scabra 
Euonymus  latifolius 
Cotoneaster  Simmundsii 
Buddlca  globosa 
Lonicoru  sempervirens 
Pernettya  angustifolia 
Phillyrea  media 
Pyrus  aria 

intermedia 
,,    5th.  RhamnuB  catharticus 

alnifolius 
Eschacholtzia 
Phalaris  canariensis 
Robinia  pseud-acacia 

hiapida 
Spir^a  cuneifoUa 

arisefolia 

ulmaria  tt    22nd. 

filipendula 

japonica 
Meconopsis  cambrica 
Tilia  europaa 
Vaccinium  busifolium 
Dictamnus  fraxinella  alba 
OnobrychiB  sativa 
Rhododendron  hirautum 

buxifolium 
„  10th.  Philadelpbus  coronarius 
Achillea  millefolium 

millefolium  roseum 

tomentosa 
Alcheniilla  alpina 
Amsonia  latifolia 
Anemone  rivularis 
Sedum  acre 

sesangulare 

Forsterianum 

rupestre 

purpureum 

album 
Orchis  maculftta 
Arenaria  cfespitosa 
Catananche  ccerulea 
Kalmia  latifolia 
„  13th.  Delphininm  Barlowii 

Hendersoni 
Dianthns  deltoides 

caryophyllus 

laciniatUB 
Clematis  inteprifolia 
Gallichroa  platygloasa 
Bracbycome  iberidifoUa 
Adonis  aestivalis 
Onosma  tauricum 
Papaver  bracteatum 
Silene  maritima  plena  u    26th. 

Viola  comuta 
Potentilla  Hopwoodiana 
Antirrhinum  mnjus 
Pentstemon  Scouleri 

Shepherdii 

gentianoides 
Pyrethrnm  roseam 
Achillea  clavennse 
Aquilegia  glandulosa 

Skinnerii 
Campanula  nitida  plena 
Gladiolus  psittacinuB 
Candytuft 
Inula  glandulosa 
LathyruB  latifolius 

grandiflorus 
Lupinus  compactus 

nivalis 

nanus 
liyaimachia  ciliata  „    30th. 

nummularia 

quadrifolia 
Menyanthes  trifoUata 
CEnothera  biennis 
^thionema     membrana- 

ceum 
Erinus  alpinus 

— M,  H.,  Aclilam  Hall^  Middlesbrougk'On- 


Amorpha  fruticoso 
Andromeda  lucida 
Astragalus  trangacanthfl 
Aucuba  japonica 
Cornus  aanguinea 
CytiBus  biflorua 
Genista  florida 
Lavender 

LathyruB  magellanicaa 
Phlomis  UuHHelliana 
Anchusa  itahca 
Lupinus  luteUB 
Acroelinlum  roseum 
Sphenogyne  speciosa 
Lychnirt  dioica  plena 
Gypsophila  elegans 
Wbitlavia  grandiflora 
Pyrethrum  parthenium 
Pa;ouies 

Campanula  grandis 
Verbascum  thapsua 
Collinsia  bicolor 
Asphodelus  luteus 
Giiia  tricolor 

achilla^  folia 

capitata 
Erigeron  canadensis 
Thalictrum         aqoilegi- 

folium 
Campanula  carpalica 
Tradfescautia  virginica 
Epilobium  angUbtifoUum 
Ligubtrum  valgare 
Cineraria  maritima 
Dianthns  ca'sius 
Lilium  tigrinum 
Calceolarias 
Koniga  maritima 
Phlox  Drummondi 
Heliotropes 

Viburnum  opulus  sterilis 
3pira3a  nruncus 

tridentata 
Erigeron  Villarsil 
Mimulus  moschatus 
Polemonium       Richard- 

sonii 
Tropieolums 
Mimulus  cardinalis 
Convolvulus  minor 
Petunias 

Delphinium  ajacis 
Bartonia  aurea 
Linaria  bipartita 

cymbalaria 
Hemoracallis  fulva 
Lathyrus  odoratus 
Erynginm  Bourgati 
Lupinus  angustifolius 
Calendula  Pongei,  double 
Fuchsias 
Lilium  martagon 
Hedychium  coronarium 
Lupinus  hirsutus 
Weigela  rosea 
Aster  alpinus 
Platystemon      califomi- 

cum 
Statice  armeria  rosea 
Lilium  Thunbergianom 
Eutoca  viscida 
Chrysanthemom  carina* 

turn 
Morina  persica 
Nuphar  Intea 
Nympheea  alba 
Hottonia  palostriS 
Campanula  aggregats 
Gnaphalium       margari- 

taceum 
CiBlus  ladaniferus 
Verbenas 
Sambucus  nigra 
Lotos  comiODlattUf 

plenas 

Tees. 


STOCKS, 
Stocks  !   What  need  to  say  anything  about  Stocks? 
body  grows  and  knows  about  their  culture  perfectly  well. 


Eveiy- 
Saeii, 


4& 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENEE. 


I  July  16,  1868. 


or  something  like  it,  may  be  the  exclamation  of  some  readers 
when  their  eye  catches  the  heading  of  this  paper.  Bat  the 
bnadred  questions  which  have  readied  me  of  late  about  the 
eoltare  of  Stocks  make  out  a  very  different  case.  Indeed,  I  am 
inclined  to  think  that  to  popularise  and  instruct  in  the  fine 
▼ftrietie'i  oE  Stocks  is  very  far  from  being  a  work  of  supereroga- 
tion. Tbe  decorative  capabilities  of  the  finest  varieties  of  the 
Intermediate  Stuck  are  not  so  well  known  or  acted  upon  as  they 
deserve.  Tbe  effects  which  can  be  produced  by  the  purple, 
white,  and  scarlet  varieties,  both  for  spring  and  antumnal 
gardening,  are  scarcely  equalled  by  any  of  the  now  popular 
plants.  In  saying  this,  the  practice  and  experience  of  many 
gardeners  is  the  only  corroboration  that  I  would  appeal  to. 

For  instance,  in  the  end  of  March,  1S87,  I  sowed  in  a  cold 
frame  a  quantity  of  the  Eist  Lotliiau  Scarlet,  Wliite,  and 
Purple  Intermediates.  In  May  these  were  transplanted  to 
where  they  were  intended  to  bloom  for  the  season,  and  up  to 
.November  the  amount  of  double  bloom  which  they  produced  is 
hnown  to  manv  who  saw  them  here  (.ircherfield),  and  at  other 
places  in  the  L^thians.  In  November  nearly  the  whole  of  the 
doubles  were  lifted  and  potted.  They  continued  to  bloom  more 
or  less  the  whole  winter  and  spring,  and  were  planted  out  in 
March  with  a  good  crop  of  bloom  on  them.  Since  then  they 
liave  made  fresh  growth,  and  are  now,  notwithstanding  that  great 
quantities  of  bloom  have  been  cut  from  them,  literally  a  cloud 
of  bloom  ;  and  it  is  hard  to  convince  any  one  who  has  seen 
them  that  they  have  been  in  bloom  for  twelve  months.  For 
spring  and  early  summer  flower-gardening  these  Stocks  are 
nnapproachable,  and  cannot  be  too  strongly  recommended. 

The  way  to  have  the  finest  bloom  early  in  summer  and  all 
through  the  season  is  to  sow  in  June  in  the  open  border  thinly, 
and  when  2  inches  high,  and  before  they  become  drawn, 
transplant  them  into  beds  in  rows  6  inches  apart  each  way. 
Till  they  get  fresh  hold  of  the  soil  and  begin  to  grow,  they 
require  shading,  and  watering  should  the  weather  be  dry.  By 
the  early  part  of  October  they  will  have  formed  bloom-buds, 
and  it  can  be  seen  which  are  double.  They  should  then  be 
potted  up  into  6-inch  pots.  For  this  purpose  use  light  rich 
soil,  such  as  equal  proportions  of  loam  and  leaf  mould,  with 
about  a  fifth  of  the  whole  of  sand.  When  potted  set  them  in 
a  shady  sheltered  place,  or  better  still,  where  it  can  be  afforded, 
it  cold  pits  or  frames.  Here  they  soon  establish  themselves  ; 
and  if  cut  bloom  through  the  winter  is  not  an  object,  the  bloom- 
buds  may  be  pinched  off  them.  A  moderately  dry  place  where 
they  can  be  protected  from  severe  frost  will  suffice  for  their 
winter  quarters.  If  they  can  be  afforded  space  in  cold  frames 
under  glass  or  in  vineries  or  Peach  houses  at  rest,  they  will 
grow  more  or  less  all  winter,  and  can  be  had  in  pretty  full 
bloom  by  the  middle  of  March,  when,  if  spring  display  be  the 
object,  they  can  be  planted  with  immediate  effect ;  but  for 
coming  into  bloom  in  May  and  the  three  following  months  they 
are  best  not  allowed  to  bloom  till  after  being  planted.  Those 
who  have  not  seen  rows  or  beds  of  these,  entirely  of  double- 
flowering  plants,  can  have  little  idea  of  how  splendid  they 
are. 

To  sow  in  spring  for  late  summer  and  autnmn  blooming 
they  are  well  worthy  of  being  more  carefully  treated  than  is 
general  in  the  case  of  Stocks.  I  would  advise  their  being 
sown  in  heat  early  in  March,  and  when  they  form  the  rough 
leaf  to  be  pricked  off  in  boxes  2  inches  apart  each  way  ;  and 
before  they  become  crowded  to  be  potted  singly  into  2  or  3-inch 
pots,  and  kept  in  cold  frames  till  well  established,  but  not  pot- 
bound,  when  they  should  be  planted  out  about  the  first  or  se- 
cond week  of  May  where  they  are  required  to  bloom.  Managed 
thus  they  are  prevented  from  making  tap-roots,  and  receive  no 
check  when  planted,  but  come  much  earlier  into  bloom  than 
when  allowed  to  remain  in  the  seedling  bed  or  rows  till  finally 
planted  out.  It  matters  very  little  about  their  blooming  a 
month  earlier  as  far  as  their  late  blooming  is  concerned,  for 
their  blooming  powers  are  so  great  that  it  they  begin  to  flower 
in  the  end  of  June  they  will  bloom  into  winter.  To  do  this, 
however,  they  must  have  deep  rich  ground.  When  plants  are 
plentiful  it  is  a  good  plan  to  pot  up  a  quantity  into  6-inch 
pots  and  keep  them  in  reserve,  so  that  the  singles  can  be  lifted 
out  of  the  beds  or  lines  and  be  replaced  with  doubles.  In  dry 
sheltered  situations  where  the  winters  are  not  severe,  the  mid- 
Bommer-eown  plants  can  be  planted  after  the  summer  bedding 
plants  are  removed  in  October ;  but  in  this  case  it  is  best  to 
ieep  a  reserve  that  can  be  protected  to  meet  contingencies. 

For  pot-culture  the  value  of  the  ordinary  Intermediate  Stock 
lias  been  long  recognised,  in  some  localities  especially,  and  for 
the  Iiondon  markfit  thej  are  grovsn  by  the  tboasand.    To  have 


fine  plants  for  the  greenhouse  or  conservatory  in  March,  April, 
and  May,  June-sown  plants  lifted  in  October  and  potted  in  6  or 
8-inch  pots  will  bloom  magnificently,  and  when  large  specimens 
are  required  it  is  only  a  question  of  room,  shifting  into  larger 
pots,  and  tying  them  out.  I  have  seen  Mr.  Lees  atTynninghame 
have  tbem,  I  should  say,  nearly  3  feet  in  diameter  and  one 
cloud  of  bloom.  Certainly  these  have  but  few  rivals  for  this 
purpose,  taking  their  sweetness,  purity  of  colour,  and  immense 
show  of  bloom  into  consideration  ;  and  as  they  require  but  very 
ordinary  means  or  accommodation  for  their  cultmc,  they  are 
emphatically  the  plants  of  the  million. — D.  Thomson  (in  T/u 
Gardener.) 

IMPROVEMENTS  IN  LIVERPOOL. 

SEFTON    PARK. 

Of  all  the  towns  in  Great  Britain,  Liverpool  stands  first,  not 
only  as  regards  its  commercial  importance,  but  the  number 
of  its  public  buildings  and  places  of  resort  for  recreation 
after  the  toils  of  everyday  lite.  At  present  the  Corporation  of 
this  vast  town,  second  only  in  importance  to  London,  are 
busily  engaged  in  forming  new  streets  through  blocks  of  pro- 
perty, where  the  buildings  are  found  to  be  too  close  together 
to  be  healthy  to  live  in,  and  where  streets  are  desirable  for  the 
opening-up  of  the  town.  -They  are  also  widening  several  of  the 
narrow  streets,  and  pulling  down  whole  blocks  of  court  property, 
which  are  found  by  tbe  Medical  Officer  of  Health,  Dr.  Trench, 
to  be  unfit  for  human  habitations.  They  are  likewise  building 
a  large  block  of  buildings  to  be  used  as  dwellings  for  work- 
ing men,  at  moderate  rents ;  and  last,  but  not  least,  in  this 
sanitary  reform,  they  are  constructing  three  large  parks  on  the 
outskirts,  but,  at  the  same  time,  of  easy  access  even  from  the 
centre  of  the  town.  These  parks  form  an  almost  complete 
cordon  round  the  town,  and  will  when  complete  be  of  immense 
benefit  in  keeping  down  the  high  death  rate  which  has  here- 
tofore been  such  a  slur  upon  the  town,  as  they  will  form 
places  of  easy  access  where  the  people  can  get  a  breath  of  fresh 
air,  and  healthy  and  vigorous  exercise,  which  is  denied  them  in 
the  middle  of  the  town,  and  at  the  same  time  see  and  admire 
all  the  beauties  of  Nature  which  are  thus  brought  home,  as  it 
were,  to  their  very  doors. 

These  parks  are  called  Stanley,  Newsham,  and  Sefton  Parks, 
and  lie  respectively — Stanley  on  the  north  side  of  the  town  ; 
Newsham  on  the  east  ;  and  Sefton  on  the  south,  the  river 
Mersey  being  on  the  west. 

Newsham  Park  is  nearly  finished  ;  Stanley  and  Sefton  Parks 
have  only  been  commenced  a  short  time,  but  will  both  be  com- 
pleted in  the  course  of  two  or  three  years.  The  two  first  men- 
tioned are  of  a  rather  restricted  area  as  regards  the  ornamental 
portion,  but  the  latter,  of  which  we  propose  giving  our  readers 
a  short  account,  will,  when  finished,  be  the  largest  public  park 
in  Great  Britain,  including  even  Hyde  and  Eegent's  Parks. 

This  extensive  piece  of  ground,  consisting  of  about  four 
hundred  acres  of  land,  purchased  from  the  Earl  of  Sefton  for 
the  sum  of  £275,000,  lies  at  the  south  end  of  tbe  town,  in  the 
district  of  Toxteth  Park,  and  between  the  fashionable  suburbs 
of  Wavertree,  Mossley  Hill,  and  Aigburth.  The  land  strikes 
one  as  having  been  made  especially  for  a  park,  being  composed 
of  large  table  lands,  gently  sloping  and  undulating  towards  the 
centre  of  the  park,  where  there  is  a  small  stream  running  down 
to  the  Mersey,  the  whole  being  beautifully  adapted  for  landscape 
effect.  It  is  also  situated  so  as  to  be  entirely  removed  from 
the  smoke  and  the  business  portion  of  the  town,  and  being 
surrounded  by  residences  of  wealthy  merchants,  &c.,  is  at  once 
framed,  as  it  were,  with  an  outside  border  of  well-grown  trees 
and  wooded  hillocks,  which  will  go  far  in  improving  its  appear- 
ance when  finished.  A  portion  of  the  park  outside  the  circnlar 
drive  is  to  bo  devoted  to  the  building  of  villas,  &c.,  by  the  sale 
of  which  the  Corporation  expect  to  be  reimbursed  to  some 
extent  for  their  large  outlay. 

Considered  in  an  artistic  and  landscape-gardening  point 
of  view,  we  may  say  that  the  new  park  will  present,  when 
finished,  a  feature  quite  novel  in  tLis  country.  The  works  are 
being  carried  out  by,  and  from  the  def-ignsof  Mr.  Edouard  Andre, 
principal  gardener  to  the  city  of  Paris,  and  Mr.  Lewis  Horn- 
blower,  the  well-known  architect  of  Liverpool.  These  gentle- 
men defeated  twenty-seven  competitors,  and  received  the  first 
prize  of  300  guineas,  in  the  competition  invited  by  the  Cor- 
poration in  the  caily  part  of  last  year.  Since  that  time  there 
has  been  considerable  delay  occasioned  by  the  differences  of 
opinion  which  have  arisen  in  the  Council  as  to  the  carrying 
out  of  the  design ;  but  now  that  the  contract  for  the  roads. 


Jnly  16,  1888.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETIOULTtJEE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENER. 


43 


sewers,  lukos,  &(!.,  has  been  given  to  Mr.  S.  Campbell,  tbo  con- 
traotor,  of  Liverpool,  it  is  hoped  that  the  woili  will  progress 
quickly  and  favourably. 

The  whole  of  the  roads,  drives,  lakes,  plantations,  &a.,  have 
been  staked  out,  aud  the  good  soil  taken  off  and  stored  in  heaps 
for  future  use  in  formin);  the  pliiutations. 

One  great  and  pleasing  feature  will  be  the  rockwork,  of  which 
it  has  been  decided  to  employ  a  large  quantity  in  the  shape  of 
grottoes,  waterfalls,  &c.,  in  the  two  streams  which  run  down 
the  valleys  towards  the  great  lake.  These  works  are  being 
carried  out  with  great  spirit  by  M.  Combaz,  of  Taris,  who,  as 
an  artist  in  his  particular  branch,  is  well  known  in  all  parts  of 
the  Continent.  He  has  executed  the  rockwork  in  the  Bois  de 
Boulogne,  Bois  de  Vinoennea,  aud  new  park  of  the  Buttes- 
Chaumout,  in  Pari^,  and  other  works  at  Brussels,  for  the  King 
of  the  Belgians,  Ghent,  Lille,  and  Colo.'^ne.  From  what  we 
have  seen  of  the  work  already  executed  by  him  in  the  Sefton 
Park,  we  are  certain  he  will  please  the  public  of  Liverpool  as 
well  as  he  has  done  the  Parisians. 

The  main  attraction,  vi.e  have  no  doubt,  will  be  that  portion 
immediately  contiguous  to  the  lake  and  streams.  The  longer 
of  these  streams  rises  in  a  large  grotto  at  the  head  of  the  valley, 
and  after  running  over  several  small  falls  and  rapids,  and 
encircling  small  islands,  flows  into  the  main  lake,  twelve  acres 
m  extent,  at  the  junction  of  the  smaller  stream,  which  also 
rises  in  a  waterfall  about  15  feet  high,  and  runs  over  several 
small  falls  into  the  main  lake. 

On  the  banks  of  both  rivulets,  which  will  be  broken  here  and 
there  with  rough  pieces  of  rock,  summer  houses  and  kiosks  will 
be  erected  at  various  points,  where  good  views  can  bo  obtained, 
and  on  the  islands  huts  will  be  built  for  the  waterfowl  to  breed 
in,  &e.  These  objects,  together  with,  the  meanderings  of  the 
rivulets  and  falls,  will  have,  we  doubt  not,  a  charming  effect, 
as  the  visitor  will  have  at  every  turn  of  the  winding  walks  a 
fresh  scene  with  which  to  feast  his  eyes.  Boat-sailing  and 
rowing  will  be  allowed  on  the  large  lake,  and  will  prove  a  great 
boon  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  district,  as,  with  the  exception  of 
the  Mersey,  which  is  extremely  dangerous  on  account  of  the 
numerous  eddies  and  strong  tides,  there  is  no  place  in  the 
neighbourhood  where  this  healthy  exercise  can  be  indulged  in. 
Amongst  other  features  which  this  park  will  possess,  there  will 
be  a  large  piece  of  land  of  a  circular  form,  well  sheltered, 
nearly  forty-eight  acres  in  extent,  set  apart  for  the  reviews 
of  the  Volunteers  of  Liverpool.  There  will  be  ample  space  for 
10,000  men  to  be  mauceuvrod. 

Another  portion  is  set  apart  for  a  cricket  ground.  It  will  be 
oval  in  form,  aud  well  wooded  all  round  in  order  to  shelter  it 
from  the  cold  winds  that  often  blow  in  this  part  of  the  country. 
There  is  also  to  be  a  cricket  pavilion,  and  two  smaller  pavilions 
flanking  it,  one  on  either  side,  one  for  the  scorers,  and  the  other 
for  printing  the  cards. 

Among  other  architectural  ohjects  which  will  adorn  the  park, 
will  be  a  grand  entrance,  and  two  smaller  ones,  with  lodges 
flanked  on  either  side  by  handsome  iron  gates.  Curator's  and 
head  gardeners'  houses,  two  restaurants,  several  boathouses, 
gheep  cot,  deer  house  in  rustic  wood,  several  rustic  shelters  for 
horsemen,  a  large  aviary,  a  band  pavilion  surrounded  by  three 
rows  of  large  trees,  numerous  kiosks,  &c.,  and  stone,  iron, 
rastic,  wooden,  aud  rocky  bridges. 

Such  a  multiplicity  of  architectural  ornamentation  might 
sesm  exaggerated,  if  one  did  not  think  of  the  immense  area  of 
the  park,  and  the  large  number  of  points  of  sight  naturally 
afforded  by  the  undulations  of  the  ground. 

The  various  plantations  and  clamps  of  trees  which  are,  with 
the  lawns,  the  main  adornment  of  a  public  park  have  been  well 
oared  for,  and  will  occupy  large  spaces.  On  the  sides  most 
remote  from  the  town  they  form  complete  woods,  only  cut  here 
and  there  by  the  lines  of  sight.  It  was  necessary  to  give  great 
care  and  attention  to  the  position  of  the  planting,  on  account 
of  the  barrenness  of  ground,  which  was  formerly  exclusively 
onltivated  fields,  and  they  have  been  arranged  so  that  the 
plantations  may  shelter  from  the  sea  breezes,  which  blow  there 
thponghout  the  greater  portion  of  the  year.  With  the  help  of 
aaoh  shelter  it  will  be  quite  possible  to  cultivate  in  the  undu- 
lations of  the  glades  of  Sefton  Park,  collections  of  nnmerous 
ornamental  plants,  and  even  some  of  those  beiutiful-foliaged 
plants  which  have  for  soma  years  back  formed  the  chief  at- 
traction in  the  Parisian  parks  and  gardens,  and  in  Battersea 
Park,  where  Mr.  Gibson  uses  them  so  tastefully.  The  use  of 
foliage  for  the  decoration  of  gardens  has  been  too  much  neg- 
lected in  this  country,  and  we  hope  that  trials  in  that  direction 
will  end  in  giving  to  saoh  plants  the  position  they  deserve.    In 


this  line  Sefton  Park  will  have  a  powerful  auxiliary  in  the 
now  Botanical  Garden. 

The  Corporation  piopose  making  a  new  Botanical  Garden 
to  replace  the  old  one,  which  is  badly  situated,  and  daily  being 
destroyed  by  the  smoke  of  the  town,  and  which  is,  together  with 
the  conservatories,  unworthy  of  a  tow-n  like  Liverpool.  Messra. 
Audio  aud  llornblower  have  reserved  in  their  dchign  a  piece  of 
ground,  nineteen  acres  in  extent,  centrally  situated  in  the  best 
part  of  the  park,  and  with  a  southern  aspect,  for  this  ijurpose. 
In  the  centre  of  this  garden  there  will  be  a  grand  conservatory 
300  feet  long,  from  the  raised  terrace  of  which  views  of  the 
whole  of  the  park  are  commanded.  We  shall  give  a  more  de- 
tailed description  of  the  Botanical  Garden,  if  the  scheme  is,  oB 
it  is  hoped,  to  be  carried  out  without  delay. 

In  the  meantime  the  walks  of  the  park  are  being  actively 
proceeded  with,, and  we  have  no  doubt  that  it  will  he  com- 
pleted in  the  time  specified. 


EARTH  HEAT. 


(Coi.tbmul  from  page  4.) 
Tonp  Pits. — I  will  not  say  that  our  continental  neighbours 
did  not  first  direct  attention  to  earth  heat,  but  previously  the 
horticulturists  of  this  country  had  this  agent  actively  at  work, 
and  by  it  a  great  impetus  has  been  given  to  horticulture.  At  the 
time  when  earth  heat  was  first  brought  prominently  into  notice 
abroad,  we  had  already  the  nucleus  formed  from  which  have 
sprung  greater  results  than  from  any  other  system.  I  allude  to 
the  introduction  of  orchard  houses  by  Mr.  Elvers,  and  bis  sub- 
sequent invention  of  the  Curate's  or  Ground  Vinery,  and  other 
economical  structures  for  the  cultivation  of  fruit  trees.  It  is 
tolerably  plain  that  these  structures  are  all  dependant  for  any 
heat  they  may  possess  beyond  that  of  the  open  air  on  the  ab- 
sorption of  the  sun's  heat,  and  their  retention  of  it,  thus 
enabling  the  cultivator  to  secure  several  degrees  more  warmth 
not  only  by  day,  but  at  night,  and  at  other  times  when  the  sun's 
rays  are  obscured,  as  they  often  are  in  our  cloudy  and  fickle 
climate,  for  the  earth  within  the  structure  has  then  a  greater 
heat,  which  is  being  constantly  radiated.  Of  these  structures, 
however,  I  shall  have  occasion  to  write  hereafter,  and  I  only 
now  allude  to  them  to  establish  the  facts: — 1st,  That  our 
hortiulturists  have  been  long  conversant  with  earth  heat ;  2nd, 
That  they  have  made  as  good  a  use  of  it  as  those  of  other 
countries;  and,  3rd,  That  they  liberally  diffused  thiou^hout 
the  world  the  knowledge  resulting  from  a  life  of  careful  obser- 
vation and  experience. 

Turf  pits  are  not  now  so  common  as  they  formerly  were,  but 
they  still  do  good  service  in  the  temporary  protection  of  plants. 
I  find  them  very  useful,  and  that  in  two  ways — namely,  as  a 
means  of  protection,  and  for  furnishing  fibrous  loam  for  pot- 
ting. The  situation  for  them  should  be  sheltered  from  the 
north,  and  it  is  well  it  the  east  and  west  winds  are  broken 
by  a  fence  of  some  kind  at  a  little  distance  off,  so  as  to  deprive 
the  site  of  the  sun's  rays  for  as  short  a  time  as  possible  ;  and 
if  there  is  a  dry  aud  sandy  or  gravelly  soil  give  that  the  pre- 
ference ;  in  short,  select  a  dry  sheltered  situation.  Some  take 
out  the  soil  and  form  a  sort  of  pit,  but  this  I  consider  a  great 
waste  of  time,  aud  altogether  needless,  for  it  is  only  seeking 
damp,  which  is  as  destructive  to  plants  as  frost.  Except  for 
large  plants,  I  would  not  make  a  pit,  but  would  have  all  above 
ground.  Mark  out  the  size  of  the  lights  or  other  covering, 
forming  the  pit  so  that  the  internal  face  shall  be  a  few  inches 
within  the  outside  of  the  lights  or  coverings,  for  it  is  necessary 
that  they  should  rest  on  the  turf  walls ;  to  throw  off  the  wet 
the  lights  must  slope  from  north  to  south,  and  this  inclination 
of  the  roof  will  cause  the  bed  to  be  narrower  than  their 
length.  For  7- feet  lights  the  bed  will  need  to  be  made  6  feet 
3  inches  wide  within  the  turf  walls.  The  back  wall,  too,  will 
be  higher  than  the  front,  and  the  end  walls  will  slope  from 
back  to  front.  The  back  should  be  1  foot  6  inches  higher  than 
the  front. 

Having  marked  out  the  size,  and  square,  so  as  to  fit  the  lights 
or  covering,  the  turf  should  be  cut  as  thick  as  the  fibres  will 
allow,  but  for  potting  purposes  not  thicker  than  3  inches.  The 
pieces  may  be  of  any  length  and  width,  but  are  mist  con- 
venient when  not  too  large.  I  like  them  18  inches  hy  9  inches, 
but  size  is  quite  immaterial.  In  farming  the  walls  commence 
by  placing  a  layer  of  turf  all  round,  the  same  as  bricks  in  build- 
ing a  wall,  putting  all  headers,  and  then  stretchers  in  the  next 
course,  so  as  to  cross  the  joints  and  bond  the  worlt,  making 
the  inner  face  perpendicular  to  the  ground,  but  sloping  the 


44 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOKTICULTURB  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  July  16, 1888. 


external  face  inwards,  which  will  give  stability.  All  the  soda 
should  be  placed  grass  side  downwards,  and  to  keep  the  lights 
or  covering  from  the  turf  it  is  well  to  have  a  frame  of  wood  for 
the  lights  to  rest  on,  or  for  securing  the  covering  to.  Nothing 
answers  so  well  as  a  frame  of  red  deal,  and  it  need  not  exceed 
an  inch  in  thickness.  The  frame  will  make  all  secure.  The 
front  wall,  as  already  stated,  will  be  less  in  height  than  the 
iiack,  and  both  will  be  thicker  at  the  base  than  at  top  ;  but  the 
])ack  wall  will  need  to  have  a  wider  base  than  the  front  one,  as 
it  has  to  be  carried  higher.  Eighteen  inches  in  thickness  for 
the  base  of  the  back,  and  15  inches  for  the  front  wall,  both  re- 
duced to  9  inches  at  top,  will  form  a  very  good  pit,  nearly 
if  not  quite  frost-proof.  Turf  pits  thus  made  will  last  two 
Eeasons,  but  I  do  not  keep  them  beyond  the  autumn  following 
that  in  which  they  were  made,  for  it  is  impossible  not  to  covet 
the  fine  material  which  these  turf  walls  are  after  they  have 
stood  for  a  time.  The  walls  may  be  of  any  height  and  thick- 
ness, but  the  above  heights  are  quite  enough  for  the  majority 
of  plants  needing  protection  in  winter. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  name  all  the  plants  that  may  be 
wintered  in  turf  pits,  as  they  are  very  numerous,  but  I  will 
endeavour  to  give  an  idea.  In  the  first  place  these  pits  are  far 
better  than  any  heated  house  for  growing  Cinerarias,  Calceo- 
larias, Humeas,  and  similar  plants  for  spring-flowering,  and 
which  are  impatient  of  a  dry,  fluctuating  atmosphere.  With  a 
single  covering  of  mats  over  the  lights,  and  6  inches  of  straw 
put  on  so  as  to  overhang  the  sides  and  ends  about  1  foot,  no 
frost  that  we  have  in  our  climate  will  penetrate  to  the  interior ; 
indeed,  in  the  memorable  winter  of  18riO-61,  frost  did  not  pass 
through  the  sides  of  some  turf  pits  that  were  at  the  time  filled 
with  these  plants.  It  does  not  matter  how  long  the  plants  are 
iept  in  the  dark,  if  the  frost  continues,  but  do  not  uncover  too 
hastily  upon  a  thaw,  and  expose  too  suddenly  to  day-light,  but 
shade  for  a  few  days  from  bright  sun,  and  admit  air  freely.  When 
the  Cinerarias  are  advancing  for  flowering,  they  must,  of  course, 
be  removed  to  more  suitable  quarters,  as  they  will  need  more 
light,  but  even  they  will  do  better  in  turf  pits  than  elsewhere, 
feeing  freer  from  insects,  and  making  stronger  growth.  Cal- 
ceolarias and  Humeas  may  be  safely  wintered  in  turf  pits,  and 
a  considerable  saving  of  fuel  thus  effected,  at  the  same  time 
that  the  vigour  and  beauty  of  the  plants  will  be  increased.  The 
pit  will  be  available  for  other  plants  when  those  named  are 
cleared  out,  and  may  be  used  with  or  without  lights  for  Pelar- 
goniums and  similar  plants  that  need  protection  in  spring. 
When  these  are  cleared  out  the  pit  may  be  filled  quite  to  the 
top  of  the  walls  with  hot  sweet  dung,  a  frame  placed  on  it,  and 
BoU  put  in  ;  a  good  crop  of  Melons  or  Cucumbers  may  thus  be 
obtained,  and  with  a  great  saving  of  dung.  By  afterwards 
mixing  the  dung  with  the  turf  a  most  excellent  compost  is 
formed,  especially  for  top-dressing  fruit  trees. 

In  addition  to  the  plants  above  named,  there  are  many 
others  now  kept  in  heated  houses  which  may  be  more  health- 
inlly  wintered  in  tvirf  pits.  Such  are  Heaths,  Azaleas,  Ca- 
mellias, and  most  New  Holland  plants.  These  when  young  are 
fcest  kept  cool,  and  having  air  in  mild  weather  no  great  disaster 
comes  through  damp  and  mildew ;  all  that  is  necessary  is  to 
give  a  covering  of  dry  litter  sufficient  to  keep  out  frost,  and 
even  a  small  degree  of  that  is  not  half  so  injurious  as  fire  heat. 
!For  these  plants  the  soil  at  the  bottom  of  the  pit  should  be 
laken  out  to  the  depth  of  about  a  foot  below  the  ground  level, 
and  a  good  bottom  formed  of  rough  cinders,  and  then  over 
these  some  finer  ashes  ;  but  it  is  well  to  wash  them,  using  those 
remaining  in  a  sieve  with  quarter-inch  meshes.  Six  inches  in 
thickness  will  he  enough.  The  pots  need  not  be  plunged  in 
the  ashes,  but  should  be  set  on  them.  The  pits  if  made  as  de- 
scribed will  answer  for  good-sized  plants. 

Probably  the  greatest  use  made  of  turf  pits  in  this  country 
is  that  of  protecting  hardy  plants,  of  which  in  most  gardens 
there  are  great  numbers  needing  protection  by  reason  of  their 
feeing  only  recently  propagated,  and  therefore  not  of  a  size  safe 
to  plant  out.  Among  these  are  the  best  kinds  of  evergreen 
and  deciduous  shrubs  and  climbers,  especially  such  as  are  used 
for  covering  walls  and  planting  in  sheltered  situations,  also 
many  of  those  neglected  herbaceous  plants  which  are  now 
deservedly  receiving  a  share  of  attention.  For  Roses  in  pots, 
also,  and  especially  the  Tea-scented  varieties,  no  better  place 
could  be  found.  All  the  pots  should  be  plunged  to  the  rim  in 
ashes  or  sawdust,  and  if  no  sashes  are  at  command  wood 
shutters  will  do  in  their  stead.  They  need  not  be  heavy  and 
large,  but  light  and  of  moderate  width,  so  as  to  be  convenient 
for  putting  on  and  for  removal ;  and  over  them  in  severe  weather 
a  covering  of  dry  litter  will  be  needed,  always  giving  the  plants 


the  full  benefit  of  any  mild  period  for  exposing  them  fnlly. 
Next  to  wood,  straw  shutters  are  excellent  for  protection.  They 
should  be  made  in  a  kind  of  frame,  and  m.w  be  of  any  conve- 
nient size,  but  ought  not  to  be  too  thick.  I  have  seen  them 
made  of  thatching  straw,  1  inch  or  from  that  to  11  inch  thick, 
so  as  to  be  impervious  or  nearly  so  to  wet,  and  such  wiU  be 
sufficient  for  all  the  plants  needing  slight  protection  in  winter, 
or  which  are  nearly  hardy.  These  shutters  have  done  excellent 
service  with  Mr.  Fish,  who  was  the  first  to  tell  us  how  to  winter 
bedding  Calceolarias  in  cold  frames,  depending  on  earth  heat 
for  their  preservation.  Frigi  domo  is  another  good  protecting 
material.  A  light  wood  frame  should  be  made,  and  the  mate- 
rial tightly  tacked  to  it,  also  to  cross  pieces  from  the  back  to 
the  front  of  the  framework,  so  as  to  keep  the  frigi  domo  from 
bagging  and  holding  the  wet.  Bast  mats  are  also  good  for 
covering  turf  pits,  having  pieces  of  timber  laid  across  the  pit  to 
keep  the  mats  from  the  plants. 

Turf  pits  are  very  good  for  sheltering  Calceolarias,  Verbenas, 
Gazanias,  Ageratum,  Cupheas,  Fuchsias,  Lobelias,  Variegated 
Alyssum,  and  all  the  nearly  hardy  bedding  plants  ;  but  it  is 
desirable  to  keep  these  in  frames  in  order  to  have  them  strong 
for  planting  out  and  for  spring  propagation.  Cuttings  of  the 
plants  named  should  be  put  in  in  August  and  be  well  rooted 
and  hardened-off  before  winter,  taking  care  not  to  allow  the 
soil  to  become  saturated  with  rain,  but  to  keep  it  dry.  Calceo- 
laria cuttings,  of  course,  should  not  be  put  in  imtil  October. 
Glazed  lights  will  be  necessary  for  protecting  beddingplants,  and 
there  should  be  sufHcient  covering  to  keep  out  frost.— G.  Abbey. 
(To  be  contin-ued.) 


PORTRMTS  OF  PLANTS,  FLOWERS,  AND 
FRUITS. 

Agave  dasturioides  (Dasylirion-like  Agave).  Nat.  ord., 
Amaryllidaceie.  Linn.,  Hexandria  Monogynia. — Native  of 
Mexico.     Flowers  green  and  brown.— fZJot.  Ma;).,  t.  5716.) 

Abctilon  vexillarium  (Standard-flowered  Abutilon).  Nat. 
ord.,  Malvacea;.  Linn.,  Monadelphia  Polyandria. — Native  pro- 
bably of  South  America.  Flowers  scarlet  aud  yellow.  RequiieB 
a  warm  greenhouse. — {Ibid.,  t.  5717  ) 

Nasonia  punctata  (Dotted  (cinnabar  red)  Nasonia).  Nat. 
ord.,  Orchidacea\  Linn.,  Gynandria  Monandria. — Native  of 
the  El  Sisme  mountains  in  Peru.  It  is  synonymous  with 
N.  cinnabarina,  which  is  a  much  more  characteristic  name. — 
{Ibid.,  t.  5718.) 

P.EONiA  EMODi  (Himalayan  Paeony).  Nat,  ord,,  Ranuncu- 
laceip.  Linn.,  Polyandria  Polygynia. — Native  of  Himalayan 
mountains.     Flowers  white. — {Ibid.,  t.  5710.) 

Phabbitis  nil,  var.  limbata  (White-margined  Pharbitis). 
Nat.  ord.,  Convolvulacere.  Linn.,  IPentandria  Monogynia. — Na- 
tive of  North  Australia.  Flowers  purple,  with  a  white  margin. 
—{Ibid.,  t.  .0720.) 

Saccolabium  ampdllacedm  kosecm. — Native  of  Monlmein. 
Introduced  by  Messrs.  Eollisson. — (Floral  Maij.,  pi.  393.) 

Clematis  .Tohn  Gould  Veitch. — Imported  from  Japan  by 
Messrs.  Veitch  &  Sons.  Flowers  pale  blue,  double. — {Ibid., 
pi.  394.) 

Azalea  Sir  Robert  Napier. — Flowers  bright  crimson.  Raised 
by  Messrs.  F.  &  A.  Smith,  VaWich.— {Ibid.,  pi.  395.) 

AuBiCDLA  John  Waterr.ton. — Grey-edged  variety,  very  fine. 
Raised  by  Mr.  Cunningham,  Kilbrachan,  near  Johnstone,  Scot- 
land.—(liirf.,  pi.  396.) 

Azalea  Lizzie. — "  This  fine  Azalea  has  twice  passed  the 
ordeal  of  the  Floral  Committee,  on  one  occasion  receiving  a 
first-class  certificate,  and  on  the  other  a  certification  that  its 
high  character  had  been  well  maintained.  Its  chief  peculiarities 
are  its  smooth  surface,  which  gives  it  a  perfect  outline,  its  dis- 
tinct markings,  which  take  the  form  of  stripes  of  bright  car- 
mine on  a  pure  white  ground,  varying  in  breadth  and  dispo- 
sition, and  its  great  substance,  which  results  in  the  long 
endurance  of  the  flowers.  We  learn  from  Mr.  Kinghorn,  by 
whom  it  was  raised,  that  this  latter  quality  is  very  noticeable, 
the  plants  standing  much  longer  in  flower  than  those  of  any 
other  variety.  The  flower  opens  with  a  greenish  tinge,  and 
blanches  as  it  expands,  so  that  the  fully  developed  flowers  have 
a  pure  white  ground,  which  is  well  set  off  by  the  well-defined 
and  elegant  markings.  Like  most  of  the  varieties  Mr.  King- 
horn  has  sent  out,  this  new  striped  Azalea  is  one  which  may  be 
recommended  with  the  highest  confidence.  We  learn  thrit  the 
constitution  and  habit  of  the  plant  are  all  that  can  be  desired. 

"  The  improved  varieties  of  greenhouse  or  Indian  Azaleae 


July  16,  1868.  ] 


JOUBNAL  OF    HOBTICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEE. 


45 


are  certainly  not  snrpassod,  if  equalled,  either  for  exhibition  or 
conservatory  decoration,  aa  by  a  selection  of  the  earliest,  the 
medium,  and  the  very  late  sorts  they  can  be  had  in  bloom 
from  Christmas  till  the  end  of  .June.  The  earliest  and  most 
forward  plants  may  ho  introduced  to  the  forcing  house  from 
about  the  middle  of  October,  at  intervals,  to  keep  up  a  Bucces- 
sion  of  bloom.  All  the  varieties,  observes  Mr.  Kinghorn,  at 
whatever  season  they  bloom,  are  much  improved  in  quality  by 
being  kept  in  rather  a  close  warm  temperature  while  expanding 
their  blossoms."— (7'7oii.'i(  and  I'onwlogist,  :i  scries,  i.,  1  l-O.) 


NOTES  AND   GLEANINGS. 
The  following  competitors   (those  marked  with  an  asterisk 
(•)   being  Chiswick  students)    had  certificates  awarded  at  the 
Gakdeners'  Ex.\minations  in  April,  at  the  Society  of  Arts  : — 


Age. 

Flori- 
culture. 

Fmitand 
Vegetable 
Culture. 

A.  Bradley,  Green^ch  

P.  W.  Burbidge,"  Richmond 

25 
20 
26 
27 
27 
23 
20 
25 
21 
24 
22 
21 
21 
24 
83 
23 
23 

2 
1 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
1 

2 
2 

2 
2 
3 

3 

3 

1 

2 
1 

C.  Fryer,  Lambeth  

J.  C.  HigRS,  Southampton 

R.  Inglis.  Itichuiond    

W.  Jones,  Richmond  

R.  L.  Keenan,  Kichmond 

R.  C.  KinR.ston,  Royal  Polytechnic  Inst. 
C.  Lawtou,  Hull    

2 
2 

1 

I 

J.  Mc.\rdlG,"  Richmond        

2 

M.  Middleton.*  Richmond    

A.  Parsons,  Edinliur^h  

J.  R.  Pocock,  Bromley    

F.  C.  A.  Thomson,  Liverpool   

B.  Wynne,*  Richmond  

2 
2 
S 
2 
1 

The  prizes  offered  in  these  subjects  by  the  Society  of  Arts  and 
the  Koyal  Horticultural  Society,  were  awarded  to  the  following 
competitors  : — 


R.  C.  Kingston. . 
R.  L.  Eeenan  . . 

B.  Wynne 

F.  W.  Bnrbldge 


Floriculture. 


S.A.  first  prize,  £5 
R.H.S.  first  prize, £5 


S.A.  second  prize,  £3 
R.H.S.  second  prize,  £3 


Fi-uit  and  Vegetable 
Culture. 


S.A.  first  prize,  £5 
R.H.S.  first  prize,  £5 

S.A.  second  prize,  £3 
R.H.S.  second  prize,  £3 


The  Cardeners'  Chronicle  prize  of  £3,  oiiered  for  the  above 
subjects,  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Kingston,  who  has  also  gained  the 
first  prize  in  chemistry  (£5)  and  the  Prince  Consort's  prize  of 
2.5  guineas  ;  and  Mr.  Keenan  has  won  the  Society  of  Arts'  first 
prize  in  botany  (£5)  and  the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society's  first 
prize  in  botany  (£5). 

At  the  Tuesday  Meeting   of  the   Royal   Horticultural 

Society,  August  18th,  Three  Prizes  will  be  offered  for  Twelve 
Gladioluses,  the  first  prize  being  £3,  the  second  £2,  and  the 
third  £1.  

A   TIME   FOR  ALL   THINGS,   EVEN   FOP. 
CUTTING  DOWN   THISTLES. 

Db.  Adam  Clark  has  made  this  curious  calculation  :  Suppose 
that  each  Thistle  bears  80  heads,  each  containing  only  300  seeds : 
the  first  crop  is  24,000;  the  second,  576,000,000;  the  third, 
13,824,000,000,000;  the  fourth.  31,776,000,000,000,000;  the 
fifth,  7,962,024,000,000,000,000,000,  a  progeny  more  than  suffi- 
cient to  stock  not  only  the  surface  of  the  whole  world,  but  of 
all  the  planets  of  the  solar  system,  bo  that  no  other  plant  or 
vegetable  could  possibly  grow,  allowing  but  1  square  foot  for 
each  plant.  This  wonderful  power  of  reproduction  should 
teach  every  man  to  regard  the  Thistle  a  common  enemy — to  be 
attacked  and  destroyed  wherever  found. 

And  here  it  may  be  well  to  introduce  the  substance  of  a 
commimication  to  the  Journal  of  the  New  York  State  Agricul- 
tural Society.  Afarmerhad  a  field,  about  thirty-five  years  ago, 
completely  covered  with  Canada  Thistles ;  he  cut  them,  and  not 
one  ever  revived.  This  curious  fact  led  him  to  a  long  series  of 
experiments  to  discern  if  the  particular  d.ate  at  which  they 
were  cut  might  not  explain  the  phenomenon.  For  many  years, 
therefore,  he  has  cut  the  Thistles,  marking  dates,  and  watching 
the  results.     He  practised  this  cutting  every  day  in  the  season 


except  Sundays.  For  four  years  past  he  has  cut  them  on 
August  15th,  i7th,  18th,  20th,  and  24th,  and  not  one  has  lived. 
His  reasoning  as  to  their  destruction  is,  that  at  this  period  the 
pith  is  not  full  in  the  stalk  ;  that  rain  and  mjisture  settle  in 
the  stalk,  and  thoy  rot  to  the  root. 

This  is  certainly  worth  a  fair  trial.  If  by  the  simple  obser- 
vance of  certain  dates  the  roots  of  the  Canada  Thistle  will  die, 
and  thus  prevent  Eumbern  of  plants  from  springing  up,  the 
world  has  gained  an  invahmlilo  blesting.  It  is  an  experiment 
that  will  cost  nothing,  and  in  any  event  the  Thistle  will  be 
cut  off. — (Prairie  Farmer.) 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCnEN    GARDEN. 

Ci'lrrii. — This  is  a  thirsty  plant,  and,  like  the  Asparagus, 
delights  in  the  richest  liquid  manure  after  it  has  fairly  begun 
to  grow.  Never  put  off  earthing-up  the  earlier  rows  too  long, 
but  earth-up  a  little  at  a  time — indeed,  those  who  prefer  earth- 
ing-up their  main  crops  in  succession  instead  of  all  at  once, 
should  also  bear  this  in  mind.  Cabhaijc:,,  if  the  first  sowing 
for  early  spring  use  is  not  yet  in  the  ground,  there  is  no  time 
to  spare.  Feus,  a  last  sowing  may  now  be  made  of  some  of 
the  earlier  sorts.  A  sowing  of  dwarf  varieties  may  be  made 
towards  the  end  of  the  month  where  the  situation  is  very 
favourable  and  means  of  protection  can  be  resorted  to. 
Potatoes,  those  who  are  partial  to  young  Potatoes  may  now 
plant  some  tubers  saved  from  the  earliest  crops.  If  previously 
greened  in  the  sun  they  will  grow  more  vigorously.  The  rows 
may  either  be  covered  with  litter  on  the  approach  of  frost,  or 
they  may  be  dug  up  and  the  produce  kept  in  dry  sand.  Toiim- 
tocs,  keep  these  fastened  to  the  wall  or  fence,  thin  out  the 
shoots  and  leaves,  and  pinch  out  the  points  before  the  clusters 
of  blossoms,  where  early  fruit  is  desirable.  Without  the 
assistance  of  a  wall  they  will  not  do  much  good  north  of  Lon- 
don, except  in  favourable  situations.  For  their  culture,  for 
that  of  Capsicums,  &o.,  and  for  the  forwarding  of  early  crops, 
dwarf  walls  with  sloping  borders  ought  to  exist  in  every  gar- 
den. When  a  gardener  crops  rather  closely  his  fruit-tree 
borders,  in  nine  cases  out  of  ten  it  is  the  result  not  of  choice 
hut  of  necessity,  for  he  is  aware  that  the  somewhat  inferior 
condition  of  his  fruit  trees  will  not  be  such  an  unpardonable 
evil  as  being  behindhand  with  a  good  early  supply  of  tho  best 
vegetables.  The  succession  crops  are  now  mostly  confined  to 
salad  plants,  such  as  EiuUoe,  which  should  be  planted  out  in 
succession  about  once  every  three  weeks.  Continue  to  sow 
Lettuci's  and  small  salads,  only  as  the  Lettuces  do  not  run  to 
seed  in  the  autumn,  you  may  now  sow  more  of  them  at  a  time 
than  could  be  done  for  summer  supply  without  waste. 

FRUIT    GARDEN. 

Take  advantage  of  the  first  showery  weather  for  budding  the 
stocks  of  stone-fruit  trees,  and  for  inserting  buds  of  esteemed 
kinds  upon  the  branches  of  established  trees.  Propagation  by 
budding,  though  generally  confined  to  stone  fruits,  may  also 
be  resorted  to  with  advantage  with  scarce  varieties  of  Apples 
and  Pears.  The  principal  work  here  is  to  guard  the  crops  from 
birds  and  insects,  and  to  keep  the  trees  clean  and  free  of 
superfluous  wood. 

FLOWER    OARDEN. 

The  summer  climbing  Roses,  such  as  the  Ayrshire,  Boursault, 
Eanksian,  and  many  of  the  Evergreen  and  Multiflora  divisions 
are  now  fading  off  for  the  season,  leaving  blacks  in  the  rosery, 
along  the  arcades,  and  on  pillars, walls,banks,  and  other  positions, 
which  will  not  be  filled  up  again  in  many  places  till  next  June. 
Twenty  years  ago  this  would  have  been  thougiit  of  little  con- 
sequence ;  but  in  these  days  we  are  so  accustomed  to  a  rich 
display  of  autumnal  Roses,  that  from  May  to  November  the 
rosery  is  expected  to  exhibit  a  perpetual  succession  of  bloom. 
We  cannot  possibly  do  away  with  our  beautiful  summer  gar- 
lands without  losing  the  best  feature  of  our  flower  gardens  ;  we 
must,  therefore,  endeavour  to  clothe  our  summer  climbers  by 
budding  on  them  autumnal-flowering  Roses,  using  those  only 
that  are  of  a  rather  dwarf,  compact  habit,  so  that  they  may 
not  interfere  with  the  free  habit  of  their  foster-parents.  Hybrid 
Perpetuals  and  Chinas  are  best  suited  for  this  work,  unless, 
indeed,  the  climbing  Roses  are  against  walls  with  favourable 
aspects,  when  the  dwarf  Bourbons  and  a  few  of  the  Tea-scented 
kinds  may  be  employed  instead  of  the  China  Roses.  Tho  pre- 
vailing tint  in  summer  climbers  is  whitish,  and  as  some  of  the 
sorts  to  be  budded  on  them  may  be  expected  to  flower  occa- 
sionally at  the  same  time  with  them,  it  may  be  as  well  to  make 


46 


JOURNAL  OP  HOBTICDLTUKE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENEE. 


[  July  16,  1868. 


nse  of  high-coloured  varieties,  bnt  individual  taste  will  deter- 
mine this.  A  few  white  varieties  would  i-elieve  the  other 
colours  in  the  autumn.  Among  China  Eoses,  perhaps,  the 
best  whites  for  this  purpose  are  Clara  Sjlvain  and  InfidelitCs  de 
Lisette,  to  which  jou  may  add  any  other  white  sort  you  may 
already  possess.  Among  the  higher  colours  in  the  China  sec- 
tion, there  is  great  room  for  choice.  As  China  Hoses  are 
not  so  particular  about  the  kind  of  stock  they  are  on  as  many 
of  the  Perpetuals,  they  had  better  be  worked  on  the  Ayrshire 
varieties,  while  the  Hybrid  Perpetuals  should  be  budded  on  the 
Bonrsault  and  Banksian  Eoses.  The  dwarf  Bourbons  should 
also  be  worked  on  the  freer  kinds,  and  being  more  tender  than 
the  Chinas  and  Perpetuals,  should  have  the  more  favourable 
sitnationa.  Any  one  having  a  large  Banksian  Eose  against  a 
house  or  south  wall,  may  easily  establish  a  selection  of  Bour- 
bon and  Tea-scented  Eoses  on  it,  and  in  severe  winters  these 
oonM  be  saved  by  covering  them  with  mats.  None  of  the  Tea- 
scented  varieties,  and  but  few  of  the  dwarf  Bourbons  do  well 
on  their  own  roots  in  our  climate.  There  are  few  good  white 
Koses  among  the  Bourbons,  perhaps  Aeidalio  is  the  best  of 
this  colour,  while  there  is  no  want  of  good  sorts  with  rose,  red, 
and  crimson  flowers.  Among  the  old  Perpetuals  the  Crimson, 
or  La  Perpetuelle,  and  William  Jesse  are,  perhaps,  the  best ; 
bnt  in  this  class  the  difficulty  is  to  pick  out  a  bad  variety. 
The  work  in  the  flower  garden  at  the  present  time  is  in  a  great 
measure  routine.  Attend  to  the  regulating  of  all  plants  and 
beds,  and  keep  everything  as  clean  and  neat  as  possible.  Ee- 
move  dead  leaves  and  flowers,  and  keep  a  sharp  eye  to  insects. 
If  we  be  favoured  with  rain  some  of  the  biennials  will  be  fit 
to  thin  out  a  little,  and  the  young  plants  may,  if  required,  be 
pricied-out  in  nursery  beds  for  transplanting.  Hoe  the  ground 
amongst  the  plants  frequently,  not  only  to  destroy  weeds,  but, 
alBo  to  promote  the  growth  of  the  plants. 

GEEENHODSE   AND   CONSEKVATORT. 

If  you  see  well  to  the  watering  and  staking  of  the  plants 
in  the  open  air,  and  that  they  are  not  crowded  together,  nor 
too  much  shaded  by  trees  or  buildings,  it  is  all  that  can  be 
done  for  them,  presuming  all  the  best  specimens  and  delicate 
plants  that  are  not  in  flower  in  the  conservatory  to  be  luxuri- 
ating under  the  cool  refreshing  shelter  of  cold  pits,  where  not 
a  leaf  or  bud  is  seen  out  of  place,  and  where  the  slight  sprink- 
lings from  the  hand  syringe  in  the  evenings  supply  the  place 
of  the  absent  night  daws,  and  the  thin  calico  frames  ward  off 
the  sun  when  powerful.  Now  when  many  begin  to  cut  down 
their  Pelargoniums,  let  me  guard  the  inexperienced  against  two 
extremes.  Formerly  we  used  to  out  our  plants  to  mere  stumps, 
and  now  some  leave  the  shoots  by  far  too  long  for  the  sake  of 
making  large  specimens  next  year,  and  with  care  this  may  be 
effected  ;  but  the  safest  way  for  beginneis  is  to  cut  the  lower 
side  shoots  of  this  season's  growth  to  three  or  four  eyes,  and 
if  the  plants  are  tall  to  cut-in  the  centre  shoot  to  one  or  two 
eyes.  Three-years-old  plants  make  the  finest  specimens  for 
ordinary  uee,  providing  the  roots  are  healthy.  Very  old  plants 
of  Pelargoniums  that  are  to  be  discarded  had  better  be 
planted  in  the  open  ground,  and  they  will  furnish  iu  September 
good  cuttings,  which  may  be  kept  in  store  pots  through  the 
winter,  and  they  will  come  in  useful  for  succession  next 
summer. 

STOVE. 

Pew  stove  plants  will  require  potting  after  this  time,  ex- 
cept newly-propagated  ones,  which  must  be  hastened  through 
their  nursery  stages  with  all  possible  speed.  Auy  little  plants 
that  are  diflicult  to  preserve  through  the  winter  should  be  kept 
ralhei-  dry  from  this  time  to  harden  their  growth,  and  also,  if 
practicable,  cuttings  of  them  should  be  put  in.  There  are 
many  plants  that  will  stand  over  the  winter  if  crammed  in  the 
cutting  pots  and  placed  near  the  glass  on  shelves,  when  the  old 
plants  can  hardly  be  kept  by  the  greatest  care.  Give  more  air 
and  less  water  to  stove  plants  in  general  after  this  time  ;  this 
will  harden  and  prepare  them  for  another  long  winter.  Before 
advancing  further  let  us  ascertain  it  those  stove  plants  which 
we  have  lost  or  found  difBcult  to  keep  in  former  winters  are  in 
good  condition  ;  examine  the  pots,  and  if  the  soil  is  not  in  a 
proper  state  shake  it  from  the  roots  and  repot  them  iu  light 
soil.  Sandy  loam  is  better  for  wintering  delicate  stove  plants 
in  than  composts  containing  either  peat  or  leaf  mould ;  peat  is 
very  apt  to  become  sour  in  a  close  stove  in  winter,  but  in  framss 
and  greenhouses  nothing  suits  them  belter.  In  the  beginning 
of  the  growing  season  all  kinds  of  stimulants  were  in  requisi- 
tion to  insure  a  rapid  growth ;  but  from  this  time  all  safe 
modes  of  retarding  vegetation  should  be  resorted  to  in  order 


that  the  season's  growth  may  be  ripened  as  much  as  possible. 
These  general  rules  may  be  of  more  use  than  minute  details. — 
W.  Keane. 


DOINGS   OF   THE   LAST  WEEK. 

Watering. — In  addition  to  what  was  stated  last  week,  we  must 
remark,  that  in  using  sewage  water  from  mansions,  &c.,  let  it 
bo  proved  that  it  is  not  too  strong  before  emplojing  it  freely. 
Iu  our  case,  and  as  the  matter  resolved  itself  simply  into  using 
it  or  giving  no  water  at  all,  though  the  sewiige  consisted  of 
all  that  comes  from  a  general  establishment,  as  stableyard, 
laundry,  kitchen,  &e.,  and  rain  water  on  yards,  if  there  had 
been  auy  rain,  yet  owing  to  the  absence  of  rain,  although  the 
sewage  would  have  done  admirably  for  Cabbages,  Cauliflowers, 
and  similar  crops  of  that  kind,  it  would  have  been  too  strong 
to  have  applied  to  pot  plants  at  all  tender  without  being  diluted 
with  clear  water.  Sometimes  when  the  sewage  is  pumped  up 
in  barrels  this  mixing  is  not  very  easily  done,  and  iu  such  a 
case  we  compromise  the  matter  by  half  watering  with  the 
sewage,  and  then  coming  over  the  plants  again  with  clean 
water.  On  the  same  principle  we  find  that  such  sewage  com- 
municated to  Peach  trees  iu  pots,  might  be  a  little  over-strong 
for  them,  whilst  it  would  answer  well  for  trees  planted  out  in 
the  soil,  whether  in  the  open  air  or  under  glass.  For  most 
purposes  we  have  used  this  sewage  just  as  we  took  it,  and  even 
on  flower  beds  it  did  no  harm  when  sparingly  applied  at  the 
roots,  care  being  taken  that  the  liquid  was  not  spurted  over 
the  leaves.  In  our  case,  except  under  some  circumstances,  we 
know  that  owing  to  the  body  of  water  used  the  liquid  will 
seldom  be  too  strong  for  general  purposes.  Pure  water  must 
be  obtained  for  mansions,  even  if  it  should  have  to  be  carted 
as  in  such  a  season  as  this,  and  when  it  has  served  its  purpose 
it  may  be  brought  in  as  a  useful  aid  to  the  garden,  instead 
of  being  allowed  to  run  to  waste  as  is  generally  the  case.  We 
never  thought  of  using  the  house  sewage  merely  as  a  substi- 
tute for  watering  until  four  years  ago,  when  we  were  even  worse 
off  for  water  than  now.  The  main  drain  here  terminates  in  a 
rather  large  reservoh-,  and  as  that  iilled  the  liquid  found  its  way 
where  it  could,  leaving  its  mark  in  a  rank  vegetation  which 
nothing  would  eat.  An  iron  pump  w&s  placed  over  the  reservoir, 
so  that  we  can  easily  fill  a  large  barrel  to  be  moved  by  a  horse, 
and  for  wateiing  at  the  roots  wo  shall  not  be  quite  run  out  so 
long  as  this  supply  Lasts,  and  it  will  so  far  last  as  long  as  there 
is  a  laundry  in  use,  dishes  to  wash,  and  carriages  to  clean. 

The  great  thing  for  the  inexperienced  to  bear  in  mind  is 
simply  this,  that  the  less  the  clean  water  used,  the  stronger 
will  be  the  sewage,  and  the  more  dangerous  its  application  in 
its  unweakened  state.  Thus  we  have  used  the  liquid  as  it 
came  from  all  parts  of  a  stableyard  without  any  addition. 
We  have  seen  liquid  that  came  from  another  yard  that  had  no 
lain  water,  and  little  of  clean  water  of  any  sort  mingled  with 
it,  and  that  we  would  not  have  used  without  six  times  its  bulk 
of  clean  water  added  to  it.  We  can  give  no  test  in  this  matter, 
but  experience  and  observation,  and  the  experience  is  soon 
gained  by  trying  the  liquid  on  a  few  plants  at  first,  and  remark- 
ing its  effects  before  using  it  freely.  Tor  general  purposes  of 
watering  we  prefer  our  sewage  to  pure  water,  but  as  no  rain 
has  yet  reached  us  on  this  the  11th,  we  foresee  that  if  it  do  not 
come  soon  all  efforts  to  refresh  foliage  with  water  will  be  with 
us  out  of  the  question. 

Some  of  our  correspondents  have  been  amused  at  the  small 
quantities  of  strong  manures,  as  giiano,  we  recommend  to  be 
mixed  in  water ;  and  some  of  them  have  told  us  that  when 
they  used  double  and  triple  the  quanlitv  they  had  too  much 
reason  to  rue  it,  and  go  back  to  the  smaller  quantity.  In  fact, 
all  manure  water  should  be  given  weak,  there  is  then  no 
danger  ;  and  after  the  first  trial  or  two  there  need  be  no  difB- 
culty  with  sewage  water,  as  the  safe  strength  may  be  easily 
determined.  Satisfy  yourself  by  practice  before  using  it  largely. 

Eeeently  we  used  sewage  water  rather  freely  at  the  roots,  not 
only  of  Cauliflowers,  which  it  just  suits,  but  also  to  Verbenas, 
Calceolarias,  Scarlet  Pelargoniums,  &c.,  and  a  day  or  two  after 
the  foliage  looked  blacker  and  healthier  in  cnsequence.  This 
sewage  was  strong  enough  to  leave  its  scent  on  the  ground 
for  an  hour  or  two,  but  the  earth  soon  takes  away  all  scent  of 
that  kind.  On  this  account,  however,  unless  suitably  prepared, 
such  sewage  should  not  be  used  near  living-rooms.  We  are 
thus  particular,  in  the  hope  that  others  scarce  of  water  may 
have  this  supply  to  go  to. 

KITCHEN    OAEDEN. 

We  were  obliged  to  water  Cauliflowers,  Lettuces,  Turnips,  See., 


Jolj  16,  18C8.  ] 


JOimNAL   OF  HOBXIOULTUBB  AND   COTTAGE  GARDBNEB. 


47 


as  the  latter  were  becoming  quite  bard.  Sowed  Cabbages  for  the 
early  ppriny  crop  ;  a  few  Cauliflowers,  Turnips,  Ltttuoes,  Euiiive, 
and  tbo  last  row  of  Peas,  watering  the  ground  in  every  case 
before  sowing,  and  then  covering  with  mats,  litter,  &c.,  to  keep 
the  moisture  in  a  little  before  the  plants  appeared.  We  have 
been  able  to  keep  young  crops  alive  without  watering  by  ahading 
with  dry  litter,  evergreen  boughs,  &c.  Sowed  an  earth  pit  of 
Dwarf  Kidneij  Beanit,  soaking  the  drills  first,  and  these  if 
necessary  wo  can  protect  in  the  autumn.  Here  we  may  state 
that,  against  our  wish,  we  have  sown  more  this  year  of  the 
small  black  Kidney  Bnan,  which  produces  long  clear  pods.  'We 
do  not  know  how  it  may  hold  out  for  continuous  bearing,  but 
as  yet  it  has  been  the  most  fertile  variety  we  have  ever  met 
with,  producing  a  vast  number  more  flowers  and  pods  than 
leaves.  From  a  small  border  wo  have  gathered  large  (luantities 
for  use  both  fresh  and  pickled.  At  one  time  we  held  this  little 
black  Bean  in  but  small  estimation,  and  always  had  an  idea  it 
produced  speckled  instead  of  clear  green  pods ;  but  now,  if  it 
hold  out,  wo  shall  assign  it  a  first  place,  as  being  superior  for 
ont-door  cropping  to  (Jliina  or  Robin's  Egg,  Duns,  Yellows, 
Fulmer's,  and  all  the  rest  of  them.  The  lljbin's  Egg  in  such 
a  season  would  be  apt  to  produce  many  dumpy  pods,  with  a 
seed  swelling  at  the  end  before  the  pod  had  attained  its  full 
length.  From  plants  of  this  little  black  Bean  we  have  gathered 
a  dozen  pods,  straight  and  clean,  fully  5.J  inches  long,  and 
no  mark  of  a  seed  in  them.  From  its  dwarfness  wo  shall  give 
it  a  trial  for  forcing  next  season.  Succession  crops,  though 
young,  have  been  attacked  with  the  black  iiy  that  is  frequently 
SO  troublesome  on  Broad  Beans,  and  these  have  been  syringed 
with  lime  water  and  soap  water,  and  they  are  now  nearly  free 
from  such  enemies. 

We  have  several  times  mentioned  that  that  fine  Pea,  Veitch's 
Perfection,  did  not  produce  enough  to  please  us;  but  this  season, 
dry  though  it  has  been,  it  has  been  with  us  more  prolific  than 
any  other  of  the  large  Peas. 

FEniT    GAHDEN. 

Strawberry  runners  will  be  very  scarce  with  us  this  season, 
and  the  crop  of  fruit  has  almost  dried  up.  Trees  in  orchard 
hoosea  have  had  extra  watering,  and  merely  to  save  watering 
we  have  shaded  the  glass  with  whitened  water.  Some  nice 
Pigs  have  been  gathered  from  the  most  forward  orchard  house, 
also  some  good  Plums,  the  house  having  been  made  more 
forward  by  shutting  up  earlier  and  giving  air  later.  We  are  at 
a  loss  for  clean  water  for  syringing,  and  have  used  with  good 
effect  sewage  for  root-watering.  Used  also  sewage  water  for 
watering  the  Vine  borders,  which  are  out  of  doors,  as,  after  the 
covering  had  been  removed,  they  were  becoming  dry,  and  as 
the  soil,  from  the  sun  striking  freely  on  it  and  being  but  slightly 
touched  on  the  surface,  became  as  warm  as  we  wished  it  to  be. 
After  the  watering,  we  covered  the  borders  slightly  with  horse 
droppings  and  a  little  litter,  which  will  protect  them  from  the 
fierce  sun  a  little,  and  if  a  good  shower  should  come  some  of 
the  virtues  of  the  covering  will  be  washed  into  the  soil. 

Nearly  finished  thinning  late  Grapes.  This  could  only  be 
done  in  the  morning  and  evening,  owing  to  the  heat.  Cleared 
ontall  the  plants  from  the  second  vinery,  and  washed  all  the 
stages,  &8.,  then  covered  ihem  with  a  paint  of  lime  and  sulphur, 
and  daubed  all  the  pipes  with  sulphur  and  soft-soap,  also  doing 
the  same  on  the  wall  where  there  was  any  chance  of  the  sun's 
rays  falling  on  it.  Tbis  was  done  by  way  of  precaution  to  keep 
the  red  spider  at  a  distance.  Tbe  floors  and  stages  were  also 
damped  in  the  hottest  part  of  the  day,  as  we  do  not  care  to 
syringe  over  the  foliage.  We  never  think  that  plants  do  much 
harm  in  such  houses  until  the  fruit  begins  to  ripen,  then  tbe 
less  watering  in  the  honse  the  better  ;  but  in  very  hot  weather 
the  dryness  may  be  carried  too  far,  and  a  little  spi  inkling  of 
water  will  help  to  keep  the  bunches  plump  and  full.  Figs  have 
also  needed  extra  watering,  but  nothir';  repays  the  trouble 
better.  Provided  the  water  is  not  stagnant,  it  is  scarcely  pos- 
sible to  over-water  a  Fig  tree  after  it  has  fairly  taken  to  growth. 
Plants  in  pots  run  a  risk  of  throwing  off  their  fruit  every  time 
the  soil  becomes  dry.  In  pits  and  frames  where  Melons  and 
Cucnmbers  were  growing,  ran  a  brush,  with  a  paint  made  of 
lime,  soot,  and  sulphur,  near  the  top  inside,  to  moderate  the 
reflection  of  light,  and  yet  emit  some  sulphurous  fumes  when 
the  sun  shines  strongly.  These  fumes  are  the  greatest  annoy- 
ance to  the  red  spider.  As  to  tbe  mere  sulphur  itself  in  its 
natural  state,  the  red  spider  will  walk  in  it  as  unconcernedly  as 
among  dust  or  earthy  particles.  Tbe  fumes  should  never  be 
too  hot ;  when  they  are  given  off  from  flues  or  pipes  the  heating 
material  should  never  be  warmer  than  160°.     When  the  fumes  i 


are  caused  by  the  sun's  rays  striking  on  a  wall,  thoy  will  rarely 
bo  so  worm  as  that.  In  such  bright  weather  whtn  good  Melons 
cannot  have  the  shade  of  foliage,  they  will  bo  all  the  better  of 
a  thin  piece  of  paper  being  suspended  over  them. 

OliNAlIENTAI,    DBI'AUTMKNT. 

Very  much  the  same  as  last  week.  Hoed  and  forked  beds  of 
shrubs,  (Sic,  to  fill  up  cracks.  Some  Khododendrons  are  suf- 
fering from  the  drought.  Proceeded  with  seeuting  Hollyhocks 
and  Dahlias.  As  we  could  not  water,  the  spikes  of  the  former 
will  be  shorter  than  usual.  We  prefer  Dahlias  to  have  only  one 
stout  stake,  which  is  hidden  as  tbe  plant  attains  maturity,  and 
to  this  stake  all  the  side  shoots  retained  are  loottly  hasped,  which 
keeps  them  secure  and  yet  does  not  give  the  plant  an  artificial 
appearance.  Secured  Carnations  with  twisted  wires  instead  of 
stakes,  and  proceeded  with  layering  them  and  making  cuttings 
as  we  could.  The  lawn  was  becoming  a  little  patchy  with  green 
vigorous  spots  here  and  there,  ond,  therefore,  first  switched  it 
over  with  the  daisy  knife,  and  then  very  lightly  with  the  mow- 
ing machine,  so  as  not  to  dip  where  there  was  nothing  to  cut. 
Plants  in  beds  we  watered  at  the  roots  chiefly  with  sewage 
water.  Could  we  have  the  grass  brightly  green  again  the 
flowers  would  look  much  better. 

Shifted  tor  the  conservatory  into  larger  pots,  strong  plants 
of  Feathered  Cockscombs  and  Fuchsias.  Shifted  BaUams 
into  larger  pots  for  succession.  Gave  more  shade  and  water 
to  Ferns.  Begonias  and  Caladiums  ccme  in  well  in  shady 
parts  of  corridors,  greenhouses,  &c.  The  former  are  very  im- 
patient of  any  flowers  or  leaves  falling  on  their  foliage.  All 
plant  houses  are  benefited  by  keeping  the  floors  and  stages 
moist,  instead  of  drenching  the  plants  too  much  at  the  roots. 
See  last  week  as  to  Pelargoniums,  Chinese  Primroses,  Cinera- 
rias, &c. 

All  greenhouse  plants  out  of  doors  and  in  pits  and  frames 
might  be  exposed  at  night  fully  were  we  sure  of  no  thunder 
storm  occurring.  When  there  is  any  danger  the  sashes  may 
be  raised  back  and  front  so  as  to  give  a  free  current  of  air.  In 
such  weather  we  reduce  the  air  to  many  plants  during  the  day 
that  they  may  require  less  water,  and  give  it  freely  at  night. 
We  are  not  much  afraid  of  a  high  temperature  during  the  day, 
provided  there  is  enough  of  air  to  prevent  the  accumulation  of 
condensed  vapour. 

Now  is  the  beat  time  for  sowivp  Calceolaria.-;  to  flower  early 
nest  spring.  The  following  is  an  excellent  plan  : — Fix  on  a 
shady  pluce  and  there  put  a  hand-light  half  filled  with  rough 
ashes.  Fill  a  6  inch  pot  to  within  1  inch  of  the  rim,  half  with 
drainage,  the  other  halt  with,  first  rough  soil,  then  finer,  and 
then  very  fine  sandy  loam  with  a  little  leaf  mould  or  peat. 
Press,  water  well,  and  in  six  to  ten  hours  sow  on  the  surface, 
f-ive  a  dusting  of  silver  sand  over  the  seed,  and  press  lightly. 
Place  a  square  of  glass  over  the  pot,  plunge  the  pot  nearly  to 
the  rim  in  the  ashes,  and  until  the  seedlings  appear  give  enough 
of  moisture  by  watering  the  ashes  and  not  the  surface  of  the 
pot.  When  the  seedlings  appear  raise  the  square  of  glass  a 
little,  then  in  a  short  time  remove  it  at  nigbt,  replacing  it 
during  the  day;  give  air  by  the  top  of  the  hand-light,  and  as 
soon  as  the  seedlings  will  bear  it  expose  them  fully  ;  prick  out 
and  keep  in  e.  cool  shady  place,  and  they  will  be  healthy  and 
strong.— R.  F. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— Jdly  15. 

Therf.  is  in  tbe  market  a  vast  accumulation  of  fruit  both  English  aiifl 
foreign,  the  latter  compriBing  Pines,  Grapes,  Peaches,  Nectariuee,  Apri- 
cots, and  Melons.    Tha  vegetable  market  is  not  so  -well  supplied. 


VEGETABLES. 


8.  d. 

Artichokes doz.  2 

Asparagus  lOO  0 

Beans,  Kidney  %  sieve  4 

Eeet,  Ked doz.  2 

Broccoli bundle  0 

Brns.  Sprouts  ^  sieve  0 

Cabbage doz.  1 

Capsicums 100  0 

Carrots bunch  0 

Cauliflower doz.  S 

Celery bundle  1 

Cucumbers each  0 

Endive doz.  2 

Fennel bunch  0 

Garlic lb.  0 

Herbs  bunch  0 

Horseradish  . .  bundle  3 


Oto3 

n 

0 

0 

0 

0 

u 

0 

0 

s 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

B 

n 

0 

0 

6 

1 

0 

0 

u 

0 

6 

'2 

0 

4 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

8 

0 

0 

8 

u 

0 

S 

1) 

0 

0 

;> 

0 

Leeks bunch 

Lettuce ....  per  score 
Mushrooms ....  pottle 
Mustd.&  Cress,  punoet 
Onions  per  doz  bchs. 

Parsley per  sieve 

Parsnips doz. 

Peas per  quart 

Potatoes bushel 

Kidney do. 

Kadishcs  doz.  bunches 

Rhubarb bundle 

Stn-kale basket 

Sballotg lb. 

Spinach bujibel 

Tomatoes. ...  per  doz. 
Turnips  bunch 


R. 

d. 

E 

d 

I) 

4  too 

•0 

0 

6 

1 

0 

;i 

0 

4 

n 

(1 

•A 

n 

n 

6 

0 

0 

0 

S 

n 

4 

(1 

0 

s 

1 

fi 

U 

9 

] 

(> 

4 

« 

(i 

0 

4 

0 

6 

0 

U 

ti 

II 

« 

0 

4 

0 

h 

U 

0 

II 

0 

0 

8 

n 

(1 

'i 

1) 

» 

II 

» 

n 

4 

» 

u 

c 

1 

« 

iH 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETICOLTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEK. 


[  July  16,  1888. 


FRUIT. 

n. 

6. 

n. 

d 

s. 

d. 

B. 

d 

Apples 

H  sieve 

1 

6  too 

0 

Melons 

. .  each    3 

0to6 

0 

Apricotfl  .... 

...  doz. 

'), 

n 

4 

(1 

Nectaricea  . . . 

..  doz.  4 

n 

8 

0 

Cherries 

lb. 

n 

3 

1 

0 

....  100  13 

n 

n 

n 

Chestnuta . . . 

. .  bush. 

n 

0 

n 

0 

Peaches 

...doz.    6 

n 

13 

n 

Currants 

.  y.  sieve 

4 

0 

() 

(1 

Pears (dessert) 

..  doz.    2 

0 

n 

n 

Black  . . . 

....  do. 

4 

0 

5 

0 

Pine  Apples  . . 

....  lb.    3 

n 

5 

0 

Figs 

...  doz. 

4 

0 

H 

(1 

Plnms 1 

'.  sieve    0 

0 

() 

n 

Filberts 

lb. 

1 

0 

0 

1) 

Quinces 

..   doz.    0 

n 

n 

0 

Cobs 

lb. 

0 

!l 

1 

II 

Knspberrips  . . 

lb.    0 

4 

0 

8 

Gooseberries 

. .  quart 

U 

4 

0 

K 

Strawberries . . 

per  lb.    0 

fi 

1 

n 

Grapes,  Hothouse.  .!b. 

i> 

(1 

f^ 

(1 

Walnuts 

.  bosh.  10 

n 

16 

n 

LemoDS 

....  100 

H 

0 

V2 

0 

do 

per  100    1 

0 

2 

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.  All 
communications  should  therefore  be  addressed  solely  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  llorticulturc^  (&c,y  171,  Fleet 
Street^  London,  E.C. 

We  also  request  that  correspondents  will  not  mix  up  on  the 
same  sheet  questions  relating  to  Gardening  and  those  on 
Poultry  and  Bee  subjects,  if  they  expect  to  get  them  an- 
swered promptly  and  conveniently,  but  write  them  on 
separate  communications.  Also  never  to  send  more  than 
two  or  three  questions  at  once. 
Books  {R.  .Vii?fr).— Stephens's  "Book  of  the  Farm." 

SUPPLEBEEST  OF  "  COTTAGE  GARDENERS*  DICTIONARY  "  (  W.  S.  W.).~The 

Supplement  contains  all  necessary  additions  down  to  the  end  of  last 
year. 

Catalogue  of  British  Plants  (M.  H.  ^.).— We  know  of  no  such 
catalogue  as  you  mention. 

Gasometer  near  Vinery  (O.  Broirn).~Ii  will  not  be  at  all  infarious 
to  the  plants  either  in  a  vinery  or  in  the  open  air. 

Seedlings  (A'.). — There  are  very  many  better  varieties  of  Pelargoniums 
and  Fuchsias  than  those  you  enclosed.  If  the  only  merit  of  the  Petunia 
is  the  yellow  in  its  leaves  it  would  not  be  valued.  '  If  the  seedling  Pelar- 
gonium with  tricoloured  leaves,  not  two  of  which  are  alike,  proves  per- 
manent in  this  peculiarity,  it  may  be  a  desirable  acquisition. 

Seedling  Verbenas  (G.  Mason). —They  were  so  shrivelled  that  wo  can 
only  say  that  the  trusses  are  good  nnd  the  colour  (crimson)  very  rich. 
You  had  better  send  them  to  the  Floral  Committee  as  you  propose. 

Rating  Nurserymen's  Grounds  (An  Old  Correspondent) . — If  overseers 
rate  them  improperly,  the  remeriy  is  to  appeal.  It  is  useless  to  complain 
unless  the  remedy  has  failed  in  procuring  redress. 

RoLLissoN's  Cucumber  (W.  S.).— Your  notes  refer  to  statements  you 
made  in  a  contemporary  Journal,  and  our  readers  would  not  know  to 
what  you  refer. 

Veitch's  Early  Ashleaf  Potato  <J.  li.  P.).— The  sample  sent  is 
very  good  of  this  very  good  early  variety.  As  the  tubers  are  quite  ripe 
we  have  no  doubt  that  you  will  succeed  in  raising  a  second  crop  this 
year,  for  it  is  a  quickly-growing  and  quickly-maturing  variety.  We  shall 
be  glad  to  hear  the  results  of  your  experiments,  nnd  at  the  same  time  to 
know  when  you  planted,  a  ad  when  you  took  up  each  crop. 

Exhibiting  Grapes  [James  Murraji).~^e  cannot  advise,  not  knowing 
the  terms  of  the  exhibition.  If  tho  prize  is  merely  for  the  best  Grapes, 
attention  need  only  be  paid  to  the  weight,  ripeness,  colour,  and  bloom. 
If  to  artistic  an-angement,  then  it  must  be  left  to  the  exhibitor's  taste 
and  opportunities. 

Strawberries  for  Soccessional  Bearing  in  a  Stiff  Soil  (A  Snh- 
seriber).— Taken  all  in  all,  you  cannot  have  three  better  than  Keens' 
Seedling,  British  Queen,  aud  Eleanor,  but  as  you  do  not  like  Keens',  you 
might  substitute  President  or  Premier,  and  as  the  British  Queen  does  not 
bear  well,  you  miqht  have  Dr.  Hogg,  or  the  fine-flavoured  and  rather  free- 
fruiting  Myatt's  Eliza,  an  old  sort  but  good. 

Figs  (G.  S.).— The  cause  of  your  first  crop  of  Lee's  Perpetual  being 
firm  and  *'  like  solid  meat,"  is  because  the  flowers  have  not  been  fertilised, 
or  only  partially  so.    This  is  very  apt  to  bo  the  case  with  the  first  crop. 

Frogmore  Late  Pine  Strawberry  (IT''.  iT.  ;./.).— The  following  is  the 
description  given  in  Hogi:r's  "  Fruit  Manual :"— "  Fruit  very  large,  conical, 
and  cockscomb-shaped,  with  a  glossy  neck  like  the  Old  Pine.  Seeds  not 
deeply  imbedded.  Skin  glossy,  bright  red,  becoming  dark  red,  and  almost 
black  when  ripe.  Flesh  tender  and  very  juicy,  red  throughout,  richly 
flavoured,  and  a  good  deal  of  the  Pine  aroma  when  well  ripened." 

Roses  (Idem). — If  you  know  what  constitutes  a  good  Rose,  then  the 
requisite  number  of  such  good  Roses  would  constitute  a  good  stand  of 
them.  Each  variety  ought  to  be  shown  accompanied  by  leaves  of  that 
variety. 

Budding  and  Cuttings  of  Manetti  Roses  (Bn^fnasfof).—"  You  may 
bud  Manetti  stocks  as  soon  as,  and  as  long  as  the  bark  will  run.  When 
you  bud  very  late  the  bud  should  be  ripe.  Early  in  the  year  a  little  eye 
will  take  as  well  as  a  ripe  one;  the  slice  being  sappier  it  will  often  take 
better.  If  the  weather  is  not  stormy  but  hot.  as  now,  put  either  a  Dock 
or  other  leaf  over  the  aewly-insertcd  bud.  Always  water  the  stocks  a 
day  or  so  before  budding,  and  also  afterwards.  Watering  causes  a  gi-eater 
•flow  of  sflp.  With  a  trowel  scoop  away  the  ground,  and  remove  the 
suckers,  cutting  them  clean  from  the  stocks.  Bud  as  low  as  you  can  do 
on  the  main  stock.  You  may  bud,  it  you  like,  on  the  wood  of  the  current 
year,  and  also  on  the  brood,  but  it  is  best  to  bud  on  the  main  stock  if  the 
bark  will  separata  or  run.  After  you  have  budded  the  stocks  let  the  wood 
remain  on,  and  in  September  you  may  remove  a  portion  of  it  for  pro- 
pagation purposes.    It  strikes  very  easily.    Tread  in  the  shoots,  10  inches 


long,  firmly ;  and  in  winter  shake  amongst  them  horse  litter  or  stra^. 
Bury  the  stocks  5  or  6  inches  deep,  and  leave  a  leaf  or  two  on  the 
shoot  above  ground.  Give  them  a  little  water  occasionally  in  the  hot 
autumnal  weather.  Roses  generally,  I  hear,  are  at  this  time  in  a  sad 
state  Trom  excessive  heat  and  fungoid  diseases.  I  have  tbree  men  em- 
ployed in  mulching  and  watering  my  Roses.  I  scrape  away  an  inch  of 
ground  over  the  roots,  put  on  three  ahovelsful  of  black  decayed  horse  and 
pig  manure,  water  copiously,  and  then  return  the  removed  earth  over  the 
dung.  Finally,  buy  Alfred  Colomb,  it  runs  Charles  Lefebvre  closely.  It 
is  the  best  Rose  tliat  has  been  out  for  years,  and  is  first-rate  in  its  bloom 
and  also  in  its  foliage,  growth,  and  habit.  The  best  light-coloured  Rose 
of  late  date  is  Princess  Mary  of  Cambridge.  It  only  wants  more  in- 
tensity and  fixedness  of  colour. — W.  F.  R.\dclyffe." 

Compost  for  Potted  Roses  (liose).—^*  The  best  compost  for  pot  Roses 
is  one-third  each  of  rich  atifl"  clay,  sand  or  fine  'ashes,  and  decayed 
black  dung.  Let  me  add  that  Pelargoniums,  Fuchsias,  Roses,  Straw- 
berries, Hollyhocks,  and  Dahlias  all  like  cow  dung.  For  the  last  two  it 
is,  perhaps,  the  best  of  manures.  It  contains  more  potash  than  any  other 
animal  manure  ;  hence,  as  potash  is  the  grand  constituent  of  a  Straw- 
berry, it  is  also  excellent  for  that  delicious  fruit ;  in  a  word,  I  believe  it 
to  be  one  of  the  best  of  manures.  The  same  may  be  said  of  soot,  which 
contains  nitrogen  and  carbon.  For  pot  Roses  use  a  skewer  to  make  holes 
in  t(:e  soil  to  let  in  the  water.— W.  F.  Radclyffe."  "The  Garden 
Manual"  will  suit  you.  It  will  be  sent  free  by  post  from  our  office  if  you 
enclose  twenty  postage  stamps  with  your  address. 

List  of  Superior  Roses  [Henry  Worrall). — "  I  presume  good  growers, 
hardy  Roses,  free  bloomers,  and  constant  bloomers  are  desired.  Yellow 
— Gloire  de  Dijon,  Ct-Une  Forestier,  and  Triomphe  de  Rennes.  These 
Roses  should  have  plenty  of  room,  and  do  not  require  to  be  cut  much. 
lilush — Marguerite  de  St.  Amand,  La  France  (new),  Caroline  de  Sansal, 
Mdlle.  Euiilc  Boyau,  Madame  Knorr ;  and  for  the  autumn.  Souvenir  de 
Malmaison.  Brilliajtt  Crimson — Charles  Lefebvre,  Alfred  Colomb,  the 
two  best ;  Senateur  Vaisse,  Lord  Macaulay,  Lady  Suflield,  Maurice  Ber- 
nardin,  Duchesse  de  Caylus,  Madame  Victor  Verdier,  Lord  Clyde,  Madame 
Boutin.  Marechal  Vaillant,  Mdlle.  Annie  Wood,  fine,  but  shows  an  eye ; 
Madame  Julie  Daran,  Leopold  Premier,  George  Prince.  Gabriel  de 
Peyronny.  and  Dr.  Spitzer.  Pale  Dove  Pn(fc— Baron  Gonella.  Rosy  Pink 
—Jules  Margottiu.  >r/ti(c— Baronne  de  Maynard,  Madame  Freeman, 
Marguerite  Bonnet  (fleshy  white),  Madame  Alfred  de  Rougemont.  Daik 
Crimaon— Pierre  Netting  (a  gi-and  Rose),  Vicomte  Vigier,  Due  de  CaztB, 
Souvenir  de  Comte  Cavour,  Eugene  Verdier,  Baronne  Pelletan  de  Kin- 
kelin.  Maroon— Vrince  Camille  de  Rohan,  Souvenir  de  Dr.  Jamain,  Em- 
pereur  de  Maroc.  Rose  6'oiour— Baronne  Prevost,  Comte  de  Nanteuil, 
Thoriu  (new),  La  Duchesse  de  Morny.  Charles  Rouillard,  John  Hopper, 
the  best,  one  of  the  finest  Roses  in  England.  Its  colour  is  crimson 
rose.  Piiifr- Comtesse  Cecile  de  Chabrillant.  TFarj/  Flefh—'MTS.  Bosan- 
quet.  I  conclude  with  a  few  words  on  new  Roses.  Alfred  Colomb  is  the 
finest  by  far.  Horace  Vernet  and  Antoine  Ducher  are  excellent  growers 
with  fine  foliage ;  they  are  large  and  fine,  with  deep  petals,  but  they  have 
not  yet  been  full  enough.  Fisher  Holmes  is  a  nice  red  Rose.  Charles 
Verdier  is  distinct,  and  I  think  it  will  be  good.  Mdlle.  Marguerite  Dom- 
brain  when  not  tucked  in  the  side  is  estja  fine.  Princess  Mary  of  Cam- 
bridge is  an  improved  Auguste  Mie,  and  taken  at  all  points  is  tho  best 
Rose  of  light  colour,  as  Alfred  Colomb  is  the  best  of  the  rich  colours 
that  has  come  out  lately.— W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

Vines  Cut  Back  not  Starting  (T/n'sf??).— Cutting  down  Vines  six 
years  oJd  to  within  2  inches  of  the  ground  was  a  bold  proceeding.  The 
reason  of  their  not  starting  is,  that  no  eyes  were  left  below  the  cut,  but 
it  is  not  unlikely  that  the  Vines  will  yet  start.  More  length  of  stem 
should  have  been  left,  cutting  down  to  the  lowest  young  wood  on  the 
stem  from  which  the  Vines  would  have  pushed  fresh  canes  freely.  Vines 
will  in  most  cases  push  from  the  old  wood,  as  there  are  many  embryo 
buds  or  eyes  which  remain  dormant  for  a  number  of  years.  We  have 
had  them  push  vigorously  on  stems  of  twenty  years'  growth. 

Seedling  Carnations  (UAmojir).—The  seedlings  are  seldom  so  good 
at  the  first  flowering  as  at  the  second  and  afterwards,  but  you  will  be 
able  to  form  an  opinion  in  the  first  year  of  flowering  as  to  whether  they 
promise  anything  good  in  form  and  colouring.  If  you  have  room  for  them 
in  the  border  by  all  means  retain  them,  for  if  not  good  in  a  florist's  eye 
the  flowers  may  be  valuable  for  bouquets. 

Amaryllis  Seed  Sowing  (Amateur). —The  seed  should  be  gathered 
when  ripe,  and  we  prefer  to  sow  it  at  once  in  pots  well  drained,  and  filled 
to  within  an  inch  of  the  rim  with  a  compost  of  two-thirds  rich  yellow 
loam,  and  one-third  sandy  peat.  We  then  put  on  a  little  of  the  same 
kind  of  soil,  but  finer  and  dry,  make  the  surface  even  by  patting  it  with 
the  bottom  of  a  flower-pot,  scatter  the  seed  over  it  rather  thinly,  and 
cover  with  a  quarter  of  an  inch  of  fine  soil,  the  least  possible  depth  being 
left  to  hold  water.  The  pot  is  then  placed  on  a  shelf  in  the  stove,  and  it  is 
not  watered  until  the  beginning  of  February,  when  the  soil  is  moistened 
by  a  geutle  watering.  We  then  plunge  the  pots  in  a  hotbed  and  en- 
courage growth,  keeping  the  soil  moist.  The  pot  remains  in  the  hotbed 
as  long  as  there  is  anv  heat,  and  the  soil  is  preserved  in  a  moist  condition, 
and  a  good  heat  is  given  so  as  to  keep  the  young  plants  in  a  growing 
state  as  long  as  possible,  but  giving  a  short  rest  by  diminishing  the  supply 
of  water  in  November.  December,  and  January.  In  February  they  are 
again  placed  in  a  hotbed,  and  forwarded  in  a  brisk  heat  with  plenty  of 
nioisture,  and  when  they  have  made  a  growth,  which  they  will  do  by 
June  we  pot  them  off  singly  in  pots  about  four  times  the  diameter  of  the 
bulbs  and  so  that  the  bulbs  are  buried  to  the  neck.  They  are  again 
returned  to  the  hotbed,  giving  water  abundantly  and  atmospheric 
moisture,  keeping  them  well  supplied  with  moisture  up  to  October,  when 
the  supply  is  diminished,  but  so  long  as  there  is  foliage  give  enough 
water  to  keep  it  from  flagging.  The  pots  are  top-dressed  m  January,  re- 
moving the  old  soil  down  to  the  roots,  and  it  is  replaced  with  rich  rather 
strong  loam  from  rotted  turves.  Do  not  distmrb  the  roots  or  interfere 
with  the  baU,  but  if  the  drainage  be  defective  rectify  it.  Plunge  the 
pots  in  a  hotbed,  encourage  growth  with  water  as  required  and  atmo- 
spheric moisture,  and  in  May  shift  the  plants  into  a  larger  size  of  pot, 
not  disturbing  the  roots  or  ball  beyond  removing  the  crocks  and  any 
soil  not  adhering  to  the  roots.  Retm-n  the  plants  to  the  hotbed  and  keep 
them  growing  as  long  as  they  appear  disposed  to  do  so,  giving  ft  good 
supply  of  water,  and  when  growth  ceases  remove  them  from  the  hotbed 
by  degrees  and  set  them  on  a  shelf  in  the  full  sun  in  the  stove,  giving 
water  so  as  to  prevent  the  leaves  flagging,  diminishing  it,  however,  when 
these  show  i^igns  of  going  ofl",  and  keep  the  soil  rather  dry  during  the 


July  16,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OP  HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEK. 


49 


winter.  Those  plantH  by  the  third  yonr  will  liavo  strong  bulbs  for  flowor- 
ingi  unci  the  treatment  in  then  thi;  snuiu  iis  lor  old  vdnnts.  It  inconvenient 
to  sow  the  3ted  when  ripo,  it  niny  be  kept  in  «  dry  place  and  sown  uarly 
in  February.  Wo  hav»;  Itept  it  in  silver  sand  in  a  flower-pot  in  a  Btovn 
until  February,  and  we  cannot  Bay  which  is  the  better  plan  ;  I)oth  proved 
good. 

Statice  HoLFonni  Propagation  (JJcih).— It  is  propapnted  by  cuttinfjg, 
the  side  crowns  beinj?  taken  oil'  close  to  the  stem  and  with  a  sort  of  heel. 
The  base  of  the  cuttint;  is  pared  smooth  with  a  shari)  knife,  and  a  few  of 
the  loaves  are  trimmed  oil"  to  admit  of  its  beiuR  placed  in  the  soil.  The 
cutting-pot  should  he  well  drained,  ilUed  to  within  an  inch  of  the  rim 
with  sandy  pent,  and  then  to  the  rim  with  sand,  and  the  eutting  should 
bo  inserted  in  the  centre.  It  is  well  to  placo  the  cuttiuR-pot  in  one  of  a 
larger  size,  and  to  Oil  the  interval  between  the  two  with  small  crocks  to 
near  tbo  top,  and  the  remainder  of  the  spaco  with  silver  sand.  The  rims 
of  both  pots  should  bo  level.  That  will  allow  of  a  bell-glass  being  placed 
over  the  cutting  and  resting  on  tbo  sand  between  the  pots.  Give  a  gentle 
watering,  and  plunge  in  a  bottom  heat  oi  from  75  toKO"  and  a  correspond- 
ing top  heat,  being  careful  not  to  make  the  soil  very  wet  but  yet  to  keep 
it  moist.  Shade  from  bright  sun.  take  oft"  the  bell-glass  occasionally,  and, 
after  wiping  it  dry,  replace  it.  When  the  cutting  begins  to  grow  tilt  the 
glass  a  little  on  one.  side,  and  by  degrees  remove  it.  I  ho  best  plants  of 
8tatice  are  obtained  from  seed,  such  being  more  free  in  growth  and  less 
liable  to  die  oft*  than  plants  from  cuttings. 

Treatment  of  Oleander  after  FLOwEniNO  (/rfrm). — Your  plant  with 
two  ste.'is  coming  from  near  the  soil  and  'd  feet  6  inches  in  height,  is 
leggy.  We  would  cut  both  shoots  and  branches  down  to  6  inches,  and 
take  two  or  three  shoots  from  each,  rubbing  oft"  the  others.  The  plant  will 
not,  however,  flower  next  year,  but  we  would  take  ofl'  the  po:nts  of  the 
shoots  again  in  April  next  vear,  at  G  inches  above  the  points  where  they 
were  last  cut,  and  you  will  obtain  plenty  of  shoots  for  a  good  head  in  the 
following  year.  The  shoots  coming  from  the  flowering  stem  v.ill  be  the 
flowering  shoots  of  next  year,  and  tho  prominent  buds  at  theii'  apex  arc 
flower  buds  which  will  not  open  this  season.  If  you  wish  the  plant  to  bloom 
nest  year  these  shoots  must  not  be  cut  (ff;  but  we  wonld  put  them  in  as 
cuttings,  cut  down  the  old  plant,  and  obtain  a  specimen.  No  plasit  is 
worse  grown  than  this,  and  few  equal  it  in  its  fine  heads  of  bloom  and 
general  usefulness  for  decorative  purposes. 

GOTTiNG-BACii  Large  OLEANDERS  (Old  Subscriber). — Wo  would  not 
now  cut  hack  your  trees  to  the  old  branches  but  defer  it  until  next  March. 
If  you  cut  them  now  they  will  probably  not  push  until  late  and  will  mako 
a  weak  growth,  as  the  eyes  upon  suck  strong  wood  will  not  start  so  freely 
as  those  from  younger  and  smaller  shoots.  After  being  cut  back  tho 
plants  should  have  a  moist  atmosphere,  and  ho  kept  rather  warm  and 
close  until  they  break.  We  think  they  will  break  freely  and  strongly  if 
cut-in  next  spring.  We  were  under  tho  impression  that  you  intended  to 
cut  back  the  very  thick  stem,  and  that  prompted  our  former  reply. 

Cyperus  alternifolius  VARIEGATU9  {Charlton).— Vtc  would  pot  the 
plant  now  in  very  poor  sandy  soil,  and  encourage  it  with  a  moist  growing 
beat  and  an  abundant  supply  of  water.  Your  plant  has  had  quite  enough 
rest.  It  requires  to  be  kept  well  supplied  with  water  when  gi-owing,  and 
rather  dry  in  winter.  It  succeeds  admirably  in  a  stove,  and  is  of  easy 
culture. 
Raising  Lapageria  rosea  from  Seed  (J.  G.).— The  pod  of  seed  will 


I  no  doubt  ripon  this  season.  Tho  seeds  should  bo  kept  until  the  beginning 
of  March,  and  then  sown  in  small  pots.  We  take  a  rather  large  and  deep 
I  seed-pan,  and  drain  it  to  the  depth  of  about  an  inch,  tho  pan  beioK 
i  4  inches  deep.  We  then  half  fill  a  number  of  'Ji  inch  pota  with  a  compost 
of  fibrous  sandy  loam  broken  and  made  flue,  but  use  the  rougher  portion 
for  the  bottom  of  the  put,  just  placing  one  crock  over  tho  hole  ;  we  then 
fill  to  the  rim  with  tlie  finer  portion  of  tho  peat.  Tho  pota  are  then  set 
on  tho  (^rooksin  tho  piui  and  as  clo.^ely  together  as  possible,  filling  the  in- 
tervals between  them  with  cocoa-nut  refuse,  and  ni  iking  it  level  with  tbo 
rim  of  tho  pot.  In  case  of  no  refll^e  being  at  baud,  a  little  moss  may  be 
placed  over  the  crocks,  tho  pots  set  on  it,  and  tho  intervals  between  tho 
pots  filled  up  with  silver  sand.  A  hole  is  then  made  in  tho  centre  of 
each  pot.  and  so  deep  that  tho  seod  when  put  in  shall  be  covered  with  its 
own  depth  of  fine  soil.  A  thin  layer  of  moss  is  then  placed  all  over  the 
surface,  but  not  so  deeply  as  to  hide  it  entirely,  and  a  gentle  watering 
is  given.  Tho  pan  is  then  placed  in  a  hotbed  and  kept  constantly  moist, 
and  wet  after  the  seoda  have  germinated.  Not  having  a  heated  house 
yon  may  employ  a  hotbed  ;  if  not,  we  think  the  warmest  part  of  the  cold 
pit  would  provu  suilahle.  Being  in  pots  the  plants  can  be  transferred 
into  larger  pots  when  they  attain  a  size  fit  for  repotting.  If  the  pots  be 
placed  in  a  hotbed,  gradually  harden  ofl"  the  plants  before  removing  them 
to  a  cooler  place.  You  will  find  particulars  of  tho  after-management  in 
our  last  Volume,  page  90. 

Hardv  Exotic  Orchids  (W.  R.  II.). — The  following  we  know  to  be  in 
cultivation  in  this  country.  We  cannot  say  whether  they  are  grown 
in  Ghent: — Cypripedium  ncaule  (humilo),  C.  guttatum,  C.  pubeseens, 
C.  Bpectabile  ;  Goodyera  pubeseens  ;  Ophrys  lutea,  O.  f  usca,  O.  speculum, 
O.  tenthredinifera,  O.  quadripuuctnta;  Orchis  foliosa,  O.  laxifiora, 
O.  longicornis,  O.  papilionacea,  O.  liobertiana  (longibracteata),  O.  nigra, 
O.  sambucina;  Platauthera  flava ;  and  Serapias  cordigera. 

Cockchafers  (E.  C.).~It  is  impossible  to  banish  these  insects  when  in 
their  winged  stats. 

Insects  (A.  Roe). — The  insects  found  in  your  dwelling  are  weevils,  and 
we  believe  their  scientific  name  is  Curculio  cupreus. 

Names  of  Plants  (A  Subscriber  from  the  Commencement). — We  cannot 
undertake  to  name  plants  unless  we  see  their  flowers.  [E.  E.  Jarrctt). — 
Orobanche  minor,  or  Smaller  Broom  Rape.  It  is  neither  an  Orchis  nor  a 
Fungus.  (C.  Hrt/i}.— We  cannot  identify  your  plant  unless  you  send  us 
one  of  its  flowers,  and  if  a  leaf  accompanied  it  all  the  better.  (Four- 
years  Subscriber). — We  cannot  name  plants  from  their  leaves  only.  (A 
Subscriber).— I,  Pteris  argentea  ;  li.  Aspidistra  elatior ;  3,  Polypodium 
aureum ;  4,  Adiantum  hispidulum  ;  5,  Pteris  serrulata;  6,  Pteris  sp. 
(barren) ;  7,  Croton  pictum  var.  ;  8,  Crolon  discolor  ;  10  and  11,  Specimens 
too  small :  12,  Croton  pictum.  {J.  O.).— 1  and  2,  Pteris  aquiliua,  common: 
Brake.  (W.  F.  JP.).— 1,  Lathyrus  pratensis ;  2,  Linaria  cymbalaria; 
3,  Lotus  major ;  4,  Euphorbia  iathyris ;  .S,  Potentilla  reptans  ;  6,  Prunella 
vulgaris.  ( G.  M:}.~3,  Poa  trivialis  ;  5,  Gaultheria  Phellos  ;  G,  Stipa  pen- 
nata.  [Ceres).—!,  Juncus  bufonius  ;  2.  Isolepis  setaceus;  3,  Holcus 
lanatus  ;  4,  Lolium  perenne  ;  5,  Lolium  italicum;  6,  Triticum  caninum  ; 
7,  Bromus  secalinus;  8,  Avena  flavescens  ;  10,  Dactylis  glomerata.  (J. 
M.  W.).— 1.  SpirieaDouglasii;  2,  S.  Nobleana;  3,  S.  sorbifolin  ;  4,  Thu- 
jopsis  dolabrata  ;  5,  Abies  Menziesii  ;  6,  Gupressus  sempervirens.  {J.  C). 
— 1,  Origanum  vulgare  ;  2,  Goodenia  ovata  ;  3,  Polygonum  vacciniiefolium  ; 
4,_Swainsonia  galegifolia;  6,  Pernettya  (Arbutus)  mucronata. 


IMETEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  July  14th. 


DiTE. 

THERMOMETER 

Wind. 

Rain  in 
inohee. 

General  Remarks. 

BABOMETEB. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Mu. 

Mm. 

Mai. 

Min. 

1  (t.  dp. 

2  ft.  dp. 

Wed...    8 
Thnrs.    g 
Frl.  ..  10 
Sat.  ..  U 
Son...  13 
Mon...  13 
Tnes.  .  14 

Mean 

80.061 
80.163 
33.096 
80.132 
30.040 
30.003 
80.009 

89.048 
80.051 
80.0«2 
30.100 
29.077 
29.»93 
29.975 

86 
85 
81 
84 
79 
84 
85 

49 
45 
51 
66 
66 
52 
66 

65 
67 
••7 
67 
67 
67 
68 

62 
62 
63 
63 
63 
63 
64 

S. 

E. 

E. 
N.E. 
S.E. 
S.E. 
N.E. 

.00 
.00 
.00 
.73 
.26 
.00 
.00 

Very  fine ;  clear  and  fine  ;  very  fine  at  night. 
Clear  and  fine  ;  overcast ;  heavy  clotids. 
Very  fine  ;  cloudy  ;  heavy  clouds,  overcast. 
Fine  and  clear  ;  overcast  ;  rain,  heavy  storm,  thun 
Showery,  cloudy,  heavy  showers:  densely  clouded 
Clear  and  fine  ;  very  fine  ;  fine,  clear  starlight. 
Very  fine;  clear  and  fine  ;  cloudy,  fine  and  clear. 

der,  lightning, 
thunderstorm. 

30.072 

30.032 

83.43 

52.14 

66.35 

62.85 

0.98 

POTTLTRT,  BEE,  aad  HOUSEHOLD  CHRONICLE. 


FACTS   CONNECTED   WITH   POULTRY 
CULTURE. 

OcB  correspondent  Mr.  George  Manning,  whose  remarks 
before  the  Food  Committee  of  the  Society  of  Arts  we  published, 
suggested  the  examination  of  Mr.  Brooke,  of  Newgate  Market, 
and  the  following  are  some  extracts  from  bis  evidence  : — 

Mr.  Brooke :  Messrs.  Broome  it  Co.,  are  larjje  poultry,  butter, 
meat,  and  provision  salesmen,  at  Nos.  10  and  11,  Newf^ate  Street, 
Newgate  Market.  I^am  the  manager  ot'jthe  poultry  business.  I  have 
been  all  my  lifetime  in  the  poultry  trade  ;  my  father  was  a  dealer 
in  poultry  in  Norfolk,  and  I  have  been  a  salesman  from  the  age 
of  eighteen.  I  have  been  in  Leadenhall  Market  thirty  years,  and  in 
Newgate  Market  eight  years,  and  the  whole  class  of  trade  has  come 
ander  my  notice.  I  have  also  given  evidence  on  the  Game  laws 
in  1846,  and  have  been  consulted  by  the  Government  in  reference  to 
the  markets.  I  was  sent  by  Messrs.  Broome  to  France  to  examine  for 
myself  the  markets  of  Paris,  as  well  as  to  go  through  the  different  parts 
of  the  country  which  supplied  poultry  to  the  Paris  markets,  which 
markets  in  the  country  are  so  well  regulated  by  tho  local  authorities  as 


to  be  worthy  of  the  consideration  by  those  who  take  an  interest  in  the 
growth  and  value  of  our  home-grown  farm  produce.  The  time  of  sale 
is  regulated — tolls  .are  paid — no  sales  take  place  outside  the  markets, 
and  all  is  order  and  ojien  trading— besides  which  aU  the  goods  are  sold 
—none  are  taken  home.  (The  Paris  wholesale  markets  cast  into  the 
shade  any  we  have  in  London  ;  tho  system  of  order  is  complete,  but 
the  exaction  of  octroi  is  odious).  This  takes  place  at  Hondan,  Dreux, 
La  FlCehc,  Le  Mans,  Nogent  Le  Koy,  and  a  great  many  other  parts, 
where  poultry  is  fed  largely.  These  markets  are  held  weekly,  and  very 
large  quantities,  to  the  extent  of  from  3000  to  tiOOO  fowls  and  Turkeys, 
are  brought,  besides  other  articles  of  farm  produce.  I  was  induced,  in 
consequence  of  seeing  this,  to  try  if  I  could  introduce  something  of 
this  small-farmer  system  into  England  and  Ireland,  because  I  find 
that  in  Ireland  large  quantities  of  poultrj-,  which  I  may  call  the  raw 
material,  are  produced  cheaply,  but  they  do  not  fetch  the  breeders 
anything  at  all  equal  to  what  they  might  if  properly  fattened.  In  some 
parts  of  Ireland  the  fowls  are  verj'  inferior,  and  yet  if  it  were  not  for 
the  quantity  of  poultry  which  comes  regularly  from  Ireland,  fowls 
would  be  worth  in  London  at  the  present  season  half  a  guinea  each. 
I  need  not  say  that  the  mode  of  procuring  poultry  is  one  well  worthy 
of  attention,  because  we  find  that  fowls  weighing  4  lbs.  might  be  pro- 
duced just  as  easily  and  as  cheaply  as  fowls  weighing  only  2  lbs.  each,  if 
attention  were  paid  to  having  good  breeds,  such  as  the  Dorking,  Cochin, 
and  the  best  French  breeds,  with  the  Malay,  crossed  with  tho  F.ssex  or 
Lincolnshire  fowls.     I  find  that  the  fowls  which  have  been  sent  into 


50 


JOUBNAIi  OF  HOBTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


I  Joly  16,  1868. 


LiDcolnsbire  and  Yorlcpbire,  from  whence  we  get  large  enpplies,  have 
completely  changed  the  breeds — thirty  years  ajjo  tliey  were  quite  smnll, 
and  now  they  are  large  and  tine.  This  was  all  brought  abont  by  Mr. 
Charles  Clarke,  of  Boston,  ^vho  bought  the  best  stock  and  gave  away 
the  eggs  to  the  farmers  nnd  cottagers. 

The  Chairman :  The  size  depends  upon  better  breeding  and  better 
feeding? 

Mr.  Broolie  :  Exactly.  In  Essex,  lilxewisc,  the  quantity  of  ponltry 
is  kept  up,  whilst  in  Norfolk,  some  parts  of  Camhridseshire,  Snffoik, 
and  other  counties,  poultry'  has  gone  completely  oat  of  rultivation,  in 
consequence  of  the  absorption  of  commons  and  waste  lands,  as  well  as 
that  small  cottafrera  are  not  allowed  to  produce  ponltry  ;  while  the 
English  farmers'  wives  and  daughters  have  forgotten  the  habits  of 
their  ancestors,  in  sad  contrast  to  the  French  farmers'  wives, 
whose  greatest  piide  is  thoir  dairy  and  their  poultiy.  The  suggestion 
I  would  make  would  be  simply  this — that  where  there  are  cottagers 
and  small  farmers,  the  gentlemen  in  the  immediate  neij^hbonrhood 
should  find  a  supply  of  good  stock,  and  then  distribute  the  eggs  for 
breeding  purposes,  the  cost  of  which  would  not  be  more  that  55.  or  10s., 
and  by  that  means  the  recipients  would  do  as  they  have  done  in 
Sasses,  where  a  very  Inrge  quantity  of  chickens  are  raised  all  the  year 
round  in  the  district  of  Heathfield,  in  a  radius  of  about  twenty  miles; 
during  tho  next  three  months  we  shall  have  sent  to  London  from  that 
part  of  the  country  £1U00  worth  per  week,  which  will  show  what  can 
be  done  by  industry  and  method.  The  supply  for  London  is  of  very 
great  importance,  because  we  must  not  only  consider  that  there  are 
3,000,000  of  people  to  supply  food  to  here,  but  we  also  supply  a  radios 
of  fifty  or  sixty  miles  roond  London  when  our  supplies  are  above  the 
demand  for  home  consumption,  in  consequence  of  the  railways  beinci 
so  acccotible.  That  is  not  the  case  in  Franco  ;  the  poultry  nearly  a  1 
goes  to  Parig,  and  there  is  hardly  any  demand  in  other  towns.  In 
this  country  the  supplies  ai"e  required  constantly.  Ac  Brighton  and 
all  round  the  south  coast,  at  Oxford  and  Cambridge,  as  well  as  at 
other  large  towns,  it  is  not  likely  tho  price  will  decrease,  as  a  more 
general  use  would,  I  am  persuaded,  lead  to  an  unlimited  consumption. 
The  advantages  of  increasing  the  food  supplies  of  a  people  so  numerous 
as  ourselves  must  be  apparent ;  if  it  would  be  considered  a  boon  that 
where  one  blade  of  grass  gi'ew  anyone  should  produce  two,  how  much 
more  so  at  the  present  time,  when  meats  of  all  kinds  are  found  to  be 
deficient  in  quantity,  to  enable  every  one  to  have  a  mouthful,  that 
some  one  should  step  forward,  and  by  th«  simple  introdaction  of  a 
oheap  process  which  is  hourly  in  operation  in  France,  should  induce 
the  great  landed  aristocracy  and  gentlemen  of  England  and  Ireland, 
as  well  as  the  large  farmers,  to  determine  that  on  their  own  estates  a 
better  system  of  breeding  and  fattening  poultry  should  commence  now. 
I  have  recentlv  paid  a  visit  to  South  Wales,  and  I  find  that  in  some 
parts  the  cottagers  and  small  farmers  are  increasingly  producing 
poultry,  and  this  ought  to  be  extended  through  the  length  and  breadth 
of  Ireland.  I  have  suggested  to  Messrs.  Broome  that  I  should  go  to 
the  different  markets  of  England  and  Ireland,  and  call  together  the 
farmers'  wives  and  cottagers,  and  market  people,  on  mark-et  days,  and 
tell  them  exactly  what  they  might  do,  and  show  them  how  to  do  it. 

The  Chairman  :  Do  you  happen  to  know  the  French  mode  of  feed- 
ing ?     I  think  that  is  very  important. 

Mr.  Brooke :  Yes  ;  I  have  written  that  down,  in  order  to  make  it 
thoroughly  known.  By  the  plan  I  propose  I  think  we  could  introduce 
a  new  mode  of  breeding  and  feeding  poultry.  Thus,  chickens  two  or 
three  months  old  will  fatten  in  seven,  fourteen,  or  twenty-one  days,  at 
a  cost  of  4d.  or  6rf.  per  week.  I  do  not  think  ther^  is  a  possibility  of 
raising  any  kind  of  vegetable  so  quickly  as  that,  so  as  to  produce  a  fat 
article  out  of  a  lean  one  in  about  seven  or  fourteen  days.  The  French 
seem  to  me  to  have  acted  very  wisely  in  one  respect — they  never  as  a 
rule,  send  a  very  small,  young,  or  lean  article  to  market.  Now,  in  our 
markets  we  have  large  quantities  of  lean  goods,  not  only  poultry,  but 
meat,  which  I  consider  to  be  criminal  to  the  community  at  large.  The 
French  actually  fat  the  old  hens  as  well  as  old  Turkeys ;  they  are 
sold  in  France  for  the  purpose  of  being  made  into  soup,  houilli.  and 
other  kinds  of  food,  which,  according  to  the  French  system  of  cooking, 
are  very  nice.  Generally  fanners,  directly  they  have  done  with  au 
old  hen,  stll  her  for  a  trifle.  The  Essex  people  are  wiser;  they  have 
managed  in  the  same  way  as  the  French  ;  they  get  the  eggs  out  of  the 
fowls  and  then  they  fatten  them,  and  sell  them  for  2s.  6f/.  or  3s.  each. 
They  shut  them  up  and  feed  them  twelve  or  fourteen  days.  The  way 
in  which  the  people  round  Heathfield,  Cnck&eld,  Uckfield,  and  other 
parts  of  Sasses  have  improved  within  the  last  ten  years,  is  marvellous; 
and  they  now  make  from  3s.  &d.  to  5s.  G^^.  for  chickens  not  more  than 
three  months  old.  The  chief  point  is  the  labour;  the  only  expense 
tiiere  can  he  is  rearing  until  they  got  about  two  months  old,  which 
should  be  by  the  side  of  a  hedge,  or  where  there  is  gi-ass,  which 
cannot  cost  more  than  Is.  to  Is.  Qd.  ;  strong,  healthy,  well-fed 
chickens  are  very  soon  fattened.  I  think  that  is  a  power  of  manu- 
facture which  is  worthy  the  consideration  of  the  country,  as  the  profit 
mast  he  at  least  from  50  to  75  per  cent.  The  means  of  feeding 
are  simply  these : — Barley  or  oatmeal  gi'ound  fine,  grease,  fat,  or  suet 
mixed  with  it;  new  milk,  or,  if  not  procurable,  meat  broth,  mixed 
with  it  to  the  consistency  of  thick  soup,  and  administered  twice  or 
thrice  daily  for  seven,  fourteen,  or  twenty-one  days.  Fowls  from 
four  to  six  and  nine  months  old  should  be  fed  on  this  food  with  the 
fnnnel,  and  kept  in  the  darken  clean  straw.  All  kinds  of  animals 
kept  in  the  dark,  and  quiet,  always  fatten  more  quickly  than  when  they 


have  too  much  room  or  light;  that  is  a  very  inportantpart  of  the 
French  system,  to  keep  them  in  the  dark,  f  ti',  what  I  would  wish  to 
point  ont  is  this — the  French  fowls  which  are  fed  with  a  funnel  are  a 
particular  breed — !he  Crcve-Ccear,  La  Flcche,  Le  Mans,  nnd  Houdan  ; 
a  small  chicken  would  not  bear  the  funnel  to  go  down  its  throat.  This 
class  of  fowl  is  now  selling  wholesale,  in  Paris,  at  from  Gs.  6l/.  to  15s. 
each. 

The  Chnirman  :  I  have  been  much  struck  with  seeing  the  plan  of 
cramm-ng  Geese  at  Strasbourg ;  the  Geese  seem  to  like  the  first  few 
monthfuls  very  much,  but  they  afterwards  get  much  disgusted.  It 
was  r.,  most  extraordinary  sight. 

Mr.  Brooke :  The  French  fowls  seem  to  gpt  quite  fond  of  ifc,  and  are 
quiet;  they  struggle  veij  much  at  first,  but  they  soon  get  u?ed  to  it.    I 
think  it  would  be  rather  difHcalt  tj  introduce  this  system  of  feeding  by 
fnnnel  at  first  amongst  the  farmers,  as  it  is  a  proce&s  which  requires 
some  dexterity  and  patience  ;  but  it  is  very  simple.     To  make  a  coop 
for  twenty-four  fowls,  with  a  small  trough,  to  be  kfpt  clean,  to  feed 
the  chickens  (as  they  do  in  Sussex)  for  s:jven  or  fourteen  days,  is  what 
any  one  could  undertake.     The  chickens  mast  only  have  food  enough 
to  feed  themselves  full,  then  they  must  be  kept  in  the  dark  and  quiet. 
The  food  must  be  made  into  a  consistency  similar  to  soup;  boiled 
eggs  are  sometimes  given  to  them   during  the   la^t  two    or  three 
days;  and  as  fowls  well  fatted  fetch  such  a  price,  it  is  worth  while 
to  bring  them   to  the  highest  perfection.     I  have  never  seen    sach 
fowls  in  England   as   I   saw   in  the   Paris   market  and   the   Palais 
Royal,  each  weighing  10  lbs.  or  14  lbs.,  which  fowls  were  ei^iht  and 
ten   months  old.     They  must  be  large  to  be  fed  with  the   funnel ; 
while  chickens  from  ten  we-'ks  to  four  moufhs  old  must  have  this 
special  food  in  coops  (holding  twelve  or  twenly-four  each),  provided 
with  troughs,  which   must  be  daily  cleiircJ.     There  is  a  ditfcronce,  of 
coarse,  between  a  chicken  fattened  in  this  way  and  fowls  fattened  for 
an  especial  purpose,  as  is  done  with  a  funnel.     Fowls  require  to  be 
very  healtliy  before  you  can  fatten  them  at  all,  f'.nd  for  that  reason  I 
think  none  of  these  poultry  companies  will- ever  be  successful,  because 
the  fowls  do  not  do  well  huddled  together.     Our  own  supply  of  poultry 
can  be  only  increased  by  giving  plots  of  land  to  farm  labourers,  stimu- 
lating the  cottagers  and  small  farmers  to  breed  and  fatten  poultry,  for, 
wherever  it  is  mixed  and  crovrded  together,  disease  is  sore  to  follow, 
and  it  is  impossible  to  produce  them  to  advantage.     We  did  think  at 
one  time  it  wonld  bo  well  to  have  a  depot  at  Holyhead  or  Milford 
H.aven,  where  the  ponltry  might  be  brought  over  from  Ireland  and 
fattened  ;  but  even  with  that  short  passage  of  ten  or  twelve  hours  there 
is  a  danger  of  the  poultry  getting  into  a  kind  of  fever,  which  would 
prevent  them  fattening  properly.     We  therefore  consider  it  is  much 
better  to  import  the  ponltry  dead  than  alive.     If  we  could  only  get  the 
gentrj"  in  Ireland  to  adopt  the  simple  plan  of  getting  a  stock  of  the 
very  best  poultry,  and  giving  away  a  clutch  or  two  of  eggs  to  the  small 
cottagers  around  them,  and  taking  care  to  remove  all  inferior  breeds 
(and  thii  could  be  done  at  a  verv  small  expense),  in  twelve  months  the 
whole  country  might  he  covered  with  a  fine  breed  of  poultry,  to  the 
advantage  of  all  concerned. 

The  Chairman  :  Can  you  suggest  any  mode  by  which  these  country 
gentlemen  can  be  stimulated  to  assist  the  farmers  and  cottagers  in  this 
way,  and  to  insure  to  the  producers  a  good  market  for  the  poultry 
when  they  are  reared  ?  I  understand  that  in  Wales  poultry  do  not 
fetch  more  than  3s.  a  couple,  whilst  here  I  give  about  Is.  and  8s.  a 
piece  for  fine  fowls. 

Mr.  Jenkins  :  The  price  has  been  very  much  raised  of  late  in  South 
Wales. 

Mr.  Brooke :  I  may  say  that  I  have  just  returned  from  South 
Wales,  where  I  have  established  this  system.  We  have  one  man  there 
who  is  carrying  it  ont  to  gome  extent,  and  his  poultry  costs  2s.  and  23.  6(/^ 
each.  Then  ai-  Llandilo  there  is  a  man  to  whom  I  have  introduced  this 
system,  and  he  is  carrying  it  out  to  a  certain  extent ;  but  the  people 
are  so  stubborn  you  cannot  get  them  to  have  faith  in  trying  a  new 
system.  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  it  is  quite  possible  for  me 
to  go  down  to  any  part  of  England,  and  show  the  system  myself,  as  I 
did  in  Wales,  and  make  such  an  impression  as  will  induce  people  to 
try  it ;  but,  if  you  introduce  it  to  one  or  two,  they  always  want  to  keep 
it  to  themselves.  We  rather  believe,  however,  that  we  should  be  in- 
vited down;  if  we  are  willing  to  do  people 'a  service,  the  least  thing 
they  can  do  is  to  pay  travelling  expenses,  and  if  that  were  done  I 
should  be  very  glad  to  spread  this  knowledge  as  widely  as  possible. 

The  Chairman  :  Can  you  sugaest  nothing  to  the  Royal  Agricultural 
Society,  in  order  to  spread  this  knowledge  which  you  have  acquired  ? 

Mr.  Brooke  :  The  only  way  in  which  it  could  he  done  wonld  be  by 
giving  me  an  opportunity  of  speaking,  or  giving  a  kind  of  lecture,  and 
then  let  them  put  questions,  and  then  let  it  he  printed  and  made  public 
by  the  press  throughout  the  country.  I  should  have  very  great  pleasure 
in  doing  it,  because  then  it  would  be  published  in  an  authorised  manrer. 
For  instance.  I  think  of  going  down  to  Boston,  in  Lincolnshire,  btt 
unless  something  of  this  sort  is  done,  one  has  to  introduce  oneself, 
which  is  not  the  roost  pleasant  thing  in  the  world.  If  something  were 
done  beforehand  it  would  attract  public  attention,  and  show  them 
exactly  what  to  do. 

The  Chairman  :  I  understand,  from  what  yon  say,  that  notwith- 
standing the  climate  and  soil  of  England,  you  are  of  the  opinion  that 
the  production  of  poultry  might  be  very  much  increased  under  better 
management. 

Mr.  Brooke  :  Certainly  ;    I  am  quite  certain  that  the  fiupply  oi 


Jnlr  16, 18S8.  ] 


JODBNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUKE  AND  COTTAGE    GABDENEB. 


»1' 


poaUrf  mi^ht  be  iucrenRod  at  least  ten,  aud  c<*^a  fifty  fold,  aud  when 
you  soriousiy  considor  the  miUtor  you  will  seo  how  important  this  is. 
I  do  not  kuow  how  many  cattle  thoro  ilio  iu  this  country  ;  hut  wheu 
yOD  como  to  fowls,  yon  can  count  thtsm  hy  inilliouH,  and  thun  ii  yuu 
increase  the  wei;^ht  of  each  fowl  which  it*  eaten  hy  only  half-a-pound, 
yoQ  will  seo  what  an  important  effect  you  produce.  Hut  thiit  is  putting 
it  at  the  very  lowest  point;  by  properly  breeding  and  feeding  fowls,  the 
weight  may  he  ini'roasod,  not  halfa-pounJ,  hut  from  1  lb.  to  2  lbs., 
acoordini;  to  the  breed  and  the  Bystcm  adopted. 

TJjo  Chairman  :  Do  you  eao  any  objuction  to  poultry  being  sold  by 
weight? 

Mr.  Brooke :  None  at  aU,  especially  Oeeso  and  Tnrkeys.  Ahont 
fonr  years  ago  there  was  n  groat  glut  of  poultry  at  Christmas  time,  in 
consequence  of  large  quantities  being  Sdut  to  London.  All  tho  dealers 
were  supplied,  but  on  abjut  tho  2dth  or  27th  of  December,  I  think  it 
was,  not  only  our  shops,  but  tho  cellars  and  warehouses  were  crammed 
full,  most  of  which  was  sold  by  weifijht  aud  by  auction. 

The  Chairman  :  Where  do  wo  get  Geese  from  ? 

Mr.  Brooke  ;  Iu  winter  time  wo  have  live  Geesecoming  in  thousands 
to  this  country  from  Ireland,  Holland,  and  Germany.  They  go  down 
to  Norwich  and  other  places  in  tho  ncighbonrhood,  where  they  are 
fattened.  Mr.  Biigahaw,  at  Norwich,  fattened  12,(HH)  or  15,000,  and 
after  they  are  fat  they  como  back  to  London  again.  Wo  formerly  got 
them  from  ^lorfolk,  Soifolk,  Cambridgeshire,  Lincolnshire,  Yorkshire, 
and  Essex. 

The  Chairman  ;  A  gentleman  who  spent  the  winter  at  Pan,  informed 
mo  he  had  seen  there  very  large  Geese  indeed  ;  but  that  they  boiled 
them  down  for  their  fat,  aud  did  not  eat  them. 

Mr.  Brooke  :  Formerly  we  never  got  Goese  from  Normandy,  now  we 
have  them  by  thousands.  They  come  in  boxes  regularly.  Messrs. 
Poucard,  Mubire.  and  others  supply  these  Geese.  We  cannot  expect 
an  increased  quantity  of  Goese  iu  this  country,  for  whtre  a  Goose  goes 
it  ia  impossible  to  get  animals  to  feed  ;  but  with  respect  to  poultry 
there  is  neither  nuisance  nor  injuiy.  With  respect  to  poultry,  there- 
fore, I  earnestly  contend  it  is  the  doty  of  the  people  of  this  country, 
who  have  at  heart  the  true  interests  of  the  industrial  and  working 
classes,  not  only  to  give  them  a  good  cottage  to  live  in.  and  a  small 
piece  of  ground  to  cultivate,  but  also  to  give  them  a  brood  or  two  of 
good  fowls,  which  would  answer  tho  purpo^g  of  a  bank.  This  would 
be  a  bank  of  the  best  kind,  because  the  children  can  bo  much  improve 
it.  It  is  watchful  labonr  which  is  particularly  required  to  produce 
poultry,  and  we  shonld  then  find,  as  is  found  on  the  continent,  that 
where  people  have  this  opportunity  of  employing  their  time,  and  their 
children,  it  makes  them  careful  and  saving.  But  it  is  of  the  utmost 
importance  to  have  a  good  breed. 


PETERBOROUGH  POULTRY  SHOW. 

Thb  general  arrangements  of  this  year's  Show  were  a  great  improve- 
ment upon  those  of  foimer  annual  meetings,  a  very  excellent  tent 
being  provided  for  the  reception  of  the  poultry.  The  pens  used  being 
those  of  Messrs.  Turner,  of  Sheffield,  the  specimens  competing  were 
exhibited  to  the  greatest  possible  advantage.  There  are,  however,  two 
regulations  of  the  Peterborough  Society  which  admit  of  improvement. 
The  prize  for  the  exhibition  of  eggs  is  now  given  for  the  heaviest,  and 
therefore  weight  alone  can  determine  the  award.  This  oversight 
admits  double-yolked  eggs,  and,  again,  does  not  prohibit  e^gs  from 
competition  that  are  aliJce  too  stale  for  either  incubation  or  the  use  of 
the  table.  The  prize  should  be  for  the  best  eggs.  Again,  the  present 
rales  admit  the  penning  of  birds  at  any  time  if  in  the  yard  at  10  am., 
and  from  this  cause  several  pens  were  not  filled  until  after  midday. 
We  therefore  suggest  the  regulations  should  enforce  the  absolute  pen- 
ning of  the  birds  iu  their  proper  places  by  the  time  specified,  as  several 
agriculturists  left  their  poultry  entirely  to  chance  until  they  had  seen 
to  the  proper  disposal  of  cattle  or  horses,  though,  the  Committee  of 
Management  for  poultry  was  anxiously  waiting. 

The  show  of  Dorlbif/s  was  remarkably  good  thronghont.  Mr.  T-ong- 
land  exhibited  several  pens  of  chickens,  of  great  growth  aud  of  excel- 
lent feather.  Iu  Oamr,  the  competition  was  very  severe.  Messrs.  Deacon, 
Biney,  and  Lotan  Bhowing  excellent  specimens.  The  Cochins  were 
very  good,  Mr.  Longland  talcing  precedence  with  a  pair  of  excellent 
colour  and  quality,  but  somewhat  too  small  to  suit  the  requirements  of 
the  present  day.  This  gentleman,  however,  exhibited  another  pen, 
not  for  competition,  as  the  rules  enforced  three  months'  previous  pro- 
prietorship. These  birds  were  of  immense  size,  aud  will  no  doubt 
another  season  prove  an  invaluable  cross  to  his  yard  of  Cochins.  A 
Tery  good  p^n  of  Black  Cochins  was  second.  The  Hambnrrjhs  were, 
many  of  them,  seen  to  a  disadvantage,  as  the  moulting  season  had 
commenced.  The  "  Variety  "  class  was  a  remarkably  good  one.  Ban- 
tams were  well  shown  ;  and  the  class  for  Turkeys  was  the  best  ever 
seen  at  Peterborough. 

There  was  one  feature  in  the  Show  which  required  amendment,  and 
itia  at  present  a  somewhat  general  error.  Exhibitors  do  not  take 
sufficient  care,  in  the  selei^tion  of  their  birds,  to  have  those  in  one  pen 
all  of  the  same  colour.  The  same  remark  as  regards  mulching  applies 
with  equal  force  to  every  description  of  exhibition  etofdv.  At  Peter- 
borough it  was  not  by  any  means  uncommon  to  find  a  Dun  and  a 
Black  Carrier  Pigeon  mated  as  a  pair,  a  grey  Goose  aud  white  gander 
3hown  together,  or  a  red  Shortfaced  Tumbler  exhibited  with  a  per 


fectly  black  one  ;  and  a  somewhat  remarkable  coincidence  was,  tba(. 
individually  they  wore  generally  the  bast  bird^  in  tho  clasH,  bat  thod 
shown  they  could  not  hold  position  in  any  prize  lint. 

DoHttiNos. — I-'iret,  <i.  S.  Hall.  Second,  N.  Uhiey.  Highly  Coramended. 
J.  Longland.  Commended,  K.  Wood.  if('n«  — l-'irst,  J.  LouKluud.  Se- 
coutl,  It.  Wooii.  Highly  Commended,  J.  VAum.  CorA-jt.— Firnt,  J.  Long- 
Inud.  Second,  U.  Wood.  Highly  Comuiendcd,  J.  Lougland.  Ohickena. — 
First  aud  Second,  J.  LonRland.    Commended,  It.  Wood. 

Gams  fAny  colour).— First,  N.  Blney.  Second,  H.  Deacon.  Sens.— 
Firdt,  S.  Deacon.  Second,  H.  Lotan.  '  Highly  Commeniled,  W.  Carter, 
juu.  Cocfcs.— First,  H.  Lotan.  Second,  S.  Deacon.  Highly  Commended, 
J.  Lamint^. 

CocuiN-CinNA  (Any  colour).— First,  J.  Longland.  Second,  H.  J. 
Godfrey.     Commended,  J.  Elyar  (Buff) ;  C.  Wrijiht. 

HABinnnoiis  (Any  colour). ^First  and  Sccoud.J.  Laming  (Golden  and 
Silver-Hpangled),  Hij,')ily  Oomaicndod,  .1  F.  LoversidRc  (Oolden-BpanKled), 
Commended.  A.  Storrar  (Silvor-pangied) ;  J.  Louud  ((iuldou-spanglodj ; 
S.  Itulltiiid  (Giddcu-poucilled). 

Anv  uthek  DiBTiNca*  Vahiktv  not  dkfore  Mentioned. — First,  Second, 
aud  ilinlily  Commended,  T.  Hardy  (Crevo  Couur.  Dark.md  Li^ht  Brahma). 
Commeuded,  N.  Biney  (Brahma);  W.  F.  Marshall  (Uoudan);  Lady  G. 
(jordun  (Black  Spanif^h), 

Uantams  (Any  variutyL— First,  N.  Biney  (Black  Rod  Game).  Second, 
A.  S'orrar  (Black).  Highly  Commended,  W.  H.  Tomliuyon  (Black) 
Cocks. — First  and  Second,  S.  Deacon. 

Mixed  Bueed.— Fir.st  and  Second,  J.  Longland  (Dorking  and  Cochin- 
China). 

Turkeys.— First,  J.  W.  Underwood.    Second,  Mrs.  Bcrridpo. 

Geese  (Any  colour).— First.  T.  Hardy  (Toulouse).  Second,  J.  Goodliff. 
HiRhly  Commended,  J.  Goodliff  (Toulouse).  Commended,  J.  Turner; 
T.  Hiirdy  (Toulouse). 

Ducks  (Aylesbury). — First,  S.  Deacon.  Second  and  Commended,  J. 
Goodliff. 

Ducks  (Ronen).— First  and  Second,  R.  "Wofd. 

Docks  (Any  other  variety).— First,  J.  Goodliff  (White  Call).  Second, 
Mr.s.  Perridge  (Black  East  Indian). 

Pigeons  (Not  less  thnu  three  varieties).— First, —  Storrar  (Carriers, 
Barb.4,  Mottled  Tumblers).  Second  aud  Third,  R.  Paylins  (Black 
Carriers.  White  Pouters,  Almond  Tumblers.  White  Fantttils,  Yellow  Tnr- 
bits).  Highly  Commeiided,  R.  Ashtou  (Blue  Pouters,  Turbite,  Trum- 
peters). 

Rabbits.- First,  W.  CoUingwood  (Himalaya).     Second,  J.  E.  Palmer. 

Judge. — E.  Hewitt,  Esq.,  Sparhbroot,  near  Birmingham. 


STOWMARKET   POULTRY   SHOW. 

The  following  is  a  list  o£  the  awards  made  at  this  Show,  held  on  the 
3rd  inst : — 

Spanish.— Cup,  J.  R*  Rodhard,  Aldwick  Court,  Wrington-  Second, 
Horace  Lingwood,  Woodbri'^ge.  Highly  Commended,  P.  H.  Jones,  Fulham. 

Dorkings  ((Joloured  or  White).— Cup,  J.  Elgar,  Osmanthorpe,  Newark. 
Second,  Heury  Lingwood,  Needham  Market.  Highly  Commended,  C, 
Turner,  Great  Baddow,  Chelmsford;  F.W.  Bu?:*,  Ha&tinijs;  Dr.  Campbell, 
Brentwood;  H.  Payne,  ^towmn^ket;  J.  Frost;  Henry  Lingwood ;  T. 
Roper,  Barham.  Chicken-i. — First,  J.  Frost,  Parham.  Wickham  Market. 
Second,  Rev.  E.S  Tiddeman,  Childerditch  Vicarage,  Brentwood.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  K.  Fowler,  Aylesbury. 

Cochin-China  (Cinnamon  or  Buff)".— Cup  find  Second,  TTenry  Lingwood. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  H.  Dawes,  Moseley  Hall,  Birmingham ;  H.  Mapple- 
beck,  Birmingham, 

Cochin-China  (Anv  variety). — First,  Horace  LJnfm'ood  (Partridge). 
Second,  F.  Waller,  Ipswich  (Partridge).  Extra,  R.  Wright,  Holloway 
Road,  London. 

Braumas  '  Light).— First,  H.  Dowsett,  PJeshey.  Chelmsford.  Second 
and  Highly  Commended,  J.  Pares,  Postford,  Guildford. 

BRAHtiAS  (Dnrkl.— First.  Horace  Lingwood.  Second,  H.  P.  Leech, 
Woolpit.     Highly  Commended,  H.  F.  Leech  :  J.  K.  Fowler. 

Game  (Black-l-reasted  and  other  Reds).— dip  and  Second,  S.  Matthew, 
Stowmarket.  Highly  Commended,  S.  Matthew.  Commended,  W.  B. 
Jeffries,  Ipswich. 

Game  (DuckwioRS  and  other  colours).— First,  Second,  and  Highly  Com- 
mended, y.  Mattbew. 

Habtourghs  (Golden-pencilled).— First,  W.  K.  Tickner,  Ipswich.  Se- 
cond, F.  Pittis,  juu.,  Newport,  Isle  of  Wight. 

Hamburghs  (Silvfr-pencilled).— Second,  C.  Havers,  Ingatcstone. 

Hameurghs  (Goldtn-gpangled).— First,  .1.  Elg;  r.  Second,  J.  P. 
Loverbide,  Newark-on-Trent. 

Hameurghs  (Silver-spangled).- Fir3t,Rev.  F.Tearlo,  Gazeley  Vicarage, 
Newmnrket.    Second,  H.  Loe,  Appuldurcombe,  Isle  of  Wight. 
HGame  Bantams  (Any  colour).— Cup,  W.  B.  Jeffries.    Sfcond,  N.  Biney. 
J.ighly  Commend3d,  J.  Easlea, Great Finborough';  F.Pittis.jun., Walsall; 
Adkins  ;  T.  C.  Harrison,  Hull. 

Bantams  (Any  variety  except  Game).— PnVe.  T.  C  Harrison. 

Any  Vaeiett  not  before  mentioned.— First, P.H.Jones.  Second,  J. 
K.  Fowler. 

Docks  (Aylesbury).— First  and  Second,  J.  K.  Fowler. 

Docks  (Rouen).— First,  J.  K.  Fowler.    Second.  H.  Dowsett. 

Docks  (Anv other  varietv).— First. T.  C.  M^irrison.  Second,  C  N.Baker, 
Chelsea  (Pintail).  Highly  Commended,  F.  Pittis,  jun  (Black  East 
ludirtns*. 

Geese.— Second,  J.  K.  Fowler. 

TORKEYS.- Second,  J.  K  Fowler. 

Selling  CLASS.-First.  J.  Frost.    Senond.  Rev.  S.  S.  Ti^^leman. 

Pheasants  ^Any  variety).— First,  T.  H.  P.opcr.    Second,  E.  W  amer. 

PIGEONS. 

Cahriebs  fAny  colonr).— First,  R.  Fnlton.  Dcptford.    Second,  D.  H, 

Feltham,   Mildmay  Park,  London.    Hichlv  Commeuded,  U.  A.  Oakes, 

St'.wmftrUct;  R.  FuU"n.  Deptf^rd  ;  D   H.  FcHbam. 

Footers  (Any  colour).— First  and  Highly  Commended,  K. Fnlton.    So- 

r     cond,  P.  H.  Jones.  .    ^    „    ,  «         a 

-  *      Any  Vakikty  not  BEroBE  mentioned.— First,  P.  H.  Jones,    secona, 


52 


JODBNAIi  OP  HOETICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  QABDENEB. 


[  July  16,  I86& 


R.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended,  D.  GreengraBB,  Harleaton,  Stowmarket; 
H,  Yardley,  Birmingham ;  D.  H.  Feltham. 


Caqe  Birds. — Canary  (Any  colour).— First,  Second,  and  Highly  Com- 
mended, T.  Fenn,  Ipswich.  (loldfincli  or  Any  Variety.— First  and  Second, 
T,  Fenn.     Hif^hly  Commended,  J.  Clover,  St.  Helen's,  Ipswich. 

Babbits. — First,  G.  Jones,  Birmingham. 

The  Judges  were  the  Hev.  T.  L.  Fcllowes,  Honnington,  Norwich, 
and  Mr.  Harry  Adams,  of  Beverley. 


CROOKS  IMPROVED  PORTABLE  HEXAGONAL 
CHICKEN-FEEDING  FOLD. 
This  takes  to  pieces  tor  packing  away.  The  object  is  to 
enable  young  chickens  to  feed  without  being  disturbed  by  the 
older  birds.  The  doors  at  the  sides  are  made  to  slide,  in  order 
to  accommodate  chickens  of  various  sizes.  It  is  also  useful  as 
a  lattice  coop  to  place  a  hen  and  chickens  under.  The  same 
principle  is  carried  out  for  clasping  the  lower  portion  of  trees 
in  orchards,  shrubberies,  &c.     Total  size,  6  feet  in  diameter. 


We  found  the  neoesaity  for  such  an  article  in  our  yards,  for 
where  there  are  quantities  of  stock  of  all  ages  and  sizes  feeding, 
it  is,  of  course,  necessary  to  feed  the  young  stock  upon  food, 
Buch  as  groats,  &e.,  which  is  somewhat  expensive,  and  quite 
unnecessary  for  adult  poultry.  By  using  these  folds  the  most 
expensive  kind  of  food  can  be  placed  within  the  fold  without 
fear  of  the  old  birds  disturbing  or  trampling  upon  the  young, 
or  eating  the  dainty  morsels  intended  for  the  latter. — E.  &  F. 
Crook.  

HOUDANS. 

In  your  impression  of  July  2nd,  under  this  heading,  you  give 
a  translation  from  "  Le  Poulailler,"  of  M.  Jacque,  in  whick 
the  extreme  delicacy  and  sudden  failing  of  constitution  in 
Houdan  cocks  is  mentioned.  This  is  in  direct  opposition  to 
my  experience  of  four  years  concerning  imported  and  English- 
bred  birds  kept  in  confinement,  and  even  in  a  cold,  damp 
situation.  I  can  safely  class  them  with  the  Cochin  and  the 
Brahma  in  hardiness  of  constitution,  and  freedom  from  disease, 
even  in  a  yard  where  roup  broke  out  fatally  amongst  Game 
Bantams. 

In  the  Journal  of  the  '2nd  of  October  of  last  year,  you  say, 
that  "  fowls  without  five  claws  are  not  Houdans."  My  ex- 
perience is,  that  five-clawed  and  heavily-bearded  birds  will 
throw  occasionally  four-toed  and  beardless  birds,  although  I 
have  never  had  any  without  the  topknot.  The  same  thing  as 
regards  the  toes  is  found  in  the  Dorking. 

In  crossing  Dorking  and  Brahma  hens  with  Houdan  cocks,  I 
have  produced  precocious  and  heavy  birds  of  dark  plumage, 
with  almost  invariably  strong  short  black  legs. 

I  shall  be  glad  of  the  experiences  of  other  breeders,  as  I  look 
to  the  Dorking-like  features  and  hardihood  of  constitution  in 
these  birds,  either  by  themselves  or  by  judicious  crossing,  to 
supply  the  place  of  the  Dorking  on  damp,  cold  soils,  and  to  add 
materially  to  our  food  birds. — Geokge  Manning. 


racing  in  Belgium,  I  wrote  entirely  as  a  "  thorough  English 
fancier,"  and  I  have  already  a  supporter  in  "  J.  I.  B."  I  do 
not  know  much  of  (ierman  ideas  respecting  Pigeons ;  but  in 
passing  through  Germany  eight  years  ago  I  observed  that,  with 
the  exception  of  the  Antwerps  and  some  of  their  "  new  varie- 
ties," they  possess  nothing  we  can  envy  them  for,  though  in  a 
future  communication  I  shall  prove  that  we  can  well  envy 
other  nations  their  "pets  of  beauty,"  the  most  remarkable  of 
which  I  believe  I  introduced  to  English  fanciers.  So  I  quite 
agree  with  "Wiltshire  Hector"  in  this.  But  what  about 
the  points  of  the  two  breeds  in  question  ? 

I  have  stated  distinctly  the  points  of  the  "  show  Antwerp," 
compared  it  with  the  Dragoon,  and  proved  that  it  is  far  superior 
in  colour  and  points,  and  I  am  ready  to  substantiate  this  by 
comparison  of  birds.  .We  have  Antwerps  blue  as  the  best  Blue 
Dragoon,  with  intelligent  broad  heads,  in  shape  as  a  well- 
enlarged  Bullfinch,  and  in  carriage  as  graceful  as  any  Dragoon. 
So,  as  long  as  we  have  all  this,  besides  three  additional  excel- 
lent colours,  and  the  improvement  from  the  idiotic  head  to  the 
intelligent  form  of  the  "  show  Antwerp,"  adding  the  great 
property  of  flying  and  the  most  valuable  of  feeding,  what  else 
do  we  desire?  Can  "Wiltshire  Eectok"  corroborate  his 
statements  by  comparison  that  they  are  birds  of  "  no  colour  or 
points  ?" 

I  believe  I  am  quite  correct  in  saying  that  two-thirds  of  the 
fanciers  in  England  possess  Antwerps,  and  necessarily  all  who 
keep  Toys  for  feeding  purposes.  Is  it  just,  then,  to  exclude 
them  all  from  exhibiting  what  in  their  estimation  is  worthy  of 
attention  because  the  author  of  "Pigeons"  and  "Wiltshire 
Eector  "  dislike  them  ?  I  beg  to  refer  him  to  a  book  called 
"  Le  Pigeon  Voyageur  Beige,"  by  F.  Chapuis.  Doctor  of  Medicine 
and  Natural  Sciences.  It  treats  on  nothing  but  the  Antwerp ! 
But  let  us  suppose  that  the  Antwerp  is  not  sufficiently  inter- 
esting yet  in  appearance,  let  us  exert  ourselves  to  make  it  so. 
Has  not  encouragement  made  the  Carrier  what  it  is — a  Pigeon 
not  more  like  its  Persian  ancestors  than  the  Antwerp  is  ?  and 
I  can  name  a  host  of  other  breeds  likewise. 

I  have  visited  the  great  Dragoon  and  Antwerp  fancier  I 
alluded  to,  and  asked  him,  "What  would  you  take  for  the  best 
pair  of  each  breed?"  "It  is  a  puzzling  question,"  he  said; 
but  if  I  am  to  answer  it  I  should  want  more  for  the  best  pair 
of  Antwerps."  And  I  am  quite  certain  that  he  possesses  some 
of  the  finest  Dragoons  ever  bred. 

Is  "Wiltshire  Sector"  aware  how  many  young  Bine 
Carriers  obtained  lately  at  our  shows  prizes  in  the  Dragoon 
class,  and  when  older  move  on  to  the  class  of  their  superiors  ? 
"  Wiltshire  Hector  "  must  have  forgotten  that  the  only  fancy 
Pigeons  we  can  fairly  call  English  breeds,  though  not  of  ;that 
origin,  are  the  Carrier  and  Shortfaced  Tumbler  ?  The  first  of 
these  does  not  "  take  "  abroad.  The  second  is  greatly  and  justly 
admired  wherever  it  is  introduced,  and  I  intend  to  introduce 
these  birds  into  Africa.  Further  still,  he  must  have  forgotten, 
or  he  would  have  never  written,  "  We  love  in  poultry  and 
Pigeons  to  breed  pet  birds  with  fine  and  remarkable  points  and 
properties,  &c."  Where  should  "we"  have  been  but  for  the 
importation  of  all  the  "  fine  and  remarkable  pet  birds,"  with 
the  exception  of  the  Shortfaced  Tumbler?"  Or  does  "Wilt- 
shire Kector"  call  the  Carrier  or  Dragoon  pet  birds  ?  If  so, 
we  shall  always  differ,  not  because  nations  should  do  so,  but 
because  the  majority  of  my  fellow  English  fanciers,  so  far  as  I 
am  informed,  do. — A  Foreigner. 


ANTWERPS— DRAGOONS. 
Mv  signature  has  quite  misled  "  Wiltshire  Eectob."     With 
the  exception  of  the  example  I  mentioned  of  the  Antwerp 


GAS   STOVE   IN  CANARY   AVIARY. 

Ml-  friend  Mr.  Blakston  has  done  the  state  much  service  by 
his  letters  on  Canary-breeding,  but  I  am  certain  that  he  has 
made  a  mistake  in  his  idea  about  a  gas  stove  in  the  breeding- 
room,  and  I  hope  he  may  not  find  it  out  to  his  cost. 

Gas  in  rooms  where  Canaries  are  kept  is  the  very  worst 
thing  you  can  have.  I  appeal  to  other  breeders.  Messrs. 
Hawkins,  Doel,  Tully,  Walter,  cum  multis  aliis,  will  bear  me 
out. 

Gas  makes  birds  soft-feathered,  injures  their  lungs,  and  sends 
then  into  moult,  to  say  nothing  of  the  mischief  it  causeswhen 
it  goes  out  in  the  night.  A  man  in  Manchester,  high  up  in  the 
mystery  of  Canary-breeding  and  showing,  had  a  magnificent 
stud  of  Belgians,  and  in  his  breeding-room  he  had  a  gas  stove. 
One  morning  he  found  all  his  stock,  nurses  and  all,  dead  ;  there 
they  lay  (£50  worth),  aristocratic  Belgians  with  heads  like  peas 
and  necks  like  giraffes,  plebeian  nurses  with  their  charges,  all 
stiff  and  cold.     The  gas  had  gone  out,  returned,  and  smothered 


July  16,  1859.  I 


JOUBNAIi  OF  HORTIOULTDRE  AND  OOTTAGB   GARDENER. 


53 


them  all.    An  open  fireplace  is  the  best,  if  a  iirc  mnat  be  had 
in  the  room.  — HowAKTH  Ashton,  Polefield  Hall,  Prestwich. 


LIGURIAN   BEES. 


Last  year  I  had  to  send  you  a  rather  doleful  account  of  the 
casting  of  my  Ligurians  in  spite  of  all  inducements  to  get 
them  to  store  honey  instead.  Now  I  have  pleasure  in  sending 
yon  a  very  different  account.  I  have  had  eight  strong  stocks 
flying  all  this  season,  and  at  the  present  time  there  are  four 
artificial  swarms  in  addition,  but  I  have  not  had  a  single  swarm 
in  the  usual  way.  The  bees  have  been  so  much  under  control 
that  I  seem  to  have  been  able  to  make  them  show  symptoms 
of  swarming  or  otherwise  at  pleasure.  Without  troubling  you 
with  particulars,  I  may  state  generally  that  my  success  is  due 
to  giving  more  facihties  to  the  bees  in  passing  from  the  stock 
hive  to  the  super. 

I  am  working  almost  entirely  with  the  Woodbury  hives 
and  double-glassed  supers,  and  cannot  speak  of  them  more 
highly  than  I  think.  The  insect  is  under  entire  command 
for  all  purposes.  On  the  'Jth  ult.  my  best  hive  consisted 
of  the  stock  and  three  supers,  the  total  height  of  which  was 
27  inches.  I  was  able  to  remove  the  middle  super,  which 
contains  32}  lbs.  nett  of  the  purest  honey,  and  the  comb  is 
all  sealed.  I  am  sanguine  about  obtaining  another  35  lbs. 
from  the  remaining  supers.  The  queen  is  not  yet  thirteen 
months  old,  as  she  came  off  with  a  second  cast  on  the  19th  of 
June,  1867. 

In  this  portion  of  Cumberland  we  have  had  four  weeks  of 
good  weather  for  bees.  My  first  fruits  from  three  hives  in  one 
day  were  more  than  70  lbs.  We  are  now  suffering  much  from 
drought,  and  it  is  telling  upon  the  white  clover,  on  which  we 
mainly  depend  for  honey. — E.  B.,  Broughton  Parsonage. 


not  occasionally  be  developed  from  it,  will  be  considered  in 
another  section. — A.  Von  BKiiLErsca. 
(To  be  coKtinaed.) 


THE  BAEON  VON  BERLEPSCH  ON  FOUL 

BROOD. 
Fouii  brood  is  either  the  dying,  putrefying,  and  ultimately 
drying-up  in  the  cells  of  the  unsealed  larvae,  or,  more  gene- 
rally, of  the  larva;  which  are  already  sealed.  This  disease 
varies  considerably  in  its  character,  assuming  either  a  con- 
tagious or  a  non-contagious  form. 

NOS-CONTAGIOUS   FOUL    BBOOD. 

This  may  proceed  from  various  causes.  Thus  some  of  the 
brood  perishes  when,  from  driving  out  a  swarm,  or  by  the  trans- 
position of  its  hive,  a  colony  has  been  so  weakened  that  all  the 
brood  can  be  no  longer  properly  nourished  or  warmed.  It  may 
also  occur  in  the  spring  if,  after  eggs  laid  by  the  queen  in  the 
lower  parts  of  the  combs  have  been  hatched,  a  sudden  change 
of  weather  constrains  the  bees  to  withdraw,  and  the  larva? 
there  becomes  chilled.  Destruction  of  brood  from  this  cause 
was  observed  as  eaily  as  the  days  of  Columella. 

The  food  on  which  the  larva;  are  fed  may  also  sometimes  be 
of  a  deleterious  quality,  and  cause  death.  Thus  Spitzner 
relates — "  In  the  spring  of  1781  I  had  placed  thirty  colonies  in 
a  forest,  where  whortleberry  bushes  were  in  profuse  bloom. 
When  these  colonies  were  brought  home  I  observed  that  about 
6  inches  of  the  lower  portions  of  the  combs  were  perfectly 
black,  and  all  the  larvae  in  the  cells  dead.  The  bees,  however, 
speedily  removed  the  defanct  larva;,  and  eight  days  afterwards 
1  found  the  black  cells  replenished  with  brood,  which  matured 
in  due  course." 

Hoffman-Brand  says,  "  In  the  year  1851  the  Fir  trees  here 
were  greatly  devastated  by  vast  numbers  of  a  species  of  cater- 
pillar. After  these  had  died,  Wunsche,  the  forester  at  Tiefen- 
farth,  observed  that  those  Fir  trees  were  frequented  by  bees, 
and  soon  after  fonl  brood  made  its  appearance  in  his  hives. 
The  cells  of  one  comb  containing  foul  brood  were  altogether 
black.  Similar  facts  were  communicated  to  me  by  Mr.  Sommer, 
of  Neuhammer,"  but  in  neither  case  had  any  further  evils 
ensued. 

Sometimes  the  bees  will  remove  the  defunct  brood  from  the 
cells  before  it  becomes  putrid,  whilst  at  other  tines  they  permit 
it  to  remain  until  it  is  completely  dried  up. 

This  non-contagious  foul  brood  is  generally  of  no  importance, 
being  confined  to  the  brood  originally  affected  by  it.  Whether 
under  peculiar  circumstances  it  may  not  sometiuios  assume  the 
contagious  character,  or  whether  contagious  foi,!  brood  may 


SILKWORM-REARING  IN  ENGLAND.— No.  l.'S. 
The  Mount  and  the  Crop,  continued. — When  the  worms  are 
mounted  all  dirt  should  be  drawn  out,  rolled  up  with  the 
papers,  and  carried  from  the  room.  When  the  insects  are 
tolerably  well  enveloped  in  silk,  air  may  be  more  liberally  ad- 
mitted if  the  temperature  is  not  below  0.5".  A  close  heat  of 
80°  or  90°  would  force  the  worms  to  violent  quick  work,  injuri- 
ous to  the  compact  disposition  of  the  silk  of  the  cocoon.  The 
sun  should  not  be  allowed  to  shine  on  the  working  worms  or 
the  silk,  as  it  would  discolour  the  latter.  Air  is  of  more  con- 
sequence in  proportion  as  the  little  workers  become  covered 
with  silk,  and  to  withhold  it  would  in  all  probability  cause 
the  black  negro  disease,  what  I  term  the  "cholera,"  because 
worms  dying  of  it  become  black  and  putrid. 

The  cocoons  are  completed  in  four  or  five  days,  the  change 
to  the  chrysalis  state  takes  place,  and  about  the  eighth  day  the 
crop  may  be  gathered  ;  but  before  doing  so  cut  a  cocoon 
open  to  ascertain  if  the  transformation  is  complete,  for  it  is 
not  desirable  to  collect  the  cocoons  unless  the  worms  are 
dormant. 

The  cocoons  complete  and  containing  the  chrysalis,  the  crop 
has  to  be  collected  by  taking  down  the  spinning  materials,  be- 
ginning at  the  lower  stages  and  being  careful  not  to  throw 
the  cocoons  carelessly  down,  otherwise  the  silk  may  be  stained 
by  the  worms  which  have  died  from  disease.  The  cocoons 
should  be  laid  carefully  on  tables,  the  stages,  or  oven  the  floor. 
The  good  hard  ones  should  be  placed  in  baskets  by  themselves, 
and  the  weak,  imperfect  ones  by  themselves.  Any  that  are  too 
soft  to  be  reeled,  or  which  are  stained,  should  be  put  aside,  and 
will  serve  for  inferior  spun  silk. 

Having  collected  and  thus  sorted  them,  the  cocoons  are  to  be 
freed  of  the  floss  or  superfluous  silk  around  them.  This 
operation  is  performed  up  to  the  present  time  by  hand  ;  holding 
the  floss  by  the  finger  and  thumb  and  turning  the  cocoons  round 
they  immediately  become  clean  and  fit  for  the  reel  or  sale.  If 
for  sale  it  is  advantageous  not  to  keep  them  at  home  a  day, 
for  they  will  lose  in  weight  by  keeping ;  if  to  be  reeled  at 
home,  which  in  England  for  the  present  is  likely  to  be  the  case, 
the  work  must  be  executed  immediately  before  the  chrysalises 
change  to  the  moth  state,  or  they  must  be  destroyed  if  required 
for  keeping  to  reel  at  a  future  time. 

I  shall  speak  more  fully  of  the  methods  adopted  in  destroy- 
ing the  chrysahs  and  reeling  the  silk  from  the  cocoons  so 
as  to  be  marketable  silk,  or  such  as  is  required  by  the 
manufacturer. 

Producing  Silkworms'  Eggs,  and  their  Preservation. — Tbebest 
cocoons  should  bo  selected  for  egg-production,  and  such 
generally  are  those  which  are  the  first  spun.  They  should 
not  be  over-large,  but  evidently  hard,  especially  at  their  ends, 
with  an  indented  circle  round  the  middle.  An  excellent  plan 
is  to  mount  the  most  forward  worms  on  a  stage  by  themselves, 
and  to  keep  them  specially  for  producing  eggs.  I  need  hardly 
mention  that  when  white  silk  is  desired,  a  selection  of  white 
cocoons  must  be  made,  yellow,  when  yellow  silk  is  wanted,  and 
so  on,  the  quantity  being  regulated  by  the  number  of  eggs  re- 
quired. Generally  speaking,  a  pound  weight  of  cocoons  will 
produce  about  1  oz.  of  eggs. 

It  is  necessary  to  provide  as  nearly  as  possible  the  same 
number  of  male  as  of  female  moths.  The  signs  to  distinguish 
them  in  the  cocoon  I  have  found  uncertain,  but  more  often 
than  not  the  small  cocoons  contain  males,  and  the  medium- 
sized  and  large  ones  females,  especially  such  as  are  most 
rounded  at  the  ends  and  at  their  centres.  The  sex,  how- 
ever, will  be  known  when  the  moths  appear,  for  the  females 
are  larger,  heavier,  and  less  active  than  the  males. 

The  cocoons  should  be  cleared  of  their  waste  silk  and  laid 
on  a  stage  or  table,  separating  the  sexes  by  guess. 

The  moths  of  the  Japanese  breeds  come  forth  in  eight  or 
ten  days  after  the  completion  of  the  cocoons,  while  the  larger 
varieties  are  five  or  ten  days  more,  according  to  the  tempera- 
ture. It  is  a  custom  among  the  Italian  peasantry  to  string  the 
cocoons  by  means  of  a  needle  and  doubled  thread.  The  needle 
must  only  just  pierce  the  silk  sufficiently  to  hold  the  cocoon, 
otherwise  the  life  of  the  insect  might  be  in  danger  from  a 
puncture.    The  thread  should  be  passed  in  at  the  middle  of 


54 


JOTJflNAli  OF  HORTIOULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  Jnl;  16,  1868. 


the  cocoons,  so  that  when  Strang  they  may  lie  horizontally,  for 
the  moths  come  out  at  the  ends.  The  cocoons  can  be  hung 
perpendicularly  by  the  thread  to  nails  in  a  dry  wall.  There 
are  simple  contrivances  made  harp-fashion,  with  striup;  or  rib- 
bons, by  which  the  cocoons  may  be  held  somewhat  firmly  in 
position.  I  have  tried  the  plan  of  glueing  them  to  boards  by 
merely  touching  them  with  glue,  aLd  laying  them  thereon 
until  dry,  when  the  boards  can  be  set  up  against  a  wall, 
And  this  method  answers  admirably,  for  they  are  as  firmly 
fixed  as  though  in  the  place  where  spun,  and  the  moths  cer- 
tainly make  their  way  out  much  more  easily  than  when  the 
cones  are  left  lying  about,  as  is  done  by  some  persons. 

As  to  the  proper  degree  of  temperature  in  which  the  cocoons 
should  be  kept,  I  have  no  reason  to  vary  from  that  which  I 
have  recommended  for  rearing  the  worms ;  but  when  the  tem- 
perature is  naturally  more  than  70°,  I  should  certainly  admit 
more  Citernal  air  to  the  room,  and  apply  artificial  heat  it 
colder,  admitting  less  air,  but  I  would  on  no  account  shut  it 
out  entirely,  for  the  respiration  of  the  insect  is  still  going  on 
within  its  silken  habitation. 

Silkworms'  moths  generally  push  through  the  cocoons  after 
SDnrise,  about  seven  or  eight  o'clock,  and  it  is  then  necessary 
to  watch  them,  in  order  to  keep  the  sexes  separate,  for  although 
the  eocoons  may  have  been  sorted,  yet  there  are  often  mixtures. 
The  best  way  is  to  take  all  the  females  gently  by  their  wings, 
and  place  them  on  an  inclined  cloth  or  piece  of  calico  until 
they  have  discharged  a  reddish  fluid,  which  will  have  been 
done  by  the  majority  of  them  by  half-past  eight  or  nine 
o'clock,  when  the  males  are  introduced  to  them.  Any  that 
have  previously  coupled  must  be  left  alone.  Only  just  suiB- 
oient  light  should  be  admitted  to  the  room  to  allow  one  easily 
to  execute  the  work.  The  male  moths  are  best  kept  in  total 
darkness  when  practicable  until  wanted,  for  when  exposed  to 
the  light  they  besit  about.  To  couple  the  moths  it  is  merely 
neeessary  to  place  them  one  by  one  near  each  other. 

After  the  separation  the  males  are  put  away,  the  females 
being  left  a  few  minutes  to  again  discharge  some  fluid,  after 
vhich  they  are  to  be  removed  on  clean  linen,  suspended  on  the 
kind  of  stand  I  have  before  described,  where  they  will  quietly 
deposit  their  eggs.  Many  persons  suspend  from  the  wall  of 
the  room  the  linen,  securing  it  by  tacks,  and  pinning-up  the 
bottom  corners,  thus  forming  a  channel  or  receptacle  into 
which  any  eggs,  which  sometimes  fall,  are  caught  and  pre- 
vented from  being  lost  on  the  floor.  The  only  objection  I  have 
to  this  method  is  the  perpendicular  position  which  the  linen 
occupies,  and  which  is  certainly  not  so  convenient  for  the 
heavy  insects  as  a  sloping  surface.  An  arm's  length  of  linen 
will  easily  contain  2  or  3  ounces  of  eggs. 

Should  it  happen  that  more  females  than  males  are  produced, 
then  the  most  vigorous  males  may  be  used  again  if  kept  till 
the  next  day. 

Having  produced  the  eggs,  their  preservation  in  a  suitable 
manner  is  the  next  consideration.  After  a  few  days,  when 
they  have  all  changed  colour,  from  the  yellow  which  they  ex- 
hibited when  laid,  to  a  dark  ashy  or  violet  hue,  the  linen  is 
taken  from  the  stand,  folded  up,  put  into  an  earthen  pot,  tied 
down  with  perforated  paper  and  twine,  and  hung  up  in  a  cool, 
airy,  but  dry  place,  such  as  a  cellar. 

About  October,  when  the  weather  is  cooler,  the  jar  may  be 
removed  to  a  cool,  dry  room — one  up-stairs  I  consider  best — 
where  no  fire  is  kept,  and  the  temperature  during  winter  does 
not  fall  below  freezing  point,  or  if  there  be  danger  of  its  doing 
so  in  December  or  January,  a  somewhat  warmer  position  may 
be  temporarily  provided.  If  mild  weather  occur  early  in  spring 
the  pot  and  eggs  should  be  again  transferred  to  the  cellar,  un- 
less there  is  danger  from  damp,  in  which  case  some  other 
oool  place  must  be  selected.  My  object  in  being  thus  parti- 
enlar  is  to  impress  upon  the  reader  that  unless  care  be  exer- 
oised  in  keeping  the  eggs  as  cool  as  possible  without  freezing 
from  laying  until  hatching  time,  they  would,  especially  in  for- 
ward springs,  be  liable  to  hatch  sooner  than  wanted,  before 
there  were  leaves  to  feed  the  worms,  and  before  the  weather 
had  become  sufficiently  settled.  A  good  plan  to  protect  them 
is  to  suspend  the  jar  by  means  of  a  wire  or  cord  from  the 
eeiling,  or  the  wall  if  dry. 

It  is  customary  to  detach  the  eggs  from  the  linen,  and  I 
think  this  operation  is  best  performed  about  Oc'ober,  because 
the  eggs  are  then  more  at  rest  than  in  the  spring,  at  which 
season  they  fhould  not  be  disturbed  more  than  is  absolutely 
necessary.  The  best  method  to  detach  the  eggs  is  to  put  the 
linen  and  epgs  to  soak  for  twenty  or  thirty  minu'ea  in  soft 
water  which  is  oool,  but  above  the  freezing  point.    Thisisof  tens 


the  gum  and  facilitates  the  operation  of  scraping  off  the  eggs 
with  a  wooden  or  bone  knife,  or  a  large  spoon.  When  they 
are  off  they  should  be  washed  with  fresh  water  in  a  basin, 
gently  turning  them  about  with  the  hands  for  a  few  minutes. 
All  the  good  or  heavy  eggs  will  sink,  and  the  light  ones  float- 
ing on  the  surface  may  be  poured  off.  The  good  eggs  are  then 
to  be  spread  on  a  napkin  in  a  cool  room  to  dry,  turning  them 
over  now  and  then  with  a  spoon,  and  keeping  them  separate  by 
gentle  friction,  otherwise  they  would  stick  together  as  they 
dried.  When  the  napkin  has  absorbed  the  greatest  portion 
of  the  moisture,  the  eggs  can  be  transferred  to  another  dry 
napkin.  They  will  probably  be  sufficiently  dry  next  day  to 
be  put  again  into  the  earthen  jar,  which  should  be  tied  down 
as  before. 

I  do  not  think  it  would  be  advisable  to  place  more  eggs  in  a 
jar  than  would  cover  the  bottom  to  the  depth  of  half  an  inch, 
for  great  quantities  together  would  be  liable  to  heat. 

Many  persons  assert  that  the  eggs  keep  better  through  the 
winter  on  the  linen,  but  I  like  the  contact  with  the  earthen 
vessel,  which,  being  cool,  tends  to  preserve  them, 'and  no  more 
need  be  placed  in  the  same  utensil  than  is  proper. 

Silkworms'  moths  generally  lay  two  sets  of  eggs,  the  first 
being  the  most  perfect.  It  the  moths  are  placed  on  fresh 
linen  the  second  day  they  produce  inferior  ones.  This  is  or 
was  the  secret  of  producing  the  famous  breeds  of  Bergamo  and 
Brescia  in  Italy.  It  is  not  probable  that  all  the  moths  will 
come  forth  on  the  same  dav,  although  the  worms  mounted  to- 
gether. During  coupling  they  should  be  often  looked  at,  and 
any  that  separate  should  be  put  on  one  side  a  short  time  to  be 
used  again.  Some  of  the  moths  lay  as  many  as  five  hundred 
eggs,  but  the  average,  I  think,  is  about  three  hundred.  The 
eggs,  as  already  stated,  are  yellowish  when  fresh  laid,  but  if 
good  grow  darker,  and  lastly  assume  a  violet  tint,  which  they 
retain  until  near  hatching. — Lbonaed  Hakman,  jon. 


OUR  LETTER  BOX, 


Book  (A  Sun-ey  Bee-keeper)  — Yon  can  have  "  Bee-keepinp,"  froo  by 
post  from  our  office,  if  yoa  tncloso  Ave  postage  stamps  with  your  addreas. 
It  contains  what  you  require.    A  new  edition  is  in  the  press.     , 

Chickens  Drooping  Suddenly  (A  Younj  Farmer).— If  yonr  chicltens 
were  not  penned  m  ttie  yard  and  rick-yard,  we  should  say  the  complflint 
orifiinated  from  bad  flourinpr.  hut  the  earth  is  the  best  of  Qoorint^.  The 
swollen  leRS  and  other  evniptoms  arise,  no  doubt,  from  cramp,  but  where 
does  the  cramp  come  from?  Your  description  does  not  tell  ns.  nor  can 
we  help  oureelves.  Pois'ins  would  have  the  game  effect.  We  nro  not 
friendly  (o  the  rubbish  that  ia  Riven  to  pouitry  under  the  name  of  smiU 
whent,  chickens'  ment.  &«.  That  which  we  have  seen  is  made  up  chiefly 
of  dirt.  House  scraps  are  good  if  any  nourisliing  parlicles  are  nllnwed 
to  remain  in  them,  and  we  are  thus  particuUr  because  the  bill  of  f:ire  is 
not  a  tempting  one.  It  doesnotsppakof  good  fooii,  and  not  only  chickens 
cannot  thrive  without  it,  but  the  lack  of  it  induces  them  to  search  for  and 
ont  all  sorts  of  substitutes;  many  of  these  are,  no  doubt,  instrumental 
in  cansina  the  prevalence  of  such  complaints  as  you  name.  Having  to 
gness  at  that  whicli  causes  the  evil,  we  have  to  suggest  something  that 
will  Ffmnve  it  When  cliickeos  have  a  rick-yard  to  live  in  they  have 
many  helps  to  healib,  but  few  to  food.  We  advise  you,  then,  to  feed  them 
more  1  ly  than  you  have  done.    Let  them  have  ourd,  some  chopped 

egg,  and  bread  and  milk  frequently,  till  they  are  three  weeks  old.  If  ihey 
huve  no  access  to  green  food,  let  them  have  heavy  sods  of  growing  gi'iiBS. 
Discard  the  email  wheat,  except  to  throw  a  handful  down  to  amuse  tbfm 
now  and  then.  Feed  twice  a-day  with  good  barley  or  oatmeal,  flacked 
with  milk,  if  posBible.  In  the  middle  of  the  day  give  some  whole  ccrn; 
but  chickens  must  not  be  left  to  themselves  at  the  early  ages  you  men- 
tion.   This,  we  believe,  will  prevent  all  maladies. 

Foreign  Fowls  <nyhope).--Tbe  Gueldrea  and  BredflS  are  very  uBpfnl 
fowls  in  their  way,  Imt  are  not  destined  to  a  greit  popularity  in  this 
country.  As  soon  as  wo  have  tinio  we  will  give  the  principal  points  of 
nil  the  French  breeds.  Tho<5e  cnl'ed  Bredas  now  were  well  known  in 
Englnnd,  and  impnrced  from  Holland  thii-tv  years  ago  as  "crow  fowls." 
The  Gueldres  is  only  tie  s  ime  fowl  of  a  diflerent  colour. 

Cit>F.n  (An  Old  Siib<ieribnr)  ~1^o  tiUiZO-T  is  added  to  the  expressed Juifo  of 
the  Apples  by  the  cider  manufacturers  in  Devon  or  Somerset,  yet  their 
cider  keeps  well. 


POULTRY  MARKET.— JoLY  15. 

When  melting  bent  itnd  ecnrchinff  sun  come  on  dead  ponlfry,  only  fhnt 
which  is  killed  carefuUv,  with  tlrict  knowledge  and  ohBeivanco  of  nil 
that  is  necessary  lor  its  arrival  in  a  proper  state,  will  tnnble  oi;e  to 
realise  the  prices  Ihnt  are  made  bv  fresb  parcels.  It  is  when  the  oirelcss 
sender  finds  his  gnois  condemned  by  the  clerk  of  the  market,  that  tho 
.areful  sender  finds  he  reaps  the  reward  of  his  painstaking  and  of  his 
knowledge. 


Large  Fowls 3 

Smaller  do 3 

Chickens    2  (1 

Goslings 5  0 

Oucklings 2  0 

Figeous 0  9 


d.  s 
fi  to  4 
6       3 


8.  a 


8.  A 


Pheaeantg    0    0  te  0    0 

Partridges    0    0       0    0 

GuineaFowls 0    0       0    0 

Hares 0    0       0    0 

Kabbits 15       16 

WUddo 0    8       0    0 


July  23,  WH  I 


JOURNAL  OP  HORTIOULTORE  AND  COTTAGE  QARDENEB. 


S» 


WEEKLY    CALENDAR. 


Day 

Dny 

of 

ol 

Month 

Woek. 

2;! 

To 

21 

K 

25 

8 

2B 

Sra 

27 

M 

28 

To 

29 

W 

JULY  23-29,  186a 


pontefntct  T'lowcr  Show.    Exhibition  of 

[SrafToriiHliiro  florticuUuml  Kociftv. 
Royiil  llorticiilturfil  Kocioty,  Promenade. 
7  BONDAV  AjTEtt  Tnj.-^ixy. 

Buckinghiim  UorticnUnrnl  Show. 
Louxhborongh  Uortioaltural  Show. 


Avorni^o  Tomperaturo 
near  London. 


Riun  In 

last 
41  yeoTB, 


Day. 
71.0 
71.1 
7:18 
780 
7)8 
76.8 
76.0 


Nli;ht 
t,l  C, 
51  9 
40.1 
602 

r>  .9 

61.0 
50  4 


Miinn. 

(12.8 

(!2.5 

(12  6 

(12.1 

(•>-.>.4 

em 

632 


Days. 

20 
14 
12 
2) 
IH 
20 
18 


Ran 

RitKIB. 


m        h. 
12  af  4 


8nn 

Sots. 


b 
C!)  af  7 


Moon 
Ristja. 


ra.     h. 

40  :>i  a 

7     10 

2!   n 

after. 
45  1 
62  2 
55     a 


Moon 

S«tg. 


m.  h 
Oaf  10 
27  10 
61  10 
21  11 
53  U 
raorn. 
2S      0 


Moon's 
Age. 

DaVN. 
4 
6 
6 
J 
8 
9 
10 


Olock 
b«fore 

aan. 


0    12 
fi    18 


14 
14 
6  18 
6  12 
6    11 


"7 
Year 


200 

5oe 
201 

208 
21)9 
210 


From  obsorvations  taken  near  London  dnrini?  tha  lant  forty-one  yoarn,  the  average  day  temperature  of  the  week  is  74.2";  and  its  »1k1  * 
tompenitnre60.7\  The  groatost  heat  was  92',  on  the  25th,  1841  ;  and  the  lowest  cold  32',  on  the  2Srd,  18<}3.  The  greaieal  fall  of  rain 
was  1.S9  Inch. 


THE  VERBENA,   SPECIES  versus  VARIETIES. 

^^ij^^^'^ELDOM  is  it  thot  the  points  aimed  at  by  the 
florist  and  flower  gardener  are  alike,  more 
often  thi^y  run  in  direct  opposition.  The 
florist  tries  all  he  can  to  obtain  a  flower  so 
constructed  as  to  comply  as  nearly  as  possible 
with  an  ideal  standard  which  he  has  set  up, 
repardless  of  the  number  of  flowers  or  the 
habit  of  the  plant.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
flower  gardener  wants  a  plant  of  good  habit 
that  will  supply  him  with  the  greatest  num- 
ber of  flowers  in  close  succession  fur  the  longest  possible 
time.  Sometimes  an  attempt  is  made  to  unite  these  two 
qualities  in  one,  but  it  is  not  often  successful ;  either  the  one 
or  other  feature  is  regarded  as  the  more  important,  and  it 
rarely  happens  that  a  plant  producing  flowers  of  the  most 
approved  colour  or  shape  furnishes  these  flowers  in  such 
numbers  as  other  plants  of  a  kindred  kind  less  improved 
by  hybridisation,  or  any  other  mode  adopted  for  the  pur- 
pose ;  and  much  as  such  improvements  have  done  for  us  in 
tlie  way  of  furnishing  additional  colours  in  plants  that  in 
a  natural  state  presented  only  one  hue,  there  are,  neverthe- 
less, instances  in  which  the  tints  of  the  original  cannot  be 
surpassed  for  brilliancy. 

I  may  ask  if  the  best  scarlet  Verbena  known  is  any 
advance  on  the  original  imported  one  V.  melindres  ?  Cer- 
tainly in  point  of  habit  and  constitution  many  are  in 
the  rear  of  it ;  and  as  these  notes  are  mostly  directed  to 
the  culture  of  this  plant,  its  rise  and  uses  in  the  flower 
garden,  and,  shall  we  say,  its  decline  '■'  perhaps  it  may 
give  offence  to  some  of  its  best  friends  to  say  this,  but  it 
certainly  held  a  higher  position  in  the  flower  garden  ten 
or  fifteen  years  ago  than  it  does  now.  If  this  is  not  a 
decline  of  popularity  it  is  a  proof  that  other  plants  have 
eclipsed  it,  wliich  is  about  the  same  thing :  and  as  there  is 
a  feeling  setting  in  to  disregard  what  florists  call  "  quality  " 
in  many  of  the  occupants  of  the  flower  garden,  we  may 
yet  hope  to  see  the  hitherto  disregarded  qualification  of 
constitution  more  attended  to  than  form  in  the  Verbena, 
and  in  so  doing  we  may  obtain  plants  capable  of  with- 
standing the  attacks  of  mildew  and  other  enemies  which 
mar  the  appearance  of  many  of  the  best  bods  of  Verbenas. 
In  quest  of  this  we  must  go  back  to  some  of  tlie  original 
species  of  this  genus,  and  perhaps  we  may  find  some  of 
them  even  in  their  normal  state  far  from  despicable  objects  ; 
in  fact,  it  is  a  matter  of  doubt  if  some  of  them  do  not  excel 
their  progeny  in  many  of  the  points  which  are  now  of 
importance. 

Of  the  earlier  species  or  varieties  of  Verbena  my  recol- 
lection of  Verbena  venosa  is  the  oldest.  This  was  followed 
by  V.  pulchella,  and  subsequently  by  V.  melindres  ;  the  last- 
named,  I  think,  in  1829,  altliough  it  might  be  known  else- 
where before  that  time.  About  half  a  dozen  years  after- 
wards a  pink  one  presented  itself  under  the  name  of  V.  in- 
cisa,  which  was  speedily  followed  by  a  white  one  of  strong 
vigorous  habit,  called  tencrioides.  contemporary  with  which 
was  a  sort  of  .annual  one  called  V.  Aubletia,  also  of  a  loose 
coarse  habit.  Verbenas  began  to  multiply  about  1833  or 
No.  382.— Vol.  XV.,  New  Sekies. 


1839,  a  deep  rose-coloured  kind  called  Tweediana  being 
amongst  the  first  that  I  can  call  to  mind,  and  some  lilUe 
surprise  was  felt  in  the  floral  world  by  a  yellow  one  being 
announced  ;  unfortunately,  however,  it  proved  to  be  only 
a  dirty  white.  This  was  a  time  when  the  Verbena  as  a 
flower-garden  plant  was  in  about  its  greatest  popularity, 
which  might  be  said  to  be  from  1840  to  1H55.  After  the 
latter  date  the  varied  forms  of  the  Pelargonium  began  sue 
cessfully  to  compete  with  the  plant,  until  in  most  places  they 
have  exceeded  it.  This,  however,  would  not  have  been  the 
case  had  the  class  of  Verbenas  of  the  present  day  been  as 
vigorous  in  constitution  as  those  in  use  twenty  years  ago, 
or  the  seasons  less  favourable  to  their  growth  now  than 
they  were  then.  One  or  other  of  these  causes  has  lessened 
the  services  of  the  Verbena  as  an  ornament  in  the  parterre, 
and  it  is  not  likely  to  regain  its  place  unless  a  class  of  plants 
adapted  to  the  requirements  of  the  times  be  forthcoming, 
and  to  accomplish  tliis  the  standard  of  the  florist  will,  I 
think,  have  to  be  disregarded,  and  quantity  not  quality  of 
tlie  flowers  be  the  order  of  the  day,  coupled  with  the  im- 
proved constitution  of  the  plant. 

There  are  a  few  varieties  which,  I  believe,  have  not 
gone  out  of  fashion  yet — viz  ,  Emma,  St.  Margaret,  Atro- 
sangninea,  and  Robinson's  Defiance,  with  some  others, 
and,  with  the  exception  of  Purple  King,  I  am  not  aware  0/ 
any  in  general  use  at  the  present  day  that  have  continued 
so  long  in  public  estimation  ;  but  I  expect  that  even  where 
they  are  retained  (if  they  really  are  so),  they  no  longer 
exhibit  tlie  long-continued  floral  beauty  they  did  at  or 
before  the  time  of  the  building  of  the  first  Crystal  Palace^ 
I  am  not  sure  that  the  same  remark  holds  g(X)d  with 
respect  to  all  Verbenas,  and  it  is  with  a  view  to  call  alten 
tion  to  those  which  really  still  continue  to  do  well  with  os 
that  I  now  write.  As  it  is  manifest  that  the  better  ^  arieties, 
as  they  may  be  called,  are  more  prone  to  succumb  to  the 
evils  by  which  they  are  surrounded— insects,  mildew,  lack 
of  vigour,  and  the  like,  a  return  to  kinds  that  have  done 
dnty  something  like  half  a  century  with  a  character  less 
sullied  by  these  faults,  must  have  an  important  claim  on 
our  attention,  and  even  if  these  varieties,  or  rather  species, 
possess  not  the  required  form  of  the  florists'  standajd,  they 
may  approach  much  nearer  to  it  than  the  small  and  in- 
significant bloom  of  Tagetes  pumila  does  to  that  of  the 
best  variety  of  French  Marigold,  and  in  point  of  eoIoHr 
they  may  rival  the  best  results  of  the  cross-breeder's 
skill. 

In  urging  the  claims  of  distinct  species  on  the  gardening; 
public,  it  will  be  seen  tliat  much  variety  cannot  well  be 
attained  ;  but  possibly  something  may  be  done  by  going 
back  to  them  as  direct  parents  for  breeding  from.  The  tw» 
species  I  here  urge  more  especially  on  the  flower  gardening 
world  are  Verbena  venosa  and  V.  pulchella,  the  two  very 
distinct,  and  both  deserving  more  attention  than  they 
receive.  The  claim  of  the  first-named  was  many  ye«ra 
ago  urged  strongly  by  the  late  Mr.  Beaton  for  the  formatiott 
of  shot  silk  beds,  and  I  believe  Mr.  'Ihomson,  of  Areher- 
field,  uses  it  extensively  in  other  ways.  Its  hardihood  »nd 
otlier  qualities  entitle  it  to  a  more  conspicuous  place  than 
it  often  occupies.     Pulchella,  althongh  less  grown,  perhaps 

No.  1CS4.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  i 


56 


JOORNAIi  OP  HORTICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENER. 


[  July  23.  1868. 


is  fltill  better  adapted  for  many  of  the  requirements  of  the 
present  day,  as  nothing  makes  a  more  compact  carpet  than 
this,  and  its  colour  is  distinct  from  that  of  anything  else,  al- 
though I  do  not  assert  it  to  be  a  good  blue.  For  manyyears  we 
htve  grown  this  Verbena  here  more  extensively  than  any  other, 
aiid  I  see  no  reason  to  discontinue  its  use  ;  on  the  contrary,  its 
utility  is  as  apparent  this  dry  summer  as  before  in  wet  ones, ' 
and  I  expect  when  the  failures  of  what  are  called  the  better 
sorts  shall  be  fully  known,  this  old,  much-despised  species  will 
again  rise  into  favour. 

In  urging  the  claims  of  these  two  Verbenas  on  the  attention 
of  the  great  bedding-out  world,  I  by  no  means  assert  that  they 
are  fitted  for  all  requirements,  as  they  do  not  so  conveniently 
adapt  themselves  to  a  narrow  thin  line  as  a  I'elargouium,  Cal- 
ceolaria, or  the  Perilla  ;  but  when  a  great  breadth  is  wanted  no- 
thing can  be  more  suitable.  V.  pulctiella  I  very  often  work  into 
a  band  of  2  feet  wide  or  more,  ami  it  seems  to  answer  admirably. 
Pulohella  almost  deserves  still  more  space,  or  to  make  a  bed  of 
iteelf  or  a  mixed  bed ;  in  the  latter  case,  if  it  should  be  deemed 
advisable  to  plant  it  along  with  a  Pelargonium,  choose  the  most 
robust-growing  one,  and  let  the  Pelargonium  plant  be  good,  so 
as  to  have  a  start  of  the  Verbena,  otherwise  it  is  liable  to  out- 
gro*  the  Pelargoninm,  as  it  is  a  fast  and  strong  grower,  espe- 
cially if  the  plants  be  obtained  by  the  means  I  usfially  adopt — 
that  is,  from  teed ;  those  propagated  by  cuttings  are  lees 
robust. 

Although  hardy,  or  nearly  bo.  Verbena  yenoea  is  liable  to  be 
lost  when  left  in  cold,  wet,  clayey  =oils ;  so  that  it  is  better  to 
raise  a  few  plants  every  year,  and  for  that  purpose  sowing  seed 
is  the  most  easy  way,  and  when  it  is  sown  early  in  spring,  say 
in  the  beginning  or  middle  of  February,  the  plants  have  time 
to  become  la  ge  enough  to  plant-out  by  the  usuar bedding-out 
time.  Some  1  raised  in  this  way  in  the  present  season  were 
not  more  than  two  or  three  days  at  most  in  following  the  old 
plants  that  had  stood  two  or  three  years  in  the  same  situa- 
tibn.  Seedling  plants  are  also  more  vigorous  than  those  from 
cbttings,  and  1  think  flower  quite  as  well.  Verbena  pulchella 
a»nst  be  propagated  from  cuttings,  which  it  foruiebes  most 
abundantly,  and  each  cutting  becomes  a  plant  with  very  little 
trouble  ;  besides  which  the  plant  often  stands  the  winter,  and 
Bopplies  cuttings  in  any  quantity  in  spring,  but  it  is  seldom 
that  a  whole  bed  escapes  the  severity  of  the  season  :  therefore 
it  is  generally  better  to  plant  over  again  than  trust  to  plants 
that  have  stood  the  winter,  for  1  have  seen  them  go  off  in 
April,  after  having  supplied  abundance  of  cuttings  a  month 
of  two  hefoi  e. 

Like  all  the  family,  the  species  Verbena  puldhelta  has  sported 
a  little  from  seed,  and  soon  after  its  introduction  improved 
varieties  of  it  were  offered,  but  the  distinction  between  them 
and  the  parent  did  not  seem  sufficient  to  entitle  them  to  be 
regarded  as  improvements,  and  owing  to  the  partial  decline  of 
the  kind  in  favour,  in  consequence  of  its  not  easily  bending  to 
tke  form  prescribed  by  the  florist,  but  little  has  been  done  with 
it,  A  striped  variety,  however,  is  deservedly  esteemed,  and  a 
white  one  was  at  one  time  in  vogue,  but  it  was  only  a  poor 
white,  and  quickly  fell  into  disrepute.  The  so-called  yellow 
Verbena  was  also  of  this  section,  but  not  being  what  it  was 
called,  it  was  discarded  quickly.  Improvements,  no  doubt,  may 
be  made,  and  possibly  hybrids  may  he  obtained  ;  but  Mr. 
Will^,  who  furnished  hybrids  between  V.  veuosa  and  the  other 
Tdrieties  in  general  use  in  the  flower  garden,  was  not  so  suc- 
cessful as  in  some  other  things  which  he  accomplished.  His 
Velvet  Civshion  breed  seemed  not  to  prosper  well  in  many 
Bitnations,  and  in  some  presented  a  very  sorry  appearance,  so 
that  I  believe  the  class  is  almost  discarded.  Perliaps,  however, 
a  better  constitution  might  be  thrown  intosudi  a  cross,  arid  a 
useful  class  of  bedding  plants  secured. 

Since  the  advent  of  V.  melindres  the  plant  has  nndergone 
many  changes,  and  the  modes  of  preparing  it  for  the  flower 
garden  have  altered  considerably ;  et  one  time  autumn-struck 
cuttings  were  those  only  thought  worth  planting-out,  afterwards 
they  were  considered  not  so  good  as  spring  cuttings.  The 
preservation  of  the  plant  in  winter  has  also  nndergone  con- 
siderable change.  I  once  knew  a  gentleman  so  enamotired 
with  some  beds  of  Verbenas  on  his  lawu  that  he  had  glass 
frames  made  in  the  autumn  to  fit  them,  in  order  to  protect  the 
plants  during  the  winter,  bat  it  is  rare  that  a  bed  that  has 
dene  duty  well  one  season  does  the  same  again  ;  either  the 
plants  exhanst  the  soil,  and  they  cease  blooming,  or,  what 
amonnts  to  the  same  thing,  mildew  sets  in.  A  dusting  of  soot 
and  snlpljnr,  and  a  liberal  application  of  liquid  manure,  may 
partially  arrest  this  plague,  but  the  fresh  vigour  of  a  plant 


approaching  maturity  cannot  easily  be  given  te  one  past  that 
point. 

On  this  subject,  however,  enough  hag  been  written  by  others, 
and  as  I  am  advocating  the  claims  of  independent  species  of 
Verbena  rather  than  writing  on  the  culture  of  varieties,  I  need 
only  conclude  with  again  urging  on  those  who  have  not  grown 
the  two  species  named  to  give  these  a  fair  trial,  and  I  have  no 
doubt  but  they  will  do  so  again.  Since  the  ideal  forms  which 
the  florist  insists  on  so  often  result  in  a  partial,  if  not  total, 
failure  in  obtaining  blooms  as  well,  a  more  certain  way  seems 
desirable.  The  botanist  sees  as  much  beauty  in  the  normal 
condition  of  a  flower  as  when  it  has  nndergone  transformation 
at  the  hands  of  the  cultivator,  and  his  views  deserve  attention 
as  well  as  those  of  the  critic  of  mere  colour  and  form,  more 
especially  as  the  former  generally  insures  a  healthier  subject 
and  a  more  prolonged  period  of  flowering.  In  the  hope  of 
these  results  being  realised,  I  trust  another  season  will  witness 
my  two  favourite  Verbenas,  pulchella  and  venosa,  more  exten- 
sively cultivated  than  they  have  hitherto  been,  and  if  other 
species  occur  presenting  us  with  the  same  hardy  constitution  as 
the  above,  in  addition  to  a  different  colour,  I,  for  one,  would  re- 
gard such  an  introduction  as  a  great  boon.  A  Verbena  pulchella 
with  a  scarlet  flower  would  be  perfection  itself. — J.  Eobson. 


M.  SOUCHET'S   GLADIOLUSES. 
Since  I  last  wrote  on  this  flower,  I  have  had  the  oppoif- 
tunity  of  seeing  the  famous  collection  of  M.  Souchet,  at  Fort' 
tainebleau,  though,  of  course,  not  in  bloom.  I  shall  have  Bonw- 
thing  to  say  of  them  by-and-by,  but  wish  to  take  the  earliest 
opportunity  of  making  known  his  request,  that  any  real  lover 
of  the  flower  who  may  happen  to  be  in  Paris  from  the  10th  of 
August  to  the  end  of  the  month,  would  favour  him  with  a  visit. 
This  is  no  commercial  matter  with  him,  as  be  does  not  sell 
any  of  his  bulbs,  except  to  four  Parisian  Louses,  and  they  take 
I  all  he  has  to  dispose  of,  so  that  he  would  be  none  the  better  if 
j  all  the  Gladiolus-growers  in   the  kingdom  visited  him.     The 
I  invitation  is  given  from  the  love  he  bears  to  the  flower,  and 
.  from  the  thorough  amiability  of  his  kindly  nature.     He  wished 
I  me  to  give  this  invitation  as  freely  as  possible,  and  lean  assure 
'  any  one  who  may  accept  it,  that  they  will  receive  from  both 
Monsieur  and  Madame  Souchet  the  most  openbanded  hospi- 
tality.    One  only  regrets  that  owing  to  bodily  infirmity,  it  lieg 
not  within  our  power  to  return  it,  as  he  is  unable  and  unwilling 
to  leave  his  home  even  for  one  day. — D.,  Deal. 


NOTES   ON   STRAWBERRIES. 

Another  Strawberry  season  is  over  with  us,  and  I  may  also 
say  a  peculiar  one.  Owing  to  the  long-continued  dry  scorching 
weather  a  just  estimate  could  not  be  arrived  at  of  new  or  in4' 
proved  varieties.  Where  copious  waterings  have  not  been 
resorted  to,  the  fruit  has  been  very  small  and  the  flavour  in- 
different ;  but  where  the  plants  were  well  supplied  with  water, 
and  the  beds  mulched  with  short  frame  dung  or  litter  im- 
mediately afterwards,  the  fruit  swelled  to  a  very  large  size,  even 
where  the  crop  was  abundant  and  no  thinning  of  the  fruit 
was  resorted  to  ;  and  what  is  noteworthy  in  exceptionally  dry 
seasons  like  the  present,  all  the  varieties  ripen  nearly  at  the 
same  time. 

In  August  last  year  I  planted  out  yoking  runiiers  of  the 
following  varieties  in  order  more  fully  to  prove  them,  and  also 
to  note  the  date  of  ripening — viz..  Sir  J.  Fasten,  President, 
Eclipse,  Premier,  Sir  Harry,  Sir  C.  Nspier,  Due  de  Malakoflf, 
Britieh  Queen,  La  Constante,  and  Dr.  Hogg.  Out  of  that  lot 
President,  Sir  J.  Paxton,  and  Eclipse  were  the  first  to  changd 
colour ;  Sir  J.  Paxton  and  La  Corstante  continued  longest  im' 
bearing.  I  selected  these  ten  varieties  from  my  own  obser- 
vations made  under  various  circumstances  laht  year.  I  have- 
grown  Fclipse  two  seasons,  and  Due  de  Malaktft  four,  but  I 
will  omit  both  next  season.  Eclipse  is  an  abundant  cropper, 
but  is  wanting  in  flavour  and  appearance.  Due  de  Malakoff  has 
a  fruit  of  the  largest  size,  but  it  is  soft  and  stems  to  spoil  atf 
soon  as  it  is  ripe. 

To  the  eight  varieties  which  I  have  retained  I  will  add  for 
next  season  Lucas,  Mr.  Eadcljffe,  Admiri.l  Dnndas,  and  Frog- 
more  Late  Pine.  The  last  named  seems  to  be  a  very  fine  Straw- 
berry ;  it  is  of  the  largest  size,  and  a  most  excellent  dish  of  it 
was  exhibited  at  the  Koyal  Botanic  Society's  July  Show.  At 
that  date  (Julv  1st),  all  the  best  Strawberries  were  picked  here. 
I  picked  the  "best  dish  of  Dr.  Bogg  on  the  l?tk  of  June,  and 


Jifiy  2S,  186a  1 


JOUBNAIi  OF  HOBTICULTUKB  AND  COTTAGE    GABDENER. 


87 


the  best  dish  of  PreaiJent  and  Sir  .).  Paxton  at  the  same  time. 
The  plantB  were  grown  under  exactly  the  same  circumstances. 

Aa  I  detailed  fully  my  method  of  culture  in  the  Number  for 
July  ISth,  1307,  I  will  only  add,  that  I  liave  Lmnd  Black 
Priuco  to  he  the  best  for  early  forcing  up  to  the  lat  of  February, 
at  which  date  I  introdiioo  Sir  J.  Paxton,  followed  by  any  of  the 
other  varieties  which  I  iiave  named,  and  this  season  I  had  not 
a  single  "  blind"  plant.  I  commence  to  pick  from  the  orchard 
house  and  ground  vineries  three  weeks  before  any  berries  are 
gathered  out  of  doors. 

The  following  varieties  are  well  adapted  for  orohard-honge 
cultivation,  and  rijiened  their  fruit  in  the  order  in  which  they 
are  named— viz..  First,  Sir  J.  Paxton,  President,  one  of  the 
best  for  pot  culture  in  the  orchard  hou?e  ;  Premier,  Sir  Harry, 
British  Q  neeu,  Li  Constante,  and  Dr.  Hogg.  The  last  named 
was  the  last  to  ripen,  but  La  Constante  continued  longest.  I 
gathered  a  dish  of  that  variety  after  all  the  others  were  done. 
-1  would  again  recommend  ground  vineries  for  obtaining  a  few 
dishes  of  early  fruit.  They  are  of  the  simplest  construction 
and  any  carpenter  could  make  them  from  a  pattern,  or  from 
information  which  has  already  appeared  in  your  columns. — 

J.    DOOGLAS. 

APRICOTS. 

Juhl  IGlh. — For  the  last  fortnight  we  have  been  quite  satiated 
with  Apricots,  the  crop  being  so  abundant,  and  the  hot  weather 
ripening  them  so  rapidly,  for  even  the  Peach  Apricot  is  now 
ripe.  Besides  my  old  trees,  which  have  been  crowded  with 
fmit,  I  have  had  pome  twenty  or  thirty  seedling  trees  five  or 
six  years  old  full  of  fruit.  As  many  of  these  are  from  early 
kinds  much  interest  was  felt  in  them;  but  although  no  two  are 
alike,  and  all  liave  given  rich  and  juicy  fruit,  no  very  early 
sort,  except,  perhaps,  one,  has  proved  superior  to  such  sorts  as 
the  Early  Moorpark  and  the  Oullins  Early  Peach.  It  seems, 
indeed,  as  if  the  very  early  Apricots  produce  from  seed  sorts  of 
fk  contrary  nature,  for  the  Sardinian,  the  earliest  of  all,  the 
Mnsch  Musch,  nearly  as  early  and  of  the  same  race,  having 
nearly  white  flesh,  and  the  St.  Ambroise,  have  all  produced 
seedlings  giving  fruit  inclined  to  ripen  later  than  any  other 
kinds.  lu  particular,  a  seedling  from  the  Sardinian  has  fruit 
four  times  the  size  of  those  given  by  the  parent  tree,  of  the 
same  cream  colour  with  white  flesh,  and,  stranger  than  all, 
ripening  from  four  to  five  weeks  later  than  its  parent. 

Another  variation  from  the  usual  routine  of  nice  juicy  Apri- 
OOts,  which  all  the  seedlings  seem  to  give,  is  one  about  the  size 
of  a  medium-sized  Orleans  Plum — a  lump  of  sugar  and  delicious 
mouthful,  with  a  slight  pine-apple  flavour.  It  will,  I  think, 
require  long  perseverance  to  raise  valuable  kinds  of  Apricots 
from  seed  and  a  sort  of  breeding  in  continuation,  by  which  I 
mean  taking  a  variety  and  sowing  the  stones  from  generation 
to  generation  till  some  kind  distinct  in  its  character  is  pro- 
duced ;  which  I  may  exemplify  by  stating  that  I  shall  continue 
the  race  of  my  late  seedling  Sardinian  Apricot,  and  when  the 
trees  raised  from  it  produce  fruit  I  will  sow  their  stones,  and  so 
on  from  eaih  generation.  This  I  am  inclined  to  call  breeding 
in  continuation  (perhaiis  a  better  term  may  be  found)  ;  and 
from  an  inclination  I  have  seen  in  varieties  of  fruit  raised  from 
seed  to  revert  partially  to  the  characters  of  the  first  parent, 
I  have  some  hope  of  raising  a  very  distinct  kind  of  Apricot 
with  large  fruit  ripening  very  early  in  the  season,  and  in  other 
instances  producing  a  very  late  variety.  There  is  no  hope  of 
raising  better  midseason  varieties  than  the  Peach  and  Moor- 
PArk,  because  they  are  perfect. 

I  may,  perhaps,  be  excused  for  stating  how  to  eat  these  sorts 
in  perfection.  When  gathered  from  trees  under  glass  they 
should  be  suffered  to  hang  on  the  tree  till  the  skin  is  slightly 
puckered  and  ihe  fruit  drooping  from  thestalk — if  then  gathered, 
and,  to  quote  old  Izaak  Walton,  "  handled  gently  as  if  you  | 
Ipyed  "  it,  a  Peach  Apricot  is  the  most  perfect  of  all  fruits, 
BO  rich,  so  melting,  and  so  juicy. 

In  addition  to  the  large  crop  of  Apricots  from  trees  in  pots, 
Xha^e  had  such  an  abundant  one  from  two  trees  planted  out 
in  the  hard  unstirred  border  of  one  of  my  orchard  houses,  that 
it  has  led  me  into  n  little  speculation  of  what  can  be  done  in 
Apiioot  culture.  One  of  these  trees  is  the  lloyal  Apricot,  a 
half-standard,  the  other  the  Peach  Apricot,  with  a  stem  a  little 
nnder  6  feet  in  height.  The  former  ripened  its  fruit  about  the 
10th  inst.,  the  latter  is  just  now  ripening  its  crop  of  fine  fruit. 
The  first  produced  a  peck,  the  latter  will  give  a  peck  and  a 
garter  or  thereabouts.  A  house  of  the  size  in  which  these 
trees  are  growing,  100  feet  by  24,  will  hold  three  rows  of  trees 
— one  row  of  standards  in  the  centre,  and  two  rows  of  half- 


standards  in  the  side  borders  at  .5  feet  apart— a  total  of  sixt^r 
trees.  The  heads  of  snch  trees  will  recjuire  careful  summer- 
pincbing,  or  their  branches  will  become  nuked  at  foot  and  apt 
to  be  broken  down  with  the  weiglit  of  fruit.  The  trees  thus 
managed  will  have  sufficinnt  room  at  !>  feet  apart  for  eight  or 
ten  years,  till  they  are  cajiablo  of  bearing  from  three  to  five 
pecks  each.  Every  alternate  tree  may  then  be  rernnved,  and 
the  others  still  under  summer-piaching  will  bear  from  one  to 
two  bushels  per  tree.  1  should  add  that  till  the  standard  trees 
come  into  full  bearing  large  quantities  of  fruit  may  bo  grown 
on  trees  in  pots  placed  among  the  standards. 

A  house  for  Apricot  culture  on  standards  and  halfstandjirda 
planted  in  the  borders  should  be  C  feet  high  at  the  sides  and 
15  feet  high  in  the  centre.  If  any  of  your  readers  would  like 
to  see  the  commencement  of  a  method  of  Apricot  culture  likely 
to  be  very  profitable  they  are  most  welcome. — T.  Eivjsks. 


THE  ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY'S 
LEICESTER   SHOW.— July  16tu  to  22nd. 

The  great  provincial  Show  of  this  Society,  held  in  conjunc- 
tion with  that  of  the  Royal  Agricultural  Society  of  England, 
had  this  year  for  its  scene  the  ancient  and  busy  town  of  Luices- 
ter.  On  the  south  side  of  the  town  a  space  of  five  iierts  adjoining 
the  Agricultural  showyard  was  set  apart  for  the  Horticultural 
Show,  and  on  it  five  immense  tents  served  to  contain  one  of  the 
most  extensive  displays  of  flowers  and  fruit  ever  witnessed  ia 
this  country  ;  for  although  some  of  the  suhjeots  of  exhibition 
were  not  so  fino  as  we  have  seen  them  before,  it  mutt  be  re- 
membered that  the  extreme  heat  of  the  season  has  necessarily 
shortened  the  duration,  and  detracted  much  from  the  freshness 
of  floral  beauty.  To  compensate  for  this  drawback,  however, 
there  were  magnificent  fine-foliaged  plants  in  abuudanoe,  and- 
multitudes  of  graceful  Ferns,  most  refreshing  to  the  eye,, 
wearied  by  the  constant  glare  of  a  burning  sun.  Leaving^. 
however,  the  details  of  exhibition  to  the  subjoined  full  reports, 
and  in  the  absence  of  precise  information  as  to  the  number  of 
visitors  which  thronged  the  Show  in  the  latter  days,  we  cat? 
only  state  our  belief  that  the  great  Show  which  has  just  closed 
will  prove  one  of  the  greatest  successes  financially,  as  it  was 
horticultnrally,  that  the  Society  has  yet  obtained,  and  that  it 
will  demonstrate  that  the  holding  of  provincial  exhibitions 
from  year  to  year  is  one  of  the  best  mod^s  of  increasing  the 
love  of  horticulture,  and  extending  the  Society's  i.ifluence  and 
benefits. 

Stovf,,  Greenhouse,  and  Fine-folliged  Plants. — Many  of  th.e 
iine-tlowering  specimeng  usually  exhibited  earlier  in  tho  snmioer  are 
now  ont  of  bloom,  and  those  not  60  could  not,  after  snch  a  long  con- 
tinuance of  hot  dry  weather,  be  expected  to  po:?sess  that  freshness 
which  uudi-T  other  circuuistnnces  they  would  bayo  doun  ;  still  these, 
with  some  reinforcements  from  later-tlowering  plants,  made  an  e.^cellent 
tlisplay,  which  was  all  tlie  more  effective  from  then*  being  for. the  most 
part  gi'onped  with  fine-foliaged  plants. 

The  two  collections  which  competed  for  the  principal  prize  in  tihif? 
division — namely,  the  Koy.al  Horticultural  Society's  special  prize  ,of 
£'25  for  the  beat  and  most  eiTective  group  of  ten  iiue-futiiigcd  and  ten 
flowering  plants,  were  arranged  in  the  centre  of  the  large  round  tent. 
They  came  from  Mr.  Baiues,  gardener  to  H.  Micholls,  Esq..  BowJon, 
Cheshire,  and  i\Ir.  Wilhams,  of  HoUoway.  the  former  being  the  prize- 
taker.  Of  tioweriug  plants  Mr.  Baines  bad  very  good  examples  of 
Genetyllis  tuhpifera,  Ixora  coccinea,  Phcenocoma  prolifera  Barnesii^ 
Apheleses,  a  Dipladenia  and  Allamanda,  aud  Erica  tricolor  Holfordii, 
Caudolleana,  aud  Fairrieaua,  all  three  in  very  good  bloom,  but  exhi- 
bitiu.g  much  tyiusj.  His  tine-foliaged  plants  cousist^l  of  handsome 
specimens  of  Gleichenia  flabellata,  libopala  corcovatlense,  and  Croton, 
angnstifohnm,  a  tnbfol  of  Sarraceuia  purpurea,  probably  puequalled 
in  this  country,  and  certainly  such  as  only  Mr.  Baiues  has  eshibitedi 
Sarraccnia  tlava,  Verscbaffcltia  splemlida,  one  of  the  noblest  of  all  the 
Palms,  Diclisonia  autarctica.  witb  a  thick  trunk  and  peudnlons  head, . 
Cordyline  indivisa,  Basyliriou  acrotrichum,  aud  TUeophrasta  imppri- 
alis.  The  collection  of  Mr.  Williams,  which  was  awarded  a  secoQds 
prize,  contained,  many  remarkably  tine  specimens,  and  ran  that  o/'" 
Mr.  Baines  closely.  In  it  were  AUamauda  Aubletia  with  lar,'?e  flower* 
of  a  more  inteuse  yellow  thau  those  of  either  A.  ScLottii  or  grandiHora, 
the  large- flowered  Allamnuda  Ileudersoni,  Diplatituia  iras-sinoda,  Ka- 
losauthea  Phoenix,  a  showy  mass  of  rosy  ecarlet  bloom ;  a  finejyi 
bloomed  plant  of  the  white-flowered  Erica  obbata,  Pheenoijoma  pr6- 
lifera,  Statice  imbricata.  Erica  Cavendisbii,  Dracopbvlluin  gracile, 
dingy,  like  all  the  other  specimens  of  the  same  plant  which  were  exhi- 
bited. The  fiue-foliaged  jilauts  in  tliis  collection  consisted  of  noble 
specimens  of  Dr.icffina  iudivisa,  Caladium  Lowii  with  its  metallic- 
looking  leaves  beantifally  veiued  witb  white,  the  variegated  New  Zea- 
land Flax,  Dasybrion  plumosura,  the  leaves  of  which  are  shred  at  • 
their  extremities  into  a  sort  of  small  plume;  Croton  fiu.iznstifolinai.s 
and  Tari«gatnm,  Dion  ednle,  Pandanus  atilis,  a|;d-the  larjeg^tefl  Aloe-  .: 


s» 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  July  23.  1368. 


le&yed  Tacca,  the  remaining  plant  to  complete  the  ten  being  Latanla 
b«rbomca. 

A.  prize  of  £10  was  also  offered  by  the  Dote  of  Ratland  for  the 
beet  twenty  stove  and  f^eeohoase  plants  grouped  for  effect,  and  to  this 
a  aecoad  piizo  of  £5  waa  added  by  H.  C.  Biugbam,  Esq,,  of  Wai-tnaby 
H&IL  The  former  was  taken  by  Mr.  WilliamH,  who  had  a  remark- 
«bly  fine  Cyathea  princepa,  Thrinax  elef^ana,  Allamauda  Schottii,  and 
fiend^rsooi,  which  are  very  much  alike,  the  large  showy-flowered 
Karoma  elagans,  Dipladenia  amabilis  and  Houtteana  in  flne  bloom, 
Hoya.  bolla,  aoveral  finely -bloomed  Heaths,  especially  Erica  Parmen- 
tieri  roeea,  Jacksoni,  acd  Bandoni,  Pbcruocoma  prolifera,  Apbelexes, 
Ixoraa,  Kaloaanthee  coccinea  aaperba,  ami  Imantophyllum  minuitum. 
T.  Cbarleaworth,  Esq.,  of  West  Lodge,  Leicester,  who  received  a  third 
^*iae,  had  Alocasia  metalMca  in  beautiful  condition,  several  fine 
Oaladiams,  a  fine  Cissne  discolor,  Anthurium  mflguificnm,  Gymno- 
•ataehynm  Veraehaffelti,  Calocyction  eangoineum,  Plumbago  capensis, 
and  Ciprodendron  falJax. 

The  next  cJass  for  stove  and  greenhonae  plants  was  one  in  which 
threo  prizes  were  o£fered  by  W,  Perry  Herrick,  Esq.,  of  Beanmanor, 
Leiwster,  for  the  best  six,  not  less  than  three  to  be  in  bloom.  Mr. 
J.  Bolton,  gardener  to  W.  W.  Worswict,  Esq.,  Birstall  Hall,  Leicester, 
vaa  first  with  Clerodtndron  fallas,  of  compact  growth  and  in  epleudid 
bloOEQ,  an  excellent  Allanianda  Schottii,  Rhynchoepermum  jasmi- 
aoidea,  fine  Bpecimens  of  Caladinm  Bcdhymei  and  Ci^sus  discolor,  and 
Bela^nelta  cioaia  arborea  standing  3J  feet  higb.  T.  CharUsworth, 
Ewj.j  who  was  second,  had  Clerodtndron  ThomsonED  Balfonrii,  which 
thongb  not  large  was  in  pood  bloom,  very  good  examples  of  Plumbago 
capeoais,  Eucharis  amazonica,  and  Caladiums,  of  which  C.  argyritea 
■vaus  remarkably  fine.  Mr.  Peach^y,  gardener  to  R.  Hole,  Esq.. 
(^Qomdon  Lodge,  Loughborough,  was  third  with  good  specimens  of 
Giasas  discolor  and  Phlebodium  aureum. 

The  prize  offered  by  J.  Dovo  Harris,  Esq.,  M.P.,  for  the  best  col- 
lection of  variegated  and  fin&-foliaged  plants  was  taken  by  Mr.  J.  Bol- 
ton, with  woH-grown  plants  of  Maranta  roseo-picta  and  ^ehrina, 
Bleohnnm  corcovadense,  Adiantam  teuernm,  Alocasia  metaUica,  and 
others. 

First  and  seoond  prizes  were  likewise  offered  by  A.  Tamer,  Esq.,  of 
Bow  Bridge,  Leicester,  for  the  beat  twelve  Btove  and  gre^uhouse 
plants,  the  competition  to  be  confined  to  the  county  of  Leicester.  The 
first  prize  went  to  Mr.  Peachey,  gardener  to  R.  Hole,  Esq.,  for  a  col- 
ieciiou  in  whioh  there  were  fine  specimens  of  Crotou  pictum,  Pan- 
danos  elegantiseimas,  Gymnogramma  chrysophylla,  between  3^  and 
4  feet  in  diameter :  Cycaa  revolnta,  Ciotou  angustifolium,  not  large 
but  in  fine  condition ;  a  charming  plant  of  Hibiscus  Cooperi  with  a 
few  Sowers,  Dipladenia  amabilis,  Fittonia  argjronenra,  and  Cyauo- 
phyllam  magniBcom  with  leaves  some  16  inches  broad  and  2  feet  in 
length  and  in  beautiful  condition,  though  the  plant  itself  was  not  re- 
markable for  aize.  The  second  prize  went  to  Mr.  Burnett,  Hincklev, 
for  plants  which  though  not  large  were  very  well  grown.  Among  them 
were  Staiice  profoaa  and  Vincaa  in  excellent  bloom,  Aloca&ias,  Ma- 
tantaa,  Caladium  Wigbtii,  and  Dieffenbachia  maculata.  Prizes  were 
also  offered  by  T.  Goadby,  Esq.,  Bosworth  House,  Hinckley,  for  the 
beat  coU&ction  from  the  county  of  Leicester,  and  the  first  prize  waa 
talien  by  T.  Cha.deaworth,  Esq.,  with  a  collection  consisting  of  Ferns, 
Marantas,  Sanaeviera  javanica.  Aspidistra  lurida  vanegata,  and  other 
fine-foliflged  plants,  together  with  Lilium  lancifolium  and  Gloxinias. 
No  second  prino  waa  awarded. 

The  prize  for  the  best  specimen  greenhouse  plant,  offered  by  G.  H. 
Ellis,  Esq.,  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Moore,  gardener  to  E.  Coi-ah,  E«j., 
©f  Leicester,  for  a  plant  of  Lilium  lancifolium  roseum,  which,  though 
well  grown  and  forniahed  with  nomerons  buds,  had  only  five  expanded 

bic«j^. 

Wo  now  come  to  the  general  prize  list,  and  in  the  class  for  the  beet 
nine  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  Mr.  Williams  tooli  the  first  place  with 
fino  plants  of  All  \manda  Schottii  and  grandi flora,  Kalosanthos  Phcenix, 
Apholexia  macrantha  purpurea,  Phajnocoma  prolifera.  Erica  semnla. 
Erica  oerinthoides  coronata,  a  ehowy  continuous-flowering  kind,  and 
other  plants.  The  second-prize  lot  contained  a  fine  specimen  Lantana, 
Pentaa  carnea,  And  a  small  plant  of  Clerodendron  fallax,  with  three 
^lendid  spikes  of  bloom. 

For  the  best  sJx  the  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  J.  Bolton,  gar- 
dener to  W,  Worswick,  Esq.,  who  had  a  well-bloomed  AUamanda 
neriifolia.  Plumbago  capensis,  Clerodendron  fallas  with  sis  splen- 
did spikes.  Vinca  oculata  in  fine  bloom,  and  Vinca  rosea.  Mr.  T. 
Lambert,  Bram^tou  House,  Leicester,  was  second  with,  among  others, 
a  fine  plant  of  Swainsonia  Osbomi,  studded  with  its  pretty  rosy 
parpte  fJowsrs,  Plumbago  capensis  very  good,  and  Lilium  auratam 
with  a  dozen  fine  flowers.     Mr.  Burnett  was  third. 

In  the  amateurs'  class  for  the  beat  nine  fine-foliaged  plants,  Mr. 
Cruiokshank,  gardener  to  Lord  Belper,  carried  off  the  first  prize  with 
11  fine  oolloction,  iu  which  the  moat  noticeatlo  plants  were  Cycas  re- 
voJluta  with  a  thiok  trauk,  Pandanus  elegantissimus,  Draca?na  ferrea 
Tariegata,  and  Aisophila  excelsa.  The  second-prize  collection  came 
from  Mr.  Bolton,  and  contained  a  Cyanophyllum  magnificum  with 
very  fine  leaves,  Maranta  zebriua,  a  handsome  specimen  of  Seaforthia 
eiegaufi,  a  fruiting  plant  of  the  variegated  Pine  Apple,  Coleus  Ver- 
8(Aaff<ilti,  nnd  Pandanuaes.  Mr.  Baines,  gardener  to  H.  MichoUs, 
Esq.,  was  third  with  a  collection  in  which  the  most  conspicuous  plants 
vara  Alocrisia  metallica  and  macrorhiza  variegata,  Croton  variegatnm 
«J9j  pioium,  aiU  Saicaoeiua  flara.     E.  J.  Lowe,  Esq.,  of  Highfield 


Honse,  Nottingham,  exhibited  in  the  same  class  a  fine  plant  of  Livifl- 

tonia  Jenkinsoni.  Sanaeviera  javanica,  Anthurium  magnificum,  and 
Cj-perus  alternifolius  vaiit'gatus.  Mr.  Bevan,  gardfjner  to  E.  F.  Daw- 
son, Esq.,  had  likewise  several  good  Bpecimens. 

In  the  corresponding  class  for  nurserymen,  Mr.  Williams  waa  first 
with  a  fine  Cycaa  revoluta,  a  splendid  specimen  of  Latania  borbonica, 
a  magnificent  Croton  variegatnm,  Dracaena  nmbracnlifera,  Dicksouia 
antarctica,  Variegated  Aloe-leaved  Yucca,  and  Croton  pictum. 

In  the  amateurs'  class  for  six  fine-foliaged  plants,  Mr.  McLean, 
Donnington  Park,  Derby,  sent  fine  specimens  of  Cordyliue  iudiviaa, 
Pandanus  elegantissimuG.  and  Tbeophrasta  imperialis.  Mr.  Bftvan,  gar- 
dener to  E.  F.  Dawson,  Esq.,  had  a  collection  in  which  there  was  a 
fino  specimen  of  the  beautifully  variegated  Sanchezia  nobilis,  and 
good  healthy  plants  of  Latania  borbonica,  Cycas  revoluta,  Lomaria 
gibba,  Dicksouia  antarctica  and  Blecbnum  corcovadense.  From  Mr. 
Bolton,  who  was  third,  came  a  large  and  excellent  specimen  of  Coleos 
Verschaffelti  and  Pothos  argyrea.  F..  J.  Lowe,  Esq.,  was  fourth,  with 
a  collection  in  which  the  moBt  conspicuous  plants  were  Filtonti  at- 
gyrouenra  and  Aspidistra  lurida  variegata,  Mr.  Baines  had  a  va-rie- 
gated  Yucca  and  an  Ananassa  ;  his  other  subjects,  quite  different 
from  the  ordinary  run  of  those  shown  as  fine-foliaged  plant*,  being 
Diouaea  muscipula,  Sanaceuias  flava  and  variolaris,  and  a  fine  potfol 
of  Ana&ctochilus  intermedia. 

Caladiums. — For  the  best  twelve  of  these,  including  Alocasia  and 
Colocaria,  Mr.  Crnickshank,  gardener  to  Lord  Belper,  Kingston  Hall, 
took  the  special  prize  offered  by  the  connty  of  Nottingham.  His  col- 
lection contained  a  large  Alocasia  zebrina,  a  splendid  plant  of  Alocasia 
macrorhiza,  also  one  of  its  variegated  form  in  beautiful  condition,  a 
fine    Caladium   esculentum,   a   large   plant   of   C.  bicolor  splendens, 

C.  Belleymei,  and  C.  Chantini.  Mr.  Lewo  had  a  collection,  in  which 
the  most  noteworthy  were  Caladiums  Chantini,  pictum,  Belleymei, 
bicolor.  and  Aloca&ia  zebrina. 

Dkac^nas. — Of  these   Mr.  Williams  exhibited  D.  atrosan guinea, 

D.  Cooperi,  a  stately  plant  of  D.  indivisa,  D.  lineata  also  very  fine, 
D.  Ehrenbergi,  and  Cordyline  indivisa.  For  these  a  first  prize  waa 
awarded. 

Palms.— These  were  not  numerously  shown,  but  included  some  fine 
epecimeng.  Mr.  J.  McLean,  Donnington  Park,  Derby,  waa  first  with 
a  fine  Latania  borbonica,  Steveneonia  grandiflora,  Seaforthia  elegans, 
aud  Chamserops  humilis.  Mr.  Williams  waa  second  with  Cbamffiropa 
Fortuni,  a  verv  fine  Liristouia  Jenkinsoni,  and  good  specimens  of 
Corypha  aostraJis  and  Thrinax  olegans.     Mr.  Peachey  waa  third. 

Orchids. — For  these  there  were  two  special  prizes  offered  by  H.  L. 
Powya  Keck,  Esq.,  of  Stroaghton  Grange,  for  the  best  collections  of 
twelve.  The  first  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Archer  for  a  collection  consist- 
ing of  a  large  specimen  of  Vanda  teres,  a  fine  Cattleya  Leopoldi,  a 
large  Acridcs  odoratum  with  ten  fine  racemes,  Aeridesaffine  with  nine 
branching  racemes  at  least  20  inches  long,  giving  the  plant  some  re- 
semblnnce  to  a  rosy  cascade,  Acrides  affine  rubrum,  Aerides  Larpent®, 
a  magnificent  Saccolabium  guttatnm  with  ten  spikes,  a  mass  of  Cypri- 
pedium  baibatum  with  nearly  fifty  flowers,  the  beautiful  Odonto^los- 
sum  Pescatorei,  Cattleya  superba,  and  Dendrobium  chrysanthunu 
The  second  prize  went  to  Mr.  Williams,  who  had  Anguloa  Kuckeri 
with  six  blooms,  Dendrochilum  fiUforme  with  numerous  pretty  pale 
yellow  gracefnl  pendulous  racemes,  the  new  yellow  and  lemon-coloured 
Dendrobium  Bensonise,  Miltonia  spectabilia  with  about  thirty  blooma, 
and  a  very  fine  Cypripediura  superbiens.  Among  the  other  plants  in 
this  collection  were  Aerides  quinquevnlnernm,  Cattleya  labiata  pallida, 
a  vei7  fine  variety,  Cypripedinm  barbatum  superbum  with  twenty-nine 
blooms,  Vanda  snavis,  and  the  pretty  small-flowered  Phalasnop^is  rosea. 

Li  the  amateurs'  general  class  for  six  Orchids  Mr.  Baines  waa 
first  with  among  others  Cypripudium  Hookers  and  Oncidinm  flexno- 
sum  with  several  small  spikes,  which,  however,  were  collectively  effec- 
tive. In  the  coiTesponding  class  for  nurserymen  Mr.  Williams  had  a 
similar  award  for  a  collection  consisting  of  Vandas,  Angnloa  Ructeri, 
Odontoglossum  cordatnm  with  three  fine  spikes,  O.  Schlieperian«m 
with  three  spikes  of  palo  yellow  flowers,  and  Cypripedinm  superbiens 
with  a  dozen  blooms. 

Ferns. — The  exhibitions  of  these  were  very  nomerons,  aa  well  as 
the  forms  shown,  and  many  of  the  plants  were  remarkably  fine.  The 
special  prize  given  by  L.  Tomer,  Esq.,  for  the  best  six  greenhouse 
Fems  was  taken  by  E.  J.  Lowe,  Esq.,  of  Highfield  House,  Notta, 
with  fine  examples  of  Lomaria  gibba,  Neottopteris  australasica, 
Pteris  Kingiana,  and  Aspleninms  axillare,  Fabianura,  and  Incidum, 
the  last  large  and  very  beautiful.  A  second  prize,  offered  by  J.  Baines, 
Esq.,  went  to  Mr.  Burnett,  who  had,  among  others,  a  fine  plant  of 
Pteris  scaberula. 

In  the  nurserymen's  class  for  the  best  nine,  the  first  prize  was 
awarded  to  Mr.  Williams,  for  fine  plants  of  Cyathea  dealbata,  Glei- 
chenia  dichotoma,  Platycerium  grande,  Cibotium  regale,  Dicksonia 
pquarrosa,  Lomaria  gibba,  Marattia  elegans,  and  Gymnogramma 
chrysophylla.  In  the  amatenrs'  claas  for  the  same  number,  Mr. 
Bolton,  gardener  to  W.  Worswick,  Esq.,  Birstall  Hall,  had  a  similar 
prize  for  a  very  excellent  collection,  conspicuous  in  which  wM 
Adiantum  cuneatum,  3,|  feet  in  diameter.  Blechnum  corcovadense 
was  also  very  large,  having  in  fact  a  trunk.  Fine  plants  of  Phlebodium 
aureum.  Stenochl;ena  scandens,  and  Adiantum  trapezifurme  were  also 
shown  in  this  collection.  Mr.  Baines,  who  was  second,  had  also  some 
fine  plants,  especially  Davallia  bullata,  and  Aapleniam  fa^nicolaceom. 
Mr.  Lowe  was  third,  and  Mr.  Charlesworth  fourth. 


Jalj  23,  1868.  1 


JOURNAL  OF   HOBTIOULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENBB. 


S9 


The  best  pair  of  Tre«  Fams  wore  Diokaonia  antarcticu,  with  thick 
Wack  trnuks  about  8  feet  high.  Mr.  .1.  McLean  was  second  with  a 
pair  of  the  same  Kern,  Btandiuj;  Letwcou  0  nud  7  foot  hij-h  np  to  the 
branching  of  the  head. 

The  cnp  offered  by  the  Mayor  and  town  of  Nottinnham  for  tlis  beat 
thirty-six  most  distinct  varieties  of  Itritish  Ferns  was  taken  by  K.  J. 
Lowo,  Es.-].,  with  a  collection  in  which  tho  following  were  cuuspicnoua 
— viz.,  AtJiyrium  Kilix-foMniua  lonpiridfjeusc,  saf^ittatain,  idutuosnra 
Monkmanni  most  beautiful,  boiuf;  so  (;niccful  [and  soft  luokius,  |>oly- 
morphnm  ;  Osmuuda  re^alis  cristata  ;  Ijastrea  paoudomaa  cristata, 
eristata  auRUStata,  and  nitida ;  Adiantum  capillua-Venuria  Kalon, 
Polystichum  angularo  Wakeleyaunni,  Scolopendrium  vul^'are,  di^i- 
tatum  Lowei,  H.  vulgaro  deprano  vidparnm,  and  Aspleniuoi  adiiui- 
tam  nigium  graudiccpa.  Mr.  Mapplebeck,  of  Woodlii-id,  Mo-ieley, 
Birmingham,  also  sent  a  fine  collection,  in  which  Lastrea  Filixmaa 
eristata  onsnstata  and  floccosa,  and  Scolopcndrium  vulgare  crispum 
were  very  beautiful.  Ha  had  also  Quo  examples  of  Athyriom  Fiiix- 
fo^mina  coronatam  and  Fieldifr,  as  well  as  several  others. 

A  prii^,  offered  by  E.  J.  Lowo,  Esq-,  for  tho  twelve  most  distinct 
abnormal  Scolopendriums,  was  taken  by  himself  with  uu  interesting 
collection;  and  the  same  gentleman  also  exhibited  a  numerous  collec- 
tion of  new  forms,  to  many  of  which  certificates  were  awarded.  Mr. 
lK>tre  was  also  first  in  the  cIa.M  tor  the  best  twelve  British  Ferns,  with 
Lastrea  temula,  L.  Filii-mas  Jervisii,  L.  remota,  L.  rigida,  L.  thelyp- 
toria  depauporata,  a  Cue  specimen  of  L.  pseudo-mas  eristata,  L.  dila- 
lata  eristata,  a  fine  panful  of  Polypodium  phegopteris,  Osmunda 
regalis  eristata  minor,  Athyrium  Filix-fttmina  imhricatnm  Lowei,  and 
Scolopendrium  vulgara  flabellatnm.  Mr.  Mapplebeck  was  second  with 
a  fine  collection ;  Mr.  Staples,  gardener  to  F.  Harris,  Esq.,  Leicester, 
and  Mr.  Earley,  Digswell,  being  respectively  third  and  fourth. 

The  special  prize  for  the  best  twelve  British  Ferns,  the  exhibitor  to 
be  a  resident  in  the  county  of  Leicester,  offered  by  J.  Harris,  Esq., 
was  taken  by  Mr.  Staples  with  neat  well-grown  plants. 

Lycopods. — Of  these  charming  examples  were  contributed  by  Mr. 
Bolton,  gardener  to  W.  Worawick,  Esq.,  tho  kinds  being  Selaqinella 
donticnlata,  Wildonovi,  stolonifera,  crecta,  erecfa  compacta,  aud 
caeaia.  Four  of  these  had  rounded  hcada,  beantituUy  clothing  the 
pons  to  the  ground,  the  others  being  erect  and  placed  at  tho  back. 
The  whole  of  them  were  very  beantiful.  Mr.  Charlesworth,  who  was 
second,  had  also  fine  cones,  2|  feet  high,  of  S.  denticnlata,  c.^sia,  den- 
ticalata  arborea  aud  formosa,  the  others  being  caulescons  and  crasia 
arborea. 

Hardy  Ors.imental  TREsa  axb  SHiujiiS. — The  special  prizes  snb- 
acribed  for  these  were  taken  by  Messrs.  Barron  &  Sous,  of  the  Klvas- 
tOQ  Nurseries,  BoiTowash  ;  and  Messrs.  Harrison,  of  Leiceate**.  Messrs. 
Barron's  collection  was  most  excellent  and  very  interesting  from  its 
containing  fine  specimens  of  the  newest  Conifers,  besides  some  of  the 
beat  of  the  old  ones,  as  well  as  new  shrubs.  In  it  were  included 
Elsagnns  japonicns  striatus,  the  leaves  centred  with  white  and  mar- 
gined with  green  ;  Capreasufl  Lawsoniana  stricta  forming  a  long  taper- 
ing cone  ;  a  fine  variety  of  Golden  Holly  ;  pigmy  Piues  ;  Retiuospora 
ptsifera  anrea,  a  tine  golden  leaved  variety  ;  Abies  Douglasii  brevifolia, 
very  compact;  Pinna  flexilia,  grotesque  in  appearance;  Retinospora 
obtusa  aurea,  prettily  tipped  witli  a  golden  colour,  very  fine  ;  Aithro- 
taxna  selaginoidea,  the  beautiful  Itetinospora  sclaginoidea,  Picea  Nord- 
manniaja  aurea  with  well-marked  golden  variegation  ;  Abies  Tsuga 
nana,  a  little  gem  ;  Retinospora  pisifera  albo-variegata,  looking  as  if 
splashed  with  white,  Thnjopsia  dolabrata,  and  aeverul  other  handsome 
Conifers.  Mr.  Ban-on  sent  in  addition  a  very  extensive  collection 
forming  a  long  avenue  from  near  the  entrance  up  to  the  tents.  This 
contained  many  fine  specimens  of  Conifers  and  other  troca  and  shrnba, 
and  many  pretty  varieties  and  recent  introductiona.  A  plant  of  Abies 
excelsa  Clanbrasiliana,  a  singular  dwarf  variety  of  one  of  tho  tallest 
of  Pinuses,  formed  a  tine  dense  mass  upwards  of  a  yard  across,  and 
such  a  plant  could  be  introduced  with  excellent  effect  in  a  great  many 
different  situations.  Aucubas,  Euouymuaes,  Berberises,  HoUiea,  both 
variegated  and  plain-leaved,  Barron's  Golden  Yew,  Junipers,  Reti- 
nosporas,  Arbor-Vita>8,  Raphiolepis  ovata  and  Liguatrum  coriaceum, 
both  remarkable  for  the  great  thickness  of  their  leaves,  were  also 
ineladed  in  this  collection,  as  well  as  fine  examples  of  Cnpresaua 
nutkaensis,  Picea  Nordmanniana  argeutea,  with  the  foliage  exhibiting 
a  beautiful  ailveiy  tiuge,  and  very  effective  ;  Arthrotaxus  laxifolia  and 
cirpressoides,  very  fine  ;  of  Araucoria  imbricata,  a  large  and  remarkably 
fine  specimen  ;  and  Thuja  antarctica,  forming  a  fine  close  pyramid. 
Messrs.  Harriscu's  collection  was  also  good  though  not  so  numerous  as 
the  above. 

MiscKLLANBODB  AHT>  New  Plamt3  — Of  now  plants  Messrs.  Veitch, 
o4  Chelsea,  exliibited  a  large  and  very  fine  collection,  for  which  they 
took  the  first  pri:ie  in  the  miscellaneoua  class.  It  included  Crotons 
mterruptum,  irregulare,  tricolor,  maximum,  Hillii,  aud  Voitchii ; 
Ooleas  Scottii,  Iluckeri,  Batemanni,  Bausei,  and  Saundersii ;  Odonto- 
gloasnm  Krameri,  Thunia  Bensonia; ;  several  lovely  Ferna,  aa  Davallia 
porrula,  Leptopteria  superba,  Gymno^amma  Pearcei,  and  Adiantum 
xarleyense ;  Anthurium  Scherzerianum,  the  fine  new  Caladium  Chel- 
soni,  DracEena  Chelsoni,  Ampelopaia  Veitchii,  which  at  Chelsea  proves 
to  be  a  valuable  bftrdy  climber,  Alocaaia  Chelsoni  and  Jenningsii,  Re- 
tinospora  plnmoaa,  a  moat  beautiful  plant,  the  white-flowered  Lapageria, 
Pitcher  plants,  a  handsome  Acalypha  tricolor,  Dalechamjjia  Roezliaua 
roeea,  and  several  other  plants  of  recent  introduction.  Mr.  Ai-cher, 
gardener  to  A.   Turner,   Esq.,  Leicester,  had  the  second  prize  for  a 


remarkably  fine  collection,  conspionoua  in  which  wore  the  BirdVnest 
Fern,  Adiantums  traneziforme  and  fonnosum,  Alocasia  metallioa, 
Gymnostachynm  VerKcbarfulti,  Thrinax  ologans  a  sptondid  pot  ot 
Lilinm  auratum  with  fifteen  large  flowers,  Pothos  argjroa,  forming  an 
elegant  croaa-hundlcd  basket  S  feel  in  diameter  inUia  longn«t  direction. 
fine  Sacoolabiums,  and  Ac-ridoa.  Mr.  Williams  waa  third  with  a 
mixed  collection,  and  among  now  plants  exhibited  now  Ojlonwa, 
Taxns  fuHtigiata  variogala,  which,  however,  did  not  »h»^^  mnoh  varie- 
gation, l^alechampia  Roczliana  rosea,  Croton  irregnlaro,  Ararhnantho 
nioachifera,  Trichonianes  rcniforme  and  other  now  Ferns,  Coooa 
Weddeliana,  Zamia  Ghollinchii,  Anthurium  Scherzorianam,  Ananoaaa 
Porteana,  Chamaidorea  Eruesti-Augusta,  which  is  a  hands  iniu  Palm, 
and  other  plants,  either  rare  or  of  recent  Inlroti notion.  A  priia  waa 
also  awarded  in  this  class  to  Mr.  Peachoy  for  Ouvirandra  funostralifl, 
growing  in  a  tub,  and  in  a  class  for  twenty  succuionta  Mr.  0»arj  took 
a  first  priae  for  a  neatly-arranged  collection. 

FLORISTS'    FLOWEBa 
In  those  classes  devoted  to  tloriats'  flowers,  it  must  Ix"  admitted  that 
there  was  a  falling-oS  in  point  of  quality  as  compared  with  the  show 
at  Bury  in  1367  ;  in  a  few,  however,  the  contents  eontraated  favourably 

with  Bury.  t-^   ,«  t>-  i 

Fuchsias  were  much  inferior  to  those  ahown  by  Mesmrs.  U.  T.  rlah 
and  others  in  18C7.  Mr.  J.  Staples  in  tho  amateurs'  classes,  and  Mr. 
J.  Smith  in  those  for  nuraerymen,  showed  creditable  apecimcns,  bnt 
decidedly  inferior  to  those  generally  seen  at  largo  provincial  shows. 
A  special  open  prize  for  six  Fuchsias  waa  taken  by  Mr.  W.  Staples, 
gardener  to  F.  Harris,  Esq.,  Leicester,  who  had  well-bloomed  plants 
of  Souvenir  do  Chiswick  and  Prince  of  Orange,  dark  kinds ;  Blue 
Bonnet,  double  dark ;  Marchioness  of  Bath,  white  corolla ;  ani 
Fair  Oriana  and  Marginata,  light  varieties.  Mr.  J.  Smith,  Longh- 
borongh,  waa  second  with  Rcine  Blanche,  Annie.  Rose  of  Castillo,  and 
Venus  de  Medici,  all  light  kinds;  and  Grand  Admiral  and  OipCT 
Queen,  dark ;  the  last  a  double  variety.  Mr.  .1.  Burton  waa  third. 
In  Class  03  for  six  kinds,  and  Class  64  for  the  aame  number  shown  by 
amateurs  and  nurserymen  respectively,  Mr.  J.  Staples  and  Mr.  J. 
Smith  were  first  in  each  instance  ;  the  former  having  Roderick  Dho, 
Agamemnon,  Souvenir  de  Chiawick,  and  Lady  Iloytosbnry.  dark  kinds  ; 
Rose  of  Caatille  and  Madame  Cornet,  light  variotiea.  The  other 
planta  in  thia  claaa  were  somewhat  poor.  Mr.  Smith  had  Gipsy  Qieen, 
double  dark ;  Catherine  Hayes,  single  dark  :  Conspiouum,  whits- 
corollaed ;  and  Rose  of  Castillo,  Annie,  and  Marginata,  single  light 
varietica.  In  thia  clasa  also  the  remaining  pknts  were  of  bnt  moderate 
quality.  With  three  standard  Fuihsias  Mr.  W.  Staples  was  alao  firat. 
having  planta  about  8  feet  in  height  with  good  symmetrical  heads  well 
furnished  with  bloom  ;  the  sorts.  Souvenir  de  Chiswick  and  GipsT 
Queen  (double),  both  dark  kinds  ;  and  Mrs.  Marshall,  light.  Mr.  J. 
Bolton  was  second  with  much  inferior  plants  that  were  unnamed. 

Tho  display  of  large-flowering  and  fancy  PKLASooNiuma  was  very 
poor,  the  unfavourable  weather,  no  doubt,  operating  much  to  their 
disadvantage;  at  tho  same  time  it  would  be  legitimate  to  inter  from 
tho  nature  of  the  varieties  staged  that  the  science  of  Pelai^gotiiom- 
growiug  ia  in  its  infancy  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Leicester,  the  pots 
unduly  large,  so  that  flower  is  sacrificed  to  growth  of  foliage,  and 
large-flowering  aorta  miserably  jwor,  with  two  or  three  exoeptiona. 
Mr.  J.  Bjlton  was  first  with  both  show  and  fanoy  kinds,  having 
bettor  varietiea  ot  the  latter — viz..  Emperor.  Lady  Craven,  Fairy, 
Queen  of  the  Valley,  Roi  des  Fautaisiea,  and  Madamo  Sainton  Dolby, 
Second.  Mr.  T.  Lambert,  with  Emperor,  Bridesmaid,  Arabella  (ioi- 
dard,  Evening  Star,  and  two  others  unnamed. 

Ou  the  other  hand,  the  method  of  showing  tho  Zonal  Pelargomoma 
would  compare  favourably  with  tho  great  London  shows. 

In  the  amateurs'  claases  for  twelve  kiudi  Mr.  J.  Lambert  had  ex- 
cellently grown  and  flowered  plants,  rather  too  flat  in  shape,  and 
somewhat  too  formally  tied  out.  The  sorts  were  Provost,  St.  Fiacre, 
Clipper,  Excellout,  Rose  Rendatler,  Mrs.  Wm.  Paul.  Adonia.  Virw> 
Marie,  Mens.  G.  Nachet,  Bel  Demonio,  and  Highgato  Rival.  Second, 
Mr.  J.  Bolton  with  capital  planta  of  Mrs.  W.  Paul,  President  Johnson, 
Helen  Lindaay,  fine  ;  Clipper,  fino;  Adonis,  Cerise  Unique,  Tiutoref^ 
Madame  Vauc'her,  St.  Fiacre,  Eugi^ne  Mezard,  Excellent,  and  Lady 
Eokeby.  Third,  Mr.  C.  Moore.  In  tho  nurserymen's  clasa  Mr.  J. 
Thorpe,  ot  Littlethorpe,  was  first  with  excellent  planta  ot  Jean  Valjaan, 
very  fine ;  Tiutoret  and  Excellent,  both  with  good  heads  of  bloom ; 
Fairy  Princess,  Boante  de  Snresnes,  Mrs.  W.  Paul,  Clipper,  Gloira  d» 
Nancy  (double),  excellently  well  dono ;  Adonis,  very  fine  ;  Oriana, 
and  King  of  Zonals.  There  was  no  other  competitor.  Mr.  J.  Bolton 
was  first  with  twelve  Nosegay  or  Hybrid  Nosegay  varieties,  having 
excellent  plants  of  Duchess  of  Sutherland,  Lady  Constance  Qroevenor, 
Lord  Palmerston  ;  Misa  Parfilt,  a  very  fine  variety  that  deserves  to  b» 
better  known;  Merrimac,  Prince  Czartoryski,  Lo  Grand,  Magenta, 
Stella,  Waltham  Seedling,  Beaton's  Indian  Yellow,  and  Cyblstar. 
Second,  Mr.  J.  Thorpe  with  a  very  good  lot,  having  the  following  kinds 
distinct  from  the  foregoing— Violet  HiU  Noaegay,  a  capital  exhibition 
variety  ;  Rebecca,  Startler,  Fairy  Princess,  Lady  CuUnm,  Sparkler, 
and  Amy  Hogg,  very  fine.  With  six  Zonal  kinds,  inclusive  of  Nosegays, 
Mr.  J.  Burton  was  first  with  Excellent,  Stanton  Pareil,  a  showy  bright 
orange  scarlet ;  St.  F'iacre,  Madame  Vaucher,  Engiina  Mezard,  and 
one  unnamed.  Second.  Mr.  W.  Bunlter,  with  Amy  HogK,  Beanto  d» 
Saresnea,  Dr.  Lindley,  Rebecca,  Gloiredo  Nancy,  and  Enp^no  Mezard. 

In  Class  72  for  six 'Variegated  Pelargoniums,  Messrs.  F.  &  A.  Smith, 
Dulwich,  were  first  with  oapitally  grown  aud  weU-ooloar«d  plants  ot 


GO 


JOUENAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  Jnly  23.  188B. 


Simrfty,  Retaliator,  and  Coronet,  golden-etlged  Variegated  Zonah; 
Ekq^nisite,  a  very  fine  new  kind,  Banshee,  and  Miss  B.  Oontts  being 
Tery  bright  and  effectire.  Second.  Mr.  J.  Thorpe  with  Snnset,  Mrs. 
Pollock,  Mrs.  Kinj^ebury,  a  very  effective  silver-edired  variety.  Acnes. 
Flower  of  Spring,  and  Golden  Chnin.  Mr.  J.  Tomkins  was  third,  and 
Messrs.  Carter  &  Co.  fourth.  With  six  new  vai-iegated  kinds  sent 
oat  in  1867  Mes'^re.  F.  &  A.  Smith  were  atrain  first  with  Lonisa  Smith, 
Jj'Emperenr,  and  D^-fiance,  golden-edged  Variegated  Zonals.  and  Im- 
peratrice  Engt-nie,  Queen  of  Fairies,  and  Qneen  Victoria,  silver-edged 
Variegated  Znnals.  These  were  nice  well-grown  plants,  compact  in 
appearance,  distinct,  and  effective.  Second,  Messrs.  Carter  &  Co. 
with  Sir  R.  Napier,  a  fine  and  distinct  kind,  somewhat  ont  of  condi- 
tion ;  Sophia  Cusack.  Princess  of  Wales,  Aurora,  and  Prince  of  Wales, 
all  golden-edged  Variegated  Zonals ;  and  Princess  Beatrice,  silver- 
e^ed  Variegated  Zonal. 

LiiJUMS  in  pots  were  very  well  grown,  though  taller  in  growth  than 
^nerally  seen  in  ench  places  as  the  neighbourhood  of  Leeds,  &c., 
■where  they  are  especially  well  grown.  They,  however,  formed  a  tine 
featnre  of  the  Show.  In  the  amateurs'  class  for  four  plants  the  com- 
petition was  good ;  W.  Brookes,  Esq.,  being  first,  Rlr.  J.  Staples, 
second,  Mr.  T.  Charlesworth  third,  and  Mr.  J.  Bolton  fourth.  The 
sorts  were  the  varieties  of  L.  laneifolium.  With  six  pots  in  not  fewer 
than  four  kinds,  Mr.  J.  Staples  was  the  only  competitor,  having  three 
varieties  of  Lilium  laneifolium,  and  L.  auratum.  Strange  to  say,  the 
open  class  for  three  Lilium  auratnm  did  not  fill,  but  Messrs.  Carter 
and  Co.  staged  a  grand  lot,  that  exhaled  a  delicious  fragrance  through 
the  crowded  and  heated  tent. 

Clbmatises. — An  interesting  feature  in  the  schedule  was  the  class 
lor  the  be^t  three  Clematises  in  bloom,  grown  in  pots,  but  in  this  case 
there  was  no  competition,  though  C.  jackmanni  and  others  of  the 
new  kinds  maka  admirable  specimens  for  exhibition  when  grown  in 
pots. 

Bedding  Plants. — The  special  prizes  offered  by  some  Leicestershire 
geDtlemen  for  the  best  display  of  ornamental-foliaged  bedJing  plants, 
^irOQght  togt^ther  some  interesting  collections,  though  it  was  to  be  re- 
gretted that  the  phraseology  defining  the  class  was  qualified  by  the 
tenn  display.  Mr.  W.  Cunningham.  Burton-on-Trent,  was  first  with 
a  large  and  varied  group,  grown  in  pots,  consisting  of  some  two  hun- 
dred or  more  plants,  in  something  like  eighty  species  or  varieties, 
nicely  arranged,  the  dark-foUaged  plants  being  placed  among  those 
of  a  whiter  character  to  give  relief,  without  being  reduced  to  mere 
formality  by  an  adherence  to  any  particular  plan.  Some  of  the  most 
striking  were — Polemnuinm  cfflrnleum  variegatum,  Sedums  of  kinds, 
YOTonioas,  several  pretty  varieijated  forms  of  the  Euonymn*^,  some 
Altemantheras,  variegated  Pelargoniums,  Colenses  of  kinds.  Grasses, 
the  Variegated  Japanese  Honeysuckle,  Chrysanthemnm  Sensation, 
Centanreas,  Ivies.  &c.  Mr.  J.  Thorpe  was  second,  and  Mr.  T.  Charles- 
worth  third,  neither  of  the  collections  containing  snch  a  large  and 
interesting  variety  as  the  first-named.  A  capital  group  came  from 
Mr.  W.  Ingram,  The  Gardens,  Belvoir  Castle,  comprising  some  sixty 
different  kinds,  inclnding  Sednms,  Eeheverias,  Coleuses  of  sorts.  &c., 
that  was  quite  worthy  of  the  second  prize,  and  would  have  received 
it  had  not  the  term  di^^jday  governed  the  decision  of  the  Judges. 

AcHTMENES  AND  Gloxinias. — The  wfty  in  which  the  Achimenes 
vere  grown  dese.ves  the  highest  praise ;  to  both  the  open  and  amatenr 
classes  the  same  remark  applies.  Messrs.  J.  Staples  and  W.  Brookes 
were  respectively  first  and  second  in  each  class.  The  sorts  were — 
Ambroise  Verschaffelt  Carl  Wolfarth,  Dentoniana,  Longifiora  Major, 
Grandidora.  EstelU,  Candata,  and  Purpurea  elegans,  Mr.  Staples  was 
also  first  with  six  and  three  Gloxinias ;  Mr.  Moore  being  second  in 
the  former,  and  Mr.  Charlesworth  in  the  latter  class.  These  also  were 
extremely  well  grovvn.  the  heads  of  bloom  being  large  and  numerous. 
Of  erect-tioiveringliiuds  the  moststiiking  were  Elegans.  Vivid.  Marion, 
Helena,  Donna  Colonna,  and  Ophelia  ;  of  the  drooping  kinds.  Diadem, 
Mathildede  Landevoisin,  Madame  de  Smet,  Beresford,  Madame  Celeste 
Winans,  Sir  Hugo,  and  Fair  Beauty. 

Petunias  in  pots  were  another  special  feature  of  the  Show,  being 
admirably  grown  and  bloomed,  much  in  advance  of  what  is  generally 
seQD  at  hortii-ultnriil  exhibitions.  Especially  was  this  trne  of  the 
plants  staged  by  Mr.  J.  Thorpe,  who  was  first  in  both  classes  for  single 
and  double  kinds.  The  sis  varieties  of  the  former  consisted  of  Clara 
Thorpe,  deep  bright  rose  with  white  throat ;  The  Flirt,  a  variety  well 
named,  as  it  has  a  singular  changeability  of  character,  the  prevailing 
one  being  that  of  a  wliite  flower  with  a  purple  centre  and  cup-bars  of  the 
same,  some  nf  the  blossoms  being  also  irregularly  blotched  with  bright 
rose;  Spitfire,  crimson,  dashed  with  purple;  Triumphans.  crimson; 
Beanty,  a  mottled  flower  of  a  lilac  pink  and  dark  hue;  and  Miss  Earl, 
like  Claia  Thorpe,  but  paler  and  having  more  white  aleo.  Of  double 
kinds,  Mr.  Thorpe  had  Marquise  de  St.  Innocent,  violet  rose  blotched 
•with  white;  Christiana,  mottled  rose;  Inimitabilis  flore-pleno  ;  Anti- 
gone, white ;  luimitablis  Rex,  violet  rose  edged  with  white;  and  Ben 
JJevia,  violet  with  white  bars. 

Cut  Flowers. — The  show  of  these  was  much  more  numeronsi  than 
coold  have  been  expected,  the  weather  being  so  very  unfavourable  to 
them.  There  was  a  falling-off  in  the  lioses  notwithstanding  a  good 
many  coUectionn  were  staged,  and  the  flowers  forming  these  were  by 
no  means  of  indiiTt-rent  quality  generally. 

Carnations  and  Picotees  were  pleutifnl,  and  though  somewhat 
thin,  many  of  the  flowers  were  of  good  quality,  and  the  number 
of  stands  com]>eting  in  the  several  classes,  added  to   their   average 


quality,  kept  the  Judges  a  long  time  in  making  their  awards.  Lady 
Bemers  g&ve  special  prizes  for  the  best  twelve  Oaroations  and  twelve 
Picotees,  shown  as  a  twenty-four  stand  ;  and  the  leading  award  wept 
to  Mr.  J.  D.  Hextall,  of  Ashby-de-la-Zonch,  a  well-known  member  of 
that  distingniehed  confederation  of  florists  residing  in  the  midland 
district.  Second,  Mr.  G.  Edward,  York ;  third,  Mr.  B.  Simmoni4«, 
Sheffield;  fourth,  Messrs.  J.  Gibbons  &  Son,  Biamcote.  The  Hinck- 
ley Horticultural  Society  also  gave  a  series  of  ppecinl  prizes  for  Car- 

I  nations  and  Picotees — viz.,  for  the  best  twelve  Carnations,  first. 
Mr.  J.  Taylor.  Snainton  ;  second,  Mr.  G.  Edward.  For  the  best  twelve 
Picotees,  first,  Mr.  G.  Edward;  second.  Mr.  E.  F.  Kingston,  Bath. 
For  the  best  »ix  Carnations,  first,  Mr.  H.  Steward.  York ;  second,  Mr. 
G.  Edward.  For  the  best  six  Picotees,  first,  Mr.  H.  Steward  ;  second, 
name  of  exhibitor  unknown.  Two  first  prizes  were  awarded  to  Mr.  G. 
Edward  for  the  two  best  ninijle  blooms  of  Carnations  ;  and  the  first 
prize  to  Mr.  W.  Mitchell  for  the  two  best  single  blooms  of  Picotee?. 
In  the  open  class  for  twelve  Carnations.  Mr.  G.  Edward  was  first,  and 
Mr.  J.  Taylor  second.  In  the  amateurs'  class  for  the  same  number- 
Mr.  J.  D.  Hextall  was  first,  and  Mr.  H.  Steward  second.  In  th& 
open  class  for  twelve  Picotees,  Mr.  B.  Simroonite  was  first,  and  Mr. 
G.  Edward  second;  and  in  the  amateurs'  class  for  the  same  number. 
Mr.  J.  D.  Hextall  was  again  first,  and  Mr.  E.  Wood  second.  There 
were  two  classes  respectively  of  six  Carnations  and  Picotees  for  ama- 

'  teurs,  in  the  first  instance  Mr.  St«ward  was  first,  and  Mr.  J.  Taylw 

I  second.     In  the  Picotee  class,  Mr.  J.  D.  Hextall  was  first,  and  Mr.  J. 

I  Taylor  second.  A  great  many  of  the  flowers  staged  were  nnnamed  : 
of  those  that  were,  some  of  the  best  can  be  found  in  the  following  list  ■ 

I  — Scarlet  Bizarres  :  Admiral  Cnrzon.  Captain  Thompson.  James  Gar- 
dener, Lord  Derby,  Lord  Raucliffe,  Oliver  Goldsmith.  Prince  Albert, 
Sir  J.  Paston,  and  Splendid.  Crimson  Bizarres  :  Black  Diamond- 
Gladiator,  Indispen3able,  Queen   Victoria,   Prince  of  Denmark,  and 

I  Warrior.  Pink  and  Purple  Bizarres  :  Captivation,  Fanny,  Sar^ 
Payne,  and  Shakespeare.  Pnrple  Flakes  :  Beanty  of  Woodhouse. 
Earl  of  Wilton.  Earl  Stamford,  Pinto,  Premier,  Squire  Meynell,  and 
Triumphant.  Scarlet  Flakes:  Christopher  Sly.  CradJv  Pet.  Defiance, 
John  Bavley,  Splendour,  and  Valentine.  Rose  Flakes :  Aloqzo. 
Delicata,  Flora's  Garland,  King  John. 

RcsES.— The  special  prize  offered  by  the  Mayor  of  Leicester  for 
ninety-six  varieties,  three  trusses  of  each,  was  awardfcd  to  Messrs. 
Paul  &  Son,  who  had  many  fine  trusses  notwithstanding  the  great 
heat  of  the  season.  The  added  second  prize  of  five  guineas  was  not 
taken.  Lady  Crewe's  special  prize  for  a  miscellaneous  collection  of 
cut  Roses  grown  in  the  counties  of  Leicester,  Derby,  and  Stafford  by 
gentlemen's  gardeners  and  amateurs,  was  won  by  the  Rev.  E.  N. 
Pochin  with  a  very  good  box  of  flowers  unnamed. 

Sir  George  and  Lady  Beaumont's  special  prize  for  the  twelve  best. 
Noieette  and  Tea  Roses,  was  also  won  by  Messrs.  Panl  &  Son,  having, 
good  examples  of  the  following  : — Louise  de  Savoie,  Gloire  de  Dijon, 
Madame  Halphen,  Marcchal  Niel,  Sonvenir  d'nn  Ami,  Triomphe  dff 
Rennes.  Rubens,  Solfaterre,  PresiJent,  Madame  Uargottin,  Alba  rosea, 
Celine  Fore^tier.  Second  Mr.  J.  Parker,  Rugby,  with  good  flowerp 
of  Devoniensis,  Narcisse,  Comte  de  Paris.  Madame  Bravy,  Triomphe 
de  Luxembourg,  Nipbetos,  Madame  Willermoz,  and  Homer,  The 
Ashl)y-de  la-Zouch  special  prize  for  the  best  twelve  distinct  Roses  did 
not  bring  any  competition.  The  ppecial  prize  offered  by  Mr.  Thoma? 
Warner,  of  Leicester,  for  the  best  collection  of  new  Roses  of  18G5-66-67 
was  taken  by  Messrs.  T.  Perkins  &  Sou,  Coventry,  with  good  flowera 
of  Camille  Beruardin,  Prince  de  Portia,  Triomphe  de  Rouen,  Madam* 
Fillion.Antoine  Ducher.  Mdlle.  M.  Dombrain,  Alfred  Colomb,  Madame 
Charles  Baltet,  Coquette  de  Alphas,  a  pretty  white  Rose,  said  to  be 
new  of  1368 ;  Josephine  Beanhamais,  John  Grier.  Piesidcut  Ma&, 
Jean  Lambert,  l\Iadame  Pulliatt,  La  France,  a  pale  rosy  pink  variety, 
new  of  1868 ;  Mdlle.  Marie  Rady.  Charles  Verdier,  Globosa,  Madame 
Eugene  Appert,  Mrs.  J.  Bemers,  Ville  de  Lyon,  Madame  George  Panl^ 
Jean  Cheqnn.  and  Comtesse  de  Jauconrt.  Second,  Mr.  W.  Draycott. 
The  Rev.  E.  N.  Pochin  also  won  the  special  prize  for  the  best  twelve 
Roses  grown  by  amateurs  in  the  county  of  Leicester,  as  well  as  that 
for  six  cut  Roses,  the  exhibitors  also  lonfined  to  the  county  of  Leicester, 
the  varieties  being  Madame  Boutin,  Baron  Gonella,  Souvenir  de  Mal- 
maison,  Charles  Lefebvre,  Gloire  de  Dijon,  and  Madame  Caillat. 
Second,  Mr.  J.  Burton,  who  had  Alfred  Colomb,  Duchess  of  Norfolk, 
Madame  Willemioz.  Dr.  Andry.  and  Charles  Lefebvre. 

In  Class  96,  for  forty-eight  varieties,  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son  weie  first. 
having  the  following  in  good  condition: — Charles  Lefebvre,  LsJia^ 
Solfaterre,  Xavier  Olibo.  Marguerite  de  St.  Amand.  Mdlle.  Annie 
Wood,  Alfred  Colomb.  Charles  Rouillard.  Senateur  Vaissp.  Sophie 
Coqnercl.  Duo  de  Rohan,  Madame  Victor  Verdier.  La  Phoceene, 
Mdlle.  Marie  Rady,  Claude  Million.  Mons.  Neman.  Madame  Fnrtado, 
Marcchal  Vaillant.  Gloire  de  Santenay,  Marcchal  Niel.  Josephine 
Beanhamais.  Rnshton  Radclyffe.  Madame  Mor*^an.  Madame  Kivere, 
Marie  Bnmann,  Antoine  Ducher,  John  Hopi>er,  Madame  Mar> 
gottin,  Madame  Bonnaire,  and  Doc  de  Rohan.  Second.  Messra. 
Perkins  &:  Son ;  third,  Mr.  W.  Draycott.  In  the  amateurs'  class  for 
the  same  number  Mr.  T.  Draycott  was  first,  the  most  noticeable 
flowers  being  Dr.  Andry.  Marguerite  de  St.  Amand,  La  Frau'^e,  Ma- 
rcchal Niel,  Madame  Victor  Verdier.  Madame  Caillat.  Souvenir  Afi 
Malmaison.  Fisher  Holmes.  Mdlle.  Marie  Rady.  Gloire  de  Santenay. 
Dnchesse  de  Caylns,  Madame  Margottin.  Charles  Verdier,  Charlee 
Lefebvre,  Maurice  Bemanlin,  Pierre  Netting,  Davouieasis,  Madame 
Falcot,  and  Madame  Bontin. 


July  28,  18S6.  ] 


JOURNAL  OP    HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGF   GARDENER. 


61 


"With  twt'iity-four  Itoses  the  Rev.  S.  U,  Hole,  Cannton  Munor,  was 
first  with  (looi'l  oxamplefl  of  MiUle.  A.  Wood,  Abol  (irand,  MHrcchal 
Vuilliint,  Dn.-heHHo  d'Orloana,  Due  dw  CazuM.  LonU  royrouny,  Olivier 
Di-lhoiimir,  John  Hopper,  Prince  Henri  do  Pays  Han,  ('ointt)  de  Nauteuil, 
.Mudaum  riiarlfs  Wood,  Margnurito  di;  St.  Amimd.  Madanio  FrtMiniuu, 
4<loirt»  de  Dijou,  Gloirti  do  Santenay,  CharUit  VerditT,  Pinrru  Nottiu^'. 
Cbarh'.^  Knnillard.  TriompUo  do  lu-unos,  Due  do  lloliau,  Mait'clial 
Nit'I,  MaclaniH  lloutiu,  Narciflse,  and  Cbarlefl  licffhvre.  Second,  Mr. 
J.  Moure.  With  twelve  kinds  the  Kev.  S.  U.  Holo  was  aj,'aiu  firnt, 
htkTiug  Oloire  do  Hauteuay.  Madame  Rival,  Prince  Hi-nri  do  Pays 
Bas,  Miulaiue  Furtado,  Gloiro  do  Dijon,  Madame  Victor  Vi-rdivr.  Kou- 
▼enir  do  Coiuto  Cavoar,  Charlea  Verdior,  and  Mdllo.  A.  Wood.  The 
R«v.  K.  N.  Porhiu  was  hrat  with  the  followiii«;  t^ix  kinds— Gloiro 
do  Vitry,  Duchosso  do  Caylus,  Baron  Gonella,  Mimchal  Niid,  Madame 
Boutin,  and  Chailos  Lt-febvre.  In  a  further  class  for  new  kiudw 
MeHsrH.  Peiliius  it  Son  were  again  tirst  with  Jean  Lambert,  Madame 
Kngi^ue  Appert,  (Jumillo  Hernardin,  Triompho  do  Uoiicn,  Mdlle.  Mario 
Kady,  Oht-valu-r  Nigra.  Gloire  do  Dn^-ber.  Madamo  Killion,  John 
GrieV,  Mdllo.  M.  Dombrain,  Prince  de  Portia,  and  ComtoBse  du 
Janconrt.  Second.  Mr.  W.  Draycott,  who  had  among  otherH  Mous. 
Cbttix  d'Kat  Ange.  lilack  Prince,  Mons.  Noman,  Alfred  Colomb,  Sou- 
▼euir  de  Madame  BoU,  Mdlle.  A.  Wood,  Charles  Verdier,  and  Com- 
teAHO  de  Jancourt. 

Mr.  T.  Warner,  of  the  Abbey  Nnrseriea,  contributed  a  large  collec- 
tion of  out  Itosci,  containing  some  remarkably  good  flowers,  a  box  of 
fine  blooms  of  Mareobal  Niel  being  much  admired. 

Zonal  PKL.\iiaoMiUM3. — Gut  llowers  were  most  admirably  bUowh, 
eapecially  a  stand  of  twelve  varieties,  contributed  by  Mr,  J.  Thorpe. 
Instead  of  the  tiva  trnsses  of  each  variety  heiug  bunched  together,  ah 
ia  generally  the  case,  each  waa  arranged  separatelv>  so  that  each  lot  of 
truRses  of  any  one  variety  formed  a  pretty  and  effective  gronp  in 
itself.  The  varieties  were  Le  Grand,  Dr.  Hogg,  Capt.  L'Hermite,  a 
▼ery  bright  tlonble  variety  ;  No  Pins  Ultra,  very  bright  crimson  ;  Jules 
Cte>iar,  Tlie  Clipper.  Hector,  Beante  de  Suresnes,  Qneen  of  Beauties, 
a  pretty  salmou-colonred  variety;  Fairy  Princesa,  Salmon  King,  and 
Snowball.  Mr.  C.  J.  Perry  was  second  with  tine  trusses  of  Vivid,  Hoi 
Ultalie.  Glorious.  Spitfire.  Shirley  HibberJ.  Beauty,  Clipper,  Andro- 
meda. Ameliua  Giisau,  Beaute  de  Suresnes,  and  a  very  promising 
aalmon-ficarlet  seedling,  sometbing  in  the  wa\  of  Andromeda. 

Verbenas. — With  cut  Verbenas,  Mr.  C.  J.  Perry  wjis  tirst,  having 
fine  truj-sea  of  Foxhunter,  Annie,  Gcaut  des  Batnilles.  J.  C.  Ward, 
Startler,  Jame.-*  Hirbeck,  Cleopatra,  Shirley  Hibberd,  Harry  Laws. 
Madam  H.  SVnger,  Firefly,  and  Mrs.  Mole.  Second,  Mr.  W.  Draycott. 
Mr.  Perry  also  coutribnted  a  miscellaneous  lot  of  fine  kinds,  including 
"Wouderfn!,  Rose  Imperial,  Modesty,  Hercules,  Maguitica,  Samuel 
Moreton,  Champion,  Mazeppa,  Charles  Perry,  and  Giiuut  dea  Batailles. 

PuLOX.ES. — Mr.  J.  Draycott  wafl  first  with  cut  blooms  of  Phloxes, 
which  consisted  of  Beautiful,  Professor  Koch,  Arthur  Fontaine,  Mons. 
Delamare,  Le  Lion,  and  a  very  beautiful  large  white  variety  unnamed ; 
the  tiowers  white,  with  a  rosy  purple  ring  round  the  eye,  magnificent. 
The  otiier  competing  flowers  were  of  little  valne.  Messrs.  Downie, 
Laird,  it  Lniiig  contributed  some  fine  kinds,  sut-b  as  Norma,  Eclair, 
Sonvenir  des  Femes.  Edith.  Madame  Bonneau,  Pius  IX.,  Souvenir  de 
Trianon,  and  Princess  of  Wales.  The  above  formed,  a  good  and  varied 
selection. 

The  cnt  Pentstemons  shown  for  competition  were  very  poor,  bnt 
Messrs.  Downie,  Laird,  &  Laing  staged  a  grand  lot.  not  for  competi- 
tion. The  following  were  very  line : — John  Bester,  John  Pow,  Arthur 
Stern,  Mrs.  Sterry,  Maria  Hild,  Delicata,  and  Clio.  Pansies  were  so 
miserably  shown,  that  it  seemed  to  be  a  waste  of  money  to  give  a 
prize  to  tbo  value  of  £2  to  twelve  wretched  flowers  of  the  commonest 
character.  Messrs.  Downie,  Laird,  &  Laing  contributed  a  gi-and  lot 
©f  English  and  Fancy  kinds,  and  a  stand  of  their  new  blue  bedder, 
.  Imperial  Blue,  all  not  for  competition. 


The  collections  of  cnt  greeubouse  and  hardy  flowers  were  not  of  a 
character  to  call  fur  special  remark,  being  inferior  to  those  generally 
seen  at  huge  ]uo\iuciai  shows.  Table  decorations  were  sjtarely  con- 
tributtMl.  and  those  of  only  ordinaiy  forms.  Bouquets  were  plentiful 
enough,  and  bat  of  average  merit ;  the  best  contained  some  rare 
flowers,  but  looked  homewhat  rough  and  loose.  Wild  flowers  appeared 
in  nnmbers,  as  collections,  botanically  arranged  in  the  form  of  baskets, 
of  which  there  were  a  great  number,  and  also  in  the  form  of  bouquets. 
Of  the  two  collectiona  botanically  arranged,  in  one  instance  the 
uatnral,  in  the  other  the  Linnsean  system,  had  been  fidlowed.  But 
very  few  of  the  baskets  were  tastefully  arranged  ;  generally  they  looked 
something  like  p.-u-kages  of  game  for  transmission  tc  a  distance. 

The  new  floribts'  flowers,  &c.,  that  came  under  the  notice  of  the 
Floral  Committee  are  treated  of  in  another  column. 

In  the  Miscellaneoaa  claas  Mr.  W.  Chater,  Saffron  Walden,  fur- 
nished a  tine  lot  of  Hollyhocks  in  cut  spikes  and  single  blooma  that 
made  a  grand  display  at  one  end  of  the  fruit  tent ;  and  Messrs.  T. 
Draycott  and  Downie,  Laird,  &  Laing  also  contributed  cnt  blooms  of 
Hollyhocks.  Messrs.  F.  &  A.  Smith,  of  Dulwicb,  sent  a  fine  lot  of 
new  Variegiited  Pelargoniums,  and  Mr.  Tirebuck,  of  Lnton,  a  large 
gronp  of  beddiug  Pelargoniums.  Some  wax  flowers  and  skeleton 
leaves  were  nbown  by  resideutaof  Leicester.  Some  of  the  last-named, 
shown  by  Miiw  M.  P.  Swain,  were  extraordinary  specimeus,  of  fine 
manipulation.  Some  samples  of  British  wines  were  also  contributed 
by  Mr.  Itobeit  Ftnn,  The  Rectory,  Woodstock,  Oson,  and  were  tasted 


by  a  Jury,  who  commended  two  of  them.  Thn  Jury  were  of  opinion 
that  Mr.  Fcnn  has  made  tbo  mo^it  satisfactory  progress  during  the  pabt 
few  years  in  the  way  of  perfecting  these  British  wmoa. 

FltUIT   AND   VKOKTAIil.KS. 

The  Frnit  and  Vegetables  alone  filled  nearly  the  whole  of  a  tftnt  of 
great  length,  though,  except  in  the  case  of  vegetables,  the  exhibitionn 
in  each  class  were  generally  not  numerons,  nor  waa  the  frnit  as  a  wholo 
remarkable  for  quality.  Tbo  two  tirst  ])ri/,ea  t-f  tlie  value  of  teu 
guineas  each,  offered  by  the  Pro]iiietors  of  The  Jouunal  oe  Houti- 
CULTUUK,  for  the  best  two  desserts,  consisting  of  not  less  than  Heven 
kinds  of  fruiU  of  IStJS,  arranged  as  for  tbo  table,  combining  quality  of 
fruit  with  taste  of  arrangemeut,  were  taken  without  competition  by 
Mr.  Carmichael,  gardener  to  His  Itoyal  Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales, 
at  Sandringham  ;  and  by  Mr.  William  Ingram,  gardener  to  the  Dnko 
of  Rutland,  at  Belvoir  Castle.  At  Bury  St.  Kdmunds  last  year  Bimilar 
prizes  wero  offered,  and  these  were  carried  oft"  by  Mr.  Blair,  gardener 
to  SirCi.  N.  Broke  MiddUtou,  Bart.,  and  Mr.  Carmichael ;  this,  ther«- 
foro,  was  the  second  occasion  in  which  Mr.  Carmichael  bas  been  suo- 
eeasful  in  winning  one  of  the  '"Journal"  prizes.  His  exhiltition  was 
neatly  arranged,  witli  a  dish  of  Black  Hambnrgli  Grapes  in  the  centre, 
flanked  by  two  fine  Qneen  Pines.  In  frontof  these  were  l^'oster's  White 
Seedling  Grapes  at  one  side,  and  Jilack  Hamburgbs  at  the  other,  and 
between  them  a  dish  of  Moorpark  Apricots  ;  at  the  back  there  was  a 
Melon  at  each  end,  and  the  remaining  dishes,  arranged  at  intervals 
between  the  outsides  and  centre,  consisted  of  Kentish  and  May  Dake 
Cherries,  Violette  H.Uive  Nectarines,  and  Peaches.  Mr.  Ingram  had 
handsome  silver  stands,  the  central  one  bearing  glass  dishes  on  the 
upper  sides  of  its  branches,  and  hanging  baskets  on  the  lower  sides. 
They  were  filled  with  Cherries,  Gooseberries,  Black  and  White  Currants, 
and  Raspberries,  interspersed  with  Japanese  Honeysuckle  and  Feru 
fronds,  with  a  Vine  leaf  peeping  up  hero  and  there.  In  the  top  dish 
lay  a  Melon,  clusters  of  Grapes,  and  Apricots,  with  a  few  Ferns  and 
Lilies.  The  two  side  stands  contained  Apples,  Pears.  Cherries,  Apricots, 
and  Plums,  interspersed  with  Ferns.  Japanese  Honeysuckle,  and  one 
or  two  Grasses.  There  were  in  addition  two  bouquets,  one  on  each 
side,  of  Orchids,  Ferns,  and  Rose^. 

Of  collections  of  Fruit,  the  best  came  from  Mr.  Miller,  gardener  to 
Earl  Craven,  Combe  Abbey,  and  consisted  of  a  very  good  Queen  Pine, 
three  splendid  bunches  of  Black  Prince  Grape,  weighing  13^  lbs.,  and 
the  largest  of  the  three  measuring  about  16  inches  in  Itntftb,  and  fnlly 
half  as  much  across  the  shoulders ;  Foster's  White  Seedling  finely 
ripened,  a  Hybrid  Cashmere  Melon,  fine  Royal  George  Peaches,  large 
highly-coloured  Violette  H;Uive  Nectarines,  Brown  Turkey  Figs,  and 
Bigarreau  Napoleon  Cherries.  Mr.  Carmichael  was  second,  Mr. 
Moor  third,  and  Mr.  Holder,  Prestbury,  near  Cheltenham,  fourth. 
In  these  collections  good  Queen  Pines,  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes, 
Cherries.  Melons,  and  Apricots  were  exhibited. 

Pene  Apples. --Bat  few  were  shown.  The  first  prize  was  awarded 
to  Mr.  Rawbone,  gardener  to  C.  M.  Campbell,  Esq..  Woodseat,  Aah- 
bourue,  for  a  fine  Queen,  weighing  5  lbs.  ;  the  second  went  to  Mr.  A. 
Henderson,  gardener  to  Earl  Manvers,  Thoresby  Parle,  for  a  fniit  of 
Thoresby  Seedling,  weighing  0  lbs.  Goza.  ;  and  Mr.  G.  Ward,  gardener 
to  T.  N.  Miller,  Esq.,  Bishop  Stortford,  was  third,  with  a  fine  Envilla 
of  9  lbs. ;  he  also  sent  a  Smooth-leaved  Cayenne  of  KJ  lbs.,  but  over- 
ripe at  the  base,  as  was  also  a  large  Antigua  Queen  from  Mr.  Barnes, 
gardener  to  Lady  Rolle,  at  Bieton. 

GiLiPEs. — For  a  single  dish  of  Black  Grapes,  the  first  prize  waa 
taken  by  Mr.  T.  Rawbone,  gardener  to  C.  M.  Campbell,  Esq.,  with 
large  beautifully-coloured  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh,  a  little 
loose,  however,  and  weighing  7  lbs.  Mr.  J.  McLean,  Beanmanor 
House,  Loughborough,  was  second  with  the  same  kind,  and  Mr.  Stai- 
nard,  gardener  to  H.  K.  Homfray,  Esq.,  Newmarket,  third,  the  latter 
having  compact  well-coloured  bunches.  Mr.  Cox,  gardener  to  Earl 
Beaucbamp,  Madresfield  Court,  sent,  bnt  not  for  competition,  excellent 
bunches  of  Matkesfield  Court  Muscat,  a  new  kind,  with  a  delicious 
Muscat  flavour  ;  the  berries  were  finely  coloured,  and  covered  with  a 
fine  bloom.  Of  White  Grapes  but  few  were  shown  ;  the  best  were 
large  bunches  of  Golden  Hamburgh  from  Mr.  Bolton  ;  Buckland 
Sweetwater,  from  Mr.  Peacbey,  was  second;  and  Trebbiano.  from  Mr. 
Handley,  gardener  to  Sir  R.  Knightley,  Bart.,  Fawsley  Park,  third. 
Fine  bunches  of  Golden  Champion  with  tnormnus  berries,  were 
shown,  not  for  competition,  by  Mr.  Thomson,  of  Dalkeith.  To  the 
high  merit  of  this  splendid  Grape  we  have  already  several  times  re- 
ferred, and  more  particularly  in  the  report  of  the  last  meeting  of  the 
Fruit  Committee  (see  page  *J*2). 

Special  prizes  were  offered  by  Earl  Howe  for  the  beet  three  dishes 
of  Grapes.  Mr.  Rawbone  was  fir.st  with  three  splendid  bunches  of 
Black  Hambnrgh,  weigbingTi  lbs.,  nice  buntbea  of  Black  Piince,  and 
fine  Muscats,  but  not  perfectly  riije.  The  second  went  to  Mr.  Bolton 
for  good  Golden  Hamburgh,  Block  Prince,  and  Black  Hnmbnrgb,  the 
last  rather  loose.  Mr.  Wallis,  gardener  to  J.  Disou.  Esq..  Astle  Park, 
Cheshire,  was  third.  Prizes  were  likewise  given  by  Viscount  Curzon, 
'*  a  Country  Gentleman." '  and  the  IjOcuI  Fund,  for  the  best  three 
bnucbea  of  Black  Hambnrgh,  and  the  tirst  jilace  was  taken  by  Mr. 
Rawbone  with  tbrre  s]tlendid  coiupact  bunches,  uith  the  beiriea  eqnal- 
sized,  and  beautifully  coloured.  The  weight  of  the  three  bunches 
was  8i  lbs.  Mr.  Silcock  was  second  with  exctllont  finely-coloured 
bunches  ;  Mr.  Sage,  gardener  to  Earl  Brownlow,  Ashridge,  and  Mr. 
Bolton,  being  respectively  third  and  fourth. 

Special  prizes  were  given  by  the  town  of  Ashby  de-Ia-Zooch,  for 


62 


JOUENAL  OP  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  July  23, 1868. 


Moecfit  Grapes.  The  first  of  these  wag  taken  by  Mr.  W.  Colegrave, 
Swerford  Paik,  Enstone,  with  Eplendid  hnnches  of  Mnscat  Hamburgh. 
the  lar^eet  nifaenrins  14  inches  in  lenf^th  and  10  inches  across  the 
«b<ralders.  Mr.  J.  McLenii,  f^ardener  to  W.  P.  Herrick,  P^sq..  was 
Beoond  with  MuKcat  of  Alexandria ;  Mr.  W.  WiUiame,  Woodcote 
I>od^,  Leamington,  third,  with  Muscat  Hamburgh ;  and  Mr.  J. 
Wfliker,  Leicester.  foTirth,  with  Muscat  of  Alexandria. 

Peaches  and  Nect.vei>^ks  — Of  the  former,  the  best  in  the  general 
dasa  was  Barringfon,  very  large  and  finely  ripened,  exhibited  by  Mr. 
WalliB.  ABtle  Park.  Mr.  Draycott,  garde'ner  to  T.  T.  Paget,  'Esq., 
M.P.,  Hnmberstone  Hall,  was  second  with  tine  finit  of  Royal  George  ; 
and  the  same  kind  from  Mr.  Tillery,  Welbeck.  took  the  third  prize. 
For  Nectarines,  Mr.  Smith,  gardener  to  H.  H.  HanKerford,  Esq., 
Market  Harborough,  was  awarded  the  first  prize  for  Stanwiek  ;  Mr. 
■Miller,  Combe  Abbey,  and  Mr.  Cos,  qardener  to  Earl  Beaucharop, 
being  respectively  second  and  third,  with  Violette  Hative  and  Pitmas- 
t*n  OraDEre.  From  Mr.  D.  Fish,  Hardwicke,  came  fruit  of  Rivers's 
N«w  White. 

The  Countess  of  Howe's  prizes  for  the  best  dishes  of  Peaches  and 
Nectarines,  were  taken  by  Messrfl.  Draycott.  Sage,  Gold,  and  Peachey  ; 
the  first  named  had  fine  lioyal  George  Peaches  and  good  Violette 
Hdtive  Nectarines. 

STEAWBEnuiES. — The  competition  with  these  was  very  limited.  The 
first  and  second  prizes  for  single  dishes  were  taken  with  British  Qneen 
by  Mr.  Bolton,  and  Mr.  Temple,  Balbimie,  N.B.  ;  the  third  by  Mr. 
Lambert  with  Myatt's  Eleanor.  The  first  of  the  two  prizes  offered 
by  Charles  Laml>ei-t,  Esq..  for  the  best  collection  was  awarded  to 
Mr.  Matheeon,  Tiilliallan  Castle,  Kincardine-on-Forth,  for  twelve 
varieties,  among  which  were  good  fruit  {for  the  season),  of  .Sir  Hariy, 
Sir  J.  Paxton,  Elton,  Trollope's  Victoria,  Wonderful,  and  Cockscomb. 
There  was  no  otht-r  exhibitor. 

Melons. — About  thirty  in  all  were  shown  in  the  two  classes  ;  the 
beet  green-fleshed  wns  Trentham  Green-fleshed  from  Mr.  Rawbone  ; 
Bromham  Hall  from  Mr.  Friabv,  Blankney.  was  second;  Golden  Gem 
from  Mr.  Cox  third.  Scarlet  Gem  from  Mr.  Earley,  Mr.  Stannard, 
and  Mr.  D.  Fish  took  all  three  prizes  in  the  Scarlet-fleshed  Class. 

MiBCEiXANEors. — Under  this  head  it  will  be  most  convenient  to  in- 
clude all  the  remaining  fruits,  for  most  of  which,  however,  classes 
were  provided,  referring  to  the  prize  list  in  another  column  for  the 
names  of  the  successful  exhibitors.  Some  large  Moorpark  Apricots 
were  shown  by  Mr.  Earley,  pood  Brown  Turkey  Figs  by  Mr.  Sage, 
Bigarreau  Cherries  by  Mr.  Elliott,  and  a  good  dish  of  the  same  kind 
by  Mr.  Tegg,  Clumber.  Jefferson  and  Kirke's  were  the  only  Plums 
^own,  the  former  from  Mr.  Williams,  of  Woodcote  Lodge,  receiving  a 
second  prize.  The  best  basket  of  fruit  came  from  !Mr.  ICarley,  and 
oonsiflted  of  May  Duke  Cherries.  Oscar,  Fastolff  Haspben-y,  and  fine 
Wliite  Dutch  Currants.  Mr.  Henderson,  of  Thoresby,  had  a  first 
prize  in  the  miscellaneous  class  for  eight  Thoresby  Seedling  Pines, 
fine  large  fruit,  weighing  from  5  lbs.  10  ozs.  to  G  lbs.  10  ozs.  each.  Mr. 
Babb  was  second  with  four  dishes  of  Apples,  and  Mr.  Tegg.  third, 
with  Psidiura  Cattleyannm.  Mr.  Laxton,  of  Stamford,  sent  French 
Grab  Apple  in  excellent  preservation.  The  special  prizes  for  orchard- 
IiouBe  trees  were  taken  by  Mr.  Brooks.  Hinckley,  and  Mr.  Burton,  gar- 
dener to  J.  Stone,  Esq.,  Leicester.  The  former  had  Grosse  Mignonue, 
Early  York,  Walburton  Admirable,  Koyal  George,  and  two  or  three 
other  Peaches  ;  Rivers's  Orange,  Hunt's  Tawny,  and  Elruge  Nectarines, 
and  Plums.  These  trees  were  exceedingly  well  grown,  and  for  the 
most  part  in  abundant  bearing.  Mr.  Barton  had  also  some  very  eood 
Peaces  and  Nectarines,  and  took  a  first  prize  for  the  best  pot  Vine, 
a  neat  compact  one  trained  to  form  a  fiattish  top,  and  which  bad  a 
doaen  good  bunches. 

The  Gardeners*  Chronicle  cup  of  the  value  of  twenty  guineas,  for 
the  best  collection  of  fi-uit  and  vegetables,  brought  several  good  ex- 
hibitions, and  was  awarded  to  Mr.  McLean,  gardener  to  W.  P.  Herrick, 
Esg.f  of  Beaumauor  House,  Loughborough.  His  collection  consisted 
of  lar«,e  and  very  fine  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes,  two  Melons,  Cherries, 
French  Crab  Apples,  Gooseberries  ;  and  of  Vegetables,  Mona's  Pride 
and  Radford  Kidney  Potatoes,  two  kinds  of  Onions,  a  fine  brace  of 
Cucumbers,  Broad  and  Kidney  Beans,  Carrote,  and  Broccoli.  Mr. 
Holder,  Prestbory,  near  Cheltenham,  had  a  large  basket  containing 
almost  every  salad  plant  in  use,  Globe  Artichokes,  large  Tripoli  Onions, 
a  handsome  brace  of  Cucumbers,  Peas,  Beans,  Carrots,  &c.,  but  though 
hie  vegetables  were  excellent,  his  fruit  was  not  equal  to  that  in  the 
prize  collection.  Mr.  W.  Ingram,  Mr.  Sage,  gardener  to  Earl  Howe  ; 
and  Mr.  Bailey,  Sbardeloes,  also  sent  very  good  collections. 

Mr.  Moore,  Blenheim,  took  the  first  prize  offered  by  the  gardeners 
of  I>eioeeterahire,  for  the  best  six  dishes  of  fruit  and  six  kinds  of 
vegetables,  showing  fine  Black  and  Red  Currants,  Strawberries, 
Gooeeberries,  Cherries,  Apricots,  and  good  Tomatoes,  Onions,  Peas, 
A«,  Bt^r.  Sage,  gardener  to  Earl  Howe,  Gopsall,  was  second  with 
Peare,  Strawberries,  Breda  Apricots,  Raspberries,  Gooseberries,  and 
Red  Currants,  and  pood  Peas,  Onions,  Carrots,  and  Turnips.  The 
"third  and  fourth  prizes  were  taken  by  Mr.  Rogers,  ganlener  to  the 
Oountesa  of  Lanesborough,  and  Mr.  J.  McLean,  of  Donnington  Park. 

Meesrs.  Harrison  &  Son,  ff  the  Midland  Seed  Warehouse,  Leices- 
ter, offered  first  and  ppoond  prizes  for  the  best  collections  of  ve^'etablea. 
The  first  was  awardtd  to  Mr.  J.  Holder  for  large  red  Tomatoes,  Cap- 
sienms,  Italian  Tripoli  Onions,  Cucumber,  Vegetable  Marrow,  red  and 
xvkite  Otiery,  Carrots,  Potatoes,  Cauliflowers,  Peas,  and  Broad  Beans, 
the  vhole  of  which  were  very  good.     Mr,  Rogers  was  secord  ^ith  a 


good  collection  Prizes  were  also  offered  by  the  eame  firm  for  tht- 
best  and  eecond  best  collections  of  first  and  second  early  Potatoes,  and 
they  were  awarded  to  Mr.  Dunkley,  of  Kingsthorpe,  Northampton,  fc* 
good  clean  tubers  of  eighteen  kinds,  not  one  of  which  had  a  namfc 
attached  ;  and  to  Mr.  Earley,  who  had  fine  tubers  of  Milky  White. 
Hard  Cash,  Giant,  Dalmahoy,  Soden'8  Early  Oxford,  Rivers's  Royal 
Ashleaf,  and  others.  Messrs.  Harrison's  prizes  for  the  best  brace  of 
Harrison's  Favourite  White-spincd  Cucumber  went  to  Mr.  Draycott, 
Humberstone  Hail,  and  ]\Ir.  Holder.  The  Qneniborough  Horticultural 
Society's  first  aud  second  prizes  for  collections  of  vegetables,  were 
awarded  to  Mr.  Addy,  Rear.^by,  Leicester,  and  Mr.  Mitchell,  Leicester. 

In  the  Cottagers'  department  of  the  Show  there  were  some  excellent 
collections  of  vegetables  which  many  gentlemen's  gardeners  might  well 
envy.  Autumn-sown  Onions  were  especially  good.  P'-ns,  notwith- 
standing the  dry  weather,  were  well  filled  ;  Potatoes,  thoogh  not  large, 
very  sound  and  clean  ;  CaiTota  very  good ;  Scarlet  Runners  and  Broad 
Beans  equally  so. 

FLOR.YL    COMMITTEE. 

The  chief  novelties  brought  before  the  Committee  at  this  grand 
Meeting  were  Ferns,  pome  very  magnificent  Verbenas  from  Mr.  Perrj. 
and  a  most  superb  double- flowering  Zonal  Pelargonium  from  Mr. 
Tomkins. 

Mr.  Thomas  Lambert,  Bramstone  House,  Leicester,  exhibited 
among  twelve  specimen  Petunias  a  dark-vein*=d  seedling,  the  name  of 
which  we  have  forgotten.  It  was  much  admired,  and  was  awardetl  » 
first-class  certificate.  Messrs.  Downie,  Laird.  &  Laing  received  first- 
class  certificates  for  two  Zonal  Pelargoniums  of  the  Golden  and  Bronzo 
section,  Crown  Prince  and  Harrison  Weir,  both  of  which  were  marked 
with  a  deep  zone.  Mr.  W.  Cuuningbam,  Burton-on-Trent,  sent  a 
seedling  Fuchsia  Rarity,  dark  dull  red,  a  rather  coarse  flower,  nseful 
perhaps  for  market  purposes  ;  end  he  received  a  firet-class  certificat« 
for  Zonal  Pelargonium  Delicatum.  a  pale  salmon  rose,  not  new  ia 
colour,  but  the  petals  of  very  good  substance.  Mr.  Tomkins,  Spark 
hill,  Birmingham,  exhibited  a  seedling  double  Zonal  Pelargonium, 
Sparkhill  Beauty.  F>om  the  truss  of  flowers  on  the  plant  we  may 
safely  infer  that  this  is  one  of  the  best  ever  yet  seen  ;  the  colour  deep 
rose,  the  flowers  large,  and  the  petals  smoothly  arranged.  A  first-claeft 
certificate  was  awarded. 

Messrs.  Ewing  li;  Child  sent  a  seedling  Lobelia  speciosa.  The  Fairy, 
of  free  habit  and  growth,  pale  whitish  pink  flowers.  It  received  a 
second-class  certificate.  Mr.  Perry,  Castle  Brom  with,  Birmingham,  senl 
some  very  fine  seedling  Verbenas  :— Mrs.  Reynolds  Hole,  of  the  most 
beautiful  clear  white,  with  a  dark  conspicuous  centre  ;  Mrs.  Perry,  dark 
purple,  with  a  large  white  centre ;  aud  Spot,  pale  rose,  with  a  broad 
dark  centre.  These  were  flowers  of  great  merit,  and  wera  each 
awarded  a  first-class  certificate.  Mr.  G.  Smith,  Homsey  Road,  sent 
three  seedling  Zonal  Pelargoniums  ;  one,  a  fine  double  scarlet,  received 
a  first-class  certificate  at  the  last  meeting  at  South  Kensington  ; 
Alarm,  a  fine  hybrid  Nosegay,  bright  scarlet  and  rose  flowers,  very 
promising ;  and  Masterpiece,  a  great  improvement  upon  Le  Grand, 
flowers  nearly  of  the  same  shade  of  colour.  Only  one  plant  was  ex- 
hibited with  one  noble  truss  of  flowers  ;  when  two  or  three  plantw  arti 
exhibited  its  great  merit  will  be  acknowledged.  Messrs.  Smith,  Dul- 
wich,  sent  six  Variegated  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  but  not  in  condition, 
the  colours  of  the  foliage  not  being  well  defined. 

J.  E.  Mapplebeck,  Esq.,  Woodfield,  Moseley,  Birmingham,  'WftP 
awarded  a  second-class  certificate  for  Cystopteris  fragilis  gracilis,  and 
a  first-class  for  each  of  iho  six  followin-;— Athyrium  Filix-foemina 
torto-cristatnm,  Athyrium  Filix-foemina  Howardite,  Scolopendrium 
vulgare  Cliftii,  Scolopendrium  spirale,  Scolopendrium  marginatniD 
tenue,  Athyrium  Filix-fcemina  Elworthii. 

E.  J.  Lowe,  Esq.,  Hightield  House,  Nottingham,  received  first-dast* 
certificates  for  each  of  the  following  Fems^Polyatichum  angular* 
caudatum,  Athyrium  Filix-famina  abasiphyllum,  Athyrium  longi-idg- ^ 
ense,  Athyrium  regale,  Lastrea  Filix-mas  Mapplebeckii,  Athyrium 
kladodesteron,  Asplenium  adiantum  nigrum  grandiceps,  Aspleninm 
marinum  imbricatnm,  Lastrea  pseudo-mas  nitada,  Polvstichum  acn- 
leatum  Rileya',  Polystichnm  acnleatum  nidum,  Adinntum  capillus- 
Veneris  Kalou.  Scclopendrium  vulgare  supralmeatum  Lowei,  S.  scnlp- 
tnrato  latum,  S.  Keratoides,  S.  significans,  S.  formosnm.  S.  eapitellum, 
S.  amoinum,  S.  illustro,  S.  Moorei,  S.  stenomenon.  A  gecond-clasp 
was  awarded  Scolopendrium  divergens.  Mr.  Lowe's  general  collection 
was  most  deseiTedly  much  admired  ;  the  abnormal  forms  most  cnrionp 
and  interesting.  There  were  many  dozen  mere  varieties  shown  as  ne** 
forms,  but  those  selected  were  considered  most  distinct  and  beautiful. 
The  Adiantum  capillns- Veneris  Kalon  ia  strikingly  beautiful,  the  pin- 
nules lai'ger  than  those  of  capillus- Veneris. 


The  latest  accounts  received  to  the  lime  of  going  to  preee 
give  the  number  of  visitors  up  to  Tuesday  evening  as  about 
eighteen  thousand,  and  the  amount  reoeived  as  £L^3. 


XilUlia   AURATUM   RDBEDM    VTTTATUM. — I    86©    Ihftt    Mr.  OwfiH 

desires  to  know  if  any  of  the  readers  of  this  Journal  have 
hloomed  the  Lilium  named  above.  With  me  one  of  tbeae 
LlLiuma  has  thirty-two  blooms  npon  it  at  the  pre&ent  time. 


July  2S,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OP  HORTICULTUKB  AND  COTTAGE   GABDBNKB. 


63 


It  is  8  feet  liigli,  and  is  in  nn  llinoh  pot. — Ricuatid  Simpson, 
at  0.  W.  Ncmnamit,  Esq.,  iVyncoU  Allerton,  Lioerpool. 


VIOI.A  CORNUTA. 

I  Au  sorry  to  Lear  snch  comfilaints  reppeoting  this  bfantifiil 
flower.  Some  cultivators  tuy  it  like?  a  wet  season,  otlmrs  tbat 
it  will  not  do  iu  a  dry  one.  A  tliird  set  assert  that  it  likos  an 
open  position,  and  others  that  it  does  best  in  tlio  sbado.  I  am 
folly  aware  that  there  is  in  ihe  soils  and  climato  of  each 
oonnty  a  great  diflurence  that  the  Viola  oornuta  bus  to  contend 
against,  having  bad  it  under  ray  charge  in  a  midUnd  county, 
in  the  south,  and  now  in  tbo  north.  During  these  tlneo  seasons 
I  have  never  heard  any  complaints  of  it,  but,  on  the  contrary, 
have  heard  the  ladies  praise  it  very  much.  It  has  bloomed 
very  well  the  whole  time  I  have  known  it,  and  nothing  could 
give  greater  satisfrtction. 

I  would  advise  Mr.  Bryan  and  all  others  to  try  it  once  more 
before  they  utteily  condemn  it.  As  an  edging,  I  think  it  sur- 
passes any  Lobelia.  We  have  for  some  purposes  intermixed  it 
with  Lobelia  speciosa,  and  it  is  quite  lovely  either  so  associated 
or  in  a  bed  by  itself. 

I  always  dig  manure  into  my  beds  in  the  spring,  then  in 
April  I  divide  the  Viola  into  very  small  pieces,  and  plant  them 
where  I  wish  them  to  remain  for  an  edging,  giving  water  at  the 
game  time.     It  then  takes  its  chance. 

It  has  looked  beautiful  since  May,  and  still  continues  to  be 
one  of  the  gems  of  our  flower  garden,  notwithstanding  the  very 
hot,  dry  summer  we  have  bod. — J.  B.,  Gardener  at  EccIeahiU 
Hail,  Leeds.  

Me.  J.  Bryan,  of  Andley  End  Gardens,  snggeats  that  some 
of  your  correspondents  should  give  the  results  of  their  cultiva- 
tion of  this  flower.  Mine  are  as  follow  : — A  packet  of  tbo  seed 
of  Mauve  Queen  was  had  in  the  autumn  of  18G6,  and  produced 
an  abundance  of  plants.  These  were  planted  out  under  a 
north  wall  in  rather  a  poor  soil,  and  the  result  was  a  perfect 
failure.  At  the  suggestion  of  a  writer  in  your  Journal  I  made 
in  the  autumn  of  last  year  a  good  bed,  exposed  to  the  sun ; 
placing  the  plants  in  at  a  good  distance  from  each  other.  In 
the  spring  of  this  year  they  soon  filled  the  bed,  and  from  the 
early  part  of  April  to  nearly  the  end  of  June  it  was  one  of  the 
most  lovely-looking  beds  I  have  ever  seen.  All  who  saw  it 
were  full  of  its  praise.  The  extraordinary  dry  and  hot  weather 
we  then  (end  of  June),  had,  destroyed  all  its  beauty.  It  is 
possible  if  I  had  well  watered  (he  bed  the  plants  might  have 
continued  in  flower;  but  I  rather  think  that  this  plant  should 
not  be  depended  upon  for  a  continuance  of  flowering  all  the 
season,  but  that  it  is  invaluable  for  two  or  three  months. — An 
Amatshr,  South  Wales. 


THE  HABIT  OF  GROWTH  IN  MELON  PLANTS. 

The  one  great  defect  which  is  inherited  in  common  by 
almost  all  the  choicest  varieties  of  Melons,  is  the  possession  of 
too  rampant  a  habit  of  growth,  requiring  a  certain  expenditure 
of  vigour,  even  when  planted  in  the  poorest  soil,  before  they 
will  exhibit  tbo  least  tendency  to  carry  fruit  iu  a  suflicient 
qnontity  to  be  termed  a  crop.  That  but  too  littlo  attention  has 
been  given  to  this  point  is  quite  evident ;  in  fact,  I  am  iu- 
(dined  to  think  but  little  notice,  it  any,  is  taken  of  it,  for  in  the 
descriptive  catalogues  of  both  old  and  new  kinds,  which  are 
issued  to  the  public  in  such  numbers,  the  only  qualities  con- 
sidered to  be  worthy  of  commendation,  are  freeness  of  crop- 
ping, with  size  and  flavour  of  frait,  and,  therefore,  I  infer  that 
no  great  demand  has  ever  been  made  for  varieties  possessing 
fin  addition  to  ( he  above  fine  qualities)  a  close  and  compact 
habit  of  growth. 

A  Sc&rlet-fleshed  variety  called  "  Pine  Apple,"  which  I  have 
DOW  grown  for  four  seasons,  and  which  I  believe  was  sent  out 
abont  five  or  six  years  ago,  is  the  closest  approach  to  perfection 
in  this  respect  that  I  have  met  with.  In  its  habit  of  growth  it 
is  very  compact,  having  handsome  foliage  of  a  deep  green, 
which  is  supported  by  short  stout  leafstalks  ;  it  is  a  most  pro- 
lific cropper,  producing  and  setting  its  fruit  with  the  greatest 
freedom  on  its  first  laterals,  and  as  the  fruit  commences  swell- 
ing it  exhibits  but  little  tendency  to  make  any  further  growth, 
and  this  character  it  maintains  on  the  trellis  as  well  as  when 
growing  on  the  soil.  I  may  add,  I  have  never  noticed  tbo 
slightest  symptoms  of  canker  in  this  most  excellent  variety; 
the  fruit,  also,  ie  of  fine  flavour,  ranging  in  weight  from  2  lbs. 


to  'libs.,  and  I  am  inclined  to  think  it  is  a  popular  kind  with 
n^aiket  gardeners,  as  I  lately  observed  several  fnnts  of  it  at 
Covent  Garden  Market,  and  in  many  fruiterort'  shops  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  London. — Edwakd  Li;ci;uuii.sr,  ligcrton  Iloute 
(Jardt'iis,  Kent. 


NEW   BOOK. 
Paston'S  BoTANiOAi,  DicnoNAr.Y,  comprising  the  Names,  IlUtorg, 

and  Culture  of  all  Plants  known  in  Britain,  i£c.     Revised  and 

Corrected  bij  Samdel  IIehbman,  Secretary  for  nearly  Forty 

Years   to  tlie  late  Sir  Joseph  PaxUm.     London  :  Bradbury, 

Evans,  Si,  Co. 

Tun  first  edition  of  this  volume  was  published  in  I&IO,  and 
having  for  its  parents  such  men  as  I'axton,  Lindley,  and  its 
present  editor,  the  contents  are  most  trustworthy.  What  the 
volume  does  contain  is  unexceptionable.  But  altliough  editors 
may  be  deeply  skilled,  they  are  not,  therefore,  necessarily  good 
judges  of  what  constitutes  a  useful  book.  That  now  before  us 
proves  this,  and  the  fact  that  twenty-eight  years  have  elapsed 
without  a  really  new  edition  shows  that  the  public  coincide 
with  us  in  opinion. 

A  Botanical  Dictionary  to  be  useful  should  enable  one 
to  identify  a  plant,  and  a  Gardening  Dictionary  should  direct 
him  how  to  cultivate  it.  Now,  that  before  us  does  neither. 
If  you  know  a  plant  it  tells  you  the  colour  of  the  flower,  the 
month  of  its  blooming,  height,  native  place,  and  date  of  in- 
troduction ;  but  there  are  no  details  of  culture,  and  if  you  do 
not  know  the  name  of  the  plant  there  is  not  the  slightest  help 
to  your  ascertaining  it.  It  is  really  a  catalogue  of  plants,  as 
Don's,  Sweet's,  and  Loudon's  were. 

An  example  will  enable  our  readers  to  judge  for  themselvef, 
and  it  shall  be  the  genus  named  in  honour  of  Paxton. 

Paxtonia,  LiiuUeij.  In  compliment  to  tbo  late  Sir  Joseph  Paxton, 
F.L.S.,  H.S.,  who  was  for  many  years  director  of  the  gardens  of  Hid 
Grace  the  Dake  of  Devonshire,  at  Chatsworth.  and  conductor  of  the 
"  j\Iagaziuo  of  Botany,"  and  other  works  on  botany  and  gardening 
Lina.  '20,  Or.  1,  Nat.  Or.  Orchi(Lice^.  This  pretty  species  may  be 
Bnccessfully  grown  in  a  mixtnre  of  very  tarfy  loam,  leaf  mould,  and 
sand,  with  the  treatment  given  to  Bletia. 

rosea Pink 7,  S.  Ter.  J  Philippmae 1837. 


Intense  Heat. —  it  one  o'clock  on  Tuesday,  Jnly  21st,  in 
the  sun  the  temperature  was  130',  in  shade  97".  The  Bougain- 
villea  spectabilis  has  been  very  beautiful  here  this  season,  with 
from  fonr  to  five  hundred  blooms  upon  it. — Wiluam  Mavo, 
Gardener  to  Mrs.  Fitzgerald,  ShaUtonc  House,  Bnckinijham. 


WORK   FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

Aeoht  the  end  of  July  and  beginning  of  .August  most  of  the 
sweet  and  pot  Herbs  are  tit  to  gather  for  drying.  Artichokes, 
the  young  plant?  put  out  iu  the  spring  ought  now  to  be  coming 
into  use  to  succeed  tho  m&in  bed.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  you 
have  gathered  all  that  are  wanted  for  Artichoke  bottoms,  cat 
down  the  old  plants  altogether,  and  if  the  suckers  are  too  thick 
you  had  better  cut  some  of  them  down  altogether  or  pull  them 
away.  Broccoli,  after  the  genial  showers  we  have  had  now  is 
a  favourable  time  for  planting.  As  soon  as  the  surface  is  dried 
stir  it  well  between  the  rows,  otherwise  it  will  cake  together  so 
hard  that  the  plants  cannot  grow  well.  Canots,  to  have  a 
supply  of  young  Carrots  from  Christmas  till  the  forced  ones 
come  in,  it  is  necessary  about  this  time  to  sow  a  bed  of  Early 
Horn  on  a  sauth  border,  or  some  other  warm  place.  This  bed 
should  be  formed  of  very  light  soil  and  be  raised  a  little  above 
the  general  surface,  and  as  soon  as  the  seedlings  are  up  let 
them  be  assisted  as  much  as  possible  by  stirring  the  soil,  water» 
ing  if  necessary,  weeding,  i-j.  Cabbaiies,  the  quarters  where 
early  spring  Cabbages  were  grown  should  now  be  cleared  and 
dunged,  to  bo  sown  with  Winter  Spinach  by-and-by.  The  early 
Strawberries  being  over,  the  old  bods  are  trenched  to  be  ready 
for  the  first  planting-out  of  the  early  Cabbages,  and  as  the 
Peas,  Beans,  and  other  crops  are  cleared  oS,  the  sooner  the 
ground  is  dug  or  trenched  over  the  better.  Black  Spanish 
Jiadishes,  a  bed  of  these  should  be  sown  alongside  the  Carrot 
beds.  Tbo  soil  and  treatment  need  not  differ  much.  They 
are  useful  late  iu  the  autumn  when  the  oUier  kinds  are  not 
to  be  had. 

FRUIT   OAKDEN. 

See  that  the  Cherries,  Ourrants,  and  Gooseberries  that  you 


&t 


TODENAL  OF  HORTICULTURE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  Joljr  23,  1868. 


wish  to  prolong  are  covered  up.  See,  also,  to  the  young  Straw- 
berry plants  layered  in  pots  for  forcing,  and  as  soon  as  tbey  aie 
w*ll  roi.ted  have  thtm  np,  put  them  in  larger  pots,  and  plunge 
tlie  unall  pots  again  for  another  lot  of  plants  if  you  want 
thtm.  When  the  Apricots  begin  to  change  colour,  keep  a 
eharp  look-ont  for  snails  and  woodlice.  To  keep  the  first  in 
check,  where  they  are  numerous,  syringe  repeatedly  with  clear 
lime  water,  not  doing  it  too  late,  as  otherwise  a  thin  film  of 
chalk  would  be  formed  and  spoil  the  look  of  the  fruit.  Lettuce 
leaves.  &c.,  may  be  strewed  near  the  wall  after  being  greased  on 
one  side,  and  should  be  examined  every  morning.  The  syringe 
will  also  drive  away  the  woodlice,  as  "they  do  not  like  water, 
and  cut  stalks  of  Beans  may  be  inserted  among  the  branches  of 
the  trees  as  traps,  but  the  great  remedy  is  to  keep  the  wall  in 
good  order  so  as  to  give  them  no  place  for  concealment.  These 
very  hot  days  are  just  the  delight  of  the  red  spider,  and  if  it 
once  establish  colonies  on  the  under  sides  of  the  leaves  of 
Peach  trees  it  will  he  secure  for  a  time,  defying  all  the  battering 
from  your  garden  engine.  It  is  recommended  to  daub  the 
open  spaces  of  your  wall  with  a  paste  composed  of  sulphur 
and  water,  and  then  the  more  intense  the  heat  the  stronger 
the  fumes  of  the  sulphur  will  bo.  Look  over  Vines  on  walls 
to  stop  laterals  ;  thin-out  weak  shoots,  and  keep  the  rest  neatly 
tied-in.  The  fruit  will  now  be  advancing,  and  the  bunches 
should  be  thinned-out  with  a  pair  of  scissors,  which  is  an 
operation  that  is  very  essential  to  their  perfection  both  in  size 
and  flavour. 

FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Put  in  cuttings  of  different  Scarlet  Pelargoniums  now,  and 
they  will  be  Stto  remain  some  weeks  in  the  open  air  to  harden 
off  before  the  winter  sets  in.  Auriculas  and  Polyanthuses 
must  at  this  season  be  kept  from  excessive  rain,  and,  above  all 
things,  avoid  a  continuous  drip.  Nothin;;  ruins  an  Auricula 
so  soon  as  wet  lodging  in  the  ciown  or  heart.  The  aphis  must 
be  sedulously  watched  for  and  never  allowed  to  get  ahead. 
Tulip  seed  continues  to  ripen  ;  secuie  the  heads  as  soon  as  the 
ased  ^a  eel  opens,  or  the  ttalk  becomes  dead,  put  them  in  pa|  er 
bags,  and  hang  them  up  in  a  dry  place.  Contmue  to  layer  Car- 
nations. A  great  deal  of  th.e  success  of  wintering  Carnations 
depends  on  having  strong  and  early-rooted  layers,  that  tbey 
may  be  well-established  in  their  pota  before  winter. 

GREENHOUSE    AND    CONSERVATORY. 

As  the  varieties  of  Ihunbergia  alala  are  among  the  best  plants 
for  the  conservatory  at  this  time,  and  are  coming  more  into 
fashion  every  season,  a  few  suggestions  for  their  management 
may  he  acceptable,  as  some  find  them  difficult  to  manage.  A 
key  to  the  natural  or  true  management  of  these  plants  is  given 
by  Mr.  Backhouse  in  his  narrative  of  a  visit  to  the  Mauritius 
and  South  Africa.  He  says  "  Tbey  grow  in  shady  places,  much 
in  the  tame  way  that  Ground  Ivy  grows  in  England."  From 
this  we  may  infer  that  the  back  border,  or  under  the  large 
specimens  planted  out  in  the  conservatory,  is  the  proper  situation 
for  these  plants  ;  then  they  might  scramble  among  Ferns, 
toots,  moss,  stones,  &c.,  after  the  manner  of  Ground  Ivy. 
To  prepare  them  for  this  purpose  they  ought  to  be  planted 
out  in  pits  early  in  May,  using  very  rich  rough  compost,  and 
fresh  moss  placed  all  over  the  bed,  keeping  the  moss  damp, 
shadmg  the  plants  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  and  allowing  them 
to  run  all  over  the  mess.  As  we  draw  towards  the  autumn 
this  house  will  become  of  more  general  interest.  In  the  height 
of  summer,  especially  if  like  our  present  one,  plants  do  not 
keep  long  in  flower  in  the  conservatory,  and  there  is  so  much 
to  be  seen  out  of  doors  that  people  do  not  spend  much  time 
among  house  plants,  but  we  shall  soon  have  cold  mornings 
and  evenings  when  a  houseful  of  fine-flowering  plants  with 
a  mild  temperature  becomes  a  matter  of  great  luxury,  espe- 
cially if  the  conservatory  is  attached  to  the  living-rooms. 
Ipomsas  and  Passion-Flowers  are  the  chief  autumn  climbers 
for  this  houfe,  and  the  fragrant  Mandevilla  suaveolens  is  now 
clustered  from  end  to  end  with  large  bunches  of  its  delicious 
fragrant  blooms.  Plumbago  oapensia,  cut  down  last  May  when 
coming  into  bloom,  is  now  blooming  the  second  time,  and 
will  be  in  flower  till  October.  Stephanotis  floribunda  is  the 
most  accommodating  plant  we  have,  and  ought  to  be  in  every 
collection,  and  in  numbers  too.  It  will  flower  freely  in  the  con- 
servatory when  first  brought  forward  in  a  vinery  or  stove, 
and  it  flowers  in  every  intermediate  degree  up  to  the  roasting 
or  broiling  heat  of  the  Orchid  house.  This  is  a  critical  time 
vrith  greenhouse  plants  out  of  doors.  The  fervid  heat  is  now 
60  great  as  to  produce  the  tropical  winter  of  vegetation,  when 
the  parching  heat  of  the  sun  acts  upon  and  produces  in  some 
•degree  a  dormancy  in  the  Bjstem  of  plants.    Wheu  occasional 


showers  fall  and  we  see  the  surface  of  the  soil  in  the  pots 
moist,  we  are  satisfied  until  the  drooping  or  withering  foliags 
upbraid  us  for  our  neglect,  and,  perhaps,  particularly  with 
Heaths,  New  Holland,  and  similar  plants  it  is  noticed  when  too 
late  to  save.  These  ill  effects  may  be  avoided  by  plunging  the 
pots  in  coal  ashes,  and  by  syringing  the  plants  overhead  in 
the  evening,  examining  them  when  doubtful  on  the  subject  by 
gently  turning  one  or  two  out  of  their  pots  to  see  the  state  of 
the  ball,  as  it  requires  some  experience  to  distinguish  whether 
a  plant  wants  water  or  not  from  the  ring  produced  by  rapping 
your  knuckles  against  the  side  of  the  pot.  The  Camellias  oat 
of  doors  should  be  surfaced  with  fresh  soil  if  they  require  it. 
Cinerarias,  whether  seedlings  or  suckers,  should  have  regale 
attention,  and  those  intended  for  autumn  work  ought  to  be 
potted  forward  without  delay. 

STOVE. 

About  the  beginning  of  August  some  of  the  best  gardeners 
treat  their  established  stove  plants  somewhat  like  those  of  the 
greenhouse  for  five  or  six  weeks.  They  either  remove  the 
plants  to  more  open  houses,  or  throw  thtir  stoves  open  on  pur- 
pose, removing  dwarf,  tender,  and  young  delicate  plants  into 
close  frames.  Whatever  conveniences  of  this  nature  may  be 
at  hand  should  be  made  the  most  of  at  this  time.  Nothing  can 
be  more  injurious  to  stove  plants  than  keeping  them  growing 
late  in  the  season,  and  thus  preventing  the  ripening  of  their 
wood,  which  renders  them  more  liable  to  injury  in  the  winter 
and  prevents  them  flowering  freely  next  season. 

PITS    AND   FRAMES. 

The  lights  should  now  be  drawn  off  at  night  where  the  plants 
are  of  the  hardier  kinds.  Stout  cuttings  of  Plumbago  oapensis 
struck  now  will  force  next  spring  for  the  conservatory,  and  may 
afterwards  be  planted  out  in  beds  in  the  flower  garden,  for 
which  they  are  admirably  suited. — W.  Keane. 


DOINGS  OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

It  is  somewhat  tantalising  to  hear  and  read  of  the  nice  rains 
round  London  and  elsewhere  a  week  ago,  whilst  in  this  district 
up  to  this  the  18lh  there  has  been  none  whatever,  and  as  yet 
no  appearance  of  its  coming.  It  is  distressing  to  see  the  large 
ponds,  on  which  many  farmers  depend  for  common  purposes, 
quite  dried  up,  and  the  water-cart  constantly  in  use  to  bring 
water  for  the  supply  of  the  cattle.  Were  it  not  that  for  a 
number  of  miles  round  the  pastnies  are  bare,  many  would  do 
what  was  done  four  years  ago — take  pastures  for  the  cattle  for 
a  time  where  there  was  a  water  supply,  as  that  was  found 
to  be  more  economical  than  driving  water  for  four  or  six 
miles. 

If  the  Turnip  seed  fails  from  having  just  germinated  and 
then  dried  up,  it  furnishes  a  good  example  of  how  in  gardening 
seedsmen  are  often  blamed  for  sending  out  old  worthless  seed, 
when  it  has  been  young,  and  fresh,  and  good  all  the  time. 
Whether  choice  seeds  are  sown  most  carefully  in  the  open  air 
or  in  a  pot,  with  glass  and  other  squares  of  glass  over  them,  the 
most  critical  time  for  them  is  just  when  the  seeds  have  chipped, 
when  vegetation  has  commenced.  If  they  have  enough  of 
moisture  and  air  to  bring  them  to  that  point,  and  then  should 
he  subjected  to  enough  of  dryness  to  ^hrivel•up  the  young 
cotyledons  and  radicles  before  the  former  give  any  signs  of 
their  presence  aboveground,  then  no  after-tieatment  will  ever 
cause  these  seeds  to  shoot  a  second  time.  An  excess  of  dry- 
ness is,  therefore,  to  be  avoided  with  all  seeds  after  they  begi> 
to  swell,  and  an  excess  of  moisture  is  also  to  be  avoided,  as 
that  would  have  a  tendency  to  rot  them,  owing  to  the  want  of 
enough  of  air.  Old  seeds  should  be  kept  sumewhat  dry  rather 
than  wet  until  they  have  swelled  freely.  All  small  seeds  will 
be  treated  most  safely  when  managed  as  directed  last  week 
for  Calceolarias. 

Planting  Early. — The  comparative  goodness  of  the  Wheat 
in  this  parching  season,  furuithes  us  with  a  lesson  as  to  the 
importance  of  getting  plauts  established  in  the  open  ground 
early  in  the  season.  The  roots  can  then  cater  for  themselves 
as  respects  moisture  from  great  depths.  We  have  several 
times  traced  the  fibres  of  the  Wheat  plant  in  stiff  subsoil  to  the 
depth  of  more  than  a  yard,  and  that  would  be  nothing  to  the 
depth  from  which  moisture  in  the  shape  even  of  va|iour  would 
rise  to  meet  the  evaporation  from  the  foliage.  Plants  from 
seed  sown  late  in  spring  have  not  a  similar  chance,  as  in  such 
a  season  as  this  they  would  have  a  contest  for  existence  al- 
most from  the  first,  and  no  reserve  of  supply  stored  up  in  tbe 
roots  to  meet  the  emergency. 


July  23,  18S8.  J 


JOURNAL  OP  HORTIOULTDRE   AND  OOTTAGB  QARDENEIR. 


Planting  Trees  F.arUj. — The  same  fiots,  with  an  extended 
observatiuu  of  the  re8iiltD  uf  Rprin;;  planting  on  a  large  soale, 
ai>d  especially  in  districts  snoU  as  tbin,  wUere  we  have  had 
nothing  worthy  of  the  name  of  rain  lot  close  on  three  months, 
will  demoustrata  the  importance  of  autumn  over  aprins;  plant- 
ing. Could  we  have  onr  own  way,  we  would  have  all  ahrub  and 
foreattroe  plautiug  done  in  the  month  of  November.  Thou,  in 
general,  the  earth  retains  Bomdtbiut!  "'  i's  summer  warmth, 
which  encourages  root  action  at  once,  however  feeble,  and  the 
raiDB  of  winter  give  eiioiijjh  of  moisture  to  encourage  that 
action,  and  by  the  time  the  heats  of  Hummer  come  there  is 
Bomething  to  meet  the  expanding  of  the  buds,  and  if  there  is 
not  much  growth  the  tirstseasin,  the  plants  hold  their  own, 
and  are  ready  to  grow  freely  tlie  second  season. 

Then,  again,  this  will  bo  all  the  more  successfully  done  if 
the  plants  are  on  the  place,  if  they  have  had  even  one  or  two 
seasons'  Rrowth  after  purchasing  before  being  transplanted  for 
good.  We  have  several  times  insisted  on  this,  and  at  least  a 
score  of  gentlemen  have  told  us  they  have  acted  on  the  sug- 
gestion, getting  young  trees  home  from  the  nursery  early  in 
the  autumn  (generally  by  the  end  of  October),  placing  them  out 
in  nnrsery  lines,  and  then  in  a  year  or  two  taking  them  up  as 
wanted,  and  not  more  than  is  wanted  at  a  time.  This  answers 
the  nurseryman  quite  as  well,  nay  better,  for  planters  become 
discouraged  when  they  plant  unsuccessfully,  and  in  such  a 
sammer  as  this,  spring  planting  on  a  large  soale,  where  no  help 
can  be  given,  except  what  nature  supplies,  will  ever  be  so  far 
unsuccessful.  On  the  other  hand,  though  advocating  this 
reserve  nnrsery  at  home,  unless  in  the  largest  establishments, 
where  a  regular  tree-raiser  with  suitable  assistance  is  kept,  it 
will  always  be  the  most  economical  for  a  gentleman  to  pur- 
chase from  the  raisers  in  the  first  place,  even  if  he  keeps  the 
plants  a  year  or  two  before  finally  transplanting.  If  the  plant- 
ing is  to  be  done  at  ouce,  it  is  very  important  it  should  be  done 
early,  from  the  end  of  Ojtober  to  the  beginning  of  December, 
and  the  sooner  in  November  the  better.  When  the  plants  are 
procured  late,  there  are  many  casualties  to  be  encountered. 
For  instance,  once  we  had  many  thousands  of  plants  sent  in, 
taken  up  all  right,  but  in  the  several-days  journey  they  en- 
countered a  severe  unexpected  frost,  and  we  judged  that  the 
roots  were  greatly  injured.  What  would  such  plants  be  after 
being  well  frosted,  and  finally  turned  out  in  March,  with  suck 
a -season  before  tbem  as  this  has  been  ?  We  have  such  a  case 
within  no  great  distance  of  us,  and  we  would  rather  not  see  the 
results.  We  know  what  the  consequences  are  too  well.  Such 
plants  taken  up  in  the  end  of  October,  would  have  had  scarcely 
a  small  per-centage  of  failures,  and  bow  we  should  not  like  to 
guarantee  an  estimate  of  them.  The  warm  dry  weather  soon 
brought  out  the  buds,  but  the  roots  could  do  nothing  towards 
supplying  the  exhaustive  evaporation,  and  death  was  the  con- 
sequence. There  was  no  moisture  from  above  to  encourage 
looting,  the  roots  inserted  had  not  come  into  fresh  operation, 
so  as  to  draw  np  for  themselves  moisture  from  beneath. 

If  one  fact  more  would  be  of  use  it  would  be  this — never  have 
established  trees  presented  a  more  gorgeous  foliage  than  this 
season.  Now,  after  three  months  of  dry  weather,  we  perceive 
that  Ash,  and  even  Elm,  are  showing  signs  of  a  little  distress, 
which,  most  likely,  will  result  in  an  earlier  ripening  of  their 
foliage;  but  these  trees  are  comparatively  surface-rooters, 
hence  they  do  not  bo  well  avail  themselves  of  the  moisture 
deeper  in  the  earth.  We  have,  however,  never  seen  Oaks  with 
more  healthy  vigorous  foliage,  but  then  the  Oak  roots  penetrate 
the  soil  deeply,  and  the  tree  is,  therefore,  when  established, 
pretty  well  independent  for  one  season  of  a  surface-moisture 
supply.  The  sooner  after  the  middle  of  October  that  we  plant 
trees,  forest  or  otherwise,  the  sooner  do  we  enable  the  roots  to 
avail  themselves  of  the  moisture  beneath,  when  in  such  a  sea- 
son as  this  there  is  no  moisture  available  from  above. 

Deep  Stirring  uf  the  Soil  for  vegetables  and  flowers  that  have 
to  be  planted  out.  'J'his  comes  in  our  way  from  the  pame  line 
of  thought  and  observation.  With  little  water  at  our  command, 
we  believe  that  many  of  our  crops  look  better  than  when  water 
was  given  freely  almost  every  day.  We  would  rather  put  a 
bandage  over  our  eyes  than  look  at  our  lawn  ;  but,  from  what 
we  are  told,  others  are  a  great  deal  worse.  With  little  water, 
as  above  stated,  the  flowers  in  the  flower  beds  are  rather  nice, 
and  some  rows  of  Pelargonium  Brilliant,  and  even  yellow  Cal- 
ceolarias, are  tine.  The  first  has  had  little  water,  the  Calceo- 
laria a  little  more — that  is,  a  little  at  tlie  roots  of  sewage  in 
eight  or  tm  days,  and  though  we  should  have  liked  to  have  re- 
freshed them  and  good  beds  and  rows  of  Verbenas  with  clean 
water  from  a  syringe  or  engine  over  the  foliage,  we  have  been 


unable  to  do  so,  and  the  only  refreshing  they  tiad  was  the  slight 
shower  a  fortnight  ago  on  Sunday  morning.  That  has  been  thp 
only  damping  of  the  foliage  for  a  mouth,  for,  unfortunately, 
we  have  had  scarcely  a  perceptible  deposition  of  dew  for  a  long 
time.  Now,  we  understand,  that  those  plants  are  as  fine  as 
others  where  water  has  frequently  been  given,  and  that  judi- 
ciously, and  we  are  sure  they  are  much  better  than  some  which 
were  watered  every  day.  The  standing  so  well  of  these  plants 
and  braving  the  tierce  sun  we  attribute  partly  to  Burface-stir- 
ring,  and  thus  breaking  the  lines  <if  the  railiation  of  heat  and 
the  evaporation  of  moisture,  but  chieliy  to  the  deep  stirring  of 
the  soil,  which  enables  the  roots  to  descend  freely  in  search  of 
that  which  to  them  is  an  esnential  of  growth  and  existence. 
But  for  the  following  fact  we  could  no',  have  believed  that  the 
surface  soil  was  so  very  dry.  In  our  libbon  border  one,  if  not 
two  rabbits  had  endeavoured  to  make  breeding  nests  for  them- 
selves. Most  of  our  readers  know  that  until  the  young  rabbity 
get  their  eyesight  ihey  are  kept  shut  up  from  the  light,  and 
with  a  very  small  portion  of  air,  as  the  old  one  covers  up  the 
hole  securely.  We  tried  to  follow  one  of  these  holes  to  its  ter 
mination,  but  it  went  so  far  that  we  gave  it  up.  fearing  that 
our  spade  would  do  more  harm  to  the  plants  than  even  the 
rabbits  would  before  they  were  caught.  What  surprised  us, 
however,  was  the  almost  impossibility  of  getting  the  soil  to 
lie  on  the  spade,  owing  to  the  extreme  dryness,  to  the  depth  of 
a  spade.  It  rolled  oS  like  so  much  kilu-diied  sand,  and  yet. 
with  all  this  dryness  the  plants  were  growing  as  above,  not 
luxuriantly,  as  in  a  moist  season,  but  still  holding  their  own 
and  blooming  freely.  Of  course,  with  a  little  wafer  at  the 
hottt.m  in  ten  days  the  soil  immediately  below  the  plants  would 
not  be  so  dry  as  that  in  the  spaces  between  tbem  ;  but  moisture, 
like  heat,  is  so  diffusive,  that  after  making  this  allowance  we 
must  conclude  that  they  chiefly  supplied  their  wants  from  the 
moisture  far  down  below,  and  that  the  deep  stirring  of  the  soil 
enabled  the  roots  and  the  moisture  to  come  all  the  easier  intc 
connection  with  each  other. 

What  we  mean  by  deep  stirring  is  stirring  to  the  depth  oi 
from  18  to  30  inches,  instead  of  a  mere  spade  in  depth.  In 
flower  beds  and  vegetable  beds  it  would  often  be  advisable  not 
to  turn  up  the  lower  spit,  hut  leave  it  at  the  bottom  until  it  wag 
gradually  ameliorated.  In  flower  beds  as  a  rule,  we  like  the 
finest  and  richest  soil  to  be  at  the  eurface,  as  in  that  case  we 
are  more  anxious  to  have  bloom  than  excess  of  luxuriant 
foliage.  In  all  seasons  the  comparatively  deep  stirring  answers. 
In  very  moist  seasons  the  moisture  has  a  free  passage  to 
descend,  and  in  dry  seasons,  such  as  this,  be.-ides  encouraging 
the  roots  to  go  down,  the  moisture  ascends  more  easily  to  meet 
their  wants. 

In  general  the  want  of  rain  and  the  scarcity  of  water  have 
rendered  onr  work  much  like  that  of  previous  weeks. 

KITCHEN    OAEDEN. 

We  had  to  water  Cucumbers  and  Vegetahle  Marrows  with 
what  we  could  get.  In  one  fine  day  the  vigorous  leaves  of  the 
latter  would  have  been  turned  up  into  as  many  drinking  cups, 
but  a  good  soaking  of  sewage  immediately  brought  them  back  ' 
ripht.  This,  however,  we  must  also  use  sparingly.  The  Vege 
table  Marrow  gave  fine  returns  in  June  this  season,  treated  on 
the  old-fashioned  ridge  (dan,  with  a  little  rough  fermenting 
material  beneath  it.  No  doubt  the  early  gatherings  were 
owing  to  the  hot  season.  After  trying  muny  kinds  we  have 
gone  back  to  the  old  Vegetable  Marrow,  as  still  for  all  purposes 
being  by  far  the  best,  richest  when  cooked,  and  easiest  to  cook. 
We  think  it  best  when  boiled  whole,  when  fmall,  as  carefully 
as  a  Beet,  and  as  far  as  possible  no  water  whatever  admitted  to 
the  centre.  Then  cut  the  Vegetable  Marrow  open,  remove  the 
centre  pulp,  and  dress  according  to  taste. 

FRUIT   GARDEN. 

We  could  only  water  what  was  under  glass.  Took  o£f  lota  of 
small  Strawberry  runnei-s,  and  jiricked  into  beds,  and  watered 
and  shaded  to  make  roots,  as  onr  plants  of  Strawberries  in  the 
main  beds  are  so  dry.  These  runners  when  rooted  we  will 
raise  with  balls,  and  pot.  Trees  in  pots  in  the  iircbard  house  we 
have  mulched  above  the  rim  of  the  pot  again,  as  the  previous 
one  had  melted  away,  or  had  sailed  off  in  the  watering.  Gathered 
the  last  fruit  in  the  Peach  house,  and  cleared  it  out,  and  gav# 
a  heavy  syringing  with  weak  soap  water,  and  shut  up  early,  so 
that  the  vapour  would  settle  the  few  red  spider  that  appeared. 
There  are  no  free  spaces  in  the  wall,  or  the  daubing  them  witb 
sulphur,  and  such  a  syringing,  and  shutting  np  with  a  bright 
sun  between  two  and  three  o'clock,  would  destroy  nearly  all 
ijaseets.     In  the  hottest  days  damped  the  shelves  of  even  thC' 


86 


JOUBNAL  OP  HOBTIOTJLTimE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENER. 


[  J11I7  »,  1868. 


earliest  vineries.  Oat  of  doors  we  fear  good  crops  of  Apples 
and  Pears  will  be  small,  and  many  of  the  former  are  dropping 
from  nice  little  trees.  We  conld  have  kept  them  on  only  by  a 
good  watering  at  the  roots,  and  that  we  conld  not  afford.  We 
coald  only  lessen  the  evil  by  mulching. 

OKNAMENTAL   DEPAETMKNT. 

Dressed  flower-beds,  and  twigged  up  plants  where  not  secure, 
as  heavy  rains  and  winds  combined  would  do  great  injary  to 
plants  not  secured  in  our  windy  place.  The  removing  of  all 
faded  blooms  and  petals  before  rain  is  also  important,  as  the 
faded  flowers  then  would  greatly  disfigure  those  that  were  fresh. 
Some  Scarlet  Pelargoniums  are  very  fine,  the  Viola  cornuta  in 
one  place  is  dead  for  want  of  moisture  ;  but  no  Viola  would  stand 
such  weather  long  without  watering.  Went  on  potting  for 
autumn,  and  sowing  biennials  for  next  season,  Stocks,  &c.,  for 
^Pf'i^gi  &c.  In  the  houses  the  chief  work  was  to  keep  cool  by 
shading,  and  sprinkling  paths  and  stages  in  preference  to  soak- 
ing the  plants  too  much.  Pelargoniums  done  blooming  are  left 
standing  in  a  sunny  place,  and  are  principally  watered  by 
damping  the  ground  below  the  pots.— E.  F. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— Jdly  22. 

There  hare  been  heavy  arriraU  of  foreign  and  home-frrown  pro3nce, 
comprising  Apples,  Pears,  Ploros,  Apricots,  and  Peaches  and  Neotarines 
from  open  walls.  Forced  produce  is  now  realising  very  low  prices,  the 
supply  being  in  excess  of  the  demand.  Potatoes  are  good,  and  in  them 
there  ia  a  steady  trade.  Baspberries  and  Strawben-ies  are  nearly  over 
for  thlB  season. 


FKurr. 


apples Yi  sieve 

Apricots doz. 

Cherries lb. 

Chestnuts bash. 

Ottrrants y^  sieve 

Black do. 

Pigrs doz. 

Filberts lb. 

Cobs lb. 

Gooseberries  . .  qnart 
Crapes,  Hothouse,  .lb. 
Ldmons lOO 


Artichokes don. 

Asparagus  100 

Beans,  Kidney  H  sieve 

Beet,  Red doz. 

Broccoli handle 

Bms.  Sprouts  H  sieve 

Cabbage doz. 

Capsicums 100 

Carrots bunch 

Cauliflower doz. 

Celery bundle 

Gucnmbors each 

Endive doz. 

Fennel .bunch 

Garlic lb. 

Herbs  bunch 

GU^rseradish  ..  bandle 


B.  d.      B.  d 
1    6 too    0 


d.    8 
Oto6 

0      8 


Melons each    3 

Nectarines doz.  4 

Oranges 100  12 

Peaches doz.    6 

Pears  (dessert)  ..doz.    2 

Pine  Apples lb.    3 

Plnms }<  sieve    5 

Quinces doz.    0 

RaapborriPS lb.    0 

Strawberries.,  per  lb.    0    0 


d 

0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

5  0 

6  0 
0  0 
0  6 
0    0 


Walnuts buRh.  10    0    16    0 

do per  100    1    0      2    6 


VEGETABLES, 
d.      P.  d  [ 
OtoS    01 
0      0    0  1 


2 
0 
0    8 

0   s 
3    0 


Leeks bnnch 

Lettuce ....  per  a  core 
Mushrooms ....  pottle 
Mu8td.&  CresR,  punnet 
Onions  per  doz  tchs. 

Parsley per  sieve 

Parsnips doz. 

Peas perquart 

Potat.oea bushel 

Kidney do. 

Radishes  doz.  bunches 

Rhubarb bundle 

Soa-itftlo basket 

Sballots lb. 

Spinach bushel 

Tomatoes. . . .  per  doz. 
Turnips  bonob 


d.  e  d 
d 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
6 
0 
0 


0 

4  too 

0 

B 

1 

3 

0 

4 

0 

a 

(1 

(5 

0 

n 

« 

0 

4 

n 

9 

1 

0 

s 

1 

4 

6 

6 

4 

0 

6 

0 

6 

0 

n 

4 

« 

0 

0 

0 

0 

B 

0 

2 

0 

s 

« 

0 

4 

0 

6 

1 

TO    CORRESPONDENTS, 

•«•  We  request  that  no  one  will  write  privately  to  the  depart- 
mental viriters  of  the  *' Journal  of  Horticulture,  Cottage 
Gardener,  and  Country  Gentleman.*'  By  so  doing  they 
are  subjected  to  nnjugtifiable  trouble  and  expense.  AJl 
commnnications  should  therefore  be  addressed  solely  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  HortictUture,  <&c.,  171,  Fleet 
Street^  London^  E.C. 

We  also  request  that  correspondents  will  not  mix  up  on  the 
same  sheet  questions  relating  to  Gardening  and  those  on 
PouUryand  Bee  subjects,  if  they  expect  to  get  them  an- 
swered promptly  and  conveniently,  but  wiite  them  on 
separate  oommunicatione.  Also  never  to  send  more  than 
two  or  three  questions  at  once. 

N.B. — We  are  obliged  to  postpone  until  next  week  many 
answers. 

PauTT  (E.  if.).— Write  to  Messrs.  Webber  &  Co.,  Fruiterers,  Central 
Avenue,  Covent  Garden. 

Red  Spideb  on  Peak  and  Apple  Trees  (8.  if.)  — Give  the  trees  a  few 
ffood  eyringinsa  with  a  solution  of  soft  soap.  2  ozs.  to  the  Rallon  of  water. 
This  and  moieter  weather  will  free  the  trees  of  these  pests.  The  white 
gnbstance  on  your  brick  wall  is  a  result  of  the  dry  season.  It  will  shortly 
disappear,  but  the  wall  may  be  washed  with  lime  water,  thirty  gallons  of 
water  bein«  poured  over  14  lbs.  of  fresh  lime,  s'irrinfj  well  "up.  Let  it 
stand  two  days  and  nights,  then  wash  the  wall  with  the  clear  liquid,  which 
will  not  dlsoolour  It  or  damage  the  trees.  It  may  be  applied  with  a 
^yrin^e. 


Peaoh  Trees  aki>  Vine  Inpested  with  Red  Spideu  (Inquirer). — 
The  Peach-tree  leaf  enclosed  is  destruyed  by  red  ppider  There  is  no 
trace  of  the  bn^wn  aphia.  No  amount  of  fumipfation  with  tobacco  will 
destroy  red  spider.  Yuur  remedy  will  be  to  Rive  the  treea  a  thorough 
syrinj^ing  with  a  solution  of  soft  soap.  3  ozs.  to  the  gallon  of  water,  and 
repeat  it  affain  within  a  week,  kfopiuff  the  trees  well  pyringed  every  even- 
ing with  Wiiter  up  to  the  time  of  the  fruit  beginning  to  ripen.  If  there  U 
no  fruit  ccntinne  the  BjTinging  up  to  the  middle  of  September,  bat  wo 
fenrlhti  leaves  will  all  fall  prematurely.  The  Vine  leaves,  we  fear,  are 
'nfoHtod  with  the  same  pest.  They  should  be  well  syringed  until  the 
Grrtpes  change  colour.  The  red  spider  seldom  attacks  Aprio  *t  trees,  but 
it  does  oonas'on'illy  when  the  season  ia  nDUSiiilly  dry  and  hot,  and  the 
supply  of  water  at  the  roots  not  so  plentifully  furnished  as  required. 

Ebinos  ltchkidea  Cultore  (J.  a.  E).—lt  should  have  tfflcient 
drainage,  the  pot  being  one-third  filled  with  crocks,  and  then  a  little 
moss,  or  a  little  of  the  rougher  parts  of  the  compost  placed  over  the 
rirainage.  In  pottiog  use  a  comporit  of  light,  sandy,  fibious  loam  one- 
third,  and  sandy  peat  one-third;  silver  sand  and  pieces  r  f  s3nd-.tone  from 
the  size  of  a  pea  to  that  of  a  hazel  nut,  in  equal  quantities,  fonning  the 
remaining  third,  the  whole  well-mix  d.  M^ke  the  compost  pretty  fine, 
aud  keep  the  plant  rather  high  in  the  oentre  of  the  pot.  It  requires 
to  bo  near  the  rNss  in  a  greenhouse  ia  winter,  and  cold  pit  or  frame  la 
summer,  being  cireful  not  to  overwater  in  winter  nor  at  any  time,  and 
yet  if  it  ever  suffer  by  the  want  of  water  it  rarely  recovers.  After 
potting  waterini;  should  be  carefully  done  for  a  time  until  the  roota  are 
working  freely  in  the  fresh  soil,  and  in  pottiog  do  not  disturb  the  root« 
mora  than  can  be  avoided ;  indeed,  the  lees  the  ball  ia  dlBtotbed  the 
better. 

STEpnANons  FLORiBirNDA  IM  WARM  Grbbnhoubb  \StfphanotU'' , — The 
Stephan-'tis  succeeds  fairly  ia  a  warm  greenhoase,  providing  it  is  in  the 
warme§t  part  and  baa  a  light  situation.  We  have  seen  it  very  fine  in  a 
vinery,  the  temperatnrd  being  at  times  as  low  as  40°.  In  summer  the 
tempernturo  required  is  higher  than  ia  usual  in  greenhonaes.  it  being 
desirable  to  secure  a  good  growth,  and  to  have  it  well  ripened.  The  plant 
6hould  he  kept  dry  in  winter,  which  will  enable  it  to  withstand  oold  better 
than  if  the  soil  were  kept  moist,  and  it  is  better  for  the  plant. 

Strawberries  and  CHERKTEa  for  Exhibition  (A  7oun<j  Beginner). — 
The  two  best  Strawberries  for  exhibition  and  dessert  we  think  are  Dr. 
Hogg  and  Lucas.  Two  rherries  for  the  beginning  of  July  are  Tartarian 
Black  and  May  Duke,  both  large  and  good. 

Melons  not  Setting  (T.  8.  Bt)  —You  should,  when  the  Melons  we»« 
setting,  have  kept  the  surface  of  the  beti  rather  dry,  giving  a  gnod  water- 
ing so  as  to  wet  as  little  as  possible  the  foliage  or  surface  of  the  bed.  We 
can  only  suppose  there  has  not  been  sufflcient  moisture  in  the  soil,  and 
that  the  plants  have  been  kept  too  close.  Qive  more  air,  keep  well  Bup- 
plied  with  water,  and  do  not  employ  liquid  manure  again  until  the  froil 
ia  the  tige  of  a  ben's  egg.  Thin  out  the  shoots,  keeping  them  from  9  inohea 
to  I  foot  apart— that  is,  the  main  branohee,  and  stop  tho  side  shoots  one 
joint  above  the  fruit,  impregnating  thd  flowers. 

Tomatoes  in  Gbehnhouse  (Idrm). — Tomatoes  can  be  fruited  very  wbU 
in  9-inch  pots  hu'  they  require  to  have  plenty  of  liquid  manure,  but  not 
too  BtroDg.  We  prefer  11  orlS-inoh  pots^  and  we  would  give  yours  a  shift 
now  into  larger  pots  withont  disturbing  the  bolL  Keep  the  plants  well 
stopped  above  every  cluster  of  fruit»  thinning  the  shoots  when  much 
crowded,  and  stopping  all  one  joint  above  the  fruit.  Continue  btopping 
all  Bhoots  one  joint  above  the  fruit. 

Saving  Caeb  ige  Seed  ( ).— The  head  of  the  Cabbage  should  not 

be  cut  off  but  allowed  to  burst,  the  plar  ta  for  Bee<-1  being  sown  in  May  of 
the  previous  year  to  that  of  their  seeding.  Tum'.ps  in  flower,  if  near,  at 
the  lime  of  the  Cabbage  fljwaring  will  have  a  desenerating  effect  on  thft 
Calibage  seed.  They  should  be  grown  in  plots  a  oonsidrriible  distance 
from  each  other.  We  thiol:  yoa  are  mistaken  about  August  grafting. 
Bef i*r  us  to  the  pnge. 

Apple  Trees  I^FESTED  with  Rkd  Sptdkb  (L.  B.). — Give  your  trees  a 
few  thorough  svringinga  with  so't-soip  in  solution  tit  the  rate  of  '2  osa.  to 
the  gillon  of  water,  direotiag  the  force  of  the  syringing  sg^inst  ihe 
under  side"  of  the  leaves,  and  give  tho  trees  a  thorough  watering  with 
liquid  manure,  not  too  strong,  and  mulch  for  a  yard  distimce  all  round 
the  "terns,  using  cow  d<mg  if  convenient,  or  other  rich  compost.  There 
i<  no  preventive  of  red  spider,  except  frequentlv  washing  the  foliage 
through  syringing,  and  supplying  proper  nourishment  to  the  roots  in 
tho  shape  of  top-dressings  of  rich  compobt,  with  liberal  supplies  of  water 
and  liquid  manure  in  dry  weather. 

"Paleness  of  Koses— Good  Yellow  (G.  H.  if.).— "The  paleneos  of  the 
yellow  lioses  proceeds  from  the  bads  at  tha  time  of  expansion  being 
soaked  with  heavy  dews,  which  are  ev-porated  by  the  sun;  henoe  the 
colours  fade.  Soraetiiuea  a  Roee  loses  its  colours  from  starvation  ;  this, 
however,  cannot  be  the  case  with  your  Roses,  which  pppear  to  be  well 
fed.  The  remedy  is  sheet-covtring.  To  provide  for  the  loss  of  dew 
water  should  be  given  freely,  so  as  to  reach  all  the  points  of  the  roota. 
All  Roses  for  exhibition  should  bo  covered  previously  for  one  or  two  day^ 
As  you  seem  fond  of  Tea  Roses,  I  advise  the  purchase  of  Bouton  d'Or.  a 
perfect  bulton-hole  Rose  and  quite  golden,  also  Madame  Miirgottin, 
a  beautiful  Tea  Rose— in  my  judgment  the  best  that  has  come  out  since 
Souvenir  d'Eliae  made  her  appearance.  This  last,  I  Lincy,  is  the  hand- 
somest of  the  Tea  Roses.  The  contest  f  jr  primacy,  however,  rests  be- 
tween Dev^oniensis  and  the  two  last-name<t.  I  have  seen  Fisher  Holmee 
out  since  last  week.  It  is  handsome,  but  I  fear  it  will  not  be  fall  enough* 
I  recommend  in  addition  1  .•  those  named  in  my  last  c  )ntribution,  Ex- 
position de  Brie,  and  Charles  Ronillard.  I  have  alBO  had  two  beautifol 
blooms  of  Miss  M.  Dombrain.— W.  F.  Radclyffk." 

Subscription  Ceasing  {FUnagan).—Ko  other  notice  is  necessary  than 
to  write  saying  that  you  wish  to  ceaae  from  subscribing. 

Seedling  Carnations  (W.  B.).— Yon  put  a  letter  into  the  "  Sample 
Packet,"  and  we  had  to  pay  Sd,  for  it. 

Hardy  Herbaceous  Plants.— We  never  heard  of  such  a  plant  as  your 
No.  3.  Noa.  1  and  2  are  hardy  bulbs.  Tho  others  are  all  hardy  berbaceoos 
plants,  at  least  some  species  of  No.  8  are.  To  avoid  controversy,  why 
not  ask  the  secretary  which  he  considers  admissible  ? 

Caterpillar  (A  SubscTiber). — The  caterpillar  found  in  the  Aspen  is 
that  of  the  Goat  Moth,  Cobsus  li^niperda.    li  ls  pery  de^tractive  to  the 

wood  of  growing  trees. 


July  28, 1B68.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTDBE  AND  OOTTAGB   GABDENEli. 


OT 


iHaKOTB  (5.  I>UiiiI<).— It  is  the  hiimining-b'.rd  moth,  HuroKloBsa  Stella- 
tamm.    We  know  of  uu  cheap  iUiiHtratcd  work  on  wild  flowers. 


NiHB  OF  Pkott  (aa»>i»riofl).— Yoor  Apple  ts  the  Bad  Afltraahan. 
Nakk  of  Pluits  (/L  S.  /1.|.— Acuithiu  Bpinuaus. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Sabnrbe  of  London  for  the  week  ending  July  21at. 


Date. 

THEHMOMETEa. 

Wind. 

RaiBln 
inches. 

OSHBBAl.  BSMAAKfl. 

SABOM-BTEB. 

AlT. 

Earth. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Mai. 

Min. 

1ft.  dp. 

3  ft.  dp. 

Wed...  16  1  29.904 
Thnrs.  16   1  29  9-27 
Pri.   ..  17   i  29941 
Sat.  ..  18   1  29  918 
San...  19  i  29  953 
Mon...  20      8    002 
Toes.  .  21    1  80.016 

29  859 
29  869 
29.920 
29  943 
29.942 
29  955 
29  952 

89 
9) 
85 
85 
8S 
89 
93 

57 
60 
68 
61 
47 
57 
68 

68 
71 
72 
71 

71 
71 
72 

64 
(W 
C-i 
(iS 
68 
G-5 
67 

N.W. 

N.W. 
N.W. 

8. 
N.E. 

8. 

s.w. 

.14 

.00 
.00 

.00 
.00 
.0) 
.00 

Haey,  fine  ;  rerf  fine ;  thunder  and  rain  ;  flno. 

Tery  fine  ;  escpedinpiy  hot ;  cloody;  fine. 

Overcast,  cloudy;  very  tine  ;  clondy  at  ni{jht. 

Very  fiue  ;  overcast;  very  fine  at  night. 

Veryfioe;  overcast,  tine  ;  cloudy. 

Exceedingly  fine;  clear  and  very  fine;  tine. 

Very  fine ;  eioosalvely  hot ;  very  fine ;  hot  air  at  night. 

Mean 

29966 

29  919 

87.71 

56.86 

7036 

6S8S 

•• 

0.14 

POULTBY.  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD  CHRONICLE. 

HOUDANS. 

I  HAVE  to  thank  many  kind  poultry  fanciers  for  their  answers 
sent  to  me  some  time  back.  Each,  as  a  matter  of  course,  re- 
commended me  to  try  the  child  of  bi*  own  fancy.  Unfortu- 
nately I  am  not  yet  prepared  for  entering  on  their  introduction 
into  my  grounds.  Were  it  not  for  my  love  of  a  garden  I  should 
have  no  hesitation,  but  I  want  to  keep  them  out  of  the  way  of 
the  garden ;  and  as  some  of  those  who  were  good  enough  to 
answer  me  are  not  very  distant  neighbours,  I  hope  to  get  their 
advice  as  to  how  I  am  to  manage.  Taking  all  the  various 
points  into  consideration  I  am  inclined  to  take  to  the  Houdans, 
and  it  is  for  this  purpose  I  wish  to  say  a  few  words  in  reference 
to  Mr.  Manning's  communication  this  week.  Surely  he  must 
have  misread  your  remarks  in  the  Journal  of  July  2nd,  for  the 
description  there  given  of  the  Houdan  cocks  does  not  profess 
to  be  that  of  M.  Jacque  bat  of  the  writer ;  the  traushtions  of 
"  Le  Poulailler  "  commence  at  the  paragraph  "  Proportions  and 
General  Characters."  Certain  it  is  I  have  "  Le  Poulailler" 
before  me,  and  not  a  word  is  said  in  it  regarding  their  supposed 
tenderness  or  want  of  constitution;  indeed,  in  addition  to  the 
remarks  translated  he  adds  these — "  It  is  one  of  the  most  beau- 
tiful breeds  of  fowls,  and  nothing  can  be  more  rich  than  the 
appearance  of  a  poultry  yard  composed  of  Houdans,  but  its 
qualities  surpass  very  much  its  beauty."  In  his  description  of 
the  Cifive-Cajjr  he  adds,  "  The  varieties  of  Caimont,  Houdan, 
De  Gournay,  and  all  the  Norman  fowls  in  general,  are  veritable 
ramifications  of  the  CrSve-Coj-ar ;"  and  it  is  to  this  fowl  be 
gives  the  palm  when  he  says,  "  It  is  the  foremost  race  in 
France  for  the  delicacy  of  its  fiesh,  the  ease  wifh  which  it  is 
fattened,  its  precocity,  and  I  think  that  it  is  also  the  first  in 
the  world  in  these  points  of  view." 

In  my  late  visit  to  Paris  I  endeavoured  in  vain  to  see  any- 
thing like  a  good  stock  of  either.  On  the  Qaai  des  Megisseries 
I  saw  a  few  in  baskets,  but  on  applying  as  to  where  I  could  seo 
a  good  stock  I  oould  get  no  answer.  At  tho  end  of  "  Le  Pou- 
lailler "  a  Mons.  Gerard  at  Grenille  is  mentioned  as  the  great 
breeder  of  native  birds;  bat  I  conld  not  discover  in  the  Paris 
Directory  any  such  name,  and  it  was  too  hot  to  go  out  to 
Grenille  on  the  chance  of  finding  any  one.  Is  there  anywhere 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  L>ondon  where  I  could  see  some  good 
Houdans?— D.,  Deal. 


STAVE  LEY    pERBY)    POULTRY  SHOW. 

Ajllow  me  to  make  a  few  remarks  with  regard  to  the  above 
Show,  which  was  fixed  for  Jane  23rd  and  24th,  and  which  is 
postponed  till  September  30[h.  When  our  entries  closed  on 
June  13lh  we  had  ten  entries,  each  succeeding  post  bringing 
more;  so  that  on  Wednesday,  when  our  Committee  met  to 
decide  whether  we  should  hold  the  Show  under  the  then  exist- 
ing circumstances,  we  had  only  sixty-nine  entries,  too  small  a 
number  to  hold  a  show  with  any  amount  of  success,  after  offer- 
ing so  liberal  a  prise  list.  At  this  meeting  our  Committee 
postponed  their  decision  until  next  day  (Thursday),  and  then 
concluded  to  postpone  the  Show,  and  return  each  exhibitor 
(who  had  kindly  entered)  his  fee,  and  we  enclosed  a  note  stating 
our  reasons,  which  was  accordingly  done  on  the  Friday  and 
Saturday  following,  to  be  in  time,  as  we  hoped,  to  stay  any  fowls 
being  sent. 

It  was  oar  first  attempt,  and  we  hoped  to  merit  mote  entries. 


Had  we  known  before  we  had  made  our  arrangements  of  Spal- 
ding and  Beverley  Shows  being  held  at  the  same  time,  we  should 
most  decidedly  have  altered  our  date.  I  am  extremely  sorry 
that  it  should  have  caused  any  inconvenience  to  any  exhibitors, 
but  hope  at  the  same  time  when  our  entries  close  on  September 
9th  next  we  shall  find  their  names  in  our  list,  and  merit  that 
liberal  support  which  we  have  tried  to  gain. — T.  W.  Spehckb, 
Han.  Sec,  Stavdey,  Derbyshire. 


PROGRESS   OF  GROWTH  OF  DORKING 
CHICKENS. 

CocKBKEi.  hatched  March  2ad ;  July  llth  weighed  7}  lbs. 
Pullets  hatched  same  date.  6  lbs.  each.  In  1883  I  exhibited  a 
cockerel  at  the  Djrlington  Show  in  December  weighing  12}  lbs. 
—  he  was  hatched  on  the  11th  of  March— and  two  pullets  with 
him,  hatched  April  3rd,  each  weighing  8,i  lbs. 

This  year  I  sold  many  Dorking  cockerels  for  the  table  at  six 
weeks  old,  some  of  which  weighed  as  much  as  2  lbs.  7  ozs.  each. 
This  was  after  thoy  were  killed  by  bleeding.  The  least  of  them 
weighed  8  lbs.  5  ozs. 

This  may  appear  incredible,  but  I  add  my  name,  and  if 
requisite  can  refttr  yon  to  the  dealer  who  bought  them  and 
weighed  them.— Thomas  E.  K^ll,  Wetherby. 


JAPANESE  B.\.NTAMS. 
In  your  report  of  the  Oundle  Poultry  Show  you  allnde  to  an 
extraordinary  pen  of  Japanese  Bintams,  and  suppose  them  to 
be  a  cross  between  the  Silkies  and  Frizzled  Bantams.  The 
birds  in  the  pen  alluded  to  were  imported  from  Japan  last  year, 
and  I  believe  them  to  be  a  pure  breed.  I  do  not  think  they 
are  halt  the  weight  of  either  the  Silkies  or  Frizzled  Bintams. 
I  have  raised  a  fair  number  of  chickens  from  this  pair  ol 
Bantams  in  the  present  year,  and  they  are  all  perfectly  true  in 
feather  and  size  to  their  parents.  I  believe  them  to  be  the  only 
specimens  in  England;  at  least  I  have  heard  of  or  seen  none 

like  them.  u  ■     ,  j. 

We  have  for  some  years  been  breeders  of  the  Frizsled 
Bantams  which  we  show  in  the  same  class,  but  I  believe  them 
to  be  a  distinct  breed  from  the  fowls  in  question  in  every  way, 
and  the  cross  between  them  and  Silkies  produce.s  a  full  and 
smooth-feathered  Bantam  with  a  top  knot.— Joe.  N.  Bsaslet. 


BUDE  ELAVEN  POULTRY  SHOW. 
Jolt  ITtu. 

DouKMOS  (Oolonred).— First  and  Second.  Mra.ThynnP.  C»«**-~^'f^' 
J.  Tar.ctt.  Second,  J.  Bines.  C7i4«;cciM.-Fir3t,  Mrs.  Thynne.  SeooiUI, 
Miss  E.  Galsworthy. 

SpiNiBH.— First,  R.  Hoakln.    Second,  W.  Leech. 

MiMOECAS.— First,  J.  Oloyne.     Second,  D.  Ham.  

Game.— First,  I.  KoseKelly.  Second,  A.  West-  Third,  J.  FramflS. 
Chickeng.—VSiai,  R.  Bowhay.     Second.  A.  West. 

Coohin-Chiwa.— First  and  Second,  W.  I..  Trewin. 

Beahmas.- First,  J .  Tarrett.     Second.  Mrs.  Thynne. 

Malays.— First,  H.  Daroh.    Second,  W.  AUin. 

CoENlaa  -First.  Mrs.  Thvnne.    Second,  D.  Maynard. 

Hambobohs  (Gnlden-ptncilled).— First  and  Second,  J.  r.l)eunar. 

Hamboeohs  (G.lden-spangled).— ^■irst  and  Second,  J.  V.  "e'^JT;^^ 

HiSTBDEOHS  (SUver-pencilled).— First,  J.  Turner.    Second,  J.  un«8«- 

^  HAliBaBOHB  (SUTer-8pangled).-Plr8t  and  Second,  W.  M  LaiMKUitor. 
C/iictoTU.— (Golden-pencilled  and  Spangled).— First,  J.  F.  Delmar.  »«- 
oond.  J.  Woodley.  ,  „  :,»»»,».   c, 

PoLAMD  lOolden-spanglsd).— First  and  Second,  H.  P.  B.  My. 


JOUBNAL  DP  HORTiqULTUBB  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENEB. 


I  Joly  23,  1868. 


Pol^wn  <BUck  White  T-ipknot). — First  and  Seooad,  W.  L.  Trewin. 
"  BAaNDoOB. — First  and  Fonrtb,  H.  Francis.    Seeoad,  C.  Rodd.    Third, 
R  Pranois.    Fifth,  T.  Barrett. 

Extra  Prizes.— First,  W.  Scown.    Second,  Mrs.  Thynne. 

Any  BReKD—<7ocfe.— First,  W.  L.  Trewin.    Second,  Capt.  Freeman. 

Bantams  (VVhite)  — Prize.  .1.  Francis. 

Bantams  fBHclt\— Second,  .T.  He9l. 

Gdi^ka  Fowls  — First  and  Second,  W.  M.  Lancaster. 

Ducks  f.\yle.thnrv). — First,  W.  Bines.     Second,  Rev.   T.   S.   Camsew. 
Third.  Miss  Radcliffe.    7>ufffc?in/T«.— Prize,  Rev.  T.  S.  Camgew. 

DncKS  (Common). — First,  J.  Heal.     Second,  T.  Picliard.    Ducklings.— 
I  First,  S.  Brown,     Second,  T.  Medland.    Third.  H.  Francis. 

DOOKS  (Ronen).— First  and  Second,  Rev.  R.  R.  Wright. 
I       Geese.— First  and  Second,  J.  TTcil.    Third,  H.  Francis. 

Tdekets.— First  nnd  Second.  .T.  Heal.    Third.  G.  Risdon. 
[       PiGEONB.— First.  Miss  RsdcUffe.    Second.  W.  Medlend.     Third,  T.  IT. 
1  Uedland.    Fantail:,  Jacobins,  TrumpetBra,  Tumblers,  Nuns. — Prize,  liev.  J. 
I  E.  Whyte. 

Rabbits  (Tjop-eared).— Prize.  Master  R.  Ti-eleven.    CiymmQn. — First  — 
[  Uaster  J.  Edffecnmbe.    Second,  Master  H.  Sannders. 
I      Judges.— Rev.  G.  F.  Hodson,  North  Petherton,  Bridgewater ;  Mr. 
'  H.  Leeworthj,  Barnstaple. 


LoNS  Sdtton  Pooltrv  Show.  —  We  have  received  a  prize 

sehedntfl  of  this,  and  considering  the  serious  drawback  of  last 

year's  Show,  as  to  receipts  at  the  entrance  gates,  owing  to  its 

raining  inoessantly  all  the  time  the  Exhibition  was  open  to  the 

public,  the  present  prize  list  must  be  admitted  to  be  a  liberal 

one.     The  Show  takes  place  on  the  14th  and  1.5th  of  October 

next.    The  prizes  offered  are  £1  and  10.s.,  in  the  general  classes 

for  ponltry,  with  an  addition  of  six  silver  cnns  of  the  valne  of 

five  gnineis  each.     The  prizes  for  Pigeons  are  £1  and  10.5.  in 

each  class,   with  two  five-guinea  cups  in  this  portion  of  the 

Show.     The  local  prizes  offered  are  not  less  liberal,  and  the 

well-known  name  of  Mr.  George  Clarke,  the  Hon.  Secretary,  is 

an  nndoabted  guarantee  that  evervthing  calculated  to  benefit 

the  birds  will  receive  the  most  direct  personal  attention.     The 

n»mes  of  thn  three  Judges  Beleoted  are  given  in  full  on  the 

prize  schedule. 


Pigeon-plying  Match. — One  day  last  week  twenty-four 
Pigeon  fanciers  of  Southwark  flew  a  match  from  Dover  for  a 
stake  of  one  sovereign  eioh.  A  bird  of  the  Skinnum  tribe  won, 
eccoiBplighing  the  journey  in  seventy-eight  minutes. 


MY  DOGS. 


BoDTHEY  somewhere  sta'es  as  his  opinion  "  that  a  house  is 
never  perfect  unless  it  has  in  it  a  child  rising  txvo  years  and  a 
kitten  rising  six  months."  I  do  not  like  to  dispute  so  great  an 
authority,  but  as  to  the  child  rising  two  years,  I  think  the 
time  might  be  extended  to  several  years  above  the  two ;  for 
instance,  what  makes  a  house  more  perfect  than  having  in  it  a 
daughter  rising  eighteen?  As  to  the  kitten,  well,  tastes  differ. 
Soutbey's  love  of  cats  was  remarkuble  in  a  man.  But  not  to 
be  too  particular.  Grant  the  child  and  grant  the  kitten  :  why 
did  not  S  juthey  mention  a  dog  ?  surely  as  superior  to  a  cat  as  a 
lion  is  to  a  tiger — though  modern  travellers  will  make  out  that 
&  tiger  thrashes  a  lion  in  combat,  so  sonietimes  a  cat  beats  a 
dog.  But  rightly,  so  I  deem  it,  does  that  Landseer  of  literature, 
who  has  done  for  dogs  with  bis  pen  what  Sir  Edwin  has  done 
for  them  with  his  i>ru3h — rightly  does  Dr.  John  Brown  eay, 
"A  dog  in  a  house  is  a  perpetual  baby."  And  pardon  the 
digression  "  gentle  reader  " — and  why  are  readers  in  old  books 
always  called  "gentle?"  I  am  sure  that  any  cat  loving  reader, 
of  this  article,  for  instance,  is  jii^t  now  by  no  means  a  gentle 
reader,  but  ready  to  scratch  me  for  speaking  slightingly  of  her 
(a  her,  of  oourse),  beloved  animals.  But  yet  again  to  come 
back,  gentle  or  uogeutle  reader,  if  you  have  never  read  Dr. 
John  Brown's  "  Rib  and  His  Friends,"  the  best  bit  of  dog 
literature  ever  written,  go  out  and  get  a  copy  ;  it  will  only  cost 
you  sixpence,  and  yon  will  thank  "  Wiltshire  Rector  "  with 
eyes  running  over  with  happy  tears  (especially  if  you  know 
"  bonuie  Scotlapd  "  and  "EJinbro'  town"),  for  introducing 
yon  to  that  wonderful  "  bookie,"  and  for  giving  you  an  hour's 
intense  pleasure,  to  be  renewed  as  often  as  you  read  it. 

Well,  Dr.  John  Brown,  as  I  said  before,  tells  us,  "  A  dog  in 
a  house  is  a  perpetual  baby."  Think  of  that,  ye  whose  hearts 
are  yearning  to  love  Sfomething ;  think  of  that,  ye  now  not 
young  fathers  and  mothers,  who  remember  the  joy  in  the  house 
that  baby  No.  1  j^ave  you  fmrn  the  first  hour  of  its  baby  life 
antil  baby  No.  2  took  its  throne  and  reigned  in  its  stead.  Bat 
to  liave  a  perpetual  baby — a  toy — a  plaything — a  something 
knowing  much,  jet  not  judged  accountable,  and  so  a  large 


margin  given  to  do  as  it  likes,  and  all  it  does  gives  yon  plea- 
sure !  A  perpetual  baby — that  is,  a  dear  good  dog,  who  loobe 
at  you  with  intense  loving  eyes,  all  affection  in  their  clear 
hazel,  brown,  or  black  depths — a  being  who  obeys  you  im- 
plicitly, waits  for  the  hour  at  the  door  of  the  house  at  which 
you  call — a  being  who  loves  you  just  the  same  whether  you  ane 
rich  one  year  and  very  poor  the  next ;  who  into  the  bargaip 
takes  upon  him  to  defend  yonr  house,  your  home,  your  castle ; 
and  if  you  have  no  home  he  does  not  leave  you — no,  he  all  the 
more  defends  you,  yourself,  as  much  as  to  say,  "  Cheer  up,  my 
poor  unfortunate  master.  You  have  got  no  home  for  me  to 
take  care  of ;  never  mind,  I  will  concentrate  my  attention,  I 
will  watch  and  take  care  of  you."  Yes,  a  good  affectionate  dog, 
to  whom  you  are  everything,  who  loves  you  with  his  great 
affectionate  heart.  Of  such  a  one  the  old  proverb  ought  to  be 
strictly  kept  true,  "  Love  me.  love  ray  dog." 

Dog  and  man,  how  suited  they  are  to  each  other !  Notice  a 
dog  without  a  master,  how  very  wretched  he  is.  He  looks  a 
miserable  outcast.  How  he  follows  each  likely-looking  person 
in  whose  face  he  thinks  he  diiiCovers  the  leatt  trace  of  dog  love. 
And  how  he  tries  to  ingratiate  himself  with  such  a  one !  He 
Wftfjs  his  tail,  and  looks  as  much  as  to  say,  "  Do  let  me  be 
your  dog,  I  will  be  such  a  good  dog  1 "  And  then  with  a  more 
beguiling  wag  and  look  which  s.iys,  "  Now  do,  you  dear  good 
man,  now  ffo."  Poor  masterless  dog  !  This  baa  to  go  on  many 
days,  until  to  his  joy  he  finds  a  master — a  boy,  perhaps,  etiD 
a  master.  Then  he  has  to  curry  favour  no  more  ;  he  has  no( 
to  wander  about  tail  between  legs — for  why  ?  he  has  got  9 
master. 

Then  how  dog  and  man  contribute  to  each  other's  happiness ! 
as  in  a  happy  marriage,  each  party  is  made  the  happier.  Man 
has  not  domesticated  or  reclaimed  any  animal  so  perfectly  af 
he  has  the  dog,  for  the  dog  does  not  even  wish  for  liberty. 
His  feelings  are  won  over.  He  is  no  longer,  as  naturally,  a 
gregarious  animal.  He  passes  by  other  dogs  with  a  brief  "  How 
do  you  do  ? "  but  he  knows  better  than  to  forsake  man  and 
herd  with  his  species — unlike  the  horse,  who  kicks  up  his  heel? 
in  the  pasture  and  fain  would  not  again  be  stabled.  But  th^ 
dog  does  not  even  wish  to  be  free.  Man  has  raised  him  in  t^ 
scale  of  existence.  He  is  more  sensible,  intelligent,  and  saga- 
cious than  his  wild  ancestors  (half  wolves,  perhaps).  His 
heart  has  been  won,  and  his  heart  is  better  since  it  was  won  ; 
BO  he  no  longer  wishes — even  wishes  to  be  free. 

Now  as  to  my  dogs.  1  have  not  had  many,  for  I  do  not 
readily  transfer  affection  from  one  dog  to  another.  The  first 
dog  I  loved  was  scarcely  mine,  for  I  was  rather  his  property, 
for  certainly  I  was  much  his  inferior.  My  childhood's  home 
was  one  which  for  many  years  never  lacked  an  infant  within  itf) 
walls  ;  and  each  little  one  was  duly  presented  to  old  "  Keeper," 
for  that  was  his  name,  who  sniffed,  and  sniffed,  and  licked  th,© 
tiny  thing's  face,  and  1  loked  as  if  he  knew  all  about  it ;  hia  ol^ 
brown  eyes  saying,  "  Ah  !  I  understand.  That  child  belong». 
to  the  house,  and  I'll  take  care  of  it — all  right."  And  he  did. 
Down  on  the  lawn  the  youngster  was  by-and-by  put,  and  old 
Keeper  romped  with  it,  kept  it  happy  and  out  of  mischief,  save 
mischief  with  him,  such  as  putting  its  tiny  hand  into  his 
month  and  poking  straws  up  his  nostrils,  both  deeds  permitted 
with  good-hnmoured  patience. 

But  I  have  not  yet  given  to  you,  gentle  reader  of  our  gentle 
Journal,  a  picture  of  old  Keeper.  He  was  a  bull  terrier,  very 
much  bull,  in  colour  white.  He  had  been  a  noted  fighting  dog. 
He  had  fought  many  battles  (those  were  bull-baiting,  badger- 
drawing,  cock-fighting,  dog-fighting  days — things  hav*  happily. 
improved  since).  Old  Keeper  was  humanely  bought  and  made 
a  gentleman's  dog  of,  so  that  he  might  retire  with  dignity  into 
private  life.  There  was  the  old  spirit  in  him ;  but  "  No, 
Keeper,  no  ! "  brought  him  to  a  peaceful  disposition  ;  but  "  At 
him.  Keeper,  at  him!"  would,  I  fear,  have  pleased  him  far 
better.  His  face  was  wonderfully  scarred — marks  won  in  fair 
fight.  He  looked  made  for  combat,  as  I  suppose  Garibaldi 
looks,  even  when  at  Caprera.  His  dear  old  scarred  face  and 
stout  limbs  are  perpetuated  ;  for  there  is  a  portrait  of  him  in 
the  old  house  at  home,  done  in  oils  by  the  clever  scene-painter 
of  a  moving  company  of  theatricals.  There  he  is  rigid  as  in 
life,  the  attitude  obtained  by  putting  a  rabbit  in  a  basket,  which 
made  the  old  fellow  cock  his  ears  and  tail,  and  look  animated 
as  in  his  youthful  days.  Poor  scene-painter  !  Born  for  better 
things,  as  that  picture  shows,  you  were  a  poor  ne'er-do-well, 
who  had  not  even  a  dog  for  a  friend. 

Many  years,  considering  he  was  a  dog,  did  Keeper  live 
honoured.  Very  faithful  was  he,  very  true  to  his  master.  The 
horse,  a  great  friend  of  his— they  shared  the  stable  together— 


July  33,  1888.  ] 


JOURNAL  OP  HORTICULTURE    AND   COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


dared  not  venture  to  do  wronp!,  for  onoe  lie  broke  bia  bridle  and 
prepared  to  gallop  off,  but  Keeper  seized  him  by  tbe  niwe 
(rather  too  eevere  a  punishmout),  and  there  held  him  till  his 
inaater  oame  up.  Many  a  cat  did  ho  kill,  and  such-liko  vermin. 
At  length  he  (;rew  very  lean,  and  manj^y,  and  heavy-eyed,  and 
ceased  to  enjoy  life ;  then  leaner,  more  mangy,  and  more 
L«avy-eyed,  until  ho  died.  And  as  he  had  lived  honoured,  so 
be  died  "lamented.  There  was  a  formal  burial,  and  thtn  a  tomb- 
stone was  erected,  but  no  more.  We  could  never  apree  as  to  a 
fit  epitaph,  after  the  "  Here  lies  Keeper."  We  could  not  find 
words,  fit  as  we  thought,  to  record  his  merits.  So  month  after 
month  passed,  the  stone  remained  blank,  then  year  after  year, 
and  it  is  blank  still,  for  I  saw  it  a  few  weeks  ago,  and  the  stone 
looked  bine  and  clean,  and  blank  as  ever,  though  more  than 
thirty  years  have  flown  since  old  Keeper  was  laid  beneath.  The 
tomb  looked  as  fresh  as  the  old  dog  is  in  the  memory  of  the 
two  tli»',  are  left,  who  knew  him,  his  master  and — Wiltshike 
Beotor. 

(To  be  contin-ued.) 

INVASION   OF  BEES. 

I  hAte  a  hive  of  bees,  from  which,  as  I  took  a  glass  of  honey 
from  them  rather  late  last  season,  I  fed  them  well  all  the 
winter,  and  until  the  end  of  March.  Early  in  May  I  found 
they  worked  very  little,  and  seemed  to  be  fighting,  some  dead 
bees  being  on  the  ground  under  the  bee-stand.  So  they  have 
gone  on  working  little,  and  with  more  and  more  dead  bees  on 
the  ground,  till  I  think  there  must  be  very  few  left.  Being 
but  a  tvro  in  bee-keeping,  I  should  like  to  know  the  reason  of 
this.  I  had  given  up  my  bee-keeping  in  despair  (this  being  my 
only  time),  when  this  morning  a  great  sound  of  bees  was  heard 
in  the  air  ;  my  man  rattled  some  tins,  and  threw  up  earth  at 
a  Bwarin  which  appeared  in  the  garden,  apparently  looking  for 
somewhere  to  settle.  He  expected  them  to  go  to  a  pear  tree 
near  them  ;  they  began,  however,  to  enter  the  hive  until  they  all 
settled  within  it,  and  they  have  been  working  all  day,  and  at 
present  appear  as  much  at  home  in  it  as  if  they  had  been  there 
a  year.  Is  not  the  above  a  somewhat  unusual  occurrence  ? — C.  R. 

[There  i?  little  doubt  that  the  queen  died  during  the  winter 
and  that  the  colony  gradually  dwindled  away,  until  about  May 
or  .June  none  were  left.  Those  which  afterwards  appeared  to 
inhabit  the  hive  did  not  really  belong  to  it,  but  were  merely 
scontsfrom  other  stocks,  and  any  fighting  which  took  place  was 
doubtless  between  these  and  the  remnants  of  the  aborigines,  or 
between  the  invaders  themselves  if  they  came,  as  is  most 
probable,  from  more  than  one  hive.  What  followed  is  common 
enongh,  swarms  being  very  prone  to  look  out  for  and  occupy 
luves  which  are  ready  furnished  with  combs.] 


BEES  IN  A  SODA  CASK. 

Aocor.Di^JO  to  your  request,  I  send  you  an  account  of  the 
oltimate  result  of  the  swarm  which  was  domiciled  iu  a  soda 
cask,  as  reported  in  your  columns  August  22nd,  18C7. 

The  owner  at  first  purposed  placing  them  over  the  brimstone 
pit,  as  the  easiest  method  of  dealing  with  them,  but  I  said  I 
hoped  he  would  not  be  guilty  of  such  wholesale  murder,  and 
oflered  to  go  over  and  drive  them  for  him  if  he  would  give  me 
the  bees.  He  seemed  to  think  if  I  could  drive  them  he  could 
manage  to  do  it  himself ;  "  Very  well,  do  so,  only  remember  you 
will  have  such  a  job  as  you  never  had  before."  It  seemed  he 
had  some  acquaintance  with  a  person  in  the  neighbourhood,  said 
to  b  -'  wise  in  bee  lore,  and  this  party  promised  his  assistcnoe  ; 
"  he  had  driven  dt'Zens  of  hives,  and  could  manage  it  in  an 
hour,"  &o.  I  inquired  how  this  "beeman"  proposed  to  conduct 
the  operation,  and  I  was  informed  "  a  hole  was  to  be  dug  in 
the  ground  to  receive  an  empty  cask,  and  that  then  the  full  one 
was  to  be  placed  npon  the  top,  and  the  bees  were  to  be  driven 
down  into  the  empty  one."  Of  course  I  had  a  good  laugh  at 
tliem,  and  it  was  finally  arranged  that  I  should  go  over  and  drive 
them  for  him  about  the  end  of  July.  However,  what  with  the 
advice  and  persuasions  of  one  wiseacre  and  another,  he  allowed 
this  adept  to  commence  operations  on  the  25th  June,  iu  my 
absence,  and  the  result  was  even  worse  than  I  should  have 
anticipated.  He  tried,  and  tried  again,  and  was  at  lust  obliged 
to  beat  an  ignominious  retreat,  and  leave  his  work  unfinished, 
and  the  owner  found  ho  knew  no  more  about  driving  bees  than 
he  did  himself.  So  he  was  obliged  to  try,  but  could  not  succeed. 
Determined  not  to  be  beaten,  he  employed  a  lad  a  whole  day  to 
beat  the  sides  of  the  cask  incessantly,  but  with  no  other  result 
ihan  that  the  combs  were  loosened,  and  sUd  up  and  down  when 


the  cask  was  moved,  and  then  didn't  the  enraged  inhabitant* 
•give  chase  and  repay  with  cumponnd  interunt  the  indigaitied 
they  had  been  sutTering  for  two  or  three  days  previously. 

Then  they  sent  to  know  if  I  would  come  immediatoly  and 
help  them.  This  I  could  not  do,  anil  as  the  bets  would  not 
take  to  thS  new  cask  they  g"t  tin  m  at  last  into  a  large  straw 
hive,  after  having  sacrificed  thousands  of  bees  and  the  whole  of 
the  eggs  and  larva;  in  the  brood  combs,  which  must  have 
amnunred  to  20,000  or  30,000,  and  they  got,  what  (hink  you,  for 
their  honey  harvest?— about  8  or  Olbs.  of  very  indifferent  honey. 
Arid  I  was  afraid  when  I  saw  the  swarm  the  other  day  they 
wonld  not  prosper,  and  had  doubts  from  their  movements  the 
queen  was  not  in  the  hive,  as  they  hud  been  in  it  five  days  and 
there  was  only  a  bit  of  comb  ahont  the  size  of  a  threepenny- 
piece  ;  BO  to  satisfy  all  parties,  I  got  a  sheet  and  dashed  them 
all  out,  and  searched  them  over  until  I  found  her  majesty  waa 
safe  ;  at  the  same  time  I  told  him  if  he  diu  not  commence  feed- 
ing at  once  he  would  lose  them  altogether,  for  there  seems  to 
be  a  great  scarcity  of  honey  this  season  about  this  ceifihbourhood 
although  some  bee-keepers  have  done  better  than  others. 

I  have  had  very  bad  success  this  season,  having  lost  so  many 
queens  one  way  or  other,  thus  keeping  all  my  stocks  weak  in 
numbers,  those  with  queens  being  so  often  called  upon  t» 
contribute   brood    combs   to    save  the  others  from   beoommg 

extinct.  ,    .     ,t  j 

I  lost  a  fine  Liguriin  queen  the  first  week  in  May.  ana 
always  fancied  a  goodly  company  of  bees  (accompanied  her. 
And  judge  of  my  vexation  at  hearing  only  two  da^s  ago  that  a 
swarm  of  Ligurians  had  possession  of  a  tree  some  two  or  two 
and  a  half  miles  away,  and  had  been  there  for  weeks  to  the 
knowledge  of  certain  parties  who  had  been  trying  to  hive  them, 
but  could  not  get  the  queen.  I  sent  a  man  to  see  whereabouts 
they  were,  and  had  the  mortification  to  learn  that  they  had 
been  so  harassed  by  men  and  boys  (some  of  whom  got  pretty 
well  stung  over  it),' that  they  had  dec.im(ied  entirely,  and  gone 
no  one  seemed  to  know  where. — J.  K.  J.,  IIu.ll. 


BEE   GLASSES. 

It  is  with  much  pleasure  I  accede  to  your  esteemed  contri- 
butor, "  B.  &  W.'s  "  request  for  further  information  as  to  tha 
style  of  bee  glass  figured  at  page  415  of  No.  375. 

Like  him  I  had  almost  discarded  glasses  from  my  apiary, 
finding,  as  a  rule,  bees  would  readily  store  3  lbs.  in  wood 
against  1,  after  the  utmost  care,  in  the  best  description  of 
gfasses  offered  bv  Messrs.  Neighbour  &  Sms  ;  but  those  em- 
ployed by  Mr.  Mitchell,  of  Ahington,  being  the  design  of  no 
mere  theorist,  but  the  ingenious  result  of  very  many  ycMs' 
practical  experience  and  efforts  to  produce  a  filass  "  all  bnt 
perfect,"  offer  such  facilities  for  the  storing  of  honey  in  thi» 
material,  as  will  induce  me  to  give  them  a  prominent  place  m 
my  apiary  for  the  time  to  come. 

But,  first  of  all,  to  take  np  the  faults  and  suggestions,  by 
way  of  improvement,  of  your  correspondent,  I  may  remark, 
the  rim  forms  portion  of  the  lid  or  top,  and  consequently 
already  rests  upon  the  loJy  of  the  glass,  and  not  within  it,  as 
he  supposes.  Then,  again,  the  concave  or  saucer-like  form  ol 
the  upper  portion  of  the  stalk  serves  the  purposes  of  bearing 
the  glass  and  retaining  any  slight  leakage.  Of  course,  when 
set  upon  the  table  to  be  broken  up,  the  lower  cncnlar  aperture 
would  require  to  be  securely  stopped,  and  by  the  above  arrange- 
ment the  stopper  is  kept  out  of  view— indeed,  when  photo- 
graphed there  was  a  thick  knitted  wine  rubber  doubled  up 
beneath  the  body  of  the  glass,  quite  nnseen  in  the  sketch. 

Your  correspondent's  last  and  best  idea  of  snbstitutinc  a 
wooden  top  suggested  itself  the  first  glance  I  had  of  the  glass. 
The  comparatively  small  portion  stored  in  the  upper  portionor 
lid  is  a  capital  feature  of  the  plan,  and  it  occurred  to  me  thaf 
by  temporarily  removing  the  lid,  and  in  lieu  setting  on  a  thm 
board  with  a  number  of  good  deep  pieees  of  empty  ^ide 
comb,  storing  wonld  go  on  about  as  rapidly  as  in  wood  tiU  its 
completion,  when  I  proposed  with  a  thin-bladed knife  or  thread 
to  sever  the  attachments  to  the  board,  remove  it,  and  replace 
the  lid.  The  bees  would  at  once  gather  np  to  lick  up  the  loose 
honey,  and  finding  the  vacuum  above  thtm,  speedilv  work  np 
the  combs;  and  heie,  I  mav  remark,  y.iur  correspondent's 
fears,  however  legitimate  with  regard  to  loaded  combs  gmng 
way  of  their  own  weight  in  common  glasses,  overlooks  the  fact 
that  this  is  an  impossibility  in  the  new  glass,  as  when  com- 
pleted they  are  self-supported  from  the  narrower  bate,  indepen- 
dent altogether  of  upper  attachments  to  either  ginss  or  '"■ood— 
another  happy  thought.    My  plan  I  duly  submitted  to  Mr. 


70 


JOURNAL  OP  HOBTICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GAKDENEK 


t  Jnly  43,  186a 


Mitchell,  and  fonnd  it  bad  ocearred  to  himself  some  years  ago, 
been  tried,  and  found  wanting. 

The  usual  diBinclination  bees  display  to  begin  work  on  a 
gmooth  surface,  such  as  glass,  and  the  persistence  with  which, 
when  started,  they  sliok  to  one  comb  or  side  of  a  glass,  is  a 
chief  cause  of  the  slow  progress  made.  This  difficulty  Mr. 
Mitchell,  like  every  worker  in  glass,  experienced,  and  at  last 
overcame  by  a  very  ingenious  contrivance,  by  which,  instead  of 
beginning  one  comb  the  bees  can  be  induced  to  start  several 
simnltaneously  in  a  regular  figure,  both  downwards  and  up- 
wards. This  is  effected  by  the  construction  of  a  little  frame  of 
very  thin  wood,  consisting  of  three  pieces  crossing  and  attached 
to  each  other  by  means  of  a  little  broad-headed  wooden  pin  in 
the  centre,  as  shown  in  the  annexed  sketch. 


To  each  division  of  the  frame,  and  on  both  sides,  points  of 
pure  guide  comb  are  attached,  and  it  is  suspended  by  means  of 
a  thread  passing  through  the  hole  in  the  knob  on  the  lid  till 
snoh  times  as  the  combs  are  fixed  to  the  sides  of  the  glass, 
when  the  thread  is  drawn  up. 

Another  most  important  point  is  the  thorough  shading  of 
the  glasses,  and  keeping  up  an  equable  warmth,  best  effected 
by  means  of  thick  plies  of  woollens,  or  if  wool  can  be  had 
it  answers  capitally.  By  neglecting  shading,  Mr.  Mitchell, 
when  in  his  novitiate,  lost  thirteen  young  swarms  in  one  hot 
season,  the  bees  abandoning  their  hives,  and  going  off  after 
three  weeks'  occupancy,  which  miehap,  together  with  the  loss 
tte  same  season  of  a  large  order  of  glasses  from  London,  save 
one,  through  bad  packing,  he  expressively  added,  "  About 
finished  me  ;"  and  yet  he  perf  evered,  avoiding  similar  blunders, 
and  by  the  use  of  good  roomy  stock  hives,  and  combining 
several  swarms,  admitting  only  the  honey-gatherers  of  the  end 
oombs  into  the  glasses,  he  has  at  last  attained  such  wonderful 
resnlts. 

The  glasses  are  made  by  Messrs.  James  Conper  &  Sons,  at 
the  City  Flint  Glass  Works,  Glasgow,  and  can  be  had  of  any 
sise,  from  is.  Gd.,  to  hold  a  few  pounds,  up  to  the  monster 
glass  illustrated,  which  cost  £1.- — A  Renbewshtre  Bee-keeper. 


OUR  LETTER  BOX. 

ExHiBrnNo  Malays  and  WniTE  DoREiwoa  {Fair  Platf).~A  Malay 
oombtbat  has  been  tampered  with  is  a  disqaalification.  A  parely  bred 
Malay  wants  nothing  t'lken  off,  nor  can  he  spare  anylhlns  withoat  posi- 
tive detriment.  The  White  Dorking  cook  would  not  Ijo  disqualified  by 
the  hollow  comb,  as  it  la  not  a  breed  in  whioh  comb  is  of  any  import- 
ance. The  spurs  on  the  onteide  of  the  legs  are  a  deformity,  and  should 
dlBqoalify. 

Preservino  Eggs  (W.  if.) — Bggs  may  be  kept  perfectly  fresh  and  fit 
for  any  purpose  by  being  put  in  an  earthen  pan,  and  covered  with  lime 
worked  with  water  inio  a  paf«te;  alternate  layers  may  be  pat  in  till  the 
Tessel  is  full.  Care  most  be  taken  that  the  eggs  be  always  covered,  and 
tb«y  must  be  fresh  when  put  in.  The  process  is  preservative,  not  prepara- 
tive. We  have  eggs  now  fit  for  any  culinary  purpose  that  were  preserved 
last  year. 

Points  op  Silver-Guey  Dorkimos  (SiI»«--Or«y).— It  fswrnng  foryonr 
aUver-Grey  puUots  to  have  black  heada.  It  is  atill  worse  for  them  to 
have  grey  mottled  breasts.    The  last  ia  a  positive  disqaalifieation. 


Chickehs*  Featherikg  /.D.  S.)-— a  chicken  never  moults;  that  is  an 
operation  of  mature  ago ;  bnt  the  chicken's  feathers  drop,  and  are  re- 
pincRd  by  those  that  will  last  till  the  first  repnlur  moult  comes.  An 
April  chicken  should  be  in  full  and  perfect  feather  in  October  and 
November. 

Krahmas  for  ExiTiBiTioK  {A.  E.  H.)— Your  Brnhma.'?  nre  hatched  to« 
Inte  fur  early  showing,  as  they  are  only  just  now  getting  their  pIumagQ, 
It  will  be  months  before  they  mo'ilt.  The  weiuht  is  satisfattory,  apoun4 
per  monlh  is  a  good  average.  There  is  nothing  that  will  promote  tb* 
growth  of  feathers  The  twist  is  not  so  important  in  the  cnmb  of  a 
Brabmi  as  an  inclination  to  fall  over.  Deficient  feathering  of  the  leg 
is  a  irreat  fault.  You  will  be  more  ensily  understood  by  ihose  who  know 
poultry,  if  yon  leave  out  the  word  neck  before  hackle.  A  fowl  has  but  one 
hnckle.  that  is  the  neck  ;  the  other  long  feathers  form  the  snddle.  The 
cocks  will  not  crow  yet;  nol  till  they  are  past  four  months  old.  Judging 
from  the  weights  you  quote,  we  believe  you  would  be  suoceshful  in  show- 
ing against  breeds  of  the  same  age.  If  you  thow  against  older  ones,  your 
chances  of  success  would  be  diminished. 

Preparing  Game  Fowls  for  ExetEiTioN  f.\f.  J*.).— Game  fowls  should 
always  be  penned  some  days  before  exhibition,  for  several  reasons.  Oc* 
very  important  one  is  to  see  whether  tHe  cock  will  agree  with  the  bens, 
and  whether  they  will  agree  together.  If  you  exhibit  a  pen,  the  members 
of  which  are  always  quarrelling,  there  is  no  hope  of  success.  They 
.should  not  he  put  in  a  warm  room.  An  out-house  or  shed,  with  protection 
from  draught,  is  all  they  want.  They  should  in  their  pen  be  able  t« 
perch.  If  there  are  signs  of  fighting,  remove  the  weakest  bird  at 
once.  No  food  has  so  much  effect  on  the  plum^ige  in  making  it  hard,  as 
good  white  peas.  Most  exhibitors  and  cockers  have  favourite  foods  ;  tbas, 
some  feed  their  Game  cocks  on  raw  yolk  of  ege ;  others  give  rump-steak 
scraped  for  f.iod,  and  allow  old  ale  for  drink ;  oihers  sive  rusks  and  stale 
crnsts  steeped  in  port  wine.  There  is  no  doubt  a  little  of  these  is  good 
and  very  instrumental  in  producing  high  condition,  but  it  also  developed 
their  pugnacious  propensities  to  an  ext'^nt  that  often  desti-oys  any  chance 
of  success.    Their  legs  and  faces  should  be  watched  sornpulously  clean. 

Poultry  for  Table  and  Latino  {-in  OUl  Hiibseriber).—li  you  have 
plenty  of  room  and  fields  for  one  breed,  you  have  enoush  for  two.  if  you 
manage  them  aright.  Y^u  should  keep  Dorkincs  for  the  run,  and  Brnh- 
man  for  confinement.  The  latter  will  do  well  in  a  small  space.  We 
believe  you  very  candidly  and  naively  give  us  the  history  of  your  disap- 
pointment ae  regards  eggs,  when  you  qu  te  the  winter  laying  of  twenty 
Dorking  h^ns,  and  five  dark  Brabmas.  Hens  do  not  lay  in  the  winter, 
chickens  do.  Winter  laying  may  be  made  a  certninty  by  keeping  proper 
breeds  of  proper  ages.  Dorking  pullets  hatched  in  April.  Brahma  pullets 
hatched  in  Mav  or  early  in  June,  will  be  laying  in  the  winter.  The  poor 
mongrel  that  did  lay,  did  not  do  so  becaune  it  wns  a  mongrel,  but  in  spite 
of  it  When  pullets  attain  a  certain  age  they  must  lay,  because  the  time 
is  come,  and  this  nets  independently  of  season  or  temperature:  but  it  is 
onlv  once  in  a  lifetime.  Afterwards,  they  are  hens,  and  produce  eggs  only 
in  the  natural  season.  Substitute  pullets  for  hens  and  you  will  have  eggs. 
Eschew  flues,  and  all  artificial  heat ;  they  will  only  cause  you  trouble,  and 
will  make  no  return  in  any  profit  ible  way.  Do  not  cross  between  Dork- 
ings and  Hambnrgbs;  no  mistake  can  be  greater.  Hanibnrghs  are  non- 
sitters.  It  is  yet  time  to  save  some  of  our  early  pullets,  and  we  advise 
you  to  save  the  handsomest  for  winter  layers.  They  will  not  disappoint 
one. 

CARRren  Pigeons  Flttno  aki>  Egos  not  Hatching  (A  Young  Faneler), 
—Do  not  let  your  Carriers  fly  yet.  wait  until  the  young  ones  are  a  month 
old  ;  then  put  them  and  food  on  the  landing-board,  and  the  old  birds  after 
their  first  fly  will  be  enticed  home,  especially  if  you  let  them  oat  when 
hnng7-y.  Be  sure  you  do  not  drive  thera  out,  but  let  them  come  out  ae, 
and  when,  they  please.  Meanwhile  have  a  good-sized  wire  front  on  the 
landingbonrd  eo  that  the  birds  each  Jay  ran  walk  about,  sun  themselves, 
and  get  a  knowledge  of  the  locality,  also  feed  them  there.  As  to  your  other 
question  we  are  not  quite  sure  that  wo  rightly  understand  you.  This  hot 
and  dry  weather  has  been  very  bad  for  all  hatching.  We  have  before  now 
had  eggs  fail  uf,  owing  to  their  being  bruised,  when  chipped,  between  the 
bird's  body  and  the  floor,  on  which  just  under  the  egcs  there  happened 
to  be  no  nest,  and  bo  the  young  were  not  hatched.  Are  your  birds 
liberally  fed  ?  After  a  little  longer  trial  and  re  mating  we  should  kill  sncb 
disippointing  Pigeons.  As  a  last  thought,  you  may.have  too  many  birde 
in  Tour  loft;  if  so.  a  fancier  never  succeeds. 

Teaching  Bullfinches  to  Pipe  {H.  T.). — Their  education  consiste 
in  keepinsr  them  from  hearing  any  other  birds,  placing  them  in  a  small 
basket,  feeding  them  every  two  hours  or  thereabont,  and  after  each  meal 
covering  tkem  up  to  prevent  their  attention  being  diverted,  and  playing 
or  whiBtl:ng  their  lesson  over  to  them  two  or  three  times ;  and  even  after 
tbev  feed  themselves  it  is  necessary  to  continue  their  tuition  incessantly 
for  nine  months.  Some  birds  can  learn  as  many  as  three  tunes,  but  it  is 
rare  for  them  to  pipe  them  without  fault,  nnd  it  is  often  necessary  to 
whittle  their  tunes  over  to  them  after  the  moult,  to  prevent  their  for- 
getting them.  One  tune  well  piped  is,  perhaps,  better  than  three  im- 
perfectly. 

Sale  of  Young  Canaries  (Spot).— Try  Mr.  E.  Ilawkinf,  11,  Bear  Street. 
Leicester  Square,  though  Canaries  of  "no  particular  breed"  are  not 
much  in  demand. 

Australian  Paroquets  (Luelan). — Without  seeing  the  birds  we  can 
only  judge  from  the  description  you  have  civen  that  they  are  the  Bud- 
grigars  or  Australian  Grass  Paroqueli^.  They  eat  canary  seed,  oats,  and 
millet;  a  handful  of  fresh  gathered  (jrass  with  seed  on,  should  be  given 
frequently,  also  water  to  drink.  They  are  easily  tamed  with  caret nl  at 
tention. 

Changing  Floor  Boards  (A  Novice).— It  is  immaterial  at>hat  season 
you  substitute  moveable  floor  boards  for  fixed  ones. 

Profitable  Beekekp'NG  (A  Chethirc  Bee-kcfper). — We  doubt  whether 
the  average  wholesale  price  of  run  honey  exceeds  the  offer  whicli  you  have 
already  rer-eived  (8!/i  per  lb.),  although  it  appears  but  a  low  figure  for  so 
fine  a  q'^ali^y  as  yours  is  described  to  bo.  You  may.  however,  obtain  a 
much  better  price  fir  super  honey  by  selling  it  in  the  comb.  Messrs. 
Fortnnm  &  Mhbou,  Piccadilly,  and  Messrs.  Neighbour,  149,  Kegent  Street, 
and  127,  Ho'bom,  are  large  purchasers  of  honey,  and  either  of  these  firmfl 
would  inform  you  in  what  kind  of  vessels  it  should  be  forwarded  to  them. 

Fining  Wine  (J.  R  .fl/.l.— Take  the  whites  and  shells  of  three  fresh' 
pffgR,  beat  them  in  a  wooden  vessel  till  they  bpoome  a  thick  froth,  add 
thereto  a  little  wine,  and  whifk  it  up  aenio.  If  the  onsk  be  full  take  out 
fo!ir  or  five  gallons,  nnd  give  it  a  good  stirrins  ;  next  nh'sU  up  the 
Pnings.  and  put  ihem  in,nfter  which  t-tir  the  whole  well ;  drive  in  the 
bong,  bore  a  hole  for  a  vent^  and  in  about  three  days  close  it  with  a  peg. 


jQjy  80,  1868.  1 


JOURNAL   OF  HORTIOOLTORE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


71 


WEEKLY 

CALENDAR. 

Day 
of 

Month 

D8y 

of 
Week. 

JULY  30-ADG.  5,  1868. 

Ayerage  Temperature 
near  London. 

Rain  In 

last 
11  years. 

Sun 

Rises. 

Sun 
Sets. 

Moon 
Rises. 

Moon 
Sets. 

Moon's 
Aue. 

Clock 

before 

Sua. 

Day 

of 

Year 

Day. 

Nicht. 

Mean. 

Days. 

m.       h. 

m.    h. 

m.    h. 

m.    h 

Days. 

m.     B. 

80 

Ta 

Royal  Oxfordsbiro  Horticultural  Show. 

75.1 

60.0 

62.5 

16 

23af4 

4Haf7 

64af  4 

59atO 

11 

6      8 

212 

31 

F 

74.8 

60.4 

62.0 

16 

24      4 

48      7 

44      5 

40      1 

12 

8      6 

213 

1 

8 

Royal  Horticultural  Society,  Promenade. 

75.8 

60.8 

62.6 

13 

26      4 

45      7 

31      6 

29      2 

13 

0      2 

214 

2 

SlJN 

8  Sdndav  after  Trinity. 

76.8 

51.0 

63.4 

20 

27       4 

43      7 

10      7 

21       8 

14 

5    67 

3 

M 

74.7 

53.5 

62.6 

19 

28      4 

42      7 

48      7 

19      4 

O 

5    53 

216 

4 

To 

Royal  Horticultural  Society,  Fruit,  Floral, 

75.6 

50.6 

63.1 

17 

30       4 

40      7 

U      8 

19      5 

16 

5    47 

217 

B 

W 

[and  General  Meeting. 

74.2 

61.0 

62.6 

18 

32      4 

39      7 

33      8 

21      6 

17 

5    41 

From  obaervationB  taken  near  London  dnrini?  the  last  forty-one  years,  the  average  day  temperature  of  the  week 

is  75.1° ; 

and  its  night     1 

temperature  50.4  \     The  greatest  heat  was  92',  on  the  2nd,  1856  j   and  the   lowest  cold  31°,  on  the  2nd,  1864.    The 

greatest  tall  ol   rain     | 

vrat  1.23  inch. 

1 

THE  INFLUENCE  OF  THE  HOT  SEASON  OVER 
THE   GOOSEBERRY. 

HE  present  season  promises  to  test  the  capa- 
.jH.  bilities  of  certain  plants  and  fruits  whose 
well  or  ill  doing  has  been  generally  ascribed 
to  the  influence  of  climate,  for  a  summer 
approaching  those  of  continental  Europe  and 
America  is  hurrying  things  on  more  rapidly 
than  we  have  been  accustomed  to  see  in 
former  years.  That  there  are  certain  plants 
and  fruits  wliich  seem  to  benefit  by  this  ra- 
pidity of  growth,  or  rather  of  maturity,  there  can  be  no 
doubt,  but  whether  the  benefits  so  gained  are  not  more 
than  counterbalanced  by  the  injuries  that  others  suffer  is 
a  question  which  need  not  be  entered  into  here.  Rather 
let  us  examine  into  the  conditions  of  one  of  our  most 
popular  hardy  fruits,  and  see  in  what  way  it  has  been 
acted  upon  by  the  diy  hot  weather  of  the  last  six  weeks 
or  more. 

The  Gooseberry  is  admitted  to  be  an  especially  British 
fruit,  owing  its  present  enlarged  size  and  good  flavour  to 
the  care  and  perseverance  of  our  ancestors,  who  have  from 
the  small,  wild,  worthless-looking,  spiny  shrub  furnished  us 
with  a  plant  producing  fruit  of  large  size  and  good  flavour, 
and  possessing  as  much  diversity  of  colom-  as  the  Plum. 
It  does  not  appear,  however,  that  the  Gooseberry  out  of 
Great  Britain  is  held  in  such  great  esteem  as  it  is  \vith  us, 
and  the  inference  drawn  would  be  that  no  other  climate 
suits  it  so  well.  This  view  was  taken  by  the  late  Mr. 
London  neai'ly  half  a  century  ago,  and,  more  than  that,  he 
pointed  out  what  part  of  the  empire  produced  the  best 
subsequent  experience  has  proved  that  he  was  in  the 
main  right,  and  the  present  summer  confirms  the  correct- 
ness of  his  views.  On  further  inquii-y  it  will  be  discovered 
that  other  things  as  well  as  the  Gooseberry  are  influenced 
by  a  scorching  season,  so  as  to  become  less  valuable 
than  they  are  in  ordinary  years.  This  and  other  incon- 
veniences, as  we  are  often  tempted  to  call  them,  may 
reconcile  us  to  dull  and  showery  summers  when  we  see 
and  feel  the  effects  of  bright  continental  ones  like  the 
present,  which  is  seriously  aft'ecting  many  things  that  will 
be  missed  hereafter,  and  at  the  present  time  is  inflicting 
an  amount  of  injury  upon  us  more  than  equivalent  to  the 
advantages  it  brings. 

Confining  my  remarks  to  the  Gooseberry,  let  us  see  how 
it  has  fared  with  the  most  extensively-cultivated  of  all  our 
hardy  fruits,  for  there  are  few  cottage  gardens  without  a 
Gooseberry  bush,  while  it  is  equally  valuable  in  a  royal 
garden.  In  general  we  shall  find  that  the  Gooseberry 
crop  of  18HW  was  a  good,  if  not  an  abundan*.  one,  and  it 
was  so  early  that  a  neighbour  of  mine  sent  scleral  bushels 
to  market  on  the  last  day  of  April,  and  I  do  not  think  he 
was  first. 

Gooseberries  have  been  plentiful,  and  the  trees  in 
general  free  from  the  caterpillar,  but  occasional  visitations 
of  it  are  to  be  met  with,  and  some  little  time  ago  I  was 
grieved  on  passing  a  plantation  of  about  four  acres  of 
this  fruit  to  find  scarcely  a  leaf  on  the  trees,  the  attack 
No.  883.— Vol.  XV.,  New  Series. 


being  the  second  in  the  season,  when  the  caterpillars  are 
much  more  difficult  to  conquer  than  in  the  first  assault, 
for  then  hand-picking  does  much  towards  thinning  them. 
The  trees,  as  I  liave  said,  were  almost  leafless,  and  the 
fruit  all  but  useless.  Now,  when  it  is  understood  that  the 
occupier  last  year  estimated  his  crop  on  the  four  acres  at 
twenty  tons  of  Gooseberries,  it  is  easy  to  conceive  what  a 
loss  must  have  been  caused  by  the  caterpillar,  an  d  that, 
too,  with  one  of  the  hardiest  of  our  hardy  fruits.  It 
would  be  wrong  to  blame  the  cultivator  in  this  instance, 
for  where  it  can  be  done  he  has  spared  no  expense  in 
picking  ofi'  these  pernicious  insects,  and  I  will  not  say  how 
many  gallons  have  been  gathered  otf  his  grounds  in  some 
seasons,  for  he  has  other  fruits  as  well  as  Gooseberries, 
but  the  quantity  seems  astonishing. 

I  would  ask  all  who  have  noticed  the  ripening  of  Goose- 
berries this  season  on  dry  soils  and  in  the  broiling  sun  wluch 
we  have  had,  if  tliey  have  not  noticed  a  great  deficiency 
in  flavour  ?  I  have  certainly  thought  so.  The  trees  are 
healthy,  the  crop  good,  and  apparently  it  ripened  properly, 
but  evidently  the  season  has  been  too  forward  for  it,  and 
the  lack  of  moisture  in  the  atmosphere  has  also  atfected  it : 
for  when  we  had  a  little  rain  on  the  night  of  July  l:ith,  the 
fruit  being  then  fully  ripe,  I  expected,  in  accordance  with 
the  experience  of  former  years,  that  the  berries  would  burst 
with  the  pent-up  luscious  juice.  Such,  however,  has  not 
been  the  case,  not  one  Gooseberry  that  I  have  met  \vith  has 
done  so ;  on  the  contrary,  the  skins  seem  to  toughen,  and 
the  pulp  by  degrees  to  tiu-n  soui",  the  whole  fruit  having 
less  inclination  to  drop  oft'  than  in  former  years.  Now, 
is  tills  not  a  proof  that  the  season  has  been  too  hot  for  the 
Gooseberry?  In  flavour  the  fruit  has  never  approached 
even  mediocrity,  and  I  should  tliink  that  in  general  it 
has  been  somewhat  undersized. 

The  want  of  the  Gooseberry  has  evidently  been  those 
occasional  showers  which  our  British  climate  in  the  ma- 
jority of  seasons  aflbrds,  whUe  in  the  case  of  the  present 
summer  even  the  assistance  of  the  ordinary  dews  has 
been  wanting,  for  we  have  scarcely  had  dew  all  the 
season,  and  very  often  of  late  a  withering  north-east  wind 
has  been  blowing  all  night.  Since  the  2!lth  of  May  up  to 
the  present  time  (.July  17  th),  we  have  scarcely  had  any 
rain,  not  so  much  as  1  inch  in  depth  all  over  the  surface. 
Such  extreme  dryness  is,  in  my  opinion,  the  cause  of  the 
Gooseberry  lacking  flavour,  while,  possibly,  such_ fruits  as 
Peaches  and  some  others  may  in  this  respect  be  improved 
by  the  drought. 

The  Gooseberry,  being  a  native  fruit,  does  not  require  a 
Persian  or  Australian  summer  to  ripen  its  fruit  in,  and  the 
correctness  of  the  opinion  of  a  garden  authority  of  the  last 
generation,  that  better  Gooseberries  are  grown  in  Scotland 
and  the  north  of  England  than  around  London,  seems  to 
be  confirmed  this  year  ;  at  aU  events  I  would  like  to  have 
the  opinion  of  others  on  this  matter.  We  may  feel  some 
anxiety  for  our  other  fruits  as  well,  for  they  may  be 
affected  in  a  similar  manner  by  the  hot  summer  we  are 
passing  through,  and  in  the  end  pi-esent  us  with  fruits 
resembling  those  of  southern  Eiu-ope  or  other  warm  coun- 
tries.    Should  this  be  the  case,  our  Apples  will  be  more 

No.  lOSi.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  Series. 


721 


JOURNAL  OF  HOEXICULTUBE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  JuiT  30,  less. 


found  fault  with  than  have  been  our  Gooseberries,  for  the  latter 
in  a  green  state  were  as  good  as  usual ;  but  it  our  Wellingtons, 
Winter  Quoinings,  Stnrmer  Pippins,  and  other  favourite  Apples 
be  as  difScult  to  cook  as  these  we  have  from  abroad  early  in 
spring,  we  shall  remember  the  season  of  1868  for  that  cause 
alone,  independently  of  its  many  other  advantages  and  disad- 
Tantages.  Coupled,  therefore,  with  my  present  inquiry  as  to 
the  Gooseberry,  I  would  ask.  What  effect  is  the  continued  hot 
weather  likely  to  have  on  the  Apple  and  other  hardy  fruits  ? 

•T.  RoESON. 


Royal  Duke,  Love  Apple  Cherry,  Duchesse  de  Palluau,  and 
Nouvelle  Royale,  a  late  sort.  These  are  all  compact  uprighC 
growers,  and  here  they  all  succeed  best  on  the  Mahaleb  (Ce- 
rasus  mahaleb)  stock,  which  appears  to  act  upon  them  as  the 
Quince  stock  does  on  the  Pear,  in  circumscribing  growth  and 
making  the  trees  fruitful,  more  particularly  in  a  calcareouB 
soil.— T.  RivEBS. 


BIRDS  AND  CIIEERIES. 
All  lovers  of  Cherries— their  name  must  be  legion— know 
well  the  difficulty  of  keeping  their  Cherries  from  the  birds  till 
they  are  ripe  ;  in  fact,  a  ripe  Cherry  on  a  tree  in  the  open  air 
in  woodland  districts  is  not,  it  is  true,  a  rara  avis,  but  it  is  a 
very  rare  thing.  I  have,  therefore,  a  small  pleasure  in  saying 
that  I  have  this  day  (July  20),  some  of  the  finest  May  Duke 
and  Archduke  Cherries  thoroughly  ripe ;  and  that  I  have  cir- 
cumvented my  feathered  friends,  who  in  spring  give  me  so 
much  pleasure  in  listening  to  their  harmony,  and  in  summer 
so  much  vexation  because  they  will  take  the  best  of  eveiT  kind 
of  fruit. 

I  had  this  season  the  most  abundant  crop  of  Duke  Cherries 
I  ever  saw.    The  trees,  now  ten  years  old,  were  at  first  dwarf 
bushes  on  the  Mahaleb  stock  planted  on  my  lawn.     A  few 
years  ago  I  trained  up  from   each  bush  from  seven  to  ten 
brauches,  making  every  branch  into  a  cordon  by  pinching-in 
closely  all  the  summer  every  lateral  shoot.     The  effect  has 
proved  remarkable  and  beautiful,  for  last  April  every  branch 
was  a  perfect  cordon  of  flowers,  followed  by  fruit  in  equal  abun- 
dance.   I  need  scarcely  add  that  this  was  before  we  received  a 
decree  from  France  that  no  tree  with  more  than  one  branch 
could  be  a  cordon.     My  Cherries  commenced  to  colour,  and 
ihep.  nets,  and  white  worsted,  and  the  gun  were  called  into 
action  ;  but  aU  of  no  avail,  for  the  birds  seemed  to  laugh  at  me 
as  I  did  at  the  cordon  decree.     They  tore  the  nets  with  their 
olawB,  and  thrust  their  beaks  through  the  meshes  they  could 
not  tear,  so  as  to  destroy,  although  they  could  not  enjoy- too 
common  among  men  as  well  as  birds.     Owing  to  the  dry  season 
1  partially  foresaw  it  would  be  one  of  bird-hunger ;  and  hap- 
paiung  to  have  a  nice  row  of  Duke  Cherries,  single  upright 
cordons,  thirty  m  number,  and  about  seven  years  old,  I  put  in 
practice  an  invention  I  gave  to  the  public  some  years  ago— viz 
that  of  enclosing  each  tree  in  a  tube  of  coarse  muslin— a  sort 
of  bottomless  bag,  made  by  stitching  two  yard-widths  of  coarse 
mnshn  together,  say  2  yards  in  length,  and  then  slipping  it 
over  the  tree,  leaving  the  leader  out,  and  then  tying  it  at  top 
where  the  fruit  commences,  and  at  bottom  where  no  fruit  is 
so  as  to  enclose  all  the  fruit  in  a  bag.     I  am  inclined  to  think 
this  coarse  mushn  at  about  3d.  per  yard  is  better  than  t  ffany 
as  It  admits  more  air ;  and  I  am  not  quite  sure  but  that  it 
might  be  used  in  spring  to  protect  the  blossoms  from  frost,  but 
that  1  have  not  yet  tried. 

I  have  never  seen  anything  in  fruit-culture  more  interesting 
than  my  row  of  upright  cordon  Cherry  trees.  They  are  exactly 
8  feet  m  height,  their  straight  stems  the  size  of  a  stout  broom- 
stick, so  that  no  support  is  required  ;  and  they  have  been  so 
carefully  piuched-in  all  the  summer  for  some  years,  that  their 
diameter,  measuring  through  the  fruit-bearing  spurs,  is  not  more 
than  10  inches.  They  have  had  their  leading  shoots  shortened, 
and  It  13  not  intended  to  allow  them  to  exceed  8  feet,  their 
present  height.  It  is  surprising  the  quantity  of  Cherries  these 
upright  single  cordons  produce.  In  the  course  of  years  they 
will  become  stout  trees,  and  bear  abundantly  from  "top  to 
toe.  I  have  said  8  feet  as  a  reasonable  height,  but  12  feet 
may  be  in  small  gardens  a  better  height,  for  the  taller  the  trees 
the  larger  the  crop,  only  they  will  require  muslin  robes  of 
4  yards  in  length  instead  of  2. 

The  best  method  to  form  these  very  nice  garden  trees  is  to 
plant  pyramids  of  the  Duke  Cherry  tribe,  to  cut  in  all  their 
side  shoots  to  1  inch  in  length,  to  train  up  a  straight  leader, 
with  a  stake  if  needed,  and  to  pinch-in  during  the  summer 
every  shoot  to  three  leaves  as  soon  as  it  has  made  four  or  five 
My  trees  have  been  pinched  for  the  third  time  up  to  this  date, 
and  they  will  require  being  looked  to  till  the  end  of  August. 
Ihe  great  advantage  of  these  upright  cordon  trees  is  their 
adaptation  to  either  small  or  large  gardens.  They  should  be 
planted  3  feet  apart,  and  thus  any  small  suburban  garden  may 
have  Its  dozen  of  prolific  Cherry  trees.  The  best  sorts  for  the 
purpose    are  the   Empress   Eugenie    May  Duke,  Archduke, 


DESTROYING  INSECTS. 

Some  delay  has  been  caused  in  the  preparation  of  my  notes 
on  insects  from  my  having  been  favoured  with  a  compound 
from  Mr.  J.  C.  Clarke,  Vinery  House,  AUerton,  Liverpool,  in- 
ventor and  patentee,  also  maker  of  Clarke's  water-jacket  fur- 
nace boiler,  a  boiler  I  think  not  half  so  well  known  as  it  deserves 
to  be.  I  have  it  heating  a  conservatory  and  three  vineries  very 
satisfactorily,  and  with  a  small  consumption  of  fuel.  Of  this 
boiler  I  trust  to  give  a  more  extetded  report  at  some  future 
time,  and  shall,  therefore,  confine  myself  to  the  insect-destroy- 
ing compound. 

Mr.  Clarke,  I  ought  to  state,  is  very  fond  of  gardening,  having 
extensive  glass  houses  and  gardens,  and  takes  a  more  than 
common  interest  in  the  gardening  at  Vinery  House. 

The  compound  very  much  resembles  soft-soap  in  colour,  but 
it  is  moderately  hard  like  brown  common  soap,  and  it  is  mottled. 
The  compound  came  to  me  in  a  roundish  lump,  half  of  which 
I  was  to  cut  in  thin  slices  and  boil  in  a  gallon  of  water  for  ten 
minutes.  This  was  done,  and  I  had  a  liquid  holding  the  whole 
of  the  compound  in  solution — no  sediment ;  no  straining  re- 
quired. It  passed  freely  through  a  syringe  without  any  clogging ; 
but  I  made  a  blunder  at  the  very  commencement,  for  the 
solution  put  in  a  painted  watering  pot  whilst  cooling  showed 
its  effects  upon  the  paint.  Transferring  it  to  a  bucket,  a  narrow 
one,  in  order  to  give  depth  for  dipping,  I  dipped  several  plant* 
in  the  solution,  holding  them  in  it  for  a  short  time,  the  solu- 
tion being  cooled  so  that  the  hand  could  bear  it  comfortably. 

I  first  dipped  a  small  Fig  tree  infested  with  red  spider  ;  2nd, 
a  plant  of  The  Czar  Violet,  also  infested  with  red  spider  ;  3rd, 
several  young  plants  of  Ferns,  including  Platyloma  adiantoides 
infested  with  green  aphis,  Blechnum  corcovadense,  Pteris  ser- 
rulata,  P.  tremula,  Cystopteris  fragilis,  and  other  small  plants, 
in  all  about  a  dozen,  which  though  clean,  I  dipped  to  test  the 
effect  of  the  compound  on  the  young  tender  growths  ;  4th, 
a  Cineraria  in  flower  and  infested  with  thrips ;  5th,  four 
branches  of  Cactus,  all  having  two  or  three  flowers,  some  open, 
others  on  the  point  of  expanding,  and  covered  with  green  aphis  ; 
6tb,  a  plant  of  Platycerium  alcicorne  infested  with  brown  seale  t 
7th,  two  plants  of  Bletia  Tankervillis  infested  with  brown  seale. 
much  honeydew,  and  ants  busy  sucking  the  sweet  secretion. 
Now,  upon  withdrawing  the  plants,  the  ants  were  giving  their 
last  kick.  I  had  been  longing  for  more  than  twenty  years  for 
something  to  kill  ants,  and  now  I  had  it  uneapectedly.  i 
must  now  stop  further  dipping  the  plants  and  hunt  ants. 
These  are  not  difficult  to  find  at  any  time,  but  particularly 
this  season.  As  they  run  I  dipped  my  middle  finger  in  tha 
solution,  and  a  drop  hanging  from  it,  the  solution  on  touching 
the  back  of  the  ant  fell,  and  with  a  marvellous  effect  on  the 
ant,  which  began  to  writhe  in  tha  agonies  of  death.  The  ants 
did  not  stir  beyond  giving  a  few  convulsive  movements  of  the 
head  and  legs,  and  died  in  less  than  half  a  rainute. 

Satisfied  that  the  compound  would  kill  ants,  I  ooatinued 
further  search  for  plants  infested  with  insects,  but  finding  none 
having  different  insects  from  those  already  dipped  I  gave  up 
dipping,  thinking  I  might  have  injured  the  foliage  of  quite 
enough  plants  at  once  ;  but  as  this  Tvas  an  all-important  con- 
sideration with  any  inhfct-destroying  compound  I  dipped  Pe- 
largoniums Countess  of  Bestive,  Mrs.  Pollock,  Fontainebisau, 
Argus,  Mountaia  of  Light,  and  other  plants  all  in  full  flower, 
for  it  was  one  p.irt  of  the  recommendation  of  the  compound 
that  it  would  not  injure  the  lowers,  finally,  I  took  a  syringe 
and  syringed  a  bed  of  Koses  (dwarfs  on  the  Manetti  stock), 
consisting  of  such  kinds  as  John  Hopper,  Prince  Camille  de 
Bohaa,  Madame  P.ivers,  Charles  Duval — all  in  fall  bloom,  and 
from  which  the  sparrows  had  been  for  several  days  at  work 
clearing  off  green  aphis.  I  gave  them  the  whole  gallon  of  tha 
solution,  very  little  being  lost  in  dipping  the  plants,  and  made 
the  tlowers  thoroaghly  wet.  AU  the  above  were  done  in  the 
evening  of  a  very  hot  day,  and  the  succeeding  days  ware  equally 
fine  and  hot.  The  following  evening  I  went  to  register  the 
results,  having  givsn  attention  to  the  plants  in  the  morning, 
expecting  to  find  the  flowers  at  least  discoloured  ;  but  the 
Ca^tHfi  bods  of  the  previous  eveiiiDg  wereexj;i!mded  audgorgeous, 


Jnly  30, 18C8.  1 


JODRNAIi  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER, 


73 


and  in  this  roapeot  the  flowers  of  those  plants  in  my  eye  outvie 
those  of  all  others.     Mrs.  Pollock  was  as  fresh  as  ever. 

I  thought,  however,  that  it  woiiUl  be  well  to  wait  until  even- 
ing and  then  chronicle  the  results,  as  the  promising  fine  day 
must  have  done  something.  In  the  evening  I  found — 1,  on  the 
Fig  tree  the  red  spider  killed,  the  foliage  not  injured,  and 
brighter  and  more  glossy ;  2,  on  The  Czar  Violet  the  red  spider 
killed,  the  foliage  not  injured,  taking  off  some  tine  pods  of 
seeds;  3,  of  the  Ferns  not  a  frond  was  injured,  the  green 
aphis  on  I'latyloma  adiautoides  killed  and  quite  brown  like 
the  Peach  aphis  ;  4,  on  the  Cineraria  the  thrips  dead,  the 
leaves  not  damaged  ;  5,  on  the  Cactus  branches  and  flowers  the 
green  aphis  killed,  the  flowers  not  discoloured  or  injuriously 
affected  by  the  compound ;  G,  on  the  Platjoerium  the  brown 
■oale  dead,  the  centre  sunk,  the  young  fronds  not  injured  ; 
7,  Bletia,  brown  scale  shrivelled,  skeletons  of  ants  remaining, 
deposit  of  honeydew  peeling  oft,  foliage  not  affected  otherwise 
than  made  fresher-looking ;  8,  Pelargoniums,  not  a  flower  dis- 
coloured nor  a  leaf  injured  ;  lastly,  the  Roses  in  full  bloom  were 
not  injured  in  leaf  or  flower,  and  the  aphis  had  become  brown. 

I  waited  to  give  the  plants  dipped  in  the  solution  of  the  com- 
pound time  to  perish,  and  they  have  not  done  so.  I  waited  to 
be  able  to  say  it  would  kill  mealy  bug,  white  scale,  and  Ameri- 
can bug,  it  being  rendered  more  effectual  for  these  pests  by 
the  addition  of  a  few  drops  of  spirits  of  turpentine.  I  have 
written  to  Mr.  Clarke,  and  obtained  his  permission  to  state 
publicly  the  results  of  the  trial  of  his  compound  made  solely 
for  his  own  private  use  ;  and  after  pointing  out  to  him  the 
Talue  of  his  invention  and  the  great  good  it  would  be  to  the 
horticultural  public,  he  has  consented  to  let  others  have  the 
benefit  of  the  invention  as  well  as  himself.  It  can  be  made 
and  sold,  I  believe,  cheaply,  costing  to  the  consumer  about  3((. 
per  gallon  of  solution.  The  quantity  I  used  was  IJ  oz.  to  the 
gallon,  which  is  quite  strong  enough  for  thrips  and  scale  ;  but 
it  should  be  made  rather  stronger  for  mealy  bug.  whilst  1  oz. 
to  the  gallon  will  destroy  green  aphis.  I  hope  Mr.  Clarke  will 
not  lose  any  time  in  having  it  advertised  and  made  known  as 
it  deserves. 

In  conclusion,  allow  me  to  ask  Mr.  Fish  if  he  syringed  the 
British  Queen  Strawberry  plants  before  dusting  with  tobacco 
powder,  and  also  afterwards.  Mr.  Fish  is  aware  that  the  British 
Queen  and  others  of  its  race  are  subject  in  parching  weather 
not  to  swell  well.  I  do  not  grow  the  British  Queen  now,  find- 
ing the  Frogmore  Late  Pine  vastly  superior  to  it,  freer  in 
growth,  a  better  fruiter,  the  fruit  larger,  and  the  flavour  good 
— indeed,  it  is  the  best  late  Strawberry.  Dr.  Hogg  Strawberry 
is  also  surpassingly  good;  also  Lucas,  after  La  Constante,  ex- 
cellent. I  cannot  account  for  the  tobacco  powder  damaging 
the  Strawberries.  I  have  used  the  powder  extensively  both  in 
and  out-doors,  and  with  the  best  results.  If  Mr.  Fish  tries 
this  compound  I  think  he  will  not  care  for  any  other  insecticide. 
— G.  Abeet. 


SOME  ROSES  AKD   THEIR  JfERITS. 

I  FiNB  that  in  my  rambles  among  Roses,  I  have  noted  Due 
de  Wellington  as  in  every  respect  a  sujxirior  dark  crimson 
Rose,  although  its  habit  of  growth  may  not  be  quite  so  vigorous 
as  some  of  its  rivals.  I  was  also  very  much  pleased  with 
Madame  ClemeEce  Joigneaux,  which  I  saw  eight  days  ago 
blooming  most  gloriously  in  a  Rose  nursery  in  the  south  of 
Scotland.  I  have  also  added  Murillo  to  the  list  of  my  pro- 
posed investments.  A  neighbour  ef  mine  has  bloomed 
Mademoiselle  Bonnaire,  which  certainly  is  a  superior  white 
Rose. 

I  shall  be  glad  to  have  Mr.  Radelyfie's  approval  or  condem- 
nation of  these  Eoses,  and  also  his  opinion  of  Mr.  Cranston's 
new  English  blush  Rose,  Miss  Ingram.  I  have  never  been 
able  to  see  a  bloom  of  this  new  Rose,  and  a  propagator  of  Roses 
in  one  of  the  largest  whelesale  Rose  nurseries  in  Scotland,  tells 
me  he  has  been  looking  in  vain  for  some  favourable  or  adverse 
criticism  on  this  new  aspirant  to  'fame. — Thos.  Weitelaw, 
'LL.D. 

[The  Dote  of  Wellington  is  a  beautiful  Rose,  wanting  only 
in  fulness.  It  is  a  moderate  grower.  Mdlle.  Eannaire  is  a 
lovely  Rose,  but  is  in  most  soils  a  wretched  grower.  Murillo  is 
a  beautiful  dark  Rose,  wanting  in  eize  and  fulness.  Miss  In- 
gram, raised  at  Frogmore  by  Mr.  Ingram,  is  a  beautiful  Rose. 
It  is  growicg  freely  here,  but  I  have  not  yet  bloomed  it  myself. 
I  advise  Dr.  Whitelaw  to  buy  Souvenir  de  Dr.  .1  amain  in  the  place 
of  Murillo,  and  Princess  Mary  of  Cambridge  in  the  place  of 
Mdlle.  BoGsaire.     The  Doke  of  Wdllington  we  <!sust  all  have. 


I  have  two  sorts  of  blush  Roses  here  which  on  the  Manetli 
stock  bloom  well  and  are  very  fine  Roses — viz.,  Duoheene 
d'Orleans,  and  Situr  des  Anges.  I  do  not  think  they  would 
generally  do  well  on  a  Briar  except  in  first-class  ground. 
Midame  Clemence  Joigneaux  is  a  fine  and  healthy  strong- 
growing  Rose. — W.  F.  Radclki'fe.] 


NORTHWICH  GOOSEBERRY  SHOW. 


This  was  held  at 
inst.,  when  the  folio 


G.  ■Wilkinson . . . 

..  Twins 

T.  Lanceley  . . . . 

. .  Premier  Prize    . . 

J.  Wvnne 

. .   Steward's  Prize . . 

G.  Wilkinson 

ditto 

F.  Jemson 

ditto 

G.  Bratherton    . 

ditto 

T.  Shono    

ilitto 

E.  Poulson 

ditto 

G.  Plant 

ditto 

G.  Bratherton  . . 

ditto 

tho  Angel  Inn,  Northwich,  on  the  25th 
wing  varieties  were  exhibited ; — 

dwts.  gn. 

TjODdon 41  21 

Autagonist 26  21 

London 26  26 

Leveller 23  18 

Stockwell 24      3 

Hero  of  the  Nile  23  23 

Flistonia 22  17 

Mount  Pleasant  .  22       9 

Plunder 20  14 

Seedling '20  22 


RED. 

J.  Wynne    London 26 

ditto         Macaroni 24 

T.  Lanceley    Beanty 24 

ditto         Conqaering  Hero  23 

G.  Bratherton Ploughboy 22 

T.  Lanceley    Clayton 22 

W.  Heath    Iskander  Bey  .  .  21 

E.  Ponlson England    21 

YELLOW. 

T.  Lanceley    Leveller 24 

J.  Wynne Tinker   23 


Bratherton Mount  Pleasant .  22 

Lanceley    Drill 22 

ditto  High  Sheriff 21 

Wilkinson Catherine 21 

Lanceley Unknown 21 

ditto        Leader 20 


(.iREEN. 

T.  Lanceley    Shiner    

.J.  Wynne     Stockwell 

F.  Jemson   Plunder 

T.  Lanceley    Thumper    

E.  Ponlson London  City 

T.  Lanceley    Matchless 

F.  Jemson Souter  Johnny  . . 

ditto        Surprise    


WHITE. 

T.  Lanceley    Antagonist     

G.  Wilkinson Overseer     

T.  Lanceley    Hero  of  the  Nile . 

T.  Shone     Careless 

F.  Jemson Peto    

J.  Wynne     Elizabeth   

ditto        Snowdrop 

G.  Plant King  of  Tramps 

-Thos.  Dobell,  Seedsman,  Northwich,  Secretary. 


26 
24 
22 
21 
20 
20 
20 
20 

25 
25 
23 
22 
21 
21 
21 
20 


18  1 
13  I 
12 
IB 
12 
11 
12 
9 

15 
18 
16 
0 
23 
12 
11 
16 

0 
17 
11 

5 
22 
14 

9 

0 

18 
16 
12 
13 

0 

0 

e 

1* 


FILBERT-BE-'VRING. 

EvER-i'ONE  who  has  at  all  examined  his  Filbert  trees  in  the 
spring  knows  that  the  male  and  female  flowers  are  both  pro- 
duced on  last  year's  wood  ;  but  I  notice  with  surprise  that  the 
fruit  is  borne  on  spurs  of  this  year's  growth,  varying  from 
6  inches  to  1  foot  in  length.  The  explanation  is,  of  course, 
that  besides  and  behind  the  fertile  flower,  there  is  a  dormant 
leaf  bud,  and  that  there  is  sap  enough  to  ripen  the  fruit  and 
to  form  wood  likewise.  As  far  as  I  know  this  elongation  of  a, 
fruit  bud  is  so  unusual  in  fruit-bearing  trees,  that  I  think  it 
deserves  notice,  yet  I  find  no  notice  of  it  in  any  of  the  booke 
I  have  consulted,  and  it  has  seemed  to  me  that  this  may  not 
be  the  rule,  but  the  exception  in  this  hot  summer.  I  should 
be  glad  to  know  if  suc'a  is  the  case,  and  whether  any  of  your 
readers  have  observed  the  same  ?  I  should  be  glad  also  to 
know  whether  these  fruit-bearing  spurs  should  be  cut  out  or 
back  after  fruiting  ?  My  own  idea  is  that  they  will  not  bear 
again,  at  least  I  can  see  no  signs  of  incipient  buds. — H.  N.  E., 
Bitten  Vicarage. 

[The  fruit  of  the  Filbert  is  generally  produced  on  short  spura, 
formed  in  the  preceding  year,  but  unlike  those  of  many  other 
trees  these  short  spurs  elongate  from  6  to  12  inches,  but  th« 


74 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTDKE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


I  July  so,  1868. 


fruit  is  always  at  their  point  when  the  little  red  blossom  bnds 
appear.  Owing  to  the  dry  season  the  catkins,  or  male  blos- 
soms, are  now  forming  on  long  shoots  of  the  present  season — 
that  is,  on  shoots  from  12  to  30  inches  in  length.  In  pruning 
the  Filbert  treat  it  as  a  Gooseberry  bush,  leaving  plenty  of 
slender  shoots,  and  shortening  and  removing  the  stray  succu- 
lent shoots.  The  female  flowers  will  appear  on  the  small 
well-ripened  side  shoots  and  buds.] 


POTATOES   SUPERTUBERATING— ESTIMATE 
OF  VARIETIES. 

You  would  confer  a  very  great  benefit  on  all  classes  if  yon 
could  give  any  advice  as  to  what  is  best  to  be  done  with  the 
present  Potato  crop,  which  is  beginning  to  grow,  the  young 
Potatoes  throwing  out  spears.  Would  it  be  best  to  take  any  of 
the  crop  up,  as,  for  instance,  those  that  are  nearly  ripe,  such 
as  Milky  White  and  Kings,  or  must  they  be  left  to  take  their 
chance  ?— H.  C.  Eiplev. 

[We  sent  the  above  to  one  of  the  most  experienced  of  Po- 
tato cultivators,  and  he  has  sent  the  following  very  instructive 
reply. — Eds. 

I  am  sorry  to  learn  that  the  Potatoes  in  Mr.  Ripley's  neigh- 
bourhood are  showing  symptoms  of  supertuberating ;  never- 
theless, Mr.  Eipley  may  take  heart,  for  hereabouts  the  later 
sorts  are  generally  doing  so,  although  as  regards  the  haulm 
they  are  wonderfully  vigorous  considering  the  drought,  and  at 
stool  after  stool  of  the  very  late  kinds  that  I  have  inspected, 
not  a  symptom  of  a  tuber  larger  than  a  horse  bean  is  to  be 
found.  I  advise  in  such  cases  that  they  be  allowed  to  remain 
unmoved,  as  there  may  be  just  a  chance  of  a  crop  maturing 
before  the  frost  comes ;  root  and  branch  are  each  waiting  for 
the  coming  of  rain.  With  regard  to  those  Potatoes  which  Mr. 
Ripley  mentions  as  beginning  to  grow,  the  young  Potatoes 
throwing  out  spears,  let  me  advise  him  to  have  them  taken  up 
immediately,  and  rub  off  the  spears,  then  sow  the  ground  with 
Turnips,  or  crop  with  the  Cabbage  tribe.  To  leave  the  Pota- 
toes to  take  their  chance  would  be  equivalent  to  allowing  the 
tubers  that  are  nearly  ripe  to  exhaust  themselves  of  their  pre- 
sent nearly  matured  nourishment  by  reproducing  a  progeny  of 
undersized  supertubers.  Let  me  advise  also  that  the  crop 
should  be  lifted  early  in  the  morning,  or  when  the  sun  has 
lost  its  power  in  the  afternoon,  otherwise  it  will  be  found,  if  the 
tubers  are  allowed  to  remain  exposed  in  the  midday  sun,  that 
their  flavour  will  be  completely  destroyed.  I  would  rather  dig 
Potatoes  in  a  pouring  rain  than  in  a  broiling  sun  ;  in  fact,  when 
dug  in  a  Scotch  miet  and  stored  moist,  providing  they  are 
healthy.  Potatoes  keep  best  and  also  preserve  their  flavour  best. 
I  have  many  kinds  of  Potatoes  under  cultivation  in  different 
soils  experimentally.  I  will  give  instances  of  extremes.  On 
field  stonebrash,  in  a  neighbouring  parish,  Wootton,  from  my 
Onwards,  an  early  second  early  sort,  to  the  Cornish  Kidney,  a 
very  late  kind,  tlie  following  is  the  result : — My  Onwards  I  had 
dug  up  quite  ripe  on  the  10th  inst.,  and  very  excellent  they  are, 
though  not  so  prominent  for  size  as  they  would  have  been  in 
a  "  dripping  time."  The  patch  is  now  sown  with  Turnips. 
The  Emperor  Napoleon,  or  Early  Emperor,  is  producing  a  good 
crop  of  tubers,  but  it  is  sadly  spearing.  I  shall  have  the 
sort  taken  up  directly.  Almond's  North  Riding  Beauty,  a 
rather  early  Regent,  has  tubers  about  the  size  of  horse  beans, 
and  the  Cornish  Kidney  has  nothing  distinguishable  but  a 
mass  of  roots,  with  the  old  sets  as  intact  as  they  were  on  the 
day  when  planted.  My  Regents  are  growing  in  a  field  of  better 
soil,  too  far  distant  to  allow  an  inspection  at  present ;  I  will 
give  a  report  of  them  shortly.  Mr.  Radcl.ille  has  some  of 
wh^t  I  consider  to  be  the  best ;  doubtless  he  will  also  favour 
us  with  their  behaviour. 

I  have  examined  the  Potatoes  in  numerous  cotters'  allot- 
ments, and  the  following  may  be  considered  as  general  features 
of  field  crops  about  here.  Early  and  early  second-early  sorts 
small,  but  matured  without  sprouting.  Those  of  the  second 
earlies  about  three  parts  ripe  are  supertuberating  badly,  and 
on  the  late  sorts  scarcely  a  formed  tuber  is  to  be  found.  What 
the  result  may  prove  for  them  it  is  diflicult  to  say  ;  but  the 
disagreeable  fact  clearly  to  be  seen  is  that  the  breadths  planted 
with  late  sorts  are  thrice  the  extent  of  those  planted  with  second 
earlies. 

In  the  rectory  garden,  a  sound  dark  loam  I  have,  on  the 
ridge-and- trench  plan,  thirty-eight  kinds  growing  under  my  im- 
mediate observation,  both  for  good  quality  and  for  compa'  '-on, 
besides  forty-two  new  seedhngson  trial,  and  six  Potato-giHlting 


experiments.  After  this  year  I  think  of  concentrating  my 
attention  entirely  on  my  own  seedlings,  therefore  I  will  now 
give  the  names  and  features  of  the  thirty-eight. 

The  figure  1  in  parentheses  after  the  name  denotes  Early  ; 
the  figure  2,  Second  Earlies ;  3,  Late  varieties.  The  kinds 
that  are  beginning  to  supertuberate  I  will  signalise  by  an 
asterisk  (*)  ;  those  condemned  by  an  obelisk  (t). 

Mitchell's  Early  Albion  Kiilney  (1). — Excellent ;  dead  ripe. 

Early  Ten-week  {1}. — Very  good  ;  dead  ripe  ;  syn.  Early  Betty. 

Hogg's  Early  Coldstream  "(1). — Excellent;  dead  ripe. 

Sbutford  Seedling  (1). — Very  good ;  tops  green  with  laterals. 

Webb's  Telegrapb  (1). — L>ead  ripe. 

Sntton's  Racehorse  (Ij. — Excellent;  tops  still  rather  green,  but  no 
laterals. 

Thomas  Almond's  First  Early  (1). — Very  good;  dead  ripe. 

Mona's  Pride  (1). — Excellent;  dead  ripe 

Birmingham  Prizetaker  (Ij. — Excellent;  tops  quite  green,  but  no 
laterals. 

Gardner's  Premier  (1). — Excellent;  dead  ripe;  not  yet  in  com- 
merce. 

Walnnt  Leaf  (1). — Very  good ;  dead  ripe. 

Old  Early  Ashleaf,  true  (1). — Excellent;  dead  ripe. 

White  Blossom  Ashtop  (1). — Dead  ripe. 

Fenn's  Rusbbrooke  {1). — An  improved  Ashtop  for  pot  culture,  not  yet 
in  commerce  ;  dead  ripe. 

Fenn's  Rector  of  Woodstock  (1). — Not  yet  in  commerce  ;  dead  ripe. 

Fenn's  Onwards  ('2). — Not  yet  in  commerce;  some  of  the  tops 
rather  green  with  laterals  ;  ripening  off. 

Rivers's  Royal  Ashleaf  (*2). — Excellent ;  ripening  off. 

Rintoul's  Early  Don  (2). — Veiy  good  ;  ripening  off. 

*Edgecote  Second  Early  ('2,1. — Vigorous  tops,  quite  green. 

Hague's  Ividney  (2). — Ripening  off  partially. 

Transell's  Seedling  (2). — Round ;  dead  ripe ;  excellent. 

•Sussex  Kidney  (2). — Dead  ripe. 

Beehive  (2). — Vei-y  good  ;  tops  quite  green,  no  laterals  to  the  stalks  ; 
a  "  brother  bee-keeper's  "  Scotch  seedling. 

Daintree's  Baker's  Dozen  (2). — Excellent;  ripening  off;  not  yet 
in  commerce. 

*Almond's   Yorkshire  Hero  (2). — Vigorous  ;  tops  quite  gi-een. 

♦Wheeler'.?  Milky  White  (2). — Very  good;  tops  partially  ripening 
off,  the  remaiutler  green  with  laterals. 

■fEmperor  Napoleon  (2). — Tops  quite  a  forest  of  green  laterals. 

♦Taylor's  Yorkshire  Hybrid  (2J. — Tops  quite  a  forest  of  green 
laterals. 

Dean's  W^aterloo  Kidney  (2). — Excellent ;  ripening  off. 

♦Dawe's  Matchless  (3). — Enormous  dark  green  tops,  no  laterals. 

•Patersou's  Scotch  Blue  (2j. — Dwarfish  tops,  quite  green,  no  laterals. 

♦Patersou's  Victoria  (3). — Enormous  tops,  quite  green,  with  no 
laterals. 

Dean's  Improved  Ashleaf  (2). — Very  good  ;  ripening  off. 

*"  Ainsworth's  "  KidneylS), — Monstrous  dark  gi-een  tops,  no  laterals. 

Royal  Albert  (21. — Round;  very  good;  dead  ripe. 

A  variegated-foliaged  Potato  (2). — Only  variegated  when  young;  I 
shall  cast  it  away. 

+.^n  Australian  Potato  (3). — Monstrons  light  green  foliage  without 
laterals. 

-^01d  Cobbler's  Lapstone  (3). — Vigorous  foliage,  quite  green,  begin- 
ning to  throw  up  laterals. 

After  thirty  years'  attention  to  the  culture  of  the  Potato,  yon 
may  conclude  that  I  should  not  retain  au  uncertain  kind.  If 
any  supertuberation  shows  in  the  trials  of  my  seedlings  I  de- 
stroy them  without  mercy.  A  Potato  that  will  supertuberate 
this  year  may  prove  an  excellent  sort  next  year  and  the  year 
after,  but  in  seme  succeeding  season,  sooner  or  later,  it  is  sure 
to  supertuberate  again,  and  so  seriously  destroy  the  hopes  of  a 
crop.  This  is  the  case  of  the  Lapstone  and  all  its  family. 
I  have  repeatedly  proved  it,  and  although  from  the  superior 
appearance  and  quality  of  this  kind  I  always  grow  it,  it  is  never 
to  an  extent  to  trust  it. 

Again,  a  Potato  that  will  supertuberate  one  season  is  more 
liable  to  suffer  from  the  disease  in  another.  Do  not  the  Lap- 
stones  confirm  this  ?  If  another  example  is  wanted,  take  the 
Emperor  Napoleon.  Four  years  ago  when  I  first  grew  this 
kind  it  supertuberated  so  badly  that  I  could  scarcely  save  seed 
enough.  The  second  season  1  was  in  a  similar  case  from  the 
disease.  Last  year  from  the  same  cause  I  found  myself  in  the 
same  position,  and  for  the  present  I  believe  if  I  am  rewarded 
with  a  dozen  of  its  tubers  free  from  supertubers,  that  will  be 
the  outside,  and  this  from  two  soils  as  opposite  in  their  nature 
as  it  is  possible  for  them  to  be.  Equally  objectionable  from 
the  same  defect  are  Old  Betty  and  Early  Ten  Week,  Mitchell's 
Early  Albion  Kidney  and  Sutton's  Racehorse,  Old  Walnnt- 
leaf  and  Thos.  Almond's  First  Early,  Taylor's  Yorkshire  Hero 
and  Edgecote  Second  Early,  Daintree's  Baker's  Dozen  and 
Dean's  Waterloo  Kidney,  Dawe's  Matchless  and  "  Ainsworth's  " 
Kidney. 


July  30, 1868.  1 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOBTIOOIiTOBE  AND   COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


75 


Mr.  Gardner's  Premier  is  very  snperior  for  early  exhibiting. 
The  Emperor  Napoleon,  Paterson's  Victoria,  and  Dawe'a  Match- 
less, with  their  coarse  foliage,  are  fit  only  for  light  poor  garden 
soils,  or  lield  culture.  I  fear  I  must  say  the  same  of  Taylor's 
Yorkshire  Hyhrid.  I  shall  have  more  to  write  about  the  origin 
of  this  sort,  but  express  my  sorrow  now  for  its  present  be- 
haviour with  me.  I  found  it  last  year  to  be  one  of  the  very 
best-flavoured  Potatoes  I  ever  tasted.— Upwards  ani.  Onwaiids.] 


BEWARE  OF  THE  WONDERFUI-. 
We  received  last  week  a  letter  informing  us  tl.iit  "  now  " 
something  marvellous  in  the  vegetable  world  is  to  be  seen,  not 
the  "gigantic  Gooseberry,"  which  annually  is  placed  in  the 
columns  of  the  daily  newspapers,  hut  a  new  and  veritable 
wonder — namely,  a  Plum  tree  bearing  Apples.  Our  first  in- 
formant is  well  known  to  us,  as  is  the  owner  of  the  tree,  both 
respectable  and  intelligent,  nor  was  the  wonder  vouched  for 
by  them  alone,  for  several  gardeners  had  examined  the  trans- 
formed fruit,  and  declared  that  "  they  would  not  have  believed 
it  if  they  had  not  seen  it."  We  came  to  the  same  conclusion, 
so  resolved  to  go  and  see  it ;  almost  inclined  to  believe,  as  was 
observed,  that  this  was  one  of  the  "  strange  effects  which  will 
be  caused  by  this  hot  dry  summer."  We  said  we  did  not  see 
how  heat  and  want  of  moisture  were  likely  to  turn  Plums  into 
Apples  ;  but  we  were  told  in  reply  that  it  is  not  at  all  an  im- 
probable transformation.  "  They  are  both  in  tho  natural 
order  Kosace.T.  The  Apple  gradually  approaches  the  Plum 
through  the  intermediate  forms  of  the  Medlar  and  Sorb.  The 
flesh  of  their  respective  fruits  contains  malic  acid,  and  their 
seeds  hydrocyanic  acid.  Moreover,  Pliny  says  the  Plum  is 
altered  by  being  grafted  on  the  Apple."  "  There's  something 
in  all  that,"  observed  another ;  "  and  be  assured,  'There  are 
more  things  in  heaven  and  earth  than  are  dreamt  of  in  your 
philesopby.' "  We  could  not  gainsay  this,  so  we  resolved  to 
endure  the  tropical  heat  whilst  we  travelled  over  one  hundred 
and  forty  miles  of  railway,  to  see  and  return  from  seeing  this 
prodigy.  But  we  would  wait  to  hear  the  tidings  the  morrow 
would  briug.  Fortunate  procrastination  !  and  we  thought  at 
the  time  we  would  in  future  act  upon  Sheridan's  rule  of  action, 
"  Never  do  to-day  what  you  can  possibly  defer  until  to-morrow." 
Intelligence  reached  us  the  following  morning  that  the  Apples 
were  attached  to  the  bough  broken  off  from  an  adjacent  Apple 
tree,  and  so  lodged  in  a  cleft  of  the  Plum  tree  branches  as  to 
seem  to  issue  from  them. 


CYCAS   REVOLUTA,   OR  THE    SAGO  VALU. 

A  MOST  noble  specimen  of  this  plant  is  now  in  fruit  in  the 
gardens  of  John  Hutton,Esq.,  of  Sowher  Hill,  and  as  I  believe 
it  is  very  rarely  known  to  fruit  in  this  country,  I  thought  the 
announcement  might  be  of  interest  to  your  readers. 

The  plant  is  about  sixteen  years  old,  and  has  been  under  my 
care  for  the  last  ten  years.  On  June  22nd  the  fruit  first  ap- 
peared, and  up  to  the  present  time  it  has  daily  increased  in 
size,  and  is  now  nearly  2  feet  in  height,  and  12  inches  in  cir- 
cumference at  the  lower  extremity,  gradually  tapering  to  a 
point.  Its  colour  is  a  rich  golden  yellow,  and  altogether  it  very 
much  resembles  a  large  Pine  Apple. 

The  stem  of  the  Palm  is  3(5  inches  round,  and  bears  seventy- 
two  large  graceful  fronds,  which  give  it  a  most  noble  appear- 
ance. 

I  shall  be  very  glad  to  hear  of  anyone  else  who  has  been 
successful  in  fruiting  this  Palm,  and  I  shall  be  well  pleased 
to  show  it  to  anyone  who  comes  to  see  it.  I  am  sure  it  will 
well  repay  the  trouble. — J.  Nicholson,  Gardener,  Sowher  Hill, 
Northallertun. 


An  Eden  in  Califoknia. — The  vineyards  and  Orange  and 
Lemon  orchards  make  Los  Angelos  the  garden  spot  of  Cali- 
fornia. Just  imagine  a  collection  of  gardens,  six  miles  square, 
and  producing  at  all  times  of  the  year  almost  everything  that 
grows  under  the  sun.  One  of  the  largest  and  most  beautiful 
places  in  the  city  is  the  Wolfskill  vineyards,  containing  2000 
Orange  trees,  1000  Lemon  trees,  .500  Walnut,  100  Fig  and 
100  Lime  trees,  and  .5.5,000  Grape  Vines.  Near  by  is  the  vine- 
yard of  Mr.  Childs,  containing  500  Orange,  the  same  number 
each  of  Peach,  Plum,  Nectarine,  Anricot,  Olive,  Walnut  and 
Chestnut  trees,  and  10,000  Vines.  ISight  in  the  heart  of  the 
city  is  Don  Mateo  Keller's  place,  containing  100,000  Grape  Vines, 


1000  Lemon,  500  Orange,  100  Lime,  100  Olive,  200  Walnnt, 
and  100  Fig  trees,  and  all  of  the  other  varieties  of  fruits  known 
in  the  south  and  in  the  semi-tropics.  He  also  raised  Hops, 
Cotton,  and  Tobacco,  Wheat,  Barley,  Corn,  all  kinds  of  veget- 
ables and  everything  of  the  berry  tribe.  Last  fall  Mr.  Keller 
made  100,000  gallons  of  wine  and  nearly  as  much  brandy. 
A  few  miles  from  the  city  a  Mr.  Kose  has  a  vineyard  of 
200,000  Grape  Vines.  Near  him  is  the  vineyard  of  Colone! 
Kewen,  containing  75,000  Vines,  800  Walnut,  500  Orange,  and 
300  each  of  Lemon  and  Olive  trees.  It  must  be  recollected 
that  from  a  little  elevation  in  the  centre  of  this  garden-city  may 
be  seen  the  broad  Pacific  on  the  one  hand,  and  upon  the  other 
200  miles  of  mountains  covered  with  snow. 


CUCUMBER  TROUBLES. 

"  I  WONDER  if  amateurs  ever  succeed  in  growing  Cucumbers," 
said  Mis.  Scott  to  her  friend,  Mrs.  Thornicroft,  "  my  husband 
never  does.  He  has  been  trying  ever  since  X  knew  him,  and, 
doubtless,  years  before.  After  every  year  of  failure  he  tries 
again  on  a  new  plan,  or  an  old  one  slightly  altered.  He  is 
always  near  to  success,  but  somehow  it  does  not  come.  I  wonder 
he  does  not  weary  of  such  repeated  failures." 

"Well,  I  can  assure  you  gardeners  do  not  always  succeed  to 
their  satisfaction,"  replied  her  friend.  "  We  could  eat  twice 
as  many  as  our  man  brings  us  in,  and  he  has  every  appliance." 

"  Yes,  but  then  Henry  litters  up  our  poor  little  gardea 
through  half  the  spring  months,  the  loose  straw  blows  about 
here  and  there,  and  everywhere.  It  takes  us  all  the  summer  to 
clear  it  away,  and  I  seldom  dare  venture  to  look  over  into  our 
neighbours'  garden,  for  I  am  sure  our  long  straws  have  gone 
over  the  low  wall,  and  are  wrapping  round  their  Eose  bushes, 
clinging  to  their  annuals,  and  they  cannot  gather  up  the 
rubbish  without  dragging  up  their  seedlings.  '  Oh,  never 
mind,'  says  Henry,  '  we  will  send  them  in  the  first  Cucumber 
we  cut,  and  I  shall  have  lots  this  year,  and  that  will  make 
amends.'  But  the  straws  come  sure  enough  year  after  year, 
and  do  their  mischief ;  but  the  Cucumbers  do  not  grow,  and  I 
am  afraid  our  patient  neighbours  will  never  know  the  taste  of 
our  home-grown  Cucumbers.  I  do  not  know  how  it  is  my 
husband  fails,  as  most  assuredly  he  does,  though  he  will  not 
own  it.  He  uses  the  best  material,  judging  by  the  price  he 
pays  for  it.  Two  loads  come  every  spring  ;  5s.a-load,  without 
the  cartage,  which  is  not  a  little,  for  the  material  generally 
comes  a  long  distance,  I  suppose  to  enhance  its  value.  Dear 
me  !  the  cost  of  our  pit  would  supply  us  with  wholesome 
vegetables  for  the  summer.  This  material  never  seems  to  be 
just  in  the  right  condition,  it  is  always  too  hot  or  too  cold,  too 
fresh,  or  not  fresh  enough  ;  come  when  it  will,  and  as  it  will,  it 
is  never  in  a  proper  state  to  be  put  into  the  pit  and  got  out  of 
sight.  And,  then,  Henry  thinks  so  much  about  it,  why  only 
the  other  week  he  rushed  out  of  doors  quite  sure  his  fragrant 
heap  smoked  too  much,  and  the  very  next  day  it  did  not  smoke 
enough." 

"  They  are  not  very  easy  things  to  grow,"  replied  Mrs. 
Thornicroft,  "  last  season  our  man  destroyed  two  very  good 
plants  by  putting  them  in  too  soon.  They  were  burnt  up  in 
one  night." 

"  Henry  will  never  burn  his  up,  he  guards  against  that  evil  to 
the  very  extreme.  He  leaves  his  material  for  nearly  a  week  an 
unsightly  nuisance  in  our  back  garden  smoking  and  smelUng. 
He  calls  it  letting  the  bad  gas  escape— we  get  the  benefit.  I 
should  not  wonder  if  we  were  all  to  have  the  fever  annually,  and 
I  think  it  might  come  ready  for  use.  And  during  this  time  my 
husband  lives  in  torment  lest  it  should  rain,  and  spoil  all.  He 
gets  up  in  the  night,  times  without  number,  to  look  out.  If 
he  ever  dreams— I  do  not  think  he  does,  he  sleeps  too  soundly— 
it  would  be  about  Cucumbers  growing  all  over  our  garden.  He 
once  thought  of  buying  an  advertised  tent  to  cover  up  this 
precious  heap  in  case  a  wet  time  should  set  in  ;  but  upon  cal- 
culation found  it  would  cover  up  our  neighbour's  garden  as 
well  as  our  own.  After  a  time  a  man  comes  to  turn  it  over,  it 
takes  him  a  day  to  do  this,  at  4s.  aday,  and  he  is  sure  to  spoU 
the  only  tidy  bit  we  may  chance  to  have  left.  After  a  few 
more  days  he  comes  again  to  fork  it  into  the  pit,  along  with 
this  forking  he  pours  in  a  considerable  quantity  of  water.  '  A 
hundred  gallons  of  water  if  there's  a  drop  in,  sir,"  he  says. 
Then  Henry  is  sure  he  has  put  in  too  much.  They  always  do 
put  in  too  much  or  too  little.  They  then  spread  a  little  soil 
over  this,  put  on  the  lights,  and  it  is  left  to  settle.  I  used  to 
think  in  my  inexperienced  days  that  the  worst  was  over,  no 


» 


JOUBNAL  OP  HOBTIOULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


[  Jniy  80,  uea 


gnch  thing  with  my  amateur  Cuonmber-growiDg  husband,  it  is 
only  beginning.  A  long  slender  stick  is  thrust  down  into  the 
pit,  and  I  cannot  tell  you  how  many  times  a-day  it  is  pulled 
ont  and  felt  at.  This  might  not  matter  much,  but  then  the 
poor  stick  is  always  in  fault.  Sometimes  it  is  much  too  hot. 
*  This  will  never  do,  cannot  put  plants  in  here,  they  will  be 
barned  up  in  no  time,'  says  Henry,  or  it  is  too  cold.  '  Worse 
than  doing  nothing  to  expect  plants  to  grow  in  this  miserable 
place.'  So  a  period  of  great  anxiety  follows.  He  comes  home 
from  his  business  in  a  state  of  great  excitement,  and  goes  off  to 
Ids  Cucumber  pit  to  see  how  it  is  getting  on,  before  he  makes 
any  inquiries  about  little  Harry's  whooping  cough,  and  in  the 
mornings  he  rises  hours  before  he  otherwise  would,  to  see  if 
all  is  right.  He  says  it  is  to  get  an  appetite  for  his  breakfast. 
He  never  thinks  about  his  health  at  any  other  time  of  the 
year.  Sometimes  to  ease  his  mind  he  goes  up  and  down  other 
places,  to  look  into  other  peoples'  Cucumber  frames  and  pits. 
I  do  not  know  how  he  feels  when  he  sees  long,  smooth,  dark 
green  Cucumbers  ready  for  cutting,  in  beds  made  weeks  after 
onrs." 

"  Yes,  you  seem  to  lose  a  great  deal  of  time.  Our  man  says 
they  are  very  ticklish  things  to  manage.  He  would  rather 
grow  anything  else.     So  much  depends  upon  the  seasons." 

"  Seasons  do  not  influence  us,  we  cannot  comfort  ourselves 
that  way,"  replied  Mrs.  Scott.  "  Henry  often  comes  home 
quite  sure  he  has  found  out  the  mistake,  and  can  remedy  it ; 
hut  then  the  remedy  cannot  be  applied  at  once.  He  must  wait 
nntil  another  season,  and  he  can  never  remember  one  year  how 
it  was  he  failed  the  year  before.  At  last  the  pit  is  taken  as  it 
is,  and  the  plants  put  in.  The  oldest  plants  are  chosen  as 
likely  to  bear  fruit  first.  Long,  slender  things  they  are,  unable 
to  support  themselves,  with  large  leaves  a  foot  from  each  other, 
and  dry  roots  dangling  from  the  hole  of  a  small  flower  pot.  Of 
course,  these  plants  do  not  always  grow.  Sometimes  they  put 
forth  a  few  small  white  roots,  and  then  drop  off  all  at  once,  as 
if  the  exertion  had  been  too  much.  Sometimes  they  make 
plenty  of  leaves  and  stalks,  and  yellow  flowers,  but  nothing 
more.  We  have  frequently  three  sets  of  Cucumber  plants  in  a 
season,  and  these  cost  generally  from  (id.  to  Is.  each.  Nor  is 
that  the  only  expense  we  have,  two  new  mats  each  year,  for  the 
old  ones  are  either  lost  or  stolen  during  the  winter.  These 
mats  are  spread  over  the  lights,  over  these  thick  double  canvas, 
then  lengths  of  boarding  to  keep  down  canvas  and  mats,  for 
fear  the  wind  should  blow  them  about.  Ours  you  know  is  an 
exposed  position.  When  thus  made  up  for  the  night,  only  this 
takes  place  early  in  the  day,  it  is  impossible  for  a  ray  of 
light,  or  a  breath  of  air  to  penetrate.  If  these  are  necessary 
for  the  growth  of  Cucumbers,  as  I  think  they  are  for  most  other 
plants,  then  Henry  must  be  trying  some  new  system,  working 
out  some  Darwinian  theory  as  to  what  Cucumbers  will  be  when 
grovpn  under  adverse  circumstances.  This  wrapping-up  for  the 
night  usually  takes  place  at  half-past  three.  Then  the  poor 
plants  are  left  in  breathless  stillness  and  total  darkness  for 
sixteen  hours." 

"  That  is  not  much  too  early,  Mrs.  Scott,  ours  are  done  np 
for  the  night  at  four." 

"  Yes,  but  ours  are  sometimes  done  np  at  two,  or  even  one. 
I  have  watched  Henry  do  it  as  I  have  taken  off  my  bonnet  after 
•oming  home  from  church,  and  we  have  a  short  service,  and  a 
short  walk,  aud  when  I  ventured  to  suggest  the  possibility  of 
their  having  too  long  a  night,  received  the  candid  reply,  '  Oh  ! 
I  do  not  think  it  matters  much,  and  I  cannot  be  bothered  to 
turn  out  after  dinner.'  And  when  morning  comes  the  boards 
and  the  canvas  are  removed,  but  the  mats  remain  to  keep  out 
the  sunshine,  a  little  air  is  allowed  to  enter  if  the  wind  blows 
from  the  right  quarter,  which  it  seldom  does.  I  do  not  know 
how  other  people  grow  their  Cucumbers ;  this  is  how  Henry 
manages  his." 

"  Then  do  you  never  have  any  fruit,  Mrs.  Scott  ?  " 

"  Yes,  we  have  sometimes  two  or  three  small  bitter  things, 
and  a  basketful  of  Gherkins  our  cook  will  not  pickle,  because 
she  says  '  they  are  all  outside.'  Yet  Henry  will  have  it  that 
he  does  not  always  fail,  he  counts  back  to  a  period  of  glorious 
success,  when  he  cut  a  Cucumber  2  feet  long,  and  as  thick  as 
his  arm.  But  then  the  said  Cucumber  was  full  of  seeds,  and 
hollow,  and  within  its  yellow  green  rind  contained  only  a 
narrow  ring,  about  the  third  of  an  inch,  of  eatable  fruit,  and  the 
little  there  was  had  an  unpleasant  flavour.  And  spite  of  its 
success,  it  was  rather  an  unfortunate  Cucumber,  for  it  burst 
the  glass  tube  it  was  grown  in  to  keep  it  straight,  and  was  re- 
moved from  it  only  by  doing  damage  to  its  appearance.  It  had 
been  entered  for  some  great  show,  and  was  intended  to  take  a  ' 


first  prize,  but  its  very  presence  in  such  a  mutilated  condition 
was  not  to  be  thought  of.  And  there  was  very  little  pleasure  in 
the  using  of  it,  the  seeds  were  so  large  and  thick  and  plump, 
Henry  was  quite  sure  every  one  of  them  would  have  grown', 
and  to  this  day  he  regrets  not  presenting  it  to  some  seedsman 
for  that  purpose.  So  you  see  Cucumber-growing  with  us  ig 
not  only  a  great  failure,  but  a  great  expense.  Yet  in  such  a 
light  my  worthy  husband  will  not  regard  it,  he  ever  asserts  that 
when  all  things  are  considered,  theie  is  a  large  balance  left  in 
favour  of  Cucumber-growing.  One  thing  is  certain,  aU  the 
troubles  are  forgotten  during  tha  winter,  and  he  starts  anew 
each  spring  with  the  hope  of  success.  If  it  ever  come  I  think 
it  will  be  by  chance." — Made. 


MUSHROOMS  FAILING  IN   HOT  "WEATHER. 

I  HAVE  been  very  much  annoyed  and  puzzled  after  having 
every  prospect  of  a  good  crop  of  Mushrooms,  to  find  that  they 
are  all  rotting  and  becoming  full  of  insects  when  about  the 
size  of  a  shilling.  I  send  you  two.  Will  you  let  me  know 
what  course  I  should  adopt  to  cure  them? — J.  E.  P. 

[Your  Mushrooms  are  infested  with  grubs  of  different  kinds, 
and  this  is  a  common  infliction  in  such  vfeather,  when  you 
cannot  give  them  a  cool  airy  position.  The  tendency  is  in- 
creased if  rank  manure  is  used.  We  used  to  be  troubled  with 
them  in  a  house  ;  but  have  never  been  annoyed  since  we  grew 
Mushrooms  in  an  open  shady  shed  in  the  hot  summer  months. 
A  cool  house  or  a  cellar  is  equally  good.  Most  likely  if  this 
weather  lasts  the  evil  will  remain,  and  therefore  what  we  re- 
commend is  just  a  chance  to  miss  or  hit.  In  our  ease  the 
remedy  in  one  instance  prevented  us  having  another  Mushroom ; 
in  two  other  instances  we  had  a  fair  crop  of  sound  Mushrooms : 
so  you  can  choose  whether  you  will  run  the  risk  or  not. 

We  proceeded  as  follows  : — We  cleared  the  bed  of  all  Mush- 
rooms with  a  hair  broom,  made  small  holes  with  a  pointed 
stick,  say  one-eighth  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  at  every  3  inches, 
and  1  inch  deep,  and  then  watered  to  that  depth  fully  with  water 
at  200°.  In  half  an  hour  we  left  a  smooth  surface  with  a  clean 
spade.  In  the  two  cases  we  had  Mushrooms  in  a  fortnight ; 
in  one  case  we  never  had  one.] 


THE   SEASON  IN  NORFOLK. 

Of  our  garden  crops  some  are  quite  dead,  others  are  struggling 
for  existence.  Scarlet  Runners  and  other  Beans  requiring  to  be 
kept  alive  by  frequent  waterings.  Of  Peaches  and  Nectarines 
the  forced  crops  were  good,  and  the  flavour  was  pronounced  to 
be  very  very  fine.  Of  Grapes,  the  crops  in  the  first  and  second 
houses  were  very  good,  and  of  more  than  average  sweetness 
and  flavour.  Grapes  in  the  Muscat  house,  now  nearly  ripe, 
are  above  the  average  for  size  of  berry  and  flavour,  and  two 
late  Hamburgh  houses  promise  well.  Many  perennial  and 
biennial  flowers  have  died.  Bedding  plants,  which  have  been 
kept  constantly  watered,  are  looking  tolerably  well ;  but  as  it 
is  impossible  to  water  everything,  many  hundreds  of  bedding 
plants  and  annuals  in  borders  are  either  nearly  or  quite  dead, 
and  such  a  continuance  of  cold  spring  water  seems  to  be 
of  but  little  use.  The  grass  around  the  mansion  we  water 
once  a-week,  and  then  it  seems  barely  to  exist,  owing  to  the 
great  heat,  excessive  evaporation,  and  almost  entire  absence  of 
dew. 

The  heat  has  been  very  great,  the  thermometer  standing 
in  the  open,  and  shaded  from  the  sun,  having  registered 
several  times  95°,  98°,  and  on  July  16th,  101°,  and  this  day 
(July  21),  99°. 

The  amount  of  rain  which  fell  from  April  20th  to  July  20th 
was  only  0.88  inch,  and  from  April  1st  to  July  20th  the  whole 
amount  was  only  3.87  inches.  In  the  corresponding  period  of 
last  year  it  was  8.78  inches.  Thunder  we  have  heard  but  very 
seldom.  We  have  now  no  appearance  of  rain,  the  wind  being 
cbanpeable,  but  generally  north,  with  a  low  night  temperature. 
— J.  P.,  Gankncr  to  Sir  Wm.  Ffolkts,  Hillington  Hall,  Lynn, 
Norfolk, 

NEW   BOOKS. 

SorPLEMEKi  TO  Johnson's   Cottage  Gaedeneks'  Dictionaet. 

London :  Bell  &  Daldy. 

This  supplement  contains  the  species  and  varieties  worthy 

of  culture  introduced  between  the  date  of  the  publication  of  the 

first  edition  of  the  Dictionary,  and  the  oommencement  of  the 


July  30,  1B68.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


77 


present  year.  Besides  this  it  corrects  some  errors  and  omis- 
sions, and  makes  some  additions  to  tbe  cultural  details.  No 
better  teKtimouy  to  the  usefuhiess  of  the  work  can  be  adduced 
than  that  it  is  a  textbook  accepted  by  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society  in  the  examination  of  young  gaideners  previously 
to  grantisg  them  certificates. 

HoRTicDLTDitAi.  Bdildixos,  Hot  Water,  and  HyuRAnLio  Ap- 
pliances. By  T.  Messenqer,  Horticultural  Builder,  itc. 
Nottingham :  T.  Forman. 

This  is  a  catalogue  of  garden  structures  rhanufactured  by 
the  author,  who  resides  at  Loughborough,  but  it  is  much  more, 
for  the  thirty-one  lithograph  plates  aro  worth  more  than  the 
half-crown  which  is  the  price  of  the  volume.  They  represent 
very  tasteful  conservatories,  greenhouses,  vineries,  pits,  and 
their  fittings,  and  the  introductory  observations  explain  Mr. 
Messenger's  mode  of  combining  wood  and  iron  in  their  con- 
gtruction,  so  as  to  avoid  the  disadvantages  attendant  upon 
employing  either  material  exclusively. 


HARDWICKE. 

A  MORE  pleasant  place  to  visit  at  any  time  cannot  be 
found  than  the  beautiful  demesne  of  Ilardwicke,  near  Bury 
St.  Edmunds,  and  the  dwellers  in  the  neighbourhood  always 
avail  themselves  in  large  numbers  of  the  privilege  of  rambling 
in  its  admirably  arranged  grounds  whenever  Lady  Cullum 
kindly  throws  them  open.  Many  thousands  were  tempted 
by  the  gloriously  fine  weather,  by  the  prospect  of  witness- 
ing a  capital  summer  show  of  the  Bury  and  West  Suffolk 
Horticultural  Society,  and  by  the  anticipation  of  listening  to 
the  strains  of  a  first-rate  military  band,  to  pay  them  a  visit 
yesterday  (July  3rd).  Beautiful  as  the  grounds  always  look, 
their  charm  was  enhanced  beyond  measure  by  the  brilliant 
colours  of  the  ladies'  attire  as  they  promenaded  in  the  flower 
garden,  and  in  the  shady  paths. 

Viewed  from  tbe  gallery  which  has  recently  been  erected  over 
one  of  the  conservatories  the  scene  was  enchanting.  To  the 
right  is  the  spacious  lawn,  dotted  with  fine  trees,  the  Purple 
Beech — a  superb  specimen  of  its  class — rising  to  a  great  height, 
and  its  long  limbs  sweeping  down  to  and  gracefully  kissing  the 
green  carpet  at  its  base.  Close  by  and  in  striking  contrast  to 
this  is  a  robust  Cedar  of  Lebanon  of  great  age,  size,  and  beauty. 
Nearer  to  us  is  a  tall  pyramid  of  Cypress,  one  of  the  finest  in 
England,  and  in  the  distance  are  other  fine  trees  and  shrubs. 
Immediately  beneath  us  are  the  Rose  arches  clothed  with  their 
beautiful  white  and  red  wreaths,  and  some  distance  beyond  that 
we  see  the  shimmer  of  the  white  tent  containing  the  floral 
beauties  that  tho  Horticultural  Society  has  been  the  means  of 
gathering  together.  Joining  the  throng  of  gay  visitors  we  pass 
along  the  first  terrace  walk,  bounded  at  each  end  with  splendid 
iron  gates  in  blue  and  gold,  and  on  one  side  with  a  ribbon  border, 
and  on  the  other  -with  a  massive  wall  surmounted  with  vases, 
and  supported  on  the  garden  side  with  a  conical  Rose  and 
a  Tew  or  Cypress  alternately,  and  fine  masses  of  Hollyhock 
already  coming  into  blossom.  Another  winding  ribbon  bounds 
the  end  of  the  flower  garden.  Here,  also,  is  one  of  the  finest 
trees  at  Hardwicke — an  Elm  of  extraordinary  size  and  beauty. 

Passing  along  the  end  of  the  flower  garden,  which  is  bursting 
into  full  beauty  notwithstanding  tbe  dry  weather,  and  gazing 
with  delight  along  the  graceful  corridor  of  Roses,  we  step  on  to 
the  upper  terrace,  a  noble  walk  about  12  feet  wide  and  ;J00  yards 
long,  bounded  at  each  end  with  handsome  crescent-shaped  stone 
seats.  Within  a  few  yards  from  the  western  end  the  cool  shade 
of  tho  Yew  walk  tempts  many  of  tbe  visitors  to  ramble  down  it, 
while  others  prefer  to  visit  the  lady's  garden,  devoted  to  old- 
fashioned  spring  and  other  flowers,  and  pass  by  the  Roses  and 
among  some  rare  Firs  until  they  come  suddenly  upon  the 
avenue,  a  wide  piece  of  turf  lined  on  each  side  with  a  row  of 
fine  trees  and  a  margin  of  evergreens,  prominent  among  which 
are  Variegated  Hollies.  The  avenue  runs  for  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  towards  Bury,  and  it  terminates  in  a  fine  view  of  the 
Abbey  Gate.  From  here  we  pass  along  a  magnificent  winding 
walk  bordered  by  a  large  piece  of  most  exquisite  turf,  devoted 
to  the  culture  of  rare  Conifers,  to  the  kitchen  garden.  Turning 
sharply  to  the  right,  the  visitors  lost  themselves  in  the  many 
labyrinths  of  the  fernery,  and  wandered  among  blocks  of  stone 
and  larger  blocks  of  wood  and  masses  of  earth  resembling  either 
or  both,  so  skilfully  clothed  with  Ferns  as  to  make  one  forget 
that  the  whole  ia  the  creation  of  art,  and  almost  mistake  it  for 
a  natural  dell. 


Passing  through  a  tunnel,  and  ascending  from  the  fernery  we 
catch  delightful  views  of  Ickworth,  the  stately  mansion  of  tho 
Marquis  of  Bristol,  and  we  then  at  once  emerge  on  the  kitchen 
garden.  The  first  thing  tliat  strikes  our  eye  is  the  extraordinary 
neatness  of  airangement,  its  cleanness,  and  the  excellence  of  the 
crop.  Neither  are  the  flowers  forgotten  here.  Fringes  of 
bloom  formed  of  Antirrhinums,  Roses,  Sweet  Peas,  Cloves, 
Marigolds,  and  Pinks  accompany  us  along  most  of  the  walks, 
while  here  and  thei'e  groups  of  IloUyhooks  are  placed  at  fitting 
points  for  effect.  Nearly  all  the  fruit  trees,  except  those  on 
walls,  are  trained  into  pyramidal  and  spiral  forms.  A  large 
collection  of  fine  Pear  trees  runs  in  double  lines  around  the 
garden,  while  most  of  the  inside  borders  are  furnished  with 
Apple  trees  of  the  same  shape.  We  also  noticed  that  between 
each  two  Pear  trees  a  Rose  has  recently  been  planted,  to  be 
trained  in  the  same  form  as  the  Pears. 

Passing  another  of  the  beautiful  blue  gates  with  which 
visitors  to  Hardwicke  are  familiar,  we  pass  along  shady  walks, 
through  shrubberies,  American  plants.  Pampas  Grasses,  and 
numberless  choice  trees,  until  we  come  to  the  little  lawn  where 
stands  a  fine  tree  of  the  Araucaria,  and  a  young,  but  remarkably 
healthy  plant  of  the  Wellingtonia  gigantea.  From  here  we  pass 
up  the  delightfully  cool  Yew  walks,  and  back  to  the  house. 

Entering  the  conservatory  we  pass  through  a  continuous 
range  of  glass  houses,  over  GOO  feet  long,  divided  into  various 
lengths,  and  maintained  at  different  temperatures  for  the  culti- 
vation of  the  many  flowers  and  fruits  grown  at  Hardwicke.  Tha 
conservatory  is  stocked  mostly  with  Fuchsias  and  Pelargoniums, 
and  a  number  of  climbers  hanging  from  the  roof.  Then  we 
pass  through  a  corridor  hung  with  Heliotrope,  along  a  passage 
with  plants  of  Cactuses,  Begonias,  and  Ferns  dangling  from  the 
roof  or  springing  out  from  the  side  of  the  walls,  and  arrive  at 
the  orangery.  Here  there  is  a  large  collection  of  Orange  and 
Lemon  trees,  with  Citrons  on  the  back  walls,  and  the  giant 
white  and  other  Trumpet-Flowers  just  beginning  to  bloom.  A 
large  Hamburgh  A'ine  also  covers  the  roof  of  this  house.  A  few 
steps  further  and  we  enter  the  tropical  fernery  with  a  rich 
screen  of  Passion-Flowers  hanging  from  the  roof.  Mosses  and 
Ferns  peeping  from  the  sides,  and  an  enormous  bunch  of 
Banana  in  fruit  furnishing  the  centre.  Emerging  from  this  we 
pass  through  the  Peach  house  into  a  house  devoted  to  the 
culture  of  Fuchsias  and  Figs,  and,  having  visited  the  CamelUa 
house  we  arrive  at  the  first  vinery,  where  the  ripe  clusters  of 
Black  and  White  Grapes  look  temptingly  down  upon  us.  From 
here  we  pass  through  a  second  vinery  of  Hamburghs  into  what 
is  called  the  Muscat  house,  which  is  filled  with  a  heavy  crop  of 
this  splendid  Grape.  This  brings  us  to  the  end  of  the  conser- 
vatories. 

Having  now  inspected  the  glass  houses  and  the  pleasnie 
grounds  we  must  pay  a  well-deserved  tribute  to  the  extreme 
care  which  is  shown  by  Mr.  Fish  in  the  cultivation  of  everything 
at  Hardwicke.  The  neatness  and  cleanliness  of  every  part  could 
not  be  surpassed,  and  at  all  points  are  seen  proofs  of  the  cul- 
tivated taste  and  designing  mind  which  has  contributed  so  much 
to  make  Hardwick  the  paradise  that  it  is. — {Bury  Free  Press.) 


ORNAMENTAL  AND  FLOWERING  SHRUBS. 

{Continued  from  T'oi.  XIV.,  page  296.) 

SHRUBS   THRIVING   IN   PEAT    SOIL. 

Andromeda  flokibunda. — Evergreen.  Leaves  bright  dai'k  green. 
Flowers  bell-shaped,  white,  fragrant,  produced  in  great  profusion,  from 
February  to  April.  It  is  a  very  handsome  shrab.  and  of  close  low 
growth,  and  does  well  in  pots  for  forcing.  It  succeeds  best  in  a  slightly 
shaded  situation,  and  is  impatient  of  drought ;  therefore  it  does  not 
succeed  under  large  trees,  which  hy  their  shade  and  roots  make  the 
soil  little  better  than  dust  in  summer.  Under  favourable  circumstances 
it  attains  the  height  of  3  feet.  The  best  plants  are  those  from  seed, 
which  may  be  treated  in  the  same  manner  as  that  of  the  Rhododen- 
dron.    It  is  also  propagated  by  layers. 

Andromeda  calyculata  and  its  varieties  minor  and  major,  A.  ax- 
illaris, A.  mariana,  A.  polifolia.  A.  cassinifolia,  A.  formosa,  and 
A.  pulverulenta  are  all  pretty  Uttle  evergi-een  shrubs,  having  white 
bell-shaped  flowers  in  spring,  some  tinted  with  pink ;  but  they  are  all 
interior  to  A.  floribunda.  I'hey  grow  from  1  to  3  feet  in  height,  and 
arc  increased  by  seed  and  layers. 

Arctostaphylos  Uva-ursi. — Evergreen.  Leaves  small  and  shining. 
Flowers  rose  or  pale  red,  produced  from  April  to  Jane,  succeeded  by 
small  red  berries.  It  is  of  procumbent  growth,  and  is  suitable  for 
rockwork.     Height  1  foot.     Seeds  and  layers. 

Azaleas. — These,  from  the  profusion  of  their  brilliant  sweet  flowers, 
are  among  the  most  magnificent  of  flowering  shrubs,  and  form  a  splen- 
did display  in  May  and  June.     The  varieties  are  very  numerous,  and 


78 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTIOULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  July  SO,  1868. 


I  con  only  give  a  selection  of  a  few  of  the  best.  Of  the  varieties  of 
A.  poutica,  Thompson's  pontica  alba,  creamy  white  ;  macrantha,  deep 
sulphur,  large  ;  maguibca,  creamy  white,  large ;  graudiflnra,  deep 
yellow  ;  couspicua,  yellow  ;  and  multidora  pallida,  pale  sulphor.  Of 
the  English  varieties,  Aurautia  major,  pale  orange  ;  Calendulacea  coc- 
cinea,  orange  scarlet ;  Coccinea  major,  dark  scaxdet ;  Calendulacea 
elegans,  yellow  shaded  with  red,  distinct  and  large  ;  Cuprea  splendens, 
piuk  with  yellow ;  Decorata,  pink,  very  beautiful ;  Hartnelli,  orange, 
shaded  red ;  Mirabilis,  pink  ;  Prince  of  Wales,  salmou  red.  orange  in 
the  upper  segments,  large :  Princeps  grandiflora,  deep  pink ;  Rosea 
flEvescens,  rose  and  yellowish  ;  Triumphans,  orange ;  and  Rosalie, 
salmon  red,  yellow  in  the  upper  segment ;  and,  for  their  sweetness, 
Viola  odora,  orange  and  salmon,  small,  very  sweet :  Viscocephala, 
sulphur  white,  very  highly  scented  ;  Viscosa  tloribunda,  white,  small, 
and  very  sweet ;  Double  Blush,  pretty ;  Monstrosa  fascicnlaris.  yel- 
lowish orange,  dwarf  habit ;  and  Monstrosa  variabilis,  yellowish  orange, 
changeable,  dwarf  habit.  Of  the  Ghent  varieties  the  following  are 
good : — Ne  Plus  Ultra,  orange  scarlet,  large  ;  Morten,  rich  yellow  and 
deep  rosy  red ;  Prineesse  d'Orange,  salmon  pink,  large  ;  Marie  Do- 
rotbee,  whitish,  slightly  shaded  with  pink,  with  yellow  in  the  upper 
segment,  large ;  Admiral,  deep  red,  large  ;  Coccinea  speciosa,  orange 
scarlet,  large ;  Cymodoce.  deep  red,  shaded  orange,  large ;  Elector, 
orange  scarlet,  large  ;  Julius  Ca?sar,  deep  scarlet  red,  reddish  orange 
in  the  upper  segment,  large  ;  Grand  Due  de  Luxembourg,  deep  scarlet, 
large  ;  Fulgida,  orange  scarlet,  large  ;  Perle  de  Printemps,  salmon 
pink,  large  ;  Rubens,  red  and  orange,  dark,  large ;  tjuadricolor,  buff, 
shaded  salmou  and  deep  sulphur;  Van  Dyck,  deep  red,  large;  Reine 
de  I'Angleterre,  orange  red,  yellow  in  the  upper  segment,  large  ;  Splen- 
dens, bright  orange  scarlet,  large  ;  and  Unique,  deep  scarlet,  large. 
All  the  preceding  are  good  varieties,  and  make  excellent  groups,  which 
is  the  best  method  of  planting  ;  indeed,  groups  of  not  less  than  half  a 
dozen  plants,  the  more  the  better,  should  be  planted  in  order  to  afiord 
a  full  estimate  of  their  beauty  aud  effect.  The  groups  or  beds  may 
he  edged  with  Azalea  amoena  ;  its  neat  habit  and  bright  rosy  purple 
flowers  render  it  very  desirable  for  the  front  of  American  beds.  The 
Azalea  thrives  under  the  same  conditions  as  the  Rhododendron.  I 
shall  therefore  treat  of  the  propagation  and  culture  of  Azaleas  when 
treating  of  the  Rhododendi-on. 

Bryanthus  erectl's. — Evergreen.  Leaves  bright  deep  green.  It 
forms  a  dense  dwarf  bush,  having  tine  headsof  pale  piuk  flowers  in  June. 
It  does  not  exceed  9  or  1*2  inches  in  height,  aud  is  best  grown  on  rock- 
work,  in  sunny  fissures,  in  a  compost  of  peat  and  grit,  which  must  he 
kept  moist.  In  appearance  it  very  closely  resembles  Rhododendron 
chamtEcistus,  and  its  flowers  seem  intermediate  between  that  Rhodo- 
dendron and  Kalmia  latifolia.  Probably  it  is  a  natural  hybrid.  Layers. 

Cassiope  tetragona  is  a  very  beautiful  Heath-like  shrub,  and 
ought  not  to  be  overlooked.  It  attains  a  height  of  from  9  to  V2  inches, 
and  produces  several  white  bell-shaped  flowers.  Requires  to  be  grown 
in  wet  stones,  peat,  or  grit,  in  sunny  fissures  of  rockwork,  and  should 
never  lack  water,  nor  have  defective  drainage. 

CiiAiLELEDON  (Azalea)  procumbess.  —  A  neat-growing  alpine 
Azalea,  succeeding  under  the  same  circumstances  as  the  Bryanthus. 
It  produces  pinkish  flowers  in  June. 

Epig-Ea  repexs. — A  pretty  trailing  shmb,  having  in  July  white 
flowers  that  are  delightfully  orange-scented.      It  is  an  evergreen,  re- 
quiring heath  soil  or  sandy  peat,  and  needs  slight  shade  from  power- 
ful sun,  being  best  grown  under  bushes. — G.  Abbey. 
(To  be  continued.) 


A  HANDY  AND   POWERFUL   LEVER. 
In  working  in  soft  ground,  whether  at  pulling  stumps  or 
moving  Btones,  the  great  want  is  a  firm  place  on  which  to  set 


iuch  lifts  a  crooked  lever  has  many  advflTitages.  The  ring  to 
which  the  powerful  inch-iron  hook  is  attached  should,  perhaps, 
pass  through  the  bar  closer  to  the  inner  angle  than  is  repre- 
sented. It  might  equally  well  be  made  so  as  to  slip  over  the 
bar  and  hold  in  a  notch  on  the  inner  side.  Such  a  lever  may 
be  from  7  to  9  feet  long,  aud  made  of  oak  or  ash.  It  may  be 
operated  by  hand,  by  attaching  the  upper  end  of  the  rope  to  a 
stump,  and  pulUog  down  upon  the  lower  end ;  or  by  horses,  by 
fixing  the  lower  end  and  carrying  the  upper  one  off  to  where 
the  team  may  be  conveniently  and  efficiently  used. 


NOTES  AND   GLEANINGS. 
Lieut.-Gen.  Hon.  C.  Gkey  has  been  elected  by  the  Council 
a  Vice-President  of  tee  Royal  Hoi;ticultur.\l  Society  for 
the  year  1868-9,  in  place  of  Mr.  Henry  Cole,  C.B.,  resigned. 


the  lever.  The  accompanying  engraving  is  of  a  lever  which 
requires  a  vei7  simple  base,  and  if  rigged  with  a  puUey^or 
block  and  tackle,  as  shown,  gives  a  great  lifting  power,     "  " 


For 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN   OiRDEN. 

It  is  a  pood  plan  to  dig  down  early  in  summer  the  plot  of 
Winter  Spinach  when  it  has  attained  the  height  of  2  or  3  feet, 
and  to  plant  the  space  with  Brussels  Sprouts,  So  >tch  Kale,  and 
Savoys,  for  an  early  supply  ;  and  the  vigour  with  which  they 
will  grow  will  convince  one  that  such  a  method  might  be 
adopted  with  great  advantage  where  manure  is  scarce  and 
ground  plentiful.  Cabbages,  in  late  situations  it  would  be  ad- 
visable to  sow  a  bed  of  the  earlier  sorts  for  transplanting  about 
the  beginning  of  next  March.  The  middle  of  August  used  to  be 
the  appointed  time  for  this  sowing  some  years  ago,  but  this  is 
too  late  for  many  places.  See  that  the  beds  previously  sown 
are  not  too  much  crowded  with  plants.  Kndive,  sow  a  large 
bed  for  the  last  time  this  season,  and  if  you  keep  it  over 
winter  it  will  help  the  salads  till  the  spring-sown  Lettuces  come 
in.  Kidney  Beans,  sow  in  a  situation  where  it  will  be  possible 
to  defend  them  from  early  autumn  frosts  by  covering  with 
mats,  choosing  the  dwarfest  sorts,  such  as  the  Early  Dan,  or 
the  Robin's  Egg  or  China.  Onions,  preparations  should  now 
be  made  for  sowing  thickly  the  Strasburg,  or  any  other  hardy 
sort,  to  stand  over  the  winter  and  furnish  large  Onions  early 
next  summer.  Part  of  them  may  be  drawn  for  salads  during 
winter,  and  the  other  thinnings  planted  out  in  March.  Sow 
again  in  a  fortnight ;  ground  previously  occupied  with  early  Cau- 
liflowers, or  Strawberries  that  require  digging  down,  will  be  suit- 
able. Peas,  make  the  last  sowing,  choosing  the  earlier  varieties. 
Turnips,  if  you  have  no  access  to  field-grown  Turnips,  which  are 
always  preferable  to  garden  ones,  you  bad  better  sow  a  large 
breadth  of  them  in  some  light  portion  of  the  garden  for  winter 
use. 

fruit  garden. 
Attend  to  removing  the  breastwood  of  Apple,  Pear,  Cherry, 
and  Plum  trees,  shortening  the  leading  shoots,  and  cutting 
back  to  a  couple  of  inches  the  side  shoots  of  Currants  and 
Gooseberries  (unless  when  the  latter  are  made  to  bear  almost 
exclusively  on  young  wood),  and  thinning  and  shortening  the 
shoots  of  Apricot  and  Peach  trees  as  previously  recommended. 
Cover  with  mats  or  thin  waterproofed  cloth  those  Cherries, 
Gooseberries,  and  Currants,  that  you  wish  to  preserve  as  late 
as  possible,  and  defend  the  remainder  from  biids  by  netting. 
This  is  a  much  more  pleasant  method  than  attempting  to  ex- 
terminate the  feathered  tribe.  It  is  only  during  the  fruit 
season  that  blackbirds,  thrushes,  &c.,  interfere  with  our  com- 
forts, and  for  a  little  peculation  now  they  amply  repay  us  by 
the  number  of  slugs  and  other  enemies  which  they  devour  in 
spring,  to  say  nothing  of  their  cheerful  notes  at  "  early  mom 
and  dewy  eve."  The  Hawthornden  and  Codlin  Apples  grow  freely 
from  cuttings  planted  under  a  north  wall  in  November,  and  no 
doubt  many  Pears  will  do  the  same.  Sometimes  people  ex- 
press a  wish  that  they  could  rear  sufficient  of  these  cuttings  to 
plant  in  a  kitchen  garden  to  see  if  they  would  be  more  dwarf, 
and  to  ascertain  if  the  flavour  of  the  fruit  would  be  different 
from  that  of  grafted  trees.  There  is  nothing  in  particular  to 
recommend  this  experiment,  but  there  are  points  connected 
with  it  which  may  be  of  more  general  application,  and  are 
not  usually  acted  on.  if,  indeed,  they  are  rightly  uuderstood. 
Any  one  who  intends  to  put  in  cuttings  in  November  of  frui^ 
trees,  or,  indeed,  of  any  hardy  tree  that  is  difficult  to  stril- , 
ought  to  begin  to  prepare  the  cuttings  before  the  end  of  tlr-.' 
month,  by  shortening  the  shoots  to  one-half  or  one-third  of 
their  length.  The  passage  of  the  ascending  sap  being  thus 
'  cut  off,  it  will  so  accumulate  in  the  remaining  portion  of  the 


July  30, 1£68.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


79 


eboots  as  to  bo  ready  to  burst  their  buJs  into  another  growth. 
Now,  gai-Jeiicrs  know  very  well  that  when  the  eyes  of  any 
plant  are  in  this  prominent  state  in  the  autumn,  they  will 
shoot  with  prealor  vigour  in  the  spring,  ami  there  is  no  reason 
to  doubt  but  the  same  effect,  to  a  certain  extent,  will  take  place 
if  these  shoots  are  used  as  cuttings.  It  follows,  then,  that  all 
cuttings  of  deciduous  trees  are  benetited  by  being  stopped 
before  the  growing  season  is  over.  When  cuttings  of  exotic 
plants  that  are  difhcult  to  strike,  or  that  take  a  long  time  to  do 
so,  are  first  put  in,  they  are  kept  in  a  close,  cool  place  till  they 
form  at  the  bottom  a  callosity  whence  the  roots  issue;  they  are 
then  put  into  bottom  heat  to  facilitate  the  emission  of  roots. 
It  seems,  therefore,  that  the  most  eventful  period  in  the  life  of 
a  cutting  is  that  at  which  the  callosity  is  formed,  and  fortu- 
nately we  can  accelerate  the  period  of  its  formation  by  ope- 
Tatious  performed  long  before  the  shoots  are  separated  from  the 
tree. 

FLOWEB  GARDEN. 

It  maybe  well  to  consider  what  is  best  to  be  done  to  counter- 
act the  effects,  as  regards  Hower-garden  decoration,  of  cold,  wet, 
or  dry  seasons.  It  may  be  remarked,  that  an  improvement 
will  be  effected  in  the  first  place  by  thoroughly  draining  and 
pulverising  the  soil  t<i  the  depth  of  at  least  '2  feet.  This  will 
allow  of  the  free  percolation  and  distribution  of  moisture 
throughout  the  whole  mass  of  the  soil ;  not  only  of  the  moisture 
which  falls  as  rain,  or  is  applied  by  the  hand  of  man,  but  also 
of  the  moisture  which  is  ever  finding  its  way  through  the  soil 
by  capillary  attraction.  Where  flower  gardens  are  situated  on 
a  subsoil  of  strong  retentive  clay,  it  will  be  best  to  remove 
tho  soil  to  the  depth  of  2  feet,  placing  C  or  8  inches  of  brick 
rubbish  or  rough  stones  over  the  bottom  of  each  bed,  and 
making  the  remainder  good  with  top  or  spit  loam.  To  do  this 
with  large  gardens  will  be  attended  with  considerable  expense 
and  labour,  and,  therefore,  as  a  makeshift,  it  will  do  consider- 
able good  to  remove  only  a  part  of  the  bad  subsoil,  and  then 
mix  the  remainder  with  brick  rubbish  and  half-decomposed 
vegetable  refuse. 

GREENHOUSE    AND    CONSEIlV.VrOBT. 

No  matter  how  soon  in  August  the  Dutch  bulbs  for  very  early 
forcing  are  potted  ;  the  more  roots  these  bulbs  make  before  they 
are  brought  into  heat  the  better.  In  Holland,  the  bulbs  for 
the  first  crop  are  well  established  in  pots  before  we  think  of 
ordering  ours.  Gesnera  elongata,  Crowea  saligua,  and  some  of 
the  Correas,  will  now  stand  more  heat,  and  with  a  little  forcing 
they  may  be  brought  into  flower  a  month  sooner,  .attend  well 
to  late-auturanflowering  plants  for  the  conservatory.  Helio- 
tropes, Siveet  Briar,  Mignonette,  Lemon-scented  Verbena  (Aloy- 
sia  citriodora),  and  Fairy  Eoses,  with  the  liose-scented  Pelar- 
gonium, are  always  in  requisition  for  boufjuets  after  the  middle 
of  October,  or  as  soon  as  the  early  frosts  nip  them  out  of  doors. 
Examine  every  plant  one  by  one,  and  give  such  treatment  as 
the  different  cases  may  suggest.  This  has  been  a  trying  season 
for  the  best  gardeners.  Besides  thus  exercising  our  patience,  a 
large  addition  is  made  to  the  stock  of  our  experience,  upon 
which  we  can  fall  back  more  readily  in  future. 

STOVE. 

Plants  which  flower  late  in  the  autumn,  and  especially  those 
that  may  be  taken  to  the  conservatory  to  bloom,  should  now 
or  very  soon  be  in  their  flowering  pots.  Eranthemum  pul- 
chellum,  several  .Justicias,  Aphelaudra  cristata,  Poinsettia  pul- 
cherrima,  J'l^cbynanthus  grandiflorus,  and  many  more  of  similar 
character  belong  to  this  class.  Another  very  essential  point  to 
be  observed  with  stove  plants  in  general,  which  are  removed  to 
the  conservatory  while  in  flower,  is  to  have  the  compost  lighter 
for  them,  and  not  to  give  them  more  pot  room  than  will  just 
keep  them  healthy,  with  the  assistance  of  liquid  manure. 
Plants  of  this  nature  suffer  very  much  in  a  cool  conservatory 
late  in  the  season,  if  they  are  growing  in  heavy,  rich  compost, 
and  in  large  pots,  whereas  in  a  stove  that  would  be  the  right 
way  to  make  them  flourish. 

PITS    AND  FRAMES. 

We  are  now  on  the  eve  of  a  busy  time  for  pits  and  frames. 
Mignonette  is  to  be  sown  immediately  for  winter  use.  Large 
quantities  of  the  best  China  Roses  are  to  be  struck  without  loss 
of  time,  to  bed-out  next  May.  All  sorts  offender  annuals  that 
are  to  be  sown  in  the  autumn  must  be  put  in  early.  Calceo- 
larias and  Pelargonium  seed  ought  to  be  sown  as  soon  as 
gathered  after  this  time.  Ciittiugg  of  bedding  llesembryan- 
themums  should  be  put  in  among  the  very  first,  as  they  do  not 
flower  well  or  early  from  late  autumn  cuttings,  and  hardly 
at  all  from  those  taken  in  spring.     Every  cutting  that  can  be 


spared  of  the  bedding  Pelargoniums  should  bo  in  the  cutting- 
pot  or  bed  as  soon  as  it  is  ready  to  take  off,  till  you  have  a  full 
supjdy. — W.  Keanb. 


DOINGS   OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    (JARDEN. 

Notwithstandini;  the  great  heat  of  the  21st  and  22nd  of  July, 
wo  see  no  change  of  weather  as  respects  moisture.  We  fear 
thai  we  shall  soon  be  unable  to  have  crisp  young  Lettuces,  as 
the  ^ee<\  refuses  to  grow,  or  the  young  plants,  from  want  of 
moisture  in  the  air,  spindle  when  very  young.  Celery  we  have 
managed  to  keep  healthy  as  yet,  chiefly  by  covering  the  bed 
between,  and  even  very  slightly  over  the  plants  at  first,  with 
dry  litter.  The  sun  strikes  on  the  litter  without  drawing  a 
great  amount  of  moisture  from  the  soil.  We  have  watered 
Celery  seldom,  bat  gave  it  a  good  quantity  of  water  when  any 
was  supplied.  We  were  obliged  against  our  will  to  use  our 
house  sewage,  but  that  and  all  manure  waterings  must  be 
applied  with  care  to  Celery,  otherwise  the  leafstalks  will  be  apt 
to  be  injured.  Such  water  should  he  communicated  to  the 
earth  by  the  spout  of  the  pot  alone.  Manure  waterings  over- 
head to  Celery  often  begin  to  show  injuriously  weeks  after  the 
watering.  So  much  is  this  the  case  frequently,  that  when 
using  sewage  or  dunghill  drainings  weak  enough,  wo  would  like 
to  follow  with  an  application  of  clear  water  from  a  rose  over- 
head, and  then  there  would  be  little  of  that  danger. 

We  experience  great  difficulty  in  such  weather  in  getting 
men  to  hold  the  watering  pot  low  enough.  They  will  stand 
upright,  and  send  the  water  down  in  jets,  instead  of  pouring  it 
on  gently.  In  watering  some  small  seedlings  lately  a  young 
man  was  actually  throwing  the  water  up  as  high  as  he  could, 
enough,  by  the  mere  force  with  which  it  reached  them,  to  clear 
all  the  soil  away  from  their  tender  roots. 

After  the  parching  heat  of  the  21st  and  22nd,  the  dull  day  of 
the  2.3rd  was  a  relief,  and  furnished  a  chance  for  watering, 
but  auy  common  watering  was  quite  out  of  tho  question.  Un- 
less the  watering  reached  the  most  of  the  roots,  it  would  have 
been  worse  than  labour  thrown  away.  Much  of  our  soil  was  as 
dry  as  if  baked  in  an  oven  for  fully  6  inches  in  depth,  and  yet 
the  plants  held  their  own,  drawing  moisture  from  beneath. 
The  damping  of  half  an  inch  on  the  surface  was,  as  previously 
explained,  worse  than  labour  lost.  A  moving  of  tho  surface  or 
mulching  would  in  such  cases  he  better  than  surface-stirring, 
when  anything  more  was  attempted  than  a  mere  cleaning  and 
refreshing  of  the  foliage. 

Winter  crops  planted  are  standing  still,  with  little  or  no 
growth,  and  yet  can  hardly  be  said  to  be  standing  still,  for  the 
fly  of  different  kinds  has  attacked  them,  and  we  dread  ere  long 
myriads  of  caterpillars,  as  never  did  we  have  such  clouds  of 
the  white  butterfly.  When  we  had  younc  boys  we  used  to  get 
them  to  chase  and  capture  thousands,  but  such  work  does  not 
suit  staid  grown-up  men.  By  thus  catching  the  moths  we  were 
seldom  troubled  much  with  caterpillars.  It  is  of  little  use 
planting  vegetables  now,  even  owing  to  the  fly,  unless  they  are 
protected.  We  planted  out  a  piece  of  Cauliflowers,  nice  little 
plants,  but  in  a  day  they  were  scarcely  discernible  ;  the  leaves 
left  were  like  delicate  network.  The  next  lot  will  have  a  pot 
turned  over  each  plant ;  that  will  also  save  watering. 

Broad  Beans  not  watered  are  apt  to  get  hard,  even  when 
young  and  well  mulched  too,  the  foliage  throws  oft'  so  much 
water  by  evaporation.  Dwarf  Kidney  Beans,  too,  unless  watered, 
though  bearing  profusely,  are  apt  to  be  hard  when  cooked. 
Scarlet  Runners  are  doing  well ;  also  Peas  that  have  been 
soaked  with  sewage.  Those  not  watered  are  soon  over.  We 
shall  be  glad  of  Scarlet  Runners  and  Dwarf  Kidney  Beans,  for 
Cabbages  will  soon  be  scarce,  unless  we  can  water  them,  and  of 
that  we  have  no  hope,  as  our  sewage  failed  on  Friday,  and  we 
shall  have  to  wait  a  few  days  for  a  fre.sh  supply.  Onions  are 
still  holding  their  own  without  watering,  but  not  growing. 
The  autumn-sown  Onions  have  been  very  fine.  If  we  contem- 
plated such  seasons  we  would  sow  more  in  the  autumn.  Those 
sown  in  summer  tor  salads  refuse  to  grow  without  watering 
and  shading.  Our  Globe  Artichokes  have  done  well,  but  they 
will  soon  be  over,  unless  we  can  drench  them  well. 

FRUIT   G.AKDEN. 

Without  watering,  the  dwarf  Apple  and  Pear  trees  seem  as  if 
they  would  cast  no  more  fruit  until  it  in  ripe. 

We  have  mulched  the  Vine  borders  to  keep  moisture  in, 
being  well  assured  that  the  earth  is  quite  warm  enough. 
Though  the  Peach  house  is  empty,  we  had  to  surface-stir  and 


80 


JOUBNAL  OF  HORTICOLTDEE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENEK. 


[  Jaly  30,  ises. 


give  a  good  watering  to  prevent  the  soil  cracking  from  dryness. 
The  outside  border  was  mulched  in  the  beginning  of  the 
winter,  and  as  the  season  was  so  dry  the  mulching  has  rotted 
down,  and  has  never  been  removed.  That  border  has  had  no 
watering  all  the  season,  and  has  kept  sufficiently  moist  owing 
to  the  2  or  3  inches  of  rotten  mulching.  There  was  just  a 
little  assistance  from  Strawberry  pots  standing  on  the  border, 
which  were  several  times  watered.  In  such  seasons,  and  in 
fact  in  any  season,  fruit  trees  would  do  much  better  with  this 
mukhiug  than  with  waterings  of  cold  water.  Many  years  ago 
we  proved  this  to  our  own  satisfaction,  and  to  the  saving  of 
our  water  supply,  and  we  should  have  done  much  more  in  this 
way  of  late,  but  our  mulching  material  was  scarce.  A  little 
stable  manure  and  tree  leaves  formed  the  protection  given  to 
the  Peach  border;  now,  of  course,  all  is  well  rotten,  and  what 
at  first  might  be  8  inches  deep  when  loose,  will  be  3  inches 
when  compact;  in  fact,  the  mulching  will  range  now  from 
2  to  3  inches.  It  has  saved  all  watering,  even  in  this  hot  sum- 
mer, and  the  fruit  swelled  beautifully.  We  shall  have  some- 
thing more  to  say  on  this  subject  when  alluding  to  the  practice 
in  this  respect  of  one  of  the  best  Grape-growers  in  the  country, 
who  never  waters  his  wide  outside  borders. 

Last  week  we  stated  that  we  had  fresh-mulched  all  our 
orchard-house  trees  in  pots,  and  we  have  given  the  ground  a 
good  watering  with  what  we  could  get.  Oning  to  the  heat  we 
have  gathered  fine  Figs  in  the  orchard  house  earlier  than  usual. 
Plums  have  also  come  in  useful ;  and  Peaches  and  Nectarines, 
which  could  have  been  in,  we  are  for  a  definite  purpose  keeping 
back,  by  air-giving  night  and  day.  When  much  is  attempted 
in  one  house,  and  that  house  is  unhealed,  we  are  apt  to  injure 
something.  For  instance,  the  higher  temperature  we  were  giving 
this  house,  merely  by  reducing  the  air  given,  would  not  only 
have  prevented  a  little  stoppage  between  fruit-gathering  from 
the  Peach  house  aud  the  orchard  house,  but  the  same  treat- 
ment that  would  have  afforded  Peaches  and  Nectarines  a  few 
weeks  earlier  would  also  have  suited  the  Vines  growing  in  the 
house,  as  such  Vines,  chiefly  late  kinds,  do  best  when  ripened 
rather  early  in  the  autumn.  As  it  is,  there  will  be  a  consider- 
able difference  in  the  time  of  ripening  in  our  two  houses,  but 
there  would  have  been  more  had  we  not  tried  to  retard  the  first 
house,  which  we  may  manage  for  eight  or  ten  days  by  keeping 
it  as  cool  as  possible  in  this  weather,  and  slightly  shading  the 
roof  with  a  sprinkling  over  the  glass  of  whitened  water.  Cool- 
ness is  also  much  promoted  by  slightly  sprinkling  the  floor 
with  water  in  the  hottest  time  of  the  day.  This  is  a  very 
different  affair  from  dribbling  as  an  excuse  for  watering.  When 
real  watering  is  intended  it  is  best  to  water  thoroughly,  and 
then  wait  until  watering  is  again  needed.  When  clear  water 
can  be  obtained,  refreshing  the  foliage  and  even  slightly  damp- 
ing the  surface  so  that  the  water  may  rise  again  in  vapour  are 
very  different  affairs. 

Some  years  ago  wo  were  asked  to  look  at  a  large  Peach  house 
of  promising  young  trees  that  refused  to  swell  their  fruit  after 
stoning ;  but  at  and  after  that  period,  though  well  thinned,  the 
fruit  fell  from  the  trees  in  great  numbers,  and  being  chiefly 
Nectarines  were  of  no  use  whatever.  The  trees  from  constant 
syringing  morning  and  evening  looked  well,  aud  the  soil  of  the 
house  seemed  good,  and  if  anything  too  moist;  on  inquiry  we 
found  it  was  frequently  watered  and  well  drained,  and  therefore 
stagnant  moisture  could  not  be  the  reason.  Being  somewhat 
at  a  loss  to  account  for  the  faUing  of  the  fruit  we  turned  up  a 
portion  of  the  border  with  our  walking  stick,  and  on  doing  so 
in  several  places  we  found  that  the  moist  soil  scarcely  extended 
2  inches  from  the  surface.  Farther  down  the  roots  were  re- 
ceiving no  benefit  from  the  surface-watering — nay,  were  injured 
by  it,  because  the  ascent  of  moisture  from  beneath  the  roots 
was  thus  arrested.  Now,  in  such  a  case  the  remedy  had  to  be 
applied  with  judgment.  Only  a  few  fruit  had  begun  to  fall; 
and  wc  felt  tolerably  certain  that  if  the  soil  of  the  house  were 
saturated  to  aud  beyond  the  roots,  the  stimulus  given  so  sud- 
denly would  be  apt  to  throw  the  fruit  off  in  numbers.  Our 
advice  was  carried  out  with  the  best  results.  The  house  being 
a  lean-to,  about  a  third  of  the  border  next  the  back  wall  was 
forked  over,  and  that  was  well  watered.  In  four  days  the 
middle  part  had  holes  made  in  it,  and  that  received  half  a 
watering;  in  other  four  days  the  front  part  was  done  in  the 
same  way;  and  then  in  other  four  or  five  days  these  two  parts 
received  enough  to  saturate  the  ground  about  the  roots.  The 
trees  so  treated,  we  have  been  informed,  have  rarely  dropped  a 
fruit  since ;  so  that  the  owner  says  it  is  of  no  use  delaying  to 
thin,  as  he  is  sure  to  have  too  many  if  he  does  not  thin  freely 
at  once. 


Strawberries. — As  we  could  not  water  our  beds,  runners  are 
scarce,  and  as  layering  them  at  the  beds,  in  pots  or  otherwise 
would  have  been  of  little  use  without  watering,  we  have  taken 
the  runners  almost  as  soon  as  visible,  and  pricked  them  out  in 
beds  under  old  sashes  as  a  protection,  and  then  we  will  lift 
them  with  little  balls  and  pot.  We  find  this  plan  even  in 
moist  years  saves  much  labour  in  watering,  and  generally  the 
results  are  all  that  could  be  wished.  We  almost  envy  those 
who  will  have  late  Strawberries  in  August.  What  with  late 
kinds  and  turned-out  forced  plants  we  have  often  gathered 
moderately  well  until  the  frosty  nights  came. 

OBNAMENTAL    DErAKTJtENT. 

Proceeded  with  potting,  and  shaded  most  plants  under  glass, 
chiefly  to  save  watering.  Our  chief  work,  however,  has  been 
trying  to  save  the  flower  garden  as  much  as  possible.  The 
parts  farthest  removed  from  observation  we  have  been  forced 
to  leave  unattended  to.  Hollyhocks  would  have  been  fine  in 
a  moist  season,  and  even  now  are  good,  though  shorter  than 
we  like  to  see  them,  as  their  grandeur  in  our  opinion  consists 
to  a  great  extent  in  the  height  of  the  stems  and  the  length  of 
the  gorgeous  spikes,  instead  of  being  snubbed  and  shortened 
for  a  mass  of  flowers  for  exhibition  purposes.  These,  too, 
have  been  left  to  themselves  without  a  drop  of  water,  and  but 
little  or  no  mulching,  though  that  would  have  helped  them. 
The  flower  beds  and  borders  that  we  have  attempted  to  keep  good 
are  looking  better  than  could  be  expected,  those  suffering  most 
from  dryness  being  watered  only  once  in  eight  or  ten  days.  The 
'21st  and  22nd  tried  them  considerably,  but  the  duhiess  of  the 
23rd  gave  them  a  chance  ;  and  in  order  to  do  what  we  could  for 
them  in  giving  water  on  that  and  the  following  day,  and  apply- 
ing it  so  as  to  reach  the  roots  by  making  holes  and  moving  the 
surface  previously,  we  followed  the  watering  by  mulching  all 
the  exposed  soil  again  with  rough  Mushroom  dung  from  an 
exhausted  bed,  merely  passing  through  an  inch-sieve  that 
which  was  placed  near  the  outside.  The  beds  would  have  had 
this  mulching  long  before,  but  we  could  not  well  use  the  Mush- 
room bed  earlier,  as  it  kept  on  producing  later  than  we  expected. 
We  hope  to  have  enough  of  sewage  to  go  over  another  principal 
part  of  the  flower  garden  on  Monday,  and  this  we  will  mulch 
in  all  open  places  directly  after  the  watering. 

Of  course,  in  such  weather  the  drier  the  mulching  when  se 
applied  the  better  it  will  act.  Many  of  the  beds  can  receive  no 
attention  in  this  way,  as  they  are  too  full  to  permit  of  any  such 
material  getting  in  among  the  plants ;  but  in  many  beds, 
though  seemingly  full,  the  plants  can  be  held  a  little  to 
one  side  to  permit  of  a  little  surfacing,  and  then  the  moisture 
exhaled  will  chiefly  be  from  the  foliage.  As  to  what  we  have 
been  able  to  give  even  such  very  limited  waterings,  we  have 
little  fault  to  flnd,  if  we  only  could  have  a  green  lawn  around 
them.  Even  the  Lobelia  edgings,  so  unmercifully  cut  down  by 
rabbits,  promise  to  form  blue  lines  at  last,  as  the  rabbits  dis- 
liked poking  their  noses  so  near  the  lime  and  sulphur.  As 
regards  the  beds  so  watered  and  mulched,  with  a  slight  shower 
now  and  then,  and  the  decreased  temperature  that  has  prevailed 
since  the  23rd  continuing,  we  hope  to  be  tolerably  independent 
of  watering. 

A  gentleman  who  visited  ns  lately  seeing  so  much  free 
growth  in  the  plants,  and  such  masses  of  flowers,  notwith- 
standing the  drawbacks,  would  scarcely  believe  that  we  did  not 
water,  if  not  every  night,  at  least  every  other  night,  and  even 
now  we  are  doubtful  if  he  does  not  believe  that  we  have 
some  secret  never-failing  source  of  supply  to  go  to.  He  told 
us  that  cocoa-nut  fibre  would  be  a  neater  mulching  for  the 
flower  beds  where  it  could  be  seen,  and  we  quite  agree  with 
him,  but  a  ton  or  half  a  ton  that  would  cover  all  his  beds  well, 
would  do  little  or  nothing  for  us.  Many  gentlemen  with  their 
neat  little  places  which  they  partly  superintend  themselves, 
with  the  help  of  a  good  handy  man  or  two,  often  run  away  with 
the  idea  that  in  larger  places  a  proportionate  amount  of  money 
is  spent.  Such  give  a  sort  of  incredulous  assent  to  the  state- 
ment, that  large  places  are  often  managed  with  an  economy 
that  would  be  startling  to  the  possessors  of  small  places.  Nur- 
serymen could  often  tell  how  not  noblemen's  gardeners,  but 
amateurs  with  their  little  gardens,  are  their  best  supporters. 
However,  in  such  a  season  as  this,  many  who  have  from  six  to 
a  dozen  flower  beds  would  have  found  their  labours  lightened 
if  soon  after  planting  they  had  covered  their  beds  over  with 
cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse.  Quite  as  good,  but  not  so  neat,  wotild 
have  been  rotten  hotbed  manure,  broken  aud  passed  thi'ough 
an  inch  sieve. 

Ohtaining  Water.— U.  is  singular  how  well-educated  men  will 


Joiy  80, 1668.  ] 


JOUBNAL  OP  HORTIOULTUBR  AND  COTTAGE    GABDENRB. 


81 


run  away  with  any  freeh  idea,  and  consider  that  what  is  appli- 
cable in  one  case  will  be  applicable  in  all  caeos.  Tliroiigli  the 
kindness  of  a  friend  who  saw  the  operation,  we  were  among 
the  liist  to  draw  attention  to  the  American  pump,  so  Bucoees- 
fully  used  iu  Abyssinia,  by  which  all  sinking  of  wells  is  avoided. 
Visitors  have  said  to  us,  '•  Why  do  you  not  have  two  or  three 
American  pumps,  and  thus  ^ot  plenty  of  water?  We  see  there 
is  water  in  your  ponds,  there  is  or  must  be  plenty  a  little 
deeper  iu  the  ground."  It  is  almost  useless  to  tell  them  that 
the  water  in  the  ponds  is  that  collected  from  rains,  that  a  tube 
pump  can  be  of  little  use  where  the  water  is  not  fouud  under 
less  than  30  feet  from  the  surface,  whilst  our  well  only  retains 
water  at  something  like  280  feet  from  the  surface,  and  oven 
that  has  dried  at  times. 

Some  also  tell  us  there  is  nothing  like  artesian  wells.  "  Why 
don't  you  get  one  sunk,  and  have  the  water  bubbling  up  for 
you?"  and  all  this  though  we  occupy  the  highest  ground  for 
miles,  and  must  go  to  the  level  of  the  nearest  streams  before 
we  can  obtain  water  at  all,  and  then  raise  it  by  machinery  and 
force-pump  to  the  surface.  An  artesian  spring  can  only  run 
over  when  the  water  comes  from  a  much  higher  altitude,  and 
therefore,  as  a  rule,  can  only  be  had  in  a  valley,  and  not  on  the 
top  of  a  hill.  Strange  things  as  respects  water  do  sometimes 
take  place.  For  instance,  on  one  side  of  Barnet,  and  that  on 
high  ground,  you  cannot  sink  3  or  4  feet  without  coming  to 
water ;  on  the  other  side  you  must  go  down  some  hundreds  of 
feet.  Those  who  think  they  can  have  American  tube  pumps 
and  artesian  wells  anywhere  would  admire  water-work  foun- 
tains as  much  at  the  top  of  a  hill  as  iu  the  level  in  the  valley, 
though  the  valley  is  the  only  place  in  which  a  fountain  can 
appear  naturally  ;  and  all  fountains  on  higher  grounds  will 
suggest  to  the  considerate  the  machinery  that  is  required  to  raise 
the  water.  The  waterworks,  as  at  Chatsworth  andEnville,  will 
ever  be  the  most  successful  when  no  such  thought  of  machinery, 
steam  power,  &c.,  is  obtruded  on  the  mind  of  the  spectator. 
At  the  former  place  the  knowledge  that  there  is  a  lake  on  the 
top  of  the  hill  throws  everything  of  the  artificial  as  to  obtain- 
ing the  water  aside.  At  the  latter  the  splendid  fountains  in 
the  lakes  are  supplied  from  a  large  elevated  reservoir,  and  if 
not  told,  you  know  nothing  of  the  steam  power  that  keeps  the 
large  reservoir  full.  The  smoke  and  the  clanking  from  the 
steam-engine,  if  seen  and  heard,  would  rob  the  gorgeous  scene 
of  half  its  charms.  The  lesson  to  be  learned  is  not  to  attempt 
much  in  the  way  of  wells  and  fountains  on  the  tops  of  hills, 
and  to  make  no  great  effects  with  jets  or  falls  of  water  unless 
you  are  placed  in  a  valley,  as  then  a  fountain  would  look 
natural. — B.  F. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— July  2!t. 

A  GREAT  falling  off  in  tlie  supply  of  soft  fruits,  Raspberries  and 
Strawberries  being  quite  over.  Large  arrivals  of  West  Indian  Pines  are 
again  reported,  and  we  liave  heavy  consignments  of  Apples  and  Pears 
from  the  Continent.    Good  vegetables  are  scarce. 


FBDIT. 


Apples >o  sieve 

Apricots doz. 

Cherries lb. 

Chestnuts bush. 

Currants 3._2  sieve 

Black do. 

Figs doz. 

Filberts lb. 

Cobs lb. 

Gooseberries  ..quart 
Grapes,  Hothouse,  .lb. 
Lemons 100 


Artichokes doz. 

Aeparagus  100 

Beans,  Kidney  y^  sieve 

Beet,  Red doz. 

Broccoli bundle 

Bma.  Sprouts  ^J  sieve 

Cabbage doz. 

Capsicums 100 

Carrots bunch 

Cauliflower doz. 

Celery bundle 

CucumberB each 

Enidive doz. 

Fennel bunch 

Garlic lb. 

H«rbs  bunch 

Soreeradish  ..  handle 


e.  d.      s.  d 


1 

6to  0 

n 

2 

0 

4 

n 

0 

0 

0 

0 

11 

u 

0 

0 

4 

0 

0 

0 

4 

0 

a 

0 

4 

u 

s 

n 

1 

() 

0 

n 

0 

fl 

1 

0 

(1 

4 

0 

K 

2 

0 

.1 

n 

8 

0 

12 

0 

s. 

d. 

ma 

B. 

KT 
d 

2 

OtoS 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

0 

0 

0 

a 

0 

8 

0 

n 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

1 

s 

n 

0 

0 

0 

0 

B 

1 

0 

s 

0 

6 

0 

1 

fi 

a 

0 

0 

4 

1 

n 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

0 

n 

0 

8 

0 

0 

0 

8 

0 

0 

a 

0 

s 

0 

MeloDB each    3 

Nectarines doz.  4 

Oranges 100  12 

Peaches doz .    6  0 

Pears  (dessert)  ..doz.    2  0 

Pine  Apples lb.    3  0 

Phims 1-2  sieve    5  0 

Quinces doz.    0  0 

Raspberries  lb.     0  0 

Strawberries  . .    per  lb.    0  0 

Walnuts bush.  10  0 

do per  100    1  0 


d.    B. 
0to6 
0 
0 


d 

0 
6  0 
0    0 


0 
0 
0 
0 
0  0 
0    8 


Leeks bnnch 

Lettuce  ....  per  score 

Mushrooms pottle 

Mustd.tft  Cress,  punnet 
Onions  per  doz  bchs. 

Parsley per  sieve 

Parsnips doz. 

Peas per  quart 

Potatoes bushel 

Kidney  do. 

Radishes  doz.  bunches 

Rhubarb bundle 

Sea-kale basket 

Shallots lb. 

Siiinach busLel 

Tomatoes....  per  doz. 
Turnips  bnnch 


d.      B.  d 
4  too    6 


2  0 

4  0 

a  0 

0  0 


4    0 
0 


6  0 

7  0 
0    n 

0 
0 
0 


TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 

•»•  We  request  that  no  one  will  write  privalelj  to  the  depart- 
mentoi  writers  of  the  "Journal  of  Hoiticullure,  Cottage 
Gardener,  and  Country  Gentleman."  By  so  doing  they 
are  subjected  to  unjustifiable  trouble  and  expense.  All 
communications  should  therefore  be  addressed  solely  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  liorticuliure,  <£'c.,  171,  Fleet 
Street^  London^  E.C, 

We  also  request  that  correspondents  will  not  mix  i;p  on  the 
same  sheet  questions  relating  to  Gardening  and  those  on 
Poultry  and  Bee  subjects,  if  they  expect  to  get  t hum  an- 
swered promptly  and  conveniently,  but  write  them  on 
separate  communications.  Also  never  to  send  more  than 
two  or  three  questions  at  once. 

N.B. — Many  questions  must  remain  unanswered  until  next 
week. 

Dark  or  Pink  Hybrid  Perpetual  Robe  {A  Subscriber).—"  Yon  re- 
quire a  dark  or  pink  Hybrii  Perpetual  which  will  bloom  abundantly 
and  lato  in  the  teason,  and  'which  must  be  a  successful  and  quick 
climber  on  a  west  aHpect.'  For  the  dark,  1  recommend  Due  de  Cazts,  and 
lor  the  pink,  Anna  Aloxieff  ;  they  are  both  good  II'  Urst-class  flowers  are 
needed,  for  dark  procure  Prince  Cimiillo  de  Rohan ;  and  for  salmon 
pink,  William  Griffiths,  a  Rose  that  has  uevar  been  excoUed.— W.  P. 
Radclyffe." 

Rose  Cardinal  Patrizzi(E.  H.  Doicsoii). — "  Having  earthed-up  Cardinal 
Patrizzi  8  inches  over  the  puiut  of  union,  no  doubt  it  has  made  roots  of 
its  own,  independent  of  the  Minetti  stock.  If  you  wish  to  have  blossoms 
this  season  from  the  4-fcet  blind  shoots  you  must  cut  back  G  inches  or  so 
to  a  plump  eye  in  tolerably  hard  wood.  At  Ihe  fall  of  the  leaf  you  will  do 
well  to  take  "the  plant  up,  cut  away  the  Manetti  ftock  which  is  too  far 
removed  from  the  sui-face,  and  having  replanted,  dry-mulch  through  the 
winter. — W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

Rose  Over-luxuriant  (Thr  Hoar,  at  tin'  Coitagc).—^^  The  glorious  crim- 
son Hose,  of  a  deep  colour,  and  large  size,  growth  of  wood  (i  inches,  I 
imagine  was  Louis  XIV.  Another  Rose  of  moderate  growth,  and  of  a 
similar  description,  would  be  Victor  Emmanuel,  a  Bourbon.  If  the  lady 
will  forward  me  a  bloum,  or  a  piece  of  wood,  or  foliage,  I  might  be  able  to 
tell  the  name.  LouiyXtV.  is  of  the  colour  of  rich  blood,  dark-shaded,  and 
not  over-full.  Victor  Emmanuel  is  crimson  pur(de.  Tnere  are  two  other 
d^ep  crimson  Rosea  of  moderate  growth,  and  which  may  be  called 
glorious — namely,  Madame  Masson,  large,  expanded,  a  claret  crimson; 
and  Xavier  Olibo,  globular,  tine  before  expans-ion,  but  hollow  as  a  drum. 
I  expect  if  the  rate  of  growth  is  correct  that  the  Rose  is  either  Louie 
XIV.,  or  one  of  these  two.  Supposing  the  variety  not  to  he  any  of  these, 
it  may  be  Due  de  Cazes,  Pierre  Nutting,  or  Prince  Camille  de  Rohan. 
The  first  is  not  over-full,  the  second  is  globular  and  full,  the  third  is  flat, 
or  expanded,  and  dies  ofl"  nearly  black.  With  regard  to  the  long  blind 
shoot,  cut  the  shoot  back  one-third,  and  if  the  Rose  is  not  a  summer 
Rose,  it  will  probably  put  forth  side  branches  and  bloom  this  year.  No 
matter  what  the  Rose  is,  if  the  growth  is  rampant,  the  less  it  is  cut  the 
more  chance  there  is  of  producing  blooms.  If  the  ground  is  not  iu  high 
condition  when  the  Rose  is  cut  back,  supply  a  little  manure,  and  water. 
— W.  F.  Uadclyffe." 

Grapes  Spotted  (O.  C.  G.). — The  Grapes  you  enclosed  are  affected 
with  what  gardeners  call  "  the  spot."  It  is  believed  to  be  an  ulcer  caused 
by  the  roots  not  supplying  a  suUiciency  of  sap.  Water  th^m  with  tepid 
water  abundantly,  and  give  a  little  weak  liquid  manure.  Thin  half  the 
berries  out  froni  each  bunch  in  which  they  are  as  close  as  in  that  yon 
enclosed. 

Name  of  Grape  {John  Fcrm^).— The  ben-ics  were  totally  smashed  and 
dry.    Send  some  in  a  tin  box. 

Vines  for  Conservatory  (E.  B.  B.), — We  recommend  a  Black  Ham- 
burgh and  a  Royal  Muscadine. 

Febn  at  the  Leicester  Exhibition. — "  In  your  account  of  the  Floral 
Committee's  awards  at  Leicester,  you  give  Mr.  E.  J.  Lowe,  instead  oi 
J.  E.  Mapplebeck,  the  credit  of  receiviog  a  first-class  certificate  for  a 
Fern  exhibited  by  me,  which  I  found,  and  he  does  not  possess.  The 
name  of  it  is  Lastrea  Filix-mas  var.  Mapplebeckii. — John  E.  Mapplebeck, 
Mosslcy,  near  Birmiuf/ham.'" 

Address  (J.  F.  N-). — Messrs.  Downie,  Laird,  &  Laing's  address  is 
Stanstead  Park,  Forest  Hill,  London,  S.E.,  andl7,  South  Frederick  Street, 
Edinburgh. 

Training  Vines  in  a  Vinery  (Reader).— If  you  make  no  other  use  of 
your  front  glass,  there  is  no  objection  to  spurring  the  Vines  from  the 
ground  to  the  top  of  the  front  glass,  and  thence  along  beneath  the  rafters, 
but  here  we  should  advise  the  mode  of  mnuagement  to  be  the  same,  for 
if  under  the  rafter  you  were  chiefly  to  use  the  rod-system,  it  would  starve 
the  lower  part  of  the  Vine.  With  Vines  '6  feet  apnrt  you  will  do  little 
good  on  the  back  wall  by  training  down  after  the  Vines  are  established, 
but  the  plan  may  be  tried.  The  shade  will  be  against  them  there.  If 
you  grow  much  below  the  Vines,  your  spurs  in  front  will  keep  out  light 
from  the  secondary  crops. 

Pruning  Fruit  Trees  (Richd.  Taylor).— U  the  strong  leading  shoots 
are  stopped  early,  the  laterals  produced  would  have  time  to  ripen  their 
wood  perfectly,  and  the  shortening  of  the  stronger  shoots  would  diffuse 
the  strength  more  equally  over  the  tree.  We  should  in  your  case  stop 
back  freely,  and  we  think  that  as  you  have  so  little  fruit,  we  would  also 
root-prune  in  September,  doing  it  so  as  to  check  growth,  but  not  so  much 
as  to  cause  the  trees  to  flag. 

Heating  a  Peach  House  with  Hot  Water  (J.  M.,  Northfield).~Al- 
thouyh  it  is  not  necessary  to  heat  a  Peach  house,  it  would  be  an  advan- 
tage to  do  so,  as  you  can  take  pipes  very  readily  from  your  present  boiler. 
Pipes  on  the  Truss  principle  will  be  best  for  removal.  We  think  they  will 
cost  a  little  more,  but  it  would  be  best  to  ask  the  advertiser,  as  we  have 
used  none  ourselves.  As  you  have  common  jointed  pipes  in  the  other 
houses  it  would  bu  well  to  have  an  understanding  as  to  removal  with  the 
landlord.    A  boUer  complete  in  itself  may  be  removed,  but  ono 


82 


JOUUNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  July  30,  1868. 


brickwork  we  think  is  not  removable  without  a  proper  understanding  to  ! 
that  e fleet. 

Destroying  Ants  {A,  Q.).—ln  another  column  you  will  see  a  notice  of 
a  compound  Mr.  Abbey  has  uacd  for  the  destruction  of  insect  pests.  A 
solution  of  2ozs.  to  the  ptJilInn  of  water  is  instant  death  to  evary  ant  it 
touches,  and  poured  into  the  nest  it  will  destroy  the  colony.  If  you 
sprinkle  guano  over  their  haunts  it  will  drive  the  ants  away. 

Saving  and  Sowing  Fuchsia  Seed  {H.  B.).~The  berries  should  be 
left  on  the  plant  until  they  are  quite  black,  and  readily  part  from  it.  then 
with  the  fingers  squeeze  them  in  a  basin  of  water  until  the  seeds  are 
separated  from  the  pulp.  They  will  then  sink  to  the  bottom  ;  next  drain 
off  the  water  and  pulp,  and  set  the  basin  on  its  side  in  a  dry  place,  so  as 
to  dry  the  seeds.  When  dry  wrap  them  up  in  paper,  and  keep  them  until 
spring.  They  may  be  sown  at  the  beginning  of  March,  or  if  now  ripe  we 
would  sow  forthwith.  Sow  in  pots  or  pans,  well  drained,  and  filled  to 
within  a  quarter  of  bh  inch  of  the  rim  with  a  compost  of  two-thirds  sandy 
fibrous  loam,  one-third  leaf  mould,  and  about  one-sixth  silver  sand.  The 
compost  should  be  sifted.  Place  the  soil  rt-maining  in  the  sieve  over  the 
crocks  to  the  depth  of  an  inch,  and  on  it  the  sifted  soil.  Level  the  surface 
by  pressing  it  with  the  bottom  of  a  small  flower-pot.  scatter  the  seeds 
rather  thinly  and  evenly,  and  cover  them  lightly  to  a  depth  about  equal 
to  the  thickness  of  the  seed;  give  a  gentle  watering,  and  place  the  puts 
in  a  house  where  there  is  a  temperature  of  from  55  to  60  at  night,  and 
from  70*  to  80"  by  day,  keeping  the  soil  moist,  and  near  the  glass.  When 
the  plants  appear  afl"ord  plenty  of  light  and  air,  and  by  degi-ees  harden 
them  off.  The  pot  or  pnn  nmy  be  placed  in  a  hotbed,  and  the  seedlings 
forwarded  there  until  they  are  of  suflicient  size  to  be  put  singly  in  small 
pots.  This  should  be  done  as  soon  as  tbev  can  well  be  handled,  and  after 
potting  they  must  be  returned  to  the  hotbed,  and  kept  there  until  they 
become  again  established  ;  then  harden  them  ofl",  and  remove  to  an  airy 
position  in  the  greenhouse.  A  shelf  near  the  glass  is  the  most  suitable 
place. 

Sunflower  Seed  Savikg  (B.  B.).— Cut  the  heads  as  soon  as  the  seeds 
are  ripe.  Lay  them  on  a  floor  in  a  dry,  airy  building  for  ten  days  or  a 
fortnight, and  then  beat  them  with  a  stick,  and  the  seeds  will  fall  out.  In 
a  windy  day  winnow  them,  placing  a  sheet  or  cloth  on  the  floor  or  ground. 
The  seeds  being  thus  freed  of  husks  and  dust  shoula  he  stored  in  bags 
in  a  dry  place.    The  heads  should  be  gathered  in  a  dry  day. 

Syringing  Ferns  (A.  B.  5.).— Wo  are  in  the  habit  of  syringing  our 
Ferns  in  the  evening,  and  we  do  not  find  their  foliage  damaged.    The 
specimen  sent  appears  scorched,  probably  owing  to  the  syringing  being 
heav^-,  and  the  house  being  closed  at  night ;  there  will,  consequently,  be 
more  or  less  condensed  moisture  on  the  fronds  in  the  morning,  and  the  \ 
sun's  rays  falling  upon  them  in  that  state  will  account  for  the  brownno^s  I 
of  the  specimen.     Do  not  give  more  than  a  gentle  sprinkling,  keep  the  I 
atmosphere  moist  by  sprinkling  the  paths,  walls,  and  othrr  surfaces  with  ' 
water  morning  and  evening,  and  give  a  little  air  at  nigiit,  but  not  in  ex-  ' 
CQssive  quantity  so  as  to  creat«  a  current.     A  temperature  of  from  70    to 
75'  at   night  is   much  too  warm    for  the    kinds  of  Ferns    you  name. 
Admit  air  more  freely  so  as  to  reduce  the  temperature.    Spongj-  peat  is 
not  pood  for  Ferns.    That  most  suitable  is  of  a  brownish  coIour,'and  full 
of  fibres  and  of  particles  of  sand.    If  upon  wetting  the  peat  does  not  when 
squeezed  form  a  ball  of  mud,  nor  give  ofl"  very  black  water,  it  will  grow 
Ferns  well,  and  almost  all  plants  needing  peat  soil.    Ficus  repens  is  a 
stove  climber.  , 

Site  for  Hardy  Fernery  f  TF.  O.  B.).— We  have  found  a  north  aspect 
most  suitable.     The  plants  are  less  liable  to  injury  from  cold  in  winter,  j 
as  the  house  does  not  become  hot  in  the  day  and  very  cold  at  night.  ' 
Extremes  of  heat  and  cold,  nr  sudden  changes  of  temperature,  are  not 
beneficial  to  the  growth  of  Ferns.    The  house,  though  with  a  north  aspect, 
wDl  need  shade  in  summer.    We  have  not  noticed  any  tardiness  of  growth  ■ 
in  the  case  of  Ferns  in  a  north  aspect.  1 

Portugal  Quince  [H.  S.).— The  Portugal  Quince  is  the  finest,  but  not 
ao  productive  nor  so  hardy  as  the  Apple-shaped.  The  tree  bears  when  of  \ 
comparatively  small  size,  and  a  good  trep  two  or  three  years  grafted  will 
bear  the  second  or  third  year  after  planting.  A  Quince  tree  or  two  would 
be  desirable  in  a  selection,  but  whether  it  is  worth  while  growing  one 
must  be  determined  by  the  taste  of  the  proprietor. 

Thrips  on  Melons  (rr/wiK-s-).— The  best  means  of  destroying  thrips  on 
Melon  plants  is  to  fumigate  them,  when  the  foliage  is  dry,"  with  tobacco, 
filling  the  house  with  smoke.  Shade  from  bright  sun,  give  a  thorough 
syringing  on  the  evening  following  the  fumigation,  and  repeat  the  fumi- 
gation next  evening  if  necessary.  It  may  be  necessary  to  repeat  the  fumi- 
gation at  intervals,  taking  care  to  have  the  foliage  drv.aud  to  deliver  the 
smoke  cool. 

LiLiuM  AURATUM  Stem  Eroken  OFF  (TT.  D.).— The  bulb  should  not  be 
disturbed,  but  left  in  the  soil  and  pot.  It  would  not  do  to  take  up  the  bulb 
and  store  it  away  in  a  dry  place  until  winter.  It  will,  no  doubt,  make  a 
good  growth  next  year,  and  early.  You  could  hardly  expect  it  to  flower 
this  year,  as  the  flowering  portion  of  the  stem  was  broken  off. 

Sedum  californicum  Propagation  (ir.  D.).— The  plant  used  as  an 
edging  to  some  of  the  beds  in  Hyde  Park,  we  think  from  your  description, 
is  Sedum  (Sempervivum )  califomicum.  It  forms  large  dense  green 
rosettes  tipped  with  reddish  brown.  It  is  increased  by  division,  which 
may  be  performed  early  in  autumn  or  spring  ;  it  is  also  raised  from  seeds 
when  these  are  procurable.  They  may  be  sown  now  in  light,  sandy,  open 
soil.  It  is  a  free  grower  and  of  easy  culture.  Any  of  the  principal  nm-sery- 
men  could  supply  you. 

Mistletoe  Sowing  iDe  Foix).  —  We  would  sow  the  seed  at  once, 
making  incisions  in  the  under  sides  of  the  branches  of  the  trees  you 
name  similar  to  those  made  for  budding,  and  insert  a  seed  in  each  incision 
between  the  bark  and  wood.  Being  on  the  under  sides  of  the  branches 
the  seed  would  not  be  so  sonn  discovered  by  birds,  and  placed  in  the  in- 
cision it  would  not  be  so  liable  to  be  displaced,  as  if  it  were  merely  placed 
on  the  branch,  which,  however,  is  quite  sufflcieut.  lu  addition  to  Poplar 
and  Elm  we  may  name  Lime,  Apple,  Thorn,  and  Crab,  as  .'suitable  for  the 
growth  of  the  Mistletoe. 

Planting  an  Orchard  House  (T.  B.).—  Yonr  plan  will  answer  very 
well.  The  height  of  the  house  will  do  for  standards,  but  they  will  need 
root-pruning.  The  front  row  will  do  well  for  pots.  If  you  aimed  at  the 
least  trouble  we  would  plant  the  front  and  train  the  trees  on  a  trellis  the 
same  as  the  back. 


Strawberry  Plants  (W.  J5.).— We  cannot  recommend  nurserymen. 
Any  who  advertise  in  our  columns  could  supply  the  varieties  you  name. 

Grapes  Marked  [An  Old  Subscriber).— The  box  was  smashed,  as  well 
as  the  berries,  by  the  post-office  punches. 

Seedling  Pansy  (C.  Stiiart).~YouT  Pansy  may  look  well  in  a  mass,  but 
the  flower  is  deficient  in  form  and  substance.  It  appears  to  be  a  eeecUing 
from  one  named  Magpie,  whose  only  recommendation  is  the  contrast  of 
colour,  the  flower  being  of  very  bad  form. 

Rating  Garden  Structures  (S.  Walters).~rhe  appeal  we  alluded  to 
is  to  the  Quarter  Sessions  ;  and  if  the  decision  there  is  adverse,  and  yon 
were  advised  to  do  so,  you  might  have  the  case  brought  before  the  Judges 
in  London.  A  subscription  should  be  raised  among  the  gardeners  in- 
terested to  have  one  case  thus  fully  decided,  and  by  which  the  other 
cases  would  be  ruled.  It  is  perfectlyrseless  to  occupy  any  space  in  our 
columns  with  mere  outcry. 

Pelargoniums  (fl.  TV'.).— What  are  intended  to  be  shown  as  Pelar- 
goniums, are  not  as  you  suppose  any  of  the  genera  of  the  family  Gera- 
niacere,  but  species  or  varieties  of  species  belonging  to  the  genus  Pelar- 
gonium ;  and  the  Zonal  Pelargoniums  mentioned  in  the  show  schedules 
are  varieties  of  either  Pelargonium  zouale  or  inquinans,  and  their  hybrids. 
In  the  class  of  Variegated  Pelargoniums,  any  plant  may  be  shown  that 
belongs  to  the  genus  Pelargonium  and  which  has  variegated  leaves. 
Paxtou's  "  Botanical  Dictionary  "  is  published  at  258. 

FiiuiTS  FROM  France  {CenfHrion}.— The  Pears  called  Marie  Louise  do 
Jersey  and  Windsor  de  Jersey  are  merely  the  ordinary  sorts  known  by 
that  name,  and  the  affix  "  de  Jersey"  indicates  that  the  possessor  ob- 
tained them  from  that  island.  Columbia  is  an  American  Pear  which  in 
some  seasons  is  of  good  quality  in  this  country,  but  not  alwavs  so. 
Chasselas  Rouce  Royale  is  the  same  as  Chasstiis  de  Falloux,  of  Hogg's 
"  Fruit  Manual."  The  Apples,  Calville  Rouge  and  Calville  Rouge  d'Hiver, 
are  synonymous.  It  is  only  of  second-rate  quality.  Of  Duchesse  de 
Brabant  we  have  no  experience. 

Black  Soil  {A  Constant  neader).—X  little  of  the  soil  sent  would  be 
useful  for  Fern  culture  in  a  house,  hut  not  much  of  it,  for  it  seems  as 
sent,  and  also  when  wetted  and  dried  again,  to  become  so  hard.  If  we  are 
not  mistaken,  it  would  act  much  like  pieces  of  grit  or  sandstone,  but  it  is 
not  easy  judging  from  such  small  quantities. 

Vine  Mildewed  (7(/fm).— What  you  have  done  for  vour  Vines  is  all 
proper  aud  ought  to  have  lessened  the  tendency  to  mi'ldew.  We  would 
advise  dusting  the  parts  with  flowers  of  sulphur,  diiubing  the  open  parts 
of  the  wall  with  sulphur  find  soft-soap,  and  giving  a  good  watering  to  the 
roots.     We  fear  the  roots  want  more  help  than  they  have  received. 

Training  Vines  'Hrt//-pfn/).— Having  successfully  treated  your  Vines 
as  advised  on  the  9th  of  Januai-y,  we  would  now  nip  out  the  points  of  the 
shoots  that  have  reached  the  top  of  the  wall,  so  as  to  throw  back  more 
vigour  to  the  stem  nearer  home.  For  this  purpose  encourage  laterals 
there  for  a  couple  of  mouths,  merely  nipping  out  their  points.  This  will 
do  more  to  strengthen  the  stem  than  allowing  the  Vine  to  run  along  the 
bick  wall,  but  you  may  let  some  laterals  prow  there.  The  reason  of  this 
will  be  more  obvious  if  you  attend  to  what  is  said  about  cutting  back 
these  Vine  shoots  after  the  wood  is  ripened  in  the  autumn.  Recollect 
that  taking  much  fruit  from  these  Vines  next  year  will  paralyse  them  for 
the  future.  You  did  quite  right  with  the  Peach  tree.  Alice  Maud  is  a  good 
Strawberry  for  a  pot  and  for  your  house,  and  so  is  President  and  Prince 
of  Wales  ;  the  former  is  generally  fruitful. 

Cost  of  Erecting  a  Vinery  (B.  3/.).— We  cannot  enter  on  the  sub- 
ject of  estimates,  as  there  is  such  a  difl'erence  in  the  mode  of  doing  work. 
We  have  allowed  others  to  state  how  cheaply  they  erected  fixed  glass 
roofs  by  using  large  squares  and  no  rafters.  Tradesmen  advertise  in  our 
pages  how  cheaply  they  can  send  out  sashes  complete.  Given  a  wall, 
a  lean-to  about  12  feet  wide  may  be  put  up  for  something  like  lOs.  per 
foot  run,  but  it  will  be  useful  rather  than  ornamental;  the  rafter  sash- 
bars  fixed,  and  the  glass  from  18  to  '20  inches  from  bar  to  bar.  A  span- 
roof  20  feet  wide  will  be  a  useful  house.  If  the  wall  is  to  be  built,  the 
span-roof  will  be  the  cheaper,  as  glass  costs  less  than  brick,  and  then 
you  would  only  need  a  low  wall  all  round,  say  2^  feet,  and  glass  SA  feet. 
Iron  piping  will  cost  from  23.  Gd.  per  yard,  and  the  boiler  for  such  a  house 
would  be  from  £5  to  £Q.  You  can  have  good  glass  cut  for  2d.  per  foot, 
and  the  prices  of  wood  in  battens,  or  in  rafter  pieces  to  receive  the  glass, 
from  3^  to  4^  inches  in  depth,  can  easily  he  ascertained. 

Cutting  Down  an  Indiardbeer  Plant  (C.  T.  0.|.— Yon  may  cut  down 
your  one-stemmed  Indiarubber  plant  to  1,  2,  or  3  feet,  according  to  the 
space  you  have,  and  then  you  may  have  several  shoots  or  branches  in- 
stead of  one.  Before  you  do  so,  let  the  soil  in  the  pot  become  as  dry  as 
the  plant  will  endure  without  much  flagging,  aud  if  you  tie  a  string 
tighter  and  tighter  every  day  for  a  week,  before  you  cut  off  the  head,  there 
will  be  less  bleeding.  Sear  the  cut  part  with  a  hot  iron,  and  put  damp 
white  lead  on  it. 

Constructing  an  Orchard  House  (A  Constant  Header).— To  meet  the 
most  of  your  requirements  obtain  from  our  office  Pearson  on  "  Orchard 
Houses."  wbich  you  can  have  for  nineteen  postage  stamps.  Such  a 
house,  if  16  feet  wide,  would  be  best  if  a  span  running  north  and  south, 
with  sides  facing  east  and  west,  but  as  on  the  east  side  you  have  a  wall 
8  feet  high,  you  might  put  your  house  against  it.  In  this  case  a  hipped 
and  a  sloping  roof  would  be  best  for  the  width— say  a  short  hipped-roof 
at  the  wall,  5  feet  in  length,  forming  a  ridge-board  13  feet  from  the  floor. 
This,  with  a  front  of  6  feet,  part  glass  and  part  wood  or  brick,  would  give 
you  a  front  rafter  of  about  13  feet.  But  for  your  wall,  a  span-roof  would 
bo  Iie,t,sayl2  feet  high  in  the  centre,  6  feet  high  at  the  sides,  and  having 
a  double  ridge  board  so  as  to  have  a  swing  ventilator  between.  Then, 
in  the  first  place,  you  should  have  a  fixed  roof,  and  the  wood  should  be 
4,^  by  1.^  inches,  and  from  16  to  20  inches  apart.  In  the  span-roof,  the 
roof  would  be  so  much  shorter  that  8-inch-deep  rafter  sash-bars  would 
do.  In  either  of  these  cases  there  would  be  no  aaehes.  The  size  of  the 
squares  of  glass  might  be  16  inches  by  12,  or  20  by  13.  Have  the  floor 
level  i£  convenient,  but  there  is  no  great  objection  to  a  sloping  floor  and 
a  sloping  roof,  but  the  level  floor  will  always  be  most  easily  managed.  As 
you  can  easilv  go  up,  there  is  little  use  in  sinking  the  earth  or  floor. 
What  you  gain  in  warmth  you  lose  in  damp.  A  heating  apparatus  will 
he  an  advantage  if  you  contemplate  flowers  as  well  as  fruit.  A  good  iron 
or  brick  Amott's  stove  would,  however,  keep  out  frost;  if  you  want 
much  more  you  had  better  have  a  flue  or  hot  water.    The  most  pleasing 


July  30, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HOliTICULTUKB   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER, 


63 


and  proQtablo  war  of  stocking  suob  a  buu^tc,  if  span-roofod,  is  to  plant 
at  each  sido,  tmin  to  the  ridge-board,  and  have  a  broad  walk  iti  the 
centre.  Thf^rc  aro  numerous  modes,  either  by  i)ot  culture,  tjrowintr  ns 
bushes,  &c.  H  Grapos  uro  wished,  Bhick  Hamburgh  and  Uoyal  aius- 
cadino  will  ho  the  host.  The  beat  time  to  build  is  as  soon  as  pnssilile. 
The  best  time  to  <tock  it  is  as  soon  after  Octnbor  as  the  wood  of  the  trees 
is  ripe.  The  flowers,  if  in  pots,  may  be  obtained  as  soon  as  the  house  is 
flniahed. 

Kahks  or  FnuiTS  {Mr.  CobbetD.—The  White-fruited  Black  Currant. 
(J,  Ashmole,  Il/oril).~V.n.r\y  Harvest  Apple. 

N'AUEs  or  Plants  (Jiiiidl. — Veronica  agrestis.  (J.  D.  (7.).— Rhus  cotinus. 
{fl".  Oafr^j/).— Veratrum  nigrum.    (.S'.  A.  3/.).— 1,  Athyrium  Filis-f<cmina 


;  rhrcticnm;  2.  4,  and  5,  Aspidium  (Lastroa)  Filix-mas ;  3,  Cystopterla 

\  fi'iigilis.     (./.  B.  Boifil).—So  fructlfioation  to  the  spociinons.     (F.  E.  H.). — 

1,   Oymnogramma  jupoiiicn ;  M,   NopliroJium  sctigf^ruin.     (G.  K.  Cox). — ■ 

Sondling    frond     of    Athyriuin    Filix-fuL-iniua.      (/Vn'/o/)-'). — (Jystopteris 

fraKihs.     (.1    II.  of  B.).— Aspleniuni  bulbiforum.     (.Sfc/Wtanoft's).— Nophro- 

diuni   glabellum.     (./.    \V.  P.).—\.,   Aspidium  trichomanos  ;  U.  SelnRinella 

I  Marten^ii ;  :i,  S.  Kraussii  ;  4,  Siixilraga  barnientosa.  (S.  -S.) — 1,  Asplenium 

I  adiantuin  ui><runi ;  y,  A.  trichomanes ;  3,  Polypodiura  dryopteris ;  4,  Adi- 

I  antuin  tenorum.    {K.  C.  li.). — Celtis  occidentalis.    {J.  Baily). — Vamaria 

j  pftrvitlora.      {H.    A.    M.).— 1,  Lotus    corniculatus  ;    2,  Galium    verum ; 

I  :(,  ArhilUm  millofoliuui;  4,  Inula  puUcarla  (PuUcaria  vulgaris);  5,  Lysi- 

I  machla  niiiuuiularia. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  enriing  July  28th. 


Date. 

THERMOMETEK. 

Wind. 

Rain  In 
inobes. 

Oenebal  Bemabks. 

BiKOMETEa. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Mai. 

Mln. 

Max.  1  Min. 

1  «t.  di>.  [  2  ft.  dp. 

Wad...  22 

ThOTB.  2» 

Frl.  ..  24 
Sat.  ..  25 
Son...  26 
Hon...  27 
Taes. .  28 

Mean 

2n.iM:) 
3l).(Mi) 
3i).o:)0 
80.031) 
80.(100 
29,8!!S 
20.733 

29.835 
29.874 
3l),02» 
29  928 
29.931 
29.737 
29.622 

93 

79 
72 
78 
80 

88 
87 

57 
46 
01 
56 
56 
53 
62 

73 
73 

77 
75 
70 
70 
71 

68 
67 
6S 
68 
66 
6-5 
66 

s. 

N. 
N.E. 

N. 
S-E. 
S.W. 

8. 

.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.04 
.00 
.10 

Hazy,  fine ;  very  fine  and  hot ;  fine,  hot  air. 
Very  fine  :  cloudy  ;  clear  and  fine  at  night. 
Fine,  cold  wind;  fine  ;  fine,  slightly  overcast. 
Very  fine  ;  clear  and  very  fine,  brisk  wind  ;  clondy. 
Clear  and  fine  :  heavy  showers  ;  clear  and  fine. 
Fine  ;  dull  and  cloudy  ;  fine  and  very  clear. 
Overcast ;  very  fine  ;  cloudy  and  overcast. 

29.945 

29  851     82.48 

53.00 

72.71 

66.48 

•• 

0.20 

POULTRY.  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD   CHRONICLE. 


FEEDING   GAME   FOWLS   FOPt  EXHIBITION. 

Good  barley,  white  peas,  or  good  peas  of  any  colour,  bread 
steeped  in  strong  rod  ale,  or  in  port  wine  or  sherry,  are  the 
best  things  in  feeding  for  exhibition.  Meat  should  never  be 
given,  as  feeding  Game  fowls  on  meat  is  technically  termed 
"foul  feeding,"  and  makes  the  birds  smell  rank,  as  butchers' 
Game  fowls  generally  do.  Some  give  the  raw  yolk  of  eggs,  but 
I  do  not  approve  of  any  egg-feeding.  If  the  birds  are  penned, 
a  good  green  turf  containing  worms,  ants'  eggs,  and  insects,  is 
excellent  in  the  pen  with  them.  They  should  have  a  little  pure 
water  as  well. 

Exhibitors  should  be  especially  careful  about  not  sending  to 
an  exhibition  any  bird  in  a  pen  in  the  least  roupy,  or  at  all 
inclined  to  be  so.  One  bird  will,  if  in  this  state",  infect  all 
the  other  occupants  of  the  pen,  and  they  on  their  return  will 
infect  the  whole  run  and  spoil  the  stock.  The  roup,  it  should 
be  remembered,  is  when  bad  just  like  the  glanders  in  horses  ; 
and  all  birds  having  it,  like  glandered  horses,  should  be  at  once 
destroyed. 

Exhibitors  should  also  recollect  in  putting  up  a  cock  and 
hens  for  exhibition,  that  the  hens,  or  rather  their  eggs,  will  be 
influenced  by  the  cock  the  hens  have  been  penned  with  for 
the  next  three  weeks  or  month  at  least,  even  if  they  are  sepa- 
rated from  him  directly  they  return  from  exhibition,  a  cock's 
influence  lasting  on  the  average  three  weeks  after  separation 
from  the  hens. 

Feeding  on  meat  is  called  dirty  or  foul  feeding  by  all  good 
judges,  and  it  not  only  makes  the  feathers  smell  rank,  but 
I  have  been  informed  tends  to  encourage  the  breeding  of  insects 
under  the  feathers.  Worms,  insects,  and  ants'  eggs  are  the 
only  proper  animal  food  for  poultry,  and  never  meat,  either 
raw  or  cooked,  though  cooked  meat  if  fresh  is  better  than  raw 
meat.     Stinking  or  putrid  meat  is  very  bad  food. 

The  hampers  in  which  the  birds  are  sent  should  be  well  lined 
and  covered  with  canvas  in  cold  weather,  and  there  should  be 
hay  at  the  bottom  of  the  hamper.  If  the  exhibitor  resides 
only  a  short  distance  from  the  place  of  exhibition,  it  is  better 
to  put  the  birds  in  large  bags,  having  a  hoop  stitched  in  each 
to  keep  it  open,  with  hay  in  the  bottom  of  the  bag,  and 
then  to  sling  the  bags  to  a  dogcart,  and  drive  with  them  to  the 
exhibition  in  the  old  cockers'  style.  1  used  always  to  do  this 
when  living  near  Newmarket  in  former  years.  Bags  do  not 
raffle  and  disorder  the  feathers,  especially  the  cocks'  long  tails, 
so  much  as  hampers  do.  I  believe  it  is  legitimate  to  trim 
or  cut  the  bristles  on  Game  cocks'  heads,  but  never  the  smallest 
feather.  Some  strains  have  more  bristles  than  others  have. — 
Newsubket. 

(To  be  continued.) 


MiDnLETON"  (ne.^r  MANCHESTER),  POULTRY  Show. — The  prize 
list  is  liberal,  with  but  few  alterations  in  that  of  last  year.    A 


new  class  has  been  made  for  French  fowls,  and  birds  shown  in 
this  class  will  also  have  the  chance  of  a  .£5  cup  ;  another  alter- 
ation has  been  made  in  the  Selling  Class,  which  will  make  it  a 
rather  dangerous  thing  for  those  who  enter  valuable  birds  merely 
to  take  away  the  prize  and  buy  in  their  own  birds.  We  allude 
to  the  paragraph  at  the  top  of  the  class,  which  states  that  birds 
are  not  to  be  claimed  before  eleven  o'clock  on  the  morning  of 
the  show.  If  this  plan  were  adopted  at  all  shows,  much  of  the 
trickery  now  practised  in  the  Selling  Class  would  be  prevented. 
For  Pigeons  the  prices  have  advanced  from  l.js.  and  7.<.  Ii»;.  to 
20.-!.  and  lO-.-.,  without  a  corresponding  increase  in  the  fee, 
which  still  remains  at  '2s.  A  new  class  has  been  mide  for 
Silver-Grey  Rabbits. 


JAPANESE  BANTAMS. 
By  a  letter  published  in  last  week's  Journal,  I  find  that  Mr. 
■J.  N.  Beasley  complains  that  in  the  report  of  the  Oundle  Show 
a  pen  of  his  "  Japanese  Bantams"  were  described  as  a  "  cross 
between  the  Silkies  and  the  Frizzled  Bantams ;"  "  that  being 
imported  from  Japau  last  year,  he  believes  thecn  to  be  a  pure 
breed ;  that  they  are  not  halt  the  weight  of  either  the  Silkies 
or  the  Frizzled  Bantams,  and  that  he  believes  them  to  be  the 
only  specimens  in  England."  The  report  itself  simply  runs 
thus ;  "  We  noticed  in  the  Bantam  class  (here  open  alike  to 
every  variety  of  Bantams),  birds  of  very  novel  character,  being 
evidently  a  cross  between  the  Japanese  Bantam  and  the  Silky 
fowl."  It  is  evident,  therefore,  that  no  such  statement  exists 
as  that  of  which  Mr.  Beasley  complains,  the  birds  that  were  ex- 
hibited at  Oundle  being  beyond  a  question  the  cross  of  the  Silky 
and  .Japanese,  not  the  Frizzled  Bantams. 

The  simple  fact  of  their  importation  from  Japan  last  year 
does  not  necessarily  involve  purity  of  descent,  as  not  a  few 
individuals  proved  to  their  personal  loss  and  vexation  at 
the  time  so  many  of  the  large  cross-bred  Asiatic  fowls  were 
imported  as  true  Cochins,  during  the  "  mania  "  some  years 
back,  when  anything  under  the  name  of  a  Cochin  realised  an 
almost  fabulous  price.  Again,  there  are  now  two  hatches  of 
chickens  bred  within  a  few  miles  of  my  residence  purposely  of 
the  cross  named ;  they  are  identical  both  in  plumage  and 
general  character  with  the  pen  exhibited  at  Oundle  Show, 
and  they  will,  I  am  told,  be  entered  for  competition  in  a  little 
time  when  perfectly  matured,  under  a  name  purposely  manu- 
factured by  the  breeder  and  owner,  to  give  them  due  importance 
with  the  public.  I  am  quite  aware  by  personal  experience  that 
the  product  of  the  Frizzled  fowl  and  the  Silky  is,  as  stated  by 
Mr.  Beasley,  a  full  smooth-feathered  fowl  with  a  top-knot ;  but 
the  product  of  the  true  Japanese  and  Silky  fowl  is  another  bird 
altogether,  both  as  to  form,  plumage,  and  character. — Your 
Eepouter. 


BRIGHOUSE  AND  RASTRIGK  POULTRY  SHOW. 

Though  not  a  large  Show,  this  was  a  generally  good  and  very 
attractive  Exhibition,  and  the  very  nnmerous  attendance  of  visitors 
made  the  Meeting  a  decided  Buccess.     The  arrangements  were  excel- 


84 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


f  July  30,  1868. 


lent,  and  every  possible  provision  for  the  comfort  of  botli  the  visitors 
and  poultry  bad  been  well  considered.  The  Game  classes  were  the 
■worst  in  the  Show,  scarcely  a  single  pen  approaching  pei-fection  being 
entered.  Grey  Dorl'intjs  and  ^Sjianish  fowls  were  well  shown.  Of 
Cocliins  and  BroJimas  the  entries  were  very  limited  in  number,  but 
Ilamhuvfih^  and  Fdhh  were  snperior.  The  prize  pen  of  Ronen  duck- 
lings was  by  far  the  best  we  have  seen  this  season.  There  was  only 
one  entry  of  Turlctys — a  very  good  pen,  but  of  Gecsc  there  were  several", 
all  of  which  were  good. 

The  Pigeoris  were  nnmerons,  and  in  general  snperior.  In  the  extra 
"Variety"  class  fcr  Pigeons  two  additional  second  prizes  were  given, 
as  a  well-deserved  mark  of  general  high  quality  ;  and  several  pens  were 
favourably  noticed  by  the  Judges.  A  pen  of  English  Turtle  Doves  in 
splendid  feather,  entered  as  Australians,  were  shown  in  this  class. 

Game  (Black  Reds).— First,  L.  Biney,  Manchester.  Second,  H.  Beau- 
land,  Bowling,  near  Bradford.  Commended,  J.  Hodgson,  Bowling  Old 
Lane,  nenr  Bradford. 

Game  (Brown  Reds). — First,  R.  Hemingway,  Shelf,  near  Halifax.  Se- 
cond, J.  Spencer,  Queensbury.  near  Halifax. 

Game  (Any  otber  variety).— First,  J.  Mason,  Worcester.    Second,  J.  P. 
Edwards,  Fixby  Park.  Commended,  J.  Pickles,  Banks,  near  Mytholmroyd. 
SpjiMsh. — First  and  Cup  for  best  pen  of  poultry  exhibited,  H.  Beldon, 
Bingley.    Second,  J,  Tbresb.  Bradford. 

DoRKi>GS.— First,  W.  H.  Kinjr,  Sandfield,  Rochdale.  Second  and  Com- 
mended, Mrs.  F.  S.  Arkwrigbt,  Derby. 

C0CHJT.S. — First.  H.  Beldon.    Second,  L.  Biney. 
BB.AHMAS. — First,  E.  Leech,    Second.  H.  Beldon. 
Polish. — First.  H.  Beldon.    Second,  J.  S.  Senior,  Dewsbnry. 
Hambubghs  (Golden  or  Silver-spanfiled).— First  and  Second".  H.  Beldon. 
Hambueghs  (Golden  or  Silver-pencilled).  —  First  and  Commended,  H. 
Beldtn.     Second,  W.  Bentley.  Hipperholme. 

Hawbcrghs  black).— First,  H,  Beldon.  Second,  J.  Robinson,  Fails- 
worth,  near  Manchester. 

Game  Bantams.— First  end  Second,  W.  F.  Entwistle,  Leeds.  Highly 
Commonded.  J.  S.  Senior.    Commended,  L.  Biney. 

Bajstams  (Any  variety).— First.  T.  C.  Harrison,  HnlL  Second,  C.  B. 
Riley.  Ovenden,  near  Halifax.  Highly  Commended,  Messrs.  S.  &  R.  Ash- 
ton. Mottram,  Chesbire. 

Ducks.— First,  J.  White,  Netherton,  near  Wakefield  (Rouen).  Second, 
T.  C.  Harrison,  Hull     High'y  Commended,  E.  Leech. 

Geese.— Firfrt,  J.  White  (Toulouse).    Second^  E.  Leech.    Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  CroEsland,  Hnddersfield. 
Tdekevs. — Prize.  E.  Leecb. 

Any  Variety.— Cup,  H.  Beldon  (Spnnishl.  Highly  Commended,  J.  S. 
Senior  (Polish) ;  H  Beldon  (Polish).  Commended,  H.  Jackson,  Hndders- 
field (Chinese  Silver  Pheasants). 

PIGEONS. 

Pouters  (Any  col onr\— First,  H.  Yardley,  Market  Hall,  Birmingham. 
Second,  J.  Hawley,  Bingley. 

Caeeiebs  (Any  colour).— First,  J.  FTawIey.    Second.  H.  Yardley. 

Dbagoons  (Any  colour). — First  and  Second,  H.  Yardley.  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  CroEsland.  Commended,  Jesse  Thompson,  Market  Place, 
Bingley. 

Tumblers. — First  and  Second,  J.  Hawley.  Highly  Commended.  Jesse 
Thompson  ;  J.  Fielding,  jun.,  Rochdale.  Commended,  W.  Lund,  Shipley, 
near  Bradford. 

Barbs  (Any  co'our).— First,  J.  Hawley,  Second,  H.  Yardley.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Crossland. 

Jacobi>"S  (Any  colour). — First,  Jesse  Thompson.  Second,  J.  Crossland, 
Highly  Commended,  H.  Yardley. 

Owts  (Any  colour).- First  and  Second,  J.  Fielding,  jun. 

TuRBiTS  (Anv  colour).— First,  J.  Crossland.  Second,  Jesse  Thompson. 
Commended,  J.  T.  Sykes,  The  Market,  Rochdale;  J.  Crossland;  J.  T. 
Lifihman,  Girlington,  near  Bradford. 

Common.— First,  W.  Lnud.    Second,  J.  Hawley. 

Amy  OTHER  Vaeietv.— First,  J.  T.  Lishman  (Black  Swallows).  Se- 
cond, H.  Yardley  (Satinettes).  Extra  Second,  J.  Hawley;  H.  Yardley 
(Ice  Pigeons).  Highly  Commended,  H.  Jackson ;  Jesse  Thompson 
(Isabels).    Commended,  T.  Denton,  Southowram. 

Edward  Hewitt,  Esq.,  of  Birmingham,  and  E.  Hutton,  Esq.,  of 
Pudsey,  officiated  as  Judges. 


Ducks  (Ronen).— First,  Lord  Hawke.    Second,  Dr.  Horsfall. 

Geese.— First.  H.  Poskitt.    Second,  Lord  Hawke. 

Tdekeys,— Prize.  Lord  Hawke. 

Guinea  Fowls.— First,  Mrs.  Lodge,  Upton,    Second,  Lord  Hawke. 
PIGEONS. 

Pouters.— First.  S.  Robson.    Second,  W.  Fowler,  Pontefract. 

CiRRTESs.— First.  S.  Robson.    Second,  J.  Briggs.  Ferrybridge. 

Tkcmpetees.— First,  S.  Robson.    Second,  W.  Fowler. 

•T ACOBiNS.— First,  W.  Fowler.    Second,  — Amery,  Methley. 

Fantails.— First,  Master  Eamshaw,  RawcUfie.    Second^  D.  Longstafl. 
Monkroyd  House. 

RCNTS. — Prize,  S.  Robson. 

Bares.— First,  W.  Fowler.    Second,  Master  Simpson.  Pontefract. 

Tumblers.- Firiit.  J.  Dale,  Pontefract.    Second,  C.  Gravil,  Thome. 

NcNs.— First.  W.  Fowler.    Second,  Master  Simpson. 

Any  other  Variety.— First,  J.Briggs.     Second,  W.  Fowler. 

The  Judges  were   Mr.  J,  Wright,   Snaith,  and  Mr.   Conlson,  of 
Drax  Hall. 


PONTEFRACT  POULTRY  SHOW. 

The  eleventh  annual  Exhibition  of  the  Pontefract  Agricultural 
Society  was  held  on  the  23rd  inst.,  and  being  favoured  with  delijibt- 
fnl  weather,  there  was  a  large  attendance.  I.The  Show,  so  far  as  poultry 
was  concerned,  was  but  indifferent,  a  first  prize  of  12s.  Qd.  not  being 
anfiicient  to  bring  into  competition  first-class  birds.  Subjoined  is  the 
liet  of  prizes : — 

Cochins.- First,  S.  Robson,  Brotherton.   Second,  T.  Tnrton,  Ackworth. 

Bbahhas. — First,  Lord,  "awke,  Womer^ley.    Second,  E.  Ingle,  Stubbs. 

Doreings. — First,  Lord  Hawke,  Second,  Di.  Horsfall,  Carleton  Grange. 

Hamburghs  (Golden-spaneled).- First,  Master  Kenworthy,  Ackworth. 
Second,  C.  Bradshaw,  Pontefract. 

Hambueghs  (Golden-pencilled). — Prize,  J    Charlesworth,  Pontefract. 

Hasieubghs  (Silver-pencilledJ.— First  and  Second,  J.  Wardle,  Ack- 
worth. 

Gahe  {Black-breasted  or  other  Reds).— First,  J.  Tnrton,  Ackworth, 
Second,  J.  tquire,  Rothwell. 

Game  Bantams.- f  irst  and  Second,  Lord  Hawke. 

Bantams  (Any  other  variety).— First,  T.  Woodcock,  Carleton.  Second, 
J.  Addv,  Cutsvke. 

Aky  other  Variety.- First,  J.  Ashworth,  Tanshelf.  Second,  C.  Brad- 
Shaw. 

CmcKEKS.— First.  C.  Bradshaw.    Second,  H.  Poskitt,  Darlington. 
"  Aky  Variety,— Co cA.— First,  A.  Hathorn,  Smeathails.      Second,    S. 
Bobson. 

Ducks.  —  First,  Master  Kenworthy.  Second,  J.  Wilkinson,  Great 
Houghton. 


BIDEFORD  POULTRY  SHOW. 

At  this  Show,  held  at  Westward  Ho!  on  the  23rd  inst.,  there  were 
upwards  of  170  entries  of  Poultry  and  Pigeons. 

Dorkings  (Coloured).- First,  L.  Patton,  Taunton.  Second,  P»cv.  A.  C. 
Tbyniae.  Penstowe.  Str^tton,  Cornwall.  Third,  J.  Tarratt,  StrattOD. 
Highly  Commended,  L.  Patton. 

DoKKiNGS  (White).— Prize,  C.  Hammett,  Eideford. 

Spanish. — First,  L.  H.  Ricketts,  Eanwell,  Weston-super-Mare.  Second, 
J.  Joce,  Bideford.    Third.  G.  Piper.  Eseter. 

Game  (Black  and  Brown -breasted;.— First  and  Third,  Rev.G.  S.  Crnwys. 
Second,  W.  A.  Dcane,  Bideford. 

CocaiN-CHiSA  — Fii-st,  W.  L.  Trew-n,  Kilkhampton,  Cornwall.  Second, 
L.  Patton.    Third,  Mrs.  Baker,  Barnstanle. 

Brahmas.- First,  Capt,  J.  O.  W.  Scott.  Smytham,Torrinslon.  Second, 
J.  Tarratt.    Third.  Capt.  Pj»ge,  Ilfracombe. 

Hamburghs  ( Gold-pencilled).- First, T.  R.  Harris,  Cu'^game,  Gwennap, 
near  St.  Day,  Cornwall.  Second,  W.  L.  Trewin.  Highly  Commended, 
Messrs.  Stevens  Brothers,  Bideford. 

Hamburghs  (Gold-spangled).— Prize,  J.  Oliver,  Bideford. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-spangled).— First,  W.Colwill,  Bideford.  Secoiid,R, 
Grant.  Bideford. 

Hamburgbs  (Silver-pencilled). — Second,  J.  Turner,  jun.,  Abbotsham. 

Polasds.— First  .ind  Second.  W.  L.  Trewin. 

Extra  Prizes.- First,  W.  Allin,  Venn  MUls,  EastPutford.  Second,  H 
Gloin,  Bridserule,  near  Holswortby.    Third,  Rev.  A.  C.  Thynne. 

Single  Cock  (Anv  pure  breed).— First,  L.  Patton.  Second,  J.  Tarratt. 
Third,  R.  Andrews,"  Barnstaple.  Chicken^.— First,  Rev.  A.  C.  Thynne. 
Second,  G.  Walsh.  Halsdown,  Dolton.    Commended,  Rev.  A.  C.  Thynne. 

Bantams.- First,  Capt.  J.  O.  W.  Scott  Second,  T.  R.  Hicham,  Morchard 
Bishop.    Hifjhlv  Commended,  H.  M.  Bazelev.  Bideford. 

Guinea  Fowls.— First,  W.  Pridham,  'Bideford.  Second,  W.  M. 
Lancaster,  Thoboroagb. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury).— First.  J.  Heal,  Parkham.    Second.  Mrs.  Baker. 

Ducks  (Any  other  sort).— First,  L.  Patton.  Second,  R.  Petherbridge, 
Ham,  Alverdiscott. 

Geese. — First,  L.  Paiton.    Secnnd,  J.  Heal. 

Tuekeys.— First,  L.  Patton.    Second,  Capt.  WUlett,  Petticombe. 
PIGEONS. 

Ca'^tiers  (Black).— Prize,  N.  L.  Greet. 

Barbs.— Prize,  T.  Tossell,  Barnstaple. 

Fantails  (White).- -Prize.  N,  L.  Greet. 

Jacobins  (Red)  — Prize,  N.  L.  Greet. 

Trumpeters.— Prize,  J.  S.  Heath,  Barnstaple. 

Tumblers.- Prize,  E.  A.  Bazeley,  Bideford. 

Nuns.— Prize,  J.  8.  Heath. 

Common  (White). — Prize,  J.  Heal,  Parkham. 

The  Jndges  were  the  Rev.  G.  F.  Hodson,  and  H.  Leworthy,  Esq. 


AJ:^T^VERPS  VERSUS  DRAGOONS. 

Havin'g  been  a  breeder  of  Antwerps  for  upwards  of  twenty 
years,  I  have  read  with  interest  the  articles  on  the  above  snb- 
ject  inserted  in  your  Journal,  and  should  have  joined  the  con- 
troversy sooner  but  for  a  severe  illness.  I  have  during  my 
time  won  and  lost  a  great  many  flying  matches.  I  have  tested 
Antwerps  against  Dragoons,  the  latter  in  every  instance  fail- 
ing to  return  so  quickly  as  the  Antwerps,  and  in  sending 
Dragoons  a  long  distance  I  invariably  lost  them. 

I  have  personally  bought  Pigeons  in  Belgium  from  the  best 
flying  strains.  I  fancied  the  Dan  Ked-chequered  and  the  Blue- 
chequered,  which,  if  well  bred,  will  be  found  good  homing  birds. 
I  have  tested  the  above  colours,  and  always  found  the  Red- 
chequered  and  the  Dun  to  come  the  longest  distance.  I  there- 
fore kept  Pigeons  of  the  colour  which  homed  the  best.  I  find 
the  Red-chequered  Antwerps  breed  true  to  colour.  I  may  say, 
without  being  guilty  of  egotism,  that  I  have  one  of  the  beat 
cotes  of  Red-chequered  Antwerps  in  England,  that  breed  well 
to  colour,  and  I  always  dispose  of  the  young  at  good  prices, 
which  is  a  good  proof  of  their  excellence.  I  dare  £ay  many  of 
your  subscribers  can  bear  out  this  statement  from  the  fact  that 
they  are  now  waiting  until  I  can  supply  them.  It  is,  there- 
fore, my  firm  opinion  that  Antwerps  are  one  of  the  most  valu- 
able breeds  a  fancier  can  keep.  I  have  kept  all  kinds  of  Pigeons, 
but  none  which  paid  me  so  well  as  Antwerps.  and  if  I  had  not 


July  SO,  1868.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICDLTOBE  AND  COTTAGK   GABDBNEE. 


85 


them  for  feeders  I  should  have  lost  many  a  valuable  pair  of 
another  kind. 

If  "  Wiltshire  Eectob"  could  spend  a  short  time  in  York- 
shire, he  would  find  that  Pigeon-tlyiug  is  a  favourite  pastime 
with  a  portion  of  the  working  chisees,  both  for  profit  and 
amusement ;  Antwerps  being  their  favourite  birds,  and  the 
majority  being  Ued-ohequered,  Dun,  and  151uo-chequered. 

I  need  soai-oely  say  that  the  merits  of  tho  different  breeds 
have  been  well  tested,  and  always  in  favour  of  the  Antwerps. 
They  are  a  grand  style  of  bird,  breed  well  to  colour,  and  are 
faithful  to  their  homes.  I  am  of  opinion  that,  instead  of  leav- 
ing them  out  as  a  class,  as  suggested  by  "  Wiltshike  Rector," 
there  should  be  more  classes  made  for  them.  This  would  be 
to  the  advantage  of  exhibitors  and  the  Committees  of  the  dif- 
ferent Pigeon  shows,  as  I  am  well  persuaded  the  classes  would 
fill  as  well  as  those  for  Game  Bantams. — John  Crossland, 
JON.,  Wakefield. 


MANAGEMENT  OF  PIGEONS  IN  HEALTH  AND 
DISEASE. 

We  are  obliged  at  present  in  England  to  keep  our  "  fancy 
pets  "  in  confinement,  contrary  to  what  their  welfare  requires, 
though  future  generations  will  see  the  valuable  kinds  at  large 
in  the  same  way  as  I  have  seen  flocks  of  tho  most  valuable 
fancy  Pigeons  which  we  possess  flown  just  the  same  as  the 
common  Tumblers  are  in  England,  and  to  this  I  shall  refer 
in  due  course. 

No  Pigeon  can  exist  long  in  confinement  without  the  greatest 
possible  attention  to  cleanliness  and  diet.  I  have  adopted  the 
English  saying,  "  Prevention  is  better  than  cure."  With  the 
exception  of  what  I  may  term  a  general  epidemic  which  hap- 
pened the  first  year  of  my  English  career,  nearly  seven  years 
ago,  my  pens  have  been  free  from  all  diseases  ;  and  I  have 
often  met  with  valuable  birds  unhealthy,  which  I  bought  for  a 
trifle,  and  by  my  usual  treatment  in  many  cases  have  been 
able  to  restore  them. 

I  consider  that  confined  Pigeons  require  top  ventilation  and 
a  dry  floor ;  but  the  most  important  consideration  of  all  is 
their  diet.  I  never  feed  my  birds  with  the  same  grain  for  more 
than  six  months  in  succession,  and  I  feed  them  very  sparingly 
indeed  on  white  or  grey  peas,  Indian  corn,  vetches,  buckwheat, 
and  barley.  I  feed  thus — six  months  with  white  peas  and 
vetches,  six  months  with  grey  peas  and  Indian  corn,  then  with 
white  peas  and  buckwheat,  and  so  on.  The  proportions  I 
prefer  are  two  of  peas  to  one  of  any  of  the  other  kinds  of  food. 
I  never  give  Pigeons  Indian  corn  in  winter,  and  never  buckwheat 
in  summer.  I  never  give  them  any  salt,  nor  any  water  to 
bathe  in,  though  there  is  an  aviary  attached  to  their  loft  in 
which  they  flutter  and  get  sprinkled  when  there  is  rain.  I 
keep  their  floor  always  covered  with  gravelly  sand  about  half 
an  inch  deep,  and  give  them  daily  in  a  pan  some  crushed  old 
mortar. 

I  fetd  them,  when  breeding,  twice  a-day,  and  when  not  breed- 
ing but  once,  and  give  them  only  what  I  consider  enough — 
that  is,  I  stop  when  I  see  they  can  do  with  a  handful  more, 
so  you  can  never  see  a  grain  lie  on  the  floor ;  and  this  I  sup- 
pose is  the  reason  that  I  never  saw  a  mouse  in  my  pen  yet. 

When  they  have  done  breeding  I  take  away  the  straw  and 
turn  the  pens  upside  down.  This  causes  the  birds  to  take  to 
the  perches,  which  should  be  plentiful  and  at  different  eleva- 
vations,  so  as  to  enable  the  Pigeons  to  keep  in  motion.  I  never 
divide  the  pairs,  as  I  consider  it  quite  unnecessary. 

I  find  that  nearly  every  disease  commences  with  bad  diges- 
tion, and  this  is  occasioned  by  overfeeding  ;  and  the  proof  is, 
that  diseases  are  prevalent  in  winter  when  the  birds  are  almost 
in  a  dormant  condition  through  inaction  and  bad  weather,  and 
then  overfeeding  is  equivalent  to  killing.  As  soon  as  I  perceive 
a  bird  with  the  food  in  the  crop  from  the  preceding  day,  which 
makes  it  look  rather  dull,  I  shut  it  up  at  feeding  time,  so  that 
it  will  have  none  till  all  the  swallowed  food  has  gone.  I  give 
it  very  little  water,  and  to  assist  it,  give  it  a  pinch  of  carbonate 
of  soda.  In  some  cases  digestion  is  restored  in  twenty-tour 
hoars,  in  others  it  may  take  two  and  even  three  days.  In  no 
case  do  I  let  such  a  bird  have  more  than  half  the  usual  quantity 
the  first  day  I  allow  it  to  feed,  and  I  supply  it  with  grain  dif- 
ferent frcm  that  previously  given. 

I  find  roup  and  canker  the  prevailing  diseases  in  England, 
and  I  do  not  consider  either  contagious.  Both  may  originate 
in  a  pen  through  the  bad  constitution  of  the  birds.  I  have 
twice  admitted  into  my  pen  birds  with  roup,  and  not  only 


were  none  of  my  birds  affected,  but  ono  of  the  birds  became 
well. 

1  have  tried  many  remedies  for  both  diseases,  and  I  find 
that  some  Pigeons  are  recovered  by  one  remedy,  some  by 
another,  and  others  never ;  some  will  get  rid  of  the  roup  by  a 
dose  or  two  of  charcoal  powder,  some  by  a  doso  of  carbonate  of 
soda  or  a  pinch  of  alum,  and  some  by  a  do.se  of  flowers  of 
sulphur.  I  am  now  trying  some  pills  which  the  inventor  for- 
warded me,  and  which  ho  states  will  cure  any  Pigeon  or  fowl 
from  the  worst  case  of  roup,  and  I  will  report  tho  result. 

The  birds  that  never  get  well  are  those  in  which  tho  disease 
is  hereditary.  I  know  a  friend  nearly  all  whose  birds  bred 
from  a  certain  strain  have  the  roup  ;  I  tried  the  same  breed, 
and  I  found  that  though  all  my  birds  were  quite  healthy, 
the  young  of  this  breed  had  the  roup  when  only  a  week  old, 
and  they  died  of  it  when  about  six  weeks  old. 

The  canker  is,  in  my  opinion,  easier  to  cure.  It  in  the 
mouth,  I  apply  a  strong  solution  of  alum  with  a  feather 
twice  a-day.  The  next  day  I  find  the  white  substance  getting 
loose  ;  I  remove  it  with  a  feather,  and  again  apply  the  solution 
for  the  last  time.  This  will  do  if  you  discover  the  disease  in 
time.  Some  fanciers  never  think  of  examining  their  birds,  and 
only  discover  the  disease  when  all  the  mouth  and  throat  down 
to  the  crop  is  a  mass  of  inflammation.  Then  it  is  too  late 
for  any  remedy.  If  on  any  part  of  the  beak,  peel  the  canker 
off,  wash  the  place  well,  and  apply  finely-powdered  alum  and 
charcoal.  In  both  eases  feed  the  birds  very  sparingly,  and  only 
with  bread  crumbs,  and  pull  out  all  or  halt  the  feathers  of 
the  tail. 

I  keep  for  water  an  earthen  fountain  of  a  size  sufficient 
to  contain  water  enough  only  for  one  day  in  winter,  so  that  I  am 
compelled  to  fill  it  daily,  and  twice  a-day  in  summer.  I  keep 
in  it  a  quantity  of  large  iron  nails,  which  help  to  preserve 
cleanhness  inside,  they  being  well  shaken  every  time  it  is  filled, 
and  at  the  same  time  they  are  most  beneficial  by  making  the 
water  chalybeate. 

There  is  in  no  small  degree  another  plague  prevailing  on  the 
Continent  and  also  in  England — namely,  a  kind  of  abscess 
formed  in  the  joints  of  the  wings,  which  terminates  in  death, 
or  cripples  the  bird  for  life.  I  have  tried  for  this  every  remedy 
suggested,  and  some  very  cruel  ones,  and  at  last  perfect  suc- 
cess has  crowned  my  efforts.  As  soon  as  I  discover  a  bird 
beginning  to  fly  awkwardly,  I  examine  the  joints  of  both  wings, 
and  if  I  perceive  any  swelling,  which  is  always  the  beginning 
of  the  disease,  I  pluck  out  the  ten  long  flight  feathers  of  the 
wing  affected,  and  by  tho  time  they  grow  again  the  birds  will 
be  perfectly  tree  from  disease,  and  will  fly  as  usual.  If  the 
swelling  is  very  bad  I  pluck  all  the  long  feathers  of  the  wing, 
examine  the  swelling,  and  see  if  it  is  hard,  and  if  not,  but 
like  a  bubble,  it  contains  matter  about  the  colour  and  thick- 
ness of  liquid  glue.  In  this  case  I  treat  the  bird  as  before, 
but  cut  the  skin  of  the  bubble,  and  press  all  the  fluid  out. 
Many  consider  plucking  cruel,  and  I  am  of  the  same  opinion; 
but  in  this  case  it  is  the  only  remedy,  and  the  most  certain  of 
success — in  fact,  it  will  never  fail. 

Pigeons  at  liberty  can  do  with  less  attention.  I  do  not 
supply  them  with  mortar,  nor  clean  them  so  often,  with  the 
exception  of  the  nests  containing  young  ones.  They  may  be 
fed  more  liberally,  but  they  must  be  supplied  daily  with  fresh 
water.  During  summer  I  supply  all  my  birds  with  green  food 
every  other  day,  and  soaked  bread.  I  give  them  a  lettuce,  lay 
a  brick  on  its  root,  and  they  soon  devour  it. 

In  using  fresh  birds  to  fly,  I  am  oppcsjd  to  plucking  the 
wing,  as  I  do  not  like  to  see  them  crippled  for  nearly  a  month. 
I  adopt,  therefore,  the  method  pursued  on  the  Continent,  which, 
in  my  opinion,  is  the  safest.  I  thread  a  needle  and  pass  it 
through  the  two  first  quills,  about  an  inch  from  the  root,  then 
twist  it  round  nine  of  the  flight  feathers  and  tie  it.  This  pre- 
vents the  bird  flying,  the  tying  cannot  become  undone,  and 
when  in  the  pen  the  wing  so  tied  is  in  a  natural  position.  In 
this  state  I  keep  the  bird  till  it  takes  to  a  perch  in  winter,  or 
till  it  pairs  in  summer  ;  and  when  I  intend  to  let  it  out  I  free 
some  of  the  flight  feathers  from  the  thread,  so  as  to  give  it  the 
chance  to  get  on  the  building  when  about  feeding  time,  and 
after  it  comes  down  once  or  twice  then  I  cut  and  pull  the 
thread  off',  and  let  the  bird  have  full  liberty.  Tho  best  time 
for  breaking  birds  is  when  they  are  sitting,  and  the  worst  when 
they  are  feeding  their  young.  I  have  two  birds  which  I  broke  a 
distance  of  only  one  mile  ;  these  go  home  even  now,  the  third 
year,  every  time  they  have  young.  They  do  not  go  at  all 
during  the  winter,  but  they  commence  their  visits  about  a  week 
after  the  hatch.     Though  I  supply  them  with  abundance  yet 


86 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETICULTUBB  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENEK. 


[  July  SO,  1868. 


they  will  go,  sometimea  three  nr  four  times  a-day,  walk  about 
with  their  former  companions,  Imt  never  going  into  the  old  pen, 
and  then  return. — A  Foreignjsu. 


QUERIES  AND  ANSWERS  ABOUT  CANARIES. 

1.  I  HAD  a  pair  of  Canaries  together  last  mouth,  but  for  certain 
reasons  I  took  away  the  cock,  on  say  Monday  morning,  and  put 
a  new  mate  in  the  side  compartment  of  the  breeding  cage. 
The  next  morning  I  withdrew  a  wire,  and  he  passed  through 
to  the  hen,  who  received  him  very  spitefully,  but  he  soon 
thrashed  her  into  submission,  and  in  two  or  three  days  she 
built  her  nest,  and  the  morning  following  laid  her  first  e^g. 
She  laid  four  in  all,  and  hatched  out  three  young  ones.  Two 
died,  and  the  survivor  so  closely  resembles  the  first  mate  that 
was  removed,  that  I  want  to  know  if  it  is  possible  he  could  be 
its  father. 

[Quite  possible.  The  fact  of  her  resisting  the  overtures  of 
the  second  cock  seems  to  favour  this  conclusion.] 

2.  A  hen  lays  soft  eggs ;  she  is  fed  as  usual  on  rape  and  canary 
seeds.     Please  state  cause  and  cure. 

[The  absence  of  a  supply  of  chalk  or  lime.  Give  her  a  piece 
of  old  hme  rubbish  to  nibble  at,  and  strew  some  at  the  bottom 
of  the  cage.] 

3.  A  young  Canary  does  not  put  its  hind  claws  round  the 
perch,  but  they  stick  out  and  up  in  front.  Is  this  a  de- 
formity 1     What  could  cause  it,  and  what  cure  it  ? 

[It  is  a  natural  deformity  ;  a  freak  of  Nature,  and  incurable.] 

4.  What  are  the  exact  measurements  of  the  nest  box  ? 
[Mr.  Blakstou's  are  3  inches  square  inside,   and  Ij   inch 

P-] 

5.  What  is  the  proper  food  for  young  birds?  and  when  do 
they  begin  to  feed  themselves  on  hard  food  ? 

[Crushed  hemp  seed  and  hard  boiled  egg  mixed,  or  take  a 
slice  of  stale  bread,  soak  in  cold  water,  and  squeeze  nearly  dry, 
which  substitute  for  the  hemp  seed.  They  will  help  them- 
selves to  this  as  soon  as  they  leave  the  nest,  and  will  crack 
seed  in  from  a  fortnight  to  three  weeks  afterwards.] 

6.  Are  scales  on  a  cock  bird's  hind  claws  a  sign  of  his  being 
too  old  for  breeding  purposes  ? — C.  A.  J. 

[No.]  

GAS    STOVE   IN  CANARY   AYIARY. 

I  DO  not  see  that  gas,  when  properly  managed,  should  neces- 
sarily be  injurious  in  a  Canary  room.  At  the  same  time,  I  am 
quite  ready  to  admit  that  there  is  a  risk  of  the  "  mischief  it 
causes  when  it  goes  out  in  the  night ;"  but  that  risk  can  be 
reduced  to  nothing  if  the  apparatus  be  properly  erected,  with 
due  regard  to  draughts,  itc.  My  bird  room  is  at  the  top  of  the 
house;  in  fact,  it  is  the  attic  or  garret,  which  I  think  Walker 
defines  to  be  the  uppermost  room  in  the  house,  and  my 
chimney  is  conveyed  into  the  cockloft,  which  he  defines  to  be 
the  room  above  the  garret.  The  outlet  is  immediately  under 
the  roof,  and  sometimes  in  very  gusty  weather  I  wish  it  were 
not  quite  so  gusty  ;  and  I  believe  I  have  been  known  to  get  out 
of  bed  at  strange  hours  of  the  night,  in  a  costume  more  airy 
than  elegant,  and  creep  up  to  my  bird  room  just  to  see  if  it 
was  all  right.  I  also  believe  that  on  one  occasion,  a  very 
squally  nipht,  I  did  turn  the  gas  off  altogether  for  fear  of  its 
going  wrong;  but  as  a  rule,  I  never  found  the  slightest  ill 
effects  result  from  it,  and  certainly  never  the  least  effluvium. 
I  keep  an  open  vessel  of  water  on  th*  stove,  the  philosophy  of 
which  I  will  not  enter  into,  b«eau««  I  do  not  quite  understand 
it,  but  I  fancy  it  rectifies  tke  dryness  of  the  atmosphere.  I  do 
not  advocate  gas  versus  an  open  fireplace,  but  I  have  no  fire- 
place. 

My  birds  have  been  very  healthy  all  the  season,  and  I  have 
been  fortunate  enough  to  breed  a  few  which  I  hope  will  be 
heard  of  at  the  "  British  National,"  at  Manchester,  in  which  I 
am  happy  to  find  Mr.  Ashton  is  taking  an  active  part. — W.  A. 
Blakston. 

THE  BARON  VON  BERLEPSCH  ON  FOUL  BROOD. 

(Continued  from  page  53.) 

CONTAGIOUS   FOUL    BEOOD. 

In  some  districts  this  form  of  foul  brood  never  appears  to 
occur.  Spitzner,  in  Upper  Lusatia ;  Busoh,  of  Arnstadt ;  Kaden, 
of  Mayence  ;  and  Kleine,  in  Hanover,  state  that  they  have 
never  witnessed  this  disease  in  their  apiaries  or  in  their  re- 


spective neighbourhoods.  In  Thuringia  it  was  entirely  un- 
known until  1858,  and  my  old  instructor  in  bee-culture,  Jacob 
Shulze,  had  not  met  with  it  either  in  his  own  colonies  or  in 
any  others  during  an  extensive  practice  of  more  than  fifty  years. 

This,  the  most  formidable  of  all  the  diseases  to  which  bees 
are  subject,  presents  itself  in  various  aspects,  being  sometimes 
more  and  sometimes  less  destructive ;  at  times  running  its 
course  rapidly,  at  others  lingering  through  a  protracted  period. 
Sometimes  it  is  of  so  manageable  a  character  as  to  be  easily 
removed  ;  and  not  unfrequently  it  spontaneously  disappears.  It 
is  impossible  to  specify  these  various  grades  minutely,  though 
three  of  them  may  readily  be  distinguished  : — 

First  Grade. — We  find  at  the  commencement  of  the  disease 
in  one  or  more  combs  from  ten  to  twenty  sealed  cells,  more  or 
less,  with  collapsed  covers  or  caps.  If  closely  examined  these 
caps  will  be  found  perforated  with  a  small  round  hole.  When 
the  cap  is  removed  we  fiud  the  full-grown  larva  stretched  out 
at  length  with  its  head  towards  the  septum  of  the  comb,  and 
its  body  discoloured  of  a  brownish  hue.  The  larva  usually 
dies  before  the  head  enlarges,  evidently  soon  after  the  cell  is 
sealed  and  before  assuming  the  pupa  state.  Unsealed  putrid 
larviE  are  seldom  seen,  and  putrid  pupa3  (the  form  approximat- 
ing to  the  winged  state  of  the  insect),  still  more  seldom.  When 
crushed  we  find  the  contents  consist  of  a  viscous  slimy  mass. 
The  specific  form  of  the  larva  speedily  becomes  no  longer  re- 
cognisable, decomposing  into  a  clammy  glutinous  substance, 
which  in  the  course  of  ten  or  twelve  days  dries  up  into  a  dark 
brown  scale  or  crust  approaching  to  black,  adhering  to  the 
under  side  of  the  cell.  This  crust  the  bees  are  unable  to  re- 
move, but  while  they  remain  sufficiently  numerous  to  work 
with  some  spirit  they  will  demolish  the  entire  cell  and  rebuild 
it  with  new  material ;  but  when  the  disease  has  made  greater 
progress  they  abandon  all  efforts  to  remove  the  obnoxious 
matter  and  cease  building  altogether,  as  they  are  not  disposed 
to  build  combs  unless  the  stock  be  strong  and  pasturage  abund- 
ant. When  the  disease  has  become  very  virulent  and  over- 
powering they  almost  cease  fiying,  and  content  themselves  with 
endeavouring  to  expel  the  vitiated  air  from  the  hive.  They  are 
apt  also  to  swarm  out  and  desert  their  hive  altogether,  either 
in  spring  or  autumn,  if  tempted  thereto  by  the  occurrence  of  a 
fine  genial  day. 

It  minute  brown  or  black  scales  or  granules  which  produce  a 
slimy  fittid  substance  when  rubbed  between  the  fingers  are 
found  on  the  floor-board,  the  existence  of  foul  brood  in  the 
hive  may  be  considered  certain.  When  once  commenced  it 
usually  spreads  rapidly,  and  frequently  from  a  half  to  three- 
quarters  of  the  brood  becomes  afi'ected  and  dies.  At  this  stage 
of  the  disease  its  existence  is  proclaimed  by  the  offensive 
smell,  resembling  that  of  putrid  meat,  which  is  diffused  from 
the  mouth  of  the  hive  iu  place  of  the  agreeable  scent  usually 
perceptible  there,  the  bees  ventilating  the  while  with  unwonted 
vigour. 

It  is  a  very  singular  fact  that  all  the  brood  does  not  perish. 
Even  in  hives  iu  which  foul  brood  exists  in  its  most  malignant 
and  noisome  form,  some  portion  of  the  brood,  however  small, 
will  always  be  found  in  a  healthy  state  and  attaining  a  perfect 
development.  Considering  the  great  contagiousness  of  the 
disease,  this  is  in  truth  a  great  mystery.  The  malady  will  not, 
however,  be  long  confined  to  the  hive  in  which  it  originated, 
but  will  gradually  spread  to  other  hives,  so  that  in  the  course  of 
a  year  two  all  the  stocks  in  the  apiary  or  even  in  the  neighbour- 
hood will  be  more  or  less  affected.  Colonies  infected  with  this 
kind  of  foul  brood  in  its  malignant  form  never  survive  long. 
The  malady  progresses  rapidly,  and  not  only  does  the  brood 
first  affected  die,  but  the  very  brood-cells  are  converted  into 
nurseries  of  disease,  so  that  iu  a  short  time  the  queen  can  find 
none  in  which  to  lay  her  eggs.  Thus  the  colony  becomes 
rapidly  depopulated,  and  generally  perishes  during  the  first 
year,  or  certainly  in  the  second. 

Second  (Jraiic— This  grade  differs  from  the  first  only  in  this, 
that  first  the  malady  does  not  spread  so  rapidly ;  secondly,  that 
it  rarely  becomes  so  intense ;  and  thirdly,  that  it  usually  dis- 
appears spontaneously.  I  have  myself  had  frequent  oppor- 
tunities of  observing  this.  For  instance,  in  the  spring  of  1859 
many  stocks  belonging  to  Mr.  Umbreit,  of  Wolfis,  in  the  duchy 
of  Gotha,  were  strongly  infected  with  foul  brood ;  yet  in 
1862  the  disease  had  entirely  disappeared,  though  no  means 
had  been  adopted  for  its  removal  or  cure.  Mr.  Klein,  of  Tam- 
buchshof,  has  experienced  a  similar  case  as  related  in  the  "  Bee 
Journal  "  for  18C4.  The  disease  when  occurring  in  this  grade 
is  always  curable  if  treated  with  ordinary  care  and  attention, 
'  and  is  even  in  many  cases  easily  removed,  as  I  have  repeatedly 


Julr  30,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF    HOETICOLTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENEB. 


87 


had  occasion  to  observe.  In  18G0,  one  colony  in  Mr.  Kalb'n 
apiary  at  Gotba  whs  infected,  and  in  the  summer  of  180.5  three 
more  beciime  diseased,  and  in  each  of  these  four  oases  a  cure 
was  effected  by  simply  removinj;  the  combs  containing  the 
diseased  brood.  Probably  the  disease  would  have  dL^appeared 
spontaneously.  But  such  expectation  should  not  induce  the 
bee-keeper  to  become  carele.s3  or  inattentive,  for  not  unfre- 
quently  instead  of  disappearing  this  grade  of  the  disease  will 
(generally  during  the  second  year),  degenerate  into  confirmed 
virulent  and  contagious  foul  brood,  such  as  might  appropriately 
be  styled  brood  jii'stilenci',  and  which  so  far  as  we  now  know 
must  be  pronounced  utterly  incurable. 

Third  Grade. — Dzierzon  says:— "Where  this  form  of  foul 
brood  exists  the  greater  portion  of  the  unsealed  larv.T  perishes. 
That  portion  which  is  sufficiently  advanced  to  be  capped  or 
sealed  over  usually  remains  healthy  and  becomes  perfectly 
developed.  A  sealed  and  yet  putrid  brood  cell  is  here  a  rarity. 
The  matter  into  which  the  dead  larva  decomposes  is  more 
paste-like  and  less  tough  than  that  resulting  from  the  malig- 
nant form.  It  dries  into  a  scale  at  the  base  of  the  cell,  which 
is  easily  detached,  und  so  long  as  the  colony  remains  strong  it 
will  be  removed  in  the  shape  of  dark  brown  scales,  dropped  on 
the  floor-board  and  afterwards  carried  out  of  the  hive.  When 
such  dark  brown  scales  are  found  on  the  floor-board  they  may 
be  regarded  as  proof  positive  that  foul  brood,  even  though  it 
be  yet  in  its  milder  form,  exists  in  the  hive.  Colonies  thus  in- 
fected not  unfrequently  sustain  themselves  during  two  seasons, 
because  only  a  portion  of  the  brood  dies,  and  that  being  in 
open  cells  is  easily  removed  by  the  workers.  The  cells  are 
then  again  furnished  with  eggs  by  the  queen,  a  portion  of  the 
larvff  from  which  will  remain  healthy  and  mature  perfectly, 
thus  keeping  up  the  strength  of  the  colony  tolerably  well  for 
a  protracted  term.  At  times,  too,  the  disease  will  disappear 
again.  Colonies  which  in  the  summer  diffused  a  strong  putrid 
smell  have  been  found  perfectly  pure  and  healthy  in  the 
autumn."  I  have  myself  had  no  opportunity  of  witnessing 
this  stage  of  foul  brood. — A.  Von  BEELErscn. 


(To  be  contin-aed.) 


SILKWORM-REARING  IN  ENGLAND.— No.  14. 

SILKWORM  DISEASES. 
ArnorHT,   or  wasting  consumption,  is  the  scourge  of  silk- 
worms at  the  present  day,  and  is  but  little  understood.     This 
malady  is  more  confirmed  after  the  fourth  crisis  of  the  worms, 
when  great  part   of  the  trouble  and  expense  of  rearing  them 
is    over,  which  makes  the  loss    the  more  vexing.     I    have 
noticed  particularly  that  the  insects  wake  from  the   fourth 
sleep,  presenting   a   dirty  nankeen   colour,   flabby,  and   weak. 
They  look  shrivelled,  fall  off  in  appetite  instead  of  growing, 
diminish  in  size,  discharging  a  fojtid  humour  over  the  leaves. 
The  existence  of  this  complaint  is  to  be  apprehended  when 
there  is  great  inequality  of  time  in  hatching  the  worms,  not  all 
coming  out  of  the  eggs   under  a  week  or  more,  instead  of  two 
or  three   days.      It   is   observed   during   the   successive   slow 
development  of  the  insects,  and  their  not  eating  vigorously,  as 
those  do  in  a  healthy  state.     It  is  discernible  in  their  being 
less  active  than  they  should  be,  and  by  their  withdrawing  more 
or  less  from   their  food.     Mortality  is   frequent  among  such 
worms.    Their  beds  become  humid,  although  the  renovation  of 
the  air  has  not  been  neglected,  and  the  proper  temperature 
maintained.     Black  blotches  or  spots  appear  on  the  insects' 
bodies,  feet,  and  horn  over  their  tail  ends.     The  moths  seized 
with  this  malady  indicate  it  by  great  inactivity,  and  do  not  dis- 
charge any  reddish  humour  like  the  healthy  ones,  tut  blackish. 
Black  drops  of  fluid  often  appear  on  their  wings,  which  are 
dirty-coloured  instead  of  a  creamy  white,   often  small  and 
shrivelled,  whereas  they  should  be  of  a  goodly  size  indicative 
of  perfection.     The  moths  sometimes  present  a  reddish   or 
blackish  swelled  body.     These  have  no  desire  to  pair,  and  if 
they  lay,  the  eggs  are  few  and  of  no  use.     Such  moths  should 
be  immediately  removed  when  discovered.     Care  should  be 
taken  that  only  healthy  ones  are  used  in  the  production  of  eggs. 
The  Beds  usually  shows  itself  after  hatching,  or  some  time 
during  the  first  age  of  the  worm?.     Naturally  the  skin  of  silk- 
worms is  white,  and  their  dark  appearance  when  hatched  is 
caused  by  the  innumerable  hairs  covering  their  bodies.  Worms 
affected  with  the  reds  show  more  or  less  redness.     Those  which 
do  not  succumb,  little  by  little  acquire  a  dirty  darkish  white, 
and  become  languid,  whereas  healthy  worms  are  vigorous  and 
active,  showing  the  same  by  the  manner  they  attack  their  food 


and  consume  it.  When  this  complaint  progresses  consnmp' 
tion  generally  follows,  although  sometimes  slowly.  Often  the 
insects  arrive  at  spinning,  although  imperfectly.  Several 
authors  aftirm  that  it  is  produced  by  hatching  the  eggs  at  a 
high  and  sudden  temperature.  It  is  my  opinion  that  it  is  more 
likely  to  arise  from  bad  preservation  of  the  eggs  than  from  a 
high  temperature,  or  from  bad  ventilation  along  with  heat.  The 
silkworms  do  very  well  at  Go"  or  70°,  and  are  only  a  few  days 
longer  coming  to  maturity,  therefore  why  endeavour  to  force 
them  on  by  undue  means,  endangering  their  lives  by  disease  ? 
TnK  Jaundice. — Another  mortal  complaint,  generally  mani- 
festing itself  at  the  second  age  of  the  worms,  and  sometimes 
later.  Of  the  insects  having  this  disease  the  heads  swell  or 
the  skins  wrinkle.  They  look  shining,  as  though  varnished, 
having  more  or  less  a  yellow  appearance.  They  crawl  slowly, 
and  at  last  perish.  Count  Dandolo  attributes  this  disease  to 
humidity,  too  much  heat,  fermentation  of  beds,  vitiated  air, 
etc.  Doubtless,  the  noxious  gas  from  fermenting  beds  entering 
the  worms'  breathingholes,  and  mixing  in  the  fluids,  causes  a 
general  tension  of  the  body,  accompanied  by  death.  This 
complaint  is  of  an  epidemic  nature,  and  as  soon  as  any  worms 
are  discovered  with  it  they  should  be  removed  from  the  healthy 
ones,  and  any  dying  of  it  should  be  buried. 

Suffocation. — There  are  no  noticeable  symptoms  in  this 
malady,  for  the  worms  die  almost  in  their  natural  state  without 
indicating  any  altered  appearance.  Their  form  and  colour  are 
preserved,  but  they  soon  putrefy  after  death.  In  Italy  I  have 
particularly  noticed  this  disease.  It  occurs  during  hot  close 
weather.  Sometimes  it  occurs  at  the  mount,  and  the  insects 
having  spun  feebly  imperfect  cones,  die  therein  without  chang- 
ing to  the  chrysalis  state,  spoiling  the  little  silk  produced  with 
their  decomposed  bodies.  Other  worms  die  immediately  they 
are  mounted,  and  are  often  to  be  seen  hanging,  head  down- 
wards, from  the  spinning  materials.  To  prevent  the  effects  of 
this  malady,  renovation  of  the  air  in  the  room,  and  keeping 
the  worms  as  much  as  possible  in  a  state  of  nature,  having 
plenty  of  room  to  crawl  about,  and  never  neglecting  to  main- 
tain cleanliness,  are  the  means  to  be  adopted. 

Lucidity  or  Transparency  is  a  complaint  appearing  after 
the  fourth  sleep,  but  the  causes  of  it  are  not  altogether  clear. 
I  find  Signor  Nisten  believes  it  proceeds  from  deficiency  of 
leaves,  and  Signor  Moretti,  a  good  authority,  that  it  is  caused 
by  feeding  the  worms  with  those  that  are  too  hard  ;  and  infected 
air,  and  sudden  changes  of  temperature  may  produce  it.  Worms 
having  this  complaint  become  somewhat  transparent,  present- 
ing a  rose  colour,  and  having  a  clear  discharge  from  their 
mouths.  They  contract  or  shorten,  and  then  die,  their  bodies 
becoming  black  and  corrupt.  Sometimes  they  mount,  but  fall 
without  forming  their  cocoons.  Some  walk  aliout  wasting  their 
silk,  but  if  taken  and  placed  in  a  basket  containing  small 
branches,  shavings,  straw,  itc,  will  go  to  work  and  spin. 

The  Spot. — This  is  a  terrible  disease,  more  general  after  the 
fourth  sleep  of  the  worms,  and  before  or  after  spinning.  It  is 
indicated  by  black,  yellow,  livid,  or  rose-coloured  spots  usually 
appearing  on  the  head,  and  afterwards  on  other  parts.  It  is 
not  uncommon  to  see  an  eruption  of  black  spots  over  the  entire 
bodies  of  the  insects.  It  is  attested  by  Signor  I'ltaro,  that  he 
has  seen  worms  with  this  malady  covered  with  numbers  of  the 
most  minute  lice,  generated  from  neglect  of  cleanliness.  I  have 
never  noticed  the  lice,  but  they  may  occasion  the  black  spots 
by  biting,  although  no  suspicion  of  their  existence  be  enter- 
tained. When  the  disease  makes  progress,  the  surface  of  the 
worms'  bodies,  especially  the  anterior  parts,  becomes  of  a 
cinnamon  colour.  The  insects  die,  but  do  not  become  corrupt. 
They  harden,  so  as  to  resist  being  cut,  and  remain  in  this  state 
until  acted  on  by  atmospheric  humidity. 

The  Dropsy. — This  malady  generally  appears  after  the  third 
sleep.  The  worms  gradually  swell,  appearing  as  though  they 
would  burst  their  skins.  From  the  great  tension,  the  skin 
cracks,  and  a  whitish  yellow  humour  comes  forth,  which  wets 
the  leaves,  and  death  puts  an  end  to  their  misery,  when  they 
immediately  putrefy.  Some  persons  assert  that  this  disease  is  . 
caused  by  too  tender  leaves,  but  I  do  not  thick  this  at  all 
feasible,  unless,  indeed,  they  be  bad  leaves,  or  what  I  would 
term  "  watery,"  from  having  grovra  on  stagnant  and  wet  soil. 

Diarrhcea.— Silkworms  having  this  malady  discharge  an  al- 
most liquid  greenish  matter,  which  daubs  over  and  wets  the 
leaves,  producing  corruption  of  the  air  in  which  they  live.  It 
is  said  to  be  produced  from  feeding  the  worms  with  leaves 
covered  with  honeydew  ;  also  in  conjunction  with  this  the  fruit 
of  the  mulberry.  "  The  suppression  of  respiration,  producing 
indigestion,  also  causes  it,  and  then  the  cure  is  to  raise  the 


«8 


JOUEKAL  OF  HOBTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


I  Jnl;  30,  1868. 


temperatnre  in  order  to  re-establish  respiration,  giving  the 
worms  small  and  frequent  meals  of  good  leaves  rather  dry,  or 
which  have  been  gathered  a  day  or  so.  This  cure,  however,  is 
not  always  effectual ;  indeed,  1  am  a  small  beUever  in  the  cure 
of  silkworm  diseases  when  established. 

The  Mcmmt  Disease,  so  called  because  the  worms  dying  of  it 
become  black  and  mummy-like  inside  their  cocoons.  It  is  not 
discoverable  what  morbid  action  precedes,  for  worms  appa- 
rently in  good  health  mount  and  spin  their  cocoons,  but  after- 
wards are  found  dead,  either  in  the  worm  or  chrysalis  state, 
black  and  solid,  although  there  is  a  modification  of  this  dis- 
ease, and  the  worms  instead  of  becoming  solid  remain  soft,  of  a 
Boapy  nature,  and  acquire  a  foetid  smell.  The  cocoons  remain- 
ing in  this  state  propagate  a  quantity  of  insects,  which  eat  out, 
spoiling  the  silk  for  reeling. 

The  Calcine  Malady. — Writers  generally  do  not  agree  in 
respect  to  this  disease,  for  while  some  aiiirm  it  to  be  identical 
with  the  mummy  complaint,  only  differing  by  reason  of  some 
atmospheric  or  chemical  combination,  producing  calcination ; 
others  teach  that  it  is  totally  different.  Be  this  as  it  may,  the 
symptoms  are  certainly  different ;  nevertheless,  I  am  inclined  to 
think  the  causes  of  it  may  be  similar,  as,  indeed,  I  do  in  regard 
to  most  of  the  complaints  of  silkworms.  Certain  atmospheri- 
•al  changes  may  produce  diseases  which  man  could  not  always 
prevent  ;  but  my  opinion  is  that  the  majority  of  cases  arise 
irom  neglect  to  keep  the  worms  clean,  by  frequently  removing 
their  refuse,  excrements,  &c.,  which,  left  to  accumulate,  ferment 
and  produce  gases  infecting  the  air  of  the  room,  which  too 
often  is  not  kept  properly  renovated  with  fresh  from  without. 
Often  worms  are  allowed  to  be  too  thick  on  the  stages,  with  the 
idea  of  economy  of  space.  Most  of  these  errors  produce  an 
obstruction  of  the  respiration  of  the  insects.  I  myself  incline 
to  think  with  Moretti,  that  this  disease  is  contagious,  and  com- 
municated by  the  lime-like  powder  covering  the  bodies  of  the 
worms  dying  of  it.  Sometimes  the  calcine  disease  does  not 
show  itself  until  the  worms  have  completed  the  cocoon.  The 
danger  from  it,  then,  is  over,  the  only  defect  being  that  such 
cocoons  are  lighter  and  of  no  use  for  breeding  purposes  ;  the 
quality  of  the  silk  is  just  as  good.  Such  cones  being  much 
lighter  are  worth  more  money,  for  the  insects  drying  up  quite 
hard  lose  in  weight,  producing  in  proportion  more  silk. — 
Leonakd  Harman,  jun.,  Old  Cation,  Norwich. 


STEWED  APRICOTS. 


As  some  of  your  readers  may  be  at  a  loss  to  employ  their 
abundance  of  apricots  agreeably,  I  beg  to  be  allowed  to  tell 
them  how  they  may  be  made  into  a  wholesome  and  pleasant 
dish.  I  daresay  the  recipe  is  very  old,  and  was  perhaps  known, 
if  not  to  Adam,  at  least  to  our  mother  Eve. 

To  employ  the  phraseology  of  the  cuisine  a  la  Glasse ;  take 
youff  apricots,  cut  them  in  halves,  tike  out  the  stones,  blanch 
the  kernels,  break  them,  and  mix  them  with  the  fruit,  which 
should  be  placed  in  a  pie  or  other  dish,  and  powdered  loaf 
sugar  thickly  strewed  over  them.  The  dish  should  be  closely 
covered  and  suffered  to  remain  in  the  oven  about  an  hour, 
depending  upon  how  hot  it  is.  They  will  come  out  floating  in 
their  transparent  juice,  and  should  be  served  cold  either  among 
the  sweets  or  with  the  dessert.  They  are  wholesome  and  per- 
fectly deUoious. — Mr.  Glasse. 


OUR  LETTER  BOX. 


DoEKlNGS  iH.  Boven). — We  hardly  underetfind  you  when  yoa  ask  it  a 
Grey  Dorking  cock  will  do  to  put  with  your  half-bred  hens.  Do  you 
mean  a  feilver-Grey  ?  Wo  only  know  the  Grey  as  distinguished  from  the 
White.  Either  in  our  opinion  will  do,  because  just  as  you  have  the 
speckled  breast  in  the  Grey,  eo  you  have  the  black  one  in  the  Silver- 
Grey.  Both  are  met  with  in  the  coloured  Dorking  cock.  The  Silver- 
Grey  Dorking  pullet  has  points  in  common  with  a  good  pencilled  Brahma 
ben ;  for  instance,  the  striped  hackle  and  the  grey  body.  The  resem- 
blance ceases  there.  We  believe  the  only  two  decent  crosses  are  Brahma 
and  Game,  the  latter  the  better.  We  conclude  by  advising  yoa  to  use  the 
Silver-Grey  cock  if  you  have  one  of  that  kind. 

Chickens  Hatched  Latk  in  April  {F.  C.).— They  will  be  young  to 
exhibit,  but  we  have  seen  good  winners  that  were  no  older.  That  they 
should  be  thin  is  natural,  as  much  of  the  food  they  consume  goes  into 
growth.  You  are  feeding  very  badly  when  yoa  give  brewers'  grains. 
They  are  too  stimulating,  and  induce  a  fevered  and  unwholesome  state 
of  body.  They  cause  the  feathers  to  grow  under  the  skin.  Instead  of 
picking  theee  out  draw  the  end  of  the  feather  through  tho  skin  with  a 
needle  ;  it  will  grow  well  afterwards  A  few  days'  confinement  often  add 
considerably  to  the  weight  of  Brabma  or  Cochin  chickens.  Feed  them 
frequently  tlms,  recollecting  you  have  an  especial  object  in  view  : — Give 
in  the  morning  ground  oats  or  oatmeal  mixed  with  milk,  afterwards  give 
them  the  bcinps  from  the  breakfast  table,  pieces  of  cooked  meat,  and 
ci'nmbs.  Wo  have  little  faith  in  thirds  when  we  want  to  push  chickens 
along,  and  none  in  porridge  oaleas  we.kngw  its  component  parts.    Our 


food  would  be  chopped  cooked  meat,  kitchen  scraps,  good  barley,  gronnd 
oata  or  oatmeal  mixed  with  milk,  and  stale  cruets  steeped  in  strong  broth. 
For  a  change  give  every  other  day  a  handful  of  Indian  corn.  If  on  ex- 
amination yon  find  them  put  on  weight,  and  we  think  you  will,  continue 
them  at  liberty.  If  they  do  not,  put  them  in  comparative  confinement, 
not  in  a  very  small  place,  but  in  one  where  they  will  not  have  the  oppor- 
tunity of  gnawing  all  the  flesh  off  their  bones.  It  is  diSicult  to  explain 
some  judgments,  but,  as  a  rule,  the  oldest  chickens  f;et  tho  prize,  and 
justly— they  are  the  earliest,  and  that  is  a  great  point.  The  deformity 
you  mention  is  not  important,  and  would  probably  never  be  noticed. 

White-crested  Black  Poland  Cock  (Z.).— He  should  be  straight- 
backed,  full-breasted,  proud  and  upright  in  his  carriage,  and  have  dark  legs 
Unlike  many  of  his  brethren,  he  should  have  full  gills.  His  plumage, 
should  be  scrupulously  black,  without  any  mixture  of  any  other  colour. 
The  topknot  should  be  entirely  white,  composed  of  long  hackle  or  saddle- 
shaped  feathers,  growing  all  over  the  head  and  falling  outwards.  This 
topknot  should  be  large,  and  in  good  specimens  there  should  be  no 
hollow  in  the  middle  of  it. 

Dark  Brahma  Pootra  Cockerel  (C  Z.).— He  is  hardly  in  formed 
plumage  at  sixteen  weeks  old  ;  we  have  a  weakness  for  the  white  hackle 
and  saddle,  hut  seldom  meet  with  them.  They  are  generally  mnro  or  lees 
striped.  In  a  very  choice  specimen  we  should  ask  for  the  white  hackle 
and  saddle,  spotted  breast,  black  thighs,  black  and  white  wings,  black 
tail,  and  yellow  legs.  We  should  ask  in  vain.  Perfect  Brahmas  are  as 
scarce  as  perfect  men.  We  should  not  then  object  to  the  few  white 
feathers. — B. 

PuoLiFic  Canary  (T.  C.  Hose).—"  A  Norwich  Canary  producing  flfterai 
young  ones  is  unusual,  inasmuch  as  it  is  far  above  the  avernge,  but  it  is 
not  extraordinary.  Such  instances  of  fertility  and  good  nursing  are  by 
no  means  rare.  I  have  several  in  my  memory  at  this  moment.  If  the 
whole  fifteen,  however,  are  all  •  well  marked,'  that  is  unusual— very 
unusual.  Bearln  mind  there  are  marked  birds,  and  marked  birds  I  If  the 
ben  be  in  health  and  apparently  not  distressed,  let  her  try  once  more, 
and  give  the  Canary  world  the  history  of  the  result.  I  see  no  reason  why 
she  should  die  in  moulting,  but  it  is  probable  that  before  she  succeedB 
in  bringing  up  another  nestful  she  might  commence  moulting,  in  which 
case  she  would  refuse  to  feed.— W.  A.  Blakston." 

Poultry— Bees  (Overdessel).—  Brahma- Pootra  puUets  and  a  Dark 
Dorking  would  be  most  useful.  Ynu  can  have  "  The  Poultry  Book  "  free 
by  post  from  our  ofiBce  if  you  enclose  seven  postage  stamps  with  your 
address.  So  you  can  have  "  Bee-Keeping,"  a  new  edition  of  which_  is  in 
the  press,  if  you  enclose  five  postage  stamps.  Nutt's  collateral  hive  is  one 
of  the  most  objectionable.  You  will  find  full  particulars  in  the  book  we 
have  named. 

Driving  Bees  (B.fl.E'iiweiZj/l.— The  best  modes  of  driving  and  uniting 
bees  have  been  repeatedly  described  in  our  pages.  We  may  particularly 
refer  to  an  exhaustive  series  of  articles  on  "  Utilising  and  Uuitins  Con- 
demned Bees"  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Woodbury,  which  commenced  in 
January  and  was  concluded  in  April  of  the  present  year.  As.  however, 
you  may  not  be  able  readily  to  obtain  access  to  them,  we  extract  the 
following  from  the  "Beekeeper's  Calendar"  of  "The  Gardener's 
Almanack  "  for  1868.  "  i'riving  should  always  be  performed  in  the  day- 
time, and  the  beginner  had  better  wear  a  bee-dress  and  a  pair  of  stout 
gloves;  hut  the  only  absolutely  essential  implements  are  a  couple  of 
empty  hives  (one  of  which  should  be  of  the  same  diameter  as  the  hive  to 
be  operated  upon),  an  empty  bucket,  a  long  piece  of  stout  linen  (a  roller 
towel  with  the  seam  ripped  answers  admirably),  a  sufficient  length  of 
small  cord  or  large  twine,  and  a  lighted  f  umigator  or  cigar,  or  a  smoulder- 
ing roll  of  linen  rag.  The  bucket  having  been  placed  eo  as  to  stand 
firmly  on  the  ground,  about  a  yard  from  the  stock  to  be  operated  upon,  a 
little  smoke  should  be  blown  into  the  entrance;  as  soon  as  the  hees 
retire,  the  hive  must  be  slightly  raised  from  its  floor-board,  and  a  few 
whiffs  of  smoke  blown  under  it  all  round.  Then  raise  the  hive  altogether 
from  its  place,  and  steadily  invert  it  on  the  bucket,  covering  it  immediately 
with  an  empty  hive  of  the  same  diameter,  and  closing  the  junction 
between  the  two  by  first  winding  the  cloth  round  them,  and  then  securing 
it  by  four  turns  of  string,  taking  two  turns  round  the  upper  and  two 
round  the  lower  hive.  The  bees  within  being  thus  safely  eubconced,  the 
second  empty  hive  may  be  placed  on  the  floor-board,  to  amuse  those 
returning  from  the  fields,  and  tho  united  hives,  with  the  bucket,  conveyed 
to  a  shady  spot  at  a  little  distance.  Here  it  will  hf  found  very  convenient 
to  have  a  couple  of  kitchen  chairs,  upon  one  of  which  the  hives  and 
bucket  may  be  placed,  whilst  the  operator  seats  himself  on  the  other; 
and  then  a  smart  and  regular  rapping  of  the  full  bive  with  the  palms  of 
the  hands  should  take  place.  In  about  ten  minute'',  the  great  majority 
of  the  bees  will  generally  be  so  alarmed  as  to  quit  their  own  hive  and 
take  refuge  in  the  empty  one— a  fact  which  may  be  ascertained  by 
listening  to  the  noise  made  by  them  in  ascending.  The  cloth  may  now  be 
removed,  and  the  hives  sufliciontly  separated  by  raising  one  side  of  the 
upper  one  to  admit  of  inspecting  the  interior.  If  nearly  all  the  bees  have 
ascended  into  the  hitherto  empty  hive,  the  operation  may  be  deemed 
complete,  the  remaining  bees  being  brushed  out  with  a  feather.  If,  on 
the  other  hand,  many  bees  still  adhere  to  their  original  domicile,  or  if,  aB 
is  sometimes  the  case,  only  a  few  stragglers  are  found  to  have  quitted  it, 
one  side  of  the  top  hive  should  be  up-raised  a  few  inches,  and  an  iron 
skewer  having  been  stuck  into  the  edge  of  the  lower  hive  to  prevent 
slipping,  kept  steadily  in  that  position,  with  the  lefc  band,  whilst  the 
under  bive  is  rapped  smartly  with  the  right.  When  all,  or  nearly  all, 
have  quitted,  the  upper  hive  should  take  the  place  of  the  decoy  one  upon 
the  stand ;  and  when  stragglers  have  collected,  the  whole  may,  iu  the 
dusk  of  the  evening,  be  united  to  another  colony,  by  being  knocke^l  out  on 
a  cloth  spread  on  the  ground,  and  having  the  inhabited  hive  stood  over  it, 
supported  on  a  couple  of  thick  sticks,  laid  on  the  cloth  to  avoid  crushing 
the  bees.  Earlv  the  next  morning  tbe  now  doubled  hive  should  be  placed 
on  its  own  stand,  and  all  wilt  then  generally  fall  to  work  in  peace  and 
with  renewed  vigour. 

Driving  Bees  {C.  R.  Norwich). — The  bees  in  your  three  hives  can 
readily  be  expelled  by  driving,  and  advantageously  added  to  other  stocks 
in  tho  manner  described  above;  see  also  page  59  of  "  Bee-keeping  for  the 
Many."  No  one  who  has  once  witnessed  the  effects  of  chloroform  on  bees 
would  be  likely  to  repeat  the  operation. 

Wine  Fining  {J.  R.  M.i.- The  recipe  will  suffice  for  sixty  gallons.  Of 
course,  put  back  the  four  or  five  gallons.  The  time  elapsing  before  the 
fining  is  effected  varies  with  tbe  temperature  and  other  circumstances. 
You  must  draw  out  some  of  the  wine  from  time  to  time  until  you  find  it 
is  clear. 


AngQBt  C,  1868.  J 


JODBNAL  OP  HORTICDLTURB  AND  COTTAGE    GABDENEB. 


W 


WEEKLY   CALENDAR. 


of 
Month 

Doy 

nt 
Week. 

AUGD8T  6-12,  1868. 

AverRRe  Temperature 
near  London. 

ftain  In 

Jagt 
41  years. 

Son 

RisuB. 

Snn 
Seta. 

Moon 

UiBCB. 

Moon 

Sots. 

Moon's 
Age. 

Clock 

before 
Sun. 

Year 

Day. 

NiBht. 

Mean. 

Days. 

m.       h. 

m.     h. 

ra.    h. 

m.    h 

Daya. 

m.     a. 

6 

Th 

Duke  of  EniNBDnr.u  Born,  1814. 

73.2 

60.fi 

61.9 

21) 

83  a(  4 

:w  af  7 

6»afH 

24  af  7 

18 

5    35 

219 

7 

F 

Kast  Ncnk  of  Fife  llorUcaltural  Show. 

74.0 

60.7 

62.6 

15 

35       4 

U7      7 

22      9 

29      g 

19 

6    28 

280 

8 

S 

74.5 

4!l.2 

61.8 

17 

36       4 

36      7 

43      9 

33       1) 

20 

6     20 

221 

9 

Son 

9  Sunday  afteb  Trinity. 

74.4 

49.0 

62.0 

16 

88       4 

84      7 

8    10 

39     10 

21 

B     12 

222 

10 

M 

lioyal    Botanic    Society's    Anniversary 

75.0 

6a.o 

63.5 

1» 

89       4 

81      7 

88    10 

45     U 

22 

6      3 

22^ 

11 

To 

Clay  Cross  HorticuUaral  Show.       [Meet. 

75.7 

60.6 

63.1 

19 

41       4 

28       7 

S     11 

after. 

( 

4     53 

224 

li 

W 

Ellon  Ilorticaltural  Show. 

76.0 

60.5 

62.7 

10 

42       4 

26      7 

38    11 

6      2 

24 

4     43 

220 

From  observations  taken  near  London  dnrinf?  the  last  fortv-one  years, 

the  average  dav  temperature  of  the  week  is  74.0^ : 

and  its  night 

temperatore  50.5  .     The  greatest  beat  was  93^  on  the  lOtb,  1812 ;  and  the  lowest  cold  !i^  .  on  the  11th,  lUlil.    The  greaiest  fall  o(   rain 

was  1.08  iQoh. 

RIPENING  THE   WOOD  OF  FRUIT  TREES. 

)  CCORDING  to  the  maxims  of  some  gardeners 
of  former  days  it  was  time  enough  to  think  of 
this  when  the  leaves  first  commenced  decay- 
ing, and  consequently  we  find  them  urgently 
recommending  the  use  of  the  besom  pretty 
freely  in  October.  Brushing  off  the  leaves  to 
assist  in  ripening  the  wood  is  an  old  practice 
now  tolerably  obsolete,  but,  notwithstanding 
its  repudiation,  it  may  be  attended  with 
some  advantages,  for  perhaps  a  broken  crutch 
is  better  than  no  crutch  at  all.  I  will  not  go  so  far  as 
to  assert  that  sweeping  oft'  a  few  decaying  leaves  early  in 
autumn  may  not  have  the  eflect  of  rendering  the  buds  in 
the  axils  of  those  leaves  still  remaining  more  perfect,  but 
this  only  proves  a  previous  neglect ;  for  if  light  and  heat 
acting  on  the  fully  exposed  surfaces  of  the  leaves  of  tender 
trees  be  essential  to  the  proper  organisation  of  the  bud — 
and  who  shall  dispute  it  ? — why  should  an  improper  amount 
of  the  annual  spray  be  reserved  dming  the  thinning  or 
disbudd-ing  season  only  to  cause  mutual  injury  in  the  first 
place,  and  in  the  second  to  render  necessary  a  more  trouble- 
some course  of  winter  pruning  than  there  is  any  real  need 
for?  What  a  controversy  has  been  carried  on  in  the  pages 
of  horticultural  periodicals  about  the  covering  or  non- 
covering  of  fruit  trees  in  order  to  protect  the  blossom,  and 
to  facilitate  the  setting  of  the  fruit !  Some  say  that  cover- 
ing does  not  always  insure  a  crop.  I  wonder  how  many 
yards  of  canvas  it  would  take  to  insure  a  crop  of  fruit  on 
a  Marie  Louise  Pear  tree,  or,  indeed,  on  any  other  tree, 
the  embryo  buds  of  which  had  been  smothered  in  the  pre- 
vious summer  with  watery  spray  ? 

Trees  are  at  many  places  suffered  to  hang  in  a  vfild 
state  from  the  walls  until  the  approach  of  September,  and 
then,  for  the  first  time  perhaps,  the  future  blossom  buds 
have  full  daylight  for  about  tliree  weeks,  and  are  allowed 
to  enjoy  that  degree  of  light  which  a  darkening  autumn 
afibrds.  Then,  in  the  spring,  a  great  to-do  is  made  about 
covering  ;  it  is  done,  yet  the  blossoms  perish,  and  the  un- 
happy cultivator  comes  forth  like  a  lion  with  a  fresh  argu- 
ment against  the  utility  of  covering  or  protection. 

What  would  be  thought  of  a  writer  who  recommended 
Strawberry- forcers  not  to  get  their  runners  too  soon  for 
forcing  purposes,  but  to  delay  until  the  end  of  August,  and 
then  to  select  them  from  gross  and  overcrowded  plants,  mth 
leafstalks  dangling  a  foot  in  length  ?  I  wonder  whether  the 
best  of  winter  protection,  or  the  most  complete  and  expen- 
sive pit  ever  invented,  could  insure  a  crop  of  Strawberries 
on  such  plants '.'  I  think  this  is  sutticiently  illustrative  to 
all  who  will  grapple  with  the  real  bearing  of  the  question. 
Those  who  will  persist  in  adliering  to  a  set  of  notions 
which  have  no  real  foundation  either  in  science  or  practice, 
must  still  be  content  to  endure  disappointment. 

If,  then,  protective  coverings  are  not  to  be  shorn  of  their 
great  utility,  let  the  extra  labour  and  attention  requisite 
for  tender  fruits  be  bestowed  in  summer,  instead  of  prac- 
tising so  much  elaborate  winter  pruning.  Both  common 
sense  and  economy  will  be  found  in  favour  of  this  view. 
K*.  M.-VfiL.  XV.,  New  Sssne. 


Surely  a  man's  day's  work  is  more  productive  in  July  than 
in  January.  Let  those,  then,  who  deem  it  expedient  to 
follow  the  advice  oft-repeated  in  this  Journal  carefully 
examine  all  their  trained  trees  immediately.  There  is  still 
time  on  all  good  aspects  to  obtain  tolerably  firm  wood  by  a 
careful  and  immediate  removal  of  all  waste  spray. 

To  give  my  observations  a  definite  character,  in  which 
shape  they  are  chiefly  useful  to  amateurs  and  young  be- 
ginners, I  will  point  at  once  to  some  trees,  with  their  pro- 
bable condition. 

The  Peach  and  Nectarine  about  this  period,  and  a  little 
sooner  in  the  case  of  Peach  trees  which  have  grown  at 
only  a  reasonable  rate  during  the  early  part  of  summer, 
burst  forth  with  an  improper  amount  of  strength  ;  and 
shoots  which  had  been  pinched  long  since  on  account  of 
their  luxuriance,  or  a  doubt  as  to  the  propriety  of  retaining 
them,  finally  produce  a  considerable  number  of  axillary 
shoots,  and  these  shoots  at  once  arrest  and  appropriate 
the  ascending  sap;  they  also  cause  an  injurious  amount  of 
shade  to  the  true  and  bearing  wood.  All  of  them  should  be 
pinched  immediately,  and  it  is  not  unlikely  that  they  will 
require  pinching  again  \vithin  another  fortnight  or  three 
weeks.  The  production  of  such  spray  at  a  late  season  in- 
dicates a  too-powerful  action  of  the  roots,  and  some  persons 
would  be  ready  under  such  circumstances  to  advise  root- 
pruning.  Now,  although  a  strong  advocate  for  this  opera- 
tion, and  probably  the  first  to  urge  it  in  general  practice  in 
this  country,  yet  I  would  by  no  means  interfere  at  this 
period  with  trees  bearing  fruit. 

In  the  Peach  and  the  Nectarine,  fine  growing  young 
shoots  frequently  may  be  seen  over  the  centre  of  the  tree, 
and,  perhaps,  on  one  particular  side,  wliile  the  extremities 
of  the  limbs  which  are  carrj'ing  a  crop  are  destitute  of 
young  shoots,  or  have  a  stunted  appearance.  This  fre- 
quently happens  from  such  shoots  having  carried  a  large 
crop  on  their  extremities  the  year  previously  :  these 
portions,  therefore,  being  too  heavily  drawn  upon,  a  tem- 
porary exhaustion  is  the  consequence.  Now,  if  the  ascend- 
ing current  of  sap  is  not  transmitted  in  sufficient  abundance 
to  excite  these  branches  to  produce  youug  wood,  a  partial 
contraction  of  the  sap  vessels  will  take  place,  and  such 
branches  will  have  to  be  pruned  away  before  long,  in  order 
to  give  place  to  a  progeny  which  Las  fattened  at  their 
expense.  Now,  lopping-otf  the  older  Imibs  of  Peach  and 
Nectarine  trees  is  a  perilous  practice  at  the  best,  and  it  is 
well  to  know  that  by  an  early  stopping  of  most  of  the 
stronger  young  slioots  below  them,  and  stopping  again  if 
necessary,  such  old  shoots  may  be  re-invigorated  by  the 
sap  thus  directed  towards  them,  and  which,  as  before 
observed,  had  been  arrested  in  its  passage.  In  other 
words,  they  will  commence  making  young  shoots  with 
freedom,  and  these  young  shoots  will  encourage  a  renewed 
vitality,  as  well  as  cause  the  fruit  to  be  better  fed,  and 
more  perfect. 

As  to  stopping,  my  practice  is  to  stop  in  the  first  week 
in  August  every  shoot  that  is  of  sufficient  length  to  be 
useful  in  the  next  year,  excepting  in  the  case  of  delicate 
or  weak  trees.  Here  there  is  no  occasion ;  Nature  will 
stop  Buch  soon  enough.     An  exception  is   also  made  in 

No.  lose.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  Swuib. 


90 


JOURNAL  OF  HOSTIODLTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENES. 


[  Angnat  6, 1888. 


favour  of  weak  shoots  on  robnst  trees ;  these  are  left  altogether 
unstopped. 

Now  it  ia  that  the  renewed  balance  of  strength  takes  place, 
the  weaker  and  unstopped  shoots  at  this  general  stopping  soon 
show  signs  of  having  gained  strength  at  the  expense  of  their 
proud  neighbours,  and  before  the  latter  can  develope  other 
buds,  autumn  with  its  chills  has  arrived,  and  it  is  scarcely 
possible  for  them  to  do  much  mischief. 

There  can  be  little  doubt  that  this  general  stopping,  which 
should  be  performed  as  soon  as  the  last  swelling  has  fairly 
commenced,  increases  both  the  size  and  the  flavour  of  the  fruit. 

The  Pear — that  fruit  so  necessary  to  the  winter  dessert,  for 
who  does  not  wish  for  a  rich  melting  Pear  in  December  and 
January  ? — deserves  some  consideration  as  well  as  the  Peach. 
Althongh  the  principles  of  stopping,  and  the  general  control 
and  equalisation  of  the  sap  are  equally  applicable  to  both  Pear 
and  Peach  trees,  yet  some  peculiarities  of  habit  in  the  former, 
partly  arising  from  modes  of  training,  require  special  notice. 

In  the  first  place,  then,  go  over  the  trees  thoroughly,  and 
remove  all  watery  spray  produced  since  the  previous  dis- 
■budding,  leaving  not  a  vestige  of  it.  Next,  take  oare  that  every 
leading  shoot  considered  necessary  for  the  future  year  shall  be 
carefully  tied  down  or  nailed.  This  done,  all  that  remain  may 
be  examined  closely,  and  every  short-jointed  shoot  that  is 
brown  and  fruitful-looking,  especially  those  with  enlarged  buds, 
«nd  affording,  therefore,  a  guarantee  of  early  and  sure  fruiiful- 
ness,  should  be  tied  down  or  nailed.  The  remainder  will  be 
rejected  spray,  but  a  little  caution  is  necessary  in  the  disposal 
of  this  on  the  cooler  aspects  ;  and  where  a  donbt  exists  in  any 
sitaatton  in  our  northern  counties  it  will  be  well  to  cot  such 
all  away  to  within  two  or  three  leaves  of  the  base  of  each  shoot. 
In  doing  this  regard  must  be  paid  to  kind  as  well  as  to  aspect. 
iSuch  varieties  as  the  Easter  Beurre  and  some  of  the  autumn 
'Pears  will  be  apt  to  ripen  prematurely  if  exposed  too  suddenly 
to  intense  sunshine,  for  that  which  perfects  the  future  blossom 
bod  is  not  always  faviurable  to  the  development  of  the  highest 
amount  of  flavour  in  the  fruit.  Nature,  it  would  seem,  is  more 
intent  on  the  former  than  the  latter  process.  Everyone, 
therefore,  should  regulate  bis  proceedings  according  to  the 
slimate,  aspect,  and  variety  with  which  he  has  to  deal,  and  to 
enter  fully  into  these  points  would  require  more  explanation 
ihtin  I  have  now  time  to  give. 

Aa  soon  as  the  more  tender  fruits,  as  Apricots,  Peaches, 
Nectarines,  and  Pears,  have  been  attended  to,  the  Ciierry  and 
Plum  trees  must  also  undergo  a  revision.  As  to  Plum  trees, 
they  may  be  treated  precisely  like  the  Pear  trees;  and  tie  down 
ihe  Cherry  trees  in  a  similar  manner,  but  they  are  not  so 
manageable  by  this  mode  as  the  other  fruit  trees.  The  Morello 
Cherries  may  have  their  shoots  laid  in  three  times  as  thickly 
as  the  large-leaved  kinds. 

With  Apricots  the  utmost  care  should  be  taken  after  this 
period  to  keep  down  all  superfluous  breastwood.  The  sun 
mast  be  permitted  to  shine  on  the  embryo  fruit  bads  without 
hindrance  until  the  leaves  fall ;  this  is  the  chief  secret  of  the 
Uoosom  setting  well  in  the  followinp;  spring,  and  thus  it  is 
that  old  Apricots  which  produce  scarcely  any  breastwood,  gene- 
rally succeed  much  better  than  young  and  gross  trees. 

I  hope  ere  long  to  read  in  the  pages  of  this  Journal  the 
opinions  of  brother  fruit-growers  as  to  the  best  mode  of  ripen- 
ing the  wood  of  fruit  trees  in  general. — Chables  Bobeets, 
9mfOld  HaU. 


THIN  PLANTING  OF  FLOWER  BEDS. 

Some  writers,  both  in  these  and  other  pages,  are  not  nn- 
irrequently  in  the  habit  of  comparing  flower  gardening  to  music; 
and  though  the  idea  is  not  altogether  a  happy  one,  yet  taking  it 
39 it  is,  and  in  a  matter-of-fact  sense,  there  are  some  features  in 
both  which  do  rather  resemble  one  another.  As  an  instance. 
STerybody  knows  the  ludicrous  effect  produced  when  the  first 
aote  of  a  piece  is  struck  in  a  key  so  hish  that  the  succeeding 
higher  notes  are  found  to  bo  far  above  the  shrillest  capabilities 
of  the  human  pipe,  so  that  a  dead  halt  or  something  worse  is 
the  inevitable  result.  This  feat  is  called  by  rustic  musicians, 
"  a  going  up  and  never  coming  down  again,"  and  though  it  is 
anything  but  pleasant  to  listen  to,  it  yet  carries  with  it  a  useful 
lesson,  as  the  most  of  misfortunes  do. 

Somewhat  analogous  to  this  is  the  common  mistake  which 
many  of  us  comn.it,  of  attempting  to  decorate  a  far  greater 
area  with  what  are  popularly  known  as  bedding  plants,  than 
the  extent  of  our  winter  and  spring  accommodation  will  permit. 
.WiieH'oa  increase  in  the  cumber  of  beds  or  borders  to  be  so 


decorated  is  not  met  by  a  corresponding  increase  in  the  number 
or  size  of  glass  structures,  then  thin  planting  must  be  resorted 
to,  and  the  ambition  of  having  an  extensive  display  thus  defeats 
itself  by  having  little  or  none  for  the  greater  part  of  the  season. 
Eight  weeks  of  rainless  weather  are  a  fearful  ordeal  for  even 
thickly-planted  beds  to  pass  through ;  bat  when  we  coma 
to  look  at  those  planted  on  the  "extended"  system,  we  are 
forced  to  the  conclusion,  that  we  have  indeed  aimed  too  high, 
that  we  have,  in  fact,  "  gone  up  never  to  come  down  again,"  at 
least,  not  during  the  remainder  of  the  present  season. 

There  are  several  ways  of  preventing  a  recurrence  of  this 
state  of  things  without  adding  to  either  glass  or  labour,  and 
the  first  which  presents  itself,  and  the  most  natural,  is  to 
reduce,  where  that  is  practicable,  the  number  of  beds  to  he 
filled  ;  but  that  is  a  retrogressive  step,  and  unless  as  a  last 
resource  ought  never  to  be  thought  of.  Another  is  the  mora 
extensive  use  of  florists'  and  other  flowers,  both  showy  and  in- 
teresting, and  which  at  most  need  but  the  aid  of  a  cold  pit  to 
help  them  through  the  winter.  Such  plants  as  Phloxes,  Pent- 
stemons.  Antirrhinums,  Pyrethrums,  &o.,  when  only  the  beat 
named  sorts  are  grown,  have  that  charm  of  individuality  or 
separate  attractiveness  about  them  which  is  not  to  be  found  in 
a  great  bed  of  Pelargoniums,  where  each  plant  is  an  exact 
counterpart  of  all  the  rest ;  and  if  these  and  such  as  these  were 
planted  with  a  more  liberal  hand  we  should  then  be  enabled  to 
concentrate  our  limited  number  of  bedding  plants  upon  soma 
given  spot,  making  it  as  perfect  as  possible,  bearing  always  in 
mind  that  a  dozen  beds  well  filled  and  properly  cared  for  after- 
wards, will  ever  give  more  satisfaction  to  all  concerned  than  a 
score  of  the  same  size  thinly  planted.  We  are  not  all  Handels 
to  compose  oratorios,  or  Costas  to  render  them,  but  a  little  song 
exquisitely  sweet  and  simple  is  what  we  all  may  sing. 

Some  of  the  hardier  variegated-leaved  plants  are  proving 
themselves  subjects  which,  on  the  score  of  economy,  we  onght 
to  be  really  thankful  for.  Chrysanthemum  Sensation,  so  far 
as  the  roots  are  concerned,  is  almost  hardy,  for  if  laidin  some- 
what deeply  in  a  dryish  border  over  winter,  and  allowed  the 
protection  of  a  few  leaves  and  branches  in  hard  weather,  they 
shoot  up  in  spring  most  vigorously.  Large  quantities  of  the 
Golden  Feverfew  can  also  be  reared  at  one-half  less  cost  and 
trouble  than  is  often  bestowed  upon  many  worse  subjects,  while 
a  cold  frame  or  even  a  turf  pit  winters  autumn-struck  cuttings 
of  the  variegated  Polemonium  to  perfection.  Any,  or  all  of 
these  three  can  be  used  in  conjunction  with  the  be.^t  bedding 
plants  we  have  without  putting  them  to  the  blush.  One  of  the 
finest  beds  I  h  ive  seen  this  season  ia  a  large  one,  which  for 
ugliness  of  outline  could  not  be  easily  beaten.  It  has  a  rather 
broad  edging  of  the  old-fashioned  variegated  Pelargoninm 
Manglosii,  the  narrow-petalled  pink  trasses  of  which  are  not 
removed  ;  all  over  the  bed  about  15  inches  apart  are  well-grewn 
plants  of  this  Polemonium,  while  the  ground  colour  is  sup- 
plied by  a  very  light  variety  of  Lobelia  Paxtoniana,  and  the 
resnlt  is,  despite  its  ungainly  form,  a  bed  of  surpassingly  light 
and  airy  beauty. 

Another  disadvantage  to  which  we  subject  ourselves  by  thin 
planting — of  bedding  Pelargoniums  at  least — is  that  enttingsin 
suflioieot  quantities  cannot  be  obtained  in  time  to  strike  them 
out  of  doors  without  giving  a  twinge  to  our  heart-strings  every 
time  the  knife  descends.  Taking  one  cutting  off  each  plant  it 
may  be  thought  will  not  much  hurt  the  appearance  of  a  bed, 
but  when  the  plants  do  not  meet  by  some  inches  it  is  a  painful 
proceeding. 

It  is  only  just  to  state  that  this  growl  at  the  dry  weather  and 
at  thin  planting,  comes  from  a  place  where  the  soil  is  natu- 
rally light  and  shingly,  and  where  the  beds  do  not  in  winter 
and  spring  receive  that  elaborate  treatment  so  long  and  ably 
advocated  by  writers  in  the  Journal,  and  wjtbont  which  any- 
thing like  perfection  in  bedding  cannot  be  obtained. — Avbrhikk 

G.\EDESEK. 


SPECIAL  GLADIOLUS  EXHIBITION. 
I  iM  sorry  to  say  that  for  the  present  year  this  must  be 
abandoned,  for  owing  to  Ihe  absence  of  the  Secretary  1  did  not 
receive  the  answer  of  the  Crystal  Palace  Company  until  thift 
week  ;  but  it  was  quite  in  accordance  with  their  usual  liberality, 
as  they  placed  £20  at  Mr.  Wilkinson's  disposal,  to  be  added  to 
whatever  sum  might  be  subscribed  for  the  purpose.  I  had,  how- 
ever, received  several  communications  from  Gladiolus  growers, 
stating  that  owing  to  the  very  exeaptional  character  of  the 
season  and  the  forwardness  of  their  blooms,  tb«y  very  much 
questioosd  whether  thay  could  exMhit;    and  ae-  everything 


Aagost  6,  1888.  ] ' 


JOUBNAL  OP  HORTIOUIiTirEE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENEB. 


!«■ 


in  thia  matter  depended  on  the  character  and  number  of  the 
flowers  set  np,  I  tliuiiKht  it  better  to  stay  pnweeiliuga.  In  one 
respect  I  am  not  sorry.  Had  it  been  held  thia  year  I  shuuld 
have  been  ohlined  to  arraui^o  the  Bcliedule  myself,  whereas  if 
deferred  I  shall  have  the  oppoitimity  of  consultinR  other  grow- 
ers, and  of  thiH,  I  hope,  maltinj'  a  more  generally  accentable 
one.  Will  lovera  of  this  beautiful  flower  bear  all  this  in  mind  ? 
They  will  now  have  fair  notice,  and  an  exiiibition  may  bo  held 
which  will  astonish  those  who  have  not  hitherto  taken  any 
interest  in  the  growth  of  the  Gladiolus. — D.,  Deal. 


THE  SCARLET  PELARGONIUM  IN  A  HOT 

SEASON. 

At  a  time  when  the  outcry  for  water  is  heard  far  and  near,  it 
is  worth  while  looking  round  to  ascertain  what  crops  or  plants 
sufTer  least  from  the  want  of  moisture,  and  we  may  find  some 
which  exhibit  no  tigu  whatever  of  distress,  but,  on  the  cou- 
trary,  show  to  greater  advantage  than  when  those  refreshing 
showers  we  so  much  long  for  exert  their  influence  on  vege- 
tation. Among  the  plants  whose  capabilities  of  withstanding 
heat  and  drought  stand  out  most  prominently,  tho  Scarlet 
Pelargonium  miy  be  placed  in  the  front  rank,  for  in  tho  pre- 
sent eea,sou  this  ornament  to  the  parterre  does  good  service  by 
tho  brilliancy  of  its  bloom  and  the  healthy  condition  of  tho 
plant  itself.  Exceptions  there  are  even  to  this,  but  in  general 
the  Scarlet  Pelargonium,  where  it  has  had  fair  play,  will  be 
found  to  have  performed  its  duty  in  a  more  satisfactory  manner 
than  most  other  plants,  and  without  that  assistance  which 
some  of  them  seem  to  require.  To  ascertain  the  cause  of  this 
we  must  go  back  to  plantmg-out  time,  and  likewise  take  into 
consideration  the  hp.bit  and  character  of  the  plant. 

The  Scarlet  Pelargonium  in  its  wild  state  enjoys  a  climate 
which  is  even  hotter  and  more  sunny  than  tho  present  sea^ion, 
therefore  sunshine  and  want  of  moisture  are  nothing  strange 
to  it.  Neither  would  it  appear  to  require  the  shade  of  friendly 
trees  ;  on  the  contrary,  basking  in  the  blaze  of  an  African  sun, 
external  heat  is  not  likely  to  hurt  it  in  this  country,  if  the  other 
conditions  necessary  to  its  existence  are  afforded.  Now,  in  the 
present  season,  one  of  these  conditions  would  appear  to  be 
depth  of  soil  to  gro.v  in,  and  where  this  has  been  suitable,  and 
where  the  plant  has  not  had  to  contend  with  other  plants  more 
robast  thin  itself  for  the  appropriation  of  this  soil  or  subsoil, 
it  has  invariably  succeeded  well.  Where,  on  the  other  hand, 
a  shrub  or  tree,  a  standard  Rose,  a  Hollyhock,  or  any  other 
strong-growing  plant  near  it,  has  usurped  the  subsoil,  and  the 
Pelargonium  has  had  to  subsist  on  the  surface  soil  only,  the 
result  has  been  unsatisfactory.  In  many  cases,  indeed,  the 
plant  has  suocumbod  altogether,  as  watering  only  tended  to 
encourage  the  roots  of  its  robust  neighboar  to  intrude  them- 
selves among  its  roots,  and  then  all  progress  was  at  an  end, 
and  the  plaut,  expanding  what  flowers  it  had  formed  in  em- 
bryo, gradually  sank  into  that  condition  between  life  and  death 
which  is  even  worse  than  the  latter.  As  this  want  of  success  is 
■easily  accounted  for,  it  would  be  well  on  all  oceasions  where 
practicable  to  give  the  Pelargonium  a,  position  where  its  roots 
are  not  likely  to  be  interfered  with  by  those  of  a  more  vigorous 
opponent. 

i  have  beea  induced  to  give  the  above  short  notice  of  the 
Scarlet  Pelirgonium,  from  having  observed  how  much  better 
it  withstands  the  heat  and  drought  than  most  oth«r  plants,  and 
even  as  conapared  with  some  of  the  pink  varieties  of  Pelargo- 
niams.  Tli«  cause  of  the  latter  net  doing  so  wei!  I  cannot  dis- 
cover, as  I  hardly  think  the  flowers  of  those  which  have  proved 
so  unsatisfactory  contained  sufficient  blue  in  their  tints  to  ac- 
count for  the  failure.  Tbe  very  worst  I  have  is  Christine,  an 
old  popirlar  variety,  which  has  invariably  done  well  for  many 
years,  bat  this  summer  the  blooms  seem  to  bleach  into  a  dirty 
white,  and  fall  off  so  quickly  that  only  three  or  four  flowers  are 
met  with  on  a  truss,  with  plenty  of  seed-vessels  sticking  out, 
poronpine-like,  in  all  directions.  Now,  if  the  cause  of  failure 
is  flimsiness  of  tbe  petals  or  some  other  defective  arrangement 
of  the  flower,  perhaps  it  may  do  duty  again  another  year  ;  but 
if  other  varieties  withstand  tka  heat  better  than  Christine,  then 
I  say  discard  it.  In  my  own  ease  I  need  hardly  state  that  it  is 
not  likely  to  occupy  such  a  high  position  again,  as  some  other 
pink  kinds  appear  to  be  less  injured,  although  not  so  much 
favoured  by  i-ituation.  Perhaps  some  o!  jour  readers  will  give 
tkeir  experience  wth  this  plant. 

Having  said  that  the  Scarlet  PelargoniKms  have  done  best 
with  me,  I  mn^i  also  state  that  the  beet  of  them  are  t&ose 


partaking  of  the  Nosegay  character— as  Stella,  Cybistor,  Wal- 
tham  Seedling,  itc.  ;  or  when  the  other  varieties  have  succeeded 
it  has  generally  been  those  of  robust  habit,  as  Punch  and  some 
others  of  its  class,  while  tho  dwarf  varieties  of  tho  Tom 
Tbumb  breed  have  not  done  well.  Later  in  the  season,  how- 
ever, will  be  a  more  fitting  time  to  report  upon  them,  but 
while  the  hot  weather  continues  it  would  be  worth  while  for 
all  to  observe  how  their  various  plants  support  themselves 
under  it,  with  a  view  to  giving  their  experience  afterwards.  In 
my  case  I  may  say  that,  with  the  exception  of  some  Pelargo- 
niums on  high-raised  beds  and  mounds,  not  one  of  mine  on  the 
ordinary  level  has  had  a  drop  of  water,  excepting  from  tho 
clouds,  since  planting,  and  where  the  soil  was  well  prepared 
for  them  I  can  find  no  fault  with  their  success.  Where,  aa 
already  stated,  they  stand  near  other  more  robust  neighbours, 
they  have  suffered  as  described.  Some  otber  plants  left  to 
themselves  have  also  done  well.  On  the  otber  hand,  there  are 
plenty  of  failures,  one  of  the  most  prominent  being  a  plant  I 
predicted  many  weeks  ago  as  not  likely  to  do  well  in  a  dry 
season — namely,  Viola  cornuta,  while  blue  Lobelias  are  but 
little  better.  Indeed,  I  am  half-disposed  to  think  that  blue 
flowers  are  the  worst  to  withstand  bright  sunshine,  and  I 
partly  attribute  the  failure  of  Christine  Pelargonium  to  its 
partaking  in  some  degree  of  this  tint ;  but  I  would  like  to  hear 
the  opinion  of  others  on  the  matter. — J.  Kobson. 


SAVING  CABBAGE   SEED. 

I  SEE  in  notices  to  correspondents,  page  60,  some  julvicB  o.-t 
this  snbjoet  to  which  I  must  beg  to  take  exception.  Indeed,  I 
think  there  is  some  error  in  the  printing,  hecausa  Cabbages 
so«n  in  May  would  run  to  seed  the  same  season,  not  the  fol- 
lowing year.  Though  much  Cabbage  seed  is  thus  raised  it  is  a 
very  bad  practice,  and  no  doubt  much  of  the  mischief  in  the 
way  of  runners  so  often  complained  about  is  traceab'o  to  this 
cause.  My  opinion  is  that  Cabbage  ought  to  be  treated  as  a 
biennial — that  is,  grown  one  season  and  seeded  the  next.  If 
you  seed  it  the  same  season  as  it  is  sown,  can  yon  be  surprised 
at  its  running  to  seed  when  you  would  rather  it  formed  a  good 
solid  heart?  It  has  been  treated  as  an  annual,  and  behaveB 
accordingly. 

I  have  been  for  some  years  rather  famous  for  an  early  Oab- 
bago  of  the  Battersea  race,  called  Conqueror,  and  have  always 
raised  it  in  tbe  following  manner: — It  has  been  sown  iu  July, 
and  grown  as  if  for  Cabbage.  When  fit  to  cut  the  whole  have 
been  looked  over,  and  all  not  quite  up  to  the  mark  pulled  np, 
and  the  remainder  out  off.  The  stumps  of  ihe  good  ones  are 
planted  the  following  autumn  in  well-manured  ground,  and 
flower  and  seed  the  next  season.  This  is  the  only  way,  I 
believe.  Cabbage  seed  ought  to  be  grown.  It  is  true  this  is  uot^ 
the  way  to  obtain  a  fine-looking  sample  of  seed  ;  it  is  neither 
so  large  nor  so  black  as  seed  from  plants  sown  the  same  year. 
Nor  is  it  the  way  to  produce  cheap  seed.  A  large  aLOonnt  of 
labour  bestowed  on  a  two-years  crop  is  a  very  different  affair 
from  what  is  required  by  a  crop  which  occupies  the  ground  bat 
four  months,  say  from  May  to  .July  or  August. 

This  changing  tbe  nature  of  biennials  is  a  very  serions  sub- 
ject. You  see  a  farmer  sowing  his  Mangold  Wurtztl  in  May, 
and  say,  "  My  dear  sir,  how  is  it  you  did  not  sow  in  the  second 
week  of  April  ?  Your  land  at  that  season  would  have  been 
sure  (if  got  ready  in  the  autumn),  to  have  been  moist  enough  to 
make  your  seed  grow — in  fact,  mine  are  all  in  full  rows ;  but 
now  if  dry  weather  set  in  yours  will,  perhaps,  not  grow  at  all, 
and,  besides,  you  lose  several  weeks,  and  consequently  some 
tons  per  acre."  He  will  very  likely  answer  you,  "  Ah,  yes  I  I 
used  to  sow  earlier,  but  I  had  so  manv  runners  I  determined 
to  BOW  later."  Now  how  is  this  ?  Why,  becau^e  instead  of 
Mangold  seed  being  grown  from  large,  formed  roots,  it  is  grown 
from  seed  sown  in  August,  thus  making  it  nearly  an  annuaL 
So  it  is  with  Turnips.  In  travelling  through  Ihe  conn tiy  you, 
see  acres  of  Turnips  sown  on  corn  stubbles,  which  when  winter 
comes  are  like  little  Lettuce  plants.  These  are  inttnded  for 
seed  ;  and  when  Turnips  from  seed  thus  produced  for  some 
years  run  away  to  seed  when  they  are  expected  to  form  roots, 
no  one  is  in  fault,  but  the  farmer  is  a  great  loser. 

In  the  same  reply  (page  06),  it  is  stated  that  Turnips  in 
flower  near  Cabbage  will  spoil  the  latter.  Permit  me  to  say 
this  is  a  mistake.  If  you  want  to  keep  your  Cabbage  seed 
pure,  plant  it,  if  you  can,  in  the  middle  of  or  close  to  a  l8r^e 
piece  of  Turnips  for  seed.  Tbe  bees  will  have  plenty  to  do  oa 
the  Turnip  flowers,  and  will  be  maoh  less  likely  to  find  tba. 


9S 


JOtJRNAB  OP  HOBTIOULTUBR   AKD  COTTAGE  QABOENEB. 


[  August  6,  IMS. 


Cabbage  after  having  fed  on  some  other  Cabbage  or  Borecole. 
If  a  bed  of  Eed  Cabbage  be  in  flower  anywhere  within  a  mile, 
yonr  early  Cabbage  will  in  all  probability  show  it  has  been 
injnred,  and  in  a  less  degree  the  Broecolis  and  Savoys,  &c., 
will  injure  it;  but  I  never  yet  saw  a  cross  between  a  Cabbage 
and  Turnip,  though,  as  you  are  aware,  I  am  a  large  grower  of 
Tamip  seed,  and  generally  grow  my  Cabbage  close  to  it.— 
J.  B.  Peakson,  Chilicell. 


from  bads  inserted  in  the  Peach,  neither  were  they  so  highly 
coloured  nor  so  luscious.  Mr.  Kemp  also  sent  a  Peach  from 
the  tree.  It  was  only  about  two-thirds  the  usual  size,  and  quite 
green  and  hard.— Eds.] 


BUDDING  ROSES  IN  JUNE. 
In  yonr  number  for  May  28th,  a  correspondent  under  the 
above  heading  gave  so  very  clear  and  simple  a  description  of 
the  method  which  he  had  pursued  with  success,  that  I  was 
resolved  to  follow  his  example.  About  the  middle  of  June  I 
selected  buds  from  Gloire  de  Dijon  and  Madame  Julie  Daran, 
and  have  been  so  successful  as  to  be  able  to  measure  the  growth 
of  the  buds  by  inches,  the  latter  Eose  having  already  attained 
a  height  of  half  a  foot.  About  the  23rd  of  June  I  budded 
another  lot,  and  with  the  exception  of  two  or  three  all  are 
doing  well. 

There  can  be  little  doubt  that  early  is  preferable  to  late  bud- 
ding when  the  season  is  a  very  dry  one.  During  the  latter 
half  of  June  and  the  first  week  in  July  I  budded  about  a  hun- 
dred Briar  and  twenty  Manetti  stocks.  At  least  two-thirds  are 
growing,  though  the  relative  proportion  of  success  is  much  in 
favour  of  the  Briar  ;  yet  I  budded  on  the  shoots  and  not  on  the 
stem  of  the  Manetti.  Kose-growers  in  this  neighbourhood, 
who  have  put  off  the  budding  until  this  month,  complain  that 
they  can  seldom  get  the  bark  to  rise  freely,  and  when  they  can 
the  buds  soon  become  shrivelled  up.  This  result,  so  inevitable 
with  an  almost  tropical  sun  and  a  total  absence  of  moisture,  I 
have  obviated  by  copious  watering  every  other  day  at  the  root 
of  each  stock.  The  rise  of  sap  is  something  wonderful,  for  I 
often  find  that  a  stock  innocent  of  its  own  buds  in  the  morn- 
ing, has  put  out  several  tiny  shoots  before  I  reach  home  in  the 
evening.  I  should  like  some  of  yonr  correspondents  to  explain, 
if  they  can,  why  buds  "  take  "  so  much  less  easily  on  the  Ma- 
netti than  on  the  Briar  stock. 

The  hot  weather  has  produced  butterflies  in  myriads,  and  I 
have  noticed  a  singular  fact  in  connection  with  them.  My 
garden  has,  perhaps,  five  hundred  Lobelia  plants  in  it,  and 
seven  or  eight  hundreds  of  other  kinds  of  plants.  I  rarely  see 
a  butterfly  on  any  plant  save  the  Lobeha,  and  it  is  no  unusual 
thing  to  be  able  to  trace  the  pattern  of  the  blue  in  butterflies 
alone.  Can  you  account  for  their  singular  attraction  to  this 
pretty  bedder  ?— C.  W.  M.,  IVijlde  Green. 


THE   ROSE. 


AN  EXPERIMENT  IN    BUDDING. 

In  August,  1866,  I  budded  upon  Late  Admirable  Peach 
Violette  Hiitive  Nectarine,  the  reason  for  doing  so  being  the 
habit  of  that  Peach,  here  at  least,  of  casting  its  buds  during 
winter  or  early  in  spring. 

The  tree  in  question  is  one  of  the  healthiest  trees  in  the 
place,  and  its  one  bad  habit  led  me  to  try  the  effect  of  putting 
a  Nectarine  upon  it.  I  put  in  about  twenty  buds.  They  all 
grew,  but  four  or  five  proved  blossom  buds,  which  in  the  end 
fell  off.  The  remainder  grew  well  in  1867,  and  were  tied  in. 
This  year,  1868,  I  left  on  the  tree  about  fifty  Nectarines  and 
all  the  Peaches,  about  the  same  number.  The  Nectarines  are 
quite  ripe— in  fact,  most  of  them  are  gathered,  some  a  fortnight 
ago.  The  Peaches  are  just  beginning  to  swell  off,  and  wiU  be 
quite  a  month  later  than  the  latest  Nectarine. 

By  a  person  of  limited  means  and  time  I  think  this  idea 
might  be  carried  out  with  advantage  much  further.  I  cannot 
perceive  any  difficulty  in  having  by  this  means  ripe  fruit  from 
the  same  tree  for  eight  or  ten  weeks,  instead  of,  as  before,  for 
two  or  three. 

I  cannot  see  much  difference  between  the  fruit  from  the 
parent  tree  and  the  fruit  on  the  Pm  -h,  except  that  the  latter  is 
larger  and  more  coloured — a  ral'  ■  r  singular  fact,  when  we 
consider  that  Late  Admirable  l\ach  scarcely  ever  has  any 
high  colouring. 

The  Late  Admirable  Peach  did  not  cast  its  buds  this  year  so 
much  as  before  ;  the  Nectarine  not  at  all.  This  is  the  point  of 
my  experiment.  Still,  I  think  this  matter  worth  looking  into 
by  some  of  our  large  fruit-growers.— A.  S.  Kemp,  Hauahton 
Hall,  Shifnal. 

[Mr.  Kemp  sent  us  specimens  of  the  Nectarines.  Those 
from  the  parent  tree  were  not  more  than  half  the  size  of  those 


Having  grown  Boses  for  twenty  years  so  successfully  that  I 
have  won  more  than  thirty  cups  "  open  to  all  England,"  with 
a  multipUcity  of  money  prizes  ;  havingoriginated  the  first  show 
of  Boses,  that  is  to  say,  of  Koses  only ;  and  having  attended 
since  that  time  nearly  all  the  great  Koae  shows,  either  as  a 
judge  or  as  an  exhibitor, — I  ought  to  have  something  to  tell 
worth  hearing  to  those  who  love  the  Eose.  I  will  try  to  tell  it, 
as  Bossuet  preached,  sans  etude,  familierement,  de  I'abondance 
du  cctiir. 

De  I'abondance  du  caur — these  words  shall  be  the  text  of  my 
sermon,   because  he  who  would  have  beautiful  Eoses  in  his 
garden  must  have  beautiful  Eoses  in  his  heart.     He  must  love 
them  well  and  always.     To  win,  he  must  woo,  as  Jacob  wooed 
Laban's  daughter,  though  drought  and  frost  consume.    He 
must  have  not  only  the  glowing  admiration,  the  enthusiasm, 
and  the  passion,  but  the  tenderness,  the  thoughtfulness,  the 
reverence,  the  watchfulness  of  love.  With  no  ephemeral  caprice, 
like  the  fair  young  knight's,  who  loves  and  who  rides  away  when 
his  sudden  fire  is  gone  from  the  cold  white  ashes,  the  cavalier 
of  the  Eose  has  semper  fide\is  upon  his  crest  and  shield.    He  is 
loyal  and  devoted  ever,  in  storm-fraught  or  in  sunny  days  ;  the 
first  upon  a  summer's  morning  to  gaze  admiringly  upon  glow- 
ing charms,  and  the  first  to  tread  upon  the  deep  white  snow  to 
discover  anxiously  what  harm  is  done,  and  to  give  what  help 
he  can.     And  as  with  smitten  bachelor  or  steadfast  mate  the 
lady  of  his  love  is  lovely  ever,  so  to  the  true  Eose-grower  must 
the  Eose  tree  be  always  a  thing  of  beauty.     To  others,  when  its 
flowers  have  faded,  it  may  be  worthless  as  a  hedgerow  Thorn  : 
to  him,  in  every  phase,  it  is  precious.     "  I  am  no  more  the 
Eose,"  it  says,  "  but  cherish  me,  for  we  have  dwelt  together  ;" 
and  the  glory  which  has  been,  and  the  glory  which  shall  be, 
never  fade  from  his  heart. 

Is  it  rare  or  frequent  this  fond  and  complete  affection  ?  Go 
to  one  of  our  great  exhibitions,  and  you  must  surely  bring  the 
conviction  home,  that  true  love,  however  rare  in  the  outer 
world,  may  be  always  found  "among  the  Eoses."  From  all 
grades  and  epochs  of  life,  what  vows  of  constancy,  what  fervid 
words !  "  Sir  Thomas  and  I  are  positively  going  to  ruin 
ourselves  with  a  new  rosarium."  "  As  soon  as  I  get  home," 
says  a  country  rector,  "  I  shall  plant  an  acre  of  my  glebe  with 
Eoses."  There  you  may  see  a  Eoyal  Duchess  so  surprised  out 
of  her  normal  calmness,  that  she  raises  two  pale  pink  gloves  in 
an  ecstasy  of  surprise,  and  murmers,  "  Oh,  how  lovely  I  "  over 
Marechal  Niel.  There  a  Cabinet  Minister  stands  tiptoe  to 
catch  a  glimpse  of  his  brother  senator,  Vaisse,  and  wishes  he 
had  a  neck  as  long  as  Cicero's.  Obstructing  his  view  with  her 
ample  form  and  bountiful  bonnet,  our  old  friend  Mrs.  Brown, 
who  has  just  had  "one  drop  of  the  least  as  is,"  informs  the 
public  that  she  "  knows  for  facts  that  Mr.  Turner  of  Slough  has 
a  dead  horse  under  every  Eose  tree,  and  Pauls  &  Sons  has 
hundreds  of  young  men  with  gig  umbrellas  standing  over  their 
Boses  when  it  rains  heavy."  Mrs.  Brown  is  delighted,  like  all 
around,  and  "  means  to  tell  Brown,  as  soon  as  ever  she  sets 
down  in  her  own  parlour,  that  Marshal  Niel  all  over  the  house, 
and  Sulphur  Terry  round  the  back  door,  grow  she  must  and 
will.  But,  goodness  me,"  she  suddenly  exclaims,  "  what  a 
mess  o'  them  reporters  !  "  No,  my  dear  madam,  they  are  not 
reporters,  only  spectators,  putting  down  in  their  note-books  the 
names  of  Eoses,  with  an  expression  of  eager  interest  which 
says,  I  must  have  that  flower  or  die. 

Every  year  this  enthusiasm  increases.  It  is  not  easy  to 
collect  reliable  statistics ;  some  shut  their  mouths  closely ; 
some  open  them  so  widely  as  to  justify  the  amusing  sarcasm  of 
my  reverend  and  roseate  brother,  Eadcljffe,  "  When  they  count 
their  trees,  they  include  the  aphis  ;"  but  I  have  obtained  trust- 
worthy and  interesting  information  from  some  of  our  chief 
rosarians,  who  have  kindly  answered  my  inquiries  in  a  fraternal 
and  friendly  spirit.  Without  mention  of  names  or  minute 
details,  I  may  state  that  these  all  bear  witness  to  a  most 
extensive  and  progressive  enlargement  of  the  demand  for  Eoses. 
The  largest  of  our  wholesale  growers  writes  to  me  that  he  has 
more  than  twenty  acres  of  Eoses,  and  that  his  stock  of  Briars 
and  Manetti,  with  Eoses  on  their  own  roots  and  Eoses  in  pots, 
exceeds  one  million.    The  young  but  most  anccessfnl  represen- 


Aogast  6, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OP    HOBTICOIiTUBB  AND  COTTAGE  OARDENBB. 


»S 


tative  of  one  of  our  older  firm»  informa  me,  that  tlioir  first 
plantinf»  of  Rose  Blocks,  so  an  old  Hriar-man  tells  bim,  was  a 
lot  of  '2IK)0,  some  forty  years  ago  ;  and  that  from  '2000  they 
advanced  in  ln(il  to  02,000  Briars.  In  l^TiO,  he  adds,  we 
commenced  the  outdoor  culture  of  the  Manetti  with  4000  :  this 
year  (18C7)  we  have  Go, 000.  Rapid  as  this  increase  appears, 
the  same  writer  goes  on  to  say  that  he  anticipates  a  time  when 
their  present  stock  will  seem  liliputian  in  comparison  with 
that  which  will  be  required  for  the  home  and  export  trade.  I 
propose  to  revert  in  some  future  chapter  to  the  history  of  this 
development,  concerning  which  I  am  favoured  with  some  very 
interesting  facts  by  one  who  has  had  more  to  do  with  it  than 
any  living  man — my  dear  friend,  Mr.  Rivers,  of  Sawbridgeworth. 
Siiffioe  it  to  say  now,  that  where  Rosea  were  grown  twenty 
years  ago  by  the  dozen  they  are  grown  by  the  thonaand,  and 
where  by  the  thousand  now  by  the  acre. 

Bat  now  comes  a  most  important  question : — Have  we 
beautiful  Roses  in  proportion  to  this  great  multiplication  of 
Rose  trees  ?  The  printer  will  oblige  me  by  selecting  a  brace  of 
hia  biggest  and  blackest  capitals,  with  which  I  may  reply 
emphatically,  NO.  It  is  indeed,  at  first  sight,  a  marvel  and 
perplexity,  that  while  the  love  of  Roses  is  professed  so  generally 
— while  the  demand  for  Rose  trees  has  increased  so  extensively, 
and  the  flower  itself  has  every  year  disclosed  some  new  and 
progressive  charm — Roses  should  be  so  rarely  seen  in  their  full 
and  perfect  beauty.  Queen  Rosa,  in  common  with  other 
potentates,  has  greatly  enlarged  her  armies,  but  how  few  young 
officers  have  as  yet  distinguished  themselves  fighting  in  the 
wars  of  the  Roses.  Field-Marshal  Rivera  still  commands  from 
his  hill  at  Sawbridgeworth.  The  names  of  the  generals  who 
were  eminent  when  I  first  joined  as  Cornet — Paul,  and  Wood, 
and  Lane,  and  Francis — are  still  famous  in  our  ears.  Mitchell, 
and  Cranston,  and  Cant  have  long  been  men  of  renown ;  and 
though  Turner  and  Keynes  have  joined  more  recently  the 
Boyal  host,  and,  rushing  at  once  to  the  van,  achieved  the  first 
honours  of  victory,  they  are  well  known  veterans  in  other  fields, 
and  men  of  war  from  their  youth.  It  is  the  name  among  the 
amateurs  as  with  the  professionals,  among  the  volunteers  aa 
with  the  regular  army.  The  old  champions  ride  into  the  lists 
and  hold  their  own  against  all  comers  ;  the  new  aspirants  for  the 
smile  of  our  Queen  of  Beauty  go  home,  with  one  exception,  the 
gallant  Knight  of  Sileby,  discomfited.  They  may  say  as  they 
enter  the  arena,  with  the  gladiators  of  old  to  the  emperor,  or, 
in  absence  of  an  emperor,  to  the  policeman  at  the  entrance  of 
the  exhibition,  Morittiri  te  salutant. 

We  must  pass  from  the  public  Rose  show  to  the  private  Rose 
garden  to  see  in  its  saddest  phase  the  difference  between  what 
la  and  what  ought  to  be,  the  feeble  harvest  of  good  Roses  from 
the  broad  acres  of  good  Rose  trees.  These  remind  us  of 
Martial's  description  of  his  works,  "  iS'unt  bona,  sunt  qiuedam 
mediocria,  sunt  maid  plum."  Collectively  we  can  hardly  say  of 
them,  as  an  Edinburgh  Reviewer  (was  it  Sydney  Smith  ?)  of  a 
volume  of  sermons,  criticised  in  the  first  number  of  that  work, 
••  Their  characteristic  is  decent  debility."  As  a  rule,  the 
amateur  rosarian  has  made  about  aa  much  progress  aa  George 
in.  with  his  fiddle.  After  two  years'  tuition,  the  King  asked 
his  tutor,  Viotti,  what  he  thought  of  his  pupil ;  "  Sire,"  replied 
the  professor,  "  there  are  three  classes  of  violinists  ;  those  who 
eannot  play  at  all,  those  who  play  badly,  and  those  who  play 
well.  Your  Majesty  is  now  commencin()  to  enter  upon  the  se- 
cond of  these  classes."  There  is  not  a  garden  now-a-days,  of 
any  preiension,  which  has  not  its  collection  of  Roses,  and  yet 
there  is  not  one  garden  in  twenty  where  the  flower  is  realised 
in  its  beauty.  I  have  scarcely  known  at  times  whether  to 
laugh  or  weep,  when  I  have  been  conducted  with  a  triumphal 
air  by  the  proprietor  to  one  of  those  dismal  slaughter  houses 
which  he  calls  hia  rosery.  The  collection  is  surrounded  by  a 
Jew  miserable  climbers,  justly  gibbeted  on  poles  or  bung  in  rusty 
chains,  and  consists  of  lanky  standards,  all  legs  and  no  head, 
after  the  manner  of  giants,  or  of  stunted  "  dwarfs,"  admirably 
named  and  ugly  as  Quilp  ;  the  only  sign  of  health  and  vigour 
being  the  abundant  growth  of  the  Manetti  stock,  which  has 
smothered  years  ago  the  small  baby  committed  to  its  care,  but  is 
still  supposed  to  be  the  child  itself,  and  ia  carefully  pruned  year 
after  year  in  expectation  of  a  glow  of  beauty.  There  is  no 
beauty,  and  there  never  will  be,  for  the  florist ;  but  to  the 
entomologist  what  a  happy  peaceful  home  !  There  can  be  no 
museum  in  all  the  world  so  exquisitely  complete  in  caterpillars, 
so  rich  with  all  manner  of  flies.  And  oh  I  if  clever  "  M.  J.  B." 
could  only  see  the  fungus  and  the  mildew,  what  leaders  we  might 
have  in  the  Gard^'ncrs'  Chronicle  when  he  had  toned  down  his 
joyt    For  me  there  is  no  solace  in  these  charms.    I  stand 


sorrowful  and  silent,  like  Marius  among  the  ruins,  until  my 
companion  wishes  to  know  whether  I  can  tell  him  why  that 
wretched  Charles  Lefobvre  behaves  so  disgracefully  in  his  gar- 
den? On  reflection,  perhaps  I  can.  Charles  Letebvre  is  placed, 
like  Tityrus.  "  aub  teijmine  fityi"  under  the  drip  and  shadovr 
of  a  noble  Beech  tree,  whose  boughs  above  and  roots  beneath 
effectually  keep  all  nourishment  from  him.  And  do  I  know 
why  Charles  Lawaon,  Blairii  '2,  and  Persian  Yellow  never  have 
a  flower  upon  them '.'  Simply  because  they  are  pruned  always, 
as  no  man  with  seeing  eyes  could  prune  them  twice,  so  closely 
that  they  make  nothing  but  wood.  The  single  standards, 
again,  are  grassed  up  to  the  very  IJriar,  except  where  a  circular 
span  is  left  for  "just  a  few  bedding-out  things,"— leeches 
draining  the  life  blood  of  the  Rose.  It  is  Mrs.  Hemans,  I 
think,  who  sings, — 

"  Aroond  the  rod  Rose,  the  Convolvulus  climbing." 

and  it  sounds  sweetly  pretty,  and  would  be  the  loveliest  arrange- 
ment possible,  only  that,  unfortunately,  it  is  death  to  the  Rose — 
death  to  that  queen  who  brooks  no  rival  near,  much  leas  upon, 
her  throne.  Look,  too,  at  those  vagabond  suckers  clustering 
like  Jewish  money-lenders  or  Christian  bookmakers  round  a 
young  nobleman,  and  steahng  the  sap  away.  The  earth  is 
set  and  sodden;  no  spade  nor  hoe  has  been  there.  Aa  for 
manure,  a  feeling  of  profound  melancholy  comes  over  us,  aa 
over  Mr.  Richard  Swiveller,  when  he  discovered  that  the 
Marchioness  had  passed  her  youthful  days  in  ignorance  of  tha 
taste  of  beer.  We  know  that  they  have  never  seen  it,  and  yet 
they  are  expected  to  bloom  profusely;  and  when  they  are 
covered,  not  with  Roses,  but  grubs,  the  nurseryman,  or  the 
gardener,  or  the  soil  is  blamed.  Then  there  is  dole  in  Astolat, 
and  a  wailing  cry  over  dead  Adonis.  "  Is  it  not  sad  that  we 
cannot  grow  Rosea  ?  We  have  spared  no  trouble,  no  expense, 
and  we  do  so  dote  on  them  !  " 

The  last  time  I  heard  a  howl  of  this  kind  I  felt  myself 
insulted  as  a  lover  of  the  Rose  and  of  truth  ;  and  instead  of 
yelping  iu  concert,  as  I  was  expected  to  do,  I  snarled  surlily: 
"  You  have  taken  no  trouble  which  deserves  the  name  ;  and  as 
to  expense,  permit  mo  to  observe  that  your  fifty  Rose  trees  cost 
you  £5,  and  your  sealskin  jacket  £'20.  You  don't  deserve 
beautiful  Roses,  and  you  wo'n't  have  any  until  you  love  them 
more."  If  I  am  accused  of  discourtesy  to  the  fair  sex  (ahe  was 
not  very  fair,  my  reader),  I  can  only  plead  that  I  have  been  far 
more  explicit  with  the  male  specimen  of  pseudo-rosist.  "  I 
say,  old  fellow,"  remarked  to  mo  a  friend  as  we  rode  together 
in  the  Row,  and  with  a  tone  which,  though  it  pretended  a 
cheery  indifference,  was  fraught  with  rebuke  and  anger,  "  those 
Rose  trees  which  you  recommended  me  to  get  turned  out  a 
regular  do.  Cost  a  hatful  of  money— precious  near  a  tenner, 
if  not  all  out— and,  by  .Jove,  sir,  our  curate  at  the  county 
flower  show  came  and  licked  them  all  into  fits  !"  "  Robert," 
I  responded  (I  was  too  indignant  to  address  him  Bob,  as  usual), 
"  I  never  in  my  life  recommended  a  person  of  your  profound 
ignorance  to  have  anything  to  do  with  Roses.  You  asked  me 
to  give  you  a  list  of  the  best,  and  I  did  so  reluctantly,  knowmg 
that  you  had  neither  the  taste  nor  the  energy  to  do  them  any 
justice.  Aa  to  the  outlay,  the  animal  on  which  you  have 
recklessly  placed  yourself,  and  whose  hocks  are  a  disgrace  to 
this  park,  cost  you,  I  know,  more  than  eighty  guineas  ;  and  for 
a  tithe  of  that  sum,  without  further  supervision  or  effort,  yotf 
expect  a  beautiful  Rose  garden.  I  rejoice  to  bear  that  the  curate 
beat  you,  just  na  that  earnest  boy  on  his  nimble  pony  ia  out- 
trotting  at  this  moment  your  expensive  but  tardy  steed." 

Not  a  sonpron  of  sympathy  can  I  ever  feel  for  the  disoomfitura 
of  those  Rose-growers  who  trust  in  riches.  They  see  lovely 
blooms  at  the  Rose  shows  (yea,  the  Duchess  of  Kensington  said 
that  they  were  lovely)- selected,  probably,  from  fifty  thousand 
trees,  and  the  results  of  excellent  culture,  untiring  vigilance 
and  care— and  they  say.  Wo  will  have  these  Roses  for  our  own 
forthwith,  and  iu  abundance.  They  have  only  to  put  down  the 
names,  give  an  order,  and  sign  a  cheque,  to  buy  as  they  buy 
chairs  and  tables.  They  go  home  and  tell  their  gardener 
th;it  they  have  ordered  a  most  splendid  collection  of  Rosa 
trees,  au'd  that  they  quite  expect  bim  next  summer  to  have 
the  best  display  iu  the  county.  From  ray  heart  I  pity  that 
gardener.  They  might  as  well  have  brought  him  Bob's  hack, 
aud  told  him  that  if  he  could  not  win  tlie  Derby  and  the  St. 
Legcr  with  him  they  really  must  find  somebody  who  could. 
Ee  is  not  even  allowed  to  choose  a  situation.  The  tall  ones 
are  to  be  planted  on  each  side  of  the  broad  walk,  and  the 
little  ones  opposito  the  boudcsir  window.  The  broad  walk 
may  be  aa  black  as  a  common,  or,  under  the  shade  of  me- 


JOURNAIi  OF  HOBTIOULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENEB. 


I  Aognst  6,  1868. 


lancholy  boughs,  as  dank  as  a  mausolenm ;  and  the  dear 
little  bed  opposite  the  boudoir  never  sees  the  sun  until  mid- 
day, when  it  is  grilled  for  three  mortal  hoars,  and  then  given 
back  to  gloom.  So  there  the  poor  Rose  trees  stand — through 
the  winter,  ludibHum  ventis,  or  without  any  air  at  all,  and  in 
the  spring  a  rialto,  rendezvous,  common  room,  and  tap  for  all 
the  riff-raff  of  the  insect  world — an  infirmary  for  all  the  dis- 
eases which  the  neglected  Rose  is  heir  to.  Some  few,  perhaps, 
may  brave  all,  and  bloom,  but  they  no  more  resemble  the 
glorious  flowers  which  my  lady  saw  at  Kensington  or  the  Crystal 
Palace,  than  my  little  boy's  toy  railway  train  resembles  the 
Scotch  express. 

In  my  next  chapter  I  will  tell  what  may  be  done  in  a  very 
small  garden,  by  a  very  poor  man,  who  really  loves  the  Rose.— 
S.  Eeykolds  Hole  (in  The  Gardener). 


ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL   SOCIETY. 

August  4th. 
Fbiht  Combhttee.— G.  F.  Wilson,  Esq..  F.R.S.,  in  the  chnir. 
MeaarH.  Barr  &  Sugden  exhibited  a  sDecimen  of  Lettuce  called  BossiD, 
a  variety  received  from  France.  It  is  a  Cabbage  Lettuce  with  fiin;»ed 
leaves,  and  \vitb  a  tinj^e  of  brown.  Mr.  Barr  stated  that  it  was  a 
variety  that  resisted  the  very  dry  weather,  and  was  one  of  very  few  ja 
his  collection  which  were  slow  to  run  to  seed.  Mr.  Cooling,  of  Bath, 
Bent  fipecimens  of  a  seedling  Apple  called  Brailbronk  Seedling,  which 
possessed  considerable  merit  as  an  early  variety.  He  also  sent  tabers 
of  a  handsoDie  Kidney  Potato  called  Shiners.  Some  were  cooked,  and 
received  the  high  approval  of  the  Committee ;  and  it  was  proposed 
that  it  should  be  sent  to  Chiswick  to  be  grown  and  compared  with 
other  varieties. 

Mr.  Fenn,  the  Rectory,  Woodstock,  sent  dishes  of  six  varieties  of 
Gooseberries,  all  of  which  were  of  large  size,  and  of  the  sorts  known 
ae  Lancashire  Prize.  They  consisted  of  Rifleman.  Leveller,  Yoaufj 
Wonderful,  London,  Stockwell.  and  Leader,  and  from  the  lateness  of 
Ihe  season  and  high  condition  in  which  they  were  exhibited  gained  the 
commendation  of  the  Committee.  Mr.  John  Heamen,  gardener  to 
J.  Coutts  Antrobus,  Esq.,  P^aton  Hall,  Congleton,  sent  fruit  of  a  Peach 
unnamed,  which  appeared  to  be  Royal  George.  He  also  sent  fruit  of 
a  Pear,  which  proved  to  be  the  Peach  Pear.  Mr.  Whiting,  The  Deep- 
dene,  sent  fruit  of  the  July  Green  Gage  Plum  grown  against  a  uorth 
wall,  and  notwithstanding  the  disadvantages  of  position,  they  were 
perfectly  ripe  and  of  delicious  flavour.  Mr.  Eckford,  gardener  to  Lord 
Radnor,  CoIeshiU,  Wilts,  sent  a  bunch  of  a  firm  hard-fleshed  Grape, 
of  an  oval  shape  and  yellowish  white  colour,  but  without  any  flavour. 
Mr.  M.  Henderson,  gardener  to  Sir  George  Beaumont,  Coleorton  Hall, 
Bent  a  large  bunch  of  a  Grape  received  from  Australia.  It  is  of  the 
race  called  Olivette  Noir.  a  long  oval  beiTy,  which  coloars  at  the  point 
vhile  the  lower  part  of  the  berry  is  green,  in  the  same  way  as  Black 
Morocco  does.  The  flesh  is  rather  firm  and  the  flavour  sweet,  but  the 
raiiety  was  not  considered  to  bo  of  any  great  merit. 

Floral  CoMMrrxEE. — Although  the  hot  weather  and  lateness  of  the 
London  season  might  have  reduced  the  number  of  the  attendants  at 
this  meeting,  the  exhibition  of  plants  by  no  means  fell  short,  and 
many  new  and  interesting  subjects  were  exhibited.  Mr.  Salter,  of 
Hammersmith,  introduced  a  new  Campanula  called  floribunda.  a 
useful  plant  for  rockery  decoration.  It  received  a  second-class  certifi- 
cate. G.  T.  Davy,  Esq.,  Colston  Hall,  Bingham,  Notts,  sent  a  bulbous 
plant  without  any  name  ;  the  flowers  were  of  the  form  of  a  small 
Crocna  bloom.  A  second-class  certiticate  was  awarded  it.  and  a  name 
was  requested  to  be  given.  The  Rev.  E.  Hawke,  Willingham  Rectory. 
sent  two  seedlins  Hollyhocks  of  great  merit — Ida,  rosy  salmon,  and 
Willingham  Rival,  pale  sulphur-coloured.  A  first-class  "certificate  was 
given  to  each.  Mr.  Bull  received  a  first-class  certificate  for  Allamanda 
nobilis,  a  fine  flower  highly  scented ;  also  for  Hemerocallis  picta,  a 
plant  cnriously  marked  just  above  the  surface  of  the  soil.  W.  Sladden, 
Esq.,  Ash,  Kent,  sent  twelve  seedling  Gladioli,  which  were  awarded  a 
special  certificate.  There  were  some  very  nice  flowers  among  them, 
int  they  were  not  equal  to  the  standard,  being  deficient  in  form.  In 
a  collection  of  plants  sent  from  the  Society's  garden  at  Chiswick, 
CyanophjUiim  Bowmani  was  awarded  a  second-class  certificate  as  a 
fine  ornamental- foliage d  plant. 

Messrs.  Standish  &  Co.,  Ascot,  exhibited  a  very  fine  seedling  Ixora 
— Disiana,  one  of  the  finest  yet  seen,  having  pale  orange  and  red 
tmsses  of  flowers,  with  excellent  dark  green  foliage.  A  first-class 
certificate  was   awarded   it.     G.  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  sent  an  interesting 

E'onp  of  Liliums,  arranged  in  a  stone  vase.  Among  them  were 
ilium  tigriuum  Fortnuei,  distinguished  from  the  ordinary  Tiger  Lily 
by  the  white  down  clotbiug  the  stem;  Liiium  lancifolium  rubrum, 
L.  lancifolium  punctatum,  L.  lanr^ifolium  album,  and  atro-purpureum, 
a  dark  variety  of  rubrum,  Liiium  Wihoni,  and  L.  longiflornm.  A 
Special  certificate  was  awarded  the  collection. 

Mr.  Green,  gardener  to  W.  Wilson  Saunders,  Esq.,  received  a 
second-class  certificate  for  Yucca  de  Smetiana.  and  a  special  certificate 
for  hiB  collection  of  curious  plants.  Mr.  Green  also  brought  a  cut 
specimen  of  a  Myrsiphyllum  ;  this  was  very  beantifol ;  the  nomeroofi 


small  white  flowers  gave  it  a  light  and  pleasing  character.  As  a  climb- 
ing plant  it  will  be  most  useful.  Messrs.  Rollisson,  Tooting,  received 
a  second-class  certificate  for  C  ladium  Meyerbeer,  and  a  special  certi- 
ficate for  a  collection  of  Orchids  and  other  plants.  Messrs.  Veitch 
sent  a  fine  collection  of  plants.  Darlingtonia  califoruica,  one  of  the 
North  American  Pitcher-plants,  received  a  first-class  certificate ; 
Caladium  Reino  Victoria  was  likewise  awarded  a  first-class  certi- 
ficate, and  Caladium  Alfred  Bleu  had  a  second-class  certificate ; 
Cyathoa  Hookeri,  a  beautiful  Fera,  was  awarded  a  tirst-class  certi- 
ficate ;  and  Odontogiossum  Ivrameri,  a  very  neat  and  delicate  Orchid, 
distinct,  a  first-class  certificate  ;  Atirides  Huttoni,  a  beautiful  Orchid, 
was  also  awarded  a  first-class  certificate,  and  a  special  certificate  was 
given  for  the  gi-oupol'  plants.  Among  them  were  Nepenthes  hybrida 
maculata,  Miltonia  virginalis,  Lailia  clegans  Wolsteuholmiana,  and 
several  new  Caladiums. 

Mr.  Parfeer,  Tooting,  wa?  awarded  a  first-class  certificate  for  Primula 
sinensis  filicifolia  with  double  white  flowers.  Messrs.  Downie,  Laird, 
and  Laing  sent  several  new  continental  varieties  of  Caladium.  Cala- 
dium Dr.  Lindley  received  a  first-class  certificate ;  Caladium  Louie 
Porrier  a  second-class  certificate.  The  same  firm  sent  three  seedling 
Phloxes — Mrs.  Laing,  R.  B.  Laird,  and  Venus,  cood  flowers,  but  not 
superior  to  many  varieties  in  cultivation;  also  Phlox  Madame  Atger, 
a  continental  vai'iety  of  a  vdy  distii-ct  colour,  rosy  red  ;  Pentstemon 
Mrs.  Arthur  Storey;  pale  1  ^>  ui  cr-striped  Verbena  Lady  Dixie,  and 
Sedum  atro-purpureum,  a  di'k  ^arietyof  S.  telepbinm.  Mr.  Hodge, 
gardener  to  E.  Wright,  Esq.,  Birmingham,  was  awarded  a  special  cer- 
tificate for  a  cut  specimen  of  Catasetum  barbatum,  a  very  cnrione 
fringed  or  bearded  Orchid. 

Mr.  Cooper,  Reigate,  exhibited  a  very  interesting  collection  of 
Mammillarias  and  Echinocacti,  which  were  awarded  a  special  certificate. 
Mr.  Eckford  sent  a  stand  of  seedling  Verbenas.  One,  a  white  variety 
named  Pearl,  was  awarded  a  second-class  certificate  ;  it  is  a  fine 
flower,  but  with  too  green  a  centre.  The  rest  were  rough  and  deficient 
in  form.  Mr.  Frost,  gai'dener  to  C.  Forteacue,  Esq.,  Dropmore,  sent 
two  flowers  of  a  beautiful  Passiflora,  which  was  named  cincinnata,  from 
its  cnrly  purple  thread-like  filaments ;  it  is  a  beautiful  greenhouse 
plant ;  a  first-class  certificate  wag  awarded  it.  Messrs  E.  G.  Hender- 
son exhibited  a  small  collection  of  fine  bedding  plants,  which  was 
awarded  a  special  certificate.  Among  them  ware  a  new  Fuchsia  called 
Golden  Treasure  ;  GnaphaliumtomeutoBum,  a  very  usefnl  plant;  Dac- 
tylis  elegautissima,  Salvia  oflicinalis  anrea,  Ceutaurea  ragusiua,  and 
Centaurearagusina  compacta,  Polemouinm  caaruleum  vaiiegatum,  Py- 
rethrum  Golden  Feather,  and  Fuchsia  Golden  Fleece.  Mr.  G.  Smith, 
Walworth,  sent  a  small  promising  plant  of  his  variegated  Liliom 
eximium  Smithii.  Mr.  Tunton,  of  Epsom,  had  a  fine  specimen  of 
Allamanda  Wax-dleana,  which  was  considered  to  be  Allamanda  Schottii 
of  Henderson,  a  fine  kind,  but  well  known  as  a  plant  of  some  years' 
standing.  We  may  probably  hear  more  of  this  plant,  as  a  diversity 
of  opinion  was  expressed  as  to  its  merits,  and  especially  as  to  its  not 
possessing  the  climbing  habit  of  its  congeners.  As  a  proof  of  its 
freedom  in  producing  an  abundance  of  flowers,  even  when  the  plants 
are  small,  some  cuttings  in  pots  only  recently  struck  were  very 
lemarkublc. 

General  Meeting. — G.  F.  Wilson.  Esq.,  F^R.S.,  in  the  chaii- 
The  following  new  Fellows  were  elected — viz.,  Lord  Courtown,  John 
Buck,  Esq.,  W.  Penn  Cox,  Esq.,  and  T.  Churlesworth,  Esq.  The 
last  three  were  elected  forty-guinea  Life  Fellows,  in  recognition 
of  the  services  rendered  by  them  in  connection  with  the  Society's 
Leicester  Show.  M.  Louis  Van  Houtte,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Ingram,  of 
Frogmore,  were  elected  Corresponding  Members.  A  list  of  donations 
having  been  read,  and  a  vote  of  thanks  accorded  to  the  donors,  the 
Chairmen  of  the  Fruit  and  Floral  Committees  announced  the  awards 
of  these  bodies,  and  in  doing  bo  the  Rev.  Joshua  Dis  directed  attention 
to  the  Gladiolus  competition  which  will  take  place  at  the  meeting 
to  be  held  on  the  16th  inst. 


SCIENTIFIC   COMMITTEE. 

Report  of  Chemicai,  Sdb-Committee,  drawn  op  by  Dr.  Auoubtup 

voelcker. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Scientific  Committee  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society,  held  Juno  2nd,  1868,  Dr.  Gilbert  brought  forward  the 
subject  of  "■  The  characters  of  growth  by  virtue  of  which  one  plant 
dominates  over  another  in  mixed  herbage,  under  the  influence  of  dif- 
ferent manures,  &c." 

This  subject,  having  excited  considerable  interest  and  discussion, 
was  referred  to  the  Chemical  Sub-Committee,  with  the  request  to 
report  whether  the  Sub-Committee  deem  it  desirable  to  recommend 
experiments  to  be  tried  as  likely  to  throw  further  light  on  various 
questions  relating  to  vegetable  growth  and  the  specific  action  of  certain 
fertilising  elements,  such  as  potash,  phosphate  of  lime,  nitrogenous 
miitters,  &c. 

It  will  he  remembered  that  Dr.  Gilbert,  at  the  June  meeting,  re- 
ferred to  some  very  striking  experiments  conducted  for  many  years  at 
Rotbamstead  Park,  by  Mr.  Lawes  and  himself,  on  permanent  pasture, 
which  has  been  under  grass  probably  for  centuries. 

Under  ordinary  management  this  herbage  yielded  about  fifty  species 
of  graminaceous,  leguminous,  and  other  plants  usually  found  in  per- 
manent meadows. 


Adgost  6,  isca.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND   OOTTAGK   GARDENER. 


95 


The  nnmber  of  epecies  of  plants  was  but  little  chanj^cd  on  thoHO 
©xporiiueutul  piftta  in  the  park  to  whicli  a  couiplox  bat  jiur^ly  mineral 
mauare  v/oa  upplieil,  oouHii^tini;  of  suits  uf  potash,  soda,  uiuguetjiu, 
and  Hulphiito  auJ  phonpbiito  of  lime. 

On  the  other  haud.  Hiilts  of  amin^nia.  nitrate  of  soda,  appliotl  by 
themselves,  or  tha  addition  of  nitro^enouH  inaunres  to  niiuBral  for- 
tilism^  matters,  groatly  dimiuished  tho  uambur  of  spucius  ia  tbu 
herbage. 

Acconlinj^  to  tho  particular  kind  of  nitrogenoas  maunro  used,  and 
the  quantity  and  combination  with  other  fei-tili3in<;  matters  in  which 
nitropjGuons  manures  wen*  emplnyed,  tho  diminution  in  the  number  of 
specitis  vari-^d,  but  iu  all  cases  it  was  Htrikiu^ly  apparent,  and  in  some 
instances  ainonnted  to  about  ouu-half  of  the  species  iu  tlie  herba<;e 
from  the  nnmannrod  part  of  the  park,  or  those  parts  dressed  ^vith 
purely  mineral  manures. 

Attention  was  further  directed  to  the  fiiot.  that  not  only  the  weight 
of  the  pro<hire  reapf^d  per  acre  was  much  intlueucod  by  the  description 
of  the  manures  which  were  put  on  the  dilTereut  experimental  plats, 
but  that  likewise  the  relative  pnportions  of  {H'arainaceous  and  of 
le^minous  and  miscellaneous  ]>Iant:i  in  tho  produce  were  found  to 
vary  considerably  with  the  manures  employed. 

Thus,  to  cite  only  a  few  examples,  tho  weight  of  the  cro-ralnaceous 
plants  in  tho  produce  from  tho  nuinauurod  plat^,  and  those  drets*ed 
vith  purely  mineral  mannres.  in  rouiid  numbers  amounted  to  about 
60  per  cent,  of  tha  whole  produce.  Dressed  with  salts  of  ammonia 
or  nitrate  of  soda,  and  other  purely  nitrogenous  manures,  tho  herbiip'ii 
yielded  from  70  to  80  per  cent,  of  the  whole  weight  of  prodaco  in 
graminaceou-i  plants,  and  in  somu  instances  in  which  an  abundance  of 
both  nitrofTcnous  and  mineral  manures  ware  employed  toj^ether.  tho 
weight  of  the  f^ramuaaceous  plants  in  the  whole  produce  amounted  to 
nearly  95  per  cent. 

The  effect  of  nitritKanon^i  manures  in  eneouragini^  the  fjrowth  of 
true  Grasses,  and  raising  the  weight  of  jijraminaceous  produce  and  the 
eorrespouding  dimtnntt<>n  of  tho  weiglit  of  the  leguminous  and  mis- 
«ellaneoa3  plants  in  the  produce,  was  strikingly  exemplitied  in  these 
experimentf^. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  was  found  that  purely  mineral  manures,  such 
aa  salts  of  potash  and  phoaphato  of  lime,  favoured  materially  tho 
growth  of  the  Clover  tribes,  and  greatly  increased  the  per-ccutage  by 
weight  of  the  leguminous  plants  in  the  whole  produce  of  the  pormauout 
pasture. 

A  wish  having  been  expres-ied  by  several  members  of  the  Committee 
to  inspect  the  interesting  and  highly  important  experiments  which  for 
a  anccession  of  years  have  been  carried  out  and  are  annually  iu  progress 
at  Rothamatead  Park.  Mr.  Lawes  kindly  isjiued  an  invitation,  of  which 
several  of  the  members  were  able  to  avail  themselves. 

The  remarkable  character  of  the  results  obtained  in  experiments  on 
permanent  pasture,  and  othwr  no  less  interesting  results,  having 
reference  to  the  fjrowth  of  Wheat,  Barley,  Beans,  and  other  crops, 
highly  impressed  the  visitors  with  thw  im[>ortance  of  the  experimental 
inqoiries  instituted  at  Itothamstcad  iu  relation  to  many  physiological 
and  horticultural  problems. 

At  a  subsequent  Committee  Meeting  it  was  agreed  to  call  togetber 
thft  Chemical  Sub-Committee,  who,  regarding  the  co-operation  of 
botanists  and  others  interestt-d  in  vegetable  physiology,  were  joined  by 
Dr.  Masters,  Dr.  Hogg,  Mr.  Murray.  Major  Trevor  Clarke,  and  Mr. 
Miers  ;  Dr.  Hooker  and  Mr.  Bentham  expressing  regret  at  being 
unable  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  Sub-Committee. 

Accordingly  tho  Sub -Committee  met  on  Thursday,  June  18tb,  the 
following  members  being  present :— Profe^-sor  Abel,  Mr.  G.  F.  Wilson, 
Dr.  Masters,  Dr.  Gilbert,  Mr.  A.  Murray,  Dr.  Voelcker. 

Dr.  Gilbert  invited  the  botanical  members  of  the  Sub-Committee  to 
examine  the  herbage  reaped  this  season  on  the  several  experimental 
plats  of  the  permanent  pasture  in  llothamstead  Park,  and  promised 
to  famish  them  with  the  requisite  materials  for  such,  a  botanical  ex- 
amination. 

The  Snb-Committo©  next  fully  discussed  the  manner  in  which  ma- 
nuring experiments  on  graminaceous  and  other  plants  occurring  in 
pastures  might  with  advantage  be  instituted,  and  considered  it  advis- 
able to  investigate  rather  the  more  strictly  scientific  physiologieal 
'qnestions,  which  no  doubt  will  suggest  themselves  in  the  course  of  the 
experiments,  than  to  bear  in  mind  the  purely  agricultural  and  economic 
points  of  interest  whii-h  they  may  present. 

Instead  of  growing  together  a  number  of  plants  snch  as  are  common 
in  pastures,  it  was  deemed  desirable  to  study  the  infiuence  of  various 
manures  on  particular  species,  grown  separately  in  wooden  boxes  2  feet 
square  and  IS  inches  deep,  filled  with  poor  soil,  such  as  is  found  in 
unmanured  and  rather  exhausted  soils  of  our  fields,  and  not  with  good 
garden  mould. 

The  boxes  are  conveniently  sunk  in  the  land,  level  with  its  surface, 
in  order  to  protect  the  soil  iu  them  from  excessive  evaporation. 

It  is  suggested  that  the  experiments  be  carried  out  in  the  Society's 
gardens  at  Chiswick,  aud  also  at  Ivjthamstead  by  Mr.  Lawes  and  Dr. 
Gilbert,  as  well  as  by  any  gentleman  who  feels  disposed  to  undertake 
them. 

In  each  set  of  experimeuU  the  same  kind  of  soil  should  be  employpd, 
but  as  tho  nature  of  the  onmannred  soil  must  exercise  its  due  influ- 
ence on  the  growth  of  the  plants  submitted  to  experiments,  it  will  be 
desirable,  if  possible,  to  try  one  series  of  experiments  on  rather  light 
sandy  soil,  and  another  on  more  heavy  clayey  soil.     Dr.  Voelcker  will 


willingly  undertake  the  chemical  analysis  of  any  soils  that  may  be 

empbjyed  for  tho  experiments. 

After  due  deliberation  the  Chemical  Committee  have  aolcoted  the 
following  plants  for  experiments  : — 


8.  Lotus   comicnlatns   (porenne), 

I{ira'.s-f..ot  Trefoil. 

9.  Trifnlium     roftcns     (porenne), 

White  or  Dutch  Clover. 

10.  Plantiij^u  lanuirolatu. 

11.  Achillea  mi  tie  folium. 

12.  Carumcarui. 


1.  Oactylis  F^lomorata. 

2.  Anthoxanthuin  odoratum, 
;i.  Lolium  peronuo. 

4.  Poll  pratouwiH. 

5.  Poa  trivialis. 
t).  Ilromus  mollis. 
7.  Trif()liuni    pratense   (perenne), 

Kcd  Clover. 

It  will  be  seen  that  of  the  dozen  plants  recommended  for  experi' 
ment,  six  are  true  Grasses,  three  Clovers,  and  three  common  weeds  in 
pastures. 

For  each  of  tho  preceding  plants,  sis  boxes,  each  2  feet  each  wid« 
and  18  inches  deep,  are  recommended.  "  * 

1.  One  box  to  b^  left  nnmannre(5. 

2.  „  jiianurod  wiMi  a  purely  mineral  mixture. 

3.  „  „        with  ammonia  only. 

4.  „  „        with  nitrate  of  HOfla  onlv. 

5.  .,  „        with  Hramonii  and  mineral  manuroB. 

6.  „  „        with  nitrate  uf  soda  aud  mineral  manures. 

The  following  mannres  andqnantities  are  recommended  : — 

lbs. 
For  box  2.  1.47  oz.  of  sulphate  of  potash,  or  at  the  rate  of  l,0)i)  per  aortt. 

1.47  oz.  of  carbonate  of  limo 1,'^  '1  ,« 

.iri  oz.  of  chloride  of  Rodium 100  „ 

( 1.47  oz.  of  bone  nwh  treated  with 1,000  „ 

1 1.10  07..  of  sulphuric  acid    1^  u 

For  box  8.    .SO  oz.  of  sulphate  of  ammonia 400  ^ 

.59  oz.  of  chloride  of  ammonia  400  „ 

For  box  4.  1.62  oz.  of  uitriite  of  soda 1,100  „ 

For  box  5.  The  manures  used  in  2  and  3. 
For  box  6.  The  manures  uiied  la  2  aud  4. 

Tho  amount  of  nitrogen  in  the  preceding  quantity  of  nitrate  of  soda 
recommended  for  box  4,  it  may  be  observed,  is  the  same  as  that  in  Um 
snlphate  of  ammonia  and  chloriile  of  ammonia,  employed  in  box  3. 

Dr.  Gilbert  has  kindly  promised  to  furnish  the  preceding  mannres. 
which  should  be  intimately  incorporated  with  the  whole  of  the  soil  in 
the  several  boxes. 

When  necessary,  the  plants  nnder  experiments  should  be  watered 
with  soft  pure  water,  and  otherwise  attended,  and  their  progress  be 
watched  and  recorded. 

A  sample  of  water  to  be  retained  for  examination  when  distilled 
water  can  [not  ?]  be  used. 

It  may,  perhaps,  also  bo  desirable  to  fill  moderate -sized  flower-pots 
with  soil  from  each  of  the  experimental  boxes,  and  to  grow  in  each  a 
single  and  strong  plant,  side  by  side  with  the  more  numerous  speci- 
mens in  the  several  boxes. 

The  preceding  experiments  cannot  be  nndertaken  withont  a  good 
deal  of  trouble,  but  it  is  confidently  expected  that  they  will  throw 
light  on  the  conditions  most  conducive  to  the  rapid  development  of 
various  orders  or  species  of  plants,  as  regards  some  of  the  moro 
characteristic  manuring  elements  present  in  complex  mannres,  and 
they  may  lead  to  a  more  systematic  and  certain  mode  of  treatment  of 
not  only  these  but  also  of  other  plants  as  regards  manuring. 

Some  of  the  mannres  recommended  in  the  fore:;oing  scheme  are 
known  to  favour  early  maturity  ;  it  is  therefore  likely  that  the  eiperi- 
ments  will  suggest  others  which  maybe  of  much  value  to  fruitgrowers. 


M.   SOUCHET'S   GLADIOLUSES. 

I  HAVB  just  heard  from  my  friend  M.  Souchet,  and  send  an 
extract  from  his  letter. 

"  The  drought  having  contiuued  with  extraordinary  iDtenBity, 
the  bloom  of  the  Gladioluses,  which  I  had  expected  to  be  very 
brilliant,  is  up  to  the  present  time  a  complete  failure;  it  will 
be,  perhaps,  better  from  the  lOih  to  25ih  of  the  present  month, 
we  hope  so,  although  not  counting  upon  it.  I  am  greatly 
grieved  at  this  want  of  success.  Will  you  be  good  enough  to 
communicate  this  sad  news  to  any  who  may  be  interested 
in  it?" 

There  can  be  no  belter  way  of  complying  with  his  wishes 
than  to  ask  for  your  insertion  of  this  extract.  It  quite  confirms 
me  in  my  judgment,  that  it  was  better  to  postpone  the 
Gladiolus  Exhibition  for  another  year. — D.,  DeaL 


MR.  CRIPPS'S  NURSERY.  TUNBRIDGE    WELLS. 

I  DERIVED  much  pleasure  from  a  hasty  viwit  to  this  well- 
known  nursery.  The  seedling  Clematises  particularly  attracted 
my  attention;  for  form  and  beauty  they  cannot  be  equalled. 
A  white  variety  named  Madame  Van  Houtte,  and  a  purple  one 
called  Crippsii,  were  superb.  Although  for  abundance  of  fiowers 
they  may  not  equal  some  of  the  new  and  leading  varieties,  tho 


96 


JOURNAL  OP  HOBTICULTDEE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENEB. 


C  Augast  6,  1868. 


esqciisite  form  of  tbe  flowers  is  unrivalled.  A  variety  of 
Anemone  japonica  with  pure  white  flowers  was  most  beautiful, 
and  I  believe  not  generally  known. 

The  fine  specimens  of  Fuchsia  Dominiana  excited  my  admira- 
tion. It  is  very  remarkable  that  this  plant  is  not  more  generally 
cultivated.  There  were  some  fine  specimens  in  great  perfection. 
Bignonia  grandiflora  was  also  in  fine  condition,  and  is  a  most 
beautiful  greenhouse  plant. 

The  collection  of  Conifers  cannot  be  surpassed  for  vigour  and 
luxuriance  of  growth.  To  enumerate  the  species  and  varieties 
grown  in  this  nursery  would  occupy  too  much  space.  I  will 
only  add  that  a  visit  to  this  establishment  will  afford  a  treat  to 
any  admirer  of  ornamental  plants. — X. 


ORNAMENTAL  AND  FLOWERING  SHRUBS. 

{Continued  from  page  78.) 

ERicis.— There  are  many  varieties  of  hardy  Heaths.  The  best  of 
them  in  my  cpiuion  are  the  fuUowing — Erica  australis,  the  tallest, 
attaining  a  height  of  from  5  to  6  feet ;  E.  mediterranta,  also  a  free 
grower,  sometimes  attaining  a  height  of  4  feet — both  of  the  preceding 
h&Ye  red  tiowers  iu  spring  and  early  in  summer — E.  scoparia  stricta, 
pale  red,  end  of  snmmer;  E.  cinerea  alba,  white,  Jniie  to  September; 
E.  cinerea  atropurpnrea,  pnrplish  red  ;  E.  cinerea  rulira.  and  E.  cine- 
rea rosea,  the  one  -^vith  red,  the  other  with  rose-coloured  tiowers.  The 
varieties  of  Erica  cinerea  tlower  in  summer  and  autumn.  E.  tetralis 
alba,  white,  and  E.  tetralix  camea,  tlesh,  flower  from  June  to  August. 
E.  vagans  alba,  white,  E.  vagans  carnea,  flesh,  and  E.  vagans  rubra, 
led,  all  flower  in  July  and  August,  and,  with  the  last-named  tbree  species 
and  their  varieties,  attain  a  height  of  1  foot.  E.  vulgaris  alba,  white  ; 
E. vulgaris  flore-pleno,  reddish  purple;  E.  vulgaris  camea,  flesh  ;  E. 
vulgaris  coccinea,  bright  red  ;  E.  \Tilgaris  decumbens,  red  ;  E.  vul- 
garis  variegata,  red;  E.  vulgaris  Hammondi,  rose,  and  E.  vulgaris 
Alporti,  red,  all  flower  in  summer,  and  attain  a  height  of  1  or  2  feet- 
Seaths  are  very  pretty,  and  considering  they  flower  in  summer,  and 
Ibeir  flowering  is  often  prolonged  until  autumn,  it  is  surprising  they  are 
not  more  generally  cultivated.  They  succeed  admirably  on  banks,  on 
elopes  and  ledges  of  rockwork,  and  in  any  situation  not  damp.  They 
are  very  handsome  in  beds  well  drained  aud  formed  of  suitable  mate- 
fials.  The  soil  should  hi  a  sandy  peat.  Erica  australis  and  E.  medi- 
terranea  should  have  a  shelte.-ca'situation.  Propagation  is  effected  by 
layers,  and  by  cuttings  of  the  young  shoots  in  silver  sand  under  a  hand 
or  bell-glass,  keeping  them  close  until  rooted. 

FoTHERGiLLA  AiNTPOLiA. — Deciduous.  The  leaves  on  their  under 
Bides  and  the  shoots,  are  covered  with  white  down.  Flowers  white  and 
sweet-scented,  in  April  and  May.  Height  from  3  to  -4  feet.  It  re- 
quires a  moist  peat  soil,  and  is  increased  by  layers  and  cuttings. 

Gadltheria  PRocuiiBEXs. — Leaves  oval,  shining,  green.  Flowers 
white,  succeeded  by  bright  red  berries.  It  flowers  from  July  to  Sep- 
lember,  and  is  a  pretty  shrub  of  6  inches  in  height.  Sandy  peat  is 
most  suitable  for  it.     Propagation  is  effected  by  dirisiou  and  seeds. 

Gacltheria  SU-U.LON. — Habit  procumbent.  Leaves  dark  green 
and  shining.  Flowers  white,  tinged  with  red,  followed  by  purple 
ierries.     It  flowers  in  May.     Layers.     Height,  2  feet. 

GoRDONiA  PUBEScEss. — Deciduous.  Flowers  white,  in  Angust  and 
onwards  to  November.     Height,  4  feet.     Layers. 

Itea  viRGrNicA. — Deciduous.  Flowers  white,  nnmerons.  A  pretty 
shmb,  flowering  in  July.  Layers  and  root  cuttings.  It  ought  to  have 
sUght  shade  as  well  as  peat  soil.     4  feet. 

Daphne  cneorum. — Leaves  small,  lanceolate.  Flowers  nnrnerons, 
rose-coloured,  vei-y  sweet  scented.  Being  of  trailing  habit,  it  is  very 
suitable  for  rockwork,  and  planting  in  well-drained  soil  among  stones- 
1t  is  easily  propagated  by  layers,  and  grafting  on  the  Spurge  Laurel 
(Daphne  laureolal.  upon  which  the  sweet-scented  Daphne  forms  band- 
some  drooping  beads.  Very  suitable  for  forcing.  Peat  soil  is  desir- 
able, and  a  slightly  shaded  situation.     Height,  i  foot. 

DAPUNTi  PONTICA. — Flowers  yellowish,  sweet,  and  numerous,  in 
April  and  May.  3  to  4  feet.  It  should  have  a  waim  sheltered  situa- 
tion. 

Kalitli  TtTTTfiTTi. — ^Leaves  large,  lanceolate,  shining,  green,  and 
very  dense.  Flowers  rose  or  flesh-coloured.  Very  handsome  in  June 
when  in  flower,  aud  at  all  seasons  by  its  dense  foliage.  Height,  5  feet 
and  upwards  ;  the  tallest  plant  I  remember  was  7  feet  in  height. 

Kalmia  latifolia  major  splendess  is  finer  in  foliage,  and  has 
flowers  of  a  bright  red,  which  retain  their  colour  untU  they  fall.  A 
pretty  companion  to  the  very  handsome  Kalmia  latifolia. 

Kalmia  latifolia  mthtifollv. — Very  like  K.  latifolia,  only  smaller 
in  every  way,  and  on  that  account  desirable  for  planting  around  groups 
of  K.  latifolia. 

Kalmia  angustifolia. — Leaves  narrow,  dark  green.  Flowers  red. 
2  to  3  feet. 

Kalmlv  glauca. — Leaves  narrow,  glaucous  on  the  under  side. 
Flowers  red.     2  feet. 

The  Kalmias  are  increased  in  tbe  same  manner  as  Rhododendrons, 
requiring  a  peat  more  sandy  than  for  Rhododendrons,  and  the  situa- 
tion should  be  moist  and  slightly  shaded.  They  are  not  very  hardy, 
and  Ghoold  have  a  sitaatioD  sheltered  from  catting  winds. 


LEDU5I  latifoltum. — Leaves  lanceolate,  downy  beneath,  of  com- 
pact globular  growth.     Flowers  white,  in  spring.     Layers.     3  to  4  feet. 

Ledum  angustifolidm  and  palvstre  are  pretty  shrubs  with  whit« 
flowers  in  spring,  but  inferior  to  L.  latifolium.     Height,  "J  to  3  feet. 

Ledij-m  THYMiFOLif -m  AND  L.  BCXiFOLiuM  are  of  dense  dwarf  habit, 
and  are  on  that  account  suitable  for  edgings  to  beds  iu  the  American 
grounds.  They  have  pretty  white  flowers,  and  the  buds  are  pink  before 
expanding.     Layers. 

Menziesia  polifoua. — Small  leaves,  white  on  the  under  side. 
Flowers  white,  tinged  with  purple.  There  are  several  varieties,  the 
best  being  alba,  white ;  globosa  or  erecta,  purplish ;  atropurpnrea. 
purple  ;  and  pumila,  purplish  red.  Menziesia  f^dobularis  and  empe- 
trifolia  are  pretty  Heath-like  bushes.  All  flower  from  June  to  Sep- 
tember.    1  to  2  feet.     Layers  and  cnttings. 

Persettva  mucron.ata. — Leaves  shining;  dark  green.  Flowers 
white  and  drooping.     May.     2  to  3  feet.     Layei-s. 

Polvgala  cham.ebuxfb. — A  pretty  evergreen.  Flowers  pale  lemon, 
and  sweet  scented.  April  and  May.  Of  trailing  habit.  Height, 
Ij  inches.    Moist,  well-drained  peat  and  grit.     Layers  and  suckers. 

Rhodora  canadensis. — Deciduous.  The  flowers  appear  before  the 
leaves,  being  of  a  reddish  purple  aud  sweet  scented.  2  to  4  feet. 
Layers.     It  flowers  in  April  or  May,  and  is  a  good  plant  for  forcing. 

Vaccinttm  viTis-iD.fi;A. — Leaves  shining.  Flowers  bell-shapei, 
pink  in  summer,  succeeded  by  red  berries  in  autumn.  It  does  best  in 
a  rather  moist  situation,  aud  where  slightly  shaded.     1  foot.    Suckers. 

Vaccinium  arctostaphylos. — Deciduous,  requiring  a  sheltered 
situation.  Flowers  reddish,  in  June,  succeeded  by  red  berries  of  large 
size.     6  feet.     Layers. 

Vaccfnium  ovatum. — Leaves,  as  the  specific  name  implies,  ovat«. 
bright  green.     Flowers  pink,  in  May.  succeeded  by  numerous  purplidi 
red  berries  in  autumn.     Height,  2  feet.    Layers. — G.  Abbey. 
(To  be  continned.) 


WHO  IS  AN  AMATEUR? 

My  husband  is  very  fond  of  gardening,  and  for  amusement  has 
put  up  tbree  vineries.  We  keep  no  gardener,  and  my  husband 
attends  to  all  the  gardening  himself.  Having  saved  more  of 
Mrs.  Pollock  Pelargonium  through  the  winter  than  he  re- 
quired for  his  own  garden,  he  sold  a  few  to  people  near  our 
house,  who  could  take  them  away,  just  to  accommodate  them, 
and  to  pay  for  coal  for  his  Vines.  Does  that  exclude  him  from 
exhibiting  at  our  flower  show  as  an  amateur  ?  Will  you  also 
say  if  selling  a  few  flowers  would  exclude  any  one  more  than 
selling  Potatoes  ? — S.  0. 

[The  question  is  best  answered  by  inquiring,  Who  is  a  pro- 
fessional gardener,  and  who  is  a  nurseryman  ?  A  professional 
gardener  is  a  man  who  for  wages  serves  one  or  more  employers 
in  some  department  of  gardening.  A  nurseryman  lives  wholly 
or  chiefly  by  the  sale  of  the  produce  of  his  nursery  ground. 
Now,  your  husband,  though  he  sells  his  surplus  plants,  fruita, 
and  flowers,  clearly  does  not  come  within  either  of  these  de- 
finitions. If  he  were  to  be  so  included,  then  hundreds  of  noble- 
men and  gentlemen  must  be  nurserymen,  for  they  sell  their 
surplus  garden  produce.  Your  husband  is  an  amateur  gardener 
beyond  any  just  doubt. — Eds.] 


DUG  DE  MALAKOFF   STRAWBERRY. 

I  AM  sorry  to  see  (page  56),  that  Mr.  Douglas  has  quite  con- 
demned Due  de  Malakoft'.  Is  it  possible  that  Mr.  Douglas  has 
a  spurious  variety  of  this  Strawberry  ?  From  the  description 
given  of  it  I  feel  doubtful,  for  here  it  is  one  of  the  earliest, 
coming  in  within  a  few  days  of  Black  Prince,  either  with  forcing, 
or  when  ripening  in  the  open  garden. 

I  have  discarded  Black  Prince  for  forcing,  as  Due  de  Malakofl 
comes  in  nearly  as  early,  and  is  sure  in  producing  a  crop. 

In  character  it  is  not  one  of  the  largest  kinds.  It  has  a 
medium-sized  fruit  of  the  Pine  shape,  and  fine  in  colour  and 
flavour.  The  plant  is  not  very  strong  in  foliage,  aud  is  a  pro- 
lific cropper.  In  fact,  this  variety  is  one  of  the  best  in  culti 
vation  in,  I  believe,  any  soil.  In  flavour  and  appearance  it 
much  surpasses  Eclipse,  and  for  packing  is  considered  one  of 
the  very  best  to  travel  to  a  distance,  a  property  which  is  deserv- 
ing of  notice,  aud  which  makes  it  the  more  valuable  to  the 
many  gardeners  whose  Strawberries  have  to  be  sent  to  a  dis- 
tance, and  to  appear  fresh  when  they  arrive  at  their  destination. 

I  have  grown  Due  de  Malakoff  three  seasons  for  forcing,  to 
come  in  during  the  last  week  in  April.  Black  Prince  put  in  at 
the  same  time  wil  only  come  in  two  or  three  days  before  it  ; 
but  then  you  ma>  gather  a  dish  of  Due  de  Malakoff  first,  a« 
the  size  makes  up  for  the  small  number  of  the  fruit,  and  in 
moie  to  yonr  credit.    Ton  ueed  not  be  afraid  of  ite  being 


Augnst  6,  1868.  ] 


JOUBNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEB. 


97 


attacked  by  raiWew,  to  which  we  all  know  Black  Prince  ia  so 
liable.  I  woulJ  willingly  exchange  a  few  runners  with  Mr. 
Douglas. — WiLLUM  BiGOS,  Sandfield  Park,  LivcriMol. 


A   FEW   SAT,AMANDER  PLANT.S. 

ScEOECT  as  we  occasionally  are  to  long  seasons  of  drought 
like  the  present,  it  is  comforting  to  ua  florists  to  know  that 
there  are  some  flowers  which  seem  to  defy  hoth  drjueaa  and 
heat,  and  to  flourish  with  undiminished  loveliness  in  spite  of 
a  burning  sun  and  an  ahuost  total  absence  of  rain  ;  and  I  can- 
not forbear  telling  my  floricultural  friends  of  two  i)lants  which 
for  the  last  four  weeks  have  always  cheered  and  comforted  me 
as  I  have  wandered  amid  the  dead  and  dying  beauties  of  my 
burnt  and  dried-up  garden. 

I  allude  to  CoNvoi.vuLvs  mauritanicus  and  Centranthus 
BACHOsiruoN.  The  former  is  a  perennial  far  too  little  known. 
It  is  increased  by  cuttings,  and  requires  protection  in  a  frame  or 
greenhouse  during  the  winter.  It  grows  most  rapidly  when 
planted  out  in  spring,  and  it  pegged  out  like  a  Verbena  soon 
covers  a  large  space  of  ground.  From  sunrise  to  noon,  through- 
out the  summer  months,  it  iaone  sheet  of  lovely  mauve  flowers 
of  an  almost  unique  tint.  I  mean  to  have  a  large  bed  of  it  if 
spared  till  next  year. 

Centranthus  macrosiphon  is  an  old-fashioned  and  somewhat 
exploded  annual ;  but  its  dwarf  though  luxuriant  growth,  its 
fresh  green  foliage,  and  dense  bright  heads  of  magenta-coloured 
flowers,  and  its  brave  defiance  of  sun  and  drought,  render  it  a 
most  desirable,  and  in  seasons  like  this,  an  indispensable  orna- 
ment in  every  flower  garden. 

SoUya  heterophylla  and  Abelia  uniflora  have  bloomed  well 
with  me  out  of  doors  this  summer. — H.  Harpuk  Ckewe,  Dray- 
ton-Beaiichamp  liectury,  Trhuj. 


CUTTING   DOWN   AND  TRIMMING 
EVERGREENS. 

Inquiiues  having  been  made  as  to  the  best  time  for  cutling- 
in  evergreens  of  various  kinds,  a  few  notes  on  the  subject  may 
be  useful  to  those  about  to  operate  on  these  ornamental  features 
of  a  garden  or  landscape,  and  especially  on  large  full-grown 
specimens  which  have  not  previously  been  subjected  to  much 
cutting-in.  As  this  is  the  class  most  difficult  to  manage  well, 
it  will  be  necessary  to  consider  the  condition  and  nature  of 
the  plant  before  we  commence  too  rashly  to  use  the  axe  and 
Baw. 

Very  little  consideration  will  convince  us  that  an  evergreen 
of  large  size  cannot  be  entirely  cut  down  without  inflicting  on 
it  great  injury,  and  possibly  the  operation  may  kill  it ;  but 
although  a  total  deprivation  of  foliage  may  be  fatal,  the  removal 
of  one-half  or  even  more  of  it  may  not  be  so  :  consequently, 
when  a  large  Laurel  or  other  shrub  has  so  far  outgrown  itself 
as  to  be  no  longer  ornamental,  becoming  naked  at  the  bottom, 
or  otherwise  unsightly,  partial  cutting-down  is  essential  to 
appearance,  and  when  it  can  be  so  managed  as  to  leave  some  of 
the  lower  branches  well  clothed  with  foliage,  the  energies  of 
the  plant  soon  repair  the  disaster.  Perhaps  of  the  shrubs 
which  show  most  conspicuously  the  utility — nay,  almost  neces- 
sity of  this  plan,  the  Arbutus  is  as  good  an  example  as  any. 
The  part  that  was  left  may  also  be  cut  away  in  about  two  years 
afterwards.  Alaternus,  PhiUyrea,  Laurustinus,  and  some  other 
shrubs  generally  succeed  well  under  this  treatment,  the  com- 
mon Laurel  especially  so,  and  the  Portugal  Laurel  does  as  well 
when  thus  treated  as  in  any  other  way,  but  it  is  a  plant  rather 
impatient  of  cutting-iu,  although  in  every  other  respect  amongst 
the  hardiest  we  have. 

Perhaps  the  best  time  for  cutting-in  such  evergreens  may 
not  be  that  adopted  at  this  place  (LIuton  Park),  but  as  it 
answers  very  well,  and  is  attended  with  some  advantages,  there 
seems  to  be  no  objection  to  it.  The  beginning  of  April  is 
the  season  at  which  we  usually  do  such  work.  However  well 
the  cutting  may  be  accomplished,  there  cannot  be  any  difference 
of  opinion  about  the  plant  operated  on  looking  badly  for  a 
time  ;  and,  as  it  is  advisable  to  reduce  that  period  to  the  shortest 
possible  space,  by  not  cutting  the  plants  until  shortly  before 
they  will  continue  to  grow  again  they  are  not  lung  in  a  naked 
condition.  I  do  not,  however,  affirm  that  they  are  any  better 
when  left  till  April.  For  the  reason  already  given,  observe  in  all 
oases  where  possible  to  retain  some  branches  with  leaves  on, 
even  if  such  branches  have  to  be  bent  to  the  ground  to  hide  their 


unsightliness.  After  the  rest  of  the  plant  has  grown  for  a 
year  or  so,  these  old  branches  may  bo  cut  oil  if  necessary. 

Laurel  and  other  hedges  of  a  formal  and  regular  character 
ought  to  be  cut  with  the  knife,  especially  shrubs  with  large 
leaves,  as  the  Laurel ;  but  when  this  cannot  be  done  the  shears 
may  be  employed.  In  the  latter  case  it  is  best  to  cut  the  com- 
mon Laurel,  and  I  believe  most  other  shrubs  of  a  similar 
description,  early  in  June,  just  before  the  growth  is  completed, 
BO  that  a  second  crop  of  short  shoots  may  bo  formed.  This 
takes  olj  the  appearance  of  close  raw  cutting,  and  hides  the 
deformity  caused  by  cut  leaves.  For  many  years  we  have  been 
in  the  habit  of  adopting  this  plan,  and  it  is  rarely,  indeed,  that 
the  second  shoot  does  not  ripen  itself,  and  it  is  seldom  more 
than  3  or  1  inches  long.  Any  longer  or  unsightly  shoots  may 
be  cut  out  with  the  knife  before  %vinter,  so  as  to  allow  of  the 
hedge,  bank,  or  whatever  is  cut,  looking  uniform  during  the 
winter.  . 

Choice  evergreens  against  walls  may  be  treated  differently, 
as  their  flowering  is  of  consequence  as  well  as  their  appearance. 
The  common  Ivy  when  growing  luxuriantly  requires  trimming; 
excepting  in  special  cases,  we  have  found  a  severe  cutting-in 
about  the  end  of  .July,  so  as  not  to  show  a  single  leat^  resulted 
in  the  production  in  a  month  or  six  weeks  of  new  foliage, 
which  remained  good  all  winter.  When  the  Ivy  is  not  so  ro- 
bust it  is  better,  perhaps,  to  cut  it  in  at  the  end  of  March. 
There  is  then  a  greater  certainty  of  its  doing  well  afterwards  ; 
but  if  it  grow  vigorously  it  will  have  projected  a  long  way  from 
the  wall  by  the  end  of  summer,  and  some  cutting-in  with  the 
knife  may  be  necessary  in  autumn.  For  this  reason  1  prefer 
summer  cutting,  as  furnishing  a  more  lengthened  period  of 
trimness. — J.  Eoiison. 


NOTES  AND  GLEANINGS. 
The    gentleman  elected    to  fill  the  place  of    Mr.  Henry 
Cole,  C.B.,  on  his  retirement  from  the  Council  ok  the  Royal 
HoniicuLTunAL  Society  in  May  last  is  D.  Hiugford  D.  Burr, 
Esq.,  of  Aldermaston  Court,  Reading. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEK    OAUDEN. 

DuBiNO  the  continuance  of  heat  and  drought  little  can  bo 
done  in  this  department,  but  advantage  must  be  taken  of  the 
first  good  fall  of  rain  to  prick  out  into  beds  the  Cahbagc  plants 
intended  for  spring  use,  that  they  may  become  stocky  before 
their  final  planting.  To  those  who  would  insure  a  constant  suc- 
cession of  the  choicer  kinds  of  vegetables  and  salads,  the  next 
fortnight  will  be  the  most  important  in  the  whole  year.  Endive. 
planting  must  now  be  proceeded  with  in  earnest,  for  what  is 
now  planted  will  constitute  the  great  bulk  of  the  autumn  and 
mid-winter  salads.  Let  elevated  beds  of  4  feet  in  width,  and 
possessing  a  bold  curvature,  be  provided  in  an  open  and  dry 
situation.  Such  beds  should  be  a  foot  or  more  above  the 
general  level  of  the  ground,  and  must  be  made  very  rich.  They 
may  be  hooped  over  in  the  end  of  October,  so  as  to  be  readily 
covered  with  mats  when  frost  arrives.  Gelerij,  the  main  crop 
should  now  be  planted  out,  taking  care  to  water  it  frequently. 
Other  crops  of  Celery  must  be  earthed-up  in  due  time,  remov- 
ing all  suckers  and  tying-up  the  plants  neatly.  It  is  an  ex- 
cellent plan  to  give  a  good  soaking  of  manure  water  the  day 
previous  to  earthing-up.  The  slug  defaces  the  stalks  much.  It 
is  a  good  practice  to  give  the  plants  a  thorough  liming  previous 
to  the  first  earthing.  Vnium,  the  remains  of  the  autumn- 
sown  Onions  should  be  taken  up  as  soon  as  possible.  The 
same  may  be  said  of  ShalloU  and  Carlic  as  soon  as  the  leaves 
decay.  Spring-sown  Onions  may  have  their  tops  gently  bent 
down  with  the  head  of  a  rake  to  cause  the  bulbs  to  swell  better. 
The  sowing  of  seed  to  stand  the  winter  should  proceed  without 
delay  upon  cold  stiff  soils  ;  on  light  soils  and  in  warm  situations 
it  will  do  a  fortnight  hence.  No  sorts  are  better  than  the  Stras- 
burgh  or  large  White  Spanish.  The  main  crops  of  winter 
Cohirorts  must  be  planted  within  a  fortnight.  Manure  we, 
and  plant  a  foot  apart.  ]l'int,r  Spinacli  for  the  whole  winter's 
supply  should  bo  sown  now,  or  a  week  later  according  to  the 
situation. 

FRUIT    GARDEN. 

Vines  will  now  require  much  attention  where  there  is  a  pro- 
spect of  ripening  the  fruit.  The  bunches  should  receive  their 
final  thinning,  and,  unless  in  the  case  of  small  sorts,  no  more 
than  one  bonch  should  be  left  on  a  shoot.    Remove  all  snper- 


98 


JOURNAL  OF  HOKTIOULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


[  Aogtut  6,  1868. 


flaone  wood  in  order  to  direct  as  much  of  the  energies  of  the 
Vine  ae  poBsible  into  the  fruit.  If  the  spur-system  of  pruning 
ia  adopted  leave  as  many  shoots  besides  those  in  fruit  as  will 
be  wanted  next  season.  Shorten  bearing  shoots  one  joint 
beyond  the  bunch,  or  to  the  joint  of  the  fruit,  provided  the 
leaf  ia  preserved  and  one  joint  or  lateral  allowed  to  remain. 
Pick  out  a  few  of  the  buds  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves  towards 
the  points  of  these  shoots,  that  the  buds  at  their  base  may  be 
rendered  more  plump  for  the  next  season.  If  the  long  or  suc- 
cession-rod .system  is  followed,  no  short  shoots  need  be  left  that 
do  not  carry  fruit,  and  these  must  be  kept  well  shortened,  so 
that  by  removing  all  useless  growth  and  picking  out  the  young 
buds  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves  of  such  shoots,  more  strength 
and  fall  exposure  may  be  given  to  the  long  shoots  intended 
for  bearing  next  year.  Leaving  a  lateral  with  a  leaf  or  two 
attached  has  a  tendency  to  strengthen  the  bud  at  its  base,  and 
prevents  this  bud  bursting  if  the  shoots  should  be  rather  pre- 
maturely shortened,  but  some  gardeners  object  to  leaving  such 
laterals,  considering  that  they  render  the  buds  three-cornered 
instead  of  plump  and  round.  Grafts  should  now  have  their 
bandages  loosened  and  the  shoots  properly  secured  from  wind. 

FLOWER    GARDEN. 

Anytime  after  the  middle  of  this  month  those  hardy  annuals 
that  stand  our  ordinary  winters,  and  which  flower  from  the 
middle  of  April  to  the  middle  or  end  of  June,  may  be  sown  in 
very  light  soil  on  an  east  bolder  in  the  reserve  garden,  or  in 
any  open  spaces  in  the  shrubberies.  When  the  flower  beds 
are  dug  over  in  February,  these  annuals  could  be  transplanted 
in  groups  according  to  their  colours  or  the  fancy  of  the  owner. 
At  the  same  time  the  seeds  of  other  annuals  could  be  sown  so 
as  to  have  no  blanks  in  the  beds ;  even  those  beds  filled  with 
spring  bulbs,  such  as  the  dwarf  early  Tulips,  Hyacinths,  Nar- 
cissuses, &o.,  should  be  planted  or  sown  with  these  annuals  be- 
tween the  rows  of  bulbs,  and  by  the  time  the  latter  would 
begin  to  fade  the  annuals  would  be  gay  and  continue  so  till 
the  leaves  of  the  bulbs  were  ripe.  As  soon  as  the  bloom 
begins  to  fade  the  whole  could  be  dug  over,  the  bulbs  taken 
away  to  be  dried,  and  the  beds  planted  immediately  with 
Strong,  healthy,  half-hardy  plants  intended  for  summer  and 
autnmn  display. 

OnEENHOnSE   AND   COXSEBTATOnY. 

The  early  spring  cuttings  of  Pelargoniums  are  now  good- 
sized  plants  ready  to  turn  into  the  conservatory  for  the  last 
successions.  If  the  house  is  large  four  or  five  of  the  plants 
may  be  put  into  a  large  pot,  and  great  bushes  thus  formed  at 
once  to  fill  up  recesses  or  vacant  corners.  The  leaves  and 
flowers  will  soon  turn  to  the  light,  and  by  turning  the  pots 
round  twice  a-week  fine  plants  will  be  secured  without  a  forest 
of  sticks,  which  although  sometimes  necessary  to  show  off 
plants  at  an  exhibition,  are  most  intolerable  in  a  well-regulated 
conservatory.  As  the  autumn  advances  the  conservatory  is 
again  kept  more  or  less  close,  and  much  less  water  is  given  to 
the  plants  ;  those  from  the  stove  now  in  flower  require  but 
very  little  water,  and  as  soon  as  they  are  past  their  prime  they 
should  be  returned  to  the  stove.  It  is  the  misfortune  of  green- 
house plants  out  of  doors  that  they  too  often  are  in  vigorous 
growth  at  the  time  they  are  housed  for  the  winter,  and  this  is 
another  reason  out  of  many  for  growing  the  finer  sorts  in 
frames  and  pits,  as  their  growth  can  be  thus  regulated  accord- 
ing to  their  habits  or  the  wishes  of  the  grower. 

STOVE. 

After  the  middle  of  August,  if  the  weather  is  dull,  esta- 
blished stove  plants  should  not  be  watered  late  in  the  after- 
noon ;  the  drier  the  stove  is  kept  at  night  during  the  autumn 
the  better  the  plants  will  ripen  their  wood,  and  we  all  know  that 
on  the  perfect  maturity  of  each  season's  growth  depend  in  a 
great  measure  the  flowering  and  fruiting  of  exotic  plants  ; 
■therefore,  allow  the  plants  as  much  room  as  possible  for  th"* 
next  three  months.  This  cannot  be  too  much  insisted  upon. 
An  early  vinery  where  the  leaves  have  all  fallen  would  be  a 
good  place  into  which  to  remove  some  of  the  strongest  speci- 
mens from  the  stove  for  six  weeks  or  so.  Here,  with  a  dry  at- 
mosphere and  plenty  of  air  and  light,  they  would  ripen  their 
wood  perfectly,  and  the  Vines  would  not  be  injured  by  the 
treatment. 

PITS    AND  FRAMES. 

Every  encouragement  should  now  be  given  to  frame  plants 
to  grow  to  their  utmost,  the  ligbts  during  most  of  the  day  ad- 
mitting a  portion  of  air,  and  towards  the  evening  being  taken 
off  altogether  to  let  the  plants  have  the  night  dews,  which  are 
always  heavy  in  the  autumn,  and  make  plants  look  green  and 


healthy.  We  can  always  stop  the  growth  when  we  think  fit  by 
keeping  the  plants  and  frames  drier,  by  having  the  lights  off 
during  the  day  and  on  at  night,  or  reversing  our  present  system. 
Is  it  not  curious  that  plants  should  grow  better  in  turf  pita 
than  in  those  made  of  bricks?  I  suppose  bricks  heated  by 
the  sun  absorb  too  much  of  the  moisture  from  the  plants  at 
night.  Many  of  the  more  tender  Heaths  suffer  much  from 
wet  autumns,  and  nurserymen  turn  these  into  pits  or  green- 
houses about  this  time.  Pits  are  by  far  the  best  places  for 
such  plants,  as  the  glass  can  be  put  off  or  on  as  circumstances 
may  require.  Chrysanthemums  and  Violets  must  be  well  at- 
tended to  from  this  time.  Give  abundance  of  liquid  manure 
to  both,  now  that  they  are  strong  enough  to  make  use  of  rich 
food. — W.  Keane. 


DOINGS  OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GAEDEN. 

Still  no  rain  with  ns,  except  a  few  drops  that  scarcely  re- 
freshed the  foliage  ;  and  in  the  extreme  dryness  of  the  soil  and 
the  parching  heat,  planting  out  vegetables  of  any  kind  is  almost 
out  of  the  question.  What  we  have  planted  of  Cauliflower, 
&u.,  has  been  protected  by  a  5-inch  pot  placed  over  each  plant 
during  the  day,  and  after  a  few  days  lifted  off  at  night. 

This  would  not  disturb  us  so  mucb,  as  we  trust  rain  must 
come,  and  then  we  might  bring  up  our  leeway,  for  after 
rains  vegetation  will  make  very  rapid  progress,  as  the  ground 
is  like  a  huge  hotbed;  but  the  difficulty  will  be  to  obtain  good 
plants  to  fill  it  nilh,  owing  not  so  much  to  the  heat  and  dryness 
as  to  the  depredations  of  the  fly,  which  seems  to  miss  nothing 
that  produces  cruciform  flowers.  Wo  have  a  border  of  Cauli- 
flowers that  otherwise  would  have  produced  well,  as,  owing  to 
having  been  several  times  watered  with  house  sewage  the  plants 
are  strong,  but  there  is  scarcely  a  green  leaf  on  them  owing  to 
the  attacks  of  the  fly.  A  fresh  piece  we  planted  out  was  out  of 
sight  in  a  couple  of  days — not  a  vestige  left  but  the  stumps  at 
the  roots,  and  that  after  using  sprinklings  of  ashes  and  other 
deterrents.  We  have  found  no  safety  for  the  young  plants 
after  planting  except  covering  with  a  pot,  and  in  the  seed  beds 
nothing  will  save  them  except  a  covering  of  some  sort  during 
the  day  ;  and  for  this  purpose,  for  want  of  a  better,  fresh  spraea 
branches  often  act  well,  the  tly  having  a  great  dislike  to  the 
aroma  given  off  by  the  branches.  We  found  that  lots  of 
young  plants,  as  Cabbage?,  Stocks,  Wallflowers,  &o.,  would  soon 
have  been  out  of  sight  if  we  had  not  placed  some  old  sashes 
over  them,  whitened  them  to  moderate  the  heat,  and  given  air 
back  and  front,  putting  on  the  sashes  in  the  morning  and 
taking  them  off  in  the  evening,  as  the  fly  is  the  most  active 
when  the  sun  heat  is  the  most  powerful. 

If  the  fly  is  as  destructive  elsewhere  it  will  he  next  to  im- 
possible to  keep  the  earliest  sowing  of  Cabbages,  unless  pro- 
tected with  some  material  during  the  day.  Mats  would  do 
very  well,  especially  if  made  to  smell  unpleasantly  ;  but  old 
moveable  sashes  are  very  good,  as,  even  with  plenty  of  air  back 
and  front,  the  fly  will  scarcely  ever  go  beneath  the  glass.  What 
was,  and  would  have  continued  to  be,  a  fine  border  of  autumn- 
sown  Stocks,  has  for  the  present  lost  all  its  attractiveness,  for 
most  of  the  foliage  is  yellowish  or  as  prettily  perforated  as  the 
Lace  Plant.  If  we  have  plenty  of  raiutall  and  a  few  dull  days, 
we  think  they  would  break  afresh,  and  be  good  again.  All  our 
neighbours  among  the  cottage  gardeners  unite  in  saying  that 
without  some  protection  better  than  soot,  ashes,  or  sawdost, 
it  is  of  no  use  to  sow  their  little  beds  of  their  favourite  Cabbage, 
as  the  plants  that  are  good  to-day  will  be  gone  to-morrow. 
Contrary  to  our  custom,  we  will  sow  them  and  Lettuces  ia 
places  covered  with  an  old  frame  and  sashes. 

Let  us  bear  in  mind  the  importance  of  trying  to  meet  the 
difficulty.  Were  we  a  little  short  of  supply  just  now  it  might 
be  passed  over,  as,  except  where  water  and  labour  are  abundant, 
such  continuous  drought  and  heat  will  tell  their  own  tale  ;  but 
when  all  this  is  gone,  and  the  rains  of  autumn  and  the  colds  of 
winter  have  come  and  gone,  there  will  be  few  excuses  enter- 
tained for  the  want  of  the  usual  supply  at  the  u^ual  times. 
It  is  of  little  use  discussing  tbe  propriety  or  the  reasonable- 
ness of  such  expectations.  We  must  act  as  if  we  well  knew 
that  the  expectations  will  be  entertained  all  the  same,  and  if  we 
are  unsuccessful  in  one  mode,  we  must  try  others.  Not  that 
these  expectations  are  always  reasonable.  If  they  were,  the 
world  would  not  be  exactly  what  it  is.  In  such  districts  as 
this,  where  we  have  had  none  of  the  downpourings  which  have 
visited  the  metropolis,  the  effects  of  the  drought  will  show 
themselves,  and  for  a  considerable  time,  do  what  we  may  to 


Augnst  6, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF  HORTIOULTOBE   AND  COTTAGE   GABDENER. 


99 


lessen  them.  It  will  bo  a  satisfaction,  however,  even  if  we 
partially  fail,  to  feel  thut  we  did  wlmt  we  could.  It  is  all  a 
mistake,  and  something  worse,  to  make  the  feason  an  exouse  for 
onr  owu  want  of  foretbongbt  or  cousidetation.  Wo  may  rest 
assured  that  the  drought  and  heat  will  soon  be  forgotten  by 
employers  as  a  siiilicieut  reason  for  obtaiuiug  but  little  from 
their  gardens. 

Whilst  on  this  matter  of  expectations,  we  will  just  allude 
to  another  side  of  the  matter,  brought  prominently  before  our 
notice  by  some  half-a-dozen  of  writers  complaiuiug  that  whilst 
the  employer  gives  orders  for  certain  work  to  be  done  at 
eertain  times,  and  in  a  prescribed  manner,  if  the  results 
are  not  to  his  miud,  he  blames  the  gardener  as  the  cause  of  the 
failure.  Now,  the  matter  here  lies  in  a  very  small  space.  The 
master  has  the  rif;ht  to  have  everything  done  in  his  garden  at 
the  time  and  in  the  way  he  wishes.  Ho  may  wish  a  tree  to  be 
planted  witl>  the  branches  in  the  ground,  and  the  roots  in  the 
air,  and  the  workman  if  wise  will  do  the  work  as  desired.  If  a 
gardener  is  employed  it  v;ould  be  his  duty  quietly  to  say  of  that 
and  many  other  such  proposed  schemes,  that  he  did  not  think 
they  would  answer,  but  there  his  duty  in  the  matter  ends,  and 
if  he  does  as  desired  his  responsibility  likewise  ends.  This  is 
just,  however,  the  place  where  the  grievances  of  our  corre- 
spondents culminate.  It  would  appear  that  in  their  several 
oases  the  employer  is  so  much  his  own  gardener  that  he  takes 
on  all  chief  occasions  the  responsibility  of  ordering  not  only 
operations,  but  th«  time  and  mode  of  performing  them,  takes 
as  a  consequence  not  only  the  responsibility  and  credit  of  success, 
but  diverts  the  responsibilii;y  of  failure  on  the  incompetence  of 
his  gardener.  Now,  this  is  not  fair.  We  can  hardly  expect  every 
possessor  of  a  garden  to  be  as  noble-minded  as  the  great  Duke 
of  Bedford,  who,  when  he  would  have  a  plantation  of  trees 
thinned  against  the  opinion  of  his  gardener,  had  a  large  placard 
put  np,  that  every  passer  by  might  see  that  the  Duke  and  not 
the  gardener  was  responsible  for  the  result.  The  results  proved 
that  the  Duke's  opinion  was  the  better  and  the  sounder  of  the 
two  ;  but  if  it  had  proved  the  reverse,  the  principle  involved 
was  the  same — namely,  that  the  responsibility  of  ordering  must 
be  connected  with  the  responsibility  of  results.  We  cannot 
at  present  enter  on  all  the  grievances  brought  before  us,  but  will 
just  allude  to  two  as  more  apposite  than  the  others  at  present 

One  tells  us,  "  That  he  has  for  some  time  been  a  convert  to 
the  ideas  on  watering  lately  propounded,  and  would  have  liked 
to  have  used  what  little  liquid  he  could  command  in  greater 
quantities  at  a  time,  and  then  leave  well  alone,  but  that  his 
employer  will  insist  on  having  the  beds  slightly  sprinkled  every 
afternoon  or  evening,  and  then  he  is  grumbled  at  because  every 
succeeding  hot  day  finds  the  plants  looking  more  wretched  than 
on  the  preceding  day."  Now,  onr  own  candid  opinion  is,  that 
in  such  weather  it  is  quite  possible  to  sprinkle  plants  until 
they  entirely  disappear. 

Another  tells  us  that  he  could  get  no  rest  from  his  employers, 
but  was  forced  to  turn  out  his  bedding  plants  in  the  month  of 
April  and  the  beginning  of  May,  and  now  Ihere  is  continnal 
(^rambling  because  the  plants,  from  the  first  chill,  have  never 
overtaken  the  plants  of  a  neighbour  that  were  not  turned  out 
until  the  end  of  Miy.  Now  in  such  a  season  as  this  has 
proved,  we  would  have  liked  as  well  if  our  plants  had  been  out 
earlier,  so  as  to  have  been  better  established  before  the  hot 
weather  set  in  ;  but  even  these,  planted  in  the  last  days  of  May 
and  the  first  days  of  June,  have  stood  remarkably  well,  and  in 
our  changeable  climate,  wherever  much  is  to  be  done  north  of 
London,  we  would  not  care  about  planting  out  tender  subjects 
before  from  the  18th  to  the  2-5th  of  May,  and  Colcus  and 
Iresine  we  would  not  trust  until  the  middle  of  June.  We  have 
proved  that  somewhat  late  planting  is  generally  associated 
with  a  quick  healthy  tilling  of  the  beds.  We  have  bedded-out 
in  the  beginning  of  April,  but  unless  under  orders  would  never 
think  of  doing  so  again,  and  then  would  free  our-elves  from 
all  responsibility  as  to  the  plants  thriving.  One  night's  sharp 
frost  might  kill  the  whole,  or  make  the  plants  unsightly  for 
most  of  the  season  ;  and  it  is  only  fair  that  those  who  insist  on 
Buoh  work  being  done  prematurely,  as  well  as  on  the  diibbling 
system  of  watering,  shonld  be  responsible  for  failures  as  well 
as  successes. 

We  turn  from  these  random  remarks  about  responsibility, 
to  say  that  if  this  heat  continue  we  fear  much  for  autumn 
Peas.  As  yet  we  have  them  tolerably  fair  ;  but  we  bepin  to  think 
the  heat  will  be  too  much  for  the  late  ones,  even  if  water  can 
be  given  them — that,  unlike  natural  watering,  giving  none  of 
the  shelter  of  the  cloud  and  the  humid  atmosphere.  We  have 
often  enough  been  told  of  the  fine  green  Peas  gathered  in  the 


open  air  at  Naples  on  ChriKtmas-day  ;  but  it  would  be  interest- 
ing to  know  how  such  vegetables  are  obtained  in  the  warmest 
parts  of  Italy  and  the  south  of  France  in  July  in  such  seasons 
as  this. 

Nothing  could  have  looked  better  than  Boveral  long  rows  of 
Scarlet  Ivunners  ;  but  though  these  were  mulched  over  the 
roots  wo  found  that  the  spikes  of  bloom  were,  instead  of  setting 
the  pods,  dropping  the  blooms  nearly  as  fast  as  they  opened. 
Looking  on  these  as  one  of  onr  best  assistants  for  getting 
through  the  summer  and  autumn,  we  had  them  well  drenched 
with  sewage  after  stirring  the  ground,  &vA  then  covered  along 
each  row  with  about  1  foot  deep  of  dry  litter.  This  has 
stopped  the  dropping  of  the  flowers  considerably,  and  furnished 
hopes  for  a  good  succession  of  gatherings  ;  but  yet  there  is  a 
want  of  rich  juiciness  in  the  pods  in  use,  very  different  from 
what  they  appear  in  a  moist  season. 

Lettuce  has  been  very  good,  and  we  shall  have  plenty  for  a 
little  longer,  but  during  the  last  two  or  three  weeks  young 
plants  refuse  to  grow,  and  even  when  we  can  give  a  little  water 
they  come  on  so  slowly,  owing  to  the  heat  and  dry  atmosphere, 
that,  resolved  to  have  young  growth  if  no  other,  we  have 
cut-over  a  lot  of  strong  plants  that  were  showing  their  flower 
stems,  and  as  the  roots  were  well  established  we  shall  have 
lots  of  young  offsets  from  thtse  cut-over  stools,  until  the- 
weather  permits  us  to  have  crisp  Lettuces  in  the  usual  way. 

Most  of  the  complaints  of  failures  with  Mushrooms,  such  as 
young  firm  heads  refusing  to  grow,  and  others  that  are  larger 
going  ofi  and  being  infested  with  larvie,  are  owing  to  the  heat. 
The  Mushroom  does  best  when  the  temperature  of  the  air  is 
little  above  60°,  and  then  a  cool  moist  atmosphere,  whenever 
and  however  obtained,  is  one  of  the  essentials  to  success.  In 
one  shed  thatched  with  straw,  open  on  one  side,  and  shaded  by 
largo  trees,  we  have  not  been  troubled  with  these  evils.  The 
sprinkling  of  walls  and  pathways  will  do  much  to  moderate  a 
high  temperature.  Out  of  doors  we  have  secured  this  low 
temperature  and  a  humid  atmosphere  round  the  Mushrooms 
by  sprinkling  the  bed  with  old  hay  not  good  enough  for  cattle, 
and  keeping  that  hay  frequently  syringed  with  water. 

FKUIT    DEPAKTMENT. 

Apples  and  Pears,  with  not  enough  of  rain  drops  to  damp 
the  foliage,  have  swelled  freely  of  late,  and  in  most  cases  the 
foliage  is  good.  Eispberries  have  given  us  little  more  than  the 
first  good  gatherings  ;  the  ground  then  became  too  dry  to  swell 
the  succeeding  crops,  and  the  watering  we  could  give  could  not 
benefit  them.  Red  Gooseberries,  which  we  used  to  keep  late,  are 
looking  as  if  they  needed  to  be  picked,  and  even  bushes  in  a 
border  on  the  north  side  of  a  wall  are  looking  distressed  and 
want  what  we  cannot  give  them.  Orchard  houses  have  needed 
an  endless  amount  of  watering  to  bring  to  maturity  the  heavy 
crops  in  pots  and  otherwise.  We  have  used  sewage  at  the  roots 
for  these  trees,  and  against  the  wall  freely,  and  with  no  injury, 
but  our  great  want  at  present  is  clean  water  for  syringing.  We 
keep  the  surface  of  the  ground  wetter  because  we  cannot  throw 
much  water  on  the  foliage.  In  fact,  water  not  quite  clear  does 
as  much  harm  as  good.  Had  we  a  good  store  even  of  water 
a  little  muddy,  we  would  make  a  rough  filter  for  ourselves  by 
means  of  a  barrel,  but  that  at  present  is  hardly  worth  doing 
until  the  supply  is  larger.  Planted  out  Melons  for  a  late  crop, 
and  thinned  the  wood  of  Fig  trees  to  give  a,  better  chance  to 
the  second  crop. 

OKNASIENT.VL   DEPARTMENT. 

Some  of  our  best  flower  beds  are  rather  disfigured  by  the 
attacks  of  the  fly  on  nice  edgings  of  variegated  Arabis,  white 
and  yellow.  We  never  had  them  injured  by  fly  before.  They 
will  look  dirty  and  dull  until  fresh  leaves  are  formed.  As  yet 
we  never  had  Brilliant  scarlet  Pelargonium  better,  and  with 
just  a  little  water  once  in  ten  days;  but  fine  rows  look  as  if 
they  would  suffer  from  a  dowupouring,  and  then  some  days 
would  elapse  btfore  the  flowering  was  as  dense  again,  as,  though 
healthy,  the  plants  have  made  little  growth  for  the  last  month. 
To  what  was  said  in  recent  numbers  about  florists'  Pelargo- 
niums, Cinerarias,  Primulas,  Balsams,  Cockscombs,  &c.,  we 
will  merely  add  some  remarks  as  to  savinp  the  seed  of  the  best 
kinds  of  large-flowering  herbaceous  Calceolarias.  As  "  Ak 
Old  Sdbscp.ieer"  is  anxious  to  keep  his  old  plants,  so  as 
to  secure  the  kinds,  we  advise  him  to  give  up  all  thoughts  of 
saving  his  plants,  which  he  has  now  in  8-inch  pots.  We 
would  proceed  thus  : — Take  these  pots  to  the  shady  north  side 
of  a  fence,  cut  down  the  plants  a  few  inches  from  their  bottom 
—that  is.  a  little  above  the  rim  of  the  pot;  clean  the  stumps 
and  leaves  left,  take  away  the  surface  soil,  put  in  as  high 
as  the  rim  of  pot  light  rich  sandy  soil,  as  sandy  loam  and  leaf 


1*0 


JOUBNAIi  OF  HOBTI0ULTT7BE  AND   OOTTAQE   OABDENEB. 


[  Aogost  6,  IBW. 


monU,  plunge  or  part  plunge  the  pots,  give  a  good  watering' 
ind  merely  eptinkle  the  surface  frequently.  Before  long 
young  shoots  will  come  from  the  bottom,  either  as  suckers  or 
otherwise ;  take  these  off  when  ;2  or  3  inches  in  length,  pot 
separately  in  the  smallest  pots,  shade,  and  otherwise  encourage 
at  first,  shifting  into  larger  pots  in  autumn  and  winter  as  the 
plants  may  require.  You  may  thus  have  plants  of  any  size 
before  May,  and  that  for  their  health  and  beauty  would  far 
.«urp  ass  those  obtained  by  any  other  treatment  of  the  old  plants. 
— K.  F. 

COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— August  5. 

We  are  again  obliged  to  have  recourse  to  a  foreign  marltet  for  a  supply 
of  good  Cos  and  Cabbage  Lettuces,  our  own  growth  offered  here  being 
very  poor  indeed.  Those  imported  are,  on  the  contrary,  remarkably 
i^ood.  With  the  exception  of  Apples,  Pears,  and  Plums,  very  little  fruit 
is  offered.  Filberts  are  good,  and  the  crop  is  also  good,  but  Cob  Nuts  are 
not  so  promising.  We  are  now  without  any  Cauliflower,  a  thing  almost 
unknown  in  any  former  year. 


FRUIT. 


a.  d.  ■.  d 

Apples }i  sieve  1  6  to  0  0 

ApricotB doz.  2  0  4  0 

Cherries lb.  0  0  0  0 

Obestnnta bash.  0  0  0  0 

Oarrauts ^^  sieve  4  0  0  0 

Black do.  4  0  5  0 

Figs doz.  4  0  8  0 

Filberts lb.  10  0  0 

Cobe lb.  0  9  10 

Oooseberries    . .  quart  0  0  0  0 

arapes, Hothouse.. lb.  2  0  6  0 

r«mon8 100  >i  0  12  0 


Alelons each    3 

Nectarines doz.  4 

Oranges 100  12 

Peaches doz.    G 

Pears  (dessert)  ,.doz.    2 

Pine  Apples lb.    3 

Plums y^  sieve    B 

Quinces doz.    0 

Raspberries lb.    0 

Strawberries  . .  per  lb.    0 

Walnuts bush.  10 

do per  100    1 


d.    s.  d 
OtoG    0 


0 
0 

12    0 
0    0 


VEGETABLES. 


.\rtichokC8 doz. 

Asparagus  100 

Beans,  Kidney  ^^  sieve 

Beet,  Red doz. 

Broccoli bundle 

Bms.  Sprouts  J--  sieve 

Cabbage doz. 

Capsicums 100 

Carrots bunch 

Canliflower doz. 

Celery bundle 

Cucumbers each 

Endive doz. 

Fennel bunch 

aarUo lb. 

Herbs  bunch 

Horseradish  ..  bundle 


B.  d.  s,  d  I 

8  0to6  0  I  Leeks  hunch 

0  0  0  0  I  Lettuce per  score 

4  0  5  0     Mushrooms pottle 

2  0  8  0    Mustd.&Cre.is,  punnet 
0  0  0  0    Onions  per  doz  behs. 

0  0  0  0  ,  Parsley per  sieve 

1  U  2  0  I  Parsnips doz. 

3  0  0  0  j  Peas per  quart 

0  6  1  0  I  Potatoes bushel 

0  0  II  0  I         Kidney  do. 

1  G  2  0  I  Radishes  doz.  bunches 
0  4  10    Rhubarb bundle 

2  0  0  0    Sea-kale basket 

0  S  0  0    Shallots lb. 

0  8  0  0    Spinach  busbel 

0  8  0  0  !  Tomatoes per  doz. 

3  0  5  0  I  Turnips  bunch 


d.  S.  d 
4toO  6 
0  4  0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
6 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 


s 

0 

4 

0 

2 

0 

R 

0 

0 

S 

0 

4 

0 

9 

1 

0 

9 

1 

4 

6 

6 

4 

0 

7 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

B 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

2 

0 

G 

1 

TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 
N.B. — Many  questions  must  remain  unanswered  until  next 
week. 

Antirrhinum  Bloom  (OverdeaseD.—The  post-office  punches  effectually 
prevented  our  observing  wkether  the  flower  was  abuomal.  It  was  quite 
smashed. 

Carnation  Seedlings  (TT.  B.).— We  have  received  the  stamps.  The 
flowerq  were  too  withered  by  the  heat  for  a  relative  judgment  to  be 
formed.  , 

LiLiDM  LANciFOLiUM— Fuchsia  Training  (TT.  £.)•— Lili'im  lancifolium 
is  hardy,  therefore  ought  not  be  exhibited  as  either  a  stove  or  prepnhoose 
plant.  We  quite  agree  with  you  that  Fuchsias  are  most  graceful  when 
grown  in  a  pyramidal  form  with  a  single  stem,  and  the  brflucbes  uu- 
trained.  If  we  were  to  award  prizes  we  would  give  them  to  specimens 
without  sticks,  though  those  with  sticks  were  rather  superior. 

Pansies  iF.  J.).— Your  Pansies  are  of  the  average  kind,  but  too  faded 
to  be  identified.  Take  cuttings  for  plants  to  flower  in  the  spring,  the 
young  plants  produce  the  finest  flowers. 

Exudation  on  Grapes  (Diadem).— The  exudation  and  disturbed  bloom 
are  probably  caused  by  the  excessive  heat  of  the  house,  and  the  air  being 
too  dry.  More  moisture  both  at  the  roots  of  the  Vine  and  in  the  air 
wpnld  prevent  it. 

Sand— Peat— Sphagnum  (Fred).— We  have  examined  the  specimens 
supplied  by  Mr.  W.  Short.  HorticuJtural  Dep^t,  Reigate,  Surrey,  and  they 
are  all  good.  As  he  supplies  these  either  in  large  or  small  quantities,  his 
depot  is  a  great  convenience. 

Planting  a  Grave  in  the  East  Indies  (J.  TF.}.— No  one  could  advise 
you,  the  locality  being  "  unknown."  It  may  be  near  the  snow  in  the 
Himalayas,  or  it  may  be  in  tbc  torrid  temperature  of  the  Bengfil  plains. 
The  acorns  and  Horse  Chestnuts  you  mention  certainly  would  not  succeed. 

Planting  Strawberries  iA  Young  Gardener). Select  an  open  situ- 
ation away  from  the  shade  of  trees  or  buildinge,  thoroughly  trench  the 
ground  to  the  depth  of  2  feet,  working  in  a  liberal  dresi^ing  of  manure, 
breaking  any  clods,  and  otherwise  well  mixing  the  soil  and  manure. 
The  ground  may  be  made  firm  by  treading,  particularly  in  your  case,  as 
from  beintr  newly  trenched  it  will  be  open  and  light.  The  ground  must 
not  be  trodden  if  the  weather  is  wet.  as  doing  so  will  only  teiid  to  render 
ft  a  compact  mass.    Plant  after  the  first  rain,  the  earlier  the  better.    The 


advice  as  to  not  digging  the  beds  at  any  time  after  i>lanting  is  sound,  good 
tup-dressings  of  manure  being  given. 

Pot  Peaches  akd  Fig.s  Flavourless  (J.  P(m).— Wc  cannot  account 
for  the  fruit  of  Peach  and  Fig  trees  in  pots  having  no  flavour  when  ripe, 
unless  they  have  been  either  over-water  d  or  over-shaded.  Orchard 
houses  will  do  much,  but  not  impossibilities.  If  the  roof  be  covered  with 
Vines,  there  will  not  be  enough  of  direct  sunlight  to  give  flavour  to  the 
crops  beneath.  We  should  think  if  your  Vines  are  fully  exposed  there 
will  bo  no  want  of  flavour  in  the  ripening  fruit. 

Peach  Tree  Mildewed  (Probo).— The  Peach  leaves  (No.  1),  are  in- 
fei>ted  with  mildew.  Give  a  good  syringing,  and  dust  the  leaves  and  the 
pnrts  of  the  shoots  infested  with  the  white  powder-like  fungus  with 
flowers  of  sulphur.  The  cause  of  mildew  appearing  is  not  known,  but  the 
fungus  is  destroyed  by  dusting  with  flowers  of  sulohur.  Give  more  liberal 
supplies  of  water  to  the  roots,  occasionally  a  thorough  syringing,  and 
admit  air  freely. 

Plum  Tree  Infested  vmn  Red  Spider  (Idem).— The  Plum  leaves 
(No.  2),  are  attacked  by  red  spider.  Syringe  the  tree  forcibly  with  a 
solution  of  2  ozs.  of  soft-soap  to  the  gallon  of  water,  directing  the  water 
against  the  under  sides  of  the  leaves,  wettirg  the  tree  thoroughly  in  every 
part.  This  should  be  done  in  the  evening,  and  repeated  within  a  week. 
The  roots  should  have  a  thorough  watering  with  water,  or,  better  still, 
weak  liquid  manure,  mulching  the  ground  around  the  tree  with  half- 
rotten  manure. 

Cdtting-back  Mignonette  (Idem). — You  may  cut  back  the  shoots  of 
Mignonette  that  have  flowered,  leaving  space  for  the  new  shoots,  and  the 
plant  will  flower  freely  on  the  young  shoots.  It  is  a  half-hardy  perennial. 

Oleanders  Flowering  Twice  (Spider).— Wg  cannot  agree  with  yoa 
that  your  plant  has  flowered  twice.  We  understood  yon  to  say  that  your 
plant  had  two  shoots  springing  from  the  side  of  the  flower  spike,  and 
that  these  had  at  their  apex  a  prominence.  You  now  say  they  were 
flower  buds,  therefore,  the  first  flowers  were  borne  by  the  wood  of  the 
previous  year,  and  the  succeeding  flowers  on  the  wood  of  the  current 
year.  This  is  not  unusual,  but  the  shoots  so  producing  flowers  have  in 
the  apex  in  the  previous  year  embryo  flower  buds,  and  they  elongate, 
and,  of  course,  flower  in  the  ensuing  season.  We  have  plants  now  in 
splendid  bloom,  both  on  shoots  that  have  not  grown  at  all  this  season, 
and  on  those  that  have,  and  on  these  plants  there  are  many  shoots  of 
the  current  year  that  had  not  last  year  prominent  apices,  and  these  have 
not  and  will  not  flower  this  season,  though  the  flowers  exist  now  in  the 
form  of  a  prominent  bud  in  the  apex,  but  will  grow  a  little  next  epring 
and  bloom  finely.  It  was  to  these  buds  that  our  remarks  applied,  whilst 
you  applied  them  to  buds  in  a  forward  state  for  development,  and  not  as 
embiyo  flower  buds. 

Red  Spider  on  Vines  (Idem). — You  may  have  yellow  leaves  and  not 
now  have  red  spider,  for  the  leaves  once  made  yellow  by  red  spider  will 
not  again  become  green.  We  presume  you  not  only  applied  sulphur  to 
the  warmed  flues,  but  gave  a  good  syringing  afterwards.  The  application 
being  inefi"ectual  it  should  be  repeated,  as  this  inveterate  enemy  is  only 
to  bo  overcome  by  persevering  resistance.  The  guano  remedy  ia  aa 
effectual  one,  and  so  are  all  the  others,  as  we  have  proved  by  ex-perience. 

Crocus  Seed  Sowing  (I(f('m).~The  seed  of  the  Crocus  may  be  sown 
from  this  time  to  October,  the  sooner  the  better,  in  a  bed  of  rich,  rather 
sandy  soil,  placing  the  seeds  thinly  on  the  tine  surface,  and  covering 
them  with  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  of  fine  soil.  Ycu  will  have  bulbs 
by  the  following  autumn.  When  the  foliage  deciiys  take  them  up,  and 
replant  them  the  same  day  in  lines  6  inches  apart,  and  3  inches  from  bulb 
to  bulb  in  the  lines,  covering  them  about  an  inch  deep  with  fine  soil- 
When  the  foliage  appears  mulch  between  the  rows  with  decayed  leaves 
or  short  manure,  and  leave  them  in  this  bed  until  they  flower,  keeping 
them  clear  of  weeds,  and  stirring  the  soil  between  the  rows  in  autumn. 
Bo  not  remove  them  again  until  they  flower,  then  take  them  up  and 
plant  them  where  required. 

Cucumber  Plants  Infested  with  Mealy  Bro  (Apprentice).— Tho 
only  means  that  we  know  likely  to  keep  the  mealy  bug  under  in  yoor 
case  will  be  to  give  the  plants  a  few  good  syringings  with  water  at  a  tem- 
perature of  120".  This,  and  hand-picking,  will  enable  yon  to  keep  the  bug 
in  check  until  the  plants  have  done  bearing,  and  then  give  the  house  a 
fumigation  with  sulphur,  and  a  thorough  cleaning. 

Bitter  Cucumbers  (S.  E.  B.).~The  chief  cause  of  bitterness  in  Cu- 
cumbers is  their  being  grown  slowly.  To  have  them  sweet  they  should 
be  gr«\vn  quickly  and  cut  young.  We  would  never  send  to  table  at  this 
season  a  Cucumber  of  more  than  ten-days  growth,  and  we  do  not  care  to 
have  them  of  greater  size  than  will  be  cut  up  at  onee.  Large  Cucumbers 
are  no  longer  sought  after,  and  yet  a  large  Cucumber  may  be  good,  only 
cut  it  whilst  young. 

Cucumber  Culture  fjf.  B.). — You  will  never  have  good  Cucumbers  at 
such  a  temperature,  80°  to  90-  at  night,  and  ICti-  during  the  day.  In  such 
weather,  except  by  syringing  the  walls  and  shading,  you  cannot  have  a 
much  lower  temperature  during  the  day  ;  but  with  air  the  highest  should, 
if  possible,  range  from  80-  to  90".  At  night  there  need  be  no  difficulty,  as 
the  tliermometer  out  of  doors  is  seldom  above  70"  at  night,  and  from  65 
to  70'^  will  suit  them  better  than  from  SO'^  to  90'^. 

Peach  Trees  Unfruitful  (An  Amate7(r).—Yo\ir  trees  ore  very  vi- 
gorous. You  could  not  do  anything  to  promote  their  frnH-bearing  in 
autumn  or  winter,  but  you  may  now  do  so  by  stopping  l.te  shoots  for 
next  year's  bearing  at  12  inches,  and  when  they  push  later..'3  pinch  ont 
their  points  after  they  have  made  a  leaf,  and  keep  them  clo'-ely  pinched- 
in  to  one  leaf  as  often  as  new  growths  are  produced.  The  shoots  should 
not  be  left  closer  on  tho  branches  than  9  inches  or  a  foot  apart,  and  the 
branches  ought  to  be  fully  that  distance  from  each  other.  The  leading 
shouts  or  main  branches  should  not  be  stopped  lut  trained-in  at  their 
full  length ;  any  laterals  appearing  on  them  should  be  stopped  at  the 
first  joint  or  leaf,  and  immediately  above  it. 

BioARREAU  Cherry  not  Stoning  (JJ^w).— After  the  fruit  is  set  give 
a  good  watering  with  liquid  manure,  and  mulch  around  the  stem  for  a 
dif^tance  of  2  or  3  feet  with  2  inch*  3  in  depth  of  short  manure,  cow  dung 
being  best,  continuing  tho  waterings  during  dry  periods  until  the  fruit 
begins  to  ripen.    The  curling  of  the  bark  is  peculiar  to  the  tree. 

Covent  Garden  Measures  (S.  V.).—A  Punnet  for  Mushrooms  is 
7  inches  by  1  inch  ;  Sea-kale  punnets  8  inches  in  diameter  at  top,  7^^  inches 
.  at  bottom,'  and  2  inches  deep ;  Radish  punnets  8  inches  in  diameter  at 


Aogast  6,  1868.  ] 


JOOBNAL  OP  HOBTIOULTOBE  AND   COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


101 


top  and  1  inch  doep  to  hold  nix.  bands,  or  9  inchca  by  1  inch  to  hold  twolvo 
hands;  aaladin^r  punnotH,  5  inchos  by  2  iachoH.  A  Half  Sieve  et>ntain8 
8.4  imperiftt  {^uUona,  nnd  avoritgos  \2\  inrliusi  in  dianictor  and  R  inches  in 
depth.  A  Sii'i'e  contains  7  imperial  gftHonrf.  Diameter.  15  inchoB  ;  depth, 
S  inchos.  A  sieve  of  Peas  ia  oqnal  t(»  1  bushel;  a.  sieve  nf  Cnrnints  to 
20  qnarte.  A  Bunhcl  .StViu-,  U)\  imperial  gallons.  Diamctt^r  at  top, 
17^  iuchef^ ;  at  bottom,  17  inrbes  ;  depth.  11}  inchon.  A  EwthrlJiaskft  oiiKht 
when  heaped  to  contain  an  imperial  bushel.  Dianu^ter  at  top,  14  in<'hes  ; 
Ht  bottom,  10  inches;  depth,  ITiucliea.  Walnuts,  Nuts,  Applo.'^,  and  Pota- 
toes  are  suld  by  this  measvire.  A  bushel  of  the  last-named  cleansed 
weighs  56  lbs,,  but  4  lbs.  additional  if  they  aro  not  washed.  A  2'altle  is 
a  long  taperinf^  basket  that  holds  rather  over  a  pint  and  a  half.  A  pottle 
of  Strawberries  should  hold  half  a  Rallon,  but  never  holds  more  than 
1  quart ;  a  pottle  of  Mushrooms  should  woich  1  Ih.  A  Hand  applies  to 
hunches  of  Kndishes,  which  contain  from  twelve  to  thirty  or  more,  ac- 
cording to  the  season.  .)  Bvndle  contains  from  six  to  twenty  heads 
of  Broccoli,  Celery,  &c, ;  Sea-kale,  twolvo  to  eiKhtoen  heads;  Kbubarb, 
twenty  to  thirty  stems  according  to  size ;  and  of  Asparagus,  from  liJi)  to 
125.  A  Bunch  is  applied  to  herbs,  Ac,  and  varies  much  in  size  according 
(0  season.  A  bimch  of  Turnips  is  twenty  to  twenty-five;  of  Carrots, 
thirty-six  to  forty ;  of  Greens  as  many  as  can  bo  tied  together  by  the 
roots.  Grapes  are  put  up  in  9  lb.  and  4-lb.  punnets  ;  new  Potatoes  by  the 
London  grower  in  2-Ib.  punnets.  Apples  and  Pears  are  put  up  in  bushels, 
siovoB,  or  half-sieves.  /(  Hundredvnrihf  of  Kentish  Filberts  is  104  lbs. 
Weights  are  always  16  ozs.  to  the  pound.  Being  often  made  of  osier  or 
deal  shavings  the  measures  vary  triflin^ly  in  Kize.— (/fo;;/;'ft  Year-book  for 
JH68.)    Your  other  question  nhall  he  attended  to  in  a  week  or  two. 

Gourds  (/T.  C).— The  cultivation  of  Gourds  does  not  differ  from  that 
"f  the  Vegetable  Marrow.  All  they  require  ia  to  bo  sown  in  heat,  to  be 
grown  in  pots,  and  planted  out  at  the  end  of  May  in  good  rich  soil  over  a 
slight  hotbed,  making  choice  of  a  warm  situation,  sheltered  from  winds. 
The  varieties  you  name  may  be  edible,  but  we  have  no  experience  of 
them  in  that  way. 

Sowing  Carnation  Seed  (Idem). —The  present  is  not  a  good  time  for 
sowing  Carnation  seed.  It  ia  best  sown  in  April.  Seed  sown  now  will 
hardly  furnish  plants  sufficiently  strong  for  blooming  next  year. 

Thrips  ok  Cineraria  Leaves  (A.  S.  .4.).— At  first  we  thought  your 
Cineraria  leaves  were  scorched,  or  rather  scalded,  by  hot  vapour,  the 
result  of  not  giving  air  early  enough,  but  on  closer  inspection  we  found 
traces  of  where  we  think  thrips  had  been,  though  no  insects.  In  that 
'•ase  yon  must  smoke  and  shade,  as  well  as  give  air  early. 

ViXE  Leaves  Shading  Grapes  {Idem). — Never  mind  the  Vine  leaves 
shading  the  bunches,  at  least,  cut  away  no  large  leaves,  but  if  the  shade 
is  very  dense  thin  out  the  laterals  and  some  smaller  leaves.  The  thick- 
ness of  a  leaf  will  benefit  the  branches  rather  than  otherwise. 

Mushrooms  not  Swelling  (J".  B.  Boyd). — The  chief  reason  why  the 
Mushrooms  do  not  swell  is  the  excessive  heat.  Wo  do  not  think  the 
watering  over  the  hay  would  be  so  injurious.  A  light  covering  of  hay, 
and  that  frequently  just  sprinkled  with  water,  would  be  so  far  in  their 
favour  that  the  beds  would  be  kept  cooler.  If  you  think  the  beds  are 
rather  wet  remove  all  the  hay  covering,  brush  the  bed  lit^htly  with  a  hair 
brash,  and  suspend  a  few  inches  above  the  bed  a  mat  or  cloth,  and  this 
and  the  walls,  &c.,  sprinkle  or  rather  dew  with  water  to  produce  a  colder 
atmosphere  by  evaporation.  We  think  that  then  your  pin-head  Mush- 
rooms will  become  larger  and  grow.  Much  heat  for  many  things  is  as 
prejudicial  as  too  much  cold;  indeed,  we  have  had  good  Mushrooms  from 
beds  slightly  frosted. 

Heating  a  Small  Plant  Stote  {X.  Y.  L.).— We  presume  the  fire- 
place is  to  be  in  your  small  house,  and  if  not  well  sunk  you  may  have  a 
difficulty  with  back  draught  at  times.  The  flue  wo  should  think  quite 
sufficient  for  such  a  small  house,  and  more  especially  if  you  confined 
your  attention  to  Cactuses  and  otlier  succulents.  Your  hot-water  cistern 
would  be  useful  if  you  also  grow  softwooded  stove  plants ;  but  a  small 


house  confined  to  aucrulents  alone  would  be  more  uniqae  and  lotoroBt- 
ing.    Yon  do  not  aay  how  the  cintorn  is  to   be  taoftted.    A  sqaaro  iron 
stove,  with  a  pnn  of  water  set  on  the  top,  and  a  pipe-chimney  into  tho 
open  air,  would  be  the  simplest  mode  of  heating  such  a  houso  for  huc 
culents. 

Select  Rohes  fPenomVnxfR)—"!  have  not  cultivated  Marie  Baumann, 
Marie  Kady,  and  Monsieur  Noinan  ;  but  I  mean  to  buy  the  first  and  tljifd* 
and  also  Franvois  Treyve.  Tho  last  is  much  recommended  to  me.  With 
regard  to  Madame  Charles  Wood,  Olivier  Dulhomme,  and  Beauty  of  Wal- 
tham,  I  mav  say  that  Madame  C.  Wood  is  a  fine  large  platitude;  Olivier 
Delhomme  did  not  grow  well  with  me ;  and  Beauty  of  Waltham  waa  not  so 
good  as  Lady  Suffield.  As  regards  La  France,  it  is  distinct  and  pretty. 
It  has.  however,  a  long  limp  neck  and  reflexed  petals.  It  is  a  free  and 
quick  bloomer.  I  recommend  in  all  rtspectB  Prince  de  Portia  (or  Poroia).. 
Its  colour  is  a  fine  vermilion  red.  The  growth  and  foliage  ia  good.  Au- 
toine  Ducher  is  also  a  flue  Rose,  of  strong  growth,  and  with  fine  foliage. 
In  the  line  of  rose  colour  I  think  well  of  Mdlle.  Jeanne  Manx,  and  tho 
new  Rose  Madame  Alice  Dureau.  They  promise  well,  but  I  must  aeo 
more  of  them  before  I  can  give  them  a  certificate.  I  merely  call  attention 
to  these  last  two  Roses.  I  never  saw  better  growth,  health,  and  foliago 
than  in  Jeanne  Marix.- W.  F.  Radclvffe." 

Grapes  Marked  (.-In  Old  Subscriber).— Thf.  berries  are  what  gardonert* 
cull  "rusted."  They  usually  consider  it  to  be  caused  by  handling  the 
berries,  or  rubbing  of  the  hand  against  them  in  tho  process  of  thinning^ 
We  do  not  think  those  are  the  causes,  but  exposure,  especially  when  moiat 
and  in  a  high  temperature,  to  sudden  cold  draughts  of  air. 

Tobacco  Growing  (O.  .4.).—!,  Removing  tho  flowers  will  tend  to  Ln- 
crease  the  size  of  the  leaf,  but  it  is  seldom  if  ever  practised.  3.  The 
round  thick  leaves  are  the  best  and  strongest,  but  the  others  are  good- 
3,  The  best  plan  of  drying  is  that  you  namo,  only  we  think  it  well  to  dry 
the  leaves  as  vour  gardener  does,  then  damp  them,  placing  in  layers  in  a 
box,  and  under  pressure  for  a  time  until  they  warm,  then  take  them  out 
and  shake  them  out  to  cool,  placing  them  on  shelves  to  dry.  and  when 
dry  store  them  away  in  boxes  or  tubs.  4,  The  temperature  is  imraatoruvl^ 
only  keep  the  tobacco  dry.  5,  Of  the  use  of  the  flowers  picked  off  wo 
are  not  aware.  6,  Tho  growing  of  tobacco  for  fumigating  purposes  i8 
lawful,  only  you  must  hot  grow  more  than  a  certain  number  of  planta, 
and  it  may  be  given  away  the  same  as  any  other  article. 

Water  Impregnated  with  Iron  (D.  R  C).  —  The  water  although 
coming  a  distance  will  not  be  injuriously  affected  by  the  iron  pipos.  If 
it  does  dissolve  any  of  the  oxide  of  iron,  exposure  in  the  cistern  wUl  free 
it  from  the  impurity.  We  use  water  from  closed  iron  tanks,  and  have  no 
bad  results.    Putting  lime  in  the  cistern  is  not  desirable. 

Salvia  argentea  Seed  Sowing  {Idem).— The  seed  should  be  aown 
next  March  ia  a  hotbed.  By  pricking  off  the  seedlings  when  large  onouga 
to  handle,  and  growing  them  in  heat,  you  will  have  at  the  end  of  May 
plants  suitable  for  planting  out  then.  They  should  be  weU  hardoned-off 
prior  to  doing  so. 

Loam  Becoming  Hard  (Idem).~There  is  nothing  in  tidal  water  that 
would  injure  the  loam.  Tho  soil  is  deficient  of  sand,  and  is  naturally  too 
tenacious.  You  may  improve  it  by  adding  sand  and  Umy  rubbish 
liberally. 
Name  of  Fruit  (S.  .4.).— We  cannot  identify  your  Apple. 
Names  of  Plants  {Joseph].— V/e  cannot  undertake  to  name  tho  vario- 
tiea  of  florists'  flowers.  They  are  too  numerous  and  too  nearly  ato. 
[A.  i?.).— Campanula  bctoniciefolia,  Hedysarum  coronarium.  [A.  8.1^.). 
— Ceratopetalumgummiferum,  ^schynanthus  species.  (Jaar).— Lathyrus 
svlvestris  (narrow-leaved).  {A  Cottager,  r/i ir;iA).—Tanaoetum  vulgar© 
(Common  Tansy\  (T.  H.  C.  D.).— Eryngium  alpinnm.  {Es»er).—Pten3 
serrulata.  (M.  T.  F,).-l,  Retinospora  pi.ifera ;  2,  Laatrea  Hlii-mas' 
4,  SelagiuellaMartensii.  (J.MurmyJ.— PotentUla  tormentiUa.  (H.  Wrtgkt). 
— Dipsacus  fullonum. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  Augnat  4fch. 


Date. 

Wed... 

29 

Thnrs. 

SO 

Pri.  .. 

«1 

Sat.  .. 

1 

San.  •• 

2 

Uon... 

S 

Tues.  . 

4 

Mean 

BAROUETEB. 


Max. 


29.681 
80.012 
30.068 
B0.270 
30.106 
80,011 
29.977 


Min. 


29.608 
29.919 
30.038 
30,195 
30.056 
29.924 
29.878 


30.018     29  919     80.57 


THEBiaOUETEB. 


67 
80 

79 

S3 
85 


41 

56 
59 
60 
56 


1  ft.  dp.     3  ft.  dp. 


65 
70 
72 
71 
70 


67 
65 
65 
67 
67 
67 
67 


69.85    1    66.43 


s.w. 

N.E. 

S. 
N.E. 
S.E. 
S.E. 


Rain  In 

incbea. 


.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 


Qenebai.  Beuaksb. 


Overcast ;  dull  and  cloudy  ;  cloudy,  fine  at  nlgbt. 

Clear  and  fine  ;  verj-  fine  ;  cloudy,  very  dull. 

Fine  ;  rery  fine;  dark  and  cloudy  at  night. 

Very  tine  ;  clear  and  fine;  densely  clouded. 

Clear  and  fine  ;  very  fine,  cold  wind  ;  cloudy. 

Very  fine  ;  clear  and  fine;  very  fine  at  niRht. 

Hazy ;  vei-y  fine,  hot  and  dry  ;  clear  and  fine  at  night. 


POULTHY,  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD  CHRONICLE. 


GAME   FOWLS   FOR  EXHIBITION.— No.  2. 

Game  fowls  that  run  too  high  in  flesh  on  their  walks  when 
about  to  be  exhibited  ehould  be  taken  up  and  penned  for  a 
week  or  two,  and  their  diet  reduced  to  one  moderate  meal  of 
corn  a-day,  with  a  certaia  proportion  of  green  food.  This  also 
accustoms  them  to  penning  before  exhibition,  as  well  as  to 
handling,  and  renders  them  tamer  and  quieter.  Care,  how- 
ever, should  be  taken  that  the  two  hens  are  not  quarrelsome, 
also  that  the  cock's  sickle  feathers  do  not  get  broken  while  in 
the  pen. 

Birds  that  are  in  proper  condition  and  not  too  fleshy  on 


their  walks,  do  not  require  any  dieting,  and  need  only  ba 
penned  for  a  short  time  to  accustom  them  to  being  so,  to  tamo 
them  a  little,  and  to  see  that  the  hens  agree  well. 

Just  before  putting  the  fowls  up  for  exhibition  some  give 
them  a  "  sherry  or  port  sop,"  pretty  strong,  with  their  last  feed,, 
or  some  toast  steeped  in  strong  ale,  which  is  not  a  bad  plan 
before  sending  them  on  a  long  journey  to  shows.  Some  give 
a  proportion  of  hard  peas  with  the  feeds  of  corn  for  months 
before  exhibiting  them,  and  some  always  feed  them  in  this  way. 

Game  fowls  on  lonely  countrv  walks  sometimes  become  too 
shy  of  people  for  exhibition,  the  hens  being  too  timid  and 
frightened ;  but  Game  cocks  being  of  a  bold  disposition  soon 
get  over  this.  For  this  reason  lonely  walks  are,  perhaps,  bad 
for  exhibition  birds,  though  otherwise  good  ui  almost  aU 
respects. 


IM 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARBENEB. 


(  August  6,  1863. 


Beading ;Game  fowls  too  high  is  a  great  mistake,  and  they 
should  foi-age  for  themselves  as  much  as  possible,  but  they 
should  ha^e  one  good  meal  of  solid  corn  in  the  morning  or 
middle  of  the  day.  In  frosty,  cold,  or  snowy  weather  they 
shool  1  have  two  or  three  good  corn  feeds  daily.  Young  and 
growiog  chickens  should,  however,  be  always  fully  fed.  though 
never  wastefully  overfed.  Game  fowls  are  economical  feeders. 
— Newmarket. 


POSTING  LISTS  OF  PRIZES   AWARDED. 

"  If  money  were  as  certain  r\a  your  waiting, 
'Twero  sure  enough." — Sltakapere. 

The  poultry  shows  are  coming  thick  upon  us.  May  I  ask 
for  a  corner  in  your  valuable  paper  just  to  state  a  practical 
grievance  which  I  am  constantly  made  to  feel,  but  which  I 
think  ought  not  to  exist  ?  An  instance  will  explain  my  mean- 
ing as  well  as  a  thousand  words. 

I  sent  on  July  23rd  two  pens  of  fowls  to  Grantham.  When 
I  entered  the  birds  I  enclosed  money  for  a  catalogue  with  list  of 
awards,  and  I  requested  as  politely  as  I  knew  how,  that  the 
Secretary  would  kindly  forward  the  same  as  early  as  possible. 
This  is  July  2Sth,  and  I  have  received  no  catalogue,  my  birds 
were  returned  safely,  and  in  good  time  and  condition,  and  for 
this  I  am  thankful.  The  hampers  contained  no  commendation 
ticket,  and  so  I  suppose  I  was  not  among  the  fortunate 
exhibitors ;  but  surely  it  is  not  fair  under  the  circumstances 
that  I  t-hould  be  kept  so  long  in  suspense.  The  secretary  of  a 
show  has,  of  course,  too  much  to  attend  to  on  the  day  of  ex- 
hibition to  send  off  personally  the  catalogues  which  have  been 
ordered  and  paid  for  ;  but  it  certaiuly  does  seem  a  simple 
thing  to  get  a  sharp  intelligent  boy  who  in  one  hour,  and  for 
sixpence,  would  fold,  direct,  and  post  all  that  were  required. 
This  might  be  done  before  the  early  post  went  out,  and  thus 
eihibitors  living  at  a  distance  would  know  the  next  morning 
how  they  stood,  and  much  chagrin  and  dissatisfaction  would 
be  avoided.^P.  P. 


Webster,  Whitby.      Second, 
Second,  —  Bearpark.    Com- 


Spanish.— First,  G.  Holmes.    S»cona,  H.  Merkin,  Driffield. 

Game.  -Fir^t  and  Second,  W.  Charter. 

PoLANDS.— First,  Mrs.  Procter,  Hull.    Second,  O.  A.  Young. 

Hambukghs  (Gold-spangled). — First, G.  Holmes.  Second,  J.  Blaacbard, 
Driffield. 

Hajieueghs  (Silver-spanRlcd).— Firat,  G.  Featherstoue,  Tranby  Park 
Lod^e.  Messle.    Second,  G.  Holmes. 

Hambcrghs  tGolden-pencilled)  — First,  G.  Holmes.  Second,  A.  Hame, 
Barnjston. 

Hambcrghs  (Silver-pencilled).— First  and  Second.  G  Holmes. 

Bantaiis  (Any  variety).— First  and  Second,  R.  Robson.  Hull. 

Bantams  (Distinct  variety). — Chickem. — First,  G.  Holmes.  Second. 
J.  Blanchard. 

SINGLE    COCKS. 

CocHrN-CaiNA.— First,  Miss  E.  Creyke.  Second, W.  Smith.  BridlingtlHl. 

DonKiNG.— First,  I.  O.  Young.    Second,  W.  Charter,  DrifBeld. 

Spanish.— First,  G.  Holmes.    Second.  R.  Wilson,  Carn^by. 

Game. — First,  O.  A.  Youn^'.     Second,  J.  Woodhouse,  Bridlington, 

Bantam  (Any  variety).— First,  R.  Robson.    Second,  W.  Charter. 

Geese.— First  and  Recnnd,  O.  A.  Young. 

Turkeys— First,  H.  Merkin,  Driffield.  Seconi,  Mrs.  Pepper,  North 
Frodiu^ham.  Poults. — First,  Mrs.  Pepper.  Second,  Mrs.  Brumpton. 
Mount  Pleasant.  Muston. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury). — First,  O.  A.  Young.  Second.  J.  Smith,  BridllOK- 
tou.    DiLcklinfju. — First,  O.  A.  Young.     Second,  .1.  Smith. 

Ducks  (Any  variety). — First,  O.  A.  Young.    Second,  G.  Holmes, 

GuiNjsA  Fowl. — First,  G.  Holmes.    Second  O.  k.  Yonng. 

Pigeons.— Croppers— First,  B.  Key,  Beverley.  Second.  ^V.  Stork,  Brid- 
lington. 'iVi7i6ier»t.— First,  B.  Key.  Second,  H.  Payne,  Cottingham. 
Fantails. — First,  H.  Payne.  Second,  R.  Soiitb,  Bridlington.  Jacobins. — 
First,  B.  Key.  Second,  H.  P  lyne.  Any  New  or  Di^lnet  Variety. — First, 
O.  A.  Young     Second,  B.  Key. 

Rabbits  (Any  breed).— Fii-st,  J.  Tucker,  Bridlington  Quay.  Second. 
W.  Charter. 

F.ANcv  Rabbit.— Prize,  W.  ?.  Hornby,  Clifton  Garth.  York. 

Tho  Judges  for  poultry  were — Mr.  S.  Beilby,  Beverley,  and  Mr.  J. 
Falkner,  Hunmanby. 


DURHAM  COUNTY  POULTRY  SHOW. 

The  twenty-fifth  atinnal  Exhibition  in  connection  with  the  Durham 
Coauty  AgricuUnral  Society  was  held  on  the  31st  ult.,  at  the  ancient 
borouRh  of  Hartlepool,  nnrler  most  favonrable  auspices,  and  has 
proved  a  highly  snccessful  vShow.  Subjoined  is  the  list  of  prizes  for 
poult  i-y. 

8PAJJ38E.— First,  T.  Blackburn^  Northallerton.  Second,  —  Bearpark, 
iJorthalibrtoii-  Chickens. — First,  —  Bearpark.  Second,  R.  Hawkins, 
Seabani. 

DoRKiNG!'.— Fir«t.  .T.  White.  Warlaby.  Second,  D  Rutter,  East  Raintoa. 
Cfticfren*.— Firist,  J.  White.    Second,  G.  H.  Procter,  Dnrbaoi. 

Cochin-China.  — First  and  Second,  G.  H.  Procter.  Ckicke.n£, — FirBtand 
Second.  G.  H.  Procter 

Pfahma  Pootra  —Prize,  Mrs.  A.  M.  Burden,  Castle  Eden. 
HAitfBOKGHa  .  (Silver-pencilled). — First,    —    Bearpark.       Second,     W. 
LawrensoQ.     Chickens. — First,  —  Beari)ark.    Second  and  Commended,  J. 
Wbite. 

Hambtrghs   (Gold-pencilled).— First.  J. 
—  Bearpnrk.     Chickevji  — First,  J.  Webster. 
mended,  T  Ridd  im,  Hetton-le-'Tole. 
Hamtbdrghs  (Bl-.icki.— First,  T.  B.  Burden,  Weft  Hartlepool. 
Hambokghs  (Gold-spin'ib'dt. — First,  —  Bearpark.     ^econd,  W.  Whit- 
field. Hett  )n-le-Hole.    C'aVjt^ns.- First,  J.  Bell,  Ihornton-le-Moor,  North- 
allerton.   Second.  W.  Whitfield. 

Haibbdrghs  (Silver-sptnaled).— Prize,  —  Bearpark.  ChickcTis. — First, 
Benrpark.     Second,  W.  M'lnaUeld. 

Game  >  BHck-Reds).— First,  T.  Heme,  Tow  Law.  Second,  R,  Just. 
Chiefiens  — First,  T.  Home.  Second,  R.  Hawkins,  Seaham.  Com- 
mended. T.  Blackburn,  Northallertou. 

Game  Anv  other  varietv). — First,  R.  Hawkins.  Second,  J.  Wilson, 
"Wbitwortb  Woodhouso.  Coinm'^nded,  K.  Goldsbron^b,  Hilton.  Chickens. 
—First.,  W.NiL^btinpale  Second,  T.  Hearne.  Commended,  R.GoldsbrouHb. 
Game  Bantam  — First,  J.  Gales,  Kirbv.  Socond,  A.  Bntilass,  Carvill. 
Chicheivi.—FiT^i,  T.  Home,  Tow  Law  ;  J.  Wilson,  Wbitwortb  Woodbouse. 
Commended,  W.  Mansfield.  Tbirsk  ;  A.Buglass;  W.  Lawreason. 

Bantam  (Any  other  variety  . — Second,  R.  Emerson,  Stokesley.  Chickens. 
First,  A.  B'lglaas.     Second,  P.  Wilson,  Hartlepool. 

Ducks  (R^men).— First,  T.  B.  Burdon,  West  Hartlepool.  Second,  O, 
Treebmanu,  Harllepool.    Ducklings. — Second.  P.  Bastow,  Hart. 

Docks  {Aylesburyf. — First,  Mrs.  A.  M  Burdon,  Castle  Eden.  Second, 
R.  Just,  Stainton.  Ducklings. — First,  Miss  Smith,  Stokesley.  Second, 
J,  Storey.  Picton. 

Any  other  Variety.- First,  Mrs.  A  M.  Burdon.  Second,  Eev.  J.  G 
Hiluer,  Bellerby. 


BRIDLINGTON   POULTRY   SHOW. 

The  annual  Show  of  this  Society  took  place  on  Wednesday,  the 
29th  of  July,  and  proved  a  decided  success,  the  attendance  of  visitors 
being  more  numerous  than  at  any  previous  Exhibition. 

CocHZN-neiNA.- First,  Mi83  E.  Creyke,  Bridlington.  Second,  O.  A. 
Young,  Driffield 

Dorking.— i-irat,  G.  Holmes,  Driffield.     Second,  D.  White,  Driffield. 


GOOLE  POULTRY   SHOW. 

This  was  held  July  30th,  in  a  large  enclosure  known  as  Lock  Hill, 
whence  thtre  was  a  fine  view  far  down  the  river  and  of  the  hills  be- 
yond. The  8i*«  selected  was  excellent,  for  the  cooling  breeze  frooi  the 
river  helped  to  modify  the  scorching  heat,  which  otherwise  would  bAve 
been  unbearable.  The  Committee,  in  addition,  had  taken  the  pre- 
caution of  irri;^atins  the  whole  of  the  ground  on  the  day  previous  to 
that  of  the  Show,  so  that  it  formed  oa  the  whole  a  not-at-all-disagree- 
able  promenade. 

Besides  the  show  of  Poultry  and  Pigeons,  Rabbits  and  cage  hizda 
were  also  exhibited,  but  not  having  received  a  list  of  awards  to  the  last 
two  we  are  unable  to  state  who  were  the  prizetakers.  The  attendance 
of  visitors  was  large,  and  it  is  hoped  that  the  funds  will  in  con&eqaence 
be  so  much  aucjmenttd  that  the  Committee  will  be  able  to  offer  morr- 
tempting  prizes  at  future  meetings.  The  thanks  of  tho  exhibitors 
generally  aie  due  to  tho  Honorary  Secretaries,  Messrs.  Bromley  and 
Sntton,  for  the  great  regularity  and  skill  with  which  the  arrangune&tA 
wer  '■    ;  rried  out. 

Spmiish.,  Dorkings^  and  CotJiins  were  but  poor,  but  Game  were- 
shown  in  decent  trim,  considering  tlie  season,  and  the  cup  pen  of  Mr. 
•Julian  was  well  worthy  of  its  position.  Exeellent  Hamhui-ghs  were 
shown  by  Messrs.  Beldoa,  Jessop,  and  White.  PoUsk,  were  faoltleas, 
and  the  Crtvt.-  C(surs  were  very  fine. 

Among  sinj^le  hens  Spanish  were  first,  and  Golden-spangled  Ham- 
burglis  second. 

The  single  cocks  were  not  good,  ond  the  chickens  poor,  except  the 
first-prize  Spanish  of  Messrs.  N*jwbitt. 

Game  Saiitums  were  but  moderate,  excepting  the  first-prize  poj, 
which  was  perfect.  Geese  and  Ttirkct/s  were  good,  and  some  extrar 
oidinary  Rouen  Duclcs  and  Guinea  Foiol-^  were  al^o  shovm. 

A  mong  Plfjcons.,  the  Carriers,  Pnnters.  and  Tumblers  were  very  good, 
but  the  Barbs  were  poor.  The  Jacobins  were  all  that  could  be  de- 
sired, and  an  extra-second  prize  was  awarded.  The  same  may  also  bo 
said  of  the  Trumpeters  and  Fautails.  An  excellent  pen  of  Red  Tnr- 
hits  was  fir.st,  and  Silvers  second.  Owls  and  Nuns  had  each  an 
entry,  but  the  birds  were  very  poor. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  awards  for  Poultry  and  Pigeons : — 
Spanish.— First,  T.  C.  &  E,  Newbitt,  Epwortb,     Second,  J.  Thresh, 
Bradford.     Hipbly  Commended,  S.  Robson,  Brotbtrrton. 

Dorkings.— First,  H.  Beldon,  Bingley.  Second,  Dt.  Horsfall,  Carlton 
Grange-  , 

CocHrN-CamA  -First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  J.  L.  Williams,  Goole. 
Commeudo'l.  W.  Watson,  Howdeu  Dyke  ;  Dr.  Horsfall- 

Game  (Black-breasted  and  other  Keds).- First,  F.  Sales,  Crowle.  Se- 
cond, E.  Aykroyd,  Bradford.     Commended,  W.  Hawksworth,  Goole. 

Game  (DackWings  and  anv  other  variety).— First,  H.  M.  Julian,  Hull. 

Sec  nd  and  Commended.  J.  Reonison,  Hoime-on-Si  alding-Moor 

Game  (Any  varietyi.- Cap,  H.  M.  Julian.  Highly  Con  m  nded,  F.  Sales. 

Hambdugh  (Golden-spaug  ed).— First,  H.  B.ldoii.    Sec  nd,  J.  White, 

Whitley,  Nelberton,  uuar   Wakefield,     Highly  Cummendud,  S.  Smith, 

No'thowram. 

Hauburoh  («ilver-spnngled).— Prize.  H.  Beldon. 

Hambuugh  (GoUen-peQciBed).— First,  J.  R.  Jesscp,  Hull.    Second,  H. 
Beldon.    Highly  Comiueiided,  S.  Smiib. 
Hamburgh  (silver-pencilled).— Prize,  H.  Beldon. 
Polish  (Any  variety;.— First  and  second.  H   Beldon. 
Any  other  Pore  or  Distinct  Breed   mot    pRETiaofiX-Y  GLiSSED* — 
First  aud  Second,  H.  Btldon  (French  and  Brahma). 


Auffofit  6, 1808.  J 


jouknaij  of  horticultuhe  and  cottage  gabdenek. 


li>8 


Amt  VARiETr.—ffuM— First,  J.  Thresh.  SeooBd.  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt 
Coiumeudod,  J.  Ellwood.  Cuck. — First,  F.  Sales.  Secoud,  K.  ThorotoD. 
Goole.  Chickens.. — First  and  Second,  T.  C.  &  E.  Nowbitt  (Bl  ick  Spauibh 
and  Ooldeo-span^lcd  Hnmburgtis).  Highly  Commt^ndod,  J.  Kcuuitiou, 
Bolme-on-Spaldiug-Moor.    Commended,  J.  Hirst. 

Oauk  Uantaus. — Flrot,  W.  F.  Entwiatlc.  Second,  W.  Claytfin,  Howden. 

Bantams  (Any  variety  except  liu mo). —First,  T.  C.  Harritiou,  Uull.  So- 
Ctnid,  J.  ii.  JuHBop,  Hull. 

Oamb  BANTAMh.—CotrA;.— First,  A.  Brahani,  Pottomewton.  Second,  U. 
Beldoii.  Commended,  W.  F.  Eutwistlc  ;  VV.  Clayton;  J.  Kogers,  Uoole  ; 
S,  Smelt,  BeVLTley  ;  T.  Scott. 

ExTOA.— Highly  ComiHeuik-iI,  J.  L.  Williams  (Cochins). 

OCBHB. — Priifiy,  J.  White,  Whitolcy,  Netherton 

TuuKKVS.— FriiU',  Ur.  Ilurbfall,  Carlton  Orange. 

Duotts.— Prize,  J.  VVhitu.  Highly  Cummeudod,  T.  C.  Harrison.  Com- 
mended, J.  L.  Williivms  ;  —  luUIe.  Sand  Hall. 

Guinea  Fowls.— Firat,  T.  C.  Harr.son.    Second,  C.  Haycroft,  Thome. 
PIGEONS. 

Gasribbs. — First,  J.  Thompson,  Snaith,  Second,  J.  Hawley.  Highly 
Commoudud,  S.  Uobsou-    Commended,  ll.  Strickland^  Suaitb. 

Croppeus  —First,  S.  Robson.  Second,  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Hawley  ;  S.  Smelt.  Commended,  J.  Hawley  ;  J.  Thomp- 
son. 

Tumblers,— Firat,  J.  Hawley.  Second,  J.  Thompson.  Extra  Second, 
C.  Gra/U,  Thorae.  Highly  C'luimended,  J.  Hawley  j  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt, 
Commended,  P.  Cowting.  Swinefleet. 

Bakbs.— tir^t,  J.  Hawley.    Second,  J.  Thompson. 

jAOitsi.is.— Kii-Ht,  J.  Ha\s'lcy.  Second,  J.  Thompson.  Extra  Second, 
T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt.     Highly  Commended,  J.  Tho  Mpaun. 

Tbompkteks. —First,  S.  Robson.  Second,  J.  Hawley.  Extra  Pocond, 
T.  C.  &  £  Newbitt.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Thompaou;  H.  Strickland. 
Commended,  J.  Huwley  ;  J.  Thresh. 

OWLH.— Prize,  J.  Threeh. 

TuKBiTs.— First,  J.Thompson.  Second,  J. Hawley.  Highly  Commended, 
T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt. 

Pantails.— Firat,  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt.  Second,  J.  Hawley;  R.  J.  Boll. 
Highly  Commeo'ied,  J.  Thompson ;  J.  Hawley  ;  T.  C.  &  £,  Newbitt. 

Kdh«.— Prize^  J.  Thompson. 

The  Jadga  was  Mr.  E.  Hatton^  Padsey. 


HASLINGDEN  POULTRY  SHOW. 

Aft  this  Show,  held  July  30th,  thera  was  an  increase  over  other 
years  in  every  deitartmeni,  the  entries  being  '270  more  than  any  year 
iwfore.  The  aabscnbers  are  also  more,  and  the  visitors  were  some 
tvo  tboQsand  more  than  asnul.  There  were  nine  thousand  people  on 
the  groQud.     The  following  is  a  list  of  the  awards  : — 

Cochin  Gbina.— Fir&t,  W.  A.  I  aylor,  Manchester.  Second,  C.  Sidgwick, 
Keigbtey.  CVtiCrttrTw.— First  and  Secoud,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Commeuued,  C. 
Sidgwick. 

CooHiN-CiriXA  (Any  other  variety).— First,  T.  Stretch,  Ormskirk 
(Partridge).  Second,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Ckickeas.—Gnp,  J.  A.  Taylor^  Man- 
chester.   Second,  J.  R.  Kudbard,  Wrington,  near  Bristol. 

Bbaqsas  (Dark).— Cup,  K.  Ltecli,  Hocbdale.  Second,  C.  Turner, 
Chester.  C'-icluHS. — First.  G.  U.  Kobeits,  Preaton.  Second,  G.  Dixou, 
Jan.,  West  strana,  Whitehaven.  Commended,  W.  Guiding,  Sale,  near 
Manchester. 

BBAHM&d  (Light)  —First,  II.  Lacey,  Hebden  Bridge.  Second,  H.  Dow- 
sett,  Pleshey,  Essex.  Ciuckrns. — Firit,  J.  Pares,  Postlord,  near  Guildford. 
Second,  i>.  Cau^ier,  Erdiugtou,  near  Birmingham.  Highly  Commended, 
J.  Pares. 

DoEKiMcs  (Any  colour). — Cap,  J.  White,  Warlaby,  Northallerton  fGrey). 
Second,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Chickentt.—Fitst^  D-  Gellatly,  Me.igle,  N.B.  Se- 
cond, Ura.  M.  Seamous,  Ayle'<bury.  Commended,  J.  Stutt,  tteoiey,  near 
Rochdalo  ;  H.  Pickles,  jun.,  Earby,  near  Skipton. 

SPANibQ  (Black  . — Cup,  H.Beldon,  Goitstock, Bingley.  Second,  J.  New- 
ton, ^ilsden,  near  Leeds  Chickeiis. — Firt>t,  H.  Beldon.  Secoud,  J.  Walker, 
Wolverhampton. 

SiNOLB  G&J^E  Cocks  (Any  colour). — First,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Second, 
J.  Fletcher,  btoneclough,  near  Manchester.  Third,  "W.  Julian,  Hull. 
Within  four  miles  of  Haslingdcn  (Any  colour). — First,  J.  Bowncsa,  New- 
-chorch  (Brown  K«d).  Socou<i,  G.  &  C.  Furness.  Accrmgtun  (Pile).  Com- 
mended, VV.  Westwell.  Baxendeu  (Brown  Bed). 

Gamb. — Cup  aud  Second,  J.  Fl«tcher.  Highly  Commended,  L.  Biney, 
Manohealer.  Ckickcits.^i'iTaiy  J.  Fletcher.  Second,  W.  Bourne,  Heariiy, 
ne»r  Stockport  (Brown  Red).  Highly  Commended,  H.  Mann,  otand 
(Black  Kcd). 

BLaubukuhs  (Golden-pencillod).— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  H.  Pickles, 
jon.  (JkicksriM. — First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  S  Smith,  Northowram,  Hali- 
fax.   Highly  Commended,  J.  Hobinson,  Fiilsworth. 

Hambdruhi*  (Siivcr-peiicilled).— First,  C.  Hawwrth,  Holme,  Hnslingden. 
Second,  H.  Beldon.    CliickcTts — Cup,  H.  Beldon.    Second,  J.  Robinson. 

Hambdbgbs  iGolden-?pangled).— First,  E.  Brierley.  ^econd,  W.  iJiiver, 
Eeighiey.    Chic^etu  — Firet,  W.  Driver,  bccoud,  S.  &  R.  Ashtou,  Mottram. 

Hakbueghb  (Siiver-spiingied).  -  Cup,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  J.  A.  Ttiylor, 
Manchebter.     Cfeic^eiw.— First,  H.  Beldon.     Second,  W.  Parr,  Patricroft. 

Hambokohs  (Biackj.^Firat,  C.  Sidgwick,  Keighley.  Secoud,  J.  Robin- 
Son.     C'hicKCT\s — First,  C.  Sidgwick.     Second,  J.  Robinson. 

Ant  othkb  Varikty. — f-irst,  H.  Beldon  (Poiands).  Second,  L.  Biney 
(Buff  Polish).        Highly  Commended,  R,  G.  New,  Kainhill  (Sultans). 

Sbdlino  Glass  (Any  variety). — First  and  Second,  W.  A.  Taylor. 

Oaub  Bantams. — Cock. — First,  W.  F.  EutwiBle,  Leeds.  Second.  T.  W. 
"Morris,  Rochdale.    Third,  J.  J, '  o'tsins,  Chapelallerton,  near  Let^ds. 

Gaub  Bamtaus.-  -Cup,  J.  H.  Kobinson,  Sunderland,  becoud,  G.  Chamley, 
Preston. 

Bantams  Any  variety).— First,  T.  Burgess,  Brighoase,  Yorkshire 
(Pekins).    Second  and  Highly  Ci^mmended,  T.  C.  Hurrioon,  Hull. 

Turkeys.— First  and  Second,  E.  Leech. 

Gebhb.— Firtit,  T.  Scatter,  juii..  Whitefield.     Second,  E.  Leech. 

Ducks  (Ajleoburj). —First,  E.  Leech.  Second,  Mrs.  M.  Seamou-s,  Ayles- 
bary. 

Docks  (Rouen).- First,  T.  Houlker.  Blackburn.    Second,  E.  Leech. 

DucKB  (Auy  other  VHnety).— Fir^t,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Second,  S.  ft  R. 
Ashtou,  Rue  Crvbsi,  Muttram,  Cheshire  i^Carolinas). 


Pocks  (Selling  Class).— First,  T.  Houlher.  Second,  E.  Loooh.  Highly 
Commended,  T.  Wakefield. 

PIGEONS. 
Carriers.— Firgt,    J.     Hawley,    Bingley.     Second,    G.    H.    Roberta' 

Pt-nwoitbam. 

Tumblers.— First  and  Second,  J.  Hawley.  Highly  Commended,  J, 
Fielding,  jun.,  Roehdale;  J.  Bromley,  Bolton. 

Batibs  —First,  G.  H.  Roberts.     Second,  \V.  Hargreaves,  Bacup. 

Owr,a.— Cud  and  Secoud,  J.  Fielding,  jun.  Highly  Commended,  F, 
Graham,  Birkenhead. 

Croppers. — First,  J.  Hawley.    Second,  H.  Yardley. 

Fantails. — Firwt,  J    Hawley.     Second,  H.  Yardley. 

TuuBiTs.—First,  T.  Newell,  Aahton-undcr-Lyne.  accond,  Jeaae  Thomp- 
son, Bingley. 

Oraooons.— First,  B.  Carlisle,  Rishton.    Second,  F.  Ornbnm. 

Trumpeters. —First,  Jesse  Thompson.    Second,  .1.  Hawley. 

Antwerps.— First,  H.  Yardley.     Second,  J.  Huwley. 

Any  other  Variety. — Firat,  Jesse  Thompson  (Red  Jacobins).  Se- 
cond, T.  Kenyon,  Accrington  (Black  Magpies). 


DRIFFIELD   POULTRY   SHOW. 

This  Show,  in  connection  with  the  DriiEeld  Agricultural  Society, 
took  place  on  the  31st  ult.,  when  2'26  pens  of  ponltry  were  entered  for 
competition.  Notwithstanding  the  laU-ness  of  the  season,  and  many 
of  the  birds  showing  symptoms  of  moulting,  several  excellent  pens 
were  shown,  more  particularly  in  the  Game  and  Polish  classes ;  in  thA 
latter  Mrs.  Procter  took  all  tho  prizes. 

Dorkings— First,  W.  Charter.  Driffield.  Second,  O.  A.  Yoang, Driffield. 
Chiekrns.—Prize,  J.  Blanchard,  Driffield.  Cocfc.— Prize,  Miss  S.  E.  White, 
Driffield.  ^  .„  ,_ 

Spanish.— First,  G.  Holmes,  Driffield.  Second,  H.  Merkin,  Driffield. 
CocA:,— Prize,  G.  Holmes. 

Game  (Black-breasted  and  other  Reds).— First  and  Second,  W.  BoyoB, 
Beverley,     t'ocfc.— Prize,  G.  Carter,  Bedale. 

Game  (Duckwing  and  other  Greys).- First  and  Second,  W.  BoyeV. 
Coc/c.— Prize,  J.  Laycup,  Driffield. 

Game  (Any  other  variety).— First,  W.  Charter.  Second,  G.  Holmee. 
Cocfc.— Prize,  R.  Brown,  Pickering. 

Game  (Any  varietvJ.-OTiicAeM.— Prize.  W.  Boyes. 

CocHiN-CaiNA.— First,  W.  Charter.  Se-vmd,  R.  Loft,  Woodmansey. 
Chickeji^.— Prize,  R.  Loft.     Cocfc.— Prize.  R.  Loft. 

Pol  A  NDS.— First  and  Second,  Emma  Procter,  Hall.  Coct.— Pnze, 
Emma  Procter. 

Hamburohs  fGolden-spangled).— First  and  Second,  T.  HolmeB.  Cock. 
— \  rize,  T.  Holmes. 

Hameurghs  (Silver-Epangled) —First,  C.  Pachardaon,  Coltingham.  Se- 
cond, —  Holmes.     Cocfc.— Prizp, —  Holmes. 

Hambdbghs  (Golden-pencUled).  —  Fir=t,  —  Holmes.  Second,  Ann 
Kobinson,  North  Frodinghnm.     Ct'cfc.— P.  i^e.W.  Charter. 

Hamburohs  ( -ilver-peuciUed).— First,  —  Holmes.  Second,  W.  Charter. 
Cocfc.— Prize,  —  White. 

Any  Vaeiety,— C/iicfcens.— Prize,  —  Holmes. 

Any  other  Pure  and  Distinct  Breed  not  Pbetiousi,t  Classed.— 
First,  R.  Loft.  Secoud,  A.  Watts,  Garton.  Corfc.— Prize,  Mrs.  Jordan, 
Elmswell.  ,      _.         _ 

l-ARMYARD.— First,  F«  Loft.  Second,  G.  Robinson.  Cocfc.— Prize,  U. 
Robinson  ,      _  ,        , 

Bantams  (Black  and  White).— Second,  W.  Charter.  Tocfc.— Prize,  J. 
Bryan,  Beeford.  ,    __._  ,,      „ 

Bantams  (Any  other  variety).— First.  Mrs.  Blanchard,  Driffield,  se- 
cond, T.  Holmes,     rocfc.— Prize.  W.  Laycup. 

Gebbk— First,  G.  R.  Young,  Driffield.  Second,  R.  Brown.  Oo«Iinpi.— 
Prize,  J.  Nesfield.  BncUton,  Bridlington. 

ToRK-YS— First,  Mary  Morking,  DrifQeld.  Second,  Ann  Pepper, 
Poulif.— Prize,  B.  Pepper.  a   «    4    ^        - 

DUCKS  (Aylesbury).— First.  M.  Harrison,  Warter.  Second,  O.  A.  ionng. 
Ducklings.— Prize  O.  A.  Young.  „   _..  n.    t 

Ducks.— First,  G.  B.  Young.  Second.  Mrs.  Jordan,  Eastbum.  IJucK- 
lingg.—pTize,  G.  R.  Young.  ^     ,,.  -«^        «_- 

ANY   OTHER  VARIETY.— Prfz 6,  W.  Charter.      Ducklings.— PriZBt  Mta. 

Jordan.  .  „      .  „  .       t    t> 

Pigeons.— CVopp^rs.-Prize,  B.  Key,  Beveriey.     rarrters.- Prize.  J.  B. 

Brand,  Driffield.     Trumpe (era.— Prize,  J    Mar.-hall,  Driffield.    •^«£:f  Pi5*:T 

Prize,  C.N.  Lytho,  Cottinffbam.     Tnwiblers.— Prize,  T.   Harper,  Diiffield. 

Barfrs.— Prize,  B.  Key.    Nujm.— Prize,  J.  Marshall.    Any  other  van^tp.— 

Prize,  G.  Pickering.  _  ^  ^    „    rr    »•  i  «-,•«* 

Rabbits  (Any  Breed).— First,  W.  Charter,    Second,  C.  G.  Piokenng, 

Driffield. 

JtTDGEs.— Mr.  T.  CliaUoner,  Barlboroagh,  and  Mr.  J.  O.  JoUy, 

Green  Hammerton. 

CANKER  IN   PIGEONS. 

With  regard  to  that  part  of  "  A  Foreignek's  "  article  npon 
Pigeons  relating  to  canker,  I  have  found  the  plan  of  removing 
the  whole  of  the  growth  at  once  by  far  the  best,  and  imme- 
diately well  rubbing  over  the  part  the  dry  powdered  snlphate 
of  copper,  called  by  chemists  "  exsiccated."  Tbe  bleeding  that 
follows  the  removal  of  the  exudation  is  immaterial  ;  in  fact, 
I  think  it  advantageous,  as  it  indicates  the  complete  removal 
of  the  growth,  and  will  readily  stop  after  the  sulphate  has 
been  applied,  or  if  not,  the  perchloride  of  iron  can  be  used  as 
mentioned  by  me  when  writing  about  Canaries.  If  the  disease 
has  advanced  into  tbe  throat  and  mouth,  I  should  with  a 
feather  apply  borax  dissolved  in  glycerine,  and  this  i  am 
satisfied  would  readily  cure  it. 

I  confess  I  am  dubious  of  the  efficacy  o£  palling  ont  the  tftU 


104 


JOUBNAIi  OP  HOBTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GAEDENEB. 


[  August  6,  1868. 


leathers,  for  as  a  rule  the  bird  will  have  been  lowered  quit® 
enough  by  the  few  drops  of  blood  lost  at  the  moutb,  and  the 
copper,  which  with  all  care  can  hardly  be  prevented  from  enter- 
ino  the  stomach. — W.  S. 


PIGEON  JUDGING. 


In  Pigeon-judging  "A  Foreigner"  says  no  dealer  ought  to 
judge,  and  in  this  I  quite  agree.  If  committees  would  ask  for 
advice  from  any  of  the  columbarian  societies  as  to  what 
fanciers  or  breeders  are  competent  to  judge,  then  we  should 
profit  by  experience.  Many  gentlemen  from  all  parts  of  the 
cotmtry  would  come  forward  as  judges. 

Again,  take  the  way  in  which  the  Judges  were  appointed  at 
the  last  Birmingham  Show.  At  the  eleventh  hour,  or  shall  I 
say  as  the  two  Judges  were  proceeding  to  their  duties,  another 
gentleman  being  of  opinion  that  they  had  more  work  to  per- 
lorm  than  their  time  would  allow  of,  asked  them  to  go  to 
the  Committee,  and  say  he  would  withdraw  his  entries,  and 
help  them  to  judge,  if  they  would  allow  him  to  do  so,  which 
the  Committee  did.  Is  this  fair?  I  think  the  fairest  plan 
weuld  be  to  have  one  judge  from  London,  one  from  Lancashire, 
and  the  other  a  local  gentleman,  and  let  each  take  a  cer- 
tain number  of  classes,  according  to  what  variety  of  birds  he 
has  kept,  and  judge  them  on  his  own  responsibility ;  then  when 
an  exhibitor  asks  the  judge  why  he  has  passed  over  such  and 
such  birds,  there  would  be  no  cause  for  the  oft-heard  remark, 
that  "  Mr.  So-and-Sowas  with  me,  he  would  not  give  way,  and 
I  was  obliged  to  do  so." 

Now,  with  regard  to  the  small  number  of  the  entries  at  some 
of  the  shows,  the  reason,  in  my  opinion,  is  because  dealers  are 
allowed  to  exhibit  with  fanciers.  What  fancier  has  a  chance  with 
&  dealer  7  Look  at  the  last  Bath  and  West  of  England  Show  ; 
two  of  our  largest  dealers  took  seventeen  out  of  twenty-eight 
prizes.  Again,  take  the  "  Any  other  variety  "  class  at  the  last 
Birmingham  Show ;  one  dealer  exhibited  no  less  than  twelve 
pairs  of  recently-imported  birds.  Has  any  fancier  a  chance  ? 
In  all  columbarian  societies  there  exists  a  rule  to  the  effect 
that  no  dealer  shall  be  admitted  a  member ;  could  not  a  similar 
jregnlation  be  framed  for  the  principal  exhibitions?  Why 
should  the  dealer  and  Pigeon-fancier  be  placed  on  equal  terms 
in  exhibiting,  when  the  nurseryman  and  amateur  flower-grower 
have  separate  classes  ?  If  a  fancier  go  to  a  dealer  and  buy  his 
best  pair  of  birds  to  exhibit,  he  is  compelled  to  give  a  good 
price  for  them.  As  soon  as  he  is  gone  the  dealer  sets  to  work, 
And  scours  the  country  to  obtain  another  pair  as  good,  if  not 
better,  than  that  which  he  has  just  sold,  and  at  the  first  show 
at  which  the  fancier  and  dealer  meet,  the  former  is  beaten  with 
lis  own  money.  Allow  me  to  quote  Mr.  Fulton  (see  page  41.5 
of  last  volume) — "  It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  many  good 
fanciers  and  exhibitors  have  of  late  given  up  the  idea  of  send- 
ing their  birds  for  competition  "  owing  to  the  reason  I  have 
just  named  ;  and  is  it  not  discouraging  to  exhibit  when  we  are 
placed  on  equal  terms  ? 

Separate  classes  could  not  be  formed  at  all  shows,  but  I 
think  it  would  be  well  to  make  a  trial  of  doing  so  at  one  of  the 
principal  shows.  The  summer  shows  I  always  consider  the 
dealers'  harvest.  Look  at  the  columns  of  "  our  Journal,"  and 
see  who  are  taking  the  prizes ;  they  speak  for  themselves, 
though  I  admit  that  no  ardent  fancier  would  take  his  birds 
from  their  eggs  or  young  to  send  to  shows  at  this  season. 

To  carry  out  such  a  rule  as  I  propose,  the  question  woiald 
arise.  Who  are  dealers  ?  Bather  an  awkward  question  to  de- 
cide ;  still,  it  they  will  not  come  forward  and  acknowledge  them- 
selves dealers,  it  would  become  the  duty  of  all  columbarian 
societies  to  send  up  a  list  of  names  to  the  London  Society ; 
perhaps,  better  still,  appoint  an  independent  gentleman  to 
decide.  I  think  it  is  a  question  of  the  greatest  importance  to  the 
fancy  at  the  present  time,  and  the  period  is  not  far  distant  for 
a  great  change  to  take  place,  for  the  fancy  has  the  worst  of  it 


— namely,  feeding?  They  will  do  anything  required  of  them, 
and  I  would  advise  every  fancier  to  try  them.  I  have  done  so 
with  the  greatest  success,  and  intend  to  double  my  stock  by 
next  season.  At  the  same  time,  cannot  we  improve  them?  I 
most  certainly  say  they  do  not  deserve  what  they  have  received 
at  the  hands  of  '•  Wiltshire  Eector,"  and  the  author  of 
"  Pigeons."  What  class  pays  so  well  at  Birmingham  ?  At 
the  last  Show  there  were  twenty-two  pens  entered.  In  my 
opinion  there  ought  to  be  two  classes  for  them — namely.  Dun 
and  Dun  Chequer,  Blue  and  Blue  Chequer.  I  should  like  to 
hear  the  opinions  of  Mr.  Weir,  Mr.  Cottle,  and  Mr.  Hewitt  as  to 
what  an  Antwerp  should  be  ;  then,  possibly,  some  exhibitors 
of  them  would  be  better  satisfied  than  they  are  at  present  with 
the  judging  of  that  class,  as  there  is  no  recognised  standard  to 
work  to  at  the  present  time. — A  Young  Fancier. 


It  is  the  duty  of  every  fancier  now  to  join  a  columbarian 
society,  and  endeavoar  to  amalgamate  the  whole  of  the  societies 
in  England  and  Scotland  together,  and  form  a  centre  in  London. 
Their  union  would  be  strength,  and  our  voices  would  be  heard 
at  every  Pigeon  show  throughout  the  kingdom.  I  have  not 
raised  this  subject  as  a  raid  against  the  dealers,  but  as  a  ques- 
tion of  fairness  to  the  fancier  in  showing. 

Now  let  me  add  one  word  of  praise  for  the  Antwerps  so  ably 
defended  by  "  A  Foreigner."  Why  should  they  be  discarded 
vrhen  they  posucsa  a  property  invaluable  to  a  breeder  of^Toys 


Driffield  and  Haslingden  Snows. — We  are  asked  to  state 
that  Mr.  Hewitt  was  not  present  as  a  Judge  at  the  Has- 
lingden and  Driffield  Poultry  Shows,  although  under  a  previous 
engagement  to  officiate.  He  unexpectedly  received  a  subpcena 
to  give  evidence  on  a  trial  at  the  same  date. 


BEE   IRREGULARITIES. 

From  one  hive  I  had,  on  the  19th  of  June,  a  first  swarm, 
which  was  safely  hived.  The  bees  clustered  about  the  entrance 
of  the  parent  hive  agaiu  on  July  4th,  as  if  about  to  swarm. 
The  same  occurred  on  the  5th,  and  at  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
the  bees  rose  in  the  air  as  if  swarming  ;  but  they  alighted  on 
the  hive  they  had  just  left,  and  soon  entered  it  again. 

In  the  evening  of  the  6th,  a  "  lifter  "  was  placed  under  the 
hive,  to  give  the  bees  more  room.  On  the  '7th  all  was  quiet. 
On  the  8th  they  again  made  an  attempt  at  swarming,  and 
alighted  on  exactly  the  same  spot  that  the  first  swarm  had 
chosen.  No  sooner  had  they  alighted  than  they  began  to  fly 
back  to  the  hive.  Indeed,  there  were  two  streams  of  bees 
crossing  each  other,  the  one  going  from  the  parent  hive  to  the 
tree,  the  other  returning  from  it  to  the  parent  hive.  It  seemed 
as  if  it  were  a  race  in  which  all  should  touch  the  goal  and 
return  immediately.  It  was  all  over  in  about  five  minutes. 
On  the  ".Hh  they  again  swarmed,  but  this  time  they  were  in 
earnest ;  they  alighted  on  a  pea  rod,  and  were  safely  hived.  All 
this  puzzles  me,  and  may  be  of  interest  to  some  of  your 
readers. — Henry  Cullin,  Galwaij. 

[We  cannot  account  for  these  erratic  mauffiuvres.  Can  any 
of  our  correspondents  explain  them  ?] 


THE  BARON  VON  BERLEPSCH  ON  FOUL  BROOD. 

{Continued  from  page  87.) 
mode  of  ikfection. 

The  disease  may  be  communicated — 

First,  by  feeding  bees  with  honey  taken  from  foul-broody 
hives. 

Secondly,  by  inserting  combs  taken  from  such  hives,  espe- 
cially those  containing  honey  and  pollen. 

Thirdly,  probably  also  by  the  miasma  of  the  surrounduQg 
atmosphere. 

Fourthly,  by  bees  from  healthy  stocks  robbing  or  attempting 
to  rob  the  foul-breeding  hive  of  its  stores.  This  is  especially 
apt  to  be  the  case  if  the  robber  bees  have  brood  to  rear  at  home. 

Fifthly,  by  the  bee-keeper  himself,  if  after  opening  and  ex- 
amining a  diseased  hive  he  proceeds  to  open  and  operate  on  a 
healthy  one  without  previously  waehing  his  hands. 

Sixthly,  by  uniting  the  bees  of  a  diseased  stock  with  those  of 
a  healthy  one  when  there  is  young  brood  in  the  hive  of  the 
latter,  although  the  union  can  be  safely  effected  where  there  is 
no  brood.  Even  honey  from  foul-breeding  stocks  given  to 
colonies  which  have  no  brood  seldom  does  any  harm,  although 
it  would  otherwise  certainly  introduce  the  disease.  It  is  usu- 
ally considered  that  a  queen  from  a  foul-breeding  stock  in- 
troduced alone  into  a  healthy  colony  will  not  communicate  the 
disease.  Spitzner  says,  however,  that  he  infected  a  healthy 
colony  by  introducing  such  a  queen  into  it.  The  same  occurred 
to  Dr.  Asmuss  in  two  cases,  to  Mr.  Arnold  in  one  ;  and  in  my 
own  apiary  iu  1867,  a  colony,  certainly  healthy  at  the  time, 
became  diseased  shortly  after  I  had  introduced  into  it  an 
unattended  queen  taken  from  a  foul  breeding  stock.  There 
1  seems  to  be  no  good  conceivable  reason  why  a  queen  should  not 


Aogast  6, 1868.  ] 


JOUKNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


105 


thus  communicate  the  disease  when  it  is  well  ascertained  that 
it  ia  frequently  so  commnnicated  by  workers. 

Seventhly,  by  hiving  a  swarm  or  transferring  a  colony  into  a 
hive  previously  occupied  by  a  foul-breeding  stock.  Scalding, 
sooaving,  and  other  modes  of  purification  do  not  always  effec- 
tually disinfect  such  a  hive,  in  which  the  disease  may  break 
out  again,  even  after  the  lapse  of  years. 

Eighthly,  by  locating  a  colony  on  the  place  or  stand  which 
has  previously  been  occupied  by  a  diseased  stock.  Instances 
are  known  where  foul  brood  occurred  under  such  circumstances, 
although  the  stand  had  remained  unoccupied  for  more  than  a 
year. 

Finally,  Dzierzon  informed  me  verbally  that  the  disease  may 
be  communicated  and  disseminated  even  by  the  flowers  and 
blossoms  frequented  by  bees  from  foul-breeding  stocks,  as  those 
from  healthy  colonies  visiting  the  same  flowers  may  carry  the 
infection  home.  Ho  stated  that  he  knew  of  instances  where 
foul  brood  was  communicated  to  distant  apiaries  without  a 
transfer  thither  of  either  bees  or  colonies.  Waltzer  says  he 
has  made  similar  observations ;  so  likewise  Hoffman-Brand. 
And  it  appears  to  be  very  probable,  for  at  the  Apiarian  Con- 
vention at  Dresden,  a  member  of  a  Bee-keepers'  Club  related 
one  evening  that  some  thirty  years  ago  foul  brood  became  so 
thoroughly  and  rapidly  disseminated  from  place  to  place 
throughout  Saxony,  that  in  a  few  years  nine-tenths  of  the 
colonies  there  were  totally  destroyed,  and  bee  culture  ruined 
for  a  time. 

MEANS    OF    PREVENTION. 

1.  Be  cautious  in  purchasiug  honey  for  feeding,  and  use  none 
for  that  purpose  unless  you  are  certain  that  it  has  been  pro- 
cared  from  healthy  colonies.  Never  feed  your  bees  with  West 
Indian  or  Cuban  honey,  as  it  is  a  well-ascertained  fact  that  foul 
brood  has  been  caused  by  the  use  of  such  honey. 

2.  Be  equally  cautions  in  purchasing  bees.  Introduce  none 
into  your  apiary  that  are  not  free  from  this  disease.  The  ex- 
istence of  foul  brood  in  a  colony  can  easily  be  ascertained  by 
the  fcctid  odour  diffused  in  the  hive. 

This  is  about  all  that  the  bee-keeper  can  do  in  the  way  of 
prevention.  He  cannot  prevent  his  bees  from  carrying  in  im- 
pure or  infectious  honey,  for  they  will  gather  it  from  any 
source  to  which  they  have  access.  Mr.  Stoehr's  bees  resorted 
to  a  neighbouring  confectioner's  for  honey  which  was  there  ex- 
posed in  an  open  cask.  Shortly  afterwards  foul  brood  made  its 
appearance  in  his  apiary,  and  finally  ruined  all  his  colonies. 

TREATITENT    OF   FOCL-BREEDINC.    STOCKS. 

I.  As  we  do  not  yet  know  how  foul  brood  origiimtfs — that  is, 
we  are  ignorant  of  the  cause  or  causes  which  produce  it,  but 
merely  know  the  fact  that  it  is  fatal  to  the  larva>,  we  can  only 
hope  to  arrest  and  cure  it  by  removing  the  queen,  &nA pifvcnt- 
infi  the  prMluction  of  brood — thus  literally  starving-out  the  dis- 
ease by  withholding  that  on  which  it  feeds.  One  who  knows 
something  of  the  nature  of  the  malady  can  only  smile  when  be 
finds  various  prescriptions  and  medicaments  to  be  administered 
to  the  bees,  recommended  as  infallible  cures.  Healthy  bees 
introduced  into  an  infected  hive  soon  become  diseased,  and  can 
we  expect  that  bees  already  suffering  from  foul.brood  can  be  re- 
stored to  health  while  remaining  in  a  hive  imbued  with  the 
virus,  and  immersed  in  au  atmosphere  surcharged  with  the 
infectious  miasma,  by  administering  a  few  drugs?  If  such 
remedies  ever  seem  to  be  of  service  it  must  be  in  cases  where 
the  disease  would  have  spontaneously  disappeared,  thus  caus- 
ing to  be  ascribed  to  some  quack  concoction  what  was  really 
due  to  the  vivific  energies  of  nature.  A  colony  suffering  from 
foul  brood  of  the  first  or  malignant  grade  is  absolutely  in- 
curable. All  that  can  be  done  is  to  remove  and  melt-up  the 
combs,  and  use  the  bees  for  starting  an  artificial  colony,  or  to 
strengthen  a  weak  oue,  after  having  kept  them  confined  in  a 
well-ventilated  hive  on  a  low  diet  for  forty-eight  hours;  for 
though  the  queen  be  removed  from  such  a  colony,  and  the  bees 
cleanse  the  cells  of  all  the  offensive  matter,  the  disease  will 
certainly  reappear,  and  usually  with  aggravated  virulence,  when- 
ever the  queen  is  reintroduced  and  breeding  resumed.  The 
honey,  the  pollen,  the  combs,  nay,  the  hive  itself,  retain  the 
infections  matter.  Nothing  short  of  entire  renovation  will 
avail  aught. 

I  must,  therefore,  treat  with  disfavour  all  attempts  to  cure  a 
colony  infected  with  foul  brood  of  the  first  grade  ;  at  least,  by 
no  process  whatever  was  it  curable  in  Thuringia  when  it  had 
once  broken  out.  Even  the  expelled  bees,  long  kept  on  "  star- 
vation diet,"  and  then  placed  in  a  new  clean  hive,  soon  berame 
%s  badJy  diseased  as  before.    Daring  the  summers  of  18U5  and 


1866,  being  requested  to  aid  bee-keeping  trienda,  I  made  four 
attempts  to  save  their  beea,  experimenting  with  due  circum- 
spection and  care,  yet  without  any  successful  results  whatever ; 
and  my  unhesitating  advice  now  is,  to  subject  every  colony  so 
diseased  to  the  brimstone  process  when  all  the  bees  have  re- 
turned at  eve,  and  thus  arrest  the  spread  of  the  evil,  which  may 
otherwise  soon  extend  to  every  colony  in  the  apiary.  In  1864 , 
I  communicated  to  the  "  Bee  Journal,"  an  account  of  the  utter 
ruin  of  an  apiary  of  seventy-seven  splendid  ooloniea,  caused  by 
the  introduction  of  foul  brood.  Dzierzon,  too,  seems  to  have 
lost  all  regard  for  curative  processes,  for  in  his  latest  work  he 
says,  "  The  better  course  is  to  make  short  work  of  it ;  turn  the 
contents  of  the  hives  into  money  as  best  we  may,  and  there- 
with purchase  healthy  stocks." 

2.  In  like  manner  I  would  advise  resorting  to  the  brimstone - 
pit  whenever  putrid  cells  are  observed  in  a  hive,  for  we  cannot 
say  whether  this  is  not  the  beginning  of  a  rapidly  spreading, 
devastating,  and  incurable  disease.  But  if  when  first  dis- 
covered a  considerable  number  of  hives  are  already  infected, 
though  none  extensively  damaged,  it  will  be  better  to  watch 
matters  patiently  awhile,  for  in  such  case  we  may  regard  it  as 
most  likely  to  be  curable  foul  brood,  or  of  the  second  grade. 

3.  Foul  brood  of  the  second  grade  can  be  more  easily  arrested 
and  removed,  though  not  without  considerable  damage.  If  the 
queen  be  removed,  the  workers  will  have  cleansed  the  cells  of  all 
infectious  matter  long  before  the  young  queen  begins  to  lay. 
The  cure  will  be  the  more  effectual  if  the  combs  be  removed  as 
soon  as  the  brood  has  emerged  from  the  cells,  and  a  new  hive 
finally  given  to  the  colony.  As  queen  cells  are  among  the  first 
to  become  putrid,  all  that  may  have  been  built  in  the  queenlesa 
hive  should  be  destroyed  ia  about  a  week,  and  a  sealed  one  in- 
serted from  a  healthy  stock. 

4.  Examine  all  the  hives  thoroughly  in  the  autumn,  at  the 
latest  in  October,  when  all  the  brood  has  matured,  and  remove 
any  comb  that  contained  or  still  contains  foul  brood  in  any  of 
the  cells. 

5.  Foul  brood  of  the  second  grade  not  uufrequently  dis- 
appears spontaneously;  but  I  would  advise  no  one  to  rely  on 
that,  rather  proceed  as  suggested  under  the  two  preceding 
heads.  I  have  known  two  instances  where  the  bee-keepers  re- 
mained unconcerned,  doing  nothing,  and  in  the  following  sum- 
mer nearly  all  their  colonies  were  ruined  by  foul  brood  in  its 
most  malignant  form. 

6.  The  hives  should  be  well  scalded,  and  then  fumigated  with 
brimstone.  It  is  also  advisable  to  burn  up  any  propoUs  they 
may  contain,  by  means  of  a  blazing  wisp  of  straw,  before  scald- 
ing the  hives.  After  scalding  and  before  fumigating  them,  they 
should  be  washed  with  a  strong  solution  of  chloride  of  lime.  If 
the  disease  was  foul  brood  of  the  second  grade  only,  hives  thus 
treated  may  be  immediately  used  again  ;  but  if  the  foul  brood 
was  of  the  malignant  type,  it  will  be  safest  to  set  them  aside  for 
two  or  three  years.  The  stands  on  which  foul -breeding  hives 
have  stood  should  also  be  washed  with  the  solution  of  chloride 
of  lime,  and  had  better  be  left  unoccupied  at  least  one  year. 

7.  As  I  have  no  knowledge  whatever  of  the  third  grade  of 
foul  brood,  I  can  only  advise  treating  it  like  that  of  the  second 
grade  where  it  is  supposed  to  exist. 

8.  It  bus  been  suggested  that  colonies  infected  with  foul 
brood  should  not  be  forthwith  condemned  to  the  brimstone-pit, 
but  be  removed  to  a  distance  from  the  apiary  for  further  ob- 

!  fiervation  and  treatment.  I  should  not  recommeud  this,  unless 
some  isolated  spot  were  available,  witbin  a  radius  of  three  or 
four  miles  of  which  no  other  bees  were  kept;  for  it  would  be 
morally  wrong,  though,  perhaps,  not  legal  felony,  thus  to  carry 
death  and  destruction  within  the  range  of  your  neighbours' 
bees. — A.  Von  BiBLErscii. 

(To  be  contiuaed.) 


THE   BEE   MOTH. 

Tins  insect  ia  justly  regarded  as  one  of  the  worst  onomies  of 
the  honey  bee,  as  its  depredatious  involve  the  destruction  of 
combs,  brood,  and  stores.  Happy  the  beekoeper  who  kuows 
bow  to  exclude  it  from  his  hives  or  arrest  and  prevent  its 
devastations. 

Tbe  scientific  name  of  this  pest  is  Tinea  mellonella.  There 
nre  said  to  bo  three  kinds  of  it,  one  of  which  has  been  called 
Tinea  cereana ;  but  it  seems  probable  that  two  of  these  are 
mere  sexual  varieties.  That  of  medium  size  is  regarded  as  the 
most  destructive.  The  smaller  kind  is  often  seen  at  dusk  in 
summer  evenings,  hovering  about  in  front  of  the  hives,  seeking 


106 


JOimNAL  OP  HORTICULTUEE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  AognBt  6,  1868. 


entranee.  The  bees  evidently  become  excited  on  noticing  its 
approaefa,  and  angrily  reeiet  it.  When  saocessful  in  effecting 
an  entrance,  these  moths  deposit  their  eggs  in  the  droppings 
and  refuse  matter  on  the  bottom  board,  if  any  be  found  there  ; 
and  from  it  the  larvffi,  when  hatched,  derive  their  nourishment. 
The  larger  kind  doee  not  usually  make  its  way  into  the  hive 
till  after  the  smaller  kind  has  effectually  secured  posseeFion 
and  made  extensive  progress  in  the  work  of  devastation.  The 
colour  of  the  medium  kind  is  grey.  The  egg  greatly  reeembles 
that  of  the  queeri  bee.  The  fuU-grown  moth  may  often  be 
seen  sitting  quietly  on  a  hive,  near  its  entrance,  or  on  some 
projecting  ledge  or  c'oi*ner.  It  frequently  deposits  its  eggs  in 
cracks  or  crevices  through  which  the  heat  and  odour  of  the  hive 
escape. 

As  soon  as  the  larvs9  are  hatched,  they  endeavour  to  crawl 
into  the  hive  through  some  opening  or  cranny,  however  narrow  ; 
and  if  successful,  at  once  take  post  in  and  live  on  the  offdl  and 
particles  of  wax  they  may  chance  to  find  on  the  tottom.  They 
grow  very  rapidly,  mount  the  combs  as  soon  as  they  can  reach 
them,  and  enter  the  ceils.  Arrived  there,  they  speedily  con- 
struct their  galleries,  tunnelling  passages  along  the  common 
base  of  the  cells,  and  extending  their  devastating  course  towards 
the  centre  of  the  comb,  in  quest  of  cells  containing  pollen. 
Thepe  appear  to  be  their  favourite  resort,  whence  they  advance 
rfeveHing  in  the  delights  <if  havoc  and  destruction.  Nor  do 
those  portions  of  comb  which  contain  brood  escape  attack. 
The  defenceless  larvas  perish  when  the  side  walls  of  the  cells 
are  broken  idown  or  undermined  ;  and  the  ruiu  of  the  colony  is 
sore  to  fnllow  qnickly,  if  the  bee-keeper  do  not  come  to  the 
rescue.  Even  though  a  woiker  occasionally  lays  open  the 
gallery,  the  naspagd  is  too  narrow  to  permit  her  to  enter  and 
diblodge  the  iubidiuus  foe,  which,  moreover,  quickly  retixes  to 
a  (tafe  distance. 

Since  only  feeble  stocks  are  overpowered  by  the  worm,  or  such 
as,  not  being  very  populous,  are  at  the  time  engaged  in  rearing 
a  queen,  and  are  ciinFequeDtly  daily  growing  weaker,  it  occasion- 
ally happens  that  the  bees  are  literally  crowded  out  and  con- 
fitrained  to  abandon  their  maneion.  The  inexperienced  and  in- 
expert bee-keeper,  seeing  numbers  of  workers  constantly  massed 
at  the  entrance,  fancies  be  has  a  strong  and  growing  colony, 
till  snddenly,  on  some  fine  afternoon,  the  bees  come  tumbliug 
oat  helter-bkelfcar,  and  hastily  take  French  jeave  of  their  aston- 
ished owner.  If  such  absconding  colony  was  well  supplied  with 
comb,  a  etrange  spectacle  of  universal  ruin  will  present  itself 
when  the  hive  is  opened.  A  mixed  multitnde  of  larger  and 
emaller  cream-culoured  worms  with  brownish  beads,  will  be 
seen  hastily  wriggling  into  their  hiding  place — a  dark,  web- 
Etrung  pile  of  mingled  escreta  and  crnmbhng  comb.  Ho^ts  of 
fluttering  ilioths,  too,  hover  like  harpies  on  dnsky  wing,  and  a 
nauseous  odour  e^chales  from  the  filmy  and  cocoon-spangled 
mass.  All  this  is  disheartening;  but  if  thedismayed  bee-keeper 
^onld  have  his  good  humour  restored,  and  himself  put  io  the 
mood  of  paying  more  heedful  attfntion  to  uhat  may  thence- 
forward be  going  on  in  Lis  hives,  let  him  carry  the  non-moth-proof 
box  or  bafket  (o  his  henyard,  and  present  its  contends  as  a 
h&nnt  bouche^  or  tit-bit,  to  his  Sbanghaes  and  Brahma  P<;otras, 
and  he  will  see  such  an  eager  rush  and  scramble  and  hasty 
gobbling-up  of  the  multitujJinoas  host  that  worked  him  harm, 
as  well  may  mollify  his  temper,  and  restore  his  equanimity — 
so  far  as  a  hearty  laagh  cin  thereto  contribute. 

Then  for  prevention. — 1,  Watch  your  hives  closely,  especially 
those  that  have  swarmed,  or  what  are  rearing  queens.  2,  Fre- 
quently cleanse  the  bottom  boards  of  your  feeble  stocks,  and 
inspect  the  combs.  3,  See  whether  there  are  any  black  drop- 
pings nnder  the  combs,  or  whether  the  bees  are  carrying  such 
out.     If  so,  search  for  and  remove  the  worm. 

For  preservation  of  combs. — 1,  Suspend  them  singly  in  a 
high  and  airy  chamber.  2,  Insert  them  at  times  for  cleaning 
in  the  hives  cf  your  stronger  colonies.  3,  Keep  them  in  an 
air-tight  box.  and  fumigate  them  every  two  or  three  weeks  with 
fumes  of  burning  sulphur. 

In  elevated  mountainous  districts,  moths  are  not  apt  to  be 
troublesome,  but  iu  lower  level  and  warm  districts  they  will, 
without  great  care,  be  found  a  numerous  and  intrnsive  pest. — 
{Bee  Jonmal.) 

OUR  LETTER  BOX. 

Address  (A  Cheshire  Suh  eribeT\—We  do  not  know  it. 

Fowls  Pldokino  EjiCH  Other  {Q.  W.^,—Vfe  are  sorry  to  sny  wecan 
Erbow  yoa  a  pert  of  Spauisb  jast  at^  yoa  describe  yonnjwD  to  be.  If  we 
Wjre  alwHTfl  on  thf  spot  we  bpl'-  vo  we  ooairi  preveot  it  by  keepioK  tbem 
well  eoppUed  ^ith  a  variet;  of  greea  fuod.    There  ii,  however,  at  thia 


time  of  year  a  tendency  in  all  cooped  fowls  to  pick  featfaers.  The  «nly 
remedy  we  have  ever  fonnd  is  a  large  supply  ol  green  food,  especially 
lettuce,  and  frebb-dug  monld. 

Ground  Oats  foe  Pooltry  (E.  M  B.^.)-— Your  Hertfordshire  millere 
do  not  understand  f?round  onis  as  tbey  are  made  in  ^aKsex.  nnd  your 
poultry  mau  ha»  never  Been  tbem.  All  the  celehrated  SuRSt;!  to^^U  are 
led  on  them.  When  tbey  are  ground  with  properly  dre-^eed  htouee,  tha 
whole  of  the  corn,  skin  and  all.  is  reducfd  to  a  fin«  powd«r,  and  mixea  as 
easily  and  as  perfectly  a^  wheat  floor.  We  have  tried  onliuary  o^t-i^rind- 
ing,  and  when  Blacked  wilb  water  the  result  bas  b^t- n  aucb  as  we  efaoald 
expect  if  we  mixed  chaff  and  sawduet.  Nothing  i«  t'Uieu  from  th«  out  in 
Sus8Pi,  but  everytbin!?  is  reduced  tn  powder.  This  is  the  great  ntetit. 
The  present  price  in  Sussex  is  about  18s.  per  naok.  but  it  i»  risintf.  Good 
barley  menl  is  far  bttter  food  fur  chickt-ns  than  "toppinj^H."  O  ^r  theory 
is,  the  better  and  heavier  the  corn  the  cheaper  it  is  for  feeding. 

Points  of  Brahma  Pootbas  Subscriber).— In  both  breeds  pel  combs 
are  much  mor<*  cont^idered  than  siot'le  onef.  Thf  Light  KrfihDi^;^  shonld 
bHVu  tails  and  flicbts  blnck,  the  hackle  striped  blnck  atid  white,  all  the 
rest  white,  except  in  the  cock  some  markiuF^s  ou  tbe  SHddle.  The  Dark 
pullet  ebuuld  be  pencilled  all  over,  shva  the  hackle,  wliiuh  i^liould  be 
black  and  wbitM-striped.  The  cock  phonld  have  a  libht  bade  and 
saddle,  a  broitd  barred  black  and  wbi'e  wint?,  I)l'ick  tail  and  th'tibs, 
accurxtoly  sputted  breaet ;  whitt^  Fpois  on  a  black  t.Tound.  Some  have 
quite  black  breasts,  but  as  a  role  the  spotted  are  pief«^rred. 

DDCKS  OVERPBD    SDFPERINO   FROil    DiARRHfEA    AND    CRaMP    iNovice).— 

You  have  entirety  overfed  yoor  DucUa.  aud  apoileii  ibera  wit'i  kiU'tu*'S8. 
Whtit  can  yoa  mean  bv  keeiiiuu  them  warm  at  night?  Our  difficuMy  h-ia 
been  to  keep  them  cool.  If  they  are  shut  in  where  tbt  ro  i-*  wood,  atune.  or 
brick  flooring,  that  causes  tbe  cramp.  Ey  diut  of  meat-feeding  viin  have 
made  your  ducklinya  iriternally  fat.  Tnat  i«  "f  it-elf  an  unnxioral  state, 
and  tboir  vit  ated  appetites  will  accept  nothing  but  utiniuliting  f>>od — 
greave><,  worms,  and  insectn.  Discontinue  everything  of  the  Kort.  Let 
them  roo3t  on  the  ground,  feed  on  oatmenl,  put  in  WHter  with  sods  of 
growing  grass,  do  not  It-t  them  out  in  ihe  raornini?  till  the  grass 
iH  dry,  and  let  them  rough  it  as  soon  as  tbe  dianhosi  and  crauip  have 
disappeared. 

Brahma  Pootrab  wtth  Twisted  Wings  (TT.  B.  S  ).— The  weight  of 
your  chiohODsis  s  tia'actory.  We  are  we  I  acquainted  with  tb«t  twi  I'd 
wing,  and  altljough  in  many  canes  we  have  seun  it  less  develop  id  an  tbey 
grow  older,  we  have  never  known  it  m-nilted  out  nor  euti»ely  cured  by 
any  process  or  operation.  It  is  petceptib'e  when  tfat-y  are  very  >unng. 
It  is  tereditary,  and  chickens  showing  it  should  bu  immediately  gut  rid 
of  by  death  or  otherwise. 

Uniting  Seoond  Swarms  (i  StoJce  Btfe-it€epi»r).— It  would  probably  be 
well  lo  unite  the  two  second  swarms  weakened  by  mbbers,  b;  driving, . 
and  this  b;id  better  be  done  as  soon  as  breeding  is  over. 

Wax  Moia  (J.  Gaie,  i4i*on),— Tbey  are  the  cncnona  and  larvae  of  Tinea 
mellonel  4,  tbe  wax  moth  par  ezceilence.  Thii^  pest,  wLicb  is  furtunately 
nut  common  in  this  conotrv,  is  m'ire  plentiful  ou  tb«  C<mttuent.  wfailMtin 
America,  where  it  is  known  as  "  the  m'ller,"  its  ravaycM  i-re  bo  exieuhive 
that  they  at  one  time  threatened  tu  put  a  stop  to  bee-keeping  altogether 
uutil  checked  by  the  almost  universal  adoption  of  movuubie-cuuib-hivuS. 
See  an  article  iu  tbe  preceding  page. 

Ndtt's  CoLLATEaAi.  HiVE  (Devonia). — Tbe  best  mo'^e  of  securing  the 
slides  or  dividers  if*  to  make  them  a  little  n  i'fer  thiin  tlie  b  'xea  thems'-lves, 
and  let  their  <  dgesfit  into  saw- cut  sin  theb  ickcf  thrde*quirterm'»uldin;j:9 
or  pilasters  fixed  to  the  "  pavilion,"  but  projecting  ao  as  to  ovtxlap  aud 
Conceal  the  juuotions  of  the  three  compartments. 

Yoo.so  Canabieb  Dying  {Subscriber).— Yonr  experience  is  thit  of 
many  afmcer.  who  time  after  time  sees  aome  of  bis  mo-l  promi-ing 
young  birds  drop  off  one  by  one  from  no  apparent  caune,  except  a  g.'idual 
waatiug  away.  Tbis  oisease,  by  wbatevor  namo  it  m  ly  ha  called,  is, 
probably,  tho  result  of  over-inda'gence  in  the  gener.ms  dint  whioh  is 
given  to  youug  birds  just  beginning  to  feed  tbemsalvea.  inducing  indi- 
gestion and  general  disarrangement  of  the  bowels.  When  auy  yonng 
bird  begins  to  mope,  feedin-i  by  fits  and  starts,  and  then  ven  greedily, 
sitli  i-  ifjT  a  length  of  time  with  its  head  ander  its  wing,  with  rufflt^ 
pin  nnue — blow  the  down  from  its  breast,  and  you  will  find  that  ii>hteMd  <•! 
presenting  the  full  plump  appearance  which  indic.ites  heabb,  it  will  be 
mnch  shrunken;  the  lower  part  of  tbe  bodv,  loo,  will  appear  more  or 
less  awolbm.  Various  remedies  are  prcfCiibed  iu  the  Ciuiary  phinna- 
copiBia,  but  cures  have  been  effected  by  administering  a  mild  purgative 
in  the  shape  of  a  few  dri'ps  of  olive  oil.  ftediug  i-u  Jiuteed  and  maw 
seed,  with  wattrcress  for  green  food  ;  but  when  this  disordered  slate  ol 
tbe  system  is  allowed  to  m  ike  mnch  headway,  it  is  very  difficult  to  ward 
off  the  attack.  1  purchased  a  small  coff-^e  mill  this  Bessnn,  in  which  I 
grind  the  common  canary  seed,  and  I  find  that  by  pr«^8eutiug  whole8iiu.e  . 
diet  to  the  bir'is  in  this  shape  tbey  are  able  to  feed  themat-lves  uiooii 
sooner  than  in  any  other  way,  without  the  ri-ik  of  inducing  the  com- 
plaints resulting  from  surfeiting  with  rich  food. — W.  A,  Bi-AKtiTuN. 

Canaries  (  W.  D  Prosser).— We  cannot  toll  all  the  shows  jou  can  ex- 
hibit at.    If  yon  write  to  the  secretaries  tbey  will  inform  you. 

Parrots  (C.  M  ).— We  do  not  know  of  a  better  book  qpon  ParrotB  fian 
tbe  one  of  8ir  W,  Jardine's  "  Katuralist's  Library,'*  published  I'y  timitb 
and  Co.,  Oomhill.  Grey  Parrots  are  usually  tbe  beht  for  talking,  aud 
they  sb'-uld  be  obtained  about  twelve  moutho  old*  The  birda  can  bo  puf- 
chaB«d  of  any  respectable  dealer  in  birds. 


POULTRY  MARKET.— August  5. 

It  is  impoBsib'e  to  give  any  quotation  that  cm  be  depended  npnn. 
Much  poultry  arrives  in  a  putrid  state,  and  rcuUbes  nothing ;  but  a  few 
choice  and  fre&h  samples  make  good  prices. 


Large  Fowls 4 

Smaller  do 3 

Chickens    S 

Geese 6 

Ducklings •— .  2 

Pigeone 0   8      0    9 


d.          8 

d 

0  to  4 

6 

6       4 

U 

0        2 

(i 

0        6 

0 

0        2 

6 

Pheasftnta    ,. 0 

Partriduee    0 

Guinea  Fowla 0 

H..r«8 U 

Habbits 1 

Wuada 0 


0  ua 

0  0 

0  0 

u  • 

4  1 

8  0 


AogiiBt  13,  1868.  ] 


JOUBNAIi  OP   HORTICDIiTURE  AND   COTTAGE     GABDENEB. 


107 


WEEKLY   CALENDAR. 


Day 

of 

Month 


13 
14 
15 
16 

n 

18 
19 


D»y 


Th 

F 

8 

Stm 

M 

Tw 

w 


AUGUST  18-19,  1868. 


Taonton  Deane  HorticnlturiU  Show. 

10  Sunday  after  Trihity. 

Royal  Horticultural  Society,  Fruit,  Floral, 
(and  General  Meeting, 


AveraKe  Temperatare 

Etain  in 

last 
41  yeara. 

Son 

Son 

Moon 

Moon 

Moon's 

near  London. 

Rises. 

Sets. 

Rises. 

Sets. 

Age. 

Day. 

NlKht. 

Mean. 

Days. 

m.       h. 

m.    h. 

ra.    h. 

m.     h 

Days. 

74.2 

GOO 

62.1 

19 

44aJ4 

24aJ7 

morn. 

I4af  li 

2S 

73.7 

604 

61.6 

17 

45       4 

22      7 

24  af  0 

19      4 

28 

72.8 

4fl-il 

61.3 

16 

47      4 

20      7 

18       1 

18      5 

27 

73.0 

rA.I) 

62.0 

20 

48       4 

18      7 

24       2 

8      B 

28 

72,  fl 

49.8 

61.8 

22 

60      4 

16       7 

88      8 

52      6 

29 

70.2 

00.4 

61.8 

15 

61       4 

14      7 

68      4 

27      7 

• 

73.1 

48.8 

6D.9 

19 

63       4 

12      7 

21      6 

58      7 

1 

dooh 

before 

Snn. 


4  88 

4  22 

4  lO 

8  58 

8  46 

8  as 

B  19 


Day 

frf 
Tear 


226 
227 
228 
229 
230 
231 
232 


From  observations  taken  near  London  daring  the  last  forty-one  yeara,  the  average  day  temperature  oJ  the  week  is  72.7' ;  and  itR  night 
mperature  60.0\     The  greatest  heat  was  92',  on  the  16th  and  18th,  1842  ;  and  the  lowest  cold  86°,  on  the  18th,  1866.    The  greatert  Jail 


temperata 

of  rain  wsa  1.14  Inch. 


STRAWBERRY  RAMBLES  IN   ENGLAND. 

'  N  the  Ultli  of  June  I  left  this  on  a  visit  to 
old  England,  with  a  view  to  see  once  more 
my  kind  friends  in  that  hospitable  country, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  renew  acquaintance 
with  my  pet  the  Strawbeny,  so  successfully 
grown  there. 

With  us  in  France  the  Strawberry  season 
has  been  the  sliortest  on  record,  not  lasting 
beyond  three  weeks,  and  in  consequence  of 
the  extraordinary  drought  and  intense  heat 
(no  rain  having  fallen  here  ever  since  the  end  of  April, 
whilst  waterings,  however  copious,  had  no  effect  beyond 
keeping  the  plants  alive),  the  greater  part  of  the  berries 
were  roasted  by  the  tropical  sun,  without  attaining  tlieir 
proper  size. 

On  my  arrival  in  London  I  hurried  ofl'  to  Kidderminster, 
upon  the  invitation  of  my  esteemed  friend  Dr.  Roden. 
Strawberries  there  appeared  to  be  in  a  very  advanced 
state,  and  many  seedlings  of  his  own  either  past  their 
best  or  just  in  proper  condition  to  be  seen,  which  was 
naturally  a  matter  of  great  interest  to  me.  There,  like- 
wise, the  drouglit  and  heat  were  very  troublesome,  and 
threatened  to  annihUate  the  fine  prospect  of  a  fair  crop; 
still  the  earlier  kinds  were  very  fine,  and  foremost  of  these 
was  Dr.  Roden's  wonderful  seedling  Enrhi  Pmlijti;  I  dare 
to  say  the  noblest-looking  plant  of  the  whole  collection, 
and  altogether  worthy  of  the  high  character  which  was 
attributed  to  it  in  the  columns  of  tliis  Journal.  The  plants, 
forty  in  number,  all  last  year's  runners,  were  in  beautiful 
health,  and  literally  covered  with  fruit,  though  many  of 
the  largest  berries  had  already  been  gathered.  Tliis  sort 
will  be  invaluable  as  a  very  early  one,  nothing  in  the  same 
way  having  as  yet  been  raised  to  approach  it.  The  beauty 
of  the  plants  and  their  numerous  clusters  of  fruit,  all  of 
the  finest  shape  and  quality,  were  well  worth  a  long 
journey. 

Then  comes  Duke  of  Edinhiiri/h,  a  noble  and  very  large 
kind,  of  roundish  shape,  with  quite  prominent  seeds,  and 
a  glossy  neck.  This  succeeds  Early  Prolific,  and,  I  am 
inclined  to  believe,  will  be  much  later  in  an  ordinary 
season.  The  same  may  be  said  of  iSiillicii,  a  magnificent 
Strawberry  of  the  largest  size,  red  throughout,  and  of 
exceedingly  rich  flavour. 

Dr.  Roden  has  many  other  promising  seedlings  which 
he  will  be  able  to  speak  of  next  year.  AH  the  older  kinds 
which  he  grows  in  perfection,  such  as  Carolina  superba, 
British  Queen,  Cockscomb,  President,  La  Constant o,  Rifle- 
man, Alice  Nicholson,  and  many  otliers  were  in  \  "ry  fine 
condition,  and  had  large  crops.  I  fear,  howevr.-,  that, 
owing  to  the  unfavourable  weather,  my  friend  will  not 
have  had  the  satisfaction  he  was  entitled  to  after  so  much 
care  and  labour  that  he  bestows  on  Ms  fruit  garden  during 
his  leisure  hours. 

Whilst  at  Ividderminster  we  went  on  a  visit  to  W.  Lea, 
Esq.,  at  Droitwitch,  another  keen  and  successful  fruit- 
amateur,  who  gave  us  a  regular  Strawberry  feast,  composed 
of  beautiful  dishes  of  the  finest  kinds,  such  as  Sir  .Joseph 

No.  385.-V0L.  XV.,  New  Seeieb. 


Paxton,  Frogmore  Late  Pine,  Dr.  Hogg,  Mr.  P..adclyffe, 
and  others,  aU  great  favourites,  and  of  these  the  finest 
specimens. 

During  a  visit  to  the  Royal  Gardens  at  Frogmore  I  met 
with  the  kindest  reception,  as  usual,  from  Mr.  John  Powell : 
but  here,  as  everywhere  else,  and  in  spite  of  the  greatest 
facilities  at  hand  as  regards  water,  Strawbonies  were 
suffering,  and  by  no  means  so  large  and  handsome  as  one 
is  accustomed  to  see  here.  On  the  day  of  my  visit  the 
sorts  still  in  bearing  were  Frogmore  Late  Pine,  Cockscomb, 
and  John  Powell,  tlie  latter  evidently  a  very  useful  sort, 
inasmucli  as  it  seemed  to  stand  the  drought  better  than 
most  others. 

Leaving  London  again,  I  directed  my  steps  to  Eagles- 
clifle,  near  Yarm,  in  Yorkshire,  where  the  widow  of  my 
late  friend,  Mr.  Nicholson,  successfully  assisted  by  an 
intelligent  gardener,  continues  the  special  culture  of  the 
Strawberry,  always  a  favourite  occupation  of  her  regretted 
husband.  I  was  much  pleased  after  an  interval  of  six  years 
to  find  that  the  usual  order  and  tidiness  prevailed,  and  but 
for  the  effects  of  the  long-continued  drought  an  enormous 
crop  of  Strawberries  would  be  gatliered.  I  noticed  several 
promising  seedlings,  one  of  which  seems  to  deserve  par- 
ticular attention,  and  which  is  intended  to  be  called  William 
James  Nicholson.  This  is  a  very  large,  handsome,  late 
kind,  of  beautiful  appearance,  and  of  the  richest  flavour, 
quite  distinct  from  any  we  already  possess. 

From  the  north  I  proceeded  westward,  on  a  visit  to 
my  friend  the  Rev.  Dalston  Clements,  at  Warleggon 
Rectory,  in  Cornwall,  the  gardens  of  which  are  famous  for 
the  large  specimens  of  Rhododendrons,  such  as  are  not 
often  to  be  found.  Here,  owing  to  the  peculiar  climate  of 
the  country  and  the  neighbourhood  of  the  sea,  although 
the  heat  was  likewise  very  intense,  vegetation  did  not  look 
so  dried  up  as  elsewhere,  and  my  eyes  were  gladdened  by 
verdure. 

Mrs.  Clements  has  always  taken  a  great  interest  in 
raising  Strawberries  from  seed,  and  we  are  indebted  to 
her  for,  among  others,  Gweniver,  Sabreur,  and  Her  Ma- 
jesty, all  noble  fruits,  and  quite  distinct.  As  a  matter  of 
course,  in  Comwall  Strawberries  were  things  of  the  past ; 
still  Mrs.  Clements  managed  to  surprise  me  with  a  fine 
basketful  of  Her  Majesty  on  the  day  of  my  arrival. 

Before  concluding,  I  cannot  but  name  a  man  to  whom 
we  fragarians  owe  a  great  deal  of  gratitude — I  mean  Mr. 
Samuel  Bradley,  late  gardener  to  Lady  Norton,  at  Elton 
Manor,  near  Nottingliam,  the  raiser  of  Oscar,  Sir  Joseph 
Paxton,  and  Dr.  Hogg,  three  of  the  most  valuable  Straw- 
berries ever  raised.  I  shall  here  particularly  allude  to 
Sir  Joseph  Paxton,  one  of  the  greatest  achievements  in 
Strawberry  culture,  and  for  which,  according  to  my  opinion, 
the  British  lovers  of  this  fruit  ought  to  grant  a  national 
award.  With  Sir  Joseph  Paxton  in  our  gardens,  it  will 
henceforth  be  no  longer  permitted  to  grow  Black  Prince, 
Keens'  Seedling,  and  similar  varieties  of  the  past. 

On  my  way  home  I  called  upon  the  Messrs.  Rivers,  at 
Sawhridgewortli,  and  I  must  confess  that  my  most  sanguine 
expectations  were  surpassed.  I  know  it  is  useless  to  say 
anything  in  praise  of  Messrs.  Rivers'  establishment,  and 

No.  1037.- Vol.  XL.    Old  Sbmbs. 


108 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOETICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEBENEE. 


[  Angost  13,  1883. 


I  have  allnded  to  it  merely  to  observe  that  my  visit  will  num- 
ber amongst  the  most  intereetinR  I  made  during  my  happy 
aogoiua  in  England. — Ferdinand  Gloede,  Beauvais,  France. 


SELECT   ZONAL,  FANCY,   AND   FRENCH 
PELARGONIUM'S, 

AND    THEIR  PROPAGATION. 

WoijLD  you  give  me  the  names  of  eighteen  distinot  Zonal 
and  Variegated  Zonal  Pelargoniums  for  a  greenhouse  12  feet 
long  and  8  feet  wide  ?  The  house  being  so  small,  I  wish  to 
have  in  it  the  best  selection  I  can,  and  to  have  each  plant  as 
distinct  as  possible. 

I  also  wish  for  the  names  of  sis  or  eight  of  the  best  distinct 
Fancy  and  French  Pelargoniums,  together  with  directions  as 
to  the  time  and  mode  of  propagating  them  by  cuttings. — J.  L. 
[We  here  publish  "  J.  L.'s  "  letter  and  Mr.  WiUs's  answer, 
because  the  conditions  to  which  that  answer  applies  being 
known,  it  will  be  ueeful  to  many  readers  who  desire  similar 
information. — Eds.  ] 

Zonal  Pelargoniums. — The  following  will  be  found  to  pos- 
aess  first-rate  qualities,  and  are  quite  distinct : — 

Lord  Derby. — Pine  orange  scarlet,  a  large,  round,  flat  flower. 
The  best  in  commerce. 

Beante  de  Suresnen. — Bright  rose ;  large,  handsome  flowers,  of 
fine  form  and  substance. 

The  Banner  (Wills). — The  largest-flowered  Zonal  Pelargo- 
nium in  cultivation,  fine  scarlet ;  good  habit,  and  large  truss. 

WilWs  Maj/enta  Queen. — Splendid,  new  in  colour  ;  good  for 
bedding  or  greenhouses. 

r/»e  Clipper. — Dazzling  scarlet ;  large  and  well-formed  flower. 

Qiteen  of  Roses. — Very  bright  rose  colour,  of  fine  form. 

Beauty. — White,  with  rose  centra;  good  habit,  and  very 
free. 

To  the  above  the  following  double  varieties  should  be  added. 
No  collection  can  be  complete  without  them  : — 

Madame  Lemoine. — Neat  dwarf  habit ;  flowers  borne  in  large 
trusses,  very  double,  and  of  a  beautiful  peach  colour.  It 
flowers  quite  as  freely  as  Tom  Thumb.  This  is  undoubtedly  a 
great  acquisition,  and  will  be  one  of  the  plants  most  sought 
after  for  conservatory  decoration  for  several  years  to  come. 

Triomplic  de  Thuvic.snil. — Rosy  violet  carmine,  remarkably 
lar^^e  truss  of  compact  double  flowers ;  habit  good  and  very 
free-flosvering. 

_  Triumph.  —  Fine    scarlet   flowers,    double  ;     habit   rather 
vigorous. 

The  new  double  Tom  Thumb,  Madame  Rose  Gliarmeux,  is 
also  fine,  and  may  be  included  in  the  above  list. 

Vaeieoated  Pelabooniums. — The  following  are  sure  to  give 
eatisfaction : — 

Florence  (Wills).— A  splendid  Golden  Variegated  Zonal, 
having  a  broad  dark  zone  fringed  with  crimson  and  dark  maroon. 

Litzie  (Willf).— Bright  yellow  margin  with  a  broad  zone  of 
maroon,  barred  with  crimson ;  a  very  fine  improvement  on 
Mrs.  Pollock.     Habit  stout  and  vigorous. 

Lvctj  Grieve. — One  of  the  most  beautiful ;  finely-figured  with 
a  brilliant  surface  zone  of  lake-tinted  crimson  upon  an  under 
bronze  zone. 

Sophia  Dumaresqiic. — A  beautiful  variety  with  robust  consti- 
tution, habit  vigorous  and  freely  branching ;  the  golden  margin 
distinctly  defined  by  a  brilliant  flame-tinted  scarlet  zone. 

Miss  Burden  Goults. — A  beautiful  Silver  Tricolor  with  a  good 
habit,  the  best  in  this  section. 

The  following  three  Bronze  and  Gold  varieties  must  cer- 
tainly be  called  variegated,  and  should  be  included  in  every 
collection— viz.,  Beauty  of  Ribbledalc,  Beauty  of  Calderdale, 
and  Arthur  II.  Wills. 

Fancy  and  French  PELARaoNiuMS. — The  following  eight  are 
best : — 

Charles  Tamer,  scarlet,  with  pure  white  centre,  orange  scarlet 
upper  petals,  with  shaded  maroon  blotch,  very  fine. 

Empress  Eugenie. — Pure  white  with  rose  blotch,  flower  large. 
A  most  beautiful  variety. 

John  Hoyle. — Large  flower,  light  centre ;  orange  red,  richly 
marked  with  dark  red,  top  petals  rich  velvety  maroon. 

Perfection. — A  light  flower,  pretty  form ;  pale  violet  pink, 
white  eye,  with  maroon  blotch  and  neat  rose  margin. 

Pescatorei. — Bright  salmon,  light  centre,  with  deep  crimson 
spots,  very  fine  and  free. 

Smyreis.— Ne.v  large  fringed-flowered,  in  the  way  of  Dr. 
Andr6  ;  flowers  beautiful  clear  white  with  a  -sery  large  crimson 


blotch  on  the  upper  petals.  One  of  the  finest  Pelargoniums 
in  cultivation. 

The  next  two  are  Fancies,  and  veiy  distinct  and  pretty. 

Duchess  of  Buccleuch. — Delicate  lilac,  with  white  throat  and 
edges,  fine  form  and  habit. 

Effie  Z)ea;i«.— Bright  crimson,  painted  white  centre,  very 
pretty. 

The  present  is  a  very  good  time  to  propagate  the  Fancy  and 
French  Pelargoniums  if  the  wood  is  ripe.  The  best  mode  is 
to  prick  the  cuttings  out  in  the  open  ground,  or  if  there  are 
any  spare  hand-glasses  these  may  be  placed  over  the  cuttings. 
Any  ordinary  garden  soil  will  answer  for  them,  and  as  soon  aa 
the  cuttings  have  struck  they  should  at  once  be  taken  up,  potted 
singly  in  small  60-pots,  placed  in  a  frame,  and  kept  close  for 
a  few  days.  They  will  then  soon  commence  rooting  very  freely. 
They  should  be  kept  in  pots  of  this  size  till  the  end  of  Decem- 
ber, when  they  should  be  shaken  out,  potted  again  in  pots  of 
the  same  size,  and  as  the  roots  reach  the  sides  of  the  pots  the 
plants  should  be  shifted  into  larger  ones.  During  this  time 
abundance  of  air  must  be  given  on  all  favourable  occasions ; 
and  as  the  plants  make  their  growth,  and  when  the  shoots  have 
four  or  five  fully  developed  leaves,  the  point  of  each  shoot 
should  be  pinched  out  in  order  to  keep  the  plants  compact  and 
stocky.  If  it  is  desirable  to  have  the  plants  in  flower  early, 
they  must  not  be  stopped  nor  potted  after  the  first  week  in 
February,  but  should  have  a  little  weak  manure  water  given 
them  once  or  twice  a-week.  This  will  cause  them  to  throw  up 
strong  flower  trusses,  and  large  and  bright-coloured  flowers. 

The  spring,  when  the  wood  is  young  and  green,  is  the  best 
and  surest  time  to  strike  cuttings.  Cuttings  struck  in  the 
spring  also  make  the  cleanest  and  best  plants,  especially  il 
they  are  required  for  specimen  plants,  or  for  flowering  late  in 
the  autumn  months.  If  intended  for  the  latter  purpose  the 
growth  should  be  encouraged,  and  just  the  same  attention  paid 
to  them  as  recommended  above  for  the  winter  and  spring  treat- 
ment of  the  autumn-struck  cuttings. — J.  Wills. 


SHRUBS   TRANSPLANTED   LATE   IN   THE 

SEASON. 

Those  who  planted  large  numbers  of  shrubs  late  in  the  spring 
are  likely  to  have  much  cause  to  complain  of  the  season,  as 
their  losses  are  serious  ;  whilst  of  the  shrubs  which  do  succeed 
the  growth  is  so  indifierent  that  the  season  may  be  considered 
as  lost  to  them.  A  dry  spring  and  hot  summer,  however  fa- 
vourable to  many  plants,  are  not  so  to  newly  planted  shrubs  ; 
and  as  watering  is  at  best  but  a  poor  substitute  for  showery 
weather,  and  cannot  always  be  practised,  the  appe&rance  of 
most  subjects  planted  late  in  spring  is  far  from  good,  especially 
that  of  evergreens.  These  have  seldom  had  the  advantage  of 
a  good  night  dew  sines  planting  time.  In  some  cases,  how- 
ever, they  do  not  look  amiss,  and  a  few  days  ago  some  were 
pointed  out  to  me  which  had  stood  the  trial  tolerably  well,  but 
care  and  attention  had  been  bestowed  on  them.  No  great 
amount  of  watering  had  been  afforded,  but  one  or  two  good 
soakings  had  been  given  at  the  roots,  and  the  ground  was  thickly 
covered  with  moss,  which  was  retained  in  its  place  by  pebbles 
thinly  scattered  over  it,  otherwise  the  birds  disturb  such  cover- 
ings very  much.  In  addition,  the  foliage  of  the  plants  had 
been  often  wetted  over  both  morning  and  evening,  using  no 
more  water  than  just  sufficient  to  accomplish  the  purpose. 
With  this  treatment  most  of  the  shrubs  looked  moderately  well, 
although  many  of  them  were  large,  and  their  growth  was  pro- 
gressing, which  is  better  than  when  the  plant  makes  no  advance 
till  late  in  the  autumn,  and  then  not  in  time  for  the  growth  to  be 
ripened  before  winter,  as  is  too  often  the  case  when  it  is 
retarded  at  the  proper  time. 

To  quota  examples  of  failures  in  the  present  year  arising 
from  planting  late  in  spring  would  not  bo  fair,  as  the  season 
has  been  an  exceptional  one  ;  but  there  are  some  shrubs  which 
evidently  like  to  be  planted  earlier,  say  in  midwinter,  or  even 
in  unfavourable  weather,  rather  than  lata  in  spring.  The 
hhododendron  is  one,  for  although  it  may  be  safely  removed 
at  most  times,  it  does  not  succeed  so  well  as  at  other  times  if 
planted  too  late  in  spring.  I  believe  the  losses  with  it  have 
this  year  been  as  great  as  with  most  shrubs.  That  early  in 
autumn  ia  the  best  time  for  planting  many  shrubs  is  generally 
admitted,  but  that  numbers  of  our  most  useful  shrubs  may  be 
safely  traasplanted  in  April  is  also  a  fact  established  by  many 
examples,  and  the  experience  of  the  past  season  is  not  sufficient 
to  disprove  it.    Where  shrubs  or  trees  are  iecsplanted  inaaoh 


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im 


dry  weather,  and  only  supplied  with  a  minimum  of  rain  and 
dew,  their  success  may  bo  doubtful ;  but  even  in  casrs  like 
these,  when  care  in  watering  and  shadinj;  thoir  roots  lias  boon 
aocorded,  as  in  the  example  mentioned  above,  the  loss  lias  not 
been  bo  great^imleed  the  plants  present  a  fair  appcaran'^e. 
As  the  operation  of  transplanting  is  a  purely  artificial  one, 
urtifioial  means  must  be  adopted  for  a  time  to  give  the  plant 
a  fair  start.  In  such  cases,  therefore,  judicious  watering  may 
be  of  service. — J.  Eoeson. 


MR.  PEARSON'S  NURSERIES,  ClilLWELL. 
Hebe  are  to  be  seen  orchard  houses  worth}'  of  the  name ; 
orchard  houses  at  once  grand,  commodious,  substantial,  simple, 
and  useful:  orchard  house  trees — Peaolius,  Nectarines,  Apri- 
cots, &o.,  in  pots  and  planted  out  in  the  borders,  young  trees 
and  old  trees  (some  are  in  their  "teens  "),  all  growing  in  the 
greatest  luxuriance  and  lailen,  yea,  heavily  laden,  with  really 
handsome  and  delicious  fruit.  Never  was  I  more  delighted  than 
I  was  with  my  visit  to  this  fine  nursery.  Wo  have  most  of  us 
read  Mr.  Pearson's  treatise  and  writings  on  orchard  houses.  Well 
and  ably  written  as  they  are,  however,  they  convey  but  a  poor 
idea  of  the  really  magnificent  results  achieved  at  Chilwell.  I 
would  advise  any  who  are  at  all  sceptical  about  the  practicability 
of  orchard-house  culture,  to  go  and  see  Mr.  Pearson's,  and  to 
go  at  once.  The  Peaches  and  ether  fruits  are  now  ripe  and 
ripening ;  seeing  is  believing,  and  if  any  one  after  seeing  do 
not  believe  in  orchard  houses,  then  I  pity  him. 

As  orchard  houses  are  becoming  more  and  more  popular 
every  year,  and  are  now  forming  an  important  feature  in  the 
horticulture  of  the  country,  I  think  we  ought  all  to  tender 
our  hearty  thanks  to  the  able  leaders  and  staunch  advocates 
of  this  system,  Messrs.  Rivers,  Pearson,  and  Wilson,  who  by 
excellent  examples  of  cultivation  in  their  own  grounds,  and 
their  able  writings  and  instructions  through  the  horticultural 
press,  have  done  so  much  to  explode  antiquated  prejudices, 
and  diffuse  genuine  information  amongst  us. 

That  orchard  houses  will  be  more  and  more  wanted  now 
that  their  construction  and  the  cultivation  of  the  trees  are 
becoming  so  well  understood,  is  certain  ;  also,  that  the  finest, 
and  best,  and  cheapest,  taking  lasting  qualities  into  consider- 
ation, that  have  yet  been  erected  in  this  country  are  those  of 
Mr.  Pearson,  '^  equally  a  fact  which  no  one  can  gainsay  who 
has  ever  seen  them.  They  were,  I  was  informed,  erected  by 
Mr.  Foster,  of  Beeston.  The  largest  house  is  100  feet  long  by 
30  feet  v;ide.  It  is  filled  with  beautiful  healthy  trees — Peaches, 
Nectarines,  and  Apricots  chiefly.  Some  are  planted  out,  and 
some  are  in  pots,  but  all  are  doing  equally  well.  There  are 
numbers  of  houses,  however,  and  all  are  full — full  yet  not 
crowded,  a  thing  which  is  too  often  done,  and  nothing  can  be 
worsa  than  this  overcrowding  of  fruit  trees.  There  is  also 
another  feature  in  these  houses  to  which  I  wish  to  direct  at- 
tention. In  some  places  there  is  a  practice  (indeed  many 
places  get  the  credit)  of  "  making-up  a  house  "  of  fine  fruit- 
ing plants  culled  from  all  the  others,  which  is  shown  to  visitors 
as  successful  in  everyway.  Now,  this  is  just  a  mild  way  of 
deceiving  the  public.  Mr.  Pearson  adopts  none  of  these  false 
tactics,  all  the  trees  are  left  in  the  houses  whether  bearing  fruit 
•or  not,  to  be  seen  by  uU.  and  everyone  can  judge  for  himself  of 
the  true  and  actual  results. 

In  one  oT  Mr.  Pearson's  oldest  houses  are  some  really  re- 
markable Peach  trees,  that  have  been  planted  out  fifteen  or 
sixteen  years.  They  are  grown  as  standards,  the  stems  some 
4  feet  in  height ;  the  heads  are  enormous,  and  in  such  health  ! 
loaded  with  scores  of  fine  large  fruit — indeed,  finer  could  not 
be  desired.  I  tried,  but  failed  to  count  the  number  on  one  of 
these  trees.  These  are  orchard-house  trees  in  reality.  The 
Boil  in  which  they  are  planted  is  a  rather  light  yellow  loam  ; 
the  border,  Mr.  Pearson  stated,  was  never  stirred  or  forked  up, 
only  well  watered  when  watering  was  Becessary.  This  solidi- 
fying of  the  soil  about  the  roots  of  Peach  trees  is  an  important 
matter ;  the  soil  caneet  well  be  made  too  firm.  Mr.  Pearson 
does  not  adopt  a  very  close  system  of  pinching  the  shoots ; 
they  are  allowed  to  grow  rather  freely,  and  are  stopped  when 
about  6  or  8  inches  in  length.  That  this  is  the  correct  system 
the  results  themselves  best  affirm. 

In  the  culture  of  Apricots  Mr.  Pearson  is  especially  success- 
ful. The  variety  which  he  grows  most  extensively  is  called  the 
Peach  Apricot  (or  Gros  Peche),  an  eld  sort,  the  stock  of  which 
has  been  kept  true  in  this  nursery  for  many  years.  The 
Moorpark  is  a  aeadling  raised  from  this  sort,  oud  cltbongh 


larger  and  a  recognised  favourite,  is  in  Mr.  Pearson's  opinion 
inferior  to  the  old  one  in  flavour  and  general  good  (|nalitie«. 
The  Peach  Apricot  ripens  better ;  it  ripens  all  round  alike,  and 
is  just  one  ball  of  melting  syrnp.  It  may  have  been  observed 
that  in  the  Moorpark  there  is  very  frequently  a  portion  of  the 
back  of  the  fruit  quite  hard  and  fleshy,  while  the  other  is 
rotten  ripe.  Mr.  Pearson  works  the  Peach  Apricot  on  the 
Brussels  stock,  which,  no  doubt,  has  something  to  do  with  the 
superior  melting  qualities  of  tho  fruit,  the  Muscle  Plum  being 
the  stock  most  commonly  used.  However  or  whatever  may  be 
the  cause,  I  have  never  tasted  Apricots,  excepting  from  some 
open  standard  trees  in  a  garden  at  Noisiel,  near  Paris,  at  all 
comparable  in  melting  luscioueness  to  those  Peach  Apriootg 
grown  in  pots  in  Mr.  Pearson's  orchard  houses.  I  counted  the 
crop  on  several  of  the  trees  (they  are  but  small  trees — standards 
in  10-iuch  pots),  and  found  an  average  of  about  thirty  fruit 
per  plant,  and  all  quite  first-rate. 

Grapes  are  not  grown  to  such  a  great  extent.  There  are, 
however,  some  very  remarkable  examples  of  high  cultivation. 
In  one  of  the  houses  there  are  some  halt  a  dozen  Vines  trained 
to  the  rafters  over  the  tops  of  the  Peach  trees  ;  one  of  these,  a 
Muscat  Hamburgh,  is  very  fine.  There  are  about  twenty 
hunches  on  the  Vines  ;  some  of  them  will  weigh  quite  4  lbs.  I 
should  think ;  the  average  weight  of  the  whole  will  exceed 
3  lbs. — i.e.,  GO  lbs.  to  the  Vine.  The  berries  are  large,  even- 
sized,  jet  black,  with  a  perfect  bloom,  and  not  a  symptom  of 
shanking  amongst  them.  What  a  noble  Grape  this  is,  grown  in 
this  way  !  For  flavour  it  is  well  known  to  be  unrivalled,  yet 
how  very  seldom  is  it  to  be  seen  in  presentable  condition ! 
The  Muscat  Hamburgh  is  of  a  somewhat  weakly  constitution, 
and  has  been  proved  by  Mr.  Thomson,  of  Dalkeith,  and  others, 
to  be  much  improved  by  being  grafted  on  the  Black  Hamburgh ; 
yet  here  Mr.  Pearson  has  it  finer  than  it  has  ever  been  seen 
anywhere,  not  grafted,  but  growing  on  its  own  roots.  It  is 
planted  in  an  outside  border,  if  border  it  can  be  called,  for  any- 
thing— any  material  I  mean — more  wretched  can  scarcely  be 
conceived  for  a  Vine  to  grow  in.  Yet  it  does  grow,  and  that  in 
.splendid  style  ;  and  in  allowing  it  to  grow  as  Mr.  Pearson  does, 
I  believe  lies  the  whole  secret  of  his  success.  It  is  but  a  com- 
mon-sense practice,  yet  how  very  seldom  is  it  followed  !  Bear- 
ing in  mind  that  the  leaves  are  of  equal  importance  to  the 
roots  themselves,  that  through  them  all  the  colouring,  sweeten- 
ing, and  other  matters  which  go  to  the  formation  of  the  fruit 
have  to  pass,  Mr.  Pearson  tries  to  get  as  much  healthy  foliage 
as  possible  without  overcrowding.  The  bearing  shoots  are  first 
stopped  at  two  eyes  beyond  tho  bunch  until  that  is  fairly  set ; 
then  the  laterals  are  encouraged  to  grow,  and  as  geeat  a  deye- 
lopment  of  healthy  foliage  obtained  from  them  as  possible. 
These  Vines,  to  our  trim  rule-of-thumb  gardeners,  have  a 
rather  untidy  appearance ;  but  that  is  more  than  counter- 
balanced by  the  splendid  fruit  obtained.  I  believe  that  if  more 
attention  were  paid  to  the  cultivation  of  leaves,  there  would  be 
far  fewer  complaints  of  bad  borders.  In  the  same  house  there 
is  grafted  on  the  Sarbelle  Frontignan  another  Muscat  Hamburgh, 
which  is  very  inferior.  It  is  scarcely  recognisable,  so  much  ie 
it  altered  ;  the  berries  are  much  smaller,  which  is  evidently 
inherited  from  the  stock.  Buckland  Sweetwater  looked  well 
here,  bearing  some  beautiful  finely-grown  bunches  weighing 
from  3  to  4  lbs.  each. 

Mr.  Pearson  has  some  curious  and  interesting  crosses  from 
the  Strawberry  Grape,  a  variety  almost  worthless  in  itself  for 
eating,  although  some  profess  to  like  it.  It  is,  however,  pos- 
sessed of  a  .strong  perfume,  resembling  that  of  ripe  Straw- 
berries. To  communicate  this  perfume  to  some  of  our  fine 
Grapes  is  a  desideratum,  and  Mr.  Pearson  has  succeeded  so  far. 
One,  a  black  Grape,  is  certainly  scented ;  another,  a  white  one, 
is  of  the  same  peculiar  taste  as  the  Strawberry.  They  require 
much  further  trial,  however.  I  shall  be  curious  to  watch  the 
result. 

One  of  the  largest  houses,  100  feet  by  30  feet,  contains  some 
hundreds — thousands,  perhaps — of  the  finest  young  Vines  for 
fruiting  in  pots  which  I  have  ever  met  with.  They  are  a  sight 
worth  seeing,  well-grown,  plump,  full-eyed,  round  canes, many  of 
them  as  thick  as  one's  fingers.  Canes  like  these  cannot  but 
bear  fruit.  It  has  often  struck  me  as  something  wonderful 
where  aU  the  thousands  of  Vines  go  to  that  are  raised  by  the 
various  nurserymen  every  year.  Very  few  do  I  ever  see  that 
are  purchased  in  the  many  gardens  I  visit  every  year;  yet  they 
are  Ijought,  and  that  greedily,  the  supply  of  good  canes  being 
scarcely  equal  to  the  demand. 

I  observed  in  one  house  a  number  of  the  Muscat  Hambnrgh 
grafted  on  the  Black  Hamburgh  in  pots.     Fine  plants  they  are. 


110 


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[  AugoBt  13,  1868. 


too,  just  fit  for  planting.  As  this  fine  Grape  is  known  to  sue" 
ceed  so  well  on  the  Hamburgh  stock,  it  is  an  excellent  idea 
cl  Mr.  Pearsons  to  prepare  them  in  this  way. 

It  is  not  alone  for  fruit  culture  that  these  nurseries  are 
famed.  In  the  ranks  of  the  most  popular  flowers  of  the  period, 
the  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  iu  which  competition  is  more  keen 
than  in  any  other  line,  Mr.  Pearson  comes  well  to  the  front  as 
one  of  the  mott  successful  cross-breeders.  I  have  only  to  point 
to  his  William  Underwood,  which  when  it  left  Mr.  Pearson's 
hands  some  years  ago,  if  it  had  been  exhibited  in  London 
would  have  created  quite  a  furore.  Lord  Derby,  the  best  of 
its  class,  is  not  such  a  vast  improvement  on  it ;  yet  now  we 
bare  Chilwell  Beauty,  a  fine  Nosegay,  most  excellent  for  early 
pot  cultivation  ;  Bayard,  a  free-blooming,  crimson  scarlet  Nose- 
gay with  a  fine  large  truss ;  and  Pearl,  a  flue  creamy  white 
variegated  kind.  These  have  all  received  first-class  certifi- 
cates, but  here  is  a  lot  not  yet  out  which,  if  I  am  not  mis- 
taken, will  make  their  mark  when  they  do  come.  All  Mr. 
Pearson's  plants  are  planted  out  in  the  open  borders,  not 
drawn  up  under  glass,  and  there  are  some  thousands  of 
them. 

In  the  tricolor  class,  Duke  of  Wellington  is  one  of  the  very 
"  iiriest  "  of  colours  imaginable,  more  so  than  any  exhibited 
at  the  great  tricolor  Show.  Mrs.  Keynolds  Hole,  selected  and 
named  by  Mr.  Hole  as  first-rate,  is  certainly  very  beautiful,  the 
colours  bright  and  vivid,  the  markings  distinct.  It  has  the 
whitest  outline  to  the  leaf  of  any,  and  with  a  peculiar  bluish 
shade  over  the  whole  plant.  Nankeen  is  another  peculiarly 
distinct  sort.  I  scarce  know  wliat  colour  to  call  it.  It 
has  a  sort  of  buff  shade  in  the  distance,  and  will  be  very 
telling.  Lady  Adeliza  Norman  ia  another  fine  tricolor  variety. 
Of  the  Nosegays,  Septimus  Thornhill  will  be  a  tine  acquisition  ; 
likewise  William  Hill  and  Thomas  Speed,  besides  many  others 
which  it  would  be  impossible  to  notice  here. 

Lastly  I  must  not  omit  a  few  words  on  the  Long  Gun 
Cucumbers.  Mr.  Pearson  cultivates  this  variety  exclusively, 
and  in  quantity,  principally  for  the  seed.  No  other  variety  is 
suflered  to  be  near  it,  so  that  all  the  seed  thus  saved  can  be 
depended  on  as  pure  and  true.  It  is  an  old  and  well-known 
sort  to  which  Mr.  Pearson's  name  has  become  attached  simply 
through  the  exceeding  purity  of  his  stock.  Like  all  good 
Cucumbers  it  seeds  but  sparely,  and  in  consequence  is  rather 
scarce.  It  is  an  excellent  variety ;  a  free  bearer,  the  fruit 
growing  from  18  to  21  inches  in  length,  slightly  spiny,  and 
handsome.  Mr.  Pearson  cultivates  it  in  a  low  span-roofed 
house,  trained  to  a  trellis  overhead.  It  is  a  fine  sight  to  see  a 
house  of  Cucumbers  like  Mr.  Pearson's,  with  the  scores  of  club- 
like fruit  hanging  from  the  roof. — Archambaud. 


NEW   ROSES. 


Will  "  D.,"  or  some  other  of  your  contributors  or  corre- 
spondents, tell  us  which  are  the  best  Koses  of  1867 — I  mean 
1867  according  to  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  rule  ?  An 
article  on  these  describing  their  form,  colour,  and  growth  would, 
I  am  sure,  be  heartily  welcomed  by  mai^y  a  rosarian,  who,  not 
being  able  to  attend  the  shows  and  judge  for  himself,  is  yet 
anxious  to  secure  anything  that  is  really  new  and  good. 

WUl  "  D."  also  say  whether  he  still  thinks  highly  of  Miss 
Ingram  ?  I  do  not  like  to  state  what  I  have  always  thought  of 
this  Rose,  a?  I  yet  hope  I  shall  prove  to  be  mistaken. 

I  see  Mr.  Radclyfi'e  says  he  has  not  grown  Marie  Baumann. 
He  has  then  missed  one  of  the  very  best  of  the  Hybrid  Per- 
petuals,  not  excepting  Charles  Lefebvre  and  .Mfred  Colomb. 
It  will  please  him  greatly.  My  friend  Mr.  Cant  and  his  clever 
foreman  Nevard  tell  me  Mdlle.  Jeanne  Marix  is  really  first- 
rate.  Mdlle.  Kady.  too,  Mr.  Eadclyffe  may  depend  on  as  good. 
I  have  also  heard  Franoois  Trey ve  highly  spoken  of,  and  indeed 
saw  it  in  really  good  form  at  Mr.  W.  Paul's  in  July  last.  Felix 
Genero  was  very  much  praised  by  Mr.  W.  Paul  and  his  Rose 
foreman. 

I  am  sadly  plagued  this  season  by  white  mildew.  The  man 
who  could  give  us  a  recipe  for  curing,  or.  better  still,  preventing 
this  pest,  would  deserve,  and  doubtless  get,  something  more 
solid  than  thanks  from  every  true — Rosakian. 


Nicholson  sent  this  Strawberry  with  others  to  me  gome  years 

ago.  It  is  a  very  large  round  Strawberry,  much  like  Ajax  that 
came  with  it.  It  has  wide-spread  bold  crowns,  and  very  large, 
coarse  foliage.  Its  flavour  is  juicy  and  vinous,  and  very  good 
for  so  large  a  Strawberry.  Ambrosia  is  also  like  it,  but  Due 
de  Malakoff  is  much  better  than  either  of  the  kinds  like  it. 
Mrs.  Nicholson  and  Mr.  Rivers  have  the  true  sort. — W.  F. 
Radclytfe. 

DELLS    BEET    AS    AN    ORNAMENTAL    PLANT. 

I  LATELY  spent  a  few  very  pleasant  hours  in  the  gardens  at 
Blenheim  with  Mr.  Albert  Moor,  who  is  there  laying  a  good 
foundation  for  the  future.  "  In  eight  years'  time,"  to  use  Mr. 
Moor's  own  words,  "  he  hoped  to  succeed  in  completing  arrange- 
ments as  he  had  moulded  them  in  his  own  mind."  Truly  it 
will  be  a  long  and  an  arduous  work,  but  such  is  the  tone  of  our 
Oxfordshire  gardeners.  When  I  was  at  Nuneham  Mr.  Stewart 
pointed  out  to  me  the  improvements  which  he  had  already 
succeeded  in  carrying  out  there,  and  said  it  would  take  him  ten 
more  years  to  achieve  the  objects  he  had  in  view,  and  then  "  he 
feared  his  age  would  have  so  increased,"  as  not  to  allow  him 
to  continue  to  enjoy  the  results  of  his  enterprise  and  handi- 
work. I  hope  and  think  differently,  seeing  that  Mr.  Stewart 
has  not  yet  a  grey  hair  on  his  head.     But  to  my  subject. 

I  think  I  never  saw  anything  of  such  striking  effect  as  the 
planting  of  the  ribbon  borders  which  skirt  the  walks  in  the 
kitchen  gardens  at  Blenheim,  and  which  effect  is  chiefly  attri- 
butable to  Dell's  Beet.  These  borders  are  a  mile  in  length, 
and  the  view  of  them  is  quite  unobstructed.  They  are  thus 
planted : — Tom  Thumb  Scarlet  Pelargonium,  Dell's  Beet, 
Mangles'  Variegated  Pelargonium,  Brillante  de  Vaisse  Verbena, 
and  Lobelia  speciosa  (blue).  Certainly  Dell's  Beet  partakes  o£ 
all  the  good  qualities  ascribed  by  Mr.  D.  Thomson  (see  vol.  xiv., 
page  385),  to  Barrett's  Crimson  Beet ;  and,  unless  my  eyes  for 
once  deceived  me,  I  thought  the  bronze  tinge  on  the  leaves  of 
Dell's  Beet  exceeded  anything  I  ever  saw  in  any  Beet — even 
too  much  so,  it  occurred  to  me  when  I  passed  it  in  the  twilight. 
I  feel  it  is  very  rash  in  me  to  set  up  my  own  in  opposition  to 
Mr.  Thomson's  judgment,  but  as  I  saw  it  Dell's  Beet  really 
did  not  lack  the  bronzy  lustre  of  Barrett's.  I  quite  agree  with 
Mr.  Thomson  that  wherever  these  handsome-foliaged  Beets  are 
planted  they  produce  a  good  effect.  More  particularly  are  they 
adapted  for  places  of  great  extent.  What  a  relief  they  are  in 
many  senses  of  the  word  !  They  are  easy  of  cultivation,  no 
incumbrance  to  houses,  and  if  they  are  not  of  quite  so  dark  a 
crimson  in  their  flesh  as  some  kinds  when  used  for  culinary 
purposes,  still  they  appear  of  a  very  respectable  hue  at  table, 
and  are  of  good  flavour,  which  is  of  more  consequence  to  many 
than  colour  without  it.  Again,  flanking  one  of  the  geometrical 
designs  near  the  Palace,  Dell's  Beet  shows  finely  in  a  ribbon, 
with  my  especial  favourite  Oslorn's  Brilliant  Pelargonium  on 
its  right  and  left. — Upwards  and  Onwards. 

P.S. — At  page  74,  for  "  equally  objectionable  from  the  same 
defect  are  Old  Betty  and  Early  Ten-week,"  read  "  similar  in 
cultivation  I  conclude  to  be  Old  Betty  and  Early  Ten-week,"  &c. 


DUG   DE   MALAKOFF   STRAWBERRV. 
I  HAVE  forgotten  what  Mr.  Douglas  said  of  the   Dae  de 
Malakoff,  but  I  am  inclined  to  think  from  the  description  given 
bj  Mr.  Biggs  that  he  has  not  the  true  sort.     The  late  Mr. 


THE   MUSCAT  HAMBURGH   GRAPE. 

I  WISH  some  of  your  readers,  who  think  I  have  always  over- 
estimated this  Grape,  would  come  and  see  mine.  One  bunch 
was  cut  to  exhibit  at  a  flower  show,  and  there  are  nineteen 
bunches  on  the  Vine  now,  weighing  in  all  about  60  lbs.  The 
berries  are  regular  in  size,  and  there  is  no  sign  of  shanking. 

This  Vine  is  growing  iu  as  poor  a  border  as  it  is  possible  to 
find  anywhere — indeed,  it  could  hardly  be  worse,  unless  it  were 
in  a  wet  undrained  situation.  It  was  made  of  strong  soil  with- 
out a  bit  of  turf,  soil  almost  strong  enough  to  make  bricks, 
and  mixed  with  Derbyshire  lime  and  a  little  manure.  The 
soil  is  60  unfit  for  the  growth  of  Vines,  that  it  takes  two  or 
three  years  for  them  to  get  into  healthy  growth,  and  I  believe 
the  roots  have  to  find  their  way  into  the  common  soil  of  the 
garden  before  the  Vines  can  make  strong  wood.  In  such  a 
case  one  would  expect  plenty  of  shanked  berries  ;  and  there 
were  so  many  at  one  time  that  I  intended  to  remove  the  Vines 
and  make  a  fresh  border.  By  encouraging  more  foUage  the 
\  ines  have  attained  their  present  healthy  condition. 

The  shoots  are  stopped  one  leaf  above  the  fruit,  and  every 
time  they  grow  are  allowed  to  make  two  leaves,  so  that  there 
are  six  or  eight  above  the  bunches  on  every  shoot,  and  to  this 
circumstance  the  healthy  condition  of  the  Vines  may  be 
attributed. 


Angast  13,  IBfiS.  ] 


JOOMNA.L  OF  HOUTICULTOfiE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENEK. 


Ill 


When  the  Mascat  Hamburgh  was  ia  bloom  it  was  dusted 
with  a  large  camel-hair  brush,  iiud  thu  berries  set  like  Black 
Hambnrglis. 

When  we  know  how  to  treat  it,  thif  fine  Grape  is  just  as 
easy  to  grow  as  the  commonest  variety,  and  is,  I  think,  quite 
the  finest  flavoured  Grape  in  cultivation. 

It  will  ripen  with  less  heat  even  than  the  Black  Hamburgh. 
In  my  larpe  orchard  house,  where  no  heat  ia  employed,  the 
Muscat  Hamburgh  is  colouring,  whilst  the  Black  Hamburgh  ia 
stiU  green. — .1.  11.  Pk.iiison,  GJiilwell. 


ROSES  AND  OTHER  THINGS  MERITOJ;;OUS  AT 
OKEFORD   FITZPAINE   AND    SALISBURY. 

I  DO  not  put  these  two  places  together  simply  because  I 
visited  them  both  in  one  day,  but  because  1  consider  their 
owners  may  be  very  fairly  taken  as  types  of  the  amateur  and 
public  growei-,  and  that  therefore  1  might  expect  to  see  how 
they  had  fared  during  this  terribly  trying  season.  Mr.  Ead- 
clyffe  ia  well  known  for  his  scientific  treatment  of  the  Rose ; 
and  Mr.  Keynes  has  left  his  mark  in  most  of  our  public  exhi- 
bitions this  year,  as  he  has,  indeed,  always  done  of  late  years  ; 
while  naturally  one  would  expect  to  see  a  different  state  of 
thijigs,  inasmuch  as  the  private  grower  can  always  give  more 
attention,  time,  and  thought  to  his  few  hundreds  than  the 
grower  for  sale  to  his  tens  of  thousands.  Yet  there  is  one  point 
which  I  have  conclusively  settled  in  my  own  mind  after  seeing 
them,  and  that  is,  that  for  general  use  the  Briar  U  doomed. 
Mr.  Radclyffe  has  not  one  ;  and  in  Mr.  Keynes's  quarters  of 
the  stocks  planted  in  autumn  for  budding  this  season,  it  was 
melancholy  to  see  how  many  gaps  there  were,  owing  to  the 
Briar's  never  having  started  at  all,  and  yet  I  believe  Mr.  Keynes 
has  suffered  far  less  than  some  have  done.  We  all  remember 
what  havoc  the  severe  winters  made  with  the  Briars  :  and  now, 
as  it  will  neither  stand  severe  cold  nor  extreme  drought,  and  the 
Manetti  will  do  both,  it  is  time  to  think  seriously  of  discarding 
it.  Exhibitors  will  not  do  so,  I  beUeve,  for  the  maiden  blooms 
from  a  Briar  are  superior  to  those  from  Manetti ;  but  for  the 
general  grower  this  will  not  be  a  matter  for  consideration,  as 
almost  anything  can  be  done  with  the  Manetti  stock. 

Mr.  Radclyffe  has  been,  we  know,  a  strong  and  consistent 
upholder  of  the  Manetti  against  all  opponents,  and  not  unna- 
turally appeals  to  his  own  experience  in  confirmation  of  the 
soundness  of  his  views.  All  Rose-growers  know  what  a  terrible 
season  for  mildew  this  has  been,  and  what  incessant  care  it 
has  required.  Now  on  all  Mr.  Radclyfie's  Roses  there  is  no 
mildew,  or  very  little  to  be  seen.  There  is  not  an  aphis,  I 
truly  believe,  in  his  garden  ;  end  this  is  how  he  has  managed  : 
— He  has  cut  off  and  cut  out  every  piece  of  affected  growth  as 
soon  as  ever  it  appeared.  He  has  washed  his  trees,  has  put  a 
large  quantity  of  good  well-rotted  stable  dung  round  each  plant, 
and  has  given  each  Rose  tree  a  gallon  of  water  every  second 
day.  It  is  manifest  that  he  must  have  had  a  fine  growth  to  be 
able  to  do  all  this  ;  and  so  he  has — shoots  6  and  7  feet  long, 
foliage  large  and  glossy,  and  heaps  of  young  shoots  all  ready 
for  a  start  if  they  can  get  a  good  rain,  so  that  in  September 
there  will  be  such  a  bloom  as  few  will  be  able  to  show.  The 
tirst  bloom  was  magnificent,  I  hear  on  all  sides,  and  I  can  readily 
beheve  it ;  and  with  the  care  taken  it  would  be  indeed  a  sad 
piece  of  ingratitude  on  the  part  of  the  Roses  if  they  did  not 
make  a  good  return. 

But  as  the  Roses  are  well  managed,  so  also  are  the  Straw- 
beiTies  and  fruit  trees.  Of  the  former  Mr.  Radclyffe  has  this 
year  taken  up  most  of  his  large  beds  and  made  fresh  planta- 
tions. These  were  already  made,  and,  notwithstanding  the  ex- 
cessively dry  weather,  were  doing  well ;  but  then,  such  care  as 
they  had — such  preparation  of  the  soil,  manuring,  &c. !  It 
is  useless  with  us  in  our  climate  to  leave  anything  to  Nature — 
we  cannot  do  it ;  and  skill  and  liberality  in  the  use  of  means 
must  make  up  for  those  general  chmatic  influences  which  other 
people  possess. 

With  regard  to  kinds.  Dr.  Hogg,  Mr.  Badclyffe,  Ehza,  Cocks- 
comb, Lucas,  and  Royal  Hautbois  were,  I  think,  the  favourites, 
and  deservedly  so.  Dr.  Hogg  and  Mr.  Radclyffe  approach  one 
another  very  closely,  both  of  British  Queen  race,  the  former 
iuchning  to  the  heart  shape,  the  latter  to  the  cockscomb  shape. 
They  are  both  delicious  Strawberries,  hardy,  and  good  bearers, 
and  no  Strawberry  grower  will  consider  his  garden  complete 
without  them.  Rivers's  Eliza  ia  an  old  but  most  useful  sort, 
a  seedling  apparently  from  Myatt's  Ehza,  but  more  hardy,  and 
a  very  abundant  cropper,     it  hardly  ever  fails  in  the  most 


untoward  season.    Lucas  is  another  favourite  of  Mr.  Eadolyfte. 

It  is  a  seedling  of  M.  De  .fonghe'B,  of  Brussels  ;  the  foliage  is 
large  and  handsome  ;  fruit  fine,  and  of  good  flavour.  Cocks- 
comb is  a  large,  and,  as  its  name  implies,  flat-shaped  fruit, 
but  rich  in  flavour.  Some  of  those  grown  in  Mr.  Radcljffe's 
garden  measured  10  or  12  inches  round.  There  are  some 
people  who  imagine  that  if  a  Strawberry  be  largo  it  must  be 
deficient  in  flavour.  With  some  kinds  this  is  the  case,  but,  on  the 
other  hand,  some  of  our  largest  fruits  are  also  some  of  onr 
highest-flavoured  ones.  Of  Perpetual  Pine,  of  which  much  has 
been  said,  neither  Mr.  Radclyffe,  nor,  I  beUeve,  Mr.  Rivers, 
has  any  very  great  opinion.  Royal  Hautbois  is  a  rich  and 
highly  flavoured  fruit,  prolific,  and  well  worth  cultivating. 
These,  with  some  Alpines,  would  form  a  good  selection  for  any 
garden,  while  from  my  own  experience  I  would  recommend  for 
the  borders  of  kitchen  gardens,  and,  indeed,  for  any  place 
where  quantity  is  desired,  Trollope'a  Victoria.  Nothing  fills  a 
basket  sooner  ;  and  although  too  soft  for  market  purposes,  I  do 
not  think  its  flavour  at  all  bad. 

Since  my  last  visit  Mr.  Radclyffe  has  added  another  wall  to 
his  garden,  and  his  fruit  trees  presented  that  appearance  of 
health  and  vigour  which  characterises  all  his  produce.  Here 
again,  manure,  watering,  and  syringing,  are  brought  into  great 
request ;  while  that  without  which  fruit-growing  in  the  open  air 
in  England  is,  I  am  sure,  a  lottery — protection,  is  carefully 
used.  It  was  this  that  was  one  of  the  secrets  of  his  great 
success  with  the  three  famous  trees  at  Rushton,  and  I  doubt 
not  ere  long  he  will  have  as  tine  a  wall  of  fruit  as  can  be  any- 
where seen.  The  value  of  protection  is  abundantly  seen  in 
the  case  of  two  espalier  Pear  trees  in  the  garden,  both  Marie 
Louise.  One  was  protected,  the  other  not ;  one  had  five  Pears 
on  it,  the  other  a  hundred.  The  protection  was  of  the  simplest 
kind  :  a  sort  of  crate  was  made  of  rough  wood,  and  over  this  a 
sheet  was  thrown  at  night  and  taken  off  in  the  day.  Surely, 
where  such  a  difference  can  be  made  by  bo  slight  a  method,  we 
may  well  wonder  that  it  is  not  more  generally  adopted.  Mjr. 
Radclyfie's  answer  to  a  lady  who  said  she  could  not  grow  Roses 
in  her  soil,  "  Give  them  plenty  to  eat  and  drink,  and  they  wUl 
grow  anywhere,"  is  the  clue  to  his  success.  He  possesses  no 
advantages  of  soil  or  situation,  but  he  feeds  everything  well 
and  works  hard.  I  never  saw  until  here  in  any  perfection  the 
deciduous  Cypress.  There  is  a  fine  tree  here,  and  what  lovely 
foliage  it  has  !     Why  is  it  not  more  grown  ? 

I  had  intended  tohave  said  something  more  of  Mr.  Keynes's 
Roses,  but  reserve  that  for  another  time. — D.,  Deal. 


HOW  TO  DISPOSE  OF  FRUIT." 

Yon  and  your  interesting  correspondents  often  tell  us  how  to 
produce  fruit,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  many  amateurs  and 
others  profit  largely  by  your  good  advice  ;  but  I  expect  there 
are  many  besides  myself  who  more  than  supply  their  own 
wants,  and  would  be  glad  if  they  could  make  their  gardens  pay 
for  some  of  the  labour  expended  upon  them.  Possibly  like 
myself  they  look  at  the  prices  of  fruit  given  in  your  paper, 
which  somebody  is  supposed  to  pay  at  Covent  Garden,  but  if 
they  fondly  imagine  that  they  can  get  any  such  prices  for  their 
fruit,  they  are  sorely  mistaken.  From  about  one-half  to  a 
third  of  the  price  quoted  is  generally  all  I  have  been  able  to 
obtain,  and  the  worst  of  it  is,  there  is  the  greatest  uncertainty 
about  getting  this  within  any  reasonable  time.  Those  who 
live  in  the  country,  and  at  some  distance  from  town,  cannot 
send  up  their  fruit  by  private  hand,  or  take  it  themselves  to 
market ;  they  are  obliged,  therefore,  in  most  eases,  to  trust  to  a 
salesman,  and  I  should  like  to  know  how  others  are  satisfied 
with  this  process.     I  will  just  state  how  I  have  fared.     I  wag 

recommended  to  a  Mr. ,  as  a  most  respectable  man,  and  to 

him,  therefore,  I  have  confided  my  forced  Peaches  and  Nec- 
tarines. 

To  make  sure  of  the  fruit  travelling  safely,  I  went  to  the  ex- 
pense of  some  nice  boxes  with  false  bottoms,  but  these  I  cannot 
get  returned ;  of  course,  all  the  packing  material,  silver  paper, 
&c.,  disappears  ;  and  worst  of  all,  I  never  can  get  an  acknow- 
ledgment that  the  boxes  have  been  received,  so  that  to  thi« 
day  I  do  not  know  whether  some  thieves  on  the  railway,  oc 
some  bond  fide  purchasers  have  eaten  my  fruit.  I  have  written 
several  times  to  remonstrate,  but  I  get  no  answer,  so  I  really 
think  it  right  to  warn  others  of  this  way  of  doing  business,  and 
I  should  be  very  thankful  if  you,  or  any  of  your  correspondenta, 
would  tell  me  the  best  way  to  dispose  of  fruit.  I  have  often 
thought  that  instead  of  giving  large  profits  to  salesmen  and 


112 


JOUENAIi  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


C  Aagast  13,  1868. 


otherp,  thoee  who  have  large  gardens  might  just  as  well  supply 
some  of  onr  large  charitable  institutions,  sucia  as  hospitals,  &c., 
at  a  "very  cheap  rate.  As  it  now  is,  everyone  must  be  aware 
that  a  vast  deal  is  wasted,  which  many  poor  creatures  would  be 
most  thankful  to  have  ;  and  really  if  there  is  no  better  way  of 
getting  rid  of  one's  fruit  than  that  which  I  have  uufortunately 
hit  upon,  it  takes  off  the  edge  of  one's  delight  in  growing  it 
not  a  little. — Henky  Nicholls,  M.A.,  F.E.H.S. 

[We  must  leave  the  salesmen  in  Covent  Garden  Market  to 
defend  themselves ;  but  we  can  give  our  testimony  that  at  least 
50  per  cent,  ought  to  be  deducted  from  the  retail  prices  on 
account  of  loss  by  decay,  non-sale,  &c.  Messis.  Webber,  fruit- 
erers, Central  Avenue,  Covent  Garden  Market,  could  give  in- 
formation on  the  subject. — Ens.] 


VINE   MILDEW. 


Possibly  the  best  means  to  resist  the  ever-present,  invisible, 
and  multitudinous  sporules  gaining  entrance  to  the  plants 
either  by  the  spongioles  of  the  roots  or  by  the  stomates  of  the 
leaves,  is  to  preserve  a  just  equilibrium  of  moisture  and  tem- 
perature between  the  roots  and  leaves — that  is  to  say,  to  keep 
the  Vines  in  the  best  possible  degree  of  health.  Their  suscep- 
tibility to  injury  from  an  attack  of  mildew  may  thus  be  sup- 
posed to  be  reduced  to  a  minimum.  But  this  state,  even,  is  not 
always  a  perfect  security  against  the  inroads  of  mildew.  Some 
localities  appear  to  be  peculiarly  favourable  to  mildew.  A 
gardener  writes  me  : — "I  have  lived  in  England,  Ireland,  and 
Scotland,  but  here  alone  am  I  called  on  to  wage  war  against 
the  ineidiouB  enemy.  My  opinion,  then,  is  that  it  is  atmo- 
spheric, and  that  some  localities  ere  more  congenial  to  its 
spreading  than  others."     My  own  experience  is  the  same. 

For  twenty  years  I  have  lived  under  Vines,  but  here  alone 
has  the  mildew  made  its  unwelcome  appearance.  The  Vines 
which  are,  or  were,  attacked  are  in  sound  health,  bearing  fine 
crops  of  Grapes,  and  carrying  an  expanse  of  fine  leathery  foliage 
which,  though  never  syringed,  seems  proof  against  the  attacks 
of  insects  of  any  kind.  The  border  is  sheltered  from  winter 
rains  by  shutters.  The  Vines  are  subjected  to  no  forcing,  but 
are  allowed  to  start  naturally.  Giving  air  and  maintaining 
the  proper  temperature  in  the  house,  are  carefully  attended  to. 
The  ventilators  are  open  all  niRht,  securing  a  constant  circu- 
lation of  air,  which  is  increased  with  an  increasing  and  reduced 
by  a  declining  sun,  closing  at  80°  or  85°  early  in  the  afternoon. 
This  applies  to  the  period  after  the  Grapes  had  set,  and  when 
filrnck  by  the  mildew.  A  genial  moisture  is  kept  up  by  sprink- 
ling the  paths,  &c. ;  but  anything  like  stagnation  is  avoided  by 
letting  the  house  become  quite  diy  at  least  once  during  the 
day.  The  minimum  night  temperature  is  60".  The  young 
growth  is  kept  duly  pinched-in,  not  taken  out  by  a  barrowload 
at  a  time. 

Such  is  briefly  the  treatment  which  the  Vines  received  up  to 
the  time  they  were  attacked.  I  purposely  give  it,  in  order  that 
anything  which  may  be  favourable  to  the  spread  of  mildew  may 
be  pointed  out  for  the  benefit  of  myself  and  others  who  are 
interested  in  this  subject.  Not  only  every  bunch,  but  I  may 
say  almost  every  berry  became,  as  it  were,  mysteriously  infested 
with  the  parasite. 

Of  the  several  remedies  applied,  the  old  application  of  sul- 
phur was  the  most  effectual.  Morning  by  morning,  and  week 
after  week,  were  the  berries  carefully  scanned  and  each  fresh 
outburst  duly  dusted.  This,  with  a  high,  dry,  and  equable 
temperature,  gave  a  check  to  the  spread  of  the  mildew.  But 
this  arid  atmosphere  was  prejudicial  to  the  well-being  of  the 
Vines;  ihe  Grapes  refused  to  swell,  or  the  leaves  to  expand, 
except  in  a  very  stubborn  manner.  An  increase  of  moisture 
or  a  reduction  of  temperature  accelerated  the  growth  of  the 
mildew.  Excessive  transpiration  was  undoubtedly  telling  in- 
joriously  on  the  Vines,  and  as  I  could  not  use  atmospheric 
moisture  as  acompensation,  I  resolved  to  give  moisture  in  extra 
quantity  to  the  roots.  The  border  was  forthwith  thoroughly 
watered  with  guano  water,  2  ozs.  to  the  gallon,  at  a  tempera- 
ture of  100°.  The  effect  was  striking  and  beneficial.  The 
watering  was  repeated,  this  time  v.ith  the  addition  of  1  or  2  ozs. 
of  salt  to  the  gallon.  The  beneficial  effects  of  this  application 
were  j^tiil  more  apparent.  The  (crapes  commenced  swelling, 
and  the  mildew  appeared  to  gradually  die  away. 

Whether  there  was  anything  in  the  fertilisers  which  de- 
stroyed the  vitality  of  the  mildew,  or  that  the  more  rapid 
growth  of  the  Vines  (and  the  consequent  increased  thickness 
of  the  cuticle  of  the  berries    affording    a  greater    resisting 


medium  to  the  penetration  of  the  fungus),  produced  these 
results,  is  to  me  an  open  question.  Possibly  both  theories  are 
applicable.  Salt  is  a  direct  enemy  to  fungi,  while  Grapes  which 
are  far  advanced  in  swelling  when  attacked  by  the  mildew,  are 
not  susceptible  of  such  great  injury  as  when  overtaken  in  a 
younger  state.  Vines  under  the  same  roof  and  growing  in  the 
same  border,  but  on  which  the  Grapes  were  near  the  colouring 
point  when  attacked,  have  given  little  trouble  in  comparison 
with  the  later  ones,  but  notwithstanding  the  ordeal  the  latter 
have  undergone,  they  are  making  a  good  show,  and  the  berries 
are  colouring  and  ripening  well.  Neither  is  the  crop  disfigured 
to  the  extent  of  a  single  bunch  being  unfit  for  table,  but  the 
berries  are  not  so  large  as  they  otherwise  would  have  been  had 
they  received  no  check. — J.  W. 


PLANTS   IN   FLOWER  DURING  JULY. 


10. 


grand  i- 


July   3.  Sednm  tlentatnm 

Rndbeckia  laciniata 
Dianthus  caucasicns 
Linaria  dalmatica 
Coronilla  elegans 
Apocynum  venetom 
Astilbe  rivalaris 
Dracocephaluni 

florum 
Cytisus  capitatns 
Typha  latifolia 
Epilobium    angnstifolinm 

album 
Linaria        monspeEsnIana 

alba 
Spirjea  ealicifolia 

pubescens 
PoteDtilla  fraticosa 
pubescens 
Russell  iana 
Clematis  vitalba 
Salvia  Forskohlii 
Symphytum  tauricnm  bnl- 

lattim 
Lycinm  barbarom 
Linum  Lenisii 
Sedum  popnlifoliam 
kamtschaticum 
pallens 
sexiingulare 
Aconitum  barbatuin 
cammaruiii, 
speciosum 
paniculatum 
septentriunale 
Centanrea  caloccpbnla 
Campanula  bonouiensis 
carpntica  alba 
— M.  H.,  Acklam  Hall,  Mlddlesborough-on-Tfes 


13. 


July  13.  Campanula  pereicafolia 
„    16.  Betonica  hirsuta 

Ecbinops  sph:erocephalus 

ritro 

rutbenicus 
Heleninm  autumnale 
Lychnis  cbalcedonica 
Lytbrum  salicaria 
Kudbeckia  laciniata 
Inula  oculus-Cbristi 
Pbyteuma  orbiculare 
Polygonum  amplexicaule 
,,    20.  Spirffia  lobata  rosea 

ulmaria  variegata 
Centrocarpha  gracilis 
Sednm  Ewersii 

dasypbyllum 

redesnm 

glaucnm 
„   25.  Iris  variegata 

Fran  CO  a  appendiculata 
Eryngium  ametby&tinmu 
Loins  coniiculatus  plennE 
Erigeron  caucaeicum 
Circffia  alpina 
Epimedium  macrautbum 
Aster  alpinus  albus 
Phlox  suaveolens 
.,    28.  Sedum  hybridum 

anacampseroB 
Eryngium  alpinum 
Bupbthalmum  cordifolium 

salicifolium 
Sanguinaria  canadensis 
Larkspur 
Cousinia  hystris 
Gentian  a  asclepiadea 


30. 


ORN^UIENTAL  AND  FLOWERING  SHRUBS. 

{Continued  fTom  page  9G.) 

Rhododendrons  being  the  finest  of  flowering  shrubs  deserve  more 
than  a  passing  notice,  more  especially  as  there  are  gardens  in  which 
they  are  not  so  generally  planted  as  they  ought  to  he.  Some  persons 
do  not  plant  thtm  owing  to  their  soil  being  unsuitable,  and  this  is  a 
wise  course  to  adopt,  for  of  all  plants  there  is  none  which  looks  worse 
than  a  Rhododendron  in  bad  condition,  and  unless  they  are  well 
grown  it  is  far  better  not  to  employ  them  but  plant  other  shrubs.  There 
are,  however,  very  few  soils  and  situations  that  will  not  grow  Rhodo- 
dendrons well,  and  on  these  exceptions  I  shall  remark  hereafter. 

Rhododendrons  are  generally  divided  into  sections,  and  to  this 
arrangement  I  propose  to  adhere. 

Section  /. — This  consists  of  the  hardy,  late-flowering,  hybrid  scarlet, 
crimson,  pink,  rose,  white,  and  other  coloured  Rhododendrons  of 
English  or  continental  origin.  The  varieties  are  very  numerous ;  I 
will,  therefore,  notice  only  a  few  of  the  best  of  those  flowering  from 
the  middle  of  May  to  the  end  of  Jane,  and  which  are  hardy,  good  in 
fohaf^e,  and  free  in  growth. 

Alarm,  centre  white,  edged  with  pale  scarlet,  very  line  habit  and 
foliage;  Angiola,  ruby;  Archimedes,  bright  crimson  rose,  very  fine; 
Atrosangnineum,  blood  red,  splendid;  Barolayannm,  reddish  rose, 
large  truss,  good  ;  Baron  Cuvier,  lilac,  chocolate  blotch,  showy  sort ; 
Blanche  superbe,  wa:xy  white,  green  eye,  perhaps  the  best  white,  a 
ladies'  Rhododendron  for  colour  and  lovehness ;  Blandyanum,  deep 
reodish  crimson,  truss  fine  ;  Blandyanum  superbnm,  light  crimson, 
very  bright,  very  frte  blooming,  and  of  dwarf  compact  habit ;  Blattenm, 
rosy  lilac,  finely  spotted  ;  Brayanum,  rosy  scarlet,  centre  paler,  fine  ; 
foliage  splendid ;  Brilliant,  crimson  scarlet,  free  bloomer,  and  of 
dwarf  habit;  Bylsianum,  white,  margin  crimson;  Califomicam,  rose 
(this  is  the  hardiest  Rhododendron  I  have  met  with,  standing  wind 
well,  which  is  more  than  can  be  said  of  many  sorts) ;  Candidissimnm, 
whitish  and  pale  pink,  spotted  with  yellow,  showy  and  large;  Chan- 
cellor, purplish  lilac,  finely  spotted,  large,  perhaps  the  largest  of  this 
section ;  Chloe,  crimson  lake,  and  Comet,  scarlet,  both  remarkably  fine  : 


Angast  13.  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF   HORTICULTUBE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


113 


ConceBsam,  rosy  pink,  centre  paler;  Cnrrieannm,  rosy  lilac,  centre 
paler,  trass  lurgo  ;  Dorliinsii,  puce,  very  fruo  bloomer  ;  DaUo  of  Cara- 
bridgo,  bright  li^bt  crimson  scarlet,  ctntro  paler,  truss  large,  a  showy 
sort;  Duke  of  Norfolk,  bright  reddish  rose,  fine;  Faust,  pale  lilnc, 
splendidly  blotched;  Gem.  pule  rose,  deep-coloured  towards  thn  mar- 
j^u,  showy;  Gnlnaro,  blush,  of  tiiio  form;  Hogarth,  rosy  crim.'ion, 
tine  ;  lugrami,  blush,  blotched  with  lemon  colour,  tine  ;  Johu  Waterer, 
crimson,  splendid,  free  bloomin"^',  hut  the  habit  needs  improvement ; 
Lady  Dorothy  Nevill,  purple,  spotted  with  black,  very  line;  Lefevro- 
aunm,  purplish  crimson  ;  Leviathan,  blush  or  purplish  white,  deeper 
at  the  margin,  large  and  good  ;  Leopardi,  lilac,  covered  with  chocolate 
spots  ;  Lord  Johu  liusscll,  rose,  splendidly  spotted  ;  Londinense,  crim- 
aon  purple,  form  good ;  Maculatum  grauditlorum,  pui-jilish  rose, 
largo;  Maculatnm  purpuroum,  parplish"rosc,  much  and  finely  spotted ; 
Stotaphor,  rose,  form  and  truss  fine ;  Ne  Plus  Ultra,  rosy  purple  ; 
Papiliouaoeum,  pale  lilac,  changing  to  white,  good  ;  Keediaunm,  cherry 
re(l;  Sehiilor,  light  purple,  shaded  dark  spots,  showy;  Towardi,  rosy 
lilac,  an  old  sort,  for  shape  unsurpassed ;  Vesuvius,  crimson  scarlet, 
with  a  few  black  spots,  truss  large  ;  Victoria,  plum,  free  blooming  and 
fine;  Victoria  (Pince's),  claret,  very  fine;  and  William  Downing, 
dark  puco,  blotched,  very  fine. 

In  addition,  I  would  mention  as  desirable,  though  I  have  not  sufii- 
'Cient  experience  of  them  to  warrant  my  placing  them  in  the  foregoing 
list — Bride,  white  ;  Due  de  Brabant,  yellowish  white,  spotted  with 
red,  semi-double  ;  Lady  Lopes,  waxy  rose,  dark  spots  ;  Lord  Clyde, 
deep  crimson  ;  Lucy  Neal,  claret,  spotted  ;  Madame  Miolan  Carvalho, 
white ;  Neilsonii,  rosy  lake ;  Ochroleucum,  centre  lemon,  shading  off 
to  straw,  brown  spots ;  Prince  of  Wales,  rose,  shaded  pui-ple,  black 
apots ;  Princess  of  Wales,  magenta  edge,  white  centre,  primrose  flake 
on  upper  petals  ;  Sir  Thomas  Adand,  shaded  rose ;  Standish's  Per- 
fection, white,  shaded  with  pinkish  lilac,  blotch  greejiish  yellow ; 
Sydney  Herbert,  bright  crimson,  with  a  blotch  of  black  spots 

Section  II. — This  consists  of  the  early- flowering  hybrid  Khododen- 
drons.  They  flower  early — in  April  and  the  beginning  of  May — and 
on  that  account  are  liable  to  injury  from  frost.  In  sheltered  situations, 
however,  they  succeed  very  well,  especially  when  protected  from  the 
north  and  east  winds  by  trees  at  such  a  distance  as  not  to  overhang 
the  Rhododendrons.  In  such  sifnr-tions  they  seldom  fail  to  flower 
finely.  They  arc  the  best  of  all  Rhododendrons  for  forcing,  and  it  is 
aorprising  they  are  not  more  extensively  used  fsr  conservatory  de- 
coration, as  they  only  reqnire  a  sheltered  situation  in  winter,  and 
need  but  a  slight  amount  of  heat  to  bring  them  into  bloom.  Indeed, 
if  merely  placed  in  a  cool  house  and  allowed  to  come  forward  naturally, 
I  know  of  no  plant  that  will  afford  such  a  gorgeous  display  with  bo 
little  trouble,  whilst  for  forming  groups  in  the  flower  garden,  to  be 
succeeded  by  bedding  plants,  they  are  unequalled.  Of  these  Rhododen- 
drons I  would  recommend  the  following ; — 

Altaclerense,  scarlet;  Altaclerense  coccineum,  scarlet,  but  richer 
in  colour;  Barbatum.  deep  rose;  Broughtonianum,  rosy  red,  splendid 
trass  and  foliage ;  Campanulatum,  creamy  white  ;  Campauulatum 
hybridum,  white ;  Cartoni,  scarlet,  spotted  with  black ;  Caucasi- 
cnm  album  {Cunningham's  DwaH  White)  ;  Caucasicum  punctatum, 
creamy  white,  spotted  with  brown  ;  Lady  Duckwoi-th.  pink,  very  tine  ; 
Loais  Philippe,  scarlet ;  Mars,  vivid  scarlet  ;  Mariar,  shaded  pink 
with  dark  spots,  very  fine,  of  dwarf  compact  habit,  and  a  very  bloom- 
ing sort ;  Nobleanum  vars.,  scarlet,  rosf,  and  other  shades  of  colour, 
all  dwarf,  early,  and  free  bloomers  ;  Nobleanum  superbum,  scarlet, 
being  the  best  in  colour  and  of  dwarf  habit :  Perspicuum.  white,  large  ; 
Rosamond,  rose,  dwarf,  free  blooming:  Russelliannm,  crimson  scarlet ; 
Rnsselliaunm superbum.  deep  scarlet,  large  truss;  Smithii  coccineum, 
bright  scarlet ;  Stamfordiauum,  rosy  scarlet,  showy ;  Vivid,  rose  :  and 
Wellsianum.  scarlet,  fine. 

Section  III. — Catawbiense  varieties.  These  are  the  hardiest  of 
Rhododendrons,  having  fine  foliage,  good  trusses  of  bloom,  of  good 
form  and  substance.  They  flower  in  May  or  later,  according  to  season. 
The  best  are  Album  elegans,  waxy  white  ;  Album  graudiflorum, 
blush  white,  green  spots,  fine ;  Azureum,  bluish  lilac ;  Ca^ralescens, 
bluish  purple,  large,  and  very  fine  ;  Eminent,  rosy  lilac,  good  ;  Everest- 
ianum,  pale  lilac,  finely  fringed  and  spotted ;  Fastuosum  flore-pleuo, 
double-flowered,  lilac,  splendid  truss ;  Giganteum.  light  rose,  fine  ; 
Glennyanum,  blush  white,  of  dwarf  habit ;  Grandiflorum,  deep  rose, 
very  fine ;  Purpureum  elegans,  Purpurenm  grandiflorum,  both  good 
purples  ;  Roseum  elegans,  rose,  fine  ;  Roseum  magnificum,  rose,  large  ; 
Roseum  pictum,  rose,  spotted,  fine  ;  Splendens,  rose,  good;  Standishii. 
rosy  purple,  spotted ;  and  Superbum,  deep  rose,  very  fine. 

Rhododendron  catawbiense.  from  which  the  above  varieties  have 
sprung,  is  vastly  superior  to  R.  ponticum,  and  its  colour  is  a  bright 
l^ht  rose.  It  succeeds  tolerably  well  under  the  shade  of  trees,  and 
is  excellent  for  planting  in  shi'ubberies,  withstanding  drought  better 
than  most  Rhododendrons. 

Section  IV. — Varieties  of  Rhododendron  ponticum.  These  have 
fine  dark  foliage,  and  are  very  hardy.  The  species  thrives  fairly 
under  the  shade  of  trees,  and  on  that  account  is  extensively  employed 
for  cover.  In  town  gardens  I  consider  them  indispensable  ;  they 
ought  to  take  the  place  of  the  common  Laurel,  and  be  made  the  prin- 
cipal evergreen,  just  as  the  Laurel  is  in  country  gardens. 

The  varieties  are  Album,  white,  good ;  Atro-purpureum,  dark 
purple  ;  An cubaj folium,  flowera  lilac,  leaves  finely  blotched  with  yellow, 
not  unlike  the  old  Aucuba,  and  it  thrives  in  smoky  town  gardens 
much  better  than  the  Aucnba,  and  ought  to  supersede  it;  Blandum, 


blush,  foliage  very  fine;  Outtatum,  white,  finely  spotted  ;  Hyacinthi- 
florum,  lilac,  double-flowered  ;  Mukniiaculatutn,  whit«,  prettily  npattod, 
very  fine  ;  Nivaticum,  white,  green  Idotch,  habit  clos.s  and  good  ;  Lowii, 
white,  spotted,  largo;  Punctatum,  lilac,  spotted;  Roseum,  rosy  lilac; 
Silver-striped,  flowers  lilac,  leaves  striped,  not  ho  fine  as  Acuba-foliam 
in  the  variec;atiou,  yet  distinctly  striped;  Vervaeneaum.  lilac,  double. 

Sixft'on  V. — The  very  late-flowering  Rhododendrona.  Thcso  aie 
not  particularly  desirable  except  for  their  late  flowering.  Muximnm, 
white,  shaded  with  pink;  Maximum  album,  white  with  green  epotfl  ; 
Maximum  purpureum,  purplish  ;  WellKiauum.  pink,  fine  truss,  foliagO 
and  habit  good,  the  best  of  this  section,  which  is  deserving  of  ex- 
tension. 

Section  VI. — Dwarf  Rhododendrons.  These  are  desirable  for  small 
clumps  and  narrow  borders,  and  for  edgings  to  clumps  of  the  large- 
growing  kinds.  They  uru  Hltewiso  pretty  for  rockwork,  on  which  they 
thrive  well  if  moisture  is  afforded  them  in  summer. 

Rhododendron  amcenum,  rose,  does  well  under  trees,  especially  under 
those  with  stems  of  some  height,  so  as  to  ftdmit  light ;  R.  azalcoides 
odoratum,  white,  shaded  with  purple,  sweet-scented,  fine  for  pots  for 
conservatories  on  account  of  its  fragrance,  and  its  blooms  being  good  for 
cutting;  R.  chama'cistus,  very  dwarf  ((J  iuehes),  flowers  pink,  an  alpine 
succeeding  in  limestone  soil  ;  R.  ciliatum,  white,  faintly  shaded  with, 
rose  colour,  sweet-scented  ;  IJ.  daphnoidcs,  rose-coloured,  fine ;  R_ 
dauricum,  purple,  early  flowering ;  R.  ferrugiueum,  rose,  dwarf,  an 
alpine  succeeding  on  rockwork;  R.  gemmiferum,  shaded  crimson, 
white  centre,  a  gem  in  every  way,  fine  for  pots  ;  R.  fragrans,  rose ;  R. 
Govenianum,  light  purple,  sweet-scented  ;  Hammondi,  purplish  rose  ; 
R.  hirsutum.  rose,  similar  in  habit  to  R.  ferruginenm  (the  variegated 
form  of  R.  hii-sutum  is  pretty  ;  both  are  alpines,  succeeding  on  rock- 
work. in  peat  and  grit  on  sunny  slopes,  and  in  fissures  when  kept 
moist)  ;  R.  myrtifolium,  rose;  R.  myrtifolium  hybridum,  pale  rose; 
R.  ovatum,  deep  rose ;  R.  tenellum,  lilac ;  R.  Torionianum,  pale 
purple;  and  R.  Wilsonianura,  rose.  For  the  base  of  rockwork  and 
the  open  borders,  where  there  is  a  dry  subsoil  or  well-drained  soil,  the 
dwarf  Rhododendrons  do  well,  and  are  very  pretty. 

Rhododendrons  and  all  American  plants  are  seen  to  most  advantage 
in  groups.  In  large  gardens  a  group  of  each  of  the  best  kinds  may 
be  planted,  whilst  in  smaller  ones  a  clump  of  the  best  sorts  of  each 
section  may  be  planted  together,  and  will  be  found  far  more  effective 
than  a  large  number  of  the  varieties  forming  the  various  sections 
mixed  in  one  group.  They  do  not  flower  together,  the  foliage  is  diffe- 
rent, but  the  varieties  in  sis  groups  may  be  harmoniously  arrant^ed. 

Clumps  have  the  best  appearance  when  on  grass  or  suiTounded  by  it ; 
single  specimens  are  not  good,  excepting  as  staudards,  wuich  are 
always  fine  objects  in  places  sheltered  from  wind.  All  the  varieties, 
however,  do  not  form  bushy,  close,  handsome  heads.  A  few  of  those 
forming  handsome  heads  are  Atrosanguineum,  Barclayanum,  Blandy- 
anum,  Blatteum.  Br^'anum,  Congestum  roseum.  Erectum,  Lady 
Dorothy  Nevill,  Lefevreanum,  and  Sandlefordlanum.  rose,  finely 
marked  ;  Everestiannm,  and  Grandiflorum.  Standards  should  have 
clean,  straight  stems,  from  4.  to  5  feet  in  height.  Half  standards  in 
my  opinion  are  not  handsome,  being  simply  leggy  dwarfs. — G.  Abbey. 
(To  be  continued.) 


GIANTS  OF  THE  VEGETABLE   WORLD. 

Within  a  day's  journey  of  the  metropolis  of  Victor!*,  there 
grow  the  loftiest  trees  of  Australia,  and,  perhap'i,  of  the  world, 
la  the  back  gullies  of  Dandeuong  ou  the  Black  Spur,  aud  near 
the  sources  of  the  La  Trohe  river,  as  well  as  iu  some  of  the 
remoter  valleys  of  the  upper  Yarra,  a  kind  of  Euualyptu^i,  bota- 
nically  known  as  E.  amygdalina  (Almond-leaved  Gum  Tree), 
attains  such  a  marvellous  height,  as  to  rival  at  least  iu  this 
respect,  the  Wellingtonia  Pines  of  California.  The  stems  rise 
as  straight  as  masts,  but  with  a  height  far  exceeding  the  masts 
of  any  naval  structure.  The  height  of  the  loftiest  ranges  from 
40(1  to  500  feet.  A  fallen  tree  on  tho  Blaek  Spur  measured 
480  feet  in  length.  Another  in  Daudenoog  showed  a  height  of 
2'J5  feet  to  the  first  branch,  the  height  then  extended  70  feet 
further  in  ramifications  to  the  broken  top  branch,  which  here 
still  measured  3  feet  across.  A  still  larger  tree  at  Berwick, 
measured  81  feet  iu  circumference,  at  a  distance  of  4  feet  from 
ihe  ground.  The  stems,  with  exception  of  the  base,  are  beau- 
tifully smooth,  and  of  au  ashy  colour.  The  vvood  is  excellent 
for  shingles,  and  splits  with  facility.  Like  many  other  Eaea- 
lypti,  this  huge  species  grows  with  celerity,  far  more  so  than 
the  Californian  Wellingtonia,  and  the  minute  seeds  germinate 
with  the  utmost  facility.  Eucalyptus  amygdalina  is  restricted 
to  Victoria,  New  South  Wales,  and  Tasmtnia. — {The  Builder.) 

[We  have  often  heard  of  the  remarkable  size  attained  by 
some  of  the  native  trees  in  Australia,  as  well  as  in  Ta-*m*aia, 
but  we  are  not  certain  we  ever  heard  of  a  height  of  500  £eet 
being  reached.  We  hope,  however,  some  of  our  readers  in  the 
colony  of  Victoria  will  be  good  enough  to  forward  us  any  in- 
formation they  can  on  these  vegetable  wondersi  as  well  as  on 


114 


JOUBNAL  OF  HORTICDLTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GAKDENEB. 


f  August  13,  1868. 


other  subjects  connected  with  that  remarkable  land ;  and  if 
the  measurements  just  given  prove  correct,  what  will  our 
consinB  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic  say  to  their  much  and 
deservedly-extolled  Wellingtonia  being  obliged  to  take  second 
jdace  in  the  list  of  vegetable  giants  ?  If  this  should  be  the 
case  it  will  in  no  way  diminish  the  value  we  place  on  the  Mam- 
moth Tree  of  the  far  west,  which  makes  its  home  amongst  ne, 
and  grows  with  all  the  vigour  of  an  indigenous  tree.  The  Aus- 
tralian Eucalyptuses  are,  however,  another  class,  and  we  have 
no  hope  of  their  withstanding  our  winters  excepting  in  a  few 
sheltered  places,  aa  at  Plymouth,  and  other  parts  of  Devon 
and  Cornwall,  where  we  are  told  some  have  withstood  several 
winters  with  impunity.— Eds.] 


NEW  ROSE  LA  FRANCE. 
The  first  two  or  three  blooms  of  this  variety  were  indifferent 
and  thin,  doubtless  owing  to  the  severe  trial  Eoses  and  all 
plants  have  had  to  endure  this  season,  but  I  have  just  now  cut  a 
perfect  flower,  and  a  very  beautiful  one  it  is.  La  France  may 
be  described  as  a  large  and  full  Eose,  the  outer  petals  slightly 
hai  gracefully  recurved,  silvery  white,  tinged  with  pale  pink, 
and  having  a  deeper  centre.  The  whole  flower  is  almost 
spheroidal.  The  petals  are  of  good  substance,  well  coloured 
thronghout,  thus  indicating  endurance ;  it  is  also  powerfully 
irsgraut.  Other  blooms  will  shortly  be  expanded,  which  will, 
doubtless,  folly  verify  the  above.  The  plant  grows  vigorously, 
and  is  freely  remontant ;  it  bids  fair,  therefore,  to  be  one  of 
the  best  Eoses  of  the  year.. — Adolphos  H.  Kent. 


PEARS. 

14.  Amiral. — Fruit  large,  a  little  uneven  in  its  outline.    Skin 
7ery  much  covered  with  rough  ashy  grey  russet,  exhibiting  here 


15.  Ananas. — Fruit  medium  size.    Excellent  for  dessert  late 
in  September,  but  does  not  continue  good  long. 


The  Passe  Colmar  is  sometimes  called  by  this  name,  but  is 
an  entirely  different  variety,  and  so  is  that  called  by  the  Belgian 
pomologists  the  Beurre  Ananas. 


A  NEW  PEACH. 


We  have  just  received  from  Mr.  Pearson,  of  Chilwel],  a 
seedling  yellow-fleshed  Peach,  ripened  in  one  of  his  orchard 
houses,  which  is  deserving  of  notice.  Yellow-fleshed  Peaches, 
which  are  so  greatly  esteemed  in  America,  have  not  found 
much  favour  in  this  country.  They  are  much  inferior  as  a  rule 
to  the  white-ileshed  sorts,  vet  there  is  something  very  pleas- 
ing and  warm-looking  about  them  quite  in  contrast  to  the 
others.  Mr.  Pearson's  seedling  is  one  of  the  best  we  have 
tasted,  of  large  size,  the  flesh  deep  orange  yellow,  very  melting, 
juicy,  and  pleasantly  flavoured,  and  the  fruit  is  exceedingly 
handsome  in  appearance.    It  is  a  variety  of  decided  merit. 


Amiral. 
and  there  small  patches  and  mottles  of  the  yellowish  green 
ground  colour.  Eye  small  and  open,  with  short  horny  segments 
set  in  a  slight  depression.  Stalk  three-quarters  of  an  inch  long, 
Blender,  brown,  and  woody,  fleshy  at  the  insertion.  Flesh 
lender,  buttery,  juicy  and  very  melting,  sweet  and  sugary,  with 
a  fine  anise  aroma. 

A  very  fine  Pear  which  ripens  in  the  last  week  of  September, 
and  then  blets  very  rapidly. 

This  is  Amiral  of  the  old  pomologists,  and  is  quite  distinct 
irom  Arbre  ConrbC',  which  is  sometimes  made  synonymous. 


PORTRAITS  OF  PLANTS,  FLOWERS,  AND 
FRUITS. 

Pleroma  irACRANTHUji  (Large-flowercd  Pleroma).  Nat.  vrd., 
Melastomacea^.  Linn.,  Decandria  Monogynia. — Very  fine  both 
in  flower  and  foliage.  Native  of  St.  Catherine,  Brazil.  Flowers 
purple.— (Bo(.  Mag.,  t.  5721.) 

Fkionidji  Palmita  (South  African  Palmita).  \at.ord.,3iin- 
cacere.  Linn.,  Hexandria  Monogynia. — Native  of  rivers  in 
South  Africa.— (7/i/(i.,  (.  5722.) 

Nanodes  MedoS/E  (Medusa's-head  Orchid).  Nat.  ord.,  Or- 
chidacca-.  JLinji.,  Gynandria  Monandria. — Native  of  Ecuador. 
Introduced  by  Messrs.  Backhouse,  of  York.  Flowers  green, 
lip  dull  reddish  purple.— (TZ-n!.,  t.  5723.) 

MoNiziA  EDCI.I3  (Eatable  Monizia,  Cenoula  da  Eocha,  or 
Eock  Carrot).  Nat.  onl,  Umbellifers;.  Linn.,  Pentandria  Di- 
gynia.  —  Native  of  the  Great  Deserta,  one  of  the  Madeiran 
Islands.  Although  the  root  is  eatable  when  boiled,  it  is  only 
equal  to  a  had  stringy  Parsnip. — {Itid.,  t.  5724.) 

Oncidiu.-m  Marshallianusi  (Mr.  Marshall's  Oncidium).  Nat. 
ord.,  Orchidacea'.  Linn.,  Gynandria  Monandria. — Native 
place  not  stated.  Introduced  by  Messrs.  Low  &  Co.,  of  Clap- 
ton.    Flo-rers  yellow  and  crimson. — (Ihid.,  t.  5725.) 

Iresine  Lindeni. — "  Of  the  several  species  of  the  Amaran- 
thaceous  order  which  furnish  highly-coloured  leaves  for  flower- 
garden  decoration,  the  plant  we  now  figure  promises  to  be  one 
of  the  most  useful.  Its  habit  is  dwarf  and  freely  branched, 
producing  an  abundance  of  twiggy  shoots,  which  are  clothed 


Aagast  13,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OP   HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


116 


with  lanco- shaped  leaves  of  moderate  size,  and  of  a  deep  blood- 
red  colour,  the  midrib  appearing  as  a  broad  purplinh  band. 
This  colouring,  M.  Van  Ilciutto  observes,  is  varied  as  the  foliage 
is  moved  by  the  wind,  so  that  the  i>lant  presents  different 
shades  of  violet,  purple,  and  deep  rose,  a  deep  red  hue  pre- 
dominating. It  is  said  to  grow  from  about  Ij  foot  to  2  feet 
high,  and  the  leaves,  as  will  be  seen  by  our  figure,  have  this 
great  advantage  over  those  of  Iresine  llerbstii,  irrespective  of 
their  better  colour,  that  they  present  a  clean,  flat,  even  surface, 
instead  of  one  which  is  so  concave  as  to  appear  distorted. 

"  Iresine  Lindeni  has  been  quite  recently  introduced  from 
Ecaador  by  M.  Linden,  by  whom  it  was  exhibited  for  the  first 
time  at  the  great  Ghent  Show  in  April  last.  It  has  subse- 
quently passed  into  the  bands  of  M.  Van  Houtte,  of  Ghent,  by 
whom  it  is  now  being  distributed.''— (i-'to/isf  oiid  I'omolvgixt, 
3  s.  i.,16!).)  

PALMS. 

Many  species  of  this  genus  are  the  best  possible  for  in-door 
decoration,  and  in  a  small  state  particularly  so.  No  plants  are 
more  easily  grown,  and  none  are  more  tenacious  of  life  than  the 
Talm,  enduring  alike  dust,  and  cold  and  heat  from  open  windows 
and  gas-heated  air.  Who  will  not  say  that  a  small  Palm  of  any 
species,  with  the  top  of  the  pot  covered  with  Ljcopodium  den- 
ticulatum,  is  anything  but  an  ugly  object  in  a  lady's  boudoir,  or 
anywhere  else  :'  Where  one  plant  is  grown  for  this  purpose  in 
Britain,  a  thousand  are  grown  on  the  Continent,  and  why? 
because  foreigners  appreciate  their  beauty  and  gracefulness, 
and  a  great  demand  is  at  once  raised.  Nurserymen  alive  to 
their  own  interest  build  houses  espreasly  for  their  culture,  im- 
port seed,  and  raise  them  by  the  thousand,  and  in  three  years 
they  are  sold  to  the  plant-loving  community  of  Paris  for  .'i,  'JO,  or 
30  francs  each,  as  the  case  may  be.  Belgium  supplies  large 
quantities,  and  even  sends  them  to  the  Paris  market.  Such 
species  as  Corypha  australis,  Oreodosa  sanchona,  Latania  bor- 
bonica,  Areca  rubra,  and  many  others,  are  sold  to  those  wish- 
ing to  grow  on  their  own  plants,  in  a  small  state,  at  from  8  to 
20  francs  the  dozen.  Who,  then,  would  be  without  a  Palm  in 
their  houses  when  they  can  be  got  so  cheaply  .' 

We  have  all  been  in  the  habit  of  looking  to  the  botanic  gar- 
den at  home  for  a  sight  of  a  Palm,  but  nowadays  our  enterpris- 
ing nurserymen  are  bringing  Palms  within  the  reach  of  every- 
body, and  in  some  private  gardens  they  may  be  counted  by  the 
dozen,  and  still  the  wish  is  for  more.  What  looks  neater  than 
a  few  dwarf  Palms  dotted  through  a  vinery  or  Peach  house  ? 
They  give  at  once  a  furnished  and  elegant  appearance  to  the 
houses  ;  and  they  get  at  the  same  time  ample  room  to  develope 
their  handsome  persistent  leaves.  No  more  attention  is  paid 
them  than  three  or  four  waterings  a-weel;  with  warm  water,  and 
a  slight  addition  of  soil  in  a  larger  pot  every  other  year.  This, 
with  a  sponging  once  a-month  with  rain  water,  maintains  them 
in  health  and  vigour,  in  a  small  state  for  a  number  of  years. 
Sandy  peaty  soil  is  the  best  for  Palms,  lightened  and  enriched 
with  very  old  leaf  soil,  and  all  warm  and  dry  previous  to  use. 
A  loamy  cold  soil,  and  applied  in  large  quantities,  is  a  sure 
way  of  having  weak  yellowish  leaves,  instead  of  dark-green 
leathery  ones. 

A  common  practice  with  many  on  receiving  a  Palm  from  the 
nursery  is  to  pot  it  immediately  in  a  larger  pot,  and  to  give  it 
altogether  a  different  soil  to  what  it  has  been  accustomed  to, 
before  even  studying  its  proper  wants,  or  the  time  of  year  it 
came  to  hand.  May  is  the  best  month  to  apply  additional 
food  to  Palms  ;  and  July  and  .\ugust  the  best  months  to  get 
them  from  any  distance. 

The  French  and  Belgian  gardeners  adopt  the  following 
mode  of  culture.  The  houses  are  low,  flat-roofed  lean-to's, 
12  feet  wide  or  so.  The  first  3  feet  from  the  front  forms  a  table, 
the  next  3  feet  the  pathway,  and  then  a  bel  of  tan  or  leaves, 
6  feet  wide,  wherein  are  plunged  the  young  Palms.  From  the 
moment  the  young  seedlings  are  transferred  from  the  seed-pan 
to  a  3inch  pot  they  are  kept  plunged  in  a  tan  bed,  in  order 
not  so  much  to  .supply  them  with  heat,  as  to  keep  the  soil 
moist  and  healthy  without  water  till  the  roots  are  in  activity. 
Moistening  the  leaves  with  warm  water  twice  a-day  is  sufficient 
for  them  for  months.  While  in  a  young  state  they  require 
more  heat  than  when  older.  Sorts  such  as  those  already  in- 
dicated, with  Seaforthia  elegans  and  robusta,  Phirnix  dactyli- 
fera  and  reclinata,  Caryota  Cnmingii  and  excelsa,  several 
Chamacrops,  Thrinax  pai-viflora,  Zalacca  Wagneri,  Cocos  coro- 
nata,  Caryota  sobolifera,  and  many  others,  will  thrive  and  look 
robust  in  any  house  kept  a  little  close  and  moist.     Although 


in  French  nurseries  they  are  accommodated  with  tan  beds,  it 
is  not  absolutely  necessary  when  they  are  four  or  five  years 
old,  and  the  pots  well  filled  with  roots.  The  front  :i-fect  shelf 
is  generally  tilled  with  Draca-nas  and  Pandanuses,  and,  alto- 
gether, the  house  has  a  very  fine  appearance. — H.  K.  (in  Tlie 
iiarth'iirr.)  

THE  POTATO  DISEASE. 

In  the  year  1847  I  was  drawn  into  a  paper  controversy  on 
the  Potato  disease,  that  year  being  the  third  in  which  it  had 
made  its  appearance.  The  theory  I  advanced  was  founded  on 
some  experiments  I  had  made,  and  which  this  season  has 
verified — namely,  that  the  disease  cannot  exist  in  "  a  dry  and 
high  "  atmosphere.  In  ordinary  seasons  in  this  district  (North 
Devon),  the  disease  has  usually  shown  itself  from  the  first  to 
the  middle  of  .July,  but  up  to  this  time  (August  10th),  it  is 
neither  to  be  seen  nor  heard  of. 

Those  who  have  watched  the  many  peculiarities  of  this 
disease  will,  no  doubt,  be  on  the  alert  to  see  what  eilect  this 
unusually  dry  and  hot  summer  may  have  upon  the  constitution 
of  the  Potato.  Possibly  a  couple  of  such  summers  following 
one  another  would  tend  to  stamp-out  the  disease. 

For  the  last  ten  days  complaints  are  very  common  in  this 
neighbourhood  that  the  tubers  in  the  ground  are  shooting. 
Where  this  is  found  to  be  the  case  with  early  and  second 
early  kinds,  they  should  be  lifted  at  once.— A.  McIvklvie, 
Turriitgton.  ^__ 

NOTES  AND   GLEANINGS. 

We  understand  that  the  bulb-growers  of  Holland  have 
intimated  their  intention  of  offering  prizes,  open  to  all  growers, 
for  distinct  kinds  of  Hyacinths  at  the  First  Spring  or  Hyacinth 
Show  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  in  18lj',t.  The  prizes 
intended  to  be  offered  amount  to  £45  Ss. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

While  the  hot  weather  lasts  but  little  can  be  done  in  this 
department,  except  keeping  the  ground  clean  and  trenching  it 
as  crops  are  cleared  off.  Caulijiowerx,  make  arrangements  to 
sow  seed  thinly  about  the  middle  of  the  month  and  again  in 
the  first  week  in  September.  The  former  sowing  will  supply  a 
few  early  heads,  but  they  will  require  a  considerable  amount  of 
protection.  The  September  sowing  is  chiefly  to  be  depended 
upon.  Plant  out  a  good  breadth  of  the  .June  and  July  sowings. 
They  will  be  more  thought  of,  if  they  can  be  protected  during 
the  winter,  than  Broccoli  of  any  kind.  Carrol',  sow  a  small 
bed  now  and  at  the  end  of  the  month  for  drawing  young  in 
winter  and  spring.  Lrttuces,  sow  now  and  at  the  end  of  the 
month  for  winter  and  early  spring  supply.  For  this  purpose 
the  Brown  Dutch  and  Hardy  Hammersmith  are  the  best  Cab- 
bage Lettuces.  The  Black-seeded  White  and  the  different  va- 
rieties of  the  Brown  Bath  are  the  best  Cos  varieties.  Continue 
to  plant  out  suecessional  crops.  Mushroovis,  collect  horse  drop- 
pings and  cow  dung  for  beds  in  sheds  or  houses.  Where  there 
is  a  deficiency  of  shed  or  house  room,  and  there  is  a  scarcity  of 
materials  for  a  large  bed  in  winter,  it  will  be  a  good  plan  to 
make  a  slight  bed  or  two  in  a  sheltered  place  now.  For  this 
purpose  nothing  is  preferable  to  the  half-reduced  dung  from  an 
old  lining.  If  the  bed  be  built  in  the  ridge  form,  from  2  to 
:i  feet  in  width  at  the  bottom,  carried  to  the  same  height, 
firmly  beaten  together,  and  defended  from  heavy  rains,  it  may 
be  spawned,  earthed,  and  in  bearing  before  a  larger  bed  could  be 
safely  covered-in.  Siiinacli.  Winter  Spinach  is  always  sown  at 
the  same  time  as  Cauliflowers  for  spring  planting.  OnioiK, 
Sorniis,  Evd  Cahbaiji'x,  and  two  or  three  other  sorts  are,  or  used 
to  be,  sown  also  at  the  same  time. 

rnUIT    OARDEN. 

The  bunches  of  out-door  Grapes  may  be  protected  in  half 
globes  of  glass,  which  may  be  obtained  at  any  glass-blowing 
establishment,  and  any  spare  lights  from  frames  or  Peach  houses 
might  now  be  profitably  fixed  against  favourite  Vines  or  Peach 
trees.  Where  wasps  or  flies  are  troublesome  the  fruit  may  be 
defended  with  gauze  or  thin  bunting ;  but  where  much  atten- 
tion to  ripening  the  %vood  is  necessary,  nothing  is  better  than 
covering  each  fruit  very  thinly  with  cotton  wadding. 

FI.OWEK    OARDEN. 

Flower  gardening  in  the  autumn  may  appear  an  easy  matter, 


116 


JOUKNAIi  OF  HOBTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GAKDENEB. 


(  August  13, 1868. 


the  plants  havirig  all  iiUed  their  allotted  places  ;  but  in  a  large 
flower  garden  containing  a  great  variety  of  plants  more  delicate 
work  is  noir  required  than  at  any  other  time  in  the  year. 
Take  a  bed  of  Petunias,  for  example.  As  soon  as  the  plants 
begin  to  mn  over  the  sides  of  the  bed  a  man  must  begin  to  cut 
all  the  leading  shoots  just  inside  the  edges  of  the  bed.  In 
three  days  more  the  same  work  mast  be  repeated,  and  in  three 
weeks  the  sides  of  the  bed  form  a  regular  bank  5  or  6  inches 
high,  while  the  plants  in  the  middle  of  the  bed  are  from  a  foct 
to  18  inches  high,  with  a  surface  as  even  as  any  part  of  the 
snrroanding  grass,  yet  no  one  can  see  that  a  shoot  has  ever 
been  touched.  The  bed  is  kept  nearly  at  that  level  throughout 
the  season  by  close  pruning,  and  beating  down  by  rain  is 
almost  impossible.  Now,  how  different  is  this  from  the  old 
system  of  cutting  the  sides  of  the  bed  with  shears  and  allowirg 
the  strongest  plants  to  tower  here  and  there  all  over  the  btd, 
the  first  heavy  rain,  perhaps,  levelling  them  to  the  ground. 
JIanaged  properly,  the  Petunias  make  the  best  of  rows  for 
oiroulftT  beds  or  along  a  walk. 

GBEENHOCSE    AND   COXSEHVATORT. 

To  do  proper  justice  to  forced  Hyacinths  expected  to  bloom 
at  Christmas,  they  ought  to  be  potted  not  later  than  the  middle 
of  August.  They  may  be  flowered  as  early  as  Christmas  if 
potted  as  late  as  the  end  of  September  or  beginning  of  Oc- 
tober ;  but  this  is  too  much  for  the  bulbs,  the  flowers  are  not 
30  fine  as  from  early  potting,  and  it  takes  two  seasons'  good 
nursing  to  bring  the  bulbs  round  again,  so  that  they  will  make 
their  appearance  among  the  early  spring  bulbs  in  the  beds  and 
borders  of  the  flower  garden.  They  manage  differently  in 
Holland,  where  they  know  the  nature  of  the  Hyacinth  much 
better  than  we  do.  There,  from  time  out  of  mind,  the  first 
crop  of  forcing  Hyacinths  is  potted  about  the  first  week  in 
August.  They  provide  against  exciting  the  foliage  till  the  pots 
are  full  of  roots,  by  a  thick  covering  of  tan,  leaf  mould,  or 
something  of  the  kind.  In  about  six  weeks  the  pots  are  full  of 
roots,  they  are  then  taken  to  cold  frames  and  kept  close  to  the 
glass,  with  plenty  of  air,  and  the  natural  warmth  of  the  latter 
part  of  September  and  the  whole  of  October,  is  sufficient  to 
bring  up  the  fohage  and  flower-buds  very  gradually,  with  the 
least  possible  injury  to  the  bulbs.  Indeed,  as  compared  with 
our  practice,  the  bulbs  can  hardly  be  said  to  be  forced  at  all, 
and  after  one  season's  nursing  the  same  bulbs  are  fit  to  be 
again  forced,  or  exported  in  the  usual  course  of  business.  It  is 
now  high  time  that  the  Narcissuses  which  were  taken  up  last 
June,  to  make  room  for  other  plants,  were  now  planted  where 
they  are  to  flower  next  April  and  May,  and  as  they  do  not  push 
up  till  after  the  present  crops  are  over,  or  are  killed  by  the  frost, 
they  will  be  no  eyesore  in  that  respect.  Meantime,  their  roots 
will  pnsh  deeply  into  the  soil,  and  be  better  able  to  supply  the 
requisite  nourishment  at  the  proper  time  than  if  left  out  of 
the  ground  till  October.  Narcissuses  tbat  are  left  in  the  ground 
from  year  to  year  are  now  making  fresh  roots  actively,  though 
no  signs  of  vegetation  are  apparent  in  the  bulbs.  This  shows 
plainly  enough  that  we  should  not  put  off  planting  them  till 
the  time  of  planting  Tulips.  One  of  the  best  autumn  plants 
for  the  conservatory  is  Lisianthus  Eussellianus.  It  does  best 
when  treated  as  a  stove  biennial  and  sown  about  this  time. 
The  varieties  of  Thunbergia  alata  sown  last  February  are  now, 
and  will  be  for  a  long  time,  very  beautiful  trained  on  trelliswork. 
Vinca  rosea  and  alba  make  admirable  plants  for  the  conserva- 
tory in  autumn.  Allamanda  cathartica  in  a  pot  is  also  well 
suited  for  this  purpose,  but  being  of  a  succulent  nature  it 
should  not  be  kept  here  late  in  autumn,  but  should  be  removed 
to  the  coolest  part  of  the  stove.  All  these  plants  require  now 
less  air  and  water,  and  the  house  to  be  kept  somewhat  drier. 
No  two  Rreenhouses  are  managed  anywhere  alike  in  summer. 
Where  Vines  are  on  the  ratters,  the  house  should  now  be  kept 
more  close  to  ripen  the  fruit  early  before  the  time  of  housing 
the  plants  for  winter  ;  and  where  plants  in  flower  are  the  chief 
study,  a  drier  atmosphere,  more  air,  and  attention  to  cleanli- 
ness are  requisites  to  be  attended  to. 

STOVE. 

There  is  a  large  nnmber  of  stove  plants  that  might  now  be 
propagated  from,  and  the  old  plants  thrown  away  after  they 
have  done  floweriog  between  this  and  Christmas ;  such,  for 
instance,  as  Clerodendrons,  Justicias,  Koellas,  Vincas,  (fee. 
Young  plants  of  these  might  easily  be  nursed  through  the 
winter  in  60-sized  pots,  and  as  soon  as  they  begin  to  grow 
Ireely  in  spring  they  may  be  shifted  into  pots  a  size  larger, and 
when  the  rooti  are  fairly  through  the  fresh  soil  they  will  be  in 
a  condition  to  stand  the  one-shift  or  any  other  system.     Tiiis 


would  give  more  room  to  woody  plants  in  winter,  and  the 
younger  the  plants  of  softwooded  species  are  the  better  they 
always  flower.  If  any  of  these  are  too  small  to  form  fine  spe- 
cimens singly,  propagate  more  of  them,  and  plant  half  a  dozen 
of  them  in  a  pot  at  the  final  shifting. 

PITS  AND  PKAMES. 

If  Acacias  intended  for  forcing  next  January  are  huddled  to- 
gether iu  some  out-of-the-way  corner,  they  will  not  flower  well 
next  spring.  Other  useful  plants  would  now  be  better  along 
with  them  in  the  open  sun.  If  your  plants  of  Coronilla 
glanca  are  planted  out  in  a  border  to  make  them  fine  specimens, 
the  sooner  you  take  them  up  and  pot  them  the  better,  as  they 
go  on  making  young  wood  till  overtaken  by  frost,  without 
ripening  wood  for  producing  bloom.  If  they  are  full-grown 
specimens  cramped  in  pots,  give  them  plenty  of  water,  and 
expose  them  to  the  sun  in  the  open  air. — W.  Keane. 


DOINGS  OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GAEDEN. 

At  length  on  the  6th  we  had  a  few  showers,  and  early  iu  the 
morning  of  the  7th  we  had  the  best  rain  for  an  hour  that  we 
have  had  for  nearly  four  months,  with  slighter  droppings  during 
the  forenoon,  all  of  which,  though  not  penetrating  deeply 
enough  to  reach  the  roots  of  established  plants,  did  much  to 
benefit  those  which  were  newly  planted,  washed  the  foliage, 
refreshed  the  earth,  and  gave  an  agreeable  coolness,  which  to 
vegetables  and  animals  was  a  pleasant  relief  from  the  arid  heat 
which  oppressed  everything,  and  seemed  like  a  heavy  load 
resting  on  our  spirits  and  our  actions.  For  our  own  part  we 
were  just  on  the  point  of  the  dilemma  we  were  in  four  years 
ago,  when  the  only  chance  we  had  of  preserving  many  pot 
plants  was  to  cover  them  up  in  a  wood  until  better  days  should 
come. 

Owing  to  a  lull  in  our  laundry  work  our  house  sewage  had 
failed  us,  and  we  had  not  more  than  an  inch  of  water  above 
part  of  the  mud  in  the  only  pond  of  water  left  us,  and  that  we 
were  pumping  and  using  as  if  every  pailful  were  as  valuable  as 
gold  dust.  Our  deep  well  has  long  been  confined  to  domestic 
purposes,  and  when  the  rain-water  tanks  failed  it  had  to  be 
used  for  the  laundry  and  stable  yard.  This  water  is  very  hard 
originally;  but  when  it  all  collects  in  the  sewage  tank  at  a 
considerable  distance,  what  from  the  soda,  the  soap,  and  the 
fatty  matter,  &c.,  it  has  never  injured  any  plants  out  of  doors 
to  which  it  has  been  applied  ;  and  of  course  after  such  a  rain 
as  that  on  the  7th,  much  would  find  its  way  from  the  gratings 
of  yards,  &c.,  that  would  make  the  sewage  all  the  more  soft 
and  pleasant  to  plants.  We  have  for  want  of  better  used  it 
freely  to  our  fruit  trees  in  pots,  and  without  any  apparent 
injury,  and  if  we  could  have  obtained  enough  we  would  have 
used  it  to  our  bush  and  pvramid  fruit  trees  in  the  open  air. 
All  these  were  mulched  eaily  in  the  season,  but  we  would  have 
liked  to  have  given  them  sis  pailsful  of  water  each,  and  then 
the  fruit  would  have  been  larger.  For  months  neither  from 
rain  nor  dew  has  the  foliage  been  thoroughly  damped,  and  yet 
on  established  trees  it  looks  well ;  but  wo  have  a  good  idea  of 
the  reason  why  under  such  circumstances  the  foliage  is  so 
healthy,  and  that  is  simply  because  in  self-defence  the  roots 
have  gone  deeper  in  search  of  moisture  than  we  would  wish 
them  to  do  ;  and  we  see  in  the  recurrence  of  such  seasons  the 
necessity  of  lifting  and  replanting,  or  the  cutting  of  the  lower 
roots,  all  of  which  work  might  be  avoided  could  we  only  entice 
the  roots  to  remain  near  the  surface. 

But  for  the  burning  heat  and  the  depredations  of  the  fly  on 
all  the  Cabbage  tribe,  established  vegetables  would  have  suf- 
fered comparatively  little  from  the  drought,  as  their  roots,  like 
those  of  trees,  were  induced  to  go  deeper.  It  is  succession 
crops  with  roots  near  the  surface  that  have  chiefly  suffered. 

In  such  seasons  as  this  the  mode  of  conveying  water  becomes 
a  matter  of  importance.  A  barrel-drain  takes  all  the  super- 
fluous water  from  the  mansion  here.  It  has  been  built  of  soft 
bricks  and  mortar,  and  as  the  drain  is  a  good  way  from  the 
surface,  farther  than  the  loss  of  water  in  a  dry  season  the 
drain  answers  its  purpose  well  enough,  as  besides  the  loss  of 
the  fluid  from  passing  through  the  bricks  and  joints,  no  other 
prejudicial  effects  result.  Owing  to  the  slimy  matter  that  in 
time  will  collect  in  all  drains  at  the  bottom,  we  lose  little  of 
such  water  in  ordinary  circumstances ;  but  we  have  always 
noticed  that  after  a  flooding  rain  we  never  get  water  from  that 
'  main  drain  in  proportion  to  the  rainfall,  as  after  the  water 
'  rises  to  a  certain  height  in  the  drain  so  much  escapes  through 


August  13,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OP  HORTICULTUKE  AND  COTTAGE  GABUENEB. 


117 


the  bricks  and  joints  into  the  earth.  For  securing  as  much  as 
possible  of  the  water  when  necessary,  it  would  be  economi- 
cal in  the  end  to  use  hard  bricks  and  cement  joints,  or  larne, 
hard-burned,  glazed  earthenware  pipes  with  cement  joints.  For 
clean  water  we  would  recommend  largo  metal,  and,  better  still, 
glass  pipes ;  but  unless  the  pipes  were  large  we  would  not  re- 
commend iron  pipes  for  sewage,  as  when  of  small  size  they 
soon  become  furred  and  closed  up  where^'er  dish-washings  and 
soap  water  form  a  chief  part  of  the  sewage. 

In  taking  rain  water  from  sheds  and  glass  houses  to  a  con- 
siderable distance  to  tanks.  Sec,  nothing  is  better  for  carrying 
the  water  underground  than  iron  pipes  cemented  at  the  joints, 
provided  the  pipes  are  deep  enough  to  be  beyond  the  reach  of 
frost.  Next,  we  prefer  hard-burned,  strong,  glazed  earthen- 
ware pipes,  with  Portland  or  Roman  cement  joints.  Contrary 
to  our  wish,  we  had  a  portion  of  such  connecting  piping  below 
the  ground  done  with  common  earthenware  drain  pipes  and 
cement  joints,  but  we  know  we  lose  a  good  deal  of  water  by 
them,  as  they  become  softer  and  more  porous  when  laid  in  the 
ground.  These  little  matters  become  of  considerable  import- 
ance when  every  gallon  of  water  has  its  vaUie.  From  a  similar 
amount  of  hard  surface,  as  slate  or  glass,  there  is  a  great  dif- 
ference in  a  heavy  shower  in  the  quantity  of  water  that  at 
once  reaches  the  tank  when  conveyed  by  such  earthenware 
pipes,  as  contrasted  with  iron  or  those  that  are  hard  and  glazed. 

Tiles  in  proportion  to  their  thickness,  if  not  glazed,  are  bad 
roofing  when  the  rainfall  is  to  be  depended  on.  We  have 
known  cottages  roofed  with  tiler,  the  water  falling  on  which 
was  conducted  to  tanks  in  order  to  serve  for  v/ater  supply,  and 
unless  in  a  very  fast  or  continued  rain  hardly  any  water  would 
reach  the  tank,  whilst  from  a  similar  roof  slated  the  tank  would 
be  nearly  fiill.  In  drizzling  rains  soft  tiles  will  absorb  the  rain 
nearly  as  fast  as  it  falls. 

Our  turned-up  ground  in  the  kitchen  garden  has  not  been 
wetted  enough  for  general  piirposes,  but  we  have  sown  a  piece 
of  Turnips,  well  soaking  with  the  rain  water  the  opened  drills 
before  sowing.  We  also  sowed  a  piece  of  Spinach  in  the  same 
way.  We  hope  these  sowings  will  do,  as  the  weather  promises 
to  be  much  cooler.  We  cannot  say  much  for  our  success, 
though  adopting  the  same  mode  previously,  and  covering  care- 
fully, leaving  dry  soil  on  the  surface,  and  even  sprinkling  with 
a  little  litter  to  break  the  force  of  the  sun's  rays.  The  air 
was  so  arid  that  in  spite  of  everything  it  would  suck  up  the 
moisture,  and  what  green  leaves  appeared  were  pounced  upon 
by  myriads  of  tbe  fly.  We  will  follow  with  main  crops  of 
Spinach,  watering  the  rows  before  sowing,  and  will  sow  more 
than  usual,  in  ease  Winter  Greens  should  not  be  so  large  and 
plentiful  as  in  the  generality  of  seasons.  We  will  also  make 
our  first  sowing  of  Onions,  and  will  sow  more  in  a  tort- 
night,  as  these  Onions  when  establisbed  are  nearly  as  inde- 
pendent of  a  hot  summer  as  a  crop  of  Wheat  sown  in  autumn. 
Spring-sown  Onions  will  not  be  of  the  usual  size  tbis  season 
in  our  district.  We  will  water  Coleworts  with  manure  water 
as  soon  as  we  can,  and  give  a  good  position  to  more  young 
plants  for  winter  and  early  spring  supply.  A  fine  lot  of  these 
may  be  obtained  by  planting  in  rows  a  foot  apart,  and  about 
9  inches  from  each  other  in  the  row. 

We  can  only  say  what  we  should  like  to  do  with  our  main 
plantations  of  Cabbages  planted  last  autumn,  and  which,  in 
spite  of  tbe  drought  and  heat,  have  furnished  repeated  cuttinga, 
and  that  all  the  more  from  the  larger  lower  leaves  falling  off, 
and  almost  covering  the  ground,  and  thus  so  far  arresting 
radiation  and  evaporation.  We  would  fork  over  the  ground, 
give  a  good  soaking  of  sewage,  and  then  cover  tbe  ground  with 
a  mulching  of  half-rotten  dung.  Thus  treated,  we  would  have 
good  gatherings  until  the  spring  Cabbages  came  in  ;  and  in 
this  district  green  vegetables  will  have  their  value  during  the 
coming  winter.  Thus  treated,  old  Cabbage  stumps  will  yield  a 
supply  as  juicy  and  succulent  as  the  best  young  Coleworts.  As 
previously  stated,  we  have  sown  Lettuces,  Endive,  and  tbe 
Cabbage  tribe  under  old  sashes,  as  we  very  nearly  lost  them 
all  in  the  open  air.  Since  the  rain  on  Friday  the  dreaded 
jumping  fly  has  become  more  scarce. 

FKUIT   DEPAETMENT. 

Wasps,  as  usual,  have  appeared  in  strength  in  August.  Until 
the  beginning  of  tbe  month  we  scarcely  saw  a  single  specimen 
all  the  season.  They  were  very  small  and  thin  at  first.  On 
close  investigation  we  never  found  so  many  nests,  especially  in 
the  pleasure  ground,  and  the  cracking  of  the  turf  gave  thrm 
great  facilities  fur  burrowing,  and  this,  combined  with  tbe  hard- 
nsBB  of  the  ground,  made  it  more  difficult  to  dig  them  out  and 


destroy  the  nesta.  In  most  cases,  when  we  did  so,  ws  buried 
a  bottle  with  enticing  liquid  in  it,  leaving  only  the  rim  of  the 
mouth  above  ground.  From  some  snch  bottles  we  have  since 
plunging  them  taken  a  pint  of  wasps,  and  in  others  that  had 
become  dry  they  had  actually  commenced  forming  cells  for  a 
fresh  habitation. 

One  of  our  young  men  tried  a  simple  mode,  that  would  be 
very  useful  where  it  would  not  bo  convenient  to  dig  out  the 
nests,  which,  however,  well  done,  always  leaves  some  wasps  at 
liberty,  and  these  when  deprived  of  a  home  are  apt  to  be 
more  predatory  than  ever.  The  top  of  a  haud-light  was  firmly 
placed  on  the  ground  over  the  nest  after  dark,  a  plate  with 
burning  sulphur  was  quickly  shoved  inside  the  glass  next  day, 
and  very  shortly  the  myriads  that  filled  the  glass  had  finished 
their  existence.  This  repeated  several  times  would  destroy  th'o 
moat  prolific  community  of  wasps. 

As  yet  wasps  have  done  little  harm  in  the  garden,  but  have 
just  begun  to  taste  the  ripest  Peaches  aud  Nectarines  in  the 
orchard  house,  but  even  there  to  a  trifling  extent.  We  were 
forced  to  let  them  and  armies  of  large  flies  have  more  than 
their  share  last  year,  and  we  resolved  to  keep  them  under  this 
season.  Oar  front  ventilators  are  of  wood,  aud  we  covered  all 
the  openings  with  netted  gauze,  through  which  a  fly  of  any  size 
could  not  pass.  We  had  a  little  more  trouble  with  the  top 
ventilators  of  glass,  that  are  meiely  hung  by  a  screw  on  each 
side,  as  a  pivot,  and  which  for  such  a  purpose  answers  well 
enough.  To  leave  the  ventilators  when  open  we  should  have 
to  make  a  sort  of  bag  of  netted  muslin  for  each  ventilator, 
which  would  take  up  a  great  deal  more  material,  and  occupy 
time  to  do  it.  We  therefore  unscrewed  aud  took  out  all  the 
ventilators,  and  then  covered  the  spaces  with  the  gauze,  using 
a  piece  of  common  twine  drawn  tightly  over  the  gauze,  and 
keeping  it  tight  with  a  few  tin  tacks.  The  gauze  lets  plenty  of 
air  through,  and  therefore  all  air-giving  is  now  avoided. 

There  will  be  plenty  of  lieat  to  ripen  Peaches,  Nectarines, 
Plums,  &c.,  as  soon  as  we  want  them.  Our  only  drawback  is 
as  respects  the  Viues  in  one  house.  Leas  air  would  have 
enabled  us  to  have  ripened  them  earlier  in  the  autumn  ;  but 
when  the  Peaches,  &o.,  are  all  gathered  we  can  replace  at  least 
a  portion  of  the  ventilators.  This  is  tho  penalty  we  must 
pay  at  times  for  having  so  many  things  in  one  house.  But  for 
keeping  the  Peaches  back  instead  of  forwarding  them,  the  same 
treatment  would  have  suited  both  crops.  Now  tbe  Grapes  will 
receive  a  little  check  to  do  what  is  desirable  with  the  Peaches. 
The  second  crop  of  Figs  would  have  come  on  all  the  sooner  in 
a  closer,  warmer  atmosphere  at  night.  Before  the  rain  of 
Friday,  which  put  a  good  many  gallons  in  our  tanks,  we  began 
seriously  to  think  that  we  should  have  to  place  a  foot  of  litter 
over  all  the  pot  plants  in  these  houses,  and  cover  the  ground 
in  the  later  house  to  keep  moisture  in.  This  would  not  have 
contrasted  well  with  the  heavily-loaded  trees,  and  we  are  glad 
that  for  the  present  we  shall  not  be  under  any  such  necessity. 

All  trees  in  pots  from  which  the  mulching  had  disappeared 
were  fresh  mulched,  and  those  who  have  never  tried  it  would 
be  surprised  to  find  how  much  this  mulching  saves  watering, 
whilst  the  water  that  reaches  the  roots  is  more  fertilising. 
Some  people  pretend  to  laugh  at  all  surface-mulching  and  ma- 
nuring. "  Put  the  manure  in  the  ground,"  say  they,  "if  you 
wish  to  see  fine  luxuriant  results."  One  man  told  us  not  long 
ago,  "  Why,  you  are  as  stupid  as  some  of  your  farmers,  who 
cart  out  their  manure  on  their  land  and  allow  the  air  to  take 
away  its  best  properties  for  weeks,  plough  it  in  when  as  dry 
as  fresh-made  hay,  and  then  expect  a  tine  crop  of  succulent 
large-sized  Turnips."  Well,  let  them  laugh  who  win.  If 
we  wanted  fine  Turnips  and  huge  Cabbages  we  would  turn  in 
the  well-made  moist  manure  as  soon  ns  possible,  and  grudge 
every  ounce  the  air  took  away  ;  but  if  we  wanted  masses  of 
bloom  and  plenty  of  fruit  rather  than  over-luxuriant  shoots 
and  foliage,  then  we  would  have  our  manurings  near  the  sur- 
face, even  if  the  atmosphere  should  rob  as  of  a  little  of  its 
fertilising  influences. 

In  tbe  open  air  took  a  few  hours  to  free  our  dwarf  trees  of 
laterals  and  superfluous  shoots,  being  rather  behind  in  this 
work.  All  spurs  and  shoots  to  bear  next  season  should  have 
all  the  sun  possible  now.  X  gentleman  complains  that  his 
Peach  trees  grow  vigorously,  but  he  obtains  little  fruit,  and  no 
wonder;  his  trees  now  are  like  a  thicket,  the  summer  shoots 
luxuriant  and  weak,  all  standing  out  in  bold  relief  from  the 
wall ;  and  he  drags  in  our  authority  for  his  practice  by  tolling 
us  he  read  something  to  the  effect  that  Fig  trees  did  better 
when  allowed  to  grow  somewhat  naturally  than  when  close- 
trained  to  the  wall ;  and  if  this  was  the  case  with  Fig  trees. 


118 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTUBE  AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEB. 


t  Augast  13,  1868. 


why  wonld  it  not  answer  with  the  Peach  ?  Now,  Fig  trees  will 
do  admirably  when  not  too  closely  trained,  and  we  are  indebted 
for  the  idea  to  that  clever  gardener  Mr.  Tillyard;  but  the 
system  would  be  ruiu  to  Peach  trees.  The  season  is  yet  before 
our  correspondent,  but  let  bim  not  lose  an  hour  in  cutting  out 
aU  very  luxuriant  shoots,  removing  also  all  the  weaker  ones, 
and  laying  in  close  to  the  wall  all  the  middle-sized  shoots  about 
the  thickness  of  a  quill,  and  as  closely  together  as  will  cover 
the  wall  with  shoots  at  from  4  to  .5  inches  apart,  and  it  these 
are  ripened  by  the  autumn  in  his  climate  we  will  guarantee 
he  will  have  plenty  of  fruit  buds,  and  flowers  and  fruit  too 
next  season.  If  these  shoots  exceed  18  inches  in  length  he 
may  nip  the  point  out  of  each  if  tbe  trees  are  vigorous.  If 
the  trees  are  old,  until  he  brings  them  round  to  fruitfulness,  it 
will  be  well  not  to  stop  until  he  sees  triple  buds  on  the  shoot  to 
cut  back  to.  It  will  be  as  well,  after  the  thinning  of  the  shoots, 
to  defer  stopping  those  left  for  a  week  or  two,  as  doing  both 
operations  at  once  would  be  too  great  a  check  to  the  energies  of 
the  tree. 

ORNAMENTAL   DEPARTMENT. 

Our  walks,  though  clean,  were  becoming  rough  from  the 
long  drought,  and  therefore,  on  the  afternoon  of  Friday,  we 
had  them  swept  to  fill  up  the  cracks,  r.nd  well  rolled  before  the 
moisture  had  evaporated.  A  few  weeds  that  showed  were 
pulled  out  in  sweeping.  We  dislike  walks  which  will  try  the 
feet  of  those  using  thin-soled  boots,  but  for  two  months  ours 
were  rough,  and  we  could  not  help  it ;  now  they  will  be  tolera- 
bly comfortable  for  some  time.  How  few  men  there  are  who 
can  sweep  a  walk,  so  as  to  leave  all  uniform  and  not  a  mark  or 
a  trail  of  the  broom  behind  them.  This  can  only  be  done  by 
sweeping  right  on,  and  using  no  side  or  back  strokes.  It  is 
quite  a  treat  to  see  some  men  clip  edgings  and  sweep  walks, 
whilst  others,  with  excellent  intentions,  can  never  avoid  leaving 
marks  behind  them.  Just  as  in  watering,  some  men  seem  to 
know  all  about  watering  as  if  by  instinct,  in-doors  or  out  of 
doors,  others  will  never  water  a  plant  properly,  except  by 
chance  more  than  judgment.  With  them  it  is  of  no  use  detail- 
ing plain  signs.  The  very  simplicity  of  some  things  seems 
to  act  as  a  deterrent  to  right  practice.  In  this  simple  matter 
we  have  found  men  who  could  scarcely  read,  far  more  to  be 
trusted  with  the  watering  pot  than  other  really  clever  intelli- 
gent men  ;  yet  all  general  intelligence  ought  to  make  a  man 
more  conversant  and  attentive  to  simple  matters. 

In  consequence  of  usinj  sulphur,  as  lately  described.  Lobelias 
are  looking  up  after  the  depredations  of  the  rabbits,  and  with 
that  exception  and  the  Calceolarias,  far  from  being  so  tine  as 
they  were  a  month  ago,  the  flower  garden  would,  in  spite  of 
the  dryness,  look  well  if  the  lawn  were  only  green,  and  there  is 
a  greenish  tingo  stealing  over  it  since  the  rain  of  yesterday. 
We  have  had  it  knifed  several  times,  to  cut  down  plantains  and 
other  weeds,  and  let  the  sun  dry  them  up  out  of  sight.  A 
figure  of  this  knife  appeared  in  a  previous  volume,  and  recently 
Mr.  Galward,  of  Hitchin,  an  energetic  ironmonger  and  ma- 
chinist, has  had  it  over  as  a  pattern,  as  he  thinks  it  will  not 
only  be  useful  for  lawns,  but  also  for  farmers  for  cutting  char- 
lock and  all  other  weeds  that  appear  above  the  corn  early  in 
the  season.  We  know  that  even  with  our  long  handle  it 
answers  well  for  quickly  going  over  a  field,  and  with  the  least 
possible  trouble  to  the  workman. 

We  have  machined  round  the  beds  where  there  was  anything 
to  cut.  With  another  shower  or  two  we  think  we  shall  be  all 
right  for  the  autumn.  With  the  little  water  at  our  disposal, 
we  have  used  it  exactly  as  described  previously. — K.  F. 


VEGETABLES. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MARICET.— August  1:>. 

Ode  quotations  remain  much  the  same  as  last  week,  and  there  is  little 
or  no  alteration  worth  notice  in  the  general  features  of  tbe  market,  tbe 
chief  supplies,  both  home-grown  and  foreiptn,  being  Apples,  Pears,  and 
Plums.  The  last  cargo  of  West  Indian  Pines  has  arrived  in  very  bad 
cendition. 


Artichokes doz. 

Asparatnis   lUO 

Beans,  Kidney  ?-j  sieve 

beet,  ited doz. 

broccoli bundle 

Brus.  Sprouts  ^2  sieve 

Cabbage doz. 

Capsicums 100 

CarroEa bunch 

Cauliflower doz. 

Celery bundle 

Cucumbers each 

Endive doz. 

Fennel bunch 

(larlic lb. 

Herbs bunch 

Horseradish  . .  bundle 


s.  d.  B. 
«  Otofi 
0 


0  0 

4  0 

a  u 

0  0 

0  0 


1 
s 

0 
0     0 


0  ;  Leeks  bnnch 

0  I  Lettuce per  score 

e  '  Mushrooms pottle 

0  '  Mustd.&  Cress,  punnet 
0     Onions  per  doz   bchs. 

0    Parsley per  sieve 

0  I  Parsnips doz. 

0    Peas per  quart 


B.  d.  B,  d 
0  4  to  0  6 
2    0      4 


Potatoes bushel 

Kidney  do. 

Radishes  doz.  bunches 
Rhubarb bundle 


U    9 
0    9 


0  [  Sea-kale basket 


Shallots lb. 

Spinach  baebel 

Tomatoes per  doz. 

Turnips  bunch 


0     0 
0    0 


0  0 

0  0 

0  0 
2  0 

1  0 


FRUIT. 


Apples K  Bieve 

Apricots doz. 

Cherries lb. 

Ohestnuts bush. 

Gorrants x,^  Bieve 

Black do. 

Figs doz. 

Filberts lb. 

Cobs lb. 

Gooseberries  . .  quart 
Grapes,  Hothouse,  .lb. 
LemonB 100 


s.  d.      8.  d 
1    6 too    0 


0 

4 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

0 

0 

."". 

0 

0 

0 

0 

9 

1 

0 

11 

II 

II 

0 

r 

0 

0 

12 

0 

Melons each  2 

Nectarines doz.  4 

Orangee 100  12 

Peaches doz.  6 

Pears  (dessert)  ..  doz.  ti 

Pine  Apples lb.  3 

Plnms }u  sieve  5 

Quinces doz.  0 

Raspberries lb.  0 


d.  8  d 
0to5  0 
0      8    0 

0  0 
12 

0 

5 


0 
0 
0 
6    0 

0   n 

0     0 


strawberries . .  per  lb.    0    0      0    0 

Walnuts bush.  10    0    16    0 

do per  100    1    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  bo  doing  they 
are  subjected  to  nnjustifiable  trouble  and  expense.  All 
commimications  should  therefore  be  addressed  solely  t9 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  c&c,  171,  Fleet 
Street^  London,  E.G. 

We  also  request  that  correspondents  will  not  mix  up  on  tbo 
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  commuuieations.  Also  never  to  send  more  than 
two  or  three  questions  at  once. 

N.B, — Many  questions  must  remain  unanswered  until  next 
week. 

Books  (S.  Morrfnn). — If  you  send  your  address  and  eleven  postage 
stamps  you  can  have,  free  by  post,  from  our  office,  Nos.  35li,  854,  and  355, 
New  Series,  which  contain  tbe  inlormfttion  you  desire.  We  know  of  no 
EnRlish  handbook  published  on  tbe  subject  ol  late  years.  (E.  T.,  Norwich). 
— The  "  Cottage  Gardener's  Dictionary,"  a  new  edition  of  which  has  just 
been  publi&hed,  furnishes  all  the  infoimation  you  require  as  to  the  native 
countries,  &c.,  of  the  plants,  and  much  more  besides,  together  with  direc- 
tions for  the  culture  of  each  genus,  and  of  the  moat  important  species, 
but  there  is  no  work  giving  the  culture  of  each  separately.  You  can  have 
the  work  named  free  bv  post  from  our  office  for  7«. 

Seedling  Gloxinia  (J.  Dairson). — It  is  pretty— all  Gloxinias  are;  but 
there  are  many  like  it.  Much  depends  on  the  habit  uf  the  plant,  and  of 
this  we  know  nothing. 

LiLiUM  AURATCM  (Mrs.  A'.). — Your  plant,  nearly  S  feet  high,  with  twenty 
bloomn  crowning  its  single  stem,  is  very  fine.  We  do  not  remember  to 
have  seen  quite  so  many  on  a  single  stem. 

Hanum  (G.  5.).— We  have  inquired  respecting  the  seeds  mentioned  by 
Mr.  Wanklyn  (vol.  s.,  p.  126),  but  find  that  the  papers  relating  to  them 
have  been  mislaid.  It  is  stated  that  they  were  not  Melon  seeds,  but  w« 
are  promised  further  information  respecting  them  shortly.  The  Goose- 
berries were  deliciously  flavoured. 

Mignonette  for  Winter  Flowering  (.4  Novice). — Mignonette  for 
blooming  in  winter  Bhould  be  sown  at  once  in  pots  filled  with  good  light 
soil,  putting  a  few  seeds  in  tbe  centre  of  each  pot.  When  the  plants 
appear  they  may  bu  sinsled  ont  to  three  in  each  pot.  W'hen  the  roots  fill 
the  pots  the  plants  t^hould  be  shifted  into  tbe  next  size,  and  so  on,  until 
they  are  in  6-inch  pots.  They  should  be  kept  on  a  shelf  near  the  glass 
in  the  greenhouse.  A  light  fibrous  loam  with  a  free  admixture  of  sand, 
and  good  drainage,  are  essential.  Be  careful  not  to  overwater  in  winter, 
nor  to  give  any  water  until  it  is  required. 

Stocks  for  Spring  Flowering  (Idem). — Seed  of  the  Intermediates 
may  now  be  sown,  but  no  time  should  be  lost.  The  seed  should  be  sown 
in  good  light  soil  in  the  open  ground,  and  when  fit  to  handle  potted-oflf 
singly  in  small  pots,  and  wintered  in  a  cold  frame,  protection  being  given 
from  frost. 

Seedling  Arbor-Vit.e  Management  {A  Subsciiher).  —  The  seedlings 
having  been  raised  under  glass,  it  would  be  well  to  keep  them  during  the 
winter  in  a  cool  airy  house  or  cold  pit,  aflfording  them  abundance  of  air, 
but  protection  from  severe  frost.  In  spring  we  would  plant  them  out  in 
the  open  ground,  after  well  hardening  them  ofiF. 

Hollyhocks  (.4/1  Old  Subscriber),- Aa  article  will  shortly  appear  on 
the  subject. 

Kkeping  Sweetwater  Grapes  (J.  H.  Wat/ord).~YouT  Grapes  will 
keep  best  on  the  Vine.  There  is  no  mode  of  prolonging  the  keeping 
period,  except  preserving  a  cool  and  dry  atmosphere. 

Destroying  Worms  in  Pots  ( ).—Thn  worms  in  the  pots  maybe 

destroyed  by  stopping-up  the  boles  in  the  pots  with  corks,  and  watering 
vsith  Ume  water  until  it  stands  on  the  surface.  The  lime  water  may 
remain  fur  an  hour,  then  on  removing  the  cork  it  will  pass  off.  The 
Ume  water  may  be  made  by  pouring  thirty  gallons  of  water  over  10  lbs. 
of  fresh  lime.  Stir  well  up  and  allow  the  whole  to  stand  two  or  three 
days,  then  employ  ,the  clear  liquor.  Placing  a  little  soot  over  the 
crocks  would  have  prevented  the  worms  entering  through  the  holes  in 
the  pots,  but  we  should  not  advise  such  a  proceeding  for  Ferns. 
Probably  there  were  worms  in  the  soil  when  it  was  used.  See  that  the 
drainage  of  the  pots  is  good. 

Watering  Peach  Trees  [C.  E.  S.).— Your  tree  has  upon  it  too  many 
fruit  by  half.  You  will  not  improve  the  tree  much  by  allowing  the  fruit 
to  remain  until  it  is  fit  for  a  tart,  as  it  will  be  nearly  ripe  by  the  time  thia 


August  IS,  1866.  1 


JOOfiNAL  or  HOBTIODLTOBE  AND   COTTAGE  GAfiDENER. 


119 


appears.  To  have  efised  the  tree  the  fruit  should  have  been  removed 
when  the  stoning  was  complete.  The  syriuRing  may  he  ct)Dtinued  until 
the  Pouches  begin  to  ripen,  and  a  good  watering  should  then  lie  given, 
and  watering  must  ho  coutiunod  until  tho  fruit  is  ripe,  then  syringe  for 
a  few  days,  but  di^contimie  doing  so  by  tho  middle  of  September.  The 
watering  may  cease  when  tho  fruit  is  ripe. 

Protecting  Peaches  i-noM  Wasps  (Ki'w  Forr.^t). — We  have  not  found 
anything  etiual  to  tlio  old  plan  of  trapping  thcMii  iu  soda-water  bottles 
about  half  lilled  with  boor  sweotuned  with  troaclo.  A  nunil>fr  of  those 
bottles  suspended  from  tho  wall  by  a  string  tied  round  the  neck,  will  keep 
th»  wasps  from  the  fruit,  and  Iho  destruction  of  the  nests  is  the  best  of 
all  reraed'es.  You  arc  quite  right  as  to  covering  the  trees  with  hexagon 
netting  ;  it  docs  impair  to  some  degree  the  flavour  of  the  fruit. 

Compost  fou  Fuchsias  and  Pelarooniums  iA  Lover  of  Flowern}.—A 
compost  of  two-thirds  loam  from  rotted  turves,  and  one-third  old  cow 
dang  and  leaf  mould  in  cfjual  iiuantitics,  with  a  free  admixture  of  shar]) 
sand,  will  grow  them  well.  The  plants  now  in  small  pots  should  be  potted 
as  soon  as  they  reach  tho  sides  of  tho  pots,  and  before  they  become 
closely  matted.  Tho  Pelargoniums  should  be  repotted  up  to  December, 
and  then  shifted  into  their  blooming  pots  if  for  an  early  bloom  ;  but  if 
intended  for  flowering  in  Juno  the  final  shift  may  be  given  in  February. 
The  shoots  should  be  Ktoppcd  and  tied  out,  so  as  to  produce  good  speci- 
mens. The  Fuchsias  should  be  potted  and  kept  slowly  growing  over  the 
winter,  and  be  stopped  frequently  as  required  to  secure  good  habit. 

Select  Fuchsias  (Wcih).— Queen  of  Whites,  Diadem,  Laurient  Pal- 
maerts,  Hercules,  Sunshine,  War  Eagle,  Elegantissima,  Rose  of  Denmark, 
Enoch  Arden,  Banks's  Beauty,  Catherine  Parr,  Conquest,  and  Blanchette. 
Select  Pelargoniums  (Idrm). — Show  Faj-iefies— Belle  of  the  Ball. 
Charles  Turner,  William  Hoyle,  Selina,  Mary  Hoyle,  Elegans,  Lady  of 
Quality.  Marian,  Lord  Canning,  Conqueror,  Beauty  of  Reading,  and  Golden 
Hue.  Fa/iL'!/— Clytie,  Eleanor.  Silver  Mantle, '  Undine,  Lndy  Towers, 
Enlalie,  Godfrey  Turner,  Roi  des  Fantaisies,  The  Rover,  Mrs.  Turner, 
First  Favourite,  and  Delrcatum.  French  and  English  Spotted — Calypso, 
Egarie,  Gustave  JIalet.  Rubens,  Margaret,  Madame  Charles  Keteleer, 
Victorine  Pinguard,  Numa,  General  Fleury,  Celine  Malet,  Duchesse  de 
Momy,  and  Bert-nice. 

Pelabgoniums  and  Fuchsias  Unhealthy  {R.  A.  S.).— Yonr  pump 
water  with  which  the  drains  communicate  would  have  done  no  harm  to 
the  plants  if  exposed  for  some  hours  in  a  tub  before  using  it.  The  want 
of  water  is,  we  presume,  what  has  injured  your  plants  on  stands  out  of 
doors.  If  the  drought  continue,  we  would  advise  taking  them  from  the 
stands  and  plunging  the  pots  in  earth  and  shading. 

Heating  a  Ssi^ll  House  Within  a  Conservatoet  (S.  J.  B.). — There 
is  no  objection  whatever  to  the  small  house  which  you  propose  erecting 
for  Ferns,  ^c,  inside  the  lofty  one,  only  we  would  advise  you  to  have  a 
span-roof,  if  a  foot  or  two  higher,  instead  of  the  flat  one,  as  the  latter 
will  bo  more  apt  to  shower  down  condensed  moisture  on  the  plants.  The 
lamp  will  do  for  extra  heat  if  the  products  of  combustion  go  off.  Are 
there  no  other  modes  of  securing  additional  heat  ?  How  is  the  house 
heated  now,  the  large  one? 

Floe-heated  Pit  fox  Beddikg  Plants  (H.  T.).—  Ab  a  means  of 
lessening  damp  in  winter  it  will  be  well  to  have  tho  bottom  of  your  pit  on 
the  level,  or  rather  a  little  above  the  level  of  the  surrounding  ground.  It 
will  be  most  convenient  to  have  shding  frame  sashes.  A  good  pitch  for 
lights,  7  feet  by  4,  would  be  to  have  the  back  wall  Si  feet  in  height,  and 
the  front  wall  from  20  to  24  inches  high.  Tho  above  size  would  be  good 
for  sashes.  In  such  a  pit  we  would  like  the  flue  round  the  wall  instead 
of  along  the  centre  of  the  pit,  as  that  would  interfere  with  your  setting 
the  i>lants.  X  small  flue,  say  5  inches  clear  inside,  would  be  sufficient. 
We  would  say  in  addition,  that  if  you  wished  your  pit  to  be  used  for 
many  purposes,  and  for  taller  plants  than  would  stand  in  the  above,  you 
might  have  the  outside  heights  the  same,  but  you  could  sink  the  pit  from 
18  to  24  inches— say  20  inches,  and  then  at  24  inches  from  the  sunk  level, 
leave  a  ledge  of  bricks  inside  the  walls,  and  on  these  ledges,  back  and 
front,  you  could  have  boards  laid  across,  so  as  to  permit  of  shorter  plants 
standing  on  them,  nnd  when  the  boards  were  removed  the  pit  would  do 
for  taller  plants.  For  general  bedding  plants,  however,  it  will  he  best 
that  the  groimd  should  not  be  sunk  at  all.  The  walls  will  form  one  side 
of  the  flue.  We  have  had  the  flue  formed  in  the  wall,  but  then  there  was 
heat  lost  outside. 

Manures  fob  Roses  (IT.  2T.  M.). — "If you  have  decayed  manure  I 
advise  you  to  put  it  to  the  depth  of  2  inches  over  the  roots.  All  my 
Roses  were  so  served  some  time  ago  ;  the  operation  was  costly,  but  it 
was  absolutelv  necessary  to  prevent  the  snrfiice  roots  from  being  burnt 
up.  This,  with  a  gallon  of  water  to  each  Rose  (1700)  every  pther  day,  has 
preserved  my  Roses.  Mildew,  and  red  fungus,  and  black  bhght  have 
been  prevalent,  but  tho  foliage  of  my  Roses  is  quite  clean.  I  began  early 
in  the  year  cutting  out  with  scissors  every  sign  of  fungus,  which  spreads 
rapidly.  .\s  regards  salt,  4  cwt.  an  acre  would  be  a  dressing.  Three  cwt. 
of  gnano  would  be  a  good  dressing  Nitrate  of  soda  at  the  rate  of  3  cwt. 
per  acre  is  better  than  salt,  it  produces  healthy  foliage.  The  best  time 
to  put  on  guano,  salt,  and  nitrate  of  soda  is  during  stormy  weather  in 
winter  or  spring.  When  guano  (sifted)  is  put  on  it  should  be  mixed  with 
three  or  four  times  its  quantity  of  sifted  coal  ashes.  If  sown  by  itself 
the  person  should  take  up  small  bandfuls  and  sow  it  thinly.  A  clod- 
hopper has  no  idea  of  its  power.  It  is  the  cheapest  of  all  m;inures.  If 
you  have  no  decayed  manure,  perhaps  you  have  wood  ashes  ;  these  are  a 
good  manure  and  attract  and  retain  moisture.  I  gave  my  Roses  some 
guano  water  some  time  back,  at  the  rate  of  one  handful  of  Peruvian 
guano  to  three  gallons  of  water.  Yon  had  better  put  it  on  in  like  manner 
during  dry  weather.— W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

Roses  and  their  Merits  (Dcvonievxis}.—''  Y'ou  are  quite  right  in  sup- 
posing that  I  am  *  always  ready  and  willing  to  benefit  the  public  by  my 
experience  in  the  cultivation  of  the  Rose — that  most  beautiful  flower ' 
Duchesse  de  Caylus  here  is  on  the  Manetti,  and  grows  well  and  blooms 
abundantly.  It  is  a  first-class  Rose  of  medium  size.  Briar  hoses  here 
bear  no  relation  to  Manetti  Roses,  except  the  Tea-scented  Noisettes, 
which  do  well  on  the  Briar,  also  on  the  Manetti  stock,  and  on  their  own 
roots.  I  would  not  accept  oue  hundred  Hybrid  Perpeluals  on  a  Briar  if 
they  were  ofl"ered  to  me.  I  am  persuaded  that  the  days  of  the  Briar  are 
over  'D.,  Dciii'  in  his  last  letter  says  the  same.  Still  it  is  useful  for 
unctuous  clays,  where  the  plant  is  watered  by  capillary  attraction,  and 
also  for  sncli  sorts  as  do  not  flourish  on  a  Manetti  stock,  or  such  as  are 
too  delicate  to  do  woU  near  the  ground.    This  summer  one  nurseryman 


has  lost  27,000  Briars  out  of  40,000  ;  another,  I  hoar,  has  lost  20  per  cent. 
I  am  not  quite  sure  it  was  not  80  per  cent.  If  many  saw  my  Roses, 
about  170O  ground  plants,  in  full  health,  and  now  blooming  in  their 
second  series,  I  am  persuaded  that  they  would  soon  discard  their  poor 
Briar  Roses.  It  is  impossible  to  conceive  or  describe  the  grandeur  of  tho 
flr.st  series  here,  and  in  a  little  time  they  will  be  nearly  as  good,  and  will 
go  on  till  frost  stops  them  :  hut  observe,  they  have  had  all  fungi  cut  out, 
and  have  been  mulched,  watered,  and  had  the  ground  around  them 
moved  with  Parkes's  fork.  Unless  people  will  take  these  pnins,  which  so 
well  repay,  the  sooner  thev  give  up  Roses  the  better.  With  regard  tu 
Mrs.  George  Paul  and  Monsieur  Uoll,  1  saw  thdn  lately  in  a  garden  where 
they  had  had  no  water,  and  the  flowers  were  bad.  Chiirles  Verdier  is  a 
full  and  fine  Rose,  and  blooms  freely  here  ;  but  I  saw  a  line  of  it  last  week 
in  another  place,  where  from  want  of  water  all  the  blooms  appeared  to 
have  stood  still.  I  bought  four  of  them,  and  brought  them  home  ;  and  I 
shall  buy  twelve  more,  as  it  is  a  very  good  Rose,  and  of  a  light  colour, 
I  also  bought  at  the  same  time  all  the  plants  of  Monsienr  Nonian,  seven 
plants  of  Abel  Grand,  which  I  thought  good,  ten  of  Merveillc  d' Anjou, 
twelve  of  Reine  du  Midi,  twelve  of  Madame  Cirodde,  besides  a  few  others 
in  smaller  quantities  lor  trial.  Thirty-seven  of  them  were  iu  dormant 
bud,  budded  six  weeks  before ;  tho  others  were  plants.  I  cut  those  in 
dormant  bud  down  to  near  the  point  of  union  at  once,  and  expect  to 
bloom  the  greater  part  of  them  this  season.  Last  year  I  planted  a  large 
number— now  splendid  plants- on  the  7th  of  August.  This  year  I  have 
planted  on  the  6th  of  August  the  above  fifty-three  plants.  Most  of  my 
satirical  visitors  ask,  as  soon  as  they  come,  '  Where  are  the  plants  of  the 
7th  of  August :' '  expecting  to  find  them  dead.  I  may  observe,  in  passing, 
that  August,  September,  and  October,  if  yon  are  near  tho  nursery  and 
take  care  of  the  plants  for  a  few  days,  are  the  best  times  to  plant  Manetti 
Roses  ;  hut  I  do  not  advise  inexperienced  or  inattentive  persons  to  do  so. 
Any  time  from  November  till  May,  when  the  ground  is  open,  will  do  lor 
planting  Manetti  Roses.  I  see  one  writer  talks  of  the  '  inuch-vaunled 
Manetti  Rose  !  It  is  utterly  impossible  to  overvalue  it.  With  regard  to 
Thorin,  a  robust  grower  on  the  Manetti,  it  has  not  yet  been  quite  full.  It  is, 
however,  a  fine  Rose,  and  promises  well.  I  shall  know  more  of  it  before  the 
year  is  ont.  I  have  seven  strong  plants  of  it.  With  regard  to  Miss 
Ingram,  it  is  growing  very  freelv,  and  has  narrow  but  hard  fungus-resist- 
ing leaves.  In  respect  to  the  habit  of  Roses  and  general  excellence,  I 
know  of  none  superior  to  Charles  Lefebvre  and  Jules  Margottin  among 
Hybrid  Perpetual  kinds :  nor  anv  superior  for  habit  and  general  excel- 
lence in  any  family  to  Gloire  de  Dijon,  Triomphe  de  Rennes,  and  CeUne 
Forestier.  '  When  my  plants  are  stronger,  I  shall  be  able  to  add  glorious 
Mar.ohal  Niel.  which  is  bv  far  the  best  of  the  yellow  Roses.  The  Briar 
suits  it  well.  I  have  some  on  Manetti,  growing  finely  and  beginning  to 
bloom.  I  believe  I  have  now  answered  all  the  queries  of  'Devoniensis. 
W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

Influence  of  Charcoal  in  Heightening  the  Colour  of  Roses 
(G  H  M  '  — "  I  wrote  to  an  old  friend,  a  distinguished  chemist,  for  an 
opinion.  He  replies—'  There  is  no  doubt  of  tho  favourable  influence  of 
charcoal  on  the  vigour,  and.  therefore,  on  the  colour  of  aU  flowers  ;  so 
marvellous  is  the  power  it  possesses  of  condensing  atmospheric  gases  m 
its  pores. '  Nitrate  of  soda  or  saltpetre  tend  to  produce  good  green 
foliage.— W.  F.  R.ydclyffe." 

A  Reader  of  the  Jocknal.— There  can  be  no  question  that  what  you 
enclosed  is  an  advertisement  of  a  medicine.    We  know  nothmg  of  it. 

MouLE's  Earth  Closets  I.A.  Pane).—  Apply  at  29,  Bedford  Street, 
Covent  Garden,  Loudon,  W.C. 

Obtaining  Bottom  Heat  fob  Forwaedingand  Peopagating  (Amateur). 
—As  von  have  two  vineries  and  a  greenhouse,  the  simplest  plan,  in  a  small 
way  'for  propagating  would  be  to  have  in  your  greenhouse  a  small  box 
covered  with  glass,  and  an  iron  or  tin  box  below  it  2  inches  deep,  which 
vou  could  All  with  hot  water,  and  empty  when  cold  as  desired.  A  good 
second  mode— if  vou  had  a  fire  nearly  constantly  in  one  furnace— would 
be  to  place  a  small  boiler  over  the  furnace,  or  a  bent  pipe  of  iron  m  the 
furnace,  and  take  the  two  ends  into  a  smaU  tank  in  one  of  the  houses, 
over  which  you  would  have  your  propagating  place.  You  could  do  aU 
your  work  more  easilv  than  in  a  pit  out  of  doors.  A  third  mode  has  been 
carried  ont  several  times  successfully.  In  a  greenhouse  heated  by  a 
flue  the  flue  entered  at  one  end,  and  went  round  at  least  a  part  of  the 
house  •  but  as  heat  was  only  wanted  at  times,  the  flue  as  constructed 
would  not  do  for  bottom  heat".  At  the  end  where  the  flue  entered,  a  close 
damper  was  inserted  in  the  flue  6  feet  from  the  end,  and  the  flue  turned 
upon  itself  there,  and  communicated  with  the  chimney,  without  going 
round  the  house.  On  the  flue,  partly  double  at  the  end,  stones,  &c.. 
were  placed,  and  then  sand,  covered  with  a  box  and  light,  and  this  place 
could  be  heated  without  much  heating  the  rest  of  the  greenhouse.  In 
cold  weather  the  damper  was  pulled  partly  out,  and  the  rest  of  the  house 
heated  For  the  purposes  you  want,  we  have  no  faith  m  either  a  garden 
frame  or  a  pigeon-holed  brick  pit  heated  by  dung  hnings.  You  can  only 
manage  such  a  pit  in  winter  by  having  ample  command  of  dung,  and  the 
means  of  preventing  any  steam  or  vaponr  from  the  dung  finding  its  way 
into  vour  pit.  In  such  a  case,  we  would  either  have  a  solid  bottom,  with 
a  chamber  below,  or  a  solid  wall  and  no  pigeon  holes.  We  think  a  brick 
pit  heated  by  hot  water  or  flues  would  suit  you  best,  ^e  need  not  say 
anything  about  heating,  bottom  and  top.  by  hot  water,  as  that  is  so  often 
adverted  to.  As  vou  seem  to  have  flues  for  your  other  houses  there  is  no 
insuperable  objection  to  have  flues  for  this  also.  Suppose,  then,  we  had 
a  pit  from  5  to  6  feet  in  width,  from  8*  to4  feet  high  at  back  and  from  2  to 
2.Ueet  in  front,  we  would  run  a  flue  and  return  it,  sav  5  or  6  niches  inside 
m-easure,  building  it  above  the  level  of  the  floor.  Then  as  to  the  bed  the 
best  would  be  one  bottomed  with  slate,  going  from  back  to  front  3  inches 
above  the  top  of  the  flue.  If  three-fourths  of  the  width  formed  a  bed 
and  one-fourth  of  the  slate  were  left  exposed  the  latter  in  general  would 
be  enough  for  top  heat.  Various  other  modes  "^  covering  with  slates 
could  be  resorted  to,  but  far  enough  above  the  flues  to  be  safe.  The 
most  economical  plan  of  all,  would  be  to  flU  the  places  between  the  f^nes, 
and  flues  and  wall,  as  roughly  and  openly  as  possible  with  stones  bricks 
&c.,  making  them  almost  as  open  as  a  chamber,  raising  them  to  a  height 
of  o  inches  over  the  flues,  next  adding  small  washed  gravel,  and  then 
some  inches  of  sand  or  ashes  for  plunging  in.  By  inserting  some  smaH 
upright  pipes  in  the  stones,  you  may  pour  water  down  "moOB  "'e'^ 
without  touching  the  flue,  and  if  these  pipes  are  supphed  "-tb  '""f™ 
nlnus  vou  can  let  heat  into  the  air  of  the  pit  when  you  hkc.  With  all  out 
1  Fovefo'r  hot  waterT  we  would  wish  nothing  better  than  such  a  flue-heated 


120 


JOURNAL  OP  HOBTICULTUKE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  Augast  13,  1668. 


pit  for  general  purposes.    On  the  subject  of  your  other  query,  we  shall 
have  some  remarks  next  week. 

NiMfcis  OF  Plants  {  IVJ.— Hypericum  perfoliatum.     (M.  H.  .4.).— San- 
guisorl/d  ofiicinalis.  (F.  K.). — 1,  Gymnogramma  chrysopogon  ;  2,  G.  ochra- 


cea ;  3,  Cheilanthos  hirta ;  4,  Platvcerinm  alclcome ;  5,  Pilea  muacosa. 
(J.  G.).— Anplenium  cicutarium.  {It.  C.}.— 1.  Adiantum  cuneatum  ;  2,  As- 
pleniam  Uticcklum  ;  8,  A.  bulbiferom.  (/)iJi(b(/"(t/).— Adiantum  cunoatnm. 
(L.  J/.).— Stilaginella  Brauuii. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  Loudon  for  the  week  endin?  August  11th. 


D,ITE. 

THEBilOMETEB.                    | 

1 

GENETlil.  KEMAKUa. 

BIKOKBTEB. 

-'• 

Eiirth. 

W*"^-     inches. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Max. 

MiD. 

1ft.  dp. 

2  ft.  dp. 

Wed...    5 
Tburs.    e 
Fri.  ..     7 
Sat.  ..    « 
Sun. . .    9 
Mon...  lu 
Taes.  .  11 

29.829 
29.820 
29.730 
B0.06S 
80.084 
S0.064 
29.659 

29.745 
29.771 
2g.B04 
29.902 

so.noo 

29.764 
29.422 

89 
78 
80 
78 
80 
82 
77 

6f. 
54 
48 
54 
E3 
61 

70 
•iO 
70 
C8 
70 
71 
70 

68 
67 
67 
67 
67 
66 
66 

S.E. 

s.w. 

s.w. 

s.w. 

w. 

S.E. 

s. 

.00 

.12 
.00 
.00 
.00 

.oa 

.22 

Clear  and  tine  ;  very  fine ;  fine,  overcast. 

Heavy  showers,  rain,  densely  overcast ;  cloudy,  very  dark. 

Cloudy,  very  tine  ;  overcast  and  cloudy. 

Overcust,  hazy;  very  fine;  clear  and  fine. 

Clear  and  fine;  overcast  :  dull  and  cloudy. 

Fine  ;  dull  and  cloudy  :  fine  and  clear  at  nifibt. 

Overcast,  fine  ;  overcast ;  heavy  showers  ;  cloudy. 

Meas 

29.879 

29.744 

80.57 

54.86 

69.71    1    66.86 

•• 

0.31 

POTILTSY,  BEE.  and  HOTTSEEOLD  CHEOIflCLE. 


POSTING  LISTS   OF  PRIZES   AWARDED.         . 
Allow  me  to  offer  a  suggestion  regarding  the  posting  of  prize  [ 
lists  of  ponltry.     Being  myself  an  exhibitor,  I  have  several  I 
times  waited  for  the  receipt  of  the  Journal  to  know  whether  j 
my  birds  were  euccessful,  when  I  have  been  obHged  to  send 
poultry  without  my  poultry  man.     If  the  secretaries  of  shows 
would  have  the  kindness  to  forward  with  the  entry  papers  a 
sheet  of  paper  suitable  to  fold  round  catalo^^nes,  with  lines  for 
an  address  to  be  written  by  the  exhibitor  requiring  a  list  of  prizes. 
and  stamped  by  him,  the  amount  for  the  catalogue  might  be 
named  in  the  list  of  rules,  and  forwarded  with  the  entry  fees. 
These  directed  papers  would  take  little  time  to  paste  round  the 
catalogue,  and  could  be  posted  as  soon  as  the  prize  lists  were 
published,  with  no  anxiety  and  little  trouble  to  the  secretaries. 
— B.  B.  

KETTERING  POULTRY  SHOW. 
This  was  a  first  attempt  to  establish  a  poulti-y  show  at  Kettering, 
and  under  the  able  management  of  the  Secretaries  it  was  certainly  a 
great  success.  The  grounds  on  which  the  Show  of  the  6th  inst.  was 
held  are  very  well  adapted  for  the  purpose,  and  there  was  no  lack  of 
effort  to  add  to  the  general  attraction  by  the  introduction  of  banners, 
evergreens,  &c.  The  arrangement  of  the  birds  in  Tiiraer's  pens  was 
as  perfect  as  could  be  desired,  and  the  entries  included  both  poultry 
and  Pigeons  from  many  of  the  principal  breeders  in  the  kiugdom. 
There  was  also  a  very  well-filled  class  for  foreign  birds  of  any  descrip- 
tion. A  show  of  tiowers  and  fmits  was  hkewi&e  held.  We  have  not 
as  yet  this  season  seen  such  good  Black  Red  Gume,  Grey  Dorhinrj,  and 
Ganie  Bantam  chickens  as  those  exhibited  at  Kettering. 
The  following  is  the  prize  hst : — 

Dorkings  (Any  variety)— First,  H.  Warner,  Loughborough.  Second, 
T.  Burnaby,  Pipewell.  Highly  Commendpd.  li.  Wood,  Clap+on.  Com- 
mended, H.  Wymin,  Kimliolton,  Hunts  f/t(c/.y7t«.— First,  R.  Vi'ood.  Se- 
cond, O.  E.  Cresswell,  Hanworth.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Sykes,  Ged- 
dington.  Commended,  H.  Warner.  Hens. — First,  R.  Wood.  Second,  J. 
Sheffield.  Commended,  T.  Burnaby  ;  L.  Richards,  Glendon  Lodge  ;  R.  L. 
Garratt.  Thorpe  Malsor. 

Game  (Any  variety).— First.  F.  R.  Hall,  Cambridge.  Second,  Capt.  T. 
Wetherali,  Loddington.    Highly  Commended,  Capt.  T.  Wetherall. 

CocHiNB  (Any  variety).  —  First  and  Second,  J.  N.  Becsley,  Chapel 
Brampton. 

Brahmas  (Light  or  Dark).— First,  R.  P.  Wakefield,  Wellingborough. 
Second,  G.  Chettle,  Kettering. 

Spat^ish  (Any  variety).— First,  W,  R.  Bull,  Newport  Pagnell.  Second, 
C.  Wright,  North  fimpton. 

Hambdrghs  {Gold  and  Silver-pencilled).— First  withheld.  Second,  W. 
Nottage,  Northampton. 

Hamburohs  (Gold  and  Silver- spangled). — First,  J.  Laming,  Cowbam, 
Spalding.     Second,  A.  Stowar,  Peterborough. 

Any  other  Distinct  Variety  not  Previously  Mektioned. — First, 
Capt.  T.  Wetherall.  Loddington  (Creve-Cceur).  Second,  A.  S.  Roe,  Ely 
(Silver-spangled  Polish).  Commended,  Capt.  T.  Wetherall  {Creve-Coeur). 
Any  Variety.— Cfeic?:cjw.— First,  H.  Warner  iGame).  Second.  Capt. 
T.  Wetherall  (CrC-ve-Cceur).  Highly  Commended,  T.  Dadford,  North- 
ampton (Dark  Brahmas).  Commended,  H.  VVyman  (lioudans) ;  O.  E. 
Cresswell ;  J.  N.  Beasley  (Cochin-China). 

Game  Bantams.— First,  J.  R.  Robinson,  Sunderland.  Second,  Capt. 
T.  Wetherall. 

Bantams  {Any  other  variety).— First,  H.  Draycott,  Humberstone.  Se- 
cond, Hon.  Mrs!  H.  Hambrough,  Pipewell  Hall, 

Selling  Class.— First,  W.  Nottage,  Northampton  (Spanish).  Second, 
H-  Warner  (Dorkings). 

Sweepstake  for  Game  Coce.— Prize,  H.  Warner,  The  Elms,'  Lough- 
borough. 

Ducks  (Ronen) -First,  T.  Burnaby.      Second,  R.  Eurtaby.    Highly 
Commended,  R.  Booth,  Glendon'H all.  Commended,.!.  S.  Caltborp,  Sutton. 
Ducks  (Aylesbury). — First,  W.  R.  Bull.    Second,  J.  J.  Sharpe. 


Ducks  (Any  other  variety). — First,  Duke  of  Buccleuch  and  Queens- 
bury,  Broughton  House.    Second,  Withheld. 

Geese  (Any  variety).— First.  R.  Svke^.    Second,  J.  J.  Sharp. 

Turkeys  (Any  variety).  —  First."  J.  N.  Beasley.  Second,  M.  Kew, 
Market  Overton.  

Rabbits.— Lop- iTrtrcrZ.— Prize,  S.  Arch,  Kettering.  Fancy  Varletu- — 
Prize,  J.  Rowe,  Thorpe  Malsor. 

PIGEONS. 

Carriers  (Any  colour).— First,  J.  Hawley.Binglcy.  Second,  A.  Stowar. 
Highly  Commended,  H.  Yardley,  Eirminghani, 

PouTnits  (Any  colour), — First,  R.  F.  Piyliiig,  Peterborough.  Secoad, 
S.  Horn,  Ivettcriug.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Hnwlcy  ;  H.  Yardley. 

Tumblers  (Any  variety). — First,  J.  Hawley.  Second,  S.  Horn.  Com- 
mended, E.  Norman,  Northampton. 

Barbs  (.\ny  colour). — Fir<;t,  J.  Hawley.    Second,  H.  Yardley. 

Jacobins  (Any  colour)  —First.  H.  Yiirdley.    Second,  J.  Hawlev. 

Fantails  (Any  colour).— First,  O.  E.  Cresswell.  Second,  H.  Draycott, 
Humberstone.  Highly  Commended,  J,  Hawley;  H.  Yardley;  R.  F. 
Payliug.    Commended,  J.  Rowe. 

Any  other  Distinct  Vartetv. — First,  H.  Yardley.  Second.  H.  Dray- 
cott, Humberstone  (Toys).  HighlvComratndefl,  J.  Hawley.  f^ommended, 
W.  Nottage.  Northampton  ;  R.  F.  Payling;  E.  Norman,  Northampton. 

Selling  Class  (Any  variety). — First,  H.  Yardley.    Secnnd,  H.  Draycott 
(Yellow  Magpies).      Highly  Commended,  E.  Norman    (Yellow   Antwerp) 
Commended,  R.  F.  Payling"(-VlmondTumblers) ;  W.  King,  Wellingborongb. 
CAGE   BIRDS.  / 

Canary  (riear  Yellow  and  Bnfft. -First,  W.  King.  Second  and  Highly 
Commended,  Toon  &  Cleaver,  Kettering. 

Canary  (Variegated  Yellow  and  Buff).— First  and  Highly  Commended, 
Toon  &  Clever.    Second,  A.  Heath,  Dpsborough. 

Aviary  of  Sma,ll  Birds. — First,  Toon  &  Cleaver.  Second,  E.  Robin- 
son, Kettering. 

Linnet,  Goldfinch,  ok  other  English  Finch. — First  and  Highly 
Commended,  J.  W.iUis,  Kettering.  Second  and  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Yeomans,  Rothwell. 

Blac  d.  Thrush.  Starling,  Lark.— First,  W,  Bailey,  Kettering. 
Second.  '^  Harrison,  Stonton.  Highly  Commended,  W.  H.  Tomliusop. 
Commended,  T.  Harrison. 

Parrot,  Paraquet,  Lorry,  or  other  Foreign  Birds. — First,  W.. 
King,  Wellingborough.  Second,  G.  Pell,  Kettering.  Hiehly  Commended- 
J.  Wallis  ;  W.  Buckby,  Kettering.  Commended,  J.  Barber,  Bank,  Ketter 
ing, 

Mr.  Edward  Hewitt,  of  Birmingham,  was  the  Judge. 


ALLERTON  POULTRY  SHOW. 

This  year's  meeting,  held  at  AJlerton  on  the  8th  inst.,  was  a  far  mort 
decided  success  than  any  of  its  predecessors  at  the  same  place  ;  indeed, 
it  is  stated  in  a  local  paper  that  ten  thousand  visitors  were  on  the 
ground,  and  that  the  money  received  for  admissions  was  upwards  ot 
£200,  although  the  Show  continued  open  only  duringa  single  afternoon. 
It  is  certain  that  such  a  show  of  poultry  and  Pigeons  of  really  first-class 
character  throughout  rarely  occurs,  the  Hauihirrghs  of  all  varietie& 
being  such,  as  no  amateur  had  previously  witnessed :  and  the  Gamr. 
and  Game  Bantam  classes  were  scarcely  less  commendable.  The 
pens  used  were  those  commonly  known  as  Turner's,  of  Sheffield  ;  and 
the  arrangements  were  such  as  reflected  much  credit  on  the  manage- 
ment. A  very  high  wind  prevailed,  which,  though  it  had  the  effect 
of  keeping  off  rain,  proved  a  great  annoyance  to  the  poultry  and 
Pigeons  so  long  subjected  to  its  infiuence. 

The  following  is  the  hst  of  awards  : — 

Game.— '^ocfc.— First  and  Second.  J.  Settle,  Mnnningham.  Third,  J. 
Spencer,  Queensbury,  near  Halifax.  Pulht.  —  First.  H.  Jowett,  Idle, 
near  Leeds.  Second,  H.  Jennings,  Stream  Hend,  Allerton.  Third,  J. 
Fell.  Adwalton.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Mason.  Worcester ;  E.  Aykroyd, 
Br.idford  ;  Fitton  ^  Redman,  Holmfield,  Ovenden  ;  T.  Barker,  Holmfield, 
Ovenden;  J.  Smith,  Allerton.  Commended,  H.  Jennings ;  J.  Fortune, 
Morton  Banks;  G.  Noble,  htaincliflfe,  Batley. 

Hamburgh.— CocA.— First,  W.  Clayton,  Keighley.  Second,  H.  Beldon, 
Goit-tock,  Bingley.    Third,  J.  Preston,  Allerton. 

Spanish   Black).— Virst.    H.  Beldon.    Second,    J.    Thresh,    Bradford. 

Third,  J.  Newton,  Silsden,  nenr  Leeds.    Highly  Commended,  W.  C.  F. 

Pickard ,  Thorne,  near  Leeds  j  T.  C.  &  K.  Newbitt,  Hepwortb,  near  Bawtry. 

!  C/iic;ien^.— First,  H.  Beldon.     Second,  J.  Walker.  Wolverhampton.    Third, 

i  J.  Thresh.     Highly  Commended,  J.  Berry,  Silsden;  J.  Newton.    Com- 

'  mended,  T.  C.  &  E-  Newbitt. 


August  IS,  1863.  1 


JOUENAL  OF    HOBTIoaLTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


121 


Coohim-Ohina.— First,  tr.  Beldon.  Socond,  T.  Stretch,  Orraskirk. 
Third,  L.  Binoy,  Mimchcjater.  Commonded,  O.  SidRwiok.  ChUkcru.— 
First  «ai  Second,  C.  Sidgwick,  Ryddlosden  Hall.  Third,  J.  J.  Booth, 
SilBden. 

HAHnaROH(Silver-pencillod).— First  imd  SoootiJ.  H.  Boldoii.  Third, 
H.  Pickles,  jun.,  Earbv,  near  SIdpton.  Cotnintmded,  U.  fjoiiRbnttom, 
BiD^ley  ;  W.  M.  Mann,  Kondal;  Miss  A.  Itoliortshaw.  Allerton.  Chir.lcria. 
—First,  a..  Boldon.  Second,  R.  Lonubottom.  Third,  H.  Pickloa,  jun. 
Highly  Oammended,  T.  Hanson,  Koighluy  ;  K.  Longbottom  ;  H.  Smith, 
Morton  Banks. 

HAHBaROH  iSilvor-spanRlpd).— First  nnd  Cup,  and  Second,  H.  Boldon. 
Third,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  Commended,  T.  Fawcctt,  Baildon ;  J.  Walker, 
Knaresborouf^h.  CVkcA-chn.— First,  H.  Boldon.  Second,  T.  Fawcctt. 
Third,  H  Pickles,  jun.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Blakoy,  Silsdon  ;  J. 
Pearson,  Allerton  ;  T  Robinson,  Baildon  ;  Ashton  &  Booth,  Broadbottom, 
Mottram ;  T.  Fawcctt. 

Hawburobs  (Uolden-poncilled).— First,  J.E.Jossop,  Hull.  Second  and 
Third,  H.  Boldon.  Hij^blv  Commcndod,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  CliicUens.— 
First,  H.  Beldon.  Second.  E.  Moore,  Cottingley,  Binglcy.  Third,  J. 
Pearson.  Highly  Commended,  H.  Pickles;  H.  W.  Illingworth.  Com- 
mended, J.  Preston,  Allerton,  near  Bradford. 

Haubdrohs  ( Oolden-spangleii). — First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  J.  Newton, 
Silsden.  Third,  H.  Pickles.  C/iickcns.— First,  H.  Beldon.  .second,  W. 
Driver,  Keighley.    Third,  S.  &  R.  Ashton,  Mottram,  Choahirc. 

Hambubohs  (Black). — First  and  Higiily  Commended,  C.  Sidgwick, 
Keighley.  Second,  H.  Beldon.  Third.  J.  Preston,  Allerton,  near  Brad- 
lord.  'CTtteb:>M.— First  and  Third,  C.  Sidgwick.  Second,  J.  Dixon. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Preston. 

PoLANDS  (Any  variety). — First  and  Second,  H.  Beldon.  CJtickens. — 
First  and  Second.  J.  Bowker,  Keighley.  Third  and  Highly  Commended, 
U.  Beldon. 

DoRKmas  (Any  variety).— First, Hon.  W.H.W.  Fitzwiliim.  Wentworth 
Woodhouse.  Rotherham  (Silver-Grey).  Second,  Miss  H.  Jennings. 
Allerton.  Third.  H.  Pickles,  jnn.  Chickens. — First,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  Se- 
cond, J.  Stott.  Healev,  near  Rochdale.  Third  and  Highly  Commended, 
Hon.  W.  H.  W.  FitzwilUam. 

Game  (Red).— First,  J.  Fletcher,  Ktoncclough,  Manchester.  Second,  L. 
Biney,  Manchester.  Third,  T.  Bottomley,  Shelf,  near  Hilifax.  Chickens,^ 
First,  Cup,  and  Third.  H.  Jennings,  Allerton.  Second,  H.  Jowett.  Highly 
Commended,  W.  Spencer,  Haworth ;  S.  Spencer.  Commended,  T. 
Bottomley. 

Game  (Any  variety). — First,  E.  Aykroyd,  Bradford.  Second,  H.  Jowett, 
Idle,  near  Leeds.  Third,  W.  Fell,  Adwalton,  near  Leeds,  Chickens.— 
First,  E.  Aykrovd.  Second,  G.  Noble,  StaincUffe,  Batley.  Ihird,  W.Fell. 
Commended,  Miss  S.  .Jennings,  Allerton. 

Game  Bantams. — First.  W.  F.  Entwislle,  Blenheim  Place.  Leeds.  Se- 
cond, Miss  Charlton,  Bradford.  Third,  L.  Biney.  Hishly  Commended, 
J.  Blamires,  Korton,  near  Bradford.    Commended,  G.  Noble. 

Bantams  (Any  variety)  —First  and  Tkird,  T.  Burgess,  Brighouse.  Se- 
cond. S.  &  R.  Ashton.  "Highly  Commended,  J.  R.  .Tessop,  Hyll.  Com- 
mended, O.  E  Cresswell,  Hanworth,  Hounslow.  Chickens. — First  and 
Second,  W.  F.  Entwisle,  Leeds.  Thiid,  W.  H.  P.obinson,  Long  Lee, 
Keiffhley. 

Any  oTffER  Variety.- First,  E.  Leech,  Rochdale.  Third  and  Com- 
mended, H.  Beldon.  Second,  R.  Loft,  Woodmansey,  near  Beverley. 
Highly  Commended,  Col.  Stuart  Wortley,  London  (French  Fowls) ;  Hon. 
W.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam. 

DncKs  (Roaonl.— First.  J.  Dixon.  Second,  T.  Dean.  Third,  E.  Leech. 
Highly  Commended,  H.  Beldon. 

Docks  (Any  viriety).— First,  E.  Leech.  Second.  J.  Dixon.  Third,  H. 
Beldon.  Du<;*;m.9«.— First,  E.  Leech.  Second,  H.  Beldon.  Tliird,  J. 
Firth,  Greenton,  Allerton. 

PIGEONS. 

PovTER  or  Cropper.— Cocfc.— First.  H.  Beldon.  Second,  R.  Fulton, 
Depttord.  Third.  J.  Hawley,  Bingley.  Commended,  J.  Hawley,  H. 
Yardley,  Birmingham  ;  R.  Fulton.  Hfii.— First.  R.  Fulton.  Second  and 
Third,  J.  Hawley.    Commended,  H.  Beldon  ;  R.  Fulton. 

Cahkierb.—CocS:  — First  and  Third.  R.  Fulton.  Second.  J.  Hawley. 
Sen.— First,  J.  Hawley.    Second,  R.  Pulton.    Third,  H.  Yardley. 

ToMBLERS  (Any  variety).— First,  Second,  and  Tbird,  J.  Hawley. 

Owls.- Cup,  First,  Second,  and  Third.  J.  Fielding,  Rochdale. 

TcRBiTS.— First.  Second,  and  Fourth,  J.  Thompson,  Bingley.  Third. 
J.  T.  Lishman,  GirUngton.  Fifth,  W.  Limd,  Shipley.  SLxth,  J.  Wade, 
Ovenden. 

Jacobi!J3.— First,  J.  Wade.    Second,  J.  Thompson.    Third,  .T.  Hawley. 

Fantails  —First,  J.  Hawley.  Second,  J.  T.  Lishman.  Third,  T.  C. 
and  E.  Newbitt,  Epworth,  near  Bawtry. 

Barbs.— First,  .J.  Fielding,    Second  and  Third,  J.  Hawley. 

Draooohs.— First,  .J.  Deakin,  Sheffield.  Second,  H.  Yardley.  Third, 
J.  Thompson. 

Trumpeters.— First  and  Second,  J.  Hawley.    Third,  ,T.  Thompson. 

Aech.ingels.— First  and  Second,  H.  i'ardley.  Third,  J.  Booth,  Oaks, 
-Allerton. 

Any  Variety.— First.  J.  T.  Lishman,  GirUngton.  Second,  H.  Y'ardley. 
Third,  F.  Graham,  Birkenhead. 

Mr.  Hewitt,  of  Birmingham,  and  Mr.  Cannon,  of  Bradford,  were 
Judges  for  Poultry  ;  ami  Mr.  Hutton,  of  PuAsey,  for  Pigeons. 


REMARICS  ON  THE  DIFFERENT  VARIETIES 
OF  PIGEONS. 

In  continuation  of  my  remarks  on  fhn  present  state  of  the 
Fancy  Pigeons,  I  shall  next  notice  the  Turbits.  These  I  find 
tolerably  numerous  at  most  shows  and  of  fair  quality,  although 
there  seems  to  be  a  growing  tendency  to  foal  thighs,  espeeiall.v 
in  Reds  and  Blues.  This  need  not  "be,  and  used  not  to  be.  I 
have  had  several  pairs  of  both  colours  with  clean  thighs,  and 
fanciers  should  remember  when  showing  that  they  thus  lose  a 
point. 

Owls,  I  think,  were  never  shown  in  such  perfection  as  at 
vhe  present  time.     The  foreign  birds  are  truly  beautiful,  and 


so  are  the  English  Powdered  Blues.  One  never  sees  Beds  and 
Yellows  now.  This,  I  think,  is  a  pity,  as  I  have  seen  exceed- 
ingly good  birds  of  these  colours.  It  would  be  well,  I  think,  if 
a  separate  prize  were  offered  for  these  colours,  otherwise  the.f 
will  be  utterly  lost. 

Nuns,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  are  not  in  the  ascendant.  Very  few 
of  the  birds  shown  have  not  undergone  the  process  of  a  very 
severe  trimming.  A  friend  of  mine  bought  a  first-prize  pair, 
and  when  they  moulted  he  was  amazed  at  the  different  ap- 
pearance of  the  birds.  The  vendor,  on  being  written  to, 
acknowledged  the  trimming,  but  said  everyone  did  it  with 
Nuns,  so  he  was  not  worse  than  other  people.  The  judges 
would  do  well  boldly  to  disqualify  all  such  birds,  and  even  the 
whole  class  if  necessary.  I  think  these  birds  are  more  tam- 
pered with  than  any  other  variety  shown. 

I  should  like  to  see  a  good  class  of  Plying  Baldheads  with 
all  the  colours  represented.  I  mean  clean-cut  birds,  ten  of  a 
side,  clean  thighs,  and  good  in  colour,  size,  and  carriage.  I 
remember  many  years  agoa  Mr.  Juniper  had  a  flight  of  these 
birds,  and  very  beautiful  they  were.  One  only  sees  a  pair  or 
two  of  such  now  at  the  shows,  as  there  is  not  a  separate  class 
for  them.  I  think  there  might  be  one  with  advantage.  They 
were  always  great  favourites  of  mine,  as  also  with  many  of  my 
friends. 

I  think  Beards,  Long  and  Short-faced,  keep  their  position 
well  and  find  many  admirers,  as  the  strength  of  the  class  in- 
dicates. I  am  glad  to  see  the  pepper-throated  heresy  is  entirely 
swept  away,  and  the  true  legitimate  Baard  reigns  supreme. — 
Haeet. 


PIGEON-JUDGING. 


In  your  last  impression  "  A  YonNo  Fanciee  "  takes  up  the 
subject  of  the  fairness  or  otherwise  of  dealers  being  allowed  to 
exhibit  in  competition  with  fanciers.  I  think  that  dealers 
have  a  perfect  right  to  show  against  fanciers.  In  my  opinion 
it  would  be  unjust  to  exclude  them  from  competition,  as  the 
fact  of  a  dealer  boing  alle  to  win  against  good  fanciers  is  his 
best  advertising  medium  ;  and  when  a  man  is  dependent  upon 
his  business,  whatever  it  may  be,  no  man  has  a  right  to  injure 
his  chance  of  making  a  living  by  vexatious  restrictions. 

"  A  Young  Fanciee's  "  proposition  to  make  separate  classes 
for  dealers  is  quite  impracticable,  as  no  committee,  I  think, 
would  be  bold  enough  to  try  the  experiment. 

There  is  one  part  of  "  A  Young  Fanciee's  "  letter  which  I 
fully  endorse,  and  which  strengthens  my  case — viz.,  the  diffi- 
culty of  deciding  who  are  dealers,  as  all  fanciers  are  dealers  to 
a  certain  extent.  There  are  few  men  in  the  fancy  who  do  not 
buy  and  sell,  and  it  would  be  a  difficult  matter  to  say  to  what 
extent  this  buying  and  selling  should  be  carried  before  a  man 
becomes  a  dealer. 

He  quite  misinterprets  what  Mr.  Fulton  says  at  page  415. 
Mr.  Fulton  attributes  the  reluctance  of  many  good  fanciers  to 
exhibit  their  birds  to  the  inability  of  the  judges,  and  not  to  the 
fact  that  they  have  to  compete  with  dealers,  as  "  A  Younq 
Fanciee  "  implies. 

There  has  been  much  said  (with  most  of  which  I  agree), 
about  the  scarcity  of  able  judges,  but  nothing  about  the  want 
of  honesty  in  exhibitors  themselves.  My  object  at  present  is 
to  call  the  attention  of  fanciers  to  the  extensively-prevailing 
custom  of  showing  two  cooks  in  a  pen  or  two  hens  of  the  Toy 
varieties.  This  dishonest  practice  is  committed  at  aJI  shows, 
large  and  small,  and  it  has  become  so  common  that  it  appears 
to  he  considered  quite  en  regie. 

It  is  quite  useless  to  say  the  judges  should  disqualify  the 
offenders,  as  it  is  very  difficult  for  the  judges  to  feel  convinced 
that  both  birds  are  cocks  or  hens,  as  the  ease  may  be.  The 
only  effective  remedy  is  to  appeal  to  the  honour  of  exhibitors, 
and  I  now  beg  of  my  brother  fanciers  to  raise  the  status  of  the 
fancy  by  setting  their  faces  against  this  dishonourable  practice. 

I  have  been  beaten  in  this  way,  and  have  been  in  a  position 
to  prove  it,  but  have  hitherto  refrained,  although  I  have  felt  it 
very  hard  ;  but  after  this  warning,  if  the  practice  should  be 
continued,  I  shall  feel  it  a  duty  to  honest  exhibitors  to  expose 
such  cases  as  I  may  be  abie  to  discover.  I  contend  that  a  man 
who  does  this  thing  knowingly,  defrauds  the  society  at  whose 
show  he  wins. — J.  Fieth,  Jun.,  Webster  Hill,  Dewsbury. 


CANARIES   LAYING   SOFT   EGGS. 
"  C.  A.  J."  in  your  Journal  of  July  30th  complains  of  his 
Canary  laying  soft  eggs.     I  should  recommend  him  to  discon- 


122 


JOUENAT,  OF  HOETICULTtJRE  AND   COTTAGE   GAKDENEE. 


[  August  IS,  18fl& 


tinne  the  rape  seed,  and  snpply  the  hen  with  good  canary  seed, 
chopped  egg  (shell  to  be  cnt  np  with  it),  bread  crumbs,  and  a 
liberal  supply  of  green  food.  Bape  is  by  some  fanciers  con- 
sidered too  heating  and  liable  to  cause  inflammation. — L.  B. 


THE  BARON  VON  BEELEPSCH  ON  FOUL  BROOD. 

(Continued  from  page  105.) 

HOW   DOES   FOUL    EROOD    0KIGIN.4TE  ? 

This  question  is  stiU  involved  in  the  greatest  obscurity,  and 
the  opinions  of  bee-keepers  differ  extremely.  My  own  con- 
viction is,  that  it  arises  from  causes  as  various  as  the  phe- 
nomena it  presents,  and  the  character  it  assumes.  I  can  hence 
do  little  more  now  than  restate  briefly  the  views  entertained  of 
it  by  the  most  prominent  writers  on  apiculture. 

First  View. — It  is  believed  by  some  that  a  minute  black  fly, 
the  Phora  incrassata,  enters  the  hive  and  deposits  its  eggs  in 
the  brood,  selecting  as  the  nidus  the  unsealed  but  most  ad- 
vanced larva>,  and  depositing  in  each  only  a  single  egg.  The 
Phora  larva  hatched  from  this  egg  parasitically  consumes  the 
viscera  of  the  bee  larva  which  it  inhabits,  just  as  the  larva  of 
the  ichneumon  fly  lives  in  or  on  the  common  cabbage  cater- 
pillar. Maturing  in  the  course  of  five  days,  it  then  leaves  the 
carcase  of  the  bee  larva  by  an  opening  visible  to  the  naked 
eye,  and  perfornting  the  cap  of  the  cell,  falls  to  the  bottom  of 
the  hive,  and  either  spins  its  cocoon  among  the  refuse  found 
there  or  passes  out  to  undergo  its  further  metamorphoses  in 
the  earth.  So  long  as  the  Phora  larva  inhabits  the  bee  larva, 
the  latter,  according  to  Dr.  Dorhoff,  remains  alive,  but  finally 
perishes  in  consequence  of  the  abstraction  of  its  internal  fatty 
substance  by  its  parasitic  foe.  Decompositien  is  thus  already 
virtually  begun  whilst  the  larva  is  yet  living,  although  running 
into  putrescence  only  after  death. 

Dr.  Asmuss  states  that  he  has  found  many  Phora  larvie  in 
the  larvaj  of  bees,  and  says  that  in  order  to  see  them  it  is  only 
necessary  to  decapitate  a  bee  larva  in  which  the  first  symp- 
toms of  foul  brood  are  exhibited,  and  carefully  press  out  the 
juices  of  the  body.  By  repeating  this  process  several  times 
the  operator  can  scarcely  fail  to  detect  one  or  more  Phora 
larv*.  Or  if  the  body  of  a  bee  larva  be  held  before  the  light 
of  a  candle  in  a  darkened  chamber  the  motions  of  the  con- 
tained parasitic  larva  will  be  plainly  perceptible.  But,  accord- 
ing to  Dr.  Asmuss,  Phora  larva;  are  net  found  in  all  bee  larvae , 
but  only  in  comparatively  the  smaller  number.  Yet  by  the 
miasma  diffused  in  the  hive  by  the  putrid  larva*,  others  not 
thus  parasitically  affected  also  become  infected,  die,  and 
putrefy.  Thus  while  a  portion  only  of  the  brood  perishes, 
and  another  portion  developes  in  health,  the  case  is  analogous 
only  to  what  occurs  in  other  pestilential  diseases,  such  as 
peripneumonia,  rinderpest,  &e.,  whereof  of  animals  similarly 
exposed  some  are  infected  while  others  escape,  owing,  perhaps, 
to  a  peculiar  habit  of  body  at  the  time.  The  like  is  often 
observed  when  contagious  diseases  such  as  plagne,  cholera, 
typhus,  scarlatina,  &c.,  to  which  the  human  system  is  subject, 
prevail.  Numbers  are  stricken  down  while  others  remain  uu- 
attacked  even  in  the  most  infected  districts.  This  is  the  view 
of  Dr.  Asmuss,  as  presented  in  his  treatise  on  the  parasites  of 
the  honey  bee ;  and  it  must  be  admitted  that  the  Phora  as 
figured  in  his  plates  has  a  decidedly  Mephistophelian  appear- 
ance and  expression. 

Against  this  view  it  may  be  urged — 

1.  That  the  Phora  incrassata  abounds  everywhere  and  is  bred 
in  every  hive  containing  dead  bees.  Yet  there  are  numerous 
districts  totally  exempt  from  foul  brood.  This,  as  Mr.  Kleine 
remarks,  could  not  be  the  case  if  such  were  its  origin — for  the 
same  cause  should  in  like  circumstances  produce  the  same 
effect,  if  Nature  designed  that  the  Phora  should  lay  its  eggs  in 
the  larvfe  of  the  honey  bee. 

2.  The  Phora  incrassata  does  not  lay  its  eggs  in  livitig,  but 
only  in  dead  organisms. 

3.  If,  as  Dr.  Asmuss  seems  to  have  found  in  microscopic 
examinations,  the  Phora  incrassata  does,  in  exceptional  cases, 
lay  its  eggs  in  bee  larvae,  it  would  be  in  the  highest  degree 
singular  that  the  result  should  be  the  putrid  decomposition  of 
such  larva; — a  result  never  produced  in  other  analogous  cases. 
Why  do  only  larvje  thus  destroyed  by  the  Phora  diffuse  a 
putrid  miasma,  such  as  is  not  diffused  by  decomposing  larvas 
which  have  died  from  some  other  cause  ? 

4.  If  Dr.  Asmuss's  views  were  correct,  the  pupa?  of  Phora 
incrassata  would  be  as  numerous  in  foul-breedang  as  in  other 


hives  containing  dead  bees  in  which  the  Phora  had  laid  its 
eggs.     This,  however,  is  not  so. 

5.  Parasites  do,  indeed,  prove  destructive  to  insects  designed 
by  Nature  to  be  their  prey,  but  must  never  be  assumed  to 
become  the  cause  of  the  destruction  of  the  entire  race,  which 
would  in  effect  be  warring  against  their  own  kith  and  kin. 

6.  I  have  examined  neariy  a  hundred  bee  larvfp  "  by  holding 
them  before  the  light  of  a  candle  in  a  darkened  chamber,"  but 
could  never  detect  the  motions  of  a  single  Phora  larva. 

7.  Professor  Leuckart  examined  microscopically  a  great 
number  of  foul-broody  bee  larva;  in  the  summer  of  1860.  Some 
were  dead  and  some  still  living.  He  found  neither  Phora 
larva;  nor  any  other  animal  parasite  in  any  of  them.  Notwith- 
standing all  this,  it  is  my  impression  that  foul  brood  of  the 
first  and  second  grade  or  form  is,  at  least  occasionally,  and 
probably  more  frequently  than  we  suppose,  caused  by  some 
parasitic  insect,  even  though  it  be  not  the  Phora  incrassata. 

In  the  first  place  Dr.  Asmuss  has  ascertained  the  presence 
of  animal  parasites  in  still  living  bee  larvje  from  foul-breeding 
hives ;  and  as  against  clearly  ascertained  facts,  I  hold  mere 
scientific  inferential  and  negative  proof  as  of  small  account. 

Secondly.  The  minute  holes  observed  in  the  caps  of  foul- 
broody  cells  indicate  that  some  living  creature  either  there 
entered  or  came  out  of  those  cells ;  but  of  the  fact  that  it 
comes  out  thence,  I  think  I  have  conclusive  evidence.  In  the 
summer  of  ISfil,  Mr.  Henry  Keil,  a  bee-keeper  in  Dottelstadt, 
near  Gotha,  brought  to  me  a  foul-broody  comb  from  one  of  his 
hives.  I  examined  it  minutely,  and  observed  small  holes  in 
the  caps  of  seven  of  the  cells.  I  then  placed  the  comb  under 
a  glass  cover,  and  on  examining  it  again  nine  days  after  found 
that  the  number  of  holes  had  increased  to  twenty-four.  The 
additional  seventeen,  it  is  apparent,  could  only  have  been  per- 
forated from  within  and  ontivardi.  Nor  could  they  have  been 
produced,  as  Scholtiz  supposed,  by  the  bees  "in  order  to  ascer- 
tain the  contents  of  the  cells  after  having  in  vain  awaited  the 
development  of  the  larvie." 

Thirdly.  This  view  of  the  matter  accounts  plainly  for  the 
spontaneous  occurrence  of  foul  brood  in  places  where  no  ob- 
vious cause  is  known  to  exist.  It  is  probable  that  the  insect 
makes  its  appearance  only  temporarily  and  in  limited  areas, 
though  occurring  in  greater  or  less  numbers  at  different  periods. 
This,  too,  would  account  for  the  fact  that  at  times  one  or  two 
hives  are  attacked  in  an  apiary  where  no  vitiated  or  noxiouE 
honey  has  been  given — a  circumstance  otherwise  inexplicable. 

Second  Vieic. — Foul  brood  may  be  caused  by  feeding  the 
colonies  with  fermented  or  acidified  honey.  Fermentive 
matter,  even  though  not  derived  wholly  or  in  part  from  foul- 
breeding  stocks,  would  cause  fermentation  in  the  brood  fed 
therewith,  and  thus  produce  foul  brood.  President  Busch, 
however,  states  that  he  has  often  given  such  honey  to^  his 
stocks  without  injury.  I  have  myself  in  former  years  given 
tons  of  Cuban  honey  to  my  bees — honey  having  a  nauseous 
disagreeable  taste  and  smell,  with  no  bad  effect  whatever.  But 
this  is  inconclusive.  That  which  was  in  ten  cases  harmless 
may  prove  destructive  in  the  eleventh.  I  think  the  positive 
evidence  here  shows  that  fermented  or  acidified  honey  can  pro- 
duce foul  brood. 

Mr.  Kalteich  states  that  "  honeycombs  of  the  previous  year 
emitted  a  fatid  odour,  their  surface  was  damp,  and  the  pollen 
mouldy.  I  gave  these  combs  to  three  populous  stocks,  all  of 
which  became  foul-breeding  and  perished,  as  did  likewise  a 
fourth,  the  bees  of  which  had  appropriated  some  of  this  honey, 
and  several  others  also  into  which  I  had  introduced  such  combs 
before  I  knew  they  were  contaminated." 

Mr.  Hermann  says,  "  In  two  instances  foul  brood  was  pro- 
duced by  feeding  bees  with  honey  kept  in  a  vessel  in  which 
verdigris  had  been  formed." 

Mr.  P.  J.  JIahan,  a  highly  intelligent  bee-keeper  from  Phila- 
delphia, told  me  when  here  that  he  had  formerly  spent  some 
time  on  the  island  of  Cuba,  and  had  observed  that  it  was  a 
common  practice  in  the  apiaries  there,  after  suffocating  the 
bees,  to  press  out  the  liquid  from  the  commingled  mass  of 
honey,  pollen,  brood,  and  dead  bees,  and  run  it  into  casks  as 
the  product  of  the  bee.  This  nauseous  mixture  speedily  under- 
goes fermentation,  especially  if  the  combs  were  not  previously 
heated  and  contained  much  young  brood,  the  rich  juices  of 
which  readily  ferment.  Foul  brood  is  sure  to  be  produced 
when  bees  have  access  to  such  food  ;  and  he  knew  of  many 
instances  in  the  United  States  where  the  disease  originated 
from  this  cause,  tkonah  it  jras  almost  unknmen  in  Cuba.  The 
bee-keepers  there  are  well  aware  of  the  noxious  quality  of  such 
honey,  and  are  careful  that  their  bees  shall  not  have  access  tc 


AugoBt  13, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUBB  AND  COTTAGE  QAUDKNEB. 


123 


it.  So  long  as  this  admixtare,  called  Cuban  honey,  has  not 
undergone  fermentation,  it  may  bo  safely  given  to  bees  ;  and  its 
pestilential  quality  depends  entirely  upon  the  fact  whether  the 
pressing  took  place  when  there  was  much  unsealed  brood  in  the 
cells.  Usually  the  pressing  was  done  when  the  combs  were 
free  from  brood,  but  occasionally  the  want  of  empty  hives  to 
accommodate  all  the  numerous  swarms,  constrained  the  owners 
to  be  less  particular  in  that  respect.  Bee-keepers  in  the  United 
States,  taught  by  experience  that  Cnbau  honey  is  a  dangerous 
kind  of  bee  food,  avoid  it  altogether,  and  would  not  accept  it 
for  that  purpose  as  a  gift.  Thus  far  Mahan.  PoUsh  and  other 
foreign  honey  of  commerce  is  of  nearly  the  same  character. 

In  corroboration  of  this  view,  I  quote  also  the  observed  fact 
that  such  honey  does  not  directly,  but  only  indirectly  produce 
foul  brood.  It  gradually  contaminates  the  air  in  the  hive, 
developing  a  fa>tid  odour,  and  thus  causing  disease,  whichjalways 
breaks  out  six  or  eight  weeks  after  the  noxious  honey  has  been 
administered.  This  is  also  confirmed  by  Dzierzon's  experience, 
who  made  all  his  stocks  foul-breeding  in  1848  by  feeding  with 
Cuban  honey. 

Third  View. — It  is  believed  by  some  that  if  brood  which  has 
died  from  any  cause  is  not  removed  by  the  bees  it  will  become 
putrid,  and  produce  a  contagious  disease — that  is,  non-con- 
tagious foul  brood  may  under  certain  circumstances  become 
contagious.  This,  I  conceive,  is  only  too  likely.  In  1855  I 
discovered  a  highly  foitid  foul-breeding  hive  in  the  apiary  of 
Mr.  Oscar  Ziegler,  in  Sohleusingen,  which  was  forthwith  con- 
demned to  the  brimstone-pit.  Mr.  Ziegler  bought  this  hive  in 
the  neighbouring  village,  and  the  bees  were  suffocated  while  it 
was  being  transported  to  his  home.  About  eight  days  after  a 
swarm  was  put  in  it,  and,  thereupon,  the  non-contagious  foul 
brood  immediately  assumed  the  contagious  form. 

Fourth  View. — The  disease  may  be  caused  by  noxious  dews 
which  sometimes  occur  while  the  fruit  trees  are  in  blossom. 
This  is  a  very  old  opinion.  Hoffler  said  in  1060 — "  In  some 
years  the  blossoms  of  trees  are  literally  poisoned  by  dews  and 
mists,  so  as  to  make  bees  sick."  In  a  conversation  with 
Dzierzon  in  1855,  while  he  was  on  a  visit  to  Seebach,  he  said 
he  was  inclined  to  accept  this  view.  "  I  think,"  said  he,  "  I 
have  frequently  observed  this  in  my  own  neighbourhood  while 
fruit  trees  were  in  blossom.  Foul  brood  may  originate  thus, 
although  to  these  noxious  dews  is  attributed  the  disease  more 
commonly  known  as  vertigo."  Were,  however,  such  the  case, 
would  not  all  the  stocks  within  a  certain  range  or  circuit  be 
simultaneously  and  similarly  aiieeted  ?  Hoffman  Brand  states 
that  in  his  foul-breeding  hives  the  pollen  was  slimy,  and  appa- 
rently undergoing  a  kind  of  fermentation ;  which  he  ascribed 
to  the  noxious  qualities  ot  the  dew. 

Fifth  View. — The  fungus  called  Mucor  mellitophorus,  which 
is  often  found  in  the  chyle  stomach  of  bees,  it  is  alleged, 
exerts  a  deleterious  iuflueoce  on  the  preparation  of  the  jelly, 
so  that  the  brood  is  not  famished  with  a  properly-digested 
pabulum,  and  hence  becomes  diseased,  dies,  and  putrefies. 
The  fungus  is  supposed  to  be  thus  the  indirect  cause  of  the 
disease  ;  but  this  fungus  is  often  found  abundantly  in  colonies 
entirely  healthy,  and  Dr.  Asmuss  never  found  it  in  bees  of  foul- 
breeding  stocks. 

In  addition  to  all  this,  we  find  many  other  conjectures  offered 
in  bee  books  and  by  currespondents  of  the  bee  journals,  none 
of  which  seem  to  have  any  substantial  basis.  Mr.  Kritz  supposed 
that  foul  brood  may  be  caused  by  some  unhealthy  effluvium 
emanating  from  the  bee-keeper  himself.  Dr.  Alefeld  thinks  it 
may  arise  from  a  diseased  con<iition  ot  the  sexual  organs  of  the 
queen  bee.  Sumlitsch  imagines  it  may  result  from  the  dust 
blown  into  the  hives  from  the  streets  and  highways  ;  and  even 
the  position  assumed  by  Director  Fischer  in  an  article  on  "  The 
Origin,  Nature,  and  Cause  of  Foul  Brood,"  published  in  the 
"  Transactions  "  of  the  third  meeting  of  German  Agriculturists 
In  1865  is  of  no  account,  being  manifestly  based  on  erroneous 
premises.- 

In  conclusion,  I  believe,  as  I  have  already  stated,  that  foul 
brood  as  it  presents  various  phenomena  and  assumes  various 
forms  or  grades,  so  it  may  arise  from  various  causes.  At 
present,  however,  we  possess  no  tangible  knowledge  respecting 
it.  Bee-keepers  should  therefore  be  careful  to  ascertain,  and 
note  the  facts  and  circumstances  whenever  the  disease  comes 
under  their  observation.     Nur  should  they  be  in  haste  to  form 

•  Mr.  Fischer  has  since  protested  against  the  adverse  verdict  pronoUDCed 
by  the  Bariiu,  declariug  that  he  can  "  cause  the  best  colony  to  become  foul- 
breeding  in  a  few  mouths,  and  cure  a  diseased  colony  in  a  still  shoiter 
time."  I  can  only  hope  that  t-e  is  right,  and  that  if  so  the  means  of 
cure  will  soon  be  made  pubfec— A  Devonsiube  BEE-liEKPER, 


or  propound  theories.  Above  all,  they  should  not  neglect  to 
submit  foul-broody  combs  when  practicable  to  the  examination 
of  some  competent  naturalist.  I  do  not  think  it  at  all  likely 
that  inexperienced  bee-keepers  unversed  in  physiology  and 
unpractised  in  the  employment  of  the  microscope  will  ever 
advance  us  much  in  this  direction  unless  aided  by  men 
professionally  prepared  to  prosecute  scientific  investigations,  to 
whom  carefully  observed  facts  would  be  invaluable.  Only  after 
ascertaining  the  true  nature  of  the  disease  may  we  hope  possibly 
to  devise  methods  for  its    prevention    and    cure. — A.    Von 

BerLEX'SCU. 

THE  GERMAN  CENTRIFUGAL  HONEY 

EXTRACTING  MACHINE. 

I  FIND  that  Mr.  James  Lee,  of  Windlesham,  Surrey,  baa 
undertaken  the  manufacture  of  these  machines,  which  are 
similar  in  every  respect  to  the  one  described  by  me  in  page 
405  of  the  last  volume  ot  "  our  Journal."  Although  Mr.  Lee 
supplies  his  machines  at  so  moderate  a  price  as  to  bring  them 
within  the  reach  of  all  classes  of  bee-keepers,  he  warrants  them 
in  every  respect  as  perfect  as  that  which  I  originally  imported, 
and  which  is  now  in  his  possession. — A  Devonshire  Bee- 
keeper. 

LARGE  HONEY  HARVESTS  IN  LARGE  HIVES. 
It  is,  I  believe,  nearly  if  not  quite  a  quarter  of  a  century 
since  Mr.  A.  Pettigrew,  of  Kusholme,  near  Manchester,  first 
advocated  the  use  of  hives,  for  first  or  top  swarms,  of  "  from 
20  to  24  inches  wide,  and  from  12  to  15  inches  deep."  This 
veteran  apiarian  has  favoured  me  with  a  sight  of  the  following 
letter  recently  received  by  him  from  an  old  correspondent 
residing  in  his  native  village  of  Carluke,  in  Lanarkshire,  which 
in  its  details  of  results  speaks  strongly  in  favour  of  large  hives. 
Mr.  Pettigrew  says,  that  "  it  should  be  noted  that  at  Carluke, 
bees  are  kept  on  the  swarming  system,  and  that  these  heavy 
hives  are  swarms  of  this  year.  I  expect,"  he  says,  "they  will 
be  200  lbs.  each  ere  the  season  ends." — A  Devonshire  Bek- 

KEEPEB. 

"  Carluke,  4tli  Angust,  1868. 

"  My  dear  old  Friend. — When  you  wrote  your  last  note  to  me  about 
the  bees  they  were  in  very  bad  trim,  but  ever  since  they  have  got  on 
well.  There  are  many  "  tops  "  (first  swarms)  above  100  lbs.  each.  Mr. 
H.,  one  of  my  neighbours,  has  one  estimated  at  150  lbs. ;  it  was 
117  lbs.  more  than  three  weeks  ago,  and  if  it  has  gained  as  mnch 
since  as  some  others  standing  beside  it,  it  will  be  IM>  lbs.  They  are 
standing  at  Newbiggin,  a  better  place  for  clover  than  this.  My 
heaviest  cue  was  only  88  lbs.  when  I  sent  it  away  to  the  heather ;  I 
expect  it  is  above  100  lbs.  now.  They  have  been  on  the  heather  for  a 
good  while  ;  here  about  ten  days  ago  they  were  making  weight  from  it, 
but  the  drought  is  veiy  severe  here  now.  I  do  not  think  the  heather 
cjin  last  long  unless  we  get  raiu  ;  we  have  scarcely  h.ad  a  drop  since 
1  wrote  to  you  last. 

"  Yonr  friend  S.  told  me  his  stock  was  not  heavy  this  year,  but 
they  had  plenty  of  bees  and  combs.  He  has  three  or  four  about 
90  lbs.  each.  S.  D.,  a  man  that  goes  to  the  heather  along  with 
S.,  had  one  120  lbs.,  but  it  stood  at  Thankertou— the  clover  has 
been  better  there  also  than  here.  Our  clayey  soil  is  very  hard.  We 
had  not  much  clover  this  season." — Yours  truly,  "  E.  li." 


SILKWORM-REARING  IN  ENGLAND.— No.  15. 

Preventing  Di.seases. — Various  ingredients  and  methods 
are  recommended  as  cures  for  the  different  complaints  of  siUs- 
wurms;  but  it  is  not  my  intention  to  biing  tliem  into  notice, 
my  motto  being  that  "  Prevention  is  better  than  cure."  In- 
deed, silkworms  generally  speaking,  do  not  give  time,  nor  is  it 
ea^y  to  administer  medicines  for  the  cure  of  diseases  which 
often  are  not  discoverable  until  too  farcouEimed.  The  most 
natural  medicines  are  pure  air,  cleaulinebs,  wholesome  food, 
(;,.u.<ii3ting  of  fresh-gathered  g"od  leaves,  and  the  continual 
maintenance  of  the  requisite  temperature  of  about  70°.  For 
liriimoting  the  ventilation  of  the  rearing  roum,  it  ih  useful  some- 
iiuies  to  burn  a  handful  of  straw,  shavings,  or  other  light  ma- 
terial in  the  fireplace,  especially  when  the  worms  are  becoming 
Urge;  it  puts  the  air  in  gentle  motion. 

Tliere  is  a  custom  among  the  Italian  peasantry  of  fumigating 
the  room  by  burning  pieces  of  juniper,  sweet  herbs,  &c.,  but 
'  his  practice  I  believe  productive  of  no  good  ;  on  the  contrary, 
I  tl  ink  the  smoke  does  harm. 

A  lo>v  drops  of  viuegar  falling  on  a  red-hot  dustpan  or  iron 
»ill  cause  an  agreeable  vapour,  which  is  Koid  to  sharpen  lie 
worms'  appetite  when  they  are  slow  at  eating. 


124 


JOUENAL  (  V  HOBTIOULTUBE   AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  Angast  18,  1868. 


One  of  the  most  potent  articles  for  correcting  putrefaction  is 
eharcoal,  which  I  find  is  used  in  China,  being  sifted  over  the 
worms.  Another  powerful  agent  is  chloride  of  lime,  and  this 
at  the  present  day  is  becoming  more  generally  naed,  since 
atrophy  appeared  among  silkworms,  but  it  must  not  touch  the 
worms. 

In  general  I  have  found  that  well-directed  ventilation,  good 
food,  cleanliness,  and  diligent  care  in  removing  from  among  the 
healthy  any  infected  worms,  will  prevent  most  of  the  complaints 
to  which  the  insects  are  subject,  although  sometimes  insuffi- 
cient, especially  when  the  worms  increase  in  size  after  their 
fonrth  change  of  skin. 

The  atrophy  and  calcine  diseases  of  silkworms  seem  to  be 
hereditary,  and  contagious  also,  for  when  the  infection  is  not 
in  the  eggs  it  may  be  brought  to  the  worms  even  from  a  dis- 
tance. Various  species  of  caterpillars  in  the  open  country  are 
stated  to  be  attacked  by  the  calcine  d.'sease,  and  they  may  even 
communicate  it  to  silkworms — at  least,  this  is  stated  by  several 
Italian  authors. 

When  eggs  are  suspected  of  being  infected,  the  use  of  spirits 
of  wine  and  water  in  equal  quantities,  in  which  to  soak  them 
before  detaching  them  from  the  napkin  on  which  they  have 
been  laid,  is  said  to  prevent  any  evil  effects.  I  have  never 
tried  this,  but  I  think  it  an  unnatural  process. 

When  a  silkworm  house  has  been  infected,  it  is  a  good  plan, 
before  using  it  again,  to  clean  or  disinfect  it,  and  everything 
connected  with  it  should  be  placed  in  the  air.  The  walls  of  the 
room  might  be  whitewashed,  and  the  stages  and  other  materials, 
having  been  thoroughly  cleaned,  should  be  placed  in  the  sun- 
shine, and  then  kept  in  an  airy  situation  till  March.  They 
may  then  all  be  placed  in  the  rearing  room,  and  be  disinfected  by 
fumigating  with  flowers  of  sulphur,  mixed  with  a  tenth  part  by 
weight  of  nitre.  Having  secured  the  windows  and  closed  the 
chimney,  ventilators,  &c.,  the  mixture  is  divided  into  six  or 
eight  parts,  and  placed  in  earthen  pans  in  different  parts  of 
the  room.  Having  placed  some  shavings  on  the  mixture  they 
are  to  be  set  on  fire,  and  the  room  immediately  left,  closing  the 
door  and  all  holes  to  render  the  fumigation  more  complete. 
The  room  may  thus  remain  from  twelve  to  twenty  hoars,  after 
which  door  and  windows  are  opened  to  admit  the  air. 

Young  silkworms  should  be  observed  attentively,  and  if  any 
are  found  affected  with  the  calcine  disease  they  should  be 
removed.  If  its  extinction  is  not  effected,  the  removal  of  all 
dead  worms  must  be  continued,  putting  them  in  a  vessel  half  fall 
of  unslacked  lime,  or  the  caustic  lye  of  potash,  and  afterwards 
burying  them  together  in  the  earth.  If  after  the  fourth  sleep  the 
quantity  of  dead  worms  be  more  than  can  be  collected  before 
calcination,  then,  in  order  not  to  spread  the  infectious  powder 
about,  it  is  advisable  to  remove  the  beds  from  the  stages  only 
after  the  healthy  worms  have  all  repaired  to  spinning  quarters, 
which  should  be  done  by  lightly  rolling  up  all  in  the  papers, 
and  transporting  these  from  the  room. 

It  has  been  recommended  some  time  before  hatching  silk- 
worms' eggs  to  prepare  a  solution  formed  of  a  hundred  parts 
of  water  and  five  of  the  sulphate  of  copper,  in  which  to  dip 
everything  which  is  to  be  used  during  the  rearing,  washing 
well  with  the  same  solution  aU  the  woodwork,  &o.,  in  the  rear- 
ing room. — Leonard  Harman,  jcn..  Old  Cattmi,  NorwicJi. 


MANAGEMENT  OF  FEREETS.— No.  1. 

Most  persons  residing  in  the  country  have  either  a  hobby 
or  some  sort  of  pet.  If  a  lady  can  pet  a  snake,  why  may  net 
Ferrets  be  petted  ?  1  have  seen  persons  turn  from  them  as  if 
they  were  too  horrible  to  be  looked  at,  and  call  them  "  disgust- 
ing creatures,"  but  the  same  individuals  would  not  approach  a 
harmless  toad. 

Now,  I  am  not  ashamed  to  acknowledge  that  I  am  very  fond 
of  these  little  creatures,  and  as  I  have  heard  they  are  difficult 
to  rear,  I  offer  a  few  remarks  on  their  management.  They  are 
as  easily  reared  as  kittens,  and  very  free  from  disease  if  properly 
treated. 

Avoid  breeding  from  relations,  as  this  will  make  them  less 
hardy.  The  breeding  hutch  should  be  roomy,  and  well  made 
to  resist  the  weather.  They  will  do  well  out  of  doors,  even  in 
winter  if  sheltered  from  cold  winds.  The  hutch  should  measure 
at  least  3^  feet  by  2J  feet,  and  be  nearly  2  feet  in  depth.  The 
roof  should  slope  toward  the  front,  to  allow  the  rain  to  run 
off,  and  if  long-continued  rains  penetrate,  the  top  may  be 
protected  by  some  waterproof  material.  The  back  and  front 
should  have  a  few  holes  bored  near  the  top  for  ventilation. 
The  floor  should  also  have  two  or  three  holes  to  allow  water  to 


run  through,  as  Ferrets  require  to  be  kept  dry.  A  portion  of 
the  front  of  the  hutch  may  be  wired  to  admit  light  and  air, 
both  being  essential  to  their  well-doing.  The  floor  should  be 
littered  with  clean  straw,  and  soft  oat  straw  is  better  than  hay 
for  their  sleeping  boxes  in  summer  ;  in  winter  I  prefer  hay,  as 
they  can  get  under  it,  and  lie  snug  and  warm.  I  put  a  little 
clean  straw  on  the  floor  nearly  every  day,  that  the  feet  of  the 
young  may  not  get  damp,  and  the  hutch  should  be  frequently 
cleaned,  and  washed  out.  I  believe  the  diseases  to  which 
Ferrets  are  subject  arise  from  dirty  hatches  and  damp  litter. 
They  are  naturally  very  clean  animals,  and  it  is  cruel  to  keep 
them  in  confinement  and  neglect  them. — Louisa  B. 


OUR  LETTER  BOX. 

Japanese  Bartaus  (Jn^uirfr).— Truly-bred  Japanese  arc  pI  vftriouB 
colours,  one  of  the  most  usual  beincta  generally  light-coloured  pluin»ge  all 
over  the  body,  but  marked,  exactly  as  Lipht  BraLmae  are,  on  the  neokB 
and  tnil  feathers.  Another  variety  ie  entirely  Cuckoo-coloured  ;  and,  agaiD, 
ft  third  ia  precisely  like  a  dark-foathered  Houdan  fowl  in  feather.  The 
birds  of  both  the  biBt-uiimed  colours  are  nsuallv  by  far  the  niobt  beavily- 
feathered  on  the  'ie.fis  and  thighs,  which  makes  them  appear  uincb  closer 
to  the  ground  than  they  really  are.  The  feather  itself  ol  a  true  Japanese 
Bflntam  is  ainiilar  to  that  of  fowls  in  general,  the  ftUkberanot  being  at 
all  broken  up  as  in  the  Silky  fowl. 

Li  Flbci^.  Cook's  Comb  {Lemon  Buff ).— The  comb  of  a  La  FlPch© 
cock  should  have  but  two  jirincipal  points  or  spirals  in  front.  Embryo 
points  between  them  are  unimportant,  but  a  third  as  large  as  the  other 
two  would  be  a  decided  disadvantage,  if  not  a  disqualificatjon.  II  the 
bird  is  a  chicken,  we  should  remove  it. 

Game  Bantams'  Legs  {Subscriber).— "No.  The  colour  of  the  lefts  of 
Game  fowls  is  immaterial,  but  no  rule  in  judging  is  so  imperative  as  that 
which  makes  it  neceFsary  for  all  in  a  pen  to  be  of  the  eame  coloor. 
Yours  would  be  disqualified  anywhere,  and  they  do  not  form  a  pen. 

Crossing  Black  Spanlsh  and  Speckled  Hamburghs  (B.  A.  5.),— We 
do  not  think  the  crofcs  would  be  a  good  one.  We  should  rathn  advise 
you  to  keep  Creve-Cceurs.    Their  eggs  are  as  large  as  the  Spanish. 

Hens  Pecking  their  Eggs  (Amatenr), — The  habit  is  supposed  io  arise 
in  the  first  place  from  the  lack  of  the  necessary  material  for  forming  the 
sbeD  of  the  egg.  It  is  in  that  case  prevented  by  supplying  their  run  or 
house  with  plenty  of  bricklayers' rubbish,  such  as  old  oeilings.  mortar. 
&c.  If  they  have  this  and  still  peck  their  eggs,  it  ie  from  a  had  stnte  of 
the  body.  The  only  cure  we  know,  ia  to  put  some  very  bard  composition 
eggs  in  the  nest.  They  peck  them  till  their  beaks  are  Boro,  and  become 
tired  of  it. 

FowiiB  OvERFAT  (BraztlcrtiM).— Whon  fowls  are  very  fat,  and  begin  to 
fall  away,  the  flefh  disappears  ftiBt.  Jice  is  bad  food.  Feed  on  oxtmea) 
and  whole  corn,  but,  above  all,  let  them  have  plenty  of  green  food  and 
fresh  earth.  We  should  think,  from  your  description,  yon  fed  them  on 
Indian  corn.  That  makes  fat.  hut  no  flesh.  When  you  say  that  a  fowl 
of  6  lbs.  becomes  less  than  4  Ihg.  when  cooked,  you  mean  perh.ips  thattho 
comparison  is  made  between  the  fowl  as  it  is  when  first  killed,  and  as  it 
is  when  dressed  or  trussed  for  dressing.  If  so,  that  explains  itself.  The 
head,  neck,  wnd  inside,  that  are  removed  in  the  operation,  will  make  more 
than  that  differenco.    Do  not  over-feed. 

Game  Fowls  not  Digesting  theib  Food  {F.  P..  JT.)— There  seetna  to 
he  nothing  in  your  feeding  to  cause  the  appenrances  you  name.  They 
will  not  thrive  while  they  have  no  appetite.  Discontinue  their  evenisg 
meal,  also  the  potatoes  altogether.  Give  them  their  bread  dry.  Feed 
often,  and  give  very  little  at  a  time. 

Turkeys  Suffering  from  Cold  {Constant  Suhiteriber). — Vouj  Turkeys 
are  suff  from  cold,  which  if  neglected  will  probably  f  ud  in  roan.    It 

has  bee  i  ■  rvght  when  following  the  hen  about  in  the  early  dew.  A  hen 
Turkey  is  not  fit  to  be  trusted  with  her  brood.  iShe  will  leave  ten  behind 
and  go  contentedly  on  with  three,  or  will  drag  ibem  through  high  wet 
grass  on  the  first  appearance  of  day.  Wash  the  eyes  of  the  patients  with 
vinegar  and  cold  water.  Feed  them  on  bread  steepi-d  in  strong  beer. 
Keep  them  in  a  dry  place,  on  loose  sandy  floorii  g,  and  I'o  not  give  them 
their  liberty  till  the  sun  ia  up.  and  vegetation  is  dry.  The  cold  of  which 
they  are  now  feeling  the  effects  was  probably  caught  some  weeka  feince. 

Hambubgh  Cock  Roupy  {Franl-).—It  ie  incipient  roup.  We  do  not 
dread  it  as  we  used  to  do,  and  we  are  not  bent  on  pepsrating  every  sickly 
bird,  neither  do  we  ever  allow  it  to  go  on.  We  treat  bad  caPcs  most  aac- 
cesefully  with  Baily's  pills.  Milder  forms  are  cored  by  washing  the  face 
with  vinegar  and  cold  water,  feeding  on  stimulating  food,  as  brea^  and 
ale,  and  keeping  the  patient  as  much  as  possible  on  di-y  ground,  and  in  a 
dry  atmosphere. 

Removing  Bees  (Constant  Jieadcr).— If  the  hives  are  well  stored  and 
populous  there  is  no  especial  riek  of  the  bees  dying  merely  because  they 
have  not  ^  warmed  this  vear.  You  should  select  a  cool  evening  for  re- 
moving them,  and  lake  care  that  the  cloths  used  are  of  open  texture— 
cheeseclolh  is  the  best.  If  you  want  to  keep  both  colonies  you  must  not 
meddle  with  their  stores,  nor  should  yon  drive  them  unless  with  the 
view  of  transferring  thtm  to  frame  hivea.  A  flat  stone  is  a  bad  floor- 
board. 

Uniting  Swaems  {H.  C,  Bfpi^?/).— We  should  cspel  the  bees  by  driving 
about  the  beginning  of  beptember,  if  there  is  no  late  pasturage  near, 
such  as  heath,  by  which  they  might  yet  increase  thfir  stores,  and  in  snob 
aseas'-n  as  the  present  should  expect  by  that  time,  little  or  no  brood 
remaining. 

COMMDNICATIONS  BETWFEN  HiVES  AND   SuPERB   TOO  SmALL  {E.    Leeek). 

—"It  is  evident  that  the  commnnication  afforded  by  Mr.  Pettitt's  gratings 
is  too  restricted,  and  that  large  numbers  of  bees  have  perished  from  not 
being  able  to  find  their  way  through  them.  I  have  known  the  same 
thing  occur  when  commuulcation  with  a  ftuper  has  been  by  a  ceutr^ 
aperture  of  unusually  small  dimensions.  Boney  can  only  be  prevented 
from  oryfetaUifiing  by  being  kept  in  a  warm  place.— A  DBVo.«aHiflE  BEe- 

KEEPEE." 


AngUBt  20,  1868.  ) 


JODBNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE     GARDENER. 


125 


WEEKLY 

CALENDAR. 

Day 

of 
Month 

Day 

ot 
Week. 

AUGUST  20-26,  1868. 

Average  Temperature  ^^J" 
near  London.          ^, 'j»»^«^^ 

San 

Risea. 

Sun 
Sets. 

Moon   1  Moon 
Rises.  '    Sets. 

Moon's 
Age. 

Clock 

before 
Sun. 

Year 

20 
21 
22 
28 
24 
25 
26 

Th 

F 

S 

Sen 

M 

T0 

W 

Kirkby    Stephen    an!     Middlesbornngh 
[Horticultural  Shows. 
Todmorden  Horticultural  Show. 
11  Sdndav  after  Trikitv. 

Crystal  Palat^o  Autumn  Show 
Salisbury  Horticultural  Show. 

Day. 

72.7 
72.4 
71.7 
71.8 
71.5 
74.2 
72.8 

NiBht. 
50.5 
49.0 
49.6 
49.1 
47.8 
49.7 
48.2 

Mean. 
61.6 
61.0 

to.o 

60.4 
69.6 
61.9 
G0.5 

Days. 

2(1 
14 
16 
21 
16 
16 
13 

m.      h. 

55  af  4 

56  4 

58  4 

59  i 
1      B 
S      5 
4      5 

m.    h. 

lOaf  7 
8      7 
6      7 
4      7 
2      7 
0      7 

58      6 

m.    b.  1  m.    h 
43al7  '  29af8 

2      9  1  56      8 
19     10      23      9 
83    11      51      9 

after.    ,  23    10 
45      1    1  59    10 
47      2  1  89    11 

Days. 

2 
8 
4 

5 
6 

)) 
8 

m.  s. 
8  5 
2  51 
2  86 
2  20 
2  4 
1  48 
1    32 

238 
284 
285 
286 
287 
238 
239 

From  obserratioDB  taken  near  London  during  the  InBt  forty-one  years,  the  averauo  day  temperature  of  the  week  is  72.4';  and  its  night 
temperatore  49.2  .     The  greatest  heat  was  89',  on  Ithe  25th,  1859  ;   and  the  lowest  cold  31",  on  the  26th,  ls61.    The  greatest  fall  of  ram 
was  0.95  inch. 

THE  HOLLYHOCK,  AND  ITS  CULTURE. 

'  OR  the  summer  and  autumn  decoration  of  the 
flower  garden  Plollyhocks  are  of  great  value, 
and  prove  very  efl'ective  ;  no  garden  of  any 
pretensions  ought  to  be  without  a  collection 
of  select  varieties.  The  Hollyhock  has  been 
in  our  gardens  for  nearly  three  hundred 
years,  having  been  introduced  from  Cliina 
in  157.'i.  Many  years,  I  may  say  centuries, 
it  was  treated  as  a  biennial,  and  no  pains 
were  taken  to  perpetuate  the  improvements 
or  variations  that  were  produced,  excepting  by  saving  of 
seed  and  sowing  it,  cross-breeding  being  then  unknown. 
The  result  was  very  little  variation,  and  but  small  improve- 
ment on  the  flower  of  the  original  Althaea  rosea,  a  biennial, 
in  colour  of  a  bright  rose.  Since  the  late  Mr.  Barron,  of 
Saflron  Walden,  attempted  the  improvement  of  the  flower, 
the  Hollyhock  rapidly  advanced  toward  the  florist's  stan- 
dard of  excellence.  So  rapid,  indeed,  was  the  transforma- 
tion that  the  improvements  were  soon  in  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Chater  and  Mr.  IJircham,  both  of  whom  eff'ected  further  va- 
riations and  improvements,  and  since  then  Mr.  Roake,  Mr. 
W.  Paul,  and  others  have  so  advanced  the  flower,  that  it 
claims  a  place  at  the  exhibition  table.  To  the  late  Mr. 
Barron,  however,  we  owe  all  our  improvements  in  Holly- 
hocks ;  he  was  the  first  to  raise  and  perpetuate  variations 
in  colour,  likewise  improvements  in  the  form  and  substance 
of  the  flower.  It  was  he  who  first  perpetuated  the  im- 
proved varieties  by  division  and  cuttings.  In  his  time,  no 
doubt,  the  Hollyhock  survived,  as  it  does  now,  several 
winters  in  dry  well-drained  sandy  soils  ;  but  it  would  seem, 
from  propagation  being  confined  to  seed-sowing,  that  the 
idea  of  the  Hollyhock  being  a  perennial  had  not  occurred 
to  its  cultivators  ;  to  liim.  therefore,  we  must  give  the  credit 
of  first  making  the  Hollyhock  perennial. 

Although  the  Hollyhock  is  perennial  when  propagated 
by  cuttings  and  other  modes,  also  when  raised  from  seed 
in  some  soils,  yet  those  possessing  a  fine  selection,  acting 
on  that  principle  in  the  same  sense  as  with  most  other 
perennials,  will  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  lose  their  best 
varieties,  and  find  their  collection  fast  disappearing.  The 
system  of  planting  a  border,  and  allowing  it  to  remain  so 
for  years,  does  not  apply  to  Hollyhocks.  In  that  or  some 
other  unaccountable  manner  many  gardens  once  gay  with 
this  noble  flower  are  so  no  longer.  Perhaps  the  present, 
I  may  say  late,  rage  for  dwarf  plants  in  flower  gardens  has 
driven  this  and  other  equally  fine  summer  and  autumn 
flowers  beyond  the  flower-garden  boundary,  where  they 
may  perchance  still  hold  a  place.  At  exhibitions,  too,  no 
very  great  impression  is  produced  by  a  stand  of  spikes  or 
blooms  of  Hollyhocks,  for  these  afford  no  just  idea  of  the 
plant's  stateliness  of  growth  and  splendid  display  of  bloom 
at  home.  Those  according  the  Hollyhock  a  good  situation, 
though  outside  the  flower-garden  boundary,  where,  in  good 
SOU  and  with  proper  care,  it  grows  so  tail  and  blooms  so 
well,  may  see  the  plant  when  at  its  best ;  but  this  is  rare, 
for  they  do  not  care  to  show  to  visitors  anytliing  beyond 
the  best  part  of  the  grounds,  to  which  it  is  seldom  admitted. 
No.  386.— Vol.  XV.,  New  Sebies. 


and  when  it  is  seen  by  the  proprietor  or  liis  friends  it  is 
often  when  the  plant  is  at  its  worst,  when  a  high  wind  or 
some  accident  has  brought  them  past  the  Hollyhocks. 

Some  object  to  the  Hollyhock  in  flower  gardens  on 
account  of  its  height,  and  there  is  good  reason  for  doing 
so,  if  in  a  garden  of  dwarf  plants  it  is  placed  in  front  of 
these,  instead  of  the  tall  plants  at  back  and  the  dwarf  in 
front ;  but  unquestionably  it  is  a  noble  plant  at  the  back 
of  borders,  whetlior  wide'or  narrow,  by  itself  or  in  beds, 
and  t?,e  grandest  of  all  for  slirubbery  borders,  whilst  it 
cannot  be  too  extensively  cultivated  as  a  flower.  A  garden 
without  a  collection  of  select  Hollyhocka  is  destitute  of 
one  great  attraction. 

"Varieties. — The  following  are  some  of  the  most  use- 
ful :— 


Alexander  Shearer,  crimson. 
Advancer,  shaded  rose. 
Black  Prince,  black. 
Countess  Russell,  rosy  peach. 
Comet,  purplish  crimson. 
Competitor,  deep  purple. 
Decision,    salmon    flesh,    shaded 

with  rose. 
Klectra,  yellow,  chocolate  base. 
Fearless  Improved,  creamy  buff. 
Gem  of  Yellows  Improved,  deep 

yellow. 
Hebe,  creamy  flesh,  peach  centre. 
Hon.  Mrs.  Ashley,  bright  peach. 
Memnon,  bright  crimson. 


Mrs.  Roake,  blush. 

Mrs.  Chater,  carmine,  tinted  rose. 

Mr.  Roake,  pale  yellow. 

Lady   Braybrooke,  lemon,  tinted 

fawn. 
Lady  Middleton,  rosy  salmsn. 
Lilac  Model,  shaded  lilac. 
Pericles,  chrome  yellow. 
Queen  of  Whites,  white. 
Reine  Blanche,  white. 
Rev.  H.  Dombrain,  rosy  salmon. 
Syrian  Prince,  purple. 
Walden    Masterpiece,    gold    and 

scarlet. 
Warrior,  bright  crimson. 


PnopAGATioN.— Hollyhocks  are  propagated  by  seed  in 
order  to  raise  new  varieties,  or  where  plants  are  required 
for  extensive  planting  in  borders];  also  by  cuttings,  divi- 
sion, and  eyes. 

Propagation  from  seed  is  only  time,  labour,  and  ground 
lost,  unless  the  seed  has  been  carefully  saved,  and  from 
the  finer  sorts  only.  The  seed  may  be  sown  as  early  as 
March,  and  from  that  time  to  July  or  August.  I  prefer 
to  sow  in  ,June,  and  not  later  than  July.  Spring-sown 
plants  become  so  strong  by  autumn  that  much  room  is 
taken  up  in  wintering  them,  and  except  for  being  planted 
out  in  autumn,  or  remaining,  transplanted,  in  the  bed  to 
bloom,  are  not  desirable.  I  may,  however,  treat  of  sowing 
the  seed  in  spring,  in  summer,  and  as  soon  as  ripe. 

Sowing  in  spring  may  take  place  at  the  end  of  March  or 
early  in  April.  An  open  situation  out  of  doors  should  be 
chosen,  and  the  ground  well  dug  and  pulverised,  working 
in  a  liberal  dressing  of  leaf  mould.  The  soil  most  suitable 
is  a  sandy  loam  ;  if  heavy,  it  may  be  improved  by  a  free 
admixture  of  sharp  sand.  The  surface  having  been  made 
fine,  place  seeds  about  an  inch  apart,  and  cover  them  with 
fine  soU.  All  weeds  must  be  removed,  and  in  June  the 
plants  will  be  fit  to  turn-out  in  beds.  Plant  in  beds  4  feet 
wide,  five  rows  in  a  bed,  and  t)ie  plants  li  inches  from  each 
otlier  in  the  rows.  If  the  weather  be  diy,  give  the  seed 
bed  a  good  soaking  before  taking  up  the  seedlings,  which 
must  be  done  with  a  fork.  The  bed  for  planting  ought  to 
be  well  and  deeply  dug,  adding  leaf  mould  or  rotten  manure 
liberally.  Water  well  at  planting  ;  and  if  dry  and  hot, 
shade  with  mats  over  hoops  for  a  few  days  until  the  plants 
recover.     Occasional  waterings  will  need  to  be  given  in  dry 

No.  1038.- Vol.  XL.,  Old  SEEirs. 


126 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETIOULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENEE. 


[  Angnst  20,  1868. 


weather,  ami  the  bed  must  be  kept  clear  of  weeds.  lu  October 
the  plants  will  be  strong,  and  fit  to  plant  out  in  their  blooming 
quarters,  or  they  may  be  left  where  they  are,  only  every  alter- 
nate row  and  plant  must  be  removed,  and  either  planted  in  the 
borders  or  in  another  bed,  which  will,  of  course,  be  equal  in 
extent  to  that  of  the  bed  in  which  the  plants  are  left  undis- 
turbed. Between  the  rows  a  mulching  of  half-rotten  leaves  or 
manure  should  be  given  early  in  November,  and  in  spring  fork 
that  neatly  into  the  soil,  if  the  plants  are  left  to  bloom  in  the 
beds ;  or  the  plants  may  be  taken  up  carefully,  and  planted 
ont. 

Seed  sown  during  June  requires  the  same  treatment — i.e.,  to 
be  sown  in  the  open  ground,  and  when  the  seedlings  have  two 
rough  leaves,  take  them  up,  and  plant-out  G  inches  apart  every 
way  in  bods,  shading  and  watering  until  established.  The 
planting-out  will  cause  the  production  of  fine  fibrous  roots 
for  taking  up  early  in  October,  and  the  plants  should  then  be 
placed  in  pots  large  enough  to  hold  the  roots  without  cramping. 
The  pots  ought  to  be  set  on  coal  ashes  in  a  cold  frame,  giving 
abundance  of  air,  and  protection  from  frost  and  heavy  rains 
by  drawing  on  the  lights  at  such  times,  with  an  occasional 
covering  of  mats  in  severe  frost.  The  plants  should  be  shifted 
into  larger  pots  as  may  be  necessary — that  is,  before  they 
become  potbound,  and  being  well-hardened  ofi,  may  be  planted 
out  in  April. 

The  seed  may  also  be  sown  as  soon  as  ripe  in  pans  of  good 
light  soil,  and  be  placed  on  a  mild  hotbed  of  from  70°  to  75°. 
When  the  seedlings  appear,  keep  them  near  the  glass,  and  give 
air  plentifully.  When  they  have  two  rough  leaves  pot  them 
off  singly  in  cJ-inch  pots,  in  a  compost  of  light  turfy  loam  two- 
thirds  and  one-third  leaf  mould,  keeping  them  close  in  the 
frame  with  proper  moisture  and  shade  till  established,  and  then 
harden  them  off,  and  remove  them  to  a  cold  frame,  where  they 
are  to  remain  during  the  winter,  being  shifted  into  larger  pots 
as  may  be  necessary,  and  planting-out  at  the  end  of  April. 

The  seedlings  will  bloom  in  the  year  following  the  sowing  of 
the  seed,  and  should  have  proper  care  with  respect  to  staking, 
tying,  and  watering.  The  object  being  to  preserve  good  va- 
rieties and  to  discard  the  bad,  remove  every  single  or  semi-double 
flower,  and  pull  up  the  plant  unless  a  new  colour  or  some- 
thing worth  perpetuating  be  seen,  also  every  plant  with  thin- 
petalled  flowers.  By  discarding  worthless  seedlings  as  soon  as 
they  bloom  you  prevent  the  flowers  of  the  good  kinds  being 
impregnated,  for  these,  as  a  rule,  come  last.  Any  thought 
worth  propagating  should  be  labelled,  and  if  seed  be  saved 
ramove  the  pods  as  they  become  brown,  out  the  stalks  off  to 
within  2  or  3  inches  of  the  ground,  and  stir  the  soil  about 
them  with  a  fork,  but  not  so  deeply  as  to  injure  the  fibres. 
This  will  encourage  growth  for  propagation,  which  may  be 
effected  by  eyes  or  by  division,  and  the  plants  obtained  in 
either  way  will  the  following  year  show  whether  the  flower  is 
worth  adding  to  the  general  cellection,  or  does  not  maintain  its 
character. 

Cuttings  may  be  taken  off  at  almost  all  seasons.  Those  put 
in  during  the  spring  afford  a  late  bloom,  and  those  plants  pro- 
pagated from  cuttings  in  summer  and  autumn  flower  early 
and  late  in  summer.  The  young  shoots  when  from  2  to 
3  inches  long  are  to  be  taken  off  close  to  the  old  root,  and  after 
paring  the  base  of  each  cutting  smooth  with  a  sharp  knife,  pot 
them  singly  in  3-inch  pots,  using  a  compost  of  two-thirds 
sandy  fibrous  loam  and  one-third  leaf  mould,  with  a  liberal 
admixture  of  sharp  sand.  Pot  firmly,  give  a  gentle  watering, 
place  them  in  a  cold  frame,  shut  it  up  closely,  and  shade  them 
irom  sun.  In  the  course  of  a  week  or  ten  days  according  to 
the  time  of  year — a  week  in  summer,  ten  days  in  spring  and 
autumn — a  little  air  may  be  given,  but  not  much  until  the 
cuttings  are  rooted.  Avoid  excessive  watering,  but  keep  the 
soil  moist,  and  when  the  cuttings  have  rooted  well  admit  air 
freely,  and  expose  them  fully  when  the  weather  is  mild  or  not 
excessively  wet.  The  plants  should  be  potted  as  thfy  require 
more  room,  and  should  be  wintered  in  a  cold  frame  as  described 
for  seedlings. 

Cuttings  put  in  from  September  to  April  should  have  the 
benefit  of  a  bottom  heat  of  about  70°,  and  should  be  kept  close 
and  shaded.  Care  should  be  taken  not  to  overwater,  and  to 
prevent  damp  a  little  air  may  be  given.  The  cuttings  rooted, 
they  must  bo  well  hardened  off  and  removed  to  a  cold  frame. 

Propagation  by  division  is  performed  in  autumn  after  flower- 
ing, generally  in  September  or  early  in  October.  The  root 
should  be  dug  up  and  di\ided  into  as  many  pieces  as  there  are 
shoots,  and  these  pieces  ought  to  be  potted  singly  in  4} -inch 
pots.    Any  shoots  without  roots  may  be  potted  in  3-inch  pots 


and  treated  as  cuttings,  they  and  the  divisions  being  wintered 
in  a  cold  frame. 

Eyes  are  the  side  shoots  taken  from  the  plants  close  to  the 
roots  as  soon  as  they  begin  to  become  firm  (which  will  be  the 
case  in  July,  August,  or  September,  according  to  the  forward- 
ness of  the  plant),  cut  into  pieces  with  an  eye  to  each.  The 
knife  should  be  sharp,  at  least  the  cut  must  be  clean  so 
as  to  give  1  inch  or  Ij  inch  of  shoot  to  each  eye.  The  leaf 
should  be  removed  with  exception  of  the  leafstalk,  and  the 
pieces  or  eyes  should  be  inserted  in  sandy  soil  as  for  cuttings, 
placing  them  vertically,  and  covering  them  with  an  inch  of 
fine  sandy  soil.  It  will  answer  as  well  if  the  eyes  are  placed 
horizontally.  Cover  them  with  a  hand-glass  after  giving  them 
a  gentle  watering,  and  shade  from  bright  sun.  When  struck, 
as  will  be  known  by  their  growing  strongly,  pot  them  singly 
in  3-inch  pots,  and  place  them  in  a  cold  frame. 

Soil  and  Situation.- — The  most  suitable  soil  for  Hollyhocks 
is  a  rich  sandy  rather  than  a  heavy  loam.  In  the  former  the 
plants  are  more  hardy,  but  do  not  grow  so  strongly.  The 
ground  intended  to  be  planted  in  spring  should  be  trenched  in 
autumn,  and  thrown  up  as  roughly  as  possible,  in  order  to  ex- 
pose it  to  the  action  of  frost,  and  a  good  dressing  of  manure 
should  be  forked-in.  In  February  or  March  the  ground  should 
be  forked  over,  and  if  no  manure  was  afforded  at  the  time  of 
trenching,  it  ought  to  be  given  now.  If  the  soil  is  heavy  leaf 
mould  will  help  to  lighten  it,  and  so  will  sharp  sand.  The 
situation  should  be  open,  free  from  the  drip  and  shade  of  trees, 
and  if  sheltered  from  wind  all  the  better.  The  more  sunny 
and  open  the  situation  the  better  will  Hollyhocks  grow  and 
bloom. 

Planting  and  After-treatment. — From  the  middle  to  the 
end  of  April  is  the  best  time  to  plant  for  the  general  bloom, 
whilst  for  a  late  bloom  planting  may  take  place  a  month  later. 
The  distance  apart  may  be  3  feet  in  beds,  and  in  borders  a 
like  distance  may  be  allowed  from  plant  to  plant  every  way ; 
but  in  the  latter  case  I  generally  have  the  lines  4  feet  apart, 
and  put  in  the  plants  at  JJ  feet  from  each  other.  In  planting 
make  a  good-sized  hole,  and  fill  it  up,  or  nearly  so,  with  a 
compost  of  two-thirds  loam  from  turves,  and  one-third  rotten 
manure  or  leaf  mould.  Put  in  the  plants  from  pots  in  the 
centre,  Ughtly  scratching  the  sides  of  the  ball,  so  as  to  dis- 
entangle the  roots  a  little  ;  but  if  the  size  of  the  pots  has  been 
sufficient,  this  will  scarcely  be  necessary.  Make  the  soil  firm 
about  the  plant,  and  give  a  good  watering,  and  if  the  nights 
are  frosty  cover  the  plant  with  an  inverted  flower  pot,  taking 
it  off  in  the  morning  and  replacing  it  at  night  until  all  danger 
from  frost  is  over.  In  dry  weather  water  must  be  liberally 
supplied,  especially  in  May  and  June,  when  the  leaves  are  very 
actively  catering  for  the  coming  display.  When  the  plants  are 
advancing  towards  flowering  and  are  in  flower,  thorough  water- 
ings in  dry  weather  are  also  necessary. 

Too  many  flower  spikes  should  not  be  retained.  Two  or  at 
most  three  flower  spikes  are  all  that  should  be  allowed  on 
strong  plants,  whilst  one  will  be  suiBcient  for  a  weak  plant. 
All  the  others,  or  side  shoots,  should  be  cut  away  as  they  ap- 
pear. The  staking  of  the  plants  must  be  attended  to  early. 
Stout,  but  at  the  same  time  neat  stakes  must  be  driven  into  the 
ground  close  to  each  plant,  and  ought  to  be  about  3J  feet  out 
of  the  ground,  and  to  these  the  flower  spikes  must  be  tied  as 
they  advance.  When  the  spikes  have  reached  a  height  of  7  or 
8  feet  cut  off  their  tops  if  you  want  them  for  exhibition,  and 
thin  the  flower  buds,  so  that  when  expanded  there  will  be  no 
more  flowers  than  enough  to  cover  the  spike ;  and  if  blooms  or 
spikes  are  wanted  for  exhibition  they  must  be  protected  from 
rain  and  sun  ten  days  before  the  show.  If  not  wanted  for  ex- 
hibition the  flower  spikes  may  be  allowed  to  grow  as  tail  as 
they  will,  and  the  blossoms  need  not  be  thinned  ;  but  I  like  to 
thin  the  flowers  a  little,  even  in  gardens,  and  to  have  tbore  as 
good  blooms  as  are  seen  in  stands  at  exhibitions,  cutting  off 
the  tops  of  the  spikes  at  some  height. 

After  flowering  cut  down  the  spikes  to  within  3  or  4  inches 
of  the  ground,  and  at  the  end  of  October  take  up  the  roots,  pot 
them,  and  winter  them  in  a  cold  frame.  In  sandy,  well-drained 
soil,  however,  they  may  be  left  in  the  ground,  and  this  being 
lightly  forked  over,  put  a  dressing  round  the  plants  of  leaf 
mould,  not  very  rotten,  or  short  littery  manure,  and  point 
it  neatly  into  the  ground  in  spring.  In  winter  the  pots  of 
plants,  whether  from  seed,  cuttings,  divisions,  or  eyes,  should 
be  plunged  to  the  rim  in  coal  ashes,  the  plants  being  kept  near 
the  glass,  and  afforded  plenty  of  air  in  favourable  weather, 
with  little  or  no  watering  at  the  roots— indeed,  the  soil  should 
not  be  more  than  moist.    If  fine  flowers  and  large  spikes  of 


An^Bt  20, 1868.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTIOUIiTUBE  AND  COTTAGE    GARDENER. 


127 


bloom  are  desired,  the  plants  ought  to  be  well  cared  for  in 
potting,  never  allowing  them  to  become  pot-bound,  and  the 
greatest  possible  encouraRement  should  be  given  to  them  in 
May  and  June,  by  watering,  and  supplying  them  with  liquid 
manure  once  a-week,  also  during  any  dry  periods  that  may 
occur  afterwards  until  the  flowering  is  past. — G.  Abeev. 


MELON-GROWING  IN  GROUND  VINERIES. 

Foit  several  years  I  grew  Melons  in  pots  in  a  partially  heated 
orchard  house.  The  fruit  was  small  but  of  first-rate  flavour. 
The  leaves,  however,  were  so  infested  with  red  spider  that  in 
order  to  do  justice  to  the  proper  occupants  of  the  hou^e,  I  felt 
it  necessary  to  find  the  Melons  some  other  home.  With  this 
view  I  purchased  28  feet  of  ground  vineries,  -12  inches  broad, 
and  as  I  wished  to  have  something  out  of  them  during  the 
spring  months,  I  proceeded  as  follows : — Last  -June  a  Straw- 
berry bed  was  marked  out,  20  feet  by  42  inches,  and  in  the 
centre  of  this  two  rows  of  Strawberries  were  planted.  They 
had  just  fruited  in  the  orchard  house,  and  were  turned  out  of 
their  pots.  At  the  end  of  February  in  the  present  year  they 
were  covered  with  21  feet  of  the  vineries,  which  remained  on 
till  the  18th  of  May,  ventilation  being  given  when  necessary 
by  a  few  bricks  being  put  under  the  frames.  In  the  meantime 
the  remaining  length  of  7  feet,  blocked  up  temporarily  at  the 
ends,  was  used  for  Mustard  and  Cress,  &c.  The  Strawberries 
were  a  capital  crop,  the  first  fruit  being  gathered  on  the  25th 
ci  May. 

As  soon  as  the  Strawberries  were  uncovered,  the  entire 
28  feet-length  was  laid  on  a  border  fronting  the  orchard  house. 
A  piece  of  frigi  domo  of  the  exact  length  of  the  glass,  and  broad 
enough  to  cover  it  to  the  ground  (after  being  sewn  at  the  two 
ends  to  prevent  fraying),  was  used  to  cover  the  glass  every 
night.  Four  bricks,  one  at  either  side  of  each  end,  kept  the 
covering  quite  steady.  The  heat  thus  accumulated  from  the 
18th  to  the  27th  of  May  appeared  sufScieni  to  warrant  the 
planting  of  the  Melons,  one  to  each  light.  They  were  small 
plants,  stopped  at  about  the  fourth  leaf.  Two  were  planted  in 
the  earth  of  the  garden,  and  two  in  Sea-kale  pots  half  sunk  in 
the  ground.  I  need  not  detail  the  cultivation,  as  there  was 
nothing  peculiar  in  it.  The  first  Melon  was  cut  on  the  Sth  of 
August,  and  hung  up  in  the  orchard  house  till  the  12th.  It 
weighed  5  lbs.  2  ozs.,  the  sort  being  Windsor  Prize.  In  quality 
it  would  be  called  good,  but  lacking  the  rich  saccharine  juice 
of  those  grown  in  pots  in  the  orchard  house  in  former  years, 
though  the  foliage  of  the  latter  was  meagre  and  yellow  with 
spider,  while  the  leaves  under  the  ground  vinery  are  beauti- 
fully green.  Had  there  been  less  moisture  under  the  vineries 
the  flavour  would  probably  have  been  better,  but  it  would  have 
been  unwise  to  sacrifice  the  well-doing  of  the  future  crop  in 
order  to  perfect  one  specimen.  I  am  aware  that  this  is  an 
unusually  favourable  year  for  attempting  to  grow  Melons  with- 
out bottom  heat,  but  I  give  you  the  result  of  my  experiment, 
nevertheless. — G.  S. 


PALMS. 
In  your  last  number  there  is  an  interesting  article  from 
"  The  Gardener,"  signed  "  H.  K.,"  on  Palms.  In  his  se- 
cond paragraph  "  H.  K."  says,  "  But  now-a-days  our  enter- 
prising nurserymen  are  bringing  Palms  within  the  reach  of 
everybody."  Who  and  where  are  the  said  nurserymen?  I 
have  been  for  years  on  the  look-out  for  Palms  for  room-decora- 
tion, and  some  of  your  correspondents  may  remember  my 
letters  on  the  subject,  pointing  out  how  far  behind  our  neigh- 
bours we  are  in  the  use  of  plants  for  house  adornment.  Now 
it  appears  Palms  are  to  be  had  at  a  reasonable  price  here  in 
England,  I  do  hope  we  may  learn  where.  I  cannot  afford  three 
gtiineas  a-plaut.    X  want  three  for  a  guinea. — Patelin. 


tay.  Enfant  d'Ameugny,  Ernest  Uoncenne,  and  President  Wil- 
lermoz,  but  have  not  been  able  to  distinguish  any  special  merit 
in  them.  As  I  have  said  elsewhere,  Mr.  Keynes  speaks  well  of 
Elio  Morel,  Louis  BuUiat,  Madame  Cirodde,  Madame  Roths- 
child, Merveille  d'Anjou,  and  Pieiuo  du  Midi.  I  have  only  seen 
Madame  Rothschild  ;  it  is  very  beautiful  if  full  enough.  Miss 
Ingram  I  have  not  seen  this  year,  so  can  neither  add  to  nor 
diminish  what  I  said  of  it  last  year.  Mrs.  .lohn  Eerners  will 
be  a  good  useful  Rose  ;  and,  as  far  as  I  could  judge,  DuchesBO 
d'Aoste  is  worth  keeping. 

I  fear  this  will  be  considered  meagre,  but  I  do  not  wish  to  go 
beyond  personal  knowledge  ;  tastes  diiler,  and  circumstances 
lead  people  to  form  various  opinions. — D.,  Deal. 


NEW  ROSES  OP  1867. 
An  answer,  in  part,  at  least,  to  "  Eosaeian,"  will  be  found 
in  another  column.  I  have  had  but  very  few  opportunities  of 
seeing  new  Roses  this  year,  having  only  been  at  one  Rose  Show 
— the  Crystal  Palace,  a  press  of  business  matters  having  kept 
me  at  home.  From  personal  knowledge  I  can  say  I  think  La 
France  a  beautiful  Rose,  and  quite  distinct ;  Mademoiselle 
Marie  Larpin,  a  beautiful  Bourbon  ;  and  Reino  de  Portugal,  a 
rich-coloured  Tea.  I  grow  besides  Lisette  de  Beranger,  a  Rose 
in  the  style  of  Madame  Gustave  Bonnet,  &c.,  Curd  de  Oharen- 


GOLD  AND  BRONZE  PELARGONIUMS. 
Being  present  at  the  special  Show  of  Pelargoniums  at 
South  Kensington  a  few  weeks  ago,  my  attention  was  turned 
more  particularly  to  what  are  called  the  Gold  and  Bronze 
varieties,  and  I  asked  myself.  What  properties  should  these 
possess  to  make  them  a  really  useful  class  of  plants  ?  While 
some  contend  most  strongly  and  properly  for  a  flat  circular 
leaf  with  a  clear  and  well-defined  zone,  &c.,  I  find  that  some 
varieties,  which  may  in  these  respects  be  almost  all  that  can 
be  desired,  are,  nevertheless,  apt  to  become  bleached  miserable- 
looking  objects  when  exposed  to  too  much  sunhght.  On  the 
other  hand  there  are  some,  of  which  Beauty  of  Oulton  may  be 
taken  as  a  type,  which,  under  ordinary  circumstances,  are  far 
too  green  to  have  any  just  claim  to  be  called  Gold  and  Bronze, 
and  are  of  no  greater  value  as  bedding  plants  than  ordinary 
Zonal  Pelargoniums.  For  kinds  really  useful  for  bedding  we 
must  look  to  what  is  called  the  light  Gold  and  Bronze  sec- 
tion, and  of  this  I  think,  we  may  place  some  confidence  in 
Luna,  which  has  stood  the  test  of  several  seasons,  and  may,  I 
think,  be  regarded  as  an  established  favourite. 

As  to  which  of  the  more  recent  varieties  are  the  best  as  bed- 
ders  it  is  difficult  to  decide,  though  Kentish  Hero  is  spoken  ol 
as  being  the  best  at  Chiswiek.  Of  those  at  present  in  com- 
merce. Countess  of  Kellie  occupies  the  front  rank,  being  the 
brightest  and  most  distinct  of  the  whole  lot  exhibited,  and  it 
possesses  another  good  quality,  constancy  of  character.  1 
maintain  that  Gold  and  Bronze  varieties  should  retain  their 
colours  under  ordinary  circumstances  for  at  least  eight  months 
out  of  the  twelve,  and  this,  unfortunately,  few  of  them  do.  I 
forbear  to  say  anything  of  varieties  at  present  not  in  commerce. 

The  following  are  what  I  consider  the  principal  points  : — 

First  and  most  important,  constancy  of  character  in  colour. 

Secondly,  flat  leaves  with  clear  zones  and  large  centres  ;  for 
the  larger  the  centre  of  the  leaf  is,  the  more  effective  willthe 
plant  be  for  bedding  purposes. 

In  the  event  of  another  show  of  the  same  kind  being  held, 
I  would  suggest  that  at  least  two  or  three  months  beforehand 
rules  should  be  drawn  up  and  published,  in  order  to  guide  the 
judges  in  their  decisions,  and  that  exhibitors  may  know  what 
the  different  standards  of  merit  are  by  which  their  specimens 
will  be  judged,  for  at  the  last  show  it  was  quite  obvious  that 
the  different  sections  had  in  some  instances  been  judged  from 
different  standards  of  merit. — W.  B.  G. 


PORTULACA  THELLUSONI. 

This  is  a  plant  which  I  expect  to  hear  has  done  good  service 
during  the  present  season.  It  is  a  well-known  old  favourite, 
but  in  some  cases  and  seasons  is  shy-flowering.  There  are 
purposes,  however,  for  which  I  think  it  may  always  be  employed 
to  advantage,  as  even  in  dull  or  wet  seasons  it  would  most 
hkely  succeed  well.  In  window  boxes  in  the  sun,  vases,  baskets, 
and  dry  sunny  spots  at  the  base  of  trees  or  buildings  where 
but  few  subjects  will  grow,  except  Sedums  and  other  dry  rock 
plants,  the  Portulaca  will  succeed  remarkably  well,  and  I  know 
of  no  plant  that  can  vie  with  it  in  the  variety  and  brilliancy  of 
its  colours. 

A  dry  sandy  soil  would  seem  to  suit  this  Portulaca  best,  but 
it  is  occasionally  found  doing  well  in  one  of  an  opposite  cha- 
racter. If  a  good  bed  of  it  is  visited  during  the  early  part 
of  the  day,  when  the  flowers  are  fully  expanded,  nothing  can 
have  a  richer  appearance.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  day  its 
flowers  close,  but  even  in  that  condition  it  looks  weU.  As  a 
vase  plant  it  deserves  to  be  more  generally  grown. 

A  small  packet  of  seed  will  furnish  a  number  of  plants,  and 
',  these  transplant  well.     The  seeds  ought  to  be  sown  in  a  slight 


128 


JOUllNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARBENEB. 


[  Angnst  20,  1868. 


■hotbed  early  in  the  spring,  but  I  have  seen  as  good  a  result  as 
'Could  be  desired  from  selfsown  plants ;  for  where  the  ground 
suits  it,  it  perpetuates  itself  almost  as  well  as  Mignonette. — 

J.  ROESON. 

THREE    USEFUL    HARDY    HERBACEOUS 
PLANTS. 

Seasons  like  the  present  are  not  likely  to  pass  away  without 
some  one  noticing  how  certain  plants  appeared  to  withstand 
the  unusual  heat  and  drought  which  prevailed  throughout  the 
growing  part  of  the  summer,  and  it  will  be  easily  seen  what 
plants  suffered  or  the  contrary  by  the  almost  tropical  heat  they 
have  been  subjected  to.  In  making  notices  of  this  description 
it  is,  of  course,  necessary  to  specify  whether  the  plant  has  been 
assisted  by  artificial  watering  or  not,  as  when  this  is  done  the 
plant  ought  no  longer  to  be  regarded  as  one  capable  of  enduring 
much  heat  and  drought,  unless  the  amount  of  such  watering 
has  been  very  small.  In  the  case  of  the  three  plants  which  I 
shall  mention  no  artificial  watering  whatever  has  been  afforded, 
and  their  appearance  has  been  in  every  way  satisfactory  ;  be- 
sides which  they  have  claims  to  attention  beyond  the  mere  fact 
of  withstanding  hot  dry  weather. 

The  failures  in  a  trying  season  like  the  present  will  no  denbt 
lead  many  to  condemn  more  plants  than  they  ought  to  do, 
whUe  they  may  give  a  more  than  due  importance  to  those 
which  withstand  the  sun  well ;  but  tbo  three  plants  to  the 
merits  of  which  I  seek  to  call  attention  have  done  as  well  with 
me  in  damp  seasons  as  in  the  present  year,  and  consequently 
no  one  need  be  afraid  of  trying  them.  They  are  not  the  un- 
certain creatures  of  a  hot  season,  but  long-tried  friends,  dis- 
playing their  beauties  alike  in  a  hot  season  and  in  a  wet  one. 
They  all  belong  to  those  useful  plants  which  are  again  fast 
making  their  way  into  public  favour  —  namely,  hardy  her- 
baceous plants,  and  I  have  long  regarded  them  as  amongst  the 
most  ornamental  of  that  highly  interesting  class  of  plants. 
Not  one  of  them  has  any  claim  to  rarity,  and  yet  they  are  more 
rarely  met  with  than  they  ought  to  be,  possibly  from  their 
great  beauty  and  their  capabilities  of  withstanding  heat  not 
being  known,  although  so  many  Phloxes,  Pentstemons,  and 
other  plants  have  succumbed  to  the  heat  and  lack  of  moisture. 

Taking  the  three  plants  in  the  order  in  which  they  flower,  I 
shall  first  begin  with — 

Trachelium  c.eeuleum. — This,  although  allied  to  the  Cam- 
panulas, does  not  much  resemble  any  of  the  ornamental  kinds 
with  which  I  am  acquainted.  Its  flowers  are  individually  small, 
but  are  so  numerous,  and  collected  in  such  mathematical  order 
in  umbels  of  from  2  or  S  to  4  or  5  inches  in  diameter,  that 
their  heads  look  in  the  distance  like  florets.  The  flower  stem 
is  much  branched,  each  branchlet  supporting  its  umbel  of 
flowers,  which  in  ordinary  seasons  are  pale  blue,  but  this  year 
they  have  darkened  into  a  good  purple,  being  when  in  a  body 
and  viewed  at  a  distance  of  a  darker  and  better  purple  than 
Purple  King  Verbena.  The  flowers,  too,  are  produced  in  great 
abundance,  and  although  the  plant  is  from  2  to  :!  feet  high  they 
require  no  tying-up,  standing  much  better  than  Phloxes  ;  and 
in  consequence  of  the  stem  branching  near  the  ground,  flowers 
are  produced  all  the  way  up.  The  plant  produces  its  exceed- 
ingly small  seeds  freely,  and  these  if  sown  in  heat  early  in 
spring  afford  plants  which  flower  the  same  year.  It  may  also 
be  propagated  by  cuttings  taken  off  any  time  during  the  sum- 
mer or  autumn ;  and  it  is  advisable  to  strike  some,  as  very 
hard  winters  kill  the  plant.  A  row  of  it  surrounding  a  bed  of 
shrubs  has  been  one  of  the  most  ornamental  we  have  had  here, 
a  silver-edged  Pelargonium  being  in  front  of  it.  It  remained 
in  full  flower  throughout  July. 

Statice  latifolia. — This  is  also  an  herbaceous  plant  of  great 
beauty.  Its  broad  overlapping  foliage  is  scarcely  less  orna- 
mental than  some  of  the  Lomarias  or  Scolopendriums ;  and 
the  flower  stem,  much  branched,  is  upwards  of  2  feet  high,  and 
is  so  rigid  and  its  branchlets  so  wiry,  that  tying  of  any  kind 
would  only  injure  it.  The  flowers  when  fully  expanded  are  of  a 
pretty  pale  blue,  hardly  inferior  to  the  exotic  species  Statice 
Holfordi,  while  in  point  of  habit  the  plant  is  much  superior. 
It  produces  its  flowers  in  the  greatest  profusion,  the  stems 
branching  out  and  interlacing  each  other,  so  as  to  form  a  com- 
pact head  or  bush  of  3  or  4  feet  in  diameter  in  a  full-grown 
plant,  and  perhaps  2. J  feet  high  or  more.  It  is,  however,  for 
the  utihty  of  the  flower  spikes  just  before  they  are  fully  ex- 
panded that  I  claim  for  it  the  greatest  merit.  At  that  time 
the  small  but  numerous  flower  buds  present  a  shining  mass  of  a 
rich  silvery  grey  tint,  and  if  then  cut  and  dried  they  retain 


th»ir  colour,  and  the  stiff  wiry  stems  of  the  plant  support  them 
in  due  order.  Amongst  dried  flowers,  therefore,  this  plant  is 
of  the  greatest  importance.  Its  feathery  appearance  and  dis- 
tinctness from  all  others  entitle  it  to  a  high  place  in  such  col- 
lections, apart  altogether  from  the  display  it  makes  in  the 
flower  garden,  where  it  continues  in  bloom  a  much  longer 
period  than  most  other  plants ;  and  even  in  its  decay  its  stur- 
diness  of  flower  stem  and  the  small  petals  of  the  individual 
flowers  preserve  it  from  ever  appearing  rubbishy.  The  ever- 
green character  of  its  foliage  also  imparts  an  amount  of  beanty 
to  it  which  few  plants  possess.  I  believe  the  plant  is  met  with 
under  other  specific  names,  but  that  which  I  have  adopted 
seems  applicable  to  it.  It  propagates  much  less  freely  than 
the  Trachelium,  not  seeding,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  in  this 
country,  and  furnishing  but  sparingly  short  tufty  offsets  or 
cuttings  much  hke  those  of  the  double  Chinese  Primrose. 
These  cuttings  in  a  cold  pit,  with  no  other  care  than  shading 
and  watering,  make  plants  in  time.  The  plant,  too,  is  in  other 
respects  very  hardy. 

AcoNiTUM  viEGiNicuM  is  a  useful  and  ornamental  herbaceous 
plant,  more  hardy  than  most  of  those  which  I  know,  and  not 
particular  as  to  site.  This  season,  to  my  surprise,  it  has 
flowered  well,  although  growing  immediitely  in  front  of  shrubs 
whose  roots,  I  expect,  intermix  with  its  own,  and  on  the  other 
side  a  strong  hedge  of  Dielytra  spectabilis  has  several  weeks 
the  start  of  it  every  season,  but  this  highly  ornamental  Monks- 
hood invariably  makes  itself  seen  by  the  1st  of  August,  and 
this  season  it  was  much  before  that  time.  The  foliage  and 
flowers  did  not  show  that  distress  which  might  be  expected 
from  the  confined  position  of  the  plant,  and  the  total  absence 
of  rain  for  so  long  a  period.  It  usually  attains  a  height  of 
4  feet,  produces  a  spike  of  blue  and  white  flowers,  and  well 
deserves  a  place  in  an  herbaceous  border,  where  something  of  a 
lower  growth  can  be  placed  in  front  of  it. 

As  a  plant  capable  of  withstanding  heat  I  was  agreeably  sur- 
prised with  Aconitum  virginicum  this  season,  as  it  never  ap- 
peared to  be  suffering  as  some  of  the  Delphiniums,  Phloxes,  and 
similar  plants  did,  for  its  foliage  and  flowers  presented  a  fresh- 
ness of  aspect  which  was  seen  in  few  plants  this  season,  con- 
sequently its  merits  in  this  respect  deserve  to  be  known.  It  is 
propagated  with  tolerable  freedom  by  division  of  the  root.  In 
very  wet  places  I  believe  slugs  are  rather  fond  of  it,  but  I  have 
always  found  it  very  hardy,  capable  of  taking  care  of  itself, 
and  furnishing  plenty  of  flowers. — J.  Eobson. 


ROSESJAND   OTHER   FLOWERS   AT   MR. 
KEYNES'S   NURSERY. 

I  THOUGHT  to  have  included  my  notice  of  Mr.  Keynes's  in 
my  last  paper,  in  which  I  coupled  it  with  Mr.  Eadclyffe's 
at  Okeford  Fitzpaine,  but  my  space  came  to  an  end  ;  and  so  I 
add  this  brief  notice,  first  saying  that  I  made  one  omission  in 
my  list  of  Strawberries — viz.,  Frogmore  Late  Pine,  which  is  a 
great  favourite  with  Mr.  Radcljffe,  and  which  I  have  more  than 
once  spoken  of  from  my  personal  experience  as  a  fine  variety. 
It  is  of  a  good  pine-like  flavour,  and  comes  in  well  after  some 
of  the  others  have  finished  bearing,  but  we  still  want  some  late 
sorts  of  this  delicious  fruit.  If  we  could  have  a  season  as  pro- 
longed with  good  kinds  as  with  the  Fraisc  dcs  quatre  saisojis  it 
would  be  a  great  result  achieved. 

And  now  as  to  Mr.  Keynes.  His  nursery  is  remarkable,  not 
so  much  for  the  general  stock  as  for  the  manner  in  which  a 
few  things  are  grown,  especially  Dahlias,  Roses,  and  Vines. 
For  many  a  long  year  has  John  of  Salisbury  held  his  ground 
as  a  grower  of  the  first  flower.  Many  have  been  the  races  that 
he  has  run  with  Mr.  Turner,  of  Slough  ;  varied  their  results, 
but  never,  or  rarely  ever,  has  he  ul lowed  any  other  competitor 
to  snatch  the  laurels  of  victory  from  him— sometimes  first 
and  at  other  times  second,  but  descending  no  lower  ;  and  now 
that  Mr.  Turner  has  given  up  exhibiting  he  holds  the  first 
place,  probably  doing  more  with  new  Dahlias  on  the  exhibition 
table  and  in  the  market  than  all  other  growers.  It  has  been  a 
sore  time  for  him  this  year  ;  notwithstanding  that  a  fine  river 
runs  at  the  bottom  of  his  grounds,  and  of  course  an  unlimited 
supply  of  water,  it  has  cost  him  a  larger  sum  than  people  would 
be  inclined  to  beUeve  to  keep  his  plants  going.  At  one  time 
they  were  completely  covered  with  black  fly,  which  all,  however, 
after  giving  a  world  of  trouble,  disappeared  in  one  night.  At 
the  period  of  my  visit  the  plants  looked  well,  and  some  pro- 
mising seedlings  were  developing  themselves  ;  but  the  Roses 
were  the  chief  attraction,  although  it  was  just  between  the  two 


Aognst  !iO,  18C8.  ] 


JOUENAL  OF  HOKTICULTUKE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


123 


seasons,  find  owing  to  the  intenso  heat  very  few  flowera  were 
to  be  Been. 

There  were,  however,  two  rowa  of  Marcchal  Niel  worth  going 
a  hundred  miles  to  see.  They  were  two-year-old  plants  budded 
as  half-standards  on  the  Briar,  the  branches  tied  down  to  a 
sort  of  rough  framework,  and  from  one  end  to  the  other  dozens 
upon  dozens  of  brilliant  blooms  in  all  stages.  Away  with  those 
who  babbled  about  its  being  the  worst  introductioli  for  many 
years.  It  is  the  grandest  Kose  we  have  had  introduced  to 
EngUsh  gardens  for  many  a  year,  and  I  have  never  seen  it 
necessary  to  abate  one  jot  of  the  praise  I  gave  to  it  when 
Engone  Verdier  first  showed  it  to  me  in  Paris,  if  only  it  ful- 
filled conditions  as  to  growth,  &c.,  of  which  1  could  not  theu 
speak,  bat  which  it  most  certainly  has  done.  At  any  time 
during  the  summer,  Mr.  Keynes  said,  he  oould  have  cut  dozens 
of  blooms  from  these  two  rows.  On  young  plants  it  may,  from 
its  very  free  growth,  be  shy  of  blooming,  although  I  have  not 
found  it  to  be  so,  but  afterwards  it  is  one  of  the  freest  of 
bloomers,  and  certainly  one  of  the  very  finest  Roses  we  have. 

The  very  exceptional  season  which  we  have  had  told  upon 
Mr.  Keynes's  Koses  as  upon  those  of  everyone  else,  mildew 
being  prevalent ;  but  at  the  same  time  I  never  saw  a  finer- 
looking  lot  of  plants,  whether  on  Briar  or  Manetti  stocks. 
About  50,000  on  the  latter  were  especially  fine,  and  great  care 
had  evidently  been  taken  to  cut  out  the  eyes  of  the  stock  under 
ground,  for  there  was  scarcely  a  Manetti  shoot  to  be  seen,  and 
all  who  have  grown  Boses  on  this  valuable  stock  know  what  a 
boon  this  is. 

With  regard  to  sorts,  I  had  a  long  chat  with  Mr.  Keynes, 
and  our  opinions  on  the  older  varieties  were  very  much  in 
accord.  With  regard  to  the  new  I  could  not  say  much,  as  my 
opportunities  for  seeing  them  had  been  but  few.  Those  that 
he  had  marked  as  especially  good  were  Ehe  Morel  (Liabaud), 
rosy  lilac  ;  Louis  Bulliat  (Gonod),  bright  crimson  shaded  with 
violet  black;  Madame  Cirodde  (C.  Verdier),  clear  rose,  extra 
good  ;  Madame  or  Baronne  de  Rothschild  (Fernet),  bright  rose 
shaded  with  white  :  it  has  been  exhibited  this  year,  and  was 
certainly  very  beautiful ;  the  only  doubt  I  had  was  as  to  ils 
being  full  enough.  Merveille  d'Anjou,  splendid  bright  re.l, 
large  and  full :  this  is  highly  thought  of.  If  good  it  is,  I  think, 
the  first  Rose  of  first-class  merit  Touvais  has  raised.  Keine 
de  Midi  (Rolland),  delicate  rose.  La  France  was  not  so  highly 
thought  of,  having  too  much  of  the  Tea  Rose  in  it,  but  I  am 
inclined  to  think  it  will  be  a  good  and  useful  Rose  and  bloom 
very  constantly. 

Who  has  seen  Oomtesse  de  Jaucourt  this  season  ?  Many 
were  the  sly  shakes  of  the  head,  in  the  true  Lord  Burleigh 
style,  as  to  what  a  grand  stroke  they  would  make  who  propa- 
gated it.  Nobody,  or  next  to  nobody,  knew  anything  about 
her  ;  but  she  was  a  star.  It  might  be  so,  and  like  the  Unknown 
Knight  in  "  Ivanhoe,"  she  might  vanquish  all  comers;  but  I 
doubted,  and  I  could  not  learn  anything  about  her  here.  Not 
so  a  Rose  which  seems  unaccountably  in  its  year  of  introduc- 
tion to  have  escaped  notice,  but  is  now  unquestionably  in  the 
front  rank — Marie  Baumann.  Mr.  Keynes  considers  it  even 
superior  to  Alfred  Colomb — one  of  our  very  best  Roses,  as  I 
predicted  it  would  be.  Again,  another  Rose  of  which  I  would 
say  a  word,  and  which  many  saw  this  year — Monsieur  Noman 
— when  I  last  mentioned  it  I  was  under  the  impression  that  I 
had  hastily  condemned  it  last  year,  and  made  my  amende  ac- 
cordingly. It  was  not  so,  however.  The  Rose  I  condemned 
was  Madeleine  Noman  raised  by  Gonod,  and  not  Monsieur 
Noman,  which  was  raised  by  Guillot  pere.  Another  Rose  much 
valued  here  is  Hippolyte  Flandrin  ;  it  is  evidently  not  a  very 
free  bloomer,  but  the  flowers  are  magnificent.  I  was  glad  to 
find  that  my  judgment  with  regard  to  another  flower,  Made- 
moiselle Marguerite  Dombrain,  was  fully  confirmed  here  ;  and 
the  fact  that  Mr.  Keynes  took  the  second  prize  with  it  at  Bir- 
mingham in  the  stand  for  the  best  twelve  blooms  of  any  Rose 
which  has  been  sent  out,  the  first  being  taken  by  Alfred  Colomb, 
speaks  volumes  in  its  favour. 

Fisher  Holmes  is  another  good  flower  that  does  not  receive 
generally  the  favour  it  deserves.  It  is  very  brilliant  in  colour, 
and  the  form  of  the  flower  is  excellent.  Horace  Vernet  is 
regarded  as  too  rough,  a  fault  it  certainly  has ;  while  Napo- 
leon III.,  although  brilliant  in  colour,  is  too  uncertain.  Felix 
Genero  is  regarded  as  a  beautiful  rose-coloured  flower,  with  a 
dash  of  violet  in  it ;  and  Franvois  Treyve,  a  bright  scarlet,  large 
and  well-formed,  is  also  highly  thought  of.  I  do  not  remember 
to  have  seen  either  of  these,  but  I  have  not  been  much  at 
exhibitions  this  year. 
Mr.  Keynes's  houses  were  full  of  splendid-looking  Tines  in 


pots  raised  from  eyes,  and  his  house  of  Tea-scented  Rosea 
looked  vigorous  and  well ;  iu  fact,  the  same  might  be  said 
of  all  the  stock.  There  can  be  no  question  that  the  Salis- 
bury Dahlias  and  Roses  are  destined  for  more  triumphs— a 
return  they  are  bound  to  give  for  the  care  which  they  receive. 
— D.,  Deal. 


DUG  DE  MALAKOFF   STRAWBERRY. 

In  answer  to  Mr.  Radclyffe's  letter  in  the  Journal  for  Au- 
gust 13th,  and  to  that  of  Mr.  Biggs  in  the  previous  number, 
concerning  Duo  de  Malakoli  Strawberry,  I  received  the  plants 
from  Mr.  Rivers,  of  Sawbridgeworkh,  exactly  four  years  ago,  and 
have  no  doubt  as  to  their  being  the  true  sort.  The  fruit  is  large, 
roundish  ;  flesh  deep  red  throughout  ;  the  foliage  soft  and 
rather  downy,  and  the  whole  appearance  of  the  plants,  as  well 
as  of  the  fruit,  quite  distinct  from  that  of  any  other  variety 
which  I  have. 

I  did  not  allow  the  juants  to  bear  any  fruit  the  first  year,  and 
only  saved  one  runner  from  each— fifty  in  all,  which  I  fruited 
in  pots.  More  plants  of  it  were  barren  the  first  year  of  its 
fruiting  than  I  hked  to  see,  but  it  ultimately  improved  in  that 
respect,  as  the  runners  were  carefully  selected  from  the  fruiting 
plants.  It  is  now  discarded,  because  the  fruit  spoils  almost  as 
soon  as  it  ripens.  Mr.  Biggs  cannot  have  the  true  sort.  I 
would  have  sent  him  runners,  but  have  destroyed  all  the  plants. 

Would  Mr.  Radclyffe  be  kind  enough  to  say  if  he  would  grow 
Due  de  Malakoff  as  one  of  eight  varieties?  Andhe  would 
confer  a  favour  on  myself  and  others  if  he  would  give  the 
names  of  the  best  four  Strawberries  to  ripen  with  Frogmore 
Late  Pine. — .J.  Douglas. 


WOEK  NEEDED   ON   SUNDAYS. 

Are  gardeners  generally  required  to  water  greenhouse  plants 
on  Sunday?  I  have  a  new  man  who  thinks  that  plants  ought 
to  take  care  of  themselves  on  that  day ;  but  he  says  he  will 
water  them  or  do  any  other  work  I  order  (in  reason),  provided 
I  take  the  moral  responsibility  on  my  own  shoulders.  I  tell 
him  that  so  long  as  plants  are  grown  in  pots  it  is  an  act  of 
necessity  to  water  them  on  Sunday  during  the  hot  months. — 
Amatede. 

[There  is  something  very  entertaining  in  the  proposition  of 
vicarious  moral  responsibility.  Some  ill-natured  people  would 
be  apt  to  say  in  the  present  case,  that  the  tender  conscience  of 
the  servant  was  very  much  akin  to  mere  personal  ease  and 
convenience  ;  but  there  seems  to  be  such  a  kind  desire  in  the 
employer  to  meet  as  far  as  possible  the  conscientious  scruples 
of  his  servant,  and  in  the  servant  there  seems  to  be  such  a 
willingness  to  oblige,  combined  with  honest  simplicity  and  a 
regard  to  religious  principle,  that  we  would  be  slow  to  think 
that  in  the  present  case  conscience  was  made  a  plea  for  bodily 
ease. 

The  subject  is  one  that  has  several  times  come  before  us, 
and  that  not  always  in  such  pleasing  aspects  as  the  present. 

On  one  side  it  has  been  contended  that*  growing  plants  in 
pots  is  no  work  of  necessity,  and  that  therefore  watering  them 
could  form  no  work  of  necessity.  We  can  enter  into  no  serious 
discussion  on  this  point,  for  on  the  same  ground  we  might 
contend  that  as  a  horse  kept  for  pleasure  is  not  a  necessary, 
therefore  it  is  objectionable  to  feed  it  or  water  it.  A  plant  in 
a  pot  must  have  sustenance  when  it  needs  it,  or  it  may  suffer 
proportionally  with  a  horse  left  without  sustenance  on  a  Sunday. 
Men  who  resolve  to  do  nothing  except  what  is  in  the  highest 
sense  a  work  of  necessity,  shoKld  confine  themselves  to  trades 
iu  which  nothing  is  required  of  them  on  that  day.  The  gar- 
dener who  has  religious  scruples  about  watering  a  flagging 
plant  in  a  pot  on  a  Sunday  may  retain  his  scruples,  but  he 
should  take  to  another  occupation.  He  could  not,  with  advan- 
tage to  himself  or  to  his  own  satisfaction,  fill  the  situation  of 
gardener  in  the  smallest  place  where  plants  are  grown  in  pots. 

On  the  other  hand,  few  men  more  deserve  the  Sunday's  rest 
than  gardeners.  Employers  should  exact  as  little  from  them 
on  that  day  as  possible.  We  know  that  in  some  places  it  i3 
the  most  harassing  day  of  the  seven.  Employers— often,  it 
may  be,  as  a  mark  of  mistaken  kindness— will  take  their  gar- 
deners along  with  them  over  the  demesne,  and  plan  futi^a 
arrangements  with  them,  totally  oblivious  of  the  fact  that  the 
gardener  has  had  enough  of  walking  for  six  days  already. 
Others  have  a  habit  of  giving  orders  for  hampers  and  packages 


130 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


t  August  20,  1868. 


chiefly  on  that  day.  In  many  cases  the  man  who  attends  the 
house  finds  it  the  worst  day  of  the  seven. 

Now  in  the  one  case,  whilst  the  gardener  must  see  his  plants 
do  not  suffer  on  Sunday,  he,  in  our  opinion,  would  be  quite 
light  if  he  courteously  declined  to  enter  on  mere  matters  of 
business  on  that  day.  We  have  known  cases  of  the  ablest  men 
of  the  day  leaving  their  places  because  they  found  themselves 
unable  to  prevent  the  Sunday  being  made  the  chief  business 
day.  "We  believe  that  such  Sunday  work  is  anything  but  a 
benefit  to  all  the  parties  concerned.  In  supplying  the  esta- 
bUshment  there  need  be  no  difficulty  in  getting  most  of  such 
work  done  in  the  morninp;,  if  the  head  of  the  establishment 
would  make  a  few  simple  arrangements  accordingly. 

Then  as  to  the  case  in  hand,  we  shall  never  be  able  to  make 
plants  in  pots  so  intelligent  as  "  to  take  care  of  themselves  " 
in  all  cases  on  Sunday,  and  just  as  we  would  feed  a  horse 
when  he  needed  it,  so  would  we  without  hesitation  give  a  little 
water  to  a  drooping  plant ;  but  though  we  should  never  ques- 
tion this  as  a  work  of  necessity,  if  not  of  mercy,  we  would  on 
the  other  hand  never  allow  the  principle  to  be  made  the  excuse 
for  keeping  the  man  in  charge  on  Sunday,  or  the  gardener 
in  a  small  place,  almost  if  not  as  much  employed  on  Sunday 
as  on  other  days.  "Whilst  a  dry  plant  is  not  to  be  left  dry,  we 
think  it  wrong,  unless  in  extreme  cases,  to  require  a  gardener 
to  water  as  much,  if  not  more,  on  the  day  of  rest  as  he  woulcf 
require  to  do  in  one  of  the  regular  sis  working  days.  In  fully 
one-half  of  the  year  very  seldom  will  a  plant  in  a  pot  need 
■watering,  and  even  in  the  height  of  the  summer  such  watering 
will  be  little  needed  if  the  plants  are  looked  over  in  the  last 
■working  hours  on  Saturday  afternoon  or  evening.  By  such  a 
simple  arrangement  we  think  our  correspondent  and  his  gar- 
dener may  work  comfortably  together  without  any  wounding  of 
a  tender  conscience  on  the  one  hand,  or  taking  undue  moral 
reBponsibihty  on  the  other.] 


ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL   SOCIETY. 

August  ISth. 

Fruit  Comitittee. — G.  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  F.R.S..  in  the  chair.  At 
this  meeting  there  was  a  long  schedule  of  prizes  offered  for  Tarions 
Hnds  of  fruit,  which  produced  a  larger  exhibition  than  ordinary,  and 
brought  out  some  very  fine  dishes,  particnlarly  of  Plums,  Pears,  and 
Melons.  A  large  and  valuable  collection  of  Figs  from  the  Society's 
garden  at  Chiswick  contributed  much  to  the  interest  of  the  meeting. 

For  Plums  there  were  seven  competitions,  all  of  which  were  good. 
After  a  careful  examination  the  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Whiting, 
of  The  Deepdene,  for  .Jeflfersou,  Miss  Bnrdett  Contts.  and  Washing- 
ton; the  last  remarkable  for  size,  colour,  and  flavour.  The  second 
prize  was  obtained  by  Mr.  Tillery,  of  Welbeck,  for  splendid  samples 
of  Jefferson,  Kirke's,  and  Cox's  Emperor,  all  of  which  were  fine,  but 
the  flavour  of  the  latter  two  was  not  equal  to  that  of  the  fruit  in  Mr. 
"Whiting's  collection.  Tho  other  competitors,  all  of  whom  made  most 
creditable  exhibitions,  were  Mr.  Cos,  of  Ivedleaf;  Mr.  S.  Ford,  of 
Leonardslee  ;  Mr.  MUes,  of  Wycombe  Abbey  ;  Mr.  Beach,  St.  Julien's, 
Sevenoaks  ;  and  Mr.  Smith,  Manor  House,  East  Acton. 

For  Melons  there  were  five  competitors.  Mr.  Goldsmith,  of  Poles- 
den  Lacey,  Dorking,  sent  a  scarlet-fleshed  Melon,  which  was  not  con- 
sidered worthy  of  a  prize  ;  but  his  Marquis  of  Ailsa,  green  flesh,  was 
very  good.  Mr.  Earley.  of  Digswell,  exhibited  the  same  variety  also 
good.  Mr.  Whiting,  of  The  Deepdene,  sent  a  hybrid  green-flesh,  with 
firm  flesh  and  good  flavour.  The  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr. 
Goldsmith  for  Marquis  of  Ailsa,  and  the  second  to  Mr.  Whiting,  of 
The  Deepdene. 

In.  the  competition  for  early  Apples  Mr.  Cox,  of  Redleaf,  exhibited 
Kerry  Pippin  ;  Mr.  Ford  had  Devonshire  Quarrenden  ;  Mr.  Earley,  of 
Digswell,  Sngarloaf  Pippin  and  Duchess  of  Oldenburgh,  both  of  which 
"were  over-ripe.  Mr.  Miles,  of  Wycomh  Abbey,  sent  fine  specimens  of 
Cellini  unripe  ;  and  Mr.  Beach,  of  St.  Julien's,  sent  Devonshire 
Quarrenden.  The  first  prize  was  awarded  to  the  Kerry  Pippin  of  Mr. 
Cox,  and  the  second  to  the  Devonshii'e  Quarrenden  of  Mr.  Ford. 

For  early  Pears  there  were  three  competitors.  Mr.  Smith,  gardener 
to  C.  Walton,  Esq.,  East  Acton,  exhibited  Windsor  under  the  name  of 
Jargonelle.  Mr.  Koberts,  Holwood,  sent  Jargonelle,  which  received  a 
second  prize,  there  being  no  other  dish  to  which  a  first  prize  could  be 
awarded.     Mr.  Ford  sent  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  which  was  unripe. 

For  the  best  Peaches  grown  on  an  open  wall  Mr.  Beach  sent  Eoyal 
George ;  and  Mr.  Cox,  of  Kedleaf,  sent  Noblesse,  Early  IVIi,gnonne, 
Acton  Scott,  and  Red  Magdalen.  The  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr. 
Cox  for  Noblesse,  and  the  second  to  Mr.  Beach  for  Eoyal  George. 

For  the  best  dish  of  Nectaiines  grown,  on  an  open  wall,  Mr.  Beach 
sent  Elruge ;  Mr  Smith,  East  Acton,  sent  a  mixed  dish  of  Elrugo 
and  Pitmaston  Orange  ;  Mr.  Roberts  sent  the  New  White ;  and  Mr. 
Cox  sent  Ehage.  The  fiist  prize  went  to  Mr.  Roberts ;  no  second 
•was  awarded.  From  the  Society's  garden  at  Chiswick  came  the  Ba!- 
gowan,  which  far  exceeded  all  the  others  in  flavour. 


In  Apricots,  Mr.  Mclndoe,  gardener  to  the  Archbishop  of  York, 
sent  a  dish  which  was  very  rich  in  flavour,  and  apparently  Moorpark 
or  Peach,  to  which  the  first  prize  was  awarded. 

For  the  best  dish  of  Peaches  grown  in  au  orchard  house.  Mr.  Gold- 
smith sent  Noblesse,  Mr.  Ford  sent  Malta,  Mr.  Tillery,  Barrington, 
and  Mr.  Douglas,  Loxford  Hall,  Dford,  sent  Bellegarde  under  the 
name  of  TOton  de  Venus.  The  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr. 
Douglas,  and  the  second  to  Mr.  Goldsmith. 

For  the  best  dish  of  Nectarines  grown  in  au  orchard  house,  the  ex- 
hibitions constituted  the  most  attractive  and  best  part  of  the  subjects 
produced.  The  Elruge  of  Mr.  Ford,  and  the  Rivers's  Pine  Apple  of 
Mr.  Douglas,  were  especially  attractive.  Mr.  Ford  also  sent  Violette 
H;itive,  Mr.  MUes  sent  Elruge,  and  Mr.  Tillery  sent  Violette  Hative. 
The  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Douglas  for  Rivers's  Pino  Apple  ; 
the  second  to  Mr.  Miles.  The  Stanwick  came  from  the  garden  at 
Chiswick,  and  was  prononnced  remarkably  fine. 

A  collection  of  Peaches  was  sent  by  Mr.  Rivers,  Cornice  de  Bour- 
bourg  was  not  ripe.  The  others  were  Golden  Rathripe,  an  Americaa 
variety,  similar  to  Crawford's  Early  ;  S  18,  a  seedling  from  the  Snow 
Peach  of  America,  with  little  flavour;  S  55,  a  seedling  from  the 
White  Nectarine,  was  very  rich  in  flavour,  having  a  rich  saccharine 
juice  ;  S  194,  a  seedling  from  Cooledge's  Favourite,  was  of  delicious 
tiavonr,  and  was  awarded  a  first-class  certificate ;  S  7-i,  a  seedling 
from  Montague  prtcoce  and  Madeleine  Blanche,  of  rich  flavour. 
Reine  Claude  Bodaert  is  a  lar.,'e  round  Plum,  in  appearance  like 
Hnling's  Superb,  and  of  rich  flavour.  Reine  Claude  rouge  d'Althail 
is  remarkably  rich  in  flavour. 

Mr.  Carmichael.  of  Sandringham,  sent  a  seedling  Grape,  raised 
from  the  Black  Hamburgh,  and  which  was  said  to  he  superior  in 
colour,  more  round  in  berry,  and  distinct  in  foliage  from  that  variety. 
The  bunch  exhibited  was  of  good  size,  the  berries  quite  round  and  jet 
black,  the  skin  thick,  and  the  flesh  tender,  juicy,  and  sweet. 

Mr.  Melville,  of  Dalmeny  Park,  Edinbnrgh,  sent  a  small  piece  of  a 
Imnch  of  a  seedling  Grape  of  very  early  character,  which  has  all  tho 
appearance  of  Early  Kienzheim,  hut  with  a  fine  flavour  of  Moselle 
wine.  Mr.  Melville  was  invited  to  send  a  complete  bunch,  so  that  the 
Committee  might  be  enabled  to  form  a  better  opinion  of  its  value. 

Mr.  Fleming,  of  Cliveden,  sent  fruit  of  a  Fig  from  Spain,  of  deli- 
cious flavour,  which  was  highly  approved  by  the  Committee. 

Mr.  Pearson,  of  Chilwell,  sent  two  seedling  Grapes,  raised  from  the 
Strawberry  Grape ;  one  with  a  round  black  berry  with  a  fine  bloom, 
thick  skin,  and  firm,  fleshy,  and  somewhat  mucilaginous  consistency, 
like  the  American  Grapes :  the  other,  white,  is  a  long  oval  berry, 
raised  from  a  cross  between  the  White  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and 
Strawberry.  This  is  the  more  remarkable  Grape  of  the  two,  and  one 
which  may  be  in  many  respects  considered  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
of  Grapes,  inasmuch  as  the  flavour  is  entirely  new,  diftering  very 
materially  from  that  of  the  Strawberry  Grape,  and  the  flesh  possesses 
none  of  that  mucilaginous  character  found  in  the  American  Grapes ; 
the  consistency  is,  in  fact,  as  tender  and  melting  as  in  the  Black 
Hamburgh. 

Mr.  Muir,  gardener  to  Sir  Philip  De  M.  Grey  Egerton,  sent  two 
Melons,  named  Prince  of  Wales  and  Green  Gage,  but  neither  of  them 
was  in  condition.  Mr.  Cox,  of  Madresfield  Court,  sent  handsome 
bunches  of  Madresfield  Court  Grape,  but  they  were  scarcely  ripe, 
though  exhibiting  all  the  evidences  of  being  an  excellent  Grape. 

Mr.  Francis  Dancer,  of  Little  Sutton,  Chiswick,  made  an  extraor- 
dinaiy  exhibition  of  Plums,  which  were  shown  in  branches,  like  ropes 
of  Onions.  Tho  varieties  were  Poupart's  and  Mitchelson's,  besides 
Small's  Admirable  Apple  and  Jersey  Gratioli  Pear,  which  were  also 
shown  in  immense  clusters  of  ten  together.  The  Committee  unani- 
mously awarded  a  special  certificate  to  Mr.  Dancer  for  this  wonderfnl 
collection. 

Floral  Costmittee. —  Considering  the  season,  the  exhibition  of 
Gladioli  this  day  must  have  given  much  satisfaction.  It  was  the  first 
attempt  at  bringing  together  collections  of  this  interesting  flower,  and 
we  hope  next  year  to  fiud  still  gi-eater  encouragement  for  exhibitors  to 
compete.  Everyone  will  be  willing  to  admit  that  the  collections  ex- 
hibited conduced  very  much  to  the  interest  of  the  meeting.  Various 
other  plants  were  sent,  and  some  of  them  from  continental  growers 
and  exhibitors.  M.  Van  Houtte,  of  Ghent,  was  awarded  a  first-class 
certificate  for  Iresine  Lindeni,  a  new  and  promising  bedding  plant, 
but  until  tested  as  an  out-of-doors  plant  it  would  be  hazardous  to 
speak  too  highly  of  it.  M.  Linden,  of  Brussels,  exhibited  Cattleya 
Eldorado  splendens,  a  fine  flower,  which  was  awarded  a  first-class 
certificate ;  also,  Cattleya  Wallsii  rosea,  which  received  a  first-class 
certificate.  Messrs.  Rollisson  sent  Pteris  straminea  leptophylla, 
which  was  awarded  a  first-class  certificate;  Gjmnogramma  chryso- 
phylla  cristata,  not  equal  to  similar  varieties;  and  Pteria  cretica 
dactylifera  in  the  way  of  crispa.  Messrs.  Kelway  exhibited  a  variety 
of  Scolopendrium  called  Keiwayii.  veiy  similar  to  Scolopendrium 
Morgani—fiist-class  certificate.  Mr.  Tirebuck,  of  the  Nurseries,  Luton, 
sent  several  seedling  Nosegay  Pelargoniums,  but  not  better  than  nor 
equal  to  many  in  cultivation  ;  there  was  nothing  new  in  them,  but 
they  were  not  bad  flowers.  Mr.  W.  Bull  sent  Eranthemum  elegans, 
a  neat  and  pretty  flower,  in  shape  much  resembling  an  Orchid,  and 
having  white  flowers  minutely  spotted.  It  received  a  first-class, 
certificate. 

Mr.  Fit,  Manor  Nurseiy,  Lee,  Kent,  sent  seedling  Fuchsias  very 
far  behind  the  present  leading  varieties,  also  two  seedling  Nosegay 


Aagnst  SO,  1868.  ] 


JOUBNAL  OF    HOKTICaLTUKE   AND   COTTAGE  GABDENER. 


131 


Pelargoniums — namely,  Lady  Northbrook  ami  Grand  Master.  Mr. 
G.  Smith,  HoruBcy,  brought  his  suporh  hybrid  Nosegay  Mastcrpiceo. 
This  plant  was  oxhibitod  at  lieicestcr  with  only  one  truss  of  llowerw. 
On  this  occasion  three  specimens  wero  sent,  and  it  proved  itself  ono 
of  the  best  varieties  yet  seen.  A  first-class  certificate  was  ^iven  it. 
The  size  of  the  truss  and  shaded  rosy  jmrplo  flowers  cannot  ho  sur- 
passed.  It  is  a  ilowcr  of  ^-reat  merit.  Mr.  Green,  gardener  to  W.  W. 
Saunders,  Ksq..  brought  three  interesting  plants— viz,  Agavo  dealbata 
latifolia,  or  pendula,  which  received  a  first-class  certificate  ;  Pour- 
retia  argentoa,  a  very  curious  plant — first-class  certificate ;  and 
Trichocentrnui  coccineum,  a  small  but  beautiful  Orchid — second-class 
certificate.  Mr.  Walsh,  gardener  to  J.  Ilawkshaw.  Esq.,  received  a 
first-class  certificate  for  a  scciUing  Ilabrothamuus  elegans,  with  beauti- 
ful white -variegated  foliage,  and  named  Hawkshawii.  Mr.  Tauton,  of 
Epsom,  again  brought  AUamanda  Wardleana.  The  Committee  was 
of  opinion  that  thi^  was  identical  with  AUamanda  Heudersonii,  which 
in  1866  received  a  first-class  certificate,  and  could  not  recognise  it  by 
its  present  name.  Tlio  various  and  conflicting  opinions  on  this 
plant  led  to  the  following  result.  The  Rev.  M.  J.  Berkeley  and 
Mr.  T.  Moore  were  reijnested  to  examine  this  and  other  AUamandas 
botauically.  and  to  report  thereon.  Mr.  Tanton,  at  the  suggestion 
of  the  Committee,  kindly  pi-rmitted  three  cuttings  to  bo  taken  from 
his  specimou  Wanlleana,  and  Mr.  Standish  three  cuttings  of  his 
plants  of  A.  Schottii,  exhibited  at  the  same  time.  These  were 
handed  over  to  Mr.  Uarron,  the  Superintendent  of  the  Chiswick 
Gardens,  and  were  directed  to  ho  cultivated  and  subjected  to  the 
same  treatment  and  temperature.  This,  with  the  report  of  the 
botanical  referees,  will,  we  trust,  finally  settle  this  much-vexed 
question,  and  we  shall  soon  learn  whether  A.  Hendersonii  ever  did 
exist,  and  if  it  did  we  shall  hope  to  discover  what  has  been  done  with 
it.  Nothing  can  be  fairer  than  the  present  proposed  settlement 
of  the  question.  Time  and  patience  will  unravel  the  mystery.  It  is 
most  desii-able  to  discover  how  and  where  the  confusion  first  arose, 
and  why  A,  Wardleana  has  been  shown  under  three  different 
names. 

A  fine  collection  of  seedling  Caladiuras  was  sent  from  the  Chiswick 
gardens.  Two  of  them.  No.  1  and  No.  2,  were  of  great  merit,  and 
first-class  certificates  were  awarded  them. 

Messrs.  Paul,  Cheshuut,  sent  specimens  of  a  new  Tea  Hose  of 
bronzy  hue.  Queen  of  Portugal,  a  very  j>retty  fiower,  and  a  first-class 
certificate  was  awarded.  A  special  certificate  was  also  awarded  to 
Messrs.  Paul  for  two  boxes  of  very  fine  Koses,  among  which  Mareclial 
Niel  was  very  conspicuous.  Mr.  Parker,  Tooting,  was  awarded  a  first- 
class  certificate  for  a  hybrid  seedling  Kcheveria — glauca  metallica,  a 
very  promising  and  useful  variety.  Messrs.  Lee,  Hammersmith,  sent 
Coleus  Carteri,  very  similar  to  C.  aureo-marginatus.  Messrs.  Smith, 
Dnlwich,  received  a  special  certificate  for  their  fine  collection  of  Bal- 
sams ;  good  as  these  were,  they  were  not  at  all  equal  to  the  specimens 
asnally  grown  by  this  firm.  Messrs.  Downie,  Laird,  &  Laiug  received 
a  fi.rst-clas3  certificate  for  seedling  Hollyhock  Sovereign,  a  rich  crimson 
flower,  compact,  and  perfect  in  outline. 

There  were  five  collections  of  Gladioli.  Mr.  Kelway  received  a  first- 
class  certificate  for  three  seedlings  :  Julia,  a  magnificent  flower;  Lord 
Napier,  vei-y  fine,  and  Formosa,  very  beautiful.  Ulysses,  one  of 
M.  Souchet's  varieties  of  ISGS,  received  a  first-class  also;  these  were 
shown  in  the  stand  of  twelve,  which  received  the  first  prize.  J.  Slad- 
den,  Esq.,  of  Ash,  Kent,  was  awarded  the  second  prize,  and  the  Ilev. 
H.  H.  Dombrain  the  third  prize,  Messrs.  Bunyard,  of  Ashford, 
Kent,  sent  a  stand,  also  Messrs.  Paul,  of  Cheshunt.  The  weather 
has  completely  baffled  all  skill  in  producing  fine  spikes,  and  with  the 
exception  of  Mr.  Kelway's,  which  were  truly  grand,  the  spikes  of 
flowers  exhibited  were  not  equal  to  the  average.  Notwithstanding 
this,  they  were  specimens  of  first-rate  varieties.  Mr.  Sladden  had 
some  fine  seedlings.  In  his  collection  we  noticed  seedlings  Aphro- 
dite, Champion,  and  the  Kev.  M.  J.  Berkeley  as  good;  Norma, 
Princess  Clotilde,  and  Etendard  were  very  fine.  In  Messrs.  Paul's 
collection  Thunberg,  Milton,  and  Raphael  were  good.  The  collec- 
tion from  Messrs.  Bnnyard  contained  some  excellent  flowers,  but 
out  of  condition ;  Fulton,  Titiens,  Janire,  Flora,  Belle  Gabrielle, 
Jenny  Lind,  and  Mozart  were  good.  In  Mr.  Kelway's  collection  we 
admired  James  Veitch,  Felicien  David,  Etendard,  Leonora,  Norma, 
and  Madame  Basseville. 

Messrs.  Do\vnie,  Laird,  &  Laing  received  the  silver  Flora  medal  for 
the  best  twelve  Hollyhocks,  which  were  grown  in  Edinburgh,  and  were 
of  first-rate  quality.  Mr.  Chater  also  exhibited  a  very  select  and  good 
collection.  In  Messrs.  Downie  &  Co.'s  collection  we  noticed  Mr.  An- 
derson, Mrs.  Thorn,  James  Taylor,  R.  G.  Ross,  Mrs.  Hastie,  The 
Prince,  Princeps,  Mr.  Marshall,  Mr.  Downie,  and  the  seedling  Sove- 
reign. In  Mr.  Chater's  collection  were  Willingham  Defiance,  Lady 
of  the  Lake,  Gloria  Mumli,  Walden  Queen,  Lord  Napier,  Scarlet 
Gem,  and  King,  all  flowers  of  first-rato  quality,  but  hearmg  evidence 
of  the  season.  Two  better  collections  as  to  varieties  were  never  exhi- 
bited. 


plants  to  bo  submitted  to  the  decision  of  the  Floral  Committee  as  a 
very  good  testimony  of  the  high  estimation  in  which  the  Society's 
awards  are  held  abroad. 


ENTOMOLOGICAL  SOCIETY. 

Tnr.  July  meeting  of  this  Society  was,  according  to  the  new  regn- 
lations,  the  last  of  the  present  season,  and  was  lield  at  Burlington 
Honse,  the  J*resident,  Mr.  IL  \V.  Bates,  hciug  in  the  chair. 

Mr.  McLachian  exhibited  somo  fine  bred  Bpecimens  of  the  rare 
Hypcrcallia  Christiemaua;  and  Mr.  F.  Bond  two  singular  varieties  of 
the  Moths  Setiua  irrorella  and  Arctia  villica,  in  the  latter  of  which. 
nearly  all  the  black  markings  are  wanting.  It  had  been  reared  from 
the  caterpillar.  He  also  exhibited  a  specimen  of  the  large  unwieldy 
female  of  Drilns  flaveseens,  captured  by  Mr.  Rogers  in  the  Isle  of 
Wight,  togother  with  two  males ,  and  mentioned  that  Dr.  Knaggs  had 
seen  two  males  of  different  species  of  Moths,  Tortrix  viridana  and 
T.   hoperana,  untler  similar  circumstances  with  T.  viridana. 

Mr.  F.  Smith  exhibited  specimens  of  the  very  large  Ichneumon- 
parasite,  Opliiou  macrurus,  a  North  American  sjiecies  which  infested 
the  fine  Moth,  Satumia  cecropia,  but  which  had  been  reared  from 
cocoons  of  the  Chinese  S.  cynthia,  sent  from  New  York,  the  eggs  of 
which  had  been  introduced  from  Europe  for  experiments  of  silk  growth, 
the  latter  being  the  species  which  feeds  upon  the  Ailanthus.  The 
Ichneumon  had  severely  stung  Mr.  Smith.  Mr.  Moore  stated  that  it 
had  also  been  reared  from  the  fine  Satumia  Polyphemus. 

Mr.  Jenner  Weir  exhibited  a  large  exotic  species  of  Longicora 
Beetle,  which  had  been  caught  flying  into  the  Custom  House  of  Lon- 
don, most  probably  imported  in  foreign  timber. 

Mr.  Butler  exhibited  a  variety  of  Geometra  Vanaria  and  its  para- 
sitic Ichneumon  ;  Mr.  Pryer  a  monstrous  specimen  of  Halias  quer- 
caua  ;  Mr.  Davis  a  series  of  the  skins  of  caterpillars  of  Lepidop- 
terous  insects  carefully  preserved  and  dined ;  and  Mr.  Dunning,  the 
nest  of  one  of  the  Solitary  Wasps,  probably  an  Odynerus,  placed  in  a 
cavity  formed  by  the  limbs  of  a  wooden  spring  letter-clip  found  in  an 
open  box  on  a  writing  tabl-i  in  Hampshire. 

Mr.  Wood  exhibited  a  series  of  drawings  of  exotic  Saturniie  made 
from  living  specimens,  showing  the  different  modes  in  which  the  insects 
hold  their  wings  in  repose,  some  keeping  them  flat,  whilst  in  others 
they  are  more  or  less  elevated.  He  also  pointed  out  a  carious  comb- 
like apparatus  attached  to  the  fore  leg  of  some  of  the  species,  which 
is  used  for  cleaning  the  antenme.  Mr.  Blackmore  exhibited  a  large 
miscellaneous  collection  of  the  insects  of  different  orders  made  at 
Tangiers,  including  many  fine  and  beautiful  species.  The  neighbour- 
hood is  rich  in  entomology,  as  many  as  *27UU  species  of  Coleoptera 
having  been  captured  by  Mr.  Rolfe. 

Professor  Westwood  exhibited  specimens  and  drawings  of  various 
exotic  species  of  Chalcidida;  of  largo  size  and  singular  structure,  of 
which  he  gave  a  verbal  description.  The  species  were  mostly  unique 
in  the  Oxford  Museum. 

A  paper  by  Sir  John  Lubbock,  Bart.,  was  read,  containing  a  descrip- 
tion of  the  singular  larva  of  the  genus  Miropeplus,  which  was  thereby 
proved  to  belong  to  the  Necrophaga.  and  not  to  the  Staphylinidie,  with 
which  it  has  hitherto  been  placed.  Also,  "  Descriptions  of  a  new 
genera  and  species  of  Heteromerous  insects,  chiefly  from  New 
Holland,"  by  Mr.  F.  Bates;  "  Reports  of  the  Commissioner  for  in- 
vestigating tiie  ravages  of  the  Borer  Beetle  (Xylotrechus  quadriceps),  in 
the  Coffee  Plantaflous  of  Mysore  and  Coorg,"  by  Dr.  G.  Bidie.  "  A 
Comparison  of  some  representative  species  of  Diurnal  Lepidoptera  in 
Europe,  India,  and  North  America,"  by  Mr.  W.  F.  Kirby;  and  *' On 
some  points  in  the  anatomy  of  the  immature  Ccenis  macrura,"  one  of 
the  Ephemerida>,  by  Mr.  A.  E.  Eaton,  who  exhibited  a  carefully  pre- 
pared series  of  preparations  iinder  the  microscope. 

The  meetings,  which  during  t)ie  past  season  have  been  eminently 
successful,  were  then  adjourned  till  the  beginning  of  November. 


BATTERSEA  PAHK. 


General  Meeting. — W.  Wilson  Saunders,  Esq.,  in  the  chair. 
The  business  of  the  Meeting  was  confined  to  the  announcement  of  the 
awards  of  the  Committees.  The  Rev.  J.  Dix  directed  attentiou  to  a 
terra-cotta  plant  label  forty  years  old,  and  which  would,  if  improved 
in  shape,  be  very  useful  on  account  of  its  great  durability.  The  Chair- 
man then  referred  to  the  fact  of  foreign  nurserymen  h&viog  sent  theii- 


However  splendid  the  display  of  beddiug  plants  ban  been  in 
previous  years,  however  magnificent  the  subjects  grown  in  the 
subtropical  department,  never  has  Eattersea  Park  in  all  its 
features  presented  such  a  degree  of  perfection  as  in  the  pre- 
sent season.  The  great  attraction  of  the  place,  of  course,  is 
the  subtropical  department,  in  which  Mr.  Gibson,  the  talented 
Superintendent,  has,  by  simple  means  skilfully  applied,  been 
successful  in  achieving  results  which  have  rendered  it  famous. 
There,  just  now,  may  be  seen  noble-leaved  Bananas  and  Palms, 
Indiarubber  plants  and  Indian  Shots  in  profusion,  Coral 
plants,  DracKuas,  Caladiums,  and  gi'oups  of  handsome  Tree 
Ferns,  whose  thick  black  trunks  offer  a  unique  feature  in  an 
out-door  garden  in  this  country.  Then  there  are  rich  masses 
of  the  different  kinds  of  Coleus  ;  Aralias,  Castor-oil  plants, 
and  Wigandias,  forming  a  variety  of  beautiful  combinations  in 
conjunction  with  ordinary  bedding  plants.  The  luxuriance  of 
growth  which  the  more  tender  exotic  plants  exhibit  this  year  is 
remarkable  ;  they  are  no  starvelings,  but  tall  specimens,  some 
of  them,  the  Eananas  for  instance,  with  leaves  8   or  10  feet 


132 


JOURNAL  OP  HORTICULTUBB  AND   COTTAGE  GAEDENEE. 


[  Augast  30,  1868. 


long ;  indeed,  persons  who  have  seen  them  in  their  native 
countries  affirm  that  for  beanty  the  specimens  at  Battersea  are 
much  superior,  and  for  size  nearly  equal,  to  those  seen  in  the 
natural  habitats  of  the  plants.  The  extraordinary  heat  of  the 
summerhas  no  doubt  had  a  great  effect  in  promoting  their  growth  ; 
but  on  the  other  hand  that  heat  was  accompanied  by  an  eijnally 
extraordinary  degree  of  dryness,  not  only  dryness  from  want 
of  rain — to  that  tropical  plants  are  accustomed — but  dryness 
in  the  atmosphere  as  well,! and  to  that  many  of  them  are  not 
accustomed.  Mr.  Gibson,  however,  has  an  excellent  supply  of 
water,  which,  being  conducted  in  pipes  to  certain  points,  is  dis- 
tributed with  the  greatest  ease  by  means  of  hose  on  small 
wheels,  in  the  same  manner  as  in  the  public  gardens  in  Paris. 
The  water  is  thus  supplied  in  a  fine  shower  close  to  the  ground, 
so  that  the  surface  is  not  beaten  down  as  in  most  ordinary 
watering.  The  effect  of  this  abundant  supply  of  water,  and  of 
the  facilities  for  its  distribution,  is  nowhere  more  apparent 
than  on  the  grass,  which,  instead  of  having  a  scorched  appear- 
ance after  the  late  hot  dry  weather,  is  almost  as  fresh  and 
green  as  in  ordinary  years. 

Dismissing  for  the  present  all  other  parts  of  the  Park,  and 
confining  ourselves  to  the  centre  of  interest,  the  subtropical 
department,  we  shall  now  proceed  to  notice  the  planting  of 
some  of  the  principal  beds.  These  Mr.  Gibson  intends  to 
have  all  numbered  before  the  end  of  the  season,  and  this  will 
he  a  great  convenience  to  those  who  wish  to  refer  to  any  par- 
ticular bed,  its  situation,  or  contents.  It  may  also  bo  remarked 
that  the  majority  o^  the  plants  used  have  the  names  attached 
on  neat  deal  labels,  and  in  characters  Bufficiently  large  to  be 
seen  from  the  walks. 

Passing  in  by  the  main  entrance  from  the  north  side,  the 
first  plant  which  claims  attention  is  Uhdea  pyramidalis,  a  tall- 
growing  composite  plant,  forming  a  pyramid  14  feet  high  in  a 
single  season,  but  of  which  there  are  better  specimens  in  other 
parts  of  the  ground ;  on  each  side  are  Castor-oil  plants  in 
pairs,  and  Caladium  esculentum.  Taking  the  right-hand  walk, 
on  one  side  is  a  noble  plant  of  the  old  Strelitzia  augusta,  on  the 
other  a  group  of  the  Bird'snest  Fern,  looking  as  fresh  and 
healthy  as  possible,  fine  plants  of  Dicksonia  antarctica  making 
their  young  fronds,  and  Monstera  deliciosa,  or  Philodendron 
pertusum,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  a  plant  frequently  shown 
at  exhibitions  in  collections  of  fine-foliaged  plants,  and  which 
produces  fruit  of  excellent  flavour,  but  objectionable  on  account 
of  the  pricking  sensation  caused  in  the  throats  of  those  who 
partake  of  it  by  the  numerous  sharp-pointed  crystals  it  con- 
tains. On  the  opposite  side  of  the  walk  is  a  fine  bed  of  Cannas, 
consisting  of  Van  Houttei,  8  feet  high,  with  very  bright  scarlet 
flowers,  one  of  the  best  varieties,  with  Canna  Sellovii  in 
front.  The  roots  stood  out  all  winter  under  a  covering  of  dry 
leaves.  Another  bed  on  the  same  side  consists  of  Urania 
Bpeciosa,  surrounded  with  the  handsome  Colons  aureo-margi- 
natus,  Lady  Plymouth  variegated  Pelargonium,  and  Robert 
Fish  outside.  In  front  of  this  is  a  pretty  feathery-looking  bed 
of  the  variegated  Acer  negundo  and  Begonia  ricinifolia. 

In  a  half-moon  bed  on  the  left  Hibiscus  rosa-sinensis  is  very 
fine,  producing  an  abundance  of  its  large  and  showy  but  short- 
lived flowers ;  in  front  of  the  Hibiscus  is  a  row  of  Gamboge 
trees,  with  Coleus  Veitchii  as  a  groundwork.  On  the  right 
again  there  is  a  fine  bed  of  Indiarubber  plants  from  6  to 
8  feet  in  height,  with  Amaranthus  melancholicus  ruber  as  a 
ground,  and  a  broad  edging  of  a  golden  variegated  Matjoram. 
In  a  composite  bed  near  this  is  a  pretty  Perilla,  named  crispa, 
having  leaves  resembling  those  of  some  Ferns,  and  not  so  dark 
as  those  of  the  common  Perilla.  Another  halfmoon  bed, 
lacing  the  west,  is  planted  with  Coleus  YerschaSelti,  surrounded 
fcy  Centaurea  candidissima,  edged  with  Sempervivum  californi- 
cnm.  There  is  also  near  this  a  pretty  circular  bed  with  Zamia 
Lehmanni  in  the  centre,  and  Dracsena  terminalis  dotted  over  a 
groundwork  of  the  variegated  Dactylie  glomerata. 

In  a  serpentine  bed  fitting  a  recess  on  the  right  there  is  a 
fine  mass  of  Canna  purpurea  spectabilis,  having  broad,'dark- 
pnrplish  bronzed  leaves,  with  a  wavy  outline,  and  in  another 
jbed  on  the  same  side  Canna  Pr^mice  de  Nice  is  noticeable  for 
its  fine  yellow  flowers  and  soft  green  leaves.  This  variety  re- 
sembles Canna  Annei  in  general  appearance,  but  its  flowers 
are  very  much  larger  and  of  a  brighter  yellow.  Canna  nigri- 
cans is  used  as  an  edging  to  this,  and  the  whole  is  surrounded 
by  Veronica  incana,  a  very  compact,  hardy,  frosted-leaved 
plant.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  walk,  dotted  over  the  lawn, 
are  nice  plants  of  Seaforthia  elegans,  Aralia  macrophylla, 
Astrapasa  WalUchi,  and  some  other  plants  of  large  growth, 
whilBt  nearer  the  eye  there  ie  a  long  oval  bed  filled  with 


Coleus  aureo-marginatus  in  the  centre,  having  a  very  rich  ap- 
pearance, the  other  plants  employed  being  Golden  Fleece 
Pelargonium  and  Centaurea  candidissima,  with  a  very  effective 
margin  of  Sempervivum  californicum.  An  adjoining  circular 
bed  IS  occupied  by  a  splendid  group  of  Erythrinas,  the  well- 
known  E.  crista-galli  being  in  the  centre,  and  E.  ruberrima 
outside.  Both  are  in  fine  bloom,  but  the  latter  for  size  and 
colour  of  flowers  is  the  more  conspicuous.  Some  plants  of  the 
variegated  Acer  negundo,  6  or  7  feet  high,  form  with  their 
snowy  foliage  a  pretty  background. 

Turning  to  the  other  side  of  the  walk  we  find  in  front  of  a 
bed  of  Cannas  a  small  circle  of  the  variegated  Japanese  Honey- 
suckle edged  with  a  new  Tropreolum,  which,  whether  from  the 
heat  of  the  season  or  other  causes,  has  not  been  successful, 
and  surrounded  with  Gnaphalium  lanatum.  Another  circular 
bed  near  the  last-named  has  in  the  centre  a  plant  of  Musa 
ensete,  the  ground  being  carpeted  with  Ice  plant,  surrounding 
which  are  rings  of  Lantana  Faviola  and  M.  llougier-Chauviere, 
the  one  pink  and  white,  the  other  red  and  orange,  the  whole 
having  a  margin  of  Alternanthera  paronychioides.  The  Lan- 
tanas  just  mentioned  are  two  of  the  best  for  bedding  purposes, 
and  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  those  who  have  seen  these 
and  other  fine  Lantanas  well  bloomed  will  be  inclined  to  em- 
ploy them  more  extensively  than  hitherto  in  their  bedding-out 
arrangements.  They  certainly  deserve  to  be  more  generally 
grown.  We  next  come  to  a  long  bed  of  Cannas,  consisting  of 
C.  peruviana,  one  of  the  best  of  the  large-flowered  kinds, 
about  8  feet  high,  with  the  dark-leaved  Canna  expansa  in  front, 
the  whole  being  very  prettily  edged  with  a  bright  silvery  varie- 
gated Ivj'.  The  variegated  New  Zealand  Flax  is  growing  close 
by,  and  is  remarkable  for  the  beauty  of  its  variegation  and  the 
lines  of  intense  orange  on  the  margins  of  the  leaves  and  the 
under  sides  of  the  midribs. 

The  next  bed  we  come  to  is  an  oval,  planted  with  the 
variegated  Vitis  heterophylla,  edged  with  the  Japanese  Honey- 
suckle. The  highly  ornamental  character  of  the  latter  plant  is 
well  known,  but  the  Vitis  deserves  to  be  employed  for  orna- 
mental purposes  much  more  generally  than  it  now  is,  not  only 
on  account  of  its  variegated  foliage,  but  the  light  elegant  ap- 
pearance which  it  presents.  This  bed,  it  may  be  remarked, 
was  not  in  such  good  condition  as  it  had  been  some  time  before, 
but  now  that  the  drought  has  passed  away  it  may  be  expected 
to  resume  its  former  aspect. 

(To  be  contiuned.) 


ORCHARD  HOUSES 


I  SUPPOSE  by  this  time  all  intelligent  gardeners  have  about 
made  up  their  minds  that  Peaches  ought,  except  in  the  most 
favoured  situations,  to  be  grown  under  glass. 

There  are  a  few  who  do  not  believe  it  possible  to  grow  good 
Peaches  in  pots.  I  wish  they  had  been  hero  this  season  and 
seen  mine.  I  would  have  shown  them  both  Peaches  and 
Apricots  that  would  have  rather  astounded  them.  Mr.  Barron, 
of  Chiswick,  said  when  he  saw  them  that  he  never  ate  such 
Apricots  in  his  life,  and  that  the  Peach  trees  were  superb. 
Well,  I  must  say  this  was  very  agreeable  to  hear  ;  I  felt  flat- 
tered ;  as  people  say,  "  it  felt  to  go  down  warm  and  make  one 
feel  comfortable."  And  really  when  I  looked  at  young  Apricots 
with  an  average  of  from  twenty  to  thirty  fine  fruit,  and  many 
Peaches  with  fifty  or  sixty,  I  felt  a  little  proud  of  my  cultivation. 

Alas !  all  this  self-complaisance  was  destined  to  be  quickly 
taken  out  of  me.  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  A.  Bass,  Moat 
Bank,  Burton-on-Trent,  to  say  he  conld  challenge  all  England 
with  his  orchard  house.  I  started  at  once  to  see  them,  and 
was  obliged  to  acknowledge  myself  beaten.  I  never  eaw  so 
regular  a  crop  or  one  so  regularly  good.  In  passing  the  door 
of  the  butler's  pantry  I  saw  a  great  meat  dish  covered  with 
Peaches,  which,  if  a  fair  sample  of  the  crop,  was  a  tolerably 
good  intimation  of  what  I  had  to  expect.  In  the  orchard 
house  was  Mrs.  Bass  gathering  a  large  basket  of  the  finest 
Peaches  to  send  to  her  friends,  and  really  it  was  worth  going  a 
long  way  to  see  such  a  houseful  of  fruit,  and  the  perfect  satis- 
faction of  the  owners.  "  It  is  such  a  pleasure,"  said  Mr.  Bass, 
"  to  give  away  such  fruit."  What  a  pity  we  do  not  all  seek 
pleasure  in  this  manner,  thought  I  to  myself.  The  trees  were 
perfect  pictures  ;  there  was  not  one  with  too  large  a  crop,  and 
there  was  hardly  one  you  would  have  wished  fuller ;  and  when 
I  looked  at  the  ^ize  of  the  fruit  and  the  regularity  of  the  crop 
I  was  obliged  not  only  to  confess  myself  beaten,  but  to  say  it 
was  the  best  crop  I  had  seen.    "  I  am  glad  to  hear  that,"  said 


Angnst  20,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF   HOUTIOULTUKE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


19S 


Mr.  Bass,  and  then  he  quioWy  added,  "  but  we  are  your  pupils, 
Mr.  Pearson,  you  know,  and  yon  may  tell  anyone  to  come  and 
see  our  orchard  house  wlio  '.vould  like  to  gee  it." 

Those  who  have  seen  tlio  mixed  expressions  of  vexation  and 
pride  depicted  in  the  face  nf  the  old  man  when  beaten  at 
draughts  by  his  grandson,  will  understand  my  feelings.  If  I 
do  not  beat  him  next  year  it  shall  not  be  my  fault. — J.  B. 
Peabson,  CliihccU. 


NEW  AND  NOTABLE   FRUITS. 

Mr.  Rivers,  who  has  added  so  largely  to  our  collections  of 
new  fruits,  has  forwarded  us  specimens  of  some  seedling 
Peaches  and  Nectarines  which  have  not  yet  acquired  publicity. 
Unfortunately  when  they  arrived  they  were  a  good  deal  bruised 
outwardly,  so  that  we  are  somewhat  in  doubt  as  to  the  exact 
colouring  of  them.  The  flavour  of  all  was  excellent,  that  of 
Peach  S.  89  unapproachable.  They  are  all  decided  acquisi- 
tioDB.     We  append  the  following  brief  descriptions  of  each  : — 

Peach  S.  4'2. — Fruit  of  medium  size,  round,  flattened  ;  skin 
light  and  delicate,  with  slight  flushes  of  pink ;  flesh  exceed- 
ingly white,  juicy,  tender,  rich,  and  pleasant.  Raised  from 
Belle  Beauce  Peach,  and  ripening  ten  days  before  Grosse 
Mignonne.  A  very  excellent  Peach.  The  flowers  are  large, 
and  the  glands  round. 

Peach  S.  187. — Fruit  of  medium  size,  roundish ;  skin  soft, 
of  a  pale  yellowish  colour ;  flesh  yellowish  white,  very  tender, 
melting,  and  juicv  ;  flavour  peculiar  but  surpassingly  rich  and 
luscious,  a  combination  of  the  flavour  of  its  parent,  Rivers's 
Orange  Nectarine  with  that  of  a  Peach.  Flowers  large ;  glands 
kidney-shaped.  This  is  the  richest-flavoured  Peach]  we  have 
ever  tasted.     A  very  decided  acquisition. 

Nectarine  S.  189. — Fruit  of  medium  size,  of  a  pale  greenish 
colour  like  the  Stanwiek  ;  flesh  yellowish,  tender,  and  juicy  ; 
flavour  rich  but  peculiar,  partaking  of  that  of  the  Peach. 
Flowers  large ;  glands  small,  kidney-shaped.  Raised  from 
Early  Albert  Peach. 


BENTLEY   PRIORY. 


This  magnificent  place  was  at  one  time  the  residence  of  the 
Marquis  of  Abercorn,  and  is  now  that  of  John  Kelk,  Esq. 
Around  it  there  is  much  to  interest  not  only  the  townsman 
bent  on  a  few  hours'  rural  enjoyment,  but  also  those  whose  lot 
is  cast  amid  the  pleasant  scenes  frequently  to  be  met  with 
within  a  few  miles  of  our  great  metropolis.  Strolling  through 
the  cool  and  pleasant  groves  of  Bentley,  one  calls  to  mind  that 
it  was  here  the  good  Queen  Adelaide  spent  some  of  the  later 
years  of  her  life,  and  that  here,  amid  noble  scenery,  she 
breathed  her  last.  Her  kindness  to  the  poor  is  still  recounted 
by  many  of  the  aged  people  in  the  neighbourhood,  who  remem- 
ber with  pride  and  gratitude  her  virtues  and  the  benefits  which 
she  bsstowed.  The  present  owner,  too,  as  if  inspired  by  the 
spirit  of  the  place,  is  ever  ready  to  relieve  distress  with  a 
liberal  hand,  and  to  promote  with  his  influence  and  purse  every 
scheme  likely  to  conduce  to  the  advancement  of  his  poorer 
neighbours. 

To  one  who,  like  myself,  has  known  this  fine  old  place  both 
before  and  since  Mr.  Kelk  became  its  owner,  a  visit  is  doubly 
interesting  and  instructive.  I  hope,  therefore,  to  communi- 
cate to  the  reader  a  portion  of  the  pleasure  and  interest  I  felt 
on  visiting  the  beautifully  kept  gardens,  which,  by  the  liber- 
ality of  Mr.  Kelk  and  his  taste  for  horticulture,  have  within 
the  last  ten  years  been  brought  to  their  present  state  of  ex- 
cellence. Much  credit  is  also  due  to  Mr.  Rutland  for  the  care 
and  thought  which  he  has  bestowed  upon  their  improvement 
during  the  last  three  years. 

I  was  much  gratified  on  a  late  occasion  to  find  the  Priory 
looking  so  well  in  such  a  trying  season  as  the  present.  The 
terraces  presented  a  mass  of  floral  beauty  (but  of  these  I  shall 
speak  more  fully  hereafter),  the  crops  in  the  kitchen  gardens 
were  looking  remarkably  well  for  such  a  hot,  dry  season,  the 
houses  were  also  in  keeping  with  the  rest  of  the  place.  All 
this  is  owing  to  the  forethought  displayed  by  Mr.  Rutland  in 
providing  an  ample  supply  of  water  for  all  purposes  ;  this  he 
did  by  making  last  winter  a  large  reservoir  at  a  considerable 
elevation  above  the  gardens.  From  this  reservoir  pipes  are 
laid  to  convenient  parts  of  the  gardens,  and  thus  an  abundant 
supply  of  water  has  been  obtained  throughout  the  late  exces- 
sively dry  weather.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  forethought  of 
providing  a  supply  of  water  to  meet  any  requirement  that 


might  occur,  the  consequences  would  have  been  disastrons ; 
for  the  greater  portion  of  the  magnificent  evergreens,  such  as 
Rhododendrons  and  Portugal  Laurels,  which  give  such  charac- 
ter to  this  fine  old  place,  must  inevitably  have  perished.  As  it 
is,  many  of  them  looked  in  a  very  deplorable  state ;  and  had 
the  Priory  boen  in  the  hands  of  any  one  who  had  not  sufljcient 
means  to  constantly  employ  a  large  number  of  labourers  in 
watering  during  the  long  drought,  the  general  appearance  of 
the  place  must  have  been  spoilt  for  a  great  number  of  years. 
It  was  also  threatened  with  another  danger,  which  appeared 
likely  to  at  one  fell  stroke  to  have  swept  away  all  the  beautiful 
trees  and  shrubs  on  the  north- east  side  of  the  house.  As  wo 
pass  up  the  main  road  from  the  romantic  village  of  Stanmore, 
towards  Bushy  and  Watford,  after  ascending  a  very  steep  hill 
we  come  upon  a  level  piece  of  road,  bounded  on  the  north  by 
a  considerable  extent  of  waste  land,  called  Stanmore  Common, 
which  is  tliickly  covered  with  large  patches  of  furze,  and  many 
of  the  spaces  not  clothed  with  furze  are  in  summerjoccupied 
by  gipsies.  Nothing  but  the  turnpike  road  divides  this  mass 
of  furze  from  the  wooden  park  fence  which  encloses  the  Priory 
on  the  south  side  of  the  road,  and  which  is  surrounded  both 
inside  and  out  by  large  masses  of  inflammable  matter,  such  as 
dry  fern  and  dead  brambles  for  nearly  a  mile.  This  state  of 
things  existed  until  a  late  occasion,  when  the  furze  on  the  north 
side  was  found  to  be  on  fire,  and  in  consequence  of  the  exces- 
sively dry  weather  was  being  consumed  with  great  rapidity. 
Fortunately  the  wind  was  blowing  from  the  south  at  the  time, 
for  nothing  else  could  have  prevented  the  destruction  of  the 
magnificent  trees  and  shrubs  which  cover  some  scores  of  acres 
on  the  north  side  of  the  Priory.  Such  a  disaster  would  have 
completely  spoilt  this  noble  place,  and  robbed  it  of  its  shelter 
from  the  north-east  winds,  which  sweep  with  such  force  across 
Stanmore  Common  ;  but,  as  I  have  remarked,  the  wind  blowing 
from  the  south,  and  prompt  measures  being  resorted  to,  the 
fire  was  soon  subdued.  How  it  originated  no  one  could  tell, 
but  it  was  conjectured  that  the  furze  had  been  set  on  fire  by  the 
carelessness  of  the  gipsies,  who  were  encamped  close  at  hand 
at  the  time.  Every  means  has  been  resorted  to  both  before 
and  since  to  prevent  these  people  from  encamping  there,  but 
without  success. 

The  Priory  when  seen  from  the  London  and  North-Westem 
Railway,  shortly  after  leaving  the  Harrow  station,  has  a  most 
beautiful  appearance.  The  building,  with  its  magnificent  con- 
servatories, is  seen  just  in  the  eye  of  the  south,  and  surrounded 
by  large  masses  of  fine  trees,  giving  at  once  an  idea  of  affluence, 
peace,  and  happiness.  Directly  opposite,  and  on  the  right  oi 
the  railway  as  we  journey  from  Harrow  to  London,  is  to  be 
seen  the  beautiful  church  and  spire  of  Harrow-on-the-Hill  and 
its  classical  surroundings,  the  scenery  on  every  side  being  all 
that  an  admirer  of  Nature  could  desire. 

Bentley  Priory  is  situated  on  the  south  side  of  a  beautiful 
range  of  hills  about  twelve  miles  from  London,  and  is  well 
sheltered  from  the  east,  west,  and  north  by  slight  projections 
of  the  hills  on  each  side,  thickly  covered  with  great  masses  of 
trees.  From  the  high  ground  on  the  north-west  of  the  Priory 
a  splendid  view  is  obtained  of  the  fertile  grain-growing  county 
of  Herts.  From  this  point  of  view,  as  on  every  other,  the  view 
is  extremely  fine.  Beyond,  in  a  westerly  direction,  a  fine  view 
is  obtained  of  Windsor  Castle  in  clear  weather,  the  towns  ol 
Watford,  Elstree,  and  the  neighbourhood  of  Moorpark,  Caahio- 
bury  Park,  The  Grove,  and  many  other  places  of  interest  to  the 
lover  of  horticulture  and  of  fine  natural  scenery. — J.  Wills, 
F.R.H.S. 

(To  be  continued.) 


NOTES  AND  GLEANINGS. 

J.  RcssELL  Reeves,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  of  Woodhayes,  Wim- 
bledon, has  presented  the  following  valuable  works  to  the  Lind- 
LEY  Library— viz  ,  Thornton's  •' Philosophy  of  Botany,"  four 
vols.  ;  Curtis's  "  Flora  Londinensis,"  five  vols. ;  Kiempfer's 
'■  Amipnitatum  Exoticarum,"  one  vol.;  Nees  Von  Esenbeck, 
"  Genera  Flora  Germanic*,"  seven  vols. ;  Thornton's  "  British 
Flora."  five  vols.;  Withering's  "Botanical  Arrangement  of 
British  Plants,"  four  vols. :  "  Flora  Medica,"  two  vols. ;  Sie- 
bold's  "  Synopsis  "  (Japan),  one  vol. ;  Raspail,  "  Physiologie 
Vi'gutale  et  Botanique,"  one  vol.  ;  G:urtner,  '•  De  Fructibna 
et  Seminibus  Plantarum,"  four  vols. 

The  Gardens  of  the  Royal  Hobticdltural  Society,  at 

South  Kensington  will  be  open  free  on  August  26th,  from 
10  A.M.  to  6  P.M.,  as  usual,  in  commemoration  of  the  anniver- 


134 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENEE. 


[  Angnst  20, 1868. 


Sary  of  the  late  Prince  Consort's  birthday ;  but  in  consequence 
of  disorderly  persons  abusing  the  privilege  on  former  occasions, 
the  Council  have  decided  on  reserving  to  themselves  the  right 
of  excluding  any  persons  from  entering  the  Gardens  whom 
they  think  it  would  be  undesirable  to  admit.  The  Council 
appeal  to  the  visitors  on  this  occasion  to  assist  them  in  preserv- 
ing order  and  preventing  destruction  to  the  Society's  property. 

Mr.  Kichaed  Peabce,  formerly  one  of  Messrs.  Veitch's 

botanical  collectors,  and  the  discoverer  of  many  of  the  plants 
introduced  by  that  firm,  died  of  fever  at  Panama  on  the  19th 
of  July.  He  only  arrived  there  with  the  view  of  collecting  objects 
of  natural  history,  on  the  7th  of  the  same  month,  and  a  week 
afterwards  was  attacked  by  the  malady  which  proved  fatal  to 
him,  thus  adding  one  more  to  the  long  list  of  those  who  have 
lost  their  lives  in  enriching  our  natural  history  collections.  He 
had  married  just  before  leaving  England. 

It  is  our  painful  duty  to  announce  the  death  of  Madame 

Eliza  Vilmorin,  widow  of  the  late  M.  Louis  Vilmorin,  and 
mother  of  the  present  M.  Henry  Vilmorin,  of  Paris,  which 
took  place  at  the  family  chateau  at  Verrit'res,  on  the  3rd  inst. 
For  upwards  of  a  century  the  name  of  Vilmorin  has  been 
closely  associated  with  the  rise  and  progress  not  only  of  the  hor- 
ticulture but  the  agriculture  of  France.  At  an  early  age  it  was 
her  lot  to  become  the  wife  of  one  of  the  most  accomplished  of 
that  talented  family,  and  the  readiness  with  which  Madame 
Vilmorin  at  once  identified  herself  with  the  scientific  pursuits 
of  her  husband,  enabled  her  to  contribute  in  no  small  degree 
to  the  success  of  the  numerous  experiments  carried  on  at 
Verrieres.  Of  late  years  the  Strawberry  formed  her  more  par- 
ticular subject  of  study ;  and  numerous  articles  from  her  pen 
were  supplied  to  illustrate  the  plates  of  that  splendid  work  of 
M.  Decaisne,  "  L<;  Jurdiii  Fniitier  da  MiisC'mn."  Since  the 
■death  of  her  husband  Madame  Vilmorin  was  the  head  of  the 
extensive  and  widely-known  house  of  Vilmorin-Andrienx, 
et  Cie.,  perhaps  the  most  extensive  in  Europe.  Those  whose 
privilege  it  was  to  know  this  highly-gifted  and  accomplished 
lady  will  regret  to  read  this  announcement,  and  those  whose 
advantage  it  was  to  enjoy  her  friendship  will  keenly  feel  the 
loBS  of  one  whose  friendship  was  of  no  ordinary  kind. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

Asparaijus,  this  is  now  swelling-off  a  heavy  crop  of  seeds, 
which  cannot  fail  to  exhaust  the  plants  very  much.  If  attempts 
were  made  to  clear  off  the  fruit,  the  chances  are  that  more  harm 
than  good  would  be  done  by  breaking  and  bruising  the  young 
shoots  and  leaves.  The  next  best  plan,  therefore,  appears  to 
be  to  soak  the  beds  well  with  rich  liquid  manure  three  or  four 
times  before  the  growth  is  over.  Celery,  earth-up  the  plants 
as  they  advance  in  growth,  but  leave  the  hearts  uncovered  until 
the  final  soiling.  In  the  case  of  the  early  plants  this  should 
be  applied  about  a  month  before  they  are  wanted  for  use. 
Earth-up  only  when  the  plants  are  dry.  Some  growers  defer 
earthing-up  until  the  plants  have  nearly  attained  their  full 
growth,  and  complete  the  work  at  once.  I  prefer  doing  it  at 
intervals  as  the  plants  advance,  believing  that  this  renders  the 
crop  more  tender  and  crisp.  In  earthing-up  hold  the  leaves 
carefully  together  to  prevent  the  soil  getting  between  them. 
Cardoons,  these  must  be  blanched  before  they  are  fit  for  use, 
and  the  early  crop  should  be  tied  and  earthed-up  as  soon  as  the 
plants  are  sufficiently  strong.  This  is  usually  done  by  gather- 
ing the  leaves  together,  winding  haybands  closely  round  the 
stems,  and  then  covering  with  soil.  Onions,  as  soon  as'the 
bulbs  are  properly  matured,  which  will  be  known  by  the  decay 
of  the  foliage,  take  them  up,  spread  them  out  in  an  airy  shed, 
or  sunny  situation  in  the  open  air,  until  thoroughly  dried,  and 
then  store  them  in  a  dry,  cool  place  till  wanted  for  use.  The 
Lancashire  method  of  wintering  Onions  is,  perhaps,  the  best. 
There  the  bulbs  are  tied  up  in  what  are  called  ropes,  and  hung 
on  an  outside  wall  not  facing  the  sun,  and  protected  from  wet 
by  placing  a  board  against  the  wall  overhead.  They  keep 
Eound  longer  by  this  than  in  any  other  method.  It  is  a  never- 
failing  rule  to  keep  the  ground  well  stirred  between  rows  of 
young  crops.  Spinach,  Peas,  dwarf  Beans,  and  late-planted 
(Cauliflowers  are  the  only  young  crops  now  to  be  looked  to  in 
this  respect. 

FRDIT    6AKIIES. 

Peach  trees  now  ripening  their  crops  stand  as  much  in  need 
of  water  as  Asparagus,  but  pond  water  is  strong  enough  for 
&eiu.    Fork  the  border  as  far  as  you  expect  the  roots  to  reach, 


pour  a  dozen  or  so  of  large  watering  potsful  all  round,  accord- 
ing to  the  size  of  the  trees,  and  then  put  over  the  roots  a  thin 
layer  of  short  grass.  The  old  wood  of  the  Raspberry  may  be 
cut  out  as  soon  as  the  fruit  is  off,  and  also  a  few  of  the  weakest 
of  the  young  shoots  ;  this  will  strengthen  the  roots  and  let  the 
air  have  free  access  to  the  next  year's  canes.  From  this  time 
to  the  middle  of  September  is  the  best  time  to  prune  Currant 
and  Gooseberry  trees,  by  thinning  and  topping  the  branches, 
to  allow  a  free  circulation  of  air,  and,  indeed,  all  sorts  of  fruit 
trees  that  are  at  all  unhealthy  or  of  a  tender  constitution ;  it 
is  also  a  good  preventive  against  canker.  The  reason  is  that 
late  autumn  growths  are  avoided,  and  then  no  unripe  wood 
remains  to  be  injured  by  frost;  the  buds  on  the  remaining 
branches  will  be  more  prominent  by  the  force  of  the  ascending 
sap  being  thus  checked,  and  the  edges  of  the  wounds  made  by 
the  pruning  knife  are  healed  over  before  winter.  For  these 
reasons  and  others  which  might  be  adduced,  September  is  the 
best  time  to  cut  hedges.  Proceed  with  making  fresh  planta- 
tions of  Strawberries,  choosing  well-rooted  runners,  or  such  as 
have  been  taken  up  and  pricked  out  in  beds  previously.  It 
matters  little  whether  they  are  planted  in  beds  or  in  rows,  pro- 
vided the  plants  have  sufficient  room.  The  ground  should  be 
well  trenched  and  manured,  and  if  the  soil  is  of  a  stiff  nature, 
the  addition  of  a  considerable  quantity  of  gritty  matter  will  be 
of  advantage  by  keeping  it  open,  as  no  spade  ought  to  be  in- 
serted among  Strawberry  plants  until  they  are  finally  dug  down. 

FI,O^T!R    GABDEN. 

Before  the  propagation  of  bedding  plants  is  proceeded  with 
to  any  material  extent,  it  is  as  well  that  proper  arrangements 
should  be  made  as  to  what  number  of  plants  will  be  required 
next  season.  To  keep  up  the  interest  of  a  garden,  especially 
if  planted  on  the  grouping  system,  some  considerable  skill  and 
forethought  are  requisite,  so  as  to  vary  the  scene  in  each  suc- 
ceeding year,  and  prevent  the  arrangement  becoming  mono- 
tonous. Thus,  if  warm  colours  prevail  to  any  material  extent 
this  season,  it  would  be  as  well  to  introduce  a  majority  of  cold 
colours  next  season,  and  to  edge  each  bed  of  the  latter  with  its 
complementary  warm  colour.  Indeed,  the  system  of  edging 
beds  with  contrasting  colours  imparts  a  highly  interesting 
feature  to  the  flower  garden,  and  more  especially  to  such  beds 
as  may  be  distributed  over  the  lawn  without  any  methodical 
arrangement.  For  these  purposes  no  plants  are  so  well  adapted 
as  those  which  have  variegated  foliage,  and  for  that  reason  a 
large  stock  of  variegated  Pelargoniums  should  be  provided. 
The  best  of  these  are  Mrs.  Pollock,  Mangles's  Variegated,  the 
common  and  Golden  varieties,  and  the  different  Ivy-leaved 
Pelargoniums. 

GP.EENnOCSE    AND    CONSERVATORY. 

Pelargoniums  that  have  been  struck  from  cuttings  early  last 
March,  and  planted  in  the  reserve  garden  early  in  June,  should 
now  be  fine  plants  for  flowering  late  in  autumn.  Their  first 
attempt  at  blooming  in  the  open  ground  has  been  checked  of 
course,  and  now,  as  their  second  flower  buds  are  well  formed, 
they  may  be  taken  up  carefully  and  repotted.  Some  people 
commit  a  great  error  at  this  stage,  by  placing  such  plants  in 
heat  at  once.  This  should  never  be  done  ;  the  great  point  is 
to  keep  the  leaves  as  free  from  excitement  as  possible  until  the 
roots  take  hold  of  the  ntw  soil.  A  cool  close  frame  covered 
with  canvas  is  the  best  place  for  them,  but  in  the  absence  of 
this  the  north  side  of  a  wall  or  hedge  will  do.  Sprinkle  them 
over  the  leaves  twice  a-day,  and  in  ten  days  they  recover  from 
the  check  without  losing  a  leaf.  Chrysanthemums  and  all 
other  plants  that  are  planted  out  for  a  summer's  growth — a 
very  excellent  practice,  should  be  treated  in  this  way,  and 
should  not  be  allowed  to  remain  in  the  ground  too  late.  The 
different  species  of  Begonia  are  well  suited  for  flowering  in  the 
conservatory  and  in  rooms  through  the  summer ;  they  are  en- 
abled to  resist  the  dry  atmosphere  in  such  places  by  the  snoeu- 
lence  of  their  stems  and  foliage. 

STOVE. 

Almost  all  the  softwooded  store  plants  that  can  he  formed  into 
large  specimens  by  one  or  two  seasons'  gi-owth,  Uke  Pelargo- 
niums, may  be  conveniently  treated  like  that  popular  tribe  of 
plants.  Cut  them  back  after  they  have  ceased  flowering,  keep 
them  dry  for  a  week  or  ten  days,  and  then  shake  them  out  of 
the  soil,  shorten  their  larger  roots,  and  pot  them  in  light  rich 
compost  in  as  small  pots  as  their  roots  can  be  got  into.  This 
is  a  good  time  to  look  over  a  collection  for  this  purpose.  Where 
a  large  conservatory  is  to  be  kept  gay  all  the  year  round,  this 
class  of  stove  plants  is  the  most  useful  to  cultivate,  as  you  can 
always  winter  them  in  little  room,  whereas  fine  woody  plants 


Angnst  20,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  nORTIODLTURB  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


135 


will  aoon  become  too  large,  and  take  some  yeara  before  they 
are  fit  to  appear  in  a  good  conservatory.  Another  groat  ad- 
vantage is  that  as  soon  as  theao  plants  are  established  in  the 
new  pots  they  will  require  only  to  be  kept  in  that  condition 
throughout  the  winter,  and  therefore  will  not  require  more 
than  50°  of  heat  for  three  or  four  months. 

riTS    AND  FRAIIES. 

There  are  many  of  the  new  Verbenas  that  will  force  admir- 
ably through  the  winter  with  a  little  heat ;  this  is  the  time  to 
procure  a  supply  for  the  purpose.  The  Veronicas  force  well 
for  early  spring,  and  although  nearly  hardy  will  stand  as  much 
heat  as  Ixoras.  Pentas  carnea  and  JIauettia  bicolor  will 
answer  likewise,  and  all  lovers  of  the  lovely  Chinese  Azaleas 
who  can  afford  it  ought  to  have  the  new  varieties  of  them. 
The  old  Luculia  is  as  much  sought  after  as  if  it  were  a  plant  of 
recent  introduction.  It  flowers  freely  in  loam,  but  for  pot  cul- 
tivation and,  by  beginners,  hardly  any  loam  should  bo  used. 
Equal  quantities  of  good  leaf  mould,  peat,  and  sand  will  keep 
it  in  good  condition  for  many  years. — W.  Ivkane. 


DOINGS  OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

We  have  since  writing  last  ha  several  refreshing  showers 
not  enough  to  wet  our  much-dried  soil,  but  enough  to  refresh 
the  foliage  and  cool  the  atmosphere,  doing  gi-eat  good  to  Dwarf 
Kidney  Beans  and  Scarlet  Eunners,  and  enabUng  us  to  sow 
Turnips,  and  plant  out  young  plants  and  Cauliflowers  with 
better  prospects  of  success.  But  for  the  dread  fly  we  might  go 
on  better,  but  that  has  sadly  riddled  all  our  young  plants,  ex- 
cept the  last  or  rather  the  first  sowing  of  Cabbages,  which  was 
protected  until  the  showers  came  with  old  sashes.  The  fly  has 
made  such  a  wreck  of  some  crops,  that  we  dug  down  several 
pieces  of  Tuniijis,  as  there  was  not  enough  of  green  foliage  to 
feed  the  roots,  and  planted  with  Lettuces  and  Endive.  In 
sowing  the  Turnips  the  ground  was  still  so  dry  that  we  drew 
drills  and  soaked  the  rows  before  sowing,  and  if  untouched  by 
the  fly  and  other  enemies  the  crop  will  yet  be  useful. 

We  find  that,  contrary  to  expectation,  many  fields  sown  with 
Turnips,  and  which  have  looked  like  a  desert  for  the  last  six 
weeks  or  two  months,  are  now  showing  plenty  of  young  plants. 
Some  farmers  are  becoming  convinced  almost  against  their 
will,  that  even  the  quickly-germinating  Turnip  seed  may  re- 
main a  long  time  safe  in  tho  ground  if  not  presented  with  a 
sufficiency  of  moisture  to  swell  it,  and  thus  induce  the  first  pro- 
cesses of  germination.  Early-sown  Turnips  have  less  chance 
of  coming  up  now.  as  there  was  then  almost  enough  of  moisture 
to  cause  them  to  germinate,  though  not  enougli  to  give  them 
strength  to  show  themselves  much,  and  if  they  did  appear  the 
fly  pounced  on  them  and  had  them  at  once.  Even  green  tops 
without  large  tubers  will  be  a  blessing.  It  is  disheartening  to 
manure  land  well  and  obtain  nothing  in  return.  Could  Wheat 
be  sown  on  the  land  intended  for  Turnips,  the  crops  next  season 
might  be  expected  to  ba  better  than  those  of  this  season,  for 
the  quantity  and  qudity  of  which  in  general  we  have  reason 
to  be  grateful.  There  is  a  vast  amount  of  happiness  within 
the  reach  of  the  man  who  has  learned  to  look  on  the  bright 
side  of  all  things. 

The  work  in  the  kitchen  garden  has  been  so  much  a  repeti- 
tion of  that  performed  in  previous  weeks,  and  doing  what  the 
weather  would  allow  us  to  do,  that  we  shall  advert  to  two 
things  as  connected  with  the  prime  necessity  of  water  in 
gardening. 

One  of  our  best  kitchen  gardeners,  even  though  not  destitute 
of  water  supply,  but  having  it  in  abundance,  was  forced  to 
come  to  tho  conclusion  that  watering  as  generally  practised 
was  next  to  useless.  The  fly  having  been  more  merciful  to 
him  than  some  of  his  neighbours,  he  had  better  and  stronger 
plants  of  winter  vegetables  than  were  common  in  his  neigh- 
bourhood, and  anxious  to  get  them  into  the  ground  occupied 
by  Peas,  &c.,  he  did  not  wait  to  dig  or  trench,  but  marking  out 
the  rows,  made  holes  with  a  crowbar  the  day  previously,  and 
filled  them  with  water,  which  softened  and  mellowed  the 
ground  a  little  round  the  holes.  The  plants  were  put  in  firmly 
in  the  usual  way  and  watered  again,  and  then  left  to  them- 
selves. He  insists  there  is  no  better  plan  of  obtaining  fine 
Broccoli,  &o.,  than  planting  them  in  this  manner,  as  the  roots 
deUght  to  penetrate  into  soil  that  rather  resists  their  progress. 
We  could  bring  to  our  recollection  many  facts  as  corroborative 
of  this.  What  say  some  of  our  more  experienced  practical 
men  ?  We  never  thought  of  the  matter  much  before,  but  it  is 
just  possible  that  we  may  stir  the  soil  too  much  for  some  kinds 


of  autumn-planted  crops.  We  are  aware  that  for  putting 
leggy  vegetables  well  into  the  ground  in  such  a  season  as  this, 
tho  crowbar  will  bo  a  great  assistant. 

In  order  to  give  somewhat  stunted  Cauliflowers  a  better 
chance,  we  will  prick  them  out  before  transplanting  into  rich 
soil,  leaf  mould,  &c.,  and  then  plant  with  tho  trowel. 

The  other  matter  we  would  refer  to  is  the  means  of  securing 
a  icaler  stipply  for  garden  and  farm  purposes.  We  have  fre- 
quently alluded  to  saving  all  water  that  comes  from  clean 
roofs,  and  adverted  last  week  to  the  best  means  for  conveying 
that  to  reservoirs.  We  also  instanced  cases  where  water  was 
very  scarce,  and  had  been  made  plentiful  by  taking  the  drain- 
ago  of  parks  aud  fields  into  large  reservoirs.  We  have  just  been 
told  of  a  simple  yet  most  eilective  mode  of  securing  a  good 
supply  of  water.  A  mercantile  firm  had  a  brickmaking  yard 
as  part  of  their  business,  and  this  being  situated  on  rather  high 
ground,  the  procuring  and  carrying  of  water  in  summer  cost 
them  between  £100  and  Ju'iOd.  They  no  doubt  calculated  how 
many  inches  of  rain  fell  in  a  season  on  a  given  spot  in  ordinary 
years,  and  on  these  data  they  proceeded  to  secure  water  in  an 
economical  manner.  They  set  apart  half  an  acre  of  ground, 
had  it  levelled  and  firmed,  with  a  regular  descent  to  one  end, 
and  at  this  end  they  dug  out  a  pond  or  reservoir.  The  ground 
was  roughly  asphalted  with  coal  tar  and  gravel,  and  left  with  a 
smooth  surface  through  which  tho  water  would  not  percolate. 
The  sides  of  the  reservoir,  sloping  obliquely  so  as  to  stand 
well,  were  first  puddled  with  its  own  clay,  and  then  covered 
with  a  home-made  asphalt  of  tar  and  gravel ;  and  during  the 
whole  of  this  hot  summer  the  water  collected  on  that  half-acre 
of  ground  has  kept  the  firm  well  supplied.  Our  informant  stated 
the  rough  asphalting  did  not  cost  much,  and  therefore  we 
cannot  say  how  much  the  outlay  would  be  for  tar,  gravel,  and 
labour  ;  but  these  once  secured,  the  annual  outlay  for  a  good 
supply  of  water  would  only  be  15s.,  the  usual  rental  of  land  being 
oOii.  per  acre. 

It  would  be  some  time  before  water  thus  collected  would  be 
fit  for  gardening  purposes  in-doors,  or  even  for  the  supply  o£ 
cattle,  but  the  effects  of  the  tar  might  be  much  modified  by  a, 
rough  concreting  on  the  surface,  or  even  by  a  slight  surfacing 
of  fine  gravel  firmly  rolled.  Even  from  that  amount  of  ground 
well  levelled,  sloped,  aud  gravelled,  with  a  little  powdered  limo 
or  fine  clay  mixed  with  it,  and  firmly  rolled  when  wet,  a  great 
quantity  of  water  could  be  obtained  without  any  unpleasant 
taint  whatever,  as  we  know  from  one  of  our  reservoirs,  which 
is  chiefly  supplied  from  what  falls  on  a  piece  of  hard  road, 
which  we  had  levelled  to  suit  our  purpose.  The  simple  fact  of 
this  brickfield  may  serve  in  many  ways  as  a  hint  to  gardeners 
and  farmers.  We  would  havo  passed  an  easier  summer  had 
we  had  such  a  reservoir  to  fall  back  upon,  as  even  a  little  tar 
scent  would  do  little  or  no  harm  to  plants  out  of  doors,  whilst 
it  would  keep  grubs  and  other  enemies  at  a  distance.  A  farmer 
who  keeps  a  large  head  of  stock  has  his  chief  reservoirs  o£ 
water  supplied  from  what  falls  on  a  neighbouring  road,  and  he 
could  easily  have  much  more  if  the  water  did  not  overflow  into 
the  adjacent  ditches.  What  would  be  the  expense  to  him  of 
the  loss  of  half  an  acre,  or  even  an  acre  of  ground,  and  the 
rough-forming  of  a  larger  reservoir,  compared  with  the  pound 
a-day  which  it  has  cost  him  for  months  in  driving  water  three 
miles  or  so  from  his  homestead  ? 

FKUIT    GAEDEN. 

The  work  has  been  much  the  same  as  in  previous  weeks. 
Apples  are  swelling  better  than  we  expected,  though  some  con- 
tinue to  fall  before  they  are  ripe.  Wasps  and  flies  have  not 
troubled  us  much  as  yet,  and  all  nests  known  have  been  taken. 
The  gauze  netting  has  kept  them  out  of  our  orchard  houses, 
and  until  we  can  exclude  them  thoroughly  we  give  little  front 
air  to  our  vineries. 

Most  of  our  dwarf  fruit  trees  have  been  deprived  of  super- 
fluous shoots,  as  now  the  chief  things  are  to  let  the  sun  to  the 
fruit,  and  sun  and  air  to  the  wood  and  buds  for  next  season. 
There  is  more  danger  of  having  too  much  than  too  little.  In 
thinning  it  is  a  mistake  to  leave  Apples  and  Pears  too  much 
exposed.  It  is  apt  in  such  a  season  as  this  to  render  them  hard 
and  dry,  and  if  sweet,  rather  sweet  than  juicy.  Even  as  respects 
Peaches  and  Nectarines,  a  little  shade  from  leaves  is  rather  in 
their  favour  until  they  are  swelling  freely  and  beginning  to 
colour,  when  the  removing  of  laterals,  placing  leaves  aside, 
aud  even  cutting  them  in  two  so  as  to  admit  more  light,  does 
much  to  give  high  colour  and  flavour.  We  have  not  rm- 
frequently  found,  however,  that  a  Noblesse  comparatively 
colourless  from  being  slightly  shaded  was  more  rich  in  flavour 
than  one  well  coloured  from  full  exposure  to  a  bright  sun. 


136 


JJUliNAL  OV  irOKTICULTUEK   iND  COTTAGE  GAKlENEli. 


[  August  20,  1868. 


Grapps  will  generally  be  licst  flavonred  wben  slightly  sbaded 
by  their  own  leaves,  and  when  the  rays  of  light  reach  them  in  a 
broken  and  flickering  manner  rather  than  directly.  This  season 
Grapes  out  of  doors  are  generally  good,  and  may  be  expected 
to  ripen  for  something  better  than  inferior  wine.  The  abbots 
and  friars  of  the  olden  time  must  have  b»en  cleverer  than  we, 
or  had  better  seasons,  though  even  then  we  suspect  their  best 
wine  was  imported  from  the  more  sunny  south. 

Straipficrrifs.— Proceeded  with  placing  Strawberries  in  their 
Irniting  pots.  We  should  have  liked  to  have  been  a  fortnight 
earlier,  but  before  the  showers  came  we  felt  it  was  useless  to 
pot  unless  we  could  hope  to  water,  and  that  we  saw  no  prospect 
of  doing.  If  we  had  waited  until  we  had  rooted  runners  we  could 
not  have  potted  now.  As  to  layering  in  pots  the  little  runners 
that  showed  themselves,  that  would  have  been  next  to  use- 
less, as  watering  them  thus  scattered  would  have  been  out  of 
the  question.  All  our  pet  theories  about  second  runners  being 
more  fruitful  than  the  first-formed  ones  had  also  to  go  to  the 
winds.  We  were  glad  to  secure  even  a  semblance  of  a  runner. 
We  will  enter  into  some  details  respecting  these  Strawberries 
as  a  guide  to  others  as  much  dried-up  as  we  were. 

As  soon  as  we  could  take  hold  of  some  runners  not  rooted, 
but  just  having  formed  the  joint  with  a  few  little  leaves,  and 
showing  where  the  roots  would  come  from  on  the  lower  side  of 
the  runner,  we  cut  the  little  new  plant  off  with  nbout  i  inches 
of  the  runner  attached ;  that  part  of  the  runner  being  useful  to 
hold  by,  and  fix  by,  and  also  for  a  short  time,  from  the  sap  con- 
tained in  it,  acting  as  a  wet  nurse  to  the  young  plant.  Part  of 
these  small  runners,  the  best  of  them,  were  fixed  in  small  pots 
(60's),  in  rich  lightish  soil,  and  were  set  closely  together  in  a 
frame  with  some  old  sashes  over  them,  and  were  watered, 
shaded  from  the  brightest  sun,  and  syringed  overhead  two  or 
three  times  in  the  hottest  days,  giving  them  only  a  little  air  at 
night.  These  pots  are  now  filled  with  nice  healthy  roots, 
the  plants  are  vigorous,  and  being  fully  exposed  for  some 
time  have  been  turned  into  6-inch  pots  and  placed  on  a  hard 
bottom  fully  exposed  to  the  sun. 

To  save  the  time  of  thus  potting  in  small  pots,  a  good  many 
were  pricked  into  a  bed  in  rich  light  soil,  the  connecting  stem 
of  the  runner  helping,  as  above,  to  hold  them  more  securely  ; 
and  these,  too,  were  assisted  with  shading,  syringing,  &c.  We 
could  thus  manage  to  keep  these  little  plants  growing  with 
very  little  water ;  in  fact,  a  pint  syringed  over  them  would  do 
as  muoh  under  these  circumstances  as  a  gallon  would  have 
done  in  the  open  air  if  the  little  runners  had  been  layered  in 
pots  there.  We  felt  the  more  anxious  to  forward  these  plants, 
as  observing  how  late  and  how  small  the  runners  would  be 
with  us,  we  had  resolved  to  pot  over  again  some  old  plants  in 
pots  not  turned  out,  but  we  found  they  were  too  much  injured 
by  want  of  water,  even  though  we  had  partially  shaded  them 
with  dry  litter.  The  pricked-out  plants  may  now  be  lifted 
with  good  balls,  and  will  be  just  a  little  behind  in  point  of 
time  those  potted  at  once  in  small  pots. 

It  uaay  be  only  a  prejudice  of  ours,  but  we  have  a  partiality 
for  this  sort  of  double-potting.  Some  people  secure  very  fine 
plants  by  layering  the  runners  in  the  open  ground  in  6  or  7-inch 
pots  at  once,  and  only  cutting  the  thread  of  the  runner  when 
the  plants  are  well  established,  and  then  removing  them  to  a 
suitable  place  to  become  matured.  We  ourselves  have  had 
fine  plants  and  fine  returns  from  plants  so  treated  ;  and  in 
ordinary  seasons,  besides  the  moving  of  the  large  pots  there  is 
not  so  muoh  trouble,  as  the  very  size  of  the  pot  and  the  bulk 
of  the  soil  render  the  young  plant  more  independent  of  the 
water  pail.  With  the  drought  and  the  scarcity  of  water,  we 
could  not  have  managed  these  so  well  as  by  having  the  young 
plants  all  put  closely  together,  and  then  depending  more  on 
the  syringe  than  on  the  water  pail.  Our  prejudice,  however, 
was  not  solely  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  water  supply.  In 
layering  in  a  large  pot  at  once  the  roots  have  a  tendency  to 
mn  to  the  outside  of  the  pot ;  and  we  have  frequently  noticed 
that  when  the  rootlets  have  matted  there  the  inside  of  the  ball 
was  comparatively  free  of  rootlets.  Now  we  like  the  ball  to  be 
firm  with  rootlets — a  mass  of  them,  in  fact,  right  through,  so 
as  to  occupy  every  portion  of  the  soil ;  and  this  we  think  is 
more  effectually  secured  by  using  a  small  pot  first,  having  that 
well  filled  with  roots,  and  then,  after  ruffling  with  the  hand 
the  outside  of  the  ball,  to  let  the  roots  freely  progress,  trans- 
ferring the  ball  to  a  larger  pot  in  which  to  produce  fruit.  Many 
of  our  readers  may  judge  this  to  be  mere  fancy,  but  others  may 
think  over  the  reasons  given,  and  then  act  according  as  their 
own  judgment  prompts. 

Having  said  so  much  we  may  add  a  few  words  more.    First, 


as  to  pots  :  These  should  be  washed  clean,  inside  and  outside 
too,  but  especially  inside,  and  nothing  ig  better  than  warm 
water.  Nothing  thrives  well  in  a  dirty  pot,  and  even  dry  rub- 
bing will  bear  no  comparison  to  the  water  pail,  or  rather  tub, 
or  barrel,  for  it  is  as  well  to  fill  the  tub  and  let  the  pots  soak 
before  scrubbing  them.  The  hotter  the  water  the  sooner  the 
pots  will  dry,  and  they  should  be  quite  dry  before  being  used. 
Then  as  to  size  :  For  small  sorts  we  prefer  large  48-sized  pots, 
and  for  very  early  work  we  prefer  what  are  called  40's,  as 
these  are  sooner  crammed  with  roots,  and  the  buds  are,  conse- 
quently, sooner  matured.  For  general  crops  under  glass  we 
prefer  pots  (32's),  6  or  7  inches  across,  and  provided  we  could 
obtain  runners  early  and  good,  we  would  not  have  many  in 
smaller  pots,  as  the  size  renders  them  convenient  tor  watering. 
When  we  iise  larger  pots,  as  'il's,  we  generally  have  two  plants 
in  a  pot.  The  size  of  the  pot  is  of  less  consequence  than  the 
maturing  of  the  buds,  and  just  suiScient  strength  to  cause 
the  production  of  good  trusses  of  fruit.  Great  luxuriance  is 
not  to  be  aimed  at,  as  that  with  immature  buds  will  be  any- 
thing but  an  advantage. 

Then  the  potting,  though  simple,  is  a  matter  of  importance. 
We  seldom  use  much  drainage  to  take  up  the  room  of  the  pot. 
One  crock  over  the  hole,  two  or  three  little  pieces  above  it, 
then  a  sprinkling  of  moss,  and  on  that  a  slight  sprinkling  of 
soot,  a  small  handful  of  rough  pieces  of  fibrous  loam — say 
from  the  size  of  a  bean  to  that  of  a  walnut,  with  as  much  of 
the  soil  as  will  enable  the  ball  to  stand  high  enough  for  the 
collar  or  bud  to  be  about  level  with  the  rim  of  the  pot. 
We  then  fill  round  with  rich  fibrous  loam,  rather  stiff  than 
otherwise,  and  make  that  as  firm  as  possible,  not  only  with 
the  fingers  but  with  a  blunt  stick  as  a  rammer,  to  within  half 
an  inch  or  so  of  the  rim  of  the  pot.  That  will  allow  of  free 
watering,  and  permit  of  top-dressing  afterwards.  This  firm 
potting  does  much  to  secure  the  whole  of  the  soil  being  filled 
with  rootlets. 

After  potting  the  best  position  is  a  hard  bottom  fully  ex- 
posed to  all  the  sun  that  will  come,  and  if  flagging  threatens  at 
first,  that  must  be  prevented  by  shading  or  syringing  to  arrest 
evaporation.  Plants  prepared  as  above  generally  manage  to 
hold  their  own. 

Then  as  to  watering.  That  is  not  done  so  as  to  saturate  the 
new  soil  before  the  roots  fill  it.  Before  the  roots  reach  the 
sides  of  the  pot  we  think  it  best  to  use  common  soft  water; 
after  that  we  prefer  manure  water,  and  that  to  be  varied,  and 
if  not  suitable  then  we  sprinkle  the  surface  of  the  pots  with 
soot,  superphosphate,  guano,  or  any  sort  of  dung,  renewing  it 
as  it  is  washed  away. 

Watering  when  required  will  be  nearly  all  the  plants  need, 
except  giving  them  room  and  taking  off  all  runners  and  weeds 
that  appear,  until  it  is  time  to  secure  them  for  the  winter, 
after  the  buds  show  they  are  tolerably  well  matured. 

ORXAJIEN'TAL    DEPAKTHENT. 

The  slight  showers  have  given  a  greenish  tint  to  the  brown 
lawn,  so  that  in  a  week  or  ten  days  we  expect  the  lawn  will  add 
to  instead  of  detract  from  the  beauty  of  the  flower  beds.  The 
Coleus  has  done  well  with  us  this  season.  We  have  several 
times  alluded  to  the  fine  bed  at  Woburn.  Mr.  McKay,  jun., 
reminded  us  of  what  we  first  heard  alluded  to  by  Mr.  Chater, 
of  Cambridge — namely,  the  exceeding  brilliancy  of  the  colour- 
ing of  the  plant  after  a  thundershower.  No  other  watering 
would  produce  nearly  the  same  gorgeous  colouring  as  that 
which  the  plant  exhibited  under  such  circumstances.  We 
have  noticed  the  same  phenomenon  the  only  day  in  which  we 
had  a  little  thunder  this  season.  Have  others  observed  the 
same  striking  result  ?  On  that  day  the  Coleus  had  a  beauty 
all  its  own. 

We  must  begin  propagating  for  next  season  ;  but  we  are  un- 
willing to  interfere  with  the  fullness  and  uniformity  of  the  beds, 
and  more  especially  as  but  for  thick  planting  the  plants  would 
not  have  been  so  close  together  as  usual.  However,  with  little 
water  and  all  drawbacks  they  have  done  better  than  others  we 
have  seen  and  heard  of,  and  might  have  been  better  still  if  all 
seed  and  decayed  flowers  had  been  more  constantly  picked  off. 
Many  forget  that  even  Scarlet  Pelargoniums  are  more  distressed 
by  allowing  large  heads  of  seed  to  swell  and  ripen  than  they 
would  be  by  producing  three  or  four  times  the  number  o£ 
trusses  of  flowers.  If  time  cannot  be  spared  to  pick  beds  over, 
this  furnishes  a  good  reason  for  having  fewer  beds  to  manage. 
A  large  garden  is  often  a  large  mistake.  A  single  flower  bed 
well  managed  is  more  satisfactory  than  a  dozen  or  a  score  in  a 
tawdry  state.  We  could  specify  scores  of  flower  gardens  and 
pleasure  grounds  where  it  would  be  a  comfort  and  a  source  oi 


August  20, 18f8. 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   OABDJINKR. 


137 


pleasure  to  all  concerned  were  the  attempt  at  good  keeping  con- 
fined to  one-balf  or  one-tbird  of  Ibo  space. 

Many  of  the  hardier  stove  plants,  as  Begonits,  Ac,  that  do 
well  in  a  cdnservatory,  may  now  bo  propagated  and  kept  in 
small  space  daring  the  winter.  In  such  cases  as  the  Coleus, 
intended  for  the  (lower  garden,  it  is  best  to  keep  a  few  plants 
in  a  warm  place  during  the  winter,  and  then  propagate  in  a 
hotbed  in  March. 

Proceeded  with  propagating,  pricking-out,  potting,  and  fresh 
arranging  houses,  as  detailed  in  previous  numbers.  Deutzias 
and  other  plants  intended  for  early  forcing  should  now  be  ex- 
posed to  the  sun,  and  the  sooner  the  earliest  bulbs  are  potted 
the  better.— R.  F. 


TRADE   CATALOGUE   EECEIVED. 

William  Paul,  Paul's  Nurseries,  Waltham  Cross,  London,  N. 
-Bulb  Catalogue. 


C0\T3NT  GARDEN   MARKET.— August  1!). 

We  have  nnw  n  fnir  supply  of  Ponchoa  and  NLCtarinea  from  the  open 
walla,  the  flavour  of  which  is  Rood,  hut  the  fruit  Rcnernlly  small.  Plums 
are  also  sufliricnt  for  tlio  demand,  hut  pood  vepetahles  are  very  much  in 
request  and  command  high  prices.  Several  cases  of  Potato  hlight  have 
come  under  our  notice. 


Apples ij  sieve 

Apricots doz. 

Cherries lb. 

Chestnuts bush. 

CnrrantB i',  eieve 

Black ."..  do. 

Figs doz. 

Filberts lb. 

Cobs lb. 

Gooseberries  . .  quart 
Grapes,  Hothouse,  .lb. 
LemonB 100 


Artichokes doz. 

Asparagus  100 

Beans, Kiduey  'i  sieve 

Beet,  Red doz. 

Broccoli bundle 

Brns.  Sprouts  *j  sieve 

Cabbage '.  doz. 

Capsicums 100 

Carrots bunch 

Cauliflower doz. 

Celery bundle 

Cucumbers each 

Endive doz. 

Fennel bunch 

Oarllo lb. 

Herbs  bunch 

Horseradish  ..  hnndle 


s.  d. 
1    6  too 
0    0 
0    0 


FBUIT. 
s.  d 
0 


Melons each    '2 

0    0     Nectarines doz.    3 

0    0     OranRos 100  12 

0    0      0    0    Peaches doz.    4 

4    0      0    0    Pears  (dessert)  ..doz.    2 

0    0      0    0    Pine  Apples lb.    .3 

10      3    0    Plums !-i  sieve    3 

0    9      10    Quinces doz.    0 

0    9      1     0  I  Raspberries  lb.     0 

0    8      0    0  I  Strawberries  . .  per  lb.    0 

2    0      5    0    Walnuts bush.  10 

8    0    12    Ol        do per  100    1 


d.  s.  d 
0to5  0 
0  6  0 
20    0 

8    0 

0 

5 

6 


0    0 

0    0 

0    0 

18    0 


TEQETABLBS. 


d.      B.  d 
0to6    0 


0  0 

1  6 
0  4 

2  0 
0  8 
0  8 
0  8 


0 
6  0 
8  0 
0  0 
0  0 
2    0 

0  0 

1  0 
0    0 

2  0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 


Leeks  bunch 

Lettuce per  score 

Mushrooms pottle 

Hustd.&  Cress,  punnet 
Onions  per  doz,  hchs. 

Parsley per  sieve 

Parsnips doz. 

Peas per  quart 

Potatoes bushel 

Kidney   do. 

Radishes  doz.  bunches 

Rhubarb bundle 

Sea-kale basket 

Shallots lb. 

Spinach  bushel 

Tomatoes....  per  doz. 
Turnips  bunch 


8.  d.  a.  d 
0  4  too  6 
0      4    0 


4 
0 
0 
4 

1  0 
1  6 
fi    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.  All 
communications  should  therefore  be  addressed  solely  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Uorticullure,  d'C,  171,  Fleet 
Street,  London,  E.C. 

We  also  request  that  correspondents  will  not  mix  up  on  the 
game  sheet  questions  relating  to  Gardening  and  those  on 
Poultry  and  Bee  subjects,  if  they  expect  to  get  them  an- 
swered promptly  and  conveniently,  but  write  them  on 
separate  communications.  Also  never  to  send  more  than 
two  or  three  questions  at  once. 

N.B. — Many  questions  must  remain  unanswered  until  next 
week. 

Books  (B.  S.  S.).— Tou  can  have  the  new  edition  of  "The  Cottage 
Oardeners'  Dictionary "  free  by  post  from  our  office  for  7s.  in  postage 
stamps.  (J.  ,-fndcrson).— Rivers  or  Pearson  on  Orchard  Houses  would 
suit  you.  The  former  may  be  bad  free  by  post  from  our  office  for  S3.  6d. 
in  postage  stamps,  the  latter  for  1».  Id. 

Back  Volumes  (.Vnria).— Vol.  II.  is  the  only  volume  of  our  new  series 

bich  you  cannot  obtain  complete.  All  the  rest  may  be  had  for  8b.  Gd. 
each,  with  the  exception  of  Vol.  III.,  which  is  12j*. 

AuKRiCAN  Agriculturist  {J.  Walker).  —  Apply  to  Trubner  &  Co., 
Paternoster  Row,  London. 

Glass  {.I  Subscriber). — Small-sized  panes  for  hothouses  may  ho  pro- 


cured from  the  glnKs  morchanls  who  adverliso  in  our  pages.    Wo  cannot 
rccouinifud  one  dealer  in  preference  to  another. 

CucfjiEKn  (Tns.fi)-- Your  Cucnmbir,  which  is  of  the  smooth  Sion 
House  section,  nllhouKh  very  good  and  useful,  has  no  particular  merit 
attached  to  it.  It  is  interior  to  olhi-ri  that  are  already  in  cultivation— 
niiincly.  Pe.iraon's  LonR  (inn  a»d  Holliason's  Telegraph.  It  is  too  long 
i>  the  neck,  nearly  oiic-tourlh  of  tljo  largest  fruit  being  uneatable. 

^L,^NT3  GnowiKO  WHEN  iNVEUTEi)  (B.  Tf.).— It  19  quito  truo  that  Vege- 
table (issue  permits  either  gases  or  liiiuids  to  pass  through  with  equal 
facility  upwards  or  downwards,  so  the  tiasue  ofTers  no  impediment  to  a 
cutting  being  planted  in  an  inverteil  pnailion.  Why  that  cutting  at  once 
proceeds  to  emit  roots  and  to  establish  a  movement  of  the  sap  in  the 
irection  contrary  to  that  of  its  original  growth  iaone  of  the  phenomena 
df  vegetable  life  lis  unexplained  aa  i«  the  phenomenon  that  you  may  turn 
a  Polypus  inside  out,  and  that  it  adapts  itscK  to  the  revolution  as  if  no 
such  change  had  taken  iiluce. 

Soil  for  Bosks  (7;.  X.  S.).—"  I  rubbed  into  powder  the  specimen  of 
loam  sent,  and  there  seems  to  bo  much  sand  in  it.  If  it  were  highly 
manured  with  decayed  manure,  and  a  Turnip  crop  sown  and  dug  in, 
it  would  probably  grow  Roses.  Manetti  Roses  are  best  for  poor  soils.  A 
fine  clayey  Rose  soil  looks  brownish  and  is  greasy  after  rain.  Perhaps  the 
best  of  sin  soils  is  calcareous  clay,  which  wo  here  call  '  white  land. 
There  ore  only  two  small  patches  of  it  iu  this  county.  I  never  saw  a 
failure  of  any  crop  in  this  soil.  By  calcareous  clay  I  mean  halt  chalk 
and  half  clay.  Unless  the  clay  from  which  parti-coloured  bricks  are 
made  is  marly,  I  should  not  think  it  good  for  Roses.  It  might  do  good 
to  sandv  land  by  making  it  more  retentive  of  moisture  —W.  F.Badcltffe. 

FoEJnNO  A  Collection  of  Roses  (O.  H.  M.).—"l  advise  you  to  ac- 
cumulate good  sorts  rather  than  purchase  Ave  hundred  varieties,  as  they 
are  called.  One  hundred  sorts  will  comprehend  all  that  are  really  good. 
Forty-three  Roses  are  named  for  me  to  approve  of  or  reject  I  will  hrst 
name  those  which  you  may  buy.  These  are  :-Alfred  Colomh,  Charles 
Lefchvre  John  Hopper,  Leopold  Premier,  Madame  Victor  Verdier,  Mane 
V-aumann  Mrs.  C.Wood.  Son  ateur  Vaissc,  Annie  Wood  (shows  an  eye), 
Antoine  Ducher.  Black  Prince,  Charles  Verdier,  Francois  Treyve,  Abel 
Grand  Horace  Vcrnet,  Thorin,  Charles  RouiUard,  Miss  Margaret  Dom- 
brain.  Prince  de  Portia,  and  Marguerite  de  St.  Amand.  With  regard  to 
the  others,  I  do  not  know  them,  or  they  are  bad.  If  Mdlle.  Jeanne 
Marix  opens  well  it  will  be  a  good  Rose.  It  is  not  yet  fully  proven.  I 
had  Sophie  Coqucrelle  when  it  came  out ;  it  did  not  grow  weU.  Madame 
Derreux  Donvilh-  is  worthless.  Try  in  its  place  ^ladame  Alice  Durean. 
Among  the  Roses  that  I  do  not  know.  I  should  thmk  MdUe.  Mane  Rady, 
Hypolite  Flandrin,  and  Frederick  Biborol  likely  to  he  good.— W.  t. 
Radclvffe." 

Rose  for  a  London  Garden  (.4  New  !Jubscriber).—Yle  think  Gloire 
de  Dijon  would  be  one  of  the  most  suitable  for  a  garden  within  two  miles 
of  the  General  Post  OfHce.  It  has  a  good  constitution,  flowers  at  inter- 
vals throughout  the  season,  and  is  dcliciously  scented  ;  but  do  you  only 
require  one  Rose '.' 

Clihibers  for  a  London  Garden  (J.i,.m).-Tho  best  climbing  plants 
for  your  south  wall  would  bo  the  Wistaria  sinensis,  the  Virginian 
Creeper,  and  Aristolochia  sipho. 

Treatment  of  Lilium  lancifolicm  after  Plowerino  (Idem).— 
Keep  yoiu-  Liliums  in  any  shady  place  ;  do  not  allow  them  to  suffer  from 
want  of  water,  aud  as  soon  as  the  flower  stems  dry  off,  the  bulb  should  be 
repotted  and  placed  in  a  cold  pit  or  frame. 

Turf  Pits  [H.  1'.).- As  you  have  no  grass  land  or  common  from  which 
von  can  take  turf,  we  can  only  recommend  you  to  apply  to  some  one  m 
your  noi"hbourhood  wh»  deals  in  turf,  loam,  and  gravel,  who  will  know 
where  to  go.    Fine  turf,  such  as  is  used  for  lawns,  is  not  required. 

Insect  (HI.  E.).  —  From  your  insufficient  description  we  suppose  it 
possible  that  the  caterpillars  on  your  Scotch  Firs  are  those  of  Noctua 
piniperda,  which  sometimes  does  much  mischief  in  young  plantations.—". 

Cucumber  Bed  (W.  .S.).— A  depth  of  12  inches  of  soil  wiU  be  sufficient 
putting  a  layer  of  sods,  grass  side  downwards,  over  the  rubble.  A 
moist  bottom  beat  is  most  suitable,  but  the  moisture  must  not  be 
excessive. 

Forcing  Strawberries  (7(fpm).— To  ensure  success  in  Strawbeny 
forciu".  secure  plants  with  good  crowns,  and  well  established  in  pots  by 
antunm.  The  plants  should  be  kept  in  a  cold  frame  or  cool  house  after 
the  middle  of  October,  until  they  are  re.iuired  for  forcing,  which  may  be 
in  January  or  February,  introducing  them  into  a  cool  house,  and  placing 
them  on  shelves  ne»r  the  glass.  Water  should  not  be  given  too  hberally 
until  the  plants  are  coming  into  flower,  then  water  freely.  They  cannot 
have  too  much  air,  and  the  temperature  until  they  come  into  bloom 
should  not  exceed  60  or  56^  at  night.  When  the  fruit  is  set  and  sweUing 
well,  give  water  freely  and  weak  liquid  manure  copiously;  they  can 
hardly  have  too  much  water  at  this  stage.  The  temperature  may  be  from 
66^  to  60  at  night;  that  of  a  vinery  in  which  forcing  is  commenced 
at  the  same  time  as  the  Strawben-ioa  are  put  in  will  answer  weU. 

Keeping  Pabsion-Flowers  Open  (.1  Constant  Reader).— ^e  do  no 
know  of  any  other  means  of  keeping  the  flowers  open  except  placing  the 
flower  stalks  in  water. 

Orange  Tree  Management  (H.  X).).- Your  present  mode  of  treatment 
could  not  be  improved  upon,  only  after  the  tree  has  been  in  the  frame 
in  spring  and  a  good  growth  has  been  made  »nd  well  hardened  off,  it 
might  be  placed  out-doors  at  the  end  of  June  to  be  taken  to  the  haU 
window  about  the  end  of  September.  This  will  bo  more  suitable  than 
koeping  the  outside  matted  up,  which  we  do  not  think  Roo*  or^'^'^- 
PlacinI  the  tree  out  of  doors  in  summer  wiU  'destroy  the  scale  and 
black  fungus.  Your  plan  of  washing  the  leaves  is  good  The  plant 
should  have  a  shift  into  a  larger  pot  next  spring  before  being  placed 
in  the  fram..  Good  drainage  should  be  given,  n°'l."  ^'"fP"^' "V°^° 
from  rotted  turves  is  suitable,  adding  sand  liberally  if  the  loam  does  not 
contain  it  in  suflicient  quantity. 

Destroying  Insects  (C.  A.  J.).-You  would  see  an  advertisement  in 
last  week's  number. 

Pruning  Vines  (IT.  H.  (}.).-Those  addsing  you  to  prune  yonr  Vines 
as  soon  as  the  Grapes  are  cut,  in  order  to  swol  the  eyes,  know  nothing 
of  what  they  advised.    Let  the  Vines  remain  as  they  are  untU  the  leaves 


138 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  August  20, 1868. 


have  all  fallen,  or  are  in  snch  a  state  that  their  removal  by  band  will  do 
no  harm— that  is,  when  they  are  quite  brown,  and  within  a  fortnight 
yon  may  prune  to  one  or  two  eves.  The  only  thing  you  can  now  do  is 
to  thin  and  shorten  the  laterals,  and  by  degrees  remove  them  ;  and 
by  thus  exposing  the  wood  to  increased  light  its  matui-ity  will  be  pro- 
moted. 

Raphancs  CAUDATns  Cooking  (E.  S.I.— The  pods  require  to  be  gathered 
■when  about  9  inches  long,  and  boiled  in  the  same  manner  as 
Asparagus.  They  are  boiled  until  tender,  and  then  served  on  toast  with 
melted  butter. 

Red  Spider  on  Vines  (Idem).— Yours  is  a  bad  caee,  but  the  wood 
being  ripe  we  do  not  think  any  serious  damage  has  been  done.  When 
the  Grapes  are  cut,  syringe  the  Vines  with  2  ozs.  of  soft-soap  to  1  gallon 
of  water  at  a  temperature  of  140=,  which  will  be  reduced  to  about  120^  by 
the  time  the  solution  reaches  the  foliage.  Repeat  the  syringing,  and  give 
all  the  air  you  can,  keeping  cool  and  dry.  Do  not  prune  until  the 
usual  time.  After  pruning  give  every  part  of  the  house  a  thorough 
cleaninpt,  and  dross  the  Vines  with  a  composition  of  8  ozs.  of  soft-soap 
to  a  gallon  of  tobacco  water,  which  maybe  made  by  pouring  the  water  on 
4  ozs.  of  the  strongest  tobacco  ;  then  cover,  and  let  the  liquor  stand  until 
cool ;  strain,  and  bring  the  tobacco  water  holding  the  soft-soap  in  solu- 
tion to  the  consistency  of  paint  bv  adding  flowers  of  sulphur.  With 
this  mixture  paint  every  part  of  the  Vines,  rubbing  it  well  into  the 
cracks  and  corners,  but  take  care  not  to  rub  off  any  of  the  eyes. 

Culture  or  Markchal  Niel.  Narcisse,  and  Gloire  de  Dijon 
Roses  (An  I finoramun). —They  all  sufceed  against  a  wall  with  a  south  or 
south-west  aspect,  the  latter  beinc  the  best  situation.  The  best  time  to 
plant  them  is  in  November.  Let  the  soil  be  composed  of  two-thirds  loam 
neither  very  heavy  nor  litjSt,  but  intermediate  between  the  two.  If 
the  top  3  inches  be  taken  from  a  pasture  all  the  better.  Chop  up  with  a 
spade,  and  well  mix  a  third  of  rotten  manure  with  the  loam.  The  soil 
should  be  taken  out  to  a  depth  of  2  feet,  and  to  a  distance  of  3  feet  from 
the  wall.  A  little  finer  soil  may  be  used  to  plant  in.  and  after  plantine 
and  watering  mulch  the  groimd  about  the  plants  with  2  or  3  inches  of 
short  littery  manure.  Do  not  prune  them  nt  all  in  antumn,  but  in 
sprincr,  if  the  shoots  are  long,  cut  them  to  within  1  foot  of  the  soil.  In 
summer  train  in  the  shoots  at  9  inches  or  1  foot  apart  on  the  wall, 
removing  those  not  wanted.  Water  copionsly  in  dry  weather,  and 
syringe  with  water  in  the  evenings  of  hot  davs.  They  "will  need  a  top- 
dressing  of  manure  in  autumn,  which  should  be  neatly  pninted-in  with  a 
fork  during  the  spring,  and  in  March  merely  cut  off  the  points  of  the 
strong  shoots,  and  remove  any  weak  shoots  wbere  they  are  too  close 
together. 

Galvanised  Wire  for  Rose  Arches  (3/.  A.  J?.).— Wo  have  used 
galvanised  wire  extensively  for  arches,  and  have  not  found  any  injurious 
results  from  it.  The  kinds  you  have  are  not  probably  climbing  Roses. 
Wells's  White  or  Madame  d'Arblay  and  Rivers's  Queen,  hybrid  climbing 
Roses,  will  probably  suit  you. 

Climtjers  for  SuaiMER  HousH  UNDER  Trees  (J.  W,  iv.).— We  fear 
none  of  the  plants  you  name  will  succeed  under  large  Sycamore  and 
Elm  trees,  except  the  Virginian  Creeper.  Roses  are  out  of  the  question, 
and  the  others  need  sheltered  situations.  No  plants  that  we  know  will 
suit  so  well  as  the  Ivies,  and  these  are  what  we  advise. 

Vines  Infested  with  Scale  [A  Siibscnher).~'rhe  leaf  sent  us  was 
smothered  with  brown  scale.  Dryness  at  the  root  has  nothing  to  do 
with  it.  Your  only  remedy  this  season  is  either  to  pick  off  the  insects 
with  the  point  of  a  knife,  or  paint  the  leaves  where  the  insects  are  with 
gum  water,  using  8  ozs.  of  gum  arable  dissolved  in  a  gallon  of  water, 
and  applying  it  w^ith  a  brush.  It  should  be  allowed  to  dry  on  the  leaves, 
and  must  be  syringed  or  washed  off  with  a  sponge  within  forty-eight  hours. 
Then  the  leaves  as  they  become  yellow  and  fall  off  ought  to  be 
gathered  and  burnt.  Then  strip  off  the  loose  bark  and  wash  the  stems 
and  every  part  with  a  brush,  using  soft-soap  and  water  at  a  temperature 
of  140'^;  8  ozs.  of  soft-soap  should  be  employed  to  one  gallon  of  water, 
and  the  house  ought  to  be  thoroughly  cleaned. 

Pine  Apples  (Idem).— It  is  now  too  late  to  put  in  Queen  Pine  Apples 
for  fruiting  this  season,  as  they  would  not  fruit  until  late.  We  should 
keep  them  back  for  early  summer  fruiting. 

Keeping  Seed  Potatoes  (IF.  Turner).— We  shall  have  some  remarks 
neit  week. 

Ooverino  the  Back  Wall  of  a  Vinery  (Sutton).~Yonr  clothing  the 
back  wall  with  Muscat  Vines,  Peach  trees,  or  anything  else  will  depend 
on  the  light  you  allow  to  reach  the  back  wall.  If  there  is  an  opening 
between  every  two  Vines  up  the  rafters,  the  Muscats,  Peach  trees. 
or  Fig  trees  will  do  tolerably  well,  but  not  if  the  roof  is  thickly  covered 
with  foliage. 

Pine  Pit  and  Cucumber  House  Comtiined  (Jerseu  Suhscriher).— 
There  is  no  difficulty  to  your  proposed  arrangements,  only  that  the  main 
flow  and  return  pipes  must  pass  under  the  pathwav  of  the  house  so 
as  to  present  no  obstruction.  For  this  purpose,  the  boiler  must  be 
placed  sufficiently  deep.  We  would  advise  two  4-inch  pipes  for 
each  bed,  and  two  pipes  on  each  side  for  top  heat.  The  two  pipes 
below  each  bed  will  make  the  bed  equally  heated,  but  it  wiU  bo 
advisable  by  means  of  valves  to  give  bottom  heat  and  top  heat 
independently  of  each  other.  For  a  house  120  feet  long,  it  would  be 
best  to  have  the  boiler  in  the  centre  of  the  house;  then  take  your 
piping  right  and  left,  and  make  one  end  the  Pine  house  and  tlie  other 
the  Cucumber  house.  We  have  often  said  how  that  may  be  done.  Two 
pipes,  one  from  the  top  and  one  from  the  bottom  of  the  boiler,  will  enable 
you  to  give  bottom  and  top  heat  as  desirable. 

Grapes  Shrivelling  and  Shanking  [A  Suhxcribcr^  T}iornhUl).~'V7c 
have  no  doubt  that  o\Ting  to  the  age  of  the  Vines  the  roots  have  either 
gone  down  too  deep,  or  the  border  is  in  an  unhealthy  state  from  defective 
drainage.  For  another  year,  we  would  try  what  opening  a  deep  drain 
in  front  would  do.  We  would  remove  all  the  surface  soil  that  could 
be  removed,  and  add  a  few  inches  in  depth  of  fresh  loam  covered  with  a 
little  horse  dung ;  and  if  the  fibres  rose  wc  would  add  more  fresh  com- 
post. We  would,  as  you  propose,  force  little  nest  season  ;  and  we  would 
by  litter,  thatchin<;.  or  other  means  keep  most  of  the  winter  rains  off  the 
border.  As  the  Vines  are  fair  for  sft-ength,  we  think  you  will  overcome 
the  shanking  if  you  take  a  moderate  crop. 


Frame  for  Protecting  Bedding  Plants  (J.  J.1.— Your  narrow 
frame  we  would  make  from  20  to  24  inches  high  at  back  and  12  inches 
high  in  front.  This,  made  of  l^-inch  timber,  will  keep  out  as  much 
frost  as  a  brick  wall ;  but  in  severe  frost  neither  is  to  be  trusted,  and  the 
safest  plan  is  to  place  an  inch  in  thickness  of  straw  against  them,  or 
let  mats  hang  down  over  the  walls.  Of  course  you  must  protect  the 
glass.  We  approve  of  your  firm  bottom  of  cnnl  ashes  bibber  than  the 
surrounding  ground.  No  doubt  the  6-feet  wall  behind  will  so  far  protect 
your  frame.  Why  not  make  that  wall  the  back  of  your  frame,  or  make 
a  brick  pit  at  once  ?  Then  yon  might  have  a  stove  or  a  flue  in  winter, 
and  save  trouble  in  covering.  However,  the  frame  will  do  well  if 
looked  after  in  bad  weather.  Spill  as  little  water  as  possible  all  the 
winter.  \ 

Fuchsias  Losing  their  Leaves  (Joshua).— We  can  only  suppose  your 
plants  have  lost  their  leaves  through  an  attnck  of  red  spider,  which  is 
very  prevalent  this  season,  many  plants  besides  yours  having  lost  their 
foliage  from  the  same  cause.  The  only  preventive  is  to  keep  the  plants 
well  supplied  with  nourishment  and  water  at  the  root,  and  to  frequently 
Bj-ringe  the  foliage. 

Blairii  Rose  not  Flowering  fH.).— We  think  it  has  not  been 
sufficiently  vigorous  for  bloomiug.  It  is  of  vigorous  habit,  well  adapted 
for  pillars,  and  as  a  standard  should  be  trained  as  an  inverted  cone, 
which  will  generally  ensure  an  abundance  of  bloom.  Pnuiing  should  be 
confined  to  thinning  out  the  old  wood  and  slightly  shortening  the  shoots 
that  are  left. 

Barking  Larch  Trees  (7?.  B.)— If  the  trees  are  small,  or  such  as  two 
men  mipht  carry,  we  do  not  think  removing  the  bark  can  do  any  harm, 
but,  on  tho  contrary,  it  may  do  good,  when  the  timber  is  used  for  out- 
door purposes,  by  the  wet  running  off  much  more  easily;  but  for  large 
timber  trees  a  more  qualified  opinion  must  be  given,  as  it  is  possible 
the  tree  may  part  with  more  resin  when  cut  in  the  full  flow  of  the  sap 
than  when  cutting  is  done  in  midwinter.  We  know  that  there  is  some 
difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  propriety  of  taking  the  bark  off;  but  of 
late  years,  in  consequence  of  the  small  price  piven  for  Larch  bark,  it 
has  not  repaid  the  removal.  It  would  appear  to  us  that  stripping  off  the 
bark  of  small  trees  would  be  amply  repaid  by  the  better  appearance  they 
have  when  used  for  fencing  or  other  purposes,  but  for  large  trees  in- 
temded  to  be  cut  up  for  building,  the  difference  of  winter  and  spring-cut 
timber  ought  to  l»e  taken  into  consideration — still  we  believe  this  dif- 
jcrence  to  be  much  less  than  many  believe. 

Conifers  for  Queensland  fA'.  M.  H.)— We  hardly  expect  the  PineS 
of  Northern  Europe  and  America  will  endure  the  droughts  of  Darling 
Downs,  as  we  have  seen  more  than  one  place  where  the  Wellingtonia 
has  sho\^'n  signs  of  distress  during  the  present  dry  season  in  England. 
You  might  try  most  of  the  Araucarias,  as  Bidwilli,  excelsa,  Cunning- 
hami,  brasiliensis.  lanceolata,  Rulei,  and  others,  some  of  them  no 
doubt  natives  of  Queensland.  Thujopsis  borealis.  Thuja  gigantea  and 
Lobbii,  the  Cryptomeria,  Pinus  insignis  and  others,  Picea  Webbiana, 
most  of  the  Dammaras  and  Dacrydiums,  Torreya  grandis  and  humilis, 
Retinospora  leptoclada,  pisifera,  and  obtusa  ;  Cedrus  deodara,  the  Cedar 
of  Lebanon,  and  many  other  plants.  Most  of  the  Cupressus  as  well 
as  Abies  family  like  a  moister  soil.  The  common  Yew,  however,  might 
be  tried,  and  some  other  trees.  Seeds  of  most  if  not  all  of  the  above  are 
supplied  by  the  seedsmen  advertising  in  our  pages. 

BiGARREAU  Cherry  apparently  Dying  (Juvem8).—YoxiT  Cherry  tree, 
like  many  other  fruit  trees,  is  probably  suffering  from  the  extremely  dry 
weather,  but  we  do  not  think  any  good  will  arise  from  cutting  it  in  any 
way.  If  the  tree  is  not  too  old,  it  may  possibly  become  healthy  when 
rain  s^  'n,  but  in  the  meantime  if  you  could  give  it  a  good  sound 
waterin?  that  miffht  do  much  good;  and  by-and-by,  as  the  summer 
advances,  you  will  be  better  able  to  judge  what  it  is  best  to  do  with  it. 
In  ffeueral  the  Cherry  is  very  impatient  of  the  knife,  and  we  would  not 
advise  any  mutilatiou  until  the  dead  parts  (if  there  be  such)  fully  show 
themselves.  In  looking  over  an  extensive  orchard  of  mixed  trees  a  few 
days  ago,  we  saw  Applet  Plum,  and  Pear  trees  apparently  suffering  from 
the  continued  drought,  the  fruit  being  exceedingly  small  and  the  foliage 
shrivelled  up,  while  close  to  them  were  other  trees  in  tolerably  good 
condition. 

BoNE  Dust  (Jrffm).— Blanure-dealers  and  many  nurserymen  supply 
tliis.  or  you  might  inquire  of  those  who  deal  in  silver  sand,  peat,  and 
similar  substances.  If  you  have  any  dealings  with  a  nurseryman,  most 
likely  he  would  obtain  it  for  you  if  he  does  not  keep  it  in  stock. 

Drying  Everlastings  {5r.  B.  W.  B.).— The  flowers  should  be  gathered 
before  they  are  fuUy  expanded  and  kept  in  a  warm  dry  room. 

Blighted  Rose  Trees  (d.  B.,  Godalmbifi). —Xonr  question  waK 
answered  by  the  Rev.  W.  F.  Radclyfl'e  in  page  BO-l,  and  again  in  page  461 
under  the  intials  "  C  B." 

Back  Numbers  {W.  TF.).— Being  incomplete  they  would  not  be 
saleable. 

Seedling  Nectarine  (.Major-General  Studd). — ^Yonr  Nectarines  when 
they  reached  us  were  so  much  bruised  and  decayed  that  no  correct 
opinion  could  be  formed  of  their  merits.  A  small  portion  of  one  only 
remained  which  tasted  somewhat  austere.    They  were  well  packed. 

Names  of  Fruit  (./.  Cutbush).—Cha.rMafi.n's  Prince  of  Wales  Plum. 
(L.  S.  W.). — Duchess  of  Oldenburgh  Apple,  suitable  either  for  kitchen  or 
table  use. 

Names  of  Plants  (F.  D). — A  plant  was  named  under  3"our  initials  in 
the  number  for  July  9th,  as  Stachys  betonica,  and  this,  as  far  as  we 
recollect,  was  the  same  as  that  to  which  you  refer.  The  slice  of  Gom'd 
arrived  during  a  short  absence  from  London,  and  on  our  return  presented 
anything  but  an  inviting  appearance.  (C.  Hall). — It  is  impossible  to 
name  plants  from  such  dried-up  scraps.  Wo  could  just  make  out  the  leaf 
of  the  well-known  Japanese  Honeysuckle,  Lonicera  brachj^poda  reticu- 
lata, and  barely  that.  (J.  Burlcij).—!,  Gymnogramma  ochracea;  iJ,  Poly- 
podium  punctatum ;  3,  Onycbium  japonicnm  ?  (too  young);  4,  Poly- 
podium  rugulosum  ;  5,  Gymnogramma  tartarea  ;  6,  Blechnum  occiden- 
tale  ;  7.  Cystopteiis  fragilis;  8,  PelL-ea  rotundifolium  ;  9,  Nephrolepis 
cordifolia;  10,  Pellsea  hastata.  (J".  E.  fl".).— 4.  Aspleniam  (Daria)  Belan- 
gerii ;  5,  Nephrodium  odoratum.    (E.  A.  i.)— Diplacus  glutinosus. 


August  20,  1868.  ) 


JOURNAL  OF   HORTIOULTDBE  AND   COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


1S9 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  August  18th. 


Wed...  12 
Thors.  IS 
h'Ti.  ..  14 
Sat.  ..  ir. 
Snn. ..  10 
Mon...  17 
Tuns.  .  IS 


Uean 


BABOKKTSB. 


2n.noo 

29..M3 

2i).r,'.i4 

2'.l.7'.l  i 
2'J.7:i4 
2D.B74 
29.5.'i4 


29.062 


Uln. 


29.612 
29.143 
29.1579 
29,735 
29.653 
29.573 
29.4GS 


29.081     72.68 


THERUOMBTEB. 


73 
7S 
73 
75 
71 
G9 


60.71 


lit.  dp. 


65 
05 
64 
65 
65 
65 
67 


63.14 


9  ft.  dp. 


66 
65 
G3 
63 
63 
64 
65 


64.14 


S. 

9.K. 
S.E. 

S. 

S. 

N. 

E. 


Rnin  tn 
inches. 


.00 
.14 
.00 
.00 
.28 
.62 
.46 


QXKEBU  CEHIBEB. 


Fine,  hriHk  wind  ;  overcast ;  cloudy,  very  dark. 
Dull  nnd  cloudv  ;  heavy  clouds  ;  densely  clouded; 
Cloudy  ;  clear  and  flno  ;  heavy  clouds,  ovoreast. 
Very  fine  ;  fine,  very  clear  ;  overcast,  starlight. 
Cloudy,  heavy  rain  ;  cloudy,  showery. 
Overcast ;  heavy  showers  ;  heavy  rain  at  niRht. 
Heavy  clouds ;  cloudy ;  showery,  very  dark,  heavy  rain. 


POULTRY,  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD   CHRONICLE. 

THE  ^VEATHER  AND  OUR  ClilCKENS. 

That  "prett.r  Chevalier,"  Sir  Roger  tie  Coverley,  drew  many 
and  admirable  morals  from  things  that  in  the  Uvea  of  ordinary 
men  appeared  trilles.  His  lessons  were  good  and  to  the  point. 
To  us  individually  nnd  collectively  the  break  in  the  weather 
is  all-important.  To  some  of  us  who  live  at  a  distance  from 
cab-stand,  omnibus  route,  or  Underground,  it  brings  an  argii- 
menlum  ad  hominem  in  the  shape  of  the  necessity  of  umbrella 
or  light  waterproof  according  to  choice.  To  others  who  rejoice 
in  a  garden  large  enough  for  a  croquet  ground,  the  rainfall  is  a 
subject  of  pleasant  conversation,  and  engagements  are  made 
for  future  contests,  that  hitherto  had  been  postponed  until 
next  season  on  account  of  the  drought.  As  we  honestly  believe 
all  men  to  be  more  or  less  selfish,  we  will  at  once  admit  that 
tlir  tender  point  as  regards  the  weather  and  ourselves  was,  the 
relation  in  which  the  change  stood  to  our  chickens — the 
chickens  which  would,  we  fondly  hoped  before  the  drought, 
add  honour  to  our  name ;  the  hope  died  when  summer  heat 
became  our  ordinary  temperature.  The  rain  when  it  came, 
and  the  appearance  of  our  gravel  paths  as  it  fell,  brought  to 
our  remembrance  the  medallion  and  motto  of  the  Royal 
Humane  Society,  and  the  faint  spark  of  hope  was  rekindled. 
Fancy  a  poultry-yard  of  one-fourth  of  an  acre  well  peopled 
with  well-bred,  fast-growing  chickens.  Visions  we  have  of 
first  and  second  prizes  ;  third  and  highly  commended  we  do  not 
care  for.  The  sale  of  our  extra  stock  we  look  forward  to.  But 
the  heat!  It  continues!  it  increases!  Our  chickens  flag;  in 
spite  of  extra  care,  extra  food,  and  much  vexation  of  spirit  on 
the  part  of  the  feeder,  they  seem  to  grow  lighter,  the  feathers 
do  not  form  and  harden,  and  any  progress  they  may  make  is, 
as  Pat  has  it,  backwards. 

But  there  is,  at  last,  a  change  in  the  weather.  The  atmo- 
sphere becomes  heavier,  and  by  instinct  the  chickens  begin  to 
peer  about,  in  and  among  the  hedges  and  bushes,  for  the  gnats 
and  insects  that  they  know  should  be  there  before  a  shower. 
Whether  they  are  successful  or  not  we  cannot  say,  but  the 
first  two  or  three  heavy  drops  seem  to  startle  them  and  they 
scatter  for  shelter.  Soon  the  sweet,  fresh,  earthy  smell  arises 
"from  the  parched  ground,  and  some  adventurous  chicken 
tempted  by  it  ventures  forth.  The  example  is  contagious,  the 
others  follow  and  enjoy  it,  and  when  feeding-time  comes  they 
return  draggled  and  dirty ;  but,  as  the  man  says  who  looks 
after  them,  "  They  be  more  piert,"  and  their  appetites  show 
that  they,  in  common  with  everything,  benefit  by  the  change. 
They  come  down  from  roost  in  the  morning  fresher,  brighter, 
end  earlier,  and  spread  over  the  extent  of  their  range  hungrily, 
eagerly,  and  with  a  spirit  that  has  long  been  lacking.  We  now 
look  at  them  again  with  complacency,  and  while  thinking  at 
which  show  we  should  most  wish  to  distinguish  ourselves,  we 
mutter,  "  Ah !  the  rain  was  just  in  time  for  the  chickens  !" 
We  may  all  hope  and  think,  that  it  came  just  at  the  right  time 
for  farmer,  gardener,  and  fancier. 


HESSLE  POULTRY  SHOW. 

[From  a  Con'esjiondenf .) 
The  third  annual  Exhibition  took  place  at  Hessle,  near  Hull,  on 
the  I'ith  inat.  The  enlries  for  poultry  and  Pignons  were  numei-ous. 
Great  praise  is  due  to  the  Honorary'  Secretary,  Mr.  Hood,  for  the  way 
in  which  the  arrangements  were  carried  out.  There  was  some  dissa- 
tisfaction as  to  the  jnd^ng.  The  most  noticeable  misjudging  was  in 
the  fipanUh  and  Silver-pencilled  Ilamlnirfjh  classes.  In  the  former 
the  ihst-prize  pen  contained  a  cock  with  a  drooping  comb  ;  and  although 


art  had  left  its  mark  in  trying  to  improve  upon  natnre,  it  had  not 
succeeded  in  the  attempt.  '  The  best  pen  in  the  class  was  nunoticed. 
In  the  Silver-pencilled  Hamburgh  pen  the  cock  had  a  comb  that  should 
prevent  him  from  taking  a  prize  at  any  show. 

Some  excellent  Pir/mns  were  exhibited,  and  I  noticed  in  more  than 
one  prize  pen  the  prevailing  fashion  of  showing  two  cock  birds  instead 
of  a  cock  and  hen.     The  following  is  a  list  of  the  awards : — 

GAtrE.— First,  W.  Boyes,  Beverley.    Second,  H.  M.  Julian,  Hull. 

Spanish.- -First,  G.  Hoyle,  Hessle.  Second,  G.  Holmes,  Dnffield, 
Cocfc.— Prize,  G.  Holmes.  ,     .     „  n-  »«>,„- 

Dorking.— First,  D.  White.  DrifHeld.  Second,  A.  Hopper,  Tranby. 
Cofi.— Prize,  O.  A.  YouuR,  Driffield.  „.     ,    „   x    .■   m  .j 

Cochin-China  (Buir,  Cinnamon,  or  Partridjel  .—First,  P..  Loft,  Wooa- 
mansey.    Second,  G.  Holmes.     Cock.—Frize.  B.  Loft.  ,    t,    t    « 

Any  other  Variety.- First,  S.  Smelt,  .Beverley.  Second,  K.  L.on. 
Cock, — Prize,  R.  Loft.  „    ,,     ,  ^  c  .  -ji 

G.im:  (Black-breasted  or  other  Rods).— First,  H.  M.  Julian.  Second, 
W.  Boyea.     Coci.-Prize,  G.  Holmes.  ,    „    ,r    t  i-— 

Game  (Any  other  variety).- First,  W.  Boyes.  Second,  H.  M.  Jnlian. 
Coc-;.-.— Prize.  H.  M.  Julian.  „  .       _  _      ,  _ 

Poland.— First  and  Second,  E.  Procter,  Hull.     Cof  I-.— Pnze,  E.  Procter. 

Uameurghs  (GoWcn-srangled).- First,  G.  Holmes.  Second,  O.  A. 
Young.    Coct.— Prize,  G.Holmes.  „    ,      t^  •        n. 

Hamburohs  (Golden-penciUed).— Prize,  G.  Holmes.    CocJ:.— Fnze,  U. 

Hambhrghs  (SUvor-spangled).- First,  G.  Holmes.  Second,  C.  Ricbard- 
son.    Cock.- Prize,  G.  Holmes.  xT»7~»,r 

Hajiburghs  (Silver-peucUled).— First,  O.  A.  Young.  Second,  G.  Holmes. 
Coc/i.— Prize,  D.  White.  „  ,    ,,       m-ij» 

GAjrE  Bantams.- First.  R.  Robson,  Wold  Carr.  Second,  Mrs.  Wilde, 
Hull.     Cocfc.- Prize,  W.  Hardy.  Hessle.  „    ,  .        „  „      o  .»_j 

Bantams  (Any  other  varietv).— First,  Miss  E.  Rudston,  Hull.  Second, 
Mrs.  T.  Wilde.     Coct.— Prize,  Mrs.  T.  Wilde.  ,    ,,        „  j     u 

Extra  Stock  (Xny  distinct  variety).— First,  P..  Loft.  Second,  u.. 
Lawson,  Spring  Cottage  Farm.    Corl-.- Prize,  R.  Loft. 

Docks  (Avlesbury).— First,  O.  A.  Young.    Second,  H.  Lawson. 

Decks  (Rouen).— First,  O.  A.  Y'oung.    Second,  G.  Holmes. 
PIGEONS. 

Croppebs.— First,  F.  Key,  Beverley.    Second,  A.  Bannister,  Hessle. 

Dragoons.- First,  H.  Taylor,  Newland.  Second,  J.  W.  Thompson, 
Wellington  Lodge,  Hull.  .  ..^  .a-  ,j      e  j 

Trdmpetebs.— First,'  Messrs.  Pickering  &  Marshall,  Driflield.  becono, 
C.  Lythe. 

Jacobins. — First  and  Second.  C.  Lythe. 

Fantails.— First,  R.  J.  Bell,  Hull.    Second,  H.  Payne,  Cottinpham.. 

TcMBLERS.— First.  F.  Key.    Second.  S.  EUrington,  Woodmansey. 

Barbs.- First,  N.  Kev.    Second,  G.  W.  Cavison,  Hull.  „  ,,  „  ^  „ 

NnNS.— First,  Messrs!  Pickering  &  Marshall.    Second,  R.  Moll,  Hull. 

Ant  other  Variety.— First,  Messrs.  Pickering  &  Marshall.  Second, 
J.  W.  Thompson. 

Rabbits.— lop-Erirci!.— First,  P.  AsMon,  Drypool,  Hull.  Second,  P. 
White,  Hull.  Ann  other  i.aricfij.- Prize,  G.  Tennyson,  Hessle.  Heavjest. 
—Prize,  Miss  Herbert,  HuU.    Yotinj.— Prize,  J.  Fletcher,  Hull. 


BADMINTON  POULTRY  SHOW.  ' 

This  Show  was  held  on  the  7th  inst.,  in  connection  with  tbe  BaJ 
minton  Farmers'  Club  and  for  the  first  time  was  under  the  direction 
of  the  General  Committee,  to  whom  and  their  able  Secretary  Mr.  Lloyd 
great  praise  is  due  for  the  completeness  of  all  aiTangements  connected 
with  the  Show.  There  was  a  good  collection  of  birds,  but  they  did 
not  show  to  that  advantage  we  should  like  to  see,  the  pens  being  far 
too  small  and  not  nearly  high  enough.  We  believe  this  is  to  be  altered 
another  year.     The  following  is  the  prize  list : — 

DoEKlNGS  (Any  variety).- First,  Rev.  A.  K.  Cornwall,  Bencombe,  TTleyi 
Second.  G.  Hanks,  Malmcsbury.  CJiic/.-cns.— Prize,  Rev.  A.  K.  CornwaU. 
Highly  Commended,  G.  Hanks.  „     ,      „.  , ,    „  j  j 

Game  (Any  variety).— First  and  Second,  G.  Hanks.  Highly  Commended, 
J  S.  Maggs,  Tetbury;  J.  Goulter,  Acton  Turville;  T.  Arnold,  Wickwar. 
C/iicA-cn-s.— Prize,  Diike  of  Beaufort,  K.G..  Badminton.  Highly  Com. 
mended,  J.  S.  Maggs.    Commended,  A.  Whiting,  Badminton. 

Brahmas  (Any  variety).— First.  J.  S.  Maggs.  Second,  G.  Brown,  Ead- 
nlinton.    C/iicitcnj.- Prize,  J.  S.  Maggs. 

Cochins  (Anv  variety).— First,  J.  S.  Maggs.  „  .  .  ,      t, 

Spanish  (Any  variety).— First,  Messrs.  Tonkin  &  Tackey,  Bristol. _  be- 
cond,  G.  Brown,  Badm'inton.  C/iiV^-cns.- Prize,  W.  Parsley,  jun.,  BristoL 
Highlv  Commended,  Tonkin  cS:  Tackey. 

HA5IBCRGHS  (Any  variety).— First,  Rev.  R.  H.  Mnllens.  Second.  J.  t>. 
Maggs.  C/itciteM.— Prize,  J.  S.  Maggs.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Ashbee, 
HilUlev. 


uo 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


[  August  20,  1668. 


Bantams  (Any  varietv).— First,  Tonkin  &  Tnckey.  Second,  W.  Parsley, 
jnn.,  Bristol.    Highly  Commended,  J.  S.  MagRS. 

DncKS  (Aylesbury).— First,  Duke  of  Beaufort,  K.G.  Second,  Rey.  G. 
F.Le  Mesurier,  Tormarton.    Ducklings. — Prize.  G.  Hanks. 

Docks  (Rouen).  —  First,  G.  Hank's.  Second.  Rev.  K.  H.  Mullens. 
Ditcklirtfis. — Prize  and  Highly  Commended,  Rev.  R.  H.  Mullens. 

DncKS  (Any  other  distinct  variety).— First,  Second,  and  Highly  Com- 
mended, Rev.  R.  H.  Mullens. 

Geese.— First,  G.  Hanks.    Second,  J  Thompson,  Badminton. 

TCRKETS  (Any  variety).— Prize,  Rev.  G.  F.  Le  Mesurier. 

Gdinea  Fowls.— Prize,  Rev.  G.  F.  Le  Mesurier. 

Pigeons.— Carrier,*.— Prize,  T.  Jones,  Malmesbury.  Br<!,<;oong.— Prize, 
Tonkin  &  Tuckey.  Pouters.— Vnze,  T.  Jones.  Fuii(ail«.— First  and  Se- 
cond, Tonkin  &  Tuckey.  Tumblers  (Short-faced).— First,  T.  Jones.  Se- 
cond. Tonkin  &  Tuckey.  Tumlders  (Baldheads).  —  Prize,  T.  Goulter. 
Bar6«.  — Prize,  S.  Summers,  Didmartoii.  /.'»ii(«.— Prize,  J.  Goulter. 
Jaco6ire».— First  and  Second,  Tortkin  &  Tuckey. 

Mr.  H.  Lane,  of  Bristol,  was  the  Jadge. 


HETTON  POULTRY   SHOW. 

_  The  Hetton  Collieries  Horticultural  and  Poultry  Society  held  its 
ninth  annnal  Exhibition  on  the  12th  inst..  in  the  Hetton  Hall  grounds, 
the  seat  of  Lindsay  Wood,  Esq. 

The  show  of  poultry  was  not  large.  Mr.  G.  H.  Procter,  of  Durham, 
deservedly  gained  the  first  and  second  prizes  for  a  Coclihi.<Jh}na  cock 
and  two  hens,  and  also  for  a  Cochin-China  cockerel  and  two  pullets,  and 
Mr.  J.  Harrop,  of  Bishopwearmonth,  Mr.  W.  Whitfield,  and  Mr.  T. 
Eodham,  exhibited  some  very  fine  birds.  The  Piijcons  were  a  fair 
average  class. 

Spanish.- First,  J.  Harrop,  Bishopwearmonth.  Second,  J.  Cain,  Har- 
rington Hall.     CTitcftcns.- First,  R.  Hawkins.    Second.  J.  Harrop. 

DoEKmos  (Coloured).— First,  D.  Rutter,  East  Rainton.  Second,  J. 
Bell,  Hetton-le-Hole.    CfticAviw.- First,  D.  Rutter.    Second.  T.  Rodham. 

Cochin-China.  —  First  and  Second,  G.  H.  Procter,  Market  Place, 
Durham.     CTiicAreiw,— First  and  Second,  G.  H.  Procter. 

Hambdbohs  (Silver-penciUerll.— Prize,  W.  Whitfield,  Hetton  Station. 
Ci'ctciM.-  First  and  Second.  W.  Whitfield. 

Hahburohs  (Golden-pencilled). — Prize,  J.  Pearson,  Elemore  Cottage. 
Chickeiu. — First  nnd  Second.  T.  Rodl*am. 

Hambdbohs  (Silver-spangled).— First,  T.  Rodham.  Second,  W.  Whit- 
field.    CfttcfccTw.— First,  D.  Chevne,  Bedlington.    Second,  T.  Rodham. 

Hambdeghs  (Golden-spangled).- Prize,  W.  Whitfield.  C7iicJ.-srw.— First 
and  Second,  W.  Whitfield. 

PoLANDS.— First  and  Second,  W.  Whitfield.  Chickent.— Prize,  W. 
Whitfield. 

Game.— (Any  variety).— First,  R.  Just,  Middleshorough.  Second,  H. 
Hawkins,  Seabam  Harbour.  C/i  icif  iw.— First,  R.  Hawkins.  Second,  J. 
Bell. 

Oame  Bantams  (Black-breasted  and  other  Reds).— First  and  Second,  J. 
Harrop. 

Oame  (Duckwing  and  other  Greys).- Prize,  J.  Harrop. 

Bantams  (.Vny  variety  .—Prize,  R.  Hawkins. 

Ant  Variety.— First,  D.  Hunter,  Sunderland.     Second,  J.  Harrop. 

Decks  (Aylesbury).— First,  R.  Just.    Second,  T.  Rodham. 

Ddcks  (Rouen).- First  and  Second,  T.  Rodham. 

Pigeons.— Carrterj.-First,  A.  Buglass,  Carvillc.  Second,  W.  William- 
Bon,  Belmont.  Pouters.— Tirat.  W.  Whitfield.  Second,  W.  Williamson: 
rumWtrj.  —  First  and  Second,  W.  Williamson.  Fantalls.— Prize,  A. 
Bnglass.  Trumptters.—Tirst.  A  Buglass.  Second,  W.  Whitfield.  Borht. 
—First,  W.  Williamson.  Turfite.- First,  W.  Williamson.  Second,  A. 
BuglasB.    Jacobins.— First  and  Second,  W.  Williamson. 


ALDBOROUGH  AND  BOROUGHBBIDGE 

POULTRY  SHOW. 

The  eighth  annual  Show  of  the  Aldborough  and  Boronghbridge 
Floral  and  Poultry  Society  took  place  on  the  14th  inst.  on  the  grounds 
of  Aldborough  Manor,  by  the  kind  permission  of  Mr.  Lawson.  The 
show  of  poultry  was  larger  than  on  any  previous  occasion,  there  being 
193  pens.  Every  class  was  well  represented,  especially  Tforh'nqs, 
Spanish,  and  Hamhitrf/k.  There  was  a  large  collection  of  Pitfeoih'i  of 
every  variety.  The  weather  was  all  that  could  be  desired,  and  there 
was  a  large  attendance  of  visitors.  The  Committee  and  Secretaries 
have  all  done  fheir  duty  in  a  manner  which  cannot  but  result  in  in- 
creased patronage  to  this  thriving  Society.  The  following  is  a  list  of 
the  awards  : — 

Doekings. — First,  G.  Holmes,  Driffield.  Second,  H.  S.  Thompson, 
Kilby  Hall.     Cfticlifn*.- First  and  Second.  C.  TrifBtt.  Cattal. 

Spanish. — First,  G.  Holmes.    Second,  W.  &  F.  Pickard.  Thorner. 

Game.— First,  C.  Triffitt.  Second,  J.  Watson,  Knaresborough.  Cltiekens. 
— First,  J.  Watson.     Second,  (i.  Carter,  Aiskew,  Bedale. 

Cochin-China.— First,  J.  Malthouse,  Ripon.  Second,  Rev.  J.  G.  Milner, 
Bellerby.  Chickens. — First,  W.  Barnes,  Thirsk.  Second,  J.  Malthouse, 
Ripon. 

Brahma  Pootra. — First,  J.  Walker,  Haya  Park,  Knaresborough,  Second, 
Miss  Graham,  Aldborough.  CliickeTvi. — First,  —  Taylor,  Langthorpe 
House.     Second,  Miss  Graham. 

Hambubgiis  (Golden-spangled). — First,  J.  Walker.  Second,  W.  Bear- 
park,  Ainderby  Steeple. 

Hambdrghs  (Golden-pencilled).— First,  F.  Horsman,  Boronghbridge. 
Second,  W.  Bearpark. 

Hambdrghs  (Silver-spangled).— First  and  Second,  J.  Walker. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-pencilled). — First,  J.  Walker.  Second,  W.  Bear- 
park. 

Poland.— First,  C.  Walker,  Boronghbridge.    Record,  W.  &  F.  Pickard. 

Game  Bantams. — First,  J.  Walker.    Second,  W.  Shaw,  Boronghbridge. 

Bantams  (Any  variety). — First,  C.  Andrews,  Aldborough.  Second,  T. 
Bailey,  Sowerby. 


Any  other  Variety.- First,  J.  Walker.    Second,  Rev.  J.  G.  Milner. 

Farmyard  Cross. — First,  I.  Moorey,  Mulwith.    Second,  C.  Trifiitt. 

Turkeys.— Second.  I.  Moorey.    Poults.— Frize,  J.  Walker. 

Geese. — First,  J.  Walker.  Second,  Mrs.  Smith,  Humberton.  Ooslinga. 
—First,  Mrs.  Smith.    Second,  G.  Renton,  Ox  Close.  Ripon. 

DrcKS  (Aylesbury). — Prize,  J.  Kjng,Boroughbridge.  DucJdings. — First, 
J.  Stubbs,  Boronghbridge.    Second,  J.  Cuthbertstoue,  Aldborough. 

Docks  (Rouen>. — First,  Miss  Graham.  Second,  J.  Mason,  Rooker Hill, 
BoroughbridRO  Ducklings.— First,  Miss  Graham.  Second,  A.  S.  Lawson, 
Aldborough  Manor. 

DccKs  (Any  other  variety).— First,  J.  Walker.  Second,  K.  Taylor, 
Norton-le-Clay. 

Guinea  Fowls.— Prize,  J.  Mason,  Rooker  Hill. 

Selling  Class.— First,  G.  Carter,  Aiskew,  Bedale.  Second,  M.  &  R. 
Gray,  Boronghbridge. 

Pigeons. — Pouters. — Prize.  G.  Sadler,  Boroughbridge.  Carriers. — Prize, 
G.  Sadler.  Trumpeters. — Prize,  J.  Mason.  Rooker  Hill,  Boroughbridge. 
Jacobins.— Prize,  T.  Rutherford,  Thirsk.  F«7!(ai!s.— Prize,  T.  Enthertord. 
Tumfc^cr^.— First,  J.  Walker.  Second,  G.  Sadler.  i3n;-b8.— Prize,  F. 
Horsman,  Boroughbridge.  Nuns. — Prize.  J.  Mason.  Turbits. — Prize,  G. 
Sadler.  Any  other  Variety. — First  and  Second,  J.Mason.  Selling  Class. — 
First,  H.  J.  Farish,  Boroughbridge  Hall.    Second,  M.  &  R.  Gray. 

RABEITS.—Buct.— First,  W.  Wilson,  Middleshorough.  Second,  T.  Slade. 
Doc— First,  W.  Wilson.  Second,  I.  Slade,  Boroughbridge.  Heaviest. — 
Prize,  The  Masters  Lawson. 

Extra  Stock.— First,  H.  S.  Thompson.    Second,  C.  Andrews. 

Judges.— Mr.  E.  Hntton,  of  Pndsey  ;  Mr.  G.  V.  Darby,  of  Derby. 


ANTWERPS:  THEIR  POINTS  AND  TRAINING. 

Since  writing  my  last  article  respecting  Antwerps,  which 
appeared  in  the  Journal  of  July  30  th,  I  have  been  requested  to 
give  a  further  exposition  of  my  views  on  the  subject.  I  have 
been  a  fancier  of  Pigeons  of  all  kinds  for  at  least  twenty-seven 
years,  and  during  that  time  I  flatter  myself  I  have  gained 
some  knowledge  of  their  habits,  breeding,  training,  and  other 
matters  concerning  them. 

I  have  kept  Antwerps  about  twenty-three  years.  The  strain 
of  birds  which  I  obtained  have  often  returned  from  Goole  to 
Antwerp.  The  first  I  received  were  young,  but  when  moulted 
and  a  few  months  old  had,  as  "  A  Fokeigner  "  describes,  heads 
like  the  Bullfinch,  with  the  carriage  of  a  Dragoon.  There  is 
another  class  of  Antwerp  fancied— the  Long-faced  birds,  rather 
longer  in  head,  with  the  bill  not  so  thick,  and  with  the  eye  a 
nice  distance  from  the  latter. 

My  opinion  as  to  classing  Antwerps  is  as  follows  :—  The  Dun 
and  E«d  Chequered,  the  Blue  and  Blue  Chequered.  Offer  these 
two  classes  prizes,  and  it  will  be  found  that  in  a  short  time  the 
Antwerps  will  form  the  best  entries  at  any  show  in  the  Pigeon 
classes  ;  the  above  colours,  also,  will  be  found  in  numbers  and 
■latch  equal  to  any  other  kinds  shown. 

Of  late  years  I  have  had  too  much  upon  my  hands  to  give 
proper  attention  to  the  training  of  Pigeons.  In  18.50  we  formed 
a  club  in  this  town  (Wakefield),  for  the  purpose  of  training 
Pigeons  to  fly  from  the  Great  Exhibition  of  1851,  I  being  the 
only  keeper  of  Antwerps  at  that  period.  My  brother  fanciers 
had  the  Long-faced  Beard,  the  Dragoon,  Horseman,  and  the 
Long-faced  Baldhead  and  Beard  crossed  with  Dragoons,  and 
any  kind  of  mongrel  Pigeons  suitable  for  flying.  I  had  but  few 
pairs — say  ten,  and  six  of  the  cock  birds  belonging  to  each 
party  were  marked  at  the  commencement  of  our  training,  none 
other  being  eligible  to  compete.  The  birds  were  to  be  tossed 
up  in  July  in  Hyde  Park,  to  fly  for  a  sweepstakes.  Several  of 
the  parties  were  in  the  habit  during  training  of  sending  their 
birds  in  numbers,  and  few  returned.  As  the  time  advanced, 
and  though  only  114  miles  had  been  completed,  all  the  birds 
were  lost,  with  the  exception  of  four  out  of  a  batch  of  sixty ; 
the  four  consisting  of  two  Bed  Chequered  Antwerps,  a  Blue 
Beard  cock,  and  a  Beard  and  Dragoon  cock.  Three  of  these 
were  sent  from  Peterborough  to  Hitchin,  and  were  all  lost. 
Thus  the  only  bird  left  in  the  clnb  was  my  Antwerp  cock,  which 
was  sent  to  Hitchin,  and  returned;  he  was,  however,  after- 
wards sent  to  within  twenty  miles  from  London,  but  was  lost : 
therefore  not  one  bird  out  of  the  sixty  returned  from  London. 

In  practising  Antwerps  to  fly  I  never  allowed  them  to  alight 
upon  the  roof  of  a  house  or  cote,  but  kept  them  flying  until 
they  alighted  upon  the  landing  board ;  if  they  attempted  to 
alight  upon  the  roof  I  had  a  supply  of  round  sticks,  about 
18  inches  long,  which  I  threw  at  them  until  they  alighted  on 
the  landing  board  and  took  the  bolting  wires.  I  only  flew  about 
six  or  eight  birds  at  a  time  ;  part  of  them,  young  to  practice, 
returned  to  the  cote  quickly.  Evening  is  the  best  time.  I 
practised  flying  young  birds  when  eight  or  ten  weeks  old  to 
learn  them  the  locality,  about  an  hour  being  so  occupied  every 
morning.  You  might  see  them  go  miles  both  east  or  west, 
north  and  south.  I  afterwards  practised  them  in  homing  by 
I  sending  them  off  a  few  miles  at  a  time.    I  have  had  young 


Angnet  20, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


Ill 


birds  with  nest-feathers  upon  their  heads  and  neck,  which  came 
thirty  or  forty  miles.  Young  birds  on  their  return  should  not 
be  allowed  to  remain  on  the  roofa,  but  must  be  driven  in  as 
soon  as  possible.  If,  however,  there  is  any  difficulty  in  doing 
this,  turn  eut  an  old  bird  or  two,  and  the  youug  birds  will 
follow  their  example,  and  enter  the  cote  immediately.  After 
the  birds  are  all  well  practised  never  let  them  out  more  than 
once  a-day,  as  thus  treated  trained  birds  will  return  home 
much  more  quickly  for  forty  or  fifty  miles,  although  they  may 
not  have  been  let  out  for  weeks. 

I  have  described  the  favourite  colours  of  the  Belgian  Smerle, 
there  being  two  varieties  as  stated ;  I  always  found  as  a  rule 
that  the  short  thick-headed  birds  when  turned  up  rise  in  the 
air  the  highest,  and  take  the  best  way  home.  The  long-headed 
birds  seldom  rise  bo  high,  and  in  windy  weather  skim  in  their 
flight  much  like  the  Dragoon,  and  waste  time  on  their  way  by 
plunging  and  rising. 

Some  fanciers  consider  flying  long  distances  a  matter  of  in- 
stinct ;  this  I  hold  is  not  correct,  homing  and  flying  being,  in  my 
opinion,  simply  a  question  of  training  and  observation  on  the 
part  of  the  birds.  If  you  send  a  young  bird  fifty  miles  you 
seldom  see  it  again  ;  they  must  be  trained  to  fly  from  short  to 
longidistances  gradually,  as  a  bird  thus  trained  will  not  alight 
until  it  reaches  its  own  landing  board,  unless  benighted.  I 
never  yet  tossed  up  a  properly-trained  bird  that  attempted  to 
alight  either  in  town  or  country.  I  should  recommend  birds 
not  to  be  flown  any  long  distance  from  October  to  March,  as 
the  best-trained  birds  have  been  lost  in  foggy  weather. — John 
Cbosbland,  jdn. 

THE  KOEHLER    SECRET    REVEALED— A    NEW 
MODE  OF  PROPAGATING  LIGURIANS. 

[Mr.  Koehler  has  recently  made  his  process  public  in  the 
following  article,  which  appeared  in  the  German  Bee  Journal. — 
A  Devonshire  Bee-keeper.] 

Now  as  to  the  operation  itself.  It  is  founded  on  my  obser- 
vation, that  during  many  fine  forenoons  and  afternoons  the  air 
is  still  warm  enough  for  queens  to  fly  out  when  drones  usually 
have  not  commenced  flying,  or  have  ceased  to  take  wing. 
Until,  therefore,  the  young  queens  become  fertilised  we  must 
compel  the  Italian  queens  and  drones  to  go  forth  at  such  times 
as  the  German  drones  cannot  possibly  be  abroad.  The  time 
during  which  drones  are  on  the  wing  seldom  extends  with  us 
to  later  than  4  or  5  o'clock  p.m.  If,  therefore,  we  have  one  or 
more  colonies,  with  young  queens  which  we  know  to  a  certainty 
have  not  yet  been  fertilised,  we  place  these  hives  for  three, 
four,  or  five  days  in  a  perfectly  dark  and  cool  cellar,  and  with 
them  also  the  stock  which  contains  the  Italian  drones.  When- 
ever a  very  warm  and  sunny  day  occurs  we  watch  the  German 
stocks  until  the  drones  have  ceased  their  flight.  As  soon  as 
this  occurs  we  restore  the  hives  containing  the  Italian  queens 
and  drones  to  their  accustomed  stands,  and  set  them  at  liberty 
after  giving  to  each  a  cupful  of  their  liquid  honey.  The  queen 
and  drones  being  ardent,  and  having  been  unable  to  fly  for 
days,  the  bees  excited  by  the  honey  and  their  previous  con- 
finement, become  so  eager  after  flight,  that  all  play  as  if  mad, 
and  fertilisation  follows.  We  must,  however,  be  careful  to 
return  to  the  cellar  in  the  evening  every  colony  the  queen  of 
which  has  not  been  seen  to  return  with  the  sign  of  fertilisation, 
and  repeat  the  process  until  it  is  certain  that  the  desired  re- 
sult has  been  attained.  This  is  essential,  because  it  is  well 
known  that  under  ordinary  circumstances  some  queens  take 
flight  several  times  before  they  succeed  in  meeting  with  a 
drone.  How  much  more,  therefore,  must  this  be  the  case 
under  the  foregoing  management,  whereby  the  number  of 
available  drones  is  limited  to  those  only  which  exist  in  the  few 
Italian  stocks :' 

You  will,  even  before  testing  it,  be  satisfied  as  to  the  efficiency 
of  this  process ;  but  as  practice  surpasses  precept,  you  will, 
doubtless,  try  the  experiment  and  report  the  result.  No  one 
to  whom  Italianising  his  stocks  is  of  consequence  but  will 
willingly  contribute  half  a  florin*  in  order  to  avail  himself  of  a 
process  which  promises  him  such  great  advantages  and  so  much 
pleasure. 

But  now  I  will  make  a  second  communication,  which  will 
certainly  also  be  agreeable  to  you.  I  do  not  know  whether  you 
give  the  preference  to  natural  or  to  artificial  swarms.  My 
practice  combines  both,  as  by  it  I  obtain  natural  swarms  by  an 
artificial  process,  and  can  at  the  same  time  with  one  good  Li- 

'  About  cighteen-pence  EngUsli, 


gurian  stock  Italianise  a  dozen  colonies  with  the  least  possible 
trouble.  The  process  is  as  follows : — We  take  a  hivo  from 
which  a  swarm  has  just  issued,  and  put  it  in  the  place  of 
another  very  populous  colony.  After  nine  days,  by  means  of 
the  population  received  from  the  removed  hive,  it  will  certainly 
swarm  again.  If  it  is  now  shifted  to  the  stand  of  another 
strong  stock  it  will,  after  two  or  three  days,  swarm  again.  We 
continue  this  process  as  long  as  we  can  hear  queens  piping  in 
the  hive  of  an  evening.  Under  favourable  circumstances  wa 
may  in  this  way  obtain  ten  to  twelve  swarms,  as  the  first  hive 
supplies  the  queens  and  the  others  the  bees.  If,  therefore,  we 
have  one  or  two  Italian  stocks,  and  feed  thera  well  early  in  the 
spring,  say  from  the  20th  of  March,  especially  if  they  are  well 
supplied  with  pollen,  we  may  be  sure  that  these  hives  will 
swarm  first.  By  transposing  them  in  this  way  with  German 
stocks  we  shall  obtain  swarms  with  Italian  queens  and  German 
bees. 

The  advantages  offered  by  my  system  are  very  great.  In  the 
first  place  we  secure  early  swarms  with  young  queens,  and 
these  queens  are  generally  larger  and  better  than  those  which 
bees  hatch  by  compulsion.  How  quickly  also  can  we  ItaUanise 
a  hive  ;  for  it  is  only  changing  places  with  two  hives  and  the 
work  is  done.  We  can  also  put  the  swarms  in  any  place  we 
choose,  which  is  less  trouble  than  with  artificial  swarms, 
which  we  cannot  always  establish  where  we  would  wish  to  have 
them.  We  know  also  the  day  and  the  hour  in  which  to  expect 
a  swarm,  for  the  second  appears  in  nine  days  after  the  first 
removal,  the  third  three  days  after  this,  the  fourth  on  the  next 
day,  and  so  on.  If  we  still  hear  queens  piping  after  the  last 
removal,  the  stock  will  swarm  to-morrow,  and  if  we  convey  it 
into  a  dark  cool  cellar  in  the  evening,  we  can  cause  it  to  swarm 
at  any  hour  we  please  by  bringing  it  out  into  the  light  and  sun- 
shine, and  feeding  it  moderately. 

It  follows,  as  a  matter  of  course,  that  the  foregoing  method 
can  only  be  practised  with  single  hives,  which  can  be  moved 
from  place  to  place  although  they  may  have  fixed  combs. 
Those  who  have  bee  houses  can,  however,  adopt  it,  because 
they  can  transfer  their  hives  from  one  place  to  another. 

I  have  still  to  add  one  remark : — The  process  for  securing 
pure  fertilisation  can  only  be  relied  on  early  in  the  season, 
and  not  towards  the  end,  for  it  often  happens  that  certain 
stocks  which  have  hatched  young  queens  will  as  soon  as  they 
are  fertilised  begin  to  expel  their  drones,  as  I  have  observed  to 
be  the  case  this  year.  In  such  instances  the  drones  do  not 
cease  flying  so  punctually  as  usual,  but  often  continue  on  the 
wing  from  early  in  the  morning  until  quite  late  in  the  day. 
We  must  not,  therefore,  be  too  late  in  breeding  Itahan  queens, 
and  liberal  and  judicious  feeding  is  and  will  be  the  surest 
means  of  expediting  it. 

In  the  hope  that  you  will  be  enabled  to  make  experiments, 
the  results  of  which  may  not  be  marred  by  any  unforeseen 
accident,  and  desiring  that  you  may  be  satisfied  by  experience 
of  the  value  of  my  method. — I  am,  &c.,  Koehlek. 


HONEY  HARVEST  IN  THE  NORTH. 

Odr  Northumberland  general  flower-honey  harvest  is  at  an 
end,  and  a  poor  one  it  has  been.  The  few  swarms  we  have  will 
mostly  be  required  to  make  up  our  store  stocks,  and  few  bees 
have  put  anything  in  their  supers  ;  but  now  all  are  out  on  the 
moors ;  the  hives  are  about  one-fourth  of  the  usual  number, 
and  only  about  five  to  the  score  are  young  hives.  There  is  a 
fine  bloom  on  the  heather,  and  the  weather  being  fine,  our  pros- 
pects are  good  for  the  heather-honey  harvest.  On  the  return  of 
our  hives  the  bees  will  not  be  much  troubled  with  their  enemy 
the  wasp,  as  I  cannot  hear  of  a  single  wasp's  nest  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood, although  queen  wasps  were  numerous  in  the  spring. 
— G.  Wilson,  JDialtun. 


ECCENTRIC    SWARMING. 

A  BCTT  of  bees  in  this  neighbourhood  swarmed  last  June  in 
the  following  manner  :— Ou  the  first  day  a  swarm  issued  from 
the  hive  in  the  usual  way,  and  alighted  in  an  orchard  about 
20  yards  off,  but  retuined  to  the  parent  stock  before  it  could 
be  shaken. 

On  the  second  day  another  swarm  issued  and  went  to  the 
same  place  as  before.  When  the  woman  who  was  watching  it 
returned  to  procure  a  hive  in  which  to  shake  it,  she  was  shown 
another  swarm  which  had  issued  subsequently  from  the  same 
hive  and  had  settled  outside  the  garden  hedge.    Both  were 


142 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTDRE  AND  COTTAGE   GAEDENER. 


[  Angnst  20,  1863. 


afterwards  shaken.  No.  1  was  a  gcod  swarm,  but  in  the  even- 
ing the  hive  was  found  deserted.  No.  2  was  very  email ;  it  re- 
mained, however,  in  the  hive,  and  has  done  tolerably  well  since. 

On  the  third  day  another  swarm  issued,  went  again  to  the 
orchard,  was  shaken  as  usual,  and  has  since  done  well. 

The  two  swarms  on  the  second  day  must  have  been  from  the 
same  stock,  as  there  was  but  this  one  stock  in  the  garden,  and 
a  Bwarm  was  seen  to  come  out  from  that  stock  by  a  person 
standing  near. — S. 

[The  following  is  the  probable  explanation  of  the  eccen- 
tricities described  by  our  correspondent : — 

The  first  swarm  either  issued  without  a  queen,  or  that  in- 
dispensable functionary  fell  on  the  ground  and  was  lost.  The 
Eecond  issue  owed  its  dual  character  to  the  bulk  of  the  bees 
clustering,  as  if  from  habit,  on  the  spot  where  they  had  settled 
before,  whilst  the  minority  with  the  queen  sought  a  new  resting 
place.  The  third  issue  would  under  these  circumstances  be  in 
reality  an  unusually  strong  second  swarm.  It  is  almost  un- 
necessary to  add,  that  a  queenless  swarm  returns  to  its  parent 
hive.] 

BEES  IN  AMERICA. 
It  would  seem  that  swarms  have  been  quite  as  scarce  during 
the  past  season  in  America  as  in  this  country,  for  the  Rev. 
L.  L.  Langstroth,  in  a  letter  which  I  have  recently  received 
says  : — "  This  season  in  the  Ohio  valley  has  been  a  poor  one 
for  swarms.  Some  apiaries  of  nearly  a  hundred  colonies  have 
not  had  a  single  swarm."  Mr.  Langstroth  also  states  that  he 
has  used  indiarubber  bands  for  fastening  combs  into  frames  for 
nearly  two  years. — A  Devonshire  Bee-keeper. 


MANAGEMENT   OF   FERRETS.— No.  2. 

The  female  Ferret  (or  gill  as  I  believe  she  is  called),  should 
be  put  into  the  breeding-hutch  before  she  brings  forth  her 
young,  in  order  that  she  may  become  settled.  — ^ 

The  time  of  gestation  is  six  weeks,  and  during  that~period 
she  should  be  supplied  with  milk  morning  and  evening.  If 
milk  cannot  be  had,  water  may  be  substituted.  Some  people 
think  that  Ferrets  do  not  require  drink,  but  I  find  they  will 
drink  very  freely.  Mine  much  enjoy  a  little  new  milk  given 
warm  from  the  cow. 

The  number  of  young  produced  at  a  birth  varies  from  one 
to  eight.  1  think  nine  has  been  the  largest  number  mine  have 
had,  but  I  have  been  informed  that  the  mother  will  sometimes 
have  twelve  and  rear  them  all.  They  are  very  small  at  first, 
and  quite  blind,  but  rapidly  increase  in  size.  When  they  are 
about  nine  days  old  they  begin  to  crawl  from  the  nest  into  the 
hutch.  At  three  weeks  they  begin  to  eat,  and  it  is  very  amus- 
ing to  watch  them  running  about  eating  their  food  and  lapping 
mUk  with  their  eyes  closed. 

At  the  end  of  the  fourth  week,  or  the  twenty-eighth  day,  the 
eyes  begin  to  open,  and  by  the  thirty-fifth  day  are  fully  open. 
The  young  Ferrets  should  now  have  nice  sweet  bread  and  milk 
twice  a-day,  or  if  much  meat  is  given,  milk  alone.  The  vessels 
used  for  food  should  be  of  earthenware  and  kept  clean,  and  the 
milk  should  not  be  left  to  become  sour. 

As  regards  food,  small  pieces  of  meat,  dead  chickens.  Pigeons, 
Rabbits,  or  an  old  hen  now  and  then,  will  be  very  good  diet. 
Where  there  is  not  a  poultry-yard,  more  bread  and  milk  may 
be  given.  I  never  give  stale  food  of  any  description.  They 
should  be  accustomed  to  the  voice  of  the  person  who  feeds 
them,  and  will  then  always  come  when  called.  The  mother  is 
always  looking  out  for  nice  little  pieces  to  store  up  for  her 
young.  From  their  birth  she  carries  food  into  their  nest-box, 
and  places  it  in  one  corner  of  the  compartment.  This  should 
be  frequently  removed  until  the  young  ones  can  eat.  The  little 
creatures  squeak  and  grow,  the  noise  resembling  that  of  mice. 
The  mother  will  provide  for  them  for  many  weeks,  and  as  soon 
as  food  is  put  into  the  hutch  will  continue  to  carry  it  away. 

The  young  Ferrets  are  easily  tamed,  they  may  be  called, 
taken  out,  and  allowed  to  run  on  the  grass.  They  soon  detect 
the  difference  between  the  hand  of  the  feeder  and  their  food. 
It  is  best  to  handle  them  early  and  they  will  become  very  gentle. 
— LOOTSA  B. 


OUR  LETTER  BOX. 

HASUUaDEN  PouLTEV  SHOW.— I  advertised  a  pen  of  my  Light  Brahma 
chickens  aa  being  highly  commended  at  HasUngden,  from  the  fact  that  I 


received  a  card  to  that  effect  with  one  pen  of  my  birds  when  returned, 
and  a  second  prize  with  the  other.  In  your  report  of  the  Show  and  prize 
Ust,I  sawthatthe  secondpen  of  Mr.  Pares  was  highly  commended.  Having 
ascertained  from  the  Secretary  that  the  honour  belongs  to  Mr.  Pares  and 
not  to  me,  I  trust  you  will  give  this  a  space  in  your  Journal,  as  I  do 
not  for  a  moment  wish  to  mislead  any  one.  My  pen  was  advertised  as 
highly  commended  on  the  faith  of  the  card  I  received,  evidently  by 
mistake. — D.  Causer,  Erdiit'jton,  Birmingham. 

An  Advertiser's  Grievance. — "  I  wish  all  advertisers  would  agree  io 
let  it  be  understood  that,  except  in  known  cases,  no  answer  would  be 
returned  to  letters  of  inquiry  unless  accompanied  by  a  stamped  directed 
envelope.  I  iind  that  no  sooner  does  one  advertise  any  stock  than  a  host 
of  letters  pour  in,  asking  all  sorts  of  questions,  many  of  which  are 
often  already  answered  in  the  advertisement;  and  you  are  put  to  the 
inconvenience  as  well  as  expense  of  answering  these,  or  else  are  likely  to 
appear  wanting  in  courtesy.  I  am  sure  I  am  within  the  mark  when 
I  say  that  two-thirds  of  these  inquirers  never  mean  to  be  purchasers. 
They  all  seem  to  want  you  to  let  them  have  a  bird  that  has  perhaps  cost 
you  three  guineas,  for  half-a-crown  or  thereabouts.  Pray  give  these 
people  a  hint  through  your  columns  that  it  would  be  well  to  enclose 
a  stamp,  and  that  no  letters  are  likely  to  be  noticed  that  do  not  contain 
one.— T.  C.  Hose." 

Black  Poland  Cockerel  with  Crooked  Tail  (St.  Edmunds). — 
Crooked  spines  are  common  to  all  Polands,  both  cocks  and  hens.  A 
crooked  tail  sometimes  exists  with  a  perfectly  straight  spine.  From 
whatever  cause  the  defect  may  arise,  we  strongly  advise  you  not  to  breed 
from  him. 

Points  of  Golden-pencilled  Hambckghs  {An  Old  Svhscriber).~la 
hens  and  cocks  it  is  essential  to  have  perfect  combs — well  shaped,  firm 
on  the  head,  and  the  pike  turning  up  behind.  The  cock's  tail  should  be 
well  bronzed,  but  the  bronzing  should  not  predominate.  The  hen's 
hackle  must  be  as  clear  as  possible,  and  the  tail  well  marked  in 
every  feather.  The  pencillings  should  be  distinct  on  every  feather,  in 
order  that  patches  of  colour,  or,  as  they  are  called,  "  mosses,"  should  not 
appear.    They  should  have  blue  legs. 

Golden  Pheasants  Affected  with  Roup  iThaumalea). — Stimulants 
will  best  answer  your  purpose,  and  you  may  feed  on  bread  and  ale.  Golden 
Pheasants  are  subject  to  roup,  but  they  get  over  it.  Put  wormwood  in 
their  water,  and  camphor.  Peas  and  small  Heligoland  Beans  are  excellent 
for  the  plumage.  Canary,  hemp,  and  Indian  corn  are  all  bad,  as  they 
make  soft  feathers. 

Separating  Chickens  of  Different  Breeds  (H.  C)— It  is  difficult 
to  lay  down  one  rule  applicable  to  all.  Cochin-Chinas  and  Erahmas 
will  require  to  be  separated  earlier  than  Dorkings  and  Spanish,  and 
autnmn  chickens  may  run  together  longer  than  those  hatched  in  the 
spring.  "Where  there  are  conveniences  for  it,  the  easiest  plan  is  to  make 
two  runs,  putting  the  pullets  in  one,  the  cocks  in  the  other,  till  the 
time  that  the  walks  are  made  up.  As  a  rule.  Cochins  and  Brahmas 
should  he  separated  at  four  months  old,  and  other  breeds  et  five,  if  they 
are  March,  April,  or  May  birds ;  if  they  are  autumn  birds  they  may 
remain  longer  together. 

Jacobins'  Eves  {A.  A.). — Jacobins  should  have  pearl  eyes.  Both  cocks 
and  hens  should  be  alike,  and  it  is  not  weU  to  breed  from  old  birds.  Buy 
them  wherever  you  can  obtain  them  good. 

Canaries  Plucking  each  other  (S.  D.  K.). — "I  said  in  my  notes  on 
Norwich  Canaries  that  it  did  not  take  long  to  reduce  a  well-feathered 
young  bird  to  a  state  of  nudity  if  the  old  ones  were  disposed  to  pluck  it. 
You  will  be  able  to  endorse  this.  The  young  birds  in  question  have 
been  plucked  by  their  parents.  Take  them  away,  and  hang  them  in  a 
nursery  cage  in  front,  and  allow  the  old  ones  to  feed  them  through  the 
wires,  or  their  nice  little  joicy  tails  will  go  next.  Give  plenty  of  green 
food. — W.  A.  Blakston." 

Canaries  Dying  {Whitey  Brown).—"!  have  never  met  with  the 
symptoms  mentioned.  Have  you  not  mistaken  that  swelling  which  we 
all  like  to  see,  a  full  crop,  for  some  unfavourable  sign  ? — W.  A.  Blakston." 
With  regard  to  the  Red-coUared  Bengalies,  we  are  promised  some  infor- 
mation next  week. 

Saffron  Finch.— "  What  is  a  Saffron  Finch?  I  can  find  no  descrip- 
tion in  Bechstein  or  in  any  other  ornithological  work.  I  have  one  which 
I  have  been  trying  with  a  Canary  hen,  or  rather  half  a  dozen,  for  he  does 
not  stand  upon  trifles  as  to  the  number  of  his  mistresses,  bntthere  is  no 
issue  in  any  case.  Can  mules  he  bred  from  one  ?  If  to,  with  what  ? — 
Ginger." 

Destroying  Bees  (L.  M.). — Much  depends  upon  the  locality,  but  we 
should  think  that  in  most  districts  no  farther  increaEe  of  stores  can  be 
looked  for.  We  are  not  acquainted  with  the  best  mode  of  killing  bees, 
but  this  we  do  know,  that  it  is  very  easy  to  drive  and  imite  them  to 
other  stocks  in  the  way  described  in  page  HO  of  the  seventh  edition  of 
"  Bee-keeping  for  the  Many,"  just  published  at  this  office,  price  4d.,  and 
that  they  will  well  repay  any  little  extra  trouble  which  may  be  caused 
by  the  operation. 

Fallen  Comb  iJ.  G.  A.).— Vie  do  not  deem  the  accident  of  much 
importance,  but  it  would  be  well  to  replace  the  comb  as  soon  as  yon  can 
manage  it. 


POULTRY  MARKET.— AcGDST  10. 

In  oar  qaotationa  this  week  we  shall  have  to  mentiou  Gronse,  an 
anDaal  remembrancer  that  another  Beason  tas  arrived.  According  to 
present  apppearances  they  are  unusually  scarce.  The  early  parcels 
made  Os,  each.  We  are  unable  to  average  the  prices  till  onr  nest 
number. 


4 

d       8. 

0  to  4 
0        3 
9      2 
0        5 
0        2 
8        0 

d 

6 
6 

U 

e 
s 

9 

Pheasants    

F. 
....  0 

d      s. 
0  teO 
0       0 
0       0 
4       1 
8       0 
0       0 

d 

n 

S 

Guinea  Fowls 

....  0 
....  0 

0 

1 

u 

Goslings 

0 

2 

Rabbits 

Wild  do 

....  1 

....  0 

5 
9 

Pigeons , , , . 

0 

GroDEe  

....  0 

u 

AagUBt  27,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF   HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


143 


WEEKLY 

CALENDAR. 

Day 

Pnv 

Avcrace  Temperature 

Kain  in 

San 

Sun 

Moon 

Moon 

Moon's 

before 
Sun. 

Day 

ol 

Year 

Month 

<)t 
■Week. 

AVa.  27- SEPT.  2,  1868. 

near  London. 

11  years. 

RiBoa. 

Sols. 

Rises. 

Sets. 

Age. 

Day. 

Nieht. 

Mean. 

Days. 

m       h 

m.    h. 

m.    h. 

m,    h 

Days. 

m.    a. 

27 

Th 

Reading  Horticultural  Show. 

73.5 

49.2 

61.4 

12 

GafS 

50af0 

40afS 

mom 

9 

1    14 

240 

28 

F 

Falkirk  Horticultural  Show. 

72.9 

49.7 

61.3 

19 

8      5 

51      G 

30      4 

25  af  0 

10 

0     57 

2'J 

3     • 

Shotlev  l;vi(l(,'o  Horticultural  Show. 

71  .S 

47.6 

59.4 

15 

9      5 

52      6 

10      5 

16      1 

11 

0    89 

243 

8U 

Sun 

12  Sunday  afteu  Trinity. 

74.3 

43.0 

61.2 

11 

10      5 

49      6 

45      5 

12      2 

12 

0    21 

31 

M 

[and  General  IVIeGtiug. 

71.5 

47.1 

59.3 

17 

12      5 

47      6 

11      6 

11      3 

13 

0      2 

244 

1 

Tn 

Royal  rtorticnltural  Society  Fruit,  Flora], 
Royul  Caledouian  Autumn  'Show. 

70.7 

47.7 

69.2 

21 

14      a 

44      6 

40      6 

12      4 

14 

after 

2 

W 

70.9 

47.3 

59.1 

18 

IG      0 

42      6 

4      7 

16      6 

■ 

O 

0    80 

248 

From  observations  taken  near  London  during  the  last  forty-one  years,  the  averaffa  day  temperature  of  the  week  ia  72.1" ; 

and  its  night     1 

temperfttnre  -1,3.1'.     The  greatest  heat  was  87,  onlthe  27th,  1861;   and  the  lowest  cold  S2',  on  the  29th,  1830.    The  greatest  fall  ol  rain      | 

was  1-50  inch. 

1 

BEDDING  TELARGONIUMS. 

EW  varieties  of  bedding  Pelargoniums,  as  well 
as  of  other  flowers,  are  being  continually  in- 
troduced, and  it  is  well  to  pause  occasionally, 
and  calmly  endeavour  to  ascertain  what  pro- 
gress is  being  made,  and  what  plants  of 
recent  introduction  are  really  superior  to 
older  and  well-tried  varieties — in  a  word,  to 
see  if  novelties  have  anj'thing  beyond  the 
fact  of  their  being  such  to  recommend  them. 
How  frequently  do  we  find  that  the  plant 
whose  qualities  have  been  set  forth  in  such  glowing  colours 
proves  on  trial  to  bo  very  poor  indeed.  Now,  when  this 
happens  it  is  certainly  to  be  deplored,  for  the  effect  on 
the  mind  of  the  disappointed  cultivator  must  be  one  of  dis- 
gust, and  these  disappointments  mnst  act  as  a  check  to 
horticulture.  Still,  dtspite  such  drawbacks  as  this,  great 
advances  have  undoubtedly  been  made  in  all  classes  of 
bedding  Pelargoniums  ;  for,  from  amongst  hosts  of  second- 
rate  Pelargoniums,  there  will  now  and  then  crop  up  such 
"joys"  as  Stella,  Cybister,  Mrs.  Pollock.  Rebecca,  and 
Flower  of  Spring,  varieties  that  will  hold  thek  own  against 
all  comers  for  many  a  day. 

The  season  through  which  we  are  now  passing  has  been 
most  trying  for  all  classes  of  bedding  plants,  the  dry  heat 
causing  some  plants,  after  a  faint  attempt  at  display,  to 
gradually  pine  away,  and  this  even  when  regularly  assisted 
by  water  ;  but  although  this  has  been  the  case  in  some 
instances,  it  has  not  been  so  with  the  Pelargonium  ;  on  the 
contrary,  the  intense  heat  and  long-continued  drought  have 
only  tended  to  establish  all  the  more  firmly  its  superiority 
as  a  bedding  plant  over  all  others. 

Nearly  all  kinds  of  Pelargoniums  have  done  well  this 
year,  and  although  the  summer  has  imdoubtedly  been  in 
favour  of  the  stronger-growing  kinds,  yet  many  varieties 
of  less  growth  have  been  most  beautiful,  and  Iiave  almost 
"  bloomed  themselves  to  death."  Minimum  Nosegay  was 
never  so  good,  the  beds  of  it  have  been  one  blaze  of  bloom, 
so  beautiful  and  so  even  ;  yet  at  what  a  cost  has  this  dis- 
play been  obtained  !  Now  that  the  mass  of  blossom  is 
passing  away,  and  the  plants  themselves  are  once  more 
becoming  visible,  it  is  perceived  that  they  have  made  hardly 
any  growth,  but  I  have  no  doubt  the  refreshing  showers 
now  falling  will  encourage  them  to  make  fair  growth  yet. 
The  blossom  of  Christine  was  tolerably  good  in  the  earlier 
part  of  the  season,  but  it  has  suffered  much  of  late ;  the 
trusses  have  come  small,  and  the  colour  has  been  very 
pale.  In  pleasing  contrast  to  this  sad  behaviour  of  our 
excellent  old  favourite.  Rose  Rendatler  has  been  verj' 
beautiful,  its  large  and  abundant  trusses  rendering  it  a 
very  conspicuous  object. 

Amongst  Sc.vr.r.KT  Noseg.iys  Cybister  has  shown  forth 
pre-eminent,  a  bed  containing  about  two  hundred  plants  of 
it  has  been  such  a  gorgeous  mass  of  rich  colour  as  to  be 
quite  dazzling,  and  so  far  as  I  can  see,  the  only  merit 
which  Lady  Constance  Grosvenor  possesses  ovtr  Cybister 
is  in  having  a  somewhat  bettor  habit  of  growl  h.  Its  flower 
trusses  are  certainly  not  larger — in  fact,  I  should  say  they 

No.  367.— Vol..  XV.,  New  Sekies. 


are  hardly  so  large.  Of  other  varieties  in  this  class,  Chris- 
tine Nosegay  comes  quite  up  to  the  description  under  which 
it  made  its" appearance  last  year;  it  is  of  very  compact 
growth,  and  produces  its  bright  cheerful  blossoms  most 
abundantly.  Waltham  Seedling,  though  darker  than  Black 
Dwarf,  is  not  so  compact  a  plant  ;  both  are  excellent  varie- 
ties. Then,  again,  Magenta  Q,ueen  is  of  a  brighter  shade 
of  colour,  and  its  individual  blossoms  are  more  elegantly 
shaped,  but  it  has  not  so  large  a  truss,  nor  does  it  form  so 
good  a  mass  of  colour  as  Amy  Hogg. 

Of  Scarlet  Zona^ls,  Lord  Derby  is  very  beautiful  in 
pots,  nothing  can  be  finer  than  its  exquisitely-shaped  petals 
of  rich-glowing  scarlet,  but  I  have  not  seen  enough  of  it 
planted-out  to  be  able  to  form  an  opinion.  The  Clipper  is 
good,  both  in  pots  and  in  the  open  beds  Dr.  Liudley  is 
also  a  splendid  pot  kind.  Provost,  described  as  a  salmon 
rose  scarlet,  is  a  magnificent  bedder,  and  has  been  most 
beautiful.  Rebecca,  too,  is  a  most  beautiful  and  distinct 
sort,  but  unfortunately  the  intense  heat  has  caused  the 
delicate  shading  of  its  petals  almost  entirely  to  disappear. 
Adonis  is  rightly  named,  both  as  regards  its  foliage  and 
flowers,  and  its  dwarf  and  very  compact  growth  renders  it 
useful  for  manv  purposes.  Glow  is  also  a  very  good  sort, 
having  well-shaped  scarlet  blossoms  produced  in  the 
gi'eatest  profusion. 

Gloire  de  Nancy  is  a  aood  double  kind,  and  this  dry 
season  has  well  suited  its  strong  growth  and  peculiar 
blossoms,  but  it  is  to  be  feared  that  it  would  not  be  so  good 
in  a  damp  moist  summer,  as  its  crowded  trusses  would  be 
very  apt  to  rot  off  if  subjected  to  a  continuance  of  wet 

Amongst  VAitii-.ii.vTED  sorts,  Flower  of  Spring  is  one  of  the 
best :  its  habit  of  growth  is  very  compact.  Its  handsome 
trusses  are  of  a  soft  and  pleasing  shade  of  scarlet,  and  the 
broad  creamy  margin  of  its  foliage  has  a  most  beautiful 
effect,  especially  when  viewed  from  a  distance  of  a  few 
yards.  An  entire  bed  of  it  offers  a  warmth  of  colour  to  the 
eye  that  is  unsurpassed  by  any  other  vai-icty  in  it^  class. 
Italia  Unita  is  good,  and  the  foliage  has  retained  its  colour 
well,  but  it  is  ratlier  a  slow  grower. 

Gcii.DEN  Tr.iror.oiis.— Perhaps  no  Pelarsoniums  have 
suffered  so  mucli  from  the  eftects  of  the  combined  heat  and 
drought  as  the  Golden  Tricolor  varieties  ;  the  leif  tints  of 
Mrs.  Pollock  have  not  been  so  bright  as  usual.  This 
variety  is  not  so  effective  in  a  mass  as  some  of  the- Gold- 
leaved  kinds.  I  have  frequently  heard  it  remariied  that 
Golden  Chain  is  very  much  brighter  and  move  effL'ctive 
when  thus  plantinl.  Lady  CuUum  has  borne  the  heat 
tolerably  well,  better,  in  fact,  than  most  other  sort< ;  but 
LEmpereur,  fine  as  it  is  when  grown  in  pots,  has  lost 
much  of  its  rich  markings  in  the  open  border. 

Of  th'e  Gold  axu  Bronze  section,  some  kinds  have  suffered 
very  much  from  the  etTects  of  the  burning  sun.  Of  those 
wliich  I  have  found  to  be  really  good  for  bedding,  Van- 
dyke, with  its  shaded  white  and  salmon  or  pinkish  blos- 
soms, is  a  useful  kind.  It  bears  the  heat  well,  and  is  a 
compact  plant.  Bronze  Shield  is  a  fine  robust  variety, 
with  a  good  bold  truss  of  scarlet  flowers.  I  have  not  grown 
more  than  eight  or  niue  varieties  of  this  section,  and  out  of 
these  have  only  found  foiu-  worth  keeping  for  hedding  pnr- 

No.  103?.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  SEBliiU. 


Ut 


JOUKNAL  OF  HOETICULTOEE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENEE. 


[  August  27,  1868. 


poses.  I  hope  soon  to  see  some  notes  from  others  who  may 
have  cultivated  this  class  more  extensively,  as  I  believe  it 
contains  many  excellent  sorts  well  worthy  of  cultivation.  Be- 
fore leaving  this  part  of  my  subject  I  may  add  that  Luna  is 
a  charming  variety ;  very  bright,  and  of  an  excellent  dwarf 
spreading  habit. 

L'Elegante,  a  white-variegated  Itv-lea^-ed  kind,  is  very 
useful ;  it  also  forms  a  handsome  object  in  a  pot  when  well 
trained. 

Of  Gold-leaved  kinds.  Crystal  Palace  Gem,  with  its  fine, 
bold,  handsome  foliage,  and  sturdy  compact  growth,  will,  I 
hope,  quite  take  the  place  of  Cloth  of  Gold,  which,  though  very 
good  in  the  shade,  cannot  be  depended  on  when  fully  exposed 
to  the  sun. 

Having  thus  particularised  a  few  of  the  most  notable  varie- 
ties, I  will  now  proceed  to  add  a  choice  list  of  sorts  which  I 
have  found  to  possess  many  superior  quaUties  over  other  va- 
rieties in  each  ef  their  respective  classes. 

SELECT   BEDDING  PELAEGONIUMS. 

ScAKLET. — Lord  Derby,  The  Clipper,  Etna,  Dr.  Lindley,  Faust. 
Herald  of  Spring,  Provost,  Empress  of  the  French,  Kebecca,  Roi 
d'ltalie,  Indian  Yellow,  and  Rubens. 

DwAKF  ScAELET.  —  Adonis,  Glow,  Little  David,  President,  and 
Beveil. 

Pink. — Christine,  Rose  Eendatler,  Helen  Lindsay,  still  nnsnqiassed 
for  the  decoration  of  vases  or  for  bouquets,  Maid  of  Kent,  Mrs.  W. 
Paul,  and  "VViltsbire  Lass. 

Salmon  and  White. — Amelina  Grisan,  and  Madame  Radersdorff. 

Nosegays. — Stella,  Cybister,  Lady  Constance  Grosvenor,  St.  George, 
Salamander,  Le  Grand,  Minimum,  Duchess  of  Sutherland,  Lord 
Palmerstou,  Amy  Hogg,  Magenta  Queen,  Black  Dwarf,  Waltham 
Seedling,  Christine  Nosegay,  and  Orange  Nosegay. 

Golden  Tricolors. — Mrs.  Pollock,  L'Empcreur,  Lady  CaUum, 
and  Howarth  Ashton. 

Silver  Tricolors. — Italia  Unita.  Several  varieties  of  this  class 
nnder  trial,  I  hope  to  notice  on  some  future  occasion. 

Golden  Varieg.\ted. — Golden  Chain,  and  Crj-stal  Palace  Gem. 

Silver  Variegated. — Flower  of  Spiing,  Bijou,  .Jane,  Perfection, 
Alma,  Lady  Plymouth,  Manglesii,  and  Stella  albo-marginata. 

Gold  and  Bronze.  — Beauty  of  Oulton,  Luna,  Vandyke,  and 
Sronze  Shield. 

Ivy-leaved. — L'Elegante,  Peltatnm  elegans,  and  Old  White,  good, 
but  rather  a  shy  bloomer. 

The  foregoing  list  may,  perhaps,  be  considered  by  some  to 
be  too  extensive,  and  yet  how  small  it  is  in  comparison  to  the 
number  of  kinds  one  is  obliged  to  grow  in  order  to  arrive  at  a 
proper  understanding  as  to  what  is  good,  bad,  or  indifferent. 
I  venture  to  hope  these  notes  will  induce  others  to  take  up  this 
subject,  for  I  believe  I  am  right  in  saying,  that  no  class  of 
plants  is  more  popular  at  the  present  time,  and  none  more 
jnstly  so,  for  what  would  flower  gardens  have  been  without 
the  Pelargonium  in  the  dry  hot  summer  of  1868. — Edward 
LrrcKHDRST,  Egerton  House  Gardens,  Kent. 


THE  GOOSEBERRY. 


The  observations  made  by  Mr.  Eobson,  in  page  71,  on  this 
popular  fruit  are  interesting  and  well  deserving  of  considera- 
tion. 

The  present  season  has  truly  been  a  dry  and  scorching 
one.  and  is,  therefore,  excellent  for  testing  the  capabihties  of 
certain  plants  and  fruits  as  to  their  powers  of  endurance  of 
heat  and  dryness.  "  What,  then,  has  been  its  effects  on  the 
Gooseberry  ? "  Mr.  Eobson  asks.  "  Has  the  fruit  been  de- 
ficient in  Havour  ? ''  Mr.  Eobson  believes  it  has.  I  am  in- 
clined to  think  not.  No.  I  have  fancied  that  Gooseberries 
have  been  even  higher-flavoured  than  usual,  and  the  reason  I 
had  assigned  for  this  was  the  brighter  and  more  pure  and 
bracing  air  that  we  have  been  favoured  with  this  season,  with 
an  absence  of  that  heavy  mugginess  of  the  atmosphere  which, 
I  think,  is  more  prejudicial  to  the  Goosebeny  than  anything 
else ;  and,  lastly,  the  greater  dryness  of  the  soil,  which  prevented 
the  fruit  from  becommg  gorged  with  too  much  water,  as  they 
generally  are  in  this  district,  which  is  near  London.  Yes,  I  am 
of  opinion  that  the  Gooseberries  of  this  season  in  the  south 
■were  equal  to  the  average  as  regards  flavour.  The  crop  was 
abundant,  the  fruit  smaller  than  usual,  and  they  ripened  early 
■ — much  eailier  than  inordinary  years.  They  were, in  truth,  soon 
ripe  and  soou  rotten.  During  the  time  that  the  Gooseberries 
were  ripening,  up  to  the  second  week  of  July,  the  day  tempera- 
ture, although  high,  was  not  very  exceptionally  so,  and  the 
nights  were  often  cool,  just  such  weather  as  we  like  for  the 
ripening  piocess.     The  fierce  sun  heat  was  at  times  too  strong 


for  the  fruit ;  some  were  almost  parboiled  on  the  plants,  and 
the  whole  soon  became  "  coddled  "  and  sour  ;  yet  with  all  this 
hastening  to  maturity  and  decay,  I  am  sure  I  tasted  sweeter 
Gooseberries  this  season  than  usual. 

It  is  a  well-known  fact — well  known,  at  least,  to  all  "  north- 
erners "  who  have  come  south — that  the  Gooseberries  of  Scot- 
land are  far  far  superior  in  flavour  to  the  same  varieties  when 
grown  in  the  south  of  England.  The  difference  has  even  been 
noticed  as  far  as  Yorkshire ;  midway  in  distance,  midway  in 
flavour.  Probably  the  finest  districts  for  this  fruit  are  those 
of  Perth  and  Aberdeenshire.  Aberdeen  is  also  famed  for  its 
Strawberries ;  immense  tracts  of  land  are  devoted  to  the 
cultivation  of  this  fruit  for  the  supply  of  the  London  and 
Dimdee  confectioners,  some  hundreds  of  tons  being  sent  to 
London  every  season.  Gooseberries  are,  however,  the  popular 
fruit  of  the  district.  They  are  known  there  and  spoken  of  as 
"  the  berries,"  just  as  if  there  were  no  other  berried  fruits  in 
cultivation,  the  Strawberry  being  quite  in  the  background.  In 
London  just  the  reverse  of  this  is  the  case ;  the  Strawberry  is 
the  favourite,  while  the  Gooseberry  is  voted  a  coarse  fruit,  and 
is  mainly  used  for  tarts,  &c. 

Now,  let  us  consider  what  is  the  reason  of  this  superiority  in 
flavour.  Is  it  owing  to  the  climate,  soil,  or  cultivation  ?  To 
the  climate  chiefly.  The  air  of  Scotland  is  of  a  much  more 
bracing  character.  The  sun  may  be  powerful  and  hot  during 
the  day,  yet  the  nights  are  generally  cool,  although  in  summer 
very  short,  and  there  is  an  absence  of  that  close  moist  muggi- 
ness of  the  atmosphere  which  is  so  oppressive  here,  but  which 
is  so  beneficial  to  vegetation  in  general,  although  not  to  the 
Gooseberry.  Then  soil  and  cultivation  have  some  influence  as 
well.  The  richest  Gooseberries  that  I  have  ever  tasted  have 
been  grown  on  very  poor  sandy  soil  not  more  than  G  inches  in 
depth  ;  the  subsoil,  if  it  can  be  called  so,  the  rotten  granite 
stone.  From  C  to  12  inches  is  the  average  depth  of  the  cul- 
tivable soil  in  many  parts  of  Aberdeenshire,  below  that  it  is 
either  clay  or  stone.  Now,  in  soil  like  this  it  is  easy  to  under- 
stand that  there  very  seldom  is  any  superabundance  of  mois- 
ture ;  in  fact,  it  is  there  nearly  always  what  it  has  been  here  in 
the  present  summer— that  is,  the  ground  is  dry  and  parched. 
The  Gooseberry  there  makes  very  little  young  wood.  It  is 
pruned  on  the  close-spur  system,  all  the  young  shoots  being 
cut  closely  in  to  the  old  stems,  on  which  are  situated  the  buds 
which  are  to  bear  the  next  season's  crop,  very  little  fruit  ever 
beiug  produced  on  the  young  shoots.  Now,  if  we  here  prune 
the  Gooseberry  after  the  same  fashion  we  obtain  no  fruit, 
nothing  but  a  forest  of  leaves  and  shoots.  The  Gooseberry 
with  us  bears  best  on  the  young  shoots,  so  that  all  we  dare  do 
is  to  thin-out  these  .-hoots  in  order  to  secure  a  full  crop.  I 
beheve  that  we  err  by  growing  the  Gooseberry  in  too  rich  soil; 
we  strive  too  much  for  size  of  berry,  forgetting  that  that  is 
generally  obtained  at  the  expense  of  flavour.  Plant  the  Goose- 
berries in  poorer  soil,  in  any  exposed  situation  ;  keep  the  shoots 
thin,  and  allow  the  wind  to  whistle  through  them,  and  I  think 
it  will  be  found  that  the  fruit  will  be  improved  in  flavour, 
although  the  sun  may  be  a  trifle  too  hot  for  them  at  times. — 
Archamdacd. 


HYACINTHS. 

The  announcement  that  the  Dutch  growers  have  offered 
special  prizes  to  be  competed  for  at  the  Spring  Exhibition  of 
the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society  will,  doubtless,  give  a  stimulus 
to  Hyacinth-growing;  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  such  an  equitable 
arrangement  of  the  prizes  shall  be  made  as  will  make  it  accep- 
table to  all  classes  of  amateurs  and  growers  for  sale.  It  may 
be  as  well,  then,  to  say  a  few  words  as  to  varieties,  which 
may  be  a  guide  to  some  who  may  wish  to  compete.  An  erro- 
neous notion  prevails  with  some  that  it  is  absolutely  necessary 
to  have  the  high-priced  varieties.  A  reference  to  the  prize 
hsts  at  any  of  our  exhibitions  will  show  how  unfounded  such  a 
notion  as  this  is.  Of  course  exhibitors  like  Mr.  Cutbush  and  Mr. 
William  Paul  can  and  do  exhibit  these  high-priced  varieties, 
but  by  the  amateur  they  are  unneeded.  This  mistake  is  some- 
what fostered  by  the  injudicious  plan  of  offering  prizes  for  new 
Hyacinths.  Nothing  can  possibly  be  more  fallacious ;  for  if 
the  variety  is  worth  anything  the  price  immediately  is  raised 
by  the  Dutch  raisers,  and  for  years  no  more  is  heard  of  it— and, 
indeed,  in  nine  cases  out  of  ten  it  would  be  of  very  little  conse- 
quence if  they  were  never  heard  of. 

I  have  for  a  good  many  years  had  the  opportunity  of  carefully 

going  through  the  collections  of  some  of  the  largest  growers 

i  when  in  bloom,  and  have  also  grown  for  the  same  length  of 


Angnst  27,  1868. 


JOUKNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


145 


time  a  collection  of  the  best  vftrieties,  and  give  the  result  of  my 
own  experience.  I  have  divided  the  selection  into  two  classes 
— the  higher-priced,  varying  from  2.<.  Oii.  up  to  7.v.  C>il.  each, 
and  the  lower-priced  ones,  which  can  be  procured  at  lOs-.  or  12s. 
a-dozen. 

FIRST    SERIES. 


DOUBL 

E    EED 

1. 

Noble  par  M^rite 

2. 

Prince  of  Orange 

' DOUBLE 

BLUE 

3. 

Van  Speyk             i 

SINGLE 

HED. 

4. 

Cavaignao 

8. 

Jlacaulay 

5. 

Florence   Nightingale — 

9. 

Madame  Van  Tuyll 

This  ia  not  the  same  as 

10. 

Mrs.  Beecher  Stowe 

a  poor  variety  of  the 

11. 

Princess  Charlotte 

name  which  appears  in 

12. 

Princess  Clothildo 

some  lists. 

13. 

Solfaterre 

6. 

Howard 

14. 

Von  Schiller 

7. 

La  Prophcte 

SINGLE 

LILAC 

15. 

Haydn 

SINGLE 

WHITE 

IG. 

Alba  Maxima 

18. 

Paix  de  I'Europo 

17. 

Mrs.  James  Cutbnsh 

19. 

Snowball 

SINGLE 

BLUE 

20. 

Argus 

22. 

Marie 

21. 

Bleu  Aimable 

23! 

Pieneman 

SINGLE 

BLACK 

24.  Due  de  Malakoff 


i!). 


Ida 


SECOND    SERIES. 
DOUBLE    BED. 

1.  Diike  of  Wellington 

DOUBLE    BLUE. 

2.  Garrick  3.  Laurens  Koster 

SINGLE    BED. 

4.  Amy  9.  Ornement  de  la  Nature 

5.  Cosmos  10.  Princess  Beatrice 

6.  Duchess  of  Richmond  11.  Sultan's  Favourite 

7.  Lady  Sale  12.  Victoria  Alexandrina 

8.  Madame  Hodgson  13.  Von  Schiller 

SINGLE    WHITE. 

14.  Elfrida  18.  Grand  Vedette 

15.  Gigantea  19.  Princess  Helena 

16.  Mont  Blanc  20.  Queen  of  the  Netherlands 

17.  Grandeur  u,  Merveille  21.  Tubillora 

SINGLE    BLUE. 

22.  Baronne  Von  Tuyll  26.  Leonidas 

23.  Charles  Dickens"  27.  Lord  Raglan 

24.  Couronne  de  Celle  28.  Raphael 

25.  Grand  Lilas 

SINGLE    BLACK. 

29.  Mimosa  30.  Prince  Albert 


31.  Anna  Carolina 


SINGLE    YELLOW. 

82.  Heroine 


It  will  be  seen  that  there  are  very  few  double  varieties  named, 
and  for  this  reason,  that  the  single  are  greatly  to  be  preferred 
both  for  decorative  purposes  and  for  exhibition. — D.,  Dial. 


THE  MANETTI  STOCK  FOR   ROSES. 

Having  adopted  this  excellent  stock  for  the  last  three  or  four 
years,  I  am  induced  to  give  a  short  account  of  my  experience 
of  it  during  this  exceptionally  dry  summer,  and  I  l:ope  it  may 
serve  as  a  hint  to  young  amateurs  like  myself. 

At  the  end  of  April  I  wrote  to  a  nurseryman  iri  Sussex,  to 
aek  him  if  he  could  supply  me  with  two  hundred  Manetti 
stocks  for  budding  this  summer.  His  reply  was,  that  he  could 
do  so  with  young  plants  struck  last  autumn,  but  would  advise 
me  to  wait  two  or  three  weeks  till  they  were  better  rooted.  The 
plants  arrived  packed  in  damp  moss  on  June  7th,  and  were 
immediately  planted  out,  and  watered  once  daily  for  ten  days. 
The  intense  sun  had  then  completely  shrivelled  and  dried  up 
nearly  every  leaf.  I  then  left  them  to  their  fate,  but  to  my 
great  satisfaction,  a  short  time  afterwards  they  recovered,  and 
began  to  grow  so  rapidly,  that  on  August  7tli  I  commenced 
budding  them.  In  a  few  more  days  the  budding  of  the  whole 
of  them  will  be  finished,  and  there  are  not  ten  out  of  the  whole 
number  which  have  not  proved  to  be  admirable  stocks.     Such 


I  consider  is  another  striking  instance  of  the  superiority  of  the 
Manetti  stock. 

Mr.  A.  H.  Kent  has  been  to  see  them,  and  expressed  very 
strongly  his  confidence  in  the  result.  He  will  probably  adduce 
some  further  evidence  regarding  this  stock  in  due  time,  i 
might  also  mention  that  my  first  experience  of  the  Manetti 
stock  was  in  Mr.  Kent's  garden,  at  Bletchingley.  He  induced 
me  to  try  it,  and  I  have  now  discarded  the  Briar,  except  for  a 
few  Tea  and  Noisette  Roses.  That  the  Briar  was  doomed  was 
not  unknown  to  myself  and  other  readers  some  time  ago,  and 
Mr.  Kent  and  the  Rev.  W.  F.  lladclyfte  were  those  who  took 
the  lead,  and  they  deserve  the  thanks  of  amateur  Rose  growers. 
— A.  B. 


THE   EARLY  PEACHES   OF   1868. 

The  crop  of  these  in  our  orchard  houses  is  quite  at  an  end, 
and  the  midseason  and  late  varieties  alone  remain.  As  the 
open  wall  furnishes  an  abundance  during  parts  of  August  and 
September,  it  is  only  a  waste  of  space  to  have  such  in  our 
houses.  The  early  crop  has  been  immense,  and  very  remn- 
nerative. 

Of  course  in  such  a  season  where  water  was  tolerably  well  at 
command,  a  general  advance  in  the  periods  of  ripening  was  to 
be  expected.  In  some  cases,  for  no  visible  reason,  this  has  not 
been  the  case.  Why  some  late  Peaches  bloom  before  some 
very  early  ones  is  a  question  to  be  asked.  How  is  it  that,  in  a 
climate  like  this,  one  of  whose  characteristics  it  is  that  the 
range  of  the  night  temperature  is  so  little  comparatively  below 
that  of  the  day,  mildew  should  appear  repeatedly  during  tropical 
nights  on  even  third  growths?  Only  when  these  last  rains 
had  lowered  the  whole  scale,  and  introduced  humidity  into  the 
atmosphere  did  these  attacks  of  mildew  cease  on  Peach  trees 
in  the  open  air.  On  the  other  hand — owing  here,  I  think,  to  the 
current  of  air — mildew  has  somewhat  increased  on  glandlesB 
varieties  in-doors.  I  greatly  doubt  if  we  really  know  much  as  to 
the  causes  of  this  disease,  perhaps  only  so  far,  at  least,  that  any 
unequal  balance  between  the  moisture  at  the  roots  and  that 
about  the  leaves  seems  always  to  promote  mildew.  An  abrupt 
diminution  of  heat  may  in  either  case  add  materially  to  the 
danger.  The  application  of  powdered  sulphur  as  an  effioacions 
remedy  for  this  vegetable  parasite  requires  faith  on  the  part  of 
the  grower.  It  is  quite  as  easy,  and  somewhat  more  favourable 
to  appearances,  to  wipe  oiit  the  fungus  as  soon  as  it  appears  oa 
such  parts  as  we  cannot  remove.  Of  course  the  mildew  gene- 
rally shows  on  the  tender  shoots  and  leaves,  which  can  bo 
readily  pruned  away.  A  thin  wash  of  some  kind  of  size,  or 
even  of  oil  with  a  very  little  white  lead,  to  thicken  it  only,  will 
give  a  thin  coating  which  evaporation  will  shortly  remove, 
leaving  no  clog  or  trace.  Wiping  the  stems  of  in-door  trees 
after  syringing  them  I  always  found  very  useful.  Mildew  is  a. 
very  disagreeable  check  to  trees.  Only  vigorous  growers  recover 
if  no  notice  be  taken  of  this  pest. 

As  to  aphides  we  never  saw  less,  and  of  red  spider  remarkably 
little.     In  fact,  the  trees  are  pictures  of  fertility  and  health. 

Our  earliest  Peach  ripened  on  the  5th  of  July.  As  Early 
Beatrice  has  done  as  much  for  several  seasons  at  Sawbridge- 
worth.  I  expect  it  to  become  ripe  here  soon  after  midsummer. 
It  did  not  fruit  here  this  season  from  accident. 

A  seedling  Nectarine  ripened  on  the  8th  of  July,  being  the 
earliest  on  record  here.  It  was  extremely  high-ci^i'ired,  like 
Hivers's  Orange,  but  mottled. 

Some  of  my  old  favourites — Canary  Peach,  for  instance — 
have  not  reached  a  high  standard  for  two  seasons.  Perhaps 
the  safest  to  cultivate  of  these  earlier  yellow-fleshed  fruits  is 
Early  Crawford.  It  is  not  very  early,  but  generally  colours 
well,  and  has  the  Apricot  aroma,  which  is  the  most  striking 
good  quality  of  yellow  Peaches,  without  the  too  often  bitter 
reminiscence  which  such  kinds  leave  on  the  palate. 

I  am  a  great  admirer  of  distinctness  of  colour  in  Peaches  and 
Nectarines  ;  such  kinds,  too,  are  generally  well  flavoured. 
Sorts  of  which  the  ground  colour  is  a  clear  green,  melting 
under  the  sun  into  a  bright  yellow,  mottled  and  specked  with 
brown,  are  always  pungent  and  aromatic,  and,  when  well  ma- 
tured, first-rate.  The  Stanwick  Nectarine  and  its  numerous 
descendants  are  examples.  Other  Noblesse  kinds  which  have 
a  regular  pale  pink  skin  delicately  starred  with  rose  spots,  are 
juicy  and  rich.  The  Royal  George  colours  almost  to  a  black 
brown  in  favourable  localities,  and,  though  coarse,  is  yet  a  great 
favourite  with  many.  The  Peaches  whose  flesh  is  of  a  dark 
purple  are  also  juicy  and  piquant  in  general.  A  bright  uni- 
form yellow  also  indicates  a  racy  fruit.     Pavie  de  Tonneus  is  a 


UG 


journaij  op  hobticultuee  and  cottage  gabdeneb. 


[  Aogast  27,  1868. 


magnificerit  specimen  of  colour,  and  very  good  of  its  kind.   The 
same  holds  good  as  regards  Nectarines,  as  is  well  known. 

Bat  here  let  me  protest  against  too  many  sorts  whose  merit 
consists  entirely  in  their  extreme  juiciness.  This  juiciness, 
though  a  necessary  good  qualify,  is  not  by  any  means  the  chief 
eioelleuce  in  Peaches  or  Nectarines.  Indeed,  to  find  little  but 
the  stone  remaining  between  our  fingers,  with,  perhaps,  a 
spoonful  of  juice  in  the  mouth,  wlule  the  rest  has  slipped  to 
the  ground,  is  an  unsatisfactory  ending  to  a  year's  expectations. 
Why  should  this  meltiug  flesh  be  so  valuable  in  these  Peaches  ? 
Some  of  our  most  highly  prized  table  fruits— the  Pine  Apple, 
for  instance,  are  firm  in  texture  and  highly  aromatic  in  flavour. 
What  Nectarine  surpasses  the  Bed  F.oman,  which  is  a  fiim- 
fleshed  clingstone,  not  always,  however,  easy  to  ripen  well  ? 
In  certain  soils  clingstones  are  preferred  by  the  best  judges. 
The  Stanwick  is  a  Nectarine  of  well-known  excellence.  The 
flesh  of  this  sort  has  a  certain  delicious  fibrousnesa,  which 
holds  the  rich  juice  well,  and  allows  its  flavour  to  be  realised 
slowly.  This  is  a  model  Nectarine,  and  well  deserves  the  use 
made  of  it  by  that  most  judicious  raiser  of  new  sorts,  Mr. 
Bivers. 

Among  early  Peaches  the  Early  York  is  still  a  standard. 
One  like  this,  not  more  melting,  as  well  coloured,  but  of  full 
size,  and  even  earlier,  we  may  yet  obtain  by  crossing.  Early 
Bivers  is  much  praised.  My  own  tree  here  was  accidentally 
prevented  from  ripening  its  fruit  this  year. 

It  is  to  n  race  of  these  very  early  fruits  that  we  must  look 
for  the  best  future  orchard-house  culture.  They  are  for  many 
reasons  by  far  the  most  remunerative  when  no  fire  heat  is 
nsed.  Whenever,  however,  pipes  are  employed  to  hasten  the 
ripening,  slow-growing  and  large  varieties  generally  afford  us 
better  results.  The  absence  of  the  sun's  rays  at  an  early  season 
requires  that  the  growth  should  not  be  unduly  promuted,  or 
flavour  must  suiier.  There  are  well-known  sorts  which  force 
well,  and  which  in  consequence  are  generally  depended  on  for 
early  exhibitions. — T.  C.  Beehaut,  liichmojul  Ilouse,  Guenisct;. 


next  season,  at  the  same  time  encouraging  plenty  of  foliage, 
and  taking  care  that  the  young  growth  is  well  ripened.  A  well- 
ripened  Peach  tree  will  bear  fruit,  at  any  rate  blossoms.  Keep 
its  shoots  thin  enough,  stop  those  inchued  to  be  too  vigorous, 
and  keep  the  soil  in  which  it  grows  firm  and  solid,  and  it  will 
require  all  its  roots  to  provide  for  the  crop  it  will  carry. 

The  border  in  which  my  best  Peach  trees  are  growing  has 
neither  been  dug  nor  forked  for  ten  or  twelve  years,  and  is  as 
hard  as  a  garden  path.  To  prepare  a  rich  border  for  Vines, 
and  then  cut  their  roots  to  prevent  them  occupying  it,  would 
be  very  stupid  practice.  Is  it  not  equally  stupid  to  manure 
highly  a  piece  of  land,  plant  it  with  Baspberries,  Strawberries, 
&c.,  and  then  every  year  destroy  as  mauy  roots  as  possible  by 
digging  amongst  them  ? — J.  E.  Peai;son,  Chilwell. 


CONVOL^TJLUS  JNLiURITANICUS. 
I  HAVE  great  pleasure  in  seconding  the  recommendation  of 
this  plant  which  the  Eev.  H.  Harpur  Crewe  has  given  in 
page  97.  With  me  Convolvulus  mauritanicus  has  done  well  all 
through  the  dry  weather,  and  promises  to  continue  in  good 
condition  for  some  time.  It  is  quite  hardy,  having  withstood 
the  winter  of  1856-07,  as  well  as  that  of  1807-68,  and  by  its 
habit  I  should  think  it  an  excellent  basket  or  vase  plant,  but  it 
appears  to  be  also  good  for  covering  a  bed,  being  compact,  of  a 
uniform  height  of  about  8  inches,  and  the  flowers  all  appearing 
at  the  top,  and  when  expanded  being  of  a  pretty  pale  blue 
colour.  Even  when  closed  they  have  a  less  crumpled  appear- 
ance than  those  of  the  annual  Convolvuluses.  As  a  plant  for 
decorative  purposes  it  certainly  deserves  more  attention  than 
it  has  yet  received. — J.  Bobson. 


ROOT-PRUNING  TINES. 

In  answer  to  your  correspondent  "  C.  B.  E.,"  who  asks  for 
my  opinion,  I  may  say  I  do  very  little  root-pruning. 

If  a  fruit  tree  grows  so  vigorously  that  it  makes  no  fruit- 
bearing  wood,  as  is  often  the  case  with  a  Pear  tree  on  the  Pear 
stock,  it  mny  be  advisable  to  cut  its  roots.  If  a  tree  is  planted 
over  a  bad  fubsoil,  and  is  likely  to  suffer  when  its  roots  have 
descended  into  such  soil,  it  is  quite  necessary  either  to  prevent 
their  descending  or  to  cut  them  off. 

If  a  tree  is  required  to  bear  fruit  in  a  small  space,  or  earlier 
than  it  would  naturally  bear,  it  may  be  advisable  to  cut  its 
roots.  In  nature,  to  grow  first  and  bear  afterwards  is  the  rule. 
If  we  wish  to  check  growth  and  hasten  fruit-beariug  we  must 
bring  a  tree  into  the  state  it  would  naturally  attain  when  the 
powers  of  growth  are  weakened  by  age.  Such  a  result  may  be 
attained  by  root-pruning. 

Like  mauy  other  fashionable  customs,  root-pruning  seems 
now  to  be  carried  to  a  ridiculous  extent.  Trees  which  do  not 
grow  too  fast — which  are,  in  fact,  not  vigorous  enough  to  bear 
well-developed  fruit,  are  root-pruned  without  mercy,  as  if  roots 
were  unnecessary  appendages.  Tines  growing  above  good  dry 
subsoils  are  prevented,  at  great  expense,  from  making  roots 
where  they  would  naturally  form  them.  Trees  which  have 
borne  a  good  crop  of  fruit  are  removed  or  root-pruned  for  fear 
they  should  not  bear  again.  To  grow  strongly  and  yet  be 
fruitful  is  perfection.  Why  not  let  well  alone  ?  If  a  Vine 
makes  a  great  deal  of  wood,  let  it  carry  a  heavier  crop  of  fruit  ' 


POTATO   CULTURE. 

Would  "  Upwabds  and  Onwaeds  "  give  us  his  experience  on 
the  following  points  ? — 

Will  Potatoes  that  have  speared  in  the  ground  be  fit  for  seed, 
and  will  they  keep  ?  What  would  be  the  best  way  to  treat 
them  ? 

What  is  the  best  method  of  preparing  seed  in  ordinary  cases 
when  spearing  has  not  taken  place  ? 

As  we  have  been  so  far  wrong  about  the  lifting,  perhaps  we 
may  be  also  wrong  in  exposing  to  the  sun  Potatoes  intended 
for  seed,  or  in  greening  them  in  the  shade. 
What  is  the  influence  of  the  size  of  the  sets  ? 
Which  is  the  best  system  of  planting  as  to  depth,  distance, 
earthing  or  not  eai thing,  taking  different  kinds  of  ground  into 
consideration  ? 

What  is  the  best  time  of  planting  ?  How  should  manure  be 
applied  ?  These  points  have  already  been  discussed  in  the 
Journal,  but  I  should  like  to  have  the  opinion  of  such  an 
experienced  grower  as  "  Upwaeds  and  Onwakds."  —  H.  C, 
liijiley. 

[With  regard  to  the  first  question,  I  know  a  man  who  a  few 
years  ago  made  a  large  sum  of  money  by  keeping  for  seed 
Potatoes  which  had  supertuberated.  He  left  them  in  the 
ground  to  take  their  chance,  they  ripened,  were  separated  at 
the  lifting,  and  all  that  required  it  were  "  spurted."  They 
answered  well  for  seed  in  the  following  season.  This  year  his 
Potatoes  are  supertuberating,  and  he  intended  to  adopt  the 
same  practice.  Not  so  the  Potatoes ;  they  are  throwing  up 
green  tops  by  way  of  a  change,  and  the  grower  will  lose  £30  in 
consequence,  unless  he  immediately  disbud  and  unspear  them, 
and  then  they  would  keep  perfectly,  and  answer  for  seed  next 
year  by  being  spread  out  very  thinly  in  a  dry,  rather  dark 
place,  having  a  temperature  of  about  -10°  during  the  winter, 
and  never  allowed  there  to  sprout  and  exhaust  themselves.  In 
the  end  of  March  they  would  have  to  be  deprived  of  their  buds, 
or  eyes,  by  scooping  these  out  to  their  very  foundations  with  a 
penknife,  with  the  exception  of  one,  or  two  at  the  most  on  the 
strongest  tubers.  Never  cut  these  tubers  into  sets.  The  im- 
mature tubers  that  I  dug  up  on  the  11th  of  July,  1867,  to 
exhibit  as  young  Potatoes  in  my  collection  at  the  Bojal  Horti- 
cultural Society's  Show  at  Bury  St.  Edmunds,  had  their  skins 
so  tender  when  taken  from  the  ground  that  they  would  scarcely 
bear  handling  without  disfigurement.  I  brought  them  back 
with  me,  and  gave  them  the  treatment  just  described,  and 
noted  particularly  when  I  planted  them  amongst  the  sets  dug 
at  a  more  matured  stage,  and  they  are  bearing  quite  as  good 
crops  as  these,  if  not,  in  fact,  a  little  better. 

Experimentally  I  am  led  to  conclude  that  Potatoes  reared 
from  whole  sets  produce  a  greater  bulk  of  crop,  and  are  more 
able  to  contend  against  all  evils  than  those  raised  from  cut 
sets.  I  always  procure  my  seed  Potatoes  from  light  land  of  a 
diilcrent  nature  from  my  own  soil,  which  may  be  termed  an 
artificially-made,  dark-coloured  loam,  and  I  take  care  that  they 
are  selected  from  healthy  crops.  I  choose  middling-sized  sets 
at  taking-up  time,  and  since  I  have  been  thus  particular  I  find 
my  permanent  sorts  considerably  improved  in  constitution. 
A  medium-sized  Potato  when  taken  from  the  soil  may  be 
termed  scarcely  ripe,  which  is  a  great  recommendation  to  it  as  a 
set  for  planting.  Aga.'n,  my  seed  may  be  spoken  of  as  under- 
going a  perpetual  preparation,  although  causing  comparatively 
little  trouble,  for  as  soon  as  it  is  taken  out  of  the  ground  it 
is  laid  in  the  sun  for  a  day  or  two  at  most,  and  turned.  Never 
allow  seed  Potatoes  to  lie  exposed  to  the  sun  longer,  otherwise 
they  will  become  blackened,  blistered,  and  affected  with  a  sort 
of  dry  rot,  which  will  completely  destroy  them.    This  1  have 


Angnst  27, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


147 


frequently  proved.  I  always  prefer  to  green  my  seed  Potatoes 
slightly,  but  it  is  not  absolutely  necessary,  and  they  are  then 
disposed  in  single  layers  upon  shallow  wooden  trays,  made 
of  slabs  or  old  doors,  with  a  rim  of  wood  tacked  all  round,  and 
are  placed  secure  from  damp  or  Irost  in  an  underground  callar 
having  a  temperature  of  about  4ir.  A  fair  twilight  is  admitted 
through  a  dirty  glazed  aperture  measuring  ;!  feet  by  1  foot.  I 
take  especial  care  that  the  lirst  shoots  which  push  from  the 
seta  are  not  maimed  or  bruised,  and  according  to  the  size  of 
the  set  I  allow  one  or  two  eyes  to  grow.  If  an  excess  of  these 
form  they  are  rubbed  off  in  their  first  stage,  and  1  follow  up  this 
disbudding  process  till,  by  planting  time,  the  proper  number  of 
shoots  which  wore  allowed  to  remain  have  become  robust, 
sturdy,  and  strongly  attached  to  the  tubers,  plainly  pointing 
out  the  advantage  gained  over  the  old  enervating  method  of 
allowing  shoots  to  bo  produced  merely  to  be  cut  off.  Nothing 
is  lost  to  the  Potato  ;  whatever  nourishment  has  been  taken 
from  it  remains  stored  up  in  the  strong  young  shoot  or  shoots, 
and  the  seed  Potato  is  ready  to  be  committed  to  the  soil  with 
its  energies  unimpaired,  with  incipient  leaves  ready  to  ex- 
pand and  compete  for  the  light  of  day,  and  which  begin  to 
exercise  their  functions  immediately. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  each  succeeding  series  of 
shoots  consequent  on  disbudding  is  weaker  than  its  predecessor, 
and  that  when  disbudding  has  been  done  three  or  four  times  the 
leaf  buds  are  destroyed.  Who,  then,  can  wonder  at  the  con- 
stitution of  the  Potato  having  become  weakened,  and  at  the  great 
loss  of  crop  likely  to  ensue  through  the  destruction  even  of 
the  first  shoot  ?  But,  as  I  have  stated,  it  is  not  the  top  of  the 
young  shoot  alone,  but  with  it  goes  a  quontity  of  food  intended 
to  nourish  the  sprout  until  roots  aie  emitted  to  cater  for  it. 
Besides,  it  is  tolerably  well  understood  that  the  crown  of  tho 
Potato  bears  the  shoots  which  produce  the  heaviest  producp,  and 
this  end  generally  buds  first.  The  consequence  is,  that  in- 
stead of  one  or  two  original  stems,  we  have  in  their  place  a 
host  of  sprouts  of  inferior  powers,  and  the  result  will  be  that 
in  lieu  of  a  superior  produce,  there  will  only  be  a  very  inferior 
weakly  sample.  Under  the  system  of  carefully  protecting  the 
one  or  two  first  shoots,  in  all  probability  these  will  become 
monopolisers,  and  the  result  will  be  that  the  weaker  eyes  will 
not  be  able  to  push,  and,  consequently,  a  superior-sized  even 
quality  of  tubers,  not  only  for  the  market  and  home  consump- 
tion, but  also  for  feeding  pigs,  which,  I  imagine,  will  prefer  and 
thrive  better  on  good,  sound,  fair-sized  Potatoes  than  on  those 
which  are  watery  and  undersized. 

Having  thus  disposed  of  the  second  question,  under  which  I 
have  included  my  answer  to  the  third,  1  will  now  endeavour  to 
take  collectively  the  other  points  on  which  my  opinion  is  asked. 

With  regard  to  planting,  the  good  old  plan  like  the  "  good 
old  times,"  I  have  my  doubts  about.  I  never  adopt  it  now. 
This  is  how  I  used  to  plant  Potatoes  ; — The  whole  of  the  ground 
■was  entirely  dug  over  about  the  beginning  of  May,  and  a  line 
stretched  between  its  extremities  from  north  to  south.  The 
soil  was  next  cast  out  about  4  inches  deep  with  a  spade,  which 
was  made  to  bear  against  the  line  longitudinally,  then  raw 
manure  was  placed  in  this  narrow  trench,  and  the  cut  sets  were 
put,  about  '.)  inches  apart,  immediately  on  the  top  of  the  dung. 
The  hue  was  then  shifted  2  feet,  or  2V  feet  at  most,  and  the 
soil  removed  was  cast  over  and  made  to  cover  the  first  row  of 
sets,  and  so  on.  "  Cafiiiiigs,"  or  hoeings,  and  right-angled 
mouldings-up  followed  in  due  time,  mangling  the  roots,  and 
served  to  cast  off  the  moisture  from  their  remaining  fragments, 
It  was  a  very  expeditious  plan,  and  served  to  destroy  the  stamina 
of  the  Potato  about  as  effectually  as  any  that  could  have  been 
adopted,  especially  taken  in  conjunction  with  tho  previous 
treament  of  the  seed,  which  had  probably  been  kept  in  masses, 
heated,  forced  into  vegetation,  and  deprived  of  the  long  pre- 
mature shoots  over  and  over  again,  till  almost  all  tho  strength 
of  the  tuber  was  sacrificed,  and  then  the  seed  Potato  was  cut 
to  pieces,  and  placed  in  a  mass  of  dung  as  above.  Avoid  the 
practice  as  you  would  the  plague. 

My  present  system  of  growing  Potatoes  in  this  garden,  and  I 
have  pursued  it  for  about  fifteen  years  (I  have  cultivated  the 
Potato  on  the  same  site  twenty-two  years),  is  on  what  I  call  the 
ridge-and-trench  plan.  It  is  admirably  adapted  for  rich  soils, 
and  more  especially  for  mine,  as  this  ground  is  very  much 
overshadowed  by  trees,  which  have  been  very  badly  managed. 

In  the  first  place  I  never  use  raw  manure  at  the  planting  of 
Potatoes.  I  prefer  quickUme,  wood  ashes,  or  mortar  rubbish 
spread  over  the  ground,  and  slightly  worked  in  just  before 
planting,  at  the  end  of  March  or  the  beginning  of  April,  ac- 
cording to  the  weather.     To  insure  its  economical  working,  it 


is  best  to  divide  the  Potato  ground  into  three  parts,  two-thirds 
to  bo  bastard  or  hall-trenched  as  soon  as  convenient — by  the 
middle  of  March — as  the  Cabbage  tribe  is  cleared  away,  and 
to  apply  the  lime  to  the  surface.  The  other  third,  which  has 
been  cropped  with,  say,  early  Potatoes  and  Cauliflowers,  and 
Grange's  Broccoli  in  the  trenches,  may  then  bo  thoroughly 
trenched  during  dry  weather  in  the  autumn.  I  well  manure  it 
in  the  following  manner.  We  hear  much  about  earth  closets 
and  house  sewage,  as  if  they  wero  something  new,  but  one 
of  our  sewage  tanks  and  our  earth  closets  hei-o  have  been 
in  use  for  more  than  twenty  years.  The  sediment  from  the 
tanks  is  cleared  out  once  a-year,  and  mixed  with  road  scrapings, 
along  with  the  contents  of  the  earth  closets,  in  a  large  opening 
dug  in  a  backyard  for  the  purpose.  To  all  this  are  added  the 
contents  of  the  mixen,  consisting  of  tho  refuse  from  the  gar- 
den, a  decayed-leaf  hotbed,  and  all  tho  sweepings  and  refuse 
that  are  collected  from  a  house  and  grounds  in  the  country. 
This  mixture  is  wheeled  on  to  a  third  part  of  the  Potato 
ground  every  autumn,  and  wellworked-in  during  the  trenching. 
I  am  never  afraid  of  my  ground  becoming  exhausted.  Talk 
of  emigration  and  England  not  being  large  enough  for  its 
population,  why,  not  one-fourth  of  the  country  is  cultivated  as 
it  ought  to  be  !  I  prefer  to  apply  the  quicklime  to  the  surface 
of  this  portion  of  the  ground  for  its  next  spring  dressing, 
at  the  rate  of  about  seventy  bushels  per  acre,  to  attack  the 
stubborn,  slow-decaying  remnants  of  the  refuse,  and  then  te 
plant  with  the  second-early  short- topped  store  Potatoes. 

For  all  light  soils  worked  upon  this  principle,  I  recommend 
the  flat  system  of  planting,  with  this  difference  :  plant,  at  the 
end  of  February  or  the  beginning  of  March,  quite  G  inches 
deep,  slightly  hoe  the  land  to  keep  down  weeds  and  let  in  air, 
never  mould-up  at  all,  and  allow  fully  3  feet  C  inches  between 
the  rows  for  store  Potatoes. 

For  rich  garden  soils  I  decidedly  recommend  the  ridge-and- 
trench  plan,  and  this  is  how  I  practise  it.  The  first  week  in 
April  is  time  enough  to  plant,  at  least  I  find  it  so.  For  first 
early  Potatoes  allow  3G  inches  between  tho  rows,  and  for  store 
sorts  quite  42  inches,  and  do  not  be  afraid  of  these  distances  ; 
premising,  of  course,  that  the  ground  has  been  trenched,  and 
half-trenched,  and  that  lime,  old  mortar,  or  wood  ashes 
have  been  applied.  Measure  out  the  ground,  stretch  two  gar- 
den lines  where  two  rows  of  sets  are  to  be,  and  then  place 
the  seed  tubers  upon  the  surface  of  the  soil  along  the  lines, 
1  foot  set  from  set  for  the  early  kinds,  and  at  least  1.5  inches 
apart  for  the  late  sorts.  Then  readjust  the  lines  between  the 
two  rows  of  sets,  and  an  inch  or  two  wider  than  the  spade,  so  as 
to  mark  out  a  trench  between  the  two  rows  of  Potatoes.  Force 
down  the  spade  to  its  full  depth  rather  slopingly  between  the 
lines  in  order  to  leave  the  sides  of  the  trenches  even,  and  cast 
out  every  spadeful  of  soil  alternately  to  the  right  and  left,  not 
directly  over  the  sets,  but  as  far  from  them  as  the  edges  of  the 
ridge  will  allow,  so  that  the  seed  Potatoes  may  appear  as  if 
lying  in  a  hollow.  The  crumbs  that  are  afterwards  shovelled  out 
may  take  the  central  position  upon  the  sets  without  injuring 
the  young  shoots.  Now,  instead  of  finishing-oii  these  ridges 
at  once  (for  a  superincumbent  weight  of  earth,  in  consequence 
of  the  ground  being  recently  trenched  and  loose,  might  cause 
a  troublesome  displacement  of  their  sides),  cast  part  of  the 
"crumbs"  only  from  the  trenches  upon  the  sets,  and  bury 
them  roerely  3  inches  or  so.  In  another  fortnight,  when  the 
ridges  have  become  settled,  or  the  young  green  tops  of  the  sets 
are  seen  just  peeping  up,  then  is  the  time  to  shovel  over  them 
the  remainder  of  the  crumbs  from  the  trenches,  forming  a 
good  6-inch-broad  apex,  and  tho  rilges  may  be  "  left  to  them- 
selves," though  the  mind  of  the  worker  must  at  once  think 
about  how  the  trenches  are  to  be  occupied  with  the  Cabbage 
tribe,  of  which  none  can  be  better  for  the  purpose  than  Brussels 
Sprouts  or  early  spring  Broccoli.  Tho  ground  in  which  these 
are  grown  should  be  well  drenched  occasionally,  as  soon  as  the 
crop  is  off,  with  sewage  from  the  tanks  ;  and  along  the  centres 
of  the  ridges,  between  the  Brussels  Sprouts,  rows  of  Early  Stone 
Turnips  may  be  sown,  immediately  after  the  Potatoes  are  off, 
with  a  fair  chance  of  securing  some  good  sweet  Turnips  before 
hard  frost  comes. 

The  Brussels  Sprouts,  Broccoli,  or  other  plants  of  the  Cabbage 
tribe  may  not  appear  quite  so  stocky  and  even  as  when  planted 
on  a  piece  of  ground  specially  prepared,  but  they  soon  become 
strong  and  improve  in  appearance.  As  the  Broccolis  grow 
shovel  the  ridges  of  soil  to  their  stems,  which  answers  the 
same  purpose  as  laying  them  down  with  their  heads  to  the 
north  in  order  to  protect  them  from  the  severity  of  the  winter. 

I  have  as  yet  only  referred  to  garden  cultivation,  but  "  H.  C." 


14S 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  August  27,  1868. 


requires  me  to  take  "  different  kinds  of  ground  into  consider- 
ation." Well,  suppose  a  correspondent  "  B  "  said,  "  I  intend  to 
plant  sixty  acres  of  Potatoes  on  the  ridge  system,  as  I  am 
certain  it  will  prove  the  right  plan.  The  question  is,  How? 
Tour  garden  method  is,  of  course,  out  of  the  question.  We 
find  the  assistance  of  manure  requisite  for  a  good  crop,  and 
the  width  of  the  ridges  must  necessarily  be  determined  by  the 
width  between  cart  wheels,  which  in  most  cases  is  5  feet, 
hence  2t  feet  must  be  the  width  of  each  ridge.  This  I  contend 
is  not  a  fair  trial,  as  there  is  not  a  sufficient  width  of  earth  on 
the  top  to  secure  room  for  a  large  quantity  of  good  tubers. 
Supposing,  however,  that  it  is  so,  or  is  made  .=;o  by  deep  cul- 
tivation between  the  ridges,  and  moulding-up  twice,  then  how 
would  you  plant  the  sets  ?  On  the  manure  would  not  be  safe. 
Besides,  it  would  be  too  deep  if  ridged-up  with  the  plough  (8  to 
12  inches).  Would  dibbling  by  hand  on  the  top  of  the  ridge 
after  the  plough  do?  Again,  Supposing  5  cwt.  of  guano  per 
acre  were  sown  broadcast  and  the  ridges  closed-up  at  once  from 
the  winter  '  till,'  the  guano  would  all  be  there,  and  the  ridges 
might  be  made  of  any  width.  How  would  the  dibble  do  then  ? 
Is  a  width  of  i  feet  too  much  for  field  cultivation  ?"  I  answer. 
It  is  according  to  my  judgment  radically  wrong  to  apply  raw 
manure  iu  the  drills  when  planting  the  Potato.  It  must  be 
bad  practice  to  place  a  pulpy  tuber  iu  a  mass  of  corruption. 
Even  should  the  sets  escape  injury,  when  in  a  poor  soil  dung 
is  used  after  the  guano  under  the  idea  of  making  the  most  of 
it,  the  young  plants  may  grow  very  freely  at  first,  but  as  the 
loots  lengthen  they  strike  into  barren  soil,  constituting  in 
fact  an  abundance  of  machinery  with  a  scarcity  of  raw  material, 
just  when  the  formation  of  young  tubers  and  the  advancing 
state  of  the  growth  of  the  plants  require  an  extra  supply  of 
nourishment.  The  start  they  had  at  first  secured  a  vigor- 
ous foliage,  to  become  unfruitful  for  lack  of  sustaining  nourish- 
ment. 

But  B  finds  "  manure  necessary,"  whereby,  I  presume,  his 
land  is  very  light.  I  would,  therefore,  advise  twenty  loads  per 
acre  to  be  spread  and  ploughed  in,  and  well  worked  into  the 
body  of  the  soil  in  October  or  the  beginning  of  November ; 
and  if  3  cwt.  or  so  of  superphosphate  of  lime  were  sown  broad- 
cast just  before  the  land  is  ridged-up  in  February,  so  much  the 
better.  If  the  laud  is  well  draiued,  and  would  allow  of  the  sub- 
soil plough  being  used  to  the  depth  of  18  inches  or  2  feet,  so  as 
to  make  the  soil  accessible  to  the  warmth  and  moisture  of  the 
atmosphere,  I  should  consider  that  equivalent  to  au  application 
of  dung  if  it  were  coupled  with  a  top-dressing  of  lime  or 
gnano  at  planting  time.  Lime  is  especially  favourable  to  the 
growth  of  the  Potato,  and  in  some  form  is  generally  present 
in  plants.  Light  lands  require  it  in  less  proportion  than  heavy 
soils,  though  even  light  soils  are  rendered  more  compact  in 
consequence  of  the  lime  attracting  moisture  powerfully  from 
the  air.  It  cannot  be  otherwise  than  beneficial  in  a  clay  soil, 
for  it  not  only  destroys  the  myriads  of  insects  to  which  mois- 
ture is  congenial,  but  speedily  converts  to  vegetable  mould  the 
stubborn  fragments  of  previous  crops.  It  also  acts  upon  the 
substances  brought  up  by  the  subsoil  plough,  and  renders  a  large 
amount  of  inorganic  substances  available  as  food  for  plants. 
I  will  not  believe  in  the  earth  becoming  barren  from  the  ex- 
haustion of  its  vegetable  mould  so  long  as  there  remains  a  soil 
to  be  trenched,  half-trenched,  and  trenched  again — a  subsoil  to 
Ike  brought  up  every  few  years  and  exposed  to  the  action  of  a 
winter's  frost,  and  then  to  the  action  of  a  dressing  of  lime 
fresh  from  the  kiln.  To  a  stiff  clay  I  would  apply  from  seventy 
to  eighty  bushels  of  quicklime  per  acre,  procuring  it  fresh  from 
the  kiln  and  spreading  it,  not  over-slacked,  on  the  surface  of 
the  land  just  before  ridging-up.  If  on  a  light  soil  ridges  and 
guano  should  be  decided  upon,  I  would  sow  broadcast  just  before 
lidging,  at  the  rate  of  10  or  15  cwt.  per  acre. 

The  manner  in  which  I  have  said  I  would  aj^ply  the  dung, 
ftc,  obviates  the  necessity  of  trundling  cart  wheels  between  the 
ridges,  and  of  the  plough  to  split  the  ridges  again  for  the  pur- 
pose of  covering  the  dung.  I  should  not  like  to  trust  to  a 
30-inch-wide  ridge  on  good  ground  ;  3  feet  in  that  case  for  the 
field  culture  of  medium-topped  kinds  of  Potatoes,  such  as 
Daintree's  Seedling  (round),  would  do  very  well.  For  the  very 
large-tubered  and  branching  sorts,  such  as  Paterson's  Victoria, 
Dawe's  Matchless,  York  Regents,  or  Old  Grammars,  I  should 
prefer  a  ■12-inch  base  for  my  ridge  to  rest  upon,  and  to  have  it 
1  foot  wide  at  the  top,  which  could  be  eventually  done  by  pass- 
ing a  light  roller  over  the  tops  of  the  ridges.  In  Shropshire, 
where  they  manage  these  things  better —  at  least  as  far  as  re- 
gards the  cultivation  of  the  Swede  Turnip,  I  think — than  in 
any  other  county  I  have  seen,  except,  perhaps,  some  parts  of 


Forfarshire,  they  would  put  a  horse  to  a  double  mould  board, 
and  finish  off  between  ridges  as  straight  as  a  gun  barrel  almost 
as  fast  as  a  man  could  walk. 

Whether  upon  the  ridge  or  on  the  flat,  the  dibble  with  a 
blunt  point  should  be  employed  in  planting  Potatoes  in  a  field  ; 
the  sets  should  be  placed  7  inches  deep,  and  I  would  be 
entirely  opposed  to  after-mouldings.  By  hoe  and  by  hand  I  would 
keep  down  the  weeds,  and  I  would  pick  off  the  blossoms,  for  from 
them  we  may  anticipate  seed,  the  formation  of  which  taxes  the 
energies  of  the  plant  to  the  detriment  of  the  tubers.  Of  these 
in  due  time  I  would  guarantee  a  crop  on  the  ridge  system  far 
surpassing  that  obtained  on  the  old  moulding-up  plan,  so  long 
practised. — Upwards  and  Onwaeds. 


CRYSTAL  PALACE  AUTUMN   SHOW. 

AUGDST  25th  to  27th. 

No  one  could  expect  that  any  autumn  slaow  held  during  this  memor- 
able season  could  be  at  all  equal  to  those  which  are  usually  held  at 
this  time  of  the  year ;  and  althoui^h,  if  at  any  place,  a  gathering 
miRht  be  expected  at  the  Crystal  Palace,  so  liberal  is  their  schedule, 
and  80  anxious  are  they  to  induce  p;rowers  to  exhibit  with  them  ;  yet 
not  even  they  could  overcome  the  terribly  tiding  nature  of  the  season 
that  we  have  had.  It  was  not  only  that  we  have  experienced  a  drought 
such  as  nouo  of  us  who  have  attained  middle  life  can  remember,  but 
that  on  Saturday  last  we  were  visited  by  such  a  stonn  of  wind  and 
rain  as  utterly  destroyed  all  hopes  that  might  have  existed  of  making 
a  good  show.  From  east  and  west,  north  and  south,  came  lamenta- 
tions that  Roses,  Gladiolus,  Dahlias  were  so  battered  to  pieces,  that 
the  growers  could  not  possibly  fultil  their  promises ;  and  so,  many  a 
sad  blank  occuiTed  in  the  generally  well-filled  tables  in  the  Crystal 
Palace.  It  was  otherwise  with  the  fruit,  which  was  very  fine  ;  and  I 
think  the  astonishment  was  not  that  there  were  so  few  cut  flowers  ex- 
hibited, but  that  there  were  so  many  ;  not  that  the  quality  was  so  poor, 
but  really  that  it  was  so  good.  One  wondered  where  Mr.  Hawke  got 
bis  Hollyhocks,  or  Messrs.  Kclway  &  Son  their  GlatUoli.  Roses,  of 
course,  nothing  could  save,  and  they  were  nearly  all  so  much  out  of 
character  that  they  call  for  no  especial  remark.  Some  of  the  Gladi- 
olus shown  were  very  fine  ;  notably  those  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Kelway 
and  Son  and  Messrs.  Downie,  Laird,  &  Laing.  The  stand  of  twenty- 
four,  exhibited  by  Mr.  Kelway,  contained  Princess  Frederick  William, 
Mr.  Kenshawe,  Napoleon  III.,  Fulton,  very  fine  ;  Arabella  Goddard, 
Le  Poussin,  Marina,  Felicien  David,  Euridyce,  very  fine  ;  Le  Quintinie 
Molicre,  a  gi-and  flower ;  Adolpbe  Brogniart,  magnificent ;  James 
Veitch,  Norma,  very  fine  ;  Ktendard,  splendid  spike  ;  Ulysses,  very 
good  ;  Meyerbeer,  grand ;  Mathilde  de  Landevoisin,  Cassandra, 
MacMahou,  Le  Dant,';,  and  Madame  Basseville.  Messrs.  Downie  &  Co. 
had  Seedling  No.  2,  Duchcsse  de  Padoue,  Princess  Frederick  William, 
Seedling  No.  3,  Mario  Dumortier,  Madame  Vilmorin,  Meyerbeer,  very 
fine  ;  Mathilde  de  Landevoisin,  Le  Dante,  Moliere,  very  good ;  Stella, 
Oscar,  John  Waterer,  Madame  Furtado,  and  Noemie.  Some  of  these 
spikes  were  very  long  and  fine.  Messrs.  Bunyard  &  Son,  of  Asbford, 
were  third  with  some  nice  flowers  ;  and  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son  equal 
third. 

The  only  exhibitor  amongst  amateurs  was  the  Rev.  H.  H.  Dombrain, 
of  the  A'icarage,  Westwell,  Ashford,  to  whom  was  awarded  first  prize. 
His  box  contained  La  Fiancee,  new,  a  fine  white  ;  Norma,  new,  white, 
lightly  tinged  with  lilac  ;  Molii-re,  new,  a  fine  flower  ;  Semiramis, 
new,  lovely  pink,  but  somewhat  narrow  in  the  lip ;  Stella,  new ; 
Princess  Alice,  beautiful  shade  of  lavender  ;  Mrs.  IJombrain  (Stan- 
dish),  rich  mauve-shaded  flower;  Madame  Pereire,  Eni7dice,  Mac- 
Mahon.  Meyerbeer,  Lord  Byron.  Sir  Joseph  Paxton,  Galileo,  Thunberg, 
a  new  and  fine  flower ;  Edulia,  Belle  Gabrielle,  &c. 

The  Rev.  Edward  Hawkc's  Hollyhocks,  as  usual,  were  magnificent, 
and,  indeed,  he  was  the  only  exhibitor.  The  individual  flowers  were 
of  groat  size,  and  wonderfully  clean.  His  class  of  twenty-four  con- 
tained Exhibition,  Charles  Eyre,  Oetavia  (seedUng),  Gem  (seedling), 
WUlingham  Defiance,  Wilbngham  Model,  seedling  El  Dorado,  Rose 
d' Amour,  seedling  Edward  Speed,  seedling  Ruby  Queen,  Mrs.  Downie, 
and  IJueen  of  Yellows.  In  twelves  he  had  Ruby  Queen,  Nonpareil, 
George  Keith,  Charles  |Eyre,  Edward  Speed,  WUlingham  Defiance, 
seedling  Queen  of  Yellows,  Amber  Queen  seedUng,  and  Willingham 
Model. 

Ml'.  Perry's  Verbenas  fully  sustained  bis  usual  character  as  the 
foremost  raiser  and  grower  in  Englaud.  His  stand  of  twenty- four  con- 
tained Spot,  seedlinR  James  Birbeck,  Kate,  Mrs.  Jorleau,  Mazeppa, 
Little  Clara,  Leah,  Startler,  Foxhunter,  Annie,  Harry  Law,  Chieftain, 
seedling  Interesting,  Madame  Stenger,  Rose  Imperial,  Lord  Leigh, 
seedUng  Magnificent,  .\poUo,  Lilac  King,  H.  Ward,  Wonderful,  and 
Gi-ant  des  Batailles  ;  and  amongst  his  seedlings  were  Mrs.  Pochin, 
fine  pink,  first-class  certificate ;  Kate ;  Mrs.  Reynolds  Hole,  fine 
white ;  Spot,  pink  with  deep  eye,  first-class  certificate ;  Florence 
Fiddean,  Excellent,  and  Little  Dove.  Some  of  these  were  very  fine, 
and  nothing  could  exceed  the  purity  of  the  white  of  Mrs.  Reynolds 
Hole. 

Such  are  the  most  not.able  features  of  these  classes,  and  I  can  only 
hope  that  another  season  with  more  propitious  weather  one  may  see 
the  Crystal  Palace  Autumn  Show  what  it  usually  is.     Arrangements 


August  27,  1866.  ) 


JOURNAL   OF   HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


149 


have  been  mailo  to  hold  ti  special  Gladiohia  exhibition,  which  will,  wo 
feol,  bo  full  of  interest,  especially  if  I  cau  pet  M.  Sonchet  iind  other 
foreign  growers  to  exhibit.  Tims  cloaea  another  season  of  Crystal 
Palace  Shows.  They  have  been  succo3sfnl  ones,  nntl  uo  small  share  of 
this  SUCCORS  is  owiu*;  to  the  kinduciss  and  courtesy  of  Mr.  Wilkinson  ; 
and  all  who  have  to  do  with  tho  shows  iu  any  way  bear  testimony  to 
the  great  plcasnro  afforded  them  at  this  dLdightful  place  of  amuse- 
ment.— D.J  Dad. 


Of  the  flowers  not  noticed  above  the  Dahlias  are  the  most  important 
in  numbers,  aUhou*,'h  very  fur  from  forming  such  a  long  array  as  in 
more  favourable  yeartj.  Still,  those  exhibited  wore  remarkably  good 
i-ousidering  how  long  a  period  of  heat  and  drouijht  we  have  just  passed 
through. 

In  Class  I.  forty-eight  blooms,  Mr.  May.  of  the  Hope  Nurseries, 
Bedale,  is  first  with  very  lino  blooms  of.  Vice-President,  Lord  Derby, 
Jenny  Austin,  Octoroon,  "White  Perfection,  Mr.  C.  Waters,  .Tames 
Bennett,  Yellow  I'erfection,  Coronet,  Polly  Fawcett,  James  Backhouse, 
John  Klrby,  Salamander,  Matilda,  Jjotty  Atkins,  Miss  Ilcnshaw, 
Charlotte  Dorling,  Foxhuuter,  Sir  A.  Smyth,  Volunteer,  Mrs.  Boston, 
Golden  Drop.  George  White,  Lady  L.  Paulett,  Lady  Jane  KUis,  Sam 
Naylor,  Sir  J.  Douglas,  Master  of  Arts,  Albion,  Rosy  Circle,  Yellow 
Boy,  Favonrite,  Lady  G.  Herbert,  Lady  Klcho,  Fair  Iraofjeue,  Gold- 
finder,  Lord  Palmerstnn,  Hero,  Peri,  Leah,  British  Triumi-h,  Andrew 
Dodd,  Earl  Russell,  W.  Dodd,  Criterion,  Ellen  Potter,  and  Leopard. 
Mr.  Keynes  is  second  ;  Mr.  Draycott,  Humberstono  Nursery,  third. 

In  the  class  for  twenty-four,  Mr.  Keynes  and  Mr.  May  change  posi- 
tions, Mr.  Keynes  being  first  with  Andrew  Dodd,  Yellow  Boy,  Purple 
Gem,  Queen  of  Whites,  Miss  Dombruin,  Juno,  Lifjhtuing,  Memoran- 
dum, Seedling  C,  Gazelle,  J.  Douniugtnu,  Mrs.  Brunton,  Lady  G. 
Herbert.  Baron  Tauntou.  Lady  .J.  Ellis,  Leah,  John  Hunter,  British 
Triumph,  E.  Spary,  Caroline  Tetterell,  John  Kirby,  Sam  Bartlett 
John  Bunu,  and  Lady  of  tho  Lake.  Mr.  Draycott  is  third,  Messrs., 
Kelway  fouiih. 

The  best  twelve  Fancies  come  from  Mr.  May,  and  consist  of  Gem, 
Sam  Bartlett,  Mrs.  Wyaft,  Chaug,  Prospero,  Queen  Mab,  Ebor, 
Prince  of  Wales,  Mrs.  Dorliug,  John  Brown,  Coquette,  and  Leopard. 
Mr.  Keynes  is  second  with  J.  Bunn,  Sportsman,  Mrs.  Wickham, 
Attraction,  Startler,  Bessie  Wyatt,  Lightning,  Sam  Bartlett,  Chame- 
leon, Fanny  Sturt,  President,  ttc. 

In  the  amateurs'  classes  Mr.  Charles  J.  Perry  is  first,  Mr.  Draycott, 
gardener  to  T.  Paget,  Esq.,  M.P.,  Humberstoue,  Leicester,  second, 
and  Mr.  T.  Hobbs,  third,  for  twenty-four  blooms.  For  twelve  Mr. 
Draycott  is  fii'st,  Mr.  Burfitt  second,  Mr.  Hopkius,  of  Brentford,  third, 
and  Mr.  C.  .T.  Perry,  fourth ;  and  the  last-named  gentleman  is  first 
for  twelve  Fancies.  Mr.  Beck,  Wimbonie,  Dorset,  being  second. 
Several  seedlings  are  shown,  which  receive  certificates.  The  most 
noteworthy  are  John  Dis  from  Mr.  Hobbs  ;  and  Miss  Dorabrain, 
John  Hunter,  and  Queen  of  Whites  from  Mr.  Keynes.  Mr.  Hopkins 
had  a  second-class  certificate  for  Gipsy  Queen. 

Among  miscellaneous  subjects  Messrs.  Downie,  Laird,  it  Laing  ex- 
hibit an  excellent  group  of  subtropical  and  other  plants,  including 
Cannas,  Coieuses,  new  Caladiums,  Pelargoniums,  and  Phloxes.  For 
this  a  first  prize  was  awarded  ;  Mr.  Tanton,  of  the  Epsom  Nursery, 
taking  the  second  with  a  magnificent  AUamanda,  named  "  Hcndersoni, 
true  of  Wardle,"  and  the  correct  name  of  which  has  yet  to  be  decided. 


^  The  Fruit  is  the  great  feature  of  the  Show,  and  although  the  quan- 
tity exhibited  is  not  qnite  so  largo  as  usual,  the  quality  is  generally 
excellent,  and  some  of  it.  especially  the  Grapes,  is  of  the  highest  merit. 

The  first  prize  for  a  collection  of  fruit  was  taken  by  Mr.  Miles,  gar- 
dener to  Lord  Carrington,  Wycombe  Abbey,  with  a  Providence  Pine 
Apple,  Bailey's  Green-fieshed  Melon,  three  good  bunches  of  Black 
Hamburgh  Grapes  weighing  0}  lbs.,  three  of  Buckland  Sweetwater 
weighing  7^  lbs.,  Noblesse  Peaches,  Elruge  Nectarines,  Brown  Ischia 
Figs,  and  Washington  Plums,  all  of  which  were  vei-y  good.  Mr.  Kemp, 
gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Northumberland,  Albury  Park,  Guildfurd, 
SuiTey,  is  second  with  a  small  Queen  Pine,  good  bunches  of  Black 
Hamburgh  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes,  fine  Brown  Turkey  Figs, 
Green  Gage  Plums,  Royal  George  Peaches,  Violette  Hative  Nectai-ines, 
and  two  Melons.  Mr.  Clark,  gardener  to  Earl  Cowper,  Panshanger, 
is  third.  An  extra  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Miller,  gardener  to  Lord 
Craven,  Combe  Abbey,  for  a  splendid  collection,  which  would  have 
been  first  but  for  its  not  containing  a  dish  of  Figs,  on  which  account 
it  was  disqualified.  The  schedule,  after  enumeratiug  the  dishes  re- 
quired, stated  "  (one  dish  at  option  of  exhibitor),"  and  Mr.  Miller 
understood  this  to  mean  that  he  might  substitute  one  dish  of  any  other 
fruit  for  one  of  those  nam*d.  His  collection  consists  of  magnificent 
bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes  with  largo  and  beautifully  ripened 
berries,  Golden  Hamburgh  also  verj-  fine,  Stoneleigh  Abbey  Pine 
Apple,  Combe  Abbey  Hybrid  Melon,  Stirling  Castle  Peach  very  fine, 
excellent  Violette  H;Uive  Nectarines,  Late  Duke  Cherries,  and  Goliath 
Plums. 

Pine  Apples  are  not  numerous,  but  for  the  most  part  good.  In  the 
class  for  three  of  any  variety  Mr.  Ward,  gardener  to  T.  N.  Miller,  Esq., 
Bishop  Stortfoi'd,  is  tirst  with  three  finely  grown  fruit  of  Smooth- 
leaved  Cayenne,  very  even  in  size,  and  each  weighing  7  lbs.  or  upwards. 
The  jmze  for  the  best  Queen  was  awarded  to  a  good  fruit  from  Mr. 
Laiug,  gardener  to  P.  W.  Flower,  Esq,.  Tooting  Common,  Mr.  Harrow 


being  second.  The  best  fruit  of  any  variety  except  the  t^ueen  was 
Sraooth-loaved  Cayenne,  weighing  8^  lbs.,  from  Mr.  Ward  ;  Mr.  A. 
Wright,  gardener  to  C.  Roberts,  Esq.,  Regent's  Park,  being  second 
with  a  Providence  weighing  no  more  than  ft\  lbs. 

Grapoa,  as  shown  by  Mr.  Meredith,  of  Garston,  Liverpool,  and  Mr. 
Miller,  of  Combe  Abbey,  arc  the  finest  wo  have  ever  seen.  The  former 
took  the  first  prize  for  the  best  basket  with  Black  Hamburghs,  which, 
for  size  of  berries  and  beautiful  colour  and  bloom,  could  not  bo  sur- 
passed ;  whilst  Mr.  Miller,  who  is  second,  has  the  same  kind  also  in 
splendid  condition,  and  with  berries  of  the  largest  size.  Mr.  Ward  is 
third,  ard  Mr.  Osborne,  Finchley,  takes  an  extra  prize,  both  with 
excellent  Black  Hamburghs.  The  Bamo  kind,  also  veiy  good,  comes 
from  Mr.  Frost,  of  Maidstone  ;  and  among  other  kinds  shown  aro 
Muscat  of  Alexandria  and  Buckland  Sweetwater,  the  latter  very  good, 
from  Mr.  Excell,  gardener  to  J.  Hollingworth,  Esq.,  Maid-stonc. 

The  class  for  the  best  three  bunches  of  Black  Grapes  is,  however, 
that  in  which  the  two  most  remarkable  exhibitions  aro  produced; 
indeed,  wo  have  never  seen  finer  anywhere.  Tke  bunches  of  Black 
Hamburgh  from  Mr.  Meredith,  who  is  first,  aro  the  finest  wc  have  ever 
seen  him  exhibit,  magnificent  as  were  the  specimens  which  he  pro- 
duced in  previous  years.  The  centre  buneh  is  of  enormous  size,  with 
large  shoulders,  and  it  is  supported  on  each  side  by  a  large  and  finely- 
shaped  bunch.  The  berries  aro  immense,  in  ^ize  more  like  Plums 
than  Grapes,  and  are  covered  with  a  beautiful  bloom.  Mr.  Miller, 
gardener  to  Earl  Craven,  Combe  Abbey,  was  awarded  the  second 
prize  for  three  splendid,  compact,  symmetrical  bunches,  remarkably 
equal  in  size,  and  with  berries  of  enormous  size  and  beautifully 
coloured.  These,  too,  were  such  as  wo  have  not  seen  surpassed,  and 
are  a  convincing  proof  of  Mr.  Miller's  skill  as  a  Grape-grower,  though 
his  success  in  previous  years  renders  proof  of  that  fact  unnecessary. 
Mr.  Thomas,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Child,  Whetstone,  is  third,  and  good 
bunches  are  also  shown  by  Mr.  Osborne,  Mr.  Sage,  and  others- 
Messrs.  Lane  have  excellent  bunches  of  Alicante,  but  not  sufficiently 
ripe. 

In  the  class  for  White  Grapes,  Mr.  Osborne,  of  Finchley,  is  first 
with  fine  beautifully-ripened  Muscats,  and  Mr.  Laing,  gardener  to 
P.  Flower,  Esq.,  second,  with  large  bunches  of  Canon  Hall;  Messrs. 
Lane  &:  Son,  of  Berkhampstead,  are  third  with  Trebbiano,  fine.  Mr. 
Miller,  Mr.  Carr,  and  others  also  send  good  bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alex- 
andria, and  Mr.  Aedy.  gardener  to  Mr.  Wright,  has  Buckland  Sweet- 
water perfectly  ripe,  being  of  a  deep  amber  colour.  Mr.  Keen  also 
has  good  bunches  of  the  same  kind. 

The  first  prize  for  the  largest  bunch  of  any  variety  was  taken  by 
Mr.  R.  Keen,  gardener  to  J.  G.  Sheppard,  JEsq.,  Wickham  Market, 
with  Buckland  Sweetwater,  weighing  4  lbs.  12ozs.  ;  the  second  prize 
going  to  Mr.  Douglas,  gardener  to  F.  Whitbounie,  Esq.,  Loxford  Hall, 
Ilford,  for  Black  Hamburgh  weighing  ?>  lbs.  13i  ozs.  ;  and  the  third  to 
Mr.  R.  Laing  for  a  bunch  of  Canon  Hall  of  3  lbs.  5^  ozs. 

Peaches  chielly  consist  of  Royal  George,  Violette  Hative,  and 
Barrington,  but  are  not  remarkable  for  size.  Mr.  Douglas  is  first 
with  fine  fruit  of  Exquisite,  a  very  large  yellow-fleshed  American 
variety.  Mr.  Miller  is  second  with  a  very  fine  dish  of  Padley's  Seed- 
ling ;  'Mr.  Sage,  gardener  to  W.  Leaf,  Esq.,  Streatham,  taking  a  like 
award  for  Teton  de  Venus  ;  and  Mr.  Rose,  Acton,  is  third  with  Bar- 
rington. 

Nectarines,  with  the  exception  of  the  prize  dishes,  are  small.  Mr. 
King,  gardener  to  R.  Loder,  Esq.,  Slaugham,  is  first  with  large  and 
finel'ruit  of  the  Violette  Hative.  Mr.  Miller  is  second  with  Murrey, 
large  and  finely  coloured ;  and  Mr.  Douglas  third  with  Pine  Apple, 
very  fine.  Pitmaston  Orange,  of  which  the  last-named  is  on  improved 
variety,  Downtou,  Hunt's  Tawny,  Elruge.  and  Imporatrice  are  the 
other  kinds  principally  shown,  and  G.  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  of  Weybridge, 
sends  good-sized  fruit  of  the  Stanwick  from  an  orchard  house. 

Melons  are  shown  iu  considerable  numbers.  The  first  prize  for 
gi'een-fleshed  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Richbell,  Tadworth  Court.  Epsom, 
for  a  fruit  unnamed  ;  the  second  to  Mr.  Bailey,  Shardeloes,  for  Bailey's 
Green-fleshed  ;  and  the  third  to  Mr.  Gibson,  Westerham.  Mr.  Carson 
has  a  fruit  of  Carson's  Nonsuch  weighing  I'A  lbs.  ;  and  among  other 
kinds  are  Golden  Perfection,  Bromham  Hall.  King's.  Heckfield  Hybrid, 
and  Golden  Gem.  In  the  scarlet-fleshed  class  Mr.  Bailey  is  first  with. 
Scarlet  Gem;  Mr.  Clark,  Panshanger,secoud  with  Malvern  Hall;  and 
Mr.  Hutley,  Epsom,  third  with  Prizetaker. 

In  Figs  there  is  scarcely  any  competition.  The  best  two  dishes  are 
Brown  Turkev  and  White  Marseilles  from  Mr.  Willmore,  gardener  to 
the  Misses  Jones,  Maidstone  ;  Mr.  O.  Goldsmith,  gardener  to  Sir  W. 
Farquhar,  Bart..  Polesdeu,  is  second. 

Of  Cherries  likewise  there  are  very  few,  as  might  be  expected  so  far 
on  in  the  season.  Morello  and  Belle  Maguifique,  both  very  fine,  from 
Mr.  Clark,  P.anshanger,  are  first;  Morello  and  Black  Tartarian,  the 
latter  small  but  of  the  deepest  black,  from  Mr.  Sage,  Ashridge  Gar- 
dens, are  second  ;  and  Morello  and  Late  Duke  from  Mr.  Goldsmith 
thii-d. 

Plums  are  very  numerous  and  good,  and  consist  of  Kirke's,  Pond's 
Seedling,  Magnum  Bonum,  Denyer's  Victoria,  Goliath,  Purple  Gage, 
Jefferson.  Washington,  Coe's  Golden  Drop,  and  Mitchelsou's.  Mr. 
Jackson,  gardener  to  G.  W.  Gower,  Esq.,  Titsey  Park,  is  first ;  G.  F. 
Wilson,  Esq.,  second  with  Coe's  Golden  Drop,  Huling's  Superb,  and 
Transparent  Gage.  These  were  grown  in  an  unbeated  orchard  house 
till  all  danger  from  frost  was  over,  and  then  ripened  out  of  doors. 
i  R.  Webb,  Esq.,  Culham  House,  Reading,  is  thii'd  with  Coe's  Golden 


150 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICCLTUBE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENEB. 


^mFf.'^^TS"  ^™?Tv  V"^  Jfff«'-=<"» ;  Mr.  Bailey,  Shardeloes,  being 
?Jt  «  "''''''  Victoria,  and  Washington 

Of  Apples    the  collections  are  very   nnmerons,  and   some  of    tlie 

?fvon?lT  !  7"  T-  ^--y/'nT'  '''"'""S''  "x'  ^™=°°  tas  been  nn- 
laTOnrable  to  the  attainment  of  large  size  by  fruit  Renerallv  Fori  four 
dishes  ot  dessert  kmds  Mr.  W.  Holder.  SprLgfiell,  Maidslonr^  firs 
with  very  good  examples  of  Kerry  P.ppin,  Pennington's  Seedling 
Cox  s  Orange  Pippm,  and  Summer  Pearmaiu.  Mr.  Webb,  Reading 
IS  second  with  Kibston  Pippin,  Cox's  Orange,  Newtown  P  ppin,  and 
Eed  Qnarrenden,  all  of  which  are  very  fine.  Mr.  -Willraore  is  third 
with  Sam  Young,  Ked  Quarrenden,  IngrL's  Seedling,  and  M  Ast  a 
Chan.  Dr.  Cooper  Slough,  is  fourth  fand  Mr.  Jones,  gardener  to  E 
Purser,  Esq,,  Carshalton,  takes  an  extra  prize 

_    For  Kitchen  Apples  Mr.  C.  Chaff,  gardener  to  A.  Smee,  E.sn    Wall- 
ington   was  awarded  the  first  prize  for  immense  fruit  of  Coaicillor 

to  F  FuX\-  f"''  ^"'^^'^/.'^^  P««/  P'-l'li^g-  Mr.  Geirs,  gardenT; 
to  i-.  ihght,  Eh].,  Norwood,  18  second  with  large  specimens  of  Hibstcn 
Pippm,  Alexander,  Gloria  Mundi,  and  Blenheim  Pippin.  Mr  jone, 
gardener  to  E.  Purser,  Esq.,  is  third;  Mr.  Downing,  gardener  to  T 
Cr"y,1onrth'^'  ""^  '  ^"""^ '  <""^^<'''''-  Lane,  St.  Mary  s 

The  best  three  dishes  of  Pears  come  from  Mr.  Holder,  and  consist 
Bon  Ch  ai^n"''T,''' r  "'  «™«<"i'  Beurrd  Clairgean,  and  William 
rbr-H„      p        .^!",'^''T'''  ^'r,""'-  '^  ""■'""^  ^"1'  Williams's  Bon 
Chretien,  BeurrcdAmnnhs,  and  Duchessed'AngouIeme  ;  Mr  Holder 
Beading    IS  third.     U.  F.  Wil.on,  Esq.,  sends  exceUent  examples  of 
Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey,  Marechal  de  la  Cour,  and  Glou  Monean 
grown  in  an  orchard  house   and  placed  out  of  doors  when  there  was  no 
danger  from  frost      All  three  prizes  for  the  best-ilavourcd  dishes  of 
Pears  went  to  Wilhams's  Bon  Chretien,  the  prizetakers  bein»  Mr 
Douglas,  Loxford  Hall,  Mr.  0.  Goldsmith,  and  Mr.  Willmore      An 
cxfra  prize  was  given  to  Mr.  Elliot,  Sydenham  Hill,  for  the  same'kind 

Ihe  heaviest  dish  or  Pears  comes  from  Mr.  Samuel,  gardener  to 
T  Lucas,  Esq.,  Betchworth,  and  is  King  Edward  wei^ini  7  lbs 
14  ozs.  Mr.  Kabbitt,  gardener  to  Lord  St°  John,  Mellbbouru'e  Pari  ' 
Ca'tXc  r  V'w-r  Calebasse;  and  Mr.  O.  Goldsmith  third  with 
Oatillac  G  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  exhibits  remarkably  fine  fruit  of  Tri- 
omphe  de  Jodoigne  from  an  orchard  house,  and  ripened  out  of  doors 

lor  Vines  m  pots  Messrs.  Lane  &  Son  take  first  for  fine  examples 
trtj  'f'"'f  fp  ^T!"'  L<"'LBri']««  R<«"J,  has  a  similar  award 
tl  bf  ?  /T'",'  ^r"''  ^T"-  ?""•  '^"'^  exhibitors  also  take  prizes 
for  beautiful  collections  of  pot  fruit  trees.     Extra  prizes  are  awarded 

t  Tp^Ih  F  ■'t!'"'  '''''''^^r"'"'  ™''J'"^'^-  ^-  G«yett,  gardener 
to  J.  Pen^tt.  Esq  Heme  Hill,  receives  one  for  seven  fine  bunches  of 
Alicante  Grape  close  together  on  a  portion  of  a  branch.  Mr  Webb 
Eea<Ung,  has  another  for  Nuts  and  Plums;  Mr.  Bailey,  Shardeloes' 
for  a  very  large  finely-netted  Melon,  called  Monarch  ;  Mr.  Cair  gar-' 
dener  to  P.  L.  Hinds  Esq.,  Byfleet,  for  two  Granadillas,  two  {r'J"o{ 
the  Papaw  and  ^Jater  Lemons  (Passitlora  lanrifolia)  ;  Mr.  Levell 
Upper  Clapton,  and  Mr.  Sleat,  Upper  Norwood,  for  well-g^own  Cucum^ 
M?i  ^^ejisrs.  Lee  also  exhibited  among  misceUaneous  subjects  their 
JUadieslield  Court  Grape.  ■• 


[  August  27,  1868. 


p'e  esof  not,'°'?r  "'""'j  ^'"^""=  '"Pf""'  may  consist  of  turf  1 

oeaf  mould  ^  fiftb  ""J  ""u  "^'"'?  ^^'''^  '^'^-f-^l^.  one  barrowload 
oi  lear  mould,  a  filth  of  old  cow  dung,  and  if  the  loim  ;<.  =(,.«„„« 

harrowful  of  sand.  Mix  all  these  i^gr^d  ents  weU  Tog  her  and 
put  the  compost  in  the  bed,  making  it  above  the  surrounding  level  to 

rmTde°some'l°T  '^  .k'  '^°^  "'"1''"^"  grow  fine  Zodo'd-enW 
i  made  some  beds  in  this  way  several  years  ago,  and  the  plants  are 
finer  than  those  growing  in  peat  as  regards  theiJ  foliage  those  in  fte 
peat,  however,  are  more  profuse-bloomin"  °  '  '^ 

cafnot  brhad"  '^^V'Vi^^'T  T'''  ""^  »ismtable,  even  where  peat 
cannot  bo  bad  A  light  sandy  loam  may  bo  improved  by  a  Uberal 
dressing  of  turf  cut  into  smaU  pieces,  and  leaf  mo[.ld™LchL  ■'  feet 
deep  aud  mixing  the  tarf  and  leaf  mould  with  the  siil.  He^L^sojl 
Zlt.TdZir.t^:  '-  «''°'l°^-'^ons  by  adding  sh^^-l 

obL°inntL''"r/'^';''^"™''  *■"=""='"  ■■>  ^'^^  <»■  '""•Jo'''',  where  peat  is 
found  if  n'."i  T'  ?  ''."'"""•^  "^  '"•™"°'  "f  «"'  «P«»^<=.  I  have 
the  ho  „„°  i'^*°  '°  dig  a  good-sized  hole,  placing  a  little  peat  at 
ireh  l^T'.r  „7'™°?d'>^.g  tho  b.allwith  peit  soilT  covering  it  en- 
be  haktb.  I  '"?°"  '°7'"'  ^^'  °'^'""''-y  ^"l-  ^Vhen  no  peat  can 
be  had  the  compost  named  as  a  substitute  for  peat  may  be  einloved 

mira'bf  I  IT""^  ""^  \^'''  i"'  f'"  P'^°'-  ^his  pla^n  ansTsTd^ 
mirably.     I  have    many  fine    bushes  which  cannot  bo  distinguished 

upTar'd';:f  J°  ir'trf  °"^  "'  ^'"'''  "'''  ''"^^  ^"^  •'-°  «  «^-  ^'^ 
tban'bitllT'T^?  choosing  a  situation  select  one  which  is  moist  rather 
he  better  Tl,f''rr"  '^"^TV'^  '''"'  '^  '^  •^'^t"-^"  "  -i"  h"  ^U 
trees  am  'on^if^"","  T!!  '"=  "P"""'  "°*  '^V'"^  *°  '""e  drip  of 
ons  artb»  f     ""^}  °J  """'■  '°°^^'  »^  ^^'^o"  ai-e  quite  as  injnri- 

ZlC  f  "•''  f  ""/'i"  hunches.  It  is  also  desirable  to  secure 
nos  hI! 7,  7""'-  ""^  that  Rhododendrons  are  fender,  but  in  bleak 
positions  the  leaves  are  so  battered  one  against  the  other  as  to  be 

theTnttToWr'  'f-'^^'^i^Y''' '"  -itableplacesthe  plants  have 
them  f=  .1  ^  T  y  "^  *'""  '"^"'=''  •■'^'^y  f™'"  huiWing--  than  near 
plants  "'  ^^^^^  ''°"'™''  "^  "^  """'^ '''™  ^^'"^  '^««'  the 


ORNAMENTAL  AND  FLOWERING  SHRUBS. 

(Concluded  from  page  113.) 
Culture    of   EHoroDESDnoNs.— ,S'o,7.-The   Rhododendron,   and 
all  shrubs  requiring  peat  soil,  succeed  weU  in  an  open  soil,  porous  so 
as  to  absorb  water  freely,  and  yet  permit  of  its  speedily  passin"  off 
when  the  quantity  is  excessive.     It  is  essential  that  the  subsoil  shSnld 
be  weU  drained,  and  it  it  is  naturally  of  a  loose  open  nature  all  the 
Setter  ;  for  the  idea  that  some  have  of  treating  the  Rhododendron  aa 
a  bog  plant  IB  wholly  erroneous,  because  where  there  is  a  bo"  there  is 
stagnant  water,  and  in  such  the  Rhododendron  wiU  not  thrive      The 
plant,  though  fiounshiug  in  a  moist  soU,  does  not  succeed  in  one 
where  water  remains  in  the  snbsoil,  for  the  roots  sneedily  perish  in 
stagnant  moisture.     The  soU  most  suitable  is  a  fibrous  brown  peat 
containing  a  large  proportion  of  particles  of  white  sand.     Avoid  the 
nse  of  black  peat  from  low  ground,  which,  when  wetted,  either  be- 
comes a  soapy  mass,  or  when  squeezed  in  tho  hand  gives  out  inky- 
Jooking  water ;  any  soil,  except  chalk,  is  better  than  it.     In  chalky 
soils  the  Rhododendron  does  not  grow  well— indeed,  they  are  the  wors't 
ot  all.     Some  loams,  and  generaUy  those  overlying  a  yellow  clay  sub- 
soU,  will  gi-ow  the  Rhododendron  well,  especially  when  the  loam  is  of 
a  friable  nature,  stagnant  water  being  carried  oii'  by  draina-e      Light 
nch  sandy  soils  are  not  altogether  unsuitable,  as  they  may  be  imnroved 
by  the  addition  of  turf  and  leaf  mould.  ^ 

In  making  the  beds  or  borders,  where  the  aoU  is  a  peat  of  a  suitable 
nature,  nothmg  further  will  be  required  than  to  trench  it  •  but  if  the 
SOU  18  unsuitable  the  bed  should  be  dug  out  to  a  depth  of  not  less 
than  18  inches  and  not  exceeding  2  feet,  and  the  subsoil  should  be 
loosened  to  an  equal  depth.  If  the  latter  is  wet  a  drain  should  pass 
under  the  bed  or  border  to  take  away  superfluous  water,  and  this  drain 
Should  not  be  less  than  3  feet  from  the  surface,  but  it  will  be  better  if 
4  feet  deep.  The  pit  thus  formed  is  to  be  fiUed  with  peat,  chopped 
np  rather  roughly  for  tho  bottom,  and  finer  towards  the  top,  making  it 
from  b  to  9  inches  above  the  surrounding  ground  level,  but  do  not 
raise  the  bed  high  m  the  centre  unless  water  can  be  given  abundantly 
in  summer,  as  with  the  bed  raised  the  plants  will  be  more  liable  to 
BOfler  from  the  want  of  a  proper  supply  of  moisture  in  dry  periods 


r>oj,a;,afw„.-ihia  19  effected  by  seeds,  layers,  cnttings,  and  graft- 
ami'  nl3""""?  ''"'',  '^"•<' ''  "  '^'^'""'  "'■  ohtainiug  new  varieties, 
sowJ  ri  "^°  '?.\^<=':'"«1  '-^  quantity  for  shrubberies.  Seed  may  be 
sown  m  Apri    either  in  pans  or  boxes,  in  a  cold  frame,  or  in  a  bed  of 

fillet.'""',  ""■r';!,'^'''P-,  ^'^^  1"'°^  '''■""''i  he  well  drained  and 
hi  ed  to  withm  .a  little  of  the  rim  with  sandy  peat,  a  little  very  fine 

Zj,r'^  ?  r"^  "■}  'H"  '°P-  ^^<=  ^'"•^''<=''  'Should  be  made  even  and 
smooth  and  be  watered,  and  the  seeds  scattered  evenly  over  it  and 

m„,J,''T'^  ""■■  ST'  ^^"^  ™y  lightly  with  silver  sand.  They 
may  also  be  sown  in  Febraary  or  March  ;  in  that  case  the  pans  should 
be  placed  m  a  frame  on  a  gentle  hotbed,  and  shading  from  the  sun  wiU 
lender  watenng  less  necessary  than  would  otherwise  be  the  case.     All 

tTouble'orf  ^^  f "?  ^^'"""^  "  ™^y  fi"^  '-■=•  '^'"1  to  save  the 
flZlt  ?!  f"'9,n™t.™tenDgs  a  little  moss  may  be  placed  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  soil,  taking  care  to  remove  it  when  vegetation  commences. 
lJil^  '?  T?  ,'"  ^P'"  P'^'^'=  *'"'  ^""'^  pans  in  a  cold  frame, 

„Z,-«  r/°?  ^^'df  "";"  ^^^  '^^^'^i^S"  appear,  when  air-  must  be 
admitted  freely.  When  they  are  large  enough  to  handle  prick  them 
out  d  inches  apart  m  a  frame,  in  abed  prepared  as  for  sowing,  and 
keep  them  close  and  shaded  till  they  are  established  ;  then  give  air 
gradually  and  harden  them  weU  off.  If  sown  in  heat  they  must  be 
well  hardened-off  previous  to  their  being  pricked-out.  The  soil  ia 
which  they  are  growing  should  always  be  kept  moist,  but  avoid  satn- 
ratmg  it.  Whilst  giving  abundance  of  air  protect  from  heavy  rain, 
shade  from  powerful  sun,  and  shelter  from  frost  by  a  mat  over  the 
sashes  bmally,  plant  out  in  the  open  ground  when  the  plants  meet 
n  the  bed  placmg  them  in  lines  a  foot  apart,  and  at  6  iiches  plant 
II  om  plant  m  the  row. 

Layering  may  be  performed  in  autumn  or  spring.  It  requires  care, 
so  as  not  to  break  the  shoots,  and  is  at  the  best  a  slow  ilndesirable 
process.  Plants  which  have  plenty  of  branches  near  the  ground 
should  be  chosen,  aud  the  branches  must  be  of  sufficient  length  to  bo 
bent  down  and  pegged  about  2  inches  below  the  surface.  The  shoots 
ougnt  to  be  securely  pegged  down,  and  to  facilitate  the  emission  of  roots 
copious  suppUes  of  water  should  be  given  in  dry  weather.  Some  make 
a  cut  in  the  shoot  or  branch  layered ;  others  merely  layer  it  aud  peg 
It  in  the  soil.  I  think  it  desirable  to  make  a  cut  about  midway  along 
the  branch,  and  on  the  under  side  of  the  part  laid  in  the  soil.  The 
branches  should  be  made  secure  above  ground,  if  necessaiy,  by  staking 
and  tying  ttem  up.  In  the  autumn  following  the  layering  the  layers 
should  be  examined  by  turning  the  soil  aside,  and  if  rooted  they 
should  be  cut  off  immediately  below  the  roots,  taken  up  with  as  much 
soil  as  possible,  and  replanted.  If  the  branches  ai-e  not  rooted  thej 
must  remain  another  year. 

Propagation  by  cuttings  is  seldom  practised,  and  is  not,  in  my 
opinion,  equal  to  grafting.  Cuttings  of  the  current  year's  wood  should 
be  taken  off  when  the  growth  is  complete  and  the  wood  is  becoming 
brown.     Cut  them  off  close  to  the  previous  year's  wood,  and  trim  off 


Angnst  27,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF    HORTICOLTUEE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


151 


tho  leaves  for  '2  or  3  inches,  pare  the  haso  of  the  ciittiuj^  smooth,  ami 
insert  it  in  a  compost  of  sandy  peat  coveroil  with  an  inch  in  thickness 
of  silver  saiul.  A  moderate  waterintj  should  he  pivon,  and  tho  cnttiups 
covered  with  a  bell-glass,  and  placed  in  a  frame,  tho  lights  of  wliich 
should  ho  kept  close  and  shaded  from  the  aun  until  roots  are  emitted, 
then  gradually  admit  air,  and  remove  tho  bell-glasses.  Tho  rootinj; 
of  the  cuttings  will  be  ]ironioted  by  insertinj^  each  in  a  3-inch  pot ;  and 
when  a  cailus  is  formed  remove  them  to  a  frame  on  a  hotbed,  and 
plnngo  tho  pots  to  the  rim  in  sawdust  or  tan.  The  hotbed  should 
then  have  a  temperature  of  70^.  Tho  yonng  plants  from  cuttings 
should  bo  well  hardeued-off,  wintered  in  a  cold  frame,  and  planted  out 
in  spring. 

Grafting  is,  perhaps,  the  best  way  to  obtain  a  stock  of  established 
varieties.  The  best  stock  is  Rhododendron  ponticum.  The  stocks 
should  bo  slightly  thicker  than  tho  gi-afts.  (irafting  should  be  per- 
foimed  quite  close  to  the  ground  ;  indeed,  better  below  it,  and  just 
above  the  setting-on  of  the  roots,  as  there  is  then  less  liability  to  pro- 
dace  suckers,  and  the  graft  or  scion  will  have  an  opportunity  of  form- 
ing roots  should  it  bo  disposed,  and  thus  obtaining  nourishment  by  its 
own  roots. 

The  stocks,  of  whatever  kind  (some  using  the  seedlings  of  the  hybrids, 
which  I  do  not  like,  as  the  growth  of  the  named  varieties  upon  them  is 
tardy),  ought  to  be  jilanted  during  the  autumn  or  spring,  previous  to 
grafting  either  closely  together  in  beds,  so  as  to  allow  of  their  being 
covered  with  a  frame,  or  in  pots,  so  that  they  can  be  removed  to  a 
frame  when  worked. 

The  best  time  to  graft  is  towards  the  end  of  Angnst,  or  early  in 
September,  when  the  young  shoots  have  ripened.  The  head  of  the 
stock  should  be  cut  off  6  inches  or  more  from  the  ground,  leaving  some 
poi'tion  of  the  leaves  on  the  stock  ;  and  immediately  above  the  setting- 
on  of  the  roots  put  on  the  scion  by  side  grafting,  which  is  just  the 
same  as  whip  grafting,  only  the  head  of  the  stock  is  not  entirely  re- 
moved. A  growing  shoot  of  the  current  year  should  be  chosen.  Secure 
the  gi'aft  with  matting,  and  cover  it  with  clay  or  grafting  wax,  and  if 
convenient  cover  the  clay  or  union  with  soU.  sawdust,  cocoa-nut  refuse, 
or  other  material.  Place  a  frame  over  the  plants,  putting  on  the 
lights,  and  keeping  them  close  until  the  gi-afts  have  taken.  Wedge 
grafting  may  also  he  employed,  hut  1  do  not  think  it  is  so  good  as  side 
grafting.  In  spring  the  head  of  the  stock  should  he  rut  off  close  to 
the  union  of  the  stock  and  scion.  Grafting  may  also  be  performed  in 
spring,  just  before  or  when  the  stocks  are  commencing  growth. 

Inarching  is  an  eligible  mode  of  propagation,  being  best  performed 
in  May  and  June.  Budding  is  sometimes  practised  ;  it  is  best  per- 
formed in  August,  and  is  a  convenient  mode  of  propagation, 

PUintiiVf. — The  most  suitable  time  to  plant  Rhododendrons  is  in 
September,  but  if  they  are  removed  with  good  bulbs,  it  may  be  done  at 
almost  all  seasons.  Transplanting  immediately  before  flowering 
diminishes  the  duration  of  the  bloom,  and  if  performed  after  the  flower- 
ing is  over  it  has  an  injurious  effect  on  the  growth.  Planting  early  in 
autumn  or  spring  is  preferable  to  late  spring  and  summer  plautmg. 
In  taking  up  preserve  as  much  soil  as  possible  about  the  roots,  for  on 
that  depends  the  speedy  re-establishment  of  the  plants.  Chopping 
the  ball  and  reducing  it  by  beating  is  a  practice  that  cannot  be  too 
highly  discountenanced,  for  it  destroys  the  plant's  feeders,  and  until 
more  are  fonned  it  remains  stationai-y,  even  if  it  does  not  retrograde. 

In  planting,  do  not  plant  deeply,  but  merely  cover  the  roots  deeper 
by  3  inches  to  allow  for  the  loose  soil  settling.  At  the  same  time  the 
plant  must  not  be  elevated  much,  if  at  all,  above  the  surrounding 
ground  level,  for  that  would  in  dry  weather  only  tend  to  deprive  the 
plant  of  moisture.  After  making  the  soil  firm  round  the  ball,  give  a 
good  watering,  and  afterwards  whenever  water  is  required  it  must  be 
supplied,  otherwise  the  foliage  and  flowering  suffer. 

If  tko  beds  become  overcrowded  every  alternate  plant  should  be 
removed,  or  the  whole  of  the  plants  mnst  be  taken  up  and  replanted 
in  autumn  or  spring.  The  latter  period  is,  perhaps,  the  better  of  the 
two,  as  the  plants  from  crowding  wUi  have  become  somewhat  tender, 
and  on  planting  in  autumn  at  greater  distances  the  foliage  is  apt  to 
be  injured  by  severe  frosts  and  cutting  winds.  Replanting  affords  an 
excellent  opportunity  for  renewing  tho  soil  wholly  or  in  part,  and  ac- 
cording to  my  o\vn  experience  this  should  ho  done  every  sixth  year, 
but  where  there  is  plenty  of  room  between  the  plants,  the  soil  will  not 
require  renewal.  A  liberal  top-dressing  of  equal  quantities  of  leaf 
mould  and  cow  dung  not  less  than  a  year  old,  should,  however,  he  ap- 
plied every  year  in  March,  and  in  June  mulch  the  beds  with  short 
grass  mowings.  Never  put  a  spade  into  beds  of  American  plants,  but 
keep  them  clear  of  weeds,  and  lightly  point  them  over  with  a  fork,  so 
as  to  prevent  the  surface  cracking  and  becoming  covered  with  moss. 
Never  go  so  deeply  as  to  disturb  the  roots.  If  seed  is  not  wanted  the 
trusses  should  he  removed  as  the  flowers  fade,  doing  so  will  contribute 
to  a  vigorous  growth. 

When  the  plants  are  becoming  unsightly  any  irregular  growths  may 
be  cut  away,  and  if  necessary  the  plant  itself  to  any  extent.  This  is 
best  done  before  growth  takes  place,  or  it  may  he  deferred  till  imme- 
diately after  the  flowering.  Rhododendrons  hear  cutting  quite  as  well 
as  Laurels. — G.  Abbey. 


NEW    ROSES. 
Ik  answer  to  "  Rosahian's  "  qneation,  in  page  110,  I  may 
state  that  the  following  Roses  have  bloomed  well  this  season, 


and  will,  doubtless,  prove  good — viz.,  Coquette  des  Alpes,  pure 
white,  cupped,  larger  than  Baronne  de  Majnard  ;  very  vigorous. 
La  France,  very  light  rosy  lilac,  very  large  and  globular,  free- 
hlooming  ;  very  fine.  IiupcJratrice  Charlotte,  beautiful  delicate 
rose ;  a  very  large  and  finely-formed  flower.  Madame  la 
Baronne  de  Ivothschild,  soft  delicate  rose  colour,  very  large  and 
cupped ;  fine  habit.  Boule  de  Niege,  white,  medium  size ;  a 
lovely  cupped  flower,  lieine  do  Portugal  (Tea),  is  a  flower  of 
good  form.  It  is  medium-sized,  of  a  bright  coppery  yellow, 
very  distinct,  and  should  be  grown  by  everyone. 

The  above  I  am  sure  will  be  worth  every  Rose-grower's  at- 
tention, and  will  prove  to  bo  standard  flowers.  No  doubt  there 
are  others  of  the  same  date  which  may  ultimately  prove  as 
good. — John  Milton. 


WORK  FOR  THE  ^^^3EK. 

KITCHEN    CAEDEN. 

Ajteh  the  heavy  rains  which,  according  to  all  accounts,  have 
been  general  throughout  the  country,  tho  ground  will  be  in  a 
fit  state  for  planting  out  winter  crops.  Hoe,  fork,  and  dig 
among  advancing  crops.  Arlicliokcs,  it  any  of  the  rows  are 
seven  years  old,  lose  no  time  in  cutting  the  plants  down,  and 
trench  the  ground  as  deeply  as  you  find  it  good  ;  not  but  that 
the  plants  might  go  on  for  another  seven  years,  and  still  bear 
well  enough,  but  it  is  bad  management  to  let  ground  lie  out  o£ 
rotation  so  long.  Gooseberry,  Currant,  and  Raspberry  bushes 
are  often  left  on  the  ground  until  they  cease  producing  through 
sheer  exhaustion  of  the  soil.  CauUfloicer,  sow  for  the  spring 
crop.  Lettuces,  if  sown  now  or  a  fortnight  hence  in  an  open, 
airy  space,  will  often  stand  the  weather  better  than  stronger 
plants  growing  in  more  protected  sitiuitions.  Mushrooms,  attend 
to  the  beds  in  a  bearing  state,  and  continue  to  make  fresh  ones. 
Radishes,  sow  for  autumn  and  early  winter  use.  Thyme,  Sage, 
Mint,  and  Tarragon,  that  were  cut  over  last  month,  are  now 
becoming  quite  bushy  again,  and  in  fine  condition  to  be  taken 
up  for  potting,  or  to  be  put  in  boxes  for  forcing  gently  in 
winter. 

PEUIT    GARDEN. 

The  strawberry  plants  forced  last  spring  and  planted  out  in 
May,  having  now  done  beating,  should  be  taken  up  and  potted; 
the  main  portion  of  the  old  roots  to  be  cut  away  in  October,  as 
by  that  time  there  will  be  plenty  of  strong  young  roots  produced 
immediately  under  the  surface  of  the  ground.  The  plants  should 
then  be  put  in  a  cold  vinery  for  forcing  by  the  end  of  January, 
and  a  third  crop  will  be  gathered  by  the  end  of  the  twelvemonth. 
Cutting  off  the  leaves  of  Strawberries  at  this  time  is  not  a 
worse  practice  than  digging  the  beds  in  winter,  as  you  cut  off 
all  those  fine  roots  formed  late  in  the  autumn  near  the  surface 
of  the  ground.  The  old  plan  of  covering  the  beds  with  a  rich 
compost,  leaving  only  the  tops  of  the  leaves  above  it,  is  the 
best  winter  management  after  all.  As  soon  as  the  fruit  is 
gathered  from  Raspberries,  clear  away  all  the  old  wood,  and 
any  very  strong  shoots  left  at  the  summer  thinning.  Tie  the 
young  shoots  to  stakes  or  rails.  Fork  in  a  coating  of  manure, 
for,  like  the  Vine,  the  Raspberry  delights  in  rich  feeding. 
Attend  to  the  directions  previously  given  about  Vines  ;  thin 
out  all  useless  shoots,  remove  leaves  when  they  are  too  close 
together,  but,  while  exposing  the  bunches  to  more  light,  be 
careful  to  leave  a  sufficiency  of  leaves  to  shade  them  from  the 
direct  influence  of  the  sun's  rays.  A  number  of  Gooseberry 
and  Currant  bushes  protected  by  netting  might  now  be  enclosed 
in  mats  to  preserve  the  fruit  longer.  One  advantage  of  covering 
some  now  is,  that  the  buds  will  be  well  ripened  for  nest  season. 
Put  the  fruit  room  in  good  order  for  the  reception  of  fruit,  and 
gather  not  only  the  finer  wall  fruit  as  it  ripens,  but  also  a 
portion  of  the  crop  of  favourite  Apples  and  Pears,  so  that  by 
sweating  part  of  them  with  dry  sweet  hay,  you  will  be  enabled 
to  prolong  their  season. 

FLOWEK   GAr.DEN. 

The  beds  here  will  require  particular  attention  through  the 
autumn,  and  fingers  and  knife  must  be  constantly  at  work 
thinning,  pruning,  stopping,  and  regulating  plants,  and  the 
outlines  of  the  beds.  Every  flower  which  offers  to  seed  should 
be  cut  away  as  soon  as  it  begins  to  fade.  Dahlias  and  Hol- 
lyhocks, with  other  tall-growing  plants,  require  to  be  well 
trimmed  and  tied-up  regularly  to  stakes.  The  hybrid  Phloxes 
are  particularly  gay  at  this  season.  Fuchsia  corymbiflora  in 
rows  or  single  standards  will  have  a  fine  effect  from  this  time 
till  frost  comes.  Prepare  a  piece  of  ground  for  sowing  a  general 
collection  of  hardy  annuals,  which,  in  late  situations,  may  be 
sown  immediately,  but  in  favourable  soUa  the  middle  of  Sep- 


152 


JOUENAL  OF  HORTICDLTUKE   AND   COTTAGE   GABDENER. 


[  AogUBt  27,  1868. 


tember  will  be  soon  enough.  Wallflowers,  if  they  are  too  close 
together,  must  be  pricked  out  into  nursery  beds  for  trans- 
planting when  the  borders  are  cleared  for  the  winter.  Now  is 
a  good  time  to  procure  any  fresh  varieties  of  Polvanthus,  so 
that  they  may  become  well  established  before  winter  ;  if  plants 
come  from  a  distance,  and  are  planted  in  the  border,  a  hand- 
glass should  be  placed  over  them,  and  carefully  shaded.  Loam 
and  leaf  soil  in  equal  quantities  will  be  found  a  simple  and 
good  compost  to  grow  them  in.  The  soil  for  potting  layers  of 
Carnations  when  they  are  ready  to  take  off  should  be  loam, 
river  sand,  and  decayed  leaves,  well  turned,  thoroughly  ex- 
amined, and  run  through  the  hand,  so  that  no  wireworm  nor 
grub  may  escape.  The  flower-stalks  when  there  is  no  seed 
may  now  be  cut  off  close  to  the  surface,  and  the  sticks  or  sup- 
ports removed,  cleaned,  and  put  away  till  next  season.  Plant- 
ing beds  of  Pansies  for  blooming  next  season  ought  not  to  be 
delayed  much  longer.  The  following  compost  is  excellent  for 
securing  strong  healthy  plants,  and  fine  blooms.  Two  parts 
fresh  maiden  loam,  one  part  decayed  cow  manure,  one  part 
road  scrapings,  one  part  leaf  soil  or  decayed  vegetable  matter. 
This,  if  well  mixed  and  sweetened  by  repeated  turnings  pre- 
vious to  forming  the  bed,  will  not  disappoint  the  amateur's  ex- 
pectations. Turn  over  the  soil  of  the  Tulip  bed,  and  if  fresh 
compost  is  required  see  to  it  in  time. 

GEEENHOUSE    AND    CONSERVATORY. 

The  management  of  the  conservatory  will  be  more  uniform 
now  than  in  summer.  No  syringing  will  be  necessary,  unless 
for  a  plant  here  and  there  which  may  require  it  for  keeping 
down  insects.  Where  blinds  have  been  in  use  to  keep  off  the 
sun,  they  cannot  be  dispensed  with  yet  altogether,  but  use 
them  as  little  as  possible  from  this  time.  Let  oil  the  watering 
be  done  in  the  morning,  and  givo  no  more  water  to  stove 
plants  which  are  brought  into  this  house  for  their  flowers  than 
just  enough  to  keep  their  leaves  from  drooping.  The  few 
Lantanas  which  we  cultivate  in  this  country  are  well  suited  for 
flowering  in  this  house  late  in  the  summer  and  through  the 
autumn.  Turnera  elegaus  is  a  very  useful  and  gay  plant ;  it 
flowers  from  April  to  October  in  the  conservatory,  and  even 
out  of  doors  in  summer,  but  it  requires  a  house  rather  warmer 
than  a  greenhouse  in  winter,  and  is  the  first  to  go  off  in  damp 
winters.  Young  plants  of  it  in  small  pots,  well  drained,  and 
fiUed  with  sandy  loam  only,  might  now  be  put  in  a  spare 
Melon  frame  to  ripen  them  off  ;  when  they  have  filled  the  pots 
with  roots  harden  them  by  admitting  plenty  of  air,  and  in 
winter  place  them  on  a  shelf  near  the  glass  in  a  cool  part  of 
the  stove. 

STOVE. 

The  beginning  of  September,  when  slight  fires  will  be  neces- 
sary in  dull  or  cold  weather,  is  a  critical  time  for  stove  plants. 
The  house  must  now  be  kept  more  close,  air  being  given  in  the 
middle  of  the  day  only.  An  increase  of  heat  by  artificial 
means  is  more  likely  to  retard  the  ripening  of  plants  now  than 
if  they  were  left  cool  and  dry.  The  thermometer,  should  not, 
however,  be  allowed  to  fall  below  60"  for  the  next  six  weeks, 
and  during  this  time  it  is  of  much  importance  to  keep  the  at- 
mosphere of  the  house  dry  as  in  the  dead  of  winter.  These 
rules,  however,  do  not  apply  to  plants  whose  habit  is  to  grow 
in  winter,  as  is  the  case  with  many  bulbs,  Orchids,  and  a  few 
other  plants.  Clerodendron  splendens  is  one  which  grows  late 
in  the  autumn,  and  may  now  be  encouraged ;  it  will  flower  for 
a  long  time  in  the  winter,  and  established  plants  of  it  should 
be  forced  to  grow  in  the  spring  or  early  summer.  Like  some 
other  plants  it  requires  a  long  period  of  rest  after  flowering. — 

W.  liEANE. 


DOINGS  OF   THE  LAST  WEEK. 

"  It  never  rains  but  it  pours,"  is  a  saying  that  has  held  good 
this  week,  and  coming  after  refreshing  showers,  the  rain  has 
done  much  to  moisten  the  soil,  almost  to  as  great  a  depth  as 
the  drought  had  penetrated.  Never  in  our  experience  had  we 
known  the  soil  to  be  so  dried.  In  turning  up  ground  after 
Potatoes,  Peas,  Arc,  we  found  no  moisture  for  fully  18  inches 
in  depth,  the  soil  falling  off  instead  of  holding  on  to  the  spade, 
as  if  it  had  been  as  much  sand,  or  burnt  clay.  What  rather 
surprised  us  was,  that  the  firmer  and  less  moved  the  ground 
previously,  the  more  moist  it  was  when  dug  up.  Wo  do  not 
allude  now  to  cases  in  which  merely  the  surface  of  the  ground 
was  kept  loose  and  open,  and  the  soil  deeper  down  compara- 
tively firm  and  unmoved,  for  in  such  cases  after  passing  a  few 
inches  from  the  surface  the  soil  was  comparatively  moist,  but 
we  allude  chiefly  to  cases  in  which  the  ground  had  been  well 


'  broken  for  previous  crops,  and  left  comparatively  open,  so  that 
the  parching  air  had  more  access  to  greater  depths. 

In  the  case  of  ground  with  a  rather  firm  surface,  though 
there  were  numbers  of  cracks  and  fissures,  and  though  there 
would  be  a  free  radiation  of  heat  and  a  free  absorption  of  sun 
heat,  and  thus  a  free  evaporation  of  moisture,  there  would  be 
no  check  given  to  the  rising  of  moisture  from  greater  depths 
to  meet  this  constant  evaporation  from  the  surface.  On  setting 
close  hand-lights  on  such  firm,  apparently  dry  soil,  keeping 
them  on  all  day,  there  would  often  be  a  plentiful  deposition  of 
condensed  moisture  inside  in  the  morning,  and  that  all  the 
more  it  the  night  was  starry  and  comparatively  cool,  when  the 
air  in  general  was  so  dry  that  even  a  clear  starry  night  could 
not  condense  dew  from  it  out  of  doors.  One  of  the  most  me- 
morable things  connected  with  the  hot  dry  weather  through 
which  we  have  passed,  was  the  clear,  cloudless  nights,  and  yet 
no  deposition  of  dew,  owing,  no  doubt,  to  the  fact  that  in 
many  of  these  nights  the  thermometer  ranged  from  60'  to  70°. 
In  such  cases,  in  several  instances  we  found  that  the  glass  was 
a  better  condenser  of  the  vapour  in  a  confined  atmosphere, 
than  the  blades  or  rather  points  of  grass  and  other  foliage,  of 
the  vapour  in  the  general  atmosphere  ;  perhaps  owing  to  the 
air  under  the  glass  becoming  hotter  than  even  the  open  at- 
mosphere. 

In  the  case  of  mere  sm-ftice-stirrinr!  of  the  soil,  we  believe 
that  whilst  that  arrested  absorption  and  radiation  of  heat,  and 
thus  so  far  modified  the  evaporation  of  moisture,  it  did  not 
greatly  interfere  with  the  rising  of  moisture  from  beneath  ;  and 
it  so,  the  more  frequent  this  surface-stirring,  so  as  to  break  the 
lines  of  conduction,  the  more  effectual  it  would  be  for  prevent- 
ing the  escape  of  moisture  by  evaporation  ;  but  when  the  soil 
was  stirred  to  greater  depths,  not  only  would  it  be  dried  more 
effectually  by  the  dry  air  passing  through  it,  but  such  a  depth 
— say  a  foot  of  open  soil,  would  prevent  the  free  rising  of 
moisture  from  beneath  to  supply  the  place  of  that  so  freely 
absorbed  by  the  dry  air.  We  would  be  glad  if  some  of  our 
readers  would  give  a  better  explanation  of  the  facts.  As  we 
have  endeavoured  to  explain  them,  they  are  in  a  great  measure 
in  unison  with  the  theory  and  practice  of  watering  to  which 
we  have  recently  alluded.  If  we  are  right,  the  surface-stirring 
of  ground  to  keep  heat  out  and  moisture  in,  depends  more  for 
its  effect  on  the  frequency  and  the  shallowness  of  the  stirring 
than  upon  its  depth;  nay,  it  may  be  presumed  that  the 
greater  the  depth  the  less  will  be  the.  efficiency  of  the  practice, 
so  far  as  the  keeping-in  of  moisture  is  concerned.  The  matter 
is  of  importance,  as  we  believe  that  the  heat  and  dry  air  were 
quite  as  much  against  our  keeping  up  a  good  supply  of  crisp 
green  vegetables,  as  the  want  of  rain  or  surface  moisture,  and 
for  this  purpose,  as  lately  alluded  to,  it  would  be  interesting  to 
know  what  is  the  highest  temperature  in  which  green  succulent 
Peas,  Broad  Beans,  &c.,  can  be  had  in  the  south  of  Europe  and 
the  north  of  -Africa,  and  where  there  are  no  means  of  watering 
or  irrigation  to  be  resorted  to. 

The  change  produced  by  the  rains,  and  the  coolness  accom- 
panying them,  have  acted  like  the  wand  of  an  enchanter.  Blue- 
coloured  vegetables  are  reverting  to  their  bright  green.  The 
prophesyers  of  bad  times,  who  told  us  there  would  not  be  much 
green  grass  until  about  Christmas,  are  thoroughly  astonished. 
The  pastures  that  crackled  under  your  feet  and  looked  as  brown 
as  a  highway  are  now  green,  and  will  soon  yield  abundant 
forage.  Our  lawns,  brown  and  more  than  brown,  are  now 
covered  with  the  most  beautiful  green,  showing  that  the  roots 
had  never  been  much  injured.  We  could  scarcely  manage  some 
parts  with  the  machine  on  Friday,  the  only  dry  day  of  the 
week  ;  and  now,  after  such  a  soaking  d.iy  as  this  of  the  22nd, 
we  expect  we  shall  be  obliged  to  mow  the  longest  pieces  on 
Monday. 

KITCHEN    GAKBEN. 

Even  stunted  seedlings  of  the  Cabbage  and  Broccoli  tribes 
have  made  remarkable  progress  during  the  week.  Planted  these 
and  whatever  we  could  in  open  spaces ;  also,  good  breadths  of 
Coleworts  and  the  earliest  Cabbages,  planting  so  thickly  as  to 
move  afterwards  every  other  plant — a  good  plan  when  water- 
ing has  to  be  resorted  to. 

As  our  Cabbage  ground  was  not  quite  ready,  and  as,  un- 
fortunately, the  grubs  seemed  prevalent,  we  have  pricked  out  a 
good  piece  with  plants  about  4  inches  apart  in  rich  soil,  and  will 
lift  and  transplant  with  the  trowel.  Prepared  also  two  beds 
•1  feet  wide,  and  a  few  inches  below  the  surface  enriched  almost 
as  much  as  for  Celery,  and  planted  with  Leeks,  as  they  will 
come  in  when  other  vegetables  may  be  scarce.  Fulled  up  aU 
the  Onions,  and  will  size  and  string  them  the  first  opportunity. 


Angnst  27, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTIOULTURK  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


153 


But  for  the  drought,  watering  being  out  of  the  question,  our 
Onions  would  have  been  fine ;  as  it  ia  they  are  smaller  than 
nsual.  and,  therefore,  we  are  pleased  with  some  bushels  of  fine 
large  ones  of  last  autumn's  sowing.  Tlie  very  first  planting  of 
these  are  too  large  to  keep  long,  but  the  second  planting  will 
keep  through  most  of  the  winter  and  be  very  useful  where 
large  Onions  cannot  well  be  done  without,  and  on  this  account 
we  have  sown  Onions  twice,  and  will  sow  a  few  more  next 
month.  Such  late  autumn-sown  ones  do  very  well  in  a  moist 
summer,  but  in  such  a  dry  summer  as  this  the  large  ones  thus 
obtained  are  invaluable.  When  once  established  and  the 
ground  merely  surface-stirred  to  prevent  cracking,  no  drought 
will  prevent  these  Onions  attaining  a  large  useful  sine.  Like 
autumn-sown  Wheat,  they  take  hold  of  the  ground  and  rather 
delight  in  the  sunshine.  We  have  traced  the  roots  of  autumn- 
Bown  Onions  3  feet  down  from  the  surface. 

Our  Mushroom  bed  in  the  open  shed,  notwithstanding  all  the 
heat,  has  done  well.  We  spawned  a  piece  more,  and  have  had 
the  Mushroom  house  cleared  out  and  will  smoke  it  well  with 
sulphur  before  whitewashing  for  the  winter,  as  it  is  well  to  do 
away  with  all  insects  and  crawling  enemies.  Young  Lettuces 
are  greatly  troubled  with  grubs  this  season.  No  doubt  these 
flourished  doubly  on  account  of  the  dry  warm  weather.  The 
fly  has  now  almost  disappeared,  at  least  our  young  Turnips 
seem  as  yet  free  of  it.  In  reply  to  a  question  of  Mr.  Abbey, 
we  have  always  forgotten  to  say  that  the  duty-free  tobacco 
dust  that  injured  our  British  Queen  Strawberry,  was  applied  to 
the  fruit  when  fruit  and  foliage  were  dry,  was  brushed  off  after 
being  on  some  days,  and  then  all  well  syringed.  It  did  little 
harm  to  a  few  plants  of  President.  There  were  so  few  of  them 
that  we  did  not  care  to  smoke  or  to  syringe  heavily  with  any 
liquid  hurtful  to  the  fly,  but  we  will  not  care  to  use  the  powder 
much  for  Strawberries  again.  As  a  general  rule  nothing  is  so 
searching  as  smoke,  though  dusting  and  brushing  are  very  well 
in  some  cases.  The  great  object  is  to  kill  the  first  intruder 
seen. 

This  is  a  good  time  to  make  Mushroom  spawn  for  those  who 
nse  a  vast  quantity,  or  who  wish  to  go  through  the  whole  pro- 
cess for  themselves.  For  those  who  use  only  a  bushel,  or  two 
or  three  bushels  in  the  season,  they  will  purchase  their  spawn 
much  cheaper  than  they  can  make  it,  as  after  the  mere  work 
of  making,  there  is  as  much  lookiug-after  required  for  two  or 
three  bushels  as  for  a  hundred  or  a  thousand.  Gardeners,  if 
possible,  should  learn  how  to  do  everything  connected  with 
their  trade  ;  but  the  doing  so  in  many  cases  would  only  be  a 
loss  to  theu-  employer,  and  as  much  behind  the  times  and  true 
economy,  as  if  every  family  in  our  cities  were  to  spin  and 
weave,  tan  and  curry,  and  make  all  their  own  clothing  and 
boots  and  shoes. 

PKDIT    GARDEN. 

Much  the  same  as  last  week.  Owing  to  the  dryness  there 
will  be  few  autumn  Raspberries  this  season,  and  the  sooner  the 
old  canes  and  the  very  young  ones  are  removed  the  better. 
Gooseberries  and  Currants  deprived  of  their  fruit  may  also  be 
rough-pruned  at  least,  and  the  shoots  shortened.  Wherever 
birds  are  a  pest  to  buds,  the  bushes  may  receive  all  the  pruning 
that  will  be  necessary  until  the  fruit  is  fairly  set  next  season. 

Apples  are  swelling  well  after  the  wet,  and  all  dropped  ones 
should  be  picked  up.  The  earUest,  as  Red  Quarreuden,  are 
ready  to  be  gathered. 

Peaches  and  Nectarines  out  of  doors,  will  in  many  cases  be 
benefited  by  a  good  watering,  where  the  rains  have  not  gone 
deep  enough.  Plenty  of  the  engine  and  clear  soot  water  should 
be  given  where  the  red  spider  has  made  its  appearance.  We 
have  it  on  two  or  three  trees,  because  in  the  hottest  weather 
we  could  not  syringe. 

OENAMENTAL   DEPAETMENT. 

Managed  to  pick  a  good  part  of  our  flower  beds  on  the  21st, 
onr  only  dry  day,  removing  the  decayed  and  seeding  flowers  as 
alluded  to  last  week,  and  even  on  this  the  wet  day  of  the  22nd, 
the  difference  is  very  striking  between  the  beds  gone  over, 
fresh  and  gay,  and  those  unpicked,  as  the  faded  and  seeding 
blooms  look  very  melancholy.  In  the  case  of  Pelargoniums, 
&c.,  the  fading  blooms  when  washed  send  their  dirty  colours 
over  other  blooms  tolerably  fresh,  and  thus  spoil  the  look  of 
those  that  otherwise  would  have  stood  the  ordeal  of  a  some- 
what continuous  rain.  We  have  now  a  fair  supply  of  water, 
that  will  make  us  tolerably  independent  for  the  autumn. 

The  mowing  the  now  green  lawn,  the  clearing  the  beds, 
clipping  the  edges,  and  surface-stirring,  will  be  nearly  all 
that  will  be  required,  with  plenty  of  sunshine,  to  give  a  fine 
autumn  display.       Oar  Pelargoniums  were  such  masses   of 


flower  that  we  could  scarcely  obtain  cuttings,  but  we  expect  to 
proceed  on  Monday  with  propagating  for  next  season,  and 
must  be  content  with  small  cuttings,  so  as  not  to  distress  the 
beds.  In  the  wet  days,  cut  down  Pelargoniums  well  hardened 
out  of  doors,  put  in  cuttings,  potted  Cinerarias,  Salvias,  Age- 
ratums,  &c.,  for  winter,  potted  Primulas,  changed  plants  in 
houses,  potted  Balsams,  Ferns,  Pelargoniums  for  late  bloom- 
ing, and  top-dressed  Chrysanthemums,  which  hitherto  we  have 
kept  in  a  shady  place  to  save  watering,  otherwise  we  would 
have  had  them  full  in  the  sun.  We  shall  be  able  to  do  so  now, 
and  give  them  manure  water  plentifully,  as  soon  as  they  knot 
for  bloom.  Many  of  the  hardier  stove  plants  will  now  and  for 
some  time  longer  do  well  in  the  conservatory,  and  fine-leaved 
Begonias  will  do  well  in  a  place  rather  shady ;  and  provided  no 
leaves  or  other  matter  fall  on  their  fine  foliage,  Caladiums  will 
also  do  in  a  similar  place  in  a  greenhouse  until  the  middle  of 
September,  when  if  at  all  cool,  they  will  be  better  transferred 
to  a  warmer  place  to  ripen  their  tubers.  These  flue-leaved 
plants  often  perish  because  wintered  in  too  low  a  temperature, 
and  the  tubers  are  green  instead  of  matured. — 14.  F. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— Acgust  20. 

Supplies  remain  much  in  the  same  proportion  to  demand  as  last  week, 
prices  varying  but  little.  Pears  now  comprise  Bou  Chr-Hien,  Beurre 
d"Am;inli3,"Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey,  and  Gratioli.  Apples  are  Kerry  Pippin, 
Strawberry  Pippin,  and  Nonsuch,  ConsiRuments  from  the  Continent  are 
still  favourable  to  the  foreigner,  and  comprise  Lettuces,  Endive.  Cauli- 
flowers, and  Carrots,  with  the  usual  assortment  of  Plums  and  Pears. 
Potatoe  trade  steady  at  last  week's  quotations. 


s. 

d. 

s. 

d 

s. 

d. 

s. 

a 

Apples 

H  sieve 

1 

6  to  2 

n 

Melons 

each 

2 

0to5 

u 

Apricots 

..  doz. 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Nectarines  . 

doz. 

a 

0 

ti 

0 

lb. 

0 

n 

u 
fl 

0 

n 

0 

0 

Oranges  .... 
Poaches 

100  12 

doz.    4 

0 
0 

20 
8 

II 

Chestnuts.... 

..  bush. 

0 

Coxrants 

}■''  sieve 

0 
0 

0 
0 

0 

n 

0 

n 

Pears  (dessert)  ..doz. 
Pine  Apples lb. 

2 
4 

u 

0 

4 
6 

u 

Black  .... 

....  do. 

u 

Figs 

..  doz. 

1 

0 

8 

0 

Plums 

}i  sieve 

a 

0 

6 

0 

FUberts 

lb. 

n 

il 

1 

0 

Quinces  ... 

doz. 

0 

0 

0 

u 

Cobs 

....  lb. 

n 

9 

1 

0 

Kaspberries 

lb. 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Gooseberries 

. .  quart 

n 

fl 

(1 

(1 

Strawberries 

. .  per  lb. 

0 

u 

0 

u 

Grapes,  Hothouse,  .lb. 

2 

0 

5 

0 

Walnuts.... 

...  bush. 

10 

u 

IB 

u 

Lemons 

....  100  10 

0 

16 

0 

do 

.    per  100 

i 

u 

2 

b 

VEGET 

LBLES. 

fl. 

d. 

. 

d 

8. 

d. 

B 

d 

Artichokes  . . . 

. ..  doz. 

R 

OtoO 

0 

LeekB  

...  bunch 

0 

4  too 

t; 

Asparagus  . . . 

100 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Lettuce 

per  score 

2 

0 

4 

0 

Beans,  Kidney 

|o  sieve 

4 

fl 

a 

0 

Mushrooms 

...pottle 

3 

0 

4 

ti 

Beet,  Bed.... 

...  doz. 

a 

fl 

a 

0 

Mustd.ife  Cress,  punnet 

0 

2 

d 

0 

Broccoli 

bundle 

0 

0 

u 

u 

Onions  per 

loz.  bchs. 

ti 

0 

0 

u 

Brus.  Sprouts 

^i  sieve 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Parsley 

.per  sieve 

8 

u 

4 

u 

Cabbage  

. ..  doz. 
....  100 

1 

a 

0 

n 

(1 

t 

1 

(1 

0 

0 

Peas  .r 

per  quart 

2 

0 

0 

0 

n 

n 

1 

0 

Potatoes  . . . 

..  bushel 

4 

e 

6 

u 

...  doz. 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Kidney 

do. 

4 

u 

V 

u 

bundle 

1 

6 

2 

0 

Radishes  doz 

.  bunches 

1 

ti 

u 

u 

. ..  each 

0 

4 

1 

0 

Rhubarb . . . 

. .  bundle 

U 

0 

u 

u 

Endive 

...  doz. 

« 

n 

0 

0 

Sea-kale  . . . 

..  basket 

0 

u 

u 

u 

Fennel  

.  bunch 
lb. 

0 
0 

n 

8 

8 
8 

lb. 

(1 

H 

n 

(1 

0 
0 

0 

fl 

Spinach  . . . 
Tomatoes.. 

..  bushel 
.  per  doz. 

5 
1 

0 
0 

0 

0 

Herbs  

0 

Horseradish  . 

bundle 

s 

0 

e 

0 

Turnips  ... 

. ..  bunch 

U 

ti 

i 

u 

'TRADE   CATALOGUES  EECEIVED. 

Sutton  &  Sons,  Eeading. — Catalogue  of  Bulbous  Flower  Boots, 
Plants,  Seeds,  d'c. 

Thomas  Sampson,  Preston  Road  and  Houndstone  Nurseries, 
Yeovil. — Catalogue  of  Cheap  Flower  Roots. 

B.  S.  William's,  Victoria  and  Paradise  Nursery,  Upper  Hol- 
loway,  London,  N. — General  Bulb  Catalogue,  and  Catalogue  of 
New  and  Rare  Plants,  Fruit  Trees.  <fr. 

Smith  &  Simons,  1,  Buchanan  Street,  Glasgow.— Dufc/j  Roc-: 
List. 

TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 

N.B.— Many  questions  must  remain  unanswered  until  next 
week. 

HoESFOHTH  Show  (Jn-s.  Butchhison).— The  schedule  states  that  "no 
plant  will  be  allowed  in  the  above  classes  where  there  is  a  collection  tor ;" 
and  you  were  disqualifled  because  you  showed  a  Heath  in  your  collection 
of  stove  and  greenhouse  plants,  there  being  a  class  for  a  single  specimen 
Heath.  A  single  specimen  cannot  bo  a  collection  of  Heaths,  and  so  you 
have  conformed  to  the  conditions  of  the  schedule.  What  the  Committee 
evidently  meant  by  the  note  wo  have  quoted  was,  that  no  plant /or  which 
there  is  a  separate  class,  will  be  admitted  in  the  above  classes,  but  they 
did  not  say  so.  Some  competent  person  should  always  be  employed  to 
prepare  such  schedules  as  those,  and  particularly  when  prizes  of  the 
value  of  £3i  and  £40  are  at  stake.    (.•(.  Z.).— Seo  the  preceding  reply. 

Mildew  on  Roses  (E.  F,  IT.).—"  Any  ironmonger  can  supply  or  pro- 


154 


i^^^^^^^l_^^^ORTlCULTraE  AND  COTTAGE    GARDENEB. 


foVfiSrCj^^^t^'V^fti^f/y^- '-  f  "-8  land  with  f„„r  tines,  and 

Hop  leaves  in  my  hedge,  are  smearid  ^^^t  J  i^'"  l'  ZZTU"'-  ,  V'"'  ""^ 
to  give,  unless  I  saw  the  Rnsn  nI«^tT  i.  ^ ';"'^<"y  know  what  advice 
dissolve  a  0Z3.  of  blue  vi  riolin  ho  w„t;,.  "  fw  '?.'"',«  ""'y  »  '««-  ^o^^x 
water,  and  pour  it  ove?tho  rfTecteriln^f '^  *? 'V''"''  gallons  of  cold 
watering  pot  well  afterwards.  wLerevouserif'™'-  ."""'^  °"'  y"" 
out  with  your  flnper  and  thumb  r„(„^,.  .11^  ^°'?  "  ^P°'  °^  '™  "■«'' '' 
it.-W.  F.  R,Dcr.YrFE.-'  '  "'"  *"  inferior  wood  allected  with 


[  Aagast  27, 18B3. 


inft?rce!°ex^e1,pt^afe/whTch'rre'^L?s°''  "'  "''"^  '''""'  ''"'^  ^  "^^  fi"-^' 

loo^lf rs't"w^?hout"trir  flowtrs'""-'Th?v  '■^'""r^  f"--«)-They  always 
flowerkss.  nowers.     They  should  therefore  be  exhibited 

.;^se'rrm'enTerru!^V™u?e'y-^"tr  ""?'?■  *"  ""^  "'  *""  ''"^^^<^ 
depart  from  oni  rule  not  to  re'-"---    '     "^  i''^'"'  ^^'^  '""""'' 

another.  °'  '°  recommend  one  dealer  in  preference  to 

welfmli'^l^ed  for  pSes'for^'evT/ll' ='"'''■'''  '•-".'  "^^^  »'°™''  '"'"'>?  been 
yomig  Strawberry  plants  The  four  oTA°°''  ''"'"  *"  ^°°'^  """"^h  for 
Paxton  is  good  as  an  earlv  W»  «,  K  ""^  "J^""*  "'■'=  excellent.  Sir  J. 
Late  Pino  are  both  fi?st?ate  in  Si  ^es™^^^^^^^^^  ^°«^  "°'»  Progmore 

ion  will  probably  not  be  able  to  rhlZ  ^f'  .  H""^  """y  8°°*  indeed, 
advise  you  by  all  means  to  hav.pi '^'""f  "^  ^""^"^  '"»  season.  I 
neither  do  the  berrS'  n  han«  a  lon^t'"'""^' «*■?",  P'""'  "«^"  bums, 
it,  July  ISth.  I  think  p^j  ho??/  .Jlhi'  *'"'■  ^  Ao'sbod  the  season  with 
especially  the  last  namfd  Guano  t?"  f""^^"  '"•<'  b"t  for  Strawberries, 
for  them.-W.  F.  ElScLYFrEj"       '  '''°°<l™^°ire,  and  soot  are  also  good 

Sp!?gu?armaTn.''rtLTntf.f„''"'^''\'^-'---^'=''''-  ■">  '»"1>  i"  the 
and  substitute  grnvel"^  say  4  „?  InZl ' ,''"'  '>'«  «;°"W  remove  the  grass 
sides  of  the  gravel  we  V„,?M^?  /!£''?. '^""b.  and  then  alonj  the 
Sedums.  Thefe  we  would  auiwti^„'^-  "'?  Saxifrage  and  different 
the  gravel,  so  that  thVwalk,  slTnnM^  '"'t??^"''' ''"'^  ^over  pieces  of 
AH  we  should  want  woiw  be  mere W  an  S*"!"  =  ''°'  "^^'"''^  '"  '"^th. 
know  this  plan  will  be  picturesque  aVd°pS'^^o"''"°  '°'  '™"^S-    ^^ 

uaedEMdJlPssbw-combustTonriliro'^'  t"""!  ^-"')-We  have  not 
to  its  answering.  Do  not  sunnosp  f  ""--selves,  but  we  have  no  doubt  as 
from  dust,  and  do  not  be  led^wav  w^fTIb''  '?"'  «??  b"Uer  wHl  free  vou 
boUer  with  almost  no  full  AsToThr^u  "^? '<''''  that  you  can  heat  any 
that  is  aU  right,  and  there  is1he  improvement ''  ""^  '^'^edom  from  smell, 

#s°?''^a?drer^>''|eTE'o';,?^-.'a-;ItL'^:'jT''^*  V''  -"P"'"'  "=*  - 
latter  gives  the  distances  from  rSwpv  =t  k""^"^""!!""  directory."  Tlie 
serymen  as  well.  It  marblrdYor^'.yo^'^Jrb'i.-lf'or^T/'  "'  """ 
?a?t?hr.?;?PrvrH?-r,P--°J«3f  )^Yon  mn^  i--^  --'-■'el  the 
in  commerce  "-in  other  w^SlfS  itttVyetsoli\7?h1-;;|a';'""  ^'=' 
pdrarw:£^^rop^-,?„^--  .P.^.^I-Plnm  t^reeLTstdards 

'^rnrs:r,~Cr 

45=,  which  represents  the  nearest  approach  ("o  fi"/"  '5'''f<»"'L<'ordons  is 
the  parent  stem.  All  experience  showftbL?  k  '.Jf^u^  by  a  branch  with 
agamst  walls.  Dm-ing  th"  first  vm^i!  °  '"'■','■?  *>"'  ""^'e  for  trees 
^der  to  an  angle  of  70  so  as  to^nr.^;,,^,™""',  "  '^  "Bht  to  keep  the 
mien.sufflcient%xtension°sobtninerfirT''''  ^?"*'^  °°  either  side.  ' 
In  the  "Modern  Peach  PruM?"iTi/l'  °  '"^T ''  *"  ''5'  for  fruiting. 
on  back  walls  below,  saj  12  feet  hi^i  ^nTf'^"""'^"'  '°  P'™'  ='"«'«  eordons 
a  double  cordonl,  when  the  wall  ?l  I  „  ^"'T  ?  'Second  leader  (formin" 
an  e^ellent  heighTfor  the  back  wall  o'^a  ea^n  "  l"*'  ^'T  ^^  '"  'f^  '«'  " 
I  have  always  adopted  and  Sim  Z^LJ  \  °  ^°°'"'-  ""'"e  »re  13  feet. 
qnarter-inch  rods.'^  If  horizonUl'; '?, "'  "  <b«Ronal  wooden  trellis  of  three- 
strained,  and  Rniding  rods  used  bSe„T„''''S'''S''*P'^y  """''  be  tightly 
I'ghtly.attacbedatevery  Wiuches  Thefnlu'^'"  "'''  ^""^"^  ^''oufd  be 
nnes  r-Hunfs  Tawnv,  Elruge  Rh-er^s  nl.  ""'v?  '!''''  '"""  S""'!  ''"e^'ta- 
Downton,  Royal  Victoria  S^eApple.-TC^£VnruT°  ^"'^'=' ^^"^'Jen, 

thjr  ""lk*st?a°;?d?arargre"  ^"ht?  wSr  if ;?•/•'•-/"'«  '"  ">«-  ^ 
and  It  contains,  besides  the  inform^.-  '^e'"l''3' send  it  to  you  gratis, 
well-eMcuted  coloured  lrawin»s  of  1™  ''™.  "?''  ^"^  "bout  heating 
other  horticultural  b^dWs  a  ;=  La?lv  !T'l"f''  Preenhouses,  and 
subjects.  imuings.    It  IS  reaUya  book  for  reference  on  snch 

toow^o?'^opaSIa^'?„1e™„„^"l'•^^K'M™  Calxpoekia  (J.  r)-V.'e 
fomia  we  sh^ufd  think  much  the'samf  of  i.""'  '"'  -''"^'"""  ^^^  Cali- 
berry  caces  would  answe"  we  I  allo^n^  evi  *;  "  w^  ^.'^'^  '°  ""r  Rasp- 
wood,  and  the  shoot  or  shoots  for  neT«„L-^,.'''°°'  '°  bave  its  bearing 
Jn  the  south  of  Em-ope  ^'  *"'^°°  ^  beai-ing,  as  often  practised 

m  12  or  IS-inch  pots.^  Keep  them  i^o^Sn'"'"  'r*^"  ?"'''  "°til  they  are 

'^'.rrCr  ''''■     "^"—  --^^^^  and^  rrio-rei"  "-" 

ascribe  the  want  of  flavoufif  "vmir  p^'T^"-™".''  "  '=*'™  ^e  C""  only 

watering.    As  thisis  thei?  fcst'year  of^fri^'tin/w'  '"  '^.""^5  or  ove.^ 

m-ai  year  01  Irmtmg  we  would  not  repot  the 


(  '^yo^^^^^-:^  Z^^li  Jl^Oetober  and  fresh  surface. 

of''yru7pTo%^sed^£SSs^  sTeer^Z h'a?dlv"'F'=/"'''  l,'"*'"^  '"«  ^d* 
we  will  give  the  best  answer  wo  can  to  I'^n?  ,■ ''"®'''™*  ""'^  '  but 
no  wall  we  would  prefer  a  sna^  roof  tn  n  1  ?"es''ons.  1,  As  you  have 
than  a  high  wall.  Except  Tn  °  part  cnHr  S  °'  "'  ^JV  ^■"'  ""^  '^beaper 
cular  circumstance,  we  would  no?  a  lvfe„  '^'"J^'  "'"'  *°  ™''  '"""e  P"''" 
what  you  gain  in  waS^^  1  belrSt^y  cortcrh,l"°''  IT  ^'''''^''J''  "^ 
house  will  best  stand  lenijlbwi,?  ,^Sk        S'"^''^'-^'"""'  b.v  damp.    The 

glass  facing  respectively  tSf  east  and  west''''if,s'''';'i'°  'T"  P'"""*^  "^ 
pose  would  be  a  house  with  sideJml  .„!?  ,.  ^,  "^°'"'  P'^eo  for  your  pur- 
ventilatore  in  the  wall  -apex  of  the  roof  7  f'  {'^Tr'  '"  ^  '""^  '°  beight  ; 
all  fixed  to  the  apex  aid  wall  pS:  ventija  ?on^af'l  ''T  ^^^  ^•""  '  ""^ 
an  opening  at  each  end  over  tto  d'oo™av  n  vo,,^''  bfmg  secured  by 
the  house,  then  have  two  sliding  v^in??.'  I'. ^o"  double  the  length  of 
wouldhcatsuehahoLe  if  doibfed  ?fl  '°•'■^;"  "'^  "'ddle.  A  stove 
the  pathway  would  be  best!    """'"'"'■  "  ''"e  "^  the  centre  forming  part  of 

eeSntX1tto!S,TytTa4^-t^wo^'At7^"'^  T^^""'  -"''«  -  - 
just  above  the  floJr  level  and  me  ^ntb^'^r"  ^""'"'"''^ '" 'be  wall 

outside.  Then  alongthe'waUs  ?ou  couM  T '°- "'"""i''^''  ^^  "  eowl 
2f  feet  wide,  and  these  2  to  3  feet  an.rf  "  1  ^""f  "gj"'''''''  "Pe"  shelves 
plan  of  a  flower  garden.  P*'^  '"  '"""bt-    We  have  received  no 

we'l^xp^t°?^em"af^tf?th';"r^?ent'S-?h'e'dr''  °°  '^-'^-o™' yet,  but 
spawn  to  run  freely,  whetw  to  •,  fi»l^'„,.  ^^^""™'"'  ^'''^  """se  the 

we  have  fecn  them  on  publ"  roads  "leadow.    After  such  a  season 

bo?e^L^Sesttam"ie"'^o''nt''^?n^S'l^t''bT  "".T  ^^"°''"-'  "■'-' 
would  not  advise  you  tj u°e  it'for  l,»?tt  ■''"''  "'*'•''  "'  "^'er,  then  we 
be  all  right  could  vou  fill  ,mth„V^]=  vinenes.  Such  a  boiler  would 
all  round.  Howev^er?  we  m^'iXZ't'',;;  "'  '"  b«e  3  inches  of  waler 
boiler,  like  a  wasb-hiule  "opper  '  nd^et  Tf7  ^""'^  '"'°  '"'  """^  "  '"go 
did  not  heat  very  soon,  it  Te^rheat^a  long  Ume    "'"'  "'"^'  """  ""'"«''  " 

Cu^rffers^^'n'I'^horma  wTut«n*;f  "?;°.^  ^°"  1™-=  "onpEns  (Wm)._ 
sparingly  and  weU?e"rt''n?eS1^"°feap'i^eWort'o  li^se^'""  "  '"P^"^** 

(i>^!™Mir-T\^e"oSs^raiStv°"''d"^""T'  ™='  °--«  TAB.E 
procure  very  smaU  youn°  plams^h Jv  S, ,  >°^-  "^""^  '""'  P^^P^^*'  "  ^ou 
on  at  first  in  a  pit  o,?r7,me  but  vl?^  ''^™P'■°'■''' by  bringing  them 
for  ultimately  e?ow°n<.h^m  to  d,3n5''«  °''°"'-''  ™"  '^'-'  'be  best  place 
months.  If  you  OToce'ed  frL  ?>,f  H^  '^°  """^^  ""*  ""rly  summer 
have  small  pCs'Lf  Sloe  orTlum  St „c?f?;fl,^^^5"■"  ^•'  ""'"ble  to 
them  early  in  spring;  .^nd  keen  them  to  f  '"'"*''  '?-?"l""  ?»'»•  graft 
place;  then  as  Vo»^h  proceeds  shm«,?,,  ■"I''  "at.l  the  union  took 
using  any  larger  than  fvnmKtnu  ■.  *'"^?!  "''°  '"rgor  pots,  but  not 
sires  the  pJntsshouMnS  L  ™  ""'♦h"'  'i'  "iameter.    For  pots  of  these 

^^a.rK;:£^?gfHr5?— --^^ 

the  greenhouse  as  soon  Ts  the  fruit  bu^c  JJS,"''^''^  "'"'"'''  be  Placed  in 
until  the  fruit  has  boon  oatherpd  nl  «,  '="^«":  ""^  maybe  kept  there 
the  middle  of  June  when^all  danJer  f,.  %""r''''  '"*  °"'  °'  ^oors  after 
tected  from  bird,  ij?n  snch  f„I^".,'™"  '^  °^^''-  ■""*  be  there  pro- 
For  table  decora?ionthevwi!llen?raX  looker  w^^'Ve  "'V  P'""8e1- 
glass  with  a  low  temDeratiirpT f,,r  ?ho  .  ^  l'^'  "ben  taken  from  under 

artificial  heat  Jven  to  them  v^rLlf''^^^}  '"•  ^"^S  little  or  no 
I  the  Peach  Plum,  Dennisto"',  SWrtt  r,  "''^^''"W  Prefer  such  kinds  as 
Jefl-erson,  Heine'  Claude  <lo  Bava?  ioe-f  ?„?."°''-.?"P'''  "^^S"'  ^^^"''^ 
Red.  If  you  purchase  yom"  plants  our  l?,  f^  ^'°'''  "■"*  °°^'^  ^"'^ 
n  pot  trees  wSuld  do  the  raT  best  for  von  Wh  ""rserymen  who  deal 
little  trees  curbed  and  in  a  bearin'  J„.^'  ^J ben  once  you  have  your 
second  season  from  the  graft  you  wmhave^'.H^"'''  '^''5'  '^"  '"'  '°  *be 
except  keeping  them  clean  a/do,™™,^^  "^  °  more  trouble  with  them, 
mulching  in  sSmmrr  as  attfr  thcTn^e  7f  7  ""?"'  ","'*  'requent  surface- 
no  potting  for  years  if  ?he"mi5chin'gira.\°ended"tT'"'  ^"'^  '"'^  ""^  "^^"^ 

shoS^bf  sow^ri^n  <^fl"?8toehe's"rpUUri  «J'^-'-«-)-Tbe  seed 
early  in  April.  The  after  treatmemnL?i;?' ^^''P'"'''''-P'''P''red  BoU 
deal-  of  weeds,and  when  of  a  Szfflr?„rn-"'-''^'P-"'e  the  seedlings 
18  inches  apart  in  the^rows  "  "^°"»S,  smgle  them  out  to 


au't^^°n";rdlT  kiptS^7r^fuMif?i^':''?.'f,,^^  F'f,"^'?  "  '"«"  "»'  '» 

cr^L^i,ynxret^t%^frlfSr^^°^  E'-^^ 

of  an  Orangef  or  some  of  that  tri»'""w-,T,'''  ''^*  ™='°'''"'  '»  "^  '«  that 

Ba^t"wMt^erS'ofGJir^''&^"?.'=^    ^^"7.'"'   P"rple ;  Maid   of 

Dundas,  white,  purpUsh  maroon  beltin.':  and  M?s  Laii-d  "h»u  h '^^ '^•"£? 
maroon.    Twelve  more  are— s^;f.  •nfi,„^i„„i  '"rs.  L,aird,  belted  bright 

white,  deep  purple  belting;  Pladda,  wUto  and  dui  p™1e    and  AH?«c' 
tion,  cream  white,  purple  belting  •""  uaiK  purple,  and  Attrac- 


August  27,  18B8.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTIOOLTUBE  AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEB. 


155 


Bheep  or  cow  dnng.  Our  borders  are  narrow,  honoe  we  are  obliged  to 
employ  good  rich  soil,  othorwifio  we  would  omplov  the  turf  without  nny 
admixtiire  of  dung.  Sandy  poat  will  grow  Cucumbers,  and  is  better  with- 
out manure. 

Propaoatino  Cvrr.AMEN'3  (M.  M. ).— Tho  Cyclamen  is  propncntod  from 
Becd,  and  the  seedlinj-a  Ilowor  in  two  or  throo  voarH  from  tho  time  of 
Bowing,  but  the  varieties  of  C.  persicum  flower  under  liberal  treatment 
in  fifteen  or  oighteon  months. 

The  "Modern  Peach  PRCNEn"  (ff.i^.).—"  I  have  received  great  benefit 
from  Mr.  Bnhaut's  'Poach  Pruue-r.'  It  is  an  admirable  work,  and  I 
recommend  it  to  all  gardeners  and  amateurs. — W.  F.  Uadclyffe." 

Definitions  ISnh-(criher).—Pcrt-7iniah  are  plants  whicli  Mvc'  for  several 
years.  Biennials  aro  phmts  which  are  produced  from  f*i_-ed  one  year, 
bloom  and  perfect  their  seod  and  die  tho  next  ye;ir.  7V(''«ii  lal  moans 
lasting  throe  years.  Bicolor  is  two-coloured,  and  Tricolor  is  three- 
colourod.  Iferhaceous  plants  aro  poreuu'als,  tho  stems  of  which  die 
annually.  Zonal  refers  to  n  continuous  beltof  a  diflcreut  colour  from  the 
rest  of  a  leaf's  surface. 

Shei'ton  Mat.let  HoRTicnLTURAL  Snow  {E.  Woollen).  —  Tho  word 
"  sorts"  should  never  bo  used  in  a  schodule;  "varieties"  or  "species" 
should  bo  employed,  just  as  the  Committee  may  intend.  Under  the 
narno  of  "  sorts  "  threo  varieties  of  Liliums  and  of  Ericas,  we  think,  were 
admissible. 

RoTTLERA  AND  Baloghia  (F.  G.\— You  Bpelt  tho  uames  wrongly. 
R.  japonica  is  a  synonym  of  Crotou  japoiiicum,  ami  is  ([iiite  uninteresting 
to  the  gardener,  and  so  is  Baloghia  lucida,  a  Norfolk  Island  tree.  You 
will  find  them  described  in  botanical  works. 

TRownniDfiE  HoRxicoLTCRAt,  Show  {S.  W.  JT-l.— If,  as  you  state,  an 
exhibitor  showed  only  eiglit  distinct  species  in  Class  41,  for  which  the 
schedule  requires  **  nine  distinct  species,"  his  collection  ought  to  have 
been  disqualified.  As  Rule  3  specifies  that  "  subjects  for  competition  can 
on  no  account  be  received  after  10  o'clock  A.M.,"  and  the  same  exhibilor 
camo  *'  about  eleven  o'clock,  and  put  up  his  plants  while  the  Judges  were 
in  tho  other  tents,"  he  ought  not  to  have  been  allowed  to  exhibit.  If  the 
Committee  informed  the  Judges  of  these  facts  they  would,  probably, 
reverse  their  decision  ;  but  we  see  that  Rule  4  seems  to  reserve  to  the 
Committee  a  power  not  to  disqualify  an  infringer  of  Rule  3. 

Grapes  not  Colouring  (J.  Coniar?/).— In  the  case  of  such  fine  Vines 
and  Grapes  we  can  assign  no  cause  for  the  want  of  colour  in  your  Black 
Hamburghs.  except  the  number  of  large  bunches;  a  few  less  most  likely 
would  have  made  a  difference. 

Potatoes  Sproutinp  iN''mo). — You  will  find  the  subject  of  your  in- 
quiry is  treated  on  by  "  Upwards  and  Onwards  "  in  this  week's  num- 
ber, also  in  page  74. 

Seedling  Melon  (G.  Mos€dal€).—Thc  fruit  was  rather  above  the 
average  quality  of  yellow-fleshed  Melons,  but  not  sui)erior  to  many 
already  well  known. 

Pelargoniums  {H.  L.  B.).—We  presume  you  wish  for  the  large-flowered 
or  Show  varieties,  of  which  the  followingarogood  : — Golden  Hue,  Charles 
Turner,  Conqueror,  Selina,  \Villi:ira  Hoyle,  Nabob,  Pericles,  The  High 
Admiral,  Mary  Hoyle,  Elegans,  Progress,  and  Artist.  They  are  only  to  be 
had  in  perfection  in  a  greenhouse.  We  presume  your  plants  or  cuttings 
are  well  established  in  pots,  which  are  full  of  roots  ;  in  that  case  they 
should  be  repotted  at  tho  commencement  of  September,  and  be  placed 
in  a  cold  frame,  affording  full  exposure  day  and  night.  Tilt  the  lights  at 
hack,  using  them  ouly  for  protection  from  heavy  rains  and  frost.  If  the 
cuttinps  have  not  been  stopped,  tliis  mu5t  be  attended  to,  cutting  them 
back  to  three  eyes.  Early  in  October  remove  the  plants  to  the  greenhouse, 
placing  them  on  a  shelf  near  the  glass.  Give  them  plenty  of  air,  and  no 
more  heat  than  is  sufficient  to  keep  them  safe  from  frost.  Avoid  damp 
and  watering  in  winter,  only  keep  the  plants  gently  moving.  They  may 
be  shifted  in  December  into  pots  a  size  lar^^er,  and  in  February  they  may 
be  stopped,  and  at  the  beginning  of  March  have  their  last  shift  into 
6,  7,  or  8-inch  pots,  according  to  their  vigour. 

Propagating  Manftti  Rose  Stocks  (A  Subscriber).— Tho  readiest 
mode  of  propagating  the  Mnnetti  Rose  is  by  cuttings.  In  making  cuttings 
take  one-year-old  shoots,  and  cut  them  into  lengths  of  about- 1  foot, 
cutting  ripht  across  immediately  below  a  bud,  and  not  in  a  sloping  direc- 
tion. The  top  should  he  cut  just  above  a  bud.  and  with  a  sloping  cut. 
Takeout  all  the  eyes  or  buds  except  two  at  the  top.  In  planting  it  is 
well  to  form  a  ridge,  and,  dividing  it  in  the  ceuti'c,  put  in  the  cuttings, 
burying  them  so  as  to  leave  each  but  one  bud  above  the  soil.  The  cuttings 
may  be  put  in  6  inches  apart,  and  -2  feet  row  from  row.  Each  row  should 
represent  a  ridge  about  8  inches  high,  with  the  cutting  along  the  centre. 
The  end  of  October  or  beginning  of  November  is  the  best  time  to  put  in 
the  cuttings,  and  by  July  or  August  in  the  following  year  they  will  be  fit 
for  budding.  The  soil  must  then  be  levelled  down  from  the  cuttings, 
and  the  bud  inserted  from  4  to  6  inches  from  the  bottom.  The  stocks 
should  be  budded  directly  they  are  uncovered,  as  tho  bai-k  then  opens 
freely.  The  Manetti  Rose  may  be  distinguished  by  its  vigorous,  erect 
habit  and  red  spiny  appearance,  otherwise  it  is  not  unlike  some  other 
Roses.  Once  known  it  is  ever  afterwards  readily  distinguished.  It  is 
not  often  that  suckers  cannot  be  distinguished  from  the  Rose. 


Guernsey  Lilies  (E.  G.).— It  is  quite  natural  for  the  flowers  to  appear 
before  tho  loaves;  but  these  are  generally  produced  at  the  same  time  as, 
or  soon  after  tho  flowers.  You  will  woonhavo  foliage.  Tho  leaves  of  the 
plant  sent  appear  to  belong  to  one  of  tho  Jasmines,  but  we  cannot  tell 
tho  name  without  flowers  in  addition  to  foliage.  Afford  the  plant  a  rest 
by  keeping  it  dry  in  winter,  and  expose  it  fully  to  light  and  air  so  as  to 
well  ripen  tho  wood, 

Pf.ar  Leaves  Blighted  (S.).— The  leaves  sent  aro  destroyed  by  the 
black  fungus,  the  appearance  of  which  in  attributable  to  the  roots  haying 
penetrated  into  bad,  undrained  Hoil.  There  is  no  remedy  but  efficient 
drainage,  and  encouraging  the  production  of  roots  near  the  surface  by 
top-dressings  of  rich  compost. 

Galvanised  Iron  Wire  {A.  H.  JT.).— The  cost  of  calvanised  wires  may 
be  ascertained  from  any  respectable  ironmonger.  The  proper  thickness 
is  that  of  good  stout  twino  or  straw,  and  tho  wires  may  be  stretched 
tight  by  common  thumbscrews,  the  uprights,  of  course,  being  first  fixed 
firmly. 

Frdit-treb  Espaliers  {Id4;m). — The  most  profitable  way  of  growing 
espalier  trees  is  the  good  old-fashioned  horizontal.  If  you  are  fond  ot 
variety  you  may  try  all  the  various  forms  of  diagonals,  obliques,  and 
vertical  cordon  training ;  they  aro  very  pretty.  We  would  not  advise 
you,  however,  looking  at  the  profitable  side  of  the  question,  to  experiment 
too  largely  at  first  before  having  proved  the  methods  yourself. 

Books  (Hnrtus). — Dr.  Herbert's  notes  on  various  bulbous  roots  aro  in 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  "  Trunsactions  ;"  in  the  Appendix  to 
Curtis's  **  Botanical  Magazine;"  and  in  the  "Botanical  Register."  Ho 
also  published  in  one  volume,  in  1H37,  a  work  entitled  "  Amaryllidfe.' 
your  bookseller  ought  to  obtain  it  for  you. 

Size  of  the  Cockscomb  Strawberry  (Reader).— "Tke  Cockscomb 
Strawberry  measured  here  in  tho  presence  of  Dr.  Parry  Hodges,  Vicar  of 
Lyme  Regis,  and  Major  Digby,  was  exactly  12  inches.  The  tape  had  the 
inches  marked  on  it.  Dr.  Hodges  wrote  to  me  for  confirmation  ;  as  I 
suppose  the  people  of  Lyme  did  not  believe  it.  Before  this  I  measured 
one,  and  it  was  9J  inches.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Hosegood  and  his  wife,  both  of 
this  parish,  called  and  much  admired  tho  StrawbeiTies.  I  told  them  of 
the  12-inch  Cockscomb.  '  That,'  said  Mrs.  Hosegood,  *  I  never  can  believe  I' 
So  I  called  my  right-hand  man,  Stephen,  and  told  him  to  look  for  the 
biggest  Cockscomb  left.  He  found  one,  and  measured  it  in  her  presence. 
It  was  exactly  10  inches.  '  Now,'  said  she, '  I  can  believe  ! '  I  gave  it  to 
her,  and  she  sent  it  to  her  sister,  the  wife  of  the  Rector  of  Stowford, 
Launoeston,  Cornwall,  Mrs.  WooUocombe.—W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

Rose  Marechal  NinL  in  a  Pot  (L.  G.  A'oy).— "My  Marechal  Niels 
are  much  the  same  as  yours— luxuriant  but  flowerless.  They  will  not 
bloom  abundantly  till  they  attain  age.  I  have  had  a  bloom  or  two  per 
plant,  but  the  gross  shoots  are  blind.  Do  not  cut  your  plant.  It  will 
bloom  next  year.  Merely  cut  off  in  the  spring  the  tops  of  the  shoots  to  a 
good  eye  or  hard  wood,  and  then  it  will  break  and  bloom.  It  is  too  late 
to  practise  this  on  such  a  Rose  during  the  present  season.  It  is  a  Tea- 
scented  Noisette  {by  family,  but  not  by  character),  and  the  members  of 
this  family  do  not  like  much  cutting.  They  require  at  times  thinning 
out,  the  tops  of  their  shoots,  when  blind,  taken  off,  and  the  firm  side  wood 
shortened  a  little.  All  useless  spray  may  be  removed  at  any  time.— 
W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

Insects  {T.  M.  N.).—"The  Savoy  leaf  was  covered  with  Cabbage  aphis' 
Duet  with  lime  or  tobacco  powder,  afterwards  wash  the  plants  with  the 
garden  en^rine.  The  insects  will  probably  for  the  most  part  disappear 
now  that  the  rain  has  come.  (A'.  B.  i»/.).— They  are  slimy  grubs,  the  larvje 
of  the  Pear  Sawfly,  Selandria  :ethiops.  Dust  the  trees  with  the  powder 
of  fresh-slaked  lime.  {A  Comtant  SuhsrriheT).—'The  dead  cateriiillar  sent 
is  that  of  one  of  the  Smerinthi,  probably  the  Eyed  or  Lime  Hawk  Moth, 
— W. 

Names  of  Fruit  (J.  'Doufjlas). — Your  Peach  is  Bellegarde.    {A.  S.H.) 
—Apphs:    I  and    l',  Old    English  Codlin  :  3,  Kerry  Pippin;  4.  Feam's 
Pippin  ;  5.  Court-Pendu-Plat ;  (5,  Apparently  Golden  Knob ;    7,  Probably 
Court  of  Wick  ;  8,  Alfriston. 

Names  of  Plants  (X.  Y.  Z.,  JB/yf't)-— W'e  cannot  imdertake  to  name 
florists'  flowers.  Those  you  sent  bad  dropped  all  their  petals,  with  the 
exception  of  the  Fuchsia.  [T.  M.  N.).~Ii  was  impossible  to  determine 
the  name  of  the  withered  scrap  sent,  especially  a'*  it  was  not  accompanied 
with  a  flower.  (An  Old  Subscriber,  Houmh>iri  —The  two  specimens  sent 
are  Oxalises,  but  too  withered  for  us  to  identify  the  species.  (A.  B.). — 
1,  Undetermined,  apparently  a  Pentstemon ;  li.  Plumbago  capcnsis ; 
5,  Cistus  incanus.  The  Begonias  were  too  much  crushed  to  be  deter- 
mined with  certaintv.  No.  4  is  probably  B.  suaveolens  ;  6,  B.  lucida.  {A. 
Constant  Subscriber,  Worcester).—!,  Polypodium  (PhymatodeE)  Billar- 
dierii ;  2,  D.ivallia  pyxidata  ;  3,  Trichom'anes  radicans  ;  4,  Mesembry- 
anthemum  imbricans ;  5.  M.  spectabile ;  6,  Pilea  muscosa ;  7.  Begonia 
fuchsioides;  8,  Gasteria  verrucosa;  9,  Nerium  oleander  fl.  pi.  ;  10,  Cypri- 
pedium  insigne ;  11,  Kalosanthes  coccinea.  (P.  B.  L.,  Hcssle).— Scolo- 
pendrium  vulgare,  forked  variety ;  Polypodium  (Phymatodes)  vulgaris 
Athyrium  Filix-foemina.  (G.  ConiH^s^y)— Mirabilis  jalapa.  [G.H.F.  W), 
1.  Brunsvigia  Josephina? ;  2,  Rhamnus  libauotica  ;  3,  Spiriea  Fortunei. 
(North  Norfolk].— Sa^gon^xria.  officinalis. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  August  25th. 


Date. 

THEBMOMBTEB. 

Wind. 

Rain  In 
inohea. 

General  Reuabkb. 

BABOHETEB. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Max. 

Min. 

Mai. 

Min. 

1  It.  dp. 

a  ft.  dp. 

Wed...  10 
Thura.  20 
Fri.  ,.  21 
Sat.  ..  23 
Sun...  23 
Mod...  24 
Tues. .  25 

Mean 

29.791 
29.894 
29.882 
29.859 
29.644 
29.856 
29.984 

29.613 
29.S38 
29.785 
29.275 
29.466 
29.740 
29.929 

69 
69 
71 
66 
69 
71 
C9 

69 
54 
52 
47 
45 
46 
40 

63 
65 
63 
C4 
64 
61 
61 

6t 
6-1 
64 
63 
62 
60 
60 

S.E. 
N.E. 
S.W. 

s.w. 
w. 
s.w. 

N.W. 

.26 
.00 
.00 
.36 
.00 
.00 
.00 

Cloudy;  densely  overcast ;  heavy  rain,  cloudy, very  dark. 
Overcast,  cloudy  ;  hea^T  clouds  ;  fine,  overcast. 
Hazy,  fine  ;  overcast  ;  clear  and  fine,  cold  wind. 
Fine',  very  boisterous  ;  fine,  heavy  rain  ;  very  rough  wind. 
Fine,  cloudv  :  very  fine  ;  boisterous,  very  fine  at  night. 
Brisk  wind.'fine  ;  very  fine  ;  clear  auti  fine  ;  cold  wind. 
Clear  and  fine  ;  cloudy,  fine  ;  cloudy,  cold  wind  nt  night. 

29.774 

29.635 

69.14 

49.tlO 

61.00 

62.28 

•• 

0.62 

15G 


JODBNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  August  27,  1868. 


POULTRY,  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD  CHHONICLE. 


DEWSBURY   POULTRY   SHOW. 

{From  a  Correspondent.) 
Tnis  Show  was  held  under  a  covered  tent  on  the  19th  inst.,  nnfor- 
tnnately  clashin'.^  irith  the  one  at  Rochdale  ;  and  this,  no  donbt.  ac- 
counts for  the  fact  that  the  entries  of  poultry  were  scarcely  so  nume- 
rous as  last  year. 

The  Pii/rmis  were  numerous  and  of  nnnsnal  excellence.  In  Pouter 
cocks  Mr.  Homer  was  first  with  a  good  Blue,  Mr.  Fultou  being  second 
and  highly  commended  with  a  good  Black  and  a  White.  In  hens  Mr. 
Hawley  took  first  and  second  with  excellent  Blues  ;  Mr.  Fulton  being 
highly  commended  with  a  good  Black,  and  commended  with  a  Red  of 
good  sound  colour,  but  slightly  deficient  in  length.  In  Carrier  cocks 
the  competition  for  first  prize  was  very  close  between  Messrs.  Hawley 
and  Fulton,  the  latter  eventually  being  awarded  second,  as  the  cock 
was  slightly  wry-beaked.  Both  cocks  were  good,  as  wore  also  the 
highly  commended  pens  of  Messrs.  Fulton  and  Bulpin.  In  hens  Mr. 
Hawley  was  again  first  with  a  first-class  hen  ;  Mr.  Fulton  second  with 
a  hen  not  so  heavily  wattled,  but  of  beautiful  style.  The  highlv  com- 
mended birds  were  also  good.  The  Almond  Tumblers  were  nniisually 
good,  Mr.  Hawley  being  first  with  excellent  birds  well  matched  in  head 
and  colour  ;  Mr.  F^ulton  second,  and  very  highly  commended  with 
bii-ds  which  made  the  competition  for  first  very  keen.  The  highly 
commended  and  commended  jiens  were  good.  In  Tnmbler.s.  any  o^her 
variety.  Black  Mottles  were  fii.'st  and  Kites  second,  both  pairs  being 
splendid.  The  highly  commended  pens  also  were  very  fair  birds.  In 
Turbits  good  Reds  and  Silvers  were  first  and  second  respectively.  Mr. 
Homer's  highly  commended  Blacks  did  not  match  in  crest,  they  were 
otherwise  the  best  birds  in  the  class.  Both  birds  were  better  indi- 
vidually than  the  winners,  but  did  not  make  a  well  matched  pair,  and 
were  consequently  thrown  out.  In  Barbs  Mr.  Homer  was  first  with 
good  Reds  and  second  with  Blacks,  the  cock  ia  the  second-prize  pen 
being  something  extraordinary,  but  accompanied  by  an  indifferent 
hen,  which  was  suffering  from  disease.  Two  pens  of  good  Yellows 
were^  highly  commended.  In  Jacobins  and  Trumpeters  Mr.  Horner 
had  it  all  his  own  way,  though  good  birds  in  each  class  were  highly 
commended.  In  Owls  Mr.  Fielding  took  first  and  second  with  the 
same  ease.  Mr.  Hawley's  Fantails  were  a  trifle  large,  but  this  was 
overlooked,  as  they  had  wonderful  tails  and  carriage.  Mr.  Homer's 
second-prize  birds  were  small  and  fine,  as  were  Mr.  Bulpin's  highly 
commended  birds.  The  Nuns  were  weak  as  to  numbers,  though  the 
prize  birds  were  good.  In  Dragoons  Mr.  Homer  was  first  with  a  pair 
of  young  Blues  as  stylish  as  race  horses,  and  which  will  be  heard  of 
again.  A  pair  of  nice  Yellows  were  second.  In  Antwerps  Red  Chequers 
were  first  and  second.  "  In  Any  other  variety  "  Black  Swallows  were 
first.  Yellow  Magpies  second  ;  Swiss  Ice  Pigeons  and  FrjUbacks  were 
highly  commended.  Mr.  Hawley  won  the  silver  cup,  value  £i  is., 
for  the  most  successful  exhibitor. 

CocHiN-CHrNA.  — First,  W.  A.  Tavlor,  Manchester.  Second,  L.  H. 
Eicketts.  BanweU.  Highly  Commended,  C.  Sidgwick,  Rvdillesden  Hall, 
Keighley.  C/iirlfns— First  and  Second,  C.  Sidgwick.  Commended,  W. 
A.  Turner  ;  G.  Dixon.  Sclby. 

Spanish.— First,  J.  Thresh,  Bradford.  Second,  W.  A.  Taylor.  CTi/ctciu, 
— Fursfand  Second,  M.  Farrand,  Dalton,nenr  Huddersficld.  Commended, 
T.  &  E.  Cornber,  Warrington ;  M.  Egginton,  Wolverhampton :  W.  A. 
Taylor. 

DoBKrNGs.— Prize,  ,T.  Stott,  Healey,  near  Rochdale.  CliickeTU.— First, 
3.  Stott.    Second,  H.  Pickles,  jun.,  Earby,  Skipton. 

Brahjia  Pootras.— Prize,  E.  Leech.  Chickens.— FtisU  E.  Leech.  Se- 
cond, il.  Fnrrand. 

Game  (Black  Red).— First,  G.  Noble,  Staiacliffe,  Batley.  Second,  J. 
Hodgson,  Bowling  Old  Lane,  near  Bradford.  CTiicfcens.— First,  G.  Noble. 
Second,  H.  Jowett,  Wrose  Hall,  Idle. 

Game  (Brown  Red).— Prize,  .J.  Hodgson.  OiicJrots.— First,  E.  Brougb, 
Leek.    Second,  J.  Fell,  Adwalton.    Commended,  W.  Jagger. 

Gajte  iDuckwings.and  other  Greys  and  Blues).— First,  G.  Noble.  Se- 
cond, W.  Fell,  Adw.alton.  Commended,  W.  Bentley.  C7iicJt«w.— First, 
W.  Fell.    Second,  T.  Dvson.    Commended,  H.  Jowett. 

Game  (Any  other  variety).— First,  H.  C.  Mason.  Second,  F.  Holt,  Stain- 
cliffe.    Cftic/rrns.— Prize,  H,  O.  Mason. 

HAMBURC.ns  (Gold  or  Silver-spangled).— First,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  Second, 
J.  White.  Commended,  J.  Laming,  Spalding.  C/itc/reM.- First  and  Se- 
cond, J.  Senior.    Commended,  H.  Pickles,  jun. 

HAMBCRUns  (Gold  or  Silver-pencilled).— First,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  Se- 
cond, J.  Laming.    C/i icto-ns.- First,  J.  Senior.    Second,  H.  Pickles,  jun. 

Hambcrghs  (Black).  —  First,  C.  Sidgwick.  Second,  S.  Butterfleld, 
Keighley.  Chickem.—'Fivst  and  Commended,  C.  Sidgwick.  Second,  S. 
Butterfield. 

PoLANns  (Gold  or  Silver-spangled).— First  and  Commended,  .1.  Senior. 
Second,  G.  W.  Boothby,  Louth.     C/iicAcns.- First,  J.  Senior.    Second, 
T.  &  E.  Cornbei-.    Commended,  G.  W.  Boothby. 
POLANDS  {kny  other  varietv).— Prize,  Mrs.  E.  Procter,  Hull. 
Bantams  (Black).— First,  S.  &  R.  Ashtou,  Mottram,  Cheshire.     Second, 
S.  Scholefield.  Heckmondwike.    Commended,  T.  C.  Harrison,  Hull. 

Bantams  I  White).— First,  W.  A.  T.aylor.  Second,  J.  R.  Jessop,  Hull. 
Commended,  S.  &  E.  Ashton  :  T.  Burton,  Dirtcar,  near  Wakefield. 

Game    Bantams.— First,    J.    Senior.      Second,    S.    Scholefield.    Com- 
mended. ,T.  J.  Cousins,  Chapel  Allerton;  J.  Senior. 
Any  other  Variety.— First  and  Second,  .J.  Senior. 
Gasie  (Any  variety).— CocA-.— First.  .J.  Mason,  Worcester.    Second,  E. 
Aykroyd,  Bradford.    Hens.- First,  E.  .\ykroyd.    Second,  J.  Mason.    Com- 
mended, H.  Beanland,  Bradford. 
Any  Variety  Except  Game.— CocJ-.— Prize,  J.  Senior.    Hen First,  J. 


Thresh.  S^-cond,  .1.  Senior.  Commended,  J.  Marchant,  Hanson  Lane, 
Halifax;  M.  Farrand. 

Ducks  (White  Aylesbury). — First,  E.  Leech,  Rochdale.  Second,  M. 
Fairand. 

Ducks  (Rouen).—Fir3t,  E.  Leech.  Second,  J.  White,  Wake6eld.  Com- 
mended, J.  J.  Stott. 

Any  other  Variety. — First,  S.  &  R.  Ashton.    Second,  T.  C.  Harrison, 

PIGEONS 

Pouter. —  Cock.  —  First,  C.  Horner,  Harewood,  Leeds.  Second  and 
Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton,  Deptford.  Hen. — First  and  Second,  J. 
Hawley.  Bingley.     Hiilhly  Commended  and  Commended,  R.  Fulton. 

Carrier. — Cock. — First,  J.  Hawlev.  Second,  K.  Fulton.  Very  Highly 
Commended,  U.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton;  C.  Bulpin, 
Bridgewater.  Hen. — First,  J.  Hawley.  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Very  Highly 
Commended,  R.  Fulton.    Highly  Commended,  E.  Horner. 

Tumblers  (Almond). — First,  J.  Hewley.  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Very 
Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Fielding,  jun., 
Rochdale.     Commended,  T.  Rule;  J.  Hawley. 

Tumblers  (.\uy  other  variety). — First  and  Very  Highly  Commended, 
J.  Hawley.  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Rule  ;  R.  Fulton  ; 
C.  Bulpin. 

Turbits. — First,  J.  Fielding.  Second,  J.  Hawley.  Highly  Commended, 
E.  Horner. 

Barbs.  —  Fir^t  and  Second,  E.  Horner.  Highly  Commended,  E, 
Horner;  J.Fielding. 

Jacobins. —  tirst  and  Second,  E.  Horner.  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Hawley. 

Trumpeters. — First  and  Second,  E.  Horner.  Highly  Commenned,  J, 
Hawley. 

Owls. — First  and  Second,  J.  Fielding,  jun.  Highly  Commended,  A. 
Dove,  York. 

Fantails.— First,  J.  Hawley.  Second,  E.  Homer.  Highly  Commended, 
C.  Bulpin. 

Nuns. — First,  C.  Bulpin.    Second,  E.  Horner. 

Dragoons.  —  First,  E.  Horner.  Second,  C.  Bulpin.  Highly  Com- 
mended, H.  Yardloy. 

Antwerps. — First,  J.  Hawley.    Second,  C.  Bulpin. 

Any  other  Variety. — First,  J.  Hawley.  Second,  E.  Horner.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Hawley  ;  H,  Yardley  ;  H.  Draycott. 

RABBIT,^. 

Lop-Eared. — B((ct.— First.  M.  MiUington,  York.  Second,  A.  H.  Easton, 
Hull.  Highly  Commended,  H.  Yardley,  Birmingham  ;  C.  Gravil,  Thorne, 
near  Doneaster;  J.  Walker,  Batley  "Ciirr.  Deie. — First,  M.  MiUington. 
Second,  G.  Jones,  Market  Hall,  Birmingham.  Very  Highly  Commended, 
C.  Gravil. 

Any  OTHER  Variety. — First,  A.  H.  Easton.  Second,  H.  Yardley.  Com- 
mended, J.  R.  Jessop  ;  C.  E.  Marchant;  R.  Binns. 

Judges. — Mr.  John  Martin,  Claines,  'Worcester  ;  and  Mr.  T.  J. 
Charlton,  Bradford. 


WHITBY   POULTRY    SHOW. 

UxFORTT'NATELY  fot  this  Show  the  weather  proved  very  unfavour- 
able, rain  falUug  continuonsly  from  lU  a.m.  until  the  showyard  was 
altogether  closed,  and  the  poultry  repacked  for  their  return  journey. 
Although  the  Committee  had  placed  the  birds  under  canvas,  the 
driving  rain  soon  passed  through  it,  and  caused  not  a  few  of  them 
to  be  thoroughly  wetted  throuch,  and  even  the  majority  uuder  sucU 
cii"cum stances  showed  to  serious  disadvantage.  To  Hamhurghs,  Se- 
lin'i/htf,  and  all  such  varieties  as  are  dependant  on  feather  this  was,  of 
(0;irse,  a  serious  drawback,  but  as  all  experienced  the  same  exposure, 
complaints  were  but  few.  Of  Ganie^  the  chickens  were  far  superior  to 
the  old  birds,  though  a  pen  of  the  latter  were  the  most  grossly 
''  trimmed  "  we  ever  remember  to  have  wituesseu.  The  owner  plead- 
ing the  rules  of  the  Show,  as  his  justitication  for  so  doing — viz, 
"  Kule  12. — All  pens  willbediscjualified,  if  the  plumage  of  the  birds  has 
been  trimmed,  removed,  or  otherwise  tampered  with,  Game  excepted." 
It  certainly  as  it  now  stands  appears  to  countenance  the  very  deceit 
it  was  intended  to  prohibit,  and  indeed  needs  alteration. 

All  the  water  fowls  were  good  classes,  and  the  constant  rain 
detracted  but  little  from  their  general  appearance.  The  Geese., 
Aylesbury  Diichs,  Buenos  Ayrean  Ducks,  and  a  few  of  the  fancy 
varieties,  being  well  worthy  of  especial  mention. 

In  Pigeons^  the  Whitby  Show  was  undoubtedly  a  very  superior  one, 
but  from  the  thoroughly  soaked  state  of  theii*  plumage  they  showed  to 
a  serious  disadvantage.  By  some  oversight,  several  pens  of  Pigeons  of 
extraordinary  good  quality  were  exhibited  of  two  distinct  colours  as  a 
pair  in  the  same  pen,  a  feature  for  which  no  amount  of  excellence  in 
other  points  can  make  compensation.  We  regret  to  hear  that  only  so 
recently  as  two  years  ago  the  Committee  of  the  Whitby  Show  had  to 
contend  against  quite  as  drenching  a  day  as  this  year,  and  we  heartily 
hope  more  auspicious  weather  may  reward  their  future  exertions. 

Subjoined  is  the  prize  list : — 

Dorkings.— First,  J.  White,  Warlaby.  Second,  H.  Beklon,  Goitstock. 
Commended,  S.  Burn,  Whilbj-.  Chic'kcns.—V'iti^'i,  Rev.  I.  F.  Newton.  Se- 
cond, G.  Holmes,  Driffield.  Commended,  S.  Cum,  Whitby  ;  O.  A.  Young, 
Driffield  ;  J.  White,  Warlaby. 

SrANisH.—First,  H.  Beldon,  Second,  G.  Holmes.  Highly  Commended, 
T.  Blackburn,  jun.,  Brougbton.  Chickens. — First, H.  Beldon.  Second,  G. 
Holmes.  Extra  Second,  Miss  E.  Russell.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Brown, 
Wass;  Miss  E.  Russell,  Levisham.     Commended.  W.  Clark,  Pickering. 

Game. — First,  T.  Blackburn,  jun.  Second,  H.  Dowsland.  Ruston. 
C/itc/ccH'*.— First,  T.  Blackbm-n,  jua.  Second,  T.  Percival.  Highly  Com- 
mended, R.  Akenhead,  Otteriugton  ;  T.  L.  Gray,  Ayton.  Commended,  T. 
Lovell. 

Cochin-China.— First,  G.  H.  Procter,  Durham.  Second,  H.  Beldon* 
Highly  Commended,  H,  Dowsland.    Commended,  G.  Calvert,  Darlington. 


Aagast  27, 1868.  7 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   OOTTAGEl    GARDENER. 


157 


Chickenn.~Firsi,  R.  Brown.      Socoud  nuii   Plate,  R.   Stratford.      Com- 
mended, T.  If   Rondmiin. 

BaAiiMA  rooTUA.— First,  E.  Lcecli,  Uochdiilc.  Second,  J.  Wulker, 
Hiiyn  Piult.     Commended,  Rev.  I.  F.  Nowton. 

FiiENcii.— Firnt,  n.  Beldon.    Second,  W.  Stonohonge.  Whitby. 

HAMnuRuiia  (Golden-spauplea).— First,  G.  Giirbutt,  SinniuKton.  Se* 
cond,  G.  Holmes.  HiRbly  Commendod,  II.  Beldon.  Commended,  H. 
Pickles,  Earby  ;  W.  Bearpiirk,  Aiudorby. 

HAMBORona  (Silver-Bininciod).— first,  II.  Beldon.  Second,  H.  Pickles. 
Hiffhly  Comniendt  i1.  J.  Walker.    Commended,  C  Richardson. 

HAMnuRoiis  (Gold  or  Silvcr-flimngled).—6'/iicATn.i.— First,  H.  Beldon. 
Second,  G.  llolnics.  K^^trii  Socoud,  J.  Braim.  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Walker  ;  J.  Eraini.  Brih'-.jrtwath. 

HASinfRr.ris  (Oolden-peneillod).— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  J.  U. 
Jeasop,  Hull.    ComiiR'ndtU.  J.  Braim. 

HAMurnr.us  iSilvrr-pfurillod).— l-'irat,  H.  Beldon.     Second,  H.  Pickles. 

HAMUfRGHS  ((n.ld  nr  SilviT-pcncilled).— (^'nV/.-pju.— First,  Second  and 
Plato,  J.  Webster.     Highly  Commended.  J.  Walker  ;  H.  Beldon. 

Game  Bantamm.— First,  W.  F.  Entwiale,  Leeds.  Second,  H.  Brown. 
Third,  K.  llorsthr,  Sciirbro'.     Commended,  T.  LovoU. 

Bantams  (Any  other  variety).— First,  W.  H.  Tomlinson,  Newark.  Se- 
cond, T.  C.  Harrison,  Hull.  Third,  G.  Kichardsou.  Commended,  G. 
Holmes;  H.  Beldon. 

Any  other  Variktv  not  before  sientioned.— First, R. Loft, Beverley. 
Second,  W.  rsherwojil,  Whitby.     Commended,  O.  A.  Younfi  (Pulands). 

Pdcks  (Black  East  Indian), — First  and  Second,  S.  Burn.  Commended, 
F.  W.  Earle,  Liverpool ;  Rev.  J.  Milner. 

Docks  (Aylesbury).— First,  E.  Leech.  Second.  O.  A.  Yount;.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Braim,  Pickering.  Duckliit'js.—Fivst,  O.  A.  Young.  Se- 
cond, H.  Beldon. 

Ducks  (Rnuen).— First.  J.  Braim.  Second.  G.  Garbutt.  Commended, 
W.  Dowson,  ThoruhiU  ;  T.  E.  Pyman.  Ducklings.— Fivat,  U.  Beldon.  Se- 
cond, R.  Brown. 

DccKS  (Any  other  v.irietv).— First,  T.  C.  Harrison  {Pintails).  Second, 
J.  Walker  (Grey  Calls).    Highly  Commended,  H.  Beldon  (Calls). 

Geese.— Fir?t,  O.  A.  Y'oung.  Commtuded,  G.  Holmes;  J.  Wilkinson. 
GoglinriH. — First  and  Second,  I.  B  .Braithwaitc.    Commended,  J.  Wilkinson. 

Turkeys.— Second,  I.  B.  Braithwaite.  PoiJ^s.— First,  O.  A.  Yomig.  Se- 
cond. Mrs.  W.  Ward. 

Selling  Class  (Any  variety).— First,  R.  Brown.  Second,  J.  Coalson 
(Pencilled  Hamburu'h).    Third,  T.  H.  Roadman  (Buff  Cochins). 

Extra  Stock.— First,  J.  Jowsey.  Second,  T.E.  Pyman.  Commended, 
W.  S.  Hornbv,  York. 

PIGEONS. 

Pouters  — First,  J.  Hawley,  Birmingham.    Second,  S.  Bura. 

TuMRLERS.— First,  J.  Hawiey.  Second,  J.  Mason,  RookerHill,  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Payne. 

Carriers.- First,  H.  Yardley.  Second,  I.  C.  Ord,  London.  Highly 
Commended,  G.  Sanders,  Stokesley.    Commended,  R.  Wilson. 

Fantails.— First,  R.  Wilson.  Second,  H.  Beldon.  Commended,  H. 
Yardley. 

JACOBINS.—First,  H.  Y'ardley.  Second,  H.  Beldon.  Commended,  S. 
Bum;  R.  Wilson. 

Trumpeters.— First.  J.  Mason.  Second,  H.  Yardley.  Commended,  S. 
Burn  ;  R.  Wilson  ;  J.  Hawley. 

Babbs. — First,  J.  Hawley.  Second,  H,  Yardley.  Highly  Commended, 
H.  Beldon. 

Any  other  Variety.— First,  J.  Mason.  Second,  H.  Yardley.  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Yardley  ;  S.  Bum  (Nuns) ;  H.  Beldon. 

Sale  Class. — First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  S.  Burn.  Commended,  J. 
Mason  ;  R.  Mitchclson  ;  C.  Lytbe. 

Mr.  Edward  Hewitt,  of  Si>arkbrook,  Birmingham  was  the  Judge. 


BURNLEY  POULTRY  SHOW. 

The  foni-tli  annnal  Exhibition  in  connection  with  the  Bnrnley  Agri 
cultnral  Society,  took  place  on  the  '20th  inst.,  at  Burnley.  In  al 
respects  the  Show  may  bo  regarded  as  the  most  successful  which  has 
been  held  in  this  part  of  the  country.  The  collection  of  poultry  was 
fine,  including  a  magnificent  lot  of  Ft;/'-oiis,  exhibited  by  Mr.  J. 
Hawley,  of  Bingley,  who  was  awarded  most  of  the  prizes  in  the 
various  classes,  and  consequently  the  special  prize  of  a  silver  cup, 
value  £5  55.,  which  was  oifered  to  the  exhibitor  who  obtained  the 
greatest  number  of  prizes  in  this  class.  ^ 

Game  (Black  or  Brown  Red).— Cftii'tfn«.— Prize,  J.  Carlisle,  Earby 
Skiptou.    Cockerel. — Cup,  J.  Fletcher,  Stoneclough. 

Game  {Any  other  variety). —  Chickens. — Prize,  T.  Dyson,  Halifax. 
Cocfcerfi.— Cup,  R.  B.  Riley,  Ovenden. 

Spanish. — Chickens. — Prize,  J.  Newton,  Silsden. 

DoBKlNG. — Chickens. — Prize,  H.  Pickles,  jun.,  Earby,  .Skipton. 

CocHiN-CniNA. — Chickens. — Prize.  C.  Sedgwick,  Keighley. 

Hamburgh  (Golden-spangled). — Chickens. — Prize,  W.  Driver,  Keighley. 

Hajeburoh  (Goldeu-pencilled). — Chickens. — Prize,  S.  Smith,  Halifax. 

Hamburgh  (Silver-spangled). —  Chickens. —  Prize,  J.  Fielding,  New- 
chiirch. 

HASrBCRGH  (Silver-pencilled). — Cliickens. — Prize,  H.  Pickles,  jun. 

Brahma  Pootra. — Chickens. — Prize,  E.  Leach,  Rochdale. 

Game  Bantam  (Black  or  Brown  Red). — Cocfct-reL— Prize,  ,W.  F.  Ent- 
wisle,  Leeds. 

Game  Bastams. — Prize,  V/.  F.  Entwisle. 

Bantams  (Any  variety).— Prize,  R.  B.  Kiley. 

Any  other  Variety  not  Named. — C/iJc/,*c?is.— Prize,  J.  Robinson, 
Failsworth. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury). — Prize,  E.  Leech. 

Ducks  (Rouen).— Prize,  T.  Houlker,  Blackhum. 

Ducks  (Any  other  variety). — Prize,  C.  W.  Brierley,  Middleton. 

Geese  (.\uy  colour). — Prize,  E.  Leech. 

Turkeys  (Any  variety). — Prize,  E.  Leech. 

Selling  Class. — Turkeys  (Any  variety). — Prize,  J.  Nowton. 

Pigeons. — Carriers. — Prize,  G.  Charnley,  Preston.  Pouters. — Prize,  J. 
Hawley,  Bingley.  Tumblers  (Almond).— Prize,  J.  Hawley.  Tumblers 
(Mottled).— Prize,  J.  Hawley.    Tumblers  (Any  variety).- Prize,  J.  Hawley. 


Bariid.— Prize,  J.  irawloy.  OwI».— Prize,  H.  Yardley,  Birmingham. 
7'rum;)^^TJi  — Prize,  J.  Hawley.  Jrtco?iin«.— Prize,  J.  Ilnwioy.  FantaiU.— 
Prize,  .1.  Uawloy.  7'ur/n7a.— Prize,  J.  Thompson.  Biugloy.  Antwerps.— 
Prize,  W.  Wilding,  Buruloy.  Ami  other  Varielu.—Trixa,  A.  Smith,  Skipton. 
Sellinif  Class  (Any  variety). — Prize,  H.  Yardley. 

Judges. — Mr.  John  Martin  and  Mr.  Tegetmoier. 


whitworth 


AND    ROCHDALE 
SHOW 


POULTRY 


This  was  held  on  the  grounds  of  W.  E.  RoyJs,  Esij.,  Kochdalc,  on 
the  19th  inst.     The  following  is  the  ])rizo  list : — 

Spanish.— First  and  Cup.  H.  Beldon,  Goitstoch.  "Second,  T.  C.  and 
E.  Newbitt,  Epwortb,  near  Bawtry.  Highly  Coinmcml  .1,  N.  ('ook,  Cbow- 
bcnt.  Chirkrnji.— First  and  Second.  IX.  Karriind,  Dulton,  Iluddcrstield. 
Cochins  (Cinnamon  and  EufTj. — First,  H.  Mappk-beck,  Moscley,  Bir- 
mingham. Second,  C.  Sidgwick,  Ryddlesden  Hall,  Keighley.  Chickens. 
—First,  Cup,  and  Second,  C.  Sidgwick. 

Any  other  Variety.— First,  T.  Stretnh,  Ormskirk.  Second,  C.  W. 
Brierley,  Middleton.  CTic/.^^jw.— First,  J.  A.  Taylor,  Manchester.  Se- 
cond, C.  Sidgwick. 

Brahmas.— First  and  Cnp,  W.  Hargreaves,  Bacup.  Second,  J.  Raw- 
stron.  Cliiclfiw.— Firjt,  G.  U.  Roberts,  Penwortham,  Preston.  Second, 
J.  Sickle,  Timperlev. 

Game.— First,  Cup,  and  Second,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Highly  Commended, 
L.  Biney.  Manchester.  CocJ-.— First  and  Second,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Chickens. 
—First,  T.  Statter.Whitefleld.  Second,  J.  Carlisle,  Earby,  near  Skipton. 
Highly  Commended,  II.  B.  Riley,  Ovenden,  near  Halifax. 

PoLANDS.  —  First  and  Second,  H.  Beldon.  Highly  Commended,  P. 
Unsworth,  Sandy  Lane.  Chickens.— VixsX  and  Second,  H.  Beldon.  Com- 
mended, P.  Unsworth. 

Hamburghs  (Golden-spangled).— First,  T.  Walker,  jun.,  Denton,  near 
Manchester.  Second,  E.  Brierlev,  Heywood.  Highly  Commended,  H. 
Beldon.  Chickens.— Vixsl,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  T.  Scholes,  Hollingwood, 
Oldham.    Highlv  Commended.  T.  Walker,  jun. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-spangled).— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  H.  Pickles, 
jun.,  Earby,  Skipton.  Highly  Commended,!.  A.Taylor.  Chickens.— Viisi 
and  Cup,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  Second,,!.  Fielding,  Newchurch,  near  Man- 
chester. Highly  Commended,.!.  Fielding.  Commended,  W.  H.  Bentley, 
Hipperholme  ;  J.  Robinson,  Failsworth. 

Hamburghs  (Golden-pencilled). -First.H.  Beldon.  Second, H.  Pickles, 
jnn.  Chickens.— YiT9.i.  H.  Beldon.  Second,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  Highly 
Commended,  S.  Smith,  Northowram,  near  Halifax.  Commended,  T. 
Wrigley,  Tonge,  near  Middleton  ;  J.  Robinson. 

Hamburghs  |Silver-pcncillcd).—  C/iii.';;cns.— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second, 
Duke  of  Sutherland,  Trenthnm.    Highly  Commended,  H;  Pickles,  jun. 

Hamburghs  (Black).  —  First,  C.  Sidgwick  Second,  .1.  Robinson. 
Cfticfccns.— First.  C.  Sidgwick.  Second,  J.  Robinson.  Highly  Com- 
mended, T.  Grafton,  Castleton  Moor,  Bluepits;  C.  Sidgn-ick. 

Dorkings.  —  First  and  Cup,  J.  White,  Warlaby.  Second.  Hon.  W. 
H.  W.  FitzwiUiam,  Wentworth  Woodbouse,  Rotherham.  Highly  Com- 
mended, Mrs.  Arkwright,  Etwall  Hall,  Derby;  C.  W.  Brierley;  W. 
H.  Kng,  Moss  Mill,  near  Rochdale.  Chickens.— Tiral,  T.  Briden,  Earby. 
Second,  H.  Pickles.  . 

Any  other  Distinct  Variety  Except  Bantams.— First,  Hon.  W.  H. 
W.  Fitzwilliam.  Second,  J.  K.  Fowler,  Aylesbury.  Highly  Commended, 
N.  Cook,  Chowbent.    Commendod,  J.  Holroyd,  Rochdale. 

Game  Bantam  Cock.— First  aud  Cnp,  W.  F.  Entwisle,  Leeds.    Second, 
T.  Barker,  Hill  End,  near  Burnley. 
Game.— First,  W.  F.  Entwisle.    Second,  J.  Adkina,  jun.,  WalsaU. 
Any  other  Variety.— First,  T.  Burgess,  Brlghouse.    Secmd,  T.  0. 
Harrison,  Hull.     Highly  Commended,  H.  .\shton,  Prestwich. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury  .  —  First.  Mrs.  M.  Seamons,  Aylesbury.  Second, 
J.  K.  Fowler^  Aylesbury.    Highlv  Commendod.  E.  Leech,  Rochdale. 

Ducks  (Rouen).— First  and  Cup,  E.  Leech.  Second,  S.  H.  Stott, 
Quarry  Hill,  Rochdale.  „  „,   „  .     , 

Any  other  Variety.- First  and  Highly  Commendod,  C.  W.  Brierley. 
Second,  T.  C.  Harrison. 

Geese.— First,  T.  Statter,  jun.    Second,  J.  K.  Fowler.    Highly  Com- 
mended, S.  H.  Stott;  E.  Leech. 
Turkeys.- First,  Cup,  and  Second.  E.  Leech. 

Selling  Class.— First,  W.  A.  Taylor.    Second,  E.  Ryder,  Harrytown, 
Stockport.    Highly   Commended,  S.  H.  Stott;   E.  Leech;  E.  Buckley 
Rochdale  ;  W.  Lnnib,  Rochdale.    Commended,  Bowman  &  Fearon,  White- 
haven ;  D.  Haworth. 

PIGEONS. 
Pouters.— Cocit.— Cup,    F.    Crossley,    Ellnnd.      Second,    H.    Harvey. 
Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton,  Deptford.    Hen.— First,  W.  R.  and  H.  O. 
Blenkinsop,  Newcastle-on-Tyne.     Second,  F.  Crossley. 

Carriers.— Cocfc.— First,  G.  H.  Roberts.  Penwortham.  Second,  F. 
Crossley.  Highly  Commended,  F.  J.  Wiltshire.  West  Croydon;  G. 
Charnley,  Preston.  Hrii.— First, R.Fulton.  Second,  F.  Crossley.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Fielding,  jun.,  Rochdale.  Commended,  W.  E.  and  H.  O. 
Blenkinsop. 

Tumblers  (Almond).— Cup,  F.  J.  Wiltshire.  Second,  F.  Key.  Highly 
Commended,  F.  Crossley  ;  R.  Fulton.    Commended.  R.  Fulton. 

Balds  or  Beards.— First,  Second,  and  Highly  Commended,  J.  Field- 
ing, jun. 

Tumblers  (Any  other  variety).— First,  R.  Fulton.  Second,  E.  Minnitt, 
jun.,  Healev. 

Owls.— Cup  and  Second,  J.  Fielding,  jun.  Highly  Commended  and 
Commended,  F.  Crossley. 

Barbs.— First,  Capt.  Heator,  Lower  Broughton,  Manchester.  Second, 
F.  J.  Wiltshire.  Highly  Commended,  Capt.  Heaton  ;  P.  H.  Jones.  Com- 
mended, Capt.  Heaton. 

Dragoons.— First,  T.  Chamlcv,  Blackburn.  Second,  P.  H.  Jonea. 
Highly  Commended,  B.  Carlisle,  Rishton,  near  Blackburn  ;  F.  Crossley  ; 
R.  Wilson,  Thirsk. 

Trcmi-etees.— First  and  Second,  E.  Horner,  Harewood,  Leeds.  Com- 
mended, E.  Sheerman,  Chelmsford,  Essex  ;  P.  H.  Jones  ;  Jesse  Thompson, 
Bingley. 


158 


JOUENAL  OP  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  August  27,  1868. 


TuRBiTS.— First,  R.  Fulton.  Second,  R.  Wilson.  Highly  Commended, 
P.  H.  Jones;  Jesse  Thompson. 

Jacobins. — Cup,  E.  E.  M.  Itoyds,  Greenhill,  Rochdale.  Second,  Jesse 
Thompson.  Third,  P.  H.  Jones.  Highly  Commended,  T.  C.  &  E.  Nowbitt. 
Commended,  F.  Else.  Bnyswater. 

Fantails.— First,  C.  Bulpin,  Bridgewater.  Second,  T.  C.&  E.  Newbitt. 
Commended,  E.  Horner,  Harewood,  near  Leeds. 

Magpies —First  and  Commended,  E.  Uomer.  Second,  P.  H.  Jones. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Percivall,  Peckham,  London. 

Any  other  Variety,  -  First,  P.  H.  Jones.  Second,  H.  Yardley,  Birming- 
ham.  Commended,  H.  Yardley;  Jesse  Thompson  ;  J.  Clark,  Thirsk. 

Any  Breed.— First,  Capt.  Heaton.  Second,  E.  Horner.  Commended, 
J.  S.  Skidmore,  Nantwich. 

Judges.  —  Mr.  Richard  Tcebay,  Fulwood,  Preston,  Mr.  John 
Douglas,  Clumber  Park,  near  Worksop,  and  Mr.  J.  Shorthose,  Cram- 
Hngton,  near  Newcastle-cn-Tyue,  for  Poult r ti :  Mr.  W.  B.  Tegetmeier, 
Muswell  Hill,  London,  and  Mr.  D.  Woolstenholme,  London,  for 
Pigeons. 

HUNSLET   (LEEDS)    POULTRY   SHOW. 

This  Exhibition  Tras  held  on  the  17th  and  18th  inst..  but  the  birds 
shown  were,  as  a  rule,  very  indifferent.  The  Ifambunjh  and  Gauw 
.fi««/«7Ji  classes,  however,  were  exceptions,  some  maguiticent  Golden- 
pencilled  chickens  being  shown  in  the  former,  and  some  exquisite 
Black  Red  Bantams  in  the  latter  class.  In  Sjiangled  llamhunilts  Mr. 
Preston,  of  AUerton,  took  first  both  for  Gold  and  Silvers,  while  Mr. 
Perrin,  of  Killingbeclr,  Leeds,  took  every  prize  in  the  Pencilled 
classes — Gold  and  Silver. 

Ft'f/eons  and  Mahhits  were  very  indifferent,  and  nearly  all  the  first 
prizes  in  these  classes  were  withheld.     Subjoined  is  the  prize  list : — 

DoEKiNGs.— Prize,  J.  B.  Brittan,  Leeds  Potterv. 

Spanish.— First.  W.  F.  Pickard,  Thorner.  Second,  J.  Saaire,  Rotli- 
well. 

Cochins.— First,  T.  Wilcock,  Morley.    Second,  H.  B.  Atkin,  Hunslet, 

Game  (Black-breasted  and  other  Reds).— Prize,  T.  Wilcock. 

Game  (White  or  Piles).— First,  T.  Wilc*ck.    Second,  —  Dixon,  Hunslet. 

Hamburghs  (Goid-pencilled).— First  and  Second,  F.  Perrin,  KiUiny- 
beck,  Leeds. 

Hamburohs  (Silver-pencilledl.— First,  F.  Perrin. 

Hamburghs  (Gold-spangled).— First,  J.  Preston,  Allerton,  near  Brad- 
ford,    Second,  T.  Wilcock. 

Hambl-rghs  (Silver-spanpled).— First  J.  Preston.    Second,  T.  Wilcock. 

PoLANDs  (Any  variety).— Prize,  F.  Perrin  (Goldeni. 

Game  Bantams  (Black-breasted  nnd  other  Reds).— First,  W.  Cousins, 
Chapel  Allerton.    Second  and  Highly  Commended,  W.  F.  Eutwisle. 

Tdekeys.— Fiist,  W.  Taylor,  Osmanthorpc.  Second,  O.  Grosvenor  and 
Son,  Hunslet. 

Geese  (Dark)  .-First,  W.  Taylor.    Second,  O.  Grosvenor  &  Son. 

Geese  (Light). — Prize,  J.  Newton,  Chapeltown. 

Ducks  (Rouen).--Pri2e,—  Nicholson,  Middletou  Hall. 

DccKS  (Ayleeiburv).— Prize,  W.  Taylor. 

Guinea  Fowl.— Prize, —  Aykroyd.  Armley,  near  Leeds. 

Mr.  H.  C.  Mason,  of  Drighliugton,  and  Mr.  J.  Mitchell,  of  Hipper- 
holme,  were  the  Judges. 


Bantams.— C7iicAvn«.— First,  Bowman  &  Fearon.  Second,  P.  W.  Ogilvy. 
Third,  T.  Raines.     Commended,  P.  W.  Ogilvy. 

Any  other  Distinct  Variety.- First,  P.  W.  Ogih-y  (Brahmaa).  Se- 
cond, A.  Robertson  (Brahmas  .  Third,  D.  Gellatly  (Cochins).  Chickens, 
—First,  W.  R.  Park  (Cr^ve-Cieur).  Second  and  Third,  P.  W.  Ogilvy 
(Houdans). 

Any  Variety. — Chickens. — First  and  Second,  P.  W.  Ogilvy  (Dorkings 
and  Game).     Third,  D.  Gellatly  (Dorkings). 

Extra  Prize. — Ducklings.— FlrBt  and  Second,  P.  W.  Ogilvy.  Third,  D. 
Gellatly.     Commended,  J.  Sharp. 

Geese.— First,  Mrs.  Balliogall,  Cookston.  Second,  Mrs.  Barclay, 
Simprim.     Third,  Countess  of  Stratlimore. 

Turkeys. — First,  Countess  of  Strathmore.  Second,  Misa  A.  Kinloch, 
ICinlock.     Third,  Lord  J.  F.  Gordon, 

Selling.- First,  P.  W.  Ogilvj-.  Second,  —  Anderson.  Third,  D. 
Gellatly. 

Dorkings.— First  and  Third,  D.  Gellatly.  Second  Mrs.  White.  Com- 
mended, Mrs.  Duncan.  Chickeiis. — Cup  and  First,  A.  Bruce,  Airlie.  Se- 
cond aud  Third,  D.  Gellatly.    Commended,  G.  AUan. 

Spanish.— tirst,  Mrs.  Anderson.  Second,  D.  Gellatly.  Third,  Mrs. 
Tait,  Meigle.  C/iic/;c/i«.— First  and  Second,  Mrs.  Anderson.  Third,  D. 
Gellatly. 

Hajiburghs.— CTiic/iCnf.- Prize,  J.  Whitton,  Ruthven. 

Any  other  Distinct  Variety.— First,  D.  Gellatly  (Gomel.  Second, 
G.  Mustard  (Game).  Third,  G.  Cuthill,  Drumkilbo.  C/i("f:/a'7i8.— First,  G. 
Mustard  (Game).  Second,  D.  Gellatly  tCochinsj.  Thii-d,  Miss  Anderson, 
Meiyle  (Russian  Dorkings). 

Docks.— First,  J.  Whitton.  Second,  G.  Cuthill.  Third,  G.  Allan. 
Diickliiuis. — First,  A.  Bruce,  Hole.  Second,  Mrs.  Hill,  Braideston.  Third, 
G.  Cuthill. 

Chickkns.— First,  W.  Simpson,  Cardean.  Second,  G.  Cuthill.  Third, 
W.  Simpson. 

Pigeons.— First,  J.  Pharp.  Second,  Mrs.  Hendry.  Third,  D.  Gellatly. 
Very  Highly  Commended,  W.  K.  Park. 

The  Judges  were  Mr.  Eedpath,  Edinburgh,  and  Mr.  Brown,  Perth. 


MEIGLE   rOULTRY  EXHIBITION. 

The  fourth  annual  competition  of  the  Meigle  Horticultural  and 
Poultry  Association  came  off  in  the  play-ground,  Meigle,  on  the 
19th  instant.  The  number  of  entries  was  large,  and,  as  Admiral 
Popham  remarked  when  awarding  tbo  cups,  "  there  was  not  a  worth- 
less pen  in  the  whole  place."  Among  the  competitors  were  persons  of 
all  conditions  and  ranks,  from  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  downward. 
Lord  J.  F.  Gordon  Hallyhurtou,  P.  W.  Ogilvy,  Esq.  of  Ruthven,  and 
the  Hon.  the  Countess  of  Strathmore  were  among  the  competitors, 
and  all  of  them  obtained  prizes.  The  chief  prize — a  silver  cup, 
value  £9 — was  awarded  to  a  pen  of  Brahmas  six  months  and  a  half 
old,  belonging  to  Mr.  Keith  Jopp,  wine  merchant,  Aberdeen.  There 
was  no  mistake  in  the  award,  although  the  second  pen  (P.  W.  Ogilvy's 
of  Ruthven)  was  not  far  behind.  The  second  cui) — £3,  was  awarded 
to  Mr.  Andrew  Bruce,  Airlie,  for  a  pen  of  Dorkings  four  mouths  and 
a  half  old.  The  Game  shown  was  of  the  very  highest  class,  and  a 
finer  pan*  than  gained  the  fijst  prize  in  Class  TI.  is  seldom  if  ever 
seen.  In  the  course  of  his  remarks  in  presenting  the  cups.  Admiral 
Popham  paid  a  high  compliment  to  the  Chainnan,  Secretary,  and 
Committee  under  whose  auspices  the  Show  had  been  got  up. 

Dorkings.— First  and  Second,  G.  Allan,  Balhary.  Third,  L.  M'Donald, 
Durdie.  Commended  G.  Allan,  Ca'c/iTt- 71.';.— First,  P.  W.  Ogilvy.  Se- 
cond, T.  Raines.  Stirling.  Third,  D.  Gellatly,  Meigle.  Commended,  A. 
Bowie,  Carnoustie. 

Spanish.— First,  M.  Turnbull,  Melrose.  Second  Mrs.  Anderson,  Meigle. 
Third,  Countess  of  Strathmore,  Chickens. — First,  Mrs.  Anderson.  Se- 
cond, D.  Gellatly.  Thiid,  M.  Tm-nbuU.  Commended,  Bowman  and 
Fearon,  Whitehaven. 

Game.— First,  K.  Nicoll.  Carnoustie.  Second,  P.  Mitchell,  Perth. 
Third,  D.  Cricbton,  Ruthven.  Commended,  D.  Gellatly.  Chickens.— 
First,  Duke  of  Newcastle.  Second,  P.  W.  Ogilvy.  Third,  W.  Meldrum. 
Forfar.  Highly  Commended,  H.  Goodall,  Kirkcaldy.  Commended,  W. 
Meldrnm. 

Brahmas. —  Chickens. — Cup  and  First,  K.  Jopp,  Aberdeen.  Second,  P. 
W.  Ogilvy.    Thii-d,  K.  Jopp.    Commended,  T.  Raines. 

CocniN-CHiNA.— C/n'cA-cjt-s.- F^rst,  Duke  of  Newcastle.  Second, Bowman 
and  Fearon.    Third,  Mrs.  Hendry,  Aberdeen. 

Hamburghs.— tV.  icA-ejis.— First,  Mrs.  Farquharson,  Invercauld  House. 
Second,  W.  R.  Park,  Melrose.  Third,  R.  M"Gregor,  Perth.  Highly  Com- 
mended, Mrs.  Farquharson.    Commended,  Mrs.  T.  Kydd. 


PIGEON-JUDGING. 


I  HAVE  read  from  time  to  time  with  much  interest  the  yarions 
articles  on  Pigeons  that  have  appeared  in  "  our  Journal." 
Many  have  been  instructive,  some  abusive,  and  a  few  humorous ; 
also  there  are  a  few  of  another  character,  that  of  fault-finding, 
and  the  faults  seem,  according  to  their  showing,  to  rest  with 
the  judges  of  the  different  shows. 

I  shall  confine  myself  in  this  instance  to  the  article  on 
Pigeon-Judging  (page  lOi),  by  "  A  Young  Faxcier,"  in  which 
at  nearly  the  commencement  he  puts  forth  a  statement  of 
"  unfairness  "  with  regard  to  the  Judges  at  the  last  Bimingham 
Show. 

Now,  if  there  was  anything  unfair  in  the  matter,  I  consider 
myself  solely  responsible  for  it.  No  one  who  knows  those 
gentlemen  who  compose  the  Birmingham  Show  Committee 
(and  I  have  had  that  honour  seventeen  or  eighteen  years),  but 
will  say  that  they  always  do  all  that  possibly  lays  in  their 
power  to  render  justice  to  every  one  without  fear  or  favour. 

"  A  Young  Fancier"  says  one  of  the  Judges  was  appointed 
at  the  "eleventh  hour."  "Was  that  fair?"  Why  not  fair? 
Why  unfair  at  the  eleventh  hour  more  than  any  other,  I  am  at 
a  loss  to  know.  I  should  say  it  was  better,  the  Judge  not  know- 
ing until  the  eleventh  hour  that  he  was  to  judge.  However, 
this  was  not  the  case.  I  was  written  to  to  know  if  I  would  act 
as  Judge  as  usual.  I  replied  in  the  affirmative.  From  future 
letters  I  found  to  my  great  regret  my  old  friend  and  colleague, 
Mr.  Cottle,  could  not  attend.  Some  names  were  suggested,  I 
suggested  some.  Amongst  those  I  suggested  was  that  of  Mr. 
Hedley,  believing  him  to  be  a  good  fancier  of  certain  classes 
of  birds,  and  honest  in  his  dealings  ;  also,  Mr.  Tegetmeier.  Of 
the  latter  there  was  a  doubt  about  his  being  able  to  come,  and 
a  few  days  before  the  Show  I  was  told  of  the  great  increase  in 
the  entries.  Seeing  Mr.  Hedley  the  night  before  the  judging,  I 
said  I  was  afraid  that  there  would  be  more  to  get  through  on  the 
morrow  than  could  be  done  properly,  but  it  would  depend 
much  on  the  classes  that  were  strongest ;  and  although  he  had 
entered  and  paid  for  several  pens  of  birds,  I  asked  him  if  he 
would  mind  acting  as  Judge  should  I  deem  it  requisite  to  call 
in  the  aid  of  another.  To  this  he  at  first  demurred,  but  finally 
said  he  would,  and  woiild  look  up  in  the  morning  to  see  if  he 
could  ba  of  any  service.  I  confess  I  was  anxious,  as  Mr. 
Tegetmeier  was  in  delicate  health,  and  it  was  a  heavy  day's 
work.  Mr.  Hedley  came,  and  I  considered  the  interests  of 
the  exhibitors  would  be  much  better  served  by  my  asking  the 
Committee  for  another  Judge  to  assist  by  taking  certain  classes. 
Mr.  Hedley  did  assist,  forfeited  his  money  paid  on  his  several 
pens,  and  also  his  prizes,  for  he  assuredly  would  have  taken 
more  than  one,  and  for  so  doing  he  is  abused.  As  I  said 
before,  the  whole  blame,  if  any,  rests  with  myself,  and  it 
would  be  unjust  in  me  did  I  not  now  state  it  after  what  has 
been  said. 

My  reasons  for  acting  as  I  did  were  these  :  I  found  by  the 


August  27,  18C8.  ] 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOETICULTCEB  AND  COTTAGE  GAKDENEE. 


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large  number  of  entries  that  it  would  be  almost  impossible  to 
get  tbrouRli  these  carefully,  bird  by  bird,  before  dark,  and 
every  good  fancier  will,  naj',  must  admit,  that  judging  by  tbo 
light  of  a  lantern  is  scarcely  judging  at  all,  especially  when  the 
Judges  have  to  deal  with  the  delicate  colours  of  many  of  the 
varieties.  The  very  fact  of  my  wishing  to  bo  fair  to  everyone 
has  brought  down  the  accusation  of  unfairness.  I  have  always 
been  most  anxious  since  I  have  had  the  honour  of  judging  that 
everyone  should  have  justice  done  him  as  far  as  my  ability 
as  judge  extended,  and  I  did  not  think  that  on  this  occasion  it 
could  be  rendered  without  help.  I  think  instead  of  the  case 
being  said  to  be  unfair,  it  was  the  most  fair  thing  I  could  do. 

It  has  been  said,  also,  that  the  Judges  at  the  various  shows 
are  incompetent,  itc,  and  have  but  a  slight  knowledge  of  many 
of  the  breeds,  and  often  more  of  the  exhibitors — that  is  to 
say,  they  favour  the  latter.  For  my  own  part,  I  have  kept 
within  the  last  thirty  years  almost  every  variety  of  Pigeon  (as 
also  my  friend  Mr.  Cottie),  and  I  have  bred  them  and  won 
many  prizes  with  birds  hn'd  by  myself.  Amongst  my  several 
pens  are  two  of  the  Birmingham  silver  cups,  one  of  them  the 
only  teuguinea  cup  ever  offered  for  Pigeons  at  this  Show; 
besides  which  I  have  had  the  honour  of  acting  as  Judge  at  Bir- 
mingham and  elsewhere  many  years,  having  had  the  pleasure 
of  handling  and  comparing  very  many  of  the  best  birds  in 
this  country  ;  also  in  my  profession  as  an  artist  I  have  sketched 
many  of  them,  thereby  still  more  closely  observing  their 
beauties  and  defects.  Further,  I  can  say  that  when  I  have 
entered  the  showyard  to  judge,  I  have  not  known  to  whom  any 
of  the  birds  belonged,  and  with  very  few  exceptions  I  have  been 
in  the  same  ignorance  when  I  left.  I  go  to  judge  the  birds  not 
the  owners,  and  I  can  confidently  say  that  I  never  acted  un- 
fairly in  judging  at  any  show  in  my  life,  for  I  consider  if  a 
judge  cannot  be  depended  on  there  would  soon  be  n»  exhibi- 
tors. I  have  endeavoured,  aud  I  trust  partly  succeeded,  both 
by  pen  and  pencil  to  bring  the  domestic  Pigeon  and  its  beauti- 
ful varieties  as  much  and  as  favourably  before  the  public  as 
possible.  These  endeavours  commenced  many  many  years  ago, 
when  there  were  but  here  and  there  a  few  gentlemen  banded 
together  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  up  certain  breeds.  The 
love  of  Pigeons  has  grown  rapidly,  grown  even  beyond  my 
utmost  expectations,  which  is  much  pleasure  to  me,  but  yet  in 
my  opinion  the  fancy  wants  heart. 

In  conclusion,  the  office  of  judge  is  a  pecuniary  loss  to  me, 
and  I  shall  be  very  happy  to  resign  my  post,  with  my  em- 
ployers' consent,  to  any  one  whom  the  great  body  of  exhibitors 
have  more  confidence  in,  and  as  for  myself  at  some  future  day 
I  may  again  be  found  at  some  of  the  shows,  as  heretofore,  an 
exhibitor.  But  I  am  willing  to  act  as  judge  as  long  as  I  can  bo 
of  service. 

Now,  a  word  to  the  exliibitors.  Much  has  been  said  about 
the  Judges.  As  a  rule,  if  possible,  I  generally  stay  in  Bingley 
Hall  on  the  Monday  to  give  the  exhibitors  the  reasons  why  their 
birds  have  often  lost,  &c.  I  am  obliged  to  be  blunt,  and  I 
have  to  .say  things  frequently  which  hurt  my  feelings.  To  one, 
perhaps,  it  is  the  birds  were  very  much  trimmed ;  to  another, 
ill-matched  ;  to  another,  worse  matched — two  cocks  ;  to  another, 
as  badly  matched — two  hens  ;  to  another,  your  birds  were  dyed 
in  feather  ;  to  another,  your  birds  were  dyed  around  the  eyes  ; 
to  another,  two  tail  feathers  wanting  (this,  of  course,  was  in 
catching  the  bird,  quite  an  accident)  ;  sometimes  flight  feathers 
from  the  same  cause.  In  short  it  falls  to  the  lot  of  the  Judges 
to  find  out  by  time  and  trouble  the  mean  and  paltry  tricks  to 
which  their  fellow  men  resort  to  obtain  a  few  poiinds  that  ought 
strictly  to  belong  to  others  who  show  more  honestly.  Nor  does 
the  fraud  end  here,  for  these  birds  are  often  bought  as  good, 
and  sometimes  by  a  young  beginner,  who  at  once  becomes  dis- 
gasted  with  the  fancy. 

Then  there  is  the  borrowing  of  birds  (these  are  not  homl  fide 
property),  to  gain  a  medal  or  a  cup.     Think,  ye  that  do  this. 

Another  word.  This  to  the  public.  When  you  pass  the 
pens  of  poultry  and  Pigeons,  and  you  think  the  Judges  have 
erred  here  and  there,  look  well  to  those  birds  and,  perhaps, 
like  them,  you  will  discover  the  reason  why  they  obtained  no 
reward  of  merit  though  seemitir/l,/  they  deserved  it. — Harbison 
Weik,  WcUieioh,  Brcnchleij,  Kent. 


DRAGOON   PIGEONS. 

I  notice  in  your  Journal  of  June  4th,  a  letter  from  "  Wilt- 
shire Kectou  "  npon  the  Horseman  and  Dragoon  Pigeon.  I  also 
find  in  the  number  for  June  ISth,  the  same  subject  taken  up 


"nd  enlarged  upon  by  two  other  fanciers — viz.,  "  A  Foueigner" 
''nd  "  J.  I.  B.,"  and  in  a  subsequent  number  I  also  find  Mr. 
Crossland  gives  his  experience  of  the  Antwerp  Pigeon.  I,  like 
the  last-named  gentleman,  should  have  preferred  writing  on 
the  subject  at  an  oalior  period,  but  have  been  unable  to  do  fo. 

I  have  been,  and  still  am,  a  great  admirer  of  Dragoons.  I 
have  kept  them  for  years,  and  at  one  time  had  few  others,  and 
having  at  the  present  time  about  forty  show  birds  of  this 
variety  (various  colours),  my  ideas  may,  perhaps,  be  deemed 
worthy  of  some  notice. 

In  the  first  place,  in  reviewing  "  Wiltshiue  Hector's  "  re- 
marks, I  must  say  1  cannot  agree  with  him  that  there  should 
be  any  distinction  acknowledged  between  the  Horseman  and 
Dragoon.  My  opinion  is,  that  they  are  one  and  the  same  (as 
their  name  signifies),  and  do  not  admit  of  a  line  being  drawn 
between  them,  for  it  would  only  make  more  complicated  the 
difficulty  experienced  in  severing  the  Dragoon  from  the 
Carrier.  Accepting  "Wiltshire  IIectou's  "  quotation  from 
Moore's  work  of  the  Latin  titles  of  the  two  varieties,  the  Horse- 
man, "  Columba  tabellaria  minor  ;"  the  Dragoon,  "  Columba 
tabellaria  minima,"  and  adding  the  Carrier,  "  Columba  ta- 
bellaria major,"  I  think  it  must  he  quite  apparent  that  these 
names  intimate  that  they  are  simply  various  grades  of  one 
kind,  and  that  they  are  so  must  be  obvious  to  any  one  who  has 
studied  them. 

Now,  "Wiltshire  Eector"  says,  "As  Carriers  should  be 
always  Black  or  Dun,  so  the  Horseman  and  Dragoon  should 
never  be  of  those  colours."  Thus  I  gather  from  this  and  other 
portions  of  his  letter,  that  he  allows  only  of  Black  and  Dun 
Carriers,  and  ignores  Blues  aud  Whites  altogether,  which  I  am 
much  surprised  at.  That  Blacks  and  Duns  are  generally  the 
best  few  would  deny,  but  to  ignore  the  others  is  quite  un- 
reasonable. 

I  know  the  difficulty  of  procuring  Carriers  of  a  good  Blue 
colour,  and  I  also  know  the  scarcity  of  good  Whites  ;  but  there 
are  some  splendid  specimens  of  both  kinds,  and  that  is  why 
we  should  rather  value  them  more.  I  have  myself  a  pair  o£ 
Blue  Carriers,  both  good,  but  the  hen  is  a  perfect  bird,  and 
from  the  many  smoky  specimens  exhibited,  I  think  it  would  be 
well  to  encourage  the  fancier  to  endeavour  to  improve  the 
Blues  and  raise  them  to  the  level  of  the  others.  'The  supe- 
riority of  the  two  varieties  I  attribute  to  the  encouragement 
that  breeders  have  had  to  cultivate  Blacks  and  Duns,  whilst  the 
others  have  been  allowed  to  a  certain  extent  to  degenerate.  I 
believe  that  if  a  class  were  formed  for  them  at  most  of  our 
shows,  instead  of  only  a  few,  the  fancier  would  be  stimulated 
to  cultivate  Blues  and  Whites,  which  of  late  have  been  con- 
siderably neglected.  I  will  not  dwell  upon  this  point,  but  will 
leave  it  to  Carrier  fanciers  to  decide.  However,  I  would  say, 
that  the  Black  Carrier,  in  my  opinion,  is  certainly  the  variety 
to  be  preferred  from  its  uniform  raven  blackness,  which  con- 
trasts so  beautifully  with  the  light-coloured  wattle  and  rich 
bright  eye,  which  in  the  other  varieties  is  comparatively  lost. 
The  Blacks  and  Duns  are  also  more  numerous,  from  the  fact 
that  the  colour  does  not  require  the  same  care  to  produce  as  the 
Blues  ;  for  Blacks  and  Duns  are  frequently  paired  together  for 
breeding,  with  but  little  fear  of  their  progeny  being  spoiled,  as 
far  as  colour  is  concerned. 

Dragoons  are  of  five  acknowledged  colours — Blue,  Silver, 
White,  Yellow,  and  Bed.  Pied  and  Mottles,  as  "  Wiltshire 
Rector  "  mentions,  are  as  yet  not  acknowledged,  but  are 
merely  the  result  of  an  injudicious  cross  between  some  of  the 
above-mentioned  varieties.  Dragoons  are  certainly  the  most 
graceful  of  the  Pigeon  tribe.  There  are  others  which  ought  to 
be  much  admired  for  their  pretty  gay  appearance,  their  rich 
and  varied  colours,  their  compact  little  form,  their  large  size, 
their  aiirial  performances,  or  the  other  many  qualities  which 
the  numerous  kinds  possess,  yet,  in  my  opinion,  the  Dragoon 
is  second  to  none  for  symmetrical  and  graceful  form  and  nice 
proportions,  which  should  commend  them  to  the  notice  of  the 
fancier,  if  they  had  no  other  recommendation. 

Our  friend  "Wiltshire  Rector"  suggests  that  neither 
Dragoon  nor  Horseman  should  be  lost  sight  of,  but  that  their 
characteristics  should  be  clearly  given.  I  wonder  who  wOl  be 
found  to  give  a  properly-defined  description  of  the  difference 
between  the  Horseman  and  Dragoon.  I  would  recommend 
that  no  one  should  attempt  to  do  so,  it  would  only  make  "  con- 
fusion worse  confounded." 

The  show  Dragoon  should  partake  much  of  the  general  out- 
line of  the  Carrier,  possessing  all  the  beauty  of  form  and 
carriage  without  being  so  coarse  in  appearance  as  the  Carrier 
is  when  above  two  years  old.    I  contend  that  Dragoons  should 


160 


JJUKNAL  OF  HOKTICULTUEE   &ND  COTTAGE  GAia-£NEH. 


t  August  27,  1868. 


he  Dragoons  from  the  time  they  are  hatched  nntil  their  death, 
whatever  age  they  may  be,  and  not  a  Horseman  when  young, 
a  Dragoon  at  middle  age,  and  a  Carrier  when  eld.  I  have 
myself  taken  a  prize  with  a  young  Carrier  hen,  shown  as  a 
Dragoon  at  four  months  old,  and  when  about  fourteen  months 
she  was  highly  commended  in  the  Carrier  class  when  com- 
peting with  Blacks  and  Duns  of  various  ages,  and  I  know  that 
similar  cases  are  numerous  where  time  only  has  transformed 
them  into  another  variety.  I  appeal  to  Pigeon  fanciers.  Should 
this  be  the  case?     Let  us  draw  a  distinct  line,  then. 

Dragoons  should  be  moderate-sized  birds,  very  much  smaller 
than  good  Carriers.  They  should  have  a  long,  straight,  black 
beak,  narrow  skull,  large  and  bright  orange-coloured  eyes, 
rather  prominent  but  not  protruding  too  much.  They  should 
have  but  little  wart  or  wattle  either  on  the  beak  or  round  the 
eye ;  that  upon  the  beak  should  be  neatly  packed  on  the  top, 
and  not  overhanging  the  sides  of  the  beak  ;  it  shonld  also  be 
well  tilted  at  the  back — that  is,  raised  to  the  bend  of  the  top 
of  the  head,  which  together  with  the  lump  at  the  back  of  the 
skull  adds  to  the  length  of  the  head.  This,  by-the-by,  shonld 
not  be  too  long,  1;  inch  or  Ij  inch  is  quite  long  enough  ;  that 
of  a  good  Carrier  should  be  I4  inch,  or  as  much  longer  as  yon 
like,  measiuring  from  the  centre  of  the  eye  to  the  end  of  the 
beak.  The  eye-wattle  of  the  Dragoon  should  be  small  but 
ciicular,  and  not  pinched-in  at  the  back ;  the  neck  should  be 
long  and  thin,  and  nicely  tapered ;  the  shoulders  or  butts  of 
wings  shonld  be  wide  and  prominent ;  the  body  wedge-shaped; 
the  leg5  and  thighs  long,  and  should  show  the  angle  distinctly  ; 
the  feet  large  ;  the  colour  uniform  with  the  exception  of  the 
neck,  which  in  all  is  more  or  less  beautifully  resplendent  with 
rainbow  tints,  which  are  more  distinct  in  Blue  and  Black 
Pigeons  generally  than  in  the  other  colours. 

With  regard  to  the  colour  of  Blue  Dragoons  there  is  a  di- 
versity of  opinion.  Mr.  Percivall  (a  Dragoon  fancier),  and 
myself  had  a  little  controversy  some  time  ago  in  this  Journal, 
and  I  think  the  only  difference  in  our  opinions  is,  that  I  would 
admit  the  light-rnmped  and  white-rnmped  birds  to  a  share 
of  favour,  whilst  Mr.  Percivall  considers  any  variation  in 
colour  a  positive  defect.  This  point  I  leave  ;  but  still  I  hold 
that  what  is  lost  in  one  particular  is  amply  made  up  in  the 
richness,  transparency,  and  brilliancy  of  colour  and  contrast  in 
the  lighter-coloured  birds.  Blue  Dragoons  should  be  of  a 
bright  colour  on  the  sides  of  the  wings  and  across  the  upper 
part  of  the  back,  but  in  nearly  all  cases  and  all  kinds  of  blue 
Pigeons  this  tint  wisl  be  fonnd  to  soften  towards  the  lower  ex- 
tremity, and  whatever  tint  that  may  be  a  corresponding  shade 
is  to  be  found  under  the  wings,  belly,  and  thighs.  The  head, 
I  should  mention,  ought  to  be  rather  darker  than  the  sides  of 
the  wings,  and  terniinating  in  a  circular  shape  at  the  ends  of 
the  hackle.  The  bars  upon  the  wings  should  be  neat,  narrow, 
and  jet  black. 

Dragoons  shonld  also  be  sprightly  flying  birds,  and  are,  un- 
doubtedly, good  homing  birds,  as  I  can  testify.  All  my  birds 
have  their  liberty.  They  are  about  seventy  in  number,  and  with 
seven  exceptions  are  all  Dragoons  and  Antwerps.  Dragoons  are 
swifter  in  flight,  but  fly  lower  than  the  Antwerps,  are  not  so 
persevering  or  enduring  as  the  latter,  and  consequently  not  so 
safe  or  so  good  as  homing  birds. — J.  W.  Ludlow,  Birmingham. 


REARING  YOUNG   CANxVRIES. 

I  THANK  several  correspondents  for  kindly  answering  my 
queries  about  using  gas  in  a  Canary  room.  I  now  offer  a  few 
remarks  on  rearing  young  birds. 

This  season  I  adopted,  though  not  nntil  the  end  of  June,  the 
food  recommended  by  Mr.  Blakston  in  his  "  Guide,"  and  have 
only  lost  two  young  birds  out  of  twenty,  and  these  not  from 
the  food,  but  the  fault  of  the  parent  birds.  Every  morning,  to 
six  pairs  of  birds  with  eighteen  young  ones,  I  gave  two  eggs 
chopped  fine  and  mixed  with  a  good  table-spoonful  of  crushed 
hempseed — the  seed  to  be  measured  before  crushing — and  three 
or  four  lettuce  leaves.  In  the  evening  I  gave  the  same,  but 
only  used  one  egg.  The  hempseed  is  crushed  in  a  couple  of 
minutes  in  a  small  box  coffee-mill  properly  set  for  the  seed ; 
and  I  ought  to  say,  once  or  twice  when  the  eggs  were  very 
small,  I  used  two  also  in  the  evening.  Any  food  remaining  in 
the  egg  tins  I  mixed  with  a  little  canary  and  rape  seed,  and  gave 
to  what  I  call  my  "  weaned  lot,"  so  that  nothing  was  wasted. 

On  this  food  I  was  enabled  to  turn  out,  at  three  weeks  old, 
the  young  birds  into  a  large  aviary  cage  to  shift  for  themselves  ; 
but  I  continued  giving  a  little  soft  food.    Hitherto  I  have  sus- 


tained many  losses  amongst  young  birds,  which  I  attribute 
entirely  to  bread  crumbs.  The  bread  does  not  get  properly 
cleansed,  in  steeping,  from  yeast,  salt,  etc.,  all  of  which  are 
injurious  to  young  birds  and  old  ones.  But  whilst  upholding 
eggs  and  hempseed,  I  maintain  that  the  secret  is  in  giving  the 
fresh  lettuce  leaves.  It  is  surprising  the  quantity  a  hen  and  one 
canary  chick  will  manage  to  eat  between  them  in  a  day.  The 
rich  stimulating  food — egg  andhempseed-meal — combined  with 
the  cooling  and  purifying  vegetable,  forms  a  diet  unequalled. 
I  much  prefer  lettuce,  but  ripe  groundsel  or  chickweed  must  be 
given  rather  than  no  green  food  at  all.  Others  more  experi- 
enced than  I  am  may  be  very  successful  in  bringing  up  yonng 
birds  on  different  food.  I  am  only  induced  to  make  these  ob- 
servations in  support  of  the  food  recommended  in  the  "  Guide," 
that  others  trying  it  may  find  it  succeed  with  them.  I  shall 
be  glad  if  any  one  can  corroborate  my  statement  by  his  own 
experience  this  season. — W.  D.,  Sexlton,  jux.,  Leeds. 


MARKED  AND  VARIEGATED  CANARIES. 

What  does  Mr.  Blakston  mean  by  "marked  birds,  and 
marked  birds?"  To  a  novice  in  Canary-breeding  this  seems 
tautology.— T.  C.  H. 

^I  used  the  expression  "  marked  birds,  and  marked  birds"  in 
the  same  way  as  we  say  "  II ;/  a  des  femmes  it  des  fcmmes," 
implying  that,  although  similar  in  name,  they  may  differ  widely 
in  character.  "  Well-marked"  was  "  T.  C.  H's."  description  of 
his  birds,  and  I  simply  wished  to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that 
birds  may  be  marked  without  being  u-ell  marked ;  and  I  meant 
it  more  in  the  way  of  a  query  as  to  the  style  of  marking,  than 
as  conveying  any  idea  of  a  doubt  as  to  the  existence  of  the 
marks  themselves ;  only  it  struck  me  that  fifteen  well-marked 
birds  from  one  hen  were  so  unusual,  that  "  T.  C.  H."  was 
possibly  under  a  misapprehension  as  to  what  good  marking 
consists  in. 

The  two  terms  in  general  use  applied  to  Canaries  not 
absolutely  clean,  are  "  Variegated,"  and  "  Marked;  "  but  either 
from  some  ambiguity  in  the  meaning  of  these  words,  or  from 
their  not  being  regarded  as  technicalities,  mistakes  are  con- 
stantly occurring,  and  few  societies  issue  a  schedule  in  which 
the  difference  is  clearly  defined ;  while  comparatively  very  few 
exhibitors  have  a  clear  and  intelligent  appreciation  of  the 
proper  significancy  of  the  terms.  I  believe  that  the  North  of 
England  Ornithological  Association  was  the  first  to  separate 
" Variegated "  and  "Marked"  into  two  classes  in  the  Great 
Show  of  Christmas,  1807,  and  was  induced  to  take  this  step 
from  the  fact  that  up  to  that  time  it  had  been  the  custom  to 
have  but  one  class,  called  "Marked  or  Variegated,"  which  ex- 
pression, taken  as  it  stands,  may  mean  either  of  two  things — 
that  "  Marked  "  and  "  Variegated  "  are  synonymous  terms, 
representing  one  and  the  same  class  of  bird,  which  may  be 
designated  either  way  at  the  option  of  the  exhibitor  ;  or,  that 
both  Marked  and  Variegated  birds  might  be  exhibited  in  the 
same  class.  Plainer  still,  it  might  be  taken  to  mean  birds 
which  are  sometimes  called  Marked  and  sometimes  called 
Variegated  (recognising  no  difference  between  the  two),  or  both 
Marked  birds  and  Variegated  birds,  admitting  the  difference. 

That  either  of  these  conclusions  might  be  arrived  at  is  fully 
evidenced  by  the  fact  that  both  kinds  of  birds  were  being  con- 
stantly shown  together,  till  Mr.  Barnesby,  of  Derby,  struck  a 
direct  blow  at  the  absurdity  by  awarding  the  first  prize,  say  in 
the  Jonque  class,  to  the  best  Variegated  bird,  and  the  se- 
cond to  the  best  Marked  bird,  and  vice  ver-'a  in  the  Mealy 
class,  contending,  and  very  justly  too,  that  it  both  descriptions 
of  birds  were  grouped  in  one  class,  each  had  as  much  right  to 
notice  as  the  other,  much  to  the  chagiin  of  exhibitors,  however, 
as,  cicterisj'aribus,  a  Variegated  bird  is  of  much  more  value  than 
a  Marked  one,  so  far  as  the  marking  is  concerned. 

Then  what  is  a  Variegated  bird,  and  what  a  Marked  bird  ? 
I  will  try  and  explain.  Any  departure  from  being  absolutely 
clean,  however  slight,  will  render  a  bird  variegated,  inasmuch 
as  it  varies  from  the  original,  having  a  diversity  of  colours ; 
keeping  clearly  in  view  the  idea  that  the  word  has  reference 
solely  to  a  plurality  of  colours,  and  not  a  plurality  of  markings. 
This  word  then  becomes  a  comprehensive  term,  including 
every  bird  not  positively  clean,  whether  lightly  or  heavily 
marked.  If  it  have  as  much  as  a  single  feather  of  a  different 
colour  from  its  original  yellow  or  buff,  it  at  once  enters  the  list 
included  in  the  parent  word  variegated,  simply  because  it 
is  not  clean  but  has  a  diversity  of  colours.  But  since  all 
markings  are  not  of  equal  value,   some  being  of  everyday 


Aognst  27,  18G8.  J 


JODRNAL  OF  HORTICULTUKE   AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


161 


occurrence,  and  others  very  difficult  to  obtain  and  consequently 
very  rare,  it  becomes  necessary  to  make  some  sort  of  distinc- 
tion between  them,  and  with  this  view  the  whole  family  of 
Variegated,  or  Bicolored  Canaries  I  might  call  them,  is  divided 
into  two  classes,  easily  distinguished  from  one  another.  To 
the  first  class  belong  those  birds  \Yhich  are  marked  on  each 
wing,  on  each  side  of  the  head  (what  is  known  aa  spectacle-eye 
marking),  and  on  either  side  of  the  tail.  To  these  markings 
some  eminent  judges  add  an  oral  cap  on  the  crown  of  the  head, 
and  an  entirely  dark  tail.  I  shall  not  pause  here  to  discuss  the 
question  as  to  whether  this  is  or  is  not  a  judicious  addition  ; 
much  may  be  .»aid  on  both  sides,  but  I  rather  dissent  from  it. 
To  such  birds  the  term  "  Variegated  "  is  applied,  which  now, 
divested  of  its  parent  or  comprehensive  character,  is  used  as  a 
technical  term  to  designate  those  birds  which  are  evenly 
marked,  or  approximate  thereto  by  having  markii-gs  which  it 
is  possible  to  repeat  in  duplicate  in  the  position,  I  have 
pointed  out.  I  say  approximating  to  exactness,  because  either 
Bide  may  not  correspond  feather  for  feather  with  the  other. 
Neither  must  a  bird  necessarily  possess  the  whole  of  these  mark- 
ings ;  having  any  or  all  of  them  will  constitute  a  Variegated 
bird,  but  evenness  and  regularity  determine  the  value  of  the 
variegation. 

Now  since  there  are  but  two  classes  of  Bicolored  birds  (I 
use  this  mode  of  expression  for  the  sake  of  perspicuity),  and  I 
have  defined  what  constitutes  that  which  we  technically  term 
Variegated,  a  very  simple  process  of  reasoning  will  enable  us 
to  arrive  at  the  conclusion  that  a  bird  possessing  any  other 
description  of  marking,  either  with  or  without  any  or  all  of  those 
before  referred  to,  belongs  to  the  second  class,  and  is  called  a 
"  Marked  "  bird. 

However,  well  variegated  a  bird  may  be  (I  now  use  the  term 
variegated  in  its  technical  sense  to  signify  evenly  marked, 
according  to  the  conditions  laid  down),  but  has  any  other  mark, 
whether  it  be  the  faintest  tick  or  a  decided  blotch  on  the  neck, 
back,  breast,  ramp,  &c.,  it  becomes  a  Marked  bird;  and 
just  as  the  slightest  step  beyond  the  boundary  line  shifts  the 
liird  from  the  one  class  to  the  other,  so  the  absence  of  any  such 
random  marking,  ticks,  or  blotches  confines  it  to  the  Variegated 
class,  even  though  its  eye  marks,  wing  marks,  or  tail  marks  be 
reduced  to  one  ;  in  which  case,  though  being  strictly  a  Varie- 
gated bird,  it  is  so  bad  a  specimen  as  to  be  unable  to  compete 
with  more  regularly  marked  ones  ;  and  it  is  usual  where  the 
classes  are  separated  to  allow  such  birds  to  be  entered  in  the 
Marked  class,  where  marks  are  not  taken  into  consideration  in 
judging,  but  the  valuable  points — colour,  quality,  feather, 
shape,  condition,  decide  the  matter.  I  do  not  approve  of  such 
a  compromise,  any  more  than  I  do  of  adding  the  cap  on  the 
crown  of  the  head  to  the  list  of  markings  constituting  variega- 
tion proper,  and  think  I  can  show  both  to  be  unsound  in  prin- 
ciple. 

A  bird  must  belong  to  one  class  or  the  other,  and  it  is  a 
manifest  absurdity  to  show  it  in  a  class  to  which  it  can  claim 
no  legitimate  pretensions,  for  no  other  reason  than  that  it  has 
no  chance  of  winning  in  the  division  to  which  it  rightly  belongs. 
The  uniting  of  the  two  classes  "Variegated"  and  "  Marked  " 
eertaiuly  allowed  of  all  gradations  of  excellence  in  marking  being 
shown  together,  from  the  specimen  of  absolute  exactness  down 
to  the  bird  ouly  blotched  without  any  approach  to  regularity  ; 
but  it  was  in  most  instances  equivalent  to  the  exclusion  of  the 
latter,  for  where  the  terms  were  held  to  be  synonymous,  the 
true  variegated  bird  always  conquered  one  which  was  con- 
sidered to  be  foul-marked  :  and  these  last,  forming  as  they  do  a 
very  valuable  portion  of  a  breeder's  stock,  must  be  virtually 
excluded  from  competing  unless  a  separate  class  be  found  for 
them,  as  was  first  done  here  (Sunderland),  and  then  at  the 
Crystal  Palace,  where  in  the  absence  ot  any  definition  of 
terms  the  schedule  states  "Even-marked  or  Variegated  Nor- 
wich," and  "  Ticked  er  Unevenly-marked  Norwich."  At  both 
shows  the  separation  was  an  immense  success. — W.  A. 
Blaksion.] 


in  constructing  their  cells  on  the  basis  of  these  sheets  the  bees 
extend  them,  so  that  it  is  necessary  to  make  them  less  than 
the  frame  into  which  they  are  introduced.  Is  this  really  the 
case  ?  For  one  thing  I  am  aware  they  are  very  valuable — viz., 
that  they  secure  straight  combs,  which  in  the  frame  bar  hive 
is  of  consequence  ;  but  my  experience  has  been  so  limited,  that 
I  rather  desire  to  obtain  than  to  impart  information. — Apis. 

[We  should  be  glad  if  such  of  our  correspondents  as  have 
had  experience  in  the  use  of  impressed  waxen  sheets  or  arti- 
ficial combs,  would  reply  to  the  foregoing  inqxiiries.] 


PREVENTING  BREEDING  IN   SUPERS. 

Will  yon  advise  me  as  to  the  best  mode  of  preventing  breed- 
ing in  supers  or  boxes  worked  over  bee  hives  on  the  storifying 
plan  ?  We  have  had  a  great  number  of  boxes  greatly  spoiled 
from  this  cause  this  year,  and  even  some  of  them  had  queen's 
cells  formed  in  them.  Could  it  result  from  the  excessive  heat 
of  this  season,  or,  perhaps,  it  may  arise  from  something  in- 
directly wrong  in  our  management  or  arrangement  of  supers  ? 

1  was  thinking  of  adopting  Pettitt's  system  of  very  narrow 
passages  from  stock  hives  to  honey  boxes  or  supers,  and  which 
he  asserts  is  a  complete  prevention  of  the  evil  of  which  I  com- 
plain. I  see,  however,  that  his  arrangement  in  this  respect,  is 
strongly    condemned   by   "  A    Devoxshike     Bee-keeper." — 

SOPEK. 

[I  am  glad  to  have  the  opportunity  of  explaining  that  my 
reply  to  "E.  Leech"  was  intended  to  apply  only  to  the  case 
laid  before  me,  and  not  to  a  general  condemnation  of  Mr. 
Pettitt's  arrangement,  which  I  have  not  myself  had  the  oppor- 
tunity of  trying.  Had  the  full  particulars  appeared,  it  would 
have  been  seen  that  it  was  perfectly  successful  in  excluding 

'  both  queen  and  drones  from  the  super,  although  it  unfor- 
tunately proved  fatal  to  an  enormous  number  of  bees.  It  does 
not  follow  that  because  a  contrivance  acts  injuriously  in  a  par- 
ticular instance,  it  may  not  succeed  perfectly  in  others,  and  it 
is,  therefore,  much  to  be  desired  that  as  many  as  possible  who 

'  have  tested  Mr.  Pettitt's  mode  of  restricting  communication 
between  hives  and  supers,  would  report  the  results  of  their  ex- 
perience. I  have  myself  been  successful  in  excluding  brood 
from   supers,   simply  by  adopting  side  communication ;  but  I 

•  fancy  that  your  esteemed  correspondent,  "  A  Eesfrewshiee 
Bee-keepeb,"  has  had  more  experience  on  this  point  than  I 
have,  and  should,  therefore,  be  much  obliged  if  he  would 
kindly  enlighten  us  on  the  subject.  —  A  Devonshire  Bee- 
keeper.] 

BEES  IN  EAST  WORCESTERSHIRE- 
WOODBURY  HIVES. 

The   honey  harvest  here   (East  Worcestershire)  has  been 

]  wretched,  and  while  everyone  has  been  complaining,  a  friend 

of  mine  at  Wolverhampton  (ten  miles  from  here)   has  taken 

three  supers    worked    off  Woodbury  frame  hives,    which   he 

estimates  contain  together  not  less  than  100  lbs.  of  honey. 

I  use  Woodbury  hives  only,  and  since  living  here  (about 
eight  months),  no  fewer  than  five  bee-ktepers  in  this  neigh- 
bourhood have  adopted  them,  so  great  is  their  superiority. — 
U.S. 


ARE  WAXEN  SHEETS  USEFUL'? 
Will  one  or  more  of  your  apiarian  correspondents  who  have 
made  free  use  of  the  artificial  wax  sheets,  give  your  readers  the 
results  of  his  experience '.'  There  are  two  points  on  which 
especially  I  desire  information.  I  have  been  told  that  the 
Stewarton  (.\yrshire)  bee-keepers  consider  that  the  use  of  the 
sheets  gives  them  three  boxes  of  super  honey,  when  without 
them  they  would  only  have  had  two.  It  this  "be  true  their  Ufe 
ought  to  be  more  gereral.    Again,  I  have  been  informed  that 


UNITING  BEES. 


Having  read  of  the  great  advantageof  uniting  bees,  andhaving 
two  hives  that  appeared  deficient  in  strength,  I  determined 
to  try  the  experiment.  One  was  a  Woodbury  hive  with  a  swarm 
of  this  year,  and  the  other  a  Stewarton  with  a  stock  three  years 
old.  I  arranged  with  a  cottager  to  take  some  of  his  condemned 
bees,  and  having  acted  carefully  according  to  the  directions 
of  the  "  DEVONSHIRE  Bee-keeper,"  I  was  perfectly  successful 
in  securing  two  hives  full  of  bees.  As  soon  as  it  was  dusk  I 
removed  the  crown-board  from  the  Woodbury  hive,  put  another 
hive  on  the  top,  shook  the  strange  bees  into  it,  covered  them 
up,  and  left  them  till  morning.  I  then  raised  the  Stewarton 
hive,  laid  some  sticks  on  the  floor  where  it  stood,  shook  the 
strangers  between  them,  sprinkled  them  well  with  boiled  sugar 
and  water,  replaced  the  hive  on  the  sticks  and  left  them  for  the 
night,  hoping  that  in  the  morning  I  should  find  peace  and 
harmony  established.  But  what  a  melancholy  sight  did  I 
behold  !  In  the  Woodbury  hive  there  was  evidently  a  'urions 
'  fight.    Thousands  of  bees  were  being  turned  out  dead,  and 


162 


JOURNAL   OP    HOETIOULTUEB   AND    COTTAGE   GAKDENEB. 


t  August  27,  1868. 


others  were  being  carried  into  my  neighbonr's  garden,  as  if 
that  were  considered  a  more  suitable  cemetery  than  my  own. 
This  process  went  on  during  the  whole  day,  till  at  length  the 
number  of  dead  bees  must,  I  fear,  have  exceeded  the  number 
of  the  strangers,  so  that  my  hive  is  weakened  rather  than 
strengthened  by  the  transaction.  In  the 'Stewarton  hive  there 
was  not  so  much  noise  as  in  the  other,  but  as  far  as  I  can 
judge  from  appearances,  all  the  strange  bees  have  been  turned 
out,  and,  curiously  enough,  several  wasps  with  them. 

Now,  I  should  be  very  much  obliged  to  you  to  let  me  know 
the  cause  of  my  failure.  Was  it  my  fault  or  that  of  the  bees  ? 
Was  it  that  I  made  some  mistake,  or  that  they  had  not  read 
the  right  bee-book  and  did  not  know  how  good  bees  ought  to 
behave  ? — H. 

[With  regard  to  the  bees  which  you  attempted  to  unite  to 
the  Stewarton  hive,  you  appear  to  have  followed  correctly 
enough  the  directions  given  by  the  late  Mr.  Payne,  but  have 
unfortunately  realised  the  truth  of  some  remarks  upon  his 
process  which  I  published  in  "  our  Journal "  in  December, 
1863,  and  wherein  after  quoting  his  words,  I  say — "Thus  far 
Mr.  Payne,  and  ho  may  b.',  and  probably  will  be  found  to  be, 
right  in  a  majority  of  cases ;  but  in  many  instances  I  have 
known  daylight  reveal  a  sickening  scene  of  slaughter,  so  ex- 
tensive as  to  make  it  more  than  doubtful  if  suiBcient  bees  sur- 
vived to  render  the  attempted  union  of  the  slightest  advantage 
to  the  stock  intended  to  be  benefited  thereby."  Occoasional 
catastrophes  of  this  kind  are,  I  believe,  unavoidable  where  the 
operator  has  to  unite  bees  to  a  stock  domiciled  in  a  hive  with 
fixed  combs,  but  they  only  occur  in  a  minority  of  cases. 

With  Woodbury  frame  hives  the  case  is,  however,  very  dif- 
ferent, and  failures  are  so  rare  when  the  operation  is  properly 
managed,  that  I  feel  justified  in  ascribing  your  miscarriage  to 
neglect  of  the  instructions  which  I  gave  in  page  320  of  the 
last  volume  of  "  our  Journal."  Had  you,  as  therein  directed, 
first  captured  the  queen  of  the  frame  hive,  and  then  driven  the 
bees  upwards  through  the  bars  into  the  same  hive  with  the 
previously  driven  bee.-!,  finally  knocking  out  the  conjoined 
cluster  on  the  top  of  the  frames  after  temporarily  deepening 
the  hive  by  placing  an  empty  one  on  the  top,  success  would,  I 
think,  have  been  nearly  certain.  If  you  will  but  "  try  again  " 
and  adhere  somewhat  more  closely  to  my  instructions,  there 
is  no  doubt  ultimately  that  your  perseverance  will  be  rewarded 
by  complete  success. — A  Devonshire  Bee-keeper.] 


DRIVING   BEES. 


A  NEionBODB  has  two  hives  of  bees,  and  which  he  purposed 
suffocating  before  taking  their  honey.  He  says  he  will  give 
tkem  to  me,  if  I  will  drive  them.  Do  you  think  it  possible,  if 
I  unite  the  swarms,  and  put  them  in  a  Neighbour's  Improved 
Cottage  Hive,  to  keep  them  alive  by  the  greatest  amount  of 
feeding?  I  only  commenced  bee-keeping  this  spring.  A  friend 
gave  me  a  swarm  (a  June  one).  I  have  fed  it  very  liberally,  and 
it  is  now  pretty  strong.  It  is  in  a  common  cottage  hive.  Would 
it  be  better  to  put  one  or  both  lots  to  this  hive  ? — P.  G.  C. 

[If  you  drive  bees  into  an  empty  hive  in  the  manner  you 
propose,  they  should  at  once  be  copiously  fed  by  means  of"  an 
inverted  pickle  bottle  replenished  regularly  every  evening,  until 
the  nett  weight  of  the  contents  of  the  hive  reaches  at  least 
15  lbs.  Success  by  this  means  is,  perhaps,  possible,  but  by  no 
means  certain.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  you  adopt  a  frame  hive, 
and  furnish  it  with  such  otherwise  useless  pieces  of  wirker 
comb  as  you  may  be  able  to  obtain  from  the  driven  £tock=i  in 
the  manner  detailed  by  Mr.  Woodbury  in  his  articles  on  "  Uti- 
lising and  Uniting  Condemned  Bees,"  which  commenced  in 
.January,  and  were  concluded  in  April  of  the  present  year, 
success  is  so  probable  that  it  may  be  considered  tolerably 
certain. 

You  can  if  you  please  drive  and  unite  the  bees  to  your  own 
stock  in  the  manner  described  in  the  articles  to  which  we  have 
already  referred,  but  the  decision  as  to  which  of  these  two 
courses  you  may  adopt,  must  rest  with  yourself.] 


OUR  LETTER   BOX. 

Game  Fowls. — "  The  birds  meutioned  by  Mr.  W.  H.  Wheeler  in  fin 
advertisement  in  your  last  number  were  never  stated  by  me  to  be 
*  vahiable  '  at  all,  as  tbe  price  '.£2  158.)  clearly  shows;  nor  were  they  ever 
my  bii'ds  at  all,  nor  yet  market  birds. — Newmap.ket." 

Exchanges  (An  Amateur). — We  cannot  afford  either  space  or  time  to 
carry  out  tho  suf^pestion.  An  advertisement  is  the  legitimate  mode  of 
effecting  the  pui-poie. 


Hartlepool  Pocltrt  Exixtbitiok.— "  An  Exhibitor  "  writes  to  ns : — 
"It  is  my  ojnnion  that  the  judRes  should  not  be  appointed  from  the 
locality  in  which  the  exhibition  is  held.  This  would  give  general  satis- 
faction to  the  exhibitors,  whether  they  received  prizes  or  not.  Why  not 
appoint  them  from  the  south — pentlemcn  who  know  the  good  qualities  of 
the  birds  ?  For  my  part  I  am  determined  never  to  exhibit  another  bird 
unless  I  can  ascertain  who  are  appointed  judges." 

[Tho  writer  of  the  above  is  a  clcrffymau,  and  took  a  prize.  We  quite 
agree  that  judges  ought  to  be  obtained  from  among  skilled  men  residing 
at  a  distance  from  the  show.  Our  correspondent  quotes  from  a  letter, 
the  j  udgment  of  the  writer  of  which  would  be  demurred  to  by  many,] 

Chelmsford  Poultry  Show.—"  In  pleasing  contrast  to  the  conduct 
of  the  generality  of  poultry  committees  under  the  circumstances  of  loss 
of  specimens  during  an  exhibition,  I  feel  myself  bound  to  acknowledge 
the  j-eceipt  by  cheque  of  two  guineas,  the  price  it  cost  me  of  a  Satin 
Fairy  Pigeon,  "accidentally  lost  at  the  Chelmsford  Show. — Henry  Yard- 
ley,  Market  Sail,  Bimiinghavi," 

Absence  of  Feathers  on  Pigeons  t Pouter).  —  The  feathers  on  yoni- 
Pouters'  crops  will  probably  grow  again  during  winter,  when  they  will 
have  no  young  to  feed.  Our"  Pouters  are  now  in  full  moult,  probably 
yours  are.  Hempseed  in  the  spring  tends  to  make  them  lay.  Now  thev 
ought  to  have  done  breeding,  as  the  progeny  of  a  moulting  bird  is  not 
likely  to  be  strong. 

Management  of  Guinea  Fowls  (Jtma  F.). —  The  following  is  ex- 
tracted from  the  "  Poultry  Book,  which  you  can  have  free  by  post  from 
our  office  if  you  enclose  seven  postage  stamps  with  your  address ; — "  They 
pair,  therefore  an  equal  number  of  each  sex  must  be  kept.  It  is  the  hen 
only  which  utters  tbe  peculiar  cry  of  '  Come  back.'  The  noto  of  the  cock 
bird  is  a  kind  of  wail.  To  obtain  a  stock  of  them  some  eggs  should  be 
hatched  in  tho  yard  where  they  are  wished  to  remain.  To  buy  fuU-growu 
birds  is  almo.it  hopeless  ;  for  when  turned  down  they  depart,  apparently 
in  search  of  their  old  home.  They  should  be  fed  regularly  at  stated  times. 
They  return  at  th  se  times  punctually,  find  if  one  of  the  feedings  is  in 
the  evening  they  then  roost  at  home.  Their  roost  should  be  high  from 
the  ground.  They  must  be  fed  like  other  fowls,  but  in  winter  require 
more  animal  food.  Tho  hen  usually  lays  on  a  dry  bank,  and  if  the  eggs 
are  taken  from  her  nest  never  lays  init  again.  They  usually  bring  off 
very  large  broods — twenty  is  not  an  unusual  number.  Chicks  of  the 
Guinea  fowl  are  so  strong  that  they  require  food  soon  after  they  are 
hntcbcd,  and  should  have  a  constant  supply  by  them  until  they  are 
allowed  to  be  at  liberty.  Their  troughs  should  be  constantly  supplied, 
for  they  die  if  kept  without  food  for  three  or  four  hours.  Have  the  mother 
under  a  coop  in  a  warm  corner  of  the  garden,  and  facing  the  south.  Egg 
boiled  hard,  chopped  very  fine,  and  mixed  with  oatmeal  is  their  best 
food.  At  the  end  of  six  weeks,  if  hatched  under  a  Bantam  or  Game  hen, 
they  may  be  allowed  to  range  with  her.  and  be  fed  at  the  same  time  and 
on  the  same  food  as  other  chickens.  May  is  the  best  month  for  placing 
Guinea  fowls'  eggs  under  a  hen.  Incubation  requires  from  twenty-eight 
to  thirty  days." 

Red-collared  Eengalies  During  the  Breeding  Season  {Whitei/ 
Brown). — Place  in  a  large  cage  the  outer  husk  of  the  cocoa  nut  with  a 
hole  at  the  end.  They  may  be  purchased  of  Mr.  Hawkins,  of  Bear  Street, 
Leicester  Square,  also  a  breeding-box  similar  to  what  Canaries  have,  with 
loose  dry  moss,  and  a  net  of  the  same  material  as  Canaries  have.  Give 
them  Canary  seed,  millet  of  both  kinds.  Indian  and  French,  likewise 
green  food,  and  when  they  have  young  give  stale  sponge  cake. 

Butterflies  (.Sop/iia).— Stainton's  "  Manual  of  British  Butterflies  and 
Sloths."  Lowe's  book  which  you  mention  does  not  contain  the  descrip- 
tions you  need. 

Sale  of  Honey  (J.  BoSinsoa).— Messrs.  Forlnum  &  Mason,  Piccadilly, 
are  large  purchasers  of  honey;  but  if  they,  like  Messrs.  Neighbour,  are 
full,  we  know  not  to  whom  to  advise  you  to  apply  in  London,  although 
it  is  probable  that  many  of  the  Italian  warehousemen  at  the  west  end 
may  be  purchasers.  If,  you  ^isit  a  watering  place  you  may  possibly  find 
a  market  there  through  some  grocer  or  confectioner.  Fine  honey  in  the 
comb  ought  to  briug  at  least  U.  3d.  to  Is.  6d.  per  lb. 

Honey  Crystallising  in  the  Comb  (ri/cntl.— When  honey  crystallises 
in  clean  combs,  it  is  best  treated  by  being  melted  in  a  water  bath,  which 
may  be  readily  improvised  by  a  covered  jar  standing  in  a  saucer-pan  of 
water.  When  cool  tho  wax  may  bo  removed  from  the  top  in  a  thin  cake, 
leaving  the  honey  underneath  beautifully  liquid  and  pure. 

Honey  Imported  and  its  Uses  (H.  B.).— It  comes  to  us  in  largo 
quantities  from  various  parts  of  the  world.  The  greatest  amounts  are 
from  Jamaica.  Cuba,  and  Chili.  In  1862  the  total  importation  was 
7,150  cwts.;  in  1863,12,054  cwts.;  in  1864,12,083  cwts. ;  in  18C5, 4,519  cwts. ; 
and  in  1866. 13,521  cwts.  The  only  uses  of  honey  that  we  know  are  in 
some  pharmaceutical  preparations,  in  malung  mead  and  mum,  and  as  an 
article  of  food.  We  cannot  tell;its  usual  wholesale  price,  but  you  might 
ascertain  it  from  Messrs.  Neighbour. 

Hornets'  Nest  (B.  TT.).— We  cannot  advise  how  to  destroy  the  hornets 
in  their  nest  established  in  the  wall  of  your  house,  not  knowing  the  exact 
position ;  but  any  of  the  usual  modes  of  destroying  wasps  in  their  nest 
would  succeed  in"  destroying  hornets.  Oil  of  turpentine  in  a  bottle,  and 
the  nozzle  thrust  into  tho  entrance  of  the  ne^t,  would  probably  suffocate 
them 

The  Weight  of  a  Cobto  Yard  of  Hay  in  a  Stack  (Sii6.scri6cr).— Mnch 
depends  on  the  solidity  of  the  stack,  as  we  have  seen  some  so  compact 
from  heating  that  a  ton  could  be  cut  out  of  less  than  6  cubic  yards,  while 
as  much  as  16  cubic  yards  would  be  wautedon  another  occasion.  A  cubic 
yard  of  hay  may  only  contain  140  lbs.,  or  it  may  contain  nearly  40O. 


POULTKY  MARICET.— August  '2G. 


Large  Fowls 4    0  to  4 

Smaller  do SO       8 

Chickens    1     9        2 

Goslings 5    0        6 

Ducklings  2    0 


Pigeons 0    8       0    9    Grouse 0    0       0    0 


B.  d       s.  d 
Pheasants    0    o  to  0    0 


Guinea  Fowls 0 

Hares 0 

Rabbits 1 


0  0 
0  0 
4        1 


September  8,  1868.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICDLTURB  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


1(;3 


WEEKLY 

CALENDAR. 

Day 

of 

Month 

Day 

of 
Week. 

SEPTEMBER  8-9,  1868. 

AveraRe  Temperature 
Dear  London. 

Ram  in 

lagt 
41  years. 

Snn 

Rises. 

Sun 
Sets. 

Mood    i    Mood 
Rises.        Sets. 

Moon's 
Age. 

Clock 
after 
Son. 

^7 

Vear 

8 
4 
S 
6 
7 
8 
9 

Th 

F 

S 

Su» 

M 

To 

W 

Alnwick,  Dundee,  Harrogate,  Worksop, 
Horticultural  Sliowfi.  and  Show  of  Iloyal 
Horticultural  Society  of  Ireland. 
18  Sunday  after  Trimity. 

Bicester  Horticultural  Show. 
Brighton  Autumn  Show  opens. 

Day. 
71.3 
70.7 
70.0 
69.8 
7il.0 
69.4 
69.0 

NiKht. 
47.G 
4B.6 
47.2 
48.6 
47.6 
48.0 
48.2 

Mean. 
69.5 
68.6 
58.6 
68.2 
58.8 
68.7 
68.6 

Days. 

18 
18 
17 
19 
19 
19 
18 

m.       h. 

17  af  5 

18  5 
20      5 

22  6 

23  5 
25       5 
27      5 

m.    b. 
40af6 
38      6 
3S      6 
34      6 
32      6 
80      6 
28      6 

nj.    b.     m.    h 
27af7      20af6 
48      7      25      7 
12      8      81      8 
38      8      87      9 
5      9      44    10 
87      9  1  52    11 
16    10      after. 

Days. 
10 
17 
18 
19 
21) 
21 
( 

m.    fl. 

0  55 

1  15 
1     35 

1  65 

2  15 
2    85 
2    56 

247 
248 
249 
250 
251 
252 
253 

From  observations  taken  near  London  darinR  the  laBt  forty-one  yoarH,  the  average  dr.vtemperatnre  of  the  ""^^^^J^Zl^^'tn^t'l^^ 
temperature  47.4°.     The  greatest  heat  was  85'.  on  the  7th,  1865;   and  the  lowest  cold  28%  on    the  7tk,  1855.    The  greatest  faU  ol  rain 
wag  1-09  Inch. 

BLENDING  SPECIES  AND   VARIETIES 
BY   GR.VFTING. 

HE  notes  and  articles  wliicli  liave  from  time 
to  time  appeared  in  the  Journal  on  the  in- 
fluence which  the  stock  exercises  on  the 
graft,  and  the  graft  on  the  stock,  have  always 
seemed  to  me  deeply  interesting,  as  tending 
to  throw  some  light  upon  an  allied  subject 
which  has  hitherto  been,  and  to  all  appear- 
ance will  for  some  time  continue  to  be, 
wrapped  up  in  no  little  mystery.  The  idea 
of  cross-breeding  by  the  direct  intermixture  of  the  cellular 
matter  of  different  species  or  varieties  is,  I  believe,  gene- 
rally scouted  by  scientific  men  as  a  chimera  and  a  dream, 
seemingly  supported  by  some  curious  phenomena,  but  alto- 
gether at  variance  with  the  laws  of  vegetable  physiology ; 
it  is,  however,  an  old  one,  and  on  that  account,  if  on  no 
other,  is  entitled  to  some  consideration. 

Bacon,  in  his  "  New  Atlantis,"  makes  the  governor  of 
the  model  community  of  Bensalem  say,  "  We  have  also 
means  to  make  divers  plants  rise,  by  mixtures  of  earths, 
without  seeds  ;  and  likewise  to  make  divers  new  plants 
diil'ering  from  the  vulgar,  and  to  make  one  tree  or  plant 
turn  into  anotlier ;  "  and  in  a  footnote  referring  to  this 
passage,  by  whom  I  know  not,  is  the  following  : — "  I  have 
nowhere  seen  so  remarkable  a  proof  of  what  may  be  effected 
in  this  way  as  in  tlie  gardens  of  Boghos  Be}',  at  Alexan- 
dria, where  I  was  shown  a  very  extraordinary  fruit  tree, 
produced  by  a  process  highl}'  ingenious.  They  take  three 
seeds — the  Citron,  the  Lemon,  and  the  Orange — and  care- 
fully removing  the  external  cuticle  from  both  sides  of  one 
of  them,  and  from  one  side  of  the  two  others,  place  the 
former  between  the  latter,  and,  binding  the  three  together 
with  fine  grass,  plant  them  in  the  earth.  From  this  mixed 
seed  springs  a  tree,  the  fruit  of  which  exhibits  three  dis- 
tinct species  included  within  one  rind,  the  division  being 
perfectly  visible  externally,  and  the  flavour  of  each  com- 
partment as  different  as  if  it  had  grown  on  a  separate  tree. 
This  method  of  producing  a  tripartite  fruit  has  been  intro- 
duced by  Boghos  Bey  from  Smyrna,  his  native  city,  where 
it  is  said  to  have  been  practised  from  time  immemorial." 
(Bacon's  "Essays."     Bohn's  edition,  p.  2'.)!).) 

Accustomed  as  we  are  to  regard  Egypt  as  a  land  of 
wonders,  this  is,  perhaps,  more  than  any  who  are  ac- 
quainted with  the  internal  conformation  of  these  seeds 
wiU  accept.  I  must  confess  to  having  twice  attempted  the 
first  part  of  this  experiment,  and  in  both  cases  putrefaction 
of  the  middle  seed,  and  only  partial  development  of  the 
seed  leaves  of  the  two  outer  ones,  were  the  results.  But  as 
the  cause  of  failure  in  my  case  may  not  have  been  the 
impossibility  of  the  thing  itself,  to  any  wlio  wish  to  make 
it,  the  experiment  is  easy,  and  the  seeds  of  the  Apple  or 
Pear  would  seem  to  be  as  suitable  for  it  as  those  named. 

In  the  less  highly  organised  seeds  or  spores  of  Ferns, 
Mosses,  or  Fungi,  the  amalgamation  of  two  species  would 
appear  not  so  wonderful,  as  in  these  the  rudiments  of  root 
and  stem  ai-e  not  to  be  found,  but  it  has  never  been  proved 
that  they  have  done  so  accidentally,  and  the  nicety  of 

No.  388.-V0I.  XV.,  Kew  Sbjueb. 


manipulation  required  to  unite  them  as  the  astute  Mussel- 
man  did  the  Orange  seeds  precludes  the  possibility  of  its 
ever  being  accomplished  artificially. 

So  seeds  as  subjects  for  experiments  of  this  kind  may  be 
set  altogether  aside.  My  humble  belief,  however,  is  that 
with  buds  the  case  is  dillerent.  If  we  have  not  already 
proofs  that  by  the  agency  of  fliese  the  distinctive  marks 
and  qualities  of  dilibrent  plants  may  be  blended  together, 
we  have  at  least  received  some  few  hints  that  such  an  end 
is  attainable.  One  of  these  is  the  oft-cited  instance  of  the 
Purple  Laburnum,  the  history  of  which  is  so  well  known 
that  it  need  not  be  here  repeated,  and  though  it  is  an 
exceptional  case,  purely  accidental,  and  may  never  occur 
again,  it  yet  confirms  the  principle  that  the  undefinable 
something — call  it  what  you  wiU — which  constitutes  the 
individuality  of  a  species  can  be  broken  in  upon  and 
changed  by  means  more  decided,  but  less  natural,  than 
those  employed  by  the  hybridist. 

Every  propagator  knows  that  the  emission  of  roots  is 
nearly  always  preceded  by  the  formation  of  a  callosity  at 
the  base  of  the  cutting.  Tliis  is  composed  of  soft  cellular 
matter,  and  from  the  "first  seems  capable  of  performing  in 
some  degree  the  functions  of  roots  proper,  absorbing  mois- 
ture, and  carrying  nourishment  to  the  cutting.  In  a  few 
days,  or  weeks,  according  to  circumstances,  the  develop- 
ment of  this  substance  ceases,  roots  are  thrown  out,  and 
the  plant  begins  to  grow.  Now,  it  appears  probable  that 
if  two  cuttings  pre^■iclusly  joined  together  by  inarching  can 
be  made  to  produce  one  callosity,  we  may  reasonably  expect 
that  some  of  the  roots  emitted  from  it  must  be  common  to 
both.  Some  years  ago,  when  a  young  man,  I  was  im- 
pressed with  this  notion,  and  made  a  few  experiments  for 
the  purpose  of  testing  its  correctness.  To  describe  them 
all  would,  for  the  most  part,  be  to  write  a  chapter  of 
failures  :  therefore  one  which  was  nut  entirely  a  failure 
will  suffice. 

Two  Myrtles  were  selected— the  Small-leaved  and  the 
Dutch — several  pairs  of  the  half-ripened  shoots  from  each 
were  brouglit  togetlier,  and  grafted  by  approach.  Those 
pah-s  which  united  were  taken  off  about  the  bottom  of 
the  splice,  and  inserted  as  cuttings.  Instead  of  a  pot  a 
small  Iiox  with  a  glass  side  was  used,  so  that  by  placing 
the  cuttmgs  close  beside  it  the  rooting  process  could  be 
easily  watched.  After  a  long  time  a  slight  callosity  was 
formed  entirely  round  the  base  of  each  double  cutting,  with 
no  perceptible  break  underneath  the  part  where  the  two 
were  joined  together.  In  the  case  of  one  to  which  I  would 
more  particularly  refer,  these  were  the  points  where  the 
callosity  first  began  to  make  its  appearance,  and  where  it 
was  afterwards  more  fully  developed  than  elsewhere.  Be- 
fore the  roots  were  emitted  tlie  cutting  was  taken  out,  and 
the  cellular  matter  carefully  removed  from  each  side  of  the 
base,  leaving  it  only  at  those  parts  mentioned,  the  object 
being  to  procure  roots  only  from  what  was  supposed  to  be 
compound  alburnum.  These  were  produced  after  another 
long  interval,  and  then  the  Siamese-twin  cutting  began 
to  gi-ow  rapidly.  When  well  rooted  it  was  placed  in  a 
small  pot,  and  the  collar  was  elevated  above  the  rim  a  little 
more  so  than  is  generally  done  in  potting  young  Heaths. 

No.  low.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  Series. 


•164 


jodknaij  of  hokticulture  and  cottage  gabdener. 


[  September  3,  1868. 


Now,  my  idea  was  this :  If  common  roots  could  be  obtained, 
partaking  of  the  nature  of  both  Myrtles,  and  if  these  roots 
could  be  made  to  form  adventitious  buds,  or,  in  other  words, 
to  throw  up  suckers,  as  Myrtles  when  potbound  are  very  apt  to 
do,  these  suckers  could  be  nothing  more  nor  less  than  what  I 
call — for  want  of  a  better  word — pure  hybrids. 

After  growing  the  plant  for  a  considerable  time  until  the  pot 
was  full  of  roots,  the  points  were  stopped,  and  all  buds  picked 
out  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves,  a  little  soil  was  also  removed 
from  the  top  of  the  ball  so  as  to  expose  the  roots  ;  in  a  very 
short  time  suckers  did  appear,  some  of  the  small-leaved  sort, 
some  of  the  large,  and,  what  clearly  proved  this  little  theory  to 
be  correct,  some  neither  the  one  nor  the  other,  but  as  truly 
hybrids  as  are  Jackman's  Clematises.  The  normal  forms  were 
taken  off,  and,  twelve  years  ago,  this  plant — a  little  curiosity  in 
its  way — was  doing  daty  as  a  greenhouse  plant  at  Preston 
Grange,  in  East  Lothian. 

What  led  to  this  experiment  was  the  repeated  failures  which 
I  encountered  in  attempting  to  form  a  conjoint  bulb  from  two 
leaves  of  different  Gloxinias  united  mechanically,  and  inserted 
as  cuttings.  Neither  this  nor  the  formation  of  one  bud  by 
the  conjunction  of  two  Begonia  leaves  I  believe  to  be  practicable, 
as  both  experiments  have  been  frequently  tried  by  the  curious 
without  success. 

Despite  the  wholesome  advice  given  us  the  other  week  to 
"  Beware  of  the  Wonderful,"  and  illustrated  as  it  was  by  a 
somewhat  ludicrous  example,  I  have  yet  ventured  to  send  yon 
these  few  notes.  The  whole  subject  is  one  of  peculiar  interest. 
On  the  score  of  utility  any  information  which  we  yet  have 
concerning  it  is  of  no  value,  but,  by-and-by,  new  facts  may 
be  elicited,  and  processes  devised,  which  may  prove  highly 
serviceable  to  all  cultivators  of  fruits  and  flowers. — Aveshiee 

GiEDENEr.. 


XOTES  ON  A  KENTISH  ORCHARD. 

THE   PLUM. 

So  beautiful  is  the  appearance  of  an  orchard  where  the  trees 
are  healthy  and  in  bloom,  that  the  most  careless  of  Nature's 
observers  can  seldom  pass  such  an  object  without  some  »x- 
pression  of  admiration ;  and  as  that  beauty  is  the  forerunner 
of  that  which  is  both  beautiful  and  useful,  we  view  an  orchard 
with  widely  different  feelings  from  those  we  experience  when 
surveying  an  expanse  of  Gorse,  Broom,  or  Heath,  all  of  which, 
however  graceful  asiwell  as  rich  in  colouring,  leave  us  nothing 
of  importance  to  hope  for  afterwards.  On  the  contrary,  a  good 
bloom  on  a  fruit  tree  is  one  of  the  precursors  of  a  useful  crop, 
for  although  every  blossom  does  not  become  a  fruit,  yet  no  fruit 
is  obtained  without  it.  Even  apart  from  all  expectations,  there 
is  a  beauty  in  the  bloom  of  our  larger  hardy  fruit  trees  when 
seen  in  mass,  and  I  am,  therefore,  not  surprised  that  the  denizens 
of  large  towns  very  often  travel  long  distances  to  view  the  or- 
chard districts,  and  the  sight  often  well  repays  the  journey. 
The  clear  white  of  the  Cherry  contrasts  well  with  the  deep 
rose  of  the  uuexpanded  bloom  oi  the  Apple,  while  the  hardy 
Plum  is  the  first  to  open  the  spring,  and  the  Pear,  as  a  tree, 
presents  greater  diversity  of  form  than  any  other,  and  its 
blossoms  are  not  less  beautiful  than  those  of  the  other  trees. 
Of  a  well-managed  orchard,  therefore,  most  people  possessing 
one  are  justly  proud,  and  the  vale  of  the  Medway  presents 
many  such  orchards,  differing,  of  course,  in  some  respects,  as 
the  requiremeuts  of  the  case  or  the  fancy  of  the  proprietor  may 
dictate,  but  all  more  or  less  beautiful. 

As  orchards  and  Hop  gardens  form  a  very  considerable  por- 
tion of  the  ground  under  crop  in  mid-Kent,  and  both  being  cul- 
tivated by  hand,  it  may  be  inferred  that  the  use  of  the  spade 
is  familiar  enough  to  the  tiller  of  the  soil,  but  such  is  not  the 
case  ;  the  spade  is  rarely  used,  but  in  its  stead  a  three-pronged 
fork  of  local  make,  and  not  bj'  any  means  prepossessing  in  ap- 
pearance, is  employed  in  turning  up  the  soil.  As  most  or- 
chards during  their  formation  are  for  some  years  on  tilled  land, 
although  the  ground  may  be  laid  down  in  grass  when  the 
trees  attain  some  size,  yet  the  aid  of  the  three-pronged  fork 
for  digging  is  not  less  necessary  than  the  pruning  knife  in 
the  early  culture  of  an  orchard.  As  I  hope  to  notice  more  fully 
the  formation  and  management  of  orchards,  I  will  confine 
myself  at  present  to  some  notes,  made  a  few  days  ago,  on  a 
Plum  orchard  situated  a  very  short  distance  from  the  place 
where  I  now  write,  and  there  are  many  scores  of  similar  orchards 
within  a  radius  of  four  or  five  miles. 

The  orchard,  or  rather  series  of  orchards,  for  there  were 
several  enclosures  adjoining  each  other  that  had  been  planted 


at  various  times,  was  on  land  inclining  to  the  west,  a  favourite 
direction  for  orchard  planting  in  this  county,  on  account  of  tha 
greater  probability  of  the  spring  frosts  disappearing  before  the 
Bun  fairly  strikes  on  the  trees.  The  soil  diljers  very  much  in 
character,  varying  from  a  light  thin  soil  to  a  stiff  clay,  with 
some  intermediate  soil  resting  on  a  subsoil  of  stone  shatter, 
and  this  year  it  was  curious  to  observe  the  difference  in  the 
appearance  of  the  trees  according  to  the  soil  in  which  they 
were  growing.  Those  on  the  stony  soil,  owing  to  the  roots  de- 
scending deeply,  seemed  not  to  suffer,  while  on  a  small  portion 
of  the  ground  which  rests  on  a  sort  of  hungry  gravel,  many 
looked  almost  dying. 

Tillage  seems  also  to  have  exercised  considerable  influence 
this  year,  and  of  a  different  kind  from  what  it  did  in  former 
seasons.  The  extreme  heat  and  dryness  of  the  weather  had 
evidently  reached  the  roots  more  than  had  been  the  case  for 
many  years,  and  where  another  crop  competed  with  the 
trees  for  the  little  moisture  and  nourishment  afforded  by  the 
ground,  the  effects  were  shown  on  the  trees  ;  so  that  the  gene- 
rally-established opinion  that  certain  fruits  succeed  best  in  a 
grass  orchard  was  reversed  this  season,  and  some  that  are 
said  to  do  best  on  tilled  land  were  found  to  be  in  better  con- 
dition when  growing  where  their  roots  had  no  chance  to  be 
disturbed — namely,  with  these  under  the  turf.  Some  other 
peculiarities  were  pointed  out  to  me  which  will  be  best  ex- 
plained in  the  description  of  the  particular  fruit  in  which  they 
occurred. 

The  orchard  or  orchards  presented  a  great  diversity  of  fruits, 
some  parts  being  planted  with  a  mixture  of  several  kinds, 
others  with  one  kind  only,  or  nearly  so  ;  some  were  in  grass 
arid  some  in  tillage,  some  old  and  some  young;  and  yet  each 
part  was  distinct  from  the  other,  a  promiscuous  mixture  being 
no  part  of  the  arrangement.  As  I  went  for  the  purpose  of 
seeing  but  one  kind  of  fruit,  and  that  in  various  stages  of 
growth,  I  will  confine  my  remarks  to  that  fruit,  which  was  the 
Plum.  The  occupier,  though  his  holding  was  not  by  any 
means  extensive,  was  sending  some  fifty  bushels  or  more  daily 
to  the  London  markets,  ^.nd  some  of  the  fruit  was  of  its  kind  as 
good  as  is  usually  met  with,  while,  on  the  other  hand,  some  was 
small  in  consequence  of  the  dryness  of  the  season,  but  more 
frequently  from  the  heavy  crop  on  the  trees. 

Of  the  trees  of  various  ages  which  formed  the  orchard,  some 
of  the  young  ones  were  well  loaded,  and  would  have  broken 
down  with  the  weight  of  fruit  had  they  not  been  propped  up 
by  hop  poles.  All  the  trees,  however,  were  not  so  loaded,  on 
the  contrary,  some  had  only  a  light  crop  on  them.  So  capricious 
is  this  fruit,  and  so  uncertain  are  some  of  the  choice  kinds, 
that  I  was  told  the  crop  as  a  whole  was  not  so  good  as  that  of 
1865,  the  total  produce  of  the  orchard  not  being  likely  to 
equal  the  yield  of  that  year  by  several  hundreds  of  bushels ; 
but  sufficient  was  visible  to  show  what  a  good  crop  is.  I 
should  have  much  liked  some  of  the  advocates  of  miniature 
trees,  trimmed  into  whatever  fanciful  shape  they  liked,  to  have 
seen  these  heavily-laden  standards,  many  of  which  would  yield 
half  a  dozen  bushels  of  good  fruit,  while  others  not  bearing  so 
heavily  were  much  finer,  and  might  cope  with  the  generality  of 
wall  fruit  of  its  kind.  The  commoner  varieties  are  the  most 
productive,  and  as  most  fruits  for  market  are  gathered  before 
they  are  ripe,  quantity  with  a  moderate  show  of  quality  is  the 
requirement  most  looked  after,  rather  than  a  very  small 
crop  of  fruit  of  superior  excellence.  Certain  conditions 
seem  also  to  govern  the  metropolitan  market,  appearance 
being  often  of  more  consequence  than  quality,  yet  Londoners 
seem  to  understand  well  enough  how  much  better  a  Green 
Gage  Plum  is  than  a  Mogul,  and  the  price  ranges  accordingly, 
but  X  cannot  say  how  many  other  kinds  of  green  Plums  are  not 
passed  upon  them  as  Green  Gages.  In  the  orchard  here  de- 
scribed there  was  not  much  chance  of  that  being  done,  as  there 
were  but  few  trees  of  the  (rrccn  Gage,  and  only  one  or  two  of  a 
bastard  variety  resembling  that  favourite. 

A  grower  of  Plums  has  to  keep  several  things  in  view.  Yery 
early  fruits  as  well  as  very  late  are  both  wanted,  and  in  the 
uncertainty  of  our  seasons  he  usually  plants  several  kinds,  so 
that  when  it  does  happen  that  one  is  entirely  destroyed,  which 
has  been  known  to  be  the  case,  he  has  something  else  to  fall 
back  upon.  Various  fruits  are  likewise  grown,  otherwise  what 
would  his  workmen  have  to  do  if  all  were  gathered  at  once  ? 
In  the  case  of  my  friend  the  occupier  of  the  orchard,  both  the 
Plum  and  all  other  fruits  held  a  secondary  position  with  him 
compared  to  Hops,  and  such  is  very  generally  the  case  where 
the  latter  are  cultivated.  I  must  also  observe  that  the  follow- 
ing short  list  of  Plums  does  not  by  any  means  represent  all 


September  3,  1868.  ] 


JOUllNAL   OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER.- 


1C5 


those  cultivatej  in  the  neishbourhood,  but  simply  tbose  of  one 
grower.  Other  growers  have  tbeir  favourites  also,  and  ex- 
perience lias  taught  manv  that  certain  kinds  do  better  than 
others  on  the  same  ground,  and  such  are  planted  accordingly. 

Eari.y  OiiLEAN'R. — One  of  the  most  useful  fruits  grown.  It 
bears  well  as  a  standard,  and  is  always  in  demand.  A  partial 
thinning  of  the  fniit  when  in  a  green  state  is  often  ad- 
vantageous, those  taken  off  being  also  saleable.  This  variety 
is  too  well  known  to  require  further  comment. 

Orleans,  Late. — This  is  somewhat  darker  in  colour  than 
the  early  variety,  and  about  a  fortnight  later,  but  this  season 
hardly  so  much  ;  it  bears  well,  and  is  an  excellent  fruit.  It  is, 
perhaps,  not  so  much  grown  for  market  as  the  Early  Orleans, 
but  is  superior  to  it  in  all  respects  as  a  fruit. 

There  are  some  other  varieties  of  Orleans  bearing  local 
names  which  it  is  unnecessary  to  mention  ;  but  to  show  that 
either  the  present  season  is  an  extraordinarily  early  one,  or 
that  some  error  has  crept  into  the  fruit  catalogue  of  an  eminent 
London  nurseryman,  1  may  say  that  in  the  orchard  here  de- 
scribed, and  which  I  visited  on  the  10th  of  August,  all  the 
Orleans  IMums  had  been  gathered,  both  Early  and  Late  ones, 
while  in  the  fruit  list  alluded  to,  the  Late  Orleans  is  said  to 
come  into  use  in  October  and  November.  The  difference  in 
the  season  of  18(j8  will  not  account  for  such  a  discrepancy  as 
to  the  time  of  ripening,  even  after  making  allowance  for  the 
fact  that  the  market  fruit  is  gathered  before  it  is  ripe.  There 
must  be  more  varieties  of  Orleans  than  two,  or  when  they  are 
BO  very  late  it  must  be  under  exceptional  circumstances. 

Diamond. — This  useful  variety  is  said  to  have  had  its  origin 
in  our  neighbourhood,  and  is  not  met  with  in  all  nurserymen's 
catalogues  ;  but  there  are  many  who  think  it  does  not  differ 
much  from  the  dark  Magnum  Bonum.  Perhaps  it  is  a  little 
more  pointed  at  the  ends,  and  it  is  superior  to  that  variety 
for  table.  It  is  a  good  bearer,  and  is  deservedly  a  popular 
fruit. 

EoYAL  Dauphine. — A  long,  pale,  red  Plum  of  no  especial 
merit  beyond  being  a  good  kitchen  fruit,  and  the  tree  an  ex- 
cellent bearer.  It  is  surprising  what  a  quantity  of  fruit  some 
young  trees  of  this  kind  will  bear.  I  believe  in  the  trade 
generally  it  has  another  name.  When  ripe  it  is  partly  of  a 
bright  red  and  other  parts  of  a  clear  white  or  pale  flesh 
colour.  It  is  a  long  and  somewhat  pointed  Plum,  of  full 
medium  size. 

Bush  Plum. — This  appears  to  be  the  same  as  the  Harvest 
Plum  of  other  districts,  a  small  bl.ack  variety.  The  tree  has 
Bmaller  leaves,  and  the  branches  are  more  thorny  than  most 
other  kinds,  hence  its  name,  the  term  bu.sh  being  being  ap- 
plied to  the  Thorn  in  many  districts.  It  is  an  excellent  bearer, 
and  one  of  the  hardiest  of  all  Plums,  but  its  size  is  against  it 
when  put  in  competition  with  Goliath,  Diamond,  and  others. 

Prince  of  'Wales. — The  tree  is  an  excellent  bearer,  and  the 
fruit  far  from  unsiglitly,  but  it  is  coarse  and  only  fit  for  kitchen 
use.  It  is  one  of  the  most  popular  market  Plums,  filling  the 
basket  well.  The  tree  is  not  at  all  particular  as  to  site.  I 
believe  it  is  more  extensively  cultivated  round  here  than  any 
other  variety  except,  perhaps,  the  Orleans  and  Damson.  The 
tree  arrives  at  a  large  size,  and  vast  quantities  of  fruit  are 
gathered  from  it  in  some  seasons. 

Washington. — A  fine  Plum,  but  the  tree  is  a  shy  bearer, 
and,  consequently,  it  is  not  such  a  favourite  as  some  of  the 
kinds  mentioned  above.  Nevertheless,  now  and  then  there 
are  good  crops  of  this  variety.  I  believe  in  186.5  it  bore  as 
heavily  as  any  other  variety.  It  is  a  fine  yellow  Plum,  and  the 
bulk  of  the  crop  had  been  gathered  by  the  10th  of  August, 
probably  nearly  a  week  before  it  was  quite  ripe.  Next  to  the 
Green  Gage  this  is  regarded  as  the  most  valuable  of  orchard 
Plums,  and  when  good  it  ia  but  little  inferior  to  that  universal 
favourite. 

Mogul. — A  small  dark  Plum,  not  by  any  means  equal  to  the 
Diamond,  to  which  it  is  giving  place  very  fast.  The  tree  is  a 
good  bearer,  and  some  old  trees  of  it  are  more  profitable  than 
other  esteemed  varieties. 

Green  Gage. — Comparatively  few  trees  of  this  were  grown 
in  the  orchard  I  visited,  but  a  spurious  sort,  yet  not  at  all  to 
be  despised,  was  bearing  tolerably  well.  It  was  much  inferior 
in  flavour  to  the  genuine  Green  Gage,  but  the  latter  is  a  shy 
bearer,  and  the  tree  not  healthy  in  its  growth.  It  is  no  wonder, 
therefore,  that  spurious  sorts  are  plentifully  cultivated,  mostly 
under  local  names,  not  distinguished  out  of  the  districts  in 
which  the  trees  are  cultivated. 

GonATU. — I  did  not  see  any  of  this  variety  in  full  bearing, 
but  am  told  that  it  will  succeed  well  as  a  standard  ;  it  is  more  i 


frequently  met  with  against  a  wall,  where  the  fruit  reaches  a 
large  size,  but  it  is  only  fit  for  kitchen  purposes. 

Delicieuse  [Cooper's  Large]. — Under  the  corrupted  name 
of  /->(•  /((  .S'»('  this  ia  extensively  grown,  and  as  a  late  Plum  is 
very  popular,  being  a  good  bearer.  Some  localities  seein  more 
favourable  to  it  than  others.  Ouo  grower  not  more  than  two 
or  three  miles  from  here  has  nearly  one  thouhand  trees  of  this 
variety,  young  iind  old,  and  considers  it  the  best  Plum  he  has. 
There  is  much  difference  of  opinion  as  to  its  doing  well  in  all 
seasons,  but  in  general  it  is  regarded  as  being  a  good  bearer, 
and  the  tree  attains  a  good  average  size,  not  so  large  as  some 
above  described. 

Victoria. — Popular  as  this  variety  is,  I  am  not  well  ac- 
quainted with  it  as  an  orchard  fruit,  allhough  I  know  that  it 
is  grown  as  such  in  the  neighbourhood.  There  were  but  few 
trees  of  it  in  the  garden  I  visited.  It  is  hero  only  considered 
a  second-class  fruit.  I  believe  it  is  a  greater  favourite  with 
fruit  growers  west  of  London  than  it  is  in  Kent. 

DA5IS0NS. — This  is  a  most  puzzling  class,  from  the  multitude 
of  names  which  appear  before  the  intending  purchaser.  There 
is  the  Prune  Damson,  the  Prolific,  the  Shropshire,  and  the 
Cheshire,  besides  the  common  variety,  and  a  dozen  others 
called  after  the  persons  who  grow  them  or  the  localities  they 
come  from.  Of  the  latter  that  most  in  repute  in  this  neigh- 
bourhood is  one  called  Chittenden's  Damson,  from  a  grower  of 
that  name  in  the  parish  of  Farleigh.  This  is  certainly  an  excel- 
lent bearing  kind,  so  much  so  that  some  growers  have  had  their 
old  trees  of  other  varieties  cut  down  and  grafted  with  it, 
a  proceeding  not  usual  with  so  common  a  fruit.  Mo.st  growers 
of  late  years  have  turned  their  attention  as  much  to  Dam- 
sons as  to  Plums,  and  large  breadths  have  been  planted,  but 
most  frequently  they  are  planted  in  or  near  hedgerows  or 
places  where  other  trees  will  hardly  grow,  and  it  is  wonderful 
to  see  how  heavily  laden  with  fruit  they  will  be  in  some 
seasons.  As  a  fruit  the  Damson  is  more  esteemed  than  ordi 
nary  Piums  ;  this  has  led  to  the  multitude  of  varieties  alluded 
to,  some  of  them  approaching  the  Plum  in  flavour,  and  thereby 
losing  that  peculiar  tone  which  gives  importance  to  the  Damson. 
On  the  other  hand,  there  are  corresponding  links  connecting 
the  fruit  with  the  wild  Sloe,  and  one  of  these,  under  the  local 
name  of  Scad,  is  quite  as  large  as  the  Damson,  and  resembles 
it  in  every  respect  except  in  taste,  which  is  more  that  of  a 
Sloe.  Even  Scads,  as  they  are  called,  differ  from  each  other, 
some  approaching  as  nearly  to  the  Damson  as  that  fruit  does 
to  the  Plum  ;  thus  the  gradation  is  carried  upwards  from  the 
wild  Sloe  to  the  largest  Plum,  and  the  foliage  and  habit  of  the 
trees  exhibit  similar  gradations,  some  of  the  Bullace  and 
Muscle  class  being  also  included  in  the  family.  The  best 
varieties  of  Damson  are  propagated  freely  by  suckers,  and  the 
young  trees  so  produced  are  kept  a  year  or  two  in  a  nursery 
in  order  to  train  them  for  standards  or  other  purposes. 

I  must  here  again  remark,  that  the  above  notes  relate  only 
to  the  varieties  of  Plums  that  were  growing  in  the  orchard 
visited,  anoth'^r  orchard  would  doubtless  furnish  quite  a  dif- 
ferent list  of  varieties,  or.  at  least,  a  portion  of  them  would  be 
different,  and  they  would  most  likely  be  equally  deserving  of 
notice. — J.  Eobson. 


TOMATOES. 


"  What  a  quantity  of  Tomatoes,  and  what  Large  ones  !  How 
do  you  grow  them  so  fine  ?  I  never  can  induce  any  to  ripen 
properly."  S  j  said  a  friend  of  mine  who  came  into  our  gar- 
den the  other  day  (July  '23rd),  and  he  was  even  more  sur- 
prised when  I  told  him  that  wo  had  already  gathered  quantities 
off  the  same  plants,  and  made  them  into  jam.  "What!  Tomato 
jam  !  You  mean  sauce."  "  No,"  said  I.  "  jam,  and  splendid 
jam  they  make  too,"  In  answer  to  his  further  inquiry  I  told 
him  my  plan  of  culture,  which  is  simply  this. 

I  always  sow  the  seed  in  pans  in  February,  about  the  time 
I  start  a  pit  for  Cucumbers  ;  into  this  I  plunge  the  pans.  The 
seedlings  are  soon  up,  and  when  they  are  large  enough  I 
prick  them  out  in  pans,  and  pot  them  off  singly  as  they  become 
strong  into  48  and  3'2-sized  pots.  They  are  gradually  but  well 
hardened  off  by  the  middle  of  May.  I  then  dig  a  trench,  1  foot 
wide  and  18  inches  deep,  alongside  all  spare  walling  or  paling 
with  a  south,  east,  or  west  aspect,  put  a  quantity  of  manure  in 
the  trench,  and  cover  with  4  or  0  inches  of  soil.  In  this]I 
plant  the  young  Tomatoes  18  inches  apart,  nail  thtm  up  at 
once  to  the  fencing,  and  well  water  them.  As  they  push 
into  growth,  I  select  two  or  three  of  the  strongest  side  shoots 
to  each  plant  removing  all  others  that  would  be  too  crowded 


166 


JOUENAL   OF   HORTICULTUKE   AND  COTTAGE   GAEBENER. 


[  September  3,  1868. 


if  left,  and  stop  one  joint  above  the  fruit  as  soon  as  some  good 
clusters  are  showing. 

When  the  fruits  are  about  full  grown  I  remove  all  leaves 
that  hang  over  them,  so  as  to  let  them  have  the  full  benefit  of 
the  sun  to  ripen  them,  but  take  care  to  leave  enough  foliage  to 
keep  the  plant  healthy.  By  the  above  method  I  always  obtain 
good  crops.  I  believe  that  many  people  fail  through  being  too 
late  with  Tomatoes,  the  autumn  rains  and  early  frosts  coming 
before  their  fruit  are  full-giown.  This  has  been  a  splendid 
year  for  them. — Loveapple. 


THE   DUG   DE   MALAKOFF    STRAWBERRY. 

From  his  description  I  have  no  doubt  that  Mr.  Douglas  has 
the  true  Due  de  Malakoff.  I  planted  six  strong  plants  of  it 
some  years  ago  in  the  spring,  and  gave  the  plants  a  year's 
"  grace."  Three  plants  fruited  tolerably,  producing  large  round 
fruit,  and  three  had  no  flowers.     I  therefore  gave  it  up. 

Mr.  Douglas  wishes  me  to  eny  if  he  keep  eight  sorts  of 
Strawberries,  whether  I  would  recommend  him  to  retain  Due 
de  Malakoff  as  one  of  them.  I  say,  No.  He  wishes  me  also  to 
recommend  four  or  live  of  the  best  Strawberries  to  ripen  with 
the  Frogmore  Late  Pine.  I  recommend  him  to  have  these 
five,  all  excellent — namely,  Dr.  Hogg,  Mr.  Radclyffe,  Lucas, 
Wonderful,  and  Cockscomb.  The  last  was  the  latest  here  this 
year.  I  also  recommend  him  a  tine  late  white  Strawberry, 
Bicton  Pine,  called  also  Barnes's  (of  Bicton)  Large  White.  It 
is  late,  and  when  properly  ripened  is  amber  white.  It  must  be 
rotten-ripe  to  be  good.  If  lie  add  Eivers's  Eliza  to  Frogmore 
Late  Pine  and  the  above  six  Strawberries,  he  will  have  a 
capital  and  successful  lot. 

If  he  likes  .\lpiues  (which  I  am  now  eating),  I  recommend 
the  old  Ked  and  White,  and  especially  Galande,  red.  It  is  the 
best  of  the  Alpines,  as  Eoyal  Hautbois  is  the  best  of  its  class. 
The  Alpines  and  Hautbois  Strawberries  to  be  good  should  be 
rotten-ripe.     I  wonder  people  do  not  grow  them. 

The  Perpetual  Pine  is  here.  I  fear  it  is  a  complete  failure. 
Except  Filmore  I  never  had  a  more  scantily  blooming  sort. — 
W.  F.  Eadclyffe. 


WHAT  IS  A  GARDENER  ALLOWED  TO  TAICE 
AS  VEGETABLES'? 

Gap.denees  are  often  engaged  to  have  so  much  wages  and 
"vegetables."  Now,  they  sometimes  find  much  unpleasant- 
ness from  the  use  of  this  vague  term.  When  the  term  is  used, 
has  a  gardener  a  right  under  it  to  take  a  Cucumber  when  there 
is  plenty  of  them  ? — One  th.^t  Wants  no  more  than  is  Just. 

[The  subject  is  of  more  importance  than  at  first  may  be  sup- 
posed, but  the  difficulty  in  giving  an  answer  is  owing  to  the 
difference  of  taking  a  kitchen  garden  product,  because  it  is 
"allowed,"  and  taking  it  as  a  matter  of  "right."  Whenever 
the  two  words  "  allowance  "  and  "  right,"  come  into  collision, 
a  proof  is  given  that  the  gardener  will  act  wisely  if  he  walk 
surely,  even  it  to  his  apparent  loss.  No  arrangement  is  more 
usual  than  for  gardeners  when  engaged,  to  have  allowed  so 
much  wages,  a  house,  and  "  vegetables  when  to  spare."  The 
latter  part  of  the  sentence  ought  to  be  needless,  as  few  gar- 
deners would  think  of  taking  what  was  needed  for  an  em- 
ployer's table.  Keeping  this  in  view,  the  word  "  vegetables  " 
would  have  reference  to  all  that  was  grown  in  the  garden  useable 
for  culinary  purposes,  except  fruits.  Cucumbers  are  no  more 
fruits  than  Kidney  Beans.  But  here,  again,  the  importance 
appears  of  gardeners  never  depending  nor  trusting  to  mere  use 
when  there  is  the  least  likelihood  to  be  any  dispute  in  the 
matter,  but  have  everything  plain  and  settled  beyond  the  reach 
of  controversy.  In  most  respectable  places,  then,  where  such  a 
rule  exists,  the  gardener  will  not  only  use  Cabbages  and  Cauli- 
flowers when  plentiful,  but  have  an  occasional  dish  of  Peas  and 
Beans,  and  according  to  quantity  have  Onions,  Carrots,  and 
Potatoes,  and  even  a  Cucumber  if  there  be  enough.  We  have 
known  cases  where,  though  vegetables  formed  part  of  the 
agreement,  the  kitchen  garden  was  so  small,  and  the  demand 
so  great,  that  the  gardener  could  never  see  his  way  to  obtain 
more  for  himself  than  a  Cabbage,  or  a  Cauliflower  too  far  gone 
for  the  parlour  table.  As  to  Potatoes,  we  have  known  heart- 
burnings because  some  employers  would  confine  the  term 
vegetable  to  the  varieties  of  the  Cabbage  tribe,  call  the  Potato 
nothing  but  a  root,  or  tuber,  and  consider  it  as  not  coming  under 
the  title  of  vegetable.     We  have  known  cases,  too,  where  Cu- 


cumbers not  wanted  had  to  be  taken  to  the  house  and  there 
disposed  of  or  dispensed.  We  recollect  a  case  where  vegetables 
formed  part  of  the  agreement;  the  gardener  cared  for  nothing 
himself  but  a  Potato,  but  no  Potatoes  were  grown  except  a  few 
early  ones,  and  though  plenty  were  grown  in  a  field,  he  was 
allowed  to  have  none  unless  he  purchased  them,  it  being  con- 
tended that  Potatoes  were  esculents  and  not  vegetables. 

Our  advice  to  gardeners  is,  to  leave  nothing  uncertain  in 
these  matters  when  making  their  agreements.  Two  conclusions, 
however,  are  perfectly  clear  to  us. 

1st,  A  gardener  worth  having  will  take  good  care  that  his 
master  is  well  supplied  with  vegetables,  including  Cucumbers, 
before  he  would  take  one  himself,  or  give  one  to  a  neighbour  ; 
and  the  employer  will  act  wisely  in  trusting  to  the  careful 
honesty  of  such  a  man,  which  will  more  subserve  his  interests 
than  any  paltry  restrictions. 

2udly,  Wherever  there  is  much  carping  about  the  definition 
of  a  vegetable,  and  such  parleying  occurs  as — "  This  you  may 
have,  that  you  must  never  taste  ;"  "  this  you  are  allowed,  that 
you  have  no  right  to  :"  then,  for  the  benefit  of  all  parties,  the 
sooner  the  connection  of  employer  and  employed  is  dissolved 
the  better.  There  can  be  no  comfort  where  there  is  distrust 
on  the  one  hand  and  a  sense  of  injustice  on  the  other,  and  it  is 
always  well,  even  for  the  best  of  men,  to  avoid  rather  than 
fight  through  a  temptation.  All  disputes  would  be  avoided  if 
employers  and  employed,  trusting  nothing  to  what  is  considered 
customary,  had  everything  stated  definitely.] 


THE    ORCHARD    PIOUSE    DURING  THE    PAST 

SUMMER. 

Fon  two  consecutive  seasons  you  have  honoured  my  commu- 
nications with  a  place  in  your  Journal,  and  I  must  not  allow 
this  hot  season  to  evaporate  in  mist  without  offering  something, 
at  least,  for  your  acceptance. 

Some  of  your  correspondents  may  remember  the  letter  in 
which  I  ventured  to  strike  a  balance  between  the  j'ros  and  the 
cons,  as  regards  orchard-house  culture.  My  summing-up  was 
then  in  favour  of  the ^oos,  and  nothing  has  since  transpired  to 
induce  me  to  reverse  my  decision.  Had  I  done  so  the  extra- 
ordinary success  which  has  attended  my  brother's  cultivation 
of  the  Peach  and  the  Nectarine  would  have  necessitated  a 
prompt  return  to  my  former  favourable  opinion.  I  am  now 
his  guest,  having  left  my  own  fruit  to  be  enjoyed,  as  I  trust, 
by  my  locinn  tennis,  and,  therefore,  I  am  not  in  a  position  to 
predicate  anything  about  either  its  quantity  or  quality  ;  but 
without  disparagement  to  myself,  I  must  frankly  concede  to 
my  brother  the  palm.  I  take  peculiar  interest  in  his  trees, 
because  two  years  ago  I  was  instrumental  in  saving  them  from 
destruction.  Happening  to  pay  bim  a  visit  in  the  spring,  I 
found  his  valuable  trees  terribly  infested  with  aphides,  while 
no  measures  were  being  taken  to  get  rid  of  this  pest.  He  tells 
me  that  it  was  owing  to  the  immediate  and  effectual  fumigatory 
measures  which  I  then  insisted  upon  that  his  trees  were  pre- 
served. It  would  have  been  a  thousand  pities  for  lack  of  a 
little  tobacco  paper  to  have  sacrificed  trees  which  are  now  in 
such  a  thriving  condition. 

I  will  only  speak  of  one  of  his  two  orchard  houses,  which  is 
55  feet  in  length,  by  15  in  width.  It  contains  three  rows  of 
bush  and  pyramidal  trees  planted  in  the  ground,  which  have 
yielded  an  abundant  crop  ;  but  I  wish  to  call  particular  atten- 
tion to  his  back  wall  12  feet  high,  because  it  shows  results  of 
which  Mr.  Brebaut  himself  might  well  be  proud.  Fastened  to 
iron  rods,  placed  at  an  angle  of  45°,  are  sixteen  triple  cordons, 
cultivated  according  to  directions  furnished  in  Mr.  Br^haut's 
treatise.  These  trees  are  now  in  their  prime,  and  are  laden 
with  fine  fruit.  When  our  glorious  chieftain,  Mr.  Eivers,  sur- 
veyed these  cordons  some  six  weeks  ago,  he  admired  them  so 
much  that  he  pleasantly  said,  "  I  shall  go  away,  and  dream  of 
those  cordons."  I  wish  he  could  have  seen  them  since,  for  he 
would  be  fain  to  confess  that  their  produce  is  not  "  such  stuff  as 
dreams  are  made  of,"  but  veritable  flesh  and  blood,  rich,  juicy, 
and  melting. 

Those  late  American  Peaches,  which  find  some  advocates, 
but  which  we  consider  more  insipid  than  Turnips,  and  resem- 
bling croquet  balls  covered  with  flannel,  if  gifted  with  speech, 
might  well  cry  out,  "  Oh,  that  this  too  too  solid  flesh  would 
melt !"  but  my  brother's  Sulhampsteads  have  no  reason  to 
say  so,  being  all  that  the  most  fastidious  taste  could  desire. 
I  can  really  find  only  one  fault— too  common  with  begin- 
ners—and that  is  that  the  crop  is  abundant  to  excess.    When 


September  3,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTUKE  AND  COTTAGE  GAKDENEB. 


1C7 


taxed  with  this  the  grower  admits  the  soft  itii7Ji?a(;/imeut,  but 
quaintly  pleads  that  bis  "  missus "  objected  to  any  more 
thinning-out  of  tho  fruit  in  the  spring.  Just  picture  to 
yourself  sixteen  triple  cordons  all  in  full  bearing,  and  with 
leaves  very  little  affected  with  red  spider,  covering  the  super- 
ficies of  a  wall  "),j  feet  by  VI  with  magnificent  fruit.  I 
counted  as  many  as  seventy-six  Victoria  Nectarines  on  one 
leader  alone ;  and  although  I  am  aware  that  to  allow  such 
profusion  is  highly  roprohensible,  yet  it  is  wonderful  how  fine, 
in  spite  of  this  superabundance,  the  fruit  had  grown. 

My  brother  and  myself  l:av-:i  given  Mr.  Brdhaut's  triple- 
cordon  system  a  full  and  fair  trial,  and  we  concur  in  the  opinion 
that  it  is  an  admirable  mode  of  adapting  to  the  English  soil 
and  climate  the  very  successful  French  method  of  single  cor- 
dons ;  also  that  it  is  well  worth  while  to  raise  walls  intended 
to  be  covered  with  glass  to  the  necessary  height  of  12  or  13  feet. 
I  have  in  my  own  case  placed  -1  feet  of  boarding  on  the  top  of 
an  8-feet  wall. — A  Consunt  Eeadek. 


BATTERSEA  PARK. 


(Continued  from  page  132.) 

Eesumisg  our  account  of  the  principal  beds  in  the  sub- 
tropical garden,  and  which  left  cU  somewhat  abruptly  at  tho 
bed  containiug  the  variegated  Vitis  heterophjUa,  whilst  this 
was  being  examined  a  line  plant  of  Dracaena  nutans  attracted 
attention,  and  Mr.  Gibson  remarked  that  Drac.t^uas  and  plants 
of  similar  character  had  this  year  suffered  less  from  scorching 
than  usual.  Why  this  should  have  been  the  case  is  not  very 
clear,  but  possibly  the  almost  entire  absence  of  dew  throughout 
the  summer,  and  the  small  amount  of  rain  which  has  fallen, 
have  had  some  influence,  for  but  rarely  could  there  be  any 
drops  of  moisture  on  the  leaves  to  concentrate  the  sun's  rays 
as  through  a  lens.  This,  however,  is  only  one  of  several  con- 
jectures which  might  be  formed.  On  the  opposite  or  left-hand 
side  there  is  a  very  fine  specimen  of  that  noble  Palm,  Latania 
borbonica,  backed  up  with  Ferdinanda  eminens,  surrounded 
with  dwarf  Castor-oil  plants,  and  margined  with  variegated 
Ivy.  On  the  right  there  is  a  long  oval  bed  of  Mrs.  PoUock 
Pelargonium,  surrounded  with  Blue  King  Lobeha,  which  sets 
off  to  great  advantage  the  finely-marked  foliage  of  the  Pelar- 
gonium, and  the  whole  is  margined  with  Dandy,  a  miniature 
silver-variegated  kind.  Another  pretty  bed  consists  of  Crystal 
Palace  Gem,  a  golden-leaved  variety,  with  flowers  like  those  of 
Trentham  Rose,  Centaurea  and  Lobelia  planted  alternately, 
and  the  whole  surrounded  by  a  ring  of  Alternanthera  spathulata. 

Turning  now  to  the  left-hand  side  we  find  a  very  effective 
mixed  bed  of  Erythrinas,  conspicuous  among  which  is  E.  ornata, 
a  new  continental  hybrid,  with  large  showy  vermilion-coloured 
flowers.  At  the  back  of  this  in  an  oval  bed  is  Aralia  papyrifera, 
one  of  the  most  ornamental  fine-foliaged  plants  for  subtropical 
gardens,  along  with  Sparmannia  africana,  an  old  Cape  plant, 
valuable  for  its  early  flowering  under  glass,  and  as  here  growing 
out  of  doors  ornamental  by  its  large  healthy  leaves.  A  very 
pretty  and  effective  bed  near  that  just  referred  to  has  a  five- 
rayed  star  in  the  centre  formed  of  Beauty  of  Calderdale  Pelar- 
gonium, with  golden  and  silver-leaved  kinds  for  the  rays,  which 
are  divided  by  Lobelia  speciosa.  The  whole  is  enclosed  by  a 
ring  of  Alternanthera  paronychioides,  and  studded  round  with 
the  neat  rosettes  of  Eoheveria  secunda  glauea,  each  as  like  its 
neighbour  as  if  all  were  cast  in  one  mould.  The  next  group  we 
come  to  consists  of  Indiarubber  plants  edged  with  Hedera 
multimaculata,  a  very  handsomely-blotched  variety,  and  op- 
posite to  this  is  a  mass  of  Polymnia  grandis,  followed  by  a 
group  of  Canna  Eeudatleri,  a  variety  with  flame  orange  flowers, 
dark  stems,  and  semi-dark  leaves.  This  is  backed  with  young 
plants  of  AOanthus  excelsa. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  walk,  Musa  ensete  forms  a  noble 
object,  having  leaves  some  10  feet  in  length,  by  about  2J  feet 
in  breadth,  with  the  under  sides  of  the  midribs  of  a  fine  dark 
red.  There  are  several  other  fine  examples  of  the  same  species 
dotted  over  the  garden,  but  this  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most 
effective.  An  oval  bed  having  for  its  centre  a  broad  band  of 
Coleus  Verschaffelti  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  place,  the  effect 
of  the  warm,  richly-coloured  leaves  of  the  Coleus  being  en- 
nanced  by  the  frosted  appearance  of  Centaurea  ragusina  com- 
pacta,  and  the  whole  is  surrounded  by  the  pretty  little  Call- 
fornian  House-leek.  Several  small  beds  occur  near  this  point, 
and  are  very  interesting  from  their  containing  some  of  the  new 
varieties  of  Coleus  raised  by  Mr.  Bause  at  Chiswick.  One  of 
these  beds  is  a  small  circle  in  three  compartments,  planted 


with  Coleus  Scotti,  C.  Batemanni,  and  C.  Ruckeri,  the  last  of 
which  is  the  most  conspicuous,  Centaurea  candidissima  being 
employed  to  divide  the  different  kinds.  A  similar  bed  contains 
C.  Bausei,  C.  Saundersi,  and  C.  Berkleyi,  and  of  these  the  first 
two  are  those  which  appear  to  the  best  advantage.  In  this 
case  they  are  divided  by  C.  ragusina,  and  surrounded  with  an 
edging  of  Alternanthera  versicolor,  margined  with  Saxifrage. 
The  next  bed,  also  a  circular  one,  has  Dracaena  nutans  in  the 
centre,  surrounded  by  four  plants  of  D.  brasiliensis,  whilst 
covering  tho  ground  beneath  these  tall-growing  plants  is  Coleus 
Lamonti,  the  leaves  distinctly  edged  with  green,  then  Mrs. 
Pollock  Pelargonium,  surrounded  with  two  kinds  of  Echeveria. 
This  is  a  very  pretty  arrangement.  Another  bed  on  the  same 
side  has  Cycas  revoluta  in  the  centre,  surrounded  by  Dracaena 
terminalis  and  ferrea,  springing  from  a  carpeting  of  the 
pretty  little  Pyrethrum  Golden  Feather,  which  forms  a  very 
effective  plant  for  small  beds,  ribbons,  and  edgings.  The  whole 
is  surrounded  with  Centaurea  ragusina  compacta,  which  gives 
an  excellent  finish  to  the  bed. 

We  now  arrive  at  the  junction  of  two  walks,  and  turning  to 
the  left  we  find  on  that  side  a  smaU  circle  with  a  plant  of  the 
extremely  graceful  Grevillea  robusta  in  the  centre,  spreading  its 
Fern-like  foliage  above  a  carpeting  of  Alternanthera  versicolor, 
which  is  really  a  splendid  plant  at  Battersea  this  year.  If  it 
maintain  the  same  beauty  in  a  cold,  damp  season  that  it  has 
exhibited  this  hot,  dry  summer,  it  will  certainly  be  extensively 
employed  for  out-door  decoration.  Golden  Chain  Pelargonium 
formsa  neat  very  dwarf  margin  to  this  bed.  In  an  oblong 
bed,  ou  the  opposite  side  of  the  walk,  Solanum  marginatum, 
with  very  spiny  silvery  leaves,  is  interspersed  with  the  highly 
decorative  Gladiolus  brenchleyensis,  the  whole  having  an  edg- 
ing of  Lantanas,  the  best  being  Raphael,  yellow  and  rose,  and 
Adolphe  H.  Wass,  yellow. 

Other  effective  beds  near  this  spot  are  composed  of  Nicotiana 
wigandinides  and  Castor-oil  plants  ;  Canna  Bihorelli,  with  semi- 
dark  leaves  and  dark  scarlet  flowers,  a  profuse-blooming  first- 
rate  variety  ;  and  Musa  ensete,  the  last  being  a  circular  group 
of  seedlings  raised  this  year,  and  in  very  robust  health.  Be- 
neath the  Musas  the  ground  is  covered  with  Amarantbus  me- 
lancholicus  ruber,  surrounded  by  an  edging  of  the  pretty  blue- 
flowered  Plumbago  capensis  ;  and  outside  this  Artemisia  Stel- 
leriana,  with  elegantly-cut  frosted  foliage,  forms  an  elegant 
margin  to  the  whole.  A  long  bed  on  the  other  side  of  the  walk 
is  planted  with  Solanum  Warscewiczioides  and  Amaranthus 
tricolor,  the  leaves  of  the  latter  most  splendid  in  their  colours  ; 
and  the  whole  is  edged  with  Lantana  crocea  superba,  an  excel- 
lent bedding  variety.  This  arrangement  is  very  effective,  and 
not  less  so  is  the  next  in  three  beds,  two  of  which  are  long 
ovals  with  their  ends  cut  out,  so  as  to  correspond  in  sweep  with 
the  circumference  of  a  circle  between  the  two.  The  outside 
row  in  all  three  beds  is  Sempervivum  califomicum,  succeeded 
in  the  two  end  ones  by  Golden  Feather  Pyrethrum,  and  Lady 
Constance  Grosvenor  Pelargonium  in  the  centre.  In  the  small 
central  circle  the  Sempervivum  is  followed  by  Monsieur  Nachet 
scarlet  Pelargonium,  and  the  centre  is  occupied  with  Lady 
Plymouth  variegated  Pelargonium  and  blue  Lobelia. 

Passing  onwards  we  again  come  to  another  bed  of  Erythrinas, 
this  one  being  E.  Hendersoni,  a  later-blooming  variety,  with 
the  showy  Amaranthus  bicolor  forming  the  ground-covering ; 
and  on  the  opposite  or  left-band  side  we  perceive  in  a  pretty 
nook  a  fine  plant  of  Seaforthia  elegans.  Then  comes  a  circle, 
in  which  Beauty  of  Calderdale  Pelargonium  forms  a  star  in  the 
centre.  Lobelias  being  planted  between  the  rays,  and  for  an 
edging  there  is  a  ring  of  the  lively  Alternanthera  amcena.  We 
now  come  to  ono  of  the  most  perfect  and  beautiful  beds  in  the 
place,  at  once  extremely  rich  in  colour  and  extremely  chaste  in 
its  effect.  It  is  a  circle  of  Coleus  Verschaffelti  edged  with 
Centaurea  ragusina  compacta,  with  a  ring  of  Golden  Chain 
Pelargonium  round  the  outside.  For  the  present  we  shall  just 
notice  one  more  bed— namely,  a  circle,  with  a  star  of  Mrs. 
Pollock  Pelargonium  in  the  centre,  blue  Lobelias  dividing  the 
rays,  and  an  edging  of  Golden  Christine  Pelargonium.  This 
arrangement  was  very  pretty  and  effective,  the  blue  flowers  of 
the  Lobelia  and  the  richly  variegated  leaves  of  Mrs.  Pollock 
offering  a  fine  combination  of  colours— in  fact,  the  prismatic 
colours  red,  blue,  and  yellow. 

(To  be  continned.) 


DUTCH   CLO\'ER  versus   GRASS  FOR  LA^^^^S. 

DcRiMG  the  late  burning  hot  weather  the  lawns  in   this 
neighbourhood,  more  especially  where  the  water  supply  has 


168 


JOURNAL   OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  September  3,  1868. 


been  exhausted,  have  presented  an  appearance  in  piteous  con- 
trast to  the  usual  summer  carpeting,  whilst  one  of  my  neigh- 
bours rejoices  in  the  extreme  richness  of  an  extensive  lawn  of 
Dutch  or  White  Clover,  which  has  required  no  extra  watering, 
and  a  much  less  frequent  use  of  the  mowing  machiue.  I 
cannot  but  think  that  the  substitution  of  this  elegant  and  dwarf 
variety  of  Trifolium  for  even  the  choicest  of  our  Grasses,  would 
prove  a  decided  advantage. — Hounslow, 


ROYAL   HORTICULTURAL   SOCIETY. 

September  1st. 
Fruit  Committee. — G.  F.  WilsoD.  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  in  the  chair. 
Messrs.  Backhouse  &  Sons,  York,  exhibited  a  dish  of  Fi^s,  which 
proved  to  lie  the  White  Marseilles.  Figne  Panaoht-e  came  from  the 
Society's  Garden.  Chiswicb.  It  is  a  very  beautiful  variety,  prettily 
striped  vrith  yellow  and  green,  and  of  excellent  flavour.  Mr.  Melville, 
gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Roseberry,  Dalmeny  Park,  Edinburf>h,  again 
sent  examples  of  his  early  seedling  Grape,  "which  was  exhibited  at  the 
last  meeting.  The  Committee  then  could  not  decide  upon  its  merits, 
as  there  was  but  a  very  small  portion  of  a  bunch  sent.  This  time  the 
examples  were  much  about  the  same ;  the  Committee,  therefore,  while 
commending  the  Grape  for  its  earliness  and  pecuharly  agreeable  fla- 
vour, partaking  somewhat  of  Moselle,  could  not  come  to  any  sound 
decision  respecting  it  from  the  small  portions  of  bunches  exhibited. 
Mr.  Colegrave,  Swerford  Park,  Enstoue,  sent  a  very  large  and  beauti- 
fully grown  bunch  of  Buckland  Sweetwater  Grape  ;  the  berries  were 
very  fine,  and  it  was  an  excellent  example  of  good  cultivation. 

Mr.  Francis  Dancer,  Little  Sutton,  Chiswick,  sent  some  very  large 
and  fine  specimens  of  Jersey  Gratioli  Pears,  grown  on  standards  ; 
they  were  very  juicy  and  of  fine  quality.  This  is  an  excellent  Pear 
for  market  gardens,  being  large  and  a  very  free  bearer.  Mr.  Dancer 
also  sent  a  dish  of  a  large  seedling  Apple,  which  was  of  considerable 
merit,  very  juicy,  and  brisk. 

Messrs.  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea,  sent  a  fruit  of  Ananassa  Porteana, 
a  pretty  striped-leaved  variety  of  Pine  Apple,  grown  as  an  ornamental 
plant.     The  fruit  proved  veiy  water)'  and  tasteless. 

Mr.  "Whiting.  The  Deepdeuc,  near  Dorking,  sent  three  dishes  of 
Plums — viz.,  Jefferson,  very  highly  coloured  and  excellent;  Green 
Gage,  also  rich  and  juicy;  and  Biyanstone  Gage,  highly  coloured,  but 
wanting  in  richness.  The  exhibition  was  commended  by  the  Com- 
mittee. Mr.  Whiting  also  sent  some  highly-coloured  Eoyal  George 
Peaches,  which  were,  however,  wantingin  flavour.  Mr.  Cole,  gardener, 
Otto  House,  Hammersmith,  sent  some  good  examples  of  Barriugton 
and  Grosse  Mi.c;nonne  Peaches  and  Ribston  Pippin  Apples,  which 
were  commended  by  the  Committee. 

Mr.  Cos,  gardener  to  Earl  Beauchamp,  Madresfiehl  Court,  sent  a 
very  fine  fruit  of  Gulden  Gem  Melon.  It  is  a  large,  round,  and  beau- 
tifully netted  yellow  fruit,  the  flesh  whitish  green,  flavour  very  rich  and 
excellent.  The  Committee  awarded  it  a  first-class  certificate.  Mr. 
Perkins,  gardener  to  Lord  Henniker,  Thornham  Hall,  Eye,  Suffolk, 
sent  a  hybrid  Cashmere  Melon,  a  red-fleshed  variety.  It  proved  to  be 
of  very  poor  quality. 

Mr.  Rivers,  Sawbridgeworth,  exhibited  samples  of  Summer  Beurrc 
d'Aremberg,  a  variety  similar  in  every  respect  to  the  Bcuitl-  d'Arem- 
berg,  only  ripening  in  summer.  It  is  a  very  nice,  pleasant,  refreshing- 
flavoured  Pear,  with  a  brisk  acidity.  The  Committee  commended  it 
vei*y  much,  but  required  to  see  it  in  somewhat  better  condition  before 
awarding  it  a  certificate.  Better  specimens  of  this  variety  are  noticed 
in.  another  column.  Mr.  Rivers  also  exhibited  Princess  of  Wales 
Peach,  a  seedling  raised  from  Pavie  de  Pompone.  It  is  a  large  pale 
variety  of  very  excellent  flavour. 

Mr.  R.  Dean,  Ealing,  exhibited  samples  of  Premier  Runner  Bean, 
a  variety  having  the  same  appearance  and  taste  as  the  Dwarf  Kidney 
Beans.  It  is,  however,  a  runner,  a  continuous  bearer  like  the  Scarlet 
Runner,  and  on  that  account  valuable.  The  Committee  awarded  it  a 
first-class  certificate.  Mr.  Mai'cham,  gardener  to  E.  Gates,  Esq., 
Bydorp  House,  Hanwell,  sent  examples  of  a  Dwarf  Ividuey  Bean, 
named  Bydorp  Longpod.  It  was  a  long  and  rather  coarse -looking 
Bean. 

Messrs,  Dry,  Hayes,  Middlesex,  sent  a  seedhng  dark  oval  Plum, 
which  proved  to  be  of  veiy  good  quality.  The  Committee  requested 
that  it  should  be  sent  again.  It  was  highly  commended  by  the  Com- 
mittee.    They  also  exhibited  a  seedling  Apple  of  no  great  merit. 

Mr.  Fleming,  Cliveden,  exhibited  some  tine  bunches  of  the  Franken- 
thal  Grape.  Mr.  Fleming  sent  them,  judging  they  might  he  of  interest 
to  the  Committee  from  being  the  average  size  and  quahty  of  two 
hundred  bunches  on  one  Vine,  which  is  fourteen  years  old.  and  filling 
one  entire  house.  They  were  a  vei-y  fine  example,  but  greatly  damaged 
before  their  arrival. 

Mr.  R.  Webb,  Culham  House,  Reading,  sent  some  seedling  Plums 
and  Apples,  which,  however,  arrived  too  late  for  the  meeting. 

From  the  Society's  Garden,  Chiswick,  came  Pear  Beurre  d'Anianlis 
panaehce,  a  very  beautifully  striped  variety,  well  worthy  of  extended 
cultivation. 

Mr.  Turner,  Slough,  exhibited  some  very  fine  examples  of  White 
Spanish  Onions,  nnusually  so  for  the  season.  They  were  highly  com- 
mended by  the  Committee. 

A  large  collection   of  White  Spanish  Onions  was   exhibited  from 


E.  G.  Hartley,  Esq.,  Hon.  Secretary  of  the  Banbury  Horticultural 
Society.  They  were  of  unusual  excellence  and  large  size.  They  were 
highly  commended  by  the  Committee. 

Flor-al  CoioiiTTEF,. — Xumerous  awards  were  made  at  this  meeting. 
Messrs.  Veitch  received  a  first-class  certificate  for  the  following  plants 
— viz.,  Cattleya  speciosisslma,  a  veiy  beautiful  kind  ;  Dendrobium 
bigibhum,  very  distinct  in  form ;  MasdevaUia  Veitehiana.  very  curious  ; 
Abutilon  Thompsonii,  a  golden-leaved  plant  most  beautiful,  a  great 
addition  to  ornamental- folia ged  plants  ;  and  Begonia  Clarkci,  an  erect- 
growing  plant,  with  bright  red  stems  and  pale  rose-coloured  flowers. 
Of  its  hardiness  nothing  was  said ;  in  point  of  colour  and  habit 
B.  Veitchii  far  surpasses  it ;  a  cut  specimen  of  the  latter  was  exhibited 
from  a  plant  gi-owing  in  the  garden.  A  special  certificate  was  awarded 
for  a  collection  of  Odontoglossums ;  a  second-class  certificate  for 
Begonia  Buttonii,  a  small  but  pretty-foiiaged  plant.  It  was  requested 
that  Panicum  plicatum  niveo-vittatum  should  be  shown  again.  Of 
Lapageria  alba,  a  veiy  well-grown  and  handsome  plant  was  awarded 
a  special  certificate,  and  the  whole  collection,  consisting  of  many  very 
htantiful  plants,  a  special  ceriificato. 

Mr.  BuU,  Chelsea,  exhibited  Kaveualia  elegans,  a  fine-foliaged 
plant — second-class  certificate  ;  Strelitzia  Nicolai — first-claFS  certifi- 
cate ;  a  fine  Palm,  Bactris  maragua — a  first-class  certificate ;  Adian- 
tum  Seemanni,  a  beautiful  Fern — first-class  certificate;  Geonoma 
imperialis — first-class  certificate  ;  Dieffenbachia  eburnea,  a  pretty 
variegated-foHaged  plant — second-class  certificate.  Mr.  Bull  also  sent 
three  Coleus  seedlings,  two  of  which  had  received  first-class  certificates. 

Some  seedling  Caladiums  and  Fuchsias  were  sent  from  the  Society's 
garden  ;  of  the  latter  we  hope  to  speak  again.  Messrs.  Smith,  Dnl- 
wich,  received  a  special  certificate  for  a  collection  of  Balsams,  showing 
the  difiiculty  of  procuring  seed,  which  can  only  be  saved  from  the 
lateral  branches,  most  of  which  produce  blooms  as  double  as  the 
centre  spike,  but  of  course  are  much  later  in  expanding  their  flowers. 
Messrs.  Smith  also  sent  three  seedling  Zonal  Pelargoniums  of  promising 
character,  and  a  small  collection  of  some  of  their  best  variegated  kinds. 

Messrs.  Lee,  Hammersmith,  exhibited  cut  specimens  of  eight  or  ten 
beautiful  varieties  of  Elms,  which  were  awarded  a  special  certificate. 
Ulmns  Webbiana  was  much  admired ;  also  a  variegated  form  of 
Cerasus  Mahaleb.'  The  leaves  of  this  specimen  were  rather  crumpled, 
perhaps  owing  to  the  season  ;  the  variegation  was  distinct  and  effective. 

Messrs.  E.  G.  Henderson  sent  a  collection  of  jjlants  of  great  interest. 
Among  them  were  small  specimens  of  Centaurea  of  several  kinds,  two 
Cyclamens,  a  singular  unnamed  Lycopodium,  some  good  specimens  of 
Variegated  Zonal  Pelargonium  Lucy  Grieve,  a  basket  of  small  plants 
of  Fuchsia  Garibaldi, "^and  other  plants.  A  special  certificate  was 
awarded  the  collection. 

Mr.  Eckford,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Radnor,  Coleshill,  sent 
eighteen  seedling  Verbenas,  all  of  considerable  merit.  First-class 
certificates  were  awarded  to  Lady  Folkestone,  Master  Jacob,  Mrs. 
Eckford,  and  Ace  of  Trumps.  These  were  all  distinct  and  good 
varieties.  Mr.  Perry.  Castle  Bromwich,  Birmingham,  exhibited  a 
collection  of  seedling  Verbenas.  Fkst-class  certificates  were  awarded 
to  Florence  Fiddhin,  Emma  Perry,  and  Argus.  These  were  all  fine 
flowers.  A  special  certificate  was  awarded  for  a  splendid  box  of 
twenty-one  varieties;  among  them  were  several  seedlings  which  had 
previously  received  first-class  certificates.  Mr.  Eckford  sent  two 
seedling  DahUas,  of  which  Memorial,  a  fine  deep  rose-coloured  flower, 
was  awarded  a  first-class  certificate.  Mr.  Rawlings  sent  seedling 
Dahha  Indian  Chief,  a  fine  dark  maroon  flower  of  gi-eat  merit.  It 
was  awarded  a  first-class  certificate.  Mr.  Burgess,  Chelsea,  sent  four 
seedling  Dahlias,  and  Mr.  C.  Turner,  Slough,  seedling  Dahlia  Unique, 
one  of  the  finest  flowers  yet  seen,  a  white  ground,  shaded  with  rosy 
purple,  of  exquisite  form — first-class  certificate ;  Polly  Perkins,  buff, 
with  delicate  purple  tips  to  the  petals — second-class  certificate  ;  and 
Lady  Dunmore — second-class  certificate.  Mr.  George  Smith,  Ed- 
monton, exhibited  seven  seedling  Dahlias,  but  not  up  to  the  mark  as 
distinct  from  others.  Mr.  Legge.  Fdmnnton.  also  sent  seedling 
DahUas.  Mr.  Barfitt  exhibited  scarlet  seedling  Dahlia,  Charles  Lam- 
bert. Mr.  Keynes  sent  seedling  Dabhas — ilrs.  Brunton,  first-class 
certificate;  Julia  Wyatt.  second-class  certificate;  Annie  Neville, 
second-class  certificate ;  Mr.  Dix,  first-class  certificate  ;  and  James 
Hunter,  first-class  certificate. 

Mr.  Keynes  had  a  fine  collection  of  Dahlias,  but  we  must  venture  to 
say  that  the  Dahlia  race  must  be  considered  as  fairly  run.  It  is 
seldom  we  see  exhibited  any  flower  new  and  distinct.  Traces  of  good 
old  flowers  are  visible,  but  no  advance  is  to  be  observed  upon  flowers 
of  the  last  five  years.  Not  wishi.ig  to  disparage  the  excellent  flowers 
exhibited  this  day.  we  could  not  discover  any  advance  or  improvement. 
We  should  be  inclined  to  say  we  are  multiplying  vaiieties,  but  not 
introducing  improvements  or  novelties. 

We  must  not  omit  to  notice  a  Zonal  Pelargonium,  Sui-passe  Chris- 
tine, flowers  of  which  were  brought  from  Chiswick  from  ])lants  sent 
there  by  Mr.  Chater.  The  marked  improvement  on  this  old  favourite 
was  most  evident.     It  appears  to  be  a  veiy  desirable  variety. 

Generai.  Meetin-g. — W.  Wilscn  Saunders,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  in  the 
chair.  After  the  election  of  W.  Daricy  Hull,  Esq.,  F.G.S.,  and  F. 
Whitbourn,  Esq.,  Loxford  Hall,  Ilford,  as  new  FeUowR,the  Committee 
awards  were  announced.  The  Chairman  then  directed  attention  to 
Begonia  Clarkei,  resembling  the  hardy  B.  Veitchii  in  flowers,  and 
said  that  if  it  proved  as  hardy  as  the  latter  it  would  be  a  valuable 
acquisition,  especially  as  it  was  of  an  erect  habit.  Abutilon  Thomp- 
soni,  [another  plant  exhibited,  was  also  worthy  of  jiarticular  notice 


Soptembor  8,  1868. 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTIOULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENEB. 


IGO 


on  acconnt  of  its  tlivorse-coloaretl  leaves,  its  hardmess,  and  ita  easy 
cultivation.  He  considored  it  a  chai-minf^  addition  to  our  greenhouse 
decorative  (danta.  Mr.  Wilson  then  pointed  out  a  stem  of  Ijilinm 
tigrinuni  splendent,  and  said  that  Mr.  Eyles  had  informed  him  that  it 
was  a  most  important  now  variety,  taUcr  in  habit,  with  the  llowers 
marked  by  larger  epots,  and  altogether  much  finer  than  the  common 
Tiger  Lily.  

MESSRS.  RIVERS'  NURSERIES, 
SAWBRIDGEWOIITH. 

To  say  nnything  in  praLso  of  this  great  establishment  is,  of 
course,  a  work  of  supererogation  ;  to  say  that  the  orchard 
houses  are  as  usual  iu  splenclid  order,  the  trees  healthy,  and 
the  fruit  delicious,  is  but  to  repeat  an  oft-repeated  tale.  Still, 
"  llest  and  be  thankful  "  is  not  our  motto,  neither  is  it  that  of 
Mr.  Rivers.  In  this  vast  establishment  there  is  always  some- 
thing new,  and  something  to  be  learnt.  New  ideas  and  new 
projects  are  continually  on  trial  there,  so  that  visit  Sawbridpe- 
worth  when  one  may,  there  is  always  a  treat  in  store.  Mr. 
Rivers  is  one  of  the  greatest  of  British  experimental  horticul- 
turists, and  in  his  own  particular  line — fruits,  he  has  done,  and 
is  doing,  more  for  their  improvement,  and  for  fruit  culture  in 
this  country,  than  any  other  man  living.  When  I  mention 
orchard  houses  I  will  have  said  enough. 

Six  thousand  Peach,  Nectarine,  and  Apricot  trees  in  pots,  are 
the  number  cultivated  in  this  establishment  this  season.  The 
quantity  seems  enormous,  yet  there  they  are,  and  all  will  be 
able  to  bear  some  fruit  next  year  under  good  management. 
Taking  the  average  of  them  at  only  ten  fruits  a-piece,  we 
have  the  enormous  quantity  of  sixty  thousand  fruits.  Sixty 
thousand  Peaches  and  Nectarines  certain  !  Why,  it  makes  one's 
teeth  water.  Many  of  them,  however,  will  bear  much  more 
than  that.  I  noticed  some  trees  with  several  dozens  of  fine 
fruit  on  them. 

Mr.  Rivers  has  long  been  famous  as  a  raiser  of  seedling 
fruits.  For  Peaches,  especially,  we  are  to  him  much  indebted. 
Mr,  Rivers's  efforts  have  been  mainly  directed  to  the  attainment 
of  a  better  class  of  early  and  late  Peaches,  and  in  this  he  has 
succeeded  with  Early  Beatrice,  which  ripened  this  season  on 
the  4th  of  .Tilly,  Early  Louise  on  the  8th,  an  Early  Rivers  on 
the  14tb,  all  of  which  are  earlier  than  (he  Early  York  or  Acton 
Soot,  and  equally  good  iu  quality.  Of  late  varieties  we  get 
Lord  Palmerston,  a  first-class  Peach,  and  many  others.  The 
Alexandra,  a  seedling  from  the  Noblesse,  looked  remarkably 
fine.  It  differs  only  from  the  Noblesse  in  having  round  glands 
on  the  leaves.  It  is  of  a  much  more  vigorous  constitution,  and 
is  not  subject  to  mildew  like  the  old  variety.  Some  of  the  seed- 
lings of  this  year,  yet  unnamed,  are  of  exceeding  great  promise. 
One  marked  S.  IS",  noticed  in  this  Journal,  page  133,  a  seedling 
from  Rivers's  Orange  Nectarine,  is  the  richest-flavoured  Pea^h 
I  ever  tasted.  It  partakes  somewhat  of  the  flavour  of  the  Nec- 
tarine and  Peach  combined.  Mr.  Rivers  styles  this  the  Peach 
of  the  season. 

Among  Nectarines  there  are  also  many  grand  acquisitions. 
The  old  Stanwick  is  well  known  for  its  superior  flavour,  as 
well  as  for  its  bad  habit  of  splitting  and  cracking.  Mr.  Rivers 
has  long  worked  assiduously  to  overcome  this  evil,  and  with 
success.  The  extremely  rich  flavour  of  the  Stanwick  has  been 
imparted  to  many  of  the  now  seelliugs,  both  Peaches  and 
Nectarines.  Indeed,  the  Stanwick  forms  the  groundwork  of  the 
major  part.  It  is  the  "  true  blue  blood  "  in  Mr.  Rivers's  stock 
book.  How  very  interesting  it  is  to  listen  to  Mr.  Rivers,  while 
he  is  pulling  fruit  after  fruit  for  one  to  taste,  to  hear  him  de- 
tailing the  pedigrees  of  each,  with  as  much  exactitude  as  is 
bestowed  on  some  of  our  "  Derby  favourites ;  "  to  learn  thnt 
this  beautiful  Peach  we  are  now  eating  is  a  seedling,  may  be 
the  "  third  remove,"  as  Mr.  Rivers  terms  it,  from  a  yellow- 
fleshed  Nectarine.  Nectarines  are  raised  from  Peaches,  and 
Peaches  from  Nectarines,  without  any  sort  of  regularity.  They 
come  just  as  often  the  one  way  as  the  other.  Here  is  a  Nec- 
tarine in  appearance  exactly  like  the  Stanwick,  raised  from  the 
Victoria  Peach.  Here  is  another,  a  white  Nectarine,  raised 
from  the  Bellegarde  Peach,  and  another,  a  white  Peach,  raised 
from  Hunt's  Tawny,  a  yellow-fleshed  Nectarine.  Early  Peaches 
are  raised  from  late  Nectarines,  and  vice  versa.  Here  I  have 
the  full  pedigree  of  one.  The  Princess  of  Wales  Peach,  a 
splendid  late  kind.  It  was  raised  from  the  Early  Silver 
Peach,  which  was  again  raised  from  seed  of  the  old  White 
Nectarine.  Mr.  Rivers  has  some  curious  theories  on  this  sub- 
ject. One  is,  as  to  whether  all  our  present  race  of  Peaches 
have  not  sprung  from  one  source,  and  that  source  the  White 
Nectarine.     Judging  from  what  has  been  already  learned,  it 


seems  very  probable  Mr.  Rivers  is  "  on  the  trail ;"  however, 
I  leave  it  with  him,  for  who  but  a  Rivers  can  fathom  it,  or 
find  it  out  ?  It  is  a  regular  Darwinian  subject.  There  have 
been  several  instances  observed  of  Peaches  and  Nectarines 
growing  on  the  same  branch  of  a  tree.  Mr.  Rivers  is,  however, 
the  first  to  have  raiped  seedling  Peaches  from  Nectarines,  and 
Nectarines  from  Peaches. 

I  must  not  omit  to  notice  here  a  very  curious  Peach,  which 
I  tasted  for  the  first  time — the  Honey  Peach.  It  is  not  a  new 
one.  It  was  raised  at  the  Jardiu  des  Plantes,  Paris,  from  seed 
received  from  Shanghai.  It  is  of  oval  shape,  perfectly  white  ; 
the  flesh  juicy,  rich,  and  delicious,  like  honey,  hence  its  name. 
The  double-flowering  Peaches  of  China  have  fruit  somewhat 
similar  in  appearance,  and  it  may  have  been  observed  there  ia 
something  of  this  same  honeyed  taste  in  them,  only  it  is  mixed 
with  a  certain  bitterness  which  spoils  them  for  eating.  This 
variety  is  valuable  for  breeding  from.  It  will  impart  novelty 
of  flavour  to  Peaches. 

The  Shanghai  is  another  curious  Chinese  Peach,  which  was 
introduced  by  Mr.  Fortune  many  years  ago.  It  is  always  to  be 
seen  in  fine  order  on  the  Peach  wall  in  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tural Society's  Garden,  Chiswick.  It  is  one  of  the  largest 
Peaches  in  cultivation,  and  handsome.  It  somehow  irresist- 
ably  puts  me  always  in  mind  of  a  Chinaman's  scalp,  it  is  so 
big,  and  has  such  a  "  shaved  "-like  look,  being  of  the  palest 
of  yellows.  It  is  tempting  to  look  at,  but  no  better  than  a 
Turnip  to  eat.  Something  good  may  come  from  it  by  cross- 
breeding. There  is  still  another  curious  Peach  to  be  seen  here 
— that  is  the  Sanguinole,  the  Uesli  of  which  is  red,  like  a  Beet- 
root, but  pretty  good  to  eat.  Besides  these,  Mr.  Rivers  cul- 
tivates numbers  of  the  varieties  of  Pavies,  or  Clingstone  Peaches 
of  America,  the  fruit  of  which  rarely  become  melting  in  this 
country,  even  in  orchard  houses.  They  are  used  for  tarts, 
however  ;  and  one  writer  I  recollect  recommending  some  ela- 
borate process  of  cutting  them  into  slices  and  frying  them,  I 
think,  after  which,  being  very  nice,  they  were  to  be  pitched  out 
of  the  window. 

One  large  house  100  feet  long  and  '24  feet  wide,  is  almost 
entirely  devoted  to  proving  seedling  Peaches  and  Nectarines 
this  year.  There  are,  besides,  many  hundreds  in  the  open  air 
that  are  not  yet  old  enough,  one  and  two-year-old  seedlings  ; 
and  the  pots,  too,  with  the  seeds  of  some  of  this  season  are 
already  sown.  The  stones  are  sown  almost  immediately  after 
the  fruit  is  eaten,  they  germinate  more  freely  than  if  kept  dry 
until  spring  time.  "The  4  and  5-feet  pyramidal  trees  are  the 
most  handsome  ;  they  are  perfect  pictures.  They  are,  how- 
ever, more  dilUeult  of  management  than  the  bush  trees.  They 
require  more  close  attention  as  to  pinching  the  young  growing 
shoots,  and  keeping  down  the  vigour  which  is  sure  to  appear  in 
the  highest  part  of  the  tree.  Some  trees  that  are  planted  out 
in  one  house,  although  very  roughly  treated,  are  quite  pictures, 
being  loaded  with  fruit.  The  ground  in  which  they  are  growing 
is  of  a  light  calcareous  nature,  with  abundance  of  chalk  ;  but, 
oh  !  how  hard  it  is,  it  seems  as  hard  as  one  of  McAdam's  road- 
ways. The  soil  is  never  stirred  or  loosened  in  the  least,  or  if 
it  is,  it  is  rammed  down  again,  so  as  to  be  as  firm  as  before. 
In  these  large  span-roof  houses  of  Mr.  Rivers,  it  is  worthy  of 
note  how  clean,  healthy,  and  satisfactory  all  the  trees  are,  and 
that  without  auy  top  ventilation.  All  the  ventilation  there  is, 
is  at  the  sides  and  ends.  One  would  have  imagined  that,  espe- 
cially in  this  hot  season,  the  leaves  and  shoots  would  have 
been  all  scorched,  yet  such  is  not  the  case.  It  cannot  be  denied, 
however,  but  that  it  would  be  better  to  have  top  ventilation, 
excepting  on  the  ground  of  expense.  These  houses  are  erected 
in  the  cheapest  possible  manner,  and  orchard  houses  to  pay 
should  be  erected  as  cheaply  as  possible ;  they  are  not  show 
hou.ses.  To  break  the  roof  for  ventilation  in  a  house  of  this 
sort  adds  considerably  to  the  expense,  and  Mr.  Rivers  has  not 
found  it  necessary  to  do  so.  Mr.  Rivers  places  his  trees  along 
both  sides  of  the  house  nearest  to  the  ventilators,  with  a  broad 
pathway  in  the  centre.  Supposing  this  arrangement  to  be  re- 
versed, and  the  trees  placed  in  the  centre,  farthest  from  the 
outer  air,  or  the  house  to  be  30  feet  wide  instead  of  24  feet,  I 
fear  the  trees  then  would  suffer,  or  if  not  the  trees  the  fruit 
would  certainly  lose  piquancy  of  flavour  from  want  of  sufficient 
ventilation.  What  gives  flavour  to  ripening  fruit  ?  It  is  a 
somewhat  cool  and  bracing  air. 

There  is  one  ingenious  device  here  which  I  must  not  omit  to 
notice.  It  is  a  contrivance,  an  "orchard-house  railway,"  in  fact, 
for  moving  all  the  trees  en  masse,  to  have  the  benefit  of  the  open 
air.  There  are,  first  of  all,  two  lines  of  rails  running  through 
the  house  :  and  the  stage  in  the  centre,  instead  of  being  a  fixture 


170 


JODKNAIi  OF  HOETICULTUBB  AND  COTTAGE   GAEDENER. 


[  September  S,  1868. 


as  in  ordinary  plant  bonses,  is  upon  wheels  like  a  railway 
truck  running  on  these  rails.  The  trees  in  pots  are  standing 
on  this  stage  or  truck — indeed,  plunged  into  large  metal  pans 
£Iled  with  soil.  One  end  of  the  house  is,  of  course,  made  to 
open  sufficiently,  and  thus  the  whole  stage,  trees  and  all,  can 
be  moved  by  rail  to  breathe  the  fresh  and  open  air.  Granted 
that  it  is  beneficial  to  the  trees  to  have  the  fresh  air,  they 


can  easily  be  carried  ontjif  necessary,  and  that  at  one-twentieth 
part  of  the  expense.  It  just  resolves  itself  into  this,  whether 
a  tree  is  to  cost  5s.  a-year,  or  50$.  as  by  this  plan.  This  is  not 
an  invention  of  Mr.  Bivers,  neither  is  it  adopted  by  him,  it 
is  simply  there  on  trial  through  Mr.  Kivers's  kindness. — 
Archambaud. 

(To  be  continued.) 


A  FRAGMENT 
The  inhabitants  of  each  county  have  some  ludicrous  desig- 
nation assigned  to  them,  yet  I  never  could  discern  that  Essex 
men  are  more  calvish,  nor  Hampshire  men  more  swinish,  nor 
Wiltshire  men  more  simple  than  those  who  have  their  locations 
elsewhere ;  yet  the  natives  of  the  first-named  county  are  called 
"  Calves,"  of  the  second  "  Hogs,"  and  of  the  third  "  Moon- 
rakers."  The  legend  attached  to  the  last  is  that  some  townsmen 
of  Chippenham,  seeing  the  full  moon  reflected  in  a  certain 
pond,  endeavoured  to  rake  it  out,  believing  it  to  be  a  cheese. 

Now,  I  have  known  that  town  of  Chippenham  for  about  four 
lustrums  of  years,  and  never  could  discern  that  any  of  its 
denizens  were  probably  descendants  of  "  moonrakers."  Let 
any  one  of  your  readers  visit  it ;  let  him  establish  himself  in 
that  old-fashioned  •' hospitium"  improved,  "  The  Angel  Hotel ;" 
let  him  see  with  his  own  eyes  the  town's  substantial  bright 


OF  WILTSHIRE. 

structures,  and  among  them  that  bit  of  the  old  shambles,  with 
its  round  Anglo-Saxon  pillars,  which  may  have  been  there  when 
Alfred  and  Guthram  signed  their  treaty  of  peace  within  the 
town's  precincts  ;  let  him  associate  with  the  inhabitants,  and, 
especially  if  he  be  of  conservatives  a  conservative  superlative, 
he  will  agree  with  me  that  there  are  no  symptoms  of  moon- 
raking,  nor,  so  far  as  I  have  sought,  are  symptoms  of  such 
lunacy  to  be  discerned  in  the  vicinity.  Nowa-days  the  visitor 
can  journey  round  the  town  without  being  way-foundered, 
though  Wilts  was  formerly  famous  for  "  feeble  bridges  and 
foul  ways,"  but  they  are  now  quite  reformed,  and  were  partly 
so  centuries  since.  Walter,  Lord  Hungerford,  early  in  the 
fifteenth  century,  made  a  nen-foundering  road  across  Stander- 
wick  Marsh,  between  Beckington  and  Warminster,  and,  like  a 
good  husband,  he  recorded  that  it  was  "for  the  health  of  the 


soul  of  Lady  Katherine  his  wife  ;"  and  somewhat  later  estates 
were  left  for  the  repair  of  "  causeys  "  and  highways  about 
Cricklade  and  Devizes. 

Lastly,  but  first  in  merit,  was  Maud  Heath,  for  she  gave  all 
her  store  of  hard-earned  savings  to  make  and  repair  the 
"  causey  "  extending  four  miles  and  a  half  from  Bremhill  Wick 
Hill  to  Chippenham ;  and  on  a  stone,  truthful  though  not 
homerical,  is  this  record — 

"  From  this  Wick  Hill  begins  the  praise 
Of  Maud  Heath's  gift  to  these  highways." 

Midway  at  the  bridge  over  the  Avon  is  another  inscription — 

''To  the  memory  of  the  worthy  Maud  Heath,  of  Lnnpley  Bnrrell, 
spinBter,  who  in  the  year  of  grace  1474,  for  the  good  of  travellers,  did  in 
charity  bestow  in  land  and  houses  about  £S  a-year  for  ever  (now  yielding 
£110  annuallv),  to  be  laid  out  on  the  highwa'y  and  causev  leading  from 
Wick  Hill  to  Chippenham  Clift." 

She  did  this  during  her  lifetime — sensible  woman,  for  thus 
not  only  trotted  she  along  the  "  causey  "  dry-shod  herself,  but 
saw  and  appreciated  the  good  she  had  secured  for  others. 


The  local  tradition  is,  that  "  worthy  Maud  Heath  "  brought 
eggs  and  butter  to  Chippenham,  as  the  women-folk  of  farmers' 
families  all  did  in  her  days,  and  that  the  hindering  and  suffer- 
ing during  inclement  weather  which  she  endured  in  passing 
over  the  swampj-  and  often  overflown  parts  of  the  road,  induced 
her  to  bestow  the  enfeoffment. 

A  century  before — namely,  in  1376,  Edward  III.  granted  to 
the  inhabitants  of  Chippenham  permission  to  levy  pontage — 
that  is,  a  toll  for  the  repair  of  their  bridges  ;  but  Maud  Heath's 
gift  is  sufficient  evidence  that  the  pontage  failed  iu  efficiency. 

Let  the  visitor,  over  a  road  needing  no  aid  from  that  gift, 
take  a  stroll  in  a  north-westerly  direction  until  he  reaches  the 
lodge  of  Harnage ;  let  him  pass  through  its  gate  and  into  tha 
avenue  beyond — notice  the  splendid  Elms — pass  by  the  man- 
sion's front — if  he  knows  the  pages  of  Britton,  let  him  call  to 
memory  from  them  who  have  been  the  owners  and  the  guests 
at  Harnage.     They  were  not  "  the  simple  ones  of  the  earth." 

Hereafter  I  will  tell  of  another  of  those  guests,  but  at  pre- 
sent will  pause  over  so  other  than  Christopher  Anstey,  author 


September  3, 18C8. )  JODRNAIi   OF   HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


171 


ol  the  "  New  Bath  Guide,"  and  who  from  boyhood  and  over 
more  than  fourscore  years  was  "  a  fellow  of  infinite  jest."  In 
him  humour  had  by  far  the  mastery  of  discretion,  and  I  wish 
there  was  room  to  spare  in  your  columns  for  the  burlesque 
declamation  which  conferred  upon  him  rustication  instead  of 
an  M.A.  degree.  He  even  rendered  his  wit  hereditary,  for  his 
son  in  "  The  Pleader's  Guide  "  satirised  legal  proceedings  by  a 
detail  of  the  arguments  of  Counsellors  Botherum  and  Boreum 
in  the  case  of  John-a-GuU  r.  John-a-Gudgeon.  Who  amongst 
your  readers,  besides  old  spiders  of  literature  like  myself,  ever 
read  the  "New  Bath  Guide?"  Yet  its  wit  still  sparkles,  and 
doctors,  presumed  Cantwells,  and  fashionable  manners,  even 
when  out  of  date,  are  always  subjects  for  palatable  ridicule. 
Its  author  died  at  Harnage  in  1805,  and  this  epitaph,  extracted 
from  his  volume,  might  have  been  inscribed  on  his  monu- 
ment : — 

"  Farewell !  may  the  turf  where  thy  cold  reliques  rest 
Bear  herbs,  odoriferous  herbs,  o'er  thy  breiist ; 
Their  heads  Thyme  and  Sage  and  Pot-Marjorara  wave. 
And  fat  be  the  gander  that  feeds  on  thy  grave." 

Passing  on,  still  beneath  noble  trees  and  among  an  under- 
wood of  evergreens,  the  visitor  will  reach  a  wicket,  and  there, 
in  its  "  God's  Acre,"  stands  the  church,  of  which  the  accom- 
panying is  the  portrait. 

Elevated,  as  a  church  should  be,it  crowns  a  hill's  summit, 
and  between  some  of  its  neighbouring  trees  looks  out,  as  such 
beacons  should,  across  a  wide  landscape,  here  bounded  in  the 
twenty-mile  horizon  by  Salisbury  Plain.  Its  architecture  is 
simple  and  graceful,  and  the  Ivy  embraces  and  clings  to  it  as 
Ivy  always  should  to  a  church,  if  I  could  have  my  taste  satis- 
fied, for  it  is  ever  green,  and  thus  at  once  savours  of  the  loving, 
confiding,  and  everlasting.  Passing  to  the  interior,  the  same 
all-fittingness  there  prevails  :  no  exclusive  pews,  no  decorations, 
yet  all  things  in  the  perfection  of  neatness. 

But  few  commemorative  tablets  are  on  the  walls  ;  yet  among 
them  one  records  the  resting-place  of  old  John  Thorpe,  the 
antiquary,  one  of  the  rare  exceptions  of  a  son  celebrated  in  the 
same  field  where  his  father  had  been  his  distinguished  pre- 
decessor. How  few  clerical  fathers  have  clerical  sons  ?  but 
how  many  of  them  contribute  to  our  naval  and  military  lists  ! 
However,  John  Thorpe,  the  antiquary,  and  author  of  the 
"  Eegistrum  Koffense,"  or  Rochester  Register,  was  the  father 
of  the  John  Thorpe  whose  remains  are  in  this  churchyard,  ani 
he,  too,  published  a  volume  of  Rochester  antiquities,  entitled 
"  Custumale  Ivoffense."  He  would  deserve  a  record  in  the.se 
pages  if  only  because  a  friend  records  that  he  was  "  skilful  ami 
curious  in  his  garden,  intelligent  and  commimicative  in  his 
library."  And  he  merits  a  record  in  any  page  that  tells  of 
where  a  true  christian  gentleman  rests  from  his  labours.  The 
last  years  of  his  life  were  passed  in  Chippenham,  and  I  do  not 
wonder  that  he  should  direct  his  last  resting-place  to  be  here 
I  should  have  done  the  same,  though  not  for  the  reason  assigned, 
by  an  old  lady,  "  It  looks  so  healthy."* 

Beneath  that  temple-like  tomb  shown  in  the  drawing  was 
interred  another  "  man  of  his  time ;"  but  his  celebrity  was 
derived  from  intelligent  dealings  with  the  wealth  of  the  present, 
not  with  the  old  remnants  of  the  past.  There  lies  David  Ri- 
cardo,  the  eminent  political  economist.  He  died  in  the  prime 
of  life,  at  his  seat  in  Gloucestershire,  yet  he,  too,  desired  to 
rest  here,  for  the  heart  clings  to  the  desire,  even  when  ceasing 
to  pulsate,  to  be  retained  near  those  it  loves,  and  Ricardo's 
clung  to  his  daughter,  whose  husband  was  then  the  master  of 
Harnage. 

It  seems  strange  that  a  man  who  was  in  early  life  a  Jew,  who 
married  a  Quakeress,  and  then  joined  the  Unitarians,  should 
finally  repose  in  a  graveyard  of  the  Trinitarians.  But,  what- 
ever may  have  been  his  final  creed,  he  was  during  the  thirty 
concluding  years  of  his  life  noted  for  his  unflinching  integrity, 
and  ho  deserves  the  admiration  of  his  countrymen  for  being 
the  early  advocate  of  the  freest  competition  in  every  branch  of 
industry,  and  of  dealing  with  all  nations  on  fair,  and  liberal 
principles. 

Descending  from  the  eastern  end  of  the  church  and  crossing 
the  road  the  visitor  may  pass  into  the  rectory.  It  is  in  perfect 
unison  with  the  church  ;  so  is  its  garden,  its  hen-roost,  and  its 
pigeonry.  I  was  privileged  to  cross  the  threshhold  of  that  rec- 
tory, and  I  might  tell  of  the  genial  welcome,  the  heart-lit 
smiles,    and  the  firm  hand-pressures  that  greeted   me ;  they 


were  bestowed  on  me  by  "  WiLTsnir.E  Rector  "  and  his  familyi 
and  this  his  rectory  is  Hardenhuish. 

The  parish  is  small,  and  the  incumbent's  emoluments  no 
more  than  £90  a-year.  so  that  "  Wiltshire  Rector  "  might 
reply,  as  did  ene  of  his  brethren,  "  I  have  no  living,  but  I 
have  a  starving  near  Chippenham."  No  one  better  deaerveg 
better  preferment,  and  no  one  would  more  rejoice  to  hear  that 
he  had  obtained  it  than  would  his  friend — G. 


POMOLOGICAL  GLEANINGS. 

Sdmmer  BEnRRE  d'Aremberg.— We  have  often  heard  from 
the  hps  of  Mr.  Rivers  a  flattering  account  of  this  new  seedling 
Pear  of  his,  which  fruited  for  the  first  time  two  or  three  years 
ago  ;  but  from  the  fact  of  it  being  an  early  Pear,  and  soon  past, 
circumstances  have  hitherto  prevented  us  from  forming  our 
own  opinion  of  its  merits.  Fortunately  this  season  some  of 
the  fruit  have  reached  us  in  perfect  condition,  and  from  those 
now  before  us  we  furnish  a  figure  and  description  of  this  new 
iruit.    The  size,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  figure,  is  not  large,  and 


*  The  following  is  a  translation  of  the  inscription  on  the  tablet:  — 
"In  the  eastern  part  of  the  graveyard  now  rests  John  Thorpe,  M.A.  and 
F.A.S.  Born  in  the  parish  of  Saint  Margaret,  in  the  city  of  Rochester,  in 
the  year  17ir,,  and  died  August  2nd,  a.d.  17;I2,  in  the  hope  of  a  joyful 
reeujrection  only  through  the  merits  of  Christ." 


the  form  is  somewhat  turbinate  or  short  obovate,  even  in  its 
outline.  Skin  of  a  lemon  colour,  slightly  veined  with  cinnamon- 
coloured  russet,  with  a  patch  of  the  same  here  and  there,  and 
particularly  so  round  the  stalk.  Eye  very  small,  frequently 
wanting,  and  set  very  deeply  in  a  deep  and  narrow  basin. 
Stalk  upwards  of  an  inch  long,  and  inserted  in  a  small  round 
cavity.  Flesh  tender,  melting,  juicy,  brisk,  and  with  a  tine, 
sprightly,  vinous,  and  perfumed  flavour.  The  fruit  does  not 
keep  long,  as  it  rots  at  the  core  shortly  after  being  gathered ; 
but  the  variety  is  a  desirable  sort  at  this  season,  and  it  gathered 
before  it  is  perfectly  ripe  it  will,  no  doubt,  keep  much  longer 
after  being  gathered. 

The  Summer  Beurre  d'Aremberg  was  raised  by  Mr.  Rivers 
from  the  old  Beurre  d'Aremberg,  and  the  tree  forms  naturally 
a  perfect  pyramid,  is  hardy,  and  a  great  bearer. 

Alexandra  or  Alexandra  Noblesse  Peach.— We  have 

had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  and  eating  fruit  of  this  season, 
and  find  that  all  our  former  favourable  impressions  of  this  ex- 
cellent Peach  have  been  confirmed  ;  and  there  is  no  doubt  but 
that  it  is  in  respect  of  the  fruit,  one  of  the  finest  Peaches  in 
cultivation,  and  as  regards  the  tree,  one  of  the  hardiest.  Unlike 
the  Noblesse,  to  which  the  fruit  bears  a  close  similarity,  the 
tree  is  not  subject  to  mildew,  and  the  leaves  are  furnished  with 
round  glands,  whereas  in  the  Noblesse  they  are  glandless. 

We  have  received  from  Mr.  Rivers  a   seedUng  Plum, 

marked  No.  7,  which  bears  a  close  resemblance  to  the  true 
Nectarine  Plum.  It  is  round,  purple,  and  of  good  flavour.  It 
cannot  be  called  a  dessert  sort,  but  is  a  productive  and  early 
bearer,  like  those  two  valuable  varieties  of  which  Mr.  Rivers 
sent  us  fruit ;  also,  it  will  be  valuable  as  a  market  and  culinary 


172 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOBTICULTDRE  AND   COTTAGE   GAKDENEB. 


[  September  3,  1868. 


variety.  It  was  raised  from  tbat  beautiful  sort  Belle  de  Sep- 
tembre,  but  is  bardier  tban  its  parent.  Its  season  wben  grown 
out  of  doors  is  tbe  beginning  of  September,  but  tbe  fruit 
now  before  us,  being  grown  in  an  orchard  house,  is  conse- 
quently earlier. 

A  YEAR  or  two  ago  we  noticed  a  remarkably  fine  speci- 
men of  a  Peach  received  from  Mr.  Brc'haut,  under  the  name  of 
Exquisite.  It  measured  somewhat  about  or  over  0  inches  in 
circumference.  This  season  we  have  had  half  a  dozen  such, 
and  though  they  were  somewhat  decayed  in  consequence  of 
delay,  the  flavour  was  rich  and  really  delicious.  From  this  and 
other  evidences  we  have  seen  of  this  Peach,  it  is  one  we  un- 
hesitatingly recommend  as  one  which  ought  to  be  in  every  col- 
lection— soy  one  of  six.  Its  large  size,  fine  apricot  colour,  and 
high  flavour  render  it  truly  an  exquisite  Peach. 

The  Eev.  W.  Kin'gsley,  of  South  Kilvington,  informs  us 

that  he  has  "  two  very  big  Susquehanna  Peaches  colouring, 
fully  12  inches  in  girth  ;  and  I  want  to  know  whether  this  is 
big  for  Chiswick  and  other  big  places."  We  would  call  it  big 
for  any  place  ;  but  knowing  as  we  do,  and  having  seen  Mr. 
Kingsley's  mode  of  cultivation,  and  the  result  of  the  intelli- 
gence he  brings  to  bear  upon  it,  we  were  quite  prepared  for 
this  announcement. 


NOTES  AND  GLEANINGS. 

The  total  number  of  people  who  visited  the  Eotal  Hof.ti- 
CULTUEAL  Society's  Gardens,  at  South  Kensington,  on  the 
26th  of  August,  the  Anniversary  of  the  late  Prince  Consort's 
birthday,  was  115,303. 

- —  The  Council  of  the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society  have 
decided  to  erect  an  orchard  house  in  the  garden  at  Chiswick, 
which  will  illustrate  in  an  effective  manner  this  system  of  fruit 
culture.  The  house  will  be  100  feet  long  and  30  feet  wide  ; 
and  as  it  is  to  be  proceeded  with  forthwith  we  may  hope  to  see 
during  the  next  season  a  worthy  example  of  orchard-liouse 
cultivation  carried  out  efficiently  where  horticulturists  would 
most  expect  to  see  it. 

It  is  again  our  painful  duty  to  add  another  name  to  the 

long  roll  of  botanists  who  have  laid  down  their  lives  in  hunting 
out  the  treasures  of  other  climes  wherewith  to  enrich  our 
gardens.  Vahiable  indeed  they  ought  to  be  when  it  is  seen  at 
what  a  sacrifice  they  are  obtained.  Not  a  month  has  elapsed 
since  we  had  to  chronicle  the  death  of  Mr.  Eichard  Pearce  ; 
now  it  is  that  of  Mr.  David  Bowman,  a  young  and  very  enter- 
prising botanical  collector.  The  melancholy  intelligence  has 
just  been  received  in  this  country  of  his  death  at  Bogota,  New 
Grenada,  on  the  2.jth  of  June  last,  of  dysentery,  after  a  long 
illness.  BIr.  Bowman  left  this  country  nearly  three  years  ago 
to  collect  plants  and  seeds  for  the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society, 
Mr.  Wilton  Saunders,  and  others.  He  first  visited  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Eio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil.  Finding  but  few  plants 
there,  he  subsequently  went  to  the  richer  districts  of  New 
Grenada  and  from  thence  he  sent  considerable  numbers  of 
plants  to  this  country.  He  had  been  for  some  time  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Bogota,  and  had  collected  a  fine  lot  of  plants, 
with  which  he  intended  to  have  returned  home  shortly  himself, 
when  he  unfortunately  sustained  some  severe  losses  through 
robbery,  which  compelled  him  to  prolong  his  stay  in  one  of  his 
excursions.  After  this  occurrence  he  contracted  a  violent 
dysentery,  which  he  at  first  neglected,  but  which  ultimately 
carried  him  to  his  early  grave.  He  lies  buried  in  the  British 
cemetery  of  Bogota,  and  leaves  a  wife  and  one  child  totally 
unprovided  for  to  mourn  his  loss.  He  had  been  but  a  short 
time  married  previous  to  leaving  this  country.  Mr.  Bowman 
■was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  was  born  at  Arniston,  near  Edin- 
burgh, September  3rd,  1838,  his  father  being  gardener  there.  He 
served  his  apprenticeship  at  Arniston,  and  subsequently  went  to 
Dalhousie  Castle  and  Archerfield.  After  having  been  foreman 
in  the  gardens  at  Dunmore  Park,  near  Stirling,  he  came  to 
the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society's  gardens,  Chiswick,  where,  as 
plant  foreman,  he  was  employed  up  to  within  a  short  period 
of  his  departure  from  this  country.  Among  plants  introduced 
by  Mr.  Bowman  which  bear  his  name  may  be  mentioned 
Odontoglossum  Alexandra;'  Bowmani  and  Cyanophyllum  Bow- 
mani,  two  first-class  plants. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

EITCHES    GARDEN. 

_  Wheelixg-in  rotten  dung  for  vacant  pieces  of  ground,  dig- 
ging or  trenching  them,  tying-up Lettuces  and  Endive  occasion- 


ally, with  the  general  routine  of  weeding  and  keeping  the 
ground  clean,  constitute  the  principal  work  now  in  this  depart- 
ment. Cahhaiies,  it  there  are  any  plants  left  in  the  seed  beds, 
there  is  plenty  of  vacant  ground  now  for  them,  and  they  will 
come  in  useful.  Celery  may  have  a  good  earthing-up  now  when 
the  soil  is  dry,  and  so  may  the  Cardoom,  as  they  have  now 
finished  the  greater  part  of  their  growth.  Cauli/lowers  should 
also  be  planted  out  in  time  where  they  may  be  protected,  or 
prepared  for  planting  under  hand-glasses  and  frames.  Du-arf 
Kldnei/  Beans,  measures  should  be  taken  for  protecting  the  last 
sown  out  of  doors  in  case  of  necessity ;  one  night's  frost 
warded  off  may  insure  a  supply  for  a  month  later.  Where 
hoops  and  mats  are  not  applicable,  a  shaggy  straw  rope  fixed 
upon  stakes,  so  as  to  be  moved  obliquely  or  horizontally,  as 
occasion  requires,  will  answer  the  purpose.  Lettuces,  while 
the  weather  is  fino  make  the  last  sowing  for  the  late-spring 
supply  before  the  week  is  out.  Mushroviiis,  those  who  grow 
Mushrooms  only  at  certain  seasons  cannot  do  better  than  pro- 
cure spawn  from  their  nurserymen,  who  generally  obtain  it  from 
those  who  make  it  extensively  for  sale.  Where  Mushrooms 
are  constantly  wanted,  the  gardener  can  use  the  spawn  more 
liberally  when  he  makes  a  quantity  himself.  The  materials 
are  horse  droppings  and  cow  dung  in  about  equal  proportions, 
with  a  little  road  drift  well  mixed  together.  It  may  be  made 
into  bricks  with  a  mould  and  put  into  a  shed  to  dry,  or  merely 
spread  out  on  any  hard  place  under  cover,  about  2  inches  thick, 
and  divided  into  the  size  of  bricks  by  cutting  with  a  sharp 
edging  iron.  Make  two  holes  in  each  brick  for  spawning,  and 
gettiog  them  dry  enough  for  that  operation  is  all  that  will  now 
be  required.  Tomatoes,  pinch  off  all  their  lateral  shoots  and 
stop  the  leaders,  just  as  you  would  Vines,  but  they  like  more 
sun  than  Grapes,  and  some  of  their  leaves  rLay  be  cut  off  to 
let  the  sun  reach  them. 

FRUIT   GAEDEN. 

Peaches  and  Nectarines  should  now  be  looked  over  every 
day,  and  the  fruit  gathered  before  it  is  dead  ripe.  Place  bean- 
stalks among  tbe  Peach  trees  if  there  are  any  earwigs,  and 
blow  these  troublesome  insects  into  a  pot  of  water  in  the 
morning;  this  will  soon  reduce  their  numbers.  See  that  you 
know  the  names  of  all  your  Peaches  before  the  fruit  season  is 
over  ;  if  you  paid  attention  to  the  size  of  the  flowers,  the 
leaves  and  fruit  will  now  generally  enable  one  to  determine  the 
right  names.  It  is  important  that  everything  should  be  cor- 
r.'clly  named.  If  Peaches  and  Nectarines  are  placed  on  shelves 
in  the  fruit  room,  with  soft  tissue  or  silk  paper  underneath 
them,  the  flavour  will  be  better  than  if  they  are  allowed  to 
hang  too  long  on  the  trees.  After  gathering  what  fruit  is  ripe 
the  trees  may  be  sprinkled  with  clean  water  in  the  after- 
noon after  fine  days  ;  but,  unless  in  extreme  cases,  it  would 
not  now  be  advisable  to  water  any  more  at  the  roots,  as  the 
sooner  growth  can  be  stopped,  and  the  maturing  process  com- 
pleted, the  better.  If  the  heavy  autumn  rains,  which  may  be 
expected  before  long,  could  be  thrown  off  the  borders  by  tiles 
puddled  with  clay,  or  by  boarding,  &c.,  we  would  suffer  less 
from  a  severe  winter.  Unless  the  borders  are  particularly  well 
drained,  a  second  growth  will  take  place,  the  vessels  of  the 
wood  will  be  charged  with  a  superabundance  of  watery  fluid, 
and  if  a  severe  winter  ensues,  black  and  brown  spotted,  can- 
kered, gummy,  and  dead  wood  in  the  spring  will  be  the  con- 
sequence. 

FLOWER    GARDEN. 

That  the  autumn  is  the  best  time  to  bud  Eoses  no  one  who 
has  tried  it  will  dispute ;  autumn  in  many  cases  is  a  better 
time  to  graft  and  bud  many  kinds  of  trees  and  shrubs  than  the 
spring  or  early  part  of  summer,  especially  those  trees  that  are 
difficult  to  propagate  by  these  modes.  The  conclusion  to  be 
arrived  at  is  this,  the  office  of  every  leaf  having  a  bud  at  its 
axil  is  to  prepare  proper  nourishment  for  the  full  development 
or  organisation  of  that  bud,  that  the  leaves  of  some  trees  pos- 
sess the  property  of  furnishing  the  buds  in  a  few  days,  that 
others  take  some  weeks  to  eii'ect  this,  while  a  third  will  require 
a  month  or  two  to  furnish  the  buds  as  independent  members 
of  the  system.  Certain  it  is  that  autumn  is  the  safest  time  to 
bud  those  trees  and  shrubs  that  are  considered  difficult  to  in- 
crease in  this  way ;  and  that  such  trees  may  be  grafted  in  the 
autumn  and  unite  in  less  time  and  with  greater  safety  than  at 
any  other  season,  is  a  very  important  point  to  attend  to. 
greenhouse  and  conservatory. 

From  this  time  to  the  end  of  October  there  will  be  a  consider- 
able amount  of  potting  for  furnishing  plants  for  the  decoration 
of  the  conservatory.  Tropa;olum  tricolorum  and  others  should 
now  be  potted,  to  come  in  during  April.    Lilium  longiflorum 


September  3, 1868.  1 


JOUHNAL   OF   HOBTICULTDKE   AND   COTTAGE    QAKDENEB. 


173 


and  eximium — the  latter  only  a  slight  variety  of  the  other — to 
flower  early  in  June  should  now  be  potted.  The  beautifal 
varieties  of  Lilium  Inncifoliura  to  flower  next  July  bLouU  also 
now  be  in  pots,  but  October  is  time  enough  to  pot  all  these  if 
they  are  not  wanted  before  their  usual  time.  The  spring- 
flowering  Cyclamens  are  very  desirable  plants ;  they  should 
now  be  potted,  and  the  summer  ones  gradually  allowed  to  be- 
come dry,  in  order  to  be  stored  away  for  the  winter.  The 
earliest  crop  of  Hyacinths,  Narcissus,  Tulips,  &c.,  should  now 
be  making  roots  freely  in  the  new  pots. 

STOVE. 

Many  useful  plants  in  that  section  which  flower  in  winter 
and  early  spring  in  the  stove,  may  be  brought  sooner  into 
flower  by  checking  growth  about  the  present  time  ;  this  is  done 
by  diminishing  the  usual  quantity  of  water,  and  by  keeping 
the  house  drier.  Others  of  the  same  sort  may  be  encouraged 
to  grow  as  late  as  they  will  in  order  to  succeed  these.  Every 
pot  plant  should  be  looked  over  one  by  one  at  any  time  when 
the  weather  is  bad  during  this  and  the  next  month.  It  is  not 
enough,  however,  that  the  outside  of  the  pots  and  the  surface 
of  the  soil  are  cleaned,  the  balls  must  be  turned  out  of 
the  pots,  worms  looked  after,  the  drainage  relieved  from  tho 
sediment  which  the  summer  watering  has  washed  down  among 
the  crocks,  and  if  the  pot  is  at  all  covered  with  green  slime, 
do  not  use  it,  but  take  a  dry  clean  pot  of  the  same  size,  then 
add  a  little  fresh  soil  to  the  surface,  of  the  same  nature  as  that 
already  in  the  pot. 

PITS   AND  FRAMES. 

They  should  be  filled  with  good  plants  for  next  year.  As 
soon  as  the  cuttings  are  struck  let  them  have  a  few  weeks  out 
of  doors  it  possible  ;  it  will  revive  them  much  before  winter, 
and  will  also  enable  them  to  stand  the  confinement  with  greater 
freedom. — W.  Keane. 


DOINGS   OF   THE  LAST   "WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GAEDEN. 

Here  tho  work  has  chiefly  been  of  a  routine  character — 
namely,  planting,  hoeing,  and  forking  among  young  plants, 
and  breaking  the  crust  formed  by  the  rains.  Cauliflowers  that 
had  not  a  green  leaf  left,  nor  a  whole  one  that  was  not  riddled 
by  the  fly,  are  now  pushing  green  leaves,  and  though  fine,  com- 
pact, white  heads  from  old  plants  are  out  of  the  question,  they 
are  yielding  nice  little  pieces  like  Sprouting  Broccoli,  which 
come  in  now  as  ?.n  agreeable  change.  Scarlet  Kunners,  which 
at  one  time  threatened  to  succumb,  are  now  bearing  heavily. 
We  could  not  manage  to  keep  on  our  ridge  Cucumbers,  as  from 
want  of  water  the  red  spider  attacked  them,  but  Vegetable 
Marrows  withstood  the  drought  well,  and  will  be  useful  for 
some  time  longer. 

The  worst  effect  of  the  dry  weather  has  been  the  filling  the 
dry  ground  with  grubs.  We  lately  planted  some  hundreds  of 
Lettuces,  and  there  is  hardly  one  left,  the  grub  has  seized  the 
most  of  them,  biting  through  beneath  the  surface  ;  and  though 
we  have  caught  myriads  of  the  depredators,  we  have  not  yet 
destroyed  them  all.  Wo  examined  the  ground  well  before 
planting,  and  even  added  lime  when  the  ground  was  turned 
over,  hut  that  has  not  kept  them  away.  As  yet  they  have  not 
troubled  us  with  much  else,  as  Cabbages,  young  plants,  and 
Cauliflowers  are  as  yet  untouched.  We  examined  plants,  hut 
though  we  found  nothing  at  the  roots  one  day,  there  would  be 
a  grub  and  a  cut  plant  the  next.  We  once  tried  a  sprinkling  of 
tar  on  the  ground,  but  with  little  benefit.  In  fact,  we  know 
no  effectual  remedy,  except  catching  and  killing  them.  Do  any 
of  our  readers  know  of  a  less  tiresome  remedy  ?  On  a  raised 
bank  planted  with  Endive,  those  on  the  south  side  are  almost 
as  much  injured  as  the  Lettuce,  whilst  those  on  the  north  and 
colder  side  are  not  at  all  touched. 

Spawned  a  fresh  piece  of  JIushroom  bed,  and  prepared  a 
piece  more,  which  will  be  the  last  in  the  open  shed.  In  a  few 
days,  or  as  soon  as  we  have  wet,  we  will  smoke  the  Mush- 
room house  with  burning  sulphur,  preparatory  to  clearing  it 
out  for  receiving  the  winter  beds. 

Planted  out  strong  Cucumbers  in  a  pit,  where  we  can  give 
them  heat,  and  applied  a  little  fire  heat  to  those  in  a  pit  still 
bearing.  Those  in  frames  that  fruited  early  are  now  about 
over.  The  last  sowings  out  of  doors  of  Onions  and  Lettuces 
to  stand  the  winter,  and  Turnips  and  Radishes,  must  now  be 
made.  A  sowing  of  Eadishes  may  be  made  in  the  middle  of 
September,  or  a  week  later,  if  some  protection  can  he  given  to 
them,  and  when  much  wanted,  they  should  be  sown  under 
glass  in  the  first  week  in  October,  but  without  any  artificial 


heat.  Some  people  like  them  all  the  year  round,  hut  in  general 
they  are  more  prized  after  the  New  Year  than  for  a  month  or 
two  in  the  end  of  the  year.  When  people  eat  cold  Cucumbers 
all  the  year  round,  these  cease  to  be  a  zest  in  March  and  onwards. 
All  except  the  latest  Potatoes  should  now  be  taken  up,  as  most 
of  the  early  and  medium  early  kinds  are  making  fresh  growth, 
and  after  this  the  first-formed  tubers  will  always  be  deficient 
in  quality. 

riiuiT  oAnpEN. 

liasjiberries. — Thinned  out  and  roughly  tied,  so  as  to  fill 
the  spaces  between  with  winter  stuff.  Much  of  that  will  be 
smaller  than  usual,  and  therefore  we  must  have  more  of  it. 
See  previous  weeks  as  to  (looseberries.  Currants,  and  bush  and 
pyramidal  fruit  trees,  and  iiatheriiiy  rarJij  fntil.  All  the  fruit 
will  be  much  earlier  this  season.  Even  the  liibston  Pippin 
Apple,  and  its  next-door  neighbour  for  quality,  the  smaller  but 
equally  rich  Margil,  are  becoming  quite  bright  in  appearance, 
and  the  seeds  are  pretty  well  black  ripe.  One  fruit  here,  the 
fine-flavoured  Margil,  will  flourish  on  soils  where  without  fre- 
quent transplanting  it  is  next  to  impossible  to  keep  the  wood 
of  the  Ribston  Pippin  from  cankering,  and  the  fruit  from  being 
spotted.  Let  it  be  borne  in  mind  that  a  fruit  carefully  gathered 
and  placed  on  shelves  or  drawers  without  injury,  is  really  as 
valuable  as  two  or  three  that  have  tumbled  down  and  been 
bruised.  Even  soft  Apples  keep  much  better  and  longer  if 
gathered  by  hand.  Hence  the  superiority  of  bush  and  pyra- 
midal trees  insteady  of  lofty  standards.  It  is  such  a  pleasure 
to  be  able  to  attend  to  and  gather  most  of  the  fruit  when 
standing  on  the  solid  ground.  With  proper  attention  we 
believe,  too,  that  the  same  space  of  ground  supplied  with 
dwarf  trees  will  jield  more  fruit  than  the  same  ground  covered 
with  large  lofty  trees.  Until  tried  people  will  not  believe  the 
quantity  of  fruit  they  can  have  from  small,  well-tended  trees, 
when  no  more  vigour  is  permitted  than  is  sufficient  to  bring 
the  fruit  to  perfection. 

Fruit-room. — Much  depends  on  having  this  place  sweet  and 
clean.  Took  the  chance  of  a  dull  wet  day  to  have  tho  shelves, 
&c.,  well  scrubbed  with  hot  soap  water,  and  would  like  to 
whitewash  and  wash  again  before  the  bulk  of  the  fruit  is 
gathered.  Anything  unplesant  soon  exercises  an  influence  on 
the  fruit. 

With  all  our  care  where  gauze  cannot  be  applied,  the  wasps 
are  exercising  their  powers  on  Phims  and  some  of  the  earlier 
Apples.  Myriads  have  been  destroyed,  but  still  numbers  are 
left,  and  the  dry  season  has  so  cracked  the  ground  as  to  give 
them  wondrous  facilities  for  baffling  us.  We  lately  noticed  a 
large  nest,  and  to  it  there  were  as  many  as  a  dozen  en- 
trances, and  some  of  these  as  much  as  10  or  12  feet  from  the 
nest.  If  burning  paraffin  oil  could  be  made  to  reach  them  in 
their  burrows  it  would  soon  destroy  them.  Tar  is  also  good, 
but  if  the  danger  is  guarded  against  nothing  is  more  efl'ectual 
for  stupefying  them  than  lighted  squibs  of  sulphurand  powder, 
and  after  burning  well  a  piece  cf  turf  placed  over  the  hole. 

ORNAMENTAL     DEPARTMENT. 

If  anything  could  show  the  importance  of  having  flower-beds 
well  picked  of  their  fading  flowers,  it  would  have  been  the  ap- 
pearance of  those  beds  well  trimmed  before  the  continuous 
rains  of  the  22nd,  and  those  that  were  unpicked.  The  former 
stood  the  rains,  and  remained  gay  and  bright,  but  it  was  a 
number  of  days  before  the  others,  even  after  picking,  became 
at  all  bright.  The  water  falling  off  fading  flowers  discolours  the 
younger  flowers  that  otherwise  would  remain  bright. 

Most  of  the  time  has  been  taken  up  in  switching  and  rolling 
walks,  and  mowing  and  machining  the  lawn,  and  where  the  latter 
operation  has  been  resorted  to  since  the  rains  once  every  four 
days  or  so,  a  more  beautiful  green  carpet  could  not  be  seen. 
The  growth,  owing  to  the  heat  of  the  ground,  is  remarkably 
rapid,  and,  therefore,  the  mowings  must  be  frequent.  Much 
has  also  been  done  in  inserting  cuttings  in  moveable  boxes,  to 
avoid  the  necessity  of  raising  and  potting,  or  planting  after- 
wards ;  but  this  has  been  done  in  the  manner  several  times 
adverted  to.— K.  F.    

TRADE   CATALOGUE  EECEIVED. 

Charles  Turner,  Koyal  Nurseries,  Slough. — Catalogue  of 
BiUbous  Flower  Roots  and  Tulij)!!. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— Septejibkr  2. 

There  has  been  Kcareely  any  alterntion  worth  qnotinK.    A  trifling  ad- 
vance has  been  made  in  the  price  of  Filberts  and  Cob  Nuts,  but  that  is 


174 


JOURNAL   OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  September  3,  1B68. 


chiefly  owing  to  the  growers  being  so  much  engaged  with  the  Hops.    Peas 
are  quite  over,  fully  a  month  earlier  than  usual. 


Apples ^  sieve 

Apricots doz.  0  0 

Cherries lb.  0  0 

Chestnuts bush.  0  0 

Currants %  sieve  0  0 

Black do.  0  0 

Figs doz.  1  0 

FUberts lb.  0  9 

Cobs lb.  0  9 

Gooseberries    ..  quart  0  0 

Grapes,  Hothouse.. lb.  2  0 

Lemons 100  10  0    16 


s.  d.       B. 

1  6to2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
3 
1 
1 
0 
5 


Melons each  2 

Nectarines doz.  '.i 

Uranges lOU  12 

Peaches doz.  4  0 

Pears  (dessert)  ..  doz.  2  0 

Pine  Apples lb.  4  0 

Plnras J-2  sieve  3  0 

Quinces  doz.  0  0 

Raspberries  lb.  0  0 

Strawberries  . .   per  lb.  0  0 


d.    8.  d 

0to5  0 

0      6  0 

0    20  0 

8  0 

4 

6 


Walnuts bush.  10    0    16 


do per  100    1    0 


VEGETABLES, 


Artichokes doz. 

Asparagus   100 

Beans,  Kidney  }■•  sieve 

Beet,  Red doz. 

Broccoli bundle 

BruB.  Sprouts  ^-  sieve 

Cabbage doz. 

Capsicums 100 

Carrots bunch 

Cauliflower doz. 

Celery bundle 

Cucumbers each 

Endive doz. 

Fennel bunch 

Garlic  lb. 

Herbs  bunch 

Horseradish  ..  bundle 


a.  d.      8.  d 
3    0to6    0  : 
0    0      0 


3     0 
2    0 


0 

4    0' 
8    0 
0     0 
0     0  I 

2  0 ; 

0     0 


16      2    0 


0  3 

0  8 

0  8 

3  0 


0     0 
0     0 


Leeks  bunch 

Lettuce  ....  per  score 
Mushrooms  ....  pottle 
Mustd.A  Cress,  punnet 
Onions  per  doz.  bchs. 

Parsley per  sieve 

Parsnips doz. 

Peas per  quart 

Potatoes bushel 

Kidney   do. 

Radishes  doz.  bunches 

Rhubarb handle 

Sea-kale  basket 

Sballots lb. 

Spinach busbel 

Tomatoes ....  per  doz. 
Turnips  bunch 


B.  d.  s.  d 
0  4  too  6 
2    0      4 


0    8 
5     0 


TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 

Converting  an  Orchard  House  into  a  Ground  Vinery  (Experi- 
menter).— It  is  well  to  make  experiments,  and  to  form  a  ground 
vinery  of  vour  aO-feet-square  span-roofed  house,  supposing  you  mean  to 
grow  the  Vine  as  a  standard.  If  we  wanted  the  most  return  with  the 
least  trouble,  we  would  plant  the  Vines  and  train  them  under  the  roof  in 
the  usual  way.  In  either  case  you  ought  to  have  concrete  and  drainage 
beneath  from  18  to  24  inches  of  soil  in  your  stifi'clay.  Without  heat  the 
Black  Hamburgh,  the  Esperione,  and  the  Royal  Muscadine  will  suit  you. 

Roses  (A  Beginner).—''  The  best  wbite  Perpetual  Rose  suitable  to  the 
Manetti  stock  is  Baronne  de  Maynnrd.  Madame  Alfred  de  Rougemont  is 
also  very  good.  The  former  is  pure  wbite,  and  as  pood  and  abundant  a 
bloomer  as  Madame  Plantier.  I  never  hod  Mrs.  Bosanquet  on  a  Manetti 
stock.  I  bought  one  eighteen  years  ago  worked  on  a  Briar  stock.  It  is 
Still  alive  and  well.  It  is  beautiful,  and  the  only  China  Rose  worth  pre- 
serviug. — W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

Palms.  — "Your  correspondent,  '  Patelin,'  must  have  confined  bis 
search  for  Palms  and  other  foliage  plants  to  very  few  nurseries  where 
these  plants  are  grown  to  find  the  price  be  names— viz.,  three  guineas  as 
the  lowest  sum  charged.  Now,  I  bave  purchased  plants  of  this  kind  at 
the  nursery  of  Mr.  Eurley,  Penibridge  Place,  Bavswater.  at  from  5s.  to 
lOs.  each,  according  to  the  size  of  the  plants.  Others  also  offer  many 
kinds  of  Palms,  &c.,  at  about  the  same  price.  Of  course  for  specimen 
plants  half  grown  one  would  expect  to  pay  three  guineas  ;  but  such 
plants  as  those  would  scarcely  be  used  for  decorating  rooms,  except  on 
the  occasion  of  a  ball  being  given.— William  Giles,  St.  James's  Square, 
NottingHiU:' 

Potting  Shed  Converted  into  a  Vinery  {G.  Jf.).— Plant  the  Vines 
outside  in  your  case.  Introduce  them  a  font  at  least  above  the  hot-water 
pipes.  Protect  the  stems  outside  with  tbree-sided  wooden  boxes,  the 
empty  side  placed  against  the  wall.  Fill  tbe  boxes  with  sawdust  round 
the  stems,  and  put  a  cover  on  the  top  to  keep  it  dry.  Then  keep  the  Vines 
inside  all  the  winter.  The  bedding  plants  will  do  the  Vines  no  harm  if 
you  do  not  raise  the  temperature  above  from  40^  to  45'-  with  fire  beat. 
The  varieties  you  name  will  suit. 

Pelargonium  Cuttings  (R.  Smee).~In  taking  cuttings  of  Pelargoniums 
the  bottom  or  middle  of  a  large  slip  in  general  does  better  than  the  top, 
which  is  more  spongy.  After  inserting,  it  is  best  to  keep  the  soil  rather 
moist,  but  not  wet,  and  drier  in  proportion  to  the  succulence  of  the 
cnttings.  The  smallest  pots  above  thumbs  do  well  for  wintering  them. 
We  keep  ours  thickly  in  boxes  and  pots,  say  1-inch  surface  to  each  cutting. 
Had  we  room,  as  you  seem  to  have,  we  would  place  a  single  cutting  in 
a  small  pot  at  once.  This  would  save  repotting,  and  such  cuttings  are 
sure  to  do  well. 

Heating  a  Small  Greenhouse  by  a  Flue  (T.  Sedoley).— As  you 
have  your  ashpit  out  of  doors,  why  not  bave  tbe  furnace  door  out  of  doors 
too  ?  All  flues  when  damp  and  unused  for  a  time  are  apt  to  have  a  back 
draught,  and  this  would  not  signify  if  the  furnace  door  were  outside.  In 
your  case  it  would  be  worse  but  for  the  gradual  rising  of  tbe  flue.  The 
higher  the  bottom  of  the  flne  is  above  the  fire  bars  the  better  it  will 
draw.  Thus,  18  inches  would  be  better  than  10  or  12.  You  have  increased 
the  chance  of  back  draught  by  your  arrangements  ;  first  you  have  a  deep 
flue,  7  inches  wide,  we  presume  inside  measure  ;  to  this  you  add  earthen- 
ware pipes  3  inches  in  diameter,  and  have  a  chimney  2  inches  in  diameter. 
If  these  diameters  were  more  than  doubled  tbe  draught  would  be  better. 
It  is  a  mistake  to  nan-ow  chimnies  much  near  the  top.  You  may  keep  all 
the  plants  j'ou  mention. 

Forming  Strawberry  Beds  (.-1  Regular  Victim).— Yfe  do  not  quite 
understand  your  case,  as  there  are  some  words  in  your  letter  which  we 
cannot  decipher.  We  would  not  be  discouraged  about  the  bank  planted 
last  September.  If  the  ground  cracks,  break  the  surface  and  add  some 
mulching.  We  would  by  no  means  take  up  and  divide  these  plants. 
Give  them  plenty  of  rotten  dung  in  October  as  mulching,  and  see  what 
nest  year  will  do.    We  presume  your  soil  is  very  stiff,  all  the  better  if  you 


can  work  it  by  deep-stirring  and  manuring.  Meanwhile  for  a  new  bed 
add  some  chalk  and  lime  rubbish,  and  plenty  of  dung  instead  of  ashes, 
and  take  your  time  to  that ;  but  as  soon  as  possible  take  off  your  runners 
of  approved  sorts,  and  prick  them  out  4  or  5  inches  apart  into  rich  well- 
manured  soil,  with  rotten  dung  at  the  surface,  and  shade  if  wanted,  and 
water  well  as  needed.  Theu,  either  in  tbe  beginning  of  October,  or,  as 
we  would  prefer,  in  tbe  end  of  Februarj',  take  up  these  plants  with  balls, 
and  transplant  them  into  the  ground  left  rougn  all  tbe  winter,  and  merely 
neatly  levelled  and  wrought  before  planting.  This  would  be  a  good  plan 
in  your  heavy  soil. 

Raspberry  Planting  (Idem). — In  planting  a  row  of  Raspberries  you 
may  place  them  a  foot  apart  if  you  train  to  a  trellis,  and  from  30  to 
38  inches  apart  if  you  mean  to  grow  them  from  stools  and  fasten  them  to 
a  stake,  or  bend  them  over  like  an  arch.  We  like  the  regular  line  of 
trellis  the  best,  and  wire?,  say  three,  are  best  to  tie  the  canes  to.  Of  red 
Raspberries  none  are  better  than  tlie  Fastolff  and  Carter's  Prolific,  and 
of  the  yellows  the  Yellow  Antwerp. 

Dark  Climbing  Roses  (Old  Subscriber). — "The  only  very  dark  lofty 
pole  Rose  is  t-rederick  II.  It  is  a  dark  crimson  purple  Hybrid  Bourbon. 
It  will  grow  12  feet  high,  but  it  only  produces  one  series  of  bloom.  It  is 
handsome.  The  only  dark  Hybrid  Perpetual  pole  Roses  are  Due  de 
Gazes,  dark  crimson  purple,  and  Prince  Camille  de  Rohan.  The  first- 
named  will,  under  high  cultivation,  grow  on  the  Manetti  stock  7  or  8  feet 
high,  and  is  very  hardy  and  a  free  and  abundant  bloomer.  The  second- 
named  is  very  handsome,  maroon-coloured,  and  will  under  the  same 
culture,  on  the  Manetti,  grow  6  or  7  feet  high.-  W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

Cockscomb  Strawberry  (3/.  iV.).— It  can  be  obtained  from  any  nur- 
seryman who  advertises  Strawberry  plants  in  our  colmuns.  It  was  raised 
in  the  Royal  gardens  at  Windsor. 

Ryton  Muscat  Grape  [G.  .S'.).— In  Mr.  Rivers's  catalogue  it  is  said  to 
have  been  raised  many  years  since  at  Ryton,  near  Newcastle-on-Tyne. 
We  believe  it  to  be  a  form  of  the  Muscat  of  Alexandria.  The  large 
bunches  may  be  a  consequence  of  the  vigour  of  the  young  Vines. 

Removing  Rose  Trees  (Eden  Grove]. — You  have  no  right  to  remove 
the  trees  ;  but  you  may  have  them  taken  up  and  potted,  and  then  you 
can  take  them  away.  There  is  no  danger  in  removing  Roses  after  this 
date,  only  take  them  up  carefully,  and  have  the  roots  secured  from  the 
drying  influences  of  tbe  atmosphere  by  a  covering  of  damp  moss  or  hay, 
and  enveloping  all  in  a  mat.  The  sooner  they  are  planted  after  removal 
the  better,  giving  a  good  watering  to  each  after  i>lanting.  It  is  quite 
optional  on  the  part  of  the  landlord  or  tbe  new  tenant  to  allow  you  any 
thing  for  the  fruit  trees  and  vegetables,  but  something  in  such  cases  is 
generally  given. 

Guano  versus  Stable  Manure  (rarioits).- Guano  is  not  equal  to  stable 
manure  for  general  purposes  ;  it  is  not  so  lasting,  otherwise  it  is  an  ex- 
cellent manure,  and  may  be  applied  to  all  descriptians  of  crops  advan- 
tageously. It  should  be  applied  when  tbe  crops  are  in  a  growing  state, 
or  it  may  be  put  on  at  the  same  time  as  the  crops  are  sown  or  planted. 
Half  a  hundredweight  of  Peruvian  guano  will  be  a  good  dressing  for  your 
garden.  The  way  to  apply  it  is  to  sift  it  through  a  naif-inch  sieve,  break- 
ing the  lumps  to  make  it  fine.  It  may  be  spread  broadcast  over  the 
ground,  hoeing  or  pointing  the  gi-ound  afterwards  ;  this  is  not  necessary, 
however,  if  the  surface  is  open  and  rain  follow. 

Compost  for  Liliuii  auratum  (Wrm).— Two-thirds  loam  from  rotted 
turves,  and  one-third  sandy  fibrous  peat,  with  a  free  arimixture  of  sharp 
sand.  If  the  loam  is  poor  one-fourth  old  cow  dung  may  be  added  and 
intermixed.  To  answer  all  your  queries  would  take  up  the  whole  space 
of  one  Journal.  You  will  find  full  instructions  for  the  cultivation  of  the 
plants  mentioned,  in  the  "  Garden  Manual,"  which  you  can  have  free  by 
post  from  our  office  if  you  enclose  twenty  postage  stamps  with  your 
address. 

Aebor-Vit.^  Propagation  (Willson).—The  Arbor- Vitse  maybe  raised 
from  cuttings,  but  best  from  seed.  Now  is  a  good  time  to  put  in  the 
cuttings,  taking  the  points  of  the  growing  shoots  when  they  have  be- 
come tiouiewhat  ripened.  They  may  be  from  8  to  6  inches  in  length,  and 
should  be  cut  below  a  joint.  It  is  not  necessary  to  trim  off  tbe  spray, 
but  this  may  be  cleared  off  to  the  extent  the  cuttings  are  put  in  the  soil 
—namely,  from  one-half  to  two-thirds  of  their  length.  They  should  be 
inserted  in  a  cold  frame  in  a  compost  of  sandy  loam,  the  surface  being 
covered  with  an  inch  in  thickness  of  sand.  Make  the  soil  firm  about  the 
cuttings,  and  afrer  giving  a  gentle  watering  put  on  the  lights.  Keep  close 
and  shaded  from  bright  sun.  In  a  month  admit  air,  and  by  degrees 
harden  them  well  off,  exposing  them  fully  when  the  weather  is  mild,  and 
affording  protection  from  frost. 

Grapes  Cracking  (/(7cm}.— Your  Vine  is  from  some  cause  not  healthy; 
the  cracking  is  due  in  a  great  measure  to  the  berries  being  so  small  and 
the  late  rains.  We  presume  you  allow  plenty  of  foliage,  so  as  to  shield 
the  bunches  from  tbe  sun.  The  leaves  now  yellow  must  be  infested  with 
red  spider,  and  tbe  spotting  of  the  wood  we  should  attribute  to  mildew. 

Shrubberies  (E.  C.  H.).— Loudon's  "  Villa  Gardener  "  may  suit  you  ; 
but  we  shall  have  some  bints  on  tho  subject  by  planting  time,  which 
would,  perhaps,  answer  your  purpose. 

Value  of  Camellias  (J.  P.).- We  could  not  say  without  seeing  the 
trees  what  the  value  would  be ;  but  if  good  specimens  and  kinds,  £5  each 
is  what  we  have  known  given  for  plants  of  the  size  of  those  you  name. 
Such  things,  however,  have  no  market  value  ;  tbe  price  obtainable  ia 
solely  dependant  on  the  disposition  and  means  of  the  purchaser,  and  the 
necessity  of  selling. 

WooDLicE  (A  Thankful  Onf).— The  insects  destroying  your  Fern  fronds 
are  woodlice.  Tbe  simplest  and  best  means  known  to  us  of  destroying 
them  is  to  put  a  boiled  potato,  lightly  wrapped  in  a  little  hay,  at  the  bottom 
of  a  small  flower  pot,  and  at  night  place  the  pot  on  its  side  near  their 
haunts,  and  in  tbe  morning  shake  out  the  woodlice.  which  will  remain 
by  the  potato  in  the  hay.  when  they  may  be  destroj-ed  by  shaking  them 
into  a  bucket  of  boiUng  water.  This  repeated  for  a  time  will  thin  their 
numbers  considerably.  If  you  could  pour  boiling  water  on  their  hiding 
places  that  would  be  a  speedy  method  of  destruction  ;  but  be  careful  not 
to  let  it  reach  the  roots  of  the  plants,  or  come  in  contact  with  tbe  foliage 
Tacsonia  Van-Volxemi  Pruning  (D.  ilf.).— Tbe  fruit  of  this  handsome 
climber  we  should  consider  eatable,  but  have  no  experience  of  it.  It 
may  be  pruned  to  any  extent,  the  best  plan  being  to  thin  out  the  shoots, 
and  cut  back  all  tbe  flowering  shoots  to  within  a  few  eyes  of  their  base, 


September  3,  1868.  ) 


JOURNAL   OF  HOBTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE  GABDENER. 


175 


leaving;  ennngh  of  tliis  year's  wood  to  furnish  flowering  shoota  for  next. 
The  shoots  m:iy  iiow  be  thinned,  imd  the  general  pruning  niny  take  place 
in  January.  Keep  the  plant  dry  at  the  root  in  winter,  and  diminish  the 
supply  of  water  now. 

Prizes  foie  British  Ferns  (Ex;i(6i'(or).— According  to  tho  wording  of 
the  schedule  wo  should  not  have  awarded  prizes  to  either  of  the  collfo- 
tions,  for  it  says  "  distinct  speciey,"  and  there  are  varietiea  in  buth. 
Apart  from  varieties,  which  you  ilo  not  specify,  wo  should  think  H.'s  col- 
lection the  rarest,  but  the  plants  in  M.'s,  if  rare  varieties,  ought  to  be 
placed  first.  IJ.'a  is  tho  best  in  species,  and  more  in  accordance  with  the 
schedule  than  M.'s;  hut  M.'s  variL-tifS  of  the  species  named  may  bo  rare, 
and,  if  aa  good  us  the  species,  are  better  than  B.'s. 

Vahiegated  Borecole  (J.  J.).— We  do  not  perceive  in  what  way  you 
have  treated  the  plant?^  wrony,  for  all  that  is  required  is  to  sow  the  seed 
in  April  in  an  open  situation,  to  prick-out  the  plants  when  large  enough 
to  handle,  and  when  of  sufticieut  size  to  plant  them  out  where  they  are 
to  remain,  allowing  2  feet  distance  between  the  plants  every  way.  The 
kind  of  PL'tid  f-nuld  not  be  right,  and  must  have  been  put  up  by  mistake, 
the  Greon  or  Purplo  being  sent  iu  place  of  the  Variegated,  which  comes 
true  from  seed.  Vour  plants  ought  by  this  time  to  have  shown  variegation. 
Scarlet  Kunner  Roots  Storing  versus  SEED■Sow^NG  (Idfm>.— Scarlet 
Runner  roots  may  bo  taken  up  in  autumn  before  frost,  or  after  slight 
frots,  and  bo  stored  in  dry  aand  iu  a  cellar  secure  from  froat.  The  roots, 
planted  in  the  end  of  April  or  beginning  of  May,  grow  well,  and  give 
pods  earlier  than  those  from  seed  ;  but  we  find  those  from  seed  give  the 
finest  pods  and  longest  continuance  of  crop,  and  on  that  account  prefer 
sowing  seed  t'l  keeping  the  roots  of  the  old  plants. 

Gatherinu  Everlasting  Flowers  (J.  A.).— They  should  ho  gathered 
or  cut  a  few  days  after  the  flower  is  fully  expanded,  but  not  until  the 
flower  stem  is  rather  stiff. 

Compost  for  Vine  Borders  (Tnquirer). —There  are  varions  opinions 
on  the  subject,  which  we  shall  shortly  note  more  fully,  but  hope  to  meet 
your  case  by  naming  an  excellent  compost  for  the  Vine.  The  bottom  of 
the  border  must  be  concreted,  or  the  roots  prevented  from  passing  below 
it  by  a  floor  of  flagstones,  or  bricks  or  tiles  run  in  cement.  There  must 
be  a  drain  to  carry  oflF  water  that  may  not  be  required  by  the  roots,  and 
which  would  remain  stagnant  iu  ihe  soil.  It  must  have  a  proper  fall 
and  outlet.  On  the  bottom  a  thickness  of  9  inches  of  stones,  brickbats, 
or  other  open  material  should  be  placed,  and  on  this  a  layer  of  turf, 
grass  side  downwards.  This  may  bo  said  to  be  the  foundation,  only  it  is 
desirable  to  have  the  border  quite  as  much  above  as  below  the  surround- 
ing ground  level,  and  to  have  a  wall  all  round  to  prevent  the  roots  escap- 
ing from  the  border,  or  other  roots  entering.  Then  put  in  the  following 
compost  fully  2  feet  6  inches  deep  :— Turf  from  an  old  pasture  where  the 
soil  is  a  good  light  rather  than  heavy  loam,  pared-ofT  2  or  3  inches  thick, 
according  to  its  strength  of  fibre,  aiid  cut  into  squares  of  about  6  inches, 
of  thisten  barrowfuls ;  place  it  in  a  heap,  to  which  add  two  barrowfuls 
of  lime  rubbish  from  an  old  building,  taking  care  to  pick  out  the  pieces 
of  timber,  ene  barrowful  of  gritstone  in  pieces  about  the  size  of  a  hen's 
egg,  one  barrowful  of  lump  charcoal,  one  barrowful  of  old  dry  bones, 
broken  by  beating  them  on  a  hard  substance  with  a  hammer,  one  bushel 
of  calcined  oyster  shells,  and  four  barrowfuls  of  sheep  droppings  from 
the  pens,  or  horse  droppings  free  of  straw.  Mix  all  the  materials  well 
together,  and  make  the  border  in  dry  weather.  Finish  off  with  a  layer 
of  turf  which  has  been  in  a  heap  for  six  months,  adding  to  it  one-tenth 
of  half-inch  bones,  and  well  mixed.  Your  Vines  wiU  astonish  your 
neighbours.  ' 

"Cottage  G.^rdeners'  Dictionary"  (Tdem).~lt  may  bo  had  post 
free  from  our  office  if  you  send  7-^.  in  stamps  with  your  address.  It  con- 
tains the  Supplement,  which  includes  the  plants  worthy  of  cultivation 
introduced  down  to  the  end  of  lbG7. 

Cutting-back  Oleanders  (J.  A.). — You  may  still  cut  the  plant  back  ; 
but  it  would  be  better  to  defer  doing  so  until  spring,  as  the  plant  would 
then  make  a  better  gro^rth,  and  you  will  have  an  opportunity  of  forming 
a  handsome  specimen.  The  cuttings  of  the  old  wood  will  strike  in  water, 
and  may  afterwards  be  potted.  They  will  stand  the  winter  in  a  green- 
house, hut  not  out  of  door.4.    Why  not  strike  them  in  soil  in  small  pots  ? 

Pine  Apples  (H.  R.).— We  should  advise  you  to  thin  out  the  plants, 
removing  every  alternate  one,  and  to  place  those  you  take  up  into  pots 
sufficiently  large  to  hold  the  roots.  Perhaps  you  could  take  out  every 
alternate  row,  which  will  answer  quite  as  well  as  removing  every  alternate 
plant.    We  would  remove  all  the  lower  leaves  as  far  up  the  stem  as  roots 


aro  being  emitted,  and  give  a  top-dressing  of  rich  compost,  so  as  to  cover 
the  stwrns  as  deeply  as  tbev  have  roots,  or  rather  about  1  inch  deeper  to 
allow  for  settling.  By  taking  out  every  alternate  row  or  plant  you  will 
afVord  room  to  those  left  in  the  pit.  and  they  will,  no  doubt,  bear  fruit 
next  summer,  and  finer  than  if  you  were  to  take  them  all  up  and  pot 
them.     Your  compost  is  good. 

Mammoth  Gocrd  (O.  (i.  Macrar;).—\Ve  have  grown  this  to  a  weight  of 
120  lbs.  The  fruit  is  edible,  and  may  be  used  as  a  Vegetable  Marrow,  or 
for  custards,  and  when  ripe  is  fully  as  good  in  flavour  as  a  large  coarse 
Melon. 

Climbers  for  West  and  NoRTn-^VEST  Walls  iW.S.Tt.^.—  Went  aspect  : 
Clematis  Jackmanni,  C.  Fortuni,  Aristolochia  sipho,  and  Jasmiumn  ofli- 
cinale  grandifiorum.  North■^^•eH  anpfct :  Jasminumnudifiorum,  CratOBgus 
pyracantha,  lierberis  Darwini,  and  Cotoneaster  Simmousi. 

Alternanthfra  AMa:NA  Propagation  (WfTH).— It  is  readily  increased 
by  cuttings,  which  may  be  put  in  now  in  sandy  soil,  with  an  inch  of  sand 
at  the  top  of  the  pots  or  pans.  The  cuttings  should  be  inserted  about 
an  inch  apart.  Select  those  with  three  joints  and  the  growing  point,  and 
insert  them  two-thirds  their  length  in  the  soil.  A  gentle  heal  is  neces- 
sary, or  a  hotbed  of  from  70'  to  75'.  You  may  take  up  some  of  the  old 
plants  and  winter  them  in  a  house  having  a  temperature  of  45',  and  these 
will  afford  you  plenty  of  cuttings  in  spring,  which  will  answer  for  bedding 
out  the  same  season,  if  growth  is  encouraged  and  they  are  hardened-ofi" 
well  before  planting  out. 

Strawberry  Culture  (H.  W.  B.).— "The  blackbirds  and  thrushes 
here  are  so  numerous  that  I  am  obliged  to  plant  Strawberries  closer  than 
I  should  otherwise  do,  to  save  netting.  All  mine  were  netted,  or  the 
birds  would  have  eaten  them  up,  as  they  did  my  Raspberries  and  Goose- 
berries. The  Strawberries  will  be  netted  next  year,  for  it  is  of  no  use 
arguing  with  hungry  stomachs.  I  suppose  my  Strawberry  plants  are  on 
an  average  18  inches  apart  every  way.  If  runners  are  planted  very  late  I 
put  them  in  9  inches  apart  for  the  first  year,  and  cut  out  every  alternate 
plant  and  row  after  cropping,  which  leaves  them  18  inches  apart  every 
way.  In  wot  cold  summers  they  cannot  be  too  far  apart,  and  in  such  a 
summer  as  wo  have  had  they  can  scarcely  be  too  close.  Dr.  Hogg  is  a 
splendid  grower,  and  fine  in  every  way.  No  strawberry  plants  could 
withstand  the  sun  more  triumphantly  than  Dr.  Hogg,  Lucas,  Rivers's 
Eliza,  and  Cockscomb.  I  should  not  consider  18  inches  of  loam  a  shallow 
soil.  Strawberries  like  free  drainage,  plenty  of  sun,  manure,  and  water. 
The  same  may  be  said  of  Roses.  The  horse,  cow,  or  pig  manure  may  be 
either  dug  in  and  well  mixed  with  the  soil  some  time  before  planting,  or 
they  may  be  put  on  as  a  top-dressing.  The  crowns  of  the  plants  should 
never  be  covered  with  anything.  The  manure  must  be  kept  level  with 
the  base  of  tho  plant,  or  the  crowns  will  be  bleached  and  softened.  I 
dress  my  worked  plants  closely  after  cropping,  as  they  must  make  new 
roots  to  supply  the  old  ones,  which  die  away  wholly  or  in  part.  This 
causes  them  to  make  new  deep  roots  at  once,  which  greatly  assist  them 
to  withstand  severe  winters.  Some  people  do  not  dress  the  beds  tiU 
March,  when  the  mischief  is  done.  Hence  they  have  an  abundance  of 
flowers,  but  an  abortive  crop.  Dress  closely  after  cropping,  and  cut  off 
the  runners.  Never  break  your  ground  (you  may  weed  with  a  Dutch  hoe), 
from  the  time  the  Strawberries  are  planted  till  you  break  them  up.  Mine 
are  now  dressed  with  calcareous  luam.  Put  on  guano,  soot,  or  blood 
manure  in  showery  weather  in  the  spring.  Be  careful  not  to  put  guano 
over  the  plants ;  they  will  in  that  ca^e  turn  as  yellow  as  a  cock  canary 
bird.  My  runners  were  mainly  planted  in  July,  and  are  strong.  Yoa 
may  hoe  round  fresh-planted  Strawberry  plants.  It  will  promote  growth. 
Do  not  hoe  deeply.— -W.  F.  RADCLYt  te." 

British  Ferns  (J.  B.).— It  is  impos.sible  to  answer  your  question  in  a 
satisfactory  manner  without  knowing  what  are  their  names. 

Names  of  Fruits  {J.  L,).— Apples:  1,  Alexander;  2,  Autumn  Pear- 
main;  3,  ManksCodlin;  4,  Keswick  Codlin  ;  5,  Flat  Nonpareil.  {W.  M. 
DnTUv).~Plum8  :  1,  Washington  ;  15,  Goliath  ;  6  and  16,  Victoria.  Pears  : 
7,  Baronne  de  Mello  ;  8,  Autumn  Bcrgamot ;  9,  Marie  Louise.  It  is  too 
early  in  the  season  to  name  Apples  and  Pears.  {J.  H.  Haddington). — 
Where  did  vou  obtain  the  Vine  V  The  Grapes  are  very  much  like  those 
of  Forbes's  Seedling,  so  far  as  we  can  judge  from  so  small  a  portion  of  a 
bunch.  ,  ,     , 

Names  of  Plants (Cicrmon/).— The  specimen  has  never  reached  us. 
If  you  will  send  another  we  will  name  it  if  it  is  determinable,  (if.  B.). 
Tritonia  aurea.  {J.  ii.l.— Lotus  cnrniculatus.  (J.  W.  K'.).~Cystopteria 
bulbifera.  (fi.  M ).— Diplacus  glutinosus.  {J.  W.  Sfran.fl/on/).— Rochea 
falcata  ;  propagated  by  means  of  its  leaves. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  September  Ist. 


Date. 

THERMOMETEB. 

Rain  In 
inohee. 

General  Remabss. 

BABOMETEa. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Wind. 

Max. 

Min. 

Max. 

Min. 

1  ft.  dp.  1  2  ft.  dp. 

Wed...  26 
Thurs.  27 
Fri.  ..  28 
Sat.  ..  29 
Son...  SO 
Mon...  81 
Taes. .    1 

Mean 

80.078 
80.019 
30.116 
30.177 
30.090 
80.066 
80.114 

29.995 
29.891 
30.093 
80.133 
30.078 
.30.026 
30.099 

67 
73 
66 
68 
74 
75 
77 

53 
45 
47 
47 
53 
44 
45 

63 
63 
03 
63 
61 
61 
63 

61 
61 
61 
61 
61 
61 
61 

S.W. 
N.W. 
S.W. 
X.W. 
S.W. 
W. 
W. 

.(5 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 

Clear  and  fine  ;  cloudy,  very  dull ;  slight  rain,  cloudy,  very  dark. 

Cloudy  ;  very  fine  ;  fine,  clear  starlight. 

Clear  and  fine  ;  cloudy  ;  fine,  verj-  clear. 

Fine,  densely  clouded;  cloudy  but  fine  at  night. 

Clear  and  fine  ;  cloudy  ;  very  fine,  clear  at  night. 

Cloudy  ;  heavy  clouds  ;  clear  and  fine. 

Clear  and  fine  ;  very  fine  ;  fine,  very  clear. 

80.096 

30.045 

78.57 

47.71 

61.71 

61.00 

•• 

0.05 

POULTRY,  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD   CHRONICLE. 

BATH  AND  WEST  OP  ENGLAND  SOCIETY  AND 

SOUTHEKN   COUNTIES   ASSOCIATION. 
Ah  amalgamation  having  been  effected  between  the  Bath 
and  West  of  England    Society  and  the   Southern   Counties 


Association,  a  special  general   meeting  of  members  was  held 
on  the  2.5th  ult.  at  the  Three  Choughs  Hotel,  Yeovil. 

Sir  ,1.  T.  B.  Duckworth,  Bart.,  as  Chairman  of  the  Amalga- 
mation Committee  appointed  by  the  annual  meeting  of  mem- 
bers of  the  Bath  and  West  of  Kugland  Society,  held  at  Falmouth 
on  the  Hrd  of  June  last,  moved  tliat  the  title  of  the  Amalgamated 
Societies  be  "  The  Bath  and  West  of  England  Society  (esta- 
blished 1777),    and   Southern    Counties   Association,  for  the 


176 


JOURNAL   OP    HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER.  t  September  3. 1B68. 


Encouragement  of  Agriculture,  Arts,  Manufactures,  and  Cona- 
merce."  A  code  of  laws  for  regulating  the  ailairs  of  the  Society 
was  accepted  ;  tnd  at  a  meeting  o(  the  CounL-il  held  on  the 
same  day  the  Stewards  and  officers  for  the  current  year  were 
nominated ;  and  a  letter  by  Mr.  Caleb  H.  Gater,  the  local 
Honorary  Secretary,  having  reference  to  the  Society's  Meeting 
at  Southampton  in  ISO'J,  was  read,  from  which  it  appeared  that 
the  authorities  of  the  London  and  South-Western  Kailway  have 
promised  the  Mayor  of  Southampton  to  give  the  fullest  railway 
accommodation  during  the  time  of  the  Meeting. 


HALIFAX  AND   CALDEU  VALE   POULTIIY 
SHOW. 

This  year's  Show  was  held  August  2Sth  and  29th,  in  the  Eiding 
School,  Halifax,  a  building  most  admirably  suited  for  the  purpose, 
and  the  general  anangements  were  most  satisfactory.  The  Show  of 
this  3"ear  ranks  among  the  best  that  have  been  held  in  thfi  northern 
counties.  The  entries  of  poultry  alone  were  upwards  of  500,  ami  of 
Pigeons  there  -were  above  200  pens.  Every  attention  that  could  be 
given  by  the  managers  was  ethciently  rendered,  and  we  may  justly 
say,  they  well  merited  the  success  they  have  attained.  The  attend- 
ance of  visitors  was  remarkably  good,  and  the  Show  seemed  moro 
attractive  than  customary.  Every  class  was  well  tilled  with  birds  ' 
from  the  first  breeders  in  the  kingdom.  The  Pigeons,  too,  were  superior 
to  any  yet  entered  in  the  district.  It  is  much  in  favour  of  this  Show, 
that  the  offer  of  silver  cups  was  unusually  great,  which,  considering 
the  great  number  of  poultry  shows  now  taking  place,  may  perhaps 
account  for  the  entries  being  so  numerous.  The  weather  j^roved  very 
favourable. 

Spanish,— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  J.  Thresh.  Bradford.  Third  and 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Marehant,  Halifax.  Chickens.— First,  J.  Smith, 
Keighley.  Second,  Miss  L.  M.  York,  Tadcastcr.  Third.  H.  Beldon. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  S.  Senior,  Dewsbory ;  W.  A.  Taylor,  Manche^er  ; 
P.  H.Jones,  Fulh.-im. 

Andalusians —First,  F.  Pittis,  jun.  Second,  A.  Tidswell,  Ovenden. 
Third,  M.  B.  Riley,  Ovenden.  C7ucfct7W.— First,  H.  S.avile,  Ollerton.  Se- 
cond, T.  Robertshaw,  jun  ,  Ovenden.  Tnird,  M.  B.  Kiley.  Commended, 
A.  Tidswell ;  W.A.  Burnell.  Southwell. 

Dorkings  —First.  Hon.  H.  W.  FitzwiUiam,  Wcntworth  Woodhouse. 
Second,  J.  White,  Warlaby.  Third  and  Highly  Commended,  H.  Savile. 
C/)(VAv7)s.— First,  H.  Pickres,  jun.,  Earby,  Skipton.  Second.  Hon.  H.  W. 
Fitzwilliam.  Third,  Rev.  J.  F.  Newton,  Kirby-in-Clevelaud.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  White,  Warlaby  ;  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam. 

Cocbin-China  (Ciunamon,  Buff,  or  Lemon). —First,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Se- 
cond, H.  Mapplebeck,  Moseley.  Third,  C.  Sidgwiek,  Ryddlesden  Hall, 
Keighley.  Highly  Commended,  H.  Beldon.  Chickens.— First  and  Second 
W.  A.  Taylor.  Third,  C.  sidgwick.  Highly  Commended,  Bo%vman  and 
Fearon,  Whitehaven;  C.  Sidgivick;  Rev.  C.  Spencer,  Attleborough  ;  W. 
A.  Burnell.  Southwell. 

Cochin-Chika  (Partridge).— First  and  Cup  ofiered  by  M.  Stocks,  Esq., 
for  bestptn  of  Spanish,  Andalusian,  Dorkings,  Cochin-China,  or  Brahma 
Pootra,  T.  Slretcb,  Ormskirk.  Second,  H.  Croasley,  Broomlield,  Halifax. 
Thiid,  C.  W.  Bricrley.  Chickcns.^Fim  and  Second,  J.  A.  Taylor.  Third, 
H.  Lingwood,  Bucklesham,  Woodbridge.  Highly  Commended,  J,  K. 
Fowler,  Aylesburj* ;  C.  Sidgwick. 

Cochin-China  (Any  other  variety).— First,  G.  &  C.  Furness,  Accring- 
ton.  Second,  L.  Biney,  Manchester.  Third.  A.  O.  Worthineton,  Burton- 
on-Trent-  Chickens.— First  and  Second,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Tiiird,  A.  O. 
TVorthington. 

Erahma-Pootra  (Light).  —  First,  A.  0.  Worthington.  Second  and 
Thii-d,  H.  Dowsett.  C/i/c/ce7is.— First  and  Second,  H.  M.  Maynard,  Ryde, 
Isle  of  Wight.  Third,  H.  Dowsett.  Highlv  Commended,  H.  Lacy, 
Hebden  Bridge  ;  W.  Wbitelcy,  Sheffield.  Commended,  H.  Savile  ;  H.  M. 
Maynard;  D.  Causer,  Erdinyton. 

Brahma  Pootra  (Dark).— First,  W.  Hargreaves,  Bacup.  Second,  E. 
Leech,  Rochdale.  Third,  K.  Jopp,  Aberdeen.  Highly  Commended,  A.  O. 
"Worthingtou.  Chickens. — Fii-st,  H.  Liugwood.  Second,  G.  Dixon,  jun., 
Whitehaven.  Third,  K.  Jopp.  Highly  Commended,  K.  Jopp  ;  Rev.  J.  F. 
Newton  ;  Mrs.  Seamons,  Hartwell,  Aylesbury  ;  H.  Beldon.  Commended, 
H.  Savile. 

Creve-Cceue.— First,  H.  Eeldon.  Second,  J.  K.  Fowler.  Third,  J.  C. 
Cooper,  Limerick.  Chickens.— Fii-at,  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam*  Second, 
J.  K.  Fowler.     Third,  W.  R.  Park,  Abbotsmcadow. 

HcoDANS.— First,  H.  M.  Mavnard.  Second,  W.  O.  Quibell,  Newark. 
Third,  F.B.Heald.  Whitemoor.  'Chickens.— Firat  and  Secou-i,  F.  B.  Heald. 
Third,  H.M.  Maynard.  Highly  Commended,  J.  C.  Cooper;  H.  M.  Maynard. 
Commended.  J.  C.  Cooper;  L.  Biney. 

La  Fleche.— First  and  Second,  J.  &  C.  Cooper.  Third,  J.  K.  Fowler. 
Chickens.— h'itat  and  Second,  J.  C.  Cooper.  Third,  W.  A.  Burnell.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  K.  Fowler. 

Game  (.\ny  colour).— Cor fc  —First,  Cup,  and  Second,  C.  W.  Erierley. 
Third,  J.  Fletcher,  Stoneclough,  near  Manchester.  Fourth,  W.  Boyes, 
Eeverlej'.  .Hen.— First  and  Cup,  J.  Barrow,  jun.,  Bradley  Field,  near 
Kendal.  Second,  J.  Pickles,  Banks,  Mytholmroyd.  Third,  S.  Matthew, 
Stowmarket.  Fourth,  L.  Biney.  Highly  Commended.  C.  W.  Brierley. 
Commended,  J.  Fletcher.  Cockerel.— Firat.  T.  Bottomley,  Shelf.  Second, 
S.  Greenwood.  Southowram.  Third.  C.  W.  Brierley.  Pullct.—Fiist,  S. 
Matthew.  Stowmarket.  Second,  T.  Dyson,  HaUfax.  Third,  J.  Hodgson, 
Whittington,  Burton.  Higblv  Commended,  G.  Dingley,  Shustoke,  near 
Coleshill ;  Fitton  &  Redman,  Hohnfield,  Ovenden.  Commended,  J.  Bow- 
ness,  Newchurch. 

Game  Bantams  (Black-breasted  Red).— First,  W.  Brierley.  Second,  L. 
Biney.  Third,  R.  Booth,  Hahfax.  Ch  i eke 7ts.— First,  H.  Jennings,  Aller- 
ton.  Second,  H.  Warner,  Loughborough.  Third,  S.  Greenwood,  Southow- 
ram. Highly  Commended,  E,  Tcder,  Little  Carlton,  near  Newark. 
Commended,  G.  Pounder,  Kirbv  Moorside. 
Game  (Bro«-n-breasted  or  other  Red).- First,  T.  Bottomley.    Second, 


Green  &  SutclJffe,  Queensbury.    Third,  J.  Fletcher.     Ckickem.— First 
and  tJecond,  J.  Speucer.  Queensbury.    Third,  J.  Carlisle,  Earby. 

Game  (Duckwiugs,  Greys,  and  Blues). — First.  W.  Boyes.  Second,  J. 
Aeki-oyd.  Third,  J."  Pickles.  Ckicke m.—Firf^t,  R.  B.  Riley.  Second,  J. 
Ean-ow,  jun.,  Kendal.  Third,  T.  Dyson,  H.ilifax.  Highly  Commended, 
W.  Bailey.  Scholes  ;  W.  Chadwick,  Halifax. 

Game  i  White  and  Pile).— First,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Seond,  R.  Butcher, 
Cresswell.  Third,  G.  A  C.  Furnes'',  Accriugton.  Clnekcni.—First,  3..  C. 
Mason.  Urighlington.  Second.  E.  Noble,  Halifax.  Third,  G.  &  C. 
Furness,  Accrington.     Commended,  S.Matthew,  Stowmarket. 

PoLANDS.— First  and  Third,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  J.  S.  Senior,  Dews- 
bury.  Highly  Commended,  P.  Unsworth,  Lowtun  ;  J.  Battye,  Holmfirth. 
Chickens. — First,  J.  S.  Senior.  Second  and  Third,  H.  Leldon.  Highly 
Commended.  J.  A.  Taylor  ;  J.  Battye. 

Hambcrghs  (Golden-pencilled).— First,  J.  R.  Jessop,  Hull.  Second 
and  Third,  H.  Beldon.  Highly  Commeuded,  J.  C.  Cooper.  Chickens. — 
First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  F.  Pittis,  jun.  Third,  Bowman  &  Fearon, 
Whitehaven.    Hignly  Commended,  W.  K.  Park;  S.  Smith. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-pencilled). — First  and  Second,  H.  Beldon.  Chickens. 
— First  and  Second,  H.  Beldon.  Third,  J.  ti.  Senior.  Highly  Com- 
mended, W.  &  J.  Bairstow. 

Hambdrghs  (Golden-spangled).- First,  J.  White,  Whiteley,  Netherton. 
Second.  E.  Erierley,  Heywood.  Third,  H.  Beldon.  Highly  Commended, 
A.  Bray.  Honley,  Huddersfield.  Chickens.— Firai  and  Cup.  offered  by  J, 
Tonge,  Est].,  for  best  pen  of  Hamburgh  fowls,  H.  Eelduu.  Second,  J. 
Learning,  Cowburn.  Third,  S.  &  R.  Ashtou,  Mottram.  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  Walker,  Knaresborough.  Commended,  J.  S.  Senior;  S. 
Smith. 

Hambcbghs  (Siller-spangled).- First  and  Second,  H.  Eeldon,  Chickens. 
—First,  W.  H.  Eentlcy.  Second,  J.  Leamiug.  Tliird.  T.  Robinson. 
Highly  Commended.  J.  Walker;  J.  S.  Senior;  U.  Beldon. 

Hadiburghs  (Black,  White,  or  any  other  variety,.— Fu-st,  C,  Sidgwick. 
Second,  S.  Shaw,  Stainlund.  Third.  H.  Eeldon.  Chickens.— First  and 
Tbird,  C.  Sidgwick.     Second,  H.  Beldon. 

Any  other  Distinct  Ekeed  Except  Bantams. — First,  J.  C.Cooper 
(Sultans).  Second,  J.  R.  Jessop,  Hull  (Negi'oes).  Tbird,  R.  Loft,  Wood- 
mansev  (Sultans).  Chickens. — First,  J.  K.  Fowler  i  Silkies).  Second,  R. 
Loft  (S'ultans).  Third.  T.  Ashworth,  Staufctield  (Sultans).  Highly  Com- 
mended, R.  Loft  (Sultans). 

Game  Bantam  Cock  (Any  colour). — First,  W.  F.  Entwisle,  Leeds.  Se- 
cond, G.  Noble.  Third,  L.  Biney.  Commended,  J.  J.  Cousins.  Chapel 
Allerton  :  W.  F.  Entwisle. 

Game  Bantams.  -First  and  Cup,  offered  by  J.  Crossley,  Esq.,  for  best 
Bantams  of  any  age  or  colour.  W.  F.  Entwisle  (Black  Red  Game).  Second, 
Rev.  G.  Raynor,  Tonbridge.  Third.  J.  R.  Robinson,  Sunderland.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Crossland,  jun. ;  R,  B.  Riley.  Commeuded,  J.  Lrossland. 
jun. 

Bantams  (Gold  or  Silver-laced). —First,  Ackroyd  &  Scott,  Sunderland. 
Second,  J.  S.  Senior.  Third,  H.  Draycott,  Humberatone.  Highly  Com- 
mended, T.  C.  Harrison. 

Bantams  (Anv  other  varietv).— First,  T.  Burgess,  Brighouse.  Second, 
H.  Draycott,  Third.  R.  B.  Riley.  Highly  Commeuded,  S.  &  R.  Ashton, 
Mottram.    Commended,  G.  A.  Crewe. 

Ducks  (Ayleabury).--First,  J,  K.  Fowler.  Second,  E.  Leech.  Third, 
Mrs.  SeamnQs.     Highlv  Commended,  Mrs.  Seamons  ;  J.  K.  Fowler. 

Ducks  (Rouen).— First  and  Cup,  offered  by  H.  A.  Ridgway,  Esq.,  for 
best  pen  of  Ducks,  J.  J.  Stott,  Rochdale.  Second  »nd  Third,  S.  ahaw, 
Stainland.     Higblv  Commended,  T.  Dean,  Keighley. 

DrcKS  (Anv  other  variety). — Urst,  R.  P.  Williams,  Glaslinn.  Clontarf, 

Dublin  (Ited  Shell).     Second  and  Third,  S.  thaw  (Bahama  and  Pintail). 

Highlv  Commended,  C.  W.  Erierley  (Teal  and  Pintail)  :  H.  Beldon  (Grey 

;  Callj;'R.  P.  Williams  (Bahama);  C.  N.  B.iker,  Chelsea  (Pintail).    Com- 

I  mended.  S.  &  R.  Ashton  (Cirolina) ;  T   C.  Harrison  iMimdarin). 

Geese.- First,  J.K.  Fowler.  Second.  Mrs.  Seamons.  Third,  E.  Leech. 
Highly  Commended.  J.  White,  Whitlev,  Netherton;  E.  Leech;  S.  H. 
Stott;  O.  A.  Young,  Driffield.  Goslings.— Fir&t  ami  Third,  S.  H.  Stott. 
Second,  J.  C-  Cooper.     Highly  Commended,  E.  Leech  ;  J.  K.  Fowler. 

Turkeys. —First,  E.  Leech.  Second,  H.  Merkin,  Drilfield.  Poults.— 
First  and  Second,  W.  Sandy,  Notts.  Thu-d,  E.  Leech.  Highly  Com- 
mended, S.  H.  Stott. 

Selling  Class.— First,  W.  A.  Taylor  (Spanish).  Second,  J.  Marehant 
Hahfax  (Spanishi.  Tiiird,  Rev.  C.  t-pencer  (Buff  Cochins).  Highly  Com- 
mended, H.  Beldon  (Spanish);  R.  Loft  (Sultans).  Commended,  H. 
Savile  (Brahma);  R.  P.  Williams  (Goldeu-spanglcd  Bantams;;  R.  B. 
Riley  (Turkeys). 

Extra. — Highly  Commeuded,  H.  Savile. 

PIGEONS. 

Pouters  or  Croppers. — First,  F.  Crossley,  Ellaud.  Second,  P.  H. 
Jones,  Fulham.    Third,  J.  Hawley,  Eingley. 

Carriers,— First  and  Third.  F.  Crossley.  Second,  T.  Colley,  Sheffield, 
Highly  Commended,  F.  Crossley  ;  J.  Crossland,  Huddersficld. 

Pouter  or  Cropper. — CocA.— First,  P.  H.  Jones.  Second,  and  Highly 
Commended.  F.  Crosslev.  Commended,  J.  Hawley.  Hen. — First,  J. 
Ha  -vley.  Second,  S.  Shaw.  Highly  Commeuded.  J.  Hawley  ;  F.  Crossley  ; 
P.  H.  Jones. 

Carrier.— Coct.— First  and  Second,  F.  Crossley.  Highly  Commended. 
F.  Crossley;  T.  Colley.  Hen.- First,  F.  Croasley,  Second,  J.  C.  Ord, 
Pimlico,  London.    Highly  Commended,  F.  Crosshy  ;  J.  C.  Ord. 

Tumblers  (Almond).- first,  F.  Key,  Beverley.  Second,  F.  Crossley. 
Highly  Commended,  P.  H.  Jones.    Commeuded,  J.  Hawley  ;  F.  Crossley. 

TcihiLERS  (Mottled).— First,  F.  Crossley.  Second,  J.  Hawley,  Highly 
Commended,  S.  Shaw. 

Balds  OR  Beards.— First  and  Second,  J.  Fielding. 

Owls.— First,  F.  Crossley.  Second,  P.  H.  Jones.  Highly  Commended, 
J.  Fielding,  jun. 

TuRBiTs.— First,  S.  Shaw,  Second,  J.  Hawley,  Highly  Commended, 
H.  Vardltv,  Eirmiugham. 

Jacobins.— First,  J.  Hawley.    Second,  S.  Shaw. 

Fantails.— First,  S.  Shaw,  Second,  G.  S.  Hall,  Ely.  Highly  Com- 
mended, F.  Crossley. 

Bakes.— First,  Capt.  Heaton,  Manchester.  Second,  P.  H.  Jones,  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Hawley. 

Dragoons.— First,  J.  Hawley.  Second,  F.  Graham.  Birkenhead. 
Highly  Commeuded,  F.  Crossley;  H.  M.  Maynard;  P.  H.  Jones;  8. 
mhaw ;  T.  Gaukroger,  Halifax. 


Soptcmbor  3,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OP    HOKTICiJLTURE   AND   COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


177 


TRDMPETEns.— First,  P.  TT.  Jonos.  Second,  J.  Hawley.  Highly  Com- 
meudod,  J.  Hnwloy  ;  F.  Cro«Mley. 

Maopies.— First,  P.  H.  Jouoa.  Second,  J.  Hawley.  Commendod,  H. 
Beldou. 

Any  o?irKU  Breep.— First,  S.  Shaw.  Second,  II.  Draycott.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Hawley;  H.  Yardlcv. 

Sellino  Class.— First,.!.  Hawlev.  Second,  P.  H.  Jones.  Highly  Com- 
mended, H.  liGldon  ;  F.  CrnSHlcy  ;  U.  M.  Miiynard  ;  P.  li.  Jones. 

Extra.— Hlgljly  Commended.  J.  Uawlev'(Trumpotor  and  Tumblers); 
J.  Fielding,  jiin.  (African  Owla). 

Mr.  Hewitt,  of  Birmingham,  and  Mr.  R.  Toebay,  of  FuUwood,  were 
the  Judges  for  ronlfn/:  and  Mr.  W.  B.  Tegetmeier,  of  Loudon,  for 
i'if/eoun. 

CLITIIEROE   POULTRY   SHOW. 

Not  a  doubt  can  exist  on  the  mind  of  any  reflective  amateur  thai 
poultry  exhibitions  are  mneh  injured  in  the  present  dny  by  so  many 
being  lield  simultaneously,  or  at  best,  ou  consecutive  days.  Thi3 
materially  lessens  the  number  of  entries,  and  wliere  valuable  birds  are 
shown  day  after  day  without  rest,  and  with  all  the  excitement  of  long 
railway  jonrnej's  they  are  much  injured,  and  not  nnfrequeutly  the 
result  is  their  complete  destruction.  Highly  bred  birds  cannot  endure 
this  continuous  fatigue,  without  almost  their  entire  value  being  loat  as 
breeding-stock,  and.  as  a  rule,  no  bird^  if  they  are  to  retain  a  tirst-rate 
condition  should  be  exhibited  ofteuer  than  once  a-fortni^ht. 

The  Clitheroe  Show,  held  Angnst  27th,  wai  undoubtedly  a  good  one, 
and  every  attention  was  given  to  the  management,  the  only  drawback 
being  heavy  scudding  showers  of  rain,  which  annoyed  the  sight-seers. 
The  Show  on  the  whole  went  off  very  well,  though  a  half-dozen  similar 
meetings  held  the  same  week  could  not  do  otherwise  than  limit  the 
entries. 

Game  (Black  and  other  Reds).— First,  C.  W.  Brierley,  Middleton.  Se- 
cond, J.  Cowgill,  Thornton,  Skiptou. 

Game  (Any  other  varietv).— Pir^t.  H.  M.  Julian,  Hull. 

Dop.KiNGS. —First.  E.  G.  Norris,  Cobhuni,  Surrey. 

Cochins  (Any  variety).— First,  W.  A.  Taylor  Manchester.  Second,  C. 
W.  Brierley.  Chi  eke  m.—Virst  Second,  and  Cup,  for  the  best  pen  of 
Chickens  in  the  Shnw,  W.  A.  Taylor. 

Spanish.— First.  W.  R.  Bull, 'Newport  Pagnell.  Second,  J.  Thresh, 
Bradford.  Highly  Commended,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Commended,  J.  C.  Wilson, 
Annan. 

Bratimas  (Dark).— First,  "W.  Hargreaves,  Bacup.  Second,  E.  Leach, 
Rochdale. 

Hauburgiis  (Gold  or  Silver-pencilled).— First,  H.  Beldon.  Goitstock. 
CliicUm.—FirsU  B.  Bee,  Bullsnape  Hull,  Goosnargh.     Second,  H.  Beldon. 

Hamudrohs  (Gold  or  Silver-spansled).— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  J. 
A.  Taylor.  Chickens.— First,  H.  Beldun.  Second,  J.  Berry,  Shalev  Wood, 
near  Holmfirth. 

Poi-ANDs  (Any  colour). — First  and  Cup,  fnr  best  cock  and  hen  of  any 
variety,  H.  Beldon.     Second,  Mrs.  E.  Procter,  Hull. 

Game  Bantams  (Any  colour).- First.  W.  F.  Eutwisle,  Leeds.  Second, 
J.  R.  Robinson.  Sunderland.    Highly  Commended,  L.Biney,  Manchester. 

BANTA3IS  (Any  other  variety!.— First.  W.  A.  Taylor.  Second.  H.  Savile, 
Rulford  Abbey,  near  OUertou  {White  Japanese  Silkies).  Commended,  T. 
C.  Harrison,  Hull. 

AN-y  OTHER  Variety.— First,  H.  Dowsett,  Pleshey,  Chelmsford  (Light 
Brahmas).  Second,  H.  Savile  (Andulusians).  Highly  Commended,  L. 
Biney  (Houdans), 

Selling  Class  (Any  variety). — First,  Rev.  W.  Cfillis.  Slaidburn,  near 
Clitheroe  (Dark  Brahmas).  Second.  J.  Preston,  Clitheroe  (Brown  Red 
Game).  Hij^bly  Commended,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Commended,  Rev.  W.  Cailis 
(Dark  Brahmas). 

Game. — Cockerel. — Cup  and  First,  for  best  single  cockerel,  T.  Sunder- 
land. Coley  Hall,  Halifax.  Second,  W.  Roberts,  Thorneybolme,  near 
BurnUy. 

Game  Bantams.— CocAvr^Z.—F-rst,  W.  F.  Entwisle,  Leeds.  Second, 
J.  J.  Cousins,  Alierton  Park,  near  Leeds. 

Any  other  VAniETV. — Cockerel. — First,  0.  Laj'land,  Grappeuhnll,  near 
Warrineton  (Dark  Brahmas).  Second,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Highly  Commended, 
H.  Beldon. 

Tdekeys.— First,  J.  Cunningham,  Blackburn.  Second,  E.  Leech, 
Rochdale. 

Geese.— First.  .T.  H.  Hubberstev,  Longridge.  Second,  E.  Leech,  Highly 
Commended,  S.  H.  Stott,  Rochdale;  J.  H.  hubberstey. 

Ducks  (Aylesbui-v). — First,  E.  Leech.  Second,  J.  Dean,  Nethertown, 
Whalley. 

Ducks  fRonen\— First,  E.  Leech.  Second,  T.  Wareing,  Preston.  Com- 
mended, J.  J.  Stott ;  T.  Houlker,  Revidge,  Blackburn. 

Ducks  (Any  other  viiriety).— First  and -^econd,  C.W.  Brierley  (Pintails 
and  Toalf.  Higbly  Commended,  W.  Yates,  Downham,  near  Clitheroe 
(Muscovy  ;  T.  C.  Harrison  (Carolina). 

PIGEONS. 

Carbiers.— First,  J.  Hawley,  Biugley.  Second,  H.  Yardley,  Cu-ming- 
ham. 

TasiBLERS.— First  and  Second,  J.  Hawley.  Highly  Commended,  E. 
Brown,  >heflBeld  ;   H.  Yardley. 

Barbs.— Fiist,  G.  Charnlcy,  Preston.  Second, E.  Brown.  Commended, 
H.  Yardley. 

Owls.— First,  T.  Newell,  Ashton-under-Lyne.    Second,  E.  Brown. 

Pouters  or  Croppers.— First,  E.  Brown.    Second,  H.  Yardley. 

Fantails.— First.  J.  Hawley.    Second,  H.  Yardley. 

TuRBiTs.— First.  H.  Yardley.    Second,  T.  Newell. 

Dragoons —First,  G.  Chamley.  Second,  J.  W.  Brade,  Blackbm-n. 
Highly  Commended,  H.  Yardley. 

Trumpeters.— First  and  Second.  J.  Hawley.    Commended,  H.  Yardlev. 

Any  other  Variety.— First  and  Second,  J.  Hawley.  Highly  Com- 
mended, H.  Yardley. 


Any  other  Variety. ^F'lTBt  and  Second,  W.  S.  Hornby  (Himalaya  Doe,  and 
Silver  Grey  Buck). 

The  Judges  wore  E.  Hewitt,  Esq.,  of  Birmingham,  and  1\.  Teebay, 

Esq.,  of  Preston. 


RABEiTS.-^iJfinis/i.— First,  A.  H.  Easton,  Hull.     Second,  W.  S.  Hornby, 
Clifton  Garth,  York.    Highly  Commended  and  Commended,  G.  Brown. 


ESTON  AND  N0R:MANBY  CANAEY  AND  PIGEON 
SHOW. 

Tnr.  seventh  annual  Show  was  held  in  Normanhy  Park,  on  the 
'25th  ult.,  by  permission  of  the  Itev,  W.  Ward  Jackson. 
CANARIES. 

Belgian  (Clear  Yellow).— First,  W.  Bulmor,  Stockton.      Second,  R. 
Kobsnn,  Middlesborough. 

Belgian    (BuflT).— First,  R.  Hawman,  Middlesborough.     Second,  W. 
Buhner. 

Belgian  (Variegated).— First,  W.  Bulmer.    Second,  R.  Hawman. 

Goldfinch  T^Icle.— Second,  J.  Driver,  Eston  Mines, 

Goldkinch  Mule  (Variegated).— First,  R.  Hawman.    Second,  J.  Robin* 
son,  Middles'jrrough. 

Linnet  Mule  f  Brown). — Prize,  J.  Mnnroe,  North  Ormesby. 

JoNQDE    (Norwich).— First,  T.    Armstrong,    Broiighton.      Second,    J. 
Stevens,  Middlesborough. 

Norwich  (Menly'. — First,  J.  Stevens.    Second.  R.  Hawman. 

Lizard  (Gold).— First,  R.  Hawmnn.     Second,  W.  Lowes,  South  Eston. 

Lizaud  (Silver). — First  and  Second,  R,  Hawman. 

Crested  (Buffy.- First,  W.  Bulmer.    Second,  J.  Munroe. 

Dun  (Cinnamon).— Prize,  W.  Buhner. 

Dun  (Buff).— Prize,  C.  Burnister,  Tunstall. 

Dun  (Variegated).— Prize,  J.  Stevens. 

Common  (Yellow).— Prize,  J.  Stevens. 

CojraioN    (Buff;.— First,  J.  Wood,  South  Eston.     Second,  J.  Barker, 
Normanby. 

Common  (Variegated).- First,  R.  Hawman.    Second,  W.  Bulmor. 

Goldfinch  (Moulted). — Prize,  F.  Leach,  Middlesborouch. 

Linnet  (Moulted  Brown).— First,  W.  Burnister.    Second,  W.  Bulmer. 

Thrush.— Prize,  C.  Burnister. 

Best    Cage    of    Twelve   Birds.— First,   R.    Hawman,     Second,  G. 
Fawcett,  California. 

Best    Cage   of    Six   Birds. — First,  G.  Fawcett.      Second,  R.  Leng, 
Guisborough. 

Common  (Green). — Prize,  W.  Smith,  Normanby. 

Special  Prize  (Dark  Goldfinch  Mule).— Prize,  F.  Leech. 
PIGEONS. 

Carriers. — First,  H.  Yardley,  Birmingham.  Second,  J.  Hawley, Biugley. 

Fantails.— First,  H.  Yardley.    Second,  T.  C.  Taylor,  Middlesborough, 

Tureits.— First  and  Second,  F.  Leach. 

Tumrlers  I  Short-faced).— First,  H.  Yardley.    Second.  J.  Robinson. 

Jacobins.— Firbt,  F.  Leach.    Second,  W.  R.  &  H.  O.  Blenkinsop,  New- 
castle. 

Eakbs. — First.  J.  Hawley.    Second,  W.  Imeson,  Middlesborough. 

Owls.— First,  T.  C.  Taylor,  Middlesborough.    Second,  H.  Yardley. 

Truupeteis.— First  and  >econrl,  J.  Hawley. 

Any  other  Variety. — First,  W.  Imeson.    Second,  J.  Hawley, 

Pouters.— Firit.  J.  Hawley.    Second.  H.  Yardley. 

Nuns.— First,  F.  Leach.    Second,  T.  C.  Taylor. 

Magpies. — First,  F.  Leach.    Second.  W.  Imeson. 

Tumblers  (Any  variety). — First,  J.  Hawley.     Second,  J.  Robinson. 


Rabbits. — Lop-cars. — First,  J.  Jowsey,  Middlesborough.      Second,  J. 
Buuyan,  Eston  Mines.    Himalayas. — Second,  A.  Keith,  Normanby. 

The  Judges  were  : — For  Canaries,  Mr.  Calvert,  York ;  for  Pigeons^ 
Mr.  A.  Cattle,  York ;  for  Jiabbits,  Dr.  Simpson,  Middlesborongh. 


DRIGHLTNGTON   POULTRY   SHOW. 

This  took  place  August  29th.  and  in  some  classes  there  was  a  fair 
amount  of  competition.  Spmni^k  and  Gmne  were  somewhat  numeroua 
for  a  local  Show.  Hainhinv/Jis  were  few  in  number,  but  the  majoritj 
good  in  quality.  In  the  Silver-spangled  we  noticed  the  first  prize 
ticket  over  a  pen  containing  a  hen-feathered  cock,  which  the  Judge  in 
admiring  the  spangling  had  evidently  overlooked.  There  was  a  very 
numerous  attendance  of  visitors  during  the  day. 

The  following  is  the  prize  list : — 

Spanish. -First,  T.  C.  Newbitt,  Epworth.     Second,  J.  Thresh  Bradford. 

Cochin-china.— First,  G.  T.  Bedford,  Gildersome.  Second,  D.Rendcr, 
Wire  Hall,  Adwalton. 

Game  (Black-breasted  or  other  Reds).— First,  W.  Fell,  Adwalton.  Se- 
cond, H.  C.  &  W.  J.  Mason,  Adwalton. 

Greys  and  Blues  (Duckwings  and  others).— First,  J.  Hodgson,  Bowling. 
Second,  J.  Fell,  Adwalton. 

Game  (White  or  Pile).— First,  R.  Turner,  Drighlington.  Second,  H.  C. 
and  W.  J.  Mason,  Adwalton.  Highly  Commended,  W.  Walker,  Drub 
Lane,  Gomersal. 

Game  (Black  or  Brassy-winged).- Prize,  J.  Fell,  jun.,  Adwalton. 

Hamedrghs  (Golden-spangled).— First,  D.  Render.  Second;  T.  C.  &  E. 
Newbctt.  Epworth 

Hamburghs  (Silver-spangled).— First,  G.  T.  Bedford.  Second,  J. 
Preston,  Alierton. 

HAMiJuncns  (Golden-pencilled).— First  and  Highly  Commended,  F. 
Perrin,  Leeds.    Secord.  J.  Preston. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-pencilied).— First,  F.  Perrin.    Second,  J.  Preston; 

Polish.— Fir.st,  J.  ThroRh.     Second.  F.  Perrin. 

Any  Distinct  Breed  not  before  Mentioned.— First,  J.  Preston.  Se- 
cond, H.  Snowdon.  Drighlington. 

Game  Bantams.— First.  D.  W.  Ingham,  Wortley.  Second.  W,  E, 
Entwisle.     Highly  Commended,  W.  E.  Entwisle  ;  H.  C.  &  W.  J.  Mason. 

Bantams  (Any* other  variety). — First,  J.  H.  Wilkinson,  Bradford.  Se» 
cond,  S.  Rhodes,  Wyke  (Black  Bantams). 

Turkeys.— -FirstjJ.  Saville,  Oakwell  Hall.    Second,  W.  Euttrey. 


178 


JOURNAL  OP  HOETICULTDEE  AND  COTTAGK   GAEDENEB.  r  September  s,  isea 


Guint:a  Fowls.— Prize,  W.  Bottrey,  Gildersome. 

Geese  (Any  breed).— First,  J.  Ward,  Drighlington.  Second,  W.Brown, 
Drighlin(;rtoD. 

DucKB  (Ayleebury).- First,  J.  W.  WiUiinsoTi.  Second,  S.  Clarke, 
Adwalton. 

Docks  (Rouen).— First  and  Second,  J.  Ward. 

Any  Breed.— First,  W.  Fell.    Second,  J.  Thresh.    Third,  T,  Suddick. 

PIGEONS. 

Carriers.— Prize,  H.  O.  Steele,  Gomersal. 

Pouters.— First,  J:  T.  Lishman,  Girlington,  Bradford.  Second,  T.  C. 
and  E.  Newbitt. 

Tdmblerb  (Almond).— First,  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt.  Second,  J.  T.  Lish- 
man. 

ToMBLERS  (Any  other  variety).— First,  D.  W.  Ingham  (Short-faced). 
Second,  J.  T.  Lishman. 

Barbs.— Prize,  J.  T.  Lishman. 

Owrs.— First,  J.  Thresh.    Second,  J.  T.  Lishman, 

TuRBiTS.— First.  J.  T.  Lishman.    Second,  B.  Lister,  Birkenshaw. 

Fam TAILS.— First  and  Second,  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt. 

Jacobilb.— First,  J.  T.  Liebman.     Second,  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt. 

Trumpeters.- First,  J.  T.  Lishman.    Second,  J.  Thresh. 

Any  other  Variety.— First,  J.  T.  Lishman.  Second,  T.  C.  &  E. 
Newbitt. 

Judges.— Mr.  E.  Hutton,  Padsey,  and  J.  W.  Thompson,  South- 
owram. 


Barbs.— First  and  Second,  E.  Homer.  Third,  J.  Fieldlog.  Highly 
Commended,  E.  Horner;  H.  M.  Maynard. 

Jacobins.— First  and  Third.  E.  Horner.    Second,  J.  Wade,  Ovenden. 

Owls.— First,  Second,  and  Third.  J.  Fielding. 

Trumpeters.— First,  Second,  and  Third,  E.  Homer. 

Fantails.— First  and  Se-^ond,  E.  Horner.    Third,  A.  Crosbie,  Melrose. 

TcRBiTs.— First  and  Third,  E.  Homer.  Second,  J.  T.  Lishman, 
Girlington,  Bradford. 

Dragoons.— First.  Second,  and  Highly  Commended,  E.Horner.  Third, 
H.  Stanhope,  Eccleshill,  near  Leeds.    Commended,  T.  Ashbumer. 

Antwerps.— First.  E.  Horner.  Second,  T.  Statter,  Hull.  Third,  R. 
Autherson,  Stockport.  Very  Highly  Commended,  H.  Yardley.  Highly 
Commended,  T.  Lister.     Commended,  E.  Horner;  W.  Lund. 

Any  other  Variety.- First.  Second,  and  Third,  E.  Horner  fRed  Nuns, 
Black  Swallows,  and  Yellow  Magpies).  Highly  Commended,  J.  T.  Lish- 
man (Helmets);  H.  Yardley  (Main  Pigeonsi. 

Selling  Class.- First,  E.  Horner.  Second.  R.  Autherson.  Third,  H. 
Yardley.    Highly  Commended,  W.  Lund  ;  T.  Ashbnrner. 

The  Judges  were  for  Poultry:  Edward  Hewitt,  Esq.,  of  Spark- 
brook,  Birmingham ;  and  H.  Eedpatb,  Esq.,  of  Manchester,  for 
PigeonsojxA  Cage  Birds. 


BINGLEY  POULTRY   SHOW. 

This  Show  took  place  on  the  26th  ult.,  and  proved  most  excellent. 
It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  scarcely  a  single  indifferent  pen  of  either 
poultry  or  Pigeons  could  be  found,  even  after  the  most  careful  in- 
spection. Under  the  very  able  management  of  that  well-known 
amateur  Mr.  Beldon,  even,*thing  connected  with  the  Show  was  con- 
ducted with  the  greatest  regularity  and  order,  and  that  gentleman 
declined  altogether  entering  even  a  single  pen,  in  order  to  give  a 
chance  to  less  extensive  poultry  breeders.  The  Show  was  unusually 
well  attended,  and  the  streets  throughout  Bingley  were  decorated  with 
banners,  evergreens,  &c. 

It  is  almost  needless  to  add,  that  nothing  could  exceed  the  atten- 
tion paid  to  all  the  birds,  so  long  as  they  remained  on  the  spot,  and 
that  they  were  punctually  returned. 

Game  Cockerel. — First,  H.  Jennings,  Allerton.  Second,  J.  Carlyle, 
Earby,  near  Skipton. 

Game  (Black-breasted  or  other  Reds).- First,  J.  Carlyle.    Second,  J, 
Driver,  Allerton.    Third,  W.  Spencer,  Haworth.    Highly  "Commended,  H.  [ 
Jennings.    Commendftd,  W.  Clough,  Earby.  I 

Game  (Any  other  variety). — First,  W.  Fell,  Adwalton.  Second,  J,  , 
Hodgson,  Bradford. 

Spanish.— First,  J.  Thresh,  Bradford.    Second,  J,  Newton,   Silsden, 
Leeds.     Third,  E.  Brown,  Sheffield. 
Dorkings. — First,  T.  Brideo,  Earby.    Second,  H.  Pickles,  Earby. 
Cochins. — First,  R.  E.  Brown,  Wass,  Oswaldkiik.   Second,  C.  Sidgwick, 
Ryddlesden    Hall,    Keighley.     Third,    Rev.    C.    Spencer,   Attleborough. 
Highly  Commended,  C.  Sidywick. 

Brahmas, — First,  E.  Leech,  Rochdale.  Second.  M.  Scott,  Cote.  Idle. 
Third,  E.  Ryder,  Harrytown,  Stockport.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Wads- 
worth,  Keit^hley. 

Eamburghs  (Golden-pencilled). — First,  W.  &  J.  Harker,  Allerton.  Se- 
cond, W.  CoUier.  Dubb.  Bindley.  Third,  J.  Smith.  Nortbowrani.  Highly 
Commended.  F.  Perrin,  Killiiigbeck,  Leeds.  Commended,  W.  Collier; 
H.  W.  lUingworth,  Idle  ;  H.  Pickles  ;  J.  Anderson,  Gilstead,  near  Bingley. 
HAimuRGHS  (Silver-pencilled).  —  First,  W.  Pitts,  Fearnchffe,  near 
Bingley.  Second,  T.  ilanson,  Thwaites  Bank,  near  Keighley.  Third,  H. 
Pickles.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Maude,  jun.  Commended,  W,  &  T. 
Foulds,  Bingley. 

Hamburghs  (Golden-spangled).— First,  W.  Driver.  Bank  House,  Keigh- 
ley. Second,  J.  Fortune,  Morton  Banks.   Third,  A.  Driver,  Morton  Banks. 
Hamburghs   (Silver-spangled). — First,   W.    H.   Bentley.    Hipperholme. 
Second,  H.  Pickles.    Third,  T.  Robinson,  Baildon,  near  Leeds.    Highly 
Commended,  T.  Blakey,  Silsden. 

Hamburghs  (Black).— First,  S.  Butterfield.  Second,  C.  Sidgwick. 
Third,  T.  Fawcett,  jun  ,  Northgate,  Baildon.  Highly  Commended,  C. 
Sidgwick.     Commended.  .1.  Bradley,  Harden,  near  Bingley. 

Game  Bantams.— First  Rnd  Second,  W.  F.  Entwisle.  Third,  J,  Lund, 
Silsden.     Commended,  O.  A:  J.  Heatou,  Height,  near  Bingley. 

Bantams  (Any  other  variety).— First,  M.  Tattersall,  Shipley.  Second, 
W,  H.  Robinson,  Long  Lee,  Keighley.  Third,  W.  Brotherton,  Idle,  near 
I^eds. 

IAny  other  Breed.— First,  J.  Bowker,  Keighley.  Second,  L.  Biney, 
Manchester  (Houdans).  Third,  R.  Draper,  Seaham  (Malays).  Com- 
mended, T.  &  E.  Comber,  Middleton  Hall  (Silver  Polands). 

Selling  Class.— First,  J.  Thresh  (Black  Spanish).  Second,  J.  Berry, 
Silsden.  Third,  H.  Wilkinson.  Highly  Commended,  W.  Johnson,  Idle 
Game). 

Ducks  (Aylesbury  or  Rouen)  —First.  E.  Leech.  Second,  E.  G.  Norris, 
Cobham,  Silrrev.    Third,  W,  Haigh,  Bingley. 

Amy  other  VARiETr.— Fii-st  and  Second,  Withheld.  Third,  T.  E. 
Terry,  Tong. 

PIGEONS. 
Pouter.— Cocit.— First  and  Second,  E.  Homer,  Harewood,  near  Leeds, 
Third,  J.   A.  Naylor,  Batwick-in-Elmet.    ifen.— First   and    Second,  E, 
Homer.    Third,  W.  Cannan.  Bradford. 

Carrier.— C^offc.— First,  E.  Horner.  Second,  H.  M.  Maynard,  Ryde, 
Isle  of  Wight.  Third,  E  Horner,  ^en.— First  and  Third,  E.  Horner. 
Second,  H.  M.  Maynard. 

Tumblers  (Almond).— First,  E.  Horner.  Second,  F.  Key,  Beverley. 
Third,  J.  Fielding,  Rochdale.  Highly  Commended,  E.  Homer  ;  T.  Rule, 
Durham. 

Balds,  Beards,  or  Mottled  Tumblers.— First  and  Second,  E.  Homer. 
Third,  J.  Lister,  Keighley-     Commended,  W.  Lund. 

Tumblers  (Any  other  variety).- First,  E.  Homer.  Second,  J.  Fielding. 
Third,  T.  jRule  (Yellow).  Highly  Commended,  E.  Homerj  T.  Ashbumer, 
Dalton-in-Famess  (Black). 


UTTOXETER   POULTRY  SHOW. 

The  Uttoxeter  Poultry  Society,  under  the  care  of  its  present 
energetic  Committee,  bids  fair  to  become  permanent  and  decidedly 
successful.  At  the  exhibition  of  August  2oth  the  entries  were  nearly 
ninety  in  number,  and  included  many  pens  of  poultry  sent  by  well 
known  exhibitors.  Mr.  Dixon,  of  Bradford,  doubtless,  found  his  well 
known  abilities  as  Judge  somewhat  put  to  the  test  by  the  Brahma 
Pootra  chickens,  each  pen  being  so  good.  We  understand  the  Com- 
mittee have  great  hopes  of  increasing  their  prizes  for  a  coming  year. 

Spanish. — First,  J.  Stephens,  Walsall.    Second,  J.  Mansell,  Longton. 

Dorkings  (Any  variety). — First  and  Second,  Mrs.  Arkwright,  Etwall 
Hall,  Derby.     Chickcnn  — First  and  Second,  Mrs.  Arkwright. 

Cochin-Chtna.— First,  J.  Stephens,  Walsall.  Second,  S.  Sambrooke, 
Warwick.  Highly  Commended,  A.  O.  Worthingtou,  Newton  Park, 
Burton-on-Trent.  Chickens. — First,  G.  A.  Crewe,  Etwall  Hall,  Derby. 
Second,  A.  O.  Worthington. 

Game  (Black  or  Brown-breasted). — First,  G.  Bagnall.  Draycott,  Cheadle 
(Black  Red).  Second.  W.  S.  Bagshaw,  Uttoxeter.  Highly  Commended, 
J.  Bakewell,  jun.,  Sudbury  (Black  Reds). 

Game  (Any  other  Variety).— Prize,  Duke  of  Sutherland,  Trentham 
(Duckwings).  Chickens.  —  First,  —  Walwyn,  Doveridge.  Second.  G. 
Bagnall,  Draycott.  Cheadle  (Black  Reds).  Highly  Commended,  J.  Bake- 
well,  Sudbury  (Black  Reds).  Commended,  W.  S.  Bagshaw  (Red)  ;  E. 
Bell,  Burton-on-Trent. 

Hamburghs  (Golden  or  Silver-pencilled).- First,  Duke  of  Sutherland, 
Second,  F.  D.  Mort.  Stafford,  Chicke7is.—Fiisi,  Duke  of  Sutherland. 
Second  and  Highly  Commended,  F.  D.  Mort. 

Hajiiecrghs  (Golden  or  Silver-spangled). — First,  T.  Bolton,  Handford. 
near  Stoke.  Second,  J.  Laming,  Cowburn,  Spalding.  Chickens.— First, 
Duke  of  Sutherland.     Second,  H   Bngshaw. 

Brahma  Pootra.— First,  A.  O.  Worthington.  Second,  W.  B.  Etches, 
Whitchurch,  Salop.  Commended,  H.  Chawner,  jun.  Oiickens. — First, 
Rev.  E.  Alder.  Derl)y.  Extra,  Mrs.  Walker.  Second,  H.  Chawner.  Highly 
Commended, Rev.  E.  Alder;  Mrs.  Walker. 

Single  Brahma  Pootra. — Highly  Commended,  A.  Worthington. 

Bantams  (Any  variety). — First,  J.  Adkins,  jun.,  Walsall.  Second,  Mrs. 
Arkwright  (Black),    Commended,  H.  Bailey,  Longton  (Black  Red). 

Extra. — Second,  —  Brassington,  Highwood,  Uttoxeter  (Black  Ham- 
burghs). 

Ducks  (Aylesbury).— First,  A.  O.  Worthington.  Second,  T.  Waring, 
Sudbury,  Derby,  ilighly  Commended,  T.  Waring.  Commended,  G.  A. 
Crewe  ;  H.  Chawner.  jun. 

Ducks  (Rouen). — First,  G.  Bagnall.  Second,  F.  Richardson,  Bramshall. 
Highly  Commended,  G.  Bagnall.  Commended,  A.  O.  Worthington;  H. 
Chawner,  jun. 

Geese.— First.  G.  A.  Crewe.    Second.  F.  E.  Richardson. 

TuitKEYS, — First  and  Second,  F.  E.  Richardson  (Cambridge). 

Guinea  Fowls.— First,  Withheld.  Second,  H.  Chawner.  Extra  Se- 
cond, —  Walwj-n.  Doveridge. 

Pigeons  (Any  colour).— Hoiscvu^n. — First,  J.  Bailey,  Uttoxeter.  Second, 
W.  Brassington.  Tumblers  (Any  variety).— First,"  A.  Boote,  Burslem 
(Almond).  Second.  H.  Chawner,  jun.  Carri<;rs.— First,  H.  Chawner,  jun. 
Second,  A.  Boote  (White  Dragoon). 

Rabbits  — First,  G.  Smith,  Uttoxeter.  Second,  E.  Brown,  Bagshaw 
Highly  Commended,  F.  Harper,  Uttoxeter. 


ULVERSTON  POULTRY  SHOW. 

This  Show,  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  Koyal  North  Lancashire 
Agricnlt  took  place  on  the  'loth  and  '26th   of  Augnst. 

There  were  ahont  iiO  entries.  The  weather,  unfortunately,  was  very 
unfavourable. 

Dorkings  (Grey).— First,  C.  W.  Brierlcy,  Middleton,  near  Mpnchester. 
Second,  J.  Eobinson,  Garstang.  Chicken.i.— First,  J.  Robinson.  Second, 
Mrs.  M.  scamons.  Highly  Commendeii,  Gunson  and  Jefferson  ;  S.  Burn. 
Commended,  W.  Fox,  St.  Bees,  Cnmbcrland. 

Dorkings  (White).— First  and  Second,  J.  Robinson.  Chickens.— First, 
J.  Robinson.    Second,  J.  Ormandy,  Gleaston  Castle,  near  TJlvcrston. 

Single  Dorking  Cock  (any  coiour).— First,  Hall  &  Parkinson,  Great 
Eccleston  (Grev).    Second,  H.  Beldon,  Goitstock,  Bins?ley. 

Brahma  Pootka  (Any  colour).— First,  E.  Leech,  Rochdale.  Second, 
H.  Beldon.  ,     ^ 

Spanish.— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  J.  Thresh,  Bradford.  Com- 
mended, B.  Bee,  Goosnargh.  C/i  ii-fci-M.— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second, 
Bowman  &  Fearon.    Highly  Commended.  J.  Leeming. 

Game  (Any  colour).  —  First,  C.  W.  Bricrley.  Second,  'n  .  Bnulton, 
Dalton-in-Furaess.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Poole,  Ulverston.    Chickens. 


September  3,  1868.  ] 


JOUBNAL   OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


179 


~First,  W.  Boulton.  Second.  L.  CassoD,  Ulverstou  (Black  Red).  Highly 
Comraendoa,  .t.  Poole  (Blaok  Redi;  W.  Boulton;  W.  &  T.  Robinson 
(Brown  Ri'il);  U.  Martin,  Ulvt-raton. 

Single  Game  Cock  (Any  colour).— First,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Second, 
W.  &  T.  RobiuBOU,  Ulvorston  (Brown  Red).  HiKbly  Coniiuendrd,  J. 
FIet«her,  Stuneclougb,  ucnr  Miiuclio-itcr  (Black  Red)  ;  E.  O.  MclUng, 
Preston. 

Cochin-China.— First,  C.  Sid-^'wirk,  Hiddlesden  Hiill.Keigliley.  Scruud, 
H.  Beldon.  Higbly  CommtMidfil,  J,  r.ii>In  (Purtrid^'e).  Coniniendud,  J- 
P#ole(Buff);  E.J.  Scliollick,  riverston  (Wiiite).  Chickens. —  FirnU 
and  Second.C.  SidRwick.  Hij-hly  t'iiiunifndod,  E. .(.  Scbollick  ;  J.  Robin- 
son.    Commended,  liuwnian  iV  Kt!iirt)n  (B"lT). 

Hamdi'rohs  (Golden-pfiicillcdK— First,  H,  Beldon.  Second,  J.  Robin- 
son. Highly  Commended,  B.  Bue.  Coainicuded,  Bowman  &  Fearon. 
Chiekens.—'Flrt't,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  B.  Beo.  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Robinson.    Ccuinu'iulcd,  B.  Beo. 

Hamborghs  iSilvcr-i)fncilledj.— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  J.  Robin- 
son.    Chirhi'ii.t.--VirHt,  H.  Beldon,     Second,  J.  Kol'inson. 

Hamburghs  iGolden-apangled).  — Firat,  J.  Robinson.  Second,  H. 
Beldon.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Wareing,  l*reston.  Ckickem.—FiTat, 
H.  Beldon.     Second,  J.  Robinson. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-j-pangled). — First,  H.  Bcldpn.  Second,  J.  Robin- 
son. Highly  Commended,  J.  Leeming,  Brougbton,  Preston.  Chickens. — 
First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  J.  Robin-son.  Commended,  T.  Bellman, 
Ulverston. 

PoLANDs. — First  and  Second,  H.  Beldon.  Highly  Commended,  G.  W- 
Bootliby,  Louth,  Lincolnshire.  Chickens. — First  and  Second,  H.  Beldon* 
Higlily  Commended,  G.  W.  Boothby. 

Bantams  (Any  colour).— Firnt,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Second,  W.  Boulton. 
Chickens. — First,  B.  Bee.  Second.  J.  Poulo  (Duckwing  Game).  Highly 
Commended,  W.  F.  Entwlsle,  Leeds  iGame).  Commended,  \V.  Boulton  ; 
B.  Bee. 

CftiivE-CtEun. -First,  M.  Wilkin,  Bootlo  Rectory,  Holbom  Hill,  Cumber- 
land. Second,  H.  Beldon.  Highly  Commended,  W.  R.  Charnley, 
Ulverston. 

Houdass.— First  and  Second,  'M.  Wilkin. 

Geese.— First.  Mrs.  M.  Seamons,  Hartwell,  Aylesbury  (White).  Second, 
E.  Leech.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Houlker,  Blackburn.  Goalings. — 
First,  E.  Leech,  Rochdale.  Second,  T.  Houlker  (Grey).  Highly  Com- 
mended, Mrs.  M.  Seamons. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury). —  First,  Mr.s.  il.  Seamons.  Second,  E.  Leech. 
Ducklings. — First,  E.  Leech.  Second  and  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  M. 
S«amons. 

Ducks  (Rouen). — First,  E.  Leech.  Second,  Gunson  &  Jefferson,  White- 
haven. Highly  Commended.  W.  &  T.  Robinson,  Ulverston  ;  T.  Houlker. 
Dticfklitiijs. — First.  J.  J.  Waller,  Keudal.  Second,  J.  Robinson,  Garstaug. 
Highly  Commended,  T.  Houlk.-v. 

Labrador.— Prize,  S.  Bum,  Whitl'V. 

Any  other  Variety.- First  and  Second,  C.  W.  Brierley  (Teal  and 
Pintail). 

Turkeys.- First,  E.  Leech.  Second,  T.  Houlker.  Pouif*.— First,  E. 
Ryder,  Hanytown,  Stockport  (Cambiidge).    Second,  E.  Leech. 

ExTR.\.— Highly  Commended,  M.  WilUin  (Padue  Chamois,. 

The  Judges  were  Mr.  R.  Teebay,  and  Mr.  Hindsou. 


CRAVEN  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY'S  POULTRY 
SHOW. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  the  awards  made  to  the  exliibitorg 
at  this  Sliovv.  held  at  Skipton,  August  'ISth.  AVe  must  defer  remarlrs 
on  the  birds  tshown  till  next  week. 

Dorking  (.\.ny  colour).— First,  H.  Pickles,  jun.Earby.  Second,  T.  Briden, 
Earby.  Highly  Commended,  U.  Beldon,  Uoitstock,  "Bingley.  Chickens.— 
First.  T.  Biiilen.     Seeuud,  H.  Pickles,  jnn. 

Spanish  (Black).— First,  T,  C.  &  K.  Newbitt,  Epworth,  Lincolnshiro.  Sf  cond, 
J.  Newton,  ^ilsden.  Highly  Cummendfd,  J.  Newton;  J.  Thresh.  Bradford. 
Chickim.—Fivst,  J.  Ihresh.  becond,  H.  Wilkinsuu.  Earby.  Highly  Com- 
mended, T.  C.  &  E.  Newhilt;  J.  Nev/ton  :  J.  Bevry,  Siladen. 

Game.— First,  E.Aykroyd,  Bradford.  Seond,  G.  Noble,  Staineliffe,  Batley. 
Chickewi.—Fivat,  G.  Noble.  Second,  W.  Clough,  Earby.  HighJy  Commended, 
W.  Spencer,  Haworth  ;  \V.  &  J.  H:irker.  Allerton. 

Cochin-Chixa.  — Fust.  C,  SidRwick,  K-M'^hlt-y.  Second,  T.  Trees,  Skipton. 
Chickens.— b'nsl  and  Se^-ond,  C  .Siil^^wiek.  Hi;,'lilv  Commanded,  J.  &  B.  Booth,' 
Highlold,  Silsden.     CommendLd.  .J.  Ciu:^ir.  t-kiplt^in. 

Hamburgh  (Gulden-i.enciJled).-  First.  U.  lieldon.  Second,  W.  Clayton^ 
Keighley.  Higlily  Comwendeu,  IL  Pic-iles.  iun.  Commended,  J.  Preaton 
AUerton.  Bradford.  Chicken3.~F  r>t,  J.  Preston.  Second,  H.  Pickles,  jun. 
Highly  CommL-nded,  II.  Bell,  Hoar  Stnue.^.  Burnlev. 

Hamburuh  Cjilvur-pi milled)  or  (Jiutti:pkatt.— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second, 
H.  Pickles,  juii.  Ch'rkt  I'*.— Fimt..].  Pre>t..n.  Second,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  Hidily 
Comniendtjd.  T.  Umisun.  Keiuliley :  \V.  ^i^  .1.  Bairatow,  Bingley. 

HAMBUH<in  (GoMeii-:^p;in!jled).—  First.  T.  Trees.  Second,  H.  Pickles,  .inn. 
Highly  Commended,  H.  beldon.  Chickens,.— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  W. 
Lawsoii,  Heam-^ley. 

HAiinuKGH  (yi)v.;r-span;jled). — First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  H.  Pickles,  jun. 
Highly  Commended,  <;.  >-mith.  SiNden.  Chickfns.— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second, 
T.  Bldkey,  Sils.li-n.     Highly  Commended,  H.  I'lckies.jun. 

Hamuuhgii  (Biackj.—  pjrst.  J.  Preston,  beoond,  W.  tireen,  Keichley.  Higlily 
Commendeii,  C.  ^iJ},'^viek.  Chicken-i.—Fiv^i,  S.  Butteriield,  Keigliley.  Second, 
J.  Berry,  Si]i,de:i.    Highly  Commended,  C.  Sidtovick. 

PonNn. — Firsi  iiirl  .-^ccond,  H.  Beldon.  Hii^hty  Commended,  J.  Bowker, 
Keighley.  CIucIc-m.— First,  11.  Beidon.  second  and  Highly  Commended, 
J.  Bowker. 

Game  Bantams.— First  and  Second,  W.  F.  Entwisle,  Leeds.  Highly  Com- 
mended, CV.  NoLil-.  SlaincliJte,  Bailey.  Chickens. — Fii'st,  G.  Noble.  Second, 
A.  Wilman,  L)e-.vs..iiry  .Moor. 

Bantams  (Any  colour) — First,  S-  Schofield,  Hecltmondwikc.  Second,  .T. 
Booking,  AddlDijham.  Chickens. — Kirf-t,  W.  H.Kobinson,  Keighley.  Second,  H. 
Beldon.    Highly  Comniendefl.  H.  Si-hofield. 

Any  OTHKii  VAniETV.— First,  E.  Leech,  Rochdale.  Second,  H.  Beldon. 
Highly  ComMieudfd,  J.  Allen.  Bolton  Abbey  (Brahma);  T.  Trees  (Bralima). 
Chickens.— First,  J.  Allen  (rirahuia).  Second,  II.  Beldon.  Equal  Second,  W.  b. 
CUpham,  Utley  (Houdansj. 

ExTU.v  Stock.-  First,  T.  Bobinson,  Kettlewell  (Moorcock).  Second,  H. 
Walton,  Flee:,  Cowling  (Guinea). 

Gekse  ( W)iite).-  Firdt.  E.  Leech.    Second.  H.  Pickles,  jun. 

GBEbE  (  Ti'ev  Toulouse).- First,  E.  Leech.  Second,  W.  Davis.  Gargrave, 
HiKhly  Coma.t  ndtd.  S.  H.  Stott,  Rochdale. 

Ddcxs  (Aylesbury).— First  and  becond,  E.  Leech.  Highly  Commended, 
B.HutchinsLiu,  Cowlmg. 


Dncua  (Rouon).— First,  J.  Dixon,  Bradford,  Second,  E.  Leeoh.  Highly  Com* 
mended.  H.  Beldon  ;  J.  Dixon. 

Any  (,thb«  Vakikty.— First  and  Second,  J.  Dixon.  Equal  Second,  H.  Beldon. 
Commended,  11.  Walton. 

TuiiKEVM.— First,  E.  Leech,    Second,  J.  B.  Bockwith,  Wintorbum. 

PIGEONS. 

Caruifr.— Cork— First,  H.  Smith,  Skipton.  Second,  E.  Homer,  Harewood, 
IIi«hly  Commonded,  J.  Baxendall,  Sutton;  E.  Horner.  Jlen.-  Firai  and 
Second,  H.  Siiiilh. 

Pol  TKK.-r.u-A:.— First.  H.  Beldon.  Second.  J.  Hawley,  Bindley.  Hipfhly 
Comiri.  iided.    H.   Smith;    Master   Dawsun,  Otlcy.     i/e/i.— First,  J.  Hawley. 

TiMiii.p.its  (Almund).-First.  T.  C.  AE.Ncwbitt.  Second,  J.  Hawley.  Highly 
Comiiu'iided,  It.  It.  Chouler,  Bolton  Park. 

Owls.— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  Master  Dawson.  Hichly  Commended. 
H.  Smith. 

Bahhs.— First  and  Highly  Commended,  E.  Homer.     Second,  H.  Smith. 

Jacobins.— First,  J.  Thompson,  Binjilev..  Second.  E.  Horner.  Ulnhly  Com- 
mended, T.  C.  &  E.  Newbiti  ;  J.Thompson  ;  E.  Horner. 

TuMHLERS  (Mottled).— First,  J.  Hawlev.  Second,  J.  Thompson.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Hawloy:  W.  Lund,  Shipley;  11.  B.  Chouler. 

Bald  Pates.— First,  W.  Land.  Second,  J.  Hawley,  Highly  Commended, 
C.  Smith  ;  J.  Collier.  Skipton. 

Rdnt.i.— First  and  Second,  H.  Smith. 

Eantails.— First  and  Tbird,  E.  Horner.  Second,  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt,  Equal 
Second,  J.  Hawley.  Hi{,'hly  Commended,  T.  C.  &.  E.  Newbitt;  F.  &.  R.  D. 
Horner,  Skipton. 

Draooons, —First,  E.  Homer.  Second,  J.  Baxendall,  Sutton.  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  Baxendall ;  Master  DawBon  ;  J.  Collier. 

Antwehps  (Loni^-faced).- Virst.J.  Hawley.  Second,  R.Birtwhistle,  Skibeden. 
Highly  Commemled,  J.  Hawley  ;  W.  Lund;  K.  B.  Chouler;  E.  Benson,  Far- 
tield,  AddinKbam. 

Antwebps  (Short-faced).— First,  J.  Thompson.  Second,  F.  &  R.  D.  Homer. 
Highly  Commended.  J.  Hawley. 

Any  other  Vakiety.— B'irst,  J.  Hawley.  Second,  J.  Thompson.  Equal 
Second,  R.  B.  Chouler.  Third,  Master  Dawaon  (Nuns).  Highly  Commended, 
J.  Hawley;  W.  Lund  (Turbits) :  R.  B.  Chouler;  J.  Lister,  Keighley  (Bearded 
Tumblers);  J.  Thompson  ;  J.  Thresh  ;  E.Horner;  T.  C.  i  E.  Newbitt. 

The  Judges  were  Mr.  J.  Hejwood,  Middleton ;  and  Mr.  E.  Hntton, 
Pndsey. 


COTTINGHAM   POULTRY   SHOW. 

On  August  iGth  the  annual  Exhibition  of  the  Cottingham  and 
district  Poultij  Society  was  held  in  a  Held  belonging  to  Mrs.  <iee,  which 
was  admirably  adapted  for  the  purpose.  Of  the  numerous  shows  held 
annually  in  the  ilistrict,  the  Cottiugham  Show  may  fairly  lay  claim  to 
being  the  best,  not  only  with  re.spect  to  extent,  but  in  uuiforniity  and 
excellence  uf  arrangement.  In  every  department,  the  Show  just  past 
may  be  favonrably  compared  with  those  of  former  years.  Of  poultry, 
there  was  a  very  fair  number  of  entries,  and  the  birds  taken  as  a  whole 
were  exceedingly  fine.  Tlie  Canaries,  although  few  in  number,  were 
remarkable  for  their  purity  of  breed.  I'oo  much  praise  cannot  be 
accorded  to  Mr.  Joseph  Brittain,  the  Secretary,  for  his  untiring 
exertions.     Annexed  is  the  prize  list : — 

Spanish.— First,  R.  Carling,  Cheshire.  Second,—  Charter,  Driffield.  Chickens. 
—First,  R.  Carling.    Second,  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt,  Epworth. 

DwRKlNGS.— First,  D.  White,  Driffield.  Second,  J.  Thompson,  Anlaby. 
C/itcA-ens.— First,  S.  E.  White,  Dritheld.    Second,  J.  Blanchard. 

Cochin-China.— First,  R.  Carling.  Second,  G.  Holmes,  Dritfield.  Chickens. 
—First  and  Second,  R.  Lott,  Woodmansey. 

Game  (Any  colour).— First,  H.  M.  Julian.    Second,  W.  Boyes. 

Gaiie.— First,  W.  Boyes.    Second.  H.  M.  Julian. 

Game  (Any- variety). —First,  H.  M.Julian.  Second,  W.  Boyes.  Chickens. — 
First,  H.  M,  Julian.    Second.  W.  Boyes. 

PoLANDS.— First  and  Second,  Mrs.  Procter,  Hull.  C7t?cfcens.— First  and  Se- 
cond, Mrs.  Procter. 

HAiiBUHiina  (Golden-spangled).— First,  —  Pinder,  Kirliy  Moorside.  Second, 
J.  Blancliard.    Chickens.— Fivst,  G.  Holmes.    Second,  —  Carliuj?. 

Hamburghs  (Golden-pencilled).— First,  J.  R.  Jessop,  Hull.  Second,  A.  Hawe 
Barmston.      C/i/f/t-cjiA'.- First,  J.  Holmes.     Second,  W.  Bearpark. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-spangled). — First,  J.  Holmes.  Second,  C.  P.  Richardson- 
r/uf/,fns,— First  and  Second,  G.  Holmes. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-pencilled).- Prize,  G.  Holmes.  Chickens.— First,  — 
Bearpark.    Second,  G.  Holmes. 

Bantams  (Gold).— First,  T.  C.  Harrison.  Second,  J.  Ringrose.  Chickens.^ 
First  and  Second,  T.  C.  Harrison. 

Game  Bantams.- First,  —  Carling.  Second,  R.  Robson.  Chtckem.-First, 
R.  Robson.    Second,  G.  H.  Holmes. 

Bantams  (Anv  variety).— First  and  Second,  T.  C.  Harrison.  Chickens.— 
First,  R.  Carling.    Second,  T.  0.  Harnson. 

Distinct  Varietx.— First  and  Second,  R.  Loft.  Chi ckeiut.— First  and  Se- 
cond, K.  Loft. 

FiRMVAnn  Cross.— First  and  Second,  S.  Coverdale.  Third,  R.  Loft. 
Chicke ns.— First  and  Second,  R.  Loft. 

Sellino  Class.— First,  C.  Richardson.    Second,  T.  C.  Harrison. 

Geese.- First,  O.  A.  Young.    Second,  G.  Holmes. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury).— First,  O.  A.  Young.    Second,  G.  Hoftnes. 

Ducks  (.-Vnv  other  variety),- First  and  Second,  T.  C.  Harrison. 

TUKUEVS.— First,  —  Merkin,  Drifiield.    Second,  J.  Kome,  CotlinRhom. 

SINGLE  COCKS, 
Spanish.— Prize,  J.  Holmes,  Driffield. 
DoRKiscis.— Prize,  S.  E.  White. 
Cochin-China.- Prize.  R.  Loft. 
Game  (Black-breasted).- Prize.  H.  M.  Julian. 
Game  (Any  colour).— First.  H.  ]VI.  Juhan.    Second,  W.  Boycs. 
Pui.AMJS. — Prize,  Mrs.  Procter. 

Hamburghs  (Golden-spangled).— Prize,  R.  Grantham. 
Hamburghs  iGolden-penciiled).— Prize,  J.  Hall,  Willorby. 
Hambckohs  (Silve*--spangled).— First,  G.  Holmes.    Second,  C  H.  White. 
Bantams  (Gold).- Prize.  T.  C.  Hanison. 
Bantams.— Prize,  G.  Holmes. 
Bantams.— Prize,  T.  C  Harrison. 
Distinct  Variety.— Prize,  R.  Loft. 
Fabmvard  Ciwsb.— Prize,  S.  Coverdale. 
Selling  Class.— Prize,  R.  Loft. 

PIGEONS. 
PouTEBS.- First  and  Second,  F.  K»y,  Beverley. 
Carriers  —First,  H.  Yardley.    S-cond,  C.  Marwood. 
Turbits. -First.  PickennK  i  Marshall.    Second,  F,  Key. 
Trumpeters.— First,  —  Yardley.  Binnincrham.    Second,  C.N.Lythe. 
Jacobins.— First,  C.  N.  Ly;he.    Second,  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt. 


180 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEE. 


[  September  8,  1868. 


FANTAILS.-First  and  Second.  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt.  ,  „   „ 

DiUGooNS.— Fjrat,  H.  Taylor,  Ncwland.    Second,  S.  Norwood,  Hull. 

Tumblers.— First  ami  Second,  C.  N.  Lytbe. 

BiHus.— Fiist,  H.  Vardley.    Second,  F.  Key. 

Nuns.— First,  C.  N.  Lytlie.    Second,  Pickennf;  &  Marshall. 

Any  other  Varietv.— First,  H.  Yardley.    Second,  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt. 


Babbits.- First.  P.  Asliton.    Second,.!.  Denton.  

OANAEiES.—Bc!ni(iit— First  and  Second,  G.  (irant.    ^farfccrf.— First,  W.  W. 

Bielby.    Second.— Hobson,  Hull.    XesI  aJYuung  (Clearl.-First,  J.  Sanderson. 

Second,  T.   Neill.    Nest  of  Yutmg    (Marked*.— First,  J.  Sykes.     Second.    G. 

Grant.    A/u/c— First,  Capt.  Horner.    Second,  Miss  Gawan.     iJcdcap.— First, 

Master  J.  Gawan.    Second,  —  Gawan. 
The  Jndf-es  were  F.  Ferpison,  Esq.,   and  H.    Adams,   Esq.    for 

Poultry  ;  Mr.  J.  Weddall,  and  Mr.  C.  Glover  for  Canaries. 


IRISH  ROYAL  AGRICULTURAL    SHOW. 

This  was  held  at  Londonderry  from  Angnst  2Cth  to  iSth.  The 
awards  for  poultry  were  as  follows : — 

•_  Dorkings.— First,  J.  C.  Cooper,  Limerick.  Second,  R.  P.  'Williams. 
"  Dorkings  (Any  colour  except  Mlver-Greys).— First  and  Second,  B.  P. 
Williams.    CfticAcns.— First,  J.  C.  Cooper.    Second,  E.  P.  Williams. 

Spanish.— First  and  Second,  J.  C.  Cooper.  t'/n'cAcns.— First,  E.  P. 
Williams.    Second,  J.  C.  Cooper. 

Brahma  Pootka.— First  and  Second,  J.  C.  Cooper.  CfticJrcns.— First 
and  Second,  J.  C.  Cooper. 

Cochins  (Buff).— C/iittfJis.— Prize,  J.  C.  Cooper. 

Cochins  (Any  other  colour).— First  and  Second,  J.  C.  Cooper.  Chickens. 
— Prize,  J.  C.  Cooper. 

Tdhkevs,— First,  J.  C.  Cooper.  Second,  J.  S.  Black,  Gatesido,  Coleraine. 
Commended.  J.  C.  Cooper.    Paul(».— First  and  Second,  J.  C.  Cooper. 

Geese.— First,  J.  C.  Cooper.  Second,  E.  P.  Williams.  Tbird,  T. 
Butler.  Highly  Commended,  J.  C.  Cooper.  Commended,  G.  Craig;  T. 
Butler. 

Docks  (Aylesbury).— First,  R.  P.  Williams.  Second,  J.  C.  Cooper. 
Highly  Commended,  R.  P.  Williams.     Commended,  J.  C.  Cooper. 

Ducks  (Eouen).— First  and  Second,  R.  P.  Williams. 

Judges. — Messrs.  C.  F.  Staunton  and  Morris. 


BREEDING  IN  SUPERS— PETTITTS  GRATINGS. 

The  best  method  of  preventing  breeding  in  supers  I  believe 
is  to  keep  them  cool,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  excessive 
heat  of  the  past  summer  has  had  something  to  do  with  it ;  yet 
in  spite  of  the  heat  this  season  I  have  taken  two  glasses  and 
a  collateral  super  from  one  of  Pettitt's  collateral  hives.  The 
glasses  contained  respectively  20  lbs.  and  20i  lbs.,  without 
brood  or  other  imperfection ;  and  the  collateral  super  contained 
28  lbs.  of  pure  honeycomb,  making  a  total  of  C8,J  lbs.,  and  the 
stock  hive  is  well  supplied  with  food  for  the  winter.  The  bees 
conveyed  the  40.!  lbs.  through  the  narrow  gratings  (three-six- 
teenths of  an  inch),  in  the  crown  board  of  Pettitt's  collateral 
hive  ;  but  the  collateral  super  was  not  provided  with  the 
gratings,  the  communication  to  these  being  in  the  floor  board, 
which  in  some  respects  answers  the  purpose,  as  either  compart- 
ment can  be  ventilated  without  interfering  with  the  tempera- 
ture of  the  other. 

I  believe  in  Pettitt's  gratings  for  keeping  out  the  drones  from 
the  supers,  which  ought  to  be  kept  at  a  lower  temperature  than 
the  stock  hive,  or,  as  Nutt  would  term  it,  the  "  pavilion  of 
Nature,"  for  it  is  quite  certain  that  the  drones  carry  nothing 
into  supers  ;  but  their  presence  in  them  does  increase  the 
temperature,  which  is  undesirable. 

As  to  the  bees  not  being  able  to  find  their  way  through  the 
gratings,  I  have  never  found  this  to  be  the  case  except  late 
in  the  season,  and  then  very  rarely  ;  but  the  bee-master  should 
see  for  himself  that  the  gratings  are  kept  clear. 

Whatever  hive  is  used,  the  bee-master  must  see  to  its  proper 
working,  and  that  all  passages  to  supers  are  clear  for  commu- 
nication. If  he  neglects  this  duty  he  must  put  up  with  the 
consequences,  and  certainly  not  denounce  a  system  when  he 
himself  is  at  fault  from  his  not  having  paid  to  his  bees  proper 
attention  in  this  respect. — J.  Prebble. 


Hempseed  is,  perhaps,  the  worst  thing  you  can  give  a  bird' 
Give  young  birds  egg  and  bread,  fresh,  twice  a-day  ;  give  old 
birds  canary,  rape,  and  linseed  mixed,  and  you  will  rear  all 
the  young  ones,  and  the  old  ones  will  live  until  you  are  tired  of 
them.—  HowiRiH  Aehton. 


MUSHROOMS   FOR  WINTER  USE. 

Can  any  of  your  readers  give  a  good  recipe  for  preserving 
mushrooms  for  winter  use  ?  This  year  they  are  so  numerous 
that  one  could  fill  carts  with  them.  I  am  afraid  you  will  think 
this  an  exaggeration,  but  it  is  a  fact.  In  the  cookery  books 
there  are  various  recipes  for  drying  them  up  with  butter  and 
spice,  but  that  is  of  little  good  to  the  poor.  What  I  wish  is 
the  Russian  plan  of  keeping  them  in  jars  and  barrels,  dried  or 
salted.  In  one  field  I  gathered  five  or  six  quarts  in  less  than 
an  hour  ;  and  as  September  is  the  regular  mushroom  month,  a 
recipe  from  you  would  still  be  in  time.  At  present,  as  we  have 
made  catsup  and  f  ickles  in  quantities,  the  mushroems  are  left 
to  the  cattle. — Mits.  C,  Galluwaij. 

[We  shall  be  obliged  by  any  of  our  readers  sending  us  the 
information  required  by  our  correspondent.  The  only  direc- 
tions we  have  for  drying  mushrooms  are  the  following  : — Wipe 
them  quite  clean,  take  out  the  brown,  pare  off  the  skin  of  the 
large  ones,  lay  them  on  paper,  and  put  them  in  a  cool  oven  to 
dry.  Keep  them  in  paper  bags  in  a  very  dry  place.  When  wanted 
for  use  simmer  them  in  gravy,  and  they  will  swell  to  nearly 
their  former  size  ;  or  you  may  simmer  them  in  their  own 
liquor  till  it  dries  up  in  them,  shaking  the  pan  ;  then  dry  them 
on  tin  plates,  with  spice  or  not,  as  you  think  proper.  Tie  down 
with  a  bladder,  or  keep  them  in  a  dry  place  or  in  paper.] 


OUR  LETTER  BOX. 


REARING  YOUNG  CANARIES. 

I  HAVE  been  a  Canary  breeder  for  a  long  time,  and  am  one  of 
the  most  successful  exhibitors  of  prize  Canaries,  and  I  say 
emphatically  that  the  use  of  lettuce  leaves,  hempseed,  ground- 
sel, chickweed,  &e.,  in  feeding  young  Canaries  is  all  "  bosh." 
I  have  lost  one  bird  this  year  out  of  about  twenty-five,  and  that 
was  through  the  hen  sitting  too  closely,  and  I  never  give  them 
anything  but  egg  and  bread  crumbs  morning  and  night.  I 
take  them  away  at  a  month  old,  and  give  them  hard  food  after 
three  days. 

More  young  birds  are  killed  by  being  pampered  than  by 
starving.  Why,  if  you  fed  high-bred  London  Fancies  on 
hempseed  and  egg,  they  would  "go  out"  altogether.  Mr. 
Walter  told  me  egg  alone,  even,  was  too  high  feeding  for  them. 


N.B. — From  want  of  space,  several  communications  are  un- 
avoidably postponed  till  next  week. 

Artificiai,  Incubation  (J.  F.).- We  know  no  practical  book  on  the 
subject.  You  can  obtain  the  information  you  require  by  applying  at 
Baily  &  Son's,  118,  Mount  Street,  W. 

Dark  Brahma  Pootras  for  Exhibition  (T.  A'.).- No.  1  seems  to  us 
from  description  to  iio  the  best  bird  in  every  particular.  It  is  a  groat 
point  to  be  well  pencilled  on  the  breast.  We  mistrust  No.  y.  We  heard 
of  a  man  once  who  in  describing  the  most  awful  squint  we  ever  saw, 
said.  "  If  you  stood  right  in  front  you  would  see  his  eyes  were  not  quite 
straight,"  and  just  so,  when  you  admit  a  projection  of  an  inch  of  soft 
feather,  we  are  disposed  to  consider  No.  2  vulture-hocked  As  to  No.  3, 
we  object  very  much  to  the  creamy  ground,  and  should  certainly  advise 
you  not  to  exhibit  her. — B. 

Chickens'  Feathers  Changing  lldem). — Chickens  do  not  moult,  their 
feathers  change  as  they  approach  maturity,  but  it  is  an  altogether  dif- 
ferent process  from  moiilting.  The  chicken  does  not  drop  leathers  like 
tUe  adult.  In  the  pullet  the  change  takes  place  imperceptibly.  In  the 
cock  it  is  only  noticed  by  the  hackle  and  tail.  The  former  ahow.s  most, 
for  it  grows  as  the  bird  approaches  maturity.  To  moult  is  to  change,  the 
cock  chicken  has  no  hackle  till  this  comes.  If  the  chicken  hatched  the 
beginning  of  January  is  to  be  considered  a  chicken  till  the  advent  of 
another  year,  than  it  is  true  chickens  moult.  The  chicken  of  January 
has  laid"  and  hatched  in  July,  and  then  in  the  course  of  nature  s).ie 
moults.  A  constant  change  takes  place  in  the  pluuiage  of  chickens  from 
the  time  when  they  are  hatched  downy,  till  they  have  perfect  plumage, 
but  wo  linow  nothing  of  the  process.  The  wing  and  tail  feathers  come 
first,  and  then  a  slow  but  certain  change  goes  on  till  a  perfect  plumage  is 
obtained  by  gradual  growth  and  improvement,  not  by  its  exchange  for 
another,  till  having  passed  into  the  state  of  cocks  and  hens,  they  become 
Eubject  to  the  laws  that  rule  adults.  Moulting  is  one  of  those  to  which 
all  birds  are  subject. 
I  Cheap  Ligdrian  Queens  fjr.).~I  shall  make  my  last  importation  of 
these  queens  for  the  season  in  October,  and  shall  then  bo  able  to  sypply 
them  in  any  quantity  at  10;t.  6(L  each,  provided  the  orders  reach  me  during 
the  first  fortnight   in    September.— T.  W.  Woodbuhv,  Mount  Radford, 

Depriving  Bees  of  their  Honey  (If.  B.).— Do  not  attempt  to  a»prive 
your  bees  of  any  honey  this  year.  It  is  a  fundamental  principle  of  the 
depriving  system  to  leave  the  stock  hive  intact,  and  take  only  sur^dus 
honey  stored  in  some  other  receptacle.  You  had  better  let  your  b'Jes 
swarm,  putting  the  new  colonies  into  hives  which  can  be  supered  ;  and  if 
you  see  fit  to  unite  the  bees  from  the  old  stock  to  one  of  the  swarms,  do 
it  bv  driving,  and  do  not  subject  them  to  fumigation. 

LIGURIANISING  AN  AplARV  t.Aini.—"l  belicve  that  Mr.  Koehlcr's  modo 
of  propagating  Ligurians  may  be  safely  practised,  and  that  there  is  in 
point  of  fact  little  or  no  ri-k  of  a  quarrel.  Some  persons  have  even  re- 
commended the  habitual  transposition  of  strong  and  weak  stocks  as  a 
ready  mode  of  equalioing  Iheir  forces,  and  although  it  is  a  plan  which  I 
have  never  practised  or  approved  of,  and  one  which  I  believe  has  often 
been  attended  with  fatal  results,  it  is  undeniable  that  it  may  sometimes 
be  adopted  with  success.  In  the  case  of  a  stock  which  has  just  thrown 
off  a  swarm  the  conditions  are  so  far  altered  by  the  absence  of  the  old 
queen  and  nearly  all  the  adult  population,  th<it  in  my  opinion  there  is 
practically  no  risk  whatever.— A  Devonshire  Bee-keeper." 

Greek  Wines  (Homenet  neetor).—Vle  do  not  know  the  names  of  the 
varieties  of  Grapes  from  which  these  wines  are  nisde.  They  are  pure, 
unbrandied  wines.  The  White  Kepbesia  is  refreshing  and  invigorating, 
well  fitted  for  the  sportman's  luncheon  ;  and  St.  E  ie,  another  white  wine, 
tor  his  dinner  ;  it  is  what  sherry  would  be  if  pure. 


September  10,  1S68.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTtCDLTURB  AND  COTTAQE  GARDENER. 


181 


WEEKLY   CALENDAR. 


Day 

n«T 

of 

of 

Month 

Week. 

10 

Th 

11 

F 

lli 

S 

1» 

Sns 

14 

M 

15 

To 

16 

W 

SEPTEMBER  10-16,  1868. 


Ipswich  Horticultural  Show. 
Bury  St.  Eiliunuds  H'lrticultnr.al  Show. 
Burotislaud  Horticultural  Show. 
14  Sunday  AFxEa  Tiumixy. 

Royal  HorticuUnml  Society,  Fruit,  Flor.ll, 
Lund  General  Meeting. 


Areraf^o  Temperature 
near  London. 


Day. 

0:1.5 
0H.4 
(59.0 
68.2 
C7.0 
67.6 
68.4 


Niehl. 
40,9 
41.0 
41.7 
45.8 
43.1 
40.2 
471 


Mean. 

68.2 
57.5 
53.8 
57.0 
56.6 
56.9 
67  8 


Rain  iTi 

laat 
11  years 


UayB. 
20 
11 
16 
19 
21 
21 
17 


Snn 
Rises. 


28  af 

30 

31 

8! 

85 

36 


Son 
Seta. 


m.    h. 

25  aJ  6 
23      6 


Moon 

RiBOS. 


Moon 

Seta. 


m.    h. 

5i(ll 
morn. 
5      0 


n.    h 

Oaf  2 
C      8 


Moon's 
Age. 


Days. 

2i 
24 
25 
21 
27 
28 
« 


CIoO^ 
after 
{^lin. 


8  17 

3  88 

8  58 

4  19 
4  40 
8  1 

0  23 


Yo.ir 


254 
255 
256 
257 
268 
259 
263 


From  obserrations  taken  near  London  during  the  last  forty-one  years,  the  average  dar  tompfratnro  of  tho  week  is  Oii.O  ;  and  ita  night 
temperature  40.2".  The  greatest  heat  w»a  8d',  on  the  13th,  1865;  and  tha  lowest  cold  'iP,  on  the  lltli  and  12th,  1800.  The  groitest  fall 
ot  rain  was  1*27  inch. 


PEACH  CULTIVATION.— No.  1. 

'  EESIA  is  considered  to  be  the  native  country 
of  the  Peach ;  and  there  is  litfle  beyond 
supposition  in  support  of  tliis  fruit  being  taken 
into  Esypt  in  the  reign  of  Cambyses,  or  I 
carried  "from  Egypt  into  Greece,  but  it  was  ' 
known  in  Italy  before  the  comraeucemertt  of 
the  Christian  era,  and  Loudon  iixes  the  date 
of  its  introduction  into  this  country  at  lo(i'.2 : 
so  that  rather  more  tlian  three  centuries 
have  elapsed  since  it  was  known  to  the 
British  gardener.  How  it  was  at  first  cultivated  may  not 
be  known,  but  we  have  it  on  the  best  authority  that  for  a 
very  long  series  of  years  the  Peach  has  been  successfully 
cultivated  as  an  out-door  fruit  on  walls  with  a  south  aspect. 
Generations  of  cultivators  succeeding  each  other  in  suc- 
cessful practice,  tree  succeeded  tree  against  the  same  wall, 
and  wall  gave  place  to  wall,  which  I  look  upon  as  proof 
positive  of  the  successful  out-door  cultivation  of  the  Peach. 
Without  the  aid  of  a  wall  the  Peach  tree  does  not  usually 
ripen  its  fruit  m  tliis  country,  but  we  have  known  instances. 
Standard  trees  in  most  cases  blossom  abundantly. 

Not  cultivable  in  this  country  as  a  hardy  fruit,  for  the 
ground  is  too  cold  for  its  roots — at  least,  the  Peach  will 
not  thrive  long  on  its  own  root.=;,  even  planted  ngainst  a 
wall — the  necessity  arises  for  budding  it  on  a  hardier  kind 
of  stock,  and  of  affox'ding  protection  by  artificial  means. 
The  Peach  is  not  suited  for  cultivation  in  every  locality. 
To  have  it  in  perfection  in  some  places,  the  shelter  of  a  wall, 
and  temporary  protection  for  the  blossom  and  young  fruit. 
only  ai-e  required  :  in  others  additional  means  of  aflord- 
ing  or  retaining  heat  are  needed.  Mr.  Tliompson,  iu  his 
elaborate  and  practical  work  "  The  Gardener's  Assistant," 
states,  at  page  510,  that  "In  localities  whei-e  the  mean 
temperature  of  February  is  40°,  and  that  of  JIarch  44°,  the 
Peach  will  be  in  full  flower  against  a  south  wall  in  the  last 
week  in  March  :  and  if  the  mean  of  April  is  4iJ'',  that  of  May 
55°,  June  01°,  July  04°,  and  August  0-i°,  the  season  may  be 
considered  a  favourable  one.  The  general  crop,  iu  that 
case,  will  be  ripe  in  the  last  week  of  August  or  first  week 
in  September,  and  the  fruit  will  acquire  a  high  degree  of 
perfection."  Those  temperatures,  however,  are  but  rare  in 
this  country,  being  confined  to  warm  spots  in  the  southern 
parts  of  the  kingdom,  and  the  west  coast,  also  Ireland,  as 
will  be  seen  from  the  following  table  of  mean  temperatures 
given  by  Mr.  Thompson  for  the  five  months,  or  from  the 
time  of  flowering  to  that  of  the  fruit  ripening,  the  favour- 
able temperature  not  being  attained  at  any  place  named. 


County. 


.\pril.     May.  !  Jane. 


July.  I   Aup. 


Cornwall  . . . 
Middlesex  . . . 
Gloucester... 

Lincoln 

Dublin    

Lancisbire  . 
Dumfries  ... 
Hid-Lotbian. 
Aberdeen  . . . 
Orkney   


Penzance  . . 
Cbiswick  . . 
Stroud    .... 

Boston    

Dublin    

Liverpool   . . 
Applegarth 
Edinburgh . . 
Aberdeen  . . 
Sandffick  .. 


No.  889.-VOL.  XV.,  Kew  Seeies, 


p 

(, 

48.07 

64.54 

59.62 

6-2.10 

47.13 

53  55 

61.31 

63.11 

45.60 

51,00 

ssoo 

G  .3) 

47.!i2 

55.5-3 

61.63 

63  01 

48.05 

64  37 

60.  i4 

61.47 

48.03 

65.J7 

61.00 

61.41 

43.27 

49.24 

64.77 

.57  00 

46.00 

52  50 

57.00 

01.00 

47.67 

64.29 

5rt.49 

00.47 

43.44 

47.88 

52.69 

64.93 

61.11 
61.97 

611.5) 
61.29 
614) 
62.00 
66.50 
57.50 
59.64 
56.03 


From  the  foregoing  table  of  temperatures  it  will  be  seen  we 
have  no  favourable  climate  for  the  Peach  ;  but  after  twenty 
years'  experience  in  localities  where  Peaches  have  been 
grown  successfully  against  walls  with  south  aspects,  I  have 
no  hesitation  in  stating  that  the  Pfach  can  be  grown  where 
the  temperature  of  Feljruary  is  '-i^"',  of  March  4i°,  April  47°, 
May  5:5°,  June  50',  July  0:i°.  August  01°,  and  September  57°. 
I  have  grown  Peaches  in  three  difl'erent  gardens  in  York- 
shire with  these  mean  average  temperatures,  and  have 
failed  to  grow  them  against  a  south  wall  with  the  usual 
protection  in  another,  wdiere,  owing  to  the  altitude,  the 
mean  temperature  of  March  was  40°,  April  40°,  May  52°,. 
June  58°,  .Inly  01°,  August  50°,  and  September  55°.  Only- 
one  year  out  of  six  were  they  good — viz.,  in  1859.  During 
the  past  five  years  I  ha,ve  practised  in  a  situation  farther 
to  the  west,  and  Peaches  every  season  are  large  and  fine, 
ripening  perfectly.  The  mean  temperature  of  April  is  4s°,  of 
May  5.5°,  of  June  01°,  of -July  0:i°,  and  of  August  01°,  which 
is  slightly  higher  than  tiie  mean  for  Liverpool,  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  which  town  Peaches  are  gi-own  to  great 
perfection  ou  walls— at  Kuowsloy  for  instance.  Again,  in 
some  parts  of  Jyineolnsbire  Peaches  do  exceedingly  well 
against  south  walls,  for  instance,  at  Brocklesby  Park ; 
indeed  there  is  no  county  in  England  where  the  Peach 
tree  against  a  south  wall  does  not  with  careful  culture 
ripen  its  fruit  in  perfection.  But  there  are  exceptions, 
owing  to  altitude  above  the  sea  level  ;  for  example,  York, 
at  an  altitude  of  50  feet  above  the  sea  level,  has  a  tempera- 
ture suited  to  the  growth  of  the  Peach,  and  there  the  fruit 
ripens,  whilst  at  Halil'ax  4«7  feet,  and  Bradford  from  370  to 
400  feet  above  tlie  level  of  the  sea.  Peaches  do  not  succeed, 
or  ripen  against  a  wall  with  a  south  aspect ;  and  at  the 
latter  elevation  they  are  not  to  be  grown  iu  unheafed  glass 
structures,  for  these,  unless  narrow  and  bacVed  by  a  sub- 
stantial wall,  are  worthless,  and  aft'ord  no  greater  warmth 
than  a  south  wall.  It  may  seem  strange  that  a  glass 
house  should  not  afford  any  greater  warmth  than  that  of  a 
south  wall,  but  such  is  nevertheless  the  fact,  but  only  true 
of  houses  less  in  width  than  15  feet;  for  in  houses  20  feet 
wide  the  temperature  exceeds  that  of  a  south  w.all,  or  in 
other  words,  the  temperature  of  a  south  wall  at  :>  inches 
distance  from  it  is,  at  .".n  elevation  of  400  feet,  in  March  43°,. 
April.  49°,  May  50°,  June  02°,  July  (i5°,  and  August  01°. 
Of  a  narrow  (V^  feet)  glass  house  the  temperatures  were-, 
in  April  50°,  May  50°,  June  0'!°,  July  05",  and  August  02"; 
and  in  a  0-feet-wide  house  or  glass  case  against  a  south 
wall  the  temperatiu'e  was,  April  52°,  May  59°,  .June  Oj°, 
July  Cuh".  and  August  00°,  or  the  same  temperatures  as 
are  afforded  trees  against  a  south  wall  in  localities  which 
are  favourable  to  tlte  full  perfection  of  the  crop,  and  with 
such  the  fruit  in  the  latter  house  will  ripen,  but  not  in 
a  narrow  detached  house,  or  against  an  open  wall  at  the 
above-named  altitude. 

A  south  wall  has  a  temperature  of  i'  or  5"  (more  or  less, 
according  to  the  material  used  in  the  construction,  stone 
giving  less  warmth  than  white  brick,  which  is  1°  more  in  tem- 
perature than  red  brick,  fire  brick  being  the  hottest  of  alli, 
above  that  of  the  atmosphere  out  of  doors ;  consequently 
the  trees  against  it  will  have  with  me  in  this  locality  (North. 

No.  1011.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  Seribs. 


182 


JOUBNAL  OP  HOBTICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENEB. 


[  September  10,  1868. 


Wales),  against  a  Bouth  wall,  in  April  a  temperature  of  52°, 
May  59°,  June  65°,  July  07°,  and  August  65°.  Here,  with  these 
temperatures,  I  have  Peach  trees  on  a  south-east  wall,  also 
against  a  south-west  wall ;  but  the  walls  have  only,  calculating 
hy  time,  about  an  hour's  eastward  or  westward  bearing,  and 
yet  thi  re  i«  no  perceptible  difference  in  the  time  of  the  fruit 
ripening  aa  compared  with  trees  against  a  wall  with  a  due 
south  aspect. 

Now  it  will  be  seen  on  reference  to  the  table  of  temperatures, 
that  Liverpool  has  a  temperature  equal  to  that  of  Chiswick.  I 
presume,  therefore,  the  Peach  is  not  to  be  cultivated  in  this 
country  otberv\ise  than  agamat  a  south  wall,  and  not  then  if 
the  locality  is  more  elevated  than  250  feet  in  the  south,  150  in 
the  east,  west,  and  midland  districts,  and  50  in  the  north. 
Exposure,  however,  may  so  reduce  the  temperature  as  to 
render  the  locality  unfavourable,  whilst  shelter  from  cold  winds 
hy  natural  agents  may  so  contribute  to  the  warmth  of  an  ele- 
vated locality  aa  to  make  Peach  culture  practicable  where  with- 
out much  protection  it  would  not  otherwise  be. 

Much  as  temperature  contributes  to  success  in  the  cultivation 
of  the  Peach,  lowness,  dampness,  and  fogginesa  of  situation 
are  just  as  unfavourable  as  a  low  temperature.  A  low  situa- 
tion will  be  equal  to  a  difference  of  2°  or  3°  of  temperature,  on 
account  of  its  being  unfavourable  to  the  ripening  of  the  wood, 
whilst  a  dry  one  assists  its  maturation.  Temperature,  how- 
ever, is  the  firat  and  great  aim  of  the  Peach-grower  ;  if  he  has 
not  a  favourable  one  all  his  efforts  will  be  unavailing.  It 
would,  however,  greatly  contribute  to  the  perfection  of  the  tree 
and  its  produce  to  afford  it  a  south  wall  in  all  localities  having 
a  suitable  temperature,  and  to  keep  from  the  soil  any  excess 
of  moisture,  for  the  Peach  is  not  hardy,  but  tender,  and  is  often 
rendered  more  tender  than  need  be  owing  to  the  want  of  a 
properly-made  and  well-drained  border,  for  in  such  the  heat 
of  the  soil  ia  greater,  the  ripening  of  the  fruit  and  wood  is 
effected  earlier  in  the  year,  and  the  crop  is  larger. 

Not  only  is  a  south  wall  necessary  for  the  successful  cultiva- 
tion of  the  Peach  in  the  open  air,  but  to  afford  further  facilities 
for  the  ripening  of  the  wood  and  fruit  a  stock  other  than  the 
Peach  must  be  employed,  for  the  first  evidence  of  a  tree's 
hardineaa  ia  afforded  by  its  succeas  or  non-success  on  its 
own  roots.  In  the  latter  case  the  leaves  by  degrees  become 
smaller,  the  wood  does  not  ripen,  and  then  it  becomes  worth- 
lesa  ;  but  a  tree  not  sufficiently  hardy  to  succeed  on  its  own 
roots  may  be  made  to  endure  the  climate  by  ita  being  budded 
on  a  hardier  kind  of  stock.  The  effect  of  budding  or  grafting 
on  a  different  species  has  a  tendency  to  cause  earlier  maturity, 
and  in  that  respect  the  working  of  the  Peach  on  the  Plum  is 
desirable,  as  without  that  it  is  very  questionable  whether  the 
Peach  could  be  cultivated  against  a  wall  without  artificial  heat. 
The  Peach  does  not  succeed  on  its  own  roots  against  a  wall  in 
this  country.  There  ia  every  reason  to  conclude  that  the  soil 
is  too  cold  for  its  roots,  for  on  these  it  fails,  whilst  on  those  of 
the  Plum  it  succeeds,  either  from  that  being  a  hardier  kind  of 
tree,  or  from  the  influence  of  the  stock,  or  both.  It  must  be 
admitted  that  the  Peach  ia  the  most  natural  kind  of  stock  ;  but 
in  a  climate  unsuited  to  its  growth  we  must  make  compensation 
by  ait  for  whatever  our  climate  is  deficient  in,  and  it  haa  been 
proved  that  budding  or  grafting  on  a  stock  thriving  in  that 
clipiate  rendera  an  otherwise  uncultivable  tree  cultivable. 

The  Plum  ia  most  generally  employed  as  a  stock  for  the 
Peach,  and  the  kind  of  Plum  most  used  is  that  known  as  the 
Muscle.  The  White  Pear  Plum  is  sometimes  employed  ;  but 
though  the  Peach  takes  moat  readily  upon  it,  the  growth 
does  not  correspond  with  that  of  the  Peach  woiked  upon  it. 
There  are  obstructions  to  the  flow  of  the  sap  which  indnce  an 
enfeebled  state  of  the  Peach,  and  it  is  not  so  long-lived  aa 
upon  a  freer-growing  kind  of  stock.  The  Muscle  Plum,  being 
of  more  free  growth,  is  well  adapted  aa  a  stock  ;  end  on  it  the 
Peach  generally  succeeds,  though  all  kinds  do  not  take  upon  it. 
The  Almond,  which  is  very  near  akin  to  the  Peach,  also 
answera  aa  a  atock,  but  in  cold  and  damp  soils  the  Peach  does 
not  eucceed  upon  it,  but  in  those  which  are  warm  and  dry  it 
succeeds  admirably  ;  and  there  is  an  advantage  in  employing 
the  Almond  stock — viz.,  those  kinds  not  taking  well  on  the 
Plum  stock  take  readily  upon  the  Almond.  Exceyit  in  warm 
soils  the  Almond  is  not  desirable  as  a  stock  for  the  Peach ;  and 
though  all  the  varieties  of  Peach  take  well  on  Peach  stocks 
and  grow  freely,  yet  they  soon  become  diseased  ;  therefore 
the  Plum  sleek  is  preferable  to  either  Almond  or  Peach. 

Budding  is  the  method  most  practised  for  the  propagation 
of  the  varieties  of  the  Peach,  and  sometimes  grafting.  New 
varieties,  of  course,  are  raised  by  sowing  the  stonej.     I  shall 


not,  however,  enter  on  these  modes  of  propagation,  as  they  are 
rarely  practiaed  in  private  gardens.  I  will  only  add  that  bud- 
ding appears  to  make  the  best  trees. 

The  varieties  of  Peach  best  suited  for  cultivation  against 
walls  are  of  course  those  that  are  the  most  hardy.  Those  suc- 
ceeding on  a  south  wall  with  me,  and  excellent  in  every  respect 
vmless  otherwise  stated,  are — 

Early  York,  large,  melting,  and  excellent.  Ripe  from  the  beginning 
to  the  eud  of  Angust. 

Grosse  Mignonne,  large,  melting,  and  fine.  End  of  August  and 
September. 

Noblesse,  large  and  good.     End  of  August  and  September. 

Royal  George,  large,  but  not  so  large  aa  some.  End  of  August  and 
September. 

Bellegarile,  large,  melting,  and  excellent  on  account  of  its  keeping 
qualities  and  bearing  carriage  well.     September. 

Chancellor,  large,  and  better  from  a  wall  than  under  glass.  Sep' 
tember. 

Barrington,  large  and  good.     Middle  of  September. 

Late  Admirable,  large,  melting,  and  juicy.     End  of  September. 

"Walburton  Admirable,  large,  valuable  on  account  of  ita  lateness. 
End  of  September  and  beginning  of  October. 

The  above  will  not  disappoint,  unless  it  be  the  Eoyal  George, 
on  account  of  its  Uability  to  mildew.  I  do  not  care  for  the 
Acton  Scot  now  we  have  the  Early  York,  the  best  early  Peach 
for  a  wall. 

A  selection  of  six  may  consist  of  Early  York,  Grosse  Mig- 
nonne, Noblesse,  Bellegarde,  Barrington,  and  Late  Admirable  ; 
of  three.  Early  York,  Grosse  Mignonne,  and  Barrington ;  of 
one,  Grosse  Mignonne. 

The  Malta  is  a  fine  melting  sort,  keeping  and  bearing  carriage  well. 
End  of  August  and  beginning  of  September. 

Stirling  Castle  appears  a  desirable  late  Peach.  Coming  into  use  in 
October,  it  will  be  valuable. 

Sulhampstead,  closely  resembling  Noblesse,  and  said  to  be  hordier. 

Of  the  last  two  I  have  not  sufficient  experience  to  write 
decidedly  of  their  merits  ;  but  I  have  sufficient  to  enable  me 
to  state  that  they  and  the  varieties  named  before  them  are  a 
dozen  of  the  best  Peaches  for  walls. — G.  Abdey. 


BEDDING   PELARGONIUMS. 

Thire  ia  much  troth  in  the  remarks  made  by  Mr.  Lnckhurst 
upon  bedding  Pelargoniums.  I  have  lately  had  an  opportunitj 
of  seeing  many  of  those  varieties  which  first  appeared  in  such 
glowing  colours,  and  must  confess  being  disappointed  with 
them,  for  after  making  allowances  for  the  difference  of  opinion 
between  buyer  and  seller,  I  found  that  many  of  them  did 
not  arrive  at  the  standard  of  excellence  ascribed ;  this  was 
particularly  remarkable  in  the  Golden,  Tricolor,  and  Bronze 
section,  many  of  the  moat  expensive  kinds  having  dwindled 
away  into  miserable-looking  objects,  while  the  colours  of  others 
were  so  nearly  approaching  those  of  some  previously  sent  out, 
that  it  mattered  little  which  one  had.  Of  course  large  allow- 
ances must  be  made  for  them  in  consequence  of  the  parching 
summer  and  our  want  of  a  knowledge  of  the  peculiarities  in 
the  treatment  requisite  to  bring  out  the  proper  tints  ofheir 
foliage,  and  which  I  hope  will  be  acquired  by  another  season. 

The  great  demand  for  something  new  and  distinct  for  bedding 
purposes  is,  no  doubt,  one  of  the  principal  causes  of  there 
being  such  an  influx  of  new  varieties  into  the  market ;  but 
from  their  similarity  to  each  other,  I  fancy  the  mind  of  even 
the  profesaional  gardener,  to  say  nothing  of  that  of  the  en- 
thusiastic  amateur,  must  become  greatly  confused  in  making  a 
selection  of  varieties  worthy  of  purchase.  More  especially  must 
tbia  be  the  case  with  persons  who  live  in  remote  districts,  and 
have  no  opportunity  of  judging  of  the  merit  of  new  varieties 
beyond  the  descriptions  of  the  sellera.  It  is  in  such  lists  as 
those  given  by  Mr.  Luckhurst  in  our  Journal  that  buyers  will 
find  valuable  additional  assistance  ;  but  in  making  selections 
it  is  always  well  first  to  consider  whether  the  plants  are  re- 
quired for  maasing  in  large  or  small  beds,  for  back  or  front 
lines  in  ribbon  borders,  or  as  single  specimens  in  mixed  borders 
or  vaaea.  I  will,  therefore,  arrange  the  varieties  I  have  found 
worth  recommending  according  to  the  posiiions  which,  accord 
ing  to  my  own  experience,  have  proved  most  suitable. 

Among  Scarlet  Zonals  I  shall  take  my  stand  upon  Dr. 
Lindley,  Etbecca,  Eoi  d'ltalie,  and  Indian  Yellow,  as  being  dic- 
tinct  and  remaikably  effective,  either  in  masses  in  large  teds, 
or  in  lines  in  ribbon  borders  in  a  second  or  third  row.  Herald 
of  Spring,  Lord  Derby,  The  Clipper,  and  Piovoataie  very  suit- 
I  able  bs  single  plants  for  maxed  borders  or  vaees.    Glow  and 


September  10,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF  HOBTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE  GAKDENEE. 


183 


Little  David  take  their  places  in  the  centres  of  small  beds,  or 
as  edgings  to  large  ones,  itc,  beitiR  dwarf  and  free-blooming. 

Among  Pinks,  I  have  found  Wiltsbire  Lass  to  bo  about  the 
best  for  massing,  either  in  large  or  small  beds.  Christine 
and  Helen  Lindsay  I  use  for  mixed  borders  and  vases,  wheie 
they  afford  abundance  of  cut  bloom.  As  a  salmon  colour, 
Madame  Kadersdorff  is  first-rate  for  centres  of  large  beds,  or 
the  third  row  in  a  ribbon  border.  It  is  charming  even  at  a 
distance,  and  its  substantial  flower  stem  and  well-made  trusses 
stand  heavy  rains  remarkably  well. 

In  the  Scarlet  Nosegay  section  I  must  select  Cybister, 
Lord  Palmerston,  Amy  Hogg,  and  Christine  Nosegay  as  being 
the  most  useful  of  the  varieties  I  have  cultivated  ;  but  the  hot 
dry  summer  has  been  favourable  to  them,  for  tbey  have  been 
of  dwarfer  growth  and  freer  in  blooming  in  consequence,  other- 
wise they  have  not  gained  popularity  so  fast  as  some  varieties, 
being  so  often  injured  by  heavy  rains. 

Of  Golden  Tricolors  I  have  not  found  one  to  possess  such 
fine  bedding  qualities  as  the  well-known  Mrs.  Pollock.  Beau- 
tiful, indeed,  as  they  all  are  when  grown  under  glass,  they  can- 
not vie  with  this  popular  bedder  out  of  doors. 

In  the  Golden-leaved  and  Bronze  section  Crystal  Palace 
Gem  and  Beauty  of  Calderdale  are  likely  to  be  extensively 
planted  next  season.  The  former,  a  dwarf-growing  gold-leaved 
kind,  is  a  great  improvement  upon  Cloth  of  Gold,  having 
flowers  after  the  colour  of  Trentham  Rose.  The  latter  is  a 
bronze-zoned  kind,  having  a  strong  and  free  growth,  and  well- 
expanded  foliage,  showing  the  zone  to  perfection.  I  think  it 
one  of  the  best  of  its  class  for  centres  of  beds  and  mixed 
borders. 

Of  Silver  Tricolors  I  have  only  Italia  Unita,  which  does 
not  grow  well  with  me. 

Of  SIL^•ER  Variegated  kinds  I  have  discarded  Flower  of  the 
Day  and  Alma,  for  Bijou  and  Flower  of  Spring.  The  latter  is 
a  favourite  with  all  who  see  it.  I  have  also  found  St.  Clair 
well  worth  growing ;  its  cerise  pink  flowers  render  it  a  very 
conspicuous  object  in  the  flower  garden,  but  two-year-old  plants 
flower  best.  Those  who  want  the  same  colour  of  flower  with 
a  dwarfer  habit  of  growth  can  use  Lady  Coventry,  which  makes 
a  pretty  bed  when  edged  with  Verbena  Maonetti  coccinea. 

It  will  be  seen  that  my  remarks  upon  the  newer  kinds  of 
Pelargoniums  are  confined  to  the  bedding  qualities  of  the  plants, 
for  beautiful  as  such  varieties  may  be  under  glass,  I  maintain 
that  unless  they  will  thrive  under  the  ordinary  treatment  given 
.  to  Pelargoniums,  both  in  summer  and  winter,  their  beauty  is 
lost  to  the  small  grower,  simply  because  he  has  no  accommoda- 
tion for  them  according  to  their  requirements. — Thomas 
Record,  Lillesden  Gardens,  Hawkhurst. 


THE  FIRST  IMPROVEES   OF  THE 
HOLI,YHOCK. 

In  one  of  your  recent  Numbers  there  is  a  long  article  on  the 
Hollyhock,  by  Mr.  G.  Abbey.  If  you  will  allow  me  a  line  or 
two,  I  should  like  to  point  out  a  few  errors  which  I  think  ought 
to  be  set  right. 

Mr.  Abbey  says,  "  We  owe  all  onr  improvements  in  Holly- 
hocks to  the  late  Mr.  Baron."  I  beg  to  state  Mr.  Baron  never 
did  much  to  improve  the  Hollyhock,  he  was  only  a  collector  ; 
he  never  raised  a  new  strain.  It  is  to  Mr.  W.  Chater,  of 
Safiron  Walden,  that  we  owe  the  greatest  improvement,  even 
np  to  the  present  time.  He  was  the  first  successful  cross- 
breeder  about  twenty-three  years  since,  when  he  bought  Mr. 
Baron's  stock.  Mr.  Chater  having  then  been  collecting  and 
improving  from  twenty-five  to  thirty  years,  he  had  at  that 
time  some  first-rate  flowers,  which  with  Mr.  Baron's  made  the 
finest  collection  in  the  world. 

In  the  year  1848  Mr.  Chater  crossed  his  own  flower.  Napo- 
leon, salmon  with  dark  red  ground,  with  Mr.  Baron's  Queen, 
a  light  pink,  and  was  successful.  From  the  seed  of  the  fer- 
tilised flower  he  raised  the  celebrated  variety  which  he  named 
Charles  Baron,  which  was  quite  a  new  strain,  and  since  that 
flower  it  has  not  been  necessary  to  impregnate  for  salmons  and 
bufis,  as  every  year  seeds  saved  from  its  progeny  bring  im- 
provements which  can  be  traced  back  to  the  old  parent ;  for  all 
florists  ought  to  know  that  if  once  you  get  new  blood  into  a 
flower  you  may  go  on  seeding,  and  continually  raising  im- 
provements on  the  parent  flower.  We  have  Hercules,  Invin- 
cible, Lady'Dacres,  and  several  others  of  the  same  colour,  which 
can  aU  be  traced  back  to  Charles  Baron,  from  Napoleon  and 
Queen.    I  say  that  that  was  the  first  flower  ever  raised  from 


the  seed  of  a  flower  cross-fertilised  by  the  florist,  and  the  first 
improvement  in  the  Hollyhock  ;  therefore  I  think  Mr.  Chater 
ought  to  have  the  credit. 

I  was  working  in  the  Walden  Nursery  when  he  first  took 
Mr.  Baron's  flowers.  I  recollect  going  with  Mr,  Ward  (the 
raiser  of  John  Hopper  and  Mrs.  Berncrs  Eofcs),  who  was  ap- 
prentice, and  afterwards  foreman  to  Mr.  Chater,  which  ac- 
counts for  his  being  so  successful  in  cross-breeding,  to  Mr. 
Baron's  garden  for  the  stock  of  plants.  The  following  year 
we  began  to  impregnate  their  flowers  with  some  of  our  own 
varieties,  and  in  three  years  we  had  several  new  and  distinct 
varieties,  such  as  Comet,  Walden  Gem,  and  others  equally 
good,  and  Mr.  Chater  still  holds  the  position  of  being  the  most 
successful  raiser  we  have.  His  flowers  are  decidedly  the  best 
sent  out,  they  are  of  better  form,  more  substance  in  the  petal, 
and  more  decided  in  colour  than  any  others,  and  this  improve- 
ment has  been  going  on  now  for  more  than  twenty  years. 

I  have  pointed  out  the  colour  of  buff  and  salmon  merely  as  a 
specimen  of  what  has  been  done.  There  are  other  colours 
which  I  can  trace  back  in  the  same  way.  Scarlets,  whites, 
and  yellows,  all  from  Cbater's  Sulphurea  perfecta ;  purples 
from  Purpurea  elegaus  (Chater) ;  lilac  and  peach  from  Chater'B 
Pallida,  and  so  on.  Therefore,  I  say  it  is  a  mistake  to  give 
Mr.  Baron  the  credit  for  improvement,  as  I  consider  him  only 
a  collector.  He  certainly  did  save  seed  from  those  which 
would  produce  any,  and,  of  course,  raised  a  few  new  varieties 
but  could  never  obtain  a  new  strain.  As  Mr.  Baron  was  an 
eminent  florist,  but  no  botanist,  he  had  not  the  least  idea  of 
cross-breeding,  nor  ever  attempted  it. 

Mr.  Baron  had  been  collecting  for  more  than  twenty  years 
before  he  sold  his  stock  to  Mr.  Chater.  The  principal  of  his 
flowers  he  bought  of  an  old  gentleman,  a  lover  of  the  Hollyhock, 
of  the  name  of  Johnson,  in  1823.  Mr.  Baron  had  not  in  his 
collection  either  a  pure  white,  a  yellow,  a  purple,  or  a  good 
scarlet.  Mr.  Chater  had  all  these  colours.  It  is  to  Mr.  Chater 
we  owe  all  our  improvements  in  the  Hollyhock.  He  was  the 
first  to  cross-breed  to  perpetuate  variation  in  colour,  and  to 
improve  the  shape  and  quality  of  the  flower.  All  the  very 
finest  and  best  varieties  now  in  cultivation  are  the  results 
arising  from  those  flowers  impregnated  in  his  nursery  by  him- 
self and  foreman,  Mr.  Ward,  and  since  then  by  his  son,  now  a 
nurseryman  at  Cambridge,  and  Mr.  Speed,  his  present  foreman. 
Mr.  Parsons,  Mr.  Eoake,  and  the  Rev.  E.  Hawke,  have  also 
been  successful  cross-breeders  ;  but  they  all  worked  from  Mr. 
Chater's  materials,  having  received  all  his  new  flowers  as  soon 
as  sent  out. 

It  was  Mr.  Chater  who  first  perpetuated  the  improved  va- 
rieties by  cuttings,  &c.,  not  Mr.  ISaron,  as  he  used  to  say 
when  he  wanted  to  increase  his  stock,  he  would  take  the  spada 
and  chop  a  side  shoot  off  the  old  [plant  and  stick  it  in. — A 
Hollyhock  Amateur. 


DUTCH  CLOVER  vehsus  GRASS  FOR  LAWNS. 
Confirmatory  of  the  statement  of  "  Hounslow  "  in  last 
week's  Journal,  I  have  to  state  what  I  have  seen  at  Eockhurst, 
West  Hoathly,  Sussex,  the  residence  of  Charles  Hill,  Esq 
When  Mr.  Hill  laid  down  his  lawn  two  years  ago,  he  was  com- 
pelled, from  want  of  anything  better,  to  take  the  turf  from  the 
park  surrounding  the  house,  and  this  was  of  the  ordinary 
character  of  pasture  herbage,  with  a  large  admixture  of  Moss. 
As  a  surface-dressing,  Mr.  Hill  used  wood  ashes,  and  this  alone 
has  had  the  effect  of  driving  out  the  Moss,  of  which  there  is 
not  the  slightest  trace,  and  in  its  stead  a  thick  carpeting  of 
White  Dutch  Clover  has  made  its  appearance,  and  which  during 
the  past  dry  summer  has  maintained  a  freshness  and  verdure 
when  everything  in  the  way  of  a  grass  lawn  was  burned  up. 
A  marvellous  fact  connected  with  it  is,  that  in  the  original  turf 
there  was  no  trace  of  the  Clover. — H. 


BLANCHING  CELERY— STOPPING  PEA  SHOOTS. 

Happening  a  few  weeks  since  to  be  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Leeds,  I  paid  a  visit  to  the  garden  of  Mrs.  Tetly,  of  Armley, 
near  that  town,  and  saw  one  or  two  things  there  which  seemed 
new  to  me,  and  which  you  may  think  worth  notice. 

I  was  struck  with  the  Celery,  a  great  part  of  which  was 
blanched  with  sawdust,  the  latter  being  kept  in  its  propei; 
position  by  wooden  sides.  The  gardener,  who,  I  am  informed, 
wins  numerous  prizes  at  the  neighbouring  shows,  told  me  that 
he  found  this  plan  answer  very  well,  provided  the  sawdust  was 


ISi 


JOURNAL  OF  HOKTIOOLTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


[  September  10,  1868. 


not  too  new.  The  advantage  of  this  over  the  nsnnl  STsttm  is 
that  the  Celery  is  not  so  liable  to  rot ;  the  blanching,  too,  is 
effected  more  readily.  At  any  rate,  the  size  of  his  jjlants 
seemed  to  prove  that  he  made  his  plan  succeed. 

But  what  chiefly  struck  me  was  his  method  of  pinching  bact 
his  Peas,  which  enables  him,  as  he  stated,  to  obtain  a  con- 
tinuous crop  from  the  same  rov.3  from  July  to  October.  When 
three  blossoms  on  each  shoot  are  developed,  he  pinches  back 
the  shoot,  which  after  a  time  throws  out  fresh  blossoms,  so 
that  he  thus  obtains  a  constant  supply  of  new  pods.  This 
system,  he  thinks,  cannot  be  adopted  with  every  kind  of  Pea, 
but  succeeds,  aocordinR  to  his  experience,  with  Ward's  In- 
comparable, No  Plus  Ultra,  and  other  such  sorts.  I  should 
add  that  while  the  Peas  in  my  own  garden  had  at  that  date 
(the  first  week  in  August),  ceased  to  bear,  his  rows  were  covered 
with  23ods.— E.  Bakieum,  Great  Eerhhampstead. 


A  FEW  WORDS  ABOUT  TLUMS  AND 
APRICOTS. 

I  GROW  in  my  garden  a  few  Plums,  of  which  I  wish  to  give 
your  readers  my  experience. 

The  Washington,  which  in  ordinary  seasons  is  said  in  gar- 
dening books  to  lipen  in  September,  this  year,  Being  an  excep- 
tional season,  ripened  in  the  middle  of  August.  My  tree  grows 
on  a  south  aspect,  and  is  remarkably  healthy.  Its  leaves  are 
very  large.  It  is  not  an  abundant  bearer.  The  fruit  is  finely 
formed,  oval,  pale  yellow,  with  a  lovely  pink  bloom  which  any 
maiden  of  bashful  fifteen  might  covet.  The  fruit  keeps  well 
for  at  least  a  week  after  being  fully  ripe,  if  not  handled.  It  is 
what  our  esteemed  friend  Mr.  Eivera  would  call  a  luscious 
melting  Plum,  and  has  this  advantage  over  the  Green  Gage, 
the  flavour  of  which  it  resembles,  with  more  of  it — namely,  it 
does  not  crack  after  a  shower  of  rain.  On  any  aspect  but  south, 
it  is  of  a  pale  green,  and  of  very  ordinary  flavour.  Much 
depends  on  the  judicious  selection  of  aspect  for  successful  fruit 
culture.  The  Washington  is  not  subject  to  the  aphis,  but  a 
large  brown  grub  is  very  partial  to  its  line  foliage. 

Several  Plums  are  not  considered  worth  growing  on  account 
of  their  not  being  afforded  a  proper  situation  with  regard  to 
the  sun.  Of  the  Orleans  I  have  two  trees,  one  on  a  south 
aspect,  the  other  on  the  west.  The  latter  is  a  luxuriant  tree, 
and  the  flavour  is  exquisite.  The  fiuit  of  that  on  the  south  is 
more  beautiful,  but  far  inferior  in  flavour.  I  infer,  therefore, 
that  east  and  west-aspect  walls,  more  particularly  the  latter, 
are  the  best  for  the  Orleans.  This  Plum  is  very  subject  to  the 
aphis. 

Several  Plums  go  by  the  name  of  Coe's  Golden  Drop.  I 
have  a  large  tree  on  an  east  wall,  with  some  boughs  trained 
south,  but  it  does  not  improve  the  fruit.  The  fruit  is  very 
large,  of  brilliant  colour,  excellent  for  jam,  but  not  by  any 
means  a  table  Plum.  For  jam  it  is  preferable  to  the  Apricot. 
It  is  subject  to  the  aphis. 

The  Nectarine  Plum  is  not  much  cultivated ;  but  grown  on  a 
south  wall  is  a  fine-flavoured  fruit,  well  worth  cultivating,  but 
is  apt  to  drop  its  fruit  the  instant  of  ripening.  It  is  of  the 
same  shape  as  the  Washington,  pale  pink  in  colour,  and  quite 
as  large.  The  blossom  is  very  beautiful.  The  tree  is  not  so 
much  subject  to  the  aphis  as  the  Orleans.  The  leaves  ai'e 
large  atd  hard,  like  those  of  the  Gage. 

Plum  trees  do  not  requue  root-pruning  like  Pears  and  trees 
of  a  too  luxuriant  growth.  If  properly  planted  on  a  dry  subsoil 
or  limestone  foundation,  they  will  manage  themselves  with  a 
very  little  assistance  from  a  gardener  who  understands  summer 
pruning  a  la  Sir.  Rivers.  The  high  road  to  successful  culture 
is  defending  them  from  the  aphis  in  May.  That  season  can 
only  be  passed  well  by  daily  constant  watching.  These  garden 
pests  call  forth  man's  vigilance.  During  the  season  I  never  go 
out  without  a  soft  brush,  a  painter's  tool,  and  as  soon  as  I  see 
a  leaf  curl  I  brush  off  the  cause — the  green  aphis.  I  practise 
the  same  with  my  Morello  Cherries  for  the  black  aphis,  so  that 
now  from  attention  they  are  in  splendid  condition.  I  have  a 
plentiful  supply  of  Cherry  brandy  for  my  friends  at  Christmas. 
I  do  not  recommend  growing  this  fruit,  for  I  find  certain  mem- 
bers of  my  family,  who  have  hitherto  been  free  from  aches 
and  pains,  often  fly  to  this  brandy-made-wholesome  for  relief, 
imaginary  or  otherwise.  I  have  tried  every  known  remedy  for 
the  destruction  of  blight,  and  I  find  nothing  like  hand-labour. 
I  am  speaking  only  of  a  garden  on  a  small  scale.  To  the  gar- 
dener Plums  are  a  paying  fruit.     Orleans  sold  this  year  at 


Id.  each  in  Devizes  Market,  and  such  Plums  as  my  Washington 
would  have  been  cheap  for  a  dessert  at  Sd.  I  have  never  seen 
any  Plums  worth  growing  in  pots,  the  fruit  being  small  and 
inferior  in  flavour. 

A  word  or  two  about  Apricots.  As  much  doubt  exists  about 
the  cause  of  boughs  of  the  Moorpark  suddenly  dying,  I  have 
paid  more  than  ordinary  attention  to  the  subject.  After  the 
leaves  had  fallen  last  year  I  unnailed  a  tree  I  have  growing  on 
a  south  wall,  and  carefully  inspected  with  a  powerful  magnify- 
ing glass  every  bud.  I  observed  in  the  fork  where  the  blossom 
bud  forms,  close  to  the  wall,  something  like  a  fine  web,  which 
occurred  to  me  must  be  the  covering  of  the  eggs  of  some  insect. 
1  removed  them  all  carefully,  and  out  of  perhaps  a  dozen  one 
only  appeared  to  have  come  to  maturity.  On  a  closer  inspec- 
tion I  observed  a  small  hole  at  tho  top  of  the  bud,  which  I 
removed,  and  I  found  in  it  a  small  maggot  three-eighths  of  an 
inch  in  length  and  about  the  thickness  of  .in  ordinary  piece  of 
worsted,  white  with  a  black  head.  This  insect,  I  am  inclined 
to  believe,  is  the  pioneer  to  the  mischief  which  eventually 
follows.  But  I  do  not  consider  the  gumming  of  the  Apricot 
arises  from  the  same  cause.  I  believe  that  to  arise  from  some 
injury  to  the  tree,  by  which  the  sap  is  prevented  from  flowing 
in  the  proper  channel,  and  then,  as  it  cannot  circulate,  coagu- 
lates into  gum.  Where  this  occurs  I  advise  removing  the 
bough.  I  believe  the  little  insect  I  have  mentioned  does  its 
mischief  in  the  winter ;  and  the  bough,  having  some  vitality 
left,  puts  forth  leaves  and  blossoms,  but  as  the  supply  of  sap 
is  cut  off  it  speedily  dies.  If  any  of  your  readers  will  give  this 
subject  atttution  they  may  bo  able  to  clear  up  the  mystery 
better  than  I  pretend  to. — Excelsioe,  Seend  Villa,  ]f'ilts. 


PLANTS  IN  FLOWER  DURING  AUGUST. 


August    3.  McDtha  viridis 
piperita 
Cletbrft  alnifolia 

„       7.  Clematis  florida 
Erica  tetralis 
Gaultheria  procumbens 
Lonicera  sempervirens 
Oxalis  comiculata  rubra 
Hydrangea  aiborea 
Dryas  octopetala 
Magiiolia  glanca 
Jasminum  officinale 

humile 
Cytisns  leucfintliua 

„     10.  Erica  arborea 

lihododcntlronponticum 
Sopbora  japonica 
Rhus  cotiDUS 
Escalloiiia  rubra 
Dahlias 
Trop^oluma 
Asters 
Balsams 

Lophospenuum      scan- 
dens 

„     12.  Ipomjea  hederacea 
Poiiulacas 
Senecio  elegans 
Zinnia  elegans 

„     17.  Chelone  barbata 
glabra 
Gladiolus 

Colchicum  autumnale 
(Enothera  Fraseri 
Drummondi 
macrocarpa 
Clematis  erecta 
Ceanotbus  azureus 
Critbmum  maritimum 

„     20.  Gaillardia  picta 
Liatris  elegans 
Helianthus  multiflorus 
Lilium  lancifolium 
Linum  tnuricum 
Glaux:  maritima 
Clematis  glauca 
Aristolochia  sipho 
Wyosotis  palustris 
Campanula  piimila 

„     22.  Hieracium  aurantiacum 
Eccremocarpua  acober 
Delphinium     sibiricuui 
plenum 


August  22.  Pentstemon  diffusum 
Potentilla  'gnescena 
Ijinnria  cymbalaria 
Statics  limoniuta 
Stipa  pennata 
ViUart-ia  nymphieoidea 
Stenactis  speciosa 
P>Tethrum    partbenium 

plenum 
Salvia  bicolor 

tricolor 
n     26.  Tigridia  pavonia 

couchiflora 
Ailnnthus  glandulosa       ' 
Catalpa  sj-riDgsefolia 
Aster  tripolinm 
Aralia  japouica 
Clematis  vitalba 
Dracocepbalum  graudi- 
flurum 

sibiricum 
Ipomcea  quarcoclit 
Helianthus  annuua 
Physalis  Alkekengi 
li>  thrum  roseum 
Paidbeckia  fulgida 

Newmanii 
Amaranthus  caudatna 
„     2S.  Clematis  Hendersoai 
Linaria  peloria 
Polygonum  biatortam 
Mirabilis  rubra 
Commelina  tuberosa 
Crucianella  stylosa 
Loasa  Hcrbertl 

aurantiaca 
ICicotiaua  rirginica 
Aloysia  citriodora 
Tolpis  barbata 
Meeembryantbemum 

crystallinum 
Fabiana  imbricata 
„     31.  Aster  cbinensia 

Achillea  fBgyptiaca 

ptarmica  plena 
Amraobium  alatum 
Statics  bellidifolia 
Impatiens  glandulifera 
Helicbrysum         bracte- 

atum 
Petunia  grandiflora 
Anagallis  grandiflora 
Lavandula  spica 


-H.  H.,  Acklam  Hally  Middkshoivuyh-on-Tees, 


Eeine  du  Portugal  Rose. — I  see  that  by  some  this  Roae  is 
very  highly  recommended.  It  is  very  beautiful,  but  (ah  !  that 
tireeome  word),  I  do  not  think  that  it  will  ever  do  out  ol  doorni. 


SopUmbcr  10,  1866.  ]         JOURNAL   OF   HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


Ifi^ 


The  colonr  is  charming,  something  like  Opliirie,  but  the  buds 
are  very  hard,  like  those  of  Boule  d'Or,  which  only  open  in 
Bome  very  favoured  spots. — D.,  Veal. 


MANCHESTER      BOTANICAL     AND 
HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 

Titt:  last  Exhibition  for  this  season  thus  held  on  tho  28th  and  '^Olh 
of  Aii^st.  nnder  very  favonrable  circumstances,  both  days  beinp  fine, 
and  the  Exhibition  in  most  respects  a  ver>'  gond  one.  Tho  display 
of  frnit  was  cspet-ially  j^'ood ;  indeed,  tho  linest  cvor  witnessed  in 
Manchester,  and  quite  equal  if  not  superior  to  many  of  the  metro- 
politan exhibitions.  Although  the  prizes  offered  by  the  Society  were 
not  large,  exhibitors  brought  fine  collection'!  of  fruit  from  far  and 
near,  iutlnenced,  no  doubt,  by  the  kind  treatment  accorded  to  them 
on  all  previous  occasions  by"  Mr.  Findlay  and  the  Society  which  he 
serves  with  so  much  ability  and  energy.  I  hear  that  tho  Society 
contemplates  holding  a  fruit  show  on  an  extensive  scalo  in  the 
nntnran  of  1809,  at  which  liberal  prizes  will  bo  given— larger,  indeed, 
than  ever  offered  for  fruit  at  any  previous  exhibition.  This  subject 
has  been  well  considered  by  many  practical  men,  and  all  agree  in 
thinldng  the  show  would  be  successful. 

I  give  a  list  of  the  successful  exhibitors,  and  if  I  do  not  describe 
the  objects  exhibited  by  the  unsuccessful  competitors,  it  is  simply 
because  spac^  will  not  admit  of  my  doing  so.  One  name,  however, 
deserves  particular  mention  as  being  very  conspicuous  above  all 
others  for  the  excellence  of  tho  subjects  exhibited,  and  the  number 
of  first  prizes  taken.  I  allude  to  Mr.  Smith,  gardener  to  H. 
Littledale,  Esq.,  of  Liscard  Hall,  Birkenhead,  -n-ho  took  the  first 
prize  in  nearly  all  tho  fruit  classes.  Duly  in  one  important  case 
was  he  beaten,  and  iu  this  instance  it  reqnired  great  care  on  the  part 
of  tho  Judges  in  awarding  the  prize.  Tho  two  exhibitions  were  of 
snch  excellence  that  the  Judges  had  to  call  in  two  others  to  assist  them 
in  awarding  the  prize.  They  both  decided  iu  favour  of  Mr.  Woolley, 
one  of  our  oldest  and  best  Grape  growers,  who  competed  with  Mr. 
Smith  in  Class  *2-2.  for  two  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes.  Mr. 
WooUej's  bunches  were  larger  and  the  berries  more  even  than  were 
Mr.  Smith's,  whose  berries  were  vei^  much  larger  than  those  of  the 
former,  and  many  degrees  darker  and  having  a  more  perfect  bloom, 
but  tho  bunches  were  smaller  and  the  berries  vci-y  uneven  in  size. 

In  Class  1,  mixed  groups  of  Fine-foUaged  and  Flowering  Plants,  the 
first  prize  was  awarded  to  O.  O.  Wrigley,  Esq.,  who  exhibited  the 
following  plants  in  fine  condition — Lilium  lancifoUnm  punctatum,  a 
fine  variety  and  well  bloomed  ;  Croton  variegatum  ;  a  splendid  Ixora 
javanica,  Thrinax  elegans,  Allamauda  grandiflora,  finely-flowered ; 
Dipladenia  amabilis  ;  a  splendid  plant  of  Croton  angustifoUum,  which 
had  the  appearance  of  a  golden  fountain  ;  Bougaiuvillea  glabra,  finely 
flowered ;  Calamus  dcalbatus  ;  Allamanda  Hendersoni  in  fine  con- 
dition ;  Gleichenia  flabellata ;  and  a  noble  jdaut  of  Stevensonia 
sechellarum,  5  feet  high,  and  3  feet  or  more  across  the  widest  part, 
completed  this  fine  collection.  The  second  and  third  prizes  were 
awarded  to  Mr.  J.  Stevenson,  of  Timperley,  and  S.  Schloss.  Esq.,  in  the 
order  in  whieli  their  names  appear.  Each  of  the  above  exhibitors  had 
similar  collections  to  that  which  took  the  first  prize,  the  weakest  point 
being  in  both  instances  a  want  of  better  specimens  of  flowering  plants. 
According  to  the  conditions  named  in  the  schedule,  tho  prizes  iu  this 
class  were  to  be  given  for  a  group  containing  six  fine-foUaged  and  six 
flowering  plants.  A  word  of  caution,  I  think,  would  not  be  out  of 
place  to  exhibitors,  who  are  evidently  too  rapidly  giving  up  the  cul- 
tivation of  flowering  plants,  and  are  paying  more  attention  to  plants 
with  fine  foUage.  Whether  this  is  owing  to  the  latter  being  much 
more  easily  cultivated  is  best  known  to  themselves,  but  certain  it  is,  the 
beauty  of  our  floral  exhibitions  is  becoming  impaired  in  consequence. 

In  the  Class  for  six  Exotic  Orchids  there  was  only  one  exhibitor. 
This  is  very  unusual  indeed  for  Manchester,  which  boasts  of  so  many 
fine  collections  of  Orchids.  Mr.  Jones,  gardener,  of  Wlialley  Range, 
near  Manchester,  however,  staged  the  following  in  voiy  fair  condition, 
and  was  awarded  the  first  prize  for  them.  They  were  Oncidium  obi-y- 
zatum,  Af.-rides  nobilis,  Vanda  tricolor  formosa,  Lxdia  elegans,  Cypri- 
pediam  Stonei,  and  Aerides  suavissima. 

In  Class  3,  for  six  Zonal  Pelargoninmg,  there  were  three  com- 
petitors. Messrs.  G.  &  W.  Yates,  of  Market  Place,  Manchester,  and 
Stockport,  took  the  first  piize  with  well-grown  and  nicely-bloomed 
plants.  The  other  two  exhibitors  who  took  the  second  and  third  prizes 
in  this  class  were  a  long  way  behind,  and  wonld  do  well  to  imitate — 
aye,  and  there  is  room  to  improve  upon  the  example  set  them  by 
Messrs.  Yates. 

In  Class  4,  for  six  Gold  and  Bronze  Pelargoniums,  Mr.  Watson,  of 
the  New  Zealand  Nursery,  St.  Albans,  took  the  first  prize  with  well- 
prown  plants  of  Model,  Beauty  of  Calderdale,  Perilla.  Princess  AHce, 
Mrs.  J.  Todd,  and  Countess  of  Kellie.  This  collection  was  well 
prown,  beautifully  coloured,  and  well  deserved  the  place  of  honour. 
In  the  two  collections  which  took  the  second  and  third  prizes,  fine 
plants  of  Glowworm,  Beauty  of  Calderdale,  and  Beauty  of  Oulton, 
were  exhibited.  Near  these  collections  was  a  fine  pan  of  cuttings  of 
Beauty  of  Oulton,  the  parent  of  the  Bronze  and  Gold  race  of  Pelar- 
goniums, cut  from  beds  in  the  open  air  to  show  the  usefulness  of  this 
fine  variety.  These  were  sent  by  Mr.  Muirv  gardener  to  Sir  P.  Grey 
Egerton,  Bart. 


In  Class  5,  for  six  Gold  or  Silver  Zonals,  thoro  was  a  very  spirited 
competition,  Mr.  Pennington  being  first  with  fine  plants  of  Sophia 
Cuaaok,  the  finest  plant  wn  have  ever  seen  exhibited  of  Italia  TTnita, 
also  a  good  plant  of  Miss  Wataou,  which  appeared  in  fine  condition  ; 
Mrs.  Uix,  also  good  ;  and  Lucy  Grieve,  undoubtedly  one  of  the  very 
finest  Tricolors  iu  cultivation.  Thi^  sot  was  completed  with  a  badly- 
grown  plant  of  Queen's  l'"avourite,  which  was  the  weakest  point. 
Messrs.  G.  &  W.  Yates  took  tho  second  prize  with  well  and  neatly- 
grown  plants  of  Florence,  Lady  CuUnm,  Lucy  Grieve,  CouutcBs  of 
Craven,  Italia  Unita,  and  LElegantc,  a  nire  Silver- variegated  Ivy- 
leaved  variety.  Mr.  Watson  took  the  third  prize  with  a  neat  col- 
lection, but  not  so  good  in  point  of  colour  and  cultivation  as  the  two 
preceding  exhibitions. 

In  Class  (J,  for  four  Fuchsias,  there  waa  only  one  exhibitor.  Hig 
plants  were  well  grown  and  splendidly  bloomed,  and  the  first  prize  was 
awarded  to  Mr.  Wrigley  for  them.  The  same  exhibitor  also  took  the 
first  prize  for  four  pots  of  Japanese  Lilies.  These  were  nicely  grown, 
well  bloomed,  and  far  surpassed  those  from  the  other  two  exhibitors 
who  competed  with  him  iu  this  class.  Some  very  fine  Dahlias  were 
shown,  and  Messrs.  G.  it  W.  Yates  exhibited  a  remarkably  fine  collec- 
tion of  Gladiolus,  eighteen  in  number,  and  were  deservedly  awarded 
the  first  prize.  It  was  well  staged,  and  contained  some  very  fine 
varieties.  Messrs.  Y'ates  are  celebrated  for  their  successful  cultivation 
of  this  handsome  flower. 

Special  certificates  were  awarded  to  Mr.  J,  "W,  Wimsett,  of  the  Ash- 
burnham  Park  Nursery,  King's  Road,  Chelsea,  London,  for  a  very  fine 
collection  of  new  Coleuses ;  also  to  Messrs.  Dickson  &:  Brown,  of 
Manchester,  for  a  very  fine  collection  of  cut  Roses.  These  were 
wonderfully  fine  for  such  a  trying  season  as  we  have  had  ;  they  were 
also  exhibited  iu  tliat  neat  style  peculiar  to  this  celebrated  establish- 
ment. 


In  this  department  there  was,  as  already  stated,  a  very  spirited 
competition.  In  Class  20,  for  six  dishes  of  fruit,  distinct,  there  were 
six  entries.  Mr.  G.  Smith,  of  Liscard  Hall,  Birkenhead,  was  first 
with  a  nice  collection,  containing  splendid  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and 
Black  Hamburgh  Grapes,  two  bunches  of  each,  a  good  Hybrid  Cash- 
mere Melon,  Jefferson  Plums,  Elruge  Nectarines,  and  Walburton  Ad- 
mirable Peaches.  Both  of  the  latter  were  exceedingly  fine.  The 
second  and  third  prizes  in  this  cla^s  were  respectively  awarded  to  Mj„ 
Simpson  and  Mr.  D.  Davics  for  very  fine  collections,  which  contained 
many  fruits  of  first-rate  quality. 

In  Class  21,  for  four  kinds  of  Grapes,  there  was  also  a  very  spirited 
competition,  Mr.  G.  Smith  taking  the  lead  with  a  collection  containing 
good  examples  of  well-coloured  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Black  Ham- 
burgh, Bowood  Muscat,  and  Black  Alicante  (Meredith's),  as  black  as 
Sloes,  and  beautifully  grown  and  finished.  Second,  Mr.  W.  Cardwell, 
gardener  to  T.  Hobsou,  Esq.,  W'ilmslow,  who  had  good  Muscat  of 
Alexandria,  Lady  Dowue's,  Black  Hambui-gh,  and  Black  Alicante- 
Mr.  W.  McMillan  was  third  with  a  similar  collection. 

Class  22,  for  two  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh,  was  also  well  con- 
tested. Mr.  Woolley,  gardener  to  W.  Jackson,  Esq.,  of  Bu-keuhead, 
took  the  first  prize  with  two  finely  finished  bunches.  Mr.  Smith  was 
second,  and  extra  prizes  were  awarded  to  the  Earl  of  Crawford's 
gardener  and  to  Mr.  Meredith,  who  had  two  splendid  bunches,  each 
weighing  4  lbs.,  and  so  much  alike  that  they  might  to  all  appearance 
have  been  cast  in  one  mould.  Unfortunatelj',  however,  one  of  the 
bunches  was  very  much  spoilt  in  appearance  owing  to  a  light  just 
above  where  it  gi-ew  having  been  accidentally  left  unfastened.  The 
berries,  however,  in  each  bunch  were  very  even  and  finely  coloured. 

Class  23.  In  this  class,  for  any  other  kind  of  Black  Grape,  Mr^ 
Smith  again  took  the  first  prize  with  two  fine  bunches  of  Lady  Dowue's, 
beautifully  finished  ;  and  Mr.  D.  White,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Smith 
Barry,  of  Northwich,  Cheshire,  was  second  with  fine  bunches  of 
Black  Alicante,  the  bloom  of  which  had  been  spoilt  by  syringing,  or 
some  other  cau^e.  The  third  prize  in  this  class  was  awarded  for  two 
bunches  of  badly-gi'own  Trentham  Black. 

In  Class  21,  for  two  bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  the  first 
prize  went  to  Mr.  Gr.  Smith,  the  second  to  Mr.  W^.  Cardwell,  the  third 
to  Mr.  W.  Milford.  In  Class  25,  for  any  other  kind  of  white  Grape, 
tho  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  G.  Smith,  the  second  to  Mr.  R. 
Jason,  gardener  to  F.  Staller,  Esq.,  who  had  two  bunches  of  Canon 
Hall  Muscat,  which  were  some  of  the  finest  I  have  ever  seen  for 
size  of  berries,  for  these  being  well  set,  and  for  compactness  of 
bunch.  The  third  prize  was  taken  by  Mr.  G.  Whitefield,  gardener  to 
G.  Galloway,  Esq.,  who  had  two  fine  bunches  of  Buckland  Sweet- 
water. 

Class  2G  was  for  one  Queen  Pine  Apple.  Mr.  J.  Wallace,  gardener 
to  J.  Dixon,  Esq.,  was  first ;  Mr.  Simpson,  gardener  to  Lord  Wham- 
cliffe,  second.  In  Class  28,  for  any  other  kind,  the  fii-st  prize  was 
awarded  to  Mr.  G.  Warde  for  the  handsomest  Smooth-leaved  Cayenne 
I  have  ever  seen,  weighing  TJ  lbs.  Second,  Mr.  A.  Williams,  for 
Smooth-leaved  Cayenne.  Thii-d,  Mr.  W.  Allen,  with  a  nice  fruit  of 
the  same  variety. 

In  Class  29,  for  six  Peaches,  Mi*.  McMillan,  gardener  to  G.  Gort- 
schalck,  Esq.,  was  first  with  a  vci-y  handsome  dish  of  Chancellor 
Peach;  R.  O.  Loycestcr,  Esq.,  second;  Mr.  G.  Silcock,  gardener  to 
Sir  Charles  Shakerley,  of  Somerford,  near  Congleton,  third. 

Class  30  was  for  the  best  di^h  of  Nectarines.  In  this  Mr.  Silcock 
took  the  fiist  prize  with  a  splendid  thsh  of  Elruge  ;  Mr.  G.  W.  Ferney  _ 


186 


JODENAL  OF  HOBTIOULTDRE  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENER. 


[  September  10, 1868. 


hoDgh,  being  second  with  a  very  good  dish  of  Pitmaston  Orange ;  third, 
Mr.  G.  Smith. 

In  Class  .31,  for  the  best  dish  of  Apricots,  Mr.  J.  Blears,  Congleton, 
was  first,  Mr.  J.  Simpson,  second.  Class  32,  for  the  best  Green- 
fleshed  Melon,  Mr.  W.  Fallowfield  was  first ;  Mr.  James,  second  ;  Mr. 
G.  Smith,  third.  Class  33,  any  Scarlet-fleshed :— First,  Mr.  W. 
WooUey  ;  second,  Mr.  W.  Garner ;  third,  Mrs.  Smith  Barry. 

Class  34  was  for  ten  dessert  Apples  : — First,  Mr.  Dean,  Sale  Lodge  ; 
second,  Mr.  W.  Ilenshaw ;  third,  S.  Barrett,  Esq.  Class  35  was  for 
bailing  Apples.  In  this  there  was  a  large  number  of  competitors,  and 
aa  many  as  seventeen  dishes  of  the  variety  known  as  Lord  Suflield  were 
exhibited.  All  three  prizes  were  awarded  to  this  variety,  Mr.  J.  Wal- 
tham  being  first ;  Mj-.  t\'.  Brockwell,  second  ;  and  P.  Speed,  Esq.,  third. 

Class  3G,  for  ten  Pears.  In  this  class  there  were  seventeen  eshi- 
bitors,  the  first  prize  being  awarded  to  B.  Whitworth,  Esq.,  for  a  very 
fine  dish  of  Jargonelle  ;  the  second  to  Mr.  G.  Smith  ;  the  third  to  Mr. 
W.  Kenshaw. 

Class  37,  for  twelve  Plnms  (darW  : — First,  Mr.  G.  Smith  ;  second, 
Mr.  "W.  Allen,  gardener  to  Lord  Hatherton,  who  exhibited  a  fine  dish 
of  Royale  Hative.  Class  3S,  for  the  best  dish  of  light  Plnms  ; — First, 
J.  Dixon,  Esq.,  for  a  fine  disli  of  Jefferson  ;  second,  Mr.  King  ;  third, 
Mr.  Leigh.  Class  39,  for  the  best  dish  of  Cherries  : — First,  A.  Jack- 
son, Esq. ;  second,  Mr.  J.  Blears ;  third,  Mr.  A.  Mickle.  Class  40, 
two  Vines  in  pots : — First,  Mr.  Wrigley,  for  well-grown  and  iinely- 
frnited  Vines  of  Black  Alicante. 

VEGETABLES. 

This  was  also  a  fine  portion  of  the  Exhibition,  and  showed  what  an 
amonnt  of  patience  and  skill  most  have  been  bestowed  during  the  late 
trying  weather  on  the  cultivation  of  all  the  objects  exhibited.  The 
exhibition  was  highly  creditable  both  to  the  professional  gardener  and 
to  the  humble  cottager,  for  a  table  running  the  whole  length  of  the 
exhibition  house  was  covered  with  a  veiy  excellent  collection,  and 
some  very  fine  Peas  were  sho^vn.  The  Potatoes,  Carrots,  Dwarf  Kidney 
Beans  and  Scarlet  Knnners  were  also  of  first-class  quality,  and  the 
Tomatoes  were  remarkably  fine. 

In  Class  41,  for  six  dishes  of  Vegetables,  there  were  twelve  com- 
petitors. The  first-prize  collection  came  from  the  gardens  of  G. 
Whiteworth,  Esq.,  Lymm.  It  contained  a  fine  dish  of  Tomatoes, 
two  fine  heads  of  Celery,  nice  dishes  of  Peas,  of  Dwarf  Kidney 
Beans,  Potatoes,  and  Mushrooms.  The  second  prize  was  taken  by 
Mr.  A.  Mickle,  Read  Hall,  near  Burnley,  who  exhibited  a  similar 
collection  to  the  above,  and  in  vei-y  good  condition. 

Class  42,  for  three  dishes : — First,  T.  Ackon,  Esq. ;  second,  T. 
■Hohson,  Esq. ;  third,  T.  Mickle.  Class  43,  for  ten  Kidney  Potatoes : 
— First,  T.  Statter,  Esq. ;  second,  B.  Whitworth,  Esq. ;  third,  Mr. 
W.  Eenshaw.  Class  44,  for  Round  Potatoes  : — First,  Mr.  W.  Brown- 
hall,  Sale ;  second,  Mr.  J.  Mclntyre ;  third,  Mr.  A.  Mickle.  Class 
45,  for  Onions,  spring-sown : — First,  Mr.  R.  Faulkner ;  second,  G. 
Oliver,  Esq. ;  third,  T.  Aitk-in,  Esq.  Class  46,  for  two  heads  of  Cauli- 
flower ; — In  this  class  there  was  but  one  exhibitor,  whose  exhibition 
was  only  considered  worthy  of  a  third  prize  ;  but  it  is  very  likely  more 
care  had  been  taken  with  this,  poor  though  it  was,  than  would  have 
been  bestowed  on  a  thousand  in  anj-  ordinary  season.  Class  47  was 
for  two  White  Cabbages.  In  this  only  one  lot  was  staged,  which  was 
awarded  a  third  prize.  Class  48,  for  two  Red  Cabbages : — Several 
competitors  exhibited  in  this  class,  and  some  very  firm  heads  were 
shown.  Classes  49  and  50  were  for  t^ucnmbers  and  Tomatoes.  In 
each  class  there  were  some  very  fine  exhibitions  ;  the  Tomatoes  were 
wonderfully  fine. 

The  display  of  fruit  and  vegetables  furnished  by  the  cottagers  was 
of  a  very  high  character,  and  was  about  equal  in  extent  to  that 
which  came  from  the  gardeners.  Amongst  the  cottagers'  collections 
were  some  splendid  dishes  of  Red  Currants,  and  the  Celery  and 
Potatoes  were  also  remarkably  good  ;  there  was  also  a  very  good 
display  of  flowers,  consisting  of  Roses,  Phloxes,  Asters,  Verbenas, 
and  Dahlias ;  and  lastly,  two  plants  of  Mrs.  Pollock  Pelargonium, 
grown  by  a  cottager,  were  well  worthy  the  prize  they  gained,  being 
large  plants  with  the  foliage  beautifully  coloured.  Leaves  of  them 
were  compared  with  those  of  the  newer  varieties,  and  certainly  the 
result  was  in  favoni'  of  Mrs.  PoUock. — J.  Wilis,  F.R.H.S. 


TALMS. 

TocR  correspondent  "  P.iTELix  "  complains  of  the  difficnlty 
•of  procuring  these  at  a  moderate  price.  Many  nurserymen 
cotiid  no  doubt  supply  small  plants  at  a  low  figure ;  but  as  it 
usually  takes  from  four  to  seven  years  from  the  sowing  to 
ohtain  them  of  such  a  size  as  would  be  considered  "  decorative," 
the  apparently  high  price  they  are  commonly  sold  at  is 
accounted  for.  The  only  way  of  obtaining  them  cheaply  would 
be  to  buy  small  seedlings,  and,  being  not  difficult  to  manage, 
they  will  amply  repay  the  care  bestowed. — N.  E. 


reasonable,  bat  I  cannot  forget  the  beautiful  Palms  I  have  seen 
at  is.  and  5s.  a-plant,  and  this  too  in  an  inclement  climate.  It 
is  true  that  there  the  custom  of  hiring  plants  for  so  many 
months  is  almost  universal,  and  for  this  reason  they  come 
cheaper  to  the  purchaser.  It  works  in  this  way  :  a  florist  lends 
out  plants  by  the  dozen  at,  say,  2.5.  Hd.  each,  this  done  two  or 
three  times  brings  in  the  value  of  the  plant,  and  he  can  well 
afford  to  sell  his  plants  at  the  sum  above  mentioned. 

I  have  already  detailed  in  the  pages  of  "  our  Journal "  tha 
way  in  which  these  plants  are  used  in  ornamenting  rooms,  in 
filling  blank  comers  and  decorating  alcoves.  I  hope  to  be  able 
shortly  to  say  a  word  or  two  on  the  subject  of  the  arrangement 
of  conservatories,  on  the  comparative  merits  of  our  system 
shown  in  contrast  with  the  greenhouses  and  orangeries  of  our 
continental  friends. 

Before  closing  let  me  add  how  useful  a  list  of  hardy  PalmS 
suitable  for  in-door  decoration  would  be  to  amateurs.  It  should 
especially  be  made  with  respect  to  the  strength  of  the  plants 
to  resist  the  noxious  effects  of  long  confinement  in  di^  air, 
though  I  fear  not  many  can  give  such  a  list  yerified  by 
experience. — Patelin. 

[When  in  Belgium  in  1865,  we  were  informed  that  the  Palms 
there  found  best  suited  for  room  decoration  are  Chama>rops 
stauracantha,  Ceroxylon  andicola,  Thrinax  elegans,  Phceni- 
cophorium  sechellarum,  and  Chamtedorea  Ernesti-Augusti. 
Several  species  of  Pandanus  are  also  used. — Eds.] 


BENTLEY  PRIORY. 


I  H.iVE  to  thank  your  correspondent  for  his  reply  to  my 
query.  I  shall  not  fail  to  inquire  where  he  directs  me  for  what 
I  am  in  search  of.  But,  what  a  discontented  fellow  he  will 
think  me  !  Even  at  the  prices  quoted,  at  my  own  figure  of  three 
lor  a  guinea,  I  am  inclined  to  grumble.    This  may  be  un- 


{Continued  from  page  133.) 

The  home  kitchen  garden,  in  which  are  the  plant  and  fruit 
houses,  &c.,  slopes  gently  to  the  south,  and  is  efficiently  shel- 
tered on  every  side  by  large  masses  of  trees  and  shrubs.  It  13 
most  admirably  placed  for  all  cultural  purposes  and  for  conve- 
nient access  from  the  mansion.  On  entering  the  garden  from 
the  north  side  a  long  range  of  lean-to  houses  is  seen  on  the 
right-hand  side  of  the  entrance.  These  are  the  original  forcing 
houses  erected  many  years  ago,  and  in  which  I  have  seen  many 
fine  crops  of  Grapes,  Peaches,  and  other  fruits.  They  were 
the  only  horticultural  structures  of  any  moment  on  the  place 
when  it  came  into  Mr.  Kelk's  hands  ;  all  those  which  I  shall 
presently  describe  have  been  erected  by  Mr.  Kelk. 

The  first  house  I  entered  in  the  range  above  mentioned  was  a 
Peach  house  ;  here  the  trees  were  looking  vigorous  and  healthy, 
and  bore  evidence  of  having  produced  splendid  crops  judging 
from  a  few  of  the  fruits  still  left.  Passing  through  this 
house  I  came  to  the  next  compartment  in  the  range,  used  as 
an  early  Strawberry  house ;  and  well  suited  for  the  purpose  it 
is,  as  the  plants  are  placed  on  shelves  near  the  glass,  and 
abundance  of  air  can  be  admitted  at  all  times  when  necessary, 
and  be  made  to  circulate  freely  amongst  the  foUage  of  the 
plants.  When  they  are  in  bloom  this  is  no  doubt  one  oJ 
the  points  most  particularly  to  be  attended  to.  Where  a  proper 
amount  of  artificial  heat  can  be  obtained,  and  proper  provision 
is  made  for  ventilation,  as  is  the  case  in  this  house,  the  crop 
may  at  all  times  be  considered  tolerably  certain,  if  the  plants 
have  previously  undergone  a  proper  course  of  treatment. 

I  next  passed  through  two  more  Peach  houses.  Here  tha 
crop  was  all  gathered,  and  the  trees,  though  in  some  cases  very 
old,  still  looked  healthy,  and  well  able  to  bear  many  more  fine 
crops  of  fruit.  The  next  house  is  an  early  vinery.  The  borders 
had  very  recently  been  renewed,  and  young  Vines  planted, 
which  gave  promise  of  making  fine  canes.  These  Mr.  Rutland 
intends  to  keep  growing  as  long  as  he  can  through  the  winter, 
in  order  to  have  them  as  strong  as  possible  in  the  shortest 
time.  They  may  also  in  this  way  be  brought  into  a  condition 
in  which  they  will  be  naturally  adapted  for  early-winter  forcing. 
In  the  next  two  houses,  which  complete  the  range,  fine  examples 
of  early  Muscat  and  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes  were  stUl  to  be 
seen,  the  latter  as  black  as  Sloes,  with  fine  well-formed  bunches 
of  regular-sized  berries,  having  that  beautiful  bloom  and  finish 
by  which  a  good  Grape-grower  can  always  estimate  the  quaUty 
of  the  fruit  without  tasting  it. 

In  front  of  this  range  of  houses  there  are  several  ranges  of 
pits  heated  with  hot  water,  and  used  for  forcing  early  Potatoes, 
Cucumbers,  and  Melons ;  and  to  the  east  of  these  there  is  a 
span-roofed  plant  stove  in  two  divisions,  in  which  is  kept  a 
general  collection  of  the  smaller-growing  stove  plants,  and 
Orchids,  all  looking  well,  and  remarkably  clean  and  free  from 
insects.  Retracing  our  steps  we  enter,  a  little  farther  down 
the  slope,  a  fine  range  of  houses ;  and  parallel  with  these  and 


September  10, 1863.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


187 


on  the  south  front  of  them,  is  a  broad  walk  about  10  feet  wide 
running  from  one  end  of  the  garden  to  the  other.  The  houses 
are  all  on  the  upper  or  north  side  of  this  fine  walk,  and  on  the 
south  side  is  a  border,  in  which  is  planted  a  row  of  pyramidal 
fruit  trees,  consisting  of  Pears,  Apples,  Plums,  and  Cherries. 
In  front  of  these  is  planted  a  miscellaneous  collection  of  sweet- 
gmelling  plants  and  ordinary  bedding  plants,  with  numerous 
hardy  and  half-hardy  herbaceous  plants. 

The  first  house  I  entered,  on  the  west  side  of  the  garden  and 
just  opposite  Mr.  llutland's  dwelling-house,  is  a  noble  span- 
roof,  about  30  feet  long  by  22  feet  wide,  having  a  bed  in  the 
centre,  and  also  a  bed  back  and  front.  This  house  is  filled 
with  a  choice  collection  of  Tea-scented,  Noisette,  and  other 
Rosea  suitable  for  winter-flowering.  Here  the  plants  looked 
remarkably  healthy,  and  gave  promise  of  producing  a  fine  dis- 
play of  Boses  during  the  coming  winter  and  spring.  The  house 
is  well  heated,  and  I  should  think  very  suitable  for  the  purpose. 
From  a  house  of  this  description  a  large  quantity  of  Koses  may 
be  gathered  at  a  time  when  even  the  commonest  flowers  are 
scarce,  and  at  a  trifling  cost,  for  very  little  fuel  will  be  required 
to  produce  the  amount  of  artificial  heat  required  by  the  queen 
of  flowers  during  the  winter  months.  This  house  must  therefore 
prove  a  greater  source  of  pleasure  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kelk  than 
any  other  on  the  place. 

Leaving  the  Rose  house  I  entered  a  large  greenhouse,  in 
which  there  is  a  general  collection  of  New  Holland  and  other 
plants,  all  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  Between  this  and  the 
extensive  range  of  vineries.  Fig,  Plum,  and  Cherry  houses,  are 
two  fine  ranges  of  Pine  stoves,  in  which  I  noticed  splendid 
examples  of  Pine-growing.  Here  were  to  be  seen  as  fine  a 
stock  as  any  in  the  country,  in  various  stages  of  growth  and 
fruit,  from  the  fresh-planted  sucker  to  the  largest  Queen  and 
Providence.  I  noticed  some  handsome  Queens  in  various 
Stages,  with  the  tiers  of  pips  one  above  the  other  as  regular  as 
if  they  had  all  been  cast  in  a  mould,  and  one  or  two  fruit  which 
I  saw  cut  could  not  weigh  less  than  7  lbs.  These  ranges  are 
three-quarter-span,  with  the  walk  at  the  back  under- the  short 
light ;  but  in  one  of  them  the  visitor  is  obliged  to  put  himself 
into  a  very  uncomfortable  position  in  order  to  get  along,  for 
overhead  the  whole  space  is  covered  with  Cucumbers  in  great 
quantities,  which  during  the  hot  weather  looked  remarkably 
cool  and  inviting.  These  houses  are  a  very  interesting  and 
instructive  sight,  and  they  proved  conclusively  that  Mr.  Rutland 
is  a  perfect  master  of  the  art  of  Pine-growing. 

After  passing  through  the  pineries  I  came  out  on  the  walk 
leading  to  the  door  by  which  I  first  gained  access  to  the  garden. 
Crossing  this  towards  the  east  we  enter  the  largest  and  most 
important  horticultural  structure  in  the  garden.  It  was  built 
as  nearly  as  I  can  recollect  about  twelve  years  ago,  and  is  one 
of  the  finest  ranges  of  glass  in  the  country.  It  is  span- 
roofed,  151  feet  long,  and  about  18  feet  wide,  and  is  built 
parallel  with  the  walk  which  extends  from  east  to  west.  It 
is  in  five  divisions  ;  straight  through  the  centre  of  four  of 
these  the  walk  passes,  and  there  is  a  bfcrder  on  each  side,  in 
which  are  planted  the  Vines,  Fig  trees,  &c.  The  Vines  would, 
doubtless,  by  this  time  have  been  some  of  the  finest  in  the 
country  but  for  a  slight  mistake  in  their  management  a  few 
years  after  they  were  planted.  This  arose  from  overfeeding, 
one  of  the  worst  evils  that  can  happen  to  the  Vine.  The 
borders  were  made  with  every  care,  and  regardless  of  expense. 
They  were  made  in  accordance  with  instructions  furnished  by 
my  friend  Mr.  .J.  Drewett,  whose  magnificent  bunches  of  Muscat 
of  Alexandria,  Canon  Hall  Muscat,  and  Trebbiano  caused 
such  n  sensation  when  they  were  exhibited  at  St.  James's  Hall, 
about  the  time,  or  a  year  or  so  after,  this  fine  range  was  built, 
and  I  am  certain  that  no  Grapes  of  these  varieties  so  well 
grown  and  in  such  condition  were  ever  exhibited  before  or 
have  been  since.  I  well  remember  poor  Mr.  Beaton  throwing 
up  his  hands  and  exclaiming,  "  No  man  ever  grew  such  Grapes 
before,  nor  will  the  like  be  seen  again."  Living  near  the 
Priory  at  the  time,  I  had  frequent  opportunities  of  seeing  the 
borders  during  their  formation,  and  I  am  quite  sure  Mr.  Drew- 
ett's  instructions  were  carried  out  to  the  letter.  A  work  of 
this  description,  in  which  I  always  took  so  much  interest,  was 
likely  to  be  visited  on  every  occasion  which  presented  itself, 
and  these  thoughts  occurred  to  my  mind  on  seeing  the  kind  of 
material  the  borders  were  made  of,  the  preparations  and 
precautions  taken  for  draining  the  borders,  the  stylo  the  house 
was  built  in,  and  the  excellent  mode  adopted  for  ventilating  it — 
surely  with  a  moderate  amount  of  skill  Grapes  equal  to  those 
exhibited  by  Mr.  Drewett  will  some  day  be  grown  in  these 
houses.    (Many  of  the  Vines  planted  in  them  were  raised  from 


Mr.  Drewett's  stock).  How  I  wished  at  the  time  that  the 
management  of  such  a  splendid  range  of  vineries  had  fallen  to 
my  lot,  for  the  greatest  ambition  I  then  had  was  to  produca 
Grapes  equal  to  those  shown  by  Mr.  Urewett.  The  mistake 
which  I  mentioned  occurred,  and  although  very  fine  Grapes 
have  been  grown,  and  are  still  to  be  seen  in  these  houses,  the 
standard  of  perfection  has  never  been  reached,  for  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  Vines  has  been  seriously  impaired,  and  now,  whea 
they  should  be  just  at  their  best,  they  are  showing  signs  of 
weakness.  I  may  be  pardoned,  perhaps,  for  digressing  a  littla 
from  my  description  of  these  gardens,  for  I  could  not  help 
recounting  a  little  of  the  past  history  of  this  noble  structure 
and  its  occupants. 

The  first  division  of  the  house  is  devoted  to  the  growth  o£ 
the  Fig.  It  is  completely  filled  with  the  best  varieties  in  cul- 
tivation, and  a  perfect  thicket  they  are.  Their  branches  ara 
laden  with  quantities  of  fruit  in  all  stages  of  development. 
The  second  division  is  planted  with  Muscat  Vines.  They 
are  bearing  a  very  even  crop,  which  at  the  time  of  my  visit  was 
looking  very  promising.  The  third  division  is  planted  prin- 
cipally with  Black  Hamburgh  Vines.  These  also  looked  pro- 
mising, and  were  likely  to  bear  a  very  useful  crop.  In  the 
fourth,  or  West's  St.  Peter's  division,  the  Vines  were  better 
than  in  either  of  the  preceding  houses.  The  bunches  wera 
large,  handsome  in  shape,  and  the  crop  a  very  even  one  all 
over  the  house.  The  Grapes  in  the  last  three  divisions  will 
come  in  at  a  very  useful  time  to  furnish  the  winter  and  spring 
supply  until  new  Grapes  shall  be  produced. 

What  I  consider  would  wonderfully  alter  the  condition  o£ 
the  Vines,  and  what  I  should  do  if  they  were  mine,  would  bo 
to  raise  the  pipes  in  the  inside  borders  to  the  level  of  the  wall 
plate  ;  I  should  also  cut  the  arches  away  close  to  the  wall  plate, 
leaving  only  the  buttresses  or  pillars  between  the  arches  to 
support  the  house  ;  I  should  then  raise  the  border  both  outsida 
and  in.  This  would  add  about  2  feet  in  depth  to  the  border, 
would  be  the  means  of  throwing  life  and  vigour  into  the  Vines, 
and  would  cause  them  to  bear  finer  fruit  than  they  have  ever 
yet  produced.  It  would  also  add  along  period  to  their  lifetime, 
and  increase  the  pleasure  and  interest  which  they  would  afford 
both  to  the  gardener  and  to  their  owner. 

The  fifth  and  last  division  is  filled  with  Plum  trees,  and_a 
magnificent  sight  they  were,  being  literally  covered  with  fruit 
of  first-rate  quaUty.  There  is  certainly  no  more  useful  house 
in  any  establishment  than  a  Plum  house,  for  if  care  and  fore- 
thought are  exercised  to  plant  varieties  which  will  do  well 
under  glass  and  produce  a  good  succession,  the  supply  of  fruit 
both  for  culinary  purposes  and  dessert  may  be  continued  for  a 
long  time. 

On  leaving  the  Plum  house  we  enter  a  large  stove,  in  which 
a  magnificent  lot  of  plants  are  grown  for  the  decoration  of  tha 
large  conservatory,  the  description  of  which  I  must  leave  to 
my  next  paper.  After  casting  a  hurried  glance  over  the  fine 
collection  of  plants  which  this  house  contains,  for  time  would 
not  permit  me  to  linger  so  long  as  I  wished,  I  passed  through 
into  the  corridor  which  leads  to  the  conservatory.  In  this,  fine 
plants  of  Camellias  were  trained  against  the  wall,  and  in  front 
of  these  were  placed  specimen  Camellias  and  other  plants. 
This  corridor  forms  a  convenient  and  pretty  connecting  length 
between  the  conservatory  and  the  stove,  and  from  thence  into 
the  large  range  of  houses  described  above,  and  so  on  through 
the  whole  series  of  houses,  enabling  the  family  to  walk  through 
them  without  inconvenience  in  bad  weather. 

I  must  here  retrace  my  steps  into  that  portion  of  the  garden 
lying  below  the  long  walk,  in  order  to  describe  the  appearance 
of  a  fine  lot  of  Analeas,  which  owe  their  present  healthy  state 
to  the  application  of  Standen's  Gardeners'  and  Amateurs', 
Friend — a  manure  which  on  a  former  occasion  I  strongly  re- 
commended for  Azaleas  and  other  plants.  I  was  naturally 
anxious  to  see  the  plants  when  Mr.  Pvutland  told  me  ha 
had  been  using  it,  and  the  result  was  highly  satisfactors^ 
They  were  on  a  north  border  at  the  bottom  of  the  garden,' 
models  of  beauty  and  pictures  of  health.  I  am  sorry  this 
most  valuable  manure  is  not  more  appreciated  than  it  is.  Tha 
effect  which  it  produces  on  some  kinds  of  plants  may  be  seen 
at  the  Ashburnham  Park  Nursery.— J.  Wills,  F.E.H.S. 
(To  be  continued.) 


LEEDS   HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 

SCNLET   V.  MHBECK    (sECKETARY). 

!:<  the  Leeds  County  Court,  Mr.  Ferns,  who  was  for  the  plain- 
tiff, stated  that  at  the  Show  held  in  the  Mayor's  grounds,  last 


188 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICUIiTUEB  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENEB. 


[  September  10,  1868. 


Jane,  the  Society  offered  prizes  for  bouquets  of  wild  flowers. 
One  of  these  prizes  was  awarded  to  the  plaintiff  by  a  jury  of 
ladies,  but  the  Society  refused  to  pay  the  amount  (9s.  6i?.).  His 
Honour  said  the  plaintiff  had  no  action  at  law ;  the  prizes  were 
presents  from  the  Committee,  and  there  was  no  law  to  enforce 
a  present.  He  did  not  sit  as  a  .Judge  of  Appeal  between  the 
Committee  and  the  exhibitors.  The  Committee  consisted  of  a 
number  of  gentlemen  who  knew  their  business  in  these  matters 
better  than  he  did,  and  he  should  not  interfere.  Mr.  Ferns 
remarked  that  he  held  in  his  hand  the  certificate  of  the  award, 
signed  by  the  Secretary,  when  his  Honour  said  he  might  be 
called  and  give  them  some  explanation.  Mr.  Ferns  proceeded 
to  question  the  Secretary  respecting  the  rule  of  the  Society 
whicli  states  the  decision  of  the  Judges  as  final,  when  he 
pointed  out  to  him  that  a  part  of  the  same  rule  states  that 
"  any  prize  fraudulently  obtained  shall  be  forfeited,  and  the 
exhibitor  excluded  from  future  shows."  He  stated  that  when 
the  Judges  came,  prize  cards  were  given  to  them,  and  they 
placed  them  (without  any  interference)  in  the  order  of  merit. 
At  all  shows  it  was  found  exhibitors  carefully  looked  after  their 
own  interests,  and  after  these  cards  had  been  placed,  if  an  ex- 
hibitor thought  a  prize  had  been  obtained  unjustly,  he  would 
lodge  a  protest,  and  the  Committee  of  the  Society  would  have 
to  decide.  It  was  so  in  this  instance  :  a  written  protest  from 
another  exhibitor,  against  the  prize  being  given,  was  sent  in — 
the  first  and  only  one  in  the  five  years.  A  number  of  the 
Committee,  accompanied  by  the  Secretary,  inspected  the 
bouquets,  and  found  the  protest  held  good,  for  this  reason- 
garden  flowers  were  mixed  with  wild  flowers,  which  was  decidedly 
unfair  to  the  other  honest  competitors,  and  against  the  spirit 
of  the  schedule;  the  plaintiff  was  told  the  prize  was  protested, 
and  the  Committee  would  have  to  consider  about  it. 

At  their  first  meeting,  held  nearly  two  mouths  after  the 
show,  it  was  decided  to  set  aside  the  award — it  was  entirely  a 
^estion  of  principle. 

His  Honour  remarked,  it  only  confirmed  what  he  had  said, 
the  plaintiff  must  be  nonsuited. 

[We  have  been  asked  to  give  an  opinion  on  this  ease  ;  and 
that  opinion  quite  agrees  with  the  decision  of  the  Judge,  sup- 
posing it  to  be  true  that  garden  flowers  were  mixed  with  wild 
flowers  in  a  bouquet  required  and  purporting  to  be  wild 
flowers.  For,  in  legal  phrase,  the  prize  awarded  to  the  bouquet 
containing  some  garden  flowers  was  "  fraudulently  obtained," 
and  conecquently  within  the  proviso  at  the  conclusion  of  the 
Society's  4th  rule.— Eds.] 


ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL   SOCIETY'S 
EXAMINATIONS   OF    GARDENERS.— July,  1868. 


Mo. 


»  o  • 


p.  W.  Burbidge'l  .g 

T.  Bevan - 

W.  Stewart }■ 


R.Barnes    j^cc 

.John  Smith,  R.H.S.  Chiswick 

R.  Lee  Keenan,  Royal  Gardens, 

Kew  

M.  Middleton,  ditto 

C.  Plllans,  ditto    

William  Jones,  ditto  

Robert  lufilis,  ditto 

James  McGregor,  ditto 

David  Mc  \rdle,  ditto 

James  R.  Pocock,  Bickley,  Kent. . 
Robert  Mackellar,  Colworth,  Beds, 


Feuit  and  Veget- 

iBLE  CDI.TCRE. 


2nd  class. 

2Qd  ditto. 

2nd  ditto. 

2nd  ditto. 

3rd  ditto. 

1st  ditto. 

1st  class. 

1st  ditto, 
notpassed 
2nd  class. 
2nd  ditto. 
8rd  ditto, 
notpassed 
2nd  class. 

let  ditto. 


No.  of 

marks 
790 
860 
840 
825 
620 
950 

1075 
1125 
420 
790 
800 
490 
110 
850 
1050 


FLORicni.TuaE. 


1st  class. 

2nd  ditto. 
2nd  ditto 

1st  ditto. 

2nd  ditto. 

1st  ditto. 

Ist  ditto. 

1st  ditto. 

2nd  ditto. 

l6t  ditto. 

Ist  ditto. 

Srd  ditto, 
notpassed 

1st  class 

Lst  ditto. 


No.  of 
marks 
1060 
840 
860 
950 
640 
950 

1140 
930 
620 
900 

1020 
450 
260 
970 

1100 


VISITS  TO    GARDENS  PUBLIC  AND   PRIVATE. 

MESSRS.    JACKMAN    &    BOK'S,    WOKIKO. 

Although  this  nursery  has  been  established  and  well  known 
for  a  great  many  years,  it  has  been  brought  more  prominently 
before  the  public  of  late  by  the  success  which  has  attended 
Mr.  George  Jackman's  hybridising  of  the  Clematis  ;  and  it  was 
mainly  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  the  varieties  he  has  raised, 
that  on  my  return  from  Dorsetshire  lately  I  turned  aside  some- 
what in  my  way.  I  was  very  glad  that  I  was  enabled  to  examine 
them  in  their  own  home  ;  and  although  this  year  they  suffered 
jn  common  with  other  things,  yet  they  were  a  siRbt  not  easily 
jorgotten.     On  approaching  the  nursery  from  "Woking  you  are 


at  once  struck  with  the  mass  of  blue  colour  iu  all  directions. 
In  front  of  the  house  were  long  beds  radiant  with  Clematis ; 
there  were  plants  in  festoons,  and  showers  of  blooms  hung  from 
the  poles  against  which  other  plants  were  trained.  Others, 
again,  in  pots  exhibited  their  capabiUties  as  specimen  plants ; 
and  others  had  been  allowed  to  run  over  large  roots  of  trees, 
covering  them  with  their  beautiful  blossoms ;  while  in  the  houses 
Clematis  plants  were  iu  process  of  increase  by  tens  of  thou- 
sands, so  as  to  supply  the  immense  demand  which  has  arisen 
for  them.  Last  autumn  Messrs.  Jackman  were  unable  to  exe- 
cute all  their  orders ;  and  now  that  the  capability  of  the  Cle- 
matis as  a  bedding  plant  has  been  sufliciently  tested  the  demand 
will  doubtless  very  much  increase. 

The  varieties  Jackmanni  and  Euhro-violaeea  are  well  known . 
Since  then  we  have  had  Rubella  and  Prince  of  Wales,  and  now 
other  varieties  are  coming  forward  to  claim  our  admiration. 
Amongst  those  which  I  especially  admired  were  the  following  : — 
Lady  Bovill,  a  flower  of  great  size  and  peculiar  form ;  the 
colour  is  a  pale  lavender  blue,  and  the  petals  being  slightly 
cupped,  almost  like  an  expanded  Tulip,  give  the  flower  a  very 
peculiar  appearance.  Thomas  Moore,  very  large,  several  blooms 
being  8  inches  across;  nearly  ml  the  flowers  had  five  or  sis 
petals,  the  latter  number  predominating — this  is  sure  to  be  a 
favourite.  Mis.  Bateman,  a  light  lavender,  barred  with  a  deeper 
shade  of  colour.  Sir  Eobert  Napier,  a  rich  dark  purple,  with  a 
reddish  tint,  light  centre.  Beauty  of  Surrey,  light  grey  mauve, 
and  fine  in  character.  Magnifiea,  reddish  purple  barred  with 
red.  Velutina  purpurea,  fine  darkviolet  purple.  These  are  all 
seedlings,  which  exhibit  very  strongly  the  Lanuginosa  blood  in 
them.  There  is  another  class  which  Mr.  Jackman  is  making 
progress  with,  in  which  the  Viticella  blood  predominates,  and 
in  these  some  striking  colours  will  contrast  finely  with  the 
lavender  and  blue  already  produced.  As  bedding  plants  they 
are  very  useful ;  pegged  down,  cut  back  closely,  and  covered 
with  manure,  they  then  shoot  out  vigorously  ia  the  spring,  and 
soon  cover  the  ground.  After  the  first  bloom  is  over  the  young 
shoots,  which  are  being  continually  produced,  come  into  bloom, 
so  that  a  succession  of  flowers  is  constantly  enlivening  the  bed, 
and  the  colours  of  these  varieties  of  Clematis  are  so  nnuBual 
in  bedding  plants  that  they  become  doubly  valuable.  To 
light  up  dark  foliage,  what  can  be  more  beautiful  than  these 
plants  fixed  to  stakes  about  6  feet  high,  round  which  cluster 
on  all  sides  hundreds  of  the  beautiful  flowers,  varying  in 
colour  from  light  lavender  to  dark  maroon  ?  And  how  beau- 
tiful, too,  when  they  are  made  to  cluster  over  rustic  porticoes 
or  verandahs  1 

This  establishment  has  long  been  noted  for  its  collection  ot 
hardy  plants,  especially  Coniferse ;  and  on  the  lawn  in  the 
front  of  Mr.  Jackman's  new  and  handsome  residence  are  to  be 
seen  many  tine  specimen  plants  ;  beautiful  examples  of  Wel- 
lingtonia.  Thuja  aurea,  Cedriis  deodara,  Taxodium  distichum — 
a  drooping  form  of  it,  very  beautiful,  Cupressus  macrocarpa, 
and  Abies  Nordmanniana,  one  of  the  most  beautifvd  of  our  really 
hardy  Conifers.  One  *f  the  most  curious  and  beautiful  trees 
to  be  seen  here  is  a  Waterer's  Holly.  After  a  heavy  fall  of 
snow  the  branches  were  broken  down,  and  it  suggested  itself  to 
Mr.  Jackman  to  leave  them  thus.  They  soon  began  to  accom- 
modate themselves  to  their  new  position,  and  now,  while  the 
tree  itself  is  about  12  feet  high,  it  measures  quite  40  feet  round, 
resting  on  the  ground,  and  being  a  dense  mass  of  beautiful  va- 
riegated foliage.  There  were  many  flowering  shrubs  here,  which 
one  does  not  see  so  often  as  they  deserve,  as  Eiielreuteria  pani- 
culata,  with  its  heads  of  yellow  flowers.  The  Hibiscus  (Althrea 
frutexl,  in  many  fine  varieties  is  here  cultivated  largely,  and 
this  dry  season  has  been  peculiarly  favourable  for  the  develop- 
ment of  its  flowers.  Some  variegated- fohaged  plants,  such  as 
Acer  negundo  variegata,  are  largely  grown.  By  the  broad  walk 
leading  down  from  the  back  of  Mr.  Jackman's  dwelling  house 
to  the  main  road  there  is  a  very  fine  collection  of  Coniferte, 
amongst  which  some  of  the  Irish  Yews,  on  the  top  of  which  had 
been  grafted  the  Golden  Yew,  had  a  very  beautiful  and  striking 
appearance. 

Close  to  the  nursery  stands  the  district  church  of  St.  John 
with  its  neat  parsonage ;  and  it  added  not  a  little  to  the  interest 
of  my  visit  to  recall  that,  some  years  ago,  I  was  a  visitor  at  this 
little  parsonage  with  a  valued  friend  who  is  now  labouring  in 
a  densely  populated  manufacturing  town,  and  I  little  thought 
then  that  I  was  so  near  to  the  nursery  where  I  was  a  visitor 
to-day.  Like  many  ot  our  leading  nurserymen  Mr.  Jackman 
is  foremost  in  good  deeds,  and  as  churchwarden  to  this  rural 
parish  has  thrown  bis  energies  into  the  cause.  I  left  the 
nursery  with  many  pleasing  thoughts,  and  I  am  sure  that  any 


September  10,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  H0RTICULTU1U3  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENER. 


189 


one  desirous  of  eeeing  Mr.  Jackman'a  collection  of  Clematis  will 
meet  with  the  Baiiio  courtesy  that  I  experienced. — D.,  Deal. 


NOTES  AND  GLEANINGS. 

\Vk  are  informed  that  at  the  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticul- 
tiual  Society's  Fruit  Cummittee,  on  the  tJth  of  October,  two 
prizes,  £3  and  £2,  will  he  ollered  for  the  first  and  second  hest 
collections  of  Edible  Fungi. 

Froji  Dr.  Hooker's  admirable  opening  address  at  the 

meeting  of  the  Bhitisii  Association  fou  thk  Advancement  of 
Science  we  extract  the  following  : — 

"The  gi'oatost  botanical  discoveries  mado  dnrinfr  the  last  ten  years 
have  bceu  ])liysioIof^ii'al,  and  I  here  alludo  especially  to  the  series  of 
papers  oa  the  ferlilisatiou  of  plants  which  we  o»ve  to  Mr.  Darwin. 
You  are  aware  that  this  distinguished  naturalist,  after  aecamnlating 
stores  of  specimens  in  peoloj^  and  zoology  during  his  circumnavi;:^ation 
of  the  globe  with  Ca]itain  Fitzroy,  espoused  the  doctrine  of  the  con- 
tinuous evolution  of  life,  and  by  applying  to  it  the  princijtles  of  natural 
selection,  evolved  his  theory  of  the  origin  of  species.  Instead  of  pub- 
lishing these  views  as  soon  as  conceived,  he  devoted  twenty  more  years 
to  further  observation,  stndy,  and  experiment,  with  the  view  of  maturing 
or  Fubvei-ting  them.  Among  the  subjects  requiring  elucidation  or 
verification  wore  many  that  appertained  to  botany,  but  which  had  been 
overlooked  or  misunderstood  by  botanical  writers,  and  these  he  set 
himself  to  examine  vigorously.  The  first-fruits  of  his  labours  was  his 
volume  on  thu  '  Fcrtihsation  of  Orchids,'  undertaken  to  show  that  the 
same  jdant  is  never  continuously  feriihsed  by  its  own  pollen,  and  that 
there  are  special  provisions  to  favour  the  crossing  of  iuiUviduals.  As 
his  stndy  of  the  British  species  advanced,  ho  became  so  interested  in 
the  number,  variety,  and  complexity  of  the  contrivances  he  met  with, 
that  he  extended  his  survey  to  the  whole  fnmily  ;  and  the  result  is  a 
work  of  which  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  it  has  thrown  more  light 
npon  the  structure  and  functions  of  the  floral  organs  of  this  immense 
and  anomalous  family  of  plants  than  had  been  shed  by  the  labours  of 
all  previous  botanical  writers.  It  has,  further,  opened  u])  entirely 
new  fields  of  research,  and  discovered  new  and  important  principles 
that  apply  to  the  whole  vegetable  kingdom.  This  was  followed  by  his 
paper  on  the  two  well-kno^vn  forms  of  the  Primrose  and  Cowslip 
{Journal  of  ih:  Linnean  Socirtj/  of  London,  vi.,  p.  77),  popularly 
known  as  the  pin-eyed  and  thrum-eyed  ;  these  forms  ho  showed  to  be 
sexual  and  complementary  ;  their  divers  functions  being  to  secure  by 
their  mutual  action  full  fertilisation,  which  he  proved  could  only  occur 
through  insect  agency.  In  this  paper  he  established  the  existence  of 
homomoi-phic,  or  legitimate,  and  heteromorphic,  or  illej^timate,  unions 
among  plants,  and  details  some  curious  ob.servatious  in  the  structure 
of  the  pollen.  The  results  of  this,  perhaps,  more  than  any  other  of 
Mr.  Darwin's  papers,  took  botanists  by  surprise,  the  plants  beiug  so 
familiar,  their  two  forms  of  flower  so  well  known  to  every  intelligent 
observer,  and  his  explanation  so  simple.  In  myself  I  felt  that  my 
botanical  knowledge  of  these  homely  plants  had  been  but  little  deeper 
than  Peter  Bell's,  to  whom 

"  '  A  Primrose  hy  the  river's  brim 
A  yellow  Primrose  was  to  him, 
And,— it  was  nothiug  more.* 

*'  Analogous  observations  on  the  dimorphism  of  Flax  flowers  and 
their  allies  (Jouni/il  o/tJie  Lituifan  Socut i/ ^  vii.,  (^0),  formed  the  sub- 
sequent paper,  daring  which  he  maile  the  wonderful  discovery  that  in  the 
common  Flax,  the  pollen  of  one  form  of  flower  is  absolutely  impotent 
when  applied  to  its  own  stigma,  but  invariably  potent  when  applied  to 
the  stigma  of  the  other  form  of  flower ;  and  yet  both  pollens  and 
stigmas  of  the  two  kinds  are  utterly  undistinguishable  under  the  highest 
powers  of  the  microscope. 

"  His  third  investigation  is  a  very  long  and  laborious  one  (Journal  of 
the  Linnean  Society,  viii.,  169),  on  the  common  Loosestrife  (Lythrum 
saUcaria),  which  he  showed  to  be  trimorphic  ;  this  one  species  "having 
three  kinds  of  flowers,  all  annually  abuntlnntly  produced,  anil  as  dif- 
ferent as  if  they  belonged  to  different  species  ;  each  flower  has,  farther, 
three  kinds  of  stamen,  differing  in  form  and  function.  We  have  in 
this  plant,  then,  six  kinds  of  pollen,  of  which  five  at  least  are  essential 
to  complete  fertility,  and  three  distinct  forms  of  style.  To  prove  these 
various  differences,  and  that  the  co-adaptation  of  all  these  stamens  and 
pistils  was  essential  to  complete  fertility,  Mr.  Darwin  had  to  institute 
18  sets  of  observations,  each  consisting  of  V2  experiments — 21t>  in  all. 
Of  the  labour,  care,  and  delicacy  required  to  guard  such  experiments 
against  the  possibility  of  error,  those  alone  can  tell  who  know  experi- 
mentally how  difficult  it  is  to  hybridise  a  large-flowered  plant  of  simple 
form  and  structure.  The  result  in  this  case,  and  in  those  of  a  number 
of  alhed  plants  experimented  on  at  the  same  time,  is  what  the  author's 
sagacity  predicted  ;  iho-rationaJc  of  the  whole  was  demonstrated,  and 
he  finally  showed,  not  only  how  Nature  might  operate  in  bringing 
these  comphcated  modifications  into  harmonious  operation,  but  how 
through  insect  agency  she  does  do  this,  and  why  she  does  it  too. 

"  It  is  impossible  ever  to  enumerate  the  many  importaut  generali- 
sations that  have  flowed  from  these  and  other  papers  of  Mr.  Darwin's 
on  the  fertilisation  of  plants  ;  some  that  appear  to  be  commonplace  at 
6xst  eight  are  really  the  most  subtle,  and,  lik«  many  other  apparent 
common  places,  are  what,  somehow,  never  occur  to  commonplace  minds  ;  ' 


as,  for  instance,  that  plants  with  conspicuounly  coloured  flowerfl,  or 
powerful  odours,  or  honeyed  secretions,  are  fertilised  by  insects ;  oil 
with  inconspicuous  flowers,  and  especially  such  as  have  pcuduloos 
anthers,  or  incoherent  polkn,  are  fertilised  by  the  wind  :  whence  he 
infers  that,  before  honey-feeding  insects  existed,  the  vegetation  of  oor 
globo  could  not  have  been  ornamented  with  bright-coloured  flowerg, 
but  consisicd  of  such  plants  as  Pines,  Ouks,  Grape?,  Nettles,  &o. 

"  The  only  other  botanical  paper  of  Mr.  Darwin's  to  which  I  can 
especially  allude  U  that  *  On  tho  Habits  and  Movements  of  Climbing 
Plants'  [Jonrnui  of  tlu^  J.iiuifnii  fiockty,  vol.  ix,,  p.  1),  which  is  a 
most  elabonito  investigation  into  the  structure,  modification,  and 
functions  of  the  various  organs  by  which  plants  climb,  twine,  and 
attach  themselves  to  foreign  objects.  In  this  ho  reviews  every  family 
in  the  vegetable  kingdom,  aud  every  organ  nsicd  by  any  plant  for  tha 
above  pui-pQsu.  The  result  places  tho  whole  subject  in  a  totally  new 
light  before  us.  The  guesses,  crude  observations,  and  abortive  ex- 
periments that  had  disfigured  tho  writings  of  previous  observora  are 
swept  away  ;  orjjans,  structures,  aud  functions  of  which  botanists  had 
no  previous  knowledge  are  revealed  to  them,  aud  the  whole  investi- 
gation is  made  as  clear  as  it  is  interestinj^  and  instructive. 

"  The  value  of  these  tUscoverics,  which  add  whole  chapters  to  th© 
principles  of  botany,  is  not  theoretical  only  ;  already  the  horticuiturist 
and  flfiriculturist  have  began  to  ponder  over  them,  and  to  recognise  in 
the  failure  of  certain  crops  the  operation  of  laws  that  Mr.  Darwin 
first  laid  down.  What  Faraday's  discoveries  are  to  telegraphy,  Mr. 
Darwin's  will  assuredly  prove  to  rural  economy  in  its  widest  sense  and 
most  extended  application. 

"  Another  instance  of  successful  experiment  in  Physiological  Botany 
is  Mr.  Herbert  Spencer's  observations  on  the  circulation  of  the  sap  and 
formation  of  wood  in  plants  [Linnean  Transactions,  vol.  sxv..  p.  405). 
As  is  well  known,  the  tissues  of  our  herbs,  shrubs,  and  trees,  from  the 
tips  of  their  roots  to  those  of  their  petals  and  pistils,  are  permeated 
by  tubular  vessels.  The  functions  of  these  have  been  hotly  disputed, 
some  physiologists  aflirming  that  they  convey  air,  others  fluids,  others 
gases,  and  still  others  assignuig  to  them  far-fetched  uses,  of  a  wholly 
different  nature.  By  a  scries  of  admirably-contrived  and  conducted 
experiments,  Mr.  Spencer  has  not  only  shown  that  these  vessels  a»0 
charged  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year  with  fluid,  but  that  they  are 
intimately  connected  with  the  formation  of  wood.  He  farther  in- 
vestigates the  natnre  of  the  special  tissues  concerned  in  this  operation, 
and  shows  not  merely  how  they  may  act,  but,  to  a  great  extent,  how  they 
do  act.  As  this  paper  will,  1  believe,  bo  especially  alluded  to  by  tha 
President  of  the  Biological  Section,  I  need  dwell  no  further  on  it  here 
than  to  quote  it  as  an  example  of  what  may  be  done  by  an  acute 
observer  and  experimentalist,  versed  in  physics  and  chemistry,  but, 
above  alb  thoroughly  instructed  in  scientific  methods. 

"  Mr.  Darwin's  recent  two  volumes  '  On  Animals  and  Plants  under 
Domestication,'  are  a  catacomb  of  data,  observations,  and  experiments, 
such  as  assuredly  no  one  but  himself  could  produce.  It  is  hard  to  say 
whether  it  is  most  remarkable  for  the  number  aud  value  of  the  new 
facts  it  discloses,  or  for  its  array  of  small,  forgotten,  or  overlooked  ob- 
servations, neglected  by  some  naturaUsts,  and  discarded  by  others, 
which,  under  his  mind  and  eye,  prove  to  be  of  first-rate  scientific  im- 
portance. An  eminent  surgeon  and  physiologist  (Mr.  James  Paget), 
has  remarked  to  me,  ajyropos  of  these  volumes,  that  they  exempli^  in 
a  most  remarkable  manner  that  power  of  utihsing  tho  waste  materials 
of  other  scieutific  men's  laboratories,  which  is  a  very  characteristic  fea- 
ture of  their  author.  As  one  of  iho^G  pieces j nut ifcativcs  oi  his  previous 
work,  "  The  Origin  of  Species,"  which  have  been  waited  for  so  long  and 
impatiently,  these  volumes  will  probably  have  more  than  their  due 
intluence  ;  for  the  serried  ranks  of  facts  in  support  of  his  theories 
which  they  present  may  well  awe  many  a  timid  naturalist  into  bolting 
more  obnoxious  doctrines  than  that  of  natural  selection. 

"  It  is  in  this  work  that  BIr.  Darwin  expounds  his  new  hypothealff 
of  Pangenesis,  which  certainly  correlates,  and  may  prove  to  contain 
the  rationale  of  all  the  phenomena  of  reproduction  and  of  inheritance. 
You  are  aware  that  every  plant  or  animal  commences  its  more  or  less 
independent  life  as  a  single  cell,  from  which  is  developed  an  organism 
more  or  less  closely  similar  to  its  parent's.  One  of  the  most  striking 
examples  I  can  think  of  is  afforded  by  a  species  of  Begonia,  the  stalks, 
leaves,  aud  other  parts  of  which  are  supeificially  studded  with  loosely- 
attached  cells.  Any  one  of  those  cells,  if  referred  to  favourable  con- 
ditions, will  produce  a  perfect  plant,  similar  to  its  parent.  You  may 
say  that  these  cells  have  inherited  the  potentiality  to  do  so  ;  but  this 
is  not  all,  for  every  plant  thus  produced  in  like  manner  dcvelopes  on 
its  stalks  and  leaves  myriads  of  similar  cells,  endowed  with  the  same 
property  of  b^^coming  such  in  new  plants ;  and  so  on,  apparently  in- 
terminably. Therefore,  the  original  cell  that  left  the  grandparent  not 
only  carried  with  it  this  so-callod  potentiality,  but  multipUed  it  and 
distributed  it  with  undiminished  power  through  the  other  cells  the 
plant  itself  produced  ;  and  so  on,  for  countless  generations.  What  is 
this  potentiality,  and  how  is  this  power  to  reproduce  thus  propagated, 
so  that  an  organism  can.  by  single  cells,  multiply  itself  so  rapidly  and, 
Within  very  narrow  limits,  eo  surely  and  so  intenniuably  ?  Mr.  Darwin 
suggests  an  explanation,  by  assuming  that  each  cell  or  fragment  of  a 
plant  (or  animal),  contains  myriads  of  atoms  or  geminules,  each  of 
which  geminules  he  supposes  to  have  been  thrown  off  from  the  separate 
cells  of  the  mother  plwut,  the  geminules  having  the  power  of  multipli- 
cation and  of  circulating  throuf-hout  the  plant ;  their  future  develop- 
ment he  supposes  to  depend  on  their  aflijiity  for  other  partially  de- 


190 


JOUKNAIi  OF  HOBTICTJLTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENER. 


[  September  10, 1868. 


Teloped  cells  in  due  order  of  enccesEion.  Geminnles  wbich  do  not 
become  developed  may,  according  to  his  hypothesis,  he  trnusmitted 
through  many  sncceediug  generations,  thus  enabling  us  to  understand 
many  remarliablo  cases  of  reversion  or  ntaxism.  Thus,  according  to 
this  hypothesis,  not  only  have  the  normal  organs  of  the  body  the  re- 
presentative elements  of  which  they  consist  diffused  through  all  the 
other  parts  of  the  body,  but  the  morbid  states  of  these — as  hereditaiT 
diseases,  malformations,  &c. — all  actually  circulate  in  the  body  as 
morbid  geminnles.  As  with  other  hyrotheses  based  on  the  assumed 
existence  of  structures  and  elements  that  escape  our  senses,  by  reason 
of  their  minuteness  or  subtlety,  this  of  Pangenesis  will  approve  itself 
to  some  minds  and  not  to  others.  To  some  these  inconceivably  minute 
circulating  geminnles  will  be  as  apparent  to  the  mind's  eye  as  the  stars 
of  which  the  Milky  Way  is  composed  ;  others  will  prefer  embodying  the 
idea  in  such  terras  as  potentiality,  a  term  which  conveys  no  definite 
impression  whatever,  and  they  will  lil:e  it  none  the  lesson  this  account. 
"Whatever  be  the  scientific  value  of  these  geminnles,  there  is  no  question 
bat  that  to  Mr.  Darwin's  enunciation  of  the  doctrine  of  Pangenesis 
■we  owe  it.  that  we  have  the  clearest  and  most  systematic  r.-.-j^z/jt'  of  the 
many  wonderful  phenomena  of  reproduction  and  inheritance  that  has 
yet  appeared  ;  and  against  the  guarded  entertainment  of  the  hypo- 
thesis, or  speculation  if  you  will,  as  a  means  of  correlating  these  phe- 
nomena, nothing  can  be  urged  in  the  present  stat^  of  science.  The 
President  of  the  Linuean  Society,  a  proverbially  cautions  naturalist, 
thus  well  expresses  his  own  ideas  of  Pangenesis : — '  If,'  he  says,  '  we 
take  into  consideration  how  familiar  mathematical  signs  and  symbols 
make  us  with  numbers  and  combinations,  the  actual  realisation  of 
which  is  beyond  all  human  capacity  ;  how  inconceivably  minute  must 
he  those  emanations  which  most  powerfully  affect  our  sense  of  smell 
nnd  our  constitutions  ;  and  if,  discarding  all  preventions,  we  follow 
Mr.  Darwin  step  by  step  in  appl}-ing  his  suppositions  to  the  facts  set 
before  as,  we  must,  I  think,  admit  that  they  may  explain  some,  and 
are  incompatible  with  others  ;  and  it  appears  to  me  that  Pangenesis 
will  be  admitted  by  many  as  a  provisional  hypothesis,  to  he  farther 
tested,  and  to  be  discarded  only  when  a  more  plausible  one  shall  he 
bronght  fonvard.'  " 


POMOLOGICAL  GLEANINGS. 

Thebe  ia  a  new  Nectarine  raised  by  Mr.  Rivers,  called 
AiiBEET  VicToit,  which  belongs  to  the  Stanwick  race,  and 
has  some  resemblance  to  Victoria,  another  of  his  seedlings. 
We  have  had  frtiit  of  both  of  these,  and  the  Stanwick  fla- 
vour is  distinctly  traceable  in  both,  but  the  faults  of  that 
variety  are  wanting ;  there  is  no  cracking  of  the  fruit,  or  of 
the  stone. 

Messes.  Bcntabd  &  Sons,  of  Maidstone,  have  sent  us  a 

marvellons  little  Apple,  of  which  they  say,  "  'We  beg  to  enclose 
four  specimens  of  a  seedling  dessert  Apple,  which  has  been  in 
use  about  a  month,  and  those  sent  have  been  gathered  three 
weeks."     The  flavour  is  rich  and  sweet,  with  the  fine  high 


aroma  of  a  Nonpareil.  Such  an  Apple  so  early  in  the  season 
is  a  great  acquisition.  The  fruit  is  small,  roundish,  and 
rnssety,  with  a  flush  of  orange  on  one  side.  The  flesh  tender, 
very  juicy,  and  richly  flavoured.  We  hope  to  hear  more  of  this 
iruit. 

Keeping  Fkcit. — To  secure  the  long-keeping  of  fruit,  a 

cool  and  dry  atmosphere  is  indispensable ;  not  so  cold  as  to 
freeze,  nor  so  dry  that  the  fruit  will  shrivel.  When  winter 
Pears  are  wanted  for  the  table,  they  should  be  brought  into  a 
■warm  place,  where,  after  a  few  days,  they  will  become  fit  for 
eating.  Apples  will  ripen  well  enough  in  the  cellar.  Grapes 
will  keep  well  where  the  temperature  is  favourable  to  the 
long-keeping  of  other  fruits.     A  cool,  dry  temperature  is  the 


special  merit  of  the  patent  fruit  ho\xseB.—{America7>  Jmirnal  of 
Ilurticulturc.) 

WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GAnDEN. 

Caidifloiccrs,  examine  the  plants  for  next  year — namely,  those 
still  in  the  seed  beds,  those  pricked  out,  and  especially  the 
plants  from  the  last  sowing.  Kidnry  Bcims,  a  quantity  of  the 
Early  Dun,  Cream-coloured,  or  Speckled  Dwarf  China,  may  be 
sown  in  pots  in  a  warm  place  to  perfect  their  produce  under 
the  protection  of  a  frame  or  pit.  No  more  need  be  sown  where 
the  plants  cannot  have  the  advantage  of  fire  heat.  Onionn 
should  now  be  dried  and  cleared  off  the  ground  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible. The  ground  should  then  be  well  dug,  and  with  the  ad- 
dition of  a  little  dung  it  will  bo  suitable  for  the  main  plan- 
tation of  spring  Cabbages,  which  had  better  be  put  in  without 
much  further  delay.  The  last  crop  of  autumn-sown  Onions 
may  now  bo  put  in.  Lettuces,  the  last  sowing  of  Brown  Dutch  is 
generally  made  by  the  middle  of  this  month.  They  generally 
keep  well  through  the  winter,  because  they  come  up  slowly, 
and  become  stocky  during  the  cool  of  the  autumn.  Mushrooms, 
there  is  little  difficulty  in  procuring  Mushrooms  from  this  time 
till  May,  in  houses  where  a  suflicient  heat  can  be  commanded, 
either  by  a  thick  covering  of  fermenting  material  inside  the 
house,  or  by  flues  or  hot-water  pipes.  If  in  a  house  with  shelves 
upon  the  Oldaker  system,  the  depth  of  the  bed  must  be  regu- 
lated by  the  quantity  of  materials  at  command,  and  the  period 
at  which  the  produce  is  expected.  A  dung  bed  of  5  or  6  inches 
in  thickness  may  be  expected  to  produce  for  six  weeks,  and  if 
scarce  of  material,  as  soon  as  the  bed  has  ceased  bearing  pro- 
fusely, the  top  part  is  removed,  fresh  droppings  added  to  the 
depth  of  2  or  3  inches,  the  old  and  the  new  mixed  together,  and 
the  bed  spawned,  and  earthed  at  the  proper  time,  the  same  as 
a  fresh  bed.  It  is  not  of  much  consequence  whether  the  ma- 
terial of  the  bed  is  rather  dry  or  rather  wet,  only  in  the  first 
case,  after  spawning,  a  covering  ef  wet  cow  or  horse  dting  is 
added,  and  in  the  second  case,  the  spawn  should  be  wrapped  in 
a  handful  of  dry  litter  before  being  inserted.  In  all  shallow 
beds  the  earth  should  be  put  ou  after  spawning,  or  as  soon  as 
the  state  of  the  bed  will  permit,  making  the  thickness  of  the 
earth  from  1  to  2i  inches,  according  to  the  thickness  of  the 
bed,  and  the  time  at  which  it  is  to  produce,  as  the  thinner 
the  covering  of  earth,  the  sooner  the  Mushrooms  will  appear, 
at  the  expense,  in  general,  of  the  solidity  of  the  Mushroom,  and 
the  permanence  of  the  crop.  Both  with  the  in-door  and  out- 
door beds  the  heat  should  be  rather  on  the  decline,  and  just 
about  milkwarm  before  spawning,  and  then,  if  after  earthing-up, 
the  heat  should  not  be  sufficient,  you  may  throw  what  heat 
you  wish  into  the  bed  by  covering.  Before  you  can  remedy 
too  much  heat  the  spawn  is  worthless.  Sjnnaeh,  the  Winter 
Spinach,  Onions,  and  Carrots,  sown  in  rows,  should  have  the 
ground  well  stirred  between  the  rows  as  soon  as  the  surface  is 
dry,  after  every  rain.  Tomatoes  will  now  require  considerable 
attention  in  order  to  ripen  the  fruit  well.  Stop  the  shoots, 
and  cut  off  the  leaves  very  liberally,  so  as  to  expose  the  fruit 
fully  to  the  sun.  V'utercre^ses,  these  will  grow  just  as  well  on 
a  damp,  shaded  border  in  the  kitchen  garden  as  along  the 
brook  side,  and  will  be  safer  for  use  from  such  a  place  than  in 
the  natural  way,  where  they  are  always  more  or  less  sown  over 
with  the  eggs  of  insects  frequenting  pools  or  running  streams. 
Now  is  the  best  time  to  plant  slips. 

FECIT    G.iRDEN. 

In  paying  attention  to  the  fruit  at  this  season  do  not  let  the 
trees  be  forgotten,  but  take  every  opportunity  of  hastening  the 
maturing  of  the  wood.  The  points  of  the  shoots  of  Peach  trees 
might  now  be  shortened.  Tho  shortening  of  the  shoots  will 
cause  the  buds  left  to  swell  better,  and  unless  the  trees  receive 
too  much  assistance  at  the  roots,  there  will  be  no  danger  of  the 
buds  then  bursting.  In  extreme  cases  of  luxuriance  the  stronger 
roots  might  be  pruned  with  advantage.  The  principal  opera- 
tions to  which  attention  is  now  to  be  directed,  are  the  protec- 
tion of  Grapes  and  the  gathering  of  fruit.  The  Grapes,  which 
should  now  be  swelling  fast,  had  better  be  put  into  small  gauze 
bags  to  preserve  them  from  the  attacks  of  wasps,  which  are 
now  troublesome.  With  regard  to  the  gathering  of  such  fruit 
as  Apples  and  Pears,  great  care  is  necessary  to  keep  them  from 
being  bruised.  They  ought  to  be  handled  like  eggs,  in  order 
to  insure  their  keeping.  The  time  when  tho  fruit  is  ready  for 
gathering  is  indicated  by  its  beginning  to  drop  of  its  own 
accord  from  the  trees,  by  its  parting  freely  from  the  stem  on 
being  slightly  moved,  or  if,  on  cutting  open  one  of  the  fruits, 


September  10, 1868.  ] 


JOUENAIi  OP  HORTIOUI4TUKE  AND   COTTAGE    GARDENER. 


191 


the  Beede  arc  of  a  dark  brown  colour,  it  is  fit  for  gatbering.  In 
performing  the  operation,  however,  the  fruits  should  never  be 
shaken  from  the  tree,  as  is  often  done,  but  should  be  all  band- 
picked  on  a  dry  day.  In  storing,  let  them  be  taken  with  great 
care  from  the  basket,  and  placed  where  they  are  to  remain, 
and  if  possible,  let  them  bo  arranged  side  by  side,  and  not 
placed  one  upon  another. 

FLOWEB   GAUDEN'. 

Having  a  little  room  under  this  head,  I  shall  say  some- 
thing more  on  Imddinii  and  ijniftiiiij.  Buda  of  the  Ilbododen- 
dron  in  the  autumn  will  take  as  freely  as  those  of  the  Hose, 
and  it  grafts  in  the  open  air  as  freely  aa  the  Apple.  The  only 
precaution  that  is  necessary  in  this  operation  is  to  take  pro- 
minent buda  from  the  first  growth  of  this  season,  as  many 
of  the  family  have  madu  a  second  growth  this  year.  Va- 
riegated Hollies  may  now  bo  grafted  and  budded  with  the 
greatest  freedom.  The  Ehododendron  being  thiu-rinded,  it  does 
best  by  side-grafting,  and  buds  of  it  also  had  better  be  inserted 
after  the  manner  of  side-grafting,  with  a  portion  of  the  soft 
wood  retained  behind  the  bud  ;  all  autumn  buds  may  thus  be 
inserted.  The  following  observations  may  be  useful  to  those 
little  versed  in  these  matters : — Insert  autumn  grafts  as  you 
would  buds,  leave  about  an  inch  of  the  graft  out  at  the  top  of 
the  incision,  and  uso  the  firm  part  of  the  summer's  growth  for 
the  stock.  If  the  bark  of  the  stock  be  very  thin,  or  if  it  do 
not  part  very  freely  from  the  wood,  you  had  better  put  in  the 
grafts  and  buds  as  in  side-grafting,  cutting  out  a  thin  slice  and 
preparing  the  grafts  so  as  to  fit  the  place;  tie  rather  gently, 
as  the  stock  is  soft,  for  fear  of  bruising  the  bark.  If  tho  graft 
be  put  in  on  the  north  side  of  the  stock  it  will  be  more  secure 
from  the  heat  of  the  sun.  The  best  grafting  clay  is  made  by 
putting  a  lump  of  soft  clay  in  the  bottom  of  a  small  pot,  with 
a  Uttle  water  over  it,  then  stir  the  clay  with  a  stick  until  it  is 
lather  thicker  than  paint,  and  with  a  small  brush,  made  with 
strips  of  matting  tied  to  a  little  stick,  paint  over  the  tying. 
While  the  paint  is  wet  dust  a  little  dry  sand  or  soil  over  it,  and 
when  it  beeomes  dry  no  rain  will  wash  it  off,  and  the  sand  will 
keep  it  from  cracking. 

GREENHOUSE    AND    CONSERVATORY. 

What  a  luxury  a  nice  light  conservatory  is,  however  small, 
when  attached  to  part  of  the  sitting-rooms,  and  what  a  con- 
trast, too,  with  the  heavy,  ill-arranged,  old-fashioned  green- 
houses, only  fit  to  winter  half-hardy  shrubs  for  planting  out  in 
summer.  There  are  scores  of  such  greenhouses  all  over  the 
country,  which  should  be  pulled  down  and  converted  into 
modern  conservatories.  With  a  little  judgment  the  expense 
need  not  be  much,  and  the  enjoyment  and  luxury  which  may 
thus  be  obtained  will  repay  all  the  trouble  and  expense  in  a 
very  short  time.  The  greenhouse  should  now  be  in  thorough 
repair,  and  in  a  clean,  sweet  condition,  as  many  of  the  more 
tender  plants  must  soon  be  removed  in-doors.  If  the  weather 
continue  dry,  all  the  stronger  greenhouse  plants  should  be  left 
out  88  long  as  possible.  This  is  the  time  when  the  advantages 
of  cold  pits  are  most  apparent,  as  the  lights  can  be  left  off 
except  in  rainy  or  frosty  weather;  whereas  the  greenhouse 
has  no  such  advantage. 

STOVE. 

Some  years  ago  people  used  to  light  fires  to  ripen  off  their 
stove  plants  about  this  time,  but  a  better  plan  prevails  now : 
when  the  plants  have  begun  growing  freely  in  the  spring  the 
heat  is  increased,  and  every  assistance  given  to  them  to  make 
their  growth  early,  so  that  by  this  time  no  ripening  of  wood  or 
late  growths  is  needed,  and  the  plants  are  gradually  put  to  rest 
by  the  natural  decline  of  our  seasons.  Plants  thus  managed 
should  never  receive  more  than  .55°  of  artificial  heat  in  the  dead 
of  winter,  yet  there  is  no  danger  if  a  warm,  dry  day  raises  the 
temperature  to  80'  or  85",  with  a  little  air.  After  the  stove 
has  been  kept  dry  for  some  time,  as  is  always  done  more  or 
less  from  the  end  of  August,  the  red  spider  makes  its  appear- 
ance in  some  collections  in  greater  numbers  than  at  other 
times.  This  is  the  worst  time  in  the  year  to  permit  the  ravages 
of  this  insect,  for  if  the  foliage  is  now  disfigured  it  must  re- 
main an  eyesore  till  next  season's  growth  ;  therefore,  on  the 
first  appearance  of  this  evil,  apply  sulphur  to  the  pipes,  i-c. 
See  that  Gloxinias  are  well  ripened  before  ihey  are  set  to  rest. 
All  woody  plants  ought  now  to  be  done  growing  in  the  stove, 

PITS  AND  FRAMES. 

_  Most  of  the  cuttings  of  Pelargoniums  will  no.v  be  fit  for  pot- 
ting-off,  when  potted  to  be  placed  in  a  pit  or  frame,  and  kept 
close  and  shaded  until  they  have  made  fresh  roots,  when  they 


should  be  set  out  in  an  open  situation  to  grow  hardy  and 
stocky  before  housing  them  for  the  winter. — W.  Kjsa.m;. 


DOINGS  OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

Wn  have  often  read  and  believed,  and  yet  with  all  our  belief 
felt  an  under-current  of  something  like  incredulity,  of  the  won- 
drous transformation  in  northern  latitudes,  where  the  melting 
of  the  snow  is  immediately  followed  by  tho  rapid  growth  of 
vegetation  ;  and  of  that  equally  striking  change  in  tropical 
countries,  where,  after  a  flaring  cloudless  sun  has  parched-np 
everything  except  plants  that  send  their  roots  deep  down  after 
moisture,  the  earth  after  the  rainy  season  is  covered  with  the 
most  luxuriant  vegetation.  This  incredulity  in  the  midst  of 
belief  is  apt  to  linger  in  the  mind  until  we  can  add  to  the  evi- 
dence of  testimony  the  evidence  of  personal  observation,  thus 
confirming  the  old  maxim,  "  that  seeing  is  believing."  Perhaps 
never  could  wo  have  had  better  ocular  demonstration  in  our 
country  of  the  changes  effected  in  other  lands  by  drought  and 
rain,  and,  therefore,  in  this  respect  the  faithful  delineations 
of  the  reports  of  travellers,  though  these  reports  were  so  dif- 
ferent from  what  we  could  in  general  perceive  in  our  moderate 
and  more  variable  climate.  Where  all  in  whole  districts  seemed 
merely  a  burut-up  waste,  there  is  now,  to  gladden  the  eye, 
nothing  to  he  seen  but  the  richest  luxuriance. 

A  fine  lesson  has  also  been  afforded  to  us,  that  in  the  midst 
of  discouragements  and  difficulties  we  ought  never  to  give  up, 
as  we  never  know  how  soon  a  beneficial  change  may  come. 
Meet  whom  we  might  for  several  weeks  there  was  nothing  but 
long  faces,  and  dire  forebodings  of  want  and  misery  as  to  the 
coming  winter,  for  even  herds  of  cattle  and  flocks  of  sheep 
would  have  to  be  disposed  of  before  then,  as  there  would  be 
nothing  to  keep  them  alive,  and  the  only  thing  cheerful 
was  the  hope  that  we,  the  superior  race,  might  manage  to 
obtain  bread  if  not  much  water.  Now,  what  with  plenty  of 
sweet  autumn  grass.  Turnips,  and  Coleseed,  though  the  Turnips 
should  bo  small,  a  fair  yield  of  cereals,  and  an  excellent  yield 
of  golden  Wheat,  and  the  pleasant  change  in  our  gardens,  we  can 
contemplate  the  future  with  feelings  that  might  irradiate  the 
countenances  of  those  who  seem  to  have  a  pleasure  in  looking 
on  the  dark  side  of  the  picture  instead  of  the  bright  and  the 
cheering. 

Even  in  our  ornamental  grounds  we  may  look  for  a  fine 
autumn  display.  The  rains  are  encouraging  free  growth  now. 
There  is  hardly  an  earthly  good,  however,  without  some  Uttle 
alloy  to  remind  us  that  in  all  things,  though  ever  aiming  at, 
we  rarely  reach  perfection.  Scarlet  Pelargoniums  that  were 
models  of  splendour  and  loveliness  looked  like  so  many  wet 
rags  after  the  drenching  day  of  the  •22nd,  and  are  only  now, 
on  this  the  5th  inst.,  as  fine  as  they  were.  Calceolarias  that 
stood  the  dry  weather  well,  had  their  flowers  washed  off  by  the 
bushel,  and  it  has  taken  a  week  or  ten  days  to  make  them  what 
they  were.  Many  faded  blooms  having  been  picked  off,  the  dry 
sunny  days  bring  on  all  the  beds  plenty  of  fresh  flowers  ;  these, 
with  the  rich  green  carpet  around  them,  which  no  dry  weather 
will  now  change,  will  afford  a  good  show  for  tho  autumn,  and 
make  us  thankful  that  when  matters  seemed  at  the  worst  we 
did  not  quite  despair,  and  leave  the  plants  to  live  or  die.  We 
know  in  some  cases  where  all  the  water  supply  was  concen- 
trated on  the  kitchen  garden,  that  the  flower  gardens,  but  for 
the  green  grass,  will  be  nothing  but  wrecks. 

Even  at  the  risk  of  being  considered  reiterative,  we  must  ad-d 
that  the  season  will  have  failed  to  teach  a  useful  lesson  if,  in 
places  that  suffered  from  a  scarcity  of  water,  efforts  are  not 
now  made  to  secure  a  more  plentiful  supply.  We  have  no 
doubt  that  much  watering  was  given  so  as  to  yield  merely 
a  minimum  of  good,  if  not  a  considerable  amount  of  harm ; 
but  still  it  would  have  been  pleasant  to  have  been  able  to  give 
more  where  absolutely  needed.  For  ourselves,  even  for  plants 
in  pots,  we  should  have  been  in  extremity  in  two  or  three  days, 
if  the  rains  had  not  come.  Our  Celery  is  now  looking  tolerably 
well,  though  short,  but  it  would  have  been  withered  or  bolted — 
of  bolting  it  shows  no  signs — if  several  times  in  the  hottest 
weather  we  had  not  covered  the  ground  and  the  plants  slightly 
all  over  with  dry  litter.  We  are  very  apt  to  forget  these  draw- 
backs when  we  feel  them  no  more,  instead  of  preparing  to 
meet  them.  If  the  past  season  has  a  lesson  to  many  gardeners', 
it  is  pre-eminently  this,  ''Look  to  the  means  of  having  a  good 
water  supply."  We  are  glad,  therefore,  that  Mr.  Wills  has  drawn 
particular  attention  to  the  securing  of  water,  by  Mr.  Rutland,  at 
Bentl'ey  Priory.   There  are  but  few  places  that  need  be  deficient 


192 


JOUENAL   OP    HOSTICULTUBB   AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENKB.         I  September  10, 1S68. 


in  water,  if  means  were  taken  to  collect  a  good  portion  of  that 
which  falls  from  the  atmosphere.  On  the  19th  ult.  -we  saw  large 
streams  flowing  from  fall  ponds  of  water,  ponds  on  which  far- 
mers chiefly  relied  for  their  general  supply,  and  which  had 
been  dry  for  months.  On  the  22nd  we  saw  streams  from  such 
ponds  almost  sufficient  to  turn  the  wheel  of  a  grinding  mill. 
The  water  that  thus  ran  away  did  little  good,  as  it  found  its 
level,  and  disappeared  in  ditches  and  holes,  but  saved  in  double 
or  treble  quantity  might  have  been  invaluable.  With  all  the 
benefits  to  cultivation  of  large  open  fields  without  a  tree  or  a 
hedgerow,  and  all  the  benefits  of  a  thorough  drainage  of  these 
fields,  we  may  find  such  work  anything  but  an  unmixed  ad- 
vantage, unless  we  save  a  portion  at  least  of  the  drainage 
water, 

KITCHEN   G.IEDEN. 

Earthed-up  a  second  piece  of  Celery,  doing  it  at  once  after 
cleaning  and  tying,  as  at  this  early  season  we  have  no  faith  in 
the  bit-by-bit  system  of  earthiug-up.  When  long  nights  and 
damp  drizzly  days  come,  the  whole  rationale  of  the  earthing-up 
is  quite  different.  As  already  stated,  owing  to  the  dryness,  our 
plants  will  not  be  so  large  as  usual.  .Sowed  the  last" Lettuces, 
Turnips,  and  Radishes  without  protection,  and  Onions  for 
spring.  The  last  will  be  the  best  to  transplant  if  the  weather 
be  mild.  We  would  still  plant  out  numbers  of  nice  young 
plants  of  Endive  and  Lettuce,  but  have  not  had  time  to  fork 
over  the  ground  carefully,  and  examine  for  grubs,  and  if  that 
is  not  done  it  would  only  be  labour  lost.  About  twenty  years 
ago  we  had  an  attack  of  grubs,  and  after  well  turning  the 
ground,  using  tar  and  ammoniaoal  water,  in  winter,  we  have 
seen  little  of  these  enemies  until  this  season,  when  the  ground 
seems  to  be  more  than  usually  stored  with  them,  and  nothing 
but  constant  care  will  enable  us  to  free  it  of  them,  according  to 
the  present  range  of  our  knowledge. 

A  second  summer  has  come,  the  heat  being  very  intense, 
though  less  by  10°  than  what  we  had  lately  ;  but  fancy  what  it 
would  he  it  the  days  were  longer ;  and,  therefore,  we  gave  a 
good  wateting  to  two  plantings  of  Coleworta,  and  the  two  first 
pieces  of  Cabbages,  and  will  help  other  crops  with  sewage  as 
we  find  an  opportunity.  Our  piece  of  spring  Cabbages  that 
stood  last  winter,  and  has  done  good  service  all  the  summer,  we 
will  clear  of  all  bad  and  yellow  leaves  as  soon  as  possible,  and 
just  leave  them  on  the  ground  in  the  way  ot  mulching,  so  that 
even  more  strength  may  be  thrown  into  the  young  shoots. 
These  leaves  in  the  hottest  weather  shaded  the  young  growths, 
and  such  are  now  coming  vigorously. 

FIIUIT    GARDEN. 

No  better  weather  could  be  had  for  gathering  the  earliest  of 
the  fruit.  Notwithstanding  the  dryness  of  the  season,  Wil- 
liams's Bon  Chretien  Pear  is  of  "large  size,  and  good,  and 
should  be  had  in  successions.  All  Pears  and  Apples  have 
swelled  wonderfully  during  the  last  fortnight,  and  if  a  change 
of  weather  do  not  come  soon,  we  shall  have  to  gather  before 
they  are  fully  ripe,  in  order  that  they  may  escape  the  ravages 
of  the  loa.tps.  We  have  gathered  large  q"^uantitie3  of  Plums, 
which  we  would  have  left  for  ten  days,  but  we  knew  that  with- 
out gauze  or  Nottingham  netting  we  could  not  keep  them. 
Some  of  our  double  hand-lights  contain  pecks  of  dead  wasps, 
and  when  a  great  number  accumulate  in  the  upper  glass,  we 
put  a  small  pan  of  burning  sulphur  beneath  them.  Though  we 
may  have  the  right  to  kill  wasps,  we  have  no  right  to  torture 
them.  They  have  never  had  a  nibble  iu  our  orchard  houses, 
owing  to  the  gauze  over  the  openings. 

Peaches,  &c.,  on  walls  are  coming  in  too  soon  for  us.  We 
hope  the  day  is  not  distant  when  we  shall  have  orchard  houses 
not  merely  for  forwarding,  but  for  retarding.  Peaches  and 
Plums.  We  think  a  sugary  Coe's  Golden  Drop  Plum  might 
be  as  great  a  luxury  in  November,  as  a  luscious  Noblesse  Peach 
in  May.  After  the  fruit  is  fairly  set  and  swelling,  we  see  no 
difficulty  by  means  of  plenty  of  air  and  partial  shading,  or  even 
double  glass  and  shading,  in  having  such  fruits  under  glass  six 
weeks  or  two  months  after  they  are  over  in  the  open  air  on 
walls,  in  such  a  season  as  this. 

Strau-bcrrics. — After  referring  the  reader  to  our  remarks  in 
the  number  for  August  20th,  we  may  state  that  we  have  filled 
nearly  as  many  pots  as  wo  shall  want  until  the  spring  is  well 
advanced,  and  the  first  potted  we  shall  water  with  manure 
water.  Treated  as  previously  described,  the  sides  ot  the  ball 
are  supplied  with  fine  large  spongioles  like  crow  quills.  These 
will  soon  divide  into  myriads  of  smaller  fibres.  To  have  fewer 
pots  to  look  after  we  have  preoarcd  a  piece  of  ground  by  digging 
and  enriching  it  near  the  surface,  and  in  that  we  will  plant  out 
a  number  of  plants,  previously  pricked  out  as  before  described, 


say  5  or  6  inches  apart ;  and  as  runners  can  now  be  had  wo 
will  most  likely  plant  out  a  number  of  thorn  closer  together, 
and  these,  as  we  want  them,  we  can  raise  with  balls  to  force 
nc.it  spring,  or  to  make  fresh  plantations  out  of  doors  where 
the  ground  is  otherwise  occupied  or  undergoing  a  process  of 
preparation  ia  winter.  From  plants  so  treated  and  planted 
with  balls  iu  spring,  we  have  had  better  crops  in  the  first  season 
in  stiff  soil  than  from  those  planted  in  autumn,  unless  the 
latter  had  been  prepared  and  turned  out  as  good  strong  plants 
with  balls  before  the  beginning  of  September.  In  using  such 
plants  planted  now  for  forcing  (we  have  put  the  above  words 
"next  spring"  in  italics,  not  without  consideration),  they  will 
do  very  well,  say  after  the  beginning  of  March ;  but  for  all 
plants  that  are  to  be  taken  into  forcing  houses  before  that  time 
success  will  greatly  depend  on  having  the  plants  well  estab- 
lished in  pots,  and  the  buds  rather  well  matured  before  the 
middle  of  October  at  the  latest.  Such  plants  tcs  above  alluded 
to,  when  taken  up  with  balls,  say  in  the  end  of  February  or  the 
beginning  of  March  and  onwards,  will  be  better  if  they  receive 
a  little  bottom  heal,  with  the  tops  exposed  until  the  roots  are 
reachiug  the  sides  of  the  pots.  After  the  end  of  March  and  the 
beginning  of  April,  however,  such  plants  with  balls  do  admir- 
ably for  pL^nting  in  frames  and  pits  at  once,  with  or  without 
more  heat  than  what  the  sun  gives  ;  and  in  pits,  with  full 
exposure  to  light,  the  fruit  will  be  better  iu  flavour  than 
where  partially  shaded  in  houses.  For  this  late  forciug  no 
plant  need  be  taken  that  does  not  show  a  good  fruit  bud  break- 
ing into  a  truss. 

ORNAMENTAL    DEPAKTJIENT. 

As  to  much  of  the  work  we  must  refer  to  the  remarks  for 
previous  weeks. 

Amid  the  potting  and  pricklag-off  in-doors,  and  the  blaze  of 
bloom  without,  there  is  one  drawback,  and,  perhaps,  soma 
readers  will  assist  us  in  the  matter.  The  pleasure  grounds, 
and  the  park  beyond,  are  becoming  infested  with  myriads  of 
the  large  grass  ?nicc,  and  a  small  one,  brown  in  appearance, 
with  a  short  tail.  The  worst  of  these  is  that  they  refuse  to  touch 
almost  any  kind  cf  bait,  but  sometimes  they*will  nibble 
poisoned  corn,  barlovmeal,  i'c.  A  difficulty  exists  as  to  these, 
as  pheasants  might  get  at  them,  however  carefully  laid  down, 
and  the  mice  and  other  animals  will  carry  out  the  poisoned 
bait.  We  put  the  poison  as  near  the  centre  as  possible  of  small 
drain  tiles,  yet  even  from  these  it  has  been  carried  out,  and 
here  is  the  danger.  Wo  have  also  sunk  vessels  iu  the  ground 
with  a  little  water  at  the  bottom,  just  covered  with  something 
tempting.  The  great  difticulty,  however,  is  that  the  mice  con- 
fiue  their  depredations  chiefly  to  what  is  green  and  growing. 
They  managed  to  nearly  clear  for  us  a  belt  of  Boule  de  Fea 
Pelargonium,  just  inside  ot  a  belt  of  Cineraria  maritima, 
where  it  looked  well,  but  as  the  weather  was  very  dry  then,  we 
forgave  them,  as  we  thought  they  would  be  scarce  of  moisture. 
Yesterday,  however,  we  saw  the  centres  of  two  beds  filled  with 
Madame  Vaucher  white  Pelargonium,  drooping,  and  on  ex- 
amination find  there  is  scarcely  a  plant  they  have  not  eaten 
through  just  below  the  surface,  whilst  dwarf  Scarlets  outside 
of  them  are  as  yet  left  untouched.  The  last  feather's  weight 
may  be  too  much  for  the  camel's  back,  and  the  Pelargoniums 
thus  destroyed  in  a  conspicuous  place,  would  prompt  us  to  show 
but  little  mercy  to  the  depredators  could  we  catch  or  kill  them 
without  injuring  other  things  more  prized.  Can  any  one  help 
us  in  this  emergency  ?  What  they  have  done  to  these  few 
beds  they  may  soon  do  to  the  whole,  and  now  there  is  plenty 
of  green  food  without  going  to  the  flower  beds.  It  is  rather 
annoying  that  these  depredations  occur  now,  when  we  have 
entered  on  the  glories  of  a  second  summer,  and  when,  so  far 
as  we  recollect,  the  lawns  never  looked  more  beautiful. — E.  F. 


TRADE  CATALOGUES  EECEIVED. 

Carter  &  Co.,  237  and  238,  High  Holborn,  London,  W.C.and 
Crystal  Palace  Nursery,  Perry  Hill,  Sydenham. — Carter's  List 
of  Dutch  Bulbs,  Fruit  Trees,  Itoscs,  dc. 

Archibald  Henderson,  Sion  Nursery,  White  Horse  Road, 
Croydon,  and  College  Grounds,  North  End,  Croydon. — Descrip- 
tive Catuloijue  of  Ku7seri/  Stock.  Descriptive  Catalogue  of 
Bulbous  and  other  Boots,  itc. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— September  9. 

Vegetables  have  much  improved,  and  prices  have  receded  in  conse- 
quence of  the  better  supply.  Tarcipa  having  fallen  at  least  100  per  cent. 
in,  a  weeli.    Large  arrivals  have  come  to  hand  both  by  coast  and  rail. 


September  10, 18G8.  ] 


JOURNAL    OF   HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


193 


They  chiefly  consist  of  Apples  and  Poar,'^.  Plums  arc  sufliciont  for  the 
tradti,  which  is  now  ohietly  confined  to  London  imd  tho  suburbs.  Potatoes 
remain  at  lormor  quotations,  and  are  excollcnt  in  qviaUty. 


s.  d.      s.  d 
1    6  to  2    0 

0    0 


0     0 

0     0 


Apples K  sieve 

Apricots doai. 

Oharrlee lb. 

Ohostnuta buBb.  0  0 

OarrautK ^  sieve  0  0 

Black do.  0  0 

Figs doz.  1  0 

yiiberts lb.  0  9 

Coba lb.  0  9      1 

Gooseberries    ..quart  0  0      0 

Grapes,  Hothouse.. lb.  3  0      5 

Lemons 100  10  O    IG 


0    0 
2    0 


Melons each    2 

Nectarines doz.    0 

OrauRes 100  12 

Peaches doz.    4 

Pears  (dessert)  ..  doz.    2 

Pine  Apploa lb.    ii 

Phuna 3'j  sieve    2 

Quinnea doz.    0 

Raspberries  lb.     0 

Strawberries.,   per  lb.    0 

Walnuts bnBh.  10 

do per  ICO    1 


d.    H.  d 

Otor.  0 

0      0  0 

20  0 
8 


Artichokes doz. 

Asparaffus  100 

Beans,  Kidney  ?:■  sieve 

Boot,  Red duz. 

Broccoli handle 

Bras.  Sprouts  J^^  sieve 

Cabba(?e  doz. 

Capsicums 100 

Carrots bunch 

CanUflower doz. 

Celery bundle 

Cncuuibera each 

Endive doz. 

Fennel bunch 

Garlic lb. 

Herbs  bunch 

Horseradish  . .  bon'Ue 


VEGETABLES, 
d.      B.  d 
Oto6    0 
0 


0 

2    0 

0    0 

2    0 

G     9 

0 

4 

D 

6 


Leeks bnncb 

0    0  !  Lettuce per  score 

4    0  '  Mnshrooms pottle 

8    0  I  Mustd.&CresB.punuet 
0    0     Onions per  bushel 


d.      B.  d 

4  too    6 


0     0 

1 

0 

Q 

0 


Parsley per  bievo 

Parsnips doz. 


0  I  Peas 


0     8 
8     0 


Potatoes bushel 

Kidney  do. 

Radishes  doz.  bunches 

Rhubarb bundle 

Sea-kale basket 

Shallots lb. 

Spinach   bnsliel 

Tomatoes . . . .  per  doz. 
Tnmipa  bunch 


0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 

6  0 

7  0 


0  0 

0  0 

0  0 

2  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.  All 
communications  should  therefore  be  addressed  solely  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  ttc,  171,  Fleet 
Street,  London,  E.G. 

Wo  also  request  that  correspondents  will  not  mix  up  on  the 
same  sheet  questions  relating  to  Gardening  and  those  on 
Poultry  and  Bee  subjects,  if  they  expect  to  get  them  an- 
swered promptly  and  conveniently,  but  write  them  on 
separate  communications.  Also  never  to  send  more  than 
two  or  three  questions  at  once. 

N.B. — Many  questions  must  remain  unanswered  until  next 
week. 

Removing  Manetti  Rose  Stocks  (A.  Z.). — "  I  have  just  removed 
Hanetti  plants  worked  last  year.  I  bought  them  in  dormant  bud.  If  the 
wood  is  not  ripe,  or  tolerably  so,  you  must  place  a  covering  over  them  for 
a  few  days,  removinp  it  at  night.  Give  them  some  water,  but  do  not  ketp 
the  ground  in  a  swampy  state.  The  Manetti  roots,  with,  heat  and 
moderate  moisture,  will  strike  at  once. — W.  F.  Radclvffe." 

Orchard  House  fJ.  JJifari).— If  you  enclose  four  pootace  stamps  with 
your  address,  and  order  No.  34-1  of  this  Journal,  you  will  find  full  particulars, 
and  the  name  of  a  builder. 

Ground  Chalk  (Subscriber). — Common  whiteninc  pounded  and  spread 
over  your  Vino  border  will  be  the  same  as  ground  chalk.  You  can  have 
Brehaut's  "  Modern  Peach  Pruacr"  from  our  office  if  you  enclose  forty- 
Jour  stamps  with  your  address. 

Seedling  Pelargonidm  Management  (H.  C,).— Tour  sccdlingg  in 
S-inch  pots  should  now  be  cut  down  to  the  fourth  joint.  They  will  push 
strongly,  and  when  the  shoots  are  about  an  inch  long  place  tho  plants 
in  4Viuch  pots,  and  remove  them  to  an  airy  shelf  in  a  greenhouse  from 
which  frost  is  excluded.  Those  now  iu  G-inch  pota  should  also  be  cut 
down  to  four  joints,  and  when  they  have  shoots  an  inch  lonK  slinke  out 
the  plants  and  repot  them  in  pots  4^  inches  in  diameter,  placing  them 
on  a  shelf  near  the  glass  in  a  greenhouse,  as  above  directed.  Give  an 
abundance  of  air  in  mild  weather,  and  no  more  water  than  enough  to 
keep  them  slowly  growing.  A  close  damp  atmosphere  must  be  avoided. 
When  the  shoots  are  3  inches  Jong  their  points  ought  to  be  pinched  out, 
and  in  February  they  may  be  placed  in  their  blooming-pots,  7-inch  pots 
being  quite  large  enou!;;h.  The  plants  will  grow  well  in  a  compost  of  two- 
thirde  sandy  fibrous  loam,  aud  one-third  leaf  mould  or  sandy  peat,  with 
the  addition  of  a  fourth  of  old  cow  dung  or  rotten  manure,  and  one-sixth 
of  silver  sand.  Good  drainage  is  necessary.  Training  must  bo  early  at- 
tended to. 

Gourds  Unfruitful  (JJom).— Your  Gourds,  most  probably,  have  only 
produced  male  flowers  instead  of  all  femnlo  flowers.  If  they  had  been 
female,  as  yoii  say.  we  think  some  fruit  would  have  swelled,  though  they 
would  not  seed.  We  are  imahle  to  account  for  the  plants  not  fruiting. 
Your  treatment  is  proper.  You  may  obtain  feeds  of  the  Mistletoe  of 
some  friend  residing  in  the  localities  where  it  abounds  ;  if  not,  visit  the 
greengrocerb'  shops  about  Christmas,  and  buy  a  piece  with  berries  on  it. 

Potting  Bedding  Pelargoniums  (Idrvi  .—li  ynu  have  room  yon  may 
shift  your  plants,  now  in  2^  or  3-inch  pots,  into  4^i■inch  pots  in  October, 
and  in  March  trnnsfer  them  to  6-inch  pot--.  That  would  give  you  siileudid 
plants,  but  you  Viill  winter  them  iu  much  less  room  in  the  pots  tbcy  are 
now  in,  sliiftiog  them  in  February  or  March  into  4,i-inch  pots,  and  six 
weeks  nfterwariis  into  G-inch  pots.  By  attending  to  stopping  they  will 
be  fine  busby  plants  for  planting  out  in  May. 


Rhododendrons  In.iurf.d  dy  Dry  Weather  (.S'.  Ilriohl).--T\io  Rho- 
dodendrons being  old  we  would  advise  your  cutting  them  bnclt,  and  you 
will  obtain  more  ilwiirf  and  compact  plants,  r>r  if  left  as  thtjy  are,  and 
tho  branches  are  long,  tho  phmts  will  ho  straggling  and  irregular  in 
growth.  If  they  am  small  wo  would  do  nothing  to  them  until  next  April, 
and  then  cut  away  any  dead  and  straggling  shoots,  bo  as  to  form  compact 
hushes. 

Manure  for  Asparaous  and  Sea-kale  (fdewi).— No  manure  is  equal 
to  seaweed.  It  nifty  be  placed  all  over  the  bed  after  the  haulm  is  cleared 
olT,  to  the  depth  of  3*or  4  inches.  Failing  seaweed,  a  good  dressing,  8  or 
4  inches  thick,  of  farmyard  manure  may  he  given,  the  beds  being  pre- 
viously clenred  of  weeds  and  haulm.  Point  the  soil  over  with  a  fork 
lightly,  without  injuring  tho  roots  or  crowns,  and  throw  a  little  of  tho  old 
Eoil  from  tho  alleys  over  tho  hcils.  Ja  the  case  of  Sea-kale  tho  above  will 
ansv.'cr  as  regards  the  manuring.  Lut  will  not  he  necessary  if  the  jdants 
are  forced  in  the  ground  by  covering  witli  stable  manure  or  hot  dung; 
thKt  is  sufficiently  enriching.  If  any  other  mode  of  bhaiching  is  practised, 
tho  Sea-kale  may  bo  niauurud  as  above.  In  March  the  hede  should  he 
neatly  forked  over,  tbe  rough  manure  drawn  ofl"  into  tho  alleye,  the 
beds  "raked  fine,  aud  tie  edges  straightened.  Bo  careful  in  forliiug  not 
to  disturb  the  roots  or  crowua.  A  sprinkling  of  salt  fchould  bo  given  in 
March  or  April. 

Sea-kale  Planting  (W.  T.).— The  ground  phould  have  a  good  dressing 
of  manure  3  inches  thick,  which  will  be  sufficient  if  the  soil  is  light  and 
sandy,  but  if  heavy  it  will  bo  well  to  add  an  equal  thickness  of  sand  and 
leaf  mould,  which  should  bo  worked  into  the  ground  in  the  process  oi" 
trenching.  Trench  2  feet  deep,  incorporating  the  fertilising  agents  well 
with  the  soil.  The  best  time  to  plant  iw  in  autumn,  immediately  after  the 
foliage  decays,  or  in  February  or  March.  Plant  iu  rows  3  feet  apart, 
putting  in  one-year,  and  not  older  than  two-year,  plants  three  together  in 
the  foim  of  a  triangle,  the  plants  G  inches  from  each  other,  so  as  to  allow 
of  their  being  covered  with  the  blanching  pots. 

Wireworms  (/(Zl'hi).— Lime  will  not  destroy  those  pests,  but  a  dressing 
of  lime  snd  soot  will  in  most  eases  drive  them  away.  The  best  time  to 
apply  the  lime  is  iu  March,  and  at  the  rate  of  100  bushels  per  acre.  Soot 
may' be  applied  at  the  same  time,  and  in  similar  quantity.  It  is  a  good 
manure,  as  well  as  distasteful  to  most  grubs. 

Planting  Pansies  U.  J.).— You  may  remove  the  plants  with  good  bolls, 
nnd  plant  them  iu  mild  weather  any  time  between  now  and  A[)ril,  but 
the  earlier  it  is  done  the  better.  You  can  safely  plant  them  from  the 
bcdnning  of  October  to  the  middle  of  November.  With  your  soil  there 
will  be  no  risk  in  keeping  them  in  tho  open  ground  during  the  winter.  We 
presume  the  situation  is  sheltered  from  cold  winds.  Vie  should  certainly 
prefer  to  tike  up  and  pot  the  most  choice  kind?,  keeping  the  pots  plunged 
to  the  rims  in  coal  ashes  in  a  cold  frame  during  the  wintf  r,  and  phintinjr 
out  in  spring  with  the  b;iU  entire;  or  you  may  keep  some  in  pots  and 
grow  them  to  produce  exhibition  blooms.  We  do  not  think  blooms  from 
plants  in  pots  are  finer  than  from  those  planted  out,  but  tbe  plants  can  be 
more  easily  accommodated  and  attended  to,  and  on  that  account  are  by 
some  preferred.  The  bed  you  nan.o  will  answer  well,  adding  some  leaf 
moukl  and  old  mnnure,  as  the  Calceolarias  will  have  taken  the  '■  heart '' 
out  of  the  soil.  You  may  give  copious  suppl  es  of  water  and  weak  liquid 
manure  during  tho  blooming  season,  particularly  in  dry  weather,  but 
avoid  strong  doses  of  liquid  manure  at  any  time. 

Pelargonium  Leaves  Curled  (Suh$cribfr).—'We  do  not  think  yon 
have  Crystal  Palace  Gem  Pelargonium.  Tho  leaves  look  as  if  the  plant 
had  been  overwatcred,  or  as  if  the  soil  were  too  stiff  and  not  well  drained, 
otherwise  we  cannot  account  for  their  curling  up. 

Destroying  Red  Spider  (T.  J.  3/.).— Clear  soot  water  and  clear  sul- 
phur water  will  be  tho  best  liquids  for  syringiug  your  plants  infested 
with  red  spider  ;  but  in  all  cases  where  there  is  no  fruit  to  injure,  you 
might  use  soft-soap  water,  1  oz.  to  two  gallons,  well  dissolved  and  put  on 
at  a  heat  of  130",  and  then  follow  next  day  with  the  above.  The  soapy 
water  will  also  destroy  the  green  fly,  and  so  will  smoking  with  tobacw) 
in  a  close  place.  If  Cucumbers  and  Melons  in  frames  are  much  infested, 
all  vou  can  do  will  be  to  prevent  them  becoming  worse.  You  can  hardly 
extirpate  red  spider  there,  because  you  cannot  get  under  the  leaves. 

Flue  not  Heating  Well  (/defjil.— A  flue  3  feet  in  depth  seems  very 
deep  for  a  house  12  feet  square.  We  thiuk  half  the  depth  would  have 
been  ample  ;  but  if  the  flue  draws  so  well,  it  is  hardly  worth  while  filling 
it  up.  You  can  regulate  the  draught  by  having  a  close-fitting  ashpit 
door,  and  giving  very  little  air  there  after  the  fiie  is  burning  well. 

Petunias  (C.  Barker,  LitUehamplon).~Amoiig  your  numerous  seed- 
lings several  are  very  fine,  both  as  regards  size  and  substance  of  flower, 
and  colours  and  markings.  The  beltings  of  several  were  very  hold  and 
distinct,  and  others  were  beautifully  veined. 

Various  (Comtant  Reader,  Suvimerhill).~YoM  give  us  no  data  by  which 
we  can  arrive  at  the  causes  why  Pelargoniums  and  Fuchsias  will  not 
flourish  in  your  greenhouse  now,  when  they  did  eo  formerly ;  but  as  Ferns 
do  flourish,  we  can  only  come  to  the  conclusicin  that  you  do  not  give 
enough  of  air  and  light  to  the  flowering  plants.  The  sun  leaving  the 
house  at  2  p  m.  would  not  cause  the  flower  buds  to  fall,  provided  the  sun 
shone  on  it  during  other  parts  of  the  day,  if  only  for  a  few  hours.  Even 
in  Cork,  we  hardly  suppose,  mild  as  the  climate  is,  that  you  will  do  much 
good  without  a  little  fire  heat ;  hut  you  could  have  a  tmall  moveable  stove 
in  winter,  or,  instead  of  that,  you  could  open  the  door  from  the  drawing- 
room  iu  cold  evenings.  We  have  a  house  in  which  Pelargoniums  stood 
the  most  severe  nights  of  the  last  winttr  merely  by  opening  the  door  of 
the  library,  in  which  a  fire  was  kept  burning.  In  two  or  three  very  severe 
nights  the  door  of  the  room  was  left  open  all  night.  Ferns  are  very 
pretty,  hut  we  have  no  doubt  in  the  summer  months  the  PelargoniiunB, 
&c,,  will  do  well  if  duly  watered,  air  given  in  plenty,  and  the  class  kept 
clenn  and  unshaded,  except  a  little  shading  during  a  Vfry  bright  fore- 
noon. Your  Ayrshire  Rose  on  a  trellis,  healthy,  but  yielding  no  flowers, 
will  most  likelv  produce  plenty  of  bloom  nest  year  if  you  let  it  alone,  or 
give  it  the  very  slightest  pruning,  merely  removing  any  small  twig^i,  and 
leaving  the  most  of  the  shoots  of  this  year's  growth  at  their  entire 
length,  or  nearly  so,  ju^t  nipping  oft' their  points.  We  would  try  this 
before  planting  a  Clematis;  but  that  is  good,  and  might  go  elsewhere. 
Wo  would  sow  the  Nierembergia  now  if  you  can  keep  the  young  plants 
from  the  cold  in  the  winter.  If  not,  then  sow  in  a  hotbed  nest  February 
or  March,  and  hardenefi'  before  turning  out.  For  edgings  Nieremhergia 
gracilis  is  pretty  :  but  formixing  with  Scarht  Pelargoniums,  N.  filicitulis, 
which  grows  from  15  to  18  inches  in  height,  will  he  the  best.  Such  a  mixed 


194 


JOUBNAL  OP  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


(  Septomber  10,  186?. 


bed  will  be  very  pretty.  Your  Virginian  Stock,  sown  tbree  weeks  aso, 
will  bloom  at  tbe  end  of  September,  in  October,  and  onwards.  A  portion 
of  it  may  stand  the  winter  and  bloom  in  spring ;  but  to  make  sure  you 
had  better  bow  again  before  the  end  of  September. 

Weed  among  Barley  (North  Norfolk).— li  is  Myriophyllum  verticilla- 
tmn,  or  Whorled  Water  MilfoU.  It  demonstrates  that  the  soil  requires 
draining,  fo  ..  will  not  grow  where  there  is  not  excess  of  moisture  in  the 
soil  or  snbs^^^.  Write  to  Mr.  Rivers,  Nurseries,  Sawbridgewortb,  about 
the  Peach, 

Melon  Seed  GERanwATiSG  n*  the  Fruit  (H.  N.  O.).— This  is  not  ex" 
braordinary.  The  same  has  been  observed  in  Peas  and  Oranges.  There 
is  sufficient  oxygen  in  the  juices  of  the  Melon,  and  the  high  temperature 
of  the  season  would  tend  to  promote  the  sprouting.  That  the  leaflets 
were  green  is  as  easily  accounted  for.  Plants  in  coal  mines  are  green 
because  free  hydrogen  is  in  the  air  of  mines ;  and  the  Melon  seeds, 
when  germination  had  commenced,  would  decompose  the  water  of  tbe 
Melon's  juices,  retain  the  oxygen,  and  set  the  hydrogen  free. 

Propagating  Vines  by  Eyes  {H.  Tl'.).— When  the  proper  time  arrives 
for  pruning,  preserve  the  prunings  by  sticking  them  in  the  groimd,  or  in  a 
fiower-pot  filled  with  rather  moist  but  not  very  wet  soil.  In  January  or 
early  in  February  you  may  prepare  the  eyes  by  making  on  the  back  of  the 
shoot,  opposite  the  eye,  a  cut  with  a  sharp  knife,  bringing  the  knife  out 
almost  three-quarters  of  an  inch  below  the  eye.  The  same  proceeding  is 
to  be  repeated,  bringing  the  knife  out  above  the  eye,  and  you  have  an  eye 
with  a  portion  of  wood  above  and  below  it,  and  slanting  from  the  back  to 
the  side  on  which  the  eye  is  situated.  The  eyes  when  prepared  are  to  be 
inserted  in  pots  or  pans  filled  to  within  an  inch  of  the  rim  with  turfy  light 
loam,  the  eyes  being  placed  cither  horizontally  or  vertically,  about  1^  inch 
apart,  and  covered  with  half  an  inch  of  fine  soil.  They  should  be  placed 
in  a  house  or  frame  where  there  is  a  hotbed  in  which  they  should  be 
plunged,  the  temperature  being  not  more  than  90^.  norj  less  than  75-.  The 
top  heat  my  be  from  60-  to  65 '  at  night,  and  75^  by  day,  and  80-  or  85- 
with  sun  heat.  The  soil  ought  to  be  kept  moist  but  not  wet  until  the 
eyes  have  begun  to  grow,  then  keep  it  moist,  affording  a  light  syringing 
morning  and  evening.  When  the  eyes  have  pushed  a  lew  inches  they 
may  be  taken  up  carefully  and  potted-off  singly,  and  if  kept  in  a  hotbed, 
and  a  moist  atmosphere  is  prese^^'ed  for  a  time,  they  will  grow  freely. 
The  young  Vines  thus  produced  must  bo  repotted  as  often  as  the  pots 
become  filled  with  roots.    Give  them  their  last  shift  about  June. 

Watering  Peach  Trees  in  Pots  (Idem).— It  is  hardly  possible  to  over- 
water  Peach  trees  in  pots;  but  that  may  happen  if  the  drainage  is  im- 
perfect. The  watering  would  not  cause  the  fruit  to  drop.  You  may  pot 
them  when  the  leaves  begin  to  fall,  but  unless  you  wish  for  large  trees, 
and  if  they  are  properly  potted  in  the  first  instance,  they  may  be  kept 
in  the  same  pots  for  years  with  the  assistance  of  frequent  top-dressings 
of  rich  compost.  We  presume  the  plant  you  have  is  Eochea  falcata  ;  if 
so,  and  you  will  state  what  is  your  treatment,  we  mil  endeavour  to  assist 
you. 


Heading-back  a  Walnut  Tree  { J  mate  ur). —You  may  head-back  the 
Walnut  tree,  for  that  will  be  your  only  means  of  securing  a  compact 
head.  The  best  time  to  do  so  will  be  as  soon  as  the  leaves  have  fallen  la 
autumn 

Storing  Pears  (Idem).— li  is  best  to  form  the  shelves  of  laths  with  the 
edges  rounded  off.  They  answer  better  than  boards.  There  is  no  neces- 
sity to  suspend  the  Beurrc  Pears,  they  ripen  perfectly  and  keep  well  oa 
the  shelves.  You  could  not  have  a  better  place  for  your  Apples  than  the 
cellar,  placing  them  on  a  thin  layer  of  clesn  Wheat  straw,  and  covering 
with  the  same.  We  presume  frost  can  be  excluded.  The  Pears  should  be 
placed  in  a  room  in  the  light,  where  there  ia  a  temperature  of  from  40^  ta 
45^,  for  a  few  days  previous  to  use.  This  will  improve  them  both  ia 
flavour  and  appearance. 

Wintering  Verbena  venosa  (FZora).— Verbena  venosa  is  hardy,  and 
if  left  out  of  doora  during  the  winter  will  come  up  again  in  spring,  but 
only  in  sandy  warm  soils.  It  is  best  to  take  up  a  few  plants,  winter  them 
in  a  frame,  and  propagate  from  them  in  early  spring  ;  or  cuttings  may  ba 
put  in  now  and  kept  from  frost.  Young  plants  gi'ow  more  freely  than  old, 
and  make  the  best  plants. 

CERASTirsi  T03IENT0SCM  AND  VARIEGATED  Ealm  (I(Zem).— Both  are  best 
planted  in  March  or  April,  the  young  offsets  or  suckers  with  a  small 
portion  of  root  being  put  in  about  6  inches  apart. 

Golden  Feather  Pyretiirch  (Jdem).— Golden  Feverfew  ia  identical. 
It  is  probably  the  test  of  golden-leaved  edging  plants.  We  think  it  best 
to  sow  the  seed  in  the  end  of  August  in  a  frame,  pricking  off  the  seedlings, 
when  large  enough  to  handle,  about  an  inch  apart  in  pans,  and  wintering 
them  in  a  cold  frame.  The  pans  should  be  plunged  in  coal  ashes  to  the 
rim,  abundance  of  air  given,  and  protection  from  frost  afforded.  By 
sowing  in  spring,  and  treating  like  a  half-hardy  annual,  good  plants  may 
be  had  by  planting-out  time.  The  seed  has  been  several  times  advertised 
in  this  Journal. 

Spcd  for  Destroying  Thistles  (W.3.).—'We  do  not  remember  tha 
maker's  name  ;  but  any  implement  maker  or  ironmonger  dealing  in  im* 
plcments  would  be  able  to  suppl}'  you  on  your  naming  it  to  him,  or  would 
procure  it  for  you. 

Pruning  Vines  (Oxo?n'a«)-— Do  not  prune  them  until  the  chief  part  of 
their  leaves  have  fallen. 

Metallic  Labels  [T.  G.  S.).— We  do  not  know  the  address  of  tho 
maker.    They  should  be  advertised. 

Flueless  Stove  (H.  K.).—'So  stove  consuming  fuel  of  any  kind  can  ba 
used  among  plants  without  great  risk  of  injuring  them. 

NAiiEs  OF  Fruits  (J.  F.  L.,  Dublin).— I,  Amanda  d'Ete;  2,  Browa 
Beurrt- ;  8,  Comte  de  Lamy  ;  4,  Beurre  d'Amanlis.  (Mrs.  Phelps). — 1,  Con- 
seiller  de  la  Cour  ;  2,  Not  known.  {Rev  C.  J.  Marsden).—!,  Alfriston; 
2,  Rymer  ;  3,  Y'ellow  Ingestrie ;  4,  Kerry  Pippin  ;  5,  Summer  Red  CalviUe  ; 
7,  Norfolk  Beefing  ;  9,  Scarlet  Nonpareil.  We  cannot  make  out  the  Peach. 

NAStES  OF  Plants  (Ckrmo^iO*— Empetrum  nigrum,  the  Crowberry. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  September  8th. 


Date. 

THERMOUETEB. 

Wind. 

Rain  in 
inches. 

OeiIEBAZ,  F.ES1BES, 

BABOMCTEB. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Mai. 

Mln. 

Uai.  1  Mis. 

1  ft.  dp. 

3  ft.  dp. 

Wed...    2 
Thors .    8 
Fri.  ..    4 
Sat.  ..    5 
Son. . ,    6 
Mon...    7 
Tuos.  .    8 

Mean 

80.233 
30.113 
80.083 
80.151 
30.102 
80.026 
80.147 

30.187 
80.074 
30.050 
30.072 
80.073 
29.970 
30.098 

79 
82 
84 
77 
87 
91 
66 

45 
47 
46 
49 
60 
49 
53 

63 
62 
63 
63 
63 
63 
6i 

61 
61 
61 
62 
62 
63 
63 

W. 
S.W. 

W. 
N.W. 
S.E. 
S. 
N.E. 

.CO 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 

Heavy  fog,  Hue  ;  clear  and  Une  ;  line,  very  clear. 
Hazy  ;  very  fine  ;  clear  and  fine  at  night. 
Very  fine  ;  clear  and  very  line  ;  fine  at  night. 
Very   fine;  fine  and  clear;  fine,  moonlight. 
Clear  acd  fine  ;  very  fine  ;  fine,  clear,  very  close. 
Hazy,  fine  ;  clear  and  fine,  very  hot ;  clear  at  night. 
Cloudy,  very  dull ;  densely  clouded  ;  dark,  brisk  ^Tind. 

30.122 

30.075 

80.85 

48.43 

62.85 

61.85 

•• 

coo 

POITLTRY,  BEE,  and  HOTTSEHOLD  CHRONICLE. 


HARTLEPOOL  POULTRY   EXHIBITION. 

The  comment  given  at  page  162  causes  me  to  reply  that  the 
Judge  there  was  a  gentleman  -n-ho  is  fally  competent  to  nnder- 
tate  the  duties  of  judge,  and  is  considered  second  to  none  in 
the  north  of  England  in  a  knowledge  of  the  good  qualities  of 
poultry.  As  I  was  an  exhibitor  I  took  a  little  interest  in  look- 
ing through  the  pens  before  the  Judge  arrived,  and  I  and 
another  of  the  fancy  marked  in  the  catalogue  what  we  thought 
would  be  first  and  second.  I  now  see  in  the  catalogue  that  we 
have  only  one  pen  marked  in  the  clergyman's  favour,  that  is 
pen  123,  Eouen  Ducks,  which  was  not  noticed  by  the  Judge. 

I  beg  to  make  a  few  remarks  on  the  classes  that  the  writer 
showed  in.  "  Game,  any  other  variety."  Here  he  was  easily 
beaten  by  a  splendid  Duckwing  cock  of  superior  colour.  The 
second  prize  was  given  to  a  Brown  Ked  pen  ;  hens  very 
good,  but  cock  inferior.  The  commended  pen  was  of  Duck- 
wings  much  better  in  colour  than  the  clergyman's.  In  Rouen 
Ducks  I  expected  to  find  the  clergyman  had  gained  the  first 
prize  ;  but  I  found  after  a  close  inspection  that  his  birds  were 
less  in  size,  and  if  I  remember,  their  bills  were  not  of  good 
colour.  In  "  Any  other  variety  not  named  above,"  the  clergy- 
man gained  a  second  prize  with  a  nice  pen  of  French  fowls. 
The  first  prize  went  to  a  good  pen  of  Houdana. 


I  write  to  show  that  I  believe  justice  was  done,  and  no  favour 
shown  to  any  exhibitor,  for  I  believe  the  Judge  had  no  know- 
ledge of  a  single  bird  exhibited.  Tbe  office  of  Judge  is  not 
pleasant,  and  he  cannot  always  give  satisfaction.  I  believe 
poultry  are  correctly  judged  nine  times  out  of  ten,  althotigh 
losers  do  not  always  see  this. — E.  Hawkins,  Seaham. 


CRA\TN  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETYS  POULTRY 
SHOW. 

{From  a  Coi-respovdent.) 

As  regards  the  number  of  entries,  this  was  the  greatest  success  which 
the  Society  has  had.  Owing  to  the  Show  clashing  with  that  of  tho 
Halifax  and  Calder  Vale  Society,  it  was  anticipated  that  the  entries 
would  suffer,  and  the  success  achieved  was  therefore  aU  the  more  en- 
couraf^ing. 

The  ailult  SjMnisJi  and  Game  were  of  high  merit,  hut  the  Dorl-ings 
poor,  while  the  Cochins  were  of  average  quality.  Gold  and  Silver- 
pencilled  Ilambiirfjhs  were  shown  in  fine  feather  and  condition  for  the 
season  ;  but  the  Gold-spangled  do  not  deserve  especial  mention.  The 
Silver-spaugled  cock  in  the  pen  shown  by  Mr.  Beldon  was  of  nnnsual 
whiteness  for  an  adult  bird,  and  showed  his  remarkably  rich  markings 
to  great  advantage.  The  first-prize  Black  Hamburgh  cock  was  fine, 
which  is  uncommon  in  this  breed,  as  a  great  amonnt  of  coarseness  has 
crept  in  of  late  years.  FoJands  were  very  fine.  The  Game  Bantams 
were  bad,  except  the  prize-takers,  which  were  good.    . 

In  chickens,  the  t'^iianhh  were  very  fine,  and  all  were  highly  com- 


September  10, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF   HOKTICUXiTUKB   AND   COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


195 


nieuJed.  The  winning  pens  of  Ganw  wore  ^'ood,  but  most  of  tbo  rest 
liad  bail  feet.  Of  the  Ilamhirr'jJt.t,  scvorft!  of  the  best  pens  were  out  of 
coudition,  probably  from  beinp  shown  too  frucjuently  ;  but  the  winning 
pens  were  also  of  prent  merit.  Among  Black  Hambnrghs  two  neat 
pens  won  the  prizes.  The  firat-prizo  Poltrmfs  wero  very  young,  but 
■beantifully  marked,  thongh  the  second  wjre  much  larger  birds.  In 
the  "  variety  "  class  Brahmns  and  Houdaus  won  the  prizes,  and  au 
extra  second  wag  awarded. 

The  Gt'cst:,  both  Toulonse  and  White,  were  birds  of  very  large  frame, 
fitting  occupants  of  the  pens  of  au  agrieuUural  meeting.  Aylesbury 
DucK\-i  were  large  and  good,  and  the  first-prize  Kouens  were  of  extra- 
ordinary size.  A  very  perfect  Duck,  but  badly  matched  with  a  drake, 
won  the  second  position. 

Pif/cons  were  excellent.  The  Carrier  cock  shown  by  Mr.  Smith  was 
well  worthy  of  his  first  position.  In  Pouter  cucks  a  white  cock  of 
great  size  was  first.  Pouter  hens  were  of  average  merit,  both  prize 
birds  being  Blues.  Almond  Tumblers  were  but  poor.  The  first-prize 
Barbs  were  good  birds,  and  the  hen  in  the  second-prize  pen  was  a  neat 
little  bird.  The  Jacobins  were  of  high  quality,  also  the  Mottled 
Tumblers.  Of  the  Rants,  the  first-prize  pair  were  fitting  companions 
for  the  Geese.  The  Fantails  formed  the  most  extraordinary  class  in 
the  Show,  and  four  prizes  were  awarded  ;  but  the  pens  in  which  they 
were  sho'\i*n  were,  unfortunately,  too  small  for  them  to  bo  seen  to  ad- 
vantage. Antwerps  were  next  in  the  list,  and  these  (as  has  often  been 
cnggested),  had  been  divided  into  Long  and  Short-faced  birds,  and  the 
result  was  that  the  two  classes  had  thirty-eight  entries  in  all,  within 
one  of  the  number  of  entries  contained  in  six  of  the  first  classes  con- 
taining Pouters,  Carriers,  Tumblers,  and  Owls,  thus  showing  the 
interest  taken  in  this  very  handsome  and  useful  breed  of  birds.  The 
"  variety  "  class  was  well  filled.  The  first  prize  went  to  Trumpeters, 
the  second  to  Turbits,  and  the  third  to  Swallows,  while  most  of  the 
birda  exhibited  iu  the  class  were  commended. 


PIGEONS  AT  BINGLEY  POULTRY  SHOW. 

The  entries  in  nearly  all  the  Po/'on  classes  were  very  good,  amount- 
ing to  13.S  pens.  The  first  and  second-prize  Poutur  cocks  were 
very  good  Blues,  and  in  the  hen  class  a  magniticent  Blue  hen 
measuring  19  inches  in  feather,  obtained  the  first  place.  The  Carriers 
were  good.  Of  Almonds,  the  first-prize  pen  was  remarkably  well 
matched.  In  Balds,  Beards,  or  Mottles,  a  splendid  pair  of  Black 
Mottles  took  the  first  prize,  and  a  good  pen  of  Red  Mottles  the  second 
prize.  In  the  class  for  any  other  variety  of  Tumblers,  good  Kites 
were  first,  and  Yellows  second.  In  the  Barb  class  a  very  good  pair  of 
Reds  obtained  the  first  prize,  Blacks  were  second,  and  Yellows  third. 
The  winning  pen  of  Jacobins  consisted  of  a  very  fine  pair  of  Reds ; 
very  rarely  has  a  better  pen  been  seen  at  any  show.  Mr.  Fielding's 
three  winning  pairs  of  Owls  were  very  good.  Blues  were  first,  and 
Whites  second  and  third.  Mr.  Horner's  three  pairs  of  winning 
Trumpeters  were  birds  of  great  merit.  Mottles  were  first  and  third. 
Blacks  second.  The  Fantailed  class  contained  some  very  fine  birds. 
Among  Tnrbits,  a  splendid  pair  of  Blacks  was  first,  and  good  Reds 
second.  In  the  Dragoon  class  a  good  pair  of  Blue-rumps  took  the 
first  prize;  and  in  the  "Variety"  class  Black  Swallows  were  first. 
Yellow-headed  Nuns  second,  and  Yellow  Magi)ies  third,  all  being  re- 
markably good. 

In  the  prize  list  given  last  week,  Mr.  W.  Cannan  should  have  been 
first,  and  Mr.  E.  Homer  second  and  third,  for  Pouter  hens.  In  the 
selling  class  Mr.  E.  Homer  was  first  and  second.  Mr.  Ridpeth  was 
Judge  of  Pif/fons  and  Pahbits ;  Mr.  Hartley,  of  Colne,  judging  Ca<(e 
Birds.  Besides  Mr.  Beldon,  Mr.  Jesse  Thompson,  the  Secretaiy,  did 
not  compete  for  prizes. 

OLDHAM  POULTRY   SHOW. 

The  secoml  annual  Exbibition  of  Poultry,  Pigeons,  Cage  Birds, 
a^nd  Rabbits  was  beld  in  the  mill  of  J.  Eobiusou,  Esq.,  North  Moor, 
Oldham,  on  the  1st  and  "2nd  inst.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the 
awards  : — 

Spanish  (Blnck). — First,  Messrs.  J.  &  E. Comber,  Warrington.  Second, 
W.  A.  Taylor,  Manchester.    Third,  D.  Gellatly,  Meiglo. 

Dorkings.— First,  H.  Picides,  jun.,  Earby.  Second,  D.  Gellatly.  Thu-d, 
E.  Ryder,  StocIiiDort. 

Cochins  (Buff  and  Cinnamon).— First,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Second,  E. 
Brindloy,  Derby.  Third,  J.  Lee.  Gliddleton.  Highly  Commended,  W. 
Bamford,  Harpurhey;  C.  Sidgwick.    Commended,  H.  Yardley. 

Cochins  (.\ny  variety).— First  and  Second,  J.  A.  Taylor.  Third,  W. 
Bamford. 

Brahma  Pootra.— First,  J.  Sichel.  Second,  E.  Ryder.  Third,  H.  M' 
Maynard,  Rydc,  Isle  of  Wight.  Highly  Commended,  W.  B.  Etches, 
Whitchurch.    Commended,  E.  Leech. 

Game  (Blacl!  Keds)  —Prize,  F.  J.  Astbury,  Enfield,  Prestwich. 

Game  (Brown  Reds).— Second,  J.  Bowness,  N'cwcburch. 

Oame  (Any  other  variety). — First,  T.  Wakefield,  Golburn.  Second, 
Green  &  SutcUffe,  Queensbury,  Halifax. 

Ha&idgrghs  (Golden-pencilled).— First,  T.  Wrigley.  Second,  S.  Lord, 
Rochdale.    Third,  R.  Ogden.    Highly  Commended,  Miss  Wrigley. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-pencilled).— First.  T.  Sharpies.  Second,  H.  Pickles 
Jmn.     Third,  J.  Robinson,  Failsworth.     Commended.  S.  Newton. 

Hambohghs  (Golden-spangledl.— First.  E.  Brierlev.  Second,  T.  Broad- 
beat,  Dclph.  Third,  .J.  Buckley,  Taunton.  Highly  Commended,  S.  &  R. 
Ashton,  Uottrani.     Commended,  T.  Scholes,  Hollinwood.  t 

Hambcbghs  (Silver-spangled). — First,  J.  Wild,  Af-hton.  Second,  J. 
Fielding,  Newchurch.    Third,  H.  Pickles. 


Hambdrous  (Black).— First,  C.  Si.lgwick.  Second,  Mrs.  S.  Lancashire, 
Chiidderton.    Third,  J.  Hope,  Hollinwood. 

PoL.iNns.— First  and  Third,  P.  Unsworth.  Second,  J.  A.  Taylor,  Man- 
chester. „      3    ,      J, 

Bantams  (Black  or  Brown  Redl.-First,  J.  R.  Robinson,  Sunderland. 
Second,  .J.  Hope,  Washbrorik,  Hollinwood.    Third,  E.  Ryder. 

Bantams  (Any  other  variety).- First  and  Second,  S.  &  R.  Ashton  (Blaclc 
and  White).    Third,  W.  A.  Tiiylor. 

Any  other  Vaiuetv.— First,  C.  Laylnud,  Warrington  (Honduras).  Se- 
cond, H.  1M.  Maynard.     Third,  T.  Itobertshnw,  Illingworth. 

Decks  (Aylesbury).— First,  S.  U.  Stott,  Rochdale.  Second,  E.  Leech. 
Third,  F.  Piatt,  Oldham. 

Docks  (Rouen).— First,  T.  Wakefield,  Golburn.  Second,  E.  Leeca. 
Third,  J.  Hope,  Washbrook,  Hollinwood. 

Docks  (Any  other  variety).— First  and  Second,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Third, 
C.  N.  Beker,  Chelsea. 

Geese  (Any  vnriety).—First.  S.  H.  Stott.  Second,  E.  Leech.  Third,  W, 
Goldiug.    Highly  Commended,  E.  Brooks.    Commended,  A.  Broderick. 

Selling  Class.— First,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Second,  H.  Wilkinson.  Third, 
A.  Bamford. 

SINGLE   COCKS. 

Spanish  (Black).— Fu-st,  W.  A.  Taylor,  Manchester.  Second,  J.  cSi  E. 
Comber,  Warrington. 

Dorkings.- Second,  T.  Bridcn,  Earby.    Third,  H.  Pickles,  jun.,  Earby. 

Cochins  (Buff  and  Cinnamon).— First,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Second,  C.  Sidg- 
wick, Keigbley.  .  ,    .  m. 

Brahma  Pootra.— First,  E.  Leech,  Rochdale.  Second,  J.  Sichel,  Tim- 
perley.    Third,  H.  Maynard,  Rvde,  Isle  of  Wight. 

Game  (Black  Reds).— Prize,  C.  W.  Brierley. 

Game  (Brown   Reds).  —  Prize,|  Green  &  Sutclifie,  Queensbury. 

Game  (Any  other  variety).— Second,  T.  Robertshaw,  Illingworth, 
Halifax. 

Hambcrghs  (Golden.pencilled).— First,  Miss  Wrigley,  Tonge.  Second, 
H.  Pickles.    Third,  T.  Wrigley. 

Hamborghs  (Silver-pencilled).- First,  T.  Sharpies,  Crawshaw  Booth, 
near  Manchester.    Second,  H.  Pickles,  jun. 

Hambcrghs  (Golden-spangled).-  First,  J.  T.  Broadbent,  Woodbrovr, 
Delph.  Second.  R.  Simpson,  Cbaddcrton.  Third,  E.  Brierley,  Heywood. 
Highly  Commended,  E.  Brierley. 

Hambcrghs  (Silver-spangled  I.— First,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  Second,  J.  A. 
Taylor.    Third,  J.  Lancashire,  Chadderton. 

Hambohghs  (Black).  —  First,  C.  Sidgwick.  Second,  S.  Lancashire, 
Chadderton.    Third,  .J.  Robinson. 

PoLANDS.— First  and  Second,  P.  Unsworth,  Lowton,  Newton-le-WiUows. 

Bantams  (Black  or  Brown  Reds).— First,  withheld.  Second,  W.  T. 
Entwisle,  Leeds.    Third,  E.  Ryder.  ^  .  ^ 

Bantams  (Any  other  variety).— First  and  Third,  T.  Burgess,  Brighonsa 
(Pekiu).    Second,  S.  &  R.  Ashton.  ,    „    ,, 

Any  other  Variety.— First,  J.  Sichel  (Cri-ve-Cocur).  Second,  H.  H. 
Maynard  (Houdan). 

PIGEONS. 

Carriers.  —  First,  H.  Yardley,  Birmingham.  Second,  L.  Bnerley, 
l^flanchester 

TcjiBiERS.— First  and  Second,  J.  Fielding,  Rochdale.  Third,  J. 
Hawley,  Brighouse.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Uawley ;  H.  Yardley. 

Fantails.— First,  J.  Hawley.  Second,  H.  Yardley.  Third,  H.  M. 
Maynard. 

Owls.— First  and  Second,  J.  Fielding,  Rochdale.  _,.  .   -    n 

Barbs.  —  Fust,  H.  M.  Maynard.  Second,-  J.  Fielding.  Third,  U, 
Y'ardley.  n  tx         c  u 

Dragoons.— First,  J.  Robinson,  Newton  Heath.  Second,  S.  Dronsfield, 
Oldham.  Third,  H.  Whittle,  Newton  Heath.  Highly  Commended,  H. 
Yardley  ;  A.  Boote,  Crewe. 

Any  Variety.— First,  J.  Hawley.    Second  and  Third,  H.  Yardley, 
CANARIES. 

Best  Crested  Breed  (Not  crested).— First,  L.  Shaw,  Oldham.  Second, 
S.  Knight,  Oldham.    Third,  J.  TattersaU,  Oldham. 

Lizard  (Golden-spangled).- First,  J.  TattersaU.  Second,  A.  Hamer, 
Oldham.     Commended,  S.  Knight. 

Lizard  (Silver-spangled).— First,  J.  TattersaU.    Second,  E.  Shaw.     _ 

Crested  (Buff).— First,  S.  Knight.  Second,  J.  Allen,  Oldham.  Third, 
E.  Shaw.    Highly  Commended,  A.  Hamer.    Commende*,  J.  TattersaU. 

Crested  (Yellow).— Second,  L.  Shaw.    Third,  J.  Barlow,  Lees. 

Belgian  (Clear  Yellow).— First,  J.  Lees,  Hollinwood,  near  Manchester. 
Second,  Mrs.  Lees,  Hollinwood.    Third,  S.  PoUitt,  Fiiilsworth. 

Belgian  (Clear  Buffi.— First,  J.  Lees.  Second,  Mrs.  Lees.  Third,  t. 
Crossley,  Rochdale.    Highly  Commended,  S.  PoUitt. 

Belgian  (Variegated).— Second  and  Third,  J.  TatterstaU,  ©Idham. 

British    Birds.— First,   Mrs.   Allen,    Oldham.    Third,    J.  TattersaU. 
Commended,  J.  Kershaw,  Oldham.    Larts.- First,  J.  Moss,  AnsterlandB, 
near  Oldham.    Second,  A.  Holden,  Oldhnm.      Third,  S.  Taylor,  Saddle- 
worth.       Highly  Commended,  J.  Dowson,  Hollinwood. 
BABBITS. 

Lop-eared.— First,  A.  H.  Fasten,  Whitby.  Second,  T.  Schofleld,  jon., 
Rochdale.  Highly  Commended,  S.  Lloyd,  Grimbies,  Oldham ;  J.  Lee, 
Ashton-under-Lyne.  ,  ™  „  ,_  .^  ,a   . 

Silver-grey— First,  A.  H.Easten.    Second,  T.  Schofleld,  jun. 

Any  other  Breed.— First,  S.  Lloyd  (Angola).  Second,  T.  Schofleld, 
jun.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Warrington  (Angola). 

James  Dixon,  Esq.,  North  Park,  Bradford,  and  Richard  Teehay, 
Esq.,  Fnlwood,  Preston,  were  Judges  for  Fonltn/ ;  and  W.  Walker, 
Esq.,  Drojlesden,  for  Cage  Birds. 


SOUTHPORT  POULTRY  SHOW. 

The  prize  schedule  issued  by  the  Manchester  and  Liverpool  Agri- 
cultnral  Society  was  most  liberal,  and  wo  should  certamly  have  ex- 
pected to  have  found  a  far  greater  number  of  entries  for  the  bhow  of 
the  2nd  and  3rd  inst.  than  there  were.  There  is,  however,  just  now 
so  large  a  number  of  poultry  shows  takinR  place  within  so  brief  a  spac8 
of  each  other,  and  not  nnfrequently  on  the  same  days,  that  it  is  aston- 
ishing nearly  all  continue  successful.    The  birds  entered  for  South- 


196 


JOUKNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


t  September  10,  1868. 


port  were,  as  a  mle,  of  the  highest  order,  anil  the  condition  of  the 
generality  of  them  was  exceedingly  good.  The  Duke  of  Newcastle 
exhibited  half  a  dozen  peus,  which  were  especifilly  remarkable  for  tirst- 
rate  condition.  The  Cochins  were  very  excellent,  and  the  competition 
in  the  Brahma  classes  was  severe.  The  Ifanihur(/7i  classes  proved  to 
be  a  chief  feature  of  the  Exhibition ;  and  for  Turl'tys^  Ocese,  and 
Duels  few  shows  can  bear  favourable  comparison  with  that  held  at 
Southport.  The  whole  show  of  Piffcons  was  excellent ;  and  its 
popularity  was  evidenced  by  the  crowded  state  of  this  portion  of  the 
showyard  immediately  it  was  opened  to  the  public,  and  the  atten- 
dance never  flagged  throughout  the  whole  time  the  birds  were  on  view. 
The  weather  was  most  favourable. 

CHICKENS. 

Dorking.— First,  J.  Stott,  Hcaley,  near  Rochdale.  Second,  Tbe  Hon. 
H.  W.  FitzwilliaiB,  Wentworth  Woodhouse.  Rothcrham.  Third,  Duke  of 
Newcastle,  Clumber.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  M.  Seamona,  Aylesbury. 
Commended,  W.  Copp]e,Eccleston,  Prescot ;  Tbe  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam. 
Cockerel.— Fixsi  and  Second,  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliflui. 

Spanish  — First  and  Second,  M.  Farrand,  Dalton,  near  Huddersfield. 
Third,  T.  Comber,  Myddleton  Hall,  near  Warrington.  Hitihiy  Com- 
mended, T.  Comber;  W.  Paterson,  LanRholm.  Commended,  H.  Beldon, 
Goitstock,  Bingley.  Cockerel.— Fiist,  T.  Comber.  Second,  M.  Farrand. 
Highly  Commended,  T.  Comber. 

Cochin-China  (BufF  or  Cinnamou^— First  and  Second,  W.  A.  Tavlor, 
Mnncbester.  Tbird.  C.  Sidgwick,  Rvddlesdcn  Hall.  K-it^hley.  Highly 
Commended,  G.  Fell,  Springfield,  Warrington.  CocktreL— First,  V»\  A. 
Taylor.    Second,  C.  Sidgwick. 

Cochin-China  (Brown  and  Partridge-feathered).— First  and  Second, 
W.  A.  Taylor.  Tbird,  E.  Tadman,  Ash  Grove,  Whitchurcb.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  K  Fowler,  Aylesbury.  Coc/:crfI.— First,  W.  A.  Taylor. 
Second,  E.  A.  Tudman.    Commended,  E.  Sbaw,  Plas  Wilmot,  Oswestry. 

Brarbia  Pootra.— First,  J.  Sichel,  Lark  Hill,  Timperley.  Second, 
Duke  of  Newcastle.  Tbird,  J.  K.  Fowler.  Highly  Commended,  J.  H. 
Pickles,  Soutbport.  Cockerel— Virst,  J.  K.  Fowler.  Second,  G.  H.  Roberta. 
Penwortbam,  near  Preston.    Higbly  Commended,  J.  Sichel. 

Game  (Black-breasted  Reds).— F'irst,  Duke  of  Newcastle.  Second,  J. 
Halsall,  Ince,  near  Wigau.  Tbird,  W.  Bourne,  Heaviley,  Stockport. 
Higbly  Commended,  J.  Holland,  Manchester.  roc/rercl.  —  First,  C. 
Chaloner,  Whitwell,  Chesterfield,    Second,  J  Holland. 

GAME(Iirown  find  otber  Reds,  except  Black-breasted).— First  and  Se- 
cond, J.  Wood,  Wigan.  Tbird.  T.  Dyson,  Halifax.  Higbly  Commended, 
A.  Haslani.  Hindley,  near  Wigan.  Commended,  J.  Holme,  Knowsley, 
Preston.  Cockcj-el. — First,  W.  Bourne.  Second,  J.  Wood.  Commended, 
A.  Haslam. 

Game  (any  variety  except  Black-breasted  and  other  Reds). — First,  J. 
Halsall  (Duckwing),  Second,  J.  Holland.  Tbird,  C.  Cbaloner.  Higbly 
Commended,  Duke  of  Newcastle  ;  J.  Halsall.  Coc/i-tTc^— First,  C.  Chaloner. 
Second,  J.  Halsall, 

Hamburgh  (Golden-pencilled).— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  W.  Parr, 
Patricroft,  near  Mancbester.  Third,  Duke  of  Sutherland,  Trentham, 
Higbly  Commended,  J,  Robinson,  Failsworth,  near  Manchester.  Cockerel. 
—First,  H.  Beldon.     SeconO,  W.  Parr. 

Hamburgh  (Silver-pencilled).— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  Dnke  of 
Sutherland.  Third.  T.  Hanson,  ICeighley.  Yorkshire.  Commended,  J. 
Preston,  Allertou,  near  Bradford.  Cockerel.— Fiiat,  H.  Beldon.  Second, 
T.  Hanson. 

Hamburgh  (Golden-spangled). — First,  J.  Chadderton,  HoUinwood,  near 
Manchester.  Second,  T.  Scholes,  HoUinwood,  near  Manchester.  Third, 
H.  Beldon.  Highly  Commended,  N,  Marlor,  Dtnton.  near  Manchester. 
Cockerel— First,  U'.  Beldon.    Second,  N.  Marlor.    Commended,  R,  Ellis. 

HAacBDBQH  (Silver-spnngled).- First,  J.  Fielding.  Newchurcb,  Man- 
chester. Second,  W.  M'JVIellon,  Glossop.  Tbird,  J.  Robinson.  Com- 
mended. H.  Beldon.  Cockerel— Firsi,  M.  A.Fielding.  Second,  H.  Beldon. 

Hamburgh  (Black). — First,  G.  Fielding,  Newchurch,  near  Manchester, 
Second  and  Third,  C.  Sidgwick.  Cockerel— First,  C.  Sidgwick.  Second, 
W.  Parr. 

Polish  (Anv  variety.— Fu-st.  H.  Beldon.  Second,  T.  Comber.  Cockerel. 
—First,  H.  Beldon.    Second,  W.  A.  Taylor, 

Any  Vabiety  not  Included  in  the  Foregoing  Classes. — First,  Hon, 
H,  W.  Fitzwilliam  (Cri-ve  -Cceur).  Second.  Duke  of  Newcastle  (Hondnus). 
Third,  W.  A.  Taylor  (White  Cochins).  H'gbly  Commended,  L.  Biney, 
Manchester  (Houdans) ;  J.  K.  Fowler  (Creve-Cceurs). 

Game  Bantams  (Black-breasted  Reds).— First,  W.  F.  Entwiele,  Leeds. 
Second,  J.  Crosland,  juu.,  Wakefield,  Yorkshire.  Third,  J.  W.  Morris, 
Rochdale.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Crosland,  jun, ;  J.  W.  Morris,  Com- 
mended, W.  F.  Entwislo,  Cockerel — First  and  Second,  J.  W.  Morris. 
Highly  Commended,  W.  F.  Entwisle. 

Game  Bantam  (Any  variety  except  Elack-breastod  Reds).— First,  T. 
Dyson  (Brown  Reds).  Second,  J.  W.  Morris  (Duekwings),  Third,  G. 
BirtwislcHitslingden  (Brown  Reds).  Commended,  J.  Holme  (Duekwings). 
Cockerel — First,  J.  W.  Morris.  Second,  T.  Berry,  Merridale,  Ormskirk 
(Duckwing). 

Bantam  (Any  variety  except  Game).— First,  W.  H.  Tomlinson,  Newark- 
on-Trent  (Black).  Second,  N.  Marlor  (Black).  Third,  T.  C.  Harrison, 
Hull  (Silver-lacedl.  Highly  Commended,  W.  A.  Taylor  (Black) ;  S.  &  R. 
Ashton,  Mottram  (White). 


Ducklings  (Ronen).— First,  T.  Wakefield,  Golbome,  near  Newton-le- 
Willowa.  Second,  J.  Wood,  Wigan.  Third,  J.  J,  Stott.  Highly  Com- 
mended, E.  Leech  ;  J  Halsall. 

Ducklings  (White  Aylesbury).— First  and  Third,  E.  Leech.  Second, 
J.  K.  Fowler.    Highly  Commended,  E.  Leech  ;  M.  Seamons. 

Any  other  Variety —First,  T.  Wakefield  (Brown  Call),  Second,  T. 
Rigby,  Winsford,  (Black  East  Indian^ 

Goslings.— First,  E.  Bluudell,  Southport.  Second,  J.  K.  Fowler. 
Third,  J.  Bryers,  Ormskirk.  Highly  Commended,  E.  Leech;  Rev.  J. 
C.  Macdona,  Sefton  Rectorv,  Liverpool ;  S.  H.  Stott., 

ToBKEYS.- First  and  Second,  E.  Leech.  Third,  F.  E.  Richirdeon, 
BramBhall,  Uttoscter.  Highly  Commended,  M..Kew,  Market  Overton, 
Oakham. 

PIGEONS. 

Pouters  (Anv  colour) .—First  and  Second,  R.  Fulton,  Deptford. 

Carrier  (Elacki.— rcL-t  — Fh-st  and  Second  R.  Fulton,  fleii.— First 
aod  Second,  K.  Fulton. 


Carbiehs  (Any  other  colour!.— Co cfc,— First  and  Second,  R.  Fulton. 
H«»i.— First  and  Second,  R,  Fulton. 

Carriers  (Any  colour  .—First,  R.  Fulton.    Second,  H.  Yardley. 

Dragoons.- I'irst,  J.  Hawley.    Second,  H.  Yardley. 

ANTWERrs.- First,  H.  Yardley.     Second,  J.  Crosland,  jun, 

Jacobins  (Any  colour).— First,  J,  Thompson,  Bingley.  Second,  T.  H. 
Eidpeth,  Risholme,  nesr  Manchester. 

Nuns.- First,  F.  Graham,  Birkenhead.    Second,  H.  Yardley. 

Fares.- First  and  Second,  Ciipt.  H.  Heaton.  Lower  Brjughton. 

TuRBiTs.— First,  J,  Fielding,  jun.    Second,  J.  Thompson. 

Owls.- First,  J.  Fielding,  ju-n.    Second,  F.  Graham,  Birkenhead. 

Tru&ipeters.— First  and  Second,  J.  Hawley. 

Fantails.— First,  F.  Graham.    Second,  H.  Yardley. 

Tumblers  (Almond).— First,  J.  Fielding  jun.    Second,  R.  Fulton. 

Beards.— First,  .1.  Fielding,  jun.     Second,  H.  Yardley. 

Balds.— First  and  Second,  J,  Fielding,  jun. 

TD3IBLER3  (Any  other  varietv).— First  and  Second,  R.  Fulton. 

Any  Variety.- Fiiet,  J.  Hawley.    Second,  H.  Yardley, 

JvDGES.—PouJtnj :  Mr.  Edward  Hewitt,  Sparkbrook,  near  Bir- 
mingham ;  Mr.  Richard  Teebay,  Fulwood,  near  Preston  ;  Mr.  Joseph 
Hindson,  Barton  House,  Everton,  Liverpool.  Pigeous :  Mr,  F.  Esqni- 
lant,  Efl'ra  Koad,  Brixton,  London. 


WAKEFIELD   POULXrtY   SHOW. 

The  West  Riding  Society's  fourth  annual  Show  was  held  in  the 
Belle  Isle  Fields,  Sandal  Road,  Wahcheld.  on  the  5th  inst.  There 
were  upwards  of  2(i0  entries  of  Poultry,  Pigeons,  and  Rabbits,  and 
altogether  it  was  the  most  successful  Show  the  Society  has  held. 

Game  and  Game  Bantams  mustered  in  good  force,  and  both  contested 
stoutly  for  the  cups  offered  in  their  respective  classes.  The  JInmlntrgh 
class  contained  some  excellent  birds,  the  Spangled  varieties  being  far 
more  numerous  than  the  Pencilled.  lu  Gold-pencilled,  although  Mr. 
Beldon  and  Mr.  Pickles  competed,  the  first  prize  for  chickens  was  not 
awarded. 

Pigeons  were  a  good  show,  Mr.  J.  Hawley,  of  Bingley,  taldiig  the 
silver  cup  for  the  best  pen  on  the  ground. 

Game  (Black-breasted  or  other  Reds).- First  and  Cup,  C.  W.  Brierlfiy, 
Middleton  Second,  E.  Aykroyd,  Bradford.  Higbly  Commended,  H.  M. 
Julian,  Hull.  Chickens.— iiisX,  Master  G.  Crossland,  Wakefield,  tecond, 
G.  Noble,  Stainchffe,  Batley.    Higblv  Commended,  H.  Jowett,  Idle. 

Game  (Brown-breasted  Ked).—C'/i/cfcc/i3.— First,  J.  Preston,  Ailerton, 
Bradford.     Second.  H.  M.  Julian, 

Game  (Duekwings,  Blues  or  Greys).— First  H.  Jowett.  Second,  H,  "HL 
Julian.  C/itcA('/)5.— First,  W,  Fell,  Adwalton.  Second,  R.  B.  Paley,  Oven- 
den.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Hodgson,  Bradford.  Commended,  F,  Sales, 
Crowle. 

Any  other  Variety,— First,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Second,  J.  Sunderland, 
Halifax.  Higbly  Commended,  E.  Noble,  Halifax.  Chickens.— Fixaiy  H. 
C.  Mason,  Drigblington.     Second,  E.  Noble. 

Game  Bantams.  —  Cup,  Master  J.  Crossland.  Second,  G.  Noble* 
Higbly  Commended,  Muster  J.  Crossland ;  H.  Swift,  S^nthweU.  Com- 
mended, J.  J.  Cousins,  Chapel  Ailerton  ;  W.  F.  Entwisle,  Leeds, 

Any  other  Variety. — First  and  Second,  Master  C.  Crossland.  Highly 
Commendtd,  R.  Swift,  SouthweU ;  G.  Noble;  R.  B.  Riley. 

Any  Variety  Except  Game.— First,  T.  Burgess,  Brighouse  (Pekin), 
Second,  B,  Riley.  Commended,  Acki'oyd  &  Scott,  Sunderland  ;  J.  S. 
Senior,  Dewsbury, 

Hajtburghs  (Golden-spangled). — First,  J.  Wliite,  Whitley,  Netherton, 
Wakefield.  Second,  H.  Beldon,  Goitstock.  Bingley.  Higbly  Commended* 
H.  Pickles,  Jan.,  Earby,  Skipton ;  J.  White;  J.  Walker,  Knnreeborougb. 
Chickens.- -Fixsi,  Master  E.  Crossland.  Second,  J.  Wbite.  Commended, 
J.  Walker. 

Hauburghs  Silver- spangled) — First  and  Cup,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  H. 
Pickles,  jun.  Chickens.— ¥irs,i,  J,  S.  Senior.  Second,  H.  Pickles.  Com- 
mended, H.  Beldon  ;  J,  Walker. 

Hamburghs  (Goklen-pencilled).— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  H.  PlckleS* 
Chicken^.— Fivs.X,  Withheld.     Second,  H.  Pickles. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-pencilled).- First,  H.  Beldon.  Second, H.  Pickles. 
Chickens.— iirsi,  H.  Pickles.  Second,  J,  ti.  Senior.  Highly  Commended, 
H.  Beldon. 

Spanish.— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  J.  Thresh,  Bradford.  Chickens,— 
First  aud  Second,  M.  Farrand,  Dalton. 

roRKiNGS  (Anv  varielv).— First,  C.  W.  Brierlev,  Middleton.  Second,  J* 
Wbite,  \Varlaby,'Nortba"llerton,  C/j;cikfn«,— First,  T.  E.  Kell,  Wetherby, 
Second,  J.  Anderson,  Meigle. 

Cochin-China  (Any  variety).— First,  C.  Sidgwick,  Keighley.  Second,  H, 
Cro^^sley,  Hahfnx.  67uVt^n«.— First  and  Cup,  R.E,  Brown,  Wass,  Oswald- 
kirk.     Second,  W.  A.  Taylor,  Manchester. 

Brahma  Pootra  (Any  variety). — First,  E.  Leech,  Rochdale.  Second,  J. 
Walker,  Haya  Pi?.rk,  Knaresborongh.  Chickem.— First,  G.  H.  Roberts, 
Preston.    Second,  E.  Leecb,  Rochdale. 

Any  other  Variety.— First,  H.  Beldon.    Second,  H.  Pickles. 

DccKS  ( Aylesbury).— First,  E,  Leech.    Second,  H  Crossley. 

Ducks  (Rouen)  —First,  E.  Leech.    Second,  J,  White. 

Geese. — First,  E.  Leech.    Second,  J.  White. 

Extra   (Any  variety  of  Poultry).— First,    C.  W.  Brierley,  Middleton, 
Second,  C.  N.  Baker,  Chelsea  (Gold  Pheasants). 
PIGEONS. 

Carriers.— First  and  Cup,  J.  Hawley,  Bingley.  Second,  G.  H.  Roberts* 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Crossland,  Hudderstield  j  E,  Horner,  Harcwood, 
Leeds. 

Dragoons.- First.  H.  Yardley,  Birmingham.    Second,  E.  Horner. 

Pouters. — First,  E.  Homer.    Second,  J.  Hawley. 

Trumpeters. — First  and  Second,  E.  Horner. 

Barbs. — First,  J.  Crossland,    Second,  J.  Uawley. 

Owls  —First  and  Second,  J.  Fielding,  j  un.,  Rochdale. 

Turbits.— First,  E.  Horner,  becond.  J.  Thompson,  Bingley.  Highly- 
Commended,  J.  Thompson  ;  R.  Wilson,  Thirsk. 

Fantails,  -  First,  J.  Hawley.     Second.  E.  Homer. 

Jacobins.— First,  E.  Horner.    Second,  J,  Thompsoiu 


Septemb.r  10,1868.  ] 


JOUKNAIi  OP  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


197 


NtTNs.— First,  J.  Thompson.    Second,  E.  Iloruer. 

Tdmblers.— First,  J.  Fieldinp.  jun.    Second,  J.  Hiiwley. 

Antwerps.— First,  Master  E.  CroflHlati'l.  Second,  J.  Thompson.  Highly 
CoQimeudod,  Master  E.  Crosbliuid  ;  J.  Hawley. 

Any  other  Variety.— First,  K.  Hi)rncr.  Second,  It.  Yardley.  Highly 
Comraf-nded,  E.  Horner;  J.  Thompson. 

IUbbits  (Any  variety).— First  and  Socend.  A.  H.  Fasten,  Hull  (Lop- 
earod  eawns,  and  Silver- Greys).    Third,  C.  ll.iysou,  Prestwrich. 

Judges. — Poulfri/:  Mr.  J.  Donqlas,  Clumber,  and  Mr.  E.  Hutton, 
Padsey;  Piffcous :  Mr.  T.  J.  Charlton,  Bradford,  aud  Mr.  J.  Dixon. 
North  Park,  Bradford. 


KNArtESBOROUGH   POULTRY    SHOW. 

This  Show  improves  from  year  to  year,  and  tho  Committee  seem  to 
be  determiut'il  to  spare  no  effort  to  command  BUccess.  The  day  on 
wliich  the  Show  was  held — namely,  the  1st  iust.,  was  line  throughout, 
though  at  intervals  the  sty  threatened  heavy  rain.  Tho  Show  even- 
tually proved  more  successful  than  any  of  its  predecessors.  It  was 
remarkable  for  the  excellence  of  the  Hamburgh  classes. 

Cochin-Chinas.— FirEt,  G.  Hohues,  Groat  Drifiiold.  Second,  W.  Lord 
Stnrbeck.    Chicken<:. — First  aud  Second.  W.  Lord. 

DoRKtJios.— First,  G.  Holmes.  Second,  C.  Triffitt,  Cattal.  Chickens.— 
First,  G.  Holmes.  Second,  A.  C.  Thompson,  Kirby  Hall.  Highly  Com- 
mended, C.  Triffltt. 

Spanish  —First  and  Second,  W.  &  F.  PicUard,  Thomer.  Highly  Com- 
mended, W.  Bearpark,  Ainderby  Steeple;  G.Holmes.  Chickens, — Fu-st. 
W.  &  F.  Pickard.  Second,  G.  Holmes.  Commended,  W.  Bearpark :  F. 
Powell,  Itnaresborougb. 

Game  (Auy  Description). — First  aud  Highly  Commended.  J.  Watson, 
KnaresborouKh.  Second,  G.  Holmes.  C/(ictc;i3.— First,  W.  Bearpark. 
Second,  J.  Watson.    Commended,  A.  C.  Thompson  ;  J.  Watson. 

HASlBunGHS  (Golden-spangled  or  Pheasant). — First,  J.  Walker.  Second, 
B.  Marshall.  Highly  Commended,  G.  Holmes.  Commended,  C.  TrifBtt. 
Chicken^.— First,  J.  Walker,  Second,  B.  Marshall.  Commended,  G. 
Holmes. 

Hahbubghs  (Golden-pencilled).  —  First,  F.  Horsman.  Second,  G, 
Holmes.  Chickens.— FhsU  J.  Walker.  Second,  F.  Horsman.  Com- 
mended. A.  C.  Thompson  ;  G.  Holmca. 

Hambcrghs  (Silver-spangled  or  Pheasant). — First,  G.  Holmes.  Second, 
J.  Walker.  C/iiclcii.).— First,  G.  Holmes.  Second,  J.  Walker.  Com- 
mended, W.  Bearpark. 

Hambheghs  (Silver-pencilled  or  Chittepratt).— First,  H.  S.  Hardcastle. 
Second,  G.  Holmes.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Walker.  Chickens. — First, 
J.  Walker.     Second,  W.  Bearpark. 

Brahsia  Pootra  — First  and  Commended,  F.  Powell.  Second,  J. 
Walker.  Oiickeits.— First  and  Highly  Commended,  F.  Powell.  Second, 
J.  Wa'ker.    Commended,  F.  Powell ;  J.  Walker ;  S.  Rhodes. 

Game  Bantams  (Any  variety  . — First,  G.  Holmes.  Second,  C.  TriiStt. 
Highly  Commended,  F.  Powell ;  J.  Watson.    Commended,  J.  Watson. 

Bantams  (.\nv  variety  not  before  mentioned). — First,  G.  Holmes.  Se- 
cond, T.  Whcatiey,  York. 

Geese  — First,  J.  Walker.    Second,  G.  Holmes. 

Docks  (.\ylesbury).— First  and  Second,  C.  Triffitt.  Highly  Commended, 
G.  Holmes. 

Docks  (Any  other  breed). — First,  C.  Graham,  Boroughbridge.  Second, 
H.  S.  Hardcastle.    Hishly  Commended,  .J.  Walton  ;  G.  Sadler. 

TORKEVS.— First,  J  Walker.    Second,  C.  Triffltt. 

GcENEA  Fowls.— Fir-t,  G.  Holmes.     Second,  M.  &  R.  Gray. 

Barndoor  Fowls. — First,  G.  Holmes,    Second,  M.  &  K.  Gray. 

Extra  Stock. — Commended,  J.  Walker. 

Pigeons. — Tumblers. — First,  M  &  R.  Gray.  Second,  G.  Holmes.  Com- 
mended, G.  Sadler.  Fantails. — Fii  st,  M.  &  R.  Gray.  Second  and  Highly 
Commended,  G.  Sadler.  Croppers. — First,  G.  Salder.  Second,  J.  Walker. 
Jacobins. — First  and  Second,  G.  Sadler.  Carriers. — Fu'st  and  Second,  G. 
Sadler. 

Edward  Hewitt,  Esq.,  of  Sparkbrooli,  BirmiDgham,  officiated  as 
Jndge. 

PIGEON-JUDGING. 

I  EELiETE  I  express  the  opinion  of  evei^  fancier,  and  in 
general  of  every  exhibitor,  when  I  say  that  we  cannot  possibly 
afford  to  lose  the  most  valnable  serviees  of  the  greatest  of 
English  Pigeon  judges,  Mr.  Harrison  Weir,  nor  those  of  Dr. 
Cottle,  whose  absence  from  the  greatest  of  English  shows  last 
year  has  been  severely  felt. 

I  respectfully  suggest  to  Mr.  H.  Weir  the  following  plan  for 
judging.  In  my  opinion  there  is  no  judge  or  fancier  in  exist- 
ence who  admires  every  variety  of  Pigeons ;  we  all  have  our 
likes  and  dislikes :  therefore  I  consider  it  injudicious  for  any 
judge  to  undertake  the  judging  of  any  variety  which  he  dis- 
likes, as  in  such  a  case,  never  having  kept  birds  of  the  variety, 
he  would  not  be  sufficiently  acquainted  with  their  merits.  For 
example,  t'le  author  of  "  Pigeons  "  is  not  the  judge  for  Antwerps. 
What  he  has  written  alout  them  proves  that  he  has  not  dis- 
covered their  merits,  which  are  invaluable  to  every  fancier,  as 
lately  proved  in  this  Journal.  I  consider  that  a  judge  must 
only  judge  the  varieties  he  admires,  as  this  being  the  case,  he 
must  have  studied  them,  consequently  must  know  their  merits, 
and  can  do  them  justice. 

From  careful  observations  I  have  discovered  that  in  some 
oases  there  is  too  much  attention  paid  to  "  ill-matched," 
"■worse  matched,"  and  "badly  matched  "  pairs,  for  in  certain 
classes  it  is  impossible  to  match  the  birds  exactly  in  colour, 


and  this  being  tho  case,  birds  of  a  superior  quality  have  been 
passed  over  for  those  which  are  inferior,  but  well  matched.  In 
tho  varieties  I  allude  to  quality  is  a  much  more  valuable  pro- 
perty than  colour,  and  should  not  be  sacrificed  because  there 
is  just  a  shade  of  difference  between  the  cock  and  hen. 

I  know  well  that  a  certain  judge  says  that  a  certain  variety 
has  had  enough  prizes  yearly,  and  his  opinion  is  that  others 
must  have  a  turn,  which  is  anything  but  just ;  and  I  know  that 
certain  judges  do  not  like  to  patronise  too  much  one  variety, 
otherwise  they  will  be  told  that  they  are  too  partial  to  it. — 

A  I'OREIGSEK.  

[^VE  have  a  communication  from  "  AYounci  Fanciek,"  from 
which  we  extract  what  follows.  We  have  omitted  all  he  repeats 
about  Mr.  Hedley  being  appointed  a  third  judge  of  Pigeons 
"at  the  eleventh  hour"  at  Eirmiugham.  He  was  aprointed 
as  soon  as  it  was  evident  that  a  third  judge  would  be  required, 
and  there  could  ho  nothing  unfair  in  the  proceeding. — Eds.] 

"  I  am  well  aware  that  the  oiljce  of  judge  is  anything  but  a 
pleasant  one,  for  two  reasons — first,  I  consider  it  almost  im- 
possible for  auy  man  to  go  through  two  hundred  pens  of  bircis, 
consisting  of  nearly  all  varieties,  without  making  some  mis- 
takes ;  aud  secondly,  that  exhibitors'  views  as  to  what  con- 
stitutes a  good  bird  differ  in  many  cases.  However  good  a 
judge  the  gentleman  may  be  who  is  ac^judicating,  and  what- 
ever birds  he  may  have  bred,  or  compared,  he  cannot  please 
everyone.  I  hope  for  the  future  my  own  and  fellow-fanciers' 
birds  will  never  meet  with  worse  judgment  than  they  will 
receive  at  the  hands  of  Harrison  Weir. 

"  Now,  a  word  to  exhibitors.  I  should  be  pleased  to  sea 
judges  disqualify  all  birds  either  trimmed  or  dyed,  or  in  which 
the  tail  or  wing  feathers  are  wanting,  and  likewise  when  two 
cocks  or  two  hens  are  shown  as  a  pair.  Trimming  and  dyeing 
are  the  most  paltry  tricks  a  man  can  practise.  An  intimate 
friend  of  mine  purchased  about  nine  months  ago  two  pairs  of 
birds  exhibited  in  the  selling  class  by  one  of  the  largest  prize- 
takers  of  the  present  day,  and,  to  his  utter  disgust,  when  they 
had  been  at  homo  about  a  fortnight  they  were  worthless,  60 
badly  had  their  feathers  come  up. — A  Youxo  Fanclek." 


DRAGOONS  AND  ANTWERPS, 

The  Dragoons  have  for  many  years  been  kept  by  English 
fanciers,  with  little  improvement  in  them  in  any  way,  until  Mr. 
Percivall  brought  out  his  matchless  Blue-rumps.  Most  of  your 
readers  will  remember  the  handsome  pairs  of  Blue-rumped 
Dragoons  exhibited  by  him  at  the  Birmingham  Show,  and  de- 
servedly admired  by  all.  Mr.  Percivall's  strain  has  not  been 
equalled  by  any  fancier  as  yet.  No  show  would  be  complete 
without  a  Dragoon  class. 

Antwerps,  as  they  are  caUed,  are  useless  for  exhibition  pur- 
poses ;  they  are  about  equal  to  other  mongrels  of  the  Skinnum 
tribe,  and  do  very  well  to  feed  the  young  of  valuable  sorts,  but 
I  find  any  other  half-bred  Pigeon  does  as  well. 

To  prohibit  dealers  exhibiting  would  prevent  many  good 
birds  from  being  shown,  especially  by  the  wealthy  fanciers, 
who  generally  buy  tho  prize  pens  at  our  shows.  Those  who 
cannot  afford  to  compete  with  the  dealer  should  not  try  to 
deprive  him  of  bread. 

Mr.  Ludlow  gives  a  good  description  of  what  a  Dragoon 
should  be,  but  cannot  help  touching  upon  the  worn-out 
crotchet  that  White-rumps  are  equal  to  Blue-rumps.  Three 
of  the  best  judges  in  England  have  decided  that  Blue-rumps 
have  the  palm,  and  I  believe  it  is  the  opinion  ol  most  good 
fanciers. — An  Old  Fakoier,  Binnwgham. 


LEAVE  WELL  ALONE— ARE  BEES 
CARNIVOROUS  ? 

I  HAVE  three  hives  of  bees ;  now,  if  I  thought  it  advisable, 
for  the  sake  of  better  stocks,  not  for  the  honey,  I  would  unite 
some  two  of  the  three.  I  say  "  not  for  the  honey,"  because 
maiden  honey  in  the  comb  is  being  offered  for  sale  in  Galway 
at  od.  per  lb.  I  am  sure  you  will  agree  with  me,  that  whilst  I 
can  obtain  honey  at  that  price  it  would  be  foolish  to  risk  the 
bees,  except  for  the  sake  of  making  the  stocks  stronger.  As 
they  are,  they  appear  healthy  and  strong.  Would  you  advise 
me  to  drive  any  of  the  bees  ? 

It  is  customary  with  bee-keepers  in  this  and  other  parts  ol 
Ireland  to  give  their  bees  in  winter  chickens  or  birds  for  food. 
They  pluck  the  feathers  off  the  fowl ;  some  give  it  to  them 


198 


J0X3BNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEK. 


(  September  10,  18C8 


cooked,  others  raw.  All  I  have  spoken  to  about  the  matter 
state  that  the  bees  leave  nothing  but  a  perfect  skeleton.  Do 
yon  approve  of  this  ? — H.  C. 

[It  your  three  stocks  are,  as  you  state,  healthy  and  strong, 
and  you  neither  wish  for  their  honey  nor  desire  to  diminish 
their  number,  we  should  by  no  means  advise  you  to  risk  the 
bees  of  either  of  them  for  the  sake  of  attempting  to  strengthen 
one  of  the  others. 

A  discussion  on  the  supposed  carnivorous  propensities  of 
bees  took  place  in  our  columns  during  the  autumn  of  1864.  It 
ended  by  one  of  our  most  valued  contributors  submitting  the 
alleged  fact  to  the  test  of  actual  experiment  in  a  variety  of 
ways,  and  reporting  the  result,  which  was,  as  might  have  been 
expected,  that  bees  can  make  no  use  whatever  of  animal  food 
in  any  shape  or  form.] 


UNITING  BEES. 


TffE  two  failures  related  by  "  H.,"  in  page  162  of  "our 
Journal,"  lead  me  to  believe  that  an  article  enunciating  what 
I  conceive  to  be  the  true  principles  to  be  sbserved  in  order  to 
effect  peaceful  unions  of  adult  bees,  and  also  describing  some 
of  the  various  modes  in  which  these  principles  may  be  put  into 
practice,  will  not  be  without  interest  to  apiarian  readers. 

In  the  first  place,  then,  I  am  so  convinced  by  experience 
that  I  think  we  may  lay  it  down  as  an  axiom,  that  bees  are 
never  more  likely  to  unite  peaceably  than  jast  after  they  have 
been  subdued  by  the  operation  of  being  expelled  from  their 
hives  by  driving. 

Secondly,  That  a  number  of  bees  presenting  themselves 
peaceably  at  the  entrance  of  a  hive,  and,  as  it  were,  asking  for 
admittance  with  vibrating  wings  are  very  frequently  received 
without  demur,  and  that  the  chances  of  peaceful  fraternisation 
ii  sought  in  this  manner  are  much  increased  when  the  suppli- 
cants present  themselves  with  well-distended  honey-bags. 

It  will  be  perceived,  therefore,  that  both  these  conditions 
were  most  perfectly  fulfilled  by  the  Eev.  P.  V.  M.  Filleul, 
better  known,  perhaps,  to  the  present  generation  of  readers  as 
"  B.  &  W.,"  who  when  writing  to  the  then  Cottage  Gardenek, 
about  eighteen  years  ago,  under  the  iiom  de  plume  of  "  A 
CouNTiiT  CuKATE,"  declared  that  he  had  found  that  if  the  in- 
habitants of  two  or  more  stocks  of  bees  were  driven  in  suc- 
cession into  the  same  empty  hive  a  peaceful  union  would  be 
the  result.  I  may,  indeed,  at  once  confess  that  I  do  not  believe 
that  this  simple  process  can  be  improved  upon,  and  that  it  is 
the  one  which  I  should  myself  adopt  if  I  were  desirous  of 
uniting  the  inhabitants  of  two  common  hives  situated  in  the 
game  apiary  or  within  a  short  distance  of  each  other. 

Mr.  Payne's  process,  on  the  other  hand,  is  based  entirely  on 
the  second  of  my  two  propositions.  He  advises  that  the  bees 
which  have  been  expelled  from  a  hive  by  driving  should  in  the 
evening  of  the  same  day  be  knocked  out  on  a  cloth  spread  on 
the  ground,  and  the  stock  to  which  they  are  to  be  united 
having  been  placed  over  them  supported  on  a  couple  of  sticks, 
it  is  expected  that  a  peaceful  union  will  be  effected  by  the 
morning.  In  this  case  the  houseless  bees  are  just  in  such  a 
state  as  to  render  it  likely  that  they  will  be  favourably  received  : 
they  are  well  filled  with  honey,  and  wo  may  be  very  sure  that 
they  make  their  ascent  into  the  inhabited  hive  with  uplifted 
tails  and  vibrating  wings.  I  believe  that  in  the  majority  of 
cases  their  advances  are  well  received,  the  urgently-required 
shelter  being  unhesitatingly  and  ungrudgingly  granted  to  them, 
and  in  this  case,  as  Mr.  Payne  says,  "  all  will  be  peace  and 
harmony."  Bat  unfortunately  there  is  a  reverse  to  this  de- 
hghtful  picture,  and  in  far  too  many  instances,  as  was  ex- 
perienced by  "  H.,"  daylight  reveals,  as  I  have  before  stated,  a 
sickening  scene  of  slaughter  so  extensive  as  to  make  it  more 
than  doubtful  if  sufUcient  bees  survive  to  render  the  attempted 
nnion  of  the  slightest  advantage  to  the  stock  intended  to  be 
benefited  thereby. 

Some  of  the  various  modes  in  which  the  principles  which  I 
have  enunciated  may  be  reduced  to  practice,  will,  I  think,  be 
best  illustrated  by  describing  my  proceedings  after  a  bee-driving 
expedition,  which  took  place  on  the  27th  ult.,  and  which  re- 
sulted in  my  bringing  home  three  lots  of  bees.  The  first  was 
a  large  mass  of  bees,  being  the  entire  population  of  a  very 
strong  stock,  the  second  a  comparatively  small  cluster  from  a 
weaker  colony,  and  the  third  the  combs  and  bees  of  an  un- 
fortunate swarm  the  whole  of  the  combs  of  which  had  by  some 
accident  been  detached  from  their  foundations,  and  remained 
when  the  hive  was  lifted  in  a  confused  heap  on  the  floor-board. 


I  commenced  proceedings  the  following  morning  by  looking 
over  a  frame-hive  containing  a  colony  of  black  bees,  the  queen 
of  which  I  captured  and  placed  in  a  cage  which  I  secured  inside- 
an  empty  box  in  contact  with  the  crown-board.  Putting  this  box 
on  the  old  stand,  I  fixed  immediately  in  front  and  in  close  con- 
tact with  its  entrance,  a  platform  consisting  of  a  half-inch 
plank  some  i  feet  long  by  16  inches  wide,  upon  which  I  shook 
and  brushed  off  the  bees  from  the  combs  of  the  frame-hive, 
which  as  fast  as  they  were  cleared  I  conveyed  in-doors  out  of  the 
reach  of  robbers,  whilst  their  rightful  owners  skedaddled  in 
profound  dismay  to  avail  themselves  of  the  cheerless  shelter 
afforded  by  the  empty  box,  and  solace  by  their  presence  the 
captivity  of  their  queen.  When  all  the  combs  were  cleared 
they  were  again  arranged  in  their  own  hive,  which  was  once 
more  replaced  on  its  stand  and  deepened  by  a  square  frame 
about  2  inches  in  depth  being  added  above  the  frames.  The 
cage  containing  the  queen  having  been  transferred  to  the  crown- 
board  of  her  own  hive,  all  her  bees  were  knocked  or  brushed 
out  of  their  temporary  refuge  on  the  top  of  the  exposed  bars, 
and  the  crown-board  put  in  its  place.  Whilst  the  confusion 
thus  produced  was  at  its  height,  I  brought  out  the  mass  of 
fallen  combs,  and  separating  layer  after  layer  brushed  oS  the 
bees  upon  the  platform,  keeping  a  bright  look-out  for  the 
queen.  All  these  houseless  strangers  rushed  with  vibrating 
wings  to  the  nearest  shelter,  which  was,  of  course,  the  dis- 
turbed hive,  where,  as  I  had  expected,  they  were  received  with- 
out opposition,  but  no  queen  could  I  find,  and  I  am  disposed 
to  believe  that  none  was  present.  As  soon  as  this  was  finished, 
and  the  denuded  and  fragmentary  combs  conveyed  in-doors,  I 
brought  out  the  hive  containing  the  bees  from  the  weak  stock, 
and  whilst  the  rear-guard  of  their  predecessors  was  still  buzz- 
ing forth  what  the  Germans  ciU  the  "  swarm-tuue,"  the  entire 
cluster  was  knocked  out  amongst  them  on  the  platform ;  the 
same  result  partially  followed,  and  the  bulk  of  this  second  im- 
migration of  strangers  speedily  found  their  way  inside.  Still 
in  this  case  success  was  evidently  not  perfectly  complete,  and 
finding  after  some  time  that  a  good  deal  of  confusion  continued 
to  exist  at  the  entrance  whilst  many  bees  obstinately  clustered 
and  hung  about  the  platform,  I  raised  the  latter  and  keenly 
scrutinised  the  recusants,  whose  stubborn  obstinacy  I  was  in- 
clined to  attribute  to  the  presence  of  a  queen.  Nor  were  my 
anticipations  unfounded,  for  her  majesty  was  almost  the  first 
bee  that  met  my  view.  Attempting  to  seize  her,  she  eluded 
my  grasp,  and  taking  wing  was  in  an  instant  out  of  sight.  Her 
absence  under  the  circumstances  was,  of  course,  no  loss,  and 
1  replaced  the  platform  in  the  full  belief  that  the  truants  would 
speedily  betake  themselves  to  the  proffered  shelter.  In  this 
expectation  I  was,  however,  doomed  to  be  disappointed,  for 
things  remained  as  before,  and  finding  that  no  change  for  the 
better  had  taken  place,  I  again  lifted  and  examined  the  platform 
and  with  the  like  result,  for  there  once  more  I  speedily  espied 
the  errant  queen.  I  did  not  bungle  this  time,  but  at  once 
seized  her  and  popped  her  in  at  the  top  of  the  hive.  The 
change  that  ensued  was  almost  instantaneous — confusion  was 
at  an  end,  and  the  platform  being  replaced  the  former  re- 
cusants at  once  set  up  the  "  swarm-tune,"  and  in  joyful  pro- 
cession marched  directly  into  their  new  home.  Next  morning 
I  examined  the  hive  and  finding  a  fine  queen  at  liberty  therein, 
I  removed  the  captive  but  rightful  monarch  and  left  the  usurper 
in  the  enjoyment  of  the  sovereignty  which  she  had  won.  I 
should  add,  that  this  union  of  the  inhabitants  of  three  colonies 
was  most  successful,  not  more  than  a  score  or  two  of  bees 
being  lost  in  effecting  it. 

The  large  body  of  bees  which  I  had  secured  from  the  strong 
stock  were  manipulated  in  a  somewhat  different  manner.  In 
this  case  the  queen  had  been  removed  some  days  previously  from 
the  stock  to  which  they  were  to  be  united,  and  I  commenced 
proceedings  by  standing  the  straw  hive  containing  the  new 
comers  in  the  place  of  the  queeuless  colony,  erecting  the  plat- 
form which  I  have  before  described  immediately  in  front  of  it. 
Upon  this  I  shook  and  brushed  off  all  the  bees  from  the  combs 
of  the  removed  stock,  eradicating  every  royal  cell  during  the 
operation,  and  conveying  the  combs  in-doors.  Having  then 
replaced  them  in  their  hive  and  deepened  the  latter  by  the  ad- 
dition of  au  empty  box  above  the  bars,  I  returned  it  to  its 
place  and  knocked  down  into  it  the  now  conjoined  cluster  of 
bees,  putting  on  the  crown-board  immediately,  and  leaving  it 
undisturbed  for  the  rest  of  the  day.  Next  morning  I  lifted  oS 
the  upper  box  and  was  rather  surprised  to  find  that  it  con- 
tained the  great  bulk  of  the  bees,  comparatively  few  having 
CQUgregated  among  the  combs  in  the  lower  hive.  Having  put 
a  ehallow  wooden  frame  on  the  top  of  the  latter,  I  cautiously 


September  10, 1868.  1 


JOUENAL   OF   HORTICULTUEB  AND   COTTAGB  GAEDBNEE. 


199 


lifted  the  crown-board  from  the  box,  thinking  to  transfer  it 
with  the  adhering  cluster  of  bees  to  the  hive  itsulf ;  when  lo, 
jnst  as  I  had  raised  it  a  few  inches  the  entire  cluster  became 
detached  and  fell  in  a  mass  to  the  ground  !  Many  would,  doubt- 
less, be  somewhat  nonplussed  at  such  an  accident,  but  I  was 
too  old  a  hand  to  be  much  disconcerted,  so  after  putting  on  the 
crown-board  with  such  bees  as  still  adhered  to  it,  I  mf-rely 
covered  the  cluster  on  the  ground  with  an  empty  box  propped 
np  on  one  side,  and  turned  my  attention  to  other  matters. 
Numbers  of  bees  at  once  took  wing  and  flew  to  the  mouth  of 
the  hive,  and  on  returning  in  about  half  an  hour  I  found  that 
the  remainder  had  sought  refuge  within  the  empty  box  whence 
they  were  speedily  shaken  into  their  own  hive  on  the  top  of  the 
bars,  and  the  crown-board  being  replaced  this  apparently  for- 
midable mishap  was  rectified  with  but  little  trouble  and  no 
appreciable  loss  of  life.  The  entire  operation  was  indeed  very 
successful,  although  there  was  rather  more  quarrelling  than 
in  the  former  case,  and  in  the  whole  from  one  hundred  to  two 
hundred  bees  might  probably  have  been  killed. — A  Devonshire 
Bee-keepeb. 

IMPRESSED  WAXEN  SHEETS. 

In  reply  to  the  inquiries  of  "  Aris,"  in  page  161,  I  last  year 
naed  embopsed  wax  sheets  in  frames  largely,  and  with  uniform 
success  when  care  was  taken  to  hang  them  by  their  thickest 
edge,  failing  which  they  are  apt  to  break  down,  especially  with 
&  new  swarm.  The  combs  are  built  much  more  rapidly,  and 
on  several  occasions  queenless  stocks  were  compelled  to  build 
worker  comb  instead  of  drone.  In  supers  partly  fitted  with 
sheets  and  partly  with  guide  comb,  I  found  the  bees,  however,  j 
pertinaciously  reject  the  sheets  and  build  from  the  comb, 
causing  much  irregularity  and  delay.  I  therefore  this  year 
used  nothing  but  guide  comb  in  the  top  supers  ;  but  when  they 
were  well  advanced  introduced  intermediate  supers  fitted  with 
wax  sheets,  on  which  the  bees  at  once  fastened,  and  filled  the 
supers  very  rapidly. 

The  expense  is,  however,  a  great  objection,  the  makers  charg- 
ing 6ii.  a-piece  for  the  sheets ;  considering  which,  and  the  fact 
that  the  bees  always  reduce  the  thickness  of  the  sheet  very 
greatly  as  they  build,  it  struck  me  that  the  embossing  was  a 
superfluity,  and  I  therefore  resolved  to  try  the  effect  of  plain 
unstamped  sheets.  This  I  have  done  all  the  present  season, 
using  plain  and  stamped  sheets  in  the  same  hives,  and  I  find 
that  the  latter  are  in  no  respect  superior  to  the  former,  whilst 
the  plain  sheets  have  the  advantage  of  considerably  greater 
strength,  as  the  embossed  ones  are  apt  to  crack  if  not  very 
carefully  handled.  They  are  easily  made  as  follows  : — Procure 
a  tin  kettle  without  a  lid,  like  a  narrow  fish  kettle ;  mine, 
larger  than  necessary,  is  2  inches  wide  at  the  top,  4  inches  wide 
at  the  bottom,  16  inches  long,  and  12  inches  deep.  Fill  it 
with  water  to  within  3  inches  of  the  top,  and  melt  a  pound  or 
two  of  wax  in  it.  Have  a  piece  of  thin  smooth  board,  mine 
is  20  inches  by  12,  and  three-eighths  of  an  inch  thick  ;  soak  it 
in  a  flat-bottomed  sponge  bath  for  half  an  hour,  dip  it  endwise 
into  the  kettle  of  wax,  and  withdraw  it  rapidly.  If  you  wish 
the  sheets  thick  (I  prefer  them  about  one-sixteenth  of  an  inch), 
dip  again.  The  wax  sheets  will  peel  off  easily  and  unbroken. 
Cool  the  board  in  the  bath,  dip  again  the  other  end  of  the 
board,  letting  the  first-used  end  cool,  and  so  on,  using  either 
end  alternately.  The  thickness  of  molten  wax  must  not  be 
diminished  to  less  than  one-quarter  of  an  inch,  or  it  will  fail 
to  adhere  evenly  to  the  board.  Instead  of  a  board,  a  piece  of 
glass  dusted  with  whitening  may  be  used,  but  I  prefer  the 
board.  The  sheets  are  thus  produced  for  the  value  of  the  wax. 
About  Id.  each. 

With  respect  to  the  use  of  narrowed  communications  between 
hive  and  super,  I  have  adopted  them  this  season,  and  find  no 
inconvenience  whatever  in  consequence  ;  so  that  in  future  I 
shall  never  put  on  a  super  without  such  a  protection.  Sly  plan 
is  to  take  a  common  Woodbury  adapter,  and  divide  each  side 
slit  into  two  by  a  longitudinal  bar  about  one-quarter  of  an 
inch  thick,  thus  leaving  in  each  slit  two  j-assages  three-six- 
teenths wide  ;  the  adapter  thus  guarded,  I  generally  place  with 
the  slits  across  the  hive  instead  of  at  the  sides. — AricoLA, 
Murraythwaite,  N.B. 


consisted  in  keeping  her  family  in  the  nest ;  she  would  drag 
them  in  one  by  one,  making  them  squeak  all  the  time.  No  sooner 
had  she  put  one  back  than  out  she  would  run  and  seize 
another.  Of  course  they  would  not  stay  there,  and  I  have  seen 
her  do  this  for  a  long  time.  The  same  Ferret  was  once  taken 
to  a  neighbouring  farm  on  a  hunting  expedition.  I  suppose  she 
was  not  very  closely  watched,  lor  she  came  home  alone,  walked 
under  her  hutch,  and  waited  for  some  one  to  pnt  her  in.  I 
find  Ferrets  can  go  back  to  a  place  where  they  have  been  kept, 
it  not  too  far.  Mine  are  very  gentle,  and  will  play  with  my 
children  without  ever  showing  a  tendency  to  bite.  They  will 
let  a  child  two  years  of  age  play  with  them.  I  believe  they 
detect  a  stranger,  for  I  have  seen  them  look  timid  when  one 
approaches. 

After  the  young  are  removed  the  old  one  should  still  have 
milk  or  water.  Keeping  them  without  drink  is  very  cruel.  One 
of  my  children  had  one  given  him,  because  it  was  so  spiteful. 
The  owner  never  gave  it  drink.  My  boy  gave  it  milk,  petted 
it,  and  it  became  so  gentle,  that  it  would  follow  him  anywhere, 
gambol  about  his  feet  like  a  playful  kitten,  and  run  all  over 
him ;  it  was  never  spiteful  afterwards.  So  much  depends  on 
treatment.— L.  B. 


MANAGEMENT   OF   FERRETS.— No.  :i. 

The  Ferrets  may  be  taken  from  the  mother  at  any  time 

after  they  are  two  months  old,  as  they  will  then  be  able  to  take 

care  of  tliempelves.    I  have  one  Ferret  that  was  m'.^^t  amu.-'ing 

with  her  family.     She  is  now  too  old  to  breed.     Htr  anxiety 


MY  DOGS. 

[Continued  from  jyage  69.) 
OoK  hearts— that  is,  the  dog-loving  part  of  them,  a  very 
warm  part — were  sore  for  a  long  time  after  the  death  of  old 
Keeper ;  so  sore  that  we  could  not  think  of  a  successor.  It 
sufficed  for  us  to  talk  of  his  good  deeds,  and  to  point  to  big 
picture,  with  "Poor  old  fellow  1"  or  "Dear  old  fellow!"  or 
similar  expressions  of  affection.  But  we  were  not  let  alone  in 
our  grief.  Other  suitors  to  our  favour  came,  or  rather  were 
brought.  The  old  dog  had  been  a  hero  ;  he  had  been  pointed 
to  in  the  streets  as  the  dog  who  had  won  such  and  such  a  battle 
—just  as,  I  fear,  a  retired  pugilist  has  a  number  of  admiring 
eyes  fixed  upon  him  by  a  number  of  very  indifferent  characters. 
So  it  had  been  with  Keeper.  Hence  when  the  grand  old  hero 
with  the  many  scars  on  his  face  was  missed  from  the  streets 
and  lanes  of  the  town,  it  was  naturally  thought  by  persons  in- 
terested in  the  sale  of  dogs  that  we  should  wish  for  a  successor 
of  the  same  breed.  So  sundry  "  bankers,"— afterwards  called 
"  navvies  "  when  the  railways  came  to  be  made,  but  before 
that  era  employed  to  make  and  repair  the  embankments  which 
kept  out  the  Wash— sundry  of  these  gentlemen  made  their  ap- 
pearance, and  a  pretty  appearance  they  themselves  had.  Yon 
all  remember  Bill  Sykes  of  one  of  Dickens's  tales.  The  bankers 
were  so  many  Bill  Sykeses.  They  wore  stout  laced  boots, 
speckled  worsted  stockings,  corduroy  breeches,  and  very  fuU- 
pocketed  fustian  shooting  jackets ;  their  necks  encircled  by  a 
red  handkerchief,  and  above  that  decidedly  unprepossessing 
figureheads,  close-shaven,  and  not  unfrequently  a  long  curl  on 
each  side  hanging  between  the  ear  and  the  eye,  and  the  creature 
crowned  by  a  flattened  wideawake.  Many  pairs  of  such  gentry 
found  their  way  into  the  old  surgery.  Mysteriously  did  they 
shut  the  door— I  mean  with  a  mysterious  air,  leaving  a  couple 
of  friends  or  more  outside,  probably  in  fear  lest  the  dear  lambs 
should  come  to  harm.  Out  of  the  huge  pockets  were  brought 
divers  blind  and  shuddering  bull  pups,  which  the  mother  eyed 
from  behind  the  thick  boots  fondly  yet  jealously.  The  one 
dear  lamb  began  with  the  invariable  "  My  mate  Bill,"  here  he 
jerked  his  thumb  towards  Bill,  who  acknowledged  the  words 
with  an  understanding  grunt,  "  heerd  a  chap  say  as  he  heerd 
you  was  in  want  of  a  dawg."  I  need  hardly  add  that  we  de- 
clined the  "  dawg."  We  loathed  the  thought  of  a  second  edition 
bound  in  rough  of  our  old  hero  ;  and  so  our  favour  was  sought, 
but  sought  in  vain. 

At  length  time,  the  great  healer  of  broken  hearts,  healed 
ours.  Have  you  never  known  a  widow  who  was  wont  to  gaze 
at  the  likeness  of  her  dear  deceased,  and  talk  of  his  merits  often 
and  long?  She  was  besieged  by  suitors,  but  in  vam.  At  last 
a  handsome  stranger  quite  unlike  her  late  spouse  comes  on  the 
stage ;  and  the  widow's  parlour-maid  declares  in  the  kitchen 
that  "  she  just  now  went  suddenly  {by  mistake,  of  course),  into 
the  drawing-room,"  the  handsome  stranger  being  theie,  "and 
missus's  face  was  scarlet,  and  her  cap  was  the  leastest  bit  on 
one  side."  This  is|n  odd  metaphor  for  us  (I  speak  this  once 
in  the  dignified  plural),  to  use,  as  we  were  ever  guiltless  even 
of  a  nigktcap. 

Well,  the  handsome  stranger  who  won  our  hearts  was  a 
young  liver-and-white  spaniel  from  "  the  high  country,"  as 
feumen  call  it,  though  Northamptonshire  is  not  very  high  either. 


JOUENAL  OF  HOETICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENEB. 


[  September  10,  1868. 


My  yoTMR  eyea  glistened.  I  was  a  very  young  boy  then,  and 
I  fell  in  love  head  over  heels  with  the  handsome  stranger,  and 
begged  hard  that  I  might  have  the  dog ;  so  after  some  bargain- 
ing the  dog  was  ours.  But  what  was  his  name  ?  That  had 
been  forgotten  by  the  man  who  bronght  him  into  the  fens,  bnt 
he  promised  he  would  inquire  the  next  time  he  went  to  the 
high  country.  Meanwhile  at  a  venture  we  named  him  "  Bock- 
wood,"  and  Eocliwood  became  the  dog  of  my  early  boyhood,  as 
old  Keeper  had  been  of  my  little  childhood.  Have  you  ever 
marked  carefully,  gentle  reader,  those  nice  minute  gradations 
in  Lfe?  First  the  unknowing  infant ;  but  how  soon  it  begins 
"  to  take  notice,"  to  use  a  common  but  very  suitable  expression. 
The  little  child  learns  very  early  to  smile.  As  Wordsworth  says — 

"  On  its  face 
Smiles  are  beginninfr,  like  the  beams  of  dawn, 

To  ahoot  and  circulate 

Feelers  of  love  put  forth,  as  it  to  explore 
This  untried  wurld.  and  to  prepare  its  ^ay 
Through  a  strait  passape  intricate  and  dim." 

After  the  infant,  then  the  little  child,  obedient,  trusting,  trust- 
ing every  one  ;  but  bigger  children  overawe  it.  In  play  with 
them  it  gets  confused,  upset  in  mind,  overwrought  in  nerve, 
and  leaves  them  for  its  mother's  lap.  It  is'a  manful  little 
thing  in  its  home  and  its  garden,  but  a  few  hundred  yards 
away  it  becomes  a  baby  again.  Then  cornea  playful,  ever- 
playing  young  boyhood.  All  life  is  a  play,  a  very  play  then. 
Bats,  balls,  tops,  strings  littered  about ;  doors  slammed  ;  the 
feet  always  run,  for  they  cannot  merely  walk  ;  noise,  noife  ; 
rushing  hither  and  thither  pell-mell.  This  is  the  grand  play- 
time of  life,  when  the  meals  are  shortened  in  order  to  get  out 
the  earlier  to  play ;  not  the  sprucest  neatest  time— far  from 
it — nails,  and  hands,  and  face  too,  not  over-clean ;  clothes 
torn.  What  boy  thinks  of  hia  breeches  when  he  sees  a  bird's 
nest? 

Dnring  all  my  early  boyhood,  this  playtime  of  life,  EocVwood 
was  my  prime  playfellow.  Like  many  handsome  strangers,  as 
widows  of  the  cap-on-one-aide  school  often  fiud  when  the  cap 
is  put  quite  aside,  he  had  not  much  brains,  but  he  could  hunt 
through  the  hedges — there  were  a  few,  drive  out  the  birds  from 
their  nests  on  the  side  of  the  fen  drains  ;  and  then,  more  than 
all,  he  could  play  cricket,  and,  best  of  all,  he  was  always  on  my 
side.  This  is  how  it  came  to  pass  :  Four  houses  from  ours 
(each  house  had  a  paddock  at  the  back),  lived  my  prime  school 
friends,  four  in  number,  all  brothers.  They  were  sons  of  a 
Waterloo  officer,  and  therefore  smitten  with  a  perpetual  scarlet 
lever.  Every  Saturday  afternoon  away  I  and  Bockwood  went 
for  a  game  of  cricket.  Bat  home-made,  stumps  ditto,  ball 
oblong — never  mind,  we  enjoyed  the  game  just  as  much  as  the 
gentlemen  players  at  Lord's,  and  a  great  deal  more  than  the 
tired  professionals,  who  must  long  for  the  winter  to  begin  in 
August.  The  eight  of  a  cricket  ball  acted  upon  Bockwood  as 
does  a  gun  upon  a  pointer.  I  bowled,  Bockwood  fielded,  and 
with  the  speed  of  a  racehorse  he  brought  the  ball  to  my  feet ; 
BO  together  we  were  a  formidable  pair.  But  when  I  was  batting 
Bockwood  declined  to  field,  knowing  "  his  side  was  in."  He 
therefore  rested  near,  seeing  how  the  game  went  on,  extending 
his  handsome  form  on  the  grass  until  I  was  again  on  the  "  out" 
Bide.  Oh,  those  Saturday  afternoons  !  those  scramblings  from 
paddock  to  paddock,  Bockwood  galloping  by  my  side  !  Oh, 
those  jolly  games  of  cricket !  I  have  often  played  since ;  I 
Stand  to  a  wicket  still ;  but  now  I  have  a  backbone,  boys  have 
none. 

Time  which  will  go  on— time  which  usually  will  also  separate 
friends,  separated  me  from  mine.  Two  of  "the  four  went  into 
the  army,  and,  alas  1  both  have  long  since  slept  beneath  the 
sun-parched  plains  of  Bengal,  one  of  them  a  victim  to  the 
Indian  mutiny.  The  third  I  have  not  seen  these  twenty  years 
and  more.  The  fourth  I  meet  now  and  then,  the  "  now  " 
separated  a  long  way  from  the  "  then  ;"  but  when  we  do  meet 
we  ahake  hands  as  only  old  schoolboy  friends  know  how.  When 
we  do  meet,  then  we  talk  the  old  talk — open,  free,  generous, 
kindly  ;  then  we  bring  the  past  years  and  faces  before  us  ;  then 
among  other  questions  he  put  this,  "  Have  you  forgotten  Bock- 
wood ?"  Oh!  tbe  pleasure  of  having  old,  old  friends — friends 
who  grew  up  with  you,  whose  life's  associations  are  blended 
with  yours,  who  met  you  not  the  first  time  in  stiff  heart-freezing 
manhood,  but  in  open-hearted  boyhood .  YjBt  let  not  this  thought 
deter  ns  from  making  new  friends,  for  th^  in  turn  will  become 
old  friends.  We  must  go  on  iu  the  battle  of  life.  "Forward!" 
is  the  word  ;  then  let  me  go  on  shoulder  to  shoulder  with 
friends  new  and  old,  old  and  new.  "  Have  yon  forgotten  Bock- 
wood?" How  much  that  little  question  brings  to  my  mind  ! 
— the  Saturday  afternoon  holidays,  the  glee,  the  high  spirits, 


the  cricket,  and  the  old  school  friends  who  joined  in  the  game. 

What !  is  the  paper  suffused  with  a  mist  ?  or  is  aught  wrong 
with  my  eyes  ? — Wiltshiek  Eector. 

(To  be  contin-ued.) 


OUR  LETTER  BOX. 

Gamt:  Fowxg. — "  Absence  from  home  has  been  the  cause  of  my  not  re- 
plyiug  to  'NE\orARKET'9'  paragraph  iu  the  Journal  of  August  27tb.  Ir* 
reply,  What  I  advertised  was  a  quotation  from  *  Newmarket's  '  letter.  I 
have  also  letters  by  me  respecting  the  birds.  The  following  are  extracts  : 
— 'Good  and  Laudsome  fowls.'  'Will  breed  the  richest  colours.'  'Are 
tbe  handsomest  hens  in  this  place.'  '  These  birds  are  really  good  and  nro 
dirt  cheap.'  Any  one  is  welcome  to  see  the  correspondence  who  may  be 
thus  interested.— William  H.  Wheeler."  [Here  this  controversy  must 
cease. — Eds.] 

Brahma  Pootras  SELF-PLUCKrao  (Brahma). —Tovrla  are  prone  to  eat 
the  feathers  from  each  other's  legs  at  this  time  of  year  if  they  are  con- 
fined. They  seldom  do  it  when  at  liberty.  It  arises  from  a  morbid  t-tate- 
of  appetite,  and  this  is  more  benefited  by  an  ample  supply  of  lettiice  than 
by  anytbing  else.  If  they  have  no  grass  run  give  them  large  sods  of 
growing  grass,  cut  with  plenty  of  eartb.  Legs  stripped  of  their  leathera 
in  any  way  will  disqualify  Brahmas  and  Cochins. 

White  Spanish  and  White  Minorcas  {Subscriber).— VfhiiQ  Spanish 
fowls  should  have  white  faces.    Minnrcas  have  red  faces. 

Food  for  Moulting  Hens— Marks  of  Age  (A.  B.).— Ground  oats  are 
the  best  food  fur  poultry  at  all  times.  Growing  green  meat  is  good  for 
them  when  moulting.  Indian  corn,  rice,  and  vegetables  are  all  bnd,  ex- 
cept as  amusements  and  for  a  change.  They  require  better  food  when 
moulting  than  at  other  times,  but  it  should  not  be  of  a  stimulatinf? 
nature.  After  a  fowl  has  ouce  passed  from  thecliicken  to  the  adult  stat* 
there  are  no  means  of  ascertaining  the  age  with  certainty.  The  most 
experienced  are  often  deceived. 

Hen's  Flesh  Spotted  (Warn- ick). —We  cannot  account  for  the  white 
spots.  We  have  seen  them  mnny  times  in  our  lives,  and  if  the  fowl  were 
in  other  respects  in  good  condition,  we  should  consider  it  fit  for  food. 

Length  of  Lop  Ears  in  Rabbits  (Rabbit  Fancier).— The  length  yoo 
speak  of  is  a  hereditary  quality.  The  length  maybe  increased  by  a  judi- 
cious system  of  pulling,  and  by  suspending  leaden  weights  to  tiJo  extre- 
mities. If,  however,  it  is  not  in  the  breed  to  reach  extreme  length  such 
as  you  desire,  no  management  will  effect  it. 

Buckwheat  and  Apples  for  Pocltry  {E.  A.  S.). — Wo  have  tried 
buckwheat,  but  our  fowls  neither  liked  it  nor  did  well  upon  it.  We  do 
not  consider  any  of  the  oily  foods  good  for  chickens.  We  tbink  apples 
good  for  fowls,  but  we  always  give  them  raw.  They  make  a  change,  and 
the  birds  are  very  partial  to  them. 

Points  of  Houdans  (Qallina  Ba7ikiva).~ThG  few  reddish  brown  spot;? 
are  not  a  diaqusliflcation.  They  are  not  desirable.  In  all  these  breeds 
the  cocks  acquire  colour  as  they  increase  in  ago.  The  samo  rule  applies 
to  the  Houdan  and  Crevo-Cccur ;  yellow  or  light  straw-coloured  fentb'^rs 
are  admissible,  red  enes  are  a  disqualification.  The  convex  back  is  fatal 
to  success  unless  it  be  so  trifling  as  to  escape  notice.  If  the  crest  feather.^ 
are  pulled  out,  tbe  feathers  will  grow  again  at  once ;  if  they  are  broken  off 
they  will  not  grow  till  the  bird  moults. 

Rejected  Fowls  (Fair  Play).—Tho  "person  near  Longton,  Stafford- 
shire "  certainly  treated  you  very  unfairly.  If  your  man  turned  the 
pullets  out,  and  they  were  both  then  sound,  ho  should  not  have  bronght  it 
back,  for  the  injury  was  inflicted  in  some  way  on  the  purchaser's  premises. 
As  it  was  taken  back,  and  as  you  afterwards  recc;ived  the  other  puUot,  we 
think  you  have  no  remedy.  The  proposing  purchaser  would  act  no  more 
than  equitably  if  he  paid  the  expenses  you  incurred. 

Golden  Pheasants  on  a  Lawn  (E.  E.  K.).~\i  will  do  your  Golden 
Pheasan  -  od  to  feed  always  on  the  lawn.  Pheasants  never  do  so  well 
as  when  'iept  on  grass. 

What  is  a  Pen  and  Walk  of  Poultry  ?  (J.  Smith),— i:\ie  pen  depends 
on  the  decision  of  a  show  cummittee.    In  some  places  the  prize  is  otTf  red 

for  the  best  pen  of  .  containing  cock  and  three  hens  ;  others  require 

cock  and  two  hens;  others  cock  and  one.     There  is  no  fixed  numbei-. 
A  "  walk  "  formerly  consisted  of  a  cnck  and  fouf  hens. 

Old  and  Young  Canaries  Together  (T.  C.H.). — "I  usually  put  nil 
my  breeding  hens  into  a  large  flight-cage  for  the  winter.  My  old  breed- 
ing cocks  I  put  into  separate  cages,  and  the  same  with  those  young  ones 
which  bid  fair  to  moult  into  something  good.  When  they  will  agree  and 
do  not  show  any  disposition  to  attack  each  other,  I  put  two  together,  but 
where  there  is  plenty  of  cage  room  a  separate  compartment  is  best. — 
W.  A.  Blakston." 

Bee  Hives  (E.  Pater). — You  will  find  engravings  and  descriptions  of 
hives  in  "  Bee-keeping  for  the  Many,"  which  you  can  have  free  by  post 
from  our  office  for  five  postage  stamps. 

Lecture  on  Bee-keeping.— We  have  received  a  copy  of  a  little,  a 
very  little  pamphlet,  which  is  stated  to  contain  the  substance  of  a  lecture 
on  this  interetting  subject,  delivered  on  the  Tth  ultimo  by  the  Rev,  .1.  B. 
Hughes,  of  Tiverton,  Devon,  at  the  Cottage  Garden  Show  held  on  that 
day,  at  Dulverton,  in  tbe  neighbouring  county  of  Somerset.  Tbe  rev. 
gentleman  appears  to  have  judiciously  eschewed  the  more  recondite 
mysteries  of  bee-keeping,  and  to  have  confined  himself  to  pointing  out 
the  advantages  which  every  bee-keeper  may  realise  by  the  use  of  sui-er^, 
and  recommending  the  autumnal  union  of  bees  by  means  of  driving, 
instead  of  pitilessly  consigning  them  to  the  brimstone  pit. 

Swarming  fboh  Supered  Bivf.  (A  Jteader).— It  maybe  laid  down  ns 
a  general  rule,  that  if  a  supered  stock  swarms  the  superbecomes  deseitHd, 
and  that  no  more  honey  will  be  deposited  in  it.  Your  bees,  theref'tre, 
were  no  exception  to  the  rule.  You  should  weigh  the  hive  and  judge  for 
yourself  whether  it  requires  feeding.  It  would,  we  think,  be  well  to  nnitH 
the  weak  swarm  to  tbe  parent  stock,  which,  if  properly  done,  mny  bn 
accomplished  without  much  risk  of  a  quarrel.  Read  Mr.  Woodbury's 
article  on  "  Uniting  Bees,"  in  another  column. 

Tomato  Jam.— "T.  W.  W."  would  be  obliged  U  "Lovfapple'*  would 
make  public  the  receipt. for  making  tomato  jr.m. 


September  17,  1868.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICDLTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


201 


WEEKLY 

CALENDAR. 

D.y 

of 
Uonth 

D.7 

of 

Week. 

SEPTEMBEH  17-23,  ISBft 

ATorBfie  Temperature 
near  London. 

Rain  In 

■sat 
41  yearn. 

Sun 

RIbos. 

Sun 
Solo. 

Moon  1  Moon 
Riaea.  '    Seta. 

Moon's 
Age. 

Cloek 

after 
Hnu. 

"oY 

Year 

17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 

Ta 

F 

S 

Son 

M 

TO 

w 

Royal  Hoi-ticnltnral  SoL-icty,  Promenade. 
15  Sunday  attku  Tki:*ity. 

Autumn  commencos. 
Aberdeen  Horticultural  Show. 

Day. 
C9.1 

CH.a 

67.11 
f,7.3 
Cfi:i 
6B.4 
66.3 

Nlitht. 

44  B 
4i.6 
45.0 
44.0 
4B2 
45.9 

45  8 

Mean. 
56.9 
57.4 
06.2 
65.6 
65.7 
6G.2 
50  0 

DaTfl. 
16 
19 
20 
19 
23 
20 
21 

m.       h. 
39a»6 
40       6 
42       6 
44       6 
4«       5 
48       5 
50       6 

m.    h. 
9a«6 
7      6 
5      6 
a     6 
0      G 
5B      6 
56      6 

m.    h.     m.     h 

32aI6      54a(6 
62       7      21       7 
10      9      50       7 
25     10      20      8 
81     11      55       8 
after.      85      « 
35       1      20     10 
1 

Daya. 

1 
2 
8 
4 
5 

c 

m.     «. 

5  44 

C      5 

6  26 

6  47 

7  8 
7     28 
7    49 

261 
262 

268 
264 
205 
266 
267 

From  observattonfl  taken  near  I.nnilon  dnrini?  tho  last  forty-one  yoars,  the  averaRe  (lav  tomporatnre  oj  the  wecUiB67.3-;  and  its  nlglt 
temperature  45.3  .     The  (froatost  beat  waB  HI  ,  on  tlie  17th,  18i:i ;  and  th6  lowest  oold  2'J ',  on  the  nOi,  1810.     The  groajoat  JuU  ol  ram 
waa  1.21  Inch, 

PEACH  CULTIVATION.— No.  ■^. 

N  cold  situations,  but  not  unsnitaMo  foi-  the 
',;  growth  of  the  Poach  on  wallc,  it  may  bo  de- 
sirable to  plant  the  hardiest  kinds  ;  for  in 
the  case  of  the  Peach,  as  witli  every  other 
kind  of  fruit,  there  are  degrees  of  hardiness. 
The  hardiest  Peaches  seem  to  mo  to  bo  the 
following — viz..  Mountaineer,  tho  fruit  of 
■which  is  sometimes  partly  smootli,  flesh 
melting,  ripe  about  the  beginning  of  Septem- 
ber ;  Violette  llative,  large  and  good,  ripe 
in  September,  the  hardiest  of  all  Peaches,  and  whicli, 
having  a  good  constitution,  succeeds  where  others  do  not ; 
Early  York  ;  Malta;  Ban-ington,  and  Chancellor. 

From  the  list  of  twelve  varieties  I  have  left  out  Early 
Grosse  Mignonne,  finding  lilarly  York  much  larger  and 
liner  ;  indeed  it  is  fully  as  large  and  line  as  the  September 
Peaches,  and  cannot  be  too  highly  praised,  as  it  is  of  a 
splendid  colour,  lirm,  but  melting  and  juicy.  If  the  Sul- 
hampstead  supersede,  as  I  believe  it  will,  the  Noblesse  for 
walls,  the  Dymond,  a  large,  very  fine,  and  good-flavoured 
sort  may  be  added  to  the  first  twelve  in  place  of  the  No- 
blesse. Dymond  is  ripe  from  the  middle  to  the  end  of 
August.  The  old  Red  Magdalen,  or  Madeleine  do  Conrson, 
owing  to  its  being  tender,  I  have  omitted.  It  is,  however, 
one  of  the  best-flavoured  Peaches,  medium-sized,  and  hand- 
some. I  have  seen  it  die  off  against  a  wall  where  other 
varieties  succeeded,  and  it  appears  to  be  of  the  same  type 
as  the  Royal  George,  Royal  Charlotte,  and,  I  think,  Early 
York  :  all  being  subject  to  mildew,  and  occasionally  pro- 
ducing smooth-skinned  fruit,  though  in  general  very  downy. 
All  are  highly  coloured,  and  roundish  or  globular,  flattened 
at  the  base. 

The  NfxTARiNE  requires  the  same  cultivation  as  the 
Peach.    The  best  Nectarines  for  walls  are  : — 

Rivera's  Orange,  large,  melting  ;  the  flowers  are  splendid,  well  worth 
p'owing  for  decorative  purposes.  It  ripens  a  few  days  earlier  than 
Pitmaston  Orange,  its  parent,  and  is  hardier,  and  a  great  bearer. 

Elmge,  medium-sized,  juicy,  and  of  good  flavour.  End  of  August 
and  beginning  of  September.     It  is  an  abundant  bearer. 

Violette  Iiritive,  medium-sized,  melting,  juicy,  and  excellent.  End 
of  August  and  beginning  of  September. 

Hardwicke,  large,  juicy,  and  rich-flavonred.  End  of  August  and 
beginning  of  September. 

Pitmaston  Orange,  large  and  excellent.     September. 

Balgowan,  large,  melting,  and  iiue-flavonrcd.     September. 

All  these  are  of  good  constitution,  and  hardy.  Three  of 
the  best  varieties  are  Rivers's  Orange,  Violette  Hative, 
and  Hardwicke.  For  one  variety  I  would  select  Violette 
Hative. 

Hunt's  Tawny  is  evidently  of  bad  constitution,  being  very  subject  to 
aphis  and  mildew,  otherwise  it  is  early,  but  mealy,  and  not  rich  in 
flavour. 

New  White  is  large  and  good,  bnt  does  not  succeed  against  a  wall, 
except  in  warm  situations. 

Peterborough,  or  Vermash,  is  the  only  Nectarine  ripening  in  October, 
Jbnt  that  is  its  only  recommendation. 

Early  Newington  is  large,  and  of  excellent  flavour.  It  is  a  cling- 
fiiono,  ripens  in  September,  and  should  be  left  on  the  tree  until  it  is 
slightly  shrivelled.     It  is  then  very  rich. 

Soil. — There  is  a  prevailing  opinion  that  strong  soils 
Ne.  BSO.-VoL.  XV.,  New  Sebieb. 


are  the  best  for  the  Peach.  This,  I  am  convinced,  is  a 
mistake.  Heavy  clay  soils  are  as  unfavourable  as  poor 
sandy  soils,  if  not  more  so.  The  latter  can  be  improved  by 
the  addition  of  cool  manure  and  adhesive  compost,  so  that 
tho  liability  of  tho  tree  to  curl  and  aphis  in  spring,  and 
to  red  spider  in  summer,  may  to  a  great  extent  be  avoided  ; 
but  heavy  clay  soils  have  such  a  tendency  to  cause  late 
growth,  and  to  encourage  the  production  of  shoots  which  do 
not  become  thoroughly  ripened,  that  a  Peach  tree  ought 
not  to  be  planted  in  them  for  out- door  cultivation.  The 
best  soil  for  the  Peach  against  a  wall  is  a  calcareous  sandy 
rather  than  heavy  loam,  and  yellow  rather  than  black. 
All  soils,  however,  are  not  of  that  description,  neither 
are  subsoils  the  same.  The  latter  must  first  engage  our 
attention. 

If  the  subsoil  is   wet   the    ground   must  be  well   and 

;  efliciently  drained,  so  as  to  carry  off  all  water  that  would 
become  stagnant  in  the  soil,  otherwise  the  trees  will  make 
a  poor  growth  in  spring  from  the  coldness  of  the  soU,  and 
the  injury  the  roots  sustain  in  winter  ;  and  owing  to  the 
moisture  in  summer,  the  trees  will  grow  rapidly,  but  late, 
so  that  the  shoots  will  be  imperfectly  ripened.  They  will 
in  consequence  be  liable  to  die  off  at  the  points,  and  the 
roots  drawing  vitiated  watery  nutriment  from  the_  soU,  the 
trees  cannot  be  otherwise  than  unhealthy.  Besides,  it  is 
a  mistake  to  plant  a  Peach  tree  on  the  Plum  stock  in  a 
wet  soil,  for  the  Plum  does  not  thrive  in  such,  and  the 
stock  will  become  unhealthy.  Wet  soils  should  not  only 
have  drains  with  a  proper  fall  and  outlet,  but  the  drains 
should  be  not  less  than  :i  feet  deep,  for  it  is  not  the  surface 
water  but  that  passing  from  the  surface  to  the  subsoil  that 
requires  to  be  taken  oil'.  If  no  drain  can  be  made  on 
account  of  there  being  no  fall  or  outlet,  then  the  border 
must  be  raised  ;  it  is  better  to  take  from  the  height  of  the 
wall  than  to  plant  in  giound  wholly  unsuitable. 

Some  subsoils  are  extremely  dry.  In  soils  resting  on  a 
subsoil  of  gravel  the  trees  are  apt  to  be  injured  in  hot 
weather.  When  there  is  an  excessive  evaporation  from 
the  leaves,  and  the  roots  do  not  supply  moisture  sufficient 
for  their  requirements,  there  is  a  drawing  from  the  tree 
itself  to  supply  the  deficiency  ;  mildew  appears  on  the 
young  shoots  and  fruit  ;  if  not  that,  red  spider  attacks 
the  trees  with  a  determination  requiring  the  syringe  to 
be  almost  constantly  at  work  to  keep  it  under.  Draining 
gravelly  soils  is  of  no  use  unless  there  is  water  in  the 
gravel,  which  is  rare.  Some  sandy  soils,  however,  have 
quite  as  much  if  not  more  water  in  the  subsoil  than 
clay  soils,  and  must  therefore  be  drained.  If  there  is 
nothing  but  a  diy  gravelly  subsoil,  it  will  be  necessary  to 
take  out  the  soil,  or  some  part  of  it,  and  make  a  proper 
border  2  feet  C  inches  deep.  A  light  as  well  as  a  gravelly 
soil  may  in  most  cases  be  made  excellent  by  putting  on  a 
dressing  of  heavy  loam,  clay,  or  marl  in  autumn,  before 
frost,  c.  iaches  thick,  and  after  the  first  frost  digging  it  in 
and  mixing  it  with  the  old  soil.  This  will  make  the  soil 
more  retentive  of  moisture,  and  the  trees  will  not_  suffer 
from  drought  nearly  so  much  as  they  would  otherwise  do ; 
and  in  March  a  top-dressing  of  cow  dung,  :;  inches  thick, 

1  should  be  given,  and  pointed  in  with  a  fork.     When  the 

No.  1(U2.— Vou  XX.,  Ou>  Sebies. 


202 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETICULTUEE   AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENEB.         I  September  17, 1868. 


ground  becomes  dry  tread  it  firm,  and  give  a  top-dressing  of 
cow  dang  or  littery  stable  manure  to  the  depth  of  2  inches,  and 
do  not  crop  the  border,  but  keep  the  surface  firm,  and  enriched 
with  good  Burface-dresiings  of  rich  compost.  Turf  taken  from 
a  pasture  where  the  soil  is  a  good  loam,  laid  up  for  six  months 
in  alternate  layers  with  cow  dung,  will  form  an  excellent  top- 
dressing.  The  deficiency  of  light  soils  in  respect  to  openness 
and  dryness  must  be  counteracted  by  rendering  them  more 
firm,  and  affording  top-dressings  of  cool  composts  retentive  of 
moisture. 

If  the  soil  is  naturally  a  good,  friable,  yellow  or  hazel  loam, 
all  that  will  bo  required  v;ill  be  to  drain  it  effectually,  trench  it 
to  the  depth  of  2^  or  3  feet,  and  work  in  a  liberal  quantity  of 
manure,  3  or  -t  inches  in  thickness  being  a  good  dressing. 
Almost  any  good  fresh  soil  will  grow  the  Peach,  but  soils  that 
are  from  long  cropping  worn  out,  by  adding  fresh  soil,  turn- 
ing the  top  soil  to  the  bottom  of  the  trenches,  and  bringing  the 
bottom  to  the  top,  may  often  be  made  as  suitable  as  they  were 
before  unsuitable,  and  the  trees  will  become  as  vigorous  as  they 
were  dwindling  when  the  exhausted  black  soil  was  at  top.  Old 
borders  long  occupied  by  Peach  trees  are  not  suitable  for  plant- 
ing fresh  trees.  The  soil  must  be  changed,  or  a  considerable 
quantity  of  fresh  soil  should  be  added,  and  the  greater  part  of 
such  fresh  soil  ought  to  be  turfy  loam. 

If  the  soil  is  wholly  unsuitable — a  stiff  clay,  or  a  poor,  sandy 
gravelly  soil — and  excellent  crops  and  well-covered  walls  are 
wanted,  a  good  border  must  be  made.  The  soil  ought  to  be 
taken  out  to  a  depth  of  3  feet  next  the  walk,  and  2  feet  close  to 
the  wall,  which  should  go  as  deep  as  the  border.  The  border 
will  slope  to  the  front,  and  there  should  be  a  drain  about  a 
yard  from  the  edge  of  the  walk.  If  the  subsoil  is  a  stiff  clay,  or 
cold  and  wet,  it  would  be  advantageous  to  concrete  the  bottom 
with  fine  gravel  and  lime,  two  parts  gravel  and  one  part  lime, 
brought  to  the  consistency  of  mortar,  putting  on  a3ineh  layer, 
and  then  ramming  firm,  then  an  inch  layer,  which  need  not 
be  beaten,  but  which  when  it  hardens  must  be  rolled  firm  and 
left  to  dry.  If  it  then  crack  run  it  with  Portland  cement,  and 
make  it  emooth.  Not  a  root  will  pass  through  this  ;  it  will  | 
keep  out  the  roots  of  trees  growing  near  which  notunfrequently  ' 
pass  under  walls,  andencroach  on  their  neighbour's  domain.  Six  i 
inches  of  rough  gravel,  stones,  or  brickbats,  may  be  placed  on 
the  concrete,  and  then  a  layer  of  turf,  grass  side  downwards. 
For  the  border  2  feet  G  inches  of  soil  may  be  put  in,  consisting 
of  the  top  3  inches  of  pasture  where  the  soil  is  a  good  yellow 
loam,  neither  light  nor  heavy,  and  it  need  not  be  chopped  fine, 
bat  nsed  roughly,  adding  to  every  ten  loads  a  load  of  marl  or 
chalk  in  pieces  from  the  size  of  a  walnut  to  that  of  a  hen's  ! 
egg>  and  a  load  of  cow  dung  or  rotten  farmyard  manure,  adding 
as  many  bushels  of  half-inch  bones  as  there  are  loads  of  loam, 
and  well  mixing  and  incorporating  the  whole.  The  border 
should  be  made  at  least  0  inches  higher  than  the  intended 
depth,  and  should  elope  from  the  wall  to  the  front  or  walk; 
an  incline  of  1  foot  in  12  will  be  sufficient.  The  surface 
ought  to  have  a  covering  of  3  inches  in  thickness  of  the  loamy 
soil  without  turf.  This  border  will  be  quite  rich  enough  anil 
very  durable. 

The  width  of  the  border  shotild  equal  the  height  of  the  wall, 
which  may  be  of  any  height  between  7  feet  and  12  feet ;  but  in 
the  case  of  an  artificial  border  being  formed,  part  may  be  made 
at  first  not  less  than  6  feet  wide,  and  then  increase  the  width  in  a 
corresponding  degree  to  the  advance  of  the  roots.  Borders, 
especially  Peach  borders,  are  so  valuable  for  early  crops,  that 
they  rarely  escape  the  ruinous  practice  of  cropping  with  veget- 
ables. In  that  case  they  ought  to  be  wider  than  when  they  are 
not  cropped,  as  the  upper  part  of  the  border  is  of  very  little 
value  to  the  roots,  from  the  digging  or  disturbing  of  the  surface. 
The  border,  therefore,  may  be  15  feet  or  18  feet  in  width,  ac- 
cording to  the  extent  of  the  garden.  It  would  be  well,  however, 
in  all  cases  to  have  a  border  of  proper  extent  solely  devoted  to 
tlie  trees,  and  in  no  case  to  crop  it  or  digit ;  but  if  this  cropping 
cannot  bo  avoided,  it  vrill  be  well  once  the  system  of  cropping 
is  begun  to  continue  it,  for  the  alternate  digging  and  cropping, 
and  then  not  digging  tor  an  equal  length  of  time,  are  injurious. 
I  have  seen  splendid  trees  where  the  border  was  annually 
cropped ;  but  I  have  also  seen  the  same  border  go  without  a 
crop  two  or  three  years  with  evident  improvement  in  the  crop 
of  Peaches,  and  on  a  return  to  cropping  the  border  the  trees, 
from  the  loss  of  roots  consequent  on  the  digging,  received  a 
check  they  did  not  recover  for  three  years. 

P1.ANTISG. — The  height  of  the  wall,  and  mode  of  training  will 
determine  the  distance  between  the  trees.  Against  a  12-feet 
wall  the  trees  should  be  18  feet  apart ;  on  a  10-feet  wall,  21  feet ;  I 


and  on  an  8-feet  wall,  21  feet  apart,  if  fan  training,  which  is 
the  best  for  the  Peach  in  this  country,  is  practised.  The  best 
time  to  plant  is  autumn,  as  soon  as  the  leaves  have  fallen,  or 
are  falling.  In  selecting  the  trees,  give  preference  to  those 
which  are  healthy  and  moderately  vigorous,  and  that  have 
side  shoots  of  corresponding  vigour.  See  that  they  have  no 
strong  leading  shoot  or  shoots,  for  if  their  upper  shoots  are 
more  vigorous  than  the  lower  ones,  no  one  can  make  good 
trees  of  them ;  and  see  that  there  is  no  appearance  of  gum. 
Avoid  the  vigorous  plants,  they  never  have  good  roots,  and  are 
sure  to  disappoint  by  their  growth  after  planting.  Do  not  be 
afraid  of  making  too  large  a  hole  at  planting,  but  let  it  be  wide 
enough  to  admit  of  the  roots  being  laid  out  straight.  The  hole 
ought  not  to  be  deep,  at  least  the  tree  should  not  have  its  roots 
more  deeply  covered  than  3  or  4  inches,  and  it  would  be  well 
to  place  a  few  inches  of  rich  soil  under  and  over  the  roots. 
The  stem  should  be  kept  4  inches  from  the  wall,  the  head 
slightly  inclining  towards  it,  and  the  root  portion  of  the  stem 
inclining  from  the  wall.  The  ground  should  be  mulched  with 
littery  manure  as  far  as  the  roots  extend,  and  beyond  their 
extremities.  The  shoots  ought  to  be  loosely  nailed  to  the  wall. 
The  trees  should  have  clear,  straight  stems ;  the  first  pair  of 
branches  about  9  or  10  inches  above  the  surface,  but  this 
stem  ought  not  be  a  portion  of  the  Plum  or  other  stock,  but 
that  of  the  Peach  worked  on  it.  1  can  perceive  neither  benefit 
nor  ornament  in  the  Plum  stock  being  seen  above  ground.  As 
it  does  not  increase  in  thickness  in  proportion  to  the  Peach,  it 
is  quite  as  well  to  have  the  Plum  stock  budded  so  low  that  its 
stem  may  safely  be  buried,  and  the  ugly  swelling  formed  at  the 
point  of  union  will  then  have  the  appearance  of  being  the 
stem. — G.  Abbey. 


JERSEY  FRAGMENTS. 

A  LITTLE  girl,  after  reading  the  epitaphs  in  a  country  church- 
yard, all  extolling  the  excellencies  of  those  they  commemorated, 
asked  very  naturally,  "  Where  are  the  bad  people  buried  ?" 
And  I  had  often  considered  mentally,  until  I  voyaged  the  other 
day  to  Jersey,  where  disagreeable  people  go  in  their  periods  of 
holiday.  I  now  think  tlaat  they  are  to  be  found  on  board 
steamers  at  pitch-and-heave  times  in  the  British  Channel. 
However,  those  who  are  then  disagreeable  improve  wonderfully 
soon  after  they  get  on  shore  ;  and  I  think  all  must,  for  even 
the  most  disagreeable  man  ou  board  the  "  Cygnus  "  steamer 
was  actually  sprightlj-  so  soon  as  he  re.iched  the  Imperial  Hotel 
at  St.  Helier's.  I  would  not  mind  being  sea-sick,  which  I  never 
am,  and  I  should  cease  from  being  ill-tempered,  but  I  never 
am,  to  be  at  a  hostelry  so  excellent  as  the  Imperial.  It  is  a 
palace,  and  has  befitting  gardens  with  long  shady  walks,  and  a 
Mulberry  tree  loaded  with  fruit.  Think  of  that,  ye  who,  like 
Sbakespere,  love  Mulberries  so  well  that  you  plant  Mulberry 
trees  without  even  a  hope  to  live  to  partake  of  their  fruit. 

Then  the  Fig  trees — these  you  see  all  over  the  island — 
20-feet-high  standards,  and  branches  extending  as  far,  so  that 
people  literally  realise  the  blessing  of  "  sitting  under  "  their 
own  Fig  trees. 

I  shall  say  nothing  about  the  island's  Pear  trees,  because 
every  one  has  heard  of  its  Chaumontels,  though  every  one 
does  not  know  that  if  he  asks  a  friend  to  send  him  some  he 
asks  for  a  present  that  makes  his  friend  come  down  handsomely 
— that  is,  if  his  friend  does  what  he  is  asked  to  do.  A  Pear 
weighing  12  ozs.  costs  about  9(1,  and  one  weighing  1  lb.  about 
Is.  CmI.  But  I  will  say  something  about  the  island's  Apple 
trees,  for  these  are  not  talked  about  so  much  as  they  deserve. 

I  know  of  no  space  of  similar  extent  that  contains  so  many 
Apple  trees  as  Jersey.  You  may  travel  far  through  an  almost 
unbroken  series  of  orchards.  In  18C(J  were  exported  from  the 
island  170,687  bushels  of  Apples,  and  this  year  the  crop  is 
abundant,  and  the  exportation  probably  will  be  larger.  Last 
year  the  crop  was  light,  yet  7.5,275  bushels  were  exported. 
"Notwithstanding  those  exports  there  were  also  exported  in  1866 
of  cider  33,995  imperial  gallons,  and  36,662  in  1867.  How 
many  more  bushels  of  Apples  were  required  to  produce  that 
eider  others  are  better  judges  than  I  am. 

Of  other  fruits  of  all  kinds,  15,589  bushels  were  exported  in 
1866,  and  19,876  in  1867. 

Of  Potatoes,  4080  tons  were  exported  in  1866,  and  6251  tons 
in  1867.  This  year  the  crop  is  above  an  average,  and  quite 
free  from  disease. 

The  Parsnip  crop  this  year  is  an  average,  for  though  the 
roots  are  rather  smaller  than  usual,  they  are  of  superior  sweet- 
ness, and  the  crop  of  Parsnip  seed  both  here  and  in  Guernsey 


September  17,  18f8.  I  JODKNAL   OP   HORTICULTURE  AND   OOTTAQK  GARDENER. 


203 


is  very  good.  Our  seedsmen  in  England  resort  for  their  supply 
of  this  sood  to  these  islanda. 

The  suecesR  of  the  Parsnip  crop  during  the  late  protracted 
drought  is  another  testimony  to  the  good  cHoct  of  deep  stirring 
of  the  soil.  This  deep  stirring  for  the  Parsnip  crop  is  quite 
an  annual  festival  in  the  Channel  Islands.  It  is  called  "  In 
prtiiuh'  cliarrtii\"  or,  as  we  should  say,  "  the  groat  ploughing." 
The  holdings  in  Jersey  and  Guernsey  are  very  small,  varying 
from  four  to  eight  acres,  and  all  devoted  to  cow-keeping,  at  the 
rate  of  a  cow  per  acre.  The  owners  of  such  small  plots  keep, 
at  the  utmost,  one  horse  or  pony,  and  to  stir  the  soil  deep 
enough  for  the  Parsnip  crop,  four  at  the  very  least  of  these 
animals  are  required  for  each  plough.  Neighbours,  therefore, 
render  aid  to  each  other,  and  the  farmer  at  whose  plot  of  land 
the  neighbours  assemble  thus  to  lielp,  feasts  them  and  their 
families.  It  is  "  li  (jrande  charrnr  "  ®f  the  year.  A  customary 
junket  on  the  occasion  is  called  "  a  goshe."  I  do  not  know 
whether  I  spell  it  correctly.  It  is  a  Yorkshire  pudding,  con- 
taining a  layer  of  sweetmeat,  and  raado  so  rich,  that  it  is  a 
jocular  observation  that  butter  always  rises  'id.  per  pound  at 
tho  "  charrue  "  season. 

No  more  forcible  evidence  of  the  forcing  power  of  the  past 
summer  could  bo  adduced  than  that  a  farmer  in  the  parish  of 
St.  John's,  in  this  island,  planted  a  licld  with  Potatoes  on  the 
20th  of  February,  took  up  the  crop  they  produced  on  tho  Hrd  of 
June,  planted  Potatoes  again  the  same  day,  and  took  np  their 
produce  in  perfect  condition  during  the  second  week  of  last 
month — August. 

The  only  fruit  that  does  not  succeed  either  here  or  in  Guern- 
sey is  the  Filbert.  It  has  been  repeatedly  planted,  and  as  often 
failed.  I  am  told  that  not  a  Filbert  or  Hazel  Nut  bush  is  to 
be  fonnd  in  these  islands.  The  Spanish  Chestnut  and  Walnut, 
however,  thrive  well. 

Not  long  since,  I  remember,  that  the  ornamental  gardening 
of  Jersey  was  noticed  in  your  columns,  and  that  a  committee 
of  the  Agri-Horlionltural  Society  of  the  island  reported  on 
some  of  the  most  distinguished  of  its  gardens,  so  I  pass  them 
over  ;  but  I  must  record  my  protest  against  the  prevalence  of 
topiary  work  near  St.  Helier's.  It  is  far  more  often  observable 
than  is  compatible  with  good  taste.  Here  are  evergreens 
clipped  into  huge  cones,  reminding  one  of  "Jack  in  the  green  " 
in  the  chimney-sweeper's  May-day  procession  ;  others  rounded 
into  perfect  globes  ;  pyramids  also  are  numerous  ;  and  these 
geometric  figures  are  in  rows,  rendered  more  grotesque  by  being 
put  in  totally  irregular  association.  One  long  hedge  of  Ever- 
green Oak  is  absolutely  clipped  into  an  uniform  series  of  scol- 
lops, and  one  of  Tew  is  cut  so  as  to  represent  a  battei'y  and 
its  embrasures.  In  the  graveyard  around  that  fine  old  Anglo- 
Norman  church  at  St.  Brelade,  the  evergreens  are  as  tastelessly 
cut  as  are  the  pillars  within  coated  over  with  incrustations  of 
whitewash.  Ornamental  shrubs  attain  a  size  quite  unknown 
in  England,  except  in  its  most  south-western  counties — Mag- 
nolias 20  feet  high,  and  Hydrangeas  and  Fuchsias  large  in 
circumference  and  half  that  height. 

The  Cow  Cabbage  is  almost  peculiar  to  this  island,  being 
rarely  seen  even  in  Guernsey.  It  is  chiefly  cultivated  for  its 
leaves,  which  are  used  for  wrapping  round  the  butter  before 
conveying  to  market.  The  stems  of  this  Cabbage  are  often 
10  feet  long  and  stout.  The  regularly-placed  scars  on  each 
stem,  caused  by  the  falling-off  of  tho  leaves,  produce  a  varie- 
gation in  the  colour  of  the  stems,  and  when  these  are  stained 
and  varnished  and  furnished  with  a  ferule,  they  are  admired  as 
walking-sticks  by  some,  with  whose  taste  mine  does  not  coin- 
cide. One  gent  near  Mount  Orgueil  I  saw  with  six  of  these 
Cabbage- wort  truncheons  under  his  arm  ! 

That  Mount  Orgueil  Castle  is  one  of  the  island's  "  places  to 
be  seen,"  and  that  many  do  see  it  is  told,  after  the  manner  of 
Englishmen,  by  tho  names,  initials,  and  dates  pencilled  upon 
its  fabric.  These  are  not  usually  the  suggestions  of  vanity, 
but  are  written  in  the  hope  that  some  friends  in  after  days  may 
be  gladdened  by  this  written  greeting.  Sometimes,  however, 
the  record  is  dictated  by  vanity,  and  one  "  J.  P.,"  I  remember, 
has  written  those  initials,  and  his  place  of  residence,  most  dis- 
figuringly,  on  about  twenty  difficult  places  of  Sandsfort  Castle, 
near  Weymouth  ;  aud  though  I  do  not  know  the  scribe,  I  would 
wager  a  broad  acre  against  a  foot's  breadth  of  Weymouth  sand, 
that  he  never  perpetrates  anything  more  worthy  of  remem- 
brance. Strange,  too,  is  it  how  unworthy  are  the  entries  in 
the  "  Visitor's  Book "  usually  kept  at  places  of  celebrity. 
Tennyson  was  at  Waterloo  iu  the  August  of  ISCfi,  and  this  note 
written  by  our  Poet  Laureate,  I  read  in  the  album  of  the  Hotel 
da  Mu6<^um,  "  Good  fare,  civility,  and  moder.ate  charges."    I 


should  have  expected  such  a  sentence  in  such  a  place  from  the 
man  with  the  six  Cabbage-stalk  truncheons. 

On  one  of  tho  battlement   stones   of   Orgueil  Castle,  I  ob- 
served "  W.  r."  inscribed,   and  though  not  by  the   pencil  of 
William  Prynne,  yet  they  reminded  mo  that  that  stont-hearted 
Reformer,  but  offensively  bad  rhj  mester,  had  there  been  im- 
prisoned, and  had  written  such  lines  as  these — 
•'  Jtont  OrKUoil  Castle  is  :i  lofty  pile, 
Within  tlie  oaetern  part  of  Jersey  iHle, 
Seated  Ufiou  a  rock,  full  liUKe  ftiicl  liigh, 
Close  by  tho  Bert-shore,  ne\t  to  Normandie." 

Piynne  w.i8  not  puritanical  in  all  his  ways,  for  one  of  the 
charges Lempriere  brouglit  against  him  was, "that  "  Mr.  Prynno 
(whilst  imprisoned  here)  played  at  cardes  with  my  Lady  Car- 
taret  and  her  daughters  till  midnight,  or  two  of  the  clock  in  the 
naorning." 

Whilst  confined  in  Jlount  Orgueil  Castle,  he  wrote,  "  Mount 
Orgueil;  or  divine  and  pr<4itable  meditations  raised  from  the 
contemplation  of  these  three  leaves  of  Nature's  volume. 
1,  Rocks.  2,  Seas.  3,  Gardens.  With  a  poem  of  the  Soul's 
complaint  against  the  body,  arid  comfortable  cordials  against 
the  discomforts  of  imprisonment.  London,  1G41."  The  third 
of  the  leaven  on  "  Gardens,"  I  am  told,  fori  have  not  seen  the 
volume,  is  rhapsodical,  like  Austin's  meditations  iu  his  Orchard, 
and  Hervey's  in  his  Flower  tiarden. 

My  last  fragment  shall  be  about  Pigeons.  They  were  formerly 
far  more  highly  prized  than  now  as  a  dainty  for  the  table.  Tho 
interior  of  tho  upper  stories  of  two  of  the  towers  of  Hurst- 
nonceaux  Castle,  near  Eastbourne,  were  devoted  to  Pigeons, 
tho  recesses  for  their  nests  all  round  those  interiors  still  remain. 
So  in  Jersey  more  than  one  ancient  farm  house  may  be  seen 
■with  its  front  thickly  pigeon-holed.  I  was  told  that  this  evidence 
of  the  original  proprietor's  right  to  keep  Pigeons,  showed  that 
he  was  closely  allied  to  the  Lord  of  the  Manor,  and  that  the 
permission  had  been  granted  by  him  to  the  proprietor.  Few  of 
your  readers,  probably,  are  aware  that  the  law  is  similar  in 
England.  A  Lord  of  a  Manor  may  establish  a  Pigeon  house  or 
Dovecot  upon  his  laud  that  is  part  of  his  manor,  but  a  tenant 
cannot  there  establish  one  without  the  lord's  permission. 
Formerly  it  was  decided  that  no  one  but  the  Lord  of  the  Manor, 
and  the  Parson,  might  erect  a  Dovecot,  but  later  decisions  have 
established  that  any  freeholder  may  erect  one  on  his  own 
ground. — G. 


GOLDEN  CHAMPION   GRAPE. 

Favourably  impressed  as  I  have  been  with  this  Grape  from 
its  appearances  on  the  exhibition  tables,  and  the  flavour  of  the 
few  berries  I  had  tasted,  I  was  quite  astonished  to  see  it  in  its 
full  magnificence  at  Dalkeith  to-day,  to  taste  its  most  exquisite 
flavour,  and  judge  correctly  of  its  merits  in  direct  comparison 
with  other  varieties  growing  in  the  same  house  under  precisely 
similar  conditions.  .Mr.  Thomson  has  several  rods  of  it  grafted 
on  the  Muscat  of  Alexandria.  They  are  thus  fruiting  side  by 
side  in  the  same  house. 

For  size  of  berry,  colour,  and  general  appearance  Ihe  Golden 
Champion  is  far  before  the  Muscat,  and  for  flavour  it  is  su- 
perior also.  Yes  !  berry  for  berry,  as  I  had  them  to-day,  I 
decidedly  prefer  the  Golden  Champion.  II  is  more  juicy,  more 
refreshing,  and  equally  rich,  if  not  richer,  without  cloying  the 
palate  as  the  Muscat  does.  The  flavour  is  of  a  particularly 
rich  and  agreeable  kind,  and  very  lasting.  I  tried  some  well- 
ripened  Hamburghs  afterwards  ;  they  seemed  to  have  no  taste 
at  all,  the  powerful  flavour  of  the  Golden  Champion  had  com- 
pletely killed  theirs.  As  a  white  companion  to  the  Hamburgh 
is  its  place,  however,  although  it  is  far  superior  to  it  in 
flavour. 

The  Golden  Champion  requires  exactly  the  same  treatment 
as  the  Hamburgh,  and  is  of  the  same  free  habit  of  growth  and 
vigorous  constitutiou.  If  anything  it  grows  somewhat  too 
strongly.  What  a  glorious  Grape  this  will  be  for  the  early- 
summer  months  !  It  can  be  had  ripe  in  .\pril.  May,  June,  and 
July,  months  when  ripe,  truly  ripe  Muscats  are  never  seen,  or 
very  rarely  so.  Mr.  Thomson  intends  devoting  some  entire 
houses  to  its  cultivation.  Tho  Vines  iu  one  house  of  Ham- 
burghs (at  least  the  top  part  of  the  rods),  are  already  grafted 
with  it,  and  they  are  doing  well,  and  so  likewise  are  those  on 
the  Muscat,  but  Mr.  Thomson  prefers  the  Hamburgh  stock.  It 
is  doing  equally  well  planted  out  on  its  own  roots.  There  are 
canes  as  thick  as  cue's  thumb  from  plants  only  planted  this 
season. 

I  feel  I  cann  ^t  say  enough  in  praise  of  this  splendid  Grape, 


204 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEE.  [  September  17, 1868. 


althoiigb,  indeed,  it  requires  no  help  of  mine.    Its  high  merits 
will  soon  be  univerEally  known  and  appreciated. 

Another  Ecedling  of  Mr.  Thomson's,  the  Golden  Lady 
Downe's,  is  a  very  excellent  Grape.  It  is  juat  a  white  counter- 
part of  the  Lady  Downe'.'^,  whose  high  merits  as  a  late-keeping 
Grape  are  well  known.  This  White  variety  is  a  very  welcome 
addition.  Mr.  Thomson  states  that  it  will  keep  fully  longer 
than  the  Black  varietv, — Aechambaud. 


ORCHARD-HOUSE  RAILWAY. 
I  HOPE  I  may  be  allowed  to  make  a  few  remarks  upon  an 
article  which  appeared  in  your  .Journal  of  September  3rd, 
signed  "  Aeckamdaud,''  the  subject  being  the  orchard  houses 
at  Sawbridgeworth.  At  the  latter  part  of  the  article  your  cor- 
respondent is  kind  enough  to  consider  an  invention  of  mine, 
now  at  Messrs.  Eivers's  nurseries,  worthy  of  his  notice — namely, 
"  the  orchard-house  railway."  I  should  not  think  it  necessary 
to  do  more  than  thank  him  for  his  courtesy  in  doing  so,  were 
it  not  for  some  inaccuracy  of  statement,  arising,  no  doubt,  from 
his  having  taken  only  a  superficial  view  of  the  question.  I 
hope  your  correspondent  will  pardon  me  for  endeavouring  to 
correct  this.  He  saye  at  the  close  of  his  remarks,  "  Granted 
that  it  is  beueficial  to  the  trees  to  have  the  fr?sh  air,  they  can 
easily  be  carried  out  if  necessary,  and  that  at  one-twentieth 
part  of  the  expense."  Now,  I  hope  he  does  not  think  me  so 
absurd  as  to  deem  it  necessary  to  incur  this  expense  meri-dy 
for  one  removal  of  the  trees  into  the  open  air  to  ripen  their 
fiu:t  in  the  summer,  which  his  comparison  of  figures  implies  ; 
the  fact  being  that  it  is  used  constantly  through  the  whole 
year,  and  especially  for  Apricots,  also  for  Peaches,  Nectarines, 
Plums,  and  Pears,  and  biings  them  to  such  perfection  in  respect 
to  the  flavour  of  the  fruit,  largeness  of  the  leaves,  and  general 
appearance  of  the  trees,  as  I  have  never  seen  in  any  orchard 
bouse. 

Now,  as  the  outcry  has  constantly  been  want  of  flavour  in 
too  large  a  proportion  of  the  crop,  this  is  at  least  worth  a  con- 
sideration— a  pause,  before  condemnation  is  carelessly  adminis- 
tered. There  is  no  doubt  that  flavour  diminishes  as  yon  recede 
from  the  ve-atilators  (I  think  your  correspondent  admits  this 
in  his  article) ;  nor  will  top  ventilation  remedy  this.  Cut  even 
taking  the  position  "  AncHAMBAun  "  assumes,  that  the  railway  is 
only  required  for  one  removal,  and  that  the  expense  in  conse- 
quence is  twenty  times  as  much,  the  summing-up  of  his  statis- 
tics in  the  next  sentence  rather  contradicts  it — "  It  just  resolves 
itself  into  this,  whether  a  tree  is  to  cost  5s.  a-year  or  oO,<  ,  as 
by  this  plan."  But  this  is  only  ten  times  as  much.  If  he 
were  to  halve  it  agsin  he  would  be  beside  the  mark.  I  hope 
he  will  forgive  me  for  saying  that  firing  off  these  random  figures 
like  grape  shot  is  calculated  to  do  mischief  by  mi.->ieading  ;  but 
I  quite  acquit  him  of  any  such  intention,  and  will  at  once  give 
him  credit  only  for  wishing  to  be  understood  to  say  in  round 
numbers  that  the  expense  is  great, 

I  am  perfectly  aware  that  the  first  cost  is  considerable,  but 
he  is  wrong  in  stating  that  it  is  a  yearly  expense,  exactly  the 
reverse  being  the  case,  for  after  the  railway  is  once  made  it  is 
guaranteed  to  last  as  long  as  the  house,  and  the  yearly  saving 
of  labour  is  very  great.  Take  the  ease  mentioned  of  removing 
the  trees  annually  by  hand.  My  gardener  engages  to  say  that 
in  the  same  number  6f  minutes  which  it  would  occupy  two 
men  to  remove  the  trees  by  hand  from  a  large  house,  and  plunge 
them  in  the  garden  (where,  be  it  observed,  they  must  continue, 
whether  the  weather  be  good  or  bad),  one  man  could  move  the 
trees  in  and  out  0!  the  house  fifty  times  in  the  course  of  the 
year,  and  this  without  disturbing  the  roots  in  the  pans  from 
first  to  last.  These  pans  all  turn  upon  their  axes  to  expose 
any  side  of  the  tree  to  the  sun,  or  for  pruning  also,  without 
disturbing  the  roots. 

It  takes  a  man  a  considerable  time  to  water  all  these  trees  ; 
-whereas  the  time  required  to  give  them  the  benefit  (as  much 
or  as  little  as  ycu  pleased),  of  any  showers  that  occurred  through 
the  year,  to  say  nothing  of  the  dews  in  summer  nights,  would 
be  five  minutes ;  and  a  strong  boy,  the  lowest  help  in  the 
garden,  could  do  it  without  the  possibility  of  making  a  mistake, 
unless  it  were  in  running  the  wheels  over  his  toes,  and  even 
that  little  error  he  would  not  commit  twice.  Now,  whether 
natural  showers  or  artificial  watering  be  best  for  the  trees  I 
leave  your  readers  to  decide. 

The  truck  at  Sawbridgeworth  is  not  placed  quite  to  advan- 
tage, being  raised  on  a  mound,  and  consequently  exposed  too 
much  to  the  wind.  Bat  do  not  let  it  be  supposed  that  this 
was  Mr.  Rivers's  wish.    Nothing  could  exceed  the  kindness 


both  of  himself  and  son  in  trying  to  find  some  suitable  place 
in  which  to  fix  it ;  but  the  ground  is  so  very  undulating,  and, 
as  may  be  supposed,  in  a  well-arranged  garden  like  Sawbridge- 
worth, every  available  place  so  preoccupied,  that  we  had  great 
difficulty  in  arranging  it.  Now,  the  man  has  no  small  mind 
who  cheerfully  admits  within  his  own  penetralia  an  invention 
which  professes,  in  limine,  to  found  its  prospect  of  success  upon 
a  flaw  (it  it  maybe  fairly  called  so),  or  rather  want,  in  the 
great  work  which  he  has  devoted  a  long  and  useful  life  in 
bringing  to  perfection.  I  appreciate  it  proportionably,  for  there 
is  no  money  question  between  us.  He  has  tried  it  this 
year  with  "  fine  old  Apricot  trees."  He  tells  me  the  crop  was 
most  abundant  and  of  delicious  flavour,  and  that  everybody 
liked  it,  but  sighed  over  the  first  cost,  which  is,  after  all  the 
fuss  made,  not  nearly  what  "  Archambaud  "  would  make  out, 
and  nothing  to  the  money  John  Bull  loves  to  fritter  away  ia 
cheap  failures. 

One  Apricot  tree  which  had  an  extraordinarily  fine  crop  o£ 
fruit  on  it,  Mr.  Rivers  hod  occasion  to  remove  from  the  pan, 
and  he  informed  me  that  the  roots  had  "  eaten  up  the  soil," 
and  filled  the  pan  with  delicate  fibrils.  This  is  exactly  what  I 
expected,  and  consider  so  desirable — namely,  the  avoidance  of 
long  ropy  roots  striking  deeply  into  the  soil,  but  at  the  same 
time  a  gentle  assistance  given  in  the  most  natural  way  from 
good  sweet  earth  below,  unmanured,  which  of  course  is  renewed 
cverj  year.  This,  with  the  open  air  in  favourable  weather,  and  a 
rich  top-dressing  as  recommended  by  Mr.  Rivers,  gives  such 
flavour  to  the  fruit  as  cannot  be  surpassed. 

Mr.  Rivers  has  been  kind  enough  to  allow  me  to  append  a 
full  description  of  the  invention  at  the  end  of  his  new  "  cata- 
logue," and  also  new  edition  of  "  The  Orchard  House."  I  hope 
"Abchambacd"  will  pay  me  the  compliment  to  read  it — aye, 
and  criticise  it  too.  for  the  invention  must  be  able  to  hold  its 
own  against  that,  as  well  as  a  very  large  amount  of  prejudice  ; 
but  being  based  upon  principles  theoretically  and  practically 
sound,  it  must  come  sooner  or  later  as  an  assistant  to  the 
orchard  house  in  every  gentleman's  garden,  where  the  gentle- 
man himself  understanda  anything  about  it,  and  where  cer- 
tainty of  crop  combined  with  fruit  of  the  highest  quality,  colour, 
and  size,  is  a  desideratum. — J.  F.,  Southacrc  Rectory ,  Brandon. 


DUG  DE  MALAKOFF  STRAWBERRY. 
Mr.  Douglas  is  convinced  that  he  has  the  true  Duo  de 
Malakofi  Strawberry,  in  which  case  I  cannot  have  it  true.  The 
description  given  by  Mr.  Douglas  answers  better  to  the  foliage 
here  than  Mr.  Radclyffe's.  I  received  my  runners  four  years 
since,  indirectly  from  an  eminent  fruit  grower  in  this  county 
(Lancashire),  and  I  had  no  doubt  as  to  their  being  true  to 
name,  as  plants  of  the  kind  were  largely  grown,  and  are  so  up 
to  this  day,  for  market.  In  general,  market  gardeners  do  not 
like  to  grow  fruit  that  is  soft  when  ripe,  and  which,  therefore, 
soon  spoils.  I  believe  they  are  quite  alive  to  their  interests  in 
these  little  matters.  However,  I  do  not  wish  to  aflirm  that  the 
true  variety  is  claimed  in  this  locality,  and  it  is  not  for  the 
name  that  I  desire  to  recommend  it  so  strongly,  for  a  name  is 
only  a  secondary  consideration,  when  you  have  a  good  and 
useful  fruit,  one  that  can  be  depended  upon  as  a  general 
cropper  under  pot  culture,  or  in  the  open  gardens.  I  may  state 
that  the  variety  in  question  is  cultivated  extensively  in  this 
locality,  and  I  feel  persuaded  it  will  be  grown  universally  when 
it  becomes  better  known.  I  have  seen  since  I  wrote  the  letter 
which  appeared  on  August  6th,  a  Due  de  Malakoff  that  answers 
more  to  Prince  of  Wales,  which  was  sent  out  with  several  other 
varieties  from  one  of  the  leading  nurseries  in  England.  The 
gardener  has  received  plants  from  me  to  replace  his  so-called 
Due  de  Malakoff,  which  he  had  been  cultivating  with  much 
care  to  bring  it  to  perfection,  knowing  that  it  was  one  of  the 
leading  Strawberries  grown  in  this  neighbourhood.  As  for 
seeing  any  barren  plants,  that  is  out  of  the  question,  provided 
good  runners  are  planted,  but  it  is  well  to  be  always  careful 
to  select  runners  from  fruiting  plants,  which  will  amply  pay 
for  care  and  attention.  I  generally  plant  out  good  runners  by 
the  middle  of  August,  and  am  sure  of  a  crop  in  the  following 
season  in  proportion  to  the  foliage.  In  the  second  season  there 
has  been  something  like  a  quart  on  a  plant,  and  I  have  seen  the 
variety  equally  prolific  in  other  gardens. — W.  Bioos,  Sandfield 
Park,  Liverpool.        

LiLiuJi  TiGWNDM  SPLENDENS. — In  your  report  of  what  was 
said  at  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  meeting  of  September 


September  17,  lS3i  J  JOURNAL   OF    HOBTIC0LTUIIE   AND   COTTAGE  GABDESER, 


205 


Ist  on  tlie  Lilium  tigtinam  BplenJena,  there  is  a  Blight  error. 
Mr.  Ejlcs  BOUt  me  n  single  Hower  from  M.  Van  Houtte's ; 
it  was  Mr.  Allcu,  of  ShcptGU  Mullet,  a  great  Lily  cultivator, 
who  informed  mo  tlmt  he  haj  bloomed  L.  tigrinam  splendens, 
and  considered  it  n  Bplendid  variety.  This  description  was 
confirmed  by  Mr.  Waloror,  who  had  Been  it  at  M.  Van  lloutte's. 
— George  F.  Wilsok. 


THE  WHORTLEBERRY  TOMATO. 

AitoN-a  the  horticultural  noveltiea  that  have  been  inlrodrced 
to  this  country  from  the  t^nited  States  is  one  which  i3  called 
"  The  Whortleberry  Tomato."  We  are  not  aware  that  it  has 
yot  found  a  place  in  our  seedsmen's  catalogues ;  and  lest  in  the 
rage  for  novelties,  which  is  now  too  much  the  fashion,  it  should 
by  any  chance  be  pressed  on  the  notice  of  our  countrymen,  we 
feel  it  our  duty  to  raise  a  note  of  warning  of  the  dEuiger  con- 
sequent on  .';uch  an  event.  This  "Whortleberry  Tomato  is 
neither  more  nor  less  than  the  common  Niphtshade  (Solanum 
nigrum),  a  weed  common  in  waste  or  cultivated  ground,  the 
berries  of  which  have  the  reputation  of  being  very  deleterious, 
and  have  in  some  instances  proved  fatal  to  those  who  have 
eaten  them.  It  is  true  that  Dunal,  of  Montpellier,  administered 
the  berries  without  any  serious  results,  and  that  in  the  Isle  of 
Ascension  tbcy  are  used  in  plum  puddings ;  but  when  cases 
are  known  in  which  they  have  caused  the  death  of  children 
who  have  eaten  them,  the  public  cannot  be  too  much  on 
their  guard  respecting  them.  All  constitutions  are  not  alike, 
and  what  would  kill  one  man  has  sometimes  no  effect  on 
another. — H. 


leaf,  glands,  and  size  of  blossoms  ;  in  Strawberries,  the  cha- 
racter of  the  blossoms,  whether  stamiuate  or  pistillate ;  in 
Grapes,  the  form  of  bunch  or  berry. — P.  Babuy,  Chairman. 


RULES   OF  THE  AHIERICAN   POMOLOGICAL 
SOCIETY. 

1.  No  new  seedling  fruit  shall  be  entitled  to  the  recom- 
mendation of  this  Society  until  its  qualities  shall  be  ascertained 
by  at  least  five  years'  experience  in  more  than  one  locality, 
and  which  is  not  at  least  equal  to  any  similar  variety  of  the 
first  rank  already  known ;  or  which,  if  only  of  second-rate 
flavour,  is  superior  in  vigour,  hardiness,  productiveness,  or 
other  important  quality  or  characteristics. 

2.  No  new  fruit  shall  be  considered  as  named  nntil  it  has 
been  accurately  described  by  some  person  or  committee  known 
to  be  conversant  with  existing  varieties,  and  such  description 
shall  have  been  published  in  at  least  ono  horticultural  or 
agricultural  journal,  or  some  pomological  work  of  acknowledged 
standard  character. 

3.  The  originator,  or  he  who  first  makes  known  a  new  variety, 
shall  be  entitled  to  name  it ;  and  such  name,  if  suitable,  shall 
be  adopted  by  the  writer  describing  the  fruit  for  the  first  time. 
But  if  the  name  proposed  is  inappropriate,  or  does  not  come 
within  the  rules  of  nomenclature,  the  describer  shall  be  at 
liberty  to  give  a  name. 

When  two  persons  have  named  or  described  a  fruit,  the 
name  and  description  first  published,  if  accordinf  to  the  rules, 
shall  have  the  priority. 

4.  In  giving  names  to  new  varieties,  all  harsh,  vulgar,  or 
inelegant  names,  such  as  "  Sheep's-nose  "  and  "Hog-pen," 
should  be  avoided ;  and  no  name  should  consist  of  more  than 
two  words,  excepting  only  when  the  originator's  name  is  added. 
Characteristic  names,  or  those  in  some  way  descriptive  of  the 
qualities,  origin,  or  habit  of  fruit  or  tree,  shall  be  preferred. 
They  may  either  be  of  intrinsic  properties,  as  Golden  Sweet- 
ing, Downer's  Late  ;  or  of  local  origin,  as  Newtown  Pippin, 
Hudson's  Gage ;  of  the  season  of  ripening,  as  Early  Scarlet, 
Frost  Gage ;  of  the  form  and  colour,  as  Golden  Drop,  Blue 
Pearmain ;  or  which  commemorate  a  particular  place  or  per- 
son, as  Tippecanoe,  La  Graug?,  Baldwin  ;  or  any  other  titles 
which  may  be  significantly  applied. 

5.  The  descriptions  of  new  varieties  of  fruits  shall  embrace 
the  following  particulars  :  — 

1st,  An  account  of  their  ori!>in. 

2nd,  The  fruit,  its  size,  form,  and  exterior  colour,  texture, 
and  colour  of  the  flesh,  flavour,  and  time  of  ripening  ;  with  the 
addition,  on  stone  fruits,  of  the  size  of  the  stone,  adherence  or 
non-adherence  of  the  flesh,  form  of  the  suture,  and  the  hollow 
at  the  stem ;  and  in  kernel  fruits,  of  the  size  of  the  core  and 
seeds,  the  length,  position,  and  insertion  of  the  stalk,  and  form 
of  the  eye. 

3rd,  The  tree,  ita  marked  characters  of  growth,  young  and 
bearing  wood,  foliage,  and  blossoms.    In  Peaches,  the  form  of 


ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL   SOCIETY. 

SEITEMDEn    15TU. 

FriuiT  CoMsrrTTEK. — G.  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  in  the  chair. 
There  was  a  fjooil  display  of  frait  at  this  meeting,  and  onpecially  of 
Peaches,  though  these  were  not  on  tho  whole  of  such  largo  size  as  wo 
have  seen  them  in  other  years. 

Prizes  were  ofTered  for  the  best  and  second  best  dishes  of  Peaches 
from  an  open  wall,  and  these  were  well  contested  by  several  competi- 
tors. Mr.  Karley,  gardener  to  F.  Pryor,  Esq.,  Di^'swell,  was  first  with 
very  good  examples  of  Late  Admiralile  ;  and  Mr.  Whiting,  of  tho 
Deepdene,  Dorljing,  was  second  with  Walburtou  Admirable,  also  good. 
Late  Admirable  likewise  came  from  Mr.  Bailey,  of  Shardeloes ;  Har- 
rington, from  Mr.  Earley,  and  Mr.  liiohhell,  gardener  to  Tj.  Heath- 
cote,  Esq..  Tadv.'orth  Coart,  Epsom,  who  also  sent  small  fruit  of  Bel- 
legarde.  Mr.  Dixon,  Holland  Park,  Kensington,  had  Yellow  Admirable, 
splendid  iu  colonr,  but  of  poor  flavour ;  and  Mr.  T.rjircham,  gardener 
to  E.  Oates,  Esq.,  Ilanwell,  Chancellor,  of  medium  size  and  well 
coloured.  Mr.  Mcludoe,  gardener  to  the  Archbishop  of  York,  sent 
excellent  examples  of  Late  Admu-able,  bat  they  arrived  too  late  for 
competition. 

For  the  best  dish  of  Nectarines  no  first  prize  was  awarded,  the  only 
exhibitor.  Mr.  Cox,  of  Ileilleaf,  taking  a  second  prize  for  small  but 
very  go^d  fruit  of  Violette  Hutive. 

For  Apricots,  both  from  walls  and  orchard  houses,  prizes  were 
offered,  but  the  date  of  the  meeting  was  too  late  for  this  fruit  in  such 
an  early  season  as  the  present. 

For  orchard-house  Peaches,  Mr.  Tillery,  gardener  to  the  Duke  of 
Portland,  was  first  with  very  fine  examples  of  "NYalburton  Admirable  : 
and  the  second  prize  went  to  Mr.  Martyn,  gardener  to  S.  P.  Kennard, 
Esq.,  Harrow  Weald,  for  Late  Admirable,  veiy  fine  as  regards  sizo 
and  colour,  but  the  flavour  tainted  by  the  cotton  wadding  used  ia 
packing.  For  orchard-house  Nectarines,  no  first  prize  was  awarded, 
but  a  second  was  given  to  Mr.  Tillery,  for  Rivers's  Victoria. 

The  best  three  dishes  of  Plums  came  from  Mr.  Cos,  of  Kodleaf,  and 
consisted  of  Ickworth  Imperatrice,  Coe's  Golden  Drop,  remarkably  fine, 
and  St.  Martin's  Quetscbo.  Mr.  ^yhiting  was  second  with  Diamond, 
Coe's  Golden  Drop,  rather  small  but  veiy  good,  and  Reine  Claude  da 
Bavay,  which  though  scarcely  ripe  enough,  was  richly  flavoured. 

Of  Figs  only  two  dishes  were  exhibited,  and  both  were  very  good. 
Brown  'Turkey,  or  Lee's  Perpetual,  from  Mr.  Earley,  was  awarded  tho 
first  prize,  being  rather  better  ripened  th.-ui  the  same  kind  from  Mr. 
Bailey,  who  was  second. 

Among  miscellaneous  subjects,  fine,  well-ripened  Black  Hamburgh 
and  Foster's  White  Seedling  Grapes,  gi-owu  in  ground  vineries,  were 
exhibited  by  C.  T.  Vi'ells,  Esq.,  of  Southend,  and  received  a  special 
certificate.  A  similar  award  was  made  to  Mr.  Chaff,  j^ardener  to  A. 
Smee,  Esq.,  WalUngton,  near  Carshalton,  for  an  exceedingly  fine 
collection  of  Apples,  which,  in  the  rich  well-watered  soil  of  that  place, 
had  attained  a  very  large  size.  Putt's  Seedling,  Blenheim  Pippin, 
Lord  Derby,  Lord  Suftield,  and  Cellini  were  especially  fine.  From 
Mr.  Rivers,  of  Sawbriilgeworth,  and  Mr.  F.  Dancer,  of  Little  Sutton, 
Chiswick,  came  ve:y  fine  examples  of  Belle  de  Septemhre  Plum,  a. 
first-rate  variety  for  culinary  purposes,  and  the  latter  also  exhibited 
two  other  varieties,  which  were  to  be  subjected  to  farther  examination. 
Transparent  Gage,  from  an  orchard  house,  shrivelled,  but  of  very  fine 
flavour,  came  from  G.  F.  Wilson,  Esq.  Mr.  Warner,  of  tho  Abbey 
Nurseries,  Leicester,  sent  Warner's  Seedling  Apple,  a  large  yellowisli 
green  sort,  but  it  was  not  considered  to  possess  suiEeient  merit  to 
deserve  a  certilicate.  From  Mr.  Richbell  came  a  preen-flesheJ 
Melon,  but  it  was  unripe  ;  and  from  Mr.  Rust,  Eridge  Castle,  Ton- 
bridge  Wells,  a  seedling  Peach,  called  "  The  Thompsoa."  It  was 
raised  by  Miss  Thompson,  The  Rectory,  Frant,  was  hiRhly  coloured 
and  of  good  flavour,  and  was  stated  to  be  very  hardy.  Very  good  ex- 
amples of  Beurri-  Hardy  Pear,  and  of  excellent  flavour,  were  shown 
by  Mr.  Whiting,  likewise  Ingi-am's  Golden  Russet  Pear.  Mr.  Turner, 
of  Slough,  sent  tine  samples  of  Paterson's  Victoria  and  Regent  Pota- 
toes, which  it  \ras  requested  should  be  sent  again,  when  they  could  bo 
cooked  ;  and  Messrs.  Stuart  &  Mcin,  Kelso,  a  Kidney  Bean  with  large 
deep  violet  purple  pods,  which  is  said  to  be  very  ornamental  and  pro- 
lific, besides  being  useful.  Its  colour  when  cooked  is  said  to  be  brown. 
,T.  K.  Reeves,  Esq.,  Woodhayos,  Wimbledon,  exhibited  two  gigantic 
Puffballs  (Lycoperdon  borista?),  grown  in  the  kitchen  garden  there, 
and  measuring  at  least  ti  or  10  inches  in  diameter. 

Fi.OB,\L  CoiiMiTTEE. — On  this  occasion  there  was  a  varied  and 
interesting  lot  of  plants  staged,  though  not  so  numerous  as  at  the  past 
two  or  t'iree  meetings.  From  Mr.  J.  Wood,  Hockliffe,  Dunstable, 
came  a  variegated  form  of  Solanum  dulcamara,  or  the  Bittersweet, 
tho  leaves  broadly  edged  with  pale  yellow,  as  in  the  case  of  Agera- 
tum  mexicanum  variegatnm  ;  it  was  awarded  a  second-class  certifi- 
cate. From  Mr.  W.  Bull  came  an  interesting  collection  of  plants,  in- 
cluding Alteruantbera  amabilis,  which  appeared  to  be  a  larger  and 
mors  robust  form  of  A.  spathnlata,  and  the  Committee  desired  to  see 
1  it  again  ;  Skimmia  oblata  in  beny,  which  is  quite  hardy  and  makes  a 


206 


JOUBNAL  OF   HOKTICULTURE   AND  COTTAGE   GAUDENER. 


[  Soptember  17, 1863. 


good  decorative  shrub ;  a  large  specimen  of  Monstera  doliciosft  in 
flower ;  Amaryllia  Josephina  lateritia,  with  a  large  trns3  of  pale  red- 
dish flowers,  &c.  A  special  certificate  was  awarded  to  the  gronp. 
Prom  Mr.  William  Holah,  The  Gardens,  Rnfford  Abbey,  Ollerton, 
came  a  plant  of  a  yellow  bedding  Pansy,  which  he  has  used  this  season 
•with  fip'eat  effect,  but  which  did  not  appear  to  differ  from  the  Cliveden 
Yellow  bedding  kind. 

A  very  interesting  gi-onp  of  plants  was  also  furnished  by  Messrs. 
Veitch  &  Sons,  including  Ficus  dealbata,  which  bears  an  exceUent 
character,  but  tlie  specimen  shown  was  considered  too  small  to  justify 
the  Committee  in  giving  it  an  award  ;  Maranta  Wallsii  with  bright 
pale  green  leaves,  having  patches  of  dark  shading ;  M.  Wagneri,  in 
the  way  of  fasciata,  but  not  so  good  or  so  bright-looking  as  M.  roseo- 
picta  and  others  ;  M.  Baraquiniana.  considered  to  be  no  improvement 
on  the  old  vittata  ;  Guzmannia  tricolor,  an  old  plant,  in  flower,  but 
•well  grown ;  Chirirta  sinensis  foliis  variegatis,  the  foliage  slightly 
pale-veined,  but  the  veining  said  to  be  often  more  apparent  on  the  leaves  ; 
Sinningia  purpurea  major,  a  cool  stove  plant,  with  ornamental  foliage, 
having  a  greenish  bronze  colour  on  the  upper  side  of  the  leaves,  and 
red  on  the  under  side,  scarcely  striking  in  character  as  shown ;  Also- 
phila  Van  Geertii,  a  distinct  and  handsome  Fern,  but  some  doubt 
being  expressed  as  to  its  being  an  Alsophila,  it  was  requested  to  bo 
Bent  again  ;  Caladium  Auguste  Riviire,  a  distinct  and  beautiful  kind, 
the  bright  green  leaves  stained  and  blotched  with  carmine,  very  hand- 
some and  effective,  and  deservedly  awarded  a  first-class  certificate  ; 
Caladium  Lucy,  the  leaves  stained  red  ;  Yucca  albo-spica,  the  long 
iance-shaped  and  somewhat  drooping  leaves  having  white  filaments  on 
either  side,  also  awarded  a  first-class  certificate ;  AUamauda  nobihs 
in  bloom  ;  some  specimens  of  Odontoglossum  grande  ;  the  beautiful 
Cattleya  Domiuiaua  alba  ;  a  small  jilant  of  the  handsome  Hippo astrnm 
pardinnm,  with  two  fine  flowers  ;  the  curious  Masdevallia  Veitchiaua, 
ifec.     A  special  certificate  was  awarded  to  the  group. 

Mr.  William  Paul,  Waltham  Cross,  sent  Ancnba  salicifolia,  a 
slender-leaved  form  of  the  A.  longifolia  type,  the  character  not  suffi- 
ciently developed.  Mr.  Paul  also  contribnted  a  charming  collection 
of  cut  Koses,  among  which  the  light  flowers  predominated,  and  a  large 
group  of  cut  flowers  of  bedding  Pelargoniums.  To  each  group  a 
special  certificate  was  awarded.  From  Mr.  Aslett,  gardener  to  C. 
Bntler,  Esq.,  of  Hatfield,  came  a  good-sized  and  well-gi"own  plant  of 
Impatiens  Jerdonife,  a  plant  seldom  seen  now-a-days,  though  well 
worthy  of  cultivation.  Frem  Mr.  Green,  gardener  to  W.  Wilson 
Saunders,  Esq.,  came  Odontoglossum  Alexandrie,  var.  Bowmani, 
■with  six  handsome  fully  expanded  flowers,  and  examples  of  Vallota 
purpurea  major  and  V.  eximia,  the  flowers  of  the  last-named  being  of 
a  fine  round  shape,  and  the  truss  much  larger,  and  quite  distinct 
from  the  foregoing. 

An  interesting  lot  of  plants  was  furnished  by  Messrs.  Carter  &  Co., 
of  Holbom,  consisting  of  two  triangnlar-shaped  baskets,  the  one  tilled 
with  Echeveria  metallica,  having  a  car^iet  of  Sedum  glaucum  ;  the 
other  filled  with  Echeveria  sauguiuea,  cai-peted  with  Antennaria 
tomentosa.  Th^re  were  also  two  circular  baskets,  one  filled  with  the 
dwarf  double  golden  French  Marigold,  edged  with  Altemanthera 
fipathulata  ;  the  other  with  Amaranthus  tricolor  Gordoni,  var.  pumila, 
a  compact -growing  kind,  with  bright  reddish  foliage,  broadly  edged 
with  claret,  in  the  way  of  A.  elegantissimus ;  also  capital  and  well-grown 
Specimens  of  the  two  new  Ivy-leaved  Pelargoniums,  L'Elegante  and 
Duke  of  Edinburgh.  A  special  certificate  was  awarded  to  the 
group. 

From  Mr.  John  Coomber,  gardener  to  Col.  Wilkinson.  Highgatc, 
came  plants  of  Variegated  Zonal  Pelargonium,  Mrs.  Wilkinson,  a 
bright-looking  variety  with  a  regular  edging  of  creamy  white,  and 
regular  narrow  zone  of  deep  pink ;  it  promises  to  make  an  effective 
bedder. 

A  collection  of  Odontoglossum  grande  was  also  famished  from  the 
gardens  of  the  Society. 

Dahlias  and  Verbenas  were  plentiful,  the  former  bearing  traces  of 
feeing  out  of  condition.  A  first-class  certificate  was  awarded  to  Mr. 
George  Rawliags,  Eomford,  for  King  of  Primroses,  a  vei-y  pleasing 
flower  of  a  soft  primrose  hue,  of  good  substance,  full  high  centre,  and 
outline.  ScLond-class  certificates  were  awarded  to  Mr.  C.  Turner  for 
Queen  of  Beauty,  blush  tipped  with  magenta,  a  very  pleasing  and 
taking  flower,  but  wanting  outline  and  depth  ;  and  to  Louisa  Burgess, 
a  Fancy  flower  of  a  salmon  buff  ground,  striped  and  flaked  with  crim- 
son, good  petals  and  outline,  but  somewhat  flat.  Mr.  Turner  also 
had  twelve  tine  and  finished  blooms  of  Unique,  which  received  a  first- 
class  certificate  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  Committee ;  Firefly,  bright 
orange  scarlet,  a  hue  of  colour  much  wanted,  but  the  flowers  coax-se 
and  thin  ;  Lady  Dunmore,  a  Fancy,  orange  ground  tipped  white, 
and  slightly  flaked  with  crimson  ;  Eclipse,  shaded  puce,  good  form 
and  substance  ;  Countess  (Fellowcs),  pale  gi'ound,  heavily  tipped  with 
magenta;  Formosa  (Fellowcs),  peach  blush,  a  pleasing  flower  of 
passing  outline;  Magdala  (Fellowes),  yellow  ground,  shaded  on  the 
edge  with  rosy  fawn,  and  flaked  with  crimson  ;  and  six  blooms  of  Polly 
Perkins,  a  Fancy  flower,  awarded  a  second-class  certificate  at  the  last 
meeting  of  the  Committee.  Mr.  Rawliiigs  also  had  Monarch,  one 
bloom  a  rich  dark  shaded  but  undersized  flower  ;  the  others  tipped 
red  and  white  on  the  dark  ground ;  Goldfinch,  pale  yellow,  tipped  with 
lake;  two  fine  blooms  of  Indian  Chief,  awarded  a  first-class  certifi- 
cate at  the  last  meeting  of  the  Committee ;  and  some  blooms  of  a 
crimson  bedding  kind  of  a  dullish  hue,  of  good  shape,  but  small  in 


size.  Mr.  G.  Wheeler,  Warminster,  had  Lord  Heytesbury,  salmon 
brick  red  ;  and  Mr.  Keynes,  Salisbnrj,  had  One  in  the  King,  pale 
ground,  edged  with  rosy  purple,  very  promising  ;  one  of  the  blooms  was 
of  fine  shape  and  substance ;  Annie  Neville,  cream  white ;  Ladj 
Alderson,  a  Fancy,  bright  crimson  scarlet,  tipped  with  white  ;  and  Miss 
Margaret  Dombrain,  yellow  ground,  tipped  with  pale  rose. 

First-class  certificates  were  awarded  to  Mr.  C.  J.  Peny,  Castl© 
Bromwich,  for  the  following  Verbenas: — Perfection,  silken  pale  pink, 
the  pip  large  and  of  very  tine  shape  ;  Model,  salmon  jiink,  with  large 
deep  rose  centre,  fine  shape,  and  large  size  ;  and  Wonder,  pale  pink 
with  rosy  purple  eye,  fine  shape  and  good  truss.  The  same  award 
was  made  to  Mr.  Eckford,  of  Coleshill,  for  Anna  Keynes,  a  very  fitne 
and  distinct  variety,  of  a  dark  crimson  purple  hue,  very  fine  pip  and 
truss  ;  and  a  second-class  certificate  was  given  for  Lotty  Eckford, 
brilliant  plum  colour,  with  small  lemon  eye,  very  novel  and  bright. 
Several  other  seedlings  were  shown  bat  not  in  good  condition,  the  cold 
weather  having  evidently  affected  them  injuriously. 


General  Meeting. — J.  Russell  Reeves,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  in  the  chair. 
The  business  was  chiefly  confined  to  the  election  of  three  new  Fellows, 
and  the  announcement  of  the  Committee  awards.  The  next  meeting 
will  be  held  October  Gth,  when  prizes  for  edible  Fungi  will  be  com- 
peted for. 


THE   OPtANGEFIELD   TOMATO   AND   ITS 
CULTIVATION. 

After  one  season's  experience  with  this  Tomato,  I  am  oi 
opinion  that  it  is  an  introduction  of  real  worth.  Its  chief 
qualities  consist  in  its  being  early  and  dwarf,  very  prolific,  and 
that  it  bears  forcing  well.  With  regard  to  the  quality  and  size 
of  its  fruit  it  is,  perhaps,  not  preferable  to  older  varieties,  the 
best  of  which  is  yet  the  old  Common  Eed  ;  but  for  pot  culti- 
vation it  is  far  superior  to  any  variety  I  am  acquainted  with. 
One  plant  well  grown  in  an  8-ineh  pot  will  bring  to  peifection 
two  dozen  fair-sized  fruit,  and  it  does  not  grow  more  than 
18  inches  high.  Pot  plants  have  an  excellent  and  very  orna- 
mental effect  in  forcing  houses,  or  an-anged  along  each  side  of 
the  pathway  among  fruit  trees  in  orchard  houses. 

Though  the  Orangefield  Tomato  is  so  dwarf,  and  its  fruit 
produced  almost  at  one  time,  it  retains  the  property  which  the 
older  varieties  possess  of  ripening  the  fruit  by  degrees,  thereby 
affording  daily  gatherings.  Amateurs  and  others  who  have  a 
limited  wall  space  will  find  this  Tomato  especially  valuable, 
for  it  produces  and  ripens  its  fruit  well  when  planted  out  in  a 
sunny  border,  each  plant  about  the  samo  distance  apart  as  one 
would  plant  Brussels  Sprouts.  They  must  be  trained  to  a 
stout  stake  on  account  of  the  heavy  fruit,  but  the  stake  need 
not  be  more  than  2  feet  out  of  the  ground  ;  and  if  well  planted 
in  a  deep,  rich,  and  rather  heavy  soil  they  will  produce  from 
the  bottom  of  the  etake  to  the  top,  and  have  an  appearance  not 
uniike  that  of  a  rope  of  Onions. 

The  fruit  must  be  thinned  out  when  about  to  swell  off,  the 
quantity  left  being  regulated  according  to  the  vigour  of  the 
plant ;  at  the  same  time  apply  a  mulching  of  4  inches  in  depth 
of  rotten  manure.  The  Tomato  being  a  gross  feeder,  frequent 
applications  of  liquid  manure  will  much  improve  the  size  of 
the  fruit,  and  increase  the  quantity  of  pulpy  matter  to  be  ex- 
tracted for  making  either  sauce  or  jam. 

The  treatment  which  I  have  described  is  applicable  to  the 
scarcer-growing  sorts,  with  just  this  addition — they  require 
nailing  and  frequent  thinnings  of  the  shoots,  while  those  that 
are  retained  must  be  pinched  just  beyond  the  clusters  of  bloom. 
With  the  exception  of  a  gross  shoot  or  two,  the  Orangefield 
Tomato  makes  no  more  wood  than  it  requires. 

With  regard  to  sowing,  my  advice  is  to  sow  in  pots  early  in 
March,  and  encourage  the  growth  of  the  plants  so  as  to  have 
them  planted  out  in  the  first  week  in  May,  and  get  the  bulk 
of  the  fruit  ripened  by  September.  After  that  time  the  weather 
is  often  unfavourable  to  the  ripening  of  the  Tomato,  and  much 
fine  fruit  is  spoiled  in  consequence. — Thomas  Kecobd,  Liilcsden 
Gardens,  Ilawkhitrst. 


POPcTRiVITS   OF  PLANTS,   FLOWERS,   AND 

FKUITS. 

Spib.t;a   palmata  (Palmate-leaved  Spira-a).     Nat.  ord.,   Bo- 
sace^e.    Linn.,  Icosandria  Pentagynia. — Introduced  by  Messrs. 
Noble,  of  Bagshot.     Stems,  branches,  and  flowers  crimson 
beautiful  x:)lant.     Native  of  Japan.^(L'o;.  it/t///.,  f-  5726.) 

MvKicA  Nagi  (Yangmae  Fruit  of  China — Yamamo-moki  of 
Japan).  NaL  ord..,  Myricaceas.  Linn.j  Moncecia  Tri-octandria. 


A 


Septomber  17,  1868.  ]         JOUBNAL  OF  HOBXIOULTUKE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENEB. 


207 


part}-.     Oa  the  l')ih  inst.,   ha  thus  entertained  the  Master, 


Wardens,  and  the  rest  of  the  governing  body  of  the  Fruiterers' 
Company,  at  the  Mansion  House.  "  From  time  immemorial  the 
Guild  of  Fruiterers  has  been  accustomed  to  present  annually  to 
the  Lord  Mayor  and  Lady  Mayoress  for  the  time  being,  gifts  of 
choice  fruits  of  great  variety,  and  to  atteud  through  their  re- 
presentatives, the  Master  and  Wardens,  at  the  official  residence 
of  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  city  for  that  purpose  in  autumn. 
The  fruit  is  always  neatly  packed  in  clean  white  baskets,  and 
covered  with  white  napkins,  and  formerly  it  used  to  be  borne 
there  by  a  file  of  men  servants  of  the  Cjmpany,  preceded  by 
their  beadle  carrying  his  mace.  On  its  reaching  the  Mansion 
House  the  fruit  is  uncovered  and  arranged  iu  the  saloon,  and 
the  Master  of  the  Company  usually  accompanies  the  gift  with  a 
complimentary  address  to  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Lady  Mayoress. 
The  ceremony  concludes  with  an  invitation  to  the  Master  and 
Wardens  to  dine  there  on  a  day  named.  The  dinner  on  the 
present  occasion  was  served  in  the  Long  Parlour,  and  covers 
were  laid  for  nearly  fifty  guests."  Our  correspondent  proceeds 
to  ask  whether  this  presentation  of  fruit  and  the  convivial 
return  are  the  entire  duties  devolving  upon  "  the  Master, 
Wardens,  and  the  rest  of  the  governing  body  of  the  Fruiterers' 
Company  ?  "  AVe  acknowledge  our  inability  to  answer  the 
query ;  but  if  the  Company's  Clerk,  Mr.  0.  C.  T.  Eagleton,  84, 
Newgate  Street,  were  applied  to,  he  might  afford  some  relative 
information.  Stow,  in  his  Chronicle,  says  that  the  Fruiterers 
are  a  very  ancient  brotherhood,  but  were  fir.st  incorporated  iu 
the  third  year  of  the  reign  of  James  1. — that  is,  in  IGOj.  Wo 
published  in  our  Becond  volume  a  copy  of  the  armorial  bearing 


— Cultivated  in  China  and  .Tapan  for  its  sub-acid  fruit,  eaten 
either  raw  or  cooked.  Derries  blood-coloured. — {Ihid.,  t.  57'27.) 

Aeiudes  MiTKATinr  (Mitre-spurred  Aerides).  Nat.  ord.,  Or- 
ohidaceie.  I.inn.,  Gynandria  Monandria. — Native  of  Moulmein. 
Flowers  white  and  purple. — [Ihid.,  t.  57'23.) 

S.incocAvr.os'  Bckmanni  (IJurmann's  Barcocaulon).  Nat. 
ord.,  Geraniaceie.  Linn.,  Pentaudria  Pentagynia. — Native  of 
South  Africa.  Flowers  white,  plaited.  Its  stem  is  woody  and 
resinous,  and  its  branches  prickly. — (Ibid.,  t.  57'2'J.) 

Leavenwoiitiii.v  AtTiu;A  (Golden  Leaveuworthia).  Nat.  ord., 
Cruciferre.  Linn.,  Tetradynamia  Siliquosa. — Native  of  the 
Southern  States  of  North  America.  An  annual,  introduced  by 
Mr.  Thompson,  of  the  Ipswich  Nurseries.  Flower  pink,  and 
golden-edged.— -(;^i(/.,  (.  5730.) 

EriDKNmu-u  rANici'LAxnst  (Panicled  Epidendrum;.  Nat. 
ord.,  Orchidace»e.  Linn.,  Gynandria  Monandria. — Native  of 
Peru,  aud  Bolivia,  at  7000  to  8000  feet  elevation.  Flowers  lilac, 
edged  with  pink,  and  these  being  fragrant,  it  is  a  great  ac- 
quisition to  oar  cool-house  Orchids. — (Ibid.,  t.  .5731.) 

Lasi.^noba  ii.AciiAXTnA. — "  It  is  a  grand  plant,  the  blossoms 
being  no  less  remarkable  for  their  size  than  for  their  depth  and 
brilliancy  of  colouring  ;  but  what  is  most  remarkable  of  all  is, 
that  these  monster  blossoms  are  produced  abundantly  on  the 
tiniest  plants,  while  in  its  more  developed  state  it  forms  a 
freely  branching  slender  shrub  of  moderate  size,  the  beauty 
and  profusion  of  whoso  flowers  will  render  it  a  noble  acquisition 
for  our  flower  shows,  no  less  than  for  our  warm  conservatories. 

"  The  plant  was  first  made  known  by  Dr.  Seemaun,  who 
published  a  figure  (not,  however,  giving  the  blooms  of  the  size 
they  have  since  attained),  iu  his  '  Journal  of  Botany  '  for  18G4. 
Dr.  Hooker  has  just  published  a  figure  in  the  'Botanical 
Magazine,'  under  the  name  of  Pleroma  macrantha,  the  genus 
Lasiandra  being  by  him  merged  in  Pleroma. 

"  We  are  indebted  to  M.  Linden  for  the  introduction  of  this 
fine  Melastomad,  it  having  been  sent  by  his  collector,  Libou, 
from  the  province  of  St.  Catherine,  in  Brazil.  M.  Linden  first 
flowered  it  in  18(51,  and  it  has  since  been  produced  at  several 
of  our  London  shows  during  the  present  year,  little  plants  of 
4  or  0  inches  high  bearing  six  or  seven  flowers  and  buds.  The 
elegantly- shaped  oblong-ovate  acuminate  leaves,  with  their 
deep  green  rugose  hairy  surface,  set  oft'  to  great  advantage  the 
large  smooth-petaled  saucer-Bhaped  intense  violet  purple 
blossoms. 

"  As  a  stove  plant  it  is  of  very  easy  culture,  requiring  to  be 
treated  in  the  same  manner  as  Pleroma  elegans,  and  while  it 
resembles  the  latter  iu  general  features,  it  quite  eclipses  it  iu 
the  magnitude  of  its  flowers." — (Florist  and  Poinuloi/ist,  n.s., 
i.  103.) 

NOTES  AND   GLEANINGS. 

A  CORRESPONDENT,  "  F.  Cr.,"  has  Sent  us  a  report  of  the 
annual  dinner  given  by  the  Lord  Mayor  to  the  Fruiterers'  Com- 


;  I 


of  the  Company — Azure,  Adam  and  Eve,  one  on  each  side  the 
forbidden  Apple  tree,  aud  the  serpent  twined  round  its  stem. 
The  Company  now  have  no  Hall,  but  when  Stow  wrote  they 
had  one  in  Worcester  House,  Worcester  Place,  in  the  Ward  of 
Vinlry.^  In  1735,  they  met  in  the  Parish  Clerk's  Hill,  in 
Wood  Street.  Seymour  states  that  the  Company  consists  of  a 
blaster,  two  Wardens,  seventeen  Assistants,  and  thirty-nine 
Liverymen.  Noorthouck  says  the  Livery  fine  is  £5.  Like  most 
of  the  other  Livery  Companies  its  "occupation's  gone."  We 
suppose  its  sources  of  income  are  not.  What  are  they  ?  The 
only  Companies  having  an  efficient  control  over  the  trades  they 
were  founded  to  benefit,  are  the  Goldsmiths  and  the  Apothe- 
caries. 

Mr.  Van  riEit  Scuelden,  of  Ghent,  has  discovered  that 

the  Hop  contains  a  first-class  textile  material,  and  has  invented 
a  process  by  which  the  fibres  of  the  vine  can  be  used  for 
cloth  without  in  the  least  interfering  with  the  crop  of  Hops. 
The  following  is  said  to  be  Mr.  Van  der  Schelden's  process  of 
separating  the  fibres: — When  the  Hop  blo?soms  have  been 
gathered,  the  stems  are  cut,  put  up  in  packets,  and  steeped 
like  hemp.  This  maceration  is  the  most  delicate  process,  sinco 
if  it  be  not  made  with  all  due  precision,  it  is  very  difficult  to 
separate  the  threads  of  the  bark  from  the  woody  substance. 
When  the  stalks  have  been  well  steeped  they  are  dried  in  the 
sunshine,  beaten  like  hemp  with  a  beetle,  and  then  the  threads 
come  oft'  easily.  These  are  carded  aud  worked  by  the  ordi- 
nary process,  and  a  very  strong  cloth  is  obtained.  The 
thickest  stalks  also  yield  the  material  for  several  kinds  of 
rope. 


POMOLOGICAL   GLEANINGS. 

A  seedling  Nectarine  marked  S.  23S  has  been  received 
from  Mr.  Rivers,  with  the  following  note  : — "  The  origin  of  the 
seedling  Nectarine  is  unknown,  but  supposed  to  be  from  Vic- 
toria. It  is  remarkable  for  its  marvellous  richness.  The  fruit 
was  produced  on  a  tree  three  years  old  growing  in  a  small 
pot."  There  is  no  doubt  that  this  Nectarine  has  the  Stanwick 
"  blood  "  in  it,  and  the  conjtcture  that  it  may  be  from  Victoria 
is  not  very  wide  of  the  mark.  The  fruit  is  meulum-.sized,  and 
of  an  uniform  pale  yellow  with  a  tiuge  of  green  in  it ;  and  the 
flesh  is  very  melting,  juicy,  and  richly  flavoured. 

We  received  at  the  same  time  two  fruits  of  Prince  of 

Wales  Nectarine,  grown  against  a  brick  wall,  protected  by  De. 
Newington's  glass  screens  ;  and  the  result  is  that  the  ripening 
has  been  hastened  from  ten  to  twelve  days,  aud  though  pro- 
tected in  this  way,  the  tree  is  perfectly  free  from  red  spider, 
owing  to  it.s  free  exposure  to  the  rain  and  dew.  This  simple 
and  cheap  invention  seems  to  give  a  healthy  ripentug  climate, 
and  will  prove  very  valuable. 

Eev.  W.  Kingsley  writes  :  "  The  Scsquehanna  Peach 

went  to  the  flower  show  at  Thirsk.  One  weighed  well  over  the 
pound,  and  was  12j  inches  in  girth.  I  gave  it  away,  and  it  was 
not  eaten  for  nearly  a  week,  and  was  then  said  to  be  excellent. 
The  other  big  fellow  wo  ate  ourselves,  and  it  was  better  than 
Exqui-site,  which  grew  in  the  adjacent  pot.  Rivers's  Princess  of 
Wales  ran  up  to  three-quarters  of  a  pound  on  a  heavily- 
cropped  tree,  and  was  grand  in  flavour,  ami  few  fell  below  8  oz3. 
The  pierced  pots  have  proved  their  value  this  dry  season,  as 
they  allowed  the  water  to  spread  all  round.  I  shall  soon  be 
taking  them  up,  and  then  w'e  shall  see  how  the  roots  have 
fared." 

Budded  Peaches,  no  doubt,  as  a  rule  make  better  trees 

than  those  grafted  ;  but  does  it  not,  therefore,  stand  to  reason 
that  the  common  way  of  grafting  has  something  wrong  in  it? 
I  believe  you  will  find  in  all  oases  of  Peach  Trees  Gr.aftep 
by  the  ordinary  process,  the  bark  of  the  scion  becomes  hard  to 
such  a  degree  as  to  prevent  good  early  growth,  and  so  the  check 
to  the  roots  ruins  the  health  of  the  tree  ;  yet  I  possess  grafted 
trees  more  vigorous  than  any  others  where  attention  was  paid 
to  this  matter.  In  all  cases  of  grafting  I  insert  the  scion,  so 
as  to  have  a  bud  close  above  the  stock,  and  two  beyond  it  if  I 
can  ;  these  three  buds  are  kept  clear  from  the  clay  or  grafting 
wax,  and  the  shoot  from  the  bud  just  above  the  stock  is  made 
the  leader,  the  scion  being  cut  oft'  closely  above  it  after  the 
tree  has  plenty  of  leaves  on  it  to  keep  the  roots  in  health. 
In  this  way  there  is  very  little  difference  in  appearance  af:er  a 
year  between  the  budded  and  grafted  tree  ;  but  the  three  eyes 
in  the  grafted  tree  work  the  roots  better  at  the  first  start  than 
the  single  eye  from  a  bud,  unless  the  same  attention  is  paid  to 
keeping  an  eye  or  two  of  the  stock  working  for  a  time,  and  in 


208 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOETIOXJLTUKE  AND   COTTAGE  GABDENEE. 


(  September  17,  1668. 


that  caee  the  leader  does  not  get  as  mnch  Btiength  as  in  the 
case  of  the  graft. — W.  K. 

Mn.  RivEPS  writes  :  "  Aleeet  Victor  NECTiKisE  has  a 

carious  history,  fhowing  what  perseverance  will  do.  Some 
twenty  or  more  years  since  I  found  on  a  wall  at  Culford  Hall, 
near  Bury  St.  Edmunds,  a  '  Late  Melting  Nectarine,'  sent 
from  Lee's  under  that  name,  which  ripened  in  October.  I 
thought  it  was  the  Peterborough,  but  it  seemed  larger,  it  wes 
at  any  rate  of  the  same  race.  When  orchard  houses  came  in 
I  commen:ed  to  raise  seedlings  from  it,  lliey  all  proved  late 
but  not  large,  and  were  not  iirst-iate.  I  kept  on  biceding  in 
centlnualion  (mind,  this  is  my  term,  and  it  should  be  adopted) — 
i.e.,  sowing  the  stones  of  each  generation.  No  good  move  was 
made  till,  I  think,  the  fourth  generation,  in  the  Aldeet  Victor 
Nectarine,  which  is  a  superb  fruit." 

The  Nectarine  Peach  was  noticed  {or  the  first  time  in 

the  last  edition  of  the  "  Gardeners'  Teai-Book."  After  another 


year's  trial  we  find  that  it  retains  the  great  richness  of  flavonr 
which  we  observed  in  it  last  year.  The  fruit  is  large,  and  is 
remarkable  for  being  terminated  by  a  nipple,  like  Trton  de 
Venus  and  A  Bee.  There  is  rather  more  down  on  the  skin 
than  we  observed  last  year,  when  it  had  barely  enough  to  dis- 
tinguish it  from  a  Nectarine.  The  skin  is  yellow,  and  with  a 
bright  mottled  red  on  the  side  next  the  sun  ;  the  suture  well 
defined,  particularly  near  the  nipple.  The  flesh  is  semi-trans- 
parent as  is  the  case  with  almost  all  Mr.  Rivers's  seedlings, 
and  with  a  brilliant  red  stain  round  the  stone,  from  which  it 
separates,  leaving  some  strings  behind  it.  It  is  melting,  very 
richly  flavoured,  and  with  a  fine  racy  smack.  The  stone  has 
a  tendency  to  split,  and  the  kernel  has  a  very  mild  bitter 
laste.  It  ripens  in  the  middle  of  September.  Flowers  large. 
Glands  kidney-shaped.  This  was  raised  from  a  Dutch  Nec- 
tarine called  Grand  Noir. 

The  extraordinary  summer  we  have  lately  experienced 

has  had  its  effect  in  developing  some  characters  of  fruits  with 
which  we  have  been  hitherto  unacquainted.  An  instance  of 
this  we  have  found  in  the  Pear  Doyenne  Boussoch,  which  in 
ordinary  seasons  requires  to  be  eaten  as  soon  as  it  ripens, 
otherwise  it  speedily  becomes  what  is  termed  "  sleepy."  This 
year,  notwithstanding  it  has  been  "  dead  ripe  "  on  the  tree,  it 
has,  after  being  gathered,  kept  for  several  days  in  a  condition 
of  soundness  and  of  flavour  rarely  met  with. 


ECONOMY  m  COMj\rERCIAL  PLANT  HOUSES. 
EcoKOMv  OP  Construction. — In  regard  to  the  walls  of  the 
plant  house,  the  most  economical  are  those  constructed  of 
wood.  Procure  good  Cedar,  Chestnut,  or  even  Oak  posts  of 
the  required  length,  plant  them  solidly  in  the  ground,'  as  in 
making  a  board  fence  ;  cut  them  ofi  to  the  required  height,  and 
Jevcl  by  a  chalk  line  and  spirit  level ;  nail  on  the  top  of  them 
^flatwise,  and  horizontally  projecting  about  11  inch  beyond  the 
ibont  of  the  posts,  apiece  of  2  inches  by  4  Hemlock  or  White 


Pine  scantling  ;  and  within  about  a  foot  of  the  ground,  saw  and 
mortise  out  notches  in  the  front  of  the  posts  about  2  inches 
wide  and  IJ  inch  deep,  and  nail  in  them,  edgewise,  a  piece  of 
2  by  3  scantling.  Then  on  these  two  pieces  of  scantling  nail 
vertically  or  up  and  down,  IJ-inch  second  common  White  Pine 
boards,  ploughed  and  grooved,  and  well  seasoned  and  dried  in 
the  sun.  The  boards  should  be  bought  of  lU-feet  lengths,  so 
that  they  may  be  cut  up  more  economically.  If  the  path  to 
the  house  is  dug  2J  feet  below  ground,  the  front  wall  or  side  of 
the  house  need  not  be  more  than  3  feet  1  or  2  inches  high, 
which  will  enable  yen  to  cut  five  lengths  out  of  a  lOfeet  board, 
or  if  the  house  is  intended  for  small  plants  2  feet  7  inches 
high,  or  sixlerglhs. 

If  it  is  thought  too  expensive  to  have  the  hoards  ploughed 
and  grooved  they  can  be  nailed  on  and  left  until  they  are 
thoroughly  shrunk  in  the  sun,  and  then  nail  plastering  laths 
over  the  joints  ;  the  gable  end  walls  can  be  built  on  the  same 
principle,  if  the  house  is  low,  but  if  a  high  one  they  had  bettei' 
be  regularly  frame-morticed  and  tennoned. 

If  the  ground  on  which  the  house  is  built  is  uneven,  the 
boards  in  the  side  walls  should  be  cut  of  one  uniform  length, 
and  the  earth  hanked-up  to  them.  This  saves  board  and  makes 
the  house  look  better.  It  the  house  is  on  the  fixed-roof  prin- 
ciple— that  is,  with  permanent  sash-bars  instead  of  moveable 
sashes,  there  should  be  nailed  in  a  slanting  position  on  the 
upper  2  by  4  scanthng,  a  board  about  8  inches  wide. 

If  a  more  durable  house  is  required,  or  in  cities  where  wooden 
buildings  are  prohibited,  stone  or  brick  must  be  substituted  for 
wood.  In  all  cases  the  foundation  walls  below  the  surface 
should  be  of  stone,  as  brick  under  ground  soon  becomes  soft. 
If  stone  is  plentiful  and  cheap,  the  walls  maybe  built  IG  inches 
thick,  with  foundations  18  inches  thick.  If  biick  is  used,  a 
9-inch  hollow  wall  is  the  cheapest,  driest,  and  warmest.  I  am 
surprised  that  houses  of  this  kind  are  not  more  fiequently 
built.  There  is  no  difliculty  in  building  them  even  by  a  brick- 
layer who  has  never  seen  one.  On  the  solid  stone  or  brick 
foundation,  about  12  inches  thick,  lay  two  courses  of  brick  on 
edge,  so  that  the  wall  will  measure  ',)  inches  thick,  with  binders 
en  edge  between  each,  as  shown  in  the  annexed  {jig.  1),  a  being 
the  brick-on-edge,  and  b,  the  binders. 


Fig.  1. 

Very  good  specimens  of  this  kind  of  building  can  be  seen  in 
this  city,  built  some  twenty-five  years  since.  They  consist  of 
two  extensive  greenhouses  and  a  one  storey  dwelling-house,  and 
they  are  at  this  time  as  strong  and  substantial  as  when  first 
erected.  Sashes  or  windows  are  seldom,  if  ever,  introduced  in 
the  front  of  commercial  greenhouses,  as  they  add  to  the  ex- 
pense and  make  the  houses  colder  ;  but  in  houses  on  the  fixed- 
roof  principle,  ventilators  of  inch  board  working  on  hinges  are 
frequently  introduced  at  short  distances  along  the  front  im- 
mediately under  the  plate  or  top  scantling. 

Having  thus  briefly  described  the  construction  of  the  end 
and  side  walls  of  the  house,  we  come  next  to  consider  the  con- 
struction of  the  roof,  including  the  glazing. 

The  fixed  roof  is  the  most  economical  and  expeditious  in 
construction,  and  if  carefully  glazed,  the  warmest  and  driest. 
This  mode  of  building  is  now  so  common  that  it  is  scarcely 
necessary  to  describe  it.  Take  1 J -inch,  or  better  still,  2-inch 
second  common  White  Pine  boards  of  the  required  length — 
say  10,  12,  or  16  feet  long.  Send  them  to  a  sawing  and  planing 
mill  and  have  them  first  planed,  then  ripped  up  into  strips  of 
2-;  to  3  inches  in  width,  then  rebated  so  that  the  glass  will 
have  a  bearing  of  net  less  than  one-quarter  nor  more  than  half 
an  inch  on  each  side.  These  sesh-bars  should  be  securely 
nailed  or  screwed  at  the  upper  end,  to  the  ridge  pole  (if  a 
double-pitch  roofed  house),  or  to  the  wall-plate  if  a  lean-to 
house,  and  also  to  2  by  3  purlins  running  lengthwise  of  the 
house,  supported  every  C  feet  by  pieces  of  3  by  4  scantling.  If 
the  sash-bars  are  10  or  12  feet  long,  one  purlin  will  be  suffi- 
cient, hut  if  from  IC  to  20  feet  long,  two  will  be  required.  These 
purlins  are  not  only  necessary  for  strength,  but  also  to  prevent 
the  sash-bars  from  warping  in  the  sun,  which  would  cause 


Bepteiubtr  17, 1868.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  EOKTIGULTUliB   AND   COTTAGE    GABDENER. 


200 


leakage,  and  in  some  casea  would  nllow  the  glass  to  fall  oat. 
Although  a  fixed  roof  ib  the  warmeEt,  driest,  and  cheapest, 
yet  it  is  frequently  the  case  that  the  uurseryman  is  compelled 
by  TariouB  rcaflous  to  uee  movcfible  sashes,  as,  for  instance, 
when  the  ground  is  rented  on  a  short  lease  and  frequent  re- 
movals are  the  consequence,  or  when  plants  are  grown  in  the 
open  ground  inside  the  house,  instead  of  in  pots,  and  the  re- 
moval of  the  sashes  during  the  summer  is  necessary. 

Moveable  sashos  as  usually  made,  are  expensive  on  account 
of  the  great  amount  of  manual  labour  expended  on  them,  but 
I  have  recently  had  made,  principally  by  machinery,  a  large 
number  of  greenhouse  and  hotbed  sathes  that  I  have  found 
sufficiently  strong,  and  that  cost  but  little  more  than  a  fixed 


M 


\ 


Fig.  2. 

roof.  Fiij.  2,  is  a  section  of  the  greenhouse  sash,  a  and  h  re- 
present the  three  outer  sash-bars — viz.,  the  two  sides  and  top, 
which  can  be  either  2  or  S  inches  wide,  but  I  have  found  for 
8-feet  sashes  2  inches  sufficiently  strong  and  stiff.  They  should 
be  of  good,  clean,  second,  common  2-inch  White  Pine,  sawed, 
planed,  and  rebated  by  machinery  on  one  side  only,  the  rebates 
a  quarter  of  on  inch  wide  and  half  an  inch  deep.  The  middle 
sash-bars,  c,  should  be  made  of  the  same'stuil,  2  inches  wide, 
and  rebated  on  each  side,  a  quarter  of  an  inch  wide  and  half 
an  inch  deep.  The  length  of  the  sash  should,  if  possible,  be 
regulated  by  the  length  of  the  plank,  so  as  to  avoid  waste.  If 
12  feet  long,  the  sash-bars  can  be  nearly  G  feet  long  ;  if  16  feet 
long,  8  feet,  and  so  on. 

If  the  sashes  are  intended  for  a  greenhouse,  where  they  are 
not  often  moved,  it  will  answer  to  put  them  together  with 
three  ten-penny  nails  at  eacli  corner,  as  shown  at  e  ;  but  if  for 
hotbed  sashes,  screws  should  be  used.  Corner  pieces  of  hoop 
iron,  punched  by  a  blacksmith  (as  shown  at  /),  and  put  on 
with  large-sized  lath  nails,  serve  to  stiffen  the  joint  and 
prevent  the  nails  from  drawing ;  but  this  is  not  absolutely 
necessary. 

The  upper  and  lower  cross-bar  of  the  sash  h,  should  be 
notched-in,  as  at  /;,  the  depth  of  the  rebate,  to  receive  the 
Bash-bar  e,  and  the  side  or  oater-bar  a,  should  be  notched-in, 
as  at  «,  for  the  same  depth.     This  not  only  is  necessary  in 


Fig.  8. 

order  to  bring  the  rebates  together,  but  adds  greatly  to  the 
strength  and  stiffness  of  the  sash. 

The  lower  cross-bar,  as  shown  at  a,  fig.  3,  should  be  of  less 


thickness  (aay  half  an  inch),  than  the  other  sash-bars,  and 
should  be  perfectly  plain  without  any  rebate.  This  oUows  the 
glass,  when  the  sash  is  glazed,  to  project  over  the  bar  a,  so 
that  the  water  runs  off  without  obstruction.  If  the  sashes  are 
intended  for  hotbeds,  the  side  bars  should  extend  5  or  G  incheg 
beyond  the  top  and  bottom  bars.  These  ends  are  convenient 
to  handle  them  by,  and  also  serve  to  strengthen  them.  If  the 
sashes  are  over  0  feet  long,  they  should  be  braced  across  the 
middle  with  an  iron  brace  one-eighth  of  an  inch  thick,  or  a 
wooden  one  halt  an  inch  thick. 

The  great  saving  in  these  sashes  is  in  the  labour.  The 
ordinary  carpenter  cannot  generally  make  more  than  three,  or 
at  most  four,  common  hand-made  sashi.?  in  a  day ;  whereas,  I 
have  had  fourteen,  and  sometimes  more,  of  the  above'deBcril>ed 
sashes  made  in  the  same  time.  Indeed,  it  does  not  require  a 
carpenter  at  all  to  put  them  together.  Any  person  accustomed 
to  the  use  of  the  saw  and  chisel  can  make  them.  Some  ten  or 
fifteen  of  the  bars  as  they  come  from  the  planing  mill  can  be 
laid  side  by  side  on  a  work  bench  or  table,  and  all  of  them 
marked  out  by  a  standard  measure  and  a  Equi\re,  and  then  all 
of  them  can  be  sawed  to  the  proper  lengths  at  once. 

We  next  come  to  the  glazing  of  the  roof.  Putty  has  been 
pretty  generally  discarded  in  glazing  the  roofs  of  gieenhouses, 
except  for  bedding  the  glass  in,  and  this  is  necessary  in  order 
to  exclude  the  cold  air  and  to  prevent  leakage.  In  glazing,  the 
first  operation  is  to  take  soft  putty,  and  with  a  glazing  knife  or 
your  thumb  and  forefinger,  coat  the  rebate  with  putty  to  the 
depth  of  one-sixteenth  of  an  inch,  or  the  thickness  of  the  glass 
used.  Then,  commencing  at  the  bottom  of  the  sash-bars,  put 
in  a  pane  of  glass  with  the  rounded-side  uppermost.  This  is 
important,  as  nearly  all  common  window  glass  has  a  curve  in 
it,  and  by  keeping  this  curve  always  uppermost,  the  glass  fits 
closer,  and  more  effectually  excludes  the  air  and  moisture. 
When  the  pane  is  in  its  place,  press  it  down  firmly  at  its  upper 
end  until  you  feel  it  touch  the  wood  of  the  sash-bar.  Then 
secure  it  in  its  place  by  half-inch  cut  sprigs  as  follows  :^One 
on  each  side  at  bottom,  to  keep  the  glass  from  slipping  down, 
and  one  on  each  side,  within  quarter  of  an  inch  of  the  top  of  the 
glass,  to  keep  it  iu  its  place,  and  also  to  keep  the  pane  above  it 
from  slipping  down. — (Head  hrfore  the.  Femuylvania  Uorticul- 
taral  Society,  by  Kx-l'iefident  D.  liodney  King.) 


WORK  FOR  THE  \VEEK. 

KITCHEN    GARUEN. 

Cabbage  plants  should  be  well  earthed-up,  and  the  soil  kept 
loose  between  the  rows  while  they  are  young.  Cauliflowers, 
those  who  preferred  August  to  September  for  sowing  may  now 
plant  out  the  young  plants  where  they  are  to  remain  and  re- 
ceive the  protection  of  hand-lights  ;  these  should  not  be  put 
on  until  absolutely  necessary.  Endii-e  and  Lettuce,  some  of 
each  of  these  should  be  tied  up  for  blanching  when  they  are  in 
a  fit  state  and  dry.  Capsicums  and  Tomatoes,  of  which  very 
little  hopes  were  entertamed  early  in  the  season,  have  made 
rapid  progress  since  the  middle  of  July,  and  will  yield  a  fair 
crop  after  all.  IiV<(?.'i  will  now  be  springing  up  in  abundance 
from  seeds  carried  into  the  garden,  or  shed  in  it,  and  this  is  the 
stage  at  which  they  are  most  easily  destroyed.  I'ot  and  Sweet 
Herbs,  this  is  a  very  good  time  to  break  up  old  beds  of  these, 
and  plant  young  offsets  in  a  bed  or  border.  Any  work  of  this 
kind,  which  can  be  done  in  the  autumn,  should  never  be  put 
off  till  the  spring.  A  row  of  Cliives  is  useful  in  any  garden; 
they  may  be  divided  and  planted  as  an  edging.  Old  Camomile 
beds,  and  many  other  things,  may  be  renewed.  IVater  Cresses, 
try  a  bed  on  a  north  border  in  the  kitchen  garden.  They 
may  be  planted  for  weeks  yet,  but  the  sooner  they  are  put  in 
now  the  less  likely  they  are  to  be  thrown  oat  of  the  ground 
by  frost. 

rnUIT   GABDEN. 

In  consequence  of  the  fine  summer  weather  we  have  had 
this  season,  the  growth  of  all  trees  and  bushes  is  in  a  fair  way 
of  being  well  ripened,  affording  a  good  prospect  of  an  excellent 
crop  next  season.  Notwithstanding  the  repeated  observations 
respecting  the  impropriety  of  cutting  off  the  leaves  of  Straw- 
berry plants,  upon  the  proper  development  and  full  exposure 
of  which  the  maturation  of  the  buds  for  next  season  depends, 
the  practice  is  still  extensively  adopted,  and  it  is  not  unusual 
to  meet  with  individuals  who  proudly  contrast  the  neat  appear- 
ance of  their  beds  with  the  somewhat  rough  aspect  of  those 
where  only  the  runners  have  been  removed,  the  smallest  bnis 


210 


JOURNAL   OF  HOETICULTUBE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENEE. 


[  September  17,  1868. 


BinRled  out,  and  full  exposure  given  to  those  lemainiug.  The 
treatment  of  Strawlerries,  as  of  everything  else,  should  be 
varied  according  to  circumstances  and  the  object  aimed  at. 
The  mowing-off  the  leaves  will  succeed  better  in  light  soils  and 
in  warm  situations  than  it  will  do  on  cold  stiff  soils  ;  as  in  the 
first  case  the  mowing  will  be  earlier  performed,  and  a  succes- 
Bion  of  healthy  leaves  will  be  produced,  but  at  the  expense  of 
the  stored-up  nourishment  existing  in  the  bud.  It  may  also 
be  adopted  in  those  cases  where  the  unworkman-like  practice 
exists  of  depending  chiefly  ou  the  runners  of  the  present  sea- 
son. It  is  true  that  an  abundance  of  Strawberries  may  be 
procured  by  such  a  system,  but  the  results  of  our  practice' and 
observation  seem  to  show  that  such  fruit  is  not  for  a  moment 
to  be  compared  either  in  quantity  or  quality  with  that  produced 
by  the  plants  when  their  leaves  were  left  unmutilated.  Be- 
sides, this  system  of  cutting  off  the  leaves  renders  the  plants 
very  susceptible  of  injury  from  the  first  keen  frosts.  The 
spaces  between  the  rows  may  now  be  slightly  forked,  and  a 
little  manure  put  on  at  the  first  opportunity. 

FLOWER    GARDEN. 

Where  extensive  alterations  and  improvements  in  pleasure 
grounds  are  contemplated  after  this  time,  the  sooner  they  are 
proceeded  with  the  better.  There  are  many  advantages  in 
commencing  early.  In  the  first  place,  more  work  can  be  done 
in  a  given  time  now  that  the  ground  is  in  a  workable  condition, 
than  it  is  possible  to  perform  after  the  rains  of  winter  have  set 
in,  and  not  only  can  much  more  be  done,  but  it  can  be  per- 
formed in  a  much  more  satisfactory  manner.  Secondly,  by 
commencing  early,  we  have  the  choice"  of  the  nurseries  for  such 
plants  as  are  required,  and  there  is  a  better  chance  of  the 
transijJanted  shrubs  succeeding,  because,  if  the  autumn  is 
mild,  they  will  strike  root  at  once,  and  if  it  is  not  mild  they 
will  become  so  firmly  fixed  in  the  ground  as  to  receive  little  I 
injury.  New  ground  work  should,  if  possible,  be  completed  by 
Christmas,  and  all  planting  by  the  middle  or  end  of  November. 
Choice  evergreens,  especially  if  removed  from  nursery  beds, 
are  transplanted  in  April,  as  we  have  always  found  them  suc- 
ceed better  then  than  when  removed  in  autumn.  The  last, 
and  perhaps  the  greatest  advantage  of  autumn  planting  is,  that 
it  sets  the  gardener's  hands  at  liberty  for  spring  work,  which, 
if  anything  like  high  keeping  is  desired  in  the  grounds,  is 
essentially  necessary.  Tulip  seed  may  now  be  sown  in  shallow 
pans  or  boxes,  covering  it  very  slightly.  Now  is  a  most  ex- 
cellent time  to  take  off  and  pot  Carnation  layers  ;  and  look  well 
after  wireworms  in  the  compost.  There  is  nothing  like  the 
grower's  eye  to  detect  these  mischievous  depredators.  Keep 
Auriculas  from  the  heavy  autumnal  rains,  but  let  tkem  have 
all  the  air  possible. 

r.KEEXnorSE    and    CONSEEVATOr.Y. 

Everything  in  the  conservatory  should  be  clean  and  sweet, 
the  plants  should  never  be  crowded,  therefore  little  air  is 
wanted  through  the  ventilators  while  the  plants  are  at  rest; 
indeed,  letting  in  strong  currents  of  air  after  this  time  does 
much  mischief  by  drying  the  soil  in  the  pots  too  much,  and 
thus  rendering  large  supplies  of  water  necessary,  when  none 
at  all  should  be  wanted.  Plants  in  sitting-rooms  now  require 
a  very  diiYerent  treatment.  Housemaids  will  ventilate  their 
rooms  as  long  and  as  often  as  they  can,  and  mske  large  fires 
in  cold  weather,  very  much  to  the  injury  of  plants,  which 
must  have  water  freely  every  day,  and  should  be  changed  as 
often  as  the  stock  will  permit. 

STOVE. 

Plants  here,  and  indeed  all  house  plants,  have  ripened 
better  this  season  than  they  generally  do,  owing  to  the  hot 
clear  weather  in  the  end  of  spring  and  through  the  summer. 
This  corresponds  with  the  treatment  generally  recommended 
for  Eoine  years  past,  which  is,  after  vegetation  has  fairly  begun 
in  spring,  to  increase  the  temperature  of  the  house,  and  by 
way  of  gentle  forcing  to  assist  Nature.  Plants  thus  treated, 
and  stove  plants  in  particular,  cannot  be  too  cautiously  watered 
late  in  the  autumn.  Nothing  is  now  wanted  but  to'  keep  the 
soil  from  becoming  quite  dry.  In  dull  or  rainy  weather  slight 
fires  should  be  made  in  the  forenoon,  not  so  much  for  the  pur- 
pose of  raising  the  temperature  as  for  drying  the  house. 
Allow  a  little  ventilation,  as  stoves  are  generally  too  much 
crowded,  and  so  damp  that  more  or  less  air  is  always  necessary 
to  maintain  a  healthy  atmosphere. 

PITS    ANI>   FUAMES. 

By  the  middle  of  September  Violets  should  be  planted  out 
in  pits  within  a  few  inches  of  the  glass.  After  they  are 
well  watered  lay  half  an  inch  of  very  dry  soil  over  the  surface. 


in  order  to  keep  down  the  damp  until  the  plants  are  firmly 
established  and  inured  to  confinement.  Pots  of  Mignonette 
must  also  be  protected  from  rain,  but  they  should  not  be  kept 
close.  Heliotropes  often  become  too  strong  at  this  time ;  if 
they  are  in  the  open  air  when  this  happens  they  never  flower 
so  freely  in  winter  ;  a  sparing  allowance  of  water  with  some 
covering  will  soon  check  them.  China  Roses  of  all  classes 
that  have  been  closely  pruned  in  August  should  now  be  en- 
couraged in  pits,  and  they  will  soon  begin  to  bloom.  Dwarf 
Neriums  that  have  been  hard  forced  to  make  young  wood  after 
flowering,  should  be  hardened  to  stand  over  the  winter  in  cold 
pits,  merely  keeping  the  frost  from  thtm.  In  about  another 
fortnight  the  season  for  propagating  will  be  over,  therefore 
where  sufficient  stock  is  not  already  in,  there  is  little  time  to 
lose.  Plants  that  are  standing  out  to  be  hardened  should  be 
so  arranged  as  to  be  readily  covered  in  case  of  frost,  which 
may  now  be  expected,  and  choice  plants  in  beds,  which  it  is 
intended  to  take  up  and  pot,  should  also  be  protected  during 
cold  nights. — W.  Keane. 


DOINGS  OF   THE  LAST  WEEK. 

We  were  very  busy  in  such  a  week  of  second  summer,  which 
presented  so  many  varied  sources  of  augmenttd  interest  as 
greatly  to  counterbalance  all  drawbacks  and  seeming  evils. 

EITCHEN    OAEDEN. 

In  this  department  we  thinned  oxit  lots  of  Turnips,  which  we 
hope  will  yet  come  to  something  valuable  in  the  autumn,  and 
watered  when  thinned,  as  the  ground  is  now  becoming  dry 
again,  and  would  in  the  present  weather  be  nearly  aa  dry  as 
ever  but  for  the  shorter  days  and  the  dewy  nights.  Watered 
Coleworts  that  we  wish  to  succeed  the  Cabbages  young  and  old. 
The  main  piece  of  the  old  Cabbages  planted  last  autumn  offers 
to  do  good  service  for  a  long  time  yet.  Planted  out  a  nice  piece 
of  Cabbages  that  had  previously  been  pricked  out,  lifting  the 
plants  singly  with  small  balls,  and  planting  with  the  trowel,  as 
then  they  are  less  likely  to  be  cut  down  by  grubs  or  other 
enemies;  and  to  counteract  the  grubs  this  season,  where  they 
have  troubled  us  much,  threw  some  lime  over  the  ground, 
and  turned  it  over  and  examined  it  minutely  before  planting. 
Watered  Cauliflowers  now  coming  in,  and  planted  out  stout 
plants,  hoping  they  will  give  us  a  return  late  if  the  weather  be 
mild.  Gave  also  a  good  watering  to  Celery  tied  up  and  not 
tied  up,  as  even  in  beds  it  was  becoming  dry  again,  and  but  for 
the  watering  would  have  needed  shading. 

The  i'luns,  Kidney  and  Runners,  had  also  to  be  watered  to 
keep  them  in  good  bearing,  and  from  a  piece  of  Dwarf  Kidney 
Beans  had  every  pod  inclined  to  become  old  enough  picked  off, 
as  one  pod  seeding  will  do  more  to  exhaust  the  plant  than  a 
dozen  pods  rather  more  than  half  grown,  and  which,will  break 
as  easily  as  a  piece  of  thin  glass.  Whenever  a  pod  will  not 
break  easily  it  is  of  little  use  in  the  kitchen,  and  should  be 
cleared  from  the  plant  if  continuous  bearingis  an  object.  Keep- 
ing this  in  view,  we  have  frequently  gatheied  last  from  our 
first  sowing— in  fact,  but  for  allowing  plants  to  produce  seed 
pods,  one  sowing  of  Dwarf  Kidney  Beans,  if  well  attended  to, 
would  just  answer  as  well  as  several  sowings,  but  in  such  a. 
case  close  picking  is  the  secret  of  success.  Seed-saving  must 
not  be  thought  about,  unless,  indeed,  a  few  plants  are  set  aside 
for  the  purpose.  By  watering  Vegetable  Marrows  they  also 
continue  to  yield  well.  Our  out-door  Cucumbers  were  burnt 
up  chiefly  from  want  of  clean  water  to  treat  the  foliage  to  a 
shower  bath. 

Our  chief  drawback  as  to  kitchen  supply  this  autumn  is  the 
want  of  fine  Peas,  to  great  a  treat  in  September  and  October 
for  shooting  parties.  We  did  give  our  crops  a  watering  too, 
hut  not  what  they  wauted  ;  but  the  parching  heat  was  the  great 
evil,  and  hence  such  things  are  scarce  or  not  to  be  seen  in  this 
district,  even  in  places  where  water  was  to  be  had.  The  mulch- 
ing and  the  watering  saved  to  us  our  Dwarf  Kidney  Beans  and 
Runners,  but  they  naturally  stand  a  higher  temperature  than 
the  Pea  ;  as  with  us,  with  our  little  water  at  command,  all  our 
mulching,  and  even  partial  shading,  failed  to  prevent  the  Pea 
coming  weak  and  spindling,  and  ultimately  succumbing  alto- 
gether. 

Celery. — Our  most  forward  Celery  is  pronounced  to  be  very 
good  and  sweet,  but  smaller  than  usual ;  and  that  is  saying 
something,  as  we  have  given  up  aiming  at  having  Celery  mon- 
strous in  size,  and  for  two  reasons — first,  that  in  such  large 
Celery  there  was  not  a  proportionate  amount  of  material  fit  to 
send  to  table ;  and  secondly,  that  when  such  large  heads  were 


Septsmbor  17, 1SC8.  ] 


JOUBNAL  OF   HORTICOLTUEE  AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEB. 


2U 


fit  for  use  tbey  conld  not  be  kept  Bonnd  in  drizzling  weather. 
unless  they  were  protected  by  a  waterproof  covering,  as  the 
rain,  when  it  found  its  way  to  the  heart  of  the  plants,  could 
not  escape,  hut  remained  there,  turned  in  time  fu'tid,  and  then 
the  heart,  the  valuable  part  of  the  plant,  rotted  and  decayed, 
and  all  tlio  labour  went  fur  nothing  but  a  huge  assemblage  of 
outside  leafstalks,  of  little  use  except  for  soups,  if  the  cook 
could  be  coaxed  to  use  thera  for  that  purpose. 

Two  or  three  inquiries  have  been  made  as  to  our  reasons  for 
not  eartliinij-iip  early  Celery  by  degrees,  as  last  week  we  stated 
wo  had  not  the  same  objections  in  reference  to  late  Celery, 
when  the  evaporation  of  moisture  from  the  leaves  is  almost 
counterbalanced  by  the  drizzliug  rains,  the  mists,  and  the 
dews  of  a  late  autumn.  Oar  reason  for  not  earthing-up  gra- 
dually early  Celery  is  based  on  the  natural  habitat  of  the  plant, 
and  what  we  have  noticed  as  the  results  when  these  natural 
arrangements  are  greatly  interfered  with.  The  Celery  is  natu- 
rally a  ditch  plant,  where  in  general  the  roots  will  have  a 
sufficiency  of  moisture  to  meet  the  ample  evaporation  going  on 
from  the  large  expanded  foliage.  In  such  a  position  it  will  also 
receive  less  or  more  of  shade.  Deprive  it  of  all  shade,  drain 
the  moisture  from  the  ditch,  and  then  in  the  dry  summer 
weather,  the  Celery  plant,  naturally  a  biennial,  would  in  self- 
defence  be  forced  to  become  an  annual,  and  throw  up  its  flower 
stalk  the  first  instead  of  the  second  season.  Under  culture  the 
same  conditions  will  produce  the  same  results.  We  generally 
give  a  little  shade  to  early  Celery  by  having  Peas  on  the  tops  of 
the  ridges,  the  Celery  being  planted  in  the  bed  trenches.  The 
trench  is  just  a  makeshift  for  the  ditch,  and  serves  the  purpose 
of  retaining  moisture  better  than  planting  on  the  level  ground 
would  do.  In  stiff  ground  the  trenches  should  be  shallow  for 
late  Celery  to  stand  the  winter.  Now  in  the  hit-by-bit  earthing- 
np  of  Celery  we  do  much  the  same  thing  for  the  plants  as 
draining  the  ditch  would  do.  We  may  water  well  before  we 
give  a  little  earthing-up.  but  if  we  place  2  or  3  inches  of  earth 
over  the  roots,  and  then  in  a  week  or  two  a  few  inches  more, 
and  so  on,  in  order,  as  it  is  said,  to  encourage  the  heart  to  rise, 
we  never  think,  or  seldom,  of  the  state  of  the  roots,  whilst  the 
leaves  are  throwing  off  so  much  moisture  every  day,  and  then 
a  great  surprise  is  felt  when  the  greater  part  of  a  bed  bolts  and 
throws  up  flower  stalks,  rendering  the  plants  useless  with 
cheese  or  for  the  salad  bowl.  Examine  the  roots,  often  as  dry 
as  if  standing  close  to  an  oven,  and  the  whole  surprise  need  he 
a  surprise  no  more.  The  roots  could  obtain  no  moisture  near 
at  hand,  whilst  the  leaves  were  continually  evaporating  it  in 
dry  and  sunny  weather.  The  bit-by-bit  earthing-up  prevented 
all  moisture  reaching  the  roots  of  the  ditch  plant  more  effec- 
tually than  if  you  had  thoroughly  drained  the  ditch,  and  the 
bolting  of  the  Celery  was  the  consequence  of  the  roots  being 
dry.  Even  as  to  the  rising  of  the  heart  of  the  plant,  that  is 
sufficiently  secured  by  first  cleaning  and  then  tying-up  each 
plant  rather  loosely,  and  even  the  tying  helps  on  the  blanching 
process.  If  Celery  is  worth  having,  it  is  worth  tying,  as  that 
keeps  the  heart  leaves  so  nice  and  close. 

Whilst  for  all  early  work — say  heads  for  use  in  September, 
or  earlier,  and  the  first  week  of  October,  we  object  to  the  bit- 
by-bit  earthing-up.  We  have  no  objection  to  an  extra  inch  or 
two  of  soil  over  the  roots,  in  which  they  may  root  upwards  as 
well  as  downwards.  In  fact,  after  each  heavy  watering,  we 
generally  follow  in  an  hour  or  two,  sprinkling  over  the  bed 
gome  well-broken  soil  from  the  sides,  which,  being  dry,  helps 
to  keep  the  moisture  about  the  roots,  giving  no  free  outlet  to  it 
except  through  the  foliage.  For  early  use,  provided  the  plants 
are  tied  some  time  previously,  the  once  earthing-up  will  do,  if 
performed  about  three  weeks  before  the  plants  are  wanted  ; 
and,  therefore,  on  the  principles  alluded  to  above,  only  a  small 
piece  is  done  at  a  time,  for  if  large  beds  were  earthed-up  at 
once,  before  they  were  used,  we  would  expect  the  roots  to  be 
dry  just  as  in  the  bit-by-bit  system,  and  then  the  same  results 
would  follow,  in  plants  throwing  up  their  tiower  stalks.  The 
theory  is  borne  cut  by  results,  as  whenever  we  could  give  any- 
thing like  common  attention  to  our  Celery,  we  never  have 
had  an  early  head  bolted.  In  fact,  such  a  thing  has  been  un- 
noticed for  many  years.  So  much  for  our  theory  and  practice, 
which  wo  think  of  some  importance,  but  others  may  know  a 
still  more  excellent  way. 

And  now  a  word  as  to  earthing-up.  In  light  soils,  with  tying 
previously,  nothing  is  better  than  the  garden  soil.  Many  other 
materials  are  used.  Mr.  McDonald,  of  Woodstock,  Ireland, 
nses  moss,  and  few  things  could  answer  better.  Old  tan  has 
also  been  used,  but  new  tan  is  apt  to  give  a  taint,  and  it  much 
is  put  on,  it  is  aloo  apt  to  heat.  We  have  used  leaves,  but  they, 


too,  are  apt  to  heat.  A  correspondent  last  week  recommended 
sawdust.  Wo  would  only  say,  that  used  liberally  at  a  time,  it 
is  apt  to  heat,  and  if  from  resinous  wood,  it  will  leave  something 
of  a  taint.  Sawdust  from  hard  wood  and  rather  old,  is,  there- 
fore, best.  In  light  soils,  and  in  any  soil  for  early  produce, 
the  soil  will  do  for  blanching.  In  heavy  soils,  and  for  wintei 
supply,  some  coal  ashes  arc  a  good  material  to  place  next  the 
plant,  and  if  scarce,  enough  just  to  go  round  the  plant  will  do. 
A  simple  mode  of  giving  this  small  supply  is  to  have  two 
semicircular  pieces  of  tin — say  15  inches  long  and  G  inches  at 
the  semicircular  diameter.  These  should  be  placed  nearly  to- 
gether, so  as  to  enclose  the  tied-up  plant,  and  the  ashes 
trundled  down  whilst  the  soil  is  put  against  the  rim,  and  that 
removed  as  the  earthing-up  proceeds.  Even  a  small  quantity 
round  the  plants  saves  them  considerably  from  worms  and 
slugs.  In  heavy  soils,  even  with  ashes,  it  is  not  advisable  to 
earth-up  so  high  as  in  light  soils ;  not  more  than  about  half 
would  do,  and  then  as  the  weather  becomes  cold,  the  plants 
could  be  packed  close  up  to  their  stems  with  litter,  placed  rather 
firmly,  and  that  will  soon  cake,  and  throw  much  water  off. 
Plants  so  managed  will  stand  the  winter  better  than  others  if  it 
is  cold,  and  be  little  liable  to  damp  off  if  the  weather  should 
be  open  and  drizzly. 

Prepared  material  for  another  Mushroom  bed,  and  took  the 
chance  of  such  fine  dry  weather  to  run  the  Dutch  hoe  through 
all  growing  crops,  Strawberry  borders,  &c. 
rr.niT  o.ir.uF.N. 

Planted  out  thickly  lots  of  Slraii-brrnj  plants  that  had  been 
previously  pricked  out,  so  that  we  may  lift  them  in  spring  as 
wanted  for  forcing.  In  relation  to  this  see  previous  remarks, 
and  that  all  the  more  particularly,  as  au  amateur  was  dis- 
appointed last  season  when  he  used  such  plants  for  early 
forcing.  For  early  forcing  the  plants  must  be  established  now 
in  pots.  Wo  recollect  a  great  authority  throwing  cold  water  on 
all  our  gardening  preparations,  because  from  plants  lifted  from 
the  open  ground  fine  results  were  obtained  in  May  and  the 
beginning  of  June.  Hence  the  folly  of  summer  potting  and 
autumn  attendance.  It  the  learned  gentleman  had  tried  his 
raised-up  plants  in  January,  we  imogine  where  his  triumphant 
notes  would  have  been.  Pricked  out  thickly  a  number  of  sorts 
in  case  they  should  be  wanted,  as  even  these  will  be  good  plants  in 
spring,  and  when  small  they  thrive  all  the  better  for  company. 
We  have  had  all  our  runners  late  this  season,  and  some  rows 
almost  parched  up  are  now  like  the  grass,  becoming  green 
again.  Had  we  waited  for  runners  rooting  in  the  open  ground 
we  would  have  been  nowhere  with  our  young  plants  in  pots. 
By  taking  them  off  as  soon  as  they  showed,  and  pricking  them 
out  by  the  string  in  beds  under  protection,  we  soon  had  good 
plants  for  potting,  many  of  which  have  now  crammed  the  soil 
in  the  pots  with  fine  roots.  We  do  not  think  we  ever  had  the 
plants  potted  more  firmly,  and  they  are  all  the  better  of  it.  This 
weather  is  just  suitable  for  them,  as  maturing  is  helped  as  well 
as  growth,  and  the  latter  all  the  more,  as  we  can  feed  them  with 
waterings  containing  something  stronger  than  mere  water.  So 
far  as  these  Strawberries  in  pots  are  concerned,  we  by  no  means 
wish  rain  to  fall  on  them,  except  now  and  then,  and  if  expected 
we  strew  the  pots  with  a  little  soot,  guano,  or  superphosphate. 
After  many  trials,  however,  we  have  come  to  the  conclusion 
that  we  can  do  very  well  with  our  home  manures  without  the 
help  of  artificial  ones ;  but  all  plants,  like  animals,  dehght  in 
a  change,  and  though  soot  water  is  much  relished  by  the  Straw- 
berry, something  less  nitrogenous  is  welcome  as  a  change,  as 
cow  dung,  sheep  dimg,  &c. 

One  drawback  there  is  in  all  this  fine  weather,  reminding  ns 
of  this,  as  respects  ourselves  and  our  doings,  that  we  live  in 
a  world  where  all  is  not  overbright,  though  we  would  often  do 
well  to  look  at  the  bright  side,  so  as  to  check  all  the  beginnings 
of  grumbling.  The  drawback  is,  that  with  the  exception  of  a 
few  Plums,  our  stone  wall  fruit  is  gone.  The  Pe.aches  and  the 
Nectarines  stood  our  first  tropical  summer  well— not  one  fell, 
partly  owing  to  mulching  where  we  could  not  water;  but  even 
with  the  help  of  watering  they  could  not  stand  the  heat  of  this 
second  summer.  Late  Peaches  swelled  too  fast,  and  Nectarines 
swelled  and  shrivelled  too  in  the  heat,  and  the  wasps  coming 
in  legions  told  us  that  we  must  take  our  share  whilst  a  share 
could  bo  had.  and  so  but  fur  our  late  orchard  house  we  should 
be  deficient  in  fruit  for  large  desserts.  These  late  houses  will 
stand  us  in  good  stead,  but  we  are  gathering  Walburton  Admir- 
able Peaches  now,  that  kept  us  well  in  October  last  season. 

Had  we  a  continuance  of  such  weather  at  tliis  season,  late 
orchard  houses  would  bo  among  the  most  useful  and  most 
economical  structures  about  a  garden,  as  fruit  could  be  had 


212 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEB. 


r  Sopt«mbor  17,  1868. 


from  tboin  for  large  parties  late  in  autumn,  after  the  crop  in  the 
open  air  on  the  walls  had  ripened  and  been  used.  Vv'ho  wiil 
set  the  example  of  a  range  of  houses  to  have  Peaches  in  Oc- 
tober and  Plums  in  Noveaibsr,  and  costing  but  wood  and  glass, 
or  iron  and  glass  ? 

We  find  the  earlier  Apples  decay  so  soon  after  gathering, 
that  we  have  left  a  number  on  the  ground  for  the  benefit  of 
the  wasps,  as  that  keeps  them  from  harder  and  finer  fruit. 
We  would  like  to  defer  gathering  the  later  kinds  a  little  longer, 
as  they  are  acquiring  such  a  fine  colour  in  this  weather. 
Lessened  the  late  growths  by  removing  and  stopping,  so  that 
the  sun  should  have  freer  access  to  fruit  out  of  doors. 

As  to  wa.<pf,  we  are  more  convinced  than  ever  that  an  en- 
couragement iu  money  payments  should  be  given  for  wasps  as 
soon  as  they  appear  in  spring.  Paying  for  nasts  at  this  season 
ig  something  like  trying  to  wash  a  blackamoor  white.  In  fact, 
we  are  doubt. ul  if  we  do  not  often  make  it  worse  for  the  gar- 
den. Whilst  the  nest  or  a  pemblanee  of  it  remaius,  be  it  in 
the  shape  of  a  bottle  sunk  in  the  cfound  with  a  hole  at  the 
neck  open,  and  some  tempting  liquid  at  the  bottom,  the  wasps 
have  an  inducement  to  return  ;  but  when  all  is  gone,  when 
once  they  come  back  to  the  garden  they  return  no  more.  If 
even  the  nest  is  taken  at  night,  numbers  will  be  out,  and  if  a 
bit  is  left  to  them  they  will  flock  to  it  during  the  day,  and,  as 
lately  stated,  a  hand-light  put  on  at  night  will  catch  numbers 
next  day.  In  some  cases  we  really  think  we  fare  worse  after 
a  nest  has  been  demolished,  if  no  modes  are  adopted  to  entice 
the  outsiders  and  survivor?.  A  cold  night  and  a  coldish  rain 
will  be  our  bf?t  aids  in  ridding  us  of  these  pests.  Heaps  of 
slaughtered  ones  seem  to  do  little  as  yet  in  diminishing  their 
nnmbers.  When  once  they  seize  on  a  fruit  it  is  best  to  leave 
it  to  them.  Before  they  managed  to  leave  nothing  but  the 
aldn  of  a  large  Pear,  it  served  as  a  grave  for  a  score  or  two 
at  a  time,  and  then  other  wasps  were  more  ready  to  come  to  it 
than  to  a  fresh  one. 

OBNAMENTAL    DErARTSrENT. 

Here  we  intended  saying  much,  but  must  confine  ourselves 
to  stating  that  cutting-making  has  been  the  chief  business  of 
the  week.— R.  F. 


inij   Descri2>tn-c    LisU  of  Dutch,  Cape,  and   other   Flowerivg 
Btilbs,  lix. 


CO^^ENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— Septemdeh  10. 
There  has  been  Lnt  little  change  in  quotations  since  our  last  report 
Supplies  are  quiie  sufficient  for  the  demand. 


Apples "K  Bleve 

Apricots .~,  doz. 

Cherries lb. 

Ghestnats bush. 

Currants ^  '<  sieve 

Black ."..  ao. 

Kga doz. 

Filberts. 


Cobs lb. 

Oaoseberries  . .  qunrt 
Grapes,  Hothouse,  .lb. 
Lemons 100  19 


d.      s.  d  I 

6  to  2  0 

0      0  0  I 

0  0 


0    0 
■i    0 


Nectarines doz.    0  0 

Oranges 100  12  0 

Peaches doz.    4  0 

Pears  (dessert)  . .  doz.    2  0 

Pine  Apples lb.    4  0 

Plnms y^  sieve    2  0 

Qninces 7.  doz.    1  6 

Uaspberries lb.    0  0 

.Strawberries . .  per  lb.    0  0 

Walnuts busb.  10  0 

do per  100    1  0 


VEGETABLES. 


Artichokes doz. 

Aspara^s  100 

Beans,  Kidney  ^j  sieve 

Beet,  Red doz. 

Broccoli t}undle 

Bros.  Sprouts  ?2  sieve 

Cabbage doz. 

Capsicums 100 

Carrots bunch 

Canliflower doz. 

Celery bundle 

Cucumbers each 

Endive doz. 

Fonnel bunch 

Garlic lb. 

Herbs  linnch 

Hurseradisb  . .  bundlo 


2    0 

0    0 


1     Q 


8.  d.     B.  d  i 

S    Otofi  0  I  Leeks  bunch 

0    0      0  0  ,  Lettoce  ....  per  score 

0      4  0    Mnsbrooms pottle 

3  0  !  Mustd,&  Cress,  punnet 

0  0    Onions per  bushel 

0  0  I  Parsley per  sieve 

2  0  I  Parsnips doz. 

0  0  I  Peas per  quart 

0  8    Potatoes bushel 

0  0  I  Kidnc?y  do. 

2  0  I  Radishes  doz.  bunches 

1  0  I  Rhubarb bundle 

0  0  I  Sea-kale basket 

0  0    Shallots lb. 

0  Ol  Spinach  bnit-el 

0  0  I  Tomatoes ppr  doz. 

5  0  I  Turnips  biuioh 


B.  a. 
0    4  too 


8.  d 


0    8 
3    0 


0  0 

0  8 
4  0 

1  B 
0  6 


_,    d.    s.   d 
Melons each    2    Oto5    0 


0  0 

20  0 

12  0 

4  0 

4  0 

2  0 

0  0 

0  u 

16  0 

2  6 


TRADE   CATALOGUES  EECERTJD. 

J.  W.  Wim?ett,  Ashburnham  Park  Nursery,  King's  Eoad, 
Chelsea,  London,  B.Vf.—Cataloovc  of  Stove  and  Greenhouse 
Flants,  Trees,  Shivbs,  Bulbs,  Pctarqoimims,  dx. 

Eobert  Parker,  Exotic  Nursery,  Tooting,  Surrey.-  Catalogue 
oj  Stove,  Grecvhouse,  and  Hardy  Plants,  Hi/acinths,  rf-c. 

Hooper  A-  Co.,  Central  Avenue,  Covent  Garden  Market,  Lon- 
don, W.C.— Autumn  Sjqyiilemcnt  to  General  Catalogue,  contain- 


TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 

'.•  We  request  that  no  one  will  write  privately  to  the  depart- 
ruental  writers  of  the  "Journal  of  Horticulture,  Cottage 
Gardener,  and  Country  Gentleman."  By  so  doing  they 
are  subjected  to  nnjustifiab'e  trouble  and  expense.  All 
communications  should  therefore  be  addressed  solely  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  <&e.,  171,  Fleet 
Street,  Loudon,  E.G. 

We  also  request  that  correspondents  will  not  mix  up  on  the 
same  sheet  questions  relating  to  Gardening  and  those  on 
Poultry  and  Bee  subjects,  if  they  expect  to  get  them  an- 
swered promptly  and  conveniently,  but  write  them  on 
separate  communications.  Also  never  to  Bend  more  than 
two  or  three  questions  at  once. 

Notice  to  QtriT  {One  in  a  Fix).— It  you  are  a  yearly  tenant  the  land- 
lord must  t^ivo  you  a  notice  to  quit  sis  months  previously  to  the  ex- 
piration of  the  current  year's  tenancy,  and  so  as  to  expire  at  the  same 
period  of  the  year  as  that  at  which  you  entered  upon  the  premises.  If  you 
entered  at  Lady-day  the  notice  must  be  given  at  Michaelmas  reqoiring 
you  to  quit  next  Litdy-day. 

SEEDLrNG  Gladiolus  iJ.  P.  Sharp^.—The  flower  is  handsome,  but 
many  are  like  it,  and  many  superior. 

Value  of  Trees  (Oa/:?<:!/).— No  one  can  possibly  value  trees  of  which 
he  neither  knows  the  names  nor  the  condition. 

Instructioxin  Garden-ikg  [Flora). — We  should  decidedly  sayaUhongh 
you  have  been  more  than  five  years  in  the  various  departments 
of  gardens.  Go  to  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Garden  at  Chiswick, 
for  a  year  or  two,  study  hard,  and  compete  for  honours.  A  diploma  of 
intelligence  is  a  great  advantage,  if  it  is  not  trusted  to  and  made  to 
stand  in  the  place  of  constant  uninterrupted  attention  to  alt  details  ot 
practice.  Of  course,  we  answer  this  in  the  hope  you  are  able  to  go  to 
the  Society,  as  in  many  cases  the  going  will  involve  a  temporary  sacrifice. 
Plan  Disqualified  (FT.  S.). — The  design  of  a  house  and  walled  garden, 
but  no  g.ite  or  opening  by  which  to  gain  admission,  we  think  was  properly 
disqualified.  What  would  you  say  of  the  design  for  a  house  in  which  the 
architect  had  forgotten  that  an  entrance  door  is  needed  ? 

Forming  a  Musheooji  Bed  (.f^ir-'cus).— Your  proposed  plan  of  pre- 
paring your  stable  dung  for  a  Mushroom  bed  will  answer  well.  Do  not 
use  it  too  wet,  as  then  it  will  heat  violently  ;  nor  too  dry,  as  then  it  will 
impoverish  the  Mushrooms,  but  in  a  medium  state,  neither  wet  nor  dry; 
and  be  sure  the  beat  is  not  too  strong  after  spawning,  never  more  than 
miUtwarm. 

PoT-BouND  Myrtles  (Tdem^. — Pot  the  Myrtles  at  once,  rubbing  off  s 
little  of  the  outside  of  the  balls,  by  using  the  fingers  and  a  pointed  stick, 
and  thus  get  rid  of  a  lot  of  the  old  soil  without  much  injuring  the  roots. 

Orchard-house  Plaktikg  (.J  Young  Gardener). — As  your  back  wall 
is  now  planted  with  Peaches,  J^c,  and  you  intend  having  Vines  5  feet 
apart,  planted  in  an  outside  border,  we  do  not  think  you  will  obtain 
good  results  long  in  the  border  inside  the  house,  more  especially  as  Vines 
are  already  planted  there.  Trees  in  pots  would  occupy  the  spaces  before 
the  Vines  tilled  up.  For  your  outside  border,  as  the  wall  is  2  feet  in  heigbt, 
we  would  remove  the  soil  to  a  depth  of  a  foot,  have  a  foot  of  drainage* 
and  fill  up  with  loamy  soil,  half  a  ton  of  boiled  bones,  and  three  loads  o£ 
lime  rubbish.    Write  again  if  we  have  not  met  yonr  case. 

Weight  of  a  Eujtch  of  Grapes  (C  P.). — No  general  answer  can  ba 
given  to  your  query.  The  bunches  of  the  numerous  varieties  vary  in  size. 
Speechly  bad  a  bunch  of  the  Syrian  Grape  weighing  2li  lbs.  A  hunch  of 
the  Trebbiano  has  been  exhibited  weighing  more  than  12.^  lbs.  Bunches 
of  the  Black  Hamburgh  should  average  2  lbs. 

Cocoa-nut  Fibre  Refuse  (J.  K.). — If  yon  write  to  Messrs.  Barsham, 
Kingston-on-Thames,  we  think  that  they  will  forward  what  you  require 
by  the  Great  Eastern  Railway. 

Fungus  on  Pear  Leaves  (J.  B.  White).— The  large  rusty-brown  patches 
with  rough  papillated  surface,  are  Roestellia  cancellata,  a  parasitical 
fungus,  "rhey  are  said  to  be  removable  by  dusting  the  leaves  with  flowers 
of  sulphur,  and  if  this  is  repeated  in  any  year  they  reappear,  they  may 
be  entirely  prevented. 

Peach  Tiiees  in  Pots  (Somersei).— It  is  likely  that  your  vigorous 
Peach  trees  will  have  better-flavoured  fruits  when  their  growth  is  less 
luxuriant.  The  stock  influences  the  scion,  and  the  scion  the  stock,  but 
there  is  no  correct  theory  on  the  subject,  as  the  results  are  not  according 
to  any  rule. 

Grafting  Peaches— Meredith's  Aucante  Grape  (7<;<m).— The  beat 
time  to  graft  Peaches  is  in  February  and  March,  when  in  an  orchard 
house.  It  is  as  well  to  have  a  little  bit  of  the  two-year-old  wood  at  the 
bottom  of  the  scion.  Whip  or  side-grafting  is  as  good  as  any.  Budding 
can  ba  done  at  any  time,  when  the  bark  opens  and  good  buds  can  ba 
obtained,  generally  in  July  and  August.  Meredith's  Alicante  Grape  is 
sweet,  has  a  fine  aroma  when  fully  ripe,  and  then  it  has  a  jet  black  colour. 
It  requires  a  good  heat. 

Pine  Pit  (Southerner'. — Under  the  circumstances  we  would  have  pre- 
ferred a  lean-to  roof,  but  have  no  objection  to  the  hipped  ono  you  pro- 
pose, nor  to  the  plan  of  getting  more  room  by  digging  out  a  path  in  front 
of  the  present  wall.  In  either  case  the  bed  should  be  from  30  to  3G  inches 
from  the  glass,  and  that  will  give  you  a  criterion  as  to  the  height  of  tho 
roof.  This  will  do  for  good  stubby  plants.  For  large  ones  of  the  Provi- 
dence kinds  you  will  need  more  room.  For  stubby  plants  you  must  reckon 
from  21  to  30  inches,  plant  from  plant ;  for  young  plants  one-half  or  one- 
third  of  that  distance.  You  can  thus  calculate  the  number  you  will  want, 
according  as  yon  buy  fruiting  or  merely  young  plants.  For  general  cul- 
ture nothing  is  better  than  the  Ripley  Queen,  and  to  that  may  be  added 
a  few  of  the  Smooth  Antigua,  the  Black  Jamaica,  and  the  Providenco 
for  size. 


September  17.  1868.  | 


JOURNAL  OF  HOUTIOUIiTURE   AND   OOTTAaE   GARDENER. 


213 


Arramqiko  a  New  Garden  (J.  li.  Boyd).— It  ia  next  to  impossible  to 
Gombino  vtirious  raodos  of  plnntinfi  on  tlio  same  ground,  and  yet  have 
each  of  thc'Jo  in  the  hiRhest  perfection.  The  following  remarks  miiy  bo 
of  importance  to  you:— 1st,  Your  garden  confiats  of  two  equal  f-Toups  of 
five  clumps  each,  in  front  of  a  ran;^6  of  houses,  nud  banked  at  tho  ends, 
tSc,  with  fine  masses  of  Khododondroas,  and  a  wall  covered  with  Ivy. 
The  centre  of  each  of  these  groups  ia  a  largo  diamond-shaped  bed, 
and  the  four  fii,'iire3  round  it  would  be  squares  but  for  one  sido  boiuR 
brokcn-in  upon  by  tha  diamond.  Nothing  could  bo  simpler,  and  the  shari) 
angles  of  tho  squares  and  tho  di;imond  are  artistic,  if  not  picturesque. 
As  a  plain  Dutch  garden  nothing  could  be  more  in  keeping,  and  for  a  Koso 
garden  with  gravel  paths,  and  stone,  slate,  or  tile,  or  even  Box  cdging«,  no 
plan  could  be  more  nppropriLito.  Now,  as  to  advising  you.  Tbo  two  centre 
feeds  have  three  standard  Roses  each,  the  spaces  between  fillod-up  with 
dwarfs,  and  the  other  fuur  beds  are  of  mixed  herhaceoug  plants,  and 
information  is  required  as  to  a  Itoscry  or  grouping  with  flowering 
plants.  First,  v:o  think,  that  tho  centre  bed  would  loolt  better  with  five 
Btandr.rds ;  if  made  into  a  Koso  bed,  tho  tillest  in  the  centre,  and 
four  of  equal  size  round.  The  others  we  would  plaut  :n  tbc  same  way, 
with  standards,  half-standards,  and  dw.irfs.  No  better  arrangement 
could  bo  made  for  a  Kosc  garden ;  and  if  first-rate  Poses  are  wanted, 
nothing  else  ought  to  grow  with  them,  except  snch  edgings  as  you  have. 
Secondly,  We  would  not  advise  you  to  centre  each  group,  as  now,  with 
Rosea  and  then  plaut  tho  four  "larger  beds  with  bedding  plants,  as  tho 
Rose  centre  will  look  poor  in  tho  autumn,  when  contrasted  with  the 
bedding  plants.  In  fact,  the  centre  would  neutralise  the  gaiety  of  the 
ether  beds.  Thirdly,  Without  ilopc-^,  the  two  groups  would  look  very  well 
if  filled  with  bedding  plants.  Tho  next  most  effective  mode  would  be  to 
fill  one  group  with  Roses,  with  a  few  low  plants  among  them,  and  tho 
other  group  with  bedding  plants  ;  and  lastly,  we  would  suggest  a  plan  we 
have  adopted  at  times  with  good  eflect.  Plant  from  throe  to  five  standard 
Roses  in  each  clump.  Mulch  these  Roses  well,  plant  a  climber,  as  n  Con- 
volvulus or  Tropx^olum,  nbout  SO  inches  from  the  Hose,  and  then  train  it 
towards  the  stem  and  let  it  run  over  it,  and  in  the  autumn  a  little  over 
the  head  of  the  Rose.  *frhe30  make  rough  pillar  stand  points  in  the  beds, 
and  then  we  would  ring  them  all  over  with  broad  bands  of  contrasting 
colours.    This  will  do  away,  however,  with  all  dwarf  Roses. 

Select  Hahdy  KnoDODESDROKS  and  Azaleas  {E.  G.  E.).—JRhododeii- 
'Vrojjs ;  Atrosanguineum,  Barclayanum,  Blanche  superbe,  Blatteum* 
Comet,  Hogarth,  John  Waterer,  Lefevrcanum,  Waculntnm  purpurcum. 
Toward!,  Victoria,  and  William  Downing.  AzaJcas :  Aurai^tia  mnjorf 
Calendulacea  coccinea,  Dcccrata,  Prince  of  Wales,  Rosea  flavesccns. 
Triumphaas,  Princesse  d'Orange,  Marie  Dorothee,  Etendard,  Pontica 
alba  (Thompson's),  Ne  Plus  Ultra,  and  Coccinea  major.  The  host  time 
to  plant  Rhododendrons  is  during  the  next  six  weeks.  The  Azaleas 
should  be  planted  as  soon  as  tho  leaves  begin  to  fall,  or  at  the  end  of 
October  and  beginning  of  November. 

Raspberry  Planting  (-■flTJ'ia).— We  grow  the  plants  on  trellises,  with 
the  canes  1  foot  nparl,  and  the  rows  6  feet  from  each  other.  When  the 
stool  system  is  practised  the  plants  should  be  4  feet  apart  from  row  to 
row,  and  3  feet  fr=m  plant  to  plant.  One  well-rooted  cauo  is  enough  to 
plant,  and  it  should  be  cut  down  to  1  foot  from  the  ground  in  the  spring 
of  the  first  year,  so  as  to  encourage  suckers.  No  more  than  six  canes 
should  be  left  to  each  stool  when  the  plants  are  strong  enough  to  produce 
that  number,  which  will  be  in  the  third  year. 

Oleander  Culture  (3/.  B.).— A  compost  of  two-thirds  loam  from 
turves,  one-third  peat  or  leaf  mould,  and  nne-sixth  sharp  sand,  will  grow 
the  Oleander  well,  good  drainage  being  provided.  It  succeeds  well  in  a 
greenhouse,  and  should  have  a  light  situation.  In  winter  it  should  bo 
kept  dry  at  the  roots,  but  not  so  dry  as  to  affect  the  foliage.  After  growth 
commences  in  fpring  it  cannot  be  too  well  supplied  with  water,  and  when 
it  is  in  flower  the  pot  may  be  set  in  a  saucer,  kept  full  of  water  until  the 
flowering  is  past  and  a  good  growth  made.  Afterwards  watering  should 
be  reduced,  and  the  plaut  ought  to  have  full  exposure  to  tho  sun,  and  the 
lightest  position  the  house  affords.  A  mofet  atmosphero  when  the  plant 
is  making  new  growth  will  be  beneficial,  and  so  will  a  dry  one  when  the 
wood  is  ripening.  It  is  propagated  by  cutting?,  which  strike  readily  in 
a  bottle  of  water,  or  in  soil,  the  puts  being  plunged  in  a  gentle  hotbed  of 
from  70"  to  75  .  Cuttings  of  the  present  year's  growth  are  tho  J>est  if 
taken  ofi'  after  the  growth  is  complete,  with  or  without  a  small  portion  of 
last  year's  wood. 

Compost  for  Variegated  Pelargoniums  (Jt^'m).— Two-thirds  sandy 
fibrous  loam,  best  from  turf,  and  the  remaining  third  equal  parts  of  old 
cow  dung  or  very  rotten  hotbed  manure,  sandy  peat  or  leaf  mould,  and 
silver  sand.  They  should  never  be  watered  until  the  soil  becomes  dry,  and 
before  it  is  so  dry  as  to  cause  tho  leaves  to  flag  give  a  good  watering 
sufficient  to  show  itself  at  tho  drainage. 

Keeping  Plants  under  a  Greenhouse  Stage  (F.  J.). — You  may 
strike  cuttings  under  your  gieenhouse  stage,  but  it  is  not  a  good  place, 
as  the  drip  from  the  pots  on  the  stage  will  probably  fall  on  the  pots  or 
pans  of  cuttings,  make  it  too  damp  for  them,  and  eauso  them  to  rot  or 
damp-ofl*.  The  house  being  well  ventilated  is  not  conducive  to  the  suc- 
cess of  the  cuttings,  for.  as  a  rule,  they  require  a  close,  moist  atmosphere. 
Under  the  stage  is  not  a  good  place  for  wintering  beddiug  plants  ;  but  as 
you  say  you  will  take  care  there  shall  be  no  drip,  you  may  winter  many 
bedding  Pelargoniums,  especially  ttose  taken  up  from  the  beds.  Liliums, 
Salvia  patens,  and  plants  which  have  little  or  no  foliage  in  winter,  will 
be  safely  kept  under  the  btago  if  the  drip  be  reduced  to  a  minimum. 

Seedling  Rose  {E.  M.^.— It  is  to  be  regretted  that  you  did  not  bud  a 
few  strong  Manetti  or  Briar  stocks  with  the  seedling  Moss  R'^se,  as  the 
plants  would  next  year  have  made  vigorous  shoots,  and  these,  if  not 
pruned,  would  have  produced  flowers  iu  the  following  year.  Your  plants 
b^ng  vigorous,  wo  would  not  pruue  nor  take  them  up  and  replant,  but 
would  leave  them  undisturbed,  and  allow  them  to  tako  their  chance  of 
blooming.  If  they  would  not  flower  we  would  then  advise  your  budding  a 
few  stocks,  and  allowing  the  plants  to  grow  without  pruning  until  flowers 
were  produced.  It  is  probable  you  may  flower  them  next  year.  Possibly 
a  few  buds  might  now  take  if  inserted. 

Aebor-Vit.t:  Badly  Fcp.nished  with  Branches  (J.  T.).— The  only 
plan  will  be  to  cut  out  the  old  or  dead  wood,  and  by  tying  the  branches 
closer  together,  or  training  in  some  young  shoots,  make  it  more  close  and 
compact.  Probably  a  judicious  pruning  would  answer  your  purpose,  but 
in  pruning  leave  plenty  of  young  wood. 
White  Jasmike  Pbopagation  {Idem).~lt   is   propagated  readily  by 


layering,  which  is  a  sure  method,  and  also  by  cuttings  of  the  ripined 
wood  put  in  now  in  saady  soil  iu  a  cold  frame,  and  kept  close  and  shaded 
until  rooted. 

Judges  PiLrERiNo  Melon  Seed  (O.  K.).— It  is  not  customary  for 
jiingoB  to  take  seeds  out  of  tho  prize  Melons,  and  anyone  who  does  bo 
IS  a  pilferer.  If,  as  you  say,  any  exhibitor  bus  a  good  Melon  and  intends 
to  seud  it  *mt,  it  is  a  wrong  inflicted  on  him.  The  judges  at  poultry  tthowa 
might  as  justly  take  the  eggs  laid  iu  the  exhibition  pens  by  the  hens 
exhibited. 

Clearing  Huddy  Water  (J.  T.).— Your  only  plan  will  bo  to  have  it 
filtered. 

Heading-dack  Manetti  Stocks  (P.  J.  N.).~Yau  can  cut  off  tho  head 
of  the  stock  to  within  an  inch  or  two  of  tlie  bud,  and  tlio  cuitingH  will 
answer  to  form  stocks.  They  should  be  taken  from  t!io  ono-yoar-old 
wood,  and  be  in  lengths  of  10  or  1-2  inches.  They  should  bo  planted  in 
November,  and  the  heading-back  need  not  take  place  till  then. 

Ivy-leaved  Pelargonium  (Calhedral).~^i].\cr  Gem,  with  variegated 
f.jliage,  has  lilac  rose  or  pink  flowers,  blotched  in  the  upper  petals  with 
purplish  crimson.  There  are  several  new  hybrids  be'.wcen  the  Ivy- 
leaved  nud  Zonal  Pelargoniums  to  be  sent  out  next  year. 

Prilivlas  (A.  C.).— We  do  not  kuow  the  address  of  the  grower  yon 
name.  There  is  but  little  difficulty  iu  growing  them  fine  if  the  rules 
often  published  are  followed. 

Gunter'3  Tart  Apple  {B.  D.). — Tho  reddish-fleshed  Apple  that  so 
melted  and  gratified  your  palate,  was  probably  tho  Golden  Noblo,  and  it 
deserves  tho  name  as  a  lutchen  Apple.  The  leaf  you  enclosed  is  not  of 
the  Pii>tanthu3. 

Golden  Feathep.  Pyrethrum  (R.  IT.).— The  seedling  will  do  for  bed- 
ding next  summer.    Directions  for  sowing  are  in  our  last  number. 

Tobacco  Drying  lP.ev.  W.  H.  F.  fl".).— The  leaves  ara  to  be  gathered 
when  they  assume  a  yellow  tint,  tied  in  small  bunches,  and  hung  up  in 
801713  bhady  airy  placo  to  dry.  When  crisp  watch  for  the  first  humid 
state  of  tho  atmosohere,  whf^n  they  wiil  become  soft,  and  pack  them 
evenly  iu  a  box  wi'th  the  ends  or  butts  all  one  way  ;  press  moderately, 
and  a  shght  heat  wiU  be  generated.  Whilst  warm  take  out  tho  bunches, 
phake  in  the  air  to  let  off  the  heat,  repack  lightly,  and,  when  thoroughly 
drj-  and  cool,  store  tightly  in  a  barrel,  and  keep  there  for  use.  The  leaves 
which  turn  black  and  smell  disugreCHbly  will  not  be  spoiled  if  you  dry 
them,  but  if  fungus  attack  them  they  v.ill  lose  their  virtue. 

Plants  Fon  Hanging  Baskets  and  Vases  (A  Beginner].— \ie  i^reauma 
you  wish  for  plants  that  will  bear  the  open  air  in  summer.  The  Ivy-leaved 
Pelargoniums  are  good,  there  being  varieties  with  pink,  scarlet,  white, 
and  mauve  flowers,  and  silver  and  gold  variegation  ;  Gazania  splendens. 
Convolvulus  manritanicus,  Alyssum  variegatum.  Fuchsias  in  variety. 
Heliotropes,  Lobelia  speciosa,  Niereiubergia  gracilis.  Petunias,  Verbena 
Maonet:i,  Maurandyas,  Lophospermum  Hendersoui ;  and  Tropreolums 
Ball  of  Fire,  Eclipse,  Garibaldi,  and  Lohbiauum  elegans.  These  leqmro 
the  protection  of  a  greenhouse  in  winter,  and  may  be  increased  to  any 
extent  by  cuttings  for  planting  next  year.  Of  hardy  plants  we  may  men- 
tion Calystegia  pubcscens,  Linaria  cymbalnria,  L.cymb.ilaria  alba,  Litho- 
spermum  fruticosum,  Lysimachia  nummularia,  Sasifraga  sarmentosa, 
S.  Fortuni  variegata,  Vinca  elegantissima,  and  the  gmaii-leaved  green 
and  variegated  Ivies. 
Removing  and  Planting  Evergreen  and  Forest  Trees  {Idem).— AS 
I  soon  after  this  as  the  ground  becomes  moist  and  the  shrubs  have  com- 
pleted their  growth,  is  the  best  time  to  move  and  plant  evergreens.  De- 
ciduous and  forest  trees  are  best  moved  as  soon  as  the  leaves  are  falling, 
or  have  fitllen. 

Potting  Roses  {Novice).—Vfe  advise  you  to  shift  the  Roses  into  larger 
pots  at  once.  It  is  now  a  good  time  to  do  so.  They  will  succeed  very 
well  in  tho  cold  frame  during  the  winter,  moving  them  after  pruning  into 
the  greenhouse,  and  you  will  have  an  earlier  bloom. 

"  Cut  Flowers,  Twelve  Bunches,  Distinct  Varieties"  {Ignoramus). 
—It  is  very  much  and  very  generally  to  be  lamented  that  the  committees 
of  horticultural  shows  do  not  express  their  prizo  lists  more  clearly.  Wa 
p-esume  that  the  committee  who  ofl"er  a  prize  in  the  above  words  did  not 
mean  to  exclude  "  species."  We  presume  also  that  they  mean  each 
bunch  to  consist  of  one  species  or  one  variety,  and  not  that  each  bunch 
may  have  several  species  or  several  varieties  in  it.  You  hc.d  better  ask 
the  Secretary  what  is  meant.  We  do  not  think  the  Pampas  Grass  is 
within  the  intention  of  "  cut  flowers." 

Insects  os  Cabbages  (Svbicriher).— They  are  the  Aphis  raphanL 
Syringing  with  tobacco  water,  or  ductieg  ^ith  tobacco  powder,  are  tho 
only  practicable  remedies. 

Names  of  Fruits  (An  Old  Subscriber).— Wc  have  named  those  we  at 
once  recognised,  but  we  protest  against  so  many  being  sent  by  one 
inquirer.  If  each  package  which  cumes  to  us  contained,  as  yours  did, 
thirtysi'ven  specimens,  we  should  be  obliged  to  decline  naming  them. 

I,  Beurrr  de  Ranee  :  4,  Winter  Nehs  ;  6,  BeuiTL-  d'Aremberg  ;  8,  Bcurre  da 
Kance ;  lU.  Baronne  de  Mello  ;  11,  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey  ;  12,  Doyenne 
Oris;  IS,  Passe  Colmar;  14,  Rousse  Lench  ;  16,  Aston  Town;  18,  Croft 
Castle  ;  19,  Van  Mons  Leon  Leclerc  ;  tO,  Gros  Housselet ;  22,  Beurre  Hardy  ; 
24,  Van  Mons  Lron  Leclerc ;  25,  Forelle  ;  26,  Nouveau  Poiteau ;  29.  Beurre 
Diel ;  31,  Eeurrc  de  Capiaumout;  £2,  Van  Mo  rum  ;  S3,  Passe  Colmar; 
S6,  Duchesse  d'AngouUme.  (Mrs.  J.  Nruman).—Youx  Apple  is  Early 
Harvest,  an  excellent  early  variety,  which  appears  to  do  well  in  your 
northern  climate,  Barusley.  (C.  P.  B.].-\,  Kerry  Pippin;  2,  Court  of 
Wick  ;  8,  Autumn  Pearmain  ;  4,  Winter  Greening;  5,  Scarlet  Nonpareil; 
0,  Fearn'B  Pippin.  Others  not  recognised.  (David  Williams}.-!,  Parry's 
Pearmain  ;  2,  Calville  Blanche  d  lite  ;  3,  Stuimer  Pippin  ;  4,  Hereford- 
shire Pearmain  ;  5,  Pearson's  Plate;  7,  Kerry  Pippin ;  8,  Dutch  Codlin;  ■ 
9,  Ribston  Pjppiu  ;  10,  Braddick's  Nonpareil ;  12  and  13,  Pomme  de  Neige  ; 
14,  Dutch  Mignonue ;  16,  Golden  Winter  Pearmain  ;  17,  Conseiller  de  la 
Cour;  18,  Crassaue.  \1!.  Hav^inond}.—  !,  Flowtr  of  Eent ;  2,  Winter 
Greening  ;  3,  Spriugrovo  Codlin.  (F.  P.)  —The  berries  are  of  the  Cornel, 
Cornus  mascula.  (G.  B.).~2,  Comte  de  Lamy  ;  3,  CatiUac  ;  4,  Passe  Col- 
mar; 5,  Dunmore;  6,  Koyai  Dauphine.  (Old  Subscriber  in  Yorkshire).^ 
No.  1,  Beurie  d'Amanlis  ;  2,  Bergamotte  CadeLte;3,  Passe  Colmar. 
(Quack).~Pcar3  :  1  and  7,  Beurre  Diel ;  2,  Passe  Colmar ;  5,  Baronne  de 
Mello  ;  8,  CatiUac  ;  9,  Seckle.      Apples  :  10,  Keinette  Blanche  d'Espagne; 

II,  Nonesuch;    13,  Manks    Codlin;    13,    Hawthomden;   15,  Nonpareil; 
16,  Biru;ingham  Pippin;  17,  Trumpington.    18,  Euonjmus  latifoUus. 


2U 


JOURNAIi  OF  HORTIGOLTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  September  17,  '. 


Names  of  Plants  (An  Jmnteur  Subscriber). — No  one  could  identify  a 
plant  crushed  as  that  you  seut ;  nor  can  we  undertake  to  namo  auy  of 
which  wo  have  not  a  flower.  (J.  H.  D.).~  Arum  maculatuu;.  (  W.  James). 
— 1,  5,  and  6,  Calluna  vulgaris,  dilTi-rout-coloured  varieties;  2,  Erica  te- 
tralix;  8,  E,  tetralix  alba;  4,  E.  cinerea.  (G.  M.  C.  If..  Staplchurst).— 
1  and  2,  C alluna  vulgaris  ;  3,  Erica  cinerea  ;  4,  Escallonia  rubra ;  5,  Pentste- 


mon  sp. ;  6,  Vnloradia  plumbaginoides.  [Rev.  H.  Shicbottovi). — KojlreH- 
teria  paniculata.  {M.A.3.). — Hieracium  boreale.  {Wex/ord  Subscriber). 
— Apparently  a  Lcptoapermum.  (T.  S.). — 1,  Bartsia  odontites  ;  2,  Malva 
rotundifolia  ;  3,  Euphorbia  exifjua  ;  4,  Tamus  communis  ;  5,  Salsola  kali 
(5,  Cakile  maritima.  [T.  B.  1^.'.— 1,  Clemitis  viticella ;  2,  C.  vitalba 
3,  Stipa  penoata ;  4,  Agrostis.    (P.  /.  N.). — Tropa^olum  speciosum. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  September  lotb. 


Date. 

BAEOMCTEB. 

rUERMOMETER 

• 

Wind. 

Rain  in 
inches. 

Genekai,  Reuabsb. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Max. 

Min. 

I  Jt.  dp. 

2  ft.  dp. 

Wed...    9 
Thnrs.  10 
Fri.  ..  11 
Sat.  ..  12 
San...  13 
Mon...  14 
Tues.  .  15 

Mean 

i)0.281 
S0.137 
20  984 
20.905 
29.893 
20.855 
29.9J7 

30.193 
3J.041 
29.793 
29.663 
29.548 
29.724 
29.880 

71 
74 
75 
',S 
75 
65 
64 

41 
34 
55 
49 
47 
51 
40 

63 
62 
CO 
63 
61 
60 
61 

62 
62 
61 
61 
60 
60 
60 

N.E. 
S.E. 
N.W. 
N.E. 
N.E. 
N.E. 
N.E. 

.CO 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 

Clear  and  fine  ;  fine  ;  clear  and  fine  nt  niRlit. 
Clear  and  fine  ;  very  fine  ;  cloudy  and  cold. 
Fine,  hazy  ;  very  fine  :  cloudy,  fine  nt  night. 
Cloudy,  fine  ;  cold  wind;  fine,  very  dark. 
Overcast,  cold  ;  densely  overcast;  fine,  cold  wind. 
Clear  and  tine  ;  cloudy;  very  dark,  cold  wind. 
Cloudy  ;  line,  cloudy  ;  overcast,  fine  at  night. 

29.994 

29  833 

71.00 

45.28 

61.28 

60.85 

0.00 

POULTEY,  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD  CHRONICLE. 


THE  MANCHESTER  rOULTRY  SHOW  PRIZE 
LIST. 

It  is  Beldom  such  a  liberal  prize  list  as  that  of  the  above 
Show  is  preseuted  to  exhibitors.  Some  of  the  prizes  exceed 
even  those  of  Bivmiugbnm,  and  although  on  the  whole  the 
Manchester  Show  mnst  rank  secoud  to  Birmingham,  it  is  cer- 
tainly second  (o  no  other.  It  is,  therefore,  a  matter  of  regret 
that  a  Show  of  such  importance  sbonld  be  held  at  a  time  of 
the  year  when  numbers  of  exhibitors  will  be  unable  to  avail 
themselves  of  it  to  any  extent,  owing  to  their  Pigeons  being  iu 
moult,  and  their  chickens  too  young  to  compete  with  any 
chance  of  success.  No  doubt  many  fanciers  will  be  represented, 
but  I  do  not  tbiiik  I  am  exaggerating  in  saying,  that  on  the  let 
of  October  next,  three-fourths  of  the  Pigeons  (adult  birds),  in 
the  kingdom  will  be  in  deep  moult,  or  not  sufficiently  recovered 
to  be  in  a  fit  state  to  contend  for  the  prize,  or  bear  the  journey 
and  confineraent.  I  believe  tbis  applies  to  all  breeds,  and  especi- 
ally to  the  larger,  which,  I  think,  are  longer  moulting  or  show 
the  effects  of  it  more.  I  have  about  thirty  old  Pouters,  and  I 
am  sure  not  one  will  be  fit  to  show  iu  three  weeks'  time.  Some 
have  scarcely  begun  to  moult,  and  have  young  ones.  Some 
have  their  "  crops  "  all  covered  with  "  stubble,"  and  a  few 
have  just  laid  again,  for  the  last  time  this  season.  If,  there- 
fore, I  wish  to  show  at  Manchester  I  must  send  this  year's 
birds,  and  of  these  only  the  early-hatched  will  be  ready. 

Then,  as  to  poultry,  doubtless  many  of  the  breeds  which 
feather  quickly  will  be  iu  a  fit  state  to  show.  But  what  of 
slow-feathering  birds,  such  as  Brahmas,  Cochins,  and  Spanish  ? 
Hundreds  of  good  birds,  especially  of  the  last-named  breed, 
which  will  be  iu  condition  to  do  little  at  Birmingham,  will 
have  to  stay  away  from  Manchester.  I  know  there  have  already 
been  many  chicken  shows  this  season  (how  many  hona-fule 
chickens  have  been  shown  is  another  question),  but  not  of 
such  importance,  either  as  regards  the  honour  or  the  value  of 
the  prizes. 

These,  at  least,  are  my  views  on  the  subject,  and  if  any 
brother  fanciers  are  of  the  same  opinion,  I  hope  they  will 
express  it  through  the  columns  of  this  Journal,  and  that  Mr. 
Jenuison,  who  is  very  much  to  be  commended  for  his  excellent 
management  and  liberality,  may  be  induced  to  hold  his  Show, 
in  future,  at  least  one  month  later. — Alfred  Heath,  Calne. 


HOUDANS. 

The  merits  of  Houdans  as  egg-producers  I  cannot  mention 
with  too  much  praise.  Two  firat-class  Houdau  hens  in  my 
possession  have  from  the  time  of  their  purchase,  early  in  the 
spring,  up  to  their  moulting,  laid  almost  invariably  six  eggs 
a-piece  per  week.  They  only  once  ceased  laying  altogether  for 
either  three  or  four  days,  after  which  interval  they  recom- 
menced as  vigorously  as  before. 

These  heus  are  and  have  been,  as  long  as  I  have  had  them, 
confined  to  a  small  back  yard,  where  the  little  grass  that  was 
laid  down  for  them  last  winter  was  parched  up  during  the 


drought,  consequently  they  have  been  dependant  for  green 
meat  on  what  few  lettuce  and  cabbage  leaves  I  could  afford  to 
give  them.  Moreover,  the  same  yard  is  co-tenanted  by  a 
Hondan  cock,  two  mongrel  hens  for  iucubation,  and  on  an 
average  twenty  chickens  of  various  ages,  all  Houdans,  and  all 
healthy. 

None  of  my  Houdan  hens  has  ever  been  broody.  As  to  the 
fertility  of  Houdan  eggs,  the  results  of  my  own  "  hatchings-, 
off,''  and  the  reports  of  neighbours  whom  I  had  supplied  with 
eggs  far  sitting  were  most  satisfactory.  On  an  average  ten 
chickens  were  obtained  from  a  sitting  of  thirteen  eggs,  making 
allowance  for  mishaps  of  all  sorts. 

As  to  the  hardiness  of  Houdans,  my  experience  being  very' 
limited,  I  can  only  say  that  young  Houdan  chickens  (my  earhest 
were  hatched  in  April),  are  in  strength  unsurpassed  by  any 
that  have  come  under  my  notice.  I  find  the  cockerels  as 
hardy  as  the  pullets,  and  at  present  proportionably  rapid  in 
their  growth  ;  but  I  confess  that  the  adialt  male  birds  that  I 
have  met  with  are  usually  mucJi  smaller,  and  apparently  more 
delicate  than  the  hens.  My  Houdans  after  continuous  rain 
have  occasionally  suffered  from  cold,  but  have  not  hitherto 
mnnifested  roupy  tendencies  ;  indeed,  I  have  found  them  re- 
markably free  from  disease  of  any  sort. — H.  S.  Fbasee,  Head- 
ley,  Hants. 


STOKE-ON-TRENT  POULTRY  SHOW. 

• 

TuE  poulti-y  department  in  tliis  year's  Show,  which  was  lield  on  the 
9th  and  loth  inst.,  has  proved  the  greatest  success  that  the  Stafford- 
shire Agricultural  Society  has  ever  had.  Not  only  were  the  classes, 
as  a  whole,  remarkahly  good,  hut  the  day  was  also  delightful,  and  the 
concourse  of  visitors  was  most  satisfactory.  With  Bueh  splendid  weather 
everything  went  off  pleasantly,  though  the  most  ample  provision  had 
been  made  for  the  protection  both  of  the  visitors  aud  poultry,  in  case 
of  had  weather  occurring.  A  very  large  tent  wa.s  erected,  exclusively 
for  the  poultry,  and  groat  attention  was  paid  to  the  birds.  The  only 
arrangement  worthy  of  mention  in  which  we  would  suggest  improve- 
ment, is  that  of  the  pens.  The  upper  tier  was  somewhat  too  high  to 
be  effective  ;  the  bottom  of  the  upper  pens  being  5  feet  6  inches  from 
the  ground,  consc([uently  they  were  not  so  easily  inspected  as  they 
would  have  been  if  placed  from  9  inches  to  a  foot  lower. 

The  Game  fowls  generally  were  good,  and  although  a  chicten  show 
throughout,  vrith  the  exception  of  Turkeys,  it  is  quite  time  that  all 
Game  cockerels  were  dubbed,  if  sufficiently  matured  to  be  fit  for 
present  exhibition.  The  Xforh'ags  were  remarkably  good,  and  the 
S'pfi»ish-  and  Ccrhiii.s  were  equally  worthy  of  praise.  Bralanas^  both 
Light  and  Dark-feathered,  were  unusually  good,  and  constituted  the 
largest  number  of  entries  in  the  Show.  The  Ihunhurglis  were  one  of 
the  best  portions  of  the  Show,  every  variety  being  paiticularly  good. 
The  Duke  of  Sutherland  entered  a  collection  of  especially  good  birds. 
The  Duck  classes  were  a  leading  feature  of  the  Show,  and  the  Buenos 
Ayrean  ducklings  were  evidently  of  superior  quality  to  any  exhibited 
for  some  time  past. 

As  already  stated,  this  being  what  is  called  a  chicken  show,  almost 
every  bird  was  new  as  to  exhibition,  and  not  a  few  appeared  to  the 
greatest  disadvantage,  from  their  nover-ceasing  efforts  to  escape  from 
their  pens.  We  would  hint  to  owners,  that  the  advantage  is  very 
great  of  accustoming  chickens  to  temporary  confinement  before 
publicly  exposing  them  to  the  terrors  and  annoyances  of  a  general 
poulti-y  show.  A  few  of  the  specimens  absolutely  dash  their  plumage 
to  tatters  in  their  vain  eff'orts  to  escape,  whilst  others  become  sullen 
and  tremulous  when  thus  conflned  for  the  first  time.     In  fact,  all 


September  17, 1863  ]  JOUHNAL  OP  HOBTICULTUBE   AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEB, 


216 


chickens  icteiulcd  for  show  sliould  be  made  {amiliar  and  couCdmg 
before  couiiietition. 

YOl'NG  BIRDS. 

Game  (Blnck-lircnstnd  nnd  other  Uods).— First  nnd  Second,  .1.  Piatt, 
Swanlow,  Wlnstord  (lirown-bronstoJ).  HiKlily  Commended,  G.  Swift, 
Fulfurd,  Stone  (Brown  Hod).     Comnionded,  G.  Swift  (Brown  Red). 

Game  (Any  oilier  vnricty).— First,  W.  Dnnning,  Newport,  Siilon  (Ducli- 
irinpr).    Second,  Didte  of  s'utliorliiud,  Trenthaiu. 

SPANisn.  — First,  J.  Wnllior,  Wolvcrhuni|>tnn.  Second,  W.  Woolloy, 
Bunburv,  Turiioiley.  Hitfldv  Commended,  W.  Woolley:  J.  Sniilli.  Koi«h- 
loy;  H.&  S.  Couiier,  W.ilsall ;  P.  II.  Jone.s,  Fulliam ;  J.  Clows,  Wulsiill. 
Commended,  T.  Clift',  Hnnlcv. 

DORKINOS  (Coloured,  except  Silver-Groys).— First,  Mrs.  F.  S.  Arkwnffbt, 
Etwftll  Hall,  Derby.  Second,  Hon.  W.  II.  W.  Fitzwilliam.  Wontworth 
Woodhouso.  HipIiiyComniondod,  Mrs.  F.  S.  Arkwriiiht ;  II  Pioklos,  jmi., 
Earby,  Skipton  ;  G.  Swift.    CommendoiJ,  Hon.  W.  H.  W.  Pitzwillinni. 

DoRKlNos  (SilverOrev  or  White).— First,  Boy.  E.  S.  Tiildcman,  Brent- 
wood. Second,  Mi-.s  H.  Williams,  Honllys,  Berricw.  Hishly  Commended, 
Mrs.  F.  S.  Arkwrit'ht.    Commended.  Hon.  W.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliani. 

CocniN-Cbina  (l.'innamon  or  Bufl'l.— First,  Key.  S.  C.  Hamerton,  W.ar- 
vick.    Second.  W.  H.  Crowe,  Etwall,  Derby.    Commended.  G.  Swift. _ 

Cochis-Chin.v  (Brown,  Partridf?c-featbered,  or  other  yarieties). — First, 
E.  Tudman,  Whitchurch,  Salop.  Second,  H.  Linprvvood,  Bncklcsham, 
Woodbrid^'e.  Highly  Commended,  E.  Tudman.  Commended,  A.  O. 
Worthinston,  Newton  Park,  Burton-on-Tront ;  E.  Shaw. 

BuAHMA  PooTHA  (Dark).  —  First,  DIrs.  Bailev,  Lonfrton.  Second,  L. 
Pointon,  Biddulph,  Cougieton.  Highly  Commended,  A.  «.  Worthington  ; 
Rey.  E.  Alder,  Etwall,  Derby.  Commended,  A.  0.  Worthington ;  E. 
Leoeh,  lUichdale. 

BRAnMA  PoOTRA  (I.i«ht). -  First  and  Second,  J.  Pares,  Poslfovd,  Guild- 
lord.  Hij?hly  Commended,  H.  Dowsett,  Pleahey.near  Chelmsford.  Oom- 
monded,  A.  O.  Worthington  ;  J.  Pares. 

Hambcrghs  (O.ddtn-pencilled).— First,  H.  Picldes,  jun.  Second,  F.  D. 
Mort,  Stafford.    Commended,  F.  D.  llort. 

Hameurgiis  (Silver-pencilled). — First,  Duke  of  Sutherland.  Second, 
H.  Pickles,  jun.    Highly  Commended,  Duke  of  Sutherland. 

Hamburgh-s  (Guidon-spangled). — First,  T.  May,  Wolyerhampton.  Se- 
cond, T.  Blakeman.    Highly  Commended,  T.  Boultou. 

HAaiBnRGHS  (Silver-spnntiled).— First  and  Second,  Duke  of  Sutherland. 
Hiphly  Commended,  H.  Pickles,  jun.    Commended,  W.  Parr. 

Geese.— First,  G.  J.  Mitchell,  Newton  Mount,  Burton-ou-Trcnt.  Se- 
cond, F.  E.  Richardson. 

Ducks  (White  .\ylesbury).— First  and  Second,  E.  Leech.    Commended, 
A.  O.  Worthington';  G.  J.  MKcheU. 
-     Ducks  (Rouen).— First,  E    Leech.    Second,  J.  .T.  Stott,  Rochdale. 

Ducks  (Black  East  Indian).— First,  Duke  of  Sutherland.  Second,  Eey. 
W.  Sergeantson.  Acton  Burnell  P.ectory. 

TURKEYS- — Fu-st,  E.  Leech.  Second  and  Highly  Commended,  F.  E. 
Klehardson. 

E.XTRA.— Highly  Commended,  Miss  E.  Williams  (Blacli  CrOye-Coeur). 

SINGLE  COCKS. 

Gake.— Prize,  G.  Swift  (Black  Red). 

Spanish. — Prize,  P.  H.  Jones,  Fulham,  London. 

Dorkings.— Prize,  Mrs.  F.  S.  Arkwright.  Highly  Commended,  Hon. 
W.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam. 

Coohin-China.— Prize,  G.  Swift.  Highly  Commended,  A.  0.  Worthing- 
ton. 

The  Jncigs  was  Edward  Hewitt,  Esq.,  o£  Sparkhrook,  near  Bir- 
mingham. 


SHOWING  PAIRS   OF  PIGEONS. 

I.N-  a  clever  letter  written  by  Mr.  J.  Firth,  of  Dewsbuvy,  which 
appeared  in  "our  .Jonrual  "  a  short  time  ago,  he  apjiealeJ  to 
the  honesty  of  exhibitors  of  Pigeons  to  show  fairly — that  is, 
when  a  pair  is  to  be  shown,  show  a  cock  and  hen  ;  but,  I  regret 
to  say,  his  appeal  has  been  unheeded.  I  have  been  to  most  of 
the  recent  shows,  and  am  ashamed  to  admit  the  abominable 
system  of  showing  two  hens  or  two  cocks  as  pairs  is,  if  any- 
thing, on  the  increase,  and  by  men  who  really  ought  to  set  a 
better  example  to  the  fancy. 

I  have  just  returned  from  Southport  Show,  and  I  will  tell 
you  how  I  was  served  there.  In  the  Short-faced  Bald  class  I 
exhibited  a  pair  icock  and  hen) ;  there  were  but  four  pairs 
there.  I  had  the  mortification  to  find  both  the  first  and  second 
prizes  awarded  to  four  bens.  There  is  no  difficulty  in  proving 
this,  for  the  exhibitor  himself  admitted  it  to  me  as  we  returned 
in  the  train  from  the  show.  I  was  served  exactly  the  same  at 
the  last  Birmiugham  Show  with,  I  believe,  the  same  birds, 
only  shown  in  another  name  ;  anyway,  I  will  swear  to  the  two 
black  hens. 

Now,  I  ask.  Is  this  right?  Are  we  to  put  up  with  it  much 
longer  ?  If  so,  all  I  can  say,  the  legitimate  fancy  is  at  an 
end. 

One  of  the  cleverest  judges,  in  my  opinion,  of  a  Pigeon  (Mr. 
Fulton),  T/ent  through  the  Pigeons  with  me  at  the  Southport 
Show.  We  had  no  difficulty  iu  discovering  the  birds  honestly 
exhibited,  and  tbo.se  which  were  not,  and  I  think  he  will  bear 
me  out  in  what  I  am  going  to  state.  In  Black  Carrier  hens  there 
was  an  old  cock  shown  ;  in  Antwerps  three  pens  were  all  cocks ; 
Nuns,  one  pen,  two  hens  ;  Barbs,  one  pen,  two  cocks  ;  Turbits, 
one  pen,  two  hens ;  Owls,  one  pen,  two  cocks ;  Trumpeters, 
one  pen,  two  cocks  ;  Short-faced  Baldpates,  two  pens,  all  bens, 
&0.     I  can  prove  this  and  give   the   names  of    exhibitors 


if  necessary.  At  the  last  Birmiugham  Show  pri/.ea  were 
awarded  to  no  less  than  eight  pens  of  Pigeons  that  were  not 
pairs,  a3  they  should  have  been,  bat  either  two  hens  or  two 
cocks.  . 

I  cannot  imagine  what  pleasure  any  real  fancier  cm  have  in 
taking  a  prize  under  such  false  pretences  ;  and  surely  the 
judges  should  be  able  to  discover  some  cases  of  similar  imposi- 
tion, and,  if  so,  why  not  at  once  disqualify  and  expose  the 
uxbibitor?  but  I  have  been  told  judges  do  not  like  to  do 
BO  for  fear  of  giving  offence,  and  not  being  invited  to  judge 
again. 

I  was  pleased  to  observe  in  the  prize  lists  for  the  coming 
Manchester  and  Birmingham  shows  "a  caution"  respecting 
pairs  of  Pigeons,  which  I  hope  all  intending  exhibitors  wUI 
observe,  as  you  may  depend  upon  it  I  for  one  will  be  down 
upon  any  one  who  does  not.— Thomas  II.  Kidpeth,  Manclteilcr. 


MANAGEMENT  OF  GUINEA  FOWLS. 

Having  noticed  a  reply  to  "  Anna  F."  on  Guinea  Fowls,  I 
add  a  few  remarks,  as  I  have  kept  them  for  some  time.  I  keep 
two  hens  to  one  cock,  and  have  set  eggs  from  both,  and  they 
hatched  well ;  it  is  seldom  I  find  an  addled  egg.  The  cock 
certainly  showed  a  preference  for  one  hen  when  first  placed 
with  them,  but  later  in  the  season  he  is  as  attentive  to  one  as 
the  other.  He  will  call  them  just  the  same  as  the  domestic 
cock  does  when  he  finds  a  dainty  morsel.  ,    .    ,     , 

Cock  birds  may  be  distinguished  by  their  arching  their  baclis, 
running  on  their  toes  with  a  mincing  gait,  and  they  are  more 
spiteful  to  other  poultry  than  the  hens.  They  both  utter  a 
disagreeabla    harsh  note,  but  the  hen  alone    says,    "  Come 

If  the  eggs  laid  are  removed  daily  the  hens  will  keep  to 
their  nest,  but  if  eggs  are  allowed  to  accumulate  they  will  soon 
forsake  it  on  the  removal  of  tho  eggs.  A  nest  egg  should  be 
kept  in  the  nest.  The  eggs  should  be  hatched  under  hens,  in 
order  to  have  the  chicks  as  early  as  possible.  They  hatch  in 
twenty-six  days,  not  twenty-eight,  as  I  have  kept  notes  as  to 
their  time  of  incubation,  and  they  are  as  true  to  their  time  as 
Turkevs.  , 

Game  hens,  if  small,  are  well  adapted  for  the  purpose.  A 
garden  is  a  good  place  for  them,  as  they  soon  run  about  in 
search  of  food.  I  let  mine  out  for  a  run  on  warm  days  at  a 
fortnight  or  three  weeks  old,  but  they  must  be  put  into  the 
coop  before  it  becomes  cool.  For  food  there  is  nothing  better 
than  chopped  egg,  ale  sop,  bread  and  milk,  or  ground  oats 
wetted  with  cold  milk  or  water.  Hot  water  makes  them  sticky. 
They  require  frequent  feeding.  People  speak  against  breail, 
but  I  think  it  must  be  adulterated  if  it  does  not  agree  with 
young  birds  and  poultry.  I  always  use  home-made  bread.  1 
should  think  alum  must  be  injurious. — L.  B. 


BROOD  IN   SUPERS   AND    STORIFIED    HIVES. 

The  best  mode  of  preventing  brood  in  supers  is  by  affording 
ample  breeding  space  in  the  stock  hive,  and  admitting  the 
honey-gatherers  of  the  side  combs  only  through  full-width 
spaces  there.  To  restrict  the  communications  is  manifestly  to 
retard  the  work,  and  consequently  lessen  the  harvest. 

Why  exclude  drones  from  supers  ?  They  neither  lay  eggs 
nor  carry  up  pollen.  That  they  are  found  in  them  in  abund- 
ance is  a  strong  proof  of  their  utility  ;  and  if  for  no  other  pur- 
pose, their  presence  there  must,  by  raising  the  temperature, 
faciUtate  exudation  of  wax,  and  promote  the  speedier  production 
of  combs— an  invaluable  requisite  to  the  bee-master  during  the 
height  of  the  honey  season.  ,-„,,,   t. 

Both  your  correspondents  "  Supek  "  and  Mr.  J.  Prebble  have 
fallen  into  the  too  common  error  of  supposing  bees  require  any 
assistance  to  ventilate  their  supers  by  lowering  the  temperature, 
the  inverse  of  all  good  practice,  and  one  of  the  stereotyped 
blunders  of  too  many  bee  books  ;  and  all  the  contrivances,  how- 
ever ingenious  to  eiTect  this  purpose,  are  nothing  more  nor  less 
than  a  mistake.  Bees  invariably  and  uumistakeably  protest 
against  such  apparatus  by  stopping  them  up,  losing  time  and 
material  in  the  operation.  Instead  of  thwarting  tho  instincts 
of  my  little  favourites  in  this  direction,  I  rather  aid  them  by 
at  once  running  a  strip  of  gummed  paper  round  the  junction 
of  each  super  added,  so  as  to  retain  and  economise  the  ascend- 
ing genial  warmth,  and  keep  it  up;  rendering  the  warmth  as 
equable  as  possible  by  wrapping  up  all  supers,  whether  of  glass 


216 


JOUENAL   OF  EOBTICULTOEE   AND  COTTAGE   GAEDENER. 


[  Beptembet  17,  18S& 


or  wood,  with  either  fleeces  of  wool  or  several  thick  plies  of 
woollen  cloth,  thereby  indncing  bees  to  accept  often  a  snper 
and  work  steadily  and  coutinaously  in  it,  while  at  a  lower  tem- 
peratnre  such  wonld  never  have  been  taken  to. 

It  13  mainly  to  the  facility  with  which  heated  air  ascends, 
and  bees  being  naturally  inciined  to  store  honey  in  the  upper 
portion  of  their  domiciles,  to  which  is  to  be  ascribed  the  great 
snccesB  of  the  storilied  system,  and  its  superiority  over  Nutt's  or 
any  other  collateral  system,  now  so  genorally  admitted  by  all 
practical  apiarians.  All  stock  hives  should  possess  facilities  for 
enlarging  to  a  very  considerable  extent  the  entrances  during 
the  working  season,  and  it  is  there  only  th^.t  ventilation  is  re- 
quisite, and  the  want  of  it  in  the  fixed  small  ones  of  cot- 
tegers'  hives,  and  the  stifling  overheating  effects  on  the  brood 
while  built  out  preparatory  to  swarming,  may,  to  a  considerable 
extent,  account  for  the  prevalence  of  "  foul  brood  "  in  such 
stocks,  in  comparison  with  swarms. 

The  greet  advantage  of  placing  the  empty  super  upon  the 
filling  one,  instead  of  between  it  and  the  stock  hive,  doubted 
by  some  of  your  able  contributors  some  time  ago,  1  have  had 
most  ample  opportunities  of  verifying  in  the  present  season 
with  the  most  satisfactory  results. 

Acting  on  the  principles  hinted  at  above,  I  am  never  troubled 
with  either  brood  or  pollen  in  supers  of  my  storified  colonies, 
although  some  twelve  years  ago  I  was  much  annoyed  with  both 
in  boxes  and  glasses,  set  over  a  central  hole  in  common  straw 
hives ;  and  as  an  example  of  the  benefits  of  the  storifjing 
system  under  judicious  management,  1  may  state  that  one 
hybrid  Italian  colony  in  Stewarton  boxes  has  yielded  me  eight 
octagon  supers  of  20  lbs.  each,  or  a  harvest  of  IGO  lbs.  of  honey, 
independently  of  body  honey,  and  what  is  yet  contained  in  two 
supers  partly  combed  still  upon  it.  This  octagon  pile,  standing 
over  4  feet  in  height,  when  in  full  work,  with  three  largo  en- 
trances for  the  bees,  was  to  many  apiarian  friends  the  greatest 
marvel  they  had  witnessed,  at  tho  same  time  being  the  most 
profitable  stock  of  bees  ever  possessed  during  this,  the  finest 
season  experienced  by  their  owner,  since  becoming — A  Een- 
PBEWsniRE  Bee-keeper. 


hatching-out  of  brood.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  progress 
of  the  colony  is  retarded  by  restricting  the  queen  to  com- 
paratively few  cells,  when  it  would  be  an  easy  matter  to  nadir 
the  stock,  and  thus  encourage  breeding  below,  whilst  insuring 
the  purity  and  value  of  the  supers,  "  and,"  I  think  I  hear  some 
of  you  exclaim,  "produce  a  lot  of  worthless  drone  comb!'" 
What  then  ?  Better  to  have  it  in  the  nadir  than  in  the  super, 
as  would  probably  be  the  case  if  a  nadir  were  not  used.  When 
a  super  is  put  on,  and  comb-building  commenced  in  it  before 
tho  stock  hive  is  fully  charged  with  brood,  and  whilst  the  queen 
is  still  in  tho  height  of  her  laying,  the  bees  will  not  readily 
build  drone  comb  ;  and  if  the  weather  be  fine  the  cells  will  be 
extended  and  filled  so  rapidly,  that  a  fine  well-finished  snper 
will  be  the  result. 

Drone  comb  in  supers  is  an  annoyance  to  many,  and  how  to 
avoid  it  is  a  puzzle ;  but  if  wo  only  watch  and  endeavour  to 
assist  nature  a  little,  many  such  difficulties  may  be  expected  to 
disappear. — A  LANAr.Ksnir.E  Bee-iceei'er. 


THE   USES  OF    SUPERS. 

The  use  and  management  of  supers  have  been  so  often  ad- 
vocated and  explained  in  "  our  Journal,"  that  it  might  almost 
be  deemed  unnecessary  to  say  more,  were  it  not  that  there  are 
many  new  bee-keepers,  who,  not  having  perused  the  preceding 
papers,  may  yet  be  unacquainted  with  the  economy  of  the  hive, 
and  are  therefore  seeking  information  on  the  subject.  As, 
however,  the  question  at  present  is  how  to  prevent  the  queen 
from  entering  supers,  I  will  direct  my  attention  principally  to 
that  point. 

In  the  first  place,  then,  I  would  ask  bee-keepers  if  they  have 
ever  seen  a  division  in  the  brood  within  the  hives  in  springs 
i.e.,  the  qaeen  depositing  her  eggs  on  the  opposite  sides  of  the 
hive  ?  I  say  no ;  but  she  rather  concentrates  her  eggs  as 
much  as  possible  (leaving  only  here  and  there  a  chance  cell 
filled  with  pollen  and  water  for  the  larva,  and  honey  for  the 
newly-hatched  bees,  so  that  they  never  require  to  visit  the  un- 
occupied part  of  the  hive  in  order  to  obtain  food),  the  patches 
of  brood  gradually  increasing  in  size  until  they  extend  to  the 
edges  of  the  combs — the  very  time  at  which,  as  I  stated  in 
my  former  letters,  swarming  may  be  expected,  and  when  in 
many  cases  supers  are  put  on.  I  will  not  now  repeat  the  direc- 
tions already  given,  but  wiU  merely  state  what  occurs  at  this 
period. 

We  may,  then,  suppose  that  the  snper  has  already  been 
begun,  and  that  every  cell  in  the  stock  hive  is  occupied.  The 
queen  uneasily  searching  every  part  of  the  hive,  and  following 
the  track  of  the  workers  into  the  super,  will  there  deposit  her 
eggs.  To  prevent  queens  passing  into  supers  by  means  of 
gratings,  however  accurately  they  may  be  constructed,  is  as  im- 
possible as  it  would  be  to  forge  an  iron  hoop  that  would  exactly 
fit  every  one's  head,  whatever  size  it  might  be.  That  which 
will  prevent  one  queen  from  passing  through  will  readily  admit 
another;  and  what,  after  all,  is  the  difference  in  size  between 
a  small  queen  and  a  heavy-laden  worker?  A  queen,  after 
gaining  access  to  a  super,  will,  if  fertile,  commence  laying  eggs, 
either  in  the  centre  or  where  the  bees  are  most  numerous,  just 
in  the  same  manner  as  in  the  stock  hive,  until  she  comes  in 
contact  with  the  elongated  cells  partly  or  wholly  filled  with 
honey,  when  she  will  again  return  to  the  stock  hive,  and  fill 
up  what  cells  have  been  emptied  during  her  absence  by  the 


FAILURES  IN  UNITING  BEES. 
I  began  keeping  bees  in  Woodbury  ten-bar  hives  in  June 
last,  and  stocked  four  in  that  month  from  straw  hives  by  trans- 
ferring bees  and  combs.  My  apiary  now  consists  of  eight  hives 
— four  ten-bar  Woodburys,  two  small  box  hives,  and  two  straw 
hives.  The  season  here  (Worcestershire),  since  the  latter  part 
of  May  has  been  exceptionally  bad,  and  1  have  therefore  been 
obhgcd  to  feed  liberally,  in  addition  to  the  honey  the  bees  had 
collected. 

Being  anxious  to  ligurianise  the  Woodburys,  if  I  can  get 
them  into  a  sufficiently  strong  state  to  live  through  the  winter, 
I  persuaded  several  people  to  let  me  deprive  the  hives  of  the 
bees  they  intended  to  take  this  year.  The  first  two  or  three  I 
operated  upon  and  united  were  very  successful,  with  the  loss 
of  but  few  of  the  bees.  I  marched  the  bees  into  an  eke,  or  be- 
tween two  thick  sticks  placed  upon  a  cloth,  and  set  the  Wood- 
bury hive  upon  the  top  ;  but  those  I  have  done  since,  I  have 
been  very  unfortunate  with,  though  I  have  operated  in  exactly 
the  same  manner  and  under  precisely  the  same  circumstances. 
In  one  case  the  bees  seemed  to  remain  in  a  heap  dead,  and  in 
another  case,  upon  looking  on  the  following  morning  at  the 
hive  I  had  attempted  to  unite,  I  was  disappointed  to  find  the 
garden  round  the  hive  strewn  with  half- dying  bees,  in  the 
front  under  the  alighting-board  a  heap,  and  on  the  floor-board 
inside  the  hive  a  large  quantity  of  dead  bees,  also  quite  blocking 
up  the  entrance  to  the  hive.  I  should  be  much  obhged  if  you 
give  me  some  information  upon  this  subject. — E.  J.  C. 

[Kead  Mr.  Woodbury's  articles  on  "  Utilising  and  Uniting 
Condemned  Bees,"  which  appeared  in  Nos.  356,  357,  358,  and 
369  ;  also  that  on  "  Uniting  Bees,"  in  page  198  of  our  present 
volume.  The  bees  which  "  remained  in  a  heap  dead,"  had 
doubtless  perished  of  suliocation  after  being  driven  ;  those 
which  were  strewn  about  the  garden  had  been  lolled  or  wounded 
by  the  other  bees.  It  appeai-s  somewhat  doubtful  whether  it 
may  be  possible  at  all  times  to  insure  entire  exemption  from  an 
occasional  fatal  quarrel  of  this  kind,  but  the  most  hkely  mode 
of  avoiding  it  seems  to  be  that  pointed  out  by  Mr.  Wood- 
bury— viz.,  to  subdue  both  parties  by  subjecting  each  to  the 
operation  of  driving. 

The  insect  which  yon  sent  is  a  hornet.] 


BEE  lEEEGULARITIES. 

If  your  correspondent,  Mr.  H.  Cullen,  had  examined  the  hive 
referred  to  in  page  104,  he  would  in  all  probabiUty  have  found 
two  or  more  queens,  either  inside  or  just  as  likely  outside  the 
hive,  in  a  state  of  incarceration  ;  the  cause  of  the  erratic  ma- 
noeuvring being  that  the  two  queens  were  held  in  confine- 
ment by  their  subjects.  When  the  commotion  of  swarming 
commenced,  instead  of  one  swarm  leaving,  the  two  swarms 
made  an  attempt  to  leave  at  the  same  time,  when  the  bees  let 
go  their  charge,  and  the  two  queens  coming  in  contact  with 
each  other  their  loss  was  almost  certain.  This  was  the  cause 
of  the  two  streams  of  bees  ;  the  one  lot  returning  to  find  their 
queen,  while  the  others  were  in  search  of  her,  when  both  lota 
had  ultimately  to  return  to  their  hive.  I  have  seen  similar 
cases  in  my  own  apiary,  but  I  always  found  the  queens  locked 
in  a  deadly  embrace.  I  may  mention  a  case  that  happened  a 
few  miles  from  my  place  this  summer,  when  two  swarms 
I  issued  from  the  same  hive  in  one  day  with  only  two  hours-' 


Septombar  n,  1868.  ]  JOURNAL   OP   HOBTICULTTIEB   AND   COTTAQB  GAEDENER. 


317 


ioterval  between  them,  and  both  are  doing  well, — A  Lanabk- 
saiitE  BioE'REErEn, 


ARE  WAXEN  SHEETS  USEFUL.' 
In  reply  to  the  inquiry  of  "  Ai'is,"  which  appeared  in  page  IGl, 
I  beg  to  inform  him  that  I  consider  waxeu  sheets  of  great  value. 
For  example :  A  swarm  of  beea  furnished  with  waxen  sheets 
sets  to  work  at  once,  and  twenty-four  hours  after  being  domi- 
ciled will  have  hundreds  of  eggs  laid,  and  will  in  three  days  be 
as  forward  as  one  without  them  will  bo  in  eight  or  ten  days. 
The  advantages  are — lirst,  the  whole  of  the  bees  get  to  work  at 
once,  thus  economising  time ;  second,  regularity  of  combs  ; 
third,  more  weight  is  stored  in  supers  in  consequence  of  the 
regularity  of  the  combs,  with  no  narrow  pieces  intervening ; 
fourth,  brood  is  not  so  frequent  in  supers  as  when  the  bees  are 
allowed  to  form  crooked  combs,  and  they  take  more  readily 
to  them. 

This  has  been  my  experience  since  lSfi3,  when  I  first  made 
these  sheets  by  the  assistance  of  Messrs.  Neighbour,  and  since 
that  time  hundreds  of  them  have  been  sold  and  presented  to 
different  parties,  who  all  speak  highly  of  them.  The  only 
difficulty  in  giviug  them  to  bees  is  their  liability  to  drop  down, 
when  the  bees  eat  them  through  instead  of  building  on  them, 
but  this  only  happens  when  they  are  made  too  thin.  The 
thicker  they  are  the  better  will  they  take  the  impression.  The 
bees  soon  pare  them  down,  and  use  up  the  surplus  wax.  To 
prevent  them  from  falling,  and  to  keep  them  straight,  I  pass 
two  or  three  threads  round  the  frame  ;  I  then  tie  the  thread 
close  to  the  bottom  edge  of  the  sheet,  thus  supporting  it  from 
falling  should  it  break  at  the  top.  Sometimes  I  run  the  thread 
close  to  the  sheet,  passing  the  thread  through  holes  in  the  top 
bar  ;  but  when  the  sheets  are  good  and  straight  I  use  nothing. 
I  hope  these  remarks  may  induce  those  to  try  them  who  have 
not  before  done  so,  and  that  they  will  be  of  as  much  service  to 
them  as  they  have  been  to — A  LANAKKsaiBj;  Bee-keeper. 


MY  BACHELOR  HOUSEHOLD. 

"  WiLTSHinE  Hector's  "  late  notes  on  his  dogs  arrested  me 
in  the  middle  of  a  letter  I  was  writing  to  "our  Journal"  in 
a  cross  mood,  on  a  cross  subject.  That  letter  has  progressed 
no  further,  not  that  the  crosses  are  altogether  set  aside,  but 
possibly  on  such  a  topic  "  the  least  said  is  the  soonest  mended," 
and  if  this  holds  good  of  saying,  doubly  does  it  tell  on  writing. 
So  the  crosses  may  go,  especially  as  a  "gracious  rain"  is 
even  now  falling,  "  refreshing  the  weary  earth."  "Wiltshire 
Eector's"  notes  have  led  me  to  imagine  that  my  bachelor  esta- 
blishment might  prove  interesting  to  some  of  our  readers — but 
then,  alas,  I  have  not  his  pen  I 

My  establishment  consisted  of  a  housekeeper  and  a  groom  ; 
the  latter  living  in  a  cottage  on  the  premises,  both  of  them 
characters  in  their  way,  apt  at  using  words  in  the  wrong  places, 
as,  for  instance,  on  my  return  home  one  day,  the  former  told 
me  that  a  gentlemnn  had  called,  asking  for  a  prescription  for 
the  organ  !  I  recollect  I  had  friends  with  me,  and  all  of  us  had 
difficulty  in  keeping  our  countenances.  Though  with  the 
ardour  of  a  youug  professional,  eager  to  attend  to  any  case,  I 
made  up  my  mind  that  this  was  a  case  of  organic  disease,  I 
found  it  had  an  annual  aspect.  My  housekeeper  loved  all  my 
pets,  the  dog-poor  old  Lufra,  a  black  retriever — and  the  black 
oat  being  the  chief  in-door  friends.  The  groom  loved  his 
"  03^es"  and  his  wife,  I  hope  the  latter  the  best !  He,  too,  was 
a  character ;  uuder  8  stone,  looked  like  a  jockey,  had  once 
riddeu  a  race,  knew  what  sort  of  horse  the  Derby  winner  was, 
had  sesn  his  "  pictur  "  on  a  handkerchief  or  in  the  "  'lustrated 
News."  He  too  had  been  particularly  careful  to  bring  me  back 
the  "  deceit  "  for  some  money  he  had  taken  to  a  horse  dealer 
for  horse  hire  !  poor  Button  !  those  were,  I  am  afraid,  your 
palmy  days.  Button  attended  to  the  fowls — a  mongrel  lot — 
some  Minorcas,  one  cock  of  this  breed,  the  sole  survivor  of 
comb-cutting  under  the  influence  of  ether,  then  just  being  in- 
troduced. In  the  other  case  the  operation  certainly  had  been 
painless  and  perfectly  successful,  only — when  completed,  the 
patisut  was  dead  1  I  had  then  no  choice  specimens,  the 
Cochin  mania  was  unknown,  the  best  of  my  flock  were  two  or 
three  Silver-spangled  Hamburgh  pullets,  and  I  recollect  well 
that  one  of  these  laid  iu  December,  the  eggs  being  anxiously 
looked  for  by  a  poor  sufferer  iu  the  village. 

I  wish,  however,  to  speak  chiefly  of  my  cat  and  dog.  Pnssy 
was  jet  black,  she  bad  learnt  to  Bit  on  my  shoulder  daring 


meal  ti  me,  and  many  n  mouthful  on  its  road  to  my  month  «M 
stopp  ed  by  her  paw  and  transferred  to  her  own.  Very  gingerlj 
did  P  ussy  perform  this  little  trick,  and  when  she  first  tried  the 
feat  on  a  bachelor  friend,  great  was  his  dismay  !  In  due  time 
Pussy  was  a  happy  mother,  and  it  was  now  that  the  become  an 
object  of  great  interest  in  our  little  village.  It  was  in  this  wige 
— Two  of  her  kittens  had  been  saved ;  some  chickens  wen 
hatched  the  following  day,  the  kittens  were  in  a  dark  pantry, 
one  of  these  I  moved  into  the  kitchen  where  it  speedily  com- 
menced mewing,  and  very  quickly  Pussy  came  in  search.  Jnst, 
however,  as  Pussy  was  going  to  lift  her  baby  in  her  mouth  I 
substituted  a  chick.  The  imposition  was  undetected.  Pussy 
seized  the  chick  in  her  mouth  and  carried  it  off,  I  following  in 
dismay,  believing  the  last  moments  of  the  chick  were  arrived. 
Pussy,  however,  had  tenderly  laid  the  chick  in  her  box  and 
had  curled  her  body  round  it,  taking  the  greatest  care  of  her 
new  child.  Again  I  played  her  the  same  trick,  and  again  waa 
her  feathered  child  picked  up  and  carried  to  her  box  ;  a  third 
followed,  and  now  Pussy's  family  consisted  of  her  two  kittens 
and  three  chickens.  To  the  latter  she  speedily  became  very 
attached,  would  at  once  carry  them  back  if  removed,  and  never 
appeared  to  hurt  them  in  the  slightest.  The  third  or  fourth 
night,  however,  ended  the  career  of  one  of  the  chickens,  the 
verdict  being  "overlaid,"  responded  to  by  a  cry,  doubtless, 
that  Pussy  did  not  understand.  After  this  mishap  Pussy  was 
turned  out  at  night,  and  only  allowed  to  have  the  chickens 
when  their  cries  under  her  maternal  pressure  could  be  heard  ; 
they  were  thus  once  and  again  preserved  from  a  similar  fate. 
In  the  course  of  a  few  days  more  they  had  grown  beyond  the 
possibility  of  such  a  mishap.  Many  were  the  visitors  now  to 
Pussy's  "happy  family;"  very  pretty  was  the  sight  when 
kittens  and  chickens  were  huddled  together,  prettier  still  when 
Pussy  was  there,  and  their  white  head.i  appeared  from  under 
her  black  fur.  The  chickens  ran  about  the  kitchen  to  feed,  and 
returned  to  their  "  artificial  mother."  Of  course,  they  throve 
apace,  and  very  ridiculous  then  did  Pussy's  efforts  to  carry 
them  appear,  the  feathers  slipping  out  of  her  month  and  afford- 
ing but  slight  hold.  By  degrees  they  joined  their  out-door  com- 
panions, but  as  the  kitchen  opened  on  to  the  yard  they  wore 
constant  visitors.  Lufra,  who  had  always  been  very  good  friends 
with  Pussy,  became  greatly  attached  to  one  of  the  kittens  which 
I  kept ;  but  I  had  better  not  forestall. 

I  have  already  said  that  Lufra  was  a  black  retriever.  I 
bought  her  when  scarcely  full-grown.  She  was  a  very  great 
favourite,  had  learnt  many  tricks,  learnt  them,  I  regret  to  say, 
with  the  use  of  the  stick  ;  following  out  the  old  lines — 

"  A  woman,  a  dog,  and  a  walnut  tree. 
The  more  you  beat  tbom,  the  better  they  be." 

My  walnut  tree  certainly  had  this  prescription  ;  it  bore  well, 
shall  I  say,  in  spite  of  it ;  for  I  never  could  understand  why 
such  treatment  is  good  for  it,  neither  do  I  believe  it.  It  is  a 
convenient  method  of  gathering  the  fruit ;  I  doubt  if  more  can 
be  said  in  its  favour.  As  to  the  first,  "  man's  best  and  most  de- 
voted helper,"  I  confess  myself  at  once  a  total  disbeliever  in 
the  remedy.  Certainly  I  have  never  tried  it ;  further,  I  have 
never  needed  it,  and  must  alter  very  considerably  ere  I  do. 
But,  as  regards  the  dog,  perhaps  the  prevailing  opinion  is  that 
thrashing  is  good.  Is  it  that  the  generally  amiable  and  for- 
giving temper  of  the  animal,  which  licks  the  baud  that  has 
just  punished  it,  has  strengthened  the  idea?  I  believe  the 
idea  is  wrong.  More  may  be  done  by  rating  and  scolding  a 
dog,  and  making  him  ashamed  of  himself,  than  by  a  liberal 
allowance  of  whip. 

Spite  of  whip,  Lufra  and  her  master  were  the  very  best  of 
friends.  She  learnt  to  retrieve  fairly,  being  gifted  with  a  very 
tender  mouth,  as  she  once  brought  me  a  book  I  had  dropped 
out  of  my  gig,  carrying  it  by  two  or  three  of  the  central  leaves, 
yet  a  careful  examination  failed  to  detect  even  the  mark  of  a 
tooth  on  a  single  page  !  So,  again,  with  the  fowls,  if  I  wanted 
one  to  kill,  I  used  to  point  to  it,  and  tell  Lufra  to  bring  it. 
She  generally  brought  it  iu  her  mouth  by  its  neck,  but  it  I 
said,  "  Drop  it,"  the  fowl  woulj  run  away,  apparently  none  the 
worse,  and  without  a  feather  being  ruflled.  So,  again,  with 
Pussy's  kitten  ;  this  I  had  taught  Lufra  to  carry  when  quite 
young,  and  she  continued  to  do  lo  when  kitty  was  full-grown  ; 
indeed  she  would  "  fetch  Pussy  "  at  any  time,  unless  the  latter 
took  refuge  in  a  tree.  Kitty  was  no  weight  for  Lufia's  strength, 
and  the  latter  would  jump  the  p:i!ing.^  with  Pussy  in  her  mcnitli, 
and  then  play  with  her  in  the  field  as  a  cat  would  with  a  moufe. 

I  do  not  believe  that  jealousy  is  a  plant  thriving  only  in 
feminine   soil,  but  certainly  dear  Lufra  was  jealous  of  her 


918 


JOURNAL  OF   HOBTIOXJLTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER.        [  September  17. 1868. 


master's  love.  Very  much  amnsed  was  "  llfs.  T.  B.  A.  Z."  m 
futuro,  when  on  her  first  visit,  as  we  were  strolling  round  the 
garden,  Lufra  pushed  herself  between  the  pair,  and  pulled  her 
dress,  as  though  she  could  not  brook  a  rival,  even  in  human 
form  !  Yet  of  aU  the  canine  friends  that  have  at  various  times 
responded  to  thy  master's  call,  there  is  none  whose  memory  is 
ao  cherished  by  thy  mistress  as  thine,  dear  Lufra  !  No  rival 
has  supplanted  thee  in  her  affections  !  As  a  mistress,  thou 
wast  her  first  canine  love.     Thy  place  is  not  filled  now  ! 

_  At  that  time  my  long  country  rounds  were  accompUshed  in  a 
gig.  Button,  perhaps  his  master  as  well,  was  proud  of  his 
"  esses,"  for  the  usual  pace  was  ten  or  twelve  miles  an  hour.  At 
first  this  was  great  fun  to  Lufra  ;  but  by  degrees  all  good  things, 
I  suppose,  pall  on  the  appetite,  and  so  did  long  rounds  to 
Lufra.  Now  and  then,  at  convenient  distances,  Lufra,  like 
many  an  absconding  debtor,  was  nowhere  to  be  found.  Of 
course  she  found  her  way  home.  A  good  scolding,  then  good 
beatings  were  tried ;  the  habit,  alas  !  only  increased,  and  now 
she  adopted  the  plan  of  coming  in  after  my  arrival,  as  though 
to  avoid  discovery.  On  one  occasion,  I  recollect  well,  a  friend 
had  been  my  companion  on  the  rounds,  and  Lufra  had  not 
arrived  on  our  return.  Some  hours  later  I  noticed  her  sitting 
in  the  field  opposite  my  house,  with  her  back  turned  to  us  ;  she 
was  200  yards  off.  I  called  her  ;  she  turned  round  with  a  scowl 
of  defiance,  and  crept  through  the  opposite  hedge,  neither  did 
she  come  home  till  dark. 

Amongst  my  patients  was  a  family  where  Lufra  was  always 
piost  warmly  welcomed.  She  was  a  most  special  favourite,  and 
■whenever  I  caUed,  Lufra  called  also,  and  always  some  tit-bit 
was  found  for  her.  The  young  ladies,  especially,  petted  her, 
and  a  frequent  expression  of  their's,  when  about  to  take  some 
nauseous  dose,  was  "  Oh  !  for  a  kiss  of  Lufra's  forehead  !"  It 
BO  happened  on  a  wet  day  that  Lufra  thought  such  petting 
more  comfortable  than  the  dirty  roads,  and  called  there.  The 
yonng  ladies  knew  her  failing,  knew  too  that  poor  Lnfra  would 
be  whipped  on  her  return,  and  accordingly  to  save  her  from 
punishment  they  sent  her  up  by  their  servant,  a  blue  ribbon 
tied  round  her  neck,  a  note  attached  to  the  same.  The  note 
ran  thus : — 

'•  My  Deae  M.4STEE. — I  am  very  sorry  to  sav  that  when  yon  were 
out  thi3  morning  I  somehow  missed  yon.  and,  not'being  able  to  "find  von, 

looked  in  at  Mrs. .   As  I  was 'cold  and  wet  thev  insisted  on"  my 

remaining  to  have  some  refreshment  for  which  I  felt  very  gratefnf, 
especially  as  they  promised  to  send  me  home.  Hoping  you  will  pardon 
my  faults,  and  promising  future  amendment,  believe'  me  ever  your 
loving  and  faithful," 

and  I  wish  I  could  put  the  rest,  for  the  signature  was  a 
beautiful  pen  and  ink  sketch  of  their  favourite,  sitting  up  in  a 
most  repentant  mood.  Need  I  say  that  on  this  occasion,  Lufra 
was  not  chastised  ?  This,  however,  was  not  all— it  was  very 
strange,  that  whereas  on  most  occasions  Lufra  would  have  slunk 
away,  fearful  of  punishment,  now  she  was  as  frolicsome  and 
delighted  as  could  be,  dashed  into  my  sitting-room,  with  her 
letter  round  her  neck,  saying  as  plainly  as  dog  language,  whether 
in  Latin  or  not,  could  say,  "It's  all  right  this  time,  master." 
There  was  some  mysterious  chord  of  sympathy  between  the 
human  and  canine. 

At  night,  when  Lufra  accompanied  me,  she  often  rode  in  the 
gig,  lying  on  my  feet,  a  capital  foot- warmer,  and  no  mean 
protestor. 

Ere  I  close  my  reminiscences  of  old  Lnfra,  let  me  relate  an 
anecdote  that  occurred  when  my  home  was  no  longer  "  a 
bachelor's  establishment,"  but  was  thoroughly  furnished  with 
a  gentle,  loving  helpmeet  at  its  head.  I  have" hinted  that  her 
mistress  and  Lufra  very  soon  became  great  friends,  and  often 
went  out  together.  On  one  of  these  occasions,  a  man  or  rather 
perhaps  a  brute  in  the  form  of  a  man,  struck  at  the  dog  with 
his  whip,  and  either  with  the  whip  or  his  vehicle  lamed  poor 
Lufra.  Great  was  her  mistress's  grief,  and  fearing  that  walk- 
ing home  might  injure  the  dog,  she  made  an  effort,  I  need  not 
say  vain,  at  carrying  poor  Lufra  home.  Lufra  certainly  could 
easily  have  placed  her  paws  on  her  mistress's  shoulders,  the 
latter  being  one  of  those  valuable  commodities,  made  up  by 
nature  in  small  parcels.  My  readers  can  therefore  imagine 
that  her  efforts  as  "a  light' porter"  were  rather  ludicrous! 
— Y.  B.  A.  Z. 

OUR  LETTER  BOX. 
Brahma  PooTEi  Hex's  Legs  Pabalysed  {Cestrin).—vre  c«n  only  ad- 
vise you  to  give  stimulants.  If  yon  cousider  vour  monlling  hen  worth 
the  trouble  aud  expense,  we  recommend  the  following  treatment :— Put 
her  in  a  dry  place,  under  cover,  and  protected  from  easterlv  winds  ■  let 
her  have  some  hay  or  soft  straw  to  roost  upon.    Her  food  should  t  o  stale 


bread  steeped  in  strong  ale,  and  twice  per  day  a  large  tablespoonful  of 
port  wine,  which  must  be  administered  with  a  glass  sninge.  We  once 
saved  by  this  treatment  a  hen  which  was  afterwards  sol'd  for  f  10. 

Legs  of  Light  Brahma  Poothas  (A.  C.  S.).— The  legs  of  Light 
Brahmas  should  be  yellow ;  but  as  the  birds  become  old  the  bright 
colour  disappears,  and  is  replaced  bv  a  flesh  colour,  except  in  some  very 
ehoice  specimens.  In  both  sexes  the  legs  should  be  hea%-ily  feathered, 
tho  plumage  white,  save  the  hackle,  tail,  and  Sights.  The  comb  may  be 
pea  or  single,  but  the  former  is  certainly  preferred. 

VrLTrRE-HOCKED  Brahjia  PooTiiAs  (H.  vf.'.— The  vulture  hock  would 
disqualify  the  cock  in  the  opinion  of  some  of  our  best  judges.  The  hen 
is  out  of  health,  and  will  probably  die  if  she  do  not  alter^  Try  Baily'8 
pills.  The  brown  patch  on  the  cock's  wing  is,  in  almost  every  case, 
hereditary  in  the  cocks  ;  but  such  birds  breed  very  well  pencilled  pullets. 
If  we  had  to  choose  we  should  avoid  it. 

Rearing  Yocsg  Partridges  {E.  A'.). — We  have  nearly  a  score  of  tame 
Partridges  in  a  place  about  8  yards  in  length  by  3  in  width.  They  are 
more  forward  than  any  we  have  seen  killed  ;  the  young  cocks  have  their 
horse-shoes.  You  cannot  tnm  them  out  to  remain  as  tame  birds ;  we 
should  be  clad  to  do  so,  but  they  either  stray  away  or  get  killed  by  a  cat 
or  dog.  They  always  disappear.  If  they  are  intended'  to  breed  on  your 
manor,  turn  them  out  at  once  while  they  can  obtain  plenty  of  cover  and 
food.  They  will  be  occasional  visitors  to  their  home  till  next  pairing 
time,  when  they  will  disappear.  Wc  have  had  a  single  Partridge  running 
tame  with  fowls  in  a  yard,  and  bold  enongh  to  attack  a  dog :  but  as  a  rule 
they  are  not  capable  of  tameness  and  attachment  to  the  same  degi-ee  as 
a  Pheasant. 

Poultry  Shows  xeae  Lox-dos  (--f  Young  Fancier). — We  know  of  none 
except  those  in  the  list  which  we  publish  weekly.  Dorking  and  Chelms- 
ford seem  the  nearest. 

Food  Dcrixg  Moclting  (P.  S.).— The  question  was  answered  at 
page  200  of  our  last  number.  We  know  of  no  practical  mode  of  keeping 
flies  out  of  a  house.  There  is  literally  a  plague  of  them  in  some  places 
this  year. 

Red  Game  Baxtams  (Js i/iorum). — You  must  follow  the  same  rules  in 
choosing  your  Bantams  that  you  would  in  choosing  full-sized  birds.  The 
cock  should  be  snake-headed;  his  wings  carried  up.  and  close  to  his 
body :  tail  moderate,  and  rather  drooping  than  otherwise.  The  hen 
should  be  small-headed,  straight-combed,  with  wings  carried  close.  i?he 
should  be  ver>-  daik  brown,  almost  black,  with  golden  hackle.  Both  should 
be  hard-feathered.  Last-spring  chickens  may  be  dubbed  now,  provided 
they  are  not  in  soft  feather;  if  they  are,  the  operation  must  be  deferred 
till  the  feathers  are  hard.  A  curved  pair  of  scissors  is  the  best  thing  to 
operate  with— such  a  pair  as  grooms  use  for  clipping  horses. 

Babbits  at  Oldham  Show.— Jlr.  A.  H.  Easten  who  took  the  two  first 
prizes  says,  that  he  lives  at  Hull,  and  not  at  Whitby.  The  error  was  in 
tho  catalogue  and  was  not  ours. 

Middle  Coiib  Beokex  out  or  Bar  Hivn  (B.  S.  A.).— You  had  better 
invert  the  hive,  drive  out  all  the  bees,  and  cut  away  any  bits  of  comb 
which  ma;,'  have  been  made  in  the  place  of  the  broken  one.  Then  insert 
the  original  comb,  supporting  it  on  either  side  by  a  few  strips  of  suitable 
thickness  cut  from  an  old  comb,  and  having  covered  the  hive  with  its 
floor-board,  turn  it  over  into  its  proper  position.  Contrive  some  kind  of 
temporary  platform  in  front  of  the  hive  (which  should  be  placed  on  the 
old  stance  with  its  front  slightly  raised',  and  knock  out  upon  it  the  cluster 
of  bees,  which  wUl  speedily  take  possession  of  their  old  habitation 
wherein  they  will  soon  refix  the  loose  comb. 

Bees  n<  a  House  Roof  iD.  WilUami].—Some  of  the  tiles  should  be 
removed  so  as  to  get  at  the  combs,  which  should  be  cut  out,  and  the  bees 
brushed  otf  in  front  of  an  empty  hive  placed  in  close  proximity  to  the 
spot,  and  into  which  they  will  rapidly  rnn  for  shelter.  Keep  a  look-out 
so  as  to  avoid  injuring  the  queen,  and  after  fitting  the  combs  into  the 
frames  of  a  frame  hive  in  the  manner  delineated  in  page  320  of  onr  last 
volume,  knock  the  cluster  of  bees  out  of  their  temporary  domicile  on 
the  top  of  the  bars,  putting  on  the  crown-board  immediately  but  carefully, 
60  as  to  avoid  crushing  many  bees.  This  is  the  outline  of  the  course  to 
be  pursued,  but  so  many  unforeseen  contingencies  may  arise  that  success 
is  only  likely  to  be  achieved  by  a  skilied  apiaiian. 

Loose  Moult  (P.  S.). — This  term  is  not  in  use  among  Canary  fanciers, 
and  those  we  have  consulted  do  not  know  what  it  means. 

Preserving  Tosiatoes  (IV'.  i.).— Gather  them  carefully  without  bruis- 
ing, put  them  in  a  stone  jar,  and  pour  in  strong  brine  to  the  "top,  putting 
on  a  hght  weight  to  keep  them  gently  pressed  down  below  the  surface  of 
the  brine.  Soak  them  in  fresh  water,  and  cook  them  in  the  usual  way. 
Season  to  suit  the  taste  as  when  fresh  from  the  vine. 

PnESER^-I^•G  Mushrooms  for  Wixter  Use.— The  following  is  sent  to 
us  in  answer  to  the  query  from  ''Mrs.  C,  of  Galloi.-fii/ :'*—••  Select  for 
this  purpose  small  mushroom  buttons,  and  let  them  be  gathered  as 
freshly  as  possible.  Cut  the  stems  off  quite  close,  and  clean  them  with  a 
bit  of  new  flannel  slightly  moistened,  and  dipped  into  fine  salt.  Throw 
them,  as  they  are  done,  into  plenty  of  spring  water  mixed  with  a  large 
spoonful  of  salt,  but  drain  them  from  it  quickly  afterwards,  and  lay  them 
in  a  soft  cloth  to  dry,  or  the  moisture  about  them  will  spoil  them.  For 
each  quart  boil  together  for  five  minutes  two  quarts  of  water  with  half  a 
pound  of  common  white  salt,  a  small  dessert-spoonful  of  white  pepper- 
corns, a  couple  of  blades  of  mace,  and  a  race  of  ginger.  Take  off  the 
scum  thoroughly  and  throw  in  the  mushrooms,  boil  them  gently  for  five 
minutes,  then  put  them  into  well-warmed,  wide-nocked  bottles,  let  them 
become  perfectly  cold,  and  pour  in  a  little  good  salad  oil  on  the  top. 
Cork  the  bottL^s  with  new  corks,  and  tie  bladder  over  these,  or  cover 
them  with  two  separate  bladders.  When  wanted  for  use,  soak  the  mush- 
rooms in  warm  water  until  the  brine  is  sufficiently  extracted. — R.  C' 


POULTEY  MARKET.— September  16. 

The  bot  weather  hns  rendered  market  qnotationa  imiiossible.    A  few 
fresh  lots  make  much  more  than  their  usual  value,  but  they  afford  no 
means  of  arriving  at  an  average  price. 
s.    d        s.  d 
0  to  4 


Large  Fowls 4 

Smaller  do 3    0  S  6 

C'lickeas    1     9  2  0 

Gnslines 5    0  5  6 

Ducklings 3    0  2  5 

Pigeoo3 OB  0  9 


s.  d  ?.  d 

Pheasants    0    0  to  0  0 

Guinea  Fowls 0    0  0  0 

Hares 0    0  0  0 

Rabbits 1    4  1  6 

VViMdo OS  0  9 

Groaee 0    0  0  U 


September  24,  1868.  J 


JOURNAL  OF  nORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


219 


WEEKLY 

CALENDAR. 

Day 

of 
Month 

Day 

of 
Week. 

SEPTEMBER  24-30,  1868. 

AToraue  Temporalare 
near  London. 

Rain  In 

last 
41  years. 

Son 
Rises. 

Son 
Sets. 

Moon 
Riaea. 

Moon 
Seta. 

Moon'a 
Age. 

Clock 
after 
San. 

"^oY 

Year 

DaT. 

Nicht. 

Mean. 

Davs. 

m.      h. 

m.    h 

Days. 

ffi.     a. 

2t 

Ta 

US.iJ 

44.i) 

54,0 

10 

51af5 

54  at  C 

28  of  2 

OafU 

8 

8    10 

208 

•jr. 

F 

68.0 

4!i.4 

54.7 

20 

53      6 

52      6 

9      3 

morn. 

9 

8    30 

269 

lid 

8 

Enval  Horticultnral  Society,  Promenade. 

Gr,.6 

44.0 

B4.K 

20 

55      5 

4i»      5 

47      S 

8      0 

10 

8    51 

270 

27 

StJN 

IG  Sunday  aftee  Tki.mty. 

65.5 

44.6 

65.1 

23 

67       6 

47      0 

17      4 

2      1 

11 

9    11 

271 

28 

M 

65.1 

43.9 

54.5 

21 

69      5 

45      E 

45      4 

3      2 

12 

9    Bl 

272 

21) 

To 

St.  Michael. 

6.'-,.6 

44.2 

54.H 

25 

0       0 

43      5       9      6 

7      S 

IS 

9    60 

273 

SO 

w 

65.0 

43.5 

64.3 

23 

1       6 

89      6      82      6 

10      4 

14 

10    10 

274 

From  observations  taken  near  London  darint?  the  last  fortv-one  veara,  the  average  dav 

temperature  of  the  week 

is  05.5= ;  and  its  niRht      1 

temperature  4:[.9\     The  greatest   heat  was  88',  on  the  25th,  1832;  and  the  lowest  cold  2ti 

',  on  the  2Cth,  1855.      The  greatest  fall  of  ram      | 

was  IXH  inch. 

1 

ROSES  WHEEE   THE   SOIL   AND    CLIMATE 
ARE  UNFAVOURABLE. 

AST  year  I  was  obliged,  by  change  of  resi- 
dence, to  invest  in  a  new  stock  of  Roses,  and 
as  I  was  rather  rusty  in  the  new  varieties,  I 
settled  upon  a  list  supplied  by  Mr.  Radclylle, 
and  purchased  all  the  varieties  he  mentioned, 
addinj:;  to  them  some  I  was  familiar  with 
myself  I  am  under  many  disadvantages  as 
regards  Rose-culture,  therefore  I  think  my 
experience  during  the  season  may  be  of  use 
to  some  who  are  intending  to  purchase,  this  month  or  next. 
It  may  show  those  who  live,  as  I  do,  in  a  cold  north-mid- 
land county  of  Ireland  on  high  plateau  land,  what  kinds  it 
will  be  tlieir  wisdom  to  select.  If  Mr.  Radclyiie  read  this 
paper,  and  condescend  to  make  any  remarks  upon  it,  cor- 
recting any  errors  I  may  liave  made  in  culture,  I  shall 
feel  very  grateful.  I  have  derived  very  great  benelit  from 
liis  able  articles  of  this  time  last  year,  and  have  endea- 
voured, as  far  as  I  was  able  from  circumstances  to  do  so, 
to  carry  out  liis  instructions. 

My  garden  is  partly  a  Hat,  and  partly  a  slope  ;  the  flat 
faces  south-west,  the  slope  north-east.  I  divided  the  one 
from  the  other  by  a  wall  of  wooden  boards,  painted  bl.ack, 
against  which  I  planted  Roses.  I  dug  a  very  deep  walk 
next  to  the  Rose  border,  and  made  a  second  plantation  on 
the  other  side  of  it.  The  Rose  borders  were  dug  out  nearly 
4  feet  deep,  and  were  filled  with  a  mixture  of  good  loam 
from  a  p.asture  field,  hotbed  manure,  leaf  mould,  earth  from 
old  Potato  ground,  and  a  good  admixture  of  sand.  The 
rest  of  the  Roses  were  planted  in  beds  cut  out  of  grass,  in 
the  north-east-facing  slope.  They  had  more  manure,  but 
less  fresh  earth  and  leaf  mould  than  their  sisters  on  the 
wall  and  next  to  it. 

As  the  climate  here  is  very  wet,  causing  the  frost  to  be 
particularly  mischievous,  I  covered  all  the  plants  well  with 
fern  and  stable  manure  during  the  winter.  Here,  I  am 
sure,  I  was  wrong,  for  the  ■\\'inter  was  excessively  mild, 
and  they  did  not  need  protection,  and  the  covering  made 
them  push  a  number  of  weakly  premature  shoots.  Some 
of  these  when  I  pruned  in  March  I  left  on,  and  there  was 
not  a  decent  blossom  on  one  of  them. 

At  first  I  was  inclined  to  disagree  with  Mr.  Radclyff'e  as 
to  the  relative  merits  of  Manetti  and  Briar  stocks.  The 
Briar  Roses  pushed  earlier,  and  at  first  more  vigorously 
than  the  others,  which  rushed  mostly  from  the  top,  and 
exhibited  long,  lanky,  ill-furnished  stems  for  some  time  ; 
but  by  the  middle  of  .Tune  I  began  to  alter  ray  opinion, 
and  I  am  now  entirely  convinced  that  ]\Ir.  Radclyffe  is 
right.  The  Manetti-stocked  Roses  have  distanced  those 
on  the  Briar  altogether,  and  are  now  (in  September), 
giving  a  very  fair  quantity  of  young  wood,  which  will 
bloom  at  the  end  of  the  month  or  in  October. 

I  gave  them  a  great  quantity  of  water,  quite  as  much 
as  Mr.  Radclyft'e  says  he  gave  his,  let  it  How  freely  over 
their  leaves,  supplied  them  well  with  superphosphate, 
stuTed  the  soil  about  them  every  second  day,  and  up  to 
the  end  of  .Tidy  had  very  little  mildew  indeed,  though  all 
No.  391.— Vol.  XV.,  New  Seeies, 


the  gardens  about  were  white  with  it.  I  was  absent  for 
the  entire  month  of  August,  rather  a  wet  month  here ; 
when  I  returned  home  I  found  a  great  deal  of  mildew  and 
orange  fungus.  I  have  nearly  got  this  under  now,  but  the 
Roses  on  tlte  north-east  slope  look  very  far  from  healthy. 
Their  leaves  have  mostly  dropped  ofl',  they  are  making  very 
little  blooming  wood,  and  such  blossoms  as  are  on  them 
are  poor  and  stunted.  Does  Mr.  Radclyff'e  think  that  this 
arises  from  the  aspect  not  being  sufficiently  warm  for  them, 
or  does  he  think  that  it  would  be  well  to  dig  them  up,  and 
enrich  the  beds '.' 

Marc-hal  Niel,  I  suspect,  like  Mr.  Radclyffe's  plant  last 
year,  had  bad  roots.  It  is  on  the  Briar  stock,  and  came 
from  the  nursery  a  nice-looking  plant  with  one  shoot  about 
S  inches  long,  "it  hardly  grew  at  all  till  the  middle  of 
July,  since  which  time  it  lias  made  a  considerable  quantity 
of  wood,  but  only  now  has  it  condescended  to  show  any 
flower  buds.  It  has  never  had  either  mildew  or  fungus 
on  it.  though  the  Rose  next  to  it,  Madamr  Fillioii.  has 
been  bad  in  both  these  particulars.  Mr.  Kent  described 
Madame  Fillion  last  year  as  delicate  in  constitution.  I 
have  not  found  it  such,  but  if  it  do  not  give  me  better 
flowers  next  year  tlian  this  season  I  shall  discard  it.  The 
blossoms  opened  all  to  one  side,  and  were  not  worth 
looking  at.  I  consider  them  rose-coloured,  not  salmon- 
coloured  at  all. 

ItKshtdn  Biidcli/Jf'c  arrived  a  miserably  small  plant.  At 
first  it  was  very  sickly,  but  in  .Tuly  it  began  to  grow,  and 
on  the  Tilth  of  that  month  it  had  by  far  tlic  most  mag- 
nificent blossom  for  size  and  colour  1  ever  saw  in  my  Ufa. 
It  was  enormous,  quite  double,  beautifully  shaped,  and 
nearer  the  colour  of  the  Lobelia  fulgens  than  of  any  other 
flower  I  can  think  of  Afterwards  it  gave  a  few  more 
beautiful  blossoms,  not  equal  to  tlie  cue  described,  but 
it  is  now  healthy,  and  has  a  good  many  buds 


very  fine ; 
on  it. 
Oeortjr 


Prince  bloomed  abundantly,  and  has  made  good 
wood.  It  is  a  double,  well  filled,  small  Rose,  of  a  bright 
cerise  crimson. 

Chiirles  Wiinil  is  very  valuable,  the  blossoms  large, 
double,  durable,  of  a  fine  bright  crimson  ;  the  habit  of  the 
plant  very  free,  and  apparently  an  abundant  autumn 
bloomer. 

Dr.  Amlre  and  Jran  Roscnlcrnntz  are  very  like  each 
other,  both  in  blossom  and  foliage.  Tlie  bloom  of  the 
former  is  gi-and  in  every  respect ;  tlie  foliage  of  the  latter 
large,  glossy,  and  luxuriant.  They  resemble  each  other 
also  in  producing  their  blooms  on  singularly  long  flower- 
stalks. 

Lord  Chjde,  first-rate.  The  colour  particularly  rich, 
more  scarlet  than  any  other  Rose,  except  Rushton  Rad- 
clyffe ;  a  good  grower,  and  good  bloomer. 

Charh's  Lefdicrch.ai\.  some  beautiful  blossoms  :  and  upon 
the  whole,  where  they  are  good,  it  is  about  the  best  Rose 
out,  but  the  blossoms  seem  to  sutler  much  from  the  attacks 
of  some  insect  (I  could  never  find  it,  though  I  saw  its 
traces),  and  the  habit  of  the  plant  is  very  scraggy ;  I  have 
have  always  found  it  to  be  so. 

Marh'hal  VntUxnt,  first-rate ;  shape,  colour,  fidness, 
No.  1048.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  Seeies. 


220 


JOURNAL   OF  HOETICULTUKE   AND   COTTAGE    GAEDENER.  (  September  24,  1868. 


growth,  all  that  can  be  desired.  This  year,  however,  it  is  not 
distingaishiag  itself  as  an  autumn  bloomer. 

Mademoiselle  Bonnaire  was  most  lovely  in  its  first  blossoms. 
I  wonder  we  do  not  hear  more  about  this  kind.  The  flowers 
are  somewhat  of  the  colour  of  the  old  Blush,  and  perfectly 
shaped.  It  bloomed  very  abundantly  in  June,  but  is  in  a 
north-east  bed,  and  is  not  doing  well  at  this  period  of  the 
season. 

Scsar  des  Anges,  next  to  the  preceding,  had  plenty  of  huge 
buds,  but  not  one  developed  into  a  blossom.  Perhaps  on  a 
wall  it  might  do  better. 

Alfred  Guloinh. — Glorious.  Perfect  in  shape,  colour,  fulness, 
and  everything.  I  lament  that  I  have  it  on  a  Briar  instead  of 
a  Manetti  stock,  but  will  have  it  on  that  this  year.  I  think  the 
colour  is  most  inaccurately  described  in  the  lists  as  fiery  red. 
It  is  exquisitely  soft.  The  nearest  approach  to  it  is  a  very 
good  high-coloured  bud  of  Charles  Lawson. 

Charles  RouiUard  has  had  only  one  blossom.  It  is  a  well- 
shaped  Rose,  of  a  colour  I  do  not  much  fancy.  It  has  grown 
luxuriantly,  making  many  shoots  4  feet  high.  It  is  on  the 
Manetti  stock,  and  has  been  much  troubled  with  mildew.  No 
signs  of  blossom  on  its  tall  shoots. 

Leopold  Premier,  planted  next  to  it,  has  not  borne  well,  and 
its  buds  have  never  once  opened. 

Camille  Bernardin  was,  I  thought,  in  summer  a  much  over- 
rated Rose.  I  set  it  down  as  a  faded  G&a&iaX  Jacqueminot, 
but  It  has  done  beautifully  this  month.  Its  blossoms  have 
been  double  the  size  of  the  summer  ones,  and  it  is  now  covered 
with  buds  and  blooms  on  the  top  of  shoots  4  feet  high. 

Exposition  de  Brie. — In  every  respect  much  the  same  as  the 
former  Rose. 

Prince  de  Porh'a.— Ditto,  but  brighter  in  colour ;  perhaps 
not  quite  so  double. 

Madame  Victor  Verdier. — A  magnificent  Rose.  With  me 
better  than  Senateur  Vaisse,  opens  more  freely,  and  grows  far 
more  luxuriantly. 

Madame  Vidot,  Madame  Eifers,  and  Comtesse  de  Chabrillant 
have  all  done  badly— poor  blossoms,  stunted  plants.  I  shall 
try  them  against  a  wall. 

Beauty  of  Waltham. — A  valuable  Rose,  from  its  freedom  of 
bloom  aud  growth.  Its  blossoms  are  too  loose,  but  it  is  very 
sweet,  and  blooms  well  in  the  autumn. 

Prince  Camille  de  Buhan  has  done  badly,  though  it  is  on 
the  Manetti,  and  is  against  the  wall.  Its  blossoms  have  been 
starved,  and  ragged-looking,  though  with  the  richest  treatment, 
and  the  plant  looks  unhealthy,  although  it  has  made  some 
strong  shoots. 

Duchesse  de  Caylus,  Francois  Lacharme,  and  Gahrielle  de 
Peyromiij,  all  in  north-east  "beds,  have  bloomed  abundantly 
and  beautifully  in  summer  (the  last  a  splendid,  large,  double 
Eose),  and  all  look  rather  unhealthy  now. 

Fisher  Holmes  and  Professor  Koch  are  both  far  too  dull  in 
colour  to  please  me,  and  'they  both  show  centres  the  moment 
they  expand. 

Madame  Charles  Wood.—A.  grand  Rose  in  every  way.  In 
my  present  garden  it  has  always  a  very  curious,  but  very  beau- 
tifully mottled,  appearance.  It  baa  bloomed  more  freely  in 
September  than  in  June. 

Comte  Caronr  and  Sonretiir  de  William  Wood  I  do  not  like. 
The  first  is  too  thin  and  flabby,  and  the  second  has  always  a 
bnrnt-up  look. 

Souvenir  de  Dr.  Jamain  is  beautiful  when  it  first  expands, 
much  the  colour  of  the  old  Tuscan  ;  not  a  bit  the  bluish  colour 
as  described  in  Eose  lists.  It  is  a  very  free  grower  and  autumnal 
fiowerer. 

Francois  Arago. — The  same  may  be  said  of  this — a  very  fine, 
double,  dark,  almost  plum-coloured  Eose. 

Pierre  Notting  has  done  splendidly.  Curiously  enough  it 
never  would  open  in  the  far-more  favoured  locality  where  I  last 
resided.  It  has  grown  luxuriantly  on  the  Manetti  stock,  and  is 
now  covered  with  buds  and  blooms. 

I  will  only  notice  further  John  Hopper,  with  me  perfect  in 
every  respect ;  and  Victor  Verdier,  with  a  beautiful  shell-like 
blossom,  but  wretchedly  poor  growth. 

The  creme  de  la  crrme,  at  least  for  this  part  of  the  country,  I 
consider  to  be  Alfred  Colomb,  Pierre  Notting,  Gloire  de  Tijon, 
John  Hopper,  Mar§ohal  Vaillant,  Lord  Clyde,  Dr.  Andrp,  Jean 
Eosenkrantz,  Madame  Victor  Verdier,  Camille  Bernardin,  Ex- 
position de  Brie,  Charles  Lefebvre,  Franqois  Arago,  Charles 
Wood,  RiisUtou  Radclyffe,  Gabrielle  de  Peyronny,  and  Madame 
Charles  Wood. 

My  only  excuse  for  troubling  70U  with  this  paper  is  the  hope 


it  may  be  of  use  to  people  having  a  bad  soil  and  climate  like 
myself,  to  whom  lists  from  more  favoured  localities  are  com- 
paratively of  but  little  use.  I  should  have  been  glad  of  such  a 
paper  myself  last  year  from  a  neighbour. — Q.  Q. 


NOTES    ON    PEACH    AND    NECTARINE 
GROWING. 

These  are  two  of  the  most  deUcious  fruits  :  they  are  both 
objects  of  my  predilection  and  care  ;  and  both  can  with  proper 
treatment  be  grown  out  of  doors,  in  the  south  of  England  at 
least,  without  the  aid  of  glass.  The  French  are  said  to  train 
their  trees  better,  and  to  grow  better  crops  out  of  doors  than 
the  English.  This  has  been  properly  accounted  for  by  Mr. 
Fleming,  of  Cliveden — namely,  the  superior  French  climate, 
and  the  particular  devotion  of  the  French  gardener  to  wall- 
tree  training.  As  to  the  French  gardens,  gardeners,  and  gar- 
dening being  generaUij  better  than  the  English,  I  am  informed 
by  "  D.,"  of  Deal,  and  others  who  have  visited  France  and  its 
nurseries  and  gardens,  that  such  is  not  the  case  :  on  the  con- 
trary, the  general  gardening  is  slovenly,  even  in  the  vicinity  o{ 
Paris.  Of  course,  there  are  splendid  exceptions.  Of  their  gar- 
dening I  myself  have  no  knowledge.  With  regard  to  the  man- 
agement of  the  above  fruit  trees  out  of  doors,  I  believe  we  may 
learn  a  profitable  lesson  from  the  French  gardener. 

As  we  cannot  manage  Peaches  and  Nectarines  till  we  procure 
them,  I  will  give  a  selection  of  such  as  I  know  to  be  good. 

Peaches. — Early  York,  Early  Alfred,  Grosse  Mignonne, 
Royal  George,  Noblesse,  in  all  respects  first-rate ;  Chancellor, 
Red  Magdalen,  Violette  Hative,  Stirling  Castle,  Barrington, 
Bellegarde,  and  Princess  of  Wales,  a  splendid  late  Peach  o£ 
great  size,  great  beauty,  and  of  fine  flavour.  If  later  Peaches 
than  these  are  wanted,  Mr.  Rivers  in  a  letter  speaks  in  the 
highest  terms  of  these — Lord  Palmerston,  Mr.  Radclyffe,  and 
Lady  Palmerston.  These  three,  he  says,  will  take  us  into 
October,  and  as  late  as  Peaches  are  good  out  of  doors.  I  have 
others  not  yet  proven,  as  Stump-the-World,  Dr.  Hogg,  Early 
Victoria,  Prince  of  Wales,  Salway,  Walburton  Admirable,  and 
Alexandra  Noblesse.  The  above  have  not  yet  fruited.  For 
the  size  of  the  trees  none  have  borne  better  crops  than  Stirling 
Castle,  apparently  of  the  Royal  George  race  and  good  ;  and 
Early  Alfred.  The  tree  of  the  former  is  scarcely  18  inches 
high,  and  bore  eleven  Peaches,  being  planted  about  Christmas; 
and  the  latter,  a  beautiful  and  first-rate  early  Peach,  in  its 
second  year  bore  seventeen  fine  Peaches.  The  tree  is  28  inches 
high,  and  42  inches  wide.  The  largest  Peach  of  the  Princess 
of  Wales,  not  yet  ripe,  measures  every  way  9i  inches. 

Nectarines. —  Elruge,  Violette  Hative,  Pitmaston  Orange, 
Red  Roman,  Rivers's  Victoria,  and  the  White  Nectarine,  an 
excellent  bearer  and  delicious.  The  following  have  not  yet 
fruited  : — Balgowan,  Prince  of  Wales,  Rivers's  Orange,  Rivers's 
Pine  Apple ;  No.  12,  a  seedUng  of  Mr.  Rivers's  ;  Murrey,  and 
Rivers's  White.  -■'•* 

The  proved  and  unproved  Peaches  and  Nectarines  are  full  o£ 
triple  buds  on  firm,  well-ripened  wood.  Of  these  I  hope  to 
speak  hereafter.  The  reader  may  select  with  safety  from  those 
I  have  proved,  and  will  find  it  difficult  to  beat  such.  ^ 

Planting. — I  think  that  people  plant,  in  cold  soils  and 
climates,  their  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees  too  deeply.  I  found 
here  that  the  trees  planted  in  the  soil  produced  large  wood 
which  did  not  ripen.  I  therefore  last  autumn  moved  all  my 
trees,  cut  their  roots  much  shorter,  and  planted  them  almost 
on  the  surface  of  the  soil,  placing  over  the  roots  a  little  soil, 
and  on  the  top  of  that  three  shovelsful  of  lime  rubbish.  Con- 
sidering that  the  trees  have  been  here  only  one  and  two  years, 
it  has  answered  well.  I  sent  six  fruit  of  Royal  George  and  six 
of  Noblesse  to  Blandford  Show,  and  won  an  extra  prize  with  the 
former.  The  trees  from  which  both  lots  were  gathered  were 
planted  about  Christmas.  Peaches  from  my  old  trees  at  Rush- 
ton  had  to  succumb  to  them.  I  only  allow  my  trees  about 
18  inches  of  border.  I  prefer  root-pruning  and  feeding  from 
"  hand  to  mouth,"  to  allowing  the  roots  to  ramble  all  over  the 
garden.  To  have  good  wood  and  fruit  we  want  plenty  of  fibrous 
network,  and  not  huge  perpendicular  and  horizontal  roots.  Of 
course,  roots  so  curbed  require  in  hot  dry  summers  good  mulch- 
ing and  plenty  of  water.  I  think  it  is  a  good  plan  to  annually 
remove  trees  that  produce  large  succulent  wood  destitute  of 
triple  eyes,  till  they  come  into  bearing.  My  maiden  trees, 
bought  two  years  ago,  are  now  full  of  triple  eyes  on  good  wood. 
I  attribute  this  result  to  removal,  root-pruning,  and  a  hot,  dry 
summer.    I  expect  to  be  able  to  show  the  champions  of  French 


September  24, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF   HOETICULTUEE   AND   COTTAGE  GAEDENER. 


221 


gardening  next  year  that  we  are  not  so  far  behind  our  neigh- 
bours on  the  other  side  of  the  Channel. 

PiNCiiiNa  AND  riinNiNG. — There  is  but  little  necessity  for  a 
knife  when  pinching  has  been  properly  performed.  I  think 
many  persons  who  prune  by  pinching  do  it  too  early  :  hence, 
ii  a  wet  growing  time  sets  in,  "  iiMicipcs,"  are  forced  out. 
Much  depends  on  the  character  of  the  season.  This  year  I 
stopped  by  pinching  all  my  shoots,  including  terminals,  on 
July  '2l8t.  It  seems  to  have  answered  well.  Another  year  it 
may  be  best  to  pinch  later  or  earlier.  I  disbud  but  little.  I 
spur  some  of  the  foreshoots,  and  pinch  alternately  to  about 
4  and  8  inches  the  side  shoots.  This  pivos  two  chances.  I  did 
this  at  Kashton,  and  I  see  by  Mr.  Brfihaut's  excellent  work 
that  he  approves  of  and  recommends  it. 

If  M.  Grin's  severe  system  is  adopted,  aiilicipen  will  give 
great  trouble,  especially  if  pinched  early ;  and  trees  so  served, 
unless  root-pruned  severely,  will  exude  gum,  by  reason  of  the 
trees  not  having  sufficient  leaves  to  elaborate  the  sap.  If  I 
were  asked  to  give  reasons  for  the  sad  state  our  out-of-door 
Peach  and  Nectarine  trees  are  in,  I  should  say  it  was  owing  to 
winter  injuries,  too  much  disbudding,  and  neglect  of  the 
foliage  at  the  time  of  expansion  and  during  the  fruiting  sea- 
son. Owing  to  protecting  my  trees  with  sheets — some  fixed  as 
a  coping,  and  others  moveable  by  rings  on  iron  rods,  I  have 
had  this  year  but  little  blister,  which  arises  mainly  from  rup- 
ture of  the  tissues  of  the  leives  in  their  tender  state,  and 
from  injury  to  the  main  wood  in  winter. 

Nailing  and  Tying. — I  use  cast-iron  nails,  which  can  be 
easily  broken  off ;  hence  no  holes  are  left  for  insects  to  winter 
in  ;  but  I  leave  the  nails  in  the  wall  for  future  use.  I  tie  with 
bast,  which  is  neater  than  shreds,  and  does  not  harbour  ene- 
mies. The  bast  must  not  be  tied  too  tightly,  otherwise  gum  will 
be  the  result.  It  the  sap  is  stopped  by  a  tight  ligature  the 
Bun  will  cause  gum.  Mr.  Williams,  of  Woolland,  near  here, 
sent  for  me  to  see  his  Peaches  and  Nectarines  trained  to 
strained  wires,  as  he  said  that  he  had  heard  that  wire-trained 
trees  were  a  failure.  His  trees  were  a  complete  success.  I  never 
saw  finer  specimens  of  the  Late  Admirable,  wrongly  tallied 
Millet's  Mignonne,  which  is  the  same  as  the  Royal  George. 
What  a  pity  that  the  form  of  the  Late  Admirable  is  spoiled  by 
a  turgid  nipple  with  an  acute  point !  I  believe  the  only  other 
Peach  that  has  this  unsightly  nipple  is  Teton  de  Venus,  which 
some  have  confounded  with  the  Late  Admirable.  When  walls 
are  wired  the  wires  should  be  strained  so  as  to  be  close  to  the 
wall,  as  Peach  and  Nectarine  blossoms  do  not  like  draughts 
of  wind  behind  them.  This  is  probably  the  cause  of  the  failure 
of  wire-trained  trees.  Where  walls  stand  singly,  an  abutment 
should  be  built  to  stop  the  eddying  of  the  wind. — W.  F.  Rad- 
CLYTFE,  Okeford  Fitzpaine. 

(To  be  continued.) 


WHO   WAS   THE  FIRST   IMPROVER   OF   THE 
HOLLYHOCK '.' 

My  thanks  are  due  to  "  A  Hollyhock  Amateur,"  for  his 
statement,  page  183,  of  Mr.  Chafer's  first  doings  with  the 
Hollyhock.  No  one  more  deserves  the  credit  and  patronage 
experienced  than  Mr.  Chafer,  as  a  raiser  and  grower  of  Holly- 
bocks  ;  but  I  would  submit  that  "  A  Hollyhock  AiiATEnii,"  in 
reviewing  my  errors  has  fallen  into  a  still  greater  one — he  does 
not  distinguish  between  an  originator  and  an  improver.  Mr. 
Chater  in  1848  crossed  his  flower  Napoleon  with  Mr.  Baron's 
Queen,  resulting  in  a  new  strain.  For  twenty-five  or  thirty 
years  Mr.  Chater  had  been  collecting  and  improving,  but  no 
improvement  is  effected  until  Mr.  Chater  is  in  possession  of 
Mr.  Baron's  plants,  and  the  first  improvement  is  through  the 
effect  of  the  pollen  of  Mr.  Baron's  Queen  on  Mr.  Chafer's  Na- 
poleon. In  Mr.  Baron's  stock  Mr.  Chater  has  a  new  strain, 
the  first  improvement  is  by  and  through  them.  That  is  "  A 
Hollyhock  Amateur's  "  own  showing. 

Mr.  Baron,  in  18"2.S,  as  is  stated  by  "  A  Hollyhock  Ama- 
teur," added  to  his  collection  that  of  an  amateur  named 
Johnson,  having  at  the  time  the  "  best  or  finest  collection  in 
the  world."  With  those  for  more  than  twenty  years  Mr.  Baron 
worked  hard  and  perseveringly  in  bringing  the  Hollyhock  up 
to  the  florist's  standard  of  excellence.  Through  Mr.  Glenny's 
recommendation  Mr.  Baron  let  out  both  seed  and  plants.  His 
plants  were  distinct  from  those  possessed  by  any  other  grower, 
and  were  eagerly  sought  after.  Mr.  Chater,  Mr.  Bircham,  Mr. 
Parsons,  and  others,  obtained  the  new  and  improved  race  of 
Hollyhocks  by  which  they  have  originated  varieties  outstripping 


aU  Mr.  Baron's  HoUyliocks,  for  none  of  his  varieties  is  up  to  the 
present  standard.  All  our  improvements  in  Hollyhocks  being 
effected  through  or  by  Mr.  Baron's  flowers,  he  and  he  akne, 
was  the  originator  of  the  past  and  present  improved  race.  To 
him,  as  an  old  florist,  attaches  the  merit  of  converting  a  tbin 
shapeless  disk  into  a  half  globe  of  close  thick  florets,  and  guard 
petals  of  good  proportions. 

"A  Hollyhock  Amateur"  forgets  that  the  Queen  was  a 
seedling  of  Mr.  Baron's,  which  ought  to  entitle  him  to  some- 
thing more  than  the  name  of  collector  only ;  and  his  statement 
that  Mr.  Baron  had  not  a  white,  yellow,  purple  or  scarlet,  is 
certainly  not  correct,  for  Mr.  Bircham  had  from  Mr.  Baron's 
stock  Purple  Perfection,  in  purples,  al.so  Pourpre  de  Tyre, 
and  yellow  in  Lemonade,  and  in  Mrs.  Oakes  we  have  the 
salmon,  said  to  have  originated  from  the  cross,  by  Mr.  Chater, 
of  his  Napoleon  with  Mr.  Baron's  Queen.  In  like  manner 
whites  and  scarlets  have  come  from  Mr.  Baron's  strain,  inde- 
pendently of  those  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Chater.  Both  Mr. 
Bircham  and  Mr.  Parsons  had  of  Mr.  Baron  all  the  shades  of 
colour  alleged  by  "  A  Hollyhock  Amateur  "  to  have  been  in 
Mr.  Chafer's  sole  possession  when  Mr.  Baron  sent  out  seeds 
and  plants. 

Nothing  is  further  from  my  purpose  than  to  take  from  the 
credit  due  to  Mr.  Chater,  as  an  eminent  raiser  and  grower  of 
Hollyhocks ;  beyond  that  I  cannot  go.  As  to  his  varieties 
being  still  the  best  sent  out,  "  being  of  better  form,  more  sub- 
stance in  the  petal,  and  more  decided  in  colour,"  in  justice 
to  other  raisers,  as  Mr.  W.  Paul  (quite  as  successful  in  cross- 
breeding as  Mr.  Chater),  Mr.  Roakes,  Mr.  Parsons,  Mr.  Bircham, 
Mr.  Parker,  Mr.  Gibbon,  Downie  &  Laird,  &c.,  I  beg  to  differ 
from  "  A  Hollyhock  Amateur's"  dictum,  as  the  best  white 
we  have  is  due  to  Mr.  W.  Paul ;  yellow  to  Mr.  Roake  ;  purple 
to  Mr.  Bircham  ;  whilst  in  scarlet  shades,  Mr.  W.  Paul  is  as 
rich  as  Mr.  Chater. — G.  Abbey. 


VARIEGATED  AND  OTHER  PELARGONIUMS 
AT   CAMDEN   LODGE,    SISSINGHURST. 

At  a  time  when  Pelargoniums  of  the  Tricolor  section  form  so 
important  a  feature  in  fashionable  flower  gardening,  those  who 
have  the  good  fortune  or  skill  to  manage  them  will  have  many 
inquiries  made  of  them  as  to  how  they  succeeded  in  growing 
them  so  luxuriantly,  and  propagating  them  so  abundantly. 
Amongst  those  who  have  accomplished  both  these  feats  in 
a  manner  which  makes  many  of  us  almost  envious,  Mr.  Potton, 
gardener  at  Camden  Lodge,  near  Sissinghurst,  is  certainly 
one  of  the  most  successful,  not,  perhaps,  in  the  raising  of 
new  varieties,  but  in  growing  established  kinds  with  a  luxu- 
riance but  rarely  met  with,  and  that,  too,  without  apparently 
any  other  than  the  usual  means  at  the  disposal  of  most  growers. 
.One  especial  aid,  perhaps,  he  may  have,  which  every  one  has 
not,  but  even  that  is  of  a  kind  which  many  others  possess  in 
equal  proportion,  and  I  am  far  from  certain  whether  the  success 
attending  Mr.  Puttou's  cultivation  can  be  traced  to  that  source 
or  not.  Certainly  it  is  mostly  due  to  the  care,  skill,  and  assi- 
duity which  make  everything  else  succeed,  and  as  the  other 
advantages  which  it  may  be  presumed  contribute  to  so  good  a 
result  are  natural  advantages,  some  allusion  to  them  may  be- 
briefly  made  before  entering  upon  the  details  of  the  mode  of 
cultivation  adopted.  A  short  description  of  the  locality  may, 
therefore,  be  given  to  show  how  far  success  in  the  cultivation 
of  this  interesting  group  of  plants  may  be  supposed  to  be  in- 
fluenced by  the  conditions  which  that  presents.  1  will  take 
the  same  leave  a  shrewd  old  farmer  always  took  when  called 
upon  to  look  over  a  farm — to  peep  over  the  hedge  into  the  ad- 
joining one  also,  so  as  to  convince  himself  that  what  he  saw  in 
one  place  was  confirmed  in  another.  In  this  case  I  will,  tbere- 
fore,  before  describing  Mr.  Potton's  success  as  a  Pelargonium 
grower,  take  a  glance  at  the  district,  to  see  if  some  of  the  causes 
of  success  are  not  in  a  measme  due  to  natural  conditions 
assisting  the  skill  exercised  in  cultivation. 

The  undulating  district  in  the  southern  part  of  the  county 
of  Kent,  possesses  a  soil  and  features  widely  different  from  those 
of  the  two  level  tracts  which  bound  it  on  the  north  and  south. 
Irregular  eminences  of  no  great  elevation  form  a  sort  of  water- 
shed, from  which  the  water  flows  in  both  these  directions.  This 
broken  chain  would  seem  to  rise  a  few  miles  to  the  west  of 
Tenterden,  and  continue  westward  considerably  beyond  Tun- 
bridge  Wells,  and  the  little  village  of  Sissinghurst  is  between 
these  places.  The  soil,  although  it  differs  in  places,  is  in  most 
I  cases  more  or  less  impregnated  with  iron,  and  presents  the 


222 


JOUENAL  OF   EOKTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER.         r  September  24, 1868. 


class  of  plants  common  to  soils  of  this  kind  ;  it  consequently 
differs  much  from  the  Wealdeu  clajs  that  lie  on  the  north, 
or  the  deep  rich  soils  of  Komney  Marsh  on  the  opposite  side, 
which  tradition  says  have  been  reclaimed  from  the  sea,  and 
which  are  still  defended  against  it  by  hifili  banks  kept  up 
at  great  expense.  Occasional  patches  of  Heath,  with  Fern, 
Broom,  Furze,  Foxglove,  and  other  plants  in  a  wild  state,  in- 
dicate a  soil  in  which  the  Khododendron  and  similar  plants 
would  do  well.  Such  is  the  soil  in  which  Mr.  Potton  grows  his 
Tricolor  Pelargoniums  to  such  perfection,  and  as  some  of  the 
readers  of  this  Journal  have  soil  of  a  similar  kind,  their  success 
or  otherwise,  if  reported,  would  form  an  interesting  solution  of 
the  question— viz..  What  influence  soil  really  has  on  the 
markings  of  this  important  class  of  plants  ?  I  am  certainly  of 
belief  that  it  has  a  great  influence,  but  1  am  anxious  to  hear 
the  arguments  on  the  other  side. 

I  must  add  that  this  soil  does  not  seem  to  grow  Rhododen- 
drons and  similar  plants  so  well  as  that  of  many  parts  of 
Surrey  and  elsewhere,  the  soil  at  Sissinghurst  being  modified 
or  balanced  by  admixture  with  other  ingredients,  not  in  the 
black  peats  of  Surrey,  although  it  is  well  adapted  for  most  of 
the  purposes  of  husbandry,  and  fertile  in  other  respects.  It  is 
neither  a  peat  in  colour  nor  texture,  and  although  it  possesses 
the  necessary  amount  of  sand  to  keep  it  open,  it  has  by  no 
means  an  undue  proportion  of  it,  while  in  colour  it  is  medium. 
The  situation  of  Camden  Lodge  presents  nothing  remarkable  ; 
a  comfortable  residence  is  surrounded  by  dressed  grounds  on 
most  of  its  sides,  and  these,  along  with  a  kitchen  garden  and 
some  fruit  and  plant  houses  of  an  ordinary  kind,  offer  as  a 
whole  no  feature  worthy  of  special  remark,  but  when  taken  in 
detail,  and  the  healthy  growth  of  many  of  the  products  is  con- 
sidered, one  cannot  but  feel  pleased  at  the  skill  with  which 
everything  is  managed. 

As  a  proof  of  the  success  achieved  in  growing  and  propa- 
gating choice  bedding  Pelargoniums  at  this  place,  I  may 
mention  that  the  stock  of  Mrs.  Pollock  was  so  large  in  1863, 
that  in  the  following  spring  it  was  determined  to  sell  some, 
and  I  believe  upwards  of  three  thousand  plants  were  disposed 
of  at  that  time.  This  may  not  appear  so  remarkable  to  those 
who  prepare  for  very  large  places,  as  I  remember  on  visiting 
Enville,  many  years  ago,  being  told  that  seven  thousand  plants 
of  Golden  Chain  were  turned  out ;  but  when  it  is  considered 
that  the  place  I  refer  to  is  small,  and  Mrs.  Pollock  three  years 
ago  was  much  more  scarce  than  now,  the  numbers  seem  large, 
and  I  believe  the  plants  had  all  been  reared  from  a  very  small 
beginning.  Other  kinds  are  as  rapidly  multiplied,  and  on  look- 
ing round  one  is  astonished  at  seeing'large  beds  of  kinds  which 
people  think  themselves  fortunate  in  possessing  single  plants 
of,  yet  such  is  the  case.  At  the  same  time  Mr.  Potton  only 
grows  really  good,  healthy  kinds,  rejecting  all  poor  growers, 
unless  in  some  special  case,  when  they  are  cultivated  to  com- 
pare with  others.  In  general,  the  majority  of  his  plants  are 
grown  in  circular  and  other  shaped  beds  on  the  lawn,  inter- 
spersed here  and  there  with  some  choice  shrubs  or  Conifers,  and 
very  often  planted  in  the  same  bed  with  Calceolarias,  Lobelias, 
and  other  plants,  as  will  be  understood  by  the  following  de- 
scriptions of  some  of  these. beds,  the  bed's  being  taken  pro- 
miscuously, and  not  as  representing  a  series  or  geometrical  set, 
as  is  often  the  case. 

A  large  oval  bed  is  planted  thus  :— Colens  Veitchii  in  a  mass 
in  the  centre.  Pelargonium  Perilla  in  a  band  round  the  Colens, 
Beauty  of  Calderdale  in  a  band  round  Perilla,  Model  in  a  band 
round  the  preceding.  Mangles's  Variegated  forms  the  edging 
next  the  grass. 

The  three  Pelargoniums— Perilla,  Beauty  of  Calderdale,  and 
Model  are  all  Bronze  and  Gold  varieties  of  different  hues,  yet 
all  robust  growers,  and  they  blended  admirably.  Their  distinc- 
tive features  are  more  perceptible  when  a  number  of  plants 
are  grown  together,  and  may  be  described  thus ; — 

Pt-nHa.— Very  distinct,  of  robust  habit,  and  rather  upright 
growth,  with  scarlet  flowers.  It  resembles  in  growth  and  flower- 
ing the  old  variety  called  Crystal  Palace  Scarlet,  but,  of 
course,  the  markings  on  its  foliage  give  it  a  distinction  from 
most  of  the  Tricolors  of  the  Mrs.  Pollock  class. 

Bcatitt/  of  Ciddcrdah'.— This  is  also  of  robust  growth,  the 
leaves  large  and  even  fleshy,  the  zone  a  reddish  brown  ;  habit  of 
the  plant  rather  spreading  ;  flowers  scarlet.  This  is  unquestion- 
ably one  of  the  best  of  its  class,  and  where  it  was  grown  pre- 
sented all  the  sturdiness  of  growth  that  Stella  usually  has,  with 
a  much  larger  foliage. 

Model. — Somewhat  in  the  same  way  as  Perilla,  but  dwarfer, 
and  with    salmon-coloured    flowers.     The  ground  colour  and 


markings  of  its  foliage  are  much  the  same  as  in  Perilla,  and  it 
is  well  deserving  of  extensive  cultivation. 

A  circular  bed  of  medium  size  has  for  its  centre  a  mass  of 
Sophia  Dumaresque  Pelargonium,  and  an  edging  of  Lobelia 
Paxtonii. 

Sophia  Dumares<pie. — A  Tricolor  in  the  way  of  Sunset,  being 
paler  than  Mrs.  Pollock  ;  it  is,  however,  a  much  better  grower 
than  Sunset,  and  is  a  deserving  variety  in  every  respect,  the 
zone  being  very  distinctly  marked,  and  the  whole  plant  more 
robust  than  many  of  its  class. 

Another  circular  bed  has  in  the  centre  a  mass  of  Centaurea 
candidissima ;  Lady  Cullum  Pelargonium  in  a  broad  band 
around  the  Centaurea ;  L'EIegante,  a  white-edged  Ivy  leaf 
Pelargonium,  as  an  edging  next  the  grass. 

Lady  Cullum  is  too  well  known  to  require  comment.  The 
only  fault  most  growers  find  with  it  is  its  slow  growth ;  and 
even  here  it  does  not  go  on  so  well  as  many  other  kinds,  yet 
those  in  the  bed  referred  to  looked  well,  although  I  was  told 
upwards  of  150  cuttings  had  been  taken  off  only  a  day  or  two 
before,  and  loO  cuttings  from  Lady  Cullum  are  what  everyone 
cannot  obtain  at  one  time.  When  well  grown,  this  variety  would 
be  difficult  to  improve  upon  ;  but  in  too  many  cases  we  are 
apt  to  see  it  in  a  lingering,  half-starved  condition,  when  almost 
anything  looks  better. 

L'EIegante. — This  is  the  best  silver-edged  Ivy  leaf  Pelargo- 
nium I  am  acquainted  with,  and  I  hope  to  see  it  still  further 
improved,  as  I  cannot  but  think  this  class  of  plants  has  been 
too  long  neglected,  for  there  are  many  positions,  as  vases, 
baskets,  and  other  places,  where  they  stand  unrivalled.  A  sort 
with  a  still  broader  band  of  white  marking  than  this  would  be 
desirable.     As  it  is,  it  is  far  in  advance  of  others  in  its  class. 

An  oval  bed  is  thus  planted : — A  mass  of  Pelargonium 
Aureum  in  the  centre,  a  band  of  Amaranthus  melancholicus, 
Pyrethrum  Golden  Feather,  and  Cerastium  as  an  edging  next 
the  turf. 

Anrenin. — This  is  in  the  way  of  Cloth  of  Gold,  but  much 
better.  It  is  superseded,  however,  by  Crystal  Palace  Gem, 
which  will  be  described  hereafter.  Nevertheless,  with  some 
growers  Aureum  is  the  better  of  the  two,  and  here  it  is 
quite  as  good.  Its  chief  merit  would  seem  to  be  to  com- 
pete with  Golden  Chain,  as  a  bright  yellow  leaf  is  its  principal 
feature.  The  other  plants  in  this  bed  all  looked  well,  but  they 
are  too  well  known  to  need  description. 

In  a  circular  bed  we  find  Crystal  Palace  Gem  Pelargonium 
as  a  mass  in  the  centre  ;  Colens  Verschaffeiti  in  a  band  next  the 
last  named,  a  band  of  Flower  of  Spring  Pelargonium,  a  band 
of  Lobelia  speciosa,  and  a  dwarf  silver-edged  Pelargonium 
next  the  grass. 

Crystal  Palace  Gem. — Having  already  described  Model,  to 
which  this  bears  some  resemblance,  I  may  add  that  at  Camden 
Lodge  this  variety  was  much  the  finer  of  the  two.  It  is,  more- 
over, more  of  a  Tricolor,  the  zone  being  dark  red  ;  the  flowers 
are  rose-coloured.  It  is  well  deserving  the  attention  of  all 
growers,  as  it  promises  to  grow  as  fast  as  Tom  Thumb,  and 
possesses  all  the  requisites  of  a  Golden-leaved  Pelargonium. 

A  large  oval  bed  contains  Eoi  d'ltalie  Pelargonium  in  a  mass 
in  the  centre  ;  Vandyke  in  a  band  next  Eoi  d'ltalie  ;  Flower  of 
Spring  in  a  band  ;  and  Mrs.  Pollock  in  two  rows  next  the  turf. 

Pioi  d'ltalie. — This  well-known  old  kind  was  doing  well  in  the 
position  assigned  it  here,  its  rosy  scarlet  blooms  showing  to 
great  advantage  when  surrounded  by  the  fine  variety  adjoining  it. 
Vandyke. — This  is  somewhat  like  Beauty  of  Calderdale,  and 
was,  I  believe,  raised  by  the  same  grower,  Mr.  Wills,  to  whom 
the  floral  world  ow»s  so  much.  It  may,  however,  be  somewhat 
dwarfer,  but  is  not  by  any  means  "  miffy  ;"  on  the  contrary,  it 
is  of  good  growth. 

Flou-er  of  Spriiiy  and  Mrs.  Pollock,  two  good  varieties,  likely 
to  be  in  demand  for  many  years,  and,  perhaps,  more  often  met 
with  at  the  present  day  than  any  other,  Stella,  perhaps,  ex- 
cepted. 

The  curved  ribbon  border  facing  both  sides  was  planted  with 
five  rows  thus — namely.  Meteor  Pelargonium,  a  white-flowered 
variety,  good  ;  Tom  Thumb,  a  line  on  each  side  of  last-named ; 
Lobelia  speciosa  as  an  edging  on  both  sides,  and  here  it  had 
done  better  than  anywhere  I  have  seen  it  this  season.  Per- 
h.aps  watering  had  something  to  do  with  this  result. 

Besides  the  beds  enumerated,  there  were  others  containing 
varieties  scarcely  less  interesting,  while  in  a  wide  border  adjoin- 
ing the  kitchen  garden,  beds  were  planted  without  regard  to 
the  order  so  much  enforced  in  the  flower  garden  proper ;  yet 
this  mixed  border  was,  perhaps,  more  interesting  than  the 
others  from  the  variety  of  its  contents.    Not  having  time  to 


September  24,  1888.  j  JOUENAL  OF  HORTIODLTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENER. 


223 


notice  all,  I  was  obliged  to  be  content  with  the  following,  which 
are  in  aiv'ition  to  those  already  described  : — 

(lull!  and  Brvuzr  and  Golden  Triodur  I'arieties. — Duke  of 
Kdinburgb,  a  fiae  promising  Icind  ;  Arthur  H.  Wills,  also  seems 
a  good  grower ;  Sultana,  had  been  cut-in  rather  severely  for 
propagation,  a  good  indication  of  its  merits  ;  Empress  EugCnie, 
also  good;  Princess  Alice,  Her  JIajesty,  Egyptian  Queen, 
Beauty  of  Eibblesdale,  Sophia  Cusack,  somewhat  like  Sunset, 
but  with  a  scarlet  (lower  and  of  much  better  growth  ;  Florence, 
this  has  four  distinct  colours,  and  is  besides  of  promising 
growth  ;  Louisa  Smith  ;  Leah,  somewhat  like  Florence  ;  Beauty 
of  Oulton,  different  from  most  of  those  previously  mentioned. 

Silirr  Triculor  I'an'.'dVs.— Queen  Victoria,  good,  Caroline 
Longfield,  Glenny's  Beauty,  Italia  Unita,  Velvet  Cushion, 
Empress  Eugenie  (of  this  I  may  be  mistaken). 

Gohlen-lfiu-ed  )'(!nVr/('s.— Golden  Spread  Eagle,  somewhat 
like  Golden  Fleece  ;  Golden  Christine,  flowers  like  that  popular 
variety. 

Besides  these  there  were  several  others  of  leas  merit,  some 
of  which  doubtless  may  shine  next  year. 

The  Pelargoniums  grown  for  their  flowers  were  also  well 
represented,  though  not  to  the  same  extent  as  the  Ci  olden  Tri- 
colors ;  and  amongst  others  the  following  struck  me  as  deserv- 
ing attention  : — 

Enchantress. — k  fine  carmine,  in  the  way  of  Glow-worm,  but 
brighter,  and  with  a  shade  more  of  blue  in  its  composition.  It 
is  a  half-Nosegay,  of  good  habit,  and  will  likely  become  a 
favourite  when  the  Magenta  class  is  called  for. 

i'c/(((.— Also  a  magenta-flowered  Nosegay.  Good  and  pro- 
mising. 

Gathornc  Hardij. — Bright  scarlet  Nosegay.  Truss  very  large 
and  fine. 

Grand  Duke. — Rosy  scarlet.  Very  large  truss  ;  in  fact,  one 
of  the  largest  I  am  acquainted  with.  It  is  also  of  the  Nosegay 
section. 

Bcbccca. — A  well-known  kind,  grown  in  most  places,  and  one 
that  will  maintain  a  position  for  years. 

Dr.  77ii(7.(;.— Magenta.     Good,  one  of  the  best. 
Le  Grand. — A  fine  carmine.     Large  truss. 
Wtmrorf.— Scarlet.     Very  large  truss. 
Smith's  Warrior. — Scarlet.     Very  large  truss. 
Leonidas. — Also  fine  scarlet. 

Besides  the  above  there  were  many  others,  but  some  had 
been  so  recently  cut-in  for  propagation,  that  their  character 
could  not  be  easily  ascertained.  Many  old  varieties  were  repre- 
sented, but  in  less  numbers,  as  the  culture  and  propagation  of 
new  kinds  seemed  the  chief  objects  ;  and  as  a  proof  of  this, 
Mrs.  Pollock  was  not  grown  to  an  equal  extent  with  newer 
kinds,  although  Mr.  Potton  had  disposed  of  many  thousands  of 
plants  of  it  during  the  last  three  seasons.  Of  the  older  flower- 
ing Pelargoniums  only  specimens  of  the  best  were  retained  to 
compare  with  newly-sent-out  varieties,  and  if  the  latter  failed 
to  be  improvements  they  were  not  recommended. 

The  readers  of  the  Journal  will,  perhaps,  be  anxious  to  know 
how  so  many  varieties  of  Pelargoniums  are  propagated  and 
wintered,  and  the  extent  of  glass  at  command  appears  inade- 
quate even  to  those  best  versed  in  Pelargonium  culture,  but 
no  doubt  every  inch  of  space  is  closely  crammed.  Propagation 
is  a  more  easy  affair  at  this  season  than  in  spring,  and  there  is 
no  coddling  in  the  treatment  pursued.  Large  pots  and  pans 
full  of  cuttings  were  standing  about  in  various  places,  some 
being  in  front  of  a  vinery  in  what  is  called  a  Dutch  pit,  others 
placed  out  of  doors. 

The  glass  structures  are  not  numerous.  Two  span-roofed 
plant  houses,  not  large,  and  a  propagating  house  adjoining, 
with  two  lean-to  vineries,  were  nearly  all  the  glass  structures 
at  command  ;  and  as  the  place  is  a  private  one  rather  than  a 
nursery,  the  other  requirements  of  the  proprietor,  J.  J.  E. 
Wilson,  Esq.,  had  to  be  attended  to.  The  plant  houses  were 
small,  but  broad  shelves  had  been  placed  over  the  pathways, 
on  which  choice  bedding  Pelargoniums  in  thumb  pots  were 
luxuriating  in  the  full  sun.  I  imagine  the  vineries  are  kept 
hard  at  work  in  early  spring.  An  ingenious  contrivance  had 
been  adopted  to  enlarge  the  two  old  lean-to  vineries  that  had 
occupied  the  site  for  many  years,  and  were  quite  worn-out,  as 
well  as  the  Vines  in  the  inside.  They  had  originally  been 
about  14  feet  wide,  with  high  fronts,  so  when  new  ones  were 
projected  the  same  angle  was  retained,  but  a  width  of  20  feet 
was  arranged,  and  a  border  and  young  Vines  planted  in  the 
part  newly  covered  in,  while  the  old  Vines  were  retained  for 
one  year.  Although  the  young  Vines  were  only  planted  in 
April,  18G7,  upwards  of  150  lbs.  of  Grapes  had  been  cut  this 


season  from  them,  the  house  being  40  feet  long  by  20  feet 
wide,  and  the  Vines  all  that  could  be  wished  for.  The  other 
vinery  was  also  promising  well ;  it  is  older  and  of  the  same 
width  as  that  just  referred  to,  but  only  IM  feet  long. 

A  singular  feature,  however,  in  these  houses  is  that  the 
fronts  of  both  were  occupied  by  what  are  called  Dutch  pits. 
About  a  yard  of  the  lower  part  of  the  roof  is  made  to  hinge  in 
lights,  or  rather  it  is  entirely  independent  of  the  house,  as  the 
waterspout  runs  along  where  the  pit  unites  with  the  front  of 
this  house.  This  Dutch  pit  can  either  be  made  to  communi- 
cate with  the  house,  or  bo  shut  off  from  it  by  boardiug  attached 
to  the  back  ;  but  I  believe  in  winter  it  is  united  with  it  on 
account  of  the  heat  which,  I  presume,  it  receives  from  the 
vinery.  It  formed  an  excellent  place  for  propagating  Pelar- 
goniums, and  was  well  filled.  Mr.  Potton's  skilful  treatment 
of  this  class  of  plants  is  so  well  known,  that  an  eminent  London 
grower  had  sent  him  some  of  his  diUicult  varieties  to  operate 
upon,  and  there  they  were  in  all  the  sturdy  health  of  comiuon 
kinds ;  but  Mr.  Potton  wisely  confines  himself  to  cultivating 
and  propagating  only  the  very  best  varieties  in  each  section, 
and  although  some  seedlings  of  his  own  were  shown  me,  I  feel 
certain  it  another  known  kind  were  equally  good  we  should 
hear  no  more  of  the  seedhng.  This,  however,  is  at  variance 
with  the  practice  of  many,  who  seem  to  think  that  names 
cannot  be  multiplied  too  much. — J.  Eobson. 


PALMS  FOR  DECORATING  ROOMS. 

My  attention  has  been  called  to  a  discussion  in  your  Journal 
on  Palms,  originating  in  an  article  of  mine  in  "  The  Gar- 
dener." Palms  certainly  are  to  be  bought  cheaper  in  any 
nursery  to-day  than  they  were  a  few  years  ago,  and  hence  my 
remark  which  "Patelin"  alludes  to.  They  are  still,  how- 
ever, to  be  bought  very  much  cheaper  in  Belgium  than  in 
Britain.  In  France  they  are  cheap,  but  much  dearer  than  in 
Belgium.  I  have  purchased  in  both  countries,  but  I  always 
preferred  the  Belgian  stock  to  the  French,  for  this  reason,  that 
the  plants  are  grown  stockier  and  cleaner,  and  hence  are  better 
adapted  for  a  sitting-room,  and  its  vicissitudes. 

I  append  a  list  of  Palms,  most  of  which  I  have  proved  to  be 
suitable  for  general  house  decoration,  or  a  cool  glass  house. 


Sea- 


Areca    Banerii    fsyu. 

forthia  robiista) 
Erahea  (!nlci3 
Chamierops  excelsa 

Fortune! 

Ghiesbreghtii 

humiU3 

palmetto 

Binensis 

tomeutosa 
CocOB  australii 

Bonnetii 

campestrig 
Corypba  australia 
Diplothemium  maritimnm 
Latania  borbouica 


Jnbea       spectabilia 

Coco3  cbilensis) 
Phoenix  dactylifera 

farinifera 

hnmilis 

leonensis 

pumila 

reclinata 

sylvestrig 

tennis 
Eliaphis  flabellifonnis 
Sabal  Adansonii 

Mociui 
Seafortbia  elegans 
Thrinax  parviiiora 

tunicata 


(syn. 


All  these  will  do  well  in  a  cool  house  without  a  draught  all 
the  year  round,  or  every  other  week  in  a  sitting-room  with 
proper  attention  as  to  watering  with  tepid  water,  and  sponging 
frequently  the  leaves  when  dusty. 

There  are  many  other  species  that  would  do  with  careful, 
thoughtful  attention,  but  in  the  hands  of  the  inexperienced 
they  would  pine  and  die.  Those  named  may  be  purchased  at 
from  one  to  twenty  francs  each,  a  price  low  enough  for  anyone 
who  has  a  real  love  for  plants  in  a  sitting-room. — H.  E. 


VARIEGATED  BORECOLE, 
In  your  notice  to  a  correspondent,  page  175,  regarding  varie- 
gated Borecole  you  remark,  "  Your  plants  ought  by  this  time 
to  have  shown  variegation."  We  trust  "  J.  A."  has  not  thrown 
his  plants  away,  and  that  he  will  not  do  so  for  some  time  yet. 
For  the  encouragement  of  him  and  others  who  may  be  despair- 
ing of  their  plants  not  yet  showing  variegation,  we  may  mention 
that  out  of  some  12,000  which  we  have  planted  out  (sown  in 
May),  very  few  have  as  yet  assumed  variegation.  With  us 
they  do  not  show  variegatfon  until  the  plants  finish  their  rank 
growth  and  expend  themselves.  This  season  we  do  not  expect 
they  will  show  decided  variegation,  or  be  in  a  suitable  state  for 
being  transplanted  into  their  winter  quarters,  for  at  least  two 
months.    When  they  begin  to  make  a  fresh  growth  in  spring, 


224 


JOURNAL  OF   HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  September  24,  1868. 


it  is  then  their  bright  and  dazzling  colours  appear  to  the 
greatest  advantage.  We  plant  in  an  exposed  situation  and  in 
poor  soil,  and  our  plants  are  always  dwarf  and  stubby. 

We  think  that  if  "  J.  A."  will  examine  the  centre  of  his 
plants  he  will  find  the  variegation  appearing  even  now,  and 
upon  those  plants  which  have  the  plainest  and  roughest-looking 
outside  leaves.  We  find  the  variegation  does  not  appear  until 
the  plants  receive  a  check  from  frost.  The  specimen  leaves 
we  have  sent  for  your  inspection  are  a  few  of  the  first  variegated 
leaves  which  have  appeared,  and  are  taken  from  the  heart  of 
the  plants.  These  leaves  are  but  small  yet,  but  by  the  time  we 
require  them  for  winter  decoration  they  will  have  attained  their 
fuU  size. — Stuart  &  Mein,  Kelso^  N.B. 


FUNGI   CONNECTED   WITH   DISEASE- 
DARWINIAN   THEORIES. 

In  his  opening  address  as  President  of  the  Biological  Section 
of  the  British  Association,  the  Rev.  M.  J.  Berkeley,  after 
alluding  to  personal  matters  that  had  hitherto  prevented  him 
from  carrying  out  his  original  intention  of  instituting  a  course 
of  experiments  illustrative  of  the  theories  which  have  lately 
been  broached  by  Dr.  Hallier  and  others  respecting  the  origin 
of  cholera  and  some  other  formidable  diseases,  proceeded  as 
follows : — 

Few  points  are  of  greater  significance  than  those  which  touch  upon 
the  intimate  connection  of  animal  and  vegetable  life.  Fresh  matter  is 
constftntly  turning  up,  most  clearly  indicatiuK  that  there  are  organisms 
in  the  vegetable  kingdom  which  cannot  be  distinguished  from  animals. 
The  curious  observations  which  showed  that  the  protoplasm  of  the 
spores  of  Boti-ytis  int'estans  (the  Potato  mould)  is  at  times  differentiated, 
and  ultimately  resolved  into  active  fiagelliferous  zoospores,  quite 
nndistinguishable  from  certain  Infusoria,  have  met  their  parallel  in  a 
memoir  lately  pubhshed  by  Messrs.  Famintziu  &  Boranetzkj',  respect- 
ing a  similar  differentiation  in  the  gonidia  of  Lichens  belonpiug  to  the 
genera  Physcja  and  Cladonia.  It  is,  however,  only  certain  of  the 
gonidia  which  are  so  circumstanced  :  the  contents  of  others  simply 
divide  into  motionless  globules. 

A  still  more  cnrions  fact,  if  true,  is  that  described  by  De  Bary,  after 
Cienkowslry,  in  the  division  of  Fun^i  known  under  the  name  of  Myxo- 
gastres  or  false  puffballs.  Their  spores,  when  germinating,  in  certain 
cases  give  rise  to  a  body  not  distinguishable  from  Amoeba,  though  in 
others  the  more  ordinai*y  mode  of  germination  prevails.  In  the  first 
instance  De  Bary  pronounced  these  productions  to  belong  to  the 
animal  kingdom,  so  striking  was  tho  resemblance  ;  but  in  our  judgment 
he  exercised  a  wise  discretion  in  comprising  them  amongst  vegetables 
in  a  late  volume  of  Hofmeister's  Handbuch. 

The  point,  however,  to  which  I  wish  to  draw  your  attention,  and  one 
of  great  interest  if  ultimately  confirmed,  is  that  the  gelatinous  mass 
produced  either  independently,  or  by  the  blending  of  these  Amaboid 
bodies,  is  increased,  after  the  manner  of  true  Amcebs,  by  deriving 
nourishment  from  different  organisms  involved  by  accident  from  the 
extension  of  the  pseudopodia.  These  strange  bodies,  according  to  our 
author,  behave  themselves  precisely  after  the  same  manner  as  those 
enclosed  accidentally  in  undoubted  animals.  If  this  be  true,  it  shows 
a  still  more  intimate  connection,  or  even  identity  of  animals  and 
vegetables  than  any  other  fact  with  which  X  am  acquainted. 

You  are  all  doubtless  aware  of  the  important  part  which  minute 
Fungi  bear  in  the  process  of  fermentation.  A  very  curious  con- 
tribution to  our  information  on  co<jnate  matters  has  lately  been 
published  by  Van  Tiegham,  in  which  he  shows  that  tannin  is  con- 
verted into  gallic  acid  by  the  agency  of  the  mycelium  of  a  species  of 
Aspergillus,  to  whicli  he  has  s^iveu  the  name  of  Aspergillus  niger.  The 
paper  will  be  found  in  a  late  number  of  the  "Anuales  des  Sciences 
Naturelles,"  and  is  well  worth  reading. 

We  now  come  to  the  subject  which  I  mentioned  at  the  beginning  of 
this  address — viz,  the  theory  of  Halher  respecting  the  origin  of  certain 
diseases.  His  observations  were  at  first  confined  to  Asiatic  cholera, 
but  he  has  since  made  a  communication  to  the  authorities  of  the 
medical  department  of  the  Privy  Council  Ofiice  to  the  effect  that  in  eis 
other  diseases — typhus,  typhoid,  and  measles  (in  the  blood),  variola, 
variola  ovina,  and  vaccinia  (in  the  exanthemes),  he  has  found  certain 
minute  particles  which  he  calls  micrococci,  which  under  culture 
experiments  give,  for  each  of  the  above-mentioned  diseases,  a  constant 
and  characteristic  fun<^us.  He  states  that  in  variola  he  gets  the 
hitherto  unknown  pycnidia  of  Eurotium  herbariorum ;  in  vaccinia. 
Asperj^lus  glaucur,,  Lk. ;  in  measles,  the  true  Mucor  Mucedo  of 
Fresenius  ;  in  typhus,  Rhizopus  nigricans,  Ehrenberg ;  and  in  typhoid, 
PenieiUium  crustaceum.  Fries.  He  adds  that  the  culture  experiments, 
especially  with  the  vanola  diseases,  have  been  so  very  numerous  as  to 
exclude  from  the  results  all  supposition  of  accident — that  different 
districts,  different  epidemics,  and  different  times  have  given  identical 
results.  I  am  anxious  to  say  a  few  words  about  the  subject,  because 
most  of  the  reports  which  have  been  published  in  our  medical  journals 
give  too  much  weight,  in  my  opinion,  to  his  observations,  as  though  the 
matter  had  been  brought  to  a  logical  conclusion,  which  is  far  from 


being  the  case.  I  am  happy  to  say  that  it  has  been  taken  up  by  De 
Bary,  who  is  so  well  calculated  to  give  something  like  a  concluaive 
answer  to  the  question,  and  also  that  it  has  been  taken  in  hand  by  the 
medical  authorities  of  our  army,  who  are  about  to  send  out  two  of  their 
most  promising  young  othcers,  perfectly  unprejudiced,  who  will  be  in 
close  communication  both  with  De  Bary  and  Hallier,  so  as  to  make 
themselves  perfect  masters  of  their  views,  and  to  investigate  afterwards 
the  subject  for  themselves. 

The  fault,  as  I  conceive,  of  Hallier's  treatise,  is  that  while  his 
mode  of  investigation  is  unsatisfactory,  he  jumps  far  too  rapidly  to  his 
conclusions.  It  is  quite  2>ossible  that  certain  Fungi  may  occur  con- 
stantly in  substances  of  a  certain  chemical  or  molecular  constitution, 
but  this  may  be  merely  a  case  of  effect  instead  of  cause.  Besides,  as  I 
conceive,  the  only  safe  way  of  ascertaining  what  really  originates  from 
such  bodies  as  those  which  he  terms  micrococci,  or  the  larger  ones 
commonly  called  yeast  globules,  is  to  isolate  one  or  two  in  a  closed 
cell  so  coustiucted  that  a  pellicle  of  air,  if  I  may  so  term  it,  surrounds 
the  globule  of  fluid  containing  tho  bodies  in  question,  into  which  they 
may  send  out  their  proper  fruit — a  method  which  was  successful  in  the 
case  of  yeast,  which  consists  of  more  than  one  fungus,  and  of  the  little 
Sclerotium,  hke  grains  of  gunpowder,  which  is  so  common  on  Onions. 
Any  one  who  follows  the  growth  of  moulds  on  moist  substances,  and  at 
different  depths,  as  paste  of  Wheat  or  rice  flour,  will  see  that  number- 
less different  modifications  are  assumed  indifferent  parts  of  the  matrix, 
without,  however,  a  perfect  identification  with  Fungi  of  other  genera. 
Some  of  these  will  be  seen  in  the  figures  I  have  given  in  the 
'*  Intellectual  Observer  "  of  different  forms  assumed  by  the  moulds  to 
which  that  formidable  disease,  the  Fungus  foot  of  India,  owes  its 
origin.  This  is  quite  a  different  order  of  facts,  from  the  several 
conditions  assumed  by  the  conidiif  erous  state  of  some  of  the  vesiculif  erouB 
moulds.  As  for  example  Boti^tis  Joneaii,  which  has  been  ascertained 
to  be  a  conidiiferous  state  of  Mucor  Mucedo,  while  two  forms  of  fruit 
occur  of  the  same  mould  in  what  is  called  Ascophora  elegans,  or  the 
still  more  marvellous  modification  which  some  of  the  Mucors  undergo 
when  grown  in  water,  as  evinced  by  some  of  the  Saprolegni»,  the  con- 
nection of  which  was  indicated  by  Cams  some  fifty  years  ago,  but 
which  has  never  been  fully  investigated. 

When  Hallier  intimates  that  he  has  raised  from  cholera  evacuations 
such  a  parasite  as  Urocystis  occulta,  he  should  have  been  content  with 
stating  that  a  form  of  fructification  occurred  resembling,  but  not 
identical  with,  that  Fungus.  Indeed  a  comparison  with  authentic 
specimens  of  that  species,  pubhshed  by  Rabenhorst,  under  the  generic 
name  of  Ustilago,  shows  that  it  is  something  very  different,  and  yet  the 
notion  of  cholera  being  derived  from  some  parasite  on  the  Rice  plant 
rests  very  much  on  the  occurrence  of  this  form.  But  even  supposing 
that  some  Ui'ocystis  (or  Polycystis  as  the  genus  is  more  commonly 
named)  was  produced  from  cholera  evacuations,  there  is  not  a  particle 
of  evidence  to  connect  this  with  the  Rice  plant.  In  the  enormous 
collections  transmitted  by  Dr.  Curtis  from  the  Southern  United  States, 
amounting  to  7000  specimens,  there  is  not  a  single  specimen  of  Rice  with 
any  endophytic  Fungus,  and  it  is  the  same  with  collections  from  the 
East.  Mr.  Thwaites  has  made  very  dihgeut  search,  and  employed  others 
in  collecting  any  Fungi  which  may  occur  on  Rice,  and  has  found  nothing 
more  than  a  small  superficial  Fungus  nearly  allied  to  Cladosporinm 
herbarum,  sullying  the  glumes  exactly  as  that  cosmopolitian  mould 
stains  our  cereals  in  damp  weather.  Ri^ge  is  occasionally  ergoted,  but 
I  can  find  no  other  trace  of  Fungi  on  the  gi'ains.  Again,  when  he 
talks  of  Tilletia,  or  the  Wheat  Bunt,  being  derived  from  the  East — 
supposing  AVheat  to  be  a  plant  of  Eastern  origin,  there  is  no  evidence 
to  bear  out  the  assertion,  as  it  occurs  on  various  European  Grasses ; 
and  there  is  a  distinct  species  which  preys  on  Wheat  in  North 
CaroUna,  which  is  totally  unknown  in  the  Old  World. 

I  might  enter  further  into  the  matter,  were  it  advisable  to  do  so  at 
the  present  moment.  All  I  wish,  however,  is  to  give  a  caation 
against  admitting  his  facts  too  implicitly,  especially  as  somewhat  similar 
views  respecting  disease  have  lately  reached  us  from  America,  and 
have  become  familiar  from  gaining  admittance  into  a  journal  of  such 
wide  circulation  as  "  All  the  Year  Round,"  where  Hallier's  views  are 
noticed  as  if  his  deductions  were  perfectly  logical. 

The  functions  of  spiral  vessels,  or  of  vascular  tissue  in  general,  have 
long  been  a  subject  of  much  controversy,  and  few  matters  are  of  more 
consequence  as  regards  the  real  history  of  the  distribution  of  sap  in 
plants.  A  very  alile  paper  on  the  subject,  to  which  allusion  was 
made  by  Dr.  Hooker  in  his  address,  has  been  published  by  Mr. 
Herbert  Spencer  (than  whom  few  enter  more  profoundly  into  questions 
of  physiology),  in  the  *'  Transactions  of  the  Linnean  Society."  By  a 
line  of  close  argument  and  observation  he  shows,  from  expeiiments 
vnth  coloured  fluids  capable  of  entering  the  tissues  without  impairing 
vitality,  and  that  not  only  in  cuttings  of  plants,  but  in  mdividuals  in 
which  the  roots  were  uninjured,  that  the  sap  not  only  ascends  by  the 
vascular  tissue,  but  that  the  same  tissue  acts  in  its  turn  as  an  absor- 
bent, returning  and  distributing  the  sap  which  has  been  modified  in 
the  leaves.  That  this  tissue  acts  some  important  part  is  clear  from 
the  constancy  with  which  it  is  produced  at  a  very  early  stage  in 
adventitious  buds,  establishing  a  connection  between  the  tissues  of  the 
old  and  new  parts.  This  appears  also  from  the  manner  in  which  in 
true  parasites  a  connection  is  established  between  the  vascular  tiasne 
of  the  matrix  and  its  parasite,  as  shown  by  our  President  in  hia 
masterly  treatise  on  Balanophorte,  and  more  recently  by  Solms- 
Laubach   in   an  elaborate  memoir  in   Prmgsheim's  Journal.     It  is 


September  24. 1868.  1 


JOURNAL    OP  nORTIOUIiTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


226 


canons  that  in  organs  so  closely  analogons  to  the  tracheal  of  innecta  a  ' 
similar  connection  ahonhl  long  sinro   have  boon  pointed  out  by  Mr. 
Newport,  in  the  case  of  certain  insect  parasites. 

A  circumstance,  again,  which  constantly  occurs  in  the  diseases  of 
plants  confirms  the  views  of  Mr.  llorhi-rt  Spencer.  In  diseased  Turnips, 
Grapes,  Potatoes,  etc..  it  is  especially  the  vascular  tissue  which  ia  first 
gorged  with  the  ulmates  which  are  so  characteristic  of  disease. 

Monsieur  Casiniir  De  CaudoUe,  in  a  clover  memoir  on  tho  morpho- 
logy of  leaves,  has  como  to  tho  conclnsion,  after  studying  tho  arrange- 
ment of  their  vascular  tissue,  that  they  are  branches  in  which  tho 
side  towards  the  axis,  which  he  culls  the  posterior,  is  atrophied.  This 
subject  has  been  followed  out  iu  those  organs  which  are  considered  as 
modifications  of  leaves,  as,  for  example,  stamens,  in  which  ho  finds 
sometimes  the  posterior  side,  sometimes  the  anterior,  atrophied.  If 
his  theory  is  true,  this  would  resnlt  from  the  way  in  which  they 
originated,  and  tho  reference  they  bore  to  contiguous  organs.  The 
subject  is  well  worth  attention,  and  may  eventually  throw  considerable 
light  on  those  anomalous  cases  iu  Teratology  whicli  will  not  accommo- 
date themselves  to  tho  usual  theory  of  metamorphosis.  Some  of  these 
cases  are  so  puzzling  and  complicated,  that  a  very  clever  botanist  once 
told  me.  "■  Monstrous  flowers  teach  ns  nothing," — not  meaning  to 
abjure  all  assistance  from  them,  but  simply  to  indicate  thatthey  may  be 
deceptive.  Such  flowers  as  double  Primroses,  and  the  strange  develop- 
ments on  tho  corollas  of  some  Gloxinias,  may  possibly  receive  their 
explanation  from  a  careful  study  of  the  course  of  tho  vascular  tissue. 
As  the  colour  on  the  anterior  and  posterior  order  in  tho  latter  case  is 
reversed,  tho  doctrine  of  dedoublement  does  not  at  all  help  us. 

Hofmeister,  in  his  "  Handbuch  der  Physiologischen  Botanik,"  has  an 
important  chapter  on  free-cell  formation,  which  at  the  present  moment 
is  of  great  interest  as  connected  with  Mr.  Darwin's  doctrine  of  Pan- 
genesis. Mr.  Rainey  has  showed  that  the  formation  of  false  cells 
takes  place  in  solutions  of  gum  and  other  substances,  and  if  this  is  the 
Cftse  where  no  vital  agency  is  concerned,  we  may  well  be  prepared  for 
the  formation  of  living  cells  in  organisable  lymph,  or  in  other  properly 
constituted  matter.  The  curious  cell-formation  of  Gum  Tragacanth 
may  be  an  intermediate  case.  Be  this,  however,  as  it  may.  we  have 
examples  of  free-cell  formation  in  the  foi-mation  of  nuclei,  in  the 
embryos  of  plants,  and  above  all  in  the  asci  of  ascomycetous  fungi. 
In  plants  whose  cells  contain  nuclei,  new  cells  are  never  formed  with- 
out the  formation  of  new  nuclei,  the  number  of  which  exactly  corre- 
sponds with  that  of  the  new  cells. 

It  would  be  unpardonable  to  finish  these  somewhat  desultory  re- 
marks without  adverting  to  one  of  the  most  interesting  subjects  of  the 
day, — the  Darwinian  doctrine  of  Pangenesis.  After  the  lucid  manner, 
however,  in  which  this  doctrine  was  explained  by  Dr.  Hooker  in  his 
opening  address,  I  should  be  inclined  to  omit  it  altogether  had  I  not 
looked  at  it  from  a  somewhat  different  point  of  view,  so  that  I  should 
not  be  trespassing  upon  your  time  in  going  over  the  same  ground. 
Others,  indeed,  as  Owen  and  Herbert  Spencer,  have  broached  some- 
thing of  the  kind,  but  not  to  such  an  extent,  for  the  Darwinian  theory 
inclndes  atavism,  reversion,  and  inheritance,  and  embraces  mental 
peculiarities  as  well  as  physical.  The  whole  matter  is  at  once  so 
complicated,  and  the  theory  so  startling,  that  the  mind  at  first  natur- 
ally shrinks  from  the  reception  of  so  bold  a  statement.  Like  everything, 
however,  which  comes  from  the  pen  of  a  writer  whom  I  have  no  hesita- 
tion, so  far  as  my  own  judgment  goes,  in  considering  as  by  far  the 
greatest  observer  of  our  age.  whatever  may  be  thought  of  his  theoiies 
when  carried  out  to  th>'ir  extreme  results,  the  subject  demands  a  care- 
ful and  impartial  consideration.  Like  the  doctrine  of  natural  selection, 
it  is  sure  to  modify,  more  or  less,  our  modes  of  thought.  Even  suppos- 
ing the  theory  unsound,  it  is  to  be  observed,  as  Whcwell  remarks,  as 
quoted  by  our  author,  ''  Hypotheses  may  often  be  of  service  to  science 
when  they  involve  a  certain  portion  of  incompleteness,  and  even  of 
error."  Mr.  Darwin  says  himself  that  he  has  not  made  Histology  an 
especial  branch  of  study,  and  I  have  therefore  less  hesitation,  though 
*^  tmjmr  congrcssus  Achilli,"  in  expressing  an  individual  opinion  that 
he  has  laid  too  much  stress  on  free-cell  formation,  which  is  rather  tho 
exception  than  the  rule.  Assuming  the  general  truth  of  the  theory, 
that  molecules  endowed  with  certain  attributes  are  cast  off  by  the 
component  cells  of  such  infinitesimal  minuteness  as  to  be  capable  of 
circulating  with  the  fluids,  and  in  the  end  to  be  present  in  the  unim- 
pregnated  embryo  cell  and  spermatozoid,  capable  either  of  lying  dor- 
mant or  inactive  for  a  time,  or  when  present  in  suflicient  potency,  of 
producing  certain  definite  effects,  it  seems  to  me  far  more  probable 
that  they  shonld  be  capable  nnder  favourable  circumstances  of  exercis- 
ing an  influence  analogous  to  that  which  is  exercised  by  the  contents  of 
the  pollen  tube  or  spermatozoid  on  the  embryo  sac  or  ovum,  than  that 
these  particles  should  be  themselves  developed  into  cells ;  and  under 
some  such  modification  I  conceive  that  the  theory  is  far  more  likely 
to  meet  with  anything  like  a  general  acceptation.  Be  this,  however, 
as  it  may,  its  comprehensiveness  will  still  remain  the  same.  We  must 
still  take  it  as  a  compendium  of  an  enormous  mass  of  facts,  comprised 
in  the  most  marvellous  manner  within  an  extremely  narrow  compass. 

I  shall  venture  to  offer  a  very  few  words  in  conclusion,  which  per- 
haps may  be  thought  to  have  too  theological  an  aspect  for  the  present 
occasion. 

It  is  obvious  how  open  such  a  theory  is  to  the  charge  of  materialism. 
It  is  an  undoubted  fact,  however,  that  mental  peculiarities  and  endow- 
ments, together  with  mere  habits,  are  handed  down  and  subject  to  the 
same  laws  of  reversion,  atavism,  and  inheritance  as  mere  structural 


accidents,  and  there  must  bo  some  reason  for  one  class  of  facts  as  wel 
as  the  other;  and  whatever  tho  explanation  may  he,  the  hand  of  God 
ia  equally  visible  and  equally  essnntial  in  all.  We  cannot  now  refer 
every  indication  of  thought  and  reasoning  beyond  the  pale  of  humanity 
to  blind  instinct,  as  was  once  tho  fashion,  from  a  fear  of  the  iitferencea 
which  might  be  made.  Should  any  one,  however,  be  still  afraid  of 
any  theory  like  that  before  us,  1  would  suggest  that  man  is  roprosentod 
in  Scripture  as  differing  from  tho  other  members  nf  the  animal  world, 
by  possessing  a  spirit  as  well  as  a  reasoning  mind.  The  distinction 
between  jisi/cJic  o-uApnonna  which  is  recognised  by  the  Germans  in  their 
familiar  words  sccic  and  f/cist,  but  which  we  have  no  words  in  onr  lan- 
guage* to  express  properly,  or  in  other  terms  between  mere  mental 
powers  which  the  rest  of  the  creation  posRosa  in  greater  or  less  degree 
in  common  with  ourselves,  and  an  immortal  spirit,  if  rightly  weighed, 
will  perhaps  lead  some  to  look  upon  the  matter  with  less  fear  and  pre- 
judice. Nothing  can  bo  more  unfair,  and  I  may  add  unwiso,  than  to 
stamp  at  once  this  and  cognate  speculations  with  the  charge  of  irre- 
ligion.  Of  this,  however,  I  feel  assured,  that  the  members  of  this 
Association  will  conclude  with  me  in  bidding  this  great  and  conscien- 
tious author  God  speed,  and  join  in  expressing  a  hopi'  that  his  health 
may  be  preserved  to  enrich  science  with  the  results  of  his  great  powers 
of  mind  and  unwearied  observation. 


POTATOES   AND   BEES 

at  the  woodstock  agricultural   and  horticultural 

assocls-Tton's  show. 

{From  a  Correspondent.) 

On  the  15th  inst.  this  annual  Exhibition  took  place  in  Blenheim 

Park.     The  Potatoes  aud  other  roots  exhibited,  notwithstanding  the 

hot  dry  season,  could  scarcely  be  surpassed. 

Potatoes  were  shown  in  a  special  collection  of  twenty-four  kinds  by 

Mr.  Robert  Fenn,  of  the  Rectorj'  at  Woodstock ;  and  there  was  really 

something   for   the    Potato  grower  to  learn  by  inspecting  the  many 

j  varieties,  with  labels  attached  to  each  basket  indicating  the  particular 

I  sort,  nature,  and  growth.     Mr.  Fenn  seems  quite  at  home  in  this,  as 

in  many  other  branches  of  horticulture. 

Amongst  the  sorts  we  particularly  noticed  were  Fenn's  Onwards,  ft 
seedling  of  his  raising,  originating  in  a  cross  between  Jackson's  Kidney 
and  the  Fluke.  It  is  au  excellent  flattish-ronnd  sort,  which  can  be 
grown  both  as  an  early  and  second  early,  and  makes  a  first-rate  store 
Potato,  as  samples  of  it  were  shown  in  fine  condition,  although  dug  up 
in  1867,  as  were  also  those  of  Paterson's  Victoria,  Daintree's  Kidney, 
and  Rivers's  Royal  Ashleaf,  and  that  fine  sort  Taylor's  Yorkshire 
Hero,  representing  four  generations — viz.,  tubers  of  this  year,  of  last 
year,  and  of  18G6.  Some  of  the  last  were  actually  producing  "young 
;  Potatoes  "  internally,  and  bursting  forth  from,  so  to  call  it,  suppressed 
I  vitality.  Mr.  Fenn  is  an  indefatigable  cross-breeder  of  Potatoes,  and 
he  has  this  year  originated  some  two  hundred  seedlings,  many  amongst 
them  promising  to  become  very  fine  sorts. 

Mr.  Fenn's  collection  of  what  he  so  happily  terms  "  garden  eco- 
nomics "  had  an  especial  interest.  We  will  first  mention  an  assort- 
ment of  British  home-made  wines,  consisting  of  Grape,  Gooseberry,  and 
Rhubarb,  and  Rhubarb  and  Gooseberry  mixed  in  imitation  of  Cham- 
pagne. Several  of  these  were  pronounced  by  a  jury  then  and  there 
assembled  as  being  of  veiy  fine  quality.  In  English  Champagne 
wines  Mr.  Fenn  may  be  termed  great,  aud  some  of  his  stocks  might 
compete  with  what  are  occasionally  thought  to  be  the  finest  brands  of 
continental  production.  We  were  treated  to  an  Esperione  port,  which 
had  been  laid  down  in  bottle  three  years.  It  was  really  a  fine  wine, 
and  the  bottle  showed  a  good  "  crust ;"  also  Esperione  Grape  wine  of 
1866  drawn  from  the  wood  (a  thirty -three -gallon  cask),  now  in  use  for 
daily  table  pnqioses.  In  partaking  of  these  innocuous  wholesome 
beverages  the  Judges,  by  their  rosy  countenances  and  liveliness,  indi- 
cated that  the  wines  were  not  without  strength.  Furthermore,  as  like 
is  said  to  beget  like,  a  competition  was  brought  about  by  the  Rer. 
W.  A.  Plumptre,  Mr.  J.  Parker,  and  Mr.  J.  Morris,  all  of  Woodstock, 
sending  samples  of  the  above-named  wines  made  after  Mr.  Fenn's 
methods.  Excellent  characters  were  awarded  to  some  of  the  samples  ; 
those  of  Mr.  Plumptre's  effervescing  Esperione  wine  being  considered 
so  palatable  that  not  a  glass  was  left  in  the  bottles  to  tell  a  tale  !  Mr. 
Fenn  has  given  to  the  world  his  methods  of  manufacturing  these  wines 
in  Nos.  589,  592  (old  series),  and  235,  236  of  The  Journal  of  Hob- 
tic  ulture. 

Another  branch  of  Mr.  Fenn's  "  garden  economics  "  exhibited  was 
a  system  of  bee-keeping,  comprising  "  Fenn's  Woodstock  Alliance 
Hive,  adapted  for  cottagers,  on  the  depriving  system,  without  de- 
stroying the  bees,  and  showing  the  domestic  economy  derived  from  it." 
Finding  as  the  result  of  several  years'  experience  that  the  improved 
principles  of  Payne's  and  other  cottage  hives,  in  so  far  as  they  had 
become  developed,  were,  according  to  his  idea,  still  defective,  he  set 
himself  to  further  improve  a  cottage  hive  to  his  ideal  standard.  Hia 
"  Alliance  hive  "  seems  to  answer  exactly  the  end  sought.  Virgin 
honeycombs  were  exhibited  in  glass  and  straw  supers  upon  the  tops  ofl 
the  liives,  to  explain  exactly  how  the  bees  worked  in  them.     There 

*  A  proof  of  this  poverty  of  language  is  visible  in  the  words  used  in  our 
translation  for  psychikon  aud  ptwumatikon,  natural  aud  spiritual,  their 
proper  meaning  being  a  body  with  a  soul,  and  a  body  with  a  spirit.      


226 


JOOENAL  OF  HOBTIOULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEE. 


[  September  24,  1868. 


were  also  "  Fenn's  Breakfast  Honey  Glasses,"  filled  with  honeycomb, 
with  run  honey  patherej  by  the  bees  from  the  Sycamore  and  Lime 
tree  blossoms ;  white  and  yellow  wax,  with  accompanying  cream,  for 
the  purpose  of  cleaning  furniture ;  dubbing  for  waterj)roofing  shoot- 
ing boots,  ttc,  made  from  the  wax  ;  metheglin  or  mead — the  drink  of 
our  forefathers  ;  honey  beer  (brewed  the  same  as  for  malt  liquor,  by 
mixing  water  with  honey  to  the  specific  gravity  of  about  120  for  table 
beer,  and  "220  to  make  a  *'  sweet  wort "  for  ale.  It  is  then  boiled  with 
1  or  1^  lb.  of  hops,  to  about  SO  gallons  of  the  wort,  and  the  fermenta- 
tion is  carried  out  through  the  agency  of  yeast  exactly  as  for  a  brewing 
of  malt  and  hops)  ;  and  vinegar  made  from  honey.  These  productions 
iad  been  awarded  special  first-class  certificates  at  former  shows  of  the 
Koyal  Horticultural  Society.  Mr.  Fenn  has  also  published  his  system 
of  bee-keeping  in  Nos.  639,  652  {old  series),  and  4,  10,  21,  22,  29,  40, 
43,  4tJ,  and  48  of  The  Journal  of  Horticulture. 

Mr.  James  Morris  exhibited  some  of  the  finest  glasses  of  honeycomb 
we  ever  saw,  for  which  he  gained  the  first  prize  ;  and  Miss  Heynes,  of 
Woodstock,  exhibited  even  superior  samples  of  better  finish,  but  in 
glasses  of  a  much  smaller  diameter.  The  honey  was  produced  on  the 
above  system. 


HYPOCAUST  HEATING   AT    LEEDS   CASTLE, 
IvENT, 

THE    SEAT   OF    C.  WyKEH.ilI-MABTIN,    ESC,    M.P. 

The  importance  of  artificial  heat  obtained  in  an  economical 
manner  by  the  aid  of  an  efficient  apparatus,  can  be  nowhere 
more  fully  recognised  than  in  the  southern  counties  of  England, 
remote  as  they  are  from  the  coal  districts,  those  dear  "  black 
diamonds,"  the  command  of  which  at  a  cheap  rate  enables  our 
northern  brethren  to  boast  of  their  splendid  collections  of  Or- 
chids, and  other  plants  requiring  a  high  temperature.  That  the 
method  of  heating  invented,  or  rather  resuscitated  by  Mr. 
Wykeham-Martin,  possesses  great  merit,  and  likewise  offers 
many  advantages,  I  am  now  fully  convinced.  It  is  not,  how- 
ever, my  purpose  to  attempt  any  description  of  the  heating  ap- 
paratus or  houses,  as  that  has  already  been  done  by  Mr.  Robson, 
in  page  361,  Vol.  XI.,  but  rather  to  offer  a  few  notes  of  what  is 
heing  done,  and  also  as  to  the  results  already  obtained. 

The  house  to  which  the  hypocaust  system  was  first  applied, 
is  an  ordinary  lean-to,  and  is  used  chiefly  for  the  cultivation  of 
Pine  Apples.  The  Pine  plants  are  planted  out  in  a  bed  on  the 
floor  of  the  house,  the  sides  of  which  are  formed  iu  an  orna- 
mental manner  of  cement.  This  bed  only  occupies  the  centre 
of  the  house,  leaving  ample  space  for  pathways,  and  for  other 
purposes.  Some  good  fruit  have  been  cut,  and  the  plants  at 
the  present  time  have  a  fair  crop.  Although,  owing  to  some 
Blight  misadventure,  the  fruit  is  not  of  a  large  size,  yet  it  is 
quite  good  enough  to  prove  that  first-class  Pines  can  be  grown 
by  this  system  of  heating  in  a  much  more  economical  manner 
than  by  any  other.  Not  a  particle  of  coal  or  cinder  has  been 
used  in  any  of  the  fires  ;  indeed,  as  illustrative  of  the  easy 
way  in  which  heat  can  be  had,  I  may  mention,  that  when  the 
soil  was  first  placed  in  the  Pine-bed,  one  entire  faggot  was  set 
£re  to  in  the  furnace,  over  this  faggot  a  (luantity  of  sawdust  was 
thrown,  and  by  the  tin-e  this  vfaa  burned  up  the  soil  was 
heated  to  75". 

A  new  house  has  been  lately  added  to  the  range,  and  is,  I  be- 
lieve, intended  for  an  orchard  house.  The  roof  has  a  very  light 
appearance,  as  it  is  a  fixture — without  moveable  sashes,  and  no 
heavy  rafters  have  been  used.  It  is  ventilated  by  means  of  the 
front  sashes,  and  by  shutters  in  the  back  wall.  This  house  is 
heated  by  a  hollow  chamber  under  the  footpath,  which  is  paved 
with  slabs  formed  principally  of  Portland  cement  and  broken 
bricks.  These  are  made  by  Bow,  of  Maidstone,  and  are  said 
to  be  very  cheap  and  durable ;  they  certainly  form  an  admirable 
material  for  paving  purposes. 

But  it  is  to  the  heated  bed,  which  has  no  regular  glass  roof, 
and  is  as  much  exposed  as  any  other  plot  of  ground,  a  miniature 
kitchen  garden  in  fict,  to  which  I  would  wish  more  particularly 
to  call  attention.  Most  kinds  of  vegetables  have  been  hero 
produced,  both  early  and  in  excellent  condition,  and  they  have 
only  been  protected  from  frost  and  cold  winds  in  the  early 
spring  months  by  means  of  thin  wooden  screens  raised  on  legs 
about  15  inches  above  the  soil.  These  screens  are  also,  doubt- 
less, most  useful  in  checking  radiation  quite  sufficiently  to 
guard  the  young  and  tender  crops  from  any  chill  to  which  they 
might  otherwise  be  subjected  if  fully  exposed  to  the  cold  night 
air.  Of  the  crops  taken  this  year — Onions  were  fit  for  use  on 
April  6th  ;  Potatoes,  April  2ud ;  Turnips,  May  Cth ;  Carrots, 
May  6th  ;  and  Peas,  May  21st.  At  the  time  of  my  visit,  August 
29th,  Tarious  crops  were  growing  in  the  bed,  and  not  the  least 
interesting  were  some  excellent  crops  of  the  Scarlet-fleshed 


Pine-Apple  Melon,  of  which  both  the  foliage  and  fruit  were  all 
that  could  be  wished.  The  Melons,  and  some  Cucumbers,  are 
grown  under  a  useful  kind  of  span-roofed  portable  frame,  in- 
vented by  Mr.  Wykeham-Martin.  The  frames  are  made  entirely 
of  iron,  and  are  glazed  from  top  to  bottom  with  15-oz.  glass, 
which  gives  them  a  very  light  appearance.  They  are  (J  feet 
long  by  2  feet  8  inches  wide,  and  the  span-roof  rises  about 
18  inches  or  2  feet  high.  The  span-roof  is  separate  from  the 
lower  part,  and  is  lifted  off  and  on  by  two  iron  handles  at  each 
end.  The  principal  merit  of  these  frames  consists  in  the  use 
of  T  and  angle  n  irons,  which  can  be  bought  in  London  at  55s. 
per  hundredweight.  The  entire  cost  of  each  frame  when  glazed 
and  completed,  is  £2  5s.  The  accompanying  sketch  represents 
one  of  these  frames,  of  which  six  are  now  in  use  on  the  bed  in 
question. 


As  regards  fuel,  as  I  have  already  stated,  nothing  in  the 
shape  of  coal  is  ever  used.  In  the  severest  weather  abundance 
of  heat  is  obtained  by  using  logs  of  wood,  for  the  furnaces  are 
so  commodious  that  whole  trees  require  but  very  little  sawing- 
up  to  tit  them  for  fuel,  and  during  the  present  summer,  what 
little  artificial  heat  has  been  required,  has  actually  been  ob- 
tained by  burning  old  Cabbage  stalks,  Potato  haulm,  or,  in 
fact,  any  garden  refuse  which  could  be  had,  so  that  it  will  be 
seen  that  after  the  first  expense  of  building,  the  cost  of  fuel  is 
of  very  little  moment. 

What  gardener  is  there  who  would  not  hail  with  delight  the 
idea  of  a  constant  supply  of  steady  bottem  heat,  aye,  even  if 
applied  to  that  snug  warm  border  so  called,  but  to  which  he 
would  always  welcome  a  little  more  solar  heat  to  hasten  on  his 
tardy  spring  crops  ?  Moreover,  now  that  bedding  plants  are 
required  in  such  enormous  quantities  for  the  flower  garden, 
what  can  be  more  serviceable  than  a  plot  of  heated  soil,  over 
which  a  glass  case  has  only  to  be  placed  to  form,  without  any 
further  care,  one  of  the  most  excellent  propagating  houses  it  is 
possible  tohave  ? — Edward  Ldckhubst,  Eijcrton  House  Gardens, 
Ki'iit. 

CAUSE  OF  COLOUR  AND  FLAVOUR  IN  FRUIT. 

With  reference  to  the  letter  of  "J.  F."  (page  204),  I  would 
say  that  the  high  colour  and  racy  flavour,  which  are  observed  in 
fruit  ripened  under  favourable  circumstances  in  the  open  air, 
arise  probably,  at  least  in  part,  from  a  cause  which,  I  believe, 
has  not  hitherto  been  brought  into  notice — namely,  that  the 
chemical  solar  rays,  which  are  quite  distinct  from  the  luminous 
and  heating  rays,  pass  with  difficulty  through  glass. — G.  S. 


GRAPE   VAGARIES. 


In  a  span-roof  vinery  here  measuring  UO  feet  long,  in  three 
divisions  of  30  feet  each,  and  which  was  planted  in  1862,  the 
roots  being  inside,  the  Black  Hamburghs  used  to  be  ripe  by 
the  1st  of  August.  This  year,  however,  though  the  Vines  were 
forced  as  early,  and  there  was  no  visible  difference  in  the  treat- 
ment, while  some  bunches  are  ripe,  many  are  merely  colouring 
now  in  the  two  houses  nearest  the  stove,  although  in  the 
same  houses  Muscats,  Lady  Downe's,  and  other  sorts,  were 
quite  ripe  some  time  ago.  In  the  third  or  end  house  (on  three- 
year-old  and  small  Vines),  there  has  been  merely  sun  beat  since 
July,  yet  there  the  Black  Hamburghs  were  quite  ripe  a  month 
ago,  and  black  as  sloes.  The  Vines  are  heavily  cropped,  but 
not  much  more  so  than  usual. 

Two  Muscat  Hamburghs,  oue  on  its  own  roots,  the  other  in- 
arched on  a  Black  Hamburgh,  have  set  their  bunches  well,  but 
every  one  contains  about  one- tenth  of  berries,  quite  as  large  as 
the  rest,  that  are  merely  coloured,  and  acid,  while  the  others 
are  blue  black,  and  were  ripe  long  ago.  I  see  no  difference  in 
the  stoues  in  the  two  kinds  of  berries,  ripe  and  acid.  Both 
sorts  of  berries  seem  perfect  except  as  to  ripening. 

How  can  I  best  make  a  two-year-old  Trentham  Black  Vine 
take  the  place  of  a  Muscat  Hamburgh  six  years  old,  on  its  own 


Soptombor  24, 1868.  ] 


JOUKNAL  OF  HORTIOOLTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENEK. 


227 


roots,  and  with  a  stem  about  G  inches  or  more  in  circumference, 
within  S  feet  of  the  Trenthara  ?  I  dislike  throwing  away  so 
very  strong-growing  a  Muscat  Hamburgh,  if  it  would  by  graft- 
ing or  inarching  make  a  good  mother  for  tho  Trentham.— 
J.  Mackenzie,  M.D. 

[If  the  stem  of  the  Muscat  Hamburgh  is  deemed  so  valuable 
you  might  turn  the  stem,  if  possible,  of  the  Trentham  Black, 
and  inarch  them  together.  We  do  not  see  any  other  way  you 
can  use  it,_  unless  you  leave  the  Trentham  alone,  and  fresh  graft 
the  other  in  the  spring,  or  inarch  after  growth  commences. 

Wo  are  quite  unable  to  account  for  the  Hamburghs  not  ripen- 
ing, when  Muscats,  ic,  are  ripe,  unless  the  house  was  kept 
too  hot  for  them  in  the  hot  weather.  Neither  can  we  assign  a 
reason  for  the  Muscat  Hamburgh  ripening  uneijually,  unless  it 
was  that  deficient  moisture  at  the  roots,  combined  with  heavy 
cropping,  rendered  the  supply  of  sap  deficient.] 


POMOLOGICAL  GLExVNINGS. 
Madame   Trewe  Peak.— One  of  the  most  beautiful,   per- 
haps  the  most  beautiful  and  finest  summer  Pear  we  have 


seen,  is  a  variety  sent  us  by  Mr.  Eivers,  and  of  which  we 
famish  our  readers  with  a  figure  in  our  present  number. 
As  will  be  seen  by  the  figure  it  is  of  good  size,  but  it  requires 
the  painter's  pencil  to  give  any  idea  of  the  colour,  which  on 
the  side  exposed  to  the  sun  is  of  a  brilliant  vermilion  crimson, 
more  brilliant  even  than  Forelle,  which  is  one  of  the  highest- 
coloured  of  Pears.  On  the  shaded  side  Madame  Treyve  is  of 
a  pale  straw  yellow,  but  on  that  next  the  sun,  and  extending 
over  three-parts  of  the  surface  of  the  fruit,  it  is  as  we  have 
already  described  it,  and  dotted  with  minute  yellow  dots.  The 
eye  is  very  small  and  open,  and  set  in  a  narrow  round  basin. 
The  stalk  slender,  half  an  inch  to  three-quarters  long,  set  in  a 
round  narrow  cavity.  Flesh  white,  like  that  of  Forelle,  melt- 
ing like  a  Peach,  very  juicy,  rich,  and  sugary,  with  a  delicate 
and  highly  refined  aroma.  A  most  delicious  Pear,  ripe  in  the 
beginning  of  September. 


PROPAGATING  VARIEGATED  PELARGONIUMS. 

There  is  much  danger  of  many  of  these  beautiful  plants 

being  lost  to  our  gardens  from  want  of  proper  knowledge  in 

those  who  attempt  their  propagation.    Most  persons,  who  either 


raise  one  as  a  seedling,  or  buy  one  as  an  expensive  little  plant, 
are  too  anxious  to  obtain  a  cutting  from  it.  Before  the  plant 
has  time  to  become  strong  and  vigorous  a  miserable  little 
cutting  is  taken,  which  can  hardly  make  root,  and  becomes 
unhealthy  before  it  has  time  to  grow.  I  feel  convinced  this 
practice  has  ruined  tho  constitution  of  plants  which  would 
otherwise  have  produced  valuable  varieties.  It  is  the  same  to 
a  certain  extent  with  almost  all  new  plants.  New  Roses,  new 
Dahlias,  &o.,  which  have  been  over-propagated,  require  time  to 
recover  strength  before  an  opinion  can  be  safely  formed  of  their 
merits.  Variegated  plants,  however,  are  more  easily  and 
permanently  injured.  With  these  more  particularly  I  would 
say,  "  The  greater  haste,  the  less  speed."  I'ut  in  large  cuttings 
and  you  will  have  healthy  plants. — J.  R.  Pearson,  Chihoell. 


NEW  ROSES. 


TocR  correspondent  "  Devoniensis,"  evidently  wants  a  chair 
about  Roses,  and  specially  in  reference  to  new  varieties.  I  am 
very  shy  of  buying  novelties,  the  per-centage  of  the  bad  to 
the  good  Roses  is  so  great.  The  best  Roses  of  later  date  that 
I  have  grown,  and  to  which  I  will  give  a  full  certificate,  are 
Autoine  Ducher,  Alfred  Colomb,  Prince  de  Portia,  and  Charles 
Verdier.  Whoever  buys  these  (being  a  cultivator),  must  be 
highly  pleased. 

Heaps  of  trash  are  sent  out  every  year,  and  the  prizes  bear 
no  relation  to  the  blanks.  I  am  distressed  to  see  so  many 
worthless  Roses  retained  in  catalogues,  and  such  noble  Roses 
discarded  from  catalogues  which  are  otherwise  good  and  select. 
What  novelties,  in  their  lines  of  colour  (I  include  excellent 
habit),  are  equal  or  superior  to  Baronne  Prevost,  Duchesse 
d'Orleans,  Sa^ur  des  Anges,  Gloire  de  Vitry  (first-rate  on  its  own 
roots),  Caroline  de  Sansal,  and  Monsieur  de  Montigny  ?  How 
nobly  have  these  magnificent  neglected  ones  acquitted  them- 
selves this  critical  year.  These  I  can  buy  at  !)((.  per  plant ; 
compare  with  them  the  wretches  sent  out  annually  at  3s.  CiZ. 
per  plant,  or  more. 

We  want  novelties  new  in  character  rather  than  in  name. 
We  want  not  merely  good  Roses,  but  Roses  better  in  the  same 
line  of  colour  than  those  we  already  have.  "Devoniensis  "  is 
sanguine  !  How  long  will  it  take  to  beat,  in  the  line  of  crim- 
son (I  include  good  constitution  and  habits),  these  crimson 
Roses — namely,  Charles  Lefebvre,  Senateur  Vaisse,  Alfred 
Colomb,  Autoine  Ducher,  Lord  Macaulay,  Duchesse  de  Caylus, 
Madame  Victor  Verdier,  Madame  Julie  Daran,  Marechal  Vail- 
lant,  Leopold  Premier,  and  Madame  Boutin  ?  Besides  these, 
there  are  others  very  excellent  in  the  line  of  crimson,  as 
Baronne  Adolphe  de  Rothschild,  Lady  Suflield,  and  Francois 
Lacharme.  I  should  not  like  to  wait  for  my  breakfast  till  I 
could  produce  a  Rose  equal  to  any  one  of  the  above  Roses.  It 
is,  however,  now  time  to  pay  attention  to  the  queries  sent  by 
"Devoniensis." 

Mademoiselle  .Jeanne  Marix  is  of  fine  growth  with  fine 
foliage.  It  is  a  most  promising  Rose,  but  I  have  not  had  a  faU 
bloom.  The  early  blooms  did  not  open  quite  freely.  I  expect 
to  find  it  next  year  a  first-rate  variety.  Madame  Alice  Bureau 
is  a  nice  Rose,  and  is  about  to  bloom  again.  It  is  a  good  grower 
and  free  bloomer.  La  France  came  with  one  series  of  flowers 
on  it  and  has  produced  two  more  since.  It  has  a  long  neck, 
and,  I  think,  is  of  Tea  descent.  It  is  distinct,  and  suited  to 
dry  weather  or  a  conservatory.  Its  petals  are  incurved  at  the 
edges.  I  prefer  Marguerite  de  St.  Amand,  and  still  more  so, 
Charles  Verdier,  the  best  Rose  of  light  colour  that  has  been  out 
since  beautiful  Sor-ur  des  Anges  appeared.  Madame  Martin  de 
Besse  is  a  splendid  grower  with  the  finest  foliage,  but  not  suffi- 
ciently proved.  I  moved  it,  Jeanne  Marix,  and  others  on  the 
28th  of  August,  before  they  had  time  to  give  a  second  series  of 
bloom.  Madame  Rolland  buds  well,  is  a  good  grower,  and  will 
soon  bloom  again.  Its  first  blooms  were  as  good  as  I  could 
expect  from  a  weak  plant.  Of  Marie  Cirodde  I  bought  twelve 
in  dormant  bud  on  the  6th  of  August.  I  cut  them  down  at 
once,  and  eleven  are  growing  freely,  and  some  may  yet  bloom. 
The  growth  and  foliage  are  first-rate.  They  were  budded  only 
six  weeks  before  I  bought  them. 

I  met  Mr.  Keynes  at  the  Blandford  Show,  and  asked  him  to 
mark  the  best  Roses  of  the  year  in  his  catalogue.  He  marked 
these : — Hybrid  Perpetuals  :  Boule  de  Neige,  Christina  Nilsson, 
Elie  Morel,  Louis  Bulliat,  Madame  Rolland,  Madame  de  Roths- 
child, Reine  du  Midi.  Souvenir  d'Adrien  Bahivet,  Souvenir  de 
Caillat,  and  the  Tea  Rose,  Keine  du  Portugal,  which  his  cata- 
logue describes  as  "  deep  bright  yellow,  sometimes  shaded  with 


228 


JOUENAIi  OF  HOETICOLTUEE  AND   COTTAGE   GAEBENEE. 


[  September  24,  1868. 


rose  and  copper,  fine  form,  medium  size,  full.  Opens  shyly  !  " 
I  do  not  know  this  Rose.     Buy  Madame  Margottin. 

Pernet  describes  his  Eose,  Madame  de  Eothschild,  as  "preaque 
pUine."  It  has  been  much  puffed  up  by  those  sanguine  rosa- 
rians  whose  signal  attribute  is  that  of  deceiving  (unintention- 
ally), the  Eose  purchasers  of  the  kingdom.  I  never  recom- 
mend  Boses  fully  that  I  have  not  bought,  or  would  not  buy.  It 
takes  three  years  to  prove  a  Eose  fully.  Persons  go  to  large 
establishments  and  view  Eoses  under  glass,  and  then  give  a 
character  to  the  Eose  that  leads  the  uninitiated  to  think  that 
the  plant  is  grown  out  of  doors,  and,  that  where  so  grown,  it 
will  be  the  same  fine  Eose.  The  initiated  know  better.  People, 
whether  they  buy  or  accept  plants,  should  be  most  scrupulous 
in  their  recommendations.  They  are  never  given  with  a  view 
te  deceive,  but  are  the  expressions  of  kindness  and  respect. 
Purchasers  of  novelties  can  do  no  better  than  put  themselves 
in  the  hands  of  our  first-class  nurserymen.  They  know  but 
little,  still,  more  than  we  know,  about  novelties. 

I  have  these  Eoses  on  trial,  only  just  come — Eeine  du  Midi, 
Prince  Humbert,  Monsieur  Noman,  Franpois  Treyve,  Louis 
BuUiat,  Madame  de  Eothschild,  Merveille  d'Anjou,  Marie 
Bady,  Miss  Ingram,  Madame  Barriot,  Cure  de  Charentay,  Marie 
Baumann,  and  others.  Of  them  in  due  time  I  will  give  an 
acconnt. 

"  Devoniensis  "  says,  "  I  think  that  Horace  Vemet  is  quite 
above  the  common  run  of  novelties."  I  differ.  I  have  four 
plants  which  have  not  grown  well ;  the  petals  are  deep  and  fine- 
coloured,  but  there  are  not  enough  ranges,  and  the  flower  is 
crenulated,  waved,  or  rough  at  the  edges.  It  is  the  same  colour 
as  Fisher  Holmes,  which,  also,  though  beautiful  in  colour,  is  not 
full  enough.  Thorin  is  fine,  but  has  not  yet  been  full  enough. 
It  is  a  good  grower.  "  D.,"  of  Deal,  comes  on  the  23rd  of  Sep- 
tember, and  I  shall  show  him  some  good  Eoses. 

I  close  with  one  word  more  about  Charles  Verdier.  On  the 
6th  of  August,  when  I  bought  my  dormant  buds,  and  also  some 
plants,  at  the  Dorset  Nurseries,  Blandford,  I  told  the  foreman 
that  it  was  first-rate  in  the  light  line.  He  said  it  would  not 
open  well.  I  told  him  it  was  from  want  of  water.  As  I  said 
before,  the  whole  line  "  stood  fast."  This  morning  at  the 
same  time  that  I  received  the  letter  of  "Devoniensis,"  the 
foreman's  changed  opinion  came  to  hand.  "  Some  short  time 
since  (.July  6tb),  you  asked  me  my  opinion  of  Charles  Verdier. 
I  was  not  able  then  to  give  an  opinion  of  its  merits,  but  I  am 
quite  sure  if  you  saw  the  splendid  blooms  of  it  now  out,  you 
would  pronounce  it  first-rate.  It  is  4  inches  across.  It  re- 
sembles Abel  Grand,  but  is  fuller  and  more  cupped."  I  bought 
seven  plants  of  Abel  Grand  on  the  Manetti  stock,  ou  August 
6th,  and  on  the  9th  of  September  it  had  dropped  its  leaves, 
made  new  shoots,  and  formed  buds  the  size  of  a  nut.  I  will 
show  these  to  "  D.,"  of  Deal,  on  the  23rd.  Quick  work ! 
Hurrah  for  Manetti  1— W.  F.  Eadclyffe. 


WORK   FOR   THE  'WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GAKDEN. 

Manures. — Take  every  opportunity  of  converting  all  refuse 
vegetable  substances,  scrapings  of  roads,  cleanings  of  sheds, 
&c.,  into  rich  dressings  for  the  garden,  by  watering  with  the 
liquid  that  distils  from  Melon  grounds,  dunghills,  &a.  New 
manures  may  be  useful  as  auxiliaries,  but  there  is  nothing  pre- 
ferable for  the  production  of  good  medium-sized  high-flavoured 
vegetables  to  old  hotbed  dung,  and  the  decomposing  heap  of 
those  substances  which  can  be  collected  in  a  garden.  Weak 
solutions  of  guano,  superphosphate  of  lime,  &c.,  frequently 
applied,  are  found  very  serviceable  to  strong  growing  plants 
in  pots.  Cucumbers  in  boxes,  &c.,  but  the  same  apparent  bene- 
fit is  not  the  consequence  of  their  application  to  crops  in  the 
open  garden,  though  Cauliflowers  are  considerably  improved, 
especially  by  guano,  and  Celery  is  rendered  of  a  deeper  green 
colour  by  the  application  of  nitrate  of  soda,  but  in  size  and 
flavour  it  is  not  superior  to  that  grown  in  the  usual  manner. 
However  concentrated  the  strength  of  these  manures,  it  must 
be  evident  that  whatever  their  chemical  influence,  they  can 
affect  the  mechanical  texture  of  the  soil  but  little,  and  hence, 
for  rendering  loese  soils  more  retentive,  and  stiff  soils  more 
open,  the  old  system  of  manuring  must  ever  maintain  a  great 
superiority.  It  is  true  a  similar  mechanical  effect  might  be 
produced  by  a  proper  apphcatiou  of  lime,  chalk,  marl,  and 
in  extreme  cases  of  clay  or  sand  ;  but  these  operations  involve 
both  trouble  and  expense.  Except  the  usual  course  of  salad- 
ing,  there  is  very  little  sowing  to  be  done  for  some  time,  and 


as  soon  as  the  spring  Lettuces  and  late  Cauliflower  plants  are 
pricked  or  planted  out,  little  more  will  be  needed  in  the  way  of 
planting  for  a  long  time,  except  among  the  market  gardeners, 
who  will  still  plant  out  a  large  breadth  of  plants  for  late  CoU- 
uwrts.  If,  therefore,  a  few  Endive  plants  are  kept  blanched, 
and  the  Celenj  rows  are  not  allowed  to  go  too  long  without 
earthing-up,  you  may  turn  your  attention  to  forwarding  work 
that  will  save  time  in  spring.  The  cropping  book  will  show 
what  plots  want  trenching,  and  to  what  depth ;  never  trench 
twice  the  same  depth. 

FKUIT   GARDEN. 

It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  young  fruit  trees  should  never 
rest  more  than  two  years  without  being  taken  up  and  replanted 
nearer  the  surface,  till  they  are  twelve  or  fifteen  years  old. 
After  they  have  attained  a  medium  size  of  growth,  the  inter- 
vals of  transplanting  may  be  extended  to  three  or  four  years. 
This  is  much  better  than  allowing  them  to  run  half  wild  in  the 
first  instance,  and  then  have  to  use  severe  and  unnatural 
means  to  correct  them  afterwards.  Nonpareil  and  other  tender 
Apple  trees  infested  with  canker  or  otherwise  unhealthy,  may 
be  improved  by  being  taken  up  and  replanted  in  fresh  soil, 
using  some  turfy  compost  about  their  roots,  their  young  growth 
being  pruned-off  two-thirds  of  its  length,  and  they  should  be 
firmly  tied  up  to  stakes  till  they  have  a  fresh  hold  on  the  soil. 
Early  autumn  pruning  is  necessary  for  the  health  and  well- 
being  of  delicate  fruit  trees,  not  excepting  even  the  Peach. 

FLOWER    GARDEN. 

Every  week  now  tells  more  or  less  on  the  appearance  of  the 
flower  garden.  Leaves  from  above  and  worms  from  below, 
with  short  days  and  long  cold  nights,  will  keep  people  busy 
here  until  frost.  Many  of  the  early  kinds  of  Tulips  and  Nar- 
cissus are  now  beginning  to  grow,  and  therefore  to  keep  them 
out  of  the  ground  any  longer  will  injure  them.  As,  however, 
it  is  impossible  to  plant  them  permanently  until  the  autumn 
plants  are  removed  from  the  beds,  it  will  be  found  a  good  plan 
to  place  them  upon  an  inch  or  two  of  finely  sifted  leaf  mould 
and  sand,  and  to  cover  them  several  inches  deep  with  old  tan 
or  leaf  mould.  In  this  situation  they  will  make  roots,  and  as 
soon  as  the  beds  are  ready  for  their  reception  they  may  be  re- 
moved to  their  proper  positions  with  the  soil  adhering  to  their 
roots.  The  same  observations  apply  to  all  sorts  of  bulbs  or 
tuberous-rooted  plants  that  are  desired  for  early-spring  decora- 
tion, as,  for  instance.  Anemones,  Crocuses,  Snowdrops,  Hy- 
acinths, Jonquils,  and  Crown  Imperials.  Continue  at  every 
favourable  opportunity  to  pot-off  Carnation  layers  ;  let  the 
grass  or  leaves  be  dry,  for  when  they  are  wet  with  rain  or  dew, 
the  soil,  which  will  sometimes  lodge  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves, 
however  carefully  they  may  be  handled,  is  difficult  to  be  re- 
moved, and  if  not  cleared  out  will  prove  detrimental  to  the 
plant  during  the  winter.  The  layers  must  be  put  in  a  close 
frame  for  a  few  days  till  they  have  again  struck  root.  The 
seedling  bulbs  of  Tulips,  when  very  smnll,  are  best  in  the 
ground,  and  small  offsets  of  choice  sorts  had  also  better  be 
planted.  Any  offsets  of  Auriculas,  which  may  not  have  been ' 
ready  earlier  in  the  season,  must  now  be  removed,  planting 
carefully  round  the  rim  of  a  48-sized  pot ;  water  to  settle  the 
soil  to  the  roots,  and  place  in  a  situation  free  from  drip  or 
heavy  rain.  Continue  to  make  the  beds  of  Pansies  for  next 
year's  blooming,  and  propagate  by  slips  all  that  it  is  desirable 
to  increase.  Seedling  Polyanthuses  may  still  be  pricked-out, 
to  become  established  before  winter.  Compost  heaps  should 
be  turned,  and  all  insects  carefully  picked  out ;  a  small  quan- 
tity of  quicklime  will  prove  beneficial  if  added  to  the  decayed 
turf  intended  for  Tulips. 

GREENHOUSE    AND    CONSERVATORY. 

The  Chrysanthemum  will  soon  require  the  shelter  of  the 
greenhouse,  particularly  the  early  kinds,  and  some  of  the  later 
sorts  should  be  left  out  as  long  as  a  mat  or  two  can  secure  them 
from  the  frost ;  this  will  prolong  their  succession.  They  will 
require  some  stakes  ;  but  avoid  the  exhibition  plan  of  staking 
them,  which,  although  necessary  for  bringing  the  flowers  to 
view  altogether  at  one  time,  is  most  unsightly  for  general  pur- 
poses. As  little  water  as  possible  should  be  scattered  in  the 
conservatory  for  the  next  ten  months,  as  this  dull  season  is 
enough  of  itself  to  damp  off  the  flowers  without  such  aids. 
Slight  fires  will  also  be  necessary  during  the  day  if  the  house 
shows  signs  of  dampness.  This  house  and  tlie  late  vinery 
should  now  be  managed  nearly  alike.  There  are  two  varieties 
of  Bignonia  jasminoides  in  cultivation,  one  of  which  is  a  very 
shy  bloomer,  and  ought  to  be  discarded  ;  the  other  is  the  finest 
of  our  hardy  greenhouse  cUmbers.     Cuttings  of  the  latter  may 


September  24,  1868.  1  JOOKNAL   OF   HORTICULTURE  AND    COTTAGE  GABDBNEB. 


229 


be  struck  any  time  before  the  euJ  of  October,  and  they  root  as 
freely  as  Willows,  and  will  blossom  all  through  next  summer 
in  very  small  pots. 

STuyt:. 
There  is  no  variation  in  tho  treatment  of  this  house  worth 
noticing  this  week. 

PITS   AND  FUAMES. 

Halt  a  dozen  plants  of  tho  Prince  of  Orange  Pelargonium, 
stinted  all  the  summer,  and  lately  planted  in  one  large  pot,  will 
now  be  ready  to  be  removed  from  the  cold  pit  to  the  conser- 
vatory, where  they  will  IJower  all  tho  winter.  It  is  rather  too 
soon  yet  to  take  the  Heliotropes  in-doors,  so  many  of  them 
being  yet  to  be  seen  in  the  beds  outside.  Smith's  Giant,  or 
Shrubland  Scarlet  Pelargoniums,  struck  last  May  or  .June,  will 
now  be  fine-sized  plants  to  introduce  into  rooms,  &o.,  where 
such  furnishings  are  wanted.  These  are  among  the  best  to 
stand  over  the  dull  months.  It  is  now  time  to  place  young 
Gardenias,  Neriums,  and  Orange  trees  in  their  winter  quarters. 
A  cold  pit  from  which  the  frost  can  be  excluded  is  the  best 
place  for  them,  as  they  are  always  kept  in  the  smallest  pots 
into  which  the  roots  will  go,  and  force  best  when  thus  under- 
potted.  It  often  happens  that  their  roots  perish  during  winter. 
To  prevent  this  it  is  a  good  plan  to  turn  them  out  of  the  pots 
now,  and  plunge  the  balls  in  a  thin  layer  of  light  earth  during 
the  period  of  rest ;  but  as  Gardenias  will  flourish  in  peat  only 
they  should  be  plunged  in  it. — W.  Keane. 


DOINGS  OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

Celery. — In  writing  rather  largely  on  the  treatment  of  this 
vegetable  last  week,  we  forgot  again  to  draw  the  attention  of 
those  who  like  Celery,  and  have  little  ground,  to  the  Dwarf 
White  Incomparable,  which,  though  it  grows  slowly  and  never 
becomes  high,  blanches  quickly,  and  from  plants  15  or  18  inches 
in  height  you  can  always  send  a  foot  in  length  to  table.  A 
bed  4  feet  wide  will  grow  three  rows  admirably,  and  '2  feet  at 
most  on  each  side  will  be  enough  to  earth  it  up.  But  for  grow- 
ing other  crops  on  the  ridges,  18  inches  on  each  side  would  be 
ample  space  ;  so  that  in  a  width  of  G  or  7  feet  the  amateur 
may  have  three  rows  of  one  of  the  sweetest  kinds  of  Celery  for 
the  table.  Tall  Celery  is  not  to  be  despised  by  any  means,  but 
in  these  giant  heads  the  eatable  part  is  not  in  proportion  to 
the  general  bnlk.  We  found  last  winter  and  spring  that  this 
Dwarf  White  stood  as  well  as  the  Red. 

Tomatoes. — Disleafed  these  rathfer  freely  to  let  the  sun  to  the 
fruit.  There  is  so  much  moisture  in  the  stems  that  the  fruit 
ripens  with  but  little  foliage.  After  this  season  it  is  of  no  use 
allowing  bunches  of  bloom  to  stand.  All  the  strength  of  the 
roots  should  go  into  the  fruit  that  is  tolerably  well  advanced. 

Cuciimhcrs. — Regulated  and  trained  young  plants  in  a  pit 
where  fire  heat  can  be  given,  and  thinned  considerably  those 
bearing,  but  becoming  the  worse  of  the  work  they  have  done. 
Potted  others  into  6  and  8-inch  pots,  to  plant  them  out  for 
winter  work  if  wanted,  but  for  this  we  have  no  place  very  suit- 
able, as  our  pit  ii  too  flat,  and  the  plants  receive  too  little 
direct  light  in  winter.  After  February  the  matter  is  different. 
A  steep  lean-to,  or  a  rather  steep  span,  is  best  for  Cucumbers 
in  winter. 

Dwarf  Kidney  Beanx. — Gave  a  good  watering  to  those  which 
have  just  come  up  in  a  pit,  to  be  treated  with  a  little  beat  when 
wanted.  Sowed  some  dozens  of  large  pots  out  of  doors,  which 
pots  may  be  removed  under  protection  when  the  weather 
threatens  to  be  cold,  and  we  will  sow  again  shortly.  The  plants 
thus  raised  out  of  doors  in  a  warm  autumn  generally  do  better 
when  housed  in  time  than  those  sown  under  glass  at  once,  and 
they  enable  us  to  use  the  stage  a  little  longer  for  other  purposes. 

The  weather  has  become  warmer  after  the  delightful  rain  on 
the  nights  of  the  18th  and  19th,  which  came  just  when  it  was 
needed,  and  has  made  all  fresh-planted  subjects  lift  up  their 
heads  nicely ;  even  the  wasps  have  become  a  little  torpid  over 
it.  In  mild  damp  weather  extra  care  must  be  taken  of  young 
Lettuces,  Cauliflowers,  &e.,  otherwise  the  trouble  of  planting 
might  be  saved.  Wood  ashes  mixed  with  rough  coal  ashes  are 
together  very  annoying  to  all  the  slimy  tribe  ;  but  when  very 
numerous,  nothing  heats  a  little  heap  of  brewers'  grains  mixed 
with  a  little  bran.  We  may  here  mention  that  though  we  have 
seen  few  dead  mice,  yet  since  we  put  the  poisoned  grain  in  the 
middle  of  the  drain  tiles,  they  have  ceased  to  cut  up  our  plants 
as  they  were  doing  wholesale.  The  drain  tiles  are  so  small, 
that  nothing  except  mice  and  small  rats  could  find  their  way 


in,  and  therefore  there  was  no  danger  of  more  valued  animals 
reaching  the  poison.  Care,  however,  should  be  taken  to  see 
that  tho  mice  do  not  pull  it  out.  We  have  known  cases  where 
pheasants  and  fowls  have  been  poisoned  by  rats,  after  eating  a 
portion  in  a  hole,  or  in  any  other  place  deemed  safe,  pulling  a 
part  out  and  leaving  it  exposed.  Thus  we  would  rather  do 
without  poisoning  if  we  could  ;  there  is  something  hateful  and 
repulsive  in  the  whole  process.  Poisoned  grain  cannot  now  be 
bought,  but  we  presume  we  can  make  a  little  for  our  own  use, 
and  for  birds  and  mice  nothing  is  more  effectual  than  strych- 
nine or  nux  vomica,  because  it  kills  bo  quickly  and  does  not 
torture. 

Ants. — "  A  Reader  "  has  drawn  our  attention  to  the  many 
letters  and  the  many  modes  adverted  to  in  the  Timest  and  other 
papers  as  to  the  test  mode  of  destroying  ants  in  dwelling 
houses.  We  would  refer  to  these  letters,  and  to  what  has  ap- 
peared frequently  in  this  Journal,  as  to  the  best  mode  of 
making  them  shift  their  quarters.  For  killing  them  off,  the 
following  mode  is  the  most  effectual  with  us  when  we  are 
forced  to  interfere  with  the  busy  workers.  Procure  from  a 
chemist  some  arsenic  that  has  not  been  blackened,  as,  we  pre- 
sume, in  general  it  must  be.  Mix  that  with  moist  white  sugar, 
place  it  in  a  saucer,  place  two  slips  of  wood  across  it,  from  one- 
eighth  to  one-quarter  ot  an  inch  thick,  and  on  these  place 
another  saucer  reversed,  with  a  weight  on  it  to  keep  it  firm. 
The  ants  will  enter  between  the  two  saucers,  and  will  die  as 
the  contents  inside  disappear.  Without  poison  great  numbers 
may  be  caught  in  vessels  smeared  with  treacle  or  honey. 

FKUIT    GAEDBN. 

Straivherries. — Have  not  yet  cleaned  all  our  Strawberries; 
but  this  work  ought  to  have  been  done,  to  let  more  light  to  the 
crowns,  but  for  the  press  of  other  matters.  From  those  in 
pots  removed  all  runners,  so  that  all  the  energies  of  the  roots 
might  be  directed  to  the  central  crown  or  bud.  One  reason 
why  we  do  not  wish  to  have  our  plants  so  strong  as  we  once 
had  them  is,  that  when  very  strong  they  are  apt  to  make  two  or 
three  buds  instead  of  one,  and  these  triple  crowns  seldom  do  so 
well  as  plants  with  only  one  crown. 

Apples  and  Pears. — As  soon  as  the  weather  becomes  fine  again 
we  must  gather  the  most  of  these,  as  though  many  would  be 
improved  by  hanging  a  little  longer,  a  good  many  would  be 
apt  to  drop,  and  thus  be  good  for  nothing  but  for  present  use. 
We  housed  many  soft  Apples  that  used  to  keep  with  us  up  to 
Christmas,  but  they  soon  began  to  go  ;  and  a  lot  of  soft  ones 
we  therefore  left  beneath  the  trees  for  the  wasps  and  birds,  and 
so  far  they  acted  as  traps  to  the  wasps,  and  kept  them  and 
birds  almost  wholly  from  the  better  and  keeping  fruit. 

We  wish  we  could  do  more  than  we  can  at  present  do  in 
respect  to  removing  the  late  growths  from  dwarf  and  pyramidal 
trees,  as  the  sap  is  thus  more  concentrated  in  the  buds.  The 
buds  of  most  trees  look  plump  and  maturing  well  for  another 
season. 

Root-pruniny. — As  soon  as  the  fruit  shall  have  been  gathered, 
and  in  the  case  of  trees  that  have  borne  none  and  are  rather 
luxuriant,  the  earlier  the  roots  are  cut  the  better,  so  as  to  tell  on 
the  fruitfulness  next  season,  and  that,  root-pruning  will  do,  very 
much  in  proportion  to  the  dry  sunny  character  of  the  autumn. 
When  fruit  trees  are  young  and  very  luxuriant  it  is  often  advis- 
able to  take  up  and  replant  before  the  leaves  have  lost  all  their 
greenness.  In  general,  with  established  dwarf  trees  which  bear 
rather  freely  little  root-pruning  will  be  necessary,  and  that 
should  be  given  a  little  at  a  time,  cutting  the  roots  a  little  on 
one  side  of  the  tree  this  season  and  on  the  other  side  in  the 
following  season.  This  once  done,  and  some  rotten  dung  used 
as  mulching  every  year,  the  roots  will  be  so  encouraged  near 
the  surface  that  little  more  cutting  of  them  will  be  necessary. 

ORNAMENTAL    IiEI'ARTMENT. 

In  the  pleasure  grounds  the  rains  have  freshened  up  the 
beds  that  were  becoming  very  dry  again,  and  as  the  beds  were 
picked  over  the  day  previously,  the  rains  have  not  injured  the 
appearance  of  the  sound  blooms.  There  can  scarcely  be  a 
more  melancholy  sight  than  a  gay  bed  of  Pelargoniums  con- 
taining many  faded  flowers  after  a  heavy  rain,  and  in  such 
a  case  even  the  sound  blooms  look  discoloured  and  miserable. 
If  we  could  carry  it  out  we  would  never  take  a  bloom  from 
flower  beds  except  a  faded  one,  and  we  would  never  allow 
faded  seeding  blooms  to  remain.  In  many  cases,  were  there 
acres  of  beds,  they  would  have  to  be  gone  over  every  day  to 
have  the  mansion  stiuided  all  over  with  cut  flowers,  even  though 
windows  and  doors  open  on  conservatories  and  flower  gardens ; 
but  in  such  a  case  some  large  mixed  borders  should,  if  possible, 
be  kept  for  cutting  purposes.     We  have  not  this  kind  of  lux- 


230 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICtlLTUBE  AND  COTTAGE   QAEDENER. 


[  September  24,  1868 


nry  ourselves,  but  we  wish  it  to  be  set  down  as  a  floral  axiom, 
that  when  flower  beds  are  expected  to  be  the  very  best,  as  far 
as  the  weather  will  allow,  no  blooms  should  be  taken  from 
them  BO  long  as  they  are  fresh.  When  culled  over  every  day, 
and  the  best  always  taken,  it  is  impossible  that  the  beds  can  be 
so  full  and  bright  as  they  otherwise  would  be. 

During  such  heavy  rains  as  we  have  had.  Auriculas  should 
be  protected  with  a  sash,  and  have  plenty  of  air  back  and  front. 
A  tine  opportunity  has  been  given  for  potting  Carnations, 
pricking-out  Pinks,  Pansies,  Daisies,  Wallflowers,  &c.  Many 
of  our  Stocks  planted  out  early  in  spring,  and  that  lost  every 
leaf  by  the  depredations  of  the  fly,  are  breaking  afresh  and 
blooming  well.  All  tender  greenhouse  plants  should  now  be 
taken  under  protection,  but  allowed  plenty  of  air,  and  others 
so  placed  that  a  little  protection  can  be  given  in  a  cold  night. 

Calceolarias  may  still  be  sown  for  spring  blooming — full 
directions  were  lately  given  ;  and  the  seedlings  from  the  first 
sowing,  if  they  can  be  handled  at  all,  should  now  be  pricked  off 
and  kept  in  a  cool  shady  place.  Owing  to  the  dry  heat,  a  little 
fly  and  a  semblance  of  thrips  appeared  on  some  of  our  Cine- 
rarias, but  the  insects  have  now  taken  their  leave,  or  been  killed, 
by  placing  in  a  box  some  bruised  laurels  inside  of  the  frame  in 
which  the  plants  were  set.  Repotted  the  most  forward  Chinese 
Primulas,  and  potted  in  small  pots  numbers  of  young  plants 
to  succeed  the  others  in  spring.  These  little  plants  in  3^  and 
4-inch  pots,  with  a  large  truss  of  bloom,  are  very  useful  for 
filling  vases  and  baskets,  and  are  in  every  way  superior  to  cut 
flowers.  A  handsome  vase  in  a  room,  filled  with  small  plants 
either  out  of  pots  or  with  the  pots  concealed,  will  ever  be  more 
pleasing  than  cut  flowers,  and  will  involve  the  sacrifice  of  far 
less  time. 

Pelargoniums  that  were  cut  down  we  will  repot  in  a  few  days ; 
Younger  ones  showing  bloom  for  autumn  we  keep  under  glass, 
and  give  them  plenty  of  air.  Ferns  and  stove  plants  want  an 
overhauling  as  soon  as  we  can  find  time. 

Fropagation. — We  are  still  busy  with  bedding  plants,  and 
will  be  so  for  a  few  days  longer — rather  later  than  we  like  ;  but 
our  plants,  though  flowering  abundantly,  made  less  than  usual 
growth  in  the  hot  dry  weather  ;  and  then  when  growth  came, 
having  no  spare  borders  to  go  to,  we  were  averse  to  spoil  the 
symmetry  of  the  beds  by  taking  cuttings,  however  carefully. 
One  reason  which  is  a  kind  of  solace  to  us  for  late  cuttings,  is, 
that  if  we  had  them  early  they  would  become  too  large  for  the 
room  we  could  give  them  in  winter.  Most  of  our  plants  must 
stand  thickly  in  winter,  say  1  inch  being  allowed  to  most 
Pelargoniums,  and  less  to  Verbenas,  Heliotropes,  i-c.  We  have 
placed  most  of  the  stronger-growing  Scarlet  Pelargoniums  in 
boxes  out  of  doors,  and  just  shaded  them  a  little  in  the  hottest 
days,  and  now  they  hold  up  their  heads  to  the  sun,  and  are 
caUusiug  for  rooting.  Most  of  the  Variegated  Pelargoniums  are 
in  boxes  in  a  cold  pit  under  glass.  Our  Verbenas,  Heliotropes, 
Ageratums,  &c.,  we  have  put  in  pots  in  the  same  pit.  If  a 
portion  of  these  do  not  root  quickly,  we  will  take  them  out  and 
give  them  a  little  bottom  heat  with  a  cool  atmosphere.  We 
shall  have  to  move  them  in  about  a  month  at  any  rate,  as  they 
are  now  in  the  same  pit  as  that  which  we  generally  fill  with 
Calceolaria  cuttings,  and  it  will  be  time  enough  to  take  these 
off  then.  We  think  we  are  just  late  enough  to  strike  the  Helio- 
tropes without  heat,  but  they  will  do  if  the  weather  continue 
warm.  We  prefer  all  these  plants  to  be  struck  cool — that  is, 
with  nothing  but  the  heat  of  the  sun,  as  they  stand  rougher 
treatment  all  the  winter  than  if  they  had  been  made  more 
delicate  with  bottom  heat. 

Even  in  such  simple  matters  adhering  to  a  system  is  useful. 
The  Variegated  Pelargoniums  under  glass  would  need  little 
shading ;  but  such  cuttings  as  Verbenas  would  soon  flag  in  a 
sunny  day,  and  one  point  of  a  good  system  is  never  to  let  a 
cutting  flag  if  possible.  A  common  shading  over  the  glass  is 
objectionable  for  two  reasons — first,  it  is  liable  to  be  blown  off, 
and  the  sun  causes  the  cuttings  to  flag  before  the  mischief  is 
remedied  ;  the  second  is,  that  the  person  who  puts  the  shading 
on  very  often  forgets  to  take  it  off  in  time,  and  every  hour  that 
shading  remains  when  not  wanted  just  so  far  militates  against 
the  cutting  rooting  quickly,  so  as  to  be  able  to  look  more  after 
itself.  For  these  reasons  we  frequently  dulled  the  under  side  of 
the  glass  with  whitened  water,  and  in  bright  sunshine  just  dewed 
the  cuttings  with  a  fine-rosed  syringe  in  preference  to  giving 
shade,  keeping  the  sashes  down  to  prevent  the  moisture  going 
off.  This  season,  having  some  sashes  to  spare  for  a  few  days, 
we  have  dulled  the  outside  of  the  glass,  and  placed  another 
sash  over  it  for  a  short  time.  Under  such  treatment  one  ele- 
ment of  success  is  to  keep  the  sashes  shut  daring  the  day,  and 


to  open  them,  say  bv  tilting  them  up  half  an  inch  behind, 
from  evening  to  the  time  the  sun  comes  on  the  glass  in  the 
morning. 

We  may  also  add  that  in  general,  and  especially  after  such  a 
dry  season  as  this,  plants  at  all  likely  to  be  affected  by  thrips 
or  green  jiij,  as  Verbenas,  Petunias,  &c,,  have  the  cuttings,  all 
but  the  bottom  end  held  in  the  hand,  drawn  backwards  and 
forwards  through  tobacco  water,  or  something  of  that  kind, 
before  inserting  them.  This  little  trouble  at  first  often  saves 
much  trouble  afterwards.  If  the  cuttings  are  at  all  badly 
affected,  we  let  them  be  for  an  hour  or  two  after  this  bath, 
and  then  draw  them  through  clean  water  at  130'  before  insert- 
ing them. — 11.  F. 

COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— September  23. 

Prices  much  tlie  same  as  last  week.  The  supply  of  Peaches  is  falling 
off,  also  that  of  Plums  ;  but  vegetables  are  more  pleutiful. 


8.  d.      8.  d 

Apples yi  sieve    1    6  to  2    0 

Apricots doz.    0 

Cherries lb,    0 

Chestnuts bush.    0 


0  0 

Currants ^..  sieve    0    0  0 

Black do.    0    0  0 

Fl(!8 doz.    10  2 

FUberts lb.    0    9  1 

Cobs lb.    0    9  1 

Gooseberries    ..quart    0    0  0 

Grapes,  Hothouse,  .lb.    2    0  6 

Lemons 100  10    0  16 


Melons each    2 

Nectarines doz.    0 

Oranges 100  12 

Peaches doz.    4 

Pears  (dessert)  ..doz.    2 

Pine  Apples lb.    4 

Plums fj  sieve    2 

Quinces doz.    1 

Raspberries  lb.    0 

Strawberries.,  per  lb.    0 

Walnuts bush.  10 

do per  100    1 


d.  B. 
0to5 
0      0 


0  0 

0  0 

16  a 

2  6 


Artichokes doz. 

Asparaprus   100 

Beans,  Kidney  ?-j  sieve 

Beet,  Red doz. 

Broccoli bundle 

Bras.  Sprouts  ^^  sieve 

Cabbnpe doz. 

Capsicums 100 

Carrots bunch 

Cftnlil]ower doz. 

Celery bundle 

Cucumbers each 

Endive doz. 

Fennel bunch 

Oarlio lb. 

Herbs  bunch 

Horseradish  ..  bundle 


VEGETAELES. 

8.  d 


B.  d. 

0to6    0    LeekB  bnnch    0 


0    0    Lettuce  ....  per  score 


0    Mushrooms pottle    3 

0     Mustd.A  Cress,  punnet    0 
0    Onions  . . .  .per  bushel    5 


Parsley per  sieve 

Parsnips doz.  0 

Peas per  quart  0 

Potatoes bushel  4 

Kidney  do.  4 

Radishes  doz.  bunches  1 


d.     B.  d 

4  too  6 

0      4  0 

4  0 

0  0 

0  0 
4 
1 
0 


Rhubarb bundle 

Sea-kale basket 

Shallots lb. 

Spinach  bushel 

Tomatoes....  per  doz. 
Turnips  bunch 


0    0 
0     0 


TRADE   CATALOGUES   RECEIVED. 

G.  Jackman  &  Son,  Woking,  Surrey. — Ctitalogne  nf  Plants. 

E.  G.  Henderson  &  Son,  Wellington  Road,  St.  John's  Wood, 
London,  N.W. — Autumn  Catalogue  nf  Bulbs,  Floxoer  Boots, 
Greenhouse  and  Stove  Pla7its,  Poses,  Fruit  Trees,  d'c. 

Fisher,  Holmes,  i:  Co.,  Handsworth,  near  Sheffield,  t)S,  Fruit 
Market,  Sheffield,  and  Market  Place,  Eotherham. — Catalogue 
of  Imported  Dutch  and  other  Flower  Pools. 

W.  Hooper,  New  Wandsworth,  London,  S.W. — Catalogue  of 
Dutch  Bulbs  and  other  Flower  Pools. 

Giles  &  Pascoe,  Grove  Hill  Nursery,  and  12,  Hindley  Street, 
Adelaide. — General  Catalogue  of  Trees,  Plants,  and  Shrubs. 


TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 

Books  (Clraredon). — Williams's  "  €*rchid-Grower'9  Mannal."  There  is 
none  with  coloured  plates  except  at  a  very  high  price.  (W.  Smith). — Wo 
believe  the  work  you  name  is  oat  of  print. 

Plum  Tree  Overhanging  a  Neighbour's  Garden  {An  Old  Sub- 
scriber). — Ask  the  owuerto  cut  off  the  branches  which  extend  30  low,  and 
5  yards  over  your  ground.  If  he  neglect  or  refuse  to  remove  them,  tell 
yonr  attorney  to  Rive  him  a  legal  notice  to  do  so,  and  to  take  the  neces- 
sary steps  for  compelling  him  to  remove  them. 

Calcareous  Loam  (H.  B.).— It  is  a  mixture  of  chalk  and  earth.  It  is 
sometimes  called  marl. 

Rhubarb  Forcing  for  March  Cutting  (I.  H.  D.). — To  have  Rhubarb 
in  March  in  a  greenhouse  the  plants  should  be  placed  in  the  house  at  the 
beginniug  of  February,  and  you  will  have  stalks  fit  to  Rather  in  about  a 
moQth.  To  have  Rhubarb  fine  a  temperature  of  from  50' to  60'"  is  ne- 
cessary, it  will  then  be  fit  for  use  in  three  weeks.  This  temperature, 
however,  would  very  much  iojure  the  greenhouse  plants. 

Sowing  Verbena  and  Heliotrope  Seed  (Ithm). — To  have  strong 
plants  well  bardened-ofl'hy  May,  the  seed  should  be  sown  from  the  middle 
of  February  to  the  beginning  of  March,  in  a  mild  hotbed,  and  well 
bardened-off  before  planting  out. 

Flowerless  Plants  (.-I  Lady  in  Cheshire). — No  plant  produces  seeds 
unless  it  has  flowered  previously.  We  speak  of  plants  generally.  The 
Fungi  and  other  cryptogamic  plants  have  a  peculiar  reproductive  system. 
Some  plants  have  female  flowers  and  male  floweis.  The  female  flowers 
bear  the  seed.  The  Cucumber  and  Melon  are  familiar  examples.  The 
plant  yon  enclosed  is  the  Datura  stramonimn,  or  common  Thorn  Apple. 


Soptembor  21,1868.  1 


JOURNAL   OP   HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE    GARDENER. 


231 


Tacaonia  Van-Volxkmi  not  Plowkring  (DovekoIci').—Yo'nT  plnnt  is 
uot  old  eiunitrh  to  flower.  It  will  no  doubt  do  ho  next  Boason  if  you  now 
ki-ep  it  dry  at  the  root^,  and  expnsp  it  fully  to  lii,'ht  to  Hecuro  the  ripening' 
of  the  wood.  The  suit  Hhoiihi  nnt  ho  kept  so  dry,  liowovcr,  ti.'*  to  cnuHo 
Iho  wood  to  Hhrivol.  littoro  ^'n>\vth  eommoncos  cut  tho  wide  nhoots  hack 
to  within  two  or  threo  buds  of  the  main  branch,  and  from  tho  cycH  or 
buds  left  you  may  have  flowering  shoots.  The  soil  should  bo  kopt  rathor 
dry  during  tho  winter.  Your  soil  is  suitable,  but  wo  should  prefer  two- 
thirds  loam  from  tnrf,  one-third  leaf  mould,  and  a  fret;  admixture  of 
silver  sand.  Tho  drainaRo  must  be  etflcient.  It  ia  well  to  place  a  layer 
of  pi'nvel  on  tbo  shelves  for  tho  pota  to  stand  on.  Tho  points  ol  tho  shoots 
damp  I'd' from  want  of  air  and  beat. 

Ci-iMnKRS  AND  Snuriis  Fon  a  Sooth-aspect  Wall  (7?.  M.  Ti.  -4.).— Your 
wall  with  a  south  aspect  will  suit  White  Jasmine,  Ceanothna  deutatus. 
Wistaria  sinensis,  also  Lonicera  aureo-rcticulata.  Clematis  Jackmnnni, 
C.  lauuf^inosa,  Kerberidopsis  coralliaa,  Chimouanthus  ^randiflorus,  Es- 
callonia  macrautha,  Oarrya  clliptica,  and  Magnolia  granditlora.  Of  Roses, 
Mart-cbal  Niol.  Gloiro  do  Dijon,  Climbing  Devonicnsis,  Niphetos,  Gloire 
do  Bordeaux,  Celiiio  Forestier,  Ophirie,  Solfaterre,  Lamarquc,  and  Cloth 
of  Gold. 

Grubs  Destroying  Primulas  (TT'.  M.).— There  can  bo  no  doubt  of  tho 
grubs  being  the  cause  of  the  mischief.  It  is  an  uausual  occurrence,  and 
one  for  which  wo  cannot  suggest  any  other  remedy  than  to  turn  tho 
plants  out  of  tho  pots,  and  examine  tho  soil  and  plants  by  taking  away 
tho  former  from  the  stems.  A  few  good  waterings  with  soot  water  would 
make  the  grubs  uncomfortable,  and  deluging  the  pot  with  limo  water 
would  probably  destroy  them.  A  little  sont  sprinkled  about  tbo  stem 
would  bo  distasteful  to  them.  Soot  water  may  bo  made  by  pouring  over 
a  peck  of  soot  thirty  gallons  of  water,  and  stirring  well  up  previous  to  use. 
Ferns  Infested  ^\^TH  Insects  {E.  F.). — The  insects  are  aphides, 
which  may  bo  destroyed  by  fumigating  with  tobacco,  by  using  a  solu- 
tion of  1  oz.  of  Clarke's  Insect-destroying  Compound  in  a  gallon  of  water, 
or  by  tobacco  water,  either  by  immersing  tho  plants  or  syringing  them. 
The  Gnidias  are  subject  to  red  spider,  but  it  yields  to  a  2-oz.  solution  of 
tho  above-named  compound  to  a  gallon  of  water.  There  is  no  means  of 
entirely  preventing  attacks  of  insects,  but  they  may  be  kept  down  by 
preventive  measures,  as  a  moist  atmosphere,  and  supplying  the  plants 
witii  plenty  of  water  in  the  case  of  red  spider. 

Sunday  Work  (faster  and  Servant).— Yaw.  seem  to  have  plenty;  but 
much  depends  on  the  style  of  gardening  and  the  occasional  help,  and 
these  are  matters  that  no  one  not  personally  conversant  with  the  facts 
could  speak  with  certainty  upon.  As  to  what  your  employer  says  about 
a  greenhouse  being  a  matter  of  pleasure,  he  is  no  doubt  correct,  as  much 
of  the  gardening  of  the  present  day  is  more  a  matter  of  luxury  than  of 
absolute  necessity.  What  wo  stated  formerly  still  holds  true.  The  man 
■who  entertains  strong  views  on  these  subjects  should  uot  take  to  a  pro- 
fession where  these  views  are  likely  to  be  rather  often  crossed.  Your 
case  so  far  difiVrs  from  that  of  our  other  correspondent,  as  your  employer 
seems  to  wish  to  have  little  or  no  watering  done  on  Sunday,  whilst  you 
contend  you  have  so  much  work  on  the  other  days  of  tho  week,  that  you 
must  water  on  that  day.  Well,  if  the  work  must  be  done,  we  would 
make  an  effort  to  do  extra  watering  on  Saturday  afternoon,  so  as  to  do 
as  little  as  possible  on  Sunday.  We  imagine  this  would  suit  servant  and 
master. 

Grapes  Shanked — Figs  Falling  {A  Subscriber,  Pnrk  S/rcri).— The 
berries  of  the  Grapes  sent  were  shanked— that  is,  the  stalk  of  the  berry 
had  withered  up.  This  is  chiefly  owing  to  two  causes— first,  over-crop- 
ping ;  and  it  this  is  the  case,  the  fruit  is  rarely  well  coloured.  The  chief 
cause,  however,  is  the  roots  being  too  d^ep  and  in  an  unhealthy  state. 
If  the  latter,  gu«d  drainage  and  even  lifting  the  roots  may  be  necessary. 
Much  good  is  often  effected  by  securing  good  drainage  and  covering  the 
border  in  winter,  eo  as  to  keep  rain  and  snow  out  of  tho  border.  The 
roots  are  then  encouraged  to  rise  naturally.  The  Figs  on  your  trees  out 
of  doors  now  will  do  no  good,  as  every  one  of  the  size  sent  will  drop  in 
winter.  What  will  stand  the  winter  should  not  now  be  Irirger  than  small 
peas.  All  these  Figs  had  better  be  cut  ofl'wilh  a  shari>  knife,  not  pulled 
off.  With  (ire  heat  they  might  ripen,  not  otherwise.  Their  presence  in 
Buch  numbers  proves  that  the  Fig  tree  is  fruitful,  and  most  likely  the 
falhug  of  the  first  crop  would  be  prevented  by  waterings  and  mulchings 
after  the  end  of  May.  If  that  do  not  answer  let  lis  know  next  year.  The 
sooner  this  fruit  is  cut  oft"  the  better  the  chance  for  next  year. 

Glazing  a  Peach  Wall  (A  Constant  Reader).— iiuch  a  wall  would  look 
well  covered  with  upright  sashes  6  feet  from  the  wall,  and  then  a  small 
span  roof  resting  on  the  wall  on  one  side,  and  on  the  plate  above  the 
sashes  on  the  other.  Where  room  is  an  object,  we  would  make  a  lean-to 
house,  with  a  height  in  front  of  from  8A  to  44  feet,  have  ventilators  in  the 
front  wall  and  along  the  apex,  if  not  through  the  back  wall.  The  trees 
on  tho  back  wall  will  thrive  well,  and  there  is  all  tho  enclosed  space  for 
general  purposes,  say  H  feet  from  the  back  wall. 

IIeating  a  Small  Greenhouse  (.4  Subscriber).— For  such  a  small 
house,  on  the  score  of  economy,  we  would  prefer  a  flue  to  a  boiler,  and 
one  of  the  best  modes  of  having  the  flue  would  bo  to  have  it  below  the 
floor,  so  that  the  tilo  covering  would  form  part  of  the  flue.  For  clean- 
liness, however,  the  hot  water  would  be  best,  and  a  saddle  boiler  of  a 
small  size,  say  20  inches  by  14,  by  14,  costing  about  50*.,  would  suit  you. 
You  would  need  about  90  feet  of  4-inch  piping.  We  are  in  doubt  as  to 
your  second  (juestion,  as  we  do  not  know  whether  the  word  is  pointing  or 
painting.  For  pointing  a  wall,  the  best  lime  should  be  obtained,  and  this, 
bright  clean  sand,  and  a  little  fine-sifted  coal  ashes  beaten  into  a  mortar 
with  as  little  water  as  possible.  This  will  stand  well.  For  painting 
we  would  use  anticorrosion  paint  of  tho  colour  that  pleases  you  best, 
and  before  using  it  the  wall  should  be  well  scrubbed  and  then  whitened 
thinly  with  quicklime  wash,  which  will  destroy  all  green  spots,  and  that 
should,  after  standing  a  few  days,  be  roughly  scrubbed  ofi"  again  before 
applying  the  paint.  From  such  a  general  house  as  referred  to,  you  may 
have  plenty  of  Grapes,  say  from  the  end  of  August,  and  yet  keep  all  your 
plants  in  winter. 

Early  Pear— Evergreen  Screen  (J.  i'.).— The  Little  Muscat  is  the 
very  early  yellow  Pear  you  refer  to.  It  could  be  obtained  for  you  by  any 
nurseryman.  To  cover  your  south  wooden  fence  we  would  plant  Irish 
Ivy  and  Cotoneaster  Simmonsii. 

Newtngton's  Glass  Screens  (It.  J.  S.).— Write  to  Messrs.  Rivers, 
Nurseries,  Sawbridgeworth. 
Ice  Store  (TT.  K.}.~-li  you  enclose  four  postage  stamps  with  your 


address,  and  order  No.  348  of  onr  Journal,  you  will  In  that  seo  a  plan 
which  we  thinlc  will  suit  you. 

Flower-bed  Planting  (J.  C.).— Y'our  central  Rhododendron  bed  will 
spoil  tbo  effect  ol  the  other  beds  round  it  when  grouped.  The  best  plaa 
to  adopt  with  it  would  ho  to  plant  (Hadiolus  amongst  the  Rhododendrons, 
and  then  surround  tho  bed  with  a  belt  of  a  white  variegated  Pelargonium, 
as  Alma,  Bijou,  <kc.  Then  your  two  small  circles  might  bu  yellow  Calceo- 
laria, bordered  with  blue  Lobelia.  As  ynu  wish  chiefly  to  have  Pelargo- 
niums, we  would  fill  two  of  tbo  long  beds  crosswise  with  a  dwarf  scarlet 
Pelargonium,  as  Tom  Thumb  or  Little  David,  and  belt  with  Golden 
Chain  ;  and  two  others  wo  woubl  lill  with  Mrs.  Pollock  or  Cloth  of  Gold, 
or  some  of  Mr.  Wills's  best  bicolors  and  bronzes,  and  edge  with  Verbena 
Maonetti ;  or,  if  a  Pelargonium  should  be  preferred,  then  use  Harry  Hie- 
over,  a  little  £carlet  variety,  but  tho  Verbena  would  have  the  best  effect. 
Interior  of  Conservatory  (.4.). — In  such  a  position,  opening  into  a 
drawing-room,  we  would  have  no  stages  at  all,  but  eight  or  ten  ornamental 
vases  or  watertight  baskets,  in  which  wo  would  set  flowering  plants,  and 
replace  with  fresh  as  they  faded.  The  vases  could  be  draped  with  dwarf 
climbers  phintod  out,  leaving  a  hole  in  the  centre  to  receive  the  plant,  to 
be  moved  when  the  beauty  waned,  and  all  covered  with  a  green  carpeting 
of  moss.  No  seeds  reached  us,  but  tho  bit  of  loaf  and  a  small  piece  of  a 
yellow  flower  lead  us  to  think  that  you  have  Cassia  corymhosa,  a  very 
useful  plant  for  a  cool  stove  or  greenhouse,  and  even  for  the  open  air 
from  the  end  of  May  to  the  middle  of  October, 

Pelargoniums,  Double  White  and  Yellow  (H.  TT.).— There  is  not  a 
double  white  Pelargonium  proper,  but  there  is  a  neat  semi-double  Pelar- 
gonium, kno^ra  under  tho  name  of  Album  plenum.  There  is  also  another 
in  the  same  section,  but  much  larger,  with  crimson  and  rose  flowers. 
The  above  are  very  interesting  varieties,  and  thero  is  no  doubt  a  fine  race 
of  double-flowering  varieties  of  this  section  will  be  produced  from  them. 
There  is,  however,  no  chance  of  there  ever  being  any  hybrids  produced 
between  this  section  and  the  Zonal  kinds,  and  none  of  those  named  in 
your  letter  will  be  of  any  use  for  this  purpose,  as  they  are  quite  a  distinct 
race.  There  is  no  yellow  Pelargonium  that  will  answer  the  purpose  yoa 
have  in  \'iew.  We  have  for  many  years  been  trying  experiments  with  tho 
view  of  producing  a  vellow  bedding  Pelargonium,  but  with  no  great 
amount  of  success.  This  season,  however,  we  have  many  shades  very 
nearly  approaching  to  yellow,  and  think  it  is  uot  impossible  to  produce  a 
yellow  in  the  course  of  another  year  or  two.  A  good  yellow-flowered 
bedding  Pelargonium  would  be  one  of  the  most  useful  and  greatest 
novelties  that  could  be  produced,  as  the  permanency  of  tho  yellow  Cal- 
ceolaria for  this  purpose  is  now  so  little  to  be  depended  on. 

Rendle's  Tank  Heating  (F.  J.).— The  tank,  5A  feet  by  2^  feet,  will 
keep  the  frost  out  of  a  house  12  feet  by  8  feet,  if  the  water  in  the  tank  is 
hot  enough.  The  covering  of  house  slates  might  not  do  in  winter  if  laid 
on  loosely,  as  the  steam  would  pass  through  too  freely,  but  you  could 
mortar  or  cement  the  joint,  or  cover  with  one  piece  of  slate.  Of  course, 
made  as  your  t;,nk  is,  you  must  depend  on  the  heat  thrown  off  by  the 
slato,  which,  therefore,  must  be  uncovered,  or  rather  exposed  when  yoa 
want  a  rathor  dry  heat  in  winter.  You  must,  therefore,  have  the  cold 
weather  past  before  you  can  use  that  tank  with  a  frame  over  it  for  pro- 
pagating purposes,  as  when  you  set  the  frame  on  you  shut  in  the  heat, 
and  prevent  its  escaping  freelv  into  tho  house  ;  and  the  sides  of  the  tank 
being  of  wood,  little  beat  will  come  from  them.  Having  the  boiler  and 
pipes  from  it  to  this  tank,  we  would  have  a  couple  of  pipes  for  the  house, 
independently  of  the  tank,  and  then  you  could  use  the  latter  for  propa- 
gating as  early  as  you  liked.  With  no  more  heat  in  the  house  it  would 
scarcelv  he  safe  to  cover  it  over  with  your  frame  until  March.  The  sizo 
of  the  pots  in  which  to  winter  bedding  Pelargoniums  must  depend  on  tho 
room  you  have  for  storage.  We  keep  thousands,  allowing  merely  1  inch 
each,  in  shallow  boxes,  as  we  conld  find  room  in  no  other  way.  The  plants 
which  you  now  have  well  rooted  and  established  in  2^  to  3-inch  pots,  will 
stand  the  winter  well  in  those  pots  ;  but  if  you  have  plenty  of  room,  tho 
plants  will  be  much  finer  in  spring  if  you  can  now  transfer  them  to 
4i-inch  pots,  and  the  sooner  it  is  done  the  better. 

Hyacinths  and  Crocuses  (A.  Y.  £.).- You  may  grow  them  in  common 
mould  mixed  with  sand,  or  even  in  sand  alone,  provided  you  keep  them 
duly  supplied  with  water. 

Fruit  Trees  for  Walls  {W.  B.  fl.).- The  wall,  b,  in  your  plan  will 
have  a  south-east  aspect,  and  will  be  suitable  for  Plums.  On  it  you  may- 
have  July  Green  Gage,  Green  Gage,  Kirke's,  Jefferson,  and  Coe's  Golden 
Drop.  The  wall,  a,  will  have  an  east  aspect  with  a  northerly  bearing, 
and  will  he  suitable  for  Apples  :  Red  Astrachan,  Cellini,  Claygate  Pear- 
main,  King  of  the  Pippins,  Cockle  Pippin,  and  Scarlet  Nonpareil  will  be 
suitable,  c.  Will  answer  for  Pears,  of  which  you  may  have  Beurr^'-  Diel, 
Marie  Louise,  Bergamotte  Espereu,  Glou  Morveau,  and  Ne  Plus  Meuris. 

Apples  for  Orchard  {Idem).  —Beasert :  De^-onshire  Quarrenden, 
Kerry  Pippin,  Margil.  Court  of  Wick,  Dowuton  Pippin,  and  Wyken  Pippin, 
Kitchsn  kinds :  Lord  SutBeld,  Keswick  Codliu,  Alfriston,  Dumelow's 
Seedling,  Northern  Greening,  and  Bedfordshire  Foundling. 

PicoTEE,  Carnation,  and  Pink  Pipings  Failing  (J.  T'.).— We  cannot 
perceive  anything  wrong  with  the  piping  sent,  only  it  appears  to  have 
been  drawn.  We  prefer  to  cut  the  piping  with  a  sharp  knife  immediately 
under  the  second  or  third  joint,  and  remove  the  lowest  pair  of  leaves. 
Drawing  answers  well  enough  for  Pinks,  but  we  consider  cuttmg  better 
for  Carnations  and  Picotees.  For  the  last  two,  make  a  slight  hotbed  of 
well-sweetened  dung  about  2  feet  high,  and  cover  with  about  6  inches  of 
sandy  loam  and  leaf  mould.  The  pipings  should  be  inserted  from  three- 
quarters  of  an  inch  to  an  inch  deep,  the  soil  made  firm  about  them,  and  a 
gentle  watering  given.  When  the  foliage  has  dried,  cover  them  with 
hand-glasses  or  a"  frame  and  lights.  Keep  them  close  and  shaded  from 
the  sun,  but  if  any  of  the  pipings  suffer  from  damp  a  httle  air  must  bo 
given,  aU  decayed  leaves  being  picked  off.  Dryness  must  be  guarded 
against,  a  gentle  watering  being  given  whenever  necessary,  taking  cara 
to  let  the  foUage  be  div  before  the  lijihts  are  ngain  closed.  When  tho 
pipings  grow  they  will  have  rooted,  and  air  may  he  gradually  admitted 
and  the  plants  by  degrees  hardened  ofl'.  Pinks  are  trep.ted  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  Carnation,  oulv  heat  is  not  necessary,  though  it  reiiders 
striking  more  certain,  hut  it  is  desirable  to  cover  tho  pipings  with  a  hand- 
glass. Your  pipings  perish  from  exhaustion  by  the  atmosphere,  and  the 
•'  very  moist "  soil  is  not  good.    It  should  be  moist,  that  is  all. 

Arbor-Vit.^  from  Cuttings  (Header).— The  Aibor-Vitie  may  be  pro- 
pagated from  cuttings,  but  the  best  plants  are  those  from  seed.  The  end 
of  August  or  beginning  of  September  is  the  best  time  to  put  in  the  cut- 


232 


JOURNAL   OP    HORTICULTURE    AND    COTTAGE   GARDENER.         I  September  2i.  1868. 


tings,  taking  the  points  of  the  growing  shoots  when  they  have  become  I 
somewhat  ripened.    They  will  be  rooted  in  from  sis  to  eight  weeks.     For  ' 
further  particulars  see  page  174  of  No.  38y.    Your  other  questions  will  be 
answered  nest  week. 

Filling  Ceocds  Holders  {Ignoramus). — No  time  should  be  lost  in 
putting  in  the  Crocuses.  The  best  and  only  way  that  we  know  of  filling 
them  is  to  invert  the  holders,  and  place  a  Crocus  opposite  each  hole  in 
the  holder,  and  so  that  the  foliage  and  flowers  will  come  through  the 
hole.  You  may  then  put  in  some  soil  composed  of  two-thirds  loam  and 
one-third  leaf  mould  or  old  rotten  manure,  adding  more  Crocuses  when 
the  soil  is  level,  or  nearly  so,  with  the  next  tier  of  holes,  and  in  this 
manner  proceed  until  the  holder  is  filled.  The  soil  should  be  pressed 
firm ;  it  is  well  that  it  should  not  settle  much. 

Olea  pragkans  Cttltuee  (J.  H'.).— It  should  be  treated  as  a  cool 
greenhouse  plant,  and  succeeds  under  the  same  treatment  as  Camellias — 
that  is,  88  regards  heat,  &c.  Care  should  be  taken  to  secure  a  well- 
formed  plant  by  frequently  pinching  back  and  regulating  the  shoots. 
Alter  a  specimen  is  formed  and  the  flowering  is  past,  any  pruning  re- 
quired should  then  be  done,  and  the  plant  be  potted  if  needed,  keeping  it 
rather  close  for  a  few  days  until  the  roots  are  wo.'king  freely  in  the  fresh 
Soil.  Secure  a  good  growth  by  preserving  a  moist  atmosphere,  and  by 
stopping  the  irregular  shoots  maintain  the  shape  of  the  plant.  After  a 
•good  growth  has  been  made  espose  the  plant  fully  to  light  and  admit 
abundance  of  air,  keeping  the  soil  moderately  dry  during  the  winter,  but 
not  80  dry  as  to  afl'ect  the  foliage.  It  is  propagated  by  layers,  also  by 
cuttings  of  the  half-ripened  wood  in  a  hotbed.  A  compost  of  turfy  loam 
two-thirds,  and  one-third  sandy  peat  will  grow  it  well. 


Palms  for  Rooms  (Salopian). —What  we  stated  at  page  186,  and  a  com- 
munication which  we  publish  to-day,  afi'ord  all  the  information  we  have 
on  the  subject  at  present. 

Dahlia  imperialis.— "  J.  W."  wishes  to  know  if  this  has  been  bloomed 
here,  and,  if  so,  when?  also  if  there  is  more  than  one  kind.  All  that  we 
know  about  this  flower  is  stated  fully  in  our  fourteenth  volume. 

Names  of  Fruits  (W.  CoZItr).—!,  Calville  rouge  d'Ete ;  4,  Tower  of 
Glammis.  {W.  S.).— Easter  Beurre  Pear,  an  excellent  late  dessert  variety, 
but  in  some  situations  and  in  some  seasons  it  is  difficult  to  ripen  it 
thoroughly.  The  other  fruit  is  Hacon's  Incomparable.  (S..  Thirsk). — 
Apple-i  :  1.  Unknown  ;  2,  Rymer.  (G.  T.  M.). — Fears  :  1,  Duchesse  d'An- 
gouleme  ;  2,  Eiister  Beurre;  3,  Old  Colmar;  4,  Unknown.  (Amateur). — 
The  Apple  is  unknown,  it  is  most  probably  a  seedling,  but  of  no  great 
value.  We  have  had  submitted  to  us  frequently,  Apples  very  similar  to 
youi'S,  from  old  orchards  throughout  the  country.  Irrespective  of  its  size 
it  is,  in  our  opinion,  very  deficient  in  flavour.  We  do  not  think  that  the 
diff'erence  in  the  mode  of  training  will  make  much  difibrence  as  to  the 
bearing  properties. 

Names  of  Plants  (H".  Ventnor). — Y'our  shrub  is  the  Scarlet-berried 
Thorn,  Crataegus  coccinea.  The  French  name  for  it  is  Azerolier.  (C 
Thompfion). — Linaria  purpurea.  (J.  A.  K.) — Nepeta  caesia  ;  Lythrum 
virgatum,  Fuchsia,  apparently  F.  Loxensis.  (H.  T.  TT.).— 1,  SelagineUa 
Kraussiaua  {S.  deuticulata  of  gardens)  ;  2,  Spirrea  aruncus  ;  3,  Blechnum 
boreale;  4,  Adiantum  formosum.  {^.  i?pad).— Tocoma  jasminoides.  (A 
Betjinner)  — Hedychium  coronarium.  i^^ovice).  —  Hedychium  Gardneri- 
anum ;  will  thrive  in  a  greenhouse.  (C.  P.). — Not  recognised.  Send  a 
I  better  specimen. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  September  22nd. 


DiTE. 

BABOMETEB. 

THERMOMETER 

• 

Wind. 

Rain  In 

iDobes. 

General  Remarks. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Mai. 

Min. 

Max. 

Min. 

1  ft.  dp. 

2  ft.  dp. 

Wed...  16 
Thurs.  17 
Frl.  ..  18 
Sat.  ..  19 
Snn. ..  2U 
Hon...  21 
Tdob.  .  32 

Mean 

29  918 
29.687 
29  687 

29.496 
29.655 
29.649 

29.795 
29-482 
29  492 
29.498 
29.474 
29.546 
29.611 

66 
69 
68 
65 
69 
72 
68 

42 
55 
43 
54 
42 
53 
43 

60 
60 
59 
60 
60 
60 
60 

59 
59 
69 
B9 
59 
59 
69 

E. 
S.E. 
S.E. 
S.E. 
S.E. 
S.E. 
N.E. 

.CO 
.00 
.42 
.04 
.02 
.00 
.00 

Overcast ;  very  fine  ;  cloudy  and  very  dark. 

Cloudy  ;  very  fine  ;  very  fine  and  clear  at  uif;ht. 

Cloudy  ;  sho'wery  ;  heavy  storm,  thundfr.  lightninp,  and  rain 

Heavy  fog  ;  cloudy  ;  heavy  shower.'? ;  fine  at  night. 

Clear  and  fine  ;  cloudy,  showery  ;  very  fine. 

Foggy  ;  fine  and  clear;  very  fine  at  night. 

Clear  and  fine  ;  very  fine ;  fine,  very  dark. 

rain 

29.655 

29  657 

68.14 

47.43 

69.85 

69.00 

0.48 

POULTRY.  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD  CHRONICLE. 


OTHER  BANTAMS   THAN    GAME   BANTAMS. 

Eteey  man  lias  his  hobby,  and  the  breeding  of  Bantams  is 
mine ;  but  I  prefer  the  comparatively  peaceably  disposed  kinds, 
and  am  sometimes  led  to  wonder  how  it  is  that  those  of  a  more 
pugnacious  character  have  obtained  such  an  ascendency  in  the 
poultry  world.  Sometimes  I  am  hurt,  sometimes  I  am  angry, 
at  finding  the  exquisite  little  Game  bird  put  at  such  an  im- 
measurable distance  above  the  not  less  exquisite  Sebright, 
Black,  White,  or  Japanese. 

Tastes  will  differ,  and  upon  the  whole,  perhaps  (at  any  rate 
in  the  eyes  of  some  people),  the  various  races  of  Game  possess 
the  greatest  number  of  points  of  attraction  ;  but  surely  the 
difference  is  not  so  great  as  is  implied  in  some  of  the  poultry 
show  schedules  lately  issued.  Take  the  Birmingham  prize  list. 
I  have  always  regarded  Bingley  Hall  as  the  place  where  every 
description  of  fowl  received  its  fair  share  of  attention  and 
reward ;  but  this  year  I  regret  to  say  I  am  compelled  to  alter 
my  opinion,  since  jastice  to  my  especial  hobby  has  departed. 
The  prizes  offered  to  any  variety  of  Bantams  except  Game  have 
been  reduced  from  £27  to  £17 ;  those  for  the  various  Game 
breeds  remaining  about  the  same  as  in  former  years — viz.,  £30. 
Now,  in  the  name  of  my  snubbed  and  slighted  favourites  I 
protest  against  this  unjust  treatment ;  and  I  have  resolved  that 
only  half  the  number  of  voices  which  I  contemplated  sending 
from  my  yard  shall  be  heard  this  year  at  the  Great  Sbow.  As 
to  Manchester,  it  actually  insults  Bantam  breeders  by  offering 
£6  in  prizes  for  "all  varieties  except  Game,"  while  the  Game 
birds  have  £44  awarded  to  their  diiierent  classes  !  Surely  this 
is  unreasonable,  and  such  short-sighted  parsimony  will  defeat 
its  own  object ;  for  who  will  send  valuable  birds  any  distance 
on  such  a  speculation '?  Certainly  not  your  obedient  servant 
—P.  P.  

THE   MANCHESTER  PRIZE   LIST. 

We  quite  agree  with  the  remarks  of  Mr.  Heath,   in  last 

week's  Journal,  regarding  the  time  of  holding  the  Manchester 

Potiltry  and  Pigeon  Show,  but  hope  with  such  a  liberal  prize 

list  the  Show  will  meet  with  the  same  success  that  has  attended 


it  in  former  years.  Still,  we  think  that  for  a  chicken  show  it 
is  at  least  six  weeks  too  early.  Birmingham  will  be  quite  early 
enough,  and  had  Mr.  Jennison  held  his  show  two  or  three 
weeks  after  the  great  poultry  show  of  the  year,  birds  would 
have  been  in  better  plumage,  consequently  the  entries  would 
be  more  numerous.  Mr.  Heath  justly  observes  that  Spanish 
are  slow  in  feathering,  they  also  have  the  disadvantage  of  other 
breeds,  so  much  depending  on  the  white  face  and  lobes,  which 
do  not  come  out  prominently  until  the  birds  are  in  feather, 
especially  pullets  ;  therefore,  unless  hatched  in  January,  or  at 
latest  February,  they  cannot  be  ready  for  Manchester. 

We  have  stated  the  prize  list  is  liberal,  almost  too  liberal  in 
some  classes.  We  refer  to  the  prizes  for  Bantams,  in  which 
Game  are  oiiered  £41,  whilst  all  the  other  varieties  are  cut  off 
with  .£6.  Is  this  fair,  with  the  same  entry  fees  ?  We  think  if 
Mr.  Jennison  had  offered  a  separate  class  for  Black  and  White 
Bantams,  he  would  have  found  the  entries  more  numerous 
than  in  some  of  the  Game  Bantam  classes.  If  he  did  not  think 
Sebrights  would  pay  for  a  class,  he  could  let  them  fight  it  out 
with  the  Pekins,  Japanese,  &o.  Although  we  believe  Sebrighat 
would  also  pay  for  a  class  to  themselves,  we  do  not  think  the 
foreigners  would  pay,  as  they  have  never  been  out  of  the  hands 
of  some  half  dozen  gentlemen  ;  and  it  is  certainly  not  right 
they  should  walk  over  those  birds  which  have  the  legitimate 
right  to  the  prizes,  not  only  on  account  of  their  numerous 
entries,  but  for  the  length  of  time  they  have  been  known  and 
bred  by  so  large  a  number  of  fanciers.  We  all  know  the  great 
weakness  of  judges  for  foreign  varieties,  so  would,  therefore, 
respectfully  ask  the  Committees  of  Manchester,  and  other  shows 
as  well,  to  give  the  old  Black,  White,  and  Sebright  Bantams, 
separate  classes,  and  we  feel  sure  they  will  find  them  pay. — 
Tonkin  and  Tuckey,  Bristol. 


DERBY   POULTRY   SHOW. 

It  is  quite  certain  tliat  previous  shows  of  ponltry  and  Pigeons,  held 
in  connection  with  the  Derbyshire  Agricultural  and  Horticultural 
Society,  have  surpassed  that  which  took  place  on  the  16th  inst.  There 
appeal's  to  be  a  dearth  of  first-rate  chickens  this  year  thronghoat  the 
country,  possibly  from  the  excessive  heat  of  the  late  summer,  and  as 
just  now  most  poultry  are  in  heavy  moult,  very  few  birds  can  be  shown 
to  anything  like  advantage.  The  Jjorkiin/s  exhibited  by  Mrs.  Ark- 
wright  were,  howevt_-r,  extraordinarily  fine  specimens,  as  were  some 
other  pens  in  the  same  class  ;  but  the  tSpani^h  were  so  bad,  that  not 


Septombor  24,  1S58  ]  JOURNAL    OK    HOKTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


233 


Oven  a  BinMo  prizo  conld  be  awardod  to  tUom.  Wo  woro  also  ranch 
disuppointoa  m  tbo  Ilamhwiih  classea,  for  which  this  Show  13  asuiilly 
in  Ki-e^it  roputo,  tho  falliag-oll  boiu'^  rcmarkiiblo  this  yoav.  A  fiiw 
Rood  pi'us  of  Qame  wore  shoivn,  but  there  was  not  a  larnocoinpolition. 

Tho  Duck,  G:ese,  ami  Tiii-h'.,i  chissea  woro  Rond.     A  very  cunoas 

bird    a  D^rkins  hen  that  bad  entirely  assamod  the  pliima'^o  of  tho 

cock,  attracted  much   attention.     Tho  Show,  as  to  attendance,  was 

snccessful.  _ 

YOUNG  BIRDS. 

DtiRKiNiis  (Colonrod).  —  First  and  Second,  Mrs.  ArkwriKht,  Etwall 
Hall.  lliRhly  Commonded,  A.  F.  tlurt,  Aldorwasloy  ;  Countess  of  CUes- 
torflolJ,  lirotbv  Hall.  ,   „     ,    ,,•.  .    „    xt      i 

DiiHKlNQs(  White).— First,  Withhold.    Second,  G.  J.  Mitchell,  ;Nowton 

OAMii  (Dark-broasted).  — First,  C.  Spencer,  Thnlston.  Second  and 
Hiuhlv  Commended,  G.  J.  Mitchell.  ,r-  , ,    ^      ' 

II  (.Game  (White  or  Pilo).— First  and  Second,  C.  Spencer.  Uighly  Com- 
monded, R.  Uinner,  Stanley.  :,    .    ,^    m    .u-     .  „ 

Hamudrghs  (Gold-penciiled).— First  and  Second,  A.  O.  Worthmgton, 
Commended,  C.  Spencer. 

HiMBORons  (Silver-pencilled).— First  and  Second,  H.  kmK,  Melbourne. 

Uamborohs  (Silver-spangled).- First,  G.  J.  Mitchell,  .Second,  Countess 

of  Chestorfleld.  „    ,       „.     .    x^  t,   j*     .» 

CocniN-CHiNAS.— First,  J.  B.Story,  Lockington.  Extra  First,  R.Radford 
Aston-on-Trent.  Second,  A.  O.  Wortbington.  Highly  Commended, 
a.  A.  Crowe,  Etwall ;  W.  T.  Tomlinson,  Allostree.  Commended,  R.  aadford. 

Braiimas  (Li?ht).  —  First  and  Second,  A.  O.  Wortbington.  Highly 
Commonded.  W.  Pares,  Ockbrook.  „.      „       „■  u, 

BRAirilAS  (Dark).— First  and  Second,  Kav.  K.  Alder,  Etwall.  Highly 
Commonded,  A.  F.  Hurt,  Alderwasley. 

Cuoss-Ured — ^Firat,  Rev.  E.  Alder.    Second,  G.J.  Mitchell. 

DncKS  (Rouen).— First,  A.  P.  Hurt.    Second,  A.  O.  Wortbington. 

Docks  (Aylesburvl.— First,  J.  B.  Story,  Lookington.  Second,  A.  O. 
Wortbington.  Highly  Commended,  G.  .1.  Mitchell;  G.  A.  Crewe;  A.  O. 
Wortbington.    Commended,  W.  Pares. 

Geese— First,  W.  T.  Cox,  Spondon  Hall.  Second,  J.  Nnttall,  Chad- 
desden. 

TCRKEYS.— First.  G.  J.  Mitchell.    Second,  k.  O.  Wortbington. 

Extra.— (lizhlv  Commended,  T.  H.  Smith,  Ambaston. 

Speciai,.— First,  A.  O.  Wortbington.  Second,  Mrs.  Arkwright.  Highly 
Commended,  Countess  of  CbesterBeld  ;  G.  A.  Crewe. 

PIGEONS. 
''  Rock  or  Dovecote.— First,  T.  L.  Harrison,  Belper.    Second,  G.  J. 
Mitchell. 

Antwerp  oe  Belgians.— First,  G.  Haywood,  Derby.  Second,  J.  Lang- 
ley,  Mickleover. 

Tumdlers.— First,  Second,  and  Commended,  T.  L.  Harrison.  Belper. 

Fantails.— First,  G.  Haywooi.  Second,  F.  Sale.  Highly  Commended, 
A.  0.  Wortbington. 

Anv  other  Distinct  Variety. — First,  G.  Haywood  (Blue  Turbits). 
Second,  Rov.  E.  Alder,  Etwall  (Silver  Runts).  Highly  Commended,  F. 
Sales  (Black  Swallows,  Red  Turbits,  Euglish  Silver  Owla,  and  Black 
Magpies) ;  T.  L.  Hirrison  (Foreign  Owls,  Bluo  Tiirbit.s,  and  Silver  English 
Owls) ;  G.  A.  Crewe  (White  Carriers) ;  J.  W.  Eardley,  Derby  (Blue 
Dragoons). 

The  .ludges  were  Edward  Drewry,  Esq.,  Bnrton-on-Trent ;  J.  Lowe, 
Esq.,  of  Comberford  ;  and  Edw.ard  Hewitt,  Esq.,  of  Birmingham. 


MORLEY  POULTRY   SHOW. 

Under  rather  nnfavourablo  auspices  so  far  as  the  weather  was  con- 
cerned, the  Morley  Show  was  held  on  the  18th  inst.  There  was,  how- 
ever, an  excellent  display  of  birds.  Cochins  were  very  numerous,  and 
contained  some  first-rate  pens.  Game  showed  no  leas  than  twenty- 
nine  entries,  the  cup  going  to  a  pen  of  Black  Reds,  while  Mr.  Mason, 
of  Drighlington,  exhibited  some  magnificent  Pile  chickens  in  the  Any 
variety  class.  Hamhnrfjhs  were  the  feature  of  the  show ;  as  last  year, 
the  cup  went  to  the  Gold-pencilled,  Mr.  Preaton.  of  AUorton,  Bradford, 
one  of  the  best  breeders  of  Pencilled  Hamburghs  in  the  county,  being 
its  fortunate  possessor.  Both  Gold  and  Silver-spangled  were  rather 
numerous,  and  here,  too,  some  good  birds  came  into  competition. 
Bantams  were  very  numerous.  In  G&cse  Mr.  Leech,  of  Rochdale,  took 
the  cup  against  nine  competitors. 

PlijouL-i  were  a  good  show,  the  competition  in  Barbs  and  Jacobins 
being  very  strong.     The  following  is  the  prize  list : — 

Spanish.— First  and  Cup,  J.  Thresh,  Bradford  (Black).  Second,  T.  C. 
and  E.  Newbitt,  Epworth. 

Dorkings.— First,  W.  H.  King,  Sandfield,  Rochdale.  Second,  J.  B. 
Britton,  Leeds  Pottery. 

Cocbin-China.— First,  J.  W.  Wilkinson,  Bradford.  Second,  T.  Stretch, 
Ormskirk. 

Brahma-Pootra. — First,  E.  Leech,  Rochdale.  Second,  J.  W.  Wilkinson, 

Game  i Black-breasted  Reds). — First  and  Cup  tor  best  pen  of  Game,  H. 
Jennings,  .\llerton.    Second,  G.  Noble,  Staincliife. 

Game  (Brown-breasted  or  other  Rods).— First,  W.  Bentley,  Scholes, 
Second,  E.  Aykroyd,  Bradford. 

Game  (Duokwin^s  or  other  Greys  and  Blues).  —  First,  W.  Fell,  Ad- 
walton.    Second,  R.  B.  Riley,  Ovendon. 

Any  other  Variety. — First  and  Second,  H.  Mison,  Drighlington. 

Single  Game  Cock  (Any  varietv). — First,  H.  Mason.  Second,  Green 
and  Sutcliffe,  Queensbury,  near  Halifax.  Third,  a.  Jennings.  Fourth, 
E.  Aykrovd,  Bradford. 

Single'  Game  Hen  (Any  variety).— First,  J.  Preston,  AUerton.  Second, 
G.  Noble. 

Hamcurgh  (Golden-spangled). — First,  J.  Preaton.  Second,  J.  White, 
Whitlev  Netherton,  near  Wakefield. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-spangled].— First,  T.  Fawcett,  Northgate,  Baildon, 
Second,  W.  Collins,  Halifax. 

Hamburghs  (Golden-pencilled). — First  and  Cup,  J.  Preston.  Second, 
S.  Smith. 


Hamborobb  (Silvor-penclUod).— First,  T.  Hanaon,  Koighloy.  Second, 
W.  Barstow,  FearnclitTo,  Bingloy.  .       „„..,„ 

HAMBOBoes  (Black)  —First,  J.  Preston.  Second,  0.  Sldgwiok,  Keighley, 

Any  other  Variety  not  Previously  Mentioned.— First,  J.  S.  benior, 
Dowsbury.     Socond,  T  .  Deans,  ICoighloy.  ,   „   _,     ,  ,,  ,., 

Bantams  —First,  G.  Noble,  Staincliffo.    Second,  F.  Stool,  HaUfax. 

Bantams  (Black).— First,  R.  B.  RUey,  Ovendon,  near  Halifax.  Second, 
S.  &  R.  Asbton,  Mottrara.  „    „     .       ,n       ,  a  .»-j 

Bantams  (Any  other  varioty).—First,  J.  S.  Senior,  Dewsbury.    Second, 

S.  &  R.  Asbton.  ,    ,  „,  „.„  . 

Selling  CLASS.-First,  J.  Berry,  Silsdon.    Second,  J.  W  Wilkinson. 

Geese  (Any  variety).— First,  Cup,  and  Second,  E.  Looch.  Third,  S.  U. 
Stott,  Rochdale.  ,    ,    „,      ,„.,,.      . 

Docks  (Kouon).— First,  E.  Loocb.    Second,  J.  Ward,  Dngblington. 

Docks  (Aylesbury).— First,  S.H.  Stott.    Second,  E.  Leech. 

Docks  (Any  other  variety).— First,  S.  Burn,  Whitby  (Indian).  Second, 
T.  C.  Harrison,  Hull. 

PIGEONS. 

Carriers.- First,  E.  Hornor,  Harewood.    Second.  R.  Wilson,  TlursK. 

Owls  —First,  H.  Yardloy,  Birmingham.    Second,  J.  Tbrosh,  Bradford. 

Turbits.— First,  J.  T.  Bisbman,  Bradford.    Second,  E.  Horner. 

Barbs.- First  and  Second,  E.  Horner.  ,,_      „         .,  ts    ro    t.» 

Tumblers. -First,  T.  C.  &  B.  Newbitt,  Epwortb.  Second,  D,  W.  Ing' 
bam,  Tbornbill,  Wortlcy.  ^  „   „ 

Fantails.— First.  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt.    Second,  E.  Hornor. 

PoOTERS.— First,  E.  Horner.    Second,  T.  C.  &  E,  Newbitt. 

Nuns.- First,  J.  A.  Naylor,  Barwick-in-Elmet.  Second,  J.  Thompson, 
Blngley.  ,    ^    _, 

Jacobins.— First,  E.  Horner.    Second,  J.  Thompson. 

Trumpeters.— First,  E.  Horner.    Second,  R.  Wdson.         .,    _  „     . 

Any  OTHER  VAHiETV.—Pirst,  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt.    Second,  J.  S.  Senior. 

The  Judges  were  Mr.  Henry  Mitchell,  of  Hipperholme,  and  Mr. 
Alfred  Hardy,  of  Wike. 


WIERAL  AGRICULTURAL   SOCIETY'S 
POULTRY   SHOW. 
This  was  bold  on  the  16th  inst.,  at  Birkenhead,  and  proved  a  Tflry 

successful  exhibition. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  awards  : — 

Dorkings.- First,  R.  W.  Boachey,  KingskerswoU.  Second,  Lord 
Tumour  ahillingo,  Petworth,  Sussex.  Tbir  I,  J.  G.  Bull,  Bromborough. 
Commended,  J.  P.  Campbell.  Burton  Hall,  Noslou.  .    „    „.  x. 

Spanish  (Black).— First,  W.  A.  Taylor,  Manchester.  Second,  T.  ftE. 
Comber,  Middleton  Hall,  near  Warrington.  Highly  Commended,  R. 
Davies,  Chester.  mu-  j 

Gams.- First,  J.  Wood,  Wigan.  Second,  W.  Berry,  Birkenhead.  Third, 
W.  Boulton,  Dalton-in-FurneS3.    Highly  Commended,  A.  C.  Lockwood, 

Cmhin-China.— First  and  Third,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Second,  R.  E.  Brown, 
Wass,  Oswaldkirk.  Commended,  A.  Darby,  Stanley  Hall,  Bridgeworth; 
B,  S.  Lowndes.  Stony  Stratford.  Bucks.    „       .      .  „  j   x,    t      .u 

Brahma  Pootra.— First,  C.  Leyland,  Warrington.  Second,  E.  LeeoB. 
Rochdale.    Commended.  A.  C.  Lockwood.  ^    -    „ 

Any  other  Breed.— First  and  Third,  T.  &  E.  Comber.  Second,  G.  K. 
Rogerson,  Liverpool.  „  ,,,  „         j   » 

Game  Bantams.— First,  W.  Berry,  Bidston  Hill  Tollbar.  Second,  R. 
Barton,  Caldy  Manor. 

Docks  (Aylosburyi.-Prize,  E.  Leech.  ^    „    it    a.  t» 

Docks  i  Rouen).— First,   Miss  Davies,  Chester.     Second,  S.  U.  Stott, 

Ducks  (Any  other  breed).— First,  C.  N.  Baker,  Chelsea.  Highly  Com- 
mended. J.  Woods,  Thornton  Hough.  „    . ,     „  .    . 

Geese.— Second,  E.  Leech.  Third,  S.  H.  Stott.  Highly  Commended 
R.  Birch,  inn  ,  Orrell,  Liverpool ;  J.  P.  Campbell. „,.;,.„ 

TORKEYS.- First,  E.  Leech.  Second,  J.  Wood,  Wigan.  Third,  J.  P. 
Campbell.  • 

The  Judges  for  poultry  were  Mr.  Hindson  and  Mr.  Joseph  Cox. 


WOODSTOCK   POULTRY   SHOW. 

This  Show  was  held  on  tho  l.'ith  inst.,  was  good,  and  there  wara 
more  entries  than  previously,  but  the  quality  was  not  quite  so  fine. 

Spanish.— Prize,  R.  Hurman,  Oxford.  ,,,,,,     u 

Dorkings  (Coloured  .  —  First   and  Third,  Duchess  of  Marlborongll. 

Second,  Col.  Thomas,  Woodstock.    OiicAYiis.- Prizo,  Duchess  of  Marl- 

borough,  Blenheim.  „,  .  ,  t>  •  „     n^i 

Brahmas.— Prize,  Duchess    of    Marlborough.      C/iictciis.— Prize,    l/Ol. 

Thomas. 

Cochin-China.— Prize,  R.  Hurman. 

Hamburghs  (Spangled).— Second,  R.  Hurman. 

Hamburghs  (Pencilled).— Second,  Mrs.  Aries,  Thrupp.  C7iictciis.— SB- 
cond  Mrs.  Aries.  „  .        t    tt  .. 

Geese.— Prize,  J.  Hurt,  Thrupp.    Chicken^.— Pnze,  J.  Hutt. 

Geese  (White).— First,  J.  Prior,  Thrupp  Farm,  Sbipton.    Second,  — 

Geese  (Grey).— First,  Duchess  of  Marlborough.  Second,  H.  S.  GaskeU, 
Kidding'on  Hall.  Go.«iia3S.-First,  H.  Barnett.  Glympton  Park.  Second, 
Duchess  of  Marlborough.  ,.    ,.  .         r,     r  ,- 

Docks  (Aylesbury)  -Prize,  Duchess  of  Marlborougb.  Ducklings.— 
First,  H  S.  GaskeU.    Second.  Duchess  of  Marlborough. 

Docks  (Rouen).— Prize,  J.  Hutt.     Dacfclin.os.— Second,  J.  Hutt. 

Docks  (Any  other  variety).— Prize,  T.  Soater.  Duc/tliiisrs.- First,  T.  K. 
Pratt,  Woodstock.     Second,  T.  Lester,  Glympton.  „.     .    t 

Turkeys  (Black).— Prize,  Duchess  of  Marlborough.  Pouto.— lirst,  J. 
Prior.    Second,  Col.  Bowyor,  Steeple  Ashton.  „...-,, 

ToRKEYS  (Grey).— Prize,  inicbess  of  Marlborougb.  PouKs.— First,  001. 
Bowyer.    Second,  Dncbess  of  Marlborough.  „  „     - 

Special  Prize  (Given  by  the  Duchess  of  Marlborongh).— First,  H.  Dean, 
Deddington.    Second,  J.  Hull,  Thrupp. 


234 


JOUBNAL   OF  HOBTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  September  21,  1868. 


Champion  Prizes  (Offered  by  Holford  C.  Risley,  Esq.,  President).— 
Tirst  and  Second,  Duchess  of  Marlborough. 

.   Mr.  G-  Botham,  Wrexham  Court,  Sloagb,  was  Judge,  the  Bev.  Mr. 
St.  Jolm,  Woodstock,  assisted  him. 


MIDDLETON   POULTRY   SHOW. 

The  entries  of  poultry  and  Pigeons  at  this  Show,  which  was  held 
pn  the  17th  inst..  were  extremely  numerous,  so  much  so  that  a  much 
larger  extent  of  ground  had  to  be  enclosed  for  the  purposes  of  the 
Exhibition.     The  following  is  a  list  of  the  awards  : — 

CHICKENS. 

Game  (Black-breasted  and  other  Reds).— First.  Duke  of  Newcastle, 
Clumber,  Second,  W.  Bourne,  Heaviley,  Stockport.  Third,  J.  Holland, 
JIauch  ester. 

Game  (Any  other  variety).— First,  R.  B.  Ryley,  Jumples  Lodge,  Oven- 
flen.    Second,  J.  Fletcher.    Third,  Duke  of  Newcastle. 

Game  (Any  variety).— PH»f(s.— First  and  Cup,  J.  Wood,  Wigan.  Se- 
cond, H.  Mann,  Stand,  near  Manchester.  Third,  W.  Bourne.  Fourth, 
A.  Haslem,  Hindley,  near  Wipan.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Statter,  sen., 
Whitefield  ;  J.  Fletcher;  J.  Jeken,  Eltham.    Commended,  W.  Bourne. 

Spanish.— First,  Burch  &  Boulter,  Sheffield.  Second,  J.  Walker, 
Wolverhampton.  Third,  H.  &  S,  Cooper,  Walsall.  Pullets.— Yiist,  J. 
Thresh,  Bradford.     Second,  Burch  &  Boulter. 

Dorkings.— First,  Duke  of  Newcastle.  Second,  Hon.  H.  W.  FitzwilUam, 
Wentworth  Woodhouse.  Third,  J.  Stott.  Healey.  Pullets.— First,  T, 
^tatter,  sea.  Second,  Mrs.  Hurt,  Alderwasley,  Derby.  Highly  Com- 
mended, H.  Ashtou,  Prestwich;  D.  Gellatly,  "Meigle,  N.B.;  J.  White, 
Northallerton. 

Brahma  Pootra.— First,  K.  Jopp,  Aberdeen.  Second,  J.  Sichel,  Tim- 
perley.  Third,  Rev.  J.  F.  Newton,  Kirby-in-Cleveland.  Highly  Com- 
mended, C.  Layland;  W.  Hargreaves,  Bacup.  Pidlcts.—FirBU  Mrs.  Hurt. 
Second,  A.  O.  Worthington,  Newton  Park,  Burtou-on-Trent.  Highly  Com- 
mended, G  Dixon,  jun.,  Whitehaven;  E.  Leech,  Rochdale.  Commended, 
K.  Jopp  ;  J.  SJchel. 

CocmN-CHiNA  (Buff  and  Cinnamon).— First,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Manchester. 
Second.  J.  Leo,  MidiUeton.  Third,  R.  E.  Brown.  Wass.  Pull cts.— First, 
Hon.  Mrs.  Sugden,  Wells.  Second,  C.  Sidgwick.  Highly  Commended, 
T.  Eveleigh,  Bolton-le-Moors  ;  W.  A.  Taylor,  Manchester. 

Cochin-China  (Any  other  varietv). — First,  J.  A.  Tavlor.  Second,  J. 
Horrocks,  Middleton.  Third,  A.  O.  Worthington.  Pu  Uf(s.— First,  H. 
Vaughan,  Wolverhampton.  Second,  H.  Lingwood,  Bucklesham,  Wood- 
bridge.  Highly  Commended,  J.  A.  Taylor;  W.  Bamford,  Moston,  Harpur- 
hey  ;  A.  O.  Worthington. 

Hamburghs  (Gold-pencilled).— First,  T.  Wrigley,  Tonge.  Second,  J. 
Bobinson,  Failsworlh.  Third,  W.  R.  Park,  Melrose.  Highly  Commended, 
H.  Eeldon,  Goitstock,  Bingley.  Pullets.— First,  F.  Perrin,  Killingbeck, 
Leeds.     Second,  W.  E.  Walker,  Middleton. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-pencilled). "First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  M.  M.  Maur, 
Kendal.  Third,  F.  Sharpies.  Rawtenstall.  Pullets.— First,  S.  Newton, 
Chadderton.  Second,  W.  A  J.  Eairstow,  Bingley.  Highly  Commended, 
H.  Pickles,  jun.,  Earby. 

Hamburghs  (Gold-spangledi.— First,  J.  Bnckley,  Taunton,  near  Ashton. 
Second,  J.  Chadderton,  Hollinwood.  Third,  E.  Brierley,  Heywood. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Munn,  Stacksteads ;  R.  Simpson,  Hollinwood; 
J.  Preston,  AUerton.  Pullctx.—Fir^t,  T.  Blakeman.  Second,  T.  Scholes, 
Hollinwood.    Commended,  W.  McMellon,  Glossop. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-spangled). — First,  J.  Fielding,  Newchurch.  Second, 
H.  Pickles,  jun.  Third,  W.  H.  Robinson.  Pu!Zc(s.— First.  Ashton  &  Booth, 
Mottram.     Second,  A,  Ludlam.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Fielding. 

Hamburghs  (Black).— First,  C.  Sidgwick.  Second,  W.  Robinson. 
Third,  G.  Fielding.  Newchurch.  Pullfts.—First,  W.  Holt,  Middleton.  Se- 
cond, T.  Hanson,  Castleton.  Highly  Commended,  E.  Buckley,  Rochdale  ; 
Bev.  W.  Sergeantson,  Shrewsbury. 

French  Fowls.- First,  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam,  Wentworth  Wood- 
house, near  Rotherhara.  Second.  Duke  of  Newcastle.  Third,  J.  K  Fowler, 
Aylesbury.  Highly  Commended,  L.  Biney,  Manchester;  W.  R.  Park, 
Melrose.  Com'mended,  Col.  Stuart  Wortley.  London  ;  H.  M.  Maynard, 
Holmewood,  Isle  of  Wight.  Pullets. —First,  J.  K  Fowler.  Second,  W.  A. 
BerneU,  Southwell.     Commended,  Col.  Stuart  Wortley. 

Ant  other  Variety. — First,  J.  S.  Senior,  Dewsbury.  Second,  P. 
Unsworth,  Newton-le-Willows.  Third,  H.  Beldon.  Highly  Commended, 
R.  Loft,  Woodmansey,  near  Beverley;  J.  K.  Fowler.  Pullets. — First,  H. 
Beldon.  Second,  S.  Farrington,  Astley.  Highly  Commended,  P. 
tJosworth.    Commended,  Mrs.  E.  Procter,  Hull. 


Game  Bantams.— First,  W.  F.  Entwisle,  Leeds.  Second,  J.  Crosland, 
jun.,  Wakefield.  Third,  J.  W.  Morris,  Rochdale.  Highly  Commended,  J. 
W.  Moi-ris ;  Rev.  G.  Raynor;  G.  Birtwistle.  Commended,  J.  Crosland, 
jun ;  E.  Toder. 

Bantams.— First,  S.  &  R.  Ashton,  Mottram.  Second,  E.  Cambridge, 
Bristol.  Third,  M.  Leno,  Dunstable.  Highly  Commended,  T.  C. 
Harrison,  Hull ;  Aykroyd  &  Scott,  Sunderland. 

Selling  Class.- First,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Second,  A.  Bamford,  Middleton. 
Third,  J.  Lee,  Middleton. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury).- First,  E.  Leech,  Rochdale.  Second,  J.  K.  Fowler. 
Third,  S.  H.  Stott. 

Ducks  (Rouen).— First,  E.  Leech.  Second  and  Third,  T.  Statter,  sen. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  J.  Waller,  Kendal ;  T.  Wakefield. 

Any  other  Variety.- First  and  Third,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Second,  T.  C. 
EaiTison,  Hull. 

Geese.— First,  T.  Houlker,  Blackburn.  Second,  E.  Leech.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  K.  Fowler ;  S.  H.  Stott. 

Turkeys.— First,  T.  Houlker.    Second,  T.  E.  Richardson,  Cambridge. 
SINGLE    COCKERELS. 

Game  (Black-breasted  and  other  Reds).— First,  Duke  of  Newcastle. 
Second,  J.  Fletcher,  Stoneclough.  near  Manchester. 

Game  (Any  other  varietv).— Prize,  T.  Dyson,  Halifax. 
Spanish.— First,  H.  A  S." Cooper.    Second,  P.  H.  Jones,  Fulham. 
Dorking.— First.  T.  Statter,  sen.,  Stand,  near  Manchester.    Second, 
Hon.  H.  W.  FitzwilUam. 

Brahma  Pootra.— First,  Rev.  A.  G.  Brooke,  Ruyton  XI.  Towns.    Se- 


cond, A.  O.  Worthington.  Highly  Commended,  Duke  of  Newcastle.  Com 
mended,  H.  Pickles,  Southpnrt;  E.  Ryder,  Stockport. 

CoCHiN-CniNA  (Buff  and  Cinnamon).- First,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Second, 
J.  C.  Brierley,  Rochdale.     Commended,  C.  Sidgwick. 

Cochin-China  (Any  other  variety). — First,  H,  Lingwood,  Second,  J.  A, 
Taylor.    Third,  A.  O.  Worthington. 

Hasiburgu  (Gold-pencilled).— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  J.  Preston, 
Allerton,  near  Bradford.     Commended,  B.  Bee.  Bullsnape  Hall. 

Hamburgh  (Silver-pencilled).— Prize,  W.  &  J.  Bairstow.  Highly  Com- 
mended, F.  Sharpies. 

Hamburgh  (Gold-spaugled).— First.  J.  Munn.  Second,  T.  May,  Wolver- 
hampton.   Highly  Commended,  R.  Ellis.  Saddleworth. 

HAjrBURGHfSilVer-spangled).— First,  W.  H.  Bentley,  Hipperholme,  near 
Halifax.     Second,  H.  Pickles,  jun. 

Hamburgh  (Black).  — First,  C.  Sidgwick.  Second,  Mason  &  Walker, 
Denton. 

French  Fowls. — First,  Duke  of  Newcastle.    Second,  J.  K.  Fowler. 

Any  other  Variety.— First,  H.  Beldon.    Second,  P.  Unsworth. 

Game  Bantams. — Cup,  W.  Adams,  Ipswich.  Second,  J.  Crosland,  jun. 
Third,  J.  Bamber,  Accriogton.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Whittaker, 
Melton  Mowbray ;  J.  J.  Cousins,  Chapel  Allerton.  Commended,  J.  W. 
Morris,  Rochdale. 

Selling  Class.— First,  F.  Sales,  Crowle.  Second,  W.  A.  Burnell, 
Southwell.  Highly  Commended,  J.  S.  Senior,  Dewsbury.  Commended, 
W.  A.  Burnell;  Master  W.  Horrocks,  Middleton. 

PIGEONS. 

Tumblers  (Almond). — First,  F.  Kev,  Beverley.  Second,  J.  Fielding, 
jun.,  Rochdale.    Highly  Commended.  J.  Hawley.  Bingley. 

Tumblers  (Any  other  variety). — First,  R,  Fulton,  Deptford.  Second, 
J.  Fielding,  jun. 

Balds  or  Beards. — First,  J.  Fielding,  un.  Second,  T.  Newell,  Ashton- 
under-Lyne. 

Carriers.— Coci.— First,  E.  Homer,  Leeds.  Second,  Capt.  Mangnall. 
Highly  Commended.  G.  F.  Taylor.  Preston  ;  R.  Fulton.  Hen.— First,  J. 
Hawley.  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended,  and  Commended, 
J.  Fielding,  jun. 

Pouters.— Cocit.— First,  R.  Fulton.  Second,  J.  Hawley.  Highly  Com- 
mended, E.  Horner.    Hen.— First,  E.  Horner.     Second,  R.  Fulton. 

BARBs.—First,  E.  Homer.  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Commended,  J. 
Fielding. 

Turbits.— First,  J.  Fielding.  Second,  J.  Elgar,  Newark.  Highly  Com- 
mended, E.  Homer  ;  Capt.  Mangnall. 

Jacobins.— First,  E.  E.  M.  Royds,  Rochdale.  Second,  T.  Newell. 
Highly  Commended.  E.  Homer. 

Fantails.— First.  E.  Horner.  Second,  W.  R.  Park,  Melrose.  Highly 
Commended.  E.  M.  Maynard,  Ryde. 

Owls.— First  and  Second,  J.  Fielding.  Highly  Commended,  P.  H, 
Jones. 

Nuns.- First.  W.  R.  Park.    Second,  H.  Yardley,  Birmingham. 

Dragoons.— First,  Countess  of  Derby.  Second.  T.  Charnley,  Black- 
bum.  Highly  Commended,  E.  Horner;  P.  H.  Jones;  G.  Charnley, 
Preston.    Commended.  E.  Horner. 

Trumpeters.— First,  E.  Horner.  Second,  R.  B.  Chouler.  Commended, 
E.  Horner. 

Any  other  Variety.— First  and  Second,  E.  Horner.  Commended, 
Countess  of  Derby  ;  H.  Yardlev. 

Selling  Class  (Any  variety).— First,  B.  Carlisle,  Blackburn.  Second, 
J.  Thompson. 


Rabbits  (Lop-eared).— First,  A.  H.  Easten,  Hull.  Second,  G.  Jones, 
Birmingham.  Highly  Commended,  F.  L.  Jones,  York,  ^nt/ora.- First, 
C.  Rayson.  Second.  W.  B.  Etches.  Highlv  Commended,  G.  Jones. 
Hima/a^a/i.- First,  T.  &  A.  Schofield,  Rochdale.  Second,  C.  Rayson. 
Silver-Greijs.— First,  A.  H.  Easten.  Second,  E.  E.  M.  Royds.  Commended, 
C.  Rayson.  Any  other  Variety.— First,  J.  Grundy,  Bury.  Second,  C. 
Rayson.    Highly  Commended  and  Commended,  F.  L.  Jones. 

Judges. — Mr.  R.  Teebay,  Fulwood,  Preston,  and  Mr.  W.  B.  Teget- 
meier,  J^'ortis  Green,  London,  for  i^panifih,  Oochiiis,  Brahmas,  Ilam- 
huiyhs.  Pigeons  and  Rabbits;  in  the  other  classes  Messrs.  Fielding  and 
Martin.  

NORTHALLERTON   POULTRY   SHOW. 

With  a  very  wet  and  unfavourable  day,  this  Show,  held  on  the  18th 
inst,  was  rather  unfortunate.  There  was  an  increase  in  the  entries. 
Of  Ilamhurglis  there  was  a  good  muster,  containing  some  good 
specimens.  SjmiiA  were  indifferent,  while  Cuchins  were  very  fjood. 
Bantams  had  no  less  than  thirty  entries,  while  young  Go-se  mustered 
eleven  couple.     Of  Pigeons,  the  show  was  small. 

Subjoined  is  the  prize  list : — 

Dorkings.— First,  O.  A.  Young,  Driffield.    Second,  J.  White,  Warlaby. 

Game.— First  and  Second,  W.  Bearpark,  Ainderby  Steeple. 

Spanish.— First,  W.  &  F.  Pickard,  Thorner,  Leeds.  Second,  W.  Bear- 
park. 

Cochin-Cbina.- First,  E.  E.  Brown,  Oswaldkirk  (Buff).  Second,  W. 
Barnes,  Thirsk. 

Brahma  Pootra.— First,  A.  Groingcr,  Thirlebj-.  Second,  TV .  Serers, 
Kirliy  Fleatham. 

Hambcrghs  (Gold-spangled).- First,  J.  Bell,  Thomer-le-Moor.  Se 
cond,  W.  Bearpark. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-spangled).— First,  G.  Holmes,  Great  Driffield.  Se 
cond,  W.  Serers. 

Hamburghs  (Gold-pcncilledj.-First,  W.  Ainderby.  Second, E.Penning- 
ton, Market  place,  Thirsk. 

Hajiburohs  (Silver-pencilled).— First,  O.  A.  Young,  Driffield.  Second 
T.  White,  Warlabv. 

Any  other  Distinct  Variety.- First,  G.  Carter,  Bedale  (Polands).  Se 
J.  Fox,  Thirsk  (Black  Hamburghs). 

Bantams  (Any  variety).— First,  0.  A.  Young.  Second,  R.  Trueman, 
Thirsk.  ^  „ 

Ducks  (Rouen).— First,  J.  Mason,  Boronghbridge.  Second,  Mrs.  Mor^ 
.  ton.  Leak  Hall,  Thirsk. 


September  24,  1868.  ]         JOUKNAL   OF   HORTIOULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


235 


Docks  (Any  other  varioty).— First,  M.  Harrison,  Poclilington  (Ayles- 
bury).   Second,  O.  A.  Younu  (Aylesbury). 

TuiiKEVB.— First,  .1.  liraitliwaito,  Otterington  House  Farm.  Second, 
Mrs.  Booth,  Wnrlsljy. 

GosLlNoa.— First,  J.  Briiithwailo.    Second,  Mrs.  Booth,  Warlaby. 

PlOEoNs.—  f'nrrifrs.— Prize,  G.  Sunders,  Stokesley.  /"undrs.— I'rize,  R. 
Wilson,  Thirsk.  Jnroluns.— Prize,  J.  Fox,  Thirsli.  rumHtr».— Prize,  J. 
Mason.    Any  other  Variety. — Prize,  J.  Mason. 


CROOK  POULTRY   SIIO\V. 

The  sixtli  annnal  Show  of  poultry  was  held  at  Crook  on  tlio  Ifttli 
inst.     The  birds  exhibitcti  were  far  superior,  both  as  regards  numbers 
ami  quality,  to  those  shown  at  any  previous  meeting  of  this  Society. 
The  followJnj»  is  a  list  of  tho  awards  : — • 

Game  (Black-breaytod  or  other  Reds).— First,  W.  Boarpark,  Aindevby 
Steeple.    Second,  J.  Wilson,  Whitworth  Woodhouso. 

Game  (Duckwings  or  other  Greys).— First,  H.  S.  Stobart.  Second,  J. 
Grahiun. 

SiMNisH.— First,  W.  Benrpnrk.  Second,  J.  Graham.  Chickcna. — First, 
tt*.  IJciirpark.     Second,  Withheld. 

Dorkings.  ~  First,  O.  A.  Yountj,  DrifHtdd.  Second,  J.  Graham. 
C/a<:Afj(8.— First,  J.  Graham.     Second,  D.  Rntter,  East  Kaiutoii. 

PoLANDS.— First,  C.  Proud,  Binchester  Lodyc.  Second,  \\.  Whitticld, 
Hotton  Station. 

Cochin-China.— First  and  Second.  G.  H.  Procter.  Durham. 

HAMnuRGHS  (Golden-pencilled).— First  and  Second.  Miss  A.  Ridley, 
Frnsterloy.     Chickens. — First,  W.  IJearpark.     Second,  Mi.^s  A.  Ridley. 

Hambukohs  (Silver-pencilled). — First,  W.  Bearijark.  Second.  Miss  A. 
Ridley.     Chickent. — First,  W.  Bearpark.    Second,  M.  Pickcriu^,',  Biahtipley. 

Hamdurohs  (Golden-spangled).  —  First.  W.  Bearpark.  Second,  T. 
Mitchell,  Mount  Pleasant.  Chickeiu.— First,  J.  Armory.  Second.  T. 
Mitchell. 

llAMBCRons  (Silver-Spangled).- First,  D.  Rutter.  Second,  J.  Taylor. 
Chickens.—  First,  W.  Emmerson.  Frosterley.     Second.  J.  Taylor. 

Bantams.— First,  J.  Wilson.    Second,  C.  Proud,  Biuchester  Lodj^e. 

Docks  (Avlesburyj. — First,  M.  Harrison,  Pocklington.  Second,  O.  A. 
YouDf?,  Driffield. 

Ducks  (Rouen).- First.  T.  Roddam.     Second,  O.  A.  Young. 

Geese. — First,  M.  Heslop,  Hiimsterley.     Second,  T.  V.  John^'nn. 

Turkeys.— First,  Mrs.  Sanderson,  Bradley  Hall.  Second,  T.  BInckett, 
Low  Shipley. 

The  Judge  was  F.  Greathead,  Esq.,  of  Darlington. 


WELLINGTON   POULTRY    SHOW. 

DuniNu  a  lon^^  snecessiou  of  years,  the  shows  nf  poultry  and 
Pigeons  annually  taking  place  at  Wellington  and  Bridgenorth,  were 
such  as  to  secure  tho  most  favourable  opinions  of  both  amateurs  and 
the  public  generally.  It  is  somewhat  difficult  for  us  to  say  why  such 
shows  were  discontinued  ;  but  whatever  may  have  been  tlie  cause  of 
their  abandonment,  the  introduction  of  poultry  again  at  Wellington, 
on  the  15th  and  ItJth  of  September,  proved  that  a  poultry  exhibition  is 
there  as  popular  as  it  was  eight  or  ten  years  ago.  The  crowd  en- 
deavouring to  gain  admission  was  so  great  that  for  even  SO  or  100  yards 
from  the  gate  to  simply  move  an  arm  was  almost  impossible.  The 
difficulty  of  obtaining  admis'iion  once  surmounted,  everyone  seemed 
pleased  with  the  general  arrangements,  and,  undoubtedly,  mucli  to 
amuse  was  offered  for  inspection.  On  entering  the  tent  the  first 
object  that  met  the  eye  was  a  most  unexpected  one ;  being  a  large 
number  of  cases  of  preserved  birds  and  animals,  chiefly  foreign,  but 
of  great  beauty,  and  although  this  collection  included  many  rare  speci- 
mens, all  were  ticketed  at  prices  that  would  promote  a  ready  sale. 
They  were  the  property  of  Mr.  Parton,  of  Tan  Bank,  Wellington. 

The  Dorkin<}  fowls  were  not  equal  to  some  of  those  sliown  many 
years  back  at  Wellington,  but  the  Jlamhurah  classes  were  good,  and 
some  of  the  Game  fowls  were  well  worthy  of  supporting  the  reputation 
of  Shropshire  in  the  Game  classes. 

TiirJccifs  were  good,  and  the  Hon.  Sec,  Mr.  Jones,  exhibited  some 
exceedingly  fine  (ioslings.  This  gentleman  had  also  sent,  simply  to 
increase  the  interest  of  the  Show,  a  curious  piece  of  mechanism — viz., 
a  clock  surmounted  by  a  tree  on  which  when  wound  up  tlie  birds  in 
the  branches  appeared  to  sing  loudly,  fluttering  their  wings,  and 
moving  their  bills  in  a  most  life-like  manner.  A  Golden  Manakin  on 
the  ground  appeared  to  be  constantly  drinking  at  a  waterfall,  smacked 
its  month  as  though  pleased  at  its  welcome  beverage,  and  then  moved 
its  head  as  though  looking  at  the  visitors  in  a  way  that  caused  great 
admiration.     It  cost,  we  were  told,  twenty  guineas. 

Game.— First,  R.  Ashley,  Nautwich.     Second.  A.  B.  Dvfis.  Madeley, 
Game  (Black  or  Brown" Red!.— First. T.  Radclitl",  Cheswell  Grange.     Se- 
cond, J.  Plat,  Swanlow.    Highly  Commended.  T.  Groucock  ;  A.  B.  Dyas. 
Game  (Any  other  variety). — First,  R.  Astbury,  Nantwich.    Second,  \V. 
Dunning,  Newport. 

DoHKiNGS.— First.E.  Shaw,  PlasWilmot,  Oswestry.  Second,  J.  Edwards, 
Eyton.     Commended,  T.  Radclifl. 

Spanish  [Blickl.— First.  J.  De^n.  Wharton,  Winsford.  Second,  E.  Shaw, 
Commended.  W.  B.  Etches.  Whitchurch. 

Haurorghs  (Gold  or  Silver-spangled).— First.  Duke  of  Sutherland. 
Second,  T.  Bolton,  Hanford.  Highly  Commended.  T.  W.  Jones,  WeUing- 
ton.    Commended,  H.  Yardley,  Birmingham  ;  T.  W.  Jones. 

Hamburghs  (Gold  or  Silver-pencilled).- First  and  Second,  Duke  of 
Sutherland.     Commended.  W.  Speakman,  Doddintrton  Park,  Xnntwich. 

Any  other  Distinct  Variety. — First.  H.  Yardley.  Second,  E.  Shaw. 
Highly  Couimendeil.  Mrs.  Walker,  Keele.nf-ar  Newcastle  ;  G.  E.Meredith, 
Ightflcld ;  Duk«  of  Sutherland ;  W.  B.  Etches. 


Docks.— First,  W.  Hornby,  Swanlow,  Winsford,  Cheshire.  Second,  T. 
Radcliir.     Highly  Commended,  E.  Shaw. 

Geese. — First  and  Second,  T.  W.  Jones.     Commended,  J.  Edwards. 

Turkeys. — First  and  Second,  C.  Brown,  Withlngtftn. 

Extra  Stock  (Duckwiug  Game  Cock).  — Highly  Commended,  W. 
Dunning,  Newport, 

Edward  Hewitt,  Esq.,  of  Edoa  Cottago,  Sparkbrook,  Birmingham, 
was  tho  Judge. 

WEST  GLOUCESTERSHIRE  POULTRY  SHOW. 

The  Poultry  Show  of  the  West  Gloucestershire  Farmers'  Club  was 
held  at  HortielJ,  near  Bristol,  on  tho  isth  inst.  The  fhimc  fowls  and 
///7//;»/rt /!'*(»//•«/.'.■  wore  very  good.  The  <}ecsr  ^im,  and  the  Aylesbury 
Ducka  very  large  and  perfect  in  bill :  Uonen  Ducks  bad.  There  were 
also  some  perfect  ('orhin.-^,  tho  Partridge  variety  beting  tho  best;  and 
the  tirst-prize  pen  of  fJa/ne  JJaiitinos  was  very  small. 

Game. — First,  Mrs.  G.  Langton,  Staplcton.  Second.  J.  Tiley,  Highly 
Commended,  O,  J.  Lambert,  Two-Mile-lIiU;  J.  Pillingcr,  Kingswood ; 
R.  C.Highnam. 

DouKiNGS.— First,  J.  T.  Howes,  Kingswood  Hill.  Second,  W.  Bennett, 
Yate. 

Hambcrghs  (Gold-pencilled).— First,  W.  Bennett.  Second,  W.  Corbett, 
Yate. 

H-YMUURGHS  (Silver-pencilled).— First  and  Second,  W.  Bennett. 

Brahma-Pootua.— First.  J.  Pillinger.     Second,  J.  May,  Two-Mile-Hill. 

Cochin-China  (Coloured).— First.  C.  J.  Ijambert.     Second.  W.  Bennett. 

Cochin-China  (White).— Prize,  H.  H.  Howes,  Kingswood  Hill. 

Bantams.— First.  J.  Mav.    Second,  J.  Pillinger. 

Geese.— First,  R.  C.  Highnam,  Doynton.  Second,  R.  Hember,  West- 
bury. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury).- First  and  Second,  W,  Bennett. 

Ducks  (Rouen). — Prize,  Mrs.  M.  A.  Shipp,  Yate. 

Guinea  Fowls.— First,  J.  Batley,  Durham.  Second,  R.  Hathway, 
Framptou,  Cotterell, 

The  Judge  was  John  R.  Rodbard,  Esq.,  Ahlwick  Court,  Wrington, 
near  Bristol. 

WHITBY  CANARY   SHOW. 

The  Show  of  Canaries  held  on  the  1.5th  inst.  was  very  good.  The 
number  of  entries  exceeded  that  of  last  year  by  39.  The  competition 
being  an  open  one,  some  superior  birds  were  sent.  Last  year  it 
was  limited  to  exhibitors  within  twenty  miles  of  Whitby. 

The  following  is  the  prize  list : — 

Norwich  (Yellow).— First,  R.  Simpson,  Whitby.  Second,  C.  Burton, 
York. 

Norwich  (Buflf).— First,  J.  Bexson.    Second,  J.  Baines. 

Norwich  (Marked  Yellow).— First.  R.  Tlawmau.     Second.  C.  Burton. 

Norwich  (Marked  Buff).— First,  R.  Hawman.     Second.  G.  Moore. 

Belgian  (Yellow).— First,  W.  D.  Skelton,  jun.,  Leeds.  Second,  W. 
Bulmer. 

Belgian  (Buff).— First,  J.  Bexson.    Second,  R.  Hawman. 

Common  (Yellow).— First,  J.  Stevens.  Second,  W.  Cotton,  Middles- 
borough. 

CoM-MON  (Buff).— First,  C.  Burton.    Second.  W.  Raw. 

Crested  (Dark). —First.  G.  Moore.     Second,  J.  Bexson. 

Crested  (Light).— First.  R.  Simpson.     Second,  J  Wynn. 

Cinnamon  (Yellow).— First.  J.  Wynn.     Second,  J.  Gray. 

Cinnamon  (Buff).— First,  M.  Taylor.  Whitby.     Second.  G.  Moore. 

Lizard  fGolden-spangled).— First,  C.  Burton.     Second,  R.  Hawman. 

Lizard  (Silver-soangled). — First  and  Second,  R.  Hawman. 

Mule  (Slarked  Yellow). — Prize,  J.  Bexson. 

Mule  (Marked  Buff  .—First,  G.  Moore.    Second,  J.  Bexson. 

Any  other  Variety. — First,  J.  Wynn.      Second,  J.  Stevens. 

Sale  Class.— First,  W.  Raw.  Second,  W.  Inson.  A  collection  of  not 
Jifeti  than  six  of  this  year's  hreeiUna,  find  not  more  than  two  of  each 
T'ar((-fy.~First.  J.  Baines.  Second.  R.  Simpson.  Parrot.- Prize,  J. 
Wilkinson.    ParaAeei.— Prize,  G.  T.  Knaggs. 

DISTRICT   PRIZES. 

Any  Breed  (Marked).- First.  E.  Barker.    Second.  J.  Waters. 

Any  Breed  (Clear).— First,  W.  Porritt.     Second,  J.  Hart. 

Mule  (Any  colour).- First,  W.  Waller.     Second.  R.  Corner,  Whitby. 

Goldfinch.— First,  J.  Gray.    Second,  T.  Thornton. 

Bullfinch. — Prize,  J.  Haw,  Gmsmont. 

Linnet.— First,  T.  H.  Woodwork,  Whitby.    Second,  I.  Dickinson. 

Eight  young  Canaries.— Prize,  I.  Dickinson. 


ANT^^^<:RPS— JUDGING. 

The  moat  successful  winner  in  the  great  Pigeon  race  from 
Agen  to  Brussels,  though  he  does  not  profess  selling  any  of 
his  birds,  has  been  persuaded  to  dispose  of  one  of  the  winning 
birds,  with  one  to  match  for  breeding,  to  a  gentleman  at  Leith 
for  £20. 

The  Belgian  amateurs  select  their  birds,  judging  by  the  de- 
Telopment  of  the  skull,  eye,  length  of  wings,  thickness  of 
beak,  colour,  i-c. ;  and  the  most  admired  of  all  are  those  of 
LiC'ge,  the  Smerle  with  the  Bullfinch  shape,  notwithstanding 
the  remarks  of  "  An  Old  FiNciEr.,"  who  bv  keeping  to  the  old 
fancy  of  the  inferior  Carrier,  has  been  left  behind  by  the  tide 
of  progress. 

In  answer  to  "  An  Old  F.VNCiEn,"  that  any  other  half-bred 
Pigeon  dees  for  feeding  purposes,  I  say  it  is  as  dear  to  keep 
half-bred  Pigeons  as  Antwerps,  which  are  in  good  demai  d;  and 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOETICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENEE. 


[  September  24,  1868. 


for  example  I  may  state  that  I  know  some  of  my  fellow  fanciers 
who  will  be  glad  tobuy  good  birds  of  this  season  at  from  £leach  ; 
that  is  some  difference  from  the  9s.  per  dozen  of  the  half-bred. 

And  now  a  word  about  the  exclusion  of  dealers  from  shows. 
I  say  it  is  quite  impracticable,  because  every  dealer  will  find  a 
Bubstitute  to  serve  the  same  object,  but  let  every  fancier's 
Toice  be  heard  against  dealers  undertaking  the  duties  of  judges ; 
and  it  wiU  be  for  the  advantage  of  both  dealers  and  exhibitors, 
as  one  of  the  greatest  dealers  said  to  me,  that  "  Judging  is  not 
a  pleasant  office,  as  to  do  my  duty  I  must  offend  some  cus- 
tomers, which  is  contrary  to  my  interest." 

My  next  communication  will  be  on  the  comparison  and 
merits  of  the  long  and  short-beaked  Pigeons  in  general.  I 
will  also  report  the  result  of  the  roup  pills  as  I  promised. — A 

FoBEIONER. 

THE  HONEY  HAEVEST— LIGURIANISING. 

I  Av  at  a  loss  to  account  for  having  such  a  bad  season  this 
year,  only  taking  60  lbs.  off  nine  hives,  whilst  last  year  I  took 
56  lbs.  from  a  Woodbury  bar  hive,  and  41  lbs.  from  one  and 
50  lbs.  from  another  common  straw  hive.  All  my  neighbours 
complain,  but  two  of  my  friends  at  four  miles  distance  say  it 
is  the  best  season  they  have  had  since  keeping  bees,  one 
having  taken  158  lbs.  from  six  hives.  Is  it  that  there  are  too 
many  kept  round  me  ?  I  can  count  nearly  one  hundred  hives 
within  a  radius  of  three-quarters  of  a  mile. 

I  have  to  relate  a  curious  occurrence  which  I  saw  last  year. 
I  was  requested  to  hive  a  first  swarm  that  had  just  left  one  of 
my  friend's  hives,  and  was  surprised  to  see  the  bees  settle  on 
the  neck  and  shoulders  of  a  boy  who  was  passing  down  the 
street.  I  told  him  to  take  his  coat  off,  on  which  were  the  bulk 
of  bees,  and  shaking  them  off  on  the  ground,  I  then  placed  over 
them  a  hive,  which  they  still  occupy.  The  boy  was  not  once 
stung,  but  was  very  much  frightened.  It  was  a  strong  swarm, 
weighing  about  4  Ibe. 

Would  it  be  too  late  to  join  a  Ligurian  queen  in  October  ? 

Last  year  I  had  a  very  weak  stock,  the  weakest  of  seven.  This 
year  I  was  surprised  by  taking  more  from  it  than  any  other. 
Could  the  old  queen  have  died  in  the  summer,  and  a  young 
one  been  raised? — A  Tcnbkidge  Wells  Bee-keeper. 

[The  honey  harvest  has  been  very  capricious,  varying  much 
in  different  localities,  and  in  some  only  short  distances  apart. 
Overstocking  can  scarcely  be  the  cause  of  your  comparative 
failure,  seeing  that  you  did  so  well  last  year. 

October  is  certainly  not  too  late  for  putting  Ligurian  queens 
at  the  head  of  stocks  of  common  bees.  In  fact,  there  is  less 
than  the  usual  amount  of  risk  at  this  season. 

It  is  by  no  means  impossible  that  your  whilom  weak  stock 
may  have  raised  a  young  queen,  although  such  a  change  of 
dynasty  would  be  more  likely  temporarily  to  retard  than  im- 
mediately to  advance  the  prosperity  of  the  colony.] 


BEES   DECAMPING. 


Two  strong  healthy  swarms  of  bees  in  Stewarton  boxes  that 
had  made  abundance  of  fine  honey  in  supers,  which  were  taken, 
each  weighing  24  lbs.  and  25  lbs.,  and  were  left  with  an  ample 
supply  to  last  them  till  next  honey  season,  disappeared  sud- 
denly, leaving  the  combs  quite  empty. — Gadoirth. 

[We  should  be  disposed  to  ascribe  this  remarkable  desertion 
to  one  of  two  causes — either  you  were  deceived  in  the  supposed 
amplitude  of  the  supply  of  honey,  and  when  provisions  ran 
short  the  bees  quitted  their  hives  as  "  hunger  swarms,"  or  the 
desertion  was  not  quite  so  sudden  as  you  imagine,  in  which 
case  it  may  possibly  have  arisen  from  the  loss  of  queens.  We 
have  known  instances  of  this  kind  in  which  stocks  have  been 
plundered  of  every  particle  of  honey  before  their  proprietors 
have  become  aware  of  their  loss,  the  systematic  operations  of 
active  bands  of  freebooters  having  been  in  the  meantime  mis- 
taken for  vigorous  working  on  the  part  of  the  lawful  but  really 
dispossessed  inhabitants.] 


EXHIBITION  OF  BEES. 
Not  having  seen  in  "  our  Journal "  any  account  at  any  time 
of  bees  having  been  exhibited  at  poultry  shows,  I  send  the 
list  of  the  winners  in  that  class.  I  think  if  prizes  were  given 
at  most  of  our  shows  for  best  collection  of  bees  in  improved 
hives,  also  for  best  bellglaeses  of  honey  collected  in  the  year, 
it  would  encourage  bee-keeping,  and  be  a  source  of  pleasure 


and  profit  to  the  working  man.  All  shows  held  after  the  1st  of 
September  would;  suit  bee-keepers  to  exhibit  both  bees  and 
honey, 

I  may  say  that  I  have  acted  as  Judge  at  the  Middleton  Show 
for  two  years  for  bees.  There  were  nine  entries.  The  follow- 
ing are  the  names  of  the  winners :— Best  collection  of  bees, 
First  prize  (£2),  J.  Hall,  Tonge,  Lancashire.  Second  (£1), 
C.  Turner,  Foxdenton,  Lancashire. 

Last  year  there  were  prizes  for  the  best  bell-glass  of  honey, 
&c. — SoDTH  Lancashire  Bee-keepbk. 


OUR  LETTER  BOX, 

Moulting  {J.  A.  Bantam). — Relative  to  promotinpmonltinp,  the  follow- 
ing  is  stated  iD  our  "  Poultry-Keeper's  Manual  •"--"  All  birds  reqnire 
more  warnitb  and  more  generous  diet  durinp  this  time  of  drain  upon 
their  system.  This  is  especially  the  case  with  old  fowls.  Do  not  let 
them  out  early  in  the  morning  if  the  weather  is  chilly,  but  feed  them 
under  cover,  and  give  them  warm  soft  food  chiefly,  such  as  bread  and  ale, 
milk  porridge  made  very  thick  with  oatmeal,  a  little  boiled  meat,  such  ae 
liver,  &c.,  cut  tmall,  potatoes  mashed  up  with  pot  liquor,  and  a  little 
ground  pepper  mixed  daily  in  their  mess." 

Hatching  Bantams  (Philornis).— If  yon  wish  to  breed  very  small 
Bantams,  hatch  them  late,  in  the  end  of  June  or  in  July.  If  you  want 
strong  birds  reared  with  little  trouble,  hatch  them  in  April  or  May. 

Fowls'  Evening  Meal— Influence  of  Hatching  Hen  (Idem).— It 
fowls  will  not  leave  their  perch  for  food,  they  do  not  want  it;  never 
attempt  to  coax  or  force  them.  Your  informant  is  either  very  creduloua 
himself,  or  he  thought  you  were.  It  is  utterly  impossible  the  breed  of  the 
sitting  hen  should  have  any  eflfect  whatever  on  the  produce  of  the  eggs 
she  hatches. 

Fowls  Eating  Sheep's  Dung  {E.  A.  S.).— All  birds  like  to  scratch  and 
pick  in  the  way  you  mention,  and  on  the  same  material.  It  is  harmless, 
but  pleasant  neither  to  see  nor  think  of. 

Spanish  Cock  Blind  {SuhicrihcT). — Spanish  cocks  and  hens  are  sub- 
ject to  the  swelled  face  you  mention,  and  it  always  ends  in  the  loss  of  the 
eye ;  but  we  have  seldom,  if  ever,  known  it  attack  both  sides  of  a  face. 
It  is  incurable. 

Grey  and  Tcfted  Bantams  {A  Novice).— The  Bantams,  grey  and 
tufted,  are  not  Game  Bantams,  and  mu6t  be  shown  in  Class  3.  "Any 
variety  except  Game."  There  used  to  be  a  breed  of  Lark-crested  Game, 
but  they  had  no  tuft  between  the  ej'e  and  ear-lobe.  Such  were  called 
MuflFtees.  They  were  once  admired,  but  are  now  seldom  seen.  All 
Bantams  are  now  so  much  noticed,  that  we  should  expect  those  you  have 
to  be  very  attractive. 

The  Poultry  Club  (Egomet). — We  believe  the  Poultry  Club  ranks 
among  the  things  that  have  been.  We  know  not  the  source  whence  come 
the  cups  at  the  Birmingham  Show,  unless  they  were  the  legacy  of  the 
defunct,  or  of  some  members  who  wish  to  embalm  the  memory  of  the 
deceased.  As  two  poultry  clubs  have  died  a  natural  death,  we  do  not 
think  it  likely  there  will  be  a  third. 

Brewers'  Grains  for  Chickens  (X.  X.  X.). — We  have  tried  brewers* 
p-ains  as  food  for  poultry.  We  found  it  too  stimulating,  except  for  laying 
hens.  We  believe  the  grains  are  injurious  to  all  poultry,  and  have  a 
tendency  to  produce  dropsy.  We  sometimes  give  grains  mixed  with  meal, 
one  part  of  grains  to  two  of  meal,  but  only  in  hard  weather. 

PiGi-oNs  (J.  T.  C). — We  do  not  know  where  Mr.  Eaton's  work  can  be 
obtained.    It  is  one  of  the  crudest  of  books. 

Hartlepool  Poultry  Show. — "  In  reply  to  Mr.  Hawkins  respecting 
the  decision  of  the  Judges  in  'Any  variety  not  named  above,' the  first 
prize  was  given  to  Brahma  Pootras,  not  Houdans  There  were  only  two 
pens  of  Houdans  exhibited,  both  mine,  one  with  crests,  whiskers,  and 
beards,  the  other  only  with  crests.  The  second  prize  was  given  to  the 
inferior  birds  only  with  crests.  The  better  birds  bred  from  a  cock  and 
hen  which  won  the  first  prize  last  year  at  Preston,  and  which  I  sold  for 
£3,  were  awarded  no  prize.  My  Eouen  Ducks  were  second  to  Mr.  Leach's 
when  Mr.  Dis.in,  of  Bradford,  was  Judge,  Of  those  which  were  awarded 
the  second  prize  at  Hartlepool,  the  Ducks  had  white  feathers  in  their 
necks,  and  it  is  well  known  that  Rouen  Ducks  ought  to  be  similar  to  the 
wild  ones. — J.  G.  Milnee,  Bellerhy  Vtcararje,  near  Leyburn." 

Erratum. — In  the  fifth  line  of  the  second  paragraph  of  the  article  in 
page  214  on  the  Manchester  Poultry  Show  prize  list,  for  "  do  little,"  read 
*'  do  battle." 

"Bee-keeping  for  the  Many"  (S.  £.).— A  new  edition  (the  seventh), 
is  just  published,  and  may  be  obtained  of  any  bookseller,  or  direct  from 
this  office  for  five  stamps. 

Hives  and  Bee  Appliances  (Mrs.  Francis).— Of  Messrs.  Neighbour, 
149,  Regent  Street,  and  127,  High  Holboin  ;  also  of  Mr.  Marriott,  Tropical 
Department,  Crystal  Palace. 

Tomato  Jam.— "In  answer  to  '  7*.  W.  TT.'  who  wishes  to  know  my 
receipt  for  making  tomato  jam,  it  is  as  follows : — To  every  3  II  'S.  of  fresh- 
gathered  ripe  tumatoefi,  add  the  juice  and  tinely  cut  rind  of  two  lemons. 
Boil  together  half  »nh>>ur,  then  add  4  lbs.  i»f  ki.^f  sugar,  and  a  little  crushed 
ginger,  and  buil  the  whole  during  another  half-hour. — Loveapple,"  "The 
request  of  a  cnn-espondent  for  a  receipt  for  making  tomato  jam  induces 
me  to  give  our  experience  in  making  this  really  delicious  preserve.  The 
red  tomato,  to  keep  well,  requires  much  boiling,  and  close  cnreful  tying- 
down  with  bl.tdder.  Take  note  of  the  weight  of  the  dish,  fill  it  with  five 
ripe  tomatoes,  and  put  it  in  a  moderately  warm  oven  fnr  several  hours, 
until  they  will  pulp  without  difficulty.  Either  before  or  "fter  this  taking, 
remove  the  skin.  Weigh  the  torn  itoes,  add  to  tbem  half  iheir  weight  of 
sugar,  and  the  juice  of  a  lemon  for  every  4  lbs.,  boil  them  in  a  preserving 
pan  until  the  juice  will  set,  put  the  jam  out  io  jars,  and  fi<sten  them  down 
securely.  I  believe  the  small  cherry  tomatnes  are  the  best  of  the  red 
kinds  ;  but  all  thef^e  require  a  good  deal  of  boiling.  The  f^niall  yellow 
variety  requires  no  more  cooking  than  plum  jam,  and  is  very  fine  in 
flavour.— E.  W." 


October  1,  18C8.  ] 


JOURNAL  OP  HORTICOLTURB  AND  COTTAGE   GAKDENEE. 


237 


WEEKLY   CALENDAR. 


Day 

n»y 

of 

of 

Month 

Week. 

1 

Th 

a 

F 

» 

S 

4 

Stru 

r> 

M 

u 

To 

7 

W 

OCTOEKR  1-7,  1868. 


TniligM  ends,  lb.  ZSm.  after  soDsct. 

Royal  Horticnltaml  Society,  Promenade. 
17  Sunday  after  Trisity. 

[and  General  Electing. 
Hoyal  Horticultaral  Society,  Fruit,  Floral, 
Ercwash  VaUey  Horticultural  Show. 


ATcrago  Temperature 
near  London. 


63.(i 
64.7 
64.0 
64.1 

fia.o 

62.1 
C8.9 


Nisht. 
4.1.1 
444 
41.8 
4:)0 
406 
43.3 
441 


Mean. 
54.4 

54  5 
53  8 
63.5 
61.8 
52.7 
64.0 


Rain  in 

last 
41  years. 


Days. 
21 
19 
14 

20 
21 

21 
20 


San 
Rises. 


m.  h. 
UalC 

4  B 

n  6 

8  6 

10  6 

12  B 

13  6 


Snn 
Sets. 


m.  h. 
8G  aJ  5 

34  5 

SI  r, 

29  5 

23  5 

24  5 


Moon 
Rises. 


Moon 
Seta. 


m.    h. I m.     h 
53aJ5  i  16  at  5 


n 

G  '  21      7 
7  1  87      8 

7  ;  45      9 

8  I  53    10 
'J  '    uoou. 


Moon'B 
AKe. 


Days. 
O 

18 
17 
18 
19 

20 
21 


CIoolc 

after 
bun. 


10  i3 

10  4S 

11  7 
11  25 

11  43 

12  0 
12  17 


Day 
o« 

Tear 


275 
270 
277 
278 
'279 
280 
281 


From  observations  taken  near  London  during  the  last  forty-one  years,  the  average  day  temperature  of  the  week  is  63.6-;  and  its  night 
temperature  43.2°.  The  greatest  heat  was  80^,  on  the  5th,  1834  ;  and  the  lowest  cold  25',  on  the  5tb,  1865,  The  greatest  fall  of  rain 
was  1.06  inch. 


EARTH  HEAT. 

{Contimied  from  page  44.) 

OLD  PITS.— These  structures  being  well 
tnown,  and  extensively  employed  for  the 
preservation  and  growth  of  plants,  any  re- 
marks upon  them  must  necessarily  possess 
little  novelty ;  but  considering  that  few  im- 
provements on  pits  of  this  description  have 
been  made,  and  that  they  remain  almost  in 
their  original  condition,  I  will  point  out  what 
I  consider  would  tend  to  diminish  their  great, 
and,  I  believe,  only  drawback — damp.  I  do  not  think  cold 
pits  are  the  ideal  of  perfection  ;  indeed,  I  am  persuaded 
that  for  aftbrdiug  protection  to  plants  from  the  cold  and 
wet  of  winter,  and  the  fluctuating  heat  and  drought  of 
summer,  they  are  but  in  their  infancy.  It  seems  strange 
that  we  should  employ  for  the  summer  decoration  of  tlie 
flower  garden  plants  that  are  in  winter  the  better  of  roast- 
ing in  what  is  very  often  little  less  than  a  glass  oven. 
We  are  told  that  if  lire  heat  hri  not  given  in  frosty  periods, 
and  to  dispel  damp,  the  plants  will  all  perish.  T  do  not 
consider  frost  need  be  so  mucli  dreaded  as  it  is,  nor  that 
it  is  necessary  to  maintain  such  high  temperatures  as  are 
often  given  to  keep  it  out ;  and  as  to  damp,  surely  that  is 
not  dissipated  by  putting  on  a  lire  when  very  commonly 
the  structure  is  kept  closely  shut  up  as  if  there  were  a 
danger  of  frost  or  damp  air  entering.  Now,  for  plants 
which  need  no  further  protection  in  winter  than  from  frost, 
I  look  upon  the  erection  of  a  place  witli  glass  at  the  top, 
ends,  and  sides  as  simply  striving  to  build  so  that  as  much 
artificial  heat  as  possible  will  be  required.  Is  it  possible 
to  obtain  warmtli  by  employing  a  material  so  favourable 
as  glass  to  the  cooling  of  lieated  air  ■'  Its  use  to  twice  the 
extent  that  is  necessary  in  tlie  construction  of  houses  in 
whicli  plants  are  required  to  be  wintered  safely,  and  with 
as  small  an  expenditure  of  fuel  as  practicable,  is  simply 
waste,  involving  an  additional  first  cost  and  a  maximum 
of  annual  expenditure.  It  is  vain  to  seek  for  a  lieating 
apparatus  that  will  afford  the  maximum  amount  of  heat 
from  a  minimum  of  fuel,  so  limg  as  we  go  on  building  our 
greenhouses  and  hothouses  with  double  the  extent  of  glass 
roof  and  sides  that  is  requisite,  employing  glass  in  place 
of  some  frost-resisting  material. 

We  must,  however,  not  only  seek  to  secure  the  preserva- 
tion of  plants  from  frost,  but  other  conditions  essential  to 
their  existence.  Tliese  are, besides  a  suitable  temperature, 
light,  air,  and  a  sufliciency  of  moisture.  Tlie  first  of  these, 
temperature,  we  have  stored  up  for  us  in  the  eartli ;  all  that 
we  have  to  do  is  to  prevent  its  escape  or  ward-off  cold. 
This  may  be  effected  by  affording  suflicient  covering,  but  as 
there  must  at  times  be  waste,  any  loss  of  stored-up  heat 
should  be  made  up  for  by  catching  more  heat  in  raild  periods 
when  the  external  is  warmer  than  the  internal  atmosphere, 
and  enclosing  it  before  it  becomes  cooled.  As  regards  light, 
erecting  houses  with  side  lights  for  wintering  plants  not 
required  to  grow,  but  to  be  kept  safe  and  in  lioalth,  is  a 
mistake.  If  plants  are  excited  by  heat,  and  growth  takes 
place,  by  all  means  afford  light :  but  if  they  are  stimulated 

No.  8M.-V0I.  XV.,  New  Sebieb. 


by  artificial  heat  when  Nature  would  liavo  her  subjects 
at  rest,  the  case  is  not  then  one  of  the  preservation  of 
plants,  but  of  forcing,  and  to  that  I  intend  none  of  my 
remarks  to  apply,  for  1  shall  not  introduce  any  heat  beyond 
that  of  the  sun,  and  what  it  leaves  stored-up  in  the  earth. 
There  is,  therefore,  no  fear  of  the  plants  being  unduly 
stimulated  ;  no  growth  will  fake  place  but  v.-hen  the  ex- 
ternal temperature  is  equal  to  or  above  that  of  the  pit  or 
house,  and  at  such  times  the  exposure  of  the  pit  will  haye 
a  tendency  to  give  increased  heat,  instead  of  reducing  the 
internal  temperature,  and  the  plants  thus  derive  the  light 
required  for  healthful  gi'owth.  What  good  a  powerful 
light  can  do  plants  that  are  inactive  I  cannot  comprehend. 
Side  lights,  and  in  a  measure  end  lights,  I  look  upon  as 
worse  than  useless.  ..\11  the  liglit  we  require  is  tliat  ad- 
mitted by  covering  with  glass  in  the  most  economical  man- 
ner the  area  occupied  by  the  plants.  "  What,  dispense 
with  side  and  end  lights  !  The  plants  will  draw."  Not  at 
all,  if  only  artificial  heat  be  afforded,  and  the  plants  be 
allowed  to  rest.  Look  to  your  fathers  in  these  matters,  the 
Dutch.  ''  And  return  from  the  very  elegant  and  aristocratic 
span-roofed  house  to  the  Dutch  pit?"  Just  so,  and  whyV 
Because  these  structures  cost  less,  are  less  expensive  to 
keep  up,  and  answer  their  purpose  quite  as  well.  "  But 
this  is  a  retrograde  step."  Perhaps  it  may  be,  but  I  thin'ir 
it  a  very  necessary  one,  for  of  late  very  many  have  so 
extended  their  taste  for  the  massing  of  tender  plants- 
that,  finding  it  such  a  drain  on  theu-  resources,  they  are 
glad  to  back  out,  and  advance  Beetroot,  Scotch  Kale,  and 
the  like  as  substitutes  ;  which,  at  the  risk  of  being  tlicught 
singular,  I  consider  as  much  out  of  place  in  a  flower  gar- 
den as  vegetable  quarters  devoted  to  flowers  are  in  a 
kitchen  garden. 

Air,  it  may  be  said,  cannot  be  given  plants  in  pits  when 
the  external  atmosphere  is  frosty,  and  without  it  there  will 
be  an  excess  of  damp.  This  may  be  the  case  when  arti- 
ficial heat  is  employed  ;  but  in  an  unhealed  structure  there 
is  little  to  dread  on  that  head,  as  the  evaporation  is  ex- 
tremely small,  and  what  excess  of  moisture  there  is  may 
be  carried  off  by  judicious  ventilation. 

-■Vs  to  damp,  that  certainly  is  a  serious  evil  in  pits ;  but 
why  should  it  not  bo  overcome  ?  Great  as  the  evil  is,  I 
look  upon  it  as  an  evil  arising  from  tlie  bad  selection  of  a 
site  and  from  bad  construction,  ratlier  than  as  an  obstacle 
to  the  preservation  of  the  plants.  In  tlie  selection  of  a 
site  prefer  high  to  low  ground,  but  if  there  is  undulatin;- 
gi'ound,  take  the  southern  side  of  a  ridge  ;  or  a  sloping 
bank  will  be  an  excellent  place,  particularly  if  it  face  soutli. 
The  more  sheltered  the  situation  the  better,  and  if  the  soil 
is  sandy  or  gravelly,  if  water  does  not  remain  stagnant 
within  8  feet  of  the  surface,  and  there  is  a  good  fall  fo;- 
any  drain  that  may  be  necessary,  so  far  as  site  is  concerned 
such  an  one  is  eligible  :  but  as  there  are  not  sites  oflering  all 
these  advantages  in  every  garden,  take  the  driest,  most 
sheltered,  and  most  ca.sily  drained.  If  the  ground  slopes, 
it  will  be  necessary  to  remove  the  soil  at  the  bac'i,  so  as  to 
form  a  pit  that  will  be  of  the  required  depth,  which  for 
plants  planted  out  or  put  in  as  cuttings  in  the  bed  ne«I 
not  exceed  16  inches  in  front  and  the  same  at  back,  but  for 

No.  1M4.— Vol.  XL.,  0ld  Series. 


238 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETIOULTUBE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  October  1,  1888. 


plants  in  pots  the  pit  may  vary  in  depth  according  to  the 
size  of  the  plants,  and  in  the  generality  of  cases  need  not  exceed 
2  feet  (j  inches  in  front,  and  4  feet  at  back.  For  Calceolarias, 
Verbenas,  Gazanias,  Lobelias,  and  similar  plants,  the  first- 
named  depth  is  quite  suiBcient,  but  as  we  may  require  drain- 
age, and  shall  need  soil,  we  will  excavate  2  feet,  making  the 
excavation  wider  than  the  required  breadth  by  2  feet  6  inches. 
The  section  of  the  excavation  will  appear  as  shown  in  liy.  1, 


Fig.  1. 
the  soil  being  taken  out  2  feet  deep  in  front,  and  only  6  inches 
at  back.  This  will  give  a  good  slope  to  the  front,  and  will 
answer  quite  as  well  as  going  down  the  same  depth  at  back  as 
in  front ;  and  in  digging  it  out  let  the  soil  be  thrown  clear  of  the 
excavation,  to  the  north  of  the  pit. 

The  walls  are  to  be  built  hollow,  and  may  be  4  J  inches  in  thick- 
ness, with  a  4j-inch  cavity  between  them.  Commence  by  laying 
a  course  of  bricks  all  round,  and  headers,  so  that  there  may  be 
an  18  inch  base  for  each  double  wall.  The  inner  walls  are  to  have 
the  first  course  of  the  4J-wofk  laid  pigeon-hole  fashion,  and  in 
or  on  asphalt  instead  of  mortar,  and  the  course  of  bricks  above 
it  also  set  in  asphalt,  but  the  remainder  of  the  work  should  be 
done  in  mortar.  Within  a  course  of  bricks  from  the  top  half 
a  brick  should  be  left  out  at  every  3  feet,  commencing  at 
18  inches  from  the  end  ;  and  a  3-inch  earthenware  pipe  ought 
to  be  introduced  through  the  openings  left  in  the  outer  walls, 
and  having  a  bend  it  will  fit  exactly,  and  come  somewhat  above 
the  ground  level.  The  course  above  the  openings  must  have 
a  heading  course  of  bricks,  and  this  so  as  to  close  the  cavity, 
and  for  the  front  I  would  recommend  it  to  be  laid  in  Portland 
oement,  but  at  least  make  the  joints  good  by  pointing  with 
cement.  The  back  course  I  would  supplement,  after  the  frame 
is  put  on,  with  a  course  of  bull-nose  firebrick  on  edge,  and 
make  the  joints  good  with  Portland  cement. 

The  frame,  of  red  deal,  may  be  44  by  3  inches,  and  that  of  the 
lights  2i  by  2  inches,  the  sash-bars  2  inches  by  Ij  inch,  and  in 
place  of  chamfering  the  edges  on  the  under  side,  or  beading  or 
moulding,  rebate  them  for  glass  the  same  as  the  upper  side, 
and  Tou  will  have  means  for  double  glazing.  Paint  with  three 
coats  of  white  lead  and  oil,  and  put  in  the  inner  or  under  side  of 
the  lights  15-oz.  glass  without  a  lap,  and  use  no  putty,  but 
secure  with  a  light  wood  moulding.  Glaze  the  outside  with  21-oz. 
sheet  glass  in  the  ordinary  way.  Tiie  whole  of  the  wood- 
work should  be  well  puttied  and  painted,  and  made  drip-proof, 
and  a  3-inch  semicircular  iron  spout  should  be  fixed  in  front 
to  the  frame  to  carry  the  water  from  the  lights. 


Fig.  2. 

We  have  in  the  pit,  jit].  2,  a  winter  mean  temperature  of  38°, 
or  we  have  that  temperature  in  the  earth,  and  may  have  it  in 
the  pit  providing  sufticient  covering  be  given  to  retain  it. 
Though  sunk  in  the  ground  the  pit  will  be  fairly  dry,  for  the 
walls,  a  a,  will  keep  damp  from  the  inner  walls,  b  h,  and  damp 
cannot  rise  up  them  on  account  of  the  lower  courses  being  laid 
in  a-.-phalt.  Any  water  accumulating  in  the  area  or  cavity,  c  c, 
will  descend  to  the  bottom,  and  pass,  as  regards  the  back,  into 
the  drainage  through  the  pigeon-holes,  whilst  the  front  will 
take  the  water  from  the  drainage,  and  that  in  the  front  cavity 
sliould  communicate  with  a  drain.  Any  damp  rising  in  the 
cavities  is  to  be  dissipated  by  removing  the  woodplugs  that  close 
the  pipes,  d  d,  which  will  cause  a  change  of  air  in  the  pit  at 
any  time,  and  that  may  be  effected  without  opening  the  lights 
in  dull,  damp  weather,  when  the  heat  of  the  pit  is  deficient. 


Much  may  be  done  in  the  way  of  securing  more  heat  by  keep- 
ing the  lights  closed  in  sunny  days,  and  ventilating  through 
the  pipes,  d  d  ;  and  another  use  of  the  pipe  ventilators  is,  when 
the  external  air  is  warmer  than  38%  they  may  be  opened  for  a 
few  hours  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  and  a  change  of  air  thus 
given  the  plants,  as  well  as  the  temperature  increased,  and  this 
without  removing  the  covering.  The  pipes  all  have  wood  plugs, 
kept  close  when  the  atmosphere  is  below  38°,  and  open  when 
above  that  temperature,  day  and  night. 

The  lights  being  double-glazed  a  more  uniform  temperature 
is  secured,  and  the  temperature  is  not  so  quickly  lowered, 
such  lights  being  equal  in  protection  to  a  single  covering  of 
mats.  No  water  can  enter  the  cavities  from  above  ;  it  is  cut  off 
by  the  cemented  course  of  bricks,  and  the  water  does  not  run 
from  the  lights  and  enter  the  ground  by  the  front  wall,  and 
make  that  wall  wet,  but  is  taken  off  by  the  spont.  The  soU  is 
placed  all  round  the  pit,  level  with  the  under  side  of  the  wood 
frame,  or  level  with  the  course  of  bricks  set  in  cement.  We 
have,  therefore,  the  full  benefit  of  the  heat  of  the  earth.  With- 
out protection  10°  of  frost  will  be  kept  out  when  not  of  longer 
contmuance  than  an  evening,  or  a  night,  and  with  a  9-inch 
covering  of  dry  straw,  or  litter  of  any  kind,  which  must  extend 
over  the  pit  as  far  as  the  pipes,  d  d,  the  pit  is  proof  against  any 
frost  occurring  in  our  climate  ;  but  a  Ginch  covering  will  in 
most  cases  be  sufticient.  The  covering  put  on  should  remain 
day  and  night  so  long  as  the  ground  continues  frozen  ;  but  in 
case  of  fine  days,  when  the  frosts  at  night  are  thawed  before 
midday,  the  covering  should  be  daily  removed,  and  replaced  on 
the  approach  of  frost.  The  pit  should  not  have  less  than 
G  inches  of  drainage,  two-thirds  of  coarse  material,  and  then 
one-third  of  finer,  finishing  with  6  inches  of  soil. 

To  winter  plants  safely,  it  is  necessary  that  the  soil  be  kept 
dry.  The  plants,  therefore,  should  be  rooted  in  good  time,  the 
cuttings  of  all  kinds  being  put  in  in  August,  except  those  of 
Calceolarias,  which  are  best  put  in  duriog  October,  just  before 
frost ;  and  the  plants  should  be  well  hardened  off,  and  the  soil 
dry  by  October.  The  reason  of  many  plants  being  lost  in 
wintering,  is  that  they  are  struck  late,  are  succulent  in  growth, 
and  very  susceptible  to  cold.  So  long  as  the  foliage  of  the 
plants  does  not  flag,  the  soil  cannot  be  too  dry. — G.  Abbey. 


MARECHAL   NIEL   ROSE. 

The  Bath  Horticultural  Society  is  one  which  Nature  most 
assuredly  seems  to  smile  upon,  for  it  possesses  a  charm  in 
having  almost,  as  a  matter  of  course,  a  fine  day,  and  a  splendid 
one  it  was  on  the  'Jth  of  September,  and  a  wonderfully  good 
show,  taking  into  consideration  the  intensely  hot  summer  we 
have  experienced. 

Tent  No.  1,  filled  with  a  rich  displav  of  fine-foliaged  plants. 
Ferns,  Cacti,  and  cut  flowers  in  great  abundance,  is  that  to 
which  I  wish  to  draw  the  attention  of  the  readers  of  The 
JouKNAi.  OF  HoKTicoLTHRE,  and  let  them  imagine  one  hundred 
and  fourteen  fine  blooms  of  Marcehal  Niel  Rose  being  exhibited 
by  Mr.  Samuel  Pavitt,  Rose  Cottage  Nursery,  all  in  different 
stages  of  development.  A  glorious  sight  they  were,  clearly 
proving  that  this  choice  variety  can  be  successfully  cultivated 
in  the  west  of  England.  Mr.  Keynes,  of  Salisbury,  had  also 
some  remarkably  high-coloured  blooms. 

Mr.  Pavitt's  were  cut  from  a  number  of  robust  and  healthy 
plants  growing  in  his  garden.  This  Rose  is  there  budded  on 
the  Briar,  which  seems  to  suit  it  in  every  particular,  as  num- 
bers of  blooms  in  all  stages  are  now  (September  1.5th)  to  be 
seen  in  the  garden.  There  is  no  mistake  about  its  being  a  free 
bloomer,  and  I  know  no  reason  why  it  may  not  prove  quite 
hardy  when  thoroughly  established. 

What  a  fine  sight  it  would  be  at  any  future  exhibition,  if 
some  spirited  nurserymen  and  amateurs  were  to  agree  to  grow 
a  number  of  plants  of  select  varieties,  and  exhibit  boxes  of 
such  Roses  as  Marechal  Niel,  Cloth  of  Gold,  Gloire  de  Dijon, 
Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison,  with  Hybrid  Pepetuals  Alfred 
Colomb,  Charles  Lefebvre,  John  Hopper,  and  Comtesse  Cecile 
de  Chabrillant.  If  these  were  shown  together  in  a  tent  de- 
voted expressly  to  them,  what  could  be  more  beautiful  ?  and 
does  not  he  who  has  written  this  article  wish  he  may  live  to 
see  such  a  sight ! — An  Ardent  Lover  of  Roses,  Bath. 


Potatoes  and  Hops. — We  have  been  obliged  by  the  follow- 
ing oflicial  returns  from  the  Statistical  Department  of  the 
Board  of  Trade.     The  average  of  land  in  Great  Britain  under 


October  1, 1868.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GAKDENER. 


239 


Potatoes  in  l.sti8,  was  o3!1,954  acres,  against  4!t2,217,  in  18C7, 
and  4!)8,Sl;!,  in  18C0.  The  average  under  Hops,  in  ISOS,  was 
Gl,488  acres,  against  04,284,  in  1807,  and  50,iJ7H,  in  IKiiO. 


NOTES    ON    TEACH    AND    NECTARINE 

GROWING. 

{Concluded  from  page  221.) 

Protection. — The  main  object  of  protection  is  to  keep  the 
blossoms  dry.  On  the  tops  of  hills,  where  hoar  frost  does  not 
prevail  as  it  does  in  valleys,  less  protection  is  needed.  Thatched 
mud  walls  do  not  require  so  much  protection  as  brick  walls 
with  narrow  copings.  Fir  boughs  may  sufiice  for  such  situ- 
ations and  circumstances,  but  in  valleys  they  will  only  hni'bour 
the  damp  without  keeping  it  out  of  the  blossoms.  It  the 
blossoms  are  wetted  and  a  frost  succeeds,  they  will  wither  away 
as  soon  as  the  sun  is  powerful.  I  have  often  been  amused  at 
seeing  these  trees  protected  (?)  by  rabbit  nets.  As  well  might 
a  shepherd  on  Salisbury  Plain  put  a  hurdle  against  his  back  to 
keep  out  a  driving  rain  !  To  make  up  for  the  loss  of  night 
dews  I  water  my  trees,  which  are  protected  by  sheets.  These 
sheets  I  put  on  soon  after  Christmas  to  prevent  the  whole  tree 
being  injured.  People  suffer  rain  and  snow  to  fall  on  their 
trees,  a  thaw  melts  the  snow,  which  subsides  to  the  knots,  a 
frost  comes  on  before  the  tree  is  dry,  and  canker  at  the  knots 
ensues.  Canker  is  more  from  without  than  from  within.  The 
skin  is  killed  at  the  knots,  where  the  passage  of  sap  is  always 
difficult,  and  hence  canker  and  gum  are  produced.  Strong 
roots  are  not  the  cause  of  canker,  but  merely  ancillary.  I  am 
inclined  to  think  that  glass  copings  resting  on  brackets,  and 
removeable  at  pleasure,  would  be  a  good  plan.  In  cold,  wet 
sunless  summers  they  would  greatly  help  to  ripen  the  fruit, 
also  the  wood.  The  success  in  the  future  year  depends  mainly 
on  the  management  and  ripening  of  the  wood  of  the  current 
year.  Peach  and  NOvtarine  trees  should  be  mulched,  at  any 
rate  during  the  first  winter  and  summer  after  planting. 

The  Forms  of  Trees. — I  think  the  fan  form  is  best.  I, 
however,  use  cordons,  also  trees  on  high  stems  to  go  between 
the  trained  trees,  which  should  not  be  suffered  to  grow  higher 
than  7  feet,  with  14  feet  expanse.  By  allowing  trees  to  ramble 
high  and  wide,  especially  with  long-pruning,  their  centres  and 
bases  become  bare,  and  their  miin  stems  like  rake-handles. 
It  is  a  good  plan  to  fill  up  spaces  between  the  trees  with 
single,  double,  or  triple  cordons  placed  perpendicularly.  If 
cordons  are  placed  at  an  angle  of  45",  you  must  plant  so  as 
not  to  be  obliged  to  strain  them  with  tight  ligatures,  whjch 
will  stop  the  circulation  of  the  sap  and  produce  gum  in  pro- 
portion lo  the  sap.     I  plant  mine  upright. 

PiEMOVAL  OF  Leaves. — After  the  crop  is  gathered,  the  sooner 
leaves  can  be  removed  without  violence  the  better,  to  let  in  the 
sun  and  air  to  harden  the  bark  and  buds.  In  a  cold  sunless 
autumn  this  is  a  material  point.  Last  year  I  cut  all  my  leaves 
in  half,  without  any  injury  that  I  can  perceive.  This  vear  I 
have  done  the  same.  I  see  it  is  recommended  by  Mr.  Earley. 
I  am  glad  to  have  his  confirmation,  for  I  did  not  know  whether 
it  was  right  or  wrong  practice.  It  should  not  be  done  while 
there  is  a  flow  of  sap.  I  cut  my  leaves  in  half  on  the  7th  and 
8th  of  September.  Before  this  was  done  the  leaves  were  so 
green  and  thick,  that  some  of  the  wood  looked  tender. 

Tiling  the  Roots. — After  cropping  is  over,  keeping  the  roots 
dry  greatly  helps  the  tree  to  harden  its  wood,  also  to  ripen  it 
and  prevent  late,  useless,  secondary  growths.  To  effect  this 
I  shall  lay  four  or  five  loose  tiles,  overlapping  each  other,  over 
the  roots  near  the  stems.  Unless  the  winter  is  very  severe 
they  would  be  sufficient  protection  to  the  roots  without  any 
further  mulching. 

Insects. — So  far  as  my  experience  goes,  I  have  never  found 
any  trouble  except  from  scale  and  red  spider.  Till  I  came 
here  I  never  saw  the  former.  Both  have  been  very  troublesome 
this  season,  so  favourable  to  these  pests.  They  have,  however, 
done  no  material  mischief  to  my  trees.  The  best  remedies  are 
hand-killing  the  scale  and  syringing,  and  constantly  syringing 
the  trees  affected  by  red  spider.  At  one  time  there  were  a  few 
Peach  aphides,  of  a  duller  colour  than  the  Rose  aphis.  These 
were  destroyed  by  hand-killing  and  syringing.  In  syringing, 
people  should  jet  the  water  sideways  ;  first  one  way,  and  then 
the  other.  It  is  of  no  use  to  stand  opposite  the  tree,  as  red 
spider  and  aphides  are  concealed  under  the  leaves.  All  curled 
leaves  should  be  taken  off,  as  the  insects  conceal  themselves 
and  propagate  under  the  edges  of  the  leaves,  where  water  cannot 
touch  them.     As  the  fruit  is  nearly  all  picked,  I  have  cut  off 


half  of  every  leaf,  in  order  to  better  reach  any  remaining  ene- 
mies. I  have  also  poured  from  a  watering  pot  blue  vitriol  and 
water  over  the  leaves  so  cut.  I  am  persuaded  that  the  spring 
and  autumn,  no  less  than  the  summer,  are  the  times  to  keep 
insects  down.  They  propagate  with  wonderful  rapidity,  and  the 
neglect  of  syringing  only  for  a  few  days  will  bo  followed  by  a 
dense  population.  In  order  to  d'.tcct  them,  people  should  have 
a  magnifying  glass.  When  the  leaves  look  yellowish  on  the 
upper  side,  and  silvery  on  the  under  side,  the  mischief  is  done. 
The  leaves  will  not  recover  their  colour.  I  admire  Mrs.  Pol- 
lock and  Lady  Cullum  Pelargoniums,  but  I  cannot  admire  bi- 
color  or  tricolor  Peach  and  Nectarine  leaves. 

Fungi. — I  never  remember  seeing  out  of  door?  any  on  my 
Peach  and  Nectarine  trees.  I  believe  mildew  is  the  more  com- 
mon disease,  and  confined  to  glass  culture.  Glandless  leaves 
are  said  to  be  more  affected  by  mildew  than  those  which  have 
glands.  The  reason,  I  believe,  is  that  viscid  secretions,  where 
there  are  no  glands  to  carry  them  off,  pass  through  the  leaves, 
that  the  spores  adhere,  and  in  due  time,  when  the  weather  is 
favourable,  root  into  the  tissues  of  the  tender  leaves.  Where 
there  are  glands,  these  secretions  pass  off  by  the  glands.  Pro- 
bably sorts  with  glands  have  leaves  with  closer  tissues.  I  have 
always  observed  that  Rose  plants  which  have  close-textured 
glazed  leaves,  are  not  so  much  affected  by  mildew  as  others.  I 
never  remember  seeing  any  on  Solfaterre  Hose.  I  mean  to 
dress  my  trees  again  after  Christmas  with  blue  vitriol  and 
water.  Two  ounces  of  blue  vitriol  (sulphate  of  copper),  to 
three  gallons  of  water,  could  do  no  harm,  and  might  destroy 
much  that  would  prove  injurious.  Soft-soap,  which  contains 
arsenic,  dissolved  and  added  to  water,  is,  I  should  think,  a 
good  winter  dressing.  With  regard  to  the  blue  vitriol  and  water, 
observe  it  is  only  an  experiment,  and  not  a  recommendation, 
At  any  rate,  whether  our  foes  are  insects  or  fungi,  the  sooner 
we  are  free  of  them  the  better.  We  may  be  assured  that  what- 
ever does  harm  to  the  foliage  during  the  time  of  growth  will 
injure  the  health  of  the  tree,  decrease  its  longevity,  and  spoil 
to  some  extent  the  flavour  of  the  fruit.  The  value  of  leaves, 
as  respects  flavour,  is  seen  in  the  dift'ereuce  between  a  Peach 
or  Nectarine  that  has  a  terminal  leaf,  and  one  that  has  none. 
More  care  must  be  taken  of  the  foliage. — W.  F.  Rauclyi'pe, 
Okeford  Fit^pniiic. 

POTATOES    SUPERTUBERATING. 

Yonii  correspondent,  "  A  Wiltshire  Farmer,"  requires  ad- 
vice, as  the  earliest-formed  tubers  have  numerous  youug  tubers 
issued  from  thera.  I  reply.  Allow  the  crop  to  remain  undis- 
turbed, as  there  may  be  just  a  chance  of  the  young  immature 
tubers  becoming  ripe  before  the  frost  come.  On  them  "  A 
Wiltshire  Farmer  "  must  now  rely  for  a  table  supply,  as  the 
first  tubers,  from  which  the  youug  tubers  issue,  will  on  cooking 
be  found  centred  with  fibre  as  tough  as  boiled  straw,  and  worse 
than  a  boiled  Dahlia  tuber.  At  taking-up  time  these  old  tubers 
whence  the  youug  ones  sprang  should  be  separated,  and  boiled 
down  at  once  for  lean  store  pigf,  making  the  mess  palatable  by 
adding  salt,  with  bran  or  pollard. 

I  presume  fresh  haulm  is  not  growing  from  the  young  tubers, 
as  it  frequently  does  this  season,  for  in  that  case  the  sooner  the 
whole  crop  is  out  of  the  ground  the  better,  and  the  supertubers 
merely  kept  for  seed,  as  I  explained  in  page  146  of  this  Journal. 

I  promised  to  say  something  about  my  class  Regents,  and  I 
now  take  the  opportunity.  1  took  them  up  last  week  from 
three  different  soils — namely,  a  light  loam,  stone-brash,  and  a 
gravel-brash,  well  dunged. 

.^.Imond's  North  Riding  Beauty,  Regent  (second  early) — I 
watched  them  narrowly,  and  dug  them  up  the  moment  they 
began  to  "  spear,"  or  they  would  have  thrown  up  a  thicket  of 
young  tops  without  forming  supertubers. 

Grjffe  Castle  Seedling,  the  best  of  all  the  Regents  (I  shall 
grow  no  other  of  them  for  the  future),  is  a  capital  crop.  I  be- 
lieve it  would  have  remained  in  the  ground  till  next  spring 
without  "  spurting." 

York  Regents  were  a  thicket  of  sprouting  gi-eenery,  with  no 
crop  at  all,  and  of  Sutton's  Finest  Regent,  there  was  a  miser- 
able supertuberated  crop. 

Walker's  Second  Early  Regents  supertuberated  very  badly, 
and  had  feathers  to  their  bonnets. 

Prolific  Regents  were  small  Potatoes,  and  a  few  in  a  hill. 

Scotch  Rough  Whites  supertuberated.  A  miserable  crop, 
rough  enough  in  all  conscience,  having  cracked  skins  to  au 
unlimited  extent. 

So  much  for  Regents.     The  class  served  me  the  same  in 


240 


JOURNAL   OF  HOBTIOULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEH. 


[  October  1,  1868. 


1959,  and  1863,  anci  so  they  will  again  to  anyone  who  may 
choose  to  pin  his  faith  to  them,  excepting,  I  think  I  may 
affirm,  the  Grjffe  Castle  Seedling.  I  have  ^et  three  more  sorts 
I  grow  in  the  above  soils — viz.,  The  old  Flake,  a  spare,  very 
xigiy  crop,  speared  with  greenery ;  Salmon  Kidney,  with  some 
tubers  perfect,  and  others  with  "  small  fry  ;  "  Paterson's  Vic- 
toria, good  crop.  I  watched  them  narrowly,  and  dug  them 
when  they  were  offering  to  "  spear,"  otherwise  they  would 
have  thrown  up  a  forest  of  green  tops  without  forming  any 
Bupertnbers.  These  features  were  the  same  in  all  the  differing 
soils,  and  as  regards  the  last  sort  in  the  garden  included. 

I  was  lately  inspecting  several  acres  of  Flukes  and  York 
Regents,  at  Eedenham,  near  Andover.  The  tops  were  as  green 
as  in  spring,  and  in  full  blossom.  As  to  the  crop,  three  out  of 
four  of  the  Regents  might  be  said  to  have  produced  two  or 
three  tubers,  the  remaiuder  having  some  of  them  strong  fibrous 
roots,  and  others  stout,  tap-roots  striking  directly  down  into 
the  subsoil  Hke  young  Oak  trees,  having  no  Potatoes  attached. 
The  Flukes  were  slightly  better,  but  a  remarkably  ugly  sample, 
throwing  up  green  independent  tops.  It  was  painful  to  witness 
the  extent  of  ground  that  had  to  be  forked  over  to  gain  a  basket 
of  tubers,  and  when  cooked  I  likened  them  to  ohopped-up, 
earthy-flavoured  candles,  wicks  and  all.  In  my  garden  I  left 
the  Lapstone  Kidney  to  take  its  own  way,  and  wliat  few  tubers 
it  did  produce  formed  supertubers,  which  threw  up  indepen- 
dent haulm,  and  then  caught  the  disease,  which  killed  them 
all.  My  beautiful  crop  of  Taylor's  Yorkshire  Hero,  and  many 
others  of  my  garden  sorts,  would  have  followed  suit  in  this  last 
respect,  if  I  had  not  copied  the  "  early  bird." — Upwards  akd 
Onv/auds. 


THE  IMPROVERS  OF  THE  HOLLYHOCK. 

As  my  name  has  been  mentioned  by  Mr.  Abbey,  as  one  of 
the  improvers  of  the  Hollyhock,  I  may,  perhaps,  be  allowed  to 
recall  the  part  I  have  taken  in  this  work.  I  have  always 
understood  that  the  late  Mr.  Baron*  was  the  first  great  im- 
prover of  this  flower,  and  that  to  his  efforts  more  than  to  those 
of  any  other  are  we  indebted  for  the  beautiful  varieties  we  now 
possess.  He  broko  the  ice,  cleared  away  the  fragments,  and 
left  a  smooth  and  open  sea  for  his  successors  to  sail  in.  Mr. 
Chater,  Mr.  Parsons,  and  Mr.  Roake  followed  iiim,  and  each 
of  them  accomplished  great  things. 

To  speak  of  my  labours,  I  must  go  back  twenty-two  years.  At 
that  time  my  father,  the  late  Mr.  A.  Paul,  had  a  large  good 
aollection  of  which  he  was  very  proud.  I  thought  them  un- 
equalled, until  cue  day  I  happened  to  call  en  Mr.  Parsons,  then 
living  at  Ponder's  End,  and  found  several  kinds  superior  to 
ours,  and  of  them  he  obligingly  offered  me  seeds  and  cuttings 
in_  exchange.  I  understood  him  that  these  varieties  were 
principaily  Jifr.  Baron's,  but  that  some  of  them  were  his  own 
eeedliugs.  I  went  to  work  crossing  and  raising  seedlings,  and 
in  1853  had,  I  believe,  the  finest  collection  in  Europe.  In 
that  year  I  obtained  thirteen  first  prizes  for  Hollyhocks,  in 
England  and  Scotland,  principally  with  my  own  seedlings. 
I  think  the  following,  which  were  raised  by  me,  those  who  re- 
member that  period  will  say  were  the  best  of  their  colours 
then  known :— Beauty  of  Cheshunt,  Lizzy,  White  Globe,  Fire- 
ball Superb,  Argo,  Darius,  Romulus,  and  Shylock.  Later  I 
■was  fortunate  in  obtaining  Avalanche,  Primrose  Perfection, 
Queen  of  the  White?,  Yillfitje  Maid,  Blushing  Bride,  Lord 
Jooelyn,  Celestial,  El  Dorado,  Lailv  Franklin,  Lady  Palmerston, 
Ossian,  Plutarcb,  Qaeen  of  the  Yellows,  Sir  Colin  Campbell, 
In  Memoriam,  General  Havelock,  and  many  others,  all  gems 
of  the  period,  one  of  the  latest  being  Beauty  of  Waltham. 
More  alluring  paths  in  horticulture  (commercially  considered, 
as  Roses,  Fruits,  Pelargoniums,  &o.),  have  kept  me  from  follow- 
ing out  the  department  of  raising  seedling  Hollyhocks  to  the 
extent  then  practised  ;  but  after  the  above  instances  of  suc- 
ooss,  which  I  have  no  doubt  many  living  growers  can  attest,  I 
think  it  is  rather  hard  of  your  correspondent,  "  A  Hollyhock 
Amateuk,"  to  leave  me  out  in  the  cold. — William  Paul,  PmiVi 
Nurseries,  Waltham  Cross,  N. 


Gesneea  esoxiensis. — Messrs.  Lnoombe,  Pinee  &  Co.,  of 
the  Exeter  KurReries,  have  sent  us  a  coloured  drawing  by  Mr. 
Andrews,  of  their  superb  new  plant,  Gesnera  exoniensis.  Its 
numerous  scarlet  flowers  are  very  rich,  and  standing  very  erect 
they  are  remarkably  striking,  and  the  more  so  on  account  of 

•  Sea  my  "  Hour  with  the  Hollyhocli.'"    SecoEd  edition,  jfiges  7  and  S. 


tho  dark  green  foliage.     It  is  certainly  one  of  the  richest  of  the 
Gesneras,  and   a  valuable    addition    to  our  winter-flowering 

plants. 


MESSRS.  RR-ERS'  NURSERHSS, 
SAWBRIDGEWORTH. 

(Concluded  from  page  170.) 

Grapes  have  long  been  a  pet  subject  with  Mr.  Rivers,  and 
numerous  are  the  varieties  which  have  been  introduced  by  him 
to  our  notice,  chiefly  cuUings  from  the  almost  endless  mass  of 
continental  varieties  of  the  Chasselas  class,  of  which  the  Royal 
Muscadine  is  a  good  type.  Mr.  Rivers  has  a  very  large  and 
fine  collection ;  these  are  excellently  suited  for  orchard-house 
cultivation,  they  ripen  well  and  freely  without  any  artificial 
warmth  further  than  is  obtained  by  solar  influence,  and  the 
protection  from  cold  blasts.  It  is  really  astonishing  to  see 
what  can  be  done  with  Grapes  without  the  slightest  assistance 
from  fire  heat ;  with  the  ground  vineries,  of  which  we  have  all 
heard  so  much,  and  with  few  exceptions  believed  so  little  in 
their  favour,  Mr.  Rivers  works  wonders.  This  simple  con- 
trivance has  been  so  often  noticed  and  described  in  these  pages, 
that  it  will  be  unnecessary  for  me  to  do  so.  Mr.  Rivers  was  about 
the  first  to  adopt  this  simple  structure ;  years  ago  its  success 
had  been  proved  at  Sanbridgeworth,  and  this  year  the  results 
were  even  more  remarkable.  One  of  the  original  Vines,  a 
Trentham  Black,  planted  from  five  to  six  years  ago,  is  now 
50  feet  in  length,  is  in  the  most  perfect  health,  and  is  bearing 
about  130  bunches  of  fruit,  good  heavy  bunches  ;  and  this,  be 
it  remembered,  is  a  variety  which  is  known  to  be  somewhat 
difiicult  of  cultivation.  'The  berries  were  of  fair  size,  and 
colouring  well — indeed,  much  better  than  one  would  expect  in 
our  best  heated  vineries,  looking  at  the  enormous  crop  upon 
the  Vine.  One-third  would  have  been  ample.  Mr.  Rivers,  how- 
ever, labours  not  in  this  instance  for  the  production  of  a  few 
highly-finished  bunches  of  Grapes,  such  as  would  gladden  the 
heart  of  a  Meredith,  but  rather  to  demonstrate  the  practica- 
bility of  the  system.  That  it  is  successful  is  abundantly  mani' 
fest.  The  next  Vine,  a  Black  Hamburgh,  has  twenty  bunches, 
the  weight  averaging  nearly  a  pound  each,  and  they  were  ripen- 
ing and  colouring  off  in  splendid  style,  superior  to  many  that  I 
have  seen  in  fine  and  expensise  houses  this  season.  Who  need 
be — who  would  be,  in  fact,  without  his  dish  of  Grapes,  when 
it  is  seen  how  easily  and  cheaply  they  can  be  obtained  ?  The 
labourer  and  the  mechanic  can  by  the  outlay  of  a  few  shillings 
for  the  glass,  with  their  rod  of  ground,  produce  as  good  a  dish 
of  Grapes  as  a  peer. 

In  one  small  house  about  20  feet  long,  Mr.  Rivers  has  the 
Vines  planted  out  vineyard  fashion — the  same  way,  in  fact, 
as  we  have  our  Raspberries — i.e.,  in  lines  about  3  feet  apart, 
and  trained  to  stakes  about  4  feet  in  height.  In  Mr.  Rivera's 
house  there  are  four  lines,  two  on  each  side  of  the  centre  path. 
This  house  is  not  heated,  and  many  of  the  varieties  tried  have 
not  succeeded  well.  Some  of  them,  however,  are  growing 
splendidly,  and  bearing  good  crops,  such  as  Foster's  White 
Seedling.  Ingram's  Hardy  Prolific  Muscat,  &a.  The  idea  of 
growing  Vines  in  houses  in  this  way,  is  a  very  happy  one ;  I 
like  it  exceedingly.  The  plants  look  extremely  handsome, 
and  there  is  something  very  pleasing  in  being  thus  able  to  walk 
round,  in,  and  amongst  a  grove  of  Vines,  and  to  be  able  to  in- 
spect every  berry  and  every  ".taf  at  ease,  instead  of  being  in 
danger  of  breaking  one's  neck  by  climbing  up  a  pair  of  rickety 
steps,  as  in  the  ordinary  way.  It  is  questionable  whether  even 
a  greater  amount  of  space  is  not  obtained  for  the  Vines  in  this 
manner,  than  by  any  method  of  training  over  the  roof.  At  all 
events,  for  the  sake  of  variety  alone,  in  which  there  is  much 
enjoyment,  it  is  worthy  of  adoption.  In  one  of  the  span-roofed 
orchard  houses,  in  which  the  principal  rafters  are  some  10  or 
12  feet  apart,  some  Black  Hamburgh  Vices  are  trained  over 
them  very  neatly,  which  when  the  Grapes  are  ripening  gives 
the  house  quite  a  jaunty  and  elegant  appearance. 

Oranges  are  cultivated  here  very  largely  in  pots.  This 
season's  stock  of  plants  exceeds  three  thousand,  in  number. 
They  are  all  of  them  in  meet  splendid  health,  and  many  of  them 
are  loaded  with  fruit.  They  are  principally  of  the  dessert 
or  sweet  kinds,  such  as  the  little  Otaheite  and  Mandarin.  I 
have  tasted  some  of  the  Oranges  grown  by  Mr.  Rivers,  and 
they  were  really  splendid,  quite  as  rich  as  any  of  our  im- 
ported fruits,  and  much  more  pleasing.  It  seems  strange  that 
there  is  bo  very  little  attention  paid  to  the  cultivation  of  the 
Orange  for  the  fruit  in  this  country,  seeing  how  very  simple  it 


Ootot)«r  1, 1668.   J 


JOURNAL  OF    HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


241 


is.  What  a  fine  aildition  to  our  dessert  at  ChriBtmas  would  a 
diflh  of  fresh-gathered  ripe  Oranges  be,  dressed  np  with  their 
own  leaves  and  Orange  hlossom.  I  long  to  see  the  day  when 
home-cultivated  Oranges  will  be  as  common  at  the  dessert 
table  as  I'eacbes  are  now. 

Mr.  Rivers  hag  such  a  number  of  stmotures  and  contrivances 
for  the  cultivation  of  fruits,  and  oarrjing  on  his  experiments 
amongst  them,  that  it  is  impossible  to  notice  all,  although  there 
may  be  some  little  peculiarity  pertaining  to  each  that  makes 
it  interesting.  There  is  one  huge  structure  HO  feet  long, 
the  roof  of  which  only  is  of  glass,  the  back  composed  of  board- 
ing, and  the  front  open,  excepting  the  slight  protection  of  a 
common  net  just  to  break  the  severity  of  the  cold  Masts.  This 
is  used  for  housing  Tears  and  Plums  in  pots  in  spring,  until 
tho  danger  of  frost  is  over,  when  they  are  placed  out  of 
doors ;  also  for  Roses,  the  v.'hole  saleable  stock  of  which  is  taken 
up  on  the  approach  of  winter,  ani  placed  here.  In  this  way 
there  are  no  losses  from  winter  frosts.  In  a  house  of  this  size 
about  four  thousand  trees  may  be  placed.  If  these  are  Pear 
trees,  estimating  the  produce  at  six  fruits  a-piece,  and  there  ia 
no  danger  of  not  having  that  quantity,  a  very  neat  return  is 
obtained  for  the  outlay.  Mr.  lUvers's  trees  which  he  had 
turned  out  from  structures  of  this  sort  were,  both  Pear  and 
Plum  trees,  loaded  with  fruits.  In  one  group  alone  I  counted 
some  hundreds.  Many  of  the  Poars  were  of  large  size,  and,  no 
doubt,  of  excellent  quality;  they  had  that  full,  juicy,  warm 
appearance,  which  tells  of  lusciousnoss.  Soma  of  the  earlier 
varieties  I  tasted.  Summer  BeurrO  d'Aremberg  (noticed  at 
page  171),  is  a  seedling  of  Mr.  Rivers's,  and  is  in  all  respects 
excellent.  It  has  that  nice,  brisk,  rich  acidity  which  makes 
the  old  Beurrci  d'.iremberg,  when  well  ripened,  such  a  favourite. 
This  brisk  acidity  with  juiciness,  to  some  tastes — to  mine  at 
least — is  far  more  refreshing  than  so  much  muskiness  and 
sweetness,  especially  in  summer. 

On  the  Plum  trees  in  pots  there  were  enormous  crops ;  the 
little  trees  were  literally  loaded,  all  sorts  of  them — Green  Gages, 
Golden  Drops,  from  the  big  Magnum  Bonum,  to  tho  little 
Mirabelle.  This  last  is  a  variety  very  much  like  a  small 
Eullace,  which  is  much  cultivated  in  Friince  for  dessert.  It  is 
very  sweet  and  agreeable,  and  a  most  enormous  cropper.  Tlaere 
■were  many  seedlings  amongst  these  Plums,  some  very  pro- 
mising, and  like  the  Peaches,  of  somewhat  curious  origin  ;  one, 
a  large  late  blue  sort,  was  raised  from  Reine  Claude  de  Bavay, 
which  is  a  rather  early  green  sort.  This  introduces  me  again 
to  the  subject  of  raising  Peaches,  in  which  I  must  correct  a 
slight  error  I  have  made.  The, Princess  cf  Wales  Peach  was 
raised  from  the  Pavie  de  Pompone,  not  from  the  Silver ;  and 
one  of  Mr.  Rivers's  theories  is,  that  the  Madeleine  Blanche,  the 
Malta,  and  Noblesse  Peaches,  which  are  all  pnle  in  colour,  and 
piquant  in  flavour,  owe  their  origin  to  the  White  Nectarine, 
one  of  the  oldest  of  the  race,  imr.orted  from  Syria  many,  many 
years  ago.  The  flowers  of  all  of  these  are  similar  to  those  of 
the  White  Nectarine. 

Of  cordons,  about  which  we  have  heard  so  much  lately,  Mr. 
Rivers  has  many  examples  to  show,  some  have  been  in  ex- 
istence for  several  years.  In  France,  this  style  of  training  in 
all  its  various  forms  is  greatly  practised,  and  where  well  carried 
out,  the  lines  perfect,  and  the  trees  loaded  with  fruits,  as  I  have 
seen  them,  they  are  certainly  extremely  pretty.  When  I  first 
visited  France  some  years  ago,  and  saw  the  cordon  Apple  trees 
as  edgings  along  the  sides  of  the  walks,  covered  with  beautiful 
fruit,  as  they  were  then.  I  was  much  struck  with  their  beauty, 
and  fancied  that  when  I  got  home  again  I  would  do  wonders 
■with  them.  Subsequent  experience,  however,  has  convinced 
me,  that,  as  a  general  rule,  they  are  unsnited  for  this  climate, 
and  that  after  all  is  said,  it  is  too  much  like  playing  at  fruit- 
growing ;  the  expense  for  attention,  &c.,  is  too  great  for  them 
ever  to  be  largely  adopted.  As  pretty  objects  of  ornament,  in 
suitable  soils,  where  plenty  of  care  and  attention  can  be  be- 
stowed, then  by  all  means  have  your  cordon  trees,  but  if  all 
this  cannot  be  given,  then  avoid  them.  Mr.  Rivers  has  some 
lines  of  these  low  cordon  Apple  trees  doing  extremely  well ;  the 
best  are  those  grafted  on  the  English  Paradise  stock,  which 
Mr.  Rivers  considers  the  same  as  the  French  Donoin.  Those 
on  the  French  Paradise  are  not  doing  so  well ;  some  are  trained 
to  a  fixed  wire,  the  same  way  as  the  French  do,  and  which  is 
decidedly  preferable  to  that  of  pegging  them  down  with  hooked 
vfires — another  mode  adopted  by  Mr.  Rivers,  my  objeetiin  to 
which  is.  the  difficulty  of  growing  the  shoot  straight,  owing  to 
there  being  nothing  to  fix  it  to :  we  can  peg  down,  but  we 
cannot  peg  np,  and  the  tree  bends  just  as  often  the  one  way  as 
the  other. 


The  oblique  and  vertical  cordon  Plum  and  Pear  trees  on  tho 
walls  and  trellises  under  glass  and  in  the  open  air,  were  all 
looking  well,  the  trees  being  in  fino  condition,  and  full 
of  fruit  buds.  The  masterpiece  of  all,  however — without  ex- 
ception the  finest  piece  of  training  and  gardening  in  the  whole 
establishment,  ia  a  lino  of  thirty-two  upright  cordon  May  Duke 
Cherry  trees  in  tho  open  ground.  They  are  grafted  on  the 
Mahaleb  stock,  and  range  from  8  to  10  foot  in  height.  Never 
have  I  seen  more  beautiful  trees  than  these,  perfect  in  every 
sense  ;  from  the  very  ground  to  the  very  tip,  they  form  just  one 
unbroken  column  of  beauty,  the  stems  being  densely  clothed 
with  fruiting  spurs,  none  exceeding  much  more  than  .T  inches 
in  length.  How  beautiful  they  must  have  been  when  in  flower, 
and  again  when  tho  fruit  was  ripe.  When  I  saw  them  the  crop 
was  just  over  ;  by  the  stalks  remaining  on  one,  I  could  see  that 
the  produce  had  been  immense.  Day  by  day  for  years,  these 
trees  must  have  been  attended  to  with  the  greatest  care  for 
them  to  have  attained  their  present  beauty.  How  beautiful  a 
garden  would  be  with  lines  of  trees  like  these  !  and  Mr.  Rivera 
shows  that  it  may  be  done. 

Another  feature  here,  which  in  some  respects  resembles  these 
Cherry  trees,  was  the  pyramidal  Prince's  Engleberl  Plum 
trees.  There  are  great  numbers  of  thi-;  variety  growing  in  the 
fruit-tree  quarters,  the  trees  about  5  feet  high,  all  loaded  with 
beautiful  fruit,  from  the  ground  upwards.  They  were  ex- 
tremely handsome.  This  is  a  most  excellent  Plum,  the  quality 
good,  and  the  tree  is  an  extraordinary  bearer.  What  an  enor- 
mous quantity  of  fruit  could  be  obtained  from  an  acre  of  ground 
planted  with  trees  like  these.  They  might  be  planted  in  lines 
like  hedges  to  divide  the  quarters  in  the  kitchen  garden.  Mr. 
Rivers  grafts  from  five  to  six  thousand  a-year  of  ^t,  so  much 
is  it  in  his  favour  as  a  profitable  market  variety. 

I  must  not  omit  to  notice  a  most  remarkable  vai-icty  of 
Cherry — the  Belle  Agathe,  which  is  to  be  seen  here.  There  are 
two  goodly-sized  trees  of  it  just  at  tho  back  of  Mr.  hivera's 
house,  loaded  with  fruit.  This  is  the  latest  variety  of  Cherry 
in  existence,  ripening  generally  in  the  end  of  September,  and 
hanging  on  the  trees  until  October.  I  have  seen  them  in  No- 
vember. It  is  a  free-bearing  variety,  of  rather  small  size,  when 
well  ripened  very  pleasant  in  flavour.  Its  peculiarity,  how- 
ever, ia  this,  that  the  birds  do  not  eat  it.  Why  they  do  not,  it 
would  be  interesting  to  find  out.  It  is  sweeter  than  many 
others  that  they  do  eat.  It  is  well  known  that  our  feathered 
friends  also  do  not  meddle  with  the  yellow  Cherries,  which  are 
as  sweet  as  any.  That,  however,  has  been  accounted  for  on  the 
supposition  that  the  birds  never  know  when  they  are  ripe.  This 
theory,  however,  scarcely  holds  good,  as  there  are  many  yellow 
fruits  very  greedily  devoured  by  them.  Here  is  a  question 
worthy  of  the  notice  of  our  scientific  men. 

There  is  hero  also,  in  one  of  tho  compartments  near  the 
orchard  houses,  a  group  of  about  one  hundred  dwarf  bush 
Apple  trees,  that  are  well  worthy  of  notice.  They  are  about 
3  feet  in  height,  just  resembling  little  Gooseberry  bushes,  and 
planted  3  feet  apart  each  way.  Pretty  little  trees  they  are, 
abundantly  set  with  fruit-buds,  and  some  of  them  well  loaded 
with  fruit,  on  an  average  from  eighteen  to  twenty-four  on  each. 
These  trees  are  from  seven  to  eight  years  old,  and  are  kept  in 
their  present  fruitful  condition  by  being  every  alternate  season 
transplanted,  at  least  such  of  them  as  may  seem  to  require  to 
have  their  vigour  suppressed.  It  is  only  by  this  continual  re- 
moval, and  checking  their  superabundant  growth,  that  these 
trees  can  be  kept  in  such  a  dwarf  and  fruitful  state.  The  soil 
in  Mr.  Rivers's  grounds,  however,  is  uncommonly  well  suited 
for  this  system  of  culture,  being  of  a  liyht  calcareous  nature, 
with  a  sandy  or  gravelly  subsoil. 

It  cannot  fail  to  be  observed,  in  walking  through  Mr.  Rivers's 
nursery,  how  stubby,  short-jointed,  and  fruitful  all  the  frees 
seem  to  be,  even  in  their  youngest  stage.  This  may  partly 
arise  from  the  stock  on  which  they  are  worked,  or  from  their 
repeated  removals.  It  is,  however,  chiefly  owing  to  tho  cal- 
careous sandy  nature  of  the  soil.  In  soil  like  that,  I  have  al- 
ways observed  that  fruit  trees  grow  but  slowly,  but  bear  fruit 
enormously.  It  would  bo  quite  correct  to  plant  fruit  trees  by 
the  acre,  at  4  or  C  feet  apart  in  ground  of  this  nature.  It  would 
be  decidedl.y  the  most  profitable.  The  trees,  whether  .\pple. 
Pear,  Plum,  or  Clierry,  would  bear  well  in  a  young  state,  and 
through  growing  slowly,  it  would  be  many  years  before  they  be- 
came too  crowded.  In  rich,  alluvial  loams,  however,  the  case 
would  be  far  different — .-such  as  in  the  Middlesex  valley  of  the 
Thames.  There  young  trees  grow  like  Willows,  and  bear  but 
little  fruit,  all  the  crop  being  produced  on  the  older  and  larger 
trees  that  have  been  allowed  a  little  more  of  Nature's  way.  The 


242 


JOUENAIi  OP   HOKTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEK. 


[  October  1,  1886. 


attempt  to  keep  them  within  the  same  compass,  by  pruning, 
pinching,  or  transplanting,  as  those  that  may  be  growing  on 
the  lighter  soils,  is  always  done  at  the  expense  of  the  crop. 
The  trees  may  be  formed,  but  the  fruit  will  be  wanting,  and  it 
is  for  the  fruit  that  they  are  grown.  A  rule  that  may  be  per- 
fectly suitable  for  one  district,  is  totally  inapplicable  to  another, 
and  to  plant  trees,  and  pursue  the  same  methods  of  cultivation 
in  different  situations,  without  regard  to  the  constitution  of  the 
soil  is  simply  absurd.  I  would  recommend  all  who  are  fond  of 
this  fnncy  miniature  fruit-tree  gardening,  before  adopting  it  to 
■visit  Mr.  Rivers's  establishment,  and  see  how  it  is  done  there  ; 
that  they  will  be  delighted  I  have  not  the  slightest  doubt,  but 
it  is  that  they  may  be  benfited  that  I  recommend  it.  A  day  at 
Sawbridgeworthor  Bonks  Hill  (the  old  name  of  the  place),  with 
Mr.  Rivers,  is  a  day  well  spent. — Akchameaud. 


AUTUMN-FLOWERING  WHITE  PINK. 
I  DO  not  know  whether  this  desirable  plant  is  well  known. 
I  never  saw  it  until  Jo-day,  when  taking  a  stroll  through  the 
Dorset  Nurseries,  at  Jilandford,  now  being  entirely  remodelled 
under  the  care  of  the  prefent  proprietor,  Mr.  H.  Blaudford. 
I  noticed  a  bed  of  it  in  bloom  ;  it  is  simply  the  white  Pink, 
with  which  we  are  all  so  familiar,  but  evidently  grown  a  double 
flower.  As  it  was  full  of  flowers  and  buds  ready  to  open, 
it  might  surely  be  made  a  valuable  plant  for  bouquets  if  grown 
in  pots,  as  it  would,  doubtless,  go  on  flowering  for  some  time ; 
and  for  places  such  as  Brighton,  where  flowers  are  much 
needed  during  the  autumn  months,  I  should  think  it  would 
be  very  useful. — D.,  Veal. 


GOLD  AND  BRONZE  PELARGONIUMS. 

I  uxvE  at  various  times  been  surprised  at  the  amount  of  mis- 
conception existing  respecting  the  origin  and  parentage  of  the 
varieties  of  Gold  and  Bronze  Pelargoniums,  it  being  frequently 
asserted  that  Beauty  of  Oulton  is  the  parent  of  all  this  section 
of  popular  plants,  than  which  nothing  can  be  more  contrary  to 
fact.  For  several  years  prior  to  its  appearance,  such  varieties 
as  Mrs.  Milford,  Annie  Williams,  and  Mrs.  Hutton.  were  cata- 
logued by  Messrs.  Henderson,  of  the  Wellington  Road  Nur- 
sery ;  Luna,  by  Mr.  Saltmarsh  ;  and  Sceptre  d'Or,  by  Messrs. 
Downie,  Laird,  &  Laing.  Any  one  of  these  has  a  better  claim 
to  be  called  golden  than  Beauty  of  Oulton,  which  clearly  had 
nothing  whatever  to  do  with  their  production.  It  is  a  repre- 
sentative of  a  section  of  Bicolors  which  have  more  green  than 
yellow,  and  which,  as  usually  seen,  might  with  propriety  be 
called  the  Bronze  and  Green  section.  They  have,  it  is  true, 
enough  yellow  to  make  them  under  certain  circumstances  a 
very  pretty  class  of  plants,  but  unfortunately  they  are  wanting 
in  constancy  of  character.  Model,  one  of  this  class,  is  really 
very  pretty,  but  too  dull  and  heavy  for  a  bedder  where  distant 
effect  is  studied.  Beauty  of  Calderdale  is,  perhaps,  the  best 
for  bedding,  though  better  suited  for  pot  culture.  Like  Beauty 
of  Oulton  it  lacks  constancy  of  character  when  planted  out. 
Glowworm  and  Circlet  are  far  too  green  to  have  any  claim  to 
be  called  Gold  and  Bronze.  Beauty  of  Eibblesdale,  again,  is 
often  quite  green.  A  narrow-belted  variety  which  would,  when 
planted  out,  retain  the  yellow  ground  throughout  the  season, 
would  be  a  great  acquisition. 

Advances  on  the  varieties  to  which  I  have  referred,  are  those 
of  which  Egyptian  Queen  may  be  considered  a  type ;  these 
have  a  bronze-yellow  gi'ound  with  broad  heavy  zones,  and  in 
the  hands  of  a  skilful  cultivator  become  very  beautiful  objects 
for  the  exhibition  table ;  but  so  far  as  we  may  judge  of  them, 
as  seen  at  Battersea  Park,  the  bronze  and  green  shades  render 
them  anything  but  the  effective  subjects  for  bedding  purposes 
which  the  flower  gardener  will  always  require  for  out-door  de- 
coration. 

Sceptre  d'Or  was  the  first  of  the  bright  Gold  and  Bronze  va- 
rieties, and  where  known  it  has  been  a  great  favourite,  though, 
like  many  others,  it  must  give  way  to  the  improved  varieties  of 
which  it  may  be  considered  a  type.  These  have  a  diiierent 
habit  of  growth  from  those  already  mentioned,  are  much  brighter 
in  colour,  and  form  a  better  contrast  with  Coleus  Verschalfelti, 
than  any  other  ycUow-leaved  plants,  the  Golden  Pyrethrum 
not  excepted.  This  is  especially  the  case  with  Kentish  Hero, 
which  will,  and  without  any  trouble,  keep  pace  with  the  Coleus. 
Having  also  a  large  leaf,  with  a  distinct  zone,  which  may  be 
seen  from  a  great  distance,  and  a  robust  habit,  it  is  one  of  the 
most  desirable  plants  of  the  season.      It  has  held  its  own 


against  all  others  at  Chiswick,  and  will,  no  doubt,  become 
a  great  favourite,  being  not  only  beautiful,  as  seen  when  near, 
but  at  a  great  distance  it  is  quite  as  effective  as  a  good  bed  of 
yellow  Calceolaria.  I  fear  I  may  have  trespassed  too  far  on 
your  space,  but  this  is  a  section  of  Pelargoniums  of  which  I  am 
very  fond,  and  which  I  think  will  quite  eclipse  Tricolors  as 
bedding  plants,  though  they  may  not  surpass  them  as  examples 
of  individual  beautv ;  but  even  this  remains  to  be  proved. — 
W.  B.  G.,  Eutland  lioad,  Perry  Hill. 


A  FRAGMENT  OF  DORSETSHIRE. 

A  FEW  weeks  only  have  passed  since  I  was  staying  at  Wey- 
mouth, or,  to  speak  more  truly,  at  Melcombe  Regis,  for  all  the 
most  worthy  of  residences  are  here,  although  the  name  of  its 
twin  borough  of  the  other  side  the  river  Wey  prevails  so  far  as 
now  to  include  the  whole.  So  soon  as  I  had  provided  the 
where  to  rest  and  the  wherewithal  to  gladden  the  heart  and  to 
give  a  cheerful  countenance — though  be  it  observed  that  the 
latter  effect  was  brought  about  by  other  agents  than  oil— I  pur- 
sued my  wonted  course,  and  sought  for  the  local  guide  books. 
I  am  prone  to  patronise  local  literature ;  but  (that  is  a  be- 
numbing monosyllable),  I  am  obliged  to  confess  that,  bad  as 
such  literature  usually  is,  the  local  literature  of  Weymouth  is 
in  the  superlative  of  defectiveness.  X  would  forgive  its  meagre- 
ness  if  even  it  was  correct  meagreness  ;  but  it  is  just  the  other 
thing,  and  especially  upon  topics  which  interest  me  most.  I 
believe  that  Truidical  blood  is  in  my  veins,  for  I  venerate 
"  Gospel  Oaks,"  and  have  pilgrimed  to  every  tree  of  celebrity 
between  the  Wallace  Oak  and  Burnham  Beeches.  So  when  I 
read  in  one  of  the  Weymouth  guides  of  "  Culliford  tree  "  I 
rejoiced  inwardly,  and  prepared  to  unravel  legends,  and  jot 
down  for  your  pages  marvels  of  interest.  Now,  I  will  wager 
my  golden  pen  against  a  crowquill  stump,  that  not  one  of  the 
readers  of  those  pages  would  guess  that  no  such  tree  exists. 
Yet  such  is  the  fact,  and  Culliford  tree  is  the  corruptly  spelt 
name  of  one  of  the  divisions  of  the  county  !  So  I  put  no  faith 
in  the  guide  books,  and  accepted  that  most  unerring  of  in- 
formants, the  Ordnance  map  ;  and  with  that  in  pocket  I  know 
of  no  more  enjoyable  mode  of  "  looking  around  "  than  stroUing 
on  to  a  church  the  tower  or  spire  of  which  peers  up  above  dis- 
tant trees,  and,  having  reached  it,  inquiring  the  name,  and 
then  rummaging  one's  memory  and  books  to  find  out  "  all 
about  it."  This  was  my  occupation  during  a  day  in  August 
last  past;  and  the  church  I  reached  was  that  of  Portisham,  a 
village  distant  from  the  old  highroad,  and  further  still  from  the 
iron  way,  nestling  into  the  base  of  the  chalk  bill  rising  above 
it.  Such  quiet  out-of-the-world  places  seem  suited  only  to  the 
production  of  men  whose  "  talk  is  of  bullocks,"  and  of  women 
to  sit  in  the  sun  and  knit  stockings  ;  so  it  comes  upon  us  sur- 
prisingly when  we  find  that  such  a  place  of  quietude  has  pro- 
duced one  of  the  world's  great  ones.  And  Portisham  causes 
this  surprise,  for  here  was  born  that  Sir  Thomas  Hardy  who 
was  the  brave  companion  of  Nelson  and  CoUingwood.  Your 
pages  are  not  the  fitting  place  in  which  to  dwell  upon  their 
naval  deeds  ;  but  space  may  be  spared  to  note  that  they  all 
delighted  in  gardening.  Nelson  used  to  set-to  and  dig  in  his 
garden  at  Merton  as  if  he  was  doing  piecework.  CoUingwood's 
charming  letters  to  his  daughters  show  how  his  heart  yearned 
to  be  at  home,  to  make  holes  with  his  walking-staff,  and  drop 
acorns  into  them  where  a  fitting  vacancy  offered  itself. 

There  was  but  little  to  detain  me  at  Portisham,  so  I  rested 
beneath  the  shade  of  one  of  its  Elms,  and  consulted  the  unerring 
map.  It  revealed  that  the  load  before  me  led  to  Abbotsbury, 
and  of  the  swannery  there  I  had  often  read,  so  I  was  promptly 
up  and  away  thitherward. 

The  previous  day  I  had  reached  Fleet,  the  fishermen's  village 
whose  church  was  swept  away  by  the  wondrous  tide  of  the 
23rd  of  November,  1824,  and  the  height  of  which  is  shown  to 
have  been  23  feet  above  its  usual  high  mark  by  the  record  on  a 
pole,  to  which  you  have  to  raise  your  eyes  at  the  Abbotsbury 
Decoy.  To  the  interior  of  that  treacherous  enclosure  I  was 
now  admitted  ;  but  the  swannery  at  that,  the  breeding,  season, 
was  forbidden  ground.  It  is  in  the  broad  part  of  the  Fleet, 
as  the  narrow  strip  of  sea  there  is  called,  and  there  are  kept 
six  hundred  and  more  swans,  though  it  is  certain  that  more 
than  twice  that  number  were  there  formerly  ;  and  including 
"  hoppers  " — that  is,  a  small  species,  which  fed,  ranged,  and 
returned,  some  accounts  enlarge  the  numbers  to  eight  thousand. 
It  is  certain  that  five  hundred  were  there  in  the  reign  of  Eliza- 
beth, each  of  the  value  of  2s.  6^/.,  and  possessed  by  Joan,  widow 


October  1, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


243 


of  Sir  John  YoniiK,  Kat.  All  tbe  nnmarked  white  swanfl,  four 
hundrod  in  number,  were  then  sei/od  in  pursuance  of  tlie 
Queen's  writ,  for  if  found  in  a  river  unmarked  they  belong  to 
the  Crown.  Joan  then  pleaded  that  "  there  was  time  out  of 
mind  a  gumo,  or  lUght,  of  wild  swans,"  belonging  to  the  abbots 
of  the  monastery  of  Abbotsbury  ;  that  the  swans  wore  not 
marked,  but  the  abbot  marked  some  of  the  cygnets  yearly,  by 
cutting  olT  part  of  the  pinions,  and  these  were  for  helping  to 
sustain  the  monastery's  hospitality.  She  further  pleaded  that 
Henry  VIII.  at  the  time  of  the  monastery's  suppression  granted 
the  swannery  to  Giles  Strangeways,  Esq.  Joan's  plea  prevailed  ; 
she  was  wedded  to  one  of  his  descendants,  and  to  his  descen- 
dants, now  Earls  of  Ilchester,  the  swannery  still  appertains. 

Swans  were  especially  valued  by  our  ancestors,  in  whose 
banqueting  regard  to  quantity  far  surpassed  daintiness  as  to 
quality.  This  is  testilied  by  the  boars'  heads,  barons  of  beef, 
and  porpoises  which  loaded  their  oaken  tables.  So  the  law 
specially  protected  the  said  swan  for  its  cut-and-come-again 
merit.  It  was  the  only  bird  that  could  be  claimed  by  its  owner 
as  a  stray  ;  and  he  who  stole  one  had  to  render  to  its  owner  as 
much  corn  as  was  necessary  to  cover  another  swan  hung  up  by 
the  beak,  which,  considering  its  length  of  neck,  must  be  not  a 
few  bushels.  One  of  the  standard  dishes  of  the  first  course 
for  Henry  VIII.'s  dinner  *'  on  a  flesh  day,"  was  "  swanne,  great 
goose,  or  storke;"  and  as  early  as  the  fifteenth  century  this 
was  the  orthodox  sauce  or  "  Cn.vuDERX  for  Swannks  : — Take 
the  lyver  and  al  the  offall  and  make  hit  clene,  and  let  hit  sethe, 
and  when  hit  is  sothen,  take  hit  up  and  pylce  oute  clene  the 
bones,  and  dresse  the  lyver  and  al  the  entraile,  and  chop  the 
best ;  and  take  bredde  steped  in  brothe,  and  drawo  hit  up  with 
the  blode  and  brothe  thurgh  a  streynour  ;  and  do  hit  in  a  pot, 
and  let  bit  boyle,  and  do  therto  wyn,  and  a  lytel  vynegur,  and 
pouder  of  pepur,  and  of  clowes,  and  of  gynger,  and  serve  bit 
forthe." 

Foiled  in  my  purpose  I  strolled  back  to  Abbotsbury,  and  in 
its  churchyard  near  the  door  through  which  he  passed  into  the 
cburch,  is  a  raised  gravestone  thus  inscribed  : — 

WILLIAM  THOMAS   HORNER, 

4th  Earl  of  Ilchester. 

EOUN  Ttit  of  may,  1795;  died  IOtii  January,  1865, 

"  The  Memory  of  llie  Just  is  Blessed." 

At  one  end  of  the  gravestone  is  the  family  heraldic  shield  and 
motto,  *^Fairc  snm  rfm-,"  (To  act  without  boasting) — by  his 
example  especially  appropriate,  for  no  one  looking  at  that  grave- 
stone, neighboured  as  it  is  by  the  greensward  mounds  over  tlie 
village  dead,  would  think  that  a  descendant  of  tbe  Plantagenets 
lies  there.  Yet  so  he  was,  for  the  Straugways  come  lineally 
from  one  of  the  sons  of  Edward  III.  ;  and  William  Thomas 
Horner  Fos-Strangways,  whom  that,  stone  commemorates,  was 
one  of  the  most  worthy  of  the  race.  He  had  long  been  em- 
ployed in  the  diplomatic  service  of  England  ;  and  whilst  acting 
as  Secretary  of  our  embassy  at  Vienna  in  1832  he  noticed  the 
Pinus  austriaca,  or  Austrian  Pine,  and  introduced  it  into  this 
country.  When  Under-Secretary  of  State  at  our  Foreign  Office 
be  had  the  opportunity,  and  fully  availed  himself  of  it,  to  pro- 
mote the  acquirement  of  new  plants  ;  and  the  Transactions  of 
the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society  record  the  names  of  many 
rarities  which  he  contributed  to  its  stores.  When  he  retired 
from  public  life  ho  made  the  culture  of  plants  still  more  his 
recreation.  The  mild  climate  of  Abbotsbury  rendered  that  the 
favourite  repository  for  his  plant  treasures,  and  this,  and  other 
associations  telling  of  a  loving  heart,  prompted  him  to  direct 
that,  though  he  died  at  Melbury,  his  last  resting-place  should 
be  near  his  mother  in  Abbotsbury  churchyard.  The  best  tes- 
timony to  the  Earl's  worth  was  this  by  Mr.  McNeil,  the  gardener 
at  Abbotsbury — "  He  was  liberal  to  his  tenants  and  servants, 
and  a  true  friend  to  the  poor." 

I  had  often  heard  of  Melbury  as  tbe  mansion  of  the  Ilchesters, 
but  no  one  ever  talked  of  their  Abbots  Castle  residence.  Tbe 
keeper  of  the  decoy  first  aroused  my  attention  by  saying, 
"  There  ia  a  wonderful  many  strange  trees  in  the  garden." 
Then  I  remembered  a  photograph  of  an  Agave  that  flowered 
there — but  it  is  a  photograph  probably  unknown  except  in  the 
cottage  window  of  Mr.  Green,  the  really  clever  photographer 
at  Abbotsbury.  These  facts  combined  made  me  resolve  to  see 
the  Earl's  garden,  and  thoroughly  well  was  I  repaid  for  my 
determination. 

Every  great  patron  of  plant  collectors  has  some  special  mode 
of  enjoying  the  novelties  they  introduce.  The  late  Duke  of 
Devonshire,  for  example,  had  them  one  at  a  time  brought 
before  him  as  he  eat  in  his  easy  chair,  and  he  had  the  then 
Mr.  Paxton  with  it  to  talk  over  the  plant's  peculiarities.     The 


Earl  of  Ilchester,  on  the  other  hand,  had  no  delight  in  potted 
])lants,  but  be  was  unwearied  in  accumulating  those  into  his 
Abbotsbury  garden  which  he  thought  might  endure  our  climate. 
The  result'  was  before  me,  and  never  did  I  see  such  an  accu- 
mulation in  a  small  garden  in  any  other  corner  of  the  British 
Islands.  Mr.  McNeil,  the  obliging  and  well-skilled  gardener, 
really  bewildered  me  as  be  took  mo  from  one  shrub  and  tree  to 
another,  planted  without  the  elightest  attempt  at  order,  but 
evidently  stuck  in  as  soon  as  received  in  any  place  where  there 
wan  a  vacancy. 

For  tbe  following  list  of  some  of  the  tree?,  shrubs,  and  other 
plants  I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  McNeil: —       , 

Garrya  mrtcropliylla 

(■llipticii,  iiiiilo 

ellipticti.  foinalo 
Aralia  lonsifolia,  12  ft.  10  in. 

trifoliata,  11  ft. 

Sbepherdii 

Sieboldi 

papyrifera 
Eriobotrya  japonica,  15  ft.  10  in. 
Clethra  arborea 
Kerria  japnnica 
Cliantliiis  puuiceus 
Lauras  indica 

coriacea. 

fretens 

canariensia 

borbonica 

reffia 

carolinensis,  and  others 
Hovenia  dulcis 
StercuUa  palmata 
Lager*ti"cemia  indica,  14  ft.  6  in. 
In    the    shrubbery    iu    perfect 
health,  but  has  never  flowered. 
One  on  a  south  wall  forthe  List 
twelve  years  is  nowin  beautiful 
lt)loora  for  the  first  time. 
Thea  assamensis 

bohea 

viridis 
Punica,  red  and  white,  flowering 

well. 
Psoralea  glandulosa 
Pittosporum  undulatum 

bracteolatum 

scoparium 

Mayii 

tobira,  and  others 
Hex  magellanica 

perado 

sen- at  a 

ferox 

cras&ifolia 

fruf'tu-luteo 

balearica 

dahoou 

latifolia 

opaca 

vomitoria 

mexicana,  and  others 
Carmichaelia  australis 
Quercus  regilops 

japonica 

reticulata 

annulata,  beautiful.    And  Al- 
cock's.    Turner's,    Miller's, 
and  a  great  variety  of  Ame- 
rican and  other  Oaks,  fine. 
Edwardsia  microphylla 

macrophylla 

grandillora 

recvirva 

chrysophylla 
Pistacia  lentiscus 

narbonensis,  and  others 
Nandina  domestica,  11  ft. 
Prinos  glaber 

prunifolius 


Benthamia    fragifera;      Of    lato 
years  fruited  well,  this  seaBou 
deficient, 
Olea  oxcelsa 

ilicifulia 
Nerium  ypleudous 
Philesia  b'lxifolia 
Cantua  dependens 
Smilnx  in  variety 
Escallonia  ptoroeladon 

montevidensis 

organensia 
Enrybia  furfur.icea 
Ceratonia  siliqua 
Myrtua  bullata 
Viburnum  japonicum 
Tetrantbera  japonica 
Drimys  Winteri.  19  ft.  9  in. 
Rhododendron  Falconeri 
Tasmannia  arom-xtica,  6  ft, 
Ceratopetalum  apetalum 
Mitraria  coccinea 
Myrsino  africaua 

retusa 

bifaria 
Rhynchospermum  jasminoides 
Cailicarpa  purtiurea 

liinceolariii 
Beaufortia  purpurea 

decussata 
Eucalyptus  montana,  25  ft.  10  in. 

coccifera.  7  ft. 

cordata,  11  ft. 
Magnolia   grandiflora,    standard, 

19  ft.  10  in. 
Maudcvilla  suaveolens 
Physianthus  albiens 
Billardiera  fruticoaa 
Kadsura  japonica 
Deutzia  gracilis 
Dianella  caerulea 

FERNS. 
Cyrtominm  falcatiun 
Doodia  caudata 

aspera 
Osmunda  spectabilia 

cinnamomea 

gi-acilis 

jnten'upta 
Lomaria  magellanica 

chileusis 

alpiua 
Polystichum  vulgare  proliferum 
Nephrodium  acrostichoides 
Adiantura  fulvum 

Cunninghamii 
Phyuiatodes  Biilardieri 
Pteris  cretica 

longifolia 

serrulata 
Asplenium  decompositnm 

ebeneum 

fontauum 

Incidum 
Microlepia  novm-zelandije 
Onoclea  sensibilis 
Woodwardia  radicans 
Plat>loma  falcata 


I  have  not  recorded  these  as  specially  rare  ;  but  I  do  ask  for 
attention  to  the  fact  that  the  Loquat,  Eriobotrya  japonica, 
quite  a  standard  tree,  Lagerstramia  indica,  the  Theas,  the 
Pittopporums,  Ilex  vomitoria,  Drimys  Winteri,  Pihododendron 
Falconeri,  the  Callicarpas,  Handevilla  suaveolens,  and  Bil- 
lardiera  fruticcsa  have  endured  many  winters  unprotected  in 
the  shrubberies.  I  do  hope,  and  all  lovers  of  gardening  will 
hope,  that  the  present  Earl  of  Ilchester  will  enable  Mr.  McNeil 
to  extend  the  garden,  and  to  give  more  space  by  judicious 
shiftings  and  arrangements  to  the  many  beautiful  specimens 
suffering  from  overcrowding.  They  are  truly  worthy  of  the 
outlay. — G.  

Pomegranates  Ripening  in  the  Open  Air.— Mr.  Daubuz 
informs  us  that  the  Pomegranates  have  ripened  this  year  out 


244 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTDRE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


[  October  1,  l«€a 


of  doors  in  his  garden  at  Buckingham   Villa,  Ejde,  Isle  of 
Wight.  

OKEFORD   FITZPAINE  IN   THE   AUTUMN. 

I  HAVE  recorded  my  visit  to  my  good  friend  Mr.  RadcljSe  in 
July,  and  I  should  now,  at  the  close  of  this  most  trying  season, 
just  like  to  say  what  I  have  seen  to-day  (September  23rd) ; 
and  you,  my  friend,  who  are  mourning  over  your  mildew  and 
orange  fungus,  over  puny  growth  and  weakly  shoots,  who  begin 
to  think  that  Briars  are  after  all  doubtful,  would  only  have  to 
come  here  and  have  all  your  doubts  confirmed,  and  go  back 
and  say,  "  Nothing  but  JIanetti  for  me."  I  have  been  through 
all  my  friend's  garden  to-day,  and  everywhere  the  proofs  of 
high  cultivation,  great  skill,  and  thorough  knowledge  of  all  that 
he  takes  in  hand  are  to  be  seen.  Hr.  Kadcljffe  holds  the  first 
place  as  a  rosarian,  if  by  that  we  mean  one  who  thoroughly 
understands  tha  nature  and  culture  of  the  Rose — who  loves  it 
for  its  own  sake,  and  not  for  the  prizes  which  it  brings.  Well, 
all  Eose-growers  know  how  this  season  has  "  bothered  "  them, 
and  in  how  many  cases  it  has  conquered  their  energies,  and 
made  them  give  up  in  despair  all  hopes  of  doing  anything  this 
season  with  Roses.  But  not  so  with  my  friend.  "  Never  de- 
spair "  is  his  motto ;  and  so  he  has  fought  and  fairly  conquered 
his  enemies.  With  knife  in  hand  and  scissors  at  his  belt,  he 
cut  off  all  wilding  shoots  and  mildewed  leaves  ;  while  a  bucketful 
of  manure  to  a  tree,  and  a  gallon  of  water  every  second  day 
to  each,  for  seventy-five  days  of  this  broiling  summer,  sup- 
plied the  moisture  and  vigour  that  the  skies  denied.  And  now 
•what  is  the  result  ?  Clean  foliage,  shoots  from  5  to  6  feet  long, 
heaps  of  flowers  all  over  his  garden  ;  blooms  of  Charles  Lefebvre 
5i  inches  across,  of  Souvenir  de  la  Eeine  d'Angleterre  5J  ;  beds 
of  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaisou  a  sheet  of  snow  ;  and  Triomphe 
de  Rennes  with  corymbs  of  flowers  that  would  not  disgrace  a 
stand  at  the  best  time  of  the  palmiest  year.  I  have  been 
through  many  a  Rose  garden  this  autumn,  and  have  seen 
thousands  of  Roses  and  plenty  of  mildew  ;  but  I  have  not 
seen — I  say  it  advisedly — any  plants  to  equal  in  vigour  and 
beauty  those  at  Okeford  Fitzpaine.  Jlr.  Radclyffe  has  added 
again  to  his  rosery  this  autumn,  and  I  expect  his  garden 
next  year  will  be  indeed  a  fine  sight. 

Mr.  Radclyffe's  three  Peach  trees  at  Rushton  have  often  been 
noticed  with  approbation  in  the  columns  of  The  Journal  of 
HoRTicuLTUEE,  and  I  believe  we  shall  have  by-and-by  to  say  as 
much  of  the  Peach  trees  here.  His  wall  is  now  covered  with 
&  number  of  young  healthy  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees ;  and  I 
■was  quite  surprised  to  find  that  they  were  all  denuded  of  their 
leaves — so  much  so  that  I  thought  they  were  dead,  but  found 
that  they  had  been  halt  cut  off,  and  then  syringed  with  water 
in  which  blue  vitriol,  in  the  proportion  of  two  ounces  to  three 
gallons,  had  been  dissolved.  This  had  caused  the  leaves  to 
drop  off,  and  given  the  wood  a  line  opportunity  of  ripening. 
The  blossom  buds  were  all  well  developed,  and  a  fair  chance 
given  to  them.  We  had  some  delicious  samples  of  that  first- 
rate  fruit,  the  Princess  of  Wales,  raised  by  Mr.  Ri%-ers,  to-day. 
It  is  one  of  the  most  luscious  and  juicy  Peaches  I  ever  tasted, 
and  Mr.  Rivers  may  well  be  proud  of  having  raised  such  a  fruit. 
It  is  not  often  that  a  prize  is  obtained  by  Peaches  grown  on 
trees  the  first  year  of  planting,  and  yet  Mr.  Eadcljffe  was 
enabled  to  do  this  at  the  Blandford  Show  this  year. 

Another  fruit  here  taken  in  hand  is  the  Strawberry — indeed, 
has  not  Mr.  De  Jonghe  dubbed  Mr.  Radcljiie  the  prime  arbiter 
of  the  destinies  of  every  new  Strawberry  ?  Here,  assuredly,  the 
Strawberry  is  well  treated.  Noble  plants  were  to  be  seen  on 
a.11  sides,  runners  of  this  year  making  splendid  growth,  and 
well  furnishing  themselves  to  withstand  the  winter's  frost. 
Dr.  Hogg,  Mr.  Radclyffe,  Cockscomb,  Wonderful,  Bictou  Pine, 
Iiucas,  Frogmore  Late  Pine,  and  Elvers'  Eliza  were  the  sorts 
most  grown,  and  with  them  Galande,  Red  and  White  Alpine, 
and  Royal  Hautbois.  Nor  is  it  for  himself  all  this  is  done. 
I  do  believe  his  greatest  pleasure  is  to  send  "  Steevie  "  round 
to  his  neighbours  with  the  well-filled  dishes  of  fine  fruit  pro- 
duced by  such  skill  and  labour,  for  nothing  is  done  without 
high  cultivation  here  ;  and  whether  it  be  the  Peach,  the  Eose, 
the  Strawberry,  or  the  Potato,  nothing  is  left  to  chance,  con- 
stant care  and  liberal  supplies  of  good  food  being  provided  for 
all  his  pets. 

I  have  just  mentioned  the  Potato,  about  which  there  has 
been  such  difference  of  opinion.  Mr.  Radclyffe  has  strenuously 
maintained  that  where  the  haulm  was  green  then  the  tubers 
ought  to  be  left.  We  examined  some  to-day  treated  thus, 
and  the  produce  was  wonderful — in  one  instance  fifty  Potatoes 


from  one  plant,  and  from  another  11  lbs.  weight!  and  this,  in 
such  a  season  as  the  present,  is  a  result  by  no  means  to  be 
despised. 

There  are  many  more  things  that  might  be  said  about  my 
excellent  friend's  garden,  but  enough  has  been  said  to  show 
that  what  he  advises  he  practises  himself,  and  the  results  which 
he  promises  to  follow  from  his  mode  of  treatment  are  reaUsed 
in  his  own  garden. — D.,  Deal. 


METEOROLOGICAL  DEPARTMENT  BOARD  OF 
TILU)E. 

Havint,  annually  remarked  the  great  superiority  in  quality  of 
the  second  crop  of  Figs  in  a  warm  orchard  house  over  the;  first, 
and  having  attributed  it  to  the  dryness  of  the  atmosphere  in 
the  autumnal  months,  when  the  Peaches  are  removed  from 
the  house  and  syringing  discontinued,  I  was  curious  to  learn 
what  was  the  state  of  the  atmosphere  in  those  places  where  the 
Fig  out  of  doors  attains  its  greatest  perfection.  With  this  object 
I  referred  to  the  tables  furnished  daily  to  the  papers  by  the 
Meteorological  Department  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  but  the  only 
place  that  fulfilled  my  requirements  was  Toulon.  Great  was 
my  surprise  to  find  that  on  every  day  during  the  last  fortnight 
on  which  I  have  seen  the  tables,  the  wet  and  dry  bulbs  stood 
exictly  at  the  same  figure,  though  no  rain  was  falling,  which 
is  absurd. 

Now,  these  tables,  coming  out  as  they  do  from  a  Government 
office,  are  likely  to  carry  great  authority  with  them,  and  to  be 
made  hereafter  the  foundation  of  meteorological  science.  A 
medical  man,  relying  on  their  accuracy,  might  forbid  his 
patient  going  to  Toulon,  on  the  ground  that  it  had  a  damper 
climate  than  any  known  locality  on  the  globe.  When  Admiral 
Fitzroy  was  alive,  I  pointed  out  to  him  that  the  temperature 
recorded  as  of  Dover  was  obviously  too  high,  and  he  afterwards 
added  a  (?)  to  the  figures.  1  inspected  personally  the  position 
of  the  instrument,  and  found  that,  though  sheltered  from  the 
direct  sun,  it  received  some  reflected  heat.  Upon  this  I  urged 
the  Admiral  to  depute  some  competent  person  to  visit  the 
several  stations,  and  to  examine — first,  whether  the  instru- 
ments were  trustworthy ;  and  secondly,  whether  they  were 
rightly  placed.  An  accurate  observer  is  a  third  desideratum. 
— G.  S.  

LECTURE   ON   PARASITIC    FUNGI 
AFFECTING  PLANTS. 

Bv  :TUFFEN   west,   F.L.S.,   F.R.M.S. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  preface  the  following  by  a  lew  intro- 
ductory remarks  on  Fungi,  the  parts  of  which  they  are  com- 
posed, and  the  way  in  which  their  presence  may  induce  disease, 
either  in  vegetation  or  in  animal  life. 

Fungi  may  be  defined  as  plants  of  a  low  type,  and  of  the 
humblest  structure.  Mushrooms,  Toadstools,  and  Puff-balls 
are  Fungi ;  so  are  the  blue  moulds  of  paste  and  of  cheese,  whilst 
brewers'  yeast  presents  us  with  one  of  the  tribe  in  its  simplest 
form. 

Fungi  are  almost  universally  present  in  decaying  organisms. 
The  multiplied  observations  of  scientific  men  in  various  parts 
leave  no  room  for  question  that  they  are  the  principal  agents 
in  inducing  ferment-changes  and  decay.  Many  kinds  infest 
plants,  occurring  principally  on  the  under  (or  respiratory) 
surface  of  the  leaves.  When  such  occur  in  greater  number 
than  usual,  their  effects  may  prove  of  serious  consequence  to 
the  gardener  or  the  husbandman,  and  even  may  be  sources  of 
national  calamity,  when,  as  in  Ireland,  the  produce  of  one 
kind  of  vegetable  is  too  exclusively  relied  on  for  the  staple 
article  of  food.  The  injury  done  to  Vines  by  their  parasite 
Fungus — the  Oidium — will  be  in  the  recollection  of  all.  As 
examples  of  these  leaf-loving  Fungi,  readily  accessible  and 
familiar  to  most,  may  be  named  the  one  found  on  Bramble 
leaves,  whilst  it  is  almost  impossible  to  take  up  a  straw  with- 
out finding  brown  spots  on  it  (called  mildew  by  the  farmer). 
These  spots  are  constituted  by  masses  of  spores  of  a  minute 
Fungus. 

The  term  mycelium  is  given  to  delicate  transparent  filaments, 
which  represent  the  root  fibres  of  higher  plants  ;  these  are 
present  in  all  Fungi.  In  favourable  circumstances  these 
threads  become,  by  multiplication  with  repeated  forking,  much 
matted  together,  and  are  then  called  thallus.  The  structures 
bearing  the  fruit  are  in  their  simplest  condition  only  short 
upright  branches,  but  various  forms,  often  very  elaborate,  are- 


Octabsr  1,  1868.  ] 


JOUBNAI.  OP  HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE  GAFDENEB. 


245 


assumed  by  combination  of  these  elements.  The  fruits  of 
Fungi  are  designated  spores.  Sporules,  sporidia,  sporidiola, 
are  synonymous  terms,  and  should  be  disused.  At  the  ends 
and  along  the  edges  of  mycelium  threads  it  is  common  to  find 
rounded  or  oval  bodies,  having  much  the  appearance  of,  and 
commonly  designated,  spores,  from  which,  however,  they  should 
be  distinguished  aa  being  merely  buds,  hero  called  conidia. 
The  mycelium  is  so  much  alike  in  all  cases  that  it  is  practically 
hopeless  to  seek  to  distinguish  Fungi  by  any  characters  resident 
in  this  part  of  their  structure.  The  place  of  growth  and 
arrangement  of  parts  due  to  this  cause,  furnish  useful  provisional 
characters.  Dimorphism — the  occurrence  of  the  same  plant  in 
two  or  three  different  states — has  been  well  authenticated  in 
several  Fungi,  and  is  on  good  grounds  suspected  to  occur  in 
more.  The  occurrence  in  many  plants  of  cutaneous  diseases 
from  the  presence  of  parasitic  Fungi  is  in  itself  a  fact  of  interest, 
when  it  is  remembered  that  certain  of  the  skin  diseases  affect- 
ing mankind  are  due  to  the  same  cause.  Is  it  possible  that 
transplantation  from  one  to  the  other  may  occur  ?  The  pre- 
sent state  of  science  seems  quite  to  favour  such  a  view, 
and  the  subject  has  been  thought  to  possess  sufficient  in- 
terest to  justify  its  being  thus  brought  before  the  notice  of 
the  profession. 

The  existence  in  many  of  the  higher  plants  of  diseases 
accompanied  with  parasitic  Fungi,  and  unquestionably  induced 
thereby,  has  led  to  the  attempt  to  ascertain  how  far  careful 
study  of  these  plant  parasites  may  throw  light  on  some  difficult 
questions  connected  with  analogous  structures  found  in  certain 
diseases  of  the  human  skin.  The  greater  simplicity  in  the 
conditions  of  vej;etable  growth,  and  the  readiness  with  which 
its  processes  can  be  observed  under  the  microscope,  lead  to  a 
reasonable  expectation  that  in  time  questions  relating  both  to 
practice  and  to  hygiene  may  be  assisted  in  their  solution  by 
such  study. 

The  epiphyllous  Fungi  attack  plants  entirely  irrespective  of 
the  health  of  their  "hosts,"  which,  however,  when  attacked, 
manifest  symptoms  of  irritation  and  ill  health  in  various  ways, 
due  to  chemical  changes  set  up  in  them  by  the  parasite,  and 
altering  their  nutrition.  "  Redness  and  swelling  "  are  with 
some  very  marked  {e.g.,  J'ieidium  compositarum  Lapsani, 
Trichobasis  beta;,  Aregma  bulbosum),  and  there  are  good 
reasons  for  supposing  that  heat  is  also  a  concomitant. 
These  indications  of  sufiering  from  the  presence  of  the  parasite 
correspond  strikingly  with  the  classical  definition  of  inflam- 
mation. 

The  parts  of  plants  are  not  always  invaded  alike ;  some — • 
indeed,  most  of  the  Fungi  in  question — prefer  to  nestle  in  the 
tissues  immediately  beneath  the  cuticle  of  the  leaves  on  their 
lower  surface,  others  on  the  stems  k.jr.,  Puceinia  graminis, 
Ustilago  hypodytes),  whilst  a  few  invade  one  or  other  of  the 
parts  composing  the  flower  (smut  and  bunt). 

The  effects  of  the  Fungi  differ  greatly  on  different  plants, 
some  of  which  are  sufficiently  hardy  to  recover  rapidly ;  but 
the  softer  herbaceous  plants,  through  sap-drainage  and  de- 
terioration, are  usually  quickly  destroyed.  In  their  mature 
condition  they  occur  on  leaves  of  different  ages,  according  to 
the  genus,  and,  in  some  cases,  the  species,  .^cidium  in  its 
different  forms  almost  always  inhabits  the  young  leaves ;  the 
Uredo  fruits  mostly  affect  older  leaves ;  the  Puccinije,  leaves 
whose  moat  vigorous  condition  is  past ;  and  in  two  species, 
occurring  on  the  stems  respectively  of  Hemlock  and  Asparagus, 
the  fruit  is  not  matured  until  winter,  after  the  stalks  of  the 
plants  have  been  long  dead.  It  is  not  yet  quite  settled  whether 
the  Erysiphei  pass  into  the  tissues  ;  in  their  oidial  condition 
{e.g.,  Vine-blight),  they  appear  on  the  most  vigorous  leaves, 
and  some  pass  to  the  state  of  mature  fruit,  with  very  slight,  if 
any,  visible  disturbance  to  the  tissues  of  their  host.  Plants 
growing  near  together  are  often  attacked  by  the  same  species 
of  Fungus.  The  explanation  of  the  fact  is  easy.  The  spores 
from  an  infected  plant  of  the  previous  year,  or  motile  gemmu; 
just  thrown  off  by  members  of  the  genera  Cystopus,  Perono- 
spora,  Oidium,  however  brought,  whether  carried  by  the  wind 
or  by  insects,  present  in  the  soil,  in  or  upon  the  seed,  do  un- 
doubtedly spread  in  the  way  of  a  contagion  induced  by  pre- 
existing germs. 

Care  must  be  taken  not  to  confound  the  action  of  true 
parasites  with  that  of  the  Fungi  appearing  on  dead  or  dying 
vegetable  matter.  The  first  grow  with  the  growth  of  their 
hosts,  and  in  their  vegetative  portion,  die  at  and  through  their 
death ;  with  some  there  are  evident  precautions  to  prevent 
premature  injury  to  the  tissues  of  an  infected  plant.  The  latter 
ieed  upon,  and  reduce  to  simpler  elements^  decaying  matters 


which  would  otherwise  cumber  the  ground  and  even  prove 
noxious  :  these  belong  to  totally  different  tribes. 

The  parasitic  Fungi  are  apt  to  recur  with  so  much  regularity 
year  by  year  in  the  same  spots  that,  when  their  habitats  have 
onco  been  found,  a  supply  from  the  same  place  may  at  the 
right  period  be  ealculattd  on  with  tolerable  certainty.  The 
presence  of  fungus-mycelium  may  be  readily  demonstrated  (if 
present)  in  the  apparently  healthy  tissues  of  healtliylooking 
plants.  Parasites  of  this  class  produce  changes  differing 
greatly  in  appearance  according  to  the  kind  of  plant  attacked 
and  the  invader — hectic  red  in  some,  sickly  pallor  in  others, 
blackness  followed  rapidly  by  cffinsive  decay  in  a  third  division. 
These  appearances  are  so  chnracteribtic  that  the  educated  eye 
may  often  diagnose  the  kinds  met  with  in  a  quiet  stroll  through 
country  lanes,  by  their  effects,  with  as  much  ease  and  certainty 
as  in  practice  ;  the  types  of  disease  presented  will  not  seldom 
betray  their  nature  by  their  peculiar  jilii/iiqtic.  Seasons  largely 
influence  the  prevalence  or  scarcity  of  these  Fungi ;  moistme 
favours  their  growth.  As  yet  the  present  exceptional  summer 
has  produced  large  numbers,  whilst  some  kinds,  found  but 
sparingly  hitherto  by  me,  have  been  abundant  notwithstanding 
the  heat  and  drought.  Special  meteorological  conditions  are 
known  to  largely  influence  their  growth  ;  a  close  still  air  like- 
wise :  hence  their  luxuriance  often  in  shady  spots,  and  on  plants 
sheltered  from  the  breezes  by  rank,  thickly  crowded  herbage. 
The  Fungi  which  attack  plants  placed  in  situations  which  are 
(for  them)  unusually  moist  (as  Ferns  in  a  wet  Fern-case,  or 
plants  in  a  damp  greenhouse)  are  quite  different  from  those  to 
which  they  would  have  been  liable  in  their  native  habitats.  It 
is  doubtful  if  the  feeble  health  of  the  vegetables  have  any  direct 
effect  in  inducing  the  attacks  of  parasitic  Fungi,  as  it  is  certain 
that  intestinal  worms  develope  when  their  germs  are  placed  in 
favourable  situations,  and  that  the  health  of  their  hosts  has 
nothing  to  do  with  facilitating  access  to  such  places.  The 
stale  of  weather  favouring  growth  of  the  Fungi  is  unfavourable 
to  healthy  life  in  the  higher  plants  ;  hence  the  rapidity  with 
which  the  latter  fall  a  prey  to  the  abounding  parasitic  Fungi  in 
unhealthy  seasons.  During  winter  the  epiphyllous  Fungi 
disappear,  but  the  first  fine  days  of  spring  rapidly  call  forth 
again  their  latent  vitality  ;  with  the  leaves  they  come,  and  with 
them  disappear.  Afew  (Melampsoia^)  which  appear  as  "rusts" 
in  the  autumn  continue  their  growth  on  the  decaying  leaves,  in 
damp  spots,  on  which,  in  the  following  spring,  they  are  found 
to  have  attained  to  a  higher  type  of  structure.  Evergreens  are 
almost  free  from  them  ;  five  only  are  known  to  be  subject  to 
their  attacks  in  this  country — all  rare  except  perhaps  the 
Puceinia  buxi.  This  comparative  immunity  may  be  due  in 
measure  to  the  density  of  their  cuticles. 

It  may  be  stated  as  a  general  rule  that  each  species  of  plant 
has  its  own  parasitic  Fungus,  except  in  seme  of  the  larger 
natural  orders,  as  the  LegumincFai,  Compositsr,  &c.,  where  the 
same  parasitic  Fungus  will  be  found  attacking  many  of  the 
specific  forms  therein  included.  It  is  rare  to  find  plants 
belonging  to  different  natural  orders  attacked  by  the  same 
species  of  Fungus.  There  are  many  species,  and  even  genera, 
of  plants  which  have  not  been  ascertained  to  be  liable  to  para- 
sitic Fungi.  It  is  difficult  to  suggest  any  reason  for  such 
exemption.  Hairiness  of  the  surface  will  favour  the  arrest  of 
floating  spores,  smooth  polished  surfaces  the  contrary.  As  in 
the  case  of  galls,  so  it  is  again  here.  An  abundant  supply  of 
nutritive  juices,  with  thin  cuticle,  favours  their  production: 
hence  the  mutual  preference  for  young  leaves,  stalks,  and 
twigs  in  a  state  of  active  growth  and  sap-circulation.  It  is 
well  known  that  the  cellular  are  the  least  specialised  of  the 
tissues  of  plants,  the  woody  and  vascular  the  most  complex; 
and  it  may  not  bo  without  interest  to  remark  that  the  first 
stages  of  decay  are  attended  by  Fungi  of  the  simplest  types — 
Fusarium,  Penicillium,  Mucor,  Botrytis — whilst  the  reduction 
of  the  more  specialised  tissues  seems  to  demand  Fungi  of  more 
elaborate  organisation  —  Spha'iia>  (ascigerous  Fungi  with 
corneous  envelopes),  Peziziu  (naked  ascigerous  Fungi) — and  in 
vastly  greater  variety  of  .specific  type.  As  during  life  one 
plant  furnishes  oil  of  lavender,  a  second  quinine,  and  a  third 
strychnia,  so  during  life  will  the  tissues  of  the  Potato  seem 
only  adapted  to  nourish  its  peculiar  Percnospora,  Corn  its 
Puceinia,  Mint  its  jEcidium,  yet  after  death  will  all  alike 
be  preyed  upon  by  the  same  kinds  of  Fungus,  and  suffer 
alike. 

There  are  235  reputed  species  of  epiphyllous  Fungi  described 
as  native  to  Britain,  but  several  of  the  supposed  genera  are 
now  considered  by  the  best  authorities  to  be  only  transitory 
conditions,  so  that  the  number  is  certain  to  be  eventaally 


246 


JOUBNAL   OF   HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENEE. 


t  October  1,  1868. 


much  reduced.    The  following  represent  some  of  the  principal 
types ; 

I.— icroiuM. 


Fig.   1.  —  A;    Spei-mogone   containing   epermatia    ("  sperm-ceils  "J ; 
B.  "  Spores,"  germ  cells  produced  iu  special  sheaths  (peridia,. 

With  this  genua  are  associated  three  others  separated  only 
by  slight  characters — Eastelia,  Peridermiiim,  Endopbyllum. 
Spermogonia  freely  produced,  ultimate  destination  of  the  germ- 
cells  unknown  ;  it  has  been  thought,  and  may  possibly  be  so, 
that  from  them,  on  the  same  or  other  plants,  Puccinia-fruits 
may  arise. 

II.— UKEDINEI  (Rusts). 


v.— PERONOSPOREI. 


Fig.  2.  Credo,  spores  developed  within  cells,  afterwards  free.  XLecythe.a, 
spore8  free,  along  with  them  elongated  cells  (paraphyees).  4.  Trichohasis, 
spores  free,  often  with  a  short  peduncle  attached.  (Spcrmogones  arc 
hnown  to  accompany  some  of  the  forms). 

Several  of  these  are  known  to  be,  and  perhaps  all  may  be, 
conditions  of 

III,— PUCCINI.EI. 

6 


Fiff'  5-  XenodocJius  (gi-ows  on  Burnet).  6.  Aretfma  (Rosaceas).  7.  Tri- 
phraciminvi  (Meadow  Sweet).  8.  Puccinla  (Grasses).  9.  Uromyces 
(Vetches). 

Sperm-cells  rare,  but  known  to  occur  with  pome  specie?. 
Podisoma  and  Gymnosporangium  are  associated  genera,  in 
which  the  Puccinia-fruits  are  imbedded  in  a  tremelloid,  gela- 
tinous mass. 

IV.— USTILAGINEI  (Smut  and  Bunt). 


fl 


Fig  10.  frs((7n/7rt  (Smnt),  sexual  conditions  nnknowD.  n.  T illc I ia  (Bimi): 
«,  spores,  which  on  germination,  b,  emit  a  filament,  at  the  extremity  of 
which  short  branches  arise — these  conjugate  in  pairs  (as  with  Syzyt^ites 
and  some  AJgje),  after  which  union  a  secondary  fruit,  c,  is  produced. 

The  essential  nature  of  these  chaages  has  yet  to  be  ascer- 
tained. 


Fig.  12.  Cijsfopus :  a,  "  spores,"  arranged  in  headed  threads,  at  first 
suhcutaneous,  then  esterual  through  rupture  of  the  plant-integument ; 
their  contents  undergo  segmentation  and  afterwards  hecomo  motile  ; 
fc,  sperm-cell;  c,  germ-cell;  a  filament  is  produced  from  the  former, 
which  becomes  closely  applied  to  the  latter,  whilst  without  investment, 
after  which  a  strong  warted  coat  is  formed. 


Both   *'  sperm,"  and 
tissues  of  the  plant. 

9 


'germ-cells"  grow  immersed  in  the 


Fig.  13.  Pcrono^pora  :  a,  arborescent  threads,  external  to  the  surface  of  the 
leaf,  bear  at  their  tips  gemmje,  the  contents  of  which,  after  segmenta- 
tion, become  motile;  6,  germ-cell  ("  oo-spore "),  immersed;  sperm- 
cells  ?  ? 

In  this  genns,  the  most  deadly  in  their  effects  on  yegetation 
of  the  epiphjllous  Fungi  are  comprised.  Suckers,  analogous 
perhaps  to  the  tendiils  of  higher  plants,  occur  on  the  mycelium 
of  members  both  of  this  and  the  former  genus. 

VI.— EEYSIPHEI. 


Fig.  14.  Enisiplic  :  mycelium  creeping  over  the  external  surface  of 
the  leaf,  and  throwing  up  at  intervals  jointed  threads,  a,  the  contents 
of  the  joints  after  segmentation  become  motile  gemma? ;  b,  fruit  borne 
externally,  globular  and  horny  in  texture,  containing  within  them 
asci  (c)  or  '*  spore-sacs  " ;  d,  spores  ;  e,  appendages. 

The  immature  conditions  of  Fungi  in  this  order  constitute 
the  spurious  genus  Oidium,  so  well  known  in  connection  with 
the  Yiue  disease.     Sexual  conditions  obscure. 

With  regard  to  the  Fungi  found  parasitic  in  diseases  of  the 

human  skin,  so  much  of  their  life  history  yet  remains  to  be 

discovered  that  speculation  on   their  affinities  cannot  at  the 

'  present  time  be  other  than  barren  of  result.     The  well-known 


October  1, 1868.  ] 


JOOBNAL   OF   HOETICULTUEE  AND   COTTAGE  GAEDENEK. 


247 


mycelium  represents  principally  the  vegetative  system  or  root- 
fibres  of  the  higher  plants,  wiiilat  it  is  very  doubtful  if  the 
so-calleil  "  spores  "  (sporiiles,  or  sporidiu),  have  any  claim  to 
be  regarded  as  other  than  genini:L>  —  portions  of  mycelium 
thrown  off  to  spread  the  plant,  hut  having  no  connection  with 
true  sexual  reproduction  or  its  results.  The  greatest  care  and 
patience  will  bo  required  ore  we  can  hope  to  learn  their  entire 
life  history,  sulliciently  even  to  know  it  what  we  meet  in  the 
different  alTections  be  really  true  species,  native  to  the  skin- 
forms  fruiting  when  growing  on  plants,  but  barren  on  the  skin 
— or  common  moulds  iPenicilUum,  &a.)  vegetating  in  condi- 
tions unfavourable  to  the  production  of  true  fruit.  Artificial 
growth  in  water,  glycerine,  or  liipior  potasf:u  (!)  can  in  nowise 
imitate  the  conditions  under  which  they  occur  naturally; 
growth  on  rice  starch,  having  been  successful  in  resolving  some 
other  cases  of  similar  dilUculty,  appears  likely  to  prove  the 
best  material  for  furnishing  the  requisite  pabulum.  Beale's 
carmine  fluid  has  in  some  cases  enabled  me  to  trace  mycelium 
amongst  surrounding  tissues  in  a  very  happy  manner. 

Puccinia  favi  resembles  P.  graminis  so  closely  (to  judge 
from  the  figures  and  descriptions  given  of  it),  that  one  is  led 
to  ask  whether  it  be  not  more  probable  that  spores  of  the 
latter  may  have  occurred  to  its  discoverer  as  an  accidental 
concomitant  with  favus-crusts  than  that  it  should  be  so  exces- 
sively rare  as  to  have  eluded  all  further  search  for  seventeen 
years  by  an  army  of  good  observers  skilled  in  the  use  of  first- 
class  instruments.  The  incidental  notices  of  its  occurrence  by 
subsequent  observers  do  not  produce  on  the  mind  a  satisfactory 
conviction  that  they  have  really  met  with  what  Ardsteu  de- 
scribed. Spores  are  abundant  in  the  air  at  particular  periods  ; 
is  it  not  possible  that  a  favus  patient  or  two,  engaged  in 
threshing,  or  passing  near  a  spot  where  this  operation  was 
going  forward,  may  have  got  a  lew  spores  of  the  corn  mildew 
on  their  skin,  and  so  been  the  means,  all  unwittingly,  of 
causiog  grave  error  ?  In  such  a  view  of  the  case,  notwith- 
standing the  eminent  authorities  who  have  regarded  it  differ- 
eiitly,  we  must  consider  the  Achorion  as  having  no  connection 
at  all  with  the  Puccinia.  It  seems  not  improbable  that  "  alter- 
nations of  generations  "  may  occur — that  is  to  sav,  that  a  certain 
point  in  development  may  be  reached  by  a  Fungus  on  one 
plant,  that  the  parasite  may  reach  a  further  stage  on  a  second 
plant  under  a  different  form,  whilst  maturity  may  not  be 
attained  until  it  have  passed  through  a  third  or  fourth  stage, 
characterised  in  each  case  by  a  different  outward  condition,  as 
well  as  involving  a  different  plant  each  time  as  host. — (3Icdical 
Times  and  Gazette.) 


PHYTOLACCA  BECANDRA  OUT  OP  DOORS. 

About  a  fortnight  since,  while  making  a  tour  through  the 
principal  Belgian  gardens,  I  met  with  a  beautiful  bush  of  the 
above  growing  in  the  open  gruund  in  a  partially  shaded  situa- 
tion. It  was  certainly  one  of  the  most  interesting  objects  I 
saw,  and  the  most  skilful  in-door  culture  would  give  but  a  faint 
idea  of  the  splendour  of  the  plant  as  seen  by  me.  It  was 
composed  of  at  least  fifty  stems,  upwards  of  S  feet  high,  of  a 
bright  crimson  colour  ;  the  foliage  was  very  luxuriant,  and  of  a 
dark  healthy  green,  the  whole  being  surmounted  by  numerous 
and  immense  spikes  of  its  Grape-hke  fruit.  I  might  add  that 
it  was  growing  in  an  amateur's  garden,  about  six  miles  from 
Brussels,  on  a  broad  open  plain  ;  therefore,  I  cannot  at  all  per- 
ceive why  it  should  not  be  extensively  grown  out  of  doors,  at 
least  in  the  south  of  England. 

I  was  told  that  the  plant  above-named  had  been  in  the  same 
place  for  a  great  number  of  years. — W. 


tasmanian  apples. 


I  HAVE  sent  per  ship  "  Harrowby  "  one  ordinary  bushel  case, 
containing  three  varieties  of  Apples — viz.,  Sturmer  Pippin, 
Pearson's  Plate,  and  Scarlet  Nonpareil.  I  wish  to  know  how 
they  will  carry  a  long  distance.  They  were  gathered  from  the 
trees  and  placed  at  once  in  the  case  on  the  day  the  ship  sailed 
(April  1.5th).  I  have  great  hopes  of  the  Sturmer  Pippin  arriv- 
ing in  good  condition. 

The  Apple  trees  are  suffering  severely  from  a  blight,  appa- 
rently arising  from  atmospheric  causes.  It  is  a  fungus  of  the 
lowest  order,  destroying  the  young  wood  every  year.  In  ap- 
pearance it  resembles  the  mildew  of  England,  "but  it  is  not 
that.  I  have  tried  every  remedy  that  I  could  think  of,  but 
without  any  apparent  benefit.    It  would  be  useless  to  send 


you  a  specimen  of  the  blighted  wood,  for  by  the  time  it  arrived 
the  fungus  would  all  bo  dead. — William  Tuomas,  Nurseryman, 
i^uiuty  lUiij,  llobarUnen,  Ttisnuinia. 

Tho  case  above  referred  to  arrived  on  the  (itli  of  August, 
114  days  after  its  dispatch.  The  Scarlet  Nonpareils  were  all 
quite  decayed,  and  the  fruit  of  Pearson's  Plate  were  for  the 
most  part  either  much  bruised  and  partially  decayed,  or  wholly 
so.  The  few  quite  sound  were  excellent  samples  of  the  variety, 
sweet,  and  tolerably  good,  but  the  briskness  was  gone.  With 
regard  to  Sturmer  Pippin  Jlr.  Thomas's  conjecture  proved  per 
foctly  correct,  for  only  about  one- fourth  of  the  fruit  was 
damaged  and  decayed,  tho  remainder  being  excellent  samples 
so  far  as  appearance  went,  but  in  flavour  they  were  sweet,  yet 
without  the  briskness  which  English-grown  fruit  of  the  same 
variety  possesses ;  still  they  were  very  palatable,  and  were 
equal  to  the  fruit  which  is  hawked  about  the  streets.] 


POMOLOGICAL   GLEANINGS. 

Sandalls  Plum. — Mr.  Dancer,  of  Little  Sutton,  Chiswick, 
has  just  called  our  attention  to  this,  as  he  terms  it,  "  really 
good  Plum."  An  opinion  like  this,  coming  from  such  a  quarter, 
is  entitled  to  due  respect,  Mr.  Dancer  being  one  of  the  largest 
and  most  successful  cultivators  of  Plums  for  the  London 
markets.  The  great  merit  of  this  Plum  is  its  lateness.  It 
comes  into  use  in  September,  after  nearly  all  our  Plums  are 
over  ;  moreover  it  will  hang  on  the  trees  after  being  ripe  a  very 
long  time  without  cracking,  thus  prolonging  its  season  and 
making  it  doubly  valuable.  Everyone  knows  what  a  nuisance 
it  is  that  the  most  of  our  Plums  crack  and  split  when  they  are 
ripe,  after  a  little  rain  ;  our  great  growers  frequently  lose  hun- 
dreds of  bushels  from  this  cause.  This  variety,  then,  which 
resists  the  effects  of  the  wet  is  quite  a  treasure.  In  size  the 
Sandalls  Plum  is  about  that  of  the  Orleans,  in  colour  dark 
purplish  violet,  with  a  thick  bloom,  slightly  spotted.  The  flesh 
is  firm,  reddish  yellow  or  amber-coloured,  clinging  to  the  stone, 
juicy  and  pleasant,  with  a  slight  Damson  flavour.  It  is,  how- 
ever, more  suited  for  a  kitchen  variety  than  for  the  dessert.  It 
is  a  moderate  bearer.  The  tree  is  small-leaved  and  twiggy  like 
the  Damson,  attaining  a  great  size.  It  is  one  of  the  few  Plum 
trees  that  make  timber. 

There  has  always  been  some  doubt  as  to  the  correctness  of 
the  name,  "Sandalls,"  given  to  this  Plum.  The  variety  was 
discovered  at  Fulham,  and  is  known  in  the  market  gardens 
under  that  name  only.  We  have  never  been  able  to  trace  its 
true  history,  or  detect  a  synonyme. 

STir.LiNG  Castle  ArrLE. — This,  in  the  south  of  Scot- 
land where  we  have  seen  it  during  the  past  month,  is  considered 
the  most  valuable  Apple  grown.  It  is  not  so  well  known  in 
the  south  of  England  as  its  great  merits  deserve.  It  is  one  of 
the  Hawthornden  class,  a  well-known  one.  In  appearance  it 
sometimes  resembles  Small's  Admirable ;  indeed,  we  have 
seen  examples  of  it  which  could  not  be  distinguished  from 
that  variety.  Others,  again,  more  nearly  resemble  the  Worms- 
ley  Pippin.  In  all  respects  it  is,  however,  a  most  excellent 
sort.  At  Hopetoun  House  and  Bothwell  Castle,  where  we 
lately  saw  them  growing,  the  trees  were  loaded  with  fine  fruit. 
It  is  rather  over  medium  size,  roundish,  flattened,  slightly 
angular  near  the  eye,  of  a  pale  green  colour,  a  little  russeted 
near  the  stalk,  with  a  flush  of  dull  red  on  the  sunny  side. 
Flesh  whitish,  tender,  with  a  nice  briskness,  which  makes  it 
agreeable  to  eat,  although  it  is  in  reality  a  kitchen  variety.  It 
is  fit  for  use  in  September,  and  will  keep  good  until  February. 
The  tree  is  healthy,  and  a  most  abundant  bearer. 

Charles  Van  Mons  Pear. — We  allude  to  this  Pear  in 

order  to  notice  how  extremely  fine  it  has  been  this  season.  It 
very  much  resembles  the  Napoleon,  but  is  somewhat  larger  in 
size,  the  flesh  more  yellow,  and  richer  in  flavour  than  that 
variety.  It  might,  indeed,  be  culled  an  improved  form  of  Napo- 
leon. We  have  never  tasted  it  so  fine  as  it  has  been  this  sea- 
son from  an  open  pyramid  on  the  Quince.  It  was  exceedingly 
rich  and  juicy.  The  tree  is  very  hardy  and  robust,  and  bears 
well  as  a  pyramid  on  the  Quince. 


Distribution  of  Plants. — We  are  requested  to  announce 
that  the  First  Commissioner  of  Her  Majesty's  Works,  &a., 
intends  to  have  distributed  this  autumn  among  the  working 
classes  and  the  poor  inhabitants  of  London  the  surplus  beddiug- 
out  plants  in  Battersea,  Hyde,  Eegent's,  and  Victoria  Parks, 


•248 


JOUENAL   OF   HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  Ootobsr  1   1563. 


and  in  the  Eoya!  Gardens,  Kew.  If  the  clergy,  school  com- 
jnitfees,  and  others  interested  will  make  application  to  the  Sa- 
perintendents  of  the  parks  nearest  to  their  respective  parishes. 
or  to  the  Director  of  the  Boyal  Gardens,  Eew,  in  the  cases  of 
persons  residins  in  that  neighbourhood,  they  will  receive  eany 
intimation  of  the  number  of  plants  that  can  "be  allotted  to  each 
applicant,  and  of  the  time  and  manner  of  their  distribution. 


REPORT  ON  NEW  FRUITS  BY  THE  AMERICAN 
POMOLOGIGAL  SOCIETY. 

APPLES. 

The  Maetin  Apple.— Originated  at  South  Salem,  County 
Ohio.  It  was  a  seedling  planted  by  James  Wilson,  and  first 
fruited  between  1815  and  1820  ;  after  which  it  was  propagated 
by  root  suckers.  No  trees  have  been  grafted  from  it  away  from 
the  farm  upon  which  it  grows.  The  original  tree  is  said  to  be 
very  produclive,  and  has  home  crops  for  nearly  twenty-one 
years  in  succession,  since  the  present  owner  has  occupied  the 
farm.  It  is  thrifty  and  healthy,  and  always  full  of  fruit; 
foliage  large,  branches  upright. 

The  name  was  given  because  a  little  boy  n.amed  Martin  dis- 
covered its  good  qualities,  and  frequently  stole  the  fruit  from 
the  original  seedling  tree. 

DnzENBURY  ilppLE.— Specimens  fi-om  Dr.  James  Fountain, 
Jefferson  Valley,  Westchester  County,  N.T.,  who  informs  me 
that  it  originated  on  the  farm  of  Charles  Duzenbury,  of  Phillips- 
town,  Putnam  County,  N.T.  Tree  a  vigorous  grower,  a  good 
keeper,  and  retains  its  flavour  well ;  fruit  of  medium  size, 
roundish  conical;  skin  greenish  yellow,  shaded,  and  rather 
obscurely  splashed  with  red  nearly  over  the  whole  surface  ;  flesh 
whitish-yellow,  crisp,  tender,  juicy,  mild,  sub-acid,  excellent; 
somewhat  of  the  New-England  Seek-no-farther  flavour.  Eipe 
December  till  April. 

SxTMns. — A  new  fruit,  introduced  by  Dr.  Fountain,  and 
originated  on  the  farm  of  Jacob  Stymus,  Dohbs's  Ferry,  on 
the  Hudson.  It  came  up  by  the  side  of  an  old  Spitzenberg 
Apple  tree  (the  whole  orchard  being  Spitzenbergs).  Growth 
rather  more  upright,  but  resembling  it ;  a  good  bearer  ;  fruit  of 
medium  size  or  above  it ;  oblate,  inclining  to  conic ;  skin 
yellowish,  shaded,  splashed,  and  striped  with  light  and  dark 
crimson  nearly  over  the  whole  surface,  some  of  the  splashes  of 
purplish  crimson  ;  flesh  of  fine  texture,  whitish,  tender,  juicy, 
with  a  mild,  rich,  sub-acid  flavour,  slightly  aromatic ;  quahty, 
best.    Eipe  October  and  November. 

Mote's  Sweet. — A  new,  beautiful,  white  Apple,  raised  from 
seed  by  L.  S.  Mote,  West  Milton,  Ohio ;  to  whom  we  are 
indebted  for  specimens,  and  who  says  the  tree  is  hardy,  of 
moderate  growth,  rather  spreading,  and  productive.  Fruit  large, 
roundish,  oblate,  slightly  conic,  angular ;  skin  pale  whitish- 
yellow,  with  a  tinge  of  red  in  the  sun ;  flesh  yellowish,  fine- 
grained, juioy  very  tender,  with  a  rich,  sweet,  honeyed  flavour. 
Eipe  September. 

Democrat,  op.  Vakick. — Received  from  George  L.  Conover, 
West  Fayette,  Seneca  County,  N.Y.,  to  whom  I  am  indebted 
for  specimens.  Origin  uncertain,  but  supposed  to  have 
originated  in  the  vicinity  of  Trumansburg,  Tomkins  County. 
N.Y.  Tree  vigorous,  upright,  and  productive;  fruit  always 
fair;  size  medium,  or  above,  roundish,  conical,  inclining  to 
oblong;  skin  pale  whitish  yellow,  rather  faintly  striped  and 
splashed  with  light  and  dark  crimson  nearly  over  the  whole 
surface;  flesh  whitish,  fine-grained,  sometimes  slightly  stained 
next  the  skin,  very  tender,  juicy,  mild,  pleasant,  Bub-acid 
flavour.  A  fine  dessert  fruit,  ripening  from  December  till 
March. 

CP.EEK. — Received  of  Daniel  Engle,  Marietta,  Penn.,  who 
says  it  is  a  native  of  Hellam  Township,  York  County,  Penn., 
where  it  has  been  fruited  to  a  considerable  extent,  and  is  highly 
prized  on  account  of  its  quality  and  extraordinary  productive- 
ness. It  derives  its  name  from  Crenty  Creek.  Fruit  medium, 
or  below,  oblate ;  skin  greenish  yellow,  thinly  shaded,  and  rather 
obscurely  striped  and  splashed  with  light  and  dark  red ;  flesh 
white,  fine-grained,  very  tender,  juicy,  mild,  sub-acid  ;  quality 
very  good  at  least.     Eipe  November. 

Hicks  Apple,  or  Buckram. — Introduced  by  Isaac  Hicks,  rf 
Westbury,  North  Hempstead,  Long  Island,  n!y.,  who  found  it 
in  a  hedge  about  the  year  1853,  and  says  it  has  proved  the  most 
productive  and  largest  very  early  sweet  Apple  cultivated  in  that 
section, — earlier  than  Sweet  Bough,  and  more  productive. 
Fruit  large,  roundish,  or  roundish-oblate  ;  skin  pale  greenish- 
yellow,  considerably  striped  and  splashed  with  crimson  ;  flesh 


whitish,  tender,  moderately  juicy,  with  rich,  sweet  flavonr, 
slightly  aromatic.     Eipe  August. 

Park. — Introduced  by  William  S.  Carpenter,  of  Rye,  West- 
chester County,  N.Y.,  who  values  it  highly  as  an  amateur  and 
market  fruit.  It  originated  on  the  farm  of  Roger  Park,  town  of 
Harrison,  N.Y.  The  original  tree  is  still  standing,  and  about 
seventy-five  years  old.  Tree  thrifty,  and  quite  upright  in  its 
growth,  and  bears  large  crops  every  other  year  :  fruit  medium, 
roundish,  inclining  to  conic,  angular ;  skin  yellowish,  shaded, 
and  rather  obscurely  splashed  and  striped  with  light  and  dark 
crimson  nearly  over  the  whole  surface  ;  flesh  yellowish,  rather 
firm,  moderately  juicy,  with  a  rich,  mild,  sub-acid,  slightly 
aromatic  flavour ;  very  good.     Ripe  January  to  March. 

Family,  ob  M'Lonn's  Family  — An  excellent  early  Apple  of 
Southern  origin,  received  from  P.  J.  Berckmans,  of  Augusta,  Ga. 
Mr.  Berckmans  says  it  is  a  beautiful  grower,  bears  enormously, 
always  regular.  Fruit  smooth,  ripening  for  six  weeks, — the 
most  distinct  foliage  of  any  of  our  Southern  Apples  ;  fruit 
rather  large,  oblate,  conical ;  skin  yellowish,  shaded,  striped  and 
splashed  with  dull  red  over  two-thirds  its  surface ;  flesh  white, 
tender,  juicy,  with  a  very  mild,  pleasant,  sub-aoid  flavour; 
quality  very  good,  or  best. 

Slight's  Lady  Apple. — A  new  seedling,  raised  by  Edgar 
Slight,  Fiskhill  Plains,  Duchess  County,  N.Y.,  from  the  Lady 
Apple,  and  like  it  in  every  respect,  except  that  it  is  double  the 
size,  and  the  skin  a  little  more  yellow  and  waxen,  and  comes 
into  eating  earlier  in  the  season. 

Brill's  Seedling. — Raised  by  Francis  Brill,  Newark,  N.J. ; 
and  he  values  it  highly  for  market  and  culinary  purposes. 
Fruit  large,  oblong,  conic,  angular ;  skin  yellow ;  flesh  yellowish, 
tender,  juicy,  slightly  sub-acid.     Ripe  October,  November. 

Celestia. — Received  specimens  from  L.  S.  Mote,  West 
Milton,  0.  One  of  his  new  seedhngs,  which  promises  to  be  an 
acquisition.  Fruit  rather  large,  roundish,  inclining  to  conic  ; 
skin  pale  yellow ;  flesh  yellowish,  fine-grained,  crisp,  very 
tender,  juicy,  with  a  rich,  mild,  sub-acid  flavour,  with  con- 
siderable aroma ;  quality  best.     Eipe  September. 

Pine-creek  Sweet. — Specimens  of  this  fine  sweet  Apple 
were  sent  us  by  John  Hamilton,  of  Jersey  Shore,  Penn. ;  and  he 
writes  us  that  it  originated  at  Pine  Creek,  Jersey  Shore,  Clinton 
County,  Penn.,  where  the  original  tree  is  still  standing.  Fruit 
large,  roundish,  conical ;  skin  pale  whitish-yellow ;  flesh  white, 
crisp,  very  tender,  juicy,  with  a  very  rich,  honeyed  flavour; 
quality  very  good,  if  not  best.     Eipe  October  to  November. 

CocicLiN's  Favourite. — Originated  with  E.  H.  Cocklin,  of 
Shepherdstown,  Penn.,  who  describes  it  as  a  very  fine  dessert 
fruit ;  keeps  well,  and  continues  in  use  from  September  till 
February.  Tree  a  beautiful  upright  grower,  and  very  produc- 
tive. Fruit  rather  small,  roundish  oblate,  inclining  to  conic ; 
skin  whitish,  with  a  thin  shade  of  crimson  in  the  sun ;  flesh 
white,  finegrained,  crisp,  very  tender,  juicy,  mild,  pleasant, 
sub-acid  ;  quality  very  good. 

Flake's  Fall. — Received  from  James  A.  Nelson  Sc  Sons,  of 
Indian  Run,  Mercer  County,  Penn. ;  and  they  inform  me  that 
it  originated  near  that  place,  and  is  a  very  profitable  sort  for 
market.  Moderate,  rather  upright  grower,  great  bearer,  and  a 
large  valuable  variety  for  that  section.  Fruit  large,  oblate, 
inclining  to  conic,  slightly  angular;  skin  yellowish,  shaded, 
striped  and  splashed  over  the  whole  surface  with  light  and  dark 
crimson,  almost  purplish  in  the  sun  ;  flesh  white,  fine-grained, 
crisp,  tender,  moderately  juicy,  with  a  very  pleasant,  mild, 
sub- acid  flavour,  peculiarly  aromatic;  quality  very  good,  or 
best.    Eipe  September  to  November. 


Edmunds. — Originated  with  Eliphalet  Edmunds,  of  Brighton, 
near  Eochester,  N.Y.,  and  premises  to  be  one  of  the  best  of  its 
season.  Tree  a  very  strong  grower ;  fruit  medium  to  large, 
somewhat  irregular  in  foim,  and  surface  uneven,  obtuse,  pyri- 
form,  angular  ;  skin  yellow,  with  slight  nettings  of  russet ;  stalk 
very  long,  set  in  a  shallow  cavity;  flesh  fine,  whitish,  juicy, 
melting,  with  a  sweet,  rich,  peculiar  flavour,  somewhat  like 
Almond  or  Walnut ;  quality  very  good  or  best.  Eipe  middle 
of  September  to  middle  of  October. 

Mary. — Not  having  seen  the  fruit  of  this  Pear,  we  give  F.  E. 
Elliott's  description  :  "Raised  by  ChiistcpherWiegel,  of  Cleve- 
land, Ohio,  from  seed  of  the  Seckle.  Tree  upright,  vigorous,  an 
early  and  abundant  bearer ;  fruit  a  little  below  medium  in  size ; 
form  generally  globular,  obtuse,  pyriform,  occasionally  one- 
sided ;  skin  rich,  pale  yellow,  mostly  overspread  and  dotted 
with  bright,  rich  red,  becoming  deep  next  the  calyx,  and  a  little 
russet  next  the  stem;  flesh  while,  finely  granulated,  almost 


October  1,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTURB  AND  OOTTAGE  GABDENER. 


34» 


battery,  juicy,  sweet ;  very  gooil ;  season  before  tbe  Madeleine, 
or  early  to  middle  of  July." 

JiABiiARET. — Another  of  Cbristopber  Wiegel's  seedlings.  "  Its 
history  tbe  same  as  tbe  ]\[ury.  rriiit  medium  size,  oblonR, 
ovate  ;  colour  leraon  yellow  ground, — wben  fully  ripe  mostly 
overspread  witb  deep,  dull  red,  small  russet  dots,  and  patches 
of  russet;  flesh  white,  linely  granulated,  juicy,  vinous,  sweet, 
and  free  from  astringency.  Season  last  of  July  and  early 
Angnst." 

Other  new  kinds,  such  as  Dr.  Turner's,  Dr.  Sburtlefl's  new 
seedlings,  Painter's  Seedling.  Howard,  lUcbardson's  seedlings, 
Clapp's  new  seedlings,  and  Hebe,  are  spoken  of  as  valuable. 

EEKDEn's  Seedlinc. — Specimens  of  this  new  Pear  were  sent 
ns  last  fall  by  Dr.  Henry  Eeeder,  of  Varick,  Seneca  County, 
N.Y. ;  and,  judging  from  the  fruit,  we  should  think  it  of  su- 
perior quality.  Mr.  Keeder  writes  that  the  tree  is  about  twelve 
years  old,  and  was  raised  from  tbe  seed  of  Winter  Xelis  ;  which 
tree  grew  near  a  Seckle,  and  is,  no  doubt,  a  cross  of  the  two 
varieties.  Tree  healthy  and  vigorous,  rather  spreading  inform, 
and  an  excellent  bearer  ;  fruit  small  to  medium  size,  obovate, 
truncate  ;  skiu  yellow,  netted  and  patched  with  light  russet 
nearly  over  the  whole  surface  ;  flesh  fine,  juicy,  melting,  some- 
what buttery,  very  sugary,  sufficiently  vinous,  perfumed  witb 
musk,  and  slightly  aromatic  ;  qualify  best.     Kipe  November. 

EcTTER, — An  excellent  late  variety,  raised  from  seed  of  Van 
Mons  Lem  le  Clerc  by  .John  Kutter,  of  West  Chester,  Chester 
County,  Penn.  Tree  a  vigorous  grower,  an  early  and  an 
abundant  bearer  ;  fruit  medium  size,  obovate,  obtuse,  pyriform, 
angular ;  skin  rough,  greenish  yellow,  often  considerably 
sprinkled  and  netted  with  russet ;  flesh  white,  not  very  fine  in 
texture,  sufficiently  juioy  and  melting,  with  a  rich,  sweet, 
vinous  flavour,  slightly  aromatic  ;  quality  very  good.  Eipe 
October  and  first  of  November. 

Ellis. — \  new  Pear,  highly  prized  where  known,  and  was 
raised  by  Mrs.  Annie  Ellis,  of  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  from  seed 
of  tbe  Seckle.  Tree  a  thrifty  grower,  very  hardy,  and  an 
abundant  bearer ;  fruit  medium  or  rather  large,  obovate,  pyri- 
form, truncate  ;  skin  greenish  yellow,  considerably  patched  .ind 
netted  with  russet,  and  sometimes  a  shade  of  crimson  in  tbe 
sun  ;  flesh  yellowish  white,  juicy,  melting,  with  a  rich,  sweet 
flavour,  slightly  vinous,  and  "a  little  aromatic  ;  quality  very 
good,  or  best.     Eipe  October. 

Bronx. — Specimens  received  from  Prof.  George  Thnrber,  of 
New  York,  who  writes  us  that  it  was  raised  by  James  E. 
Swain,  of  Bronxville,  Westchester  County,  N.Y.  about  the 
year  1850.  An  upright  grower,  inclined  to  pyramidal ;  an 
early,  regular,  and  abundant  bearer.  Fruit  medium  size,  obo- 
vate, pyriform  ;  skin  greenish  yellow,  partially  netted  and 
patched  with  russet ;  flesh  whitish,  juicy,  melting,  with  a  sweet, 
slightly  perfumed  ijavour ;  quality  very  good.  Eipe  from  the 
Ist  to  the  middle  of  September. 

PLDMS. 
Foote's  Early  Oeleavs. — Grown  from  seed  of  Wilmot's 
Early  Orleans  by  Asahel  Foote,  of  Williamstown,  Mass.  Tree 
hardy,  much  more  vigorous  than  its  parent,  symmetrical,  bears 
heavy  crops,  and  almost  free  from  rot;  fruit  medium  size, 
roundish,  inclining  to  oval;  skin  deep  black,  covered  with  a 
blue  bloom  ;  flesh  greenish,  moderately  juicy,  with  a  sweet, 
pleasant,  vinous  flavour  ;  adheres  to  the  stone.  Eipe  from  the 
first  to  tbe  middle  of  August. 

KASPEERRIES. 
Many  new  varieties  have  been  on  trial ;  but  the  Clarke  and 
BeDe  de  Palluan  have  given  tbe  most  general  satisfaction.  The 
Clarke  is  claimed  to  be  hardy  ;  and.  if  it  prove  so,  it  will  add 
to  its  value.  Dubring,  Naomi,  and  Mrs.  Wood,  are  said  to  be 
valuable  ;  and  Charles  Arnold,  of  Paris,  C.W.,  has  raised  some 
seedlings  that  are  said  to  be  of  fine  quality  and  hardy.  There 
are  also  several  new  kinds  of  the  Black  Cap  family  that  are 
highly  praised,  bat  not  fully  tested. 

BLACKBERRIES. 
Kitlatinny   and  Wilson's  Early   are  before  the  public  as 
superior  kinds,  and,  so  far  as  tested,  are  worthy  of  extensive 
trial ;  the  Eittatinny  being  hardier  and  sweeter  in  flavom-  than 
New  Eoohelle,  and  equally  as  vigorous  and  prodnctive. 


BLANCHING   CELERY. 
I  HAVE  had  some  experience  in  blanching  Celery  with  saw- 
dust, both  for  exhibitions  and  for  private  nse,  and  I  never  suc- 
ceeded in  keeping  the  Celery  from  rotting  in  such  material ; 


therefore  I  differ  from  the  remarks  of  your  correspondent,  Mr. 
Bartrum,  in  the  Journal  of  the  10th  ult. 

I  have  nsed  sawdust  varying  from  six  months  to  two  years 
old,  and  I  have  found  that  as  soon  as  it  became  saturated 
with  rain  the  Celery  began  decaying. 

I  prefer  sand  to  sawdust,  for  witb  me  Celery  keeps  fresh 
much  longer  in  tbe  sand  than  I  ever  could  have  preserved  it 
in  tbe  sawdust.  Sand  reijuires  wooden  boxes  to  keep  it  in 
its  proper  position,  e;;actly  in  the  same  way  as  Mr.  Bartrum 
describes. 

I  have  also  found  peat  earth  an  excellent  material  for  blanch- 
ing Celery.  I  believe  peat  blanches  it  whiter  than  either  saw- 
dust or  sand,  and  the  Celery  in  it  keeps  mnch  longer. 

In  this  neighbourhood  (Blackburn),  cottagers  grow  Celery  to 
great  perfection,  and  some  ol  the  leading  growers  among  them 
use  nothing  but  brown  paper  to  blanch  their  exhibition  speci- 
mens. The  paper  is  put  twice  round  the  plant  from  tbe  ground 
upwards  as  high  as  the  Celery  is  to  be  blanched,  and  pasted  up 
the  side  to  exclude  air,  A  handful  of  soil  is  put  round  the 
bottom,  and  the  top  of  the  paper  is  tied  round.  In  this  way 
they  manage  to  grow  and  blanch  Celery  fit  for  either  a  noble- 
man's table  or  an  exhibition. — L.  Black,  Blackhurn. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GARDEK. 

We  never  believe  that  we  are  so  near  winter  until  we  are 
actuallv  in  October.  Y'ou  may  see  crops  seeding,  ripening-off, 
or  falling  into  the  sere  and  yellow  leaf  all  through  the  summer, 
and  yet  think  no  more  about  winter  than  if  everything  was 
fresh.  Hand-glasses  should  now  be  in  proper  repair  for  pro- 
tecting Cauliflowers,  and  frames  cleared  out  ready  to  receive 
Endive  and  many  other  things.  Temporary  hotbeds  must 
soon  be  in  retiuisition  for  A^pai-af!ii<.  Those  who  still  adhere 
to  the  old  practice  of  giving  all  sorts  of  rich  manure  to  Aspara- 
gus beds  in  winter  and  spring  when  the  plants  are  dormant,  and 
neglect  doing  so  in  summer  when  they  require  it,  will  now  have 
the  satisfaction  to  see  the  tops  fit  for  the  hook  or  scythe,  and 
the  beds  may  be  cleared  now  whenever  hands  can  be  spared  for 
the  work ;  but  those  who  neglect  them  altogether  in  winter, 
and  feed  them  the  whole  summer  through,  cannot  tcU  when 
tbe  crop  may  be  ready  for  the  sickle,  for  their  beds  are  yet 
green.  Carrots,  no  one,  I  presume,  will  now  leave  the  crop  of 
Carrots,  Potatoes,  itc,  long  in  the  ground,  if  only  for  the 
sake  of  having  the  ground  dug  over  before  wet  weather 
comes  on.  Carrots,  Parsnips,  and  Beetroot,  keep  well  packed 
in  sand  or  ashes  in  a  dry  room  or  cellar.  These  crops  when 
taken  up  during  dry  weather,  and  stored  away  in  a  dry  state, 
not  only  keep  much  better,  but  the  ground  is  not  injured  by 
the  operation  of  lifting,  which  is  the  case  when  they  are  taken 
up  in  wet  weather,  especially  in  stiff  clayey  soils. 

FRUIT   OARDEN. 

After  the  fruit  is  all  gathered  there  will  be  much  work  in  the 
fruit  room  for  some  weeks,  in  arranging,  naming,  and  storing 
the  late  sorts  after  they  are  ascertained  to  be  quite  sound.  Large 
currents  of  air  should  be  admitted  during  this  time,  but  after 
the  work  is  finished  the  fruit  room  should  be  kept  close,  and 
as  uniform  in  temperature  as  circumstances  will  allow.  The 
best  time  to  transplant  fruit  trees  is  the  next  six  weeks  ;  but 
where  this  is  impracticable  the  fruit  trees  ought  to  be  ordered 
without  waiting  till  the  ground  is  ready,  as  they  are  sure  to  be 
good  thus  early,  whereas  if  the  order  be  delayed  until  the 
spring,  the  stock  is  selected  from  by  so  many  other  customers, 
that  you  must  be  content  with  what  yon  can  obtain. 

elower  garden. 

The  Heliotrope  is  the  first  affected  by  frost ;  many  of  om- 
stove  plants  stand  more  cold  than  this.  It  may  seem  strange 
to  some  to  have  flower  beds  matted  over  to  save  them  from 
early  frosts  ;  but  it  has  been  a  regular  practice  in  some  places 
to  save  the  plants  in  flower  by  such  means,  particularly  the 
beds  near  the  house,  till  the  beginning  of  December,  for  it 
frequently  happens  after  a  night  or  two  of  early  frosts  that  we 
have  fine  weather  for  some  time  afterwards.  The  great  re- 
quisite in  the  winter  management  of  plants  is  to  have  them  well 
hardened  oB  before  severe  weather  sets  in.  so  as  to  have  them  in 
a  perfectly  dormant  state — that  is,  without  any  sign  of  growth, 
and  to  keep  them  as  dry  as  is  consistent  with  their  not  suffer- 
ing from  the  want  of  water. 

greenhouse  and  conservatoet. 

The  finest  plant  that  can  be  placed  in  the  conservatory  for 
the  nest  twelvemonth  is  the  Lucnlia  gratissima,  the  earhest  of 


250 


JOURNAL  OP  HOBTICULTUEE   AND   COTTAGE   GAKDENEK. 


[  October  1,  1868. 


which  is  now  about  opening  its  delightfnily  fragrant  flowers. 
The  standard  temperature  here  in  winter  is  45° ;  it  should 
never  exceed  that  by  fire  heat,  and  for  six  weeks  after  Christ- 
mas it  should  be  kept  at  about  40°,  and  little  or  no  air  given 
for  three  or  four  months.  With  this  treatment  most  of  the 
half-stove  climbers  flourish  and  bloom  as  well  as  could  be 
wished.  Stephanotis  floribunda,  Echites  suberecta,  Ipoma;a 
Horsfallii,  Combretum  purpureum,  and  many  others  are  thus 
treated.  About  this  time  it  is  advisable  to  remove  the  soil 
from  the  stems  down  to  the  main  shoots,  and  to  replace  it 
with  charcoal  broken  small ;  this  protects  them  from  damp. 
The  surface  of  the  borders  should  be  kept  porous  by  frequent 
stirring,  and  no  water  should  be  given  until  the  leaves  begin  to 
droop  from  want  of  it,  and  then  as  much  should  be  afforded  at 
once  as  will  reach  the  bottom  of  the  border.  In  a  day  or  two 
afterwards  a  little  dry  soil  may  be  placed  over  the  parts 
watered,  to  lessen  evapoiation.  On  this  principle  all  plants  in 
a  dormant  state  in  winter  should  be  watered,  whether  they  are 
in  borders  or  in  pots,  provided  these  are  well  drained.  We 
scarcely  ever  miss  a  slight  frost  or  two  from  the  middle  to  the 
end  i>£  October,  and  we  have  all  seen  at  times  that  if  our 
plants  and  flowers  had  escaped  this  early  frost,  they  might 
have  gone  on  safely  enough  for  a  mouth  or  six  weeks.  Except 
in  the  case  of  very  young  and  softwooded  plants,  few  green- 
house plants  are  much  hurt  by  a  slight  frost  late  in  autumn. 
Two  or  three  rainy  days  do  them  much  more  harm,  and  it  is 
really  a  very  bad  plan  to  house  these  plants  early.  Nursery- 
men never  consider  some  of  their  finer  Heaths  safe  out  of 
doors  after  August,  and  they  house  almost  all  their  plants  from 
the  middle  of  September  to  the  middle  of  October,  but  theirs 
are  all  young,  and  many  of  them  have  been  much  forced  for 
propagation,  and  have  hardly  yet  recovered  from  the  confine- 
ment of  the  propagating  house,  so  that  they  require  early  pro- 
tection. 

STOVE. 

When  stove  bulbs  are  about  done  growing,  water  is  withheld 
from  them  by  degrees,  till  at  last  the  leaves  turn  yellow  and 
die  off.  The  pots  are  then  turned  on  their  sides  and  placed 
out  of  the  way  on  shelves  near  the  glass  ;  but  when  room  is 
scarce,  and  the  bulbs  are  at  rest  during  the  winter,  they  are 
often  shaken  out  of  the  soil  and  put  by  in  drawers  in  the  seed 
room,  or  in  a  dry  cupboai'd  in-doors.  Now  the  whole  tribe  of 
Orchids  which  rest  for  the  winter,  and  more  especially  those 
which  cast  their  leaves,  may  be  treated  after  the  manner  of 
stove  bulbs,  and  to  those  who  find  any  difficulty  in  wintering 
them  in  the  usual  way,  this  is  the  safest  plan.  The  winter- 
growing  kinds,  on  the  other  hand,  require  now  to  be  put  nearer 
the  glass,  and  all  shading  is  of  course  dispensed  with  after 
this  time.  L;elia  superbiens  throws  up  its  flower  stems  at  the 
rate  of  an  inch  a-day,  and  they  are  now  upwards  of  2  feet  high, 
and  promise  to  grow  mur;h  longer  yet.  Mr.  Skinner  says  that 
"  the  flower  stems  of  this  most  magnificent  plant  grow  from 
9  to  12  feet  long,  and  carry  from  eighteen  to  twenty  flowers 
each,"  and  that  its  "  native  place,  Chantla,  is  very  cold." 

COLD    riTS. 

All  the  Eoses  that  are  to  be  forced  before  Cliristmas  should 
be  pruned  forthwith,  and  placed  in  different  pits  for  forcing 
and  protection  ;  at  any  rate,  let  no  more  rain  touch  them  this 
season,  it  chills  and  soddens  the  soil  about  their  roots.  A  good 
way  to  begin  to  force  Eoses  is  to  stir  up  the  surface  of  an  old 
Melon  bed  after  removing  the  soil,  and,  perhaps,  to  add  a  few 
fresh  leaves  or  some  tan  to  create  a  mild  heat  of  80°;  to 
plunge  the  pots  in  this,  not  to  cover  the  frame  for  the  first 
week,  and  then  to  begin  by  drawing  the  lights  only  half  over 
the  frame  for  the  next  week,  and  to  draw  them  closer  by  de- 
grees, but  still  leaving  large  portions  of  air  till  the  flower  buds 
appear.  Moss  and  Cabbage  Eoses  worked  on  free  stocks  of 
China  breeds,  will  thus  flower  tbi'ee  weeks  or  a  month  sooner 
than  others  on  their  own  roots  or  on  theDogEose. — W.  KE.ixE. 


DOINGS   OF   THE  LAST  WEEK. 

EITCHEN    G.ir.DEX. 

HoED  among  all  advancing  crops,  filled  up  every  foot  of  spare 
ground  with  wmter  and  spring  vegetables,  examined  all  planta- 
tions of  Cabbages,  Broccoli,  &e.,  to  destroy  grubs,  which  are 
troublesome  this  season  ;  banked  up  Celery  with  litter  where  it 
would  not  have  been  advisable  to  use  much  earth,  but  for  this 
see  previous  weeks'  remarks.  The  heavy  rains  have  rendered 
watering  unnecessary;  the  chief  point  to  be  looked  after  is  the 
saving  of  water  for  next  season.  If  this  is  not  done  we  must 
blame  ourselves,  and  gardeners  generally,  and  not  the  season. 


Salsnftj  and  Scorzonera,  often  thought  little  of,  come  in  this 
season  as  helps  in  the  kitchen.  To  have  them  good  the  ground 
should  be  well  trenched  as  for  Carrots,  and  any  manure  given 
should  be  placed  at  the  bottom  to  entice  the  roots  to  go  straight 
down.  Salsafy  is  almost  as  sweet  and  crisp  as  a  hazel  nut  when 
well  grown  and  well  cooked. 

Jerunalem  Articliohcs  ra&ke  a  nice  dish  at  this  season  when 
other  vegetables  are  scarce.  They  will  stand  for  years  in  the 
same  ground  ;  but  to  have  them  in  abundance  and  good  in 
quality,  they  should  be  planted  every  year  like  Potatoes.  We 
have  frequently  so  treated  them,  and  can  recommend  them  to 
those  who  prefer  a  waxy  to  a  flour-ball  Potato. 

Celi'i-i/. — We  have  had  letters  from  several  correspondents,  and 
we  will  ."inswer  the  pith  of  their  inquiries  by  saying  that  a  4  or 
G-inch  litter-covering  blanches  as  well  as  earth,  and  presents 
no  inconvenience  in  the  way  of  earthing-up  and  damping. 

FllUIT    GARDEN. 

We  have  still  a  considerable  quantity  of  fruit  ungathered. 
We  have  taken  in  the  most  of  our  Margil  Apples,  and  as  yet 
they  are  as  sound  and  as  hard  as  bullets,  and  we  are  told  that 
in  some  gardens  they  are  nearly  over,  so  great  is  the  difference 
in  different  soils,  thin  gravelly  soils  bringing  fruit  much 
earlier  to  maturity  than  clayey  and  deep  loamy  soils.  For 
instance,  after  using  Williams's  Bon  Chrftien,  the  Alber- 
tine,  and  Ambrosia  Pears,  we  have  had  to  bring  in  the  Marie 
Louise  and  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey  with  some  forcing,  whilst 
some  of  our  neighbours  have  used  these,  and  have  none  left. 
One  of  our  friends  has  told  us  that  his  Margil  Apples  and 
Marie  Louise  Pears  are  gone.  With  us,  as  stated  above,  we 
are  forced  to  bring  them  on  artificially.  We  have  stated  pre- 
viously, and  we  would  state  again  the  fact,  that  we  have  one 
tree  of  Williams's  Bon  Chrt'tien  Pear,  and  a  beautiful  fruit  it  is. 
If  left  to  itself  the  fruit  would  scarcely  meet  our  wants  for  a 
week,  so  soon  does  it  become  "  sleepy  "  after  gathering  when 
nearly  ripe  ;  but  from  that  tree  we  generally  have  a  month's 
supply,  and  even  more,  simply  by  gathering  the  most  forward 
fruit,  wrapping  them  in  paper,  and  giving  them  a  little  artificial 
heat  near  the  chimney  corner.  When  there  is  likely  to  be  a 
break,  we  adopt  the  same  system  with  other  Pears,  as  Marie 
Louise  and  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey,  &c.,  and  thus  keep  up  a 
regular  succession  of  sweet  succulent  fruit.  The  chief  point 
in  thus  forwarding  fruit  that  would  otherwise  be  much  later, 
is  not  only  to  give  additional  heat  to  it,  but  to  prevent  the 
moisture  evaporating.  When  we  are  particular  we  wrap  each 
fruit  separately  in  paper,  place  all  in  a  large  pot,  and  cover 
thickly  with  paper,  when  we  sot  the  pot  in  a  rather  warm  place. 
We  have  seen  Apples  and  Pears  ripened  for  use  fully  exposed 
in  a  hothouse  ;  but  by  such  a  method  there  is  the  liability  to 
lose  the  juices  of  the  fruit,  which  is  not  the  case  when  treated 
as  above  stated.  Of  course  it  would  not  do  to  forward  much 
of  the  same  fruit  artificially.  When  properly  forwarded  a  few 
weeks  before  the  usual  time,  many  connoisseurs  have  formed  no 
idea  that  what  they  partook  of  was  forwarded  artificially. 

Flantinrj. — Where  much  fruit-tree  planting  is  to  be  donethe 
sooner  the  ground  is  prepared  for  the  trees,  or  at  least  stations 
made  for  them,  the  better  they  will  thrive  ;  and  could  we  have 
our  way  we  should  like  to  plant  by  the  third  week  in  October, 
or  sooner  if  the  leaves  and  buds  were  tolerably  ripe.  Now  is  a 
good  time  to  select  the  trees,  and  in  all  cases  where  numbers 
are  wanted  it  would  pay  to  give  something  more  not  to  drato 
the  trees,  but  take  them  up  carefully,  and  puddle  the  roots 
before  packing  them.  Some  nurserymen  put  the  roots  in  damp 
litter,  which  is  next  best  to  puddling,  and  others  just  send  them 
as  they  are  in  dry  litter.  The  success  of  autumn  planting 
depends  partly  on  saving  all  the  fibres,  that  they  may  grow  at 
once  instead  of  having  them  all  dried  up,  and  the  plant  being 
obliged  to  make  fresh  ones  before  the  roots  are  able  to  supply 
the  expanding  buds  in  the  spring. 

0EN.\3IENTAL    DEPAETHEST. 

The  same  remarks  apply  here  as  to  planting,  whether  in 
pleasure  grounds  or  for  permanent  wood  plantations  and  covers. 
The  press  of  work  in  most  gardens  renders  it  difficult  to  com- 
mence this  work  in  time,  but  the  sooner  that  preparations  are 
made  for  it  the  better  will  the  plants  succeed.  As  a  rule, 
trees  and  shrubs  planted  even  in  November  have  double  the 
chance  to  succeed  as  compared  with  those  planted  in  February 
or  March.  Spring  planting  often  does  well  enough  when  there 
is  a  moist  spring  and  summer ;  but  in  such  a  season  as  we 
have  had,  nothing  but  the  water  cart— and  that  is  out  of  the 
question  when  planting  has  to  be  performed  on  a  large  scale- 
could  keep  the  plants  alive.  The  money  that  was  wasted  in 
labour  and  trees  last  spring  ought  to  teach  a  lesson.    Never 


October  1, 1868.  J  JOUBNAL   OF  HOETICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENEB. 


251 


was  ppring  planting  more  unsnccessful,  even  under  general  cir- 
cumstances, and  tlie  want  of  success  was  still  more  ensured  in 
special  cases  by  exceptional  liabilities,  whicli  are  not  inet  with 
in  autumn  or  early  winter  planting.  Trees  planted  in  Feb- 
ruary and  March  were  soon  exposed  to  a  fierce  sun  and  a  dry 
atmosphere  before  a  fresh  fibre  was  formed  to  meet  these  dry- 
ing effects,  and  in  many  thousands  of  instances  the  plants 
burst  their  buds  and  then  slowly  died.  The  money  and  the 
labour  thus  wasted  in  the  past  season  will  not  have  been  spent 
in  vain  if  the  result  demonstrate  the  propriety  of  early  plant- 
ing, so  that  the  roots  will  begin  to  make  fibres  before  the  earth 
is  sealed  up  by  frost.  In  planting  early  in  November  there  is 
no  risk  of  having  the  roots  killed  by  exposure  to  severe  frost, 
ns  they  are  apt  to  be  when  large  ([uantities  of  trees  are  sent  from 
great  distances  in  January  or  February. 

The  heavy  rains  of  the  past  week  have  greatly  injured  the 
flower  beds.  On  this  day  week  the  flower  beds  were  fine,  but 
the  rains  have  dashed  the  flowers  off,  thougli  still  the  beds 
are  passable,  more  especially  as  the  grass  is  so  beautiful ;  and 
ft  fine  lawn  and  neat  firm  walks  do  much  to  neutralise  some 
deficiencies  in  the  blaze  of  colour  in  the  beds. 

Proceeded  with  propagating  and  potting,  as  detailed  last 
week. — Iv.  F.  

TRADE   CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 

Lucombe,  Pince,  &  Co.,  Exeter. — Select  List  of  Neio  and 
Hare  Plants.  Conifers,  Ornamental  Trees  and  Shrtihs,  and  Rases. 

Charles  Turner,  Royal  Nurseries,  Slough. — Catalogue  of 
JRoscs,  Fruit  Trees,  Coniferic,  Hardy  Trees,  Shrubs,  dx. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— September  30. 

Our  marhets  nre  very  steady,  and  supplies  both  of  home-grown  and 
foreign  produce  are  well  kept  up.  Soft  fruits,  such  as  Plums  and  Peaches, 
are  nearly  over,  the  latter  being  confined  to  the  Salway  and  October 
varieties. 


Apples v;  sieve  1 

Apricots doz.  0 

Cherries lb.  0 

Chestnuts bash.  0 

Currants }-^  sieve  0 

Black ."..do.  0 

Figs doz.  0 

Filberts lb.  0 

Cobs lb.  0 

Gooseberries    ..quart  0 

Grapes,  Hothouse,  .lb.  2 

Lemons 100  10 


FRUIT. 
d.      B.  d 
6  to  2    0 


0 

0 

n 

H 

0 

n 

U 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

n 

0 

n 

n 

0 

1 

n 

H 

1 

n 

0 

0 

0 

(1 

5 

n 

U 

10 

0 

Melons each    2  0to5 

Nectarines doz.    0  0  0 

Oranges 100  12  0  20 

Peaches doz.    4  0  12 

Pears  fdessert)  ..doz.    2  0  4 

Pine  Apples lb.    4  0  7 

Plnms }i  sieve    4  0  0 

Quinces  doz.    16  2 

KaspberrieB  lb.    0  0  0 

Strawberries . .   p^r  lb.    0  0  0 

Walnuts hnsh.  10  0  IC 

do per  100    1  0  2 


VEGETABLES. 


Artichokes doz. 

Aspara?u3  100 

Beans,  Kidney  ^j  sieve 

Beet,  Red doz. 

Broccoli bundle 

Bras.  Spronts  }'_^  sieve 

Cabbaj?e doz. 

Capsicums 100 

Carrots bunch 

Cauliflower doz. 

Celery bundle 

Cucumbers each 

Endive doz. 

Fennel bunch 

Garlic lb. 

Herbs  bunch 

Horseradish  ..  bundle 


s.  i.  s.  d 
3  OtoC  0 
0 


0    0 

2    0 

1 

3 

0 

0 

1 

0 


Leeks  bnnch 

0    0    Lettuce per  score 

4  0    Mushrooms pottle 

3  0    Mustd.&  Cress,  punnet 

0  0    Onions  ...  .per  bushel 

0    0    Parsley per  sieve 

2    0     Parsnips doz. 

0    0  ,  Peas per  quart 

0    8  ,  Potatoes bushel 

0  0  I         Kidney  do. 

2  0  '  Radishes  doz.  bunches 

1  0    Rhubarb bundle 

0    0    Sea-kale basket 

0    0    Shallots lb. 

0    0    Spinach  busbel 

0    0  '  Tomatoes per  doz. 

5  0  i  Tomips  bunch 


0    0 
6    0 


TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 

We  also  request  that  correspondents  will  not  mix  up  on  the 
same  sheet  questions  relating  to  Gardening  and  those  on 
Poultry  and  Bee  subjects,  if  they  expect  to  get  them  an- 
swered promptly  and  conveniently,  but  write  them  on 
separate  communications.  Also  never  to  send  more  than 
two  or  three  questions  at  once. 

•  ,*  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.  All 
communications  should  therefore  be  addressed  solely  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  dc,  171,  Fleet 
Street,  London,  E.G. 
Books  (..(nfmonf).—"  Florists'  Flowers"  and  "Flower  Gardeninff  for 

the  Many."  Rive  the  information  yon  desire.    You  can  have  the  two  free 

by  post  from  our  office  for  nine  postage  stamps. 
EDorsG  Plast  (C,  T.  it.,  Dorset).— Oi  the  two  variegated  plants,  we 


prefer  the  Polemoninm  carulonm  to  the  Dactylis  glomorata,  but  we  can 
hardlv  say  which  of  the  litllo  Altcmnntheras  is  the  best. 

ruvslANTUUS  AI.I1KNS  (A.  It.  TiirAf Ol.-Your  climber  which  is  ripenini? 
a  lar"o  pod  is  Physianthus  ulbens.  or  White  ^.f  derbloom  t  .s  a  natrve 
„l  South  America,  an.l  usually  cultivated  in  the  slove.  That  ■'  should 
not  ...ily  endure  our  climate  aRaiust  a  south  wall  near  Bristol,  but  ripen 
ts  fruit  there  is  very  interesting.  Wo  think  that  our  late  troi^^^cal  s  m- 
nur  is  the  cause  of  this  success,  and  of  vour  Hoya  caruosa  also  fruit  ng 
iu  vour  cool  greenhouse.  Will  you  oblige  us  by  ^''''''f . ''"'■'^^".f,^^^ 
I'liysianthus  has  borne  exposure  to  one  of  our  winters,  and  il  so,  whether 
it  had  any  protection  ? 

Peat  Chabcoai,  (An  Old  Corr«po..rfrn«).-Wo  do  not  know  whcrethls 
can  now  be  procured.  Th»  most  likely  way  to  obtain  it  would  bo  to  wr  to 
to  Mr  .1  Smithson,  Messrs.  Goulding's  Manure  Manufactory,  Dublin. 
•■T  R"  Iseo  page  70  of  our  last  volume),  stated,  that  being  unable  to 
obtain  peat  charcoal,  he  was  induced  to  try  common  '^'j''"''.''-"?  !,„"»», 
it  answered  even  better  than  peat  charcoal.  He  also  stated  that  ho  was 
unable  to  give  the  name  of  the  party  of  whom  he  purchased  it,  but, 
perhaps,  "The  Charcoal  Burner,  Datchworth,  near  Welwyn,  Herts," 
would  fiud  him. 

Heating  a  Fernekt  and  Pit  {A  Threc-ycnrt  SuUcriber).— A  smaU 
stove  in  your  Fern  house,  if  furnished  witli  a  vessel  for  evaporation 
vnuld  injure  neither  the  hardy  Fcrus  nor  the  Rose.  There  will  be  no 
ifliuly'iu  heating  yo-ar  pit  from  the  1"8«,  "-''^J"'  ^"'j- '  '^" ''i°„''',^ 
is  a  close  one.  The  boiler  being  so  much  below  the  level  of  the  pit  is  all 
II  its  favour.  If  vou  did  so,  we  would  take  a  pipe  also  into  tho  Fern 
house  Sstead  of  having  a  stove.  Such  hardy  Ferns  wil  do  very  weU, 
however,  without  anv  heat  if  the  air  be  kept  still  under  glass  m  winter; 
but  a  pipe  would  make  it  all  the  better  and  more  pleasant. 

Erecting  a  Smai-l  Vikert  (IT.  Mask).-It  you  do  all  your  work 
you?self  of  course  you  can  do  it  at  a  very  different  cost  from  what  you 
woTd  pay  when  a  tradesman  has  to  come,  and  travelling  expenses,  as 
wel  as  wa"es,  must  be  paid  lor.  We  believe  the  materials  can  be  had  for 
inch  a  mice  ks  vou  say,  but  then  there  is  the  carnage,  and  then  there 
wiU  be  something  of  a  stokehole,  as  well  ns  the  chimney  A  small 
Tynder  boiler  that  will  heat  your  place  can  be  had  for  40..  buUo  kee^ 
on  all  night  vou  would  need  one  costing  £1  more.  But  for  your 
w"sh  for  "real  dc.nnliness,  as  vou  must  do  your  own  stoking,  for  such  a 
small  hoSse  and  onlv  gentle  forcing,  we  would  have  recommended  merely 
a  brick  stove  against  the  back  wall,  with  a  pipe  and  small  chimney 
throuRb  and  oiiVside  the  wall,  and  cleanUness  could  be  secured  by 
having  the  leeding  door  outside  the  waU.    This,  at  least,  would  costs 

■"roses  TOR  Market  (Clemens).-"  If  you  have  bought  the  Roses  named 
it  is  of  no  use  my  saying  anything  about  them.  If  you  have  not  bought 
lem  the  following  Zre  the  4st  of  the  summer  Roses  or  jour  purpose, 
neat  soil  and  aspect.  They  are  good  Roses.  La  ^  lUe  de  iSruxelles, 
Sladamo  sSetman?,  Charles  Lwsou  Chenidole  Madeline  Kean,Bou  a 
do  \mteuil  and  the  two  Bourbons  Acidalie  and  Sir  J.  Paxton.  Mj  oria 
Pei^etuals  on?he  Manetti  stock  are  quite  as  early  as  the  summer  Roses. 
The^?o"lowiSgare  great  bloomers,  and  fit  for  bo"?,7'^t°f  Sf,*'' "j^f^^^  °J 
show— vi7  Jules  Margottin,  Baronne  Prevost,  ijloire  de  l)iJon,  Maurice 
Bernardi^  Charles  Lefcbvre,  John  Hopper,  Madame  Victor  \  erdier, 
Barmue  de  Maynard  (pure  white,  an  unceasing  and  great  bloomer), 
Souvenfr  de  D?.  Jamaii,  Mar;-chal  Vaillant,  Madame  Boutm,  Due  da 
Cazis,  Senateur  Va"?e.  and  Prince  CamiUo  de  Rohan.  They  are  a  noble 
lot.— W.  F.  Eadclyffe." 

Transplanting  and  Potting  Cajieluas  (S.  F.  B.).--Tou  may  now 
remove  the'^Camellias  planted  in  a  'Conservatory  border  bun  would  be 
safer  to  do  so  at  the  end  of  February  or  beginning  of  Marcli ,  if  they  are 
in  bloom  at  that  time  the  moving  and  potting  may  be  deferred  until  the 
floweriu"  is  over.  The  plants  being  small,  you  can  remove  them  without 
much  dilturblng  the  roots,  preserving  a  ball  to  each  plant.  If  removed 
Lowtte  flower  buds  will  probably  fall.  The  bo^der.shoud  be  well  drained 
also  the  pots.  For  soil  use  a  compost  of  two-thirds  turf,  cut  »t>oat  an 
°nch  thick,  from  an  old  pasture  where  the  soil  is  -ifond,  rich  rather  light 
oan.  aSd  torn  into  1-  nch  pieces.  The  other  third  shou  d  be  hbrous 
sandy  peat  In  potting  the  compost  should  be  made  rather  hrm  and  the 
sSTface  finished  ofl- with  a  little  finer  soil.  The  compost  should  be  used 
frYsh  It  would  not  hurt  Heaths  and  Epacrises  to  repot  them  now  but 
Sless  you  h  "ve  some  particular  object  in  view  it  would  be  better  to  defer 
doing  so  until  March. 

Wintering  CororeiisA  ceiestib  (Berlts).-We  have  splendid  beds  of 
it  Welre^t  it  as  a  hardy  P"ennial,  merely  driving  early  in  Novem^^^^^^^ 
or  after  the  first  severe  frost,  a  top-dressing  of  leaf  mould  3  or  J  incbes 
Thick,  and  whether  the  plants  are  from  seed  or  from  the  old  rootswe  have 
a  snlendid  bloom.  They  do  much  better  in  this  way  than  when  taken 
UP  but  we  take  up  large  numbers  of  them  for  borders  after  the  hrst  frost, 
TOt  in  sandy  soilTand  place  on  a  shelf  in  the  greenhouse  They  are  kept 
father  diT  during  the  winter,  and  when  they  begin  to  grow  are  supplied 
w"th  watJr  more'copiously.  You  may  keep  the  roots  in  dry  ^»nd  dunn| 
the  winter  in  anv  place  secure  from  frost,  and  n  March  they  may  be 
pottrd  placed  in'^a  frame  or  greenhouse,  and  planted  out  m  May.  A 
cellar  is  a  good  place  to  keep  the  roots. 

Apricots  for  a  Socth  Wall  (M.m).-Having  Moorpark,  you  may  add 
Euisha,  earUer  than  it ;  Hemskerk,  and  St.  Ambroise. 

CCLTCRE  OF  Belladonna  and  Gcernsev  Lilit.s  (Brom!f.vl--The8e 
bulbous  plants  should  be  kept  in  a  growing  state  dunng  the  "■"  "•  »"* 
be  placed  on  an  airy  shelf  in  the  greenhouse,  not  shaded  bv  obmbers  or 
ntber  nants  Thev  should  be  we  supplied  with  water,  but  not  in  ei- 
feifveTuaititv  The"  ofs  mav  be  set  on  a  pan  filled  with  wet  s.an.^ 
which  in  "Smmer  should  never  be  allowed  to  become  dry,  but  when  the 
Toliiee  is  mature  the  plants  should  have  little  water  and  full  exposure  to 

c  sun's  r^ys  Do  no  repot  until  the  roots  split  the  pots,  or  not  oftener 
ban  e?crv  two  or  three  years.  It  is  seldom  the  bulbs  bloom  the  second 
yca°  or  [f  they  do  so  it  is  but  sparingly,  owing  to  their  being  disturbed 
the  previous  autumn. 

Primula  faeinosa  (.S(a..),orr).-It  is  probably  the  prettiest  of  the 
British  Primroses  but  is  not  suitalle  for  an  ordinary  herbaceous  border, 
fho  gh  It  ™11  succeed  in  such  11  a  little  care  be  taken  -tb  it-  It  is  best 
grown  on  moist  ledges  of  rockwork.  In  a  border  {'fonl^  have  good 
drainage,  a  depth  of  6  inches  or  more  of  pieces  of  ^'one  being  placed 
under  U  and  on  the  stones  6  inches  of  soil  composed  of  light  hbrons 
loam,  peat  or  old  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse,  with  one-half  grit.  The  situation 


252 


JOURNAL   OF   HORTICULTURE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  October  1,  1868. 


should  be  Fhaded  from  the  midday  snD,  and  the  plant  should  be  well  I  Vines,  with  roots  deep  in  the  soil,  to  make  a  deep  drain  in  front  of  the 
supplied  with  moisture  whilst  growing  in  sammer.  j  border.    Take   away  as   much   of  the  surface   soil  as  you   can   without 


ECHEVERIA   METAILICA  PROPAGATION    {J?.    E.    G.).— YoU   will    best    BUC- 

ceed  by  dividing  tbe  plant,  taking  off  a  few  leaves  with  a  portion  of  root. 
The  divisions  should  he  potted,  and  the  plants,  if  possible,  placed  in  a 
house  where  there  is  a  brisk  heat,  keeping  them  moist  and  shaded  until 
they  are  growing  freelv.  It  will  be  all  the  better  if  the  pots  can  be 
plunged  in  a  hotbed  of  irom  75°  to  80\ 

Clematis  Jackmanni  Naked  (A  SiibgcribeT^  Treland). — Your  plant  of 
this  beautiful  Clematis  should  be  cut  down  to  within  a  foot  of  the  soil ; 
and  to  induce  the  production  of  more  shouts,  those  starting  from  near  the 
fiTound  may  be  stopped  when  they  have  Rrown  a  foot  or  18  inches.  Train- 
ing them  zigzag  will  also  cause  the  production  of  more  side  shoots. 

LiLiuM  LANCiFOLiUM  CtjLTDRE  (Linu). — It  succceds  in  an  open  border. 
PJant  in  November,  cover  the  bulbs  with  about  3  inches  of  soil,  and  put 
a  like  depth  of  leaf  mould  over  the  place  where  they  are  planted. 

Tacsonia  Van-Volxemi  Flower  Buds  Fallinc.  (A  Lady  Subscriber). 
We  can  only  account  for  the  fiower  buds  falling  by  the  plant  not  being 
trained  near  enough  to  the  glass,  and  a  deticiency  of  light  owing  to  the 
Passion-Flower,  and  we  imagine  the  soil  is  not  sufficiently  moist.  The 
soil  should  be  well  watered,  but  not  so  as  to  saturate  it.  Weak  liquid 
manure  may  he  given  once  a-week.  For  winter  blooming  do  not  prune, 
but  thin  out  the  shoots  if  too  close,  and  train  them  about  6  inches  apart, 
and  from  6  to  9  inches  from  the  glass.  It  ought  to  bloom  well  this 
antumn  and  winter.  Mandevilla  suaveolene  is  a  fine  climber.  Train  it 
near  the  glass,  and  keep  it  well  watered.  It  is  not  a  shy  bloomer,  all  it 
requires  is  age  and  strength. 

Seedling  Fuchsias  {G.  T.  M.  Purris). — Yuur  double  flowers  appear  to 
he  of  great  substance,  with  a  smooth  outline,  but  not  differing  from  many 
other  double  varieties.  The  single  flower  with  long  sepals  is  too  coarse 
to  be  of  any  use. 

Removing  and  Potting  Capnation  Layers  (An  Jgnoramus). —  Your 
plants,  if  of  the  choice  sorts,  will  be  best  potted  and  wintered  in  a  cold 
frame,  and  bo  planted  out  in  spring.  If  well  rooted,  the  layers  may, 
when  detached  from  the  old  plant,  be  now  planted  where  they  are  to 
remain. 

Hollyhocks  Wintering  fldcm).— The  plants  would  be  best  taken  up. 
potted,  and  wintered  in  a  cold  frame,  the  pots  being  plunged  to  the  rim 
in  coal  ashes.    Plant  out  in  spring. 

Manuring  Strawberries  ynrn  Seaweed  {Idem). — For  plants  in  beds 
or  TOWS,  the  seaweed  may  now  be  placed  between  the  rows,  and  about  the 
plants,  in  the  same  mr.nner  as  manure.  A  dressing  .of  this  kind  now, 
1  or  2  inches  thick,  will  be  highly  stimulating  and  enriching,  and  if  a 
little  fresh  loam  be  placed  on  the  seaweed,  so  as  to  cover  it,  all  the  better. 
Before  applyiDgthe  seaweed  remove  all  weeds,  runners,  &c.,and  the  space 
between  the  rows  should  be  lightly  stirred,  merely  scratching  the  sur- 
face.   The  seaweed  ought  not  to  be  ilug  in. 

Peopagating  Magnolias  {Cor7iufiu().—  Layering  is  the  best  mode  of  pro- 
pagation. It  may  be  done  now  or  in  spring.  The  layers  take  better 
when  a  t-lit  is  made  about  half  way  through  the  shoot,  commencing  the 
cut  immediately  below  an  eye  or  bud,  and  on  the  under  side  of  the  shoot. 
This  pnrt  ought  to  be  placed  in  the  soil  aud  securely  pegged  down.  By 
next  autumn  the  layers  should  be  examined,  if  well  rooted  detached 
from  the  old  plant,  aud  planted  out ;  hut  if  not  well  rooted  they  should  be 
left  another  year. 

Shelter  for  Wistaria  sinensis  [Idem).— The  Wistaria  will  not  grow 
in  the  shade,  nor  will  it  succeed  in  the  open  ground.  It  requires  a  wall 
with  a  south  or  west  aspect,  and  sheltered,  and  does  best  in  soil  dry 
rather  than  moist.  It  may,  however,  succeed  if  your  wooden  house  faces 
the  south.  I 

Quince  and  Medlar  Trees  (Idem).— In  ordering,  it  is  well  to  specify 
what  kinds  you  require.  Of  Quinces,  the  best  are  the  Apple-shaped  and 
Pear-shaped;  and  of  Medlars,  the  Dutch,  but  the  Nottingham,  though 
smaller,  is  better  flavoured. 

Trop^olum  Jarratti  geandiflorum  for  a  Bay  Window  {E.  Taylor), 
— It  is  a  pretty  climber,  and  will  succeed  trained  near  the  glass  in  abay 
window,  if  frost  be  excluded.  Now  is  the  time  to  procure  aud  plant  it  in 
a  pot  well  drained,  using  fer  soil  a  compost  of  sandy  peat  one-third,  and 
two-thirds  sandy  turfy  loam.  It  is  well  to  pot  in  a  rather  small  pot.  and 
insert  this  in  one  of  larper  size,  placing  crocks  nt  the  bottom,  so  as  to  bring 
both  rims  level,  and  fill  in  between  the  pots  with  soil.  The  plant  should 
be  rather  sparingly  watend  UBtil  it  is  growing  freely,  then  water  freely, 
but  not  so  as  to  saturate  the  Boil. 

Cutting  off  a  Vine  Stem  {An  Old  Correspondent). — If  from  vonr  two- 
stemmed  Vine  you  cut  off  one  stem,  the  roots  would  not  perish,  but  would 
increase  the  vigour  of  the  remaining  portion,  provided  you  prevented 
bleeding.  This  may  be  done  by  removing  the  stem  and  brinches  after 
the  Vino  has  giown  a  few  inches  in  spring,  or  by  applying  Thomson's 
Styptic  to  the  wound  if  the  stem  be  cut  at  the  winter  pruning. 

Clematis  not  Flowering  (Poplar).— Your  plant  growing  very  vigor- 
ously, it  would  appear  that  the  soil  is  rich,  and  this  circumstance  will 
account  for  the  plant  not  flowering.  It  will  not  flower  freely  until  its 
Tigour  be  subdued;  but  we  would  not  check  cmwth  by  root-prunins  if 
the  plant  has  a  large  space  to  grow  over;  but  if  limited,  we  would  lift  it 
in  autumn  nnd  replant.  You  may,  however,  by  keeping  the  branches  or 
shoots  closely  secured  to  the  wall,  and  at  equal  distances  ai>art,  and  thin 
rather  than  thick,  eflect  the  better  ripening  of  the  wood,  which  we  think 
will  give  you  flowers  in  a  year  of  two. 

Inarching  on  a  Sweetwater  Vine  {J.  T.  N.). — We  would  prefer  in- 
srching  a  white  Grape  on  a  Sweetwater,  but  the  kind  must  depend  on  the 
heat  yon  can  afford  the  Vine,  as  Royal  Muscadine  for  the  open  air  or  a 
cool  house;  Marchioness  of  Histinga  for  a  vintry,  if  huge  bunches  are 
desirable;  and  a  Muscat,  as  Eowood  Muscat,  where  heat  can  be  given 
freely  ;  or  Trebbiano  where  late-keeping  is  considered  an  object. 

Seedling  Pansy  and  Golden-leavfd  Pelargonium  (G.  MeBoufjal). 
— Of  the  Rose,  the  whole  of  the  petals  bad  dropped  and  lost  their  colour. 
The  Pansy,  Katy  Bell,  is  good  of  its  kind,  very  circular,  but  rather  thin 
in  the  petals.  The  Pelargonium  leaves  are  nothing  new.  It  is  unsafe  to 
Judge  of  the  plant  by  a  single  leaf.  A  plant  should  be  sent  to  judge  of 
the  meiita  of  its  foliage. 
Vines  Unfru:tful  (C.  J.).— It  will  help  your  healthy  but  unfruitful 


injuring  the  roots,  x)ut  on  a  couple  of  inches  in  thickness  of  sweet  fibrous 
loam  and  some  old  mortar,  &c.,  to  encourage  the  fibres  to  come  up.  En- 
tice them  still  more  by  keeping  the  border  dry  and  warm  by  covering 
with  VI  or  1:)  inches  of  dry  litter,  and  keep  the  house  drier  and  hotter 
with  fire  heat  for  a  time  now,  as  long  as  the  leaves  continue  green. 
If  the  wood  is  rank  and  nnripeued,  you  will  have  but  little  fruit.  If 
these  remedies  do  not  prove  effectual— and  the  heating  should  have  com- 
menced in  September — then  the  best  plan  next  year  would  he  to  take  up 
the  Vines  carefully  and  replant  nearer  the  surface,  after  draining,  Ac; 
but  the  above  will  often  be  successful. 

Vines  not  Flowering  [R.  TT.  J5.,  Dontci). — With  a  concrete  bottom,  we 
should  think  your  Vine  roots  have  not  gone  down  too  deep.  The  yearly 
surfacing  precludes  the  idea  of  scarcity  of  food  being  the  cause.  If  the 
border  is  not  drained  in  front  of  the  bed  of  concrete,  there  may  be  too 
much  moisture  at  the  roots,  and  that  would  prevent  the  wood  being  well 
rijiened.  The  drain  may  make  all  risbt.  Again,  as  the  Vines,  though 
refusing  to  flower,  seem  to  grow  well,  try  what  a  little  more  air  and  dry 
heat  will  do  for  them  this  autumn.  We  presume  that  the  yearly  dressings 
have  not  buried  the  roots  too  deeply ;  but  if  so.  they  will  be  better  if  re- 
planted nearer  the  surface.  If  the  roots  are  only  a  fair  distance  from  the 
surface,  we  would  try  hardening  the  wood  with  extra  dry  heat  now. 

Preserving  Soaklet  Pelargoniums  in  Winter  {J.  Bere».ford). — The 
best  plan  of  keeping  Scarlet  Pelargoniums  hung  up  in  a  cellar,  is  to 
shake  all  the  earth  from  the  root>:,  prune  off  all  the  soft  parts  of  the 
plant,  wrap  the  roots  in  moss  sliphtly  damp,  and  hang  them  up.  They 
will  do  best  in  a  dry  cool  cellar.  They  will  nee  J  no  attention  until  they 
begin  to  break  all  over  the  old  stems  in  sjjring.  when  they  must  have 
light  and  air.  and  if  put  into  small  pots  all  the  better.  Of  course  some 
will  die,  bat  many  may  be  expected  to  live.  Wo  think  if  the  plants  are 
pruned  of  all  soft  parts,  all  foliage  removed,  the  roots  also  cut-in  to  a 
length  of  6  inehes  or  so,  and  these  roots  packed  firmly  in  large  pots  or 
small  wooden  hoses,  the  Pelargoniums  will  keep  better  still.  A  10  or 
1'2-inch  pot  will  thus  hold  a  good  number  of  stumpedin  plants.  Very 
little  of  the  Into  suramer'a  growth  should  be  lelt,  as  it  will  be  sure  to 
i  decay.  It  is  well  to  dip  the  t<ip  of  the  plant  in  dry  lime  or  wood  ashes, 
as  it  prevents  the  juices  bleeding.  A  hay  loft  or  garret,  where  a  little 
h'ght  can  be  given  in  mild  weather,  is  even  better  than  a  cellar. 

Culture  of  Oct-door  Vines  (A  2if'0(?frl.— E^peiione  will  suit  yon 
best  for  the  open  wall,  and  the  Black  Hamburgh  would  do  well  in  your 
warm  sheltered  posilicn  thirty  miles  south-west  of  London  for  a  low  wall, 
say  6  or  8  feet  in  height.  We  prefer  the  rod  system  of  trainmg,  though 
spun-ing  does  well  enough.  For  a  high  wall  there  may  be  several  rods  If 
that  plan  be  adopted  The  spurring  mode  will  require  Jess  trouble  in  the 
management.  Of  the  list  of  Grapes  given,  we  would  plant  in  your 
sheltered  place  only  the  Black  Hamburgh  and  the  Esperione.  You 
would  be  less  likely  to  ripen  the  Earbarossa,  &c.  If  you  fancied  a  white 
Grape  you  might  "use  Royal  Muscadine  or  Buckland  Sweetwater.  We 
have  ripened  the  Butch  Sweetwater  very  well  in  and  near  Loudon. 

Tightening  Wires  for  Cordons  (TJcad^r}.— Common  thumbscrews 
may  be  found  in  any  ironmongers  shop.  They  are  greatly  used  by  bell- 
hangers.  We  recommended  them  as  being  the  easiest  to  procure.  _  A 
thumbscrew  is  like  a  common  screw,  with  an  eye  at  one  end  for  fastening 
the  wire  to.  Place  this  screw  through  your  already  fixed  support,  and 
then,  with  a  nut  on  the  thread,  the  wire  may  be  tightened  with  the  thumb 
and  finger— hence  the  name.  There  are  many  ways,  however,  well  known 
to  every  worker  in  iron.  Tho  French  use  some  very  neat  little  things 
for  this  work,  called  stretchers  or  tighteners.  You  may  train  your  trees 
in  any  form  you  please;  for  diagonals,  however,  tho  wires  should  be 
closer  together. 

Climbing  Rose  {Poplar).— The  best  hardy  elimbing  Hybrid  Perpetual 
Rose  is  Due  d^  Cazes.  It  flowers  freely  and  coutiuuously,  early  and  late. 
We  CHunot  tell  from  the  leaves  sent  what  your  Rose  is.  The  stronger  a 
wall  Rose  grows  the  less  should  it  be  cut.'  Next  spring  merely  take  off 
tho  points  of  the  strong  shoots  to  a  good  eye  on  sound  wood.  However 
good  a  climbing  Rose  tree  worked  on  a  Briar  may  bo,  it  should  bo  cut  to 
three  or  four  eyes  the  first  spring  after  pbinting.  It  will  ultimately 
become  more  successful  than  if  the  whole  plant  were  left  untouched. 
Manetti  Rose  plants  need  not  he  cut  down.  Mr.  Radclyffe  never  cuts 
down  his  Manetti  Roses  to  the  stump,  unless  there  is  a  cause.  Prince 
Camille  de  Rohan  would  make  a  fine  dark  wall  Rose,  but  it  is  much  given 
to  mildew. 

Phaseolus  caracalla  U.  Jf.  G.).— This  is  called  the  Snail-flower  and 
Caracol,  in  consequence  of  its  hooded  flowers,  which  are  large  and  showy, 
in  colour  purple  and  yellow  mixed.  It  is  believed  to  be  a  native  of  Brazil, 
whence  it  was  brought  by  the  Portuguese,  who  gave  it  the  name  of  Cara- 
calla, which  was  also  ariplied  to  a  hooded  dress  worn  by  the  ancient 
Ganls.  The  plant  is  often  grown  in  southern  Europe,  South  America, 
and  India.  It  is  easily  cultivated  in  rich  sandy  loam  in  a  cool  stove,  but, 
like  all  the  tender  Bean  tribe,  it  is  liable  to  red  spider.  In  such  a 
nuromer  as  this  has  been,  we  would  expect  the  plant  to  do  out  of  doors 
for  a  few  months.  Your  Ipomaea  seeds,  from  Buenos  Ayres,  are  not 
likely  to  stand  the  winter  out  of  doors. 

Vine  Roots  Diseased  {A.  J.).— The  top  spit  from  the  pasture,  and 
mortar  rubbish,  and  a  few  boiled  bones,  would  have  been  safer  than  pea- 
straw,  leaf  mould,  and  half-rotten  dung.  The  soil  should  also  be  ex- 
amined for  spawn  of  fungi.  We  fear  that  the  roots  are  attacked  with 
fuuiii  or  mildew.  We  can  hardly  think  that  the  roots  can  be  suffering 
from  wet,  as  the  border  is  floored  and  drained,  and  this  has  been  a 
peculiarly  dry  season.  Of  course,  we  conclude  that  tho  roots  have  not 
been  dried  with  the  drought.  If  the  roots  are  injured  by  fungi  yon 
might  work  in  about  4  lbs.  of  flowers  of  sulphur  in  the  border,  and  six 
bushels  of  slaked  quicklime,  allowing  it  to  go  in  for  the  depth  of  an 
inch  or  two.  If  that  do  no  good,  we  fear  you  must  remove  the  soil,  and 
use  what  will  be  less  likely  to  produce  mildew. 

Seedling  Apples  [James  Cuibmh).—'So,  1,  which  is  below  medium 
size,  is  a  pretty-looking  fruit,  with  a  hard  and  rather  di-y  but  sweetish 
flesh.  It  is  not  rich  enough  for  dessert,  aud  we  do  not  think  it  would 
cook  well.  It  will,  no  douht,  prove  an  excellent  keeping  sort.  No.  2, 
seedling  from  Normanton  Wonder  (Dumelow's  Seedling),  has  very  much 
the  appearance  and  character  of  its  parent.  The  eye  is  close,  and  the 
fruit  somewhat  angular:  these  are  its  only  distinctions.  In  our  opinion 
it  ia  inferior  to  Dumelow's  Seedling. 


October  1,  1868.  ] 


.JOUnN-IL  OF  HORTICULTUKE   AND  COTTAGE  GARDENEB. 


3S3 


Names  of  Fuoits  (W.  «  ).— Yonr  Ornpe  is  tho  Black  Hnmharftb. 
(8.  y. I.— Wo  h  11(1  to  pay  lOrf.  carriiigo  for  yonr  pnrcol.  (A  SubKribr.ri.— 
We  liuJ  Gd.  to  pfty  for  oarriiigo  to  our  office.  If  we  roouivo  tho  nbove 
amouQta  in  poataRO  stamps  wo  will  omlcavourtoname  the  fruits.  (H.  C, 
Ktntl.—/lii}ilc :  Lemon  Pippin.  The  I'car  was  quite  decayed.  (A.  Y.).— 
Applf :  Muuclie's  Hppin. 


NAtras  OF  Plants  (A  Country  Suhtcriber,  Eastujood).— Bryonia  laciniosa 
(Ditcipliniu  il/iliicril.— CrulaiKua  rrUB.xalli,  var.  ovalifolia.  (A.  C.  W.).— 
Cyclamen  noapolitanum  album.  Valoradia  plambagiuioidcs,  Alchomilla 
alpina,  var.coiijuncta.  {An  Old  Hiibucribtr,  Cardiff).-  Aspidium  lonchitiA. 
(.•J.  Bryan,  AuAlcy  f:ntl).—\,i.  Athyrium  Filix-foomina  ;  8,  LaBtroadilatata 
4.  Nephrolepis  cxoltata  ;  S,  Adiantum  tetrajjliyllum ;  6,  A.  afiine ;  7,  A.  )ua- 
pidulum. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  September  21)th. 


DlTE. 

THBBMOMETEB. 

Wind. 

Genebal  Heuabss. 

BAEOKGTSB. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Rain  In 

inohea. 

Mai. 

Uln. 

Max. 

Mln. 

I  (t.  dp. 

2  ft.  dp. 

Wed...  23 
Thnrs.  24 
Fri.   ..  2.5 
Sat.  ..  28 
San...  27 
Mon...  28 
Taes.  .  29 

Mean 

29  fi:!9 
29.C19 
29.471 
29.I6J 
29.173 
211.8S0 
29.221 

29.618 
29.508 
29339 
2.).13.'-. 
29.1194 
29.019 
29.1SU 

67 
69 

63 
07 

r.s 

04 
Co 

47 
83 
41 

47 

4'-. 
43 
4S 

59 
58 
08 

ns 

69 

r.9 

68 

08 
88 
57 
57 
57 
57 
67 

W. 
W. 
N.E. 

S. 
S.W. 

s. 

S.W. 

ro 

01) 
28 
42 
01 
26 
13 

Clear  and  fine  ;  overcast ;  cloudy,  cold  wind. 

Hazy  :  clear  and  very  tine  ;  fine,  but  cold  at  night. 

Showery;  heavy  rain;  fine;  fine,  very  dark. 

Clear  and  fine;  fine,  showery;  heavy  rain. 

Heavy  thunderstorm,  showery  ;  boisterous,  showery  ;  clear  and  fine 

Fine,  heavy  showers  ;  fine  ;  boisterous  and  showery.           [at  uiglit. 

Clear  and  fine  ;  boisterous  with  rain  ;  fine. 

29.416 

29  353 

64.85 

44.14 

58.43 

07.23 

•• 

1.15 

POULTRY,  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD  CHRONICLE. 


THE   BIRMINGHAM    SHOW    PRIZES    AND    ITS 
JUDGES. 

H.IVING  seen  a  prize  list  for  tbe  approaching  Birmingliam 
Show,  I  was  gratified  to  observe  that  several  alterations  and 
additions  in  cups  had  been  made,  which  will,  no  doubt,  oiier  a 
stronger  inducement  to  some  persons  than  a  mere  money  prize ; 
and  I  anticipate  that  the  results  will  prove  the  step  to  have 
been  a  judicious  one.  roultry-exhibiting  ought  not,  in  my 
opinion,  to  be  so  much  a  matter  of  pecuniary  profit  as  a  useful 
recreation  calculated  to  improve  the  respective  breeds. 

If  I  remember  rightly,  at  the  last  Show  the  Committee,  or 
the  gentlemen  deputed  to  appoint  the  judges,  made  an  addition 
to  the  original  judges,  which  in  my  opinion  was  quite  a  step 
in  the  right  direction.  I  believe,  however,  that  as  a  rule  the 
majority  of  those  who  fill  the  olBco  of  judges  at  Birmingham 
seldom,  it  ever,  exercise  that  function  elsewhere — a  course 
which  I  think  is  a  mistaken  one,  as  they  cannot  be  supposed 
to  be  equally  competent  with  those  gentlemen  who  are  con- 
stantly performing  that  duty.  Among  others  I  would  mention 
Mr.  Hewitt,  who  has  filled  that  office  in  every  part  of  the 
country  ;  and  considering  that  his  appointment  never  fails  to 
jive  additional  confidence  to  exhibitors,  I  should  very  much 
regret  to  find  his  name  omitted  from  the  list  on  the  occasion  in 
question.  I  would  also  suggest,  in  addition,  the  name  of  Mr. 
Hutton.  He  has  judged  at  several  shows  at  which  I  have  been 
present,  and  his  decisions  appear  to  have  given  very  general 
satisfaction. 

I  would  further  recommend  that,  in  the  selection  of  judges, 
the  choice  should  fall  upon  gentlemen  whose  position  and  life, 
and  the  character  they  have  at  stake,  place  them  above  tempta- 
tion or  suspicion.  To  appoint,  as  has  lately  been  the  case  at 
some  shows,  persons  who  hold  or  have  held  the  position  of 
servants  to,  or  are  in  any  way  dependant  on  parties  in  the  habit 
of  exhibiting,  cannot  fail  to  be  unsatisfactory  to  the  majority 
of  exhibitors  ;  for  however  impartial  their  awards  may  be,  the 
same  confidence  will  not  be  placed  on  them  as  on  persons 
whose  position  and  circumstances  furnish  a  stronger  guarantee 
for  independent  judgment  and  action. — Cochin. 


MANCHESTER  POULTRY  SHOW— ENTRY  FEES. 

I  THINK  your  correspondent  Mr.  A.  Heath,  of  Calne,  has 
done  good  service  by  drawing  attention  to  the  early  period  for 
which  the  Manchester  chicken  Show  is  fixed.  It  is  at  least  six 
weeks  too  early,  as  there  are  not  many  exhibitors  who  have 
convenience  or  opportunity  for  having  many  chickens  (most 
early  sittings  do  badly,  this  year's  singularly  so),  hatched  before 
April  or  May,  and  those  hatched  in  these  months  will,  of  course, 
be  unfit  for  exhibition,  especially  the  larger  varieties,  for  two 
months  or  so. 

A  uniform  rate  of  entry  per  pen  would  lead  to  a  much 
larger  number  of  entries,  as  the  present  plan  is  only  favourable 
for  those  who  are  able  to  keep  several  breeds — say  Is.  or  Is.  f>ii. 
instead  of  1.5s.  for  the  first  entry  and  5s.  afterwards,  as  many 
amateurs  have  only  room  for  one  variety,  and  perhaps  are  not 


able  to  form  more  than  a  conpla  of  good  pens.  I  think  tho 
Middleton  Show  illustrates  the  advantage  of  thi.5  plan.  There  no 
difference  is  made  on  entering  one  or  more  pens,  and  the  entry 
fee  is  regulated  according  to  the  prizes  offered. — J.  W.  C,  jon. 

I  HAVE  not  yet  seen  the  prize  list  of  this  Show,  but  read  in 
"  our  Journal"  the  remarks  made  by  Mr.  Heath  on  the  state 
in  which  birds  must  be  at  the  date  on  which  it  is  advertised  to 
be  held.  I  quite  agree  with  Mr.  Heath,  and  feel  convinced 
that  fanciers  generally  are  of  the  same  opinion.  ^ 

My  birds,  with  few  exceptions,  are  now  deep  in  moult.  The 
few  that  are  not  will  be  so  in  eight  or  ten  days  ;  and  the  few 
young  ones  that  are  unable  to  do  for  themselves  are  being  left 
by  their  parents,  owing  to  the  sickness  which  always  prevails 
during  the  moulting  season. 

It  was  considered  a  matter  of  no  small  moment  by  the 
members  of  our  Society  (the  North  British  Columbarian),  to 
decide  which  was  the  best  time  for  exhibiting  Pigeons  in  per- 
fect feather,  and  they  came  to  the  conclusion  that  December 
was  the  first  month  in  which  birds  could  be  shown  to  advantage 
after  moulting  ;  but  even  then  a  few  individuals  are  not  perfect 
in  the  flight  feathers,  and  until  the  feathers  are  not  only  fully 
developed  but  the  quills  hardened  the  Pigeon  seldom  recovers 
its  wonted  spirits. 

If  this  question  were  fully  considered  by  the  members  of 
Societies  I  think  there  would  be  fewer  shows,  if  any  at  all, 
during  the  breeding  and  moulting  seasons  ;  and  were  the  va- 
rious shows  to  take  place  at  the  proper  time — say  from  Decem- 
ber to  February  inclusive — a  greater  number  of  entries  would 
certainly  be  secured.  Thus  the  numbers  would  be  encouraged, 
and  visitors  be  enabled  to  view  the  various  breeds  of  Pigeons 
in  all  their  beauty. 

Manchester  is  a  fine  centre  for  a  poultry  and  Pigeon  show; 
and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  in  future  the  show  in  that  city  will 
bo  held,  as  Mr.  Heath  suggests,  "  at  least  a  month  later.'|  I 
venture  to  recommend  two  months  later,  as  many  delicate  birds 
would  by  that  time  have  a  chance  in  the  young  classes,— 
James  Hcie. 

POULTRY  SHOW  JUDGING. 
To  avoid  partiality  there  should  be  two  judges.  A  and  B 
being  provided  with  a  pocket-book,  A  begins  to  judge  at  the 
first  pen.  and  B  at  the  last.  They  go  on  until  they  meet  each 
other.  The  order  is  then  reversed,  E  commences  where  A 
began,  and  vice  versa.  Having  gone  over  each  other's  ground 
they  compare  their  books;  where  they  agree  the  prize  is  at 
once  awarded,  and  where  they  differ  it  is  either  left  to  the 
decision  of  a  third  judge,  or  decided  between  themselves. — 
Fair  Play.  

Long  Sutton  PonLTRY  Show. — We  have  just  been  favoured 
with  a  sight  of  tbe  prize  schedule  of  the  Long  Sutton  Poultry 
Show,  the  entries  for  which  close  on  the  3rd  of  October. 
Messrs.  Hewitt,  Teebay,  and  Tegetmcier  are  announced  as  the 
Judges.  The  prizes  offered  are  liberal,  and  no  less  than  four 
dozen  classes  are  appointed.  The  prizes  for  every  variety  of 
Cochins,  Brahmas,  and  Dorkings,  for  which  there  are  separate 
classes,  are  £1  and  10.«.,  but  two  silver  cups,  each  of  the  value 
of  five  guine.as,  are  to  be  awarded  to  the  best  pen.     In  SpaniaU 


254 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETICU'LTURE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  October  1,  1868. 


these  money  prizes  are  doubled.  Hamburghs,  Game,  and  any 
other  distinct  variety  have  £1  and  lO.s-.  prizes  in  each  class, 
and  prizes  of  £2  and  £1  are  allotted  to  Ducks,  Geese,  Turkeys, 
the  Sellinp  class,  and  also  to  a  new  class  for  any  description  of 
ornamental  or  song  birds.  In  short,  any  variety  of  birds  is 
in  this  class  eligible  for  competition.  The  prizes  for  Pigeons 
are  £1  and  10s.,  and  in  the  portion  devoted  to  local  competition 
there  are  £5  5s.,  £1,  and  lOs.  prizes.  In  all,  thirteen  silver 
cups  are  to  be  awarded.  The  new  breeds  of  French  fowls  have 
one  of  these  cups  expressly  for  their  own  class. 


THE    FYLDE    DISTRICT   AGUTCULTUEAL    AND 
POULTRY   SHOW. 

{Front  a  Correspondent.) 

This  was  held  at  Black-pool  on  the  15th  of  September,  in  two  fields 
near  the  Ponlton  Road.  All  the  departments  were  well  managed  by  a 
very  able  and  attentive  Committee,  and  great  praise  is  due  to  the  Secre- 
tai-y,  Mr.  Rae.  This  being  only  the  second  Show,  and  seeing  the 
great  snccess  it  attained,  I  feel  that  it  will  become  one  of  the  first 
shows  in  Lancashire. 

The  poultry  shown  were  of  any  age,  and,  as  mif^ht  be  expected  at  this 
season,  the  young  birds  showed  to  the  best  advantage.  There  were 
some  very  good  pens  of  (Mnw^  although  the  entries  were  not  very 
numerous.  The  Unmhurdliii,  as  a  whole,  were  not  so  good  as  I  ex- 
pected to  see  at  a  Lancashire  show,  and  many  of  the  young  birds  were 
vei-y  roupy.  The  Game  Bnntams  were  a  good  and  nnmorons  class 
(twenty-four  entricB),  and  the  "Any  variety"  clas3  contained  about 
twenty  good  pens.  The  first  prize  went  to  Polnuds,  the  second  to 
Black  Hamburghs,  and  the  third  to  Brahmas.  I  should  like  to  hint 
to  the  Committee  to  give  another  year  a  separate  class  to  Brahmas, 
one  to  Black  Hamburghs.  and  one  to  Polands.  Kven  if  the  prizes 
were  reduced,  such  classes  would  be  more  in  accordance  with  the 
wishes  of  exhibitors,  and  the  extra  entries  would  pay  the  Committee 
well. 

The  Dneh  classes  were  of  average  merit, 

I  was  pleased  to  see  a  class  for  oniamental  water  fowl,  and  although 
there  were  only  three  entries,  no  doubt  they  will  increase  another  year  ; 
a  pen  of  Ruddy  Shell  Ducks  was  much  admired. 

Mr.  James  Dixon,  of  Bradford,  acted  as  Judge. 


Hajteurghs  (Golden-pencilled).— First  and  Second,  W.  Parr,  Patricroft. 
Commended,  T.  Wri^ley,  jun  ,  Tonpe,  Middleton. 

Hamburghs  {Silver-peDciUetl).— First,  T.  &.  E.  Comber.  Second,  T. 
Wrigley,  Tonge.     Commended,  H.  Pickles,  juc,  Earby,  Skipton. 

Hamburghs  (Golden-spaugled).— First  and  Second,  N.  Marlow,  Denton, 
Highly  Commended.  H,  &  K.  .\shton,  Mottram  ;  W.  Pan-,  Patricroft;  J. 
Cbadderton,  Hollinwood. 

Hamburghs  (^Silver-spanpled).  —  Fitst,  H.  Picikcs.  jun.  Second,  T. 
Wrigley.  Highly  Commended,  W.  Parr  ;  J.  Taylor,  Withington  Common. 
Commended,  J.  Wignall.  Charnock  RicharJ. 

Poi.ANDs  (Any  variety).  —  First  and  Second.  P.  Unsworth,  Lowton. 
Hicbly  Commended,  L.  Biney  ;  S.  Farrington  ;  P.  Unsworth, 

Game  Bantams.— First,  J.  Hensbnll,  Salford.  i-eoond,  R.  Gerrard, 
Athertou.     Commended,  J.  Wignall ;  W.  Pavr. 

Bantams  (Anv  other  variet\)  —  First,  N.  Marlow  (Black).  Second, 
S.  &  R.  Asbton  (White).    Highly  Commended.  K.  &  R.  Ashton  (Black). 

Any  other  Distinct  or  Crossbreed. — First,  J.  Sichel(Creve-Coeur6). 
Second,  L.  Biney  (Houdan?).  Highly  Commended,  C.  Sidgwick  (Black 
Hamburghs) ;  W.  Parr  (Black  Hamburghs) ;  N.  Marlow  (Black  Ham- 
burghs) ;  N.  Cook,  Chowbent  (Creve-'"a-ur) ;  S.  Farrington  (Malay). 

Game  Cock  (Any  variety). — First,  P.  Unsworth.     Second,  L.  Biney. 

Game  Cockerel  (Any  variety).— First,  A.  Smith,  Westleigh.  Second^ 
A.  Haslam. 

Game  Pullet  (Anv  varietv)  —First,  A.  Haslam.  Second,  L.  Biney. 
Highly  Commended.  F.  T,  Astbuty.    Commended.  C.  W.  Brierley. 

Selling  Class.— First,  J.  Partington,  Leigh  (Silver-spangled  Polands). 
Second,  N.  Cook  {Houdans>.  Highly  Commended,  J,  Taylor  (Silver- 
spangled  Hamburghs);  S.  Farrington  (Black  Polands);  J.  Morris,  Bed- 
ford (Partridge  Cochins). 

Extra  Stock.— Extra  Prize,  .T.  Young,  Astley  (Silver-spangled  Ham- 
burghs).   Highly  Commended,  W.  Newell,  Leigh  (Rabbits). 

Ducks  (Aylesburv).  — First.  E,  Leech.  Richdale.     Second,   E.  Shaw. 

Ducks  (Rouen).— First,  T.  Wakefield,  Golborne.  Second,  C-  W.  Brier- 
ley.    Highly  Commended,  E.  Leech.    Commended,  T.  Burns,  Ahram. 

Ducks  (Any  other  variety).— First  and  Second,  C.  W.  Brierley  (Gar- 
gaueys  and  Ruddy  Shell  Diicks).  Highly  Commended,  J.  Kil:jhall  (Wild 
Ducks). 

Geese  or  Goslings  (Any  colour). — First,  E.  Leech.  Second,  H.  Rat- 
clifle,  Fearnhead  Cross  (Toulouse).  Highly  Commended,  H.  Nield, 
Worsley. 

TuEKEYS. — Prize,  E.  Leech. 

The  Judge  was  Edward  Hewitt,  Esq.,  Sparkbrook,  Birmingham. 


LEIGH   POULTRY   SHOW. 

From  a  very  small  affair  at  its  first  iustitntion,  about  eight  years 
ago.  the  Show  at  Leigh  has  gradually  increased  in  public  estimation, 
nrtil  it  ranks  ver>-  highly  among  the  poultry  shows  of  Lancashire. 
This  success,  no  donbt,  is  attributable  to  the  vei-j-  excellent  arrange- 
ments of  the  Committee,  and  the  staunch  manner  in  which  it  has 
always  adhered  to  the  rules.  Every  year  brings  with  it  an  increase 
in  the  number  of  entries ;  and  in  the  quality  of  most  of  the  classes 
this  season,  there  was  an  improvement,  more  especially  as  regards 
those  breeds  of  poultry  most  adapted  for  table  purposes.  The  weather 
"was  delightful,  and  the  number  of  visitors  far  exceeded  that  at  former 
exhibitions.  There  was  a  drawback  to  the  genei-al  appearance  of  the 
Show,  arising  from  most  of  the  adult  birds  being  iu  very  bad  feather, 
and  as  chickens  and  old  birds  competed  together,  this  circumstance 
gave  a  decided  advantage  to  the  former.  It  is  but  very  rarely  four 
Buch  good  pens  of  iSixim'.ih  fowls  compete  together  as  those  at  Leigh  ; 
both  for  quality  and  condition  they  were  unexceptionable.  Brahmas  and 
Cochins  were  also  remarkably  well  shown.  JIamhurf/hs  were  un- 
usually good,  and  an  extra  prize  was  given  to  a  large  coop  of  twenty- 
four  Silver-spaugled,  exhibited  as  extra  stock.  A  very  singular  feature 
of  this  Meeting  was,  that  the  class  for  single  Came  JJaiifam  cocks 
proved,  without  exception,  so  indifferent  that  no  jirize  whatever  could 
be  awarded  them.  Gccse  and  Ducks  were  well  represented,  and 
among  the  latter  were  to  be  seen  the  Ruddy  Shell  Ducks,  the  Gar- 
ganey,  aud  other  choice  varieties.  A  very  handsomely-made  cage, 
containing  Squirrels,  was  exhibited,  and  musical  bells  were  so  anranged 
that  the  interesting  little  animals  kept  almost  incessantly  playing  a 
variety  of  tunes,  a  feat  we  never  before  witnessed,  the  change  of  tune 
being  entirely  dependant  on  a  change  of  rollers  hidden  from  observa- 
tion, striking  the  bells.     The  prizes  were  as  follow  : — 

Game  (Black-brensted  Red).— First,  L.  Biney,  Manchester.  Second, 
F.  J.  Astbnrv,  EucliCfe. 

Game  (Rrown  Bed).— First,  C.  TV.  Brierley,  Middleton.  Second,  A. 
Haslam,  Hindlev. 

Game  (Any  other  variety).— First,  W.  Painter,  Abram.  Second,  C.  W. 
Brierley. 

Spanish  fBlack).  —  First  and  Second.  N.  Cook,  Chow).ent.  Highly 
Commended,  T  &  E.  Comber,  Mvdilletou  Hall,  near  Warrington. 

Cochins  (Bufl'). -First,  C.  Sid'gwiok,  Ryddlesden  Hall,  Keighley.  Se- 
cond and  Highly  Commended,  W.  A.  Tavlor.  Manchester. 

Cochins  (Anv  other  colour).- First,  B.  Shaw,  Pins  Wilmot,  Oswestry 
(Partridge).  Secoud,  J.  A.  Taylor  (Partridge).  Highly  Commended, 
C.  W.  Brierley. 

Brahma  Pootra.— First,  J.  Sichel.  Timperley.  Second,  E.  Leech, 
Rochdale.    Commended.  J.  Sichel;  C.  W.  Brierley. 

DoRKiNss.— First,  g.  Farrington,  Chat  Moss,  near  Manchester.  Se- 
coud, C.  W.  Brierley. 


AYLESBURY  POULTRY  SHOW. 

This  Show  was  held  September  2'ind  and  iSrd,  in  the  new  market, 
certainly  one  of  the  best  places  we  have  met  with  for  the  purpose.  As 
miglit  be  expected,  the  Ducks  and  Gcj'sc  were  in  great  force,  aud  very  re- 
markable as  to  quality.  Mr.  J.  K.  Fowler  came  out  with  great  force 
in  Geese,  and  well  deserved  the  first  prize  which  was  awarded,  and  he 
■was  closely  followed  by  Mr.  Stott,  and  Mrs.  Seamons.  In  Aylesbury 
Ducks  Mrs.  Seamous  was  first  and  second,  and  Mr.  Fowler  third. 
The  following  is  the  list  of  awards  : — 

TOUNG   BIRDS. 

Dorkings  (Any  variety).— First,  J.  Longland.  Greudon,  near  North- 

nrapton.      Second,  J.  S.   Lowndes,  Hartwcll,    Aylesbury  (Silver-Grey). 

Third,  J.  Smith,  Petworth.    Highly  Commended,  D.  C.  Campbell,  M.U. 

Brentwood  (Coloured  and  White). 

Brahmas  (Anv  variety).- First.  Mrs.  Bmrell,  Stoke  Park,  Ipswich.    Se- 
coud, Lieut-Col."  Lane,  Bracknell  (Darkl.    Third,  A.  P.  Hurt.  Alderwasley, 
Derby.    Commended,  C.  Lnvlnnd.  Morris  tlrook,  near  Warrington  (Dark). 
Spanish.- First  and  Second,  M.  Farrand,  Dalton,  near  Huddersfield. 
Third.  W.  R.  Bull,  Newport  Pagncll. 

Cochins  (Bufl').- First.Hon.  Mrs.  Sugdeu,  Wells.  Second,  J.  N.  Bcasley, 
Northampton.  Third.  H.  Lingwood,  Barking,  Needham  Market.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  N.  Beasley,  Northampton ;  C.  Sidgwick,  Ryddlesden 
Hall,  Keighley. 

Cochins  (Partridge).— First  anr:  Third,  B.  S.  Lowndes,  Wmslow.  Se- 
cond. J.  K.  Fowler,  Aylesbury.    Commended,  Hon.  Mrs.  Sugden. 

Game  (Black-breasted and  other  Reds).- First,  H.  Loe,  Appuldurcombe, 
Isle  of  Wight.  Second  and  Third,  J.  Fletcher,  Stoneclough,  near 
Manchester  'Brown  and  Black  Reds). 

Game  (Any  other  coloun.— First,  J.  Fletcher  (Dnekwings).  Second 
and  Ihird,  S.  Matthews.  Stowmarket  (DuckA-iugs). 

Creve-Cceuhs.— First,  J.  K.  Fowler.  Second.  Col.  Stuart  Wortley, 
London.    Third.  Miss  E.  Wilhams.  Henllvs,  Berriew. 

French  Fowls  (Anv  other  variety).— First,  F.  B.  Reald.  Whicemoor, 
near  Nottingham  (Houdans).  Secoud.  .L  K.  Fowler  (La  Flcchel.  Third, 
H.  M.  Maynard,  Holmewood,  Isle  of  Wight  (Houdansl.  Highly  Com- 
mended. H.  M.  Maynard  (Houdans) ;  W.  Barford,  Aylesbury  (Houdans). 

Hambchohs  (Gold or  Silver-pencilled).— First,  S.  Burn.  Whitby  (Gold). 
Second,  H.  Beldon,  Goitstock.  Tliird,  F.  Pittis,  jun.,  Newport,  Isle  of 
Wight. 

Hamburghs  (Gold  or  Silver-spnugled).- First,  H.  Loe  (Silver).    Second, 
J.   Laming.   Cowburn,  Spalding   (Gold).    Third,  T.  Walker,  jun.  (Gold). 
Game  Bantams.- First,  Key.  G.  Itaynor,  Tonliridge  (Black  Bed).     Se- 
cond, J.  K.  Fowler.     Third,  K.  Swift,  Soutkwell,  Notts. 

Bantams  (Any  other  variety).- First,  M.  Leno, Dunstable  (Laced).  Se- 
cond, H.  Beldon.  Third.  U.  Spary,  Dunstable  (Silver-laced).  Com- 
mended, Miss  Hales,  Canterbury  i  White-booted) ;  E.  Terry,  jun  ,  Walton. 
Aylesbury  ;  U.  Spary  (Gold-laced). 
Polish  (Anv  variety).- First  and  Second,  H.  Beldon. 
Anv  other  Distinct  Varietv.— First.  C.  Sidgwick  (Black  Hamburghs). 
Second,  T.  Walker,  jun.  (Black  Hamburghs).  Third,  J.  K.  Fowler 
(Japanese  Silkies).  .   ,    ,  „f  j    t    r 

Ducks.— First  and  Second,  Mrs.  Seamons,  Aylesbury.  Third,  J.  K. 
Fowler.    Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  Seamons  ;  J.  K.  Fowler. 

DncKS  (Boueu).— First,  T.  Hollis,  Reading.      Second.  J.  S.  Lowndes. 

Third    J     K.  Fowler.      Highly    Commended,  E.    Leech,   Rochdale ;   J. 

Stott,' Rochdale.    Commended,  F.  Parlett,  Great  Baddow,  Chelmsford. 

Docks  (Any  other  variety).- First.  C.  N.  Baker,  London  (Mandarin). 

Second,  F.  Pittis,  jun  (BlackEast  Indian).  Third,  S.  &  R.  Ashton,  Mottram 

(  (Carolinasj. 


October  1 ,  1868.  ] 


JOUBNAL   OF   HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE    GARDENER. 


255 


Geese  (Any  variety) —First,  J.  K.  Fowler.  Second,  J.  Stott.  Third, 
■T,  Deochfield,  lUirs'nn,  Ayleabury.  Highly  Commended,  J.  N.  Boasley, 
Northampton  (Curled  Sebastopol.) 

Tdrkets  (Any  variety).— First,  Lord  Chesham,  Latimors,  Chosham. 
Second,  E.  Loech.    Third,  G.  H.  Pearson,  Colternworth  (Ciimhridtie). 

Pheasants  (Any  variety) —First,.!.  K.  Fowlor  (Knlege).  Second,  E.S. 
Lowndes  (Gold).  'Third,  M.  Lono  (GoUl).  Highly  Commended,  H.  Jones, 
The  PhoaBftntry,  Dinton.  IJucUs  (Chinese);  J.  K.  Fowler  (Silver).  Com- 
mended, J.  K.  Fowler  (Gold). 

Ddcks  (Aylesbury).- Special  Prize,  a  Silver  Cup,  presented  by  Lady 
A.  do  Rothschild,  G.  Maycock,  Doddershall.  JUuhly  Commendod,  W. 
Weston,  Aylesluiry  ;  G.  Maycock  ;  W.  Weston.  Commended,  J.  Uayucs, 
Walton.  Aylewbnry. 

The  Jadf^es  were  Mr.  W.  B.  Jeffries,  Ipawich,  and  Mr.  G.  S.  Sains- 
bary,  Dovizeg. 


WATERFORD    FARMING    SOCIETYS    POULTRY 
SHOW. 

The  following  awards  werf  miide  at  this  Show,  held  on  the  17th  of 
September. 
Spanish.— First,  S.  Mowbray.    Secon  d.  Sir  R.  J.  Pan!. 
Cociiin-Chinas.— First.  Sir  K.  J.  Paul.    Second,  C.  Newport  Bolton. 
Dorkings.— First,  Sir  li.  J  Paul.    Second,  S.  Mowbray. 
HAMBuncHs  — First  and  Second.  S.  Mowbray. 

Ducks  (Aylesburji. — First,  S.  Mowbray.    Second,  C.  Newport  Boltoa. 
Docks  (Rouen).— First.  C.  Newport  P.olton.    Second,  S.  Mowbray. 
Geese.— First,  P.  Anderson.    Second,  s.  Mowbray. 
Collection  of  Poultry.— Medal.  S.  Mowbrav. 
Fancy  Chickens.— First,  W.  Joj-ce.    Second,"Sir  R.  J.  Paul. 


CHESHIRE  AORTCULTURVT.   SOCIETYS 
POULTRY   SHOW. 

This  was  held  at  Crewe  on  the  '23rd  of  September,  when  the  fellow- 
ing  awards  were  made ; — 

Dorkings.— Prize,  Karl  Grosvenor.  M.P..  Calve'ey  Hall: 

Spanish  (RIack..  —  First.  J.  Siddorn,  Winsford.  Second,  W.  WoUey, 
Bunbiiry.     Hii^hly  Commended.  ).  Dein,  Wharton,  Winsford. 

GAJiRiBlack-bi-easted  Red).— First,  R.  Ashley,  Nantwich.  Second,  J. 
Piatt,  Swanlow,  Winsford. 

Game  (Any  colour  . — First,  T.  Whittinfrbim,  Batberton;  Second,  R. 
Ashley.     Highly  Commended,  .J.  Piatt :  T.  Whittin'.'ham. 

Hameurghs  {Gold  or  Silver-spangled).— Prize,  Mrs.  Flynn,  Harding's 
Wood. 

Hambdrghs  (Gold  or  Silver-pencilled).— Prize,  W.  Speakman,  Dodding- 
ton. 

Cochin-Chin*  (Cinnamon  or  Buff).  —  First,  T.  Green.  Second,  P. 
Johnson.  Rusbton. 

Cochin-China  {Any  colour). — First  and  Second,  E.  Tudman,  Whit- 
church. 

Brahsta  Pootra.— First,  C.  Leylnnd,  Gmppenhall.  Second,  J.  Little, 
Chester.     Hii^blv  Commended.  B,  Etches,  Wnodhouses. 

Ducklings  (Aylesbur,-).— First,  T.  Ri-^by,  Darnhall.    Second,  J.  Piatt. 

Ducklings  (Roiien).— First,  J.Beckett,  Prior's  Heys,  Tarvin.  Second, 
S.  Allen,  Acton  Station. 

Turkeys  — Fir.^t  and  Second.  J.  Bolt,  Oulton. 

Gekse.— First,  T.  Ri^'by,  Damhall.  Second,  C.  T.  Dean.  Highly  Cora- 
mended,  W.  Glftssford,  Lostock  Gralam. 

Judges. — Mr.  K.  Teebaj,  Fulwood,  and  Mr.  W.  "Wooley,  Bun- 
bary. 


ALTRINCHAM    POULTRY   SHOW. 

Thi.s  was  held  on  the  24th  of  September,  and  was  well  attended 
both  by  exhibitors  and  visitors.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  awards  : — 

Spanish  Black). — First.  W.  A.  Taylor,  Manchester.  Second,  T.  &  E. 
Comber,  Warrinpton.     Chickrn^.—Fh^t  and  i^econd,  W.  A.  Taylor. 

Game  {Black  or  other  Reds).- First,  L.  Biney,  Manchester.  Second, 
R.  Hardwick,  Church  Bank,  Bowdon.  Ghickena. — First  and  Second,  J. 
Piatt,  Swanlow,  Winsford. 

Game  (Grey  or  other  Bines). — Prize,  P.  Norbury,  Bowdon.  Chickens. — 
First,  P.  NorlJury.     Second,  J.  Davies.  Washway,  Sale. 

Dorking  (Any  colour).— First.  E.  Shaw,  Plas  Wilmot,  near  Oswestry. 
Second,  C.  H.  Brierley,  Middleton.  C/ncfccns.- First,  E.  Shaw.  Second, 
A.  B.  Bailey,  Wilmslow. 

Cochin-China  (Cinnamon  or  Buff). — First,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Second,  J. 
Sichel,  Timperley.     CMctf/w.— First  and  Second,  W.  A.  Taylor. 

Cochin-China  'Partridfie  or  White). — First,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Second, 
J.  A.  Tnrncr.  C/ncAc/ts.— First,  J.  A.  Taylor.  Second,  G.  Smith, Milling- 
ton,  near  Altrincbam. 

Brahsia  Pootba. — First,  E.  Leech,  Rochdale.  Second.  .7.  Sichel. 
OiicAcHt. — First  and  Extra.  J.  Sichel.     Second,  C.  Leyland,  Grappenball. 

Hasiburgh  (Golden  or  Silvfer-spangled).— First,  J.  A.  Taylor.  Second, 
A.  Cowburn,  Bronm  Edge.  Lvmm. 

Hamburgh  (Golden  or  Silver-pencilled}.— First, T.Wrigley,iun.,Tonge. 
Second,  J.  Parr,  Barton-on-Irwell. 

Game  Bantam  (Black  or  other  Reds).— First,  H.  Goulden,  Bowdon. 
Second.  J.  T.  Smith,  Altrincham.  Chickejis.—Fiisi  and  Second,  P.  Kor- 
bary,  Bowdon. 

Game  Bantam  {Grey  or  other  Blues). —  First.  L.  Biney.  Second,  P. 
Norbury.   C/nV tens.- First,  L.  Biney.  Second,  H.  Richardson,  Altrincham. 

Bantam  (Any  variety).— First,  S.  &  R.  Ashton,  Mottram.  Second,  W.A. 
Taylor. 

Any  Distinct  Breed  not  Named  in  the  Schedule.— First,  T,  &  E. 
Comber,  Warringtun.     Second,  J.  Sichel.    Extra,  N.  Parr, 

Game  Cock.— Cup,  P.  Norbury. 

Game  Bantam  C(jok.— Cup,  J.  Whitehead,  Carrington,  near  Altrincham. 

Tuhkevs.— First,  E.  Leech.    Second,  J.  Sichel. 


Geese  (UTiite).- First.  E.  Leech.    Second,  S    H.  Stott,'RochdaIe. 

Geese  (Grey).— First,  E.  Looch.  Second,  M.  Newton,  Oldtlcld,  Altrin- 
cham. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury).- First,  E.  Leech.  Second,  M,  Hornby,  Swanlow, 
Winsford. 

Ducks  (Rouen).— First,  E.  Leech.  Second,  C.  W.  Brierley,  Rhodes 
nt)use,  Middleton. 

RAnniTS.— First,  C.  Davis,  Ashton-on-Mersey.  Second,  A.  C.  Sparkes, 
Oldfleld,  near  Altrincham.  Short  Ear. — First,  R.  Buxton,  Altrincham. 
Second,  H.  Schloss,  Dunham  Massoy. 

.Judges. — Mr.  R.  Teebay,  Fulwood ;  and  Mr.  T.  Burgess,  Barley 
Dam,  Cheshire. 

EAISING  LIGURIAN   BEES. 

I  HAVE  a  Ligurian  queen  sent  from  Switzerland  this  sum- 
mer, but  have  only  about  one  hundred  Ligurian  bees.  I  am 
very  anxious  to  procure  enough  of  the  latter  to  form  a  hive 
which  will  be  strong  enough  to  live  through  the  winter.  Will 
any  of  your  correspondents  be  so  kind  as  to  send  me  some 
Ligurian  bees  without  a  queen,  so  that  I  may  join  them  to 
those  I  have '.'  I  will  send  a  post-office  order  for  the  price  of 
the  beee.— I.  M.  W. 

[Even  if  you  are  able  to  obtain  Ligurian  workers  we  doubt 
whether  your  chance  of  success  with  them  will  be  much  it  at 
all  greater  than  with  common  bees.  The  latter  would,  of 
course,  be  readily  procurable  at  a  time  when  so  many  are  daily 
consigned  to  the  brimstone-pit,  and  would  answtr  e^ery  pur- 
pose, as  an  entire  change  in  the  population  takes  place  in  the 
spring.  The  most  certain  plan,  however,  would  be  to  obtain  a 
stock  of  black  bees  in  a  moveable-camb  hive,  and  effect  an 
exchange  of  queens  in  the  manner  and  with  the  precautions 
described  by  Mr.  Woodbury  in  No.  336  of  our  new  aeries.] 


AUTUMNAL  UNIONS. 

When  the  most  profitable  way  of  managing  bees  is  well  and 
widely  understood,  the  brimstone  rag  will  be  seldom  used.  The 
general  use  of  it  now  indicates  ignorance,  not  inhumanity. 
The  great  bulk  of  our  English  bee-keepers  have  yet  to  be  in- 
formed as  to  the  valae  of  swarms  in  autumn — that  is,  the  bees 
in  the  hives  marked  for  iioney.  Hence  their  destruction  by 
brimstone.  If  their  value  were  better  known,  the  art  of  uniting 
them  to  stock  hives  would  be  studied  find  practised. 

A  few  words  on  the  value  of  surplus  bees  in  autumn.  A 
stock  hive  of  moderate  size,  weighing  30  lbs.  or  40  lbs.  in  Sep- 
tember, is  worth  '21s.  If  an  extra  swarm  be  united  to  it,  say, 
20,000  bees,  its  value  would  be  20s.  at  least.  Thus  stored  with 
bees  it  is  able  to  do  heavy  duty  on  the  early  blossoms  of  fruit 
trees,  which  yield  honey  of  the  finest  quality  in  great  abund- 
ance. Hives  thus  assisted  with  additional  bees  are,  generally 
speaking,  ready  for  swarming  three  weeks  earlier  than  they 
would  be  without  such  assistance  in  ordinary  seasons.  Of  ' 
course,  some  summers  are  more  favourable  for  breeding  bees, 
and  less  destructive  to  their  lives  than  others.  In  such  seasons 
extra  swarms  in  autumn  are  less  valuable,  but  I  have  no 
hesitation  in  saying  that  it  is  a  stroke  of  good  policy  to  unite 
them  to  stock  hives  in  Septimber.  I  have  taken  all  the  honey 
from  twenty  hives  this  month,  the  bees  of  which  I  have  united 
to  twenty-eight  others  kept  for  stock.  If  I  had  twenty  more 
spare  swarms  I  would  unite  them  to  the  same  twenty-eight 
hives.  Hives  in  this  part  of  the  country  are  unusually  weak 
in  numbers,  and.  doubtless,  many  of  them  will,  if  they  survive 
the  winter,  be  comparatively  weak  and  worthless  next  spring. 

The  art  of  uniting  swarms  is  a  very  simple  but  important 
affair.  It  is  easily  taught  and  much  more  easily  performed. 
Given  a  swarm  in  an  empty  hive,  and  a  stock  hive  to  receive  it, 
both  standing  together  : — About  sunset  blow  some  smoke  from 
old  fustian  or  corduroy  rags  into  the  stock  hive,  then  turn  it 
up  and  place  its  crown  on  the  board,  or  ground.  Pour  some 
syrup — that  is,  sugar  and  water  highly  flavoured  with  mint, 
over  the  combs  and  bees.  Then  turn  up  the  hive  containing 
the  swarm,  give  it  a  violent  blow  with  both  hands  to  make  all 
the  bees  lose  their  foothold  and  roll  in  a  helpless  mass  into  the 
crown  of  the  hive,  and  then  in  a  moment  tumble  the  whole 
swarm  into  the  stock  hi'e  (on  the  top  of  its  bees  and  combs), 
put  it  on  its  board,  and  the  work  is  done.  All  tins  can 
be  done  in  less  than  a  minute,  and  if  done  as  described  above 
there  will  be  no  fighting  and  no  failure.  A  thousand  swarms 
may  be  so  united  without  the  destruction  of  a  single  bee.  Bees 
know  each  other  by  smell,  they  know  and  attack  strange  bees 
by  smell.  When  two  swarms  are  brought  together  and  mariii'd 
by  minted  stHjur,  the  peculiar  smell  of  each  swarm  ami  bee  is 
lost  or  swamped,  and  a  friendship  lasting  as  life  is  cemented. 


25C 


JOXmNAL  OF  HOKTICULTDBE  AND  COTTAGE  GAKDENEE. 


[  October  1, 1868. 


Sunset  is  the  time  recommended  for  the  nniting  of  swarms 
for  many  reasons,  the  best  being  that  other  bees  are  at  home, 
and,  therefore,  not  attracted  by  the  smell  of  the  syrup. 

In  winter  or  very  cold  weather  the  work  of  nnitinp;  bees  is 
best  done  by  candlelight  in  a  room  or  barn.  The  chilling  of 
some  to  death  is  thus  avoided.  In  this  communication  my 
business  is  not  to  tell  people  how  to  drive  swarms  into  empty 
hives ;  but,  a  gentleman  came  to  me  this  week  to  say,  that 
he  had  been  severely  tasked  for  half  a  day  to  drive  a  swarm  ; 
the  bees  would  not  run,  and  it  was  a  terrible  job.  I  said  if  he 
had  poured  half  a  pound  of  sugar  and  water  over  the  bees 
fifteen  minutes  before  he  began  to  drive  them,  they  would  all 
have  run  np  in  twenty  minutes.  He  said,  "  That  is  another 
wrinkle,"  and  he  was  thankful  for  it. — A.  Pettigkew,  IlusJwlmc, 
near  Manchester. 


HONEY  HARVEST  IN  HAMPSHIRE. 

We  have  had  a  very  fair  honey  harvest  in  our  neighbourhood 
this  season,  as  you  will  see  by  the  annexed  statement.  You 
will  observe  the  early  part  of  the  summer  waa  very  much 
more  productive  of  honey  than  the  latter. 

From  one  of  my  hives  I  took  52  lbs.,  from  another,  26 lbs., 
and  a  swarm  which  yielded  17  lbs.  Both  these  hives,  and  the 
next  two,  described  as  A  and  D,  belonging  to  my  brother,  Mr. 
F.  Crowley,  are  Gale's  hives. 


June  II. 
„   16.  .. 


A 

No.  of 
drawers. 


Jnly  21. 


Aug.  26. 
»    29. 


Net 

boney. 

..  7   Iba. 

•  ■  n  „ 

..  4 


4 
4 
4 
8 
7 
11 


Total....  41 


Jane 


1. 

„      8. 

„      4. 

„       8. 

„     11. 

„     12. 

„     15. 

„     20. 

„     24. 

„     29. 
July  IS 1 

„     17 1 

„     25 1 

Aug.  29 3 


D 
No  of 
Drawers. 
...  1  .... 
...  1  .... 
...  1  .... 


Net 
■Weight. 


.  7' 

:li 

.1-2' 

,  4 
.  4 
.  Sk 
.  3? 

.  s; 

.  5 


Total....  eii    „ 

From  another,  a  this-year's  swarm,  14^  lbs.,  and  plenty  left  for 
the  stock. 

Mr.  Alfred  Crowley,  of  Croydon,  also  took  from  one  of  Gale's 
hives  over  40 lbs. — Philip  Ckowley,  Gulvcrton  llouse^  Alton, 


FEEDING   BEES. 


Eaely  in  the  spring  I  purchased  a  stock  of  Lignrian  bees, 
but  they  have  not  swarmed  ;  and  as  they  killed  oil  all  the 
drones  some  time  since,  I  quite  expect  there  will  be  no  attempt 
at  swarming  until  next  year.  Fearing  that  the  bees  had  not  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  honey  laid  up  for  winter  consumption,  I 
endeavoured  to  feed  them  with  syrup  mad-?  from  white  lump 
sugar,  from  the  top  of  the  hive  (a  moveable  bar-frame  one),  by 
means  of  an  inverted  wide-mouthed  bottle;  but  as  it  appeared 
to  me  that  only  a  very  few  bees  at  a  time  could  gain  access  to 
the  syrup,  I  had  made  a  zinc  tray  with  a  circular. opening 
through  the  centre  to  correspond  with  that  in  the  top  of  the 
hive,  through  which  the  bees  might  pass  from  the  latter  on  to 
the  tray.  Into  the  tray  I  poured  syrup,  and  on  the  syrnp  I 
placed  a  thin  deal  board  (perforated  with  small  holes,  which 
were  made  with  a  red  hot  wire),  so  that  the  bees  might  walk 
over  the  board  and  feed  without  smearing  themselves  with  the 
syrup.  The  tray  of  syrup  when  placed  on  the  hive  I  covered 
with  an  empty  hive.  After  doing  all  this  I  found  they  fed  freely, 
and  in  large  numbers,  but  unfortunately,  on  subsequently  es- 
amining  them,  I  found  them  between  the  sides  of  the  tray  and 
the  covering  hive,  dead  in  hundreds.  Can  you  inform  me 
where  I  am  at  fault  ? — Tyro. 

[There  is  no  bee-feeder  at  all  equal  to  the  inverted  bottle 
when  properly  managed,  aud  yours  must  have  been  greatl.v 
mitmanaged  if  only  a  few  bees  at  a  time  could  gain  access  to 
the  syrup  in  a  wide-mouthed  bottle.  We  find  the  great  stumb- 
lirg-block  in  the  way  of  the  efficient  use  of  the  bottle  to  be  a 
Tery  prevalent  but  utterly  mistaken  idea,  that  it  is  necessary 
to  take  extraordinary  precautions  in  order  to  prevent  the  food 
from  flowing  into  the  hive.  Acting  under  this  delusion  the 
sjrup  is  often  boiled  to  too  thick  a  consistence,  but  more  often 
the  bottle- mouth  is  covered  either  with  muslin,  or  even  calico 
oi  so  close  a  textuie  that  its  pores  become  clogged  with  food, 


and  it  thereupon  speedily  assumes  a  concave  shape,  which, 
when  a  piece  of  perforated  zinc  is  interposed,  withdraws  almost 
its  entire  surface  quite  beyond  the  reach  of  the  craving  little 
tongues,  the  owners  of  which  may  be  Rupposed  to  experience 
some  of  the  unenviable  sensations  of  Tantalus,  as  they  pro- 
trude through  the  ::inc,  stretching  and  straining  themselves  in 
the  vain  attempt  to  appropriate  the  coveted  food.  It  should 
be  remembered  that  as  a  covering  for  the  mouth  of  a  feeding- 
bottle  no  fabric  should  bo  employed  the  methes  of  which  are 
less  than  a  sixteenth  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  if  it  be  doubted 
wbether  under  such  circumstances  food  may  not  flow  down  into 
the  hive,  let  the  experiment  be  made  with  pure  water  in  the 
open  air,  when  it  will  be  found  that  after  the  first  rush  caused 
by  the  bottle's  inversion  even  water  will  remain  perfectly  sus- 
pended. 

The  mortality  which  followed  the  use  of  your  float-feeder 
was  not  owing  either  to  the  zinc  or  the  carbonised  wood,  but 
probably  aro.-^e  from  the  sinking  of  the  float,  an  accident  of  no 
unfrequent  occurrence.] 


OUR  LETTER   BOX. 

Cost  of  Feeding  Poolthy  {A  Beginner). — Yonr  old  stock— your  breed- 
ing birds — appear  to  be  seventeen  ia  number  They  should  cost  at  the 
outside  4.?.  Zd.  per  week  to  keep.  If  they  have  any  advantage  of  food  or 
run  they  should  cost  less.  VVhen  for  an  adult  you  allow  Zd.  per  head  per 
week,  you  have  allowed  a  sum  that  is  reached  only  hy  Cochins.  They  are 
huge  eaters.  Your  present  Btock  of  poultry  amounts  to  9ii.  The  expenses 
for  two  months  are  9&.— 4s.  only  over  the  average  of  Is.  per  head  fureight 
weeks — three  halfpence  per  week.  At  this  rate  each  fowl  will  cost  6«.  Gd. 
annually — that  U,  each  breeding  bird.  You  have  not  chickens  enongh 
for  the  number  of  hens  you  keep.  Your  egi:js  should  return  Id.  each.  It 
is  tbrpwiog  away  monev  to  keep  Spanish  fowls  to  hiy  largo  eggs  to  be 
sold  sixteen  for  a  shilling.  Dncks  are  more  espensive  than  "hickens, 
and  they  are  wasters.  Your  eg^3  at  \d.  should  make  £7  13*.  This  would 
make  the  produce  j£lC  lU».,  find  would,  even  against  your  expenses,  show 
a  profit.  Try  f;iirly  che  diminution  of  the  food,  or  bring  the  fowls  to  the 
allowance  we  have  named. 

Fowls  Plucking  Each  Otheti  (P.  QX — Are  yonr  fowls  in  confine- 
ment V  We  should  imagine  they  are  Wliat  is  their  bread  ?  VVe  fancy 
they  are  Spanish.  Wo  have  some  that  are  in  the  state  of  nudity  yon 
describe,  especi  illy  the  cocks.  They  remain  quite  contentedly  while  the 
hens  eat  their  feathers.  We  can  only  prevent  it  by  givint;  them  their 
liberty.  'I  he  only  treatment  is  cooling  food.  If  tliej' are  watched  nar- 
rowly it  will  generally  be  found  it  is  one  bird  only  that  takes  to  the  habit. 
He  or  she  should  be  removed  directly.  Tne  birds  should  bo  plentifully 
enpplied  with  fre^h  earth,  and  growing  grass  if  they  have  it  not.  Tney 
eat  the  featliers  because  they  are  in  adiseased  state  of  body,  and  feathers 
approach  nearer  than  anything  else  to  that  which  they  crave  for.  It  is 
consequently  wisdom  to  make  the  greatest  change  possible  in  their  food 
and  treatment. 

Mahkings  of  Erahma  Pootras  (J.  G.  P.).— Light  pencilling  is,  as  a 
rule,  preferred,  provided  it  be  regular  and  free  from  white  and  yellow. 
The  cocks  should  have  either  black  or  black  and  white-spotted  breasts, 
light  hackle  aud  saddle,  and  black  tails. 

Points  op  CriIve-Ccf-urs  {N.  E.  R.). — We  believe  Judges  are  agreed  as 
to  the  points  of  Crcve-Oocurs.  They  should  be  top-knottpd,  bearded, 
short-legged,  square-bodied,  and  as  black  as  possible.  Weight  and  si^e 
are  very  impnrtaui.  Piilleta  seldom  have  white  feathers  in  the  top- 
knots, hens  often  do.  Light  and  yellow  feathers  in  cockerels  do  not  dis- 
quality.    Ked  ones  do.    The  Black  birds  will  always  be  preferred. 

Spanish  Cock  (B.  B.)- — The  loss  of  one  eye  from  the  incurable  swelled 
face  to  which  Spanish  fowls  are  subject,  does  not  render  him  in  the  least 
less  serviceable  for  breeding  purposes. 

KoRTHALLERTON  POULTRY  Show. — Mr.  John  White,  of  Warlaby,  informs 
us  that  both  first  and  second  prizes  for  Dorkings  were  awarded  to  him- 
self,  and  not  to  Mr.  O.  A  Young. 

Wolverhampton  Poultry  -how. — The  date  for  closing  the  entries  at 
this  Show  hus  been  altered  to  Monday,  October  5th. 

Pooltry  House  (A  Subscriber,  Qivedgcley). — If  yon  enclose  seven  post- 
age stamps  wi'L.hyour  address,  and  order  "  Poultry-keeping  for  the  Many,' 
it  will  be  sent  to  you  post  free  from  our  office.  It  contains  a  plan  and 
description  of  the  house  you  need- 

CAroNisiNG  Turkeys  \ Ah  Irish  Su6«cri&er).— We  never  heard  of  tha 
barbarous  and  totally  needless  practice  being  applied  to  Turkeys,  and  we 
cannot  give  any  information  on  the  subject. 

Dead  Piglon  (L.  W), — We  cannot  undertake  to  dissect  Pigeons;  but 
from  the  general  appearance  of  the  bird  wethiukit  di*  dof  roup,  on  which 
so  much  was  publistied  by  ns  in  oui*  last  volume.  You  will  find  a  recipe 
for  its  cure  in  No.  356. 

A  Pair  of  Pigeons  (A  Fancirr). — Beyond  any  doubt  by  "  a  pair  "  in 
intended  a  cock  and  hen,  and  wbo>^vt-r  win^  a  priz.e  with  two  cocks  f*r 
two  hens  has  committed  a  fraud.  We  have  a  letter  on  the  subject  from 
Mr.  Fulton  detailing  the  times  he  h.is  been  thus  defeated  ;  but  we  cannot 
publish  his  letter. 

Bees  in  a  Wall— Moving  Hives  to  a  Shed  (IT.  £.)  — Part  of  the 
wall  shtiuid  be  cut  awny,  so  as  to  get  at  the  combs,  which,  with  the  bees, 
should  be  put  into  a  frame  hive  in  the  manner  indicated  in  reply  to  D. 
Williams,  in  pnge  218.  Wc  do  nut  consider  it  advisible  to  remove  bees 
from  their  stands  in  order  to  place  them  in  a  shed  during  winter. 

Taylor's  Amatkur's  Bar  Hive  (Wor^ftaTnpton).— Write  to  any  of  the 
advertisers  of  hives  in  our  Journal.  Messr-^.  Sutton,  of  Heading,  and 
Messrs.  L^wsnn  &  Son,  of  23,  Budge  Row,  Cannon  Street,  London,  sell 
the  Molilntus  leucautha  seed. 

Aquarium  Troubles  (T.  O,  J.). — We  never  knew  gold  fish  eat  the 
Validneria  spiralis.  If  they  do,  the  ool^  remedy  is  to  place  tho  plants  at 
one  end  with  a  wire  net  before  Ihem.  The  film  on  the  fi^h  is  often  caused 
by  the  water  being  loo  cold.  Drift  sand  should  cover  the  bottom  of  the 
aquarium.    We  never  employed  snails  a?  scavengers. 


October  8,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


257 


WEEKLY 

CALENDAR. 

Hay 

D»7 

AverftRe  Tomperaturo 

Rain  in 

last 
11  yours. 

Snn 

Moon 

Monn 

Moon*fl 

Clock 
after 
Sun. 

Year 

of 

Munth 

of 
Week. 

OCTOBER  8-14,  1868. 

near  London. 

Rises. 

Sets. 

Rises. 

Sets. 

Age. 

Dav. 

Night. 

Mean. 

Days. 

m.      h. 

m.    h. 

m.    h. 

m.    h 

Days. 

m.    8. 

Th 

01.8 

42.4 

B2.1 

21 

15  aJ  fi 

1!)  aJ  0 

5.1  af  9 

after. 

22 

12    84 

282 

P 

m.H 

420 

51.7 

23 

17      0 

17      6 

58     10 

54afl 

< 

12    50 

283 

10 

S 

Royal  Horticnitnral  Society,  Promenade. 

01.7 

44.0 

.52.0 

24 

18      6 

15       5 

morn. 

40      2 

24 

18      5 

2S4 

11 

Sun 

18  SCKDAY  AFTEE  TRINITY. 

61.9 

42.7 

52.3 

21 

20       8 

18      5 

9      0 

19      8 

25 

13    21 

285 

l:i 

M 

59.2 

41.7 

60.4 

22 

21       6 

10      6 

25      1 

68      3 

26 

IS    85 

286 

18 

To 

00.8 

42.0 

51.4 

21 

23       6 

8      5 

46      2  1  23      4 

27 

13    49 

287 

14 

W 

Meeting  of  Royal  Microscopical  Society. 

60.0 

40.6 

60.3 

19 

25       6 

6      6 

4      4  :  58      4 

1 

28 

14      3 

288 

From  observationa  taken  near  LoDdon  during  the  lapt  forty-one  years,  the  average  dav 

temperature  of  the  week 

18  60.7"; 

and  its  night 

temperature  42.3'.     The  greatest   heat  was  80^,  on  the  14th,  1861  ;  and  the  lowest   cold  25 

",  on  the  11th,  IBGO.    The 

greatest 

fall  of   rain 

waB  1.00  Inch. 

*i^^ 


THE  POTATO   CROP— SAVING   SEED. 

'T  this  time  of  the  year,  in  ordinary  seasons, 
the  Potato  crop,  in  the  districts  where  it  is 
largely  cultivated,  is  naturally  matured  and 
ready  for  lifting  and  storing  ;  this  season,  on 
.  the  contrary,  wo  find  the  crop  in  the  full 
luxuriance  of  growth  usual  in  the  months  of 
June  and  July.  These  remarks  are  applica- 
ble to  the  north-eastern  counties,  especially 
Lincolnshire,  where  the  soil  is  suitable  for 
producing  Potatoes  celebrated  for  their  high 
quality.  This  extraordinary  and  unusual  luxuriance  is 
traceable  to  the  long-continued  drought  during  May,  June, 
July,  and  the  greater  part  of  August.  The  crop  was  de- 
prived of  the  essentials  to  its  natural  growth  and  increase. 
Its  energies  in  this  respect  were  arrested,  and  the  ripening 
of  the  tubers  ah-eady  formed  was  accelerated,  and  in  a 
great  measure  completed  prematurely.  The  size  of  the 
tubers  at  this  stage  varied  with  varieties  ;  none,  however, 
except  tlie  earliest  section,  gave  anything  but  a  miserable 
yield.  There  was,  therefore,  no  alternative  but  to  leave 
them  to  linger  on,  and  wait  for  the  rain  to  carry  them 
forward. 

Towards  the  end  of  August  the  rain  came,  and  vegetation 
at  once  burst  forth  with  a  vigour  unprecedented  in  our  tem- 
perate climate.  The  withered  tops  of  the  Potatoes  raised 
their  heads,  and  entered  on  the  race  as  if  to  recover  the  time 
they  had  lost.  It  was  too  late,  the  Potatoes  being  already 
partially  matured.  Their  next  effort  was  to  perpetuate 
their  kind,  and  tliis  brings  them  to  the  extraordinary  state 
in  which  we  now  iind  them — extraordinary  only  inasmuch 
as  the  time  and  manner  of  their  increase  is  unusual. 

Different  kinds  of  I'otatoes  present  different  aspects.  I 
will  divide  the  crop  into  three  types,  selecting  them  from 
kinds  which  are  most  extensively  cultivated — namely,  the 
Regent,  the  Irish  or  Rocks,  and  the  Fluke.  Of  the  many 
varieties  grown  most  have  something  in  common  with  those 
named,  and  they  will  thus  ali'ord  sufficient  data. 

Fine  cliff  land  in  Lincolnshire,  within  sound  of  "  Great 
Tom,"  was  the  principal  place  of  examination. 

The  Regents  being  the  earliest  of  the  three,  their  tubers 
were  larger  than  those  of  the  other  varieties  when  over- 
taken by  the  drought.  They  had  swelled  well  after  the 
rain,  and  on  examination  were  found  to  be  a  comparatively- 
fair  though  by  no  means  a  full  crop  ;  tlie  second  crop,  or 
supertubers  which  had  sprung  from  these,  were  numerous, 
the  largest  being  nearly  of  the  size  of  Walnuts,  and  tliey 
were  in  rapid  growth.  What  is  to  be  done  with  the  croji  ? 
Verdict :  Take  it  up  at  once  to  secure  quality,  which  will 
more  than  compensate  for  the  increase  in  bulk  produced  by 
the  swelling  of  the  supertubers,  and  just  in  proportion  to 
tlie  length  of  time  these  are  allowed  to  remain  attached, 
just  so  will  the  crop  proper  deteriorate  in  quality.  "  But 
thej'  must  be  stored  in  quantity,  and  their  skins  are 
not  fast,  will  the}'  not  heat '.' "  To  avoid  this  contin- 
gency, adopt  the  plan  of  tlie  Hon,  A.  Leslie  Melville,  a 
gentleman  who  for  many  j-ears  has  given  much  attention 
to  the  Potato.  His  plan  is  this — For  many  days  previous 
No.  393.— Vol.  XV.,  New  Sekies. 


to  taking  up  his  crops,  if  the  skins  are  not  fast  he  cuts  off 
the  tops.  Tliis  simply  stops  growth,  and  the  skins  imme- 
diately begin  to  become  firm.  In  ten  days,  or  even  less, 
they  are  in  good  condition  for  storing,  and  they  must  not 
remain  much  longer  than  this  tune,  or  they  will  commence 
growing  again.  Mr.  IMelvOle  has  adopted  the  plan  this 
year  with  much  success. 

The  Irish,  or  Rocks,  are,  perhaps,  more  extensively 
cultivated  in  Lincolnshh'e  and  the  adjacent  counties  than 
any  other  variety.  They  were  considerably  smaller  thaa 
the  Regents  when  overtaken  by  the  drought.  Immediately 
after  the  rain  they  commenced  the  rapid  production  of 
supertubers.  The  lirst  crop  of  tubers  has  materially  in- 
creased in  bulk,  liut  not  in  the  same  ratio  as  its  progeny. 
The  two  crops  are  now  about  equal  in  bulk.  In  this  case 
I  think  it  would  be  wise  to  make  quality  subservient  to 
quantity  of  produce  ;  therefore,  instead  of  cutting  off'  the 
tops  or  taking  them  up,  I  would  leave  them  in  the  ground 
until  the  last  moment  of  the  growing  season  to  increase 
bulk.  The  gross  w-eight  will  increase  much  in  a  fortnight 
or  three  weeks,  as  they  are  now  swellin:;  more  rapidly 
than  at  any  previous  period  of  tlieir  growth.  Neither  will 
the  sacrifice  of  quality  be  great,  for  at  their  present  size, 
even  if  properly  matured,  the  sample  would  be  very 
inferior. 

The  above  remarks  wUl  apply  also  to  Flukes,  the  second 
crop,  or  supertubers,  of  these  being  much  larger  in  bulk 
than  the  iirst,  or  crop  proper.  On  every  account,  then,  it 
is  ad\'isable  to  let  them  remain  in  the  ground  to  increase 
in  size  and  weight.  In  quality  for  cooking  purposes  tliey 
must  be  inferior,  but  the  second  crop  will  be  line  seed  for 
next  season's  planting.  The  crop  proper  of  this  variety  in 
many  pieces  which  I  have  seen  I  pronounced  worthless  as 
seed  ;  the  energies  of  the  tubers  are  already  exhausted. 

The  question  of  seed  generally  is  worthy  of  consideration. 
I  have  carefully  examined  many  specimens  from  the  crop 
proper.  In  many  instances  every  eye  had  sprung,  and  pro- 
duced one  or  several  subtubers  ;  in  others,  the  ffnest  and  the 
best  eyes  only  had  sprung.  Now,  what  more  natural  than 
that  quantities  of  the  crop  proper  should  be  put  aside  for 
seed  as  lieretofore,  and  what  more  natural  than  the  result  of 
such  seed  should  bo  disappointing?  I  have  no  doubt  but 
that  some  of  the  tubers  which  have  sprung  their  eyes  will 
push  forth  collateral  tubers,  liut  the  growth  of  these  wUl 
be  weak,  and  totally  inadequate  to  insure  a  good  yield. 
Some,  indeed,  wUl  produce  no  top  at  all  if  planted,  but  will 
form  a  cluster  of  progeny  wiiich  will  merely  subsist  for  a 
time  on  the  scanty  juices  of  the  parent  tuber.  These  re- 
sults I  have  proved  b}'  actual  experiment.  It  is,  tlierefore, 
necessary  that  the  tubers  of  the  crop  proper  which  are 
saved  from  seed  should  be  carefully  examined  as  to 
whether  their  eyes  liave  not  already  pushed,  and  are  thug 
in  a  partially  exhausted  state.  I  foresee  a  certain  danger 
in  this  respect,  and  yet  it  is  not  a  danger  of  necessity. 
Safety  and  certainty  consist  in  selecting  Potatoes  from 
the  supertubers,  or  second  crop.  These,  where  lai-ge 
enough,  will,  if  ordinary  care  is  exercised  in  storing,  make 
fine  seed. 

There  is  an  idea  which  is  very  ceueral — namely,  that 
No.  IMS.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  Series. 


268 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTIOULTDKE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  October  8,  1888. 


the  second  crop  of  tubers  from  which  the  skins  slip  when 
handled,  will  not  keep  and  answer  the  purpose  of  seed,  and  it 
is  conRigned  to  the  pigs  accordingly.  Nothing  can  be  more 
fallacious  than  this  notion.  I  have  proved  year  by  year  for 
ten  years  consecutively,  that  Potatoes  taken  up  in  an  unripe 
state  to  the  extent  of  their  skins  slipping  off  with  the  slightest 
touch  will,  if  carefully  managed,  produce  crops  in  all  respects 
fully  equal— indeed,  1  am  quite  safe  in  going  a  step  further  and 
saying  slightly  superior,  to  the  crops  produced  by  seed  which 
had  been  left  in  the  ground  to  fully  ripen  before  being  taken 
up.  On  this  point  I  am  glad  to  see  the  experience  of  "  Upwards 
AND  Onwaeds  "  so  entirely  in  consonance  with  my  own. — J.  W. 


CAUSE  OF  FLAVOUK  IN  FRUIT. 

A  VERY  short  article  in  your  number  of  September  2Uh,  on 
the  cause  of  colour  and  flavour  in  fruit,  is  so  interesting  that 
I  wish  to  be  allowed  to  make  a  few  remarks  on  the  subject, 
especially  as  it  is  in  reference  to  a  letter  of  mine  upon  '•  the 
orchard-house  railway  "  iu  the  previous  week's  number. 

Your  correspondent  "  G.  S."  attributes  the  superior  flavour 
of  fruit  having  the  advantage  of  being  placed  quite  in  the  open 
air,  under  favourable  circumstances,  to  the  non-permeability  of 
glass  to  certain  rays  of  the  sun.  It  has  been  demonstrated 
that  the  sun  emits  three  distinct  rays — the  actinic  (or  chemical, 
as  "  G.  S."  clearly  explains  them),  the  luminous,  and  the 
calorific  or  heating  rays.  All  these  are  employed  during  the 
whole  growth  of  a  plant  in  bringing  it  to  perfection  ;  though  it 
is  generally  supposed  that  the  actinic  ray  is  most  active  in  spring 
and  upon  the  early-developed  plant,  the  luminous  in  summer, 
during  its  period  of  growth,  and  the  heating  ray  in  the  autumn, 
at  the  ripening  period.  Thus  Nature  econoniises  her  forces, 
and  brings  them  to  bear  at  the  period  they  are  most  needed  to 
perfect  the  works  of  her  hand.  It  would  be  very  interesting  if 
"  G.  S."  would  give  us  further  information  on  this  subject ; 
for  the  time  has  come  when  we  cannot  long  hope  to  carry  out 
our  schemes  (in  fruit-growing  more  than  in  other  matters)  by 
guesswork,  but  that  they  must  be  able  to  stand  the  test  of 
science,  and  a  clear  reason  be  given  for  the  jjros  and  the  coiitras 
of  our  operations. 

I  have  no  doubt  whatever  but  that  the  intervention  of  glass 
does  affect  the  actinic  rays.  Dr.  Brewster,  in  the  "  Philoso- 
phical Transactions,"  so  long  ago  as  1810  (page  106),  goes  so 
far  as  to  say  that  bodies  will  not  radiate  their  heat  through 
glass,  and  ascribes  all  the  effects  which  are  supposed  to  have 
been  thus  obtained  to  a  secondary  radiation  from  the  glass, 
which  becomes  heated  by  the  reception  of  the  rays  issuing  from 
the  primary  source ;  at  all  events,  it  is  not  improbable  that 
glass  checks  radiation  as  much  as  an  opaque  substance  of  equal 
thickness  with  the  glass.  This  brings  me  to  the  question  I 
wish  more  particularly  to  lay  before  your  readers.  Hitherto  I 
have  done  little  more  than  reiterate  what  has  been  stated  bv 
"G.  S." 

The  question  of  radiation  at  night  and  its  influence  on  the 
growth  and  development  of  fruit,  is  not  sufliciently  recognised. 
The  gardener  goes  to  bed  at  night  under  the  full  impression 
(and  he  is  right  to  a  certain  extent),  that  his  plants  are  at  rest 
also,  or  ought  to  be,  and  so  dismisses  them  from  his  mind  until 
the  morning.  But  nothing  is  ever  perfectly  still  in  nature ;  a 
constant  reaction  is  going  on  between  day  and  night.  In 
the  day  the  luminous  rays  of  the  sun  aid  the  leaves  to  decom- 
pose the  carbonic  acid  gas  in  the  air,  which  is  absorbed  by  the 
trees,  and  takes  the  place  of  the  oxygen  gas  they  evolve  ;  at 
night  oxygen  is  absorbed,  and  carbonic  acid  to  a  certain  extent 
given  out.  The  radiation  which  takes  place  where  trees  have 
the  full  benefit  of  the  open  air  at  night,  but  not  otherwise, 
greatly  facilitates  these  natural  operations,  and  tends  to  keep 
the  trees  in  a  healthy  state.  In  the  animal  economy,  which  is 
only  a  higher  development  of  the  vegetable,  we  fully  recognise 
the  necessity  of  rest  undisturbed,  and  of  offering  no  check  to 
the  excretions,  forming  as  they  do  as  important  an  element  of 
health  as  the  secretions.  We  cannot,  therefore,  interfere  with 
this  radiation  without  materially  affecting  the  natural  functions 
of  the  tree.  Experience,  independently  of  science,  tells  us  what 
a  Bubtilo  agent  it  is  in  the  growth  of  plants.  A  narrow  coping, 
for  instance,  on  the  top  of  a  wall  is  sometimes  quite  sufficient 
protection  to  save  the  early  blossoms  on  our  trees  by  arresting 
the  radiation.  Is  it  not  fair  to  infer  that  the  same  coping  will 
influence  the  lipeningof  the  fruit  in  summer  from  the  same 
cause  ?     How  much  more  the  covering  of  a  whole  roof  ? 

it  may  be  said^tbat  the  latter  remarks  involve  a  contradic- 


tion in  stating  the  valuable  services  rendered  to  the  trees  by 
night  air  and  radiation,  and  in  the  next  sentence  recognising 
the  necessity  of  interfering  with  them  ;  but  we  must  not  lose 
sight  of  the  fact  that  our  subject  has  reference  to  Peach  trees, 
&c.,  which  are  in  an  abnormal  state  in  our  climate.  The 
object,  therefore,  should  be  to  meet  this  difficulty  by  protection 
in  spring  and  increased  heat  in  summer  when  required,  and  at 
the  same  time  to  interfere  as  little  as  possible  with  the  natural 
functions  of  the  tree.  As  may  be  supposed,  we  find  by  experi- 
ence that  the  more  carefully  this  is  attended  to  the  finer  will 
be  the  fruit  in  size  and  flavour,  and  the  more  luxuriant  the 
foliage  of  the  trees.  Now,  I  venture  to  say  that  the  "  orchard- 
house  railway,"  as  an  assistant  to  the  orchard  house  itself,  is 
by  far  the  best  means  to  this  end  that  has  yet  been  brought 
forward.  The  labour  it  involves  is  so  slight  that  every  change  of 
atmosphere,  whether  for  retarding  or  advancing  the  growth  of 
the  fruit,  may  be  taken  advantage  of  all  through  the  year 
without  the  sUghtest  inconvenience ;  and  under  the  guidance 
of  a  clever  gardener  such  results  may  be  produced  as  will  fully 
satisfy  him.  The  advantage  of  removing  lights  overhead  have 
long  been  recognised  by  our  best  gardeners  ;  but  the  advantages 
it  offers  are  very  inferior  to  the  railway  system,  for  these  reasons 
— it  interferes  with  the  Grapes,  which  can  now  be  grown  in  the 
orchard  house  without  injury  to  the  trees,  but  which  require 
less  ventilation  and  more  heat  than  fruit  trees  ;  a  roof  fitted 
with  moveable  sashes  would  cost  more  money  than  the  railway ; 
the  trouble  of  moving  them  would  be  infinitely  greater ;  and 
when  done  the  effect  upon  the  trees  would  by  no  means  be 
equal  to  the  advantages  of  the  free  circulation  of  the  air  all 
round. 

I  have  already  trespassed  too  much  upon  your  space,  but 
hope  to  be  allowed  on  a  future  occasion  to  give  the  result  of 
some  experiments  I  am  making  upon  radiation,  as  immediately 
connected  with  the  roots  of  fruit  trees.— J.  F.,  Southacre  Rec- 
tory, Brandon. 

THE  IMPROVERS  OF  THE  HOLLYHOCK. 

MccH  has  been  written  in  your  pages  in  reference  to  the 
improvement  of  the  Hollyhock.  England  seems  to  take  all 
the  credit  to  herself,  forgetting  to  introduce  her  canny  neigh- 
bour, the  Scot. 

Better  Hollyhocks  were  to  be  found  in  Scotland  before  either 
Mr.  Chater  or  Mr.  Paul  were  known  as  growers  of  that  flower. 

I  hope  some  of  our  old  Scotch  growers,  such  as  Mr.  FouliB, 
of  Fordel,  Mr.  Porr,  and  Mr.  Foulis,  of  Woodhouselee,  who 
exhibited  and  competed  for  prizes  more  than  thirty  years  ago, 
will  favour  the  readers  of  your  paper  with  the  history  of  their 
earliest  productions. — D.  G.  M. 


DARKENING   THE   COLOURS   OF  FLOWERS. 

E.  King,  SjyitalficWs,  wishes  for  information  upon  "  darken- 
ing flowers,  the  most  suitable  soil  for  Dahlias,  also  the  best 
seed  of  Dahlias  for  producing  a  blue  or  black  variety."  This 
vision  of  a  blue  Dahlia  is  one  that  has  haunted  a  certain  class 
of  florists  for  a  very  long  time.  Such  a  flower  would  most 
certainly  be  a  great  acquisition,  and  the  wish  to  possess  one  of 
that  colour  is  rendered  all  the  stronger  by  the  almost  utter  im- 
probability of  its  ever  being  gratified. 

The  colours  of  flowers  liave  been  divided  by  De  Candolle 
into  two  great  classes,  those  having  for  their  type  yellow,  which 
passes  into  red  and  white,  but  never  into  blue,  and  those  having 
for  their  type  blue,  which  passes  also  into  red  and  white,  but 
never  into  yellow.  This  first  series  he  calls  xanthic,  the  last 
cyanic,  and  of  these  Lindley  has  given  the  following  analysis  : — 


Greemsh  blue 

Yellowish  green 

Blue 

Yellow 

Violet  blue 

©range  yellow 

Violet 

Orange 

Violet  red 

Orange  red 

Of  this  classification  a  certain  writer  says,  "  It  is  found  that 
a  yellow  flower  may  assume  the  colours  of  the  xanthic  series, 
but  never  become  blue,  and  vice  versa ;  and  this  rule  applies 
to  many  genera.  It  is  not,  however,  universal,  as  genera  are 
occasionally  found  having  both  yellow  and  blue  flowers,  as  Tro- 
pa'olum  and  Hyacinthus."  The  Dahlia  belongs  to  the  yellow 
division,  and  it  is  very  doubtful  it  ever  it  will  prove  another 
exception  to  this  all  but  general  rule. 

With  regard  to  a  black  variety,  that  is  a  colour  which,  with 
two  or  three  dubious  exceptions,  is  all  but  unknown  among 
flowers,  nor  would  it  be  appreciat-ed  in  a  Dahlia  otherwise  than 


October  8, 1868.  J 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


250 


as  a  onriosity,  and  some  of  the  varieties  we  have  are  of  a 
purple  closely  verging  upon  black. 

If  "  E.  K."  wishes  to  raise  new  dark  varieties  from  seed,  it 
should  be  saved  from  the  best  dark  sorts  producing  seed,  which 
not  one  really  good  bloom  out  of  twenty  ever  does.  Sow  the 
eeed  in  heat  about  the  end  of  March,  and  when  the  seedlings 
have  two  leaves  place  them  singly  in  small  pots,  shifting  into 
larger  as  required,  and  plant  out  in  May  in  a  border  not  very 
heavily  manured,  where  they  will  (lower  during  August  and 
September.  It  is,  however,  only  the  grower  of  hundreds  of 
seedlings  who  has  the  shadow  of  a  chance  of  obtaining  im- 
proved varieties,  so  that  "  ii.  King  "  would  do  well  not  to  expect 
any  very  great  success,  unless  he  be  prepared  to  make  the 
attempt  upon  a  somewhat  large  scale.  For  information  as  to 
the  crossing,  propagation,  and  general  culture  of  the  Dahlia 
see  Vol.  1.  of  .Johnson's  "  Gardener,"  and  for  lists  of  new  sorts 
the  catalogues  of  the  leading  florists. — AYnsniiiE  Gabdenek. 


Wales  and  Walburton  Admirable  ripened  on  the  Slst'fof 
August;  both  are  excellent.  The  first  two  fruits  of  the  last- 
named  weighed  together  1'.)  ozh.  After  an  interval  of  four 
weeks  Salway  ripens.  Can  no  one  recommend  good  I'eaches  to 
liU  up  the  gap  ?— J.  Douglas. 


MR. 


YATES  S  NURSERIES,  SALE  ^lOOR, 
MANCHi:STER. 


SOME   ORCHARD-HOUSE  TREES. 

In  a  short  article  on  growing  Peaches  and  Nectarines  in  pots, 
I  last  year  recommended  the  system  of  removing  the  trees  out 
of  doors  during  the  winter,  and  incurred  the  censures  of  both 
Mr.  Rivers  and  Mr.  Pearson  for  so  doing.  The  trees  were 
wintered  out  of  doors  last  year,  at  least  they  remained  out- 
side until  the  last  week  in  January,  and  I  cannot  observe  any 
difference  either  in  their  health  or  free-bearing  qualities,  and 
the  fruit  has  been  finer  than  I  ever  had  it  before. 

My  principal  reason  for  removing  the  trees  is  that  the 
orchard  house  may  be  kept  gay  with  flowering  plants,  chiefly 
Chrysanthemums,  during  October,  November,  and  December. 
The  trees  are  all  repotted  or  top-dressed  now,  and  will  be  turned 
out  of  doors  directly.  The  fruit  ripened  fully  three  weeks 
earlier  this  year  than  it  has  ever  yet  done  at  this  place,  and  it 
has  been  larger.  The  different  varieties  of  Orange  Nectarines 
were  especially  fine,  and  Murrey  Nectarine,  which  is  not  gene- 
rally of  large  size,  was  8J  inches  in  circumference.  The  earliest 
Nectarine  is  still  Hunt's  Tawny,  which  ripened  on  the  5th  of 
August ;  fruit  of  Balgowan  was  gathered  on  the  same  day.  This 
is  an  early  variety,  in  every  respect  excellent,  and  worthy  of 
extensive  cultivation.  Bowden  a  large  variety,  but  which 
seldom  colours  well,  and  unless  they  do  so  Nectarines  are  not 
attractive,  ripened  on  the  10th.  Pine  Apple  and  Elruge  were 
ripe  on  the  11th  ;  Violette  Hative  and  Ilardwicke  Seedling  came 
in  on  the  13th.  The  last  to  ripen,  about  the  end  of  August,  were 
Kivers's  Victoria  and  Prince  of  Wales  ;  both  have  a  tendency 
to  crack  with  me.  I  have  a  plant  of  the  last-named  variety  in 
a  13-inch  pot  which  carried  three  dozen  fruits,  and  fully  two 
thirds  of  them  were  cracked,  some  of  them  very  badly.  I  do  not 
grow  the  Stauwick,  but  I  am  unwilling  to  discard  Prince  of 
Wales,  as  it  is  of  excellent  flavour  and  very  productive.  I  have 
been  advised  to  withhold  syringing  after  the  fruit  is  stoned  as 
a  preventive. 

A  few  weeks  ago  I  saw  a  system  pursued  to  prevent  the 
Stanwick  from  cracking,  which  seemed  to  be  very  successful. 
Being  on  a  visit  at  Balbirnie  Gardens,  near  Markinch,  in  Fife, 
I  observed  a  very  fine  crop  just  on  the  point  of  ripening.  I 
inquired  of  Mr.  Temple,  the  gardener  at  that  place,  the  means 
which  he  employed  to  obtain  such  fine  fruit,  when  he  drew  my 
attention  to  a  notch  cut  under  each  of  the  fruit  about  half 
through  the  wood.  By  this  method  the  flow  of  sap  is  arrested, 
and  the  fruit  ripens  perfectly  without  cracking.  Mr.  Temple 
also  informed  me  that  he  prevents  the  cracking  of  the  fruit  in 
Chasselas  Musqufi  Grape  by  the  same  simple  method. 

As  to  Peaches,  the  earliest  to  ripen  this  year  was  Early 
Beatrice,  which  ripened  on  the  2nd  of  July.  The  plant  I  re- 
ceived from  Mr.  Bivers  was  very  small,  but  ripened  perfectly 
two  fruit,  which  were  of  good  flavour.  Early  Rivers  did  not 
hear  any  fruit,  but  I  hope  to  prove  both  sorts  fully  next  year. 
Early  York  was  the  next  to  ripen,  on  the  IGth  ;  this  sort  is  always 
to  be  depended  upon,  the  fruit  is  excellent,  and  it  always  bears  a 
good  crop.  Early  Grosse  Mignonne  has  been  very  fine,  one 
would  therefore  suppose  that  it  requires  a  considerable  amount 
of  sun  to  ripen  it  well;  this  ripened  on  the  '2.5th  of  July.  Dr. 
Hogg  came  in  on  the  2nd  of  August,  and  promises  well ;  Koyal 
George  came  in  on  the  .5th,  Bellegarde  on  the  13th,  Violette 
Hative  on  the  17th.  At  the  same  time  ripened  Golden  Rathripe, 
beautiful  in  colour,  but  worthless  as  regards  flavour.  Exquisite 
ripened  on  the  25tb,  a  large,  yellow-fleshed  variety  of  excellent 
flavour.  It  was  closely  succeeded  by  Prince  of  Wales,  of  which 
I  have  not  yet  formed  a  very  favourable  opinion.     Princess  of 


Amonost  the  sights  I  saw  worth  recording  during  my  late 
visit  to  Manchester  were  the  magnificent  Calanthes,  the  large 
masses  of  Cojlogyne  cristata,  and  the  Eucharis  amazonica. 
No  such  plants  in  equal  health  and  quantity  can  be  found  in 
any  other  establishment  in  the  country.  Whilst  looking  at  the 
above  plants  in  such  luxuriant  growth,  one  might  almost 
imagine  that,  after  walking  with  considerable  difliculty  through 
an  East  Indian  jungle,  he  had  suddenly  stopped  to  admire 
large  masses  of  bright  green  foliage  growing  out  of  what  he 
might  for  the  moment  suppose  to  be  heaps  or  clusters  of  large 
goose  eggs,  so  large  and  bright  are  the  pseudo-bulbs.  Leaving 
this  magnificent  display  of  Calanthe  vestita,  we  might  fancy 
ourselves  transported  to  the  banks  of  the  Amazon,  where  large 
masses  of  white  flowers  invite  inspection,  and  on  approaching 
them  we  find  they  are  those  of  the  beautiful  Eucharis  ama- 
zonica. A  slight  stretch  of  fancy  takes  us  to  Nepal,  where  we 
see  masses  of  clear  white  flowers,  with  yellow  or  orange  centres, 
resting  gracefully  on  carpets  of  vernal  green  ;  these  are  the 
beautiful  C<eIogyne  cristata.  The  above  and  a  thousand  other 
gems  shine  out  conspicuously,  surrounded  as  they  are  by  natural 
objects  in  their  wildest  state  of  luxuriance,  for  there  is  no  pre- 
tension to  any  elaborate  system  of  horticulture.  Here  all  the 
plants  are  grown  as  naturally  as  possible,  and  for  the  sake  of 
the  flowers  they  produce. 

On  the  evening  of  the  2Sth  of  August,  after  a  busy  morning's 
work  at  the  Manchester  Exhibition,  I  found  myself  at  Sale 
Moor,  in  company  with  several  eminent  horticulturists,  who 
had  been,  like  myself,  invited  by  Mr.  B.  S.  Yates  to  see  his 
establishment.  The  evening,  however,  was  fast  closing  in  when 
we  arrived,  so  that  there  was  only  time  to  note  mentally  a 
few  of  the  objects  ;  and  I  must  say  I  was  almost  selfish  enough 
to  wish  my  friends,  though  I  respect  them  very  highly,  were 
enjoying  a  treat  somewhere  else,  so  anxious  was  I  to  be  alone, 
note-book  in  hand,  with  the  view  of  furnishing  the  readers  of 
The  Jouknal  of  Horticultuhe  with  the  mode  of  cultivating 
many  of  the  plants  so  skilfully  grown  by  Mr.  Yates  and  his 
clever  gardener,  Mr.  Plant.  I  was,  however,  enabled  to  gather 
the  following  from  Mr.  Plant  respecting  his  mode  of  treating 
Calanthe  vestita  and  Citlogyne  cristata.  This  may  be  taken  as 
a  safe  and  reliable  way  of  cultivating  these  beautiful  plants, 
for  on  visiting  Mr.  Yates  on  one  or  two  occasions  while  at 
Oulton  Park,  I  was  furnished  not  only  with  the  mode  of  treat- 
ing them,  but  also  with  a  line  stock  of  plants. 

The  Calanthe  is  usually  grown  in  pots  well  drained,  in  a 
mixture  of  peat,  charcoal,  and  cow  dung  in  lumps.  This  com- 
post, Mr.  Plant  finds,  does  not  suit  them  so  well  as  a  good, 
strong,  rich  loam  and  well-dried  cow  dung  mixed.  We  will 
commence  their  treatment  in  April,  after  the  plants  have  had 
their  season  of  rest  and  are  ready  for  the  next  year's  growth. 
The  first  proceeding  is  to  procure  the  soil  for  them.  This 
should  be  in  a  nice  healthy  state,  not  too  wet  nor  too  dry,  and 
should  be  frequently  turned  over  in  an  open  airy  shed,  so  that 
it  may  be  well  sweetened  before  using ;  and  none  of  the  soil 
should  be  rubbed  through  a  sieve,  but  should  be  carefully 
broken  or  pulled  to  pieces  with  the  hand.  The  pots  to  be  used 
should  also  be  perfectly  clean  and  porous,  and  after  placing 
about  2  inches  of  drainage  in  the  bottom  they  may  be  filled  up 
nearly  to  the  level  of  the  rim  with  the  soil,  which  should  be 
pressed  into  them  moderately  firmly.  The  pseudo-bulbs  may 
then  be  placed  on  the  soil,  secured  by  means  of  small  pieces  of 
stick  pushed  down  into  the  soil  by  the  side  of  each,  and  a  small 
piece  of  matting  placed  round  the  neck  of  the  pseudo-bulb 
and  fastened  to  the  stick.  This  wUl  keep  the  bulbs  from  moving 
till  they  have  struck  roots  into  the  soil,  which  they  will  soon 
do  if  placed  in  a  temperature  of  70°,  and  frequently  moistened 
with  a  slight  dewing  from  a  syringe  having  a  very  fine  nozzle 
or  rose,  but  care  must  be  taken  not  to  wet  the  soil  too  much 
before  the  roots  have  taken  possession  of  it.  The  bulbs  should 
be  kept  as  near  the  glass  as  possible.  Three  moderate-sized 
bulbs  should  be  placed  in  a  32-sized  pot — these  will  make  a 
handsome  mass. 

About  the  first  week  in  May,  if  all  has  gone  well  with  them. 


260 


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[  October  8,  1868. 


they  ■will  liavo  \fell  filled  the  pot  with  roots,  T^hen  they  may 
be  repotted  in  a  larger  pot,  in  a  compost  similar  to  that  in 
■which  they  were  first  potted.  Water  should  be  used  sparingly 
until  they  have  filled  the  second  pot  ■with  roots.  If  the  at- 
mosphere is  kept  moist,  little  or  no  water  will  be  required 
nntil  the  pots  are  well  filled  with  roots  ;  after  this  the  plants 
will  bear  water  pretty  freely,  and  as  soon  as  the  pots  are 
thoroughly  filled  with  roots  the  plants  may  be  well  supplied 
with  moderately  strong  manure  water  three  or  four  times 
a-week,  or  oftener  than  this  if  they  are  growing  freely.  This 
treatment  may  be  continued  till  the  end  of  September,  taking 
care  to  give  them  on  all  favourable  occasions  abundance  of  air. 

About  the  end  of  August,  or  early  in  September,  the  flower 
spikes  will  make  their  appearance,  breaking  out  from  the  side 
of  the  bulb  at  the  base. 

At  the  time  of  my  visit,  Mr.  Yates's  plants  were  pushing 
ont  flower  shoots,  more  like  good  strong  heads  of  Asparagus 
than  anything  else.  They  were  the  most  extraordinary  lot  of 
plants  1  ever  saw,  and  there  is  no  doubt  they  will  throw  up 
spikes  more  than  4  feet  high,  clothed  with  their  pretty  white  and 
Erimson  flowers.  Care  must  now  be  taken  not  to  keep  the 
plants  too  thickly  together.  They  should  be  set  sufficiently  far 
apart  to  allow  the  air  to  circulate  freely  amongst  them,  and  to 
give  sufficient  light  to  the  young  flower  spikes,  for  it  these  are 
kept  too  much  shadetl  before  they  grow  above  the  foliage,  they 
become  very  much  weakened,  and  frequently  damp-off.  The 
finest  plants  at  Sale  were  set  on  inverted  pots  on  a  flue  near 
the  glass.     They  had  leaves,  I  should  think,  from  18  inches  to 

2  feet  0  inches  long,  and  3  or  4  inches  broad  at  the  ■sridest  part 
of  the  leaf. 

About  the  end  of  September  the  plants  are  placed  in  a  tem- 
perature a  little  cooler  than  that  they  have  been  grown  in 
during  the  previous  four  months  ;  and  in  order  to  preserve 
them  in  flower  for  the  longest  possible  time,  the  atmosphere 
should  be  kept  as  dry  as  possible.  I  have  known  them  to  last 
in  great  beauty  in  a  drawing  room  for  more  than  two  months. 

During  the  winter,  after  the  blooming  is  over,  the  pots  should 
be  turned  on  their  sides,  and  the  plants  kept  without  water  till 
it  is  time  to  start  them  into  growth  again. 

No  plant  is  more  useful  for  winter  decoration  than  the 
Calanthe,  and  no  plant  more  easily  grown  if  the  above  direc- 
tions are  properly  attended  to.  Altogether,  I  should  think  I  saw 
nearly  two  hundred  pots  of  this  lovely  plant  in  the  most  luxu- 
I'iant  health. 

Of  the  beautiful  Ccclogyne  cristata  Sir.  Yates  has  as  many 
plants  as  would  fill  a  good-sized  cart.  All  one  side  of  a  large 
house  was  occupied  with  plants  of  it,  many  of  which  were 

3  feet  across,  and  they  are  covered  with  large  white  flowers 
early  in  spring.  The  soil  they  are  grown  in  is  a  good  fibrous 
peat ;  the  pots  and  pans  must  be  half  filled  with  drainage,  and 
the  lumps  of  peat  well  elevated  above  the  rim.  The  peat 
should  be  pressed  moderately  closely  into  the  pans,  and 
squeezed  as  firmly  together  as  possible  above  the  rim.  As  the 
plant  extends  its  growth,  fresh  roots  are  emitted  at  the  junction 
■with  the  old  and  the  new  pseudo-bulb.  After  the  plants  have 
done  flowering  they  are  placed  in  a  high  temperature,  kept  well 
supplied  with  wiiter,  and  frequant  waterings  with  moderately 
strong  manure  water  are  afforded.  The  Ccclogyne,  like  the 
Galanthe,  will  bear  a  high  and  very  humid  temperature  during 
the  growing  season  ;  but  as  soon  as  the  former  h.as  matured  its 
growth  it  must  have  all  the  air  and  sunshine  that  can  be  given 
it,  in  order  to  ripen  its  pseudo-bulbs  thoroughly,  and  during 
this  time  only  sufficient  water  must  be  afforded  to  prevent  the 
plants  from  suffering  injury.  From  the  eiid  of  August  up  to 
the  beginning  of  March  a  temperature  of  C5°  will  be  the  most 
snitable.  About  this  time  the  plant  will  commence  pushing  out 
its  flower  spikes,  and  the  flowers  will  preserve  their  beauty  a 
long  time  if  placed  in  a  cool  dry  temperature,  similar  to  that 
leeommended  for  the  Calanthe. 

Of  the  Eucharis  amazonica,  Mr.  Y'ates  also  holds  a  very 
large  stock  and  manages  to  have  a  supply  of  flowers  all  the 
year  round.  The  plants  are  gro^K-n  in  a  very  warm  humid 
atmosphere,  and,  treated  in  this  way,  are  very  useful  and 
onamental. 

Mr.  Yates's  houses  also  contain  numerous  other  kinds  of 
plants,  and  the  two  or  three  houses  set  apart  fur  the  cultivation 
of  Orchids  are  crammed  witli  the  most  choice  species  and 
Tarieties  of  that  most  interesting  order  in  the  most  luxuriant 
state  of  health.  Much  care  is  also  bestowed  on  the  cultivation 
of  the  Camellia,  of  which  there  is  a  very  large  stock  of  re- 
markably fine  plants  of  the  best  varieties.  These  are  also 
Srown  for  furnishing  cut  flowers.   One  or  two  vei'y  lofty  houses 


are  planted  with  winter-flowering  Acacias,  Chorozemas,  and 
various  other  New  Holland  plants.  Beneath  one  of  the  Acacias 
we  spent  a  very  pleasant  and  instructive  evening,  and  Mr. 
Yates  very  humorously  described  the  origin  of  his  Oichid  fancy, 
and  the  failures  and  successes  he  had  met  with  during  a  long 
series  of  years.  There  are  besides  two  large  Rose  houses, 
several  Fern  houses,  and  in  the  open  air  many  acres  of  ground 
are  covered  with  the  choicest  specimens  of  Conifers,  Hollies, 
Khododendrons,  &c.  To  do  full  justice  to  the  fine  stock  of 
plants  in  this  old-established  place  would  take  a  long  series  of 
articles,  and  several  busy  days  with  pencil  and  note-book,  but 
when  I  visit  it  again  1  hope  to  have  more  time  to  devote  to  its 
contents. 

Leaving  Manchester  next  morning  for  London,  I  broke  my 
journey  at  Sheffield.  This  horribly  dusty  and  smoke-begrimed 
place  is  the  last  in  the  world  near  which  one  would  expect  to 
see  plants  grown  ;  yet  at  a  very  little  distance  from  this  region 
of  smoke  and  dust  Messrs.  Fisher,  Holmes,  &  Co.  have  a 
very  fine  and  extensive  nursery  filled  with  a  very  choice  col- 
lection of  trees,  shrubs,  fruits,  &c.  I  had  but  time  to  take  a 
hasty  glance  of  it.  In  running  through  a  portion  of  the  grounds 
I  came  upon  a  long  row  of  the  Lawton  I51ackberry.  This  was 
covered  with  fruit,  had  a  very  pleasing  effect,  and  will,  no  doubt, 
become  a  useful  addition  to  our  fruit  garden.  In  the  glass 
houses  there  was  a  very  fine  collection  of  all  the  popular  plants 
in  cultivation  ;  but  in  one  house  I  was  much  struck  with  the 
beauty  of  a  plant  of  Lapageria  rosea,  completely  covered  with 
flowers.  There  could  not  be  less  than  two  hundred  fully  ex- 
panded flowers  on  it,  and  Mr.  Fisher  told  me  the  plant  had 
been  covered  just  in  the  same  way  all  through  the  season.  Two 
other  houses  which  I  entered  were  filled  with  Tricoloured  and 
double-flowered  Pelargoniums.  They  certainly  formed  one  of 
the  finest  sights  1  have  seen  for  a  very  long  time.  The  Tricolors 
were  splendid  in  colour,  and  the  double  varieties  were  the  finest 
I  have  ever  seen,  showing  what  a  valuable  race  of  plants  these 
are  for  conservatory  decoration.  There  was  to  be  seen  the 
beautiful  Madame  Lemoine,  far  outstripping  all  the  other 
varieties  that  were  grown  beside  it,  fine  though  they  were. 

I  thought  on  leaving  this  nursery,  if  such  great  results  as 
these  can  be  obtained  in  such  a  region  of  sulphur,  dust,  and 
smoke,  surely  we  in  London  ought  not  to  complain,  seeing  that 
the  climate  of  London  is  much  more  favourable  to  the  growth 
of  plants  generally  than  that  of  Y'orkshire. 

I  will  state  in  conclusion,  that  the  Manchester  Botanical 
Gardens  were  looking  well,  and  there  had  evidently  been  a  very 
fine  display  of  bedding  plants.  The  contents  of  Mr.  Findlay'a 
plant  houses  were  in  fine  health ;  and  in  the  Victoria  regla 
house  I  saw  the  finest  plant  1  have  ever  seen  of  that  most 
beautiful  Lily.  The  leaves  were  very  large  and  of  great  sub- 
stance.  J.  \VlLLS. 


MR.  STANDISHS  LAST  NEW  GRAPE, 
This  is  the  Early  Ascot  Frontignan,  an  amber-coloured 
Grape,  with  a  fine  Muscat  flavour,  the  berry  and  bunch,  as 
regards  size  and  shape,  resembling  the  Boyal  Muscadine.  It 
is  a  free  setter,  very  hardy  and  vigorous,  and  the  earliest  Grape 
I  have  grown,  if  we  except  the  Chasselas  Vibert. 

This  valuable  variety  came  into  my  possession  as  follows : — 
Mr.  Standish,  having  heard  of  my  introducing  a  new  kind  of 
glass  structure  for  the  protection  and  the  earlier  ripening  of 
various  fruits,  kindly  sent  me  on  the  20th  of  August,  18G7,  a 
few  cuttings  of  this  new  Grape,  thinking  it  might  answer  well 
in  these  structures.  These  cuttings  were  sent  to  me  under  a 
promise  that  I  would  part  with  no  plant  without  his  permission, 
and  this  I  intend  strictly  to  adhere  to.  The  cuttings,  about  the 
size  of  a  small  goose-quill,  were  grafted  immediately  on  Black 
Humburgh  stocks.  One  on  a  stock  of  its  own  size  has  grown  a 
rod  of  12  feet  in  length,  but  it  is  the  one  grafted  on  a  spur  of 
an  established  Hamburgh  I  wish  to  call  attention  to.  This 
had  two  eyes,  very  small  indeed,  and  no  one  would  have 
imagined  that  each  eye  could  have  produced  a  vigorous  shoot 
and  a  bunch  of  Grapes.  One  shoot  was  stopped,  but  the  other 
grew  15  feet  in  length,  when  it  wi^s  accidentally  broken  off 
early  in  the  season  to  9  feet ;  it  would  otherwise  have  extended 
to  20  feet  at  least.  The  girth  of  this  shoot  is  1 J  inch  ;  the  wood 
is  ripe,  short-jointed,  and  the  eyes  very  prominent.  Three 
weeks  since  the  Grapes  were  dead  ripe,  whereas  those  of  the 
Hamburgh,  on  which  it  was  grafted,  are  not  yet  fully  coloured. 
I  consider  this  a  most  valuable  variety  as  far  as  1  have  yet 
had  experience  of  it.  With  the  protection  of  the  upright  hexa- 
gonal and  octagonal  glass  cases,  in  which  I  intend  cultivating 


October  8,  1868.  ) 


JOUKNAL  OF  HORTIOULTDKE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENEB. 


261 


it,  we  shall  have  no  diffionlty  in  growing  Grapes  in  the  open  air. 
I  was  so  interested  in  this  Grape  that  I  went  a  long  distance  (to 
Ascot),  to  see  Mr.  Standish  and  learn  his  experience  in  its 
growth.     I  am  happy  to  say  that  it  is  the  same  as  my  own. — 

OUSEEVEU. 

SPRING   FLOWERS  AT  THE   ANTIPODES.  _ 

I  SEND  you  a  few  hasty  notes  made  this  day  (July  '2Uh),  in 
my  garden,  being  what  1  may  term  "  a  spring  day  "  for  the 
first  time  this  season.  Our  winter  season  seems  to  be  fast 
passing  away  ;  however,  I  must  not  rely  too  much  upon  it,  for 
past  experience  tells  me  there  is  no  certainty  of  the  weather 
here.  My  thermometer  indicated  out  of  doors  to-day  in  the 
shade  at  noun  G5° ;  the  day  being  warm  and  cloudy  as  well, 
seemed  to  give  my  garden  quite  a  cheerful  aspect.  I  must 
state  to  you  first,  before  I  begin  writing  about  flowers,  that  we 
have  had  up  to  the  present  time  for  our  gardens  a  very  severe 
and  troublesome  winter;  very  severe  frosts  with  alternate  days 
of  rain,  snow  and  hail,  and  loud  thunder  occasionally.  We 
have  bad  weather  of  all  sorts  when  we  little  expect  such,  and 
generally  very  late  spring  frosts  annually,  to  our  great  mortifi- 
cation when  vegetation  of  all  kinds  is  far  advanced. 

The  following  are  my  random  notes  of  plants  in  and  out  of 
flower  :—.Jasminum  nudiflorum,  trained  against  my  house, 
with  some  hundreds  of  yellow  flowers  opening  and  fully  ex- 
panded. Berberis  aquifolium,  flowers  nearly  open.  Viburnum 
tinus  and  V.  tinus  lucidum,  going  out  of  flower,  had  been  in 
flower  all  winter.  Snowdrops  opened  their  flowers  for  the  first 
time  to-day ;  yellow  Crocuses  the  same ;  Hyacinths,  nibs  just 
showing  colour.  Upright  and  spreading  Cypress,  Virginian 
Cedar,  and  Arbor- Vitie,  new  male  and  female  flowers  nearly 
expanded,  most  of  them  shedding  seeds  out  of  the  old  cones. 
Botany  Bay  Myrtle  fVerouica),  with  its  beautiful  azure  blue 
spikes  in  flower  all  winter,  in  sheltered  parts  of  the  garden. 
Buddlea  salvifolia,  going  out  of  flower,  having  been  in  flower 
all  through  the  winter.  Amaryllis  belladonna,  and  A.  bella- 
donna minor,  now  growing  vigorously  after  flowering  profusely 
late  last  autumn;  Sternbergia  lutea  and  S.  Clusiaua  doing  the 
same.  Nerine  sarniensis,  now  producing  very  healthy  leaves 
after  resting  all  winter.  Yellow  Primrose  in  flower  all  winter  in 
a  warm  sheltered  place.  Spirsca  prunifulia  flore-pleno,  little 
white  flowers,  nearly  expanded,  flowers  profusely  in  this  part 
of  the  world.  Eosemary  bushes  very  full  of  flower.  Pyrus 
japouiea,  white  and  red,  now  in  full  flower.  Common  Box  tree 
in  flower  beautifully.  Flower  buds  of  Fortune's  Double  White 
Peach,  Almonds,  and  garden  Peach  beginning  to  swell. 

Peach  trees  look  very  promising  for  a  good  crop  again ;  I 
hardly  ever  knew  them  to  fail  here.  Dielytra  spectabilis, 
strong  buds  just  protruding  through  the  ground,  promises  to 
flower  freely  this  spring.  Double  red  and  white  Daisy  had  a 
few  casual  flowers  all  winter  ;  a  great  niimber  of  fresh  flowers 
now  open.  Double  white  Primrose.  Oh  !  this  is  lovely,  now 
profusely  in  bloom ;  single  and  double  Wallflowers  the  same. 
Jonquils  will  be  much  better  in  flower  in  a  few  days.  Forsythia 
viridissima  now  profusely  in  flower,  like  the  nude-flowered 
Jasmine.  Ligustrum  japonicum  has  just  gone  out  of  flower, 
after  having  remained  in  flower  all  winter.  Heartsease  nearly 
all  in  flower,  more  or  less.  Alder,  Birch,  and  Nuts  now  covered 
with  catkins,  but  not  shedding  pollen  yet.  Viburnum  tinus 
lucidum  flowering  again  a  second  time  ;  young  berries  on  the 
old  flower  stalks.  Alaternus,  flowers  not  quite  out.  Polyan- 
thus, one  plant  in  flower.  Daphne  pontica  and  D.  mezereum, 
the  former  in  full  flower  and  grows  well  here,  but  the  latter  is 
very  shy  with  us  from  some  cause  ;  it  flowers  freely,  but  makes 
no  growth.  Juniperus  prostrata,  very  full  of  berries.  Double 
and  single  sweet  Violets,  flowers  just  expanding.  Double  red 
Anemones  just  the  same.  Gilia  tricolor,  in  flower.  Hardy 
annuals  stand  the  winter  well  here.  Pjracantha,  fruit  dead 
ripe  on  the  plants,  and  the  same  with  Cotoneaster.  Camellias 
planted  out  in  the  open  border  have  stood  the  winter  well,  and 
look  very  healthy.  Eear's-ears,  new  leaves  just  unrolling. 
Cowslips,  a  few  now  open.  We  raise  a  great  variety  of  them 
here  from  seed,  self-sown  on  many  occasions.  This  will  end 
my  list. 

Fortune's  Cryptomeria,  his  Cypress,  and  his  Weigela  thrive 
well  here.  Besides  these  three,  1  may  add  his  double  Bindweed, 
Calystegia  pubescens,  and  the  rest  of  his  plants  from  China 
which  I  have  enumerated.  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  all  Mr. 
Fortune's  plants  which  I  have  written  about,  his  Moutan 
PiBonies  as  well,  unpacked  on  their  arrival  at  Chiswick  from 
China.     I  little  thought  at  that  time  I  should  grow  and  flower 


some  of  them  in  New  Zealand  as  well,  on  property  held  inmy 
own  perpetual  right. 

Many  of  the  plants  enumerated  may  be  considered  by  your 
readers  old  and  stale  ;  but  I  can  assure  you  in  a  new  country 
like  this  they  are  most  lovely,  and  produce  in  my  mind  many, 
very  many  recollections  of  the  past,  some  pleasant,  and  some 
painful,  particularly  those  about  "the  reign  of  terror"  to 
subordinates  at  Chiswick  garden.  I  see  by  reading  your  Journal 
every  mail  those  days  are  past ;  the  Society  seems  now  to  have 
the  right  man  in  tlie  ri,^ht  place  in  Lieut. -Col.  Scott. 

What  I  have  written  of  my  doings  here  is  the  result  of  immi- 
gration to  Xew  Zealand.  1  was  sorry  to  read  such  bad  accounts 
in  the  Journal  about  emigration  to  America.  Emigrants  to 
any  colony  must  not  be  afraid  of  hard  work.  I  say  to  them. 
Persevere,  and  you  will  conquer  in  the  end  as  I  have  done.  I 
work  very  hard  at  the  present  time  with  the  spade  ;  my  hands 
are  calloused,  which  is  a  pleasure  to  me  when  I  look  at  them, 
and  know  that  myself,  wife,  and  family  are  to  reap  the  benefit, 
which  I  Consider  much  better  than  toiling  in  a  gentleman's  or 
nobleman's  situation  at  home.  Independence  is  sweet  in  any 
country.  People  say  first  impressions  of  any  place  are  gene- 
rally lasting.  Mine  were  of  this  place  these ;  "  There's  a 
living  to  bo  got  hero  for  my  wife  and  family  if  I  persevere  and 
work  hard."  This  proved  quite  correct  in  my  case.  I  have 
been,  and  am  being  rewarded  for  my  preseverance  and  industry. 

Having  worked  very  hard  for  what  I  possess,  I  have  learnt 
a  lesson  as  a  working  man  how  to  take  care  of  it.  Living  at 
ease  here  for  a  working  man  is  quite  out  of  the  question  at  the 
present  day.  I  have  seen  many  instances  here  of  working  men 
getting  into  the  lawyer's  clutches  in  the  shape  of  borrowing 
money  on  their  homesteads,  &c. ;  their  troubles  then  generally 
begin. 

Bees  very  busy  to-dny,  carrying  pollen  for  the  first  time.  I 
can  perceive  to-day  that  winter  crops  of  vegetables  are  just 
beginning  to  "cheer  up."  Cabbages  and  Coleworts,  Broccoli,  and 
Winter  Spinach  are  all  on  the  move  after  a  long  winter's  rest. 
The  weather  during  the  present  and  past  winter  has  been  the 
most  severe  I  have  known  in  Canterbury.  Our  census  states 
Canterbury  has  '2,800  acres  in  orchard  or  gardens. — Willum: 
SwAXE,  Aconsidc  Botanic  Garden,  Chrhtchurclt,  Ca^.iterhiLTij^ 
New  Zealand. 

A  NEW  HOSE. 
Mada:je  Alice  DnKEAu,  which  I  before  said  was  a  promis- 
ing Bose,  is  now  (September  30th),  blooming  a  second  time. 
It  is  worthy  of  adoption.  Its  present  bloom  is  coloured  at 
the  edges  of  the  petals  like  Louise  Peryonny.  I  see,  by  Mr. 
Turner's  list  just  arrived,  that  it  won  a  gold  medal.  It  is  thus 
described,  "Bright  rosy  pink,  very  large,  full,  globular  form; 
superb.  Gold  medal,  Orleans,  18CG."  The  description  is  jusL 
— W.  F.  Eadclitfe. 


ESCALLONIA   M.VCE,ANTHA. 

In  the  pleasure  grounds  here  there  are  several  plants  of  the 
various  kinds  of  Escallouia.  Of  these  Escallonia  macrantha 
has  grown  very  freely.  There  are  some  plants  of  it  in  a  clump 
surrounded  by  grass,  and  almost  directly  in  the  way  of  persons 
crossing  from  one  side  of  the  grounds  to  the  other,  and  I  do  not 
remember  noticing  in  former  yesvrs  any  unpleasant  odour  from 
the  plants ;  but  ever  since  those  welcome  and  refreshing 
rains  which  fell  in  the  middle  of  August,  I  found,  on  passing 
the  clump,  that  it  emitted  a  very  unusual  and  rather  unplea- 
sant smell.  It  is  ob.^erved  most  in  a  calm  dewy  morning,  when 
the  air  is  still.  I  will  not  positively  say  that  it  is  given  oil  by 
the  Escallonia,  but  the  only  occupants  of  the  bed  besides  it  are 
a  few  well-known  plants  from  which  I  have  never  noticed  any 
such  odour.  They  consist  of  a  few  plants  of  Leycesteria  for- 
mosa  and  Fuchsia  Kiccartoni,  surrounded  by  a  band  of  Perilla 
nankinensis,  with  a  broad  band  of  Verbenas  all  round,  in  panels 
and  contrasting  colours. 

From  which  of  the  plants  does  this  singular  smell  proceed? 
I  know  of  nothing  which  it  resembles  so  much  as  that  of  a  heap 
of  crushed  or  ground  bones,  such  as  farmers  mix  up  with  some 
earthy  material  before  putting  it  upon  their  land.  To-day,  the 
air  being  damp  and  calm,  while  1  was  passing  in  front  of 
another  border,  I  detected  a  similar  smell,  and  looking  amongst 
the  shrubs  I  saw  a  plant  of  the  Escallonia  growing  there, 
which  still  more  induced  me  to  think  that  the  smell  must 
proceed  from  the  Escallonias.  I  write  not  so  much  with  the 
View  of  affirming  such  to  be  the  case  as  to  inquire  if  any  of 


262 


JOURNAL   OF   HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  October  9,  1368. 


your  readers  have  observed  an  ofiensive  odour  where  Escallo- 
niaa  are  growing.  When  I  drew  them  slightly  through  my 
hand  I  could  not  detect  it.  Does  it  only  accumulate  sutliciently 
to  be  perceptible  to  the  senses  when  the  air  is  damp  and  calm, 
and  in  a  sheltered  position  where  it  remains  almost  stagnant 
close  to  the  earth  ?  The  plants  here  occupy  a  sheltered  posi- 
tion, where  dews  remain  almost  undisturbed  in  very  calm 
weather. 

I  shall  be  glad  to  learn  if  anything  similar  has  been  observed 
by  others.  From  what  part  of  the  plant  can  the  odour  be 
emitted :'     Does  it  proceed  from  the  flowers  ? — G.  Dawsox. 


EOY.VL  HORTICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 

October  6th. 
Faurr  Co?nnTTEE. — G.  F.  Wilson,  Esq..  F.R.S..  in  the  chair- 
Messrs.  Stuart  Sc  Mein,  of  Kelso,  sent  two  plants  of  Curled  Parsley, 
which  the  Committee  did  not  consider  any  improvement  on  the  existing 
variety  in  general  cultivation.  They  also  sent  a  Celery  for  gamishini;, 
which  the  Committee  considered  too  coarse  for  that  purpose.  Mr. 
Todman,  of  Aldershot,  sent  a  bastet  of  thirty-two  Onions,  weighing  in 
the  aggregate  35  lbs.  They  were  remarkably  fine  specimens.  Mr. 
Todman  intimated  that  these  were  obtained  by  him  by  crossing  the 
White  Spanish  with  the  Tripoli,  and  he  named  the  variety  Ne  Plus 
Ultra  ;  but  in  the  opinion  of  the  Committee  it  did  not  differ  from  the 
White  Spanish.  Among  them  there  were  some  specimens  of  the 
Yellow  Onion  of  Holland.  The.  Committee  commended  the  exhibition 
on  account  of  the  culture,  but  not  as  a  new  variety.  Mr.  Colbourn, 
gardener  to  J.  Blyth,  Esq..  Woolbampton.  Berks,  sent  very  fine  speci- 
mens of  Salway  Peach,  which  were  so  much  admired  by  the  Committee 
that  they  awarded  it  a  special  certificate.  Mr.  G.  Ward,  gardener  to 
T.  N.  Miller,  Esq.,  Bishop  Stortford,  sent  a  splendid  fruit  of  Smooth 
Cayenne  Pine,  weighing  10  lbs.,  to  which  the  Committee  awarded  a 
special  certificate.  Messrs.  J.  A:  E.  Small,  of  Colnbrook,  sent  a  dish 
of  fine  large  Walnuts,  which  were  excellent  in  flavour.  Mr.  Drewett, 
gardener  to  Mrs.  Cnbitt,  The  Denbies,  sent  specimens  of  Meredith's 
Scarlet-fiesh  and  Wills's  Green  Gem  Melons,  but  it  was  evidently  too 
late  for  Melons,  as  the. flavour  was  indififerent,  and  it  was  remarked 
that  Meredith's  Scarlet-flesh  was  the  same  as  Turner's  Gem.  A  new 
hybrid  Melon  came  from  Mr.  Rideont,  gardener  to  W.  S.  Brown,  Esq., 
Reigate.  but  the  same  observation  is  applicable  to  this  as  to  the  others. 
Mr.  Beach,  Kingswood  Warren,  Epsom,  sent  fruit  of  a  Green- 
fleshed  Melon,  very  sweet,  but  with  no  flavour.  Mr.  Stewart,  of 
Nunebam  Park,  sent  a  fine  laroe  fruit  of  Dr.  Hogg,  but  the  flavour 
was  inferior.  All  of  these  Melons  had  evident  good  quaUties,  but  the 
late  period  of  the  season  is  against  the  production  of  tiavonr. 

Messrs.  James  Veitch  Sc  Sons  exhibited  a  seedling  dessert  Apple, 
called  Cloke's  Seedling,  raised  at  Cheltenham.  It  is  of  a  roundish 
ovate  shape,  even  and  regular  in  its  outline,  of  a  rich  yellow  colour 
on  the  shaded  side,  and  streaked  and  mottled  with  crimson.  The  eye 
is  small  and  open,  with  segments  reflexed  at  the  tips,  and  placed  in 
an  even  saucer-like  basin.  Stall--  half  an  inch  long.  Elesh  very 
tender,  very  juicy,  sweet,  and  with  a  fine  flavour.  It  was  awarded  a 
first-class  certificate.  Messrs.  Small,  of  Colnbrook,  sent  a  large 
Apple,  strongly  resembling  Golden  Noble,  large  and  handsome,  and 
of  good  flavour.  It  was  named  Queen  Victoria,  but  the  Committee 
were  of  opinion  that  it  was  not  sufliciently  distinct  from  Golden  Noble. 
Messrs.  Harrison,  of  Leicester,  sent  a  fine  Inrge  seedling  Apple,  with 
a  brisk,  crisp  fle.=ih,  called  Annie  Elizabeth,  which  received  a  first-class 
ceiiificate  as  a  kitchen  Apple.  Mr.  Sampson,  of  Yeovil,  sent  a  large 
seedling  kitchen  Apple,  called  Benedictine,  of  pale  colour,  and  a  fine 
brisk  acidity.  It  was  said  to  keep  till  January,  and  Mr.  Sampson 
was  requested  to  send  it  again  in  January.  Mr.  W.  Plester.  gardener, 
Elsenham  Hall,  Bishop's  Stortford,  sent  a  seedling  dessert  Apple  from 
the  old  Summer  Golden  Pippin,  but  it  bad  no  merit  to  recommend  it. 

Mr.  Stewart,  of  Nunebam,  sent  a  splendid  dish  of  Seckle  Pears. 
They  were  beautiful  in  appearance  and  dehcious  in  flavour.  Mr. 
Whiting,  of  The  Deepdene,  produced  fruit  of  Gansel's  Seckle,  to  be 
tasted  in  contrast  with  Seckle.  This  is  a  fine  Pear,  and  has  not  so 
much  musk  in  its  flavour  as  Seckle.  Mr.  Whiting  also  sent  Beurre 
Superfin.  which  this  season  is  rather  acid  and  bitter.  Althorp  Cra- 
sanne  was  dry  and  mealy,  Marie  Louise  from  a  wall  was  very  deU- 
cately  flavoured  and  rich, and  those  from  apyramidwere  more  mssetty 
and  with  a  stronger  and  more  pronounced  flavour.  Kingsessing  is  a 
large  and  handsome  American  Pear,  but  the  flavour  was  not  good.  A 
special  certificate  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Whiting  for  this  collection. 

Mr.  RiJeout,  gardener  to  W.  S.  Brown,  Esq.,  Eeigate,  sent  fruit  of 
Granadilla,  and  jam  made  from  it.  The  jam  was  rather  sweet,  but 
on  the  whole  was  approved  by  the  Committee.  The  Committee 
awarded  a  special  certificate.  IsLv.  Wells  sent  some  excellent  examples 
of  Vines,  laden  with  fruit,  gi'own  in  ground  vineries. 

Mr.  Charles  Lee,  of  the  Vineyard.  Hammersmith,  sent  a  bunch  of 
Black  Hamburgh  Grape,  perfectly  ripened  against  his  house. 

Mr.  Robert  Collins,  gardener  to  Major  Trevor  Clarke,  sent  a  very 
nice  collection  of  dessert  Apples,  which  rcceired  a  special  certificate. 
The  Rev.  Lister  Lister,  Monktou,  Charnwortb.  Ukewise  contributed  a 
eoUection  of  Apples  and  Pears  grown  in  his  district. 


Flobal  CoMMrrxEE. — Several  collections  of  plants  made  this  meet- 
ing very  attractive,  and  the  additional  interest  caused  by  the  compe- 
tition of  the  edible  and  poisonous  Fungi  brought  a  goodly  attendance 
of  Fellows.  The  awards  made  by  the  Committee  were  as  follows : — • 
Mr.  R.  J.  Gray,  of  Newlands.  Alphington,  received  a  first-class  certi- 
ficate for  Poiystichum  angulare  Grayii,  each  frond  being  brancbed- 
Messrs.  Veitch  received  first-class  certificates  for  Vanda  insignis,  true. 
They  exhibited  two  flowers  of  varieties  that  have  been  sent  out  as 
insignis,  one  buff,  the  other  purplish  white,  differing  in  many  re- 
spects from  the  true  Vanda  insignis;  Araucaria  elegans,  a  bean- 
tiful  Conifer;  and  Adiautum  densum.  a  very  distinct  Fern.  A  special 
certificate  was  awarded  for  their  collection  of  Orchids,  also  for  their  mia- 
cellaneons  collection  of  plants. 

Mr,  B.  Williams,  HoUoway,  sent  Cattleya  maxima  snperba,  5IiI- 
tonia  Moreliana,  and  Odontoglossnm  bictonense  splendens.  A  special 
certificate  was  awarded  for  his  collection  ef  plants.  Mr.  Warren, 
Salisbury,  s-n  fa  collection  of  seedling  Zonal  Pelargoniums.  A  hybrid 
Begonia  raised  by  Major  Trevor  Clarke,  B.  weltonensis,  was  awarded  a 
first-class  certificate.  The  plant  was  covered  with  bright  rose-coloured 
flowers,  and  has  been  in  bloom  since  April.  This  variety  is  in  the 
hands  of  Mr.  A.  Henderson,  who  exhibited  it  in  February,  1864,  as 
B.  omata,  when  it  received  a  second-class  certificate.  The  specimens 
exhibited  were  grown  at  Chiswick.  A  beautiful  seedling  Coleus  came 
from  Chiswick  gardens,  and  received  a  first-class  certificate.  It  was 
named  Queen  Victoria.  This  is  a  very  distinct  and  beautiful  variety, 
the  leaf  having  a  dark  maroon  centre  with  a  bright  golden  mai^in. 
Many  other  seedlings  were  sent,  which  are  to  be  examined  again. 
Several  handsome  yellow-leaved  Caladiums  came  from  the  gardens, 
and  a  beautiful  yellow-foliaged  Fuchsia,  very  distinct  and  good.  By 
some  mischance  this  plant  was  not  brought  before  the  Committee. 

Mr.  Coomber,  gardener  to  Col.  Wilkinson,  brought  a  silver-edged 
Zonal  Pelargonium,  ha\*ing  a  bright  red  zone,  and  named  Mrs.  Col. 
Wilkinson.  It  was  exhibited  at  the  last  September  meeting,  and  re- 
ceived a  second-class  certificate ;  bat  it  had  improved  so  much  that  on 
the  present  occasion  it  was  awarded  a  first-class  certificate.  Mr.  Bull 
sent  seedling  Coleus  Victor,  a  good  variety,  but  too  much  like  some 
others ;  Coleus  refulgens,  and  Coleus  Masterpiece  ;  Abies  japonica, 
an  Areca,  Veronica  Celestial,  Cupressus  Balfouriana,  Phytolephas 
niacrocarpa,  Ptychosperma  elegans.  requested  to  be  seen  again,  and 
Nothochla^na  Candida,  a  Fern  exhibited  in  1866  as  N.  cretica,  and 
which  received  a  first-class  certificate  in  that  year.  Mr.  Bull  was 
awarded  a  first-class  certificate  for  a  beautiful  Anaectochilus — Dawsoni- 
anus,  also  for  Calamus  Lavisianus,  a  second-class  certificate  for  Gym- 
nogramma  Laucheana  var.  Mr.  Wright  sent  seedling  Dahlias  ;  Mr. 
Rawlings  the  same,  and  received  a  first-class  certificate  for  Emperor,  a 
fine  dark  puce  flower.  Mr.  Bragge  received  a  first-class  certificate  for 
seedling  Dahlia  Commodore,  a  bright  buil  flower.  Mr.  Groom,  Ipswich, 
sent  three  seedling  Zonal  Pelargoniums — namely,  John  Hopper,  light 
scarlet,  Mrs.  Sach,  white,  and  Climax,  salmon  rose.  These  powers 
were  of  some  merit,  but  as  exhibited  not  first-rate. 

Mr.  Drewett.  sardener  to  Mrs.  Cnbitt,  Denbies.  sent  some  flowers  of 
a  seedling  pink  Tacsonia ;  and  Mr.  Chambers,  Beddingham,  a  seed- 
ling Lobelia  alba,  white.  Mr.  Green,  gardener  to  W.  W.  Satmders, 
Esq.,  Reigate,  received  a  first-class  certificate  for  an  Oucidium. 
He  also  sent  a  new  Bilbergia,  named  Sanndersii,  from  Bahia.  Mr. 
Church.  Piumstead,  sent  a  seedling  Zonal  Pelargonium,  hardly  free  of 
the  guard  leaf  ;  and  Mr.  Ferguson,  a  variegated  form  of  the  common 
Musk  plant.  An  Odontoglossnm  grande,  from  the  Society's  garden, 
Kensington,  with  six  flowers  in  great  perfection,  received  a  special 
certificate.  Mr.  Tanton,  Epsom,  again  brought  his  Allamanda  Ward- 
leana,  which  has  been  decidedly  proved  to  be  A.  Hendersoni.  Major 
Trevor  Clarke  brought  four  very  beautiful  varieties  of  the  Autumnal 
Crocus,  C.  byzantinus  or  nuditlorus,  C.  longitiorus.  C.  pyrensns  or 
nndifii^rus.  and  C.  speciosus  :  the  delicate  shades  of  blue  or  grey  were 
very  beautiful.  Major  Clarke  also  brought  a  branch  of  the  scarlet- 
fruited  Egg  Plant,  which  was  very  handsome  ;  likewise  another  Sola- 
num,  producing  scarlet  fruit,  the  plant  having  very  prickly  foliage. 


GENERAL  Meetikg. — J.  Russell  Reeves,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  in  the  chair. 
Four  new  Fellows  were  elected.  In  announcing  the  awards  of  the 
Floral  Committee,  the  Rev.  Joshua  Dix  directed  attention  to  an 
Onion  plant  raised  from  one  found  in  a  plaster  cast  several  years  old, 
which  had  been  broken  up  in  the  studio  of  Mr.  Noble,  the  eminent 
sculptor,  and  sugcjested  as  the  vitality  of  the  Onion  had  been  pre- 
served so  well  in  the  plaster  of  Paris,  the  circumstance  might  afford  a 
hint  as  to  the  preservation  of  other  bulbs  imported  from  abroad. 
G.  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  F.R.S..  reported  the  awards  of  the  Fruit  Com- 
mittee, and  added  that  the  first  and  second  prizes,  of  the  respective 
values  of  i'3  3s.  and  £'2  2s.,  given  for  edible  Fungi  by  Lady  Dorothy 
Nevill,  and  Mrs.  Lloyd  Wynne,  had  been  awarded  to  Dr.  Bnll,  of 
Hereford,  and  Mr.  Worthington  G.  Smith,  of  North  Grove  West, 
Mildmay  Park. 

Major  R.  Trevor  Clarke  then  expressed  his  regret  that  on  an  occa- 
sion when  Fungi  had  been  broufrbt  forward  in  number,  that  great  myco- 
logist the  Rev.  Mr.  Berkeley,  owinc;  to  an  indisposition,  had  been  unable 
to  remain  at  the  meeting,  and  make  remarks  on  the  Fungi  exhibited 
Fortunately,  however,  the  two  exhibitors  who  had  gained  the  prizes, 
were  also  mycologists,  and  had  consented  to  offer  some  observations 
on  the  subject ;  but  before  calling  upon  them  to  do  so,  he  would 
direct  attention  to  the  four  species  of  beautiful  autumnal  Crocuses 


October  8,  1869.    ] 


JOURNAL  OF    HORTICULTUKE   AND   COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


263 


which  he  hira<ielf  had  bronRUt.  These  wore  the  C.  pyrenrous  of 
Herbert,  or  C.  nudiflorns  of  Hooker,  which  is  naturalised  in  Lancashire, 
and  aUo  to  bo  fonnd  in  meadows  in  Warwickshire;  C.  byzantinus, 
otherwi-io  C.  iridifloms,  an  extremely  Iieantiful  Crocus  which  simulates 
the  Flag  or  Iri.^,  the  corolla  standiuc  np,  while  the  sepals  full  down- 
wards ;  C.  lon;;itiorus,  and  C.  spcciocus.  also  of  very  great  beaut)'. 
These  four  Crocnses  follow  each  other  in  succession,  beginning  to 
flower  in  September  and  ending  in  midwinter.  They  were  published 
by  Dean  Herbert  in  his  "  Crotrornm  Synopsis,"  and  the  specimens 
exhibited  were  raised  from  seed  given  to  bim  (Major  Clarke)  by  the 
Dean's  brother,  Mr.  Algernon  Herbert.  Major  ClurUn  then  pointed 
out  a  Solaunm  raised  from  seed  sent  homo  by  Dr.  Jamieson  from 
the  Peruvian  Andes,  and  remarkable  for  the  beauty  of  its  orange 
fruit,  which  was  used  as  an  ornament  for  the  hair  by  the  ladies  of  the 
oauntry. 

Mr.  Ligglns  said  that  the  plant  was  a  common  weed  in  Montserrat, 
covering  many  acres  of  ground.  There  were  two  kinds,  one  of  which 
had  fruit  three  or  four  times  the  size  of  that  on  the  plant  exhibited, 
and  when  seen  in  the  sunshine  the  effect  was  very  striking.  Another 
was  known  as  the  Prickly  Apple. 

Major  Clarke  remarked  that  there  were  many  species  of  Solanum 
with  ornamental  fruit,  and  instanced  one  with  scarlet  frnit,  which  had 
l^een  raised  from  seed  sent  to  liim  as  that  of  the  true  Scarlet  Egg  Plant 
or  Brinjal.'  Begonia  weltouensis,  noticed  in  our  Floral  Committee 
report,  was  then  referred  to,  and  Major  Clarke  said  his  reason  for 
doing  so  was  that  the  plant  had  been  attributed  to  him,  instead  of 
which  it  was  the  property  of  Mr.  Arthur  Henderson,  to  whom  he  had 
given  the  seeds.  At  the  close  of  his  remarks,  Major  Clarke  exhibited 
a  flower  raised  from  seeds  sent  to  him  as  those  of  Dahlia  imperialis, 
a  miserable  specimen  of  a  common  small-flowered  Dahlia. 

Dr.  Bull,  in  rising  to  make  some  observations  on  the  Fungi  exhi- 
bited, said  that  he  laboured  under  the  great  disadvantage  that  ho  had 
not  expected  to  be  called  upon  to  undertake  such  a  task.  One  of  the 
main  objects  of  his  attending  the  meeting  had  been  to  hear  Mr. 
Berkeley,  therefore  those  who  were  present  could  not  be  more  disap- 
pointed than  he  was  himself  at  Mr.  Berkeley's  being  under  the  necessity 
of  going  away.  A  prejudice  existed  with  regard  to  Fungi,  which 
caused  difliculties  in  approaching  the  subject,  but  it  was  extraordinary, 
though  the  ground  was  teeming  with  food  in  the  shape  of  Fungi,  that 
these  should  be  wasted.  The  first  species  to  which  he  would  direct 
attention  was  Fistulina  hepatiea,  '"  the  Vegetable  Beefsteak."  This, 
as  stated  on  the  label  attached  to  it,  is  the  best  possible  addition  to  a 
beefsteak,  and  a  beefsteak  in  itself  if  properly  cooked.  If  prepared 
by  a  good  cook  along  with  ordinary  gravy,  anyone  would  believe  it  to 
be  a  beefsteak.  Another  Fungus,  very  different  in  its  character,  was 
the  Pnffball,  Lycnperdon  giganteum,  of  which  the  Chairman  exhibited 
specimens.  Three  weeks  ago  he  had  seen  one  ?>\  feet  in  circumference, 
and  weighing  (>  lbs.  Sliced  and  frittered,  or  in  whatever  way  cooked, 
it  acts  as  a  vegetable  egg.  His  belief  was  that  all  Puffballs  in  a 
young  state  are  really  edible,  but  their  growth  being  so  rapid,  there  is 
a  corresponding  rapidity  of  decay,  and  when  that  commences  they  are 
unwholesome,  though  they  would  not  be  so  if  taken  young  enough. 
Certainly  some  inconvenience  from  eating  Scleroderma  vnlgare  had 
been  lately  recorded,  but  the  specimens,  no  doubt,  were  rather  old. 
Although  all  Fun.gi  were  not  fit  for  food,  it  would  be  a  very  unusual 
oocnrrence  for  him  not  to  be  able  to  go  out  in  the  autumn  months 
and  bring  home  some  Fungus  good  to  eat,  though  he  did  not  mean 
to  affirm  that  every  one  would  be  equal  to  the  common  Mushroom. 
Still  there  were  some,  Agaricns  procerus  (the  Parasol  Agaric),  for  in- 
stance, which  he  thought  superior  to  the  ordinary'  Mushroom  ;  and  in 
different  species  there  was  a  considerable  diversity  of  flavour.  The 
Chainnan  had  brought  the  finest  specimen'of  A.  procerus  in  the  room, 
as  far  as  size  was  concerned,  but  it  would  not  be  so  for  ilavonr.  for 
when  so  large  this  Agaric  was  only  fit  for  catsup.  It  should  be  small, 
and  then  it  was  lighter  and  more  digestible  than  the  ordinary  Mush- 
room. It  might  be  cooked  in  any  way,  and  was  excellent  in  all.  It 
was  distinguished  by  a  loose  ring  and  the  snake  scales  on  the  stem. 
In  the  prize  collections  it  was  to  be  seen  in  all  its  characters.  A. 
(Lepiota)  naucinus  next  came  under  notice,  and  Dr.  Ball  related 
that  he  and  some  friends  had  partaken  of  it,  and  very  much  enjoyed 
it,  thinking  that  it  was  A.  procerus,  but  finding  the  tlavour  not  quite 
that  of  A.  procems,  they  examined  the  specimens  and  found  them  to 
be  A.  naucinus,  and  this  he  stated  to  be  a  delicate  Agaric,  which  may 
be  cooked  in  all  the  ordinary  ways.  Next  he  came  to  the  Maned 
Agaric,  Copriuus  comatus,  about  which  there  could  he  no  possible 
mistake.  It  might  be  found  during  four  or  five  months  in  the  year 
by  the  sides  of  byeways,  and  in  waste  places  ;  its  abundance  was  ex- 
traordinary. As  the  label  stated,  it  has  a  delicate  flavour,  and  when 
boiled  in  the  ordinary  way  and  served  on  toast  is  thought  by  many 
connoisseurs  equal  to  any  Agaric  grown.  It  requires  to  bo  eaten  in  a 
young  state. 

The  Horse  Mushroom,  Agaricns  arvensis,  was  next  referred  to, 
ani  Dr.  Bull  stated  that,  on  passing  through  Covent  Garden,  for  the 
one  or  two  dishes  of  the  common  Mushroom  (A.  campestris).  which  he 
saw,  there  were  dozens  of  the  Horse  Mushroom,  which,  however,  was 
perfectly  harmless,  and  might  be  cooked  in  every  way  like  the  Common 
Mushroom,  and  by  many  was  thought  equally  delicious.  It  requires, 
however,  rather  more  time.  The  Fairy  Ring  Champignon,  Marasmius 
oreades  was  also  exceedingly  good  when  cooked  as  follows  : — Put  the 
Agarics  on  toast ;   salt,  pepper  and  batter  (or  add  a  little  clotted  or 


scalded  cream),  put  a  clove  on  the  toast,  cover  with  a  glass,  and  bake 
or  broil  before  the  tire  for  twenty  minutes.  Serve  np  without  removing 
the  cover.  Agaricns  prunuhn,  called  by  some  Vegetable  Sweetbread, 
which  also  grows  in  fairy  riugn,  was  called  by  Badham  "  the  dainty 
Orcella."  It  was  a  delicate  kind  requiring  light  cooking.  A  friend  of 
his  (Dr.  Bull's)  said  that  every  Fungus  found  growing  in  fairy  rings 
was  wholesome,  but  there  were  some;  which  if  so  were  not  good. 

Passing  from  edible  to  poisonous  Fungi,  Dr.  Bull  remarked  that  the 
proportion  which  the  latter  boar  to  the  former  is  not  greater  than  that 
of  poisonous  to  wholesome  plants.  Poisonous  plants  were  known  and 
avoided,  and  it  was  just  that  knowledge  which  was  required  with 
regard  to  Fungi.  Just  as  people  did  not  go  and  pick  up  every  plant 
for  use,  BO  one  ought  not  to  gather  the  first  Fungus  ho  might  meet 
with.  The  knowledge  was  easily  acquired,  and  through  the  aid  of  Mr. 
Smith's  excellent  plates  "  fungophagy "  was  spreading  very  fast. 
Still  he  (Dr.  Bull),  thought  the  Koyal  Horticultural  Society  had  done 
exceedingly  well  to  encourage  an  exhibition  of  Fungi,  for  though 
figures  and  descriptions  in  books  wore  very  useful,  they  were  not  equal 
to  the  actual  specimens. 

Noticing  a  few  more  edible  Fungi,  Dr.  Bull  held  up  a  specimen  of 
the  Cantharellus  cibarius,  the  true  Chanterelle,  and  said  that  if  one 
gave  an  entertainment  the  French  cook  would  ask  for  the  Clianterelle, 
and  guineas  would  probably  have  to  be  paid  for  that  which  should  only 
cost  shillings,  as  the  Chanterelle  grows  abundantly  near  Loudon.  As 
stated  on  the  label,  it  is  excellent  in  every  way.  By  itself,  sliced  and 
stewed  with  butter,  pepper,  and  salt,  it  makes  an  excellent  dish  with  a 
Mushroom  flavour.  An  allied  Fungus  bearing  considerable  resem- 
blance to  the  preceding,  was  then  exhibited ;  but  though  it  might  ba 
mistaken  for  the  Chanterelle,  no  harm,  it  was  said,  would  result. 

Several  poisonous  Fungi  were  then  briefly  noticed,  and  among  them 
Boletus  luridns.  The  next  was  one  startling  for  its  beauty — namely, 
Agaricns  mu3carius,  than  which  Dr.  Bull  said  he  did  not  know  any- 
thing more  beautiful  in  nature,  especially  the  specimens  sent  by  Mr. 
Reeves.  It  was  one  of  the  most  poisonous  Fungi  known.  Dr.  Badham 
had  sent  it  to  some  ladies  to  be  sketched,  intending  to  call  on  them 
and  speak  to  them  about  it.  but  was  prevented  from  carrying  out  his  in- 
tention by  an  urgent  case.  The  ladies,  thinking  that  what  came  from  Dr. 
Badham  was  sure  to  be  good,  after  sketching  ic  had  it  cooked,  partook 
of  it,  and  when  Dr.  Badham  came  they  had  been  carried  to  bed  intoxi- 
cated by  its  action.  In  fact,  this  Agaric  was  used  in  Russia  for  the 
purpose  of  producing  intoxication.  If  cooked  at  all,  however,  it  lost  a 
portion  of  its  poison.  In  conneftion  with  this  fact,  he  would  mention 
that  there  was  once  a  doctor  in  Paris  who  undertook  to  eat  any  Fungi 
brought  to  him.  but  before  cooking  them  they  were  soaked  in  vinegar 
and  water,  and  he  then  ate  them  ivith  impunity.  Other  poisonous  species 
were  A.  fascicnlaris,  which  is  commonly  met  with  ;  A.  sulphureus, 
rare  ;  A.  squarrosus  extremely  beautiful ;  and  three  very  interesting 
Fungi  were  Cyathus  vermicosus,  C.  striatus,  and  Sph^robolus  stellatus- 
Among  species  gay  in  colour,  there  were  the  scarlet  Peziza  and  Rus- 
sula  rubra.  Bulgaria  inquinans,  which  is  found  on  the  bark  of  trees, 
was  also  exhibited  to  the  meeting 

Dr.  Bull  concluded  a  long  and  very  interesting  discourse  by  ob- 
serving that  unless  the  educated  classes  could  he  induced  to  eat 
Fungi,  the  poor  would  never  be  brought  to  do  so.  In  his  own  neigh- 
bourhood the  Field  Naturalists'  Society  had  taken  up  the  subject,  in 
consequence  of  the  action  taken  by  the  Koyal  Horticultural  Society- 
Kxample  was  better  than  precept. 

Mr.  W.  G.  Smith  said  ho  would  make  a  few  remarks  on  the  seeds 
or  spores  of  Fungi,  as  Dr.  Bull  had  not  touched  on  that  subject. 
Nearly  all  the  Fungi  with  white  seeds  were  edible,  and  in  form  such 
seeds  were  generally  roundish,  or  roundish  oval,  whilst  the  poisonous 
Fungi  generally  assumed  forms  of  angular  outline,  and  one  of  those 
exhibited  had  spores  which  seemed  as  if  covered  all  over  with  spikes. 
The  colour  of  the  seeds  of  Mushrooms  was  generally  that  of  the  gills, 
and  all  pink  seeds  generally  were  angular  in  their  inm.  "With  re- 
gard to  Agaricns  muscarius,  he  would  add  that  he  had  never  found  it 
anywhere  but  under  Birch  trees. 

Mr.  Blenk-ins  moved  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Dr.  Bull  and  Mr.  Smith, 
which  was  seconded  by  Major  Trevor  Clarke,  the  latter  remarking 
that  the  meeting  had  been  one  of  the  most  interesting  S'.a/ices  at 
which  he  had  been  present.  The  motion  having  been  onanimonsly 
carried.  Major  Clarke  called  attention  to  a  process  by  which  the 
curious  frail  Agarics  are  preserved  in  the  greatest  possible  perfection, 
and  which  it  was  stated  was  devised  by  Mr.  English,  of  Epping,  who 
exhibited  examples  of  several  species. 

In  addition  to  the  species  of  Fungi  noticed  above  Dr.  Bull  had 
Hydnum  repandum,  of  which  Mr.  Berkeley  has  stated  that  there  is 
not  a  more  excellent  Fungus  when  steeped  in  hot  water,  drain-^d  in  a 
cloth,  and  cooked  in  the  ordinary  way  ;  Lactarius  deliciosus.  the  Orange 
Milk  Agaric,  stated  by  Badham  to  be  tender  as  lambs'  kidnvys,  and 
for  cooking  which  Soyer  has  given  directions  ;  Agaricns  rachodes  ; 
Gomphidius  viscidus.  a  mucilaginous  species ;  and  Agaricns  melleng, 
which  should  be  steeped  in  vinegar  and  water  for  half  an  hour,  then 
peeled,  and  fried  with  butter,  pepper,  and  salt,  with  the  addition  of  a 
little  Hervey  sauce  and  a  clove  or  two. 

Mr.  Smith's  collection  comprised  a  large  number  of  species,  both 
edible  and  poisonous;  and  J.  C.  Reeves,  Esq.,  Huntslind,  Worthy 
Sussex,  and  J.  R.  Reeves,  Esq.,  sent  several  fine  specimens,  some  of 
which  have  been  referred  to  above. 


264 


JOURNAIj  of  HOBTICULTUEE   AND   COTTAGE   GAKDENEE. 


t  Octobor  8, 1868. 


HORTICULTURE  IN  THE  HOSPITjU.— A  HAPPY 
THOUGHT. 

In  the  report  of  the  proceedings  of  the  meetiDg  of  the 
governors  of  the  Hospital  of  Incurables,  we  find  chronicled 
what  appears  to  us  to  be  a  charming  gardening  episode,  and  a 
beautiful  illustration  of  the  sympathies  and  kind-heartedness 
of  a  noble  lady,  the  members  of  whose  house  have  ever  been 
amongst  horticulture's  foremost  and  most  distinguished 
patrons.  We  are  told  that  on  the  occasion  a  letter  was  read 
from  Mr.  G.  Smith,  head  gardener  at  the  Viceregal  Lodge, 
saying  that  he  had  forwarded  a  number  ol  plants  which  he  had 
been  directed  specially  to  prepare  for  the  institution  by  her 
Grace  the  Duchess  of  Abercorn.  Her  Grace  was  not  mistaken 
in  the  gift.  Gardening  ministers  largely,  indeed,  to  our 
material  and  everyday  wants,  as  well  as  to  the  elegance  and 
luxuries  of  life  ;  but  it  is  yet  more  blessed  in  its  resources  for 
relieving  the  tedium  and  ennui  of  the  sick-room,  or,  mayhap, 
giving  a  fillip  to  the  sinking  frame,  which  has  often  been  the 
turning  point  to  recovery.  There  are  few  physicians  who  are 
not  familiar  with  instances  where  a  bunch  of  forced  Grapes  or 
delicate  vegetable  strengthened  their  hands  when  hope  was 
almost  gone,  and  was  found  more  potent  for  good  than  all  the 
medicines  in  the  Pharmacopccia.  So,  too,  in  the  room  of  the 
confirmed  invalid,  a  Fern  stand  or  a  few  pot  plants  become  as 
friends,  and  a  recently  gathered  flower  is  a  joy  which  brightens 
up,  albeit  though  only  for  a  moment,  the  lustreless  eye  of 
hopeless  sufi'ering. 

It  has  been  truly  said  that  the  love  of  plants  and  flowers  is — 

"  An  inf^edient  in  the  compound  man. 
Infused  at  the  creation  of  the  kind." 

In  truth  it  was  a  kindly,  and  a  thoughtful  as  kindly,  act,  when 
her  Grace  instructed  Mr.  Smith  to  prepare  these  specimens  to 
present  to  the  incurables.  The  institution  has  more  than 
once  been  visited  by  her  Grace,  and  we  have  heard  a  distin- 
guished physician,  who  takes  an  especial  interest  in  it,  fre- 
quently speak  with  enthusiasm  of  the  Duchess's  prolonged 
visits,  and  the  time  she  spent  by  the  bedsides  of  the  patients. 
— (Irish  Farmer's  Ga:ett(:) 


PEAS. 

Dickson's  Fiest  and  Best. — I  consider  this  Pea  a  most 
valuable  kind.  I  have  at  present  a  splendid  crop  from  seed 
saved  from  the  first  sowing  literally  covered  with  pods  and 
flowers.  Not  so  with  some  other  early  kinds  sown  at  the  same 
time,  and  afforded  the  same  treatment. 

The  Princi.  (Stuart  &  Mein),  is  another  valuable  kind  to 
which  I  wish  to  call  attention.  It  was  sown  with  some  other 
old  and  well-tried  kinds  in  spring,  but  was  much  superior  in 
every  way,  branching  out  from  the  axil  of  every  leaf,  and 
beaiing  most  profusely.  This,  in  my  opinion,  is  distinct  from 
all  the  other  dwarf  Marrow  varieties. — E.  Welsh,  Palace  Gar- 
dens, Armai/h,  Ireland. 


NOTES   AND   GLEANINGS. 

On  the  20th  of  September  died  Mr.  Henrt  Bailey,  one 
of  the  best  of  our  English  horticulturists.  He  had  been  head 
gardener  to  Earl  Spencer,  at  Altborp,  and  to  the  late  Mr.  George 
Harcourt,  at  Nuneham.  When  the  gentleman  last-named  died, 
he  bequeathed  Mr.  Bailey  an  annuity  of  £100  for  life,  and  this 
induced  him  to  retire  from  garden  service.  He  resided  at 
Amersham,  and  was  in  his  65th  year  at  the  time  of  his  death. 


PORTRMTS  OF  PLANTS,  FLOWERS,  AND 
FRUITS. 

PtJYA  Whttei  (Whyte's  Chilian  Puya).  Xat.  ord.,  Brome- 
liaceae.  Linn.,  Hexandria  Monogynia. — "  A  superb  rock- 
plant,"  introduced  by  Messrs.  Veitch,  from  Chili.  Flowers 
dull  blue.— (£ot.  Mac,.,  t.  5732.) 

LiNARiA  OEiGANiFuLiA  var.  CRASSiFOLiA  (Thick-leaved-Mar- 
joram-leaved  Toad  Flax).  Nat.  ord.,  Sorophulariacete.  Linn., 
Didynamia  Angiospermia. — A  hardy  rock  plant.  Native  of 
South  of  France,  Spain,  and  Portugal.  Flowers  purple  and 
lilac— (Z;,id.,  t.  5733.) 

Blandfordia  Cunninghamii  (Allan  Cunningham's  Bland- 
fordia).  Nat.  ord.,  Liliacea?.  Linn.,  Hexandria  Monogynia. — 
Native  of  the  Blue  Mountains,  New  South  Wales.    Introduced 


by  Messrs.  E.  G.  Henderson  &  Sons,  Wellington  Nurseries- 
Flowers  orange  scarlet,  tipped  with  yellow  outside ;  inside  al 
yellow.— (/ft/d.,  (.  5731.) 

Areca  Baueri  (Bauer's,  or  Norfolk  Island  Betel  Palm). 
Nat.  ord.,  Palmre.  Linn.,  Monoeoia  Hexandria. — This  Norfolk 
Island  Palm  flowers  annually  freely  in  the  Kew  Palm  House, 
and  less  well  in  the  temperate  houses. — (Ibid.,  t.  5735.) 

Odontoglosscm  coNSTRicTuir  (Narrow-petalled  Odontoglot). 
Nat.  ord.,  Orchidaeeie.  Linn.,  Gynandria  Monandria. — It  is  a 
native  of  Caraccas.  Flowers  yellow,  blotched  with  brown. — 
(Ibid.,  t.  5736.) 

Golden  Champion  Grape. — "  It  is  not  only  a  decided  no- 
velty, but  a  novelty  of  the  very  highest  excellence.  Free  and 
robust  in  growth,  hardy  and  prolific  in  habit,  magnificent  both 
in  berry  and  in  cluster,  and  exquisite  in  flavour,  what  more 
can  be  desired  1  lu  truth,  its  merits  are  of  so  high  an  order, 
that  they  leave  little  to  be  wished  for. 

"  The  bunch  of  the  Golden  Champion  is  moderately  large, 
compactly-shouldered,  and  somewhat  tapered,  with  a  stout 
fleshy  stalk.  The  berries  are  very  large,  with  stout  warted 
footstalks,  some  2  inches  long,  and  3J  inches  in  circumference ; 
they  are  generally  of  an  ovate  shape,  but  occasionallysomewhat 
roundish,  and  they  have  a  thin,  pale  yellowish  green  skin, 
which  acquires  a  rich  golden  amber  tinge  with  a  shght  bloom 
when  they  are  fully  ripe.  The  flesh  is  tolerably  firm,  but 
tender,  with  few  seeds,  very  rich  and  juicy,  with  a  flavour 
which,  though  compared  with  that  of  the  Black  Hamburgh,  is, 
to  our  taste,  much  more  saccharine  and  luscious  than  that 
variety,  even  when  grown  on  the  same  stock. 

"  This  new  Grape  supplies,  so  far  as  can  at  present  be  judged 
of  it,  a  long-felt  desideratum — namely,  a  high-class  free-grow- 
ing white  Grape,  of  hardy  constitution,  suitable  for  general 
cultivation  as  a  companion  to  that  best  of  all  Grapes  for  general 
purposes,  the  Black  Hamburgh.  It  was  raised  by  Mr.  W. 
Thomson,  of  Dalkeith,  some  five  years  since,  from  a  seed  taken 
from  a  Grape  that  was  itself  a  cross  between  the  Champion 
Hamburgh  and  the  Bowood  Muscat,  and  has  been  freely  ex- 
hibited during  the  present  year,  when,  among  other  awards,  it 
has  received  a  first-class  certificate  from  the  Fruit  Committee  at 
South  Kensington.  The  foliage  is  very  slightly  lobed,  and  deeply 
and  sharply  serrated." — (Florist  and  Pomologist,  n.s.,  i.  217.) 


MASTERS'  TROUBLES. 


"  Well  !  I  do  not  know  what  to  say  about  this  new  gardener. 
I  am  afraid  he  will  not  do.  I  do  not  care  for  half-work  ;  if  a 
man  digs  I  like  him  to  do  it  well,  send  his  spade  deep  in  as  far 
as  it  can  go,  and  put  the  top  soil  to  the  bottom,  and  bring  up 
the  dark,  heavy,  long-hidden  lumps  of  mould  with  all  their 
grubs  and  centipedes  to  the  surface.  A  man  knowing  what 
he  is  about  gives  these  lumps  a  blow  with  the  spade,  so  that 
the  fresh  air  may  pulverise  it,  and  the  ever-busy  birds  begin 
their  share  of  the  labour."  So  grumbled  Squire  Butler  as  he 
eat  under  the  shade  of  an  old  Thorn  tree  one  warm  morning  in 
September. 

"  I  think  you  are  too  particular,"  replied  his  wife,  pausing 
in  her  occupation  of  cutting  away  the  dead  Asters ;  "  he  ap- 
pears to  be  working  hard  whenever  I  chance  to  see  him." 

"  Yes,  I  dare  say,  trying  to  catch  the  lost  hours ;  yet  I  do 
not  mean  to  say  that  the  man  is  idle,  but  he  is  not  skilful,  he 
gives  two  knocks  to  a  nail  when  one  would  do,  and  he  might 
just  as  well  have  the  strength  and  time  employed  for  the  second 
knock  in  doing  something  else.  I  obtain  my  money  to  pay  this 
man  by  hard  work,  and  I  feel  rather  sore  about  so  spending  it, 
unless  I  get  back  something  like  value  for  value." 

"  Then,  Frank,  I  am  afraid  your  feelings  will  always  be 
wounded,  for  gardeners  never  do  return  a  money  equivalent ; 
you  have  plenty  of  beautiful  flowers." 

"  But  my  wife  cannot  boil  these  for  Cabbages,  or  turn  them 
into  Cucumbers,  so  it  does  not  alter  the  case,  or  cause  me  to 
put  faith  in  a  man  who  cannot  bend  his  back,  and  whose  shoes 
are  so  bright  that  he  can  see  his  face  in  them,  and  who  must 
blow  away  the  dust  from  a  stone  wall  before  he  can  put  down 
his  jacket." 

"  Well,  I  admired  the  man,  he  was  so  clean  and  tidy." 

"  Yes,  even  to  his  hands.  He  is  too  much  so  for  me.  What 
would  you  say  to  your  cook  if  she  sent  up  your  Potatoes  un- 
scraped  on  the  score  they  dirtied  her  fingers  ?  And  a  gardener 
may  be  too  clean  to  be  worth  much." 

"  You  must  acknowledge,  at  least,  that  he  is  very  respectful." 

"  I  dare  say  he  is,  Clara.  You  women  are  always  taken  by 
that,  plenty  of  touching  his  cap,  and  '  Good  morning,  Ma'am.' 


October  8,  1868.  ] 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOETICULTURB  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENER. 


2G5 


I  am  afraid  ho  pays  all  hia  respect  away,  and  is  earning  none 
iot  himself.  And  then,  too,  hia  heart  is  not  in  his  work,  and  I 
never  yet  met  with  a  man  who  eucoeedod  well  in  doinf;  things 
.  he  did  not  like.  Did  you  ever  notice  with  what  a  slow,  un- 
oaring-what-time-he-gets-here  walk,  he  oomea  in  a  morning, 
and  the  joyful,  springing,  telegraph  speed  with  which  ho  takes 
his  departure  in  the  evening  :•  I  assure  you  a  workman  does 
not  care  much  for  his  employment  when  he  is  over-anxious  to 
leave  it — when  he  is  all  day  counting  the  minutes  until  it 
shall  cease,  and  relief  come.  And  during  the  last  half  hour 
this  new  man  of  ours  must  have  been  at  least  half  a  dozen 
times  to  look  at  the  stable  clock.  I  suppose  he  has  a  wife  at 
home,  a  harder  master  than  the  one  he  has  here,  so  he  is  dread- 
fully uneasy  lest  he  should  be  late.  I  should  not  wonder  if  he 
has  not  all  his  tools  put  away,  everything  ready  for  leaving  a 
minute  before  the  time,  even  the  key  turned  in  the  lock." 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?  Frank,  yon  do  not  know  what  it  is  to 
work  all  day  in  a  garden,  or  you  could  understand  why  a  man 
should  be  ready  to  go  home  at  night.  And  if  they  have  rules 
laid  down,  so  many  hours  for  so  much,  I  do  not  see  you  havo 
any  right  to  expect  they  should  stay  longer." 

"  Certainly  not,  nor  should  they  stay  less.  So  many  hours' 
labour  for  so  many  shillings.  But  what  for  the  lost  five  minutes 
here  and  there,  the  idle  chattering  with  pretty  housemaids 
at  kitchen  doors,  the  packing-up  of  vegetables  for  home  con- 
sumption ?  All  this  unnecessarily,  I  think,  in  the  paid-for 
time.  So  much  a-month  for  service  not  rendered.  In  my 
father's  time  a  man  worked  two  hours  longer  for  3s.  than  he 
does  now  for  -U. ;  but  then  a  garden  was  thought  a  luxury, 
now  we  call  it  a  necessity.  Why  the  fact  is,  it  is  becoming  every 
year  more  and  more  of  a  luxury.  This  little  place  costs  us  Ss. 
a-week  and  four  glasses  of  ale — a  large  slice  out  of  our  weekly 
pudding.  I  begin  to  think  it  is  beyond  our  means.  This  sum 
would  go  a  long  way  in  the  purchase  of  flowers  and  fruit.  I 
would  not  care  if  we  could  meet  with  a  gar^lener  with  a  bit  of 
conscience  about  him,  one  who  could  look  at  both  sides  of  the 
question,  and  ask  himself  now  and  then  how  he  would  like  to 
pay  a  man  wages  for  doing  an|indifferent  amount  of  work  in  an 
indifferent  manner." 

"  W'e  have  had  ill-luck  with  our  gardeners,  Frank,  but  others 
may  have  met  with  men  more  suited  to  their  requirements." 

"Then  they  have  been  favoured;  yet  I  know  scores  of 
masters  who  feel  just  the  same  as  I  do,  and  yet  they  cannot, 
or  dare  not  speak  out.  They  are  afraid  of  the  very  men  they 
employ,  or,  at  least,  they  are  afraid  that  the  gardener  should 
all  at  once  take  his  departure,  and  they  be  left  in  a  fix,  the  fires 
go  out,  the  fruit  spoil,  and  everything  be  wrong.  So  they  put 
up  with  little  evils,  not  seeing  the  end  in  the  beginning,  and, 
perhaps,  hoping  that  everything  will  come  right  at  last." 

"Then,"  replied  Mrs.  Butler,  "  I  think  masters  are  greatly 
to  blame  ;  they  should  speak  out  fully  and  clearly  what  they 
mean.  If  it  is  too  much  trouble  to  do  so,  or  they  are  afraid, 
no  wonder  affairs  go  wrong.  I  suppose  if  a  gardener  left  as 
early  as  he  could  after  being  spoken  to,  and  you  know  he  could 
not  without  notice,  it  would  be  quite  possible  to  get  another." 

"  Yes,  but  clever  gardeners  are  scarce.  I  often  think  that 
half  the  men  who  set  up  for  that  trade  know  little  about  their 
work ;  they  are  hke  Sedgly,  who  when  a  lady  asked  him  in  what 
sort  of  soil  she  must  repot  her  Vallota  purpurea,  replied,  '  Oh  ! 
give  it  a  bit  of  every  kind  you  have.  I  always  do.'  There  are 
plenty  of  men  who  can  plant  Cabbages,  and  earth-up  Potatoes, 
but  few  you  could  wisely  send  to  give  water  in  your  conser- 
vatory, or  work  in  your  flower  garden.  Our  neighbour  Grant 
was  iU  last  winter ;  he  does  his  own  gardening,  it  is  pleasure  to 
do  so.  His  wife,  fearing  it  would  grieve  him  to  see  the  untidy 
state  of  his  borders,  engaged  a  luan  to  do  up  the  place.  Not 
knowing  where  to  apply  to  she  walked  through  the  village,  and 
chose  one  who  had  a  large  sign  over  the  door — So-and-so  '  Land- 
scape Gardener,  jobbing  work  promptly  attended  to.'  When 
poor  Grant  was  able  to  go  about  again  in  April,  and  looked 
round  his  garden,  he  found  his  Roses,  for  which  he  had  paid 
no  small  sum,  cut  down  within  a  few  inches  of  the  soil ;  bud  and 
graft  had  been  nothing  to  the  landscape  gardener.  I  suppose 
he  never  heard  of  such  a  thing,  at  any  rate  Grant  has  no  Roses 
to  send  up  to  the  church  this  thanksgiving  season." 

"  I  wonder  Mrs.  Grant  did  not  look  after  him,  seeing  he  was 
a  strange  man." 

"  She  would  consider  that  he  knew  what  he  was  doing.  And 
yon  know  our  Peas  came  up  in  a  strange  manner,  long  dead 
blanks  in  the  rows,  then  small  patches  with  the  Peas  crushing 
and  crowding  each  other.  I  counted  forty-seven  in  one  patch 
that    Nelly's  cap    would  cover.      And  your   brother  Wilson 


assures  me  that  he  has  this  season  paid  £'.)  17«.  (id.  to  a  man 
for  attending  to  a  vegetable  garden  he  had  the  folly  to  rent 
last  autumn,  and  all  its  yield  has  been  a  few  Radishes,  one 
dish  of  dark  green  tough  Lettuce,  one  dish  of  Peas  not  worth 
much,  for  they  dropped  upon  the  jjlato  like  pellets ;  a  few 
Cauliflowers,  among  whose  snowy  arches  the  Lepidoptera  had 
lodged  ample  surety  that  its  species  should  not  soon  become 
extinct ;  and  Potatoes,  rather  under  than  over  the  size  of  a 
walnut.  He  thinks  the  market  the  best  garden  ;  not  without 
cause." 

"  But  did  he  say  how  many  Vegetable  Marrows  they  had  ?  " 

"  He  never  eats  Vegetable  Marrows." 

"  But  his  wife  and  children  do,  and  ho  would  be  wise  to  cul- 
tivate a  taste  for  them,  they  are  as  wholesome  as  any  vegetable 
grown,  and  not  costly,  at  least  to  the  grower." 

"  I  greatly  dislike  them,  never  could  eat  them." 

"  As  a  rule,  gentlemen  do.  I  think  it  is  because  they  are  BO 
easy  to  prepare,  and  almost  any  gardener  may  manage  to  grow 
them." 

"We  never  had  a  man  who  could  or  would  grow  them,  or  if 
he  did  he  found  a  better  market  than  his  master's  table.  That 
reminds  me  of  something  which  took  place  before  I  was  mar- 
ried. Coming  home  late,  or  rather  early  in  the  morning,  I  met 
a  man  striding  through  the  wood  with  a  bas'iiet  on  his  arm. 
Fancying  it  might  be  game,  I  stopped  the  man  roughly,  and 
would  know  what  his  basket  contained.  '  Only  Strawberries, 
Master,'  was  his  quiet  reply,  as  though  he  had  guessed  my 
thoughts.  And  then  he  lifted  up  the  cover,  and  some  folds  of 
soft  white  paper,  and  displayed  the  tempting  fruit.  Dear  me ! 
how  fragrant  it  was,  and  how  beautiful  its  appearance  in  the 
white  moonlight  of  that  cold  March  morning.  '  Are  they  for 
sale  ?  '  I  asked.  '  No,  they  are  sold.'  '  All  right,  my  good  fellow,' 
I  said,  and  hurried  on  home.  Before  going  to  bed  I  took  the 
keys  of  the  houses  and  went  round.  My  father  was  very  proud 
of  his  Vines,  the  earliest  and  latest  and  best  of  Grapes  were 
ever  to  be  found  on  his  table — at  least,  he  spared  no  expense 
to  gain  this  end,  it  was  his  hobby  ;  he  was  very  fond,  too,  of 
forced  Strawberries.  I  climbed  the  ladder  and  flashed  the  light 
of  the  lamp  upon  the  long  shelf  in  the  forcing  house  on  which 
the  Strawberry-pots  stood,  no  need  to  do  it  twice,  the  beat  and 
ripest  were  gone." 

"  What  did  you  do,  Frank  ?  " 

"  Put  away  the  ladder,  locked  all  up,  and  held  my  peace,  as 
they  say.  But  that  is  not  all.  Next  morning  my  father  told 
me  he  was  greatly  disappointed  our  Strawberries  were  not  ripe, 
as  it  was  his  birthday,  but  he  had  just  received  some  from 
Walker,  a  fruiterer  in  the  market.  A  little  bill  of  £5  came 
along  with  the  fruit.  There  was  not  a  doubt  they  were  my 
father's  Strawberries  I  had  met  walking  through  the  wood  to 
come  back  again  next  morning.  So  he  bought  his  own  over 
again  at  a  dear  rate,  as  many  a  master  may  do,  and  know  it 
not,  for  I  cannot  fancy  this  an  isolated  case." 

"  I  should  hope  it  is,  or  nearly  so.  Is  your  list  of  grievances 
at  an  end  ?  I  shall  despair  of  ever  meeting  with  a  gardener  to 
your  satisfaction." 

"  Get  one  who  knows  his  work,  and  can  do  it,  and  be  prond 
of  it.  One  who  is  not  always  blaming  the  seasons  for  every 
failure,  who  legins  his  work  as  a  pleasant  duty,  and  would 
rather  stay  half  an  hour  longer  than  allow  his  own  credit  or 
his  master's  interest  to  suffer.  1  am  sure  his  own  interest 
would  be  secured  by  so  doing.  No  one  willingly  parts  with  a 
gardener  who  reaches  even  half  way  up  to  the  requirements  of 
his  position." 

"  Then  we  will  try  ours  a  little  longer,  as  he  more  than  half 
meets  our  desires." 

I  will  next  detail  "Gardeners'  Troubles." — Maud. 


GESNERA   EXONIENSIS. 

You  conld  not  have  said  better  respecting  the  Gesnera  than 
you  have  done,  except  your  mentioning  that  the  foliage  is  dark 
green  ;  it  really  is  brilliant  plush.  We  send  you  by  this  post  a 
leaf,  as  the  drawing  on  which  your  notice  was  founded  is  cal- 
culated to  mislead  in  that  respect.  In  it  neither  the  flowers 
nor  foliage,  as  represented,  are  anything  like  so  brilliant  as  the 
plants,  which  are  now  really  splendid.  They  fairly  light  np 
the  whole  of  our  conservatory,  and  every  visitor  that  calls 
pauses  to  admire  them,  and  not  one  person  out  of  a  hundred 
that  see  it,  and  having  the  means  to  grow  this  Gesnera,  but 
orders  the  plant. — Lccombe,  Pince,  &  Co. 

[Messrs.  Lucombe,  Pince,  &  Co.  do  not  exaggerate  in  their 


266 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETICULTDEE  AND  COTTAGE  GAKDENER. 


I  October  8, 18£8. 


Statement  relative  to  the  foliage  of  this  Gesnera.  The  leaf 
the;  sent  is  most  beautiful,  and  seems  formed  of  thick  crimson 
purple  Genoa  velvet. — Eds.] 


PHYTOLACCA  DECANDRA  OUT  OF  DOORS. 

A  PLANT  of  Phytolacca  decandra  has  grown  here  (Usk,  Mon- 
moathshire),  unsheltered,  for  several  years.  It  regularly  bears 
its  grape-like  spikes,  has  luxuriant  foliage,  and  attains  a  height 
of  7  or  8  feet.  Having  lost  one  plant  through  the  heavy  rains 
of  winter  causing  it  to  rot,  a  little  long  litter  was  last  year  placed 
over  the  crown  when  the  stems  died.  The  Phytolacca  is  ad- 
mired by  all  who  see  it.  A  plant  sent  to  a  friend  at  Hamp- 
stead,  has  done  well  there.  It  has  survived  two  winters. — 
H.  W.  E.  

PEACH  CULTn'ATION.— No.  3. 

Tkainisg. — The  best  method  of  training  the  Peach  tree  is 
in  the  fan  form,  but  it  requires  care  and  knowledge,  for  without 
these  all  the  vigour  of  the  tree  will  be  expended  on  the  upper 
part,  and  the  bottom  will  necessarily  be  weak.  The  grosvth, 
too,  is  often  very  irregular  from  the  branches  being  badly  dis- 
posed, and  the  means  taken  to  promote  an  equal  distri- 
bution of  the  sap  ;  but  notwithstanding  these  disadvan- 
tages, I  consider  fan-training  by  far  the  best — indeed, 
the  only  eligible  mode  of  training  Peach  trees  against 
walls.  Seymour's  mode  of  training  is  by  some  pre- 
ferred.    I  shall,  therefore,  treat  of  both  methods. 

Fan-trainwg. — Having  a  maiden  plant  with  a  single  shoot, 
it  should  be  cut  to  two  buds,  as  close  to  each  other  as  possible, 
but  not  nearer  the  ground  than  9  inches,  nor  farther  from  it 
than  10  inches.  The  buds  ought  not  to  be  on  the  front  or  at 
the  back  of  the  shoot,  but  on  opposite  sides.  This  pruning 
ought  not  to  be  performed  later  than  February,  and  not  when 
the  shoot  is  frozen.  Any  buds  below  the  point  of  heading-over 
need  not  be  rubbed  off  until  the  two  buds  have  pushed  shoots 
a  few  inches  long ;  then  remove  all  buds  and  shoots  except  the 
two  referred  to. 

The  shoots,  as  they  grow,  should  be  brought  down  nearly  to  a 
horizontal  position,  but  with  a  slight  incline  upwards  to  the 
length  of  12  inches,  and  then  taken  in  a  curve  upwards,  in 


The  intermediate  shoots,  stopped  in  the  first  instance  at  the 
second  joint,  must,  if  they  again  push,  have  their  points 
pinched  out  when  they  have  grown  one  joint  beyond  the  point 
where  they  were  stopped,  and  afterwards  keep  them  closely 
pinchedin  to  one  joint  or  leaf. 

In  autumn  the  tree  will  have  the  appearance  ol  /i<r.  2,  rj,  ij, 
being  the  shoots  left  at  i\  inches  distance  on  the  branches  c,  d, 
fig.  1 ;  and  on  the  under  side  of  the  branches,  also  between  the 
shoots  on  the  upper  surface,  there  will  be  short  stubby  shoots, 
caused  either  by  stopping  or  naturally  produced,  both  calculated 
to  afford  fruit  the  following  season.  The  disposition  of  the 
principal  shoots  is  shown  by  /;,  /(,  and  i,  /,  fig.  2  ;  the  lowest, 
/i,  /(,  being  trained  with  their  points  curving  upwards,  so  as  to 
cause  a  more  vigorous  growth  than  if  they  were  trained  hori- 
zontally. The  shoots  ;,  ;,  ought  to  be  trained  straight,  and  if 
they  grow  more  vigorously  than  the  shoots  h,  h,  either  they 
must  be  depressed,  or  h,  h  be  trained  more  upright,  so  that  the 
latter  may  have,  if  anything,  greater  strength  than  t,  ?.  The 
present  year's  growth  must  be  shortened  according  to  strength, 
one-third  if  strong,  one-half  if  moderately  vigorous,  and  two' 
thirds  if  weak.  The  bearing  shoots,  ;;,  g,  must  not  be  pruned 
at  all,  unless  the  laterals  on  them  are  of  greater  length  than 
2  inches,  then  shorten  them  to  the  last  joint,  or  that  next  the 
shoot ;  and  the  short  stubby  shoots  between  the  shoots  .'/,  g,  and 


Fig.  1. 

order  to  encourage  growth  as  much  as  possible,  so  that  by  the 
end  of   summer  the  tree  will  have  two 

vigorous  shoots,  as  shown  in  ./if'- !•«■ 'j-  lu  , 
autumn,  or  by  February,  these  should  be 
cut  back  if  strong  to  one-third  of  their 
length,  if  moderately  vigorous  to  one-half, 
and  if  weak  to  two-thirds  of  their  length. 
Bring  them  down  nearer  the  horizontal 
line,  but  let  the  extremities  still  curve  up- 
wards, as  shown  by  the  dots  c,  d.  fig.  1. 

In  spring  a  number  of  shoots  wUl  push  from  the  shoots  for 
branches  we  must  now  term  them),  c,  d.  Four  of  these  are  ot 
ie  retained  as  principal  shoots — namely,  one  from  the  end  of 
each  of  the  branches,  c,  d,  and  one  on  each  of  those  branches, 
as  shown  by  the  dotted  lines,  e,f,  springing  from  the  base  of 
the  branches  c,  d.  On  the  upper  part  of  the  branches  c,  d,  at 
every  9  inches  a  shoot  is  to  be  left,  and  not  shortened  until  it 
has  grown  10  inches,  then  take  out  the  points  of  such  shoots, 
but  all  others  are  to  have  the  point  pinched  out  at  the  second 
leaf  if  they  grow  more  than  1  inch  ;  but  if  they  only  produce 
a  bunch  of  closely  set  leaves,  leave  them  entire.  If  any 
laterals  appear  on  the  shoots  on  the  branches  c,  d,  stop  them 
at  the  first  joint,  and  this  repeatedly  throughout  the  season. 


Fig.  2. 

on  the  under  side  of  the  branches,  are  not  to  be  pruned  oi 
shortened  unless  they  are  longer  than  2  inches,  then  cut  them 
back  to  the  joint  next  the  branch  whence  they  arise. 

The  branches  and  shoots  are,  after  pruning,  to  be  trained  an 
shown  in  fig.  3.  The  lowest  branches  are  to  be  brought  down 
to  the  horizontal  line,  so  far  along  it  as  the  bar  and  figure  2, 
which  is  at  the  end  of  the  second  cutting-back,  and  the  shoot 
(now  headed  and  a  branch),  above  it  cught  he  exactly  1  foot 
from  the  lowest  branch — that  is,  at  the  point  wnere  tue  figures 
2  and  3  are  situated.  The  distance  from  the  sitm  of  the  tree 
to  2  should  be  2  feet  6  inches,  and  the  same  length  at  3.  That 
may  seem  a  great  length  to  compass  in  two  seasons,  but  with 
vigorous  trees  it  often  occurs.  It  is,  however,  immaterial 
whether  this  length  be  made  in  one  or  two  years,  if  the  branches 
originate  at  the  proper  place,  and  the  bearing  shoots  along  them 
at  the  proper  distances  apart. 

In  the  third  season  shoots  must  be  originated  at  all  the  points 
on  the  main  branches,  whence  the  dotted  lines  (fiig.  3)  proceed  ; 
but  their  treatment  not  difiteriug  from  that  of  those  of  the 
preceding  year,  it  is  unnecessary  to  repeat  it.  I  may,  however, 
explain  that  the  dotted  lines  show  shoots  originated  the  third 
season — namely,  j,  J,  the  third  series  of  main  branches ;  k,  U, 


Fig.  8. 

the  continuation  of  the  second  series  ;  I.  I,  the  continuation  of 
the  first  series  ;  and  m,  m.  sub-branches  on  the  first  series 
of  branches,  there  being  2  feet  (^  inches  from  their  origin 
to  the  stem,  and  12  inches  between  the  first  and  second  series 
of  branches  where  these  sub-branches,  m,  m,  are  produced. 
The  short  dotted  lines  are  the  bearing  wood. 
The  future  years'  training  will  he  easily  understood  from 


Octeber  8, 186&  ] 


JOURNAL   OP   HORTICULTURE   AND    COTTAGE  GAEDENER. 


2G7 


iig.  4.  Every  year  two  new  branches  are  originated,  and  these 
may  be  termed  principals  ;  such  are  n,  o,  p,  </,  r,  and  upon  or 
from  these  sub-branches  are  originated  at  every  2  feet  (i  inches 
and  trained  straight  so  that  there  will  be  an  interval  of  1  foot 


between  the  sub-branch  and  the  principal  branch  at  the  point 
wheve  the  next  sub-branch  originates.  Once  formed,  the  prin- 
cipal and  sub-branches  are  to  be  trained  straight,  which  will  be 
understood  hjjij.  i. 


Fig.  4. 
This  mode  of  training  is  not  in  general  practice,  and  for  any-  |  any  branch  when  it  has  become  worn  out.     Ko  bearing  wood  is 


thing  that  I  know  to  the  contrary  is  original.  It  has  for  its 
object  the  furnishing  of  the  lower  part  of  the  wall  before  the 
centre  is  filled  with  branches,  to  get  the  lower  branches  strong 
before  the  upper  ones  became  strong,  and  the  easily  replacing 


allowed  on  the  under  sides  of  the  branches,  except  shoots  kept 
closely  pinched-in  ;  and  no  disbudding  is  practised,  as  all  shoots 
are  pinched. — G.  Abbey. 


WOKK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 


KITCHEN   GARDEN. 

Broccoli,  if  your  autumn  sort  and  Cauliflowers  come  into  use 
too  fast,  take  up  some  and  lay  them  in  in  the  shade,  where 
you  can  protect  them  with  a  mat  or  other  covering  it  frost  set 
in  before  they  are  required  for  use.  After  the  first  frost  or  so 
is  over,  there  is  not  so  much  danger  for  some  time  about  young 
or  succulent  plants.  Endive,  see  that  the  wet  or  frost  does  not 
injure  your  plants.  Lettuce,  all  the  plants  that  are  to  stand 
the  winter  out  of  doors  should  now  or  very  soon  be  in  the 
ground.  Onions,  see  also  that  the  winter  Onions  are  not  eaten 
up  by  slugs  or  snails,  and  have  some  soot  kept  dry  in  one  of 
the  sheds  to  dust  over  young  plants  in  or  out  of  frames. 
Spinadi  should  be  thinned  out  a  little  more ;  the  late  rains 
made  it  fill  up  the  rows  more  than  usual.  Pits  for  Asparagus, 
Sea-kale,  and  lihubarb  will  now  be  in  use  where  these  vege- 
tables are  wanted  early,  but  any  dark  place  will  do  for  the 
Rhubarb  and  Sea-kale,  and  this  is  generally  considered  the 
best  way  to  force  Sea-kale  until  after  Christmas;  the  saving  of 
dung  and  labour  will  meet  the  cost  of  rearing  plants  for  that 
purpose,  besides,  the  Sea-kale  is  so  much  sweeter  and  easier  to 
manage  in  the  dead  of  winter. 

FRUIT    GARDEN. 

Every  Pear  tree  that  has  thrown  out  strong  breastwood  for 
the  last  year  or  two,  with  plenty  of  blossoms  and  little  fruit, 
may  now  or  soon  be  carefully  taken  up,  but  on  no  account  is 
the  foundation  of  the  border  to  be  disturbed  to  trace  down 
roots.  If  you  cannot  pull  them  up — a  bad  practice,  however — 
cut  them  off  at  once  and  reduce  oue  or  two  of  the  weakest,  and 
the  strongest  branches  of  the  head  to  correspond  ;  train  out  the 
remaining  roots  at  full  length,  and  throw  ti  or  0  inches  of  good 
earth  over  them,  and  if  the  trees  look  stunted  next  summer, 
water  them  well.  Agaiu,  if  your  tree  is  a  stunted,  half-starved 
one,  take  it  up  also,  and  if  the  roots  are  sound  give  them  fresh 
soil  and  reduce  the  head  two-thirds,  otherwise  throw  it  away. 
You  will  judge  for  yourself  of  all  the  intermediate  degrees, 
but  let  there  be  no  wavering  about  the  extreme  points.  All 
other  fruit  trees  are  to  be  dealt  with  after  the  same  manner, 
and  not  only  once  in  a  lifetime,  but  as  often  as  the  symptoms 
appear.  Then  come  the  trenching  and  making  of  new  borders. 
It  is  always  a  good  plan  to  have  a  few  young  trees  of  all  the 
best  sorts  of  fruit  in  reserve  ready  to  fill  up  vacancies.  How- 
ever promising  a  stock  of  trees  may  be,  there  is  no  saying  how 


soon  failures  may  happen,  and  a  few  young  trees  will  not  take 
up  much  room,  especially  if  you  tranpplaut  every  second  or 
third  year,  and  if  they  bear  a  few  fruit  so  much  the  better,  as 
you  will  then  be  sure  what  they  are  before  you  remove  them  to 
their  final  situations.  Young  Peach  and  Apricot  trees  should 
be  thus  nursed,  before  they  are  planted  against  the  walls,  after 
receiving  them  from  the  nurseryman,  and  this  having  been  a 
good  season  for  ripening  the  wood  of  fruit  trees,  no  one  who  is 
not  already  provided  should  neglect  the  opportunity  of  buying- 
in  a  few  young  trees  to  be  nursed  under  liis  own  care  a  year  or 
two  before  they  are  wanted  on  the  walls. 

FLOWER    GARDEN. 

All  showy  beds  near  the  windows,  and  half-hardy  plants 
against  walls,  i-c,  ought  to  be  protected  from  frost  as  long  as 
possible.  It  is  too  soon  as  yet  to  disturb  the  flower  garden 
by  removing  large  shrubs,  but  high  time  to  plant  all  the  early 
Tulips,  Narcissuses,  and  all  such  bulbs  for  flowering  early  next 
spring,  also  any  herbaceous  plants  for  the  same  purpose.  Wall- 
flowers, double  Rockets,  Polyanthuses,  double  Primroses, 
Hepaticas,  and  other  spring-flowering  plants  that  have  been 
growing  in  nursery  beds  through  the  summer,  may  now  be  re- 
moved to  their  blooming  quarters  in  the  flower  borders,  and  if 
surrounded  with  fresh  compost  they  will  repay  the  trouble  in 
the  spring.  Auriculas  should  soon  be  put  in  their  quarters  for 
the  winter.  Nine-tenths  of  the  collections  grown  in  the  country 
are  wintered  in  glazed  frames  or  sheltered  by  boards  hinged  to 
a  wall ;  the  great  point,  however,  is  to  keep  them  from  drench- 
ing rains  when  the  plant  is  in  a  dormant  state.  Polyanthuses 
may  still  be  planted  ;  the  sooner  the  better.  All  offsets,  seed- 
lings, or  unhealthy  bulbs  should  now  be  in  the  ground,  and  as 
the  main  bed  ought  to  be  planted  between  the  second  week  in 
October  and  the  first  week  in  November,  everything  must  now 
be  in  readiness  and  the  first  favourable  opportunity  taken  of 
putting  them  in  the  ground.  In  consequence  of  the  late  fine 
weather  the  beds  ought  to  be  in  a  good  state  for  planting,  and 
it  would  be  a  wise  precaution  to  cover  them  with  mats  during 
the  night,  or  on  the  appearance  of  rain,  as  it  is  advisable  not 
to  plant  when  the  bed  is  too  much  saturated  with  moisture. 
Beds  for  Ranunculuses  should  now  be  prepared,  and  all  com- 
post heaps  turned  and  sweetened.  Vegetable  refuse  should 
be  collected  and  put  in  heaps  to  decay.  Draw-up  the  soil 
round  the  stems  of  Dahlias  in  a  small  hillock  to  prevent  the 


268 


JOURNAIi  OF  HORTICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE   GAEBENER. 


[  October  8,  1868. 


crowns  of  the  roots  being  injured  by  frosts,  wbicli  we  may 
soon  expect. 

GKEEKHOCSE    AND    CONSEETATOEY. 

Let  all  greenhouse  plants  be  cleanecl,  pots  and  all,  before 
they  are  set  on  the  new-cleaned  shelves,  and  let  the  lights  be 
down  all  day,  and  half  down  during  the  night,  unless  rain  or 
frosts  occur.  If  the  Orange  trees  or  any  plants  kept  per- 
manently in  the  conservatory  have  not  been  looked  over  of 
late,  no  time  should  now  be  lost  in  getting  every  leaf  and  pot 
as^  clean  as  may  be,  likewise  the  surface  of  the  borders.  As 
this  house  will  now  be  kept  more  close,  nothing  inside  can  be 
too  clean  and  sweet.  Beaumontia  grandiflora  will  grow  freely 
in  a  well-managed  conservatory,  but  will  not  flower  without 
more  heat  at  the  roots,  and  as  it  is  of  the  same  natural  order 
as  the  Allamanda  and  Echites,  there  is  no  reason  why  these 
should  not  be  inarched  on  it  as  soon  as  it  is  long  enough  to 
reach  near  the  top  of  the  house.  From  this  time  till  late  in 
the  spring  some  climbers  in  this  house  will  require  pruning 
and  thinning-out,  the  whole  of  them  will  require  a  little  dress- 
ing now  and  then,  especially  where  they  obstruct  the  light. 
One  great  advantage  of  climbers  is,  that  most  of  them  flower 
on  the  current  year's  growth  like  the  Vine  ;  all  such  ought  to  be 
very  closely  pruned  at  the  final  dressing. 

STOVE. 

From  October  to  May  the  principal  watering  in  the  stove 
should  be  done  before  noon,  and  to  the  middle  or  end  of  January 
the  house  should  be  kept  as  dry  as  possible,  a  slight  syringing, 
however,  will  be  useful  to  keep  the  foliage  free  from  dust,  &a. 
A  sunny  morning  is  the  best  time  to  water  overhead,  and  once 
in  ten  days  will  be  often  enough.  All  plants  that  require 
pruning  or  thinning-out  before  the  next  growing  season,  should 
be  dressed  at  once  to  give  more  room  for  the  rest.  Cleroden- 
drons,  Vincas,  and  other  fast-growing  plants  which  require 
large  pots  in  summer,  should  never  be  wintered  in  these  large 
pots ;  turn  them  out  and  shake  all  the  soil  from  the  roots,  and 
place  them  in  as  small  pots  as  you  can  cram  their  roots  intJ, 
but  do  not  prune  the  roots  much  at  this  time.  If  the  plants 
are  free  from  insects,  the  walls  whitewashed,  and  the  flues  or 
heating  apparatus  in  good  order,  all  may  be  considered  in  good 
condition  to  face  the  winter. 

PITS   AND    FRAMES. 

A  multitude  of  greenhouse  plants  would  do  better  in  cold 
pits  for  the  next  two  months  than  in  the  greenhouse.  Even 
turf  pits  with  boarded  frames  and  asphalt  coverings  to  put  ot. 
in  rainy  or  frosty  weather,  are  far  better  for  these  sorts  of  plants 
as  long  as  the  thermometer  shows  no  more  than  G"  or  7°  of 
frost.  All  plants  should  be  put  in  order  for  the  winter  as  soon 
as  possible ;  those  that  are  well-established  may  be  placed  in 
their  winter  quarters  at  once,  giving  the  most  valuable  ones  the 
best  places  ;  but  those  not  well  rooted  may  be  kept  in  heat  a 
few  weeks  longer,  for  though  theory  may  say,  Keep  them  as 
quiet  as  possible,  practice,  which  is  a  much  better  guide  says, 
Keep  them  growing  until  they  are  thoroughly  established,  unless 
you  wish  to  consign  them  prematurely  to  the  rubbish  heap. — 
W.  Keane. 


DOINGS  OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 
Nearly  a  week's  rain  has  made  us  independent  as  respects 
water  supply  for  a  long  time. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

Most  of  the  crops  have  required  no  attention  when  let  alone 
by  intruders  and  vermin ;  and  most  of  those  planted  during 
the  summer  and  lately  have  grown  very  well.  Where  not  a 
single  patch  ot  weeds  could  be  seen  a  fortnight  ago  the  ground 
is  becoming  green  with  them  in  their  early  stages ;  but  a  dry 
day  and  a  scuffle  with  the  Dutch  hoe  will  soon  put  them  out  of 
sight  again. 

Celery. — During  a  dry  afternoon  earthed  up  a  piece  more 
Celery.  As  yet  we  have  had  neither  a  run  nor  bad  head.  Our 
only  fear  is,  that  we  commenced  using  it  rather  early.  The 
heavy  rains  have  given  a  good  soaking  to  the  beds  that  had  the 
heads  merely  cleaned  and  tied  up.  We  are  glad  to  see  what 
Mr.  Black  says  about  sawdust  for  earthing-up,  as  it  confirms 
our  own  experience  and  observation.  The  hint  about  papering 
is  good  for  early  Celery  where  paper  is  plentiful,  but  merely 
tying  the  heads  just  lightly  enough  to  let  the  heart  rise  and 
swell,  will  often  blanch  the  centres  of  good-sized  heads  so  as  to 
render  them  fit  for  table.  We  have  known  Celery  that  was 
merely  tied  take  a  prize  in  September  instead  of  that  which  had 
been  earthed- up  with  great  care,  and  where  the  judges  did  their 


work  so  well,  and  the  competition  was  so  close,  that  they  had 
to  cut  open  every  head.  In  a  wet  season  when  the  ground 
was  soaked,  we  once  had  fine  blanched  Celery  in  August  by 
running  slight  straw  bands  round  the  plants,  and  of  these  we 
happened  then  to  have  plenty.  Much  good  Celery  is  spoiled 
by  over-earthing.  Protection  is  needed  in  winter,  and  a  little 
long  litter  is  better  than  loo  much  earth. 

Potatoes. — We  hear  that  there  is  a  good  breadth,  and  not 
late  kinds,  still  in  the  ground.  In  districts  where  the  drought 
was  prevalent  it  was  sound  policy  to  take  up  the  Potatoes  before 
the  heavy  rains  came,  as  these  promoted  at  once  a  second 
growth.  Many  that  are  now  sold  from  late  taking-up  are  de- 
ceptive. We  saw  lately  what  seemed  a  good  dish  of  Potatoes, 
but  they  were  unfit  for  use,  all  their  best  properties  having 
gone  to  a  host  of  waxy  progeny,  and  such  only  good  to  look 
at  in  the  case  of  those  who  delight  in  a  sound  mealy  Potato. 
Those  which  have  remained  long  enough  in  the  ground  to  pro- 
duce a  second  crop,  may  be  known  by  being  harder  and  drier 
to  the  touch  and  look  than  sound  unsprouted  Potatoes.  This 
matter  was  fully  alluded  to  in  July  and  August,  and  several 
now  admit  that  it  was  their  own  fault  that  the  bulk  of  their  best- 
looking  Potatoes  are  now  uneatable. 

Citcuinbeis. — As  wo  have  now  plenty  again  in  a  heated  pit, 
we  have  done  away  with  those  in  frames,  as  we  wanted  the 
room  for  other  purposes,  and  we  could  not  have  kept  them  on 
without  a  considerable  waste  of  material  in  the  shape  of 
linings,  &c.  We  are  well  aware  that  if  we  allow  these  young 
Cucumber  plants  to  bear  freely  now,  they  will  exhaust  them- 
selves by  Christmas  or  before  it.  Unless  where  there  is  a 
proper  Cucumber  house,  where  fruit  is  wanted  from  Christmas 
and  onwards,  very  little  should  be  taken  from  the  plants  until 
the  shortest  day  is  past.  In  these  dull  days  with  rain  falling 
heavily,  a  little  fire  heat,  with  air  at  top  and  bottom  to  give  a 
gentle  draught  through,  will  harden  the  plants,  and  enable 
them  to  stand  the  sun  better  when  it  comes,  as  we  may  yet 
have  fine  sunny  days  in  October. 

Mushroo7ns. — Finished  earthing  up  the  last  piece  in  the  shed, 
and  spawned  one  bed  in  the  Mushroom  house.  Perhaps  about 
one-third  of  these  shallow  beds  consisted  of  droppings  and 
two-thirds  of  straw  and  turfy  loam.  Such  beds  never  become 
too  close,  but  sometimes  they  become  rather  dry,  so  that 
though  there  is  plenty  of  spawn  in  them,  the  Mushrooms  do 
not  come  up  freely  enough.  In  such  a  case  the  best  plan  is  to 
make  holes  with  a  pointed  stick  or  iron  at  every  4  inches  or  so 
over  the  bed,  and  to  water  with  dung  water  at  about  140°,  as 
that  will  not  be  too  much  for  filling  all  the  holes,  and  from 
them  it  will  percolate  through  the  dryish  manure.  Of  two  evils 
it  is  always  better  to  have  a  bed  rather  dry  than  too  wet.  A 
few  Mushrooms  have  appeared  in  the  pastures  of  late,  but  after 
so  much  wet  they  are  poor  compared  with  those  grown  at  home. 

Mixed  together  grass  and  litter  in  a  heap,  as  hot  material, 
however  rough,  will  soon  be  very  useful  in  bringing  on  crops, 
and  however  rank  the  main  body  of  the  heap  may  be,  it  is 
always  easy  to  secure  the  heat,  and  keep  the  rankness  out  of 
the  atmosphere  in  which  the  plants  are  growing.  In  the  wettest 
days  a  much-needed  opportunity  was  given  for  cleaning  sheds, 
whitewashing,  scrubbing  pots,  making  tallies,  and  preparing 
for  potting  freely,  washing  glass  under  cover,  &c.,  as,  after  this 
season,  we  shall  want  nearly  all  the  light  the  glass  can  give. 

FRUIT    DEPARTMENT. 

Pruned  and  cleaned  the  first  vinery,  and  in  a  few  days  will 
have  it  filled  with  flowering  plants.  As  we  have  now  only 
Plums  left  in  our  late  orchard  house,  and  as  a  few  plants  will 
do  them  no  harm  from  watering,  we  have  taken  lots  of  Pri- 
mulas, i-c,  into  it,  as  being  more  safe  than  being  out  of  doors, 
or  even  under  frames.  Covered  with  old  sashes,  and  litter 
beneath  them,  the  late  vinery  border,  and  this  before  the 
heavy  rains  came.  The  Grapes  keep  all  the  better  when  the 
roots  are  not  over-wet.  Put  some  litter  over  the  earlier  Vine 
borders,  and  would  have  covered  them  with  glass,  boards,  or 
tarpaulin,  to  protect  them  from  the  rain,  if  we  could.  The 
litter  would  throw  off  much,  and  help  to  keep  the  autumn  heat 
in.  When  we  can  do  so,  we  prefer  putting  on  a  light  layer  of 
litter  early,  in  preference  to  a  mound  ot  fermenting  material 
later.  In  the  last  plan  there  may  be,  and  often  is  danger.  In 
the  first  there  can  be  none. 

Fii/s  in  our  little  Fig-house  will  not  do  much  more  good,  ex- 
cept with  such  an  amount  of  heat  as  we  do  not  feel  disposed  to 
give  them.  Besides,  when  we  have  kept  the  plants  bearing 
in  the  end  of  October,  and  a  good  portion  of  November,  we 
always  come  off  with  a  scantier  first  crop  in  spring  than  we 
liked. 


October  8, 1868.  1 


■JOURNAL  OF  HOBTIOULTDRE   AND  COTTAGE    GARDENER. 


2C'J 


Hardij  Out-door  Fruit. — lu  two  dry  snnny  afternoons  wo 
gathered  a  good  portion,  as  the  winds  were  throwing  down 
some  of  our  best  Apples  and  Poart-,  even  from  low  trees,  and 
all  that  fall  rim  the  risk  of  deeajinp,  even  before  they  are  fully 
ripe.  In  such  a  season  as  this  onr  cold  clayey  loam  stands  us 
in  good  stead.  We  have  (jently  forwarded  Kibston  I'ippin  and 
Margil  Apples,  and  Jfaris  Louise,  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey,  and 
Beurro  do  Capiaumont  Pears,  and  theee  seemed  considerably 
in  request ;  but  the  hulk  of  these  and  some  later  kinds  we 
Rathered  the  other  day  fresh  and  green,  and  the  fruit,  hut  for 
the  blemishing  in  falling,  would  have  been  none  the  worse 
of  a  week  or  two  more  on  the  trees.  Some  of  our  neighbours 
have  not  had  a  Marie  Louise  Pear,  and  other  fruits  in  proportion, 
left  for  weeks,  all  being  naturally  ripened  and  gone.  We  expect 
to  hear  that  Apples  and  Pears  on  light  sandy  soils  will  be  ripe 
much  earlier  than  usual  this  season.  We  hear  that  in  several 
places  so  circumstanced,  even  late  fruit  comes  in  much  earlier 
than  usual,  so  much  so  as  to  threaten  a  scarcity  in  winter  and 
spring.  Some  soft  kinds  of  Apples,  as  Codlins,  Hawthorndens, 
&o.,  would  not  keep  any  length  of  time  with  us,  but  we  see  no 
signs,  or  at  least  not  much,  of  such  early  maturity  in  the  case 
of  the  late  and  hard  kinds.  Could  wo  depend  on  sunny  weather 
we  would  leave  some  a  week  or  two  longer,  and  would  not  have 
gathered  so  many,  only  the  winds  and  heavy  rains  dashed  some 
of  the  best  to  the  ground  ;  and  though  several,  from  falling  on 
Strawberries,  had  a  soft  bed,  it  was  grievous  to  see  a  bruise  on 
huge  Betirre  Bosc  Pears  and  on  large  Apples,  which  are  much 
in  demand  for  fritters,  &o.  In  gathering,  we  left  many  for  a 
day  or  two  in  hampers,  to  be  placed  thinly  ere  long,  as  the  dry 
days  seemed  so  uncertain  and  far  between.  We  expected  a 
fine  day  on  the  3rd  of  October,  but  it  scarcely  ceased  rain- 
ing all  day,  and  out-door  work  had  to  be  left  for  in-door 
work.  It  would  he  interesting  to  know  how  the  ripening  of 
fruit  has  been  aiifected  by  the  singular  summer.  At  one  time 
we  thought  that  our  Apples  and  Pears  would  be  very  small, 
but  after  the  first  rains  they  swelled  very  much,  and  new 
many  are  rather  above  than  below  the  usual  average  as  respects 
size. 

Or.XAMENTAL    DEPABTMENT. 

Took  every  opportunity  when  dry  of  running  the  hand  ma- 
chine over  the  lawn,  as  the  scythe,  when  it  must  be  resorted 
to,  takes  up  so  much  more  time,  not  merely  in  the  cutting  but 
in  the  sweeping  ;  for  there  is  the  cause  of  the  delay.  Boiled 
walks  at  all  rough  when  wet,  and  even  half-covered  with  water, 
as  then  there  is  no  danger  of  the  roller  becoming  claggy,  and  all 
rough  stones  are  pressed  out  of  sight.  Some  of  our  walks  are 
rather  smooth,  and  need  no  rolling,  except  to  give  them  a 
shining  surface  at  times.  Salting  now  should  never  be  resorted 
to  where  there  is  much  traffic,  as  the  gravel  will  remain  moist 
so  long  afterwards.  Where  there  are  numerous  weeds,  and 
the  walks  are  rough  with  pebbles,  the  salt  will  do  no  greater 
harm  than  cracking  the  pebbles  and  making  them  smaller. 
We  often  think  that  a  somewhat  rough-surfaced  walk  is  a  kind 
of  luxury  in  winter,  as,  though  not  so  pleasant  to  walk  on  as  a 
smooth  walk  for  those  who  have  thin-soled  boots  and  tender 
feet,  there  is  no  danger  of  the  fine  gravel  sticking  to  the  boots. 
The  great  evil  of  using  salt  late  for  smooth  walks  is  that  it  will 
make  them  soft  and  adhesive  in  winter,  when  of  all  times  they 
ought  to  be  hard,  and  exhibit  no  footmarks. 

For  a  week  past  there  has  been  desolation  in  the  flower  beds, 
except  those  chiefly  marked  by  their  foliage,  as  Coleus,  Iresine, 
Amaranthus,  Golden  Feverfew,  Perilla,  variegated  Chrysanthe- 
mum, Cineraria  maritima,  Centaurea  ragusina,  and  variegated 
Pelargoniums,  all  of  which  seemed  the  better  of  the  rain.  The 
flowers  of  other  plants  could  not  withstand  the  continued  rains. 
There  has,  however,  been  such  good  growth,  and  even  on 
Scarlet  Pelargoniums  such  abundance  of  flower  trusses,  that  if 
we  had  a  few  weeks  of  sunny  weather  we  would  have  a  second 
grand  display  in  the  flower  garden.  Such  is  our  hope  of  this 
being  the  case,  that  we  will  break  in  upon  none  of  our  beds  and 
borders  by  lifting  until  we  see  the  signs  of  a  frost  that  would 
injure  the  plants,  and  then  a  number  of  these  can  be  taken 
up  in  a  few  hours,  and  placed  under  protection. 

Pelargoniums  that  had  been  pruned-in  and  broken  well 
afresh,  we  put  in  a  shed  under  cover,  to  shelter  them  from  the 
rain,  until  we  have  time  to  shake  most  of  the  earth  from  them, 
shorten  roots  if  necessary,  and  repot  in  light  sandy  loam,  in 
smaller  pots,  and  add  to  the  richness  of  the  compost  as  we 
repot. 

CiUtiijps. — Our  chief  work,  as  far  as  other  matters  would  per- 
mit, has  been  making  cuttings.  Although  we  know  it  is  late, 
we  have  put  in  many  cuttings  of  the  white-leaved  Centaurea, 


but  then  they  are  strong  pieces,  with  good  hard  bottoms,  and, 
therefore,  not  liable  to  go  off.  We  shall  take  up  a  good  portion 
of  the  old  plants  and  repot,  and  from  them  obtain  numbers  of 
cuttings  in  spring,  and  these  are  always  the  best  for  forming 
fine  outside  edgings,  whilst  tho  older  plants  and  cuttings 
struck  in  summer  do  best  for  the  centre  of  the  beds.  This 
plant  is  valuable  for  forming  contrasts  with  scarlet,  purple,  itc, 
and  we  should  not  like  to  be  without  it,  but  for  artistic  effect 
we  do  not  consider  it  equal  to  the  tine  cut  leaves  of  the  Cine- 
raria maritima,  and  that  always  looks  better  in  a  band,  as  round 
a  circle,  than  in  a  straight  line. 

We  recently  detailed  how  we  took  off  our  Verbena  cuttings 
late,  and  they  could  scarcely  do  better  than  they  are  doing  in  a 
cold  pit.  What  we  are  taking  off  now,  chiefly  bedding  Pelar- 
goniums, are  inserted  thickly  in  pots,  and  placed  in  frames, 
where  there  is  a  little  bottom  heat,  and  a  li^k  from  rank  steam 
besides.  Our  old  gardeners  when  propagating  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, would  have  found  the  heat  mi  benefit,  as  the  damp 
would  have  taken  off  their  cuttings  wholesale.  This  is  easily 
prevented  by  the  knowledge  of  a  little  secret  which  we  could 
not  keep,  but  let  out  for  the  general  benefit  years  ago,  and 
that  is,  to  give  air,  to  prevent  all  accumulation  of  vapour,  and 
yet  prevent  the  cuttings  unduly  exhausting  themselves  by  free 
evaporation.  Our  Verbenas,  without  heat,  and  put  in  late,  have 
had  air  from  5  p.m.  to  'J  a.m.,  and  then  the  air  was  cut  off  if 
the  day  was  sunny,  if  dull  and  moist  the  air  was  left  on.  This 
is  more  necessary  when  bottom  heat  is  given,  as  in  the  case  of 
these  late  cuttings  ;  and  when  such  heat  is  not  originally  very 
sweet,  though  the  materials  are  covered  with  what  is  sweet  and 
more  decayed.  Shut  up  the  cuttings  under  such  circumstances 
night  and  day,  and  we  shall  expect  to  find  damping  and  rotten- 
ness. Give  fresh  air  all  night,  and  in  dull  days  shut  down,  or 
I  shade  merely  in  bright  sun,  and  you  need  not  lose  a  single 
cutting.  The  close,  confined,  moist  atmosphere  is  necessary 
to  prevent  the  cutting  exhausting  itself,  by  transpiring  its 
juices  ;  but  the  confined  atmosphere  is  the  reverse  of  necessary, 
when  the  cutting  would  absorb  rather  than  perspire,  and  from 
an  ever-changing  atmosphere  it  has  access  to  fresh  supplies  of 
oxygen  with  which  to  excite  and  develope  its  vital  powers.  In 
looking  at  beds  of  cuttings  we  can  generally  tell  whether  they 
have  had  air  at  night  or  not. — B.  F. 


TRADE   CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 

Barr  &  Sugden,  12,  King  Street,  Covent  Garden,  London, 
W.C. — Autwnnal  Descriitixi'  CaUthxjue  of  Bulbs  and  Plants. 

William  Paul,  Waltham  Cross,  London,  N. — Hose  Catalogue, 
18C8-69. 

COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— October  7. 

The  deliveries  of  home-grown  produce  have  somewhat  fallen  oft"  in 
consequeDce  of  the  wet  weather  prevailing  during  tho  past  week,  and 
foreign  goods  are  scarcely  so  plentiful  at  sales  as  they  were,  hut  prices 
have  not  advanced.  Potato  trade  steady ;  first  qualities  at  last  week's 
quotation. 

FRUIT. 


s. 

d. 

F. 

d 

8. 

d. 

s. 

d 

H  sieve 
. . .  doz. 

1 

0 

6t 
0 

0  2 
0 

0 

0 

2 
0 

0to5 
0      0 

1) 

Apricots 

Nectarines  . 

doz. 

0 

Cherries 

lb. 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Oranges  .... 

100 

H 

0 

12 

0 

Chestnuts . . . 

..  bush. 

0 

0 

0 

n 

Peaches 

doz. 

10 

0 

15 

II 

Currants 

.  ii  sieve 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Pears  (dessert)  ..  doz. 

2 

u 

4 

u 

Black  .... 

....  do. 

0 

U 

0 

0 

Pine  Apples 

lb. 

4 

0 

V 

0 

FiRB 

. ..  doz. 

0 

0 

II 

n 

Plums 

v;  sieve 

4 

u 

B 

0 

Filberts 

lb. 

0 
0 

9 
9 

1 

1 

0 

n 

Quinces  .. . 
Raspberries 

....    doz. 
lb. 

1 

0 

li 

0 

2 
0 

11 

Cobs 

....  lb. 

0 

Gooseberries 

..  quart 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Strawberries 

. .   per  lb. 

0 

u 

0 

u 

Grapes,  Hothouse,  .lb. 

2 

0 

5 

0 

Walnuts 

...  bush. 

lu 

0 

1« 

0 

. ...  100 

10 

0    10    0 

VEGET 

do 

iBLES. 

.  per  100 

1 

0 

2 

r, 

B. 

d. 

s. 

d 

s. 

d. 

« 

d 

.Artichokes  ... 

...  doz. 

» 

Oto6 

0 

Leeka  

..  bunch 

0 

4  too 

6 

Aaparjigus  . . . 

100 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Lettuce 

per  score 

2 

0 

4 

U 

Beans,  Kidney 

J^  sieve 

» 

0 

4 

0 

Mushrooms 

...  pottle 

o 

0 

4 

U 

Boet,  Ked 

. . .  doz. 

2 

II 

K 

0 

Mu9td.&  Cress,  punnet 

II 

2 

0 

U 

Broccoli 

bundle 

1 

n 

2 

0 

Onions p 

er  bUMhel 

5 

0 

0 

0 

Brns.  Sprouts 

y.  sieve 

2 

0 

0 

0 

Parsley 

per  sieve 

8 

0 

4 

0 

Cabbage  

. ..  doz. 

1 

0 

2 

0 

Parsnips  . . . 

doz. 

U 

a 

1 

U 

Capsicums.... 

....100 

a 

0 

U 

0 

Peas 

per  quart 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Carrots 

.  bunch 

0 

4 

U 

H 

Potatoes  .... 

..  bushel 

4 

6 

6 

U 

Cauliflower  .. 

. ..  doz. 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Kidney 

do. 

4 

0 

7 

0 

Celery 

bundle 

1 

6 

2 

0 

Radishes  doz 

. bunches 

1 

6 

U 

0 

Cucumbers... 

. ..  each 

0 

4 

1 

0 

Rhubarb 

..  bundle 

II 

U 

U 

0 

Endive 

. ..  doz. 

2 

0 

0 

0 

Sea-kale  .... 

..  basket 

0 

0 

0 

U 

Fennel 

.  bunch 

0 

S 

0 

0 

Sliallots  .... 

lb. 

n 

H 

0 

U 

Garlic  

....lb. 

0 

8 

0 

0 

Spinach  .... 

..  bushel 

4 

0 

0 

U 

Herbs   

bunch 

(1 

S 

n 

n 

Tomatoes... 

.  per  doz. 

1 

0 

2 

U 

Horseradish  .. 

bundle 

8 

0 

5 

8 

Turnips  .... 

. .  bunch 

0 

6 

0 

0 

270 


JOUENAL   OF   HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


(  October  8,  1868. 


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.  All 
commuuicationg  should  therefore  be  addressed  solely  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  dc,  171,  Fleet 
Street^  London^  E.G. 

We  also  request  that  correspondents  will  not  mix  up  on  the 
same  sheet  questions  relating  to  Gardening  and  those  on 
Poultry  and  Bee  subjects,  if  they  expect  to  get  them  an- 
swered promptly  and  conveniently,  but  write  them  on 
separate  communications.  Also  never  to  send  more  than 
two  or  three  questions  at  once. 

N.B.— Many  questions  must  remain  unanswered  until  next 
week. 

Orangefield  Tomato  [G.  JTHnn).— The  berries  you  sent  are  not  the 
Orangefield  Tomato,  nor  anything  like  it,  but  are  the  Cherry-form  of  the 
Tomato.  In  foliage,  shape  and  colour  of  fruit,  the  Orangefield  much 
resembles  the  old  Common  Red  in  general  cultivation  ;  but  is  not  so 
coarse-prowinp,  and  the  fruit  is  not  so  large,  nevertheless  it  is  a  very 
useful  size.  Mr.  Record  has  gathered  an  average-sized  fruit  of  the  Orange- 
Held,  and  weighed  it  against  one  of  the  Common  Red;  the  former 
weighed  3\  ozs  ,  and  the  latter  ^k  ozs.  Tbo  Orangefield  tied  to  a  stake  in 
the  open  gronud,  and  only  l\  foot  high,  bad  fifteen  other  fruits  fit  to 
gather  ;  the  other,  planted  and  trained  against  a  wall,  is  7  feet  high.  Mr. 
Record  has  gathered  dozens  of  the  common  sort  weighing  %  of  a  lb. 
each, 

Jdsticia  speciosa  [M.  ff.).— It  ia  much  mildewed.  Dust  the  whole 
plant  thoroughly  with  flowers  of  sulphur,  after  remaining  on  two  or  three 
days  syringe  the  plant.  If  the  mildew  is  not  quite  removed  repeat  the 
treatment. 

Shoots  of  the  Manetti  Rose  {J.  K.)— When  they  first  appear  thev 
have  many  thorns,  but  as  the  age  of  the  plant  increases  the  thorns  dis"- 
appear  wholly,  or  nearly  so. 

Name  of  Manetti  Rose  [Uosarian). ~li  was  raised  from  seed  in  the 
Botanic  Gardens  at  Mouza,  near  Milan  in  Italy,  by  Signor  Manetti,  and 
commemorates  him. 

Notes  on  some   Roses   (Q.    Q.).— "As  you  confess  yourself  to  be  a 
*  pupil"  of  mine,  I  will  this  once  attend  to  your  request,  but,  in  future, 
euch  requests  must  come  through  the  Editors.     With  regard  to  your 
cultnre  I  have  no  fault  to  find  with  it.     It  has  been  a  very  trying  summer, 
yet  a  ver>-  fine  one  for  fruits  and  flowers  in  the  hands  of  able  and  diligent 
cultivators.   The  experience  of  England  and  Ireland  could  hardly  be  in  all 
points  the  same.    You  say  '  I  have  nearly  got  mildew  under  now,  but  the 
Roses  on  the  north  slope  look  very  far  from  healthy;  they  are  making 
very  little  i)looming  wood,  and  such  blossoms  as  are  on  them  are  poor 
and  stunted.     Does  Mr.  Radclyfi'e  think  that  this  arises  from  the  aspect 
being  not  sufiiciently  warm  for  them,  or  does  he  think  that  it  would  be 
well  to  d]g  them  np,  and  enrich  the  beds:*'    The  above  miseries  may 
have  arisen  from  a  combination  of  causes,  as  extreme  drought,  root- 
sickness,  poor  cultivation,  fungus,  and  extreme  changes  of  temperature. 
Unless  I  saw  the  plants,  and  knew  the  sorts,  and  also  knew  the  whole 
circumstances  attending  them,  I  could  not    determine  the  cause,  or 
causes.    I  think  it  would  be  well  to  dig  the  plants  up  and  deeply  stir 
the  ground  under  them.    This  will  cause  them  to  make  new  roots,  and 
contribute  towards  theirhealth  for  another  year.    Manetti  Roses  are  none 
the  worse  of  being  moved   annuallv,  or  biennially.     Removal,  however, 
tmless  carefully  performed,  interferes  with  their  making  roots  independent 
of  those  of  the  Manetti.     A  few  words  about  the  Roses  named— these  are 
very   good   Roses,  Marechal  Kiel,  Charles   Lefeb\Te,  Manl'Chal  Vaillant, 
Sopur  des  Anges,  Alfred  Colomb.  Exposition  de  Brie,  Prince  de  Portia, 
Prince   Camillo   de   Rohan,   Duchesse   de   Cavlus,   Fran(,-ois   Lacharme, 
Charles  Verdier,  Madame  Charles  Wood,  Souvenir  de  Comte  Cavour  (not 
quite  full).  Souvenir  de  William  Wood,  Dr.  Jamain,  Pierre  Notting,  John 
Hopper.     The   following  are   good :— George    Prince,   Dr.    Andry,    Jean 
Rosenkrantz,  Lord  Clyde,  Charles  Rouillard,  much  given  to  mildew,  and 
not  a  late  bloomer.    Beauty  of   Waltbam,  and   Fran.,-ois  Arago.     Of  the 
remaining  Roses  I  may  say  that  Rushton  Radclvffe  does  well  on  a  Briar, 
but  not  well  on   Manetti.      It  is   a  first-rate  forcer.      You   cannot   have 
Charles  Wood  true.    It  is  a  shy  opener,  of  dark  red  colour  nearly  black. 
It  is  a  good  grower;  but  does  not  freely  open.    Louis  XIV.  grows  well 
on  its  own  mots,  but  miserably  on  a  Bri'ar  or  Manetti.    Mdlle.  Bonnaire 
is  beautiful,  but  a  wretched  grower  on  Manetti.    It  grows  better  on  a 
Briar.    Substitute  for  it  Marguerite  de  St.  Amaud  ;  and  Charles  Verdier, 
Leopold  Premier,  and  I  may  add,  beautiful  Julio  Darau  require  shade  on 
the  southern  side,  and  then  they  will  bloom  freelv,  and  the  last  will  retain 
its   brilliant  vermilion  colour.      Camille  Bernardin  has  not   grown  well 
here,  nor  signalised  itself  yet.     Madame  Vidot,  Madame  Rivers,  and 
Comtesse  Cecile  de  Chabrillaut  are  types  of  shape,  and  much  given  to 
mildew  and  orange  fungus.      The  first  two  are  delicate,  require  strong 
loam,  a  good  summer  and  winter  care.    I  have  no  doubt  a  hot  south  wall 
would  be  a  good  place  for  them.     I  have  to-day  potted  seven  sick  plants 
of  Madame  Vidot,  and  one  of  Madame  Rivers,  and  put  them  into  my 
vinery  to  restrike  their  Manetti  roots,  I  shall  winter  them  there,  and 
plant  them  out  in  spring.     Professor  Koch  I  have  just  rejected  ;  it  is 
nat  full,  is  a  shy  opener,  and  has  never  given  me  one  good  bloom  for  the 
last  five  years.— W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

Manuring  Roses  [W.  D.  Scott).—'' 1  have  never  used  either  goose  or 
sheep  duug,  dissolved  in  water,  as  a  manure  for  Roses  or  plants  generally. 
I  should  think  they  were  both  excellent  manures,  and  that  anv  quantity 
might  be  used  in  a  diluted  form  without  any  deleterious  effect.— W.  F. 
Radclyffe." 

Pear  Trees  in  Orchabd  House  (P*virs).— The  leaves  are  severely 
mildewed.  Dust  them  thoroughly  with  flowers  of  sulphur;  strew  ihe 
solphar  also  over  the  surface  of  the  border,  and  paint  the  stems  with  a 
creamy  mixture  of  the  same  as  you  mention  for  your  Vines.  Repeat  the 
same  treatment  in  the  spring  and  as  often  as  you  see  symptoms  of  the 
mildew. 


Propagating  Evergreens  [T.  J?.).— Hollies  and  Yews  are  poor  from 
cuttings;  indeed,  the  plants  are  of  little  value;  besides,  it  ia  a  tedious 
mode  of  propagation,  and  one  in  which  there  are  many  failures.  They 
are  best  inceased  by  seeds,  and  the  varieties  by  grafting  on  the  common 
sorts.  Ancubft  cuttings  strilte  well.  They  would  best  succeed  by  your 
second  mode — namely,  under  a  hand-glass. 

Budding  Manetti  Rose  Stocks  (Idem).— The  mode  of  budding 
Manetti  Rose  stocks  does  not  difi'er  from  budding  on  the  Briar,  only  the 
bud  should  be  inserted  below  the  surface,  the  stocks  being  earthed-up 
for  that  purpose.  In  budding,  the  soil  should  be  removed,  so  that  the 
bud  may  be  inserted  a  little  lower  than  you  seem  to  have  placed  it — that 
is,  on  the  part  that  has  been  covered  with  soil,  which  by  keeping  the 
stock  from  tbo  atmosphere  causes  the  bark  to  separate  readily  from  the 
wood.  We  have  not  known  "  blackclocks  "  eat  Strawberries,  and  do  not 
think  a  dressing  of  lime  and  soot  would  prevent  them  doing  so  ;  but  the 
latter  is  a  most  excellent  manure  for  Strawberries.  Your  only  plan 
would  be  to  poison  them  Chase's  Beetle  Poison  is  good  for  the  purpose. 
Gloire  de  Dijon  Rose  from  Cuttings  {Q.  M.).— The  best  mode  of 
striking  the  cuttings  is  in  pots  in  a  hotbed,  but  it  is  now  too  late  for  that. 
You  may  still  put  in  cuttings  of  such  shoots  as  have  formed  their 
terminal  bud,  or  lately  bloomed.  The  cuttings  may  have  two  joints  or 
three  according  to  their  length,  and  Ishould  be  inserted  in  a  warm  situa- 
tion, in  sandy  soil  enriched  with  alittle  leaf  mould,  and  the  surface  covered 
with  an  inch  in  depth  of  sharp  sand.  Place  a  band-glass  on  the  sand, 
and  gently  press  it  down  so  as  to  mark  the  place  it  will  cover,  put  in  the 
cuttings  about  3  inches  from  the  outline  of  the  hand-glass,  and  2  inches 
apart.  Give  a  gentle  watering-',  cover  the  cuttings  with  the  hand-glass 
and  keep  them  close  and  shaded  from  bright  sun.  In  a  month  admit  air 
by  degrees,  and  rather  freely  during  mild  weather,  and  to  dispel  damp  in 
winter.  A  mat  or  other  covering  should  be  placed  over  the  hand-glass 
in  severe  weather.  In  April  the  cuttings  should  be  thoroughly  hardened- 
off,  and  bv  the  end  of  the  month  they  will  be  fit  for  potting  and  should  be 
potted-off  singly  into  small  pots. 

Orange-tree  Culture  (7(icm).— Your  Orange  tree  will  succeed  ad- 
mirably in  a  greenhouse.  It  should  be  potted  in  March  in  rich  turfy 
loam,  with  the  addition  of  one-fourth  very  decayed  manure  or  cow  dung, 
and  one-sixth  sharp  sand.  Good  drainage  ought  to  be  provided.  In 
potting  do  not  disturb  the  roots  more  than  necessary,  but  pick  away  the 
old  soil  from  about  them.  Do  not  give  a  large  shift,  but  only  use  a  pot  large 
enough  to  contain  the  roots  without  cramping  them,  and  add  a  little 
fresh  soil.  Be  careful  not  to  over-water,  but  keep  the  soil  moist,  and  en- 
courage gi'owth  by  affording  a  moist  atmosphere  and  syringing  the  foliage 
morning  and  evening.  A  temperature  of  from  50-  to  55'^  at  night  would 
assist  in  promoting  free  growth.  When  the  plant  is  growing  freely  keep 
it  well  watered,  but  do  not  give  any  water  until  the  plant  is  in  need  of  it, 
and  then  enough  to  show  itself  at  the  drainage.  A  few  good  spongings 
of  the  leaves  with  water  in  which  soft-soap  has  been  dissolved  at  the 
rate  of  2  ozs.  to  the  gallon  will  tend  to  keep  the  foliage  clean  and  be  very 
beneficial.  A  light  and  airy  situation  should  be  given  it,  though  for  a 
time  after  potting  a  rather  shady  situation,  and  a  warm  close  atmosphere 
would  be  desirable,  whilst  at  other  times  it  \vill  do  well  in  an  ordinary 
greenhouse. 

Earth  Closets— Dissolving  Bones  (IT.  T.).— To  give  plana,  &c. 
would  not  be  suitable  to  our  pages.  There  are  several  pamphlets  pub- 
lished on  the  sulqect,  wo  believe.  Any  of  the  agiicultural  implement 
makers  could  supply  you  with  a  bone-crushing  machine.  To  dissolve 
the  crushed  bones  thry  must  be  put  into  a  tub  and  frequently  stirred  in 
a  mixture  of  sulphuric  acid  and  water.  The  proportions  are  12  ozs.  acid, 
12  ozs.  water,  16  ozs.  bones. 

Ttelve  Fuchsias  for  Exhibition  [Idii7i\. — Lizzie  Hexham,  Lord 
Elcho,  King  of  the  Doubles,  Consolation,  Harry  George  Henderson, 
Father  Ignatius,  Consolation,  Catherine  Parr,  Minnie  Banks,  Conspicua, 
Mrs.  Gladstone^  and  Rose  of  Denmark. 

Right  to  Remove  Trees  [Morpeth).— Yom  have  no  right  to  remove 
the  trees,  bushes,  «ic.,  unless  you  are  a  nurseryman.  You  should  have 
taken  a  lease  before  you  improved  the  land,  or  had  an  agreement  that  the 
trees,  Ac,  should  be  valued  at  your  outgoing.  A  landlord  is  always 
entitled  to  an  improved  rental. 

Cylinder  Vineries  (2*.  S.).— If  you  write  to  Messrs.  Rivers,  Nurseries, 
Sawbridgeworth,  they  will  give  you  information  on  all  the  subjects  you 
inquire  about. 

Amateur  Florist  {G.  O.  P.).— An  amateur  florist  is  one  who  cultivates 
flowers  for  pleasure  and  not  for  profit.  If  anyone  cultivates  flowers  for 
the  purpose  of  selling  them,  he  is  a  tradesman — a  florist.  Merely  selling 
a  few  surjjlus  flowers  would^not  render  him  a  tradesman. 

Storing  Walnuts  {F,  ^.).— The  nuts  should  have  the  huf^ks  removed, 
from  which  they  will  separate  easily  when  ripe.  Clean  the  nuts  well  if 
they  are  dirty,  which  they  sometimes  are,  owing  to  the  husk  decaying  on 
the  nut,  by  rubbing  them  between  cloths  until  dry  and  clean  ;  then  store 
them  in  earthenware  jars,  and  place  in  a  cellar,  and  in  a  somewhat  damp 
place.  In  a  dry  place  the  kernels  are  liable  to  shrivel,  and  in  a  wet  one 
they  are  apt  to  become  of  bad  flavour  from  mouldiness. 

Erecting  a  Fernery  f  L.  J.  P.).— A  north  aspect  will  answer  very  well 
for  a  fernery.  We  presume  vou  have  a  wall,  which  would  serve  as  the 
back  of  the"lean-to,  and  in  that  case  the  cost  of  a  Jean-to  would  not  be 
more  than  two-thirds  that  of  a  span-roofed  house.  It  is  not  necessary  to 
have  front  lights,  and  the  ends  need  not  be  more  glass  than  straight 
across  to  the  back  wall  from  the  lowest  point  of  the  roof.  The  stove  you 
name  is  not  suitable.  It  would  not  injure  the  Ferns  in  the  way  yon  seem 
to  think;  but  from  its  drying  the  atmosphere,  those  in  proximity  to  it 
would  not  thrive.  We  advise  a  small  snddle  boiler,  and  a  flow  and  return 
4-inch  hot-water  pipe  along  the  front  and  one  end,  which  will  be  sufficient 
to  keep  out  frost. 

RocHEA  falcata  NOT  FLOWERING  (fl".  TF.).— Wo  think  you  have 
"  starved  "  your  plant  too  well.  Y'ou  should  have  encouraged  growth  by 
a  moist  atmosphere  and  plentiful  supply  of  water,  pinching  back  all  irre- 
gular growth,  so  as  to  form  a  compact  plant.  This  treatment  should  be 
continued  up  to  June,  and  when  a  good  growth  has  been  mnde  the  plant 
should  have  no  more  water  than  enough  to  keep  it  from  flagging,  and 
have  full  exposure,  or  a  light  and  airy  situation  in  a  greenhouse  or  pit. 
This  will  secure  the  proper  maturation  of  the  growth  on  which  the 
flowering  depends.  The  soil  shoiild  be  a  sandy  turfy  losm,  and  pieces  of 
pots,  charcoal,  and  sandstone  may  be  mixed  with  it  to  keep  it  open.    The 


October  8, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENEB. 


271 


drainaRe  should  be  Rood.  Keep  the  plant  dry  when  it  is  not  prowinf?. 
The  Vine  eyes  should  be  entirely  covered  with  soil  to  the  depth  named 
In  our  reply. 

SowiNo  LiLiDM  AnnATCM  SEED  (J.  Jlf.).— The  seed  should  be  sown  in 
pots  well  draiaed  and  filled  to  within  half  nn  inch  of  the  rim  with  a  com- 
post of  two-thirds  light  fibrous  loam,  and  one-third  sandy  peat.  Make 
the  surface  smooth,  scatter  the  seeds  rather  thinly,  and  cover  with  fine 
soil,  but  not  to  a  greater  depth  than  the  diameter  of  the  seeds.  Give  a 
gentle  watering,  and  plunge  the  pot  in  a  hotbed  of  about  70",  or  it  may  lie 
placed  in  a  house  where  there  is  a  temperature  of  from  60^' to  65^.  In 
this  it  should  be  kept  until  the  seedlings  are  fairly  above  the  surface, 
then  gradually  harden  thoiO  off,  and  remove  them  to  a  light  and  airy 
situation  in  a  greenhouse.  The  seed  should  be  sown  in  February  or  the 
beginning  of  March,  or  it  mav  be  sown  now,  the  pots  being  kept  in  a 
Rreenhouso  until  tho  time  named,  then  placed  in  heat  and  watered.  Wo 
did  not  note  how  long  the  seeds  were  in  coming  up  :  but  by  autumn  they 
had  formed  little  bulbs,  which  should  bo  potted  off  singly,  without 
injury  to  the  roots. 

SowiNO  Phlox  Seed  (Mfm).— The  seed  of  herbaceous  Phloxes  should 
be  sown  in  pans  well  drained,  and  filled  to  within  a  little  of  tho  rim  with 
a  compost  of  two-thirds  loam  and  one-third  leaf  mould.  The  surface 
should  be  made  level,  and  the  seeds  covered  lightly  with  fine  soil,  a 
gentle  watering  given,  and  tho  pans  placed  in  a  mild  hotbed.  Tho  plants 
will  soon  1)0  up",  and  to  keep  them  stroug  give  air  and  place  thera  near 
the  glass.  When  they  are  largo  enough  to  handle  prick  them  off  in  pans 
about  an  inch  apart,  return  them  to  the  frame,  and  encourage  their 
jfrowth  ;  they  will  in  May  he  fine  plants,  fit  to  plant  out  where  they  are 
to  remain.    Tho  best  time  to  sow  is  in  tho  beginning  of  March. 

CULTUHE    OF    BOUOAINVILLEA     GLABRA     AND    SPECIOSA     (J.    .-l.).— Your 

treatment  is  correct.  They  are  both  the  better  of  being  kept  pot-bound, 
or  of  their  roots  being  confined.  B.  glabra  usually  flowers  at  the  end  of 
summer ;  B.  speciosa  in  the  spring  and  summer,  sometimes  in  winter, 
and  on  the  well-ripened  wood  of  the  past  year,  as  you  say,  whilst 
B.  glabra  flowers  on  the  shoots  of  the  current  year.  Tho  pruning  must 
therefore  be  altered  to  suit.  B.  glabra  should  have  whatever  pruning  is 
required  in  spring,  before  new  gx'owths  are  made,  and  that  pruning  may 
consist  in  cutting  back  the  shoots  that  have  flowered  to  within  a  few 
eyes  of  their  base,  and  in  thinning-ont  and  shortening  the  others.  Every 
enconragement  must  then  bo  given,  and,  if  necessary,  the  plants  should 
be  potted,  taking  care  not  to  use  larger  pots  than  the  roots  will  fill  well 
by  the  time  tho  growth  is  complete.  When  a  good  growth  is  made  the 
plant  should  have  full  exposure  to  light,  and  have  but  little  water— no 
more  than  sufficient  to  keep  it  from  flagging.  B.  speciosa  should  have 
the  shoots  thinned  after  flowering,  be  pruned  back  to  encourage  new 
shoots  if  wanted,  and  should  be  encouraged  in  the  same  way  as  B.  glabra, 
keeping  it  dry  iu  winter ;  indeed,  after  a  good  growth  has  been  made, 
these  plants  should  not  have  more  water  than  is  suflicient  to  keep  the 
foliage  from  flagging.  That,  and  full  exposure,  with  a  dry  atmosphere, 
are  essential  to  success.  The  temperature  from  fire  heut  need  at  no 
time  exceed  6^1-,  whilst  in  winter  45''  will  bo  ample.  They  are  propagated 
by  cuttings,  taking  ofl"  the  short  stubby  shoots  when  halt  ripe,  or  when 
their  bases  become  rather  firm.  A  hotbed  is  necessary  and  shade  from 
bright  sun,  taking  care  not  to  over-water.  They  succeed  best  when 
covered  with  a  hell-glass. 

Plant  Failures  (One  in  a  Fix).— We  think  your  success  in  growing 
Ferns  should  encourage  you  to  persevere.  Perfection  is  not  yet  attained 
by  the  most  skilled,  and  we  see  no  reason  for  your  desponding  of 
success.  Persevere,  and  you  will  be  successful  and  gain  experience.  We 
do  not  perceive  in  what  way  we  can  help  you  at  present,  but  we  think 
yon  have  not  provided  sufficient  ventilation  for  your  greenhouse.  Instead 
of  one  you  should  have  at  least  three  such  openiegs  as  you  name  for 
ventilation,  and  the  temperature  you  have  kept  up  is  much  too  high  for 
greenhouse  plants  ;  4.5  at  night  is  quite  sufficient  at  any  time  from  fire 
heat.  *'  Florist's  Flowers  tor  the  Many  "  would  suit  yon,  which  you  can 
have  free  by  post  for  five  stamps  from  our  office.  The  principles  of  gar- 
dening you  may  obtain  from  the  "  Science  and  Practice  of  Gardening," 
to  be  had  post  free  from  our  office  for  3s.  id. 

Heating  Pits  {Evesham). — Your  proposed  flue.  No.  1,  would  be  sufli- 
cient to  keep  out  frost.  No.  3  is  what  wo  would  prefer,  as  then  the  pit 
would  he  more  generally  useful  when  not  wanted  for  bedding  plants.  The 
small  flue  would  do,  but  except  taking  up  more  room  there  would  be  no 
objection  to  a  flue  9  inches  wide,  inside  measure.  The  best  way  to  use 
such  a  pit  would  be  to  have  a  moveable  stage  above  the  height  of  the 
flue,  and  then  when  required  the  chamber  could  be  turned  into  a  hot-air 
chamber. 

CccC3rBERHorsE(.4.Hai-r;a).— You  will  have  plenty  of  light  for  Cucum- 
bers from  your  roof  and  front  glass,  although  tho  ends  are  wooden,  but 
without  any  artificial  heat  it  would  be  of  little  use  planting  out  before 
June.  As  to  a  trellis  that  would  be  advisalde,  and  it  sliould  bo  not  close 
to,  but  at  loRst  15  inches  from  the  glass.  You  may  syringe  freely  in  hot 
weather,  and  the  more  the  water  plays  on  the  under  sides  of  the  loaves 
tlie  better.  Flower  seeds  of  all  kinds  could  be  raised  in  such  a  house. 
Hardy  annuals,  &c.,  in  February  and  March ;  half-hardy  in  April  and 
May;  and  tender  or  tropical  Itinds  after  the  middle  of  .June.  If  we  had 
such  a  house  we  would  have  simple  means  for  keeping  frost  out. 

GRonND  Vinery  Planting  {W.  J.  B.). — Mr.  Lane's  grand  orchard-house 
vinery  had  the  Vinos  planted  in  the  common  soil,  or  rather  in  a  few 
barrowloads  of  loam  laid  on  the  surface.  In  your  case  we  would  make  a 
border  for  your  barless  vinery.  We  think  one  Vine  at  each  end  would 
be  enough.  By  planting  now  strong  fruiting  canes  you  may  take  a  light 
crop  next  season,  but  if  you  take  much  the  Vines  will  bo  injured.  But 
for  the  pleasure  of  having  fruit  the  first  season,  we  would  advise  canes 
not  so  large,  and  to  be  cut  back  after  planting  to  a  couple  of  feet  or  so  in 
length,  so  as  to  secure  strong  canes  with  good  established  roots  the 
second  season.  We  do  not  consider  the  Trentham  Black  superior  to  the 
Hamburgh  for  this  purpose,  hut  we  cannot  speak  from  our  own  ex- 
perience. 

Flower  Garden  Planting  (D.  B.  C.).— We  like  tho  proposed  planting 
for  1869  best.  If  you  have  plenty  of  Cineraria  use  it  as  proposed  for  the 
centre  of  No.  1  :  if  not,  use  Variegated  Pelargoninms,  as  we  wonld  prefer 
to  use  the  Cineraria  in  No.  9 ;  others  in  No.  1,  as  proposed.  If  Variegated 
Pelargonium  be  used  in  No.  1.  a  different  one  shonld  be  used  in  3,  and 
the  Perilla  be  stumped  low.  7,  Perilla  will  be  too  strong  an  edging  for 
Cloth  of  Gold,  and  this  latter  rarely  does  well  when  fully  exposed  to  the 


sun.  Wo  would  rather  have  Perilla  or  Amaranthns  for  the  centre,  and 
Cloth  of  Gold  round,  which  would  also  come  in  well,  and  better  with 
No.  8,  Mrs.  Pollock,  with  Lobelia  and  Cerastium.  No.  9,  we  would  sur- 
round Coleus  with  Cineraria  maritima. 

Climiiehs  for  a  Conservatory  (Danilnn).— Aft  to  tho  house  wo  aro 
not  sure  of  tho  position  of  tho  pillars,  arches,  Ac,  on  the  back  wall.  Ha- 
brothaninus  and  Toesonia  would  do  as  proposed,  but  we  would  greatly 
prefer  Camellias,  which  would  look  well  at  all  times  and  require  hut  little 
labour.  For  pillars  and  arches  in  front  of  the  house  we  would  recom- 
mend Jasminum  gracile,  Kennedva  Marryattir.  SoUya  heterophylla,  and 
Kenncdya  dilatata.  For  the  trellis  at  the  path  wo  would  have  Passi- 
floras  cierulna  and  racemosa  cierulea.  Koryour  six  pilasters  on  the  west 
wall  we  would  advise  Roses,  Mar.chal  Niel,  Gloire  de  Dijon,  Climbing 
Dcvoniensis,  Ci-line  Forestier,  Soltaterro,  and  Cloth  of  Gold  or  Lamarquo 

SHRnns  FOR  A  Town  Gardbn  (C.  E.  It.  TM.— The  part  of  yonr  town 
garden  having  little  sun  we  would  devote  to  shrubs.  Tho  wall  itself  may 
bo  covered  with  Jasminum  nudiflornm,  which  from  its  gay  yellow  flowers, 
produced  abundantly  at  midwinter,  is  very  interesting.  The  old  Aucuba. 
will  do  well,  and  a  few  plants  of  the  Gold  and  Silver-edged  Holhes  would 
give  you  colour,  and  be  enlivening  to  the  dark  green  of  the  Rhododen- 
dron, which  we  would  mako  tho  principal  shrub.  The  Kalmias  latifoha 
and  glauca.  Ledum  latifolium,  and  Andromeda  floribunda  are  very  pretty, 
ane  delight  in  shade.  Ribcs  sanguinea  vars.,  may  be  planted  if  you  can 
give  them  sun,  also  the  tree  Pwonics,  whilst  for  bordering  to  tho  shady 
border  Vinca  elegantissima  is  very  neat  and  effective. 

Annuals  for  Spring  Blooming  (Idem).— The  following  will  be  off  in 
good  time,  hut  ought  to  have  been  sown  at  the  end  of  September  or  early 
in  October-— Sweet  Alyasum,  Calandrinia  umbellata.  Candytuft,  crimson, 
white,  and  purple;  Clarkia  pulchella  and  the  white  variety,  Colhnsia 
bicolor.  Erysimum  Peroffskianum.  Eschacholtzia caUfomica,  E.  crocea  and 
alba,  Eucharidium  grandiiiorum,  Eutoca  viscido,  Gilia  tricolor,  G.  tricolor 
rosea  splendens,  Godetia  roseo-alba,  Leptosiphon  densiflorus,  Lupinus 
nanus,  Nemophila  maculata  and  insignis,  Silene  pendula,  S.  rubella 
alba,  and  Virginian  Stock,  red  and  white.  They  will  not  be  off  by  bed- 
ding-out time. 

Tomato  Culture  (Wem).— These  will  succeed  against  a  south  wall, 
the  plants  being  raised  and  forwarded  in  heat  and  well  hardened  off 
before  planting  out.  They  may  he  watered  in  dry  weather  with  liquid 
manure  ;  guano  at  the  rate  of  1  oz.  to  the  gallon  of  water  is  a  good  liquid 
manure.  Chamber  slops  diluted  with  five  times  their  volume  of  water  wUI 
be  a  good  manure,  only  give  it  to  plants  in  active  growth,  and  not  too 
frequently,  and  when  applying  it  give  a  thorough  soaking. 

Plants  for  Conservatory  with  Vines  (T.  H.  Jratinsl.—Y'onr  house 
will  be  suitable  for  Ferns,  at  all  seasons  interesting,  and  tho  different 
kinds  of  foliage  and  variegated  plants  as  Agapanthus  umbellatus  varie- 
gatus  Cordyline  indivisa,  Draca;na  australis.  Hydrangea  japonicavane- 
gata,  Phormium  tenax  variegatum.  Yucca  aloifolia  vanegata,  and  Y.  fala- 
mentosa  variegata.  These,  with  the  Ferns,  will  have  a  good  effect  even 
without  flowering  plants,  and  especially  at  a  time  when  the  flowering 
plants,  on  account  of  tho  Vines,  will  not  be  well  longer  retained  in  the 
house.  To  the  above  vou  may  add  of  Orchids— Cypripedium  venustum 
and  insigne,  Cymbidi'um  aloifolium,  Arpophyllum  giganteum,  Kpiden- 
drum  vitellinum  majus,  Lycaste  Skinneri,  Oncidiums  flexuosum,  cris- 
pum,  and  leuoochilum,  Odontoglossum  bictonense  splendens,  O.  pul- 
chellum.andO.  grande.  Camellias  and  Azaleas  you  will  depend  on  for 
winter  and  spring,  and  Epacrises  are  fine  for  winter  .AH  may  be  grown 
well  by  your  keeping  them  in  the  house  until  July  when  they  may,  as 
matter  of  necessity,  be  moved  out,  and  returned  to  the  house  in  Septem- 
ber or  October.  A  few  others  that  may  be  treated  in  the  same  way  are 
Acacias  armata,  longiflora  magnif.cn,  and  oleifolia  elegans  ;  Chorozemi 
cordatum  splendens,  Coronilla  glauca,  Correaa  Brilliant  and  speciosa 
major,  Cvclamen  persicum  vars.,  Cytisus  racemosus,  Indigofera  decora, 
Linum  trigj-num,  Monoohictum  ensiferum,  Nerium  rubrum  plenum, 
Polygala  Dalmaisiana,  Rhododendron  jasminiflorum.  and  R.  Pnncess 
Royal  Witsenia  corymbosa,  and  Vallota  purpurea.  You  must  not  omit 
Primulas,  Cinerarias,  Calceolarisis,  and  Pelargoniums,  and  for  early 
spring  bulbs.  Crocus,  Tulips,  Hyacinths,  and  Narcissus  are  desirable. 
Three  of  the  best  Vines  for  such  a  house  are  Black  Hamburgh,  Foster  g 
White  Seedling,  and  Trentham  Black. 

American  Gardeners  (R.  S.).— We  know  of  no  publication  containing 
a  list  ot  American  gardeners  and  their  employers. 

Pears  for  Wall  (H.  W.  B.).— For  the  west  aspect,  Alexand  er  Lambre, 
Benrrede  Capiaumont,  Colmar  d'Eti,  Thompson's,  and  \icarof  Wink- 
field.  No  Pear  succeeds  weU  on  a  north  aspect,  you  had  better  plant 
there  Morello  Cherries. 

Names  of  Fruits  (-4  Suhscriher,  Surrey).—  !,  Vicar  of  Winkfield 
2.  Bacon's  Incomparable;  3,  Beurre  de  Kance ;  4.  No  Plus  Meuria- 
(H  E.  W.).—l,  Autumn  Pearmain ;  2,  Royal  Russet;  3,  Dumelow  s 
Seedling  ;  t',  Golden  Knob  ;  7,  Christie's  Pippin.  You  cannot  have  better 
than  Marie  Louise  Pear  for  yonr  south-west  wall.  {PliitoUpoa).—%  Manks 
Codlin  ;  6,  Russet  Nonpareil ;  9,  Wyken  Pippin.  These  are  all  we  can 
name  of  the  very  nice  collection  you  sent.  The  others  are  varieties  with 
which  we  have  no  acquaintance,  and  we  should  very  much  like  to  know 
something  about  them.  (./.  L.  D.).-Apple>::^o.  1  Seedling,  is  a  very 
handsome  Apple  ;  2,  also  a  seedling,  is  worthless ;  4  Beauty  of  Kent, 
8,  Pomme  de  Neige.  Pears  :  1,  Lewes  ;  '2,  Vicar  of  Winkfield  ;  8,  Duchesse 
d'.Angouleme.  The  Plum  appears  to  be  Jefl'erson.  {H.  II  .).—Penrs  .- 
1  and  2,  Quite  decayed;  8,  Chaumontel  ;  4,  Passe  Colmar  ;  5,  taster 
Beurre  ;  6,  Glou  Mor^-eau  ;  7,  Beurr.-  de  Ranee  ;  8,  Mane  Lomso  ;  9,  Ur- 
baniste ;  10,  Chaumontel.  Jpvhs  .-11,  Decayed  ;  12  Blenheim  Orange  ; 
13,  Herefordshire  Pearmain.  (T.  W.  HorM).—Pear  :  Beurrt  Uiel.  iT.C-.H). 
—Your  Pear  is  Napol.on.  {Heiir,,  d-  Soa).-Your  Grape  is  Royal  Musca- 
dine, the  Chasselas  do  Fontainbleau  of  the  French,  (H.  J.  C.).— rears  ■ 
1,  Passe  Colmar;  2,  Glou  Mor^eau;  3,  Passe  Colmar;  4,  Bezi  Vaet ; 
S,  Beurre  Diel  ;  6,  Passe  Colmar  ;  7,  Forelle;  8,  Beurre  Bosc  ;  9.  Beurre 
do  Ranee;  10.  Unknown  ;  11,  Urbaniste ;  12,  Beurre  de  Ranee  (SuHojj, 
WUMirej.-Apples :  1,  Herefordshire  Pearmain;  2,  Scarlet  Nonpareil ; 
4,  Shepherd's  Newington ;  5,  Oliver's;  6.  Glory  of  WUts ;  1,  Waltham 
Abbev  Seedling;  8,  Cat's  Head  ;  9,  Old  NoupareU ;  11,  Manks  Codlin 
12,  Dimelow's  Seedling  :  13,  Ditto  ;  14,  Rymer.  Pfar, :  16,  Uvedale  s  St. 
Germain  ;  17,  Decayed.  The  others  unknown.  iJohn  Ingle, jun.).- Apples. 
-I,  Royal  Russet;  2,  Sam  Young;  8,  Ross  Nonpareil;  6,  Reinette  da 
Canada ;  8,  Winter  Strawberry ;  9,  Rymer  ;  10  and  11,  (^uite  decayed  ; 
12,  Emperor    Alexander;    14,  Grange's    Pearmain      15,  Uawthomden.  . 


272 


JOUKNAL  OF    HOfiTICULTUBE   AND   COTTAGE   GAKDENER. 


[  October  S,  1868. 


17,  Waltham  Abbey  Seedling.  The  others  we  do  not  recognise  at  present. 
(Centurion). — Your  Apples  and  Pears  are  a  curious  mixed  lot,  many  of 
them  ore,  no  doubt,  purely  local  sorts,  which  are  to  be  found  nowhere 
else.  There  are  many  such  in  this  country  which  have  no  names.  Wo 
certify  what  we  can.  a,  This  name  is  correct  ;  b,  Ditto  ;  c,  Too  much 
decayed  for  us  to  name  with  certainty.  It  is,  however,  not  Napoltron. 
D,  Urbaniste;  F,  Yes.  The  true  old  Golden  Pippin,  i,  Most  probably  a 
long  form  of  White  Doyenne  ;  L,  Is  not  Reinette  du  Canada.  It  is,  how- 
ever, unknown.  It  might  he  iReinette  Grise  doree,  (H.  Hare), — Y'ours 
are  by  far  the  finest  lot  of  Pears  we  have  had  sent  to  us  this  season. 
They  are  so  exceedingly  well  grown  that  many  of  them  are  scarcely  re-  i 
cognisable,  so  much  are  they  altered  from  their  usual  character.    We  ' 


should  be  glad  to  Itnowhow  they  have  been  cultivated.  "We  name  them 
as  far  as  known.  No.  3,  Flemish  Beauty  ;  5,  Napoleon  ;  6.  Beurre  Diel : 
7,  Beurrt-  de  Ranee  ;  ly,  Baronne  de  MeUo.  probably  ;  20,  Brown  Beane; 
23  and  31,  Fondante  d'Automne;  25,  White  Doyenne  ;  26,  Comtedo  Lamy ; 
S3,  Doyenne  du  Cumice.  extremely  fine  ;  18,  Knij^ht's  Monarch;  37,  Passe 
Colmar;  39.  Mart-chal  de  la  Cour;  40,  Triompho  de  Jodoigne  ;  ii,  Pro- 
bably EeurrO  Clairgeau  ;  41,  Bergamotte  Drouot. 

Names  of  Plants  fiJossin/).— Arctotis  reptans.  The  late  Mr.  Beaton 
used  to  call  it  "  The  Frosted-silver  Plant."  (jV.  A'.,  Driims.na). — 1,  Purple 
Orache  ;  2,  Agathea  cielestia  variegata  ;  3,  Nepeta  ciesia.  {Julia). — 
Capsella  buraa-pastoris.    (J.  8.  H.). — Hippophae  rhamnoides. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Subiirba  of  London  for  the  week  ending  October  6th. 


Date. 

THERMOUETEn. 

RalB  In 
InoheB. 

BAEOMETEB. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Wind. 

Genebal  Reuabes. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Mai.  1  Min. 

1  n.  dp. 

2  ft.  dp. 

Wed...  SO 
ThUTB .     1 
Fri.  ..     2 
Sat.  ..    3 
Son...    4 
Mou...    5 
Tnes.  .    6 

29.278 
29.994 
30.007 
29.768 
29.864 
80.017 
29.998 

29.111 
29.640 
29  842 
29.610 
29.301 
29.898 
29.938 

60 
69 
61 
68 
61 
62 
60 

41 
39 
85 

39 
36 
4.5 
45 

58 
68 
66 
65 
65 
55 
55 

57 
67 
56 
55 
65 
55 
65 

S.W. 
N.W. 
N.E. 

X.B. 
S.E. 

s.E.  ; 
s. 

.36 
.00 
.00 
.52 

.00 
.0!) 
.42 

Rain:  Ijoisterous  with  rain  ;  fine,  slight  mist. 
Cloudy  ;  line,  clondy ;  clear  and  fine. 
Clear  and  fine  ;  very  fine  ;  line,  rather  cold. 
Drizzlinc  rain  ;  heavy  rain  ;  cold,  heavy  rain. 
Clear  and  fine;  very  fine  ;  elipht  drizzle. 
Fo^'Cy:  hazy,  overcast  :  clear  and  very  fine. 
Overcast,  rain  ;  heavy  showers;  heavy  rain. 

Meau 

29.847 

29.691 

60.14 

40.00 

66.00 

63.71 

•• 

1.80 

POULTRY,  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD  CHRONICLE. 

DUBBING  OR  TRIMMING  GAME    STAGS. 

Game  stags  should  not  be  dubbed  until  their  combs  are  full 
gi'own,  otherwise  these  will  grow  a  little  after  the  cutting.  The 
usual  time  for  dubbing  is  about  the  first  Christmas,  if  spring- 
hatched  birds,  at  which  time  the  cock  chicken  becomes  a 
"  stag."  In  dubbing  two  persons  are  employed,  one  to  hold 
the  bird  steadily  and  firmly  in  his  hands,  having  the  thighs 
and  wings  between  his  thumbs  and  forefingers,  with  the  head 
of  the  bird  pointing  towards  the  operator.  The  two  persons 
standing  facing  each  other,  the  operator  takes  hold  of  the 
stag's  comb,  and  with  a  sharp-pair  of  horse-clipping  scissors 
takes  off  tirst  one  wattle  and  deaf  ear  at  one  stroke  ;  then,  turn- 
ing the  bird's  head,  still  holding  him  by  the  comb,  he  with  the 
second  stroke  takes  off  the  other  gill  or  wattle  and  deaf  ear ; 
and  then,  taking  the  bird  by  the  back  of  the  head  and  neck,  or 
still  holding  him  by  the  comb  as  some  do,  he  with  the  third 
stroke  cuts  from  the  beak  backwards,  taking  the  comb  neatly  and 
quickly  off  close  down  to  the  head  at  one  stroke,  which  com- 
pletes the  operation  in  about  two  minutes,  and  in  three  strokes 
if  done  by  a  clever  operator.  Some  anoint  the  bird's  head 
with  sweet  oil  after  the  operation,  but  most  persons  consider 
this  quite  unnecessary,  as  a  healthy  bird  heals  very  quickly, 
and  in  twenty  days  at  farthest  no  trace  of  the  operation  should 
be  visible,  the  whole  head  being  quite  healed  and  red  again. 

Some  people  cut  from  the  back  of  the  comb  towards  the 
beak,  but  I  think  this  is  backhanded  and  clumsy,  as  the  stag 
can  best  be  held  facing  the  operator,  and  in  cutting  from  the 
beak  backwards  the  man  stands  in  front  of  the  bird,  and  can 
see  both  sides  of  the  comb  much  better  than  in  the  other  way. 
The  comb  should  be  taken  off  last  (though  some  like  taking  it 
off  first),  as  it  affords  a  good  hold  to  the  operator.  From  six 
to  twelve  months  old  is  the  usual  time  for  dubbing  Game  stage. 
Many  operators  say  that  they  can  cut  better  from  the  back  of 
the  comb  to  the  beak,  but  in  general  I  have  seen  it  best  done 
in  the  way  I  describe,  and  more  quickly  and  neatly  as  well. 

Game  Bantams  should  be  dubbed  in  exactly  the  same 
manner.  The  dark  or  gipsy-combed  sorts  stand  the  dubbing  the 
best.  These  are  the  Dark  Greys,  Brown  Beds,  Dark  Birchens, 
and  the  gipsy-combed  Black  Game  fowls.  The  Piles  and 
Whites,  Blue  Duns,  and  the  yellow  or  daw- eyed  sorts  do  not 
stand  dubbing  quite  so  well  as  the  Black  and  red-eyed  sorts. 
The  light  brown-eyed  also,  and  bay-eyed  sorts  do  not  stand  it 
so  well  as  red  and  black-eyed  birds,  which' are  the  gamest  breeds 
and  strains  of  all  Game  fowls. 

Game  stags  should  either  be  dubbed  on  their  "  out-walks," 
or  be  put  out  to  walk  as  soon  as  dubbed,  as  if  a  number  of 
them  be  dubbed  in  the  home  run,  and  then  be  put  down  to- 
gether again,  they  wiU  all  begin  to  fight  hard,  and  will  probably 
injure  themselves  severely  before  they  can  be  separated,  as  they 
do  not  know  or  recognise  each  other  after  dubbing,  and  will 
never  run  together  quietly  again,  though  they  may  have  done 
so  previously  for  soma  time. 


Game  stags  should  not  be  put  out  on  a  walk  before  they  are 
six  mouths  old,  and  the  beat  walks  possible  should  be  selected 
for  them,  on  dry  soils,  not  too  bleak  or  windy  in  situation, 
and  where  from  two  to  four  of  the  smaller  sort  of  farmyard 
hens  are  kept.  Cottage  walks  if  with  a  good  run  are  the  best, 
and  malting  or  mill-yards,  if  not  too  hard  strown,  are  in 
general  preferable  to  any  dirty  farmyard,  where  they  mix  too 
much  with  pigs  and  aquatic  fowls  to  keep  clean  enough. 
Piles,  if  high-bred,  are,  perhaps,  more  delicate  than  the  darker 
breeds,  and,  therefore,  require  the  best  walks  as  a  rule. 

In  preparing  Game  cocks  for  exhibition  the  small  hairy 
feathers,  called  hairs  or  more  technically  "  bristles,"  are  all  cut 
close  off  with  the  scissors,  both  at  the  top  and  sides  of  the 
head,  but  no  trimming  of  the  regular  feathers  is  at  all  allow- 
able. Some  breeds  have  more  of  these  bristles  than  others,  the 
hardest  breeds  generally  having  most,  Black-breasted  Beds 
more  especially. 

Before  exhibition  some  breeders  rub  the  combs  and  faces  of 
both  cocks  and  hens  with  yolk  of  egg  or  milk,  to  give  a  smooth 
and  shining  appearance  to  the  head  and  face,  but  healthy 
birds  do  not  require  this,  and  it  is  after  all  an  artificial  means 
of  giving  au  appearance,  and  not  to  be  recommended.  Some 
leave  the  deaf  ears  uncut  until  the  other  parts  have  healed!, 
but  all  should  be  trimmed  or  cut  together. — KEwjiiKKET. 


PAYING  WITH   POSTAGE    STAMPS. 

I  VENTORE  to  call  your  particular  attention,  and  more  espe- 
cially that  of  your  readers,  to  the  very  objectionable  practice  on 
the  part  of  exhibitors  at  poultry  shows  of  tending  postage  and 
even  receipt  stamps  in  payment  of  entry  fees.  None  but 
secretaries  themselves  have  any  idea  of  the  trouble  and  incon- 
venience arising  from  this.  Besides,  if  the  exhibitors  would 
look  into  the  matter,  they  would  find  it  exceedingly  risky. 
Several  cases  have  come  to  my  knowledge  this  year  of  letters 
containing  entries  and  stamps  having  either  miscarried  or  been 
lost  in  their  transit  through  the  post  office.  I  have  myself,  at 
the  moment  I  write,  nearly  £100  worth  of  stamps,  all  of  which 
have  been  forwarded  to  me  as  entry  fees,  and  in  sums  of  from 
Is.  to  £2.  Of  course  the  stamps  can  be  returned  in  prize 
money,  but  exhibitors  do  not  like  it,  and  they  sometimes 
positively  refuse  to  have  them.  Would  it  not  save  much 
trouble  and  anxiety  if  exhibitors  sent  the  amount  of  their  fees 
by  means  of  a  post-office  order?  I  myself  think  so,  for  there 
is  neither  reason  nor  safety  in  a  person  sending,  say  30s. 
worth  of  stamps  by  post  in  one  letter,  at  the  same  time 
having  to  pay  for  an  extra  stamp  or  two  in  consequence  of  over- 
weight, before  he  will  take  out  a  post-office  order  costing  3d., 
and  incurring  no  risk. 

I  notice  that  at  some  shows  stamps  are  only  taken  as  fees 
at  the  rate  of  thirteen  or  fourteen  to  the  shilling,  but  of  course 
the  order  system  would  be  much  belter,  both  to  payer  and  re- 
ceiver, if  iiniversally  adopted.  Then,  again,  every  exhibitor 
could  be  paid  his  prize  money  in  the  same  way,  and  he  would 
thus  have  the  pleasure  of  receiving  money  in  place  of  penny, 
twopenny,  and  even  sixpenny  stamps. 


October  8, 1868.  ] 


JOUKNAL  OP  HOBTIOULTUBB  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEK. 


273 


If  this  is  done  it  will,  as  I  have  before  said,  be  more  con- 
venient to  the  senders,  and  at  the  same  time  considerably 
lessen  the  duties  of  many  of  our  hard-worked  and  poorly-paid 
secretaries — C.  W.  M. 

[It  wonld  bo  wrong  to  refuse  receiving  postage  stamps  in 
payment  of  small  sums,  nor  do  we  see  any  ebjection  to  paying 
larger  sums  with  the  same  kind  of  paper  money,  provided  the 
payer  is  required  in  every  instance  to  pay  thirteen  penny  stamps 
for  every  shilling  due  from  him.  The" postage  stamps  will  be 
taken  by  the  Distributor  of  Stamps,  and  money  given  for  them, 
after  taking  oil  a  small  discount. — Ens.] 


MANCHESTER  POULTRY  SHOW. 

Tke  eishth  nnnnal  Show  of  Ponlti-j-  and  Pigeons  at  the  Bollo  Vuo 
Zoological  Gardens,  Manchester,  has  just  closed,  nnd  the  arrange- 
nents  have  been  quite  as  effective  as  those  of  former  years.  Few 
persons  ever  anticipated  that  so  large  and  excellent  a  collection  could 
have  been  bronght  together  so  early  in  tho  se.ison  by  any  Committee, 
who  restricted  tho  competition  exclusively  to  birds  of  the  current  year. 
Kevertbeless,  this  E.Khibition  proved  one  of  tho  very  best  "  chicken 
shows"  which  has  ever  taken  place,  though  had  it  been  held  a  few 
weeks  later  no  doubt  there  would  have  been  a  considerable  addition  to 
the  entries. 

This  season  appears  to  have  bad  a  very  nnnsual  influence  on 
poultry  during  the  moulting  time.  The  long  drought  so  suddenly 
followed  by  heavy  rains,  coupled  with  cold,  and  of  late  even  frosty 
nights,  has  had  anything  but  a  good  effect  on  chickens,  and  from  these 
causes  severe  colds  and  even  roup  itself  have  become  far  more  com- 
mon than  for  many  years  past.  At  Manchester  we  noticed  with  regret 
various  pens  of  Spanish,  Cochins,  Game  Bantams,  and  several  speci- 
mens of  Hambnrgbs,  seriously  suffering  from  decided  roup.  It  would 
have  been  far  wiser  of  their  owners  to  have  let  them  remain  at  home 
than  to  have  confirmed  the  disease  by  the  continued  exposure  of  the 
birds,  independently  altogether  of  the  injustice  to  exhibitors  whose  fowls 
were  not  ailing,  having  birds  thus  suffering  placed  in  proximity  to 
their  own.  In  some  of  the  worst  cases  the  birds  were  returned  at  once 
to  their  owners,  as  being  the  best  plan  that  could  be  adopted  under 
the  circumstances. 

That  great  numbers  of  the  pens  shown  were  of  extraordinary  merit 
is  beyond  question,  though  after  a  few  more  weeks,  the  Game  fowls 
especially,  would  have  shown  in  much  harder  feather.  The  prize 
Brown  Ked  pullets  ,  and  the  Game  fowls  generally,  exhibited  by  his 
Grace  the  Duke  of  Newcastle,  Mr.  James  Fletcher,  Mr.  Hahall,  and 
a  few  others,  however,  were  penned  in  first-rate  condition.  The  class 
for  Golden-spangled  Jlainlrm-f/Jt  cockerels  was  one  of  the  very  best  we 
ever  met  mth,  and  the  Golden-pencilled  Hamburgbs  were  also  un- 
nsually  good,  but  the  Silver-spangled  and  Silver-pencilled  were,  as  a 
whole,  not  by  any  means  in  a  healthy  first-rate  condition.  The  Black 
Hamburgbs  were  most  meritorious  throughout.  The  Manchester 
classes  of  Dark  Brahnas  were  better  than  any  hitherto  shown,  and 
were  numerously  filled.  The  light-feathered  ones,  on  the  contrary, 
were  comparatively  defective.  Cochins  were  really  good,  and  some  of 
the  Partridge-coloured  were  most  extraordinary,  whether  viewed  as  to 
the  correctness  of  plumage  or  early  maturity.  Of  Dorhinfjs  and 
Spanii<h  there  were  large  classes  of  first-rate  birds,  but  scarcely  as  yet 
in  full  feather. 

Geese,  Titrlrifs,  and  I)uc7:s  were  extraordinarily  good,  and  our 
readers  may  feel  an  interest  in  knowing  the  weights  of  some  of  the 
best  of  them,  in  a  very  close  competition.  The  best  Rouen  Drake 
neighed  7  lbs.  15 J  ozs. ;  the  best  two  Rouen  Ducks.  11  lbs. ;  the  best 
Aylesbury  drake,  8  J  lbs. ;  the  best  two  Aylesburj-  Ducks,  11  lbs.  15  ozs.  ; 
the  best  Embden  gander,  23  lbs. ;  "the  best  two  Embden  Geese, 
38  lbs.  5  ozs.  ;  the  best  Grey  gander,  21  lbs.  10  ozs. ;  the  best  two 
Grey  Geese,  33  lbs.  8ozs. ;  the  heaviest  young  Turkey,  14  lbs.  14 J  ozs. 

Of  Piijcons  there  was  a  very  full  and  very  superior  collection,  which 
attracted  a  vast  number  of  amateurs.  The  class  for  Doves  contained 
a  great  variety  of  unique  specimens,  chiefly  the  property  of  Messrs. 
Jennison.  The  Show  was  remarkably  well  attended,  and  the  weather 
was  very  pleasant  and  encouraging. 

DoBKrxG  (Coloured,  except  Silver  Grey).— Coclfr*-!.— First,  Mrs.  F.  S. 
Arkwright,  Etw.all  Hall,  Derby.  Second,  T.  Briden.  Third,  J.  Longlfind. 
Fourth,  Duke  of  Newcastle.  Clumber.  Highly  Commended,  Hon.  W.  H. 
W.  Fitzwilliam,  V,'entwoi-th  Woodhouse  ;  J.  Longland.  Commended,  Mrs. 
Bailey,  Shooter's  Hill,  Lonffton.  Cliieken.^. — First  .lud  Second,  Mrs.  F.  S. 
Arkwright.  1  bird,  Hon.  W.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam.  Fourth,  Duke  of  New- 
castle. Highly  Commended,  F.  Scliofield  :  T.  E.  Kell ;  J.  F.  Newton  ;  J. 
Anderson,  Meigle,  N.E. ;  Mrs.  A.  Hurt.  Commended,  J.  Anderson ;  H. 
Pickles,  jun.,  Earby.  Pullets. — First,  Duke  of  Newcastle.  Second,  Mrs. 
F.  S.  Arkwriiiht.    Third,  T.  Raines. 

DoKKrxG  I  Silver  Grej  ).—Coctprci.— First,  Bev.  E.  S.  Tiddeman.  Se- 
cond, T.  Briden.  Third,  T.  Raines.  Highly  Commended,  Eev.  T.  O'Grady, 
Ashbourne.  Commended,  T.  R.iines.  Pidlrts. — First,  D.  Hardie.  Se- 
cond, Miss  Milne.  Third,  Rev.  E.  S.  Tiddeman,  Brentwood.  Higbly 
Commended,  Rev.  T.  O'Grady. 

Spanish.— CocAcre!.— First,  W.  A.  Hvdc,  Ashton-under-Lyne.  Second, 
M.  Perrand,  Dalton,  HuddersBeld.  Third,  W.  li.  Bull,  Newport  Pagnell. 
Fourth,  Messrs.  T.  &  E.  Comber.  Highly  Commended,  M.  Ferrand. 
Commended,  T.  Briden;  J.  Biggin;  H.  Lane,  Bristol.  Chickens. —  tirst, 
M.  Farrand.  .Second,  II.  Lane.  Third,  Slessrs.  T.  &  E.  Comber.  Fourth. 
E,   Jones.     Higbly  Commended,    M.  Farrand;  H.  Beldon,    Goitstock ; 


Borch  &  Boulter,  Sheffield.  PuHeln.— First,  J.  Ncvrton,  SUaden,  Leed«, 
Second,  Burch  &  Boulter.  „,,,,..        j    o  j 

Cochin  China  (Ciiiuumon  and  BufTj.-CocArrcI.-First  and  Second, 
W.  A.  Taylor,  Manchester.  Third,  C.  SidRwiok,  Kyddlosdou  Uall,  Keigh- 
lev  Fourth,  A.  Darbv.  Commeuded,  J.  ttichol,  Timperlcy.  CliicUmi.— 
First  and  Second,  W.'  A.  Tavlor.  Third,  J.  N.  Beaslcy.  Fourth,  Hon. 
Mrs  Su"den,  Wells.  Highly  Commended,  C.  Sidgwick;  C.  Loyland  ;  D. 
Yonng.  "commended,  Mrs.  M.  Wilkin  ;  II.  Mapplobock,  Moboley,  BimunK- 
ham.  Pu»r(«.'— First,  Mrs.  A.  Woodcock,  Uoarsby.  Second,  Bowmul 
and  Fearon,  Whitehaven.    Highly  Commended,  Hon.  Mrs.  Sugden ;  B. 

E.  Krown;  D  Young;  A.  Darby;  II.  Mapplebeck. 

Cochin-China  (Brown  and  Partridge-leathered).— Cocfcerel.— First  and 
Second,  E.  Tudman,  Whitchurch.  Third,  J.  K.  Fowler,  Aylcsburj-.  Com- 
mended. Hon.  Mrs.  .Sugden  ;  J.  A.  Taylor.  Chickem.— First,  Second,  and 
Highly  Commended,  J.  A.  Taylor.  Third,  E.  Tudman.  Commended,  Q. 
Lamb.  Pulicf*.— First,  G.  Lamb.  Second,  H.  Vaughan.  Higbly  Com- 
mended J.  A.  Taylor  ;  H.  Lingwood,  Needhaiu  Market ;  J.  K.  Fowler. 

Cocbin-China  (White).— Cocfccre!.— First  and  Second,  R.  Chase, 
Birmingham.  Pii iff («.— First,  A.  Williamson,  Quoensborough  HaU, 
Leicester.    Second,  R.  Chase.    Highly  Commended.  G.  Lamb. 

Brahma  Pootra  (Dark),— Coc^fr^.- First,  Rev.  J.  F.  Newton,  Kirby- 
in-Cleveland.  Second,  Duke  of  Newcastle.  Third,  J.  bichel.  .Highly 
Commended,  C.  Lcyland ;  J.  F.  Newton;  Mrs.  Burrell ;  Hon.  Miss  D. 
Pennant,  Peiirhyn  Castle,  Bangor;  Mrs.  A.  Hurt;  Mrs  Bailey;  S.  &  K. 
Ashton,  Mottram;  E.  Rvder,  Harrytown.  Commended,  Mrs.  Bailey. 
j.„j(p(, —First,  Hon.  Miss  D.  Pennant.  Second,  k.  Jopp,  Aberdeen. 
Third,  Mrs.  A.  Hurt.  Highly  Commended,  Rev.  E.  Alder  ;  Hon.  Miss  D. 
Pennant ;  E.  Leech,  Rochdale ;  Mrs.  A.  Hurt ;  J.  Sichel ;  H.  Lingwood 

BRAnMA  Po.iTRA  (Light).- Coc^wrj!.- First,  F.  Crook,  lorest  Hill. 
Second,  H.  M.  Maynard,  Holmewood,  Isle  of  Wight.  Third  U.  Dowsett, 
Plesbey.  Commended,  J.  Pares,  Postford.  Pi<IM».-Fir8t,  F.  Crook.  Se- 
cond, H.  Lacy,  Hebden  Bridge.  Third,  A.  O.  Worthington  Bnrton-on- 
Trent     Highlv  Commended,  J.  Pares.    Commended,  H.  M.  Maynard. 

Polish  (Any  variely).-Cocl-crc( -First,  H.  Beldon,  Goitstock  So- 
cond,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  Third,  and  Highly  Commended,  P.  Lnsworth, 
Lowton,  Newton-lcWiUows.  P.iIWs.- First,  H.  Pickles  jun.  Second, 
P.  Unsworth.    Third,  H.  Beldon.    Commended,  T.  Walmsley. 

CEiiVE-CcEDB.-C/i!ci-caf.-First  Hon.  W.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam.  Second, 
J.  K.  Fowler.    Third,  Col.  Stu.-.rt  Wortley.    ^     .^    ,     „    ,.      .  , ,      „^ 

HOUDANS  -Chictens.-First,  W.  Fairs,  Fixby  Park,  Huddersfleld.  Se- 
cond, H.  M.  Maj-nard.  Third,  F.  Heald,  London;  Commended,  C. 
Leyland  ;  Col.  Stuart  Wortley,  London.  j     t    r.    n„™„ 

La  FLlcHE.-(;.i.i<-Av,u.-First,  J.  K.  Fowler.  Second,  J.  C.  Cooper, 
Cooper's  Hill,  Limerick.    Highlv  Commended  Col.  Stuart  fortify- 

Game  (Black-breasted  Reds).-CoclTrf/8.-First,  Duke  of  Newcast  c. 
Second,  J.  W.  Thompson.  Third,  C.  Chaloner  C)iictf7is.-First,  Duka 
of  Newcastle.  Second,  Rev.  T.  O'Grady  Th^d,  J.  W  Thompson. 
Fourth  and  Highly,  Commended,  .1.  Fletcher,  Stoneclough.  PMet.- 
First  S.  Matthews,  Stowmarket.  Second,  Rev.  T.  O'Grady.  Third,  D. 
Hardie.    Commended,  C.  Chaloner,  Worksop.         ,    ,,      „     ,       ,     „„, 

Game  (Brown  and  other  Reds,  exceptBlack-breastedj.-CocifrW.-FiTSt, 
T.  Statter,  Stand.  Second,  F.  Sales.  Third,  J.  Hodgson  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  Fletcher  ;  W.  Clough.    Cl,ickem--FnBt3-  Fletcher     Second, 

F.  Sales,  Crowle.  Third  and  Fourth,  J.  Wood  Wigan.  Highly  Com- 
mended, Rev.  F.  Watson.  Commended,  J.  Wood  ;  T.  Statter.  PMet.- 
First  and  Second,  J.  Wood.  Third,  J.  Hodgson.  Highly  Commended, 
T.  Dyson,  Halifax  ;  T.  Statter. 

gAe  (Duckwings  and  other  Greys  and  Blaes).--C;uciciis,-First  J.  W. 
Thompson.  Southowram.  Second,.!.  Fletcher.  Thn'd,  J.  HalsaU.  Pullet. 
— First,  J.  Halsall,  Ince.    Second,  J.  Stech    Commended, -T.  Mason. 

Gam^   (White  and  PiIes).-C7iickeiw.-Fii-st,   J.  Halsall.     Second,  C. 

Duc°K's''(Rouen).-BmAf.-First,  J.  Anderson.  Second,  Gnnson&. Jeffer- 
son Third,  T.  Statter.  Commended,  T.  W  akefleld  ;  Gunson  &  Jefferson, 
Whitehaven;  J.  J.  Stott,  Rochdale.  DackJinjis.-rirst  T.  Burgess.  Se- 
cond, J.  Wood.  Third.  Gnnson  &  .Jefferson.  Highly  Commended,  T. 
Wakefield;  E.  Leech;  T.  Statter  ;  J.J.Stott.    Commended, T.  Wakefield , 

"DccKs'^iwhite  Aylesburyl.-Bralf.-First,  J.  Anderson.  Second,  Mre. 
M.  Seamons,  Avlesburv.  Thud,  R.  Smalley,  Lancaster.  Commended, 
E.  Leech  ;  J.  H.'Stott ;  R.  Smalley ;  J.  K.  Fowler.  Dacifm^s.-First  and 
Third,  Mrs.  M.  Seamons.     Second,  J.  K.  Fowler.     Commended,  fa.  H; 

**'DrcK^"(B"ck'EastIndian).-rirst  .and  Second,  Rev.  Vf.  Serjeantson, 

^  ORNfjreSMi.  Water  Fowi„-First,  Second,  Third,  and  Commended, 
J.  Jennison,  Zoological  Gardens,  Manchester.  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Jennison;  J.C.Wood.  „         ,    t   e  y\-  t> ^*-«« 

Geese  ( Wbitel.-GantJcr.^First,  T.  Statter.  Second,  J^&  W .  Rostron. 
Third,  S.  H.  Stott.  Highly  Commended,  J.  C.  Cooper.  Commended  J. 
Hodgson.  Go«!i«<7S.— First,  J.  &  W.  Rostron.  Second,  E.  Leech.  Thud, 
T.  Statter.    Highlv  Commended,  S.  H.  Stott ;  Mrs.  M.  Seamons. 

Geese  (Grey  and  Mottled).-Gan<i<T.-First,  Mrs.  M.  Seamons.  Second, 
J.  K.  Fowler.  Third,  S.  H.  Stott.  Highly  Commended,  E.  Leech  ;  S.  H. 
Stott;  Rev.  G.  Hustler,  StiUingfleet  Vicarage;  T.  Houlker.  Gosi,7.jM- 
First,  Mrs.  M.  Seamons.  Second,  J.  K.  Fowler.  Third,  T.  Houlker. 
High.y  Commended,  S.H.  Stott;  Rev.  G.  Hustler.  o  „.i.„ 

■rL.ifKEYS,-Pm,l(,,.-CocI.-.- First.  Second  and  Third,  W  Sanday, 
Holme  Pierrepoint.  Commended.  E.  Eyder.  Bem.-Firat  and  Second, 
W.  Sanday.     Third,  F.  E.  Richardson.     Highly  Commended,  E.  Ryder 

Hamburgh  (Black).-Coctc.f!.-First  and  Tmrd^C.  S.dgwick,  Eyddles- 
dcn  Hall.  Second,  Mason  4  Walker,  Denton.  Highly  Commended,  W. 
Parr ;  Mason  *  Walk.jr.  Pi,!i.:(,<.-First  and  'Third,  Mason  &^\alk^.  Se- 
cond.  Rev.  W.  Serj,.antson.  Highly  Commended,  V, .  Parr.  Patricroft ;  J. 
Lancashire;  Bev.  W.  Serjeantson.    Commended,  J.  Lancasbire. 

Hamburgh  (Golden-span^•led).-Coc;«rc^.-Flrst.  T  Sichrfcs  Hollm- 
wood.  Second.  E.  Bricrley,  Heywood.  Third,  N.  Marlor.  Highly  Com- 
mended, T.  Scholes;  J.  Munn,  Stacksteads.  Commended,  EBnerley, 
N.  Manor;  J.Walker.  P„j;.(s.-First,  E.  Brierley.  Second  H  Beldon. 
Third,  J.  Ogden.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Ogden  ;  T.  Scholes.  Com- 
mended, E.  Brierlcy.  ,  „.    .     ^    t,-  1 1  „    •«         c« 

Hambuegh  (Silver-spanBled).-rocirrfl.-First  J.  Pickles,  jnn.  Se- 
cond and  Third,  J.  Fielding.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Lancashire;  J. 
Walker.  Pi/Uffo.- First,  J.  Fielding.  Second,  H.  Beldon.  Third  H. 
Pickles,  jun.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Lancashire  ;  J.  Fieldmg ;  J.  ^ alker, 

Haotobgh  (Go)den-pencilled).-rocA«f(.-Fir3t  and  Third  H  Beldon, 
Second,  T.  Sharpies.     Higbly  Commended,  W.  Parr;    J.  Walker;  H. 


274 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GAKDENER. 


C  October  8.  1868. 


Pickles,  Jan.;  T.  Wrigley,  jan.  PulleU.— First,  B..  Beldon.  Second,  W. 
Parr.  Third,  J.  Walker,  Highly  Commended,  J.  Bownese;  F.  D.  Mort- 
H.  Pickles,  jun. 

Hamburgh  (Silver-penciUedl. — CocAerel.—First,  H.  Beldon.  Second, 
T.  Sharpies.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Walker;  H.  Pickles,  jnn.  PulleU. 
— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  T.  Sharplea.  Highly  Commended.  J.  Walker. 
Game  Bantams  (Black-breasted  Reds).— CJiifArc iis.—Firet,  F.  W.  Ent- 
wisle,  Leeds.  Second,  Furness,  Bamber,  &  Rhodes.  Third,  J.  Crosland, 
jun.  Fourth,  J.  J.  Cousens.  Highly  Commended,  J.  W.  IHorrie  ;  J.  Cros- 
land,  jun.;  R.  Swift.  Commended,  H.  Shumach ;  J.  R,  Robinson; 
E.  Ryder.  CockereL—FirBi,  J.  W.  Morris,  Rochdale.  Second,  J.  J. 
Cousens.  Third,  J.  Crosland.  jun.  Highly  Commended,  Furness, 
Bamber,  &  Rhodes.  Commended,  T.  Raines.  PulUtx.~-FiTBi,  J.  Cros- 
land,  jun.,  Wakefield.  Second,  H.  Shumach,  Southwell.  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  R.  Robinson. 

Game  Bantams  (Brown  and  other  Reds).— CocfcereL— First,  T.  Dyson, 
Halifax.  Second,  R,  Swift,  Southwell.  Puife(«.— First,  J.  Wood.  Second, 
Duke  of  Newcastle.    Commended,  T.  Dyson. 

Game  Bantams  (Any  variety  except  Black-breasted  and  other  Reds). — 
Chickens. — First  and  Second,  J.  Crosland,  jun.  Third.  R.  Swift.  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Shumach.  Cockerel.— Fn-st,  T.  P.  Wood,  Chesterheld. 
Second,  H.  Ashton.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  M.  Hales;  J.  W.  Morris. 
Commended,  J.  Steel ;  H .  Shumach.  Pullets. —Fn&i,  H.  Ashton,  Poletield 
Hall,  Prestwich.  Second,  J.  Croeland,  jun.  Highly  Commended,  W.  T. 
Entwisle;  J.  Crosland,  jun. 

Bantams  (Any  variety  except  Game).— C/i('ctfn».— First,  H.  Beldon.  Se- 
cond, Miss  A.  Woodcock.  Third,  W.  H.  Tomlinson,  Birmingham.  Highly 
Commended,  T.  Daviea ;  N.  Marlor,  Denton.  Commended,  S.  &  R,  Ashton 
PIGEONS. 
PoDTEEB  (Any  colour).— CocA.  —  First,  R.  Fulton,  Deptford.  Second, 
A.  H.  Stewart.  Third,  F.  Crossley,  Elland,  Halifax.  Hch.— First,  R. 
Fulton.  Second,  A.  H.  Stewart.  Very  Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton. 
Highly  Commended,  A.  H.  Stewart ;  J.  Hnwiey,  Bingiey  (Blue). 

Careiers  (Black) —Coci:.— First  nud  Second,  It.  Fuiton.  Hen. — Firft, 
G.  Charuley,  Preston.  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended,  F. 
Croesley.    Commended,  R.  Fulton. 

Caeeiers  (Any  colour  except  Black).— Cocfc.— First,  F.  Crossley  CDan). 
Second,  J.  Hawley  (Dun).  Very  Highly  Commended,  G.  Charnley  (Dun) ; 
J.  C.  Ord  (White) ;  F.  Graham.  Commended,  J.  C.  Ord,  Pimlico  (Duu 
and  Blue).  Hen. — First  and  Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton  (Dun). 
Second,  J.  Hawley  (Dun).    Commended,  J.  C.  Ord  (White). 

Dragoons  (Yellow).— First,  C.  Bulpin,  Bridgwater.  Second,  J.  W. 
Edge.    Highly  Commended,  C.  Bulpin.    Commended.  J.  C.  Ord. 

Beagoons  (Any  other  colour  .—First,  D.  Young  (White).  Second,  H. 
Yardlev,  Birmingham.  Highly  Commended,  R.  A.  Artindale.  Com- 
mended, S.  Dronofifld;  J.  Hawley  (Blue);  J.  C.  Ord  (White). 

Antwerps. — First,  J.  Hawley,  Bingiey.  Second,  J,  Thompson.  Very 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Crosland,  jun. 

Jacobins.— First  and  Second,  J.  Hawley.  Highly  Commended,  E.  E, 
M.  Royds.    Commended,  R.  Fulton. 

Barbs.— First,  Second,  and  Very  Highly  Commended,  Capt.  H.  Heaton, 
Lower  Broughtoo.    Commended,  Capt.  U.  Heaton  ;  F  Crossley. 

Fantails.— First.  C.  Bulpin.  Second.  J.  W.  Edge,  Birmingham.  Very 
Highly  Commended,  H.  Yardley.  Highly  Commended,  T.  C.  &  E.  New- 
bitt,  Epworth. 

Tumblers  (.Almond).— First,  J.  Fielding,  jun.  Second,  R,  Fulton. 
Very  Highly  Commended,  F.  Key.     Commended,  R.  Fulton. 

Tumbleks  (Mottles,  Agates,  Rites,  or  Self-coloured  Tumblers).— First, 
F.  Crossley.  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Commended,  J.  Hawley;  J.  Fielding, 
jun. 

TujngEERS  (Beards,  Balds,  or  any  other  variety  of  Tumblers  not  before 
named).— First,  C.  Bulpin.    Second,  W.  U.  C.  Oates,  Besthorpe.    Com- 
mended, J-  Fielding,  jun. 
Nuns.— First,  C.  Bulpin.    Second.  J.  Hawley. 

TuREiTS.— First  and  Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  Hawley.  Second,  H. 
Mapplebeck. 

Owls  (Blue  and  Silver  English).— First,  J.  Crosland,  Wakefield.  Se- 
cond, Rev.  F.  Watson.  Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  Hawley  ;  C.  Bulpin. 
Highly  Commended,  Capt.  H.  Heaton;  C.  Bulpin.  Commended,  A. 
Jackson. 

Owls  (Foreign).- First  and  Second,  J.  Fielding,  jun.,  Rochdale.    Com- 
mended, F.  Crossley. 
Runts.— First  and  Second,  T.  D.  Green,  Saffron  Walden. 
Trumpeters. — First,  J.  Hawley.    Second,  J.  Fxrlh,  jun.,  Dewsbury. 
Any  Other  Variety.— First,  J.  Hawley.    Second,  H.  Draycott  (FriU- 
backs).     Third.  W.   S.  Loder.     Verj-  Highly  Commended, " J.  Hawley. 
Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  M.  Hales.    Commended,  H.  Yardley  ;  C.  Bulpin. 
Doves. — First  and  Second,  J.  Jennison. 

Edward  Hewitt,  Esq.,  of  Birmingham  ;  and  R.  Teebay,  Esq.,  of 
Preston,  were  the  Judges  of  Poultry  ;  and  Dr.  Cottle,  of  Clieltentiam, 

for  Pigeons. 


J.  Biley,  Hawksworth.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Mason,  Skipton  ;  J.  Steel » 
Halifax;  F.  Steel,  Halifax. 

Any  other  Distinct  Variety. — First,  J.  W.  Wilkinson.  Second,  C. 
Sidgwick.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Dean  ;  J.  W.  Wilkinson  ;  A.  E.  Tee, 
Calverley. 

Any  Distinct  Variety.— C/iickens— First,  H.  Jowett,  Idle.  Second, 
J.  Berry,  Silsden.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Wilson  ;  J..T.  S.  Beck,  Baildon  ; 
W.  &  J.  Bairstow,  Bingiey  ;  F.  Lees,  Guiseley. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury).- First.  J.  W.  Wilkinson.  Second,  Miss  NewBon, 
Yeadon.  Highly  Commended,  Miss  M.  Robinson,  Thirsk;  J.  Grunwell, 
Menstou  (White). 

Ducks  (Rouen).— First,  C.  Sidgwick.  Second,  W.  Bentley,  Bradford. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  West;  J.  Priestley,  Guiseley;  M.  Scott. 

Pigeons.- ^HeHTrps.—Prize,  J.  W.  Wilkinson.  Ou?is.— Prize,  J.  Thresh. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Steel. 

Judges. — Mr.  E.  Hutton,  Pudsey,  and  Rev.  J.  Bailej,  Elslack. 


GUISELEY     AGRICULTURAL 
POULTRY    SHOW. 


SOCIETY'S 


At  the  nineteenth  annual  Exhibition  of  this  Society,  held  October 
3rd,  the  following  awards  were  made  : — 

Spanish  (Black).— First,  J.  Thresh,  Bradford.  Second,  J.  Thresh, 
Windhill  Crapg. 

Pheasant  (Golden). — First,  W.  Drine.    Second,  J.  Preston. 

Pheasant  ("-ilver). — First,  T.  Robinson,  Baildon.  Second,  T.  Fawcett, 
Baildon.  Highly  Commended,  W.  Sugden,  Tbackley ;  H.  Robinson, 
Baildon  ;  T.  Fawcet,  jun.,  Baildon.    Commended,  J.  Jennings,  Esholt. 

CHiTTEPRAT.--First,  H.  Smith,  Morton  Banks.  Second,  ^J.  Preston, 
Ollerton.     Highly  Commended,  M.  t-cott,  Cote. 

Game.— First,  T.  Dean,  Keighley.  Second,  J.  Steel,  Halifax.  Highly 
Commfnded,  J.  Hodgson,  Bradford. 

Hamburgh  (Black).— First,  J.  Preston.  Second,  C.  Sidgwick,  Ryddles- 
den,  Keighlfy.     Highly  Commended,  E.  Baxter,  Idle. 

Hambuugu  (Golden-pencilledi.— First,  J.  Smith,  Gilstead,  Bingiey. 
Second,  J.  Harker,  AUerton,  Bradford.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Smith  ; 
W.  Wormald,  Guiseley  ;  M.  Scott. 

Cautams  (Any  colour).— firet,  J.  W.  Wilkinson,  Bradford.     Second, 


ECCLESFIELD   AGRICULTURAL   SOCIETY'S 

POULTRY   SHOW. 

The  twenty-sixth  annual  Show  of  the  above  flonrithing  Society 
was  held  October  1st.     The  following  are  the  awards : — 

Dorkings.— Prize,  G.  Helliwell,  Walklev. 

Spanish  (Black).— First  and  Second,  E."  Brown,  Sheffield. 

Cochin-China.— Prize,  H.  Hobsou. 

Game.— First,  G.  Helhwell.  Second, C.  Travis,  Thurgoland.  Chickens.-- 
Fhst,  G.  Helliwell.    Second,  H.  Hobson.    Highly  Commended,  C.  Travis. 

Hauburghb  (Golden-pencilled).  —  First  and  Second,  T.  Crookee, 
Owlerton.     Highly  Commended,  H.  Johnson,  Ecclesfield. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-pencilled).— Fhrst,  G.  C.  Armitage.  Second,  J, 
Eomer,  Grenoside. 

Bantams.— First,  J.  Tomlinson,  Sheffield.    Second,  J.  Boler,  Hilltop. 

Any  Variety.— First,  E.  Brown.    Second,  W.  Whiteley,  Sheffield. 

Game  Cock.— First,  G.  HL-UiweU.  Second,  C.  Travis.  Highly  Com- 
mended, G.  Lister,  Ecclesfield. 

Geese.- First,  G.  Helliwell.  Second,  S.  Crawshaw,  Coumes.  Highly 
Commended,  W.  Shaw,  Grange  Mill  Farm. 

Ducks.— First,  H.  Hobson.  Second.  G.  HelliwelL  Highly  Commended, 
Miss  E.  Rhodes,  Carr  House,  near  Rotherham. 

Turkeys.- First  and  Second,  Mrs.  Booth,  Brigbtholmlee. 

PIGEONS. 

CAERiEas.- First,  E.  Brown.     Second,  L.  Higgins,  Blackbnm. 

Tumblers.— First,  R.  Siddall,  Portmahon.    Second,  E.  Brown. 

Fantails.— First,  £.  Brown.     Second.  V.  W.  Corbctt. 

Antwerps.— First,  R.  Cauwood,  Ecclesfield.    Second,  R.  Siddall. 

Jacobins.- First,  R.  Siddall.    ^econd,  E.  Brown. 

Ceopi'ees  or  Pouters.- First,  E.  Brown.  Second,  K,  M.  Smith, 
Barnes  Hall. 

Any  other  Variety.— First,  R.  Siddall.  Second,  E.  Bro^Ti.  Highly 
Commended,  W.  Bannister,  Brightside. 

Mr.  Hutton  of  Pudsey,  near  Leeds,  was  judge. 


FARNWOETH    POULTRY    SHOW. 

The  fourth  annual  Show  of  Poultry  in  connection  with  the  Fam- 
worth  (near  Warrington),  Agricultaral  Society  took  place  on  the  1st 
inst.,  when  the  following  awards  were  made  : — 

YOUNG  BIRDS. 

Game  (Black-breafted  Red).  —  First,  J.  Halsall,  luce.  Second,  E. 
Aykroyd,  Bradford.    Third.  J.  Holland,  Manchester. 

Ga3ie  (Brown-breasted  Eed).-First,  M.  Hornbv,  Swanlon,  Winsford. 
Second  J.  Wood,  Wigan.  Third,  W.  Roberts,  Thorneyholme,  Burnley. 
Highly  Commended,  G.  Charnley,  Preston. 

Game  (Any  other  variety). — First,  R.  B.  Riley,  Ovenden.  Second,  E. 
Noble,  Halifax.  Third,  j".  Houghton,  Upton.  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Byron,  Eccleston. 

Single  Game  Cock  (Any  colour).— First,  R.  B.  Riley  (Black  Red).  Se- 
cond, L.  Einey,  Manchester.  Third,  E.  Shaw,  Plas  'ffilmot,  Oswestry. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Holland. 

Dorkings  — First,  J.  F.  Newton,  Kirby-in-CIeveland.  Second,  J.  Stott, 
Healev,  Rochdale.    Third,  H.  Pickles,  jun..  Earby. 

Spanish.— First,  Third,  and  Commended,  T.  Cumber,  Rainhill  (Black). 
Second,  J.  Walker,  Wolverhampton. 

Cochin-China  (Cinnamon  or  Bufi"), —First,  J.  Lee,  Middlclon.  Second, 
G.  Fell,  Springfield,  Warrington.  Third,  E.  Brindley,  St.  Alkmunde, 
Derby. 

Cochin-China  (Partridge-feathered,  or  any  other  variety). — First,  E. 
Tudman.  Ash  Grove,  Whitchurch.  Second,  T.  Stretch,  Ormskirk.  Third, 
J.  Dearden,  Halifax. 

Hamburghs  (Golden-pencilled).— First,  J.  Fielding,  Newchurch.  Man- 
chester. Second.  H.  Pickles.  Thu-d,  T.  Wrigley,  jun.,  Tonge.  Highly 
Commended,  S.  Burn,  Whitby. 

Hamburghs  (Golden-spangled). —  First.  J.  Chadderton,  Hollinwood. 
Second,  N.  Marlor,  Denton.  Third,  T.  Scholes,  HoUinwood.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Buckley,  Taunton,  Ashton-under-Lyne  ;  S.  .t  R,  Ashton, 
Mottram. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-pencilled).— First,  T.  Wrigley,  jun.  Second,  H. 
Pickles.  Third.  J.  Fielding.  Highly  Commended,  W.  &  J.  Bairstow, 
Fearncliff,  Bingiey. 

Hamburghs.— First,  T.  Wrigley.  jnn.  Second,  H.  Pickles,  Third,  W. 
McMellan,  Glossop. 

PoLANDS  (Any  variety). — First,  H.  Pickles.  Second  and  Third,  P. 
Unsworth,  Lowton. 

Brahma-Pootra.— First,  C.  Leyland,  Grappenhall.  Second,  G.  Dixon, 
Whitehaven.     Tnird,  X.  Leech,  Rochdale. 

Game  Bantams  (Any  colour). — First,  J.  Crosland,  jnn..  Wakefield,  Se- 
cond, T.  Eggleston,  Halifax  (Black  Red).    Third,  L.  Biney. 

Game  (Any  breed).— First,  S.  &  R.  Ashton.  Second,  T.  C.  Harrisoa. 
Third,  W.  H.  Bobinsou.    Highly  Commended,  N.  Marlor. 


October  8,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF  HOBTICULTUKE  AND   COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


275 


Oahk  Baktam  Cock  (Any  oolonr).— First,  J.  Crosland,  jnn.  Second,  R. 
Balsall,  Hnlewooll.    Third.  Bonny  &  Davioa,  Blackpool  (Black  iied). 

Any  other  Distinct  Variety  not  Bekork  Mentioned.— KirBt,  C. 
Leyland,  Gnippoiibnll.  Second,  T.  Pilkington,  Proscot  (Houdans).  Third, 
O.  R.  RoKcrson,  Liverpool  (Golden  PluMi*iant). 

Selling  Class  (Any  colour  or  breed).— First,  E.  Shaw.  Second,  A. 
Bamford,  Tongo.  Third,  T.  Comber,  Uainhill  (Silver-pencilled  llam- 
burghs). 

DccKS  (Rouenl. -First,  T.  Wakefield,  Railway  View,  Golborne.  Second, 
B.  Halsall.  Third,  T.  Burgess,  Macclosflold.  Highly  Commended,  E. 
Leech;  T.  Houlker,  Revidgo,  Blackburn. 

Ddcks  (Aylesbury).— First,  E.  Leech.  Second  and  Third,  Mrs.  M. 
Seamons,  Hartwell. 

DccKS  (Any  other  variety).— First,  H.  Gladstone,  jnn.,  Broadgrcen 
(Uascovy).  Second,  S.  Burn,  Whitbv  -  Kast  Indian).  Third,  T   C.  Harrison, 

Geese.- Medal,  W.  Mather,  Uainhill.  First,  Mrs.  M.  Seamons.  Se- 
cond, T.  Houlker.  Third,  S.  H.  Stott,  Rochdale.  Highly  Commended,  E. 
Leech  ;  R.  Gladstone,  jun. ;  Rev.  J.  C.  Macdona,  Sefton  Rectory,  Toulouse. 
Commended,  H.  Gladstone,  jun. 

Pigeons.— Highly  Commended,  T.  Lea,  Whiston  (Black  Barbs). 

The  Juili^es  wore  Mr.  R.  Teebay,  Fulwood,  Preston,  and  Mr.  Joseph 
Hiudson,  Bart'Jn  House,  Evorton. 


YORK  AND  DISTRICT  FANCY  RABBIT   SHOW. 

The  inaugural  Show  of  this  Society,  held  in  the  Friendly  Societies' 
Hall,  Castle,-;ate,  on  the  '2nd  inst.,  was  one  of  the  hest  that  has  ever 
been  held  in  York.  The  Kabbits  exhibited  were  for  the  most  part  of 
the  purest  breed,  especially  in  the  open  classes,  whilst  those  shown  in 
the  classes  limited  only  to  members  of  the  Society  were  very  tine  and 
of  excellent  quality.  The  entries  amounted  to  sixty.  Rabbits  were 
sent  from  Birmingham,  Hull,  Leeds,  Middlesborougb,  Surrey,  and 
Frestwich. 

OPEN"   CLASSES. 

Lop-eared. — Burk. — First.  M.  Millingtou,  York.  Yellow  Buck,  age 
eleven  months,  ears  '22^  inches  long,  ,'>  inches  wide.  Second  and  Highly 
Commended,  M.  Millington.  Sooty  Fawn  Buck,  age  one  year  and  six 
months.  Commended,  A.  H.  Easten,  Hull.  Doe. — First,  M.  Millington. 
Fawn  Doe,  age  two  years,  ears  21^  inches  long,  4,^  inches  wide.  Necond, 
G.  Jones,  Birmingham.  Fawn  Doe,  age  eleven  months.  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  Ingham,  Leeds. 

Lop-eared  (Yellow  and  White  Buck  or  Doel. — First,  —  Stainburn, 
York.  Yellow  and  White  Doe,  age  one  year  and  four  months,  ears  2U 
inches  long,  4^  inches  wide.  Second,  A.  H.  Fasten.  Yellow  and  white 
Buck,  age  two  years.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Ingham. 

Lop-eared  (Black  and  white  Buck  or  Doe).— First,  M.  Millington. 
Black  and  w'nite  Doe,  ago  one  year  and  tive  months,  ears  211  inches 
long,  5  inches  wide.  Second,  A.  H.  Easten.  Black  and  white  Doe,  age 
one  year  and  three  months.    Highly  Commended,  J.  R.  Jessop,  Hull. 

B0CK  OR  Doe  (Any  other  colour  not  previously  mentioned). — First,  B. 
Hudson,  Hull.  Tortoiseshell  Buck,  age  six  months,  ears  21>,  inches 
long.  4J  inches  wide.  Second,  A.  H.  Easten.  P'awn  Buck,  age  one  year 
and  four  months.  Highly  Commended,  W  Taylor,  York.  Commended, 
—  Hamsworth.  York. 

Any  othi-r  Variety.— First,  A.  H.  Easten  (Silver-Greys).  Second,  G. 
Hobmson,  York  (Angoras),  age  ciglit  months.  Highly  Commended,  S.  A. 
Vi  ylie.    Commended,  —  Rayson,  Prestwich. 

CLASSES   OPEN  TO   MEMBERS   ONLY. 

Length  of  Ears. -First,  —  Staiohurn,  York.  Yellow  Doe.  age  six 
months,  e.irs  21J  inches  long,  ij  inches  wide.  Second,  —  Stainburn. 
Fawn  Buck,  age  three  months  ten  davs  old. 

Bl-ACK  and  White.— Fir.st,  —  Hall,'  York.  Black  and  White  Buck,  age 
five  months  10  days  old,  ears  18^  inches  long,  4^  inches  wide.  Second, 
M.  Millington.  Black  and  White  Doe,  age  four  months  and  eighteen 
days. 

Yellow  and  White.— First,  —  Hall.  Yellow  and  White  Buck,  age  five 
months  ten  days,  ears  2 )  inches  long.  4^  inches  wide.  Second,  M. 
Millington.  Yellow  and  White  Buck,  age  five  months.  Highly  Com- 
mended, —  Hall. 

Tortoiseshell.  —  First,  —  Stainburn.  Tortoiseshell  Doe,  age  six 
months,  ears  lOA  inches  long,  4^  inches  wide.  Second,  —  Hall.  Tortoise- 
shell  Buck.  age.  4  months  3  days. 

Blue  and  White —First,  —  Stainhum.  Blue  and  White  Back,  age 
seven  months,  e>.r»  211  inches  long,  4;  inches  wide. 

Grey  and  "'hite.- First,  —  Stainburn.  Grey  and  White  Doe,  age 
three  mouths  ten  d  .ys,  ears  in  inches  long,  4.'  inches  wide. 

Self-Colocr.- First  —  Hall.  Fciwu  Buck,  age  four  mimths  three  days. 
ears  19!  inches  long.  4J  inches  wide.  Second,  Highly  Commended,  and 
Commended,  —  Millington.     Blue  Buck,  age  four  months  eighteen  days. 

Heaviest  Weight.— First,  —  Stainburn.  Fawn  Doe,  nge'^five  months 
one  day  old,  9^  lbs.  Second,  —  Hall.  Grey  Doe,  age  five  months  ten 
days,  8|  lbs. 

The  judges  were  Mr.  J.  Hume,  of  York,  and  Mr.  Fletcher,  of  Hull. 


BEES  IN  LANARKSHIRE. 

I  FIND  the  following  paragraph  in  ihe  Hamilton  Advertiser. 
"  The  Bee-man  "  therein  referred  to  has,  I  am  happy  to  say,  a 
worthy  successor  in  hi.s  son,  Mr.  A.  Pettigrew,  of  Rusholme, 
near  Manchester,  who  has  from  time  to  time  during  the  last 
quarter  of  a  century  perseveringly  advocated  the  adoption  of 
much  larger  hives  than  those  generally  used.  I  know  not  if 
this  were  an  inherited  idea,  but  the  weights  given  below  are 
sufficient  of  themsehes  to  prove  that  bee  hives  in  Carluke 
must  be  very  much  more  capacious  than  those  we  are  accus- 
tomed to  meet  with  in  the  south. — A  DEVONgHir.i;  Bee-keepeb. 

"  Bees  and  Bee-hives.— This  village  (^Carluke)  is  the  'head 


centre '  of  bee-keeping  and  bee-keepers.  It  is  situate  in  the 
centre  of  a  pariah  of  poor  clayey  soil,  with  minerals  under- 
neath. The  orchards  in  the  vale  of  the  Clyde  serve  the  Carluke 
bee-keepers  much,  and  they  do  not  fail  to  place  their  beea 
within  easy  reach  of  the  fruit  blossoms  of  these  orchards ; 
but  the  white  clover  fields  of  Carluke  are  much  inferior  for 
honey-gathering  to  those  of  adjoining  parishes  and  counties. 
The  weights  of  the  hives  at  (Jarluke  year  after  year  indicate 
that  their  owners  are  greatly  in  advance  of  the  bee-keepers  of 
Scotland  generally,  and  more  than  half  a  century  before  those 
of  England,  in  the  art  of  making  moat  of  bees — that  is  to  say, 
their  profitable  management.  In  1864,  it  is  reported  that  one 
bee-keeper  at  Carluke  made  £40  off  nine  hive ;  and  in  the 
Hamilton  Advertiser  it  was  stated  that  another  bee-keeper  had 
a  hive  which  yielded  two  swarms  in  1H(J4,  their  united  weight 
being  3'28  lbs.  In  1866,  the  heaviest  hive  of  the  parish  was 
1401bs.  This  year  many  of  the  swarms  are  140  lbs.  each,  and 
one  weighed  KiB  lbs.  The  years  1864, 1866,  and  1868,  have  beeia 
favourable  for  a  good  honey  harvest.  The  bald  weights  given 
of  bee-skeps  at  Carluke  may  stimulate  many  readers  to  pay 
more  attention  to  bees ;  but  it  may  interest  some  of  them  to 
know  how  it  is  that  this  village  is  the  '  head  centre  '  of  bea 
management.  About  seventy  years  ago  James  Pettigrew,  a 
labouriug  man,  became  the  most  extensive  bee-keeper  that  this 
country  has  seen,  and  for  thirty  years  he  was  well  known  fifteen 
miles  round  Carluke  as  '  The  Bee-man '  by  name.  He  died 
twenty-five  years  ago,  leaving  the  legacy  of  his  experience  and 
practice  to  the  active,  intelligent,  and  earnest  bee-keepers  of 
his  parish.  These  shrewd  men  have  not  stood  still  these 
twenty-five  years  ;  they  have  adopted  several  valuable  improve- 
ments of  their  own — so  few  in  number,  that  they  ask,  '  Who 
taught  the  old  Bee-man  all  he  knew  '?  '—but  still  improvements 
which  eaable  them  to  talk  of  weights  of  hives  and  pints  of 
honey  startling  to  other  folk." 


SHREWSBURY'S   PORTABLE   GAS   O^TSN. 

Gre.\t  are  the  advantages  of  the  use  of  gas  for  cooking 
purposes,  especially  during  the  summer  months,  when  fires  are 
desirably  extinguished  as  soon  as  cooking  has  been  completed, 
but  there  has  hitherto  been  one  great  disadvantage — namely,  that 
the  roasting  and  baking  have  been  performed  over  the  burning 
gas,  thereby  causing  the  article  cooked  to  become  impregnated 
with  the  vapour  arising  from  the  combustion  of  the  gas.  This 
disadvantage  is  entirely  removed  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Shrews- 
bury's Gas  Oven. 


The  oven  is  heated  from  the  outside,  with  the  ii  ventor'.i 
patent  burner,  which,  for  the  convenience  of  lighting  is  fixed 
on  a  swivel,  and  is  made  to  open  with  the  door  immediately 
under  the  oven,  and  as  the  heat  is  carried  all  over  the  oven, 
the  sides  and  top  are  kept  at  an  equal  temperature,  while  the 
fumes  from  the  burnt  gas  are  taken  away  by  an  outlet  pro- 
vided for  that  purpose. 

The  oven  can  be  heated  in  a  few  minutes,  and  for  roaHing 


wi^ 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENER. 


[  October  8,  1868. 


meat  or  ponltry,  or  for  baking  bread  and  pastry,  cannot  be 
surpassed.  Each  oven  is  supplied  with  a  water  dripping-pan, 
which,  dnring  roasting,  is  placed  at  the  bottom  of  the  oven, 
the  joint  or  poultry  being  hung  over  it.  This  pan  has  the 
treble  advantage  of  preventing  the  fat  from  being  thrown  on 
the  sides  of  the  oven  ;  the  dripping  from  being  burnt  and  use- 
less ;  and,  by  the  steam  from  the  water,  of  preserving  the  same 
moisture  inside  the  oven  as  in  the  external  atmosphere  :  thus, 
while  the  joint  is  thoroughly  done  and  nicely  browned  all  over, 
it  is  not  burnt  or  wasted,  as  is  so  often  the  case  in  open  fire- 
roasting. 

The  oven  is  so  constructed  that  the  underneath  part  can  be 
used  for  baking  potatoes,  toasting  bread,  browning  dishes,  &c., 
while  the  cooking  operations  are  being  performed  ;  the  top  of 
the  oven  also  forms  an  excellent  hot  plate,  on  which  may  be 
fixed,  if  required,  one  or  two  boiling  apparatus,  so  that  roast- 
ing, baking,  and  boiling  can  be  performed  at  the  same  time. 
Its  portability  is  a  great  advantage,  as  it  can  be  easily  removed 
from  one  place  to  another,  tnd  requires  no  fixing  ;  it  is  cheap 
in  consumption  of  gas,  costing  only  Id.  per  hour  when  in  use  ; 
there  is  no  collection  of  soot,  and  the  flues  never  require  clean- 
ing out. 

BEE-KEEPING   IN    WICKLOW. 

As  you  gave  me  advice  in  the  spring  about  my  bees,  I  am 
induced  to  send  the  following  statement  of  the  condition  of  my 
apiary,  wishing  to  know  whether  you  consider  I  have  been 
successful. 

In  May  I  had  three  stocks,  one  of  them  (C)  very  weak.  A 
sent  off  swarms  on  May  7th  and  18th,  the  swarm  of  the  7th 
swarming  again  June  13th  and  '26th.  B  sent  off  swarms  May 
12th  and  28th,  the  swarm  of  the  12th  swarming  again  June  26th. 
C  swarmed  June  7th. 

I  obtained  a  Woodbury  hive  by  your  recommendation,  and 
in  it  hived  the  swarm  of  May  18th.  I  have  just  succeeded  in 
taking  from  it  two  full  bars  of  honey ;  they  came  away  quite 
easily,  being  made  straight.  From  the  other  hives  I  have  had 
two  large  glasses  (Taylor's  -is.  6d.),  weighing  8J  lbs.  each,  and 
three  of  a  smaller  size.  The  present  weight  of  my  hives,  this 
year's  swarms,  varies  from  27  lbs.  to  33^  Ibe.,  including  hive 
and  floorboard. 

But  now  for  my  difficulties.  My  three  stock  hives  up  to 
some  little  time  ago  appeared  all  right,  except  that  we  observed 
wasps  going  in  and  out ;  but  now  C  has  not  a  bee  remaining, 
and  no  honey.  A  and  B  have  only  a  few  bees,  as  many  wasps, 
and  very  little  honey ;  the  combs  all  cut,  and  the  floorboards 
strewed  with  powdered  comb.  Can  the  wasps  have  destroyed 
the  bees  ?  as  I  did  not  see  dead  bees  about  the  hives  ;  but  there 
are  always  numbers  of  wasps  about  the  apiary,  and  I  fear  they 
are  robbing  other  hives.  I  have  contracted  the  entrances  as 
recommended  in  "  Bee-keeping."  Can  you  advise  any  further 
measure  likely  to  check  their  attacks?  I  have  put  several 
crocks  containing  treacle  and  beer  near  the  hives,  and  have 
destroyed  numbers  of  wasps,  flies,  and  moths,  but  I  fear  some 
bees  also,  though  our  gardener  thinks  they  are  a  kind  of  large 
fly  like  a  drone,  of  which  we  have  had  numbers  on  the  flowers 
this  year ;  but  it  is  ditlicult  to  distinguish  them  when  smeared 
with  the  mixture.  We  destroyed  hundreds  ol  queen  wasps  in 
the  spring,  thirty  or  forty  a-day  in  our  greenhouses. 

I  have  some  vacant  places  in  my  bee  house.  Could  I  venture 
to  move  in  some  of  the  hives  at  present  on  stands  near  ?  Would 
the  bees  in  that  case  know  where  to  find  their  own  hives  ?  I 
send  some  of  the  moths  that  we  found  in  the  treacle  and  beer, 
and  will  thank  you  to  say  if  they  are  the  bee  moth  so  much 
spoken  of.^L.  Eiall. 

[The  moths  which  accompanied  your  letter  were  so  much 
crushed  as  to  render  identification  difficult.  They  are  certainly 
not  wax  moths,  but  are  probably  Agrotis  segetum,  the  larva  of 
which  feeds  on  the  roots  of  the  wheat  plant,  &c. 

Having  taken  two  full  bars  of  honey  from  your  Woodbury 
hive,  you  should  replace  the  bars  and  frames,  and  take  care 
that  its  inhabitants  have  plenty  of  food  to  last  the  winter, 
bearing  in  mind  that  empty  straw  hives  of  this  construction 
weigh  with  their  floorboards  about  20  lbs.,  and  wooden  ones 
nearly  30  lbs.  when  empty.  The  same  caution  applies,  of 
course,  to  all  your  other  colonies. 

The  loss  of  your  three  stocks  is  owing  in  all  probability  to 
their  entrances  being  too  near  to  those  of  other  hives,  a  defect 
which  is  common  to  all  bee  houses,  and  which  is  very  frequently 
fatal  alike  to  stocks  and  swarms  other  than  first  swarms  placed 
therein  through  the  loss  of  their  queens,  which  are  liable  to  ' 


mistake  their  hives  on  returning  from  their  wedding  flights. 
In  contracting  the  entrances  to  your  hives  you  have  done  all 
that  is  necessary  to  enable  strong  colonies  of  bees  to  repel  the 
attacks  of  wasps.  These  latter  must  not  be  credited,  or  rather 
debited,  with  the  destruction  of  your  three  old  stocks,  which 
we  have  little  doubt  was  really  owing  to  the  cause  already  indi- 
cated, and  that  the  wasps  only  aided  robber  bees  in  plundering 
the  stores  of  the  hives  after  their  inhabitants  had  become  in- 
capable of  effectually  defending  them.  Any  colonies  which 
you  may  now  wish  to  place  in  the  bee  house  should  be  moved 
thitherwards,  bit  by  bit,  very  gradually,  whilst  the  bees  are  still 
active,  and  got  into  it  in  this  way  before  winter  ;  but  if  this  be 
found  impracticable  they  should  remain  until  the  spring.] 


BEE-KEEPING  AT   CLOGHEEN,   IRELAND. 

Having  but  four  stocks  in  the  spring,  I  determined  to  allow 
each  stock  to  give  one  swarm,  and,  by  destroying  all  queen 
cells  except  the  most  forward  one,  immediately  after  the  swarms 
had  left,  I  have  succeeded  far  beyond  my  expectations  and 
reaped  a  bountiful  harvest.  One  stock  yielded  72  lbs.  of  beauti- 
ful honey  in  supers,  also  a  swarm  that  now  weighs  47  lbs.  ex- 
clusive of  the  hive.  Two  others  were  nearly  as  good;  the 
fourth  produced  its  swarm  on  June  24th,  and  27  lbs.  in  the 
super.  Being  obliged  to  drive  the  bees  of  this  last  hive  on 
the  25th  of  August  I  was  surprised  to  find  51  lbs.  of  honey, 
after  securing  brood.  Sec,  for  stocking  another  hive,  and  which 
I  have  succeeded  in  doing  through  the  excellent  instructions 
given  by  "  A  Devonshire  Bee-keeper." 

My  hives  are  all  home-made,  square,  straw  inside,  board 
outside,  with  a  half-inch  space  between,  fitted  with  bars,  &a., 
and  covered  with  a  board  roof. 

The  best  preventive  of  brood  in  supers  that  I  have  used,  is  to 
attach  a  good-sized  piece  of  thick  comb  to  the  two  or  three 
middle  bars  of  the  super  before  putting  it  on. — G.  Beckett, 
Shanbally  Castle,  Clogliecn,  Ireland. 


OUR  LETTER  BOX. 

PocLTHY  Trespassing  {Inquirer).— Give  your  neigbbour  a  legfil notice  to 
keep  his  poultry  ft-om  trespaBsing  If  tliey  trespass  after  that  notice  sue 
him  in  the  County  Court.  The  smallest  damages  recovered  would  suffice 
to  make  him  prevent  future  trespassing. 

Brahma  Pootra  Cockerels  {M.  .4.  i?.).--We  lean  to  No.  1.  From  your 
description  we  fancy  No.  2  ia  f.  squat-sot  bird,  while  No.  1  has  not  only 
Errown,  but  may  again.  Do  not  mislead  yourself  or  us  about  the  comb  of 
No.  1.  If  it  is  a  faulty  one,  it  is  a  disqualification.  In  all  breeds  whero 
the  comb  is  a  point,  there  is  no  hope  for  a  defective  one.  Again,  highly- 
featbered  legs  such  as  you  describe  on  No.  2,  are  serious  disadvantages. 
We  do  not  admire  the  brown  shade  or  patch  on  the  wing,  but  we  see  few 
fine  birds  without  it.  Most  of  the  birds  good-coloured  in  the  body  have 
this  on  the  wing. 

Broody  Hens  (H.  E.  .V.).— There  arc  no  means  of  preventing  a  hen 
being  broody,  and  it  is  very  cruel  to  try.  It  is  simply  her  nature,  and  a 
little  patience  will  survive  the  annoyance.  M.  Jaque's  book  can  be  pro- 
cured in  London  through  any  French  bookseller.  We  bought  ours  in 
PariR,  but  we  have  never  needed  a  French  book  that  a  foreign  bookseller 
could  not  procure  for  us.  The  only  extra  expense  is  the  substitution  of 
shillings  for  francs. 

PiGEoN-KEEprNG  {Expcrientia  docct).—'We  would  say  you  can  keep  in  a 
healthy  condition  in  your  space  six  pairs  of  large  fancy  Pigeons,  or  nine 
pairs  of  smaller;  but  remember  crowding  and  quarrelling,  ending  in^de- 
struction  of  eggs,  &c.,  always  go  together.  Pigeons  of  high-class  varieties 
are  loose  in  feather  from  cold  ;  and  if  neglected  and  not  kept  irann,  con- 
sumption, "going  light,"  and  rot  feather  follow.  A  plastered  floor,  if  a 
ground  floor,  \70uid  certainly  be  cold  in  winter.  Have,  at  any  rate,  abun- 
dance of  perches,  like  narrow  stools,  for  the  birds  to  avoid  being  much  on 
the  fioor,  and  beware  of  wet  from  the  birds  bathing,  s^et  a  small  pan  in 
a  larger,  and  then  remove  both  after  they  have  had  a  bath,  and  this  only 
in  genial  weather.  Fancioi--»  separate  their  Pigeons  in  the  winter  to 
prevent  their  breeding  and  so  weakening  themselves.  It  is  said  that 
removing  the  nests  and  boxes  and  all  temptations  to  breeding  does  as 
well.  A  slight  wire  door,  that  you  can  make  yourself  and  put  across 
your  b:  ft,  would  suffice. 

BONT  Pigeons  (S.  Barneyy.—U  yon  refer  to  the  prize  lists  of  soma  o 
the  poultry  shows  you  will  see  the  names  of  the  most  successful  breeders. 

Bees  in  a  Rosery  (^n  OW  Su!)scri!)fr).— There  is  no  chance  whatever 
of  the  hive  bee  injuring  your  roses.  If  you  intend  keeping  bees  some- 
what after  the  ordinary  manner,  with  the  power,  however,  of  putting  on 
supers,  you  cannot  do  better  than  adopt  Payne's  Improved  Collage  Hive, 
described  in  "Bee-keeping  for  the  Many,"  but  made  somewhat  larger, 
say  16  inches  diameter,  by  8  or  9  inches  deep  inside.  If,  on  the  other 
hand,  you  intend  to  go  in  for  scientific  bee-keeping,  the  Woodbury  frame 
hive  would  be  the  best.  As  you  live  so  near  Exeter,  why  do  you  not  call 
on  Mr.  Woodbury,  who  would,  we  are  sure,  be  happy  to  give  you  every 
information  in  bis  power.  ...« 

C0M31ENCIKG  Bee-keeping  (R.  WnlpoU). — ^ixtecu  inches  in  diameter, 
by  8  or  9  inches  deep,  inside  measure,  is  a  good  size  for  flat-topped  straw 
hives.  Entrances,  5  inches  wide,  should  be  cut  in  the  floor-board,  and 
contracted  when  necessary  by  the  insertion  of  moveable  blocks  of  wood. 
Buy  "  Bee-keeping  for  the  Many."  published  at  this  office,  whence  you 
can  have  it  free  bypostiif  you  enclose  five  postage  stamps  with  your 
address. 


October  16,  1868.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HOKTICDLTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GAEDENEE. 


277 


WEEKLY 

CALENDAR. 

Day 

of 

Month 

Day 

o( 
Week. 

OCTOBER  15-21,  1868. 

Averase  Temperatnre 
near  London, 

Rain  in 

last 
41  years. 

San 
Rises. 

Sun 

Sots. 

Moon 
Rises. 

Moon 

Seta. 

Uoon'B 
Age. 

Clock 

after 
8an. 

Year 

15 
16 
17 
18 
111 
20 
21 

Th 

F 

S 

Son 
M 
To 
W 

TwiliRht  ends  Ih.  54m.  after  snnset. 
Royallloiticiiltural  Society,  Promenade. 

19   SONDAY  AFTEU  TllINITT. 

Royal  Horticultural  Society,  Fruit,  Floral, 
[and  General  Meeting. 

Day. 

68.8 
68.7 
58.B 
60.5 
69.5 
69.1 
68.3 

NiRht. 
40.4 
40.1 
41.0 
41.3 
40.0 
38.5 
40.0 

Mean. 
49.C 
49,4 
49.8 
60.9 
49.7 
49.4 
49.2 

Days. 

20 
17 
18 
20 
21 
10 
18 

m.      h. 
26  at  n 

28  6 

29  0 
81       6 
.33       6 
85       6 
87      a 

m.     h. 

4af5 

2      6 

0       5 

68      4 

56      4 

54      4 

52      4 

ra.    h. 

25af5 
43      6 
69      7 
14      9 
23     10 
25    11 
attor. 

m.     h 

ISafS 
46      5 

10  0 
50      6 
27       7 

11  8 
0      9 

Days. 
• 
1 
2 
8 
4 
5 
G 

m,     a. 

14    16 
14    28 
14    40 

14  51 

15  2 
15    12 
15    21 

289 
290 
291 
292 
293 
294 
295 

From  observations  taken  near  London  daring  the  last  forty-one  years,  the  average  day  temperatnre  of  the  week  is  51.9°;  and  its  night 
temperature  40.3'.     The  greatest  heat  was  H',  on  the  15th,  1861 ;  and  the  lowest  cold  20',  on  the  21st,  1842.    The  greatest  fall  of  rain 
was  1.04  inch. 

ARRANGING  AND  PLANTING  SHRUBS. 

AVING  in  previous  numbers  of  this  Journal 
given  an  extended  list  of  flowering  slirubs, 
it  may  be  of  advantage  to  intending  planters 
to  offer  a  few  hints  as  to  theu"  arrangement 
and  planting. 

Shrubs  may  be  arranged  in  straight  or 
curved  lines,  and  so  as  to  form  belts  or 
masses  of  any  width.  It  is  not  imperative 
that  the  border  should  be  at  all  points  of 
the  same  width  ;  it  may  begin  with  a  point, 
and  be  widened  as  it  extends  until  it  is  30  feet  or  more 
in  width,  may  then  be  naiTowed,  merely  leaving  enough 
ground  to  plant  in,  be  again  brought  out  with  a  bold  swell, 
increasing  the  width,  of  course,  be  continued  some  distance, 
recede  again,  and  in  tiu-n  be  again  brought  out.  In  some 
parts  the  border  will  be  narrow,  in  others  wiAe.  varying  in 
width  the  whole  distance,  but  the  outline  must  not  have 
any  sharp  elbows,  no  long  extension  and  abrupt  termina- 
tion of  a  bend,  but  begin,  go  on,  and  return  in  an  easy 
curve.  Notliing  destroys  the  harmony  of  a  plan  so  much 
as  an  improper  bend  or  ungi-aceful  curve.  To  avoid  this 
there  is  nothing  like  beginning  the  curve  soon  enough,  for 
it  is  of  no  use  planting  three-fourths  of  the  way  gracefully, 
and  so  as  to  be  all  you  require,  and  then  finding  a  sudden 
bend  cannot  be  avoided,  and  that  you  have  gone  too  far  to 
make  it  gi-acefully  or  easilj'.  The  gi-eater  widtli  of  the 
border  at  some  parts  than  at  others  will  admit  of  a  greater 
variety  of  subjects,  also  of  a  gi-eater  number  of  one  kind, 
being  planted  than  if  the  border  were  of  one  uniform  widtli, 
which  it  ought  not  to  be,  except  where  the  shrubs  are 
intended  as  a  screen  to  shut  out  the  boundary  wall  or 
objectionable  objects  beyond.  Although  the  hiding  of 
the  boimdary  wall  is  desirable — indeed,  from  the  interior 
it  should  always  be  invisible — yet  the  border  may,  where 
it  is  desirable  to  have  a  view  of  objects  or  scenery  beyond 
the  boundary,  be  so  narrow  as  to  admit  of  none  but  shrubs  of 
smaU  growth,  and  yet  so  tall  and  dense  in  foliage  as  to 
conceal  the  boundary  without  obscuring  or  shutting  out 
the  view. 

The  border,  then,  should  be  wide  enough  at  its  nar- 
rowest part  to  allow  of  shrubs  being  planted  that  will 
not  allow  of  the  boundary  being  distinguished,  and  yet 
permit  of  a  view  beyond ;  whilst  in  parts  opposite  those 
objects  which  it  may  be  desirable  to  hide,  the  border  may 
be  of  such  a  width  as  to  admit  of  shrubs  ( and  when  these 
are  not  sufficient,  of  trees  at  the  back  of  the  shrubs),  which 
by  their  height  and  density  of  foliage  will  serve  as  a  screen. 
There  will,  therefore,  not  only  be  variations  in  width  but 
in  height,  but  tlie  gradation  should  be  easy  and  graceful 
as  the  ground  outlines :  there  should  not  be  any  abrupt 
termination  of  the  taller  kinds  of  shrubs,  but  a  gradual 
ascent  from  the  low  to  the  Iiigh,  and  of  descent  from  the 
high  to  the  low.  There  may  be,  when  the  objects  to  be 
excluded  are  extended  to  a  considerable  distance,  an  exten- 
sion of  the  taller  sorts  of  shrubs  beyond  what  there  other- 
wise would  be  where  there  are  no  buildings  or  objects  to 
be  excluded,  and  this  extension  may  terminate  suddenly 
IJ».  894.— Vol.  XV.,  New  Series, 


and  begin  suddenly,  space  being  left  between  to  admit  of 
a  particular  object  being  seen.  This  will  to  some  extent 
prevent  the  monotonous  appearance  presented  by  a  shrub- 
bery of  the  same  height,  or  a  long-continuance  of  slu-ubs 
of  the  same  height;  but  it  is  well  that  the  opening  be 
formed  of  shrubs  that  are  of  spreading  rather  than  pyra- 
midal growth,  as  by  the  fonner  it  will  be  graceful,  and  by 
the  latter  too  abrupt  and  violent. 

The  border  varying  in  width,  if  those  parts  tliat  are 
wide  or  narrow  occur  at  regular  distances,  the  result  of 
the  planting  will  be  monotonous  as  regards  height.  This 
should  be  guarded  against  by  forming  some  of  the  widest 
parts  one-half  or  one-third  the  length  they  are  in  others  : 
and  so  also  with  the  narrow  parts  of  the  borders,  they 
must  not  be  of  one  uniform  length,  but  the  border  must 
have  narrow  parts  of  various  widths  and  lengths.  This 
wUl  prevent  monotony  of  height  and  aspect,  as  a  greater 
variety  of  shrubs  can  be  planted,  each  mass  distinct  in 
itself,  yet  allied  to  the  neighbouring  mass,  though  different, 
all  the  masses  harmonising  so  as  to  form  dependant  parts 
of  the  same  wliole. 

The  diversity  of  width  wiU  give  scope  for  variety  and  for 
gradations  in  the  height  of  different  clumps  or  masses,  for 
such  they  are.  though  continuous,  and  wUl  afford  different 
views,  which  cannot  be  too  numerous  ;  the  extent  of  the 
ground  will  not  be  discoverable  from  one  point  of  view ; 
and  the  views,  varying  with  the  different  points,  wiU  in- 
terest the  observer.  This  wiU  be  the  case  with  borders  at 
parts  50  feet  wide,  more  or  less,  in  others  (i  feet  or  less, 
the  former  width  to  aUow  of  .gi-eater  density  of  foUage  and 
height  of  shrubs  to  conceal  the  walls,  fences,  or  ill-placed 
disagreeable  objects,  and  the  latter  to  hide  the  wall  or 
fence,  and  yet  permit  of  a  view  beyond  it.  There  wiU  not, 
therefore,  be  any  straight  lines,  but  only  curved  ones  ;  and 
for  the  observer  to  sec  the  different  objects  the  walks  must 
follow  the  outline  of  the  border,  separated  only  by  a  margin 
of  grass  IH  inches  or  so  in  width,  wliich  width  of  grass 
verge  must  not  be  increased  so  long  as  the  outline  ciu-ves 
inwards  nor  when  it  recedes  until  one  has  passed  suffi- 
ciently round  the  bend,  so  that  when  looking  backwards 
the  part  traversed  is  not  visible.  Then  the  grass^  may 
increase  in  width  as  the  border  recedes,  and  if  sufficient 
space  between  the  walk  and  border  bo  gained,  a  detached 
clump  of  shrubs  may  be  introduced  on  the  grass,  but  they 
ought  to  be  low-growing,  so  as  not  to  obstruct  the  view  oi 
the  border,  which  must  be  continuous,  unless  broken  for  an 
object,  or  to  admit  of  some  new  featiu-e,  which  must  not  be 
incongruous,  nor  in  any  case  be  of  a  rugged  character,  but 
should  be  graceful. 

These  groups  may  differ  from  the  backgroimd  of  slii-ubs 
or  those  in  the  border :  if  those  in  the  lattei-  are  of  diiU, 
frowning,  leafless,  flowering  shrubs,  a  clump  of  Rhododen- 
drons, Kalmias,  jVndromedas.  or  other  plants  may  be  intro- 
duced on  the  grass  between  the  walk  and  border  of  slirubs  : 
whilst,  on  the  other  hand,  if  the  background  is  cold  from 
the  prevalence  of  evergreens,  the  subjects  of  the  clump 
should  be  warm,  as  the  Gold  and  Silver  HoUies,  than 
which  nothing  can  be  more  beautiful  and  eflective.  If  the 
background  is  sombre,  as  Yews,  it  may  be  relieved,  and 

No.  1046.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  Series. 


278 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


r  October  15,  1868. 


enhanced  in  solemnity  by  a  specimen  of  the  beautiful  Pieea 
grandis,  and  if  the  background  is  stiff  and  formal,  the  remedy 
is  a  specimen  or  group  of  some  graceful  plant,  as  the  Pam- 
pas Grass.  These  groups  or  masses  should  be  separated 
by  glades,  or  intervals  not  planted,  and  so  disposed  as  to 
form  a  whole.  lu  some  parts  the  walks  should  pass  through 
the  border,  or  it  should  be  repeated  on  the  other  side  of  the 
path,  and  when  the  path  passes  between  masses  there  must  be 
intervals  to  permit  of  groups  of  objects  being  seen,  artistically 
prolonging  the  perspective.  These  masses  should  be  varied, 
i)oth  in  disposition  and  in  subjects,  but  nevertheless  allied, 
so  that  they  may  harmonise  with  neighbouring  masses. 

The  masses,  as  a  rule,  should  join  the  walk,  being  separated 
only  from  it  by  a  grass  verge,  and  may  go  alongside  the  walk 
30  or  40  yards,  or  as  many  feet,  varying  in  width  the  whole  dis- 
tance, for  whatever  the  form  of  the  clump  may  be  on  its  other 
side,  on  that  next  the  walk  the  same  width  of  grass  must  he 
maintained  the  whole  length.  The  mass  may  begin  with  a 
single  tree  or  space  for  that,  widening  as  it  proceeds  until  it  is 
20,  iO,  or  60  feet  wide,  or  it  may  be  any  mean  between  these, 
then  be  brought  round  with  a  bold  swell,  and  back  again  in  the 
lorm  of  part  of  a  circle,  terminating  a  little  further  than  the  bold 
part  stands  out.  This  will  give  crescents  or  part  circles  on  the 
opposite  side  to  the  clumps — excellent  spaces  of  grass  in  which 
to  place  specimen  plants  contrasting  in  habit  or  hues  of  foliage, 
serving  as  connections  between  the  masses  or  parts  more  or 
-Jess  distant  from  each  other,  and  the  defect  of  monotony,  ever 
apt  to  creep  in,  will  be  greatly  decreased. 

To  revert  once  more  to  the  boundary  border.  As  already 
stated,  the  border  may  be  widened  to  shut  out  objectionable 
objects,  which  increased  width  need  not  necessarily  detract 
_lrom  the  beauty  of  the  interior,  but  though  limiting  the  extent 
of  view,  will  enhance  rather  than  detract  from  it ;  and  the 
'border  may  also  be  narrowed  to  admit  of  objects  of  interest  and 
=to  afford  diversity  of  view.  This  should  not  be  carried  too  far, 
•'for  one  grand  effect  is  preferable  to  a  multiplicity  of  minor 
ones  :  at  the  same  time  diversity  of  form  and  subject  pushed 
to  the  extreme  is  worse  than  repetition ;  the  latter  greatly  in- 
creases the  apparent  extent,  but  diversity  contracts  it,  and  can 
only  be  permitted  in  continuous  arrangements.  Repetition  and 
■tflistiuctness  of  view  are  productive  of  an  agreeable  effect,  but 
diversity  and  indistinctness  of  view  are  destructive  of  effect. 
Shrubberies,  where  the  aim  in  planting  has  been  to  secure  a 
great  variety  of  subjects  and  much  diversity,  are  less  in  ap- 
pearance than  those  formed  with  a  due  regard  to  distinctness 
of  view,  contrast  of  form,  height,  colour,  and  repetition,  the 
latter  making  the  space  to  the  eye  larger  than  were  an  equal 
number  of  varieties  planted  in  place  of  the  like  number  of  one 
species  or  variety  only. 

The  border,  I  was  about  to  remark,  may  be  widened  to  give 
space  for  planting  to  shut  out  unsightly  objects,  and  it  may  be 
doubled  or  trebled  in  width  to  afford  shelter ;  for  as  the  wall 
or  fence  is  a  protection  to  the  shrubs,  so  also  must  the  shrubs 
be  made  to  shelter  the  plants  which  they  in  a  manner  en- 
close. Without  such  helps  in  breaking  the  violence  of  winds, 
and  diverting  cold  currents  of  air,  many  plants  called  hardy 
v?ould  be  swept  away ;  but  such  are  grown  by  a  judicious  arrange- 
ment of  the  shrubs  next  the  boundary,  and  planting  them 
more  thickly  at  the  points  whence  come  the  coldest  and  strong- 
■est  winds.  By  planting  a  thicket  of  Blackthorn  on  a  bleak 
'hillside,  behind  it  may  be  grown  a  group  of  Laurels  or  Auciibas ; 
■and  so  by  planting  a  thick  belt  of  shrubs,  putting  the  hardiest 
at  the  back  in  the  parts  most  exposed,  we  obtain  the  shelter 
necessary  for  the  most  tender  of  so-called  hardy  plants.  These 
increased  widths  of  the  shrubbery  will  not  detract  from  the 
harmonious  effect  of  the  internal  arro.ngemeuts  but  enhance  it, 
-as  from  a  greater  breadth  of  shrubbery  we  secure  richness, 
distinctness,  and  massiveness,  the  last  being  especially  produc- 
tive of  effect.  Isolated  specimens  never  have  the  effect  of  a 
mass,  though  they  appear  advantageously  when  used  as  con- 
nections between  masses,  being  then  refreshing ;  but  frequently 
repeated  they  almost  always  present  a  certain  degree  of  mo- 
aotony. 

At  the  most  distant  parts,  and  especially  near  the  entrance, 
deciduous  shrubs  should  predominate,  for  in  the  distance  they 
are  not  so  black  and  frowning  when  leafless,  nor  is  their  bare- 
ness  so  easily  discerned  as  when  near ;  whilst  in  summer, 
when  at  a  distance,  their  lively  foliage  and  gay  flowers  do  not 
^iorm  so  great  a  contrast  to  the  evergreens  which,  as  a  rule,  should 
„Jje  near,  and  though  chiefly  in  masses,  yet  they  must  be  in 
'|)j:oportion  to  the  masses  of  deciduous  shrubs.    The  groups  of 
eyergreens  may  be  in  one  spot,  but  it  should  be  borne  in  mind 


that  they  form  a  distinct  view,  and  should  be  so  arranged  as  to 
constitute  a  whole  of  themselves.  When,  however,  masses  of 
deciduous  and  evergreen  shrubs  occur  in  the  perspective,  the 
evergreens  will  not  be  in  keeping  in  a  large  space  where  masses  of 
deciduous  shrubs  abound.  This  may  be  remedied  by  multiply- 
ing the  masses  of  evergreens,  but  it  is  not  necessary  that  they 
should  occupy  space  corresponding  to  that  which  the  deciduous 
shrubs  have,  it  being  necessary  to  establish  between  the  ever- 
greens the  same  or  a  similar  correlation  as  is  required  by  the 
deciduous  shrubs,  therefore,  their  forms  should  recur  at  suit- 
able intervals.  To  have  a  good  effect  the  evergreens  must  in 
this  case  be  interspersed  with  the  leafless  shrubs. 

Evergreen  and  deciduous  shrubs  rarely  look  well  together, 
but  for  variety  a  few  evergreens  may  be  interspersed  among 
the  deciduous  shrubs.  Generally,  however,  when  evergreens 
and  deciduous  shrubs  compose  the  same  groups  the  latter 
should  be  planted  in  the  distance,  at  the  back  of  a  border  or  in 
the  centre  of  a  group,  the  evergreens  being  placed  in  front. 
Clumps  of  this  class,  also  borders,  may  occur  near  the  entrance, 
and  recur  by  the  mansion,  for  these  are  the  most  distant  points 
of  view,  and  their  indistinctness  will  not  be  so  manifest  as  in 
the  separating  and  connecting  masses,  which  ought  to  be  as 
distinct  as  possible.  The  intermixing  of  evergreens  with  de- 
ciduous shrubs  is  always  bad,  and  yet  evergreens  are  too  dull 
in  summer  unless  enlivened  by  intermixture  with  flowering 
shrubs  ;  whilst  in  winter  nothing  is  so  cold  as  a  frowning  mass 
of  deciduous  shrubs ;  therefore,  to  give  freshness  in  winter 
evergreens  may  be  rather  extensively  intermingled  with  the 
deciduous  subjects ;  whereas,  near  the  mansion,  the  masses 
may  be  of  a  mixed  character,  but  nothing  must  be  done  without 
harmony. 

In  front  of  the  windows,  but  not  too  near,  small  groups  of 
the  better  sorts  of  evergreen  flowering  shrubs  ought  to  be 
planted,  but  unless  this  can  be  done  without  destroying  the 
other  parts  of  the  design,  or  in  itself  be  a  distinct  feature,  it 
will  be  well  to  omit  it,  for  nothing  is  so  ugly  as  grass  cut  into 
all  manners  of  fancy  shapes,  nothing  so  beautiful  and  effective 
as  a  broad  expanse  of  grass,  the  finest  of  all  evergreens. — 
G.  Adbey. 

(To  be  continueil.) 


NEW   ROSES. 

"They  come!  They  come!"  and  the  inquiry  on  all  sides 
is,  "  What  will  they  be  ?"  We  have  had  for  years  to  hear  the 
high-flown  praises  of  foreign  Roses,  but  let  Rose-growers  be 
sure  that  ere  long  they  will  have  to  decide  on  the  merits  of 
English  as  well  as  foreign  ones.  Hitherto  the  former  have 
been  few,  but  the  conviction  has  forced  itself  on  some  minds 
that  after  all  Piose  heps  will  ripen  in  England,  and  good  seed  can 
be  obtained.  I  saw  not  long  ago  four  or  five  large  beds  of  seed- 
ling Roses  in  one  well-known  nurseryman's  grounds,  and  Ihear 
of  others  ;  while  this  year  has  been  so  favourable  to  the  ripen- 
ing of  seed  that  many  others  will  be  trying  their  "  'prentice 
hands  "  at  it.  But  for  the  present  we  have  to  do  with  foreign 
Roses.  The  John  Hoppers,  Mrs.  Wards,  Lord  Clydes,  Dukes  of 
Edinburgh  are  few  and  far  between ;  while  the  Souvenirs, 
Comtesses,  Dues,  and  Madames  are  as  plentiful  as  blackberries. 

When  I  was  over  in  Paris  this  year  the  season  was  so  far 
advanced  that  I  was  unable  to  see  many  of  the  novelties.  I 
saw,  however,  several  of  the  Rose-growers — Margottin,  Charles 
Verdier,  Eugt-ne  Verdier,  &a.  The  first  has  three  new  Roses, 
I  believe;  Charles  A^erdier  three  also,  and  Engine,  mirahile 
dictu !  none  at  all.  Of  those  of  which  I  heard  most  from  all 
growers  was  one  which  is  to  be  sent  out  by  Charles  VerdJ«r, 
called  Thyra  Hammerik.  It  was  raised  by  an  amateur,  and  is, 
I  am  told,  a  vastly  improved  Duchess  of  Suthei-land,  and  a 
flower  of  great  beauty ;  while  a  bloom  which  I  saw  of  Souvenir 
de  M.  Portemer,  sent  out  by  my  old  friend  Margottin,  gave 
promise  of  great  excellence. 

I  have  received  two  lists  from  the  Lyons  raisers,  Ducher  and 
Guillot  fils,  and  these  names  have  been  favourably^ before  us 
the  last  two  or  three  vears,  for  Antoine  Ducher,  Madame  Mar- 
gottin, La  France,  and  Bouton  d'Or  have  established  themselves 
as  favourites  ;  hence  we  may  have  a  reasonable  hope  that  they 
may  again  have  something  good  to  offer  us. 

DUCHEK. 

La  Tultpe  (Tea).— Vigorous  growth.  Flowers  large,  full,  and 
well-formed,  white  tinted  with  rose,  and  sometimes  with  lilac. 
A  plant  of  grand  effect. 

Marie  Ducher  (Tea).— Vigorous  habit.  Flowers  large  ana 
■well  formed,  very  bright  rose.    Superb  novelty. 


October  15, 1863.  1 


JOURNAL  OP  HORTICULTUKE   AND  COTTAGE    GARDENEB. 


279 


.ir)»/i/<ii<i/-  (Teft). — Very  vigorous.  Flowers  very  Iftrge  and 
very  full,  very  deep  salmon  yellow.  This  variety,  the  issue  of 
Gloire  ile  Dijon,  has  the  vigour  of  that  plant,  with  flowers 
equally  beautiful,  but  of  a  deeper  colour  and  very  rich. 

Fi-rfi-clinii  (Ir  I.ijon  (H.V.). — Branches  vigorous  and  erect. 
Flowers  very  large,  full,  cup-shaped,  rose,  with  the  back  of  the 
petals  lilac. 

yardij  Fnrcs  (Hybrid  Portland?).— Very  vigorous.  Branches 
strong  and  straight.  Flowers  very  large,  full,  and  well  formed, 
beautiful  violet  rose,  with  slate  colour  on  the  reverse  of  the 
petals. 

GUILLOT  FIIjS. 

:\raclame  Ciline  Norrey  (Tea).— Very  vigorous.  Flowers  very 
large,  very  full,  and  opening  well.  Reverse  of  petals  purple 
red  ;  centre,  tender  shaded  rose.     Very  beautiful  variety. 

Madrmoixi-U,-  Adrivn  Chirtophlr  (Tea).— Very  vigorous.  Flow- 
ers large,  very  full,  coppery  yellow,  strongly  shaded  with  rosy 
peach,  sometimes  of  a  beautiful  deep  yellow.  l!y  the  variation 
of  its  colours  this  variety  produces  a  magnificent  effect. 
,  ^lademniseUe  Marie  'SMij  (Tea).— Very  vigorous.  Flowers 
large,  very  full,  globular,  yellowish  white,  deeply  bordered  with 
lively  rose.     Superb. 

Marfiimita  (Noisette).  — Very  vigorous.  Flowers  medium- 
sized,  very  full,  well  formed,  very  brilliant  yellow,  of  an  en- 
tirely new  shade  of  colour,  broadly  bordered  with  pure  white 
shading  off  to  rose,  and  producing  a  magnificent  efieot.  Superb 
variety. 

Madayni'  Jacquicr  (H. P.).— Vigorous.  Flowers  very  large, 
well-formed,  size  and  shape  of  the  Rose  La,  Reine,  a  beautiful 
bishop's  purple.     Very  tine. 

I  need  not  say  that  the  descriptions  are  not  mine,  but  the 
raisers' ;  and  I  can  ouly  add  what  I  daresay  will  strike  every 
one,  that  if  they  at  all  are  borne  out  by  the  flowers  themselves, 
that  they  will  be  very  great  acquisitions.  "  Xotis  vcrrons." 
— D.,  Deal.  

GRAPES   SHANKING  AND   SPOTTING. 

Is  my  opinion  there  are  two  causes  of  Grapes  shanking — a 
deficiency  of  sap,  and  vitiated  sap.  The  deficiency  of  sap  may 
result  from  the  great  disparity  between  the  temperature  of  the 
ground  in  which  the  roots  are  situated,  and  that  of  the  house 
where  the  foliage  and  fruit,  in  the  case  of  outside  borders,  are 
growing — a  diilerence  very  often  of  10'  between  the  mean 
temperature  of  the  house  and  that  of  the  border.  In  a  hot 
dry  day  the  leaves  and  fruit  will  throw  off  moisture  rapidly ; 
hut  the  roots  furnishing  sap  slowly,  too  little  will  be  suppUed 
to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  expanding  fruit ;  the  foot- 
stalks of  the  berries  will  therefore  shrivel  or  become  ulcerated, 
and  a  complete  stoppage  of  the  communication  between  the 
roots  and  the  berries  will  be  the  consequence,  ending  in  the 
shrivelling  of  the  berries. 

Yet  that  in  all  cases  is  not  the  cause  of  shanking,  for  the 
condition  of  the  roots  may  be  such  that  they  will  supply  sap 
fast  enough,  or  there  may  be  enough  stored  up  in  the  stems  to 
meet  any  sudden  demand  of  the  expanding  fruit ;  this,  how- 
ever, can  only  be  the  case  where  the  roots  are  in  a  medium 
favourable  to  the  formation  and  preservation  of  the  fibres  and 
their  points,  or  spongioles.  Shanking,  therefore,  may  not  be 
the  effect  of  too  great  a  difference  between  the  temperature  of 
the  soil  and  atmosphere ;  but  the  conditions  unfavourable  to 
shanking  are  elevation,  dryness,  and  openness  of  the  border, 
which  are  essential  to  the  preservation  of  the  fibres  in  health 
until  the  crop  is  mature,  whilst  the  causes  predisposing  to  the 
disease  are  lowness,  wetness,  and  closeness  of  the  materials  of 
the  border.  Most  outside  borders  have  a  tendency  to  cause 
shanking,  for  however  dry  they  may  be  rendered  by  drainage 
and  the  materials  of  which  they  may  be  formed,  yet  very  wet 
and  cold  weather,  when  the  fruit  begins  to  colour,  may  so  re- 
tard root  action  as  to  induce  shanking  through  an  insufliciency 
of  sap,  arising  from  inactivity  of  the  spongioles ;  but  a  dry 
scorching  summer  like  the  last  will  be  most  favourable  to  low, 
close-made  borders. 

A  deficiency  of  sap  may  also  result  from  the  border  being 
not  only  outside,  but  also  below  the  level  of  the  surrounding 
ground,  and  deep,  rich,  and  imperfectly  drained.  This  is 
generally  the  case  when  shanking  is  most  severe.  Than  roots 
situated  deep  beneath  the  surface,  and  in  a  manner  shut  out 
from  all  sun  and  atmospheric  influences,  in  conjunction  with 
excessively  rich  soil,  nothing  further  is  required,  except  a 
period  of  cold  rainy  weather  when  the  Grapes  commence 
ripening,  to  cause  the  speedy  destruction  of  the  fibres,  never 


very  plentiful.  The  supply  of  sap  being  thus  rendered  in- 
sutilcient  fur  the  expansion  of  the  fruit,  as  a  consequence  the 
berries  shank.  Examine  at  wliat  time  we  may  the  roots  of 
Vines  situated  in  a  deep,  rich,  low,  wet  border,  we  shall  find 
them  little  bettor  than  so  many  bare  sticks  with  a  few  fibres  at 
the  ends,  in  winter  almost  entirely  rotten  and  dying  back;  and 
wiiat  can  we  expect  but  that  timilar  destruction  of  the  fibres 
will  take  place  in  summer  when  the  same  conditions  of  cold- 
ness and  wet  present  themselves  ?  Too  great  a  depth  of  soil ; 
roots  too  deep  ;  soil  wet,  too  rich,  and  cold,  in  comparison  with, 
the  temperature  in  which  the  branches  and  fruit  are  situated, 
will  destroy  the  fibres  and  cause  a  deficiency  in  the  supply  ot 
sap,  owing  to  which  t)>o  footstalks  of  the  berries  or  parts  of 
the  bunches  will  become  ulcerated. 

An  insufliciency  of  sap  may  also  result  from  depriving  the 
Vines  of  too  much  foliage,  either  in  the  current  or  the  previous 
season.  It  is  not  unusual  to  keep  vineries  warm  and  moist, 
with  no  great  amount  of  air,  after  the  fruit  has  set,  in  order  to 
secure  root  action.  A  great  breadth  of  folinge  is  produced, 
and  when  the  fruit  begins  to  colour,  or  a  little  before,  a  great 
part  of  the  leaves  is  suddenly  removed  under  pretence  of  allow- 
ing the  fruit  to  become  well  coloured,  and  thus  the  foliage  not 
being  in  proportion  to  the  fruit  and  to  the  roots,  it  cannot' 
assimilate  the  extraordinary  amount  of  sap  driven  into  it, 
h.ence  the  roots  are  rendered  inert,  and  their  destruction  fol- 
lows, either  when  the  weatlier  proves  wet  and  cold,  or  a  good 
supply  of  water  is  given  to  help  the  second  swelling.  The 
roots  are  now  gone  but  more  air  is  given,  the  evaporation  from 
the  leaves  becomes  excessive,  the  roots  do  not  supply  sap  fast 
enough  for  the  swelling  fruit,  and  shanking  of  the  footstalks  of 
the  berries  and  bunches  follows.  This  is  not  so  common  a 
cause  of  shanking  as  coldness  and  wetness  of  the  border,  bnt 
it  does  sometimes  occur  with  Vines  planted  in  an  inside 
border. 

With  regard  to  vitiated  sap,  in  vineries  where  the  borders  are' 
inside  shanking  is  not  wholly  unknown.  I  have  seen  Grapea 
shank' imder  what  we  may  term  very  unfavourable  conditions 
for  the  occurrence  of  the  disease,  and  notwithstanding  every 
precaution  taken  to  guard  against  it.  I  fully  believe  the  Vine 
to  be  no  feeder  on  any  strong  manures  that  are  often  used  in 
making  Vine  borders,  the  roots  not  taking  up  the  supply  of  food 
as  decomposed  or  rendered  available,  so  that  the  soil  not  only 
becomes  excessively  rich,  but  sodden,  sour,  and  deprived  of  air 
from  its  closeness  ;  it  follows  that  the  spongioles  take  up  food 
in  a  vitiated  state,  and  the  plant  being  unable  to  digest  it, 
disease  ensues  as  a  necessary  consequence.  The  sap  may  be 
vitiated  by  excessive  watering,  too  rich  soil,  and  the  border 
being  deprived  of  air  from  closeness  of  the  materials  employed, 
and  this  vitiated  sap  produces  much  wood  and  long  loose 
bunches  of  fruit  with  wiry  footstalks,  the  berries  swell  very 
irregularly,  and  when  they  should  become  large,  plump,  and 
well-coloured,  they  cease  to  swell,  remain  red,  shrivel,  and  are 
sour.  A  soil  open,  well  drained,  and  poor  rather  than  rich, 
would  prevent  this  cause  of  the  disease.  Our  best  Grapes  are 
not  grown  in  borders  measured  by  their  depth  and  the  quantity 
of  manure  they  contain,  but  by  the  openness  of  the  soil,  the 
slow  decomposition  of  the  manurial  substances,  and  the  soil's 
dryness  and  shallowness.  Afford  the  Vines  a  warm,  dry,  and 
open  soil,  and  shanking  will  be  less  frequently  seen. 

The  varieties  I  have  noticed  most  liable  to  shank  are  Frott- 
tignans  and  Muscat  Hamburgh.  I  believe  the  last-named  to- 
be  a  splendid  Grape,  but  it  is  most  difficult  to  grow.  I  wish 
we  were  all  fortunate  enough  to  have  it  in  the  fine  condition  it- 
is  grown  by  Mr.  Pearson,  of  ChUwell  Nursery,  but  I  think  it 
might  be  greatly  improved  by  grafting  on  the  Black  Ham- 
burgh stock.  I  noticed  the  Vine  borders  at  Garston  Vineyard 
during  a  visit  paid  in  August,  and  Mr.  Meredith's  intelligent 
foreman  informed  me  he  had  never  seen  any  Grapes  shanked 
there,  and  I  could  see  by  the  borders  and  the  Vines  that  every - 
precaution  had  been  taken  against  that  evil.  The  drainage  of 
the  outside  borders  rested  on  the  ground  level,  and  instead 
of  a  brick  wall,  as  there  is  in  most  cases,  turf  was  packed' 
round  the  outside,  so  that  there  was  nothing  to  prevent 
the  air  passing  freely  through  the  border  from  top  to  bottom, 
and  this,  in  my  opinion,  is  a  great  secret  in  the  successfnl 
cultivation  of  the  Vine.  In  the  houses  the  Vines  looked 
most  vigorous  and  healthy,  besides  bearing  an  excellent  crop 
of  highly  finished  bunches.  One  house  was  devoted  entire'y 
to  Mrs.  Pince's  Black  Muscat,  and  one  Vine  nearly  filled  the 
house.  The  foreman  informed  me  it  was  a  very  small  cane 
planted  in  1867,  and  this  year  at  the  time  of  my  visit  (August 
2l8t),  it  was  bearing  twenty-six  bunches,  I  should  say  nearly 


JOUENAL  OF  HOETICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  October  16, 1868. 


averaging  1  lb.  per  bunch,  and  highly  coloured ;    in  fact,  well 
finished  in  every  respect. 

I  fully  concur  with  the  high  opinions  passed  on  Mrs.  Pince's 
Black  Sluscat,  and  think  it  will  prove  a  valuable  addition  to  our 
late-keeping  Grapes. — Charles  Eobekts,  Dorfuld  Hall. 


MADAME    PILLION   ROSE. 

I  AM  not  vain  enough  to  suppose  that  any  remarks  I  make 
upon  the  article  signed  "  Q.  Q.,"  appearing  in  your  number  for 
September  24th,  would  receive  much  attention,  but  I  cannot 
refrain  from  making  one  suggestion,  which  I  hope  "  Q.  Q." 
will  adopt — that  is,  do  not  discard  Madame  Fillion.  The  first 
year  I  grew  it  my  opinion  coincided  with  that  of  "  Q.  Q.,"  but 
last  year  I  was  truly  thankful  I  had  preserved  it.  Its  colour, 
which  is  certainly  a  rose  of  a  beautiful  hue,  was  decidedly 
good,  its  form  striking,  and  I  can  only  say  everyone  who  came 
to  see  my  Koses  exclaimed  when  they  came  to  Madame,  '•  Oh  ! 
what  a  lovely  Rose."  From  June  to  September  I  dote  upon 
having  a  Rose  in  my  button-hole  ;  whenever  I  could  pluck  one 
from  Madame  Fillion  I  did  so. — An  Amateuk  gkowing  150 
Yat.ieties. 

THE  CEDAR  OF  LEBANON  AND  DEODAR. 

Amongst  the  trees  to  which  Holy  Writ  and  individual  beauty 
have  combined  to  give  more  than  ordinary  interest,  the  Cedar 
of  Lebanon  must  assuredly  take  the  pre-eminence.  Its  beauty, 
utility,  and  the  district  whence  it  comes  have  united  to  give 
it  a  charm  which,  perhaps,  no  other  tree  possesses,  and  its  uses 
and  abode  have  lost  none  of  their  interest  since  the  latter  has 
been  more  fully  known,  and  the  tree  itseU  has  been  transported 
to  almost  all  the  countries  of  the  globe,  where  there  is  a  chance 
of  its  succeeding.  In  our  own  country  it  has  long  been  a  fa- 
vourite, and  at  no  time  more  so  than  at  the  present,  when  it 
has  so  many  competitors  ;  and,  probably,  a  century  hence  may 
diminish  the  number  of  these  rivals,  as  it  is  very  questionable 
whether  many  of  them  possess  that  robustness  of  constitution 
requisite  to  adapt  them  for  a  climate  like  ours,  so  very  diffe- 
rent from  those  they  came  from.  On  the  other  hand,  some  of 
the  earliest-introduced  specimens  of  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon, 
although  rivalling  in  size  our  indigenous  trees,  look  as  if  they 
would  also  equal  them  in  longevity  and  the  other  features  that 
give  majesty  to  a  tree. 

A  sort  of  poetry  is  also  attached  to  this  noble  member  of  the 
vegetable  world  ;  its  name  is  learnt  in  childhood,  is  familiar  to 
all  ages  and  classes,  and  when  we  meet  with  a  majestic  speci- 
men of  this  tree,  our  admiration  of  it  is  increased  rather  than 
diminished  by  the  recollection  that  its  native  home  is  so  many 
hundreds  of  miles  away,  and  in  a  position  so  different  from 
those  where  it  is  usually  met  with  here.  Other  and  not  less 
remarkable  features  of  interest  are  presented  by  the  Cedar  of 
Lebanon,  it  being  noised  abroad,  and  that  too  with  a  strong 
appearance  of  truth,  that  this  tree,  to  which  we  had  been 
assigning  a  site  only  on  the  mountain  frontiers  of  the  Holy 
Land,  has  its  counterpart  many  thousands  of  miles  away  in 
the  interior  of  the  great  Asiatic  continent,  and  at  least  a 
thousand  miles  from  any  sea  coast,  while  the  base  of  Lebanon 
is  not  far  from  the  sea.  Several  thousands  of  feet  difference 
in  the  elevation  would  also  imply  that  the  trees  thus  found 
widely  apart  could  not  have  had  a  common  origin.  At  the 
first  introduction  of  the  Cedar  from  central  Asia,  it  was  never 
dreamt  that  its  relationship  to  the  Cedar  already  amongst  us 
would  or  could  be  pushed  so  close  as  it  has  been,  yet  such  is 
the  case ;  and  as  the  similarity  of  the  Cedar  from  the  distant 
Himalayas  to  that  of  Lebanon  becomes  yearly  more  and  more 
apparent,  the  opinion  gains  ground  that  they  are  one  and 
the  same  species,  varied  only  by  the  circumstance  of  their 
long  abode  in  their  respective  positions. 

The  opinion  that  the  Deodar  and  Cedar  of  Lebanon  are  both 
the  same  species  has  become  more  widely  entertained  since  the 
specimens  of  the  former  have  attained  a  larger  size  and 
assumed  more  of  the  rigidity  of  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon,  losing 
at  the  same  time  that  pendulous  habit  which  forms  the  charac- 
teristic difference.  Some  specimens  we  have  here  seem  passing 
gradually  from  the  one  Cedar  to  the  other,  while  parts  of  trees 
still  more  show  the  same  change  going  on.  Leaving  this, 
however,  for  futurity  to  determine,  it  is  not  a  little  singular 
that  a  tree  of  such  scriptural  interest  should  also  be  equally 
an  object  of  veneration  to  heathens,  the  Cedar  of  the  Himalayas 
being  held  in  no  less  regard  by  the  tribes  inhabiting  the  rich 


and  interesting  country  lying  at  the  base  of  the  tree's  moun- 
tain home,  than  the  Syrian  Cedar  was  in  patriarchal  times. 
Probably  one  of  the  causes  of  the  respect  paid  to  this  tree  in 
both  instances  is  a  property  for  which  the  tree  is  remarkable, 
and  one  which  must  have  addressed  itself  forcibly  to  a  primi- 
tive people,  and  that  is  the  durability  of  its  timber. 

From  the  limited  quantity  of  Cedar  timber  that  has  found 
its  way  into  this  country,  it  has  not  yet  had  that  fair  trial  of 
its  merits  which  other  woods  have  had,  but  enough  of  it  seems 
to  be  known  to  prove  that  it  is  never  likely  to  attain  a  high 
place  among  the  woods  adapted  for  making  ornamental  furni- 
ture, for  neither  in  point  of  beauty  nor  adaptability  to  the  pur- 
pose can  it  be  compared  with  some  woods  that  we  possess, 
while  for  building  it  is  hardly  likely  ever  to  compete  with  the 
Pine  and  other  timber  which  we  have  from  northern  Europe 
and  America.  There  is  one  merit,  however,  which  it  possesses, 
and  which  places  it  on  a  level  with  the  best  woods  we  have — 
its  durability  is  equal  to  that  of  any  known  timber,  and  it  is, 
doubtless,  on  that  account,  that  Solomon  was  directed  to  use  it 
in  the  building  of  the  Temple  ;  and  I  believe  that  trees  of  much 
smaller  growth  than  those  usually  employed  for  building  pur- 
poses, nevertheless  cut  up  into  scantlings  that  will  equal,  if 
not  excel  those  of  the  best  Pitch  Pine.  The  wood  does  not 
seem  to  work  up  well  into  furniture,  being  liable  to  split,  and 
being  less  ornamental  than  many  others.  Its  durability  would 
appear  to  be  due  to  the  large  amount  of  resin  which  it  con- 
tains, and  which  it  does  not  part  with  so  readily  as  many  of 
the  Pine  tribe.  This  circumstance,  I  believe,  also  secures  to 
it  the  fragrance  that  delights  many,  and  which,  doubtless,  was 
no  little  recommendation  to  it  in  the  early  ages  of  the  world, 
when  paints  and  varnishes  were  less  thought  of  than  they  are 
now,  and  it  would  be  diificult  to  say  the  ancients  were  wrong. 
Paint  has  been  much  less  used  during  the  last  twenty  years  in 
the  fittings  of  churches  and  dwelling-houses  than  formerly,  and 
it  is  probable  that  thick  coatings  of  varnish,  which  have  in  some 
cases  been  substituted  for  it,  will  give  way  also  ;  at  any  rate, 
the  opinion  that  these  substances  maintain  durability  in  all 
cases  seems  to  be  less  generally  entertained.  In  some  in- 
stances, doubtless,  they  are  to  a  certain  extent  beneficial,  while 
in  others  they  are  as  certainly  a  source  of  premature  decay,  and 
unpainted  timber  in  a  sound  state  can  be  met  with  in  places 
some  centuries  older  than  any  bedaubed  with  colouring. 

As  Cedar  wood  is  rarely  met  with  in  any  other  condition  than 
exhibiting  its  structural  formation,  I  shall  confine  myself  to  its 
durability  when  in  an  unpainted  condition,  and,  as  in  most 
cases,  where  it  is  kept  dry.  As  the  durability  of  timber  in  many 
warm  climates  is  partly  due  to  the  resistance  it  affords  to  in- 
sects of  various  kinds  which  prey  upon  it,  it  is  not  unlikely  that 
the  resin  this  Cedar  possesses  and  retains,  is  offensive  to  these 
agents  of  destruction.  Even  in  this  country  we  are  not  exempt 
from  the  destructive  effects  of  such  enemies.  Beech  chairs 
quickly  fall  a  prey  to  them.  The  Deodar  is  as  durable  as  the 
Cedar  of  Lebanon,  if,  indeed,  both  are  not  the  same  species. 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  the  patriarchal  trees  of 
Lebanon,  like  their  compeers  in  California,  are  far  from  nu- 
merous ;  in  fact,  the  reports  of  recent  travellers  place  the 
number  very  low  indeed,  a  gradual  diminution  having  been 
going  on  for  centuries.  Some  authorities  dating  back  to  1550, 
make  the  number  of  large  old  trees  only  twenty-eight,  and  sub- 
sequent enumerators  have  made  them  gradually  less,  until  in 
181H  there  were  only  seven,  which  appears  to  be  the  number 
of  the  principal  group  at  the  present  day ;  but  one  or  two 
solitary  specimens  have  been  discovered  on  other  parts  of  the 
mountain,  enabling  some  travellers  to  make  as  many  as  ten 
trees  of  the  largest  size.  Around  these  a  smaller  crop  is  spring- 
ing up  of  the  sizes  often  met  with  in  English  pleasure  grounds, 
but  the  whole  area  of  the  once- important  forest  of  Lebanon  is 
reported  to  be  narrowed  into  a  space  not  larger  than  that  of 
many  private  pleasure  grounds,  and  the  number  of  trees  of  all 
sizes  (excepting,  perhaps,  the  smaller  seedlings,  of  which  there 
is  abundance),  is  said  not  to  exceed  500.  An  American  tra- 
veller. Dr.  Thompson,  counted  443.  This  number  seems  small, 
and  all  writers  concur  in  lamenting  the  decreasing  numbers  of 
this  interesting  forest,  and  leaving  us  httle  hopes  of  the  tree's 
reappearing  in  any  great  number,  unless  under  those  conditions 
of  artificial  culture  or  protection  which  deprive  it  of  most  of  its 
interest. 

The  trees,  it  would  appear,  are  growing  on  those  rocky  shelves 
which  form  an  important  feature  in  all  mountain  countries, 
where  the  decomposed  rock  mingled  with  vegetable  matter  has 
formed  a  soil  adapted  for  most  of  the  fruits  and  plants  that  are 
useful  to  man,  and  where  the  ConiferK  thrive  particvilarly  well. 


Octeber  15. 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF   HORTICULTUEE  AND   COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


281 


It  is  also  probable  that  a  similar  position  marks  tho  spot  where 
the  Himalayan  Deodars  are  found,  only  the  latter  are  at  an 
altitude  of  several  thousands  of  feet  above  the  Lebanon  trees, 
and  what  is  more  strange  still,  as  before  stated,  so  much  farther 
inland,  conseiiuontly  beyond  the  roach  of  whatever  influences 
the  winds  might  acquire  in  passing  over  an  expanse  of  salt 
water.  A  certain  amount  of  hardiness  would  seem  to  be  re- 
quired for  both  situations  ;  possibly  frost  may  be  more  felt 
on  the  Himalayas  than  on  Lebanon,  but  the  latter  has  quite  as 
tempestuous  a  position,  and  it  has  its  frosts  and  deep  snows  as 
well.  It  would  be  a  great  loss  if  tho  small  remnants  of  the 
ancient  forests  of  tho  Israelitish  kings  were  entirely  destroyed, 
and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  tho  same  Society  which  is  now  pro- 
secuting its  researches  amongst  the  antiquities  of  the  Holy 
City,  and  its  neighbourhood,  will  also  take  charge  of  the  few 
remaining  trees.  It  is  painful  to  reflect  that  their  number  is 
really  much  less  than  could  be  found  within  a  few  miles  of 
London. 

In  speaking  of  Cedar  wood  there  is  often  great  confusion,  for 
it  not  unfrequently  happens  that  some  Cypress  is  confounded 
with  it,  to  which  nothing  can  well  present  a  stronger  contrast, 
and  the  reader  will  at  once  point  to  the  small  slips  of  a  rather 
soft  wood  forming  the  black-lead  pencils  of  everyday  use.  These 
Cedar  pencils,  as  they  are  called,  are  said  to  be  made  from  a 
soft  kind  of  Cypress  imported  from  Florida,  while  the  kind  of 
Cedar  met  with  under  the  name  of  pencil  Cedar,  used  in  furni- 
ture-making for  the  lining  of  drawers  and  wardrobes,  is  from 
Bermuda.  There  is  every  reason  to  behove  that  not  only  the 
roof  of  the  Holy  Temple  was  composed  of  Cedar  of  Lebanon, 
but  also  the  roofs  of  similar  buildings  devoted  to  heathen  deities. 
The  Temple  of  Diana  at  Ephesus  was  said  to  be  of  this  tree  and 
to  have  lasted  four  hundred  years  ;  while  another,  dedicated  to 
Apollo,  built  with  Cedar  obtained  from  the  African  coast,  was 
said  to  be  quite  as  old.  In  Hindoo  usages  the  durabihty  of 
Cedar  wood  was  equally  appreciated,  as  it  was  used  to  contain 
the  remains  of  the  most  renowned  men,  and  for  other  pur- 
poses where  endurance  was  required. 

In  this  country,  who  can  say  that  any  other  tree  exceeds  the 
Cedar  in  beauty  when  the  specimen  is  good?  and  there  are 
many  such  in  England,  the  valley  of  the  Thames  containing 
many  noble  trees,  as  at  Chiswick,  Sion,  and  higher  up,  while 
even  in  the  far  north  of  Scotland  it  is  growing  with  as  much 
vigour  as  the  native  Fir  ;  and  as  many  of  the  oldest  specimens 
in  this  country  exhibit  no  signs  of  constitutional  debility,  it 
may  be  placed  on  the  same  footing  in  that  respect  as  our 
native  trees,  which  is  certainly  not  the  case  with  many  Conifers 
of  more  recent  introduction.  Those,  therefore,  who  wish  to 
plant  a  given  space,  as  an  avenue,  or  even  to  plant  a  single 
tree  as  a  memorial,  I  would  recommend  to  select  young,  well- 
rooted  plants  of  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon  that  have  not  been  in 
pots,  and  if  the  site  be  favourable  the  result  need  not  be  feared. 
I  would  certainly  advise  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon  in  preference  to 
the  Deodar,  for  if  the  latter  is  not  the  same,  it  is  inferior  to  it ; 
but  I  expect  that  eventually  they  will  be  both  regarded  as  one. 
— J.  KoBSox. 

TRICOLOR  PELARGONIUMS  BREAKING. 
YouE  correspondent,  "  Persist, "  asks,  "  How  long  a  time 
elapses  before  a  Pelargonium  will  break,  or  show  signs  of  varie- 
gation, it  bred  from  a  green  Zonal  ?  "  This  depends  upon  how 
much  tricolor  blood  there  is  in  the  seedling  plant.  Some  seed- 
lings will  show  signs  of  variegation  in  a  very  young  state, 
others  will  continue  growing  for  several  years  without  the 
slightest  symptoms  of  variegation  appearing,  and  afterwards 
throw  out  variegated  sports.  I  have  found  that  green  seed- 
lings bred  from  variegated  parents,  if  crossed  again  with  the 
poUen  from  variegated  varieties,  will  generally  produce  a  large 
per-oentage  of  gi'een  seedlings  slightly  tinged  and  striped  with 
Tariegation  on  the  cotyledons  or  seed  leaves.  Some  of  these  will 
show  symptoms  of  variegation  very  early,  by  streaks  of  red, 
white,  &c.,  appearing  on  their  stems,  and  spots  and  blotches  of 
variegation  on  some  of  their  leaves.  After  the  plants  have 
fully  developed  from  five  to  seven  leaves,  the  green  portions  of 
the  leaves  should  be  gradually  pinched  away,  this  will  allow 
the  variegation  to  predominate  and  assume  the  mastery  over 
the  green  portion  of  the  plant.  Much,  however,  will  depend  on 
the  skUl  of  the  person  having  the  care  of  the  plant,  as  to 
whether  it  will  survive  after  its  green  portions  are  taken  away. 
If  the  plant  has  not  a  strong,  vigorous  constitution,  the  green 
portions  of  its  leaves  must  be  very  gradually  pinched  away, 
otherwise  the  plant  will  become  weakly,  and  ultimately  die  al- 
together.   When  the  seedlings  are  small,  and  the  proportion  of 


variegation  is  too  great,  it  is  often  necessary  to  pinch  awaj 
portions  of  the  variegation  in  order  to  allow  the  plant  to  gain 
strength  by  allowing  tho  green  portion  to  take  tho  load  for  a 
sliort  time.  This  may  be  easily  checked  by  the  moans  men- 
tioned above,  and  the  growth  of  the  plant  regulated  to  the 
greatest  nicety,  if  its  condition  be  properly  studied,  and  a  due 
amount  of  watchfulness  be  bestowed  on  it. 

I  know  of  no  branch  of  floriculture  more  interesting  than 
this,  nor  anything  approaching  the  interest  one  feels  in  it  after 
becoming  acquainted  with  tho  subject. 

The  next  question  asked  by  your  correspondent  is,  "  If  a 
Tricolor  Pelargonium  is  bred  from  a  golden  variety,  what  will 
the  seedling  be  ? — will  it  be  golden,  and  afterwards  break  ?  "  No 
favourable  results  can  be  expected,  or  if  expected  such  are 
seldom  realised.  The  progeny  in  this  ease  would  be  so  weak 
that  httle  or  no  hope  could  be  entertained  of  their  ever  surviving 
more  than  a  few  days  or  weeks  after  their  appearance  above 
the  surface  of  the  soil.  They  have,  generally,  very  little  chlo- 
rophyll in  the  cotyledons  or  seed  leaves,  and  are,  consequently, 
unable  to  bear  the  light.  A  golden  variety  should,  therefore, 
never  be  selected  as  the  female  parent. 

The  third  question,  '•  If  seedlings  raised  from  a  Bicolor  will 
be  bicolored  ? ''  may  be  answered  in  a  similar  way  to  the 
above.  Bicolors  do  not  make  good  seed-bearing  parents  for 
the  same  reason,  unless  they  are  very  strong  growers,  and  have 
not  much  yellow  in  the  leaf. 

The  best  of  all  parents  to  select,  is  a  good  green  horseshoe 
kind,  with  a  good  habit,  and  having  the  zone  clearly  defined 
and  deeply  stamped  on  the  leaf. — J.  Wills. 


INTERIM  REPORT  TO   THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL   SOCIETY, 

BY   THE    SUB-COMMITTEE    APPOINTED   TO    INQUIRE    INTO   THE 
ADULTERATION    OF    SEEDS. 

1.  In  accordance  with  your  instructions,  your  Committee  have 
taken  steps  to  ascertain  whether  there  is  any  just  foundation  for  the 
representations  which  have  been  made  to  the  Council  regarding  the 
unsatisfactory  state  of  the  seed  trade  and  the  bad  qnahty  of  much  o£ 
the  seed  sold  to  the  public. 

•2.  It  was  represented  to  the  Council  that,  as  the  business  of  seeds- 
men is  at  present  conducted,  the  purchaser  of  seeds  frequently  re- 
ceives neither  the  kind  nor  tho  quality  of  the  seeds  he  pays  tor,  and 
that  against  this  he  has  no  remedy  except  a  doubtful  and  expensive 
lawsuit  after  the  mischief  has  been  done. 

:^.  It  was  also  urged  that,  unhke  most  other  kinds  of  adulteration 
or  deception  in  the  quahty  of  goods,  the  injury  done  in  the  case  o£ 
seeds  does  not  terminate  with  the  use  of  the  article  purchased,  but 
entails,  in  addition,  the  loss  of  the  rent  of  the  ground  on  which  the 
seed  may  be  sown,  and  of  the  labour  expended  upon  it  in  preparing 
the  soil  and  tending  tho  crop— not  to  speak  of  the  disappointment  of 
the  reasonable  expectations  of  the  cultivator. 

4.  Having  no  means  of  compelling  parties  to  give  evidence,  your 
Committee's  investigation  into  the  alleged  adulteration,  mixing,  or 
deterioration  of  seeds  has  necessarily  been  confined  to  making  in- 
quiries of  those  who  have  tho  means  of  knowledge,  and  on  whosa 
statements  they  could  rely. 

.5.  From  information  so  acquired,  they  believe  that  the  pnbhc 
snii'ers  more  or  less  from  tho  neglect  and  malpractices  of  dealers  in 
seeds  in  at  least  the  following  ways : — 

(1.)  GeneraUy  by  seeds  being  kept  too  long  and  being  sold  after 
thev  have  lost  their  vitality. 

This  is  the  most  injnrions  of  all  the  causes  of  depreciation  ;  for  it 
applies  equally  to  tho  honest  and  dishonest  trader.  In  adulteration, 
the  evil  must  br  done  with  the  uitent  to  defrand.  Here  there  may  ba 
no  intention  to  defraud,  but  mere  neglect  or  want  of  judgment  may  be 
as  iujnrious  to  the  purchaser  as  if  there  were. 

(■2.)  By  the  addition  of  bad  seed  to  good,  and  mixing  old  and  new. 

i:).)  By  the  addition  of  seed  whose  vitality  has  been  killed. 

This  is  done  in  tho  case  of  varieties  of  peculiar  exceUenco,  when 
tho  supply  is  insufficient  to  meet  the  demand.  Killed  seed  of  a  cheap 
kind,  similar  in  appearance  to  that  of  a  dear  kind,  is  added  to  increase 
the  quantity  without  affectiiiR  tho  quality.  In  this  kind  of  adultera- 
tion the  purchaser  is  only  deceived  in  the  quantity.  What  comes  np 
at  .ill,  comes  true,  and  the  character  of  the  dealer  for  supplying  a  true 
article  is  maintained.  _ 

(1.)  By  manipulatmg  and  doctormg  the  seed  so  as  to  make  bad 
seed  look  hke  good,  as  by  dying  bad  Clover  seed,  sulphur-smokmg  ba^ 
grass  seed,  oil-dressing  bad  Turnip  seed,  &c. 

6.  Your  Committee  have  been  unable  to  ascertain  to  what  extent 
these  different  practices  are  carried  on  ;  but  they  have  reason  to  think 
it  must  be  considerable.  One  of  their  mformants  was  able,  froni 
personal  knowledge,  to  instance  oue  individual  whose  principal  buBi- 
neas  consisted  in  destroying  the  vitality  of  cheap  seeds  for  the  purpose 
of  mixing  with  sound  seed  of  greater  value  ;  and  they  have  reason  to 
beheve  that  ttiis  is  by  no  means  a  solitary  case.  They  are  told  also  that 


282 


JOUKNAL   OF  HORT1CULT0IIE  AND   COTTAGK  GABDENER. 


[    October  15, 


large  numbers  of  people  obtain  a  liTelihood  by  the  manufacture  of  bad 
iDto  apparently  pood  Clover  seed. 

7.  Your  Committee  nest  endeavoured  to  ascertain  bow  far  the 
Tarions  causes,  above-mentioned,  actually  affect  the  productiveness  of 
seeds  sold  in  the  market.  They  have  not  at  present  made  any  tests 
■with  the  view  of  determining  how  far  seeds  sold  as  of  Fpecial  quality 
or  kind  come  true.  Their  experiments  have,  in  the  first  instance,  been 
direct<;d  solely  to  the  vitality  of  seeds ;  and  to  that  alone  the  present 
report  applies.  In  a  future  report  they  may  deal  with  the  quality  of 
the  kinds  of  seeds  sold,  as  well  as  some  other  collateral  points. 

8.  In  entering  on  the  inquiry  as  to  vitality,  your  Committee  at- 
tempted to  obtain  a  test  for  guessing  at  the  age  of  seed  by  the  per- 
centage which  comes  up ;  but  this  they  found  impossible,  so  much 
depending  on  the  original  quality,  and  the  care  with  which  the  seed 
Las  been  afterwards  stored.  They  made,  however,  some  trials  of 
Tnmip  seed  with  this  intent ;  and  it  may  not  be  without  interest  to 
mention  that,  in  them,  they  found  the  per-centage  which  came  up  from 
home-grown  good  seed  one  year  old  to  be  80,  three  years  old  43,  seven 
years  old  32,  and  the  older  "the  seed  the  lower  the  rate  of  germination. 

9.  It  would  have  been  beyond  the  means  at  the  disposal  of  your 
Committee  to  test  even  a  small  sample  of  the  goods  of  all  the  seeds- 
men and  nurserymen  in  London  ;  but  by  going  only  to  the  wholesale 
dealers,  from  whom  the  retail  dealers  of  course  chiefly  obtain  their 
supplies,  they  thought  they  could  arrive  at  a  fair  estimate  of  the 
general  character  of  the  seeds  sold  throughout  the  country.  It  appears 
from  Dr.  Hogg's  "  Horticultural  Directory  "  that  there  are  twenty 
wholesale  dealers  in  London.  Prom  each  of  these  (with  the  exception 
of  two,  who  were  accidentally  omitted),  tho  Committee  purchased 
samples  of  five  of  our  commonest  garden  vegetables  (Cauliflower, 
Broccoli,  Carrots,  and  White  and  Yellow  Turnips) — care  being  taken 
to  prevent  the  purpose  for  which  they  were  wanted  being  known.  The 
samples  were  numbered,  and  the  names  of  the  dealers  from  whom 
they  were  got  were  kept  secret,  100  seeds  of  each  package  were  tested 
by  the  Society's  officers  at  Chiswick,  and  a  like  sample  separately  by 
one  of  the  Members  of  the  Committee,  and  the  number  of  seeds  which 
came  up  were  counted.  In  addition  to  this  test,  in  a  number  of  in- 
stances, especially  where,  before  sowing,  the  appearance  of  the  seeds 
•n-as  not  good,  they  were  mechanically  tested  by  crushing  and  micro- 
scopical exajnination  ;  and  that  test  was  found  to  correspond  with  the 
result  of  the  trial  by  sowing.  The  test  by  floating  was  also  tried,  but, 
found  of  no  value,  in  the  kinds  of  seeds  spcciiied. 

10.  The  results  of  sowing,  as  shown  by  the  average  of  both  trials 
(which,  it  is  right  to  say,  in  general  corresponded  verj'  closely),  were  as 
follows : — 

Out  of  the  eighteen  packages  of  100  Cauliflower  seeds,  the  following 
numbers  respectivelv  came  up — viz.,  86,  70,  66,  60,  56,  54,  34,  52,  51, 
51,  50,  44,  44,  44,  43,  39,  36,  24. 

Out  of  the  eighteen  packages  of  100  Broccoli  seeds,  the  following  num- 
bers respectively  came  up— viz.,  86,  S3,  70,  68,  65,  62,  60,  59,  56,  55, 
50,  46,  42,  42,  39,  35. 

Out  of  the  eighteen  packages  of  100  Carrot  seeds,  the  following 
were  the  numbers  which  came  up — viz.,  61,  56,  54,  48,  47,  45,  44,  43, 
41,  38.  38,  37,  37,  35,  33.  30, 19,  14. 

Out  of  the  eighteen  packages  of  100  White  Tnmip  seeds,  the  follow- 
ing numbers  respectivelv  came  uj) — viz.,  98,  95,  93,  87,  87,  S3,  82,  71, 
70,  68,  68.  G6y  65,  64,  62',  60,  6S,  57. 

Out  of  the  eighteen  packages  of  100  Yellow  Turnip  seeds,  the  follow- 
ing numbers  respectively  came  up — viz.,  95,  84,  79,  79,  78,  77,  72,  72, 
67,  66,  65,  64,  62,  58,  55,  oo,  44,  2S. 

11.  It  should  be  added  that  the  quality  of  different  kinds  of  seeds 
©htained  from  the  same  tradesman  was  not  always  uniform,  all  good 
or  all  bad  ;  the  Cauliflower  would  sometimes  be  inferior  and  the 
Turnip  superior,  and  so  on  ;  but  on  the  whole,  a  good  position  in  one 
kind  was  generally  accompanied  by  a  good  position  in  all.  It  is  also 
to  be  observed  that  the  general  per-centage  is  less  on  some  seeds  than 
others — a  difference  probably  due  to  the  greater  care  required  in  har- 
Testing  them,  and  in  the  case  of  Carrots,  to  the  difficulty  in  separating 
the  good  seed  from  the  had. 

12.  In  seeking  for  a  remedy  for  the  evil,  your  Committee  recognised 
the  existence  of  two  distinct  elements  in  it,  each  requiring  different 
treatment: — 1,  the  actual' adulteration  of  seeds;  and,  2,  the  mere 
keeping  them  too  long  and  selling  them  when  too  old. 

13.  Actual  adulteration  is  entitled  to  no  mercy.  It  is  a  deliberate 
and  intentional  fraud,  in  the  suppression  of  which  the  trade  is  as 
much  interested  as  the  general  public,  and  ought  to  be  suppressed  by 
the  strong  hnnd  of  the  law  in  the  same  way  as  any  other  fraud. 

14.  It  is  different  with  the  selling  of  old  seed.  The  seeds  produced 
in  different  years,  like  different  vintages,  vai7  in  their  quality  and  in 
Iheir  power  of  retaining  theii-.  vitality.  It  thus  sometimes  happens 
that  two-year-old  seed  is  better  than  one-year-old.  There  is  thus 
a  special  difficulty  in  dealing  with  it ;  but  it  is  clear  that  the  public 
are  entitled  to  get  what  they  pay  for  ;  and  if  it  is  necessary,  to  secure 
this,  that  the  dealer  should  test  the  quality  of  his  seeds  each  year,  it 
is  hia  duty  to  do  so. 

15.  It  seems  a  right  and  proper  thing  that  Government  should 
testow  some  pains  in  protecting  the  very  large  numbers  of  ignorant 
and  nneducated  people  who  have  to  purchase  seeds.  In  Prussia, 
Sachveretitndigen.  or,  as  we  should  call  them,  experts,  are  appointed 
fcy  Government,  whose  duty  it  is,  for  a  certain  fee,  to  test  the  quality 
of  the  seeds  of  such  merchants  as  apply  to  them,  and  to  publish  the 


results  ;  and  in  some  districts  (Saxony  and  Wurtemberg,  for  example) 
there  are  officials,  paid  by  the  Government  or  district,  whose  business 
it  is  to  look  after  the  culture  of  fruit  trees  and  to  give  gratuitous 
advice  to  all  who  apply  to  them  for  it. 

16.  But,  independently  of  the  action  of  Government,  your  Com- 
mittee are  disposed  to  think  that  the  Council  of  the  Koyal  Horticul- 
tural Society  might  itself  do  much  to  encourage  the  .cale  of  good  seeds, 
if  not  to  prevent  the  sale  of  bad.  How  it  can  most  effectually  exert 
its  influence  for  this  purpose,  is  a  question  on  which  the  Council  might 
probably  obtain  useful  suggestions  from  the  respectable  members  of 
the  seed  trade  ;  and  your  Committee  recommend  that  a  number  of 
thtm  be  invited  to  meet  the  Council  and  give  their  views  as  to  the 
best  steps  to  be  taken  to  remedy  the  evil. 


PLANTS  IN   FLO"WEE  DUEING  SEPTEMBER. 


Sept.    4.  Nolana  prostrata 

San%italia  procumbcns 
Anemone  acutipetala 
Pyrethrum  camemn 
Anthericum  lihago 
Tobacco 

Gypsophila  prostrata 
Lathyrus  rotnndifoU  . 
Lobelia  bt.  Clair 
prop  in  qua 
ramosa 
fulgeng 
multi  flora 
gracilis 
„       7.  Limnanthes  rosea 
Hibiscus  africanus 
Lycbnis  chalcedonicn 
Ainaranthus  tricolor 
Centrantbus  cameus 
Callirh'>e  digitata 

pedata 
Ipoma-a  violacea 

quamocht 
Malva  llorenii 
Atbanasia  annua 
Mesembyranthemum  gla- 

brum 
Artemisia  annua 
Erysimum  arkansanum 
Gaill^rdia  aristata 
picta 
Wellsiana 
Clintonia  pulchella 
Nemophila  discoidalis 
Lotus  Jacobieus 
Cuphea  platycentra 

Btrigillosa 
Manraiidya  Barclnrana 
,,     10.  Amaranthus  caudatus 
Ageratum  mexicanum 
Senecio  elegans 
IVIirabilis  jalapa 
Pemettya  mucronata 
Gnaphalium  lanatHm 
Dapbne  laureola 
Omphalodes  verna 
Viscaria  oculata 
Coronilla  emerus 
Linarifl  purpurea 
Pentstemon  gentianoides 
Salvia  patens 
fiilgens 
bicolor 
„     14,  Fuchsia  fulgena 
microphylla 
Phloxes 

Hibiscus  syriacns 
Stenactis  specioss 
Sedum  iiieboldii 
Statice  armeria 
Erica  ramentacea 
Artemisia  abrotanum 
maritimum 
absinthium 
Calycanthus  floridus 
Ceanothus  americanus 

azureus 
Cistus  undulatus 
Clematis  vitalba 
Escallonla  rubra 


Sept.  14.  Gaultberia  procumbens 
Erica  tetrallx 

vagans 
Ancbusa  sempervirens 

italica 
Leycesteria  formosa 
Aconitum  autumnalo 
,,     l*^.  Passiflora  cff-rulea 
Spiriea  Douglasii 
Weifjela  rosea  variegata 
-  Achillea  ptarmica  plena 
Echinops  ritro 
Corydalis  lutea 
Asclepias  incamata 
Helenium  autumnal© 
Eri-^eron  Villarsii 
Aster  elegans 
Lejitandra  sibirica 
Nepeta  macrantha 
Myosotis  alpestris 
Lintiria  dalmatica 
,,     21.  Sedum  purpureum 

Gyneriom  arj;enteuni 
Marica  Xuttallii 
Pentborum  sedoides 
Plumbago  capensis 
Tradeecantia  congesta 

splendena 
Tigridia  pnvonia 

concbiflora 
(Enothera  grandiflora 
Jasione  montana 
Gladiolus  Randavensis 
,,     2G.  Gnaphalium  lauatum 

Sempervivum  tectoruna 
Lilium  Catesbai 

rubrum 

superb  um 

venustmn 
Tritoma  uvaria 

jLtranUifloia 
<!*xalis  floribanda  rosea 
Agapantbus  umbellatuS 
Ruta  graveolena 
„     29.  Crocus  autnmnalis 
Statice  armevia 
Amaiyllis  belladonna 
Jasminum  bignoniacetuu 

pubigerum 

revolutnm 

officinale 
Antholyza  coccinea 
Lonicera  Donglasii 
Kubus  laciniatus 

nutkanus 
Tamarix  gallica 
Erica  vulgaris  rubra 
Chelone  obliqua 
Pentstemon  confertum 

ovatum 
Potentilla  bifurcata 

McNabiana 
Hesperis  matronalis 
Mimulus  tigrinus 

moschatus 
Commelina  tuberosa 
Pyrethrum       partheninia 

plenum 
Verbena  venosa 
Aloysia  citrlodora 


^M.  H.,  Acklam  Hall,  Middlesborough-on-Tees. 


^VHOPtTLEBEERIES. 

I  HATE  seen  it  provokingly  announced  that  "VThortlebemes 
^vere  selling  in  Providence  at  10  cents  a-quart,  and  we  learn 
that  the  price  in  'Woonsoeket  is  only  5c.  Happy  Woonsocketites, 
to  have  a  supply  of  berries  at  that  price !  Here  (Newport), 
they  are  to  be  had,  but  not  for  a  dime,  be  the  market  never  so 
well  supplied.  Why  we  are  forced  to  pay  more  than  our  neigh- 
bours for  the  fruits  that  grow  wild  on  every  hillside  and  bit  of 
waste  land  I  know  not.    1  only  Imow  that  the  cry  is,  as  nsnal? 


October  15,  1868.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HOKTIOOIiTOBBS  AND   COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


283 


"  Huckleberries  is  Bkerse,"  and  I  believe  they  are  always  so  in 
the  estimation  of  those  who  deal  in  the  article.  The  complaint 
is  as  "  old  as  the  hills,"  and  was  familiar  to  the  ears  of  Bose 
Standish  and  other  early  American  housewives. 

Whortleberries  are  peculiarly  an  American  institution.  The 
Germans  have  what  they  call  hoiJel  beere,  or  heathberry,  from 
the  good  old  Anglo-Saxon  lieortberg  or  hastberry — at  best  but 
an  indifferent  fruit.  The  English  have  the  Bilberry  or  Blea- 
berry,  a  stunted  shrub  but  a  foot  high — 

"  Where  fires  thou  find'st  unrak'd,  and  hearths  unswept. 
There  pinch  the  maids  as  blue  as  Bilberry." 

And  the  Scotch  have  the  Cowberry — long  the  badge  of  the  Mac- 
ieods — a  small,  sour,  and  puckery  fruit  that  would  make  one 
exclaim,  as  did  the  Yankee  who  tried  the  green  Persimmon, 
"  Mister,  am  I  whistling,  or  what  am  I  doing  ?"  In  our  own 
country,  well  known  to  be  the  real  home  of  the  Whortleberry, 
we  have  half  a  dozen  varieties,  all  known  to  consumers  as 
Whortleberries.  They  are  gathered  at  this  season  in  endless 
quantities,  and  should  be  dog  cheap. 

There  was  one  man  who  made  a  marked  impression  on  my 
mind  in  early  life,  and  stands  out  in  bold  relief  as  I  review  the 
scenes  of  my  childhood — Naaman  Gardner.  Berries,  which  he 
always  maintained  were  "  skerse,"  were  his  staple  of  trade  in 
the  summer.  In  his  day — the  halcyon  days  of  those  who  were 
fond  of  Whortleberries — they  sold  for  three  or  four  cents  per 
quart,  milk  measure  at  that,  at  which  price  evei-y  one  could 
afford  to  indulge  in  them  freely.  We  boys  bought  by  retail, 
and  for  a  cent  obtained  a  large  beach  clam  shell  fall — about 
half  a  pint,  which  were  turned  into  the  crowns  of  our  straw 
hats  till  we  could  make  way  with  the  fruit.  When  berries 
were  out  of  season  he  filled  his  baskets  with  other  commodi- 
ties— wild  Grapes,  Berberries,  Sweet  and  Sour  Apples,  and 
"  yarbs  " — taking  with  him  at  the  same  time  a  bundle  of  brooms 
or  a  basket  or  two  to  seU,  the  latter  of  his  own  make.  They 
were  strong  white  oak  baskets,  with  only  one  fault — the  handle 
was  never  in  the  centre  ;  and  this  man  at  length  claimed  that 
they  were  put  on  one  side  intentionally,  just  as  the  Yermonter, 
who  had  one  long  and  one  short  leg,  said  he  was  made  so  on 
ptirpose  to  mow  on  a  side  hUl.  I  could  relate  other  peeuHari- 
ties,  but  I  have  already  rambled  far  enough  from  my  subject — 
the  price  of  Whortleberries. 

A  farmer  in  Narragansett  once  told  me  that  he  could  gather 
Whortleberries  enough  on  the  farm  he  hired  to  pay  the  rent ; 
and  from  what  I  saw  there  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  he  could 
easily  have  done  so  ;  and  yet  that  fellow,  with  a  miserable  lot 
of  cow  frames,  tried  to  keep  the  appearance  of  a  dairy  farm  in 
a  barren  and  "  sparse  "'  section,  where  nought  would  grow  but 
wiregrass.  Whortleberries,  and  Alders,  with  a  sprinkling  of 
black  snakes,  woodchucks,  and  skunks.  In  a  short  time  he 
played  out,  and  I  have  always  associated  him  and  others  like 
him  with  the  steady  increase  in  the  price  of  berries.  They 
have  neglected  to  gather  the  bountiful  stores  of  the  swamps 
and  wild  lands ;  and  middle  men — the  sharpers — have  fore- 
stalled the  market,  substituted  wine  for  milk  measure,  run  up 
prices,  and  played  the  dickens  generally  with  the  Whortleberry 
trade.  Think  of  Whortleberries  selling  at  16c.  a-quart  in  the 
middle  of  August,  or  rather  think  of  being  asked  that  price  for 
them,  for  they  don't  sell — much. 

Whortleberries  are  good  in  any  form  but  dried,  a  process 
that  deprives  them  of  every  good  quality,  leaving  us  only  the 
shrivelled  skin  and  seeds  ;  in  pies,  tarts,  flapjacks,  johnny  cakes, 
&c.,  but  to  my  mind  the  "  hollow  " — a  good  old-fashioned 
Whortleberry  hoUow — is  without  a  peer  in  the  world.  Some 
cooks  make  a  batter,  then  stir  in  the  berries  and  boU  the  whole 
together — making  a  heavy,  doughy  mass,  and  altogether  a 
waste  of  most  excellent  materials.  With  others  it  is  the 
custom  to  line  a  deep  dish  with  puff  paste,  pour  in  the  berries, 
cover  with  a  thin  paste,  bake  and  serve  with  sauce — a  good, 
palatable  dish,  but  not  the  hollow  of  our  forefathers,  which 
must  be  made  of  Potato  crust — for  the  reason  that  it  is  far 
more  tender  than  puff  paste — roUed  out  thin  and  spread  over  a 
pudding  cloth  ;  then  pour  in  the  berries,  gather  up  the  side  of 
the  crust  and  pinch  it  together — not,  however,  in  a  way  that 
win  make  a  lump  of  dough  at  that  point — tie  the  bag  and  boil 
till  done.  When  ready  for  the  table,  serve  with  sauce,  but  let 
it  be  sauce,  not  a  little  warm  sugar  and  water  thickened,  nor  a 
lump  of  butter  and  sugar  rubbed  together  till  snowy  white,  as 
firm  as  wax  and  as  dry  as  table  salt.  These  are  makeshifts. 
But  here  is  a  recipe  worth  to  any  housekeeper  a  year's  sub- 
scription to  the  Journal : — A  cup  of  sugar,  and  a  little  less 
than  half  the  quantity  of  butter,  worked  together  till  white  and 
smooth ;  add  a  wine-glass  of  good  wine,  flavour  with  nutmeg, 


and  stir  in  boiling  milk  till  the  w^hole  is  of  the  consistency  of 
thick  cream.  Send  it  to  the  table,  and  stir  it  well  when  served. 
Test  the  above,  and  my  word  for  it,  you  will  ever  after  use  it 
for  puddings  of  all  lands  requiring  sauce. — Aqcidn'ECK  (in 
Providence  Journal.) 


F.VILURES  IN  BOTTOM-HEATING. 
We  have  received  several  complaints  with  regard  to  pipes 
laid  in  open  rubble,  and  laid  in  a  chamber  covered  with 
slate,  that  though  the  pipes  are  made  hot,  the  heat  does  not 
rise  into  the  bed  above.  This  reminds  us  of  a  case  that 
came  under  our  own  practice  in  Cucumber-growing.  We  have 
hardly  ever  been  more  successful  than  in  a  common  brick  pit, 
all  above  the  ground ;  the  walls  formed  of  single  brick  on  bed, 
with  Vl-inch  piers  to  give  strength,  and  the  bricks  laid  in 
cement,  as  all  the  heating  was  done  with  mounds  of  rank  fer- 
menting dung  outside  the  pit,  turned  at  times,  and  kept 
banked  up  nearly  to  the  wall  plate.  The  bottom  of  the  pit  in- 
side, for  nearly  half  the  depth,  was  roughly  flued  or  chambered 
with  stones,  brickbats,  and  furnace  clinkers,  and  covered  over 
so  as  to  have  a  thin  layer  of  pebbles  and  clean-washed  rough 
gravel  on  the  surface  to  receive  the  soil  for  the  Cucumbers.  It 
was  hoped  that  as  the  outside  wall  became  hot,  the  heat  would 
so  circulate  amid  the  openings  of  this  loose  bottom,  as  to  give 
plenty  of  bottom  heat.  The  closeness  of  the  walls  prevented 
all  steam  entering,  and  the  walls  at  the  top  gave  out  enough  o£ 
heat  to  keep  up  the  top  temperature,  and  when  we  wanted  a 
moister  atmosphere  we  had  merely  to  sprinkle  the  walls  with 
a  little  water,  but  in  the  winter  that  was  only  necessary  in  very 
bright  weather.  Nothing  could  have  answered  better  for  a  time 
than  the  above  plan  for  securing  bottom  heat ;  but  presently, 
do  what  we  could,  though  the  walls  outside  were  quite  hot,  we 
could  not  make  the  soil  in  the  middle  of  the  bed  as  warm  as 
we  wished.  We  racked  our  brains  for  some  time  to  little  pur- 
pose, when  by  degrees  we  reflected  that  confined  air  is  one  of 
the  worst  conductors  of  heat,  and  the  air  in  our  rough  brickbat 
chamber  was  as  confined  as  it  well  could  be.  Luckily  we  had 
a  rough  open  flue,  or  space  rather,  along  tho  middle  of  the 
bottom  of  our  pit,  and  by  putting  down  a  drain  tile  at  each 
end,  the  one  end  of  the  tile  resting  above  the  opening,  and  the 
other  end  standing  a  few  inches  above  the  soil,  and  furnished 
with  a  plug,  we  found  that  the  earth  in  the  centre  soon 
began  to  be  heated ;  and  to  make  more  sure  of  the  air  being 
put  in  motion,  we  had  a  metal  pipe  at  each  end  outside,  com- 
municating with  the  open  bottom,  and  by  opening  these  pipes 
a  little  at  times,  we  found  the  heat  from  the  sides  circulate  all 
the  way  beneath  the  bed,  so  that  the  centre  of  the  bed  of  earth 
was  nearly  as  warm  as  the  sides.  Now  we  mention  this  be- 
cause a  fact  is  often  more  convincing  than  precept.  If  a 
heated  chamber  does  not  heat  the  bed  above  it,  a  little  air  ad- 
mitted in  two  or  three  places  near  the  bottom  of  the  chamber 
will  give  a  circulation  to  the  confined  air,  and  cause  it  to  heat 
readily  the  bed  placed  over  it. 

Another  cause  of  want  of  success  when  the  pipes  are  covered 
with  rubble,  is  having  the  pipes  at  too  great  a  depth  from  the 
bed  to  be  heated.  True,  heat  will  rise,  and  v?ill  not  be  lost ; 
but  the  deeper  the  pipes  the  more  liable  will  the  heat  be  to  be 
diffused  longitudinally  instead  of  vertically,  and  the  more 
likely,  too,  will  be  the  air  round  the  pipes  to  be  confined  and 
still,  unless  some  means  have  been  taken,  as  above,  to  keep  the 
air  in  motion. 

When  hot-water  pipes  are  used  for  bottom  heat,  it  is  well  to 
use  no  fermenting  material  in  addition  to  the  pipes.  A  says 
he  put  a  2-feet  bed  of  cocoa-nut  refuse  over  his  pipes,  and  in  a 
few  weeks  he  could  secure  no  heat  for  his  pots,  though  the 
pipes  were  warm.  B  used  dung  and  leaves  for  a  similar  bed, 
and  as  soon  as  the  heat  from  them  declined,  he  derived  no 
benefit  from  his  pipes  ;  he  felt  they  were  warm,  but  the  heat 
would  not  rise.  This  was  partly  owing  to  the  air  about  the 
pipes  being  confined,  but  it  was  chiefly  owing  to  the  material 
next  the  pipes  becoming  dry  and  caked,  and  through  such  dry 
material  neither  cold  nor  heat  will  easily  pass.  For  a  plung- 
ing bed  above  such  heated  medium,  we  therefore  recommend 
sand  or  fine  ashes  as  being  as  good  as  anything  else,  and  these 
no  deeper  than  is  necessary. 

When  a  bed  is  supplied  with  pipes  for  bottom  heat,  it  is 
often  necessary  for  distinct  purposes  to  have  the  plants  nearer 
the  glass,  and  then  a  raised  bed  of  fermenting  material  may 
be  necessary.  A  genial  heat  is  thus  given  at  once,  but  if  that 
is  to  be  continued  with  the  jhelp  of  the  pipes,  then  it  will  be 
necessary  to  have  the  means,  by  tubes,  &c.,  of  potuing  water 


284 


JOURNAL  OF   HORTICULTURE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  October  15,  1866. 


down  among  the  pipes,  and  the  vaponr  rising  will  prevent  the 
material  next  the  pipes  becoming  dry,  and  thus  the  heat  will 
be  conducted  through  the  mass.  Heat  will  rise  through  a  fair 
thickness  even  of  cocoa-nut  fibre,  if  the  fibre  is  moist.  It  will 
not  rise  through  any  bulk  of  it  if  it  is  dry,  and  the  same  fact 
will  hold  good  as  respects  dry  tan,  dry  leaves,  dry  dung,  or  even 
very  dry  soil.  We  do  not  at  present  know  of  any  better  modes 
for  removing  a  disappointment  that  is  not  seldom  felt. 

Heat  often  fails  in  common  hotbeds  of  fermenting  material 
long  before  the  material  is  exhausted,  not  so  much,  as  in  the 
above  cases,  from  obstacles  being  presented  to  the  free  con- 
duction of  heat,  as  from  the  material  heating  itself  dry,  or  be- 
coming so  solid  that  air  cannot  penetrate  to  keep  up  a  slow 
decomposition.  The  giving  of  water  through  tubes,  &a.,  and 
air  along  with  the  water,  will  cause  a  fresh  fermentation  in  the 
one  case,  and  merely  forking  over  a  bed  when  it  has  become 
solid  from  the  mere  air  thus  given  and  covered  in,  will  insure 
a  gentle  heat  for  a  month  or  two,  when  none  would  have  been 
obtained  from  a  bed  in  its  soUd  settled-down  condition.  The 
materials  for  yielding  heat  were  there,  but  air  as  the  great 
decomposer  could  not  reach  them,  to  act  as  flame  to  the  fuel. 
Much  skill  is  required  to  make  up  a  common  hotbed  so  as  to 
give  the  most  lasting  and  continuous  heat.  If  built  too  loosely 
the  air  will  dry  it,  and  thus  arrest  decomposition  and  the  heat 
it  produces.  If  too  close,  air  is  kept  out,  and  thus  decompo- 
sition is  arrested.  The  turning-over  lets  the  air  in,  and  then 
it  acts  like  a  bellows  to  a  sluggish  fire,  giving  out  more  heat,  of 
course,  at  the  expense  of  the  fuel — the  decomposition  of  the 
fermenting  material. — E.  F. 


NOTES  AND   GLEANINGS. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Fruit  Committee  of  the  Royal  Horti- 
cultural Society  on  Tuesday  next,  there  will  be  an  interesting 
Exhibition  or  Grapes,  the  following  prizes  being  offered— 
viz. :— A.  For  the  best  dish  of  Grapes,  consisting  of  six  bunches 
of  any  variety,  grown  in  the  open  air  against  a  wall,  without 
any  protection  whatever,  £2  ;  £1.  These  prizes  are  offered  by 
the  Eev.  George  Kemp.  B.  For  the  best  collection  of  any  de- 
scription of  Grapes,  except  Muscats,  one  bunch  of  each,  £3  ; 
£2.  C.  Ditto  White  IMuscat  Grapes,  one  bunch  of  each  sort, 
£3  ;  £2.  It  is  not  imperative  that  the  Grapes  shown  in  this 
class  should  be  grown  by  the  exhibitor,  the  object  of  the  Com- 
mittee being  to  obtain  specimens  of  all  the  varieties  of  White 
Muscat  Grapes  that  are  grown  in  different  parts  of  the  country, 
for  comparison.  D.  For  the  best  dish  of  Muscat  Hamburgh 
Grapes,  £1 ;  lOs.  In  a  season  like  the  present,  the  out-of-door 
Grapes  are,  no  doubt,  unusually  fine.  It  is,  therefore,  a  happy 
thought  of  Mr.  Kemp  to  have  offered  the  prizes  on  this 
occasion. 

• Mk.  David  Thomson,  so  favourably  known  to  all  horti- 
culturists as  Lady  Mary  C.  Nesbit  Hamilton's  gardener  at 
Archerfield,  will  soon  leave  that  place  to  occupy  a  similar 
position  at  the  still  more  extensive  establishment  of  the  Duke 
of  Bucclench,  at  Drumlanrig  Castle,  in  Dumfriesshire. 


POMOLOGICAIi   GLEANINGS. 

D'Agen  Fio. — This  is  the  latest  variety  of  Fig  with  which 
we  are  acquainted.  It  comes  into  use  after  all  the  others  are 
past,  and  is  very  valuable  on  that  account.  In  the  large  and 
fine  collection  of  Figs  in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's 
garden,  Chiswick,  we  have  to-day  observed  in  pots  two  hand- 
some plants  of  this  variety  quite  laden  with  beautiful  green 
healthy  fruit,  which  has  just  commenced  to  ripen.  The  plants 
being  placed  in  a  sufficient  heat,  the  fruit  will  continue  to 
ripen  successionally  from  this  time  up  to  Christmas.  There 
are  many  varieties  from  which  occasionally  there  may  be  a  few 
straggling  late  fruits  gathered  (the  fag-end  of  the  crop),  but 
they  are  not  to  be  depended  upon,  and  they  are  generally  of  but 
indifferent  quality.  This  variety,  then,  which  only  commences 
tearing  at  the  present  season,  is  a  decided  acquisition.  The 
fruit  is  above  medium  size,  roundish  turbinate,  very  regularly 
formed,  and  very  handsome.  Skin  deep  green,  covered  with 
a  fine  bloom,  cracking  when  ripe  in  shallow  white  lines.  Eye 
small,  generally  closed.  Flesh  deep  red,  solid,  firm,  and  rich. 
Should  be  in  every  collection. 

Deux  Sceurs  Peak. — When  ripe  and  mixed  with  Marie 

Louise,  this  variety  may  easUy  be  mistaken  for  the  latter.  It 
is  a  very  handsome  frnit,  the  colour  o{  the  skin  pale  yellow,  ! 


with  a  little  russet  exactly  like  Marie  Louise.  It  is,  however, 
rather  more  uneven  under  the  skin,  and  fuller  towards  the 
stalk,  and  the  stalk  itself  is  thick  and  fleshy,  instead  of  slender 
like  Marie  Louise.  The  flesh  is  slightly  granular  at  times,  but 
buttery  and  melting,  with  an  exceedingly  sweet  and  almost 
honied  taste.  The  tree  is  a  good  bearer,  and  forms  a  neat 
pyramid  on  the  Quince. 

The  name  Deux  Soeurs  (Two  Sisters),  it  is  said,  was  given 
to  this  through  the  fruit  generaUy  growing  on  the  trees  in  pairs, 
which  it  certainly  does — a  veiy  marked  characteristic. 

The  Rev.  C.  P.  Peach,  ef  AppIeton-le-Street,  writes  : — 

"  I  wish  you  could  see  some  Apples  and  Pears  I  had  from  bush 
trees  this  year — 1300  Seckles  from  a  two-year-old  bush,  and 
the  most  wonderfully  fine  Easter  Beurrc,  Beurn'  Diel,  and  Van 
Mons  Lijon  le  Clerc.  I  had  a  tree,  too,  of  Pike's  Pearmain  Apple 
planted  twelve  years  ago,  which  is  now  about  9  feet  high  and 
8  feet  through,  which  bore  from  sixteen  to  eighteen  pecks.  I 
do  not  think  there  was  any  3  inches  on  the  tree  down  to  the 
very  ground  without  a  fruit  on  it." 

EivERs's  Early  Nonpareil. — Along  with  some  speci- 
mens of  the  old  Golden  Pippin  Mr.  Rivers  has  sent  ns  a  few 
examples  of  what  he  calls  "  our  Early  Nonpareil."  He  thus 
designates  it  by  way  of  distinction  from  the  Early  Nonpareil, 
or  Hicks's  Fancy,  as  some  call  it.  It  is  a  perfectly  different 
Apple,  and  is  supposed  by  Mr.  Rivers  to  be  the  old  Haute  Bontfi 
of  the  French,  which  MUler  in  his  Dictionary  says  is  often  sold 


in  the  streets  for  the  Nonpareil.  It  is  quite  distinct  from  that 
variety,  and  is  one  of  unusual  excellence.  The  shape  is  not 
unlike  that  of  the  Nonpareil,  and  the  colour,  in  the  highly 
coloured  specimens,  is  of  a  bright  aurora  glow.  It  is  a  larger 
and  a  handsomer  Apple  than  the  old  Nonpareil. 

We  have  received  some  Red  Currants  grown  by  Mr. 

Twells,  a  mechanic  at  Letchurch,  Derbyshire.  They  are  fully 
ripe,  and  quite  of  an  average  size  and  excellence.  Their  pecu- 
liarity is  that  they  are  part  of  the  second  crop  produced  by  the 
same  bushes  this  year.     A  dish  was  gathered  on  the  11th  inst. 


BEDDING-OUT   AT   CLIVEDEN. 

One  of  the  prettiest  examples  of  what  may  be  done  in  the 
way  of  bedding  with  succulent  plants  alone,  such  as  Sedums, 
Echeverias,  i-c,  that  we  ever  recollect  having  seen,  is  a  small 
bed  planted  by  Mr.  Fleming  at  Cliveden  this  season,  represent- 
ing the  monogram  of  Harriet  Duchess  of  Sutherland.  We 
have  tried  by  the  aid  of  the  accompanying  engraving  to  give 
some  idea  of  how  this  has  been  carried  out.  It  is,  however, 
one  of  those  things  that  require  to  be  seen  to  be  understood 
and  thoroughly  appreciated.  It  is  impossible  to  show  in  a 
sketch  of  a  bed  of  this  sort  the  different  forms  of  the  various 
plants,  their  different  hues,  iSrc,  which  are  so  neatly  and  happily 
blended  in  this  little  gem.    It  is  planted  thus  : — 

The  H  is  formed  with  small  plants  of  Arabia  Incida  variegata ; 
the  two  S's  and  the  largest  circles  with  Echeveria  secnsda 


October  IS,  1888.  ] 


JOUBNAL  OP  HORTIOULTUKE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


285 


glanea  ;  the  two  small  circles  with  Sempervivum  hirtum.     The 
eight    centre   plants  are   beautiful    specimens  of    Echeveria 


liirtum.  In  the  centre  angle,  front  side,  are  three  nice  plants 
of  Gasteria  verrucosa,  and  in  the  back  angles  small  plants  of 
some  species  of  Mesembryanthemum.  The  front  edging  is  the 
beautiful  Somporvivum  californicum,  and  the  back  edging 
Sedum  carneum  varicgatum.  These  being  the  leading  hues  in 
the  bed,  the  intervening  spaces  are  all  filled  with  a  deep  mossy 
carpet  of,  first,  Sedum  glaucum,  which  has  a  pretty  silvery 
iippi'arance,  and,  second,  a  deep  green  variety  of  Sedum ;  and 
Sedum  denticulatum  rubrum  filling  up  the  corners. 


metallica,  which  show  up  exceedingly  well,  and   the   circles 
ue  joined  to  the  Echeveria  by  cross  bands  of  Sempervivnm 


WORK  FOR  THE  'WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GABDEN. 

As  soon  as  we  hear  of  the  thermometer  having  fallen  3'  or  4° 
below  freezing,  we  must  have  mats  ready  for  covering  up  with. 
Some  gardeners,  however,  are  unwilling  to  expose  their  beat 
mats  yet,  for  fear  of  these  becoming  saturated  with  wet,  and 
thus  being  rendered  of  less  service  when  there  is  need  for  them. 
Canlijlomers,  pull  up  a  number  of  those  that  are  fit  or  nearly  fit 
for  use,  and  lay  them  in  by  the  heels  in  some  moist  earth  in  a 
dry  shed  or  outhouse.  It  is  as  yet  too  soon  to  put  them  in  the 
cellar.  Choose  a  dry,  well-sheltered  border,  dung  and  dig  it  as 
well  as  you  can,  and  the  first  mild  day  plant  it  all  over  in 
patches  with  good  Cauliflower  plants,  ready  to  be  sheltered 
when  necessary  with  hand-glasses.  Cabbages,  if  any  failures 
have  happened  in  the  rows  ah-eady  planted,  the  spaces  should 
now  be  filled  up  with  the  strongest  plants  you  have  on  hand  ; 
nothing  looks  worse  in  winter  than  to  see  gaps  here  and  there 
in  any  rows  or  crops  of  plants.  Plant  out  Endiir  and  Lettuce 
for  spring  use.  If  planted  on  the  sloping  sides  of  wide  ridges 
they  will  withstand  the  winter  better,  damp  being  quite  as  de- 
structive as  frost.  Take  the  precaution  of  securing  a  quantity 
either  in  pits  or  in  frames,  or  have  the  means  of  protection  in 
readiness.  Remove  the  leaves  from  liliubarh  and  Sra-halc  in- 
tended for  early  forcing,  and  keep  a  look-out  for  slugs  and 
weeds,  both  of  which  will  be  troublesome  after  these  rains. 

FKUIT   GAKDEN. 

Prepare  for  planting  all  kinds  of  fruit  trees  by  putting  the 
ground  in  good  order  for  the  difJerent  kinds.  The  sooner  the 
trees  are  planted  the  better,  as  they  will  then  make  fresh  roots 
before  winter.  In  all  cases,  but  more  especially  in  the  case  of 
cold,  stiff  soils,  it  is  advisable  to  plant  on  hillocks  a  foot  or 
IS  inches  higher  than  the  surrounding  surface.  The  trees  will 
not  grow  so  fast  in  consequence,  but  will  require  more  at- 
tention to  mulching  in  summer,  but  they  will  form  short- 
jointed,  well-ripened,  fruitful  wood,  which  is  the  best  pre- 
ventive of  canker,  gum,  itc,  and  will  save  resorting  to  much 
root-pruning.  Pruning  may  now  be  commenced,  beginning 
first  with  the  Currants  ;  the  Gooseberries  and  Raspberries  may 
follow,  this  will  clear  a  considerable  space  of  ground  to  be 
dug  in  fine  weather.  Apple  and  Pear  trees  should  follow,  and 
then  look  over  trees  against  walls,  and  cut  away  useless  laterals 
and  late  growths  on  the  Peach  trees ;  indeed,  any  shoot  that 
will  not  be  wanted  in  spring,  had  better  be  cut  out  at  once  to 
make  more  room  for  the  others,  and  let  in  the  sun  and  air  to 
ripen  the  bearing  wood  for  next  year ;  the  leaves  of  Peach 
trees  are  of  little  use  after  this  time,  and  they  do  much  harm 
by  shading  the  wood. 

FLOWER  GARDEN. 

If  there  is  one  thing  more  than  another  which  contributes 
to  the  high  keeping  of  this  department,  it  is  finely-kept  and 
perfectly  smooth  turf ;  in  truth,  it  is  impossible  to  produce  a 
harmonious  whole  if  the  turf  which  surrounds  the  groups  of 
flowers  is  not  in  every  respect  perfect,  and  for  this  reason  at 
the  present  season  it  is  advisable  to  replace  every  foot  of  bad 
turf  that  can  be  found  in  any  part  of  the  grounds.  This  is  the 
best  season  to  lay  turf,  except  under  large  trees,  and  in  such 
situations  it  is  better  to  delay  it  until  spring,  or  the  constant 
drip  consequent  on  the  rains  of  winter  would  materially  injure 
it.  However,  fine  turf  will  not  please  if  it  is  not  level,  and  for 
a  lawn  to  be  beautiful  it  must  be  level,  smooth,  and  perfectly 
clean.  At  this  season,  also,  the  edgings  which  surround  the 
walks  and  borders,  should  be  adjusted  to  one  regular  height. 
Level  turf  and  edgings,  combined  with  good  walks,  will  give  a 
garden  a  highly  finished  appearance,  even  though  there  is  not 
a  flower  in  it.  Herbaceous  borders  may  now  be  regulated,  re- 
ducing the  large  plants  considerably,  and  preferring  rather  to 
leave  the  outsides  than  the  centres  of  the  plants.  Where  the 
plants  have  not  been  regulated  for  some  years  it  will  be  best  to 
take  them  all  up,  manure  and  trench  the  border,  and  replant 
them  properly. 


28G 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETIGULTUEE    AND  COTTAGE  GAKBENEB. 


[  October  15,  1868. 


GREENHOUSE    AND    CONSEF.VATORY. 

Those  who  have  DOt  the  advantage  of  cold  turf  pits  will  have 
ii  crowd  the  greenhouse  on  the  approach  of  frost.  However 
small  a  place  may  be,  there  ought  to  be  some  contrivance  for 
sheltering  half-hardy  greenhouse  plants  late  in  the  autumn, 
without  crowding  them  into  houses  thus  early.  The  Chry- 
santhemums and  Pelargoniums  ought  now  to  occupy  the  best 
places  here,  and  more  hardy  plants  will  be  much  better  in 
pits  where  rain  and  frost  could  be  kept  from  them  till  the 
Chrysanthemums  are  nearly  over,  and  room  for  them  in-doors 
can  be  made.  Some  of  the  late  Chrysanthemums  can  be  re- 
tarded by  placing  them  under  a  north  wall.  Strong  plants 
only  should  thus  be  treated,  and  rough  sticks  should  be  placed 
against  the  wall  over  them  to  support  mats,  which  should  be  put 
over  them  in  frosty  nights.  Pelargoniums  with  sweet-scented 
leaves  are  very  useful  for  mixing  in  bouquets  in  winter.  Jas- 
minum  grandiflorum  makes  an  excellent  climber  in  the  con- 
servatory, but  is  seldom  to  be  met  with  as  such.  J.  stellatum, 
ligustrifolium,  hirsutum,  with  the  varieties  of  J.  sambac,  and 
some  others,  are  good  plants  for  forcing  to  decorate  rooms. 
Por  this  purpose  their  climbing  habit  should  be  checked  by 
under-potting,  and  by  pinching-off  the  points  of  the  shoots 
when  the  parts  are  yo\ing ;  they  will  then  form  bushy  heads 
and  flower  more  freely. 

STOVE. 

Phajus  graudifolius,  or  Eletia  TankervilliiE  as  it  was  once 
called,  is  an  excellent  plant  to  force  in  winter,  and  should  now 
be  removed  to  the  forcing  pit  where  a  brisk  bottom  heat  of 
from  80'  to  90°  can  be  kept  up.  Euphorbia  jaequini.'pflora  is 
unwilling  to  submit  to  much  forcing  at  this  time,  but  if  checked 
now  by  being  kept  rather  dry  for  a  month  or  six  weeks,  it  will 
flower  a  month  earlier  than  its  usual  time.  Old  plants  of 
Justicia  speciosa  and  Eranthemum  pulchellum  always  flower 
earlier  than  young  ones,  they  should  be  ready  for  the  con- 
servatory at  the  same  time  with  the  early  Chrysanthemums. 
Nematanthus  longipes  is  a  curious  winter-flowering  stove  plant 
of  the  easiest  culture,  and  well  suited  for  the  drawing-room  or 
conservatory  when  in  flower,  as  is  also  Centradenia  rosea, 
which  is  a  gem  in  its  way.  This  also  flowers  in  winter  and 
early  in  the  spring.  Achimenes  picta  seeds  freely,  and,  no 
doubt,  will  produce  crosses  ;  it  is  well  worth  having  on  that 
account,  as  well  as  for  the  beauty  of  its  flowers  and  the  singu- 
larity of  its  foliage. 

PITS. 

The  forcing  pits  should  now  be  in  full  operation  to  keep  up 
a  stock  of  flowering  i)Iants  for  the  rooms  and  conservatory 
through  the  winter.  All  hardy  and  half-hardy  plants  brought  in 
for  forcing  should  have  at  first  a  temperature  of  from  50°  to 
60°,  to  be  increased  to  75°,  when  more  advanced  ;  but  as  many 
plants  will  not  bear  such  heat,  and  others  will  not  do  much 
good  without  a  high  temperature  there  should  be  two  distinct 
pits,  or  divisions  at  least,  for  this  purpose.  In  large  establish- 
ments many  plants  are  forced  in  the  stoves  and  early  vinery. 
With  a  large  stock  of  Chinese  Azaleas,  some  of  them  may  be 
had  in  flower  from  Christmas  till  the  end  of  May  ;  the  first  lot 
should  now  be  brought  iuto  a  heat  of  50°  or  even  G0°.  The 
double  Boman  Narcissus  is  the  first  of  the  forced  bulbs,  and 
when  it  has  been  potted  early  it  will  now  stand  a  heat  of  00°. 
Hyacinths  that  have  also  been  potted  before  the  middle  of 
August  will  now  endure  a  good  heat  and  bloom  early  without 
at  all  injuring  the  bulbs,  whereas  late-potted  bulbs,  though  they 
will  flower  well  enough  if  forced  early,  are  of  no  use  afterwards. 
— W.  Eeane. 


DOINGS   OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GAEDEK. 

Aetek  much  rain  we  have  had  two  or  three  rather  fine  days 
to  finish  the  week.  Took  the  opportunity  to  fill  up  blanks 
among  Cabbages  and  Ltttuces,  which  the  insatiable  grubs  made 
like  Ferns.  As  to  these  depredators,  after  the  plants  are  put 
in  the  earth,  we  know  of  no  certain  remedy,  except  hand- 
picking.  Before  planting,  if  we  had  known  they  would  have 
been  so  numerous  we  would  have  sprinkled  tar  water,  and  even 
tar  itself  in  small  quantities  on  the  ground,  and  turned  the  soil 
Ii-equently.     We  hope  we  have  caught  the  most  of  them  now. 

Celcri/. — Tied  and  earthed  it  up  in  the  dry  afternoons,  con- 
fining our  work  to  cleaning  and  tying  the  later  beds,  though  if 
fine  dry  weather  come  we  shall  not  hesitate  to  earth  up  the 
main  crops,  as  the  objections  will  not  apply  that  we  have  urged 
in  the  case  of  early  Celery.  Hitherto  we  have  only  done  little 
spaces  at  a  time,  according  as  we  judged  we  should  want  it, 


earthing-up  at  once  from  twenty-one  to  twenty-eight  days  be- 
fore we  wanted  the  Celery  for  the  table.  Sometimes  we  have 
had  it  very  good  after  fourteen  days,  but  our  medium  time  in 
general  is  twenty-one  days.  After  the  middle  of  this  month 
all  the  evaporation  from  the  leaves  will  not  make  the  roots 
very  dry,  as  dews  and  rains  to  a  great  extent  neutralise  the 
force  of  the  sun's  rays. 

Dwarf  Kidney  Beans.—  Those  fully  exposed,  owing  to  the 
rains,  and  a  little  frost  a  few  mornings  ago,  are  now  looking 
worse.  Even  those  protected  will  not  do  much  more  good. 
Those  in  a  pit  where  a  little  heat  can  be  given  will  produce 
by  the  time  the  protected  ones  are  gone,  and  before  the  soaking 
cold  rains  ;  those  sown  in  pots  in  the  open  air  were  placed  in 
the  same  pit,  where  a  little  artificial  beat  can  be  given. 

Cucumbers. — The  young  plants  in  the  pit  are  bearing  too 
profusely,  and  have  beenthinned  of  their  fruit,  and  a  number 
of  small  ones  cut  ofi,  as  we  would  rather  have  a  quantity  a 
month  hence  than  so  many  now,  and  being  well  aware  that  if 
young  plants  bear  profusely  at  first,  they  have  less  strength  left 
to  produce  fruit  in  the  dark  days.  Where  such  cold  things 
as  Cucumbers  are  desired  all  the  winter,  we  recommend  a  steep 
roof,  and,  therefore,  plenty  of  light,  and  the  command  of  plenty 
of  heating  power.  We  know  what  it  is  to  manage  them  in  flat- 
rooted  pits  and  frames,  and  we  have  seen  and  helped  the  good 
old  gardeners  to  have  fruit  in  winter  in  dung  frames  and  pits, 
but  the  constant  care  and  attention  required  in  stirring  the 
soil,  washing  the  glass,  careful  air-giving,  and  securely  protect- 
ing, would  be  a  good  lesson  to  many  of  our  spruce  young  gar- 
deners now.  With  all  the  benefits  that  hot  water  has  afforded 
us,  it  has  rather  lessened  the  strict  attention  to  minutiae  that 
could  alone  secure  success  in  the  old-fashioned  modes. 

Earth  Pits. — Several  inquiries  about  these  prompt  us  to  say, 
that  they  are  most  generally  useful  when  the  bottom  of  the  pit 
is  higher,  rather  than  lower,  than  the  surrounding  ground, 
as  then  it  is  easy  to  guard  against  extra  damp.  A  good  width 
is  from  5  to  0  feet ;  and  for  low  plants  9  inches  in  front,  and 
from  15  to  18  inches  at  back,  are  very  good  heights.  In  the 
simplest  form  have  these  walls  of  earth  from  15  to  18  inches 
in  width,  and  it  covered  with  a  layer  of  turf  they  will  last  for 
many  years.  When  turf  cannot  be  had,  the  walls  sloping  out- 
wards may  be  beaten  smooth,  then  covered  over  with  tar  the 
thickness  of  a  shilling,  and  gravel  or  rough  ashes  beaten  into 
it.  This,  if  done  and  well  hardened  before  frost,  will  last  many 
years.  The  best  coverings  for  such  a  pit  are  glass  sashes, 
wooden  covers,  covers  made  with  asphalt,  waterproofed  cloth 
and  canvas  to  roll  up,  neatly-made  straw  covers,  and  hurdles 
thatched  with  evergreens.  Tne  first  named  will  be  the  best,  and 
in  value  they  will  come  in  as  named.  All  those  that  keep  out 
wet  as  well  as  cold  will  be  the  most  valued  and  the  most  useful. 
Where  rats,  rabbits,  and  other  vermin  can  be  excluded,  such 
pits  are  very  useful.  Where  these  animals  abound  they  wUl 
clear  the  pits  in  frosty  weather,  when  those  plants  outside  will 
be  let  alone.  We  have  had  a  score  of  fine  Cauliflowers  spoilt  in 
a  night  at  Christmas,  and  what  was  most  vexing  the  intruders 
ate  nothing  in  proportion  to  what  they  destroyed.  Otherwise 
these  pits  are  great  auxiliaries  in  winter  and  spring. 

FECIT    DEPAETMEN'I. 

See  what  was  stated  last  week,  and  a  few  weeks  previously, 
as  to  fruit,  planting,  replanting,  and  root-pruning.  The  great 
drawback  is,  that  there  is  generally  such  a  difficulty  in  getting 
work  done  at  the  proper  time.  The  struggle  is  too  often  how 
to  go  on  without  allowing  anything  materially  to  suffer.  We 
have  known  cases  where  work  had  to  be  found  every  season  to 
keep  the  usual  number  of  men  employed ;  but  now  the  gene- 
rality of  gardeners  have  to  try  as  much  as  possible  to  avoid 
extra  work,  as  even  without  it  they  find  they  cannot  have  their 
regular  work  as  forward  as  they  would  wish.  We  have  no  ob- 
jection to  having  plenty  in  hand,  and  difficulties  staring  us  in 
the  face,  provided  we  can  look  forward  to  the  time  when  we 
shall  master  the  work,  instead  of  allowing  the  work  to  master 
us.  We  know  it  is  depressing  to  use  every  energy,  and  yet 
never  see  daylight  beyond,  and  such  a  condition  of  things  is 
apt  to  cause  a  man  to'do  his  work  merely  as  a  matter  of  duty, 
and  not  as  a  matter  of  pleasure  and  enthusiasm.  Even  inour 
limited  observation,  we  know  not  a  few  instances  where  a  little 
extra  help,  instead  of  lessening  help  when  most  needed,  would 
make  all  the  difference  between  the  enthusiast,  who  will  look 
at  difficulties  only  to  resolve  to  surmount  them,  and  the 
mere  six-o'clock  man  who  does  a  certain  amount  of  work  in  so 
many  hours,  and  in  time  becomes  careless  of  the  work  that 
cannot  be  overcome.  Without  a  little  enthusiasm  nothing  great 
has  ever  yet  been  done  ;  but  employers  who  are  apt  to  grumble 


October  IC,  18C8.  ) 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUKE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


287 


as  "  Maud  "  pleasantly  tells  ub,  are  also  apt  to  forget  tliat  they 
may  have  had  much  to  do  in  toning  down  the  enthusiast  into 
a  mere  plodder,  a  worker  williout  heart  and  mind  in  the  work. 

In  our  first  orchard  /wksc,  there  being  besides  Grapes  not  yet 
thoroughly  ripened,  lots  of  Figs  that  require  a  little  more 
heat  in  this  weather,  we  have  in  dull  wet  days  put  a  fire  into 
our  iron  stove.  We  have  also  replaced  the  glass  ventilators  at 
the  apex  of  the  roof,  which  we  had  removed,  and  put  gauze 
in  their  place  to  keep  the  wasps  out.  But  for  retarding  the 
Peaches  as  much  as  possible,  the  Grapes  and  Figs  would  have 
been  ripe  in  such  a  season  as  this.  The  Figs  now  coming  in 
are  chiefly  the  second  crop.  We  are  often  asked  many  questions 
about  such  composite  houses — that  is,  having  Grapes,  Peaches, 
Plums,  Figs,  &c.,  under  one  roof,  and  without  divisions.  It  is 
best  to  have  only  one  kind  in  one  house  ;  but  then  that  would 
not  suit  nine-tenths  of  onr  readers,  and  very  good  returns  can 
be  had  from  all,  if  sudden  checks  are  not  given  to  one  kind  of 
fruit,  to  meet  some  desired  condition  in  another  kind  of  fruit. 
For  instance,  in  this  first  orchard  house,  could  it  have  been 
convenient  to  ufo  the  Peaches  as  they  ripened,  without  chang- 
ing the  little  forcing  they  were  receiving  from  sun  heat,  then  the 
Grapes  would  have  progressed  also  without  a  check  so  as  to 
perfect  their  growth  and  ripening.  The  means,  however,  which 
we  took  by  slight  shading,  and  giving  all  the  air  possible  night 
and  day,  to  retard  the  Peaches  for  a  few  weeks  later,  some- 
what checked  the  free  swelling  of  the  Grapes.  Thoi,  also,  it  is 
well,  in  all  such  mixed  houses,  where  many  kinds  of  fruit  are 
grown,  to  make  one  kind,  be  it  Peach,  Plum,  Cherry,  or  Vine, 
the  principal  object,  and  make  the  others  subsidiary  to  it. 
Thus  we  made  Peaches  and  Nectarines  the  chief  objects  in  this 
house,  and  though  we  shall  have  good  gatherings  of  Grapes, 
they  would  have  been  finer  and  earlier,  could  we  have  given 
them  the  full  benefit  of  the  sun  in  such  a  fine  summer.  This 
would  have  been  of  importance  even  in  the  case  of  late  Grapes, 
as  those  will  keep  better  that  were  ripened  in  September,  than 
those  ripened  much  later. 

Strau-berries  in  pots  have  needed  no  watering  of  late,  and  if 
the  rains  continue  it  will  be  as  well  to  turn  the  pots  on  their 
sides.  A  dusting  of  soot  over  the  soil  in  the  pots  will  also  do 
them  good.  Our  plants  are  not  so  strong  as  usual ;  we  had 
such  a  difficulty  in  securing  runners,  and  feared  at  one  time 
that  we  should  lose  the  established  plants.  The  pots  are  be- 
coming so  full  of  roots,  that,  provided  we  have  a  fortnight  of 
fair  weather,  we  shall  have  little  fear  of  the  plants  not  fruiting 
very  fairly  when  fruit  is  wanted.  We  will  have  all  our  outside 
beds  cleaned  and  mulched  as  soon  as  we  can,  and  such  work 
we  never  like  to  do  except  when  the  weather  is  fine  and  dry. 

We  have  pruned  and  washed  the  front  of  our  early  Peach 
house,  so  that  we  might  fill  the  front  with  bedding  plants.  The 
back,  not  so  forward,  we  will  leave  for  a  few  more  days  ;  and 
cleaning  the  walls  and  washing  the  trees  can  be  done  in  a  wet 
day.  Transplanted  a  tree  to  fill  a  small  vacancy,  as  it  is  a  pity 
to  have  a  foot  unoccupied  under  glass. 

ORN'AilEKTAL    DEPAETMENT. 

Potted  a  number  of  stove  plants.  Gave  less  water  to  those 
intended  to  flower  in  winter.  The  fine  showy  Euphorbias, 
&e,,  should  now  be  rather  dry.  Water  now  chiefly  in  the 
morning,  that  the  houses  may  be  dry  before  night.  We  shall 
ere  long  prune-in  climbers  on  the  rafters,  to  give  all  the  light 
possible  in  winter. 

We  took  our  cuttings  later  than  usual  this  season,  and  a 
great  number  of  Scarlet  Pelargoniums  being  out  of  doors  in 
boxes,  and  just  beginning  to  root,  but  apt  to  be  tender  from  so 
much  rain,  wo  have  had  them  transferred  to  the  Peach  house, 
where  they  will  be  safe  from  rains  and  slight  frosts,  which  we 
may  now  expect.  Our  first  vinery  will  also  be  filled  with 
flowering  plants,  which  we  cannot  yet  take  into  the  conserva- 
tory. The  Verbenas,  Heliotropes,  &c.,  that  were  put  in  pots 
as  cuttings  in  the  cold  pit,  have  on  the  whole  done  well,  and 
where  they  had  double  sashes  they  gave  scarcely  any  trouble, 
as  with  air  at  night  they  needed  no  further  attention.  All  the 
most  backward  of  these  have  been  placed  in  another  pit.  where 
a  httle  bottom  heat  can  bo  given  them,  not  so  much  that 
they  require  it,  as  because  we  need  the  cold  pit  for  inserting 
our  Calceolaria  cuttings,  which  we  hope  to  do  about  the  middle 
of  the  month.  We  would  as  soon  do  this  at  the  end  of  the 
month,  only  we  may  have  a  frost,  hut  we  hope  not  for  a  month, 
and  if  not,  there  will  be  a  fine  late  display  in  the  flower  garden. 
The  moving  even  of  these  cuttings  does  them  good,  as  we  can 
run  a  pointed  stick  over  the  surface,  and  perform  any  little 
cleaning  that  is  necessary.  We  have  a  large  number  of  cut- 
tings of  bedding  Pelargoniums,  itc,  put  in  thickly  in  small 


pots,  and  the  moving  of  bo  many  other  things  will  give  ns 
more  room  to  turn  them  over,  pick  off  any  bad  leaf,  and  give 
them  a  little  more  room  in  the  old  frames,  in  which  they  now 
stand.  l!y  leaving  few  leaves  on  such  cuttings,  and  putting 
them  in  very  thickly,  we  winter  a  large  number  in  very  little 
space,  and  in  ordinary  seasons  in  autumu  we  are  rarely  troubled 
with  a  damped  leaf;  but  now  we  see  there  are  some  leaves 
going,  owing  to  tho  dull,  damp  weather,  and  our  sashes  being 
anything  but  perfect,  so  that  they  will  bo  all  the  better  ol 
being  picked  over,  and  having  the  benefit  of  full  exposure  in 
fine  sunny  days,  as  even  variegated  Pelargoniums  are  juicy 
enough  for  tho  cuttings  to  stand  that  for  short  intervals,  even 
before  they  aro  rooted.  If  the  cuttings  arc  large,  they  will 
stand  all  the  sun  they  are  now  likely  to  have ;  if  small,  they 
will  feel  the  full  exposure  to  tho  sun  more. 

We  have  taken  off  a  lot  of  the  white-leaved  Centaurea, 
though  rjither  late,  but  wo  have  taken  large  cuttings  with  firm 
bottoms  close  to  the  old  stem,  and  cleared  the  bottoms  nicely 
for  an  inch  or  so,  that  there  may  be  no  risk  of  damping.  Part 
of  these  in  small  pots  we  have  put  in  a  bed  with  a  little  bottom 
heat,  and  part  on  an  open  shelf  in  the  vinery.  The  bottoms 
being  so  firm,  we  have  little  doubt  the  cuttings  will  escape  the 
damping,  so  apt  to  befall  small  soft  cuttings  at  this  season.  It 
is  best  to  take  cuttings  in  July  and  August,  but  ours  were  not; 
large  and  firm  enough.  We  took  up  our  plants  from  the  beds 
last  year,  and,  treating  them  as  then  described,  we  did  not  lose 
one,  but  they  require  much  room  in  winter. — E.  F. 


CO"\rENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— October  14. 

The  mnrket  iu  respect  to  home-grown  produce  exhibits  but  little 
variation  froin  our  last  report,  a  fair  amount  of  business  being  done  in 
articles  of  general  request.  Among  imports  from  abroad  we  may  now 
include  new  Oranges  from  the  south  of  Spain.  The  report  from  the 
Potato  martlets  is  not  so  satiefactory,  a  large  quantity  i>roving  very  in- 
ferior when  taken  up. 

FECIT. 


R. 

d. 

R. 

d 

B. 

d. 

s. 

a 

Apples 

ApricotB 

Yi  sieve 
. ..  doz. 

6tn  ^ 

•  1 

0  ;o3 

II 

0 

0 

n 

0 

Nectarines  . 

doz. 

0 

0 

0 

0 

....  lb. 

..  bush. 

0 
10 

0 

n 

0 

i« 

0 

0 

100 

s 

10 

u 

0 

12 

13 

II 

Chestnuts 

Peaches 

doz. 

0 

0 
0 

0 
0 

0 
0 

0 
0 

Pears  (dessert)  ..doz. 
Pine  Apples lb. 

o 
4 

0 
0 

6 

0 

Blaclt.... 

....  do. 

u 

Figs 

..  doz. 

(> 

0 

0 

0 

Plums 

^j  sieve 

4 

u 

1) 

u 

t'Uberts 

lb. 

n 

9 

1 

0 

Quinces 

....  doz. 

0 

I) 

1 

ti 

Cobs 

....  lb. 

0 

9 

1 

0 

Raspben-ies 

lb. 

0 

0 

0 

u 

Goose  berries 

. .  quart 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Strawberries 

, .  per  lb. 

0 

0 

0 

u 

Grapes,  Hothouse.. lb. 

.2 

0 

5 

0 

Walnuts.... 

...  bush. 

10 

u 

h> 

u 

....  100 

10 

0    16    0 

TEGET 

do 

LBLES. 

.   per  100 

i 

u 

2 

li 

fl. 

d. 

S. 

d 

s. 

a. 

s. 

d 

ArtichoJies  . . . 

. ..  doz. 

3 

01 

oB 

0 

Leeks  

..  bunch 

0 

4  too 

6 

Asparagus  ... 

100 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Lettuce 

per  score 

2 

0 

4 

U 

Beans,  Kidney 

li  sieve 

» 

0 

4 

0 

Mushrooms 

. . .  pottle 

^ 

0 

i> 

U 

Bset,  Red 

...  doz. 

a 

0 

8 

0 

Mustd.&  Cress,  punnet 

0 

2 

t) 

s 

broccoli 

bundle 

1 

n 

2 

0 

Onions per  bushel 

5 

u 

0 

u 

Brns.  Sprouts 

V,  sieve 

2 

0 

0 

0 

Parsley 

per  sieve 

3 

u 

4 

u 

Cabbage  

. ..  doz. 

1 

0 

2 

0 

Parsnips  . . . 

doz. 

U 

ti 

i 

u 

Capsicums... 

....100 

!i 

0 

0 

0 

Peas 

per  quart 

0 

0 

0 

u 

Carrots 

.  bunch 

0 

4 

u 

« 

Potatoes  . . . 

..  bushel 

4 

G 

6 

u 

Cauliflower  . . 

. . .  doz. 

0 

0 

u 

0 

Kidney 

do. 

4 

0 

7 

0 

Celery 

bundle 

1 

R 

2 

0 

Radishes  doz 

.  bunches 

1 

(i 

0 

l> 

Cucumbers... 

. . .  each 

n 

4 

1 

n 

Rhubarb . . . 

..  bundle 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 
0 

0 

a 

0 
0 

0 

n 

Sea-l:al6  ... 
Shallots  .... 

..  basket 
lb. 

0 
0 

0 
8 

u 

0 

0 

.  bunch 

1> 

lb. 

0 
0 

8 
R 

0 

n 

0 
0 

Spinach  ... 
Tomatoes... 

. .  bushel 
.  per  doz. 

2 
1 

u 

0 

■i 

2 

u 

Herbs  

.  bunch 

u 

Horseradish  . 

bundle 

8 

0 

6 

9 

Turnips  ... 

..  bunch 

u 

t> 

U 

u 

TRADE   CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 

Charles  Turner,  Eoyal  Nurseries,  Slough. —  Select  List  of 
Pelargoniums,  Auriculas,  Carnations,  Pinks,  Picotees,  Camellias, 
A-aleas,  cC'C, 

Godwin  &  Sons,  Ashbourne,  Derbyshire,  and  Edmonton, 
London. — Catalogue  of  Poses,  (.Cc. 

Julien  Monnier,  a  la  Pyramide,  prcs  Angers  (Maine-et-Loire). 
—  Wholesale  Priced  Catalogiie  of  Ornamental  Trees  and  Shmhs, 
Fruit  Trees,  (Cc,  1868-C!). 


TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 

N.B. — Many  questions   must  remain  unanswered  until  next 
week. 

OnoNTOGLossrsr  cRA^^>E.— In  the  last  Floral  Committee  Report,  it  is 
stated  that  an  Odontoglnssum  grando  from  the  Society's  gardens  with 
six  flowers  in  great  perfection,  received  a  certificate.  It  should  havo 
•been  with  sixty-two  flowers  in  great  perfection. 

Books  (E.  S.  S.  H,).—li  you  send  twenty  postage  stamps  with  your 


288 


JOUBNAL  OP  HOETICULTUEE  AND   COTTAGE  GAEDENER. 


[  October  15,  1888. 


address  and  order  Keane's  "  In-door  Gardening,"  yon  will  have  it  sent 
free  by  post.  It  contains  directions  for  the  colture  of  potted  plants 
onder  glass.  Yon  must  send  another  leaf  and  flower  in  a  bos.  The 
others  are  smashed.  (Ivy  Green).—"  The  Pine-Apple  Manual ;"  you  can 
have  it  free  by  post  from  our  office  if  you  enclose  thirty-two  postage 
.stamps. 

Tnonns  Ditng  aftee  Bceding  (C.  Ellis).— Vfe  are  quite  at  a  loss  to 
account  for  your  Thorns  dying  after  budding,  and  after  the  fresh  buds 
had  pushed  vigorously.  Perhaps  you  cut  awav  the  old  parts  of  the  trees 
rather  soon,  and  thisparalysed  root  action  ;  biit  that  could  scarcely  be  the 
case  when  the  fresh  buds  grew  so  vigorously. 

CccnMBER  FOR  WINTER  (A  SiJjscri^fr).— There  is  nothing  better  than 
the  old  Lord  Kenyon,  or  Sion  House,  or  some  of  its  smooth-skinned 
varieties.  Volunteer  is  a  very  good  kind,  a  little  longer,  but  not  so  long 
as  the  Telegi'aph  or  Manchester  lands.  We  would  say  Lord  Kenyon  or 
Sion  House.  Take  care  your  flue  does  not  become  too  hot,  or  allow  gases 
to  escape. 

Grapes  Shankikg  and  Red  (/.  JV.  i?.).— With  Vines  that  have  been 
bearing  forty  years,  it  wonld  not  be  advisable  to  raise  the  roots  and  re- 
plant, except  in  rare  cases.  We  think  that  as  the  Vines  are  healthy, 
faake  good  wood,  and  bear  well,  but  have  shanked  bunches,  we  should  be 
inclmed  to  try  what  raising  the  gi-avel  path  would  do,  placing  good  soil 
instead,  and  sinking  a  drain  in  front  deeper  than  the  bottom  of  the 
border,  using  fire  heat  now  to  harden  the  wood.  If  you  resolve  to 
make  a  fresh  border  and  raise  the  Vine  roots  and  replant,  we  wonld  re- 
commend a  concrete  bottom,  SO  inches  from  the  top,  and  the  bottom 
sloping  well  outwards,  a  drain  18  inches  deeper  in  front,  three  inch  drain 
tiles  laid  across  at  every  8  feet,  and  8  inches  of  open  rubble  round  and 
over  them.  Have  upright  pipes  communicating  with  the  cross  pipes 
and  open  rubble,  and  the  upright  pipes  furnished  with  plugs  to  aUow  hot 
fi''  iJ"''^"'"'"""'""''''*'"'  border  and  keep  cold  air  out.  But  for  having 
the  old  Vines  we  would  rather  plant  strong  young  Vines.  There  is  much 
labour  involved  in  taking  up  the  roots  of  old  Vines  carefally  and  keeping 
them  properly  wrapped  up  before  replanting. 

Pegging  Down  Roses— Stopping  Side  Shoots  (E.J'.  IT.).— "The  side 
shoots  from  the  strong  shoots,  stopped  six  weeks  ago,  may  be  left  till 
spring,  and  then  be  shortened  to  the  first  plump  eve  in  sound  wood.  The 
more  you  cut  a  strong-growing  Rose  the  stronger'and  more  blind  will  it 
become.  I  do  not  peg-down  Roses.  I  prefer  them  upright,  as  more 
manageable.  It  is  difficult  to  weed  beds  of  pegged-down  Rosea  ;  moreover, 
yon  cannot  go  among  them.  Whynot  try  growing  them  espaUer  fashion  ? 
A  lew  Roses  will  make  more  show  when  pegged-down  than  in  an  upright 
position.  Roses  that  do  not  break  well  at  the  eyes,  and  cast  their  flowers 
at  the  tops  of  the  shoots,  are  suited  to  pegging-down  and  to  espalier 
traming.— W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

EosEs  for  Contrast  (il.  R.).—"  These  as  standards  in  three  colom-s 
wonld  look  well :— Charles  Lefebvre,  Gloire  de  Dijon,  and  Senatenr 
Vaisse ;  or  Prmce  CamiUe  de  Rohan,  Celine  Forestier,  or  Triomphe  de 
Kcnnes,  and  Madame  Victor  Verdier.  For  white  vou  cannot  have  a  more 
excellent  and  beautiful  Rose  than  Baronne  de  Mavnard.  It  has  been 
covered  with  flowers  throughout  the  season,  and  without  intei-mission, 
and  IS  still  flowering  abundantly.  Comtesse  de  Chabrillaut,  Madame 
Vldot,  and  Madame  Rivers  do  best  as  dwarfs  on  the  Manetti  stock.  The 
last  two  are  the  most  beautiful  and  perfect  light  Roses  known,  but  very 
dehcate  and  difficult  to  keep  in  health.  Buy  Marguerite  de  St.  Amand 
and  Carohne  de  Sansal  instead  of  these.  Mario  Baumann  is  here,  but 
not  yet  proven.  Mr.  Keynes  speaks  very  highly  of  it.  Buy  Alfred  Colomb 
and  Antoine  Ducher  and  you  will  be  right.  Due  de  Cazes  or  Charles 
Lefebvre  would  make  an  excellent  climber  for  your  south-east  wall. 
Maance  Bernardin  is  a  most  superior  crunson  Rose.— W.  F.  Radcltffe." 
Forcing  Vines  and  Peach  Trees  for  Frciting  in  May  (Old  Sub.).— 
10  have  Grapes  ripe  in  May,  the  Vines  should  be  started  gently  in  the 
begmnmg  of  December.  If  now  in  full  leaf  shorten  the  shoots  and  keep 
the  border  rather  ib-y,  so  as  to  prune  in  November.  Peach  trees  to  pro- 
duce m  the  end  of  May  should  be  started  slowly  at  Christmas. 

Heathjo  a  Vinery  by  a  Stove  (W.  Mash).— It  is  impossible  by  any 
one  mode  to  obtain  all  advantages.  All  stoves  to  be  economical  must 
nave  rather  small  fireboxes,  and  therefore  want  frequent  attention,  and 
at  least  should  be  cleaned  out  every  morning  where  fuel  that  wiO  cake  or 
leave  a  clinker  is  used.  A  brick  stove,  30  inches  square  outside  measure, 
and  from  4p  to  48  mches  in  height,  with  a  firebox  12  inches  square,  and 
16  inches  deep,  would  keep  the  frost  out  of  a  house  20  feet  long  and 
10  feet  wide,  and  gently  force  the  Vines.  The  top  of  the  stove  had  better 
have  two  plates  .if  iron,  one  to  rest  on  the  bricks,  bedded  in  mortar,  and 
to  be  covered  with  sand,  leaving  a  ledge  of  brick  outside,  into  which  the 
plate  fits,  and  then  another  plate  all  over  with  a  sand  joint  between, 
lie  small  chimney  should  go  out  at  one  side,  6  inches  below  the  plate,  ex- 
tend 18  inches  horizontally,  and  then  pass  perpendicularly  throngh  the 
roof.  U  the  stove  is  placed  near  the  front  of  the  house,  the  fuel-feeding 
door  and  the  ashpit  door  might  be  outside.  If  it  is  necessary  to  feed  the 
stove  inside  of  the  house,  it  will  have  to  be  emptied  carefully  every 
mornmg,  damping  ashes,  &c.,  previously  to  prevent  dust.  Such  a  stove 
must  have  the  draught  regulated  by  the  ashpit  door,  which,  therefore, 
must  ht  closely,  but  we  did  not  expect  you  would  be  able  to  obtain  such 
doors  absolutely  air-tight,  nor  is  that  required.  With  all  improvements 
lor  heating  a  small  house,  there  is  no  plan  so  economical  as  a  brick  or 
even  an  iron  stove.  There  are  few  of  the  latter,  however,  that  would 
?'"i  f/°"  '°  'lispeuse  with  lighting,  as  tho  Are  space  is  not  large  enough 
to  hold  enough  of  fuel,  and  then  if  it  did  it  would  require  some  experi- 
ence so  to  manage  it  as  not  to  have  too  much  heat,  and  so  to  regulate  tho 
air  that  enough  be  given,  and  no  more,  to  secure  slow  combustion,  as,  if 
not  enough  reaches  the  fuel,  it  wiU  go  out  from  want  of  oxygen,  which  is 
as  necessary  to  keep  fuel  burning  as  to  enable  us  to  breathe.  If  the 
Ireedom  from  relighting  your  fire  cannot  be  secured,  then  we  would 
recommend  a  email  conical  boUer,  to  be  led  from  the  top,  and  only  the 
best  broken  coke,  or  the  best  coal  that  leaves  nothing  but  a  Uttle  ash, 
ttsed.  All  cakemg  coal  will  leave  clinkers.  Your  crop  of  Grapes  is  fair, 
oat  not  heavy.  To  have  larger  bunches,  you  had  better  begin  afresh 
next  season,  and  take  up  a  fresh  rod  from  each  Vine.  Give  that  rod  tho 
second  season  more  room,  and  take  fewer  bunches.  Yon  will  thus  have 
no  difficulty  m  obtaining  larger  bunches,  but  otherwise  you  will  have 
more  trouble.  It  will  also  be  ad-visable  to  allow  more  growth.  With 
Vines  spurred  2  feet  apart  up  the  roof,  we  have  no  hopes  that  you  will  do 
much  with  \  mes  against  the  back  wall.  It  would  be  better  to  have 
BDOlvea  there  for  various  plants  before  the  Vines  covered  the  roof. 


Hippophae  rhamnoides  {J.  S.  H.). — This  is  the  Sea  Bnckthom,  or 
Sallow  Thorn,  as  it  is  sometimes  called.  In  a  sandy  soil  and  sheltered 
situation  it  might  succeed  and  ripen  its  berries  in  the  midland  counties ; 
but  not  unless  care  be  taken  to  have  male  and  female  plants  growing  to- 
gether. The  female  flowers  are  produced  on  separate  bushes  from  those 
which  produce  the  male  flowers. 

Amaryllis  Belladonna  (H.  r.).— Your  Belladonna  Lilies  have  done 
very  well  indeed ;  but  we  have  seen  quite  as  good  specimens  when  the 
bulbs  were  well  established. 

Nectarine  Leaves  Unhealthy  (A.  S.  A.). — The  leaves  have  been 
attacked  with  red  spider,  and  we  think  thrips  has  also  been  present,  but 
we  are  not  sure.  If  many  of  the  leaves  are  green  they  might  be  well 
washed  with  soft-soap  water.  If  as  bad  as  the  specimens  sent,  we  would 
pull  them  all  off,  wash  the  part  of  the  tree,  the  wall,  &c.,  with  warm  soap- 
water— say  at  140  ,  and  when  dry  paint  the  wood  with  Gishurst  com- 
pound, or  clay  and  sulphur. 

Pears  of  Astringent  Flavour  (.-f  Suh^criber,  IVor/oR).— Many  va- 
rieties of  Pears  have  deteriorated  both  in  flavour  and  appearance  owing 
to  the  extreme  heat  and  dryness  of  the  summer  and  the  autumn.  This 
has  been  especially  noticed  on  sandy  soils  like  yours.  Such  deterioration 
would  have  been  prevented  by  mulching  the  surface  over  the  roots  and 
occasional  watering.  Some  varieties  will  endure  much  higher  tempera- 
tures than  others. 

Forcing  Roses  and  Strawberries  in  Cold  Pits  (A  Subscriber). — To 
keep  Roses  and  Strawberries  in  a  brick  cold  pit,  they  will  do  best  with 
I  just  enough  of  tree  leaves  to  plunge  them  in,  whilst  the  pots  rest  on  the 
hard  bottom.  If  you  wish  to  force  gradually,  then  a  bed  beneath  them  of 
fermenting  material  would  be  an  advantage,  and  it  does  not  in  the  least 
matter  whether  the  bed  is  of  sweetened  dung  below  and  leaves  above,  or 
all  leaves,  but  it  is  of  importance  that  the  heat  should  not  be  strong  at 
this  season,  not  above  70,  and  also  that  the  Strawberry  roots  should  not 
be  encouraged  to  run  through  the  hole  in  the  pot  into  the  leaves.  It 
would  be  well  to  move  the  pots  frequently,  or  set  the  pots  on  boards  and 
slates  when  plunging  them. 

Wintering  Bulbous  Plants  (I(lem).—The  Liliums  will  keep  very 
well  in  the  cold  pit,  and  will  need  no  water  in  winter  if  a  few  damp  leaves 
be  placed  over  the  surface  of  the  pit.  The  soil  should  not  be  wet, 
but  it  should  not  be  dust  dry.  They  would  keep  well  in  a  cellar,  or  under 
the  stage  iu  a  cool  gi-eenhouse,  before  they  begin  to  push,  when  they 
must  have  light  and  water,  and  fresh  surfacings  with  rich  soil.  The  bulbs 
of  the  Tropaolum  should  be  kept  dryish  before  they  begin  to  push.  It  is 
well  to  repot  them  when  in  a  dormant  state,  and  place  at  once  in  the 
flowering-pot,  and  water  as  the  roots  advance.  The  Vallota  purpurea 
will  not  need  much  water  in  winter,  but  it  should  not  be  dry,  and  the 
leaves  should  not  wither.    A  cool  greenhouse  will  suit  it  best. 

Insects  {J.  S.  E.,  IJortini?).— Your  "  red  daddy"  was,  doubtless,  Ophion 
luteum,  one  of  the  Ichneumonid;e  ;  all  the  females  of  which  family  are 
furnished  with  a  sting,  but  it  is  very  weak,  and  used  chiefly  for  depositing 
eggs,  and  very  rarely  as  an  instrument  of  defence. — W. 

Gardening  Catechism  {E.  S.  B.).— There  is  one  in  the  "  Finchley 
Manuals,"  but  it  only  relates  to  cottagers'  gardens ;  and  there  was  one 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Edwards,  but  we  believe  it  is  out  of  print,  and  only 
relates  to  vegetable  and  fruit  culture. 

Large  Sunflower  (0.  S.  Sound).— len  feet  ten  inches  is  a  very  great 
height  for  a  Sunflower ;  and  the  flowers  10  inches  in  diameter,  and  the 
leaves  22  inches  long,  are  large  in  proportion. 

Masters'  Troubles  {Nemo  a?td  Others). —  You  all  quite  mistake 
"  Maud."  all  her  banter  and  pokes  are  at  the  exceptional  characters. 
She  is  the  friend,  not  the  enemy  of  the  profession.  You  will  see  what 
she  says  ere  long  about  "  Gardeners'  Troubles." 

Address  (A.  Z.).— Messrs.  Betham  &  Blackith,  Cox  and  Hammond's 
Quay,  Lower  Thames  Street. 

Treatment  of  Rose  Cuttings  {Rose). — The  cuttings  put  in  six  or 
seven  weeks  ago,  and  how  struck,  may  be  potted-off  singly  into  small 
pots,  care  being  talien  not  to  injure  or  break  the  roots.  The  pots  should 
be  well  drained,  and  the  compost  may  consist  of  two-thirds  turfy  sandy 
loam,  and  one-third  leaf  mould,  or  old  well- decomposed  manure,  adding 
one-sixth  of  sharp  sand,  well  incorporating  the  whole.  After  giving  a 
gentle  watering  plunge  the  pots  to  the  rim  in  coal  ashes  in  a  cold  frame, 
and  put  on  the  lights,  keeping  them  rather  close  for  about  a  fortnight, 
and  then  well  hardening  off.  The  plants  cannot  have  too  much  air,  but 
protection  should  be  given  from  frost  and  heavy  rains  by  drawing  on  the 
lights,  and  in  severe  periods  the  protection  of  a  mat  or  other  covering 
should  be  afforded. 

Aralia  .taponica  Culture  [T.  C.).— It  is  a  deciduous  shrub,  and  re- 
quires to  have  the  stems  protected  by  a  liand  of  straw  and  hay,  wrapped 
round  them  from  the  ground  upwards.  Y'ou  may,  if  convenient,  take  up 
the  plant,  place  it  in  a  large  pot.  and  winter  it  in  a  cool  greenhouse.  In 
summer  the  plant*may  be  planted  out,  or  the  pot  plunged  in  the  ground, 
and  in  autumn  be  lifted.  In  this  way  it  would  give  you  greater  satisfac- 
tion, as  iu  cold  di.-tricts  it  is  liable  to  lose  its  side  branches  in  winter 
when  left  out  of  doors.  It  is  grow-n  for  its  foliage;  its  flowers  are  pro- 
duced iu  panicles,  and  are  greenish. 

Propagating  Magnolias  (Cornuf»ia).— As  propagation  by  layers  is  in- 
convenient, you  might  succeed  in  striking  cuttings  of  the^  ripened 
wood,  taking  "the  growing  points  after  they  become  firm,  cutting  them 
across  below  a  joint,  and  removing  the  leaf  from  that  and  the  joint  above. 
The  cuttings  should  be  inserted  in  pots  singly  in  sandy  loam,  and  with 
one  or  two  joints  in  the  soil,  and  tho  same  number  of  joints  above  it, 
the  surface  of  the  soil  being  covered  with  about  half  an  inch  of  sUver 
sand.  A  gentle  watering  should  be  given,  and  the  pots  plunged  to  the 
rim  in  taii  or  sawdust  over  a  hotbed  of  from  70  to  75  '.  11  in  a  house,  the 
,  cuttings  ought  to  be  covered  with  a  glazed  frame,  or  if  the  hotbed  is  in 
the  open  ground,  the  frame  should  be  kept  close  and  shaded  from  bright 
sun.  No  water  should  be  given  beyond  a  sprinkling  occasionally  to  keep 
the  soil  and  atmosphere  moist.  In  about  six  weeks  they  will  be  rooted. 
The  best  times  to  put  in  the  cuttings  are  September,  and  about  the 
beginning  of  April. 

Propagating  Laurels,  Privet,  and  Arbor-Vit.^  (An  Imrperienced 
Amateur). — Laurels  and  Privet  are  propagated  by  cuttings.  The  Laurel 
cuttings  should  have  been  put  in  some  time  ago,  the  end  of  September 
and  beginning  of  October  being  best,  but  they  will  yet  succeed.    The 


October  15,  1868.   1 


JOURNAL  OF    HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


289 


growth  of  the  current  yonr  BlionM  ho  tnken  with  a  joint  or  two  of  tho 
old  wood,  nnd  should  bo  cut  ficrosa  below  tho  lowet^t  joint,  nnd  tho  leavoH 
removed  half  wuy  up  tho  cuttinRs,  though  thtit  is  not  material.  They 
iiro  then  to  ho  iusertod  iu  ii  aholtorod  Hituiition,  making  a  trent^h  iis  for 
planting'  Box,  and  placing  tho  cultintja  agaiufit  tho  side  of  the  trench,  at 
about  3  inches  apart,  and  so  that  tlioy  will  ho  one-half  or  two-thirda  of 
thoir  Icngtti  in  tho  soil.  Tho  soil  in  then  to  ho  placed  against  thmi,  and 
la  to  be  uirtdo  Hrni.  Tho  next  row  may  then  ho  put  in  at  6  indues  distiiuco 
from  tho  hiwt,  and  so  on  to  tho  sixth  row,  when  2  feet  muHt  \w  allowed  for 
an  alley,  so  that  you  will  have  tho  cuttings  in  4-fcet  bodH,  and  six  rows  in 
a  bed,  witli  a  narrow  alley  of  1  foot  wide  between  the  beds.  Privet  cut- 
tings may  be  put  in  in  tho  same  way,  but  not  until  November,  aud  it  is 
not  necessary  to  take  them  oil  with  a  portion  of  old  wood  ;  they  should 
have  only  two  or  three  joints  above  the  soil,  fully  two-thirds  of  their 
length  being  covered.  The  shoots  should  ho  cut  into  lengths  of  it  or 
10  inches,  and  ought  all  to  be  of  uniform  length,  or  have  their  tops  cut 
oflf.  Arbor-Vitie  is  best  raised  from  seed,  but  cuttings  of  the  cuiTeut 
year's  growth  will  strike  if  inserted  in  sandy  soil  in  a  cold  franio.  Sep- 
tember is  a  good  time.  There  is  no  cheap  work  on  the  subject  you 
name. 

Strawberries  too  Dt.evly  Planted  (Idem),— you  may  now  take  up 
the  plants  with  good  balls  of  earth,  aud  plant  them  higher.  They  will 
not  be  injured  to  any  great  extent ;  indeed,  if  the  operation  be  carefully 
performed  it  will  not  interfere  with  next  year's  crop. 

Pine  Apple  Ctltcre  (7?.  F.  Wh>\ler).—Piuo  Apples  maybe  grown 
cheaply  and  to  pay,  hut  you  cannot  do  it  without  a  house  specially 
devoted  to  thorn,  and  we  fear  your  prejudice  against  tho  present  mode  of 
Pine-growing  will  deter  you  from  the  undertaking.  They  are  not  worth 
OTOwing  if  not  grown  well.  Small  inferior  Pines  are  not  worth  eating. 
Read  the  '*  Pine  Apple  Manual,"  which  you  can  have  post  free  from  our 
office  for  2s.  8rf. 

Sowing  Leucadendron  argentecm  Seed  [Amateur). —Tho  seeds  sent 
you  are  those  of  Leucadendron  argenteum,  tho  Silver  tree  of  South  Africa, 
an  evergreen.  The  seeds  should  be  sown  in  March  in  a  compost  of  sandy 
peat  ami  loam  in  pots  well  drained,  covering  with  soil  to  a  depth  equal 
to  the  diameter  of  the  seeds.  Give  a  gentle  watering,  and  plunge  the 
pots  in  a  hotbed  of  from  70°  to  75-^.  When  the  plants  are  a  few  inches 
high  they  should  be  gradually  hardeued-off.  and  removed  to  an  airy  green- 
house. When  the  pots  are  full  of  roots  the  plants  should  bo  shifted  into 
others  of  larger  size,  using  the  same  compost  as  before,  and  the  soil 
should  at  all  times  be  kept  sufficiently  moist.  The  plant  succeeds  well  in 
an  airy  greenhouse. 

Griffinia  hyacinthina  not  Flowering  (Jrfi  m).— We  can  only  account 
for  your  large  bulb  not  flowering  from  your  not  ripening-off  the  growth 
well,  and  the  size  of  pot  is  perhaps  too  great.    We  would  advise  you  not 


to  pot  tho  bulb,  but  to  lot  it  be  pot-hound,  still  keeping  tho  drainage 
clear,  and  removing  all  ofl'scts.  Kncourago  tho  plant  when  it  makes  new 
leaves,  by  plentiful  supplies  of  water  and  a  moist  atmosphere,  and  when  a 
good  growth  has  been  obtained,  aud  tlio  foliage  is  Arm,  place  tho  plant  on 
a  shelf  in  tho  stove,  and  in  tho  full  sun,  giving  no  more  water  than  enough 
to  keep  tho  leaves  from  flagging.  Hardly  any  water  will  bo  needed  from 
October  to  February  ;  indeed,  the  Imlb  can  hardly  ho  kept  too  dry.  Thia 
we  think  will  give  you  llowurs.    It  is  a  stove  plant. 

I'OTTiNa  LiLiOM  GKiANTEUM  (T'lriii).—ln  potting,  tho  bulbs  flhoold  he 
covered  to  the  nock  with  soil.  They  are  no  hotter  of  being  more  deeply 
buried,  nor  of  being  left  further  out  of  tho  soil. 

Lists  ov  Pears  (II.  J.  C). — For  pj/ramidji  in  North  Hants — Jargonelle, 
Doyeuui-  d'Ete,  Baronne  do  Mello,  UrbauiBte,  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey- 
Huyshe's  Victoria,  and  Forelle.  For  tho  U'i-nt.  wall — Louise  Bonne  of 
Jersey,  Bergamot,  Gansol's  Late,  Colmar  d'Etc,  Alexandre  Lambre, 
BeniTe  Superfin,  and  Thompson's.  For  south  wall — Uarie  Louise,  Fon* 
dante  d'Automnu,  Winter  Nelis,  Ecurr«'-  de  Uance,  Beurr6  Sterckmans, 
and  Gansol's  Borgamot.  For  east  wall — Thompson's,  lied  Doyenn6, 
Napolton,  Glou  Mori*eau,  Van  Mens  L6on  Le  Clorc,  and  Duchosae  d'An- 
gouh-me. 

Names  of  Fruits  (G.  H.  D.).— Your  Apples  are— 1,  Yorkshire  Green- 
ing; 2,  IJraddick's  Nonpareil  ;  S,  Autumn  Pearmain ;  4,  White  Nonpareil; 
f),  Nonpareil.  The  "g"  in  Margil  is  pronounced  soft.  (J.  D.,  Il/ord). — 
1,  Fall  Pippin;  2,  Beurrt-  Blanc  des  Capucins  ;  3,  Beurre  Bosc  ;  4,  Not 
known  ;  5,  Grand  Soleil ;  6,  Doyenne  Blanc.  (M.  C,  London).— Your  Pear 
is  Beurre  d'Amanlis.  (W.  H.  C.).— The  seedling  Apple  is  a  very  pretty 
aud  nicely-flavoured  fruit.  We  do  not  recognise  it  as  being  the  same  as 
any  known  variety.  {J.  Scott).— Tho  Apple  is  Cos's  Orange  Pippin,  and 
we  cannot  identify  the  Pear.  (Sovierset), — Your  Pear  is  evidently  the 
Marie  Louise. 

Names  of  Plants  (W.  L.).—1,  Crataegus  punctata;  2,  Crata;guB  pur- 
purea altaiea ;  3,  Carya  roicrocarpa.  (P.  D.  M.).— Rhamnus  latifolius, 
(M.  K.).— Mentha  rotundifolia  and  Aster  dumosus.  (E.  C.).— Cincinalis 
flavens,  or  Nothola-na  chrysophylla.  {A  Nnc  Subscriber). — 1,  Doodia 
caudata  ;  2,  Lastrea  Filix-mas  cristata ;  3,  Pteris  serrulata;  4,  Doodia 
lunulata  ;  5,  Asplenium  (Cyrtomium)  falcatum.  (Dhciijulits  Milneri). — 
Coha?a  8eandens  and  Aster  amelloides  (Agathoa  cselestis).  (C.  O.}.— Poly- 
stichum  angulare.  [C.  P.).— Nicotiana  uudulata,  (J.  C.).—\,  Acacia 
Drnmniondi;  2,  Genista  canariensis ;  3,  Cytisos  candicaos;  4,  Acacia 
armata.  (CcTiiHrion).— Phycella  llcrbertiana.  (J.  S.).~l,  Gymnogramma 
chrysophylla  variety,  very  beautifully  crested ;  2,  Lastrea  glabella? 
3,  Adiantum  tenerum  ;  4,  A.  capillus- Veneris.  (J.  C.  C.  S.).—l,  Asplenium 
auritum  ;  2,  Hypolepis  distans  ;  3,  Doodia  caudata ;  4,  Pelhea  falcata  ; 
5,  Aspleuium  adiantum  nigrum  ;  6,  Pteris  cretica  ;  7,  Trichomanes  pyxidi* 
ferum  ;  9,  Adiantum  formosum.    (M.  I*.).— Digitaria  sanguinalis. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  October  13th. 


Date. 

THEEMOMETER. 

Wind. 

Rain  in 
inches. 

OBNEB41,  REMiBKS. 

BABOUETEB. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Msz. 

Mm. 

Max. 

Min. 

1  ft.  dp. 

2  ft.  dp. 

Wed...    7 
Thais.    8 
Fri.  ..    9 
Sat.  ..  10 
San...  11 
Mon...  12 
Tnes. .  13 

Mean 

30.032 
30.108 
29.983 
29.991 
30.020 
30.053 
30.021 

29.901 
30.002 
29.906 
29.943 
29.937 
3,1.011 
30.010 

60 
61 
69 
63 
64 
69 
65 

28 
41 
37 
31 
34 
39 
36 

55 
64 
54 
54 
53 
53 
63 

55 
68 
53 
53 
58 
68 
63 

W. 
S.W. 

S. 
E. 
E. 
S.E. 
W. 

.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 

Clear  and  fine  ;  overcast ;  very  6ne  ;  fine,  clear. 
Fine ;  cloudy,  fine ;  overcast  but  fine  at  night. 
Overcast ;  cloudy  ;  fine,  cloudy  at  night. 
Slight  fog,  tine  ;  hazy  ;  fine,  rather  foggy. 
Heavy  fog  ;  clear  and  very  fine  :  tine,  foggy. 
Dense  fog  ;  very  fine,  mild  air;  foggy. 
Fine,  misty  heavy  dew ;  very  fine  ;  clear  and  fine. " 

30.030 

29.962 

64.48 

35.14 

63.43 

53.28 

•• 

0.00 

POULTIIY,  BEE,  and  HOTJSEHOLI)   CHRONICLE. 


POULTRY   AT  THE  YEARS  DECLINE. 

Shorter  days,  colder  nights,  and  damp  weather  call  for  the 
exercise  of  rather  more  attention  towards  our  poultry.  The 
quantity  of  food  may  be  increased,  and  as  the  night  is  now 
nearly  twelve  hours  long,  care  should  be  taken  to  give  food 
just  before  roosting,  and  as  soon  as  the  birds  are  out  in  the 
morning. 

Birds  that  have  roosted  out  of  doors  ever  since  they  were 
hatched,  must  now  be  brought  in  to  roost  in  a  house.  Where 
there  are  many  cocks,  the  young  ones  should  be  removed  and 
shut  up  by  themselves ;  or,  if  they  are  not  wanted  for  stock, 
they  should  be  fattened  and  killed. 

Where  space  and  conveniences  permit,  it  is  not  too  soon  to 
begin  thinking  of  the  breeding  pens,  and  while  they  are  being 
put  in  order,  scan  the  birds  narrowly  every  day  while  they 
are  feeding,  that  they  may  be  easily  recogriised  and  caught 
when  at  roost  at  night.  We  are  great  enemies  to  the  confusion 
and  injury  that  ensue  from  nmning  fowls  doum  when  they  are 
wanted. 

HOUDANS. 
I  HAVE  reared  an  average  of  nine  chicks  from  every  sitting  of 
thirteen  eggs  during  the  past  two  seasons.     Some  breeders 
would  call  this  good  luck,  but  iu  my  opinion  it  is  what  any 


person  by  the  commonest  attention  might  do  with  Houdans  in 
the  most  limited  space  for  rearing  chickens. 

I  reared  all  my  birds  in  a  sandy  yard  for  the  first  three  days, 
giving  chopped  egg  boiled  hard,  with  bread  crumb  and  lettuce, 
and  after  the  third  day  their  staple  food  was  middlings  and 
lettuce,  with  an  occasional  handful  of  shelled  oats.  With  thia 
food,  supplied  little  and  often,  the  birds  grew  with  wonderful 
rapidity,  and  an  aptitude  to  make  flesh  is  a  strong  argument 
iu  favour  of  the  breed  for  table  purposes.  Its  flesh  is  delicate, 
tender,  and  nutritious.  My  Houdans  hatched  iu  AprU  were  fit 
to  kill  a  month  before  Dorking  chickens  of  the  same  age  ;  but 
unlike  other  fowls,  the  hen  birds  are  the  most  rapid  of  growth, 
and  when  only  a  few  hours  old  m^y  be  distinguished  from  the 
cockerels  by  their  superior  vigour  and  larger  crests. 

As  layers  the  Houdans  will  hold  their  own  against  any  fowls 
with  which  I  am  acquainted  ;  their  eggs  are  large,  of  a  fine 
rich  flavour,  and  equal  iu  weight  to  those  laid  by  the  famous 
Spanish. 

The  Houdans  never  sit,  which  is  another  strong  argument 
iu  their  favour,  for  cooping,  aud  all  its  attendant  trouble,  are 
thus  saved,  and  these  birds  after  a  couple  of  days'  rest  recom- 
mence laying,  whereas  "  clacking  hens  "  are  the  pest  of  the 
amateur's  life. 

The  Houdan  is  gentle,  very  tame,  and  of  a  contented  stay-at- 
home  disposition  ;  not  at  all  a  dainty  feeder,  and  not  addicted 
to  scratching.  As  a  proof  that  fanciers  are  becoming  alive  to 
the  increasing  popularity  of  Houdans,  I  may  point  to  the  fact 
that  the  late  National  Poultry  Company  at  their  sale  obtained 
£8  10s.  for  their  prize  cock  and  hen,  which  was  the  highest 


290 


JOURNAL  OP  HOBTICULTURB   AND   COTTAGE   GABDENER, 


[  October  15,  1868. 


price  paid  for  any  two  birds  amongst  the  eight  hundred  sold. — 
C.  W.  Gedney,  Sfvenoaks,  Kent. 


CHELMSFORD  POULTKY  SHOAV. 

The  fonrtli  nnnnal  Exhibition  of  the  Chelmsford  and  Esses  Poultry 
and  Pigeon  Society  was  held  in  the  Chelmsford  Corn  Exchange  on 
the  6th  and  7th  iust ;  bnt  the  Committee,  which  is  one  of  the  best 
working  Committees  we  liave  met  with,  was  in  great  dilHculty  in  eon- 
sequence  of  the  nnavoiflahle  absence  of  Mr.  Hewitt,  who  had  promised 
to  act  as  judge  of  poultry.  Hearing,  however,  that  Mr.  W.  B.  Jeffries, 
of  Ipswich,  was  in  the  town,  no  time  was  lost  in  waiting  upon  him, 
explaining  the  difficulty,  and  suggesting  that  he  might  withdraw  his 
entries  and  jndge  in  place  of  Mr.  Hewitt,  in  connection  with  Mr. 
Tegetmeier,  This  request  he  kindly  acceded  to,  although  it  was  very 
evident  he  was  exhibiting  by  far  the  best  Black  Red  Game  Bantams 
in  the  Show.  Three  hundred  and  eighty-three  entries,  an  increase 
of  fifty-nine  on  last  year,  bore  testimony  to  the  growing  popularity  of 
the  Show  ;  and  never  had  the  quality  of  the  birds  on  the  whole  been 
better. 

Light  Bralimas  were  in  the  ascendancy ;  there  were  twenty-one  pens. 
The  selling  class  was  well  filled,  and  contained  some  excellent  birds, 
which  were  very  soon  claimed. 


{Froni  a  Correspondent.) 
The  classes  were  confined  to  chickens,  and  the  pensconsisted  of  one 
bird  for  cockerels  and  two  for  pallets  in  separate  entries. 

The  Darh'nffs  struck  me  as  being  somewhat  small.  A  fine  bird  of 
Dr.  Campbell's  was  passed  without  notice,  and  I  was  not  struck  with 
the  stiaightness  of  the  tail  of  Mr.  Parlett's  first-prize  coloured 
Dorking.  The  (/nync  classes  were  good  ;  but  doubtless,  lilie  other 
parts  of  the  Show,  they  would  have  been  better  tilled  if  Manchester 
had  held  its  Show  at  the  usual  time.  A  Brown  Bed  chicken  belonging 
to  the  Rev.  F.  Watson  was  a  promising  bird.  Cochins^  generally 
neither  numerous  nor  good  at  this  Show,  were  in  fuller  force  than 
nsnal,  and  of  better  quality.  The  Spanish  classes  contained  some 
good  hu'ds.  Brahmas^  both  Light  and  Dark,  were  in  gi*eat  force,  and 
good,  particularly  the  cook  birds.  Amongst  the  Uamhurghs  were  some 
fine  birds,  particularly  Mr.  Pittis's  first-prize  pnllets.  The  French 
fowls  were  numerous,  particularly  the  Ilondans,  which  were  very  good. 
Mr.  J.  K.  Fowler  exhibited  a  handsome  bird  *'  The  Nigger,"  which 
obtained  the  first  prize  in  the  "  Any  other  variety  "  class.  It  had  no 
xelationship  to  the  Negro  fowl,  but  aj^peared  to  he  the  body  of  a 
Japanese  Silky  enveloped  in  the  feathers  of  a  Frizzled  fowl. 

There  were  many  entries  of  Game  Bantams  containing  some  fine 
birds,  particularly  Mr.  Entwisle's  thii*d-prize  Black  Red,  and  Miss 
Marriage's  Red  Piles.  A  Golden  Sebright  cockerel,  rich  in  colour  and 
distinct  in  lacing,  dcsei'vedly  obtained  the  first  prize  in  the  class  for  Any 
other  variety  of  Bantams.  The  Selling  classes  on  the  whole,  were 
remarkably  good. 

Pifjeons  numbered  sixty-seven  pens,  and  formed  a  very  good  show, 
although  many  of  them  were  not  in  feather. 

One  of  the  leading  features  of  this  show,  and  one  which  has  been 
recommended  so  strongly  by  the  Food  Committee  of  the  Society  of 
Arts,  is  the  classes  for  the  best  pair  of  dead  chickens  or  Ducks,  trussed 
as  by  poulterers,  but  not  drawn.  In  these  Mr.  Dowsett's  cross  with  the 
Brahma  Pootra  and  the  Dorking,  twenty-two  weeks  old,  weighing 
16  lbs.  I'lozs.,  and  another  of  the  same  ago  weighing  16  lbs.  9  ozs.,  had 
respectively  the  first  and  second  prizes.  In  Ducks,  the  first-prize  pair, 
twenty-one  weeks  old,  weighed  11  lbs.  7  ozs. ;  the  second,  fourteen 
weeks  old,  weighed  10  lbs.  13  ozs. 
The  following  is  the  prize  list : — 

Dorkings  (Coloured).— Cocfcere!?. — First,  P.  Parlett,  Great  B.iddow. 
Second,  C.  Tamer,  Great  Baddow.  Third,  D.  C.  Campbell,  Brentwood. 
Highly  Commended,  O.  E.  Cresswell,Hanworth.  Pullets. — First,  Viscount 
Turnour,  Sbillinglee.    Second,  F.  Parlett.    Third,  D.  C.  Campbell. 

I)oHKiNGs  (Any  other  variety). — Cocl-creh. — First,  D.  C.  Campbell 
(White).  Second,  O.  E.CresswcU.  Higblv  Commended,  I.  Perry,  Spring- 
field (White).  Pm/^c^s.— First.  O.E.Cresswell  Second.  C.Turner  (Grey). 
Game  (Black-breasted  and  other  Reds). — Cockerels. — Fii'st,  Rev.  F. 
Watson,  Met^siug.  Second.  F.  R.  Hall,  Cambridge.  Third,  H.  Loe, 
Appnldurcombe.  Pullets.— FhsU  S.  Matthew,  Stowmarket.  Second,  F. 
R.  Hall.  Third,  H.  Loe.  Highly  Commended,  te.  Matthew;  D.  Lane, 
Great  Barr;  H.  Loe. 

Gasee  (Any  other  variety). — Cockerels. — First,  T.  Dyson,  Halifax.  Se- 
cond, R.  B.  Riley,  Oveuden  (Duckwing).  Third,  Rev.  F.  Watson  (Pile). 
Highly  Commended,  W.  Gray,  Margaretting  (Duckwing).  Commended, 
W.Dale,  Weston-super-Mare  (Pile).  Pullets.— First,  S.  Matthew  (Duck- 
wlngs).     Second,  W.  Gray  (Duckwing).    Third,  Rev.  F.  Watson  (Pile). 

CocHnr-CHTNA  (Buff).— Cocfc^rcJ^.— First,  H.  L.  Ricketts,  Banwell.  Se- 
cond, F.  W.  Rust,  Hastings.  Third,  C.  Sidgwick,  Ryddlesden.  Pullets.— 
First,  C.  Sidgwick.    Second,  F.  W.  Rust.Third,  A.  Barker,  Ruswell. 

Cochin-China  (Any  othervariety).—Cocfcercls.— First  and  Third,  H. 
Lingwood,  Bucklesbam  (Partridge).  Second,  J.  K.  Fowler,  Aylesbury 
(Partridge).  Pullets.— Fimt  and  Second,  J.  R.  Rodbard,  Wringtou 
(Partridge).    Third.  D.  Lane  (White). 

Spanish.— CocAt'it(s.—Kirst,  P.  H.  Jones,  Fulham.  Second.  J,  Walker, 
Wolverhampton.  Third,  F.  Waller,  Wood  Green.  Pullets.— Fiist,  P.  H. 
Jones.    Second.  F.  Waller.    Third,  H.  Lingwood. 

Brahma  Pootra  (Dark'. — CoekcreU.— First,  Second,  and  Highly  Com- 
mended, Mrs.  BuiTell,  Stoke  Park,  Ipswich.  Third,  H.  P.  Leech,  Woolpit. 
Pullets.— First,  J.  K.  Fowler.  Second,  H.  P.  Leech.  Third,  J.  TindiiU, 
Islington. 


Ehahma  Pootra  (Light).— Coc/jcn'i». — First  and  Second,  H.  M.Maynard, 
Holmewood,  Ryde.  Third,  J.  Pares,  Postford.  Highly  Commended,  H. 
Dnwsctt,  Pleshey.  Commended,  F.  Crook,  Forest  Hill.  Pullets.— F'itbU 
P.  Crowley,  Culverton  House,  Alton.  Second,  S-  Felgate,  Ipswich.  Third, 
H.  JI.  Mayuard.  Highly  Commended,  F.  Crook.  Commended,  H.  Dowseti  ; 
D.  Causer.  Erdington,  Birmingham. 

HA3IBLRGHS  (Gold  or  Silver-i)ciicilled).—CocA"frc/5.— First,  F.  Pittis.  }an., 
Newport,  Isle  of  Wight  Second,  W.  K.  Tickner.  Ipswich.  Third, 
Viscountess  Maiden,  Marden  Hill,  Hertford.  Pu^^^-^s.— First,  F.  Pittis, 
jun.    Second,  Viscountess  Maiden.    Third,  W.  K.  Tickner. 

Hamburghs  (Gold  or  Silver-apangled).- Coct^^reZs. — First,  J.  Laming, 
Cowhurn.  Second,  H.  Loe.  Third.  Rev.  F.  Tearle,  Gazeley  Vicarage, 
Newmarket.  Pullet^.— First,  H.  Loe.  Second,  Rev.  F.  Tearle.  Third,  J. 
P.  Loversidge,  Newark-on-Trent. 

French  Varieties. — Cockerels. — First,  Col.  Stuart  Wortley,  London. 
Second,  Lady  L.  Cbarteris,  Attleborongh.  Third,  H.  31.  Maynard. 
Higlily  Commended,  J.  K.  Fowler.  Puiht<. — First,  Lady  L.  Charteris. 
Second,  J.  K.  Fowler.    Third,  J.  Lee,  Romford. 

Any  other  Distinct  Variety.- Coc/:* rcJ^. — First,  J.  K.  Fowler  (Nigger). 
Second,  F.  Pittis,  jun.  (Audalusian).  Pullets. — First,  J.  K.  Fowler 
(Jap:mese  Silldes).    Second.  F.  Pittis.  jun  (Andalusianl. 

Gaiie  B.i;:ta3is  (Any  variety).— roffrfrc^^.—Fir-st,  W.  Adams,  Ipswidh. 
Second,  Miss  Marriage,  Moulsham  Lodge.  Third,  W.  F.  Entwisle  (Black 
Red).  Highly  Commended,  W.  Dale,  Weston-super-Mare  (Black  Red). 
Pullets. -First,  Rev.  E.  S.  Tiddeman.  Second.  Miss  Marriage  (Duck- 
wing).   Third.  H,  &  S.  Cooper,  Walsall  (Duckwing). 

Bantams  (^.ny  other  variety  except  Game). — €ocJ:erels. — First,  G. 
Manning,  Si^rmgfield  (Sebrightsl.  Second,  H.  M.  Maynnrd  (Black). 
Commended.  Rev.  F.  Tearle.  P  nil  ft  !<. —First,  E.  Cambridge,  Bristol 
(Black).  Second.  T.  C.  Harrison,  Hull.  Highly  Commended,  H.  M. 
Maynard  (Black);  S.  A,  Wyllie,  East  Moulsey  (Japanese).  Commended, 
Rev.  F.  Tenrle. 

Docks  (Rouen).— First,  Rev.  G.  Gilbert,  Claxton.  Second,  D.  Lane. 
Third,  H.  Dowsett.  Highly  Commended,  F.  Parlett.  Commended,  A.. 
Hutley,  Terling. 

Ducks    (Aylesbury). — First   and   Third,   J.  K.  Fowler.      Second,  E, 
Lawrence,  South  Weald. 
Ducks  (Any  other  variety). — Prize,  F.  Pittis.  jun.  (East  Indifln). 
Geese.— First,  J.  K.  Fowler.    Second,  S.  H.  wtott,  Rochdale.    Thirdi 
Mrs.  E.  Goodliffe  (Toulouse).    Highly  Commended,  Lady  L.  Charteris, 

TuRKKTS. — First,  C  Carter,  Billeri-^ay.  Second,  Mrs.  Mavhow,  Galley- 
wood.  Hall.  Third,  H.  H.  Tippler,  Roxwell.  Highly  Commended,  3.  H- 
Sti)tt ;  R.  Pigott,  South  Weald  ;  G.  R.  Pearson,  Witham  Common. 

Selling  Classes  (Any  variety). — Cockerfls. — First,  H.  M.  Mtiynard.  Se- 
cond, Rev.  F.  Watson  (Game).  Commended,  D.  C.  Campbell  (Coloured 
Dorians):  Rev.  E.  S.  Tiddeman  (Game  Bantam);  J.  Walker  (Spanish); 
Viscount  Turnour  (Dorking);  W.  Tippler  (Houdfin) ;  Lady  L.  Charteris 
(Houdan).  Pullets.— First,  J.  R.  Rodbard  (Partridge  Cochins).  Second, 
D.  C.  Campbell  (Coloured  Dorking).  Ducks.— First.  J.  Thompson,  Writtle. 
Second,  F.  Parlett.  Highly  Commended,  A.  Hutley ;  H.  Dowsett.  Com- 
mended, Mrs.  E.  Goodliffe. 

PIGEONS. 
Carriers.— First  and  Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton,  Deptford.    Se- 
cond. H.  M.  Maynard.    Commended,  L.  Wren,  Lowestoft. 
Pouters. — First,  P.  H.  Jones.    Second,  R.  Fulton. 
Tu:in5LERS. — First,  R.  Fulton.     Second,  P.  H.  Jones. 
Jacobins.— First,  H.  M.  Maynard.    Second.  H.  Yardley,  Birmingham. 
Fantails.— First,  H.  Yardley.      Second,  P.  H.  Jones.    Highly  Com- 
mended, S.  A.  Wyllie:  J.  Lufkin.Famham.    Commended,  H.M.  Maynard. 
Barbs.— First,  H.  M.  Maynard.    Second,  P.  H.  Jones.    Highly  Com- 
mended, P.  H.  Jones  ;  R.  Fulton.     Commended,  H.  Yardley. 
Teciipeters-— First,  H.  Yardley.    Second,  E.  Sheeroian,  Chelmsford. 
Any  other  VARIETY.—First  and  Second,  P.  H.  Jones.    Highly  Com- 
mended, H.  M.  Maynard  (.Vrchangels)    ;   H.  Yardley.    Commended,  H. 
Yardley. 

Judges.— Mr.  W.  B.  Tegetmeier,  of  MuswellHill,  and  Mr.  Jeffries, 
of  Ipswich. 

STAVELEY  POULTRY  SHOW. 

The  show  of  poultry  held  at  Staveley,  on  the  29th  of  September, 
consisted  of  upwards  of  two  hundred  pens,  and,  had  the  weather  been 
favourable,  would,  no  doubt,  have  been  a  complete  success.  Messrs. 
Chaloner,  Jarvis,  and  Beldon  were  the  principal  winners,  exhibiting 
really  first-class  bii-ds  in  their  several  classes. 

The  following  is  the  prize  list : — 

Spanish.— First,  E.  Brown,  Sheffield.  Second,  J.  Thresh,  :^Ianchester. 
Highly  Commended,  Burch  &  Boulter,  Sheffield.  Commended,  T.  Rogers, 
WalsaU. 

Dorkings.— First,  Mrs.  Arkwright,  Etwall  Hall.  Second,  Mrs.  Hurt, 
Alderwasley.    Highly  Commended,  C.  Chaloner,  Worksop. 

Hamburghs  (Golden-spangled).— First,  H.  Beldon,  Bingley.  Secoiid, 
T.  Hanson,  Thwaites  Bank.    Highly  Commended,  T.  Mason,  Walsall. 

Hasiburghs  (Silver-spangled).- Fir^t,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  C.  Outram, 
Sheffield.    Highly  Commender;,  Eurch  &  Boulter. 

Hasiburghs  (Golden-pencilled).— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  Burch  ana 
Boulter. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-pencilled).— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  W.Bairstow, 
Fearnchff,  Bineley.     Highly  Commended,  T.  Hanson. 

Any  other  Variety.— First  H.  Beldon.  Second.  B.  Jarvis,  Mansfield. 
Extra  Second,  W.  H.  Tomhnson,  Newark.  Highly  Commended,  W.  H. 
Tomlinson. 

Game  (Black  and  Other  Reds).~First  and  Cup,  C.  Chaloner.  Second, 
B.  Jarvis.    Highly  Commended.  H.  Warner,  Loughborough. 

Ga:iie  (Any  other  variety). — First,  C.  Chaloner.  Second,  R.  Butcher, 
Cri^sswell.    "Highly  Commended.  Miss  E.  Crawford,  Farnstield. 

Gasie  Bantasis' (Black  or  other  Reds).- First,  C.  Chaloner.  Second, 
W.  Adams,  Ipswich. 

Game  Bantams  (Any  other  variety).— First.  T.  Evinson,  Chesterfield. 
Second,  Mason  &  Charlesworth,  Chesterfield. 

Ducks.— First,  F.  E.  Richardson,  Uttoseter.  Second,  R.  Hepplewhite, 
Staveley.  ,   , 

Geese.— First,  C.  Chalouer.  Second,  B.  Jarvis.  Highly  Commendea, 
J.  Crofts,  Staveley. 


October  15,  1868.  ] 


JOUBNAL   OF  HORTICULTUBE  AND   COTTAGE  GABDENEK. 


291 


SiNaLB  Game  Cook.— First  jind  Cup,  B.  Jarvis.  Second,  C.  Chalouer. 
Highly  Couimeudod,  J.  Fresh,  Chat-^wurth. 

Single  Gamr  IIantam  Cock.— Fir^t  and  Cup,  C.  Chnlonor.  Second, 
Mason  A  Cburlos worth,  Chostorfield.  Highly  Commended,  Miss  E. 
Crawford,  FanisliLihi. 

Selling  Clahs.— Fh-at,  B.  Jarvis.  Second,  H.  Beldou.  Highly  Com- 
mended, r.  Hanson.    Cummeuded,  W.  O.  Quiball,  Newark. 

Farmyard.— Fii-st,  H.  Boldou.  Second,  B.  Jarvis.  Higliiy  Commended, 
B.  Jarvis. 

The  prize  for  tlio  winner  of  the  largest  number  of  i)rizes  was  taken 
by  Mr.  H.  Bcldon,  GoiLstock.  Bingloy. 

The  Juili^us  wore  Mr.  J.  Croshiud,  jun.,  Wakefield,  and  Mr.  E. 
Ayki'oyd,  Bradford. 

ELLESMERE  POULTEY   SHOW.      "^ ' 

The  entries  for  this  Show,  licld  on  the  Stb  iu^t.,  provedmoro 
numerous  than  in  previous  joars,  and  in  the  qnality  of  tlio  specimens 
there  was  a  great  improvement.  The  arrangements  were  good,  a  very 
commodious  tent  affording  ample  room  to  exhibit  every  pen  to  equal 
advantage.  The  day  was  one  of  those  fair  autumnal  ones,  so  enjoyable 
for  any  Exhibition  of  this  character,  and  the  number  of  visitors  was 
beyond  the  anticipations  of  the  Committee. 

Except  in  "the  Selling  Chiss,"  every  competition  was  coutined 
exclnsivcly  to  birds  of  the  current  year.  Of  Game  fowls,  the  display 
was  nuusually  good,  the  whole  being  birds  of  high  character,  and  shown 
very  true  to  feather,  though  only  a  few  years  ago  Game  fowls  wore 
shown  at  the  KUesmero  Meeting  exclusively  for  their  value  as  iighting 
bii'ds,  theii"  only  requirement  at  that  time  in  the  district,  and  without 
the  slightest  regard  to  uniformity  of  plumage.  Now,  on  the  contrary, 
the  show  of  Game  fowls  evidences  a  most  careful  selection,  and  it  is 
generally  snpposed  not  a  few  of  the  EUesmere  Game  winners  will 
figure  highly  in  tho  prize  lists  of  other  exhibitions. 

The  entry  of  Jhrk'nujs  was  exceedingly  limited,  and  the  Cochiiis, 
thongh  few  in  number,  were  most  of  them  of  first-rate  character. 
Many  very  good  UamlmrgJis  were  shown,  and  a  few  pens  of  the  rohuuh 
were  really  excellent.  Tlie  Brahmasviaxe  as  good  as  could  be  desired, 
the  Hon.  Miss  Douglas  Pennant  showing  such  a  pen  as  will  be  diilicnlt 
to  beat  at  any  show.  In  the  selling  class  a  pen  of  vei-y  superior  Par- 
tridge Cochins  took  the  first  prize,  entered  at  the  unusually  low  figure 
of  10s.  ;  the  three  birds,  of  course,  at  such  a  price  were  gone  directly. 
In  the  class  for  ''■  Any  other  distinct  variety"  Siher-s/xnif/Ied  PoInn(/,'< 
stood  first,  and  Orrve-Ca'iirs  second.  A  pen  of  most  excellent  fowls 
arrived  for  this  class  a  considerable  time  after  the  prizes  were  awarded, 
a.8  did  some  five  or  six  other  pens,  leaving  them  entii-ely  out  of  com- 
petition, equally  to  the  annoyance  of  their  owners  and  the  Judge.  It 
is  very  injudicious  to  entrust  exhibition  poultry  to  the  last  available 
train,  as  any  little  hitch  on  the  line,  or  detention  at  the  terminus,  in- 
evitably places  them  out  of  all  chance  of  winning  ;  whereas,  if  sent  by 
a  previous  train,  a  similar  delay  of  an  hour  or  two  admits,  possibly,  of 
being  amended.  The  class  for  cottagers  proved  quite  a  failure,  and 
will  in  future  be  discontinued. 

Game  (Black-breasted  Red).— Firsj,  and  Second,  —  Wilcox,  Oswestry. 
jCommended,  E.  Sadier,  Whitchurch. 

Game  (Brown-breasted  lied). — Second,  E.  Shaw,  Plas  "Wilmot. 
Game  (Duckwing  Greys,  White,  and  Piles). — First   and  Second,  E. 
Sadler.    Commeuded,  J.  Little,  Chester;  H.  Crutcbloe,  Oswestry. 

Dorkings. —  First,  E.  Shaw  (GreyJ.  Second,  E.  Williams,  Henllys 
(White  Rose-combed). 

Cochin-china.— First  and  Second,  E.  Tudman,  Whitchnrcb  (Partridge). 
Commended,  G.  Lamb,  Corapton  (Partridge). 

Cochin-China  (White  or  Buff).— First.  R.  Chase,  Balsall  Heath,  Bir- 
mingham (Wliite).     Second.  II.  Yardlev,  Birmingham  (Bull"). 

Spanish. —  First,  J.  Walker,  Woiverhampton  (Black).  Second,  H. 
Beldon,  Goitstock  (Black).  Highly  Commended,  W.  B.  Etches,  Wood- 
honse,  Whitchurch;  H.  &  S.  Cooper,  Walsall  (Black). 

Hambcrghs  (Silver  or  Gold-pencilledl. —First,  H.  Beldon  (Pencilled). 
Second,  J.  K.  Jessop,  Hull  (Golden-pencilled). 

Hambcrghs  (Silver  or  Gold-spaugled), —First,  T.  Blakoman,  Tattenhall, 
■Wolverhampton  (Gold-BpauKled).  Second,  Ashton  &  Booth,  Moltram 
(Snver-spangled).  Highly  Commended,  T.  May,  Wolverhampton  (Gold- 
Spangled)  ;  J.  Cooke,  NewMarton  (Silver-spanftled). 

Brahma-Pootra.— First.  Hon.  E.  D.  Pennant,  Penrbyn  Castle  (Dark). 
Second,  L.  P.  Biddulph,  Congleton.  Highly  Commended,  Hon.  E.  D. 
Pennant  (Dark).  Commended.  C.  Layland,  Morrisbrook,  Warrington;  E. 
Leech,  Rochdale  ;  W.  B.  Etches  (Dark) ;  J.  Little,  Chester. 

Any  other  Distinct  Vakietv. — First,  H.  Beldon  (Polands).  Second, 
E.  Williams  (Creve-C<xurfi).  Hiehly  Commended,  C.  Layland  (Freuch) ; 
Rev.  A.  Brooke.  Ruyton-XI.- Towns  (Malay);  J.  M.  Kilvert,  Ludlow 
(Black  Hamburgh). 

Game  Bantams. — First,  A.  Bury,  Wrexham  (Black  Red).  Second,  W. 
Griffiths,  Nantwich  (Black  Red;.  Higbly  Commended,  J.  Adidns,  jun., 
Walsall. 

Bantams  (Any  other  variety).— First,  S.  &  E.  Ashton.    Second,  T.  C. 
Harrison. 
Turkeys.- First,  E.  Leech,  Rochdale.    Second,  S.  H.  Stott,  Rochdale. 
Geese.— Prize,  S.  H.  Stott. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury).- First,  S.  H.  Stott.    Second.  E.  Leecb. 
Ducks  (Rouen).— First,  E.  Loech.    Second.  S.  H.  Stott. 
Selling  Classes.— First.  E.  Tudman  (Partridge  Cochins).    Second, 
W.  B.  Etches  (Black  Spanish).    Third,  H.  Yardley.    Highly  Commended, 
H.  Crutcbloe.  Oswestry  (Black-breasted    Game').      Commended,  J.    M. 
Kilvert  (Black  East  Indian  Ducklings) ;  W.  B.  Etches  (Golden-pencilled 
Hambur^bs)  :  R.  G.  Jebb,  EUesmere  (Turkeys) ;  H.  Beldon;  A.  E.  Evans, 
.(Patagouiau  Ducks) ;  E.  Sbaw  (Aylesburj-)." 
LOCAL  CLASSES. 
Gasie  (B lack-breast cdl.— First  and  Commended,  H.  Crutcbloe.    Second 
and  Highly  Commended,  —  Wilcox. 


Game  Pullets  (Anv  colour).— First.  —  Wilcox  {Black- breasted).  Se- 
cond. H.  Crutcbloe  (Black-breasted  Rod).  Commended,  R.  G.  Jebb 
(Bliu-k-breastedRed). 

DoitKi  Nos. — First  and  Second,  E.  Sliaw  (Grey). 

AMATErns'  VRizr.H.—  Otimr  Cock  (Anv  colour).— First,  —  Wilcx  (Black- 
breasted  Red).  Second,  K.  Sliaw  (Black-breasted  Red).  Commtoudcd,  — 
Wili-ox  (Black-breasted  Red). 

Cottagers*  Prizes.— ^Ift.r/  Di'^tinct  JJreed.— First,  Withheld.  Second, 
J.  Kecles,  Oswestry  (BnOT  Cochins), 

Extra. — Commended,  P.  Cooke,  New  Marton  (Peacock). 

I'Jtlward  Hewitt,  Esq.,  of  Sparkbroolc,  Birmingham,  was  the  Judge. 


CHIIISTCHUIICH  POULTRY  SHOW,  CANTER- 
BURY,  NEW   ZEALAND. 

TiiK  first  exhibition  of  poultry  under  tlio  auspices  of  tho  newly 
formed  Association  took  place  August  Isl  iu  tlie  New  Town  Hall, 
opening  at  10  a.m.  Tho  number  of  entries  was  about  KU),  and  com- 
prised not  only  a  largo  number,  and  variety  of  fowls,  but  many  of 
superior  merit ;  indeed,  I  may  state  they  were  (juite  equal  to  any  I  ever 
saw  for  sale  at  Stevens's,  King  Street,  Oovent  Garden,  a  few  years  ago. 
All  the  arrangements  had  been  carefully  made,  and  the  patronage  of 
farmers  and  poultry  fanciers  on  this  occasion  fairly  claimed.  Various 
prizes  were  offered,  and  a  gold  medal,  value  £5,  was  given  by  Mr.  W. 
Wilson,  nurseryman  of  this  place,  to  the  winner  of  the  greatest  number 
of  prizes  for  poultry.  From  what  1  saw  and  judge  for  myself,  I  think 
the  medal  will  fall  probably  into  tho  hands  of  either  Mr.  J.  Williams 
or  Mr.  A.  M.  Johnson,  Curator,  Acclimatisation  Society.  This  gold 
medal  has  for  some  time  boon  looked  forward  to  with  considerable 
interest  by  breeders,  and  the  large  attendance  of  visitors  is  a  proof  that 
the  efforts  of  the  Association  are  appreciated. 

The  experiment  of  holding  a  poultry  show  is  quite  new  in  Christ- 
church.  I  am  informed  that  the  number  of  available  gentlemen  com- 
petent to  undertake  the  duties  of  judges  was  so  limited  as  to  greatly 
embarras  the  management.  This  will  account  for  a  great  deal  of  the 
grumbling  which  I  heard,  by  exhibitors  about  their  exhibits  not  being 
dealt  fairly  with  by  the  censors.  Possibly  there  may  be  some  errors  in 
judgment ;  however,  being  the  first  show  they  ought  to  be  passed  over  ; 
we  must  allow  for  these  shortcomings. 

I  must  not  forget  to  mention  the  fine  pen  of  Aylesbury  Duels.  This 
part  of  the  world  seems  to  suit  them  ;  plenty  of  water-cresses,  and 
whitebait  for  them  when  in  season. 

The  exhibits  of  all  sorts  were  exceptionally  good,  sufficiently  so  to 
have  done  credit,  as  already  stated,  to  countij  shows  at  home,  and  older 
iu  competitions  of  the  kind  than  Canterbury.  The  lots  were  required 
to  be  marked  with  their  selling  prices  ;  a  great  number  of  the  distinct 
breeds  were  sold  at  a  very  high  price  ;  in  one  or  two  instances  a  reason- 
able price  being  asked  on  the  ticket,  these  birds  of  course  were  readily 
bought.  Many  persons,  as  well  as  myself,  were  not  aware  before 
to-day  that  the  i'ancy  of  breeding  poultry  was  carried  on  to  such  an  extent 
here.  It  would  not  be  a  bad  idea,  if  it  were  carried  out,  for  the 
Acclimatisation  Society  and  Poultry  Association  to  amalgamate  in 
Canterbury.  We  learn  from  the  latest  census  taken,  that  Cauterbul'y 
is  already  at  the  head  of  the  list  as  regards  the  number  of  poultry 
bred  in  the  provinces  of  New  Zealand.  According  to  the  returns, 
this  province  possesses  lCi..SSi  head  of  poultry  ;  Otago,  118, 012  ; 
Auckland,  115,'2'22,  and  so  on  ;  Taranaki  or  New  Plymouth,  13,807. 

Subjoined  is  the  prize  list ;  the  closeness  of  the  contest  in  some 
of  the  classes  will  be  seen. 

Dorkings  (Silver-Grey).— Prize,  Potts. 

DoEKTNGS  (Coloured).— First.  Rondo.    Second,  Johnson. 

Game  (Black-breasted  Eed).- First  and  Second,  Eees.  Highly  Com- 
mended, Haskett. 

GA3IB  (Brown-breasted  Red).- First,  Fulton.    Second,  Boswell. 

Gaaie  (Duckwings). — Prize,  Fareday. 

GAJirE  (Any  other  variety).— First,  Andrews  (Sydney  Blue).  Second, 
]Hr.s.  Chudley  (Blue  Dun). 

Single  Game  Cock  (Any  variety). — Prize,  Haskett. 

Spanish. — First,  Clark.    Second,  Gould. 

Cochins  (Buff).  —  First,  Cbegwedden.  Second,  Mrs.  Hornln-ook. 
Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  Hornbrook. 

Hamburghs  (Golden-pencilledi.— Highly  Commended,  Russell. 

HAMBrRGHs  (Golden-spangled).— First,  Cole.  Second,  Donaldson. 
Hishlv  Commended,  Sneeden. 

Hajtboeghs  (Silver-pencilled'.— First,  Donaldson.    Second,  Todd. 

PoLANcs  (Silver-spangled).- Prize,  Miss  Orme. 

French  Fowls  (Crive-Cffiurs)..— First,  Reeves.    Second,  Haywood. 

Malays.- Highlv  Commeuded,  Tremayne. 

Barndoor.- First,  Price.    Second,  Eovs.    Hishly  Commended,  Lnney. 

Game  Bantams.  —  First,  Daire.  Second,  Williams  (Black-breasted 
Red). 

Any  other  Variety.— First,  Walker.    Second,  WUhams. 

Turkeys  (Black).— Prize,  Potts. 

Turkeys  (White).— Prize,  Aikman.    HighlyCommcndod,  Wilson. 

Geese.— I  do  not  recollect  seeing  any  exhibited,  we  have  abundance 
of  them  in  the  provinces,  probably  their  absence  is  owing  to  this  being 
our  breeding  season  for  them. 

Docks  (Aylesbury).— Fu-st,  Johnson.  Second,  Wright.  Highly  Com- 
mended, Foster.  .„      __.  , ,      ^ 

Ducks  (Rouen).- First,  Gould.  Second,  Tapperill.  Highly  Com- 
mended, Price. 

Any  other  Variety.— Prize,  Tubman. 

I  noticed  a  pen  with  a  cock  and  two  hen  Pheasants  iu  it  from  the 
Acclimatisation  Society's  Garden. 


292 


JOURNAL   OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


t  October  15,  J 


Pigeons.  —  Ttimhlrr^.  —  Highly  Commended,  Anderson.  Jacobins. — 
Pnze,  Williams.  Funtaits.—Fnze,  Miss  Orme.  Second,  Slee.  Any  other 
ranettj.—Vxizi},  Williams. 

N.B. — The  Fantails  were  very  beantifnl,  and  attracted  ranch 
notice.  I  think  '■  Wiltshire  Rector  "  would  have  been  pleased  to 
nave  seen  them. 

OANAniEs.  —  Cock.  —  Prize,  Clark.  Highly  Commended,  Anderson 
Beit.— Prize,  Williams.    Highly  Commended,  Ness. 

N.B.— I  can  safely  state  that  the  Canaries  were  not  up  to  the  mark , 
notwithstanding  the  owners  ticketed  a  very  high  iigare  on  the  cages  ; 
I  think  the  highest  priced  one  was  £.5.  We  have  a  great  many  choice 
and  good  birds  amongst  us,  and  I  hope  tbey  will  be  better  represented 
another  time. 

Rabbits  rPrench).— Prize,  Howell.    Aivi  other  variety.— Prize,  Foster. 
Highly  Commended,  Evans  (Double  Lop-ear). 
— William  Swale. 


SOME  NOTES  ON  PIGEONS. 
Previods  to  my  settlement  in  good  Old  England,  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  visiting  a  portion  of  Asia  Minor,  European  Turkey, 
Spain,  Italy,  Austria,  Egypt,  Belgium,  France,  and  the  United 
States.  In  every  town  one  of  my  first  inquiries  was,  "  Are 
there  any  Pigeon  dealers  here  ?  "  And  whether  there  were  or 
not,  I  made  out  what  sort  of  interesting  specimens  there  were, 
and  now  from  my  observations  give  my  conclusions. 

In  every  one  of  the  named  countries  existed  once,  and  in 
most  yet  exist,  the  common  sorts  of  half-bred  Pigeons,  of 
several  colours.  In  the  warmest  countries,  as  in  the  case  of 
the  wild  birds  also,  the  Pigeons  are  most  improved ;  for 
example,  there  are  in  Africa  specimens  of  all  sorts,  and  of 
all  the  distinct  varieties  exhibited  in  England.  I  observed, 
in  general,  that  wherever  cultivation  or  importation  introduced 
the  moderate  and  short-beaked  varieties,  the  long-beaked  sorts 
have  disappeared  gradually,  and  I  believe  I  am  correct  in 
saying,  that  the  same  is  the  case  in  this  country.  So  far  as  I 
am  informed,  once  the  principal  breed  was  the  worthy  Carrier, 
in  its  several  degrees,  and  the  most  beautiful  Almond  Tumbler, 
and  nearly  every  fancier  kept  some  form  of  the  Carrier  race. 
The  introduction  of  the  several  short-beaked  varieties  has 
limited  the  Carrier  fancy  considerably,  which  I  am  very  sorry 
to  see,  as  I  consider  the  English  Carrier  ought  always  to  be 
preserved,  as  a  contrast  to  the  modern  introductions.  The 
principal  reason  of  this  apparent  transformation,  I  believe 
to  be  public  opinion,  and  this  is  also  the  conclusion  from  my 
inquiries  in  other  countries.  I  nay  public  opinion,  because 
the  general  public,  including  modern  fanciers,  at  sight  appre- 
ciate a  compact,  short-beaked  Pigeon,  rather  than  a  long-beaked 
one,  and  anyone  can  be  convinced  of  this  by  a  little  attention 
to  the  remarks  of  the  non-amateur  visitors  to  the  large  Pigeon 
shows. 

The  only  long-beaked  varieties  some  of  the  general  public 
appreciate,  are  the  Pouters,  the  Fantails,  the  double-capped 
Trumpeters,  &c.,  possessing  some  remarkable  and  pleasing  at- 
traction ;  and  is  not  the  Carrier  most  remarkable  ?  I  say  de- 
cidedly it  is  ;  but  we  cannot  prevent  the  general  public,  and 
especially  ladies,  from  saying,  "  Oh  !  what  unsightly,  deformed 
beaks  and  sore  eyes  these  birds  have.  Are  they  well,  poor 
creatures  ?  "  Although  there  is  something  remarkable  and 
pleasant  in  the  Pouter,  Fantail,  Trumpeter,  &e.,  they  do  not 
approach  the  short-beaked  varieties  in  pubhe  estimation  even 
in  England,  where  the  latter  are  of  comparatively  modern 
introduction ;  but  in  countries  where  there  are  plenty,  and  such 
specimens  as  England  has  not  seen  yet,  the  long-beaked  va- 
rieties have  disappeared,  or  if  any,  are  in  the  loft  of  some  old 
lady  or  gentleman,  like  my  uncle,  who  kept  Runts,  and  large 
Trumpeters,  whose  progeny  he  had  cooked  by  passing  through 
them  a  long  iron  rod.  They  had  to  be  turned  by  this  rod 
over  a  charcoal  fire,  saturating  them  constantly  with  butter,  and 
powdering  them  with  ground  biscuit  till  ready  for  the  table,  and 
I  assure  you  they  were  infinitely  superior  to  any  which  had  been 
made  into  a  pie. 

The  Carriers,  Pouters,  Fantails,  Trumpeters,  Runts,  &c.,  are, 
of  course,  well  known,  and  of  great  perfection  in  this  country] 
so  they  need  no  comment  from  me.  I  pass,  therefore,  to 
the  moderate-sized  and  short-beaked  varieties.  There  are 
in  this  country  Archangels,  Nuns,  Magpies,  Swallows,  Jacobins, 
&c.,  perfection,  also  of  the  short-beaked  kinds  there  are  perfect 
specimens  of  Almonds,  of  course.  Owls,  and  Barbs,  but  un- 
fortunately not  of  Turbits.  I  must  say  that  I  have  not  yet  seen 
a  well-formed  and  good-coloured  Turbit,  such  as  I  met  with  on 
the  Continent,  where  the  black  is  as  good  as  a  good  black 
Barb's,  the  red  a  deep  warm  red,  and  the  yellow  a  fine  deep 


orange  yellow,  all  shining  naturally,  as  if  they  were  varnished, 
instead  of  the  generally  faded  dead-looking  colours  I  see  on 
their  feathers  in  England.  To  my  surprise,  instead  of 
persevering  to  improve  this  most  important  property,  breedere 
have  given  their  attention  to  breeding  clear-thighed  birds, 
which  should  be  quite  a  secondary  consideration.  The  eye, 
also,  of  the  Turbits  in  this  country  is  quite  insignificant ;  the 
go®d  continental  Turbits  have  the  lash  round  the  eye  of  a  most 
remarkable  buff  colour,  contrasting  most  beautifully  with  the 
black  eye,  and  increasing  its  apparent  size. 

In  looking  at  the  most  interesting  "new  variety"  class  in 
our  large  shows,  I  always  think  of  the  answer  I  received  from  a 
great  German  new-variety  breeder  for  the  English  market.  I 
asked  what  is  the  origin  of  the  Ice  Pigeon,  the  Fairy,  the 
Satin  Swallow,  and  the  like?  The  answer— "  I  mingle  to- 
gether in  my  loft  a  dozen  of  each  of  the  following  breeds : 
Hyacinths,  Swallows,  and  Spots,  of  different  colours,  and  Arch- 
angels ;  cocks  of  the  two  breeds,  and  hens  of  the  other  two, 
BO  that  I  may  be  sure  of  having  crosses,  and  I  obtain  more 
new  varieties  than  I  can  find  names  for  !  "  And  who  can  deny 
that  nearly  all  the  different  new  varieties  have  one  and  the 
same  character  ?  Certainly  there  are  some  with  beautiful 
plumage,  such  as  the  Satin  Swallow,  but  the  variety  from 
which  it  has  taken  half  of  its  name,  the  Satinette  is  admitted 
to  be  the  new  variety  which  has  revolutionised  the  fancy. 
Asa  proof,  a  reference  to  this  Journal,  from  18G3  to  18G6,  will  be 
sufficient  to  show  that  the  Satinettes  have  done  what  no  other 
variety  ever  did — in  fact,  they  have  tired  the  judges  awarding 
them  prizes,  to  such  an  extent  that  one  judge  said  he  must 
give  the  turn  to  others  lor  encouragement.  I  nevei'  yet  heard 
any  fancier  or  observer  say  that  he  had  seen  anything  prettier 
in  the  Pigeon  tribe,  and  I  never  expected  meeting  with  any- 
thing approaching  them  anywhere,  till  I  saw  this  breed,  which 
is  a  production  of  Africa,  and  my  opinion  most  decidedly  has 
been  verified  in  England.  The  Satinettes  possess  as  great 
perfection  of  plumage  as  any  of  the  known  new  varieties,  if  not 
a  superiority  in  that  respect,  with  as  exquisite  and  compact  a 
form  of  head  as  the  Owl,  including  the  frill.  They  are  Grouse- 
muffed,  and  the  most  remarkable  of  their  properties  are  the 
tail  feathers,  which  are  of  similar  colour  to  those  of  the  blue 
Owls,  only  darker,  and  at  the  extremity  of  each  feather  there 
is  a  white  spot  as  large  as  a  shilling,  which  is  the  admiration 
and  puzzle  of  every  fancier,  as  they  are  the  only  known  var'ety 
possessing  this  beautiful  peculiarity. — A  FoitEiaNES. 


UNITING   BEES. 


In  the  case  of  late  and  weak  swarms  of  bees,  instead  of  wait- 
ing till  the  autumn,  and  driving  and  uniting  them  to  other 
stocks,  as  directed  in  "  Bee-keeping  for  the  Many,"  would  it  do 
equally  well  to  proceed  in  the  same  way  on  the  evening  of 
the  day  they  swarm  by  knocking  them  out  on  the  ground  at 
sunset,  and  setting  the  stock  they  came  from,  or  some  other, 
over  them — in  short,  proceeding  in  the  same  way  as  when 
uniting  stocks  in  the  autumn  ? 

In  putting  a  nadir  under  a  hive,  should  it  be  permanently  left 
there,  or  removed  in  the  winter  ? — W.  Mash. 

[Late  and  weak  swarms  may  be  advantageously  united  or 
returned  to  their  parent  stocks  in  the  manner  you  describe. 
Nadirs  must  be  removed  in  the  autumn,  and  any  worker  combs 
which  they  contain  should  be  taken  care  of,  as  they  wUl  be 
found  very  valuable  either  as  guide  combs  or  as  decoy  combs 
for  supers. 

As  your  object  is  to  obtain  eggs  only,  keep  Golden-pencilled 
Hamburghs.] 


Had  your  correspondent  "  H."  (see  page  161),  proceeded  as 
follows,  the  morning  light,  instead  of  revealing  the  "  melan- 
choly sight  "  which  met  his  view,  would  in  all  probability  have 
shown  but  two  empty  boxes  without  a  single  dead  bee  on  either 
floor  board: — 

He  ought  to  have  driven  the  cottager's  bees  into  a  spare 
empty  Stewarton  hive  in  the  one  case,  and  into  a  Woodbury  in 
the  other,  leisiireli/,  so  as  to  ensure  the  due  filling  of  the  honey 
bags,  setting  down  each  close  by  the  hive  to  which  it  was  to  be 
united  till  dusk,  then  raised  the  Stewarton  stock,  and  as  quickly 
as  possible  set  it  down  upon  the  corresponding  hive  with  the 
driven  bees,  closing  the  upper  entrance,  and  gently  withdrawing 
the  slides  of  the  lower  box  nearly  to  their  ends,  and  in  like 
manner  disposed  of  the  driven  bees  in  the  Woodbury,  after  of 
conrse  removing  the  crown  board  of  the  lower  box.    A  few  pnfls 


October  15, 1668.  ] 


JOURNAL  OP  nORTIOOLTUBE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


293 


3l  smoke  to  both  hives  just  before  uniting  "  makes  assurance 
doubly  sure." 

I  cannot  say  I  ever  approved  of  Payne's  plan  of  uniting. 
Knocking  out  beos  on  a  cloth  spread  on  the  cold  ground  "  an 
hour  and  a  half  after  sunset  "  is  anything  but  sound  practice, 
as  a  considerable  number  will  inevitably  find  their  way  under 
the  cloth,  crawl  away  to  a  distance,  and  become  chilled  and 
lost ;  and  to  set  a  cold  draught  passing  underneath  is  the  very 
thing  to  arouse  them,  and  should  the  guards  seize  one  or  two 
of  the  incomers,  skirmishes  would  quickly  follow,  and  the 
probability  is  a  general  battle  would  be  the  result.  If  the  bee- 
keeper has  not  a  spare  hive  with  bars  and  slides,  far  better 
for  him  to  drive  np  the  bees  in  the  stock  with  a  good  pnfling 
smoke,  then  invert  the  stock,  and  sprinkle  the  combs  and  inmates 
with  a  small  quantity  of  thin  sugar  syrup,  flavoured  with  a  little 
peppermint.  Serve  the  driven  bees  in  like  manner,  and  instead  of 
knocking  them  out  on  the  ground,  knock  them  at  once  into  the 
inverted  stock  ;  set  on  the  floor  board,  stop  up  the  door,  re-invert 
the  stock  in  its  place  ;  after  a  minute  or  two  open  the  entrance, 
the  object  of  closing  it  being  to  prevent  the  bees  rushing  out  in 
the  first  confusion,  and  provided  the  honey  bags  of  the  driven 
bees  be  well  laden,  fighting  I  have  never  found  ensue  in  such 
circumstances. 

Well  filled  driven  bees  invariably  ascend  with  pleasure  and 
delight  from  their  empty  hives  into  a  fully  combed  stock  set 
over  them,  on  the  removal  of  the  slides,  and  are  as  invariably 
made  welcome.  I  generally  dispense  with  the  smoke,  the  syrup, 
and  the  peppermint  unless  the  evening  be  somewhat  chilly. 
The  beginner  may  employ  all  these,  as  they  induce  confidence, 
and  during  a  warm  evening,  if  at  all  neatly  managed,  by  either 
the  above  modes  success  is  reduced  to  certainty. — A  Renfkew- 

SHIRE    BeE-KEEPEE. 


BEES  NOT  THRIVING. 

I  HAVE  kept  bees  in  one  of  Marriott's  humane  bee  hives  since 
May  last.  They  have  worked  so  as  to  about  half  fill  the  hive 
with  comb,  but  much  of  this  appears  to  be  empty.  In  August 
I  put  on  the  super — a  rather  large  bell-glass.  In  this  they  did 
not  work  at  all,  and  I  have  now  removed  it,  closing  up  the 
apertures.  I  have  also  now  narrowed  the  opening  to  about 
half  an  inch.  A  few  bees  go  in  and  out  iu  fine  weather,  but 
through  the  windows  the  hive  appears  to  be  almost  deserted. 
About  three  months  ago  the  hive  was  blown  over,  but  was  re- 
placed without  damage,  and  the  bees  have  continued  to  work 
in  it  since.  Its  situation  faces  the  south,  and  is  sheltered  from 
the  north  by  a  holly  hedge.  When  the  hive  was  replaced  after 
the  accident  referred  to,  its  position,  with  reference  to  the  open- 
ing, was  altered  by  my  gardener.  The  part  that  was  at  the  back 
was  brought  about  one-third  of  the  circle  towards  the  front. 
This  may  have  puzzled  the  workers. — J.  S.,  Lee. 

[Your  swarm  has  not  done  well,  owing  either  to  a  failure  in 
the  honey  harvest,  or  insufficient  numbers  at  the  outset.  It 
would  be  much  benefited  by  the  addition  of  a  stock  of  cou- 
demned  bees  in  the  manner  described  in  page  GO  of  the  last 
edition  of  "  Bee-keeping  for  the  Many."  In  any  event  it  is 
likely  to  be  short  of  food,  and  this  is  a  question  which  should 
be  at  once  decided  by  weighing.  The  nett  contents  of  the 
hive  should  reach  at  least  1.5  lbs.,  and  anything  short  of  that 
weight  should  be  immediately  made  up  by  feeding  with  an  in- 
verted bottle.  If  the  entrance  is  made  in  the  floorboard,  it 
probably  remains  iu  its  original  position,  and  in  this  case  no 
harm  whatever  was  done  by  the  hive  beiug  partially  turned 
round  when  replaced  after  its  capsize  ;  but  if  the  entrance  was 
shifted,  the  bee?,  doubtless,  suffered  some  temporary  incon- 
venience. ] 

FOUL   BROOD. 

Prior  to  the  20th  of  last  month,  we  had  a  week  of  chilling 
east  and  north-east  winds,  and  many  hives  that  showed  great 
activity  about  the  beginning  of  the  month  passed  suddenly 
into  a  semi-dormant  state.  With  a  view  to  solving  the  origin 
of  foul  brood,  I  shall  be  glad  to  learn  whether  any  apiarian 
now  finds  foul  cells  in  those  hives  which  at  the  beginning  of 
the  cold  weather  had  brood  iu  the  larva  state,  and  only  a 
scanty  population. 

The  "  Renfrewshire  Bee-keeper  "  evidently  inclines  to  the 
idea  of  over-heating  as  the  cause.  When  he  first  stated  his 
views,  I  was  much  impressed  with  them,  but  circumstances 
have  since  occurred  which  lead  me  to  receive  them  less  favour- 
ably.    Some  time  ago  when  the  weather  was  so  warm  that  it 


seemed  impossible,  our  friend  "Apicola,"  had  a  batch  of 
nearly  matured  brood  placed  over  a  strong  hive  chilled  to 
death.— B.  S.  

LARGE  HARVEST  FROM  ONE  HIVE. 
When  I  transmitted  some  remarks  on  brood  in  supers,  I  gave 
as  an  illustration  a  strong  octagon  hybrid  Italian  colony  of  my 
own,  estimating  the  this-season's  harvest  from  it  at  IfJO  lbs.,  or 
the  average  full  contents  of  the  eight  supers  then  taken,  not 
having  the  weights  beside  me,  and  some  of  the  supers  still  to 
weigh.  As  it  may  prove  interesting  to  your  apiarian  readers, 
I  now  append  the  exact  weight  of  each,  and  the  date  it  was 
harvested,  together  with  an  estimate  of  the  honey  left  in  the 
stock  hive. 

July    9.— 1  Octagon  Super 23(  lbs. 

„       9.— 1  „  „       22" 

„     16.-1  „  „       2U 

„     27.— 1  „  „       28 

„     27.-1  „  „       21? 

„     27.-1  „  , 19J 

„     27.-1  „  , 19 

Aug.     1.— 1  „  „       22J 

Sept.  14.— 1  „  „       12 

„     14.— 1  „  , 10 

10  Octagon  Supers,  gross 194} 

Deduct— 10  Supers  at  8  lbs.  each SO 

Net  Super  Honey 164J 

—  l&4i 

Sept.  17. — Stock  hive  weighed,  gi-oss 70i 

Deduct— 

Board  and  stock  boxes    2H 

Bees'  comb  and  pollen,  allow    9| 

Surplus  honey  in  spring,  suppose    10  — 40^ 

Net  body  honey....  30     —    80 

Total  harvest 194J 

As  the  honey  harvest  terminated  in  this  quarter  by  the 
middle  of  August,  I  have  no  doubt,  had  this  colony  been 
weighed  then,  the  result  would  have  been  a  weight  of  upwards 
of  200  lbs. 

This  large  yield  is  mainly  due  to  the  continuous  dry  warm 
weather  of  the  late  summer,  so  very  unusual  to  us  pluvians  of 
the  west  coast,  enabling  strong  colonies  of  our  little  favourites 
to  show  what  they  could  do  when  fairly  at  it,  more  than  to  any 
great  flow  of  honey  or  prevalence  of  honeydew,  which  latter 
was  very  unusual.  The  white  clover  from  which  the  above 
was  chiefly  gathered,  was  certainly  rather  above,  while  the  yield 
from  the  lime  trees  fell  considerably  below,  the  average,  owing 
to  the  blightiug  wind,  which  despoiled  them  of  their  foUage 
early  in  the  season. 

Had  the  colony  been  moved  to  the  heather,  from  the  large 
band  of  reapers,  the  harvest  would  in  a  very  few  days  have  been 
largely  augmented,  and  I  need  scarcely  add,  that  the  whole 
was  the  bona  fide  ingathering  of  the  bees,  no  feeding  in  any 
form,  to  the  extent  of  even  a  teaspoonful,  having  been  ad- 
ministered to  this  stock  for  the  la  st  two  years.  The  very  re- 
prehensible mode  resorted  to  by  some  bee-keepers  of  feeding 
largely  with  sugar  syrup,  with  the  view  of  getting  up  and  more 
thoroughly  completing  supers,  aud  palming  the  produce  off  ou 
dealers  as  honey,  is  most  disgi-aceful  to  themselves  and  injurious 
to  the  more  general  consumption  of  the  commodity. 

I  may  give  at  a  future  time  a  report  of  the  harvest  sipped  by 
my  other  colonies,  which  was  good,  but  nothing  approaching 
the  above — by  far  the  best  colony  ever  possessed  by — A  Ben- 
FEEwsniiiE  Bee-keeper. 


THE   BERKSHIRE   HIVE. 

I  HAVE  often  seen  the  question  a^ked  in  your  Journal  as  to 
what  is  the  best  hive.  Now,  though  there  can  be  no  dtubt  but 
that  the  Woodbury  frame  hive  is  the  best  for  scientific  purposes 
in  the  hand  of  the  skilled  apiarian,  yet  for  all  other  purposes 
I  have  seen  nothing  equal  to  the  Berkshire  hive,  as  constructed 
by  Mr.  James  Sadler,  of  Sonning,  near  Heading,  and  for  which 
he  obtained  a  silver  medal  at  the  Reading  Industrial  Exhibition. 
For  facilities  of  observation,  for  simplicity  of  management, 
and  for  profit,  all  combined,  it  is  unrivalled. 

The  stock  box  is  made  of  inch  wood,  11;  inches  square  by 
10 J  inches  deep,  inside  measurement.  There  are  thrte  large 
window.-;,  10  inches  by  8,  by  which  the  apiarian  is  admitted  to 
a  full  view  of  the  interior  of  the  hive — that  is,  one  on  each  side 
except  the  front.  The  advantages  of  glass  are  thus  combined 
with  the  utility  of  wood.     The  honey  is  taken  from  the  top  of 


294 


JOUENAL  OF  HORTICULTUEE  AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEB. 


[  October  15,  1868. 


the  hive  by  ineans  of  two  boxes.  They  have  glass  at  each  end, 
and  one  of  the  ends  can  be  detached  for  the  easy  removal  of 
the  combs.  The  bees  are  admitted  into  the  supers  by  means 
of  long  holes  nearly  a  quarter  of  an  inch  wide,  so  as  to  admit 
only  the  worker  bees.  The  holes  are  at  the  ends  of  the  top  of 
the  stock  box,  so  as  not  to  interfere  with  the  centre  of  the  hive 
where  the  breeding  chiefly  goes  on,  and  are  protected  by  wooden 
slides. 

The  system  of  management  is  as  follows :— One  super  is 
always  kept  on,  and  the  slide  that  communicates  with  it  open, 
to  allow  the  condensed  vapour  to  pass  off.  As  soon  as  the 
bees  have  filled  the  stock  box  they  take  to  this  super,  and  when 
it  is  three  parts  full  the  bees  are  then  admitted  into  the  second 
super.  By  this  method  one  super  is  always  filled  before  the 
other,  and  is  then  taken  off  and  replaced  by  an  empty  one ; 
and  thus  the  bees  have  always  plenty  of  room  and  air,  and 
have  no  need  to  swarm,  and  a  continual  supply  of  honey  is 
obtained  as  long  as  the  season  lasts. 

This  year  Mr.  Sadler  has  taken  40  lbs.  of  honey  in  supers 
from  one  hive,  and  in  180<;  he  took  nearly  60  lbs.  from  each 
hive  without  interfering  with  the  stock  box  ;  and  this,  it  must 
be  remembered,  in  an  indifferent  honey  neighbourhood,  where 
there  is  no  heather,  and  the  bees  are  entirely  dependant  for 
their  stores  upon  the  flowers,  and  their  harvest  ends  with  the 
cutting  of  the  grass  in  the  meadows. 

Mr.  Sadler's  hives  have  never  thrown  oft  any  swarms,  and 
he  never  primes  his  supers  with  empty  comb,  as  he  finds  it 
quite  unnecessary.  When  he  requires  swarms  he  purchases 
them  from  his  neighbours,  as  he  finds  it  more  profitable  to 
keep  his  own  hives  entirely  for  the  produce  of  honey.  The 
bees  are  coniiued  when  necessary  by  a  piece  of  fluted  wood 
which  exactly  fits  the  entrance.  For  simplicity  of  management 
there  is  certainly  no  hive  equal  to  this,  and  at  so  low  a  price — 
viz.,  £1,  which  includes  the  complete  hive  with  two  supers. 

Mr.  Sadler's  bee  sheds,  too,  are  worthy  of  notice.  They  are 
so  thoroughly  rustic,  and  so  very  pretty  for  either  the  garden 
or  the  lawn. — S.  B. 


THE  HONEY  HARVEST  IN  LANARKSHIRE. 

I  AM  indebted  to  Mr.  A.  Pettigrew  for  the  following  extracts 
from  a  private  letter  bearing  date  the  25th  of  September,  and 
giving  particulars  of  the  recent  honey  harvest  in  his  native 
Tillage,  Carluke,  in  Lanarkshire.— A  Devoxshiee  Bee-eeepek. 

"  We  only  brought  our  bees  home  from  the  moors  the  week 
before  last.  The  weather  was  fine,  and  we  thought  they  would 
he  gaining  weight,  but  we  were  wrong.  Henshilwood  had  his 
home  about  ten  days  before  us.  We  thought  he  would  lose  by 
it,  but  not  so.  Ours  lost  8  or  10  lbs.  from  the  time  he  had  his 
home  till  we  had  ours.  The  heaviest  top  (first)  swarm  I  had 
was  104  lbs.  when  it  came  home.  My  weights  (steelyard)  only 
weigh  112  lbs.  I  weighed  the  same  top  about  a  fortnight  be- 
fore it  came  home,  the  steelyard  was  drawn  out  to  112  lbs.,  and 
did  not  lift  it,  so  it  was  a  few  pounds  more.  I  had  another  top 
swarm  about  6  lbs.  lighter.  Our  best  second  swarm  was  75  lbs. ; 
our  old  stales  (stocks),  50  and  60  lbs.  I  went  over  to  E.  Scou- 
lar's  to-day.  His  heaviest  tops  were  three,  about  120  lbs.  each, 
and  one  130  lbs. ;  he  had  also  two  second  swarms,  one  80  lbs. 
and  the  other  90  lbs.  J.  Jack,  weaver,  had  two  stales  in  the 
spring.  1  daresay  they  did  better  than  any  person's  here.  He 
had  a  top  161  lbs.,  another  104  lbs.,  and  a  second  swarm  68  lbs. 
I  did  not  hear  the  weight  of  the  old  ones,  but  he  took  46  pints 
of  honey  from  the  produce  of  the  two  stales.  Samuel  Penster 
had  two  stales  in  the  spring.  His  two  tops  were  110  lbs.  and 
148  lbs.  So  you  see  I  am  far  behind  this  year,  but  I  see  the 
reason  why— Henshilwood,  Jack,  and  Denster  took  theirs  away 
to  the  clover,  the  two  first  to  Newbigging,  and  the  latter  to 
Hankerton.  They  did  a  very  great  deal  better  at  these  places 
than  they  did  at  Carluke.  I  forgot  to  say  that  my  brother  had 
a  top  of  130  lbs.,  the  rest  of  his  were  very  middling.  You  have 
already  the  news  about  Henshilwood.  His  heaviest  top  was 
168  lbs.,  but  it  was  put  into  a  good  skepful  of  combs,  which 
gave  it  a  great  start.    He  had  not  another  above  100  lbs.— E.  E.'' 


OUR  LETTER  BOX. 


Game  Cocks  Leg  Bboeen— Podltry  Food  UBfijiimcr).— In  the  first 
place,  we  do  not  tbink  the  cocli  will  ever  be  of  any  service.  We  di^lilte 
tail  wLeat  as  food  for  anything  but  very  small  chickens,  and  even  with 
them  It  IB  what  It  IS  to  everything  else— ft  plaything.  There  is  no  food 
or  rather  fotdinf.  m  it.  You  need  not  be  surprised  if  the  hens  do  not  lav 
till  November ;  but  you  must  feed  better  and  give  more  variety— a  Uttlo 
whole  barley,  a  handful  of  Indian  corn,  table  scraps,  and  a  lettuce.    You 


do  not  state  what  run  your  fowls  have  beyond  theii-  house  of  5  feet  square. 
Have  they  grass  ?  If  they  have  not,  they  want  some.  What  extent  have 
they,  and  of  what  nature  ? 

Loss  or  A  Claw  (A.  S.  K.).—The  accidental  loss  of  a  claw  would  not 
disqualify  a  bird,  or  unfit  it  lor  competition.  It  would  be  a  disadvantage 
in  deciding  between  two  pens  of  almost  equal  merit. 

Oldham  PoultrvShow  {Suhicril:er).—We  have  had  a  somewhat  similar 
circular  from  another  show  committee,  and  the  only  "  very  x)aiufal  "  cir- 
cumstance in  either  case  is,  that  any  committee  of  gentlemen  should  ask 
others  to  bear  any  portion  of  the  loss  which  that  committee  have  in- 
curred.   Consult  your  Bolicitur  as  you  propose. 

DcBBiNG  AND  TRIMMING  GAME  STAGS.— In  the  ninth  line  from  the 
end  of  the  article  on  this  subject,  in  page  272,  the  word  "  of"  shonld  be 
inserted  before  "Black-breasted  Reds." 

Dark  Grev  Dorkings'  Ear-lobes  (ScoI).— It  is  preferable  that  a 
Dark  Grey  Dorking  should  have  a  red  ear-lobe,  but  if  it  is  entirely  or 
partially  white,  it  is  by  no  means  a  disqualification.  The  ear-lobe  in  a 
Dorking  fowl  is  immaterial. 

Whitehaven  Pooltrv  Show.— We  are  informed  that  the  dates  of  this 
Show  have  been  altered  to  the  12th,  13th,  and  11th  of  January,  1869. 

Ddcks  at  Farnwoeth  Show.— Both  fl^rst  and  third  prizes  in  the  Any 
other  variety  class  were  awarded  to  Mr.  T.  C.  Harrison,  of  Hull.  The 
error  is  that  of  the  list  sent  to  us. 

PorLTRY  Diseased  (C  i.).— We  do  not  think  yon  will  lose  many  of 
your  fowls.  We  believe  the  disease  you  mention  has  been  brought  by 
the  French  fowls.  Whether  it  be  that  they  are  not  yet  acclimatised,  or 
that  it  if;  their  natural  state  we  cannot  say,  but  all  of  these  new  breeds 
are  subject  to  illness  of  a  serious  and  often  fatal  character  when  they 
are  chickens,  and  to  relapses  in  adult  life.  In  the  latter  case  they  re- 
cover rapidly.  We  have  noticed  that  these  maladies  are  prevalent  im- 
mediately after  heavy  rains.  We  have  seen  at  such  times  these  birds 
leave  the  tine  spring  water  with  which  they  are  supplied,  in  order  to 
drink  from  any  dirty  little  puddle,  and  they  aro  sure  to  be  ill  after  it.  We 
advise  you  to  keep  them  almost  without  water,  and  especially  to  see  that 
there  aro  no  puddles  of  water  about.  Lot  them  have  drink  twice  or 
thrice  a-day,  but  not  .always  by  them.  Continue  the  camphor.  Feed 
vei-y  sparingly,  and  give  only  bread  and  ale.  If  you  can  do  it.  separate 
the  Cochins  and  Brahmas  from  the  French  breeds.  A  little  change  of 
condition  may  be  looked  for  as  the  air  becomes  damper,  its  temperature 
lower,  and  the  nights  longer.  Many  fowls  are  out  of  condition  from 
moulting,  but  there  should  be  nothing  like  such  disease  as  you  mention. 
As  appetite  returns,  you  will,  of  course,  increase  the  quantity  of  food. 

Commencing  Poultry-keeping  {Two-years  Subscriber). — If  you  wish 
to  have  the  best  possible  return  with  the  least  trouble,  we  advise  you 
to  keep  Brahma  Pootras.  They  are  very  hardy,  good  layers,  good  sitters, 
and  good  mothers.  They  are  also  very  useful  table  fowls.  They  will 
do  well  in  such  a  space  as  you  name.  Is  there  any  grass  in  the  ran 
in  front  of  the  house  ?  The  floor  of  the  house  must  be  earth  ;  clay  beaten 
hard  and  covered  with  gravel  is  an  excellent  flooring.  Neitbor  in  the 
house  nor  in  the  run  should  there  be  any  boards,  stones,  or  bricks.  If  it 
be  necessary  a  little  of  such  may  be  left  outside,  but  inside  there  must 
be  nothing  but  earth.  The  house  should  be  ventilated  just  under  the 
roof  by  openings  or  windows  that  can  be  shut  in  very  severe  weather. 

Runt  Pigeons  (R.  Barney). — We  have  a  letter  for  you,  and  will  forward 
it  if  you  send  us  your  direction. 

Canaries  Athcked  by  Parasites  (B.  J.  G.).— "I  know  of  no  means  of 
eradicating  them  but  extreme  cleanliness,  and  even  then  it  is  a  most 
difficult  matter.  I  will  take  an  early  opportunity  of  writing  a  short  article 
on  the  subject.  Meanwhile  try  the  Persian  powder  for  destroying  vermin 
— I  think  that  is  the  name  ;  but  it  is  advertised  daily.  It  is  sold,  with  an 
apparatus  for  using  it,  at  a  very  cheap  rate,  and  I  have  known  it  used 
very  effectively.    Blow  it  under  the  feathers. — W.  A.  Blakston." 

Canary  with  Black  Legs  and  Beak— Groats  as  Food  (A.  T.  E.). — 
Say  what  v.Triety  of  Canary  the  bird  is.  Some  kinds  are  black  in  the 
points  mentioned,  the  blacker  the  better.  We  have  not  known  a  clear 
bird  ;  ffected,  and  certainly  should  not  attach  blame  to  the  saffron. 
Groa  are  used  as  food  by  many  breeders,  and  town  a  considerable  ingre- 
dient in  the  contents  of  the  bags  of  seed  sent  with  birds  for  exhibition. 

Feeding  Bees  (J.  C.  J.). — Your  bottle-feeding  must  have  failed  either 
through  the  mouth  being  too  wide  or  from  some  error  in  management, 
but  as  you  do  not  give  particulars  we  scarcely  know  how  to  suggest  a 
remedy.  Read  our  reply  to  "Tyro,"  in  i)vge  2m;.  and  if  robbing  take 
place  insert  the  bottle-mouth  in  a  close-fitting  perforated  block  of  wood, 
a  precaution  which  will  set  pilferers  at  defiance. 

Sweet  Cider  (H.  L.). — We  believe  that  it  is  no  more  than  cider  bottled 
before  the  fermentation  is  completed.  We  shall  be  obliged  by  practical 
information  on  the  subject. 

Rabbit  Diseases  (£,).— To  cure  the  scurf  which  appears  on  the  nose, 
feet,  and  ears,  give  each  a  teaspoonful  of  flowers  of  sulphur  mixed  with 
their  bran  daily,  and  a  good  supply  of  carrot  and  lettuce.  The  young 
rabbits  dying  without  any  apparent  cause,  is,  probably,  occasioned  by 
their  moulting,  or  changing  their  fur.  At  that  time  they  should  be  kept 
warmer  and  fed  more  liberally — that  is,  on  more  nourishing  food,  such  as 
boiled  barley  ;  and  if,  notwithstanding,  some  die,  give  the  others  daily 
fifteen  grains  of  camphor  each  until  the  mortality  ceases. 

Rabbits  {J.  B.). — If  you  enclose  seven  stamps  with  your  address,  and 
order  "  The  Rabbit  Book,"  it  will  be  sent  from  onr  office  free  by  post. 
The  ears  are  measured  from  the  tip  of  one  ear  to  the  tip  of  the  other. 


POULTRY  MARICET.— October  U. 

There  is  a  large  supply  of  goods  in  the  market,  liut  the  bad  demand 
and  the  hot  weather  cause  things  to  be  unusually  dull. 
p.    d        B.  d 


Largo  Fowls 

3 

2 

0  to  3 
6        S 
9        2 
0       7 
0       2 
B       0 

6 

n 

Chickens    

Geese  

1 

6 

2 

0 

0 

r, 

Pigeons  

0 

i) 

B.  d        s.  d 

Pheasants    2    6  to  2    9 

Partridges    16       19 

Hares 2    6       2    9 

Rabbits 1 


Wild  do (I    8 


Grouse 3    0       3    6 


Oclobei  22,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF   HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAOE   GAKDENEE. 


295 


WEEKLY 

CALENDAR, 

D»T 

Day 

Avorafje  Temperaturo 

R.%in  In 

Sun 

Moon 

Moon 

AToon'B 

Clock 

after 
San. 

Da^ 

01 

Munth 

of 
"Week. 

OCTOBER  22-28,  1868. 

near  London. 

41  yearfl. 

Bisos. 

Seta. 

Eisea. 

Sots. 

Age. 

Year 

Day. 

NiRht. 

Mean. 

Days. 

m.       h. 

m.    b. 

Di.    h. 

m.    h 

Days. 

m.    B. 

32 

Tn 

68.a 

42.5 

60.7 

24 

38al6 

60af  4 

Oaf  1 

Saaf  9 

7 

15     30 

296 

28 

F 

58.2 

89.8 

49.0 

2i 

40      6 

48      4 

46       1 

50    10 

-» 

15    88 

297 

24 

S 

Royal  Hon;  -nltaral  Society,  Promenade. 

B6.3 

.39.4 

47.8 

19 

42      6 

46      4 

17      2 

50    11 

9 

15    46 

298 

25 

58.0 

38.5 

48.3 

21) 

43       6 

44      4 

48      2 

mom. 

10 

15     52 

26 

M 

55.5 

36.6 

46.0 

18 

45       6 

42      4 

12      S 

53      0 

11 

15    58 

800 

27 

To 

55.0 

89.0 

47.0 

26 

47      6 

40      4 

86      8 

67       1 

12 

16      4 

301 

28 

W 

oi.O 

36.0 

45.3 

25 

49      6 

88      4 

59      8 

2      8 

IS 

16      8 

802 

From  obBervationa  taken  near  London  darins  *he  laBt  forty-nne  years,  the  average  day  temperature  of  the  week 

ia53.6';  and  Ita  night 

temporataro  33.8".     The  greatest  heat  was  63°,  oa  the  22ad,  1863  ;  and  the  lowest  cold  17 ',  on  the  23rd,  ISa'J.    The 

greatest  fall  of   rain 

was  1.03  inch. 

MERITS  AND  DEMERITS  OF  SOME   BEDDING 
PELARGONIUMS. 

1  OR  some  time  I  have  been  intending  to  record 
in  your  Journal  the  result  of  two  years'  trial 
of  ordinary  bedding  Pelargoniums,  but  have 
hitherto  been  prevented  by  not  having  been 
able  to  iind  sufficient  time  to  devote  to  the 
subject,  and  I  am  afraid  the  notes  I  now  send 
you  must  necessarily  be  imperfect. 

I  shall,  of  course,  be  obliged  to  tread  over 
ground  that  has  already  been  gone  over  by 
many  of  your  correspondents  on  the  subject ;  for  as  the 
Pelargonium  is  certainly  the  most  useful  and  easily  culti- 
vated of  all  plants  for  bedding  purposes,  it  is,  if  I  may  use 
the  expression,  everybody's  plant,  and  every  lover  of  a 
flower  or  of  a  garden  is  interested  in  recording  his  own 
experience  with  regard  to  it. 

Our  last  two  seasons,  one  exceptionally  wet  and  cold, 
the  other  even  stUl  more  remarkable  for  its  extreme  heat 
and  drought,  have  been  crucial  tests  for  the  constitutional 
vigour  and  general  utility  of  the  dift'erent  kinds  of  Pelar- 
goniums, and  those  that  liave  been  good  in  both  of  the  last 
two  seasons  may,  I  think,  be  safely  relied  on,  and  recom- 
mended for  ordinary  bedding  purposes.  I  will  not  enter 
into  detail  about  lw(i7,  but  will  only  refer  to  it  from  time  to 
time  in  my  notes  on  the  Pelargonium  in  18li«. 

I  will  begin  by  stating  that,  in  order  to  give  Pelargoniums 
as  nearly  as  possible  the  same  conditions  of  trial,  I  planted 
some  diamond-shaped  beds  in  a  long  border,  which  sur- 
rounds my  garden,  with  tliirty  different  kinds  of  plain- 
leaved  and  zonal  Pelargoniums,  not  variegated,  each  bed 
being  edged  with  variegated  Ai-abis  albida.  Each  bed  held 
sixteen  plants,  whicli  were  all,  with  but  few  exceptions, 
struck  and  potted  oif  at  the  same  time  of  the  year.  The 
list  of  those  I  tried  in  this  way  is  as  follows  : — 

NosEiiAYS. — Stella,  Lord  Palmerston,  Cybister,  Black 
Dwarf,  Minimum,  Waltham  Seedling,  Rival  Nosegay, 
Duchess,  Indian  Yellow,  Orange  Nosegay,  Amy  Hogg, 
Violet  Hill. 

OnoiNARY  ZoxAi.s. — Victor  Emmanuel,  Brookfield  Pink, 
Trentham  Rose,  Merrimac  (Lemoine),  Rose  Rendatler, 
Dr.  Lindley,  Glorious,  Vivid,  Eclipse,  IMadame  Vaucher, 
White  Tom  Thumb.  Madame  Werle,  Fram.ois  Desbois, 
Madame  Rudersdorft',  Gloire  de  France,  Christine,  Comte 
de  Morny. 

Besides  these  in  the  thirty  beds,  I  also  tried  in  some 
larger  mixod  beds  in  the  garden  Picbecca,  Princess  Lich- 
tenstein,  Louisa.  Excellent,  Alexandra,  Roi  d'ltaUe,  Pink 
Stella,  Mrs.  W.  Paul,  Rose  Perfection,  Ratazzi,  &c. 

I  have  not  classed  the  varieties  in  any  order,  but  will 
endeavour  to  do  so  now. 

NOSEGAY    PELARGONIUMS. 

1.  M'dlthiim  Sccillint/. — Dark  rich  crimson.  This  has  been 
decidedly  the  best  of  the  dark-coloured  Pelargoniums  with 
me  this  year,  and  it  also  stood  the  wet  of  last  year  well, 
though  not  blooming  so  freely,  as,  in  fact,  no  Pelargonium 
did  last  year.  One  of  its  great  merits  is  its  short,  stiff, 
flower  stalk,  which  tlirows  the  bloom  just  the  right  height 

No.  S93.— Vol.  XV.,  New  Series, 


above  the  plant,  and  it  is  not  dashed  down  with  wind  and 
rain  like  some. 

2.  Blade  i>M»rtr/'.— Next  in  point  of  colour,  but  the  flower 
stalks  are  not  still'  enough,  and  the  flowers  are  constantly 
draggling  on  the  ground. 

,-{.  Sldlii.—Stnivery  good.  The  flower  stalk  too  long,  and 
habit  too  straggling. 

■1.  nUal  Mosiydy.—Yerj  good,  but  not  quite  free  flower- 
ing enough.  For  those  who  prefer  a  pure  green  leaf  this 
is  a  desirable  variety. 

5.  Lord  Pdhiierston.— 'Lighter  crimson.  There  is  no  Pe- 
largonium of  this  colour  better,  and  it  is  on  the  whole  the 
most  constant  and  free  blooming  of  any,  producing  a  greater 
succession  of  flower  buds  than  any  other  kind  I  know.  Its 
fault,  again,  is  that  the  flower  stem  is  not  strong  enough 
for  the  mass  of  bloom  it  has  open  at  once  ;  and  here  I 
think  Duchess  of  Sutherland,  a  slightly  lighter  shade  of 
colour,  may  surpass  it. 

(i.  il/tHiH(H«i.— Dwarf,  of  the  same  colour  as  the  last ; 
smaller  heads  of  bloom,  but  very  free  ;  would  do  to  edge  a 
large  bed  of  Lord  Palmerston. 

7.  Cijbistcr.— The  best  scarlet  either  in  the  Nosegay  or 
Zonal  section.  Rather  too  straggling  a  habit,  and  in  this 
respect  Lady  Constance  Grosvenor  will,  very  probably,  be 
superior,  but  it  cannot  surpass  it  for  freeness  or  constancy 
of  bloom. 

8.  Duchess— Hich  cerise  ;  fine  truss.  Rather  too  strong 
a  grower,  and  not  so  free  in  wet  weather. 

'J.  Vioht  Jlill.— Cerise.  A  beautiful, free-bloommg,  dwarf 
plant,  and,  in  my  opinion,  the  best  of  its  colour,  especially 
in  good  rich  soU.     In  poor  laud  it  would  be  too  dwarf. 

10.  Ami/  Ho//(/.— Cerise,  shaded  with  magenta.  Very 
free  blooming,  and  an  interesting  variety  of  colour,  but  the 
flower  stalk  is  too  long  to  stand  wet  weather. 

11.  /;((/(((;(  iVZtoit'.— Light  cerise.  One  of  the  very  best ; 
a  constant  bloomer,  and  stands  dry  weather  better  than 
any  variety. 

12.  Orange  Nosegay.— 'Rich  orange.  Rather  too  free  a 
grower,  and  the  heads  of  bloom  not  quite  large  enough,  but 
otherwise  a  very  desii-able  variety. 

This  brings  me  to  the  end  of  those  Nosegays  I  tried  in 
separate  beds.  jVmong  the  mixed  sorts,  of  which  I  had 
not  quite  enough,  or  wliich  I  have  liitherto  only  had  in 
pots,  are  Rebecca,  very  good ;  Lady  Constance  Grosvenor  : 
Duchess  of  Sutherland  ;  International,  sent  out  by  Mr. 
C.  Turner,  very  promising ;  Mrs.  Laing  ;  and  Iving  of  the 
Nosegays,  also  very  good.  We  want,  if  it  could  be  obtained, 
a  white  Nosegay,  and  a  light  salmon-coloured  one  of  the 
Madame  Rudersdortf  shade  ;  and  any  person  who  could 
raise  a  white  Nosegay  as  good  as  Waltham  Seedling  or 
Violet  Hill  would  be  a  great  benefactor  to  those  who  do- 
light  in  bedding-out  gardens. 

ORDINARY  ZON.\L  PELAEGONIUMS. 

On  these  my  remarks  wOl  be  much  shorter,  as  I  am 
convinced  that  the  Nosegays  are  destined  in  the  end  to 
surpass  all  others  for  bedding  purposes,  thek  gi-eater  con- 
stitutional vigour  and  hardiness  enabling  them  to  stand 
the  changes  of  the  weather  so  much  better  ;  for  I  find, 
as  a  general  rule,  that  those  which  grow  and  flower  well 

No.  1017.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  Szbiib. 


296 


JCUENAL   OF  HOBTICUIiTOEE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENER, 


[  October  22, 1868. 


in  dry  hot  weather,  will  also  Bncoeed  better  than  others  in 

wet. 

Scarlet.— Yicioi  Emmanuel,  Er.  Lindley,  Vivid,  Eclipse, 
and  Glorious. 

Of  these,  Victor  Emmanuel,  Vivid,  and  Eclipse  are  nearly  of 
the  samo  shade  of  colour,  and  this  season  did  vei-y  well,  except 
in  the  very  hottest  weather  ;  but  both  Vivid  and  Eclipse  are  of 
too  strong  growth  for  wet  seasons.  Dr.  Lindley  is  not  free- 
flowering  enough,  and  the  habit  of  the  plant  is  too  upright. 
Glorious  is  a  very  good  dwarf,  nearly  of  the  same  colour  as  Eoi 
d'ltalie,  and  would  do  best  in  wet  seasons,  as,  if  the  plants  are 
bedded  out  too  small,  they  burn  up  in  diy  weather. 

Ct'i-ist'.— Herald  of  Spring,  Trentham  Bose,  Morrimae  (Le- 
moine),  and  Comte  de  Morny. 

These  are  all  good,  and  I  thi]ik  Trentham  Kose  not  surpassed 
yet  in  its  colour.  Comte  de  Morny  has  a  Cue  branching  habit, 
and  the  flower  is  of  a  distinct  shade  of  colour,  with  a  large 
truss.  Herald  of  Spring  is  rather  too  strong  and  upright  in 
growth  for  wet  seasons,  but  stands  dry  weather  better  than 
most  Zonals.  Merrimao  is  also  very  good,  and  has  a  fine  truss, 
but  is  rather  too  upright  in  its  growth. 

PfH/j.— Brookfield  Pink,  Gloire  de  France,  Christine,  and 
Eose  Kendatler. 

Of  these,  Eose  Eendatler  is  by  far  the  best  pink,  though  of 
rather  too  light  a  colour,  but  its  immense  flower  trusses  on 
fine  stiff  stalks  enable  it  to  resist  both  dry  weather  and  wet 
better  than  any  other  pink.  Brookfleld  Pink  is  a  sport  from 
Trentham  Eose,  propagated  and  made  constant  by  A.  Walker, 
Esq.,  of  Brookfield.  It  will  not,  however,  stand  sun.  Christine 
is  useless  in  dry  weather.  Gloire  de  France  is  not  free-bloom- 
ing enough. 

Salmon.— Uaiame  BndersdorS,  Francois  Desbois,  and  Ma- 
dame Werle. 

Of  these,  Madame  Eudersdorfi  is  the  best,  and  is  very  free- 
blooming,  especially  in  dry  weather.  Madame  Werle  is  of  too 
strong  and  upright  a  habit  of  growth,  and  ought  really  to  be 
called  white,  with  a  pink  eye.  Frau(;-.ois  Desbois  is  good,  but 
not  so  good  as  Madame  Eudersdorfi. 

Tr/iiVc— Madame  Vaucher  and  White  Tom  Thumb.  I  can 
detect  no  difference  between  them.  They  are  the  best  whites 
as  yet  sent  out,  but  are  neither  free-blooming  nor  constant 
enough,  and  in  wet  weather,  though  the  white  is  purer  and  less 
pink,  yet  the  plants  become  too  coarse.  A  good  white  is,  as  I 
before  said,  still  a  desideratum. 

Amongst  others  I  did  not  put  into  self  beds,  and  which  can 
be  recommended,  are  Eoi  d'ltalie.  Excellent,  and  Eose  Per- 
fection. The  last  I  think  very  promising.  Excellent  will  be 
well  known  by  most  of  your  readers.  I  do  not  like  it  myself 
so  much  as  others  of  its  colour.  I  forgot  among  the  Nosegays 
to  mention  Pink  Stella,  which  I  am  in  hopes  will  be  a  good 
pink,  and  Lady  Cnllum,  lilac  Nosegay,  which  is  good  for  variety, 
though  many  would  say  it  has  rather  a  washed-out  look. 

I  will  now  conclnde  these  notes,  and  send  you,  with  your 
permission  another  time,  some  remarks  on  the  Variegated 
Bicolor  and  Tricolor  sections,  and  also  on  the  winter  manage- 
ment of  bedding  Pelargoniums,  as  I  am  sure  much  harm  is 
done  by  the  general  recommendations  which  are  so  common 
in  all  gardening  periodicals  at  this  time  of  the  year.  "  Keep 
all  plants  cold  and  dormant  during  the  winter,  giving  no  more 
water  than  is  absolutely  necessary."  The  consequence  is. 
Pelargoniums  lose  all  their  finer  fibrous  roots  in  the  winter, 
many  damp  oii  altogether  from  want  of  growth,  and  they  are  at 
least  a  month  later  in  coming  into  bloom  in  the  spring  than 
they  ought  to  bo. 

To  sum  up,  the  best  Pelargoniums  of  those  sufficiently  long 
before  the  public  to  be  well  known,  are  Waltham  Seedling, 
Lord  Palmerston,  Stella,  Cybister,  Violet  Hill,  Amy  Hogg, 
Indian  Yellow,  Orange  Nosegay,  Eose  Eendatler,  Herald  of 
Spring,  Comte  de  Morny,  Trentham  Eose,  and  Madame  Vaucher. 

I  have  named  one  of  each  shade  of  colour  sufficiently  distinct 
to  bed  as  a  variety,  the  different  shades  of  cerise  differing  only 
in  tone.— C.  P.  Peach. 


THE  CHERRY  PLUM,  PRUNUS  MYROBALANA. 

When  at  Burghley  Park  Gardens,  Stamford,  last  July,  I 
ob.?erved  several  good-sized  trees  of  this  pretty  little  Plum, 
quite  heavily  laden  with  fruit.  Mr.  Matheson,  the  very  excel- 
lent gardener  there,  informed  me  that  it  was  very  much  used 
by  the  Marquis  of  Exeter's  family,  when  quite  ripe,  for  the 
dessert,  but  principally  for  tarts,  for  which  purpose  it  was 


greatly  esteemed  and  more  reUshed  than  the  Morello  Cherry, 
which  it  somewhat  resembles.  The  fruit  is  also  used  for 
bottUng,  and  for  preserving  like  other  Plums  and  Cherries. 
From  one  tree  Mr.  Matheson  had  increased  the  stock  of  this  to 
ten  or  twelve,  and  by  the  Marquis  of  Exeter's  desire  many  had 
been  distributed  amongst  his  tenants,  so  much  are  its  qualities 
estimated  in  that  district.  As  a  simple  ornamental  flowering 
tree,  this  Plum,  or  Prunus,  is  generally  to  be  met  with.  It  is 
a  distinct  species.  It  is  the  first  of  all  the  Prunus  family  to 
blossom,  in  fact,  the  first-flowering  tree  of  the  season.  It  is 
frequently  covered  with  its  small  but  pretty  white  blossoms  in 
the  beginning  of  March  as  with  a  sheet  of  snow.  Through 
this  habit  of  early  flowering,  however,  we  generally  lose  the 
fruit  by  frosts,  excepting  in  unusually  open  seasons,  and  in 
some  favoured  situations,  as  at  Burghley,  which  is  high  and  dry. 
The  tree  is  of  slender  growth,  but  attains  a  great  size— from 
30  to  40  feet ;  the  leaves  are  very  small  and  rounded ;  fruit 
medium-sized,  of  a  slightly  oval  shape,  its  colour  pale  red, 
with  a  long  slender  stalk  like  a  Cherry.  Indeed,  when  gathered, 
a  dish  of  them  more  nearly  resembles  one  of  red  Cherries  than 
of  Plums.  The  flesh  is  yellowish,  sweet,  with  a  slight  acidity, 
and  juicy.  Eipe  early  in  July,  but  will  hang  on  the  trees  a 
long  time.  At  Arundel  Castle  I  recollect  seeing  some  ripe  fruit 
of  it  on  a  small  plant  in  the  beginning  of  March ;  this  treo 
flowered  in  October.  It  was  there  called  Eoblet ;  but  it  has 
many  synonymes,  as  Early  Scarlet,  Miser  Plum,  Virginian 
Cherry,  &c. 

As  an  ornamental  early-flowering  tree  alone,  independently 
of  the  fruit,  the  Cherry  Plum  is  worthy  of  a  place  in  every 
garden, — Aechahbaud. 


FLOWER-BEDS  IN  AUTUMN. 

SILVEH-EDGED   VerSllS   TRICOLOR   PELARGONIUMS. 

Before  the  lingering  beauties  of  the  past  summer  are  too 
far  injured  by  autumn  dews  and  frosts,  it  would  be  well  if  every- 
one would  note  the  merits  of  the  different  plants  composing 
the  summer  display,  and  if  such  notes  were  coupled  with  others 
taken  at  various  times  during  the  year,  there  might  be  collected 
a  large  amount  of  information  of  greater  value  than  the  most 
careful  description  made  from  the  appearance  of  a  plant  at  one 
time  only.  Of  course,  where  notes  of  this  kind  have  not  been 
commenced,  it  is  now  too  late  to  do  more  than  examine  the 
condition  of  the  plants  at  the  present  time  (the  middle  of  Oc- 
tober) ;  and  calling  to  mind  how  they  have  behaved  all  the 
season,  we  may,  from  a  plant's  long  or  short  continuance  in 
beauty,  give  it  a  good  or  an  indifferent  character. 

Generally  speaking,  plants  presenting  the  greatest  abundance 
of  flowers  at  one  time  are  not  those  likely  to  give  a  long  con- 
tinuance of  bloom,  and  many  plants  having  a  tendency  to  ripen 
seed  abundantly  are  also  liable  to  go  off,  and  blanks  are  the 
consequence  ;  but  I  will  not  enter  into  these  matters  just  now, 
but  will  simply  look  over  the  beds  before  they  are  disarranged, 
and  see  what  plants  maintain  their  beauties  tiU  the  last,  and 
on  that  account  have  a  greater  claim  to  our  attention  than 
those  presenting  for  a  shorter  period  a  good  or  passable 
appearance. 

Another  circumstance  must  also  be  borne  in  mind — the  dis- 
tance from  which  a  plant  is  viewed.  Some  experience  in  the 
latter  respect  has  led  me  to  form  an  opinion  which  I  imagine 
will  bo  pronounced  heresy  by  the  axithorities  in  such  matters 
at  the  present  day ;  but  I  nevertheless  assert  it,  and  call  on 
those  having  an  opportunity  to  give  an  opinion,  to  do  so.  My 
idea  is  this,  that  a  good  Silver-edged  Pelargonium  looks  better 
than  the  very  best  Tricolor  one  of  the  day  at  any  distance 
exceeding  GO  yards,  nay,  more  than  that,  I  may  say  that 
Golden  Chain  looks  better  than  Mrs.  Pollock  at  that  distance, 
or  beyond  it.  The  reason  is  obvious,  the  eye  cannot  detect  the 
beauties  of  the  markings  in  the  leaf,  and  the  dark  zone  mars, 
rather  than  beEutifies  the  foliage,  while  the  best  Silver-edged 
Pelargoniums  present  only  two  colours,  white  and  green,  and 
the  green  portion  of  the  leaf  is  often  much  paler  in  the  white- 
edged  section  than  in  any  other,  thereby  helping  to  intensify 
the  already  prevailing  white.  The  presence  of  dew,  Hkewise, 
which  at  this  advanced  season  hangs  on  plants  during  a  great 
part  of  the  day,  gives  a  richness  to  the  white-edged  Pelargo- 
niums rather  than  otherwise,  while  it  clouds  the  Tricolors. 

It  may  be  asked  why  make  the  comparison  now,  why  not  go 
back  to  July  ?  To  this  I  am  also  agreeable.  Inquire  in  what  con- 
dition most  of  the  Tricolor  kinds  were  at  that  time,  and  in  most 
eases  the  complaint  would  be,  that  the  foliage  was  scorched  and 


October  22, 18C8.  ] 


JOUKNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUBB  AND  COTTAGE   GAIIDENER. 


297 


disGgurcd  by  the  sua,  while  the  Silver-edged  yarietiea  seemed 
not  to  suffer  much  ;  that  it  was  not  until  the  middle  of  August, 
and  later,  that  Mrs.  Pollock  (which  1  name  as  the  best  known 
of  its  cliisf)  presented  fohti;',e  at  all  true  to  its  character. 
Later  in  the  season,  however,  it  has  been  all  that  could  bo  de- 
sired. Those  who  admire  its  Cue  foliage  may  not  regard  the 
appearance  of  the  plant  at  a  distance  as  of  much  imporlance  ; 
but  they  must  have  Imd  to  lament  so  much  of  the  summer 
passing  away  before  the  leaven  presented  their  markings  in  any 
degree  of  perfection.  The  apjiearance  of  a  Tricolor  Pelargonium 
in  ill  health,  is,  on  the  whole,  worse  than  that  of  other  kinds  ; 
for  these  rea8on>;,  therefore,  I  am  disposed  to  place  this  class, 
as  a  whole,  second  in  utility  for  flower  garden  purposes  to  the 
Silver-edged  Pelargoniums,  and  I  hope  that  in  putting  forth 
this  view,  I  am  not  too  late  to  enable  those  having  bolh  classes 
in  good  condition  to  make  the  comparison  which  I  ask  them  to 
do  between  plants  of  each  class  at  a  tUstance  as  well  as  close 
to  the  eye. 

Having  said  this  much  on  the  comparative  merits  of  Tricolor 
and  Silver-edged  Pelargoniums,  I  will  ask  space  for  a  few  re- 
marks on  the  appearance  of  some  other  plauts  at  the  present 
time.  Ouaphaliiim  lanatum  looks  richer  when  wetted  with 
rain  or  dew  than  it  does  in  hot  sunshine,  especially  when  it 
has  been  allowed  to  grow,  and  as  it  were  throw  its  arms  over  its 
neighbours  a  little.  An  equally  handsome  plant  with  white 
foliage,  is  Arctotis  repens,  which  with  me  has  been  much  ad- 
mired. This  also  looks  well  in  autumn,  or,  in  fact,  at  all 
times.  The  Golden  Pyrethrum  has  likewise  returned  to  its 
proper  colour,  which  it  partly  lost  in  July  and  August.  The 
reverse  is  the  case  with  Chrysanthemum  Sensation,  which 
seems  to  lose  its  foliage. 

Among  dark-foliaged  plants,  the  rich  colour  of  the  Coleus  is 
beginning  to  bleach,  and  Amaranthus  is  in  places  showing 
signs  of  giving  way,  while  Iresine  is  all  that  can  be  wished. 
Those  who  have  a  good-foliaged  Beet  will  probably  point  to  it 
as  the  most  ornamental  plant  of  the  season,  but  as  I  have  not 
grown  it  for  decorative  purposes  I  must  confine  myself  to 
asking  what  it  was  like  before  tlie  1st  of  August. 

The  autumn  abo  brings  out  the  Caphea  to  greater  advantage, 
and  I  may  mention,  that  for  vases  in  shady  places,  I  know  of 
no  plant  more  suitable  than  Cuphea  platyceutra,  and  its  hardi- 
ness enables  it  to  disregard  slight  frosts.  Nierembergia  gracilis 
was,  perhaps,  better  covered  with  flowers  prior  to  the  heavy 
rains  at  the  end  of  last  month,  than  anything  we  had,  and  it 
would  present  a  good  appearance  again  if  dry  weather  continued. 
The  new  hardy  Nierembergia  rivularis  has  not  done  well  with 
me,  and  the  foliage  of  Wigandias  and  Solanums  has  not  been 
so  goad  as  in  lS(j.3.  The  Castor  Oil  plants,  however,  are  quite 
as  good,  and  some  are  perfecting  seeds. — J.  Eobson. 


PHYTOLACCA  DECANDRA. 

Tour  correspondent  who  was  so  surprised  at  seeing  this 
plant  growing  out  of  doors  at  Brussels  might  see  it  flourishing 
like  a  weed  in  my  garden  at  Guildford.  A  few  years  ago  Mr. 
Weaver  gave  me  a  plant  of  it,  which  I  took  up  and  nursed  in 
a  pot  for  the  first  winter  ;  as,  however,  I  found  that  some  bits 
of  the  root  which  I  had  accidentally  sliced  off  with  the  spade 
sent  upvigorous  plauts  in  the  spring,  and  also  that  numbers 
of  seedlings  were  appearing  on  all  sides,  I  determined  to  coddle 
no  more.  My  plants  now  remain  in  the  open  ground  without 
any  protection,  and  increase  enormously  in  size.  They  are  at 
the  present  time  in  great  beauty.  In  the  spring  the  spade 
comes  itfto  requisition  for  the  purpose  of  slicing  the  plants  into 
manageable  size,  and  the  Dutch  hoe  destroys  hundreds  of  seed- 
lings.— H.  G.  Meebuian,  Royal  Grammar  School,  Guildford. 

This  plant  is  perfectly  hardy.  It  has  stood  for  many  years 
in  the  gardens  of  the  Koj'al  Horticultural  Society,  Chiswick, 
without  any  protection  in  the  open  border.  Every  autumn  it 
is  exceedingly  handsome  with  its  long  spikes  of  dark  purplish 
fruit,  which  are  very  striking.  It  seeds  very  freely — so  freely 
that  some  seasons  the  young  plants  come  up  in  spring  as 
thickly  as  Groundsel.  A  still  more  pretty  kind,  however,  which 
is  also  to  be  seen  at  Chiswick,  is  Phytolacca  villosa  (?),  which  is 
also  hardy.  Its  large  Dahlia-like  roots  require  but  a  spadeful 
of  ashes  for  their  protection  during  winter.  It  grows  very 
Strong— to  a  height  of  about  C  feet,  and  branches  much,  forming 
a  perfect  bush  of  from  4  to  C  feet  in  diameter.  Throughout 
the  summer  it  is  handsome  as  an  ornamental-foliaged  plant ; 
and  when  covered,  as  it  is  from  the  end  of  July  to  the  end  of 


the  season,  with  its  long  drooping  racemes  of  bright  dark  pur- 
plish fruit,  it  is  decidedly  one  of  the  handsomest  hardy  plants 
to  be  seen.  This  plant  is  much  more  seldom  met  with  than 
P.  decandra.  If  I  can  rccallect  aright  it  is  the  same  plant  as 
used  to  be  grown  as  a  stove  plant  many  years  ago,  at  all  events 
it  is  remarkably  like  it.  Both  of  these  plants  ought  to  be  grown 
in  every  garden. — B. 


DESTROYING  RATS  IN   GARDENS. 

A  MOST  unsavoury  subject,  but,  unfortunately,  one  which 
soie  against  his  wUi,  is  often  uppermost  in  the  thouglits  of  the 
gardener.  Most  of  his  duties  are  labours  of  love;  but  the 
keeping  of  these  pests  at  bay,  and  layiug  deep,  dark  plots  for 
their  destruction,  can  only  be  appropriately  gone  about  with  a 
slouched  hat,  a  stern  brow,  and  a  great  amount  of  deadly  hatred 
in  the  not-otheiwise-unkind  heart. 

It  is  said  of  a  great  General,  that  when  he  wanted  a  man 
capable  of  doing  a  daring  deed,  or  executing  a  tatk  where 
strength  of  purpose  and  great  sagacity  were  indispensable,  he 
always  selected  one  with  a  long  nose.  Of  this  being  an  in- 
faUible  criterion  I  have  some  double,  and  if  I— not  being  a 
General,  wanted  a  man  possessed  of  these  qualifications  and 
several  more  equally  serviceable,  I  should,  in  preference,  cer- 
tainly pitch  upon  a  man  capable  of  out-witting  a  host  of  those 
clever  vermin — rats. 

Our  great  enemy,  the  common  brown  rat,  is  supposed  to  have 
been  imported  into  this  country  from  India  about  a  century 
and  a  half  ago.  Previous  to  its  introduction,  a  smaller  and 
less  destructive  race  of  black  rats  held  undisputed  sway,  but 
are  now  almost,  if  not  totally  exterminated  by  their  brown 
brethren.  The  latter  have  since  been  distributed  all  over  the 
civilised  world  mostly  by  British  shipping,  so  much  so,  that  it 
has  become  a  common  saying  among  sailors,  that  "  rats,  Scotch- 
men, aud  bad  weather  are  to  be  foimd  everywhere." 

In  attempting  to  wage  war  successfully  against  rats,  their 
habits  must  be  closely  observed,  aud  their  instinctive  powers 
somewhat  correctly  estimated.  It  is  well  known  that  their 
sense  of  smell  is  very  acute,  and  that  they  depend  more  upon 
it  for  guidance  in  their  search  for  food  and  in  avoidin;;  traps 
than  they  do  upon  either  their  eyes  or  ears,  and  this  circum- 
stance is  accordingly  taken  advantage  of  by  the  rat-catcher  in 
many  ways.  They  have  also  very  retentive  memories,  so  that 
if  one  makes  a  narrow  escape  to-day,  he  is  not  likely  to  forget 
it  for  some  time  to  come.  Owing,  no  doubt,  to  their  eastern 
origin,  they  are  very  fond  of  warmth,  and  they  do  enjoy  them- 
selves immensely  in  running  up  and  down  among  a  lot  of  Ver- 
bena cuttings  plunged  in  a  hotbed,  stopping  now  and  then  to 
nibble  over  a  pot  of  the  last  new  sort,  just  because  they  feel  so 
happy.  But  over  and  above  these  traits,  long  years  of  conflict 
with  man,  through  thousands  of  rat  generations,  have  battered 
into  their  natures  an  amount  of  general  cunning  not  easily 
over-matched. 

Where  rats  are  very  numerous,  and  where  they  are  at  liberty 
to  come  and  go  when  they  choose,  owing  to  the  garden  not 
being  entirely  enclosed  by  high,  well-coped  walls,  the  only  effi- 
cient means  of  sensibly  diminishing  their  numbers  is  by  poison  ; 
trapping,  as  ordinarily  practised,  is  little  better  than  labour 
lost  under  these  circumstances.  From  their  extreme  wariness, 
even  poisoning  them  is  no  easy  matter;  but  after  much  experi- 
ence in  this  detestable  business,  I  have  found  the  following 
method  veiy  successful :— Select  an  empty  quarter  not  far  from 
their  usual  runs,  on  which  to  commence  operat.'ons ;  on  this 
place  in  heaps  a  few  barrowloads  of  warm  stable  dung,  spread 
it  out  in  the  form  of  shght  hotbeds,  and  over  each  place  a  one- 
light  frame,  if  such  are  to  be  had,  if  not,  a  few  large  hand- 
glasses. Procure  some  coarse  suet,  tallow,  or  any  fatty  matter, 
which,  when  melted  down  aud  mixed  with  oatmeal  or  bran, 
forms  a  pastry  of  which  rats  are  very  fond.  Put  a  little  of  it 
into  each  frame,  and  shut  it  up,  as  if  most  anxious  that  no 
rat  should  enter.  The  first  night  after  this  is  done  will  most 
likely  be  spent  by  the  enemy  in  reconnoitring ;  the  next  in 
breaking  in  and  discussing  the  savoury  morsels.  Freeh  sup- 
plies must  be  put  in  every  day,  increasing  the  quantity  each 
time  if  it  is  all  eaten.  This  is  what  may  be  termed  educating 
the  "varmint,"  and  may  be  continued  for  four  or  five  succes- 
sive nights,  after  wliich,  by  way  of  change,  similar  food  well 
seasoned  with  arsenic  may  be  substituted,  and  it  will  be  eaten 
up  as  greedily  as  the  rest.  Some  employ  strychnine  instead  ; 
but  it  renders  its  victims  poisonous,  and  being  thus  additionally 
dangerous,  I  have  never  had  the  courage  to  use  it.  The 
poisoned  food  should  only  be  supplied  for  two  or  three  nights 


298 


JOUI.NAL  OF  EOETICOLTUEE   AND  COTTAGK   GAEDENEB. 


[  October  22,  1888. 


at  most,  for  by  that  time  the  survivors  ■will  have  begnn  to  sus- 
pect foul  play,  and  will  not  eat,  so  that  further  education  and 
stronger  inducements  will  be  necessary.  For  this  purpose 
obtain  from  a  chemist  some  oil  of  rhodium,  aniseed,  or  musk  ; 
impregnate  the  food  with  one  or  other  of  these  strong  scents, 
also  some  cotton  rags  with  which  trails  should  be  made  from 
those  parts  of  the  garden  most  infested,  towards  the  frames. 
The  infatuation  with  which  they  follow  these  trails  indicates  a 
weak  part  in  their  crafty  natures,  and  is  often  made  use  of  to 
lure  them  into  traps.  Feed  for  two  or  three  nights  as  before, 
then  treat  to  another  dose  of  poison,  and  by  persevering  in 
this  course  for  ten  days  or  a  fortnight  at  a  time,  great  numbers 
may  be  destroyed. 

The  great  fault  of  most  traps  is,  that  in  them  is  made  no 
provision  for  biding  the  fate  of  those  caught,  their  inventors 
evidently  greatly  undervaluing  the  reasoning  powers  of  the  rat. 
Owing  very  much  to  this  defect,  no  trap  has  yet  been  con- 
strneted  the  use  of  which  will  remain  successful  for  any  great 
length  of  time  in  one  place,  although  a  great  amount  of  inge- 
nuity has  been  expended  in  that  direction.  What  is  wanted  is 
some  engine  that  will  admit  all  comers,  and  so  effectually  hide 
and  imprison  them,  that  they  cannot  communicate  to  outsiders 
the  startling  fact  that  they  are  in  durance  vile.  I  was  recently 
told  by  a  farmer  how  he  used  to  capture  a  good  many  of  them, 
and  the  plan  is  very  simple.  A  sort  of  labyrinth  was  made — 
something,  I  suppose,  in  the  style  of  the  maze  at  Hampton 
Court,  by  setting  boards  upon  their  edges.  In  the  middle, 
crusts  of  bread  steeped  in  double-strong  whisky  were  placed, 
and  the  whole  covered  over  with  a  tarpaulin.  Trails  were  then 
made  to  the  door  of  this  dram  shop  by  dragging  a  roasted  her- 
ring slowly  ever  the  ground.  To  those  that  entered  and  par- 
took, intoxication,  bewilderment,  and  capture  would,  no  doubt, 
be  the  consequences  ;  but  I  am  afraid  they  would  not  be 
numerous.  Grains  of  Cocculus  indicus  have  also  been  recom- 
mended for  that  purpose. 

Some  affirm  that  rats  may  be  banished  from  a  place  alto- 
gether by  taking  as  many  of  them  alive  as  possible  in  box 
traps,  smearing  them  over  with  coal  tar,  and  setting  them  at 
liberty;  but  such  treatment  seems  almost  too  cruel,  even  for  a 
rat. 

To  some  it  may  be  of  service  to  know  that  rats  may  be  pre- 
vented from  burrowing  under  the  front  walls  of  vineries,  which 
are  generally  built  on  arches,  by  laying  common  rabbit  wire- 
netting  flat  upon  the  border  close  to  the  wall,  and  covering  it 
with  2  or  3  inches  of  soil.  Although  the  meshes  should  be  so 
targe  that  rats  might  easily  pass  through  them  if  clear  on  both 
sides,  as  in  a  fence,  yet  they  cannot  remove  the  soil  from 
underneath. 

There  is  no  evil  so  bad,  however,  but  that  it  might  possibly 
be  worse.  In  some  parts  of  India  they  have  a  rat,  the  Mus 
giganteus  of  naturalists,  and  a  most  gigantic  nuisance  it  must 
be.  It  is  said  to  weigh  3i  lbs.,  to  measure  28  inches  in  length, 
and  to  earn  a  living  by  burrowing  through  solid  brick  walls 
and  carrying  off  full-grown  poultry.  What  a  delightful  com- 
panion he  would  be  to  our  friends  at  the  end  of  the  Jonmal.— 
Ayrshire  Gardener. 


MARECHAL  KIEL  AND  ALFRED  COLOMB 
ROSES. 

That  must  have  been  a  dazzling  sight  which  your  correspon- 
dent, "  An  Ardent  Lov-er  of  the  Rose,"  describes  in  the 
Journal  for  October  1st.  I  can  well  imagine  the  golden  glory 
■which  114  blooms  of  the  loveliest  of  Eoses  would  produce,  and 
I  can  only  express  my  regret  that  I  was  not  one  of  the  favoured 
few  who  participated  in  a  sight  which  has  such  a  fascination 
forrosarians.  Such  an  exhibition  tends  to  remove  the  doubts 
which  have  been  freely  expressed  as  to  the  good  qualities  of 
Marfichal  Niel. 

_  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  Marcjchal  Niel  will  prove  of  very 
vigorous  growth,  for  during  a  visit  which  I  have  recently  made 
to  Yorkshire,  I  have  seen  it  growing  to  perfection,  "in  the 
garden  of  Mr.  .lohn  Milne,  of  Hull,  "  an  ardent  lover  of  Roses  " 
of  many  years'  standing,  may  be  seen  a  plant  of  Marochal  Niel 
on  its  own  roots,  which  has  this  season  thrown  up  a  shoot  now 
9  feet  high,  and  as  thick  at  the  base  as  one's  thumb.  It  was 
Still  growing  when  I  saw  it  on  the  4th  instant. 

The  suggestion  made  by  your  correspondent,  that  boxes  of 
select  varieties,  such  as  Maiuchal  Niel,  Gloire  de  Dijon,  Charles 
Lefebvre,  etc.,  should  he  exhibited,  I  cordially  endorse.  One 
of  the  most  beautif  al  sights  at  our  last  Birmingham  Show  was 


boxes  of  Alfred  Colomb.  The  lovely  form,  full  and  graceful, 
the  depth  of  petal  and  glorious  colouring  which  this  Rose  uni- 
formly presented,  impressed  me  so  favourably,  that  in  my 
humble  opinion  Alfred  Colomb  must  be  allowed  to  take  the 
foremost  place  in  the  list  of  Hybrid  Perpetuals.  It  is  un- 
rivalled.—C.  W.  M.,  Wylde  Green. 


BATTERSEA  PARK. 


{Conclude J.  from  page  167.) 
A  SUBSEQUENT  visit  to  the  Park  about  three  weeks  ago,  was 
chiefly  devoted  to  what  is  known  as  the  Peninsula  garden, 
which  lies  to  the  left  of  the  northern  entrance  to  the  subtropical 
department,  and  is  for  a  considerable  portion  of  its  length 
skirted  by  the  lake.  Passing  into  this  garden,  the  first  feature 
that  attracted  attention  was  a  cosy  nook  planted  with  tree 
Ferns,  consisting  of  Dicksonia  antarctiea,  Alsophila  anstraUs 
and  excelsa,  and  a  handsome  specimen  of  Cyathea  dealbata. 
Accompanying  these  were  Carludovica  latifolia,  a  dwarf  Pandanad 
with  plaited  pale  green  leaves  ;  Philodendron  crassinervium, 
with  pointed  lanceolate  leaves,  of  which  the  midribs  form  a 
very  thick  band,  flat  on  the  upper  side  ;  P.  macrophyllum,  with 
broad  Caladiumlike  leaves ;  and  Pothos  aoaulis,  4.J  feet  in 
height,  and  very  luxuriant.  The  Stag's-horn  Fern,  Platyce- 
rium  aloicorne,  was  also  looking  very  healthy.  In  a  corre- 
sponding shady  nook  on  the  lake  side  of  the  walk,  there  was  a 
beautiful  group  of  the  Bird's-nest  Fern,  of  which  the  lively 
green  fronds  indicated  that  the  plants  were  profiting  by  the 
free  air  and  liberty  which  they  thus  enjoyed.  Associated  with 
these  we  noticed  Philodendron  Simsii,  Cordyline  indivisa, 
which  stands  the  weather  well  out  of  doors  in  summer  and 
autumn  ;  the  Loquat ;  an  Alsophila  excelaa,  spreading  its  fronds 
over  a  space  9  or  10  feet  in  diameter  ;  Latania  borbonica,  and 
that  graceful  Palm  Seaforthia  elegans,  which  has  been  making 
fresh  fronds  throughout  the  season. 

Facing  the  lake,  but  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  waKc,  an 
extremely  effective  oblong  bed  was  planted  as  follows  : — Along 
the  centre  were  five  circles,  the  two  end  ones  filled  with  Alter- 
nanthera  amcena ;  the  centre  circle  with  Lady  Galium,  varie- 
gated Pelargonium,  and  the  other  two  respectively  with  Pelar- 
gonium Aureum,  and  Crystal  Palace  Gem.  These  circles  were 
surrounded  with  Veronica  incana  ;  a  mass  of  Alternanthera  pa- 
ronychioides  filling  up  the  space  between  the  circles  and  the 
edging  of  Mrs.  Pollock  Pelargonium,  margined  with  Semper- 
vivum  californicum.  In  a  trial  bed  of  Cannas  at  the  back  of 
the  oblong  bed  just  mentioned,  Canna  grandiflora  floribunda 
was  remarkable  for  its  dwarf  habit  and  fine  flame  orange- 
coloured  flowers,  paler  in  colour  at  the  base  of  the  petals. 
Another  variety  called  Imperator,  in  the  same  bed,  was  of  ex- 
tremely vigorous  growth,  having  foliage  not  unlike  that  of  a 
Banana. 

The  next  beds  were  circles  planted  with  Caladium  cucullatnm, 
and  the  handsome  Rice-paper  plant,  Aralia  papyrifera ;  the 
ground  under  the  latter  was  carpeted  with  the  well-known 
Cyanotis  vittata,  or  Tradescantia  zebrina,  the  whole  being 
edged  with  Vinca  elegantissima,  surrounded  with  Alternan- 
theras.  Passing  onwards  we  reached  a  panel  bed  similar  in 
design  to  that  already  described,  only  the  circles  at  each  end, 
and  that  in  the  centre,  were  filled  with  Gold  and  Bronze  Pelar- 
goniums, Arab,  Zebra,  and  Egyptian  Queen,  the  other  two 
circles  being  planted  with  Snowdrop  and  Queen  of  Queens, 
white-edged  varieties.  As  before  the  circles  were  edged  with 
Veronica  incana,  the  panel  was  filled  up  with  Alternanthera 
amcena,  and  the  whole  edged  with  the  pretty  Sempervivnm 
californicum.  This  bed,  like  the  other,  had  been  very  effective, 
but  the  Pelargoniums  had  lost  much  of  their  beauty. 

A  lunette  bed  next  claimed  attention.  This  was  planted  with 
Polymnia  gvandis  formiEg  a  mass  in  the  centre,  with  little 
blocks  of  the  variegated  Japanese  Maize  and  Amaranthus 
melancholicus  ruber  in  front,  Echeveria  seounda  glauca  making 
a  beautiful  edging.  A  similar  lunette  was  filled  with  Solanum 
laciniatum  elegans,  with  beautifully  cut  leaves,  and  large 
flowers,  backed  with  Eucalyptus  globulus,  and  having  Wigandia 
urens  in  front,  the  edging  to  the  whole  being  Veronica  incana. 

We  now  come  to  a  new  feature — namely,  a  series  of  mounds 
on  the  shores  of  the  lake,  chiefly  covered  with  alpine  plants, 
plants  for  the  most  part  of  small  and  even  minute  growth, 
offering  a  marked  contrast  to  the  bold  luxuriance  of  the  tro- 
pical vegetation  around.  One  of  these  mounds  was  carpeted 
with  Antennaria  tomentosa,  and  the  silvery  groundwork  which 
it  forms  was  studded  with  Bempervivum  phioloides  and  atro- 


October  23,  1SG8.    1 


JOURNAL  OF    UORTICUIiTURE   AND   COTXAr,E  GARDENER. 


299 


purpnreum.  On  the  next  mound  Golden  Feather  Pyrethrum 
was  interBpersed  amongst  Echeveria  metallica  and  Semper- 
viviim  Donkelaari,  and  at  the  back  there  was  a  plant  of  San- 
seviera  zejlanica  in  quite  as  good  condition  as  it  is  seen  in  the 
beat  collections  of  ornamental-foliaged  plants,  though  not  so 
large.  A  third  mound  was  covered  with  the  charming  little 
buttons  of  Sedum  glauoum,  dotted  with  a  very  ellective  Sem- 
pervivum  said  to  be  new,  Echeveria  metallica  beautifully 
coloured,  and  Sempervivum  phioloidos.  On  other  mounds  the 
above  plants  were  repeated  in  various  combinations  with  each 
other,  and  with  several  more  plants  of  a  similar  character.  Of 
these  Sedum  virens,  Gnaphalium  dioicum  nanum,  and  Sedum 
ochroleucum,  formed  very  pretty  dense  tufts,  those  of  the  last 
named,  in  particular,  being  almost  like  small  berries.  Sedum 
brevifolium  is  also  pretty  at  the  end  of  the  season. 

A  bed  of  Pelargoniums  occurred  on  the  grass  not  far  from 
tho  alpincs.  This  was  prettily  divided  into  several  compart- 
ments by  a  zigzag  band  of  Silver  Thyme,  and  in  these  were 
growing  several  Pelargoniums  for  trial.  John  Heaviside,  scarlet, 
looked  very  well,  and  King  of  Nosegays  had  fine  trusses  of 
broad-petalled  flowers.  After  passing  a  splendid  bed  of  Castor 
Oil  plants,  and  a  very  fine  one  of  the  variegated  Acer 
negundo,  edged  with  Golden  Feather  Pyrethrum,  we  reached 
a  magnificent  plant  of  Musa  ensete,  with  leaves  12  feet  long, 
in  a  sheltered  nook  at  the  junction  of  two  walks.  This  was 
planted  on  a  slight  elevation  above  the  surrounding  turf,  and 
the  ground  beneath  carpeted  with  the  frosty-leaved  Anten- 
naria  tomentosa. 

Near  this  point  a  large  piece  of  rockwork  is  in  course  of  for- 
mation, the  ground  has  been  thrown  up  so  as  to  form  a  bold 
promontory  at  the  head  of  the  lake,  facing  the  south  and  south- 
east, and  judging  from  the  work  already  executed,  an  ex- 
cellent imitation  of  natural  sandstone  rocks  will  be  produced. 
They  appear  as  if  there  had  been  a  "  fault "  near  the  lake,  and 
the  dip  of  the  strata  is  seen  to  be  inland.  This  rockwork  is  to 
have  basins  and  ledges  for  the  growth  of  alpine  and  other  suit- 
able plants,  and  there  are  to  be  some  small  waterfalls ;  but 
very  judiciously  no  attempt  has  been  made  to  imitate  mountain 
scenery  by  representing  a  mountain  by  a  molehill,  and  a  lofty 
rock  by  a  large  stone.  Eockwork  is  one  of  the  most  difficult 
forms  to  imitate,  so  as  to  produce  a  good  effect  in  a  garden, 
for  on  a  largo  scale  it  is  both  expensive,  and  occupies  a  large 
amount  of  space,  and  if  small  it  becomes  ridiculous,  unless  of 
an  unambitious  character.  At  Battersea,  however,  so  far  as  we 
can  perceive,  neither  too  much  nor  too  little  has  been  attempted, 
and  when  the  work  shall  have  been  finished,  and  the  various 
parts  clad  in  their  living  garments,  we  have  little  doubt  the 
effect  will  be  very  pleasing.  Still  many  shrubs  and  trees  will 
have  to  be  planted,  and  some  years  must  elapse  before  that 
effect  can  be  fully  realised,  for  it  will  be  a  work  of  time  to  shut 
out  Clapham  Junction,  with  its  engines  speeding  in  all  di- 
rections, and  the  tall  chimneys  beyond — the  outposts  of  an 
army  ever  on  the  advance.  But  even  at  this  point,  whilst 
looking  at  the  many  spires  lighted  up  by  the  autumn  sunset, 
one  is  reminded  by  the  voices  of  thousands  of  starlings  seeking 
their  roosting  places  on  the  island  in  the  lake,  that  though  ao 
near  a  great  city,  our  wild  birds  have  sought  and  found  a  home 
where  the  rich  and  varied  vegetation  of  the  far  south  is  flourish- 
ing in  a  strange  land. 

Beturning  from  the  rockwork  there  still  remains  a  long 
series  of  beds,  but  as  it  would  be  tedious  to  particularise  the 
planting  of  each,  we  shall  only  notice  some  of  the  most  effective  of 
the  plants  employed.  Of  these  Solanum  robustum  was  one  of 
the  most  ornamental.  It  is  a  tall-growing  species,  with  large, 
very  spiny  leaves  covered,  like  the  whole  plant,  with  cinnamon- 
coloured  down,  and  has  a  noble  appearance.  Solanum  amazo- 
nicum  is  of  much  dwarfer  habit  than  the  preceding,  and  its 
leaves  are  small,  and  have  also  a  cinnamon  tinge,  but  the 
flowers  are  large  and  oraameutal,  being  blue  with  yellow 
stamens.  Another  Solanum,  very  dwarf  in  growth,  and  set 
with  a  multitude  of  spines,  was  interesting  by  its  prettily  marbled 
green  and  white  fruit.  Cannas,  including  the  dark-leaved 
C.  rubrieaulis,  Wigandias,  Castor  Oil  plants,  Indiarnbbers,  and 
Niootiana  wigandioides,  were  everywhere  most  luxuriant. 
Several  kinds  of  Senecio  were  also  noticeable,  more  particularly 
Senecio  Ghiesbreghtii,  with  large  and  beautiful  green  leaves, 
and  which  in  January  produces  enormous  corymbs  of  golden 
flowers  ;  and  amang  Abutilons  there  were  several  pretty  kinds, 
especially  A.  sulphureum,  with  yellow  flowers.  Boceonia  fru- 
tesceus,  which  was  employed  at  one  place  as  an  edging,  also 
deserves  mention  on  account  of  its  large  and  elegantly  lobed 
foliage.  From  one  point  of  the  walk  leading  from  the  rockwork 


to  the  entrance,  a  view  is  obtained  across  a  smaller  lake  than 
that  in  which  the  starlings'  island  is  situated,  and  the  masses 
of  dark  and  green-leaved  Cannas  backed  up  by  various  trees 
and  shrubs,  with  a  small  bed  of  Salvia  argcutoa  on  tho  margin, 
had  a  very  pretty  effect. 

Before  quitting  the  subtropical  department,  it  must  be  men- 
tioned that  a  terrace  walk  has  been  formed  on  a  portion  of  the 
south  and  west  sides,  giving  an  elevation  of  2i)  feet  and  from 
this  a  view  can  be  obtained  over  those  gigantic  Bananas  referred 
to  in  a  previous  number,  and  a  largo  number  of  the  beds.  The 
whole  of  this  has  been  raised  since  Midsummer,  1hG7,  princi- 
pally by  means  of  the  soil  obtained  from  the  excavations  for 
the  new  metropolitan  railways,  and  which,  consequently,  was 
of  a  very  mixed  character.  Notwithstanding  the  heat  of  the 
summer,  the  Hollies  and  other  shrubs,  though  only  removed 
in  June,  exhibited  no  sign  of  having  been  transplanted,  not 
even  a  withered  leaf.  Of  course,  little  basins  were  formed  round 
each  to  hold  water,  with  which  they  were  plentifully  supplied. 

Besides  the  subtropical  garden,  Battereea  Park  has  presented 
during  the  season  another  great  attraction  in  the  bedding 
plants  which  have  adorned  the  sides  of  the  drives  and  walks, 
especially  on  the  river  side  of  the  Park.  A  ribbon  border  in 
the  American  ground  which  had  been  very  effective  earlier  in 
the  season,  was  planted  thus — edging  blue  Lobelia  ;  2,  Flower 
of  the  Day  Pelargonium  ;  3,  a  double  row  of  Christine  ;  -1,  Cy- 
bister;  5,  Waltham  Seedling,  backed  with  Double  White  Pyre- 
thrum. In  other  arrangements,  the  dwaif  French  Marigolds 
had  been  very  useful  all  through  the  dry  weather,  but  the  rains 
which  succeeded  rendered  their  growth  rampant.  The  semi- 
circle at  the  principal  entrance  on  the  north  side  afforded  a 
brilliant  display  of  colour  up  till  very  lately.  Both  of  the  quad- 
rants were  planted  alike  ;  it  will,  therefore,  be  sufficient  to  take 
one.  In  shape  the  beds  were  what  may  be  called  (to  save  the 
use  of  a  less  generally  inteUigible  term)  oblong,  with  the  sides 
following  the  curve  of  the  semicircle,  and  with  the  ends  swept, 
out  to  correspond  with  the  curve  of  the  small  circular  beds  with 
which  these  oblongs  alternate.  The  first  bod  was  planted  with 
Lucius  Pelargonium,  scarlet,  and  like  all  the  rest  was  edged 
with  Golden  Fleece,  and  bordered  next  the  grass  with  Ceras- 
tium  tomentosum,  cut  closely  to  a  regular  width  of  4  inches  ; 
bed  2,  a  circle,  was  planted  with  Christine;  3,  oblong,  with 
Lady  Constance  Grosvenor,  scarlet ;  4,  with  Waltham  Seed- 
ling ;  .'>,  with  Excellent ;  fi,  with  Christine ;  and  7  with  blue 
Lobelia  and  Mrs.  Pollock  Pelargonium  in  alternate  bands 
across  the  bed,  the  blue  flowers  of  the  Lobelia  setting  off  to 
great  advantage  the  tricolor  leaves  of  Mrs.  Pollock.  At  the 
back  of  these  beds  there  was  one  long  continuous  bed,  as  it 
were  embracing  them.  This  was  divided  into  triangles  by 
zigzag  bands  of  Altemanthera  versicolor  with  similar  bands  o£ 
Cerastium  on  each  side  of  it,  the  triangles  being  alternately  filled 
with  Harry  Hieover,  dwarf  scarlet  Pelargonium,  and  blue 
Lobelia.  The  whole  was  edged  with  Golden  Feather  Pyrethrum, 
and  backed  with  two  rows  of  Golden  Fleece  Pelargonium,  then 
Waltham  Seedling,  and  another  scarlet  variety  of  stronger 
growth. 

The  last  arrangement  which  we  shall  notice,  was  one  near 
the  West  Lodge,  which  continued  in  fine  condition  till  very 
lately.  Though  simple  it  is  not  very  easy  to  give  an  intelligible 
description  of  it  without  an  engraving.  It  consisted  of  a  circle 
bordered  with  Echeveria  secunda  glauca,  within  which  there 
was  a  ring  of  Altemanthera  amcpua.  The  large  circle  was 
centred  with  a  small  circle  of  Gaiety  Bronze  Pelargonium. 
Another  circle  was  then  described  with  a  longer  radius,  fiUed 
in  with  Coleus  marmoratus.  The  broad  ring  between  the  cir- 
cumference of  this  second  circle  was  then  divided  by  segmental 
bands  of  Altemanthera,  and  the  panels  thus  formed  planted 
with  blue  Lobelias  and  Pelargoniums  of  the  Gold  and  Bronze 
section.  Eadiating  from  the  circle  are  seven  somewhat  club- 
shaped  beds,  the  whole  of  which  were  bordered  with  the  pretty 
variegated  Euonymus  radicans,  very  dwarf,  compact,  and  form- 
ing an  excellent  permanent  edging.  The  second  rows  in  the 
different  beds  consisted  of  Lobelia,  or  Alternantheras ;  the 
third  rows  of  Golden  or  Silver-variegated  Pelargoniums  ;  and 
the  centres  of  rose-coloured  and  scarlet  kinds,  the  beds  on  each 
side  of  the  central  one  pairing  with  each  other. 


BELLE  DE   FONTENAY   RASPBERRY. 

The  Easpberry,  useful  as  it  is  for  jam  and  many  other  pur- 
poses, does  not  rank  equal  in  importance  with  many  other 
garden  fruits,  consequently  but  little  attention  is  given  to  in- 


300 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENEE. 


[  October  22,  1668. 


creasing  the  nnmber  of  its  varieties ;  yet  tbe  superiority  of 
Belle  de  Fontenay  to  most  of  tie  older  kinds  tends  to  show 
that  the  Easpberry  is  capable  of  improvement  both  in  size  and 
quality.  Why  should  we  not  have  our  OockEcomb  and  Dao  de 
Malakoff  amongst  Easpberries  as  well  as  in  the  family  of  its 
great  rival  the  Strawberry  ? 

Whether  the  present  standard  of  excellence  amongst  Easp- 
berries will  ever  be  much  improved  upon  is  not  of  such  import- 
ance as  that  all  who  care  for  this  fruit  should  have  the  best 
kinds  at  present  in  cultivation  ;  and  amongst  these  I  am 
strongly  inclined  to  assign  the  first  place  to  Belle  de  Fontenay, 
a  sort  possessing  such  great  merit  as  to  render  it  quite  worthy 
of  the  certificate  which  was  awarded  it  when  exhibited  at  South 
Kensington,  and  which  was  my  only  guide  in  ordering  it  about 
three  years  ago.  I  am  sure  all  who  have  grown  it  will  agree 
with  me  as  to  its  excellence  both  as  a  summer  and  an  autumn 
fruit,  for  it  is  a  double-fruiting  kind,  producing  its  large  dark- 
coloured  fruit  in  large  clusters  on  the  tips  of  the  current  year's 
wood,  which,  when  the  autumn  crop  is  gathered,  is  shortened 
to  the  usual  length  preparatory  to  yielding  an  abundant  crop 
of  fruit  from  side  shoots  in  the  following  summer ;  after  this 
the  exhausted  canes  are  cut  away,  just  as  is  usual  with  those 
kinds  which  yield  their  fruit  only  in  the  summer. 

As  regards  the  habit  of  growth  of  Belle  do  Fontenay,  nothing 
can  be  more  healthy  than  its  sturdy  robust  canes  of  about 
5  feet  in  height.  It  is  worthy  of  notice  that,  although  this 
kind,  in  common  with  other  late-fruiting  varieties,  has  produced 
but  little  fruit  during  the  present  autumn,  yet  what  fruit  has 
been  obtained  was  very  superior  in  flavour  to  that  of  ordinary 
seasons  ;  for,  generally  speaking,  the  second  crop  of  Easpberries, 
owing  to  its  acidity,  is  only  useful  for  tarts  and  creams. — 
Edwaed  Luckhukst,  Egerton  Home  Gardcitg,  Kent, 


ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL   SOCIETY. 

October  20th. 

Fruit  Committee. — G.  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  F.E.S.,  in  the  chair 
Prizes  of  £2  and  £1  were  oilered  at  this  meeting  by  the  Eev.  George 
Kemp,  of  Sevenoaks,  for  the  best  and  second  best  sis  bunches  of 
Grapes,  grown  in  the  open  air  against  a  wall  without  any  protection 
whatever.  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  six  exhibitors,  who  sent 
in  all  seven  collections  : — Mr.  L\nn,  of  Hedsor,  who  had  Blach  Ham- 
burgh ;  Mr.  Booth,  F.E.H.S.,  Jsew  Eoad,  Hammersmith,  sent  Black 
Prince  ;  Mr.  Earley.  of  Digswell,  sent  well-ripened  rnssety  specimens  of 
Eoyal  Muscadine  ;  Mr.  Dewdney,  of  Dorking,  large  handsome  bunches 
of  'Black  Prince,  and  well-developed  hunches  of  White  Frontignan, 
which,  however,  were  not  sufficiently  ripe  ;  Mr.  Charles  Lee,  of  Ham- 
mersmith, and  Mr.  Jackson,  of  Titscv  Park,  Godstone,  Black  Ham- 
burghs  ;  and  Mr.  Foster,  of  Leigh.  Essex,  who  exhibited  a  basket  of 
remarkably  fine  and  well-ripened  Muscadine  Grapes,  which  obtained 
the  first  prize.  The  second  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Lvnn,  for  his  Black 
Hamhnrghs.  which  were  remarkably  well  grown,  but  were  inferior  in 
flavour  to  the  Eoyal  Muscadine. 

Mr.  Darkin.  of  St.  Peter's  Vineyard,  Bury  St.  Edmunds,  sent  a 
collection  of  nine  distinct  varieties  of  Grapes,  grown  iu  his  vineyard 
in  the  open  air,  which  in  some  instances  were  very  highly  ripened. 
Among  these  were  Black  Hamburgh,  White  Muscadine,  Black  Mus- 
cadine, and  Miller's  Burgundy.  There  was  an  immense  bunch  of  a 
white  variety  called  Miller's  Eoyal  Muscadine,  but  which  was  in 
reality  White  Nice.  A  special  certificate  was  awarded  for  the  col- 
lection. 

Mr.  Parsons,  gardener  to  E.  Attenborough.  Esq.,  Acton  Green,  was 
the  only  competitor  in  the  class  for  Muscat  Hamburghs,  and  received 
the  first  prize. 

G.  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  of  Gishurst  Cottage,  Weybridge,  exhibited 
examples  of  Black  Hamburgh  and  Chasselas  Musque  from  a  cold 
orchard  house,  the  former  well-ripened  and  well-flavoured,  and  the 
latter  distinctly  Muscat. 

Tn  the  class  for  the  best  three  dishes  of  desseii  Apples,  there  were 
ten  competitors,  all  of  whom  sent  unexceptionable  exhibitions,  which 
on  close  examination  resulted  in  the  first  prize  being  awarded  to  Mr. 
'Whiting,  of  The  Deepdene,  for  Sudbmy  Beauty,  Cox's  Orange  Pippin, 
and  Eibston  Pippin.  Mr.  S.  Ford,  Leonardslee,  Horsham,  was  second, 
with  Blenheim  Pippin,  Cornish  Gilliflower,  and  Eibston  Pippin. 

Mr.  Eobert  Fenn,  of  the  Eectory,  Woodstock,  exhibited  thirty-six 
varieties  of  Potatoes,  of  which  three  of  Mr.  Fenn's  selection  were  cooked 
for  the  judgment  of  the  Committee.  Of  these.  Almond's  Yorkshire 
Hero  was  found  to  be  of  unusual  excellence,  and  to  it  a  tirst-class 
certificate  was  awarded,  and  Mr.  Fenn  received  a  special  certificate  for 
the  collection. 

In  the  class  for  the  best  three  dishes  of  dessert  Pears  there  were 
seven  competitors.  The  first  prize  was  awai-ded  to  Mr.  Marcham, 
gardener  to  E.  Gates,  Esq.,  Hanwell.  and  the  second  to  Mr,  S.  Ford. 

H.  Webb,  Esq.,  of  Eedstone  Manor,  exhibited  a  dish  of  Brown 
Turkey  Figs  of  the  second  crop,  which  were  excellent  in  flavour. 

Mr.  Hill,  of  Keele  Hall,  sent  bunches  of  Black  Morocco,  Champion 


Hamburgh,  and  Black  Barbarossa.  |  Mr.  Lovegi^pvc,  of  Maidenhead, 
sent  a  bottle  of  English  champagne  wine  made  from  Black  Hamburgh 
Grapes  grown  out  of  doors.  It  possessed  more  of  the  character  of  a 
French  than  an  English  wine,  and  was  so  highly  appreciated  by  the 
Committee  as  to  receive  a  special  certificate.  Mr.  Cox,  of  Eedleaf, 
exhibited  a  dish  of  Bcuitc  Clairgcau,  which  for  size  and  beauty  have 
been  rarely  surpassed,  and  to  which  a  special  certificate  was  awarded. 
Mr.  Marcham.  gardener  to  E.  Gates,  Esq.,  of  Hanwell,  sent  a  dish  of 
Coe's  Golden  l)rop  Plums,  which  received  the  commendation  of  the 
Committee  for  the  admirable  way  in  which  they  had  been  kept. 

John  Cox,  Esq.,  of  Clinton  House,  Weybridge,  sent  samples  of  a 
thin-shelled  Walnut,  possessed  of  excellent  flavour.  Mr.  Lunnon,  of 
Bourne  End,  Maidenhead,  sent  two  varieties  of  Walnuts  of  a  very 
large  size. 

Mr.  Bains,  of  Thingwall  Hall,  sent  a  collection  of  Pears  and  two 
dishes  of  enormous  Mire  de  Menage  Apples,  which  received  a  special 
certificate.  In  the  class  for  the  best  collection  of  Pearmain  Apples, 
Mr.  Cox,  of  Eedleaf,  received  tbe  first  prize  ;  and  Mr.  Chaff,  gardener 
to  Alfred  Smee,  Esq.,  F.E  S.,  received  a  special  certificate  for  a  fine 
collection.  Messrs.  Veitch  it  Son  received  a  special  certificate  for  a 
very  complete  collection  of  well-grown  Endive.  Messrs.  Stuart  and 
Mem,  of  Kelso,  sent  a  seeilling  Beet,  said  to  be  a  cross  between 
Dewar's  and  Pine  Apple,  but  the  Committee  were  of  opinion  that  it 
was  inferior  in  quaUty  to  either. 

Floil^l  Committee. — The  awards  made  on  this  occasion  were  but 
few.  The  specimens  sent  were  by  no  means  inferior,  but  owing  to  the 
advanced  season  of  the  year  they  were  not  so  numerous  as  usual.  Mr. 
Earley,  of  Digswell,  brought  cut  specimens  of  an  Ipom^ea,  raised  from 
seed  sent  from  India  ;  tbe  flowers  about  an  inch  in  diameter,  of  a  pale 
buff  colour,  with  a  puiiilc  centre  ;  the  foliage  small  and  palmate ;  tbe 
plant  of  dwarf  habit.  Mr.  Shcrratt.  gardener  to  J.  Bateman.  Esq., 
Knvpersley,  sent  a  beautiful  and  well-cultivated  specimen  of  Pleione 
lagenaria,  and  a  special  certificate  was  awarded  it.  From  the  Society's 
gardens  two  hybrid  Coleuses  of  gi-eat  promise  were  awarded  first-class 
certificates  ;  their  names  were  Princess  Eoyal  and  Prince  of  Wales. 
A  seedling  variegated  Fuchsia,  named  Eet^aUa,  was  also  exhibited 
from  the  Society's  gardens  ;  it  has  rich  golden  foliage,  deeply  veined 
with  red  ;  the  mixture  of  colour  has  a  veiy  pleasing  effect. 

Mr.  Church,  gardener  to  J.  Hodgson,  Esq.,  sent  seedling  Vai-iegatea 
Pelargoniums — J.  Hodgson,  Golden  Harvest,  Golden  Sovereign,  Ad- 
vance Guard,  and  Prince  Arthur.  The  Committee  unanimously 
agreed  that  it  was  too  late  in  the  season  to  judge  of  the  merits  of 
Zonal  Pelargoniums.  Mr.  Walkling,  nurseiyman,  Lewisham,  also  sent 
two  seedUng  Variegated  kinds,  named  Jliss  M.  Walkling,  a  highly- 
coloured  variety  of  great  promise,  and  Viceroy  of  Egypt,  too  much 
like  others  of  the  Bronze  Zonal  section.  Mr.  Hill,  gardener  to  B. 
Hanbury,  Esq.,  The  Poles,  Ware,  exhibited  a  fine  specimen  of  Vanda 
cierulea,  which  was  awai'ded  a  special  certificate. 

Mr.  '\Villiams,  of  HoUoway,  sent  a  fine  specimen  of  AraUa  Sieboldi 
variegata,  which  in  ISHl  received  a  label  of  commendation  in  conside- 
ration of  its  great  beauty  and  usefulness  as  a  decorative  plant,  and 
its  having  proved  to  a  certain  extent  hardy,  surriving  the  last  fonr 
winters  in  Battersea  Park ;  the  Committee  decided  that  the  label  of 
commendation  should  be  superseded  by  a  fii-st-clas3  certificate.  Mr. 
Williams  also  sent  Aralia  aureo-varicgata,  in  the  present  condition 
not  equal  to  A.  Sieboldi ;  a  second-class  certificate  was  awarded  it. 
A  special  ceitificate  was  given  for  his  collection  of  Orchids. 

Mr.  Ford,  gardener  to  E.  Hubbard,  Esq.,  sent  a  collection  of  seed- 
ling Zonal  Pelargoniums.  Mr.  Parker,  Nurseiyman,  Tooting,  eihi- 
bited  a  beautiful  sjiecimen  of  Zygopetalum  Gautieri,  veiy  distinct,  and 
a  first-class  certificate  was  awarded.  Mr.  Green,  gardener  to  W.  W. 
Saunders,  Esq.,  exhibited  a  small  collection  of  curious  and  interesting 
plants,  which  was  awarded  a  special  certificate. 

Mr.  W.  Paul,  Woltbam  Cross,  sent  specimens  of  three  of  his  well- 
known  seedling  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  Eed  Admh-al,  Prince  Silverwing, 
and  Silver  Swan  ;  the  latter  a  white-edged  plant,  the  flowers  also  white. 

Messrs.  Veitch  sent  a  largo  specimen  of  Ampelopsis  Veitchii,  a  useful 
climber  for  covering  a  wall,  having  small  foliage  not  nnlike  Ivy  ;  also 
Ampelopsis  japonica,  another  climbing  plant,  with  rich  foUage  of  bright 
autumnal  tints  ;  it  received  a  first-class  certificate.  Mr.  H.  Veitch 
brought  cut  specimens  of  Abutilon  Tbompsoni  from  the  open  ground, 
showing  no  injurious  result  after  tbe  previous  night's  frost,  thus 
proving  the  plant  anything  but  a  stove  pl.ant,  as  it  was  first  supposed 
to  be. 

Mr.  Green  brought  specimens  of  bright  flowers  of  Begonia  Mar- 
tynia,  grown  in  the  open  ground.  Tbe  Chairman  announced  that 
Cf.  Bateman,  Esq.,  had  sent  thirtv  seedling  plants  of  Ehododendron 
javanicum  for  the  ballot.  Mr.  T.  D.  Fish  sent  leaves  of  the  true 
Claret  Vine,  the  deep  yet  bright  ruby  tints  of  which  were  much 
admired.  The  introduction  of  these  highly-coloured  leaves  led  to  a, 
suggestion,  that  an  interesting  exhibition  might  be  made  next  October 
by  tbe  arrangement  of  many  plants  so  beautifnlly  variegated  an* 
ornamented  by  their  rich  autumnal  tints. 

Gen-eh.1I,  Meetisg.— W.  Wilson  Saunders,  Esq.,  F.E.S.,  in  the 
chair.  One  new  Fellow  was  elected,  and  the  Birmingham  Horticultural 
Society  admitted  into  union.  In  reporting  the  awards  of  the  Fruit 
Committee,  G.  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  F.R-S-,  stated  with  reference  to 
Walnuts,  that  when  these  were  in  a  half-diy  state  they  might  be  made 
almost  as  sweet  and  plump  as  when  fresh-gatbered,  by  soaking  them 


Oclobor  22,  1B68.  ] 


JODRNiVL   OP  HORTICULTURE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


301 


in  WBi-m  water  for  half  an  hour  aud  then  placing  thorn  for  six  or  Bovon 
honrs  in  salt  and  water. 

Mr.  Wilson  Sanndors  romavlcod,  that  the  frost  of  tlio  prcvions  niglit 
had  nearly  stopped  out-door  gardcniup;.  In  Surrey  the  thermoinctor 
had  fallen  11'  or  I'i"  below  freezing  point,  and  all  the  lialfhardy 
bedding  plants  had  been  destroyed,  but  on  hij^h  and  dry  sitaatioua 
the  frost  had  been  so  much  leas  severe  that  even  Dahlias  had  been 
scarcely  touched.  He,  thcrctovo,  rcoomniended  those  who  wanted  to 
preserve  such  plants  to  a  late  p;'riod,  to  choose  for  them  sltnations  as 
high  and  as  dry  as  possible,  and  thru  the  chances  of  Ivocpin^  up  a  late 
display  wonld  bo  mnch  greater  tlian  if  the  plants  wore  otherwise  placed. 
After  noticing  the  variegated  Aralia  Sieboldi  as  a  very  desirable 
plant  for  winter  decoration,  as  it  had  proved  hardy  at  Battersca,  Mr. 
Sanndors  referred  to  Ampelopsis  Veitchii  os  a  valuable  addition  to 
hardy  climbing  plants,  though  he  would  not  venturo  to  say  that  those 
who  had  an  affection  for  the  old  English  Ivy,  with  its  glossy  leaves 
and  beautiful  nnirlrings,  wonld  substitute  the  one  for  the  other.  The 
leaves  of  the  Claret  Vino  were  thou  pointed  out  as  being  very  beauti- 
ful in  colour  when  dying-off,  but  I^Ir.  Sauuders  obseiTcd  that  those 
of  another  Vine  that  had  been  sent  home  from  Malaga,  but  of  which 
he  did  not  then  remember  the  name,  were  even  more  rcmarltable  for 
the  beauty  of  their  colours  when  dyiug-oif,  being  then  yellow  aud  red. 

The  proceedings  closed  with  the  announcement  that  the  next  meet- 
ing would  take  place  on  tho  17th  of  November. 


JERSEY  AUTUMNAL  FRUIT  SHOW. 

Wedxf.sday,  October  lith.  was  one  of  those  sunny  autumnal 
days,  so  frequent  at  this  season  in  favoured  Ca'sarca,  and  on  that  day 
at  two  o'clock  was  opened  the  Autumnal  Kruit  Show  of  the  Koyal 
Jersey  Horticultural  Society.  Tho  spacious  saloons  of  tho  Imperial 
Hotel — which,  by-the-byo,  is  admirably  adapted  for  a  show  at  this 
season,  were  crowded  with  the  dife  of  the  Island,  who  thronged 
aroand  the  tables  covered  with  fruit  of  unnsual  e.xcellence  and  beauty. 
The  tables  for  the  fruit  measured  about  loO  feet  in  length,  aud  -1  feet 
in  width,  literally  covered  with  Pears,  Apples,  Grapes,  Plums,  Peaches, 
&c.y  and  about  100  feet  of  table  devoted  to  vegetables.  What  struck 
me  forcibly  was  the  number  of  varieties  and  the  correctness  with  which 
they  were  named. 

I  will  first  notice  the  Chaumontel  Pears,  for  which  the  Island  is  so 
jastly  celebrated.  There  were  four  classes  for  these — sixes,  twelves, 
twenty-fives,  and  fifties,  in  all  which  classes  the  prizes  were  keenly 
competed  for.  The  first  prize  fifty  were  truly  magnificent  fruit,  of 
perfect  shape,  highly  coloured,  and  of  unusual  size,  as  the  weight — viz,, 
(ilj  lbs.,  demonstrates.  Next  came  twelve  Uvedale's  St.  Germain, 
here  labelled  Belle  de  Jersey,  weighing  26  lbs. ;  twelve  Pound  Pears, 
weighing  1.5  lbs. ;  twelve  Van  Mons  LCon  le  C'lerc,  10  lbs.  12  ozs. ; 
twelve  I3cniTc  Clairgean,  IG  lbs. ;  twelve  Dnehesse  d'Angonliime, 
15  lbs.  3  ozs. ;  six  Marechal  de  Conr,  C  lbs.  21  ozs. 

The  above  are  the  few  the  crowded  state  of  the  rooms  enabled  me 
to  take  note  of  the  weight  of,  but  there  were  fine  specimens  among 
others  of  the  following  varieties  : — De  Tongres,  an  October  fruit  of 
great  beauty  and  first-rate  flavour  ;  General  Todtleben,  good  ;  Marie 
lioaise  ;  Beurrc  d'Ai-emberg  (strictly  Glou  Mori,*eau)  ;  Bergamotte  de  la 
Pentecute,  Passe  Colmai-,  Winter  Nelis,  Benrrc  de  Ranee,  Crassaue,  Pen- 
gethley  (February  to  March),  Soldat  Laboureur,  Benrre  Flon,  very 
large,  resembling  Duchesse  d'Angonlcme ;  Doyenne  du  Comice,  very 
large  and  first-rate  ;  Graoslin.good,  but  thick-skinned  ;  Spring  Beurre, 
Groom's  Princess  Koyal,  Swan's  Egg,  Grosse  Calebasse,  Columbia, 
lib.  4 ozs.  each,  a  good  December  frnit ;  Forelle,  Benrre  Gris  de 
liUeon,  Terj  fine  ;  Beurre  Six,  too  green  ;  Beurre  Did,  fine  ;  Vanque- 
lin,  BeuiTe  Bachelier,  very  large  and  first  rate  ;  Colmar  d'Aremberg, 
large  and  fine,  but  second-rate,  besides  many  others. 

One  exhibitor  showed  a  collection  of  sixty- seven  varieties  of  Apples, 
and  sixty- four  varieties  of  Pears. 

Apples  were  not  unusually  fine.  The  varieties  most  esteemed 
soemed  to  be  Old  Pearmain,  Cornish  Gilliflower,  Eibston  Pippin,  Non- 
pareil, Golden  Russet,  Royal  Russet,  Hammond's  Pippin,  a  Jersey- 
raised  variety ;  Hooper's  Seedling,  also  Jersey-raised ;  Guernsey 
Pippin,  Guernsey-raised;  Pigeounet,  Golden  Pippin,  Conrt  of  Wick 
and  Lemon  Pippin,  much  esteemed  for  culinary  purposes  on  ac- 
count of  its  long-keeping  qualities. 

I  have  refrauied  from  giving  your  readers  the  names  of  the  prize- 
winners, as  this  would  render  my  communication  lengthy,  aud  tlicy 
only  possess  a  local  interest ;  but  the  grower  of  the  fifty  Chaumontels, 
Mr.  G.  De  Carteret,  St.  Peter's,  and  Mr.  G.  Thomas,  the  exhibitor  of 
the  collection  of  Apples  and  Pears,  deserve  the  distinction  of  being 
named  here. — Verit.is,  Tiof  Eaul:,  Jtrscy. 


common  for  Pelargoniums  to  self-sow  themsoWes  in  the  open 

air  hitborto.  Wo  are  sorry  to  say  that  our  i)Tevious  oxperienoe 
tends  to  prove  that  plants  so  raised  will  not  be  more  hardy 
thon  seedlings  cr  cutting'^  of  tho  same  kinds  raised  tinder  glass, 
and  gradually  liardcncd  off.  Little  can  be  done  to  acclimatise 
in  this  way,  but  the  little  is  worth  trying,  and  you  may  be  more 
successful  than  some.] 


SELF-SOWN  FELARGONIUMS. 
"  A.  K.  C."  wishes  to  know  whether  the  seed  of  the  Pelar- 
gonium has  been  found  to  sow  itself  in  the  open  ground,  and 
spring  up  like  any  common  auiiual  as  it  has  done  this  year, 
and  whether  such  self-sown  seeds  are  not  likely  to  produce 
more  hardy  plants  than  seeds  sown  under  cover  or  than 
cuttings  ■> 

[This  has  been  an  uncommon  year,  and  it  has  not  been  so 


POMOLOGICAL   GLEANINGS. 

Nothing  can  show  more  plainly  the  climate  that  Ameeicak 
A  ppi.es  enjoy  than  the  effect,  on  some  of  tho  choice  varieties,  of 
the  past  hot  summer.  Newtown  Pippins  are  clear  and  spotless. 
Melon  Apples  are  large  and  beautiful.  Some  little  trees  of  this 
kind,  only  2  feet  in  height,  on  English  Paradise  stocks,  are 
staggering  under  a  dozen  each  of  very  largo  fruit.  The  Wash- 
ington, a  very  large  early  autumn  Apple,  melting  like  a  Peach, 
so  that  the  juice  runs  down  the  knife  in  cutting  it,  has  also 
been  very  fine.  A  dozen  other  kinds  of  the  American  race  of 
Apples  have  been  equally  fine.  In  ordinary  seasons,  unless  in 
gardens  in  the  south  of  England,  with  warm  soils  and  aspects, 
these  fine  tender-fleshed  Apples  should  be  trained  against  walls 
or  grown  in  orchard  houses. 

— —  "  JIy  attention  was  drawn  to  the  I.we  Bl.ick  Oeleans 
Plum,  a  fine  but  neglected  sort,  by  your  mention  of  Sandalls 
Plum,  which  seems  to  be  of  the  same  race,  and  ripens  at  the  same 
time — viz.,  about  the  middle  of  October.  It  is  mentioned  in  the 
Catalogue  of  the  Horticultural  Society,  1831,  but  not  described. 
It  is  round,  sometimes  a  little  inclining  to  oval,  of  a  deep 
purple,  with  yellow  flesh,  and  very  rich  and  good.  It  is  not 
such  a  wild  grower  as  Sandalls,  which  forms  a  large  tree,  and 
comes  earlier  into  bearing.  On  tasting  and  comparing  it  with 
the  latter,  it  seemed  a  superior  variety  in  size  and  flavour.  Its 
designation  in  the  above  catalogue  is  '  Orleans  Late  or  Black.' 
In  the  edition  of  the  same  catalogue  for  184'2,  it  is  described  as 
round,  first  quality,  second  size. — T.  R." 

Heat  is  tho  principal  working  agent  in  producing  fruit 

as  well  as  wood.  We  can  approximate  very  nearly  the  amount 
of  heat  required  to  produce  any  given  variety  of  Apple.  Nearly 
all  Apples  blossom  at  or  about  the  same  time  of  the  month  in 
corresponding  latitudes.  In  the  latitude  of  Boston,  the  average 
season  is  near  the  25th  of  May  for  the  full  blossom  of  the 
Apple,  with  a  mean  temperature  of  .54.1°  Fahrenheit.  The 
Early  Harvest  blossoms  full  on  the  2.5th  of  May,  having  five 
days  to  grow  in  the  mouth  of  May.  Five  days  multiplied  by 
54.1°  is  equal  to  270.5°  of  heat.  The  mean  heat  of  June  is 
62.8°  X  30  days  =  1,884°.  Twenty-five  days  in  July  to  its 
ripening,  with  a  mean  heat  of  CO.i°  ^  1,726.5°.  By  this  esti- 
mate, we  find  that  it  requires  about  270.5  +  1,884°  -f  1,726.5° 
=  3,834°  of  heat  to  ripen  the  Early  Harvest.  The  Red  As- 
trachau  and  the  Sweet  Bough,  ripening  about  twelve  dayslatei', 
require  those  twelve  additional  days  of  heat  more  than  the 
above  variety,  69.1°  of  mean  heat  by  twelve  days  -8'29.2-r 
3,884°  =  4,713.2°  aggregrate  amount  of  heat  required  to  ripen 
the  Red  Astiachan  or  Sweet  Bough.  The  Porter  ripens  about 
the  15th  of  September  ;  requires  in  May  270.5°,  in  June  1,884', 
in  July  2,170°,  in  August  2,04,8°,  fifteen  days  in  September 
93.9°  =  7,313°  of  heat  to  ripen  after  its  time  of  blossoming. 

Those  pretty  fruits,  PoMEGi!AN'ATE.=i,  are  this  season 

ripening  in  the  open  air  at  Dropniore.  When  we  were  there  a  few 
days  ago  our  veteran  friend,Mr.  Frost,  pointed  out  three  beauti- 
ful fruits  of  a  fair  average  size,  colouring  well,  and  almost  ripe, 
growing  on  a  fine  old  plant  of  the  double  scarlet  variety  against 
a  wall  near  one  of  the  houses.  This  plant,  Mr.  Frost  stated, 
flowers  most  profusely  every  season,  and  nearly  everyone  knows 
how  handsome  tho  flower  of  the  Pomegranate  is,  aud  when 
that  is  succeeded  by  the  fruit,  it  is  doubly  interesting.  There 
is  another  plant,  of  the  single  variety,  growing  beside  this  one, 
on  which  there  are  no  fruits.  It  is  somewhat  singular,  and  it 
has  been  observed  before,  that  the  double  variety  should  be  the 
freest-fruiting.  The  fruits  themselves  are  more  ornamental 
and  curious  than  useful,  more  celebrated  by  their  name  in 
biblical  history  than  they  are  for  their  wonderfully  fine  qualities 
as  an  edible  fruit.  Indeed,  there  is  very  little  to  eat  about 
•them,  or  rather  in  them  ;  the  numerous  seeds  are  very  prettily 
tinged  with  rose,  and  there  is  a  slight  but  agreeably  sweet  per- 
fume, but  for  taste,  after  sucking  the  seeds,  there  is  a  strange 
disappointment,  for  there  is  nothing  better  than  sugar  and 
water.  Mr.  Frost  had  also  little  half-standard  plants  of  the 
dwarf  Pomegranate  (Punica  nana),  flowering  most  profusely  in 


302 


JODi?.UL  OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  October  22,  1668. 


small  potG.  They  are  used  for  decoration,  and  are  very  pretty. 
This  is  the  most  suitable  kind  for  the  purpose. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Fruit  Committee  of  the  Royal 

Horticultural  Society  on  Tuesday  last,  Mr.  Rivers,  of  Sawbridge- 
worth,  exhibited  some  very  remarkable  examples  of  dwarf 
Apple  trees  on  the  Euglish  Paradise  stock.  These  varied 
from  18  inches  to  2  feet  high,  but  one  or  two  slightly  exceeded 
the  latter  height.  For  such  small  trees  the  number  and  size 
of  the  fruit  with  which  they  were  laden  was  most  extraordinary, 
and  when  they  had  been  dispatched  from  the  nurseries  there 
were  many  more  fruit  on  them,  which  had  been  shaken  off  in 
the  journey,  so  that  it  was  impossible  to  say  how  many  really 
belonged  to  each.  Mela  Carla,  Coe's  Golden  Drop,  and  Stam- 
iord  Pippin  had  each  from  six  to  eight  fruits,  without  counting 
the  "  unattached  ;"  Calville  Blanche  a  dozen  ;  and  the  beauti- 
ful Pomme  d'Api,  or  Lady  Apple  of  the  Americans,  nineteen, 
and  there  had  been  several  more  on  the  tree.  What  advantages 
snch  small  trees  offer  to  those  haviug  but  a  small  extent  of 
garden  ground  !  Not  only  can  a  large  amount  of  excellent  fruit 
be  secured  from  a  small  space,  but  the  number  of  varieties 
that  can  be  grown  may  be  multiplied  from  ten  to  twenty-fold, 
thus  securing  diversity  of  flavour,  successional  ripening,  and 
a  vastly  increased  amount  of  interest  to  the  cultivator.  The 
collection  received,  as  it  well  merited,  a  special  certificate. 


PEACH  CULTIVATION.— No.  4. 

Anotheh  mode  of  f.xu-training  is  that  given  below,  and  it  is, 
perhaps,  the  best  for  long  pruning  ;  the  branches  are  also  ori- 
ginated with  greater  certainty.  It  is  not,  however,  by  any 
means  a  common  mode  of  training — at  least  not  generally  prac- 
tised; for  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees  are  too  often  trained  on 
no  principle  whatever,  only  an  attempt  is  made  to  cover  the 
wall  with  branches  and  bearing  wood,  no  regard  being  paid  to 
the  maintenance  of  an  equality  of  vigour  between  all  the 
branches.  It  is  no  uncommon  occurrence  to  find  trees  with 
all  the  vigour  on  one  side  or  in  the  few  upright  branches,  the 
other  side  or  the  lower  branches  making  hardly  any  growth. 

By  this  mode  of  training  the  maiden  plant  is  cut  back  to  two 
or  three  good  eyes  or  buds  9  or  10  inches  from  the  ground,  and 
in  the  course  of  the  following  summer  we  have  two  vigorous 
shoots,  all  others  being  rubbed  off.  We  have  thus  the  form 
shown  in  fig.  5,  a  a  being  the  two  side  shoots,  which  are  brought 


Fig.  6. 

down  to  the  horizontal  line  by  degrees,  but  in  summer  trained 
more  upright,  so  as  to  give  them  vigour,  as  is  shown  by  the 
dotted  Unes. 
In  autumn  the  shoots  a  a  should  be  cut  back  to  three  buds 


represented  in  fig.  6.  The  lower  two  shoots,  in  order  to  give 
them  vigour,  are  to  be  trained  more  upright,  as  shown  by  the 
dotted  lines ;  whilst  the  upper  two  shoots  are  trained  more 
horizontally,  so  as  to  keep  them  from  appropriating  all  the 
vigour  of  the  tree  or  becoming  more  vigorous  than  the  lower 
shoots,  which  ought  to  be  the  strongest.  Unless  the  ends  of 
the  lower  branches  were  thus  turned  upwards  in  summer,  and 
those  of  the  upper  ones  depressed,  the  latter  would  grow  much 
stronger  than  the  former,  and  this  ought  to  be  guarded  against. 
We  have  now  four  shoots,  the  maiden  tree  by  the  first  cutting 
being  divided  into  two  branches,  and  by  the  second  cutting  it 
is  divided  into  four ;  and  these,  being  cutback  at  the  winter 
pruning,  are  to  be  divided  into  eight,  as  shown  in  fig.  7.  The 
figures  opposite  the  bars  correspond  to  the  number  of  the 
pruning  or  cutting-back. 


Fig.  6. 

each,  and  not  further  from  their  respective  bases  than  3  or 
4  inches.  From  each  of  these  shoots  two  others  will  be  ob- 
tained in  the  following  year.    The  tree  in  autumn  will  be  as 


Fig.  7. 

The  four  shoots  on  each  side  of  the  tree  being  cut  for  the 
fourth  time  to  three  eyes  will  produce  two  shoots  each,  or  in 
all  sixteen  strong  shoots.  The  lowest  of  these  must  be  encou- 
raged by  training  them  during  the  growing  season  in  a  more 
erect  position  than  the  shoots  from  the  upper  branches,  and. 
whatever  laterals  they  push  must  be  kept  closely  pinched  back 
to  one  joint. 

By  autumn  the  shoots  will  be  strong,  and  must  be  put  in^ 
their  proper  position  on  the  wall.  This  will  be  done  by  draw- 
ing a  semicircular  line,  taking  as  a  centre  the  height  of  the 
lowest  branches  from  the  ground,  and  the  centre  of  the  stem 
at  that  height;  then  with  a  line  5  feet  long  describe  the  dotted 
line  a  h,fig.  8,  and  divide  this  into  1-foot  distances,  calculating 
from  the  lowest  branches  on  each  side,  which  should  be  1  foot 
from  the  ground.  This  will  give  to  the  whole  sixteen  shoots  a 
distance,  where  they  cross  the  dotted  line,  of  1  foot  each,  and  that 
number  of  shoots  or  branches  will  entirely  cover  the  wall  within 
the  radius  a  h.  These  shoots  will  need  to  be  trained  straight 
for  the  divisional  parts  on  the  dotted  lines,  calculating  from 
the  lowest  shoot  on  each  side  and  then  upwards,  training  each 
directly  to  its  corresponding  number  of  the  divisional  parts  on 
the  dotted  line,  shown  to  the  left  of  fig.  8,  from  1  to  8. 

In  autumn  the  shoots,  if  of  equal  vigour,  will  not  need  to 
be  shortened  farther  than  to  secure  for  each  a  strong  leader. 
This  shortening,  as  to  extent,  will  be  determined  by  their  strength. 
If  strong,  their  length  may  be  shortened  one-third ;  if  mode- 
rately strong,  one-half ;  or  if  weak  two-thirds,  always  cutting 
to  a  wood  bud,  or  to  a  triple  bud  which  will  have  two  fruit 
buds,  one  on  each  side  of  the  central  one — a  wood  bud. 

In  the  following  spring  the  shoots  pushing  from  those  short- 
ened will  need  to  be  regulated.  One  shoot  must  be  trained 
from  the  end  of  each  as  a  continuation  of  the  shoot  or  branch, 
and  below  it  others  a  foot  apart  along  the  branch,  commencing 
at  6  inches  from  the  rise  of  the  branch.  Take  out  the  points  of 
all  other  shoots  at  the  second  or  third  joint,  and  keep  them  closely 
pinched  back  to  one  joint  throughout  the  season,  all  foreright 
shoots  or  breastwood  being  disbudded  or  rubbed  off  closely. 
The  shoots  left  at  1  foot  apart  are  not  to  be  stopped  until  they 
have  grown  10  inches,  then  take  out  their  points,  and  stop  all 
laterals  at  the  first  joint.  The  leading  shoots  must  not  be 
stopped  unless  they  grow  too  vigorously,  or  more  vigorously 
than  the  corresponding  shoots  on  the  opposite  side ;  then  by 
stopping  and  keeping  closely  pinched,  also  by  depressing  the 
over-vigorous  shoots,  a  proper  balance  of  vigour  may  be  secured. 
The  lowest  shoots  should,  if  anything,  be  more  vigorous  than 
the  upper  leading  shoots  ;  they  must  therefore  have  their  ex- 
tremities raised  if  inclined  to  grow  less  vigorously  than  the 
upper  shoots,  which,  on  the  contrary,  must  be  depressed. 

When  the  shoots  reach  the  semicircular  line  (for  their  annual 
treatment  in  respect  of  training  does  not  vary  from  that  of  the- 
previous  year  until  they  reach  the  dotted  line),  another  leading 


Uctobcl  m,  1868.  1 


JOUKNAL  OF    HOKTICULTUKE   AND   COTTAGE    OAUDENEK. 


303 


eboot  or  branch  ebould  be  originated.  This  will  be  unJeratood 
on  reference  to  jig.  8.  Each  leading  branch  is  to  bo  there  sub- 
divided into  two.  An  arc,  c  d,  2U  feet  in  diameter,  mupt  then 
be  described  from  the  same  centre  as  the  first,  with  a  line 


10  feet  in  length.  This  is  to  be  divided  into  1-foot  dietances' 
commencing  from  the  lower  branches,  and  there  will  be  twice 
the  number  of  divisions.  By  the  dividing  of  the  branches  the 
wall  will  be  furnished  with  branches  at  1  foot  apart.    When 


,.\%\)Mi mm 


the  branches  are  fully  1  foot  from  each  other  bearing  shoots 
must  be  left  on  the  under  as  well  as  the  upper  side  of  the 


Fig.  6. 

branches.    The  tree  when  full  grown  will  appear  as  represented 
on  the  right  of  fig.  8. — G.  Aedev. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 


KITCHEN    GABIpF.N. 

All  crops  for  win'er  storing  should  now  be  out  ol  the  ground 
and  carefully  packed  in  sheds,  outhouses,  and  cellars.  They 
will  require  to  be  looked  over  from  time  to  time  to  see  that 
there  is  no  dampness  amongst  them.  Onions  are  apt  to  rot 
about  this  time  if  too  close  together.  When  the  ground  be- 
comes a  little  dry  on  the  surface  see  that  it  is  stirred  among 
young  crops  of  Winter  Spinach,  Onions,  Lettuces,  Endive,  &a., 
and  cut  oiif  any  decayed  leaves.  If  you  are  in  the  habit  of 
molohing  your  beds  of  Artichohca,  take  caro  not  to  do  more 
barm  than  good  by  covering  the  ground  when  it  is  too  wet. 
Any  time  between  this  and  Christmas  will  do  when  the  ground 
is  quite  dry,  and  when  it  is  in  this  state  you  may  give  a  good 
earthing-up  to  the  Cclerij ;  it  will  help  to  keep  the  frost  from 
the  plants.  I  would  advise  that  Sltallots  and  Garlic  be  planted 
now  as  a  preventive  against  maggots.  Some  writers  have 
maintained  that  the  absence  of  all  animal  manures  is  the  great 
secret,  and  that  the  bulbs  can  be  safely  planted  in  February 
or  March  it  you  choose  for  them  a  light  rich  border  which 
has  not  been  manured  for  a  year  or  two ;  but  when  thoy  are 
planted  in  the  autumn  they  begin  to  form  roots  immediately, 
which  extend  widely  before  the  tops  begin  to  grow  in  the  spring. 
There  is  then  a  great  command  of  nourishment  provided  for 
the  leaves  as  soon  as  they  are  ready  to  receive  it.  It  is  of 
great  importance  in  the  cultivation  of  all  bulbs  to  let  them,  if 
possible,  make  a  large  portion  of  their  roots  before  their  leaves 
are  excited.  Again,  when  Shallots  are  planted  out  in  the 
spring  their  roots  and  tops  begin  to  grow  simultaneously,  and 
it  sometimes  happens  that  several  weeks  of  favourable  weather 
are  then  experienced,  and  the  leaves  in  that  case  ^-row  more 
rapidly  than  the  roots,  and  exhaust  the  resources  of  the  bulb 
faster  than  the  roots  can  make  up  the  dehciency. 

FBL'IT    GAr.DEN. 

I  would  urge  the  importance  of  early-autumn  planting.  If 
put  off  till  December  scarcely  any  advantage  is  gained  over 
planting  in  March  or  April,  but  a  great  disadvantage  will  be 
experienced  if  severe  weather  should  set  in  immediately  after- 
wards. If  the  leaves  are  still  somewhat  greenish  the  check 
given  by  raising  the  plants  will  have  a  tendency  to  accelerate 


the  ripening  of  the  wood  ;  and  if,  after  watering,  the  bark  of  the 
young  wood  shoots  should  present  any  appearance  of  shrivel- 
ling, hay  or  straw  bands  may  be  twisted  round  the  stems  of 
the  trees,  and  the  tops  slightly  shaded  for  a  few  days  with 
fronds  of  Fern,  &e.  The  straw  bands  should  be  twisted  bard ; 
and  for  tender  trees  they  will  be  servic«able  in  moderating  the 
rays  of  the  sun  in  summer  and  in  checking  the  severity  of  frost 
in  winter.  If,  in  addition,  the  roots  are  well  mulched  with  dry 
litter  they  will  grow  all  winter,  and  thus  be  well  fitted  to  supply 
the  expanding  buds  in  spring.  In  many  gardens  the  replacing 
of  the  old  trees  should  be  gradually  effected.  I  say  gradually, 
because  frequently  gardeners  get  themselves  into  trouble  by 
clearing  away  too  much  at  a  time,  and  thus  rendering  the 
supply  deficient  until  their  young  trees  come  into  bearing.  In 
planting  care  should  be  taken  to  select  the  most  approved 
varieties.  The  improved  varieties  of  Pears  should  be  introduced 
into  every  garden  either  by  planting  or  by  grafting  on  estab- 
lished trees.  In  addition  to  their  other  good  qualities  most  of 
them  are  great  bearers  and  produce  fruit  when  the  trees  are 
comparatively  young.  Such  sorts  are  Marie  Louise,  Dunmore, 
Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey,  Duohesse  d'Angoulorae,  Althorp  Cra- 
sanne,  Glou  Morc;eau,' Knight's  Monarch,  Passe  Colmar,  Ne 
Plus  Meuris.  These  will  supply  the  table  with  deUcious  fruit 
from  September  to  the  end  of  February,  and  in  places  at  all 
favourable  will  succeed  admirably  as  standards.  The  Easter 
Beurre  and  Beurre  de  Ranee  will  furnish  a  supply  until  May, 
and  even  later  it  the  fruit  be  preserved  in  jars.  Both  sorts  will 
thrive  in  most  places  as  standards,  but  well  deserve  an  east  or 
west  wall.  No  Pears  need  be  grown  in  favourable  places  on  a 
south  wall,  with  the  exception,  perhaps,  of  a  Jargonelle  to 
supply  early  fruit.  This,  along  with  the  Citron  des  Carmes 
and  one  or  two  moie  varieties,  will  be  quite  sufficient  for  an 
early  supply. 

FLOWER   GATIDEN. 

Those  plants  which  require  protection  from  frost  throngh 
the  winter  should  now  have  the  framework  of  the  protective 
structure  put  on,  to  be  ready  for  immediate  use  in  case  of  a 
change  of  weather.  Mats  are  generally  used  for  this  purpose, 
but  a  good  covering  of  reed  or  straw  is  preferable  to  them,  and 


304 


JOUKNAL   OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  October  22,  1868. 


not  nearly  so  expensive.  Plants  in  borders,  eucli  as  tender 
Lobelias,  Tigridias,  &c.,  should  be  removed  to  a  back  sbed  and 
covered  with  sifted  ashes  or  old  fan,  or  the  Tigridias  may  be 
placed  thinly  under  the  greenhouse  stage.  Fuchsias  and  Salvias 
in  beds,  if  it  is  not  intended  to  take  them  up,  should  have  their 
roots  covered  with  a  thickness  of  C  or  8  inches  of  dry  peat 
earth  or  leaf  mould,  which  in  ordinary  winters  is  quite  suffi- 
cient for  their  preservation.  Fuchsias  more  than  almost  any 
other  plant  deserve  proper  protection  through  the  winter,  for 
they  make  maguificeut  autumnal  beds.  Should  the  weather 
prove  favourable  the  main  bed  of  Tulips  may  be  planted,  though, 
in  fact,  any  time  between  now  and  the  second  week  in  Novem- 
ber will  do.  Where  plants  of  Polyanthuses  have  been  permitted 
to  make  three  or  four  crowns  standing  high  out  of  the  ground 
(which  they  will  do  if  not  divided  yearly),  emitting  from  the 
neck  of  the  plant  roots  that  have  assumed  a  green  tint  by 
exposure  to  the  air — these,  it  worth  the  trouble,  should  be  parted 
and  reset  without  delay.  Auriculas  may  now  be  placed  where 
they  are  to  winter.  If  protected  by  frames  these  should  have 
bricks  placed  at  each  corner  so  as  to  raise  them  from  the  ground, 
to  allow  at  all  times  a  free  circulation  of  air  amongst  the  pots. 
Though  Pansies  when  properly  managed  are  seldom  affected  by 
cold,  still  beds  of  choice  sorts  intended  for  next  year's  bloom- 
ing will  be  the  better  of  having  hoops  stretched  over  them,  on 
which  mats  may  be  thrown  either  in  very  wet  or  severe  weather. 

GEEENnOnSK   AND    CONSERVATORY. 

We  must  snppote  the  greenhouse  now  filled  with  all  kinds  of 
plants  suited  for  nearly  the  same  mode  of  culture.  These  ought 
to  have  as  much  air  as  the  house  and  the  state  of  the  weather 
will  permit.  The  inside  should  be  kept  as  dry  as  possible, 
and  the  watering  should  be  dene  early  in  the  day.  No  plants 
should  receive  more  water  than  is  absolutely  necessary,  and 
the  whole  ought  to  be  tidy,  orderly,  and  free  from  dead  leaves, 
insects,  &c.  The  Chrysanthemums  will  have  a  superiority  in  the 
conservatory  for  some  time,  and  well  do  they  deserve  it.  The 
climbers  must  now  be  very  gradually  pruned  as  they  go  out  of 
flower  so  as  not  to  make  any  part  too  naked  at  once,  and  if 
the  work  is  finished  five  weeks  hence  it  will  be  time  enough. 
Keep  the  house  rather  dry  and  close  for  the  rest  of  the  season^ 

PITS  AND    FRA51ES. 

These,  now  crammed  with  half-hardy  plants,  require  the 
common  routine  of  keeping  them  clean,  sweet,  and  dry;  even 
the  night  dews  had  better  be  kept  from  the  plants  after  this 
time,  but  have  the  lights  off  all  day  when  it  does  not  rain. 
Close  confinement  is  injurious  to  these  plants  at  all  seasons, 
and  more  so  now  when  they  are  newly  brought  in  from  the 
open  air.  Iridace.t  require  very  little  water  after  the  first  dose 
when  they  were  potted  until  they  appear  above  ground,  and 
Oxalises  and  all  bulbs  newly  potted  require  the  same  treatment. 
— W.  Keane.  

DOINGS   OF  THE  LAST  ^^^3EK. 

EITCHEN    GAUDEN. 

Weeds. — Took  the  chance  of  dry  days  in  the  end  of  the  week 
to  run  the  Dutch  hoe  through  all  ground  to  which  access  could 
be  had,  as  weeds  were  beginning  to  show  after  the  raini?,  where 
not  a  vestige  could  be  seen  a  few  weeks  ago.  Used  in  time 
there  is  nothing  hke  the  Dutch  hoe  for  destroying  such  weeds, 
when  assisted  with  a  few  hours  of  bright  sun.  It  is  astonish- 
ing how  long  the  seeds  of  weeds  will  preserve  their  vitality. 
We  have  been  careful  for  years  in  preventing  annual  weeds 
from  seeding,  even  when  we  could  not  well  hoe,  sending  a  lad 
with  a  basket  to  pull  up  Groundsel  before  the  blooms  opened  ; 
and  yet  after  such  hot  weather  and  the  warm  showers  we  lately 
Lad,  there  will  be  no  want  of  young  plants  coming  up  to  prevent 
us  ever  arriving  at  that  condition  when  we  shall  have  to  con- 
•lider  what  we  shall  have  to  do  by  way  of  finding  work.  This 
season,  for  a  fortnight,  we  could  see  clouds  of  Thistle  down,  and 
this,  with  the  winged  seeds  of  the  Groundsel,  will  furnish  occu- 
pation for  weed-destroyers  for  many  years  to  come.  But  for 
bird  seed-eaters  the  case  would  be  much  worse.  In  many  cases 
Thistles  were  cut  down  after  the  seed  was  dispersed.  '  If  cut 
before  the  plants  bloomed,  there  would  have  been  a  better 
chance  of  injuring  the  old  plant,  at  any  rate  the  seeds  would 
not  have  been  carried  into  other  people's  ground.  Catting 
Thistles  when  young  will  at  last  destroy  them  ;  the  root  perishes 
when  the  top  is  not  allowed  to  grow.  Not  long  ago  we  saw  a 
man  laboriously  digging  and  forking-up  the  huge  roots  of  the 
Cowthistle,  when  the  same  object  would  have  been  attained  by 
cutting  the  plant  with  a  spud  or  hoe  an  incli  or  so  below  the 
surface.     Some  years  ago  we  had  a  crop  of  this  undesirable 


weed,  and  among  all  crops,  and  it  must  either  have  been  sown 
or  wafted  to  us  from  a  considerable  distance,  as  we  could  not 
find  any  plants  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood.  Like  the 
Groundsel,  it  seeds  so  quickly  that  it  required  two  seasons  to 
get  rid  of  it,  and  we  do  not  wish  to  see  it  again.  It  would  well 
pay  most  counties  to  have  an  inspector  of  winged  seed  weeds, 
with  the  power  to  fine  those  who,  choosing  thus  to  injure  them- 
selves, also  inflict  a  great  injury  on  their  neighbours.  All  seed 
weeds  when  allowed  to  reach  the  seeding  state  should,  if  pos- 
sible, be  burned.  We  have  subjected  Groundsel  and  Thistles 
to  a  burning  heat  from  fermenting  short  grass,  hot  enough  one 
would  suppose  to  destroy  the  vitality  of  every  seed  ;  yet  from 
the  soil  ultimately  left  from  such  a  heap  we  have  had  multi- 
tudes of  seedlings  of  these  weeds.  We  could  not  have  believed 
it  it  we  had  not  carefully  made  the  experiment.  It  such  weeds 
with  seeds  on  them  are  taken  to  the  general  rubbish  heap  the 
seeds  will  be  brought  back  to  the  garden  comparatively  unin- 
jured— that  is,  it  such  rubbish  he.aps  are  returned  to  the  garden, 
as  they  generally  are. 

Caiilifowers. — Protected  with  their  own  leaves  those  coming 
in  for  use.  Took  up  good  strong  plants  with  balls  that  had 
been  planted  or  pricked  out  thickly,  and  transferred  them  to 
an  earth  pit,  where  protection  can  be  afforded.  It  we  can  keep 
vermin  away,  these  will  be  useful  in  winter  and  spring.  Planted 
out  small  plants  under  hand-lights  to  stand  the  winter,  having 
previously  well  dug,  and  turned,  re-turned,  and  mellowed  the 
soil.  We  put  five  plants  of  the  largest  into  a  hand-light  to 
come  in  first,  and  for  the  bulk  put  in  nine  plants  in  each 
light,  which  will  be  thinned  in  spring  to  tour  or  five  plants 
We  generally  leave  five,  as  in  carthing-up  the  four  outside  ones 
can  be  bent  outwards  to  give  the  centre  plant  more  room.  We 
will  either  pot  or  prick  out  in  a  bed,  or  by  the  side  of  a  wall, 
more  to  succeed  those  in  glasses.  We  shall  keep  the  tops  of  the 
glasses  on  tor  a  few  days,  and  then  expose  the  plants  fully  until 
cold  weather  comes.  Before  planting  we  covered  the  soil  within 
each  light  with  rough  road  drift ;  this  helps  to  keep  the  plants 
from  damping-cS  in  winter,  and  none  of  the  slimy  fraternity 
hke  crawling  over  such  a  rough,  prickly  surface. 

Lettuce  and  Endive. — Tied  up  large  plants  in  a  dry  day.  If 
tied  rather  tightly  across  the  top,  the  wet  cannot  well  find  its 
way  in.  Ten  days  before  being  wanted  is  a  good  time  for  such 
an  operation.  Slates,  tiles,  or  boards  laid  over  the  plants  do 
admirably  tor  blanching  Endive.  Even  straw  or  dry  leaves  do 
admirably,  only  rains  will  pass  through  and  be  apt  to  rot  the 
blanched  part.  A  few  dry  leaves,  with  a  waterproofed  covering, 
do  well.  We  must  soon  raise  some  plants,  and  place  them  under 
protection  ;  but  we  hope  there  will  be  no  frost  to  injure  them 
as  yet.  Hoed  among  young  plantations,  and  planted  out  more 
by  the  side  of  fences,  and  on  sloping  banks,  to  come  in  in 
spring.  Planted  out  a  couple  of  rows  of  small  plants  of  Cos 
Lettuce  in  front  of  the  latest  orchard  house,  as  from  the  same 
place  we  had  an  invaluable  supply  last  spring,  before  we  could 
put  them  out  of  doors.  Bather  singular  to  say,  the  most  ex- 
posed ground  is  more  liable  to  the  ravages  of  grubs  than  where 
it  is  more  sheltered.  On  the  open  ground  we  have  had  to  ex- 
amine for  grubs,  and  fill  up  frequently.  Where  we  have  planted 
several  rows  near  a  wall,  not  a  plant  has  been  touched. 

Celery. — Earthed  up  a  bed,  after  watering  it  well  at  bottom 
the  day  before.  We  shall  want  it  in  the  beginning  of  Novem- 
ber and  later.  What  we  have  will  last  until  then.  We  shall 
ere  long  earth  up  all  our  earliest,  and  will  encourage  the  latest 
to  grow  until  we  have  signs  of  frost. 

Now  is  a  good  time  to  decide  on  the  rotation  of  cropping,  and 
for  trenching,  ridgiug-up,  or  digging  all  spare  ground.  As  yet 
we  have  not  a  ijieoe  in  fallow. 

FKUIT   GARDEN. 

Much  the  same  as  last  week.  We  have  not  quite  housed  all 
our  fruit,  and  the  quantity  we  obtain  from  low  bush  trees  is 
astonishing.  Some  years  ago  we  planted  some  common  stan- 
dards of  Apples  and  Pears  as  a  little  orchard,  but  we  rarely 
obtain  anything  from  them,  though  generally  the  trees  look 
well  at  this  season,  but  the  place  is  close  to  the  farm,  and  some 
of  the  sheds  being  thatched,  such  clouds  of  birds  visit  these 
trees  in  the  spring  that  not  a  fruit  is  left,  and  in  some  extreme 
cases  the  wood  buds  are  so  picked  out  that  the  trees  make  few 
leaves  in  the  first  part  of  the  season.  The  low  bush  trees  round 
the  borders  of  the  kitchen  garden  would  share  a  similar  fate, 
only  the  workmen  help  to  keep  the  birds  away,  and  a  colouring 
of  limewash  early  in  spring  helps  to  protect  from  the  birds. 
We  find  this  a  great  safeguard  to  the  trees,  and  it  is  easily 
afforded  these  dwarfs.  Had  we  our  way,  we  would  have  some 
quarters  of  dwarf  Apple,  Pear,  Plum,  and  Cherry  trees.  Nothing 


Octab«r  02,  186a  ] 


JOURNAL   OF   HOKTICDIiTURE  AND   COTTAGE  GAliDENEK. 


305 


would  pay  better,  and  it  would  be  ensy  to  protect  them  from 
early  frosts  and  the  attacks  of  birds.  Some  have  wished  wo 
would  give  the  eizo  of  a  few  of  our  trees,  aud  the  measure  or 
weight  of  fruit  obtuinod  from  them,  but  it  is  always  unfilea?ant 
to  do  such  things  when  the  least  Buspicion  can  bo  created  as  to 
over-statemeuts. 

To  all  amateurs  and  the  possessors  of  small  gardens,  growing 
trees  in  the  bush  or  pyramidal  style  has  this  great  advantage — 
that  the  trees  can  bo  examined,  and  have  all  that  is  neoesiiary 
done  without  the  operator  needing  to.leave  the  solid  earth,  and 
steps  and  ladders  are  always  iucouveuieut  to  those  not  used  to 
them. 

The  next  throe  weeks  will  be  the  best  time  for  preparing  and 
pJattting  all  such  dwarfs.  For  first  and  ultimate  eoonomy  no 
plan  is  bettor  than  station-planting.  The  spaces  for  each  tree 
may  be  f  feet  to  0  feet  square,  or  in  diameter.  In  all  cold  clay 
soils  it  would  be  well  to  concrete  the  bottom  for  such  a  space, 
having  that  at  least  15  inches  below  the  surface,  and  the  earth 
raised  abovo  it  other  15  inches,  but  which  will  gradually  sink. 
In  planting,  if  the  young  trees  have  a  tap  root,  either  cut  it 
oft  or  bend  it  outwards,  and  the  other  roots  should  be  neatly 
packed  as  much  horizontally  as  possible,  and  from  G  to  8  inches 
from  the  surface.  The  chief  use  of  concreting,  or  placing  a  flag- 
stone immediately  beneath  the  tree,  is  that  the  tap  roots  cannot 
well  go  down,  and  if  the  tree  grows  too  vigorously  at  first  the 
roots  can  bo  cut  as  they  extend  beyond  the  concreting.  Many 
would  like  to  have  those  neat  little  fruitful  trees,  however,  who 
do  not  see  their  way  to  obtaining  stones,  lime,  and  gravel  to 
make  bottoms  for  the  trees ;  and  for  their  encouragement  we 
would  say  they  can  succeed  very  well  without  them.  Such 
stations  may  be  made  a  little  larger  and  well  trenched,  and  the 
subsoil  well  stirred,  but  left  at  the  bottom.  Then  borrow 
enough  from  the  neighbouring  soil,  if  at  all  good,  or  a  little 
fresh  soil  if  to  be  had,  so  as  to  raise  the  centre  of  the  stations 
fully  18  inches  above  the  neighbouring  ground  ;  plant  as  above 
stated,  and  secure  with  a  stake,  and  then  mulch  over  with  rotten 
dung — a  much  better  plan  than  mixing  the  dung  with  the  soil. 

If  you  obtain  an  early  crop  you  may  never  need  to  resort  to 
root-prutiinf) ;  but  if  the  tree  become  too  strong  you  will  re- 
quire to  cut  the  roots  that  run  downwards,  and  the  more  hori- 
zontal ones  will  then  take  the  growth.  Two  things  will  en- 
sure success.  A  good  crop  will  lessen  mere  luxuriance  of 
growth,  and  if  the  roots  are  encouraged  to  keep  near  the  sur- 
face they  will  have  less  inducement  to  run  dovi-uwards.  The 
chief  attraction  to  go  down  is  to  obtain  moisture.  Let  the  trees 
have  that  at  the  top,  and  the  inducement  is  removed  ;  and  the 
simplest  way  to  give  them  this  requisite  is  to  mulch  during 
summer  with  rotten  dung,  however  thin  the  covering.  All 
extra  nourishment  we  would  thus  give  from  the  surface.  We 
just  reverse  the  plan  we  would  pursue  if  our  object  were  the 
greatest  amount  of  timber  in  a  specified  time.  We  do  not 
here  want  timber  so  much  as  the  greatest  amount  of  eatable 
fruit  in  a  small  space,  and  therefore  the  more  the  nourishment, 
and  the  more  the  moisture  absorbed  by  the  roots  is  thoroughly 
oxygenated  by  free  access  of  the  air,  the  greater  the  fruitful- 
ness  of  the  plant.  Allow  a  tree  to  grow  a  little  freely  at  first 
to  form  itself,  arrest  mere  growth  by  root-cutting  or  a  heavy 
crop,  and  then  entice  the  roots  to  keep  near  the  surface  by  a 
little  manuring  on  the  surface,  and  such  trees  will  bear  heavily 
for  years  without  needing  any  root-pruning,  and  no  great 
amount  of  top-pruning,  except  a  little  pinching  and  nipping  of 
fhe  summer  shoots  in  summer.  Orchards  are  all  very  well, 
but  these  little  fruitful  trees  will  afford  continual  interest  to 
the  enthusiastic  amateur,  and  even  a  lady  can  do  all  the  work 
they  need,  except,  perhaps,  giving  a  barrowload  of  dung  to  two 
or  three  trees  when  young,  and  a  barrowload  to  each  when  well 
established. 

One  circumstance,  so  far  as  we  know,  has  militated  against 
their  more  frequent  use,  and  that  is  something  like  a  dread 
and  a  hazy  conception  of  the  necessity  of  root-pruning.  Now, 
frequently  there  need  be  none  at  all.  Plant  on  raised  plat- 
forms, plant  shallow,  give  surface-waterings  if  necessary,  keep 
the  roots  near  the  surface  by  mulching,  and  yet,  by  deep  stirring 
at  first  where  there  is  no  concreting,  allow  the  surplus  water 
to  pass  freely  where  there  is  no  regular  draining ;  obtain  a 
good  crop,  and  keep  the  roots  near  the  surface  as  above,  and 
you  may  never  need  to  cut  a  root.  If  necessary,  however,  to 
arrest  growth,  it  is  just  as  simple  to  cut  a  strong  leading  root 
as  it  is  to  cut  or  stop  an  over-luxuriant  shoot,  and  thus  obtain 
from  that  which  otherwise  would  have  produced  nothing  but 
wood  buds  and  mere  strong  shoots,  several  shoots  that  would 
produce  fruit  buds.    In  a  few  words,  had  we  our  v/ill,  and  gar- 


dening to  commence,  we  would  have  all  our  fruit  trees  in  small 
compass  and  thoroughly  under  command  ;  and  as  we  delight 
to  see  the  possessors  of  small  gardens  acting  on  this  principle, 
aud  would  delight  still  more  to  see,  in  many  such  gardens, 
the  huge  Apple  trees  that  now  i-hade  th.e  gi'ound  devoted  to 
vegetables  exchanged  for  our  favourite  dwarfs,  we  would  wish 
all  aspirants  to  success  in  this  direction  just  to  bear  in  mind  a 
simple  fact,  to  which  wo  believe  we  were  the  first  to  draw  pro- 
minent attention — that  the  deeper  the  roots  go,  and  the  richer 
the  material  on  which  they  feed,  the  greater  will  be  the  bulk  of 
timber  produced  by  the  tree  ;  whilst,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
nearer  the  roots  are  kept  to  the  surface,  the  more  nonrishment 
is  given  from  the  surface,  the  more  the  moisture  aud  the  nutri- 
ment is  thus  in  contact  with  air,  the  more  shall  we  promote 
the  fruiting,  and  so  far  discourage  the  mere  growing  and  ex- 
tending processes.  It  would  be  easy  to  make  a  tree  all  fruit 
and  but  little  growth  ;  but  that  is  not  pleasing  even  to  the  eye, 
and  a  certain  amount  of  vigour  is  necessary  to  keep  the  tree 
continuously  fruitful,  as  well  as  to  give  size  to  the  fruit.  What 
we  contend  for  is,  that  all  that  can  be  given,  not  by  digging-ia 
manure,  but  by  applying  it  to  the  surface.  Do  not  be  driTen 
from  such  a  simple  proceeding  by  being  laughed  at  for  thus 
wasting  the  little  manure  you  give.  "Why,"  says  an  elbow 
friend,  "  you  aro  as  great  a  spendthrift  as  Mr.  Wurzle  there, 
who  carts  out  his  manure  for  Turnips  and  Cabbages,  aud  lets 
it  become  as  dry  as  hay  before  he  covers  it  in."  Well,  not 
quite.  For  all  mere  bulk  of  produce  the  manure  cannot  be  too 
soon  covered  up  from  the  air  and  its  wasting  decomposing 
powers  ;  but  our  practice  may  well  be  different  when  we  aim 
at  obtaining  flowers,  seeds,  and  fruit,  and  not  mere  bulk  of 
roots  and  leaves.  It  we  wished  to  obtain  the  largest  Cabbages 
we  would  dung  well,  stir  the  ground,  water — do  everything  to 
encourage  growth.  If  we  wished  a  Cabbage  plant  to  flower  as 
soon  as  possible  we  would  give  no  manure,  keep  the  soil  about 
it  hard — in  fact,  encourage  the  throwing-up  of  the  flower  stalk 
instead  of  abundance  of  succulent  leaves.  We  wish  our  small 
fruit  trees  to  bear  fruit  and  yet  have  enough  of  growth  to  con- 
tinue fruitful,  and  therefore  we  prefer  manuring  chiefly  from 
the  surface.  We  adopt  the  same  plan  with  flower-garden  plants 
frequently.  If  we  enriched  the  beds  and  manured  deeply  we 
would  have  too  vigorous  growth  to  ensure  free  blooming.  By 
giving  a  little  help  to  growth,  aud  then  surfuce-manuring,  we 
secure  enough  of  growlh  and  free-blooming,  whilst  otherwise 
we  would  have  too  much  growth  aud  too  few  flowers. 

ORNAIIENTAL   DEPAETirEXT. 

Never  did  we  see  the  lawns  more  rich  and  beautiful.  The 
drought  destroyed  many  of  the  weeds,  and  the  grass  looks  aU 
the  more  beautrful  without  them.  After  the  rains  very  little 
rolling  is  necessary  to  keep  them  smooth,  and  for  this  purpose 
under  such  circumstances  nothing  is  better  or  more  easily  ap- 
plied than  a  wooden  I'oller  with  a  light  handle — say  the  roller 
a  foot  in  diameter,  and  from  3!  to  4  J  feet  in  length,  as  then  a 
lad  can  easily  go  over  a  large  piece  of  ground.  When  mowing 
has  to  be  done  a  day  or  two  afterwards,  such  a  light  roUer  is 
better  than  a  heavy  one,  and  it  always  leaves  the  gloss  and 
polish  of  a  fresh-ironed  garment  behind  it. 

We  have  had  a  few  slight  frosts,  but  with  us  neither  Colons, 
Perilla,  nor  Heliotrope,  is  greatly  injured,  and  we  are  unwil- 
ling as  yet  to  take  up  some  small  favourite  jdants,  and  a  few 
large  ones  for  the  centres  of  beds  next  season.  We  must  keep 
watch,  and  only  hope  that  the  first  sudden  frost  wiU  not  come 
on  a  Sunday  evening. 

Took  in  most  tender  plants  in  pots  under  glass,  or  under  pro- 
tection, as  what  is  in  pots  will  suffer  more  easily  than  what  is 
growing  in  the  ground.  Some  plants,  as  Salvias,  are  quite  a 
thicket  of  bloom,  and  the  beds  in  general,  though  not  brilliant, 
are  still  fair. 

As  to  itrapagatiiifi,  WO  have  mado  a  commencement  with  Cal- 
ceolarias. As  previously  described,  our  pit  is  too  deep  for  otur 
purpose.  We  therefore  put  some  dry  litter  in  the  bottom,  a 
few  leaves  on  the  top,  and  trod  firm  ;  next  a  couple  of  inches  of 
half-rotten  leaf  mould,  mixed  with  a  little  lime  ;  then  3  inches 
of  soil,  fresh  sandy  loam,  the  roughest  riddlings  at  bottom,  the 
finest  at  the  top,  well  trod,  and  levelled,  aud  then  a  quarter  of 
an  inch  of  road  drift  sand,  aud  in  that  placed  the  cuttings  in 
rows  2  inches  apart,  and  1  inch  from  cutting  to  cutting  in  the 
row. — R.  F. 

TRADE   CATALOGUE  RECEIVEB. 

William  Chater,  Saffron  Walien.— Catalogue  of  UoUyhocks 
and  Eoscs. 


30(> 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


t  October  22,  1868. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— Ocjtober  21. 

The  cold  weather  has  somewhat  checked  our  supplies,  but  prices  hnve 
uot  advanced.  A  fair  amount  of  busiiiesa  has  been  done  during  the  past 
week,  and  we  may  look  forward  to  some  improvement.  Dutch  Ham- 
burgh Grapes  ore  still  very  good,  and  good  samples  of  hothouse  Grapes 
are  easily  to  be  obtained  ;  out-door  Grapes  have  also  been  well-ripeued 
this  season. 


FEUIT. 


Apples %  BleTO    1 

Apricots doz.    0 

Cherries lb.    0 


d.      B.  d 

6to2    0 


0    0 
0    0 


Chestnuts boah.  10  0  16    0 

Oarrants %  sieve    0  0  0    0 

Black do.   0  0  0    0 

Figa doz.    0  0  0    0 

FilbertB lb.    0  9  10 

Cobs lb.    0  9  10 

Gooseberries    ..quart    0  0  0    0 

Grapes,  Hotboaae.  .lb.    2  0  5    0 

0  16    0 


Lemons 100  10 


s.  d.    B  d 

Melons each    2  0to5  ti 

Nectarines doz.    0  0      0  0 

Oranges 100    8  0    12  0 

Peaches doz.  10  0    15  0 

Pears  (dessert)  ..doz.    2  0 

Pine  Apples lb.    4  0 


Plums 3^  sieve    4  0  6    0 

Quinces doz,    0  9  16 

Raspberries  lb.    0  0  0    0 

Strawberries.,  per  lb.    0  0  0    0 

Walnuts bnsh.  10  0  IS    0 

do per  100    1  0  2    6 


VEGETABLES. 


Artichokes doz. 

Asparagus  100 

Beans,  Kidney  }^  sieve 

Beet,  Red doz. 

Broccoli bundle 

Bms.  Sprouts  %  sieve 

Cabbage doz. 

Capsicums 100 

Cairota bunch 

Canliflower doz. 

Celery bundle 

Cncmnbers each 

Endive doz. 

Fennel bunch 

Garlic lb. 

Herbs  bonch 

Horeeradisb  . .  bundle 


R.  d.     e. 

3  0to6 
0  0  0 
3    0      4 


Leeks bnnoh 

Lettuce  ....  per  score 
Mushrooms ....  pottle 
Mu8td.&  Cress,  punnet 

Onions per  bushel 

Parsley per  sieve 

Parsnips doz. 

Peas per  quart 

8    Potatoes bushel 

0  !  Kidney  do. 

0  I  Radishes  lioz.  bnnches 

0    Rhubarb bundle 

0    Sea-kale basket 

0  ,  Shallots lb. 

0    Spinach bushel 

0    Tomatoes per  doz. 

0  I  Turnips  bunch 


2 
0 
5 
8 
0 
0 
4 
4 
1 
0 
0 

0  8 
2    0 

1  fl 
0    6 


4 
8 
0 
0 
4 
1 

0    0 
6    0 


0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
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.  All 
communicationa  should  therefore  be  addressed  solely  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  d'C,  171,  Fleet 
Street,  London,  E.G. 

Ctclahen  CtTLTORE  (EdmuT,d).~ln  Nos.  237,  288,  and  239  a  faU  detail 
18  given.  You  caa  have  them  free  by  post  from  our  office  if  you  enclose 
twelve  postage  stamps  with  your  address.  You  can  also  have  "  In-door 
hardening  and  "  Out-door  Gardening"  for  forty  postage  stamps.  They 
contain  a  full  calendar  for  every  week  in  the  year. 

Removtog  Trees  (G.  K.).— You  cannot  leRnlly  remove  the  frmt  trees; 
bnt  as  yon  say  the  landlord  does  not  oppose  "  the  removal,  why  ask  the 
qnestion  ?  If  you  merely  mean  that  he  does  not  know  you  wish  to  re- 
move them,  you  had  better  ask  his  permission. 

Tricolor  PELARooNitJM  Cut  Down  (J.  3/.).--Tbo  Tricolor  Pelargo- 
nram  will  very  likely  break,  but  not  so  freely  as  it  would  have  done  had 
the  top  remained  on  it.  If  the  top  exhibits  any  symptoms  of  varica- 
Uon,  If  the  cutting  is  struck  it  will  be  sure  to  throw  out  variegated 
breaks.  Even  if  there  is  no  sign  of  variegation,  it  may  throw  off  varie- 
gated breaks  towards  the  middle  or  end  of  next  summer,  if  the  plant 
from  which  the  top  has  been  taken  shows  any  variegation  at  the  base. 

Pears  AS  PyRAarros  (An  Amatcur).~A5  you  wish  to  grow  your  Pear 
trees  in  the  psranud  form,  procure  them  grafted  on  the  Quince.  By  this 
way  yon  wiU  have  good  epeciraons  of  the  varieties  you  mention.  The 
^^endid  fruit^  budded  on  the  Mahaleb  makes  a  pretty  tree,  and  produces 

Black  Hamburoh  Grapes  (JTaf^l.-The  bunch  of  Black  Hamburgh 
Grapes  you  have  sent  is  of  excellent  quality,  and  the  flavour  of  the 
oerriee  is  very  good. 

•..?i't?^^^^^^f^^  ^'^^  OMSu&5cn-6fr).-The  spawn  about  the  size  of 
peas  may  be  taken  up,  dried,  stored  in  drv  sand,  and  kept  in  a  drv  cool 
place  free  from  frost  until  planting  time  in  March.  Or  the  spawn,  on 
i.^£?P' "^'^^  ?®  potted  in  small  pots,  plunging  these  in  a  cold  pit  in 
coal  ashes  and  keeping  them  dry  and  from  frost  over  winter.  We  think 
the  latter  the  batter  plan. 

»,«?°.ff3^^J^  (Fan-  i'/(it/).-We  are  very  glad  that  you  find  Sheffield  is 
nox  the  hombly  dusty  and  smoke-bogi-imed  place,"  which  Mr.  Wills 
representedit  to  be  ;  and  we  shall  be  verv  pleased  to  insert  a  communi- 
cation showmg  how  well  plants  can  be  made  to  grow  there,  but  we  cannot 
spare  a  column  merely  to  testify  that  Sheffield  is  not  so  smoky  and  dirtv 
as  are  Manchester  and  the  Staffordshire  Potteries. 

PELABOOSitTM  CuTTiNGS  (J.  G.  D.).-Cuttings  Strike  more  safely  and 
Speedily  if  inserted  round  the  sides  of  the  pots  than  when  placed  in  the 
centre.  The  cuttings  when  struck  succeed  better  potted-off  in  small 
pots  ;  and  when  these  are  full  of  roots  repotting  in  others  of  larger  size 
as  often  as  the  roots  fill  the  pots,  will  prodnce  fine  plants.  Oulv  a  small 
Shift  should  be  given  each  time.  The  plants  and  cuttings  taken  into 
your  sitting-room  will  winter  more  safely  if  potted  in  sandy  poor  soil 
rather  than  in  nch  compost.  They  should  be  kept  dry,  no  water  being 
given  so  long  as  the  leaves  keep  from  flagging,  and  in  spring  when  thev 
De  gin  to  grow  repot  in  richer  compost,  and  encourage  with  liberal  water- 
ings.   It  13  not  advisable  to  encourage  growth  in  winter,  for  that  is  their 


per'od  of  rest.    To  insure  bushy  plants  you  must  stop  them  in  spring 
when  they  bepin  to  grow,  or  cut  them  down  to  within  3  or  4  inches  of 
the  soil,  though  the  plants  are  better  if  merely  the  points  of  the  shoots    . 
are  taken  out  when  they  are  young  to  induce  the  production  of  Bide 
shoots  near  the  soil. 

Sowing  Pelargonium  Seed  {E.  McDonnell). —Mv^vm^  no  better  place 
than  a  small  frame  which  you  can  place  in  a  south  window,  you  will  not 
do  any  good  by  sowing  the  seed  now,  but  will  probably  lose  the  plants 
from  damp  in  winter.  Wo  advise  you  to  sow  the  seed  next  March,  in  a 
small  pot — say,  G  inches  in  diameter,  or  one  that  the  glass  will  cover,  and 
place  the  seed-pot  in  a  pot  of  larger  size,  filling  up  with  crocks  so  as  to 
bring  the  rims  to  one  levc'.  Fill  the  space  between  the  pots  with  small 
crocks,  and  at  the  top  with  silveV  sand.  The  glass  should  then  be  set  on  the 
sand  between  the  pots,  and  the  soil  being  kept  moist  the  plants  will  soon 
appear.  To  keep  them  dwarf  they  must  have  air  by  raising  the  glass  a 
little  on  one  side,  increasing  the  opening  as  the  plants  increase  in 
prowth,  and  removing  the  glass  by  degrees.  This  Mill  Rive  you  plants 
t-nrliur  than  by  sowing  in  the  frame  out  of  doors;  indeed,  by  sowing  in 
the  window  the  plants  will  be  fit  to  pot-off  by  the  time  the  seed  should  bo 
sown  in  the  frame — namely,  in  May. 

Wintering  Variegated  Pelargoniums  in  an  Outhouse  (E.  M.  B.). 
— Your  house  will  answer  for  wintering  all  the  Pelargoniums  you  name, 
except  Cloth  of  Gold,  which  we  fear  will  not  winter  safely.  The  plants 
should  have  poor  light  soil,  and  no  water  should  be  given  except  a  little 
occasionally  to  keep  the  wood  from  shrivelling.  In  mild  weather  and  fine 
days  open  the  doors  wide,  but  shut  up  before  the  air  becomes  cold.  It 
would  be  very  desirable  to  hang  in  front  of  the  plants  mats  from  the  roof 
to  the  ground  when  severe  weather  occurs.  The  plants  should  not  bo 
taken  out  until  May  ;  but  when  they  begin  to  grow  they  ought  to  be 
placed  nearer  the  door  and  have  water,  increasing  it  in  proportion  to  the 
growth.  The  door  should  bo  open,  after  the  plants  begin  to  grow,  when- 
ever the  atmosphere  is  not  frosty,  for  they  must  then  have  light  and  air. 

Shrubs  and  Trees  for  a  SnRUBBERy  (Belinda).— Wq  suppose  yoii 
wish  for  evergreen  shrubs,  and  we  recommend  Aueuba  japonica,  Berberis 
aquifolium,  Berberis  Darwinii,  Cotoneaster  Simmonsii,  Ilex  ferox  (gold 
and  silver  variegated),  I.  balearica,  I.  angustifolia,  and  the  gold  and 
silver-edged  Hollies,  Double-blossomed  Furze,  and  Vihni-num  tinus.  Of 
trees,  such  as  Pines,  have  Pinus  austriaca  {the  best  of  all  for  shelter), 
P.  cunibra,  and  P.  escelsa ;  Juniperus  virginiana,  J.  chinensis,  Cupressas 
Lawsoniana,  Thujopsis  borealis,  Thuja  Lobbi,  T.  plicata,  Taxus  adpressa, 
T.  baccata  fructu-luteo,  and  Abies  Douglasii.  If  you  wish  for  deciduous 
shrubs  or  trees  we  shall  be  glad  to  assist  you. 

Select  CAaiELLiAs,  Heaths,  and  Epacrires  {Suh»crihcr).~CamelHas  : 
Alba  plena,  Augiistina  superba,  Carlotta  Papudoff,  Benneyi,  Fimbriata, 
La  Pace,  Leopold  L,  Perfection,  Mrs.  Cope.  Prince  Frederick  William, 
Storyi,  and  Valtevaredo.  Heaths  :  Hyemalis,  McN'abiana  superba,  Massoni 
major,  Wilmorei  superba,  Scabriuscula,  Rubracalyx,  Sprengelil,  Shannoni- 
ana,  Ilybrida,  Fairrieana,  Gracilis  vemalis,  and  Andromed^eflora.  These 
will  be  likely  to  serve  your  purpose.  Epacriscs  :  Lady  Panmure,  Rubella, 
Viscountess  Hill,  The  Bride,  Hyacinthiflora,  and  Grandiflora  rubra. 
Other  plants  for  winter  and  spring  blooming  iire  Correa  Brilliant, 
Speciosa  major,  and  Harrisi;  Cytisus  racemosus,  Coronilla  glauca.  Cycla- 
men persicum,  C.  Atkinsi.and  C.coum  ;  Acacia  armata,  oleifolia  elegans, 
longiflora  magnifica,  and  Drummondi ;  Linum  Macraei  and  L.  trigjnum  ; 
Epiphyllum  Russellianum  and  E.  truncatura  ;  Luculia  gratissima,  Mono- 
chatum  ensiferum,  and  yon  can  hardly  dispense  with  Azaleas  and  bulbs, 
as  Hyacinths,  Narcissus,  Tulips,  and  such  plants  as  Dielytra  spectabUis, 
and  Deutzia  gracilis.  Nothing  can  be  finer  for  spring  than  Rhododen- 
drons;  they  are  very  easily  forced,  and  are  very  useful  for  planting  oat 
afterwards  in  the  borders. 

Lucerne  Culture  (An  Amntcur).— It  may  be  sown  in  April,  in  drills 
1  foot  apart,  in  clean,  well-manured  ground,  and  should  be  kept  clean 
and  well  manured.  It  succeeds  best  on  dry,  sandy,  or  calcareous  soils. 
Guano  water  would  suit  it,  providing  you  give  good  soakings.  It  may  bo 
cut  twice  or  thrice  the  first  year,  but  is  not  in  perfection  until  the  second 
yenr,  when  it  may  be  cut  four  or  five  times.  It  will  last  many  years  if 
well-manured  after  cutting. 

Mildew  on  Roses  (Idem). —  We  never  knew  vitriolised  water  (blue 
vitriol,  or  sulphate  of  copper),  to  fail.  We  know  of  no  other  remedy 
beyond  dusting  with  flowers  of  sulphur  the  parts  aft'ected,  keeping  the 
plants  well  fed  with  bone  dust,  superphosphate,  and  dung,  and  well  sup- 
plied with  water  in  dry  weather,  both  as  to  the  roots  and  foliage. 

Dwarf  Peas  (If/('fa).— The  best  very  dwarf  Peas  are  Advancer,  Bishop's 
Long-podded,  and  Yorkshire  Hero. 

Stonemason's  Chips  for  Ferns  (C.  r.P.).— The  sand  and  wast© from 
the  stonemasons  will  do  for  mixing  with  the  compost  for  large,  and  also 
small-growing  Ferns. 

Scale  on  Azaleas— Wi>-TER-DRES3rNo  Peach  Trees  and  Vines 
(A.  B.). — The  compound  you  name  is  not  safe  to  apply  to  Azaleas,  but 
you  may  destroy  the  scale  by  syringing  or  dipping  the  plants  in  a  solution 
of  Clarke's  insect-destroying  compound,  2  ozs.  to  the  gallon,  and  at  the 
same  strength  it  will  be  a  good  dressing  for  your  Peach  trees,  also  Vines. 
Though  this  is  the  proper  strength  for  plants  in  leaf,  it  may  as  a  winter 
dressing  be  used  stronger— say  3  ozs.  to  the  gallon,  and  is  then  safe,  and 
better  than  the  customary  coating  with  sulphur,  &c.  It  will  not  injure 
the  buds  or  eyes. 

Removing  Vine  Leaves  (Idevi).— Yon  must  not  remove  the  leaves 
until  they  are  yellow  or  brown,  and  have  begun  to  fall.  They  may  then 
be  removed.  Bear  with  the  Vines,  cleaning  the  house,  however,  as  well  as 
you  can  for  the  reception  of  the  plants.  It  is  very  desirable  to  clean  the 
house  before  the  plants  are  housed.  It  is  necessary  the  Vines  should  go 
to  rest  of  their  own  accord.  The  foliage  is  of  value  to  them  so  long  as 
there  is  greenness  in  it.    It  is  a  month  or  more  too  soon  to  remove  it. 

Grapes  Shanking  (W.  H.  i.).— The  bunches  have  shanked.  This  la 
usually  caused  by  a  deficiency  of  sap,  and  that  may  be  occasioned  by  the 
roots  being  deep  and  in  a  cold  wet  border.  The  want  of  a  sufficiency  of 
foliage  also  tends  to  cause  shanking.  We  know  of  no  remedy  except 
securing  efficient  drainage  of  the  border,  and  the  encouraging  of  mora 
foliage,  which  will  give  a  more  healthy  root  action,  and  a  more  plentiful 
supply  of  sap. 

Pruning  Black  Currant  Bushes  (Buxton).— In  pruning,  the  old  wood 
should  be  cut  out,  leaving  sufficient  bearing  wood,  and  the  young  shoots 
will,  therefore,  be  encouraged,  and  these  give  the  finest  fruit,  but  unless 


October  22, 1863.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF    IIOKTICULTUKE  AND    COll'AGE  GAPDENER. 


307 


they  are  shortened  the  bushes  become  bave;  to  rectify  which  the  long 
Toan<7  shoots  should  be  sbortouGd  about  one-third  their  lenRth  gonornlly, 
but  if  yon  wish  for  shoots  from  the  base  of  the  bush  thoy  must  be 
shortened  two-thiriU,  nnd  if  veryclosn  toj.'etherthey  will  reiiuiro  thuiiiinK. 
Keep  them  dwiirf  nnd  plentifully  furnished  with  young  wood,  but  not  very 
close  together. 

Potting  Zonai,  PELARaoMUMS  (Idem).— Yonr  Pelargoniums,  hard-cut 
for  cuttings,  would  be  all  the  butter  of  being  potted  when  tliey  have  made 
young  shoots  an  inch  or  two  Ion.:*.  The  pots  should  not  bo  larger  than 
those  in  which  the  plants  have  boon  growing,  but,  if  anytliing.  of  less 
size.  The  old  soil  should  bo  piekcd  away,  and  good  drniuage.  frpsh  com- 
post, and  clean  small  pots  would  make  your  plants  more  healthy  timn 
thev  would  bo  in  the  old  soil  and  larger  pots  ;  besides,  they  will  be  in  tine 
condition  to  put  into  th(^ir  blooming-pots  in  spring,  potting  them  then 
with  the  bull  cntiio.  If  h-ft  over  winter  as  thoy  are  you  must  in  spring 
disroot,  and  some  delay  will  bo  the  conscquouco. 

PKACH  AND  PiA'M  Trees  Un'frcitful  (J  Younri  Gardener).— The  slaic 
coping  from  fts  drip  on  tho  Peach  tree  will  be  more  injurious  than  bene- 
ficial. The  water  ought  to  be  conveyed  ofT,  and  not  allowed  to  drip  on 
the  tree.  From  tho  wood  dving  back  we  should  think  the  soil  wet,  and 
tho  roots  deep.  AVe  would  advise  you  to  take  up  tho  tree  carefully  and 
replant  it,  keeping  tho  roots  near  the  surface.  It  should  be  done  as  soon 
as  the  leaves  begin  to  fall.  Tho  Plum  tree  wo  would  treat  in  the  same 
way.  Syringing  tlie  Peach  tree  whilst  in  blossom  with  sulphur  and  tobacco 
water,  would  be  injurious  to  the  blossom  if  the  mixture  were  strong,  but 
not  if  the  petals  had  begun  to  fall  and  the  tobacco  water  were  used  weak, 
that  of  the  shops  being  diluted  with  six  times  its  bulk  of  water. 

Wintering  Bepding  Pelargoniums  (J?f.r).— Your  old  plants  should,  if 
you  can  atTord  space,  be  potted  singly,  but  if  they  are  at  present  in  pots  no 
good  would  result  from  potting  them"  now  unless  they  were  in  large  pots, 
in  which  case  thev  may  bo  turned  out  of  the  pots  and  put  into  those  of 
smaller  ei7.e,  the  old  soil  being  in  a  great  measure  removed  and  fresh  em- 
ployed. The  plants  in  this  way  will  be  wintered  in  less  room,  and  will  bo 
all  the  better  of  being  transferred  to  larger  pots  in  spring,  cutting  them 
down  and  inserting  the  parts  taken  off  as  cuttings.  These  will  strike  freely 
in  a  gentle  heat,  and  will  be  very  useful,  especially  as  you  are  short  of 
yonug  plants.  Thiy  will  be  good  plants  by  bedding-out  time,  and  ex- 
cellent for  mixing  with  old  plants. 

Wintering  Callas  (/(/cm).— The  Callas  should  have  a  light  airy  situ- 
ation iu  your  greenhouse,  and  sufficient  water  should  be  given  to  keep  , 
the  soil  moist  and  prevent  the  leaves  flnggiug.  It  is  not  necessary  in 
winter  te  set  the  pots  in  saucers  full  of  water,  though  desirable  when  the 
plants  are  in  active  growth  and  the  weather  hot.  They  ought  not  now  to 
be  repotted.    Repot  in  spring  when  they  begin  to  grow. 

Repotting  Orange  Trees  (^n  Old  Siihseribcr).—Tho  best  time  to  repot 
Orange  trees  is  at  the  end  of  February  or  beginning  of  March,  and  in 
doing  so  remove  as  much  of  the  old  soil  as  possible  without  injuring  the 
roots,  and  afford  good  drainage  to  the  now  pot.  As  your  tree  has  tho 
branches  partly  naked,  it  may  be  cut-in  a  few  days  after  potting,  and  if 
you  can  give  it  a  temperature  of  from  50^  to  55^  at  night,  and  a  moist  at- 
mosphere for  six  or  eight  weeks  it  will  push  freely,  and  speedily  make  a 
fine  plant.    The  Orange  bears  cutting  well. 

Vallota  purpurea  and  Eucharis  .\3IAzonica  vot  Flowering  (Idem). 
—Keep  your  plants  dry  during  the  winter,  giving  no  more  water  than  suffi- 
cient to  keep  tho  foliage  tolerably  fresh;  though  they  droop  a  little  no 
harm  will  result.  Afford  sU  the'light  possible.  Keep  the  drainage  free, 
but  do  not  repot,  for  the  plants  flower  best  when  the  roots  are  confined. 
When  the  plants  commence  growing  freely,  encourage  them  with  an 
abundant  supply  of  water,  and  weak  liquid  manure  onr^e  or  twice  a-week, 
and  having  secured  a  good  growth  expose  them  fully  to  light  and  air  on 
a  shelf  near  \h^  glass,  and  lessen  the  supply  of  water,  merely  giving 
enough  to  keep  the  foliage  from  flagging.  When  tho  spikes  appear  water 
plentifully  to  insure  their  development,  also  when  they  are  in  flower.  The 
first  requires  a  greenhouse,  and  the  Eucharis  a  cool  stove  temperature. 

Potting  Liliuh  lancifoliuu  (Idem).— Aa  soon  as  the  leaves  fall  and 
the  stems  are  yellow,  it  is  time  to  repot.  They  will  stand  the  winter  if 
plunged  in  coal  nsbes,  and  protected  from  frost  by  a  covering  of  litter 
varying  in  thickness  according  to  the  severity  of  the  weather,  removing 
it  iu  mild  periods.  Myrtles  may  be  wintered  safely  in  an  orchard  house, 
the  pots  being  plunged,  aud  the  soil  kept  dry,  and  a  mat  wrapped  round 
them  in  very  severe  weather,  not  removing  it  until  the  frost  is  completely 
gone. 

Tricolor  Pelargonium  Freaks  (riVdHJA).— Remove  the  preternatural 
white  excrescences  from  the  stems  of  your  Tricolors  at  once;  they  only 
weaken  the  plants,  and  will,  if  allowed  to  remain,  soon  injure  their 
health. 

Seeds  of  Ricinus  (Td^m).— Allow  tho  plant  to  die  down  and  the  seeds 
to  remain  in  the  husks.  These  should  be  kept  in  a  dry  place  during  the 
winter. 

Vines  in  an  Orchard  House  'J.  O.  H.,  ^^mfci/rl.— There  can  be  no  , 
qaestion  that  by  having  a  glass  division  in  your  orchard  house  you  can,  : 
merely  by  different  management  as  respects  ventilation,  keep  that  part 
warmer  than  the  other.  By  moving  the  glass  end  at  the  north  for  tliis 
purpose,  and  having  a  brick  end  there  instead,  von  will  also  make  your 
house  warmer  at  tlie  loss  of  so  much  light.  As  to  the  question  of  lieat, 
you  are  right ;  but  we  do  not  think  you  will  obtain  early  Grapes  against 
that  wall  after  your  twelve  Vines  have  taken  possession  of  the  12^  feet  in 
length  of  the  span-roofed  house.  When  that  is  the  case  wc  think  very 
little  direct  sunlight  will  fall  on  this  wall— that  is,  if  the  Vines  go  up  near 
the  apex  of  the  roof.  If  a  space  were  left  there  Vines  against  the  wall 
would  do  well,  but  then  a  part  of  the  roof  would  be  lost.  We  would 
chiefly  value  your  wall  for  the  gi'eater  warmth  it  would  give.  It  will  not 
look  so  well  as  the  glass. 

Vines  in  a  Gp.eenhuuse  {E.  TT.).— You  can  have  Vines  in  yourgi-een- 
house  without  buing  interfered  with  by  your  bedding  plants,  if  you  force 
the  Vines  little  or  not  at  aU.  The  lean-to  form,  with  a  stage  at  back  and 
a  wide  shelf  in  front,  will  be  as  useful  as  any,  with  the  beating  medium 
below  that  shelf.  As  you  wish  to  have  no  border  iu  front  to  interfere 
with  your  lawn,  you  might  keep  your  pipes  nearer  the  passage,  plant 
yoor  Vines  close  to  the  front  wall  inside,  aud  allow  the  roots  to  run 
inside,  where  a  border  would  be  made  for  them  ;  and  if  the  front  wall  were 
on  arches  or  piers  the  roots  could  also  go  out  beneath  the  lawn,  and  good 
soil  could  be  obtained  for  them  and  the  turf  replaced.    This  would  do 


admirably  for  Vines  not  to  be  forced.  On  tho  plan  proposed  your  other 
host  mode  is  to  make  tho  border  Inaido  the  house,  obtain  strong  long-rod 
Vines,  plant  them  against  the  back  wall,  and  as  they  grow  train  them 
down  the  roof.  In  such  a  case,  with  plants,  &c.,  on  tho  stage,  they  will  do 
little  good  till  they  are  near  tho  top  of  tho  back  wall  ;  and  therefore  when 
plantiug,  tho  buds  might  bo  nipped  out,  except  two  or  three  near  the  top 
of  the  cano  or  shoot. 

Heating  a  Small  Greenhouse  (.7.  /).).— For  such  a  small  house  as 
yours  we  think  a  good-^ized  paratHn  lamp  would  keep  out  frost ;  but  wa 
are  afraid  of  explosions,  and  we  fear  that  tlio  products  of  combustion 
would  injure  tho  plants,  unless  you  had  a  large  concave  reflector  of  tin 
suspended  over  the  glass  funnel,  and  a  hole  in  the  upper  end  connected 
with  a  small  gas  pipe  going  into  the  open  air.  A  tube  from  u  (luarter  to 
three-eighths  of  an  inch  diameter  would  do  for  this  purpose,  and  the  pipe 
when  passing  outside  could  bo  bent  down  to  prevent  tho  external  air 
acting  on  the  burner  to  any  extent.  Paraffin  gives  a  clear  light  and  a 
strong  heat,  but  even  in  a  sitting-room  tho  fumes  that  escape  become 
oppressive  unless  fresh  air  is  admitted  to  tho  room  onco  or  twice  in  the 
evening.  If  you  have  any  doubts  as  to  the  paraffin  you  need  have  none 
as  respects  a  small  iron  stove,  and  you  would  require  ouly  a  small  iron 
funnel  from  it  to  the  open  air.  A  friend  of  oura,  who  disliked  the  troubl  e 
of  lighting  a  small  stove,  had  a  small  pipe  placed  at  top  instead  of  a 
funnel,  and  put  a  good-sized  lamp  inside  tho  stove,  and  it  gives  to  the 
stove  all  the  heat  he  wants. 

Flue  in  a  Vinert  (J.  K.  L.).— Order  the  "Vine  Manual,"  which  you 
can  have  from  our  nftice  by  post  for  thirty-two  postage  stauips.  The  best 
bricks  make  the  best  fUms,  and  should  bo  well  set  with  lime  putty.  We 
prefer  they  should  have  no  plastering  inside,  but  be  roughly  plastered  or 
heavily  limewaahed  outside.  As  fine  Grapes  have  been  grown  with  flues 
as  with  hot  water,  hut  flues  require  more  care,  and  are  more  liable  to  do 
mischief  if  not  sound,  or  the  stoker  careless,  or  if  they  are  allowed  to  get 
foul.  If  we  wanted  a  strong  heat  from  flues  we  would  make  a  part  next 
the  furnace  brick-nn-bed  instead  of  brick-on-edge,  Mr.  Robson  had  good 
flues  formed  of  wide  tubes  of  Portland  cement. 

Construction  of  a  Vinery  (TT.  J.  S.).~For  sash-bar  rafters  12  feet 
3  inches  long,  you  should  not  have  them  less  than  1.^  inch  wide  and 
4',  inches  deep;  and  for  21-oz.  glass  you  would  need  a  slender  iron  bar 
longitudinally  about  the  middle  of  the  roof,  fixed  to  the  two  end  rafters, 
and  two  pillars  at  equal  distances  apart.  This  would  keep  the  rafters 
firm  and  in  their  places.  For  such  a  width  of  12^  feet  and  a  height  at  back 
of  11  feet,  from  8^  to  4  feet  in  height  in  front  would  give  you  a  useful 
slope  of  roof,  and  one-third  or  one-half  of  that  height  in  front  might  be 
glass.  At  the  above  height  in  front  you  would  have  to  stoop  a  little  to 
reach  your  greenhouse  plants  there  in  winter.  Then  we  presume  you 
mean  to  use  heat  to  keep  out  frost ;  the  heat  will  not  interfere  with  your 
Vines  if  you  do  not  let  it  rise  higher  than  45'.  A  flue  along  the  back  wall 
would  be  sufficient  to  keep  frost  out ;  but  so  placed,  a  flue  has  less  effect 
in  a  house  than  if  placed  along  the  front. 

Waterproofing  Calico  {C.  G.).— Tack  the  calico  loosely  on  the  frame, 
and  then  paint  over  with  the  following  when  hot.  Take  oue  pint  of  lin- 
seed oil  old  and  pale,  half  an  ounce  of  acetate  of  lead  (sugar  of  lead),  and 
one  ounce  of  white  resin.  Grind  the  acetate  with  a  little  oil,  add  to 
the  rest,  and  the  resin  bruised,  incon'orata  thoroughly  in  an  iron  pot 
over  a  slow  fire,  and  applv  with  a  brush  when  hot.  Next  day  fasten 
tightly  with  tacks,  and  rub  the  brush  round  the  sides  where  tacked.  This 
does  well  when  the  cover  can  be  lifted  off  and  on  like  a  sash  of  a  frame, 
lint  the  waterproofing  is  apt  to  crack  when  rolled,  and  in  that  case  would 
be  better  without  tho  resin.  A  flexible  cloth  for  rolling,  and  tolerably 
waterproof,  is  made  by  a  weak  solution  of  glue,  just  so  strong  as  to  stick 
between  the  fingers  a  little  when  it  begins  to  cool.  Add  to  it  as  much 
alum  as  will  enable  the  taste  of  alum  to  bo  discernible,  then  a  little  linseed 
oil.  and  a  little  soap  beaten  up  into  a  lather,  and  when  well  mixed  apply 
to  the  cloth,  when  the  mixture  is  warm,  with  a  brush.  For  mere  water- 
proofing, when  light  is  no  object,  nothing  is  better  than  a  mixture  of 
boiled  oil  and  tar,  which  when  dry  is  pliable.  We  have  found,  however, 
that  waterproofed  calico  does  not  last  so  much  longer,  and  that  common 
CAlico  strained  tightly  throws  off  water  like  an  umbrella. 

Plantation  for  Shelter  and  Ornament  (W.  T.  Coni/era'.).—ln  your 
sheltering  boundary  it  would  be  well  not  to  plant  more  than  from  thirty 
to  forty  intended  to  be  permanent,  and  fill  up  with  a  few  Scotch  Firs  and 
Spruce,  but  chiefly  with  the  common  Laurel,  which  you  can  cut  as  yoa 
like  afterwards.  For  fine  specimen  plants  we  would  plant  such  as  the 
following— viz.,  Pinus  pinaster,  P.  austriaca,  P.  cembra,  P.  strobus,  P.  es- 
celsa;  Abies  alba,  A.  Smithians,  A.  Douglasii,  A.  cephalonica  ;  Picea  pin- 
sapo,  P;cea  Webbiana,  Araucaria  excelsa,  Cryptomeria  japonica,  Taxodium 
sempervirens,  Wellingtonia  gigantea,  Cedrus  Libani,  Cedrus  deodara 
(if  something  like  a  fourth  should  be  Deodars  you  will  not  regret  it),  with 
three  or  four  Aruucarias,  and  at  least  a  couple  of  Wellingtonias.  These 
should  be  from  40  to  50  feet  apart.  Most  of  these,  and  especially  Arauca- 
riaa  and  Deodars,  may  be  had  well  rooted  and  of  a  large  size  at  from 
10s.  Gd.  to  2l3.  Gd.  each  ;  but  if  the  carriage  must  be  long  we  would  prefer 
for  such  specimens  good  strong  plants  from  18  to  30  inches  in  height, 
and  which,  if  well  treated,  will  grow  better  every  day  after  they  are 
planted,  whilst  large  expensive  plants  are  apt  to  stand  still  for  a  time. 
However,  if  you  wish  for  a  few  line  specimens,  have  them  by  all  means, 
and  most  of  our  respectable  niu*serymen  would  be  able  to  supply  you 
with  plants  of  almost  any  size,  according  to  price. 

Cultivating  Mushrooms  on  a  Grass  Plat  (Dc»rt).— Mushrooms  are 
always  uncertain  in  the  open  air.  You  may  have  them  on  the  grass  plat 
just  as  well  as  in  a  grass  field  ;  but  it  is  rather  late  to  iusert  spawn  below 
the  turf  now.  It  would  have  been  better  if  you  had  spawned  your  ground 
iu  August,  inserting  pieces  about  the  size  of  a  walnut  every  18  inches  or 
so  apart,  and  irom  1  to  2  inches  below  the  surface.  The  spawn  is  not  so 
much  injured  by  cold  as  by  wet  and  cold  combined.  Wo  would  never 
advise  mailing  a  Mushroom  bed  of  a  lawn,  as,  if  the  spawn  take  posses- 
sion, farewell  to  the  soft  elastic  bend  and  the  smooth  surface  of  the 
lawn  ;  but  a  small  corner  might  be  tried.  Recollect  that  that  will  be  ex- 
posed to  the  same  casualties  as  spawn  in  grass  fields.  Wo  have  marked 
places  plentifullv  supplied  with  Mushrooms,  and  found  the  ground  per- 
meated with  spa"mi,  and  yet  for  years  afterwards  not  a  Mushroom  was 
seen  in  the  same  place.  In  other  cases  we  have  found  Mushrooms  ap- 
pearing on  the  same  pasture  at  the  same  placo  year  after  year.  This  hag 
been  a  fine  season  for  spawn  gprt ading  under  ground. 

Select  Varieties  of  Gladiolus  (C.  B.,Birmijifiham).—Iied:  Meyer- 
beer, Fulton,  Ensign.  Pink :  Adolphe  Brongniart,  Milton,  FL-Ucien  David^ 


308 


JOURNAL   OF   HORTICULTUKE   AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENER. 


[  October  22,  1868. 


Lilac,  (tc:  Thomns  Moore,  Adele  Sonchet.  Various:  OpMr,  Enrydice, 
Reine  Victoria.  Belle  Gabrielle. 

Kew  {X.  Y.  Z.).— You  have  imagined  a  prejudice  wbich  does  not  exist. 

MusA  Cavendishii  (A  Congtajit  Reader). — The  fruit  you  enclosed  is  of 
Musa  Cavendishii,  or  Cavendish's  Plantain.  The  Bread-frait  is  quite  a 
different  plant,  Artocarpns  incisa.  If  you  cut  off  the  flowerinp  stalk 
entire  and  hang  it  up  in  a  warm  drv  place,  the  fruits  upon  it  may  ripen. 

Names  of  Fruits  {T.   TV.).—1,  Lame  de  Glymcs  ;  2.  Belle  de  NotI ; 

4,  Glou  Mortjean.  (R.  A/.).— 1,  Hampden's  BcrRnmot;  2,  Beune  d'Arem- 
berg;  3,  Vicar  of  Winkfield ;  4,  St.  Germain;  5,  Emerald;  G,  Dnchesse 
d'Orleans.  {Centurion).—!,  Nonveau  Poiteau  ;  2,  DoyeunC  Defois  ;  3,  Yel- 
low Bellefleur  ;  6,  Drap  d'Or  ;  7,  Braddick's  Nonpareil ;  8,  Easter  Benrrc- ; 
9,  Nonpareil ;  10,  Herefordchire  Pearmain  ;  11,  Red  Doyenne  ;  12,  Boston 
Russet;  13.  Royal  Russet;  11.  Brown  Beunt  ;  15,  Cellini.  (J.  Mcicalf).— 
Vicar  of  Winkfield.     (C.   Hamilton).—'},    Stirling   Castle;  2,  Kot  know-n ; 

5,  Your  Winter  Peach  is  AVinter  Hawthomdeu ;  4,  Warner's  King ;  5,  Your 


Soldat  Laboureur  Pear  is  Efampdcn's  Bergamot ;  6,  Y^oar  Josephine  de 
Malines  Pear  is  Fondante  do  ilaUnes  ;  7,  Not  known    8,  Beurre  Nantaie. 

NA^res  OF  Plants  {G.  S.) — 1,  Craticgus  niacrantha;  2,  C.  sanguinea; 
S,  C.  ovalifolia  ;  4.  C.  punctata ;  5,  C.  orientalis  ;  Cicuta  \'iro3a  is  found 
in  ditches  and  by  the  sides  of  rivers,  but  we  cannot  give  you  Bucb  a  de- 
scription of  it  as  to  enable  you  to  find  the  plant  if  you  do  not  already 
know  it;  ask  some  botanical  friend  near  you  if  be  knows  where  it  grows. 
(E.  L.). — We  cannot  determine  species  from  leaves.  (M.  D.). — Aranja 
albens.  {Mr:i.  Sartoris). — Canavalia  tuif;ida.  {Pohj:-tichinn).—l,  Selagi- 
nella  Kraussiana  ;  2,  Aspidium  trifoliatum ;  3,  Elechnum  occidentale; 
4,  5,  rolystichum  aculeatum,  young  fronds.  (J.  S.). — 1,  Aspleuium  tricho- 
maues;  2,  Polypodium  vulgarc;  B,  4,  5,  Lastrea  Filii-mas ;  G,  Rnscus 
aculentus.  (a!  M.  C.).— Cassia  hevigata.  (H.  T.  TT.).— Pteris  sulcata. 
{An  Old  Subscriber). — Tricbomanes  radicans.  {A.  L.  H.).— Datura,  Ptra- 
monium.  a  very  dangerous  plant.  (J.  iacoUj.— 1,  Aster  Irevis;  2,Po*entilla 
nepolensis,  or  a  hybrid  from  it. 


METEOROLOGICAIi 

OBSERVATIONS 

in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  enrfing  October  20th. 

Date, 

BAEOHETEB. 

rnEEUIOKBTEB. 

Wind. 

Rain  In 
inches. 

GENERiL  ReMAEEB, 

AlT. 

Eartli. 

Mai. 

Min. 

Max. 

Min. 

1  n.  dp 

2  ft.  dp. 

Wed...  1-1 
Thnrs.  15 
Fri.  ..  16 
Sat.  ..  17 
Son...  18 
Hon...  19 
Taes. .  20 

Moan 

80.066 
29.929 
29.681 
29.558 
29.620 
29.732 
29.868 

30.000 
29.760 
29.556 
29.531 
29.586 
29.650 
29.£82 

60 
69 
66 
63 
58 
66 
62 

32 
89 
86 
81 
22 
23 
30 

58 
62 
52 
52 
52 
48 
45 

62 
63 
63 
52 
61 
51 
50 

N.W. 
S.E. 
W. 

s.w. 

N.W. 
N.W. 
N.W. 

.CO 
.00 
.16 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.20 

Fine  ;  very  fine  ;  fine,  veiy  dark,  frosty  nir. 
Cloudy  ;  overcast  and  hoisterous  ;  fine  at  niglit. 
Cloudy;  fine.  Etron;?  wind  ;  heavy  showers;  slight  rain. 
Heavy  clouds  ;  very  tine  ;  clear  and  fine. 
Cloudy  and  cold  ;  overcast ;  fine,  sharp  frost. 
Fine,  frosty  ;  clear  and  fine  ;  cold  wind,  sharp  frost. 
Clear  and  fine  ;  very  fine  ;  fine,  heavy  raiu  in  night. 

29.779 

29.681 

60.43 

31.85 

60.57 

51.71 

•• 

e.33 

POULTaY,  BEE,  and  HOITSEHOLI)  CHROl^ICXE. 

POULTRY  AT  THE  APPROACH  OF  WINTER. 

Three  is  something  cheerful  in  the  first  approach  of  frost, 
and  in  the  disappearance  of  the  hot,  iinseasonahle  muggy 
weather.  The  animal  world  seems  to  share  the  feeling ;  at 
least,  we  thought  our  fowls  did.  They  were  hrisker,  they 
bustled  more  about,  and  when  let  out  at  daybreak,  instead  of 
listlessly  wandering  in  front  of  their  house,  they  spread  all  over 
the  grass.  The  younger  ones  seemed  to  view  the  white  fi-ost 
with  wonder,  akin  to  that  expressed  hy  natives  of  hot  countries, 
who  for  the  first  time  in  their  lives  see  the  landscape  covered 
with  snow. 

'We  do  not  believe  the  relaxing  weather  we  have  had  has  been 
healthy  for  fowls.  Without  serious  ailment  we  do  not  know  we 
ever  saw  our  fowls  at  all  places  so  entirely  out  of  condition ; 
many  sneezing,  and  with  slight  discharge  from  the  nose,  while 
others  have  shown  a  decided  tendency  to  mope.  Our  treatment 
has  been  camphor  in  their  water,  and  bread  and  ale  for  food. 
This  has  kept  disease  from  breaking  out,  and  the  cold  weather 
has  had  a  most  salutaiy  effect. 

The  approach  of  anything  like  winter  generally  brings  us  the 
question — "  What  is  the  best  way  of  providing  artificial  heat 
for  my  poultry  r"  Some  talk  of  hot-water  pipes  ;  some  of  old 
conservatories ;  some  would  devote  an  attic  to  early  chickens ; 
and  others  are  willing  to  give  up  the  back  kitchen.  Nothing  of 
the  sort  is  required.  Increased  heat  must  be  given  by  generous 
feeding.  The  most  important  points  are  to  feed  tho  last  thing 
before  dark,  and  the  first  thing  at  daybreak.  Kitchen  pot  liquor 
is  now  a  good  thing  to  use  ibr  mixing  meal,  and  use  it  warm. 
Let^  the  fowls  have  bones  to  pick.  Scatter  fresh  moidd  on  the 
floors  of  their  houses.  See  that  no  draught  blows  on  them  in 
their  roosting  place.  Begin  to  think  of  your  runs.  In  most 
places  men  are  now  trimming  the  sides  of  the  roads,  and  the 
cuttings  that  are  made  in  making  the  road  straight  can  be  had 
for  a  trifle.  We  know  nothing  so  good  for  pens  ;  it  is  capital 
stuff  for  fowls  to  bask  and  dust  in  ;  it  is  full  of  grass,  and 
affords  food,  and  does  not  hold  wet.  Two  hours  after  a  hard 
shower  it  is  dry.  A  few  shovelsful  of  this  thrown  now  and  then 
into  a  pen  keep  it  always  fi'esh. 


SUBDUING  BROODINESS. 

In  your  number  for  October  8th  you  say,  in  answer  to 
"  H.  E.  N.,"  that  "  there  are  no  means  of  preventing  a  hen  being 
broody,  and  it  is  very  cruel  to  try.  It  is  simply  her  nature, 
and  a  little  p.atience  will  survive  the  annoyance."  Now  it  is, 
of  course,  impossible  to  prevent  hens  of  particular  breeds  from 
manifesting  symptoms  of  broodiness  ;  but  I  think  it  is  quite 
possible,  without  cruelty,  to  cure  them  of  these  symptoms.    I 


have  kept  BuS  Cochins  for  more  than  a  year,  and  by  the  adop- 
tion of  the  plan  mentioned  below,  have  constantly  succeeded 
in  preventing  them  from  persisting  in  then-  desire  to  sit. 

The  plan  is  simply  this.  I  have  two  hen  houses,  situated  at 
a  considerable  distance  from  each  other,  and  whenever  one  of 
my  hens  manifests  any  desire  to  sit,  she  is  forthwith  deported 
to  the  reserve  hen  hou.«e,  which  contains  no  nests.  Here  she 
remains  by  herself  for  two  or  three  days,  having  a  full  allow- 
ance of  food  and  water  provided,  and  then  she  is  returned  to 
her  old  quarters.  This  plan  has  never  failed  to  be  successful, 
and  the  liens  subjected  to  the  experiment  have  always  begun  to 
lay  again  within  a  fortnight  of  ceasing  to  lay.  The  philosophy 
of  the  matter  seems  easily  explicable.  The  female  mind  is 
very  susceptible  to  the  influence  of  change  of  scene,  and  just 
as  prudent  parents  send  their  daughters  to  the  seaside  when 
they  are  brooding  over  some  undesirable  attachment,  with  the 
view  of  distracting  their  attention  from  the  beloved  object ;  so 
I  carry  off  hens  brooding  over  eggs,  in  order  to  divert  their 
attention  by  presenting  new  objects  of  attraction  to  them. 

Another  simple  precaution  is  to  remove  the  eggs  from  the 
nests  twice  each  day. 

By  these  means  Cochins  may  be  made  nearly  as  profitable  as 
egg-producers  as  Hamburghs  or  Polish.— F.,  IVestmorcland. 


THE   SORROWS  OF  A  POULTRY-FANCIER. 

This  morning,  as  I  sat  in  my  study  preparing  for  tho  labonre 
of  the  day,  I  heard  an  unusual  knock  at  the  door.  In  came 
my  poultry  man,  looking  very  serious.  Something  evidently 
was  wrong. 

"  I  am  sorry,  sir,  to  say  that  the  hen  which  was  ill  yesterday 
is  dead." 

"Dead  !"  said  I.  "Why,  she  seemed  as  if  there  was  very 
little  the  matter  with  her  yesterday." 

"  She  is  dead  and  cold  this  morning,"  replied  my  man. 
Alas  !  for  my  poultry  yard.  The  best  pullet  (a  Coloured  Dorking), 
that  I  had,  one  with  the  best  blood  in  Eugland  flowing  in  her 
veins,  my  hope  for  this  and  other  years,  has  been  suddenly 
taken  from  me,  and  I  hardly  know  how  I  can  supply  her  place. 

Her  history  is  as  follows,  and  I  recite  it  that  others  may 
avoid  the  rock  upon  vhich  my  hopes  have  been  wrecked. 

About  ten  days  since  she  returned  from  a  show,  where,  in  ft 
close  competition,  she  had  been  crowned  with  honours,  so  that 
I  hoped  she  would  win  her  way  on  many  another  field.  Alas  ! 
for  human  hopes.  She  was  fed,  I  fear,  too  well,  although  with 
soft  food  only.  Upon  her  arrival  home  there  did  not,  however, 
seem  anything  the  matter  with  her  until  yesterday  morning, 
when  my  servant,  missing  her  at  feeding  time,  found  her, 
after  a  search,  concealed  beneath  a  tree.  She  was  evidently 
ill;  her  crop  contained  no  food,  and  when  pressed  threw  ont 
watery  matter,  that  seemed  to  speak  of  roup.  She  was  imme- 
diately brought  in-doors,  placed  in  a  hamper  near  the  fire,  and 


October  22, 18C3.  1 


JOURNAL   OF  HOllTICULTUKK  AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEB. 


309 


a  doso  of  castor  oil  administered.  At  the  same  time  some 
bread  soaked  in  warm  alo,  witli  a  little  cayenne  in  it,  was  given 
her.  Tliose  seemed  to  do  her  good ;  at  all  events,  she  ate  the 
BOlt  food  placed  for  her  in  the  hamper.  At  uight  slie  was  taken 
to  an  outhouse  with  the  floor  well  covered  with  straw,  and  a 
pill  administered,  made  according  to  the  directions  in  Mrs.  F. 
Blair's  "  Uonwife  :" — "  Dried  sulphate  of  iron,  in  powder,  half 
a  drachm ;  capsicum,  in  powdei',  one  drachm ;  extract  of  li- 
quorice, a  sufficient  quantity  to  make  a  mass,  which  is  to  be 
divided  into  thirty  pills." 

This  morning  she  was  stiff  and  cold.  Now,  did  she  die  of 
roup,  or  of  the  pill  ? 

In  three  years'  experience  of  Coloured  Dorkings  I  have  lost 
three  birds ;  one  in  my  absence,  another,  a  cock,  which  died  in 
March,  and  so  spoiled  my  hopes  for  the  breeding  season,  and 
the  pullet  mentioned  above.  To  the  cock  I  administered  the 
following  pill,  also  recommended  in  the  "  Henwife  :" — "One 
grain  of  calomel,  one  grain  of  antimony,  made  into  a  pill ;  one 
to  be  given  every  evening." 

I  have  now  hurled  all  my  pills  into  the  fire,  and  shall  for  the 
future  invest  ia  nothing  but  Eaily's  Eoup  and  Condition  Pills. 
— E.  M.  B.  A. 

LONG  SUTTON  POULTRY  SHOW. 

The  Show  held  on  tho  11th  and  15tb  inst.,  was  larger  and  better 
than  in  i>revioas  years,  and  as  the  weather  was  very  favourable 
Uiero  was  a  sreat  attendance  of  visitors.  Not  having  been  able  to 
obtain  a  catalogne.  our  remarks  must  be  much  briefer  than  they  other- 
wise would  have  been. 

The  poultry  was  rouged  in  two  very  excellent  tents,  and  there  was 
a  superioiwoUection  of  Pigeons.  We  regretted  to  find  that  long  after  all 
tho  awards  were  completed,  some  tUii-ty  pens  or  more  of  really  excel- 
lent specimens  were  delivered  at  the  Skow,  and  consequently  were 
entirely  thrown  out  of  competition.  We  have  again  and  again 
guarded  e>;liibitors  against  trusting  to  the  last  train.  The  Gnij  Dork- 
ings were  remarkably  good  as  a  class,  and  Mi-s.  Arkwright's  triutnph 
was  gauied  in  a  very  large  and  severe  competition.  In  Cochins, 
the  Buff  and  Partridge-coloured  were  decidedly  the  best ;  but  the  cup, 
com]ieted  for  alike  by  all  Cochins  or  Brahmas,  fell  to  a  pen  of  the 
Dark-feathered  Brahmas,  belonging  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle.  Tho 
cockerel  was  indeed  a  magnificent  bhd.  Sjianiyh  fowls  have  been 
shown  at  former  meetings  of  better  character  than  on  this  occasion. 
Hamhnri/hs  were  good  and  numerous.  The  Black-breasted  Red  Giime 
cup  birds,  belonging  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle,  were  excellent,  and 
shown  in  the  very  height  of  good  condition  ;  and  Mr.  J.  Fletcher's 
Duckwings  were  also  most  praiseworthy.  The  Game  liavtams  were 
mostly  quite  overshown,  lacked  condition,  and  some,  we  believe,  were 
actually  removed,  they  appeared  so  thoroughly  prostrate.  Some  of 
the  best  SUver-spangled  Pohmih  we  have  seen  for  years  were  shown. 
In  the  class  for  Uraamental  birds.  Golden  and  Silver  Chinese  Phea- 
sants, and  a  very  handsome  hybrid  between  the  English  Pheasant 
and  Black  Bantam  ben,  had  hosts  of  admirers.  The  Selling  Class 
was  remarkably  large  ;  and  as  a  sure  corrective  of  the  deception,  now 
so  common,  of  entering  highly  valued  poultry  at  a  ridiculously  low 
figm'c,  aud  instantly  claiming  them,  all  prize  or  commended  pens 
were  sold  by  auction,  and  the  excess  on  the  entered  price  was  given  up 
to  the  Society.     This  keeps  out  all  shaqj  practice. 

The  Honorary  Secretary  showed  a  very  good  collection  of  poultiw  in 
tho  local  class,  and  was  most  assiduous  in  promoting  the  comfort  of 
every  cue.  

[From  a  Corrcsponchnf.) 

Of  Pigeons  there  was  a  very  strong  show,  many  'very  good  birds 
only  receiving  high  commendations.  First  on  the  list  were  Can-icrs. 
The  fii'st  prize  for  Black  cocks  went  to  Mr.  "Wiltshii-o  for  a  cock  that 
did  not  prepossess  mo,  being  sadly  short  of  carriage  and  neck.  In 
Black  hens  Mr.  Crossley  took  first  and  second  with  bu-da  of  superior 
style.  In  cocks  of  any  other  colour  he  was  first  with  a  Dun  cock  with 
a  deformed  foot.  In  hens  of  any  other  colour  Mr.  Fulton  deservedly 
won  the  cup  for  the  best  Carrier  of  any  colour  with  a  magnificent  Duu 
hen.  late  the  propei-ty  of  Mr.  Hedley,  that  has  taken  a  prize  wherever 
shown.  I  would  throw  out  a  hint  here,  that  Judges  are  too  prone  to 
give  prizes  to  Carriers  that  are  sadly  too  coarse,  in  preference  to  such 
birds  as  those  shown  here  by  Mr.  '\^'alker  in  cocks,  and  Messrs.  Cross- 
ley  and  Fulton  in  hens,  which  possessed  plenty  of  style  and  carriage 
combined  with  head  and  beak.  In  router  cocks.  Red  or  Blue,  Mr. 
Fulton  was  first,  bnt  not  with,  in  my  opinion,  bis  best  birds.  He  also 
took  first  in  Ited  or  Blue  hens,  and  the  same  in  both  classes  lor  any 
other  colour. 

In  Ahnonih  Mr.  "^N^iltsbire  took  the  cup  with  a  pair  that  had  been 
overtrimmcd  in  the  beak,  but  nevertheless  good  birds.  In  Tumblers 
of  ony  other  variety  Mr.  b'nlton  was  first  with  a  £^ood  pair  of  Agates, 
and  ilr.  Crossley  second  with  a  good  pair  of  Blacks.  For  Jacobins 
Mr.  Homer  was  first,  and  Mr.  Fulton  second,  with  Ptcda.  Fnnlnils 
were  fair.  In  Ovrh  Mr.  Fielding  was  first  and  second.  Tnrbits  were 
a  fail-,  and  Barbs  a  good  class,  Mr.  Whtsbire  taking  tho  cup,  and  Mr. 
Crossley  being  second.  Drarjoons  were  a  strong  class,  Mr.  Homer  taking 


the  first  prize.  For  "  any  other  variety "  the  first  prize  wont  to  a 
very  good  pair  of  Yellow  Magpies  and  tho  second  to  Hyacinths. 

Of  Jliihbits  there  wcro  many  good  specimens,  and  the  prizes  were 
justly  awarded.     The  following  is  tho  prize  list : — 

DoUKlNOS  (Coloiured).— Cup,  Mrs.  Arkwrisbt,  Etwall  Hall,  Derby.  Se- 
cond, Duke  ot  Newcastle,  Olumlicr.  nimbly  Commended,  D.  Gellatly, 
MciRlo,  N.B.;  Mrs.  Arkwrigbt;B.  Dawson,  Leybnurue ;  Dr.  Campbell, 
Broulwood :  Hon.  11.  KitzwiUiam,  Weutworlh  Woodbouse;  J.  Clift, 
Dorking;  H.  ricklcs,  jnn.,  Earby.  Commended.  J.  Vorlov,  Holbcacu  ; 
H.  Liugwood,  BnrkinR.  NeedUam  Market ;  (i.  Claikc,  Lnii^  Sutton. 

Dorkings  (Any  otbor  variety).— First,  Mrs.  ArkwriKbt  (Silver-Groy); 
Second,  Ijr.  Campbell  (White).  Highly  Commended,  O.  E.  CrosswcHi 
Unnworth  (Silver).  ,      „  ,    „ 

CocHiN-CniNAs  (Buff).— First,  'W.  A.  Buniell,  Southwell.  Second,  C. 
Sidgwick,  Ityddlesdon  Hall,  Koighley.  Highly  Commended,  L.  H. 
Ricketts,  Barnwell ;  H.  Lingwood. 

Cochin-chinas  (Any  other  colour).— First,  .1.  K.  Fowler,  Aylesbury 
(Partridge).  Second,  W.  Wnn-cn,  Oodney  Dyke.  Ulubly  Commended,  T.  M. 
Derry,  Gednoy  (Partridge).  Commended,  Mrs.  J.  Clarke,  Long  Suttoa 
I  White) ;  Rev.'  R.  llollis,  Whaplodo  Drove  (White). 

Bhauhas  (Dark).— Cup,  Duke  of  Newcastle.  Second,  E.  Alder,  Derby. 
HiRhlv  Commended,  E.  Alder  ;  II.  SaviUu,  HufTord  Abbey,  near  Ollortou. 

Bra'iijus  (LiKht).— First,  H.  Dnwsr-tt,  Plcshey,  Chelmsford.  Second, 
G.  Hustler,  StiUingfleot,  York.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Pares,  Postford, 
Guildford.  ,    .     ^,  ,     -r  o    li 

Spanish  —First,  H.  Snushall,  Gedney.    Second,  A.  Colo,  Long  button. 

Haiiburghs  (Golden  and  .silvor-apanKlod).— Cup,  J.  Laming,  Cowhurn, 
Spalding  (Golden).  Second,  H.  PicUea,  jun.  HiRhly  Commended  J. 
Walker,  Haye  Park,  KnareaborouBh  ;  Asbton  &  Booth  Broadbottom, 
Manchester  (Silver) ;  S.  &  11.  Ashtoii,  Mottram,  Cheshire  (Golden).  Com- 
mended, W.  McMollon,  Glossop.  „.    ,    ,    „    t  ti  ii 

Hamburohs  (Golden  and  Silver-pencilled).— First,  J.  R.  Jessop,  Hull. 
Second,  A.  Cole  (Golden).  HiKhly  Commended,  J.  Webster,  Whitby 
(Golden).    Commended,  J.  Walker.  „  ,       .„  ..        c 

Game  (Black-bieastod  and  other  Reds).— Cup,  Dukeol  NewcasUo.  Se- 
cond, J.  Fletcher.  Stoneclougb,  Manchester.  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Fletcher :  F.  R.  Hall,  Cambridge ;  W.  Goose,  Long  Sutton  (Browa- 
breasted)';  G.  R.  Smith,  Scarborough.  ,     t--    .     t     ui  .„!,«, 

Game  (DuckwrnB  and  other  Greys  and  Blues).— First,  J.  Fletcher 
(Duekwing).    Second,  T.    Robertahall,  jun.,  Illingworth,  near  Halifax 

"ct-aSTaiiV  other  varietv).-First,  E.  Crawford,  Long  Sutton  (Black). 
Second,  W.  bale,  Weston-super-Mare  (Pile).  ,„,_,,       ^     „„  r-„A 

French  Fowls  (Any  variety).-Cup,  Col.  Stuart  Wortle^^  Grove  End 
Road,  London.  Second,  Hon.  C.  Fitznilliam  (La  Flechoi.  Highly  Com- 
mended, J-  O.  Hobson,  Long  Sutton  (Creve-Cceur) ;  J.  K.  Fowler  (Creve- 
Cffiur  and  La  Flcche)  Commended,  T.  Fox,  St.  Catherine  s,  Lmcoln  ; 
Hon.  H.  Fitzwilliam  (La  Flecho).  „  „    r,  <-■  ™ 

Game  Bantams  (Bbick-breastod  Rcds).-Cup,  Rev.  C.  H.  Crosse,  Cam- 
bridge Second,  J.  Crosland,  jnn.,  Wakefield.  Highly  Commended, -W. 
F  Entwisle;  J.  W.  Morris,  Rochdale;  W.Adams,  St.  Clements,  Ipswich. 
Commended,  W.  F.  Entwistle  ;  J.  Crosland,  jun. 

Game  Bantams  (Anv  other  varioty).-First,  T.  Whittaker  Melton  Mow- 
bray  (Pile).  Second  Knd  Highly  Commended,  J:  Crosland  jun.  (Duck- 
wing).  Commended,  W.  F.  Entwistle  (Duekwing) ;  J.  M.  Moms  (Duok- 
winS) ;  Mason  &  Charieswortb,  Chesterfield.     „    „    ,     ,^,     ,  ,    „„„„„, 

Bantams  (Anv  variety  except  Game).-Cup,  G-  Clarke  (Black).  Second, 
n.  Dravcott,  Humberstone,  near  Leicester.  Highly  Commended  Mrs. 
Woodcock,  Leicester  (White  Japanese);  H.  Pickles,  jun.  (Black);  B. 
Cambridge,  Stowi-ope  near  Bristol  (Black) ;  J.  W.  Morris  (Black) ;  H.  Dray- 
cotT  Commended:  T.  C.  Harrison,  Hull;  E.  B.  RUey,  Ovenden,  near 
Halifax;  W.H.Tomlinson. Newark  (Black).  „  .     ,    ,,      r.„«^„A 

Any  o-rHER  VARIETV.-First,  J.  K.  Fowler  CWhite  Fnzzled).  Second, 
J.  Laming.  Highly  Commended,  G.  W.  Boothby,  Louth  (SUver  PoUsh) ; 
S  S.  Mossop,  Long  Sutton  (Buflt  Pohshl.  Chicke,is-Cav.n.  PicUes 
rPolisn]:  Secind,  cT  Sidgwick  (Black  Hamburghs).  Highly  Commended 
aud  Commended,  H.  Savile.  ,    ,.  ,  □   *i /r^^^^r.-^ 

Ornamental  (Any  breed).-First,  J.  Mayes,  Long  Sutton  (G?  den- 
Pheasants).  Second,  H.  Bates,  Spalding  (Silver  Pheasants  .  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Perry,  LonglSutton  (Piping  Bullfinch)  ;G.  Clarke  (a  cross 
between  a  Black  Bantam  and  a  Pheasant)  ;G.  Lee,  Dawesmere,  Long 
Sutton  (-Silver  Pheasant).    Commended,  G.  Clarke  (Common  Pheasants). 

Tohkevs— First,  Mrs.  Harris,  Sutton,  St.  James.    Second,  S.  H.  btott, 
Quarrv  IHU,  Rochdale.    Hifihly  Commended,  -W.  Sanday,  Holme  Pierra- 
pont,  Nottinsham  ;  W.  Wright,  Long  Sutton;  Mrs.  Harris. 
'■  DDCK(Avle3bury).-First,J.  K.  Fowler     Second,  S.  H.  Stott.    HigMy 
Commended,  Mrs.  Goodliff,   Conington  Lane,  Sutton;   J.  K.    lowler. 

''"DTKs'(Bou^enf-FiS,  J.  J.  Stott,  Quarry  Hill,  Rochdale  Second^ 
J.  White,  Whitley  Nethorton,  near  Wakeheld.    Commended,  Mrs.  J.  A. 

*^  D^Dcis  (Any  other  variety).-First,  T.  C.  Harrison.  Second  H.  Saville 
(CaroUna  .  Highly  Commended,  T.  C.  Harrison;  Mrs.  Goodhff  (White 
Cill).    Commended,  a.  Burn,  Whitby  (Black  East  Indian). 

Gffse  (Anv  variety)  -First,  J.  K.  Fowler  Toulouse).  Second,  G. 
Hus^rer(4tSfouso)  Highly  cimmended,  8.  H  Stott;  Mrs.  Butrham. 
Lotus,  Saltburn  by  the  Sea.    Commcnrlcd,  Mrs   Goodhff.  .„^„„  .  „ 

Selling  CLASS.-First,  Dr.  Campbell  (White  P°''"°f '•  -^f  "SfAll: 
A.  BumeU  (Buff  Cochins).  HiRhly  Commended,  J  LaminB(SUver- 
sn.anWed)  -  P.  Hutchinson,  SpaldiiiR  (Buff  Cochins);  C.  W  .  Gibbs,  Long 
Sut?on  Marsh  (Golden-pencilled) ;  Mrs.  J.  A  Clarke,  Lour  Sutton  (Rouen 
Ducks) ;  S.  S.  Mossop  (Partridge  Cochins) ;.  J.  ^ebster  (Go  dj^n-penciUed). 
Commended,  H.  Snushall  (Coloured  Dorkings  ;  C.  W-  G^bbs  (Aylesbmg 
Ducks)  •  Mrs  J.  Clarke,  Long  Sutton  Light  Brahmas) ;  G.  T.  Veel 
(Game) ;  A  Cole  (Spanish) ;  Re?.  F.  Tearie, Newmarket  (Silver-spangled); 

'•Loc°lr-F^iJ^t:H^lnu  "hail  (Black  Spanish).  Second  and  Third,  A.  Cole 

'°BrNTASr(Aiy^rhci-^rrlef5!;"-^First  and  Cup  for  greatest  number  of 
pointraclaVke  (Black  Bantams).  Second,  S.  S.  Mossop  (Pohsh).  Third, 
J.  0.  Hobson  (Crcve-Cffiurs.) 

PIGEONS. 
Carriers  (Black).-CDc/,-.-First,  F.  T.  -n-iltshire,  West  Croydon.    Se- 
cond, BH.Artindale.  West   Derby,  Liverpool.    Highly   Commended, 
F.   f.    -n'mshire ;  E.  Walker,  Leicester.    Hcii.-First   aud  taecond,  E. 


310 


JOUBNAL   OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER.  t  October  22, 1868. 


Crosaley,  EUand,    Tork.      Hishly  Commended    B.    H.    Artindale      E. 
Horner,  Harewood,  Leeds;  R.  Fulton,  Deptford.   Commended,  R.  Fulton. 

Cahriers  (Any  other  colonr).-Coct.-First,  F.  Crossley.  Secrad  E. 
Fnlton  (Dun).  Highly  Commended,  L.  Wren,  Lowestoft;  E.  Walker 
(Dun) ;  E.  Horner  ;  R.  Fulton  (Dun).  Ben.—Caf,  R.  Fulton  (Dun).  Se- 
cond, F.  CroBSley.    Hicthlv  Commended,  E.  Homer ;  E.  Fulton  (Don)- 

Pouters  (Red  or  Blue).— Coct.— First  and  Commended,  R.  l^lton 
(Bine).  Second,  A.  H.  Stewart,  Birmingham.  HigUy  Commended.  F. 
Crossley.  Ben— First.  R.  Fulton  (Red).  Second,  F.  Crossley.  Highly 
Commended,  A.  H.  Stewart;  E.  Homer.  ,    „     ,,  „ 

PoCTEEs  (Any  other  colour).— Coct.— First  and  Second,  R.  I  ulton 
(Black  'and  White).  Highly  Commended,  A.  H.  Stewart.  Commended, 
A.  Heath  (White),  ifen.— First,  R.  Fulton  (Black).  Second,  A.  H.  Stewart. 

TC5IBI.ERS  (Almond).— Cup  and  Second,  F.  T.  Wiltshire.  Highly  Com- 
mended, F.  Crossley ;  R.  Fulton.  ..„..,,      o 

TCKBLEES  (Any  other  colour).— First,  R.  Fulton  (Agate  Mottles).  Se- 
cond F.  Crossley.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Thomson,  Bingley  (Yellow 
Mottled  and  Bine  Beard) ;  E.  Homer;  R.  Fulton  (Agate  Mottles). 

JiCOBlNS.- First,  E.  Horner.    Second,  R.  Fulton. 

Fjntails.- First,  H.  Draycott,  Humberstone,  near  Leicester.  Second, 
W.  H.  TomUnson.  Newark.  Commended,  H.  Yardley,  Market  Hall,  Bir- 
mingham ;  W.  B.  Park,  Abbotsmeadow.  Meb-ose  ;  E.  Horner. 

Owls.- First  and  Second,  J.  Fielding,  jun.,  Rochdale.  Highly  Com- 
mended, F.  Crossley.  ,    „    „     „         „  .,  ^    , 

ToRBiTS.— First,  W.  E.  Part  Second,  H.  Vardley.  Commended,  J. 
Thompson.  „         ,    _ 

Baess.— Cup  and  Highly  Commended.  F.  T.  Wiltshire.  Second,  F. 
Crossley.    Commended,  E.  Homer.  ,»,...         «•  i  i_ 

DEiGOONS.— First,  E.  Homer.  Second,  G.  Louth,  East  Acton.  Hiahly 
Commended,  R.  H.  Artinde.le ;  H.  Yardley;  E.  Homer.  Commended, 
Mrs.  Arkwright,  Etwall  Hall,  Derby  ;  F.  Crossley.  „       .  ..    , 

Any  other  Vabiett.— First,  E.  Homer.  Second,  .T.  Barnes  I  Hyacinths). 
Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  Woodcock,  Leicester  (White  Trumpeters) ;  H. 
Tardley  •  H.  Dravcott  (Toys) ;  E.  Homer.    Commended,  J.  Thompson. 

Belung  Class.— First,  W.  Massey,  (FantaUs).  Second.  F.  Key,  Bever- 
ley. Commended,  H.  SnushaU.  Gedney  (Blue  Tnrbits) :  H.  Yardley;  F. 
Clarke,  Long  Sutton  (German  Ice);  J.  Thompson;  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt, 

IUebits.— ,4n!/  Pure  Breed.— Tiist,  M.  Millington,  York  (Black  and 
White  Doe).  Second,  A.  H.  Easten,  Hull  (Yellow  and  White  Lop-eared 
Buck).  Highly  Commended,  J.  T.  &  R.  S.  Codling.  Whaplode  (Lop-eared 
Buck)  •  M.  Millington  (Fawn  Doe).  Heai-i<-j(.— First,  P.  Booth,  Spalding. 
Second,  W.  Jeffrey,  Long  Sutton.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Taylor,  bhel- 
field. 

The  .Judges  for  Ponltry  were  Messrs.  Edward  Hewitt,  of  Birmingham, 
and  Richard  Teebay,  of  Preston  ;  and  Mr.  W.  B.  Tegetmeier,  of 
London,  awarded  the  Pigeon  prizes. 


WOLVERHAMPTON   POULTRY   SHOW. 

The  prize  schedule  was  very  liberal,  and  was  well  responded  to  by 
exhibitors  generaUy.  The  Agricultural  Hall  at  Wolverhampton  is 
well  adapted  for  a  show  of  this  description,  and  the  an-angements  con- 
nected with  the  poultry  and  Pigeons  were  complete.  There  is  one 
arTan"emeDt,  however,  that  might  be  altered  to  meet  the  views  of 
owners  of  exhibition  ponltry.  Exhibitors  do  not  seem  to  approve  of 
the  birds  being  confined  from  Saturday  afternoon  until  Monday  mora- 
in"  before  being  judged.  Perhaps  the  Committee,  who  are  most  de- 
BJrons  to  meet  the  wishes  of  every  one,  will  at  least  give  this  due  con- 
sideration when  arranging  their  nest  prize  schedule.  If,  too,  a  little 
more  time  conld  be  given  to  the  judging  it  would  prove  an  advantage. 

The  Dorlin'is  were  far  better  than  was  anticipated  ;  whilst,  stranc>e 
to  say,  the  Spanish  class,  which  hist  year  was  the  pride  of  the  Show, 
was  this  year  comparatively  meagre.  It  would  seem  as  if  the  great 
snperiority  of  last  year's  Spanish  class  prevented  many  from  malnng 
entries  this  year,  considering  their  chances  of  success  as  hopeless. 
Cochins  were,  as  nsual  here,  very  good ;  and  the  Uamhurr/hs  were 
beyond  a  doubt  far  superior  to  those  hitherto  shown  m  this  distnct. 
The  Black  Hamburghs  were  peculiarly  good,  and  several  vei^  good 
Tiens  of  dark-feathered  Brahnas  were  well  shown.  G<mc  proved  very 
fine  and  numerous.  The  class  for  French  fowls  was  a  complete  success. 
The  Baiitaiiis  were  not  so  good  as  these  classes  were  last  year.  More 
than  forty  pens  competed  in  the  selling  class,  and  numbers  of  these 
pens  were  claimed.  The  chisses  for  pairs  of  pullets,  the  Gecsc,  the 
■Turtcniis,  and  the  Diichs  were  admirable. 

It  is  long  since  so  excellent  a  collection  of  Pi'/eons  was  shown  at 
■Wolverhampton,  and  the  condition  of  most  of  the  birds  was  faultless. 

The  weather  proved  most  satisfactory,  and  the  number  of  visitors 
showed  that  poultry-culture  is  becoming  even  more  popular  than  ever. 
•  Dorkings  (Any  colour).  —  First  and  Third,  Mrs.  Arkwright,  Etwall 
Hall  Second,  J.  L.  Lowndes,  Hartwell.  Highly  Commended.  Countess 
of  Dartmouth,  Patshull  Hall  (Grey);  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam,  Rother- 
ham.  Commended,  Hon.  H.  W.  FilzwilUam  ;  Mrs.  BaUcy,  Shooter  s  Hill ; 
J.  L.  Lowndes,  HartweU(Silver-Grey).  .     t    o    -.., 

SPiUlsH  —First.  J.  Walker,  Wolverhampton.  Second,  J.  Smith, 
Keighley.    Third,  M.  Eggington,  Wolverhampton.    Commended,  T.  Bam- 

field.  Chiton.  ,,«,.■,  ,1    ^,  t»  , 

Corms-CHraA  (White\— First.  Cochin  Cup,  and  Third.  R.  Chase,  Bal- 
saU  Heath.  Second,  Mrs.  A.  Williamson,  Leicester.  High.y  Commended, 
G.  Lamb,  Compton  ;  Mrs.  A.  Williamson,  .    t.    n.   j 

CocHra-CarsA  (Partridge).— First.  R.  Story,  Derby.  Second,  E.  Tud- 
man,  Whitchurch.  Third,  Hon.  Mrs.  Sngden.  Wells.  High.y  Com- 
meadeii,  J.  K.  Fowier,  Aylesbury.    Commended,  S.  Wilcox,  Oswestry. 

'"cocHtN-CmsA  (Buff  and  Cinnamon).— First,  Hon.  Mrs.  Sngden.  Se- 
c»nd,  J.  Lee.  Third,  A.  Darby.  Highly  Commended.  E.  Bnndley  ;C. 
Sidgwick,  Keighley;  .W  A.  Bnrwell,  Southwell;  J.  H.  Dawes,  Moseley 
Half  •  H.  Mipplebeck,  Woodfleld.    Commended,  C.  Banbery,  Penn  Fields  ; 


J  N  Beasley,  Brampton;  T.  Groves,  Shrewsbury  ;  A.  De  Metz,  Compton; 
G.Lamb;  Rev.  S.  C.  Hammerton,  Warwick ;  J.  Cattell,  Birmingham;  VS.. 

Mapplebeck.  „        ..^    ,      ,.         ^ 

HAMBtiEGHS  (Golden-spangled).— First,  J.  Walker,  Haya  Park.  Second, 
I  Davies,  Harborne.  Tnird,  T.  May,  Wolverhampton.  Highly  Com- 
mended H.  Bcldon,  Goitstock  ;  E.  Brierley,  Hcywood.  Commended,  T. 
Bolton,  Hanford;  J.  Chadderton,  Hollinwood;  T.  C.  4  E.  Newbitt,  Ep- 

Hasibceghs  (Silver-spangled).— First  and  Hamburgh  Cup,  also  extra 
Two  Guineas  for  the  best  pen  of  Hamburghs,  Duke  ot  Sutherland,  Trent- 
ham  HaU.  Second,  J.  Walker.  Third,  H.  Beldon.  Highly  Commended, 
Mrs.  Flynn,  Kidsgrove;  Ashton  A  Booth,  Mottram ;  J.  Robinson,  Gar- 

^'luitBCRGHS  (Gold-penciUed).— First.  W.  E.  Park,  Meh-ose.  Second 
and  Third,  H.  Beldon.  Commended,  F.  D.  Mort,  Stafford;  J.  Walker; 
W.  Parr,  Patricroft.  ,  „  .,     ,      a      c         j 

Hamburghs  (SUver-pencillod).— First,  Duke  of  Sutherland.  Secoirf, 
T  Hanson,  Keighley.  Third,  H.  Beldon.  Highly  Commended,  H. 
Beldon  •  W.  &  J.  Bairstow,  Feamcliff.    Commended,  J.  Robmson. 

PousH.— Prize,   H.   Beldon.     Highly  Commended,    R.  P.   Williams, 

Br^'mas.- First,  R.  W.  Beachey,  Newton  Abbot.  Second,  L.  Pointon, 
Biddulph.    Third,  C.  Layland,  Warrington.  „■  .     , 

Game  (Black  or  Brown-breasted).-First  and  Two  Guineas  Victual- 
lers' prize,  also  the  President's  Cup  of  Five  Guineas  G.  Bentley, 
Stone  (Black  Red).  Second,  J.  Fletcher,  Stoneclough.  Thir*-'-  ^'f"' 
Winstord.  Commended,  W.  H.  Cadwallader,  Compton ;  W .  Duming, 
Newport-  G.  Lunt,  Adderley  (Brown  Red);  E.  Brough,  Leek  (Brown 
Red) ;  J.  Piatt,  Winsford  ;  J.  Fletcher  ;  G.  Swift,  Fulford. 

Game  (Any  other  variety).-First,  J.  Fletcher  (Duckwing).  Second,  T. 
Dvson,  Halifax  (Duckwings).  Thiid,  W.  Dunning,  Newport  (Duckwing). 
Commended,  R.  B.  RUey,  Ovenden  (Duckwing) ;  R.  Smft,  SouthweU. 

French  Fowls.— First,  Hon.  H.  W.  FitzwilUam  (Cn-ve-Ccenr).  Second, 
W  A  Burncll  (La  FJeche).  Highly  Commended,  W.  Butler,  Wolverhamp- 
ton (Houdan) ;  J.  K.  Fowler.  Aylesbury  (Creve-Cceur  and  La  Fleclie). 
Commended,  W.  R.  Park  (Creve-Cceur) ;  R.  B.  Wood,  Uttoxeter  (Creve- 
Cceur);  Mrs.  M.Seamons,  Hartwell  (Crtvc-Cceur).  <:„„„„,» 

Bantahs  (Black  Red).-First,  J.  Crosland,  jun.,  -Wakeaeld.  Second, 
W  Griffiths.  Nantwich.  Third,  J.  J.  Cousins,  Allcrton.  Highly  Com- 
mended,-J.  Adkins,  jun.,  WalsaU  ;  J.  J.  Cousins.  v....,,lr 
Bant.Jjis  (.Vny  other  variety)  -  First,  W.  H.  'TomUnson,  Newark 
i-BIack)  Second,  Mrs.  Woodcock  (White  Japanese).  Third,  S.  &  K. 
Ashton;  Mottram  (Black).  Commended,  H.  Draycott,  Humberstone. 
I  Any  other  Variety  sot  Previously  Mentioned.- First  and  Second, 
Mas7n&  Walker,  Denton  (Black  Hamburghs).  Third,  Rev.  A.  G.  Brooke. 
Eayton-X[.-Towns  (Malays).  Highly  Commended,  Kf  •  .^.  f '  1'°^; 
Daventrv  (Silkv  Niggers) ;  J.  K.  Fowler  Sdky  Japanese) ;  W.  Parr,  Fatn- 
erolt  (Black  Hamburghs).  Commended,  W.  A.  Buraell,  Southwell 
(Andalusian) ;  E.  Gear}-,  Brierley  Hill  (Pea  Fowl).  ^a  r  -R^r. 
SELLING  CLASS.-First,  J.  WalkcT  (Black  Spanish).  Second,  C.  Ban- 
ber?  (Buff  Cochins).  Highly  Commended,  Rev.  P.  W.  Story  White- 
fea7hered  legged) ;  H.  Yardley.  Birmingham;  J.  Dewhurst,  CMhero^ 
Dark  Brahmfs)  H.  Bagshaw.Uttoxeter  (Golden-spangled  H»mburghs  ; 
Rev.  W.  Serjeantsou,  Acton  Burnell  (Black  Hamburghs) ;  A.  De  Metz 
fBlack  Spanish) ;  G.  Lamb  (Partridge  Cochin) ;  G  Lunt,  Adderley  (Game 
Piles)-  J.  Robinson;  T.  Blakeman  Gold-spangled  Hamburgh).  Com 
mended  Rev? P.  W.  Story  (Japanese  Bantams) ;  B.  P.  Williams  (Golden 
?oUsh);'L.Pofnton(Dark  Brahma);  J.  Pl»".  Winsford  jBrown  Reds 
T  Peaie,  Compton  (Duckwing  Bantams) ;  T.  Grove  Cochin-Chma), 
Bowman  &  Fearbn  ;  J.  Walker  (Hamburgh) ;  Mrs.  A.  WiUiamson  (White 
CoSfn);  Rev  S.  C.  Hamerton,  Warwick;  W.  Nottage,  Northampton 
(Spanish.)  ^^^^  PULLETS.  ,  ,  ^  .  ^, 
DOEKINGS.-First,  Countess  of  Dartmouth.  Second,  Mrs.  Arkwnght. 
HighTy  Commended,  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam ;  E.Shaw.    Commended, 

n.v  E  Bartrum,  Great  Berkhamstead.  .. 

C.icHixSliNAl-First,  J.  Robinson.  Second  G.  A.  Crewe,  E  wall 
Hi"h1v  Commended,  Bowman*  Fearon  ;  Capt.  D  Lane;  G.  Lam), ,  J. 
Cattell,  Birmingham;  H.  Vaughan  ;  Mrs.  Woodcock  Commended,  Hon. 
Mrs.  sigden  ;  W.  A.  BurneU ;  J.  H.  Dawes  ;  G.  Lamb  ;  J.  Stephens,  w  al 

1  '  H«lBURGHS.-rirst,  J.  M    Kilvert,  Ludlow      S«°"^; '^^ .  ^j"'^XJ- 

Highly   Commended,  Rev.  W.  Sergeantson.  -^.qtoi  B""'^,'i'."'-;:?"'f ' 

1  Commended,  G.  P.    Whitehouse,    King's  Heath;    B.  Waterhou.e ,    E. 

I  ''tllaLFiS^J.' M'ason,  Worcester.     Second,  H.  C.  &  W^  J  Mason, 
LeedT'  Highly  Commended,  W.  H.  Mitchell,  Moseley;     G.  Bent  ey, 
I  Stone-    E    Brough,  Leek.      Commended,  Capt.  D    Lane ;  W.Bradley, 
Worcester  •  G.  Clements,  Birmingham  ;  G.  Swift,  Fulford. 

PREsmENT^s  PRIZES.-First,  T^Mav,  Bloomsbury,  Wolverhampton.   Se- 

condfj  Walker,  Wolverhamptin.  ^Third  W.  Smallwood,  Wolverhamp  on. 

TCEKEYS.-First,  S.  H.  Stott,  Rochdale.    Second,  F.  E.  Richardson, 

Highly  Commended,  F.  E.  Pdchardson,  Uttoxeter.    Commended,  J.  K. 

"^  Gl^s^lFiriTMrs.  M.  Seamons,  Hartwell       Second,  J.  K.  Fowler. 

^K^l.^^Ti:y"eTbry).-Fi'rTird  ^olt^^^el  lr!'T  Seamons  Se- 
cond  J   K    Fowler^     Highly  Commended,  E.  Leech,  Rochdale.     Cons- 

"D°4t  ^Rrue^'lJiX^stf'Gl'ragnall,  Cheadle.    Second,  J.  White.  Wake- 

'^IfcCK?"  nrother'-a^e^yT-First,  R.  P.  WilUams  (Ruddy  Shelduc^). 
Second  Revf  W.  Serjoantson.  Acton  BumeU  (Black  East  Indian). 
HigMv  Commended.  Sif  J.  Morris,  Kt.,  Elmsdale  (Summer  or  Carolma) ; 
R.  P.  Williams  Dublin  (Erabmas). 


PIGEONS.  .  „.  . , 

TcTiBLEES -First,   J.    Hawlev.     Second,   J.   Fielding,  ]un.      Highly 

Comrmled-,  W^  Choyce,  Sibson  Commended,  H  Y-d^y  Brmnn^ani 
Carhtfrs -First    J.  C.  Ord,  London.    Second,  H.  Yardley.    iligmy 

Commended,  E  Homer,  Leeds';  H.  Yardley  ;  J.  C.  Ord.    Commended.  J. 

"^SI-Jers -First    J.  E.  Breward,  Great  Barr.      Second,  J.  Hawley. 
Highly  Commended,  H.  Yardley.    Commended,  J  E.  Breward. 

Fantails  —First,  J.  E.  Breward.  Second,  H.  Yardley.  Highly  com 
mfnded,'F!  H.Paget,  Leicester;  J.  Hawley  ;  H.  Dr«ycott,  Humberstone . 
W.  Choyce;  H.  Yardley ;  J.  K.  Brewai'd.    Commended,  W  .  Choyce. 


October  22,  18^8.  ] 


JOUKNAL  OF  HORTICDLTUKE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


311 


AN'T\\T;nrs.— First  and  Sccou'l,  J.  Cox,  Wolverhampton.  Very  Highly 
C'ommcnileJ,  J.  W.  Wilkinson,  Brudford.  llicbly  Commendcil,  —  llanter, 
Wolverhampton  ;  J.  Uawley  ;  H.  Acntt,  Wolverhampton  :  W.  Butler,  Wal- 
sall ;  T.  A.  Dean,  Hereford  ;  H.  Yurdley  ;  J.  Thompson,  Bingley  ;  J.  Cros- 
hind,  jun. ;  J.  W.  Wilkinson  ;  W.  Hughes,  Wolverhampton.  Commended, 
H.  Yardley ;  W.  H.  Mitchell,  Moseley  ;  II.  AUsopp,  Birmingham  ;  B.  Ben- 
ton, Wolverhampton. 

Dragoons. — First,  H.  AUsopp.  Second,  E.  Butterworth,  N'antwich. 
Highly  Commended,  E.  Butterworth ;  D.  Bromiley,  Over  Ilulton ;  H. 
Yardley ;  H.  Vaughan,  Wolverhampton.  Commended,  H.  Y'ardley ;  J. 
Thompson  ;   A.  Booto,  Crewe. 

Any  other  Variety.— First,  II.  Pr.ivcott  (Frillbncks).  Second,  H. 
Yardley.  Third,  J.  Fieldinc,  jun..  Rochdale  (White  Owls).  Highly  Com- 
mended, H.  Yardley  ;  H.  Draycott  (Toys)  ;  T.  Bywater,  Wolverhampton  ; 
T.  H.  Frean,  Liverpool  (lilack  Barbs)  ;'.J.  E.  Broward  (Black  Swallows) ; 
W.  Choyce  (Magi>ies  ;  E.  Horner,  Leeds.  Commended,  W.  Price,  Hands- 
worth  (Blue,  and  Yellow  Owls) ;  F.  U.  Paget ;  T.  Booth,  Church  Lawton 
(Blue  Chequered  Owls) ;  J.  Thompson. 

The  Judge  was  E.  Hewitt,  Esq.,  of  Sparl^brook,  BirmiDgham. 


NATIONAL   PERISTERONIC   SOCIETY. 

Union  is  strength,  if  wc  may  judge  by  the  last  Exhibition  of  this 
Society  at  the  Freemasons'  Tavern,  Great  (^aeen  Street.  London. 
As  our  readers  are,  no  doubt,  aware,  tliis  Society  consists  of  the  Pbilo* 
peristeron  and  the  National  Colnmbarian  Societies  amalgamated,  and 
we  are  happy  to  learn  that  the  Society  will  hold  a  show  at  the  Crystal 
Palace  in  January  next.  We  would  bo  j^'lad  to  see  it  extended  to  two  days 
instead  of  only  one  day,  and  such  an  extension  of  time  we  think  the 
promoters  would  do  well  to  consider. 

Carriers  were  shown  in  large  numbers,  Mr.  Hedley  having  a  very 
good  pair  of  Duns,  Mr.  Else  some  good  Blacks,  Mr.  Ord  a  very  good 
Black  hen,  and  Messrs.  Feltham  and  Maynard  some  very  good  speci- 
mens. Mottles  and  Beards  came  from  Mr.  Esden,  and  amongst  them 
was  a  very  good  Black  Beard.  Jacobins  and  Eantails  were  shown  by 
Mr.  Maynard,  and  Barbs  by  Messrs.  Maynard  and  Hedley. 


BLACK-LEGGED   FOWLS. 

I  HOPE  you  will  aid  me  in  an  attempt  to  break  tlirongb  a  pre- 
judice which  tends  to  keep  "  poultry  meat  "  at  a  higher  price 
than  necessary.  Few  persons  have  any  idea  of  the  extent  to 
which  we  are  tyrannised  over  by  our  cooks  and  the  poultrjmen. 
The  former  say,  "  Oh,  white-legged  fowls  look  so  much  better 
on  the  table  than  those  with  dark  legs ;"  and  the  latter,  of 
course,  meet  the  views  of  their  patrons — the  cooks,  by  offering 
for  sale  only  those  with  white  leg=,  to  the  exclusion  of  the  far 
more  numerous  class  with  dark  lege.  Dark-legged  poultry  is 
so  tabooed,  that  it  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  shop  of  any  English 
poulterer.  Now,  I  must  beg  attention  to  a  little  common  sense 
in  this  matter.  In  France  the  favourite  fowls  are  of  the  follow- 
ing breeds  : — La  FlOche  and  CrC-ve-Cumr,  the  legs  of  which  are 
as  dark  as  can  be,  the  legs  of  the  Houdan  are  not  quite  so  dark ; 
these  three  classes  are  now  conspicuous  in  our  poultry  shows, 
and  might  be  imported  advantageously,  but  the  poultryman 
knows  the  prejudiced  English  cook  looks  to  what  she  considers 
appearances,  and  will  not  buy  them.  The  Spanish  fowl  ia  one 
of  the  most  common  in  all  parts,  thriving  equally  in  town  as 
in  country ;  it  ia  a  most  excellent  table  fowl,  but  it,  too,  has 
dark  legs. 

New  English  cookery  books,  written  more  for  sale  than  for 
information,  pander  to  the  well-known  and  absurd  prejudice  ; 
but  all  the  old  books,  under  the  heading  "  To  Choose  Poultry," 
say,  "  Dark-legged  fowls  are  the  most  juicy  and  best  flavoured." 
Evidently  the  French  are  of  that  opinion.  My  family,  as  well 
as  myself,  prefer  dark-legged  poultry,  as  sweeter  and  more 
nourishing  ;  but  my  object  is  not  to  disparage  one  description 
of  fowl  at  the  expense  of  the  other,  but  rather  to  remove  dis- 
abilities which  prejudice  has  thrown  over  the  appearance  in 
the  kitchen  of  one  highly-deserving  class — viz.,  the  dark- 
legged. 

In  rearing  I  have  found  the  dark-legged  hardier  than  the 
\9hite  in  the  proportion  of  four  to  three.  Consult  a  knowing 
person  in  the  country  on  what  fowls  to  keep,  and  the  first  ques- 
tion asked  will  be,  "For  your  own  consumption  or  market  ?" 
And  then  the  secret  comes  out — "  White  legs  for  market,  tneir 
appearance  fetches  top  price;  but  give  me  dark  legs  for  a  nice 
fowl  at  home." 

We  live  in  thraldom  under  our  cooks'  ideas  of  the  elegant ; 
get  rid  of  this,  and  home  and  foreign  poultry  will  be  more 
plentiful  in  our  markets,  and  prices  lower.  I  venture  to  say, 
from  practical  experience,  the  pair  of  fowls  now  purchased  in 
London  for  85.  has  not  cost  more  than  5.<.,  and  that  out  of  the 
3.5.  difference  as  ranch  as  Is.  fid.  is  for  the  appearance  of  the  legs. 

Claiming  for  dark  legs  the  honours  ot  la  ciii'^ine,  so  richly 
''heir  due,  I  am,  the  Gallic  cock — Kv  Flkche  {Times). 


A  jnCROSCOnCAL  IN%'ESTIGATION  INTO  THE 
NATURE  AND  ORIGIN  OF  FOUL  BROOD. 
I  HAVE  much  pleasure  in  laying  before  the  apiarian  readers 
of  "  our  Journal  "  the  following  translation  of  a  very  interest- 
ing paper  which  appeared  in  the  last  number  of  the  German 
Bee  Journal,  and  shall  be  glad  if  "  R.  S.,"  and  other  observers 
who  are  interested  in  the  subject,  will  favour  ua  with  their 
opinions  upon  the  theory  which  ia  therein  promulgated.  Ita 
author,  Dr.  Preuss,  of  Dirschau,  is  a  physician  of  great  erbi- 
nence,  and  wide-spread  reputation,  "  Sanitiitsrath,"  or  Sanitary 
Councillor,  being  an  honorary  title  conferred  by  the  Prussian 
government  only  upon  distinguished  members  of  the  me- 
dical profeasion ;  and  whatever  we  may  think  of  the  fungoid 
theory  which  he  advancea,  it  must  be  conceded  that  he  is  to- 
lerably correct  in  his  treatment  of  the  disease,  and  that  we 
have  to  thank  him  for  a  painstaking  and  laborious  effort  to 
dispel  the  mystery  which  has  so  long  enshrouded  ita  origin,  as 
well  aa  the  mode  in  which,  under  certain  circumstances,  it  be- 
comes -60  rapidly  developed  and  propagated. — A  Devoxshise 
Bee-eeefeb, 


THE   EXISTENCE   OF    VIRULENT    FOUL   BROOD    DEPENDENT   UPON  4 

MICROSCOPIC   FUXGP3,    CRTPTOCOCCUS   ALVEARI3. 

IT    CAN    BE    PREVENTED   AND    CURED. 

Although  I  have  seen  bee-keeping  carried  on  from  my  earliest 
childhood,  and  have  myself  pursued  it  during  seventeen  years, 
in  Dzierzon  and  straw  hives,  with  German,  Italian,  and  Egyp- 
tian bees,  and  have  taken  occasion  to  examine  numerous 
apiaries  in  the  valley  of  the  Vistula  from  Dantzic  to  Plock,  in 
Poland,  it  was  not  until  1360  that  I  anywhere  met  with  foul 
brood. 

Bee-keeping  in  the  Viatnla  valley  is  generally  carried  on  in 
straw  hives,  and  ia  very  prosperous  owing  to  the  rich  pas- 
turage furnished  first  by  the  extensive  fields  of  rape  seed,  then 
by  the  white  clover,  and  in  the  autumn  by  the  wild  mustard. 
In  the  neighbourhood  of  Dirschau  and  Dantzic  there  are,  in- 
deed, numerous  apiaries  of  Dzierzon  hives,  and  at  Giitland,  one 
mile  from  Dirschau,  my  friend  Wannow  keeps  bees  entirely 
in  hives  of  this  description. 

Two  years  ago,  whilst  he  still  possessed  a  magnificent  apiary 
of  seventy  hives,  mostly  in  bee-houses,  he  called  my  attention 
to  the  fact  that  foul  brood  had  made  ita  appearance  among 
them.  We  did  not  at  that  time  lay  any  particular  stress  upon 
it,  and  this  is  an  error  against  which  we  can  aoarcely  warn 
bee-keepers  sufficiently.  When  I  visited  him  again  shortly 
afterwards,  I  was  astonished  at  finding  this  beautiful  apiary 
dwindled  to  one-half  its  former  number,  and  still  continuing 
diseased.  I  immediately  purposed  to  devote  myself  to  the  inves- 
tigation of  this  horrible  malady,  especially  to  the  microscopical 
examination  of  the  foul-broody  substance,  and  I  here  commu- 
nicate the  result. 

The  statement  of  Von  Molitor-Miihlfeld,  of  Mannheim,  that 
a  saw-fly  is  the  cause  of  this  disease,  we  have  not  found  con- 
firmed in  a  single  instance,  the  minute  perforations  which 
sometimes  exist  in  the  ceU-eovers  being  made  by  the  bees. 
Never  have  we,  either  with  magnifier  or  microscope,  found  in 
the  cells  the  eggs  or  maggots  of  saw-flies  ;  never  have  we  found 
in  the  hive  even  the  saw-flies  themselves.  Neither  can  we  in- 
dorse the  theory  of  Dr.  Assmuss,  that  the  disease  is  produced 
by  the  larva  of  Phora  incrassata. 

Fonl  brood,  as  is  well  known,  has  a  viscous,  gelatinous,  and 
yeast-like  appearance,  and  an  unpleasant  odour.  Foul-broody 
cells  may  be  recognised  by  their  sunken  covers. 

In  order  to  be  able  to  set  about  the  microscopical  inves- 
tigation of  this  disease,  it  is  necessary  to  possess  a  microscope 
which  has  a  magnifying  power  of  at  least  200  to  400  diameters. 
Mine  ia  an  excellent  instrument  by  Brunner,  of  Paris,  and  my 
observations  have  been  made  with  a  magnifying  power  of  600 
diameters.  It  poaseases  also  a  micrometer  which  will  measure 
to  the  ten-thousandth  part  of  a  millimetre,  or  the  twenty- 
thousandth  part  of  a  line. 

It  is  also  essential  that  we  operate  vei-y  neatly  and  with  as 
little  contamination  as  possible.  The  investigation  is  best  con- 
ducted when  the  blue  sky  sheds  its  light  on  the  fiel  1  of  the  in- 
strument— not  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun,  or  a  reflected  light 
from  a  building  or  such  like.  A  retired  room  that  is  unshaken 
by  passing  vehicles,  and  a  firmly-fixed  table  are  also  required. 
The  instrument  itself  should  be  levelled  iu  a  horizontal  plane. 

A  great  many  observers  aswell'as  beginners  commit  the  in:s- 
take  of  placing  too  great  a  body  of  matter  on  the  glass  slide, 


312 


JODBNAL  OF  HOKTICULTUBE  AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEB. 


t  October  22, 1868. 


in  which  case  nothing  can  be  seen  but  a  chaotic  mass.  It  was 
against  this  error  that  my  respected  and  highly-honoured  pre- 
ceptor, Ehrenberg,  of  Berlin,  warned  his  scholars  the  most. 

When  the  microscope  is  properly  adjusted,  we  dip  the  end  of 
a  clean  and  very  sUght  rod,  either  of  glass  or  wood,  into  a  foul- 
broody  cell,  and  by  this  means  deposit  a  particle  of  the  matter 
about  the  size  of  a  grain  of  sand  (a  portion  even  of  the  size  of 
B  millet  grain  would  be  too  large),  upon  a  very  perfect  glass 
slide  scrupulously  cleaned  by  means  of  wash-leather.  We 
then  dip  another  fine  rod  in  freshly-distilled  water,  or  in  fresh 
rain  water  caught  in  a  clean  porcelain  vessel  (if  the  water  be 
not  quite  fresh  it  becomes  impregnated  with  organic  matter, 
whilst  spring  water  would  deposit  crystals  and  thus  vitiate  the 
operation),  and  by  means  of  this  perfectly  clean  rod  dipped  in 
absolutely  pure  water,  we  deposit  a  drop  of  the  size  of  a  millet 
grain,  and  no  more,  on  the  particle  of  foul  brood  of  the  size  of 
a  grain  of  sanci,  which  by  this  means  diffuses  itself  a  little  in 
the  water.  The  whole  being  covered  with  a  thin  glass  about 
the  substance  of  a  poppy-leaf,  wo  have  a  preparation  by  means 
of  which  long  and  careful  studies  can  be  made.  If  we  place  it 
under  the  microscope  we  see  a  thousand  dust-like  bodies  which 
are  known  to  the  microseopist  as  fungi,  and  which  belong  to 
the  species  Cryptococcus  (Kiitzing).  These  are  best  seen  at  the 
edges  of  the  mass  where  they  are  scattered  singly ;  but  if  the 
observer  has  neglected  the  precautions  before  indicated  he  will 
not  be  able  to  detect  the  fungi  singly,  nor  will  he  indeed  see 
anything  of  which  he  can  undertake  the  examination.  It  wa 
find  different-sized  bodies,  the  larger  are  fatty  particles,  the 
remains  of  the  bee  chrysalis,  and  those  which  are  smallest  of 
all  and  dust  like  are  the  fungi. 

The  foul-brood  fungus,  which  I  have  named  Cnjptococcus  al- 
vearis,  belongs  to  the  smallest  of  fungoid  forms.  It  is  round 
and  dust-shaped,  and  has  a  diameter  of  l-oOOth  millimetre,  or 
l-1095th  line.  Consequently  lOilo  can  lie  side  by  side  within 
a  Rhenish  line,  but  within  a  square  line  1095  x  1095 — that  is, 
1,199,825,  or  in  round  numbers,  1,200,000.  The  cubic  line 
according  to  this  would  contain  1,440,000,000,000  fungi ;  and 
a  cubic  inch  of  foul  brood,  which  consists  of  1728  lines,  would 
contain  2,488,320,000,000,000.  If  we  reckon  further  that  a 
cubic  inch  of  comb  contains  50  cells,  the  contents  of  each  cell 
would  be  49,760,400,000,000— in  round  numbers,  fifty  biUions, 
or,  deducting  one-fifth  for  wax,  forty  billions  of  fungi. 

It  is  only  this  enormous  capability  of  increase  which  renders 
foul  brood  so  dangerous,  as  is,  indeed,  the  case  with  the  cholera, 
typhus,  and  small-pox  fungi,  &c. 

Foul  brood  is  no  more  a  poison  than  is  any  strong  rank- 
growing  weed  :  it  merely  supplants  that  which  otherwise  would 
live  and  thrive.  It  is  closely  allied  to  the  fermentive  fungus 
Cryptococcus  fermentum,  which  by  its  rapid  increase  in  fluids 
capable  of  fermentation,  transmutes  them,  and,  after  it  has 
consumed  all  the  elements  which  are  capable  of  serving  for  its 
reproduction,  precipitates  itself  in  the  form  of  lees.  Beer  and 
wine  lees  are  in  like  manner  a  conglomeration  of  microscopic 
fungi. 

The  actual  nature  of  foul  brood  being  clearly  defined,  every- 
thing else  follows  of  itself.  The  extraordinary  facility  with 
which  it  may  be  communicated  must  be  indubitable  ;  so  long  as 
it  lies  jelly-like  and  covered  in  the  cells  it  is  perhaps  the 
least  dangerous  ;  but  when  it  rests  dry,  and  like  a  black  crust 
on  the  edges  of  the  cells,  or  falling  down  within  the  hive  is 
scattered  abroad  like  dust,  then  billions  of  sporules  are  sown 
broadcast.  They  adhere  to  the  feet  of  the  bees,  enter  the  cells 
filled  with  young  brood,  become  transferred  to  other  hives 
through  resting  on  flowers,  &o.,  and  thus  the  disease  may  be 
spread  in  a  thousandfold  manner. 

It  is  well  known  that  it  is  not  the  larva,  but  the  sealed 
chrysalis  that  first  dies  of  foul  brood  and  is  then  consumed  by 
it.  The  fungus,  however,  first  attaches  itself  to  the  larva,  but 
in  trifling  quantity,  for  some  thousand  sporules  cannot  injure 
it ;  BO  pass  the  six  days  of  its  larval  life.  It  has  within  itself  the 
germ  of  death,  but  yet  it  lives.  When  in  the  nymphoid  state  it 
is  killed  by  the  fungus  multiph  ing  prodigiously  in  geometrical 
progression,  which  also  continues  to  increase  after  the  death 
and  at  the  expense  of  the  chrysalis,  which  it  ultimately  changes 
entirely  into  itself. 

I  should  define  the  distinction  made  by  Czierzon  between 
non-contagious  and  virulent  foul  brood  as  consisting  in  this — 
that  non-contagious  foul  brood  means  the  death  of  the  larva 
from  other  causes,  and  virulent  foul  brood  the  death  of  the 
larva  from  foul  brood  fungus. 

With  respect  to  the  origin  of  foul  brood  independently  ol 
infection,  we  have  Been  above  that  the  foul  brood  and  fermen- 


tive fungi  are  of  the  same  species,  and  it  is  also  known  that 
fungi,  especially  the  microscopic  kinds,  change  and  transform 
one  into  the  other,  according  to  the  different  substances  upon 
which  they  alight. 

It  is  in  this  way  highly  probable  that  the  fermentive  fungus, 
Cryptococcus  fermentum,  may,  when  it  comes  in  contact  with,  or 
when  as  food  it  enters  the  body  of,  the  bee  larva,  change  itself, 
under  peculiar  conditions  of  temperature  and  moisture,  into 
Cryptococcus  alvearis,  or  foul  brood  fungus. 

All  practical  bee-keepers  complain  of  feeding  with  ferment- 
ing honey  as  the  principal  cause  of  foul  brood  ;  and  fer- 
menting honey  arises  in  the  first  instance  if,  when  the  honey 
is  taken  possession  of,  the  sealed  or  open  combs  containing 
brood  are  not  carefully  separated  from  the  honeycombs,  in 
which  case  the  honey  becomes  mingled  with  albumen,  and  is 
useless  for  feeding.  We  cannot,  therefore,  be  too  careful  in 
using  honey  for  bee  food. 

Mr.  Wannow,  of  Giitland,  a  very  assiduouB  and  intelligent 
apiarian,  always  asserted,  long  before  I  had  begun  my  micro- 
scopical investigations,  his  conviction  that  foul  brood  had 
arisen  with  him  through  giving  his  bees  meal  as  food,  or  that 
it  had  at  any  rate  been  greatly  increased  by  it.  Although  no 
other  similar  observation  has  reached  me,  I  yet  esteem  this 
experience  of  a  thoroughly  practical  man  as  well  worth  notice. 
Meal  is  an  exceedingly  favourable  soil  for  the  propagation  of 
the  fermentive  fungus,  as  is  proved  by  the  abundant  fermenta- 
tion which  follows  the  addition  of  yeast  to  dough.  It  may, 
therefore,  be  advisable,  at  least  in  hives  which  are  already 
diseased,  to  eschew  the  use  of  meal  as  food. 

As  the  fermentive  fungus  is  very  much  diffused  throughout 
nature,  and  as  countless  multitudes  of  its  sporules  float  in  the 
atmosphere,  so  they,  without  being  greatly  assisted  in  their 
increase  by  fermenting  liquors,  when  they  have  the  opportu- 
nity of  establiehining  themselves  on  a  soil  which  agrees  with 
them,  contrive  to  carry  out  their  propensity  for  multiplication. 
A  particularly  favourable  soil  is  found  in  dead  and  mouldering 
larvaD  or  ehrysalids ;  and  for  this  reason,  if  brood  which  has 
died  from  cold  or  other  causes  be  permitted  to  remain  in  the 
hive,  it  may  occasion  virulent  foul  brood  without  feeding  with 
deleterious  honey  or  such  like. 

The  removal  of  a  hive,  by  which  too  many  bees  are  lost,  and 
those  remaining  are  unable  to  foster  the  brood,  may  promote 
foul  brood.  The  multiplication  of  stocks  by  artificial  means, 
by  which,  when  the  proportion  of  bees  to  the  brood  is  too 
small,  the  latter  may  readily  be  chilled  to  death,  is  more  favour- 
able to  the  outbreak  of  foul  brood  than  natural  swarming.  I 
have  on  a  former  occasion  advised  for  the  prevention  of  chill, 
the  warming  of  artificial  swarms  by  means  of  corked  bottles 
filled  with  hot  water — a  practice  which  I  have  found  very  bene- 
ficial. We  are,  therefore,  very  careful  that  dead  brood,  especi- 
ally such  as  is  sealed  over,  should  be  removed  as  soon  as 
possible  from  the  hive  and  buried  deep  underground,  since  the 
fungus,  which  may  perhaps  be  aheady  on  it,  readily  grows 
luxuriantly  in  the  open  air.  We  should  never  throw  out  dead 
bees  near  an  apiary,  but  bury  them,  as  the  dead  bodies  of  bees 
are  also  soil  in  which  fungi  will  thrive.  As  a  corpse,  if  per- 
mitted to  lie  unburied,  might  infect  a  whole  town  and  engender 
within  it  a  fatal  epidemic  disease,  so  may  a  few  putrefying 
maggots  poison  a  whole  apiary. 

Should  the  disease  have  already  broken  out,  it  may  be  asked, 
What  farther  is  to  be  done  ?  In  the  first  place,  let  us  not  take 
it  easily,  but  view  it  with  the  same  serious  attention  as  is 
wont  to  be  bestowed  upon  glanders  among  horses.  That  we 
must  avoid  all  the  before-mentioned  food,  either  fermenting  or 
capable  of  fermentation  (among  which  meal  should  be  reckoned) 
is,  of  course,  self-evident.  Medicaments  for  the  extirpation  of 
foul  brood  there  are  none.  It  is,  as  with  the  diseases  of  men, 
important  to  know  this,  lest  time  should  be  wasted  in  useless 
quackery.  But  as  there  are  no  medicaments  for  the  disease, 
the  maxim  of  Hippocrates  must  needs  be  valuable : — Quib 
viedicamenta  non  sanaut,  femaii  sanat;  quic  ferrum  non  sanat^ 
ignis  sanat.  We  also  pass  quickly  to  the  iron — i.e.,  we  ex- 
amine the  hives  diligently,  and  as  soon  as  foul  brood  appears 
in  the  apiary,  cut  out  every  comb  in  which  are  foul-broody  cells. 
If  this  is  of  no  avail,  tiae  court  of  third  instance — the  fire, 
comes  in  its  turn.  We  do  not  spare  our  apiary,  but  remove 
each  foul-broody  comb,  disdaining  to  take  from  it  either  honey 
or  wax,  with  which  we  should  reap  billions  of  foul-brood  fungi, 
but  throw  it  into  the  fire,  wherein  the  fungi  are  effectually 
disposed  of,  and  hang  the  healthy  combs  in  pure  hives.  We 
lo  not  deem  it  necessary  to  burn  the  infected  hives,  but  wash 
them  inside  and  out  with  diluted  sulphuric  acid  (one  part  acid 


October  82,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTDKE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENER. 


313 


to  ten  parts  of  water,  by  weight),  and  somo  time  afterwards 
witLi  boiliuj  water,  by  which  means  the  fiiugi  are  destroyed. 
U  wo  prefer  a  self-acting  process,  we  place  the  hives  in  an 
oven,  and  keep  tiiem  there  for  some  hours  exposed  to  a  tempe- 
ratare  equal  to  that  of  boiling  water  ;  here  the  heat  penetrates 
into  all  tlie  crevices  and  pores,  auJ  effectually  destroys  the 
fungus.  When,  thirty-five  years  ago,  I  walked  the  hospital  in 
Berlin  as  a  young  medical  student,  puerperal  fever  and  hospital 
gangrene  prevailed  to  a  fearful  extent,  and  the  women  and 
the  wounded  perished  from  ulceration,  after  enduring  the  most 
liorrible  sufferings.  All  remedies  and  precautious  having 
proved  futile,  we  emptied  the  diU'erent  wards,  keeping  them 
lor  weeks  with  closed  windows,  heated  to  a  temperature  of  -10^ 
(123'  i'ahrenheit),  and  when  they  were  again  tenanted  by  the 
sick  it  was  found  that  the  epidemic  had  vanished.  Here,  then, 
also  we  may  presume  that  a  fungus  was  destroyed  by  the  heat. 

The  site  of  the  apiary  should  be  repeatedly  moistened  with 
diluted  sulphuric  acid,  and  the  earth  around  it  dug  over.  After 
all  the  hives  are  purified,  we  should,  if  possible,  remove  the 
apiary  to  a  new  position.  The  conveyance  of  the  disease  by 
the  bees  themselves  is  perhaps  less  dangerous,  if  we  only  dili- 
gently examine  their  hives  ;  and  fi,>r  this  reason  wo  only  kill 
them  when  everything  else  fails.  Their  establishment  in  new, 
or  at  any  rate  clean,  hives,  is  best  eS'ectod  about  the  middle  of 
•Tune,  because  they  are  then  able  to  build  sufficient  combs  and 
store  them  with  food  for  the  winter.  But  all  fotd-lrcedinn 
coloiiu-i  s!toi:Ul  be  traiisft'rred  as  nearlj  a.i  possible  at  the  same 
time,  lest  the  healthy  stocks  become  contaminated  by  the  dis- 
eased ones.  For  this  reason  also  we  examine  all  the  combs 
weekly  and  remove  such  as  are  infected,  and  in  this  way  it  is 
quite  possible  to  conquer  the  disease. 

As  in  medicine  the  most  distinguished  practitioners  generally 
discovered  the  right  mode  of  treatment  before  the  actual  nature 
of  the  disease  was  determined,  so  also  Dzierzon,von  Lerlepsh, 
and  others  have  already  promulgated  manj'  of  the  above  rules  for 
the  treatment  of  foul  brood,  and  have  especially  warned  us 
against  losing  time  in  worthless  quackeries,  a  warning  which 
we  cannot  here  repeat  too  forcibly.  If,  however,  the  instructions 
which  wo  have  given  above  be  scrupulously  and  energetically 
followed  out,  no  one  need  despair  of  curing  the  most  virulent 
foul  brood. — Dr..  Pkeuss,  Satiitntsratli. 


BEES   IX    SOMERSETSHIRE. 

The  experience  I  have  gathered  in  sixteen  years,  thoughmucU 
o!  it  of  an  old-fashioned  sort,  may  interest  some  of  your  readers  ; 
my  failures  also  may  possibly  prevent  one  or  two  from  being 
disheartened,  and  encouiage  them  to  try  again. 

To  begin  at  the  beginning  of  my  bee-keeping.  The  previous 
tenant  of  the  premises,  to  which  I  came  in  1802.  left  me  a  stock 
of  bees  in  a  very  good  Nutfs  collateral  hive  of  three  boxes. 
They  had  occupied  this  Iiive  for  three  or  four  years,  and  had 
never  done  more  thnu  fill  the  central  box  and  build  a  snjall 
piece  of  comb  in  one  side  box.  I  found  that  the  slides  between 
the  side  and  central  boxes  had  always  been  open,  and  think- 
ing that  the  temperature  of  the  hive  had  been  thus  kept  too 
low,  I  closed  them,  and  the  bees  at  once  began  to  work  in  a 
glass  super,  in  which  during  the  -July  of  the  same  year  tliey 
stored  10  lbs.  of  honey.  They  gave  me  the  same,  or  perhaps  a 
rather  heavier  quantity  in  the  following  summer  ;  but  directly 
side  communication  was  opened  work  in  the  super  ceased,  and 
they  never  showed  any  disposition  to  avail  themselves  of  the 
additional  room  afforded  by  the  side  boxes. 

During  the  years  1851  and  1355  these  bees  neither  worked 
in  the  super  as  before,  nor  gave  any  promise  of  swarming  ;  nnd 
as  they  seemed  dispirited  b';sides,  and  growing  weak  in  numbers, 
in  April,  1855,  I  turned  them  out  of  their  box  into  a  straw 
cottage  hive  partly  filled  with  comb,  and  fed  them  liberally 
with  the  little  honey  that  remained  in  their  own  stores  and 
with  sugared  beer.  They  throve  very  well  in  tiieir  new  abode, 
and  having,  I  suppose,  reared  for  themselves  a  new  queen, 
became  very  strong  before  the  hunter.  In  185(1  they  (hrtw  an 
early  and  large  swarm,  which  I  secured  in  one  of  Neighbour's 
improved  cottage  hives.  In  the  autumn  1  drove  the  old  stock 
and  added  the  bees  to  the  swarm,  and  so  made  a  very  strong 
hive.  I  thus  obtained  the  stores  of  the  old  stock  without  using 
brimstone,  muck  to  the  surprise  of  many  of  my  neighbours, 
and  did  not  tcruple  to  take  also  three  glasses  of  honey  from 
the  cottatic  hive.  My  plunder  amounted  to  more  than  30  lbs. 
of  beautiful  honey. 

I  may  just  notice  here  that  the  transfer  from  wood  to  straw 


had  a  wondf rfuUy  beneficial  effect  on  the  temper  of  these  bees. 
So  long  as  Ihey  were  domiciled  in  Nutt's  box  hive  they  would 
allow  no  one  to  go  near  them,  and  many  a  time  my  gardener 
might  be  seen  with  his  head  sheltered  in  a  bush,  waiting 
patiently  till  his  tormentors  left  him.  After,  however,  they 
had  been  removed  to  the  straw  hive  a  total  change  came  over 
them  ;  they  seemed  to  have  lost  their  former  irritable  temper, 
and  even  children  might  play  close  to  their  hive  unmolested. 

The  spring  of  1857  found  the  inmates  of  Neighbour's  cottage 
hive  strong  and  active.  They  yielded  mo  four  small  glasses  and 
one  large  glass  of  honey,  in  all  upwards  of  40  lbs.  The  whole 
of  this  honey  had  a  very  strong  llavour  of  rosemary.  A  very 
large  plant  of  this  shrub  had  blossomed  profusely,  and  so 
strongly  was  all  the  honey  which  I  took  this  year  impregnated 
with  it,  that  many  persons  found  it  very  disagreeable  to  their 
palates. 

In  1858  I  purchased  a  strong  stock  and  had  another  given  to 
me,  and,  with  tho  addition  of  these,  and  a  splendid  swarm 
from  my  own  bees,  my  number  of  hives  was  now  four.  All  of 
these  I  placed  under  a  shed,  and  obtained  several  small  glasses 
of  honey,  but  on  the  whole  the  year  was  not  to  me  a  good  honey 
year ;  still  tho  stocks  were  all  of  them  strong  in  the  autumn 
and  passed  tho  winter  well. 

In  the  summer  of  185'J  three  of  my  four  hives  swarmed  twice 
each.  One  sent  out  one  large  swarm,  and  this  latter  another. 
Thus  my  total  number  of  hives  mounted  up  to  twelve,  all  the 
bees  worked  well  throughout  tho  summer,  and  from  some  I  took 
bell-glasses  of  honey,  of  the  weight  of  which  I  have  no  memo- 
randa. Why  I  acted  as  I  now  did  I  cannot  tell.  I  did  not,  as 
I  ought  to  have  done,  drive  any  of  my  bees  ;  but  over-per- 
suaded by  vay  gardener  and  an  old  parishioner,  I  was  foolish 
enough,  and  mad  enough,  and  cruel  enough  to  destroy  four 
stocks  by  the  brimstone  match,  and  so  I  received  more  than 
80  lbs.  of  honey,  for  which  I  obtained  a  good  price,  besides  a 
considerable  quantity  of  wax. 

In  18G0  the  tide  turned — what  else  did  a  bee-destroyer  de- 
serve ? — no  swarms,  no  honey,  and  in  the  spring  of  1861  every 
stock  died.  My  vexation  and  grief  may  be  more  easily  con- 
ceived than  described.  I  could  not  but  feel  that  my  losses 
arose  from  my  own  stupidity  and  carelessness,  and  that  if  I 
had  but  used  my  own  experience  and  a  little  common  sense 
the  case  might  have  been  very  different.  My  garden  did  not 
seem  the  same  with  its  flowers  almost  beeloss.  The  loss  of  the 
cheerful  lively  hum  took  away  from  the  brightness  of  many  a 
gay  spring  and  summer  day.  I  was  thoroughly  cured  of  bee- 
destroying,  I  hope  fur  ever,  and  so,  I  believe,  was  my  gardener 
factotum. 

So  passed  1851  and  1862  ;  but  in  1863  a  neighbour,  to  whom 
I  had  been  able  to  render  a  little  service,  most  kindly  sent  me 
what  he  knew  I  would  value — a  strong  and  early  swarm  housed 
in  one  of  my  tlat-topped  straw  hives.  This  stock  did  well  and 
passed  the  winter  safely.  My  previous  experience  had  quite 
convinced  me  of  the  advantages  which  must  arise  from  the  use 
of  some  form  of  hive  which  would  allow  more  complete  control 
of  the  bees,  and  more  easy  inspection  than  is  possible  with  the 
straw  hive  of  the  usual  shape.  The  best  I  could  hear  of  was  the 
American  bar  hive,  and  I  therefore  procured  one  from  a  very 
respectable  and  worthy  old  man  named  Downie,  at  New  Barnet. 
I  afterwards  procured  others  from  him,  but,  as  will  subsequently 
appear,  inconvenience  arose  from  their  not  being  all  made  to 
scale,  and  also  from  the  width  of  the  bars  being  slightly  too 
great.  This,  however,  was  my  first  acquaintance  ^ith  the 
moveable-bar  systenr  ;  and  when  in  18G1  my  bees  swarmed,  I 
at  once  introduced  ihem  into  tlie  American  box.  Tho  swarm 
had  settled  on  a  Currant  bush.  I  placed  tho  hive,  removed 
from  its  floorboard,  above  them,  and  they  at  once  ascended  into 
it.  This  swarm  was  a  very  strong  one,  and  worked  bettor  than 
any  other  I  ever  had.  On  the  twenty-first  day  from  that  ou 
which  they  were  hived  I  removed  a  super  of  16  lbs.  nttt  of 
beautiful  honey,  and  afterwards  they  filled  a  smaller  glass, 
which  I  allowed  them  to  ktep  f.ir  their  own  share.  The  parent 
hive  also  gave  me  a  glass  of  1 !  lbs.  in  weight. 

In  18C5,  I  had  no  swarms,  but  a  very  large  supply  of  honey, 
nearly  50  ibs.  from  the  two  hives,  and  all  this  of  the  most  beau- 
tiful description.  Many  of  my  paiishioners  now  began  to  take 
much  interest  in  the  way  in  which  my  bees  were  workt d,  and 
would  frequently  ask  to  be  allowed  to  look  into  tho  window  at 
the  back  of  the  Aruorican  box,  though  they  could  see  very  little 
there,  and  the  sjt;!it  of  the  bees  at  work  in  one  of  the  glafs 
supers  never  failed  to  afTord  the  liveliest  pleasure.  I  was  also 
very  glad  to  show  some  who  were  anxious  to  try  the  plan,  how 
to  place  a  bell-glass  on  the  top  of  their  own  hives,  by  simply 


314 


JOURNAL   OF  HOBTICDLTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  October  22,  ISCB. 


cutting  out  part  of  the  hive  with  a  sharp  knife,  and  either 
placing  the  glass  directly  on  the  hive,  or,  as  is  better,  using  a 
small  a'Japting-board,  with  a  hole  in  its  centre,  between  the  hive 
and  the  glass,  by  which  means  the  glass  when  tilled  is  removed 
■with  the  greatest  ease,  and  without  any  risk  of  breaking  down 
the  comb. 

I  began  18CG  with  two  stocks,  both  of  them  very  strong. 
I  had  procured,  as  already  mentioned,  other  two  hives  from 
Mr.  Downie,  on  what  he  called  the  American-bar  principle, 
unfortunately  not  made  exactly  to  the  scale  of  my  first  one,  in 
preparation  for  the  swarms  which  I  anticipated  from  my  stocks. 
When  the  looked-for  swarms  issued  I  was  travelling  with  two 
pupil.'?,  who  used  to  accu.se  me  of  always  being  on  the  look-out 
for  bees,  and  of  wanting  to  enter  every  cottage  garden  where  we 
saw  any.  [We  were  walking  through  Xormandy,  and  saw  some 
wonderful  stores  of  honey,  and  very  neat  cottagers'  apiaries], 
and  on  our  return  home,  I  found  my  new  swarms  housed  in 
the  old  straw  hives,  with  plenty  of  cross  sticks  stuck  through 
them.  My  factotum,  not,  alas  !  the  one  who  had  been  with  me 
in  my  former  bee  experiences,  did  not  feel  equal  to  doing  any- 
thing with  the  new-fangled  boxes,  though  he  had  received  full 
instructions  as  to  what  he  was  to  do,  and  a  villa^rer,  great  about 
bees,  to  whom  he  applied  for  aid  in  the  emergency,  condemned 
them  ill  tvto,  put  plenty  of  cross  sticks  into  the  old  hives,  and 
BO  hived  the  swarms.  Of  these  swarms  two  issued  on  one  day, 
and  went  together,  and  so  made  one  monster  swarm,  so  large 
that  it  filled  not  only  a  large  stock  hive,  but  also  the  greater 
partof  the  super  hive  which  I  use  to  cover  the  bell-glasses  with. 
The  second  swarm  from  one  hive  was  also  unusually  strong. 

A  few  days  after  my  return  home  early  in  June,  I  had  my 
second  bitter  experience,  from  the  perpetration  of  a  stupid 
blunder.  A  strong  swarm  issued  from  the  large  swarm  which 
I  have  mentioned  above,  and  which  I  had  immediately  on  my 
return  confined  entirely  to  the  stock  hive,  allowing  only  a  large 
bell-glass,  and  not  the  whole  super  for  them  to  work  in.  I  took 
this  swarm  into  a  common  straw  hive,  since  it  was  not  convenient 
to  place  tho  bar  hive  above  it,  as  I  had  douo  on  a  former  occa- 
sion. In  the  evening  I  placed  the  bar  hive  on  a  clean  cloth, 
propped  with  two  or  three  pieces  of  wood,  and  dashed  the  bees 
out  oa  the  cloth  in  front  of  it.  In  a  short  time  they  were  all 
quiet  in  their  new  home  ;  indeed,  when  once  the  ascent  began, 
it  was  interesting  to  notice  the  regularity  of  their  march. 

Si  far  well.  Now  followed  my  blunder.  As  soon  as  the  bees 
were  settled  and  ciuiet,  I  placed  perforated  zinc  ventilators  on 
the  top  of  the  box,  and  closed  tho  entrance  also  with  a  perfo- 
rated zinc  slide.  I  did  this  from  a  wish  to  prevent  the  bees 
from  flying  back,  as  many  usually  do  in  the  morning,  to  the 
place  where  they  have  alighted,  an  object,  which  as  I  now  know, 
is  accomplished  by  placing  a  new  swarm  in  its  intended  posi- 
tion as  soon  as  possible  after  it  has  been  hived.  After  thus 
shutting  in  the  bees  in  order,  as  1  hoped,  to  cause  them  to 
settle  to  work  more  readily,  I  placed  the  box  in  its  intended 
position,  and  did  not  visit  it  again  till  nearly  twelve  o'clock  on 
the  following  morning.  I  then  opened  the  entrance  with  all 
due  precautions  against  a  fierce  outrush  of  eager  multitudes,  but 
there  came  no  rush,  only  a  feeble  stagger  of  about  a  dozen  drip- 
ping bees  which  fell  to  the  ground  at  once,  utterly  unable  to  fly. 
I  had  wanted  to  be  wiser  than  Nature.  I  hope  for  the  future 
to  follow,  not  to  seek  to  direct.  Immediately  I  took  oiT  not  | 
merely  the  zinc  ventilators,  but  the  whole  top,  and  then  I  saw 
a  miserable  sight  indeed.  Between  the  moveable  bars  the  bees 
were  lying  dead  in  a  mass,  and  that  mass  nearly  -1  inches  deep. 
They  had  been  stifled  in  a  worse  than  bhck  hole  of  Calcutta. 
Here  was  an  evidence,  the  strongest  possible,  of  the  intense  heat 
engendered  by  bees  at  swarming  time.  When  I  had  removed 
all  the  bees  I  found  the  whole  box  apparently  saturated  with 
moisture,  dripping  with  wet,  and  yet  there  was  more  than 
doable  the  ventilation  there, was  in  the  hive  from  which  the 
swarm  had  issued.  I  suppose  from  crowding  round  the  exit 
in  the  morning,  and  being  unable  to  pass  out,  they  had  choked 
the  entrance,  and  so  vitiated  the  air  more  than  the  little 
circulation  at  the  top  only  could  pmify  it.  With  much  self- 
reproach  and  many  resolutions  of  letting  well  alone  for  the 
future,  I  buried  the  victims  of  my  ignorance,  and  I  watched 
all  the  more  anxiously  my  surviving  stocks,  all  of  which  did 
well,  and  passed  the  winter  unharmed,  so  that  I  have  now 
to  begin  upon  my  Ligurian  expeiieuces,  which  date  from 
1867. — A  SoMEasET  Vicir. 


Homing  Pigeons. — On  Thursday  morning,  Mr.  Popplestone, 
station-master  at  Starcrose,  received  from  London  per  rail  in  a 


tin  box  six  Carrier  Pigeons,  which  had  been  sent  by  a  member 
of  a  London  Pigeon  Club,  with  the  request  that  the  birds  might 
be  set  at  liberty  the  same  morning  at  'J.30.  The  request  was 
complied  with.  The  birds  hovered  over  the  Exe  estuary, 
flying  round  and  round  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  their 
whereabouts,  and  whither  to  direct  their  flight.  At  the  end  of 
that  time  they  seemed  to  have  satisfied  themselves  of  their 
position,  and  darted  off  in  the  direction  of  Woodbury  Hill, 
across  which  they  were  seen  winging  their  rapid  flight.  Mr. 
Popplestone,  we  are  informed,  received  a  letter  from  the  sender 
of  the  Pigeons  on  Friday  morning,  stating  that  one  bird  returned 
to  its  loft  at  Clerkenwell  at  1.3.5  p.m.  the  day  before,  four 
others  were  found  in  the  loft  at  two  o'clock,  and  the  last  made 
its  appearance  a  few  minutes  later.  The  Pigeons  were  only  sia 
months  old.  Between  London  and  Starcross  the  distance  by 
road  is  about  180  miles,  which  one  of  the  Pigeons  must  have 
accomplished  in  little  over  three  hours  and  a  half. — (Eietcr 
Gazet:e.) 

OUR  LETTER  BOX. 

Books  (Brahma).— Yon  can  bave  "The  Poultry- Keepers'  Manual"  a 
our  office.  It  contains  souud  iuformation  from  none  but  practical  meo 
You  will  Bee  an  answer  about  roup  given  to-day  to  another  correspondent 

SiLVER-ftpANGLED  Hamburghs'  FEATHERS  (J.  W.). — The  feather  yon 
sent  is  a  foul  one, and  does  not  belong  to  a  Spangled  Hamburgh.  It  is 
the  result  of  some  distant  cross,  or  of  breeding  out  for  want  of  fresh 
blood.  On  no  account  breed  from  such  a  bird.  We  would  not  use  a  wry- 
tailed  cock.  We  have  long  known  that  defects  are  more  certainly  and 
more  easily  transmitted  than  merits  or  virtues.  Wry-tail  and  crooked 
hacks  are  among  those  that  are  certain  to  be  reproduced. 

Weight  of  Cuff  Cocnn?  Cockerel  (Lemon  Buff).— Ten  and  a  half 
pounds  at  seven  months  old  are  more  than  a  good  weight,  itis  uncommon 
at  the  age.  being  growth  at  the  rate  of  1^  lb.  per  month.  Cockerels  stil) 
grow  after  that  aae  if  they  are  kept  from  the  hens  ;  but  if  they  run  pro- 
miscuously they  furnish,  but  become  little  larger  or  heavier  after  eight 
mouths. 

Breeding  Age  or  A  Gander  (II.  F.  C). — The  gander  of  last  May 
should  be  all  yon  require  for  next  season.  They  are  capricious  birds, 
and  will  not  sometimes  take  to  their  Geese.  Where  that  is  the  case  get 
rid  of  the  ofi'ender,  and  buy  or  borrow  another. 

Farnworth  Poultry  Snow  (F.  E.  R,). — We  printed  the  entire  prize  litt. 
If  you  write  to  the  Secretary  he  might  tell  you  about  the  Turkeys. 

Roup(G-H-). — Wash  the  head  daily,  or  twice  daily,  with  tepid  wateis 
Sulphate  of  copper,  one  grain,  daily,  mixed  in  oatmeal  mashed  with  ale. 
and  plenty  of  green  food.  Separate  the  fowl  from  all  others.  If  not 
better  within  a  week  kill  the  fowl. 

DrCKwlNG  Game  B.antams  (Cousin  Jda\— Look  to  tho  prize  list  of  the 
Chelmsford  Show  in  our  last  number.  Prices  vary  witti  the  degrees  of 
excellence. 

Brahma  Pootras  not  Roosting  (J.  il/.). — The  run  you  describe  is  an 
excellent  one.  The  birds  you  have  bought,  have  probably  been  accustomed 
to  roost  on  the  ground.  They  will  take  to  the  perch  after  a  time.  They 
do  not  require  straw,  it  only  serves  to  harbour  vermin.  The  only  pest 
they  will  require  are  some  square  pieces  of  plank  nailed  to  the  wall.  The 
earth  will  form  the  bottom  of  the  nest  while  the  hen  lays,  and  it  should 
be  the  same  when  she  sits.  The  piece  of  wood  to  form  the  nest  may  be 
12  inches  every  way ;  such  pieces  nailed  to  the  wall  at  distances  of 
12  inches  will  make  the  nests  ;  a  little  straw  should  be  put  in  the  nest,  and 
it  is  well  to  have  a  bead  to  prevent  the  eggs  from  rolling  out. 

Fowls  Tre.si'assing  (J.H.P.), — Your  Bantams  going  into  your  neigh- 
houf's  garden  and  scratching  there,  or  even  going  there  without  scratch- 
ing, commit  a  trespass ;  and  if  sued  in  the  County  Court  you  would  be 
liable  to  a  fine  and  the  costs.  You  must  either  coutiue  your  Bantams,  or 
have  a  wire-net  fence  so  high  that  they  cannot  fly  over  it. 

Mr.  Pettiguf.w's  Large  Hives  (C.  M.  Major). — Twelve  inches  deep 
by  1.',  inches,  18  inches,  and  21  inches  in  diameter,  according  to  circum- 
stances. We  hope  shortly  to  be  enabled  to  give  some  details  of  his  mode 
of  managing  these  apparently  huge  hives  from  Mr.  Pettigrew's  own  pen. 

Bees  in  Stewarton  Hive  (A  .Suhncriber).~'U  the  bees  did  not  extend 
into  the  second  box,  and  that  not  having  any  comb  iu  it,  remove  it  for 
the  winter.  If  the  upper  box.  even,  has  not  been  filled  with  combs,  the 
swarm  could  not  have  been  "a  strong  one,"  as  supposed,  and  we  would 
advise  feeding. 

Canaries'  Tail  Fe.athers  Bent  (T.  C.  C).— The  tail  can  be  brought 
straight  again  by  dipping  it  in  hot  water;  but  it  will  in  all  probability 
assume  its  proper  shape  as  it  grows  to  maturity.  When  a  young  bird 
damajjes  any  portion  of  its  tail,  pull  the  latter  entirely  out.  If  the  birds 
be  kept  in  a  large  cage,  three  sides  wood,  with  the  perches  screwed  to  the 
back,  and  not  touching  the  wires,  they  will  not  rub  their  tails. 

Food  for  Exhibition  Canaries  (Idem). — "  Canary  seed,  1  lb. ;  Summer 
rape  seed,  lib. ;  Unseed,  Alb.;  groats,  about  li  ozs.,  mixed,  and  chopped 
egg  twice  a-weeli,  are  all  tliat  are  required  for  conditioning  birds. — W.  A. 
Blakbton." 

CoDVE  TEONcnuDA.— "  E.  D."'  wishes  to  he  told  how  to  cook  the  mid 
ribs  of  the  largo  leaves  of  Couve  tronchuda.  His  cook  cannot  make 
them  tender,  and  especially  asks.  Are  they  to  be  peeled  '.' 


POULTRY  MARKET.— October  21. 


f.  ;d     p 

Large  Fowls 8  0  to  3 

Smaller  do 2  G        S 

Chickens    1  9       2 

Geese  6  0        7 

Ducks  2  0        2 


d  I  B. 

6    Pheasants    ...^*.>.  2 

0  I  Partridges    . . . . .   1 

0    Hares 2 

0    Rabbits 1 

6    Wild  do 0 


d  s.  d 
6  to  2  0 
G  1  9 
6       2    9 

4  15 
8        0 


Pigeons 0    8       0    9  I  Grouse S    0       3    6 


October  20,  1868.  ) 


JOUBNAL  OP  HOTITIGULTURE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


315 


WEEKLY   CALENDAR. 


Day 

D.y 

ot 

of 

Month 

Week 

29 

Th 

8) 

F 

SI 

S 

1 

Son 

2 

M 

8 

To 

4 

W 

OCT.  29-KOV.  4,  1868. 


Royal  Horticultnral  Society,  Promenade. 

21  "SONDAY  AFTER  TkIHITV. 


Meeting   ot 

[Society. 


Kottingham    Eorticaltnral 


AveraRe  Temperature 
near  London. 


Dav. 

b:!.7 
65.0 
53.7 
64.0 
54.3 
53.5 
62.0 


NiKht. 
85.8 
88.0 
40.0 
37.9 
87.6 
S5.8 
8B.6 


Mean, 

44.5 
40.5 
40.9 
45.9 
4(i.0 
44.6 
44.3 


Rain  In 

last 
41  years. 


Daya. 
19 
21 
21 
24 
19 
19 
21 


Snn 

Riaos. 


m.  h 
51  at  fi 
68      6 


San 
Sets. 


h. 
87  a(  4 


Moon 
Rises. 


Moon 

Sets. 


m.  h. 
19af4 
41      4 


m.    h 

8af4 

15      0 

24      6 


Moon's 
Age. 


Daya. 
14 
15 
O 

17 
18 
19 
20 


Clooh 

after 
Sao. 


DaT 

of 

Year 


808 
804 
305 
806 
307 
SOS 
309 


From  ohaorvatiuns  taken  near  London  during  the  last  forty-one  years,  the  nyeraRe  day  temperature  ol  the  week  is  53.7  ;  and  Us  night 
temperature  37.3'.  The  greatest  beat  v?afl  04',  on  the  :iud,  rB57  ;  and  the  lowest  cold  22^,  on  the  Ist,  18GB.  The  greatest  tall  ol  ram 
waa  0.98  inch.  


MARKET  GARDENING  ABOUT  LONDON  AND 
PARIS.— No.  1. 

REJIEM15ER,  in  my  former  parish,  a  poor 
widow  once  consulting  me  with  regard  to  a 
proposal  she  had  liad  from  a  neighbour,  wlio 
bore  an  indifl'erent  character,  and  was  re- 
puted to  be  a  drunliard.  She  spoke  verj' 
wisely  and  well  on  the  subject;  she  told  of 
the  comfort  it  would  bo  to  her  to  have  a 
■^^  *"  home,  if  it  were  a  respectable  one,  and  to 

^  have  a  protector  for  her  children  :  "  but,  then, 

you  see,"  she  said,  "  W 's  character  is  a 

bad  one.  I  know  him  to  be  a  tippler,  and  there  s  no 
reason  if  there  's  a  fire  in  tlie  grate  that  I  should  put  my 
head  into  it."  Need  I  say  what  my  strong  advice  was'.' 
and  need  I  add  that  like  most  good  advice  it  was  set  at 
naught,  and  that  years  of  wretchedness  and  misery  have 
resulted  from  "putting  her  head  into  the  fire':'"  I  was 
similarly  situated  when  I  saw  the  discussion  going  on  in 
the  horticultural  journals  relative  to  the  market  gardening 
about  Paris  as  compared  with  that  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  London.  I  very  wisely  determined  to  keep  clear  of  it. 
I  thought  that  I  was  not  altogether  ignorant  on  the  sub- 
ject, and  had  some  opportunities  of  judging  as  to  the 
correctness  or  otherwise  of  some  of  the  statements  made, 
but  the  fire  was  "  vara  hot,"  and  I  did  not  fancy  putting 
my  head  into  it,  and  so  I  kept  clear,  gave  the  combatants 
a  wide  berth,  and  held  my  peace.  Why,  then,  have  I  done 
otherwise  ?  Whj',  like  my  poor  friend,  am  I  now  about  to 
put  my  head  into  the  fire '?  If  I  have  done  foolishly,  the 
saddle  must  be  put  on  the  right  horse — viz.,  the  Editors  of 
The  Journal  of  HoRTicri.TiUiE. 

It  fell  out  on  this  wise.  I  was  paying  my  annual  visit 
to  Paris  in  June  last,  a  little  later  than  usual,  when,  one 
afternoon  calling  at  Vilmoi'in's,  and  inquiring  for  M.  Henri 
Vilmorin,  I  was  told  he  was  gone  to  see  one  of  the  Editors ; 
through  their  kindness  a  message  was  sent  to  him,  and  the 
next  morning  I  found  him  in  the  courtyard  of  the  Hotel  de 
Saxe.  We  had  much  discourse  together,  and,  naturally, 
it  turned  on  those  subjects  dear  to  all  readers  of  the  Jour- 
nal ;  amongst  other  points  talked  upon  was  the  stir  that 
had  been  made  on  the  subject  of  market  gardening  in 
England  and  France,  or,  rather,  in  and  about  the  metro- 
politan cities  of  botli  countries.  The  upshot  of  it  was  that 
I  was  asked,  as  I  had  a  few  days  on  hand,  to  employ  a 
week  in  visiting  especially  those  places  of  culture  most 
likely  to  be  interesting  to  us,  and  report  accordingly.  The 
task  was  a  congenial  one,  the  work  pleasing,  and  I  entered 
upon  it  eon  timorc  :  if,  in  so  doing,  I  bring  down  evil  upon 
my  own  head,  I  must  ask  my  good  friends  tlie  Editors 
to  help  me  to  bear  the  blows.  In  so  doing,  however,  I 
must  beg  it  to  be  distinctly  borne  in  mind  that  I  enter  not 
on  it  in  any  controversial  spirit ;  I  have  but  one  object  in 
view,  and  that  is  the  good  of  horticulture.  I  have  no 
theories  to  uphold,  and,  I  hope,  no  prejudices  to  overcome. 
Such  are  my  credentials,  and  now  as  to  my  qualifications. 

The  readers  of  The  Journal  of  Horticultdre  know 
tolerably  well  that  I  am  no  tyro  in  gardening  ;  that  although 
I  have  mainly  given  my  attention  to  florists'  flowers,  I 

No.  896.— Vol.  XV.,  New  Sehiee. 


have  also  made  myself  acquainted  with  most  branches  of 
gardening  ;  and  that  for  many  years  I  have  been  in  the 
habit  of  visiting  all  the  gardens,  both  public  and  private, 
which  I  was  enabled  to  do  in  my  frequent  wanderings 
through  England.  I  have  seen  in  the  gardens  of  our 
nobility  and  gentry,  and  in  the  well-ordered  establishments 
of  our  public  growers,  the  various  plans  and  methods  of 
cultivation  adopted.  During  the  past  ten  or  eleven  years 
I  have  also  visited  the  Continent  annually,  have  seen  what 
gardening  is  in  France  and  Belgium,  and  have  been  en- 
abled to  form  some  notion  of  its  merits.  I  have  not  thus 
to  contend  with  the  diUiculty  that  often  surrounds  a  per- 
son who  makes  a  first  visit  to  a  new  country,  who  either 
goes  with  the  belief  that  nothing  is  good  but  what  is 
English,  and  who  grumbles  and  growls  to  his  heart's 
content  over  these  "  furren  "  ways,  or  who  is  prepared  to 
see  everything  coulcitr  d,'  rose,  and  to  como  liome  with  the 
idea  that  in  everything  they  "  do  those  things  better  in 
France." 

I  was  not,  however,  satisfied  with  my  previous  knowledge, 
but  felt  that  in  writing  on  such  a  matter  I  ought  to  be 
as  much  at  home  as  possible  :  and  so,  immediately  on  my 
friend's  suggesting  this,  I  started  olf  to  Vilmorins,  and  told 
them  my  object,  asking  them  where  I  should  best  see  the 
various  objects  of  culture  which  I  desired  more  especially 
to  report  upon.  With  that  urbanity  and  kindness  which 
I  have  always  experienced  in  Franco,  and  almost  always 
in  England,  from  members  of  the  gardening  profession,  they 
not  only  ofi'ered  me  every  informatii}n,  but  in  order  to  place 
me  more  tin  fait,  they  put  at  my  disposal  one  of  their 
employes,  who  accompanied  me  on  my  visits,  found  out.  as 
I  could  not  have  done,  the  readiest  ways  of  access,  and  to 
the  intelligent  guidance  of  M.  Viret,  I  owe  a  great  part 
of  the  information  which  I  obtained.  When  I  say  that, 
amongst  other  places,  we  visited  together  the  establish- 
ments of  L'Herault  at  Argenteuil,  Lepere  at  Montrenil, 
Froment  at  Montrouge,  Dupont  at  Clichy,  &c ,  it  will  be 
seen  that  we  went  to  'head-quarters  at  once  for  our  infor- 
mation, for  each  in  his  particular  line  is  unsurpassed. 
I  found  the  workmen  generally  intelligent  and  ready  to 
give  information ;  although  amongst  the  cluimphjnonites 
I  do  not  think  I  should  have  got  quite  so  ready  an  aroess 
to  their  places  of  cultivation  if  it  had  not  been  for  my 
companion,  and  this  I  could  well  understand,  fur  it  involves 
considerable  time  and  trouble.  On  my  return  to  England 
I  thought  I  should  make  myself  more  acquainted  with  the 
market  gardening  about  l^ondon,  and  on  applvins  to  one 
whom  I  thought  oucht  to  be  able  to  give  me  infcirmntion, 
I  was  told  tliat  I  should  find  the  growers  not  nearly  so 
willing  to  give  infomiation  as  their  French  brethren  :  that 
they  thought  more  of  their  time,  &c.  I  am  bound  to  say 
I  found  it  the  very  reverse,  they  were  exceedingly  kind, 
and  gave  me  every  information  in  their  power.  Here.  loo. 
I  went  to  head-quarters— Mr.  Dancer's  fruit  garden  at 
Chiswick,  Mr.  Myatt's  at  Deptford,  the  Fulbam  grounds, 
&c.,  have  all  been  visited  by  me,  and  I  have  been  enabled 
thus  to  institute  comparisons  betweea  the  most  eminent 
growers  in  both  countries.  Whatever  errors,  then,  I  may  fiU 
into,  and  whatever  incompleteness  of  information  I  imiy  be 

No.  1048.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  Sebieb. 


316 


JOURNAL  OP  HORTICCLTUBE   AND  COTTAGE   GABDKNEB. 


[  October  29, 1868. 


guilty  of,  must  arise  from  my  own  stupidity,  and  not  because 
the  sources  of  information  have  been  unviMted,  or  those  who 
were  able  to  give  it  churlish  in  so  doing. 

I  have  felt  it  necessary  to  make  these  few  preliminary  re- 
marks as  due  to  the  readers  of  The  Journai.  op  Horticultdbe 
and  myself.  There  are  some  other  preliminary  observations 
■which  1  must  make  as  bearing  generally  on  the  subject  of 
market  gardening  in  England  and  France,  but  I  would  rather 
reserve  them  for  my  next  paper,  and  I  shall  be  then  more 
ready  to  enter  into  the  details  of  the  various  "  cultures  "  on 
which  I  wish  to  report. — D.,  Deal. 


A  SELECTION  OF  ROSES. 

As  the  catalogues  of  Boses  are  generally  long  and  bewildering, 
and  as  the  new  Roses  sent  out  annually  are  to  ft  great  extent 
worthless,  it  may  be  of  service  to  persons  unacquainted  with 
Boees  to  give  a  selection  of  the  best,  and  of  such  as  are  good 
growers,  of  hardy  constitution,  and  free  and  constant  bloomers. 
I  am  now  about  to  speak  of  Roses  on  the  Manetti  stock,  unless 
otherwise  specified. 

Hybbld  PEaPETUALS.— For  beginners — Achille  Gonod,  Alfred 
Colomb,  Anna  Alexicff,  Antoine  Ducher,  Baron  Adolphe  de 
Eothschild,  Baronne  Prevost,  Caroline  de  Sansal,  Charles  Le- 
febvre,  Comte  de  Nanteuil,  Due  de  Cazea,  Exposition  de  Brie, 
John  Hopper,  Jules  Margottin,  La  Ville  de  St.  Danis,  Lord 
Clyde,  Madame  Alfred  do  Eougemont,  Baronne  de  Maynard, 
Madame  (J.  Crapelet,  Madame  Clemence  Joigneaux,  Mareobal 
Vftillant,  Madame  Boutin,  Marguerite  de  St.  Amand,  Maurice 
Bernardin,  Prince  Caraille  de  Rohan,  Secateur  Vaisse,  Souve- 
nir de  Dr.  Jamain,  Triomphe  de  Paris,  Victor  Verdier,  and 
William  Griffiths. 

The  preceding  are  beautiful  Boses,  and,  if  beginners  cannot 
cultivate  them  successfully,  the  sooner  they  take  to  cultivating 
something  else  the  better. 

For  older  hands  I  add  Abel  Grand,  Alpaide  de  Eotalier,  Ba- 
ronne Pelletan  de  Kinkelin,  Black  Prince,  Charles  Bouillard, 
Charles  Verdier,  first-rate,  Comtesee  de  Chabrillant,  Dr.  Andry, 
Duchesae  de  Cajlus,  Duchesse  d'Orleans,  Empereur  de  Maroc, 
Engine  Verdier,  Framjois  Lacharme,  Gloire  de  Ducher,  Gloire 
de  Vitry  (on  its  own  roots),  a  noble  Boso ;  Jean  Eosenkrautz, 
John  Keynes,  Monsieur  de  Montigny,  a  noble  Rose ;  Lady 
Suffield,  La  Duchesse  de  Morny,  Leopold  Premier,  Lord  Ma- 
caulay,  Madame  Alice  Dureau,  a  beautiful  first-class  novelty  in 
the  St. le  of  LiElia,  Madame  RuUand  (not  the  same  as  Madame 
Roland),  Madame  Charles  Wood,  Madame  Emile  Boyau,  Ma- 
dame Freeman,  Madame  Julie  Daran,  Madame  Kuorr,  Madame 
Victor  Verdier,  first-rate  ;  Pierre  Notting,  first-rate  ;  Prince  de 
Portia,  Scoar  des  Anges,  Souvenir  de  Comte  Cavour,  superb, 
but  not  full ;  Souvenir  de  la  Keine  d'Angletorre,  and  Vicomte 
Vigier. 

I  now  put  down  two  unsurpassed  Roses,  but  they  are  delicate, 
and  require  genial  situations  and  first-class  loam — they  are  Ma- 
dame Rivers  and  Madame  Vidot. 

I  am  very  averse  to  recommending  Roses  that  I  have  not 
fully  proved,  but  I  fancy  we  shall  eventually  find  some  good 
Boses  among  the  following: — Paul  Verdier,  Monsieur  Noman, 
La  France,  M.irie  Cirodde,  Prince  Humbert,  Eeine  du  Midi, 
Felix  Geuero,  Fraoijois  Treyve,  Marie  Baumauu,  Mdlle.  Jeanne 
Marix,  Madame  Martine  de  Besse,  and  Merveille  d'Anjou.  I 
also  fancy  these  three  of  this  year's  novelties — Monplaisir  (Tea), 
and  Hybiii  Perpetuals  Madame  Jncquier  andThyraHammerick. 

BouHnoN  AND  China  Roses — These  are  scentless  Boses,  and 
I  will  only  put  down  distinct  and  essential  ones. 

Bourdon — Acidalie,  Buronne  Gonella,  Souvenir  de  Mal- 
maison  ;  an^l  for  poles.  Sir  J.  Paxtan. 

China. — Mrs.  Bosanquet. 

Perpeiuai.  Moss. — Madame  E.  Cry. 

Tea-scented  Noisettes,  a  noble  class. — Solfaterre,  south 
wall ;  Gloire  de  Dijon,  Celine  Forestier,  Triomphe  de  Eeunes, 
Maruchal  Niel,  a  noble  Bose,  requires  a  south  wall.  For  be- 
yinuers  Gloiie  de  Dijon  is  best. 

Tea  SCENTED  Boses. — For  beginners  Sombreuil.Devoniensis, 
and  Eubt-ns.  For  others,  Adam,  Homer,  Madame  Margottin, 
Madame  WiUermoz,  Souvenir  d'Elise,  first-rate  ;  Bouton  d'Or, 
first-rate  for  button-holea,  and  Souvenir  d'un  Ami.  For  glass, 
Elise  Sausage,  Madame  Bravy,  and  Vicomtesse  de  Cazes. 

Tea  Boses  are  in  their  proper  place  when  under  glass.  No 
Roses  are  superior  to  them  for  this  purpose.  They  m.iy  be 
grown  under  a  south  wall.  They  require  but  little  pruning, 
good  drainage,  high  cultivation,  plenty  of  water,  and  great  heat. 


Hybrid  Perpetuals,  Tea-scented  Noisettes,  and  Tea-scented 
Roses  are  the  best  three  families,  and  they  are  rapidly  and 
justly  superseding  all  others. 

We  have  had  a  trying  season,  and  it  may  help  purchasers  it 
I  give  the  names  of  those  Roses  that  have  beaten  everything 
here  this  year.  These  are  : — Charles  Lefebvre,  Jules  Margottin, 
Duchesse  d'Orleans,  Stcur  des  Anges,  Baronne  Prevost,  Mon- 
sieur de  Montigny,  Marguerite  de  St.  Amand,  Madame  Kuorr, 
Gloire  de  Vitry,  Isabella  Gray ;  in  the  open  ground,  Gloire  de 
Dijon,  Celine  Forestier,  Triomphe  de  Rennes,  Sombreuil,  Eliso 
Sauvage,  Devoniensia,  Rubens,  and  Souvenir  d'Elise,  a  most 
beautiful  Rose.  Others  have  done  well.  On  the  whole  I  have 
had  a  splendid  season.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  conceive  or 
describe  the  magnificence  of  the  first  series  of  flowers. 

I  advise  persons  about  to  commence  Rose-purchasing  to  find 
out  what  are  really  good,  and  accumulate  them  rather  than 
heaps  of  Roses  erroneously  termed  varieties.  The  variety  con- 
sists in  the  name.  Begin  with  fifty  or  a  hundred  each  of 
Charles  Lefebvre  and  Jules  Margottin.  These  are  every-day 
and  all-theseason  Boses.  They  alwnys  open,  and  never  have 
a  defective  bloom.  The  same  may  be  said  of  Gloire  de  Dijon, 
Culine  Forestier,  and  Triomphe  de  Bennes. 

I  have  discarded  some  Eoses  here,  but  I  have  filled  up  their 
places  with  well-known  good  kinds  rather  than  with  unproved 
novelties.  The  best  novelties  that  I  have  had  of  late  years 
are  Alfred  Colomb,  Charles  Verdier,  Antoine  Ducher,  and  Prince 
de  Portia. 

One  more  word  and  I  have  done.  I  expect  a  severe  winter. 
It  generally  is  the  case  that  the  winter  is  cold  in  proportion  as 
the  summer  is  hot,  for  the  goingout  of  heat  is  equal  to  its 
going-in.  All  my  Boses  are  mulched  with  stable  litter  or  straw  ; 
and  by  November  8th  they  will  be  earthed  over  the  straw  or 
litter,  and  present  the  appearance  of  plants  in  molehills.— 
W.  F.  Bahclvfee. 


FIG  TREE   CULTURE. 

Tee  past  summer  inEuglandso  closely  resembled  in  its  liigh 
temperature  the  south  of  Europe,  that  it  was  peculiarly  favour- 
able to  the  development  of  such  a  crop  of  Figs  as  is  very  rarely 
to  be  seen  in  our  changeable  climate.  Nor  has  the  abundance 
of  this  singular  fruit  been  confined  to  one  or  two  favoured  lo- 
calities, but  wherever  the  trees  escaped  injury  from  the  severe 
frosts  which  occurred  during  the  winter  of  18G6,  or  rather  in 
the  early  months  of  18C7,  fine  crops  of  well-ripened  fruit  have 
been  produced,  and  in  some  gardens  having  one  or  two  of  those 
enormous  old  trees  which  are  occasionally  to  be  met  with 
planted  in  the  most  sheltered  corner,  the  ripe  fruit  has  been 
gathered  by  bushels.  In  these  cases  how  little  has  science  to 
do  with  the  matter.  I  once  saw  some  very  fine  fan-shaped 
trees  beautifully  trained,  and  most  rigorously  pruned  on  the 
spur  system,  and  I  nas  curious  to  know  whether  trees  so  treated 
in  the  open  air  would  produce  fruit  in  any  quantity;  but  on 
making  inquiry,  I  was  told  that  but  little  fruit  was  ever  ripened, 
certainly  nothing  ever  approaching  what  might  be  considered  a 
full  crop.  Since  then  I  have  met  with  several  instances  in 
which  close  pruning  had  been  practised,  and  in  every  case  the 
result  was  the  same — but  little,  if  any,  fruit.  From  my  own 
experience,  I  should  say  that  moderate  pruning,  just  sufficient  to 
keep  the  trees  within  bounds,  is  by  far  the  best  plan,  and  even 
this  may  be  effected  in  a  great  measure  by  pinching  during  the 
growing  season.  Trees  so  treated,  and  planted  in  a  somewhat 
poor  and  shallow  soil,  will  generally  produce  a  fair  crop  of  fruit. 

Perhaps  the  moat  t.intalising  thing  in  connection  with  Fig 
culture  in  the  open  air,  is  that  second  crops  are  always  most 
abundant  and  full  of  promise,  but  never  coming  to  perfection, 
or  at  all  events  but  very  rarely.  How  it  makes  one  long  for 
the  sheltering  roof  of  an  orchard  house!  What  dishes  of  the 
luscious  fruit  could  then  be  had  for  the  dessert  at  this  dull 
season  of  the  year,  when  anything  afl'ording  variety  is  so  much 
appreciated ! 

It  would  be  interesting  to  know  how  far  the  second  crop  has 
been  affected  by  the  heat  of  the  past  summer.  The  only  in- 
stance in  which  I  have  heard  of  the  second  crop  coming  to  ma- 
turity, is  at  Provender,  near  Faversham,  the  residence  of  the 
Dowager  Lady  Knatchbull,  whence  Mr.  Maxted,  the  gardener 
wrote  to  me  on  October  Utb,  saying,  "We  have  a  fine  second 
crop  of  the  little  Early  White  Fig,  just  fit  for  table."  This  is 
all  the  more  interesting?,  as  the  trets  are  not  en  a  wall  but  are 
bush-shaped,  about  10  feet  high.  They  are  growing  in  a  waim 
sheltered  position  facing  the  south.  I  believe  I  am  right  in 
stating  that  the;e  trees  are  never  pruned,  but  as  they  have  no 


0«tob«r  29, 18CS.  ] 


JODRNAIi   OP  HOBTlCUIiTUHH  AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEE. 


317 


protection  whatever  durinf;  tho  winter,  the  tips  of  the  younfl 
brnnohes  ore  freiineolly  killed  by  severe  frost.  This  oauees  the 
buds  at  their  base  to  start  into  growth,  and  the  trees  oonse- 
qiiontly  become  more  biishyand  compact.— Edwaiid  LuciuicnsT, 
Egerton  Home  Gardnu,  Kent. 


FUCHSIA  RICCARTOXr. 

Amono.st  tbo  plants  whose  RrowtU  or  flowering  has  been  in- 
terfered with  l)y  llio  heat  of  the  past  summer,  the  useful,  hardy 
Fuchsia  Uiccartuni  is  ono  hiivinR  a  sturdiness  of  habit  and 
deep-rooting  propensity  which  would  seem  to  render  it  sale 
from  drought ;  but  such  has  not  been  tho  case  here,  for  some 
largo  old  plants,  of  which  tho  last  year's  stems  had  not  been  in- 
jured by  the  winter's  frost,  and  with  roots  occupying  a  border 
that  has  been  worked  upwards  of  G  feet  deep,  being,  in  fact, 
part  of  au  embankment  of  that  height,  nevertheless  showed 
signs  of  distress  much  sooner  than  might  have  been  expected. 

The  plants  flowered  much  earlier  ihaa  usual,  but  the  amount 
of  bloom,  and  tho  length  of  time  they  continued  in  flower,  fell 
far  short  of  what  might  be  expected  of  bushes  upwards  of 
(5  feet  high,  and  as  much  in  diameter.  Their  flowering  seemed 
to  be  quite  over  by  the  middle  of  ■Uily,  and  by  the  1st  of  August 
the  foliage  had  assumed  quite  an  autumnal  appearance  ;  but 
some  rain  which  fell  about  the  middle  of  August  infused  new 
vigour  into  the  plants,  fresh  foliage  was  produced,  and  although 
much  growth  has  not  been  made  from  the  middle  of  September 
up  to  this  time  (tho  middle  of  October),  the  plants  have  been  a 
mass  of  bloom.  The  flowers  appear  to  be  produced  at  every 
eye  of  the  shoots  made  prior  to  July,  rather  than  on  those  of 
recent  growth.  This  is  certainly  an  unusual  case,  but  it  might 
have  been  explicable  enough  if  the  plants  had  not  had  a  suffi- 
cient amount  of  room  for  their  roots,  but  as  they  had  a  depth 
of  from  G  to  8  feet  of  soil,  and  that  mostly  of  a  suitable  kind,  I 
can  only  conclude  that  the  extreme  heat,  and  tho  deficiency  of 
moisture  in  the  atmosphere,  caused  the  premature  ripening  of 
the  shoots,  which  afterwards  broke  forth  in  flowers  much  in 
the  same  fashion  as  Potatoes  have  produced  a  second  crop  of 
tubers  from  the  first.  The  situation  was  dry,  and  no  water 
was  given,  but  surrounding  the  Fuchsias  was  a  carpeting  of 
seedling  Petunias,  which  did  not  seem  to  suffer,  neither  did  the 
edging  of  Centaurea  pymnocarpa.  Doubtless,  the  Fuchsias 
require  more  moisture  than  either  of  the  latter :  hence  the  failure 
of  the  Fuchsias  at  the  time  they  are  usually  at  their  best ;  but  I 
am  by  no  means  dissatisfied  with  the  result,  for  an  autumn  dis- 
play is  as  useful  as  an  August  one,  and  they  pronaisb  to  supply 
that  as  long  as  the  weather  will  permit.  '    ' 

Notwithstanding  all  that  has  been  done  in  supplying  our 
plant  houses  with  improved  varieties  of  Fuchsias,  it  does  not 
appear  that  any  one  approaches  Iticcartoni  for  out-door  dis- 
play. The  raiser  of  this  old  favourite  has,  therefore,  some- 
thing to  be  proud  of,  if  he  is  yet  alive  ;  for  a  plant  maintaining 
its  position  for  thirty  years  in  an  age  when  the  most  approved 
variety  of  one  season  is  superseded  the  next,  is  seldom  met  with 
among  garden  flowers.  This  old  Fuchsia  seems  likely  to  con- 
tinue for  many  years  at  the  head  of  those  for  outdoor  cul- 
tivation, for  it  there  is  a  better,  it  seems  not  to  be  generally 
known,  and  those  possessing  such  would  do  good  service  by 
stating  its  name  and  merits. — J.  Eoesox. 


A  GRAPE  VINE  AFTER  TWENTY  YEARS  ON 
THE   EXTENSION   SYSTEM. 

In  the  spring  of  1S48  I  put  in  some  cuttings,  from  13  to 
18  inches  long,  of  Sweetwater  and  Black  Hamburgh  Vines  at 
the  bottom  of  a  south  wall  and  round  the  borders  of  the  kitchen 
garden,  my  employer  being  sanguine  of  carrying  out  the  idea  of 
growing  Grapes  here  (West  Kent),  as  well  as  on  the  Continent. 

Along  with  the  cuttings  put  in  at  the  bottom  of  the  wall, 
there  were  two  small  rooted  plants.  One,  which  proved  to  be 
a  Black  Hamburgh,  was  trained  as  a  single  rod,  between  two 
Peach  trees,  to  the  top  of  the  wall,  then  along  under  the  coping, 
where,  in  18.51,  it  ripened  pirtially  about  a  dozen  bunches  of 
Grapes.  I  then  took  the  Vine  from  the  wall,  and  layered  it 
across  the  border  into  a  turf  pit,  covered  with  glazed  sashes, 
that  had  been  used  to  winter  bedding  plants.  There,  in  18G2, 
the  Vine  ripened  nearly  a  hundi-ed  bunches  with  sun  heat  only. 
The  place  then  passed  into  other  hands,  and  I  had  the  space 
hetween  the  pit  and  the  wall  covered  with  glass,  thus  giving 
the  Vine  room  to  extend  itself,  and  it  now  covers  about  300  feet 


of  glass  surface,  and  but  for  tho  limited  Fpace  allotted  it 
would  have  covered  a  much  larger  extent.  It  bears  annually 
good  crops,  which  ripen  about  tho  first  week  iu  June. 

I  would  observe  with  respect  to  layering,  that  tho  thickness 
of  the  stem,  or  rod,  has  increased  very  little.  Where  it  enters 
the  ground  it  is  only  3{  inches  in  oiroumferenoe ;  where  it  rises 
it  is  10)  inclieB.-T-PnACxiCDS. 


■•>    'romiJ' 


MUSHROOM   CULTURE. 


I  nyrE  frequently  read  with  much  interest  tho  directions, 
hints,  etc.,  on  Mushroom-growing  contained  in  "our  Journal," 
and  have,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  followed  those  instructions, 
but  never  with  aucoess.  When  1  first  commenced  attempting 
to  grow  Mushrooms  I  felt  certain  of  succeeding,  having  all 
things  necessary,  as  I  thought,  immediately  at  hand.  I  have 
abundance  of  holrso  droppings,  loose  straw  or  litter,  spare 
cellars  of  both  dry  and  moist  atmospheres,  and  good  dark 
sheds,  and  I  have  tried  spawn  from  several  principal  seedsmen 
in  London,  but  my  efforts  have  never  resulted  otherwise  than 
in  failure.'  If  I  could,  through  the  medium  of  "our  Journal," 
receive  plain  instructions  from  any  amateur  grower  who  has 
been  successful,  1  might  be  better  able  to  follow  them  than  the 
course  pursued  by  professional  gardeners,  and  the  first  two 
dishes  of  Mushrooms  I  grow  shall  be  distributed,  one  to  the 
amateur,  and  the  other  to  your.'^elf,  carriage  paid.— R.  J.  E. 

[We  o^'e,  very  sorry  that  you  have  been  so  unfortunate  in 
your  Mushroom-grovving,  and  the  proffered  reward  is  irresist- 
ible, but  we  are  also  sorry  that  you  give  us  no  information  to 
enable  us  to  be  sure  as  to  where  the  cause  of  want  of  success 
is  to  be  found,  and  all  the  more,  as  you  seem  to  have  tried  all 
that  has  appeared  in  our  columns,  and  carried  out  all  the  in- 
structions given,  and  yet  without  avail.  As  we  would  wish  to 
have  a  fine  dish  of  Mushrooms  ere  long,  we  will  say  a  few 
words,  first  on  tho  chief  causes  of  failure,  and  then  give  a 
simple  outline  of  one  of  the  modes  to  be  adopted  to  ensure 
success.  . 

The  want  of  success  is  sometimes  owing  to  bad  exhausted 
spawn.  The  spawn, when  broken  should  be  whitish  inside,  but 
the  filaments,  should  resemble  the  finest  gossamer,  or  silky 
hair.  If  they  arc  as  large  as  a  common  sewing  thread  they 
are  too  far  gone.  It  niatters  little  about  the  age  of  the  spawn 
if  it  is  good  and'  i)aB  been  kept  dry.  We  have  used  it  seven 
years  after  making  witlaont  any  diminution  of  the  produce. 

Good  spawn  is  often  destroyed  by  being  put  into  a  bed  of 
wet  material,  or  into  a  bed  too  warm,  or  that  becomes  too 
warm  after  tho  spawn,  has  been  inserted.  Abed  over-dry  is 
safer  than  a  bed  over-wet.  In  the  first  case  you  can  water,  or 
case  with  a  somewhat  moist  substance  ;  in  the  latter  case  it  is 
safest  to  wrap  the  spawn  in  a  handful  of  loose  broken  dryish 
litter,  and  when  it  gets  through  that  the  dampish  material  will 
give  substance  to  the  Mushrooms. 

The  spawn  will  not  stand  long  a  higher  temperature  in  the 
bed  than  from  70°  to  80°,  and  an  atmospheric  temperature  of 
from  5.5°; tq  G0°  is  what  it  delights  in,  though  with  heat  in  the 
bed  the  fungus  will  grow  freely  at  a  lower  temperature  than 
that.  The  high  temperature  in  tho  bed  is  one  chief  cause  of 
failure.  Another  cause,  sometimes,  is  mixing  with  the  dung 
and  soil  something  inirnical  to  fungus  growlh.  A  friend  of 
ours,  to  guard  against  slugs  and  worms  finding  their  way  into 
his  beds,  mixed  quicklime  with  the  fermenting  material  and 
soil ;  but  if  he  destroyed  the  invaders  he  also  destroyed  the 
spawn  and  Mushrooms.  We  are  not  so  sure  of  alkalies  gene- 
rally; but  lime  when  hot  is  most  effective  in  destroying  all 
the  fungus  tribe.  In  earthing-up  we  prefer  a  loamy  soil,  even 
a  stiff  clayey  loam,  to  one  chalky  or  calcareous. 

Mushroom  beds  fail,  also,  owing  to  want  of  patience  in  the 
cultivator.  Sometimes  they  will  produce  iu  a  few  weeks,  but 
from  six  to  eight  weeks  is  a  very  common  time,  after  spawning 
and  earthing-up,  and  during  all  that  time  the  more  regular  the 
temperature  of  tho  bed,  and  the  less  it  is  meddled  with,  the 
better  for  the  coming  crop.  We  have  known  beds  spoiled  by 
pulling  them  about,  drenching  them,  and  roasting  them  with 
heat  either  from  fires  or  warm  coverings,  although  they  would 
have  done  well  if  merely  let  alone.  Tlie  quickness  of  growth 
depends  more  on  the  condition  of  the  materials  than  upon  any 
other  treatment  that  can  be  given.    Patience  must  be  exercised. 

Now  for  a  short  outline  of  culture.     We  will  not  enter  into 

various  modes,  nor  dwell  on  tho  treatment  in  various  places. 

We  will  fix  on  your  cellar,  and  as  winter  is  coming  on,  we 

'  will  fix  on  the  dry  cellar,  whilst  in  the  summer  we  would  have 


318 


JOUBNAIi  OF  HOETICULTUEE  AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENER. 


[  October  29,  1868. 


chosen  the  moist  one,  for  it  will  be  easy  to  give  what  moisture 
would  be  necessary  in  winter  ;  ami  as  you  want  Mushrooms  as 
soon  as  may  be,  to  save  time,  we  will  only  have  a  small  bed  at 
first,  making  up  a  piece  at  a  time  as  you  have  the  materials 
ready.  Our  bed  we  should  propose  to  be  4^  feet  wide,  and  from 
15  to  18  inches  deep,  and  if  we  could  do  no  more  we  would 
begin  with  2  or  3  yards  in  length  at  a  time. 

The  first  work  to  be  done  is  to  collect  as  many  droppings,  of 
which  you  have  plenty,  as  will  make  a  small  bed.  Add  to  them 
about  one-fourth  of  the  shortish  litter.  If  the  droppings  s.re  in 
the  least  too  damp,  spread  them  out,  if  convenient,  in  a  shed 
to  dry  ;  whether  convenient  or  not,  ere  long  throw  them  into 
a  heap,  where  they  will  heat  violently,  lose  nutritive  properties, 
but  become  sooner  fit  for  your  purpose.  When  heating,  spread 
out  again  for  a  day.  Add  about  one-sixth  of  bulk  of  rough 
fibrous  loam,  which  is  not  absolutely  necessary,  but  useful  in 
preventing  the  mass  heating  too  violently,  and,  therefore,  losing 
heat  altogether  sooner.  Throw  all  together  into  a  heap  again, 
and  as  soon  as  it  heats  begin  to  form  your  bed.  We  should, 
however,  state  hero  that  during  the  summer  droppings  thus 
treated  will  be  sure  to  heat  themselves  dry  enough  ;  and,  as 
already  stated,  provided  the  strength  is  not  wasted,  it  is  safer 
to  have  them  rather  dry  than  rather  wet.  As  October  and 
November  come  on,  even  throwing  the  droppings  into  a  heap 
will  sometimes  leave  them  too  wet,  which  they  always  will  be 
if  you  can  squeeze  moisture  out  of  them.  In  such  a  case  the 
evil  maybe  remedied  by  chopping  up  a  bundle  of  dry  straw  or 
litter,  and  mixing  it  with  the  droppings  so  aa  to  dry  them. 

The  droppings  being  all  right,  proceed  with  making  the  bed, 
and  it  will  be  best  to  put  on  a  layer  about  8  inches  in  depth 
at  first,  which  will  beat  down  to  5  or  6  inches,  the  firmer  the 
better  ;  and  if  well  firmed  it  will  not  heat  so  strongly  but  that 
you  may  add  another  layer  in  a  few  days,  treating  that  in  the 
same  manner,  and  then  a  third,  reserving  the  best  and  shortest 
for  this  last  layer,  and  making  firm  as  before.  The  use  of  the 
beating  is  to  keep  out  the  air,  and  thus  prevent  rapid  decompo- 
sition; and  to  insure  this,  in  other  words  to  prevent  the  dung 
being  wasted  before  the  Mushrooms  feed  on  it,  we  frequently 
throw  a  little  soil  over  the  surface  before  the  final  beating,  as 
there  will  be  enough  of  air  enclosed  with  the  dung  to  keep  up 
a  long  but  slow  decomposition,  and  therefore  a  somewhat  low 
but  regular  temperature,  instead  of  a  great  heat,  soon  gone. 

After  thus  finishing  oit  the  dung  bed,  it  wants  watching  with 
trial  sticks  every  day.  It  is  next  to  impossible,  if  thus  formed, 
that  it  should  not  become  warm  enough — from  80'  to  90° — and 
it  will  be  better  if  the  heat  rise  no  higher.  Even  now  you 
must  not  think  of  spawning,  you  must  wait  until  the  heat  is 
on  the  decline,  and  when  you  find  that  every  day  it  becomes  a 
little  lower,  until  your  trial  sticks  are  no  warmer  than  new  milk, 
or  the  thermometer  plunged  in  the  bed  is  scarcely  above  80', 
you  can  then  spawn  the  bed.  We  prefer  using  pieces  of  spawn 
rather  larger  than  green  walnuts  as  they  hang  before  falling 
from  the  tree,  and  we  insert  these  just  below  the  dung,  and  if 
we  are  sure  there  will  not  be  too  much  heat,  we  scarcely  cover 
them  ;  these  for  a  general  bed  we  place  about  a  foot  apart. 
When  we  wish  a  quick  return  we  place  them  more  closely 
together. 

If  properly  watched  as  above,  there  will  generally  be  little 
danger  after  spawning,  but  a  sudden  change  in  the  weather 
will  often  act  on  the  bed,  causing  it  to  heat  again  more  than 
we  wish,  and  in  other  cases  to  cool  more  rapidly  than  we  like. 
In  the  first  case,  the  putting  the  spawn  near  the  surface  pre- 
serves it  from  danger.  In  the  second  place,  being  near  the 
surface,  we  can  add  a  couple  of  inches  or  so  of  nice  hot  drop- 
pings, which  when  beaten  will  cause  the  bed  to  heat  gently 
again.  As  soon  as  danger  from  overheating  is  past,  the  sooner 
the  bed  is  earthed  the  better.  When  we  can  obtain  it  we  prefer 
fibrous  loam  beaten  firm  next  the  bed,  and  then  a  layer  of  finer- 
riddled  soil  on  the  surface.  We  use  that  rather  damp  than  dry, 
and  when  all  is  well  beaten  we  water  the  surface  of  the  bed, 
and  draw  a  clean  spade  firmly  over  it,  which  leaves  a  clean 
smooth  surface.  In  general  we  use  rather  more  than  2  inches 
of  soil  when  loose,  which  when  beaten  will  be  from  1\  to 
l.J  inch  in  thickness.  In  such  a  place  as  your  cellar,  we  should 
let  the  bed  stand  as  left  for  a  day  or  two  that  the  surface  may 
become  a  little  dry,  feeling  the  trial  sticks  every  day.  In  general 
the  earthing-up  causes  the  heat  to  decline,  because  the  air  can- 
not find  its  way  into  the  bed. 

When  the  heat  falls  a  little,  say  3'  or  4'  lower  than  when 
you  spawned,  cover  the  bed  over  with  2  inches  or  so  of  old 
hay  or  short  dry  litter,  which  will  prevent  the  bed  losing  heat 
from  the  surface.    If  the  heat  still  decline  add  a  little  more 


covering,  and  this  in  general  may  remain  for  two  or  three 
weeks,  but  it  must  frequently  be  examined,  for  in  the  course  of 
a  month  or  so,  if  the  spawn  is  working  freely,  so  as  to  per- 
meate the  whole  mass  of  the  bed,  that  process  will  always  ba 
attended  with  an  increase  of  temperature,  and,  therefore,  that 
covering  may  require  to  be  reduced.  At  any  rate  it  would  ba 
advisable  as  soon  as  the  first  spawn  begins  to  peep  through  the 
soil  to  remove  all  the  covering,  sweep  the  bed  all  over  with  a 
hair  broom,  and  place  fresh  covering,  or  merely  the  driest  of  the 
old  covering,  over  the  bed.  Under  such  circumstances  we  have 
always  found  that  a  little  covering  kept  the  temperature  of  the 
bed  more  uniform,  and  even  the  atmosphere  about  the  Mush- 
rooms on  the  bed  was  kept  more  genial  as  respects  moisture 
and  temperature  than  when  the  bed  was  fully  exposed. 

Thus  treated  the  surface  of  the  bed  will  often  become 
warm  when  the  spawn  works,  and  whilst  it  should  not  be 
suddenly  cooled,  neither  should  it  be  allowed  to  become  so 
warm  as  to  injure  the  spawn.  We  believe  many  beds  are 
injured  by  too  much  warmth  and  too  much  covering  at  such  a 
time.  We  can  scarcely  dispense  with  this  covering  where  no 
means  are  resorted  to  for  regulating  by  artificial  means  the 
atmospheric  temperature  of  the  place. 

Sweeping  the  bed,  and  using  dry  material  as  the  spawn 
comes  to  the  surface,  are  necessary  to  prevent  the  spawn  run- 
ning and  exhausting  itself  in  the  damp  covering.  In  winter 
it  is  safer  for  beginners  to  secure  moisture  by  damping  the 
covering,  the  walls,  and  the  floor,  instead  of  watering  the  bed 
overhead.  At  that  season  the  watering  will  be  little  needed, 
but  if  the  materials  of  the  bed  are  dry  it  will  be  safest  to  make 
holes  with  a  pointed  stick,  and  then  pour  warm  water  into 
them. 

For  insuring  Mushrooms  quickly  it  is  of  importance  to  earth- 
up  as  soon  as  it  is  safe  after  spawning,  as  then,  with  the  slight 
covering  over  the  surface,  the  spawn  when  it  works,  ere  long 
works  upwards  as  well  as  downwards.  To  insure  this  still 
more,  we  prefer  the  soil  next  the  dung  not  to  be  over-wet,  even 
though  we  wet  the  surface  to  make  it  smooth  as  well  as  firm. 
The  smoothness  and  firmness  are  good  for  the  young  Mush- 
rooms showing,  and  the  bed  is  easily  cleaned. 

If  there  are  any  little  matters  of  importance  that  are  omitted, 
we  shall  be  glad  to  supply  them  when  reminded  of  the  de- 
ficiency. We  would  remark,  in  conclusion,  that  nothing  more 
depends  on  attention  to  trifles  than  successful  Mushroom 
culture.] 

CHECKING  EVAPORATION  FROM  THE   SOIL. 

No  doubt  various  opinions  will  be  entertained  respecting  this 
subject,  to  which  attention  was  drawn  by  Mr.  Fish  some  time 
since,  but  not  having  seen  any  further  remarks  aa  yet,  I 
simply  add  the  following,  in  the  hope  of  eliciting  a  clear 
explanation  from  more  experienced  persons. 

Most  soils  on  becoming  dry  have  a  hard  crust  formed  on  their 
surface,  varying  in  thickness  according  to  the  duration  of  the 
drought.  In  heavy,  dry  lands,  deep  cracks  are  frequently  ob- 
served, caused  by  the  particles  of  soil  adhering  more  closely  on 
parting  with  moisture.  Is  evaporation  assisted  or  arrested  by 
loosening  the  surface  of  the  soil  ?  or,  in  other  words,  will  the 
soil  become  dry  sooner  by  breaking  through  this  hard  crust  or 
not  ?  From  observations  during  the  past  dry  season,  I  am  led 
to  believe  that  the  deeper  the  loosening,  the  quicker  will  the 
soil  part  with  its  moisture.  On  a  newly-dug  border  fully  ex- 
posed to  the  sun,  a  thin  cake  of  adhesive  soil  was  placed ;  in  a 
few  hours  the  sun's  rays  had  penetrated  inches  into  the  loose 
earth  around,  while  the  under  side  of  the  turf  was  moist,  and 
the  soil  beneath  comparatively  cool.  Here  the  hard  crust  pre- 
vented both  evaporation  and  the  rays  of  heat  taking  effect.  By 
loosening  the  surface  of  the  soil  you  admit  air,  which,  becoming 
heated  by  the  sun,  rises  laden  with  the  vapour  from  below. 

Light  soil,  which  seldom  forms  a  crust,  quickly  dries  up, 
turough  affording  a  free  passage  to  air,  and,  consequently,  to 
the  ascent  of  vapour,  while  the  heavy  clay,  impervious  to  heat 
and  air,  retains  its  moisture.  Applying  this  to  practice,  when  the 
ground  becomes  dry,  and  you  cannot  water,  by  no  means  break 
through  the  surface  crust,  but  simply  fill  up  the  cracks,  and  hoe 
as  lightly  as  possible,  or,  perhaps,  hand-weeding  would  be 
better  still. — Nemo. 

[There  is  much  force  in  some  of  "Nemo's"  observations, 
and  though  in  some  parts  he  seems  to  agree  with  Mr.  Fish,  yet 
the  conclusions  at  which  he  arrives  are  quite  the  opposite  of 
Mr.  Fish's.  Mr.  Fish  says,  page  152,  "  If  we  are  right,  the  sur- 
face-stirring of  ground  to  keep  heat  out  and  moisture  in,  de- 


October  29,  1868.  ]  JOURNAL  OP  HORTICULTURE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


319 


penda  more  for  its  effect  on  the  frequency  and  the  BhallownesB 
of  the  stirring  thun  upon  its  depth."  "  Nemo's  "  oonchision 
is,  "  When  the  ground  becomcB  dry,  and  we  cannot  water,  by 
no  means  break  through  the  surface  crust,  but  simply  till  np 
the  cracks,  and  hoe  aa  lightly  us  possible,  or,  perhaps,  hand- 
weeding  would  be  better  still."  Tliia  suggestion  of  hoeing  is 
not  quite  in  harmony  with  the  previous  words,  "  by  no  means 
break  the  crust."  We  do  not  allude  to  this  little  discrepancy 
at  all  in  a  carping  spirit,  quite  the  reverse,  for,  like  "  Nemo," 
we  frequently  find  faets  that  militate  against  favourite  theories. 

We  may  bo  wrong,  but  at  present  we  believe,  that  amid  the 
drought  we  kept  our  flowers  in  beds  alive  by  a  very  frequent 
shallow-moving  of  the  surface  with  a  Dutch  hoe,  and  this  not 
so  much  to  fill  cracks,  as  to  prevent  cracks  being  formed.  Every 
snch  moving  of  the  surface  broke  the  lines  of  conduction  and 
radiation,  and  even  evaporation,  and  caused  their  work  to  begin 
anew.  The  fresh-moved  loose  surface  acted  very  much  in  the 
same  way  as  the  cake  of  soil  or  turf  placed  on  the  surface  of  the 
open  border.  The  more  adhesive  it  was,  the  sooner  it  would 
be  heated,  and  the  more  heated  it  was  the  more  would  that  heat 
raise  the  moisture  from  beneath.  It  would  be  different  as  a 
conductor  from  a  common  caked,  hard  surface,  as  there  would 
be  air  beneath  it,  unless  beaten  down  very  firmly.  If  the  turf 
was  firm,  and  covered  a  large  space,  cracking  would  soon  take 
place,  and  nothing  could  be  more  injurious  to  plants,  as  this 
season,  by  means  of  thin  laths,  we  measured  cracks  more  than 
4  feet  deep,  and  there  the  heated,  dry  air  could  circulate  at  will. 
Wherever  dry  air  can  find  its  way  freely,  it  will  dry  the  soil 
with  which  it  comes  in  contact.  Hence,  deep  stirring  in  sum- 
mer may  often  be  nnadvisable,  and  light  soils  may  stand  more 
in  need  of  compression  than  of  stirring  them  up  to  much  depth. 
.^e  fork  is  an  excellent  cultural  instrument,  but  there  are  soils 
"that  will  be  the  better  of  the  roller.  After  the  compression,  it 
will  generally  be  advisable  to  stir  the  surface. 

It  may  help  to  elucidate  the  matter,  to  bear  in  mind  that 
heat  and  cold  are  merely  relative  terms,  and  that  what  will  best 
admit  or  keep  out  the  one,  will  also  best  admit  or  keep  out  the 
other.  As  a  general  rule,  the  firmer  and  the  more  compact  a 
soil  is,  the  more  deeply  will  it  be  heated  by  the  sun's  rays,  as 
the  firmer  it  is  the  better  will  be  its  absorbing  and  conducting 
powers.  The  same  rule  holds  good  as  to  the  depth  to  which 
frost  will  go.  When  our  deeply-stirred  loose  soils  become  heated 
and  dried  in  summer,  it  is  less  owing  to  direct  absorption  and 
conduction  of  heat,  than  to  the  free  entrance  of  dry,  heated 
air. 

Again,  when  we  ridge-up  stiff  soils  in  winter,  it  is  not  to 
enable  them  to  part  with  their  heat  more  freely  by  radiation 
and  conduction,  but  that  the  keen  frosty  air  may  find  its  way 
to  every  cavity,  and  thus  act  as  the  best  and  the  cheapest  of  all 
pulverisers.  We  think  we  told  somewhere  of  the  impression 
made  on  us,  long  ago,  by  the  different  results  attending  two 
small  Potato  pits  covered  with  soil,  and  attended  to  in  every 
way  alike  as  to  quantity  of  soil,  &c.,  with  only  one  little  dif- 
ference. One  man,  and  a  most  careful  tidy  man  he  was,  beat 
the  earth  quite  firm,  leaving  a  smooth  surface.  The  other  man 
piled  the  earth  rather  firmly,  but  left  a  rough  open  surface, 
showing  nothing  of  the  polish  and  finish  given  by  his  neighbour. 
A  very  hard  frost  set  in  in  November.  The  pita  were  not 
opened  until  the  new  year.  In  the  rough-surfaced  one  the  Po- 
tatoes were  all  sound.  In  the  polished-surfaced  one,  most  of 
the  tubers  were  sweet,  and  had  to  be  placed  in  the  coldest 
water  for  some  time  before  cooking  them.  Whilst  pondering 
on  the  fact  of  the  difference,  it  was  long  before  we  could  find  a 
reason  for  that  difference. 

Whilst  agreeing,  then,  with  much  that  "Nemo"  has  stated, 
we  must  still  value  a  loose  fresh  surface  as  a  regulator  of  heat 
and  moiature.] 

PEARS  FOE  NORTH  WALL. 

Is  your  reply  to  "  H.  W.  B."  on  this  point  in  answers  to 
correspondents,  October  8th,  you  remark,  "  No  Pear  succeeds 
well  on  a  north  wall."  I  confess  I  was  staggered  when  I  read 
this  reply,  and  very  humbly  I  must  beg  to  differ  from  you. 
My  locality  is  probably  the  highest  village  in  Somensetahire, 
and  we  are  colder  than  in  many  parts  of  the  county,  yet  I 
gather  very  respectable  Pears  from  my  nortli  wall — not,  of 
course,  what  they  would  be  on  a  south  aspect,  but  still  fruit 
that  I  should  never  object  to  eat. 

When  I  came  here  first,  I  found  the  following  Pears  on  my 
north  wall : — Beurre  Diel,  Beurre  de  Eance,  Forelle  or  Trout, 
Late  Chaumontel,  Winter  Nells,  and  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey. 


Now,  with  the  exception  of  the  last-named  Pear,  none  of  these 
trees  ever  produced  a  ripe  fruit.  All,  therefore,  except  the 
last,  the  Chaumontel,  and  the  Beurrd  Diel,  I  had  cut  back  and 
grafted  with  Williams's  Seedling  (Bon  Chri-tien),  Jargonelle,  and 
Marie  Louise.  The  BeuriC  Diel  and  Clianmontel  do  only  for 
baking  and  stewing,  but  the  olher  four  Pears  are  all  tit  to  eat ; 
indeed,  this  year  they  have  been  first-rate,  and  if  "  H.  W.  B." 
must  have  Pears  on  the  north  wall,  let  him  try  these,  and  I  do 
not  think  he  will  be  disappointed. — Y.  B.  A.  Z. 

[We  were  quite  aware  that  Peara  "  fit  to  eat"  may  be  grown 
on  a  north  wall,  hut  wo  do  not  consider  that  succeeding  well. 
—Eds.] 

THE  GARDEN  AT  THE  MOTE,  NEAR 
MAIDSTONE. 

In  the  midst  of  a  park  of  more  than  ordinary  beauty  stands 
The  Mote,  the  principal  seat  of  the  Earl  of  liomney.  The 
mansion  is  one  of  tliose  Grecian  structures  of  which  so  many 
examples  were  erected  about  the  beginning  of  the  present  cen- 
tury, and  which  are  more  remurkablo  for  comfort  and  conveni- 
ence than  for  ornamentation.  The  fite  is  a  slight  elevation  in 
a  sort  of  valley  formed  by  the  river  Len,  which  flows  through 
the  park,  and  in  its  course  forms  a  large  sheet  of  ornamental 
water  in  shape  somewhat  resembling  the  letter  Y  ;  but  it  is  so 
judiciously  managed  that  the  whole  of  it  cannot  be  seen  from 
any  one  point  of  view.  Tiie  park  is  several  miles  in  circum- 
ference, and  is  well  diversified,  hill  and  dais  alternating,  with 
now  and  then  the  naked  rock  peeping  out  in  places,  while  in 
others  it  is  covered  with  the  richest  sward.  The  whole  is 
plentifully  studded  with  trees  of  great  beauty,  not  indiscrimi- 
nately scattered,  but  arranged  to  produce  the  best  effect — in 
one  place  hiding  the  boundary  where  the  object  beyond  is  o£ 
no  importance,  but  opening  out  in  other  directions  where  dis- 
tant scenery  can  be  advantageously  brought  in. 

The  great  extent  of  the  park,  and  its  many  features  of  inter- 
est, including  a  church  in  one  place,  a  monument  to  comme- 
morate a  visit  by  George  III.  in  another,  its  undulating  cha- 
racter, and  the  lake,  give  it  importance  apart  from  outward 
attractions.  And  yet  these  are  of  no  mean  order.  On  the 
north-western  side  it  is  only  separated  by  a  public  road  from 
Vinters,  also  a  highly  ornamental  park,  while  the  southern 
extremity  stretches  almost  into  tbe  town  of  Itfaidstone,  of  which 
the  churches  and  other  lofty  buildings  may  be  seen  from  many 
parts  of  the  park.  For  the  richness  of  ita  verdure  and  the 
variety  of  its  scenery  this  park  is  exceeded  by  few. 

The  mansion  is  likewise  sufficiently  removed  from  the  seats 
of  industry  and  highways,  so  that  one  strolling  amongst  the 
groves  at  The  Mote  might  easily  imagine  himself  many  miles 
from  any  town.  There  are  no  smoke-stained  boughs  nor  dirty 
foliage  to  remind  him  that  other  habitations  are  near.  On  the 
contrary,  everything  seems  to  assume  that  healthy  vigorous 
condition  which  is  characteristic  of  a  pure  atmosphere  and  an 
excellent  soil.  That  The  Mote  is  thus  favoured  will  be  manifest 
by  the  following  description  of  some  of  the  subjects  in  the 
garden,  as  well  as  by  the  fine  specimens  of  trees  in  the  park, 
such  as  Cedars,  Y'ews,  and  Tliorns,  together  with  plenty  of 
indigenous  trees  of  all  kinds  and  recent  introductions  from 
abroad.  The  last-named  are  not  too  profusely  interspersed,  as 
it  is  queationable  whether  they  will  ever  attain  the  beauty  of 
form  and  large  proportions  which  our  native  trees  present. 
Attention  has  likewise  been  directed  towards  providing  for  the 
requirements  of  a  future  day,  young  trees  being  planted  in 
suitable  positions,  and  the  whole  attended  to  in  that  careful 
manner  which  is  the  beat  guarantee  of  success. 

I  have  already  stated  that  the  mansion  occupies  a  slightly 
elevated  site  abont  the  centre  of  the  park.  The  view  to  the 
south-west,  down  the  valley  of  the  Len  and  over  the  town  of 
Maidstone,  extends  for  several  miles,  not  the  least  effective 
part  being  the  park  itself,  with  its  broad  expanse  of  water  occu- 
pying the  lowest  ground,  and  the  eminences  mostly  crowned 
with  groups  of  trees  in  the  healthiest  possible  condition.  A 
large  mass  of  trees,  many  of  them  of  very  large  size,  forms  a 
background  to  the  mansion,  eueloeing,  as  is  often  the  case,  the 
offices  and  bade  approaches,  but  in  this  instance  also  encom- 
passing the  kitchen  garden  and  dressed  grounds.  The  latter 
contain  many  beautiful  green  walks,  bordered  with  shrubs,  and 
overhung  by  magnificent  Oaks  and  other  trees.  A  large  piece 
of  woodland  is  also  rendered  very  picturesque  and  interesting 
by  this  mode  of  intersecting  it  in  various  directions  by  beautiful 
green  glades  ;  and  the  visitor  eveiy  now  and  then  comes  upon 


320 


JODBNAIi  OP  HOBTIOULTOBE  AND  COTTAQB  GABDBNBB. 


[  October  29,  IB68. 


some  open  spot,  where  an  Arauoaria  or  other  choice  tree  stands 
out  above  the  well-hhaven  turf,  and  in  other  cases  the  opening 
points  to  some  important  object.  Near  the  mansion  a  large 
open  space  had  been  devoted  to  flower  beds,  but  at  the  time  of 
my  visit  some  further  additions  had  been  commenced.  It  is, 
however,  more  especially  to  the  kitchen  garden  that  I  would 
direct  attention. 

At  an  easy  distance  from  the  mansion,  on  the  north-east 
side,  is  situated  the  kitchen  garden,  almost  entirely  surrounded 
by  trees  and  shrubs,  yet  none  of  them  sufHciently  near  to  prove 
injurious  by  their  shade.  The  space  enclosed  by  high  walls  is 
about  four  acres,  and  there  is  a  large  plot  adjoining  the  eastern 
wall  of  neatly  the  same  size,  with  slips  and  other  surroundings. 
The  site  of  this  garden,  like  that  of  the  mansion,  is  a  table 
land  between  two  valleys,  wliich  unite  at  the  ornamental  water 
in  the  park  ;  and  this  elevation  ensures  dryness,  and  no  doubt 
to  a  considerable  extent  immunity  from  spring  frosts,  to  the 
destructive  influences  of  which  the  garden  would  be  exposed  if 
on  a  lower  level. 

Good  walls  12  feet  high,  and  in  some  places  even  of  greater 
height,  surround  the  principal  garden,  which  I  ought  also  to 
observe  is  nearly  level,  slightly  inclining  to  the  south-west 
perhaps.  In  shape  it  is  not  square,  having,  in  fact,  several 
corners,  which  afford  many  aspects  for  wall  trees.  The  soil 
has  long  been  the  envy  of  neighbouring  gardeners,  being  one 
of  the  very  best  of  those  resting  on  the  limestone  formation, 
for  Kentish  rag  crops  out  in  various  places  in  the  park  and 
woods.  I  believe  a  considerable  portion  of  the  kitchen  gar- 
den was  once  a  quarry,  aud  it  is  the  debris  from  this,  over- 
laid by  an  unusual  depth  of  soil,  that  gives  so  much  fertility  to 
this  garden.  There  are  but  fow  crops  which  do  not  thrive  in 
it.  Most  fruit  trees  succeed  remarkably  well,  aud  the  same 
may  he  said  of  vegetables  of  all  kinds. 

Most  of  the  walls  which  present  a  south,  east,  or  west  aspect 
are  devoted  to  the  culture  of  Peaches,  Nectarines,  and  Apri- 
cots. Against  tlie  north  wall  were  some  magnificent  Morello 
Cherries  in  cooditioa  for  the  dessert,  for  which,  when  well 
ripened,  they  answer  very  well,  losing  all  the  sharpness  they 
possess  when  first  ripened.  These  walls  were  covered  with  a 
tine  description  of  hexagon  netting  to  keep  flies  and  wasps  at  a 
distance.  Some  choice  Plums,  such  as  the  Washington,  Jef- 
ferson, Coe's  Golden  Drop,  and  other  varieties  occupied  a 
portion  of  an  eastern  wall,  and  where  the  crop  had  not  been 
gathered  the  trees  were  loaded  with  fine  fruit. 

It  is,  however,  more  particularly  to  the  Peach  trees  that  I 
would  call  the  attention  of  the  cultivator,  for  they  were  all  that 
could  be  desired  by  the  admirer  of  that  fruit,  and  were  growing 
under  circumstances  in  which  of  late  years  it  has  been  asserted 
it  is  impossible  to  produce  good  Peaches ;  yet  the  result  has 
been  so  successful  that  the  champions  of  glass  walls  or  glass 
houses  must  admit  that  their  theory  of  the  deterioration  of  our 
climate  is  oj:  en  to  considerable  doubt,  and  that  the  old-fashioned 
method  of  growing  Peaches  will  still  maintain  its  reputation, 
despite  the  mass  of  new  contrivances  adapted  for  the  same 
end  at  a  cost  at  least  tenfold  that  of  the  old  system.  The 
length  of  time  during  which  Peaches  have  been  so  grown  here, 
and  on  the  same  trees  too,  must  convince  the  most  strenuous 
advocate  of  glass  that  fine  fruit  can  be  produced  without  its 
aid  ;  for  although  the  Peaches  were  not  so  large  at  the  time  I 
saw  them,  the  latt  week  in  August,  as  they  had  often  been  in 
former  years,  the  healthy  condition  of  the  trees,  and  the  abun- 
dant crops  they  were  loaded  with,  showed  that  there  was  nothing 
wanting,  except  additional  moisture  in  the  ground  and  atmo- 
sphere, to  have  made  them  all  they  were  in  previous  years. 
The  wall  was  in  all  cases  well  covered,  and  the  trees  fruitful  to 
the  bottom  ;  and  although  many  of  them  were  evidently  very 
old,  yet  in  most  cases  their  trunks  or  collars  did  not  show  those 
symptoms  of  decay  we  so  often  meet  with  in  aged  trees. 

Some  of  the  trees  occupied  a  length  of  upwards  of  30  feet  of 
the  wall,  which  is  12  feet  high,  and  one  of  them,  a  fiue  speci- 
men of  Boyal  Eensington  [Grosse  Mignonue],  covered  a  space 
quite  40  feet  by  12,  and  had  in  several  years  brought  to  perfec- 
tion upwards  of  sixty  dozen  Peaches,  more  than  seven  hundred 
in  8  year.  A  fiue  specimen  of  Moutaul>an  was  somewhat  less, 
but  also  good,  while  Eoynl  George,  Noblesse,  and  Late  Ad- 
mirable were  equally  well  represented,  and  had  been  bearing 
well  for  an  average  hfetime,  for  Mr.  Luckhurst,  the  intelligent 
and  energetic  gardener,  had  managed  them  for  more  than 
thirty  years,  and  some  of  them — the  large  tree  of  Royal  Ken- 
sington for  one — were  not  young  at  the  commencement  of  that 
period.  I  understand  that  the  tree  just  referred  to  is  in  a 
much  better  condition  now  than  it  was  thirty  years  ago,  and 


judging  from  its  appearance,  it  may,  if  no  accident  occur,  last 
as  long  again,  if  proper  care  be  taken,  and  the  other  conditions 
to  its  success  be  still  afforded.  As  most  of  the  trees  against 
these  walls  were  old,  and  the  whole  in  good  condition,  the 
question  naturally  arises.  How  does  it  happen  that  we  often 
meet  elsewhere  with  Peach  trees  that  seldom  reach  the  age  of 
ten  years  before  they  have  to  be  replaced,  having  either  fallen 
into  a  hopeless  state  of  decrepitude  or  died  ?  So  very  common 
is  this,  that  many  are  of  opinion  that  the  seasons,  which  fifty 
years  ago  were  favourable  to  the  growth  of  the  Peach  out  of 
doors,  are  no  longer  so,  but  that  glass  in  some  form  is  neces- 
sary. The  trees  here  are  a  contradiction  to  that  theory,  so 
that  we  must  look  for  another  explanation  of  the  fact. 

The  good  quality  of  the  soil  at  The  Mote  is  doubtless  one  of 
the  causes  of  the  Peach  doing  so  well  at  that  place,  but  there 
are  others,  perhaps,  still  more  important.  The  trees  seem  to 
be  well  managed  and  cared  for  :  during  the  past  dry  summer 
when  so  many  trees  presented  a  foliage  much  of  the  hue  of 
Golden-leaved  Pelargoniums,  the  leaves  of  those  at  The  Mote 
were  mostly  green  ;  the  syringe  or  engine  had  been  timely  at 
work  to  keep  red  spider  down,  and  had  accomplished  its  object ; 
protection  to  the  blossom  in  spring  had  also  been  afforded  by 
means  of  broad  projecting  boards  attached  to  the  wall  coping. 
These  boards  are  18  inches  wide,  and  if  the  trees  had  not  looked 
so  well  under  them,  I  should  have  thought  that  keeping  the 
boards  on  all  the  summer  would  have  done  harm  by  preventing 
dews  and  the  midday  sun  reaching  the  upper  part  of  the  wall, 
but  as  the  trees  and  their  crop  were  so  good,  this  opinion  must 
give  way  before  the  facts.  The  boards  form  an  excellent  ledge 
from  which  to  hang  the  hexagon  netting,  and  with  this  at  the 
time  cf  my  visit  the  whole  wall  was  covered  to  exclude  flies, 
wasps,  &c.  There  was  a  narrow  path  near  the  base  of  the 
wall  as  usual,  but  the  border  seemed  to  have  been  fully  cropped 
with  various  early  vegetables,  so  that  the  trees  had  not  the 
whole  of  the  border  to  themselves  ;  their  success  must  there- 
fore be  attributed  to  the  natural  good  quality  of  the  soil  and 
the  care  bestowed  on  them.  Mr.  Luckhurst  has  repeatedly 
explained  his  mode  of  treatment  at  the  monthly  meetings  of 
gardeners  held  for  mutual  improvement  at  Maidstone.  Its 
principal  features  are  careful  attention  to  the  first  appearance  of 
insects,  destroying  them  at  once,  adopting  precautionary  mea- 
sures to  prevent  their  attacks,  and  other  attentions  to  the 
wants  of  ihe  trees,  especially  to  little  matters  that  are  often 
neglected,  but  which,  if  not  looked  after,  often  lead  to  the  worst 
consequences. 

When  I  described  the  soil  as  being  well  adapted  for  most  trees, 
I  ought  also  to  have  stated  that  the  subsoil  ia  the  same ;  in 
fact,  in  the  growth  of  trees  of  most  kinds,  I  always  think  the 
subsoil  is  of  more  importance  than  the  surface  soil ;  but  the 
latter  is  said  to  be  so  good  that  there  is  very  little  difference 
perceived  at  the  depth  of  3  feet,  and  for  many  feet  below  that 
the  porous  character  of  the  understratum  is  favourable  to  the 
roots,  being  plentifully  interspersed  with  stones,  the  value  of 
which  is  too  often  underrated  even  when  at  the  surface.  In 
large  portions  of  this  garden  I  am  told  that  the  understratum 
had  been  broken  up  when  the  ground  was  worked  as  a  quarry, 
hence  the  more  free  action  of  the  roots ;  besides  which,  the 
absence  of  stagnant  water  and  other  impurities,  renders  it  safe 
for  the  roots  of  trees  to  descend  any  reasonable  depth  without 
continuing  growth  so  late  in  the  autumn  as  to  endanger  the 
ripening  of  the  wood.  I  imagine  if  we  could  trace  the  rootlets 
of  many  of  the  fine  trees  of  the  Peach  and  other  fruits,  we 
should  find  them  interlacing  the  stone  shatter. 

The  Moorpark  Apricot  here  is  liable  to  the  same  evil  which 
befalls  it  at  other  places,  for  large  limbs  die  off,  but  certainly 
not  to  the  extent  I  have  seen  elsewhere,  but  the  trees  in  general 
fruit  well,  and  so  do  the  finer  kinds  of  Plums,  while  Morello 
Cherries  are  grown  almost  by  the  bushel  against  a  north  wall, 
and,  when  covered  with  hexagon  netting,  will  hang  a  long  time. 
The  only  tree  I  noticed  as  being  short  of  a  crop,  was  a  fine 
specimen  of  GansePs  Bergamot  Pear,  covering  every  inch  of  a 
piece  of  wall  00  feet  long  by  12  high.  This  tree  had  but  a 
thin  crop  upon  it,  while  adjoining  it  BeurrS  d'Aremberg  and 
Duchesse  d'Angoulcme  were  bearing  heavily,  thus  showing  that 
Gansel's  cannot  always  be  depended  upon  for  a  crop. 

Some  choice  kinds  of  Apples  and  Pears  were  grown  on  espa- 
liers near  the  garden  walks,  the  border  between  the  trees  and 
the  walk  being  cropped  with  Strawberries,  and  to  keep  the  fruit 
of  the  latter  clean  the  ground  was  covered  with  pebbles  or 
broken  stones,  about  the  usual  size  of  road  metal.  Mr.  Luck- 
hurst has  a  high  opinion  of  The  Lady  and  Marguerite  Straw- 
berries.   The  collection  of  Apples  contains  most  of  the  leading 


October  29. 1888.  ) 


JOURNAL   OF   HOKTICULTUKB  AND   COTTAGE  QABDENBB. 


32t 


varieties.  In  an  adjoining  orohard  were  standard  trees  pro- 
ducing ten,  twenty,  or  more  bushels  each  ;  but  higli  winds  had 
done  much  dftmage,  by  blowing  down  large  (juanlities  of  tlie 
best  fruit.  In  taking  a  hasty  glance  at  this  orchard,  a  line 
healthy  Ilibston  I'ippin  Apple  tree,  of  large  size,  was  pointed 
out  to  me.  I  was  much  surprised  at  this,  for  it  is  rarely  that 
we  meet  with  this  popular  variety  in  Rood  condition,  the  trees 
being  usually  in  a  more  or  less  diseased  state,  with  dead  boughs 
and  spotted  fruit,  but  ut  this  place  it  had  all  the  freshness  of 
other  kinds. 

Notwithstanding  the  extremely  dry  weather,  there  were  some 
very  good  vegetables.  Most  of  the  Potatoes  had  been  taken  up 
and  stored,  and  I  was  told  the  crop  had  been  good  for  the 
season,  and  as  the  planting  had  been  early,  they  were  less 
affected  by  the  dry  weather  than  those  planted  later.  A  small 
French  Cabbage  wa?  pointed  out  as  being  much  esteemed  at 
table  ;  it  had  also  the  good  quality  of  not  being  liable  to  run  to 
seed,  and  might  be  planted  very  close  together.  On  one  of  the 
wall  borders  I  noticed  a  row  of  Tomatoes  treated  exactly  like 
Peas,  being  trained  to  stakes,  and  bearing  and  ripening  their 
fruit  well.  A  small  Cabbage  Lettuce,  of  continental  origin,  was 
also  said  to  possess  the  properly  of  not  running  too  early  to 
seed  in  dry,  hot  weather,  as  60  many  of  our  Lettuces  did  last 
.Tuly. 

It  is  seldom  that  one  enters  a  garden  where  there  is  such  an 
abundance,  variety,  and  excellence  of  produce,  as  at  The  Mote, 
and  the  greatest  credit  is  due  to  Mr.  Luckhurst  and  his  sons, 
one  of  whom.  I  believe,  is  now  associated  with  him  in  its  ma- 
nagement. I  have  no  doubt  that  the  fine  Peach  trees  will  be 
equally  well  cared  for  in  future,  and  will  remain  for  many 
years  a  living  proof  that  the  climate  of  this  country  has  not 
deteriorated  in  all  places  so  as  to  prevent  this  tree  from  thriv- 
ing, and  its  frnit  ripening,  in  the  open  air. — J.  Bobson. 


SUBTROPICAL  PLANTS  AT  BATTERSEA  PARK. 

TiTB  following  are  the  heights  attained  this  year  by  a  few  of 
the  plants  employed  in  the  subtropical  department,  Batteraea 
Park  :  — 


Ferdin-mda  eminens 12  feet 

Wigandia  caracasana    8  feet 

Polyinnia  grandis  ,. 6  feet 

Canua  peruviana 11  fett 

ij.  Aniiffii   12  feet 


Canna'maxiraa    fl  feet 

C.  Van  Kouttei    9  f sat 

.Solaunm  laciniatuni 8  feet 

Hicinus,  several  varieties.  .18  feet 
Musa  enseto 15  feet 


The  stem  of  one  plant  of  Musa  cnsete  measured  1  feet  5  inches 
in  ciicomference  at  the  ground,  and  2|  feet  at  3  feet  higher  up. 


REPORT  ON  THE   BRISBANE  BOTANIC 
GABDENS. 

Mk.  Walter  Hii.l,  Colonial  Botanist  and  Director  of  the 
Ijrisbane  Boianic  Garden,  Queen.sland,  has  made  his  annual 
report,  dated  March  '2Stb,  18(J8.     The  following  is  an  extract  ;— 

"  In  the. experimental  deparlmeut  of  the  gronnds,  I  would  first  refer 
to  the  cortical  fibrous  class  of  plauts.  Among  the  most  important  of 
these  is  the  Urtioa  nivea,  or  China  Grass  Cloth  plant,  which  has  in 
point  of  cultivation,  been  attended  with  far  more  success  than  was  ex- 
pected. The  situation  selected  for  the  purpose  was  anything  but  the 
best ;  and  tor  the  purpose  of  testing  its  adaptability  to  a  Queensland 
climate,  no  attention  was  paid  to  it  beyond  its  original  planting. 
Notwithstanding  this,  the  tenacity  and  rapidity  of  its  Rrowth  has  been 
surprising,  and  the  only  thing  left  to  deplore  is  the  lack  of  mechanical 
appUances  in  the  colony  which  would  prepare  the  fibre  as  an  article  of 
commercial  value.  In  connection  with  this  snliject,  I  would  acknow- 
ledge the  receipt  of  a  report  on  '  The  Cultivation  and  Preparation  of 
the  China  Grass  Plant,'  which  was  accompanied  by  a  circular  emanat- 
ing from  the  Home  Secretary  tor  the  Colonies,  and  which  was  kindly 
forwarded  to  nie  by  His  Excellency  the  Acting  Governor,  '  for  my  in- 
formation.' My  experiments,  however,  with  the  plant,  satisfy  me' that 
the  Queensland  climate  is  far  better  adapted  for  it  than  that  of  China, 
to  which  it  is  indigenous ;  for  while  iu  that  counti7  the  plant  has  to 
be  constantly  watched  and  tended,  watered,  weeded,  and  protected 
from  the  cold.  &c..  here,  as  I  have  already  shown,  after  planting  the 
roots  about  the  month  of  November,  no  further  consideration  is  re- 
quisite to  develope  its  perfect  maturity.  The  other  fibrous  plants, 
which  demand  a  passing  notice  in  this  report,  are  the  Jute  (Corchoms 
capsnlaris),  and  the  Sun  Hemp  (Crotalariajnncea).  These  plants,  also, 
are  valaablo  in  a  commercial  point  of  view,  thrive  luxuriantly,  and 
mature  most  rapidly,  and,  like  the  Grass  plant,  require  little  care  or 
attention.  The  cultivation  of  the  Indigo  plant  (Indigofera  tinctoria), 
has  proved  thoroughly  satisfactory.  A  sample  has  been  submitted  for 
manufacture,  and  the  result  proves  that  this  valuable  article  of  mer- 
chandise will  yield,  both  in  quality  and  quantity,  as  well  in  Queens- 
land as  in  the  East  Indies.    If  attention  be  paid  to  the  proper  season 


for  sowing  it,  like  the  fibroas  plants,  it  requires  but  little  earo,  and, 
like  them,  arrives  rapidly  at  maturity.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  ore 
long  the  cultivation  of  Indigo  will  engage  the  attention  of  Queensland 
at^rieulturists,  as  thu  never-failing  market  which  it  commands,  and  tho 
standard  value  whioh  it  maintains,  will,  with  tho  other  recommeuda- 
tiom*  suggested,  doubtless  rcuder  it  an  important  article  of  Queensland 
industry  and  wealth.  A  sample  of  the  China  'i'o.i  (Thea  Bohea),  has 
also  been  manufactured  from  plants  grown  in  tho  gardens.  Although 
it  has  not  had  time  to  season  {three  months,  at  least,  being  deemed 
necessary  for  this  pm*pose),  it  has  been  pronounced  a  very  fair  article 
by  judges  who  have  tried  a  decoction  of  it,  and  that  not  many  days 
after  its  manufacture.  It  thrives  best  on  undulating  lands,  and  if  tho 
situation  selected  be  propitious,  any  further  consideration  for  its 
development  may  be  regarded  as  secondary.  As  far  as  my  knowledge 
of  the  plant  extends,  an  experience  of  eleven  years  in  this  colony, 
justifies  me  iu  pronouncing  it  as  iu  every  way  adapted  to  the  climate 
of  (Queensland.  Samples  of  the  berry  from  the  Coffee  plant  (Coffea 
arabica),  grown  ui  the  gardens,  have  been  submitted  to  manufacture 
with  most  satisfactory  results.  The  plant  has  proved  itself  to  be  easy 
of  cnltivation,  and  its  treatment,  iu  comparison  with  the  Tea  plant, 
only  differs  inasmuch  as  it  requires  a  greater  degree  of  shelter  from 
the  westerly  winds.  It  may  be  ranked  as  one  of  Queensland's  import- 
ant and  successful  prodncts. 

*'  In  my  last  report  I  had  occasion  to  refer  to  three  distinct  species 
of  the  Cinchona  plant,  imported  from  .lava,  which  I  planted  in  a 
favourable  situation.  One  species  (Cinchona  calisaya).  is  now  flower- 
ing, which  I  interpret  as  farther  evidence  that  the  climate  and  soil  of 
Queensland  are  well  adapted  for  its  successful  cultivation. 

"  The  eight  varieties  of  Sugar  Cane,  imported  from  Java  at  the  same 
time  as  the  Cinchonas,  are  thriving  well,  and  in  tho  rapidity  of  their 
growth  seem  to  outvie  nine  other  varieties,  which  have  been  imported 
from  other  countries,  and  which  have  been  under  cultivation  in  the 
gardens  for  some  years  past.  I  am  unable  to  state  confidently  any- 
thing further  in  praise  of  tho  .Tava  canes  until  such  time  as  the 
usual  mannfactnring  process  shall  determine  the  pcr-centage  of  their 
yield  of  saccharine  matter. 

'Among  other  plants  introduced  from  Java  last  year,  I  may  refer 
to  the  Vanilla  (\'auilla  aromatica),  the  Bitter  Wood  (Quassia  amara), 
the  Chocolate  or  Cocoa  (Theobroma  cacao),  the  Gam  Elastic  or  Caout- 
chouc (Siphonia  elastica),  six  varieties  of  Mangoes,  and  six  varieties  of 
the  Plantain,  all  of  which  arc  giving  indications  of  successful  acclima- 
tisation. The  latter  are  now  in  fruit,  and  if  generally  distributed  in 
the  colony  will  become  popular  as  an  article  of  food.  Although  I 
have  been  enabled  to  speak  in  tlattering  terras  of  the  many  different 
productions,  there  are  still  specimens  of  others  in  the  gardens  which, 
I  have  reason  to  believe,  would  flourish  far  better  in  lower  latitudes — 
viz.,  the  Maugostan  (Garcinia  luaugostana),  the  Clove  fCaryophyllus 
aromaticusj,  the  Nutmeg  (Myristica  moschata),  and  the  Bread  Frnit 
(-■Vrtocarjtus  incisa). 

"  The  following  is  an  enumeration  of  such  trees  and  shrubs  as  have 
flowered  and  fruited  for  the  first  time  in  the  gardens — viz.,  Cocos 
plumosa,  Areca  lutescens,  Tectona  grandis,  DiUeiiia  speciosa,  Brownea 
coccinea,  Cinchona  calisaya,  Siphonia  elastica,  Quercus  spicata.  Gar- 
denia Stanleyana^  Gardenia  Bothmaunia,  Ithododendron  jasmini- 
tlorum.  &c.''    ''V.v  /-.^i-lv 


GOLD  AND  BRONZE  PELARGONIUMS 

"  W.  B.  G."  (page  2i2),  is  perfectly  correct,  that  Mrs.  Mil- 
ford,  ite.,  were  in  tho  market  long  before  Beauty  of  Oalton, 
hut  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  former  has  but  a  very 
faint  zone  compared  to  the  latter,  and,  correctly  speaking, 
neither  is  now  worth  growing  ;  for  the  improvement  in  this 
class  of  Pelargonium  has  been  very  rapid  iu  the  last  two 
years,  and  it  is  difEcult  to  say  which  is  the  best,  as  so  mucli 
depends  on  the  way  they  are  grown.  However,  enough  has 
been  seen  of  all  the  varieties  sent  out  up  to  May,  1868,  to 
justify  saying  which  has  been  the  most  efiective  throughout 
the  late  extremely  hot  and  dry  weather.  "  W.  B.  G."  appears 
to  have  taken  all  his  experience  from  Battersea  Park,  and  from 
some  cause,  probably  from  over-watering  when  the  sun  was 
upon  them,  they  have  there  looked  worse  as  regards  colour 
and  definement  of  their  zones  than  any  I  have  seen  this  year. 
Had  "W.  B.  G."  seen  them  at  Chiswick,  planted  in  some 
round  beds,  where  one  could  examine  them  minutely,  and  draw 
back  as  far  as  one  liked  to  see  the  effect  at  a  distance,  he  would 
have  been  of  a  very  different  opinion. 

As  regards  Beauty  of  Calderdale  being  better  adapted  for 
pots,  a  connoisseur  friend  of  mine  described  it  to  be  the  most 
effective  of  the  whole,  and  so  far  as  regards  the  bright,  bronze 
zone,  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  it,  and  the  habit  is  all  that 
could  be  wished  for  in  a  bedder.  Model  is  of  dwarfer  growth, 
and  better  fitted  for  outer  lines.  It  is  perfectly  distinct,  and  I 
much  question  if  there  is  another  Bicolor,  Sibjl  and  Criterion 
excepted,  with  a  more  regular  and  better  defined  zone  than 
Model ;  and  there  was  not  much  deficiency  of  yellow,  although 
it  wa^,  perhaps,  not  quite  so  intense  as  in  some  of  this  year's 


322 


JOURNAL  OF  HOKTICtTLTDEE   AND  COTTAGE  GAKDENEB. 


[  October  29,  1888. 


kinds.  I  have  had  Beauty  of  Ribblesdale  and  the  two  above 
mentioned  almoet  green  tbronghcnt  last  antumn  and  spring, 
and  I  had  fully  made  up  my  mind  that  they  had  degenerated 
since  I  saw  them  in  such  fine  condition  in  May,  1867,  at  South 
Kensington,  but  this  was  caused  by  the  want  of  knowledge,  and 
not  having  a  proper  mode  of  growing  them. 

"W.  B.  G."  would  almost  lead  one  to  suppose  that  Egyptian 
Qneen  is  a  very  effective  iirst-class  variety  as  compared  to 
others  ;  but  I  think  nearly  all  growers  who  have  had  this  new 
variety  during  the  present  season  are  unanimous  in  their  de- 
cision that  it  is  not  so  good  as  others  sent  out  this  year.  It 
certainly  falls  very  short  in  regard  to  the  following  qualities— 
namely,  substance  of  leaf,  brightness  of  colour  in  both  yellow 
and  bronze,  and  it  is  rather  more  delicate,  and  of  more  mode- 
rate growth,  than  many  varieties  of  its  section.  It  is  perfectly 
true  that  the  Committee  gave  their  highest  award  to  Kentish 
Hero,  and  it  was,  no  doubt,  the  most  effective  at  the  time  of 
examination  ;  but  had  they  deferred  their  visit  another  fort- 
night or  three  weeks,  I  feel  convinced  that  other  kinds  would 
have  gained  this  honour. 

Kentish  Hero  is  a  strong  and  rather  coarse  variety  ;  its  leaves 
are  far  from  being  of  a  good  shape,  curved,  and  very  much 
vandjked.  It  is  a  good  improvement  on  Perilla,  and  for  large 
beds,  one  of  the  best.  For  ordinary  bedding  purposes  I  think 
there  are  several  varieties  that  will  prove  far  more  useful  and 
effective  than  Kentish  Hero,  particularly  in  ordinary  seasons. 
•^H.  Caknell,  Woolwich. 


INSIDE   VINE   BORDERS. 

Some  time  in  the  autumn  of  1807  a  controversy  took  place 
in  your  columns  respecting  this  subject,  and  I  think  your  corre- 
spondents were  referred  to  the  vinery  of  T.  N.  Miller,  Esq.,  of 
Bishop's  Stortford,  Herts. 

This  vinery,  200  feet  long  and  30  feet  wide,  has  only  inside 
horders,  the  roots  of  the  Tines  being  confined  to  them  by 
trick  walls  with  deep  foundations.  The  borders,  or  rather 
horder,  for  there  is  but  one  occupying  the  whole  width  of  the 
house,  has,  I  believe,  an  annual  surface-dressing.  The  Vines 
Lave  been  planted  six  years,  and  are  at  this  time  in  the  finest 
possible  health  and  vigour,  loaded  with  fine  bunches.  This 
method  of  forming  a  Tine  border  seems  to  me  very  simple, 
doing  away  with  the  necessity  of  covering  to  keep  off  the 
heavy  rains  of  autumn  and  winter,  which  outside  borders  re- 
quire ;  besides  which,  the  inside  border  partakes,  to  a  certain 
extent,  of  the  temperature  of  the  house,  instead  of  being 
chilled  by  the  cold  rains  and  frosts  of  winter,  and  thus  roots 
and  branches  are  in  harmony. 

An  amateur,  unknown  to  the  annals  of  horticultural  fame, 
has  thus  given  a  lesson  to  Grape-growers.  I  scarcely  need  add 
that  Mr.  Miller  allows  Mr.  Ward,  his  gardener,  to  show  his 
Tinery  to  all  persons  interested  in  Grape-growing. — Vitis. 


EFFECTS  OF    THIS  YEAR'S  SUMMER  IN   OUR 
GARDENS. 

Eighteen  HuNDiiED  axd  Sixty-eight  will  be  held  in  remem- 
Iirance  by  many  of  the  present  generation,  for  the  long-con- 
tinued drought,  and,  at  times,  the  almost  unbearable  heat.  The 
want  of  water  in  many  places  has  been  most  keenly  felt,  and  in 
none  more  so  than  our  own.  For  months  we  had  none  but 
that  which  had  to  be  brought  from  a  distance.  Still  we  have 
cause  for  thankfulness  ;  trying  as  the  season  has  been,  we  have 
had  a  very  good  supply  of  most  garden  crops.  This  I  attribute 
to  deep  cultivation. 

The  spring  being  early  we  had  a  good  supply  of  Asparagus  in 
April  from  the  open  ground  ;  we  lifted  Potatoes,  and  gathered 
Peas  on  the  2Cth  of  May  ;  from  autumn-sown  Cauliflowers  we 
hegan  to  cut  in  the  beginning  of  June,  and  we  have  had  a  re- 
gular supply  up  to  the  present  time,  and  hope  to  continue  it  till 
the  winter  ]3rocco!is  come  in. 

Considering  the  dryness  of  the  season,  and  the  little  water 
■we  had  at  command,  vegetables  have  done  very  well  indeed. 
Onions  and  Carrots  are  rather  small.  Beet  has  done  un- 
commonly well  this  season;  Carter's  St.  Osyth  has  proved  the 
hest,  it  is  a  good  crimson  Beet.  Parsnips  are  really  good. 
Turnips  have  suffered  much  from  mildew.  Tomatoes  against 
the  walls  have  been  remarkably  fine,  and  the  crop  abundant. 
Early  and  late  Broad  Beans  have  been  very  fine.  Beck's  Dwarf 
Gem  is  a  useful  kind  for  early  work.  Scarlet  Runners  and 
Dvrarf  Kidney  Beans  have  been  very  fine,   and  in  a  great 


measure  free  from  their  worst  foe,  the  red  spider.  The  Early 
Six  Weeks  is  a  good  kind  for  early  out-door  crops. 

The  Potato  crop  has  been  moat  abundant,  and  of  the  very 
best  quality.  We  have  had  very  little  supertuberating  in  our 
garden.  The  varieties  we  grow  are  Myatt's  Prolific,  Haigh's  or 
Lapstone  Kidney,  and  the  Fluke.  We  have  tried  the  French 
Kidney  and  other  kinds  for  three  years,  but  with  us  they  do 
not  answer,  therefore  we  have  discarded  them. 

Celery  is  with  us  a  partial  failure,  partly,  I  think,  owing  to 
the  dry  season.  At  the  present  time  it  has  the  appearance  of 
being  scorched ;  many  of  the  leaves  appear  to  have  large 
blotches  on  them,  but  from  what  cause  I  am  unable  to  say. 

We  have  had  to  keep  a  vigilant  watch  for  caterpillars,  which 
have  been  unusually  abundant  this  season  ;  now  that  the  frosts 
and  autumn  rains  have  set  in  they  have  in  a  great  measure 
disappeared. 

Cucumbers  and  Melons  have  done  well  this  season.  Ridge 
Cucumbers  and  Tegetahle  Marrows  have  been  very  abundant. 

Fruit  generally  has  been  abundant,  though  with  us  the 
Strawberry  crop  proved  a  partial  failure.  Currants  of  all  sorts 
were  very  plentiful  and  fine.  Raspberries  were  abundant  and 
remarkably  fine.  Of  Gooseberries  there  was  a  heavy  crop,  but 
the  bushes  were  severely  attacked  by  caterpillars,  which  were 
picked  o2  and  destroyed  ;  I  find  this  the  best  remedy.  Wall 
fruit  has  been  very  good.  Apricots,  especially,  were  early  and 
of  first-rate  quality.  Peaches  and  Nectarines  were  not  quite 
so  good.  Owing  to  their  not  having  the  requisite  supply  of 
water  they  were  in  some  instances  rather  small  and  not  of 
first-rate  flavour,  this  being  in  some  measure  also  attributable 
to  the  red  spider  having  become  rather  numerous.  This  insect 
has  been  remarkably  prevalent  during  the  present  year  in  many 
places. 

Figs  have  come  to  great  perfection  this  season.  Plum  trees 
have  produced  a  very  fair  crop  of  good  quality,  and  the  fruit 
has  kept  well  considering  the  multitude  of  wasps  and  flies  we 
have  had.  At  the  present  time  some  of  the  later  varieties  are 
hanging  on  the  trees  without  any  protection.  These  may  be 
kept  for  some  time  by  taking  them  with  their  stalks  carefully 
from  the  tree,  tying  them  to  a  string,  and  hanging  them  in  a 
cool,  dry  room.  Coe's  Golden  Drop  treated  in  this  way,  when 
half  dry,  is  really  first-rate.  IckwortU  Imperatrice  when  thus 
treated  answers  well  for  tarts,  and  other  late  kinds  are  desirable 
as  long  as  they  can  be  kept.  We  had  a  splendid  crop  of  Rivera's 
Early  Favourite,  and  Early  Prolific  ripe  here  in  the  end  of 
July.  They  are  really  first-rate  early  kinds ;  so,  too,  is  Pre- 
ooce  de  Tours. 

Cherries  have  been  abundant  and  good ;  hut  from  want  of 
protection  the  birds  had  the  lion's  share.  The  Morello  and 
Coe's  Late  Carnation  are  still  in  good  condition  under  the  nets, 
and  are  doing  good  service  along  with  Red  Currants  that  have 
been  covered  up. 

Pears  on  the  walls  have  been  fine  this  season.  We  have 
now  in  fine  condition  for  the  dessert  Flemish  Beauty,  Seckle, 
and  Marie  Louise.  In  the  orchard  Pears  have  also  been  good. 
Apples  have  been  most  abundant ;  they  ripened  early,  and  are 
of  good  quality.  Those  which  have  been  stored  are  keeping 
well  at  present. 

The  autumn  showers  have  been  a  boon  to  us.  The  trees, 
having  ripened  their  fruit  and  wood,  are  beginning  to  shed 
their  leaves  in  abundance ;  the  rain,  frost,  and  winds  bring 
them  down  rapidly.  Root-pruning,  planting,  and  any  altera- 
tions that  may  be  in  contemplation  ehould  now  be  pushed  for- 
ward. No  time  should  now  be  lost  by  those  who  intend  plant- 
ing, the  ground  being  in  exceUent  order. — M.  H.,  Acklam  Hall, 
MiddksboTough-on-Tccs. 


FLO'W^R  BEDS  IN   AUTUMN. 

GOLD  AND    SILVEB-EBGED    VeTSllS   TniCOLOK  PELAEGOXICMS. 
BEET   AS   A   EEDDEK. 

The  very  practical  remarks  of  Mr.  Bobson  under  the  above 
heading,  in  page  2!)G,  are  well  worth  the  consideration  of  all 
gardeners  having  much  to  do  in  the  way  of  flower  gardening ; 
I  therefore  wish  to  make  a  few  remarks  on  the  subject. 

In  the  first  place  I  can  fully  endorse,  as  far  as  my  own  ex- 
perience goes,  Mr.  Robson's  opinion  on  the  superior  merits  of 
the  Gold  and  Silver-edged  Pelargoniums  over  the  Tricolor  va- 
rieties for  giving  general  effect,  and  particularly  so  when  viewed, 
as  he  very  rightly  remarks,  from  a  distance;  indeed,  I  con- 
tider  Golden  Chain  at  any  distance  superior  to  Mrs.  Pollock 
when  required  as  a  contrast  to  other  colours.     In  my  opinion 


October  29, 1868.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTOEE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENER, 


323 


Golden  Chain  is  still  the  best  Golden-edged  variety  we  have. 
The  yellow  is  more  pure  and  constant  than  in  any  other  kind 
that  I  Lave  yet  grown  or  seen  ;  and  beinr;  a  variety  tlmt  lifts  re- 
markably well  in  the  autumn,  and  keeps  well  through  the  winter, 
its  slow  growth,  for  which  it  is  condemned  by  many,  is  not  bo 
Sroat  a  drawback  to  it  after  all,  as  the  same  plants  can  be  used 
for  three  or  four  years  in  succession,  and  by  striking  some 
€very  year  a  stock  of  it  may  be  always  had  of  a  good  size.  1 
generally  put  in  a  lot  of  cuttings  of  it  between  the  older 
plants  at  bedding-out  time ;  these  help  to  fill  up,  and  they 
form  good  young  plants  for  lifting  in  the  autumn. 

5Iy  experience  with  Tricolor  Pelargoniums  fully  agrees  with 
what  Mr.  Robson  says  with  respect  to  Mrs.  Pollock  losing 
much  of  its  beauty  under  the  influence  of  extreme  sun  heat.  I 
have  often  heard  it  remarked,  that  Mrs.  Pollock  and  other 
Tricolor  varieties  require  exposure  to  plenty  of  strong  sun  to 
bring  out  their  colours  to  the  best  advantage,  but  iu  my  own 
experience  I  have  invariably  found  the  reverse  to  be  the  case. 
For  instance,  Mrs.  Pollock  was  far  superior  in  colour  with  us 
here  last  summer  than  it  has  been  this  year,  until  the  begin- 
ning of  September,  when  it  began  to  improve,  and  has  since 
been  very  fine.  Possibly  some  persons  may  say  that  drought 
has  more  influence  as  regards  want  of  colour  in  the  leaf  than 
the  intense  heat ;  but  I  can  scarcely  think  so,  as  Mrs.  Pollock 
with  us  this  summer  was  abundantly  supplied  with  water 
taken  immediately  from  a  lake,  and,  consequently,  in  the  best 
condition  to  apply  to  plants,  and  the  plants  grew  well.  I  am 
more  inclined  to  attribute  the  cause  of  loss  of  colour  to  the 
fading,  when  exposed  to  a  very  hot  sun,  of  the  colouring  matter 
which  constitutes  the  zone  in  the  leaf,  but  in  this  I  may  be 
wrong,  and  would  like  to  have  the  opinion  of  others  on  the 
subject. 

Lnna  with  me  this  season  has  been  very  much  better  in 
colour  since  the  beginning  of  this  month  (October) ,  than  at  any 
previous  time  throughout  the  summer,  excepting,  perhaps,  for 
a  week  or  two  after  it  was  planted  out. 

Italia  Unita,  as  a  Silver-edged  Tricolor  Pelargonium,  al- 
though beautiful  as  an  individual  plant,  is  not  in  my  opinion 
nearly  so  effective  for  general  effect  and  contrast  with  other 
things  as  the  Silver-edged  varieties.  The  best  of  the  latter 
which  I  have  yet  grown  is  Miss  Kingsbury,  possessing  an  ex- 
cellent habit  and  good  robust  constitution,  and  retaining  its 
•foliage  well  to  the  last.  I  consider  the  Tricolor  varieties  w'll 
prove  very  useful — that  is,  those  of  as  good  constitution  as 
Mrs.  Pollock,  of  which  I  fear  many  fall  short — as  being  very 
effective  late  in  the  season,  and  good  for  wet  summers  when 
many  flowering  plants  get  much  dashed  and  injured.  Of 
course,  they  will  be  good  in  fine  summers  as  well. 

I  will  now  comply  with  Mr.  Robsou's  invitation  respecting 
the  merits  of  the  Beet  as  a  dark-foliaged  plant  for  decorative 
purposes,  .and  in  doing  so  I  cannot  speak  too  favourably  of  it, 
30  far,  at  least,  as  the  variety  I  have  grown  has  proved  itself 
here  this  season.  It  has  certainly  been  t!ir  plant  of  the  season 
here  in  the  way  of  dark  foliage,  no  other  plant  in  the  flower 
garden  having  received  so  much  special  notice  and  praise,  and 
it  certainly,  in  my  opinion,  deserves  all  the  praise  it  has  re- 
ceived. It  has  a  richness  peculiarly  its  own,  and  not  possessed, 
so  far  as  I  know,  by  any  other  plant  used  for  the  same  purpose, 
and  this  it  has  retained  throughout  the  season  up  to  the 
present  date  (October  2tth),  being  equally  good  in  the  hottest 
part  of  the  summer,  as  it  has  been  since,  which  is  more  than  I 
can  say  of  some  other  dark-foliaged  plants  used  here  this 
season.  For  instance,  in  the  hottest  part  of  the  summer  the 
leaves  of  the  Coleus  (which  has  done  moderately  well  other- 
wise), became  scorched  and  brown  to  a  certain  extent.  Again, 
in  the  case  of  the  Perilla,  the  caterpillars  played  sad  havoc 
with  it,  quite  disfiguring  the  greater  part  of  it  for  a  time.  The 
few  plants  of  Amaranthus  which  I  grew  did  very  well  up  to 
the  beginning  of  this  month,  when,  as  it  always  has  done  with 
me,  it  began  to  fog-off.  As  far  as  this  season  goes,  and  it  is 
the  first  I  have  grown  it  in  the  flower  garden,  I  must  certainly 
give  the  palm  to  the  Beet,  as  being  the  best  dark-foliaged  plant 
I  have  grown,  not  the  least  of  its  advantages  being,  that  it 
requires  very  little  attention  after  being  once  put  out,  and  does 
not  appear  to  be  likely  to  be  attacked  at  any  time  by  insects. 

I  believe  the  variety  I  have  grown  is  a  very  superior  and 
true  strain.  I  obtained  the  seed  from  Messrs.  Francis  and 
Arthur  Dickson  &  Sons,  Chester,  in  the  spring  of  this  year 
under  the  name  of,  or  rather  labelled,  "Dwarf  Black-leaved 
Beet  for  flower-garden  purposes,"  and  certainly  a  better  variety 
for  the  purpose  I  do  not  think  could  possibly  be  grown,  and  I 
shall  certainly  endeavour  not  to  lose  it. 


Chrysanthemum  Sensation  has  retained  its  foliage  with  mo 
up  to  the  present  time,  and  I  like  it  much,  being  very  good  for 
edginga  when  kept  well  stopped,  which  improves  its  colour. — 
Joiix  H.  Mason,  Prince's  Park,  Liverimul. 


POMOLOGICAL  GLEANINGS. 
Fruit  here  (Gargrave)  is  very  fine  this  year.  A  seven-year-old 
Easter  Beurre  Pear,  on  the  Quince,  trained  upright,  and  0  feet 
high,  with  five  branches,  bore  thirty-six  Pears.  I  weighed  the 
entire  crop  ;  the  weight  was  IS  lbs.  ;  average  weight  halt  a 
pound  each.  Madame  Trey  ve,  which  you  figured  in  the  Journal, 
is  a  glorious  fruit ;  here  one  fruit  weighed  10  ozs.,  another 
lOJ — as  melting  and  vinous  as  a  fine  Peach,  the  best  September 
Pear  I  have  ever  tasted.  Skin  fine,  thin ;  no  core,  no  grit. 
Then  the  tree  is  healthy,  vigorous,  and  sets  fruit  buds  in 
abundance. — C.  M. 

Feoji  the  garden  of  .J.  B.  Houston,  Esq.,  Orangefield, 

Belfast,  we  have  received  fruit  of  a  Bed  Cdhkant,  from  bushes 
growing  in  the  open  quarters.  This  variety  ripens  with  the 
Piaby  Castle  and  others,  but  retains  its  fruit  and  foliage  until 
late  iu  the  season,  in  fact,  until  severe  frost  sets  in.  The 
foliage  now  (October  17th),  is  quite  green,  while  Baby  Castle, 
growing  beside  it  and  under  the  same  treatment,  is  ready  for 
the  winter  pruning. 

Bunches  mostly  short,  resembling  the  Grape  Currant,  but 
very  productive,  bearing  enormous  crops.  While  in  the  young 
state  the  bushes  grow  very  vigorously,  and  require  lifting  and 
replanting.  Foliage  thick  and  leathery,  in  shape  something 
resembling  the  Mallow  leaf. 

During  the  autumn  of  18B7  nice  fruit  was  gathered  in  the 
first  and  second  weeks  of  December.  The  footstalks  were  as 
green  and  the  berries  as  plump  as  if  it  had  been  August. 

Among  the  curiosities  of  pomological  literature  may  be 

reckoned  the  following  extracts  from  a  French  fruit-tree  cata- 
logue we  have  just  received.  Among  Gooseberries  we  find 
"  Bunker's  rill,"  "  Ewotoone,"  "  Leaoche,"  which  being  inter- 
preted mean  Bunker's  Hill,  Two  to  One,  and  Peacock.  We 
publish  this  as  a  warning  to  English  nurserymen,  to  be  careful 
how  they  print  French  names  in  their  catalogues,  which  we  ob- 
serve are  frequently  as  comically  represented  as  the  examples 
of  Anglo-French  we  have  given  above. 

"  I  NEVER  remember  to  have  seen  so  great  a  resem- 
blance between  two  varieties  of  fruit  as  in  the  Stirling  Castle 
and  Small's  Admirable  Apples,  for  they  are  of  the  same  dwarf 
habit — apparently  of  the  Hawthorndeu  race — and  both  prone 
to  bear  when  the  trees  are  in  a  very  young  state,  often  bearing 
profusely  on  trees  not  more  than  2  feet  in  height,  the  second 
year  after  grafting,  if  on  the  English  Paradise  stock.  On  ex- 
amining the  trees  and  the  fruit  of  both  I  have  discovered  some 
slight  variations,  which  have  induced  me  to  think  they  are  not 
(as  I  thought  when  looking  at  the  young  trees  during  the 
summer),  the  same  variety  under  two  names.  The  fruit  of 
the  Stirling  Castle  is  of  the  same  shape,  colour,  and  size  as 
Small's  Admirable,  but  has  its  eye  set  in  a  much  deeper  basin. 
The  young  shoots  of  the  tree  are  spotted  with  white  like  those 
of  the  Admirable,  but  they  are  much  lighter  in  colour.  Those 
of  the  latter  are  of  a  very  dark  brown  ;  but  the  most  distinctive 
character  is  in  the  leaves,  those  of  the  Stirling  Castle  being 
nearly  round,  while  those  of  Small's  Admirable  are  compara- 
tively long  and  pointed." — T.  E. 

The  Early  Nonpareil  Apple. — With  respect  to  this  Mr. 

Eivers  writes,  "  Pray  allow  me  to  disclaim  all  right  to  have  my 
name  appended  to  this  very  old  variety  (see  page  281).  My 
history  is  as  follows ;  Some  sixty  years  since  there  were  old 
trees  of  this  sort  growing  here,  said  to  have  been  planted  by 
my  great  gi-andfather.  They  were  decayed  and  full  of  cankered 
shoots.  In  a  warm  season  they  bore  fine  fruit,  which  I  used 
to  think  most  delicious.  In  those  times  it  was  designated  the 
Early  Nonpareil,  and  I  know  of  no  other  kind  deserving  the 
name.  Many  years  afterwards  this  name  was  apphed  to  Hicks' 
Fancy,  in  my  opinion  a  very  inferior  sort. 

"  I  venture  to  give  the  following  description  of  the  Early 
1  Nonpareil  or  Haute  Bonne  (not  '  Haute  Bontfi  '  as  I  misquoted), 
from  the  folio  edition  of  dear  old  Miller's  Dictionary.  What 
capital  English  is  his  !  '  The  Nonpareil  is  a  fruit  pretty  gene- 
rally known  in  Englaud,  though  there  is  another  Apple  which 
is  frequently  sold  in  the  markets  for  it,  which  is  what  the 
French  call  Haute  bonne.  This  is  a  larger,  fairer  fruit  than 
the  Nonpareil,  more  inclining  to  yellow ;   the  russet  colour 


324 


JOURNAL   OP   HORTIOULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE   GABBENER. 


t  October  20,  1888. 


brighter,  and  it  is  earlier  ripe  and  sooner  gone.  This  is  not 
BO  flat  as  the  true  Nonpaicil,  nor  is  the  jnice  so  sharp,  though 
it  is  a  good  Apple  in  its  season.' — Thoaias  Kivers." 

BnuRiiK  Du  Ceeclf.  Pear. — This  is  a  new  Pear  of  mnch 

promife.  It  is  the  first  season  of  its  bearing  fruit  in  this 
country  to  our  knowledge.  A  little  pyramidal  tree  in  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society's  garden,  Cfaiswick,  has  this  season  pro- 
duced half  a  dozen  large  and  beautiful  fruit,  which  have  proved 
of  really  excellent  quality.  The  fruit  is  large,  obovate,  tapering 
irregularly  towards  the  stalk  ;  surface  irregular,  bulging  out  in 
places.  Skin  smooth,  of  a  beautiful  pea-green  colour,  with  a 
slight  patch  of  russet  round  the  stalk.  Eje  small,  open,  set  in 
a  very  shallow  angular  basin,  almost  level  with  the  surface. 
Stalk  long  and  slender,  inserted  a  little  ou  one  side  without 
depression.  Flesh  greenish  white,  delicate,  buttery,  and  melt- 
ing, very  solid,  with  scarcely  any  core.  Flavour  rich  and 
pleasant. 

This  is  a  Pear  which  we  anticipate  will  take  a  high  rank. 
In  appearance  it  is  somewhat  like  a  Glou  Jlorreau,  but  is  dis- 
tinguished by  the  very  long  slender  stalk  and  the  deep  green 
skin.  The  tlesh  resembles  that  of  the  Marie  Louise  and  Glou 
Moreeau.  Eipe  in  Or'tober.  Grafts  of  this  variety  were  received 
by  the  Society  in  ISSO  from  the  Soci^te  Impuriale  et  Ccntrale 
d'Horticulture  du  Departement  de  la  Seine  Infurienro. 

— ■ —  At  the  last  meeting  of  the  Fruit  Committee  of  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Sneiety,  the  six  splendi<l  specimens  of 
Beurbk  Ci.AiRGEAn  Peae,  exhibited  by  Mr.  Cox,  of  Redleaf, 
■were,  on  being  weighed,  found  to  be  5  lbs.  141  ozs. 


NOTES  AND  GLEANINGS. 

Adcltee-Vtion  or  Seeds. — On  Friday  last,  some  members  of 
the  seed  trade  met  the  Council  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
to  consult  on  this  subject,  in  accordance  with  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  Sub-ComraJttee,  whose  report  was  published 
in  our  number  of  the  loth  inst. 

We   have  a  fair  sample    of  Walnut-leaved    Kidney 

Potatoes,  being  part  of  the  second  crop  this  year.  A  planting 
•was  made  on  April  l-lth,  tbo  crop  from  which  was  taken  up  on 
tlie  8th  of  July.  Some  of  this  crop  were  planted  again  on 
the  10th  of  .July,  and  the  crop  from  them,  of  which  we  have 
the  sample,  was  taken  up  on  the  20th  inst.  We  received  the 
sample  from  Mr.  L.  E.  Pocock,  gardener  to  N.  M.  Forbes,  Esq., 
Elmwood,  Bickley,  Kent. 


WOEK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    OAKDEN. 

DiGGlKG  and  trenching  ground,  and  whecliug  manure  should 
be  reserved  for  frosty  weather.  On  light  soils  all  fruit  trees 
ought  to  be  planted  during  this  month,  but  on  heavy  cloy  soils 
some  persons  prefer  the  middle  of  February.  Caiilij!(jin'rx,  hand- 
glasses are  awkward  when  in  one  pi'ice,  and  when  placed  over 
CauUflower  plants  thin  boards  .<^hould  be  put  down  between  the 
rows  to  walk  on  when  giving  air  and  stirring  the  soil.  Endive 
and  Lettuce  in  the  open  ground  and  in  frames  require  great 
attention  this  month,  lest  they  damp  off  or  be  attacked  by 
.slugs  or  snails.  Peas,  where  there  is  no  convenience  for  forcing 
Peas  in  February,  a  few  rows  are  generally  sown  early  this 
month,  and  chopped  Gorse  tops  are  put  into  the  rows  over  the 
Peas  to  keep  away  mice,  but  nine  times  out  of  ten  those  sown 
in  autumn  are  lost,  or  nearly  so,  by  being  sown  too  early. 
Except  in  the  case  of  very  sandy  soils,  and  in  high  situations, 
the  last  week  in  November  is  time  enough  to  sow.  Asparagus, 
iiea-kale,  and  lilmbarh,  preparations  must  now  be  made  for 
forcing  these  where  they  are  wanted  early.  For  the  first 
nothing  is  better  than  a  late  Melon  bed  that  still  retains  a 
moderate  heat,  or  a  slight  hotbed  may  be  made  so  as  to  mo- 
derate the  heat  at  pleasure  if  it  should  prove  too  strong.  Place 
the  plants  as  closely  as  possible,  and  so  near  the  glass  as  just 
to  allow  the  shoots  to  grow  the  requisite  height,  and  then  they 
may  be  had  green  or  blanched  at  pleasure,  unless  the  weather 
should  be  very  severe.  The  best  method  to  adopt  fur  the  Sea- 
kale  and  Rhubarb  is  to  form  a  small  hotbed  in  any  convenient 
place,  take  up  a  number  of  roots,  place  them  on  it,  with  a  little 
soil  of  any  sort  amongst  them,  and  defend  them  from  the 
■weather  and  light  by  any  old  boards  that  can  be  obtained. 
Where  a  Mushroom  house  is  at  work  a  better  place  could  cot 
be  found. 

FRttIT  GARDEN. 

Bemove  all  green  laterals  from  Peaches  and  Apricots  that 


the  growth  of  the  trees  may  he  checked,  and  with  a  new  birch- 
broom  gently  switch  off  the  matured  leaves,  taking  care  not  to 
injure  the  buds,  repeating  the  operation  at  short  intervals  bo 
that  the  young  wood  may  be  ripened  by  expo.?ure.  To  afford  a 
still  greater  amount  of  this,  cut  out  any  small  twigs  that  will 
not  be  wanted,  and  loosen  from  the  wall,  as  soon  as  convenient, 
those  shoots  intended  for  bearing  next  season.  When,  un- 
fortunately, the  leaves  are  still  green  and  adhere,  no  time 
should  be  lost  in  going  over  the  trees  and  cutting  all  the  stronger 
leaves.  This  will  tend  to  check  luxuriance  and  hasten  the 
maturity  of  the  buds  without  rendering  the  shoots  either 
shrivelled  or  receptacles  of  unelaborated  sap  liable  to  break  out 
in  gum  or  canker,  which  in  such  cases  is  often  the  result  when 
recourse  is  had  either  to  indiscriminate  rcot-cuttingor  a  whole- 
sale deprivation  of  leaves.  Constant  attention  should  be  paid 
to  the  trnit-room  until  all  the  autumn  fruit  is  over.  Short 
memoranda  should  be  made  of  the  qualities  of  the  different 
sorts  as  they  become  fit  for  table  or  kitchen  use.  After  a  few 
years  these  may  be  compared,  and  will  be  found  very  useful. 

FLOWER    GARDEN. 

The  business  of  this  department  is  now  in  a  great  measure- 
confined  to  the  clearing-up  of  leaves,  worm-casts,  and  decaying 
vegetable  matter,  and  making  the  lawns,  &c.,  as  tidy  as  the  sea- 
son will  admit  of.  It  the  bulbs  are  planted — and  if  they  are 
not,  no  time  should  be  lost  in  putting  them  into  the  ground — 
those  beds  which  are  unoccupied  may  receive  their  winter- 
digging,  or,  where  necessary,  winter-trenching,  taking  care  if  the 
soil  is  strong  to  expose  it  as  much  as  possible  to  the  action  of 
the  atmosphere.  While,  however,  you  dig  the  beds,  avoid 
touching  the  shrubbery  borders,  for  though  they  look  much 
better  after  being  dug,  plants  do  not  grow  any  faster  from  being 
annually  root-pruned,  and  such  is  the  effectof  an  annual  digging. 
Worms  are  now  very  troublesome,  especially  in  weather  when 
it  is  difficult  to  clear  their  casts  away,  but  their  ranks  may  be 
materially  thinned  by  watering  the  ground  with  fresh  lime 
water  or  with  water  containing  corrosive  sublimate,  though  in 
the  latter  case  they  are  merely  driven  out  of  the  ground  and 
require  to  be  gathered-up  by  hand  and  afterwards  destroyed. 
Corrosive  sublimate  is  very  quickly  brought  into  a  liquid  state 
by  mixing  it  with  spirits  of  salt.  If  the  Auriculas  are  in  their 
winter  quarters  they  should  be  protected  from  damp,  and 
especially  from  rain  finding  its  way  in  by  the  glass  of  the 
frame  and  dripping  into  their  hearts.  In  order  to  prevent  this 
the  laps  of  the  glass  ought  to  be  puttied.  If  pots  become 
saturated  with  rain  and  are  neglected  but  for  a  few  days,  the 
destruction  of  the  plant  is  almost  inevitable.  In  many  parts 
of  the  country  Dahlias  have  been  cut  cffby  the  late  frosts  ;  where 
such  is  the  case  they  should  be  taken  up.  otherwise  they  will 
start  again  at  the  crown.  With  strong  metallic  wire  attach  to 
tliem  zinc  labels  which  have  been  numbered,  and  they  may  be 
hung  up  for  a  few  days  to  dry  in  any  airy  shed  preparatory  to- 
cutting  off  the  stems,  and  storing  the  tnbeis  for  the  winter. 

GEEENnOUSE   AND   CONSEEVATOEY. 

Ipomiea  tyrianthina  and  Tacsonia  pinnatistipula  are  two 
beautiful  climbers  for  the  conservatory,  requiring  exactly  the 
same  treatment,  but  they  are  rather  diijiciilt  to  manage  in 
modern  structures,  as  they  are  impatient  ci  confinement,  and 
do  not  like  bright  sunshine.  The  best  way  to  treat  them  is  to 
plant  them  in  the  front  border,  and  have  the  tops  taken  out 
to  the  open  air  through  the  summer,  but  this  style  is  in- 
admissible when  a  conservatory  forms  part  of  an  architectural 
assemblage ;  in  that  case  they  should  be  planted  near  the  doors 
or  sources  of  ventilation,  or  against  the  back  wall.  In  either 
case  they  should  be  trained  low,  and  kept  particularly  shaded, 
and  never  allowed  to  reach  the  top  of  the  house.  They  are  good 
subjects  for  old-fashioned  houses,  where  they  may  ramble  at 
{a«e.  Because  Chrysanthemums  are  thirsty  plants,  and  apt  to 
draw  in  confinement  while  they  are  growing,  some  people  think 
they  must  have  large  doses  of  water,  and  a  free  circulation  of  air 
while  they  are  in  bloom.  Try  them,  however,  in  a  close,  cool, 
dry  house,  and  you  will  find  that  half  the  usual  quantity  of 
water  is  enough  for  them.  They  will  continue  in  bloom  longer, 
and  do  not  become  drawn. 

STOVE. 

By  the  end  of  October  stove  plants,  not  winter  growers, 
should  be  thoroughly  ripe,  and  will  require  less  heat  than 
they  have  had  for  the  last  six  weeks.  A  temperature  of  60^  is 
now  high  enough  at  night,  and  that  should  be  about  the  standard 
heat  for  the  next  six  weeks,  after  that  50°  will  be  high  enough 
till  the  return  of  fine  weather  early  in  spring.  If  the  air  in  the 
house  could  be  kept  as  pure  as  that  in  the  conservatory  througlt 


October  29, 1868.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTTJBB  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENER, 


325 


the  winter,  the  plants  would  reqnire  very  litllo  ventilation  when 
at  rest ;  but  with  ttrong  lius  ibis  cannot  be  done,  iiud  the  air 
must  be  obanged  as  often  as  tbe  weather  will  permit.  One  of 
the  most  graceful  winter-flowering  stove  plants  is  tbe  Acacia 
kermesina  ;  it  is  a  plant  of  the  eaf iest  culture,  and  lloHcrs  on 
the  top  of  tlie  shoot.i,  and  like  all  plants  with  this  habit,  it 
should  be  often  stopped  when  jounR,  to  induce  tho  formiUiou 
of  a  quantity  of  side  shoots,  as  tho  more  shoots  the  more 
flower-heads.  Grafted  standard  high  on  Acacia  alhuis,  its  near 
relative,  it  would  form  a  splendid  object  in  a  short  time. — 
W.  Keane. 


DOINGS  OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

Effects  of  the  I'rost. — Last  week  we  expressed  a  hope  that  onr 
first  frost  would  not  come  on  a  Sunday  evening,  but  it  did 
come,  nevertheless,  rather  sharp  on  that  evening  (October  ISth), 
and  as  tho  weather  looked  as  if  we  should  have  more  of  it,  we 
lifted  some  of  the  most  tender  plants,  and  placed  them  under 
protection  on  Monday,  and  though  the  leaves  of  tender  Pelar- 
goniums were  rather  hard,  they  were  not  injured  when  thawed 
in  the  shade.  For  a  particular  purpose  we  were  anxious  not 
to  dismantle  our  beds,  and,  therefore,  we  covered  up  some  of 
the  most  tender  plants  on  Monday  night,  but  the  sharper  frost 
of  Tuesday  morning  showed  us  we  had  better  at  once  make  safe 
what  wo  wished  to  preserve,  and  we  took  up  a  considerable 
number  of  Pelargoniums,  &c.,  placing  them  in  sheds  or  shel- 
tered places,  with  a  little  loose  litter  thrown  over  tbem  until  we 
should  bo  able  to  attend  to  them.  Wo  never  recollect  having 
such  a  severe  frost  as  on  Tuesday  morning,  so  early,  for  many 
years.  The  surface  of  the  ground  was  well  crusted,  and  the 
leaves  of  unprotected  Pelargoniums  were  as  hard  as  pasteboard. 
Ooleus  has  been  destroyed,  nnd  Perilla  considerably  blackened, 
and  so  have  Dahlias  and  Heliotropes,  but  Verbenas,  Calceo- 
larias, Salvias,  and  the  stronger-growing  kinds  of  Scarlet  Pelar- 
goniums, are  still  green,  and  in  many  cases  opening  blooms 
after  the  drenching  rains  of  the  23rd  and  the  2ith.  This  is, 
no  doubt,  partly  owing  to  the  heat  contained  in  the  ground, 
and  partly  to  the  elevated  position  of  the  flower  garden  ;  and  to 
this  latter  circumstance  we  would  wish  to  draw  attention  for  a 
moment,  as  it  might  ho  worth  while  for  neighbours  to  compare 
notes  in  this  respect. 

We  are  all  aware  of  the  fact,  that  as  a  general  rule  the  higher 
we  go  into  the  atmosphere,  tbe  greater  is  the  cold  we  experience, 
until  we  reach  the  limits  where  snow  and  ice  held  their  per- 
petual reign.  Within  certain  limits  there  are  exceptions  to 
this  rule.  Gardens  in  elevated  positions  are  often  untouched 
by  the  autumn  and  spring  frosts,  which  cut  up  vegetation  so 
much  in  the  valleys.  We  have  met  with  many  instances  in 
which  even  the  bottom  branches  of  rather  tender  trees  have 
been  seemingly  burnt  up  by  a  dry  frosty  air,  whilst  the 
upper  branches  stood  the  test  uninjured.  From  various  ac- 
counts that  reach  us,  the  fact  is  afcertained,  that  gardens  in 
valleys  have  suffered  more,  and  earlier  than  we  have  doue,  and 
for  this  difference  there  must  be  a  cause.  We  presume  that 
the  free  radiation  of  heat  from  the  earth  would  be  very  much 
the  same  from  an  extended  elevated  plateau  as  from  a  similar 
extended  valley,  though  there  might  be  a  difference  at  the 
point  where  the  eminence  shelved  down  into  the  valley. 

We  have  several  times  adverted  to  the  simple  fact  that,  as 
every  body  must  be  colder  than  the  air  around  it  before  dew 
can  be  deposited  on  that  body,  so  tho  deposition  of  dew  and  of 
hoar  frost  will  furnish  a  test  as  to  the  cold  produced  by  free 
radiation.  We  have  no  reason  to  conclude  but  that  radiation 
of  heat  proceeds  as  freely  from  the  higher  ground  as  from  that 
in  the  valley,  and  yet  frost  will  bo  injurious  in  the  valley,  and 
the  high  ground  will  escape.  Several  times  during  this  dry 
summer  when  the  short  lawn,  so  favourable  for  tbe  deposition 
of  dew  in  a  quiet  clear  night,  has  been  as  dry  as  possible  in 
the  morning,  so  that  even  a  satin  slipper  could  not  be  damped, 
we  have  found  dew  on  longer  grass  in  a  valley  at  a  level  of 
150  feet  lower.  The  only  explanation  that  we  can  give  for  this 
singular  but  frequent  occurrence  is,  that  there  is  a  constant 
tendency  to  an  equilibrium  of  heat  in  the  atmosphere,  at  least 
for  certain  heights;  and  thus,  whilst  the  air  on  the  loner 
ground  becomes  colder  and  colder,  because  tho  heavier  and 
colder  strata  sink  to  the  ground  at  once  and  can  go  no  farther, 
the  heat  given  off  by  radiation  on  the  higher  ground  and  higher 
positions,  as  the  top  of  a  tree,  is  for  a  time  counterbalanced  by 
tbe  cold  air  finding  a  lower  level  and  the  warmer  air  rising  to 
take  its  place.  The  mat(er  is  well  worthy  of  consideration,  as 
being  of  much  importance  as  to  the  position  of  a  garden  ;  and  if  i 


these  reasons  bo  near  the  mark,  tbey  will  show  that  slightly 
."loping  banks  will  be  less  exposed  to  sndden  frosts  than  tlie 
deep  luvel  valley,  as  for  a  time  there  will  be  an  interchange  of 
strata  of  air  differing  in  density  and  temperature. 

Wintering  Old  Pelargoniums. — Among  the  matters  attended  to 
in  the  week,  which  were  chiefly  a  repetition  of  those  alluded  to 
in  recent  notices,  and  especially  in  the  wet  days,  many  of  tbe 
Pelargoniums  were  taken  up  from  the  beds,  as' we  always  like 
to  save  some  of  them  for  different  purposes,  and  these  wo 
treated  in  three  diiTereut  ways. 

I'iist,  as  respects  some  variegated  kinds  which  we  wish  to 
keep  and  get  cuttings  from  in  spring.  These  we  deprived  of 
a  few  of  their  largest  leaves,  and  when  the  roots  were  very 
straggling  cut  them  in  to  G  inches  or  so  in  length,  and  then 
wo  potted  singly  in  small  pots  (4.0's),  and  set  them  in  f.  slight 
bottom  heat  in  frames,  admitting  air  all  night,  that  most  of  the 
leaves  left  may  remain  uninjured. 

In  a  second  case  we  took  up  some  good-sized  plants  which 
we  wish  to  keep  for  centres  of  raised  beds  or  pyramids  next 
season.  We  find  that  these  are  scarcely  injured  by  the  frost. 
As  height  is  an  object,  we  retain  them  almost  at  their  full' 
height,  but  to  save  room  we  take  off  all  leaves  larger  than  a 
sixpence,  cut  the  roots  if  necessary,  and  place  in  the  smallest 
pots  that  we  can  get  them  in,  and  put  them  under  glass.  Gene- 
rally these  make  fine  plants  in  spring.  They  would  make  fresh 
roots  sooner  if  they,  too,  could  have  a  little  bottom  heat,  but 
that  we  could  not  give  them,  and  to  save  room  we  wish  them  to 
grow  very  little  during  the  winter. 

The  third  is  the  most  numerous  lot,  and '  the' plants  in  this 
wo  merely  wish  to  keep.  We  prune  in  the  heads  closely,  leaving 
only  a  bud  or  two  at  the  base  of  each  branch.  We  prune  in 
tho  roots  to  about  4  inches  in  length,  and  then  we  pack  these 
roots  closely  in  boxes — say  thirty  or  forty  of  the  close-cut 
deer-antler-like  plants  in  a  wooden  box  3  feet  long  by  9  inches 
wide.  If  the  soil  is  somewhat  moist,  they  will  need  little 
watering,  just  a  little  to  settle  the  earth  about  the  roots.  To'' 
prevent  damping  wo  dip  the  cut  heads  in  a  pot  of  quicklime. 
As  not  a  single  leaf  is  left  on  these  cut-in  plants,  packed  as 
closely  as  a  wood  faggot,  they  will  keep  anywhere  in  winter, 
where  they  will  be  secure  from  frost  and  damp,  and  will  need 
but  little  light  until  they  begin  to  break  their  buds,  which  they 
seldom  do  with  us  until  March.  These  plants  first  treated  with 
light  then,  and  soon  afterwards  given  more  room,  so  that  each 
plant  may  grow  freely,  will  make  a  good  show  in  the  flower 
garden.  This  plan,  or  some  similar  one,  is  the  best  to  adopt 
by  those  who  grow  Scarlet  Pelargoniums,  and  have  no  green- 
house or  glass  pit  to  keep  them  in.  Such  skeletons  need  little 
care  in  winter.  All  young  plants  raised  from  cuttings  must 
have  light,  as  well  as  be  kept  from  froat..Ti-K.  P. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— OcTOBtBl^'M''''^- 

Tnij  supply  of  fruit  and  vegetables  is  ample,  ^itli  little  variation  in 
n-ices.    Tlae  Potato  market  is  firm  tor  good  sound  dcEcriptions. 


s    d.      B. 

Apples Ji  slave    1    DtoS 

A.pricots doz.    0    0       0 

Clierriea... lb.    0    0      0 

Cheatnuta bnsh.  10    0    Iti 

0 
0 
0 
1 
1 
0 


Cnrrftnts 3"i  sieve  0  0 

Black do.  0  0 

Figs doz.  0  0 

Filberts lb.  0  9 

Cobs lb.  0  9 

Giooseberries    ,.<iuart  0  0 

Grapes,  Hothouse,  .lb.  '1  0 

Lemons 100  10  0    10 


Melons each    2  0to5    0 

Nectarines dciz.    0  0  0    0 

Oranges 100    8  0  12    0 

Teacbes doz.  10  0  15    0 

Pears  (dessert)  ..  doz.    3  0  GO 

Pino  Apples lb.    4  0  7    0 

Plums 3-i  eieve    4  0  6    tt 

Quince?  doz.    0  9  16 

Raspberriea  lb.    0  0  0    O 

Strawberries.,  per  lb.    0  0  0    U 

Walnuts bush.  10  0  IB    n 

do per  100    10  3    6 


VEGKTABLES. 


Artichokes doz. 

Asparagus  100 

Keans,  Kidney  J4  sieve 

Boct,  Red doz. 

Broccoli bundle 

BruB.  .Sprouts  J-a  aieve 

Cabbage doz. 

Capsicuma 100 

Can'ota bunch 

Cauliflower doz. 

Celery bundle 

Cucumbers each 

F.ndive doz. 

Fennel btmch 

Garlic  lb. 

IlerhG   bunch 

Horseradish  ..  bundle 


B.  d.  B.  d 
3  0  to  G  0 
0  0 
S  0 
•i    0 


0     0 
4    0 


0    8 

0     0 


2  0 

0  S 

0  3 

0  B 

S  0 


0    0 
G     0 


Leeks  bnnch 

Lettuce  ....  per  score 

Mushrooms pottle 

Mu8td.&  Cre^s,  y  unnet 
Onions  ....per  but-hel 

Parsley per  bieve 

Parsnips doz. 

Peaa per  quart 

Potatoes bushel 

ICiduey  de. 

Radishes  dos.  bnucbes 

Rhubarb 1  undle 

Sea-kale basket 

Shallots lb. 

Spinach  bu^bel 

Tomatoea per  doz. 

Tomips btmch 


0    0 
0    0 


d.     8.d 

4  too  e 

0       4  0 

0      3  0 

a  s 

n  u 

4  0 

1  O 

0  o 

6  U 

7  O 
0  0 
0  0 

0  fl 

n  0 

.1  0 


326 


JOURNAIi  OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  October  29, 1868. 


TRADE   CATALOGUES   RECEIVED. 

John  Cranston,  King's  Acre,  near  Hereford. — Catalogue  o/ 
Hoses, — Catalopne  of  Transplanted  Forest  TreeSy  Conifers, 
Evergreens,  Fruit  Trees,  dec. 


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.  AU 
communications  should  therefore  be  addressed  solthi  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  dc,  171,  Elect 
Street,  London,  E.G. 

We  also  request  that  correspondents  will  not  mix  up  on  the 
same  sheet  questions  relating  to  Gardening  and  those  on 
Poultry  and  Bee  subjects,  if  they  expect  to  get  them  an- 
swered promptly  and  conveniently,  but  write  them  on 
separate  communications.  Also  never  to  send  more  than 
two  or  three  questions  at  once. 

N.B.— Many  questions  must  remain  unanswered  until  next 
week. 

Clifton  Horticultcrax  Show  {C.  S.)»—Vie  cannot  erive  a  decided 
opinion  on  a  case  of  which  we  have  not  the  particulars  ;  Imt  we  may  say 
generaUy  that  a  judce  having  awarded  a  prize  to  an  exhibitor,  pives  that 
exhibitor  no  unalterable  title  to  the  prize,  and  it  may  be  withheld  if  it  be 
shown  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Committee  that  the  exhibitor  was  dis- 
qualified. 

Ground  Vinery  (TT.  ^.).— The  Vines  rpquiro  prnning,  &c.,  just  the 
same  as  when  p-own  in  a  greenhouse.  You  will  find  full  directions, 
drawings,  &c.,  in  "  The  Vine  Manual."  which  you  can  have  free  by  post 
from  our  office  if  you  enclose  thirty-two  postage  stamps  with  your 
direction. 

Fruit  Trees  for  Walls  (P.  ii.),— We  should  plant  Morello  Cherries 
againet  the  north  aspect,  and  Marie  Louise  and  Winter  Nelis  Pears 
against  the  south  aspect. 

Cucumbers— Pine  Apples  iJ.  B.,  Jcrsci^l.—Either  Telegraph  nr  Rion 
House  Improved  would  suit  you  for  Cucumbers.  Any  London  seedsman 
who  advertises  in  this  Journal  could  supply  the  seed."  You  can  have  "  The 
Pine-Apple  Mflntinl,"  free  by  post  from  our  office  if  you  enclope  thirty- 
two  postage  stnmps  with  your  address.  You  can  also  have  ''In-door 
Gardening  for  the  Many,"  if  you  enclose  twenty  postage  stamps.  It  giyes 
directions  for  Cucumber  culture  throughout  the  year. 

Glazed  Cylinder  Vineries  (-4jna(cur).  — Mr.  Eivers's  hexagonal 
vinery  stands  on  a  bill  exposed  to  west  and  sonth-west  winds.  During  a 
violent  storm  last  winter  it  gave  way  3  or  4  inches  without  breaking  the 
glass.  It  has  since  then  been  made  firm  by  driving  spars  into  the  ground 
on  the  opposite  side  to  that  exposed  to  the  west.  The  open  top  seems 
very  beneficial,  ns  no  watering  or  syringing  is  required,  and  Grapes  ripen 
•well.  It  should  be  covered  with  a'mat  in  the  month  of  May  to  exclude 
the  spring  frosts.  The  curled  ends  should  be  cut  otT,  and  manure  1  to 
Ih  inch  in  depth  spread  on  the  surface  over  the  roots  of  the  trees,  in  a 
circle  from  3  to  4  feet  in  diameter,  and  allowed  to  remain  ther-^  till 
March,  when  the  surface  may  be  stirred  2  inches  in  depth  with  the  four- 
pronged  steel  forks  used  in  gardens. 

Salwat  Peach  fP.  S.).— Eleven  inches  in  circumference  is  large,  and 
W;  ozs.  in  weight  is  heavy,  for  a  Salway  Peach. 

Preserving  Medlars  {J,  C,  3fiicfcrow^.— Spread  them  singly  on  sand, 
open  side  downwards,  fiist  dipping  the  stalk  end  in  strong  brine  to  check 
mouldiness. 

Select  Hybrid  Perpetual  Boses  f/rff ml. —Andre  Leroy,  AJfred  de 
Rougtmont.  Anna  de  Picsbnch.  Baronne  Pelletan  de  Kinkelin,  Beauty  of 
Walthnm,  Caroline  de  Sansal,  Charles  Lefebvre.  Comte  de  Xauteuil,  Due 
de  Cazes,  Ducde  Rohan,  Francois  Lacharme,  Geant  desBatailles.  GL-ciral 
Jacqueminot,  Gloire  de  Santenay,  John  Hopper,  Duchesse  de  Morny,  Le 
Rhone,  Leopold  L,  Lord  Macaulav.  Louise  Magnan,  Madame  Boutin, 
Madame  Victor  Verdier,  Martchal  Vaillant,  Paul  Desgrand,  Pierre  Not- 
ting.  Prince  Camille  de  Rohan,  Prince  L.'on,  Senateur  Vaisse,  Vainqueur 
de  Goliath,  Virginal,  and  William  Griffiths. 

Rose  Ccltcre  (Q.  Q.).— "If  the  Briars  which  have  been  budded  pnsli 
at  this  Jate  peason,  take  them  up  carefully,  shake  the  roots  out,  and  re- 
plant them.  Except  for  this  cause,  it  is  best  not  to  remove  them.  Do  not 
break  ofi"the  fibrous  network.  Orange  fungus  was  evidently  the  cause 
of  failure.  There  is  no  preventive  nor  cure  except  a  pair  of  scissnrs 
patiently  applied.  Cut  it  out  as  early  as  it  appears.  It  afi'ects  the  under 
sides  of  the  leaves.  I  never  knew  it  begin  earlier  or  more  plentifully  than 
this  spring.  My  Rose-tree  folinge  is  as  good  now  as  in  May.  Funci  of  all 
kinds  spread  rapidly,  destroy  the  action  of  the  leaves,  and  produce  ill- 
health.  A  practised  eye  will  detect  fungus  at  once  by  the  discoloration 
of  the  upper  side.  It  forms  on  the  under  Bide,  then  bursts,  and  forms 
*Fenian  centres,'  till  it  spreads  over  a  whole  garden.  Kill  aphides  now, 
and  also  early  in  spring.  You  will  find  them  at  both  these  seasons  on 
the  trees  against  the  south  wall.  I  have  hardly  had  an  aphis  about  my 
place  this  ses  son.  Of  the  varieties  you  possess,  Madamo  Victor  Verdier 
is  first-rate.  The  following  are,  in  my  opinion,  of  proved  Enses  the  best 
crimson:— Charles  Lefebvre,  Alfred  "Colomb,  Senateur  Vaisse,  Madame 
Victor  Verdier,  Pierre  Netting,  Duchesse  de  Caylus,  and  Maurice  Bernar- 
din.  I  think  very  highly  of  Antoine  Ducher  and  Lndy  Suffiekl.  I  think 
you  would  be  ri^ht  to  buy  Princess  Mary  of  Cambridge,  Baronne  de  May- 
nard  (lovelv),  Marie  Baumann,  which  bears  a  high  character;  Antoine 
Ducher  ;  Annie  Wood,  shows  nn  eye  ;  Francis  Treyve,  not  yet  proved  here  ; 
Charles  Verdier,first-rate  ;  Black  Prince,  and  Madame  Margottin.  Com- 
tesse  Jancourt  is  only  just  come.  Chirles  Marcottio  is  thin-petallcd,  but 
distinct.  Comte  Peringe  I  do  not  know.  As  regards  stirring  tie  surface  in 
summer  lightly  over  the  space  occupied  by  the  roots,  it  cannot  be  done  too 
often.  It  lets  in  the  night  dews,  which  are  in  proportion  to  the  solar  heat, 


moreover,  less  water  will  suffice.  When  ground  is  hard  and  baked,  watering 
will  only  cool  the  surface  without  reaching  all  the  extremities  of  the 
roots.  Roses  on  the  Manetti  stock  will  do  well  in  a  north-east  aspect  if 
well  looked  after.  Of  the  thirteen  Roses  named,  1  should  not  think  highly 
of  La  Reine,  Frani;ois  Lacharme  (which  requires  high  cultivation), 
Duchesse  de  Cambacfres,  Duchesse  de  Caylus,  Madame  Julie  Daran, 
Michel  Bonnet,  Madame  Charles  Wood  (delicate),  and  Mademoiselle 
Gustave  Bonnet.  King's  Acre  is  worthless,  being  a  bad  opener ;  Gloira 
de  Santenay  is  a  bad  grower ;  Madame  Boll  is  a  good  grower  but  some- 
what tender;  Madame  Moreau  is  not  tender,  but  is  not  a  very  good 
grower,  yet  occasionally  very  flue  and  distinct.  Instead  of  La  Reine  you 
should  buy  La  Ville  de  St.  Denis,  Gloire  de  Vitry.  on  its  own  roots,  and 
the  new  Rose  Madame  Alice  Dureau,  probably  the  best  of  its  year.  It 
has  been  the  best  novelty  here.  I  think  well  of  Madame  Rolland  (not  the 
same  as  Madame  Roland),  it  will  bloom  again  in  a  few  days.  It  is  a  good 
grower.  La  France  is  distinct  and  handsome,  a  good  grower,  and  a  very 
quick  bloomer,  but  I  should  thiuk  it  would  soil  in  a  wet  summer.  It  is  a 
pretty  Rose  for  glass.  Its  petals  are  reflesed  at  the  edges,  which  is  not  a 
virtue.— W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

Pegging-down  Roses  (A  Render). — "  Roses  for  pegging-down  must  not 
be  very  stifl'in  their  wood.  At  any  rate  great  care  must  be  observed  in 
bending  the  shoots.  The  long  shoots  need  not  be  cut  out  every  year,  only 
when  they  want  renewal.  The  young  shoots  should  be  cut  back  a  little 
to  a  good  eye  in  sound  wood.  I  believe  the  following  are  good  and  suit- 
able Roses  : — Hybrid  Perpctualx — Anna  Alexieff,  Comte  de  Nanteuil, 
Baronne  Prevost,  Due  de  Cazes,  Empereurde  Maroc.  Elizabeth  Vigneron, 
Gent-ral  Jacqueminot.  Jules  Margottin,  Lady  SulHeld,  La  Ville  de  St. 
Denis,  Baronne  de  Maynard,  Madame  Alfred  de  Rougemont,  Madame 
Knon-,  Mart-chal  Vaillant,  Marguerite  de  St.  Amand,  Maurice  Bernardin, 
Mrs.  W.  Paul,  Pierre  Netting,  Prince  Camille  de  Rohan,  Souvenir  de  Dr. 
Jamain,  and  Souvenir  de  Comte  Cavour.  C/iirta— Mrs.  Bosanquet, 
Bourbon — Acidalie.  Tcrt— Sombreuil,  Devoniei  sis  and  Rubens.  All  the 
above  are  good  on  the  Manetti  stock. — \V.  F.  RADaovEPE." 

Aquatics  for  Stove  iS.  P.).— NymphiDa  Cierulea,  N.  Devoniana,  Papyrua 
antiquorum,  and  Pistia  stratiotes. 

Flowering  Gloxinias  in  June  (Idem). —  To  have  thera  in  flower  in 
June  they  should  be  started  at  the  beginning  of  February.  Thev  should 
now  be  dried  oflf  and  put  to  rest  without  loss  of  lime,  as  upon  their  having 
a  good  rest  depends  a  vigorous  and  healthy  growth.  Do  not  keep  them 
dust  dry  as  that  is  apt  to  ciuse  the  roots  to  become  farinaceous,  and 
they  rot  when  water  is  given.  Setting  the  pots  on  a  damp  floor  will 
afl'ord  enough  of  moisture. 

Potting  Cyclamens  (Idem). — In  potting  the  corms  of  Cyclamen  persi- 
cum  they  should  be  entirolv  covered  with  soil.  The  old  plan  of  leaving 
half,  or  more  than  half,  of  them  out  of  the  soil  is  exploded. 

Culture  of  Clerodendron  TnoaisoN.E  and  Balfourii  (Idem).— They 
are  both  stove  climbing  plants,  and  require  a  stove  temperature.  At  this 
season  water  should  be  sparingly  given,  and  by  full  exposure  to  light 
secure  the  ripening  of  the  wood.  In  winter  give  no  more  water  than 
enough  to  keep  the  wood  plump.  In  February  perform  whatever  pruning 
may  be  required,  thinning  out  the  old  wood  and  shortening  the  long 
shoots,  but  leaving  enough  of  the  young  shoots  of  last  year,  and  when 
they  begin  to  push  encourage  their  growth  with  moisture  and  an  increase 
of  temperature.  When  the  plants  have  shoots  a  few  inches  long  repot, 
removing  all  the  old  soil  as  far  as  it  can  be  done  without  inj  ury  to  the  roots, 
and  use  a  compost  of  two-thirds  fibrous  loam  from  turf,  and  one-third 
sandy  peat,  with  a  free  admixture  of  sand.  Good  drainage  must  be  given; 
If  convenient  plunge  in  a  hotbed,  taking  care  not  to  make  the  soil  very 
wet  but  only  moist,  shading  from  bright  sun,  and  keeping  the  atmosphere 
moist.  When  the  plants  have  become  again  established  encourage  them 
with  plenty  of  heat  and  moisture,  affording  a  light  situation,  and  regulate 
the  shoots,  training  them  thinly  rather  than  very  closely  together. 

Intermediate  Stocks  (N.  £.).— Your  plants  raised  from  seed  sown 
early  in  spring  ought  to  have  flowered  this  autumn.  If  they  withstand 
the  winter  they  will  bloom  finely  next  spring.  There  are  two  sorts  of 
Intermediate  Stocks.  One,  called  "  Earliest-flowering  Autumnal  Inter- 
mediate," if  sown  in  spring  will  flower  in  August  and  until  destroyed  by 
frost;  and  the  other,  "Intermediate  or  Autumnal-flowering,"  should 
be  sown  in  July,  potted-oflf,  and  wintered  in  a  cold  frame,  and  it  will 
flower  early  in  the  following  season  and  continue  along  time  in  beauty, 
being  on  that  account  very  valuable.  For  blooming  at  the  same  time  as 
the  bedding-out  plants,  the  Ton-week  Stocks  are  the  most  suitable. — G.  A. 

Propagating  Echeveria  metallica  (JS.  PhilUps).~It  may  be  pro- 
pagated by  eyes,  or  a  leaf  taken  ofi"  with  a  kind  of  heel  as  you  describe. 
These,  inserted  in  sandy  soil  in  spring,  and  plunged  in  a  hotbed,  will  Boon 
root  if  covered  with  a  glass  and  kept  moist  and  shaded.  No  doubt  the 
best  of  all  modes  of  propagation  is  by  seed,  but  this  is  not  very  plentiful ; 
therefore,  we  should  prefer  propagation  by  eyes,  or  division  of  the  plant. 
The  latter  is  a  safe  mode  of  increase,  but  can  only  be  practised  with 
large  plants.  You  may  grow  it  well  in  a  compost  of  equal  parts  of  turfy 
light  loam  and  sandy  peat,  and  a  third  part  of  charcoal  in  pieces  from 
the  size  of  a  pea  up  to  that  of  a  hazel  nut,  with  pieces  of  grit  or  sand- 
stone of  like  size  (or  crocks  will  do),  and  silver  sand,  the  whole  well 
mixed.  Let  the  drainage  be  good.  Manure  is  of  no  advantage,  though  a, 
little  old  dry  cow  dung  will  give  increased  vigour. 

Select  Fruit  Trees  for  Walls  (A.  B.).— The  south  aspect  of  yotir 
north  wall  will  be  suitable  for  Apricots,  Peaches,  and  Nectarines. 
Apricots:  Kaisha,  Heniskerk,  and  Moorpark ;  if  you  wish  for  an  early 
s-ort  add  Orange,  and  for  preserving  Shipley's  Early.  Peaches  :  Early 
York,  Royal  George,  Sulhampstead,  Grosse  Mignonne,  Bellegardo,  Chan- 
cellor, Barrington,  Late  Admirable,  and  Stirling  Cai^tle.  Nectarines: 
Kivers's  Orange,  Elruge,  Hardwicke,  Violette  Hutive,  and  Pitmaston 
Orange.  The  north  aspect  will  only  be  useful  for  Cht'rries  of  the  Morello 
tribe,  of  which  Belle  de  Charmeux,  Belle  Magnitique,  Morello,  and  St. 
Margaret's  are  the  bcfit.  Your  other  low  north  aspect — i.e.,  of  the  south 
wall,  will  be  suitable,  because  low,  for  Red  and  White  Currants  and  Goose- 
berries, which  may  be  had  late  by  netting  Ihem.  You  wilt  have  two  west 
and  two  east  aspects.  One-half  of  one  of  the  east  aspects  we  would 
devote  to  Cherries:  Belle  d'Orleans.  Werder's  Early  Blnck,  Bowyer's 
Early  Heart,  Black  Tartarian,  May  Duke,  Elton,  Royal  Duke,  Florence, 
Bigarreau  Napoleon,  and  Late  Duke  ;  and  the  other  half  to  Plums  :  July 
Green  Gage,  Angelina  Burdett,  Early  Orleans.  Early  Prolific,  Victoria, 
and  White  Magnum  Bnnum.  On  the  other  east  aspect  have  Pears  and 
Apples.    Apjiles  :  Adains'3  Pearmain,  lEaddow  Pippin,  Calville  Blanche, 


October  29,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF   HOBTlCULTUliE   AND   COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


327 


Cellini^  Newtown  Pippin,  Northern  Spy,  Orange  Pippin,  and  Mannington'e 
Peannain.  Pears  :  Citron  des  Cnrraes,  Comto  de  Lamy,  Albcrtiue, 
Duchesse  d'AngoiiU'rao,  Willium'^'sBou  Chretien, Thompson's,  Bergiimotte 
d'Esperon,  and  Jostphine  de  Mulines.  One-half  of  one  west  uspoct— 
Plums:  Green  Guro,  Kirkc's,  Jefftirson,  Coe's  Golden  Drop,  Guthrit-'H 
Late  Green,  Coo'fl  Lato  Red,  and  Reino  Claude  de  Eiivay.  The  other  half, 
and  the  whole  of  the  other  west  ii?pect  may  bo  covered  with  Pearg : 
Beurre  Diol,  Beurrr  de  Rnneo.  Drown  Benrre,  Beurre  Boao,  Gnnsel's  Ber- 
Kamot,  Crasanne,  Knight's  Monnrch,  Marie  Louitie,  Forello,  Flemish 
Beauty,  GIoii  Mori;Gau,  Passe  Colnmr,  Winter  Nelis,  British  Queen,  Van 
Mons  L6on  Leclerc.  and  Ne  Plus  Jleuris.  If  we  have  named  too  many  you 
may  omit  some  of  the  kinds  that  come  in  nearly  topothcr.  niul  where  too 
few  are  piven  you  may  have  duplicates  of  those  whicli  host  meet  your 
requirements.  As  your  walls  have  buttrt-sses  at  every  IB  foet,  we  would 
make  that  the  distance  between  the  trees.  The  requirements  of  the 
iamily  must  be  taken  into  consideration  with  respect  t(i  the  number  of 
trees  of  the  different  sorts.  The  trees  against  the  walls  should  have 
borders  of  a  widtli  equal  to  the  height  of  the  wall,  nud  there  should  be  a 
walk  in  front  of  the  border.  On  tlie  opposite  side  of  the  walk  to  that  on 
which  the  wall  is  situated,  we  would  have  a  border  0  feet  wide,  and  alonj^ 
the  centre  have  a  row  of  pyramid  Apple  trees  on  the  Paradise  stock. 
Pear  trees  on  the  Quince,  and  Cherry  trees  on  tlio  Mahalob.  Tho  trees 
can  be  kept  very  compact  and  so  as  not  to  shade  more  tlian  tho  border. 
The  centre  walk  is  to  have  borders  on  each  side  for  herbaceous  idnnts, 
with  espaliers  at  tho  back.  The  pyramids  may  be  planted  G  feet  apart, 
or  9  feet  apart  with  a  Gooseberry  bush  between  each,  and  for  the  lirst 
three  years  yon  may  have  a  row  of  Strawberries  on  both  sides  of  the 
Jjorders  at  15  inches  from  the  edge. 

Culture  of  Hoya  carnosa  (Subscriber). — This  plant  is  very  accom- 
Jnodating,  it  will  succeed  in  a  stove,  vinery,  or  greenhouse,  but  best  in  a 
warm  greenhouse  or  cool  stove.  From  this  time  until  April  the  plant 
should  be  kept  dry  at  the  roots,  recei\ingno  water  except  when  necessary 
to  keep  tho  lenves  from  flagging,  which  they  must  not  bo  allowed  to  do. 
Tho  best  time  to  repot  is  when  the  plant  begins  to  grow.  Drain  the  pot 
well  one-third  its  depth,  and  employ  a  compost  of  &audy  loam  from  turf 
cut  about  1  inch  thick,  two-thirds,  and  one-third  equal  parts  of  fibrous 
peat,  pieces  of  cbarcnnl,  and  grit,  or  crocks  from  the  size  of  a  pea  up  to 
that  of  a  hazel  nut,  with  a  free  admixture  of  silver  sand.  Water  sparingly 
lor  a  time,  but  maintain  a  moist  atmosphere,  and  when  the  plant  is 
growing  freely  give  liberal  supplies  of  water,  but  avoid  saturating  the 
soil.  A  light  and  airy  situation  is  necessary.  You  may  take  ofi"  a  shoot 
in  spring,  cut  it  below  a  joint,  trim  off  two  or  three  of  the  lowest  leaves, 
and  insert  it  in  a  pot  well  drained  and  filled  with  open  sandy  soil.  It  will 
root  in  a  few  weeks  if  kept  moist  and  in  a  gentle  heat. 

Propagating  the  Ice  Plant  (I'Icjii), — It  is  an  annual  and  not  de- 
sirably continued  by  cuttings.  It  is  best  raised  from  seed,  for  seedlings 
grow  the  best  and  with  one-half  the  trouble— indeed,  we  are  not  aware 
that  the  plant  can  be  perpetuated  by  cuttings  beyond  a  year. 

Propagating  Acccbas  by  Cuttings  (R.  S.). — The  best  time  to  put  in 
Aucuba  cuttings  is  as  soon  as  the  growth  is  complete,  and  the  wood  has 
become  firm.  They  should  bo  inserted  in  light  sandy  soil  in  a  cold  frame, 
and  the  soil  made  firm  about  them.  A  gentle  watering  should  he  given, 
and  the  lights  kept  on  during  the  day  and  ofi"  at  night,  but  in  dull  weather 
they  may  remain  off  day  and  night.  Let  the  cuttings  have  the  benefit  of 
slight  showers,  but  protect  them  from  heavy  drenching  rains.  Shade 
from  bright  sun  should  also  be  afforded.  When  cold  frosty  weather  sets 
in  the  lights  will  be  useful  for  protection,  and  in  addition  a  covering  of 
mats  should  be  given  in  very  severe  periods.  The  lights  must  be  tilted, 
BO  as  to  let  the  cuttings  have  air,  and  the  latter  should  bo  fully  ex- 
posed in  mild  periods.  The  cuttings  may  be  struck  out  of  doors  in  a 
sheltered  shady  situation,  but  they  will  be  longer  in  taking  root,  and  their 
growth  will  be  slow.  From  the  end  of  August  to  October  the  shoots  will 
be  in  ft  good  state  for  making  cuttings,  but  they  may  be  put  in  up  to 
the  middle  of  November,  and  in  that  case  many  will  not  root  until  the 
following  autumn. 

Camellia  Buds  Dropping  (Idem). — The  cause  of  the  bnds  dropping  is 
a  deficient  supply  of  sap,  arising  from  defective  root  action.  This  may 
be  occasioned  by  unsuitable  soil,  or  the  soil  being  kept  too  wet,  so  that 
the  roots  perish  after  active  growth  ceases,  A  deficient  supply  of  mois- 
tare,  both  in  the  atmosphere  and  at  the  roots,  will  also  cause  the  buds  to 
fall.  The  moss  over  the  potsherds  would  not  injure  the  roots,  nor  cause 
the  buds  to  fall.  The  plants  are  nnhenUhy.  Tlie  buds  generally  fall 
from  plants  which  make  weak  stunted  growth,  and  have  small,  thin,  pale- 
coloured  leaves. 

Select  Zonal  Pelargoniums  (f(ffm).— Chieftain,  scarlet;  Lord  Derby, 
scarlet,  very  bright ;  Clipper,  scarlet ;  Sir  Fitzroy  Kellj-,  scarlet ;  Princess 
Dagmar,  rose,  upper  petals  half  white  ;  Queen  of  Roses,  rose;  Prince  of 
Wales,  salmon ;  Seraph,  orange  salmon  ;  Madame  Day,  salmon  and 
orange,  shaded  pale  flesh  at  the  edges,  centre  white  ;  Duchess  of  Suther- 
land, rosy  purple  ;  Constant  Nivelet.  bright  carmine  ;  and  White  Perfec- 
tion. If  you  wish  for  double-flowering  liinds,  Gloire  do  Nancy,  cerise 
crimson,  and  Madame  Lemoine,  rose. 

Propagating  Stachts  lanata  and  Dactylis  glomerata  by  Division 
(F.  J.). — The  most  suitable  time  to  divide  these  plants  is  in  the  end  of 
Uarch  or  beginning  of  April,  or  when  they  are  beginning  to  grow. 
Stachys  lanata,  however,  is  best  raised  from  cuttings  put  in  in  August 
in  a  shady  situation,  moving  them  to  their  final  quarters  in  spring  with  a 
ball  of  earth  to  each.  Dactylis  glomerata,  wo  presume,  is  the  variegated 
kind,  and  that  will  do  well  divided  and  planted  in  May,  care  being  taken 
to  water  freely  in  dry  weather. 

Planting  Roses  (Idem). — The  holes  should  be  2  feet  wide,  and  18  inches 
or  2  feet  deep,  and  should  be  filled  with  good  rich  soil,  adding  about  one- 
foui'th  of  cow  dang  or  rotten  manure.    Good  garden  soil  will  answer. 

Temperature  for  Bedding  Plants  (Idem). — Yon  need  not  light  a 
fire  until  the  temperature  fall  to  40^,  and  that  temperature  from  fire  heat 
should  not  be  exceeded.  A  gentle  fire,  however,  in  dull  periods,  to  cuuse  a 
circulation  of  air  and  to  dry  up  damp,  will  be  advantageous,  air  being  ad- 
mitted. 

Potting  Zonal  Pelaegokic^is  (Idcvi). — Old  plants  taken  up  now  and 
potted  will  be  better  for  early  blooming  than  cuttings  of  this  autumn, 
bnt  they  are  not  so  free  or  fine  in  foliage,  though  freer-blooming. 

Placing  Pelargoniums  in  Smaller  Pots  tidem). — The  advantages  of 
disrooting  and  placing  in,  smaller  puts  are,  that  tho  plants  form  fresh 


fibres,  and  can  be  enpplicd  with  fresh  food  in  loss  compasR  than  were 
Ihey  loft  in  the  old  pots  and  shifted  into  larger  ones  ;  but  the  chief  object 
nf  the  proceeding  is  to  keen  them  in  vigornus  health  and  good  bloom 
without  increasing  tho  size  of  pot.  By  disro.iting.  the  plants  are  put  into 
smaller  pots  than  those  ia  which  they  have  bloomed,  and  arc  uUimalely 
replaced  in  tho  old  si/.o  of  pot  for  again  flowering.  It  is  a  great  saving  of 
space,  and  a  good  mode  of  cultivation. 

PoiNSETTiA  pulcherrima  Losino  ITS  Leavp,.^  (A  Youjig  Gardener). — 
Your  plant  may  have  cast  its  leaves  from  their  being  infested  with 
insects,  or  from  a  deficiency  of  moisture  at  tho  root.  Without  a  specimen 
we  cannot  advise,  but  wc  see  nothing  in  your  treatment  likely  to  cause 
the  leaves  to  fall  off. 

Books  (Idf-m). — The  "  Garden  Manual,"  Keane's  "  In-door  Gardening,'* 
and  ''Cottage  Gardeners'  Dictionary."  will  suit  you.  They  can  all  be 
had  from  our  office,  free  by  post,  tho  first  and  second  for  U.  8d.  each,  and 
the  third  for  Is.  2d. 

Preventing  Club  in  Cabbaoeworts  (C.  R.). — Common  salt,  at  the 
rate  of  1  ton  per  acre,  which  should  be  applied  to  the  surface  and  raked 
iu  when  the  ground  is  being  prepared  for  the  crop,  is  in  most  cases  a  pre- 
ventive of  the  club  in  Turnips  and  Cabbages.  Two  cwt.  nitrate  soda  will 
also  be  found  a  useful  application.  Your  ground  being  full  of  insects,  we 
would  give  a  dressing  of  lime  in  March  at  tho  rate  of  one  hundred 
bushels  per  acre,  and  on  putting  in  every  crop  a  dressing  of  2  cwt.  of 
nitrate  of  soda  per  acre,  with  enough  soot  tomakethesurface  quite  black, 
pointing-in  these  applications  with  a  fork-  With  the  view  of  preventing 
club  in  all  the  Cabbage  tribe,  the  roots  and  stems,  previous  to  planting, 
may  be  dipped  iu  soot,  brought  to  the  consistency  of  paint  with  water, 
adding  to  every  gallon  1  lb.  of  saltpetre.  Tho  seed  beds  ought  to  be  fre- 
quently examined,  aad  plants  exhibiting  the  symptoms  of  club  should  l>e 
drawn,  the  excrescence  opeued",  and  the  maggot  destroyed  ;  then  plant 
them  in  nursery  beds  by  themselves.  The  plants  will  be  known  by  their 
lagging  behind  the  others  and  flagging  under  sun. 

Peach  Trees  Losing  their  Leates  and  Fruit  {A  Reader). — Planting 
Apple  trees,  so  as  to  shade  the  Peach  trees,  would  be  wrong.  They  can- 
not have  too  much  sun,  and  the  leaves  and  fruit  did  not  fall  owing  to 
want  of  shade,  but  want  of  moisture.  Keep  the  trees  syringed  and  well 
supplied  with  water  at  tho  roots,  and  after  the  fruit  has  set  give  a  good 
watering  with  liquid  manure,  and  another  after  stoning,  and  that  will 
keep  down  red  spider,  which  will  cause  tho  leaves  to  fall.  If  you  wish 
for  late  Peaches,  plant  such  kinds  as  Late  Admirable,  Walburton  Admir- 
able, Stirling  Castle,  and  Harrington. 

Lawn  Weedy  (W.  P.  B.).—We  advise  you  to  persist  in  removing  the 
weed  from  this  time  to  March  in  mild  weather,  and  early  in  that  month 
give  a  good  dressing  of  rotten  manure,  and  rake  it  well  in  with  an  iron 
rake.  With  the  first  prospect  of  rain  in  April  sow  of  Lotus  corniculatus 
minor,  1  lb.;  Trifolium  minus,  4  lbs.;  Trifolium  repeus,  2  lbs.;  Cyno- 
surus  cristatus,  4  lbs. ;  and  Festuca  durinscula,  4  lbs.  Roll  well  after 
sowing  if  the  ground  is  dry,  but  do  not  roll  again  for  a  month,  then  roll 
twice  or  thrice  a-week,  and  if  not  mown  for  six  weoka  after  sowing  all  the 
better,  then  mow  and  keep  well  rolled.  You  may  give  1  cwt.  of  Peruvian 
guano  during  wet  weather  in  May.  The  quantities  named  are  for  half  an 
acre. 

Belladonna  Lilies  not  Flowering  (L.  K.).— Tho  bulbs  from  being 
taken  up  before  they  were  matured,  or  from  being  kept  too  long  out  of 
the  ground,  have  been  weakened,  and  had  not  vigour  to  support  the 
bloom.  You  can  hardly  expect  them  to  flower  next  year.  We  advise  you 
to  have  them  potted,  and  keep  them  constantly  on  a  shelf  near  the  light 
in  the  greenhouse,  with  a  pan  of  wet  sand  under  them.  The  sand  ought 
never  to  become  dr>',  not  even  when  the  plants  are  dormant.  The  bulbs 
should  be  placed  in  small  pots,  and  have  good  drainage ;  good  yellow 
loam  from  turf,  with  about  one-third  of  leaf  mo«ld  and  one-sixlh  of 
sand  intermixed,  will  form  a  good  compost.  Give  little  water  until  the 
bulbs  are  growing  freely.  Keep  them  well  supplied  until  the  growth 
is  complete,  then  lessen  the  supply,  and  discontinue  it  altogether  wheu 
the  foliage  becomes  yellow.  Do  not  pot  until  the  roots  split  the  pots,  or 
the  drainage  becomes  defective. 

Removing  a  Large  Yew  Tree  (Idem).— The  Yew  may  be  safely  re- 
moved, care  being  taken  to  preserve  a  good  ball,  and  to  keep  the  spade 
at  a  good  distance  from  the  »tem.  No  time  should  be  lost  in  proceeding 
with  the  operation.  It  would  contribute  to  success  if  the  head  were 
cat-in  in  spring.  The  Yew  will  push  freely  from  the  naked  or  thick 
branches,  even  better  than  any  other  tree  or  shrub. 

Crushed  Bones  and  Superphosphate  of  Lime  from  Roses  (Devoni* 
cnsix). —  Half-inch  bones  and  superphosphate  are  both  good  manures 
fur  Roses.  The  former  should  be  put  in  near  the  roots  for  the  fibres  to 
run  into  ;  the  latter  may  be  either  put  in  as  above,  or  over  the  surface, 
and  lightly  covered  with  soil. 

Estimate  of  a  Few  Roses  (Idem). — "I  do  not  possess  Piincess  Mary 
of  Cambridge.  It  is  a  very  good  Rose.  Charles  Yerdier,  since  Margue- 
rite de  St.  Amand  came  out,  is,  in  my  judgment,  the  best  light-coloured 
Rose.  Miss  M.  Dombrain  is  very  fine,  but  subject  to  a  tuck  in  the  side. 
Mr.  Keynes  had  at  Blandford  beautiful  trebles  of  the  Princess  Mary  of 
Cambridge  and  Miss  M.  Dombrain,  also  of  Xavier  Olibo.  I  am  not  quite 
sure  that  Charles  Verdier  will  be  as  free  a  bloomer  as  Marguerite  de 
St.  Amand.  It  bloomed  freely  with  me,  but  I  have  heard  complaints 
of  its  not  opening.  It  is  a  very  full  Rose,  and  perhaps  wanted  water.  Its 
wood  is  the  same  as  that  of  Victor  Verdier. — W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

Heating  a  Small  Greenhouse  (Subscriber,  Bandon"!. — We  do  not 
think  that  you  will  be  able  to  regulate  the  temperature  of  your  house  by 
heating  a  boiler  with  a  lamp.  We  would  have  more  faith  in  a  large  lamp 
with  a  tube  and  globe,  an  inverted  funnel  suspended  over  it,  and  a  pipe 
from  the  funnel  leading  into  the  open  air.  We  do  not  know  the  slow- 
cnmbustion  stove  to  which  you  allude,  but  we  will  undertake  to  make  any 
stove  a  slow-combustion  one,  by  nicely  regulating  the  admission  of  air 
by  the  ashpit  door.  If  we  were  in  your  pla'^e  we  would  have  a  small  iron 
stove,  say  SO  inches  in  height,  and  14  inches  in  diameter,  which  would 
allow  you  to  have  a  firebox  9  inches  wide,  without  the  fire  tonching  the 
outside  iron.  This,  with  a  plate-iron  funnel  going  through  the  roof,  will 
keep  your  house  warm.  The  simplest  plan  for  the  funnel  is  to  take  out 
a  square  of  glass,  and  insert  a  similar  square  of  zinc  or  iron  with  a  hole 
in  it  for  the  funnel  to  pass  through  Even  by  using  prepared  charcoal 
in  H  stove,  we  would  have  no  faith  in  it  without  a  pipe  to  let  out  the  pro- 
ducts of  combustion. 


328 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENKB. 


[  Ootobor  29,  1868. 


pT-ANTiNfi  A  Gaiiden  (A  Mechanic). ~V/e  cnnoot  undertake  to  plant 
gardcDR,  but  if  you  will  toll  us  your  nppliances  and  mennB,  nnd  what  yon 
intend  doing,  we  will  Rive  you  our  best  offices.  In  addition  to  the  little 
Ixwks  ordered,  wo  would  recommend  Kcane'a  "  Out-door  (rardening," 
which  may  be  had  from  our  office  for  twenty  stftmpa.  Meanwhile  we 
would  say,  that  thouKh  we  would  commend  the  carefulness  with  which 
TOO  Lave  pencilled  your  plan,  we  cannot  eee  how  you  can  make  it  work,  so 
as  to  have  a  bolder  ou  three  sides  at  least,  18  inches  wide,  a  priivel  path 
Tonnd  the  four  sides  of  the  square,  and  the  inside  of  the  aquare  itself 
Jaid  out  with  five  clumps,  a  large  oval  in  the  ceHtre,  and  four  triangular 
beds  at  the  comers,  and  these  beds  to  be  surrounded  by  and  divided  from 
each  other  by  grass,  and  all  this  in  a  space  of  14  feet  by  8  feet.  Even 
supposing  that  there  could  be  room,  we  would  alter  the  plan  so  or  not  to 
Rive  almost  all  the  space  to  tha  centre  bod,  merely  making  that  tbe 
largest,  and  the  others  in  proportion,  as  at  present  that  bed,  simply  from 
its  size,  would  proi>ouderiite  over  all  the  rest  of  the  garden.  Perhaps, 
however,  we  read  you  wrong,  and  the  central  part  surrounded  with  grass 
ia  of  itself  1  4  feet  by  8  feet.  If  bo,  the  above  remarks  as  to  relative  size 
will  hold  good,  and  as  you  show  no  grass  on  the  border  aide,  neither 
would  we  have  grass  in  the  central  part,  as,  if  not  much  more  than  a  foot 
wide,  it  will  always  be  difficult  to  manage.  The  square  corners  of  your 
walk  will  always  be  unpleasant  when  tbe  space  is  so  small  and  the  walks 
so  narrow,  and  you  would  gain  much  in  comfort,  nnd  the  outline  would 
be  more  artistic,  if  you  have  only  one  clump  in  the  centre— namely,  a 
circle  or  oval,  make  your  waJk  more  circular  round  it,  and  add  in  pro- 
T>ortioii  to  the  width  of  the  border  at  the  four  corners.  As  we  do  not 
know  your  conveniences  we  cannot  tell  you  how  to  provide  for  next  sea- 
son's display.  You  cnuld  plant  the  white-leaved  CeraKtium  in  little  bits 
U8  an  edgini?  to  your  border  now.  You  could  back  that  by  dividing  roots 
oj  Daisies  and  Violas,  say  red  Daisies  and  yellow  Violas.  You  could 
also  do  your  central  beds  with  Wallflowers  and  Rooltets.  We  need  not 
say  bow  pretty  you  could  have  it  in  spring  with  Crocuses,  Pnowdrops, 
Tnlips,  Hyacinths,  and  N'areiisus.  If  you  have  any  place  under  glass,  or 
a  spare  window  near  which  to  set  a  table,  you  might  sow  rarlon-s  kinds 
of  hardy  annuals,  as  dilTercnt  Nemophilas,  Candytuft,  Sweet  Alyasum, 
VirginirmStock.  Silcnes,  the  dwarf  kinds,  EsehPcholtiiias,A:c.,  tob«  trans- 
planted in  March,  when  they  would  bloom  early,  and  tbe  co^t  of  the 
seeds  would  only  ho  a  few  pence  ;  but  it  would  be'  usoleey  for  us  to  make 
sogfrestioiis  which  you  might  not  be  able  to  act  upon.  If  you  attempt  to 
rival  the  f^ne  lin?8  of  colour  of  fine-foliaged  plants  which Vou  have  seen 
in  the  porks  of  London,  you  must  have  glass,  and  be  furnished  with  heat 
of  some  sort-  If  you  had  a  spare  room  with  plenty  of  light  you  might 
raise  plants  in  a  small  box.  with  a  place  for  hot  water  beneath ;  but  you 
wonld  have  to  harden  them  off  by  degrees,  so  as  to  be  able  to  stand  out 
of  doOTB.  If  yon  have  had  little  experienco  wo  would  advise  you  at  first 
to  try  bulbs  and  dwarf  hardy  annuals.  The  annuals  we  have  named,  if 
sown  under  protection  now.  would  come  in  early,  and  would  be  succeeded 
by  others  of  the  same  kind  sown  in  March.  As  edgings  to  such  small  gar- 
dens Box  answers  we)l.  neat  tiles  better,  nnd  flinf*  and  pebbles  of  small 
size  are  not  to  be  despised.  With  a  brush  and  colour,  you  may  give  these 
flints  or  small  stones  any  colour  you  hke. 

FoKM  OF  Ohchard  HOUSES  {X  ).— Spau-roofed  aro  preferable  to  lean-to 
honses  according  to  circumstances,  span-roofed  houses  admit  more 
light,  and  may  be  so  placed  as  to  take  full  ndvantngo  of  the  morning  and 
afternoon  sun.  and  whore  no  wall  exists  they  will  be  cheaper  when  the 
space  enclotied  is  consiJered  ;  but  if  to  be  kept  at  a  high  temperature 
they  will  cost  mnro  in  heating.  Lean-to's  against  a  wall  arc  much  warmer 
in  acold  place  v.ben  they  face  the  south. and  provided  walls  are  already 
there,  the  fronting  them  with  glass  is  never  unadvisable.  In  cither  case 
the  Vine  borders  may  be  made  entirely  outside,  leaving  the  inside  borders 
for  other  purposes,  and  iu  that  case  the  front  wall  may  be  solid  ;  but  if 
on  piers  or  arches,  and  only  2  feet  of  a  border  could  be  g'iven  to  the  Vines 
in&ide.  it  would  be  better,  as  the  Vine  stems  would  be  secure  at  all  times. 
We  take  many  Vines  through  a  hole  in  the  front  wall,  but  several  times, 
do  what  we  couUl.  we  have  bad  the  Vine  stems  gnawed  by  rats.  The 
merit  of  houses  thsit  rise  from  low  piers  in  front,  be  they  span  or  lean-to, 
is  that  you  depend  on  the  glass  roof  entirely  for  light,  and  as  that  rnnf  is 
generally  rather  Eteep.  the  plants  trained  under  it  are  better  fitted  for 
early  and  late  crops.  In  attending  such  houses,  most  of  the  work  must 
be  done  from  tbe  outside,  or  you  must  stoop  considerably  in  doing  it 
Jrom  the  inside.  In  a  lean-to  or  span-roofed  house,  where  the  sides  are 
high  enough  to  permit  a  person  to  walk  near  the  side  inside,  the  flatuess 
of  the  roof  is  countL-vbalanced  to  a  certain  extent  by  the  bght  in  winter, 
late  in  autumn,  and  early  in  spring,  that  passes  directly  through  the  front 
glass.  Such  houses  are  best  for  plants  or  ornamental  purposes,  as  you 
can  enjoy  them  better  from  being  able  to  walk  about  easily.  Where  mere 
frnit  culture  is  concerned,  the  roof  rising  from  ricrs  or  a  low  wall,  say  a 
foot  or  18  inches  above  the  ground,  does  very  well ;  but  then  utility  more 
than  elegance  or  uieic  convenience  are  the  main  objects. 

Hyacinths  in  Pots  {A  Constant  Sithscribcr).—Vk'e  should  prefer  a  mix- 
ture of  sand  and  leaf  mould  to  mere  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse  as  soil  for 
them. 

FnujTiNG  Vines  {;?rat?cr).— We  have  no  faith,  ag  a  rule,  in  tftkingtwo 
bunches  instead  of  one  from  every  shoot  or  spur  of  a  Vine.  It  is  perfectly 
impossible  to  tell  you  what  quantity  of  water  your  inside  Vine  borders 
will  require  ;  but  this  we  can  say,  keep  the  roots  rather  dry,  not  dust  drv, 
in  winter;  water  so  as  to  have  tho  ground  somewhat  moist  as  gi-owth 
commences;  give  more  water  as  growth  proceeds;  and  just  manage  to 
have  the  surface  somev.hat  dry  as  the  Grapes  ripen.  Before  colouring, 
if  you  are  sure  by  personal  examination  that  the  soil  is  moist  enough 
right  through,  a  damping  of  the  surfice  will  be  all  that  will  be  required. 
With  such  a  border  it  will  not  be  easy  to  overwater  in  the  growing  time. 
Cold  water  should  not  be  used. 

Sowing  Rose  Seed  iF.  S.).— The  heps  should  be  gathered  when  ripe. 
early  in  November,  and  kept  entire  in  a  flower  pot  filled  with  sand.  At 
the  end  of  FebruLiry  or  beginning  of  March  they  must  be  broken  with 
the  fingers  and  the  heeds  sown  in  pans,  which  should  be  deep— not  less 
than  8  inches  iu  depth.  They  ought  to  be  well  drained,  and  filled  to  within 
half  an  inch  of  tho  rim  with  two-thirds  loam  from  turf,  and  one-third 
sandy  peat  or  leaf  mould,  addiug  sand  if  the  soil  does  not  contain  enough. 
The  seeds  should  be  placed  rather  thinly,  and  covered  with  half  an  inch 
of  fine  soil.  The  pins  should  have  a  good  watering,  and  be  plunged  in 
the  open  ground  iu  a  sheltered  but  open  situation.  They  must  be  pro- 
tected from  mice  by  a  covering  of  very  small-raesbed  wire  netting,  which 
will  also  keep  the  soil  moist  from  the  shade  afforded,  space  being  allowed 


between  tbe  soil  and  wire  for  the  plints  to  come  up  ;  threo-quartera  of  an 
inch  will  be  sufllcient.  The  soil  should  be  kept  moist.  The  plants  will 
appear  in  Rlay  or  earlier,  and  when  they  have  three  or  four  loaves  they 
may  be  tnken  up  and  potted  in  small  pots,  be  placed  under  a  handglaaa 
for  a  fow  days,  planted  out  in  good  rich  soil,  and  they  will  then  make 
strong  shoots  fit  for  budding  in  August  or  September.  Very  often  the 
seed  does  not  vegetate  until  the  second  spring;  the  pans,  therefore, 
should  be  allowed  to  remain  until  May  or  June  of  the  second  year. 

Elm  Tbee  Injured  by  Insects  (A  Sub-crilcT).— The  bark  falling  off 
suggested  that  the  Scolytus  destructor  had  assailed  the  tree,  for  which  we 
know  no  remedy;  but  the  holes  "large  enough  to  admit  the  point  of  a 
little  finger,"  intimate  that  the  ravager  is  the  caterpilltir  of  the  goat 
moth,  Cossus  ligniperda.  It  mav  be  sometimes  destroyed  by  thrusting 
wire  up  the  hole,  but  the  misuhief  done  is  irreparable. 

Back  Numbers  [Q.  Reed).^The  whole  of  tho  numhera  you  mention' 
and  tho  index,  can  be  obtained  from  our  office. 

Cottage  Gardeners'  Dictionary  Si'PPLement  (R.  J".  8.). — You  can 
have  the  Supplement  free  by  post  from  our  office  if  you  enclose  twenty 
postage  stamps  with  your  address. 

Pears  Mealy  (Soulh  ll'i^s).— Tho  Beurr^Bose  Pears,  grown  on  a  south- 
west wall,  ni'jftly  and  deficient  in  flavour,  would  probably  have  uot  been 
thus  faulty  if  the  soil  over  the  tree'sroots  had  been  mulched  and  watered 
well  during  the  late  hot  dry  summer. 

SrruATioN  Needkd  (J.  C).— Yon  ranet  write  to  the  principal  nursery- 
men, stating  your  qualifications  and  testimonials. 

FonciNo-noTTSE  Managesiknt  (K.  P.).— "In-door  Gardening"  contains 
the  management  for  each  week.  You  can  have  it  free  by  post  from  our 
office  if  you  enclose  twenty  postage  stamps  with  your  address. 

MiMDLUs  TBicoLon  [A.  C.).— We  only  know  that  it  is  stated  to  bo  a 
native  of  Mexico,  and  was  introduced'to  this  country  by  Hartweg  about 
1849. 

IMelon  Apple  Tree  TJNFRUiTFin.  (KingsJ)ri(fgievsi8).—The  shoot  you 
sent  is  thickly  covered  with  the  Apple-scale  insect  (Aspidiotus  couchi- 
forniis).  Brush  tho  stem  and  all  tbe  branches  with  this  mixture:— Soft 
soap,  2  lbs. ;  flowers  of  sulphm',  li  lbs. ;  tobacco.  1  lb. ;  and  a  wineglass  of 
spirit  of  turpentine.  Mis  the  sulphur,  turpentine,  and  soap  into  a  paste 
with  warm  water  :  boil  the  tobacco  for  an  hour  in  a  covered  saucepan  in 
some  more  water,  strain  it,  mix  it  with  the  soapy  mLxture,  and  then  add 
enough  v.  at  or  to  make  five  gallons.  A  south  wall  is  too  hot  a  situa- 
tion for  tho  tree  in  Devonshire.  Mulch  and  water  often  in  dry  summer 
weather. 

Maiden  Frpit  Trees  (Ignorance).— A.  maiden  plant  is  a  tree  that  has 
never  been  pruned;  fur  instance,  a  Plum  stock  budded  this  year  witli  a 
Peach  will  iiuxt  year  have  a  single  strong  thoot  from  tbe  bud  inserted  in 
the  Plum  ;  that  in  autumn  is  a  maiden  plant,  and  the  shout  is  to  be  cut 
down  to  two  buds  situated  at  9  or  10  inches  from  tbe  ground  in  order  to 
furnish  side  shoots,  tho  bei^t  two  at  that  height  being  selected,  as  you 
will  find  explained  at  page  '2(IG. 

Soil  for  Vine  Borders  (G.  P.  Ii.).—Yo\i  cannot  make  your  Vine  border 
with  anything  better  than  tbe  top  spit— say  a  inches  deep,  of  a  good 
loamy  pasture.  Allow  this  to  lie  in  a  heap  for  six  months,  and  then  add 
a  load  of  brick  rubbish,  and  a  couple  of  bushels  of  broken  boiled  bones 
to  every  seven  or  eight  loads  o|  the  turfy  mixture. 

Potash  for  Dissolving  Bones  {Nemo).— Tbe  exact  quantity  required 
cannot  be  told,  for  bones  difi'er  in  the  amount  of  phogphate  of  lime  which 
they  contain.  Coat  each  bone  with  the  powdered  potash,  and  strew  a 
little  over  each  layer  of  bones. 

Pigeon  ManuHe  (Pigeon). —  Some  nurseryman  or  gardener  in  your 
neighbourhood  Vi^ould  probably  purchase  it. 

ExTKKMiNATiNO  Ants  (if.  Smart), — They  may  be  driven  away  by  re- 
peatedly strewing  guano,  or  pouring  over  their  nests  the  ammoniacal 
liquor  from  the  gas  works,  or  you  may  pour  into  their  nests  a  solution  of 
Clarke's  insect-destroying  coniponud  at  the  rate  of  2  ozs.  to  the  gallon. 
You  may,  after  the  fruit  is  set,  syringe  the  trees  with  a  solution  of  the 
compound,  and  once  a-month  up  to  August,  or  ofteuer  if  the  pest 
appear,  doing  it  in  the  evening,  or  early  in  the  morning,  for  ants  are 
early  and  also  bite  workers.  The  compound  will  free  your  trees  of  other 
insects  as  well  as  the  ants,  as  aphis  nnd  red  spider. 

Names  of  Fungi  (B«r&;V/.'7e).~The  following  is  a  list  of  your  Fungi; 
there  ia  none  decidedly  edible:—!.  Lycoperdou  saccatum,  a  rare  species 
of  Pnflball ;  2,  Agaricus  flaccidus,  belongs  to  an  edible  group,  but  we  do 
not  know  its  qualities;  3,  Agaric  us  lerugiuosus,  poisonous;  4,  Agaricus 
f  iscicularis,  poisonous;  5,  Hirueola  auricula-jud:e,  the  Jews-ears  of  tho 
old  herbalists,  sometimes  used  in  tbe  present  day  by  old  country  folk  and 
quacks,  but  useless  as  food  or  physic. 

Namps  of  Fruits  (O.  Y.).— We  have  not  received  the  stamps,  and  the 
fruit  aft^r  being  kept  uutil  spoilini,'  was  uivi-n  away.  (Win.  McLennan). — 
Your  Apple  is  Kavelston  Pippin.  (//.  H.  P.)  .—1.  Margil  ;  3.  Koyal  Russet ; 

4,  ILeinette  du  Canada;  D,  London  F'ippiii;  6,  Blenheim  Pippin;  7,  Non- 
such ;  8,  Court-Pendu-Hlat ;  10,  Yorkshire  Greening;  11,  Duraelow's 
Seedling;  12.  Braddick's  Nonpareil;  15,  Cockle  Pippin;  17,  Sturmer 
Pippin.  (Quince).— 2,  Vicar  of  Winkfleld;  3.  Passe  Colmar ;  4,  Beurre 
Diel ;  5,  Glou  Mori;eau ;  6,  Triomphe  de  Jodoigne;  8,  Colmar;  9,  Ber- 
gamotte  Esperen  ;  10,  Althoi-p  Crasanne ;  II,  Catillac  ;  12,  Dunmore. 
{M.  H  ].—Ptnrs  :  1  and  2,  Gansel'a  Bergamot ;  8,  Lewis.  Apples  :  1,  Barce- 
lona Pearmain ;  2,  Winter  Pearmain ;  3,  Warner's  King ;  4,  Ked  Bough ; 

5,  Sykehouse  Russet. 

Names  op  Plants  {M.  W.  Jir.).— Wo  cannot  usually  name  plants  from 
mere  leaves.  (C.  f.).— The  Bird  Cherry,  Cerasus  padus.  iC.A.M,).— 
Bougaiuvillea  spectabilis.  A  stove  evergreen  climber.  Native  of  Pern, 
Propagated  by  cuttings.  [Mrs.  Sartor >s).—\Ve  cannot  name  Pelargoniums, 
nor  any  other  florists' flowers  from  specimen  flowers.  They  ara  f ar  too 
numerous  and  difi'er  so  slightly.  {T.  lierord).— The  name  of  the  plant 
which  has  never  flowered  with  you  is  Pittosporum  undulatum,  a  native 
of  tropiciil  Asia  and  Australia.  The  singular  fungus  attacking  the  wood 
iu  your  cellar  is  Ozonium  auricomum,  a  mycelium.  {Castlcreagh). — 
l,Aspleniimi  fontanum  ;  2,  Pteris  longifolia  ;  3,  Onychium  japonicum  ; 
4,  Lastrca  Filix-mas;  5,  Pteris  sulcata;  G,  Microlepia  nov;e-zelandia;. 
(ir.  i'.).— Fittonia  argjToneura  (or  Eranthemum  leuconervumj,  (G.  D.). 
— Amaranthus  tricolor,  tender  annual.    (J.  B.  IF.).—!,  Sedum  cameum 


October  29,  IBBS.  ] 


joubnaij  op  hobticulture  and  cottage  oabdeneb. 


339 


leuf  80ut,  hoDce  uucortaia. 


,  Boffoulft  Daviosii;  3.  Uodychiunn  ftppurontly,  but  only  a  I  turn  ounoatmn  ;    8,  Asplonium  Adiantum-aigrum  ;    4,   Lycopodium  ro- 

{Uo3»ini).—l,  Adiuutum  tejiorum  ;  '2,  Aduiu-  ,  bui*luu»j  G,  Davnllif 


Din  pyxiduta. 


METEOROIjOGICAL  observations  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  wcok  ending  October  97th. 


DiTB. 

,,-. 

['■-"■'      tHBKMOBETKBl' ■'■       '       ' 

Wind. 

Rain  In 

Inches. 

OUNEB&L   USBUBKa. 

BAROUVTHB. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Uai. 

Mm. 

Max. 

Mln. 

1  (t.  dp. 

9  ft.  dp. 

Wed...  21 
Thara.  22 
Fri.  ..  23 
Sat  ..  24 
Son. ,,  25 
Mon...  2G 
Tnes. .  27 

29.753 
29.9i!9 
29  881 
29.787 
29.815 
29.921 
80.171 

29  r.9.s 

29.778 
29.877 
E9.432 
29.e.i0 
29.788 
80.038 

f.5 
f.7 

r,7 

B4 
61 
51 
53 

2.'> 
29 
33 
45 
43 
80 
25 

49 
45 
48 
48 
41 
48 
00 

51 
48 
49 
48 
50 
49 
49 

W. 

s.w. 

N.W. 

S.E. 

E. 

N.W. 

N.W. 

.00 
.01) 
.08 
.48 
.15 
.(II) 
.00 

Clear  and  fiuo;  very  fine  ;  fine,  froHty  air. 

Fine,  sharp  frost  ;  very  fine  and  clear  ;  dondy. 

Boibtcrnns  with  rain  ;  very  fine  ;  overcast,  fine. 

Heavy  rain  ;  hoisterous  with  min  ;  fine,  very  hoistorous. 

Fine,  close  uir;  rain;  hazy;  clear  and  fiito. 

Fine  ;  clear  and  very  fine  ;  fine  at  ni;?ht. 

Clear  and  fine  ;  very  flue  ;  fine  and  frosty  at  night. 

Meaa 

29.9J8 

29.706 

06.71 

82.71 

48.0] 

60.57 

•• 

0.71 

POULTKY,  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD   CHEONICLE. 


POULTRY  snow  DETAILS. 

Mitch  has  been  said  and  written  on  various  occasions  by  ex- 
hibitors, respecting  the  present  system  of  liolding  so  many 
shows  simultaneously.  This  to  my  mind  seems  suicidal,  for 
Dot  more  than  one  show  out  of  four,  I  think,  can  possibly  prove 
a  decided  success  as  regards  the  quality  of  the  birds  exhibited 
(which  is  very  important),  and  in  the  end  a  serious  pecuniary 
loss  to  the  various  committees  is  the  result.  Besides,  com- 
mittees are  now  under  the  necessity  of  having  persons  to  act  as 
judges  who  are  not  possessed  of  the  necessary  qualifications, 
and  although  such  persons  may  wish  to  act  honestly  towards 
all,  yet  their  lacking  the  proper  qualifications  must  inflict  an 
injustice  on  exhibitors  generally  ;  so  that  instead  of  people  ex- 
hibiting the  various  kinds  of  poultry  with  pleasure,  as  it  ought 
to  be,  it  very  often  proves  to  be  a  source  of  annoyance  and 
vexation  to  many.  The  consequence  is,  that  one  show  after 
another  becomes  a  thing  of  the  past. 

To  tho  above  circumstances,  with  a  few  others,  I  think  may 
be  traced  the  total  abandonment  of  many  shows.  In  order 
that  a  better  state  of  things  may  exist,  I  wish  to  call  the  at- 
tention of  committees,  and  others,  to  the  importance  of  having 
at  all  times,  as  far  as  practicable,  gentlemen  well  qualified  to 
perform  the  duty  devolving  upon  them.  I  have  no  wish  what- 
ever to  apeak  disparagingly  of  any  who  may  be  called  upon  to 
act  as  judges ;  but  I  think  the  time  has  now  arrived  when  we 
require  judges  possessing  a  general  knowledge  of  all  the  classes, 
and  not  persons  who  really  only  understand  one  or  two  classes, 
fo  long,  therefore,  as  matters  continue  as  they  are,  nothing 
but  dissatisfaction  and  fault-finding  can  be  expected.  I,  as  an 
individual  exhibitor,  would  like  eight  or  ten  persons  selected 
to  act  as  judges,  and  that  they  should  be  exclusively  employed; 
but,  of  course,  the  committees  to  make  their  own  selection 
from  that  number,  and  if  only  the  exhibitors  could  agree  as  to 
who  those  gentlemen  should  be,  better  results  would  soon 
follow. 

I  see  shows  advertised  that  are  likely  to  clash  with  each 
other ;  such  being  the  case,  one  of  those  gentlemen  might  be 
appointed  to  ofliciate  alone  in  all  the  classes  at  one  show,  while 
another  was  allowed  to  judge  at  another,  and  thus  the  great 
object  would  be  obtained  in  each  case ;  something  Uke  correct 
decisions  being  arrived  at  to  the  satisfaction  of  exhibitors 
generally. — Exhiditoe. 


Beistol  and  Clifton  Show. — We  have  just  received  a  sche- 
dule of  the  Bristol  and  Chftou  Poultry  Show,  its  programme 
this  time  surpassing  even  Birmingham  in  the  silver  cups 
offered  for  competition.  To  Dorkings  two  cups  each  of  the 
value  of  ten  guineas  are  offered,  while  Cochins,  Brahmas, 
Spanish,  and  Hamburghs,  have  two  cups  awarded  to  each,  one 
for  cocks  or  cockerels,  and  the  other  for  hens  or  pullets.  The 
Black  Hamburghs  will  have  to  creep  into  the  "  Any  variety  " 
class,  this  useful  fowl  not  being  yet  appreciated  to  its  full 
value.  At  the  last  Clifton  Show,  it  will  be  remembered  chickens 
only  could  compete  ;  this  year,  however,  old  and  young  will 
compete  together  in  most  of  the  classes.  There  is  one  lesson 
that  we  think  Birmingham  could  learn  from  this  young  but 
enterprising  Society.  We  refer  to  the  entrance  fees.  While  to 
Birmingham  every  exhibitor  vrill  have  to  send  no  less  than  four 


pens,  here  the  fancier  of  a  single  variety  only  will  be  able  to 
compete  without  having  to  pay  the  obnoxious  guinea,  before 
he  can  show  even  a  single  pen.  The  entrance  fees  for  the 
Bristol  and  Clifton  Show  are  the  same  as  for  the  Manchester 
and  Liverpool  recently  held. 


BREEDING  DUCKWING  GAME   FOWLS. 

In  breeding  Duckwings  for  correct  match,  the  "  golden  " 
rule,  that  "  like  produces  like  best,"  should  be  attended  to ; 
and  the  most  correct-coloured  Duckwings,  especially  Silver- 
Greys,  are  produced  by  breeding  "  Duckwings  with  Duckwings." 

Selecting  first-rate  strains  of  the  same  colour  and  match,  if 
good,  but  of  quite  different  blood,  the  cock  in  crossing  of  one 
strain,  the  hens  all  sisters  and  of  a  different  strain  from  the 
cock,  but  matching  him,  put  two,  four,  or  six'hena  to  one  cock ; 
two  will  be  the  best  if  crossing.  All  should  be  two-year-old 
birds,  as  in  their  prime  ;  if  breeding  in-and-in,  an  old  cock  to 
be  put  to  two-year-old  hens,  or  a  two-year-old  cock  to  old  hens. 
Breed  chiefly  in  April  or  May,  or  the  last  ten  days  in  March, 
setting  no  more  than  eleven  or  twelve  eggs  under  each  hen. 

The  common  way  of  best  producing  Duckwings  for  exhibition 
with  the  required  high-coloured  cocks  and  the  Silver  hens,  is 
to  breed  theDuckwing  cock  chickens  from  a  good  Black-breasted 
Bed  cock  put  to  Duckwing  hens,  and  to  get  the  pullets  from  a, 
Duckwing  cock  with  Duckwing  hens,  which  gives  the  true  silvery 
bluish  grey  colour,  but  does  not  breed  cock  chickens  sufficiently 
high  coloured.  Breeding  the  cock  chickens  from  a  Duckwing 
cock  with  Partridge  hens,  is,  I  think,  equally  good,  and  makes 
more  Duckwing  cocks,  and  better  on  the  whole,  perhaps. 
I,  however,  always  prefer  breeding  both  cock  chickens  and 
pullets  from  Duckwings  bred  from  Duckwings,  as  the  cock 
chickens  are  then  the  true  match  for  the  pullets,  and  are  not 
mongrels.  No  good  or  true-coloured  Silver-Grey  Duckwing 
pullets  can  be  obtained  by  crossing  with  Beds,  but  only  the 
yellow  or  yellowish  pullets  with  brown-marked  wings  and 
shoulders,  and  coarse  red-fawn  breasts,  but  such  as  the  latter, 
when  hens,  can  be  used  for  breeding  the  high-coloured  Yellow 
Duckwing  cocks  which  match  them,  and  will  do  so  better  than 
breeding  with  the  Partridge  hen  a  second  time. 

The  true  colour  for  pure-bred  Duckwing  hens  is  a  beautiful 
silvery  bluish  grey  thickly  frosted  with  silver,  with  a  delicate 
pale  or  silver-fawn  breast,  instead  of  the  coarse  red  breast,  and 
a  red  fawn  breast  is  only  proper  to  the  Partridge  or  other  Bed 
hens.  The  neck  hackle  of  the  Duckwing  hen  should  be,  of 
course,  silvery  grey  striped  with  black,  less  black  near  the 
head.  .  Tail  blackish  grey  or  greyish  black.  I  prefer  the  Duck- 
wing cocks  that  really  match  such  hens  as  these  and  are  bred 
with  them,  but  they  will  throw  cocks  according  to  the  cock  put 
to  them,  either  Silver-tirey,  Grey  Birchen,  Birchen  Grey,  and 
Yellow  Birchen  Duckwing  cocks.  The  hen  and  not  so  much 
the  cock,  is  the  parent  stock  and  true  foundation  of  our  Duck- 
wings, which  were  first  bred  from  Black-breasted  Beds  acci- 
dentally throwing  Duckwing  hens  or  pullets  ;  and  these,  being 
perpetuated  by  interbreeding,  produced  also  Duckwing  cocks, 
the  Yellows  first  and  then  the  Silvers  by  selection  afterwards. 
Greys  are  harder  and  gamer  if  rightly  bred  than  any  Yel- 
lows are,  as  Yellows  are  often  softer  than  Beds,  as  when  the 
Beds  throw  to  Greys  they  throw  hard  birds,  and  when  to 
Yellows  often  soft  birds.  I  mean  really  good  Greys  and  not 
the  soft  mealy  colour.  The  high-coloured  orange-copper-backed 
cocks  are  very  handsome,  but  never  breed  good-coloured  pullets, 
being  only  handsome  cross-bred  birds  themselves. 


330 


JOUBNAL   OF'  HORTICULTUEE   AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEB. 


[  October  29,  1888. 


Oar  Dnckwing  exhibitors  seldom  exhibit  a  real  match  in  a  pen 
of  Duckwings,  but  show  a  cock  and  hens  of  different  strains  ; 
the  bens  being  from  one  strain  greyer,  the  cock  from  another  and 
yellower  or  higher  colonred.  When  of  the  same  strain  the  hens 
are  often  faulty,  being  brown-shouldered  and  too  red-breasted. 
I  do  not  approve  of  crossing  back  to  the  Black-breasted  Beds  in 
breeding  Duckwings,  but  if  high-coloured  orange-backed  cocks 
are  required,  they  can  best  be  obtained  by  crossing  with  the  high- 
coloured  Yellow-wheaton  Duckwings,  or  the  Ginger  Blue  Duns, 
or  even  with  the  Golden-cinnamon  Black-breasted  Beds,  yellow 
legs,  which  coloured  legs  all  three  of  these  sorts  have.  Brown 
Beds  and  Ginger  Beds  will  often  give  orange  shoulders  to 
Duckwing  cocks,  but  this  cross  spoils  the  black  breast  for  Duck- 
wings. Orange  Piles  will  also  breed  Duckwing  cocks  orange- 
backed,  but  this  cross  gives  too  many  white  feathers.  Duns 
will  breed  pure  Black-breasted  Duckwing  cocks.  Crossing  with 
Black-breasted  Beds  always  spoils  Duckwing  hens  in  colour, 
bnt  good-coloured  cocks  can  be  obtained  by  this  cross. 

I  think  that  fair  and  honest  exhibitors  would  do  better  if 
they  made  a  rule  of  always  exhibiting  the  true  and  pure-bred 
Duckwings  instead  of  any  of  the  crossed  birds.  The  late  Lord 
Hill,  of  Hawkstone,  Salop,  was,  I  have  been  told,  the  best 
Silver-Grey  breeder  in  England,  and  would  not  allow  a  single 
red  feather  in  his  runs  or  walks,  especially  in  breeding. 

The  great  objection  to  breeding  the  Silver  Duckwing  Greys 
in-and-in  is,  that  the  cocks,  and  sometimes  even  the  hens, 
become  too  pale,  and  are  liable  to  have  the  silver-mealy  breasts, 
also  the  white  or  grey-spotted  black  breast  in  the  cocks. 

I  have  known  "Duckwings  bred  with  Duckwings"  for  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  crossing  with  the  same  colour  from  dif- 
ferent but  good  strains,  and  the  stock  is  still  very  good. 

The  Silver-Grey  Duckwings  are  now  very  rare  at  our  exhi- 
bitions, as  willow-legged  Duckwings  are  seldom  or  never  pure 
Silvers,  which  when  really  pure  have  the  white,  blue,  or  blackish 
legs,  and  never  willow  or  yellow  legs,  which  latter  belong  to 
the  sorts  not  Silvers  ;  the  wUlow  legs  to  the  Grey  Birchen  and 
Birchen-Grey  Duckwings,  and  the  yellow  legs  and  yellow  eyes 
to  the  true  Yellow  Birchen  Duckwings.  The  purest  Silvers  are 
the  mealy  grey-breasted  mealy-silver  Duckwings  with  white 
legs  and  silver-pearl  grey  eyes,  cocks'  and  hens'  breasts  the 
same  colour ;  but  this  breed  is  now  almost  extinct. 

The  wniow-legged  Birchen-Grey  or  Grey  Birchen  Duckwings 
are  most  common  of  all ;  the  red  eye  inclining  these  rather  to 
the  grey  than  to  the  yellow  hackle,  but  the  willow  leg  and 
yellow  skin  keeping  the  breed  yellowish  in  feather.  The  yellow 
or  daw-eyed  breeds  of  Duckwings  seem  to  have  been  first  bred 
from  the  Light  Gingers  or  Black-breasted  Gingers  with  yellow 
eyes  and  yellow  legs. 

Our  judges  at  most  exhibitions  do  not,  I  think,  in  general 
judge  our  Duckwing  hens  well ;  they  give  attention  chiefly  to 
the  cocks,  and  not  equally  to  cock  and  hens,  thus  we  generally 
866  exhibition  Duckwing  prizes  awarded  to  hens  with  brown 
shoulders  and  red  breasts,  which  hens  are  all  cross-bred 
mongrels,  though  they  may  be  the  right  match  lor  "  their 
brother,"  a  handsome  high-coloured  cock,  also  a  handsome 
mongrel-bred  bird.  I  think  the  judges  should  select  only  the 
silvery  bluish-grey  hens  with  the  delicate  pale  silver-fawn 
breasts  for  their  prize  hens,  allowing  no  brown  wings  at  all, 
nor  yet  coarse  red  breasts,  than  which  nothing  looks  worse ; 
and  a  cock  that  truly  matches  such  hens  as  these  is  the  best 
Duckwing  cock  for  a  cup  or  prize  in  my  opinion,  whether  "  too 
silver  "  or  not.  Too  much  stress,  I  think,  is  laid  on  high 
colour  in  the  back  of  prize  Duckwing  cocks. — Nevtmakket. 


some  favourable  features  offered  by  the  Committee  to  exhibitors, 
amongst  which  is  an  auction  sale,  whereby  exhibitors  may  dis- 
pose of  their  prize  and  surplus  stock.  The  prize  list  includes 
several  silver  cups  for  poultry.  Pigeons,  and  cage  birds ;  one, 
value  six  guineas,  subscribed  for  by  several  breeders,  is  offered 
for  the  best  pen  of  Light  Brahma  chickens.  The  prizes  for 
cage  birds  are  liberal. 


LORD  TREDEGAR'S  POULTRY  SHOW. 
In  common  with  many  exhibitors  who  signed  the  memorial 
to  the  managers  of  this  Show,  I  did  not  exhibit  at  the  Show  in 
1867.  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  several  who  signed  the  memorial, 
nevertheless  did  exhibit  some  poultry.  Under  these  circum- 
stances it  appears  to  me  that  the  memorial  is  no  longer  binding 
on  the  remainder,  and  that  those  who  like  may,  therefore,  be 
free  to  show  at  the  approaching  Exhibition.  As  regards  this 
identical  Show,  I  beheve  that  every  effort  the  Committee  could 
make,  was  made,  and,  therefore,  the  blame  does  not  really 
attach  to  them,  and  it  is,  perhaps,  saddling  the  wron;:;  horse  to 
make  them  suffer.  Eailways,  and  especially  the  G.  W.  E.,  rule 
ns  all  with  rather  too  iron  a  hand. — Y.  B.  A,  Z. 


The  SouTHAMnoN  PonLTET  and  Bird  Show. — The  entries 
for  this  Show  will  close  on  Friday,  the  BOth  inst.    We  notice 


NOTES   ON   FANCY   PIGEONS.— No.  12. 

TUMBLERS   IN   GENERAL. 

I  HAVE  as  yet  in  these  notes  treated  of  two  classes  of  fancy 
Pigeons,  Pouters  and  Carriers,  including  in  the  latter  class  all 
Pigeons  that  carry — viz.,  the  Horseman,  the  Dragoon,  and  the 
Antwerp.  I  have  every  reason  to  be  gratified  for  having  started 
the  subject,  as  there  have  been,  first,  many  and  very  excel- 
lent and  useful  papers  written  on  Pouters ;  also  some  good 
papers  on  the  Carrier  class  from  "  A  FouEioNEr.,"  Mr.  CroB- 
land,  Mr.  Ludlow,  "  An  Old  Fancier,"  and  others.  There 
has  been  naturally  enough  a  liitle  difference  of  opinion,  but  I 
must  say  I  have  read  all  the  communications  with  interest, 
and  with,  what  we  should  none  of  us  be  above,  a  desire  to 
learn  by  the  experience  and  opinions  of  others. 

It  is  this  free  communication  of  our  different  yiews  which 
leads  to  acquirement  of  knowledge,  and  in  the  case  of  Pigeons 
will  fend  to  raise  the  fancy  to  the  position  which  I  hold  to  be 
its  due — namely,  a  high  position.  Eightly,  I  think,  says  Dr. 
Bechstein,  "  Concerning  the  domestic  Pigeons  in  their  several 
varieties  much  might  be  said.  Of  Pouters,  Tumblers,  Jacobins, 
Shakers,  cSrc,  a  volume  might  be  written,  and  a  very  interest- 
ing one  too.  The  extraordinary  changes  of  plumage,  and 
molification  of  form  which  have  been  produced  in  these  birds 
are  equally  curious  and  interesting."  Then,  we  must  remem- 
ber, that  whatever  is  tame  or  domestic  tends  to  make  np  and 
complete  that  beautiful  thing  we  call  a  home.  Hood,  speaking 
of  a  dreary,  forsaken,  miserable-looking  house,  says — • 

*'  No  (ioff  was  on  the  threshold,  preat  or  small ; 

No  Pigeon  on  the  roof — no  household  creature — 
No  cat  demurely  dozing  on  the  wall^ 

Not  one  domestic  feature." 

The  absence  of  all  these  made  the  house  dreary  and  forsaken ; 
it  did  not  look  like  a  home. 

Pigeons  can  be  kept  where  fowls  cannot  live  in  comfort; 
they  will  prosper  where  even  flowers  will  not  grow  ;  they  can 
take  the  country  into  London,  and  help  to  make  for  the  humblest 
citizen  a  home. 

But  it  is  not  of  Pigeons  generally,  but  of  one  variety  I  must 
speak  at  this  time.  Pouters  and  Carriers  have  had  their 
description  and  praise,  now  comes  the  next  class,  the  trim, 
compact,  dainty  little  Tumblers.  They  boast  not  quite  the 
ancient  lineage  of  the  Carrier  and  the  Pouter,  but  the  Almond 
Tumblers  began  to  be  honoured  about  a  century  ago,  and  they 
have  increased  in  beauty  with  time.  But  of  them  by-and-by ; 
this  paper  is  to  treat  of  common  Tumblers — yes,  common 
Tumblers.  And  what  a  good  thing  it  is  that  common  things, 
things  easiest  to  be  had,  yet  afford  great  pleasure.  The  com- 
mon little  flower  garden  gives  as  much  pleasure  to  its  owner, 
he  not  being  able  to  have  more,  as  a  rare  garden  does  to  its 
owner.  The  Linnet  in  its  cage  affords  its  young  master  or 
mistress  as  great  enjoyment  as  in  after  years  will  the  longest 
and  lankiest  Belgian  Canary.  So  the  common  Tumbler  grati- 
fies its  possessor,  net  being  yet  a  skilled  fancier,  as  much  as 
the  most  difficult  to  breed  and  rarest  Pigeon.  I  say  common 
Tumblers,  but  then  they  must  tumble,  they  must  be  true  to 
their  name.  I  object  to  Pouters  that  will  not  pout,  to  Shakers 
that  will  not  shake,  and  to  Tumblers  that  do  not  tumble.  Such 
Tumblers  are  not  true  to  their  name,  you  look  up  and  they  do 
not  tumble.  Let  them  be  hidden  in  a  pie-dish  at  once,  let 
the  little  feet  that  would  not  turn  up  in  life  show  their  toes 
uppermost  through  the  nicely  browned  crust,  and  that  too 
without  delay.  I  never  keep  Tumblers  of  the  commoner  classes 
that  do  not,  or  cannot,  or  will  not  tumble.  I  say,  "  Die,  im- 
postors !"  Of  course,  in  regard  to  the  highest  class.  Short- 
faced  Tumblers,  this  matter  of  actual  tumbling  is  not  a  ne- 
cessity, as  these  birds  are  birds  of  many  fancy  points,  rather 
than  fivers,  but  I  never  keep  common  Tumblers,  or  Beards,  or 
Baldheads,  etc.,  that  cannot  tumble. 

Not  long  since  I  was  in  a  seaport  town  and  found  out  as 
usual  the  bird  shops.  I  was  seeking  Tumblers,  but  found  none 
to  my  satisfaction.  I  wanted  neither  Almonds  nor  any  bred 
from  or  crossed  with  Almonds.     I  found  no  Tumblers  in  the 


October  29,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OP  HOBTIOULTDRB  AND  COTTAGE   QABDENER. 


331 


shop  except  coarse,  ill-shaped  birds,  and  I  not  unnaturally 
bestowed  no  praise  upon  them.  "  Why,  sir,"  said  the  man 
in  the  shop,  "  what  can  you  want  ?  I  bought  the  whole  flight  of 
a  gentleman,  and  I'll  warrant  they  will  tumble  well,  and  keep 
ap  for  hours."  "  But,"  said  I,  "  they  have  not  even  pearl  eyes." 
"As  to  that  sir,  nobody  looks  for  pearl  eyes  now  in  Tumblers." 
"But,"  said  I  apain,  "  look  at  their  legs,  they  are  partly 
feathered."  In  fact,  those  wonderful  Tumblers  were  most 
probably  bred  from  Kollers,  with  a  mixture  of  the  common 
Eunt,  and  they  retained  the  tumbling  and  that  was  all.  True, 
they  wore  tnmhiiri:,  but  though  I  consider  that  their  first 
property,  yet  others  should  be  found  in  birds  bearing  that 
name.  Some  years  since  I  used  to  be  able  to  obtain  well- 
coloured  Tumblers  with  clean  coral  logs,  neat  heads,  but  with 
no  mixture  of  either  Almond  or  UoUer  blood.  They  flew  high, 
kept  up  well,  and  tumbled  sufficiently,  and  their  form  was 
symmetrical ;  but  now  how  rarely  are  these  seen  !  but  in  their 
place  a  countless  herd  of  coarse,  patchy-coloured  birds.  I 
should  like  fanciers  to  reject  these  and  get  birds  pleasing  to 
the  eye,  fairly  round-headed,  full-breasted,  neatly  made,  but 
strong  nevertheless.  Feathers  on  the  legs  are  wrong ;  the 
Tumbler-shape  requires  the  neat,  unfeathered,  clean,  coral  legs 
and  feet. 

No  Pigeon  is  more  attractive  than  the  Tumbler,  and  it 
retains  its  hold  upon  the  affections  for  years.  It  is  a  tame 
bird,  walking  coulidently  and  confidingly  among  our  feet ; 
cooing  and  displaying  its  airs  near  you,  while  no  eye  can  fail 
to  be  pleased  with  its  dapper  little  figure.  There  are  other 
things  in  their  favour — they  breed  well,  are  excellent  parents, 
save  the  Short-faced  ones,  and  they  are  very  good  eating. 
"  What !  eat  your  pets  ?  "  "  No,  my  dainty  lady,  1  eat  them 
before  they  grow  to  be  pets."  There  is  always  this  advantage 
in  keeping  Pigeons,  that  you  can  eat  them  and  so  get  rid  of  the 
faulty  or  the  superabundant,  unlike  those  who  keep  Doves, 
who  sometimes  bore  their  friends  in  begging  them  to  accept 
pairs.  One  lady  I  knew  who  kept  Doves,  used  to  prick  their 
eggs  so  as  to  prevent  their  producing  young.  Anything  to 
stop  the  terrible  fertility  of  her  pets,  for,  oh !  the  outlay 
for  cages,  and  the  coaxing  mammas  to  allow  their  young  hope 
fuls  to  accept  a  pair  of  Doves.  Now,  we  Pigeon-fanciers  are 
never  in  such  trouble. 

In  common  Tumblers  I  would  include  all  the  varieties  that 
are  larger  than  the  Short-faced  birds.  Thus  I  would  take  the 
Baldheads  and  Beards,  and  if  I  must  the  Kollers,  which  seem 
the  lineal  descendants  of  the  Dutch  Tumblers  of  the  older 
writers.  The  FkoUers,  after  the  novelty  is  over,  are  not  pleasing. 
They  seem  to  overdo  and  are  falling,  rather  than  tumbling, 
head  over  heels.  The  House,  Air,  and  Ground  Tumblers  must 
be  still  worse,  theirs  is  not  a  pretty  gymnastic  feat  but  a  sad 
misfortune. 

The  best  and  truest-bred  common  English  Tumblers  that  I 
have  ever  known,  have  been  either  Red  or  Buff  ;  the  latter  are 
charming  pets,  but  look  better  on  grass  than  on  gravel.  It 
would  not  be  ill-spent  money  to  offer  at  all  large  shows  prizes 
for  well-bred  genuine  English  Tumblers. — Wiltshire  Bectoe. 

P.S. — I  beg  to  thank  "A  Foreigner"  for  his  two  excellent 
articles  entitled  "  Management  of  Pigeons  in  Health  and 
Disease,"  and  "  Some  Notes  on  Pigeons." — W.  B. 


LIGURLVN  BEES  AS  HONEY-GATHERERS. 

The  prolific  character  of  the  Italian  queen  has  been  abun- 
dantly testified  to  in  the  Journal,  but  very  little  has  been 
advanced  regarding  the  honey-gathering  powers  of  her  off- 
spring. After  four  years'  experience,  it  is  my  conviction  that 
a  great  return  of  honey  is  not  to  be  expected  from  a  pure 
Italian  colony.  In  this  district  the  produce  from  Italians  has 
not  been  equal  to  that  from  black  stocks,  and  it  has  fallen  very 
far  short  of  that  derived  from  hybrids  ;  in  fact,  the  return  from 
pure  Italians  has  been  quite  a  failure.  I  hoped  for  great 
results  this  last  beautiful  summer  from  a  very  strong  stock,  but 
at  the  close  of  the  season  it  had  amassed  very  little  more  honey 
than  would  suffice  to  carry  it  comfortably  through  the  coming 
winter.  A  very  diiiferent  state  of  things  was  presented  by  my 
hybrid  stocks  ;  they  literally  groaned  with  honey,  and  sent  out 
as  many  and  as  large  swarms  as  hives  of  the  purest-bred 
bees.  I  would,  therefore,  recommend  those  parties  who  wish 
a  good  honey  harvest  to  have  their  stocks  furnished  with 
"hybridised  "  queens. 

These  views  may  not  be  entertained  by  many,  but  they 
accord  with  what  has  come  under  my  own  observation. 


The  pure  Italian  bee  cannot  endure  such  a  lengthened  con- 
finement in  its  hive  as  either  the  black  bee  or  the  hybrid.  It 
consumes  more  honey,  and  is  more  susceptible  of  cold.  In  a 
low  temperature  I  have  often  seen  it  fly  out,  never  to  return, 
when  blacks  and  hybrids  found  their  way  back  to  their  homes 
with  comparative  ease.  But  with  all  its  defects  I  greatly  ad- 
mire the  Italian  bee,  and  would  bo  the  last  to  discard  it  from 
my  apiary.  At  the  same  time  there  is  no  reason  why  its  merits 
should  not  be  canvassed,  and  I  shall  be  glad  to  hoar  what 
Mr.  Lowe,  with  his  forty  pure  stocks,  or  others,  have  to  say  on 
the  subject. 

The  idea  of  feeding  a  hive  of  bees  previous  to  driving  it,  aa 
propounded  by  Mr.  Pettigrew,  is  very  good,  and  should  not  ba 
lost  sight  of.  Late  in  autumn,  when  the  weather  is  cold,  it  is 
often  extremely  diflicult  to  dislodge  bees.  Perhaps  the  end 
aimed  at  by  Mr.  Pettigrew  would  be  speedily  attained  were  the 
stock  hive,  on  being  turned  up,  to  be  sprinkled  with  a  little 
lukewarm  syrup  immediately  before  covering  it  with  the  empty 
skep. — li.  S. 

THE  NATIVE  HONEY-BEE   OP  MEXICO. 

In  the  hives  of  the  domesticated  bees  of  Mexico  we  meet 
with  a  structure  altogether  pec^iliar.  They  exhibit  little  of  the 
regularity  of  construction  which  characterises  the  hives  of  the 
bees  of  the  old  continent,  and  are  far  inferior  in  this  respect  to 
the  habitations  of  wasps.  In  one  particular  they  approximate 
to  the  nests  of  the  European  humble  bees ;  the  honey  which 
they  contain  is  deposited  in  large  bags  distinct  from  the  common 
cells.  It  is  somewhat  singular  that  so  interesting  a  point  of 
natural  history  has  never  been  particularly  noticed  ;  our  pre- 
vious knowledge  scarcely  extending  beyond  the  facts,  that  some 
of  the  bees  of  America  form  nests,  like  those  of  wasps,  attached 
to  or  suspended  from  trees,  and  covered  by  an  outer  case  con- 
structed by  themselves ;  while  others,  incapable  apparently  of 
forming  this  outer  crust  for  their  hives,  seek  cavities  ready 
formed  for  their  reception,  and  in  them  construct  their  habita- 
tions. Instances  of  each  of  these  kinds  of  hives  are  mentioned 
by  Piso  in  his  Natural  History  of  both  the  Indies ;  and  Her- 
nandez, in  his  History  of  Mexico,  states  that  the  Indians  keep 
bees  analogous  to  ours,  which  deposit  their  honey  in  the  hollows 
of  trees.  Little  information  beyond  that  furnished  by  these 
older  writers  is  contained  in  more  modern  works  ;  and  even  the 
Baron  von  Humboldt,  to  whose  acute  observation  science  is 
indebted  for  so  many  discoveries  respecting  the  New  World, 
appears  not  to  have  noticed  with  his  usual  care  the  peculiarities 
of  its  bees.  Had  that  distinguished  traveller  directed  his  atten- 
tion to  the  habits  of  the  species  which  he  collected  during  his 
memorable  journey,  M.  Latreille  would  doubtless  have  given 
to  us  the  necessary  details  in  his  excellent  Monograph  of  the 
American  Bees,  included  in  the  "  Observations  Zoologiques  "  of 
M.  Humboldt.  In  the  valuable  essay  prefixed  to  this  Mono- 
graph, M.  Latreille  has  collected  from  authors  numerous  state- 
ments relating  to  the  habitations  of  bees,  and  especially  of 
those  of  America ;  but  has  added  to  them  no  new  facts  as 
regards  the  hives  of  the  New  World.  The  subject  may,  there- 
fore, be  regarded  as  altogether  novel,  and  as  requiring  some 
little  detail  in  its  explanation. 

In  the  domestication  of  the  bees  of  Mexico  but  little  violence 
is  done  to  their  natural  habits.  Inhabitants,  in  their  wild 
state,  of  cavities  in  trees,  a  hollow  tree  is  selected  to  form  their 
hive.  A  portion  of  it  of  between  2  and  3  feet  in  length  is  cut  off, 
and  a  hole  is  bored  through  the  sides  into  the  hollow,  at  about 
its  middle.  The  ends  of  the  hollow  are  then  stopped  np  with 
clay,  and  the  future  hive  is  suspended  on  a  tree  in  a  horizontal 
position,  with  the  hole  opening  to  the  cavity  directed  also  hori- 
zontally. Of  the  hive  thus  prepared  a  swarm  of  bees  speedily 
take  possession,  and  commence  their  operations  by  forming 
cells  for  the  reception  of  their  larva,  and  sacs  to  contain  the 
superabundant  honey  collected  by  them  in  their  excursions. 
Two  such  hives,  completely  formed  and  occupied,  were  brought 
to  England,  safely  packed  in  recent  hides.  One  of  these  was 
forwarded  to  M.  Huber,  eminently  distinguished  for  his  highly 
interesting  observations  on  the  manners  of  bees ;  the  other 
was  presented  to  the  Liniiean  Society.  The  latter  was  care- 
fully divided  longitudinally,  so  as  to  expose  its  interior. 

The  eye  of  an  observer  accustomed  to  the  regular  disposition 
of  the  comb  in  the  hive  of  the  European  bee,  is  at  once  struck 
with  the  opposite  directions  assumed  by  it  in  different  parts  of 
that  of  the  Mexican.  Instead  of  the  parallel  vertical  layers  of 
comb,  we  have  here  layers,  some  of  which  assume  a  vertical, 
while  others  are  placed  in  a  horizontal  direction ;  the  cells  of 


332 


JOtTRNAL  OF  HORTIOULTDEB  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENEB. 


[  October  : 


,  i8e& 


the  latter  being  the  moet  nTunerons.  The  cells,  of  course, 
vary  in  their  direction  in  the  same  manner  as  the  comb  which 
they  form ;  those  of  the  horizontal  layers  of  ccmb  being  vertical 
with  their  openings  upward,  while  the  cells  of  the  vertical 
comb  are  placed  in  a  horizontal  direction.  In  the  horizontal 
cells  the  mouths  are  partly  directed  away  from  the  entrance  to 
the  hive,  and  partly  towards  it ;  the  former  direction  being 
given  to  those  cells  which  occupy  the  middle  liyers  of  comb, 
and  the  latter  to  the  cells  which  are  placed  on  the  side  of  the 
hive  opposed  to  the  opening.  All  the  combe,  both  vertical 
and  horizontal,  are  composed  of  a  single  series  of  cells  applied 
laterally  to  each  other,  and  not,  as  in  the  European  hive  bee,  of 
two  series,  the  one  applied  against  the  extremities  of  the  other. 
The  horizontal  combs  are  much  more  regularly  formed  than 
the  vertical,  the  latter  being  broken  and  placed  at  uncertain 
distances,  while  the  horizontal  are  perfectly  parallel  with  each 
other,  forming  uniform  layers  and  placed  at  equal  distances. 
Between  these  parallel  combs  are  processes  of  wax,  partly  sup- 
porting them  and  passing  from  the  base  of  one  cell  to  the 
junction  of  others  in  the  next  layer.  These  columns  are  con- 
siderably stronger  and  thicker  thaa  the  sides  o£  the  cells  nhioh 
they  support. 

The  cells  appear  to  be  destined  solely  for  the  habitation  of 
the  young  bees  ;  for  in  all  that  have  been  examined  bees  have 
been  found.  The  bee  is  placed  in  the  cell  with  its  hinder 
parts  directed  towards  the  mouth  of  the  cell,  which  is  covered 
by  a  granular  mass,  probably  composed  of  the  pollen  of  plants. 
The  form  of  the  cells  is  hexangular,  but  the  angles  are  not 
sharply  defined,  and  the  mouth  is  scarcely,  if  at  all,  thicker 
than  the  sides.  In  their  dimensions  and  relative  proportions 
they  diSer  materially  from  those  of  the  European,  and  still 
more  from  those  of  the  Indian  bees,  ae  may  be  sees  by  the 
subjoined  table  : — 

SIcxican.  Earnp&an.  Indian. 

Dinmcter  of  csU    i-     lij,  R',     ,:  lj,2J 

DepthofUitto    4      0,    6      .^  ^,'6  '  - 

All  of  those  which  are  visible  appear  to  be  uniform  in  size ; 
nor  without  the  destruction  of  the  specimens  can  it  be  ascer- 
tained whether  there  are  any  larger  cells  for  the  larva;  of  the 
males  or  of  the  queen. 

The  combs  are  placed  together  at  some  distance  from  the 
opening  of  the  liive,  and  form  a  group  of  an  oval  shape,  ccn- 
sisting  of  five  horizontal  and  parallel  layers,  occupying  the 
part  most  remote  from  the  opening  ;  of  an  interrupted  vertical 
layer  applied  to  the  side  opposed  to  the  opening ;  and  of  two 
principal,  and  two  or  three  smaller,  vertical  layers  in  the  middle. 
The  whole  of  these  are  supported  by  wax,  spread  out  into 
layers  borne  on  processes  of  the  same  material,  resting  either 
on  the  wood  of  the  cavity,  or  on  other  parts  of  the  fabric  of  the 
comb.  In  these  processes  and  layers  of  wax  are  numerous 
openings  of  various  sizes,  at  once  admitting  of  ready  access  for 
the  inhabitants  to  every  part  of  the  hive,  and  economising  the 
nse  of  the  material  of  which  they  are  constructed.  Some  of 
the  openings  are  of  large  dimensions.  The  entrance  into  the 
hive  is  continued  into  a  long  gallery,  which,  to  judge  from 
the  direction  taken  by  a  flexible  substance  introduced  into  it, 
leads  beneath  the  combs  to  their  very  extremity.  It  is  there- 
fore probable  that  at  the  extremity  the  work  of  bnil<iing  com- 
menced. 

Surrounding  the  combs  are  several  layers  of  wax  as  thin  as 
paper,  irregular  in  their  form,  and  placed  at  some  little  dis- 
tance from  each  other,  the  interstices  varying  from  a  quarter  to 
half  an  inch.  One  of  these  supports  a  vertical  comb  ;  the  others 
are  connected  to  the  combs  only  at  their  edges,  or  by  processes 
or  layers  of  wax.  Externally  to  these  are  placed  the  sacs  for 
containing  honey,  which  are  generally  large,  and  rounded  in 
form.  They  vary  in  size,  some  of  them  exceeding  IJ  inch  in 
diameter.  They  are  supported  by  processes  of  wax  from  the 
wood  of  the  cavity,  or  from  each  other,  and  are  frequently  ap- 
plied side  by  side,  so  as  mutually  to  afford  strength  to  each 
other,  and  to  allow  of  one  side  serving  equally  for  two  sacs. 
Their  disposition  is  altogether  irregular,  and  bears  some  re- 
semblance to  that  of  a  portion  of  a  bunch  of  grapes,  rendering 
it  probable  that  Nierenberg  was  acquainted  with  a  similar  nest, 
if  not  actually  that  of  the  same  bee,  although  he  denies  to  the 
one  described  by  him  the  power  of  onsiructing  combs.  Some 
of  the  honey-sacs  are  placed  apart  from  the  others,  forming  a 
distinct  cluster  of  the  same  general  appearance  as  those  imme- 
diately adjoining  the  comb. 

From  this  singular  position  of  the  honey-sacs  a  most  im- 
portant advantage  is  obtained  by  the  cultivators  of  the  Mexican 
hive  bee.    To  possess  themselves  of  its  honey  it  is  unnecessary 


to  have  recourse  to  the  means  adopted  in  Qnrope  for  stupefying, 
or  even  destroying,  the  inhabitants  of  the  hive.  All  that  is 
necessary  is  to  remove  the  plug  from  the  end  of  the  cavity  em- 
ployed as  a  hive,  to  introduce  the  hand  and  withdraw  the  honey- 
sacs.  The  store  of  the  laborious  bee  is  thus  transferred  to  the 
proprietor  of  the  hive  without  injuring,  and  almost  without 
disturbing,  its  inhabitants.  The  end  of  the  hive  is  then  again 
stopped  up ;  and  the  bees  hasten  to  lay  up  a  fresh  supply  of 
honey  in  lieu  of  that  of  which  tliey  have  been  despoiled,  again 
to  be  robbed  of  their  precious  deposit.  A  hive  treated  in  this 
way  affords  during  the  summer  at  least  two  harvests. 

The  honey  is  nsually  pressed  from  the  sacs  by  the  hand.  Its 
consistence  is  thin,  but  its  flavour  is  good,  although  inferior  to 
that  of  the  whiter  honey  furnished  by  the  Spanish  bee  (pro- 
bably our  Apis  mellifica,  L).  It  does  not  readily  ferment, 
some  of  that  contained  in  the  hive  being  perfectly  sweet  and 
grateful  even  after  its  arrival  in  England. 

The  wax  is  coarse  in  quality  ;  its  colour  is  dark  yellowish 
brown.  The  whole  of  it  appears  to  be  similar  in  texture  and 
properties,  as  well  that  used  in  the  construction  of  the  cells, 
as  that  which  is  applied  to  the  coarser  work  of  forming  honey- 
sacs  and  supports  ;  the  only  remarkable  difference  being  that 
in  the  former  it  is  apparently  paler,  probably  owing  to  the 
layers  employed  being  considerably  thinner  and  more  delicate. 
Of  the  varnish-like  substance  known  by  the  name  of  propolis, 
and  nsed  by  the  European  bees  to  cover  the  foreign  substances 
with  which  they  frequently  come  in  contact,  scarcely  any  vestige 
is  exhibited,  although  we  have  evidence  of  its  existence.  The 
wood  of  the  inside  of  the  hive,  except  where  wax  is  applied  to 
it,  is  perfectly  naked. 

The  hollow  of  the  trunk  forming  the  hive  now  before  us,  is 
irregular  in  its  outline,  and  varies  in  its  breadth  in  different 
parts.  Its  average  diameter,  however,  is  about  5  inches.  The 
length  occupied  by  the  cells  is  more  than  7  inches,  and  the 
tqtal  length  between  the  extremities  of  the  honey-sacs  is 
15  inches.  The  number  of  its  inhabitants,  assuming  that  of 
the  cells  as  a  guide,  must  have  been  considerably  under  a 
thousand  ;  a  number  trifling  in  comparison  with  that  contained 
in  the  hives  of  the  European  bee,  which  commonly  amounts  to 
as  many  as  twenty-four  thousand. 

The  bee  by  which  this  nest  is  constructed  is  smaller  than 
the  European  hive  bee,  its  abdomen  especially  being  much 
shorter  than  that  of  our  common  species.  Like  all  those  Ameri- 
can bees  which  approach  in  their  habits  to  our  European  race, 
it  is  readily  distinguished  from  that,  and  frcm  all  other  hive 
bees  yet  discovered  in  the  Old  World,  by  the  form  of  the  first 
joint  of  its  hinder  tarsi,  which  is  that  of  a  triangle,  with  the 
apex  applied  to  the  tibia.  On  account  of  this  variation  in  the 
form  of  a  part  so  important  to  the  economy  of  bees,  modem 
entomologists  have  universally  agreed  in  the  propriety  of  re- 
garding the  American  races  as  constituting  a  distinct  group 
from  the  bees  of  the  Old  World.  M.  Latreille  has  gone  further 
by  subdividing  the  American  bees  into  two  genera  ;  Jlelipona, 
in  which  the  mandibles  are  not  toothed  ;  and  Triflona,  in  which 
these  organs  are  dentate.  Of  the  propriety  of  this  subdivision, 
which  hitherto  seemed  to  be  supported  by  the  general  appear- 
ance of  the  insects  referred  to  each  group,  the  examination  of 
the  bee  whose  nest  has  just  been  described  has  given  rise  to 
considerable  doubts.  In  it  one  of  the  mandibles  is  toothed, 
and  the  other  is  nearly  entire.  Its  technical  characters,  there- 
fore, are  intermediate  between  the  two  genera,  with  a  leaning 
towards  Trigona  ;  but  its  general  appearance  is  entirely  that 
of  a  Melipona.  approaching  very  closely  to  that  of  ilelipona 
favosa,  Latr.,  Apis  favosa  Fah.  That  it  cannot  be  that  species, 
or  any  of  the  nearly-related  ones  described  by  M.  Latreill-?  in 
the  "  Observations  Zoologiques,"  is  evident  from  the  dentation 
of  its  mandible,  and  it  may,  therefore,  be  regarded  as  new  to 
science.  The  name  of  Melipona  Becchcii  which  is  here 
proposed  for  it,  is  a  just  tribute  to  the  observer,  to  whom  we 
owe  the  first  opportunity  possessed  in  Europe  of  becoming 
acquainted  with  its  habits  and  economy. 

Some  curious  stories  are  related  by  the  possessors  as  to  the 
manners  of  these  bees,  one  of  which  deserves  to  be  recorded. 
They  assert  that  at  the  entrance  of  each  hive  a  sentinel  is 
placed  to  watch  the  outgoings  and  incomings  of  his  fellows, 
and  that  this  sentinel  is  relieved  at  the  expiration  of  twenty- 
four  hours,  when  another  assumes  his  post  and  duties  for  the 
same  period.  On  the  duration  of  this  guard  some  doubts  may 
reasonably  be  entertained,  but  of  its  existence  ample  evidence 
was  obtained  by  repeated  observation.  At  all  times  a  single 
bee  was  seen  occupying  the  hole  leadina  to  the  nest,  who  on 
the  approach  of  another  withdrew  himself  within  a  small  cavity, 


Oetobor  29.  1S39.    I 


JOURXAL  OF    HOBTIOULTUliK  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


333 


apparently  made  for  tbis  purpose  on  the  left-hand  aide  of  the 
aporturo,  (ind  thai  allowed  the  passage  of  the  individual  enter- 
ing or  quitting  the  hive;  the  sentinel  constantly  reauming  hia 
station  immediately  after  the  passage  had  heon  effected.  That 
it  was  the  same  bee  which  had  withdrawn  that  again  took  his 
station  in  the  opening,'  could  not  ho  mistaken ;  for  his  with- 
drawal was  only  into  the  cavity  on  the  side  of  the  hole,  in  which 
his  head  was  generally  in  view  during  the  brief  interval  while 
the  other  was  passing  ;  aud  that  head  again  immediately  started 
forward  into  the  passage.  During  how  long  a  time  the  same 
individual  remained  on  duty  could  not  be  ascertained  ;  for 
althongh  many  attempts  were  made  to  mark  him  by  introducing 
a  pencil  tipped  with  paint,  he  constantly  eluded  the  aim  taken 
at  him,  and  it  was  therefore  impossible  to  determine  with 
certainty  whether  the  current  reports  concerning  him  were  or 
wore  not  founded  in  fact.  With  the  paint  thus  attempted  to 
be  applied  to  the  bee  the  margin  of  the  opening  was  soiled  ;  and 
the  sentinel,  as  soon  as  he  was  free  from  the  annoyance  he 
swfferod  from  the  thrusts  repeatedly  made  at  his  body,  ap- 
proached the  foreign  substance  to  taste  it,  and  evidently  dislik- 
ing the  material,  he  withdrew  into  his  hive.  The  hole  was 
watched  to  see  what  would  be  the  result  of  this  investigation 
of  the  substance,  and  a  troop  of  bees  was  soon  observed  to 
idvance  towards  the  place,  each  individual  bearing  a  small 
particle  of  wax  or  of  propolis  in  his  mandibles,  which  he  de- 
posited in  his  turn  upon  the  soiled  part  of  the  wood.  The 
little  labourers  then  returned  to  the  hive,  and  repeated  the 
operation  until  a  small  pile  rose  above  the  blemished  part,  and 
completely  relieved  the  inhabitants  from  its  annoyance. 

If  the  existence  of  such  a  sentinel  as  has  just  been  described 
can  safely  be  admitted,  his  utility  would  be  unquestionable,  as 
being  at  all  times  prepared  to  encounter  a  straggling  stranger, 
or  to  give  warning  of  the  approach  of  a  more  numerous  body 
of  foes.  Such  foes  actually  exist  in  moderately-sized  black 
ants,  which  sometimes  in  small,  and  occasionally  in  large,  bands 
attack  the  hive,  aud  between  which  and  the  industrious  bees 
desperate  conflicts  often  take  place.  In  these  struggles  the 
bees  generally  obtain  the  victory ;  but  they  are  occasionally 
mastered  by  the  overpowering  numbers  of  their  opponents. — 
{Appendix  to  BcLXhetj's  Voyage  to  the  Facific  and  Behriiuj's 
Strait.) 

LARGE  HIVES. 

Frv'E  AND  TWENTY  years  ago  I  wrote  a  short  treatise  on  the 
history  and  management  of  bees,  which  was  printed  in  the 
first  six  numbers  of  the  Gardcnrrs'  Chronicle,'  for  the  year 
1811.  I  then  ventured  to  assert  that  all  the  instructions  given 
by  myself,  and  all  the  books  that  ever  have  been,  or  ever  will 
be  published  on  the  subject,  will  be  of  little  service  to  the  bee- 
keepers of  England,  unless  they  use  hives  very  much  larger 
than  those  in  general  use.  In  another  treatise  on  the  profit- 
able management  of  bees,  which  appeared  two  years  ago  in  the 
pages  of  a  Scotch  periodical,  I  stated  that  no  greater  mistake 
could  be  made  in  bee-keeping  than  that  of  using  small  hives. 
What  would  an  intelligent  agriculturist  think  of  a  farmer 
tilling  his  land  wilh  Shetland  ponies?  What  would  he  think 
of  a  farmer's  wife  expecting  large  eggs  and  large  profits  from 
Bantam  hens  ■.'  and  what  are  we  to  think  of  the  bee-keepera  of 
England  who  look  for  harvests  of  honey  from  hives  hardly 
large  enough  for  hens'  nests? 

Let  us  for  a  moment  look  into  the  philosophy  of  this  ques- 
tion. A  healthy  queen  bee  lays  upwards  of  two  thousand 
eggs  a-day  in  the  height  of  the  summer.  She  lays  as  many 
eggs  in  a  small  hive  as  she  does  in  a  large  one  ;  but  in  a  small 
hive,  such  as  Neighbour's  cottage  hive,  such  as  are  offered  for 
sale  in  Manchester,  there  is  not  room  for  more  than  one- 
quarter  of  the  eggs  laid  by  a  queen.  Three-fourths  of  the 
eggs  laid  are  therefore  lost,  never  hatched.  But  are  yon  quite 
sure  that  the  combs  of  a  large  hive  are  as  well  filled  with 
brood  from  the  eggs  of  one  queen  as  the  combs  of  a  small  hive  ? 
Yes.  I  have  seen  a  hive  capable  of  holding  160  lbs.  weight  of 
honey,  brood,  and  bees,  every  cell  of  which  was  filled  ;  in  fact, 
I  have  never  seen  the  laying  powers  of  a  queen  overtasked. 
Why.  then,  cripple  the  industry  of  the  bees  by  putting  and  keep- 
ing them  in  small  hives?  It  is  a  perfect  marvel  to  me  that 
argument,  logic,  or  figures  are  necessary  to  convince  bee- 
keepers of  the  folly  of  using  small  hives.  If  they  could  manage 
to  shake  off  their  prejudices,  the  exercise  of  a  little  common 
sense  afterwards  would  do  the  work  for  them.  Three  hundred 
navvies  can  do  more  work  than  one  hundred.  Fifty  thousand 
bees  in  a  large  bi\e  can  gather  more  honey,  hatch  more  brooO, 


send  oS  larger  swarms,  than  twenty  thousand  bees  in  a  small 
hive.  In  fine  weather  the  bees  of  a  small  hive  gather  from 
1  lb.  to  'J  lbs.  per  day  ;  those  of  a  large  one  about  5  lbs.  lu 
one  instance,  to  my  knowledge,  the  beea  from  a  large  hive 
gathered  20  lbs.  weight  in  two  days.  In  advocating  the  use  of 
large  hives,  I  freely  admit  that  in  fine  seasons  considerablo 
stores  of  honey  may  bo  obtained  from  small  hives ;  but  taking 
one  year  with  another,  the  profits  of  small  hives  are  incon- 
siderable. 

The  sizes  of  hives  which  1  have  recommended  are  :— First 
size,  for  first-early  swarms,  21  inches  wide  by  12  deep  ;  second 
size,  for  later  first  swarms,  is  inches  wide  by  12  deep  ;  third 
size,  for  second  swarms  and  turnouts,  15  inches  wide  by  12  deep. 

The  first  size  holds  mote  than  100  lbs.  of  honey,  the  second 
above  80  lbs.,  and  the  third  above  50  lbs.  In  favourable  seasons 
for  honey-gathering  they  have  to  bo  enlarged  by  ekeing  or  by 
supers.  An  eke  is  simply  four  or  five  rolls  of  an  old  hive  of 
the  same  width  put  underneath  a  hive.  For  this  purpose,  I 
generally  use  riddle  rims  4  or  5  inches  high.  It  is  not  necessary 
to  adhere  to  an  exact  size,  say  12  inches  deep.  It  is  wise  to 
have  all  hives  of  certain  widths,  so  that  the  same  ekes  will 
auswer  and  fit  year  after  year — that  is,  15-iuoh  hives  and 
15-inch  ekes,  and  so  on. 

The  reader  will  bear  with  me  if  I  venture  to  warn  him  against 
adopting  the  largo  sizes  all  at  once.  A  swarm  from  a  small 
hive  would  not  fill  a  large  one  the  first  year.  Therefore  it 
would  be  better  to  begin  with  the  15-inch  and  18-inch  hives, 
having  a  depth  of  10  inches.  The  difficulty  with  me  is  to  ob- 
tain hives  large  enough.  There  is  no  one  in  this  locality  can 
make  proper  hives.  I  asked  an  old  uncle  of  mine  in  Scotland 
to  make  sixty  of  the  three  sizes  mentioned  above,  but  he  made 
me  only  thirty-four,  and  some  of  them  far  too  small.  Of 
course  I  could  obtain  wooden  hives  of  any  size  I  liked,  but 
wooden  hives  should  never  be  used  if  straw  ones  can  be  ob- 
tained. The  moisture  of  bees  is  condensed  on  the  sides  of 
wooden  boxes  at  certain  seasons,  and  this  condensed  moisture 
moulds  and  rots  the  combs.  A  common  straw  hive,  well  made, 
is  incomparably  better  for  bees  than  the  best  and  most  costly 
boxes  ever  produced. 

If  such  large  hives  are  used  with  great  advantage  and  profit 
in  apiaries  managed  on  the  swarming  or  multiplying  system, 
surely  it  is  desirable  to  adopt  them  where  honeycomb  only,  and 
not  swarms,  are  sought.  If  the  Ayrshire  or  Stewarton  hive  were 
made  twice  as  large  aud  properly  managed,  much  more  honey 
would  be  obtained.  If  Neighbour's  hive  were  thrice  as  large  as 
it  is,  and  the  three  little  holes  in  the  crown  or  top  of  the  hive 
were  made  ten  times  larger,  say  4  inches  each  in  diameter, 
ten  times  more  honey  would  be  obtained  from  it  thin  at 
present.  I  do  not  recommend  either  of  these  hives,  or  any 
other  that  is  meant  to  prevent  bees  from  swarming,  because  I 
know  that  the  swarming  system  is  the  most  natural  and  pro- 
fitable one  ;  but  what  1  mean  is,  that  hives  managed  on  tha 
non-swarming  principle  should  be  of  considerable  dimensions. 

— A.  PETTlalffiW. 


BUTTER  IN  SACKS. 

A  conEESroNDEKT  of  the  Ilodiford  lirijister,  writing  from 
Olympia,  gives  the  method  used  on  the  Pacific  coast  for  pre- 
serving butler: — 

"  I  think  the  dairymen  here  have  an  art  in  the  management 
of  butter  that  might  be  turned  to  good  account  at  the  east,  but 
which  I  never  saw  practised  till  I  came  to  this  coast — I  allude 
to  the  manner  of  putting  up  butter  for  market.  Perhap.s 
necessity  was  the  mother  of  this  invciiiion,  but  that  makes 
the  invention  none  the  less  vatua'ule.  Here  such  a  thing  as  a 
butter  firkin  or  a  stone  jar  to  pack  butter  in  is  unknown  ;  but 
all  butter  is  packed  in  musliu  sacks,  made  in  such  a  foim  that 
the  package,  when  complete,  is  a  cylinder  3  or  4  inches  in 
diameter,  and  from  G  inches  to  a  foot  in  length.  The  butter 
goes  from  the  churn,  as  soon  as  worked  over,  into  the  cylin- 
drical bags,  made  of  flue  bleached  muslin.  The  packages  are 
then  put  into  large  casks  containing  strong  brine  with  a  slight 
admixture  of  saltpetre,  and  by  means  of  weights  kept  always 
below  the  surface.  The  cluth  integument  always  protects  the 
butter  from  any  impurities  that  chance  to  comeiu  contact  with 
the  package,  aud  being  always  buried  in  brine,  that  protects 
it  from  the  action  of  the  air;  and  it  has  been  ascertained  by 
trial  that  butter  put  up  in  this  way  will  keep  sweet  longer  than 
in  any  other  way.  Besides,  it  is  found  easier  and  cheaper  for 
the  manufsnturer  th.in  to  pac!t  either  in  firkins  or  jars.  Aud 
for  the  retailer,  there  ia  no  telling  the  advantage  on  the  score 


$u 


JOtJENAIi  OF   HOKTICULTUKE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


I  October  29,  1868. 


of  safety  and  convenience.  These  rolls  of  butter  can  lie  upon 
his  counter  as  safe  from  injury,  from  duet  or  other  contact,  as 
bars  of  lead — can  be  rolled  up  for  his  customer  in  a  sheet  of 
paper  with  as  much  propriety  as  a  bundle  of  matches.  If  the 
eonsumer,  when  he  gets  home,  discovers  specks  of  dust  upon 
the  outside  of  the  sack,  he  can  throw  it  into  a  pail  of  pure  cold 
water,  and  take  it  out  clean  and  white.  As  he  uses  the  butter 
from  day  to  day,  with  a  eharp  knife  he  cuts  it  off  from  the  end 
of  the  roll  in  slices  the  thickness  to  suit  his  wants,  peels  off 
the  cloth  from  the  end  of  the  sUce,  leaving  it  in  tidy  form  to 
place  upon  the  table.  This  improved  manner  of  packing 
butter  first  caught  my  eye  in  the  market  of  San  Francisco, 
where  I  saw  cords  of  it  piled  up  like  pigs  of  lead.  The  sim- 
plicity and  great  value  of  the  improvement  so  impressed  me 
that  I  wondered  the  Yankees  had  not  long  ago  found  it  out." 


DO  BEES   HUNT  BY   SCENT  AND  SIGHT? 

Dr.  Alefield,  in  "  The  Bee  Flora  of  Germany  and  Switzer- 
land," adduces  some  plausible  reasons  in  support  of  the 
assumption  that  bees  discover  the  places  where  honey  may  be 
obtained  by  the  sense  of  sight  and  not  of  smell.  Is  it  not 
quite  as  reasonable  to  infer  that  their  discoveries  are  not  con- 
fined to  either,  but  result  indifferently  to  both  ?  Having  had 
some  experience  in  tracing  bees  in  their  wild  state,  this  has 
been  our  conclusion  from  the  results  of  several  experiments 
made  in  hunting  them  to  their  homes. 

If  a  hunter  will  go  into  a  forest  and  iincover  his  bee  box, 
without  any  other  preparation,  he  will  probably  find  a  bee  lured 
to  the  exposed  store,  after  a  while,  if  he  has  the  patience  to 
wait.  Having  succeeded  in  this  and  permitted  the  laden  bee 
to  depart,  let  the  hunter  remove  to  another  point  remote  from 
the  first  position,  open  his  bos,  and  ignite  some  honey,  and  see 
if  his  last  vigil  is  not  much  shorter  than  the  first  one.  Such 
has  been  our  experience,  at  all  events,  and  the  difference  was 
attributed  to  the  fact  that  the  bees  were  guided  to  the  place  by 
the  scent  of  the  burning  honeycomb  rather  than  by  the  sight 
of  the  stores  in  the  box.  That  other  bees,  observing  one  to 
have  been  speedily  lucky  in  obtaining  a  load,  watch  its  back- 
ward flight,  and  follow  in  the  same  direction,  using  sight  rather 
than  smell,  we  believe  to  be  also  true.  It  is  in  this  way  we 
account  for  the  rapid  increase  in  the  number  of  bees  around 
the  honey  bos  after  the  first  one  has  carried  home  one  load  and 
returned  for  another. — [American  Fa^er.) 


SWEET  CIDER. 


Seeikg  that  a  correspondent,  "  H.  L.,"  wishes  for  infor- 
mation respecting  the  making  of  sweet  cider,  or  rather  the 
keeping  it  sweet,  I  send  the  following,  which  used  to  be  largely 
practised  in  Gloucestershire. 

When  the  cider  was  made,  or  soon  afterwards,  it  was  put  into 
a  large  open  tub  in  a  warm  room,  and  some  new  milk  added  lo 
it  at  the  rate  of  about  two  quarts  of  milk  to  fifty  gallons  of 
eider.  It  was  well  stirred,  and  in  a  short  time  an  artificial 
fermentation  was  produced.  As  soon  as  the  cider  carried  a 
good  head,  it  was  put  into  "  dropping  bags  "  made  of  canvas. 
At  first  it  will  recjuire  to  be  put  into  the  bags  several  times,  till 
the  bags  become  thick  enough  for  the  cider  to  drop  through 
quite  fine.  Sometimes  a  little  charcoal  is  put  into  the  bags  to 
thicken  them.  This  process  fines  the  cider,  and  arrests  further 
fermentation. 

Barm  will  do  instead  of  the  milk,  but  milk  was  considered 
better. 

After  the  dropping,  the  cider  may  be  put  into  bottles  or  casks, 
and  corked  up  at  once.  Most  of  the  cider  in  Gloucestershire, 
and  adjoining  counties,  is  eo  acid — "sharp" — that  it  would 
bring  the  tears  in  the  ejes  of  those  not  used  to  it.  This  is 
caused  by  the  long  fermentation  ("fretting"),  sometimes  for 
several  months. — J.  Bryan,  AudUy  End  Gardens. 


OUR  LETTER   BOX. 


DoBUFO  CooKEREi,  WITH  ONE  Blihd  Eye  (R.  W.  P.)-— The  DotklDg 
cock  is  not  diafjuaHfied  by  having  had  an  eye  destroyed.  That  only  dis- 
qualifies which  is  either  an  indication  of  weakness  or  would  appear  to 
have  heen  removed  to  conceal  a  defect.  Thus  a  blind  side  and  defective 
fiiflht  should  befntal  tn  success  in  any  bird.  Two  broken  sickle  feathers 
in  the  tail  of  a  Oarae  cock  are  so  suspicious  that  they  considerably  lesRen 
the  chancea  of  success,    it  would  be  almost  a  fair  inference  that  Ihey 


had  been  broken  ofT  because  they  were  splashed  or  white,  in  either  case 
a  disqualification. 

White  Dorkinob  (Jn  Old  Subscriber). — There  are  both  single- combed 
and  rose-combed.  We  know  of  no  diflference  in  their  qualities,  but  the 
cocks  and  hens  must  all  have  the  same  form  of  comb— that  is,  all  must 
be  siople-cumbed  or  all  double-combed.  They  aro  as  good  layers  as  the 
Dark-colomed  Dorkings. 

Golden-pencilled  Hamburgh  Cockerel  (ClieshiTe  Subscriber). — II 
the  cockerel  is  for  eshibition  in  the  chicken  class,  he  is  eligible  at 
any  time,  but  the  older  he  is  the  better,  as  he  is  then  getting  rid  of  his 
spotted  feathers,  and  his  tail  is  becoming  more  accurately  coloured.  If 
for  adult  classes,  he  cannot  be  shown  without  risk  of  detection  during 
the  year  in  which  he  was  hatched.  If  in  an  open  class,  unless  he  is  a 
very  forward  bird,  ho  has  little  chance  against  older  competitors.  He  is 
seldom  better  than  he  is  at  from  eighteen  mouths  to  two  years  old.  If  his 
enrlobes  are  only  edged  with  red  at  ten  weeks  old,  it  is  almost  a  certainty 
they  will  be  quite  white  before  he  is  ten  mouths  old,  perhaps  luacb- 
eariier. 

Game  Baktajis— Catarrh  in  Fovtls  {CJianticleer).~Th6  catarrh  you 
mention  is  common  when  the  weather  first  breaks  up,  and  being  attended 
to,  has  no  results.  We  put  camphor  in  their  water,  and  give  them  bread 
and  ale  once  every  day.  We  do  not  admire  your  dietary.  Give  them 
barley  or  oatmeal  mixed  with  water  or  milk  if  you  have  it,  in  the  morn- 
ing, some  whole  corn  at  midday,  and  oatmeal  again  in  the  afternoon  or 
evening.  Oatmeal  is  preferable  to  barltymeal.  Fowls  do  not  care  to  eat 
buckwheat,  and  will  not  if  they  can  get  anything  else.  Indian  corn  is 
good  for  a  change,  but  it  is  not  good  enough  for  constant  feeding.  Pollard 
is  poor  poultry  food.  We  view  this  catarrh  in  fowls  as  wo  view  it  in  our- 
selves and  the  rest  of  our  fellow  creatures.  Cold  surprises  us  in  the  midst 
of  heat,  finds  us  unprepared,  and  visits  us  accordingly.  Those  who  fall 
b;ick  on  nature  iind  talk  about  wild  birds,  &c.,  must  be  told  that  our  fowls 
have  long  ceased  to  be  birds  of  nature  ;  we  have  altered  their  habits,  and 
must  provide  for  them  accordingly.  The  refuse  kitchen  and  table  scraps 
are  excellent  fuod  ;  well-ground  oats  mixtd  with  it,  should  be  the  galli- 
naceous turtle  and  venison.  We  have  no  doubt  the  Bantams  in  question 
are  Piles,  and  the  description  would  do  very  well  for  the  old  Worcester- 
shire bird  of  that  breed.  At  the  weight  you  mention,  thpy  should  be  hard 
to  beat  if  the  cook  is  well  dubbed,  and  if  he  and  his  hens  carry  their 
wings  well  up. 

Agents  for  Sale  op  Hives  (X.). — We  know  of  no  agent  in  Ireland  for 
the  sale  of  improved  hives.  A  good  many  Woodbury  hives  h>»ve,  however 
been  iotroduced  into  that  country  through  private  channels,  and  if  yoti 
write  direct  to  Mr.  Woodbury,  at  Mount  R.adford,  Exeter,  we  doubt  not 
he  will  be  able  lo  put  you  in  the  way  of  procuring  them.  Back  numbers 
of  The  Journal  of  Horticdlture  may  be  obtain^-d  from  this  office. 

Uniting  Bees  (J  Young  Bee-keeper). — In  uniting  stocks  or  swarmS 
there  is  no  absolute  necessity  for  special  dealing  with  the  queens,  because 
the  beps  will  in  the  great  majority  of  cases  settle  the  question  satisfac- 
torily among  themselves,  and  many  bee-keepers  never  trouble  themselves 
about  the  superfluous  queens,  taking  their  chance  of  success,  and, 
perhaps,  going  on  for  years  without  a  mishap.  Still  there  remains  the 
possibility  of  an  occasional  misfortune,  and  it  is  to  guard  agaiust  this 
that  more  advanced  apiarians  using  moveable-comb  hives  deal  with  the 
queens  something  after  the  fashion  described  by  "A  Dkyonshire  Bee- 
keepeb,"  in  page  1S8.  It  is  evident  that  Mr.  Pettigrew,  in  the  process 
which  he  details  in  page  255,  does  not  intend  the  operator  to  pay  any 
attention  to  the  queens  ;  but  if  one  be  removed  we  always  prefer  retain- 
ing what  we  judge  either  from  previous  knowledge  of  her  history,  or  from 
her  personal  appearance,  to  be  the  youngest  ormost  prolific.  However  largo 
the  stock  may  be.  there  is  but  one  queen  in  the  hive.  A  brief  but  suffi- 
ciently comprehensive  and  very  intelligible  rtUum^  of  the  principal  facts 
in  the  natural  history  of  the  honey  bee,  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Woodbury, 
will  be  found  in  the  last  edition  of  "  Bee-keeping  for  the  Many,"  which 
may  be  had  free  by  post  direct  from  this  office  for  five  stamps. 

Hoese-Chestncts  for  Cows.— ".^nOM  Subseriftrr  "  wishes  to  be  in- 
formed whether  common  horse-chestnuts  may  be  given  to  cows — that  is, 
if  they  would  be  good  for  them  in  any  quantity  ? 

To  ■'AKE  New  Rope  Pliable  (^^p/ta).— New  rope  can  be  made  limber 
and  soft  at  once,  by  simply  boiling  it  for  two  hours  in  water.  Then  hang 
it  in  a  warm  room,  and  let  it  dry  out  thoroughly.  It  retains  its  stiffiaess 
until  dry,  when  it  becomes  perfeCbly  pliable. 

pRESERVTNO  Peabs  (A  Lady). — No  variety  is  better  thnn  the  Catillac,  but 
several  other  varieties  are  as  good  for  the  purpose.  The  pears  should,  not 
be  more  than  ripe.  They  are  in  fit  state  as  soon  as  the  pips  are  black. 
Set  the  pears  on  the  fire  with  sufficient  water  to  cover  them  ;  take  them 
off  when  quite  soft,  and  put  them  into  cold  water;  pare  them  lightly, 
cut  off  the  stalks,  prick  each  with  a  pin  sufficiently  long  to  reach  the  core, 
and  put  them  ng'iin  in  cold  water  with  a  little  alum  ;  set  tbora  on  the  fire 
to  boil  until  the  pears  are  tender,  then  take  them  out,  and  put  them  in 
cold  water  for  the  third  time.  Clarify  and  boil  some  sugar,  put  some  water 
to  it,  and  when  it  boils  add  the  pears,  cover  the  pan,  and  give  the  whole  a 
boil ;  skim,  pour  it  into  an  earthen  pan,  and  leave  it.  The  next  day  drain 
the  syrup  from  the  pears,  add  a  little  more  clarified  sngiir  to  it,  and  boil  it 
again  ;  pour  it  over  the  fruit,  and  leave  it  as  before.  The  nest  and  two 
successive  days  proceed  in  the  same  way,  each  time  decreasing  the 
degree  of  boiling  ;  then  add  the  pears,  give  the  preserve  a  boil  covered), 
sk  m  and  pour  it  into  a  pan,  place  in  a  stove  for  two  days,  then  drain  the 
fruit,  and  put  it  by  for  use. 


POULTRY  MARKET.— OcTOBEB  28. 

The  little  improvement  we  have  noted  has  disappeired  before  doll 
trade  and  damp  weather.    Trade  cannot  be  worse  than  it  ia. 


Large  Fowls 

Smaller  do 

s. 

2 

2 

1 

d       s. 
6  to  S 
0        2 
9        2 
0        7 
0        2 
8        0 

d 
0 
6 

0 
6 
8 
9 

2 

d       B. 
6  toS 
6       1 
0       2 
4       1 
8        0 

0     s 

d 
0 

Partridges    

Hares 

Rabbits 

Wil.l  do 

1 

a 

1 

n 

9 
6 

6 

R 

2 

9 

Pigeons  

0 

Grouse  

8 

6 

November  D,  18C8.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  IIOBTICULTUBE  AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEE. 


335 


WEEKLY 

CALENDAR. 

Day 

of 
.Mouth 

D.T 

of 

Week. 

NOVEMBER  5-11,  1868. 

Ayeraire  Temperature 
near  Loudon, 

Ram  in 

laat 
41  years. 

Son 

Rises. 

Sun        Moon 
Sets.       Rises. 

Moon 

Sets. 

Moon's 
Age. 

Cloot 
ttflcr 
Sun. 

Day 

of 

Year 

r. 

6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 

TH 

p 

8 

Stni 
M 
Td 

w 

Meeting  of  Linnean  Society,  8  p.m. 

Royal  Ilorticnltnral  Society,  Promenade. 

22  Sunday  after  TniNiTY. 

Prince  of  Walks  Born,  1841. 

Stoko  Newington  Chrysanthemnm  Show. 

Moetina  of  Royal  Microscopical  Society, 

8  P.M. 

Day. 

6S.1 

52.8 

6S.1 

65.1 

Bl.f! 

50.4 

B0.5 

Niifht. 
37.9 
376 
87,3 
348 
336 
34.1 
34.3 

Mean. 
45.6 
45.2 
44.7 
42.8 
42.1 
42.3 
42.4 

Days. 
2) 
19 
20 
19 
18 
23 
15 

m.      h. 
3al7 
5      7 

7  7 

8  7 

10  7 

11  7 
13      7 

m.     b. 
24  at  4 
22      4 
21       4 
19      4 
18      4 
16      4 
14      4 

m.    h. 
51af8 
57      9 
13    11 
morn. 
28     0 
45      1 

a     3 

m.    h 
51    11 
alter. 
22      1 
56      1 
26      2 
64      2 
19      3 

Days. 
21 

22 
< 
21 
23 
28 
27 

Ol.     p. 
18    16 
IC    13 

15  9 

16  5 
16      0 
15    54 
15    46 

810 
311 
812 
818 
814 
315 
816 

From  observntions  taken  near  London  tlnrinR  the  last  torty-one  yearn  the  averaRe  day  temperatnre  of  t^e  week  is  Sl-S" ;  »Sj  "»  ^8" 
temperature  S5.6^.     The  greatest  beat  was  63',  on  the  5th,  1852  ;  and  6tli,  1831 ;    and  the  lowest  cold  17%  on  the  9th,  1804.    The  greaiesi 
fall  ol  rain  was  1.02  inch. 

ORNAMENTAL-FOLIAGED  PLANTS  IN  AUTUIMN. 
SILVER-EDGED  versus  TRICOLOR  PELARGONIUMS. 

LADLY  I  endorse  the  views  advanced  by  Mr. 
Kobson.  in  page  29(),  as  to  the  superiority  of 
Silver-edged  IPelargoniums  over  the  Tricolor 
varieties  ;  and  I  do  this  all  the  more  willingly 
because  I  think  that  by  far  too  great  a  pre- 
ponderance has  been  and  still  is  given  to 
Tricolors  over  all  other  varieties  of  bedding 
Pelargoninms^I  will  not  say  to  their  detri- 
ment, for  they  have  not  only  held  their  own 
against  the  gay  invaders  of  their  territorial 
rights,  but  they  have  also  forced  upon  us  the  conviction 
that,  although  the  Tricolors  may  be  as  beautiful  as  they 
are  novel,  yet  they  are  only  adapted  for  certain  purposes 
and  places  in  the  flower  garden.  Nor  is  it  at  all  difficult 
to  understand  why  this  conviction  has  been  forced  upon 
us,  or,  rather,  why  this  reaction  is  taking  place,  for  have 
not  Tricolored  Pelargoniums  been  planted  in  every  ima- 
ginable position  ?  and,  therefore,  it  is  easy  to  perceive  how 
soon  a  clear  understanding  of  the  true  value  of  this  at- 
tractive class  of  plants  should  be  arrived  at. 

The  great  popularity  of  Mrs.  Pollock  and  its  progeny  is 
not  to  be  wondered  at,  for,  probably,  no  plant  of  modern 
introduction  has  created  a  greater  sensation  in  the  horti- 
cultural world,  and  this,  too,  in  an  age  so  sensational  as 
to  perhaps  encom-age  the  introduction  of  many  worthless 
novelties.  To  my  mind  the  improvement  which  is  really 
wanted  in  Tricolored  Pelargoniums  to  render  them  really 
effective  for  massing  and  for  being  viewed  from  a  distance, 
is  a  much  deeper  margin,  of  a  clear  bright  yellow,  or  white, 
as  the  case  may  be,  and  a  somewhat  more  vigorous  habit 
of  growth,  as  this  would  in  a  great  measure  set  aside  the 
objection  which  is  taken  to  them  when  so  planted,  on  the 
score  of  heaviness.  Perhaps  Mrs.  Pollock  is  never  better 
appreciated  than  when  forming  part  of  a  ribbon  border 
arranged  somewhat  in  the  following  order  :— First  row, 
Cerastium  tomentosum ;  second  row.  Lobelia  speciosa  ; 
third  row,  Mrs.  PoUock :  and  fourth  row,  Coleus  Ver- 
schafTelti. 

That  some  harm  has  been  done  to  the  pure  Silver- 
edged  varieties  I  am  ready  to  admit,  because  owing  to  the 
great  attractions  and  interest  which  the  increasing  of  Tri- 
colored varieties  has  ofl'ered  to  the  cross-breeder,  but  little 
attention  has  been  paid  to  supplying  a  want  which  must 
be  felt  by  all  lovers  of  the  flower  garden,  and  that  is  a 
variety  having  the  pure  white  marking  of  Perfection,  com- 
bined with  the  broad  upturned  leaf  margin  and  fine  com- 
pact habit  of  growth  of  Flower  of  Spring.  In  advocating 
the  introduction  of  a  kind  possessing  such  desirable  quali- 
fications, I  would  not  wish  for  one  moment  to  detract  from 
the  great  merits  of  Flower  of  Spring,  considering  it,  as  I 
do,  to  be  unequalled  by  any  of  its  class,  as  I  have  before 
stated  in  the  pages  of  this  .Journal ;  but  I  tliink  that  a 
pure  Silver-edged  variety,  equal  in  all  other  respects  to 
Flower  of  Spring,  would  at  once  enable  us  to  dispense  with 
all  those  sorts  having  such  a  loose  habit  of  growth  as 
Alma,   Jane,   Bijou,   and  Perfection.     Not  only  for   this 

No.  397.— Vol.  XV.,  New  Seeiee. 


defect  should  these  kinds  be  discarded,  but  also  for  the 
objectionable  downward  curve  of  the  foliage,  which  causes 
the  green  centre  to  become  so  elevated  as  to  be  more  con- 
spicuous than  the  white  margin,  and  this  more  especially 
when  viewed  from  a  distance. 

My  experience  of  Gnaphahum  lanatum  is  diametrically 
opposed  to  that  of  Mr.  Kobson,  for  I  have  always  regarded 
this  plant  as  being  most  beautiful  and  efl'ective  during  the 
bright  and  cheerful  summer  months,  with  its  pretty  grey 
foliage  and  stems  of  a  peculiarly  soft  and  pleasing  hue, 
but  as  the  autumn  advances,  and  the  dulness  and  mois- 
ture of  the  atmosphere  increase,  the  colour  changes  till 
it  becomes  a  kind  of  dull  bluish  green. 

From  a  comparison  of  grey-leaved  plants  which  I  have 
lately  made,  I  find  Centaurea  ragusina  retains  its  clear 
greyish  whiteness  just  as  well  towards  the  end  of  October 
as  in  the  midst  of  summer,  with  just  the  slightest  tendency 
in  a  few  of  the  oldest  leaves  to  become  green.  Next  to 
this  in  whiteness  is  Cineraria  maritima,  but  this  plant  is 
by  no  means  so  efl'ective  as  the  former.  Centaurea  gymno- 
carpa  almost  invariably  becomes  green  early  in  the  autumn. 
The  Cerastiums,  both  Biebersteini  and  tomentosum,  have 
lost  much  of  the  pearly  whiteness  which  renders  them  so 
beautiful  in  summer.  Staohys  lanata  is  also  somewhat 
dull,  and  Salvia  argentea  has  lost  nearly  the  whole  of  its 
true  colour,  and  has  assumed  that  dull  green  appearance 
to  which  all  grey-leaved  plants  have  a  tendency  as  the 
year  declines. 

As  regards  dark-foliaced  plants,  I  suppose  that  for 
general  utility  and  refined  beauty  Coleus  VerschafTelti  is 
by  most  admitted  to  take  the  lead,  but  even  it  must  give 
place  to  Iresine  Herbstii  in  the  autumnal  months ;  for  no 
sooner  does  the  heat  of  summer  begin  to  decline  than  the 
Iresine  throws  off  its  summer  guise,  and  assumes  a  vigour 
of  growth  and  freshness  of  appearance  most  pleasing  to 
look  upon.  Perhaps  this  plant  is  never  seen  to  such  ad- 
vantage as  when  planted  beside  Vinca  major  elegantissima. 
Not  only  is  there  a  close  resemblance  in  the  shape  of  the 
foliage  of  these  plants,  but  also  no  contrast  can  be  better 
than  the  deep  crimson  of  the  one  with  the  clear  bright 
yellow  of  the  other. — Edwakd  Luckhurst,  EyerUm  House 
Gardens,  Kent. 

MANLEY    HALL,    STPvETFORD,    MANCHESTER, 

The  Residence  of  Sam  Mendel,  Esq. 
We  often  see  the  greatest  results  produced  under  diffi- 
culties, and  in  positions  the  most  adverse  for  theii-  success- 
ful attainment,  but  with  ample  means  at  disposal,  and 
where  judgment  and  energy  are  brought  to  bear  upon 
any  given  subject,  the  difticulties  which  stand  in  the  way 
are  quickly  removed,  and  the  path  which  leads  to  the  suc- 
cessful issue  is  soon  cleared  of  all  obstacles,  and  the  object 
in  view  is  safely,  if  not  speedily,  gained.  When,  there- 
fore, such  a  liberal  patron  of  floriculture  and  horticulture 
as  Mr.  Mendel  makes  up  his  miud  to  sui-round  his  mansion 
with  the  most  choice  gems  to  be  found  in  the  floral  world, 
it  matters  not  whether  the  battle-ground  chosen  be  on  the 
Stretford  marshes,  which  are  frequently  enveloped  in  the 
sulphui-eouB  smoke  from  tens  of  thousands  of  factory  and 
/'  No.  1019.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  Series. 


33S 


JOUENAIi  OF  HOETICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE   GAEDENEK. 


[  November  5, 1868. 


other  chimneys,  and  where,  as  a  rule,  for  many  months  in  the 
year  it  rains  almost  incessantlj',  he  has  only  to  find  the  means, 
and  give  his  instructions  to  skilful  horticultural  and  floricul- 
tnral  generals,  and  superlative  plants  are  produced.  It  matters 
not  whether  they  are  natives  of  the  tropics  or  of  the  dry  hills 
and  plains  of  the  Cape,  they  are  there  to  be  seen  in  the  greatest 
luxuriance  ;  and  it  must  be  very  satisfactory  to  Mr.  Mendel  to 
see  such  results  produced,  and  also  very  gratifying  to  his  able 
gardeners,  Messrs.  Petoh  and  Milford,  to  find  their  labours 
crowned  with  such  success.  Not  twelve  mouths  ago  I  saw  the 
plants,  and  certainly  a  wonderful  change  for  the  better  is  now 
apparent. 

There  is  no  attempt  at  architectural  gardening,  but  Mr. 
Edward  Milner  has  very  successfully  made  the  most  of  the 
ground  by  a  series  of  happy  combinations,  which  are  very 
cheerful  and  picturescjue,  and,  in  my  opinion,  very  much  more 
pleasing  to  the  eye  than  so  much  of  the  made-up  style  of  gar- 
dening seen  in  many  places.  The  eye  becomes  wearied  by 
looking  from  month's  end  to  year's  end  upon  colours  artificially 
produced ;  but  the  graceful  style  of  imitating  Nature,  which 
Mr.  Milner  has  made  peculiarly  his  own,  introduces  fresh 
scenery  at  every  turn,  and  thus  avoids  monotony. 

Manley  Hall  is  situated  on  the  west  side  of  Manchester,  and 
is  about  three  miles  from  the  Manchester  Exchange.  The 
approach  to  the  mansion  and  gardens  is  from  the  Chorlton 
road,  and  after  passing  through  a  very  handsome  gateway,  by 
the  side  of  which  there  is  a  substantial  lodge,  we  enter  upon 
the  carriage  drive,  which  is  about  20  feet  wide,  and  on  each 
side  of  which  there  is  an  avenue  formed  with  Lime  trees. 
Hollies,  and  Thujopsis  borealis  planted  alternately.  These  are 
on  grass,  and  at  the  back  of  them  a  low  wall  covered  with  Ivy 
has  a  very  pleasing  effect.  The  carriage  drive  and  all  the 
walks  are  made  with  asphalt  and  gravel,  and  are  kept  so  clean 
that  anyone  might  walk  over  them  barefooted  without  soiling 
his  feet.  Directly  opposite  the  entrance  gate  a  portion  of  St. 
Mark's  Cjllege  is  seen  in  the  distance,  with  its  handsome 
turrets  surrounded  by  splendid  masses  of  foliage,  which  are 
just  now  assuming  their  autumnal  tints,  and  between  the 
carriage  drive  and  the  College  is  a  beautiful  undulating  glade, 
through  which  the  College  is  seen.  The  entrance  to  this  glade 
is  concealed  from  the  carriage  drive  by  a  group  of  figures  repre- 
senting Time,  and  the  pedestals  on  which  these  figures  are  placed 
are  clothed  with  Ivy.  At  the  back  of  the  group  there  is  a  semi- 
circular wall,  which  is  also  covered  with  Ivy,  and  a  little  to  the 
right  a  walk  leads  to  the  mansion.  The  ground  on  this  front 
has  been  skilfully  laid  out  to  afford  undulating  scenery.  This 
walk  brings  us  up  to  the  north  front  of  the  mansion,  which  is 
a  very  handsome  structure,  on  the  south  and  east  side  of  which 
there  is  a  terrace  raised  about  5  feet  above  the  general  level  of 
the  grounds. 

The  walk  above-mentioned  leads  rsund  below  the  terrace 
wall  to  the  east  and  south,  and  past  the  grand  conservatory, 
which  is  built  at  the  south-west  angle  of  the  mansion.  It  is  a 
very  handsome  building,  'JO  feet  by  48,  having  four  half-circular 
roofs,  three  of  which  are  parallel  with  the  walk  on  the  south 
front,  and  one  which  covers  the  principal  entrance  from  the 
garden,  through  the  conservatory,  to  the  sculpture  and  picture 
galleries.  There  are  three  flights  of  steps  which  lead  to  three 
different  levels  in  the  conservatory,  which  is  divided  into  three 
sections  by  a  walk  from  the  west  end  under  each  of  the  three 
roofs,  and  terminating  at  the  top  of  each  flight  of  steps.  At 
each  side  of  the  steps  leading  through  the  conservatory  there 
is  a  pair  of  Ehopala  corcovadensis  and  Khopala  de  Jonghii. 
These  are  handsome  trees,  12  or  14  feet  high,  and  form  a 
fine  avenue  ;  between  them  are  fine  Palms,  and  costly  marble 
sculpture. 

Directly  opposite  the  middle  level,  and  on  the  right  hand 
side  as  we  go  up  through  the  Ehopala  avenue,  there  is  a  pair 
of  doors,  which  open  to  the  terrace  in  front  of  the  mansion. 
The  upper  portion  of  the  conservatory  is  parallel  with  the 
picture  gallery,  and  is  very  tastefully  laid  out  as  a  rockery,  and 
about  the  centre  of  this  there  is  a  waterfall  very  skilfully  ar- 
ranged, and  here  and  there,  as  we  traverse  this  walk  towards 
the  west  end  of  the  conservatory,  we  come  upon  splendid  fine- 
foliaged  plants  and  many  Ferns  of  great  beauty.  Here  were 
plants  of  Dracaena  latifolia,  with  clean  stems  10  feet  high,  and 
beautiful  heads  of  bright  green  foliage  ;  and  at  the  base  Cy- 
perids.  Ferns,  and  various  Mosses  grow  from  amongst  the 
rocks.  At  the  west  end  of  this  walk  there  is  a  grand  Ehopala 
de  Jonghii,  18  feet  high,  and  near  it  we  descend  by  some  rustic 
steps  to  the  second  level,  or  central  portion  of  the  conservatory. 
This  walk  is  5  feet  *j  inches  wide,  and  on  each  side  there  is  a 


curb  about  10  inches  above  the  level  of  the  path  ;  on  this  curb 
there  is  a  row  of  shallow  pans,  3  inches  deep  and  9  inches 
wide,  which,  being  filled  with  Selaginella  denticulata,  look 
exceedingly  pretty.  The  borders  right  and  left  of  the  walk  are 
filled  with  flowering  and  fine-foliaged  plants,  among  which  I 
noticed  splendid  plants  of  Cyoas  revoluta,  Dicksonia  antarctica, 
D.  fibrosa,  D.  squarrosa,  and  several  others  ;  Cyathea  dealbata, 
Cibotium  princeps,  the  beautiful  Cibotium  Schiedei,  Blechnum 
corcovadense,  with  splendid  fronds,  the  youngest  of  which 
were  nearly  scarlet,  Corypha  australis.  Azaleas  and  Camellias 
covered  with  flower  buds,  and  many  other  fine  plants,  such 
as  DracEcnas,  Agave  aureo-variegata,  &c.  At  the  east  end 
of  the  walk  we  turn  to  the  right,  descend  another  flight  o£ 
steps,  and  pass  along  the  walk  through  the  lower  level.  A 
stage  on  the  left  is  tilled  with  Nosegay  Pelargoniums  and  yellow 
and  other  Calceolarias ;  these  were  exceedingly  gay.  The  bed 
on  the  right  was  filled  with  various  kinds  of  ornamental- foliaged 
plants,  and  amongst  these  a  number  of  plants  of  Salvia  splen- 
dens  were  very  bright.  There  were  also  numerous  plants  of 
the  Tricolor  and  Bronze  and  Gold  Pelargoniums.  The  latter 
Mr.  Petch  considers  invaluable  for  conservatory  decoration  in 
winter.  The  foliage  of  many  of  them  was  very  bright ;  many, 
too,  were  also  producing  large  numbers  of  very  fine  flowers. 

Just  at  the  termination  ot  this  walk,  at  the  west  end,  on  the 
left-hand  side  of  the  door,  there  is  a  beautiful  aviary  filled  with 
birds,  which  kept  up  a  perpetual  chorus  all  the  time  I  was  ia 
the  conservatory.  Their  constant  warbling  notes  mingled  with 
the  dripping  fountains,  the  beautiful  plants  one  sees  at  every 
turn,  and  the  canopy  of  graceful  climbing  plants  which  here 
and  there  covers  the  roof,  rendered  the  conservatory  one  of 
the  most  charming  scenes  I  have  ever  witnessed.  There  one 
might  fancy  himself  far  away  in  some  secluded  spot,  instead  of 
being  within  three  miles  of  the  busy  city  of  Manchester. 

I  very  reluctantly  left  this  Crystal  Palace,  which  contains  so 
many  gems,  both  of  Nature  and  art,  by  the  door  at  the  west 
end.  Here  a  flight  of  three  steps  brings  us  down  to  where  a 
large  Peach  house  is  being  cleared  away  to  make  room  for  a 
magnificent  fernery,  to  be  built  in  its  place.  This  fernery  will 
be  joined  to  the  conservatory  at  the  west  end,  and  attached  to 
a  solid  block  of  houses,  which  extends  more  than  300  feet,  with 
a  width  of  55  or  60  feet,  towards  the  south.  The  fernery  which 
is  now  being  constructed  will  be  G8  by  28  feet ;  the  conservatory 
will  open  into  it,  and  with  a  little  trouble  the  family  will  be 
able  to  pass  from  the  conservatory  through  the  whole  block  of 
houses  without  going  into  the  open  air. 

On  the  west  side  of  the  block  of  plant  houses  are  the  bothies, 
garden  offices,  workmen's  mess  rooms,  fruit  and  Mushroom 
houses,  &c.,  which  are  very  neat  and  comfortably  fitted  up,  and 
in  front  of  these  is  a  long  border,  where  Mr.  Petch  plants  out  all 
the  evergreens  used  for  the  winter  decoration  of  the  flower 
garden. 

In  passing  through  the  fine  block  of  plant  houses,  which  are 
all  admirably  suited  for  the  growth  of  the  various  families  of 
plants  they  contain,  I  shall  give  the  sizes  of  the  plants  in  order 
that  all  persons  interested  in  the  cultivation  of  the  different 
kinds  may  know  what  marvellous  specimens  those  are  which  I 
am  now  about  to  review,  and  in  how  very  short  a  time  large 
specimens  of  plants  many  people  think  very  difficult  to  grow, 
may  be  produced,  if  only  placed  in  suitable  houses  and  a 
proper  amount  of  care  and  attention  bestowed.  In  the  range 
to  which  I  now  refer,  are  houses  for  East  Indian  and  cool 
Orchids,  houses  for  Palms,  houses  for  Gold  and  Silver  Ferns, 
a  house  for  the  graceful  Gleichenia  family,  houses  for  fine- 
foliaged  greenhouse  plants,  also  for  stove  plants  with  orna- 
mental foliage,  houses  for  flowering  stove  and  greenhouse 
plants,  houses  for  Ericas  and  New  Holland  plants,  houses  for 
Ixoras,  also  for  Marantas,  &c. 

The  Maranta  house  was  the  first  I  entered  after  passing  the 
site  of  the  new  Fern  house.  This  is  a  fine  span-roofed  house, 
with  a  tank  in  the  centre  filled  with  water.  Two  4-inch  hot- 
water  pipes  pass  through  the  tank,  and  the  noble  Marantas, 
Anthuriums,  Alocasias,  &c.,  are  placed  on  pots  just  above  the 
level  of  the  water.  There  is  a  pathway  on  each  side  of  the 
lank,  and  a  slate  slab  forms  a  shelf  next  the  glass  all  round  the 
sides  of  the  house.  Both  the  slabs  and  the  ground  beneath 
them  are  covered  with  white  Derbyshire  spar,  which  gives  a 
very  neat  finish,  and  is  an  excellent  material  to  set  the  plants 
upon,  as  it  allows  the  water  to  pass  freely  away  from  the  pots 
after  watering. 

On  entering  the  Maranta  house  by  the  door  at  the  east  end, 
from  the  walk  which  runs  parallel  with  the  ends  of  all  these 
houses,  the  first  plant  that  meets  the  eye  is  a  noble  Maranta 


November  5, 1868.  1 


JOUBNAIi  OP  HOHTIOUIiTUltE   AND  COTTAGE    GABDENEH. 


337 


Porteana,  and  next  to  this,  M.  Lindeni,  measuring  4  foet 
C  inclies  in  diameter,  no  doubt  the  liaest  plant  in  the  country 
of  this  mugriificent  species.  A  little  to  the  left  of  this  ia  a 
marvellously  fine  specimen  Anthurium  Scher7,erianum  (the 
large-leaved  variety),  for  there  areevidently  two  varieties  of  this 
the  handsomest  of  the  Anthuriums.  The  plant  is  making 
great  progress ;  some  of  its  leaves  are  111  inchoa  long  by 
3i  inches  wide,  and  it  had  on  it  during  the  past  summer  nine- 
teen splendid  spathos  all  at  one  time,  and  there  appears  to  be 
every  likelihood  of  its  producing  nearly  thirty  next  year.  It  is, 
undoubtedly,  one  of  the  finest  specimeni  in  cultivation.  There 
is  also  in  the  same  house  another  large  plant,  but  it  is  of  the 
small-leaved  variety,  and  although  very  beautiful  much  inferior 
to  the  l.'irge-leaved  one.  There  is  likewise  a  plant  of  Alocasia 
intermedia,  one  of  the  fine  plants  sent  out  this  season  by 
Messrs.  Veitch,  of  Chelsea.  There  are,  besides,  many  other  re- 
markable specimens  of  leading  new  stove  plants,  such  as  the 
beautiful  Uractuna  regina,  Crotou  interruptum,  and  C.  irregu- 
lare,  the  handsome  Alocasia  Jenningsii,  and  Abutilon  Thomp- 
sonii,  all  distributed  to  the  public  this  season  by  the  same 
celebrated  firm,  whose  introductions  though  expensive  may  be 
relied  upon,  and  which  always  will  remain  monuments  of  their 
enterprise  and  energy.  The  next  plant  I  have  to  describe,  is 
also  one  of  their  finest  introductions  amongst  oruamental- 
foliaged  plants.  I  ciin  just  imagine  their  looks  of  astonishment, 
on  reading  this  description,  to  find  that  the  plant  they  sold  to 
Mr.  Mendel  only  a  few  months  ago,  of  Sanchezia  nobilis  va- 
riegata,  is  now  7  feet  6  inches  across.  There  are  eighty-four 
shoots  on  it  clothed  with  its  handsome  foliage,  and  a  short 
time  ago  it  was  showing  a  flower  spike  at  the  point  of  every 
shoot ;  these  Mr.  Fetch  had  all  pinched  out,  and  each  of  the 
leading  shoots  is  now  breaking  beautifully.  The  plant  is  a 
perfect  pyramid,  and  as  no  conception  of  its  beauty  can  be 
formed  by  looking  at  it  from  the  path,  I  was  tempted,  at  the 
risk  of  pushing  my  head  through  the  glass  above,  to  get  up  on 
the  curb  of  the  tank  in  order  to  obtain  a  fall  view  of  this  noble 
specimen. 

There  were  also  fine  plants  of  Anthurium  magnificum  and 
Maranta  Veitchii  (there  appear  to  be  two  varieties  of  this  hand- 
some plant  also),  and  near  the  fine  Sanchezia  an  extraordinary 
plant  of  Alocasia  metallica.  This,  Mr.  Fetch  told  me,  was  in 
a  10-inch  pot  in  the  spring.  It  is  now  i  feet  G  inches  high 
and  6  feet  through  ;  it  has  upwards  of  two  hundred  fully  deve- 
loped leaves  in  beautiful  condition,  and  is  indeed  a  marvel  in 
plant-growing.  The  secret  seems  to  consist  in  growing  the 
plant  in  a  rich  compost.  The  soil  it  is  now  growing  in  is 
decomposed  manure  and  loam  in  equal  proportions  ;  and  as 
the  plant  stands  over  the  water  there  is  no  chance  of  its  being 
infested  with  thrips  and  red  spider,  which  very  often  spoil  the 
beauty  of  this  Alocasia  when  it  is  grown  in  a  dry  temperature. 
Near  the  last-mentioned  specimen  is  a  fine  plant  of  Maranta 
roseo-picta,  one  of  the  magnificent  introductions  of  1866.  It 
is  3  feet  6  inches  in  diameter  and  in  perfect  health.  I  also 
noticed  fine  plants  of  Anthurium  regale  and  Alocasia  macro- 
rhiza  variegata.  Trained  to  the  roof  of  this  house  containing 
so  many  splendid  specimens,  were  healthy  plants  of  Dipladenia 
amabilis,  Cissus  discolor,  and  various  other  climbers,  which 
were  all  perfectly  clean  and  healthy.  I  must  not,  however, 
forget  to  mention  the  fine  plants  of  Fittonia  argyroneura  2  feet 
6  inches  in  diameter,  and  perfect  masses  of  silvery  foliage.  I 
also  noticed  Williams's  variety  of  Anthurium  regale,  which 
appears  to  be  much  the  finer  of  the  two  varieties  of  A.  regale, 
having  longer  and  larger  leaves,  of  a  much  darker  colour.  The 
pretty  Costus  zebrina  also  riveted  my  attention  for  a  moment 
on  leaving  the  house,  and  made  me  almost  wish  to  retrace  my 
steps  in  order  that  I  might  mention  many  other  gems  which 
I  had  very  reluctantly  passed  by,  for  time  warned  me  that  if  I 
intended  to  review  the  contents  of  between  thirty  and  forty 
more  houses  I  must  be  moving,  seeing  that  I  had  only  two 
short  days  in  which  to  take  my  notes,  and  that  the  first  was 
fast  wearing  away. 

With  this  forcible  reminder  before  me,  and  feeling  anxious 
to  do  justice  to  every  department,  I  passed  into  the  Palm  stove. 
Here  the  plants  most  remarkable  were  a  splendid  Verscliaffeltia 
splendida,  7  feet  high,  with  leaves  5  feet  long  by  8  broad  in 
the  widest  part ;  Pandanus  reflexus  (the  Screw  Pine),  11  feet 
high,  and  nearly  as  many  feet  in  diameter  ;  Thrinax  elegans, 
Stevensonia  grandifolia,  Areca  Yerschaffelti,  and  A.  crinita. 

The  next  house  I  entered  is  called  the  Gymnogramma  house, 
and  a  fine  sight  it  is.  Here  are  splendid  plants  of  Gymno- 
gramma pulchella  5  feet,  and  G.  Martensii  6  feet  in  diameter. 
The  house  is  about  30  feet  long  by  18  wide,  and  completely 


filled  with  the  finest  collection  of  Gymnogrammag  ever  seen, 
and  all  of  them  in  the  most  perfect  health  and  condition. 
There  were  in  tliis  house  many  more  of  the  finest  Gymno- 
grammas  of  equal  dimensions  to  those  named. 

Passing  through  the  house  devoted  to  the  Gymnogrammas, 
I  entered  another  of  similar  dimensions,  and,  like  it,  a  lean-to. 
The  front  slab  next  to  the  front  lights  is  covered  with  fine 
healthy  specimens  of  Adianturas  of  all  the  best  varieties.  There, 
in  great  luxuriance,  is  to  be  seen  the  graceful  and  beautiful 
A.  farloyonse,  undoubtedly  the  most  handsome  of  this  most 
graceful  section ;  also  A.  cardiochliuna,  A.  Foei,  A.  Ecabrum, 
A.  renitorme,  A.  pulverulentum,  and  many  others.  In  the 
body  of  the  house  there  is  a  pit  filled  with  tan,  on  which  are 
brought  forward  many  plants  for  the  decoration  of  the  conser- 
vatory, such  as  Poinsettias,  Gardenias,  Azaleas,  Camellias, 
itc,  and  very  conspicuous  amongst  these  I  noticed  several 
plants  of  the  old  Asclepias  curaesavica  with  its  trusses  of  bright 
crimson  and  golden  flowers.  It  is  now  very  seldom  seen,  but 
is  one  of  the  most  useful  plants  grown  for  conservatory  deco- 
ration in  winter  ;  it  may  also  be  had  in  flower  nearly  the  whole 
of  the  year,  and  is  a  most  valuable  plant  for  affording  large 
quantities  of  cut  flowers.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  it  is  not 
more  extensively  grown,  which  it  certainly  would  be  it  better 
known.  The  rage  for  beautif ul-foliaged  plants  has  of  late  caused 
many  of  our  old  favourite  flowering  plants  to  be  forgotten,  and 
their  cultivation  has  in  consequence  been  very  much  neglected, 
and  in  soms  cases  they  are  completely  lost  to  the  country  ;  it 
is,  however,  to  be  hoped  that  their  cultivation  will  again  be 
resumed,  and  their  beauty  and  sweetness  be  again  appreciated 
as  they  deserve  to  be. 

I  next  entered  the  Gleichenia  house,  where,  perhaps,  the 
greatest  change  ever  seen  in  any  collection  of  plants  has  taken 
place.  They  are  without  doubt  the  finest  set  of  plants  in  the 
world,  but  when  I  saw  them  twelve  months  ago  they  were  in  a 
sad  plight  owing  to  unskilful  treatment.  Mr.  Fetch  wrote  to 
all  the  sage  Fern-growers  asking  for  advice  and  assistance,  so 
that  he  might  save  these  noble  plants  from  destruction,  and 
many  suggestions  were  offered  and  several  kinds  of  medicine 
recommended  ;  some  advised  him  to  cut  them  down,  others 
told  him  to  divide  and  repot  them  ;  but  after  having  had  so  many 
strange  doctrines  suggested,  none  of  which  he  dared  act  upon, 
he  made  up  his  mind  to  depend  upon  his  own  judgment,  which 
has  turned  out  perfectly  safe  and  satisfactory.  At  the  time 
Mr.  Fetch  took  charge  of  the  plants,  not  thirteen  months  ago, 
they  were  in  a  pitiable  state,  covered  with  all  the  pests  that 
plants  of  this  class  are  subject  to,  and  very  soon  after  they 
were  taken  in  hand,  as  stated  above,  I  saw  them,  and  at  the 
time  pronounced  it  a  hopeless  case ;  but  now,  in  this  short 
space  of  time,  their  restoration  to  perfect  health  is  almost  com- 
plete. ^  This  result  has  been  brought  about  by  the  moat  careful 
attention  to  the  following  precautions — namely,  watering  very 
sparingly,  gradually  cutting  away  any  decayed  fronds,  and  above 
all  lowering  the  temperature  considerably,  instead  of  stewing 
them  to  death  in  a  very  hot  and  humid  atmosphere.  They 
were  gradually  inured  to  a  temperature  of  5.5°,  and  all  the  air 
that  could  with  propriety  be  given,  was  admitted  on  all  favour- 
able occasions.  This  is  a  hint  I  think  many  may  profit  by. 
We  often  see  the  beautiful  Gleichenias  either  being  roasted 
alive  or  broiled  with  steam  from  the  hot-water  pipes,  at  the 
same  time  rendering  the  house  unfit  for  any  lady  or  gentleman 
to  enter ;  but  in  a  moderately  dry  temperature  of  55°  one  may 
stay  for  any  length  of  time  to  admire  the  beauty  of  these 
graceful  plants.  The  house  is  span-roofed,  about  50  feet  long 
by  22  wide,  and  there  is  a  large  bed  in  the  centre,  and  slate 
slabs  along  the  sides.  There  are  three  rows  of  plants  on  the 
centre  bed,  some  of  them  of  very  extraordinary  dimensionB. 
Thus,  of  three  large  plants  of  G.  flabellata,  I  measured  one  just 
opposite  the  door,  and  it  was  5  feet  high  in  the  centre,  and  as 
many  feet  in  diameter.  The  under  side  of  its  handsome 
foliage  was  covered  with  fructification.  There  are  also  plants 
of  several  other  species,  as  G.  dicarpa  and  G.  microphylla, 
quite  as  large,  and  all  in  good  health ;  also  fine  specimens  o{ 
Lygodium  scandens,  and  two  very  handsome  plants  of  Davallia 
dissecta,  about  5  feet  high.  Two  stumps  or  blocks  of  wood 
formed  the  groundwork  of  these  fine  masses,  around  which 
the  creeping  Davallias  have  twined  their  fronds  and  shoots  in 
every  conceivable  form.  There  was  also  a  balloon-shaped  plant 
of  Lygodium  polystachyum,  one  of  the  finest  of  them  all,  and 
three  large  plants  of  Gleichenia  speluncie.  Many  of  the  above 
are  in  pans  from  2  feet  6  inches  to  3  feet  6  inches  in  diameter, 
and  18  incbea  deep.  There  is  also  a  fine  healthy  plant  of 
Gleichenia  Mendeli,  a  silvery  Gleichenia,  with  its  fio'nds  nearly 


338 


JOURNAL  OP  HOBTICULTDBE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


[  November  S,  1868. 


as  beatitiful  as  Gymnogramma  pernviana.  The  sizes  of  the 
pans  thef?e  plants  are  growing  in  will  give  gome  idea  of  that  of 
the  plants.  The  side  slabs  are  occupied  by  younger  plants  of 
the  above  and  numerous  other  Ferns,  but  it  would  require  more 
space  than  could  be  spared  to  describe  them  individually. 

Along  the  back  of  this  house  there  is  a  walk,  which  leads  in 
a  direct  line  from  the  two  lean-to  houses  previously  described 
to  two  lean-to  vineries.  The  back  wall  of  the  "Gleichenia 
house  on  the  farther  side  of  the  walk  is  covered  with  Ficas 
repens  and  P.  barbata,  there  are  also  patches  of  Stag's-horn 
Pern  growing  out  from  amongst  the  green  mass  of  foliage  formed 
hy  the  Ficuses,  and  the  latter  completely  cover  the  wall  and 
run  along  a  portion  of  the  roof,  hanging  gracefully  over  the 
walk.  At  the  base  of  the  wall  there  is  a  pretty  mass  of  rock- 
work  covered  with  Lyeopods  of  various  kinds,  and  dotted  here 
and  there  with  handsome-foliaged  Begonias,  Tradescantias,  and 
other  suitable  plants.  This  is  certainly  a  most  interesting 
house,  and  I  very  much  regret  my  inability  to  do  it  the  justice 
it  deserves. 

Leaving  the  Gleichenia  house  I  passed  through  two  lean-to 
vineries,  the  back  walls  of  which  are  covered  with  Fig  trees. 
These  houses  are  used  more  for  hardening  off  plants  that  have 
been  forced  for  the  conservatory  than  for  the  fruit  produced 
in  them,  for  the  Grapes,  1  should  think,  would  not  be  of  very 
high  merit ;  these  vineries  will  very  likely  be  used  as  plant 
houses  alone,  for  other  structures  more  suitable  for  Grape- 
growing  are  provided. 

_  The  ground  in  front  of  the  four  lean-to  houses,  which  are 
situated  two  on  each  side  of  the  Gleichenia  house,  is  occupied 
by  three  Orchid  houses  and  a  large  span-roof  pit,  filled  with 
plants  suitable  for  decorative  purposes.  The  contents  of  the 
three  Orchid  houses,  with  the  two  magnificent  ferneries  on 
the  east  side  of  the  grounds,  must  form  the  subject  of  another 
paper. 

Excepting  in  the  three  Orchid  houses,  I  have  now  noticed  a 
few  of  the  principal  plants  in  the  structures  passed  through 
from  the  conservatory  to  the  second  Peach  house,  which  is 
parallel  with  the  Gleichenia  house,  and  between  it  and  the 
Peach  house  is  the  cool  Orchid  house. 

I  next  entered  from  the  vineries  above  described  what  is 
called  the  second  Peach  house ;  it  is  a  fine  span-rooted  house 
53  feet  by  20  feet,  with  a  high  roof.  The  trees  are  planted  at 
each  side,  meeting  at  the  centre  of  the  roof,  and  remarkably 
well  they  look.  There  is  now  a  chance  of  their  doing  very  much 
better,  for  the  roots  of  each  set  of  trees  have  been  hitherto  con- 
fined in  narrow  brick  pits,  but  its  walls  have  been  removed, 
and  the  roots  will  have  much  more  scope,  and  with  fresh  soil 
the  trees  may  be  expected  to  afford  excellent  results  nest  year. 
In  this  house  there  is  a  very  useful  lot  of  Azaleas  well  set  with 
flower  buds,  also  a  number  of  finely-ripened  Vines  in  pots, 
which  give  promise  of  producing  fine  fruit  in  18C9. 

On  quitting  the  Peach  house,  I  passed  into  the  Erica  house, 
•which  is  span-roofed,  G9  feet  '.)  inches  long  by  15  feet  G  inches 
wide.  It  is  a  very  fine  house,  having  a  strong  stone  table  all 
through  the  centre,  with  a  stone  slab  on  each  side  ;  it  is  well  ven- 
tilated, indeed  a  house  suitable  for  the  cultivation  of  Cape  Heaths 
must  be  provided  with  the  very  best  appliances  for  producing  a 
constant  circulation  of  air.  This  house,  more  than  any  other  at 
Manley  Hall,  shows  the  triumph  of  patient  persevering  skill  over 
difficulties  which  to  many  plant-growers  would  seem  insur- 
mountable, for  no  place  could  be  more  unsuitable  than  the 
neighbourhood  of  Manchester  for  the  successful  cultivation  of 
Heaths.  I  will  just  enumerate  a  few,  and  give  their  sizes,  and 
when  I  state  that  they  are  all  in  fine  health,  with  nice  green 
foliage,  some  idea  of  Mr.  Petch's  ability  as  a  plant-grower  may 
be  formed.  A  look  into  this  house  called  to  mind  the  splendid 
houses  of  Heaths  grown  by  my  friend,  Mr.  S.  Smith,  of  Lower 
Norwood,  whose  magnificent  plants  were  the  gems  of  all  our 
great  exhibitions  from  1849  to  1854.  They  also  reminded  me 
of  the  fine  collection  I  myself  had  charge  of  some  years  ago,  at 
the  late  Mr.  Bicknell's,  nearCamberwell.  I  had  only  one  fault 
to  find  with  Mr.  Petch's  plants,  and  that  was  a  want  of  neat- 
ness in  the  mode  of  training  them,  the  material  used  for  this 
purpose  was  rather  too  clumsy-looking.  I  remember  the  time 
when  I  was  a  journeyman,  and  used  to  sit  up  frequently  till  one 
o'clock,  and  even  later  in  the  morning,  tying  the  plants  I  then 
had  the  charge  of,  and  not  a  strip  of  matting  was  used  ;  mine 
were  all  tied  with  black  thread,  so  that  not  a  single  tie  could  be 
seen.  I  very  much  hope  this  beautiful  class  of  plants  will 
again  become  fashionable. 

On  entering  the  house  from  the  west  end,  the  first  fine  plant 
on  the  centre  table  is  E.  smula,  a  noble  plant,  4  feet  G  inches 


in  diameter,  and  2  feet  6  inches  high,  in  the  most  perfect 
health — it  had  upwards  of  a  thousand  trusses  of  fiowers  on  it 
last  summer;  E.  Irbyana,  4  feet  high,  and  as  many  feet  in 
diameter  ;  E.  ventricosa  rosea,  3  feet  9  inches  high,  and  4  feet 
in  diameter ;  E.  Parmentieriana  rosea,  a  splendid  plant,  S  feet 
6  inches  high,  by  3  feet  6  inches  ;  E.  conspicua  nana,  of  similar 
dimensions  ;  E.  elegans,  a  fine  plant,  in  the  most  robust  health ; 
E.  Sbannoniana,  4  feet,  by  3  feet  6  inches  ;  E.  vestita  ooccinea, 
also  of  similar  dimensions  ;  E.  ventricosa  magnifica  ;  E.retorta 
major,  4  feet  high  by  4  feet,  a  magnificent  plant ;  E.  Pastonii, 
3  feet  by  5  ;  E.  Hartnelli  virens,  3  feet  by  3.  There  are  also 
two  rows  of  fine  half-specimen  plants  of  the  following  kinds, 
all  in  a  fine  state  of  health  : — E.  Victoria,  3  feet  by  3  ;  E.  am- 
pullacea,  E.  obata,  E.  tricolor  Eppsii,  E.  aristata  major,  E.  de- 
pressa,  E.  Lambertiana,  covered  with  its  pretty  wax-like  bell- 
shaped  flowers  ;  E.  Massoni  major,  a  fine  plant ;  E.  Vemonii, 
E.  Candolleana,  E.  ajmula,  E.  fastigiata,  E.  eximia  superba, 
E.  metulaeflora,  E.  affine,  E.  delicata,  a  fine  plant,  and  many 
others.  I  also  noticed  fine  plants  of  Acrophyllum  venosum, 
some  of  which  were  3  feet  G  inches  high  by  3  feet,  and  very 
handsome ;  also  handsome  plants  of  Genetyllis  tiJipifera,  and 
on  the  centre  table  at  the  east  end,  facing  the  door  there  is  a 
I  noble  and  very  handsome  plant  of  Genetyllis  fuchsioides,  4  feet 
by  4.  On  the  south  side  of  this  house  there  is  a  very  useful 
pit  filled  with  Cyclamens  and  other  plants.— J.  Wills,  F.E.H.S. 
[To  be  continued.) 


FIG  CULTURE. 


Whether  Fig  trees  succeed  best  nailed  to  a  wall  or  unnailed 
has,  on  several  occasions,  been  mooted  in  your  Journal,  but 
we  must  not  allow  the  case  of  the  nailed  trees  to  be  damaged 
by  the  results  which  followed  the  injudicious  pruning  noted  by 
your  correspondent,  "  E.  L.,"  in  page  31G.  Of  course,  "  but 
little  fruit  was  ever  ripened"  on  trees  "beautifully  trained  and 
most  rigorously  pruned  on  the  spur  system." 

Assuming  the  case  of  two  trees,  both  properly  pruned,  one 
of  which  is  nailed  carefully  against  the  wall,  and  the  other 
allowed  to  straggle  away  from  it,  we  may,  I  think,  decide  on 
their  respective  merits  as  follows : — The  branches  in  contact 
with  the  wall  being  warmer  will  start  earlier.  If,  therefore,  a 
severe  late  frost  should  occur  the  fruit  is  lost,  but  this  may  be 
prevented  by  covering-up  every  night  until  all  fear  of  frost  is 
over.  From  a  tree  thus  protected  I  have  gathered  a  ripe  Fig 
on  the  last  day  in  .July.  Where  it  is  not  convenient  to  take  so 
much  trouble,  the  straggling  tree  has  the  better  chance  of  bear- 
ing, but  the  crop  will  be  rather  late. 

In  comparing  the  fruitfulness  of  two  trees,  observers  should 
take  care  that  the  trees  are  of  the  same  variety.  With  any 
other  fruit  such  a  caution  would  be  superfluous,  but  so  little 
attention  is  paid  to  the  Fig  in  most  gardens,  that  it  is  by  no 
means  uncalled  for.  The  owner  of  a  Brunswick  Fig  must  not 
blame  his  gardener  if  his  tree  produces  only  a  tithe  of  what 
might  be  produced  on  a  tree  of  Brown  Turkey. 

The  account  which  your  correspondent  gives  of  a  second 
crop  in  the  open  ground  at  Provender,  is  very  interesting. 
The  Early  White  variety,  though  much  cultivated  in  the  last 
century,  is  now  not  often  seen.  It  has  given  way  to  the  White 
Marseilles.  There  is  not  much  difference  in  their  earliness, 
or  in  their  flavour — perhaps  we  ought  to  say  their  want  of 
flavour  ;  but  they  are  very  sweet  and  pleasant.  To  any  of  your 
readers  who  may  grow  Figs  under  glass,  and  be  desirous  of 
trying  a  new  sort,  I  recommend  Grosse  Verte,  but  they  must 
beware  of  too  much  moisture  either  in  the  air  or  soil  while 
the  fruit  is  ripening,  or  it  wUl  crack. — G.  S. 


JIYSORE  AGRI-HORTICULTUKAL   SOCIETY. 

We  have  been  asked  what  vegetable  and  flower  seeds  should 
be  taken  to  India  by  a  lady  going  thither  to  become  a  matron, 
and  the  best  answer  we  can  give  is  a  list  of  some  of  the  sub- 
jects for  which  prizes  are  offered  by  this  Society,  for,  of  course, 
prizes  would  not  be  offered  for  what  cannot  be  grown  in 
Mysore.    The  Show  is  to  be  held  at  Bangalore  next  February. 

There  are  prizes  offered  for — among  fruits,  Apples,  Peaches, 
Strawberries,  Piaspberries,  Oranges,  Limes,  Citrons,  Pine 
Apples,  Plums,  Grapes,  not  less  than  three  varieties,  and  Plan- 
tains ;  among  vegetables,  for  Potatoes,  Savoys,  Red  Cabbage, 
White  Cabbage,  Brussels  Sprouts,  Cauliflowers  or  Broccoli, 
Carrots,  Turnips,  Knol  Khcl,  Beetroot,  Lettuce,  Endive,  Arti- 
chokes, Jerusajem  Artichokes,  Celery,  Onions,  Vegetable  Mar- 


Norembor  5,  1S6B.  } 


journaij  of  hobticultube  and  cottage  gakdenek. 


839 


rows,  Cucumbers,  Farsnipa,  Lonf;  Badishes,  Toruip  Badisbes, 
Dwarf  Kidney  Beans,  AsparaRua,  Windsor  Beans,  Peas  in  shell, 
Tomatoes,  pot  herbs — viz.,  Thymo,  Parsley,  Mint,  Sage,  tea., 
Swoet  Potatoes,  Capsicnms,  Nepaul  Chillies,  Pumpkins,  Suake- 
bai,  and  Erinjals  (a  kind  of  Egg-plant — Solauum) ;  among 
pUmUSinii /towers,  fjrXloacs  iupots,  ornameutal-foliaged  plants. 
Asters,  Aohimenes,  BiUams,  Caladiums,  Carnations,  Dahlias, 
Fuchsias.  Gladioli,  Gloxinias,  Pelargoniums,  Ipomteaa,  Pe- 
tunias, Portulaoas,  Phloxes,  Salvias,  Tropajoluma,  Verbenas, 
and  double  Zinnias. 

Let  us  add  for  the  juoundation  of  poultry  fancier.')  that  prizes 
are  offered  also  for  Gime  fowls,  common  fowls,  Cdchia  or  other 
foreign  fowls,  Ducks,  Turkeys,  aud  Geese. 


SPURIOUS   MELON   SEED. 

Last  year  I  ordered  from  an  old-established  seed  firm  a 
packet  of  the  Malvern  Hall  Melon  seed,  but  when  the  fruiting 
time  arrived  I  found  that  I  had  no  less  than  four  different  sorts 
from  that  one  packet  of  seed,  not  one  fruit  of  which  bore  the 
slightest  resemblance  to  the  fine  variety  above  named.  The 
truth  is,  all  four  fruits  (if  they  may  be  bo  called)  partook  more 
of  Gourds  than  Melons,  both  in  appearance  and  in  quality. 

This  year  I  have  been  erinally  unfortunate  with  that  highly 
extolled  new  variety  called  Golden  Queen.  This  I  had  from  a 
seed  firm  in  the  northern  part  of  the  kingdom.  I  had  a  packet 
of  its  seed  (that  is,  if  I  had  the  true  sort),  which  contained 
six  seeds,  for  the  small  charge  of  2s.  tid.  The  plants  have  cer- 
tainly grown  luxuriantly  enough,  but  they  have  persistently 
refused  to  show  a  single  female  blossom. 

Other  kinds  when  the  seeds  have  been  saved  here,  have 
produced  excellent  crops,  so  that  there  has  been  nothing  wrong 
ia  the  cultivation  of  those  sorts  complained  of. 

The  seeds  of  this  so-called  Golden  Queen  must  have  been 
from  a  fruit  not  sufficiently  ripened.  Perhaps  some  one  of  your 
readers  may  be  able  to  assign  some  other  cause  for  its  un  fruit- 
fulness.  Those  who  have  grown  and  fruited  the  Golden  Queen 
would  greatly  oblige  by  saying  what  they  think  of  it.  It  might 
be  the  means  of  preventing  others  from  throwing  away  half- 
a-crown. — W.  H,  C,  Ma'ulMone. 


ARRANGING  AND   PLANTING   SHRUBS. 

(Gontimicd  from  page  278.) 

Presujiisg  the  plan  of  planting  to  have  been  decided  on,  and 
the  outlines  of  the  groups,  masses,  and  borders  to  have  been 
marked  or  pegged  out,  the  ground  must  be  prepared  for  plant- 
ing. In  general,  the  border  should  incline  from  the  back  to 
the  front,  and  the  groups  or  masses  ought  to  be  higher  in  the 
centre  than  at  the  sides,  next  the  walk  or  grass.  It  is  objection- 
able to  have  the  ground  higher  next  the  walk  than  at  back, 
though  this  may  sometimes  occur  when  the  walk  is  situated  at 
a  high  level,  and  the  ground  slopes  from  it,  for  much  of  the 
beauty  of  the  shrubs  will  be  hidden,  unless  there  are  other 
points  whence  the  bank  can  be  seen  to  advantage.  If  the  hollow 
come  directly  in  the  way,  we  have  no  alternative  but  either  to 
go  round  it,  or  fill  it  up,  the  former  being  by  far  the  better 
mode,  as  the  slope,  when  clothed  with  shrubs,  will  have  a  fine 
effect  on  being  viewed  from  the  pathway  winding  at  the  bottom. 
With  respect  to  the  hollows  that  occur  in  groups  or  borders, 
they  should  be  levelled  to  some  extent,  in  order  to  have  a  good 
effect,  and  flat  spaces  would  often  be  improved  by  throwing  up 
a  mound.  An  irregular  surface  has  always  a  better  effect  than 
a  flat  one,  and  mounds  are  very  useful  to  account  for  the  di- 
version of  a  path,  and  these,  a  group  of  shrubs,  or  some  other 
object  must  give  an  apparent  reason  for  every  turn  in  the  walk. 

That  all  borders  and  groups  should  be  higher  towards  the 
back  than  in  front,  whether  the  incline  be  only  1  foot  in  12,  or 
1  foot  in  3,  is  an  essential  to  good  effect  very  often  overlooked 
by  planters.  In  some  cases  we  may  see  the  soil  from  the  walks 
or  drives  cast  out  on  one  or  both  sides  of  the  walk,  without  any 
other  care  being  taken  than  to  raise  the  ground  for  a  short  dis- 
tance from  the  edge  of  the  walk,  making  it  higher  there  than 
at  the  point  most  distant  from  the  walk.  Another  very  com- 
mon error  consists  in  casting  the  soil  from  the  walks  upon  the 
borders,  so  that  the  narrow  parts  of  the  border  or  mass  are 
made  higher  than  its  widest  parts,  for  the  former,  of  all  others, 
should  be  the  least  in  height,  being  in  the  case  of  a  flat  sur- 
face the  only  places  where  an  attempt  at  forming  a  hollow 
should  be  made,  and  if  naturally  higher  than  the  wide  parts 
they  ought  to  be  sunk  rather  than  elevated. 


The  wider  the  border  the  greater  should  be  its  incline,  and 
the  ground,  whether  of  border,  mass,  or  group,  ought  to  be 
elevated  above  the  walk.  The  soil  from  the  walks  and  drives 
will  go  far  towards  securing  the  required  inclination,  and  will 
in  most  cases  be  suSticient ;  besides,  it  will,  by  giving  greater 
depth  of  soil,  contriljute  to  the  well-doing  of  the  shrubs. 

The  ground  ought  not  only  to  be  freed  of  all  inequalities 
which  cannot  be  planted,  but  the  subsoil  must  be  considered. 
If  the  subsoil  is  wot,  and  water  lodges  there,  to  insure  .the 
success  of  ihe  shrubs,  it  must  be  properly  drained.  It  is  a 
great  mistake  to  act  as  if  shrubs  will  grow  anywhere ;  few  exist 
in  a  bog,  and  though  some  succeed  in  moist  ground,  none  do 
BO  where  the  water  becomes  stagnant  in  the  soil.  The  drains 
ought  to  be  deep,  a  depth  of  4  feet  is  not  too  much,  aud  as  a 
matter  of  course  they  must  have  a  proper  outlet. 

The  next  matter  to  engage  attention  will  be  the  soil  itself. 
This  must  be  examined  with  regard  to  its  suitability  for  certain 
plants.  It  it  is  not  what  is  required,  it  must  either  be  im- 
proved by  incorporating  with  it  a  quantity  of  the  proper  de- 
scription, or  by  replacing  it  altogether.  If  the]  soil  is  shallow, 
before  planting  its  depth  must  be  increased ;  it  is  well  in  all  cases 
not  to  plant  in  a  depth  of  less  than  18  inches  of  soil  without 
making  an  effort  to  secure  at  least  that  depth.  Soils,  however, 
that  are  naturally  shallow,  but  have  a  subsoil  which  can  be 
easily  penetrated  by  the  roots,  are  very  often  suitable  for 
planting,  more  so  than  deep  soils  rendered  cold  and  wet  from 
want  of  draining.  The  chief  objection  to  shallow  soils  is  that 
the  plants  are  very  liable  to  suffer  from  drought,  but  in  general 
they  are  dwarfer.  and  flower  and  produce  berries  more  pro- 
fusely than  those  in  deep  soils.  These,  on  the  contrary,  are 
favourable  to  growth,  and  the  roots,  from  penetrating  to  a 
greater  depth,  are  better  able  to  cater  for  the  foliage ;  the  plants 
are,  therefore,  more  abundantly  supplied  with  food,  and  are 
better  able  to  resist  dry  weather  than  those  in  shallow  soil. 

To  insure  success  in  planting,  aud  free  growth,  shallow  soil 
ought  to  be  made  as  deep  as  practicable,  by  trenching  it  not 
less  than  2  feet  deep,  putting  the  top  at  the  bottom,  and  bringing 
the  bottom  to  the  top,  uuless  the  bottom  soil  is  bad ;  then  turn 
over  the  soil  as  deeply  as  you  can  without  bringing  too  much: 
of  the  bad  soil  to  the  top,  and  loosen  the  bottorn.  Few  on 
going  into  a  nursery  can  fail  to  notice  the  great  diilorence  in 
the  growth  of  shrubs  there  as  compared  with  private  gardens, 
making  as  much  progress  in  nurseries  in  two  years  as  in  other 
gardens  in  three  or  four.  Some  tell  us  that  it  is  due  to  the  plants 
being  drawn  up  by  close-planting,  and  there  is  certainly  sonae 
truth  in  that ;  but  the  result  is  in  a  still  greater  measure  at- 
tributable to  the  labour  expended  on  the  preparation  of  the 
ground.  Nurserymen  invariably,  in  breaking  up  land,  hav?  it 
well  and  deeply  trenched.  This  in  my  opinion  is  the  one  great 
point  of  difference,  and  that  by  which  their  shrubs  and  trees 
attain  such  a  superiority  of  growth.  It  is  surprising  that  those 
who  are  proud  of  fine  trees  aud  shrubs,  should  often  be  so  par- 
simonious as  regards  the  preparation  of  the  ground  for  planting. 
Good  plants,  well-rooted,  carefully  planted,  and  attended  to  in 
their  early  stages,  seldom  prove  satisfactory  if  the  ground  has 
not  been  properly  prepared.  The  results  are  as  different  as 
light  from  darkness  between  planting  in  trenched  ground,  and 
in  holes  made  in  little  better  than  a  rock,  all  the  feeding  ground 
the  plants  have  being  the  small  quantity  of  loose  soil  contained 
in  the  holes. 

Errors  are  not  confined  to  the  preparation  of  the  ground, 
but  the  proper  time  for  planting  appears  not  to  be  well  under- 
stood, for  planting  is  generally  in  full  progress  in  the  depth  of 
winter,  than  which  a  worse  time  could  not  well  be.  The 
ground  is  then  wet  and  cold ;  the  roots,  instead  of  putting 
forth  fresh  rootlets,  imbibe  moisture  and  begin  to  decay,  and 
the  plants  commence  the  succeeding  season  of  heat  and  drought 
with  an  impaired  constitution,  without  the  means  of  meeting 
the  requirements  of  the  shoots  and  leaves,  except  by  the 
emission  of  fibres  from  the  thick  stem-like  roots,  which  is  but 
a  slow  process.  They  may  not  die,  but  are  so  enfeebled  that 
it  takes  years  before  they  assume  a  respectable  appearance.  _ 

These  remarks  apply  more  particularly  to  evergreens,  which, 
are  best  planted  in  October,  though  planting  may  be  performed 
with  perfect  safety  in  September  if  the  shrubs  have  completed 
their  growth  and  the  weather  is  moist.  It  is  the  best  time  in 
the  whole  year  for  planting  all  evergreens,  not  excepting  Hollies, 
which,  though  they  may  be  safely  removed  in  May,  are,  in  tha 
event  of  a  dry  hot  summer,  not  capable  of  making  a  good 
growth,  while  if  planted  early  in  autumn  they  almost  in- 
variably make  a  good  start  in  spring.  Ehododendrons  and  all 
I  American  shrubs  may  be  safely  transplanted  at  any  season,  for 


340 


JODKNAL  OF  HOETICuLTUKE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  November  5,  1868. 


it  is  almost  impossible  to  lift  them  without  a  ball ;  but  they 
never  do  so  well  as  in  September  and  October.  Spring  is  not 
so  good  a  period  as  autumn  for  removing  evergreens,  and  for 
this  reason  the  evaporation  by  the  leaves  cannot  be  so  well 
compensated  for  by  artificial  watering  as  by  the  autumn  rains, 
and  the  night  dews  so  refreshing  to  the  foliage,  and  which  are 
inuch  more  copious  in  autumn  than  in  spring ;  besides,  the 
ground  is  much  warmer,  therefore  early  autumn  planting  gives 
a  chance  of  fresh  rootlets  being  formed  before  winter,  and  the 
plants  are  prepared  for,  and  generally  make,  a  good  start  in 
spring.  Those  planted  in  spring,  on  the  contrary,  are  hurried 
onto  growth  by  the  increased  temperature  before  they  have 
made  great  progress  in  rooting,  and  the  loss  by  evaporation 
BQUst  be  made  up  by  artiiicifll  watering. 

Winter  is  not  a  good  season  for  planting  evergreens  ;  they 
cannot  root,  and  failing  to  do  that,  any  loss  by  evaporation 
must  be  injurious  to  the  vitality  of  the  shrubs,  and  the  effects 
•will  in  time  be  perceptible.  Having  planted  evergreen  shrubs 
at  almost  all  seasons — indeed,  in  every  month  in  the  year,  I 
am  convinced  that  they  ought  not  to  be  planted  from  the 
middle  of  April  to  the  end  of  August,  and  in  midwinter  from 
the  setting-in  of  severe  frost  until  it  becomes  but  slight  in 
spring.  From  planting  at  those  periods  the  maximum  of 
failures  may  be  anticipated,  whilst  from  plantings  in  September, 
Ootober,  and  November  (if  mild)  the  failures  are  reduced  to  a 
minimum.  Early  in  spring  is  also  a  good  time,  but  planting 
should  be  done  before  the  shubs  have  commenced  growth,  and 
antumn  planting  ought  not  to  be  practised  until  the  growths 
are  completed  and  the  wood  matured. — G.  Abbey. 
(To  be  continaed.) 


VERTICAL  CORDON  APPLE  TREES  ^•EKsus 
LATERAL  CORDONS. 

I  HAVE  recently  been  much  interested  in  two  rows  of  Apple 
trees,  planted  within  a  few  yards  of  each  other.  The  piece  of 
ground  allotted  to  them  is  a  parallelogram,  30  yards  in  length. 
On  its  northern  side  is  a  brick  wall,  in  front  of  which  is  a  row 
of  lateral  cordon  Apple  trees  on  the  English  Paradise  stock, 
trained  to  a  wire,  and  planted  G  feet  apart,  which  now,  with 
the  exception  of  two  gaps,  arising  from  trees  which  died  of 
canker,  overlap  each  other,  and  form  a  continuous  cordon. 
They  have  been  planted  some  five  or  six  years,  but  have  not 
liitherto  been  productive.  They  bore  more  freely  the  first  and 
second  years  than  since,  owing  to  red  spider  having  most  per- 
sistently attacked  them,  and  for  which  ou  Apple  trees  in  the 
open  air  I  have  as  yet  found  no  remedy. 

These  lateral  cordons,  G  feet  apart,  are  of  course  fifteen  in 
number,  thus  occupying  the  front  of  the  border  30  yards  in 
length,  or  90  feet.  It  is  strange  to  find  the  mind  so  often  un- 
observant when  a  picture  is  made  familiar  by  its  being  con- 
stantly before  one's  eyes  !  I  had  almost  daily  seen  my  vertical 
cordon  Apple  trees,  and  yet  it  never  occurred  to  me  till  two  or 
three  days  since  to  compare  them  with  my  lateral  cordons  as 
to  their  diilerence  in  productiveness.  I  confess  to  having 
been  astonished,  as  it  is  probable  some  of  your  readers  will  be, 
when  I  state  that  on  the  same  space  of  ground  a  very  large 
increase  of  fruit-bearing  space  on  the  stems  of  trees  may  be 
had  by  cultivating  vertical  cordons.  It  is  proved  thus  : — Fif- 
teen lateral  cordon  trees,  each  G  feet  in  length,  give  an  aggre- 
gate of  90  feet  of  fruit-bearing  space  on  their  stems,  while  the 
same  number  of  feet  in  length  will  allow  of  forty-five  vertical 
cordons  to  be  planted  2  feet  apart — the  proper  distance.  My 
cordons  are  now  on  an  average  from  C  to  8  feet  in  height.  I 
intend  them  to  be  kept  at  a  regular  height ;  each  tree  to  be 
8  feet  high.  This  will  give  a  bearing  space  ou  the  stems  of 
the  forty-five  trees  of  SCO  feet,  yet  no  more  ground  space  will 
he  required.  By  adding  2  feet  to  their  stature,  which  may 
safely  be  done,  you  add  90  feet  additional,  making  450  feet  of 
cordons  on  a  space  of  ground  only  admitting  of  90  feet  by  the 
lateral  method. 

These  upright  single  cordons  require  the  same  culture  as  the 
lateral  cordons  when  trained  to  iron  wires,  and  the  same  rigid 
attention  must  be  paid  to  summer-pinching.  There  is  one 
great  comfort  in  seeing  to  them ;  no  stooping  is  required,  and 
that  horrible  back  ache,  so  familiar  to  all  who  work  in  their 
gardens,  is  avoids  d. 

It  must  not  be  thought  that  no  support  is  required  for  these 
very  pretty  trees.  After  two  or  three  years  they  commence  to 
bear  profusely,  and  they  will  then  require  support  from  a  neat 
stake,  if  wood  kyanised  or  creosoted,  or  of  iron,  of  the  same 


height  the  tree  is  intended  to  attain.  The  iron  rod  should  be 
the  size  of  an  ordinary  curtain  rod  ;  but  it  would  be  as  well  if 
the  tree  were  supported  with  a  wooden  stake  till  it  had  attained 
some  G  or  7  feet  in  height. 

The  preferable  kinds  of  Apples  for  vertical  cordons  are 
sorts  that  are  not  too  vigorous  in  their  growth,  and  that  are 
fertile.  The  following  varieties  are  very  eligible  : — For  dessert 
— Ashmead's  Kernel,  Cox's  Orange,  Duke  of  Devonshire, 
Golden  Drop  (Coe's),  Golden  Harvey,  Margil,  Kerry  Pippin, 
Lodgemore  Nonpareil,  Lord  Burghley,  Early  Nonpareil,  Old 
Nonpareil,  White  Nonpareil,  Mannington's  Pearmain,  Beinette 
Van  Mons,  Pitmaston  Pine  Apple,  Stamford  Pippin,  Pear- 
son's Plate,  Keddleston  Pippin,  and  many  others  of  the  same 
habit.  For  the  kitchen  the  following  sorts  are  not  too  gross  in 
their  habit  for  vertical  cordons,  and  are  for  the  most  part  very 
fertile : — Baldwin,  Baron  Ward,  Cos's  Pomona,  Dumelow's 
Seedling,  Duchess  of  Oldenburg,  Betty  Geeson,  Winter  Haw- 
thornden,  Lord  Suffield,  Bymer,  Small's  Admirable,  Keswick 
Codlin,  Tower  of  Glammis,  Hawthornden,  Jolly  Beggar,  Fearn's 
Pippin,  Winter  Pearmain,  and  some  others.  These  should  all 
be  grafted  or  budded  on  the  English  Paradise  stock,  as  the 
French  Paradise  is  too  feeble  in  its  habit  to  form  vertical 
cordons. 

I  have  only  to  add  that  t'  ope  who  wish  to  plant  vertical 
cordon  trees  on  the  proper  kind  of  stock,  should  at  once  select 
trees  only  one  year  old  from  the  bud  or  graft,  budded  trees  to 
be  preferred.  They  may  be  bought  at  a  reasonable  price,  say 
at  50s.  per  hundred  wholesale,  so  that  neighbours  should  club 
together.  No  preparation  is  required  in  planting  them  ;  no 
posts  and  wires ;  the  planter  has  merely  to  plant  his  young 
vertical  cordons  in  rows  2  feet  apart,  and  wait  tiU  the  summer 
brings  on  the  pleasant  pastime  of  watching  the  young  shoots 
and  pinching  them  in  to  two  or  three  leaves — an  operation 
which  should  be  performed  once  a-week  from  early  in  June  till 
the  end  of  August. 

I  ought  also  to  mention  one  operation  often  necessary,  if  the 
trees  are  inclined  to  grow  too  vigorously,  so  as  not  to  form 
blossom  buds — two  strong  spades,  one  on  each  side,  should  be 
thrust  under  their  roots  and  the  trees  gently  heaved,  so  as  to 
loosen  them,  and  then  replaced  and  the  earth  trodden  firmly 
down.  In  writing  as  above,  I  have  no  wish  to  repudiate 
lateral  cordons,  which  may  often  be  employed  for  edgings  to 
borders  with  advantage  ;  but  I  wish  to  point  out  how  a  small 
space  appropriated  to  fruit  culture  may  be  economically  used. 
In  a  crowded  city,  where  ground  space  is  confined,  tall  houses 
are  built ;  there  is  always  room  upwards,  and  so  it  is  with  ver- 
tical cordons. — T.  E. 


LLANDUDNO    CHILDREN'S    FLORAL   SOCIETY. 

On  the  13th  October,  an  important  ceremony  took  place  at  Tebed 
Bryn  Maenol,  small  in  its  begiuning,  but  we  hope  pregnant  with  great 
results. 

"VV.  r.  Chapman,  Esq.,  of  Tebed  Bryn  Maenol,  distributed  gra- 
tuitously to  those  children  who  felt  a  pleasure  in  flowers  nearly  fifty 
cuttings  of  the  Tom  Thumb  Pelargonium  as  a  beginning.  The  re- 
cipients consisted  of  boys  and  girls  from  nine  to  fourteen  years  of  age, 
A  nice  potfnl  of  mould  with  the  plant  in  it  was  given  also  to  each, 
accompanied  with  a  Lag  in  which  was  enclosed  a  bun  and  fruit.  These 
plants  were  taken  away  by  the  children  to  be  nurtured  and  trained. 
They  are  to  be  brought  back  in  twelve  months  time  or  earlier,  as  may  be 
decided,  when  they  will  all  be  exhibited,  and  prizes  will  be  awarded  to 
the  best.  Such  care  as  will  be  necessai-y  to  train  the  plants  cannot 
be  unproductive  of  good.  It  will  teach  the  little  gardeners  to  know 
that  their  humble  plants  have  wants,  and  require  watching  as  well  as 
they  do  themselves,  and  through  these  children  perhaps,  we  may  hope, 
a  lesson  will  be  taught  to  many  an  indifferent  parent.  If  it  do  no 
other  good  it  will  perhaps  tempt  the  ckildren  to  read  some  of  the 
cbeap  handbooks  on  horticulture,  and  so  lead  them  afterwards  to 
bigher  tastes  and  efforts. 

Mr.  Chapman  addressed  the  children,  but  we  can  find  space  for 
only  a  short  extract  from  his  address: — "None  but  the  lovers  of 
flowers  can  form  an  idea  of  the  interest  which  is  created  and  grows 
upon  those  who  begin  in  their  childhood  to  be  gardeners,  and  who  arq 
fortunate  enough  to  have  parents  who  possess  a  gardener  (if  ever  so 
small  a  garden)  that  understands  its  cultivation.  My  parents,  also 
Mrs.  Chapman's,  were  all  fond  of  their  gardens,  and  consequently 
when  we  were  very  little  children  we  were  induced  to  take  as  much 
interest  in  flowers  as  our  parents  did,  and  I  am  happy  to  say  Mrs. 
Chapman  may  truly  be  calltd.  as  the  old  song  says  '  The  Horticultural 
Wife,'  for  she  works,  and  takes  as  much  interest  in  our  garden  as  I 
do,  and  I  am  pleased  to  say  she  is  not  the  only  lady  in  Llandudno 
who  is  a  great  gardener,  and  a  working  gardener  too,  for  my  two  good 
neighbours,  now  present,  take  great  interest  in  their  gardens,  aiid  the 
establishment  of  this  Society,  to  which  they  have  promised  their  sup- 


NoTembor  3,  1868.  ] 


JOORNAL  OF  HORTICULTUBB  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENER. 


341 


port.  To  show  yon,  yonns  people,  what  tho  cnltivation  of  a  flower 
may  do,  I  will  havo  road  to  yoa  l)y  ono  of  tlio  yonnR  tlorists,  an  article 
from  tliat  interoatini?  periodical  tho  '  British  Workman,'  of  May 
let.  It  will  show  you  tho  effect  which  tho  cnltivation  of  a  sin^'le 
flower  had  ou  tlio  man  who  was  an  iniidel.  (A  littlo  yi'l  named  Grey 
was  hero  called  uijou  to  reail  tho  story  of  Charney  and  the  prison 
flower,  which  she  did  in  a  clear  and  distinct  voice).  Mr.  Chapman 
continued — It  is  not  only  tho  ^ratit'yiu':;  of  onr  sight,  hut  flowers  are 
Tolnahle  and  useful  a=i  medicines.  What  too,  can  he  more  pleasing 
to  an  invalid,  conSnod  to  a  hod  of  sickness,  than  to  havo  a  few  sweet 
flowers  to  look  at  ?  " — [Llandudno  Ileffister.) 


GARDENERS'  TROUBLES. 

"Yotr  talk  about  a  gardener's  life,  'Will,"  said  Sir  Simon 
Shirley's  head  gardener  to  lii.s  brother,  who  was  on  a  visit  to 
him,  "  and  thinlv  it  free  from  cares  and  annoyances.  Why  the 
fact  is,  it  is  full  of  them,  they  spring  np  thick  and  fast  as 
weeds  in  a  rainy  season.  I  wish  I  had  been  anything  else; 
it  is  nothin;?  but  work,  work,  from  Sunday  morning  to  Saturday 
night,  and  however  much  yoti  may  have  done,  there  i.^  always 
something  undone  which  leaves  an  uneasy  dissatisfied  feeling 
on  the  mind." 

"But,  tlien,  Charles,  it  is  pleasant  work,  the  blue  sky  above 
you,  and  Nature,  with  her  freshness  and  her  beauty,  all  around 
you." 

"  That  is  the  mere  outside  of  the  matter,  the  hit  of  poetry 
not  yet  driven  away  from  our  much  too-practical  times.  Yet 
I  say  nothing  against  the  work,  or  the  pleasure  of  it.  I  suppose 
a  man  thinks  it  so,  or  he  would  not  take  to  it,  though  if  he 
choose  to  dwell  upon  it,  there  is  a  large  amount  of  discomfort, 
of  wear  and  tear  both  of  body  and  mind,  and  more  worry  than 
he  is  always  able  to  endure  ;  for,  whatever  people  may  say  about 
the  seasons,  a  gardener  has  often  to  fight  against  them,  instead 
of  work  with  them." 

"  But  it  has  a  refining,  elevating,  and  beneficial  influence." 

"  Not  much  elevation  or  refinement  possible,  in  the  plodding 
unsatisfactory  lives  many  gardeners  are  compelled  by  circum- 
stances to  lead.  And  as  for  beneficial  influences — physical,  I 
think  you  mean  —  there's  not  overmuch  of  that,  for  he  is 
necessarily  exposed  to  all  the  changes  of  the  weather.  It  is 
all  very  well  for  a  master  to  say  '  How  delightful  the  soil  smells 
during  the  rain !'  but  a  man  loses  tho  delight  of  the  smell 
when  he  is  out  working  in  it  for  hours  ;  and  there  is  not  much 
good  to  be  derived  from  the  raking  away  of  mouldy  leaves, 
though  when  the  wind  moves  them  as  they  are  rolled  over-and- 
over,  they  do  bring  too  many  ears  whisperings  of  the  sea,  like 
the  breaking  of  waves  on  a  sandy  shore." 

"  Come  now,  Charles,  you  must  acknowledge  to  a  strong  man 
most  of  the  labour  is  light." 

"  Well,  so  it  may  bo  in  a  measure — but  what  of  mowing  by 
scythe  or  machine  ou  a  wet  day,  with  your  boots  turned  into 
bathhouEe^,  or  digging  through  2  or  3  inches  of  frozen  soil,  or 
weeding  with  the  full  sunshine  on  your  back,  in  .such  a  summer 
as  this  last,  when  your  clothes,  if  not  your  lite,  proved  a  burden  ; 
or  waking  up  at  midnight  to  rusli  through  the  blinding  snow 
across  a  field,  or  garden,  or,  as  I  have  known  it,  up  a  pretty 
long  lane,  to  make  sure  the  stove  fire  was  burning?  Ah  !  Will, 
these  stove-fires  are  the  very  nightmare  of  a  gardener's  dreams ; 
they  will  not  always  do  as  you  want  therh,  and  if  they  die-out 
it  is  sure  to  be  when  you  need  them  most.  When  the  air 
is  dry  and  balmy,  and  you  would  have  them  just  sleep  and  no 
more,  they  a,re  sure  to  be  roused  up  by  a  brisk  wind  and  burn 
away  like  mad  ;  and  your  employer  raps  his  pocket  and  calls  it 
'  wilful  waste,'  and  goes  away  quite  sure  in  his  own  mind  there 
is  always  such  a  useless  fire.  Believe  me,  a  gardener  has 
generally  his  full  share  of  work,  and  more  than  his  share  of 
worry.  His  holidays,  few  and  short  as  they  are  forced  to  be  by 
the  very  nature  of  things,  have  all  the  sweetness  eaten  out  of 
them  by  the  dread  that  in  his  absence  some  iron  or  other  will 
burn  in  the  fire  from  want  of  tending.  And  then  there  is  a 
feeling  of  being  always  behindhand,  dragging  ever  at  the  heels 
of  things,  never  able  to  get  up  to  the  work  you  desire  should 
be  done  at  a  certain  time — perhaps  sowing  to-day  seeds  of 
plants  that  should  have  been  planted  out  yesterday,  or  thinning 
coloured  Grapes,  or  finding  the  summer  half  over  before  the 
bedding  plants  are  out.  And  even  when  they  are  out,  and  you 
think  tho  worst  is  past,  and  a  quiet  breathing  time  come, 
lots  will  die  off  and  leave  ugly  gaps,  more  than  your  reserve 
plants  can  fill  up,  and  you  lie  awake  many  a  night  wondering 
where  you  can  pick  up  a  few  to  supply  their  places.  You 
have  no  idea.  Will,  the  trouble  bedding  plants  are,  when  the 
sources  of  supply  are  too  scanty  for  the  demand,  and  it  is 


very  seldom  they  are  not ;  for  the  perpetual  cry  of  onr  gardens 

is  '  more,  more.'  To  answer  this  cry  a  man  has  to  use  all  hig 
wits,  and  to  work  on  under  disadvantages  in  many  an  unac- 
knowledged way,  and  to  fight  against  difCculties  few  masters 
could  understand  if  tliey  were  explained  to  them,  and  all  with 
nothing  to  look  forward  to  in  the  end,  as  I  heard  an  old  Scotch 
gardener  say  the  other  day,  '  but  rheumatism  and  a  bent  back.' " 
"  But,  surely,  Charles,  times  must  be  easier  with  you  now." 
"  Only  the  other  side  of  the  picture,  less  digging,  more  care, 
and  I  am  not  eure  which  is  the  heavier  in  the  long  run.  I 
used  to  think  when  I  was  a  boy,  that  when  I  became  head 
gardener,  things  would  go  smoothly  with  me  ;  a  bed  of  Eoseg 
to  lie  on,  no  crumpled  leaf  in  it  to  disturb  my  happiness.  I 
assure  you  the  Apple  is  not  quite  so  sweet  to  the  taste  as  it 
appeared  when  out  of  reach." 

"  I  always  considered  it  a  life  free  from  vexation." 
"  No  doubt  most  men  who  live  out  their  lives  within  brick 
walls  do,  gathering  fruits  and  flowers  on  a  sunny  day ;  it  is 
only  gardeners,  Will,  who  remember  rainy  weather,  east  winds, 
and  biting  frosts,  for  they  must  work  on  less  or  more  let  the 
weather  be  what  it  may.  Now  of  all  things  grown,  none  are  the 
cause  of  more  anxiety  than  vegetables.  They  are  always  poor 
either  in  quantity  or  quality.  Master  grumbles,  cook  grumbles; 
in  many  places  they  are  the  killing  straw  on  the  camel's 
back.  Fruit  and  flov/ers  with  few  exceptions  pass  from  the 
grower's  presence  into  the  master's ;  there  is  no  half-way  house 
to  loiter  in  and  so  come  to  grief ;  but  vegetables,  why  there  is  not 
one  grown  which  may  not  be  spoiled  in  its  journey  from  the 
garden  to  the  dining-table.  You  can  guess  where  the  blame 
falls.  I  havo  known  Celery  be  dressed  long  before  it  was  wanted, 
and  left  soaking  and  losing  its  nut-like  sweetness  in  question- 
able water  for  hours  ;  and  young  early  Peas  which  had  given 
a  world  of  care  and  trouble,  tossed  violently  into  foaming  boil- 
ing water  until  every  Pea  lost  shape  and  form,  and  the  costly 
dainty  became  nothing  but  an  unsightly  mess.  It  is  common 
enough,  too,  to  see  fresh  crisp  Lettuce  left  in  the  sunshine  or 
exposed  to  the  kitchen  fire  until  every  leaf  is  like  a  piece  of 
unstarched  muslin.  Then  most  masters  have  their  whims  and 
fancies,  which  it  is  not  always  possible  to  realise,  yet  they 
are  quite  sure  if  they  were  gardeners  they  could  bring  about 
thjB  desired  end.  There  is  the  Squire  at  Castlestead,  he  is 
always  out  of  sorts  if  he  sees  a  Camellia  in  bloom  before  or  after 
his  own,  he  says  there  is  nothing  else  worth  growing  under 
glass  ;  yet  he  allows  the  same  Camellias  no  peace  all  the  sea- 
son through.  Flowers,  and  buds,  and  young  growth  are  out 
away  without  mercy,  as  though  they  were  of  no  more  value 
than  summer  Boses.  Last  winter  his  man  told  me  that  in  a 
short  space  of  time  he  cut  more  than  two  hundred  blooms  ;  and 
then  when  the  flowering  was  over,  and  the  plants  were  put  to 
make  growth  ready  for  another  cutting,  tho  Squire  declared  his 
gardener's  treatment  must  be  wrong,  for  the  Camellias  grew 
less  and  less  ever  year,  and  they  were  like  none  he  had  ever 
seen  before.  Things  were  not  so  bad  before  the  Squire  took  anew 
wife,  then  flowers  were  cut  without  sense  or  reinon,  and  there 
was  a  pair  of  sharp  eyes  following  the  men  up  and  down  and 
everywhere,  and  sending  them  to  do  thi?,  and  that,  and  the 
other.  I  have  known  her  have  three  men  running  after  her, 
and  their  real  work  standing  undone  the  while,  and  some  one 
not  forgetting  at  the  end  of  the  week  that  much  less  was  done 
than  was  expected." 

"  Ah  !  Then  it  is  not  all  sunshine  I  see,  Charles." 
"  No,  I  could  tell  you  of  many  things  apparently  of  little  im- 
portance, which  feed  the  tire  of  discontent  and  take  the  strength 
out  of  a  man's  arm,  the  willingness  out  of  his  heart.  There  is 
Mr.  Norton,  of  Westfield,  ho  considers  it  lost  money  to  buy 
flowerpots;  quite  a  dreadful  affai'.  He  bought  some  several 
years  ago,  and  thinks  they  should  last  for  ever  ;  there  is  no 
need  they  should  ever  bo  broken  ;  and  he  walks  about  and 
picks  up  any  stray  bits  of  crocks,  and  puts  them  together  with 
the  air  of  a  man  who  is  afraid  his  pots  are  broken  up  for  crocks. 
Then  there  is  his  brother  Mr.  Henry,  passionately  fond  o£ 
Cinerarias  and  other  greedy  plants,  yet  he  cannot  bear  to  see 
dead  leaves  and  rubbish  rotting  under  a  wall,  why  cannot  it  be 
carted  into  the  field  at  once  and  done  with  ?  And  there  is 
Mr.  Garnet  on  the  hill,  he  is  always  in  a  fever  of  disappoint- 
ment about  his  Fuchsias  ;  he  used  to  have  great,  round,  splen- 
did plants  flowering  in  a  new  vinery,  they  were  indeed  a  sight 
to  see,  but  when  the  Vines  took  full  possession  of  tho  house, 
and  curtained  over  the  windows,  taking  all  the  sunshine  to 
themselves  and  nearly  all  the  light,  the  Fuchsias  dwindled 
away,  grew  out  in  long  soft  slender  shoots,  with  here  and  there 
a  bud  that  never  opened  its  petals.     The  man  did  what  he 


3i2 


JOUENAL  OP  HOBTICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE   GAKDENEB. 


[  Koyomljer  5,  1868. 


could  for  them  to  no  purpose,  yet  all  the  arguments  in  tbe  world 
couli  not  convince  bis  master  of  the  impossibility  of  flower- 
ing them  in  a  shady  place.  Then  there  is  Sir  Simon  here,  he 
thinks  rather  too  much  about  his  plants,  for  nearly  every  day 
he  goes  round  the  houses  looking  over  his  plants  and  counting 
them  up,  and  saying,  '  I  cannot  tell  how  it  is,  Charles,  but  some 
or  others  of  your  plants  always  look  as  if  they  were  doing 
nothing.  And  what  has  become  of  the  White  Camellia  I  bought 
last  year?  And  where  is  that  Tetratheca  verticillata  my  wife 
admires  so  much,  with  its  flax -like  flowers?  And  what  is  the 
matter  with  those  Azaleas,  are  you  going  to  let  them  die  ?  Or 
so  and  so  are  poor  miserable  objects,  I  would  turn  them  out  ? ' 
But  it  is  of  no  use.  Will,  bothering  you  with  troubles  you  cannot 
understand,  little  things  not  worth  noticing,  yet  many  a  night 
■when  I  lock  up,  I  think  I  will  look  out  for  keys  that  turn  more 
easily.  Still,  somehow  or  other,  a  gardener  becomes  attached 
to  the  shrubs  and  plants  he  has  cultivated,  and  the  old  Chest- 
nut tree  that  has  shaded  him  from  the  summer  heat,  though 
it  be  poor  and  thin  of  foliage,  he  likes  better  than  any  other. 
So  he  works  on  trying  to  make  the  best  of  his  circumstances." 

"  It  appears,  Charles,  that  all  conditions  of  life  have  their 
dark  side." 

"  Yes,  but  after  all,  a  gardener,  if  he  is  wise,  keeps  the  dark 
one  to  himself  and  a  bright  one  turned  ever  to  face  the  world." 
— Maud. 

RESULTS   FROM    THE   PAST   SUMIIER. 

I  WISH  to  record  some  of  my  own  experience  diuing  the  past 
season. 

Beginning  with  scarlet  Pelargoniums,  among  all  that  I  could 
enumerate  none  has  done  Letter  service  than  Tom  Thumb. 
In  large  beds  it  has  made  a  fine  display.  Planted  out  early  in 
ilay  in  deep  well-prepared  beds,  and  with  no  water  afterwards, 
the  plants  grew  well,  tilled  the  beds  early  in  the  season,  and 
■were  a  mass  of  bloom  throughout  the  dry  weather  until  the 
frost  in  October  put  an  end  to  them.  There  are  many  useful 
scarlet  Pelargoniums  for  bedding  purposes,  but  I  like  Tom 
Thumb  the  best. 

Yellow  Calceolarias  that  have  become  so  unmanageable  on 
account  of  the  disease  to  which  they  are  subject,  have  done 
■well  with  us,  and  others  in  this  neighbourhood.  They  have 
been  free  both  from  the  disease  and  aphis.  In  my  own  case  I 
attribute  their  success  to  deep  cultivation  and  a  cool  bottom. 
If  we  can  keep  the  Calceolaria  free  from  enemies,  I  can  find  no 
yellow  bedding  plant  to  equal  it  in  effect.  Though  there  are 
in  cultivation  many  other  yellow-flowered  plants  good  iu  their 
way,  I  am  inclined  to  believe  we  siall  be  some  time  ere  we 
meet  with  a  belter  subject  in  nkiKnl  hands  than  Calceolaria 
Aurea  floribunda.  Amongft  the  criasou  varieties,  I  have  met 
with  nothing  to  equal  Victor  Emmanuel  when  well  grown  ;  it 
is  just  as  ifl'ective  in  its  colour  as  Aurea  floribunda.  I  like 
decided  colours. 

Centauiea  candidissima  during  fiie  past  season  has  been  one 
of  the  most  effective  white-foliaged  bedding  plants  I  have  had, 
and  it  stands  very  high  in  my  estimation  for  all  decorative 
purposes.  The  late  dry  season  has  brought  the  white-foliaged 
plants  to  perfection. 

Lobelia  Paxtonii  has  been  a  gem  this  season,  as  well  as 
many  others  too  numerous  to  mention.  Gold-edged  Pelargo- 
niums have  done  us  good  service  this  season,  and  are  worthy 
of  more  extensive  cultivation.  One  of  the  most  useful  plants 
we  have  grown  is  Oxalis  tropaoloides,  producing  a  pleasing  com- 
bination with  almost  any  colour.  It  is  of  very  dwarf  habit  and 
an  annual,  and  may  eitier  be  raised  in  pots  or  sown  where  it 
is  intended  to  remain.  It  is  a  very  desirable  plant  for  dwarf 
edgings  either  for  beds  or  borders.  In  white-edged  Pelargo- 
niums, Bijou  has  the  preference  with  me  ;  we  have  had  nothing 
which  could  compare  with  it  this  season.  Planted  out  in  May, 
and  receiving  no  water  but  that  which  the  plants  had  from  the 
heavens,  they  have  far  surpassed  my  expectation,  putting 
Flower  of  the  Day  and  many  others  quite  in  the  shade.  Brewer's 
Silver-edged  and  Mangles's  are  very  useful  for  covering  large 
spaces. 

In  the  Tricolor  class  of  Pelargoniums,  Mrs.  Pollock  and 
Sunset  have  outshone  all  others.  Many  who  have  seen  them 
in  masses  and  in  contrast  have  exclaimed,  "  We  have  not  many 
to  beat  them  yet."  They  produce  a  fine  effect  with  Perilla 
nankinensis  and  blue  Lobelia.  Burning  Bush  has  been  re- 
markably fine,  and  others  of  the  same  strain  are  very  useful  in 
many  respects  for  contrast.  Being  of  slow  growth,  they  require 
planting  thickly  to  make  them  eff'ective. 

Tagetes  pumila  is  very  useful,  and  has  been  very  fine  with 


us,  no  doubt  owing  to  the  heat  and  drought.  Brachycoma 
iberidifulia  has  done  well  as  a  blue  bedding  plant ;  it  may 
either  be  prepared  in  pots  or  sown  where  it  is  to  remain,  it  has 
done  well  in  both  ways.  Phlox  Drummondi,  both  selected  and 
mixed,  has  been  very  fine.  Atriplex  hortensis  rubra  has 
answered  well  for  bedding  where  kept  pegged  down  and  pinched. 
It  makes  a  good  contrast  with  many  other  plants  ;  but  I  have 
not  as  yet  met  with  a  plant  of  its  class  to  equal  for  all  purposes 
Perilla  nankinensis  in  our  exposed  and  windy  locality.  Beet, 
that  we  hear  so  much  about  for  decorative  purposes,  I  have 
not  tried.  Here  I  must  confess  that  a  prejudice  against  it  has 
taken  possession  of  my  mind.  I  like  to  see  good  Beet  in  the 
kitchen  garden,  and  hope  to  grow  it  there  for  some  time. 

Fine-foliaged  plants,  such  as  Coleus,  Amaranthus,  and  other 
tender  subjects  for  flower-garden  decoration,  will  not  bear  oui 
northern  climate  ;  therefore  we  are  obliged  to  content  ourselves 
with  those  of  more  robust  constitution. 

Ageratums,  Heliotropes,  Variegated  Alyssums  and  Arabis, 
Fuchsias,  Salvias,  and  many  others  have  done  us  good  service. 
Verbenas,  considering  the  season,  have  been  very  fine,  and 
none  has  been  more  prominent  than  Foxhnnter,  Mrs.  Holford, 
and  Purple  King, 

Viola  montana  has  done  well,  but  its  undecided  colour  is  a 
great  drawback.  If  it  cuuld  be  improved  in  colour  and  the 
lower  petal  obtained  like  the  upper  petals,  I  should  like  it  much 
better.  My  opinion  of  it  at  present  is,  that  it  is  a  good  ribbon 
plant  whicli  wants  to  be  seen  at  a  short  distance,  and  contrasted 
with  other  plants  of  opposite  colours  ;  then  it  will  pass  muster. 
It  is  a  free-growing  and  free-flowering  plant,  and  continues 
long  in  flower,  but  will  not  bear  close  inspection.  I  think  the 
herbaceous  border  or  rockery  is  the  best  place  for  it. 

Viola  lutea  has  done  well,  but  at  best  it  is  but  a  moderate 
plant  for  flower-garden  purposes — it  looks  common.  Perhaps 
this  may  arise  from  seeing  its  type  so  plentiful  in  many  corn 
fields.    I  like  it  best  on  the  rockery. 

Bellis  aucuba;foIia  is  very  fine  iu  a  damp  bed  or  border,  but 
it  cannot  bear  drought.  Bambusa  Fortuni  is  rather  pretty  foi 
dwarf  edgings.  Uactylis  glomerata  variegata  is  a  plant  that 
appears  to  do  well  iu  almost  any  situation,  and  is  very  effective. 
Poa  trivialis  variegata  has  not  succeeded  so  well  as  I  could 
have  wished.  Perhaps  the  season  has  had  some  effect  on  it. 
Golden  Feather  Pyrethrum  is  a  very  effective  plant  for  bedding, 
or  as  an  edging,  doing  good  service  everywhere.  Lamium 
aureum  I  think  will  prove  useful  for  bedding,  but  I  have  not 
had  sulficient  experience  to  speak  of  its  merits  as  yet.  Lonicera 
aureo-reticulata  trained  as  an  edging  is  very  fine,  and  ought  to 
bo  more  frequently  met  with  than  it  is  at  present,  especially 
in  exposed  situations.  Some  of  the  variegated  Ivies  are  well 
adapted  for  the  same  purpose. 

I  do  not  know  whether  the  variegated  variety  of  the  common 
Thyme  is  used  much  as  an  edging  plant,  but  I  am  of  opinion 
that  it  might  prove  very  effective  in  many  places,  being  of  easy 
culture.  It  might  vie  with  many  plants  at  present  in  use.  I 
find  it  very  useful.  Its  hardiness  is  one  of  its  chief  recom- 
mendations. Farfugium  grande  does  well  in  moist  sheltered 
situations.  Polemouium  ceruleum  variegatum  is  really  a  first- 
rate  plant  for  decorative  purposes,  and  is  worthy  of  very  exten- 
sive cultivation,  being  hardy.  When  better  known  I  have  no 
doubt  it  will  become  a  general  favourite.  Portulacas  have 
been  remarkably  fine  with  us  this  season.  Beautiful  as  they 
all  are,  I  give  the  preference  to  P.  Thellusoni.  They  do  well 
in  light  sandy  soil,  and  may  be  raised  in  pots  or  sown  early  in 
summer  where  they  are  to  remain.  The  Cupheas  are  plants 
that  succeed  well  here  and  resist  the  weather  well.  Nierem- 
bergia  gracilis  makes  a  good  edging  and  does  well  with  us. — 
M.  H.,  Acldam  Hall,  MiddUshorougli-on-Tees. 


POMOLOGiaVIi  GLEANINGS. 

We  have  received  a  Seedling  Apple  from  Mr.  William  Pa^ul, 
raised  from  the  Fair  Maid  of  Taunton  fertilised  with  Brough- 
ton.  It  is  far  larger  than  either  of  its  parents,  and,  judging 
from  the  specimen  sent,  is  of  the  size  and  shape  of  a  large 
lemon,  h.aving  the  same  swelling  at  the  stalk  as  that  fruit; 
but  ihe  colour  is  entirely  of  a  beautiful  pale  salmon  streaked 
all  over  longitudinally  with  broad  lines  and  broken  streaks  of 
deep  crimson.  The  eye  is  small  and  slightly  sunk.  The  flesh 
yellowish,  tender,  juicy,  sweet,  and  well-flavoured.  It  is  a 
handsome  fruit,  and  would  be  highly  ornamental  in  a  dessert. 

Mp..  Wells,  of  Southend,  has  sent  us  a  fine  Black 

Hamburgli  Vine  in  a  pot,  the  cane  of  which  is  7  feet  long,  and 
bearing  nine  large  bunches.   This  Vine  was  grown  in  one  of  the 


November  5,  188(1.  ] 


JOURNAL   OP   HORTIOULTDRE   AND   COTTAGE    GABDENER. 


34S 


gronad  vineries,  and  a  7-feet  length  of  it  was  layered  in  a  pot, 
where  it  rooted,  and  when  it  had  established  itself  it  was 
severed  from  the  parent  Vino  and  became  an  independent 
plant,  which,  when  coiled  round  a  lew  short  sticks,  formed  a 
handsome  pot  Vine. 

A  MiNiATDiiE  Cherry  tree,  growing  from  10  inches  to 

3  feet  high,  with  a  round,  globular  head,  as  hardy  as  an  Oak 
tree,  and  bearing  large  crops  of  very  sweet  Cherries,  is  in- 
digenous in  Utah. 

A  suooxn-i.EAVED  Cayenne  Pine  Apple  was  grown  at 

Colston  Bassett,  Binyhum,  Notts,  and  was  cut  on  the  Kith  of 
October,  the  height  of  the  fruit,  including  the  crown,  being 
21  inches.  The  fruit  was  21  inches  in  circumference,  its  height 
12  inches :  it  was  10  pips  deep,  and  the  weight  was  lOJ  lbs. 
Mr.  Lamb  is  gardener  there. 

Eruoii. — At  page  281,  column  2,  line    i:-!  from,  the  top 

for  "  1300  from  a  two-year  old  bush,"  read  "  twelve-year  old." 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

All  that  is  to  be  thought  of  under  this  head  is  to  see  that 
young  Lettuces,  CauUjloucrs,  Endive,  &c.,  are  well  provided 
for  against  the  winter.  Remove  all  decaying  and  damaged 
CamUi,  &o.,  from  the  root  house  or  shed.  Prepare  suitable 
places  for  a  supply  of  'Turnips,  Cclcnj,  &c.,  being  stored  up  on 
the  first  approach  of  severe  weather.  I'otatms,  if  kept  in  a 
house,  and  especially  it  tiiUen  up  in  a  rather  wet  state,  should 
have  flues  formed  of  faggots  passing  through  the  heaps. 
When  sufficiently  dried,  the  draught  of  air  may  be  stopped  or 
regulated  at  will.  When  the  flavour  of  newly-raised  Potatoes 
is  preferred  to  having  them  like  balls  of  dour,  a  quantity  of 
earth,  neither  dry  nor  wet,  may  be  sprinkled  amongst  them. 
With  a  little  attention  they  may  be  kept  as  well  in  a  house  as 
by  any  other  method,  and  any  labour  they  require  in  the  spring 
and  summer  can  be  performed  in  unfavourable  weather. 

FRUIT   GARDEN. 

After  this  time  never  lose  an  hour  in  which  nailing  can  be 
done,  and  never  keep  men  at  such  work  in  cold  weather.  The 
present  changeable  weather  will  furnish  an  opportunity  of  ex- 
amining and  removing  all  decaying  fruit  in  the  fruit  room. 
Those  slightly  specked  should  be  taken  out  of  ihe  fruit  room 
and  reserved  for  present  kitchen  use,  as  otherwise  the  atmo- 
sphere of  the  room  would  become  so  tainted  as  to  hasten  the 
decomposition  of  all  the  stock.  Most  gardeners  are  perfectly 
aware  of  the  importance  of  a  close  atmosphere,  and  an  equable 
rather  low  temperature  for  the  long  preservation  of  Apples  and 
Pears.  Where,  therefore,  the  fruit  room  must  still  be  used  as 
a  general  receptacle,  and  where,  consequently,  air  will  be  fre- 
quently admitted,  the  fruit  may  be  covered  with  clean  wheat 
straw,  which  will  have  a  tendency  to  keep  it  at  a  uniform  tem- 
perature, and  prevent  its  shrivelling  by  perspiration.  It  is 
more  necessary  to  attend  to  this  in  the  present  season,  as 
many  of  our  best  fruits  are  fit  for  table  much  earlier  than  usual. 
The  best-keeping  Apples  and  Pears  may  be  packed  in  jars  or 
new  garden  pots,  covering  each  layer  with  dry  sand.  Chaff 
should  scarcely  ever  be  used  for  such  a  purpose,  as,  however 
well  dried,  the  moisture  from  the  fruit  is  apt  to  make  it  ferment 
and  vitiate  the  flavour.  Chestnuts,  Walnuts,  and  Filberts  are 
clearer  in  the  shells,  and  fresher  and  moister  in  the  kernels 
when  packed  in  sand  than  by  any  other  method.  ]Valnuti!,  if 
previously  well  dried  in  the  sun,  may  be  kept  in  a  heap  covered 
with  straw,  provided  they  be  turned  frequently,  but  the  kernel 
is  more  shrivelled,  and  the  inner  pellicle  adheres  to  it  more 
firmly,  than  when  the  fruit  is  packed  in  sand.  The  boxes  or 
pots  in  which  it  is  packed  in  sand  should  not  be  too  large.  If 
iept  on  shelves  or  in  heaiJS,  unless  in  a  very  dry  place,  the  out- 
side shell  soon  contracts  a  mouldiness,  which,  if  not  removed, 
will  find  its  way  to  the  inside.  A  quick  method  of  effecting 
this  is  to  put  a  quantity  of  the  nuts  in  a  clean  sack,  and  move 
them  backwards  and  forwards  quickly  by  two  men,  each  holding 
the  two  corners  of  the  ends  of  the  bag. 

FLOWER    GARDEN. 

In  some  places  as  soon  as  the  frost  destroys  the  appearance 
of  a  ted,  the  plants  are  pulled  up  and  the  ground  smoothed 
over  with  a  rake ;  it  is  then  planted  with  the  branches  of 
different  evergreen  trees  and  shrubs,  trimmed  up  to  the  shape 
of  little  shrubs  from  1  to  3  feet  high,  with  stems  long  enough 
to  be  firmly  fixed  in  the  soil.  They  will  thus  remain  quite 
green  till  March,  and  no  one  can  tell  whether  they  are  not 
shrubs  turned  out  of  pots  on  purpose.    Branches  of  Laurus- 


tinus  will  flower  all  the  winter  in  this  way,  as  well  as  if  left  on 
the  parent  plant.  With  these,  and  others  of  variegated  IloUies, 
with  the  berries  on,  also  pieces  of  Arbutus,  vsrious  kinds  of 
Cratiogus,  &c.,  with  the  fruit,  one  might  make  a  gay  bod  oppo- 
site a  sitting-room  window  all  tlie  winter.  Pinetums  might 
thus  be  formed  in  miniature,  and  it  is  likewise  a  good  way  to 
try  the  effects  of  planting  the  different  kinds  of  evergreens  in 
a  shrubbery  or  winter  garden.  Early-flowering  shrubs  may  be 
planted  along  with  the  above,  also  spring  bulbs,  and  tho  shelter 
of  the  green  boughs  will  nurse  theso  things  from  the  cold. 
Sweep  as  much  as  you  will,  you  cannot  clear  up  till  tho  leaves 
are  all  down.  Planting  and  transplanting  trees  and  shrubs, 
making  and  altering  walks,  and  all  kinds  of  alterations  and 
improvements  will  now  and  for  awhile  occupy  tho  time  that 
used  to  be  devoted  to  flowers  in  this  garden;  but  amidst  all 
this  bustlo  do  not  neglect  to  make  the  best  use  of  all  the  leaves 
and  stems,  and  as  much  other  refuse  as  you  can  gather  together ; 
and  the  rougher  materials  of  prunings,  old  stakes,  &c.,  burn  the 
first  fine  frosty  morning. 

GREENHOUSE    AND    CONSERVATORY. 

Chrysanthemums,  Cinerarias,  and  Salvias  are  the  leading 
plants  that  flower  just  now  among  the  more  hardy  kinds. 
Hedychiums,  Vincas,  Clerodendrons,  and  Lantanas  are  just 
over,  and  are  removed  to  the  stove,  the  first  to  be  dried,  and 
the  other  three  to  be  shaken  out  of  the  pots,  put  into  small 
ones,  and  pruned  rather  closely.  This  is  hard  treatment, 
which  would  ruin  some  plants,  but  they  will  bear  it.  Justicias, 
Erantbemums,  and  Aphelandras,  with  Gesnera  zebrina  and 
Cactus  truncatus,  will  take  their  place.  Large  specimens  of 
Orowea  saligna,  Luoulia  gi-atissima,  and  even  the  old  Coronilla 
glauca  make  a  good  mixture  with  Chrysanthemums.  The  Lu- 
culia,  Gesnera  zebrina,  and  Cactus  truncatus  are  the  best  of 
these  for  placing  in  rooms.  The  old  scarlet  Achimenes  can  be 
had  in  flower  later  than  any  of  the  new  ones,  and  as  early  in 
summer.  In  order  to  have  them  in  flower  to  the  end  of 
this  month,  it  is  best  to  allow  them  to  push  in  a  cool  place 
early  in  summer,  then  plant  them  out  in  sandy  peat  in  a  cool 
house  on  a  front  shelf  or  stage,  and  from  this  situation  they 
are  potted  from  August  to  the  end  of  September,  and  encouraged 
by  giving  them  a  little  heat  as  they  are  wanted.  The  whole 
family  is  well  suited  for  rooms.  The  greenhouse  must  always 
be  kept  well  ventilated,  and  especially  during  the  present 
month.  On  that  account  the  plants  will  require  to  be  looked 
over  often,  to  see  that  none  suffer  from  want  of  water.  Where 
there  are  good  cold  pits,  Heaths  and  many  other  plants  are 
much  better  in  them  than  in  the  greenhouse  until  the  weather 
becomes  severe  ;  indeed,  when  so  much  attention  is  paid  to 
forming  all  good  plants  into  fine  specimens,  small  plants 
ought  to  be  kept  in  frames,  if  only  to  have  them  out  of  sight, 
as  such  plants  are  of  little  interest  to  any  one  except  to  the 
person  who  must  provide  for  them,  however  necessary  they 
may  be  to  keep  up  a  collection.  lu  that  case  specimen  plants 
will  have  more  freedom,  and  not  half  the  watering  will  ba 
needed  in  the  greenhouse,  consequently  there  will  be  less 
chance  of  dampness  among  the  plants. 

PITS    AND    FRAMES. 

In  the  forcing  pit  mild  moist  spring  weather  should  prevail. 
Those  plants  in  bottom  heat  should  have  it  regularly.  Tan, 
leaves,  &c.,  are  troublesome  as  compared  to  the  steady  bottom 
heat  afforded  by  hot  water.  A  moist  atmosphere  is  always  con- 
genial to  forced  plants,  and  the  more  hardy  they  are  the  more 
they  stand  in  need  of  the  syringe.  Insects  should  be  destroyed 
as  soon  as  they  appear,  and  let  everything  be  kept  clean  and 
sweet.  Cyclamens  that  have  made  good  roots  will  stand  forcing 
for  a  short  time,  and  will  soon  throw  up  their  blooms,  but  hka 
bulbs  of  all  sorts,  they  are  injured  by  forcing  before  they  have 
made  roots.  Indiscriminate  watering  must  be  avoided  in  the 
treatment  of  the  stock  in  cold  pits  and  frames.  Well-matured 
plants  with  no  stagnant  water  around  the  roots  will  resist  a 
degree  of  frost  that  would  be  immediate  death  to  others  of 
the  same  sort  that  are  succulent,  of  immature  growth,  and 
saturated  with  moisture.  Hyacinths  may  still  be  planted  in 
pots  and  put  into  glasses,  and  those  which  have  been  brought 
forward  according  to  previous  directions,  may  be  forwarded  in 
heat  if  required  for  early  bloom.  They  can  also  be  grown  and 
bloomed  well  in  pots  of  moss  kept  moist. — W.  Keane. 


DOINGS  OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

CcUrij. — Took  the  opportunity  of  earthing  the  main  crops 
pretty  well  up,  the  soil  a  few  inches,  from  the  surface  being  in 


3U 


JOUENAI,   OF  HOBTICUIiTUEE   AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEB. 


[  November  5,  1868, 


good  condition  as  regards  dryness,  whilst  after  the  rains  of  last 
week  the  trenches  were  sufficiently  wet  to  keep  the  roots  moist 
for  the  season.  All  the  evaporation  from  the  foliage  in  fine, 
svmny  days  now,  will  be  sufficiently  counterbalanced  by  dews 
and  damp  days.  When  the  usual  mode  of  earthing-up  has  to 
be  resorted  to,  it  is  as  important  to  have  the  soil  used  for 
earthing-up  dry,  as  to  have  a  sufficiency  of  moisture  at  the 
roots.  We  took  no  other  precaution  in  earthing-up,  except  to 
have  a  thin  layer  of  coal  ashes  round  each  stem  in  the  beds, 
each  bed  being  4  feet  wide,  and  having  three  rows  in  that 
width.  Besides  the  Celery  used  previously,  it  has  been  taken 
up  freely  for  the  last  ten  weeks,  and  not  a  bad  or  bolted  head 
has  been  met  with.  We  seldom  could  have  said  the  same  when 
we  used  to  grow  huge,  massive  heads,  or  when  the  bit-by-bit 
earthing-up  system  was  resorted  to  in  July  and  August,  or  even 
the  early  part  of  September. 

Lettuces. — Tied  these  up  where  they  were  not  blanching 
enough  for  use.  We  have  some  so  placed  that  we  can  protect 
them  in  bad  weather.  Those  planted  out,  small,  stubby  plants, 
are  now  standing  well,  as  the  grubs  seem  to  have  been  nearly 
all  taken,  after  doing  the  mischief.  No  other  cure  seems  to  be 
effectual,  but  examining  the  earth  at  every  drooping  plant, 
destroying  the  enemy,  and  filling  up  the  vacancy  again.  At 
the  foot  of  a  south  wall  we  turned  up  what  would  have  been 
the  walking  room  for  4  feet  in  width,  and  planted  with  young 
Lettuces,  and  not  one  was  touched,  whilst  during  the  summer 
and  autumn  we  could  not  obtain  anything  like  a  crop  on  the 
raised  banks  between  the  Celery  beds.  The  very  depth  of  the 
soil  there,  and  that  on  the  surface  coming  from  a  good  depth, 
one  would  have  thought  would  have  been  a  security,  but  there, 
of  all  other  places,  the  grubs  were  the  worst.  From  100  feet 
of  a  row  of  Lettuces,  nearly  a  pint  of  grubs  has  been  collected. 
We  have  seen  very  few  lately.  Had  there  seemed  to  be  plenty 
left,  we  should  have  used  lime  and  tar  water,  and  even  a  little 
tar  on  the  ground  most  infested.  Nothing  will  grow  in  tar,  or 
on  it,  when  it  is  fresh,  but  used  in  small  quantities  at  this 
season,  just  dropping  a  little  over  the  ground,  it  becomes  car- 
bonised and  mild  enough  before  the  spring. 

Endive. — We  have  not  yet  taken  any  up,  as  room  is  scarce, 
and  the  largest  and  best  plants  have  not  suffered  from  frost 
in  the  least.  Tied  up  some  fine  plants,  laid  tiles,  slates,  and 
boards  on  others.  Where  there  is  a  good  bed,  and  it  is 
wanted  for  use  in  from  a  fortnight  to  a  month,  and  the  sur- 
face of  the  ground  is  moderately  dry,  nothing  answers  better 
than  covering  the  plants  over  with  2  or  3  inches  of  dry  tree 
leaves,  and  then  covering  these  with  tarpaulin,  mats,  or  wooden 
shutters,  to  keep  wet  out.  We  have  never  had  Endive  finer 
and  sweeter  than  when  taken  np  with  good  balls,  and  stored  in 
beds  in  dry  cellars.  If  tolerably  dark  nothing  more  was  wanted. 
If  not  dark,  a  cloth  placed  over  a  piece  soon  blanched  it  enough. 
We  have  had  it  in  cellars  from  November  to  March. 

Chicory. — We  have  none  this  season,  though  it  is  always 
advisable  to  have  a  few  rows,  as  in  a  severe  winter  it  comes  in 
nseful,  though  not  equal  in  our  opinion  to  Lettuces  or  Endive. 
It  does  well  in  a  dark  cellar,  or  anywhere,  when  wanted  quickly, 
where  darkness  and  a  heat  of  from  55°  to  60°  can  be  given  to 
it.  We  allude  to  it,  to  meet  the  wishes  of  a  correspondent,  who 
has  a  nice  bed  of  roots,  thinned  out  4  inches  apart  in  summer, 
admires  it  as  used  by  our  French  neighbours  in  winter,  and 
wishes  to  know  if  he  could  not  have  it  from  the  open  ground  in 
winter  without  any  artificial  heat,  if  not  how  could  he  have 
some,  with  merely  the  help  of  some  1'2-inch  pots,  and  some 
small  oyster  barrels  ?  With  no  heat  out  of  doors,  his  pots  and 
barrels  would  be  of  little  use  there.  If  he  could  make  a  small 
hotbed — say  4  feet  square,  fill  a  space  of  2  feet  square  rather 
thickly  with  roots,  and  cover  that  over  with  a  packing  box, 
&c.,  of  that  size,  he  might  have  fine  gatherings  of  Chicory 
leaves,  and  by  the  same  plan  he  might  have  Sea-kale  and 
Khubarb.  But  supposing  him  to  have  nothing  but  a  spare 
corner  near  the  kitchen  fireplace,  he  may  have  a  good  supply 
from  his  pots.  We  would  have  no  objection  to  the  oyster 
barrels,  only  they  crack  at  the  joints  when  in  a  dry  place,  and 
let  in  light. 

Proceed  thus  :  Take  up  and  put  from  a  dozen  to  eighteen  roots, 
according  to  their  size,  in  a  12-inch  pot,  putting  the  roots 
firmly  in  the  earth,  and  leaving  just  the  buds  of  the  plants 
exposed,  after  removing  all  the  leaves  except  a  few  little  ones, 
if  there  are  any  in  the  centre.  Water  well  and  leave  the  pots 
outside  to  let  all  extra  moisture  drain  away,  so  as  not  to  make 
the  fireside  dirty,  then  move  the  pot  in  where  it  will  have  the 
benefit  of  a  little  warmth  from  the  fire.  Place  another  pot  of 
the  same  size  on  the  top  of  that,  fitted  rim  to  rim,  cork  the 


hole  in  the  bottom  of  the  reversed  upper  pot,  and  tie  a  piece  of 
cloth  round  where  the  two  rims  meet,  and  in  the  heat  of  most 
kitchens  the  Chicory  will  be  fit  to  cut  in  a  fortnight  or  three 
weeks.  A  number  of  pots  might  be  so  filled,  and  kept  in  a 
wood  barn  or  coal  house  until  wanted  to  be  brought  in  in  suc- 
cession. Had  our  correspondent  told  us  he  had  a  cellar  which 
was  dark  and  would  average  50°  in  winter,  then  we  would  have 
advised  using  the  small  oyster  or  other  narrow  barrels,  boring 
holes  in  the  sides  of  the  barrel — say  half  an  inch  in  diameter, 
and  in  rows  3  inches  apart,  the  rows  round  being  4  inches  from 
each  other.  Place  the  roots  inside  in  layers  with  the  heads  or 
buds  outside  the  barrel,  putting  the  earth  to  each  layer,  firm- 
ing it,  and  moistening  as  you  proceed.  A  few  barrels  would 
yield  a  good  succession,  and  as  one  is  beginning  to  come 
into  use,  a  second  should  be  introduced.  In  a  dark  place  with 
a  temperature  of  about  50°,  we  used  to  have  the  leaves  of  a 
fine  creamy  white,  and  from  6  to  7  inches  long,  in  from  three 
weeks  to  a  month.  An  old  worn-out  narrow  barrel  looks  very 
pretty  when  thus  adorned  outside  with  these  blanched  leaves. 
The  Chicory  will  be  all  the  better  if  the  leaves  are  never  more 
than  G  inches  long.  When  long  and  flabby  they  eat  woolly, 
and  have  none  of  the  crispness  they  have  when  grown  in  a  low 
temperature  and  under  rather  than  above  6  inches  long.  If 
prevented  becoming  too  wet,  or  much  frozen,  such  barrels, 
planted  in  layers  as  above  stated,  might  stand  out  of  doors  until 
wanted  to  go  into  the  cellar.  In  all  such  cases  the  leaves  are 
chiefly  produced  at  the  expense  of  the  materials  stored-up  in 
the  roots.  We  have  already  detailed  hew  a  friend  of  ours  used 
to  delight  many  an  invalid  in  winter,  by  taking  a  few  stalks  of 
Ehubarb  which  he  brought  on  in  barrels  in  his  kitchen.  We 
have  sometimes  kept  our  eye  on  places  where  Dandelions  were 
plentiful  by  the  sides  of  roads.  They  are  not  so  strong,  but 
they  make  a  good  substitute  for  Chicory,  and  the  good  pro- 
perties are  even  rather  more  strong  and  active  than  in  the 
latter.  Both  maybe  used  with  good  results  for  salads,  and  are 
especially  useful  when  anything  better  is  scarce. 

Kidney  Leans. — Those  out  of  doors  are  quite  destroyed,  and 
but  few  more  Scarlet  Runners  will  be  obtained,  though  these 
are  not  so  much  injured  ;  and  Vegetable  Marrows,  which  a  fort- 
night ago  were  showing  plenty  of  young  fruit,  are  now  nothing 
but  skeletons,  and  black  leaves,  and  decaying  stems.  We  have 
instanced  the  Dwarf  Kidney  Beans  for  chronicling  a  disappoint- 
ment which  may  be  useful  to  others.  We  are  not  admirers 
of  Fulmer's  Forcing  Bean,  but  having  it  by  us,  and  others 
more  approved  not  being  at  hand,  we  sowed  some  in  the  earth 
in  a  pit  where  just  a  little  artificial  heat  can  be  given.  We 
expected  them  to  be  fit  to  gather  in  the  first  week  in  November, 
but,  unfortunately,  the  plants  were  not  stopped  until  a  week  or 
so  ago,  and  they  have  grown  strong  and  lengthy,  with  numerous 
buds  at  the  joints,  but  they  are  just  coming  into  bloom  now. 
Others  of  the  same  kind,  sown  in  pots  out  of  doors  a  nlonth 
later,  and  put  under  glass  when  a  few  inches  high,  as  the 
nights  became  wet  and  cold,  are  also  coming  freely  into  bloom, 
though  not  nearly  so  strong  and  high  as  the  first  named,  but 
these  had  the  points  of  the  shoots  nipped  out  at  the  third  joint. 
Had  we  done  so  with  those  planted  we  should  have  had  Beans 
instead  of  blossoms  now.  With  all  the  stronger-growing  kinds 
under  glass  it  is  advisable  to  nip  out  the  point  of  the  shoot 
when  it  has  made  two  or  three  joints  above  the  seed  leaves. 
We  have  had  fine  crops  of  the  White  Canteibury,  naturally  in- 
clined to  run  a  little,  from  plants  not  more  than  9  inches  above 
the  pot,  but  they  were  stopped  early.  When  grown  in  pots  the 
weaker-growing  may  be  retarded  fruiting  a  few  days  by  stop- 
ping them,  but  they  produce  more  freely  and  are  kept  nearer 
the  pot.  Strong-growing  kinds  keep  growing  on  and  do  not 
even  bloom  so  soon  as  when  stopped  early.  The  stopping 
arrests  mere  growth,  and  the  flower  buds  swell  and  open  freely. 
We  have  frequently  noted  results  as  stated  above.  The  first 
planted  had  the  best  treatment  all  along,  and  instead  of  being 
three  weeks  or  so  earlier,  they  will  come  in  httle  earlier  than  the 
second.  Through  a  slight  change  of  circumstances  it  will  turn 
out  quite  as  well,  or  rather  better  for  us,  but  that  will  be  mora 
owing  to  chance  than  to  management  or  design. 

Musiirooms. — Put  a  little  more  dry  litter  over  the  Mush- 
room beds  in  the  open  thatched  shed,  to  keep  them  on,  as  we 
do  not  expect  to  gather  from  the  first  piece  in  the  Mushroom- 
house  for  two  or  three  weeks.  This  shed  is  open  to  the  west, 
and  shaded  by  some  Chestnut  trees.  Could  we  manage  it,  we 
would  place  a  line  of  hurdles  along  the  open  side,  and  draw 
green  laurel  boughs  through  them,  so  that  the  wind  might 
pass  between  these  before  sweeping  over  the  beds.  A  closer 
covering  would  do  as  well,  but  we  found  that  hurdles  so  wattled 


November  r»,  ; 


.] 


JOURNAL   OF   HOKTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


345 


answered  in  winter,  so  long  as  we  kept  the  beds  on,  and  tbey 
were  also  useful  in  hot  weather  in  July,  for  the  shed  ia  chieHy 
BSed  for  summer  Muslirooma,  though  they  often  continue  to 
produce  all  the  svinter.  It  is  a  low  structuro  ugainst  a  dwarf  wall, 
and  shaded  by  trees  on  the  open  side.  Wo  have  twice  had  it 
roughthalihfd  with  straw,  using  old  hurdles  for  the  roof  below 
the  straw,  aud  something  must  be  done  to  renew  it  before 
long,  but  though  wo  have  once  or  twice  been  offered  a  tiled  or  a 
slated  roof,  we  prefer  the  straw  as  a  non-conductor  of  heat,  and 
because  coolness  is  the  chief  essential  for  Mushroom  culture  in 
summer.  From  this  rough-thatched  place  we  have  had  most 
of  the  advantages  of  a  cool  collar  in  summer.  We  have  tried  a 
similar  shed  roofed  with  feather-edged  boarding,  and  with  tiles 
and  slates  well  smeared  witli  lime,  to  prevent  the  absorption  of 
heat,  but  in  neither  case  in  hot  summers  did  they  act  so  well 
as  the  rough-tbatohed  roof.  Were  it  not  for  the  harbour  given 
to  vermin,  there  is  something  more  than  the  picturesque  in 
thatched  roofs  for  dwelling-houses  for  man,  they  are  so  cool  in 
summer,  and  so  warm  in  winter.  As  a  mark  of  progress,  it  is 
pleasing  to  notice  all  through  the  country  sheds  and  workshops 
close  to  the  slates,  having  the  slates  outside  well  whitened,  so 
that  the  people  below  should  not  be  half  roasted  in  summer, 
and  frozen  in  winter.  A  friend  had  a  small  shed  for  summer 
Mushrooms  erected  against  a  wall,  but  he  was  too  neat  in  his 
tastes  to  think  of  thatch,  and  too  averse  to  the  glaring  in  colour 
to  think  of  a  staring  white  roof,  aud  to  compromise  the  matter 
had  the  roof  covered  with  brownish  tiles.  Even  they  proved 
too  hot  in  July  and  August.  After  a  little  mutual  thinking 
over  of  the  matter,  a  pretty  picturesque  roof  is  now  formed.  A 
little  earth  was  strewed  over  the  tiles,  and  that  was  planted 
all  over  with  the  little  green  yellow-flowering  Sedum  acre,  and 
it  is  now  a  dense  mass,  and  in  the  hottest  days  of  the  last 
summer  the  lower  side  of  the  tiles  felt  quite  cool  to  the  hand. 

Our  chief  difficulty  with  the  shed  bods  for  two  seasons  has 
been  owing  to  the  inroads  of  numerous  moles.  Tarring  their 
runs  has  set  them  to  make  fresh  ones,  and  some  beds  have 
looked  in  the  morning  as  if  a  miniature  plough  had  been  at 
work  all  over  the  bed.  In  the  garden  aud  pleasure  grounds 
nearly  a  hundred  moles  have  been  caught.  They  were  not 
satisfied  with  Mushroom  beds,  but  worked  into  Cucumber  and 
Melon  beds,  everywhere  in  fact  where  the  soil  was  at  all  soft, 
and  though  we  find  no  great  fault  with  their  heaps  in  a  meadow, 
as  these  make  an  excellent  top-dressing,  they  do  not  look  attrac- 
tive on  a  lawn  close  to  the  principal  windows.  One  of  the  best 
modes  of  trapping  moles  is  for  the  trapper  to  carry  a  dead  mole, 
or  the  skin  of  one,  with  him,  and  to  draw  that  over  the  traps 
and  the  ueighbouriug  soil,  so  as  to  take  away  all  scent  of  his 
own  hand.  Looking  on  the  mole  as  in  many  respects  one  of 
our  co-operators,  and  admiring  its  indomitable  energy  and  per- 
severance, we  should  be  glad  if  some  better  means  than  have 
been  noticed  in  these  pages  could  be  mentioned,  to  drive  moles 
away  from  particular  places,  instead  of  trapping  and  thus 
killing  so  many  of  them.  Our  better  feelings  are  apt  to  give 
way  when  we  find  a  good  Mushroom  bed  made  for  a  time 
next  to  useless,  and  more  especially  when  we  know  that  the 
bed  contained  little  that  would  suit  the  mole  in  the  way  of 
lood,  as,  if  the  bulk  of  such  beds  were  dry  rather  than  wet,  there 
would  scarcely  be  a  worm  or  other  little  animal  for  the  mole. 

We  threw  some  droppings  and  litter  into  a  heap  to  dry  by 
fermentation  in  order  to  make  another  piece  in  the  Mushroom 
Louse.  Finished  earthing  a  second  piece  and  spawned  a  third, 
and  wiU  watch  the  latter  for  a  few  days.  It  is  generally  best  in 
a  shelved  house  to  fill  the  upper  shelves  first,  as  these  will  then 
be  assisted  by  the  heat  in  the  beds  beneath  them  when  getting 
ready. 

rnUIT   GAKDEN. 

We  have  housed  all  the  hardy  fruit  at  last.  Apples  seem  to 
keep  better  than  Pears.  We  have  lost  of  the  latter  some 
splendid  Marie  Louise,  Beurrc  Bosc,  and  Napolfon,  and  all 
required  to  be  looked  to  often,  as  when  they  began  to  decay 
they  soon  became  little  better  than  a  skinful  of  juice.  With 
these  exceptions  the  fruit  has  been  good  and  of  excellent 
flavour.  That  some  should  thus  be  excessively  stored  with 
juice  might  be  owing  to  the  wonderfully  rapid  swelling  that 
took  place  after  the  first  rains,  and  the  more  humid  atmo- 
sphere which  then  prevailed.  Before  the  rains  came  there  was 
every  appearance  that  the  fruit  would  be  small  and  deficient 
in  moisture,  but,  on  the  whole,  all  Apples,  Pears,  and  other 
fruit  have  turned  out  of  fully  their  usual  size. 

From  the  orchard  house  we  are  still  gathering  every  day 
Beine  Claude  de  Bavay,  a  few  Jefferson,  and  a  good  supply  of 
Coe's  Golden  Drop  Plums  from  pots,  and  with  due  preparation. 


as  previously  instanced,  we  see  no  reason  why  the  latter  Plnnj 
should  not  keep  well  through  November  and  part  of  December 
at  least,  and  it  would  be  diHicult  to  find  any  other  fruit  at  this 
season  to  beat  it  in  quality.  In  the  first  house  Figs  and  Grapes 
aro  ripening  well. 

ORNAMENTAL  DErARTMENT. 

Much  the  same  as  in  previous  weeks  ;  the  falling  leaves  pre- 
vent the  grounds  being  so  clean  as  wo  would  wish. — B.  V. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— NovioinKR  4. 

Our  market  remains  so  Bt;itionary,  botli  as  to  supply  und  domntid,  at 
present,  that  we  have  little  worth  reportiuj^'.  IJrucolis  of  the  diOyrent 
varieties  havo  remarkably  improved  duriu^  the  past  fnrtnit,'ht,  and 
Winter  Greens  are  abundant.  Pears  now  consist  or  Chaumontel,  Gloa 
Morgcau,  Winter  Nolis,  and  liourre  Diet ;  Apples  of  Uibston  Pippin,  King 
of  tile  Pippins,  Nonpareil,  and  Foam's  Pippin,  j 


s.  d. 


B.  d 


Apples )<;  sieve    1  6  to  2  0 

Apricots doz.    0  0      0  0 

Cherries lb.    0  0      0  0 

Chestnuts bush.  10  0    16  0 

Currants 3-:!  sieve    0  0      0  0 

Black do.    0  0      0  0 


FiKS 


doz.    0 


Filberts lb.    0 

Cobs lb.    0 

Gooseberries  . .  quart  0 
Grapes,  Hothouse,  .lb.  2 
Lemons 100  10 


Melons each    2 

Nectarines doz.    0 

Oranfrea 100    8 

Peaches doz.  10 

Pears  (dessert)  ..doz.    2 

Pine  Apples lb.    4 

Plams }^  sieve    4 

Quinces doz.    0 

Raspberries lb.    0 

Strawberries  . .   per  lb.    0 

Walnuts bush.  10 

do per  100    1 


d.  B. 
0to5 
0      0 


2    6 


VEGETABLES. 


Artichokes doz. 

.Asparaprus   100 

Beans,  Kidney  ^  sieve 

Boot,  Red doz. 

Broccoli bundle 

Brus.  Sprouts  K  sieve 

CabbaRo doz. 

Capsicums 100 

Carrots bunch 

Cauliflower doz. 

Celery bundle 

Cucumbers each 

Endive doz. 

Fennel bunch 

Garlic lb. 

Herbs  bunch 

Horseradish  ..  bundle 


R.  d.  B.  d 
3  0to6  0 
0      0 


0 
4  0 
8    0 

2    0 


0  0 

0  8 

0  0 

2  0 


0    8 
0    8 


0  0 
0  8  0  0 
8    0      5    0 


Leeks  bunch    0 

Lettuce per  score    2 

Mushrooms ....  pottle    2 
Mu8td.&  Cress,  punnet    0 

Onions per  bushel    5 

Parsley per  sieve    8 

Parsnips doz.    0 

Peas per  quart    0 

Potatoes bushel 

Kidney  de. 

Radishes  doz.  bunches 

Rhubarb bundle 

Sea-kale basket 

Shallots lb. 

Spinach  bushel 

Tomatoes per  doz. 

Tomips  bunch 


d.      B.d 

4  too  e 


0 
0 

s 

0 
0 
0 
0 

6  0 

7  0 
0  0 
0  0 
0  0 
0  0 
S  0 
2  0 
0    0 


TRADE   CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 

F.  and  A.  Dickson  &■  Sons,  lOG,  Eastgate  Street,  and  Upton 
Nurseries,  Chester. — Catalof/uc  of  Rosea. 

Andr6  Leroy,  Angers,  France. — DescniMvc  Catalogue  of  Fruit 
and.  Ornamental  Trees,  Shrubs,  <f'c. 


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.  AU 
communications  should  therefore  be  addi-essed  solely  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  d-c.,  171,  Fleet 
Street,  London,  B.C. 

We  also  request  that  correspondents  will  not  mix  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. 

N.B. — Many  questions  must  remain  unanswered  until  next 
week. 

Books  {T.M). — "  The  Gardener's  Assistant"  is  published  by  Blackie 
and  Son,  London.  The  "Cottage  Gardeners'  Dictionary  .Supplement" 
can  be  had  free  by  post  from  our  office  for  twenty  postape  stamps. 

Cherry  Plum  (JUijt.t  King). — Any  of  the  principal  nurserjTnen  who 
advertise  in  our  Journal  could  supply  it. 

Apple  Trees  [Medicus). — The  six  kitchen  Apples  that  would  suit  your 
purpose  are  Bedfordshire  Foundling,  Alfriston,  Dumelow's  Seedling, 
Yorkshire  Greeninc.  Norfolk  BeefinK,  and  Rymer.  The  Prune  Damson  is 
the  finest.  For  cider  you  had  better  consult  some  orchardist  in  your 
county — Hereford,  for  soil  and  climate  have  an  aU-controllinff  influence 
over  the  flavour  of  the  cider,  and  the  variety  which  produces  an  excellent 
liquor  in  one  locality  often  produces  an  inferior  liquor  in  another  district. 

Large  Pear  (R.  H.  F.). — Your  Pear  is  Hacon's  Incomparable.  The 
specimen  sent  was  fine  and  hiph-flavoured,  but  deficient  in  sweetness  and 
juiciness.    This  may  be  occasioned  by  its  being  grown  against  a  south 


346 


JOUENAL  OF  ffORTlCULTDRE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  November  5, 1868. 


wall,  which  it  does  not  require,  being  very  hardy.  The  fruit  may  be  im- 
proved by  mulchinp,  in  summer,  the  surface  over  the  roots,  and  watering 
freely  in  dry  weather. 

Foreign  Exporters  of  Orchids  (E.  M.  L.).— Oar  correspondent  wishes 
to  know  the  names  of  Orchid  shippers  at  various  places  in  the  East  and 
West  Indies, 

Appl\-tng  SuLpHrR  TO  VmE3  (H.  C.).— There  is  a  sulphurator  which, 
byturniDs:  the  handle,  disperses  the  flowers  of  sulphur,  much  after  the 
manner  of  a  winnowinR  ninrhine  ;  but  we  find  that  the  sulphur  mav  be 
applied  very  effectively  lo  the  Vine  leaves  by  the  aid  of  a  common  flour- 
dredger.  We  have  hoard  notbin<?  more  about  "  Sigma's  "  circular  vineries, 
If  we  receive  any  information  we  will  publish  it. 

Abies  kobilis  Seed  (F.  P.).— That  which  you  enclosed  is  not  fertile; 
but  we  think  that  we  have  heard  of  its  ripening  seeds  in  England. 

Roses  for  Exhieixion  iT.  IT.  Johmon).—*'  You  wish  for  the  names  of 
Roses  for  exhibition,  and  for  a  sugfjestion  of  others.  Of  those  you  have 
named  the  following  are  very  excellent ;— Alfred  Colomb.  Madame  Victor 
Verdier,  Jules  Margottin.  Gloire  de  Dijon,  Marrchal  Niel.  Charles  Lefebvre, 
Pierre  Notting,  Prince  Camille  de  Rohan,  Oomtesso  de  Chabrillant,  Sena- 
tenr  Vaisse,  John  Hopppr,  Souvenir  deDr.  Jamain,  Exposition  de  Erie, 
Marguerite  de  St.  Amond,  Marie  Baumann,  Pr.  Andry,  Abel  Grand,  An- 
toine  Ducher,  Madame  Margottin.  Lady  Sutlicid,  Baronne  Adolphe  de 
Rothschild,  Triompho  de  Rcmies,  Madame  Alice  Bureau,  Acidalie,  Ba- 
ronne Prevost,  Charles  Verdier,  "William  Griffiths,  Prince  de  Portia, 
Madame  Charles  Wood.  Gloire  de  Vitry,  which  is  splendid  on  its  own 
roots;  Princess  MaiT  of  Cambridge,  not  here,  but  known  to  me:  and 
Baronne  de  Maynard,  not  exactly  a  show  Rose,  but  lovely  ;  a  continuous 
and  most  abundant  bloomer— a  splendid  white  bedder.  I  advise  you  not 
to  buy  the  new  Roses  named  till  I  have  proved  them.  If  you  will  have 
novelties  buy  Marie  Cirodde,  Madame  Rolland  (not  Madame  Roland), 
Vicomtesse  de  Vezins,  Monsieur  Noman,  Duchesse  d'Aoste,  and  Comtesse 
de  Jaucourt.  I  eujigest  these:— Monsieur  do  Montigny,  a  splendid  Rose, 
given  up  !  Marechal  Vaillant;  Madame  Julie  Daran.  Leopold  Premier- 
pat  the  last  two  in  a  shady  place,  they  will  then  bloom  freely; — Som- 
JbreuU  (Ten).  Souvenir  d'Elise  (Tea),  Madame  Willermoz  (Tea),  Souvenir 
d'nn  Ami  (Tea),  Adam  (Tea),  and  Devoniensis  (Tea).  These  fire,  with 
Madame  Margottin,  are  the  cream  of  the  Tea-sceated  Ptoses,  and  first-rate. 
Sombreuil  is  the  hardiest  of  aU.  Mr.  Taylor  says  Vicomtesse  de  Vezins 
will  be  first-rate  for  ten  years,  and  Pitord  (or  Pitford)  is  superb. — W.  F. 
Radceyffe." 

Pelargonium,  FccnsiA,  and  Calceolaria  Cuttings  (I/jnorancf). — The 
Pelargonium  and  Fuchsia  cuttings  we  would  put  in  pots,  drained  with 
one-third  their  depth  of  broken  pot;  then  nearly  fill  them  with  open 
sandy  soil,  and  surface  with  sharp  sand.  Insert  the  cuttings  about  an 
inch  apart  round  the  sides  of  the  pets,  give  a  gentle  watering,  and,  as  ' 
you  have  only  a  dwelling-house  to  strike  them  in,  place  them  in  the  most 
sunny  window  you  have,  being  careful  not  to  water  as  long  as  the  foliage 
keeps  from  flagging.  They  ought  to  be  kept  from  frost.  The  Calceolaria 
cuttinss  may  be  put  in  the  shallow  wood  boxes,  and  in  good  loamy  soil, 
but  avoid  the  manure  you  have  by  the  waggonload.  Place  a  layer  of  sand 
an  inch  in  depth  over  the  surface,  and  in  that  insert  the  cuttings  about 
an  inch  apart,  giving  a  pentle  watering,  and  placing  them  near  some 
window.  The  soil  should  be  kept  moist,  but  avoid  making  it  very  wet. 
The  pronunciation  of  Calceolaria  is  Calceolaria ;  Anemone,  Anemone ; 
and  Ranunculus,  Ranunculus. 

Top  r^REssiNG  Pot  Vines  (r.  J.  57.).— Your  Vine  being  in  its  fruiting 
pot  and  intended  for  bearing  nest  year,  it  ought  not  to  be  repotted,  but 
should  have  the  drainage  put  in  order,  and  as  much  loose  soil  from  the 
surface  removed  as  it  is  possible  to  do  without  injm-y  to  tlie  roots.  Then 
top-dres^  with  loam  from  turf,  adding  one-fourth  of  old  manure  and  one- 
sixth  of  half-inch  bones,  or  a  couple  of  good  handfuls  of  bonedust. 

PoTTixG  Fig  Trees  (Idem)  —The  best  soil  for  the  Fig  tree  is  loam 
neither  heavy  nor  light,  and  if  from  the  top  2  inches  of  a  pasture  it 
could  not  be  better.  It  should  be  chopped  or  torn  in  pieces  and  made 
firm.    The  present  is  a  good  time  to  pot  the  tree. 

Coleus  Wiktertng  f  J.  flf.l.— To  winter  this  safely  it  should  have  no 
more  water  than  enough  to  keep  it  from  flagging,  and  the  temperature 
should  seldom  be  lower  than  45"^  at  night,  though  it  may  in  severe  periods 
fall  to  4Q  .  If,  as  you  Pay.  you  want  the  plants  to  gi-ow.  the  temperature 
should  be  from  55^  to  GO-  at  night,  and  from  60-  to  65'  by  day.  The  best 
way  to  keep  the  Coleus  is  to  have  good  little  well-rooted  plants  by  the  end 
of  summer,  and  to  keep  them  gently  gromng  duriug  the  winter  in  a  stove 
or  warm  greenhouse,  watering  carefully,  and  affording  them  a  light  and 
rather  airy  situation.  The  tesaperatur'es  named  will  he  destructive  to  the 
greenhouse  bedding  plants. 

Growing  Mushrooms  under  a  Summer  House  (T.  M.).—We  suppose 
that  beneath  your  summer  house  is  a  sort  of  cellar.  If  so,  it  will  answer 
admirably  for  growing  Mushrooms;  and  being  underground  it  will  be 
■secure  from  frost,  except  in  very  severe  periods,  and  then  you  may  cover 
the  bed  with  dry  short  straw  or'hay. 

Vegetable  Marrows  and  Cucumbers  after  Potatoes  (Jrfrm).— The 
Potatoes  being  off  by  the  beginning  of  June,  you  may  follow  with  Vege- 
table Marrows  and  ridge  Cucumbers;  but  we  should  prefer  planting  the 
Potatoes  in  rows  8  feet  apart,  and  having  a  row  of  Cucumbers  between. 
Between  the  Potato  rows  a  trench  may  lie  formed,  which  may  be  filled 
with  hot  dung,  and  covered  with  soil  for  the  Cucumbers.  Plant  them  out 
early  in  June,  unless  you  can  cover  them  with  hand-glasses,  then  plant 
in  the  middle  or  third  week  in  May.  The  Vegetable  Marrows  will  do  in 
rows  6  feet  apart,  so  that  you  may  have  two  rows  Potatoes  between  the 
Marrows,  which  should  be  plantftd  by  the  third  week  in  May,  and  a  flower 
pot  inverted  over  them  in  frosty  nights  for  a  short  time. 

Cutting  back  Fuchsia  f/rfewl.— The  Fuchsia  which  is  very  straggling 
should  be  cut  down,  but  not  until  spring  when  it  begins  to  grow. 

Bedding  Pi;LARGONirMS  and  Frost  (Idem).~OttT  experience  is  that 
they  will  not  endure  more  than  a  slight  frost,  or  one  of  a  few  hours'  con- 
tinuance ;  for  no  matter  how  dry  the  soil,  their  stems,  being  still  succu- 
lent, will  decay  on  becoming  frozen. 

Pruning  Black  Currants  {IdeTn).~You  are  right  as  regards  pruning 
Black  Currants.  Their  shoots  should  be  thinned  out  when  they  are  too 
thick,  and  without  shortening  those  left;  but  when  they  are  not  too 
numerous  but  very  long,  to  encourage  the  production  of  youni?  wood,  they 
should  be  cut  well  hack  :  and  in  order  to  keep  the  youns  trees  low  and 
well  furnished  with  hearing  shoots,  the  young  shoots  should  be  shortened 


one-third  or  one-half  their  length.  It  is  easy  to  thin  them  out,  but  not 
80  easy  to  obtain  young  shoots  from  the  bottom  without  losing  a  year's 
crop.  The  strat^gUng  bushes  of  former  days  are  no  longer  imitated,  the 
present  mode  being  to  shorten  the  young  shoots,  to  keep  the  bushes 
dwarf  and  symmetrical,  and  by  it  even  finer  fruit  is  produced,  as  it  is 
home  on  young  wood.  Cut  out  the  old  wood,  encourage  young  shoots, 
shorten  them,  and,  if  they  become  too  numerous,  thin  out. 

Heating  a  Fernery  [A  Grateful  0«e|.— As  you  cannot  have  either  a 
flue  or  hot-water  pipes,  yon  may  have  a  stove,  with  a  chimney  or  pipe  to 
take  off  the  smoke,  &c.,  which  in  most  stoves  is  necessary ;  but  there  are 
some  without  flues  or  pipes.  Write  to  the  makers  of  stoves  who  advertise 
in  our  columns,  stating  the  size  of  your  house,  and  asking  for  prices,  &C- 
"We  cannot  recommend  dealers. 

Saponaria  calabrica  and  Silene  pendula  for  Carfetino  to 
Hyacinths  (Novice). — We  fear  neither  would  flower  early  enough  for  the 
Hyacinths,  otherwise  they  would  answer  very  well  as  to  height.  We  do 
not  know  the  bulbs  yon  mention. 

Paraffin  Oil  for  Destroying  Mealy  Bug  (York). — We  can  verify 
all  you  say  as  to  this  destroying  every  insect  it  touches.  It  is  the  beet 
remedy  for  the  American  blight  or  bug,  and  for  the  scale  on  Pear  and 
other  trees  in  the  open  air.  It  should  he  applied  with  a  brush,  now  being 
the  best  time  to  apply  it — that  is,  after  the  leaves  have  fallen.  We  do  not 
know  whiit  efl'ect  tho  vapour  would  have  on  plants  in  leaf,  but  as  a  de- 
stroyer of  hug  and  scale  on  trees  in  active  growth,  and  where  there  are 
no  plants,  we  find  it  safe  and  effectual.  You  may  employ  it  for  destroy- 
ing mealy  bug  on  Peach  trees,  but  we  should  for  the  present  advise  its 
being  kept  from  the  buds.  If  you  were  to  syringe  your  tree  when  there 
was  a  likelihood  of  frost,  and  tho  water  became  frozen,  that  would  destroy 
the  hug  and  not  injure  the  tree.  We  cannot  name  plants  from  leaves; 
flowers  are  necessary  as  well. 

Alternanthera  amcena  for  Bedding  (A  Constant  Subscriber].— It 
would  succeed  in  yonr  locality  and  soil  if  good  plants  were  turned  out. 
It  is  easily  propagated  by  cuttings.  A  few  store  plants  kept  through  the 
winter  in  a  temperature  of  from  40^  to  4o  ,  and  placed  in  gentle  heat 
in  February,  will  afford  an  abundant  supply  of  cuttings  by  the  beginning 
of  March.  Thev  should  be  inserted  in  a  mild  hotbed,  when  they  will  soon 
take  root,  and  if  kept  growingwill  make  good  plants  by  bedding-out  time. 
Being  of  very  dwarf  and  compact  habit,  it  is  only  suitable  for  edgings 
and  carpeting,  and  not  for  centres.  You  will  see,  when  you  have  the 
plant,  what  its  foliage  will  best  contrast  with. 

Yucca  Flowering  (Francis  Scott).— "We  should  not  cut  off  the  flower 
stem,  but  allow  it  to  flower,  which  will  not,  we  think,  destroy  the  plant. 

Calceolarias  Failing  (SuhscribeT). — They  sncceed  well  in  a  compost 
of  two  parts  loam  from  turf  taken  from  a  rather  strong  but  not  very 
heavy  loam,  one  part  old  cow  dung,  and  one  part  leaf  mould,  with  a  free 
admixture  of  sand.  You  may  take  up  any  of  the  old  plants  that  are  dwarf 
and  compact,  preserving  a  ball  of  soil  to  each,  and  place  them  in  pots 
that  will  hold  the  ball  comfortably.  They  should  not  be  cut-in,  though 
any  straggling  shoots  may  be  removed  ;  and  kept  in  a  cool,  light,  and  airy 
situation  in  a  greenhouse  they  will  flower  well  in  spring.  Your  plants 
this  year  seem  not  to  have  had  enoujjh  of  moisture.  For  bedding  pur- 
poses they  are  best  propagated  by  cuttings  put  in  before  frost  in  a  cold 
frame,  kept  there  during  the  winter,  and  planted  out  in  good  rich  soil 
early  in  April,  moving  them  to  their  final  quarters  in  May  with  a  good 
ball  of  soil  to  each.  The  beds  should  be  prepared  with  a  good  dressing 
of  rotten  manure  or  leaf  mould.  To  keep  down  green  aphis  the  plants 
should  have  a  cool  temperature,  abundance  of  air,  and  be  fumigated  with 
tobacco  before  they  are  much  attacked  by  the  insects. 

Ranunculus  not  Succeeding  (Idem)  — The  Ranunculus  succeeds  best 
in  a  rich,  deep,  heavy  loam,  damp,  but  well  drained.  You  do  not  say  what 
your  soil  is,  but  from  the  foliage  mildewing  we  presume  that  it  is  light, 
and  in  that  case  wo  would  plant  in  Novemher  or  early  in  December.  In 
preparing  the  bed.  trench  it  2  feet  deep  or  remove  the  soil  to  that  depth, 
and  replace  it  with  fresh.  A  good  barrowful  of  cow  dung  rather  old,  as 
much  as  a  man  can  wheel,  should  be  worked  in  to  every  three  square 
yards.  The  top  4  inches  of  the  bed  must  not  have  any  manure.  Tho 
best  soil  for  the  top  is  that  from  reduced  turf,  but  a  thin  paring  from  im- 
mediately under  the  turf  of  an  old  pasture  will  answer  well.  The  bed 
should  be  formed  3  or  4  inches  above  the  surrounding  level,  for  from  the 
deep  stirring  it  will  sink,  and-on  that  account  it  should  be  made,  if 
possible,  in  September,  for  planting  early  in  Xovember,  which  we  would 
advise  you  to  try,  making  the  bed  now  and  planting  forthwith.  If,  how- 
ever, your  situation  is  cold  and  wet,  it  would  be  better  to  plant  as  early 
in  Febrnary  as  the  weather  permits.  In  planting  draw  off  the  soil  to  the 
depth  of  2  inches,  place  the  roots  on  the  surface,  gently  pressing  the 
very  large  roots  in,  and  raising  small  ones  by  putting  a  little  soil  under, 
so  that  the  crowns  may  all  he  on  the  same  level  ;  cover  with  soil  to  a 
depth  of  1^  inch  above  the  crowns,  tailing  care  not  to  displace  the  roots 
in  covering.  No  further  trouble  will  be  needed  until  the  plants  come  up, 
when  the  opening  around  each  plant  caused  by  the  forcing-np  of  the 
leaves  should  be  carefully  closed  ;  this  is  best  done  by  the  hand,  pressing 
the  soil  firmly  all  round.  In  very  dry  weather  copious  watering  will  be 
required,  especially  when  the  flower  buds  are  forming,  should  the  weather 
be  dry  at  the  time,  but  surface  waterings  are  of  no  use,  on  the  contrary 
they  are  injurious  ;  by  keeping  the  soil  con'^tantly  moist  under  a  hot  sun 
thetemperature  is  considerably  reduced  by  the  excessive  evaporation, 
and  the  plants  become  "  blind."  When  water  is  given  it  should  be  in 
sufficient  quantity  to  reach  the  lowest  fibres.  The  flowers  should  be 
shaded  to  prolong  their  freshness,  and  when  over  remove  the  shade, 
take  up  the  roots  when  the  foliage  decays,  and  thoroughly  dry  them. 

Pruning  Hardy  Fruit  Trees  (A.  A.  C.  H).— The  best  time  to  prune 
all  the  fruit  trees  and  bushes  you  name  is  in  November,  after  the  leaves 
have  fallen.  It  is  much  better  done  then  than  in  sprinc,  though  in  places 
where  birds  are  troublesome  in  pecking  the  buds,  the  spring-pruning  of 
some  trees  is  desirable  on  that  account,  but  we  strongly  advise  pruning 
fill  trees  in  autumn,  taking  other  means  of  making  the  buds  distastefai 
to  birds,  or  of  scaring  these.  The  trees  in  addition  to  the  winter  prun- 
ing, or  when  leafless,  require  summer  pruning  or  stopping,  which  are 
distinct  operations. 

Cleaning  Zinc  Labels  (Idem). — The  ink  and  corrosion  on  zinc  labels 
may  be  entirely  removed  by  rubbing  them  with  sand  paper,  and  they  are 
then  eligible  for  writing  upon  again. 
i      Compost  foe  Cvmellias  (/.  32".).— Old  turf,  rotten  cow  dung,  cocoa- 


NoTomber  5, 1868.  ] 


JOOBNAL  OF  HOBTIOULTURB  AND  COTTAGB  QABDENEB. 


347 


nat  fibre  tlast,  Riid  aani  will  grow  nino-tenths  if  not  nil  tbe  plants  at 
profient  in  cnUivntion.  For  Cftmolliaa  use  two  parts  oM  turf,  ono  part 
each  of  cow  dung  and  coooi-nnt  Hbro  rofuse  (liost  old),  iind  ono-nixth  of 
sand,  Rood  draiuaf^o  hcinfl  necpsnary.  Wo  would,  however,  rt-Ouimiioiul 
in  placo  of  the  above  compost,  that  brouk'Ut  into  notion  lu  our  Journal 
some  time  nt,'o  by  Mr.  Pearson,  of  ChihvoU  -viz:.,  the  fresh  turf  of  an  olil 
paatnru  whore  Ibe  ROil  is  a  Rood  sandy  loam,  cut  from  1  to  l\  inch  thick, 
tcarinR  it  in  piece.^  with  the  hand,  and  usinR  it  in  its  fresh  state.  Put 
firmly,  and  for  the  surface  nso  the  liner  parts  of  the  compost  after  palling 
it  into  piecea.    Tliis  compost  answers  admirably. 

Soil  for  Cvci.amens  ( Wfiii).— The  old  turf,  cow  dnng,  cocoa-nut  fibre 
refuse,  and  sand  above  named,  and  in  the  same  proportions,  will  be  an  ex- 
cellent compost,  adding  one-sixth  of  grit  in  pieces  from  the  size  of  a  pea 
up  to  that  of  a  hazel  nut,  and  mixing  the  whole  well  together.  Tho  best 
time  to  pot  is  when  they  aro  beginning  to  grow,  which  will  vary  with  tho 
gpecios.  C.  persicum.  "for  instance,'  should  bo  potted  in  September,  and 
if  it  grow  well  and  fill  the  pot  with  roots  it  must  bo  shifted  into  one  of 
larger  size,  and  in  this  way  large  plants  with  beautiful  foliage  may  bo 
had  for  blooming  in  spring. 

Tyd.eas  {J.  Bai/ly).~li  yon  conanlt  a  catalogno  you  will  notice  the 
Tyda-as  are  distinguished  from  the  Achinienes.  None  of  them  should  be 
driod-ofl'  like  Achimeuos,  but  bo  kept  so  moist  at  the  roots  as  to  prevent 
their  foliage  from  flagging,  though  after  flowering  it  is  desirable  they 
.should  have  full  exposure  to  light,  and  be  kept  rather  drier.  As  tho  old 
stems  go  oil  cut  thorn  out,  but  not  until  the  yonng  shoots  have  made 
some  progress.  If  the  soil  were  kept  so  dry  as  for  Achimenes  whilst  at 
rest,  it  is  very  likely  tbe  young  shoots  would  not  appear,  and  upon  these 
depends  tbe  perpetuation  of  the  plant. 

Inahchiso  Vines  'rnginV/rl.— We  would  prefer  tbe  Eowood  Muscat  to 
be  inarched  on  tbe  White  Nice,  but  any  Muscat  that  is  preferred  will  do. 
If  VQ  had  any  preference  at  all,  we  would  place  Mrs.  Piuce  on  tho  Lom- 
bardy.  but  tlie  influences  of  stock  and  scion  are  sometimes  singular  in 
Grapes. 

Bottom  Hbvt  in  a  CnciTiroER  House  (Jersey/  Subscriber). — Wore  wo 
in  your  position  wo  would  make  a  concave  bottom  of  concrete  below  the 
pipes,  within  half  an  inch  of  tbe  bottom  of  pipes,  and  round  and  above  tbe 
pipes  place  clinkers,  Ac,  as  loosely  as  possible,  terminating  with  a  layer 
of  clean-washed  gravel  below  the  soil ;  but  provided  this  is  done,  have  the 
pipes  as  near  the  soil  as  possible.  See  page  283,  on  bottom  heating,  and 
were  we  to  write  a  number  we  could  not  better  summarise  the  matter. 

Fruit-tree  Culture  (Cornubia). — You  will  see  a  communication  from 
"  C.  C.  E."  before  many  days  have  jiasscd. 

Keeping  "Walxdts  (A.  U.).— See  what  is  said  in  "Work  for  the  Week.'* 

Seedlikg  Pelaboontum  (John  Hodfison). — The  truss  is  large  and  each 
pip  fine;  but  it  is  impossible  to  judge  of  the  merits  unless  an  entire 
plant  is  seen.  Send  one  to  the  Floral  Committee  of  the  Koyal  Horticul- 
tural Society, 

Raspberries  (G.  ,7".  Butterfield). — We  recommend  yon  to  plant  the  Fas- 
toltf  and  Yellow  Antwerp,  Have  a  space  of  4  feet  between  the  plants,  and 
insert  them  now. 

Tricolor  Pelaroontttm  Reproducing  Ttself  {PcraUt). — All  will  very 
frequently  be  reproduced  if  fertilised  with  their  own  pollen ;  they  will 
also  very  frequently  reproduce  the  original  parent  varieties,  as  far  back  as 
the  third  or  fourth'  generation. 

Son.  FOR  Azaleas — Carbolic  Acid  among  Plants  (S.  S.).— Nothing 
suits  Azaleas  so  well  as  sandy  heath  soil  with  a  little  very  old  sweet  cow 
dung.  The  stronger  sorts  may  have  a  little  tibrous  loam.  We  would  not 
nse  carbolic  acid  on  the  floor  of  a  greenhouse.  What  say  others  more 
e.xperionced  ? 

Orchid  Baskets  (F.  Briggn). — Wo  have  no  recollection  of  them.  They 
may  be  excellent,  yet  not  remembered  among  the  contrivances  Bent  to 
as  "  sis  years  ago." 

Exhibiting  Chrysanthemuh  Blooms  (D.  H.). — Stands  and  -wooden 
tubes  similar  to  those  employed  for  Dahlias  are  used.  We  do  not  know 
where  they  are  to  be  had.  Your  best  plan  would  be  to  apply  to  some  of 
the  leading  Chrysanthemum  nurserymen. 

Clt-b  Root  in  Cabbages  ilngnircr). — Wo  see  in  an  American  paper 
that  bonedust  applied  at  the  rate  of  2000  lbs.  to  the  acre  has  been  found 
a  complete  preventive  of  this  disease.  The  bonedust  must  bo  offensive 
to  the  insect,  the  grubs  from  whose  eggs  cause  the  swelling  and  decay. 

Roses— Erratum. — "  Page  326,  2nd  column,  line  4.    I  intended  to  say  : 


'  Of  the  thirteen  RoBos  named,  I  should  not  think  highly  of  La  Roino' 
Fran(;ois  Lacharme  (which  requires  high  cultivation),  Duchefiso  do  Cam- 
bnc.Tf'S,  Duchosse  de  Caylus,  Madame  .Tulio  Daran,  two  rtrst-cbiHS  ItoseS  ; 
Micliol  llonnet,  Madamo  Charles  Wood,  and  Madame  Gustavo  lionnot 
may  be  retained.'— W.  F.  ItADCLViFK." 

Tar  Waterproofing  {lAIUnrtje). — This  is  .altogether  a  bad  timetomako 
waterproofed  cloth  with  tar,  &e.  Wo  havo  used  a  pint  of  linseod  oil  to 
two  quarts  of  coal  tar,  brushing  it  on  when  warm— say  about  170\  and  it 
answered  the  purpose,  but  having  done  these  things  on  a  small  scale, 
and  to  suit  particular  purposes,  we  do  not  feel  it  would  be  safe  for  us  to 
enter  into  the  specific  inquiries  you  make  on  tbe  subject. 

Vines  Unfruitful  {(}.  P.,  Ireland), — You  do  not  tell  ns  sufficiently 
the  state  of  the  Vines.  Is  the  drainage  all  right  ?  Aro  the  Vines  very 
strong,  with  large  foliage  ?  Then  well  drainiog  and  extra  rtring  to  ripen  the 
wood  will  make  them  fruitful,  in  addition  to  what  you  have  done  for 
them.  If  they  are  tolerably  strong,  retain  thc'r  leaves  long,  and  cut 
a  little  pithy, 'then  the  roots  are  too  deep,  and  bad  better  bo  lifted  and 
replanted  a  foot  from  the  snrfflco  in  fresh  fibrous  loam.  Most  likely  tho 
drainage  and  a  little  more  heat  will  do  all  that  is  wanted.  If  tbe  roots 
are  deep  the  Vines  will  succeed  best  on  the  rod-pruning  system,  instead 
of  cutting-in  to  a  bud  or  two.  Send  fruit  in  a  box.  each  wrapped  in  paper 
and  carriage  paid  throughout.    Kach  specimen  to  be  numbered. 

Lime  and  Leaves  (A  SubgcrU>er).—Pal  a  thin  layer  of  loaves,  sprinkle 
slaked  lime  over  them,  and  a  little  salt  too,  and  proceed  thus  with  tho 
whole.  The  object  is  to  reduce  the  whole  to  a  mass  capable  of  being  dug 
into  the  soil ;  and  at  tho  same  time  to  kill  insects  and  fungi.  Gas  lime 
would  not  be  so  beneficial. 

Apples  and  Pears  (Ccndirion).— The  Y'ellow  Belleflear  is  an  American 
Apple,  it  is  not  the  same  as  the  Brabant  Bellefleur.  Neither  it  nor  any 
of  the  other  Apples  you  name  merit  a  south  wall.  Lime  spread  thickly 
over  tbe  surface  round  your  Pear  trees  might  destroy  some  of  the  grubs 
in  the  soil  before  they  einergo  in  their  insect  state  to  deposit  eggs  on  tho 
leaves.  The  Wbito  Doyenne  does  not  require  a  wall.  GIou  Morceau, 
Winter  Nelis,  and  Ne  Plus  Mouris  deserve  a  south  aspect. 

Heating  by  Hot  Water  in  TnonoHS  (A  Tyro).— See  page  283  as  to 
failures  in  bottom-heating.  Your  troughs  will  give  plenty  of  heat  if  tho 
water  is  3  or  4  inches  deep,  instead  of  6  inches— that  is  to  say,  if  the 
boiler  will  not  easily  make  the  6  inches  warm  from  top  to  bottom.  Then 
your  proposed  plan  of  covering  the  pipes  with  slate  will  do ;  in  such  a 
place  the  chamber  will  be  an  advantage.  You  had  better  make  the  slate 
covering  close  over  the  tank,  and  then  the  upright  pipes  from  the  chamber 
can  admit  either  dry  air  or  moist  air  at  pleasure.  Snch  a  pit  will  do  ad- 
mirably for  Beans.  Cucumbers,  &c.  On  reailing  page  -23),  you  will  seo 
what  is  necessarv  for  continuous  bottom  heat.  So  far  as  we  understand 
it,  we  have  no  faith  in  your  second  plan.  Why  do  away  with  the  boiler 
when  you  have  it  ?  The  third  plan  is  also  very  inferior  to  the  first  plan. 
Never'lose  dry  heat  from  fire  in  any  shape,  to  be  replaced  with  dung  heat 
alone.  When  you  cannot  help  yourself,  it  is  a  different  affair.  You 
cannot  grow  Cucumbers  and  Potatoes  in  the  same  pit  unless  you  have  a 
division,  and  keep  the  Potato  end  from  15'  to  20'  cooler  than  tho  Cucum- 
ber end. 

Names  of  Fruits  (.Tohn  Shepherd).— Yonr  Pear  is  Vicar  of  WinkSeld. 
(IF.  G.,  Weii'Co»((e).— Eavelston  Pippin.  (JkTorosfon).- The  long  Pear  is 
Vicar  of  Winklield,  and  tho  other  Arlequine  Musque.  (T.  H.  «.).— All 
that  we  can  identify  are- 1,  Doyenne  Boussoch;  4,  Adile  de  St.  Denis; 
13,  Broompark  :  15,  Tardif  de  Mens ;  16,  Deux  Socurs.  Some  are  very  fine 
.specimens.  IZ).  2f.,  TTn'o-Jiam ).— Dutch  Mignonne;  3,  Franklin's  Golden 
Pippin ;  4,  Ord's ;  5,  Beautv  of  Kent ;  6,  Hollandbury ;  8,  Marmalade 
Pippin.  ^A.  Jf .).— 1,  Benrr;-  Bosc ;  2,  Verulam  ;  3,  Benrre  Diel ;  6,  Benrre 
d'Aremberg;  7,  Princesse  Charlotte;  9,  Jean  deWitte;  10,  Fondante 
d'Automne  ;  11,  Nouve.au  Poitenu  ;  12,  Passe  Colmar.  (T.  -E.).— 1,  Grossa 
Calebasse  ;  2,  Monarch  ;  3.  Fondante  de  Malines;  4,  Broompark  ;  5,  Cob- 
ham  •  6,  Cornish  Aromatic  ;  8,  Franklin's  Golden  Pippin  ;  10,  Dnmelow'8 
Seedling;  12,  Golden  Pearraain;  IS.  Kentish  Fillbasket ;  16,  Dnmelow's 
Seedling,  NorfoUi  Colman ;  IR,  Barcelona  Pearmain  ;  19,  Christie's 
Pippin. 

Names  of  Plants  (J.  J!.  J>ococS).— Salisbnria  adiantifolia,  or  Maiden- 
hair Tree  (fJ.  F.  S.).— We  cannot  name  plants  from  leaves  only.  (Hf. 
Cni'rirf^e).— Salvia  Grahami.  (IF.  M.,  tcwes).— Atbyrium  Filix-fcemina 
Frizelli'n!-  2  Lomaria  discolor.  (0.  Af.  Mnjor).— Pteris  arguta.  [J.  Bryan). 
—1  Adiantum  hispidulum  ;  2,  A.  formosum  ;  8,  Coniogramma  javanicnm  ; 
4,  Cyperns  elegans.  (.7.  H.  F.,  Leylmd).— Too  much  crushed  to  bo 
recognised. 


METEOROLOGICAli  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  November  .3rd. 


■Wed...  OS 
Thnrs.  29 
Fri.  ..  311 
Sat.  ,.  31 
Sun...  1 
Hon...  tj 
Taes. .    S 

Mean 


babouctzb. 


Max. 


80.803 
29-835 
S0.143 
30.174 
30.125 

so.res 

29.911 


30.083 


Mln. 


30.016 
29.704 
3J087 
30.162 
30.103 
29.992 
29.721 


29.969 


tbebuoueteb. 


64 
6IJ 
57 
55 
54 


1  ft.  dp 


43 
48 
48 
49 
50 
53 
61 


2  ft.  dp. 


49 
49 
43 
48 
49 
60 
61 


49.14 


S.W. 
N.W. 
N.W. 
W. 
W. 
N.W. 
S.W. 


Rain  In 

inches. 


.34 

.no 

.00 
.Oi) 
.08 
.00 
.00 


0.42 


Gbnebal  Reuabeb. 


Clear  and  fine;  clondv  but  fine;  heavy  ram,  stormy. 

Boisterous  with  rain  ;  fine  ;  clear  .and  fine  at  night. 

Cloudy  ;  dull,  strong  wind  :  fine,  very  clear. 

Overcast,  cold  wind  ;  verv  fine  ;  clear  and  fine. 

Cloudy,  strong  wind;  boisterous;  fine  and  clear  at  night. 

Clondv  ;  overcast ;  fine,  dark  and  boisterous.  _ 

Cloudy,  high  wind ;  cloudy,  boisterous ;  fine,  very  boisterons. 


POULTEY,  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD  CHEONICLE. 

THE  NIGHT   SIDE  OF   FOWL -FANCYING. 

~  I  READ  tbe  acconnt  of  "  E.  M.  B.  A.'s  "  troubles,  in  page  308, 
with  keen  interest  and  genuine  sympathy,  but  I  cannot  think 


that  tbe  much-prized  pullet  died,  as  its  owner  seems  to  sup- 
pose, of  roup  or  roup's  remedy.  Tbe  death,  far  more  probably, 
bas  been  caused  by  overfeeding  or  poison.  I  am  surprised  that 
"E.  M.  B.  A."  neglected  to  submit  his  favourite  fowl  to  a  post 
mortem  examination.  Traces  of  poison  could  easily  have  been 
detected  by  an  expert  practitioner,  should  poison  have  been 
administered  ;  if,  on  the  other  hand,  death  had  been  occasioned 


348 


JOUKNAL  OP  HOBTICULTDEE   AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEB. 


[  November  5, 1868. 


by  excess  of  food,  the  proofs  would  Lave  been  plainer  still- 
"E.  M.  B.  A."  concludes  the  narrative  of  his  woes  with  a  state. 
meat  that  for  the  future  he  means  to  invest  in  nothing  but 
Baily's  Eoup  and  Condition  pills,  which,  as  far  as  my  experience 
extends,  are  a  most  valuable  and  elEeacious  medicine  ;  should 
they,  however,  fail  to  cure  a  case  similar  to  the  one  above- 
mentioned,  I  hope  that  "  E.  M.  B.  A."  will  refrain  from  "  hurl- 
ing them  into  the  fire  "  until  he  has  satisfied  himself  thoroughly 
as  to  the  nature  of  the  disease  that  the  pills  were  expected  to 
cure.  It  would  be  hard  indeed  to  expect  roup  and  condition 
pills,  however  good,  to  serve  as  an  antidote  to  poison,  or  a  cure 
for  paralysis,  inflammation  of  the  stomach,  and  a  variety  of 
other  ills  by  which  our  feathered  friends  are  liable  to  be 
attacked. — H.  S.  Fkasek,  Seadley,  Hants. 


LIGHT-COLOURED  BRAHMA  POOTRAS. 

In  your  Isst  number  you  notice  the  forthcoming  South- 
ampton Show,  and  mention  the  cup  contributed  by  Light 
Brahma  breeders,  the  most  valuable  prize  given  in  the  Show, 
for  the  best  pen  of  Light  Brahma  chickens.  Allow  me,  as  one 
who  exhibited  Light  Brahmas  when  they  had  but  few  friends, 
and  no  prizes  offered  them,  and  who  has  seen  them  grow  with 
but  little  help  from  shows,  into  one  of  the  largest,  in  some  cases 
the  very  largest  class,  at  our  exhibitions,  to  thank  you  cordially 
for  giving  expression,  as  you  did  last  spring,  to  the  feelings  of 
so  many  friends  of  the  Light  Brahmas,  and  to  assure  you  that 
those  utterances  have  borne  fruit  in  an  increased  number  of 
Light  Brahma  classes.  And  now  Southampton,  which  through 
its  excellent  Secretary  has  liberally  recognised  the  claims  of 
the  "Lights,"  is  at  hand,  and  the  largest  classes  there  will  be 
those  for  Light  Brahmas,  so  that  these  birds  may  fairly  hope 
to  compete  for  the  cup  for  the  best  pen  in  the  show. 

All  that  we  exhibitor.?  want  now,  is  good  and  careful  judging, 
and  that  we  shall  have,  if  our  leading  judges  officiate,  with  one 
proviso — namely,  time  enough  allowed  them,  which  is  not  the 
case  everywhere,  so  that  they  may  have  the  opportunity  for 
careful  examination,  and  not  merely  look  at  size,  or  symmetry, 
or  colour,  but  notice  and  compare  the  special  points — for  ex- 
ample, the  comb,  which  in  Brahmas,  both  Light  and  Dark,  is 
not  always  so  good  as  it  should  be  even  in  prize-winners. — 
John  Paees. 


BRISTOL  AND   CLIFTON    POULTRY   SHOW. 

In  the  early  part  of  this  year,  had  I  been  asked  when  there 
would  be  another  show  at  Clifton,  in  somewhat  doleful  mood 
I  should  have  replied,  Never  !  Twice  bitten  is  once  too  often  ; 
but  whatever  may  be  the  fortunes  of  our  Bristolian  friends, 
there  is  one  quality  that  cannot  denied  to  them — that  is,  pluck. 
They  have  held  two  decidedly  unfortunate  shows  as  regards 
the  poultry  exchequer,  though  graced  in  every  other  way  ;  yet, 
nothing  daunted,  here  they  are  again,  with  a  schedule  more 
inviting  than  ever,  and  an  array  of  silver  cups,  twenty-two  in 
number,  varying  in  value  from  £3  3s.  to  £10  10.?. 

Dorkings  have  eight  classes,  and  two  silver  cups;  Cochins 
twelve  (!)  classes,  and  two  cups ;  Brahmas  eight  classes,  and 
two  cups  ;  Spanish  four  classes,  and  two  cups  ;  French  fowls 
two  classes,  and  two  chances  of  cups  ;  Hamburghs  eight  classes, 
and  two  cups ;  Game  six  classes,  and  two  cups ;  Bantams 
eight  classes,  and  four  cups  ;  Any  other  distinct  variety,  two 
classes.  Polish,  I  regret  to  say,  have  only  two  classes.  No 
division  into  classes  of  these  truly  ornamental  fowls,  even  to 
our  friend  "  Newmarket's  "  idea,  in  spite  of  the  splendid  array 
in  the  Show  held  two  years  ago,  when  it  may  be  justly  said 
this  class  was  the  gem  of  the  collection  !  Malays,  too,  that 
made  a  fair  muster  two  years  ago,  certainly  larger  than  some 
of  the  retained  classes,  are  unceremoniously  cut  out  altogether. 
Ducks  have  four  classes  ;  Geese  and  Turkeys  one  each. 

The  Dorking,  Cochin,  Brahmas,  Spanish,  French,  Hamburgh, 
Polish,  and  Any  other  variety,  have  classes  of  single  cocks  and 
pairs  of  hens.  This  is  a  very  good  change.  In  the  Game,  the 
classes  are  single  cocks  and  single  hens ;  the  latter  might  have 
been  advantageously  extended  to  the  Game  Bantams,  but  these 
classes  consist  of  a  cock  and  two  hens,  with  the  addition  of  two 
classes  for  single  cocks.  After  the  Bantam  classes,  the  remain- 
ing classes  are  composed  of  one  male  and  one  female.  These, 
the  Duck,  and  the  Geese  classes,  are  not  fairly  dealt  with.  The 
entry-fee  being  the  same  for  each  class,  it  is  not,  to  my  think- 
ing, just  to  give  prizes  so  disproportionate  in  value.  For  in- 
stance, the  same  entry  has  in  many  classes  prizes  to  the  value 


of  £5,  but  in  Geese  and  Ducks  only  £3.  The  entry  is  7s.  dd. 
per  pen.  This  is  full  high.  I  should  have  thought  6.s.  ample  ; 
the  present,  however,  is  a  far  better  arrangement  than  making 
it  necessary  to  subscribe  5s.  first  before  entering,  or  that  of 
making  the  first  entry  15s.,  two  for  20s.,  and  so  on. 

Each  exhibitor  will  have  one  not-transferable  ticket  of  ad- 
mission. Personally  I  object,  for  the  sake  of  the  birds,  to 
exhibitions  being  open  till  10  r.M.  Still,  with  what  little  blots 
there  may  be  on  the  escutcheon,  Bristol  pluck  deserves  success. 
I  hope  they  will  get  it.  As  it  is  "  the  third  time  of  asking," 
may  there  be  nothing  either  in  weather  or  any  other  drawback 
to  forbid  the  banns  between  the  Bristol  and  Clifton  Poultry 
Show,  and  a  paying  crowd  of  visitors. 

I  forgot  to  mention  that  there  are  fifteen  classes  for  Pigeons, 
with  two  prizes  in  each,  and  three  silver  cups  also  devoted  to 
Pigeons.— Y.  B.  A.  Z. 


THE    LONDON    POULTRY  MARKET 
EDWARD   IsT.'s   REIGN. 


IN 


In  1274,  Henry  le  Waleys  being  at  the  time  Mayor  of  Lon- 
don, a  civic  ordinance  was  issued,  that  no  Poletria — that  is,  no 
dealer  in  poultry,  should  fore -stall  the  market  by  going  out  of 
the  city  to  buy,  nor  buy  e%en  within  the  city,  until  the  pur- 
chasers for  the  King,  lords,  and  citizens  had  completed  their 
bargains — namely,  until  after  three  o'clock.  The  prices  were 
also  fixed — a  good  fowl,  Ijrf. ;  a  good  Capon,  Id. ;  a  fed  Goose, 
between  Easter  and  Whitsuntide,  5(7.,  and  from  Whitsuntide 
until  the  festival  of  St.  Peter  ad  vinculas,  id. ;  and  for  the 
remainder  of  the  year,  3(/.  ;  an  "  Ancam  roseram,"  id. ;  three 
young  Pigeons,  Id.  ;  a  Pheasant,  id. ;  a  Swan,  is. ;  a  good 
Peacock,  Is. — (Lihir  Custumarnm.) 


BLACK-LEGGED  FOWLS. 
In  your  number  for  October  22nd  was  n  very  sensible  letter 
on  the  folly  of  the  objection  to  dark-legged  poultry  for  table. 
I  can  fully  corroborate  that.  I  have  for  many  years  kept 
Polish  fowls,  which  have  blue  legs,  and  I  generally  have  to  kill 
some  which  are  imperfect  in  feather,  or  otherwise  not  up  to 
the  mark.  They  are  most  excellent  in  flavour ;  in  fact,  I  do 
not  know  a  fowl,  which  for  its  size,  is  so  good  as  the  Polish. 
Not  being  large,  it  is,  perhaps,  not  so  much  esteemed  as  some, 
but  for  plumpness  and  general  excellence,  I  quite  believe  that 
there  is  not  a  better  fowl  than  the  Polish. — G.  W.  Boothbt. 


PIGEON   PRIZES. 

We  are  authorised  to  state  that  Messrs.  John  Baily  &  Son 
offer  for  the  Birmingham  and  Manchester  Shows  of  1869,  at 
each  place,  a  silver  cup  or  other  piece  of  plate,  value  five  guineas, 
for  the  best  pair  of  Kunts  exhibited. 


EXHIBITORS   AND  JUDGES    OF   PIGEONS. 

My  last  letter  on  the  subject  of  dealers  being  allowed  to  ex- 
hibit in  competition  with  fanciers,  and  on  the  custom  of  show- 
ing birds  thut  are  not  pairs,  having  met  witb  general  approval 
in  the  fancy,  I  venture  to  address  a  few  words  to  you  on 
another  subject — namely,  the  objectionable  practice  of  exhibit- 
ing borrowed  birds. 

There  was  a  time  when  the  most  conscientious  exhibitors 
would  borrow  or  lend  a  bird  or  two,  and  look  upon  the  act  only 
as  a  proof  of  kindly  feeling,  but  since  Committees  of  so  many 
of  the  principal  shows  have  begun  giving  cups  to  the  most 
successful  exhibitors,  the  custom  of  borrowing  and  lending 
birds  for  showing  has  become  so  general  and  so  extensive  that 
it  is  likely  to  be  a  means  of  bringing  the  fancy  into  disrepute. 

Fanciers  ought  to  consider  that  they  do  a  great  injustice  to 
the  man  who  only  exhibits  about  a  dozen  pens  or  so,  as  it  is 
an  absolute  impossibility  for  such  a  man  to  win  a  cup  for  the 
most  points.  I  cannot  be  charged  with  selfish  motives  in 
writing  this,  as  I  never  show  more  than  half  a  dozen  pens  at 
once.  I  take  the  practice  on  the  broad  basis  of  right  and 
wrong. 

In  certain  quarters,  and  from  interested  motives,  one  par- 
ticular "  firm,''  as  the  phrase  goes,  has  been  pretty  roughly 
handled,  but  we  should  bear  in  mind  that  we  ought  not  to 
make  one  offender  the  scapegoat  for  the  rest.  The  offence 
was  committed  by  more  than  one,  both  at  Birmingham  and 


November  r>,  1868.  1 


JOUBNAL  OF    HOBTICDLTUBE  AND  OOTTAflE  GABDENBB. 


349 


Glasgow,  and  at  the  last  Halifax  Show  there  were  no  less  than 
four  of  these  combiniUions,  and  by  the  most  prominent  ex- 
hibitors too.  Now,  I  ask,  if  it  is  not  time  for  this  to  be  dis- 
continued ? 

There  is  another  matter  which  I  wish  to  name,  and  that  is 
the  appointing  of  jiutgea.  The  confidcuce  of  exhibitors  has 
been  very  much  shaken,  and  Committees  ought  to  be  careful 
to  appoint  judges  of  the  highest  ability  and  integrity.  For  my 
own  part  I  con.sider  Messrs.  Corker,  Cottle,  Pledley,  Weir,  and 
Charlton  to  be  all  lirst-class  Pigeon  judges,  and  I  think  the 
Committees  of  large  shows  would  do  well  to  secure  the  services 
of  Bome  of  the  number. — J.Fibth,  jdn.,  JVebsti-rIIiU,Dc2i-sburij, 


IPSWICH  POULTRY   SHOW. 

The  tMrd  annual  mceti:ifj  of  tlio  Ipiiwioh  Poultry  Association  has 
just  closed,  and  with  an  iucrcaso  of  upwards  of  one  hundred  entries 
over  the  shows  procediug  it.  The  quality  of  tho  birds  shown  has  also 
improved  qnito  as  much  as  the  number  of  competitors.  This  is,  of 
course,  most  gratifying  to  all  parties,  and  the  Show,  thus  fairly 
established,  promises  to  vie  with  the  largest  of  our  poultry  exhibitions. 
Great  praise  is  dno  to  the  indefatigable  Honorai-y  Secretary,  Mr,  W. 
B.  Jeffries,  a  gentleman  who  is  always  at  his  post,  and  ever  willing  to 
do  tho  utmost  to  oblige  every  one  who  has  any  interest  in  the  exhibition. 
As  to  the  arrangements  for  the  Show,  they  are  somewhat  harried 
owing  to  tho  very  short  time  available  after  the  conclusion  of  tho 
market  in  tho  Corn  Exchange,  for  putting  all  the  pens  in  readiness  for 
the  birds.  If,  also,  tliose  varieties  whose  excellence  depends  generally 
on  ground  colour  and  marking,  could  be  placed  in  the  upper  tier  of  pens 
instead  of  the  lower  one,  they  would  be  far  more  readily  judged,  and 
more  easily  inspected  by  visitors.  The  care  taken  by  the  Committee 
of  the  birds  consigned  to  their  trust,  merits  our  highest  praise. 

The  Gam/i  classes  were  excellent,  Messrs.  Fletcher  it  Matthew  being 
very  desirous  to  secure  the  Society's  silver  cup.  It  was  taken  by  the 
latter  gentleman's  DucUwings,  the  other  Game  prizes  falling  pretty 
equally  to  both  of  those  well-known  Game  breeders.  Dorkings  were 
nnusually  good,  but  many  pens  had  been  overshown.  Corhiifs  were 
first-rate  classes,  especially  the  Baff  hens,  and  pairs  of  the  Partridge- 
coloured  ones.  In  the  class  for  pairs  of  Cochin  hens,  two  pens  of 
Buffs  were  shown  that  are  only  vei-y  rarely  equalled.  Uarnhnnjlis  were 
exceedingly  good,  and  decidedly  beyond  precedent  at  Ipswich.  In 
Polish  only  three  pens  competed,  one  a  very  good  pen,  but  the  birds 
so  much  overshown  as  to  be  listless,  the  cock  was  almost  thoroughly 
exhausted  ;  the  first  prize,  consequently,  was  withheld.  The  Brahma 
cockerels  were  decidedly  good,  but  with  the  exception  of  a  pen  or  two 
the  pullets  were  just  a.s  indifferent  in  markings  and  colour.  The  class 
for  French  Foirls  was  one  of  the  best  in  the  Show.  The  Selling  class 
was  a  great  success,  and  the  Pifjeqiis  comprised  numbers  of  the  very 
best  pens  in  the  fancy. 

This  Show,  as  too  frequently  the  case  of  late  at  many  others,  had 
many  empty  pens,  upwards  of  50,  the  birds  for  most  of  which  arrived 
"  too  late  for  competition."  When  we  state  that  judging  did  not  begin 
until  long  after  mid- day,  that  the  birds  by  the  rules  were  to  be  in  the 
night  before,  that  pens  were  coming  in  at  intervals  all  the  afternoon, 
and  some  so  late  as  G.30  p.m.,  after  all  the  decisions  were  finally  given 
in,  we  cannot  but  express  a  hope  that  some  fresh  arrangement  may 
be  made,  particularly  as  so  late  in  the  year  forenoon  judging  is  most 
to  be  depended  upon,  and  the  most  beneficial  also  to  the  interests  of 
exhibitors.  Certainly  the  last  consignment  of  pens  would  have  obtained 
four  first  prizes  had  they  been  received  in  time  for  general  competition. 
These  mishaps  are  annoying  to  all  parties  concerned. 

Before  closing  our  remarks,  we  cannot  but  briefly  allnde  to  the 
serious  state  of  ill  health  from  decided  roup,  that  not  a  few  pens  of 
Bantams  manifested.  It  is  serious  in  two  ways,  it  entails  almost 
certain  death  on  the  birds  so  suffering,  and  again  brings  about  every 
probability  of  contagion  to  other  birds  placed  near  them. 

A  very  extensive  and  pretty  collection  of  Pheasants  was  shown,  and 
the  general  collection  of  Duchi,  Geese,  and  Turkeys  was  magnificent. 
There  was  also  a  good  show  of  Canaries,  and  other  SinrjvKj  birds.  The 
weather  was  favourable. 

Game  (Black-breastef'*  and  other  Reds).— First  and  Third,  J.  Fletcher, 
Stoneclough.  Second,  S.  Matthew,  Stowmarket.  Commended,  S. 
Matthew ;  E.  Hall,  Cambridge ;  C.  F,  Hore,  Tunbridgo  ;  Rev.  F.  Watson, 
Kelvedon. 

Game  (Any  other  variety).— First,  Cup,  and  Highly  Commended,  8. 
Matthew  (Duckwings).  Second,  W.  Grav,  Margaretting.  Third,  J.  Fletcher 
Bens  or  PulUts.—Yixsi,  Rev.  F.  Watson  "(Jilack  Red.  Second.  S.  Mjitthew. 
Highly  Commended,  (t.  M.  Sexton  {Black  Red).  Commended,  S.  Matthew  ; 
H.  Loe,  Appuldnrcombe  ;  R.  Hall. 

Dorkings  (Any  variety).— First  and  Cup,  F.  Parlett.  Great  Baddow. 
Second,  Viscount  Turnour,  Shillinglee  Park.  Petworth.  Third  and  Highly 
Commended,  D.  C.  Campbell,  M.D..  Brentwood.  Commended,  J.  Frost, 
Parham;  H.  Lingwood,  Needhara  Market.  Hem  or  PuUcts.— First  and  Se- 
cond, D.  C.  Campbell,  M.D.  Very  Highly  Commended.  H.  Lingwood.  Highly 
Commended,  Viscount  Tumour;  A.  Beaumont,  Ipswich;  C.  F.  Hore. 
Commended.  J.  Frost ;  Hon.  W.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam,  Weotworth  Woodhouse. 

Cochik-China  (Cinnnmon  or  Enff).— First,  Mrs.  P.  li.  Burrell,  Ipswich. 
Second  and  Third,  H.  Lingwood.  Commended,  C.  Sidgwick  ;  F.  W.  Rush, 
Hastings;  H.  Mapplebeck,  Moseley,  Birmingham. 

Cochin-China  (Any  other  colour).— First  and  Cup,  E.  Tudman,  Whit-  | 
church.    Second  and  Highly  Commended,  Horace  Lingwood,  Martlesham. 


Third.  J.  R.  Rodbard,  Wrington.  Commended,  C.  Sidgwick,  Ryddlesden 
Hall.  Keiuhley  ;  .1.  K.  Kowlor,  Ayloshury.  He tu  or  Pullet*. —FirHt^U.hinti' 
wood.  Second,  H.  Mapplebeck.  Highlv  Cfjiinnonded,  llfv.  G.  Gilbert, 
Claxton  ;  Mrs.  P.  U.BurrcU.  Commended,  Mra.  Pattison.Maldon  ;  Rev.C. 
Spencor,  Attteborough  ;  Horace  Lingwood. 

Brahma  Pootra  (Any  variety).- First,  Mrs,  P.  R.  Burrell.  Second, 
Hon.  Mrs.  A.B.  Hamilton,  Uidgtmont  Vicarage.  Third,  Mnjor  C.J.  fiwen. 
Hens  and  Pu/f'(«.— First  and  Cup,  Ilnn.  Mis.s  D.  Pennant,  Penrbyn  Castlo, 
Bangor.  Second,  J.  K.  Fowler.  IIiKlily  Commended,  II.  P.  Iii!c<:h,  Woolpit ; 
S.  FelKate,  Ipswich  ;  Mrs.  Woodcock,  Renreloy  IIouso  ;  Mrs.  Astloy,  Tring. 

I''uf,n(:h  Fowls. — First  and  Third,  Col.  S  uart  Wortloy,  London.  Second 
and  Hit,'hly  Commended,  J.  K.  Fowler  (LaFl<"cho  and  Creve-Coeurs).  Com- 
mend»'d,  O.  E.  CresswoU,  Hanworth  (HoudanJ ;  W.  Dring,  Faversham 
(Crt-ve-Cocnrsl. 

Spanish.— First  and  Cup,  H.  Beldon,  Goitstock.  Second  and  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Browne,  Putney  Heath.  Third.  G.  M.  Sexton.  Hens  or 
Pd/^ /,'(.— First  and  Second,  F.  James,  Peckham.  Commended,  H.  Browne; 
M.  Farviind,  Hudderstield. 

Hamuurghb  1  Golden-pencilled). — First,  J.  R.  Jessop,  Hull.  Second, 
W.  K.  Tickncr,  Ipswich.  Third,  H.  Beldon.  Very  Highly  Commended, 
G.  Clarke.  Long  Sutton;  W.  &  T.  Bairstow,  Feamcliffe,  Bingley.  Com- 
mended, W.  Turner,  jun.,  Ipswich. 

Hamburghs  {Silver-pencilled). — First,  F.  Pittis,  jun.,  Newport,  Isle  of 
Wight,  second,  G.  Clarke.  Third  and  Highly  Counueudedj  H.  Beldon. 
Commended,  J.  R.  Jessop  ;  Viscountess  Maldon,  Hertford. 

Hamburghs  (Golden-spangled).— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  J.  Laminp, 
Cowhum.  Third,  T.  Walker,  jun,,  Denton.  Highly  Commended,  H, 
Beldon  ;  S.  &  R.  Ashton,  Mottrani.     Commended,  W.  McMolIon,  GlosBop, 

Hamburghs  (Silver-spangled). — First  and  Cup,  H.  Loo.  Second,  H, 
Pickles,  jun.,  Earhy.  Third  and  Highly  Commended,  H.  Beldon.  Com- 
mended, Wren  &  Ely,  Lowestoft. 

Ha:5iburghs  {.\ny  variety) — First,  T.  Fenn  f Silver-spangled).  Second, 
Mrs.  P.  R.  Burrell.  Highly  Commended,  H.  Beldon  ;  P.  Pittis,  jun  ;  J. 
Roe,  Hadfield;  W.  Turner,  jun,,  Ipswich  (Gold-spangled);  W.  K. 
Tickner  (Gold-pencilled). 

PapisH  (Any  variety).— Second,  H.  Beldon.    Third,  Mrs.  P.  R.  Burrell. 

Any  other  Distinct  Variety. — First,  C.  Sidgwick.  Second,  J.  K, 
Fowler.    Highly  Commended,  T.  Walker,  jun  ;  Mrs.  P.  R.  Burrell. 

Game  Bantams.  -  First  and  Cup,  W.  Adams,  Ipswich.  Second,  G.  M, 
Sexton.  Third.  Rev.C.  H.  Crosse.  Cambridge.  Very  Highly  Commended 
and  Highly  Commended,  Miss  Kale  Crosland,,  Wakefield.  Commended, 
J.  J.  Causins. 

Bantajis  (Any  other  variety). — First,  Mrs.  Woodcock  (White  Japanese), 
Second,  E.  Cambridge  (Black).  Third,  H.  Draycott.  Humberstone; 
Highly  Commended,  J.  It.  Jessop;  T.  Walker,  jun  (Black);  Rev.  F. 
Tearle.  Commended,  G.  Maiming  (Golden  Sebri^'ht) ;  S.  &  R.  Ashtott 
(Black) ;  H.  Beldon. 

Bantams  (Any  variety'.— First,  Miss  K.  Crosland.  Second,  E.  Cambridge 
(Black).  Highly  Commended,  J.  J.  Cousins  (Gsmel.  Commended,  Rev. 
E,  S.  Tiddeman,  Brentwood  (Black  Red);  E.  Prentice,  Stowmarket 
(Game). 

Selling  Class  (Anyvarietv).— First,  J.  R.  Rodbard  {Partridge  Cochin), 
Second,  J.  Frost  (Coloured  Dorkings).  Third,  Mrs.  P.  R.  Burrell  (Aylesbury 
Ducks).  Very  Highly  Commended,  W.  Tippler  (Houdan).  Hisbly  Com- 
mended, Mrs.  W.  Brackenbury,  Downham  (Spanish) ;  G.  Mnnning,  Spring- 
field (Golden  Sebrights).  Commended,  J.  K.  Fowler  (Silkies);  Mrs.  P. 
R.  Burrell  (Cochins);  G.  M.  Sexton  (BnfT  Cochins) ;  H.  Beldon;  D.  C, 
Campbell,  M.D.  (Coloured  and  White  Dorkings). 

Docks  (Rouen).— First,  S.  H.  Stott,  Rochdale.  Second,  J.  K.  Fowler. 
Third,  F.  Parlett.  Highly  Commended,  A.  Robertson,  Kilmarnock.  Com- 
mended, Hon.  Mrs.  A.  B.  Hamilton. 

DccKS  (Aylesbury).— First,  Mrs,  P.  R.  Burrell.  Second,  Mrs.  Seamons, 
Third,  J.  K.  Fowler.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  Pattisson  ;  J.  K.  Fowler; 
Mrs.  Seamons;  Mrs.  P.  R.  Burrell.  Commended,  E.  Lawrence,  South 
Weald. 

Ducks  (Any  other  variety). — First  and  Second,  T.  C.  Harrison,  Hull. 
Highly  Commended,  F.  Pittis,  jun.  (Black  Enst  Indian). 

Turkeys  (Any  colour).— First  and  Highly  Commended,  J.  Bemers.  Se- 
cond, G.  M.  Sexton.  Commended,  S.  H.  Stott;  E.  Packard,  jun..  Bram- 
ford. 

Geese  (Any  variety). — First,  J.  K.  Fowler.  Second,  Mrs.  Seamons. 
Very  Highly  Commended,  S.  H.  Stott.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Bemers; 
Mrs.  W.  Brackenbury  (White). 

Pheasants  (Any  variety  . — First,  P.  Podd,  Ipswich  (Gold).  Second,  P. 
Waller,  Ipswich  (Gold).  Very  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  P.  R.  Burrell 
(Silver).  Highly  Commended,"  J.  K.  Fowler  (Kaleege) ;  Mrs.  P.  R.  Burrell 
(Gold). 

SINGLE  COCKS. 

Game  (Any  variety).— First,  S.  Blatthew  (Brown  Red).  Second,  J; 
Fletcher.    Highly  Commended,  S.  M:itthew  ;  G.  M.  Sexton  (Brown  Red), 

Dorkings  (Any  variety).—First,  Miss  Hales,  Canterbury.  Second,  W. 
King,  Ips  "vich.  Highly  Commended,  Viscoimt  Tumour  ;  D.  C.  Campbell. 
M.D. ;  Mrs.  Seamons,  Aylesbury.    Commended,  F.  Parlett. 

Cochin-china  (Any  variety").— First  and  Commended,  Horace  Ling- 
wood (Partridge).    Second,  C' Sidgwick  (Buff). 

Brahma  Poutra  (Bark  or  Light),— First  and  Commended,  Mrs.  P.  R. 
Burrell.    Second,  H.  P.  Leech. 

Spanish.— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  H.  Browne.  Commended,  Hon. 
Miss  D.  Pennant. 

Hamburghs  (Any  variety).— First,  Rev,  F.  Tearle,  Xewmarket.  Se- 
cond, H.  Beldon.    Highly  Commended.  W.  K.  Tickner. 

Bantams  (Any  variety),— First,  G.  M.  Sexton  (Black  Redl.  Second,  R, 
R.  Parker,  Ipswich  (Black  Red).  Highly  Commended,  E.  Sbeerman, 
Chelmsford  (Pile  Game);  C.  F.  Hore  (Black  Red).  Commended,  J.  J. 
Cousins  (Black  Red)  ;  Rev.  F.  Tearie. 

Any  other  Distinct  Variety.— First.  Col.  Sluart  Wortley.  Second, 
H.  Beldon.  Very  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  P.  R.  Burrell  (Houdans). 
Highly  Commended,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  (Silver  Poland).  Commended,  MiaS 
Hales  ;  J.  K.  Fowler  (Sillties). 

PIGEONS. 

Carriers  (Any  colour!.- First  nnd  Highly  Commended,  R.  Fnlton, 
Deptford.     Second,  P.  H.  Jones,  Fulhnm. 

Pouters  (Any  colour).- First  and  Second,  R.  Fnlton.  Highly  Ccm- 
mended,  P.  H.  Jones. 

Tumblers  (Almond).— First  and  Second,  R.  Fnlton.  Highly  Com* 
mended,  P,  H.  Jones. 


358 


JOURNAL   OF   HORnOULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  November  5, 


Tdmblers  {Any  other  variety).— First  and  Second.  K.  Fulton  (Agate, 
Mottled  and  Sbortfaced).    Hiqhly  Commended,  P.  H.  Jonea. 

Jacobiks  (Any  colnnr).— First,  P.  H.  JoneB,  Second,  B.  Fallon. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Percival. 

FantaiX/S  (Any  colour)  —First,  C.  Baker,  Atherstone.  Second,  H. 
Yftrdley,  Birmin^biim.     Hiphly  Commended,  P,  H.  Jones. 

Trumpetkbs  (Any  colour). — First,  P.  H.  Jones.    Second.  E.  Sheerman. 

TuBBiTS  (Any  colour). —  Kirst,  P.  H.  Jones.     Second,  J.  Percival. 

Barbs  (Any  colour).— First  and  Highly  Commended,  P.  H.  Jones.  Se- 
cond, R.  Fulton. 

Magpies  (Any  colonr).— First,  J.  Percival.  Second,  H.Tardley.  Highly 
Commended,  C.  Baiter. 

Any  PisTiNCT  Variety.— First  and  Second.  P.  H.  Jones  (Blue  Owls 
and  Yellow  Dragoons).  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  W.  Woodhouse,  Lynn 
(Blue  Beards) ;  P.  H.  Jones  (White  Owls).  Extra  Prize.  Miss  Hales 
(Bagadotte).  Commended,  Mrs.  W.  Woodhouse  (Blue  Baldheads) ;  Rev. 
F.  Watson  (English  Blue  Owls) ;  H.  Yardley  ;  P.  H.  Jones  (Nuns). 

Selung  Class  (Anv  variety).— First  and  Second,  P.  H.  Jones  (Barbs 
and  Dragoons).  Highly  Commended,  C.  Baker  (Blue  Fantails) ;  P.  H. 
Jones  (Fantails) ;  J.  Percival  (Brunswicks).  Commended,  G.  M.  Sexton 
(Red  Barbs):  D.H.Feltham,  Mildmav  Park,  London  {Dun  Carriers) ;  Rev. 

F.  Watson  {Englisk  Blue  OwIe)  ;  H.  Yardley. 

CAGE   BIRDS. 
Canary  (Clear  Yellow).— First,  G.  J.Barnesby.      Second,  Third,  and 
Commended,  R.  Mnckley,  Norwich.    Vei-y  Highly  Commended,  T.  Fenn; 

G.  J.  Barnesby.     Highly  Commended,  T.  Fenn. 

Canary  (Clear  Mealy).— First  and  Second,  R.  Mackley.  Third,  G.  J. 
Barnesby.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Fenn ;  G,  J.  Barnesby.  Com- 
mended, T.  Fenn. 

Canaby  (Mottled  Yellov.').- First  and  Highly  Commended,  R.  Mackley. 
Second,  Third,  and  Commended,  T.  Fenn.  Very  Highly  Commended,  R. 
Maokley  ;  T.  Fenn. 

Canaay  (Mottled  Mealy).  — First  and  Very  Highly  Commended,  R. 
Mackley.     Second,  G.  J.  Barnesbv.    Third  and  Commended,  T,  Fenn. 

Canary  (Mottled  Crested  Yellow).— First  and  Third,  W.  C.  Williams, 
Ijpswich.  Second  and  Commended,  T.  Fenu.  Very  Highly  Commended, 
W.  C.  Williams  ;  R.  Mackley.     Highly  Commended,  R.  Maokley. 

Canary  (Mottled  Crested  Mealy). —First  and  Third,  T.  Fenn.  Se- 
cond and  Highly  Commended,  R.  Mackley.  Very  Highly  Commended, 
G.  J.  Bamesby. 

Canary  (Belgian).— First  and  Second,  R.  Mackley. 

Canary  (Lizard).— First,  Second,  and  Very  Highly  Commended,  T. 
Fenn. 

Goldfinch  Mule  (Yellow).— First  and  Second,  G.J.Bamosby.  Third, 
T.  Fenn. 

Goldfinch  Mole  (Mealy).- First,  Second,  and  Third,  G.  J.  Barnesby. 
Very  Highly  Commeoded,  R.  Mackley.     Commended,  T.  Fenn. 

Any  othbr  Variety  of  Mdle.— First,  G.  J.  Barnesby  (Linnet).    Se-  i 
cond,  R.  Mackley.  [ 

Selling  Class  (Any  variety).— First,  Second.  Third,  and  Very  Highly  I 
Commended.  T.  Fenn.    Highly  Commended,  R.  Mackley ;  T.  Fenn.    Com- 
mended, R,  Mackley. 

Linnet,  Goldfinch,  or  other  English  Finch.— First,  Second,  and 
Third,  T.  Fenn.  Very  Highly  Commended,  A.  T.  Cole.  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  Clover,  Ipswich. 

Any  other  Cage  Birds.- First,  Second,  and  Third,  T.  Fenn. 

Extra  Class.— Extra  Prize,  Hon.  Mrs.  Paget,  Scole. 

The  JnJges  were  for  Poultry,  Mr.  E.  Hewitt,  of  Birmingham  ;  for 
Pi(/eo7u'i,  Mr.  Tegetmeier,  of  London ;  and  for  Canaries  &c.,  Mr.  Wil- 
more,  London. 

CHESTER  POULTRY  SHOW. 

This  was  held  on  the  *28th  and  '20th  of  October,  and  was  very  suc- 
cessful both  as  regards  the  number  of  entries  and  the  attendance  of 
visitors.     Subjoined  is  a  list  of  the  awards. 

GENERAL  COMPETITION. 

Dorkings.— First,  —  Arkwripht.  Second,  A.  Potts,  Chester.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  P.  Campbell.    Conunended,  —  Arkwright. 

Spanish  (Black).— First.  W.  Woolley.  Second.  J.  Walker.  Highly 
Commended,  W.  R.  Bnll,  Newport  Paguell  :  H.  Wilkinson  ;  J.  Walker. 

Game. — Cock. — First,  J.  Wood.  Second,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Hens  or  Pullets 
— First,  J.  Wood.  Second,  W.  Bourne.  Highly  Commended,  —  Wilcox 
Commended,  Church  i:  Honlding.  Nantwich. 

Cochin-China  (Any  variety).— First,  T.  Eott,  Elton.  Bury  (Buff'.  Se- 
cond, B.  L.  Lowndes  (Partridge).  Highly  Commended,  C.  Sidgwick, 
Keighley  (Buff). 

Braiiua  Pootra. — First,  W.  Hargreaves,  Bacup.  Second,  Hon.  Miss 
DouRlas  Pennant,  Penrhyn  Castle,  Bangor.  Highly  Commended,  E. 
Leech  ;  Hon.  Miss  Douglas  Pennant ;  J.  K.  Fowler,  Aylesbury. 

Game  Bantams.  —  First,  J.  Henshall.  Second.  R,  Cooke.  Highly 
Commended.  R.  Barton,  Birkenhead;  J.  Holmes;  H.  Goulden. 

Any  other  Breed.— First,  J.  Sichel,  Timperley  (Crcve-Cceur).  Se- 
cond, P.  Unsworth,  Lowton  (Silver-spangled  Polands).  Righly  Com- 
mended. P.  Unsworth  (Black  Polands);  J.  K.  Fowler  (French);  Hon. 
H.  W.  Fitzwilliam,  Wentworth  Woodhouse  (Creve-Coeurs). 

Ducklings  (Aylesbury).- First,  E.  Leech.    Second,  J.  K.  Fowler. 

DccKLiNGS  (Rouen).— First,  J.  Wood.  Second,  C.  W.  Brierley,  Hey- 
Wood.    Highly  Commended,  J.  J.  Stott,  Rochdale. 

LOCAL   COMPETITION. 

Borkings.— First,  E.  Koht-rts,  jun.  Second,  T.  Burgess.  Highly  Com- 
mended, EarlGrosvenor.  C'/n'c^rns.— First,  Cup.  and  Second,  Miss  Davies. 
Highly  Commended,  A.  Potts,  Chester  ;  Bury  &  Barlow;  EarlGrosvenor. 

Spanish  (Black).— First.  R.  Hulse.  Second,  S.  &.  R-  Ashton,  Mottram. 
CfeicA:c;w.— First,  Cup,  and  Second,  W.  Woolley.  Highly  Commended,  R. 
Davies;  W,  Woolley;  J.  Joinson. 

Game  Cock  (Any  variety).  —  Cup,  J,  Piatt,  Swanlow.  Highly  Com- 
mended, Bury  &  Barlow  (Black-breasted  Red). 

Game  (Black-breasted  Red).— First,  K.  Ashley.  Second,  Withheld. 
Chickrns.~FiT&i,  A.  C.  Lockwond.     Second,  K.  Ashley. 

Game  (Brown-breasted  Red).— Prize,  T.  Whittiugham.  Chickens.— 
First,  J.  Piatt.  Second,  J.  Pedley.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Whittingham. 


Game  (Any  other  variety).— First.  R.  Ashley.     Second,  J.  Wilkinson. 
(Duckwings).     Highly  Commended,  R.  Ashley  ;  J.  Willdnsou  (Duckwing). 
CocHiN-CuiNA  (Cinnamon   or  Buff).  —  First.    Withheld.      Second,    J. 
Sichel.    C/ii':&en.3.— First  and  Highly  Commended,  J,  Sichel  (BuQ).    Se- 
cond, C.  Layland  (BulfJ. 

Cochin-China  I  Any  other  variety). — First  and  Second,  W.  Gamon, 
Chester.     Cldckcns. — First  and  Second,  W.  Gamon  (Partridge). 

Brahma  Pootra.  —  First.  J.  Heath,  Nantwich.  Second,  W.  Gamon. 
Chickens.  —  First  and  Second,  W.  Gamon.  Extra  Second,  J.  Little^ 
Highly  Commended,  C.  Layland  ;  C.  Turner. 

Polish  (Any  variety). — First,  J.  Heath  tSilver).  Second,  T.  Walmsley 
(Golden-spangled). 

Hambubghs  (Golden-spangled).— First,  T.  Burgess,  Burleydam.  Se- 
cond and  Extra  Second,  S.  &  R.  Ashton. 

Hambdrghs  (Silver-spangled).— Fii-st,  Ashton  &  Booth.  Second,  W. 
Lamb. 

Hameurghs  (Golden-pencilled).— First,  W.  Lamb.  Second,  J.  Sichel, 
Extra  Second,  J.  Little. 

Hambdrghs  (Silver-pencilled).- Prize,  W.  Lamb. 

Game  Bantams.— First.  G.  &,  W.  Beckett,  second.  Bury  &  Barlow; 
Highly  Commended,  W.  Griffiths;  W.  Bcnyj  J.  Sichel;  H.  Goulden;  T. 
Burgess. 

Bantams  (Any  other  variety).  —  First,  S.  »&  R.  Ashton  (Black).  Se- 
cond, Mrs.  E.  T.  Bellyse  (Sebright). 

Crossbred. — Chickem.—Firat,  Withheld.    Second,  J.  Little. 

Any  other  Variety.— First,  C.  Layland.  Second,  W.  Lamb.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Sichel;  Earl  Grosvenor.    Commended,  Rev.  A.  O.  Pittar. 

Selling  Class  (Any  breed).^First,  Miss  Davies  (Dorldng).  Second, 
W.  Bonrno  (Brown  Red  Game).  Highly  Commended,  W.  Bourne  (Brown 
Red  Game) ;  R.  Davies  (Black  Spanish) ;  Miss  Davies  ( Dorking  and  RoueB 
Duck). 

Turkeys.- First,  J.  P-  Campbell.  Second,  J.  Chamberlain.  Highly 
Commended.  Mrs.  E.  H.  Pilling. 

Goslimgs.— First,  Rev.  J.  Harrison,  LL.D.    Second,  T.  Rigby. 

Ducklings  (.^ylesbnryj.- First,  Mrs.  M.  Hornby.  Second,  E.  H. 
Pilling. 

Ducklings  (Rouen).— First,  Miss  Davies.  Second,  Miss  H.  Walker. 
Highly  Commended,  Miss  Davies.    Commended,  J.  Pickering:  J.  Little. 

Ducks  (Any  other  variety).— Fhst,  J.  Sichel  (Carolinas;.  Second,  J.  P. 
Campbell  (Call  Ducklings). 

PIGEONS. 

Caeriers.—CocA.— First,  Second,  and  Highly  Commended.  W.  Gamon. 
Hen. — First  and  Second,  W.  Gamon.  Highly  Commended,  F.  Graham; 
W.  Gamon.    Commended,  J.  Pitt. 

Pouters.- Co f  A:.— First.  Second,  and  Highly  Commended,  W.  Gamon. 
He».— First,  Second,  and  Highly  Commended,  W.  Gamon. 

Tumblers  (Almond).— First,  J.  S.  Skidmore.  Second,  F.  Graham. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  S.  Skidmore;  A.  Boote. 

Tumblers  (Balds  or  Beards).— First,  C.  A.  Bowles  (Blue  Beards).  Se- 
cond, F.  Graham. 

Tumblers  (Any  other  variety).— First,  F.  Graham  (Mottled).  Second,- 
F.  C.  Bradley  (Kites,!.  Highly  Commended,  J.  S.  Skidmore  (Kites) ;  J. 
Grice  (Agate). 

Tumblers  (Any  variety,  not  Short-faced).- First,  E.  J.  Baillie  (Yellow). 
Second,  W.  Denson  (Rou;:,'h-lepged  Yellow). 

Dragoons.— First.  F.  C.  Bradley.  Second,  Master  C.  Gamon.  Highly- 
Commended,  E.  Bulterworth  ;  H.  Prince  ;  Master  C.  Gamon. 

Barbs  (Black).— First  and  Second,  C.  A.  Bowles. 

Barbs  (Any  other  colour).— First  and  Second,  C.  A.  Bowles. 

Nuns.— First  and  Second,  W.  Bankes. 

Fantails.— First  and  Highly  Commended,  J,  F.  Lowe.  Second,  J.  S. 
Skidmore. 

Jacobins.— First.  C.  A.  Bowles.    Second,  F.  C.  Bradley. 

Trumpeters  (White). — First  and  Second,  Master  J.  Gamon.  Highly 
Commended,  T.  B.  Bowers;  Master  J.  Gamon. 

Trumpeters  (Any  other  colour).— First,  Second,  Highly  l^^onim ended,, 
and  Commended,  Master  J.  Gamon. 

Owls  (Foreign).- First,  C.  A.  Bowles.    Second,  F.  Graham. 

Owls  (English).  —  First,  A.  Boote.  Second,  C.  A.  Bowles,  Highly 
Commended,  F.  Graham. 

TcRBiTs.— First  and  Second,  J.  F.  Lowe.  Highly  Commended,  J.  F. 
Lowe  ;  H.  Prince. 

Runts.— First,  C.  A.  Bowles.     Second.  F.  Graham. 

Antwerps.— First,  W.  Bourne.     Second,  T.  Walmsley. 

Any  other  Variety.— First,  J.  F.  Lowe  (Black  Lahores).  Second, 
J.  S.  Skidmore  (Spots).  Highly  Commended,  J.  F.  Lowe  (Black  Swallows 
and  Yellow  Magiiies) ;  F.  Graham.    Commended,  C.  A.  Bowles  (Lahores). 

Amateur's  Cup  for  gi-eatest  number  of  points  in  Pigeons  awarded  to 
Mr.  C.  A.  Bowles. 

The  Judges  were  Mr,  Joseph  Hindson,  Everton,  Liverpool,  and  Mr. 
John  Douglas,  Clamber. 


NORTH   OEMESBY   CANARY    SHOW. 

The  second  annual  Exhibition  of  this  Association  was  held  October 
24th,  It  was  a  decided  improvement  on  the  Show  of  last  year,  in  the 
number  of  entries,  variety,  and  quality  of  the  specimens.  There  were 
207  entries.  The  Belgians  were  not  numerous,  but  the  prize  birds  were 
very  superior.  The  Norwich  class  prizes  were  numerously  competed  for, 
and  all  the  prize  birds  were  of  excellent  quality.  Variegated  Idules 
formed  a  good  class,  and  the  first-prize  bird  was  of  rare  merit.  The 
Lizards  were  remarkably  good,  there  not  being  an  iufenor  bii'd  entered. 
The  Crested  were  really  excellent  specimens  ;  Wr.  ISlakston.  whose 
''  Guide  to  Canary  Fanciers  "  appeared  in  our  columus,  took  the  first 
and  second  prizes  in  the  Dark  Crested  class  with  two  veiy  superior 
birds.  In  the  Clear  Crested  class,  Mr.  Moore,  of  Northampton,  took 
the  first  prize  with  one  of  the  most  perfect  specimens  ever  exhibited, 
the  second-prize  bird  was  also  a  rare  bu'd.  The  Cinnamons  were  good, 
and  the  prize  birds  very  deserving.  In  the  ''Variety  class"  Mr. 
Hawman  took  the  first  prize  with  a  perfectly  marked  Belgian  ;  the 
other  birds  in  this  class  were  also  good.  In  the  other  classes  the  com- 
petition was  close,  and  the  quality  excellent. 


November  5, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OP  HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


351 


Annexetl  is  the  prize  list : — 

Belgian  (Clear  Yellow). —First,  W.  Bnlmor,  Stockton.  Sonond,  J. 
Robson,  Midcilosboronch.     Vi^ry  Hit^hlv  Comiaeiuieii,  W.  Inaon,  K«ill;m<l. 

Belotam  (Cloar  Biuri.— First  nnil  'Secoud,  O.  Toralinson,  Stockton. 
Very  Highly  Coiumcuded,  W.  Buhner. 

NoRwicii  (Clour  Jonque).— First  and  Very  Hifibly  Commended,  Irons 
and  Brothers,  Northampton.    Second,  K.  Simpson,  Whitby. 

Norwich  (Cleur  BntTj.— First,  Irons  *&  Brothers.  Second  and  Highly 
Commended.  R.  Hawmm. 

Norwich  (Varieyated  Jonquc).— First,  O.  Mooro,  Northampton.  Se- 
cond, J.  Blister,  Newcastlo.     Kqnal  Second,  R.  Hawman. 

Norwich  tVarioErated  RutTi.—First,  J.  Wynn,  Northampton.  Second, 
R.  Hawman.     Very  Hifrbly  Commended,  S.  Tomen,  Northampton. 

GoLDKiscH  Mule  {Variegated  BafF).— First,  11.  Hawman.  Second,  J. 
Rob  son. 

IjIzard  (Golden-flpangled).— First.  J.  Taylor,  Middlesborough.  Second, 
J.  Stainsby,  Darlington.  Highly  Commended,  W.  Burniston,  Middles- 
borough. 

Lizard  (Silvcr-spanglcd).— First,  J.  Taylor.  Second,  J.  Jackson, 
Crook.     Highly  Commeaded,  J.  Stainsby. 

Any  Breed  (Dark  Credtod).— First  and  Second,  ,W.  Blakston,  Sander- 
land.     Highly  Commended,  G.  Moore. 

Any  Breed  (Clear  Crested).— First,  G.  Mooro  {Norwich  Crested).  Se- 
cond, Irons  &  Brothers  {Norwich  Crested).  Very  Highly  Commended,  S. 
Tomes. 

Cinnamon  f.Tonquo).— First,  Irons  A  Brothers.  Second,  W.  Buhner. 
Very  Highly  Commended,  S.  Tomes. 

Cinnamon*  {Buff).— First,  G.  Moore.  Second,  W.  Cotton.  Highly 
Commended,  ■/.  Baxter. 

Common  (Clear  Yellow).— First,  TV.  Winter,  Guisboroiigh.  Second,  E. 
Winter,  Gnisboroiigh.     Very  Highly  Commended.  J.  Jackson. 

CoBiMON  (Clear  Bnff). -First,  G.  Stvauson,  North  Ormeaby.  Second,  J. 
Ingleby.     Highly  Commended,  J.  Yeoman,  North  Ormesby. 

CoMKOM  (Variegated  Yellow). — First,  R.  Hawman.  Secjnd,  E.  Graham, 
Middlesborough. 

CoMMOM  (Variegated  Ball).— First,  R.  Hawman.  Second,  J.  Stevens, 
Middlesborough-ou-Tees, 

Canary  (Green).— First,  J.  Jackson.  Second,  M.  Stelling,  Willingtou, 
Durham. 

Any  other  Variett,— First,  R.  Hawman  (Variegated  Belgian).  Se- 
cond, W.  Ealmer  (Variegated  Belgian). 

Goldfinch  Mule  (Dark).- -First,  C.  Eurniston,  Tunstall.  Second,  T. 
Robinson,  Middlesborough.     Very  Highly  Commended,  M,  Stelling. 

Goldfinch  (Moulted). — First,  J.  Baiter.  Second,  J.  Taylor.  Com- 
mended, M.  Stelling. 

Brown  Linnet  (Moulted),— First,  W.  Eulmer.  Second,  W.  Borniston, 
Commended,  M.  Stelling. 

Any  other  Variety  of  Brttt<;h  Birds.- First,  T.  Mann  (Blackbird). 
Second,  H.  Garbutt  (MatrpicJ.  Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  Eggleston 
{Bullfinch'. 

Cage  of  Canaries. — First.  J.  Yates,  Middlesborough.  Second,  J.  Stevens. 
Very  Highly  Commended,  W.  Inson;  W.  Cotton. 

Judge. — Mr.  J.  Chapmam,  Bishop  Auckland, 


THE  HONEY  HARVEST  IN  IRELAND  AND  IN 
SCOTLAND. 
A  coKKESPONDE^T  who  Writes  from  the  neiglibonrhood  of 
Mancbester  Bays : — "  It  has  been  a  great  year  for  honey  in 
Ireland  as  well  as  in  Scotland.  One  hive  came  to  Liverpool 
without  bees  or  board,  which  weighed  '.)  stones  (120  lbs.)  ;  and 
the  huge  cakes  of  honeycomb  now  being  carried  about  for  sale 
in  this  neighbourhood  indicate  both  large  and  heavy  hives." 


VARIETIES  OF  THE  CANARY— DISORDERED 
BREATHING. 

Wns-T  is  the  diffei-enoe  between  a  Norwich  Canary  and  a 
common  Canary?  I  see  at  all  the  best  shows  the  Norwich  is 
put  first  in  the  schedales,  the  Belgian  second,  and  the  common 
third.  I  have  never  seen  a  good  show  where  prizes  were  offered 
for  all ;  but  I  have  had  birds  offered  to  me  for  sale  said  to  be 
real  Xorwich,  but  I  could  never  see  any  difference  in  them 
from  our  ordinary  York-ihire  birds. 

Is  there  any  cure  for  the  disease  which  I  believe  Canary 
fanciers  term  the  "  pant,"  but  which  I  think  you  describe  in 
your  little  book  on  Canaries  as  asthma?  I  have  bred  a  few  for 
the  last  ten  years,  and  they  have  never  been  troubled  with  any 
other  complaint.  They  sit  gaping  and  wheezing,  and  the  pul- 
sation is  so  strong  it  can  be  seen  to  move  the  feathers — in  fact, 
the  whole  body  of  the  bird.  What  is  the  cause  of  it  ?  You 
state  that  asthma  is  caused  by  the  birds  hanging  in  draughts  ; 
bnt  it  cannot  be  so  in  my  case,  as  the  birds  are  in  breeding 
cages  with  both  ends  closed,  and  stand  where  there  is  no  draught. 
I  give  seed  in  the  following  proportions — 2  lbs.  canary,  1  lb. 
;rape,  and  {  lb.  linseed,  with  soaked  bread,  egg,  and  green  food 
at  intervals.     It  has  always  come  on  during  the  breeding  time. 

—  C.lKAr.IENSIS. 

[There  is  a  very  wide  difference  between  a  Norwich  Canary 
and  au  ordinary  Yorkshire  bird.  The  latter  is  the  larger, 
■stronger,  and  coarser  bird  of  the  two,  and  vastly  inferior  in 
colour,  which  in  the  Norwich  bird  is  of  such  a  pure  shade  of 


orange  as  at  once  to  distinguish  it  from  all  other  Canaries,  and 
especially  from  the  common  Canary,  in  which,  let  the  colour 
be  as  high  as  it  may,  there  is  always  a  nasty  tinge  of  green 
peculiarly  distasteful  to  the  eye  of  a  fancier.  Why  the  common 
Canary  should  find  its  way  into  our  exhibitions  I  cannot  ima- 
gine, unless  it  be  from  its  having  strong  local  interests.  Some 
men  ignore  colour  altogether,  brooding  only  for  markings,  and 
with  such  these  birds  find  favour.  However,  I  intend  next 
week  to  say  a  word  on  exhibitions  and  prize  schedules,  when 
I  shall  be  able  to  go  into  this  circumstance  more  fully. 

When  a  bird  is  troubled  with  the  •'  pant,"  alias  the  "  blow," 
alias  "  asthma,"  warmth  is  the  grand  panacea.  Keep  your 
bird  warm.     Your  diet  is  good.— W.  A.  B.]  ^^^j 


THE  BERKSHIRE  BEE  HIVE. 


Fig.  1.  Fig.  2. 

Fifl.  1  represents  the  Berkshire  bee  hive,  comprising  a  store 
box  and  two  supers,  with  framed  glass  sides  and  back,  bottom 
board,  slides,  &c.  The  shutters  are  withdrawn  to  show  the 
honeycomb.  The  supers  would  each  contain  about  20  lbs.  of 
honey;  by  removing  a  full  one  and  replacing  with  one  empty 
they  admit  of  unlimited  room  being  given,  and  so  prevent 
swarming.  They  have  the  advantages  of  glass  without  its 
disadvantages  ;  and  each  super  is  made  to  cover  half  the  hive, 
and  so  to  economise  the  space. 

Ft:/.  2  is  aback  view  of  the  Berkshire  bee  shed  for  two  hives, 
with  two  framed  doors,  and  a  ventilating  door  in  the  gable. 
One  door  is  open  to  show  the  interior. 


Fig.  3. 
Fig.  3  is  a  front  view  of  the  Berkshire  bee  shod  for  three 
hives.  The  patterns  are  rustic  and  ornamental,  being  worked 
with  green  rods  of  various  shades,  interspersed  with  fir.  These 
sheds  have  a  projecting  front,  sheltering  the  bees,  and  are 
made  to  stand  very  firmly. 


LIGURIANS   FOR,    AND  ANONYMI   FROM,   THE 
CAPE    OF   GOOD    HOPE. 

RiTHEr.  more  than  two  years  ago,  a  gentleman  about  to  leave 
this  country  for  Cape  Town  applied  to  me  to  supply  him  with 
a  stock  of  pure  Liguriau  bees,  packed  in  such  a  manner  as 
should  enable  him  to  convey  them  by  mail  steamer  to  his  new 
African  home  with  a  fair  chance  of  their  surviving  the  voyage. 
After  having  in  1862  succeeded  in  the  far  more  difficult  task 
of  transporting  Italian  bees  to  the  antipodes,  I  had,  of  course, 
every  confidence  in  my  ability  to  pack  them  for  the  shorter 
journey  to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  and  bad,  therefore,  little 
fear  as  to  the  result,  when,  on  the  10th  Septembfr,  18(!i),  the 
Koyal  Mail  Steamer,  belonging  to  the  Union  Steam  Ship  Com- 
pany, took  her  departure  from  Plymouth  for  Africa  with  de- 
cidedly more  emigrants  on  board  than  usual,  seeing  that  in 
addition  to  her  ordinary  complement  of  passengers,  she  con- 
veyed some  thousands  of  the  genus  Apis,  probably  the  first  of 
their  species  ever  exported  to  that  contment,  which  already 
possesses  more  than  one  indigenous  variety  of  the  honey  bee. 

Although,  as  I  have  said,  feeling  but  little  anxiety  as  to  the 
result,  I  have  from  time  to  time  given  a  thought  to  the  fate  of 


352 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOBTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE  GABDENEK. 


t  November  D,  1868. 


these  involuntary  little  voyagers,  and  have  often  wondered 
■whether,  after  being  the  first  to  suceeed  in  introducing  the 
Ligurian  variety  of  honey  bee  into  England,  and  afterwards  in 
exporting  it  to  Australia,  I  should  also  be  successful  in  trans- 
mitting it  to  Africa.  These  speculations,  however,  remained 
in  abeyance  until  February  in  this  year,  when  a  letter  reached 
me  from  the  Cape  by  which  I  learned  that  the  Italian  stock 
had  reached  that  colony  in  safety,  but  vastly  diminished  in 
numbers,  nearly  five  thousand  having  died.  However,  after 
sundry  difficulties,  they  had  ultimately  been  established,  and 
the  object  which  my  correspondent  had  in  writing  was  to 
obtain  from  me  two  more  Ligurian  stocks,  he  having  unfortu- 
nately lost  his  only  pure-bred  Italian  queen  through  an  acci- 
dent at  a  time  when  there  were  no  drones  in  the  hive. 

He  also  informed  me  that  he  had  found  at  Cape  Town  two 
native  varieties  of  the  honey  bee— "  one  small  black,  and  the 
other,  except  in  size,  the  exact  counterpart  of  the  Ligurian," 
and  most  kindly  offered,  if  I  would  like  to  have  a  stock,  to  try 
his  hand  at  packing  one,  and  to  send  it  by  steamer  to  Plymouth. 
Turning  this  description  over  in  my  mind,  I  came  to  the  con- 
clusion that  the  variety  which,  except  in  size,  was  the  exact 
counterpart  of  the  Ligurian,  could  be  no  other  than  my  old 
friend,  or,  considering  the  terms  on  which  we  eventually  parted, 
I  might  rather  say,  enemy,  the  ferocious  Egyptian  bee.  Apis 
fasciatn,  which  so  nearly  simulates  the  Italian  variety  that  the 
Bev.  H.  B.  Tristram,  author  of  "  The  Land  of  Israel,"  who 
found  it  amazingly  abundant  in  Palestine,  was  misled  into 
declaring  that  Apis  ligustica  was  the  common  Holy  Land  in- 
sect. This  conjecture  was  confirmed  in  a  subsequent  letter 
from  my  South  African  correspondent,  wherein  he  stated  that 
his  experience  of  the  "  diminutive  of  the  Ligurian "  was 
similar  to  my  own  in  that  they  were  "  very  savage."  It  is  cer- 
tainly not  a  little  singular  that  identically  the  same  variety  of 
honey  bee  should  be  found  in  the  extreme  south  as  exists  in 
the  north  of  Africa  and  adjoining  parts  of  the  Asiatic  conti- 
nent ;  but  as,  although  separated  by  so  vast  a  distance,  it  was 
but  too  apparent  that  there  was  no  amelioration  in  the  pugna- 
city of  their  disposition,  I  respectfully  declined  to  avail  myself 
of  the  opportunity  thus  offered  of  renewing  my  acquaintance 
with  the  "  pretty  yaller  gals,"  electing  rather  to  transfer  my 
attentions  and  pay  court  to  the  very  interesting  but  anonymous 
little  African  "  niggers,"  which  my  friend  had  somewhat 
vaguely  described  as  "  small  black  "  bees. 

Pending  the  receipt  of  farther  intelligence,  I  made  an  effort 
to  penetrate  the  incognito  of  my  intended  protegees  by  sub- 
mitting the  question  to  my  friend  Mr.  F.  Smiib,  the  distin- 
guished hj'menopterist  of  the  British  Museum,  who,  however, 
could  only  surmise  that  "  the  small  black  bee  possibly  is  the 
A.  Adansonii  of  Latreille,  which  I  suppose  to  be  synonymous 
with  A.  nigritarum  of  St.  Fayeau — A.  unicolor  of  Latreille, 
and  which  M.  Gerstiicker  considers  a  variety  of  A.  mellifica." 
I  am  of  course  unable  to  say  how  far  this  hypothesis  may  be 
correct,  but  supposing  the  small  black  bee  of  the  Cape  to  be 
merely  a  variety  of  Apis  mellifica,  it  is  difficult  to  imagine  how 
the  native  species  or  varieties  can  exist  together  in  the  same 
locality  and  yet  keep  themselves  distinct.  We  know  with  what 
facility  A.  mellifica,  A.  ligustica,  and  A.  fasciata  will  cross  and 
interbreed  with  one  another,  and  that  this  is  at  least  equally 
the  case  on  the  continent  of  Africa  is  proved  by  one  of  my 
correspondent's  letters,  wherein,  referring  to  the  breeding  of 
Ligurians  in  connection  with  Mr.  Kohler's  process,  he  says  "  it 
is  the  one  thing  required  here,  where  bees  of  at  least  two  or 
three  kinds  are  common."  These  speculations  can,  however, 
only  be  set  at  rest  by  the  arrival  in  England  of  the  anonymi 
themselves,  which  I  now  hope  may  be  deferred  until  next 
spring,  although  I  have  been  expecting  them  during  the  past 
two  months.  My  last  letter  from  the  Cape,  dated  the  18th  of 
July,  says,  "  Our  native  bees  do  not  much  like  the  notion  of 
taking  a  voyage,  at  least  so  it  seems,  as  two  or  three  I  have 
been  preparing  for  you  have  deserted  their  boxes  entirely, 
leaving  brood  in  all  stages,  and  betaken  themselves  to  their 
native  mountain  wilds.  I  have  four  or  five,  however,  now  well 
established,  and  hope  either  by  next  mail,  or  perhaps  a  month 
hence,  to  be  able  to  pack  one  or  two  off  in  such  condition  as  to 
reach  home  alive.  So  don't  be  surprised  at  hearing  some  Afri- 
canders knocking  at  your  door." 

Although  no  "  Africanders  "  have  as  yet  knocked  at  my  door, 
it  will  not  now  be  very  long  before  their  own  country  is  again 
the  scene  of  an  Itahan  invasion,  for  the  Royal  Mail  steam  ship 
"  Saxon,"  which  took  her  departure  from  the  port  of  Plymouth 
early  in  the  morning  of  the  10th  of  October,  was  freighted  with 
two  Strong  bodies  of  apian  Garibaldini  in  the  shape  of  a  couple  I 


of  Ligurian  stocks,  which  by  the  kind  ofSces  of  a  local  friend 

were  carefully  stowed  on  board  in  capital  condition,  and  which, 
by  the  time  this  article  appears,  will  be  fast  nearing  that  coast 
"  where  Afric's  suuny  fountains  roll  down  their  golden  sand." 
— A  Devonshire  Bee-keepeb. 


OUR  LETTER  BOX. 

Keiohley  Poultry  Show  {T.  Dean). —  Poultry  committees  usaally 
announce  in  the  rules  of  their  exhibitions,  that  they  will  not  be  re- 
sponsible for  losses.  You  have  been  very  unfortunate,  but  we  do  not  Bee 
where  blame  attaches. 

Promoting  Feathering  {Lemon  Buff). — The  food  that  is  most  bene- 
iieial  to  fowls  when  moulting,  is  that  which  is  at  the  same  time  noarlsli- 
ing  and  cooling.  Ground  oats  mixed  with  water;  these  maybe  given 
twice  every  day,  say  morning  and  evening;  at  miiday,  give  some  whole 
barley,  with  at  times  a  few  peas,  say  once  a-week  ;  green  food  at  all  times, 
and  lettuce  is  very  bonetieial.  The  growth  of  feathers  from  the  skin  of 
the  bird  is  very  much  like  that  of  vegetables,  root  crops,  or  corn  from  the 
earth.  Both  require  moisture.  As  the  sun  dries  up  the  earth  and 
prevents  growth,  so  stimulating  and  heating  food  causes  fever  of  the  skin, 
and  prevents  the  formation  of  feather. 

Game  Cock's  Beak  Broken  {Inquirer). — We  can  hardly  understand 
bow  your  Game  cock's  beak  is  broken  otf  up  to  his  nostril,  and  yet  that 
the  lower  part  projects  but  the  eighth  of  an  inch.  The  accident  is  not  very 
important,  as  it  conlii  not  have  been  done  to  coneea!  a  defect.  In  close 
competition  it  would  be  sufficient  to  turn  the  scale.  If,  however,  the  bird 
in  every  point  wore  superior,  the  broken  beak  would  not  be  important. 

.Selecting  a  White  Dorking  Cock  for  Exhibition  (White  Dorking): 
■ — Ynu  should  state  the  weight  of  the  three  birds.  Toe  first  is  cleai*ly  an 
unfit  bird  for  exhibition.  "The  second  may  be  heavy  enough  to  curry  a 
slightly  crooked  brtast  through.  Send  us  next  week  the  weight  of  the 
last  two,  we  can  then  advise  you  with  confidence.  The  hens  should  be 
square,  full  in  shape  and  hand,  short-legged,  five-toed,  pure  white,  and 
have  sharp  intelligent  heads.  There  is  a  contrast  between  the  red  faces 
and  white  plumage  that  we  do  not  get  in  the  coloured  varieties. 

HovjyAVS  {Oetober). — Red  feathers  disqualifya  Houdan  cock  hopelessly. 
Choose  the  heaviest  pen  provided  all  are  equally  well-shaped.  Take 
those  with  the  black  body  colour  well  splashed  with  white.  See  that 
the  legs  are  mottled,  and  the  five  toes  well  defined.  They  must  be  well 
bearded. 

White  and  Black  Bantams  (7(iem).— Yellow  and  white  legs  are  pre- 
ferred to  blue  fijr  White  Bantams.  Black  Bantams  should  have  black  or 
blue  legs.  Single  or  double  combs  may  bo  shown  in  a  White  pen  pro- 
vided all  agree.  In  Black  the  double  is  so  much  preferred  as  to  be 
almost  essential  to  success.  The  Black  Bantam  must  have  a  white  ear- 
lobe.    It  is  immaterial  for  the  White. 

Characteristics  of  a  L\  Flkche  Cock  (Irish  Subscriber). — The 
La  Fleche  cock  should  be  very  tall,  upstrtnding,  and  heavy.  He  should 
have  white  ear-lobes,  scrupulously  black  plumage,  rich  in  metallic  lustre. 
The  hen  should  have  the  same  points,  and  both  should  have  the  two- 
horned  comb  ;  and  the  cock  should  have  the  small  comb  below  the  prin- 
cipal one,  just  over  the  nostrils. 

Management  of  Buff  Cochin-Chinas  !A.  D.). — You  can  only  make 
your  perches  round  at  top  and  raised  24  inches  from  the  ground.  Many 
of  the  birds  (being  Cochins),  will  still  prefer  to  roost  on  the  ground.  If 
the  ground  is  kept  quite  clean  they  wiU  not  sufi'er  from  it.  We  apeak 
from  experience.  The  Light  are  preferred  to  the  Dark.  The  desideratum 
in  colour  is  to  get  them  of  a  pure  lemon.  The  white  feathers  on  the 
wing  are  what  are  called  "  mealy,"  and  are  not  desirable.  The  bickle 
should  not  be  much  darker  than  the  body-  The  tail  feathers  will  be 
always  a  little  darker  than  the  others,  but  nothing  is  more  appreciated 
both  in  cocks  and  pullets  than  one  uniform  colour  of  plumage,  without 
mixture  of  black  or  any  other  colour. 

Chea         rley  ( ). — Apply  to  some  farmer  in  your  neighbourhood, 

Incub  or  (L.  B.  Bushell). ~  SeYeral  have  been  advertised  in  our 
Journal,  and  we  cannot  recommend  one  more  than  the  others,  never 
having  tested  them. 

Robber  Bees  (J.  Riall). — What  are  ordinarily  called  robber  bees  are 
th'se  from  strong  hives  which  when  honey  is  -carce  ire  continually  on 
the  look  out  for  the  opportunity  of  pillaging  the  stores  of  others.  The 
insect  which  you  enclose  is  not  a  bee,  but  like  ttie  house  fly  has  only  two 
wings,  and  belongs  therefore,  to  the  Dipterous  order. 

Removing  Bees— Transferring  Bees  (A  Subscriber). — The  removal 
of  a  strong  stock  of  bees  by  market  cart,  rail,  and  cab  in  the  middle  of 
June  was  rather  a  risky  operation,  and  considering  that  you  appearto 
have  kept  the  hive  on  its  floor-board  and  to  have  possessed  no  facilities 
for  afi"orJing  extra  vent.lation,  we  think  you  were  fortunate  in  effecting 
it  with  no  greater  loss  than  ai>out  a  quart  of  bees  and  one  comb.  The 
check  which  the  stock  sustained  was,  however,  sutficient  to  account  for 
its  not  swarming.  If  you  wish  the  bees  to  take  possession  of  th  ■  bar 
hive  you  should  leave  but  one  entrance,  and  that  the  one  which  is  at 
present  iu  use  In  April  transpose  the  two  hives  so  as  to  compel  the 
bees  to  work  from  their  old  entrance  but  to  traverse  the  emptyaoart- 
ment,  which  they  will  probably  soon  take  possession  of  and  rapidlv  fill 
with  combs.  In  due  lime  the  seat  of  breeding  will  be  transferred  to  the 
bar  hive,  and  then  the  old  one,  with  its  contents,  may  be  taken  possession 
of  by  the  owner,  i  he  objections  to  this  apparently  easy  mode  of  pro- 
ceeding are,  that  the  bee-keeper  obtains  only  inferior  honey  in  old  combs, 
whilst  so  great  a  proportion  of  drone  comb  is  liiible  to  be  built  in  the  new 
hive  as  may  seriously  interfere  with  the  future  prosperity  of  the  stock. 
We  doubt  whether  your  bees  have  sufficient  food  to  last  the  winter,  but 
cannot  tell  without  knowing  the  weight  of  the  hive  when  empty.  Its  nett 
contents  should  be  at  least  20  lbs. 


POULTRY  MARKET.— November  4. 

We  are  tired  of  recording  that  there  is  no  trade,  and  that  things  look 
dull  and  unprofitable,  but  it  is  bo,  and  we  see  little  prospect  of  a  change. 


November  13,  1808.  1 


JOURNAL  OP  HOUTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


363 


WEEKLY 

CALENDAR. 

Month 

Day 

o( 

Week. 

NOVEMBER  12-18,  1868. 

Average  Temperature 
near  London. 

Rain  In 

last 
41  years. 

San 

Rises. 

Snn 

Sots. 

Moon 
Rises. 

Mooa 
Sols. 

Moon's 
Age. 

Clock 

after 
San. 

Vear 

12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 

Th 

P 

S 

Stw 

M 

Tn 

W 

Royal  HorticuUnral  Society,  Promenade. 
23  Sunday  after  Tiunity. 

rand  Cieneral  Meeting. 
Royal  Ilorticulturnl  Society,  Fruit,  Floral, 
Royal  Jersey  Horticultural  Show. 

Day. 

50.5 
60.0 
4ftA 
48.9 
49.0 
48.1 
48.1 

Niffht. 
S4.0 
85.5 
83.6 
34.8 
83.0 
33.9 
33.0 

Mean. 
42.2 
42.8 
41.0 
41.8 
41.0 
41.0 
40,B 

Days, 

17 
22 
19 
19 
14 
19 
20 

m.       h. 
14af7 
16      7 
18      7 
23       7 
22       7 
28       7 
25       7 

m.    h. 
18af4 
U      4 
10      4 

n    4 

7      4 
6      4 
6      4 

m.    h. 

21af4 
37  5 
62      6 

4  8 
10      9 

9  10 
59    10 

m.    b 
46      8 
IS      4 
44      4 
19      B 
1      6 
48      6 
89      7 

Days. 

28 
29 

•^ 

2 
S 
4 

m.     8. 
15    89 
15    80 
15     20 
15    10 
14    68 
14    48 
14    S3 

317 
818 
319 
820 
821 
822 
823 

From  obHervations  taken  near  London  dnrinj?  the  last  forty-one  yoara,  the  average  day  tomperatnre  of  the  week  is  49.0' ;  and  its  night 
temperature  34.B-.     The  greatest  heat  was  63',  on  the  12th,  1841  ;   and  the  lowest  cold  18',  oa  the  15th,  1818.    The  greatest  fall  of  rain 
was  1.16  inch. 

WHAT  TO  DO  AND  WHAT  TO  AVOID  IN  THE 

^^NERY. 

R.  ROBERTS,  at  page  27il,  h8s.  in  an  able 
and  elaborate  article,  stated  liis  views  on 
Grape-shankinc;  in  a  manner  sufficiently 
clear  and  losical  to  be  understood  by  all 
interested  in  the  subject. 

I  agree  with  Mr.  Roberts  to  the  full  ex- 
tent of  the  opinion  lie  has  stated  so  explicitly, 
but  it  is  because  I  wish  to  go  a  step  further 
that  I  enter  on  the  subject  which  he  has 
opened.  I  give  Mr.  Roberts  credit  in  going 
to  the  "  root  of  the  matter."  He  has  literally  bottomed 
the  subject.  I  am  more  ambitious,  and  aspire  to  a  higher 
view,  and  will  spend  an  evening's  hour  at  the  top  of  the 
question  ;  for,  after  all.  it  is  there  that  our  hope  and  interest 
centre. 

Good  Vine  borders  are  absolutely  necessary  for  the 
production  of  good  Grapes,  and  what  constitutes  a  good 
border  may  be  clearly  gathered  from  Mr.  Roberts's  article 
— viz.,  material,  warm,  dry,  open,  and  lasting.  Unfortu- 
nately these  good  borders,  which  have  been  prepared  with 
so  much  care  and  at  so  much  cost,  are  very  capricious  in 
the  quality  and  quantity  of  the  Grapes  they  were  confidently 
intended  to  produce.  I  once  heard  a  gentleman  say  he  had 
sunk  itino  in  Vine  borders,  and  had  lost  both  principal 
and  interest  in  the  transaction,  although  he  had  waited  ten 
years  for  a  return.  Notwithstanding  the  lapse  of  this 
period,  he  was  premature  in  his  judgment :  he  ultimately, 
without  changing  the  border,  or  the  varieties  of  the  Vines, 
obtained  good  Grapes. 

I  have  seen  shanked  Grapes  cut  out  by  the  bushel.  Bad 
border,  of  course  !  A  new  one  made,  but  still  the  shanking, 
like  a  pestilence,  held  sway  in  the  house.  These  Vines 
are  now  changed  in  character — not  in  variety — but  the 
border  is  still  there,  and  both  are  now  doing  good  and 
satisfactory  service. 

In  these  instances,  and  I  think  they  are  not  solitary 
ones,  the  cause  of  the  mischief  was  primarily  at  the  top.  I 
believe,  indeed,  that  the  roots  of  the  Vines  were  not  in  a 
healthy  state,  but  I  hold  this  to  be  the  effect  and  not  the 
cause  of  the  unhealthy  state  of  the  Vines.  Reciprocity  of 
action  between  root  and  branch  is  a  law  of  nature  wliich 
cannot  be  broken  or  checked  with  impunity.  As  soon  as  a 
diseased  root-state  occurs,  it  is  followed  by  diseased  branches 
and  fi-uit ;  and  as  soon  as  a  diseased  or  imperfect  state  of 
branch  or  leaf  development  occurs,  it  is  followed  by  decayed 
roots.  This  last  fact  is  sometimes, I  think,  overlooked,  and, 
as  a  consequence,  a  wrong  stand  point  is  occasionally  taken 
as  the  basis  of  reasoning  in  diseases  of  the  Vine  and  other 
subjects  of  the  vegetable  world. 

No  hesitation  need  be  felt  before  concluding  that  much 
disappointment  is  felt  and  expressed  as  to  the  disproportion 
of  the  value  of  the  Grapes  received  in  return  for  the  out- 
lay inciirred  in  the  preparation  of  borders.  Nor  is  this 
disappointment  confined  to  amateurs  ;  on  tlio  contrary, 
many  very  industrious  and  worthy  gardeners  have  keenly 
suffered  on  tliis  point.  They  have  made  borders,  and  not 
only  invested  in  them  the  owner's  capital,  but  their  own 
No.  S98.-VOI.  XV..  New  Semes. 


good  reputation,  in  the  hope  of  a  return  commensurate  with 
the  outlay,  but  in  place  of  the  bountiful  harvest  so  confi- 
dently anticipated,  have  had  to  mourn  over  a  comparatively 
barren  and  indifferent  yield.  This  is  no  mere  sketch  of 
fancy,  but  an  everyday  fact.  I  grant  that  a  great  expen- 
diture of  money  and  labour  does  not  necessarily  result  in 
a  good  and  in-every-way  suitalile  border.  Many  egregious 
mistakes  h.ave  been  made  on  this  head.  I  am  at  the  same 
time  unwilling  to  believe  that  the  majority  of  borders 
carefully  made  are  incapable  of  growing  good  Grapes, 
if  managed  in  conjunction  with  careful  and  proper  top 
treatment. 

I  do  not  seek  to  depreciate  good  Vine  borders — I  advo- 
cate the  best  possible  border  formation.  It  is  these,  com- 
bined with  the  best  top  treatment,  which  afford  the  finest 
specimens  of  Grapes  ;  but  it  is  only  by  this  combination 
that  a  Vine  border  can  insure  the  perfect  gi-owth  of  the 
Vines.  A  good  border  will  do  much,  but  will  not  do  all 
that  is  required.  Vines  planted  in  ordinaiy  garden  soil, 
and  receiving  sound  and  careful  top  treatment,  wiU  be 
more  satisfactory  than  Vines  which  are  planted  in  a  really 
first-class  border,  and  receive  only  indifl'erent  top  manage- 
ment. 

It  may  reasonably  be  asked,  What  constitutes  good 
summer  management  of  a  vinery  ?  Here  there  is  a  slight 
dift'erence  of  opinion  amongst  cultivators.  It  will  only  be 
fail',  then,  if  I  state  my  views  on  the  question,  and  the 
principles  on  which  they  are  founded. 

A  just  equilibrium  between  root  and  branch — a  per- 
fect harmony  between  supply  and  demand — is  the  object 
to  be  attained.     This  is  the  essence  of  the  whole  matter. 

To  obtain  these  essentials  for  the  leaves — light  and 
air.  the  great  point  to  be  attended  to  is  to  train  Vines 
thinly  ;  .3  feet  (i  inches  should  be  the  minimum  distance 
apart  for  the  rods,  training  them  in  inches  from  the  glass, 
and  the  eyes  or  spurs  on  the  rods  should  not  be  less  than 
1.0  inches  apart.  These  distances  will  allow  for  the  full 
development  of  foliage  and  its  exposure  to  tlie  light,  pro- 
vided the  pinching  of  laterals  is  properly  attended  to. 
Train  the  young  growths  regularly  and  equidistant,  stop- 
ping them  soon  enough  to  prevent  overcrowding.  Two  or 
three  leaves  beyond  the  bunch  may  be  allowed.  As  a 
rule  my  best  fruit  is  obtained  by  stopping  at  the  third  leaf, 
and  the  worst  by  stopping  at  the  first  leaf  beyond  the 
bunch.  Get  these  primary  leaves  in  working  order  as  soon 
as  possible  by  pinching  out  ;ill  axillary  productions. 

As  a  rule,  this  persistent  summer  pinching  is  not  suffi- 
ciently attended  to.  That  letting  laterals  ran  by  the  yard, 
and  cutting  them  out  by  the  armful,  can  be  beneficial  to 
the  Vines  I  cannot  comprehend.  Talk  of  inducing  root 
action,  that  is  doing  it  witli  a  vengeance,  and  for  what 
purpose?  I  am  aware  it  is  not  that  the  roots  should 
decay,  yet  this  is  too  often  the  result,  and  then  the  border 
is  blamed !  Secure  seven  or  eight  properly- developed  leaves 
on  every  spur,  and  tliey  may  safely  be  left  to  govern  the 
roots,  which  will  progress  far  more  natm-ally  and  bene- 
ficially than  by  the  push-and-crop  system,  whicli  we  are 
obliged  to  see  so  commonly  adopted.  It  was  by  the 
adoption  of  the   system  above  described  that  the  Vines 

No.  1050.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  Series. 


3S4 


JOUENAIi  OF  HOBTICULTUEE   AND   COTTAGE  GAEDENEB. 


[  NoTcmber  12,  1668. 


first  noticed  at  the  beginning  of  my  paper,  were  renovated 
without  making  a  new  border. 

I  will  now  glance  at  the  ventilation.  I  am  sure  mischief  is 
done  in  many  instances  by  the  careless  and  lax  manner  in 
which  this  is  attended  to.  An  error  always  to  be  avoided  is 
the  admission  of  a  great  amount  of  external  air  by  the  front 
lights  daring  the  early  stages  of  the  Vine's  growth.  Unless 
means  are  adopted  so  that  the  air  entering  by  the  front  venti- 
lators is  previously  rendered  warm  and  moist,  it  is  the  safer 
and  better  plan  to  conduct  ventilation  solely  by  the  top  lights, 
at  least  during  the  months  of  February  and  March,  and  part 
of  April — that  is,  if  the  Vines  are  in  active  growth  at  this 
period.  One  of  the  most  inveterate  instances  of  Grape-shank- 
ing which  has  come  under  my  notice  was  caused  by  injudicious 
ventilation,  and,  by  changing  the  system  adopted,  striking  and 
beneficial  effects  were  produced.  This  instance,  and  others 
which  I  have  met  with  in  my  practice,  have  impressed  me  with 
an  opinion  that  ill-managed  ventilation  ia  a  predisposing  cause 
of  shanking.  In  the  case  referred  to  the  front  lights  were 
regularly  opened,  and  left  open  for  hours  together  during  the 
spring  months,  and  the  dry  cutting  air  was  suffered  to  enter 
nninterruptedly.  The  consequence  of  this  influx  was  that  the 
warm,  moist,  genial  air  was  immediately  forced  out  by  the 
top  ventilators,  and  was  replaced  by  the  dry,  heavy,  and 
uncongenial  air  admitted.  Further,  the  cold  rush  of  the 
external  air  constantly  striking  the  stems  of  the  Vines  would 
seriously  check  the  ascending  sap,  and  not  only  so,  but  the 
very  dryness  of  the  air  would  abstract  the  moisture  from  the 
young  shoots  and  leaves,  the  surfaces  of  which  would  be  so 
much  cooled  by  evaporation  as  to  give  them  a  serious  and 
disastrous  cheek.  Here  is  a  combination  of  evils  which  must 
naturally  flow  from  such  a  system — evils  which  must  and  did 
tell  on  the  Vines  during  the  whole  season  of  their  growth. 
Unless  the  band  can  be  held  for  a  length  of  time  to  the  aper- 
tures by  which  front  air  is  admitted  without  any  feeling  of 
discomfort  from  cold,  it  is  better  to  keep  them  closed,  and  rely 
solely  on  top  veutilation.  The  natural  expansion  of  air  on  its 
being  heated  will  always  insure  its  escape,  and  the  weight  of 
the  cold  external  air,  as  compared  to  that  in  the  interior,  will 
always  insure  the  descent  of  the  former. 

Another  important  point  is  to  give  air  early,  and  increase  it 
gradually  as  the  temperature  rises,  and  not  let  the  house  attain 
its  maximum  heat,  and  then  have  to  give  an  excess  of  air  at 
once  to  reduce  the  beat.  In  short,  let  ventilation  follow  a  rise  of 
temperature,  instead  of  a  fall  of  temperature  follow  an  increase 
of  ventilation.  As  a  safety  valve  it  is  a  good  practice  to  admit 
a  little  air  at  top  all  night. 

As  to  temperatures,  I  will  begin  by  saying,  Avoid  high  tem- 
peratures, especially  by  fire  heat,  and  at  night.  If  the  border 
is  heated,  the  Vines  are  not  so  susceptible  of  injury  from  a  rather 
high  tempersvture.  If,  however,  the  border  is  not  artificially 
heated,  keep  the  house  temperature  as  low  as  possible  con- 
sistently with  a  steady  healthy  growth.  This  is  doing  the  best 
we  can  to  secure  an  equability  of  temperature  between  root 
and  branch — a  great  desideratum.  Let  light  and  temperature 
always  go  together.  This  may  be  called  old  advice,  but  that 
eimply  suggests  that  it  is  sound  by  its  having  stood  the  test  of 
time. 

A  sun  heat  of  from  80°  to  85°  will  not  be  excessive  if  in  con- 
junction with  a  good  system  of  ventilation.  The  solar  heat 
must  be  economised ;  therefore  as  soon  as  the  thermometer 
shows  a  falling  tendency  reduce  ventilation,  and  continue  to 
reduce  it  until  the  house  can  be  closed  at  the  heat  above 
named.  Tbis  economy  of  sun  heat  enables  us  to  economise  in 
another  quarter — the  coal  heap,  and  the  Vines  will  be  the 
better  of  it.  If  the  maximum  day  temperature  be  80°,  a  mini- 
mum night  temperature  of  55°  will  be  safe.  This  applies  to 
the  period  when  the  foliage  is  expanded.  Before  the  leaves 
reach  this  stage  the  temperature  must  be  proportionally  lower. 
Except,  perhaps,  just  at  the  time  when  they  are  setting  their 
berries,  I  find  Black  Hamburghs  receive  no  injury  by  a  night 
temperature  of  50°,  and  one  of  00°  is  quite  high  enough  for  a 
day  temperature  by  fire  heat  solely.  High  night  temperatures 
arouse  unduly  the  natural  excitability  of  the  Vines.  Compara- 
tively luw  night  temperatures  cause  a  cessation  of  the  vital, 
and  assist  the  secretory  functions.  Some  varieties,  as  Mus- 
cats, require  a  somewhat  higher  temperature.  When  relying 
solelj  on  fire  heat,  be  up  in  the  morning  and  have  the  day 
temperature  up  to  its  figure  as  soon  after  daylight  as  possible. 
I  would  specially  press  this  point. 

Now,  as  to  moisture,  during  a  high  temperature  use  it  liber- 
ally, and  during  a  low  temperature  sparingly.  _  Syringing  twice 


a-day  under  all  circumstances  of  temperature  is  bad  practice. 
On  some  days  damp  the  paths,  walls,  &c.,  half  a  dozen  times, 
on  others  scarcely  damp  at  all.  In  this,  as  in  all  other  things, 
exercise  thought.  The  absorbing  power  of  the  foliage  is  greatest 
in  the  afternoon,  when  the  house  is  closed  with  a  good  sun 
heat.  This  is  the  time  for  feeding.  Give  ammonia  freely. 
The  Vines  enjoy  it ;  insects  detest  it.  Water  the  paths,  pipes, 
flues,  &'C.,  with  water,  in  which  guano  is  dissolved  at  the  rate 
of  2  ozs.  to  the  gallon.  More  than  this  will  not  hurt  them, 
but  this  is  a  safe  proportion,  and  will  not  fail  to  act  beneficially ; 
but  use  it  only  when  the  leaves  are  expanded,  and  not  before. 

The  last,  but  not  least  important  is  cleanliness.  Unclean- 
liness,  from  whatever  cause  arising,  is  entirely  subversive  of 
success  in  Grape-growing,  and  renders  all  previous  care  and 
attention  of  little  or  no  effect.  The  foliage  must  be  kept  free 
from  dirt  and  insects.  To  guard  against  the  former,  I  never 
allow  any  dust  to  rise  in  sweeping  the  paths  of  the  house,  &c. 
This  is  a  trifle  of  some  import.  Neither  do  I  syringe,  so  that 
I  avoid  any  sediment  and  incrustation  from  the  water.  Eed 
spider  I  never  see  ;  any  other  insect  seldom.  In  some  locali- 
ties syringing  may  be  necessary  to  cleanliness.  I  do  not  find 
it  80  here.  I  know  something  of  the  atmosphere  of  a  manu- 
facturing city  ;  good  washings  with  the  syringe  and  pure  rain 
water  are  there  occasionally  requisite.  Use  this  and  any  other 
means  at  command  that  may  be  needed  to  ensure  cleanliness. 
This  treatment  will  give  fine,  dark  green,  leathery  foliage,  which 
will  bring  up  the  best  elements  of  the  border,  and  render  them 
fit  for  appropriation  by  the  Vines.  Injudicious  top  manage- 
ment will  negative  the  best  effects  of  the  best  border  that  ever 
was  made. 

And,  now,  do  I  practise  the  system  described  ?  Tes,  except 
on  one  point ;  and  though  I  have  an  outside  border  just  10  feet 
wide,  and  the  roots  a  foot  and  more  beneath  the  surface,  I  ob- 
tain a  satisfactory  yield  of  Grapes,  and  have  next  to  no  shanked 
berries.  I  have  for  the  border  in  winter  wooden  shutters, 
which  I  highly  recommend  ;  yet,  notwithstanding,  were  I  to 
allow  the  laterals  to  grow,  and  cut  them  out  by  the  armful,  in- 
stead of  being  able  to  put  those  pinched  from  an  entire  house 
in  my  pocket,  or  were  I  to  allow  the  dry  chilling  air  to  cut  or 
dry  the  young  growth,  or  otherwise  allow  the  Vines  to  be  sub- 
jected to  any  course  of  unnatural  treatment,  I  should  expect — 
and  I  know  from  experience  that  my  expectations  would  be 
realised— shanked  Grapes  in  quantity. 

But  the  exceptional  point.  Well,  I  am  a  servant.  My  em- 
ployer is  explicit  in  his  requirements,  and  my  duty  is  plain. 
Two  or  three  ordinary-sized  bunches  are  more  useful  than  one 
large  one.  With  a  rather  limited  expanse  of  glass  devoted  to 
Vines,  my  object  is  to  make  the  Grape  season  as  long  as  pos- 
sible. We  cannot  easily  cut  half  a  bunch  of  Grapes,  or  a 
bunch  and  a  half;  but  by  having  a  number  of  different-sized 
bunches  I  can  meet  daily  demands  to  a  nicety.  My  Vines, 
then,  are  not  all  3  feet  G  inches  apart ;  some  are,  and  they  give 
the  best  Grapes,  but  as  a  whole  they  answer  their  purpose  so 
well,  that  I  do  not  feel  justified  in  recommending  a  change. 
But  were  I  required  to  grow  large  individual  bunches,  I  should 
at  once  thin  the  rods.  I  should  then  bare  the  roots,  and  put 
on  a  few  inches  of  light  turfy  loam  and  bruised  charcoal,  and 
draw  the  roots  upwards  by  covering  the  border  with  heating 
material  to  accomplish  my  object.  This  treatment  will  keep 
Vines  in  vigour  and  fruitfulness  for  many  years. 

I  will  conclude  my  evening's  exercise  by  quoting  and  placing 
together  a  maxim  from  Mr.  Eoberts's  article  and  one  from  my 
own : — "  Afford  the  Vines  a  warm,  dry,  and  open  soil,  and 
shanking  will  be  less  frequently  seen."  "Devote  as  much 
care,  attention,  and  study  to  the  house  management  of  Vines 
as  is  given  to  border  formation,  and  inferior  and  shanked 
houses  of  Grapes  will  be  far  less  common." — J.  W. 

[We  have  seen  specimens  of  the  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes 
and  the  foliage  of  the  Vines  obtained  by  our  correspondent — 
they  were  all  that  can  be  desired  in  Vine  culture. — Ens.] 


A   FIGHT  WITH   A   FLUE. 

Oke  night  in  November,  some  year^  ago,  I  was  sitting  very 
comfortably  before  a  warm  fire  in  rnv  study,  talking  with  a 
younger  brother,  an  engineer  in  London,  wiio  had  C'lme  down 
to  spend  a  few  days  with  me,  when  my  servant  ciime  in  to  say 
that  .John  wished  to  speak  to  me.  It  was  after  oine  o'clock, 
and  I  wondered  very  much  what  John  wanted  ;  so  I  went  out 
at  once  to  see  him,  and  was  thus  greeted. 

"  riease  sir,  I  am  sorry  to  say  I  can't  get  the  fiie  to  go  iu 


November  12,  1868.  1 


JOURNAL  OP   HORTICUIiTUKE  AND   COTTAGE  GAKDENEB. 


355 


the  Bpan-roof."  This  "  span-roof "  was  a  greenbouse  I  had 
just  finished.  Everythinp;  belonginf;  to  it  had  been  planned  by 
myself  after  much  consultation  with  many  friends  fkilled  in 
horticulture,  and  I  felt  very  proud  of  it,  thinking  I  had  built  a 
very  perfect  little  house  at  a  moderate  cost.  I  particularly 
rejoiced  in  the  flue,  which  went  up  the  centre  of  the  house  and 
returned  over  itself,  thus  forming  a  neat  pathway,  while  the 
heating  apparatus  was  nearly  hidden  from  sight,  and  conse- 
quently took  up  no  valuable  room  in  my  little  "  place."  About 
two  thousand  cutthiRS  of  relargoniums  struck  in  boxes  were 
placed  in  this  house  ;  and  as  it  had  been  cold  and  cloudy  all 
day  I  rather  expected  a  frost  at  night,  and  liad  given  .John 
directions  to  light  a  lire.  This  John  was  a  young  man  of 
eighteen  or  nineteen,  and  had  only  just  come  to  me.  I  did 
not  like  to  be  very  round  with  him  on  so  short  an  acquaintance, 
but  I  asked  him  rather  sharply  why  he  had  not  come  to  tell 
me  sooner. 

His  reply  was,  "  Please  sir,  I  heard  'em  say  Mr.  Tom  was 
down  from  London,  and  I  did  not  like  to  trouble  you,  for  I 
thought  I  could  make  the  fire  go  ;  but  I  have  lighted  it  ever  so 
many  times,  sir,  and  it  wo'n't." 

I  said,  "  I  don't  think  you've  tried  the  right  way,  for  old 
Walker  put  a  fire  in  the  house  several  nights  before  yon  came." 
(But  "  old  Walker,"  who  managed  my  garden  when  I  happened 
to  have  no  regular  man,  had  told  mo  to  my  great  chagrin  that 
"  there  seemed  to  be  no  draw  at  all  in  that  new-fangled  flue, 
and  I  had  better  have  it  altered  before  winter,  or  I  should  be 
certain  to  have  the  frost  in  the  house  and  have  all  my  plants 
killed.")  John  replied,  "  I  have  tried  all  I  know,  eir,  and  it 
wo'n't  burn." 

I  said,  "What  sort  of  a  night  is  it?  Have  yon  any  dry 
sticks?"  John  answered  that  it  looked  lik«ly  for  rAia;  but 
might  clear  oil  and  freeze  when  the  moon  got  «p.  He  had 
burnt  all  his  dry  sticks  and  shavings,  and  had  not  one  lefti 

This  was  a  nuisance,  but  John  was  already  a  favourite  with 
the  women  of  the  establishment,  and  to  my  surprise  thehonse- 
maid  offered  part  of  her  stock  of  firewood.  Armed  with  this 
and  a  shovelful  of  redhot  cinders  from  the  kitchen  fire,  we 
marched  to  the  greenhouse  and  tried  again  to  light  a  fire.  As 
1  went  down  into  the  firehole  John  told  me  to  be  careful,  for 
the  fire  "  plopped  back  ;"  and  so  it  did,  nearly  singeing  me 
badly,  and  filling  the  pit  with  flame  and  smoke.  But  it  was 
of  no  use  ;  the  fire  would  not  burn,  and  soon  died  out  as  before. 
We  gave  it  up  for  that  night,  and  I  directed  John  to  have  a 
great  quantity  of  wood  dried  as  soon  as  possible  in  the  morning, 
and  we  would  begin  early  and  have  a  day  at  it  if  necee.sary. 
I  went  to  bed,  but  not  to  sleep,  for  I  was  very  anxious  about 
my  plants,  and  got  up  many  times  in  the  night  to  look  out  of 
the  window.  Fortunately  it  did  not  freeze,  and  towards  morn-' 
ing  began  to  rain  steadily  and  heavily. '       ■■     ■         '        ■■■ 

Well,  then,  after  breakfast  next  morning  I  set  off  with  my 
brother  to  attack  the  flue,  and  John  having  provided  a  tre- 
mendous lot  of  dry  firewood,  we  commenced  operations.  I 
tried  every  dodge  that  I  could  possibly  think  of,  but  the  kind- 
ling was  all  done  before  I  could  raise  a  fire.  I  felt  beaten  with 
my  own  invention,  and  having  sent  John  to  the  wheelwright's 
shop  for  "  a  few  more  shavings,"  I  turned  to  my  brother  and 
asked  him  how  it  was.  I  had  bragged  rather  largely  of  my 
house  and  the  skilful  way  in  which  the  flue  was  built,  and 
I  saw  he  smiled  when  he  replied,  "  I  think  you  are  like  a  great 
many  more  I  have  heard  of ;  you  have  contrived  a  very  won- 
derful machine,  but  it  is  quite  beyond  your  power  to  work  it. 
Neither  you  nor  your  man  knows  anything  at  all  about  what 
you  are  trying  to  do.  What  will  you  give  me  to  put  you  both 
right?" 

"Anything  you  like,"  said  I;  "but  I  am  afraid  we  shall 
have  to  get  the  flue  altered." 

"  I  think  not,"  said  my  brother  ;  "  but  we  shall  see.  You 
fetch  an  armful  of  dry  straw  from  the  stable  while  I  crack  up 
some  of  this  coal." 

Putting  on  John's  slop  my  brother  set  to  work  lustily,  and 
I  brought  him  some  dry  straw.  He  opened  a  small  soot-door 
at  the  bottom  of  the  chimney,  and  put  in  a  wisp  of  straw  and 
another  larger  wisp  in  the  furnace,  took  out  a  match  and  lit  a 
piece  of  paper,  with  which  he  set  fire  to  tlie  straw  in  the  chim- 
ney, and  when  that  was  fairly  going  he  shut  up  the  soot-door 
and  lighted  the  straw  in  the  furnace  below.  How  it  roared 
away  to  our  great  satisfaction,  and  when  the  straw  had  caught 
fire  all  over  he  threw  on  lightly  a  shovelful  of  slack,  closed  the 
top  door  of  the  furnace,  and  we  left  it  about  half  an  hour. 
When  we  returned  it  was  all  in  a  glow.  My  brother  pushed 
the  fire  all  back,  and  put  on  a  lot  of  coal  in  front,  and  closed 


both  doors  of  the  furnace,  leaving  a  little  draught  on  in  the 
bottom  door.  This  he  did  because  the  day  was  wet  and  foggy, 
but  on  a  bright  day  or  night  I  find  the  fire  burns  away  quite 
fast  enough  without  leaving  any  air  on  there  at  all. 

I  have  no  trouble  now,  and  often  light  all  my  other  green- 
house fires  from  this  furnace,  because  I  can  so  easily  and  so 
quickly  obtain  a  good  stock  of  fire  there.  If  any  of  your  readers 
are  troubled  with  a  flue  which  does  not  draw  well,  let  them 
put  a  small  door  at  the  bottom  of  the  upright  chimney,  and 
burn  a  wisp  of  straw  there  when  they  light  the  fire  in  the 
furnace.     They  will  soon  have  fire  enough. 

I  may  add  that  this  plan  has  been  adopted  in  our  parish 
church  with  Mitchell's  patent  hypocaust  system  of  heating,  and 
answers  admirably.  When  this  method  of  heating  our  church 
was  first  adopted  the  fires  were  very  refractory  in  dull  weather  ; 
and  although  it  is  said,  "  Where  there  is  smoke  there  is  fire,"  it 
was  mnch  more  common  for  us  to  see  a  church  full  of  smoke 
than  to  feel  any  good  effects  of  a  fire.  Kniis  arons  cltaiuir  tout 
cela  ,■  and  wet  or  dry,  wind  north  or  south,  our  sexton  can 
always  ensure  us  good  fires  and  a  warm  church  free  from  smoke 
afiy  cold  Stmda;f-in  winter. — A.  B.  L. 


VAEIEaATED  ZONAL  PELARGONIUMS. 

HAvme  proifaised  in  my  last  article  on  bedding  Pelargoniums 
to  send  yon  some  further  remarks  on  the  Variegated  section  of 
Zonal  Pelargoniums,  I  do  bo  now,  not  as  the  result  of  a  par- 
ticular set  of  trial  beds,  but  as  tho  result  of  general  personal 
observation,  in  my  own  garden,  in  my  friends'  gardens,  or  in  the 
public  gardens  which  I  have  seen  during  the  last  two  years. 
One  diliic^ilty  in  treating  of  the  subject,  is  to  separate  the 
varieties  property  into  their  different  sections  ;  and  without  en- 
deavouring to  lay  down  any  very  fixed  rules,  I  shall  divide 
them— Ist,  into  the  G-old-edged  and  Gold  Sells,  including  both 
Tricolor  and  Bicolor.  2nd,  Silver-edged,  Tricolor  and  Bicolor. 
Srd,  Bron?;e-!ioned. 

To  begin  then  writh  the  Gold-edged  section,  we  will  take  tho 
Tricolors  first,- of  which  Mrs.  Pollock  is  the  type.  Their  names 
Bow  are  legion,  and  many  of  them  differ  only  by  the  slightest 
shade,  either  in  breadth  of  zone,  or  habit  of  growth,  or  colour 
of  the  leaf-margin,  fcc,  and  one  of  the  great  difficulties 
which  we  ha,ve  nt  present,  and  which  I  foresee  looms  still 
more  heavily  in  the  future,  is  to  reduce  the  number  of  different 
sorts,  and  to  do  away  with  all  those  which  are  not  boiiiX  fide 
improvements  on  existing  varieties. 

Many  of  tbsbest  of  the  Tricolors,  in  point  of  colour,  as  Mrs. 
Allen,  Lucy  Grieve,  itc,  will  only  do  as  pot  plants,  and  there 
■flr«  very  few  as  yot  in  my  opinion,  which  surpass  Mrs.  Pollock 
as  beddere.  Those  which  I  think  can  be  safely  recommended 
are  Lady  Cullum,  Sophia  Dumaresque,  Sophia  Cusack,  Countess 
of  Tyrconnel,  Edwinia  Fitzpatriok,  and  Sunset.  The  first  three 
are,  if  anything,  an  improvement  on  Mrs.  Pollock.  The  Coun- 
tess of  Tyrconnel  is  not  easily  distinguished  from  Sophia  Du- 
maresque,  and  both  have  rather  an  upright  habit  of  growth. 
Sophia  Dumaresque  has  a  good  vigorous  habit,  but  I  think 
both  for  pot  plants  and  bedding  purposes  there  is  not  one  better 
than  Lady  Cullum,  the  breadth  of  the  dark  zone  giving  a  very 
fine  contrast  to  the  yellow  belting,  and  the  flame  colour  in  my 
opinion  being  brighter  than  in  any  other  variety.- 

There  are  several  others  of  which  I  have  only  seen  a  few 
plants  either  at  exhibitions  or  in  nursery  gardens.  &c.,  and  of 
these.  Smith's  (of  Dulwicb)  Sunray,  Ketaliator,  Coronet,  De- 
fiance, and  Souvenir  de  Sir  Joseph  Paxton  ;  and  Carter's  Prince 
and  Princess  of  Wales,  Ettie  Beale,  and  l>r.  Livingstone,  seem 
to  be  very  promising.  Especially  so  is  Eetaliator,  which  was 
shown  in  fine  colour  at  Leicester,  and  seems  to  have  a  vigorous 
habit.  Ettie  Beale,  though  fiue  in  colouring,  will,  I  am  afraid, 
be  only  a  pot  plant.  Miss  Watson  has,  in  my  opinion,  been 
much  overrated. 

Here  I  may  make  a  general  remark,  that  the  effect  of  Tricolor 
Pelargoniums  for  bedding  is  by  no  means  commensurate  with 
the  beauty  of  the  plants  as  individual  specimens.  Their  effect 
in  the  distance  is  not  so  good  as  the  older  plain  Gold-edged 
kinds,  and  I  believe  that  many  of  our  finest  and  most  effective 
pot  plants  will  eventually  prove  but  second-rate  bedders.  The 
fact  is,  the  contrasts  of  colouring  are  contained  in  the  leaves 
themselves.  Gold,  red,  green,  and  dark  brown,  are  so  mixed 
together  that  it  is  difficult  to  place  another  band  of  colour 
alongside,  which  contrasts  well  with  them,  and  large  masses  of 
Mrs.  Pollock,  and  Pelargoniums  of  its  type,  are  by  no  means 
effective  in  beds.     The  proper  place  for  these  varieties  in  the 


356 


JOUKNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENEB. 


[  November  12,  1868. 


flower  garden  is  in  beds  which  are  to  be  seenneartotheeye,  or  in 
lines  close  to  the  windows  of  the  house,  or  as  edgings  to  vases 
on  terraces ;  and  the  best  contrasts,  in  my  opinion,  are  white- 
leaved  plants,  especially  Poa  trivialis,  and  Dactylis  elegans 
variegata,  or  small  plants  of  Ceutaurea.  Blue  Lobelia,  again, 
does  very  well,  especially  the  dwarl  kinds — pumila  elegans  and 
its  varieties  ;  but,  unfortunately,  there  are  very  few  kinds  of 
Lobelia  that  last  long  enough,  and  when  the  flower  goes  off, 
there  is  nothing  which  looks  much  worse.  I  am,  however, 
trespassing  on  another  subject  which  ought  to  be  treated  by 
itself. 

I  will  now  pass  on  to  the  Gold-edged  Bicolor  varieties.  Of 
these  there  are  happily  not  so  many,  the  best  being  Golden 
Chain,  Gold  Pheasant,  Crystal  Palace  Gem,  Cloth  of  Gold, 
Golden  Fleece,  and  to  these  I  will  add  at  once,  the  Gold  Selfs, 
Gold  Leaf,  and  Pillar  of  Gold. 

Golden  Chain  is  still  with  mo  the  best  of  the  Gold-edged 
varieties  ;  it  will  not  thrive  in  cold  or  clay  soils,  and  ought  to 
have  some  well-decayed  farmyard  manure  or  leaf  soil  forked  into 
the  soil  for  the  plants  at  bedding-out  time.  Crystal  Palace  Gem, 
Cloth  of  Gold,  and  Golden  Fleece,  are,  as  a  rule,  too  green,  but 
are  good  wet-weather  and  autumn  plants.  Gold  Pheasant  has 
too  upright  a  habit,  but  the  colour  is  good.  I  forgot  to  mention 
Stella  sulphurea  marginata,  which  I  think  is  very  promising ; 
but  cf  all  the  plants  in  this  section  I  like  Pillar  of  Gold,  sent 
out  by  Mr.  C.  Turner,  of  Slough,  the  best ;  it  is  far  the  most 
golden  of  any  I  have  yet  seen,  both  in-doors  and  out.  The  leaf 
when  dying  oiif  turns  to  a  lighter  yellow,  which  enhances  the 
effect  of  the  plant,  instead  of  burning-up  at  the  edges,  as  many 
kinds  do,  and  I  venture  to  prophesy  for  it  a  long  and  prosperous 
career.  In  point  of  habit  it  seems  to  be  all  that  can  be  desired, 
with  abundance  of  foliage.  Gold  Leaf,  the  other  Gold  Self  I 
mentioned,  has  not  constitution  enough. 

I  will  next  take  the  Silver-edged  section,  commencing  with 
the  Tricolors — viz..  Beauty  of  Guestwick,  Italia  Unita,  Burning 
Bush,  Picturata,  Countess,  Queen's  Favourite,  Waverley,  &c. 
Many  of  these  have  not  sufficient  strength  of  habit  for  bedding 
purposes,  and  I  have  seen  none  1  think  so  good  as  ItaUa  Unita. 
Beauty  of  Guestwick  has  a  more  vigorous  habit  than  most  of 
them.  Burning  Bush  is  still  as  good  as  any  for  dwarf  front 
edgings,  &c. 

Among  the  Bicolors  come  most  of  our  old  sorts  :  Alma, 
Bijou,  Brilliant,  Mrs.  Lennox,  Countess  of  Warwick,  Variegated 
Nosegay  (Beaton's),  Flower  of  the  Day,  Flower  of  Spring,  and 
Jane.  Of  these  I  would  place  foremost  Flower  of  the  Spring, 
as  certainly  the  best  both  as  a  pot  plant  for  conservatory  de- 
coration, and  also  for  bedding  purposes.  Bijou,  which  is  one  of 
the  whitest,  has  a  very  bad  upright  habit  of  growth,  hardly  ever 
throwing  out  a  side  branch,  unless  pinched-in.  Jane  is  a  very 
good  variety,  especially  for  Self  beds,  having  a  very  fiee-growing 
branching  habit,  and  the  leaf-margin  distinct  and  good. 

Brilliant  I  only  name  to  condemn.  It  is  good  as  a  free- 
flowerer,  but,  as  in  the  ease  of  Mrs.  Benyon  among  the  Gold 
Tricolors,  its  flowering  habit  is  rather  a  demerit  than  a  merit, 
as  nearly  all  variegated-leaved  plants  are  better  with  their 
flowers  cut  off.     Flower  of  the  Day  is,  like  Bijou,  too  leggy. 

Alma  is  still  one  of  the  best,  especially  in  large  plants.  Mrs. 
Lennox  has  a  very  pure  white  edge,  and  is  very  good  in  light 
rich  soil.  Countess  of  Warwick  has  so  dark  a  zone  sometimes 
that  it  might  almost  be  called  a  Tricolor,  though  in  that  case 
Lady  Cullum,  Mrs.  Pollock,  &c.,  ought  to  be  called  Quadricolor ; 
it  is  a  good  plant  for  ribbon  border.'^.  Another  old  sort  which  I 
had  almost  neglected.  Mountain  of  Light,  is  still  very  good  for 
front  edgings,  having  a  neat,  dwarf  habit  and  a  pure  white 
margin. 

This  brings  me  to  the  last,  the  Bbonze  section,  of  which  I 
must  confess  I  have  not  had  much  experience  of  my  own.  The 
most  effective  that  I  have  seen  bedded  is  Bronze  Queen,  the 
habit  being  exceedingly  compact,  and  the  foliage  very  dense. 
Among  the  best  are  Beauty  of  Oulton,  Beauty  of  Bibblesdale, 
Beauty  of  Caluerdale,  Egyptian  Queen,  Perilla,  Model,  Luna,  and 
three  which  Messrs.  Smith,  of  Dulwich,  exhibited  at  Leicester, 
Criterion,  Plutus,  and  Sybil. 

As  a  general  rule,  I  have  been  disappointed  with  the  effect 
of  the  iSronzes  when  bedded  out.  Many  of  them  are  very 
beautiful  as  pot  plants,  and  they  will  be  very  good  as  garden 
decorations  for  all  places  where  they  can  be  brought  near  the 
eye ;  but  the  same  remark  I  think  applies  to  these  as  to  the 
Tricolors,  where  distant  effect  is  required.  It  will  be  some 
time  before  a  definite  fiat  will  be  pronounced  upon  them,  but  I 
think  it  will  be  found  eventually,  that  both  the  Bronzes  and 
Tricolors  will  be  best  used  as  panels  in  contrast  with  other 


colours,  like  gems,  or  in  small  circular  beds  as  edginga  or 
centres  along  with  other  ornamental-foliaged  plants. 

There  are  some  other  Variegated  sorts  I  have  omitted,  as 
Mangles's,  which  is  still  a  most  valuable  sort,  and  one  of  the 
most  effective  beds  I  have  seen  this  year  was  at  Llangattock, 
near  Abergavenny — blue  Lobelia  and  Mangles's,  plant  for 
plant,  in  a  circular  bed  about  8  feet  in  diameter,  the  small  pink 
flowers  of  Mangles's  being  allowed  to  remain  on. 

L'Elegante  is  a  very  promising  Variegated  Ivy-leaved  Pelar- 
gonium, and  will  be  valuable  as  edgings  to  raised  beds  and 
baskets,  and  also  for  hanging  baskets  for  conservatories.  The 
old  sweet-scented  Lady  Plymouth  is  also  a  useful  plant,  when 
it  can  be  placed  in  a  position  where  it  may  be  allowed  to  grow 
as  much  as  it  likes,  as  it  is  of  much  too  strong  a  growth  to  mis 
with  other  bedding  plants. 

I  must  now  conclude  these  remarks,  as  it  is  my  intention  to 
trespass  upon  your  space  again  another  time,  with  a  paper  ou 
the  winter  management  of  Pelargoniums ;  what  most  persona 
will,  I  am  afraid,  consider  a  trite  subject,  but  concerning  which 
there  is  yet  something  to  be  said. — C.  P.  Peach. 


CAN  BEET  BE  HAD  AS  AN  EARLY  BEDDER? 

I  BEG  to  thank  Mr.  Mason  for  his  courteous  reply  in  page 
323  to  my  inquiries  respecting  certain  occupants  of  the  flower 
garden,  and  seeing  we  agree  in  opinion  about  the  merits  o£ 
Tricolor  Pelargoniums  for  that  purpose,  I  am  not  surprised  wa 
differ  in  some  degree  about  that  of  Beet  for  the  same  purpose. 
My  wish  was  to  ascertain  whether  its  appearance  before 
August  1st  was  such  as  to  entitle  it  to  a  place  in  a  flower  garden 
that  was  to  look  well  before  that  time.  Not  having  grown  it 
here  for  decorative  purposes,  I  could  only  judge  of  what  it 
might  have  been  by  the  appearance  of  the  kitchen-garden  crop 
of  the  same  plant  at  that  time,  and  this  was  merely  coming 
into  condition  at  the  end  of  July.  Early  sowing,  no  doubt, 
might  have  rendered  Beet  intended  for  decorative  purposes 
more  forward  ;  but  unless  the  plant  can  take  its  proper  place 
along  with  Calceolarias  and  Pelargoniums  by  the  1st  of  July,  or 
even  earlier  than  that,  it  will  not  answer  my  purpose.  The 
question  is.  Can  it  be  made  to  do  this,  and  afterwards  continue 
in  good  condition  throughout  the  season  ?  I  fear  not.  Hitherto 
I  have  been  obliged  to  depend  on  Perilla  for  early  and  late 
work,  and  I  would  willingly  exchange  it  for  Beet  if  the  latter 
could  be  coaxed  into  useful  condition  so  early  in  the  year,  and 
would  yet  continue  to  do  good  service  as  late  as  at  present. 
The  fine  colour  and  graceful  habit  of  this  plant  place  it 
much  higher  in  the  scale  of  merit  than  any  of  its  compeers, 
Iresine,  when  good,  excepted  ;  but  the  difficulty  of  obtaining 
it  early  enough  and  preventing  its  running  to  seed,  has  with 
me  been  a  great  drawback  to  its  use ;  but  in  places  where  ap- 
pearance after  the  middle  of  August  is  of  more  consequence 
than  before  that  time,  a  good  variety  of  ornamental  Beet  may 
be  of  great  service.  With  me,  however,  it  ought  to  come  into 
use  in  June  and  July.  I  again  ask  if  the  same  plants  can  be 
made  to  do  duty  so  early,  and  yet  look  well  in  October? — 

J.  KoDSON. 


TRUE   SCOTCH   KALE. 

I  ENCLOSE  a  small  packet  of  the  true  "  Lang  Scotch  Kale" 
seed,  which  is  not  now  to  be  had  genuine  in  the  seed  shops, 
and  if  sown  now  (Jime  17),  in  your  southern  clime  you  may 
have  a  next-winter  supply  of  greens  from  it. 

It  is  the  "  Lang  Kale  "  of  Bobbie  Burns,  also  known  by  the 
name  of  Kilmaurs  Kale,  from  Kilmaurs,  near  Kilmarnock,  once 
the  Birmingham  of  Scotland,  having  been  no  less  famed  for  its 
Kale  seed  than  for  its  "  whittles"  or  clasp  knives,  and  "lang 
Kale  gullies."  Hence  the  old  Ayrshire  saying  that  a  person 
of  acute  mind  or  smart  habits  was  "  as  sharp  as  a  Kilmaurs 
whittle."  The  clank  of  the  whittlemaker's  hammer  has,  how- 
ever, been  long  .silent  in  Kilmaurs,  which  is  now  a  curious  old 
country  village,  and  the  Lang  Kale  are  no  more  seen  in  its 
Kale  yards,  their  place  being  usurped  by  the  finer-looking  but 
inferior-flavoured  German  Greens  ;  but  they  are  still  to  be  met 
with  in  the  high  moorlands  of  the  county,  where  they  are 
retained  and  esteemed  for  their  hardiness  as  well  as  excellence 
by  the  shepherds  and  other  thinly-scattered  cottagers,  most  of 
whom  grow  their  own  Kale  seed. 

Similar  but  somewhat  shorter-growing  races  of  Kale  are  also 
still  grown  in  the  Western  Isles,  as  well  as  among  the  central 
Grampians,  such  as  the  Tullybeagles  Kale  of  Perthshire,  .0 


NoTombcr  13, 1888.  ]  JOURNAL   OF   HOllTIOULTUEE   AND   COTTAGE   GABDKNEB. 


357 


named  from  the  plants  being  largely  grown  by  small  farmers 
in  that  upland  district,  and  sent  north  in  spring  for  sale  in  the 
Highland  markets. 

Tlio  Kilmaurs  Kale  forms  the  best  of  Hallowe'en  stocks, 
beinR  "  muckle  anes  and  straifrht  anes,"  with  reddish  bark  and 
reddish  loaf-veins,  while  the  "  flat  of  the  blades  "  is  of  a  reddish 
green  colour,  and  these  should  be  plane,  or  only  very  slightly 
curled. — Williaii  Gokrie. 


SUBTROnCAL  GARDENING. 
How  delightful  it  must  be  for  those  who  live  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Battersea  Park,  who  can  at  any  moment  enjoy  the 
magnificence  and  the  luxuriance  of  the  tropics  !  To  have  a 
bit  of  Brazilian  scenery  in  the  neighbourhood  of  London,  and 
that  in  the  open  air,  is  really  wonderful.  We  remember  some- 
thing of  Pine  Apples  in  the  open  air  at  Bicton,  growing,  so  we 
were  told,  like  CabbRges  ;  but  really  the  description  in  the 
Journal  of  the  tropical — I  beg  pardon,  subtropical — gardening 
in  Battersea  Park,  is  enough  to  make  us  who  live  in  the  north- 
em  parts  of  the  kingdom  go  delirious.  How  I  could  wish  all 
persons  who  feel  an  interest  in  this  matter,  and  most  gardeners 
Bhould  do,  to  coolly  argue  the  extent  of  its  practicability  and 
application,  and  in  what  parts  of  the  kingdom  it  is  likely  to 
sncceed,  and  where  it  would  bo  tolly  to  attempt  it.  These  are 
more  important  operations  than  many  are  aware  of.  Unre- 
flecting people,  who  are,  perhaps,  whirled  from  Battersea  Park 
into  the  North  of  England  in  a  few  hours,  forget  that  the 
climate  of  Battersea  Park  does  not  travel  with  them  ;  and  no 
donbt  many  an  intelligent  worthy  man  will  have  the  cold  water 
of  "  You  should  see  Battersea  Park  "  thrown  in  his  face.  And 
■while  the  system  may  be  lauded  by  enthusiastic  visionaries  on 
one  hand,  and  opposed  by  the  matter-of-fact  man  on  the  other, 
let  the  question  be  set  at  rest  by  a  little  good-natured  agitation. 
Honour  to  the  man  who  has  the  sense  or  the  boldness  to  de- 
viate from  the  beaten  track ;  and  the  testing  of  the  capacities 
of  plants  for  given  purposes  is  very  commendable,  especially 
where  people  are  honest  enough  to  record  failures. 

Most  gardeners  know  something  of  the  marvellous  change 
in,  and  effect  produced  by,  overgrown  specimens  of  stove  plants 
turned  out  to  play  a  false  character  for  a  brief  season  and  die. 
There  may  be  something  false  in  thus  giving  these  vegetable 
worthies  a  character  quite  unnatural  to  them  ;  it  is  perhaps 
the  most  rational  way  of  getting  rid  of  our  ponderous  Cyeas, 
overgrown  Brugmansias,  and  lumbering  Agaves  ;  still  the 
thoughts  of  these  fine  things  being  brought  out  to  perish  create 
an  idea  similar  to  seeing  a  great  personage  brought  out  to 
execution.  Hence  a  question  arises,  Is  tropical  or  subtropi- 
cal gardening  compatible  with  English  climate  and  English 
Bcenery  ? 

Now  I  solicit  information.  Would  the  gentleman  who  has 
written  the  description  of  Battersea  Park  tell  me  what  is  Sedum 
glaucum  like  "charming  little  buttons?"  lam  a  great  lover 
of  Sedums  and  Saxifrages,  and  should  much  like  to  make  the 
acquaintance  of  any  Sedum  compact  as  a  button.  I  have 
noticed  several  allusions  to  Sedum  where  evidently  Semper- 
vivnms  were  meant.  Are  they  amalgamated  ?  Again  (I  am 
quoting  from  page  209  of  the  Journal),  "  and  Sedum  ochro- 
leucum  formed  very  pretty  dense  tufts,  those  of  the  last-named 
in  particular  being  almost  like  small  berries."  Dense  tufts 
like  small  berries  !  I  am  much  interested  in  these  little  alpine 
creatures,  but  cannot  at  all  understand  the  above.  Sedum 
glaucum  is  a  British  plant,  pretty  enough  in  its  place,  but  of  a 
loose  straggling  nature,  not  at  all  like  a  button  ;  and  S.  ochro- 
leucum  is  also  a  very  straggling  plant.  Please  to  set  us  right 
on  these  little  matters. — T.  Willtaiis,  Bath  Lodrie,  Orinskirk. 

[The  writer  of  the  above  ia  right  in  suggesting  a  cautions 
line  of  procedure  in  matters  connected  with  subtropical  gar- 
dening, and  especially  in  the  north  ;  and  that  gardeners  should 
t coolly  argue  the  extent  of  its  practicability  and  application, 
and  in  what  parts  of  the  kingdom  it  is  likely  to  succeed,  and 
where  it  would  be  folly  to  attempt  it."  The  descriptions  in  the 
report  on  Battersea  Park  were  faithfully  given,  and  the  fancied 
error,  for  it  is  only  fancied,  as  regards  Sednms  and  Saxifrages, 
and  Sempervivnms,  does  not  affect  the  matter  of  fact,  that 
those  plants  figured  conspicuously  in  the  arrangement  de- 
scribed. The  general  ignorance  of  subtropical  decoration  is 
permeated  by  an  idea  which  has  no  foundation  in  truth,  that 
great  losses  accompany  it,  whereas  1  per  cent,  covers  at 
Battersea  Park  the  losses  of  "  these  vegetable  worthies,"  such 
as  "Cycas,  overgrown  Brugmansias,  and  lumbering  Agaves," 
and  plants  of  many  other  genera,  and  they  are  used  year  after 


year  successively.  It  should  be  known,  however,  that  this 
does  not  apply  to  annuals,  as  many  Solanums,  nor  to  llicinus, 
Wigandia,  Ferdinanda,  and  a  variety  of  softwooded  kinds,  that 
are  raised  annually  from  cuUings,  or  from  seeds  in  the  spring, 
and  are  allowed  to  remain  until  destroyed  by  frost.  Subtropical 
gardening  is  as  successfully  practised  at  Cliveden  as  at  Bat- 
tersea, on  a  smaller  scale,  and  at  other  places  round  London, 
and  also  at  Aston  Park,  Birmingham.  These  are  hints  which 
we  throw  out  for  our  friends  in  the  north,  in  the  hope  that  if 
their  operations  are  directed  by  discretion,  and  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  subject,  at  least  many  failures  will  be  pre- 
vented, and  that  success  will,  to  a  considerable  extent,  attend 
their  efforts,  and  enable  them  ultimately  to  enjoy,  in  their  own 
gardens,  the  magnificence  and  luxuriance  of  tropical  vegetation.] 


ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL   SOCIETY. 

The  following  arrangements  have  been  made  by  the  Eoyal 
Horticultural  Society  for  their  Exhibitions  and  Meetings  next 
year : — • 

March  13th,  Show  of  Hyacinths  and  Spring  Flowers.  At 
this  meeting  prizes  to  the  amount  of  nearly  £50,  offered  by 
the  principal  bulb-growers  in  Holland,  will  be  competed  for ; 
and  Mr.  William  Paul,  of  Waltham  Gross,  will  continue  his 
exhibition  of  spring-flowering  plants.  April  17th,  Show  of 
Roses  and  Spring  Flowers.  May  8th,  Show  of  Early  Azaleas 
and  Spring  Flowers.  During  this  month  a  Show  cf  Pelar- 
goniums will  be  held,  at  which  subscription  prizes  by  the 
growers  of  these  plants  will  be  competed  for.  June  2nd  and  3rd, 
Grand  Summer  Flower  Show.  June  1.5th,  Special  Prize  Show. 
June  29th,  Great  Rose  Show.  The  National  Rose  Show  is  in- 
corporated with  this  Exhibition.  A  Grand  Summer  Exhibition 
of  Flowering  Plants  and  Fruits  will  be  held  at  Manchester  in 
Jaly,  at  the  same  time  as,  and  adjoining,  the  Eoyal  Agricultural 
Society's  Show. 

The  Fruit  and  Floral,  and  General  Meetings  for  the  election 
of  Fellows,  &c.,  will  take  place  as  follows — viz.,  January  19th  ; 
February  IGth  ;  November  ICth ;  and  December  21st ;  and  on 
the  first  and  third  Tuesday  in  each  month  from  March  to 
October  inclusive. 

PETUNIAS  APPEARING  (THOUGH   UNSOWN. 

This  season  we  have  seen  what  I  presume  would  be  con- 
sidered a  horticultural  rarity.  In  the  garden  attached  to  my 
house,  which  is  300  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  and  in  a 
most  open  and  exposed  situation.  Petunias  have  sprung  up 
spontaneously  in  the  open  ground  in  large  quantities,  and  some 
very  beautiful  ones  were  among  the  number  ;  also,  on  a  heap 
of  clay  and  rubbish  several  came  up,  but  how  the  seeds  reached 
the  place  at  all  is  a  mystery.  During  my  residence  of  two 
years  I  have  been  making  the  flower  garden,  in  which  no  such 
thing  as  a  Petunia  had  ever  been  ;  added  to  this  the  house  and 
grounds  are  thoronghly  detached,  and  how  the  seeds  came  to 
be  in  the  heap  of  clay  and  rubbish  especially,  is  inexplicable. 
Added  to  this,  the  earth  for  the  border  in  the  garden  in  which 
they  were  also  found,  was  taken  from  a  pasture  and  some  inches 
below  the  surface  soil.  Your  comments  on  the  above  will 
much  oblige. — James  G.  Danoai:,  Vicar,  Boi/ton,  Cormvall. 

[Years  ago,  perhaps  either  Petunias  seeded  in  your  or  some 
other  garden,  and  were  thrown  on  to  the  manure  heap,  and  the 
manure  was  dug  into  the  soil  of  your  garden,  or  washed  by 
the  rains  into  the  soil  of  the  pasture  ;  and  when  once  seeds  are 
buried  so  deeply  in  the  soil  as  to  be  prevented  germinating 
they  often  keep  sound  for  many  years,  and  vegetate  when  by 
any  means  they  are  brought  nearer  to  the  surface,  and,  con- 
sequently, within  the  influence  of  the  requisite  amount  of 
warmth  and  air.  Seeds  in  the  Egyptian  mummy  cases,  and 
the  seeds  of  Charlock  in  soil  raised  from  great  depths.  Celery 
seed  ten  years  old,  and  other  instances  are  within  our  know- 
ledge, demonstrating  how  long  seeds  retain  vitality. — Eds.] 


STOKE  NEWINGTON  CHRYSANTIIEMU:\I  SHOW. 

Tills  was  held  on  the  IDth  and  11th  inst.  in  the  Lnxembonrg  Hall, 
near  Dalston  Junction,  a  place  Tery  convenient  of  access  from  nearlj 
all  parts  of  London.  The  display  was,  as  usual,  excellent,  and  very 
effectively  arranged ;  the  specimen  plants  bein;^  placed  all  round  the 
room,  and  the  cut  hlooms  on  the  centre  table  forming  a  bordering  to 
a  fine  collection  of  fruit  exhibited  by  Mr.  James,  of  the  Rochester 
Castle,  Stoke  Newin^ton,  part  of  which  was  Enf^lish -grown,  consisting 
of  Apples,  Pears.  Grapes.  Medlars,  Walnuts,  Arc.  and  another  part 
of  Apples  and  Pears  grown  by  Mr.  Langlois  in  Jersey,  and  many  of 


358 


JOURNAL  OF   HOBTICULTUKE   AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEB.  f  November  12, 1868. 


them  very  remarkable  for  size  and  beanty.  At  the  end  of  the  room 
faomg  the  entrance,  Mr.  F.  Waltz,  of  Walthamstow,  exhibited  a  col- 
lection of  neatly  arranged  bouquets  of  dried  flowers  ;  at  the  other,  Mr. 
Smith,  florist,  Kingslaud  Eoad,  a  number  of  bouquets  and  a  pyramid 
of  fruits  surmounted  by  a  Pine  Apple  ;  whilst  in  the  centre  Mr.  (icorge, 
gardener  to  Miss  Nicholson,  Stamford  Hill,  had  a  tastefully  arranged 
table  decoration,  for  which  he  received  a  first  prize.  Prizes  were  also 
awarded  to  several  of  the  other  exhibitions  just  refeiTed  to. 

For  six  plants  of  Chrysanthemums  Mr.  Forsyth  was  first  with  bean- 
tifally  grown  and  flowered  specimens  of  Christine,  Golden  Christine 
Annie  Salter,  Pnnce  of  Wales,  Dr.  Sharpe,  rich  crimson,  and  Mrs 
George  Rundle,  pure  white.  Mr.  Drain,  De  Beauvoir  Town,  who  was 
second,  had  very  good  specimens  of  Beverley,  Prince  Albert,  Mrs  G 
Enndle,  Dr.  Sharjie,  and  Prince  of  Wales.  With  three  plants  the 
same  exhibitors  occupied  the  same  relative  positions;  Mr  Forsyth 
being  first  with  Dr.  Sharpe,  Mrs.  G.  Eundle,  and  Golden  Christine, 

?.",,  ;,°''';'°  '"^™'"'  '■"'  ^"°<=''  Albert,  Golden  Christine,  and 
Golden  Beverley. 

In  the  class  for  six  Pompons  Mr.  Butcher,  who  took  the  first  prize, 
had  the  Golden.  Lilac,  White,  and  Brown  forms  of  Cedo  Nnlli  in  fine 
comiition,  and  the  richly  coloured  Sainte  Thais.  Mr.  Forsyth,  to 
whom  the  second  prize  was  awarded,  had  fine  examples  of  Aurore 
Borcale  and  the  different  forms  of  Cedo  Nnlli,  but  his  had  not  all 
come  into  full  bloom.  For  three,  Mr.  Drain  was  first,  Mr.  Butcher 
second.  Standard  Pompons  were  very  fine,  especially  those  from  Mr 
Beattic,  gardener  to  J.  Watson,  Esq.,  Stamford  Hill,  who  had  plants 
with  flattish  heads  about  28  inches  in  diameter,  and  masses  of  bloom. 
The  most  noticeable  were  Cedo  Nulli,  Brown  Cedo  Nnlli,  Golden 
Cedo  NuUi,  Duruflet,  and  Calliope,  the  last  very  showy,  being  of  a 
ruby  colour.  Mr.  Forsyth  was  second  with  some  of  the  above,  and 
Lilac  Cedo  Nulli  very  fine  ;  and  Mr.  Howe,  Shacklewell,  third,  with 
White  Trevenua,  Antouius,  yellow  Anemone-flowered,  and  others  also 
very  good. 

Collections  of  large-flowering  and  Pompon  varieties  were  also  exhi- 
bited in  an  extra  class  by  Mr.  James,  Mr.  Forsvth,  and  Mr.  Butcher, 
to  each  of  whom  prizes  were  awarded,  also  by  Mr.  Goodenongh,  who 
took  a  special  prize  offered  by  Mr.  Crute.  Among  these  were  finelv- 
bloomed  plants  of  Bronze  .Jardin  des  Plants,  Lady  Harding,  Mrs.  G. 
Enndle,  Priueo  of  Wales,  Dr.  Sharpe,  and  the  splendid  white  large 
Anemone-flowered  Lady  Margaret,  also  Bob  and  several  other  Pompons. 
The  number  of  cut  blooms  exhibited  was,  perhaps,  scarcely  so 
great  as  last  year,  but  the  quaUty  of  a  large  proportion  was  most 
satisfactory. 

The  best  stand  of  twenty-four  came  from  Mr  Ebw,  Eotehampton- 
and  consisted  of  Lady  Slade,  Mrs.  Halliburton,  Aime*  Ferri.'re,  For 
mosum  luteum.  Nil  Desperaudum,  Fomiosum  album.  Oliver  Crom' 
well,  Anrcum  multiflornm,  Venns,  very  large  ;  Yellow  Perfection,  Ma- 
rechal  Duroc,  Princess  of  Wales,  41  inches  in  diameter;  John  Salter, 
very  line ;  Lady  Harding,  (iloria  Mnndi,  Mrs.  Sharpe,  White  Globe, 
an  immense  flower,  quite  r>  inches  in  diameter-;  tju^en  of  Kngland, 
also  of  very  large  size  ;  Empress  Eugenie  ;  Prince  of  Wales  and  Em- 
press of  India,  both  magnificent ;  Jardin  des  Plantes,  Beanty,  and 
Prince  Alfred,  quite  4V  inches  across.  Mr.  Morgan,  of  Plvmouth,  was 
second  with  fine  blooms  of  Empress  of  India,  John  Salter,  Oliver 
Cromwell,  Prince  of  Wales,  Princess  Beatrlc*,  Mrs.  George  Enndle, 
and  several  other  varieties  already  named.  Mr.  Howe  was  third,  and 
Mr.  Slade  fourth.  Prince  and  Princess  of  Wales,  Hereward,  and 
several  others  in  these  stands  were  fine. 

The  best  twelve  blooms  came  from  Mr.  Morgan,  and  the  second 
best  from  Mr.  Eow ;  Mr.  Wheldale,  of  HoUoway,  and  Mr.  James 
bemg  third  and  fourth.  In  Class  9,  also  for  twelve  blooms,  Mr.  Good- 
enough,  Ml.  Shield,  Mr.  Beadle,  and  Mr.  Heard  took'prizes  in  the 
order  named.  Among  the  varieties  shown  in  these  classes  were  good 
examples  of  Emjiress  of  India,  John  Salter,  Prince  and  Princess  of 
Wales,  Prince  Alfred,  Princess  Beatrice,  White  Globe,  &c.  For  six, 
Mr.  Wheldale  was  first,  Mr.  Morgan  second,  Mr.  Heale  third,  and 
Mr.  Row  fourth.  In  another  class  for  the  same  number  of  varieties, 
the  prizes  went  to  Mr.  Shield,  Blr.  Beadle,  Mr.  Heale,  and  Mr.  Good- 
finongh.  The  prizes  in  the  "maiden"  classes  went  to  Mr.  Beattie, 
Stamford  Hill,  and  Mr.  Baldwin,  Kingsland. 

Of  Anemone-flowered  varieties,  both  Mr.  Row  and  Mr.  Howe  exhi- 
bited beautiful  examples,  the  foi-mer  being  first  and  the  latter  second. 
Lady  Margaret,  white,  Fleur  de  Marie,  Gluck,  Prince  of  Anemones, 
and  George  Sand  were  especially  fine.  For  thirty-six  Anemone- 
flowered  Pompons,  Mr.  Howe  and  Mr.  Row  changed  positions,  both, 
-however,  having  remarkably  fine  examples  of  these  varieties. 

Mr.  Morgan  exhibited  several  seedlings.  Mr.  Crnte  sent  tine  blooms 
of  Bed  Dra^'ou  and  Daimio,  two  of  the  new  Japanese  varieties,  large 
and  extremely  showy.  The  rosy  lilac  colour  of  the  latter  kind  is  very 
pleasing. 

GOLD  AND  BRONZE  PELARGONIUMS. 

While  I  readily  admit  the  desirability  of  having  ronnd  flat 
leaves^  iu  bedding  Pelargonium?,  I  ask.  Are  they  altogether 
such  indispensable  conditions  to  render  a  variety  first-class 
for  bedding,  as  Mr.  Cannell  would  have  people  suppose  ?  I  say 
that  they  are  not :  for  instance,  his  Ivy-leaved  Duke  of  Edin- 
burgh is  first-class  as  a  bedding  plant,  ^vhile  we  all  know  that 
it  is  very  far  from  having  a  regular  outline.    Again,  hia  com- 


parison of  Kentish  Hero  with  Perilla  is  singularly  at  fault,  for 
no  two  varieties  can  possibly  be  more  distinct  from  each  other 
than  these  in  the  most  essential  particular — namely,  color- 
ation of  the  leaf,  Perilla  being  a  green-leaved  variety,  and 
Kentish  Hero  a  bright  golden-leaved  one,  with  bright  red  zones  ; 
and  till  we  obtain  a  variety  as  effective  as  it  proves  to  be,  with 
round  flat  leaves,  I  must  coincide  with  the  opinion  expressed 
on  at  least  two  occasions  this  season  by  the  judges  at  Cbiswick, 
that  for  effectiveness  as  a  bedder  it  is  the  best  at  present  in 
commerce. — W.  B.  G. 


PRESENTATION  TO  MR.  DAVID  THOMSON, 

OF  ARCHERFIELD. 

On  Thursday  last  some  of  the  friends  and  well-wishers  of  Mr.  David 
Thomson,  head  gardener  to  the  Right  Hon.  E.  C.  N.  Hamilton, 
Archerfield,  embraced  the  occasion  of  his  leaving  bis  present  situation 
for  the  service  of  the  Duke  of  Buccleuch  at  Drnmlanrig,  to  show  the 
high  esteem  in  which  he  has  long  been  held  by  them.  At  one  o'clock, 
a  deputation  from  the  subscribers  to  a  very  beautiful  testimonial 
assembled  in  the  Dirleton  Castle  Inn,  for  the  purpose  of  presenting  it 
iu  public  to  Mr.  Thomson.  Among  those  present  were  Mr.  Hope, 
Feutonbams,  and  many  other  eminent  agriculturists  of  East  Lothian, 
and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Howieson,  Dirleton  ;  horticulture  being  represented 
by  Mr.  Downie,  of  Downio  &  Laird,  Edinburgh  ;  Mr.  Mitchell,  of 
Lament  A  Mitchell,  Edinburgh ;  Councillor  Lewis,  Edinburgh  ;  Mr. 
Thomson.  Dalkeith  ;  Mr.  Lees,  Tynninghame  Gardens  ;  Mr.  Balden, 
Niddry  House,  tfce. 

Mr.  Hope,  who  presided,  said  the  present  meeting  was  a  deputation 
from  the  nnmerous  personal  friends  and  professional  admirers  of  Mr. 
Thomson,  who,  before  he  left  this  part  of  the  country,  desired  to  pre- 
sent him  with  a  small  but  tangible  token  of  their  high  esteem  for  big 
personal  character,  of  their  great  admiration  for  his  professional  and 
scientific  attaiuments,  as  evidenced  in  his  published  works,  and  of 
their  appreciation  of  the  success  he  had  attained  in  the  highest  walks 
of  practical  gardening,  (.\pplanse).  In  regard  to  Mr.  Thomson's 
literary  attainments,  he  (Mr.  Hope)  believed  that  the  merits  of  big 
works  had  been  cordially  acknowledged  by  his  professional  brethren, 
while,  to  amateurs  Uke  himself,  he  had  found  them  of  the  greatest 
use  ;  and  he  had  no  doubt  as  they  were  better  known  they  would  bo 
more  and  more  admired.  Their  style  was  invariably  terse  and  clear, 
while  his  felicitous  choice  of  words  was  only  equalled  by  the  correct- 
ness of  the  principles  and  the  practice  which  they  inculcated.  It  was 
now  upwards  of  ten  years  since  Mr.  Thomson  came  to  the  parish  ;  and 
year  after  year  as  his  friends  became  better  acquainted  with  him,  the 
more  their  esteem  for  him  increased.  (Applause).  In  regard  to 
Dirleton  Gardens,  he  (Mr.  Hope)  recollected  when  they  were  regularly 
cropped  with  Potatoes  and  Wheat.  A  short  time  before  Mr.  Thomson 
came  they  were  laid  out  in  flower  beds,  but  since  his  magic  wand  was 
waved  over  thera  they  had  become  famed  over  the  length  and  breadth 
of  the  land.  Mr.  Thomson  was  now  giving  to  take  charge  of  one  of  the 
largest,  if  not  the  largest,  gardens  and  gi-ouuds  in  Scotland ;  and  so 
far  as  it  might  be  considered  a  professional  step,  it  was  one  of  the 
highest  in  the  kingdom.  All  his  friends  rejoiced  in  this,  though  they 
could  not  but  regret  the  loss  they  would  experience  in  being  deprived 
of  that  social  intercourse  with  him  which  they  bad  had  the  hap- 
piness to  enjoy,  and  still  more  the  ready  advice  which  he  always 
cheerfully  bestowed  in  aiding  them  to  obtain  increased  luxuries  from 
their  gardens.  He  (Mr.  Hope)  had  no  doubt  that  Mr.  Thomson  would 
soon  gain  for  himself  new  friends  as  attached  as  those  he  now  left 
behind  him.  He  carried  with  him  the  best  wishes  of  every  one,  and 
in  the  name  of  the  subscribers  to  the  testimonial,  he  now  begged  Mr. 
Thomson's  acceptance  of  it,  and  to  add  that  it  was  their  earnest  wish 
that  he  might  long  be  spared  to  enjoy  health,  happiness,  and  pro- 
sperity.    (Applause). 

The  testimonial  consisted  of  a  very  elegant  gold  watch  and  chain, 
a  timepiece,  and  a  silver  tea  service  to  Mrs.  Thomson.  The  watch, 
which  was  of  the  most  massive  character,  bore  the  following  inscrip- 
tion : — "  Presented  to  Mr.  D.  Thomson  on  his  leaving  Archerfield  by 
a  large  number  of  friends,  as  a  token  of  their  admiration  of  his  pro- 
fessional abilities,  and  esteem  for  his  private  virtues,  5th  November, 
1868." 

Mr.  Thomson,  in  acknowledging  the  gift,  said — I  feel  it  to  be  quite 
beyond  the  compass  of  my  power  to  command  words  which  shall  con- 
vey to  you  a  proper  impression  of  my  feelings  on  this,  to  me.  memor- 
able occasion.  When  a  person  finds  himself  placed  in  such  a  position 
as  mine  at  the  present  moment,  it  is  most  difficult  to  avoid  putting  the 
question  to  one's  self — Have  I  iu  any  way  merited  or  deserved  such 
tokens  of  esteem  and  regard,  and  such  a  recognition  as  I  am  now 
honoured  with,  and  presented  with  such  a  valuable  and  splendid  testi- 
monial as  you  have  bestowed  upon  me  ?  To  say  to  you  that  I  feel 
quite  unworthy  of  all  this  is  undoubtedly  my  feeling ;  but  I  will  not 
dwell  on  that  toiiic,  seeing  that  I  have  been  judged  otherwise  by  yoa 
and  those  whom  you  are  here  to  represent.  I  am  one  of  those  who 
think  it  an  honourable  ambition  to  act  so  as  to  eai-n  the  good  will  and 
respect  of  my  fellow  men,  and  Solomon  says  that  "  A  good  name  is 
better  than  riches,  and  loving  favour  better  than  silver  and  gold." 
Since  I  came  amongst  you,  ten  and  a  half  years  have  rolled  over 


Novcnilij?r  12, 18C8.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTIOULTUKE   AND   COTTAGE    GARDENER. 


359 


us — to  look  buck  it  seems  but  yesterday.  These  years  present  many 
happy  and  pleasant  resting  placea  for  my  mind  to  rest  upon,  ami 
though  elomlH  and  j^loom — tbo  common  lot  of  us  all  at  times — have 
passed  over  my  tiresiJo,  wo  can  always  look  back  with  {gratitude  and 
thankfulness  to  the  kindly  fuoliut^  and  many  acts  of  disinterested  kind- 
ness which  wu  have  oxpeiienced  in  Dirlcton.  The  fvont  of  thia  after- 
noon ban  brought  these  many  expressions  and  acts  of  good  will  to  a 
climax,  and  for  theso  all,  and  especially  for  this,  1  beg  to  thank  you 
with  a  sincerity  of  which  I  am  profoundly  conscious.  Reference  has 
been  made  to  my  professional  lal)Ours  and  ability.  Whatever  of  these 
can  bo  laid  to  ray  credit  has  been  acquired,  to  a  very  considerable  ex- 
tent, by  contact  with  the  loui;-celebrated  gardeners  of  Kast  Lothian, 
and  to  them  1  owe  a  double  debt  of  gratitude  for  ranch  substantial  aid 
and  good  fellowshi]).  I  Icavo  this  district  with  great  reluctance,  and 
not  for  the  sake  of  greater  emolument,  nor  for  any  hankering  after 
change.  Circumstances  have,  however,  arisen  which  have  made  it 
not  consistent  with  self-respect  for  mo  to  remain  any  longer  here.  In 
the  kind  providence  of  CJod  1  have  been  succcssfal  in  getting  into  tbo 
service  of  an  employer  wlio  stands  unrivalled  as  a  noltleman  of  high 
honour,  good  sense,  and  Jdndly  feeling,  and  I  trust  I  may  bo  enabled 
to  fill  that  situation  with  as  much  credit  to  myself  aud  satisfaction  to 
the  Duke  of  Bucclcnch  as  Mr.  Mcintosh  has  tilled  it  for  the  long 
period  of  twcntv-eight  years.  Mr,  Thomson  concluded  by  again  tbauT:- 
iug  his  friends  for  their  great  kindness  and  good  feeling  towards  him, 
in  making  such  a  splendid  present. 


PLANTS   IN   BLOOM   DURING   OCTOBER;, 


Oct.   5.  Q'.iiothera  missonrensis 
Chiococca  raceniosa 
Ecrberis  Darwiuii 
Vinca  major 
Aster  paiiiculatus 
Chcloue  barbata  coccinea 
Eryngium  planum 
Parnassia  palustris 
Ajilga  reptuns  varicgata 
Sedum  Sieboldii 
S.  Campanula  garganica 
Zaubchnerla  califoiuica 
Dianthus  laciniatua 
Geum  splendens 
Saponaria  officinalis  plena 
Badbeckia  fulj^ida 
Polygonum  amplexicaulo 
Seabiosa  columbaria 
12.  Acbillea  millefolium  rosea 
Helianthus  diffusus 
Verbena  venosa 
Aster  tenellus 
Lupinus    niutabilis    versi- 
color 
IMimulus  tigrinus 
Centriiutbus  ruber 
bose.  Maria  Leouida 
various 

„   14.  Phloxes 

Cheirantbns  3Iarsh.alli 
Gilia  tricolor 
Agrostemma  barba-Jovis 
liinaria  bipartita 
Koniga  maritima 
Petunia  graudiflora 
Artemisia  annua 
Corydalis  lutea 
Double  Lilic  Primrose 
Sweet  William 
Viola  tricolor 
Mentha  rotundifolia 
Statice  aruieria 

„    16.  Fuchsia  cocciuea 
gracilis 
fulgcus 

— M.  H.,  Acklam  Hall,  ^fidiUf 


Oct.  16.  Salvia  patens  "ff.' 

fulgeus  '' 

Aster  duniosns 
Escbscboltzia  calijornica 
Moriiia  pcrsica 
Rhododendron  ponticnm 

„    19.  China  Asters 

Acroclinium  roseum 
Phlox  frondosa 
stolonifera 
Oinothera  macrocarpa 

„    22.  Campanula  puoiila  alba 
Krica  ranienficea 
Gnaphalium  lanatura 
Laurus  Linus 
Liniim  fiavura 
Anemone  .iapunica 
Arbutus  unedo 
Daphne  lanreola 
Rhododendron  dauricnm 
Stachys  hinata 
Lobelia  speciosa 

„    23.  Liaaria  cymbalaria 

Tradescautia  virgiuica 
Asperula  odorata 

,,    28.  Tritoma  uvaria 

Gj'uerium  argenteum 
Pyrethruui  i)artheuium 
Viola  montana 
Silene  rubella 
Aster  hevis 
Sedum  dentatum 
Virginian  Stock 
Calandrinia  umbellata 
Centaurea  moschata 
■\Vallflowers       :    ,   ,-     i 
Viscaria  oculnta  i   ,     .y-,,, 

,,    30.  Reseda  fiuticulosa 
Eriza  maxima 
Silene  compacta 
Ivy 

Lonicer.x      .ljiu     ,lj,'  ■ 
Schizostylis  CQCcln^ji      , 
Viola  lutea 
cornula 

■sboroiigh-on-Tecs. 


CLAKKES  INSECT-DESTROYING  COMPOUND. 

In  answering  questions  in  reference  to  my  Compound,  I  wieh 
to  remark  that  I  do  not  recommend  Grapes  to  be  syringed 
after  the  bloom  has  begun  to  form,  which  it  generally  com- 
mences to  do  before  they  begin  to  colour.  They  may  be 
syringed  up  to  this  time  without  injury  to  the  fruit,  but  imme- 
diately the  Vine  has  been  syringed  every  bunch  .should  also 
have  a  good  syringing  with  clean  water  in  order  to  wash  the 
solution  out  of  the  bunches,  or  it  would  lodge  between  the 
berries,  dry  on  them  white,  and  spoil  their  appearance. 

I  had  last  year  one  or  two  Peach  trees  much  infested  with 
scale,  and  in  the  spring  of  the  present  year  I  thought  I  would 
try  a  decoction  recommended  by  one  of  your  correspondents. 
It  consisted  of  soft  soap  and  bitter  aloes,  at  the  rate  of  2  ozs. 
to  the  gallon,  boiled  ;  but  I  found  it  discoloured  the  fruit,  and 
how  to  remove  it  I  did  not  know.  The  scale  was  also  making 
lis  appearance  again.  The  fruit  was  in  its  second  swelling 
when  I  discovered  my  Compound.    I  gave  both  trees  and  fruit 


a  good  syringing,  and  it  not  only  cleansed  tlio  fruit  but  killed 
all  the  scale.  Nothing  more  was  required  until  the  fruit  was 
ripe,  when  the  red  spider  attacked  them  ;  but  when  it  was 
gathered  I  gave  the  trees  another  dressing,  and  next  morning 
not  a  red  spider  could  be  found. — T.  C.  Clabke. 


THE   MIU.\nELLE   PLUM. 

Von  very  many  years  I  have  admired  this  charming  little 
Plum,  and  have  often  felt  surprised  that  it  is  so  seldom  culti- 
vated in  England.  It  is  not  to  be  thought  of  as  a  dessert 
Plum,  for  uncooked  it  is  rather  dry,  with  a  dull  sweetness,  and 
of  no  taking  flavour,  but  when  cooked  or  made  into  jam  its 
flavour  is  delicious  ;  and  what  is  very  remarkable,  although 
there  are  hundreds  of  varieties  of  Plums,  not  one  has  the 
peculiar  aroma  of  this  sort.  If  bottled  (without  water),  the 
flavour  is  fully  preserved,  and  a  tart  or  pudding  of  Mirabelle 
Plums  at  this  season  is  a  real  treat. 

Some  years  since,  when  Louis  Philippe  was  king,  I  happened 
to  visit  the  pntafteri:'  at  Versailles,  and  there  to  my  surprise 
I  saw  scores  of  baskets  of  this  sort  of  Plum  gathered  ready  for 
the  Pioyal  kitchen.  On  inquiry  I  found  it  was  the  favourite 
Plum  of  the  Royal  Family,  no  other  variety  equalling  it  in 
flavour  for  compotes,  &c.  I  afterwards  learned  that  in  the 
east  of  France  it  was  equally  esteemed,  as  it  is  now — it  is,  iu 
fact,  called  Mirabelle  de  Metz.  Its  small  oval  fruit,  bright 
yellow  mottled  with  red,  are  most  ornamental  on  the  trees,  and 
its  stone  the  smallest  of  all  Plum  stones,  being  smaller  than  that 
of  the  Morello  Cherry.  The  tree  is  best  cultivated  as  a  bush,  and 
when  in  blossom  should  have  a  covering  of  light  flannel  when 
the  nights  are  frosty.  It  requires  a  dry  warm  situation,  and 
is  well  worthy  of  extra  care. — T.  1!. 


LUMINOUS  INSECT. 

I  csuallt  walk  round  my  garden  paths  in  the  evening,  and 
continually  have  my  attention  attracted  by  finding  one  at  my 
feet — I  think  a  glowworm.  First  it  is  the  bright  body  in  a 
round  mass  ;  it  then  appears  to  separate,  aud  part  of  it  like  a 
thread  moves  away  from  what  was  the  main  body,  leaving  an 
illuminated  piece  behind,  which,  with  the  part  in  motion, 
gradually  becomes  feebler  iu  light  uutil  it  ceases  altogether. 
The  peculiarity  is,  that  it  makes  a  circuit  aud  returns  to  the 
first  spot,  the  whole  train  being  slightly  illuminated. 

Sometimes  two  are  performing  the  same  movement  simnl- 
taneously. — E.  .1.  S. 

rTho  insect  above  described  is  not  a  glowworm,  but  one  o£ 
the  small  species  of  centipedes,  which  in  the  autumnal  months, 
which  is  the  pairing  season,  become  luminous.  From  the 
last  paragraph  it  would  seem  that  both  sexes  have  the  power 
of  emitting  light.  The  species  is  scientifioally  named  Gco- 
philus  electric:!.^. — Vf.] 


NEW   BOOKS. 


The  Miniatxin  Fmit  Garden.  London :  Longmans. 
It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  we  announce  the  appearance 
of  the  fifteenth  edition  of  Mr.  Eivers's  "  Miniature  Fruit  Gar- 
den," just  issued  from  the  press.  After  passing  through  so 
many  editions  as  this  useful  little  work  has  done,  it  may  ap- 
pear superfluous  to  say  anything  in  its  praise.  There  are  new 
generations  always  arising  to  whom  all  things  are  new,  and  to 
whom  "  The  Miniature  Fruit  Garden "  forms  no  exception. 
To  them  we  will  convey  an  idea  of  what  the  work  is,  by  an 
extract  from  page  83.  "A  French  pomologiEt,"  says  Mr. 
Kivers,  "who  visited  me  in  1S61,  said,  'Ah!  nov/ I  find  an 
Englishman  planting  for  himself  as  well  as  for  his  children.'  " 
This  is  the  text  of  the  treatise,  to  teach  a  man  how  he  may  eat 
the  fruit  of  trees  which  his  own  hand  has  planted.  For  the 
benefit  of  those  who  already  are  acquainted  with  this  work,  we 
may  state  that  they  will  find  in  this  new  edition  much  useful 
matter  which  has  not  appeared  in  any  of  the  former. 


Tlia  Gooneberry-Grower's Register. 
Tnis  is  the  new  edition  of  an  annual  which  has  appeared,  we 
believe,  without  intermission  for  more  than  a  century.  It  is  a 
most  unpretending  little  volume,  and,  therefore,  is  not  so  much 
known  as  some  of  its  more  pretentious  cotemporaries,  but  it  is, 
nevertheless,  to  fruit-growers  one  of  the  most  interesting  and 
useful  publications,  while  to  tho  general  public  it  is  an  object 


360 


JOURNAL   OF  HOETICULTUBE   AND  COTTAGE   GAEDENER. 


[  Novembor  12,  ! 


of  the  greatest  curiosity.  It  is  a  record  of  all  the  Gooseberry 
exhibitions  througbont  the  year  1868,  the  names  of  the  ex- 
hibitors, the  berries  shown,  and  their  weights.  The  largest 
herry  shown  was  London,  29dwts.  19grs.,  at  Brough,  Derby- 
shire, by  Mr.  Phineas  Higton,  Alderwashley,  nearWirksworth. 
Whoever  sends  Is.  8d.  to  Mr.  Leicester,  nurseryman,  Crompton 
Eoad,  Macclesfield,  will  have  a  copy  of  the  Register  returned  to 
liim. 

VINE  ONE    YEAR    OLD    BEARING  T^VENTY 
THREE   BUNCHES   OF   GRAPES. 

The  truth  of  the  statement,  at  page  279,  being  doubted  by 
more  than  one  of  our  correapondents,  we  wrote  to  Mr.  Roberts, 
and  the  following  is  his  reply  : — 

"  I  VFTofe  to  Mr.  Meredith's,  at  Garston,  fonvardinR  the  letter  yon 
enclosed  for  me,  also  the  Jonrnal  containing  my  statement,  and  I  now 
give  Mr.  Meredith's  foreman's  reply.  He  also  sent  me  a  sample  of 
the  eyes  the  Vine  is  furnished  with,  which  I  have  shown  to  several  of 
my  gardening  friends,  who  all  say  they  never  saw  more  frnitfnl-look- 
ing  eyes  and  wood,  for  the  eyes  look  like  nuts.  This  cert,ainly  shows 
that  the  crop  has  not  taken  all  the  vitality  to  mature  the  fruit,  but 
that  there  is  wood  able  to  bring  to  perfection  double  the  quantity  next 
season  if  allowed. 

"  'When  I  entered  the  house  in  which  Mrs.  Pince's  Black  Muscat  is 
planted,  for  it  is  in  an  inside  border,  if  the  question  had  been  asked, 
How  long  I  thought  the  'S'ine  had  been  planted  ?  I  certainly  should 
have  guessed  six  or  seven  years,  for  it  looked  quite  as  vigorous  in 
growth  as  if  it  had  been  planted  that  length  of  time,  the  bunches 
fceing  in  such  fine  condition,  and  the  wood  so  strong  and  firm.  I  can 
assure  your  correspondent  who  is  so  fond  of  Vine  culture,  that  he 
would  never  regret  paying  Mr.  Meredith's  vineyard  a  visit ;  there  he 
would  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  powers  of  Mrs.  Pince's  Black 
Itfuscat  tested,  and  the  wood  it  is  furnished  with  for  next  year's  crop, 
after  bringing  to  maturity  a  greater  quantity  of  bnnches  than  he  states 
in  his  letter. — CniRLES  Kobekts,  Borfokl  Uall  Gardens,  Kantwidt, 
Oheshire." 

The  letter  from  Mr.  Meredith's  foreman  is  as  follows : — 
"  Your  statement  concerning  the  Vine  of  Mrs.  Pince's  Black 
Muscat  is  substantially  correct,  but  you  have  underrated  the  weight  of 
fruit.  The  facts  are  as  follow : — The  Vine  was  planted  in  the  sum- 
mer of  I8ti7,  and  was  then  a  small  one,  certainly  not  more  than  3  feet 
in  length.  It  bears  now  twenty-one  bunches,  two  having  been  taken 
off,  a  berry  at  a  time,  for  tasting.  The  weight  of  the  twenty-three 
2)unches  would  be  at  least  30  lbs.,  several  of  them  being  nearer  2  lbs. 
than  1  lb.  in  weight. 

*'  I  have  measured  the  stem  this  morning,  the  circumference  at  the 
base  is  GJ  inches,  and  at  2  feet  from  the  bottom  it  is  5J  inches.  I 
enclose  a  sample  of  the  eyes  it  is  furnished  with,  which  certainly  do 
not  look  like  barren  ones. — 'Wm.  Taylor,  Tlie  Vineyard,  Gurston, 
near  lAverjpol" 

COST  OF  HEATING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  A 
BOILER— GARDENERS'  WAGES. 
In  answer  to  "C.  C."  and  others,  for  single  small  houses 
■where  only  a  little  heat  is  wanted  to  exclude  frost,  there  is  no 
other  plan  so  economical  as  having  a  brick  or  an  iron  stove, 
"with  a  small  funnel  through  the  roof. 

2.  A  flue  will  heat  such  a  house  more  cheaply  than  a  boiler, 
because  in  proportion  less  heat  will  escape  at  the  top  of  the 
chimney. 

3.  Much  heat  is  always  thus  lost  from  a  boiler  unless  the 
stoker  is  careful,  and  do  what  he  will  much  wall  go  to  ameliorate 
the  temperature  of  the  surrounding  air.  We  have  passed  furnaces 
heating  boilers,  with  fire  and  furnace  doors  open,  and  a  glaring 
Ted  fire  in  the  furnace,  and  the  flickering  of  the  air  at  the  top  of 
the  chimney  told  at  once  the  quantity  of  heated  air  that  was 
thus  escaping. 

Now,  as  commonly  arranged,  the  following  precautions  are 
necessary,  so  far  as  securing  economy  in  fuel  is  concerned : — 
Clean  out  the  furnace  before  lighting,  close  the  furnace  door 
after  lighting,  and  leave  the  ashpit  door  open  until  the  fire  has 
fairly  taken  hold  and  is  burning  freely  ;  then  shut  the  ashpit 
door,  and  if  there  is  a  revolver  in  it  just  open  it  a  little  to  seciire 
more  perfect  combustion,  and  by  the  time  the  fuel  is  incandes- 
cent place  the  damper  in  the  chimney,  just  leaving  a  little  open- 
ing to  allow  the  gases  to  escape.  To  make  sure  of  this,  in  ex- 
perienced hands,  in  the  centre  of  the  damper  a  hole  may  be  made 
half  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  then  the  damper  may  shut  in 
closely,  as  that  opening  will  obviate  all  danger,  and  the  heated 
air,  instead  of  all  rushing  up  the  chimney,  will  to  a  great  ex- 
tent be  sent  back  to  play  over  and  around  the  boUer.  Open- 
ing the  ashpit  door  half  an  inch  or  less  will  admit  sufficient  air 
to  support  a  slow  combustion.     'When  the  boiler  and  pipes  are 


heated,  a  slow-burning  fire  will  keep  up  the  heat  for  a  long 
time.  When  only  a  sudden  heat  for  temporary  frosts  is  wanted, 
we  prefer  a  brisk  fire  burning  itself  out.  The  ashpit  door  and 
the  damper  must  be  looked  to  if  a  continuous  heat  is  to  be  main- 
tained economically.  The  whole  matter  is  simplicity  itself ;  but 
we  know  practically  how  very  difficult  it  is  to  make  otherwise 
clever  active  men  attend  to  such  matters  of  detail,  such  seeming 
trifles. 

We  can  hardly  tell  whether  "  C.  C.'s  "  architect,  ironmonger, 
and  friends  arc  right  in  saying  he  ought  to  heat  his  conserva- 
tory, haU,  and  greenhouse,  all  on  a  small  scale,  for  £7  or  £8  per 
annum.  This  we  do  Icnow,  that  there  will  be  much  waste  if 
the  stoking  is  not  attended  to  as  if  a  man  were  determined  to 
do  it  well  as  above,  and  without  waste  ;  but  this  we  also  know, 
that  the  veriest  rubbish  has  been  affirmed  by  architects,  iron- 
mongers, and  hot-water  tradesmen  as  to  the  little  fuel  that  heat- 
ing by  hot  water  needs.  Hot  water  wiU  always  be  economical 
as  respects  fuel,  in  proportion  to  the  great  quantity  of  work  done 
by  one  boiler,  and  therefore  one  chimney.  'When  we  use  a 
boiler  for  a  small  place,  we  think  of  efliciency,  cleanliness,  &c., 
rather  than  the  cost  of  the  fuel.  Even  then  the  stoker  can  do 
much. 

As  to  the  other  question  asked  by  "  C.  C,"  such  a  boiler,  and 
with  1  i  acre  of  kitchen  and  flower  garden,  and  lawn,  could  in  a 
certain  way  be  attended  to  by  one  man  and  a  boy  with  occasional 
assistance ;  but  much  will  depend  on  the  occasional.  'We  have 
known  small  houses,  such  as  we  may  judge  his  to  be,  that 
would  almost  require  the  whole  of  a  man's  time.  We  have 
known  them  tidy  with  a  few  hours'  work  each  day.  We  can 
form  less  idea  of  the  i\  acre  of  park  or  paddock.  Altogether, 
we  should  judge  that  where  fine  plants  and  much  forcing  were 
required,  the  labour  would  not  be  sufficient.  Nor  do  we  think 
that  £1  per  week  would  tempt  a  good  man  to  remain.  It  would 
likely  have  been  a  saving  if,  instead  of  having  half  a  dozen 
changes,  there  had  been  a  few  shillings  a-  week  more  given  to  a 
good  man.  A  gentleman  never  gave  more  than  fi'om  £5.5  to 
£60  per  annum,  and  generally  changed  every  year,  or  at  the 
longest  every  second  or  third  year,  and  every  change  cost  him  a 
considerable  amount  of  money  for  alterations.  By  gi'ving  £10 
or  £20  more,  he  has  told  us,  he  has  effected  a  great  saving.  He 
found  out  that  everybody  he  had  before  came  to  his  place 
merely  as  a  fiU-gap,  and  was  on  the  look-out  for  something  else, 
and  consequently  felt  little  or  no  interest  in  the  work.  It  was 
very  wrong,  no  doubt,  but  it  cannot  be  expected  that  all  the 
virtue  is  to  come  from  the  wage-getting  man. 


POMOLOGICAL   GLEANINGS. 

"  Permit  me  to  add  a  few  words  to  the  excellent  description 
of  THE  Mteoealan,  or  Cherry  Plum,  given  by  "  Archambacd," 
page  296.  In  my  youth  a  gigantic  tree  of  this  kind  grew  in 
the  "front  court"  of  our  house,  and  every  season  was  a 
mass  of  snowy  flowers,  and  now  and  then,  perhaps  twice  in 
seven  years,  would  give  a  sprinkling  of  its  pretty  fruit,  but 
never  an  abundant  crop,  such  as  I  have  seen  in  Touraine, 
where  every  branch  is  often  a  rope  of  fruit  more  numerous  by 
far  than  the  leaves,  and  most  beautiful  to  behold.  I  have 
heard  that  in  some  sheltered  places  in  England,  perhaps  near 
the  sea,  it  occasionally  bears  in  like  abundance.  Here, 
owing  to  its  putting  forth  its  flowers  in  March,  before  our 
spring  winter  is  over,  it  is  rarely  that  any  escape  the  severe 
frosts  of  that  or  the  following  month. 

"  This  Plum  is  evidently  as  distinct  a  species  as  the  Sloe 
(Prunus  spinosa),  for  although  many  thousands  fre  annually 
raised  here  from  seed  to  be  used  as  stocks  for  a  few  sorts  of 
Plums,  which  succeed  well  when  grafted  on  it,  no  variation  in 
habit  is  ever  seen — they  are  as  constant  as  Quick  raised  from 
haws.  There  are,  however,  two  or  three  kinds  that  vary  in 
the  colour  of  their  fruit,  one  bearing  yellow  and  another  green- 
ish yellow  Plums,  but  their  leaves  and  shoots  seem  never  to 
vary.  The  latter  kind  is  common  in  Belgium,  and  is  used  in 
their  sandy  soils  for  stocks  for  Plums,  Peaches,  and  Apricots. 
This  kind  strikes  freely  from  cuttings  in  the  light  peaty  soils  of 
Belgium,  where  it  is  called  the  Mirabelle  Plum.  One  peculiar 
characteristic  of  this  stock  is  its  immunity  from  the  attacks  of 
the  Plum  or  any  other  kind  of  aphis,  often  so  injurious  to 
all  other  kinds  of  Plums.  Seedling  Cherry  Plums  form  finer 
trees  than  those  that  are  grafted,  as  they  have  naturally  a 
graceful  pyramidal  habit,  and  would,  if  planted  in  sbrubberiea, 
require  no  care,  soon  becoming  trees,  always  ornamental  and 
sometimes  fruitful. 

"  Some  years  since  a  kind  of  Plum  was  introduced  to  the  Hor- 


November  12, 1808.  J 


JODENAL  OF  HOETICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENER. 


361 


tioulturfti  Society's  gardens  at  Chiswick,  which  (trusting  to 
memory),  Mr.  Gordon,  who  then  had  the  care  of  the  new 
introductions,  told  me  waa  sent  from  the  Himalayas  as  the 
original  species  from  which  the  Green  Gage  Plum  had  been 
raised — in  other  words  the  wild  Green  Gage  Plum.  I  loolted 
at  its  vigorous  glossy  shoots  with  great  interest,  and  obtained 
some  buds,  being  then  as  now  a  Fellow.  In  a  year  or  two  my 
young  trees  were  placed  in  pots,  and  I  gloated  over  the  idea  of 
seeing  our  favourite  Plum  of  the  shape  and  size  of  a  Sloe, 
only  green  instead  of  purple,  and  thus  being  able  to  trace  it  to 
its  origin.  Alas  !  my  trees,  placed  in  one  of  my  orchard 
houses,  bore  abundantly,  and  gave  a  death  blow  to  my  hopes, 
for  they  produced  a  fine  crop  of  true  Cherry  Plums. — T.  11." 

Another   proof  of   the   influence   of  last   summer   in 

ripening  fruit  has  been  sent  to  us  by  J.  B.  Daubury,  Esq., 
Buckingham  Villa,  Eyde.  It  is  a  well-ripened  though  rather 
small  PoHECKANATE,  borne  by  a  standa.rd  tree  in  the  open 
garden,  and  which  never  bore  fruit  in  any  previous  year. 


BENTLEY  PKIORY. 


{Continued  from  page  187.) 

Before  entering  the  conservatory  Mr.  Rutland  called  my 
attention  to  a  fine  quarter  of  Strawberries  in  front  of  the  long 
range  of  vineries.  They  had  preserved  their  fine  foliage  and 
vigour  all  through  the  trying  season,  and  the  quantity  of  fruit 
they  had  produced  was  extraordinary  ;  I  am  afraid  to  say  how 
many  bushels  were  gathered  from  a  plantation  about  30  yards 
square.  This  was  owing  to  the  mode  of  preparing  the  soil 
adopted  by  Mr.  Rutland  before  making  his  plantations.  It  is 
one  which  I  have  before  described,  and  will  amply  repay  the 
cultivator  for  the  extra  trouble  taken  at  the  commencement. 
For  the  benefit  of  those  who  may  contemplate  making  new 
plantations,  and  who  may  not  be  acquainted  with  this  system, 
I  will  hero  give  a  brief  outline  of  it  as  pursued  by  Mr.  Rutland 
with  so  much  success. 

In  the  first  place,  the  ground  should  be  trenched  to  a  depth 
of  2  feet  G  inches,  or  more  if  the  subsoil  is  good.  Secondly, 
plenty  of  manure  should  be  placed  in  the  bottom  of  every 
trench  (when  I  say  plenty,  it  means  from  3  to  5  inches)  ;  then 
after  the  whole  of  the  piece  intended  for  the  new  Strawberry 
plantation  has  been  trenched  over,  another  slight  coating  of 
well-decomposed  manure  should  be  spread  all  over  the  surface 
of  the  ground  and  pointed-in  with  the  spade,  leaving  the  smtaee 
as  rough  as  possible,  so  as  to  expose  it  fully  to  the  action  of 
the  air  and  frost.  The  present- is  an  excellent  time  to  prepare 
the  ground  as  above  described,  and  it  may  so  remain  till  March, 
when  a  favourable  opportunity  should  be  selected  for  planting 
out  the  Strawberry  plants  in  the  new  ground.  If  an  early  lot 
of  runners  was  taken  off  in  the  previous  summer  and  pricked 
out  about  Ij  inches  apart  in  a  piece  of  rich  ground,  by  this 
time  they  will  have  grown  into  fine  healthy  plants,  and  care 
should  be  exercised  in  their  removal  to  injure  the  roots  as  little 
as  possible.  If  a  small  trench  is  taken  out  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  nursery  bed  the  plants  can  he  removed  row  after 
row,  with  balls  of  earth  attached  to  them,  without  the  slightest 
injury  to  their  roots.  They  should  then  be  planted  with  the 
same  care  in  rows  about  3'.  feet  apart,  and  2\  feet  from  plant 
to  plant  in  the  rows.  After  planting,  the  soil  may  be  just 
pointed  over  with  a  fork  between  the  plants,  shaking  a  little 
manure  about  them  as  each  row  is  finished,  to  shelter  them 
from  the  March  winds  and  spring  frosts. 

In  such  a  season  as  we  have  experienced,  the  benefit  to  be 
derived  from  placing  the  manure  at  the  bottom  of  the  trenches 
will  at  once  be  seen  ;  the  roots  go  down  in  search  of  moisture, 
they  are  also  attracted  by  the  manure,  and  the  plants  will  then 
be  able  to  withstand  uninjured  any  amount  of  dry  hot  weather 
such  as  we  have  had  this  year,  and  in  this  way  they  produce 
immense  quantities  of  first-rate  fruit.  The  manure  pointed 
into  the  surface  of  the  soil  is  for  the  purpose  of  encouraging 
root  action  as  soon  as  the  plants  are  planted  out,  and  to  enrich 
the  soil  brought  up  from  the  bottom  of  the  trenches,  which  is 
generally  very  poor  unless  the  same  piece  of  land  has  been 
subjected  to  a  similar  course  of  treatment  in  previous  years. 

The  conservatory,  one  of  the  most  magnificent  buildings  of 
its  kind  in  the  country,  is  situated  on  the  west  side  of  the 
mansion,  and  is  approached  by  three  entrances  ;  one  commu- 
nicating with  a  splendid  suite  of  rooms  in  the  mansion,  another 
with  the  terrace  gardens,  and  the  third  with  the  corridor  men- 
tioned at  page  187.  From  the  last-named  approach  I  entered 
this  noble  structure,  which  gives  one  an  idea  of  the  gi'eat  wealth 


and  taste  which  the  owner  of  this  fine  estate  posBossos.  The 
building  is  l.'iO  feet  long,  2.'}  feet  wide,  and  3(i  feet  high  in  the 
centre.  There  is  a  path  through  the  centre  paved  with  Minton'g 
tiles,  and  on  each  side  at  intervals  fine  pedestals,  on  which  are 
placed  some  of  the  costly  Majolica  vases,  which  wore  pur- 
chased at  the  Great  Exhibition  of  1802.  They  are  exceedingly 
handsome,  and  appear  to  preserve  all  their  colours  perfectly. 
They  are  filled  with  flowering  plants.  Ferns,  and  two  or  three 
of  them  with  large  plants  of  the  graceful  Adiantum  cuneatum, 
about  3  feet  in  diameter. 

Behind  the  vases  are  arranged  numerous  flowering  and  oma- 
mental-toliaged  plants,  amongst  which  1  noticed  fine  specimens 
of  tlio  following — Musa  ensete,  Oleanders,  Oranges,  Camellias 
splendidly  set  with  flower-buds  ;  noble  plants  of  Dicksonia 
antarctica  and  D.  fibrosa,  Cyathea  meduUaris,  having  a  clean 
stem,  and  fronds  in  perfect  health  from  12  to  11  feet  long,  a 
splendid  Seaforthia  elegans,  and  Chamicrops  excelsa,  with 
several  handsome  trees  of  Araucaria  excelsa. 

In  the  centre  of  the  conservatory  is  a  beautiful  fountain,  and 
at  the  back  of  this  a  magnificent  half-circular  seat,  the  back- 
ground of  which  must  have  cost  a  very  large  sum,  the  painting 
being  very  rich  and  good.  Opposite  to  this  there  is  a  grand 
entrance  to  the  terrace  gardens,  and  on  each  side  of  the  door  is 
the  finest  pair  of  Dicksonia  antarctica  I  have  over  seen.  The 
plants  are  dwarf,  but  have  fronds  of  great  length  and  beauty, 
which  have  a  very  pleasing  effect.  These  noble  plants  now  re- 
quire more  than  double  the  space  at  present  allowed  to  them. 

Whilst  standing  at  the  door  of  the  conservatory,  one  of  the 
most  charming  views  I  ever  beheld  was  presented  to  my  gaze. 
In  the  distance  is  seen  a  beautiful  undulating  country  thickly 
clothed  with  trees,  and  directly  opposite  me  was  the  classic 
hill  of  Harrow,  with  the  beautiful  spire  peeping  up  above  the 
dense  masses  of  trees.  As  soon  as  tiie  mind  has  comprehended 
these  beautiful  distant  views,  and  there  is  time  to  look  around, 
one  of  the  grandest  scenes  of  floral  beauty  which  it  is  possible 
to  imagine  commands  our  admiration  and  invites  inspection. 
Here,  upon  a  position  eminently  calculated  to  produce  an  effect, 
much  care  and  thought  have  been  brought  to  bear.  Accord- 
ingly the  ground  has  been  made  the  most  of,  and  the  arrange- 
ment of  the  terraces  are  thoroughly  in  keeping  with  the  mansion, 
and  other  surrounding  objects. 

A  noble  flight  of  stone  steps  leads  down  to  the  first  level  of 
the  flower  garden.  In  front  of  the  conservatory  there  is  a 
mixed  border,  which  had  a  very  pleasing  effect ;  this  border  is 
continued  eastward  for  some  distance  in  front  of  the  mansion, 
and  terminates  where  a  fine  flight  of  steps  leads  up  to  a  balcony 
at  a  considerable  elevation  above  the  terrace  gardens,  and  from 
which  a  view  can  be  obtained  of  the  whole  of  the  beds,  as  well 
as  of  a  large  tract  of  beautiful  woodland  beyond.  The  walls  of 
the  mansion  are  covered  with  large  scarlet  and  other  Pelargo- 
niums and  with  suitable  climbers  ;  and  in  front  of  the  balcony 
wall  a  narrow  border,  on  the  same  level  as  the  first  terrace 
walk,  was  filled  with  a  miscellaneous  collection  of  flowering 
plants.  Beyond  the  balcony,  and  at  the  eastern  extremity  of 
the  mansion,  there  is  a  recess,  which  seems  to  me  a  most 
suitable  place  for  a  handsome  orangery  or  tropical  conservatory, 
which  would  be  a  very  important  addition,  and  would  give  the 
mansion  and  the  terrace  in  front  a  more  uniform  appearance. 
On  this  piece,  which  is  only  grass  at  present,  there  are  three 
large  circular  beds  (see  k  in  the  accompanying  plan),  which 
are  filled  with  Eoses  an!  scarlet  Pelargoniums,  and  trained  in 
the  form  of  pyramids.  The  bed  filled  with  the  scarlet  Pelar- 
goniums was  the  best  I  have  ever  seen,  being  at  the  time  of 
my  visit  one  complete  mass  of  scarlet  from  top  to  bottom. 
These  beds  were  about  12  feet  high  in  the  centre,  and  as  many 
feet  in  diameter  at  the  base.  The  effect  produced  by  such 
masses  of  scarlet  flowers  at  a  distance  was  magnificent,  backed 
up  as  they  were  by  large  masses  of  evergreens. 

Retracing  one's  steps  along  the  first  gravel  walk,  which  is 
17  feet  C  inches  wide,  to  the  west  end  of  the  balcony,  on  the 
side  of  the  walk  nearest  the  mansion  there  is  a  very  pretty 
group  of  beds.  These  have  a  neat  chain  of  beds  round  them, 
and  were  planted  as  follows  :— The  eight-sided  bed  with  Mrs. 
Pollock  Pelargonium  ;  the  two  long  angle  beds  with  Pelargo- 
nium Lady  Middleton,  splendid  masses  of  colour  ;  the  two  trian- 
gular beds,  yellow  Calceolaria  ;  the  narrow  border.  Purple  King 
Verbena ;  the  chain  beds  surrounding  the  group,  Gold  and 
Silver-edged  Pelargoniums  alternately  ;  outer  border,  Verbena 
Tweediana.  This  was  ar  very  pleasing  and  tastefully-arranged 
group. 

Continuing  to  pass  along  the  walk  towards  the  west,  we  come 
to  two  more  groups  of  beds  in  front  of  the  conservatory,  the 


3G2 


JOUENAL  OF  HOETICDLTUKE   AND   COTTAGE  GAKDENEB. 


[  November  12, 186J. 


steps  leading  np  to  the  conservatory  dividing  the  groups  from 
each  other.     The  beds  in  both  were  planted  alike.     The  centre 
is  a  group  of  lobed  beds,  with  two  circular  beds  on  each  side, 
and  a  triangular  bed  between  each  pair  of  circular  beds.     The 
central  group  was  filled  with  a  mixture  of  flowering  plants  ;  the 
narrow-lobed  border,  surrounding  the  group,  with  Golden  Chain 
Pelargonium.     In  the  two  triangular  beds  the  centre  was  formed 
by  a  fine  standard  plant  of  Madame  Vancher  white  Pelargonium, 
and  the  ground  beneath  it  covered  with  a  scarlet  Verbena.    In 
each  of  the  circiilar  beds  are  handsome  standard  Laurustinuses. 
Here  the  straight  portion  of  the  walk  terminates,  and  curves 
gradually  towards    the  south-west,  leading  to    the    pleasure 
grounds  and  park,  and  from  thence  to  the  kitchen  gardens,  which 
are  about  half  a  mile  distant.     On  the  south  side  of  this  walk 
there  is  a  handsome  panel  garden,  .SoO  feet  long  and  42  feet 
wide,  surrounded  by  grass.     It  is  about  4  feet  below  the  walk, 
and  a  handsome  flight  of  stone  steps  at  each  end  of  the  terrace 
communicates  with  the  garden.     There  is  a  sloping  bank  of 
grass  between  the  first  walk,  which  is  parallel  with  the  mansion, 
and  the  panel  garden.     This  portion  I  shall  designate  i;.    The 
west  end  consists  of  a  group  of  twelve  beds.     The  centre  of  the 
group  is  an  oblong  bed,  the  central  portion  of  which  was  planted 
■with  Pelargonium  Clipper ;   then  there  was  a  double  row  of 
Christine,  and   at  the  outside,  next  the  grass,   an  edging  of 
yellow  Calceolaria.     There  are  four  corner  beds,  which  were 
planted  to  pair  crossways,  the  centre  of  two  of  them  being  filled 
■with  Pelargonium  Flower  of  the  Day  ;  then  there  was  a  band  of 
Lobelia  speciosa,  with  an  edging  next  the  grass  of  Cerastium 
tomentosum.     The  other  two  were  planted  in  a  similar  manner 
to  those  just  mentioned,  the  only  difference  being  the  substitu- 
tion of  Pelargonium  Bijou  for  Flower  of  the  Day.     There  are 
four  circular  beds  in  the  intervals   between  the  angle  beds. 
Those  on  the  north  and  south  sides  had  a  standard  Pelargo- 
nium for  the  centre,  with  a  groundwork  of  Coleus  Yerschaffelti 
and  Centaurea  candidissima ;  the  other  two,  facing  east  and 
west,  had  for  their  centres  standard  Calceolarias,  with  a  car- 
peting of  Iresine  Herbstii  and  Centaurea  candidissima.     This 
■was  the  first  time  I  had  ever  seen  standard  Calceolarias  used  in 
any  bedding  arrangement.     They  were  exceedingly  fine  plants, 
each  with  a  clean  stem  about  3  feet  high,  and  above  this  a  fine 
head  trained  to  a  wire  frame,   and  completely  covered  with 
bloom.     The  vaiiety  used  is  Amplexicaulis,  and  this  mode  of 
training  is  certainly  novel  and  effective,  giving  at  intervals  a 
pale  primrose  tint,  which  is  very  pleasing,  and  producing  along 
with  the  bright  colours  beneath  a  beautiful  combination,  with- 
out that  vulgar  appearance  too  often  met  with  where  the 
common  yellow  Calceolaria  is  extensively  used  with  scarlet  and 
other  brilliant  tints. 

On  the  east  side  of  this  group  there  are  three  round  beds  ; 
the  centre  one  was  filled  with  Heliotropes  trained  in  tho 
form  of  pyramids  about  8  feet  high,  and  completely  covered 
with  flowers,  which  diffused  a  sweet  perfume,  and  helped  to 
tone  down  the  bright  dazzling  colours  of  the  two  large  pyramids 
of  scarlet  Pelargoniums  on  each  side  of  it. 

At  this  point  a  walk  12  feet  6  inches  wide  crosses  the  terrace 
from  north  to  south,  the  north  end  facing  the  entrance  to  the 
conservatory  ;  and  at  the  east  end  of  the  terrace  there  is  another 
cross  walk,  of  precisely  the  same  width  as  that  at  the  west  end 
of  the  terrace,  and  beyond  it  another  group  of  beds  planted 
just  the  same  as  that  last  described.  Between  these  two  cross 
■walks,  and  directly  opposite  the  principal  portion  of  the  man- 
sion is  the  finest  and  most  elaborate  display  in  this  division. 
There  are  three  groups  of  beds,  forming  a  very  pleasing  and 
tasteful  arrangement  even  in  winter,  for  the  beds  composing 
it  are  interspersed  with  evergreen  shrubs,  which  relieve  the 
bright  floral  display  in  the  summer,  and  prevent  the  beds 
assuming  a  barren  appearance  in  winter.  They  may,  however, 
be  filled  with  spring-flowering  plants  or  evergreens,  but  I  forgot 
to  ask  Mr.  Eutland  whether  such  was  the  plan  adopted  or  not. 
In  the  centre  of  the  middle  group,  if  my  memory  serves  me 
rightly,  is  a  vase  considerably  elevated  above  the  level  of  the 
ground,  and  it  was  filled  with  Tom  Thumb  Pelargonium.  Round 
it  there  are  eight  beds,  with  semicircular  ends,  also  planted  with 
Tom  Thumb,  and  between  these  eight  handsome  plants  of 
Thuja  aurea.  On  the  east  and  west  sides  of  these  beds  there 
are  oblong  beds,  with  the  siJes  facing  the  central  group 
slightly  incurved.  The  centres  of  these  were  filled  with  a  Petunia 
called  Smith's  Superb,  abeautilul  crimson-shadod  purple,  some- 
thing like  the  old  Countess  of  EUesmere.  It  is  one  of  the 
finest  and  most  useful  in  colour  I  have  ever  seen,  and  was  con- 
spicuous among  all  the  other  colours  which  were  employed  in 
the  arrangement,  bright  and  beautiful  though  many  of  them 


were.  Surrounding  this  Petunia,  in  each  bed  was  a  broadband 
of  Mangles's  Silver  Variegated  Pelargonium ;  its  neat  silvery 
foliage  and  pink  flowers  looked  very  pretty  in  conjunction  with 
the  beautiful  crimson  purple  of  the  Petunia. 

Directly  behind  the  oblong  beds  just  referred  to  was  a  pair 
of  very  handsome  pyramidal  Box  trees.  Partly  embracing 
these,  is  a  sort  of  winged  scroll  on  each  side  of  the  Petunia 
beds.  The  ends  of  the  scroll  were  filled  with  Pelargonium 
Golden  Chain,  which  is  still  one  of  the  most  useful  of  our 
bedding  Pelargoniums.  Eight  and  left  of  these  scroll  beds  are 
round  beds,  having  on  each  side  a  somewhat  triangular  bed 
slightly  incurved  on  three  sides.  The  round  beds  had  in 
the  centre  of  each  a  standard  scarlet  Pelargonium,  with  a 
groundwork  of  white  Verbenas  ;  and  the  other  four  beds  were 
planted  as  follows : — Centre,  Beaton's  Silver  Nosegay,  one  of 
the  finest  of  all  the  Silver-leaved  Pelargoniums,  bearing  above 
its  foliage  a  dense  mass  of  violet-shaded  rose-coloured  flowers, 
which  looked  extremely  beautiful ;  next  came  a  broad  band  of 
Lobelia  speciosa,  then  an  edging  next  the  grass  of  Cerastium 
tomentosum.  These  four  beds,  and  the  two  beds  with  their 
centres  filled  with  the  Petunia  mentioned  above,  I  considered 
the  finest  of  the  whole  series.  Those  who  do  not  possess  these 
old  but  valuable  plants  should  lose  no  time  in  procuring  them, 
in  order  to  propagate  them  for  a  splendid  display  next  year. 

The  next  beds  are  round,  having  for  their  centres  standard 
Calceolarias,  and  the  ground  carpeted  with  Purple  Iving 
Verbena.  Surrounding  each  of  these  is  a  series  of  beds,  eight 
in  number,  having  straight  ends.  In  the  centre  of  each 
©f  these  was  a  standard  Calceolaria,  the  ground  covered  alter- 
nately with  Verbena  Purple  King  and  Tweediana.  These  had 
a  very  pretty  effect.  Next  to  the  beds  last  referred  to  is  a 
pair  of  circular  beds  filled  with  Calceolaria  Amplexicaulis  pyra- 
mid-trained. The  plants  were  about  6  feet  high,  and  a  perfect 
mass  of  bloom.  A  pair  of  crescent-shaped  beds,  incurving 
towards  the  pyramids,  comes  next ;  the  centre  being  filled  with 
Pelargonium  Stella,  with  a  broad  band  of  Mangles's  Silver 
Variegated  next  the  grass. 

This  concludes  the  principal  division,  b,  and  in  reading  this 
account,  it  must  be  understood,  that  after  describing  the  two 
end  groups,  I  commenced  in  the  centre  of  the  main  group,  ex- 
tending right  and  left  from  the  central  group  of  beds  to  the 
walks  which  cross  the  terrace,  dividing  the  group  of  beds  on 
each  side  from  the  main  or  central  one. 

At  the  south  end  of  tho  cross  walks  a  flight  of  steps  brings 
us  down  to  another  level,  and  here  another  broad  gravel  walk 
traverses  the  whole  bngth  of  the  division  of  the  garden  de- 
scribed above.  This  noble  walk  is  20  feet  wide,  and  350  feet 
long.  On  its  south  side  there  is  another  fine  green  sloping 
grass  bank,  and  between  the  bank  and  the  gravel  walk  a  level 
margin  of  grass  about  4  feet  wide.  On  this  there  are  planted 
at  intervals  of  about  IS  feet,  the  finest  standard  Portugal 
Laurels  I  have  ever  seen.  To  a  casual  observer,  it  would 
appear  that  the  whole  of  these  fine  trees  were  in  tubs,  standing 
on  square  blocks  of  stone,  and  I  was  on  the  point  of  asking  Mr. 
Eutland  how  he  managed  to  keep  such  large  trees  luxuriant  in 
tubs  BO  small,  and  containing  such  a  small  quantity  of  soil. 
I  began  to  fancy  he  had  been  giving  them  Standen's  Gar- 
dener's Friend,  as  it  had  served  him  so  well  with  Azaleas  and 
Camellias,  but  Mr.  Eutland  said,  pointing  to  the  splendid  row 
of  trees,  "  This  is  one  of  many  of  Mr.  Kelk's  excellent  ideas." 
These  trees  are  planted  in  the  ground,  two  pieces  of  stone  have 
been  made  to  fit  closely  together,  a  place  for  the  stem  of  the 
tree  being  cut  out  of  the  centre  of  the  stones,  then  an  ordinary- 
looking  square  Orange  tub,  about  2  feet  C  inches  square,  and 
about  the  same  in  depth,  has  been  fitted  round  the  stem  of  each 
of  the  trees.  The  stone  on  which  the  sides  rest  forms  the 
bottom.  Into  these  square  tubs  soil  has  been  filled  round  the 
stems  to  within  an  inch  or  two  of  the  top,  then  on  the  soil  a 
covering  of  neat  white-looking  stones  is  placed.  This  finishes 
Mr.  Kelk's  system  of  potting  his  Portugal  Laurels,  and  every 
one  who  has  seen  this  splendid  row  of  trees,  will  say  that  Mr. 
Kelk  devised  an  exceUeut  plan  of  deceiving  the  eye,  and  pro- 
viding for  the  well-being  of  the  plants.  They  are  in  fine  health, 
with  beautiful  straight  stems,  and  finely-formed  beads  of  bright 
glossy  green  foliage,  which  give  a  very  fine  effect  to  the  terrace. 
On  the  other  side  of  tho  walk,  and  between  the  terrace  wall, 
which  is  very  substantially  built,  there  is  another  margin  of 
grass,  about  10  feet  wide,  on  which  there  is  a  chain  of  flower 
beds  (c  in  plan),  which  runs  parallel  with  the  walk  for  about 
125  feet.  At  each  end  of  the  terrace  these  sections  are  cut  in  two 
by  the  walks  which  cross  the  three  levels  from  north  to  south,, 
both  leading  by  a  fine  flight  of  steps  through  the  terrace  wall 


NoTember  Vi,  ISeS.   ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


363 


o 

« 


to  the  arboretum  and  pleasure  grounds 
below  the  terrace.  So  there  are  five 
llighta  o!  stopa  to  be  seen,  one  above 
the  other,  riaing  from  the  various 
levels  at  the  weat  end  of  the  terraces, 
the  uppermost  leading  to  the  conser- 
vatory. At  the  east  end  four  flights 
of  steps  are  seen,  the  uppermost  lead- 
ing to  the  balcony  previously  de- 
scribed. In  the  centre  of  the  interval 
between  the  cross  walks,  and  directly 
opposite  the  grand  portion  of  the  ter- 
race, a  fine  somicircle  is  described  be- 
yond the  parallel  line  of  the  terrace 
wall,  and  the  chain  of  beds  referred 
to  above  is  continued  round  that  sec- 
tion of  the  terrace  wall.  This  chain 
■was  planted  as  follows,  and  had  a  very 
charming  eJIect.  There  were  round 
beds  which  formed  the  centre  of  the 
chain,  or  round  dots  in  it,  filled  with 
Christine  I'elargonium,  surrounded 
BB/i  oiyJ^y  ^  hand  of  yellow  Calceolaria.  Be- 
tween these  there  are  oblong  beds, 
the  centres  of  which  were  filled  with 
Pelargonium  Stella,  with  a  mixed  band 
of  Lobeha  epeciosa  and  Golden  Chain 
I'elargonium  outside,  next  the  grass. 
The  arrangement  was  just  the  same 
on  each  side  of  the  semicircle,  but 
that  of  the  chain  inside  the  latter  was 
varied,  by  the  oblong  portions  of  the 
chain  having  for  their  centres  Pelar- 
gonium Stella  next  a  double  row  of 
Verbena  Purple  King,  with  an  edging 
next  the  grass  of  yellow  Calceolaria. 

In  the  centre  of  the  half  circle  is  a 
very  fine  basin  built  with  clear  white 
marble,  and  east  and  west  of  it  two 
angular  beds,  which  were  filled  with 
Pelargonium  Lady  Middleton.  These 
were  the  finest  masses  of  bloom  I  have 
ever  seen.  In  front  of  these,  and  form- 
ing a  crescent  on  the  south  front  of 
the  basin  is  another  chain  of  beds,  and 
between  this  and  the  chain  which  fol- 
lows the  cour.se  of  the  terrace  wall 
there  is  a  walk  7  feet  wide.  The  chaiij, 
which  is  the  last  portion  to  be  de- 
scribed of  this  grand  floral  display, 
was  planted  as  follows  : — The  round 
portions  had  centres  of  Pelargonium 
Crystal  Palace  Gem,  with  a  broad 
edging  of  Alyssum  variegatum  ;  the 
oblong  beds  had  for  their  centres  Pe- 
largonium Mountain  of  Light,  with 
the  white  portion  of  its  foliage  as 
white  as  the  driven  snow.  This  is 
certainly  one  of  the  finest  of  the  white- 
edged  bedding  Pelargoniums  we  have 
in  cultivation ;  indeed,  I  will  go  farther 
nni  say,  it  is  the  best  of  them  aU. 
Hound  this  was  a  double  row  of  blue 
Lobelias,  with  an  edging  of  Alyssum 
variegatum. 

The  south  front  of  the  terrace  wall 
is  partly  covered  with  Roses,  and  in 
front  of  it  there  is  a  border  filled  with 
Mignonette  and  other  sweet-scented 
plants,  which  shed  a  grateful  perfume, 
which  is  borne  on  the  breeze  to  dis- 
tant parts  of  the  beautiful  terraces, 
conveying  pleasure  to  the  sense  of 
smell,  whilst  the  eye  is  enjoying  the 
beauties  which  surround  one  at  every 
.step.  But  knowing,  however,  that  there 
was  still  much  more  to  be  seen,  I  very 
reluctantly  turned  away  from  the  en- 
chanting scene,  and  on  my  way 
the  kitchen  gardens,  the  thought  oc- 
curred to  me.  How  does  Mr.  Rutland 
propagate  such  quantities  of  bedding 


364 


JOUKNAIi   OF  HOKTICULTUKE   AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENER. 


[  November  12, 1868. 


plants?  In  walking  through  the  houses,  I  saw  no  building  spe- 
cially adapted  for  such  a  purpose,  nor  any  place  very  suitable  for 
their  growth,  after  they  had  been  propagated.  The  fruit  houses 
must,  therefore,  be  crammed  with  plants  throughout  the  early 
spring  months,  thus  requiring  a  vast  amount  of  care  and  atten- 
tion on  the  part  of  the  gardener  to  keep  his  Yines  and  other  fruit 
trees  free  from  the  many  insects  which  breed  on  the  plants 
nsed  for  bedding  purposes,  and  which,  if  allowed  to  establish 
themselves  on  the  fruit  trees,  very  often  spoil  the  crop.  The 
bedding  plants  most  certainly  take  from  the  atmosphere  a  very 
large  amount  of  food,  and  thus  rob  the  fruits  of  what  is  most 
essential  for  their  proper  development.  1  therefore  thought 
it  was  a  pity  that  an  establishment  so  replete  with  almost 
every  other  convenience,  should  not  have  a  proper  propagating 
house,  and  a  few  ranges  of  heated  pits  for  the  propagation  and 
growth  of  what  constitutes  the  great  feature  of  this  establish- 
ment during  the  summer.  But  it  is  the  same  in  almost  every 
place;  this  provision  is  generally  forgotten,  or  the  proprietor 
of  the  establishment  cannot  be  persuaded  that  such  places  are 
necessary.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  their  necessity  will  be  recog- 
nised in  the  formation  of  establishments  where  large  numbers 
of  bedding  plants  have  to  be  produced,  and  now  that  small 
glass  structures,  which  are  the  most  suitable  for  the  purpose, 
can  be  erected  so  cheaply,  few  ought  to  be  without  them. — 
J.  Wills,  F.B.H.S. 


NOTES  AND  GLEANINGS. 
AcoBNS  have  been  introduced  into  the  London  corn  market 
at  Mark  Lane,  and  have  been  sold  within  the  past  fort- 
night at  £i  per  ton  in  the  warehouse  ;  a  ton  is  about  5  quar- 
ters -  -  40  bushels,  at  the  estimated  weight  of  5G  lbs.  per  bushel. 
In  another  case  they  were  sold  at  12s.  per  quarter,  to  be 
delivered  at  the  Great  Western  Eailway  terminus  in  London. 
Some  kiln-dried  acorns  have  been  offered  at  £7  per  ton,  but 
that  is  not  considered  a  paying  price,  as  the  waste  in  drying  is 
BO  great.  It  is  of  interest  to  remember  that  the  price  of 
Potatoes  is  not  double  that  of  acorns,  and  that  these,  when 
cooked,  are  good  for  all  kinds  of  poultry,  as  well  as  for  pigs. 
As  for  the  absurd  stories  which  have  been  told  about  their 
causing  disease  in  pigs,  they  are  refuted  by  the  universal 
experience  of  mankind.  Polybius,  speaking  of  the  plains  of 
Lombardy,  200  years  B.C.,  says,  "Their  forests,  which  are  spread 
over  the  country,  afford  so  large  a  number  of  acorns,  that, 
though  great  numbers  of  swine  are  consumed  by  the  inhabitants 
of  Italy,  as  well  in  the  use  of  private  families  as  in  their  armies, 
vet  are  they  chiefly  furnished  with  them  from  these  plains." — 
I  Medical  Times.) 

A  MOST  useful  work  on  the  eatable  and  poisonous  Fungi 

of  Sweden  has  lately  been  completed,  containing  a  very  valu- 
able series  of  drawings,  for  the  most  part  illustrating  those 
of  which  it  is  most  desirable  to  have  good  and  trustworthy 
figures.  The  text,  indeed,  is  in  Swedish,  but  the  drawings  are 
SO  good  that  we  can  conscientiously  recommend  the  work,  which 
is  entitled,  "  Sveriges  iitliche  och  giftiga  Svampar,"  as  a  really 
valuable  acquisition.  Professor  Fries  has  now  commenced 
another  work,  of  which  the  first  number  has  just  appeared.  It 
is  entitled,  "  Icones  Selectee  Hijmenomycelnm  nimdum  delinea- 
torum.  Folio,  tab.  piciie  X."  We  trust  that  this  very  excellent 
work  will  meet  with  support  in  this  country  as  well  as  in 
Sweden,  and  the  more  especially  as  its  progress  will  depend 
very  much  on  the  patronage  which  it  can  command. 

The  pig  was  formerly  employed  in  all  parts  of  France  in 

hunting  for  the  Teuffle,  which  has  just  appeared  in  the  Paris 
markets,  and  in  an  abundance  which  has  not  been  equalled  for 
the  last  sixty  years.  There  is  a  celebrated  caricature  of  Gavami's, 
in  which  two  women  of  the  people  are  represented  as  discussing 
the  vintage.  "  They  sayfhere  will  be  plenty  of  wine  this  year," 
says  the  first  lady  ;  .and  the  other  replies,  "  flow  we  shall  get 
trounced ! "  Looking  at  the  plentiful  supply  of  Truffles,  ffow- 
met  and  ijonrmand  will  probably  exclaim,  "  How  we  shall  suffer 
from  indigestion !  "  In  Prcencc,  the  ancient  country  of  the 
troubadour  and  ballad,  the  pig  is  stiU  employed  in  searching  for 
the  Truffle.  It  is  a  lean  sort  of  animal,  very  clever  in  its  way, 
and  is  called  a  pore  de  course,  or  racing  pig,  who  is  duly  trained 
to  his  business,  and  for  every  tuber  he  discovers  he  is  rewarded 
■with  an  acorn.  In  the  department  of  the  Ilaute-Marne  the  pig 
has  been  replaced  by  the  dog;  the  oidinary  cur  of  the  countiy 
is  trained  for  the  pursuit,  and  readily  masters  his  craft ;  his 
training  is  neither  long  nor  costly,  and  his  education  consists  in 
being  kept  for  a  certain  time  without  food,  and  then  set  to  dis- 


cover a  Truffle  placed  with  a  piece  of  bacon  in  a  sabot  filled  with 
earth.  As  soon  as  the  dog  has  found  the  Truffle  he  is  rewarded 
with  a  small  bit  of  bread,  and  the  manoou\Te  recommences. 
After  a  few  days  of  this  exercise  the  dog  is  generally  found  to 
be  sufficiently  trained,  and  his  value  reaches  as  high  as  £4  at  times. 
There  are  peasants  who  make  this  system  of  education  their 
trade.  A  curious  fact  has  lately  come  to  light,  which  proves  that 
the  dog  and  the  pig  have  not  the  entire  monopoly  of  finding 
Truffles.  The  Truflle  poachers  trust  to  a  certain  fly  to  guide 
them  to  the  beloved  tuber.  A  paper  on  the  subject  of  this  fly 
has  been  addi-essed  to  the  Botanical  Society  of  France  by 
M.  Gubler,  who  reports  that  the  insect  is  large,  that  he  ever  re- 
turns to  the  same  spot,  and,  after  numerous  circuits,  settles,  and 
where  he  settles  a  Truffle  is  sure  to  be  found. — Land  and  Water. 

On  the  2nd  inst.,  aged  85,  died  Mr.  John  Watekek, 

nurseryman,  Bagshot.  He  supplied  the  annual  exhibition  of 
Rhododendrons  at  the  Royal  Botanic  Society's,  in  the  Regent's 
Park. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GAKDEN. 

Cauliflo7cers. — This  has  been  a  fine  autumn  for  late  Broccoli 
and  Cauliflowers,  but  it  is  not  safe  to  let  the  latter  remain 
much  longer  in  the  open  air,  as  if  a  sudden  hard  frost  come  it 
will  put  an  end  to  them.  Endice,  a  few  plants  may  be  potted  at 
intervals  through  the  winter,  and  especially  early  in  spring, 
and  placed  in  a  cellar  to  blanch  ;  they  will  do  exceedingly  well 
treated  in  this  way.  Peas  and  Beans,  from  this  time  to  the 
beginning  of  next  month  some  may  be  sown  on  a  warm  border 
if  there  is  little  convenience  for  forcing  early  crops  in  the 
spring.  Store-house,  Carrots,  Onions,  Parsnips,  and  Potatoes, 
will  require  looking  over  occasionally,  also  Dahlia  roots  before 
they  are  finally  put  by  for  the  winter.  All  these  roots  have 
been  housed  in  a  rather  green  state  this  autumn,  and  may, 
therefore,  require  more  attention  in  keeping. 

Fr.UIT   GARDEN. 

Let  the  hammer  be  kept  constantly  at  work  at  nailing  every 
fine  day,  beginning  with  Pear  trees  and  following  with  Plum 
and  Cherry  trees.  Apples  and  Pears  for  spring  use  may  now,  or 
at  any  time  soon,  when  you  are  driven  in-doors  by  bad  weather, 
be  packed  in  hampers,  boxes,  or  jars  among  thoroughly  dried 
fern  or  kiln-dried  straw,  and  if  they  are  in  a  good  sound  state 
they  will  then  keep  better  than  on  the  shelves  of  the  generality 
of  fruit-rooms.  All  trees  or  bushes  that  are  to  be  planted  or 
removed  on  this  side  of  February,  should  now  be  finished  out  of 
hand  without  delay,  as,  after  the  beginning  of  next  month,  we 
shall  be  in  danger  of  rough  or  frosty  weather  unfavourable  for 
planting.  Have  the  quarters  dug  and  trenched  before  frost 
renders  the  ground  too  hard,  if  it  is  at  all  in  a  fit  state,  and 
the  more  heavy  work  of  making  new  borders,  walks,  &c.,  may 
be  left  for  the  dead  of  winter.  Few  things  are  more  annoying 
than  canker  to  those  who  delight  to  see  their  trees  healthy  and 
producing  good-flavoured  fruit.  As  this  is  the  season  of  plant- 
ing or  preparing  for  it,  considerable  attention  should  be  given 
to  procuring  hardy  as  well  as  good  sorts  in  all  cases  where  the 
situation  is  not  the  most  favourable.  In  addition  to  examin- 
ing the  lists  of  kinds  suited  to  different  localities,  so  often 
given  iu  answers  to  correspondents,  the  planter  should  take  the 
trouble  of  ascertaining  what  varieties  thrive  best  under  cir- 
cumstances similar  to  his  own.  One  of  the  chief  causes  of 
canker  is  planting  too  deeply,  the  result  of  which  is,  that  the 
roots  are  supplied  with  more  nourishment,  such  as  it  is,  than 
the  heat  and  sunshine  of  the  place  can  duly  elaborate,  so  as  to 
give  ripeness  and  firmness  of  texture  to  the  young  wood. 
Other  causes  are  the  roots  striking  into  an  unfavourable  soil 
and  furnishing  the  trees  with  vitiated  juices,  the  climate  of  the 
situation  being  too  cold,  or  the  season  too  damp  and  sunless  to 
permit  the  healthy  action  of  the  plant.  Where  canker  exists 
the  diseased  parts  should  be  cut  out  in  spring  or  summer,  and 
the  wound  covered  over  with  clay  and  cow  dung ;  but  all  appli- 
cations of  this  nature  will  be  of  very  temporary  influence 
unless  attention  be  paid  to  the  following  things  ; — Plant  va- 
rieties the  wood  of  which  may  be  expected  to  ripen  iu  the 
situation,  improve  the  climate  by  thoroughly  draining  the  soil, 
raise  the  trees  on  hillocks  above  the  surrounding  surface,  after 
laying  a  substratum  of  concrete,  tiles,  slates,  ifcc,  at  the  re- 
quisite depth  to  prevent  the  downward  progress  of  the  roots, 
never  bury  the  collar  of  the  tree,  expose  the  soil  well  to  the 
air  before  planting,  and  use  no  manure  except  as  mulching. 
You  will  then  generally  be  rewarded,  not  by  astonishing  quick- 
ness of  growth,  nor  by  your  Apple  and  Pear  trees  having  tower- 


November  12, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OP  HOKTICULTURB  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


see 


ing  heads  like  forest  trees,  but  by  seeing  tliem  produce  healtby 
though  stunted  wood  covered  with  fruitful  buds,  and  if  you 
imagine  that  you  must  wait  a  long  time  for  your  ground 
being  fully  occupied  by  such  moderate  growth,  you  may  in- 
crease the  number  of  trees. 

FLO  WE  K    QAEDEN. 

The  subject  of  the  winter  decoration  of  the  llower  garden 
was  so  fully  discussed  in  the  last  calendar,  that  it  is  not  neces- 
sary to  do  more  at  this  time  than  refer  the  reader  to  it.  An 
arrangement  of  this  kind  gives  a  garden  a  highly  interesting 
appearance  through  the  dull  months  of  winter,  and  the  only 
objection  that  can  be  urged  against  it  is,  that  when  bulbs  are 
cultivated  they  cannot  be  managed  so  conveniently  as  if  the 
beds  were  unoccupied.  This,  however,  might  bo  obviated  by 
growing  both  the  shrubs  and  bulbs  in  pots,  but  it  is  very 
questionable  whether  the  latter  could  be  so  well  grown  as  if 
planted  in  the  open  soil.  Keep  the  ground  as  neat  and  clean 
as  possible,  and  roll  the  walks  and  grass  as  frequently  as  the 
weather  will  admit  of  your  doing  so.  Auriculas  will  still  require 
well  looking  after,  all  dead  or  yellow  leaves  must  be  gently 
slipped  off,  taking  care  not  to  wound  the  stem,  the  top  soil  must 
be  frequently  moved,  and  if  there  should  bo  any  appearance  of 
bad  drainage  the  soil  must  be  carefully  turned  out,  keeping  the 
ball  entire,  and  more  broken  pots  added.  During  rainy  weather 
the  lights  of  the  frames  must  be  kept  on,  but  tilted  behind, 
and  a  free  circulation  of  air  amongst  the  pots  must  be  insured 
by  raising  the  frames  a  few  inches  from  the  ground.  Should 
autumnal  blooms  be  thrown  up,  pull  off  the  pips  as  soon  as 
formed  ;  when  they  happen  to  be  heart  blooms  it  is  better  to  let 
the  stem  remain.  Carnations  in  frames  will  require  all  the 
air  and  exposure  possible,  avoiding  continuous  wet.  Should  any 
plants  appear  mildewed,  or  the  leaves  become  spotted,  the 
diseased  parts  should  be  immediately  removed,  and  the  plants 
be  placed  away  from  the  general  stock  in  a  frame  to  them- 
selves. Pansies  that  have  made  long  and  straggling  shoots 
may  now  be  cut  closely  leaving  a  joint  above  the  ground,  and 
hoops  should  be  placed  over  the  most  choice  beds  that  pro- 
tection may  be  given  in  the  event  of  sudden  frost,  which,  at 
this  season,  is  apt  to  occur  after  excessive  rain. 

GEEENHOnSE    AND    CONSEEVATOKT. 

Pelargoniums  and  Cinerarias  require  the  warmest  end  of  the 
greenhouse  unless  there  is  a  compartment  for  them  among 
the  frames  and  pits.  Except  these,  almost  all  the  greenhouse 
plants  require  constant  air,  and  the  house  to  be  kept  in  a  sweet 
and  rather  dry  state.  When  collections  of  fine  new  Chrysan- 
themums have  been  brought  into  the  conservatory  this  season, 
now  is  the  time  for  making  memoranda  of  their  habits,  earli- 
ness  and  lateness,  &c.  There  are  a  few  inferior  varieties 
among  them  yet,  but  they  are  all  beautiful  and  fill  up  a  blank 
between  autumn  and  forced  flowers.  See  that  Luculia  gra- 
tissima  does  not  receive  too  much  water  ;  it  is  very  delicate  in 
that  respect  and  must  have  comparative  rest  as  soon  as  the 
flowers  are  gone. 

STOVE. 

The  Combretum  purpureum  was  never  known  to  flower  so 
long  as  it  has  done  this  season,  it  has  been  .ocarcely  a  day  out 
of  flower  since  last  April,  and  will  go  on  to  Christmas  to  all 
appearance.  Everyone  admires  the  beautiful  markings  of  the 
Gesnera  zebrina,  one  of  the  most  easily-managed  of  our  winter 
flowers  ;  and  Gesnera  longiflora  is  by  no  means  to  be  despised 
at  this  late  season.  Then  there  is  the  old  Eranthemum  pul- 
chellum,  the  best  of  all  the  blue-flowering  winter  plants  ;  while 
Justicia  pulcherrima  is  a  blaze  of  purple.  Aphelandra  cristata 
and  Justicia  pulcherrima  are  two  distinct  winter  flowers,  al- 
though under  one  name  in  some  books.  There  is  much  more 
danger  in  overheating  stoves  than  in  their  being  now  too  cool. 

FOECING    PIT. 

This  being  crammed  with  all  sorts  of  plants  for  flowering  in 
the  conservatory  and  drawing-room,  it  is  now  the  most  critical 
part  of  our  garden  establishment.  Forced  flowers  are  coming 
more  and  more  into  use  every  year,  and  in  these  a  new  branch 
of  trade  is  fast  rising  in  London,  which  will  soon  spread  into 
the  provinces.  The  steady  bottom  heat  from  tanks  will  effect 
a  great  change  in  forced  flowers,  as  many  who  could  not 
formerly  venture  on  this  now  difiicult  branch  of  culture,  will 
be  able  to  do  so  with  certainty. — W.  Keane. 


DOINGS  OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

makeshifts. 
Beetroot. — The  frosts  in  the  end  of  the  week  made  us  take 
up  our  Beetroot,  middling  for  size,  but  beautiful  in  eolotir. 


fearing  the  frost  might  be  too  much,  and  still  more  dreading 
the  rats,  which  had  commenced  on  it  in  earnest.  Much  of  it 
which  was  bitten  will  come  in  useful  if  wanted,  as  the  wounds 
are  well  healed  over,  and  (juito  hard  on  the  outside.  Good  Beet, 
and  fine  Celery,  enable  one  to  pass  through  the  winter  more 
comfortably. 

Parsleij. — Gave  a  good  watering  to  the  row  in  the  orchard 
house,  to  which  we  will  go  only  in  severe  weather,  when  the 
outside  beds  are  bard  frozen,  or  covered  with  snow.  We  pity 
the  gardener  who  cannot  gather  a  handful  of  Parsley  several 
times  a-day  in  winter.  Some  good  cooks,  to  their  credit,  are 
careful,  and  make  it  do  several  times  for  garnishing. 

CauUHoiL-crs,  Endive,  i(c. — As  we  could  not  manage  to  place 
these  under  cover  from  the  sharp  frost,  we  did  the  next  best 
thing,  threw  some  rough  litter  over  it  where  it  was,  treating 
beds  of  Radishes  in  the  same  way. 

Celery.  — As  we  did  not  earth-up  high  we  covered  the  remaining 
part  with  long  dry  litter,  stuffing  it  between  the  plants  pretty 
well  up  to  their  tops,  but  leaving  all  the  tops  exposed.  We  wiU 
only  cover  the  tops  in  very  severe  weather,  but  the  litter  will 
keep  all  the  upper  part  of  the  stems  secure,  and  even  the 
ground  free  from  much  frost. 

Securing  Litter.— lAitex  is  chiefly  the  dry  cleanings  from  the 
stable  from  which  all  the  droppings,  &c.,  have  been  shaken.  It 
is  all  very  well  to  speak  about  straw  for  covering,  but  we  fear  less 
and  less  of  it  will  come  in  the  way  of  the  gardener.  Dry  dung 
is  a  good  substitute,  and  it  is  well  to  make  the  most  of  it.  In 
all  places  of  any  considerable  extent,  it  is  best  for  all  parties 
that  the  gardener  should  have  a  certain  quantity  of  this  litter, 
and  regularly,  and  not  a  load  now  and  then,  which  in  all  like- 
lihood he  will  not  he  able  to  obtain  when  he  wants  it.  Such  a 
system  also  teaches  forethought,  and  the  habit  of  looking  beyond 
the  present.  In  many  places  the  gardener  is  allowed  all  the  dung, 
or  part  of  it,  that  comes  from  the  home  stable,  where  carriage 
and  riding  horses  are  kept,  and  this  suits  very  well,  as  the 
droppings  and  short  litter  come  in  as  the  very  best  for  Mush- 
rooms. Of  such  litter  we  would  never  have  enough  in  winter, 
for  protecting  frames  and  pits.  Celery,  borders,  &c  ,  but  we  have 
generally  more  than  enough  in  summer,  and  this  we  shake 
carefully  out  during  a  fine  day,  and  then  build  it  in  a  stack,  and 
to  it  we  go  in  any  emergency,  and  can  thus  have  litter  for  use 
without  troubling  anybody.  Within  the  last  week  we  have 
made  fair  inroads  on  our  store,  but  still  we  have  a  good  heap 
left,  which  we  trust  will  not  be  all  gone  until  the  bedding  plants 
are  safe  for  the  outside  beds  in  spring. 

Took  up  a  quantity  of  Sea-knlc  and  rJniJiarb,  placed  the 
roots  in  the  Mushroom  house,  and  will  give  them  a  little  more 
heat  in  a  week  or  so.  Neither  is  any  better  of  too  much  heat 
at  first.  Packed  with  litter,  and  a  little  earth  thrown  over  it 
to  keep  it  down,  stools  of  Globe  Artichokes,  Sea-kale,  Rhu- 
barb, and  even  Horseradish,  so  that  the  frost  shall  not  pene- 
trate much  into  the  ground.  A  very  little  loose  litter  prevents 
injury  from  frost.  For  protecting  the  roots  of  plants  at  all 
tender,  nothing  is  better  than  an  inch  or  two  of  moss.  Even 
north  of  Edinburgh,  huge  bushes  of  Fuchsias  used  to  bloom 
freely  in  the  open  air,  the  shoots  cut  down  to  the  ground 
every  autumn,  and  the  stools  covered  with  moss,  which  was 
nearly  decayed  as  the  young  shoots  came  in  the  spring,  and  in 
severe  springs  these  sometimes  were  helped  for  a  few  weeks 
with  a  hand-light.  Thus  treated  the  huge  bushes  were  mag- 
nificent, far  before  those  even  in  the  south,  where  the  stems 
stood  the  winter. 

FRUIT    GARDEN. 

Strairberrie':  in  pota  began  to  give  us  some  concern,  owing  to 
the  heavy  rains  and  the  frosts  of  the  6th  and  7th  inst.  We 
had  some  litter  laid  on  them  where  they  stood,  but  that  was 
in  a  conspicuous  place,  and  did  look  untidy,  and  after  a  fine 
day  there  was  always  the  chance  of  the  pots,  when  exposed, 
being  caught  with  a  severe  frost.  We  thought  of  several  plans 
for  making  them  safe,  and  at  last,  on  the  7th,  adopted  the 
following: — As  already  stated,  we  had  put  some  litter  on  the 
Vine  borders ;  and  that  of  the  latest  house,  in  addition,  had 
been  covered  with  some  old  sashes,  which  were  condemned 
twenty  years  ago,  but  without  the  help  of  a  bearer  or  rafter,  or 
much  done  to  them,  they  have  done  good  service  in  turf  and 
earth  pits,  &o.,  ever  since,  though  old  and  shaky  enough. 
Well,  on  the  border  we  made  a  bed  for  Strawberries,  forking 
the  litter  over,  adding  a  little  more,  and  making  a  wall  of  litter 
from  our  stored-up  heap  back  and  front,  on  these  laid  longi- 
tudinally the  boles  of  some  young  trees,  on  which  to  lay  the 
ends  of  the  sashes,  top  and  bottom.  The  pots  were  plunged  in 
the  bed,  as  the  heat  given  will  scarcely  be  appreciable,  and, 


366 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICOLTUKE  AND   COTTAGE   GAKBENEB. 


f  November  12,  1868. 


the  sashes  placed  over  them,  they  will  need  nothing  whilst  they 
r€main  there,  except  a  little  Utter  thrown  over  the  sashes,  if 
the  weather  as  respects  frost  should  turn  out  very  severe.  We 
would  have  preferred  an  earth  pit  for  this  purpose,  but  we  had 
none  at  liberty,  and  thongh  part  of  the  border  may  ere  long 
need  a  little  more  covering,  the  pots  will  mostly  be  elsewhere 
before  then.  Our  plants  were  protected  last  year  for  the  most 
of  the  winter  where  they  stood ;  but  this  involves  much  trouble, 
and  a  mistake  in  leaving  the  pots  exposed  to  sudden  and  severe 
frost  does  them  much  injury. 

We  have  been  able  to  do  nothing  as  yet  with  our  orchard- 
house  trees  in  2>ots,  and  fear  we  cannot  begin  potting  afresh, 
which  we  think  they  must  need ;  but  it  not,  we  will  remove 
some  2  inches  of  the  top  soil  and  fresh  surface  with  rich  com- 
post. We  should  have  liked  to  have  done  the  repotting,  if  we 
had  used  the  same  sized  pots  again,  before  the  leaves  had  all  lost 
their  green  tint,  so  that  the  green  leaves  would  have  helped, 
by  reciprocal  action,  to  send  the  fresh  roots  into  the  new  soil. 
Some  of  these  trees  have  been  from  five  to  six  years  in  the 
same  pots,  and  produced  heavily  every  year— in  fact,  there  is 
no  saying  how  long  they  might  remain  in  the  same  pots  if  they 
were  rough  root-pruned  every  year  and  fresh-surfaced  in  autumn 
as  above,  and  fresh-mulched  every  month  at  least  during  the 
summer.  Our  pots  are  fully  one-half  plunged  in  the  border 
to  save  watering,  and  in  most  cases  the  roots  will  pass  out  a 
little  in  summer,  and  the  rough  root-pruning  to  which  we 
shall  presently  subject  them  will  be  the  lifting  the  pot  up,  con- 
sequently breaking  the  roots  beyond.  When  we  replace  the 
pots  we  put  a  little  fresh  rich  loam  in  the  bottom  of  the  hole. 
To  make  the  most  of  the  room,  we  sometimes  take  all  the  pots 
np,  place  them  on  the  surface  as  closely  together  as  possible, 
and  pack  a  little  litter  among  and  over  the  pots  for  the  winter, 
and  then  we  have  the  space  thus  secured  for  Strawberries, 
Lettuces,  Endive,  Cauliflowers,  A-c.  This  plan,  however,  in- 
volves considerable  labour,  and  a  little  risk  of  injuring  the 
trees  in  moving  them  about. 

A  few  weeks  ago  we  dwelt  on  the  importance  of  planting  fruit 
and  other  trees  early,    and    the  mode  of  doing  so,  especially 
with  the  view  of  meeting  the  circumstances  of  the  possessors 
of  small  gardens,  and  as  we   can  add  little   or  nothing,  we 
would  refer  intending  planters  to  what  has  been  previously  ' 
said.    From  the  accounts  that  reach  us,  all  planting  of  trees  ! 
that  took  place  since  last  March  has  been  attended  with  un-  { 
fortunate  results  where  no  extra  attention  could  be  given  to 
them,  but  they  had  to  take  the  chance  of  the  season  as  it 
came.     With  the  number  of  nurserymen  all  over  the  country, 
it  is  advisable  not  to   have  trees  from  very  long  distances, 
unless  the  roots  are  packed  so  as  not  to  be  dried  in  the  journey. 
In  fact,  it  would  be  true  economy  to  have  the  tree?  not  drawn 
up,  but  taken  up  and  carefully  packed  in  damp  litter,  and  to  ' 
pay  a  little  more  for  the  additional  trouble.     We  had  men  , 
digging  holes  for  a  plantation  of  trees  and  cover  yesterday,  and  ' 
despite  of  the   frost  on   the  surface,   and  the  cool  air,  the 
soil  was  delightfully  warm,  and  neither  too  wet  nor  too  dry. 
It  requires  no  reasoning  to  prove  that  if  we  put  the  trees  into 
these  places  now  they  have  more  chances  to  do  well  than  if 
planted  after  the  New  Year,  and  onwards.     In  order  to  perform 
such  work  now,  it  is  worth   while  making  sacrifices,  and  we 
must  make  them,  by  allowing  some  matters  to  be  in  abeyance 
that  ought  to  be  attended  to.     In  digging  or  making  holes  now, 
wherever  water  is  found,  it  is  a  sure  sign  that  drainage  must  be 
attended  to  before  even  the  commonest  trees  will  thrive. 

Gla:infj. — As  winter  approaches,  care  must  be  taken  to  have 
sashes,  even  if  old,  in  pretty  good  order,  and  free  from  drip, 
and  this  can  only  be  secured  when  the  old  plan  of  glazing  is 
followed  by  having  the  putty  sound.  Even  though  late,  we 
have  cleared  off  the  loose  putty  from  many  sashes,  in  dry 
days  run  a  paint  brush  along  the  sides,  using  rather  thick 
paint  with  driers  and  turps,  so  as  to  dry  quickly,  and  then  the 
putty  nicely  put  on  will  adhere  well,  and  will  not  move,  espe- 
cially if  in  a  sunny  day  we  draw  a  small  brush  of  paint  over  it 
when  dry.  It  is  all  very  well  when  mending  a  square  in  a 
huny,  not  to  trouble  with  the  paint  brush,  hut  in  all  lengths 
ef  glazing  of  any  extent,  it  is  true  economy  to  run  the  paint 
brush  with  a  thin  coating  of  paint  over  the  wood,  and  allow  the 
paint  to  become  dry  before  applying  the  putty.  The  best  putty 
is  made  of  the  best  oil  and  whiting,  and  as  a  rule  is  good  theii 
according  to  its  age,  and  the  time  it  has  been  kept  in  a  heap. 
Had  we  much  glazing  to  do,  we  should  like  it  to  be  made  a 
twelvemonth  ;  this  accounts  for  the  different  prices  of  putty, 
though  made  in  the  same  way.  Allowance  must  be  made  for 
working  and  stowage  room.     For  particular  purposes,  a  little 


white  lead  is  useful  for  making  the  putty  firmer.  At  one  time 
we  used  to  find  our  sash-bars  as  rough  in  the  morning  as  the 
back  of  a  hedgehog,  and  pieces  of  putty  all  over  the  glass.  We 
found  that  the  rats,  hard-driven,  had  commenced  on  the  putty. 
A  little  lead  in  the  putty  either  was  too  much  for  them,  or 
soon  poisoned  them.  At  one  time  we  had  to  guard  fresh- 
glazed  sashes  from  their  depredations. 

OnN'AMENTAL    DEPARTMENT. 

The  sharp  frosts  will  do  good  so  far,  they  will  enable  ns  as 
soon  as  we  can  find  time  to  clear  up  the  pleasure  grounds,  and 
remove  all  the  remains  of  the  dead  plants  in  the  flower  gardens. 
We  hardly  think  many  leaves  will  stand  the  first  breeze  after 
the  frost  of  the  morning  of  the  7th.  Even  the  Salvia  fulgeus, 
a  mass  of  scarlet  a  few  days  before,  gave  way  on  that  morning. 
Dahlias  being  a  mass  of  blackness  which  we  could  not  find  time 
to  raise,  they  had  earth  piled  up  above  their  roots.  We  have 
lots  of  Scarlet  Pelargoniums,  &c.,  taken  up  and  stored  in  sheds, 
with  a  little  litter  over  them,  but  we  have  not  had  time  to  dress 
and  put  them  away  for  the  winter  as  yet ;  but  they  will  keep 
safe  enough  for  a  time,  though  we  always  find  they  do  rather 
better  when  taken  up,  cleaned,  dressed,  and  boxed  or  potted  at 
once.  There  has  been,  however,  such  a  press  of  work  needing 
attention,  that  we  were  glad  to  leave  such  things  to  a  drizzling 
day,  or  a  morning  unsuitable  to  other  work.  Except  the  Dahlias, 
we  have  nothing  out  now  that  we  care  about  keeping. 

Centaurea  candUUfsima. — We  took  up  the  last  lot  before  the 
frost  came  on  Friday,  potted  it,  and  placed  it  in  a  little 
bottom  heat.  We  merely  removed  the  large  lower  leaves,  and 
left  all  the  more  upright  ones  untouched,  and  just  reduced  the 
ball  enough  to  place  it  in  a  G  or  7-inch  pot.  Those  potted  a 
fortnight  ago  are  now  showing  the  fresh  roots  at  the  sides  of 
the  pot  already,  and  will  soon  be  deprived  of  all  their  bottom 
heat.  We  have  no  doubt  the  others  just  potted  will  do  equally 
well.  The  worst  of  it  is,  that  such  plants  take  up  much  room, 
and  they  are  too  large  to  use,  without  dividing,  for  edging  pur- 
poses in  another  year.  Small  plants  are  best  for  that  purpose, 
but  we  could  not  take  cuttings  from  our  out-of-door  plants  early 
enough  this  season.  We  shall  try  the  following  plan  with 
some  of  our  plants,  each  having  several  stems  : — Take  as  much 
earth  away  from  the  roots  as  will  permit  these  roots  going  so 
deeply  that  the  base  of  these  separate  shoots  may  be  covered 
with  from  1  to  2  inches  of  sandy  soil.  These,  with  the  assist- 
ance of  bottom  heat,  will  soon  root,  and  then  by  the  spring 
each  of  the  shoots  or  stems  composing  the  plant  will  also  have 
emitted  roots,  and  so  the  old  plant  may  be  cut  up  into  as  many 
parts  as  there  are  stems,  much  as  may  be  done  with  a  Chry- 
santhemum stool.  These  potted  will  make  fine  strong  plants. 
When  thus  managed,  extra  care  must  be  taken  to  prevent  damp, 
as  that  would  rot  the  stems.  The  plants  of  our  main  lot  are 
potted  rather  high,  but  we  could  accomplish  the  above  object 
when  they  are  well  rooted,  and  still  have  no  danger  of  damp, 
by  putting  a  rim  round  each  pot  and  filling  up  from  1  to  IJ  inch 
higher  round  the  base  of  the  stems.  However  treated,  these 
old  plants  are  better  for  the  secondary  or  inside,  than  for  the 
outside  or  edging  row.     Young  plants  are  best  for  that  purpose. 

The  old  plants,  if  the  centre  is  nipped  out  of  each  shoot 
after  the  days  lengthen,  will  furnish  side  shoots  by  the  begin- 
ning of  March,  which  will  strike  freely  in  a  hotbed,  and  which, 
hardened  off,  will  be  quite  large  enough  for  edging  beds,  &c. 
The  difficulty  of  striking  late  in  autumn,  is  owing  to  the  lia- 
bility of  their  damping-ofi,  and  especially  when  small  succulent 
cuttings  are  taken.  Hence  we  used  to  succeed  well  with  it  in 
July,  taking  then  the  side  shoots  from  old  plants,  as  above 
stated,  and  at  that  time  needing  no  bottom  heat.  What  cut- 
tings we  took  this  season  after  those  made  in  spring,  we  could 
not  put  in  until  near  the  end  of  September,  and  as  the  season 
was  varied  we  varied  our  practice.  Even  then  we  did  not  wish 
to  injure  the  outline  of  the  rows,  &c,,  which  were  never  better 
than  they  were  this  season,  and,  therefore,  we  selected  with 
care  some  hundreds,  not  of  tidy  little  bits,  but  of  good  stout 
stems,  of  the  size  of  a  goosequill,  or  larger  in  diameter.  These 
felt  firm  and  hard  at  the  bottom.  From  these  we  carefully 
stripped  off  most  of  the  leaves,  leaving  only  the  smallest  at  the 
top,  and  put  them  firmly  in  sandy  soil  in  small  pots,  and  gave 
them  a  little  bottom  heat  in  a  pit,  with  top  air  night  and  day. 
Not  one  per  cent,  of  these  has  damped  as  jet,  and  on  examin- 
ing them  the  other  day  a  good  proportion  of  them  are  filling 
the  pots  with  roots.  There  need,  therefore,  be  little  diflicnlty 
with  this  plant,  if  either  old  plants  can  be  saved,  or  strong 
firm-based  cuttings  can  be  taken.  At  the  same  time  as  we 
placed  these  cuttings  in  the  slight  hotbed,  as  we  could  spare 
no  more  room  there  then,  we  put  a  number  of  small  pots  with 


Noromlicr  12,  1B68.  ) 


JOUUNAL   OF  HOKTICULTUKE   AND   COTTAGE   GAKHENEB. 


307 


one  or  two  euttings  in  eaob,  on  a  dry  shelf  in  a  vinery,  from 
which  the  Grapes  were  taken,  and  where  they  were  fully  exposed 
to  the  Bun,  which  was  very  brigUt  iu  October,  liere  they 
received  no  attention,  except  a  syringing  in  a  hot,  dry  day, 
allowing  the  water  to  lie  a  little  on  the  shelf.  Here,  iu  the  hot 
days,  firm  as  these  cuttings  were,  the  heads  would  droop  a 
little,  but  we  do  not  think  one  has  suffered  from  dampiug-off, 
and  though  few  are  rooting  so  freely  as  they  are  doing  with 
bottom  heat,  all  we  have  tried  are  callousing  freely  at  the  base, 
and  will,  no  doubt,  root  generally  in  their  dry  quarters  before 
the  winter  is  over. 

We  meant  to  have  tried  this  plant  in  the  same  pit  with 
Calceolarias,  but  we  can  hardly  do  so  now  without  taking  cut- 
tings from  these  fresh-potted  plants.  In  fact,  as  we  prepared 
a  light  for  them,  most  likely  we  will  do  so.  That  light  was 
prepared  the  same  ns  lately  described  for  Calceolarias,  but 
knowing  how  brittle  the  roots  of  the  Centaurea  are,  and  how 
likely,  if  it  had  the  chance,  these  roots  would  be  to  ramble,  and 
thus  increase  the  risk  of  breakage  when  moving,  before  putting 
on  the  2  or  3  inches  of  sandy  loam  to  place  the  cuttings  iu,  we 
covered  that  one-light  space  with  slates,  so  that  the  roots 
should  not  go  down.  We  hope  such  cuttings  will  keep  in  a  cold 
pit  with  a  little  protection  iu  cold  weather,  and  we  are  told  that 
iti  many  places  it  is  as  hardy  out  of  doors  as  the  Cineraria  ma- 
ritima.  We  mean  to  leave  some  large  plants  out,  and,  after 
banking  them  up  with  dry  ashes,  &c.,  see  how  the  winter  uses 
them.  Such  large  plants  as  we  have  potted  make  fine  centres 
for  moderate-sized  beds  in  summer,  and  suit  most  shades  of 
scarlet  and  purple.  Both  the  Centaurea  and  the  Cineraria  come 
in  well  with  the  brown  Coleus,  and  they  will  suit  some  of  the 
new  Coleuses  equally  well,  if  these  prove  as  hardy  as  the  older 
kind. 

Of  course,  if  the  cuttings  stand  in  a  cold  pit,  we  cannot 
expect  them  to  root  speedily.  We  are  quite  satisfied  if  our 
Calceolarias  do  not  make  a  root  iu  eight  or  ten  weeks.  In  fact, 
that  time  iu  a  cold  bed  in  winter  will  not  excite  the  vital 
powers  so  much  as  a  few  days  in  a  hotbed  iu  spring.  We  have 
merely  stated  what  has  succeeded  with  us,  and  what  we  think 
might  be  tried.  In  taking  up  plants,  though  bottom  heat  is 
not  essential,  a  little  of  it  so  far  insures  success  that  it  encou- 
rages fresh  rooting,  and  when  the  pot  is  full  of  roots  the  plants 
will  staud  wherever  they  can  have  light,  aud  be  kept  rather 
dry.  One  chief  element  of  success  is  the  leaving  entire  all  the 
upper  small  leaves. 

Glass  Cases. — We  find  that  where  we  had  no  blinds  the  frosts 
have  injured  fine-leaved  Begonias,  Fuchsias,  HeUotropes,  A-c, 
whilst  where  there  were  blinds  and  a  glass  front,  even  with  a 
zinc  roof,  they  were  almost  untouched.  At  one  end,  with  a  lofty 
glass  roof,  aud  backed  by  a  wall  of  the  mansion,  even  Coleus 
was  not  injured,  aud  Heliotropes  were  blooming.  Some  day  we 
hope  to  see  a  hot-water  pipe  through  these  corridors  ;  but  even 
irou  stoves  would  keep  them  sufficiently  warm,  though  attended 
with  some  little  annoyance. 

Took  all  Chrysanthemums  under  protection,  aud  as  soon  as 
the  weather  is  milder,  will  give  the  conservatory  au  overhaul- 
ing, so  as  to  have  plants  that  will  bloom  more  iu  winter.  All 
climbers  now  need  pruuiug-in,  that  more  light  may  be  given  to 
the  plants. 

Several  points  we  wished  to  allude  to,  but  one  we  must  not 
forget,  aud  that  is,  to  use  as  little  water  as  possible  in  the  pre- 
sent and  succeeding  month,  and  to  spill  as  little  as  possible 
when  watering.  When  plants  are  in  beds,  and  a  few  need  water- 
ing, it  is  best  to  lift  these  few  out,  and  replace  them  when  the 
pot  has  drained  itself.  To  see  water  thrown  about  a  house 
now,  or  a  man  watering  cuttings  in  a  frame  with  the  rose  of  a 
watering  pot,  is  enough  to  horrify  one,  and  so  is  using  cold 
water  for  any  plant  under  glass,  except,  indeed,  it  is  of  the 
hardiest  description.  If  glass  is  afforded  at  all,  little  or  no 
cold  water  should  be  used  now  for  some  months,  and  slightly 
heated  water  will  be  a  help  to  success. 

One  or  two  words  more,  as  timely.  See  that  M  furnaces  and 
Jim's  are  cleaned.  We  have  just  given  ours  a  general  overhaul. 
We  would  do  it  thoroughly  much  oftener  than  we  do,  if  we 
could,  though  iu  the  case  of  flues,  &c.,  round  boilers  we  do  this 
more  frequently  than  many.  This  cleanliness  of  Hues  round 
boilers  is  essential  to  economy  in  the  use  of  fuel.  The  more 
soot  there  is  round  the  boiler,  the  less  heat  is  communicated  to 
the  water,  and  the  more  heat  is  taken  up  the  chimney.  Again, 
all  joints  of  flues  and  pipes  should  be  secured.  Let  it  be  re- 
membered that  the  boilers  aud  pipes  of  houses  only  used  in 
winter,  will  not  wear  so  long  as  those  constantly  in  use.  Many 
wronght-iron  boilers  will  leak  a  little  when  the  first  fire  is 


"ighted,  but  will  bo  all  tifiht  when  the  metal  is  kept  a  little  ex- 
panded. Hot-water  pipe  joints  will  last  longer  when  the  joints 
are  not  quite  full.  Wo  found  Ibis  season,  that  in  a  con- 
servatory the  large  flat  pipes  set  iipri(.'ht,  were  far  gone  as  re- 
spects the  joints,  so  that  they  would  not  bold  water.  We  could 
not  take  them  ont  just  now.  Fortunately  these  pipes  run  in  a 
bricked-in  trench,  and  we  made  all  light  for  the  present,  by 
packing  all  round  these  joints  pieces  of  brick  and  Portland 
ce  ment. — E.  F. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MAllKET.— Novkmber  11. 

We  have  an  abundant  f5upply  of  both  fruit  and  vcgotabloB,  but  nothing 
that  calls  for  any  special  remark.    Prices  are  the  same  as  last  week. 


s.  d.      B.  d 

Apples K  Bleve    1    6  to  2  0 

Apricots do7,.    0    0      0  0 

Oherrioa lb.    0    0      0  0 


Chestnuts bnsh.  10    0    Hi 


Currants y.  sievo  0  0  0 

Black do.  0  0  0 

FiRS doz.  0  0  0 

FUberta lb.  0  9  1 

Cobs lb.  0  9  1 

Gooseberries    ..quart  0  0  0 

Grapes,  Hothouse.. lb.  2  0  5 

Lemons 100  C  0  10    0 


Melons each  2 

Nectarines doz.  0 

Oranges 100  8 

Peaches doz.  0 

Pears  (dessert)  ..doz.  2 

Fine  Apples lb.  4 

Pluma ^2  sieve  4 

Quinces  doz.  0 

RaspberriAa  lb.  0 

Strawberries  . .  per  lb.  0 

Walnuta bush.  10 

do perlOO  1 


d.  9. 
0to5 
0      0 


7 
6 
1 
0 
0 

0   IS   n 

0      2    6 


Artichokes doz. 

Aajiaragus  100 

Beans,  Kidney  y^  sieve 

Boet,  Red doz. 

Broccoli bundle 

Brua.  Sprouts  y^  sieve 

Cabbage doz. 

Capsicums 100 

Carrots bunch 

Cauliflower doz. 

Celery bun  die 

Cucumbers each 

Endive doz. 

Fennel bunch 

Garlic lb. 

Herbs  bunch 

Horseradish  ..  bundle 


VEGETABLES. 

a.    «.  d 

OtoS    0 

0      0    0 

0 

0 

0 

0 


4  0 

8  0 

2  0 

0  0 

2  0 

0  0 

0  8 

0  0 


0     8 
0     8 


Leeks  bnnch  0 

Lettuce per  score  2 

Mushrooms pottle  2 

Mustd.A  Cress,  punnet  0 

Onions per  bushel  5 

Parsley per  sieve  S 

Parsnips doz.  0 

Peas per  quart  0 

Potatoes bushel  4 

Kidney  do.  4 

Radishes  doz.  bnnchea  1 

Rhubarb bundle  0 

Sea-kale basket  3 

Shallots lb.  0 

Spinach  bnsbel  2 

Tomatoes....  per  doz.  1 

Tm-nips  bunch  0 


d.     s.d 

4  too  6 

0      4  0 

0      8  0 

n  S 

7  0 

4  0 

1  0 
0  0 

6  0 

7  0 
0  0 
0  0 
0  0 
0  0 
3  0 

2  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.  All 
communications  should  therefore  be  addi-essed  soleh/  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  dc,  171,  Fleet 
Street,  London,  E.G. 

We  also  request  that  correspondents  will  not  mix  up  on  the 
same  sheet  questions  relating  to  Gardening  and  those  on 
Poultry  and  Bee  subjects,  if  they  expect  to  get  them  an- 
swered promptly  and  conveniently,  but  write  them  on 
separate  communications.  Also  never  to  send  more  than 
two  or  three  questions  at  once. 

K.B.— JIany  questions  must  remain  unanswered  until  next 
week. 

Phoning  Fileekt  Trees  tU.  K.).—ln  Kent,  whore  large  qnantities  rf 
Filberts  are  grown,  the  trees  are  pruned  very  severely,  the  framework  cf 
the  tree  being  made  basin-shaped,  or  like  an  inverted  umbrella,  the  centre 
being  open,  and  the  outer  edges  may  be  about  5  feet  high,  and  the  same 
iu  diameter.  About  the  middle  or  end  of  August  all  the  gross  shoots  are 
pulled  (not  cut)  out,  leaving  only  the  small  slender  twigi,  which  are  m 
winter  cut  back  spur-fashion,  so  that  when  the  pruning  is  finished  there 
is  left  scarcely  any  wood  of  the  previous  year  longer  than  1  or  2  inches; 
thus,  with  the  exception  of  the  Vine,  no  fruit  tree  is  so  severely  dealt  with. 
Every  season  is  not  a  favourable  one  for  the  Filbert,  even  in  the  district 
best  suited  to  its  growth.  In  general  it  does  best  on  n  dry  soil  with  a  por- 
ous stone-shatter  subsoil.  In  such  soils  wo  have  beard  of  upwards  of  a  ton 
per  acre,  but  this  is  is  considerably  above  the  average.  The  same  treat- 
ment applies  to  the  Cob  Nuts  as  to  the  Filberts— in  fact,  the  Cobs  are 
superseding  the  Filbert  for  market  purposes,  though  certainly  inferior 
for  table. 

Roses  on  East  Front  of  a  House  (.-f  Lover  of  F/oircrs).— "Plant  for 
the  yellow  Rose  Gloiro  de  Dijon,  and  Dnc  de  Cazes  for  crimson.  If  more 
crimson  Roses  are  wanted  plant  Charles  Lefebvre  and  Maurice  Bemardin. 
If  another  yellow  Rose  is  wanted  tt«rt  Triomphe  de  Bennes.  For  climb- 
ing purposes  procure  them  on  the  JIanetti  stock,  and  mix  up  half  a  bar- 
rowload  of  decayed  manure  with  the  soil  lor  each  Rose.— W.  F.  Bad- 

CLYFFE." 

High  Cdltivation- Leaves  of  Roses  Dttng  (G.  a.).—"  High  cultiva- 
tion is  intended  to  be  synonymous  with  high  manuring.  Good  cultivation 
may  be  applied  to  many  other  processes  of  gardening.  The  reasons  why 
your  high  standards  flourish,  and  your  low  standards  die,  may  be  that 


368 


JOtJENAL  OP  HOKTICULTUEE   AKD   COTTAGE   GAKDENEE. 


[  November  12, 1868. 


the  sorts  bndded  on  tbe  short  Gtandards  are  nsnally  the  more  delicate 
kinds.  If  they  are  delicate  Roses,  their  being  near  very  damp  ground 
may  affect  them.  The  formation  of  the  buds  on  the  terminals  is,  per- 
haps, a  last  autmiinal  effort. — W.  F.  Radclyfpe." 

Long  Shoots  of  Roses  (7dc).—"  Shoots  of  Roses  3  and  4  feet  long 
should  be  either  tied  to  a  stake  or  shortened  one-third.  Violent  winds 
will  otherwise  break  down  those  valuable  shoots,  the  hope  of  next  year. 
I  am  po  open  to  the  furious  assaults  of  the  south-west  wind,  that  I  am 
oblif^ed  to  tie  my  Roses  tightly.  One  shoot,  the  strouKest,  should  in  any 
case  be  tied  to  the  stake.  If  tbe  shoots  are  of  Roses  on  the  Manetti 
stock,  those  shoots  will,  if  pruned  back  one-third,  want  no  more  pruning 
— W.  F.  Radcltffe." 

Old  Cabbage  Rose — Worms  (Tuesday). — "Any  of  the  large  nursery- 
men who  advertise  in  this  Journal  can  supply  the  old  Cabbage  Rose 
Worms  do  no  mischief  to  Roses,  nor  anywhere  else.  They,  like  moles, 
are  natural  drainers,  and  do  good  in  strong  land.-— W.  F.  Radclypfe." 

Japanese  Chrtsantbemums  (An  Amatfvr).~-'These  are  varieties  raised 
from  Chrysanthemum  roseum  pnnctatum,  introduced  by  Mr.  Fortune 
from  Japan.  They  are  omamental,  and  the  flowers  may  be  cnt  for  vases. 
Mr.  Salter,  Versailles  Nursery,  Hammersmith,  introduced  them. 

Miniature  Fruit  Garden  {B.  E.A.  P.).— Three  shillings. 

Ice  Storing  (Eur). — If  you  enclose  four  postape  stamps  with  your 
address,  and  order  No.  S48  of  onr  Journal,  you  will  find  in  it  a  plan'and 
description. 

Grass  in  Pleasure  Ground  (H.  Z.).— As  you  mow  it  to  make  hay 
twice  yearly,  it  will  require  mfiunring,  and  bVing  part  of  your  pleasure 
grounds,  tbe  best  fertilisers  to  apply  would  he  bnnednst  and  guano 
fifteen  bushels  of  the  first-named  and  3  cwt.  of  the  other  for  each  acre. 

Fern  (C.  T.  H.,  Vorset). — A  novel  addition  to  the  hundreds  of  varieties 
of  Scolopendrium  vulgare.  Seme  of  the  spores  being  in  a  kind  of  calyx 
on  the  upper  surface,  it  might  be  called  calyciferens. 

Roses  in  Pots  {Ilei\  J.  C.).— Paul's  "Observations  on  the  Cultivation 
of  Roses  in  Pots  "  will  suit  you. 

Propagating  Ivy  (J.  T.  S.}.— The  beet  way  to  obtain  strong  plants  in  a 
short  time  is  to  fill  a  number  of  3-inch  pots  with  sandy  open  soil,  plunge 
them  in  the  ground,  layer  into  each  a  shoot  of  the  current  year's  growth 
and,  placing  a  stick  to  each  pot,  tie  tbe  shoot  to  it.  The  phoot  should  be 
covered  with  about  an  inch  of  soil  in  the  pot,  and  secured  with  a  peg.  If 
yon  do  this  now  or  in  spring,  and  keep  the  soil  in  tbe  pots  watered  in  dry 
weather,  you  will  have  well-rooted  strong  plants  by  nest  autumn,  when 
the  layers  may  be  severed  from  the  parents  and  planted  out.  If  yon  can- 
not obtain  layers,  cuttings  of  the  young  shoots  may  now  be  taken — say 
from  6  inches  to  a  foot  of  tbe  growiug  point — and  inserted  about  half 
their  length  in  sandy  soil  in  a  sheltered  situation,  keeping  them  moist 
and  shaded  from  hot  sun  in  somraer.  They  will  be  good  plants  by  nest 
autumn. 

EcnEVERiA  secunda  Cultube  (TT.  3/.  S.}.— It  requires  to  be  kept  from 
frost,  but  you  may  probably  wiuter  it  safely  in  a  cold  frame  if  you  keep  it 
dry  and  afford  protection  from  frost.  The  Echeverias  are  only  hardy  in 
dry,  well-drained  soil  and  warm  situations  ;  at  least,  such  is  our  experi- 
ence. We  should  be  obliged  by  those  having  tried  them  stating  whether 
they  have  found  any  of  them  hardy,  and  under  what  condition  of  soil, 
shelter,  &c. 

Orange  Tree  Infested  with  Scale  [E.  L.  B.).—The  leaf  sent  ns  is 
covered  with  black  fungus,  and  on  the  imder  side  by  tbe  midrib  there 
is  seen  the  cause— namely,  tbe  Orange-tree  coccus  or  scale.  It  may  be 
destroyed  by  washing  the  leaves  on  the  under  side  with  a  sponge,  using 
Clarke's  Compound  at  the  rate  of  2  ozs.  to  the  gallon  of  water,  and  as  hot 
as  the  hand  can  bear.  What  remains  after  the  washing  may  be  used  for 
syringing  the  tree,  and  the  latter  should  then  be  wathed  so  as  to  free  the 
upper  surface  of  the  leaves  of  the  black  substance,  using  the  Compound 
as  before.  The  washing  should  be  so  complete  as  to  entirely  remove  the 
black  substance  from  the  leaves  and  stems. 

BESTROvrNG  Crickets  (Eight-years  Subgcriber). — Spread  phosphorus 
paste  on  thin  slices  of  bread  in  the  same  manner  as  butler,  and  rather 
thickly,  and  on  the  edges  as  well  as  the  upper  face.  Put  the  slices  at 
night  in  the  places  which  the  crickets  frequent,  removing  tbem  in  the 
morning.  It  will  poison  all  that  partake  of  it,  and  they  will  he  found 
near  the  baits  in  the  morning.  If  they  do  not  partake  of  that,  mix  half 
a  pint  of  oatmeal,  and  a  teaspoonful  each  of  pround  aniseed  and  caraway 
seed,  with  1  oz.  of  arsenic,  adding  a  little  bird  to  make  the  mixture 
rather  lumpy,  bnt  not  so  as  to  form  paste.  Tbe  whole  should  be  well 
mixed  and  laid  thinly  on  pieces  of  paper  for  the  crickets  to  partake  of  it. 
^  Grapes  in  August  (A.  B.).—To  ripen  tbe  wood  for  young  Vines,  to 
■■start  for  fruiting  nest  August,  we  would  start  them  in  December,  and 
have  the  wood  ripe  and  put  to  rest,  by  dryness  and  shade,  by  June-  It 
requires  considerable  experience  to  manage  this  kind  of  work  well. 

Asphalting  Bottom  of  a  Vine  Border  {Saml.  liohinson). —  We  de- 
cidedly object  to  asphalting  the  bottom  of  a  Vine  border  with  boiling 
tar  and  coal  ashes.    We  should  expect  the  Vine  roots  to  be  killed. 

Fungus  on  Tan  (W.  Kent,  Dublin). — Tbe  fungus  infesting  the  tan  in 
your  stove,  is  Agaricus  volvaceus,  Bull.  We  know  of  no  means  of  destroy- 
ing it  otherwise  than  by  removing  the  whole  of  the  material  on  which  it 
is  fotmd  growing.    It  is  said  to  be  poisonous. 

Removing  Roses  (Sunmj). — We  wotild  not  cut  the  roots  of  the  Per- 
petual Roses  you  are  removing  unless  they  extended  more  than  a  foot 
from  the  collar  of  the  plant.  If  they  were  much  longer  than  that,  then  we 
would  nip  off  the  points.  The  stronger- growing  kinds  that  you  are  to 
place  against  a  wall  we  would  cut-in  much  as  usual  after  planting  this 
season,  but  nest  summer  we  would  select  shoots,  and  have  them  some 
8  inches  apart,  and  these  we  would  merely  top  in  the  following  autumn, 
allow  the  shoots  ultimately  to  reach  the  top  of  the  wall,  and  spur-in  to  a 
bud  all  the  way  up  every  year.  Strong  climbers  do  best  on  the  young 
wood,  with  merely  the  point  nipped  out,  and  the  old  wood  removed  to 
make  way  for  the  young.  We  have  seen  shoota  of  Noisette  4  feet  long, 
covered  with  short  flowering  spurs  from  end  to  end.  Your  greenhouse 
will  answer  very  well  with  an  aspect  due  west,  bnt  in  summer  you  may 
need  shade  for  two  or  three  hours  in  the  afternoon. 

ijTBECTa  ON  Beet  Leaves  (F.  and  G.). — We  could  discern  no  insect  on 
the  fragment  of  Beet  leaf  you  sent.  There  were  some  indications  of  a 
mining  grub  having  been  at  work  beneath  the  epidermis  of  the  leaf,  and 


as  you  say  the  leaves  of  your  Celery  have  bpen  similflrly  injured,  the 
marauders  may  be  llie  grubs  of  the  Celery  fly.  Tepbrltis  onopordinis. 
Yon  will  see  it  draun  and  described  in  the  **  Cottage  Gardeners' Dic- 
tionary."   The  only  check  is  to  pick  off  tbe  leaves  and  bum  tbem. 

Gardening  (A  Mechanic). — We  cannot  afford  fpace  for  such  details  as 
you  ask  for.  If  you  enclose  four  postage  stamps  with  your  direction,  and 
order  "  Gardening  for  the  Many,"  yon  will  have  it  sent  free  by  post  from 
our  office.  After  you  have  consulted  that  we  shall  readily  answer  any 
query  to  help  you  out  of  a  difficulty,  but  we  cannot  undertake  to  teach 
the  rudiments  of  horticulture. 

Protecting  Roses— Sudden  Decay  (W.,  Birkenhead'^.— "Vnless  the 
winters  are  very  severe,  there  is  no  occasion  to  tie-up  Roses  with  straw. 
If  it  is  done,  the  air  should  be  able  to  circulate  through  the  covering.  To 
*  overdo  is  often  to  undo  '  The  Roses,  that  had  started  into  weak  growth 
before  protection,  may  have  been  injured,  or  they  may  have  died  from 
sudden  transition.  The  straw  bands  should  be  removed  gradually  after 
having  been  slackened  for  a  few  days.  Francois  Premier  may  be  more 
than  replaced  by  Cbnrles  Lefebvre.'Senateur  Vaisse.  and  Madame  Victor 
Verdier.  Standard  Roses  frequently  die  from  a  knot  in  the  stem  which 
stops  the  circulation  of  the  sap.  I  once  had  one  that  in  summer  'went 
out '  like  tbe  snuff  of  a  candle.  The  roots  were  good.  This  puzzled  me: 
I  then  cnt  the  stock  in  half,  where  I  saw  a  discoloration,  like  a  bam,  of 
the  skin,  and  found  the  hard  knot,  or  dead  wood,  which  was  the  cause. 
When  you  buy  standard  Roses  look  well  to  the  bark.  Decay  begins  often 
before  you  receive  them.  Roses  that  start  into  weak  growth  after  budding, 
should  be  cut  down  to  one  or  two  eyes  in  the  spring  following. — W.  F. 
Radclvtfe." 

Campanula  ptrasiidalis  Culture  (Amazonica). — We  presume  your 
plants  are  intended  for  specimens,  that  they  were  sown  in  April  or  May, 
have  been  potted  off  singly,  and  shifted  as  often  ns  tbe  pots  become 
filled  with  roots,  tbe  pots  "being  kept  plunged  out  of  doors  in  an  open 
situation.  They  will  now  be  strong  plants  in  6-inch  pots,  these  being 
well  filled  with  roots.  We  are  obliged  to  suppose  a  case  as  you  do  not 
state  what  condition  your  plants  are  in.  The  potsbeinu  now  full  of  roots, 
the  plants  should  be  shifted  into  8-inch  pots,  providing  free  drainage, 
and  using  a  compost  of  two-thirds  loam  from  tnrf,  and  one-third  leaf 
mould  well  reduced,  and  if  at  command  add  one-fourth  old  cow  dung.  If 
the  soil  does  not  contain  enough  of  sand,  one-sixth  of  sharp  sand  may  be 
added.  After  potting  give  a  gentle  watering  and  place  tbe  plant  in  a  cold 
frame,  so  that  tbe  foliage  will  not  be  more  than  a  foot  from  the  glass, 
plunging  the  pots  to  the  rims  in  coal  ashes.  The  soil  should  be  kept  no 
more  than  moist,  and  the  plants  cannot  have  too  much  air  so  long  as 
they  are  protected  from  frost  and  heavy  rain.  In  severe  weather  afford 
tbe'protection  of  mats  in  addition  to  the  lights.  In  February  or  March 
the  plants  will  grow  rapidly,  and  when  the  pots  are  full  of  roots,  shift, 
before  the  roots  become  very  much  matted,  into  9  or  10-iucb  pots,  replace 
in  the  frame,  keep  well  supplied  with  water,  and  give  plenty  of  air.  In 
these  sizes  of  pots  the  plants  may  be  allowed  to  flower,  but  if  they  are 
very  vigorous  and  fill  the  pots  with  roots,  shift  them  into  11-inch  pots 
early  in  April,  using  a  compost  of  two  parts  loam  from  turf,  one  part  leal 
mould,  and  one  part  old  cow  duDg,  with  one-sixth  of  sharp  sand.  More 
water  will  be  required  as  the  plants  grow ;  only  give  it  when  the  soil 
becomes  dry,  but  before  the  foliage  flags.  Manure  watermay  be  supplied 
once  a-week  after  the  pots  are  filled  with  roots.  The  plants,  when  well 
grown,  are  fine  objects  for  conservatory  decoration,  and  splendid  for 
borders. 

Begonia  manicata  Culture  (Idem). — The  Begonias  yon  name  are  fine 
for  winter  or  early  spring- flowering.  They  should  from  August  have  been 
kept  ratbtr  dry,  and  in  a  cool  temperature  of  from  50"  to  55'  at  night.  In 
Januarv  the  temperature  may  be  from  55  to  6G^  at  night,  and  from 
65'  to  70-  by  day,  with  a  rise  from  sun  heat,  and  this,  with  a  moist  atmo- 
sphere, and  a  moderate  amount  of  air,  will  bring  them  into  fine  bloom, 
which  continues  a  long  time.  The  flowers  are  very  valuable  for  bouquets. 
It  is  remarkable  that  such  free-flowering  useful  plants  are  not  more 
generally  cultivated.  After  flowering  encourage  a  good  growth,  and  that 
secured,  gradually  withhold  water  so  as  to  induce  rest,  and  then  keep  the 
plants  comparatively  cool  and  dry. 

EucHARis  AMAZONICA  NOT  FLOWERING  (A  PuzzUd  One). — We  cannot 
account  for  your  plants  not  flowering,  except  by  the  fohage  not  having 
been  sufficiently  exposed  to  light,  and  their  not  having  been  liber- 
ally treated  whilst  growing,  and  then  well  matured  by  being  kept  dry 
and  fully  erposed  to  \ii>ht  and  air.  Tbe  plant  succeeds  in  a  compost  of 
two  pai'ts  fibrous  loam  and  one  part  sandy  peat  or  leaf  mould,  with  a 
free  admixture  of  sand.  Good  drainage  is  necessary,  and  the  plants 
should  not  be  overpotted.  Whilst  growing  afford  a  temperature  of  from 
60°  to  65°  at  night,  and  70-  or  75'  by  day,  with  a  rise  fmm  sun  heat,  main- 
taining a  moist  atmosphere,  and  giving  a  plentiful  supply  of  water. 
When  the  plants  have  made  a  good  growth  gradually  withhold  water, 
place  them  in  an  airy  situation  near  the  glass,  and  give  no  more  water 
than  is  sufficient  to  keep  tbe  foliage  from  flagging,  and  to  do  this  very  little 
will  be  required.  A  temperature  of  from  55'  to  60°  at  night,  and  60"^  or 
65^"  by  day,  will  be  sufficient  when  the  plants  are  at  rest,  with  an  advance 
from  sun  heat. 

Destroying  Cockroaches  and  Wooduce  (T.).— Poison  them  with 
equal  quantities  of  honey  and  arsenic  mixed  together  and  laid  on  strips 
of  paper  in  places  frequented  by  them.  Immense  numbers  may  be 
trapped,  two  teaspoonfuls  of  honey  being  employed  for  sweetening  half  a 
pint  of  water.  This  should  be  placed  in  an  ordinary  basin,  which  is  to 
be  set  on  tbe  floor  at  night,  with  about  four  strips  of  wood  or  plasterers' 
laths  reaching  from  the  floor  to  the  edge  of  the  basin  by  which  the  cock- 
roaches will  ascend,  and  will  then  fall  into  the  liquid,  from  which  they 
cannot  escape.  Woodlice  in  rooms  are  best  destroyed  by  placing  a  little 
short  hay  for  them  to  secrete  themselves  in,  and  then  pouring  boiling 
water  over  the  hay.  This  is  best  done  early  in  the  morning.  If  it  be 
inconvenient  to  adopt  this  mode,  take  a  boiled  potato,  wrap  it  in  a  little 
dry  hay.  and  put  it  in  a  flower-pot,  turn  the  pot  on  its  side  in  the  places 
where  the  woodlice  are,  and  they  will  congregate  in  the  hay  about  the 
potato.    These  baits  should  be  examined  every  morning. 

Scale  on  Orange  Trees  (F.  G.).—V,'c  have  not  tried  petroleimi  as  a 
destroyer  of  insect  hfe,  but  have  tried  paraffin  successfully,  but  only  for 
trees  in  a  state  of  rest,  and  where  there  were  no  plants.  We  do  not 
recommend  it  either  for  plants  in  leaf,  and  especially  imder  glass.  See 
answer  to  another  correspondent  in  to-day's  Journal,  as  to  tbe  destruc- 
tion of  scale  on  Orange  trees. 


November  12,  1808.  ] 


JOUENAL  OF  HOKTICUIiTUKB   AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


369 


Oi;u)ioLi  Planting— Varieties  (D.  H.  S.).— Tho  best  time  to  plant  is 
from  tho  be^,'iunin«  to  the  middle  of  March  ftccordinj<  to  tho  weather. 
They  may  bo  plaiit^tl  in  April,  but  thoso  plauted  early  produce  the  birt^t-st 
aud  finest  spiked  and  Ilowera.  A  low  Holoct  and  not  very  expennivo 
varioties  are— Caleudulacous,  Noptime,  Uobocca,  Lo  PouHriiu,  MaoMabou, 
Ophir,  ArchimodoH,  Tho  Colonel,  Oracle,  Miidamo  Bassoville,  Madamo 
do  Vatry,  Dixie,  Edulia,  Dr.  Liadley,  Stepheuaou,  Princosso  Clothildo, 
Goliath,  John  Wateror,  Tippo  Sahib,  Berouico,  Mnrie.  I'lara,  Bronchley- 
onsiB,  Agliio,  Dr.  Audry,  Mrs.  Lombard,  Ziie,  and  Mrs.  Sidilon'i,  all  strong 
ffrowcrs.  Of  lessor  growth — AdouJs,  Fuuuy  Iloujiet,  Mars,  Plutuu,  Junon, 
Do  Caudolle,  Liulin,  Uoiuo  Victoria,  Lemonade,  Walter  Scott  (Standish), 
Madame  Duval,  JJiane,  Isolino,  Charles  Dickeusi,  Peter  Lawsou,  Mario 
Dumortior,  Stuart  Low,  Lady  Morgan,  Mndnmo  Domago,  Achille, 
Eng^nio  Vordier,  Napoleon  III,,  Cardinal,  Rembrandt,  Flore,  Samuel 
Weymouth,  and  Cerea. 

AoAPANTHus  UHHELLATca  CtJLTURE  (Tdem).—lt  fluccoeds  in  ft  compost 
of  two  pxrts  turfy  loam  aud  one  part  leaf  mould.  Tho  beat  time  to  repot 
is  immediately  after  flowering:,  or(wben  inactive  growth.  The  plants  may 
Le  placed  out  of  doors  in  May,  and  should  have  au  abundant  supply  of 


water ;  and  if  tho  pots  or  tuba  are  not  plunged,  they  may  bo  placed  in  sancerfl 
flUed  with  water.  Tho  plants  should  be  boused  before  severe  weather 
sots  in,  and  merely  protoctod  from  frost,  and  no  more  water  should  bo 
given  than  will  Ueop  the  foliage  fresh.  A  light  and  airy  situation  should 
bo  given.    They  flower  best  when  under  rather  than  over  potted. 

Artificial  MANnnKs  (/<Zf m).— We  tried  "  Paxton's  Horticultural "  and 
*'  Carter's  Fertiliser,"  and  consider  them  benehciul  to  i>lants. 

Names  of  Fruits  (A.  D.  .4.).— Tho  box  sent  by  sarapla  post  was  charged 
4i9.,  so  wo  declined  receiving  it.  (J.  B.  J).,  liu'lc).~-\'<>nT  Apple  is  tho 
Scarlet  Poarmain.  ( Ccntiirion).- -AU  that  wo  can  identify  are  :  5,  Siberian 
Harvey;  Hand  lU,  Calville  lilanche  ;  and  11,  Coe's  Golden  Drop.  There 
is  no  Apple  named  "  French  Pippin  ;"  'J  is  not  *'  Warwickshire  Pippin." 
(Lavibert,  Dublin), — 1,  Due  do  Nemours;  2,  Louise  d'Orleans.  The  Apple 
wo  do  not  recognise.  (C.  T.  Jf  ,  ])ornri).~l,  Beurre  de  Ranco  ;  2,  Benrre 
Diel;  4,  Alfriston  ;  G,  Wheeler's  Kussut;  7,  Russet  Nonpareil. 

Names  of  Plants  (iVfimo).— We  cannot  identify  plants  from  leaves 
only,  we  require  flowers.  {W.  L.).— Liquidambar  styraciflua,  or  Sweet 
Guiu  Tree.    (Di:  Br y ant). —Coccoloha  platycladon. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  November  10th. 


DilE. 

THERMOMETER. 

Wind. 

Rain  In 
inobea. 

BAROHETEB. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Gbmebai.  Remabeb. 

Mai. 

Mln. 

Mai.  i  Min. 

in.  dp. 

2  ft.  dp. 

Wed...    4 
ThoTB.    5 
Fri.   ..     6 
Sat.  ..    7 
Sun...    8 
Mod...    9 
Taes. .  10 

Mean 

29.004 
29.077 
29.757 
29.815 
29.572 
29.970 
80.018 

29.553 
29.033 
29.783 
29.774 
29.841 
29.937 
29.963 

63 
49 
42 
49 
45 
47 
47 

89 
20 
20 
21 
21 
89 
34 

oO 
49 
45 
44 
43 
42 
43 

49 
60 
47 
45 
45 
44 
44 

W. 

W. 
W. 

N.W. 
W. 
N.E. 
N.E. 

.20 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.01) 
.01 

Overcast,  cold  wind  ;  boisterous  with  rain  ;  fine  at  night. 
Clear  and  fine;  fine;  very  fine,  sharp  frost. 
Fine,  clear  ;  very  line ;  cold  wind  ;  fine,  frosty. 
Sharp  frost,  overcast ;  very  fine ;  clear  and  fine. 
Fine  and  frosty  ;  clear  and  fine  ;  very  fine  at  niffht. 
Overcast,  fine  ;  cloudy  and  cold  ;  fine,  very  dark. 
Overcast,  slight  showerd  ;  very  fine  and  clear  ;  fine  at  night. 

28.825 

29.776 

48.14 

27.71 

45.14 

46.28 

•• 

0.21 

POULTRY,  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD  CHRONICLE. 


VULTURE-HOCKED  BRAHMA  POOTRAS 
TRIMISIED,     .VND     THE     NO-APPEAL     RULE. 

The  hock  question  has  during  the  past  sea,son  reached  a  stage 
which  seems  to  me  imperatively  to  demand  that  a  stand  be 
made  against  practices  which  are  beginning  openly  to  prevail, 
and  which  must  have  a  tendency  to  drive  honourable  people  out 
of  the  fancy.  I  have  been  appealed  to  on  several  occasions  to 
take  the  matter  up  ;  and  now  that  the  large  shows  are  fast  ap- 
proaching, I  hope  attention  may  be  drawn  to  the  matter  with 
some  chance  of  succses. 

On  two  occasions  dm'ing  the  past  season  Mr.  Hewitt  has  given 
the  first  prize  to  a  Brahma  cock,  wliich  when  "  in  a  state  of 
nature,"  or  "  undressed,"  or  whatever  be  the  most  delicate  term 
to  express  being  untampered  with,  I  know  to  be  hocked  almost 
to  the  ground.  Now,  I  mention  Mr.  Hewitt's  name  out  of 
several  instances  kuo\vn  to  me,  not  to  cast  the  shadow  of  sus- 
picion on  the  best  judge  we  have,  but  for  the  e-xpress  reason  that 
the  question  may  be  regarded  as  apart  from  all  errors  or  faults 
of  judging  at  all.  Nay,  I  may  add  that  the  same  bird  had  pre- 
viously deceived  Sir.  Teebay,  and  would  very  likely  have  de- 
ceived me  also  had  I  only  seen  him  in  the  pen ;  but  having 
happened  to  see  him  in  his  own  yard  I  was  perforce  made  aware 
of  the  deception. 

Having  thus  expressly  exonerated  Mr.  Hewitt,  I  will  mention 
one  more  case  in  a  pair  of  pullets  which  won  many  prizes  last 
senaon,  and  were  in  like  manner  shamefully  trimmed.  "When  I 
first  saw  them  I  hod  no  time  to  examine ;  and  so  artfully  was 
the  operation  performed,  that,  when  a  friend  expressed  his 
opinion  that  the  birds  must  be  hocked  on  account  of  their  heavy 
feather,  I  replied,  '"Nonsense!"  for  the  exhibitor  stood  very 
high  in  the  poultry  world.  But  meeting  the  same  birds  again 
I  found  they  wi're  hocked,  the  apertures  being  distinctly  visible 
from  which  the  feathers  had  been  puUcd  ! 

Now,  I  admire  heavy  feather  and  a  well-covered  hock,  and  I 
dislike  vulture  hock ;  but  this  question  has  nothing  to  do  with 
such  points  at  all.  It  is  a  simple  matter  of  honesty  and  fair 
dealing.  The  exhibitor  of  the  pullets  I  refer  to  has  sold  many 
eggs,  and  all  of  which  I  have  any  knowledge  have  produced 
chicks  hocked  to  the  masthead.  I  even  know  two  instances 
in  which  birds  were  purchased  of  him,  and  developed  the  hock 
after  changing  owners.  Now,  in  the  face  of  such  practices  I 
desire  to  ask  your  editorial  opinion  on  the  following  questions, 
and  if  Mr.  Hewitt  would  add  the  weight  of  his  opinion  also, 
those  concerned  would  be  still  more  grateful. 

1,  No  judge  can  be  expected  always  to  detect  such  swindles ; 


but  if,  after  the  prizes  are  awarded,  I  or  any  other  individual 
can  prove,  either  by  ocular  demonstration  or  unimpeachable  evi- 
dence, that  hocks  have  been  pulled  in  a  pr  ize  biid,  ought  not 
such  bird  to  be  by  such  fact  disqual  ified,  the  name  exposed,  and 
the  other  mentioned  birds  below  promoted  one  stage  each  in 
consequence,  without  troublmg  the  judge  about  the  matter  ?  I 
think  so. 

2,  But  if  this  be  decided  in  the  negative,  are  we  to  conclude 
that  all  may  trim,  so  that  all  may  compete  on  the  same  level, 
and  honest  men  have  some  chance  against  thieves .'  I  hate  the 
practice,  as  destructive  of  all  security  in  breeding,  but  this  would 
be  at  least  fair  and  open. 

These  are  questions  I  should  like  answered.  I  do  not  wish  to 
put  the  responsibility  on  the  judges,  or  to  open  disputes  over  a 
prize;  but  any  one  who  has  kept  Brahmas  and  been  his  own 
poultiyman,  as  I  have,  can  in  most  cases  from  the  "set"  of 
the  feathers  on  the  thighs  tell  a  hocked  bii-d,  and  inspection  wUl 
confirm  the  suspicion  if  just.  There  will  be  plenty  of  evidence. 
And  I  submit  that  to  disqualify  absolutely  in  every  case  of  this 
character  need  by  no  means  open  the  door  to  general  wrangling, 
while  it  is  the  only  way  to  save  our  "fancy"  from  a  fast-in- 
creasing knavery,  which  is  akin  to  the  boiled-egg  business  we 
heard  so  much  of  a  while  ago. 

Will  you  kindly  give  your  own  and,  if  possible,  Mr.  Hewitt's 
opinion  on  this  matter  r  and  by  so  doing  oblige  many  besides — 
Nemo. 

[No  honest  mind  can  have  a  doubt  upon  the  subject.     Ah. 

TRIStMING,  EXCEPT   DUBBING  GaME    FOWLS   AND  GaME  EaNTAMS, 

IS  FRAUDULENT ;  when  detected  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  com- 
mittee the  birds  trimmed  should  be  disqualified,  the  name  of  the 
exhibitor  published,  and  the  prize  awarded  to  the  trimmed 
birds  either  forfeited  or  given  to  the  next  most  meritorious  pen. 
Holding  this  opinion,  we  need  not  express  any  opinion  on  the 
second  question. — Eds.] 

frauds  at  poultry  shows. 

Knowing  the  strong  feeling  of  disapprobation  which  you 
entertain  with  regard  to  imderhaud  practices  in  the  prepara- 
tion of  poultry  for  exliibition,  I  venture  to  address  jou  on  this 
subject. 

It  appears  to  me  that  all  exhibitors  who  are  determined,  cost 
what  it  may,  to  adhere  rigidly  to  upright  dealing,  should  unite, 
and  endeavour  to  put  down  practices  which  otherwise  must 
eventually  drive  honourable  competitors  from  the  field.  I 
allude  more  e.-^pecially  to  those  trimmings  of  combs  (not  Game), 
dyeing  of  feathers,  extraction  of  faulty  plumage,  &c.,  which 
from  their  exceeding  cleverness  might  easily  escape  the  de- 
tection of  the  most  scrupulous  jnuge,  especially  amiJtt  the 
multitude  of  birds  in  very  large  shows.    It  would  Le  really 


370 


JODKNAL  OF  HOETIGULTDKE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDKNER. 


[  November  12,  1868. 


distressing  if  poultry  shows,  which  of  late  years  have  become 
so  deservedly  popular,  and  which  add  so  much  to  the  enjoyment 
of  many  country  homes,  should  fall  out  of  the  hands  of  honour- 
able people,  and  be  abandoned  to  the  less  scrupulous. 

I  venture  to  suggest  what  seems  to  me  might  to  a  great 
extent  remedy  this  evil.  Let  all  committees  of  poultry  shows 
insert  on  their  forms  of  entry  a  separate  paragraph  to  the 
following  effect,  this  to  be  signed  separately  by  each  exhibitor  : — 

"  I  hereby  affirm  that  all  birds  exhibited  under  my  name  at  the 

— I —  Show,  date ,  are  my  hoiid  fit/r  property;  also  "that  no  bird  of 

mine  has  been,  to  my  knowledge,  ,in  any  way  trimmed  (with  the  ex- 
ception of  combs  in  Game  fowls). 

"  Signed (Name  of  exhibitor). 

"A  fine  of  £20  will  be  enforced  if  the  aboTe  certificate  is  found  to 
be  falsely  signed." 

I  merely  throw  out  these  few  suggestions  to  be  improved 
upon  by  the  various  committees  of  poultry  exhibitions.— An 
Honest  Exhieitoe. 

[We  think  that  each  exhibitor  might  be  required  to  sign  a 
short  naemorandum  of  an  agreement  binding  himself  to  forfeit 
a  specified  sum  if  the  birds  he  exhibited  were  trimmed  or  dyed. 

—Eds.] 

,i-.        1   .-  -■■    ^-it    Ci-jrf   u- 

«  JIT.  1   Ojj.1    Bibl'/    '^i,or>.   OJ. 

POULTRY  SHOW  DETAILS. 

There  are  many  things  connected  with  poultry  shows,  such 
as  entrance  fees  for  various  classes  of  fowls,  the  length  of  time 
shows  are  held,  and  sevijral  other  details,  which  require  amend- 
ment, and  I  should  be  glad  if  exhibitors  who  are  likely  to  be  at 
the  forthcoming  Birmingham  Show,  would  meet  together,  and 
discuss  the  various  subjects  which  would  be  brought  before 
them.  I  am  not  much  .acquainted  with  Eirmingham,  but 
■would  suggest  that  we  meet  at  some  suitable  place,  say  on  the 
Saturday  or  Monday  evening.  If  any  one  would  name  a  likely 
place  to  meet,  I  would  inform  exhibitors  by  an  advertisement 
in  the  next  number  of  the  Journal.— J.  W-'-uiiaB,  iiayaJiMk, 
Knaresictroiigh.   :  '.  .pnoi/aa  mp  I 

-.1    d'j'idfr  .ESvM 

-,.     .bViJ  siIJ  sni^.-ips-^rjcH   SHOW"^  ^.■^''^*  "•>  ''^''   . 

'!.;:"■.   Vt'«f    ov.ii     ;  ■   i       ■  ■     ,  'Irf  ).'>»:'?•    "r!:'.»o, 

I  QUITE  agree  with  your  remarks  respecting  the  position  of 
pens,  roup,  i-o.  Fowls  with  roup  ought  to  be  rigidly  excluded. 
At  Stowmarket  the  DorkiugB  were  frightfully  affected.  AYhy 
not  make  a  rule  accordingly  ?  I  should  also  like  to  see  the  ob- 
noxious entrance  fee  to  this  and  all  other  shows  abohshed.  I 
would  likewise  suggest  the  propriety  of  having  generally  a 
scale  of  charges  for  pens  adopted — ^^thus,  one  pen  os. ;  two,  8s. ; 
three,  ll.i. ;  four,  lis. ;  five,  lOi.,  and  there  stop,  to  begin  again 
at  the  same  rate.  ,  Lastly,  em-ely  a  plan  might  be  adopted  to 
prevent  shows  clashing  as  they  now  do. — Henky  P.  Leech. 

[The  remarks  about  the  "  tuo  late  "  pens,  and  the  man  being 
in  the  room  when  Mr.  Hewitt  was  judging,  should  be  sent  to 
the  Committee.  The  explanations  might  be  satisfactory,  and 
then  no  one  would  be  annoyed  unnecessarily. — Eds.] 


28th  inst.,  are  unusually  numerous.     The  entries  of  poultry 
amount  to  2al2  pens  ;  and  of  Pigeons  to  415. 


I  CONSIDER  your  report  of  the  Ipswich. Show  very  good,  as  far 
as  it  goes,  but  it  scarcely  touches  the  Pigeons.  As  you  observe, 
the  quantity  and  quality  of  the  poultry  were  excellent,  and  the 
Committee  is  deserving  of  praise ;  but  although  there  was 
such  an  improvement  in  the  poultry,  the  Pigeons  were  not  so 
well  represented  as  last  year.  Not  only  were  the  entries 
twenty-one  pens  less  than  last  year,  but  the  quality  of  the  birds 
was  not  equal,  and  the  Carriers  and  Pouters,  being  placed  below, 
were  seen  to  great  disadvantage,  although  several  of  them  were, 
as  you  justly  observe,  some  of  the  best  birds  in  the  fancy.  It 
must,  however,  ever  be  quality  rather  than  quantity  that  makes 
a  first-class  show.  Last  year  there  were  thirty-seven  pens  of 
the  three  higher  classes  of  Pigeons,  against  twenty-three  of 
this  year  ;  but  in  the  variety  and  selling  classes  there  was  an 
increase.  This  arises  through  showing  Carriers  and  Pouters  in 
pairs,  instead  of  as  single  birds.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  get 
a  first-class  show  of  Pigeons  where  Carriers  and  Pouters  are  to 
be  shown  in  pairs,  because  several  of  the  best  breeders  of  those 
varieties  never  show  except  where  prizes  are  offered  for  single 
birds,  and  the  increased  number  of  entries  will  generally  meet 
the  extra  prizes.  I  was  surprised  after  what  had  appeared  in 
your  Journal,  to  see  that  one  exhibitor  had  a  prize  awarded 
him  for  two  cocks. — L.  When,  Lowestoft. 


SHEFFIELD   COLUMBARIAN  SOCIETY'S    SHOW 

This,  the  tenth  annual  Show,  was  held  at  the  New  Inn  on  the  2nd. 
inst. 

BIRD^  OF  18G8. 

Cariuers. — First  and  Second,  T.  CoUey,  Sheffield.    Third,  .J.  Deakin, 
Burrowlee. 

PocTEits. — First  and  Second,  H.  Brown,  Walklcy.    Third,  W.  Harvey, 
Spring  Vale. 

Tu.in)LERS. — First  and  Second,  H.  Brown,  WaUiley.    Third,  T.  Wilkin- 
son, Walkley. 

F,\XTAiL.<i.— First,  T.  Wilkinson.    Second,  H.  Brown,  Walkley.    Third, 
G.  Wostenholm,  Shelfield. 

Owls. — First  and  Sfcond,  T.  Wilkinson.    Third,  H.  Brown. 

TrRBirs.— First,  T.  Wilkinson.    Second  and  Third,  R.  Siddall. 

Dragoons. — First  and  Second,  W.  Harvey,  Spring  Yale.     Third,  — 
Deakin. 

Asr  Variety. — First  and  Third,  E.  Brown.    Second,  —  Bower. 


BiKJiiNGHAM  Poultry  Show. — The  entries  for  the  Birming- 
ham Cattle  and  Poultry  Show,  which  commences  on  Saturday, 


BIRMINGHAM  THILOPERISTERON    SOCIETY. 

Few  exhibitions  have  ever  shown  a  more  excellent  commencement 
than  that  held  on  the  -Ith  and  ijth  inst. ;  it  was  decidedly  one  of 
the  best  Shows  of  Pigeons  we  have  ever  seen  in  this  locality.  The 
arrangements  were  excellent,  and  the  Exhibition  was  attended  by  the 
pnhlic  in  larger  numbers  than  was  expected.  Scarcely  a  single  class 
was  deficient  in  quality,  and  the  competition  in  most  of  them  was 
iinnsually  severe,  consequently  a  complete  success  was  secured. 
Perhaps  the  best  classes  were  the  Carrier,  Pouter,  Fantail.  Dragoon, 
and  variety  classes,  though  almost  ever  one  was  excellent.  Mr.  Yardley, 
who,  as  a  jndf;e,  contributed  some  pens  to  the  Show,  did  not  compete, 
though  exhibiting  a  lirst-class  cage  of  twenty-one  Short-faced  Tumblers 
of  great  beauty  and  value,  which  were  generally  admired.  Several  other 
varieties  shown,  but  not  for  competition,  by  Mr.  Yardley,  contributed 
not  a  little  to  the  interest  of  tlie  Show.  The  class  for  Antwerps 
was  of  decided  excellence,  as  were  the  Carriers,  Jacobins,  Fantails, 
Trunii^eters,  Owls,  and  Turbits;  the  Barbs,  Magjnes,  Swallows,  Ice 
Pigeons,  Nun^,  and  Satinettes,  being  also  very  good.  "With  so  good  a 
beginning,  we  have  little  doubt  that  at  a  future  date  this  Society  will 
eecure  a' very  Tai'ge  amount  of  popularity. 

BIRDS    OF   1S68. 

Carriers. — First  and  Highly  Commeuded,  G.  F.  Whitehouse,  King'^ 
Heath.  Second,  J.  E.  Cleveland,  BirminRbam.  Third,  F.  F.  Foster, 
Birmingham.    Commended,  T.  Robson,  Peukridj^e  ;  G.  F.  Whitehouse. 

Pouters. — First,  Second,  and  Third,  F.  F.  Foster. 

Almonds. — First,  Second,  and  Tliird.  T.  Balderstein,  Derby. 

Balds  and  Beards. — first  and  Second,  J.  W.  Edjje,  Aston  New  Town. 

Short-faced  Tcmblehs  fAjiy  other  variety). — First  and  Second,  T. 
Balderstein.    Third,  G.  F.  Whitehouse. 

Jacobins. — First  and  Second,  J.  W.  Edge. 

Fantails. — First,  G.  F.  Whitehouse.  Second,  F.  F.  Foster.  Third,  J. 
W.  Edge. 

Trumpeters. — First  and  Second.  T.  Robson. 

Owls  (Foreign.— First,  P.  Graham,  Birkenhead.  Second,  C.  Barnes, 
Birmingham, 

ilwxs  (Enalish).— First,  Withheld.    Second,  C.  Barnes. 

TuKniTS, — First,  T.  Robson.  Second  and  Highlv  Commended,  C. 
Barnes.    Third,  J.  W.  Edge. 

Barbs.— First,  Second,  and  Third,  F.  F.  Foster. 

KuNS. — First  and  Second,  G.  F.  Whitehouse. 

Dragoons.— T'irst.  Third,  and  Highly  Commended,  G.  F.  Whitehouse. 
Second,  J.  W.  Edge. 

Magpies.— First,  T.  Robson,    Second,  J.  W.  Edge. 

Antwerps. — First,  J.  E.  Cleveland.  Second,  F.  F,  Foster.  Third,  C. 
Barnes, 

.\NY  OTHER  Variety. — First  and  Second,  J,  W,  Edge,  Third,  C,  Barnes, 
Commended,  G.  F,  Whitehouse  ;  J,  W,  Edge, 

Blue  Uadges,— First,  J.  W,  Edge.    Second,  A,  Walthew,  Bii-mingham. 

Black  Saddles.— First,  J.  W.  Edge.    Second,  —  Bartlect. 

Saddles  (Any  other  colour). — First,  A.  Walthew.  Second,  H.  Sproston 
(Red). 

Mottles. — First  and  Second,  J.  W.  Edge. 

Rosewings  and  Redbreasts. — First  and  Second,  J.  W.  Edge, 
BIRDS   OF   ANY   AGE, 

Carpjers.— Coc7,-s. — First  and  Commended,  G,  F,  Whitehouse.  Se- 
cond, G.  Sturgess,  Leicester.  Bens. — Fii-st,  C,  Barnes,  Second,  G, 
Sturgess.    Third,  J.  E.  Cleveland. 

Pouters.— Cocis.-First,  G.  Sturgess.  Second,  F.  F.  Foster,  neiis.— 
First,  G.  Sturgess.     Second  and  Highly  Commended,  F.  F.  Foster, 

Almonds. — First,  T,  Baldenstein,    t-econd,  F,  Graham, Birkenhead. 

Balds  and  Beards,— Prize,  F,  Graham, 

Short-faced  (.Any  other  variety),— First,  F.  Graham,  Second,  With- 
held, 

Fantails.— First,  J,  W.  Edge.  Second,  F,  Graham.  Highly  Com- 
mended, F.  F.  Foster. 

Owls  (Foreign). — First,  F.  Graham.    Second,  J.  W.  Edge. 

Owls  (English). -First,  F,  Sale,  Derby,  Second,  J,  W,  Edge,  Third, 
C,  Barnes,    Highly  Commended,  F,  Graham, 

TuBEirs.— First,  F.  Sale.  Second  and  Third,  J.  W.  Edge.  Commended 
and  Highly  Commended,  C,  Barnes. 

Barbs. — First  and  Second,  F.  F.  Foster. 

NcNs. — First.  F.  Graham.     Second,  G.  F.  Whitehouse. 

Dragoons  (Blue).— First,  F,  Graham.    Second,  .1.  Walters,  Derby. 
Dragoons  (Auv  other  colour). — First,  F.  Sale.    Second,  J.  W.  Edge. 
Magpies,— First,  F,  Sale,    Second,  F,  F.  Foster. 


November  12,  1869.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENKK 


371 


ANTWRHP9.— First,  J.  W.  EilRe.    Second,  J.  Wnltcrs. 

Swallows.— First,  G.  F.  WhituhouBe.    Second,  F.  Salo. 

Any  other  Variety. —First.  F.  Graliam  (Hunts).    Second,  Witlibeld. 

Antwerps.— Coot.*.— First,  F.  F.  Poster.  Second,— Bartleet,  lUriuinu- 
ham.  Third,  J.  E.  Cleveland.  Highly  Commended,  J.  E.  Cleveland ;  C. 
Karnes  ;  J.  W.  Edge. 

Black  Badges.— First,  —  Bartleet.    Second,  J.  W.  Edge. 

Bloe  Badges.— Firiit,  J.  W.  Edge.    Second,  A.  Walthew. 

Badges  (Any  other  colour).- Prize.  J.  W.  Edge. 

Black  Saddles.— First  and  Second,  J.  W.  Edge. 

Blue  Saddles.— First,  A.  Walthow.    Second,  J.  W.  Edge. 

Mottles.— Prize.  J.  W.  Edge. 

RosEwiNGS  AND  REDBREASTS.- First,  J.  W.  Edgo.    Sccond,  A.  Waltliow. 

ToUBLEBS  (Any  other  variety).— Prize,  —  Bartleet. 

The  Judges  for  Fancy  Pigeons,  were  Mr.  Edward  Hewitt,  and  Mr. 
Henry  Yardley,  both  of  Birmingham  ;  and  for  the  Flying  Tumblers, 
Mr.  William  Beardmore,  and  Mr.  H.  Harvey,  also  of  Birmingham. 


ASTiniA  IN   CANAUIES— NORWICH   AND 
YORKSHIRE  VARIETIES. 

Asthma  in  Canaries  arises  from  two  canses — cither  from  the 
bird  being  kept  in  a  room  where  the  air  is  impure,  close,  and 
too  hot,  or  from  a  disordered  stomach.  The  way  to  cnro  it  is  to 
feed  with  soaked  rape  seed,  and  bread  and  milk,  piving  the 
patient  twice  a-week  two  drops  of  castor  oil,  and  linseed  tea 
instead  of  w  atcr  to  drink.  Birds  cannot  endure  an  impure  air. 
More  birds  are  killed  by  being  hung  up  in  a  warm  room  where 
gas  is,  when  they  are  "puffy,"  than  people  imagine.  If  you 
keep  them  from  draughts  of  cold  air,  it  is  really  surprising  the 
amount  of  cold  they  will  bear  uninjm-ed.  I  have  known  the 
water  frozen  in  prize  birds'  drinking  glasses.  Let  "  Can.vbi- 
Exsis "  put  his  asthmatical  birds  in  a  largo  cage  with  wooden 
ends  and  top,  give  them  plenty  of  cold  water  to  b.atho  in,  bread 
and  milk  and  soaked  rape  to  eat,  no  green  food — the  ^vorst  thing, 
I  think,  for  cage  birds — and  if  anything  wUl  cure  them  that 
treatment  will. 

There  is  as  much  difference  between  a  Norwich  and  Yorkshire 
Canary  as  there  is  between  a  Chinaman  and  .a  Scotchman. 
Good  Norwich  birds  are  never  seen  except  in  a  few  h.ands,  and 
Derby  is  where  they  are  turned  out  in  the  best  foi-m.  The  secret 
of  the  high  colour  (and  it  is  a  secret),  is  only  known  to  about 
twenty  men  in  Engl.and  (I  do  not  mean  dyeing  or  anything 
unfair),  and  I  do  not  suppose  one  of  them  would  tell  for  £500. — 
IIOWAKTH  Akhton'. 


YORK  CANARY  SHOW. 

I  SAW  some  very  good  birds  exhibited  at  York,  but  I  was  not 
satisfied  with  the  awards ;  I  do  not,  however,  blame  the  Judges, 
but  the  system  on  which  they  based  their  decisions.  For  in- 
stance, in  the  Daik-crested  class  the  first  and  sccond  prizes  were 
given  to  two  inferior-bred  birds,  marked,  ^vrctched  in  colour,  but 
possessing  good  crests.  The  entries  in  this  class  wore  numerous, 
and  amongst  them  some  beautiful  high-bred  good-coloured  Nor- 
wich birds.  Mr.  Tomes  sent  a  lovely  Buff  bird,  Mr.  Blakston  a 
pair,  the  first  and  sccond  at  North  Ormesby  Show,  and  when  I 
say  that  I  sent  a  beautiful  clear  Yellow  first-prize  bird  at  Sun- 
derland, and  another  a  third-prize  bird,  it  is  suflicient  testimony 
of  their  quality  and  all  of  them  having  very  good  dark  crests. 
Now,  I  think,  if  the  judge  at  an  agricultural  show  awarded  the 
prize  to  a  cow  in  the  long-horned  class  simply  because  she  had 
the  largest  and  longest  horns,  quite  overlooking  the  quality  of 
the  animal,  it  would  be  as  sensible  as  giving  the  prize  to  a 
bird  for  the  crest  alone,  and  entirely  disregarding  all  other 
points.  I  wish  lo  know  if  a  crest  should  ovciTulo  all  other  points 
and  quality.  I  quite  agree  that  the  crest  should  rank  as  the 
most  important  point,  but  I  think  other  (pialifications  should 
also  bo  taken  into  consideration  by  a  judge.  The  schedule 
states  Class  N,  Dark-crested  Canary. 

The  same  remarks  similarly  apply  to  the  Light-crested  class 
and  the  Lizards ;  one  single  point  seemed  to  overrule  all  others. 

I  also  wish  to  Icnnw  if,  after  the  judges  have  awarded  a  prize, 
and  the  show  is  open  to  the  public,  the  secretary  has  an}'  right 
to  remove  the  prize  card  and  place  it  on  another  cage  ?  The 
case  is — I  made  an  error  in  entering  a  Buff  Belgian  bird  in  the 
Yellow  class.  According  to  the  rules  this  disqualifies  me  from 
taking  the  prize  (the  money  I  suppose)  ;  but  on  entering  the 
room  I  found  my  bird  placed  in  the  right  class,  and  removed 
from  the  Yellow  birds,  and  the  first-prize  card  .attached  to  the 
cage  by  the  Jvidges.  After  the  Show  was  opened  this  card  was 
taken  away  and  placed  on  another  cnge.  The  rules  state 
"There  is  no  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  Judges,"  and  my 
bird  was  awarded  the  first  prize  by  them.     Should  not  the  cari 


have  remained  where  it  was  on  my  cage  ?  or  does  not  the  fact 
of  the  officials  removing  the  Buff  bird  from  its  number  in  the 
Yellow  class,  and  placing  it  amongst  the  Buffs  and  in  the  right 
class,  correct  the  error  I  made  in  the  entry,  and  entitle  me  to 
the  prize  ? 

The  ofBco  of  judge  is  always  a  thankless  one  at  best,  and  I 
will  here  thank  the  Judges  on  this  occasion  for  their  courtesy 
and  the  friendly  way  they  received  any  i-riticisms  made  to  them. 
I  write  especially  to  gain  information  myself,  and  in  the  hope 
that  some  day  our  Canary  judges  will  possess  standard  and  uni- 
form rules  to  go  by.  It  was  tho  first  Show  held  in  York,  open 
to  all  England,  &c.,  and  allowances  must  be  made  ;  but  I  have 
no  doubt  the  experience  gained  will  enable  the  worthy  President 
and  Secretaries  to  get  up  a  very  superior  exhibition  of  birds 
next  year.  I  for  ono  shall  hope  to  support  them,  as  I  have  no 
other  motive  in  writing  than  the  object  of  benefiting  Canary 
shows  and  Canary  judges  by  obtaining  a  system  of  standard  and 
uniform  rules.  I  suggest  a  conference  at  the  next  Sunderland 
Show. — W.  DiNSTEY  Skelton,  jun.,  Leeds. 

[\Ye  think  the  Judges  did  wrong  when  they  removed  the 
Canary  to  the  class  in  which  it  ought  to  have  boon  exhibited ; 
and  that  the  Committee  were  right  in  removing  the  prize  card. 
By  being  exhibited  in  the  ■wrong  class  the  bird  was  disqualified, 
and  though  from  the  judgment  of  the  Judges  "  there  is  no 
appeal,"  that  judgment  is  restricted  to  the  merits  of  the  birds. 
If  a  bird  is  exhibited  in  a  wrong  class  they  should  pass  it  over 
unnoticed ;  and  if  the  Judges  in  any  way  exceed  their  powers, 
the  Committee  only  do  their  duty  if  they  correct  the  mistake. 
—Eds.]  

TRANSFERRING  BEES. 

I  HAVE  abotit  sixteen  stocks  of  bees,  which  did  pretty  well 
on  the  depriving  system  this  year.  I  found,  however,  great 
difficulty  in  preventing  some  of  the  stocks,  which  are  in  small 
straw  hives,  from  swarming,  and  as  these  are  also  getting  old, 
I  am  anxious,  if  possible,  to  transfer  them  to  ^VoodbQry  bar 
hives,  which,  from  experience,  I  find  the  best. 

To  do  this,  I  purpose  next  spring  reversing  the  hive,  and 
having  fixed  it  with  the  mouth  of  the  hive  level  with  the 
former  landing  board,  placing  a  temporary  bottom  board,  with 
a  hole  cut  out  nearly  the  size  of  hive,  and  over  it  a  bar  hive. 
By  this  plan  I  think  the  stock  will  leave  the  old  hive  gradually, 
while  it  will  leave  them  time  to  store  their  new  home  and  bring 
out  the  brood,  which  otherwise  wotild  be  lost.  When,  from  in- 
spection, I  find  them  well  settled  in  the  bar  hive,  I  can  cut  oS 
the  communication  between  them  and  shake  out  the  bees  still 
in  the  old  hive,  when  they  will,  of  course,  join  the  others. 
From  your  experience  can  yon  tell  me  if  this  is  likely  to  suc- 
ceed ?  As  I  have  not  nearly  enough  of  guide  comb,  and  cannot 
buy  it,  perhaps  yon  can  tell  me  if  your  opinion  is  the  same  as 
some  of  your  correspondents,  as  to  the  use  of  wax  sheets. 
Also  if  the  whole  frame  must  be  filled  with  them,  or  only  a 
strip  at  top  ? — ScPEn. 

[Although  wa  have  had  no  direct  experience  of  the  plan 
which  you  propose,  we  think  it  will  fail  in  this  way: — The 
bees  of  the  inverted  hives  will,  probably,  take  possession  of 
the  bar  hives,  which  yon  propose  placing  over  them,  just  as 
they  would  take  possession  of  any  other  kind  of  super,  and 
proceed  to  fill  them.  The  combs  which  they  place  therein  are, 
however,  likely  to  be  for  the  most  part  drone  combs,  or  combs 
with  elongated  cells,  in  either  case  quite  unfit  for  breeding, 
which  will,  probably,  continue  to  be  confined  to  the  lower  hive 
and  in  this  way  your  intentions  will  be  frustrated.  We  should 
much  prefer  transferring  the  bees  and  combs  directly  into 
frame  hives  in  the  following  manner  ; — Towards  the  latter  end 
of  April,  or  as  soon  as  the  stocks  become  populous,  and  during 
the  forenoon  of  a  fine  day  drive  all  the  bees  into  an  empty 
hive,  and  put  them  on  their  accustomed  stand.  Take  their 
original  hive  in-doors,  and  cut  out  all  the  combs  whole.  Fit 
these  into  frames,  and  support  them  therein  by  strips  of  wood 
three-eighths  of  au  inch  wide,  and  one-sixteenth  thick,  tacked 
at  the  top  and  bottom,  two  on  each  side  of  every  comb,  and  by 
zinc  clips  when  necessary.  Thick  combs  must  be  pared  down, 
but  take  care  that  the  cells  on  either  side  are  of  equal  length, 
also  that  the  "  paitition  wall"  is  in  the  centre  of  each  bar. 
Crooked  combs  should  be  set  straight,  and  if  not  sufficiently 
pliable  may  be  slightly  warmed  before  the  fire.  It  will  be 
found  convenient  to  remove  the  projecting  Woodbury  rib  from 
the  bars,  and  the  bess  will  attach  their  combs  to  them  with 
greater  facility  if  their  under  surface  be  coated  with  melted 
wax.     Having  completed  the  job  and  arranged  the  combs  in 


372 


JJtJKNAL  OF  HOKTICULTDRE   AND  COTTAGE   GAia'ENEK. 


[  November  13,  1868. 


their  new  apartments  in  the  Bame  order  as  that  which  they 
occupied  in  their  old  one,  deepen  the  hive  by  the  addition,  on 
the  top,  of  another,  from  which  the  frames  and  crown  and  floor 
boards  have  been  removed,  set  it  on  the  old  stand,  and  knock 
out  the  clnster  of  bees  into  the  upper  hive  on  the  top  of  the 
frames  of  the  lower  one,  putting  on  the  crown  board  imme- 
diately. Next  morning  take  away  the  inserted  hive,  and  the 
day  after  that  remove  the  supports  from  all  the  combs  which 
the  bees  have  fixed.  If  any  are  not  secured,  their  supports  may 
be  left  until  they  are  fastened.  If,  however,  yon  consider  the 
combs  too  old  for  transferring,  you  may  permit  the  stocks  to 
swarm  naturally,  and  twenty-one  days  after  the  issue  of  the 
first,  drive  out  all  the  remaining  bees  and  add  them  to  one  of 
the  swarms,  appropriating  to  your  own  use  the  combs  and  their 
contents,  which  will  at  this  time  be  found  nearly,  if  not  en- 
tirely free  from  brood.  Or  the  same  result  may  be  brought 
about  artificially  by  driving  all  the  bees  into  empty  hives  in  the 
middle  of  a  fine  day  during  the  month  of  May,  and  establish- 
ing them  as  swarms  in  Woodbury  hives  on  their  old  stands. 
Their  deserted  habitations  should  then  be  put  in  the  place  of 
other  strong  stocks  (which  must  be  removed  to  new  positions), 
and  dealt  with  twenty-one  days  afterwards  in  the  manner 
already  described.  Strips  of  artificial  comb,  or  embossed  wax 
about  an  inch  wide,  are  excellent  substitutes  for  guide  combs.] 


WAX  SHEETS— HR'TIS  QUEENLESS— QUEENS 
UNPROLIFIC. 

To  be  successful  with  wax  sheets  they  ought  to  be  deeply 
impressed,  and  of  one  uniform  thickness,  otherwise  the  api- 
arian wiU  find  to  his  or  her  loss,  that  bees  placed  amongst 
plain  sheets  will  at  once  commence  excavating  the  bases  of  the 
cells,  and  in  so  doing  will  cut  through  the  wax  instead  of  build- 
ing on  the  already-laid  foundation.  The  waxen  sheets,  per- 
forated in  this  way  as  if  by  so  many  shot-holes,  will  ultimately 
fall,  and  instead  of  appearing  paragons  of  neatness,  will  become 
masses  of  almost  worthless  combs,  fit  only  to  be  remelted. 
This,  the  experience  of  myself,  as  well  as  others,  is  directly 
opposed  to  the  conclusions  of  "  Apicola,"  (see  page  199). 

I  have  also  been  puzzled  to  account  for  his  queenless  stocks 
building  worker  instead  of  drone  combs.  If  this  took  place 
with  plain  sheets  it  is  a  remarkable  fact ;  if  with  impressed 
sheets  it  is  a  proof  of  their  superiority  over  plain  ones,  and 
controverts  his  own  argument.  What  is  said  of  the  bees  re- 
jecting waxen  sheets,  and  taking  to  combs  in  preference, 
proves  nothing  against  them,  since  it  is  natural  for  bees  to 
take  to  the  farthest-advanced  pieces,  showing  their  sagacity  in 
BO  doing.  Instead  of  my  bees  rejecting  impressed  sheets  they 
are  passionately  fond  of  them,  and  I  had  this  season  to  remove 
several  unoccupied  hives  that  had  been  furnished  with  sheets 
and  were  standing  ready  for  swarms  in  the  bee  house,  owing  to 
the  bees  from  some  storified  hives  taking  possession  of  them. 

"  Apicola  "  goes  on  to  say,  that  "  The  expense  is,  however, 
a  great  objection,  the  makers  charging  tkl  apiece  for  them." 
He  speaks  it  without  taking  into  consideration  the  pains 
that  are  required  in  making  these  not  once  only,  but,  perhaps, 
some  of  them  requiring  to  be  remade  several  times  ere  a 
marketable  sheet  can  be  obtained.  Besides,  when  sheets  are 
ordered,  it  often  happens  that  six  or  twelve  are  the  most  that 
are  wanted,  and  when  packing  and  packing-box  is  taken  into 
consideration,  6d.  a-piece  is  not  too  much  for  them.  When 
many  dozens  of  these  sheets  are  ordered  at  a  time,  they  can 
he  had  at  a  considerable  reduction.  As  I  am  now  in  want  of 
some  hundreds,  and  cannot  even  purchase  wax  at  that  rate,  I 
should  be  glad  if  "Apicola"  would  communicate  with  me 
with  the  view  of  supplying  me  with  wax  sheets  of  the  di- 
mensions which  he  states,  at  Id.  each,  or  even  a  fraction  more, 
but  they  must  be  sheets  that  will  please  one  who  makes  them. 

I  should  also  be  glad  if  "Apicola"  would  explain  the  cir- 
cumstances under  which  his  queenless  hives  built  worker  in- 
stead of  drone  comb.  Through  all  my  experience  I  never  yet 
found  a  queenless  stock  build  worker  comb,  but,  on  the  con- 
trary, have  known  queenless  bees  transform  worker  to  drone 
comb,  and  stocks  build  drone  combs  readily  when  their  queen 
relaxes  laying.  It  is,  indeed,  only  by  selecting  fertile  queens, 
keeping  them  laying,  and  avoiding  waste  of  eggs,  that  surplus 
drone  combs  can  be  avoided.  A  young  queen  whose  bees  build 
drone  combs  ought  to  be  destroyed,  as  it  shows  either  a  defect 
in  her  organs,  or  that  she  is  not  proUfic,  in  which  case  the  hive 
will  go  to  ruin,  unless  a  change  of  queens  be  effected.  It  is,  in 
fact,  best  to  examine  every  hive  containing  a  young  queen,  lest 


she  should  not  be  prolific,  since  otherwise  the  defect  may  not 
be  detected  until  a  new  queen  has  been  raised,  when  it  is  too 
late  for  impregnation,  and  the  hive  may  in  this  way  be  lost. 

The  instinct  which  prompts  bees  to  raise  young  queens  when- 
ever their  own  queen  is  reluctant  to  lay,  is  not  always  attended 
with  success,  as.  for  example,  a  perfect  young  queen  may  only 
be  taking  a  rest  that  nature  demands,  when  the  bees  commence 
raising  others,  and  should  one  of  these  be  allowed  to  reign,  and 
the  season  be  far  advanced,  the  stock  will  be  lost.  "  Feed  yoar 
bees  in  autumn,  and  you  will  have  good  hives,"  is  a  common 
saying.  This,  however,  only  holds  good  when  they  are  fed 
early.  August  is  the  best  time,  as  it  affords  the  bees  the  op- 
portunity of  raising  young  queens  ere  all  the  drones  are 
killed,  in  case  the  old  queen  or  even  a  young  one  be  nearly  ex- 
hausted. Queens  which  cease  laying  in  September,  or  even 
sooner,  and  do  not  recommence  until  March,  often  produce  the 
best  hives,  as  in  this  case  their  powers  are  not  impaired  by 
continuous  laying,  and  then,  as  with  poultry,  they  lay  con- 
stantly for  the  time,  and  changes  of  queens  are  not  so  frequent. 
Bees  when  fed  so  late  as  October,  naturally  commence  breeding, 
and  the  young  ones  thus  produced  often  do  not  have  a  favour- 
able opportunity  for  airing  until  the  spring  months,  by  which 
time  they  are  so  swollen  by  long  confinement  tliat  they  are  almost 
sure  to  be  lost,  and  present  the  appearance  of  dysentery.  Be- 
sides this,  bees  that  are  late-fed  do  not  seal  up  their  honey,  so 
that  their  hive  instead  of  being  a  comfortable  dwelUng  becomes 
a  miserable  one,  and  many  a  queen  which  might  have  bred  on 
until  the  spring,  becomes  dethroned,  and  is  succeeded  by  a 
young  princess. — A  Laxabkshire  Bee-keeper. 

MICROSCOPICAL  IN\^STIGATIONS  INTO  THE 
NATURE  AND   ORIGIN   OF  FOUL  BROOD. 

With  great  pleasure  I  respond  to  the  invitation  of  the  "  De- 
vonshire Bee-keeper,"  in  page  .311,  to  give  mv  opinion  of  the 
theory  advanced  in  the  very  able  and  interesting  paper  of  Dr. 
Preuss.  At  the  same  time  it  is  with  considerable  diffidence 
that  I  venture  to  make  any  remarks  on  the  subject,  inasmuch 
as  I  am  neither  a  fungologist  nor  an  adept  in  the  use  of  the 
microscope.  I  can  neither  confute  nor  corroborate  the  truth 
of  the  appearances  which  foul  brood  has  presented  under  his 
manipulations  ;  but  I  may  remind  the  readers  of  "  our  Journal " 
that  Mr.  Edward  Parfitt,  in  his  investigation  of  foul  brood, 
arrived  at  results  apparently  different  from  those  of  Dr.  Preuss. 
The  former  discovered  minute  animals  in  the  material  sub- 
mitted to  him  for  examination,  the  latter  appears  to  have  found 
fungi  only. 

Now,  I  have  always  regarded  fungus  as  an  effect,  and  not  the 
cause  of  decay.  Its  origin  and  development  depend  in  a  great 
degree  upon  influences  which  may  be  called  atmospheric.  For 
example,  the  past  exceptional  season  caused  the  Mushroom 
fungus  to  spring  up  in  places  where,  perhaps,  no  one  living 
ever  sa  it  before.  And  reasoning  from  analogy,  I  would  say 
the  fu  us  in  disease  owes  its  origin  and  development  to 
disease,  but  does  not  occasion  it.  I  doubt  much  whether  it 
will  even  live  where  the  vitality  of  a  subject  is  perfect  and  its 
health  unimpaired.  If  sporules  attach  them-tlves  to  larvae 
and  multiply  in  such  numbers  as  to  be  incon-istent  with  the 
continued  life  of  the  organism  on  which  they  are  discovered, 
I  expect  these  deposits  have  found  a  soU  prepared  for  their 
reception.  The  subtle  influence  which  occasions  death  and 
decay  must  have  been  previously  at  work.  We  are  all  anxious 
to  know  what  that  mysterious  agent  is  ;  and  I  cannot  help 
thinking  it  is  a  miasma  or  poison  generated  by  putrescent 
bodies,  that  have  died  at  a  particular  stage  of  existence,  under 
favourable  states  of  atmosphere.  I  am  therefore  of  opinion 
that  the  vital  principle  in  a  subject  must  have  been  injured 
prior  to  the  fungus  taking  possession  of  it.  The  views  of  Dr. 
Preuss  are  nearly  identical  with  those  propounded  by  "  G.  F.  B., 
Spaldinri,"  in  the  Journal  of  September  1st,  1863. 

If  sporules  attach  themselves  to  the  feet  of  liees,  how  can  a 
swarm  emanating  from  a  hive  virulently  affected  with  foul 
brood  escape  carrying  the  disease  along  with  it  ?  But  I  have 
witnessed  on  various  occasions  perfectly  healthy  colonies  go 
forth  from  habitations  in  which  the  plague  was  raging.  Be- 
sides, we  should  expect  a  fungus  to  die  when  the  material  on 
which  it  subsists  has  been  exhausted.  Is  not  its  pabulum 
gone  when  the  brood  combs  are  excised  on  the  approach  of 
winter  ?  but  in  an  infected  hive  the  virus  remains  after  every 
comb  has  been  extracted.  It  even  adheres  to  it  for  years  when 
not  neutralised  by  some  such  agent  as  chloride  of  lime.  A 
putrescent  body  is  no  doubt  a  fitting  nidus  for  sporules ;  and 


Kovember  12,  ISfiS.  j  , 


JOURNAL   OF   HOBTICULTUBB   AND   COTTAGE   GAKDENEB. 


373 


I  do  think  that  sealed-up  larvoj,  dying  from  whatever  cause, 
and  continuing  unremoved,  have  much  to  do  with  the  intro- 
duction of  the  foul-brood  jjost  into  our  Ijivcs.  ThoBe  of  a 
certain  age  very  soon  pass  into  a  treacly  stale  of  consistence, 
and  adhere  to  the  cells,  fc'iving  forth  an  offensive  odour  ;  and  it 
is  in  these  putresceut  bodies  I  believe  the  germ  of  disease  is 
to  be  found.  At  all  events,  in  making  use  nf  combs  in  which 
I  had  allowed  the  brood  to  perish  of  cold  and  rot,  I  have  found 
most  unsatisfactory  results  follow.  This  was  even  the  case 
when  I  was  at  due  pains  to  clean  out  every  cell  that  had  become 
putrid.  Foul  brood  geuerully  followed,  CBrtniuly  not  with  viru- 
lence at  lirst,  but  as  an  evil  that  would  go  on  increasing.  Now, 
cells  of  the  description  referred  to  are  frequently  to  be  met 
with  in  spring  and  autumn  in  hives  where  the  population  is 
scant.  I  have  made  several  direct  experiments  with  combs  from 
which  I  had  extracted  imtrid  brood  which  had  been  allowed  to 
die  of  cold,  and  I  have  no  liesitation  in  saving  that  healthy 
hives  were  tainted  by  their  introduction. 

Notwithstanding  all  I  have  said,  it  is  still  possible  that  I 
may  have  been  making  use  of  previously-infected  combs,  iu 
spite  of  the  most  painstaking  examination. — H.  S. 

[With  regard  to  the  microscopical  examination  of  foul  brood 
which  Mr.  Edsvard  I'arlitt  so  kindly  undertuuk  at  my  request, 
and  the  result  of  which  was  published  in  "  our  Journal"  on 
the  24th  of  November,  18(j'3,  I  laay  now  state  that  his  in- 
vestigations were  subsequentlyrepeated  by  competent  observers, 
who  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  minute  "animals" 
figured  by  that  gentleman  were  merely  vibrioues  of  some  kind. 
These  are  a  family  of  very  minute  organisms,  well  known  to 
mioroscopists  aa  being  present  in  all  or  nearly  all  infusions  of 
decaying  or  putrid  substances,  as  well  as  m  the  purulent 
matter  of  tumours,  and  even  in  the  tartar  of  the  teeth.  Their 
nature,  however,  is  not  as  yet  clearly  understood,  it  being 
doubtful  whether  they  are  animal  or  vegetable  ;  but  it  seems 
to  be  certain  that  they  are  the  effect  and  not  the  cause  of 
disease,  and  this  I  fancy  is  most  probably  the  case  in  respect 
of  the  fungi  discovered  by  Dr.  Preuss. 

I  have  myself  had  no  experience  of  swarms  issuing  from 
hives  infected  with  virulent  foul  brood,  and  in  the  face  of  such 
an  announcement  it  may  appear  almost  presumptuous  in  me 
to  doubt  the  correctness  of  so  accurate  an  observer  as  "  B.  S." 
Having  regard,  however,  to  the  pestilent  character  of  the 
disease,  I  am  almost  disposed  to  question  whether  a  perfectly 
healthy  swarm  can  ever  issue  from  a  virulently  diseased  stock. 
It  is,  of  course,  just  possible  that  a  tainted  swarm  issuing  with 
a  virgin  queen,  and  placed  in  a  pure  hive,  may  completely 
purge  itself  of  the  infection  by  reason  of  the  jjeriod  which 
must  elapse  before  the  c  immencement  of  egg-laying  serving  to 
exhaust  the  virus  in  the  same  manner  as  the  three  or  four 
days  of  penal  discipline  and  inanition,  which  are  recommended 
by  Dzierzon  ;  but  I  cannot  but  beheve  that  however  healthy 
such  a  swarm  may  appear  at  the  outset,  it  will  generally  be 
found  that  the  disease  is  only  latent,  and  that  in  the  vast 
majority  of  instances  it  will  sooner  or  later  reassume  all  its 
former  virulence. 

I  am,  moreover,  firmly  of  opinion  that  perfectly  healthy 
•  blood,  no  matter  what  its  age  may  be,  can  by  no  possibility  be 
made  to  pass  into  that  peculiar  kind  or  phase  of  decomposition 
in  which  it  assumes  a  brown  colour  and  a  treacly  state  of  con- 
sistence, adheres  to  the  cells,  and  gives  forth  an  offensive 
odour.  All  these  I  regard  as  uumistakcable  and  indubitable 
evidence  of  the  presence  of  virulent  foul  brood,  and  I  would 
on  no  account  admit  within  my  apiary  either  the  bees  or  the 
combs  from  a  hive  in  which  I  found  a  single  cell  of  this  de- 
scription. 

The  perusal  of  the  foregoing  article  from  the  pen  of  my 
valued  friend  and  correspondent  leaves,  therefore,  upon  my 
mind  the  painful  impression  that  nearly  all — perhaps,  indeed, 
every  one — of  the  stocks  which  he  possesses,  or  to  which  he 
has  access,  are  more  or  less  tainted  with  foul  brood  ;  and  that 
from  this  cause,  in  spite  of  all  his  laborious  and  painstaking 
examinations,  the  results  of  his  very  laudable  experiments  and 
investigations  into  the  nature  and  origin  of  foul  brood  have 
been  most  unfortunately  vitiated  by  the  unwitting  use  of  pre- 
viously-infected combs. — A  Devonshire  Bee-keepek.] 


MY  DOGS.— No.  3. 

MY   DOG  WHEN    I   WAS   A   LONG    LAI). 

In  the  Satiirdaij  Review  there  has  been  a  series  of  papers  on 
womankind,  most  of  them  unfair,  one  of  them  very  offensive. 


I  allude  to  that  entitled  "  The  Girl  of  the  Period."  The  writer 
of  this  production  is,  I  imagine,  what  Dean  Swift  called  "  a 
nice  person,"  which  he  said  meant  "  a  person  of  nasty  ideas." 
But  just  as  people  who  are  habitually  liara  occasioually  speak 
the  truth  by  accident,  so  this  "nice"  or  "nasty"  writer,  de- 
scribing girls  between  the  school  and  tho  young-lady  age,  calls 
them  "  nymphs,"  a  very  happy  term — not  children,  nor  yet 
romping  schoolgirls,  nor  yet  settled  down  into  young-woman- 
hood. But  by  what  term  can  I  describe  the  same  age  in  the 
other  sex  ?  Youth  pairs  with  maiden,  and  both  imply — love. 
But  there  are  yet  a  few  years  between  cbildhood  and  youth 
before  that  pleasing  troubler  comes.  "  Hobbledehoy  "  is  not 
a  pleasant  word  ;  it  seems  to  imply  awkwardness  and  clowuish- 
ness.  Wo  see  before  us  an  uncouth  farmer's  son,  whiteslopped 
and  hobnailed.  Now  suppose  that,  in  v,'ant  of  a  better  term 
to  describe  this  portion  of  human  life  in  mankind,  I  call  it  tho 
"  long-lad  "  age.  The  long  lad  is  no  more  a  play-absorbed  boy, 
but  he  is  not  ashamed  uf  coming  down  to  a  good  game  occa- 
sionally. He  is  not  so  ready  as  before  to  make  friends  with 
everybody — 

"  To  bear  his  heart  upon  hie  sleeve," 
but  he  delights  in  a  chum.  He  is  uncommonly  shy  before 
ladies,  especially  if  he  be  a  very  long  lad  ;  but  he  is  a  capital 
brother  to  his  sisters,  and  is  ever  ready  to  use  his  long  strong 
arms  in  their  service,  to  do  for  them  what  they  have  not  strength 
or  height  enough  to  do  for  themselves.  The  long  lad  is  getting 
out  of  the  Egypt  of  dirty  clothes  and  fingers,  and  untidy  hair, 
and  just  near  enough  the  Canaan  of  youthful  beauism  to  rush 
to  his  room  at  the  sight  of  strangers,  and  put  on  a  new  necktie, 
which  he  considers  the  very  sum  total  of  dressing.  The  long 
lad  is  frequently,  nay,  almost  always,  absorbed  in  some  favour- 
ite fancy  or  pursuit,  liabbits  he  deems  childish,  so  he  goes  in 
for  Pigeons,  and  is  learned  in  the  length  of  a  beak,  or  the 
number  of  feathers  in  a  tail.  Or  if  he  iu  in  the  way  of  learning 
to  shoot,  and  obtains  by  coaxing  a  gun,  that  becomes  his 
delight,  his  charmer,  his  everything — it  is  to  him  what  his 
horse  is  to  an  -4rab.  The  long  lad  envies  not  the  man  with  a 
license,  who  may  only  shoot  here  and  there.  He  shoots  every- 
where. His  game  is  Rabbits,  Fieldfares,  and  Wood  Pigeons. 
He  will  spend  hours  in  pursuit  of  such,  watching  and  waiting 
like  a  sentinel  in  the  damp  and  cold.  But  the  long  lad  usually 
delights  also  iu  a  dog,  which  he  will  teach  all  manner  of  tricks, 
but  a  rat  dog  and  a  rabbit  dog  it  must  also  be. 

When  I  was  a  long  lad  I  had  a  rat  dog,  a  terrier,  sandy  in 
body,  dark  in  muzzle  and  legs,  therefore  as  to  colour  a  black 
and  tan  reversed.  He  was  bought  because  of  his  quickness  at 
ratting.  His  name,  of  course — Pincher — not  a  refined  name  ; 
but  the  long  lad  cares  little  for  refinement,  he  goes  in  for  fun 
and  for  sport.  His  name,  aa  I  said,  was  Pincher,  and  it  is 
wrong  to  change  a  dog's  name.  He  will  take  another,  but  not 
wholly,  and  is  delighted  bej'ond  measure  if  any  one  calls  him 
by  his  old  name.  I  fancy  a  dog  feels  it  to  be  a  sort  of  insult 
or  rudeness,  as  it  certainly  is  for  other  people  to  call  one's 
children  by  a  different  name  to  that  by  which  they  are  called 
by  their  parents.  If  I  always  call  a  son  Henry,  I  think  it  bad 
manners,  as  it  is,  if  another  person  will  insist  on  always  calUng 
him  Harry. 

Well,  Pincher  was  bought  and  brought  home  in  the  evening 
to  exhibit  his  rat  love  and  prowess  in  our  baru,  then  ral- 
troubled.  I  brought  him  home,  and  you  will  usually  find  it 
correct,  that  whoever  brings  a  dog  to  a  new  home,  that  one  of 
the  new  family  he  takes  to.  He  seems  to  think,  "  I  knew  you 
first,  and  you  were  kind  to  me  ;  you  brought  me  into  a  scene 
amid  new  faces,  I  knew  your's  first.  I  turned  to  you  as  a 
friend  ;  you  were  kind  to  me  first,  so  I  love  you  best.  Yuu 
brought  me  my  first  milk,  or  my  first  bone,  and  you  took  me 
to  my  kennel  and  fetched  a  bundle  of  clean  straw,  and  care- 
fully |jut  a  pan  of  water  near  me,  and  as  you  showed  me  love 
first  of  all,  I'll  give  you  my  love  iu  return." 

Pincher's  performance  in  the  barn  was  most  satisfactory  ; 
among  rats  he  was  in  his  element,  and  at  the  very  highest  pin- 
nacle of  his  being's  enjoyment.  Not  a  hunter  with  hounds  in 
full  cry,  not  a  sportsman  when  the  brown-backed  covey  rises 
before  him,  has  more  intense  joy — joy  that  thrills  through  his 
frame  and  looks  out  at  his  eyes,  than  has  a  terrier  among  rats. 
Notice  his  forward-thrusting,  audibly-smelling  nose,  his  atti- 
tude of  perfect  symmetry,  his  keenness,  his  eagerness,  his 
Eharp  short  bark,  and  his  sharper  whine — a  noise  only  heard 
when  rats  are  near,  and,  to  sum  up,  if  it  be  dark,  his  eyes 
shooting  green  fire. 

The  long  lad  and  Pincher  went  to  many  a  rat  hunt,  specially 
when  a  corn  stack  was  being  lowerel.     The  rats  go  lower  a^ 


374 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENER. 


(  November  12,  1869. 


tier  after  tier  of  sheaves  is  removed  and  put  into  the  jaws  of 
the  threshing  machine.  At  last  every  refuge  fails,  and  the 
poor  vermin  are  obliged  to  run,  for  the  verj'  last  sheaves  are 
being  lifted.  That  is  the  time  for  a  terrier  to  show  his  fliill. 
Men  brandish  sticks,  boys  shout,  and  run  after  the  running 
rats.  A  coward  dog  cries  about  his  bitten  nose,  he  having 
made  one  clumsy  attempt  at  killing  a  rat  and,  has  made  up  his 
little  mind  never  to  try  again  ;  while,  on  the  contrary,  the 
practised,  business-like,  bold  terrier  kills,  and  kills,  and  kills, 
losing  not  a  moment  of  time.  It  is  a  nip  and  a  toss,  then 
another  rat  is  nipped  and  tossed,  and  then  another,  faster  than 
you  can  read  this  account.  It  is  an  exciting  scene,  and  a  good 
rat  dog  acts  like  a  good  surgeon,  cleverly  and  quickly  doing  his 
work. 

But  if  Pincher  had  his  virtues  he  had  his  vices  too,  nnd  they, 
alas  !  were  the  result  of  his  intercourt^e  with  man.  He  was,  I 
am  ashamed  to  have  to  wiite  it,  a  taught  thief ;  but  as  he  stole 
not  for  himself,  but  for  his  master,  so 

*'  E'en  his  failiuKS  leaned  to  virtue's  side. ' 
To  our  great  surprise,  Pincher  one  day  brought  home  a  pound 
of  butter,  and  laid  it,  not  in  the  least  injured,  for  he  had  a 
very  tender  mouth,  at  our  feet,  looking  up  expecting  to  be 
"  highly  commended,"  for  his  eyes  and  ears  and  tail  showed 
very  evidently  that  he  thougbt  he  had  performed  a  very  meri- 
torious action.  A  mutton  chop  was  brought  another  day,  a 
piece  of  cheese  another,  and  so  on. 

Poor  dog  !  He  had  been  trained  by  a  dishonest  master  to  steal, 
and  so  he  stole  for  me.  I  watched  his  method  of  proceeding. 
He  would  stand  on  the  top  step  of  a  butcher's  shop  door,  one 
forefoot  raised,  and  his  eyes  peering  in.  So  long  as  the  butcher 
■was  looking  his  way,  he  did  no  more  than  look  in,  but  when 
butcher  and  customer  had  both  turned  their  backs,  then 
Pincher  bolted  in,  and  invariably  chose  a  very  nice  piece  of  meat. 
Home  then  he  came,  as  to  eat  the  meat  or  even  gnaw  it,  that 
never  entered  his  thoughts  ;  he  was  a  disinterested  thief.  With 
more  truth  than  FalstafI,  poor  Pincher  might  have  said, 
"  Convey  the  wise  it  call,"  for  he  simply  conveyed  eatables 
from  one  house  to  another.  To  return  the  thing  stolen  was  not 
always  possible,  as  Pincher  did  not  always  deal  at  one  shop. 
Soon  this  thieving  became  a  nuisance.  Irate  fast-trotting 
butcher  boys  followed  Pincher  with  cracking  whips,  but  never 
caught  him.  The  grocer's  youngest  apprentice  appeared  at  our 
door  in  a  highly  excited  mood  demanding  stolen  butter  or 
cheese,  or  once  a  blacking-brush.  The  dog  was  beaten,  but  he 
utole  all  the  more,  thinking  that  he  had  not  stolen  enough  to 
please.  It  was  not  pleasant  to  ride  past  a  shop  with  the  dog  at 
one's  heels,  and  to  hear,  "  Look  out,  there  goes  the  thief," 
the  words  seemed  to  have  a  personal  sound.  At  length, 
gradually,  very  gradually,  Pincher  was  taught  better.  Somehow 
it  was  made  to  enter  his  head  that  not  to  steal  at  all  was  the 
right  thing,  and  to  steal  was  the  wrong  thing.  Yet  it  was 
manifest  that  he  loved  the  fun  of  the  thing.  Often  would  he 
stand  and  look  into  a  shop,  and  then  look  at  me,  saying  plainly 
in  eye  language,  "  Do  let  me,  only  this  once,  it  is  such  capital 
lun."  I  am  sure  the  excitement  of  the  chase  pleased  him.  The 
impotent-to-catch,  but  furious  butcher,  baker,  or  grocer,  the 
consternation  he  caused,  all  this  delighted  the  dog.  *'  You 
can't  catch  me,  you  can't  catch  me,"  and  away  he  went,  know- 
ing that  he  had  four  legs,  and  a  good  start,  and  his  pursuers 
only  two. 

I  said  that  Pincher  by  hard  training  became  reformed.  Ee- 
formatories  did  not  exist  then,  or  I  might  have  sent  him  to  one. 
Long  time,  like  a  reformed  drunkard,  did  he  hang  round  the 
varidiis  scenes  of  his  former  exploits,  but  fully  reformed  he  at 
length  became. 

I'mcher's  exuberant  spirits  occasionally  got  him  into  sore 
disgrace,  as  when  rushing  cue  day  into  my  I'lgeon  loft  (he  was 
accustomed  to  go  in  with  me),  his  rat  mettle  uji,  off  tiew  a  hen 
Barb,  a  new-comer,  just  hatching  her  first  eggs  ;  the  dog  seized 
her,  and  she  was  limp  and  dead  in  a  moment.  My  displeasure 
was  almost  unbounded,  as  was  Piucher's  penitence.  My  only 
Barb  hen,  and  not  another  nearer  than  Lunilun,  and  no  othei' 
Pigeon  to  take  to  the  eggs,  liut  except  for  a  scrape  or  two  such 
as  this,  Pincher  lived  in  favour,  he  was  the  companion  of  my 
long-lad  days,  and  he  helped  to  make  them  more  agreeable, 
and,  perhaps,  even  more  innocent. — WiLisniiiE  PvEctok. 


OUR  LETTER  BOX. 


Feeding  One  IIdndred  Fowr.s  (TI.  C.).— We  cannot  odvi>e  nnylbirf; 
better  than  whnt  jou  alreiidy  make  use  of— viz.,  bnrley  nnd  ludiau  cuiu, 
with  a  change  ol  wetted  meaJ,  but  we  ere  no  advot-ates  forbnckwhent.  It 


might,  perhaps,  be  more  economical  to  substitute  offul  wheat  for  barley, 
where  it  can  be  had  for  3«.  or  3s.  6d.  a-bushel,  and  we  should  think  a 
bushel  of  this  ousht  to  last  more  than  a  week,  and  if  about  3*'.  or  -ia.  worth 
of  a  mixture  of  barleymenl  and  pollard  were  mixed  with  any  waste  po- 
tatoes, including  the  outer  paringF,  boiled  and  mixed-up  with  the  meal  into 
a  thick  pf*ste,  we  think  the  whole  ought  to  be  kept  for,  say,  8*;.  or  Gs.  per 
week.  Of  course,  much  depends  on  whether  many  of  them  are  young  &r 
not,  as  young  fowls  require  more  feeding  than  old  ones.  If  they  are  to  be 
kept  in  condition  tit  for  table,  more  food  may  be  wanted,  but  in  general 
old  birds  do  not  lay  so  well  when  overfed,  and  we  like  a  fowl  direct  from 
the  yard  better  for  table  than  a  coop-fatted  one.  We  need  hardly  say 
that  in  mild  open  weather  the  fowls  will  pick  up  a  good  quantity  of  food 
from  the  ground. 

Management  of  Fowls  (Ccstria).—YonT  run.  No,  1.  will  do  perfectly 
for  Game  fowls,  or  Eantnnifl,  or  Silkies.  It  would  do  for  a  small  run  of 
Cochins,  and  these  would  be  the  most  prolitable.  No.  2  will  do  well  fo-r 
Brahmas.  We  Lave  Bjintams  running  about  our  liitchen  garden  with- 
out doing  any  damage.  If  you  keep  the  bouse  clean,  and  supply  the  fowls 
in  a  dry  basking  place  with  road  sand  or  wood  as-iies  mixed  with  black 
sulphur,  they  will  have  no  vermin.  You  should  feed  three  times  per  day 
— at  daybreak,  midday,  and  evening.  Good  barley,  ground  oats,  barley- 
menl are  all  good  food.  Indian  corn  is  a  chnnge,  and  the  table  scraps  are 
excellent  helps.  Sand  is  a  bad  bottom  for  a  pen.  Gravel  is  the  best, 
road-grit  is  next,  but  sand  is  cold,  damp,  and  sloppy. 

Feeding  Golden-spangled  Hamburghs  iFar  West^. — Peas  are  only 
used  to  harden  plumage,  and  to  give  many  of  tbem  is  injurious  feeding. 
Ground  oats  form  the  best  food  for  fowls,  varied  with  Indian  corn  in 
small  quantities,  and  with  stale  crusts  and  crvunbs  steeped  in  milk,  or  in 
cold  weather  in  strong  beer.    Wheat  is  not  good  food. 

DrcKs'  Eggs  Daek-coloceed  [Copt.  Horne).—li  is  a  sign  that  the 
Ducks  are  not  in  condition,  but  does  not  interfere  with  the  wholesome- 
ness  of  the  egg,  nor  with  its  food  properties.  It  is  probable,  if  the  Ducks 
were  shut  up  in  an  old  pigetye  for  a  week,  and  fed  only  on  meal,  oats, 
gravel,  and  grass,  that  the  colour  would  alter.  It  is  worth  trying  with 
two  or  three,  as,  if  the  experiment  were  a  success,  it  would  prove  that  the 
objectionable  colour  arose  from  something  eaten  by  the  Ducks,  and  that 
interfered  with  their  secretions.  These  vagaries  are  sometimes  caused 
by  fat. 

Er^rBDEN  Goslings  (A.  H.). — The  weight  will  depend  on  the  age.  We 
have  Toulouse  Goslings  in  ordinary  running  condition  weighing  14  lbs, 
each.  We  doubt  whether  you  can  obtain  Embden  Geese.  Try  at  Mr. 
Daily's,  Mount  Street,  Grosvenor  Square. 

?EX  OF  Tea  Fowls  (J.  W.). — The  ses  of  Pea  fowls  can  be  easily  dis 
corned  when  they  are  twelve  or  fourteen  weeks  old.  Barley  is  all  the 
food  they  require  wnen  they  are  half-grown,  but  up  to  that  time  they 
want  feeding  like  young  Turkeys  or  Pheasants.  They  are  delicious  eating 
when  about  eight  or  nine  months  old.  Their  value  under  twelve  months 
old  is  about  Ba.  each.  After  that,  they  vary.  When  the  feathers  were  the 
fashion  for  ladies'  hats,  a  Peacock  in  colour  was  worth  SOs.  The  fashion 
is  altered,  and  he  is  now  worth  about  I'Zs.  or  14«. 

Game  Cock's  Beak  Broken. — "  I  have  seen,  where  a  cockerel  was 
fighting  with  another  through  his  crib,  the  honey  substance  broken  oil' 
bis  upper  mandible  and  leaving  a  fleshy  substance  n^^arly  the  length  of 
the  under  one,  but  it  was  replaced  by  afresh  one  in  a  few  mouths. —H.  G. ' 

Pigeons  Diseased  {A.  S.).— It  is  best  always  in  sickness,  whether  of 
man,  beast,  or  bird,  to  look  at  the  cause  more  thnn  the  symptoms.  Thus* 
if  a  child  has  a  sore  mouth,  the  cause  is  a  bad  state  of  the  stomach,  cure 
that  and  the  muuth  will  become  well.  We  infer  from  the  state  of  your 
Pigeons,  that  your  loft  is  either  cold,  damp,  or  draughty.  Fancy  Rgeoi  B 
cannot  well  be  kept  too  warm  ;  they  always  do  best  in  a  ceiled  room.  Ab 
you  have  tried  the  old  remedies,  and  found  them  tail,  adopt  those 
recommended  by  "  A  Foreigner."  a  very  skilled  fancier,  in  our  Journal  of 
July  SUth.  He  says,  '■  Some  Pigeons  are  recovered  by  one  remedy,  some 
by  another,  and  others  never;  some  get  rid  of  roup  by  a  dose  or  two  of 
charcoal  powder,  some  by  a  dose  of  carbonate  of  soda  or  a  pinch  of  alum, 
and  some  bv  a  dose  of  flowers  of  sulphur."  In  regard  t^your  Carrier  hen 
nut  getting  her  feathers  after  mnulting,  this  shows  also  want  of  warmth — 
feed  her  on  hempseed,  and  put  her  in  a  warmer  place.  Put  a  number  of 
clean  screws  into  your  Pigeons'  water,  we  prefer  tliem  t.r»  nails  ;  but  of 
all  things,  set  to  work  and  make  your  loft  warm.  Dauip,  cold,  and 
especially  currtnts  of  wind  are  ruinous  to  fancy  Pigeons.  The  excrement 
left  C'U  boards  causes  a  loft  to  be  damp. 

Stuffing  Birds  {Se}f''taufiht). — We  know  of  no  liquid  that  can  be 
applied  to  birds  rendering  the  skinning  unnecessary,  in  our  No.  380, 
you  will  find  our  suggestion  about  dying  moss.  We  have  no  further  in- 
formatiun. 

Feed  of  a  Cow  in  "Winter  {H.  C).— If  your  Alderney  cow  has  the 
priviltfje  of  being  turned  out  on  the  three-acre  field  you  mention,  which 
she  ought  to  have  to  do  well,  and  is  allowed  to  pick  up  a  little  straw  with 
which  she  maybe  supplied  as  litter,  we  should  think  she  ought  to  do 
well  on  from  4  "to  (j  lbs.  of  cake  per  day,  and  about  2  tons  of  buy  for  the 
winter  ;  but  so  much  depends  on  the  amount  of  extra  food  she  may  pick 
up  tint  the  quantity  of  hay  cannot  be  strictly  laid  down.  In  feeding  it 
is  advisable  to  give  only  a.  little  food  at  a  time  and  often,  nnd  not  to 
allow  her  to  waste  much,  i^ome  foi>d  she  will  very  likeiy  refuse  to  eat, 
but  let  that  be  as  small  a  quantity  as  possible.  Cotton  and  other  cakea 
improve  the  quality  rather  tuKn  incrense  the  quantity  of  tlic  milk.  Soft 
foods,  as  brewers'  grains,  mashes,  &c.,  increase  the  quantity,  but  it  is 
poor  in  proportion  to  the  extent  it  is  so  forced.  We  %\uuld  by  all  means 
turn  her  out  a  few  hours  every  dny ;  even  if  there  be  nothing  to  eat,  the 
extrcitJe  will  be  benelicial.  We  are  sorry  for  the  delay  in  answering  your 
JnijuiriLS  ;  it  arose  from  causes  not  easily  prevented. 

CcoKiNG  CocvE  Tronchuda  (E.  D.). — The  midrib  of  the  Icflf  is  the  Only 
part  used;  it  is  not  to  be  peeled,  but  must  be  quite  free  Irom  tb« 
green  p!irt  of  the  leaf.  For  cooking  it,  tie  the  kale  in  small  bundles,  and 
cut  I'fTthe  ends  to  make  them  all  of  the  same  length  ;  have  ready  a  pou 
contHiuTug  oLe  galluu  of  boiling  water,  and  2uzs.  of  salt.  Boil  the 
kale  rallier  quickly  fur  half  an  hour  or  till  tender,  dish  it  up  with  a  piece 
of  tons  t  tmdtr.  Serve  very  hot  with  some  good  melted  buttfer.  The  Couve 
TrouL-buiia  dressed  as  above  is  an  excellent  vegeUble;  but  it  is  never 
tender  till  after  ii  has  been  exposed  to  the  frost.  It  is  not,  as  generally 
suppiised.  a  dehcat"'  plant,  but  qniie  hcrdy,  and  can  be  used  uU  through 
the  wiulfr. — (From  a  Coiirypoiuhnt). 


November  19,  1868.  ] 


JOUItNAL  OF  HOUTIGDLTUEE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


375 


WEEKLY 

CALENDAR. 

Bay 

ot 

Mouth 

Day 

of 

Week. 

NOVEMBER  19-25,  1868. 

Averafte  Temperature 
near  Louduu. 

Rain  In 

last 
41  years. 

Sun          Sun 
Ilisea.       Sets. 

Moon 
Kiuos. 

Moon 
Sets. 

Moon's 
Age. 

Clock 
ariur 
Suu. 

Year 

19 

20 
21 

23 
28 
24 
25 

Th 

F 

S 

Sun 

M 

To 

W 

Meeting  of  Liuneau  Soeiety,  8  p.m. 
2J  .Sunday  aftek  Tki.'<ity. 

Day. 
48.9 
49.0 
49.7 
49.2 
47.5 
47.5 
4e.6 

NiRht. 
34.1 
34.5 
8'!.4 

:m.3 

34,6 

sa.i 

33.5 

Mean. 
41.5 
41.8 
43.0 
41.7 
41.1 
89.8 
40.0 

Days. 
17 
14 
25 
2t 
18 
14 
21 

m.      h. 
27af7 
29      7 
31      7 

33  7 

34  7 
85       7 
87      7 

m.    h. 
4af4 
8      4 
1      4 
0      4 
59      8 
53      8 
67      8 

ni.    h. 
45    11 
after. 
60      0 
17      1 
40      1 
1      2 
24      2 

m.    h 
37af  8 
86      9 
88    10 
42    11 
morn. 
45      0 
49      1 

Days. 

6 

7 

J 
9 
10 
11 

m.     a. 
14    19 

14  5 

15  49 
IS    83 
13     16 
12    .59 
12    48 

824 
825 
328 

827 
828 
829 
8S0 

From  observations  taken  near  London  daring  the  last  forty-one  years,  the  average  day  toraperatnre  of  the  week  is  48  3' ;  and  its  niRbt 
temperature  84.2  .     The  greatest   heat  was  61",  on  the  20th,  1863  ;    and  the  lowest   cold  9%  on  the  28ra,  1858.    The  greatest  Jail  of  ram 
waa  0.95  inch. 

MARKET  GARDENING  ABOUT  LONDON   AND 
,.-..,  PARIS.— No.  2. 

ITH  regard  to  the  vast  superiority  of  the 
French  market  gardeners  in  the  production 
of  various  kinds  of  vegetables  and  fruits 
much  has  been  written,  and,  at  tlie  same 
time,  the  habits  of  the  French  themselves 
have  been  extolled  as  so  much  better  than 
our  own  ;  on  looking  at  the  whole  suliject,  I 
am  inclined  to  think  that  after  all  it  is  a 
matter  of  demand  and  supply,  and  that  the 
habits  are  simply  those  which  difference  of  cliraato  to  a 
great  extent  brings  about.  We  are  told  how  far  ahead  they 
are  of  us  in  the  production  of  winter  salads  and  Asparagus, 
Pears  and  Peaches,  while  contrasts  are  drawn  between  our 
more  meaty  banquets  and  their  larger  supply  of  vegetables 
and  fruits.  Now,  the  character  of  a  nation's  food  depends 
to  a  great  extent  on  the  character  of  the  climate.  The 
Esquimaux  of  the  Ai-ctic  circle  knows  nothing  of  vegetable 
food,  and  were  the  finest  productions  of  French  and  English 
gardens  to  be  jjlaced  before  him  he  would  prefer  his  lump 
of  whale's  blubber  or  seal's  fat,  and  to  him  the  greatest  treat 
is  the  reeking  carcase  of  some  fresli-killed  walrus.  And 
why  is  this  "  We  may  turn  away  with  disgust  from  the  very 
idea  of  it,  but  he  has  learned  in  that  cold  and  bleak  climate 
by  experience,  what  science '  teaches  us — that  nothing  so 
tends  to  generate  the  caloric  he  needs,  and  the  white  man, 
who,  like  poor  Dr.  Kane,  has  the  misfortune  to  be  shut  up 
in  those  dreary  regions,  soon  learns  that  he,  too,  must 
abandon  his  moi'e  civilised  food,  and  "  do  at  Rome  as  Rome 
does." 

Our  own  climate,  although  in  winter  not  so  cold,  perhaps, 
as  Paris  in  the  actual  lowness  of  temperature,  has  yet  that 
■which  makes  it  far  more  trying  in  the  constant  damps  and 
fogs  to  which  we  are  surrendered  ;  the  air  of  Paris,  espe- 
cially, being  dry  and  thin.  I  am  assured  by  a  friend, 
whose  name  is  honoured  wherever  gardening  is  known, 
that,  from  a  record  of  temperature  he  ki^pt  for  many  years, 
there  is  very  little  diiference  in  the  degrees  of  cold  in 
London  and  Paris  up  to  the  end  of  April ;  and  yet  the 
Frenchman,  who  is  doomed  to  spend  a  winter  in  London, 
looks  forward  to  it  with  feelings  of  dread,  as  if  he  were 
about  to  be  consigned  to  Dante's  "  Piirgatorio ;"  it  is  the 
terrible  hrouiUard  which  frightens  him,  and  so  terrible 
does  he  think  it.  that  nine  out  of  ten  Frenchmen  believe 
nearly  all  London  is  on  the  verge  of  suicide  in  the  early 
pai't  of  winter.  Now,  this  does  to  a  great  extent  regulate 
our  habits  of  eating  and  drinking.  Notwithstanding  that  you 
may  now  get  claret  as  cheap  nearly  in  London  as  in  Paris, 
how  few  there  are  who  will  drink  it  in  the  winter  months. 
"  Nasty  cold  stuff,"  says  lusty  John  Bull,  who  prefers  his 
foaming  tankard  of  ale  or  his  fruity  port ;  albeit  dread 
"  podagra  "  lurks  within  the  cup.  As  to  salads,  oh  !  the  very 
thought  sends  a  shudder  through  him  ;  he  may  condescend 
to  take  a  bit  of  Celery  with  his  cheese,  for  it  is  warm  and 
aromatic,  but  I  have  often  noticed  at  tables  where  the  salad 
was  a  constant  adjunct,  that  not  one-half  of  the  guests  par- 
took of  it,  and  I  believe  that  dread  of  all  sorts  of  "  internal 

Mo.  SW.-VoL.  XV.,  New  Szkieb. 


commotions,"  and  not  taste,  leads  to  the  refusal  of  it.  And 
so  with  fruits,  most  people  think  after  the  beginning  of 
October  Pears  are  over,  and  at  a  dessert  dried  fruits 
are  almost  always  preferred.  Now,  cross  the  Channel, 
and  things  are  different:  the  almost  universal  beverage 
winter  and  summer  is  the  thin  viii  ordiiniirc.  while  no 
Frenchman  high  or  low  would  consider  liis  diciiu  complete 
without  a  salad,  but  without  that  he  is  a  considerable  eater 
of  flesh.  What  with  his  ci'>tK>lettes,  roti,  ragouts,  &c.,  twice 
a-day,  he  does  pretty  well.       i--  '  ■     -^  -^     - 

Go  further  south.  The  Spaniard  with  his  Water  Melon 
and  his  oUa  jKnlriilit,  or  the  Neapolitan  with  his  maccaroni. 
would  consider  the  Frenchman  decidedly  carnivorous  ;  his 
warm  climate  does  not  necessitate  the  heating  food  of  the 
more  northern  nations,  indeed,  'it  would  be  positively 
injurious  to  him ;  while  in  the  tropical  climes  of  India 
and  Africa  animal  food  almost  ceases  to  be  an  article  of 
diet,  and  Rice,  tho,  very  thinnest  of  all  the  cereals,  is  suffi- 
cient for  his  wants.  Now,  it  would  be  very  absurd  for  the 
Hindoo  to  laugh  at  the  Frenchman,  and  speak  of  his 
animal  tastes,  and  equally  iibsurd  I  think  it  i.s  to  hold  up 
the  more  refined  tastes  of  the  Frenchman,  because  he  is 
a  greater  vegetable  eater  than  the  Englishman. 

Now,  all  this  must,  considerably  affect  the  supply  of  food. 
Although  a  vast  iraprovcmnnt  has  taken  place  in  the  qua- 
lity of  meat  in  the  Paris  market,  yet  in  vain  will  you  look 
for  the  wonderful  triumphs  of  the  feeder's  skill  that 
everywhere  meet  you  in  Loud(.m  ;  but  go  into  the  veptable 
markets,  and  you  are  at,  vmce  ajrucjv  with  the  difference. 
We  have,  it  is  true,  uo.plnce  save  dear,  dirty,  dingy  Covent 
Garden  to  display  oiu-  productioiLS  ;  we  lack  the  truly  mag- 
nificent Halles  Ceat,rales,  but  with  all  that  you  sec  at  once 
the  difterence.  In  Paris  salads  of  various  kinds  abound  in 
winter — Chicoree,  which,  remember,  is  Endive,  of  wonderful 
size  and  whiteness  :  harhc  ile  ca p i< oin,  v/hich  is  really  the 
blanched  shoots  of  Chicory  ;  Lettuce,  both  of  the  Cabbage 
kind  and  Cos,  or  snlnth^  Rommne,  as  it  is  called  there,  are 
brought  to  perfection.  But,  then,  you  never  see  a  head  of 
Celery  worth  looking  at.  nor  in  summer  a  Cucumber  that 
would  be  tolerated  in  any  English  garden,  save  at  such 
shops  as  Potel  &Chabot's  in  the  Boulevards,  or  Chevct's  in 
the  Palais  Royal,  and  these  are  evidently  imported ;  the 
French  care  little  for  either  one  or  the  other.  A  salade  do 
Ciitcri  is  about  as  uninviting  a  iwoduction  as  you  can  weU 
imagine,  and  as  they  have  not  yet  learned  the  value  of  a 
Cucumber  with  salmon  or  fish  in  general,  it  is  uncnred  for. 
Shall  I,  then,  because  the  market  gardeners  of  Brentford 
and  Fulham  can  produce  Celery  which  might  well  serve 
for  a  marshal's  baton,  or  Cucumbers  to  be  measured  by  the 
foot,  say  that  all  this  evidences  the  vast  superiority  of 
English  market  gardening'?  No  ;  I  say  it  is  simply  cause 
and  effect,  demand  and  supply.  I  know  it  may  be  said, 
"  But  do  we  not  import  large  quantities  of  salad  in  winter 
from  Paris,  and  does  not  th.at  prove  that  it  is  in  demand, 
and  would  pay  to  grow '.'  "  I  do  not  quite  see  this.  Many 
families  have  learned  to  value  winter  salads,  but  the  great 
mass  of  the  people  do  not,  and  it  would  no  more  pay,  I 
believe,  for  London  market  gardeners  to  force  sa lading 
than  it  woidd  their  Parisian  brethren  to  grow  Cucumber?. 

No.  1051.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  Sebies. 


376 


JOURNAL   OP  HOBTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE  GARDENEE. 


[  NoTember  1»,  1BC8. 


A  market  gardener  has  to  consider  the  wants  of  the  many,  and 
not  the  tastes  of  the  few  ;  he  requires  a  sure  and  not  a  precarious 
demand.  J.  have  seen  baskets  of  French  salading  in  Covent 
Garden  consigned  to  the  outer  circle,  although  they  have  been 
imported  by  the  first-rate  merchants  of  the  Central  Arcade, 
showing  that  there  is  no  such  overwhelming  demand  for  them. 
Again,  in  the  matfer  of  Asparagus,  of  which  more  must  be  said 
by-and-by,  it  is  decidedly  more  eaten  in  France  than  in  Eng- 
land ;  during  the  season  it  is  in  general  demand,  and  this  not 
so  much  because  of  its  greater  cheapness  as  of  a  matter  of  taste. 
It  might  then,  perhaps,  be  of  advantage  to  English  market 
gardeners  to  grow  it  more  extensively,  but  there  are  other  crops 
which  are  more  sure  of  finding  a  market  than  it.  Can  there 
be  any  doubt  as  to  the  possibility  of  the  Cornish  growers,  who 
so  regularly  supply  the  London  markets  with  early  Potatoes 
and  Cauliflowers,  being  equally  able  and  ready  to  send  up  any 
quantity  of  Asparagus,  if  it  paid  them  to  go  in  for  it  ? 

I  do  not  think  that  in  the  mass  French  folks  care  so  much 
•for  the  quality  of  the  fruit  they  eat  as  for  the  quantity.  With 
them  size  is  a  most  attractive  feature,  and  a  large  Dachesse 
d'Angonleme  Pear,  gritty  and  coarse-grained,  from  its  great 
size,  even  finds  favour.  What  can  be  more  insipid  than  the 
Abricots  de  Midi  and  Pt-ches  de  Midi  which  find  their  way  into 
the  Paris  markets  :'  and  yet  how  eagerly  they  are  eaten  !  Even 
the  far-famed  Peaches  of  Montreuil  are  to  my  mind  very 
astringent,  owing,  probably,  to  the  quality  of  the  soil,  and  by 
no  means  to  be  compared  with  those  which  are  grown  in  some 
of  onr  most  favoured  localities. 

The  Parisian  market  gardener  is  in  some  respects  like,  but  in 
others  very  different  from,  his  English  confrere — both  have  the 
same  facilities  for  procuring  large  supplies  of  manure,  without 
which,  indeed,  in  neither  place  could  the  crops  be  obtained ; 
like  bira,  too,  he  is  being  jostled  out  of  his  holdings  by  the 
extension  of  the  city  on  all  sides ;  but  I  believe  he  enjoys  a 
greater  advantage  in  the  cheaper  rate  of  wages.  Much  has 
been  said  pro  and  con.  on  the  matter.  I  con  only  say  that  I 
entered  into  this  question  with  some  of  the  men  themselves. 

The  very  intelligent  foreman  at 's,  at  Clichy,  told  me  that, 

including  everything,  his  etrennes  at  the  New  Year,  &c.,  the 
whole  sum  that  he  obtained  in  the  year  was  800  francs.  Com- 
pare this  with  the  foreman  of  a  London  market  gardener,  and 
I  think  the  advantage  will  be  seen.  Tlie  men  themselves  earn 
about  15  francs  a-week ;  and  then  most  of  these  market  gar- 
deners are  very  small  holders,  they  work  themselves  like  their 
own  men,  and  in  a  holding  of  a  couple  of  hectares  (between 
4  and  3  acres),  it  is  not  nsual  to  find  more  than  two  men  in 
constant  employment,  besides  the  owner,  and  probably  his  son  : 
hence  they  can  more  cheaply  send  in  their  supplies.  And  these 
men  work  hard ;  the  foreman  alluded  to  above  told  me  that  in 
summer  he  worked  for  eighteen  hours,  and  that  without  any 
additional  "  over-hours'  "  pay.  All  this  gives  a  considerable 
advantage  to  the  French  market  gardener ;  and  yet  I  very  much 
question  with  all  this,  whether  there  is  that  superiority  in  him 
that  some  have  seen,  and  whether  the  method  of  culture  in 
and  about  London  does  not  pay  quite  as  well  there  as  the 
French  system  in  Paris  ;  and  this  is,  after  all,  the  great  ques- 
tion. No  mere  dilettanti  notions  of  what  is  pretty  or  neat 
must  enter  into  the  question,  it  will  be  simply  what  pays  best. 

These  facts,  for  such  I  believe  them  to  be,  will  explain  much 
that  has  been  said  on  the  subject,  and  it  is  essential,  I  think, 
to  the  proper  understanding  of  it  that  they  should  be  borne  in 
mind,  for  we  can  thus  without  prejudice  look  at  the  whole 
subject,  and  derive,  it  may  be,  both  instruction  and  amusement 
from  it. — D.,  Deal, 


A  LARGE  FRUIT  GARDEN. 

Some  time  early  in  October  last  I  had  the  great  pleasure  of 
visiting  Mr.  Tarden,  of  Seaford  Orange,  to  look  over  his  young 
plantation  of  fruit  trees,  quite  enormous  in  extent.  The  en- 
tire estate  consists  of  250  acres,  with  a  charming,  well-built, 
and  ornamental  dwelling-house  in  or  about  the  centre.  One 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  the  estate  are  formed  into  a  fruit 
garden,  intended  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  "  black  country  " 
— i.e.,  the  coal  and  iron  districts  to  the  north  of  Pershore. 
The  plantation  was  fini.^hed  in  the  year  1858.  Tbe  soil  was 
drained  and  prepared  asdeicrilied  below.  This  garden  contains 
from  iO  to  50,000  Gooseberry  bushes,  and  from  00  to  100,000 
Currants,  mostly  Ked,  only  some  few  thousands  being  the  Black 
Currant. 

Tbe  fruit  trees,  arranged  in  rows  from  15  to  18  feet  apart, 
lovi  fiom  row,  and  about  12  feet  apart  in  the  rows,  were  for 


the  most  part  planted  aa  dwarfs,  maiden  and  two-years-old. 
They  have  now  grown  into  trees  with  heads  and  several  stems, 
the  lower  branches  having  been  pruned  away. 

The  following  is  a  rough  approach  to  the  number  of  trees 
planted  in  this  very  interesting  fruit  garden : — 1500  Victoria 
Plums,  1100  Pershore  Plums,*  700  Early  Rivers,  500  Diamond, 
COO  Gisborne's,  500  Jefferson  (soil  and  climate  too  cool  for 
this  sort),  150  Reine  Claude  de  Bavay,  120  Autumn  Compi')te, 
50  Damascene  (a  large  sort  of  Damson). 

The  varieties  that  have  proved  themselves  adapted  to  the 
cool  soil  and  climate,  and  are  likely  to  be  a  source  of  profit,  are 
Victoria,  Autumn  Compute,  Early  Rivers  or  Early  ProliQc,  Gis- 
borne's, and  Pershore  ;  the  Diamond  is  not  quite  hardy  enough. 
Mr.  Varden  has  under  trial  some  promising  seedlings,  raised 
by  me  some  few  years  since. 

There  are  several  other  varieties  of  Plums  cultivated  here  to 
a  small  extent,  but  at  present  few  seem  hardy  enough  to  bear 
and  ripen  well.  I  saw  some  fine  rows  of  trees  in  the  most 
vigorous  growth  of  Saudell's  Plum,  but  the  fruit  had  been  a 
very,  very  thin  crop,  the  climate  being  too  cool  or  the  soil  too 
rich  for  it. 

The  plantations  of  Pear  trees  are  for  the  most  part  remarkably 
healthy,  as  far  as  regards  freedom  from  canker,  moss,  and 
other  plagues  peculiar  to  the  fruit  garden.  First  of  all  I  visited 
a  plantation  of  some  thousands  of  Pears  on  Quince  stocks,  in 
which  1  have  always  felt  a  lively  interest.  It  consists  of  several 
thousands  of  Loaise  Bonne,  Beurre  d'Amanlis,  Vicar  of  Wink- 
field,  and  some  others,  all  in  good  health,  and  capable  of  bear- 
ing large  crops ;  but  although  they  put  forth  annually  abun- 
dance of  blossoms,  they  but  rarely  Lear  good  fruit.  For  some 
years  after  the  severe  frost  of  1860  they  seemed  to  have 
been  paralysed,  and  were  quite  barren.  They  now  appear 
vigorous  and  healthy,  the  soil  seeming  to  be  admirably  adapted 
for  them,  but  tbey  do  not  bear  to  any  extent— not  enough  to 
pay  for  their  culture.  I  have  never  before  witnessed  so  vividly 
the  effect  of  climate  on  Pear  culture  as  with  these  trees,  the 
large  extent  of  a  cool  soil  and  flat  surface  evidently  loweiing 
the  temperature  from  1J°  to  2',  thus  making  tbe  climate  a 
trifling  degree  too  cool.  It  is  evidently  not  the  geographical 
position  of  the  place,  but  purely  the  locality,  for  in  the  gardens 
of  Pershore,  about  three  miles  to  the  Houlh  of  Seaford  Grange, 
and  on  the  banks  of  the  Avon,  where  the  soil  is  light  and 
warm,  the  choicest  kinds  of  Pears  ripen  well  on  pyramids  in 
the  open  air.  It  would  seem  that  in  open-air  culture  the  soil 
makes  the  climate. 

The  principal  kinds  and  number  of  Pear  trees  grown  as 
standards  on  Pear  stocks  are  the  four  hundred  Doyenn6  d'Eto 
(Summer  Doyenno),  and  large  numbers  of  such  kinds  as  Marie 
Louise,  Knight's  Monarch,  &;.  I  was  much  interested  with 
these  trees,  the  first-named  in  particular,  for  there  were  rows 
of  standards,  some  20  feet  high,  forming  avenues,  every  shoot 
glistening  with  health,  and  studded  thickly  with  blossom  bnds. 
Knowing  well  the  tendency  of  this  sort  to  bear  with  me  so 
freely  as  to  break  down  its  branches  with  the  weight  of  fruit, 
I  at  once  inquired  as  to  the  crop  of  the  past  summer,  gathered, 
as  I  supposed,  in  August.  The  reply  was,  as  far  as  I  recollect, 
they  bore  but  very  few,  and  have  never  borne  any  worth  send- 
ing'to  market.  Here  was  another  Pear  lesson,  reminding  me 
of  the  old  fable,  which  is  one  of  my  boyish  recollections,  and 
runs  as  follows : — Two  goldfinches,  warmed  by  some  tine 
weather  in  February,  built  their  nest  and  had  their  young 
progeny  ;  then  came  March  with  frost  and  snow,  which  killed 
their  young  and  nearly  starved  the  parent  birds.  Tliis  is,  I 
think,  told  in  verse,  and  the  moral  is — 

"Misses,  tbe  tale  that  I  relate. 
This  lesson  seems  to  carry — 
Choose  not  aloue  a  proper  mate. 
Hut  proper  time  to  marry." 

This  may  be  easily  paraphrased  :  Choose  not  alone  the  proper 
soil,  but  proper  place,  in  which  to  plant  Pear  trees. 

I  observed  when  looking  closely  into  tbe  habits  of  the  Marie 
Louise  and  Monarch  Pear  trees  a  clear  shining  bark  and  healthy 
buds,  but  a  seeuiing  want  of  vital  force  in  their  structure, 
arising  from  a  temperature  too  low  and  moist  in  summer. 
Beurre  de  Capiaumont,  Williams's  Bon  Chieisn,  Achan,  and 
some  others,  grow  with  a  robust  habit,  bear  fair  crops,  and 
give  good  promise.  Mr.  Varden  has,  like  all  extensive  fruit- 
tree  planters,  had  to  pay  a  high  price  for  the  expeiicnce  he  has 

•  Some  hundreds  of  acres  are  occupied  with  this  Plum— a  variety  ot 
the  White  Maguum  Bonum  (its  name  in  the  district),  of  the  same  colour, 
hut  about  half  its  size.  Thousands  of  bushels  are  disp.tched  weekly 
from  Per;hore  in  September  to  the  north,  and  in  a  grean  stste  in  sumncr 
tor  dying. 


November  19,  18G9.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GAIUJENEir. 


377 


gained,  and  is  giining  annnally  ;  but  in  a  climate  bo  variable 
as  that  of  Eojldnd  it  must  be  so.  Those  who  advise  people 
to  plant  Pear  trees  in  waste  places  are  sorry  advisers. 

The  Apple  trees  in  the  Seaford  garden  are  all  very  healthy. 
There  are  rows  and  acres  of  the  popular  sorts — six  hundred 
Sturmer  Pippia,  four  hundred  Duchess  cf  Oldenburg,  five 
hundred  Dumelow's  Seealing,  and  n-any  hundreds  of  trees  of 
other  popular  sorts,  all  free  from  canker  and  full  of  blossom 
buds.  Thej  have  not,  however,  as  yet  bnme  freely,  owing  to 
the  ravages  of  the  grubs  of  the  Winter  Moth,  which  in  spring 
has  denuded  the  trees  of  blossoms  and  leaves,  thus  weakening 
their  system.  This  pest  sefims  peculiar  to  'Worcestershire,  as 
I  have  never  heard  of  its  ravages  in  our  southern  fruit  gardens. 
There  is  no  drabt  but  that  this  fine  and  well-planted  fruit 
garden  will  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  become  of  great  value, 
for  Mr.  Varclen  is  regrafting  all  his  trees  that  do  not  suit  the 
climate,  with  varieties  that  he  has  fonnd  to  do  so.  The  follow- 
ing accurate  description  of  the  garden  has  been  drawn  up  by  a 
resident  at  Seaford  Grange ;  it  seems  to  me  iuteresting  and 
worthy  of  publication. — Tnoius  ErvERS. 


THE    FBUIT    GARDENS   AT    SEAFOED    cnASGE. 

Neab  Pershore  (Worcestershire),  is  one  of  the  largest  fruit 
gardens  in  the  kingdom.  It  was  commenced  fifteen  or  sixteen 
years  since  on  a  comparatively  small  scale  by  the  owner  of  the 
land,  Mr.  Varden,  to  afford  him  occasional  relaxation  from  the 
duties  of  civil  engineering,  which  were  pressing  too  much  on 
his  health.  He  afterwards  retired  from  his  profession,  and  has 
since  entirely  occupied  himself  with  farming  and  fruit  culture. 
The  garden  has  gradually  been  increased  to  120  acres  ;  and  as 
in  that  neighbourhood  land  is  cheap  (30s.  per  acre),  and  manure 
dear  (10s.  per  ton),  the  high  cultivation  adopted  near  London 
and  the  large  towns  is  not  attempted,  but  something  between 
it  and  ordinary  orchard  culture  is  practised,  and  with  inter- 
mediate results  both  as  regards  cost  of  cultivation  and  value  of 
produce. 

The  leading  idea  was,  that  if  fruit  were  gi'own  without  vege- 
tables the  rich,  deep,  high-priced  lands  which  are  practically 
necessary  for  the  latter  might  be  dispensed  with  ;  heavy  loams 
at  20s.  or  25s.  per  acre  being  really  better  adapted  for  the 
growth  of  Apples,  Pears,  and  Plums  than  the  light  soils  at  from 
£3  to  £5  per  acre  generally  selected  for  market  gardens. 

The  soil  before  bei-Dg  broken  up  was  1  fool  of  brown  loam 
and  2  feet  of  yellos-  loam  resting  on  blue  clay.  The  loams 
contained  75  per  cent,  of  sOicites,  10  per  cent,  of  alumina  and 
peroxide  of  iron,  and  2  per  cent,  of  carbonate  of  Mme.  The 
blue  clay  contained  37  per  cent,  oi  carbonate  of  lime,  and  only 
6  of  alumina  and  peroxide  of  iron,  so  its  mixture  with  the 
loams  would  he  beneficial ;  bat  as  it  occurred  at  too  great  a 
depth  to  be  brought  up  by  ordinary  double-digging,  this  only 
occurred  to  a  small  extent.  When  converted  by  deep  thorough 
draining  from  a  substance  like  soap  into  a  friable  mail  it 
becomes  well  aiapted  for  the  deep  roots  of  large  fruit  trees, 
and  is  by  no  means  an  unfavourable  subsoil.  An  analysis  of 
the  water  which  escapes  from  the  drains  (4  feet  deep),  shows 
that  in  each  gallon  there  are  present  21  grains  of  sulphate  of 
lime,  10  of  carbsuates  of  lime  and  soda,  6  of  common  salt,  4  of 
sulphate  of  magnesia,  and  15  o'  organic  matter. 

The  soil  is  one  of  the  middle  beds  of  the  lower  lias,  with 
little  or  no  alluvial  deposit  en  the  surface,  and  in  its  unim- 
proved state  in  1851  was  worth  about  16s.  or  17s.  per  acre. 
Now  that  it  is  cleaned,  thorough-drained,  and  useless  hedges 
are  removed,  and  the  p.-»nie  produced  by  the  repeal  of  the  com 
laws  has  subsiled.  it  is  worth  about  30s.  per  acre.  It  slopes 
towards  the  east  from  a  brook  40  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
sea,  to  the  summit  of  a  hlU  114  feet  above  the  sea  level.  But 
the  gardens  do  not  extend  into  the  lowest  ground ;  they  com- 
mence at  15  feet  above  the  level  of  the  brook.  None  of  the 
lucky  orchards  of  the  neighbourhood  are  less  than  30  or  40  feet 
above  the  bottom  of  the  valley. 

From  the  above  sketch  it  is  to  be  expected  that  the  defects 
of  this  site  for  fruit-growing  will  be  more  in  climate,  resulting 
{rom  lowness,  than  in  soil.  The  latter  is  evidently  well  suited, 
even  in  its  unimproved  state,  to  large  hardy  sorts  of  Apple  and 
Pear  trees  ;  and  in  the  gardens  (all  of  which  have  been  deep- 
drained  and  donble-dag).  Walnut  frees  and  some  of  the  stan- 
dard Pear  and  Plum  trees  have  in  fifteen  or  sixteen  years 
attained  the  height  of  20  or  25  feet  with  every  appearance  of 
robust  health.  A  moderate  application  of  manure  will  supply 
its  deficiencies,  and  adapt  it  to  the  growth  of  the  less  vigorous 
srta  and  of  the  Gooseberry  and  Currant  bushes,  which  con- 


stitute the  undergrowth.  At  firct  stable  manure  from  the 
towns  was  employed  for  this  purpose,  but  latterly  soot  has 
been  substituted,  the  eflect  of  which  on  lias  soils  is  remark- 
ably good. 

Hoar  frosts  are  very  injurious  to  the  lower  portions  of  the 
plantation  up  to  the  level  cf  30  or  40  feet  above  the  brook,  and 
it  is  to  mitigate  or  counteract  the  effect  of  these  that  attention 
should  chieQy  be  directed.  Mr.  Varden  has  latterly  diminished 
the  number  of  his  trees  per  acre,  partly  with  the  view  of  allow- 
ing them  as  standards  to  attain  their  full  height  and  grow 
above  the  level  of  the  most  destructive  frosts,  and  partly  to 
lessen  the  labour  of  daubing  round  the  stems  every  third  or 
fourth  day  in  November  and  December,  to  check  a  particular 
blight — the  caterpillar  of  the  Winter  Moth,  which  has  infested 
the  Worcestershire  fruit  districts,  especially  those  round  Per- 
shore and  Evesham,  for  the  last  twelve  years.  He  appears 
satisfied  with  the  result  of  this,  and  experience  shows  Lim  that 
there  are  sorts  of  fruit  which  suit  his  soil  and  mode  of  culti- 
vation, and  fairly  resist  the  frosts  even  cf  his  lower  ground, 
and  the  number  of  these  sorts  being  small  is  no  disadvantage. 
The  likes  and  disUkes  of  the  different  varieties  may  be  humoured 
in  private  gardens  where  the  object  is  to  produce  fruit  irre- 
spective of  profit,  but  in  commercial  gardens  profit  is  indis- 
pensable. Not  only  must  the  peculiarities  of  soil  and  climate 
be  more  closely  studied  in  the  latter,  that  the  produce  may  be 
raised  at  small  cost,  but  peculiarities  of  markets  and  means  of 
transit  be  allowed  due  weight.  For  instance,  the  highest  class 
of  fruits,  requiring  both  good  climate  and  abundant  manure, 
are  best  raised  in  the  metropolitan  district,  where  those  united 
advantages  are  attainable  at  smallest  cost,  and  where  London, 
the  chief  maiket  for  such  fruit,  is  within  carting  distance,  so 
that  the  damage  caused  by  shifting  from  road  to  rail  and  from 
rail  to  road  is  avoided,  and  the  fruit  taken  in  a  ripe  instead  of 
an  immature  state,  as  is  necessary  when  it  goes  by  railway. 
Gardens  in  the  midland  counties  are  almost  excluded  from  this 
branch  of  fruit-grovring ;  and  the  cheap  rate  at  which  Apples 
and  moderately  good  summer  and  autumn  Pears  are  produced 
in  the  farm  orchards  which  extend  over  large  portions  of  the 
counties  cf  T/orccster,  Hereford,  Gloucester,  Somerset,  and 
Devon  partially  excludes  them  from  growing  those  descriptions 
of  crop  also.  The  province  of  commercial  fruit  gardens  in  the 
midland  counties  seems  to  be  the  production  of  a  class  of  fruit 
between  these  two — i.  e.,  the  very  good,  and  the  very  cheap ; 
and  even  this  has  to  be  accomplished  subject  to  apparently 
capricious  arrangements  of  railway  charges,  the  inequalities  of 
which  cannot  be  foreseen  nor  controlled.  Thus,  from  the 
neighbourhood  in  question  the  Great  Western  Railway  can 
convey  fruit  northward  to  Liverpool  and  Manchester,  and  south- 
ward to  London.  The  former  is  the  longer  distance,  yet  the 
charge  for  Plums,  Gooseberries,  and  Currants  is  only  60  or  65 
per  cent,  of  what  it  is  to  London.  The  whole  of  those  fruits 
which  are  sent  out  of  the  district  go  northwards,  hence  for  the 
present  the  proprietors  of  Worcestershire  fruit  gardens  have 
only  to  consult  the  wants  and  tastes  of  the  northern  popula- 
tions ;  but  whether  the  opening  of  the  new  Midland  line  into 
London  may,  by  competition,  loirer  the  rates  southward  and 
aUow  an  entrance  into  the  London  markets,  remains  to  be  seen  ; 
but  even  if  it  should,  only  such  fruits  as  can  bear  the  rough 
usage  consequent  on  changing  from  road  to  rail  and  back  again 
will  suit  the  trade. 

The  limitation  of  varieties  which  must  result  from  the  com- 
bined effects  cf  natural  and  commercial  causes  can  in  no  case 
be  exactly  foreseen.  Experience  is  always  neces=ary  to  deter- 
mine it,  and  this  Mr.  Varden  has  now  had.  The  numerous 
sorts  of  Apples,  Pears,  and  Plums  with  which  he  commenced 
his  plantation  (some  only  experimentally),  are  being  reduced  to 
very  few,  the  names  of  which  I  need  not  partictilarise,  but  will 
rather  allude  to  those  which  have  been  discarded. 

Among  Pears  usually  considered  hardy  as  standards,  the 
Summer  Franc  Eeal,  Knight's  Monarch,  Aston  Town,  Louise 
Bonne  of  Jersey,  and  Bishop's  Thumb  are  all  deficient  in  vigour. 
The  cause  of  this  is  no  general  unsuitableness  cf  soil  to  the 
growth  of  Pears,  as  the  Crawford,  Grey  Beurre,  Welbeck  Eer- 
gamot,  and  Winter  Crasanne  are  in  robust  health  and  bear 
well ;  it  rather  points  to  the  former  varieties  requiring  more 
heat  or  nourishmeut.  Other  sorts,  such  as  March  Bergamot, 
Figne  de  Naples,  Ne  Plus  Mearis,  Eroompark,  Dnnmore,  Shob- 
den  Court,  and  Citron  des  Carmes  grow  well  and  bear  mode- 
rately, bat  not  sufficiently  for  profit.  Similar  results  attend 
Apples.  The  Gooseberry  Pippin,  Coort-Peadu-Plat,  Gloria 
Mondi,  all  do  badly,  and  Sturmer  Pippin  doubtfully;  while 
Duchess  of  Oldenbiugh,  Dumelow's  Seedling,  New  Hawthorn- 


378 


JO0RNAL  OP  HOETICULTURE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  November  19,  1868. 


den,  Fearn'a  Pippin,  and  Scarlet  Crofton  do  well,  and  similar 

diversity  is  exhibited  by  Pluma. 

Wlien  the  weeding-out  of  unsnitable  sorts  is  complete,  and 
such  minor  improvements  of  cultivation  as  will  result  from 
experience  are  introduced,  a  considerable  amount  of  success 
may  be  expected  to  attend  these  gardens.  The  above  remarks 
show  how  necessary  it  is  that  the  great  difference  between 
private  gardens  and  commercial  gardens  (general  excellence  in 
the  one  case,  special  excellence  in  the  other),  should  be  steadily 
pursued.  The  orchard  districts  of  the  western  and  mid-western 
counties  afford  soils  and  climates  of  great  value  for  fruit-grow- 
ing, and  may  if  judiciously  utilised  supply  the  larger  towns, 
especially  of  Scotland  and  the  north  of  England,  with  abun- 
dance of  good  and  cheap  second-class  fruit,  such  as  is  in  ordi- 
nary demand  for  family  consumption,  without  materially  affect- 
ing the  metropolitan  districts,  whose  advantages  of  climate, 
manure,  and  situation  fit  them  for  producing  the  superior  sorts. 

I  am  inclined  to  think  the  Apple,  Pear,  and  Plum  trees  in 
Mr.  Vardeu's  gardens  would  more  effectually  resist  spring  frosts 
if  the  ground  round  their  stems  were  kept  free  from  shade  and 
undergrowth  to  a  greater  distance,  the  soil  to  that  extent  left 
undisturbed  further  than  by  hoeing  and  weeding,  and  a  dressing 
of  manure,  somewhat  larger  than  the  present,  applied  wholly 
on  the  surface.  This  would  encourage  the  roots  to  grow  nearer 
the  surface,  where  the  temperature  would  be  higher  and  the 
moisture  less  than  lower  down,  and  the  result  would  be  a 
smaller  growth  of  better-ripened  wood. 


CALCEOLARLV   DISEASE. 

After  so  frequently  hearing  of  Calceolaria  failures  during 
the  past  summer,  it  is  pleasing  to  read  of  the  success  of 
"  M.  H.,"  detailed  at  page  S12  ;  and  as  I  quite  agree  with  your 
correspondent  as  to  the  importance  of  deep  culture  and  a  cool 
subsoil,  a  few  notes  which  I  have  to  offer  concerning  the 
disease  and  its  causes  may  not  be  out  of  place.  It  may  be 
well,  perhaps,  to  state  that  with  me  Calceolarias  have  flourished 
this  season  ;  the  only  marked  effects  produced  by  the  drought 
and  heat  were  a  shorter  period  of  blooming  than  is  usual,  and, 
consequently,  an  earlier  and  stronger  autumn  growth. 

In  examining  diseased  plants  I  have  observed  that  the  bark 
has  invariably  been  either  quite  dead  or  else  very  much  de- 
cayed at  the  collar  of  the  plant,  and  thus,  an  obstruction  having 
taken  place  between  the  roots  and  foliage  so  as  to  prevent 
the  rising  of  the  sap,  disease  and  death  quickly  followed.  Now, 
if  it  be  granted  that  the  collar  of  the  plant  is  the  actual  seat 
of  the  disease,  I  would  then  inquire  what  is  the  cause  of  this, 
and  why  should  the  signs  of  decay  first  occur  at  this  parti- 
cular place,  rather  than  at  the  roots,  or  in  the  branches  ?  Is 
it  that  some  slight  injury  or  bruise  has  been  inflicted  on  the 
delicate  bark  of  the  plant  in  some  of  the  earlier  stages  of 
growth,  and  that  it  has  gradually  spread  till  it  has  formed  a 
ring  of  decayed  bark  and  thus  brought  about  the  fatal  result  ? 
Or  is  it  that  in  some  soils  certain  salts  or  acids  are  contained, 
which,  when  exhibited  in  a  sufficient  quantity,  act  so  strongly 
upon  the  bark  as  to  dry  up  its  tissues  ?  That  this  is  likely  to 
be  the  case  I  am  inclined  to  think,  because  no  signs  of  disease 
are  perceptible  in  either  the  winter  or  spring  months,  but  it  is 
after  the  soil  has  been  for  some  time  subjected  to  the  action 
of  the  burning  rays  of  the  summer  sun,  just,  in  fact,  as  the 
plants  have  become  established  in  their  summer  quarters,  and 
are  putting  forth  their  blossoms,  that  the  canker  makes  its 
appearance,  and  from  this  I  infer  that  the  moisture  of  the  soil 
which  has  hitherto  exercised  a  restraining  influence,  being  now 
absorbed  by  the  sun's  rays,  the  poisonous  qualities  of  the  soil 
are  set  free,  and  their  deadly  action  but  too  soon  becomes  ap- 
parent. Or,  it  may  be  that  the  evil  is  occasioned  by  a  deficiency 
of  some  constituent  in  the  soil.  Whether  in  either  of  these 
theories  is  to  be  found  the  true  cause  of  the  Calceolaria  disease 
I  will  not  presume  to  say,  and  in  advancing  them  I  by  no 
means  intend  to  infer  that  I  have  arrived  at  the  actual  cause, 
but  it  is  rather  in  the  hope  that  others  may  be  induced  to  offer 
their  experience  on  this  subject,  and  that  sufficient  light  may 
be  thrown  on  it,  in  order  that  some  definite  conclusion  may 
be  arrived  at. 

The  small  number  of  good  yellow-flowered  bedding  plants 
adds  to  the  importance  of  this  subject,  and  should  varieties  in 
any  class  be  much  increased,  I  am  inclined  to  doubt  if  a  fitting 
subtitute  will  ever  be  found  for  those  charming  plants — Cal- 
ceolarifts.  Yeliow-foliaged  plants  are  very  useful  and  effective, 
but  they  are  not  ta  he  compared  to  Calceolaria  Anreafloribunda, 


possessing  as  it  does  a  soft  and  lovely  freshness  of  appearance 
which  is  the  peculiar  property  of  blossom,  and  to  which  foliage 
never  approaches. 

To  return  to  the  question  of  disease.  I  have  generally  ob- 
served that  it  most  affects  plants  which  have  received  some 
severe  check  in  their  early  stages,  or  those  which,  having  been 
propagated  late  in  spring,  are  forced  into  a  quick  growth  to 
render  them  large  enough  by  the  time  they  are  wanted  for 
planting  out.  Another  evil  is  planting  in  a  poor  shallow  soil. 
I  met  with  an  instance  of  this  during  the  past  summer  in  a 
garden  the  soil  of  which  was  not  more  than  15  inches  in  depth, 
resting  on  a  substratum  of  chalk.  In  this  case  nearly  the 
whole  of  the  Calceolarias  had  succumbed,  while  with  me  in 
some  beds  not  having  a  greater  depth  of  soil,  but  with  a  cool 
clayey  subsoil,  the  plants  were  all  that  could  be  wished,  quite 
equal  in  health  and  vigour  to  some  others  growing  in  a  much 
deeper  soil. 

It  may,  perhaps,  be  useful  if  I  conclude  this  paper  with  a 
short  summary  of  the  mode  of  culture  which  is  best  calculated, 
if  not  entirely  to  overcome  the  disease,  at  all  events  to  check  it. 

Let  a  sufficient  number  of  strong  cuttings  be  firmly  inserted 
in  a  rich,  sandy  soil  in  a  cold  frame  or  pit  in  the  first  week  in 
October.  Let  them  be  well  watered,  and  slightly  shaded  when 
first  put  in,  and  watered  as  often  afterwards  as  signs  of  flagg- 
ing are  perceptible.  Let  no  air  be  given  till  the  cuttings  have 
rooted,  and  but  little  water  will  be  required.  On  examining 
about  two  thousand  cuttings  to-day  (November  11th)  which 
have  been  so  treated,  1  found  the  greater  part  had  made  roots, 
and  all  were  looking  well ;  not  one  showed  the  least  signs  ol 
failing.  Protect  them  from  frost  with  dry  litter,  giving  air  on 
all  suitable  occasions,  and  let  the  plants  be  removed  to  mora 
roomy  quarters  early  in  March,  still  taking  care  to  afford  them 
a  rich  soil,  so  as  to  promote  vigorous  growth ;  and  let  them 
eventually  be  planted  out  in  the  flower  beds  with  good  balls  of 
earth  at  their  roots,  and  in  a  rich  cool  soil,  which  has  been 
deeply  stirred,  and  I  venture  to  assert  that  but  little,  if  any, 
disease  will  occur,  and  it  is  very  rarely  that  plants  so  treated 
suffer  at  all  from  green  aphis. 

I  quite  agree  with  "M.  H.,"  in  assigning  the  leading  placa 
amongst  yellow-flowered  varieties  to  Aurea  floribunda,  and  to 
Victor  Emmanuel  amongst  crimsons.  Another  most  excellent 
variety,  though,  perhaps,  not  quite  so  decided  in  its  colour  as 
the  preceding  kinds,  is  Prince  of  Orange,  an  entire  bed  of  which 
offers  to  the  eye  a  mass  of  rich  orange  brown  as  beautiful  as  it 
is  uncommon.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  Canariensis  is  so  weak 
and  sickly  in  its  growth,  for  its  large  flowers  of  a  softer  shade 
of  yellow  than  Aurea  floribunda,  and  its  dwarf,  compact  growth, 
render  it  a  desirable  variety.' — Edwakd  LucKnoKST,  Egerton. 
House  Gardens,  Kent. 


GOOD  MELONS  AND  CUCUMBERS. 

I  A5r  not  placed  in  the  same  predicament  as  your  corre- 
spondent, "  W.  H.  C,"  in  regard  to  Melons,  but  equally  so  in 
regard  to  Cucumbers,  for  I  ordered  some  of  the  finest  exhi- 
bition varieties  of  a  very  old-established  firm,  and  received 
some  of  the  most  remarkable  productions  any  person  would 
wish  to  see ;  for  they  were  short  and  long,  and  varied  from  a 
dirty  yellow  and  dark  green,  but  all  seemed  to  be  excellent 
seeders,  as  I  could  have  obtained  any  quantity  of  seed  from 
them.  Not  thinking  them  worthy  I  discarded  the  lot,  and 
began  afresh  with  my  old  favourite,  Telegraph,  which  I  have 
never  found  to  fail  in  producing  good  Cucumbers,  but  it  must 
be  struck  from  cuttings,  as  it  is  seldom  that  one, can  obtain  any 
seed  from  the  true  variety. 

In  regard  to  Melons  I  am  something  like  your  correspondent. 
I  had  Malvern  Hall  Melon,  but  whether  true  or  not  I  cannot 
say,  because  I  have  not  seen  any  one  but  my  own,  and  that 
was  somewhat  as  "  W.  H.  C."  has  described  it ;  in  fact,  not 
worth  growing. 

This  year  I  have  been  much  more  fortunate  in  my  selection 
of  new  Melons,  having  obtained  Sultan,  I  believe  one  of  the 
finest  varieties  for  flavour  grown,  a  freer  setter,  and  attaining 
the  weight  of  from  3}  to  4  lbs.  It  is  also  not  liable  to  crack 
as  some  thin-skinned  Melons  are.  The  only  fault  I  found  in 
this  most  excellent  Melon  was,  that  after  it  had  been  cut  for 
three  or  four  days  it  began  to  lose  its  flavour. 

Another  new  Melon  which  I  would  recommend  is  Dr.  Hogg, 
which,  although  not  so  rich  in  flavour  as  Sultan,  is  yet  a  fine 
Melon,  a  free  setter,  and  strong  grower.  It  is  about  three 
weeks  later  than  Sultan  when  both  are  planted  together.  The 
great  merit  of  this  variety,  however,  is  its  keeping  qualities ;  I 


NoTCrntcr  13, 1808.  ]  JOTJRNAIi  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


379 


haye  had  it  cut  fnr  three  woelis  anrl  then  sent  it  to  table  in 
good  condition  by  placing  it  in  the  Pine  stove  for  a  night  and 
a  day  previously. — James  Stewart,  Nuncham  Park. 


THE    SUMMER  PEACHES   OF    18(is. 

.iNunheated  orchard  lionso3  oavlincas  of  crop  must  over  be  a 
test,  and  if  this  early  production  bo  in  good  number,  nothing 
more  can  be  desired,  except,  of  course,  beauty  and  flavour. 
That  all  these  excellent  qualities  do  not  invariably  unite  under 
the  same  root  is,  I  fear,  but  too  common.  Commercially 
Bpeaking — and  let  it  be  remembered  that  is  an  important  side 
of  the  orchard-house  question — there  is  no  comparison  between 
the  value  of  an  early  Peach  and  of  a  late  one.  As  yet,  owing 
to  Bome  cause,  but,  no  doubt,  maiuly  to  the  great  profits  made 
by  the  fruit  agents  and  dealers,  orchard  houses  as  a  mere  com- 
mercial speculation  have  not  been  so  remunerative  in  their 
results  as  might  have  been  wished.  In  certain  specified  oases 
they  may  have  been  profitable,  and  in  a  year  like  tho  present 
one  they,  no  doubt,  have  done  well ;  but,  as  a  general  rule,  the 
testimony  of  those  who  have  fairly  tried  them  is,  that  they  do 
not  "  pay  "  so  well  as  vineries.  The  reasons  are,  as  I  stated, 
chiefly  owing  to  a  combination  against  which  the  producer  is 
practically  powerless,  but  which  may  be  remedied  in  time,  and 
also  that  Peaches,  being  a  most  perishable  crop,  require  to  be 
gathered  very  carefully  and  sent  to  market  exactly  at  times 
■which  suit  both  the  state  of  the  fruit  and  the  demand  for  it. 
In  these  matters  the  Grape  crop  is  certainly  much  mnre  to  be 
relied  on,  for  it  b^ars  carriage  far  more  easily,  and  it  can  hang 
nntil  required.  I  have  had  a  fair  experience  in  these  matters, 
and  think  that  when  we  have  still  earlier  sorts,  and  of  good 
quality,  orchard  houses  may  become  fairly  remunerative.  Such 
sorts,  for  instance,  as  some  of  Mr.  Eivers's  new  seedlings,  I 
look  to  as  by  far  the  most  profitable  in  a  monetary  point,  of 
view.  When,  for  instance,  a  Peach  of  good  medium  size  (we 
can  hardly  look  for  more),  having  a  good  colour,  fairly  prolific, 
and  not  too  tender,  can  be  ripened  early  in  July  in  nuheated 
structures,  it  will  always  command  a  good  price.  For  myself, 
lam  working  to  obtain  such  by  the  end  of  June,  and,  if  in 
good  number,  make  no  doubt  of  their  success.  At  present  we 
send  Peaches  from  about  the  second  week  in  July  to  Covent 
Garden.  The  whole  crop  under  glass  here  this  season  was 
about  two  thousand,  of  which  eleven  hundred  were  disposed  of, 
leaving  an  abundance  for  use  and  gifts. 

It  will  interest  some  readers  of  this  Journal  who  have  written 
to  me  to  inquire  respecting  this  very  matter  (which  has  also 
been  mentioned  in  these  pages),  and  our  numerous  visitors 
who  saw  the  crop  on  the  trees,  and  can  judge  of  its  quality,  to 
say  here  that  we  cleared  10  per  cent,  on  the  original  outlay. 
Were  deductions  made  for  labour  it  is  to  be  feared  that  even 
this  sum  would  not  be  an  inducement  for  speculators,  consider- 
ing the  favourable  season.  Possibly  it  would  be  out  of  place 
in  these  pages  to  enter  further  into  these  details  for  obvious 
reasons,  but  I  have  no  objection  to  join  a  private  crusade 
against  any  unfair  monopoly,  which  might  thus  be  upset.  I 
also  think  that  the  reports  of  certain  fabulous  proJuotions 
have  injured  the  orchard  house  cause  very  much ;  undue  ex- 
pectations, which  exporters  to  the  London  market — no  mean 
test,  let  me  say — know  cannot  be  realised  for  a  continuance  of 
seasons,  are  thus  raised,  to  the  damage  of  an  excellent  and 
popular  system. 

We  have  had  this  season  many  visitors,  and  of  a  class  show- 
ing a  larger  acquaintance  with  tho  subject  than  in  preceding 
years.  Most  of  these  visitors,  too,  were  persons  having  large 
and  expensive  houses,  amply  stocked  from  the  leading  nurse- 
ries. From  their  remarks,  and  reports  on  the  state  of  orchard 
houses  in  their  neighbourhood,  data  of  a  conclusive  character 
could  be  obtained.  I  have  also  aided  and  counselled  proprietors 
by  the  score  in  the  disposition  and  arrangement  of  magnificent 
houses,  as  well  as  those  of  very  unpretentious  size,  and  know 
pretty  well  what  are  the  opinions  current. 

Of  late  I  am  becoming  convinced  tliat  tho  public  taste  has 
much  improved  in  all  that  relates  to  the  qualities  of  Peaches. 
The  proof  of  this  is  that  now  we  may  send  in  the  yellow-fleshed 
Peaches  (we  always  could  the  corresponding  Nectarines),  and 
that  I  see  Mr.  Douglas  took  a  good  prize  at  the  Crystal  Palace 
for  Exquisite,  a  grand  Georgian,  which  Mr.  Rivers  sent  me 
some  eight  years  ago.  By  chance  it  fir,st  fruited  in  our  houses 
(in  all  Europe),  and  has  been  pronounced  by  Dr.  Hogg  as  one 
of  the  very  finest  of  Peaches.  I  am  glad,  therefore,  to  see  my 
own  ideas  about  this  gorgeous  Peach  realised  by  these  excellent 


tests.  It  is  a  show  and  table  fruit ;  not  very  prolific.  But 
eight  years  ago,  who  would  have  been  enthusiastic  about  a 
yellow-fleshed  summer  Peach  ?  Now  Crawford's  Early  is  much 
admired,  and  I  think  is  the  most  valuable  for  the  market  of 
second-early  yellow  sorts.  It  has  also  a  fine  piquant  juice,  and 
carries  a  high  colour  for  tho  table ;  but,  as  it  is  well  known,  no 
more  need  bo  said.  If,  besides  this  and  Exquisite,  the  lover  of 
yellow  Peaches  select  the  Comet,  he  will  have  three  fine  and 
excellent  varieties  for  show,  as  well  as  tho  table  and  market. 
Let  me  here  say  that  what  is  saleable  at  a  good  price  in  these 
fruits  is  also,  as  a  rule,  generally  tho  best  to  cultivate  for 
private  consumption. 

I  have  tried  nearly  every  Poach  and  Nectarine  of  any  reputa- 
tion, but  they  are  far  from  being  all  equally  valuable,  for  us  at 
least.  What  is  deservedly  thought  first-rate  in  other  soils  and 
climates  is  not  always  so  hero.  Crawford's  Late  Peach,  for 
example,  I  see  in  the  official  American  Report  is  considered  as 
having  "  no  rival "  in  its  season,  but  here  it  is  bitter,  and  a 
shy  bearer  also.  No  shy  bearer  should  be  selected,  because 
thij  inherent  quality  can  never  bo  changed,  as  far  as  I  see  now, 
and  it  is  too  apt  to  augment  with  age.  Walburton  Admirable 
and  Teissier  I  would  never  hive  whilst  others  could  be  had. 
Nor  again  should  otherwise  good  sorts  like  the  Murrey  Necta- 
rine, bo  chosen  when  the  stones  occupy  such  a  disproportionate 
space  in  the  fruit.  Many  yellow-fleshed  Peaches  are  bitter. 
Clingstones  are  not  yet  admired  much  ;  but  this  year  we  tried 
them  sliced  with  powdered  sugar,  and  thought  them  possessing 
qualities  of  their  own  of  much  value.  Children,  who  are 
capital  judges,  will  invariably  like  them  very  much.  They 
have  always  been  favourites  here. 

As  to  the  very  late  Peaches  I  cannot  speak  much  this  year. 
They  seemed  comparatively  flavourless,  and  so  did  the  open-air 
Peaches.  Why,  who  can  say  ?  We  hear  of  actinic  rays,  and 
of  heat  and  light  producing  rays  being  different,  and  in  their 
action  on  the  fruit  producing  results  often  unexpected.  Very 
often  a  dull  and  cloudy  summer,  by  arresting  terrestrial  radia- 
tion, will  ripen  our  crops  thoroughly,  and  also  colour  them 
more  brilliantly  than  a  succession  of  unclouded  skies.  How 
should  wo  fare  in  an  island  like  Guernsey,  notorious  for  excess 
of  cloud,  and  consequent  equability  of  day  and  night  tempera- 
ture, but  for  some  compensating  and  mysterious  agency  hke 
actinism? 

We  can  hardly  hope  for  many  such  summers  as  the  past 
one.  Grapes  have  ripened  well  as  standards  in  a  favoured 
garden,  while  in  ordinary  seasons  they  are  poor  against  walls. 
Under  glass,  on  the  other  hand,  they  have  generally  coloured 
badly ;  but,-  as  mentioned  before,  like  early  Peaches,  forced 
Grapes  were  of  good  colour,  showing  some  specific  influence  in 
the  rays  of  the  spring  sun. 

It  may  be  an  error,  but  I  have  an  impression  that  a  cordon 
ticketed  "  Duchess  of  Oldenburgh  Nectarine  "  bore  this  fruit, 
at  the  proper  season,  at  the  top  of  the  cordon,  while,  much 
later,  some  pale  Peaches  ripened  lower  down.  The  wire  holding 
the  ticket  had  pierced  deeply  into  the  alburnum  between  the 
upper  and  lower  portions,  and  caused  the  usual  swelling  above. 
Several  Peaches  are  in  bloom  as  I  write,  while  the  Pears  which 
grew  from  blossoms  after  midsummer  are  perfect  and  ripe. 
According  to  the  method  of  computing  the  degrees  of  heat 
needed  to  ripen  each  kind  of  fruit,  which  seems  to  me  a  valu- 
able idea,  these  would  have  had  about  the  usual  amount  of 
sun-ripening  power. — T.  Brehaut. 


DESTROYING  FUNGUS   ON  TAN— RINGING. 

BoiLiNo  water  will  at  once  destroy  the  Agaricus  volvacens 
(see  page  368). 

I  tried  on  four  trees  tho  suggestion  in  the  "  Vine  Manual," 
of  ringing  Vines,  and  the  result  in  each  case  was  that  the 
bunches  ripened  about  fourteen  days  before  the  others  on  the 
same  Vine,  and  the  berries  were  much  larger,  but  tho  colour 
was  deficient,  and  the  flavour  inferior. 

It  has  been  suggested  to  me  by  an  eminent  florist,  that 
ringing  and  grafting  act  in  a  similar  way.  This  is  to  me  a  new 
view  of  the  effects  of  grafting.  I  shall  try  again,  and  if  more 
successful  will  let  you  know  the  result. — B.  A. 


GEOGRAPHY  FOR  GARDENERS. 

When  a  gardener  is  told  the  native  place  of  a  plant,  if  he 
knows  the  latitude,  longitude,  and  elevation  of  that  place,  he 
has  a  good  guide  to  the  temperatures  and  moisture  that  plant 


380 


JOUBNAL  OP  HOBTICULTUEB  AND  COTTAGK   QAKDENEB. 


[  November  ID,  1869. 


requires.  A  most  handy  and  excellent  guide  to  that  knowledge 
is  Keith  .Johnston's  hsU-crown  Gecgraphy,  and  as  this  is  to  be 
followed  by  a  similar  vclame  of  Physical  Geogiaphy,  the  gar- 
dener will  then  be  fuUy  furnished  with  gmdes  to  a  "knowledge 
of  a  plput's  native  climate. 


THE   COMMON  BERBERRY. 

It  is  readily  admitted  by  those  who  have  the  best  opportt:- 
mty  of  giving  a  jnst  opinion,  that  new  or  rare  plants  or  shrubs 
are  not  in  all  cases  improvements  on  older  ones  ;  in  fact,  it  is 
too  well  known  that  many  of  the  oldest  shrubs  and  frees  our 
gardens  contain  will  hold  {heir  own  against  all  comers. 
The  Cedar  of  Lebanon,  for  instance,  has  not  as  yet  been  super- 
seded by  any  Conifer  in  gi-acefulness  of  outline  combined  with 
adaptabihty  of  habit  to  any  situation.  Hollies,  too  a-e  pre- 
eminent for  beauty  of  form,  and  when  loaded  with  berries 
Jlthing  can  well  be  richer  in  api  carr.nce.  Many  oiher  shrubs 
or  plants  met  with  every  day  are  equally  beautiful  or  inter- 
_esti:ig :  and  cotild  we  but  be  led  to  think  so,  the  wild  Broom  of 
our  commons  and  wastes  is  as  beautiful  as  its  namesake  from 
the  Canary  Islands.  There  are,  likewise,  other  plants  whose 
merits  we  are  slow  in  admitting,  and  some  even  which  we  ere 
often  guilty  of  absolutely  despising,  and  it  is  to  one  of  these 
that  I  now  wish  to  direct  attention.  It  is,  in  fact,  one  of  the 
most  despised  shrubs  which  I  know,  and  one  that  probably  is 
not  often  met  with  in  nurseries,  owing  to  Iho  smell  demand 
'"^ '? '  -T^'  it  liss  its  merits,  and  these,  too,  of  a  very  high  order 
— It  is  the  common  Berbeny. 

This  plant  is  by  no  means  popular  ;  on  the  eontrarv,  I  have  i 
SEOwn  many  persons  take  great  trouble  to  eradicate  "it  where 
growing  in  hedges  cr  copses  bordering  their  field?,  on  account  I 
«  its  suspected  tendency  to  infect  the  Wheat  with   blight.  I 
vvitliout  giving  any  opinion  on  this  point,  it  is  certain  that  i 
tne  numbers  cf  tie  plant  have  been  diminishing  for  some  i 
years.     I  do  not  advocate  its  being  planted  in  hedgerows,  mixed 
coppices,  or  dense  shrubbeiies ;  but  as  a  specimen  shrub  on  ' 
the  highly  dressed  lawn  it  has  not  often  had  that  fair  trial  it 
ongnt  to  have,  and  its  worth  in  that  respect  is  far  from  being  ' 
generally  known. 

happening  some  years  ago  io  be  at  the  magnificent  gardens 
0}  iJrumlanrig  Castle,  I  was  mr.eh  struck  with  the  very  hand- 
some appeuruiice  a  number  of  single  specimens  of  the  common 
Berberry  presented  on  the  much-varied  and  extensive  lawn.  A 
series  of  terraces  snrroucded  the  noble  building,  each  adapted 
ior  a  distinct  style  of  gardening,  but  each  on  a  very  large  scale, 
while  beyond  them  the  ground  shelved  moro  or  less  irregularly 
to  the  brink  of  a  river  of  seme  size.  On  tho  opposite  side  of 
this  stream  the  gently  sloping  gvouni  was  occupied  by  shiub- 
beries,  with  glades  and  openings  between,  ond  in  places  the 
closely-shaven  lawn  was  dotted  with  healthy  and  promising 
apecimenu  of  Conifers,  mostly,  I  believe,  Sj^ruce  Firs,  each 
feathered  to  the  ground,  and  presenting  a  more  healthy  ap- 
pearance than  those  generally  met  with  in  England,  except  in 
the  moist  or  mountainous  parts.  Mixed  with  the^e  Spruce  Firs, 
but  in  no  way  crowding  npon  them,  were  fine  plants  of  the 
Common  Berberry,  which  at  the  time  I  saw  them,  early  in  Sep- 
tember, were  loaded  with  their  crimson  fruit,  and  each  plant 
in  point  of  shape  and  appearance  was  a  perfect  model,  yet 
they  had  received  scarcely  any  pruning;  indeed,  I  believe  they 
only  presented  the  natural  form  and  appearance  cf  the  plant 
when  left  untouched.  At  the  distance  of  200  or  300  yards  they 
looked  like  immense  bushes  of  Fuchsias,  and  the  beauty  of  their 
appearance  was  enhanced  by  contrsst  with  tho  Spruce  Firs  ad- 
joining. They  completely  threw  into  the  shade  all  oiher 
deciduous  kinds  of  Berberis  that  I  Em  acquainted  with,  and 
showed  what  an  ornamental  object  one  of  our  common  shrubs 
's  capable  oi  forming  when  allowed  fair  play. 

It  may  be  asked,  was  there  anything  peculiar  in  the  soil  and 
situation  that  assisted  this  shrub  to  assume  so  tine  an  ap- 
pearance? So  far  a3  I  was  able  to  jadge,  there  was  not.  The 
rainfall  might  be  gi-eater  than  in  many  other  situations,  and 
possibly  nearly  double  that  of  the  eastern  counties  of  England, 
but  the  soil  was  not  saturated  with  moisture.  I  have  met  with 
fine  plants  of  the  common  Berberry  elsewhere,  loaded  with 
fruit,  and  as  handsome  in  shape  as  those  in  Scotland,  but  it  is 
seldom  the  plant  is  allowed  such  a  position  as  enablta  it  to 
develope  itself.  More  frequently  we  meet  with  miseiable  spe- 
cimens of  what  are  called  the  choice  kinds,  as  Berberis  Bealii, 
Fortuni,  japonica,  and  others,  while  the  British  Berberry  is 
driven  out  of  most   places  at   all  dry,   and  leH  to   struggle 


amongst  other  dense  bushes  in  a  coppice,  with  a  likelihood  of 
its  being  found  out,  and  large  pieces  cut  from  it  to  alleviate  the 
suffering  of  some  one  afflicted  with  a  disease  it  is  said,  to 
assist  in  curing.  Whether  useful  or  not  in  the  latter  capacity 
(which  I  believe  it  really  it),  it  has  no  chance  of  taking  that 
position  as  an  ornamental  shrub  which  it  is  capable  of  attain- 
ing. Perhaps  when  the  Antipodes  are  ransacked  of  their  ve- 
getable treasures,  we  shall  find  out  how  many  ornamental  plants 
we  possess  at  home,  and  cultivate  them  accordingly.— J.  Eobson. 


THE  GOLDEN  QUEEN  -MELON. 
In  answer  to  "  W.  H.  C,"  I  procured  a  packet  of  seed  from 
Mr.  Turner,  of  Slough.  My  seed  grew,  and  proved  to  be  very 
true.  The  fruit  is  quite  equal  to  the  description  given  of  it 
in  various  advertisements.  The  plant  is  a  moderately  strong 
grower  and  ft  free  setter.  Fiuit  medium-sized,  of  a  beautifvU 
rich  lemon  colour,  and  irregularly  netted ;  flesh  pale  green, 
very  tender,  and  melting  ;  skin  remarkably  thin.  The  flavonr 
is  most  exquisite  ;  indeed,  I  think  this  the  queen  of  Melons. — 
G.  LocKiE,  Gardemr  to  F.  W.  Berber,  Esq  ,  Court  Gardens, 
Great  Marlow. 

I  AM  rather  astonished  at  the  remarks  of  ■'  W.  H.  C,"  in  the 
Journal  of  Isovcmber  5ih,  in  respect  to  the  above  valuable 
Melon.  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  he  is  in  fault  and  not 
tho  Melon,  and  to  prove  this  I  may  mention  that  I  purchased 
a  packet  of  seed,  for  which,  like  your  correspondent,  I  also 
paid  2s.  6(^  As  I  had  only  a  small  two-light  frame,  measuring 
(j  feet  by  G  feet,  to  spare,  I  put  two  plants  of  Golden  Queen 
under  one  light,  and  two  of  Beechwood  under  the  other.  From 
the  former  I  gathered  twelve  of  the  finest  Melons  I  ever  could 
wish  to  see,  averaging  fully  3  lbs.  each,  which  I  consider  large 
enough  for  any  gentleman's  table.  They  were  of  an  almost 
globular  shape,  beautifully  netted,  and  the  flavour,  as  far  as  my 
estimation  goes,  perfection. 

I  have  saved  all  the  seed  I  can,  as  I  candidly  think  it  the 
finest  Melon  I  ever  grew.  I  would  advise  "  W.  H.  C."  to  give 
Golden  Queen  another  trial  previous  to  discarding  it,  and  for 
which,  if  he  favour  me  with  his  address,  I  shall  be  very  glad  to 
send  him  a  few  seeds.  The  Malvern  Hall  I  have  not  yet  grown, 
but  believe  it  to  be  first-rate,  consequently  I  intend  trying  it 
another  year. — 0.  Tatlob,  Sunlaws,  Heitou,  rMxhurgkshire. 


I  iiAV  mention  for  the  encouragement  of  your  correspondent, 
who  seems  to  have  been  singularly  unfortunate,  that  in  the 
competition  for  the  best  Melon  at  the  Kelso  Horticultural 
Society'.s  Exhibition,  in  September  last,  Golden  Queen  Melon 
obtained  tbe  first  prize ;  and  judging  from  the  interest  shown 
both  by  the  censors  and  visitors,  it  appears,  doubtless,  that 
this  beautiful  Melon  is  to  become  a  general  iavoarite. — Geobge 
Wemyss,  Springwood  Park. 


DuniNG  the  past  season  I  have  grown  eight  plants  of  the 
Golden  Queen,  some  of  thtm  in  pits  and  some  on  hotbeds, 
and  in  both  ways  thoy  set  and  matured  an  abundant  crop  of 
fine  fruit.  I  also  grew  five  other  sorts  of  Melons  ;  all  of  them 
had  the  same  treatment  as  the  Golden  Queen,  and  all  produced 
fair  crops,  but  both  in  flavour  and  appearance  Golden  Queen 
was  superior  to  any  of  the  others  ;  it  is,  in  fact,  the  best  and 
prettiest  Melon  I  have  ever  seen.  The  soil  in  which  I  grew  it 
and  all  the  other  varieties  was  good,  strong,  turfy  loam,  put 
along  the  back  part  of  the  pits  and  frames  to  the  depth  of  about 
a  foot,  and  2  feet  in  width.  The  plants  were  within  a  foot  of 
the  back,  and  were  trained  towards  the  fi'ont  on  wire  netting, 
placed  as  far  from  the  glass  as  to  allow  the  lights  being  pulled 
up  and  down  without  injuring  the  leaves.  As  a  further  proof 
of  its  good  quality,  I  may  state  that  at  the  Alnwick  Horticul- 
tural Society's  Show  in  September  last,  the  first  and  second 
prizes  were  awarded  to  it  from  different  growers  against  a 
splendid-loolting  lot  of  Melons.— B.  Bowie,  The  Gardens,  CMl- 
lingham  CastU. 

[Wo  have  other  communications  signed  "  D.  I.,"  "  E.  S.," 
&a.,  all  testifying  to  the  superior  excellence  of  the  Golden 
Queen  Melon,  but  we  think  that  the  above  are  sufficient  to 
place  before  our  readers,  and  to  convert  "  W.  H.  C."] 


SCALE   ON   ORANGE   TREES. 
After  trying  numerous  plans,  such  as  scraping  off  the  insect, 
and  waghjng  thejarts  with  yarious  ipse?t-iiiling  preparations, 


November  19, 1868.  1 


JOURNAL  OP  HORTIOULTURB  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


381 


without  tlio  eliglitcst  Buocesa,  we  determined  on  cutting  off 
every  branch,  and  leaving  tlio  stems  liare,  and  tbeu  Bcrubljin{» 
continually  with  soft-soap  and  water.  Thia,  after  some  months, 
the  stems  being  jilaced  in  the  open  nir  in  winter,  succeeded, 
and  the  pest  and  eggs  havinf;  been  eradicated,  the  insect  has 
never  nppenrcd  since.  Thia  year  wo  liave  had  live  or  six  dozen 
of  Tangierine  Oranges  to  a  plant,  and  most  of  them  are  twice  the 
size  of  thofe  sold  in  Govcnt  Garden.  The  trees,  after  having 
been  forwnrdad  in  a  hothouse,  wore  placed  in  June  in  t)ie 
cylinder  vineries,  and  the  fruit  is  now  ripe.  Mo;t  of  it  has 
been  gathered. — OraCKVER. 


FRUIT  TREES   OUT  OF  DOORS  IN   TOTS. 

Recently,  in  "  Doings  of  the  Last  Week,"  you  spoke  at 
some  length  on  the  pluatiug  of  stationary  miniature  fruit  trees. 
Now,  I  have  a  great  desire  to  cultivate  the.?e  miniature  trees, 
but,  being  a  working  man,  ray  garden  and  my  purse  are  both 
limited  ;  but  thav  say.  '•  Where  there  is  a  will  there  is  a  way," 
and  I  think  there  is  if  one  make  up  one's  mind  to  persevere. 

I  am  a  quarterly  tenant,  and  should  not,  therefore,  like  to 
plant  my  garden  with  trees,  and  then,  perhaps,  have  notice  to 
leave,  or  have  my  rent  raised  after  going  to  the  expense  myself 
of  beautifying  my  landlord's  premises.  My  means  will  not 
allow  me  to  build  a  small  orchard  house,  neither  should  I  like 
to  do  it  unless  I  had  the  place  on  a  lease. 

If  such  trees  could  be  grown  in  large  pots  in  the  open  air, 
and  if  a  spare  attic  could  be  used  for  their  reception  during  the 
most  severe  part  of  t'ne  winter  I  could  inannso  very  well,  and 
if  I  should  have  occasion  to  remove  I  could  easily  take  them 
with  me. 

If  such  a  mode  of  cultivation  is  possible,  would  you  be  kind 
enough  to  give  me  a  few  useful  remarks,  and  name  a  few  of 
the  hardiest  kinds,  and  how  long  it  would  bo  before  I  should 
have  fruit  ?— Dodoal  McDoucal. 

[You  may  do  what  you  propose  without  an  orchard  house, 
or  a  spare  room  for  wintering,  if  you  confine  your  practice,  at 
least  at  first,  to  the  hardier  fruits,  as  Cherries,  Plums,  Pears, 
and  Apples.  Of  course,  from  such  trees  in  pots  you  would  not 
gather  nearly  the  quantity  of  fruit  that  you  would  from  trees 
planted  out,  but  then  you  could  have  four  or  five  of  these  pot 
trees  in  the  same  space.  To  save  labour  we  would  advise  you 
to  have  pots  or  small  barrels  from  12  to  1-5  iuc'ues  in  diameter. 
We  have  seen  oyster  barrels  used  when  plunged. 

From  onr  advertising  columns  you  will  see  what  yon  can 
obtain  small  pyramidal  or  bush  trees  for,  and  which,  having 
been  grown  a  year  or  two,  would,  if  carefully  potted,  fruit  the 
next  season.  In  your  circumstances  we  would  select  what  are 
called  maiden  plants — that  is,  with  a  little  more  than  one  year's 
growth  from  the  bud  or  graft,  and  with  several  shoots  each,  so 
that  you  csu  mould  them  into  any  requisite  or  desired  shape. 
These  v.e  would  pot  in  rich  loamy  soil  at  once,  ramming  the 
soil  hard,  plungo  the  pots  in  the  ground  up  to  the  rim,  and 
then  mulch  all  over  to  keep  out  frost.  The  shoots  we  would 
not  cut  much  back,  as  we  would  want  the  buds  left  to  mako 
short  fruit  spurs  in  summer  for  next  year's  bearing.  We  have 
potted  small  Plum  and  Cherry  trees  in  February  with  one 
year's  growth  from  budding,  and,  treated  as  above,  the  trees 
were  well  loaded  with  fruit  in  t'ue  following  year.  In  summer 
the  trees  will  want  watering,  but  mulching  will  render  the  fre- 
quent waterings  less  necessary  ;  and  when  the  fruit  is  gathered 
the  pots  should  be  lifted,  all  roots  that  havo  come  through  cut 
off,  and  be  plunged  again  after  being  fresh  soiled  on  the  surface. 

Pyramids  at  first  might  be  30  and  dwarfs  36  inches  apart. 
A  net  in  winter  and  summer,  and  frigi  dorao  In  spring,  would 
protect  from  frost  and  birds.  Let  us  hear  again  when  you 
commeucy,  and  when  you  are  in  tlie  least  difficulty.] 


PORTRAITS  OF  PLANTS,   FLOWERS,  AND 
FRUITS. 

Passiflop.a  cikcinnata  (Curly-f ringed  Passion-Flower).  Nat. 
ord.,  Passiflorace.'v.  Linn.,  Pentandria  Trigyuia. — Requires  a 
cool  greenhoirse.  Native  of  Pernambuco,  in  Brazil.  Flowers 
purple. — (IjOtanical  Macia:iiie,  t.,  5737.) 

AcRiD0(Anprs  natalitius  (Port  Natal  Acridocarpus).  Nat. 
ord.,  Malpighiac€n\  Lin:i,  Decandria  Digynia. — A  climber. 
Native  of  edges  of  woods  in  the  Natal  Colony.  Flowers  yel- 
low.—f/ftiiZ.,  t.  5738  ) 

Masdevallia  Veitchiana  (Veitch's  Masdevallia).  Nat.  ord., 
OrchidaceiE.      Linn.,   Gynandria  llonandria. — Native  of  the 


Peruvian  Cordillera.  Introduced  by  Messrs.  Veitch.  Flowers 
orange  red.     Cool  greenhouse  plant. — [Ihid.,  t.  5730.) 

Fuchsia  coccinea  (Scarlet  Fuchsia).  Nat.  ord.,  Onagrari- 
ace.i).  Linn.,  Oetaudria  Monogynia. — This  is  the  truo  species, 
and  not  that  usually  grown  iu  gardens  as  F.  coccinea.  It  was 
recently  found  iu  the  grecnhouiie  of  the  Oxford  Botanic  Gar- 
den. Soon  after  its  first  introduction  iu  England  the  still 
hardier  species,  F.  magcUanica,  arrived  from  Terra  del  Fuego, 
usurped  its  name,  and  superseded  it  iu  our  gardens.  Probably 
a  native  of  Brazil.     Flowers  pale  crimson. — (Ihid.,  t.  5710.) 

AruELANDnA  NiTENS  (GloBsy-leavod  Aphelandra).  Nat.  ord., 
Aoanthacem.  Linn.,  Didynamia  Gymnospermia. — Native  of 
Guayaquil,  in  New  Granada.  Introduced  by  Messrs.  Veitch. 
Flowers  scarlet.  Leaves'  upper  surface  glossy,  under  surface 
reddish  purple.— (/fci'rf.,  t.  5711 ) 

Gentiana  pykenaica  (Pyrenean  Gentian).  Nat.  ord,  Gen- 
tianacea?.  lAnn.,  Pentandria  Monogynia.  Native  of  the  Pyre- 
nees and  Alps  at  5-8000  feet  elevation.  Flowers  green  exter- 
nally, deep  blue  internally. — (Ihid.,  t.  5742.) 

Gladiolus — Lad;/  Alice  Hill. — "  Amongst  the  most  markeil 
of  the  recent  improvements  which  havo  been  made  iu  the  Gla- 
diolus, has  been  the  introduction  of  numerous  finely-striped 
varieties.  The  present  variety  was  raised  by  Mr.  Standish,  of 
Ascot,  and  was  awarded  a  first-class  certificate  by  the  Floral 
Committee  in  October,  1867.  It  forms  a  fine  bold  spike,  and 
the  individual  blossoms  are  not  only  stout,  well-formed,  and 
symmetrical,  but  well-placed  on  the  spike.  The  colour  is  a 
pale  rosy  tint,  boldly  flaked  with  purplish  rose,  the  throat  being 
flamed  with  deep  rosy  violet.  Mr.  Standish  has  been  a  most 
successful  raiser  of  Gladioli,  and  the  present  variety,  of  an 
entirely  novel  character,  will  add  to  his  well-earned  reputation.'' 
— (Florist  and  Pomolorrist,  i.  211,  3rd  s.) 


CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

Mr.  Salter's  Nursery,  Hammersmith. — The  show  house 
at  this  establishment  presents  just  now  an  extremely  gay  ap- 
pearance, as  the  extensive  collection  of  Chrysanthemums  for 
which  Mr.  Salter  is  celebrated  far  and  wide  will  soon  be  in  full 
flower ;  and  even  now  most  of  the  varieties  are  iu  great  beauty, 
while  from  day  to  day  others  will  expand.  The  display  is  not 
merely  superior  to  that  of  last  year,  whioli,  from  the  lateness 
of  the  autumn,  was  certainly  unfavourable  to  Chrysanthemum 
shows  generally,  but  as  a  whole  not  less  effective  than  those 
of  former  years,  whilst  in  the  varieties  individually  there  ia  a 
marked  advance  as  compared  to  those  then  in  existence.  Un- 
fortunately, our  visit  to  this  nursery,  three  or  four  days  ago, 
was  rather  early  for  the  varieties  intended  to  be  sent  out  next 
year  to  be  seen  in  perfection,  and  accordingly  (he  number  of 
such  that  can  be  noticed  at  present  is  rather  limited,  but  there 
are  others  which  Mr.  Salter  considers  very  promising  and  which 
may  be  referred  to  on  a  future  occasion.  Of  those  which  were 
sufficiently  forward,  Golden  John  Salter,  a  sport  of  John 
Salter,  equally  fine  iu  all  its  characters,  and  differing  only  m 
being  of  a  rich  golden  colour  s  certainly  of  first-rate  merit. 
Lilac  Beverley,  another  sport,  was  noticed  last  year ;  it  only 
differs  from  its  prototype  iu  colour,  being  the  B.ame  in  form  and 
all  other  respects.  At'flrst  it  is  white  tinged  with  lilac,  hut  after- 
wards becomes  deeper  in  colour.  Two  seedlings,  as  yet  un- 
named, are  also  fine  incurved  flowers,  one  being  very  large, 
sulphur-tinged  white,  the  other  claret-coloured,  turned  up  with 
yellow.  A  third  seedling  has  a  finely  incurved  rose-coloured 
flower,  and  another  named  Stellaris,  buff  tipped  wilh  yellow, 
resembled  Cherub  in  form.  There  is  also  a  new  Anemone- 
flowered  variety  called  Princess  Charlotte,  wilh  lilac  flowers, 
the  tops  of  the  quilling  tipped  with  yellow.  The  foliage  of 
this  was  stiff'  and  very  dark-coloured. 

The  varieties  sent  out  in  the  spring  of  the  present  year  were 
mostly  noticed  in  reports  at  the  time  of  their  first  appearance. 
Of  these  Lord  Derby,  dark  purple,  large,  and  beautifully  in- 
curved is,  on  the  whole,  the  finest,  and  a  peculiarly  bold 
flower.  Princess  of  Teck,  very  pale  flesh,  on  the  other  hand, 
is  very  delicate  in  colour  and  very  beautiful.  Bronze  Jardin 
des  Plantes,  a  sport  of  the  well-known  and  beautiful  yellow 
Jardin  des  Planfea,  bronzed  orange,  is  another  very  bold  and 
fine  flower;  and  not  less  remarkable  is  Princess  Beatrice,  lilac 
tipped  with  blush,  a  large  flower,  splendid  iu  exhibition  stands 
wherever  we  have  seen  it  this  year.  Guernsey  Nugget,  prim- 
rcse  veUow,  is  large,  very  pleasing  in  colour,  and  likewise  a  fine 
show" variety.  Mrs.  Huffington,  like  Aimoe  FeriiJre,  from  which 
it  is  a  seedling,  but  more  distinctly  and  darkly  tipped,  though 


S82 


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[  November  19,  1868. 


not  very  large,  is  extremely  beautiful.  Other  new  varieties  in 
good  bloom  consist  of  Baron  Beust,  reddish  chestnut ;  Staffa, 
yellow  ;  Mrs.  G.  Rundle,  pure  white ;  Volunteer,  dark  purplish 
crimeon ;  Miss  Mari^chaux,  white,  tipped  with  lilac ;  and 
Jlnamel,  blush.  Lady  Godiva  and  Le  Grand  when  we  saw  them 
^7ere  not  fully  out. 

The  Japanese  varieties  which  are  so  singular  in  their  various 
forms,  and  which  promise  to  become  so  useful  and  ornamental 
ior  conservatory  decoration,  though  veritable  abominations  to 
those  who  judge  by  the  florists'  standard,  being  later,  many  of 
them  were  not  so  far  advanced  in  blooming  as  to  admit  of 
description.  Red  Dragon  and  Daimio  were  extremely  showy, 
and  left  no  room  to  doubt  what  a  splendid  efifect  they  were 
capable  of  producing  in  conservatory  groups.  Eoseum  album, 
another,  was  beautiful  in  colour,  crimson  tipped  with  white 
"when  in  a  young  state,  but  afterwards  becoming  paler.  Teddo 
Iiilac,  with  the  ribbon-like  florets  curving  inwards  and  forming 
a  ball;  and  Sulphureum,  of  similar  form,  are  also  effective. 
"Wizard,  dark  maroon  ;  and  Robert  Fortune,  were  not  out. 
Others  consisted  of  Nagasaki  Yiolet,  rosy  violet  spotted  with 
white  ;  Prince  Satsuma,  very  large,  yellow  ;  Ne  Plus  Ultra,  flat, 
orange  red  ;  and  Tarantula.  Gold  Thread,  a  quilled  variety, 
iilac  at  first,  but  becoming  yellow  was  scarcely  sufficiently  for- 
ward to  exhibit  its  true  colours  ;  but  Dr.  Masters  and  Dr. 
James  Salter,  two  new  varieties,  were  both  in  excellent  con- 
dition. The  former  is  very  large  and  showy,  orange,  tipped 
and  rayed  with  yellow,  and  of  stiff  upright  growth  ;  the  latter 
cne  of  the  tasselled  kinds  having  broad  ribbon-like  florets  of  a 
delicate  lilac  colour.  It  is  very  free-flowering  and  would  form 
a  handsome  specimen  plant  for  conservatory  decoration.  Hero 
of  Magdala,  blood  red,  promises  to  be  very  showy ;  and  of 
Giantess,  pale  lilac  fading-off  to  white,  the  same  may  be  said. 

Near  the  entrance  to  the  show  house  is  a  pretty  piece  of 
what  bears  considerable  resemblance  to  mosaic  work  formed  of 
various  Echeverias,  Sedums,  Sempervivums,  the  pretty  blue- 
linged  Kleinia  repens,  and  Pachyphitou  bracteosum,  with  the 
grey  green  Thymus  lanuginosus',  and  the  bright  green  Saxi- 
iraga  hypnoides  minor,  as  a  ground  carpeting.  The  variegated 
common  Stonecrop  was  very  ornamental  out  of  doors  in  the 
alpine  garden  ;  also,  the  larger  variety  of  Saxifraga  hypnoides, 
which  keeps  green  in  summer  on  banks  where  grass  is  burnt  up. 


KOYAL   HORTICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 

No\'EMEER    ITtH. 

FnriT  CosniiTTEE.— G.  F.  'Wilson,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  in  the  chair.  At 
Ihis  meeting  there  Tvere  various  prizes  for  fruit  offered.  In  Class  A, 
for  the  best  three  dishes  of  dessert  Apples  there  were  eight  exhibitors. 
Ihe  beauty  of  the  specimens  in  all  the  collections  was  greater  than  is 
aisually  seen,  and  some  of  the  specimens  were  veiy  handsome,  but  it 
jvas  remarked  that  for  fruit  of  so  much  beauty  there  was  not  a  pro- 
jioi-tionate  amount  of  flavour.  The  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr. 
Euffett.  f^ardener  to  Lady  Palmerston,  Brockett  Hall,  Herts,  for  Cos's 
Orange  Pippin,  Cockle  Pippin,  and  Cornish  Gilliflower ;  and  the 
second  to  Mr.  Earley.  Digswell,  near  Welwjn,  Herts,  for  Cockle 
Pippin,  Cox's  Orange  Pippin,  and  Sam  Young. 

In  Class  B,  there  were  five  exhibitors  for  the  prize  ofi'ered  for  the 
Jjest  dish  of  Knight's  Monarch.  One  dish  was  disquahfied,  being 
found  to  be  Ne  Pins  Menris,  and  another  for  being  decayed.  Those 
exhibited  by  Mr.  Sidney  Ford,  of  Leonardslee,  were  magnificent 
Specimens,  but,  nnfoi-tunately,  unripe,  and  to  them  a  special  certificate 
was  awarded,  and  no  other  award  was  made. 

Class  C,  was  for  Huyshe's  Victoria.  There  were  only  two  ex- 
iibitors,  and  the  second  prize  was  given  to  that  shown  by  Mr.  John 
Garland,  gardener  to  Sir  T.  D.  Acland,  Killerton,  Exeter,  the  first 
fceing  withheld. 

Class  E,  the  best  dish  of  any  variety  of  dessert  Pears.  There  were 
310  less  than  22  exhibitors,  and  the  specimens  generally  were  very 
good.  The  six  "WiHter  Kelis  of  Mr.  Garland,  of  Killerton,  weighed 
2  lbs.  11  ozs,,  which  for  that  variety  was  a  great  weight;  and  a  fruit 
cf  the  Doyenne  du  Cornice  shown  by  the  same  gentleman  weighed 
3.5^  ozs.  The  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Garland,  for  Dovenne 
du  Cornice,  and  the  second  to  Mr.  Mills,  "Wycombe  Abbey,  for  "rt'inter 
Kelis. 

Mr.  Jackson,  Nurseryman,  Blakedown,  Kidderminster,  sent  a  col- 
lection of  seedling  Apples,  but  as  nout-  of  them  possessed  any  pro- 
j)erties  that  were  considered  as  acquisitions,  the  Committee  did  not 
approve  of  them.  Mr.  Brown,  Elmdon  Hall,  Birmingham,  sent  two 
ilishes  of  Blenheim  Pippiu,  one  containing  fruit  much  larger  and 
earlier  than  the  other,  being  a  month  difi'erence  in  the  time  of  ripen- 
ing.    This  can  only  be  accounted  for  by  the  influence  of  the  stock. 

Mr.  Gilbert,  gardener  to  the  Marquis  of  Exeter,  Burghley,  sent  a 
jbrace  of  the  Telegraph  Cucumber,  which  for  the  season  was  cou- 
Eidered  very  good,  and  received  a  special  certificate.  Mr.  Osman, 
gardener  to  E.  Holland,  Esq.,  Stanmore  Hall,  gent  a  Green-fleshed 


Melon,  the  fruit  of  the  Guava,  and  a  dish  of  Quinces.  The  Melon 
for  the  season  was  very  well  flavoured.  Mr.  Foster,  Pittiugton 
House,  Leigh,  Essex,  sent  good  bunches  of  Koyal  Muscadine  and 
Miller's  Burgundy  Grapes,  grown  in  the  open  air,  and  which  were  well 
ripened  and  of  excellent  flavour.  Mr.  Forsyth,  gardener  to  Baron 
llothschild,  Gnnuersburj',  pent  a  fruit  of  Smooth  Cayenne  Pine 
Apple,  and  Mr.  Westcott,  gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Cleveland,  at  Raby 
Castle,  sent  a  fruit  of  the  same  variety,  and  both  being  ver}- handsome 
specimens,  they  each  received  a  special  certificate.  Mr.  Westcott,  sent 
a  Scarlet-fleshed  Melon  called  Raby  Castle. 

Messrs.  Lane  &  Son,  of  Berkhampstead,  sent  a  splendid  collection 
of  Grapes  grown  in  a  cool  orchard  house,  which  for  size  of  bunches 
and  berries  could  not  be  surpassed,  and  a  special  certificate  was 
awarded.  Messrs.  Rivers,  of  Sawbridgeworth,  sent  a  dish  of  very  fine 
Tangieriue  Oranges,  fully  ripe  and  of  delicious  flavour,  which  received 
a  special  certificate.  W.  L.Banks,  Esq.,  Ealing,  exhibited  the  fruit  of 
Ficus  elastica,  and  a  drawing  of  the  plant  showing  the  mode  of  fructifi- 
cation. Mr.  Downing,  gardener  to  T.  Grissell,  Esq.,  Norbmy  Park. 
sent  pood  specimens  of  Pomegranates.  Mr.  JRnffett  exhibited  fruit 
of  St.  Martin's  (Juetsche  Plum,  which  was  rather  past.  Mr.  Stevens, 
of  Trentham,  exhibited  Fleming's  Seedling  Pear,  which  the  Com- 
mittee did  not  consider  equal  in  merit  to  other  sorts  sent  along  with  it. 
Mr.  J.  Snow,  of  Saltram,  exhibited  a  seedling  Pear  which  proved  to 
he  Vicar  of  Wiukfield.  Mr.  Eekford,  of  Coleshill,  sent  four  vei*y  nice, 
small,  whito-spinod  Cucumbers  named  Winter  Eavonrite. 

Messrs.  Barr  A:  Sugden  filled  a  table  the  entire  length  of  the  exhi- 
bition-room, with  a  very  complete  and  interesting  collection  of  orna- 
mental Gourds,  to  which  a  special  certificate  was  unanimously 
awarded. 

The  Chairman  read  a  communication  from  Mr.  Dewdney,  PJgham 
Mill,  Dorking,  relative  to  the  Black  and  White  Grapes  gi-own  on  an 
open  wall,  which  he  exhibited  at  the  meeting  of  October  20th.  In 
this  Mr.  Dewdney  stated,  that  at  the  conclusion  of  the  meeting,  having 
had  a  conversation  with  a  member  of  the  Council,  he  was  asked  to 
write  an  account  of  his  mode  of  cultivation,  and  he  had  done  so,  not  with 
any  view  of  pointing  out  how  to  grow  Grapes,  but  simply  to  relate  the 
following  facts : — 

"  In  thfi  years  1830  and  1840  I  built  the  house  I  now  live  in  ;  against  an 
angle  of  this  house  some  15  yards  long,  and  with  a  south-east  aspect,  I  made 
a  Vine  border  by  removing  the  soil  and  filling  in  with  brick  and  mortar 
rubbish  from  a  very  old  building,  whole  bones,  and  old  shoes,  to  the  thick- 
ness of  1  foot.  I  then  put  8  inches  of  the  soil  on  this  mixture.  In  this 
border  I  planted  a  Black  Grape  (the  Black  Prince),  a  White  Frontignan 
Grape,  and  a  Fig  tree,  all  of  which  have  thriven  entirely  to  my  satisfac- 
tion. In  1846  I  gained  the  2nd  prize  for  Black  Grapes  at  a  local  show, 
beating  three  men  who  exhibited  Grapes  grown  under  glass.  On  the  end 
of  this  border,  in  1641, 1  made  a  bed  8  feet  square  and  22  inches  deep  ;  the 
sides  were  slate  (one  slab),  and  the  bottom  was  paved  with  similar  slate 
slabs,  so  that  the  roots  of  a  Vine  could  not  escape.  I  filled  in  this  bed 
as  follows : — In  the  bottem  I  put  pieces  of  chalk  to  the  depth  of  from  4  to 
6  inches,  and  broken  bricks  for  drainage ;  I  then  filled  up  with  broken 
bricks,  and  mortar  rubbish,  whole  bones,  old  shoes,  pig's  hair,  and  about 
^  bushel  of  charcoal,  and  in  this  bed  I  planted  a  White  Frontignan  Grape 
which  has  produced  a  good  crop  eveiy  j'oar.  Some  bunches  from  this 
Vine  I  exhibited  on  the  20th  of  October.  I  should  observe  that  I  did  not 
mix  any  earth  with  the  compost.  This  Vine  has  thrown,  and  continues 
to  do  so,  rods  from  15  to  23  feet  long  every  year,  a  specimen  of  which,  cut 
10  feet  from  the  gi'ound,  I  send  with  this  paper. 

*'  I  also  send  for  the  inspection  of  the  Council,  the  soles  of  some  old 
shoes,  which,  on  removing  a  Pear  tree  last  Saturday,  were  dug  from  under 
its  roots,  and  which  tree  was  planted  five  yearsago ;  andthc  examination 
will,  I  think,  establish  beyond  doubt  the  great  fertilising  and  lasting 
power  of  leather  as  a  manure.  A  few  years  since  I  laid  bare  a  Vine 
border  when  I  fiiund  some  soles  of  shoes  similaily  encompassed  by  the 
roots  of  the  Vine. 

"  Mr.  Whiting,  I  believe,  will  fully  corroborate  mo  as  to  the  luxuriant 
growth  of  my  Vines." 

Floral  Co^nnxxEE. — This  was  one  of  the  best  meetings  of  the 
season,  both  fruit  and  flowers  were  excellently  represented.  Mr. 
Turner,  of  Slough,  introduced  some  new  variegated  Zonal  Pelargo- 
niums, which  astonished  the  meeting.  This  successful  exhibitor  has 
shown  himself  iu  this,  as  in  every  other  class  of  plants  which  he 
cultivates,  a  perfect  master.  His  collection  was  certainly  for  distinct- 
ness and  high  colour  much  in  advance  of  what  has  been  before  exhi- 
bited, and,  considering  the  time  of  year,  most  beautiful.  One  fact 
has  been  decidedly  confirmed,  that  for  decorative  purposes  the  autumn 
and  spring  are  the  best  seasons  for  developing  the  rich  colours  of  the 
foliage.  Eii'st-clasB  certificates  were  awarded  to  three  of  the  finest 
specimens,  of  which  there  were  duplicates — Mrs.  Headley,  Miss 
Kutter,  and  Mdlle.  Christine  Nillson.  In  the  collection  were  Hayes 
Kival.  Mrs.  HughBerners,  GrandMaster.veiy  distinct.  Senior  Warden, 
Mr.  Rntter,  and  Echo,  golden-edged  varieties:  Excellent  and  May 
Queen,  two  good  examples  of  the  ^veredged  Tricolors,  and  Bright 
Star,  a  Bicolor,  with  brilliant  scarlet  flowers  and  white-edged  foliage, 
also  May  Queen  of  the  same  class.  Mr.  Turner  also  sent  a  small 
basket  of  young  plants  of  Zonal  Pioneer,  which  he  sent  out  in  the 
spring,  and  which  proves  itself  to  he  a  plant  of  first-rate  quality.  A 
special  cei-tificate  was  awarded  for  the  collection.  A  group  of  Chinese 
Primulas  of  various  tints  of  colour  was  likewise  exhibited  by  Mr. 
Turner. 

Messrs.  Veitch  exhibited  a  veiy  fine  collection  of  Orchids,  several 
beautiful  hybrids,  the  result  of  Mr.  Dominy's  persevering  sliill. 
Phajus  irroratus,  one  of  the  seedlings,  received  a  first-class  certificate  ; 
Oncidium  cucuUatum  phalaenopsis,  a  first-class    cei-tificate  ;    Pleione 


November  10,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF   HORTICULTURE  AND    COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


38S 


Reiclienbaeluaua,  a  first-class  ccrtificato ;  Oncidium  Forbsii,  a  first 
class  certilirato ;  and  Viiuila  ca'ruloa,  with  tweuty-fivo  flowers,  a 
apocial  curtificiito.  The  group  of  Orchids  was  awardod  a  spociul  cer- 
tificate. Dicliorizaiidra  mosaica,  a  beautifully-grouu  orimmental- 
foliaged  plant,  had  likewise  a  special  cevtiticato.  Messrs.  Vcitch  also 
sent  specimyiis  of  a  variegated  Cress,  and  small  plants  of  Kuo  to 
make  a  contrast  with  its  dark  foliago — plants  useful  for  a  winter  gar- 
den. Mr.  Thomson,  gardener  to  the  Duko  of  IJuccUmch,  the  President 
of  tho  Society,  sent  extremely  fine  cut  spikes  of  Vanda  can-ulea  and 
Roaauthera  coccinoa,  which  received  a  special  certificate.  Mr.  Thom- 
son sent  a  letter^  which  most  simply  explained  his  successful  mode  of 
eultivatiou. 

From  the  gardenf?,  Chigwiclc,  camo  a  fine  collection  of  seedling  va- 
rieties ol  Coleus,  diiitiiict  and  beautiful,  much  in  advance  in  colour  of 
what  have  been  sent  out.  First-class  certificates  were  awarded  to 
Coleus  Duko  of  I'^dinbnrgh,  rrinccss  of  Wales,  Princess  Beatrice, 
Her  Majesty,  Friuco  Arthur,  and  Albert  Victor.  Wo  understand  these 
will  very  shortly  bo  offered  for  salo  by  auction.  Mr.  Williams, 
HoUoway,  sent  a  very  exeellcnt  collection  of  Orchids,  of  which 
Oncidium  holochrysum  and  Oncidium  Forbsii,  received  first-class  cer- 
tificates. Pteris  serrulata  corymbifcra  was  likewise  awarded  a  first- 
class  certilicate.  A  special  certiticate  was  awarded  for  the  collection 
of  Orchids. 

Mr,  Salter,  Hammersmith,  sent  seedling  Chrysanthemums.  Among 
the  Japanese  varieties,  Dr.  Masters  was  very  fine,  and  received  a  first- 
class  certificate,  as  also  Hero  of  Magdala.  Princess  of  Teek,  a  fiue, 
compact,  pale  silvery  tiower,  one  of  tlie  incurved  varieties,  and  Pink 
Perfection  new  in  shade  of  colour,  a  most  promising  variety,  were 
awarded  first-class  certificates.  One  of  tlie  Japanese  varieties,  James 
Salter,  a  pale  pink  or  blush  flower  with  very  broad  "  petals,"  the 
flowers  evidently  suffering  from  change  of  temperature,  was  veiy  beau- 
tiful, though  not  noticed.  This  is  decidedly  one  of  the  best  of  the 
Japanese  race. 

Mr.  Wiggins,  gardener  to  W.  Beck,  Esq.,  sent  a  collection  of  Cycla- 
xuena  and  Primulas.  A  special  certificate  was  awarded  the  two  col- 
lections. Jlr.  J.  Mills,  gardener  to  Dr.  Pattison,  received  a  special 
certificate  for  two  Orchids  sent  by  him,  Odontoglossum  Alexandras  and 
OdontoglosBum  trinmphans.  Mr.  Green,  gardener  to  W.  W.  Saunders, 
Esq.,  was  awarded  a  first-class  certificate  for  Asparagus  dccumbens, 
an  elegant  plant  most  useful  for  table  decoration. 

Messrs.  E.  G.  Henderson  sent  Gymnogramma  Laucheaua  corym- 
bifera,  first-class  certificate  ;  also  small  specimens  of  Lucy  Grieve 
Variegated  Zonal  Pelargonium,  Charming  Bride,  and  Silver  Clond. 
Messrs.  Downie,  Laii-d,  &:  Laiug's  collection  of  small  Bronze  Zonal 
Pelargoniums  was  awarded  a  special  certificate.  Messrs.  Smith,  of 
Dulwich,  sent  Bronze  Pelargonium  Sybil. 

A  group  of  Cypripedium  insigne  from  the  garden  of  the  Society, 
with  an  abundance  of  flowers,  received  a  special  certificate.  Tlie 
silver  Flora  medal  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Forsyth,  Stoke  Newington,  for 
twenty-four  cut  specimens  of  Chrysanthemums  of  great  merit.  The 
other  competitors  for  this  medal  were  Mr.  Dickens,  Chelsea,  and  Mr. 
Ounn,  Chelsea.  Mr.  J.  Georg9,  of  Stamford  Hill,  was  awarded  a 
special  certificate  for  twelve  cut  specimens  of  Chrysanthemums  of 
first-rate  quality.  Mr.  George  also  exhibited  twelve  varieties  of  tho 
Aiiemone-floweriug  Pompons,  and  a  seedling  Tropseolum  compactum, 
which,  fcom  the  lateness  of  the  season,  could  not  display  its  merits. 

General  Meeting.  —  J.  Bateman,  Esq.,  F.E.S.,  in  the  chair. 
After  a  list  of  donations  of  plants,  ttc,  had  been  read,  the  following 
new  Fellows  were  elected — viz.,  Lady  Lawrence,  Miss  Blakeley,  Mrs. 
Cousins,  and  Messrs.  A.  Henderson,  A.  Cuthell,  and  T.  Higgs.  The 
awards  of  the  Committee  were  then  reported,  after  which  Mr.  Bate- 
man offered  some  remarks  on  the  Orchids. 

Mr.  Bateman  expressed  his  regret  that  the  Rev.  M.  J.  Berkeley  had 
not  recovered  sufiieiently  to  attend  the  meeting,  and  that  he  himself 
was  unable  to  supply  his  place  as  regards  the  plants  exhibited,  with 
the  exception  of  his  own  special  favourites — the  Orchids.  He  could 
not,  however,  but  congratulate  the  Fellows  present  and  horticulturists 
generally,  that  in  the  midst  of  such  excitement  as  that  which  now 
prevails  in  the  country,  there  should  be  such  a  fine  display.  He  had 
frequently  found  fault  with  the  Floral  Committee  for  the  frugality  of 
their  awards ;  but  on  this  occasion  these  had  been  freely  bestowed, 
especially  upon  Orchids,  which,  of  all  the  candidates  which  had  sought 
the  Committee's  favour,  were  decidedly  at  the  head  of  the  poll.  The 
first  plant  he  had  to  notice  was  Pleione  Keichenbachiana,  which 
really  might  be  considered  one  of  the  autumn  Crocuses  of  the  Him- 
alayas, and  of  which  the  pseudo-bulbs  were  very  singular.  Although 
lie  detested  hybrid  Orchids,  he  would  stQl  mention  that  Messrs.  Veitch 
exhibited  several  of  these,  and  among  them  Cattleya  esouiensis,  a 
beautiful  autumn-blooming  Orchid.  Another  hybrid,  also  very  beau- 
tiful at  this  time  of  year,  was  Cattleya  Dominiana.  With  refer- 
ence to  Odontoglossum  Alexandra),  exhibited  by  Dr.  Pattison,  of  St. 
John's  Wood,  he  was  glad  to  see  it  vindicating  the  choice  of  the  name 
made  for  it ;  there  was  also  from  the  same  gentleman  Odontoglossum 
trinmphans,  which,  though  well  gi-own  and  flowered,  was  not  equal  in 
point  of  variety  to  some  others  of  the  same  species  which  he  had  seen. 

Mr.  Bateman  then  protested  against  the  growing  practice  among 
some  nurserj-men  of  tacking  on  additional  names  to  those  of  certain 
plants — a  practioo  which  only  led  to  confusion  when  there  was  already 
a  good  generic  and  specific  name,  and  he  gave  several  instances  in 
which  such  additions  were  unnecessary.    Two  of  tho  most  interesting 


subjects  before  tho  meeting  were  tho  spikes  of  Vanda  cajrulea  and 
Uonauthera  coccinea,  sent  by  Mr.  Thomson,  the  President's  gardener 
at  Dalkeith.  Vanda  c«?rulea  was  a  most  beautiful  Orchid  from  the 
Ilimalayaa,  and  as  regards  this,  there  had  been  a  very  vigorous  com- 
petition between  Mr.  Thomson's  spike  and  that  on  McsHrn.  Voitch's 
plant,  and  whilst  tho  former  was  tho  finer  in  colour,  it  had  only 
twenty  flowers,  but  Messrs.  Veitch's,  he  believed,  had  as  many  aa 
twenty-five.  As  to  tho  Heuanthcra,  ho  (Mr.  Bateman),  could  hardly 
louk  at  it  without  emotion,  for  without  it  ho  probably  never  would 
have  been  an  Orchid-grower.  Ho  then  related  tliat  when  an  under- 
graduate at  Oxford  he  saw  it  in  the  nursery  of  Mr.  Fairbaim,  who 
had  succeeded  in  flowering  this  plant,  and  he  bought  a  specimen  foe 
a  sum  which  might  be  considered  extravagant  for  an  undcrgraduato. 
He  failed,  however,  as  might  bo  ex])ected.  in  making  it  flower,  and  16 
was  only  after  twenty-five  years'  cultivation  that  ho  succeeded  by  ant 
accident.  ThisRenanthcra,  Mr.  Batemau  continued,  will  never  grovi 
and  flower  in  promiscuous  collections,  but  put  it  in  a  vinery,  a  green- 
house, in  any  house  where  it  will  have  plenty  of  light  and  sun — in 
fact,  the  conditions  of  a  Chinese  climate,  and  tun  to  one  it  will  flower. 
He  would  in  conclusion  just  direct  attention  to  a  beautiful-berriei 
branch  of  tho  Coffee  plant,  which  had  arrived  too  lato  to  come  before 
the  Committees,  and  which  was  sent  by  ]\Ir.  Pickersgill  Cunliffe^  of 
Hooley  Ilall,  Croydon.  (Wo  were  informed  that  this  plant  is  S  feet 
high,  and  has  ninety-six  berried  brauchesK  l\Ir.  Bateman  closed  his 
remarks  by  announcing  that  the  next  meeting  would  take  place  on  the 
loth  of  December, 


JERSEY    FOR    WINTER. 

As  Jersey  is  as  good  and  pleasant  for  invalids  in  winter  as 
tor  pleasure-seekers  in  summer,  a  few  words  about  it  may  not 
be  deemed  superfluous,  now  that  the  glowing  warmth  o£ 
summer  has  given  place  to  the  cool  breezes  of  autumn,  and 
that  brown  and  yellow,  taking  the  place  of  green  upon  the 
scantily  covered  trees,  remind  us  of  cold,  trying  winter  soon  ta 
follow.  Charming  as  our  little  island  is  during  the  bright 
warm  weather,  it  is  yet  more  valuable  as  a  winter  residence  toi 
those  who  suffer  from  the  inclemency  of  our  British  climate 
nearer  the  parallel  of  London.  Mild  in  its  winters,  yet  not 
too  enervating,  seldom  intensely  wet  for  a  whole  day  together, 
with  roads  which  dry  up  quickly,  genial,  health-giving  breezes, 
and  the  delicious  sea  air,  1  think  there  are  few  places  better  in 
all  points  for  the  invalid,  the  convalescent,  or  those  who  are 
troubled  with  the  Johu-BuU-like,  not-unoatural  horror  of 
chilling  fogs,  benumbing  frosts,  and  bitter  ice  and  snow. 

Those  who  visit  Jersey  at  any  season,  but  especiplly  late  ia 
the  year,  would  do  well  to  guard  against  discomfort  in  travelling 
by  reaching  Southampton  some  hours  before  the  vessel  starts. 
The  route  via  Southampton  is  the  best  for  most  localities,  and 
for  all  persons  who  dread  a  long  sea  voyage.  That  by  Wey- 
mouth gives  fewer  hours  upon  the  water,  but  the  extra  hours 
by  the  longer  route  tell  little  in  discomfort,  as  those  which  elapse 
before  reaching  the  Needles  in  going,  or  after  passing  them  ia 
coming  back,  glide  smoothly  enough  to  be  pleasant  even  to  the 
most  squeamish.  The  voyage  from  London  direct  is  too 
lengthy  to  be  pleasant  to  any  but  very  good  travellers,  so  tha 
journey  by  way  of  Southampton  is  for  most  persons  fittest,  and 
to  ensure  comfort  in  that,  it  is  necessary  to  secure  a  good  berth 
on  board  ship.  Oh,  the  wretched  discomfort  to  which  ladies 
are  sometimes  subjected  who  comedown  by  the  mail  train  at 
night,  and  go  on  board  just  before  the  ship'^tarts  !  Visitors 
who  rush  over  to  Jersey  for  short  holidays  between  May  and 
October,  called  in  the  island  from  their  vivacious  enjoyment  of 
their  short  respite,  "the  live  O's  "  crowd  on  board  in  noisy 
tumult  to  the  great  detriment  of  quieter  persons  who  are  less 
able  to  make  their  way  ;  then  those  who  have  omitted  to  secure 
accommodation  may  have  to  lie  on  the  cabin  floor  all  night 
(and  be  it  remembered  the  had  air  falls  the  lo"Svest),  or,  worse 
still,  to  remain  on  deck  all  night,  subject  to  the  inclemencies 
of  the  weather  and  other  discomforts.  During  the  months 
when  most  visitors  seek  the  island  it  is  advisable  for  ladies, 
especially  if  they  have  children  with  them,  to  write  to  the 
agent  or  to  the  stewardess  on  board  and  bespeak  the  required 
number  of  berths,  and  at  all  times,  as  stewards  and  agents  are 
not  immutable,  to  leave  London,  if  London  be  the  starting 
point,  not  later  than  5  r.u.,  and  go  on  board  at  once,  secure 
berths,  and  pin  tickets  upon  them.  Then,  with  a  clear  con- 
science and  the  hope  of  a  little  rest  at  night,  they  may  go  to  their 
hotel,  inspect  the  town,  or  while  away  the  time  as  best  they 
can.  As  Southampton  is  but  a  dull  place,  and  visits  to  hotels 
generally  dull  too,  perhaps  it  is  about  as  pleasant  as  anything 
to  go  on  board  at  once,  sit  down  on  deck,  and  quietly  watoU 
the  curious  bustle  of  dock  activity  around,  go  down  into  tha 
cabin  and  have  tea  as  soon  as  it  is  ready,  and  then  lie  down 


384 


JOUP.NAL  OF  EOETICULTUEE   AND   COTTAGE   GAKDENEE. 


t  November  }S,  1888. 


and  commence  Ihe  early  portion  of  such  a  night's  rest  as  the 
ever-restlesB  sea  aud  tho  hubbub  on  board  Fill  permit.  N.B. — 
lu  tolerably  calm  weather  a  eofa  is  most  pleasant,  because 
most  airy,  but  wbeu  the  sea  i3  very  rough  a  berth  presents 
least  chance  of  being  tossed  out  upon  the  tloor,  aud  those  at 
the  top  are  the  most  airy,  only  a  little  difficult  to  climb  into, 
■which  is  generally  obivatcd  by  the  offered  help  of  a  small  set  of 
steps. 

Just  as  the  quiet  voyagers  compose  themselves  to  sleep  the 
mail  train  passengers  come  rushing  on  board  ^^ith  clang  and 
clamour,  etampiog  of  boots,  knocking  about  of  luggage,  and 
much  bustle  and  noise,  and  then  about  12  p.m.  the  steamer 
starts. 

The  voyage  is  only  broken  by  reaching  Guernsey,  generally 
about  nine  in  the  morning,  when  the  boat  stops  a  short  time 
to  put  out  and  take  in  passengers  and  packages,  and  (hen  on- 
ward again.  The  view  of  St.  Teter's  Port,  rising  on  a  steep 
hillside,  the  quiet  ripple  of  the  sea  within  the  harbour,  and  the 
quaint  antique-looking  Castle  Cornet  close  by,  all  seen  in  the 
Ught  of  the  bright  morning  sun,  are  very  attractive,  and  if  the 
sea  is  calm,  or  the  traveller  a  good  sailor,  it  is  pleasant  to  re- 
main on  deck  from  thence  to  Jersey. 

On  approaching  the  island,  the  iirst  object  which  becomes 
distinct  in  the  lessening  distance  is  a  prominent  rock  at  the 
south-west  corner,  showing  in  its  outline  an  unmistakeable  like- 
ness to  Louis  Philippe,  but  it  is  less  distinct  now  than  it  was 
twenty  year's  ago,  and  perhaps  the  work  of  many  years  may  do 
away  with  it,  as  with  French  ways  and  manners  of  hia  bygone 
time.  If  the  day  be  bright,  wiih  the  sun  shining,  the  various 
tints  of  the  vast  masses  of  rock  forming  Jersey  strike  the 
visitor  as  very  be-intiful.  The  grey  and  red  granite,  the  warm 
colour  of  the  common  rock,  the  patches  of  white  sand  in  bays 
and  inlets  the  mixture  of  faded  pink  and  bright  brown  of  the 
heather  upon  the  heights  and  slopes,  and  the  luxuriant  vegeta- 
tion down  to  the  very  water's  edge,  make  a  variety  in  tho 
landscape  most  pleasing  to  the  eye  as  the  boat  steams  round, 
until  it  crosses  St.  Aubin's  Bay,  a  really  splendid  half-circle  of 
silvery  sand,  surrounded  by  luxuriant  heights,  with  handsome 
villa  residences,  prettily  wooded  slopes,  and  in  the  distance 
verdant  hills.  There  are  few  days  in  this  pleasant  climate 
during  a  portion  of  which  the  landscape  does  not  show  a  bright 
and  smiling  face. 

At  ihe  extremity  of  this  fine  bay  lies  St.  Heliers,  a  large, 
crowded  town,  smoky,  straggling,  and  surrounded  by  high 
ground.  Here  we  enter  the  harbour,  which  is  large,  handsome, 
and  convenient  at  high  water,  but  much  less  useful  when  the 
tide  is  out,  for  then  passengers  have  to  land  in  boats.  The 
landing  places  are  about  as  damp  and  slippery,  crowded  and 
bustling,  well-managed  in  some  respects  and  badly  in  others,  as 
most  places  of  the  kiud.  The  passengers  have,  however, 
scarcely  landed  when  they  begin  to  realise  the  pleasantness  of 
a  dehghtful  climate  ;  half  an  hour  after  the  rain  has  ceased 
the  streets  and  roads  in  all  but  the  deep  valleys  are  dry 
enough  to  make  walking  agreeable,  and  it  is  unusual  if  the 
sun  do  not  peep  out  to  welcome  the  new  comers,  lighting  up 
the  rugged  heights,  picking  out  the  tints  of  the  rock  in  bright 
distinctness,  and  shedding  a  genial  warmth,  which  fully  com- 
pensates the  generally  shght  discomforts  of  the  journey. 

The  civility,  too,  of  the  cabmen,  and  all  people  of  that  kind 
strikes  the  visitor,  especially  the  nervous  invalid,  as  very  re- 
assuring ;  overcharging  and  impertinence  are  quite  unusual. 
The  hotels  are  good  upon  the  whole  and  moderate  in  their 
charges  ;  those  about  the  pier  and  the  Boyal  Square  are  much 
frequented  by  commercial  visitors.  The  British  Bree's  board- 
ing house,  aud  a  great  novelty,  the  Imperial  Hotel,  are  much 
used  by  families.  At  the  I'omme  d'Or  the  appointments 
follow  the  French  fashion,  and  it  is  said  the  terms  are  very 
moderate. 

The  luxuriance  of  the  vegetation,  the  productiveness  of  the 
gardens,  the  verdure  of  the  little  fields,  and  the  manner  in  which 
every  scrap  of  laud  is  economised,  are  no  less  wonderful  than 
interesting  to  those  who  have  been  accustomed  to  England's 
broad  acres,  her  highly  cultivated  but  often  disappointing 
gardens,  and  lavish  expenditure  of  land  and  capital.  In  a 
chmate  and  on  a  soil  where  all  choice  things  might  be  grown 
in  luxuriant  profusion  Pears  receive,  to  my  idea,  too  exclusive 
attention.  Jersey  Pears,  as  all  know,  are  good,  and  the  cul- 
ture of  them  is  very  profitable,  but  it  seems  to  me  quite  a 
mistake  to  grow  them  to  the  exqlusion  of  most  other  choice 
garden  crops.  They  are,  however,  the  product  of  the  place, 
and  as  such  deserve  and  must  have  a  special  notice. 

Vegetables  in  Jersey  are  not  so  cheap  and  abundant  as  they 


ought  to  be  where  so  favoured  with  a  light  productive  soil,  the 
absence  of  injurious  frosts  in  winter,  the  genial  mcist  air,  and 
general  slope  of  the  island  towards  the  south.  In  spring  the 
markets  are  badly  supplied  with  choice  vegetables.  Asparagus 
is  fine  and  large,  but  very  dear,  and  r.f  that  handsome  large 
white  sort  which  so  splendidly  fills  a  dish,  but  aSoiis  Uttle  of 
the  delicious  succulent  portion  which  most  amateurs  who  grow 
their  own  Asparagus  so  much  deUgbt  in.  The  fat  seaweed  ever 
within  reach,  the  grey  sand,  rich  with  mud,  to  be  had  for  little 
beyond  the  carting  (ivhich,  by-the-by,  is  lalher  dear  in  Jersey 
compared  with  other  remote  places),  and  the  rich  friable  earth 
which  forms  most  gardens  here,  offer  great  f  icilities  for  making 
good,  productive  Asparagus  beds,  only  needing  the  addition 
of  stable  manure  ;  yet  in  the  gardens  of  all  the  three  houses 
which  we  hf.ve  occupied,  we  have  had  to  make  Asparagus  beds, 
never  having  fjucd  a  vestige  of  one  in  at;y  of  them.  In  seek- 
ing for  a  home  for  tho  last  tin  or  twenty  years,  or  so,  on  and 
oil',  we  have  locked  at  so  many  houses  that  it  has  become  a. 
byword  in  the  family  to  indicate  iudeSnile  locality  by  "  the 
house  we  looked  at,"  and  v.o  have  r.lwr.ys  made  a  large  garden 
a  desideratum,  yet  I  can  scarcely  recollect  finding  good  Aspa- 
ragus beds  in  any.  Cauliflowers  and  Broccoli,  on  the  other 
hand,  &ie  escelleut  aud  abundant,  cheaper  and  much  better 
than  in  London.  In  the  height  of  the  season  I  have  known 
nice  head,"!,  from  4  to  G  inches  across,  sold  seven  or  even  nine 
for  Gd.  This  was  au  extreme  chance,  such  are  often  sold 
three  or  four  for  Gd.,  aud  fine  large  ones  about  Gd.  each; 
they  are  grown  in  both  fields  and  gardens,  manured  abun- 
dantly with  seaweed,  also  with  farm  and  stable  manure.  Great 
quantities  are  shipped  for  England. 

Tho  celebrated  Jersey  Kale,  sometimes  called  the  Jersey 
Cabbage,  makes  itself  conspicuous  in  all  country  rides.  It  is 
not  grown  as  some  one  facetiously  stated  to  pack  the  butter  ;  for 
that  purpose  leaves  of  Cabbages  of  more  delicate  growth  are 
used,  but  to  feed  the  cattle.  Its  tall,  slcut  stems  and  rampant 
growth  of  large  luxuriant  leaves  make  it  a  ruinously  exhaustive 
crop  for  gardens  ;  it  is  often  grown  in  orchards,  and  there  I 
suppose  the  earth  is  abundantly  manured  for  it,  or  I  should 
much  doubt  the  economy  of  giving  it  room.  Upwards  of  thirty 
years  ago  .something  curious  of  the  Cabbage  tribe  was  intro- 
duced, I  think  by  old  William  Co'obett,  by  means  of  some 
London  seedsmen.  It  was  called  the  Caisarean  Cow  Cab- 
bage, aud  seed  packets  containing  about  twenty  seeds  v^ere 
sold  at  1?.  each,  its  merits  being  vaunted  ai  something 
wonderful  for  cattle-feeding.  These  packets  contained  seed  of 
the  Jersey  Eale,  Cajiarea  being  the"  island's  aiicieiit  nauis. 
Many  jokes  were  made  on  the  possibility  of  growing  it  in  city 
gardens,  aud  letting  the  cow  upon  the  housetop  browse  upon  it; 
and  I  believe  a  good  many  packets  of  the  seed  were  sold  at  the 
price  set  on  them,  but  the  Kale  never  made  its  way  in  England. 
The  leaves  are  stnpped  off  for  fodder,  I  believe  they  come  in 
usefully  as  green  food,  but  I  doubt  if  thsy  compensate  for  what 
they  abstract  from  the  land.  Excellent  Cabbages  are.  however, 
grown  in  Jersey  ;  the  favourite  kinds  are  Nantais,  Imperials, 
and  Nonpareils ;  they  command  good  prices  in  tho  market, 
varying  in  common  seasons  from  Id.  to  ud.  each.  Brussels 
Sprouts  do  not  receive  fair  play  in  Jersey.  I  suppose  from  the 
time  they  occupy  the  ground,  space  is  grudged  them,  for  they 
are  never  brought  to  market  and  sold  by  measure  as  in 
England,  but  a  stem  is  dragged  up,  with  all  its  little  Sprouts 
about  it,  aud  sold  at  a  high  price. 

Sea-kale,  again,  is  little  grown,  although  the  fat  sand  and 
the  seaweed  manure,  and  the  lig'nt  earth  to  grow  it  in,  offer 
the  very  best  facilities  for  bringing  it  to  full  perfection.  I  have 
never  had  any  iu  England  so  fine  as  I  have  cut  here,  one  hea 
weighed  three-quarters  of  a  pound — not  lanky  and  over-grown, 
but  short,  thick,  young,  succulent  and  tender.  Yet  this  de- 
licious vegetable  is  brought  from  the  West  of  England  to  the 
Jersey  market,  and  sold  at  London  pri.'es. 

Boot  crops  are  abundant,  good,  and  moderate  in  price. 
Lettuces  of  all  the  Cabbage  kinds  are  fine  and  tolerably  mode- 
rate in  price,  but  good  Cos  Lettuce  are  seldom  seen.  Badishes, 
Cress,  and  similar  crops  occupying  the  ground  for  but  a  short 
time,  are  cheap. — E.  W.,  Jcney. 


VIOLA  CORNUTA  AS  A  BEDDER. 

Tuis  has  been  a  trying  year  for  the  Violas,  and  some  people 
appear  inclined  to  give  them  up,  while  others  write  favourably 
of  their  continuance. 

For  my  part  I  have  found  them  succeed  remarkably  well,  not 


November  10, 181.8. 1  JODilNAL   OP  HOBTICOLTUBB  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


385 


haying  lost  twenty  plants  out  of  a  thousaml,  and  tbey  nsver 
were  watered  except  at  planting  in  spring.  Previous  to  pluut- 
ing  a  quantity  of  wcll-maJe  manure,  charred  enrtb,  and  soot, 
was  dag  in.  These  plaula  have  nucceeded  well,  flowering  more 
continuously  than  any  other  plant.  Shortly  after  the  IJrat 
display  of  flowers,  they  ran  ri'.piilly  to  seed  owing  to  the  great 
drought.  I  clipped  the  Viola  cornuta  over  with  sheep  shears, 
cutting  off  both  seed-pods  and  ilower3  ;  the  plants  loolsed  for 
soma  time  rather  bare,  but  Iho  ariaugement  adopted,  repre- 
sented in  the  accompanjing  illuati-ation  of  a  C-feet  border,  in 
a  great  measure  prevented  that  defect  being  apparent. 


f\  /  \  /  ^^ 


1.  Back  row.  Aceratum,  lavender-colonrcfl. 

a.  Vandyltes  of  Cnlceolavia  Yellow  Gem  (Downie  &  Laird's). 

3.  Vandykes  of  tTuzauia  splendens. 

4.  Vandykes  of  Viola  cornuta. 

I  have  a  bed  or  two  in  the  flower  garden  planted  wbolly 
with  Viola  cornuta,  but  dotted  with  plants  of  Cloth  of  Gold 
Pelargcninm,  and  anotb^r  bed  with  Mrs.  Pollock.  The  Viola 
cornuta  in  the.=e  bed.^  I  treated  in  the  same  way  as  above 
stated,  clipping  it  over,  and  they  have  been  the  gayest  beds 
in  the  garden,  and  continued  in  perfect  beauty  up  to  the  middle 
of  October. 

The  vandyked  border  planted  with  Calceolarias,  Gazanias, 
and  Viola  cornuta,  is  now  (October  Slst),  still  looking  gay  not- 
withstanding the  frosts  wo  have  already  had. 

As  a  contrast  I  bad  a  small  circular-bed  or  two  on  grass  ia 
the  flower  garden  planted  with  Viola  lutea.  This  has  done  ad- 
mirably, flowering  continucusly  throughout  the  past  hot  sum- 
mer. The  treatment  was  the  tame  as  for  the  Viola  cornuta ; 
after  the  drought  the  extended  branches  were  cut-in  a  little 
here  and  there,  and  the  seed-pods  taken  rS,  Since  then,  up 
to  the  present  time,  they  have  flowered  coruinuoviUy. — Wir. 
Melville. 


NOTES   AND   GLEANINGS. 

It  will  be  seen  by  our  ad^eriising  columns  that  Mr.  J.  C. 
Stevens  will  sell  by  auction,  on  the  lOili  of  December,  the 
splendid  New  Goldun  Coleoses  raised  in  the  garden  of  the 
Royal  Eorticnltural  Society  at  Chiswiok.  These  are  of  a  class 
entirely  different  from  those  raited  by  the  Society  last  year, 
and  are,  perhaps,  the  most  lovely  novelties  in  foliage  at  present 
existing.  Some  of  the  leaves  ara  bright  carmine,  with  beads 
of  gold  for  an  edging,  while  others  uro  golden,  with  crimson 
shading  and  sanguine  blotches  ;  some  are  entirely  golden,  with 
dark  red  veins,  and  altogether  they  avo  so  novel  and  so  beautiful 
as  to  insure  for  them  a  wide  range  of  popularity. 

We  regret  to  record  the  death,  on  the  lOlb  inst.,  of  Mr. 

Pbestoe,  the  able  gardener  at  Victoria  Park.  He  had  been  a 
short  time  from  home,  and  on  hi.:'  return  wcs  attacked  by 
typhus  fever,  which  carried  him  off  in  a  few  days  at  the  f-ariy 
age  of  thirty-five.  He  has  left  a  wife  and  several  children, 
and,  we  understand,  quite  unprovided  for. 


WORK  FOR  THE  VvEEK. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

Cape  Broccoli  and  Caulijlou-ers,  if  there  are  any  more  of  these, 
though  only  3  or  4  inches  round,  turn  them  into  a  cold  pit, 
placing  the  roots  in  some  light  rich  soil.  They  will  swell- ofi 
and  come  in  very  useful  ia  the  dead  of  winter,  and  some  straw 
or  other  additional  covering  can  always  be  thrown  over  them 
in  severe  weather.  Garlic  and  Slialluts,  it  is  generally  found 
that  these  thrive  best  when  planted  about  this  seBsoa.  The 
ground  should  be  well  trenched,  and  a  place  chosen  where  none 
of  the  Onion  tiibe  has  been  grown  for  some  time.  Many 
failures  arise  from  planting  them  too  deeply.  They  should 
mciely  be  fixed  on  the  surface  and  then  sprinkled  over  with  a 
mixture  of  soot,  lime,  and  ashes.  The  smaller  variety  of 
Shallot  is  most  prized  by  cooks  generally  ;  the  large  sort  is  more 
easily  grown,  and  produces  more  abundantly,  but  the  flavour 


is  by  many  considered  not  sufficiently  strong,  i'-'as,  make  a 
sowing  of  theflB  and  IJ;oad  B,?an3.  Tho3e  sown  now  will  be 
usefulit  the  weather  should  bo  favourable,  and  though  they  be 
cut  down  by  frost  it  will  be  only  tho  loss  of  tho  seed.  Sow 
upon  wide  ridge?,  so  that  tho  young  plants  may  bo  defended 
from  east  and  north  winds.  Cover  tho  seeds  with  chopped 
furzo,  barley  chaff,  or  sharp  sand,  as  a  protection  from  mice. 

FEUIT    GARDEN. 

Proceed  with  pruning  and  nailing  in  all  favourable  weather, 
for  if  deferred  until  spring  tho  work  will  be  apt  to  interfere 
with  other  matters  then  demanding  attention.  If  tho  treea 
■were  suitably  attended  to  in  the  summer,  there  will  not  be 
many  useless  shoots  to  be  removed  now.  Vines  and  Rasp- 
berries deprived  previously  of  all  unnecessary  wood,  had  better 
have  the  shoots  remaining  left  unshortened  until  the  rigour  of 
the  winler  shall  have  passed.  Apples  and  Pears  against  walla 
should  have  their  fruit-bearing  wood  spurs  kept  as  close  to  the 
wall  as  possible,  not  only  to  secure  the  beueQt  of  the  wall,  and 
prevent  the  unsightliuess  of  long,  overgrown  spurs,  but  also 
to  obtain  fruit  of  good  .=ize  and  flavour.  Attention  to  the 
short  spurs  produced  on  good,  healthy  trees  when  growing  na- 
turally as  standards,  will  furnish  a  useful  lesson  on  this  sirbject. 
In  the  case  of  some  of  our  best  sorts  of  Pears,  which  have  a 
tendency  to  form  bold  blossom-buds  at  tho  ends  of  short  shoots 
of  the  present  year's  growth,  care  should  be  taken  to  retain  a 
Bufiicient  number  of  them,  and,  if  long  enough,  to  fasten  them 
closely  to  the  wall.  Plum  trees  may  bo  pruned  much  the  same 
as  Pear  trees,  but  as  the  best  fruit  is  generally  produced  on 
wood  of  two  or  three  years'  growth,  care  should  be  taken  to  lay 
in  a  little  young  wood  every  season.  Those  not  much  accus- 
tomed to  liailing  are  apt  either  to  use  shreds  too  short,  or  too 
many  of  them.  Trees,  especially  young  ones,  are  often  irre- 
parably ruined  bv  the  former,  and  made  to  resemble  rag  shopB 
by  the  latter.  Comparatively  few  shreds  will  be  necessary,  if 
placed  alternately,  with  a  slight  strain,  upon  the  upper  and 
lower  sides  of  tho  shoot,  and  if  the  stronger  ends  are  fastened 
with  willows  or  ropeyarn.  However  pretty  it  may  be  to  see  trees 
beautifully  trained,  the  eli'scting  that  object  by  driving  in  nails 
close  to  the  branch,  or  putting  a  strain  upon  it,  endangermg 
the  bark,  ought  not  to  be  allowed.  Unfasten  tho  young  shoots 
of  Peach,  Nectarine,  and  Apricot  trees,  so  far  from  the  wall 
that  they  will  incur  no  risk  of  being  broken  by  boisterous  winds, 
in  Older  that  the  part  previonsly  reposing  against  the  wall  may 
be  duly  ripened  before  it  ia  exposed  to  severe  frost,  and  that 
active  veeetation  may  be  retarded  to  a  later  period  in  the 
spring.  Where  thin  tiles  have  been  placed  on  part  of  the  border 
next  the  wall  for  the  radiating  of  heat,  and  keeping  the  border 
moist,  they  may  be  removed,  to  prevent  them  from  being 
broken  by  frost,  or  the  performance  cf  the  necessary  operations, 
and  if  not  considered  too  valuable,  and  if  the  draining  is  very 
defective,  they  might  be  bedded  in  clay,  to  throw  tho  water  off 
the  border.  In  extrtirje  cases,  advantuga  riiight  be  taken  of 
concreting  the  bortltr.  For  these  who  are  desirous  of  forming 
new  plantations  of  Gooseberries  andCuirants,  which- should  be 
dene  every  six  cr  seven  years,  young  plants  being  found  to  pro- 
duce more  handsoma  fruit,  Ki:d  more  plentifully  than  old  ones, 
we  would  recommend  from  among  the  many  varieties  now  cnl- 
tiva'cd  the  folk-wiag— viz..  Yellow  Sulphur,  good,  and  very 
earlv,  but  does  not  last  Icna  ;  Red  Champagne,  Taylor's  Bnght 
Venus,  Pi Imaston  Green  Gage,  lied  Warrington,  Woodward's 
Whitesmith,  Melling's  Crown  Bob,  Farrow's  Roaring  Lion; 
and,  for  preserving,  the  Small  Rough  Red.  Of  Currants,  the 
Black  Naples,  Red  and  While  Dutch,  and  Knight's  large  Red. 
In  light  soils  the  above  may  now  be  pla'nted  with  greater  ad- 
vant.ge  than  in  spring.  In  preparing  the  ground,  let  it  be 
trenched  to  the  depth  of  about  2  f^iet,  thoroughly  mixing  with 
the  surface  spit  a  literal  allowance  of  manure.  About  5  feet 
may  be  considered  a  proper  distance  between  the  plants.  Prun- 
ing Gooseberries  and  Currants  may  now  also  be  proceeded 
with.  Let  the  centres  of  the  bushes  be  kept  free  and  open, 
cutting  clean  off  any  strong  shoots  that  rise  from  that  part. 
Cut  out  all  branches  that  cross  each  other,  leaving  the  leading 
shoots  about  10  inches  apart,  and  topping  at  a  bud  inclining  to 
the  open  space.  All  lateral  twigs  not  required  to  form  branches 
should  be  spurred-in  to  a  few  buds.  Black  Currants  require  no 
pruning,  except  thinning  out  the  branches  a  little  when  the 
bushes  have  become  large  and  thick  of  wood. 

fiREENHOUSE    A:>'D    CONSERVATOBV. 

If  the  plants  are  all  clean,  the  work  in  the  greenhouse  is 

mere  routine.  See  that  Cape  bulbs,  as  we  call  the  Iridacea;,  are 

i  now  well  supplied  with  water,  if  their  pots  are  full  of  roots. 


386 


JOUENAL   OF   HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  November  19, 1868. 


The  shoots  of  the  difierent  winter-growing  Tropteolums  will 
also  require  attention  to  training,  otherwise  they  are  very  liable 
to  become  confused,  if  not  broken  altogether.  Tropaeolum  pen- 
taphyllum  is  hardy  enough  to  stand  outside  without  any  pro- 
tection. As  soon  as  the  Chrysanthemums  begin  to  fade  cut 
them  down,  and  protect  the  stools  from  frost.  It  is  now  time 
to  prune  all  the  young  shoots  of  Mandevilla  suaveolens,  and 
you  may  strip  off  the  remaining  leaves,  but  the  long  slender 
branches  had  better  be  left  on  until  spring.  If  it  is  closely 
pruned  now,  it  may  begin  to  grow  too  soon  for  any  useful  pur- 
pose, and  stopping  the  young  shoots  does  not  answer  well. 
Ipomfea  Learii  and  ficifolia,  should  be  pruned  in  the  same 
way  as  soon  as  the  leaves  begin  to  turn  yellow ;  the  latter 
cannot  be  made  to  flower  before  the  end  of  September  when 
planted  out  in  the  border,  therefore  April  is  time  enough  to 
give  the  final  pruning.  The  former,  on  the  other  hand,  will 
flower  by  the  middle  or  end  of  May,  if  closely  pruned  now ; 
when  pruned  in  February  it  flowers  about  midsummer,  and  if 
cut  in  April,  about  a  month  later.  Both  these  useful  climbers 
sncoeed  better  in  a  large  conservatory  with  a  fixed  roof,  than  in 
a  stove  or  intermediate  house.  Passion-flowers,  imless  they 
are  much  crowded,  need  not  be  pruned  or  thinned  till  January. 
Few  climbers  repay  one's  care  better  than  Passion-flowers,  but 
they  are  often  left  so  crowded  as  to  completely  destroy  their 
native  gracefulness. 

riTS. 
This  has  been  a  dull,  unfavourable  month  for  forcing  plants, 
and  many  things  will  be  later  than  they  were  last  season  ;  but 
to  make  up  for  this,  hardy  plants,  such  as  Lilacs  and  Rhodo- 
dendrons, are  in  better  bud  than  usual.  We  have  had  no  nse 
for  strong  fires  yet,  and  in  this  cloudy  weather  much  less 
watering  and  syringing  are  necessary.  It  is  a  dangerous  prac- 
tice to  force  hard  till  after  the  end  of  December.  65°  with 
fireheat  is  high  enough  for  any  useful  purpose  until  that  time. 
— \f.  Keane. 

DOINGS  OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

In  many  respects,  in  planting,  cleaning,  washing,  glazing, 
potting,  gathering  leaves,  &c.,  the  work  has  been  chiefly  a  con- 
tinuation of  that  of  previous  weeks.  Other  matters  that  have 
come  under  our  consideration  we  will  briefly  allude  to,  without 
much  arrangement,  under  different  departments. 

^iilili>i'J  ill  Winter. — This  is  chiefly  useful  in  dressed  grounds, 
and  in  very  shallow  soils,  where  it  would  be  of  little  use  going 
deeper  than  the  good  staple ;  but  in  all  gardens  v.-here  some- 
thing is  generally  added  in  the  way  of  manure,  rotten  weeds 
from  the  rubbish-heap,  or  charred  material,  the  staple,  however 
thin,  will  always  become  deeper,  more  especially  if  the  bottom, 
however  hard  or  unkind,  be  loosened  every  year,  and  at  times  a 
very  little  of  it,  whether  of  strong  gravel  or  stiff  clay,  incor- 
porated with  the  thin  but  more  fertile  surface  soil.  Bringing 
much  of  the  subsoil  up  under  such  circumstances  is  a  great 
mistake,  but  a  sprinkling  often  does  good,  and  loosening  and 
leaving  it,  never  fails  to  do  so,  as,  ere  long,  the  loosened  sub- 
soil will  become  like  the  good  soil  above  it. 

Trenching. — There  are  some  gardens  where  this  can  be  done 
to  a  depth  of  three  spades,  without  encroaching  more  on  the  sub- 
soil than  just  loosening  and  leaving  it,  and  where  such  a  practice 
can  be  followed,  there  will  never  be  surplus  or  standing  water, 
as  the  hard  pan  will  be  sufficiently  broken.  The  soil  of  most 
gardens,  except  when  made  artificially,  will  not  r.dmit  of  trench- 
ing more  than  two  spits  deep,  and  loosening  the  bottom.  The 
trenching  can  be  more  varied  according  to  the  depth  of  the 
soil,  but  the  chief  use  of  the  operation  in  gardens,  is  to  furnish 
to  the  young  plants  of  a  fresh  crop,  fresh  soil  in  which  to  grow. 
All  soils  are  ameliorated  by  exposure  to  the  atmosphere,  but  in 
many  cases,  too,  a  soil  that  has  become  comparatively  inert, 
from  the  surface  being  hard-cropped,  will  be  greatly  improved 
by  a  comparative  rest  at  the  bottom  of  the  trench  for  a  year  or 
two.  In  trenching,  as  already  alluded  to,  though  moved,  hut 
little  of  the  subsoil  should  be  raised,  and  what  is  raised  this 
year  to  mix  with  the  other  soil,  would  be  all  the  better  if  well 
stirred  in  the  bottom  of  the  trench  a  year  or  two  before. 

In  old-established  gardens,  the  merely  moving  the  top  spit 
to  the  bottom,  and  bringing  the  lower  xjortion  of  the  soil  up, 
will  be  all  that  is  required,  as  a  change  of  the  layers  of  soil, 
and  giving  more  depth  for  the  roots,  are  the  chief  objects ; 
but  in  trenching  for  the  first  time,  and  for  particular  purposes, 
it  is  often  best  to  beep  a  good  opening,  and  mix  the  various 
strata  as  the  work  proceeds.  We  are  just  doing  away  with  a 
group  of  Rose  beds,  and  forming  another,  and  as,  fortunately, 


the  position  chosen  is  all  turf,  part  unbroken  for  at  least  a 
score  of  years,  and  covering  thus  a  virgin  loam,  and  part  which 
had  been  under  cultivation  only  a  few  years  ago,  the  mixing  of 
the  different  soils  will  be  all  the  better  for  the  Roses,  and  they 
will  grow  more  equally  in  strength,  than  if  the  different  soils 
had  been  kept  quite  distinct.  We  intended  to  go  down,  whera 
the  beds  were  marked  out,  nearly  2  feet,  and  remove  clay  if 
necessary,  but  we  dug  to  that  depth,  and  loosened  the  bottom 
without  meeting  the  clay.  Knowing  that  the  layer  of  clay  was 
there  above  the  chalk,  we  would  have  had  some  of  it  up,  if  our 
soil  had  been  loose  and  sandy ;  but  it  is  sulficiently  loamy, 
without  any  admixture  of  clay. 

When  the  object  of  trenching  is  chiefly  to  change  the  surface 
in  loose  sandy  soils  there  is  little  necessity  tor  breaking  up  the 
soil  much  when  trenching,  as  the  air  will  penetrate  sulficienfly 
without  much  pulverisation,  and  a  flat  surface,  even  if  it  be- 
comes a  little  firm,  will  be  as  good  as  a  looser  one;  but  in 
trenching  a  stiff  tenacious  soil,  the  more  broken  and  the  looser 
and  opener  it  is  left  the  more  will  it  be  benefited  by  the  frosty 
air  of  winter.  In  fact,  in  all  such  soils,  unless  when  to  be  used 
at  once  for  planting,  &c.,  the  trenching  to  change  the  surface  soil 
should  be  turned  into  ridijiny-up,  and  as  roughly  and  openly  as 
possible,  that  the  frost  and  the  cold  air  may  alike  act  in  break- 
ing and  pulverising  the  soil.  We  have  no  doubt,  though  this  is 
the  best  for  loamy  tenacious  soils,  that  rough  digging  or  flat- 
surface  trenching  are  better  for  light  lands,  simply  because  they 
often  need  compression  as  much  as  stiff  soils  need  lightening. 

Such  trifles  may  appear  of  little  value  to  some  of  our  greatly 
advanced  cultivators,  but  we  have  seen  lands  not  only  subsoiled, 
but  the  suhsoU  raised  and  mixed  with  the  staple  to  such  an 
extent,  that  the  field  required  years  before  it  returned  to  the 
same  fertile  condition  as  it  exhibited  before  the  additional 
expense  was  incurred  ;  and  twice  or  thrice  we  have  known 
ground  deeply  trenched  in  which  nothing  could  be  made  to 
thrive  until  the  barren  subsoil  was  moved  back  to  its  original 
position,  and  the  good  soil,  well  rested,  brought  back  to  day- 
light again.  Then  the  deep  stirring  did  tell  advantageously, 
hut  at  what  a  loss  of  labour  and  time !  The  deep  stirring, 
without  bringing  the  barren  subsoil  to  the  surface,  we  always 
imagine — though  it  may  merely  be  imagination — renders  crops 
more  independent  of  the  seasons  ;  for  in  a  wet  year  the  rains 
pass  away  more  freely,  and  in  a  dry  year  the  roots  have  more 
free  access  to  the  moisture  stored  up  beneath  them.  When- 
ever practicable,  chalk,  lime,  and  sandy  soil  will  ameliorate 
tenacious  land,  and  stiff  clayey  loam  will  help  to  make  light 
chalky  and  sandy  soils  more  retentive  of  moisture.  Lime  in 
its  quick  state  is  most  serviceable  when  there  is  plenty,  or 
rather  an  excess,  of  organic  material,  vegetable  or  animal: 
hence  the  wondrous  effects  it  often  produces  on  peaty  soils, 
rendering  what  was  astringent  and  insoluble,  soluble  and  sweet 
to  the  roots  of  plants.  In  very  poor  soils  we  would  not  use 
lime,  except  for  the  effects  it  would  produce  as  a  mere  me- 
chanical agent. 

In  all  trenching  by  piecework  it  matters  less,  as  stated  above, 
how  light  lands  are  turned  over  ;  but  it  should  be  seen  that  in 
stiff  lands  the  surface  spit  is  not  undermined  and  turned  over 
in  large  unbroken  pieces,  for  in  such  soil  one  of  the  uses  of 
trenching  is  thus  neutralised. 

Ndiinre. — As  a  general  rule,  when  the  manure  of  animals  is 
applied  for  vegetable  culture,  it  is  best  to  have  the  manure 
covered  up  at  once,  and  at  such  a  depth  as  the  young  roots 
will  be  most  benefited  by  it.  In  long-standing  crops,  as  As- 
paragus, Globe  Artichokes,  Sea-kale,  &c.,  it  is  well  to  mix  some 
manure  in  the  process  of  trenching  and  mixing  the  soil,  and 
then  add  a  little  more  on  the  surface  when  digging,  preparatory 
to  planting.  For  all  deep  tuberous  roots,  as  Carrots,  Parsnips, 
Beet,  Salsafy,  &c.,  the  best  plan  is  to  have  the  bulk  of  the 
manure  in  the  lower  strata,  or  near  the  bottom  of  the  trench, 
and  the  poorer  and  to  some  extent  firmer  the  top  strata  are, 
the  finer  and  straighter  will  be  the  roots.  Hence,  often  the 
dilEculty  of  finding  in  old  kitchen  gardens  soil  fresh  and  poor 
enough  for  Carrots.  When  well  stored  with  humus,  or  the 
remuTns  of  organised  vegetable  matter,  to  a  good  depth,  the 
dressing  with  Ume  early  in  winter,  and  turning  several  times, 
will  he  attended  with  good  effects.  In  such  cases  we  have, 
taken  up  crops  in  stiff  soil,  with  the  particles  of  chalk  adhering 
to  the  fibres. 

In  preparing  for  fruit  trees,  by  trenching  or  otherwise,  unless 
the  soil  is  very  thin  and  poor,  we  would  keep  the  manure  near 
the  surface,  so  as  to  encourage  fruitfulness  rather  than  too 
much  growth,  by  keeping  the  roots  more  under  atmospheric 
influences.    .Where  quick  growth  of  fruit  or  forest  trees  is  the 


November  19,  1838.  ]  JOURNAL   OF  HORTIOOIiTDRE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


387 


object,  then  tlio  mnnure  may  be  well  mixed  with  the  soil.  On 
talking  over  this  matter  with  an  enthuBiastic  amateur  he  in- 
stanced, in  coutraveution  of  seme  of  these  statements,  that 
Bome  of  our  celebrated  fruit-tree  dealers  actually  had  trenches 
taken  out  and  liberally  dunged  for  their  fruit  trees  ;  and  if  the 
nurserymen  found  the  system  suited  them  so  well,  why  (-hould 
it  not  suit  him  ond  liis  purpose  equally  well  ?  And  so  it  would 
if  he  grow  trees  to  sell.  The  nurseryman  wants  a  good-looking 
saleable  article  in  as  little  time  as  possible,  and  people  will 
have  fine-lool;iug  young  wood,  even  if  not  the  most  thoroughly 
ripened.  If  the  purchaser  wish  to  have  a  large  fine  tree  as 
Boon  as  possible,  by  all  means  let  him  contiuuo  tho  high  and 
rather  deep  manuring  of  tho  tree-raiser  and  seller ;  hut  it  he 
want  the  tree  thus  purchased  to  fruit  as  soon  as  possible,  and 
in  rather  limited  room,  then  the  chief  manuring  should  be 
given  near  tho  surface. 

It  is  not  impossible  by  any  means  to  combine  both  objects. 
Thus,  we  purchase  a  email  tree  that  had  been  forced  to  grow 
luxuriantly  hy  rich  manuring ;  wo  wish  it  to  attain  a  certain 
size  as  soon  as  possible,  and  after  that  to  become  fruitful.  We 
then  imitate  the  treatment  of  the  fruit-tree  raiser,  and  then 
when  the  tree  is  large  enough  wo  either  root  piune,  or,  in  some 
cases,  carefully  raise  it  and  replant,  which  gives  such  a  check 
to  mere  growth,  that  surface  manuring  will  be  sufiicieut  for  a 
long  time  afterwards  to  maintain  tho  fertility  of  the  tree,  and 
just  enough  of  growth  to  keep  the  tree  healthy.  Once  obtain  a 
good  crop  from  such  trees,  and,  as  stated  lately,  there  will 
generally  be  little  necessity  for  root  pruning,  or,  indeed,  prun- 
ing of  any  kind,  for  a  full  crop  is  a  great  equaliser  of  strength. 
A  tree  thus  made  fruitful,  has  a  natural  tendency  to  continue 
so,  if  the  help  given  by  manure  is  applied  at  tho  surface. 
What  we  mean  by  "  equaliser  of  strength,"  is,  that  so  far  as 
productiveness  is  concerned,  roots  and  fruit-buds  are  brought 
more  into  harmony.  Excess  of  fertility  would  too  much  di- 
minish necessary  vigour  ;  but  this  can  be  helped  iu  two  ways, 
thinning  the  fruit,  and  surface  manuring. 

Condition  of  Manure  when  Applied. — This  has  been  passingly 
alluded  to.  In  much  of  the  manure  that  comes  to  the  garden, 
there  can  be  little  question  as  to  its  application.  Rotten  and 
half-rotten  hotbed  dung  is  always  ready  to  be  applied  in  any 
way,  and  so  are  the  droppings  of  all  kinds  of  animals,  as 
horses,  cows,  rabbits,  &c.,  which  can  often  be  procured  with 
but  little  litter  mixed  up  with  it,  from  the  metropolis  and  large 
towns.  This  may  be  used  at  once,  but  more  sparingly  in  pro- 
portion to  its  newness.  For  tender  things,  when  mixed  with 
the  soil,  as  for  pot  plants,  such  droppings  should  heat,  and  be 
spread  out  and  dried  before  using  them,  as  then  at  a  little  loss 
of  nourishing  matter  they  will  be  sweeter.  All  stable  and  cow- 
dung,  &c.,  that  comes  to  us  with  a  good  proportion  of  straw  or 
litter,  is  generally  the  better  of  undergoing  a  process  of  fer- 
mentation. Some  of  the  nutritive  gases  will  thus  be  lost,  but 
we  gain  in  compactness  for  carriage,  and  the  celerity  with 
which  such  manure  acts  on  the  plants  cultivated.  When  tho 
manure  is  intended  to  act  chiefly  as  a  mechanical  agent,  as 
in  stiff  laud,  we  would  not  let  the  fermentation  and  decom- 
position proceed  far  before  using  it,  and  would  place  it  in  the 
soil  as  soon  as  possible.  For  rank  feeders,  such  as  Turnips, 
we  would  have  the  heap  farther  decomposed,  so  as  to  be  moist, 
and  short,  and  would  turn  it  beneath  the  soil  ag  soon  as  pos- 
sible. We  often  see  huge  fields  covered  with  little  heaps 
for  days,  and  even  weeks,  before  the  dung  is  ploughed  in, 
and  such  manure,  good  it  may  be  at  first,  is  thus  by  a  pro- 
cess akin  to  haymaking,  rendered  little  better  for  the  purpose 
contemplated  than  so  much  dry  litter.  As  stated  above,  we 
are  well  aware  that  in  thus  decomposing  a  heap  of  manure, 
we  lose  valuable  proi^erties,  but  this  may  be  counteracted  by 
spreading  a  thin  layer  of  soil  over  the  heap  when  in  a  state  of 
fermentation.  It  is  very  easy  to  allow  such  a  heap  to  ferment 
too  long,  which  it  will  have  done  generally  when  it  can  be 
pitched  into  a  cart  with  a  spade  or  shovel,  instead  of  a  steel 
fork.  When  used  iu  a  fresh,  unfermented  state,  it  should  be 
placed  deeply  iu  the  soil,  and  though  such  manure  will  act 
slowly,  it  will  continue  longer  to  exercise  an  influence.  The 
question  of  carriage,  by  cart  or  barrow,  is  often  a  serious  one, 
and  so  far  as  that  is  concerned,  and  also  so  far  as  quick  results 
are  calculated  on,  it  is  well  to  use  littery  manure  partly  fer- 
mented and  decomposed.  Hotbeds  made  of  such  material, 
when  they  remain  fi-om  eight. to  ten  months,  are  generally  too  far 
reduced  to  cont.iin  all  their  best  properties  as  manure,  though 
very  useful  in  gardens  ;  hut  much  farmyard  manure  might  be 
used  as  temporary  hotbeds,  and  then  be  none  the  worse  for 
the  farm.— R.  F. 


TRADE  CATALOGUES    RECEIVED. 

James  Smith,  Darley  Dale  Nurseries,  near  Matlock,  Derby- 
shiro. — li'holesale  Catalnijae  of  Trees,  Shriibis.  tic. 

F.  &  A.  Dickson  &  Sons,  100,  Eastgate  Street,  and  Upton 
Nurseries,  Chester. — Catalogue  of  Forest  Trees,  Hardy  and 
Ornamental  Trees,  iC'c. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— Novr.MBEn  18. 

Onn  markfcl  boH  been  very  dull  during  tbo  prist  week,  and  prices  have 
ft  dowuward  tendency,  pinbiil)ly  nwiiur  to  tbe  excitement  of  tbo  oloctiona, 
tbe  wboleBiilo  tiiidu  beiiij,'  eirpiMMuIIy  ([niet.  Pears  aivi  good,  and  comprise 
Winter  Nelis,  Oluu  Morroau,  (.'liaumuiitel,  and  Beurr<-  Bosc. 


FKUIT. 


S.  d. 


Apples ?-i  flieve    1    (!to2 

Apricots doz.    0 

Cherries lb.    0 

Chebtnuts bnsli.  15 


Oarrants y_^  Bieve 

Black do. 


FlRS   . 


doz.    0 


Filberts lb. 

Cobs lb. 

CJooseljerriea  ..  qnart 
Grapes,  Hothouse,  .lb. 
Lemons 100 


Artichokes doz. 

Asparagus  100 

Beans,  Kidney  Jil  Bieve 

Beot,  Ited doz. 

Broccoli bundle 

Brne.  Sprouts  J-j  sieve 

Cabbage doz. 

Capsicums 100 

CaiTots bunch 

Cauliflower doz. 

Celery bundle 

Cucumbers each 

Endive doz. 

Fennel bunch 

Garlic  lb. 

Herbs  bnnch 

Horseradish  . ,  bundle 


Melons each 

Nectarines doz. 

Oranges 100 

Peaches doz. 

Pears  (dcBsert)  ..  doz. 

Pine  Apples lb. 

Plums y,  hieve 

Quinces doz. 

Raspbeniea lb. 


d.  8. 
Otofi 
0      0 


0  12 

0  0  9 

2  0  6 

4  0  7 

4  0  6 

0  9  1 

0  0  0 

Strawberries.,  per  lb.    0  0  0 

Walnuts bush.  10  0  16 

do per  100    1  0  2 


VEGETABLES. 


B.  d.     n.  d  ; 

a   otoG   0 

0       0     0 


4    0 
ft     0 


2  0 

0  0 

2  0 

0  0 

0  8 

0  0 

2  0 


2    0 
0     8 


Leeks hnncb 

Lettuce  ....  per  score 
Mnsbrooms ....  pottle 
Muatd.ft  Cress,  punnet 

Onions per  bushel 

Parsley per  eieve 

Parsnips doz. 

Peas per  quart 

Potatoes bushel 

Kidney  de. 

Radishes  doz.  bunches 

Rhubarb bundle 

Sea-kale basket 

Shallots lb. 

Spinach   busbel 

Tomatoes....  per  doz. 
Turnips bunch 


d.      B.(3 

4  too  6 

0      4  0 

0      3  0 

a     0  U 

7  0 

4  0 

1  0 
0 


6  0 

7  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.  All 
communication  a  should  therefore  be  addressed  soJehj  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  tCc,  171,  Fleet 
Street,  London,  E.C. 

We  also  request  that  correspondents  will  not  mix  up  on  the 
same  sheet  questions  relating  to  Gardening  and  those  on 
Poultry  and  Bee  subjects,  if  they  expect  to  get  them  an- 
swered promptly  and  conveniently,  but  write  them  on 
separate  communications.  Also  never  to  send  more  than 
two  or  three  questions  at  once. 

N.B. — Many  questions  must  remain  unanswered  until  next 
week. 

Stachys  lanata.— "  If  '  F.  J.'  wishes  to  have  a  utock  of  Stacbys  lanatt 
for  next  spring,  I  will  forward  him  a  few  scores  of  very  large  plants  tha, 
will  break  up  into  hundreds  for  spring  and  summer  gardening. — Nemo 
Potter's  Bar  Post  Office,  Herts." 

Roses  for  Exhibition  (J.  C.  Miiclcrosa,  Killarney). —-Yonr  qnestlons 
were  answered  October  i;i)tb,  page  32G.  Wc  conclude  you  mean  Medlars; 
we  never  heard  before  of  "  Medearrts." 

Roses  Budded  this  Year  (A  Lady,  Somersetshire). — "Do  not  move 
any  of  the  dormant  buds  now.  If  they  are  shooting,  or  threatening, 
perhaps  it  would  be  best  to  take  the  plants  up,  shake  out  the  soil,  and  put 
them  back  again.  Litter  or  straw,  placed  so  as  not  to  exclude  air,  will  be 
a  good  protection  to  the  buds.  The  Manetti  stock  should  not  be  cat 
back  in  spring  till  the  hnds  show  a  disposition  to  start.  Th«^  beginning 
of  March  is  the  usual  time.  Be  guided  by  the  weather.— W.  F.  Rad- 
CLTFFE."  (J.  R.). — "Tho  best  thing  to  do  with  your  Manetti  Rose 
buds  is  to  fasten  straw  over  them,  but  not  so  as  to  exclude  air. — W.  F; 
Radclyffe." 

Luminous  Insect  (Observer).— That  which  yoa  noticed  was  of  the 
species  we  named  in  our  last  number. 

Fhuit-gaeden  Arranging  (7".  T.). — We  do  not  think  your  ground  could 
be  better  arranged  for  a  fruit  garden  than  it  now  is,  tbe  walks  being  well 
disposed  for  aflurding  ready  access  to  every  part.  We  have  no  fault  to 
fijid,  only  we  should  have  liked  tho  walkd  better  had  they  been  wider,  for 
the  sake  of  appearance ;  but  in  so  small  a  tpace  we  consider  them  suffi- 
cient, and  as  they  exist  we  would  not  alter  them.  The  whole  of  the  trees 
which  you  do  not  consider  worth  saving  should  be  cleared  out,  and 
those  which  you  wish  to  retain  we  woold  take  up  and  lay  iu,  entirely 


3B8 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTDEE  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENEB.  [  November  19. 18C8. 


clearing  the  rtoudiI  of  oven'thing.  Ascertain  whether  water  does  or 
docs  not  exist  ii)  the  suliBoil,  and  it  it  does  the  Rround  must  be  properly 
drained  by  tile  drainB  21  feet  apart,  runninp;  lengthwise  of  the  garden. 
Tot  cno  drain  in  c.Tch  of  the  borders  nnniberod  1  and  X,  and  then  divide 
Uie  distance  belwoin  them,  so  as  to  have  one  in  the  centre  bed.  They 
shonld  not  be  less  than  3  feet,  nor  more  than  4  feet  deep,  and  mnst  have 
a  proper  fall  and  outlet.  The  whole  of  the  giound  should  be  trenched 
not  less  than  2u  ii-ches  deep,  but  better  to  the  depth  of  2  feet,  even  if 
some  of  the  clay  be  brouglit  to  the  surface.  The  surface  soil  shonld  be 
placed  at  the  bottom,  and  the  bottom  brought  to  the  top.  If  the  ground 
is  poor  a  good  dressing  of  manure  may  be  given,  and  worked  in  in  the 
trenching.  The  gi-onnd  will  then  be  fit  tor  planting.  No  1  wall,  or  the 
wall  of  No.  1  border,  wo  would  devote  to  Poach,  Nectarine,  Apricot,  Plum, 
and  Pear  trees,  the  last  on  the  Quince  stock,  all  for  vertical  cordons,  as 
you  wish  forth  it  mode,  though  we  should  prefer  them  obliijue  trained. 
As  they  are  to  be  ptanted  2  feet  apart,  vou  will  have  space  for  forty-one 
trees,  and  all  should  bo  maidens,  which  you  may  obtain  retail  at  a  mode- 
rate price.  We  cannot  name  anv  grower  in  particular,  but  the  principal 
DOrserymen  advertising  in  our  cohiinns  would  serve  vou  well.  Of  the 
forty-one  trees  wo  would  have  eighteen  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees— 
namely,  twelve  Peaches  and  six  Nectarines.  Of  Peaches  we  would  have 
three  Early  Yoik,  three  Grosse  Mignonne,  three  Bellegarde,  two  Barring- 
ton,  one  Late  Admirable ;  'of  Nectarines,  two  Elruge,  two  Rivera's  Orange, 
twoViolette  Hative;  of  Apricots  wo  would  have  three  Hem slierk,  three 
Kaishn,  two  Beaug.-;  Plums,  two  .July  Green  Gage,  two  Kirke's,  two 
Jefferson,  two  Coe's  Golden  Drop ;  Pears  on  the  Quince  stock,  one  Citron 
des  Carmes,  two  Marie  Louise  (should  be  double  workcdl,  two  Winter 
Nehs,  one  I'oreUe,  one  Glou  Morreau.  The  Pc-ich,  Nectarine,  and  Apricot 
trees  ought  to  be  planted  at  the  end  next  the  llower  garden,  commencing 
-with  the  Apricots,  so  as  to  have  them  together,  the  more  readily  to  protect 
the  blossom  and  young  fruit.  One  foot  from  tho  walk  on  border  No.  1, 
plant  Apples  on  the  English  Paradise  stock  at  G  feet  anart  for  lateral 
cordons  (for  kinds  see  page  SIO),  and  No.  4  border  we  would  plant  with 
Apples  for  vertical  cordons  2  feet  apart,  and  have  two  rows,  one  at  1  foot 
from  the  walk,  and  another  at  the  back.  Tho  lateral  cordons  may  be 
kitchen  Apples,  aud  the  vertical  cordons  dessert  kinds.  The  trees  on 
No.  4  should  not  reach  to  within  the  wall  of  No.  1  border  by  the  distance 
the  vertical  cordons  are  to  be  in  height,  which  in  your  case  should  not 


Ehododendrons  aptee  Fohcino  {West  of  Scotlavd).—Yoa  did  right  to 
keep  them  under  glass  until  the  growth  was  completed,  also  in  placing 
them  out  of  doors  afterwards,  the  pots  being  plunged  in  coal  anhea  in  an 
open  situation,  and  plentifully  supplied  with  water  in  dry  weiither.  In 
this  position  wo  would  leave  them  another  year,  top-dressing  the  pots 
with  cow  dung  in  llarch,  and  at  the  end  of  May  watering  well  in  dry 
weather.  Wo  think  your  plants  will  form  bloom  buds  pbntifully  next 
season.  They  do  not  generally  flower  tho  year  after  forciog.  You  are 
wrongly  advised  to  keep  them  under  glass  constantly  with  similar  treat- 
ment to  Azalea  indica,  though  if  you  have  a  cool,  airy,  light  house  and 
plenty  of  room,  thit  plan  answers  very  well,  and  is  desirable  for  some 
kinds,  hut  not  for  those  you  name. 

Laws  DisrionnFO  by  BErKo  Tra5ipi.ed  (E.  O.).— We  shonld  advise 
yoa  to  well  scratch  the  lawn  with  an  iron  rake  in  March,  and  then  spread 
over  it  some  ivell-rotted  manure  or  fine  rich  compost.  Early  in  April  give 
another  good  raking,  clearing  off  the  rough  of  the  manure  or  rich  com- 
post, and  sow  over  it  Festuca  durinscula,  4  lbs. ;  Fcstuca  tenuifolia, 
41bs. ;  Cynosurus  cristatus,  6  lbs.;  Poa  nemoralis,  2  lbs.;  Trifolium 
minus,  4  lbs. ;  Trifolium  repena,  4  lbs. ;  the  above  jn  mixture  for  one  acre 
of  lawn.  Roll  well  after  sowing,  which  should  be  done  when  the  ground 
is  diy,  but  with  an  early  prospect  of  rain,  end  do  not  mow  for  a  month,  or 
better  six  weeks,  then  mow  as  usual  and  keep  well  rolled.  Bonedusi  is 
the  most  durable  of  manures,  excellent  for  grass.  It  may  be  applied  In 
March,  before  the  first  raking  of  tho  lawn,  eli'i'.ributing  it  broadcast  over 
the  surface,  and  at  the  rate  of  12  lbs.  per  au  square  yards,  which  is  a 
moderate  dressing. 

Paraffin  Oil  on  Buds  of  Fruit  Trees  {A.  Q.). — We  have  seen  it 
applied  to  every  part  e.f  tho  trees  indiscriminately,  and  have  not  noticed 
any  injurious  eftect,  but  it  is  not  in  our  opinion  a  desirable  proceeding, 
especially  as  there  are  other  more  safe,  less  nauseous,  and  pleasanter 
substances  which  may  be  applied,  and  will  answer  the  purpose.  Clarke's 
Compound  will  destroy  the  scale,  and  every  part  may  be  coated  with  it 
without  danger  of  injury  to  the  'ouds  or  even  leaves.  Two  ounces  to  the 
gallon  will  kill  scale,  but  fnr  winter  dressings  we  should  use  it  at  the  rate 
ot_8  ozs.  to  tho  gallon.  However,  we  do  not  think  paraffin  oil  would 
injure  the  buds  any  more  than  the  woodif  applied  to  them,  as  it  ought  to  be, 
at  this  season.     If  the  application  be  deterred  until  the  buds  begin  to  swell. 


exceed  0  feet.    We  would  extend  the  lateral  cordons  all  round  the  garden     we  should  not  advise  it  nor  of  any  other  composition.    Now  is  the  time 

on  the  borders  No.  2  and  No.  S,  and  have  them  Apples,  but  they  will  do  "        ■    -  • 

little  good  in  No.  3  unless  the  trees  shading  it  are  cropped.  The  wall  of 
No.  2  border  we  would  devote  to  Pears  on  the  Quince  stock,  as  vertical 
cordons  2  feet  apart,  seventeen  trees:— four  Bergamut'.e  d'Espercn,  three 
Benrri-  Suporfln,  three  Louise  Bonne  of  .lerscv,  three  Prince  Albert,  two 
Baronno  de  Mello,  and  two  BouiTe  Diel.  No,  S  wall  will  only  suit  CuiTanta 
—Bed,  White,  and  Black.  The  best  sorls  are  the  Red  IJutch  and  tho 
Long-bur.ched  Bed,  which  is  a  litlle  latter,  and  Transparent  White— these 
should  be  planted  2  feet  apait— and  the  Black  Naples,  3  feet  apart.    You 


may  liaTe  the  Morello  Cherry  ou  tUeMnhaleb,  as  well  ns  the  Currauts,  on 
the  wall  ol  No.  3,  placing  the  trees  6  feet  arart,  aud  trainins  them  in  the 
Ian  form.  \\  e  now  come  to  the  centre  becJ.  and  this  we  would  plant  with 
a  line  of  Pears  on  the  Quince  stock.  Cherries  on  tho  Glahaleb.  and  Plnms 
as  pyramids,  all  4!  feet  apart,  and  3  feet  from  the  wall,  needing  twentv- 
eight  trees  for  thf;  sides  and  foiir  for  the  ends,  or  thiity-two  in  all.  Tho 
four  at  tho  ends  may  be  May  Duke.  Late  Duke,  andtwo  Flort-nco  Cherries. 
The  Pears  may  be  two  Doyenut-  d'Ete  nu  the  Pear  stock,  four  Fondantc 
d'Autonine.  four  Culmar  d'Ete.  four  Williams'  Bon  Chretien,  four  Beurre 
d'ArombcTp,  and  two  Zepherin  GrL^goire.  If  you  prefer  Apples  in  place 
of  I  ears,  tbey  succeed  admirably  as  pyramids  on  the  English  Par-idiee 
stock.  Of  riunis  you  may  have  two  Heine  t;iaudo  de  Bavay,  two  Kirke's, 
two  Guthrie's  Late  Green,  and  two  JofftrBon.  All  round  this  border, 
1  feet  S  inches  from  the  walk,  as  also  on  the  inside  1  feet  0  inches  from 
the  trees,  you  may  have  a  row  of  Strawberries,  and  the  sp.^ce  between 
the  Strawberries  or  the  ryramids  you  may  dispose  of  by  having  a  rail  up 
the  centre  for  Raspberries,  Red  Autwei-p  or  Fastolff,  and  have  a  row  of 
GooBebeiries  on  each  side,  but  you  must  in  the  c.ise  of  two  rows  of 
Gooseberries  omit  in  a  year  or  two  the  two  inner  rows  of  Strawbeniea. 
Perhaps  it  would  bo  as  well  only  to  have  Raspberries  one-third  the  length 
of  the  ceiitral  border,  two  rows,  and  have  two  rows  of  Gooseberries 
Sleet  apart  at  the  other  en<3.  they  beinp  5  feet  from  the  rows  of  pyramids. 
If  this  arrangement  of  the  central  bed  do  not  give  you  enough  of  space 
lor  Strawberries,  Goosuberries,  and  RnHpberriea  as  ynu  wish,  you  might 
have  a  bed  of  Strawberries  all  round  4  f..ct  wide,  a  row  of  Raspberries  up 
the  centre,  and  a  row  of  Gooseberries  on  each  side.  This  would  be  a 
good  arrangement,  and  may  probably  suit  you  belter  than  the  other,  if 
you  have  enough  Pears,  &c.,  in  the  other  compartments. 

Plattloma  FLEX009UM  (A.  M.  G.).—We  should  think  it  a  desirable 
plant  for  either  a  basket  or  a  peat  wall.  We  should,  if  we  could  not  give 
it  a  pot,  prefer  the  basket,  but  it  is  not  suitable  for  euspeuding. 

TniE  OF  Repotting  A::alea9  (a.?i(ai).— The  best  time  for  repotting 
Aaalens  is  after  flowering,  or  when  thov  r.re  commencing  to  make  fresh 
growth.    They  mcr  also  be  potted  after  the  growth  is  complete. 

Khododendrons  for  a  Town  Gaeoen  {A  Loiter  o?"  ii'S.va).  — Throe 
COodkindsareEvcresUanum,  rosy  lilac;  Blandyauum,  rosy  crimson  j  and 
Lefevreanum,  purplish  crimson. 

Stocks  Fon  Ro?i;a  f/(^7?0.—GIoire  de  Dijon  snccocds  well  on  the  Briar, 
also  on  the  MonetM.  Jules  Margottin  would  be  best  on  the  Manetii, 
though  if  your  soli  be  atrciig  they  would  both  do  well  on  the  Briar. 

Cuttings  OP  Acacia,  Genista,  and  Camellia  (./.  C.  Z.).— The  best 
time  to  put  in  cuttings  of  the  former  two  is  early  in  feuramer.  taking  the 
growing  paiuta  after  the  bases  have  become  firm,  or  when  the  wood  is 
about  half  ripe.  Theyshculd  be  inserted  in  sandy  peat,  surfacing  the 
pots  with  eand.  They  shuuld  be  covered  with  a  bell-glass,  and  placed  in 
a  gentle  beat,  and  shaded  from  bright  sun.  Camf-llias  are  not  worth  pro- 
pagating from  cuttings.  They  are  bc&t  grafted.  The  stocks,  however,  are 
raised  from  cuttings  extensively,  July  and  Augu?t  being  the  best  season, 
vhen  the  shoots  become  i:po  at  their  bases.  They  require  a  bottom  heat 
of  from  70''  to  75*^,  and  sandy  peat  and  loam,  with  sand  in  equal  parts, 
Borfacing  tho  cutting  pots  with  about  half  an  inch  of  silver  sand. 

PuiciKG  Manuee  on  a  Vine  Boi:dep,  (Mem).  —You  may  cover  the 
border  with  littery  manure,  but  we  do  not  seo  the  necessity  for  forking 
some  into  the  border  previously,  though  tbo  surface  may  be  lightly  stirred 
before  placing  the  manure  on  the  border.  Your  flower  is  a  Pelargonium, 
but  we  cannot  name  florists'  flowers. 


for  dressing  fruit  trees  and  up  to  February. 

Selection  of  Plants  (S.  P.).—Store  Plants:  Allamanda  grandiflora 
A.  Hendersoni  ;  Clerodeudrou  Balfouri,  C.  Ktempferi ;   Cyrioceras  re- 
flexum;  Dipladenia  amabilis,  D.  crasginoda  magnifica,  D.  splendens  ; 
Hoya  imperialis ;    Ixora    acuminata,  I.  cocciuea  euperba,    1.  crocatn, 
I.  javanica  flcribunda ;   Rondeletia  speclosa  major,   Stephanotis    flori- 
buuda,  Vinca  ros°a,  Combretum    pm'pureum,  Plei'oma    Beuthamiana. 
Grcfnhovpc  Plants  :  Acrophyllum  venosum.Phcenocomaprolifera  Barnesii, 
Aphelesia  macrantha    purpurea,  A.  humilis ;    Boronia    strrulata,  Brng- 
mansia    suaveolens,    Choiozema    cordata    splondens,    Crovrea    saligna 
msjor,  C.  macrantha,  Dracophyllum  graclle,  Eriostemoii  iutermedium, 
Genetyllia  tulipifera,  Kftlosantlics  coccinea  superba,  Leschenaultia  for- 
mosa  coccinea,  L.  splendens,  Pleroma  clegans,  Pimclea  Kendcrsoni,  aud 
Rhynchospermum  j.isminoides  ;  AUiantum  farlcyense,  A.  pentadactylon. 
A.  trapezitorme,  Asplenium  Veitcliianum,  A.  caudatnra,  A  pra:;mor8um, 
Blechnum  coreovadense,  Cbeilanthes  birla  var.  EUieiana,  Davallia  poly- 
anthn,  Drynaria  musoefolia,  D.  quercifolia,  Gcniophlebiam  subauricula- 
turn,  Gymnogramma  peruviana  iirgyrophylla,  G.  Laucboana,  Neottopteris 
nidus,    Nothoelfpna    trichomanoidcs,  Ptei'is   tricolor,    and    Piatycerium 
stemmaria.    The  above  collection  docs  not  include  tree  and  Filmy  Fems- 
Lycopods :  Selnginella  africana,  cre&ia,   atrovii'idis,  circiuale,  umbrosa, 
lepidophylia;  Lyalli,  Waliichi,  flexuosa,  serpens,  caulescens,   Martensii 
variegata,  and  Griffithii. 

Flower  Border  (Novii-e).—'We  could  not  improve  your  proposed 
ai-rangem'!nt,  only  the  nnnel  v/ould  look  better  on  gravel,  but  grass  will  do. 
Warted  YiNr  Leaves  (J.  2?.).~V'e  do  not  consider  the  warts  on  the 
Vine  leaves  a  disease.  When  the  roota  have  less  moisture  and  the 
atmosphere  of  the  house  is  a  little  drier,  and  the  Vines  are  scarcely  so 
vigorous  in  growth,  the  warts  will  disappear. 

Gold  and  Bronze  Pklargoniums.— BIr.  Cannell  says,  "Your  corre- 
Fpondent '  W.  B.  G.'  speaks  very  positively  that  Perilla  Is  a  green  variety  ; 
but  I  have  some  dozens  of  that  and  Kentish  Hero  side  by  bide,  and  both 
are  now  presenting  a  beautiful  gold  bronze  appearance,  and  judging 
from  their  present  condition  I  really  could  not  say  which  of  the  two  is  the 
more  attractive  :  but  kuowing  their  good  as  well'as  their  bad  qualities,  I 
freely  admit,  os  I  di.l  in  my  former  letter,  that  Perilla  is  much  behind 
Kentish  Hero  for  bedding  purposes." 

Orchabd  House  Fruit  Trees  {W.  Nolan).— With  snch  a  mixture  in 
your  orchard  house,  you  will  only  succeed  by  keeping  one  end  {either 
by  giving  less  air,  protection,  or  other  means),  warmer  than  the  other; 
and  beginning  at  tho  warmer  end  wo  would  thus  arrango  them— Oranges, 
LcTUons,  Figs,  Vines,  Peaches,  Nectarines,  Plums,  Cherries,  and  Apricots. 
Cucumber  Leaves  Injured  (SfasWf).— The  spots  aud  wrinkles  on  the 
Cucumber  leaves  are  chiefly  the  result  of  the  snn  striking  on  tho  leaves 
v.'hilfct  there  is  an  accumiilalion  of  vapour  in  tho  house.  Early  air- 
giving  will  prevent  this,  and  a  slightly  drier  atmosphere.  We  could  seo 
no  Ihrips,  but  we  almost  think  these  little  insects  have  been  there. 
Examine  the  lower  side  of  the  larger  discoloured  leaves,  and  if  the 
insects  are  there  they  will  soon  jump  ofT.  We  have  caught  them  on  a 
wet  sponge,  but  on  a  largo  scale  the  best  remedy  is  smoking  with  tobacco. 
CnRYSANTiiEMcns  LoPiNG  THEIR  LEAVES  (Tt.  G.  1/".}.— Chrysanthe- 
mums require  much  moisture,  and  cverytime  a  pot  plant  becomes  dry  it 
revenges  itself  by  throwing  uii  some  of  the  lower  leaves.  A  sudden 
change  will  also  cause  this,  and  sometimes  it  results  from  the  plants 
standing  too  thickly. 

Treatment  of  Cold  Stiff  Soil  (Irfem).— Our  mode  of  treatment 
would  bo  to  dig  or  trench  now  as  deeply  as  the  good  soil,  loosen  the 
bottom  with  a  pick  and  leave  it,  aud  as  the  work  goes  on  leave  the  soil  in 
rouphridgei?  to  allow  the  airto  ^o  freely  through  it.  After  it  has  been 
well  exposed  to  frost  turn  the  ridyes  over,  aiid  several  times,  and  then  in 
spring  apply  the  manure,  so  that  it  shall  not  be  wasted  before  the  roots 
reach  it. 

Flue  Heating  a  Greenhouse  {Ifwj^clfj/).— We  do  not  quitie  under- 
stand the  mode  you  propose,  as  your  end  section  merely  shows  the  fluo 
crossing  the  house  at  the  end.    If  you  mean  to  take  a  fluo  under  your 


November  19.  1366.  ] 


JOUENAIi   OP  HORTICULTUUE   AND   COTTAGE   GABDENBB. 


389 


patUwny  nnd  then  across  the  end,  you  will  have  more  than  hofit  onough 
in  SQch  a  lioaiio,  nnd  for  that  matter,  a  rtuo  uoross  the  lionao  nt  one  end 
will  kfop  ont  frost,  but  it  will  aUvnvH  bo  hit  at  thnt  end.  From  your 
Boction  wo  see  a.  atapo  at  back  and  a'platf.  rm  in  front,  and  pathway  be- 
twoon  tlioiu.  If  the  cbimnoy  mnst  neccflsarily  bo  at  that  end,  we  would 
tako  a  narrow  lliio  and  return  it  vinilor  the  jiatUway— flay,  5  inches  wide, 
inside  nioftHuro,  and  tho  same  depth,  or  6  inches  deep.  Three  rowd 
of  brick''  thug  make  your  dnuble  flue,  and  if  Iheso  iirc  covered  with  thin 
tiles  well  plastered,  nnd  thou  with  pavint;  tiles,  yon  will  have  a  good  in- 
conspicuouH  Hue.  We  have  no  Tiith  in  coverinK  a  flue  with  snnd;  ac- 
cording to  tho  quantity  nnd  the  dryness  it  will  prevent  heat  rtuliating 
freely.  Flues  ^arely  crack  if  kept  clean  andsweet,  audifthe  stoker  shows 
some  judgment. 

Spa^vnino  MtTSHROOM  Beds  (D.  B.).~lt  the  bed,  as  yon  say.  has 
declined  gradaally  to  75"  from  180",  Bpawn  r\s  soon  as  possible,  and  beat 
the  bed  Ilrni.  If  tho  bed  should  still  decline  in  heat,  add  2  inches  in 
thickness  of  good  fresh  droppings  before  putting  on  the  soil,  toe  a  lato 
number  for  details  of  management. 

WnTTERtNG  Caladicms  (Ti1rjn).—  T\io  Caladiuma  will  keep  very  well 
in  yonr  warm  stokehole,  if  it  is  seldom  below  fiO-'.  and  tho  pots  may 
stand  upright  packed  and  covered  with  moss,  which  will  prevent  tho  soil 
becoming  too  dry.  Ah  soon  as  the  Caladiums  show  the  least  <5igns  of 
moving  repot  them  in  fresh  soil,  and  place  them  where  they  will  have 
light  as  well  as  heat.    The  soil,  even  now,  should  not  bo  dnst  dry. 

Foncisn  Br.Ars  HAMBunoH  Vines  (J.  r.).— Vines  from  which  the  fruit 
was  all  cut  in  September,  and  tho  wood  now  well  ripened,  will  need  no  tire 
beforo  starting  them  in  March,  on  ordinary  occasions,  but  if  we  had  a 
frost  nearly  to  zero,  we  would  put  a  little  fire  on.  The  outeido  border 
will  be  the  better  of  a  little  litter,  but  to  force  at  that  limo  there  is  no 
necessity  for  keeping  out  all  ti^  rain,  but  the  roots  will  be  more  under 
command. 

Insect— Tank  Heating  (.'1  Constcinl  Picader,  Torquay).— Tho  common 
centipede,  Julns  terrestis,  is  what  is  so  common  among  the  soil  of  the 
Cucumber  beds.  It  delights  chiefly  in  half-tlecayed  vegetable  and  animal 
matter.  So  long  as  the  roots  of  the  Cucnmbers  are  healthy,  they  will  bo 
little  interfered  with.  We  have  fonitd  them  in  Cucumber  stems  when 
there  was  any  crack,  or  the  least  signs  of  decay.  A  few  times  wo  have 
had  healthy  roots  cut  through  by  them.  Allogethor  we  would  sooner 
be  without  them  than  have  them,  and  we  have  used  half-rotten  cabbage 
stalks  and  stems  of  beans,  and  pieces  of  carrots  showing  traces  of  decay, 
to  entice  theui,  as  well  as  bits  of  half-rotten  Apples  and  Pears,  and 
generally  anocoeded  in  thinning  them  by  examining  such  baits.  We  do 
not  think  the  damping-off  of  the  leaves  is  to  bo  traced  to  the  doings  of 
the  centipedes,  but  would  rather  attribute  tliat  to  want  of  air  and  want  of 
sufficient  beat.  For  .^nch  a  contemplated  Cucumber  house  with  beds  on 
each  side,  you  will  require  tanks  on  each  side,  or  two  4-inch  pipes  for 
bottom  heat,  nnd  not  le?3  than  two  4-inch  pipes  on  each  side  for  top  heat, 
if  you  contemplate  having  winter  or  early  Cucumbers. 

ARBon-ViT^K  Seed  (C.  B.  iJ.).— Your  seed,  ii  not  abortive,  as  it  very 
often  is,  will  be  easily  disposed  of.  We  do  not  know  the  value.  Write 
to  the  wholesale  seedsmen  who  advertise  in  The  Jotjunal  of  Horticttl- 
T!JBE,  enclosing  sample  of  seed. 

WrKTER  GaEENS  Blighted  (Idem).—'From  your  description  we  should 
think  your  Greens  are  infested  with  the  Cabbage  plant  louse  (Aphis 
brassicie).  Dust  them  alternately  with  soot  and  fresh-slocked  lime,  or 
you  may  syringe  them  with  a  soluticn  1^  oz.  to  the  gallon  of  Clarke's 
Insect-destroying  Compound,  which  will  free  the  plants  of  the  vermin. 

Perennials  for  Cut  Flowers  (J.  JJ  ).—AIyEsum  saxatile  compactum, 
Anchusa  panieulatrt,  Anomatheca  cruenta,  Antirrhinums,  Aqnilegias, 
Aubrietirt  deltoidea  grandiflora,  Aster  tanacetifolius,  AsclQ|)ias  tuberosa, 
Campanula  aggregata,  C.  carpatica,  C.  speciosa.  Cheirantlius  varieties, 
Convallaria  majalis  varieties,  Daphne  cneornm.  Delphinium  alopecu- 
roiicB,  D.  belladonna,  D.  formosnm,  Dianthus  floribundus,  D.  fragrans, 


Pinks,  Carnations,  Picotees,  Dielytra  apectabiliB.  Erigeron  ppeciosiu, 
HcUoborus  nigor,  Hepatica  vars.,  Snowdrop,  Winter  Aconite.  llyiicinthuB 
vars.,  Hvpericum  calvcinum,  Lathyrtis  grandiflorus,  nnd  iIh  variety 
Frederic!,  L.  latifoliu'^t  and  variotiea  albus,  pallidns.  and  splendcns; 
Ijiliura  nurfttum,  aurantiacum.  iJrownii,  (ilchicum.candidum.  bmcifolium, 
and  tcnuifolium  ;  Lobelia  fulgona  St.  Clair,  Lychnis  Uang-iana,  L.  via- 
raria  splondens,  Muscari  botryoides,  Myoaotis  nsorica,  M.  palustris, 
M.  sylvntica,  Narcissus  vara.,  PicOi^ia  vars.,  Phlox  vara.  Polygonum 
vacci'nifolium.  Pyrethrum  vara.,  Scahjosn  grandillora,  Schizostylin  cncci- 
nea,  Scilbi  amo-'nn.  S.  bifulia,  S.  aibirica,  Spiraea  filipendula  j)Icna,  Static© 
Intifolia,  S.  tatarica,  Stipa  penuata.  Tritomii  IJurchL-lli,  T.  nvarin  and  yar. 
glftucescena,  Trollius  europjeu^,  Veronica  toucrium,  V.  taurica,  Vicia 
villosa,  Viola  odorat'i,  vars.  fctriata,  suavis,  and  calcarata. 

Fuel  for  Hay's  CossTATiT  Stove.— "D., /)cil,"  wiehesto  know  if  this 
is  to  bo  had  in  London,  and  if  so,  where?  Catalogues  for  "  U.,  Drnl," 
must  now  bo  sent  to  him  at  Westwoll  Vicarago,  Ashford,  Kent. 

Planting  Briars  {.■?.  3f.).— If  wo  understand  yon  aright,  your  wish  ifl 
to  form  a  screen,  nnd  of  Roses ;  but  you  propose  to  plant  stocka  and  bud 
them  next  year.  For  a  screen  tho  plants  should  not  he  more  than  a  foot 
apart,  and  if  you  plant  Briars  they  must  be  headed  or  cut  down  to  tho 
height  vou  wish  them.  Tho  Briar's  delighl||ka  strong  loam,  and  yon 
cannot  innnuretoo  highly.  Wo  would  uotplalW^riar  but  Manetti  stocks, 
and  bud  tbera  close  to  or  a  little  below  the  soil.  Tho  plants  would,  of 
course,  be  dwarfs,  and  the  Manetti  would  be  more  anitable  fur  your  aoil 
than  the  Briar.  Dahlias  should  be  planted  4  feet  from  the  Rosea,  and 
thf.t  distance  from  plant  to  plant. 

TRANflPLANTING    SWEET  WiLLIAMfl,  WALLFLOWERS,  AND  STOCKS  {Tdrm). 

—You  may  prick-ofl"  in  a  sheltered  situation  the  Stocks,  and  plant  out 
where  they  are  to  remain  for  flowering  the  Sweat  Williams  and  Wallflowers, 
moving  each  with  as  much  soil  as  possible. 

Orange  Tree  Leaves  Spotted  i  A',  i'.).— The  leaves  sent  are  spotted 
we  think  by  drip,  or  water  falling  on  them  from  the  roof ;  but  whether  the 
drip  be  caused  by  imperfect  glnzing,  or  condensation  of  the  moisture  of 
the  internal  atmosphere,  we  are  not  in  a  position  to  state.  The  spots 
would  also  be  caused  by  allowing  water  to  remain  long  on  the  leaves  at 
this  season.  What  are'the  white  specks  on  the  upper  surface  of  the 
leaves?  Are  they  not  the  result  of  the  recent  painting  of  tho  house? 
If  the  drip  be  from  a  receutlv-painted  house  we  should  attribute  the 
spotting  to  that,  and  yon  must  "give  air  so  as  to  keep  down  drip  from  con- 
densation. The  tree  from  which  the  leaves  are  taken  is  infested  with 
the  Orange-tree  Coccus  or  scale,  there  being  more  than  one  of  theao 
insects  on  tho  under  side  of  the  leaves  sent  to  us. 

Trentham  Black  Grape  {Iiendcr).—ln  constitution  nnd  stamina  the 
Trentham  Black  Vine  is  very  robust  and  vigorous,  it  shows  fruit  freely, 
but  requires  a  more  than  usual  amoimt  of  heat  to  set  the  berries  per- 
fectly—about  the  same  amount  as  the  Muscat  of  Alexflndria.  The  fruit 
if  well  ripened  will  hang  well,  but  ordim.rily  the  skin  is  apt  to  crack  just 
at  the  insertion  of  the  stalk,  and  speedily  decay,  the  bunches  thereby 
becoming  thinned  gradually,  a  ben-y  at  a  time.  It  is  not  a  good-keeping 
Grape,  not  equal  to  the  Black  Hamburgh.    In  flavour  it  is  superb. 

Names  of  Insects  (F.  Blannwg).— Tho  insect  on  yom*  Peach-tree 
leaves  is  the  red  ppider,  Acarus  tellarius.  The  vapour  of  sulphur,  not 
from  burning  sulphur,  is  fatal  to  this  insect.  Heat  the  hot-water  pipes 
of  the  houses,  or  havinghot-water  plates  fllled  vrith  boiling  water,  sprinkle 
upon  them  flowers  of  sulphur,  which  begin  to  vaporise  at  a  heat  of 
170^  and.  then  shut  up  tho  houses  or  frames. 

Names  of  Plants  (J.  E.  TV.).  — Cornus  mascula  or  Cornel  Cherry. 
(J-.  TF.).— Bupleurum  fruticosum.  {Tertia).—1,  2,  Blechnnm  braeihense, 
slightly  difl"erent  forms  ;  3,  Nephrodium  molie  ;  4,  Pteris  ar^ta;  5,  Gym- 
no!^ramma  tartnrea  ;  6,  Woodwardia  radicans  ;  7, 7,  8,  Adiantum  tenemm ; 
9,  Too  young  for  determination.  iB.  ii.).— A  Nephrodium,  apparently, 
near  to  N.  arbusculum.  (S.  B.).—A  variety  of  Aspleuium  Filix-mas.  (P.  P.), 
— We  do  not  recognise  the  leaf  sent. 


meteorological  observations  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  tho  week  ending  November  17th. 


Wad...  11 
Thnrs.  li 


Fri. 
Sat.  .. 
San... 
Mod..  . 
Taea.  . 


Ue.in 


BAaOMETZTB. 


Max. 


.S0.193 
.S3.354 
30S47 
30.209 
30.194 
80.302 
80.205 


Mia. 


30.028 
80.295 
30.290 
80.154 
30.162 
80.209 
80163 


0.258      3D  184     45.71     3i.85 


rHE!UI022ET£B. 


J 


Air. 


Mai.  !  Min. 


89 
37 
35 
36 


1 «.  dp. 


45 
45 
45 
46 
45 
44 
44 


2  ft.  dp. 


44 
43 
43 
45 
44 
44 
44 


N.E. 

N.E. 

N. 
N.W. 

W. 

N.W. 
N.W. 


H&in  la 

inches. 


.00 
.00 
.00 
.02 
.00 
.00 
.00 


Gemeeal  Kehabks. 


Hazy;  overcast,  mild  air ;  clear  and  fineatnigbt. 
Cloudy,  overcast;  very  fine  ;  clear  and  tine. 
Overcast ;  densely  overcast ;  vtry  fine  at  ui^ht. 
Cloudy  i  fine  but  cloudv ;  fine,  clear,  and  cold. 
Clear  and  fine  ;  sharp  wind  ;  fine  ;  cleir  and  fine. 
Shari)  frost ;  clear  and  fine  ;  ilno,  rather  mild. 
Hazy  ;  overcast,  very  dull ;  fine  at  night. 


fOITLTfiY,  BEE,  and  HOTISEHOLD  CHRONICLE. 


POULTRY   SHOW   DETAILS— JUDGES. 

AMO^■G  the  "  many  things  "  to  be  considered  at  the  meeting 
to  be  held  pursnnnt  to  the  proposal  of  your  correspondent 
"  J.  TV-VLKER,"  allow  me  to  direct  attention  to  that  of  the 
appointment  of  judges.  The  committees  of  some  of  the  late 
shows  Feem  to  have  supposed  that  any  gentleman  who  had 
held  office  as  secretary  to  a  show  must  perforce  have  had  con- 
ferred on  him  the  ability  to  act  in  the  capacity  of  judge.  I  am 
desirous  to  inquire  if  the  meeting  will  not  resolve  to  ask  the 
managers  of  each  exhibition  if  they  are  not  prepared  to  go  a 


step  further,  and  in  future  have  the  prizes  diatribnted  by 

lottery  !— X.  __^_ 

AN   OUTRAGEOUS  CASE. 

We  had  a  week  or  two  ago  a  very  excellent  show  held  not  far 
from  Liverpool  in  which  the  secretary  was  a  "  very  s-nccessfal 
exhibitor,"  I  was  also  an  exhibitor,  and,  of  course,  pationised 
it,  and  you  may  judge  of  my  astonishment  when  I  found  that 
the  Secretary  had  entered  in  his  own  name  forty-one  pens, 
and  nine  others  in  the  nnme  of  a  member  of  his  family,  and 
tlie  prizes  awarded  him  were  as  follow -.—Cups,  2  ;  liist-pnzea 
11;  second  prizes  12;  and  commended  pens  l.S,  the  total 
money  value  of  which,  including  the  cups,  amounts  to  £35  7.?. 


390 


joubnaij  of  horticultuee  and  cottage  gardener. 


[  November  19,  1868. 


Do  you  think  exhibitors  could  feel  satisfied  ?  I  can  assure 
you  they  were  not,  and  many  were  the  complaints  I  heard, 
and  if  I  may  judse  from  the  conversation  I  had  with  some 
parties,  next  year's  show  will  prove  a  failure  if  such  is  again  to 
be  the  case. 

My  own  opinion  is  that  a  secretary  has  no  right  to  show 
anything  whatever,  and  if  he  does  bo  it  is  doing  an  act  of  in- 
justice to  exhibitors  generally.  He  is  supposed  to  know  to  whom 
the  birds  belong,  and  in  fact  to  have  a  knowledge  of  every- 
thing connected  with  the  show. 

I  should  like  to  hear  the  opinion  of  some  of  the  readers  of 
"our  Journal"  upon  the  subject.  I  think  the  majority  of  them 
would  object  to  support  a  show  if  they  knew  the  secretary 
would  be  the  principal  exhibitor,  at  any  rate  if  such  is  to  be 
the  case  another  year  they  will  not  receive  the  support  of — A 
Cheshibe  Man. 

[We  partake  youflbelings  and  think  such  exhibiting  should 
not  be  allowed.  It  would  destroy  any  show  in  the  United 
Kingdom  if  such  things  were  permitted. — Eds.] 


BREEDING  PILE   OR  PIED   GAME  FO"S^^LS. 

li'  breeding  Piles,  or  Pieds,  the  golden  rule  that  "  like  will 
best  produce  like,"  should  be  attended  to,  and  the  best  and 
quickest  Piles  are  produced  by  breeding  "  good  Piles  with  good 
Piles  "  of  different  strains,  and  of  first-rate  blood,  so  as  to 
make  a  first-cross  of  the  Pile  colour.  The  brood  hens  should 
be  all  sisters  and  of  one  strain,  and  the  brood  cock  of  a  dif- 
ferent strain  and  no  relation  to  the  hens  in  blood,  but  equally 
good,  and  matching  them  in  perfect  shape  and  colour.  If 
"breeding  in-and-in,"  put  the  best  old  cock  to  the  best  two- 
year-old  hens  ;  two,  four,  or  six  hens  at  most  to  one  cock — two 
hens  do  best — and  the  chicks  should  be  hatched  in  the  last  ten 
days  in  March,  or  in  April  or  May.  If  crossing  from  different 
strains  breed  from  a  two-year-old  cock  and  hens,  as  then  in 
their  prime.  A  two-year-old  cock  to  the  best  old  hens  is  also 
good  in  breeding  in-and-in,  but  the  first  plan  is,  perhaps,  the 
best.  Red  or  bright  red  eyes  are  essential  to  obtain  fine- 
coloured  Red  Piles,  as  the  red  eye  gives  a  rodder  feather ;  the 
white-legged  strains  are  hardest,  keenest,  and  gameet,  and  do 
not  run  so  large  or  heavy  in  flesh  as  others.  Piles  to  be  hand- 
some should  be  neither  too  light  nor  at  all  dark  in  colour,  the 
bright  red-coloured  birds  being  the  best  and  handsomest. 

The  Chestnut,  Ginger,  Orange,  Lemon,  Yellow,  Gravel,  and 
Dark  Piles  possess  less  beauty  than  the  bright  red  Blood  Piles 
do,  though  some  admire  Orange  Piles.  Dark  Blood  Piles  are  also 
less  beautiful  than  the  bright  Red  Blood  Piles.  The  old  Black- 
marked  'Worcestershire  Piles  are  also  inferior  as  to  colour. 
Yellow  or  daw-eyed  Piles  are  inferior,  but  yellow-legged,  red- 
eyed  Piles  are  good  birds  and  the  handsomest  Piles  of  all,  if 
of  a  good  red  colour.  Willow-legged  Piles  are  handsome  also, 
if  red-eyed,  as  they  generally  are. 

Piles  were  originally  produced  from  the  red-faced  Red- 
breasted  Ginger  Reds  (not  Ginger  Brown  Reds),  and  the  Black- 
breasted  Reds  ;  also,  of  course,  from  Whites,  and  some  came 
from  the  Red  Duns  and  Ginger  Blues. 

Piles,  or  Pieds,  as  their  name  denotes,  should  be  pied  or 
slightly  pied  nearly  all  over,  and  such  as  these  are  the  quickest 
Piles  and  most  lively. 

The  exhibition  "  whole-coloured  "  Piles  are  merely  "  White- 
breasted  Reds,"  and  might  be  more  correctly  so  termed  than 
called  Piles,  and  such,  though  very  handsome  in  colour,  are 
slower  birds  than  the  true  Pieds.  Piles,  however,  should  not  be 
spangled,  or  spotted,  or  the  markings  approach  the  "  spangles." 
The  usual  way  of  making  Piles  is  to  put  the  White  hens 
with  yellow  legs  to  willow-legged  Black-breasted  Red  cocks. 
This  keeps  the  Pile  red  colour  from  becoming  too  faint  or  too 
pale,  but  it  makes  rather  slow  Piles.  The  White  cock  put  to 
Partridge  hens  makes  more  Piles  than  the  above  way,  which 
makes  most  Beds,  and  the  White  cock  makes  rather  a  quicker 
Pile  than  the  Black-breasted  Red  cock  does.  If  Marble-breasted 
Piles  are  wanted,  I  should  prefer  making  them  from  the  Eed- 
breasted  Ginger  Reds  (not  Ginger  Brown  Reds),  which  make 
quicker  birds  thau  the  Black-breasted  Reds  do,  and  also  harder 
and  gamer.  If  good  White-breasted  Piles  are  wanted,  I  prefer 
breeding  them  from  good  red-eyed  Red  Duns  with  white  or 
yellow  legs,  but  never  from  the  Smoky  Red  Duns,  which  would 
spoil  the  clear  colour,  but  from  the  clear-coloured  Blood-red 
Duns,  and  such  Red  Duns  will,  if  really  good,  make  a  better 
Pile  in  my  opinion  than  our  heavy  willow-legged,  exhibition, 
Black-breasted  Reds  do. 


Marble-breasted  Piles  are  harder  in  breast  and  feather  and 
gamer  than  White-breasted  Piles  are,  and  are  faster  Piles,  and 
truer  Piles.  A  breed  of  Red-breasted  Ginger  Reds,  yellow  legs 
and  red  eyes,  makes  the  best  Marble-breasted  Piles  I  know  of, 
crossed  with  white-legged  red-eyed  Pile  or  White  hens.  Good 
Red  Duns  also  breed  excellent  Piles,  and  I  heard  that  at  the 
last  Ashford  Exhibition,  in  Kent,  a  Captain  Lambert  showed 
some  excellent  "  Dun  Piles."  In  breeding  Piles  with  Piles, 
you  preserve  that  quickness  for  which  Piles  have  always  been 
celebrated,  and  which  the  Black-breasted  Red  or  Duckwing- 
cross  does  not  always  maintain.  Slow  Piles  are  poor  Game 
fowls.  The  only  fear  in  breeding  Piles  with  Piles  is,  that  the  red 
colour  should  become  too  pale  or  faint,  and  the  white  colour 
gain  too  much.  Most  of  our  exhibition  Piles  have,  I  think, 
been  bred  from  the  old  white-legged  Pile  hens,  put  to  willow- 
legged  Black-breasted  Red  cocks,  which  will  give  white,  yellow, 
and  willow  legs. 

Many  Piles  have  been  bred  from  Brown 'Reds  and  Ginger 
Brown  Reds.  These  are  generally  "  Gravel  "  Piles  and  browner 
in  colour,  and  not  very  handsome-coloured,  being  often  too 
dark  in  face,  with  dark  nails,  and  a  dark-stained  white  leg,  but 
are  game  birds.  Red  feathers  in  the  tail,  I  think,  show  good- 
ness in  Piles.  Piles  are  remarkably  prolific,  but  the  hens  want 
to  sit  more  frequently  than  raoat  Game  hens,  and  both  hen 
and  cock  chickens  are  more  quarrelsome  than  in  most  Game 
breeds,  Brown  Reds  being  in  general  the  next  most  quarrel- 
some. Pile  hens  generally  lay  better  than  either  Brown  Bed 
or  Duckwing  hens.  Piles,  Ginger  Reds,  Gingers,  and  Whites 
are  the  liveliest  and  quickest  colours  of  Game  fowls,  as  are 
some  Red  Duns,  Blue  Duns,  Birchen  Duns,  and  Birchen  Reds, 
and  these  colours  never  incline  to  "  run  to  fleth"  so  much  as 
Black-breasted  Reds,  Duckwings,  and  Blacks  often  do,  these 
three  sorts  gathering  more  flesh  in  general  than  other  colours, 
especially  when  inclined  to  be  large. 

Ten  or  eleven,  or  even  nine,  eggs  are  quite  sufficient  for 
most  Pile  hens  to  sit  on,  for  they  are  rather  scant  in  feather. 

Piles  seem  to  have  been  first  brought  much  into  notice  in 
Chester  and  its  neighbourhood,  and  were  then  mostly  white- 
legged  birds.  I  have  heard  the  Lemon  Piles  were  bred  from 
Y'ellow  Duckwings  ^nd  the  Derby  Reds,  also  from  Yellow 
Bircheus,  Ginger  Blues,  and  Blue  Duns  (yellow  necks).  The 
true  Lemon  Pile  has  yellow  legs  and  yellow  or  daw  eyes. 

No  two  colours  cross  or  mix  better  than  clear  Red  Duns  and 
Piles  do,  and  no  cross  is  less  trouble  in  making,  or  leas  liable 
to  fail  in  colour  than  this  cross,  which  makes  both  Piles  and 
Red  Duus  good  quick  birds. 

I  am  aware  that  my  taste  in  making  and  breeding  Piles  may 
appear  rather  singular  to  our  modern  exhibition  breeders,  to 
such  more  especially  as  will  always  make  their  Piles  from 
Black-breasted  Reds,  which  is  the  more  common  method.  I 
always  look  chiefly  to  great  liveliness  in  really  good  Piles.  I 
also  look  for  a  light  hard  flesh,  activity,  and  a  very  scant 
feather  in  first-rate  Piles,  which  should  never  be  heavy,  fleshy, 
large  birds,  and  to  obtain  such  I  like  to  breed  a  little  out  of 
the  ordinary  method. 

In  crossing  Piles  with  Red  Duns,  the  Dun  cross  will  take  out 
all  tendency  to  a  brown  tinge  in  the  feather  or  to  red  feather  in 
the  Piles.  The  dun  colour  will  also  in  crossing  with  Piles 
if  too  dark,  cloud  a  little  the  breasts  of  the  Piles  so  made.  The 
Orange  Dun  Piles  are,  by  some  breeders,  thought  to  be  the 
handsomest  Piles  of  all. 

Piles  do  not  fatten  at  all  well  for  table,  nor  will  they  pen 
well  at  all,  either  for  fattening  or  for  exhibition,  as  they 
"fret"  in  the  pen  too  much,  and  shed  their  feathers  when 
penned  more  thau  almost  any  other  Game  fowls. 

Our  exhibition  Red  Piles  with  yellow  legs  and  red  eyes,  are 
our  handsomest  Piles,  and  all  must  allow  these  to  be  as  beauti- 
ful Piles  as  can  well  be  produced,  though  the  white-legged  are 
harder  and  gamer.  Breeders  wishing  both  to  exhibit  and  to 
have  good  layers,  cannot  do  better  than  breed  Piles  and  Black- 
breasted  Reds,  as  birds  of  these  colours  will  prove  better  egg-pro- 
ducers than  either  Brown  Reds  or  Duckwings.  Piles  and  the 
Black-breasted  Reds  should,  however,  be  bred  separately,  or 
the  Piles  will  give  the  Reds  too  much  white,  which  will  show 
itself  in  the  wings  and  tails  of  the  Black-breasted  Reds,  and 
spoil  them  for  exhibition  birds. 

In  remarking  on  the  laying  qualities  of  Duckwings  and 
Brown  Reds,  I  should  state  that  Yellow  Duckwings  lay  very 
well,  but  not  so  the  Grey  Duckwings  in  general,  and  that  some 
of  the  strains  of  the  Brown  Reds  also  lay  very  well.  Piles, 
however,  lay  better  than  either  of  them. 

I  omitted  to  state  in  my  last  paper  on  breeding  Dnckwing 


November  10,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUBB  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENEB. 


391 


Game  fowls,  that  if  the  very  UardeBt  and  gamest  Duckwing 
Greys  are  required,  they  can  be  best  produced  from  a  dark 
willow-legged  Grey  Duckwing  cock  put  to  black-legged  Dark 
Grey  bens,  also  in  less  numbers  from  a  Dark  Grey  cock  put  to 
Duckwing  bens.  Duckwings  tbus  produced  will  not,  however, 
be  perfect  in  colour,  and  for  exhibition  1  do  not  recommend 
such  a  cross,  as  "  Duckwings  with  Duckwings "  breed  more 
perfect  and  correct-coloured  birds  as  a  matter  of  course.  Dark 
Birchcus  crossed  with  Duckwings  will  also  produce  good  Birchen 
Duckwings.  I  wish  aUo  to  state  that  many  of  our  present 
Piles  were  produced  from  the  white-legged  Pile  cocks  put  to 
willow-legged  Partridge  hens,  as  well  as  from  the  reverse  of 
this,  as  before  mentioned. 

I  likewise  meant  to  have  stated  in  former  papers,  that  the 
"  whip  "  or  "  switch  "-tailed  birds  so-called  in  our  northern 
counties  and  elsewhere,  I  have  generally  heard  termed  the 
"  scythe  "-tailed  birds  in  contradistinction  to  the  "  sickle  "  or 
"  sickled  "-tailed  birds.  I  prefer  the  latter  if  hard,  and  close, 
and  short  in  feather. — Newmabke  t. 


TUMBLER  PIGEONS. 


I  A5I  much  pleased  with  the  notes  of  the  ■'  Wiltshiee  Rec- 
tor," but  I  certiiiiily  differ  from  him  in  some  of  his  remarks 
on  "  common  Tumblers — but  they  must  tumble,  they  must  he 
true  to  their  name." 

I  candidly  confess  that  it  is  a  difficult  matter  to  find  a  frret- 
class  lot  of  good  Tumbler  Pigeons  that  will  tumble  well.  By 
tumbling  well  I  mean  that  in  going  over  the  circle  it  is  fairly 
kept,  the  head  of  the  bird  being  in  a  straight  line  with  the 
centre  of  the  tail,  no  deviation  to  one  side  or  the  other,  but 
true  as  an  accurately  turned  wheel,  and  this  done  so  quickly 
that  great  care  is  required  not  to  overlook  the  action. 

The  next  quality  in  a  good  Tumbler  is  to  tumble  without 
losing  any  of  the  height,  if  the  birds  are  sky  Tumblers.  Young 
birds  frequently  lose  a  good  deal,  and  particularly  if  they 
tumble  two  or  three  times  at  once  before  they  fly  forwards, 
bat  old  grown  birds  ought  not  to  lose  any  of  their  height  in 
tumbling. 

The  next  quality  is  the  number  of  times  they  tumble  in  a 
given  period  of  their  flight  or  the  distance  they  fly.  I  am  here 
referring  to  sky  Tumblers,  and  my  opinion  of  them  is  in  pro- 
portion to  the  greatest  amount  of  the  above  qualities ;  or,  in 
other  words,  the  birds  that  tumble  the  greatest  number  of 
times,  and  the  cleanest,  in  a  perfectly  circular  direction,  and 
with  least  loss  of  height,  are  the  best  sky  Tumblers. 

I  differ  from  "Wiltshiee  Bectoe  "  in  his  classification  of 
the  Short-faced  Tumblers  being  "  the  highest  class."  They 
belie  their  name  in  a  great  measure.  I  have  had  some  of  them, 
and  have  seen  plenty,  but  have  seen  no  tumbling  from  them, 
and  therefore  they  should  lose  the  false  name  they  bear.  The 
correct  eye  of  the  naturalist  would,  I  think,  at  once  pronounce 
them  a  malformation. 

I  difli'r  from  "Wiltshire  Rector,"  also,  with  regard  to  the 
eye.  If  I  had  him  here  I  could  show  him  one  bird  with  nearly 
a  red  eye  that  would  astonish  him  with  its  tumbling  qualities. 
It  is,  of  course,  a  ground  Tumbler,  and  feather-footed  also.  I 
have  tried  and  been  successful  in  raising  some  splendid  feather- 
footed  birds.  Que  of  the  best  Tumblers  I  ever  had  was  a  dark 
black-and-white  feather-legged  Tumbler.  I  took  advantage  of 
a  son  from  him  and  the  ground  Tumbler  referred  lo  below,  and 
obtained  some  of  the  best  feather-legged  birds  imaginable.  I 
like  to  see  pear!  eyes  in  Tumblers,  but  I  have  many  that  have 
net  pearl  eyes  that  are  very  good  Tumblers. 

The  Rector  seems  not  to  like  ground  Tumblers.  I  confess 
they  are  my  greatest  favourites.  I  have  one  fine  fellow  which 
has  great  pride  in  his  tumbling.  He  will,  for  ten  or  a  dozen 
times  together,  it  thrown  from  one's  hand,  tumble,  and  fre- 
quently twice  together,  before  he  alights  on  the  hand  again ; 
and  as  I  have  described  before,  his  tumbling  is  perfectly 
circular. 

I  find  the  best  sky  Tumblers  come  from  a  ground  Tumbler 
crossed  with  a  sky  Tumbler.  I  obtained  some  beautiful  light 
blue-barred  Tumblers  from  a  ground  Tumbler  and  a  sky  Tum- 
bler, but  they  do  not  in  the  second  generation  breed  a  healthy 
offspring,  and  I  have  broken  three  pairs  of  them  to  pair  with 
the  offspring  of  some  dark  blue  ground  Tumblers,  in  order  to 
raise  some  dappled  ones,  and  in  one  or  two  birds  I  have  been 
successful,  and  the  tumbling  qualities  are  all  I  can  wish  for. 

I  have  a  flight  of  more  than  seventy  Tumblers,  and  I  imagine 
some  of  the  best  and  neatest  in  the  country.    They  are  great 


pets ;  I  cannot  kill  one  on  any  account  when  I  look  at  the 
watery,  young,  innocent  eye  of  my  pets. 

I  am  very  fond  of  beautiful-shaped  birds.  Tumblers  of  course, 
also  of  colour.  I  think  I  have  about  ten  pairs  of  Black  and 
White  Splashes,  shape  and  colour  grand,  and  I  have  preserved 
them  in  consequence — that  is  my  pet  colour.  The  next  are 
Red  Splashes,  but  they  are  not  so  numerous  as  they  were  forty 
or  fifty  years  ago. 

Whether  this  characteristic  tumbling  arises  from  some  par- 
ticular structure  of  the  brain  I  know  not,  but  I  am  sure  that 
there  is  a  much  larger  brain  in  the  Tumbler  Pigeon  in  propor- 
tion to  bulk  than  can  be  found  in  any  other  of  the  great  family 
of  Columbid.ie,  and  I  have  uniformly  found  the  best  Tumblers 
the  most  sensible  birds.  I  spend  much  time  in  watching  their 
habits,  their  sympathies,  and  antipathies.  I  have  them  per- 
fectly docile,  and  can  call  very  frequently  a  dozen  at  once  from 
the  roof  of  tho  cote  on  to  ray  head,  and  arms,  and  hands. 

I  believe  the  best  Tumblers  if  kept  too  much  on  very  stimu- 
lating food  are  most  subject  to  vertigo  and  wasting.  I  should 
like  to  hear  if  any  of  your  numerous  readers  have  tried  any 
experiments  on  the  above  diseases.  I  had  a  very  valuable 
bird  which  began  to  waste,  and  became  so  light  as  to  be  merely 
bones  and  feathers,  yet  he  always  kept  the  feathers  smooth. 
An  old  friend  told  me  when  he  had  birds  in  that  way  he  inva- 
riably pulled  out  all  the  tail  feathers.  I  am  glad  to  say  I  have 
tried  the  experiment  with  my  bird,  and  with  perfect  success. 
For  vertigo  I  have  tried  a  few  remedies,  but  without  success, 
but  I  have  only  seen  one  case. — E.  W. 


SOUTHAMPTON  POULTRY  SHOW. 

This  year's  Show,  held  on  the  10th,  11th,  and  l'2th  inst.,  consisted 
of  considerably  more  than  six  hundred  pens,  and  the  Victoria  Kooms 
proved  tar  more  eligible  for  the  purposes  of  Buch  a  display  than  those 
hitherto  used  tor  this  Exhibition,  being  better  ventilated,  and  tho  light 
throughout  good.  The  remarkable  excellence  of  the  Show  as  a  whole 
was  a  matter  of  general  congratulation,  whilst  most  of  tho  prize  birds 
were  such  as  have  a  very  fair  chance  of  holding  good  their  high 
position  at  any  meeting.  There  were  hut  few  Spanish  fowls  shown, 
and  most  of  them  scarcely  in  the  good  feather  that  could  he  wished. 
Grey  Dvrliiiijs  were  especially  good,  and  we  believe  many  were  claimed 
at  the  opening  of  the  Show.  CofJiins  were  very  fair.  The  Brahma 
classes,  however,  were  the  chief  feature  of  the  Show,  the  Dark-feathered 
being  not  very  largely  represented ;  hut  the  Light-coloured  were  there 
in  extraordinai-ily  large  classes,  .ind  of  a  quality  not  seen  for  many 
years  past.  The  silver  cup  given  to  this  variety  caused  an  almost 
general  entiy  from  tlie  very  best  blood  in  the  kingdom.  The  Game 
fowls  proved  very  good,  hut  as  yet  hardly  in  perfect  feather.  Hani- 
hurghs  were  generally  so  good  that  a  visitor  might  easily  have  fancied 
he  must  be  inspecting  either  a  North  Lancashire  or  Yorkshire  show. 
French  fowls  were  superior  to  those  commonly  shown.  Onme  Bantams, 
Duels,  Turleiis,  and  &(Sf  were  especially  noteworthy.  01  Pheasants, 
strange  to  say,  there  was  not  a  single  entry. 

ri'fcons  were  never  shown  so  numerously,  nor  of  equal  quality,  at 
any  of  the  preceding  Southampton  shows.  The  extra  variety  class  of 
Pigeons  contained  many  new  varieties.  There  was  a  very  good  show 
of  live  Foreign  bin/s,  and  also  of  Mules  and  Cmiaries. 

Eggs  and  dead  dressed  poultry  were  especially  worthy  of  note.  A 
pau'^ot  young  cocks,  plucked  and  trussed  for  the  table,  a  cross 
between  tho  Grey  Dorking  hen  and  Light  Brahma  cock,  actually 
weighed  IGJ  lbs.,  and  the  next  best  couple  proved  nearly  as  heavy. 
So  much  for  the  improvement  in  useful  poultiy.  The  Committee  and 
Honoraiy  Secretaiy  were  exceedingly  attentive  to  the  welfare  of  the 
birds. 

Spanish.— First,  J.  R.  Rodbard,  Wrington.  Second,  J.  Jcnner,  Lewes. 
Commended,  J.  Jenner ;  H.  Loe,  Appnldurcombe. 

DoBKiNGS,— First,  J.  Smith,  ShillinRlee.  Second,  Dr.  D.  C.  Campbell, 
Brentwood.  Very  Highly  Commended,  H.  Picldce,  jun.,  Eavliy.  Highly 
Commended,  St.  J.  Coventrv,  Wimborne  ;  E.  Pople,  West  Moulsey ;  W. 
Peacncke,  Efford  ;  J.  Elgar,' Newark ;  Hon.  H.  FitzivilUam.  Wentworth 
"VVoodhousc.  Commended,  R.  Pople  ;  J.  Smith  ;  A.  Saunders,  Aldermoor, 
Old  Shirley  ;  W.  Stanford,  jun.,  Stevning. 

Cochins.— First  and  Commended,  F.  W.  Rust,  Hastings.  Second,  J. 
Gardiner,  Bristol.  Third,  J.  R.  Rodbard.  Highly  Commended,  Rev. 
S.  C.  Hameilon,  Warwick  ;  G.  White. 

Bkahmas  (Dark).— First,  G.  G.  L.  Macpherson,  Erncknell.  Second, 
Rev.  J.  Ellis.  Highly  Commended,  Rev.  R.  Parker.  Ipswich.  Bommended, 
G.  Meares:  P.  D.  iladdox.  Bitterno ;  J.  H.  Cuff,  Metropolitan  Cattle 
Market ;  C.  F.  Here,  Tunbridgc. 

Bbahmas  (Light).- First  and  Second,  J.  Pares,  Postford.  Very  Highly 
Commended,  H.  M.  Majnard,  Holmewood.  Highly  Commended,  P. 
Crowley,  Alton.  Commended,  Miss  B.  Greene,  Wickbam.  Fnreham. 
C/iicitens.- First  and  Cup,  H.  Dowsett,  Pleshey,  Chelmsford.  Second, 
F.  Crook,  Forest  Hill.  Vei-y  Highly  Commended,  H.  Dowsett.  Highly 
Commended,  P.  Crowley  ;  F.  Crook  ;  H.  M.  Maynaid.  Ccmmonded,  Mrs. 
Astley,  Tring  ;  J.  Pares  ;  W.  H.  Gotch  ;  S.  Felgate,  Ipswich  :  C.  H.  Lang. 

Game  (Black  and  other  Beds).— First  and  Second,  S.  Matthews,  Stow- 
market.  Highly  Commended,  H.  C.  Dear.  Commended,  T.  H.  Rigden, 
Hove  ;  C.  F.  Hore,  North  Stoneham  Park  ;  W.  Pyne.  South  Lancing. 

Game  (Any  other  variety).- First,  T.  Dyson,  Halifax.  Second,  S. 
Matthews.    Commended.  Rev.  T.  L.  Iremonger,  Goodworth ;  H.  Loe. 


392 


JOUBNAL   OF   HOBTICULTUEE   AND   COTTAGE   GABDENER. 


[  November  19,  1868. 


HAMEcncHS  (Silver  and  Golil-iipncilled).— First.  R.  Barter,  Plymouth. 
Second,  P.  Pittis,  jun.,  Newport,  Isle  of  Wigtit.  Highly  Commended,  H. 
Pickles,  jun.    Commended,  F,  Pjttie,  jun. 

Hamburghs  (Silver  and  Gold-spauglcd). — First  and  Cuu  for  best  pen 
F.  Pittis,  jun.  Seeond,  T.  Elakem.in,  Tettsnhall.  Higbly' Commended, 
S.  &R.  Asbton,  Mottram ;  H.  Pickles,  jun.;  F.  Pittis;  R.  Barter.  Com- 
mended. J.  Ei^-ar. 

PoLASD.^  (Any  variety.— First,  G.  W.  Bootbby.  Lnnth.  Sejoud,  Mrs. 
Pettat,  Ashe  Rectory.  Highly  Commended,  T.  P.  Edwards,  Ljndhurst ; 
Mrs.  Pettat ;  H.  Pickles,  jun. 

Fhehch.— First,  Col.  Stuart  Wortley,  Grove  End  Road,  London.  Se- 
cond, H.  M.  Maynard.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  Astley  ;  Mrs.  L.  Paget, 
Wimljorne.  Commended,  Rev.  N.  J.  Ridley,  Newbury;  H.  S.  Fraser, 
Headley. 

Any  othee  Distinct  V,iniETY.— First,  .J.  Hinton,  Hinton,  Bath.  Se- 
cond, F.  Pittis,  jun.  Highly  Commended,  J,  Pares.  Commended,  W: 
Stanford,  Steyning. 

Game  Bantahs.— First  and  Second,  .1.  W.  Kelleway,  Merston  Cottage, 
Isle  of  Wight.  Higbly  Conmiended.  J.  W.  Kelleway  ;  C.  Here ;  J.  W. 
Morris,  Rochdale.  Commended,  AV.  G.  Stevenson,  Foxlease,  Lymington. 

Bantams  (Aar  other  variety).— First,  Mrs.  Pettat.  Second,  H.  M.  May- 
nard.   Highly  Commended,  E.  Cambridge,  Bristol ;  H.  Pickles,  jun. 

DccKS  ( Aylesbury).- First,  A.  Saunders.  Second,  F.  Cresswell,  Hands- 
worth.  Highly  Commended,  F.  Cresswell.  Commended,  Mrs.  J.  J. 
Maberly,  Hawley  Hurst.  Pettrifleld  ;  A.  Saunders  ;  F.  Pittis,  jun. 

Docks  (Any  other  vwictyi.- First,  C.  E.ikor.  Chelsea.  Second,  S.  .and 
R.  Asbton.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  Kavue.  Fordington.  Commended, 
T.  R.  Hulbcrt,  Old  Ah-esford  ;  H.  S.  Fraser  ;  T.  P.  Edivards. 

Geese.— First,  H.  C.  Dear.  Second,  Miss  E.  B.  Williams,  Harrington. 
Higbly  Commended,  A  Saunders. 

Tdrkevs.— First,  J.  Elgar.  Second  and  Higbly  Commended,  St.  J. 
Coventry. 

PIGEONS. 

Pouters  ok  Cboppf.rs.— First  and  Second,  E.  Fnlton,  Deptford.  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Yardiey,  Birmingham  ;  P.  H.  Jones;  W.  Cole,  Warwick. 
Commended,  T.  H.  Evans,  Lambeth. 

ToMBLEns.— First,  R.  Fulton.  Second,  P.  H.  Jones.  Highly  Com- 
mended. Hawlev  &  Horner,  Bingley  ;  J.  Lulkin,  Famham ;  ft.  Fultou  ; 
H.  Yardiey. 

Eaues.— First,  R.  Fu'ton.  Second,  Miss  Coker,  Alrcsford.  Highly 
Commended,  Hawley  &  Horner ;  H.  M.  Maynard;  J.  Baxter,  Newcastle- 
on-Tyne.    Commended,  Miss  Coker  ;  P.  H.  joncs. 

Jacobins. — First,  Miss  J.  jjlilhvard,  Newton  St.  Lee.  Second,  Hawley 
andHomer.  Highly  Commended.  W.  Green,  Rvde  ;  G.  Tlill,  Winchester. 
Commended,  H.  Yardiey  ;  H.  M.  Maynard;  J.  W.  Edge,  Birmingham. 

Fastailb.— First  and  Second.  Rev.  W.  S.  Shaw,  Bath.  Very  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Yardiey.  HiKhly  Commended,  S.  A.  Wyllie,  East 
Monlsey;  H.  Yardlev  ;  Miss  J.Milv/afd.    Commended,  J.  Luikin. 

Owxs.— First,  S.  A.  WyUie.    Second,  P.  H.  Jones. 

TuBBlTS.- First,  Hawley  &  Homer.  Second,  J.  W.  Edge.  Very 
Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  Brent,  Busted,  Uckfield.  Highly  Commended, 
H.  Yardiey. 

CARBlEas.— First  and  Second,  E.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended,  S. 
Harding,  Fareham  ;  P.  H.  .Jones  ;  H.  M.  Maynard :  J.  Lufkin  ;  R.  Wilson, 
Thirsk  ;  P.  H.  Jones.    Commended,  H.  Johnson,  Farnhara. 

Neks.— First,  P.  H.  Jones.    Seconl,  U.  Wilson,  Thirsk. 

Any  othek  Vakiety.- First  and  Extra  Third,  W.  S.  Loder,  Eathv.ick 
Hill,  Bath.  Second  and  Third,  H.  Yardlev.  Very  Highly  Commended, 
Mrs.  Breut.  Highly  Commended,  Hawley  &  Horner;  S' A.' Wvllie ;  P.  H. 
Joncs ;  H.  M.  Maynard  ;  W.  S.  Loder.  Bathwick  Hill,  Bath  ;  J.  W.  Edge. 
Commended.  A.  P.  Maurice,  Hcrriard  Grange,  Basingstoke  ;  H.  Yardlev  ; 
Hawley  &  H.irner. 

Cnp  for  the  gi-eatest  number  of  points  in  the  Pigeon  clas  es ,  R.  Fulton. 

CANARIES. 

KoKwicH  (Clear  Y'cllow).— First,  H.  Vine,  East  Cowcs.  Second,  E. 
Omie,  Derby.  Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  Bennett,  Derby  ;  R.  J. 
Tro:tke,  Redland,  Bristol ;  R.  Mackley,  Norwich.  Highly  Com'meuded, 
J.  Bennct; ;  J.  Besson,  Derby  ;  H.  Vine  ;  W,  Walter,  V.'inchester.  Com- 
mended, G.  Cnir^miogs,  Gloucester  ;  J.  Adams,  Coventry;  G.  J.  Barnes- 
by,  Derby  ;  W.  Walter. 

Norwich  (Clear  Buff;.— First,  E.  Ormc.  Second,  R.  Mackley.  Very 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Adams;  V.'.  Heap,  Horton,  Bradford;  H.  Apted, 
Broadwater,  Worthing ;  H.  Vine.  Highly  Commended,  G.  J.  Barnesiyy  ; 
J.  Bexson  ;  W.  Walter  ;  R.  Mackley.    Commended,  E.  Orme. 

Nonwicu  (Marked  or  Variegated  Yellow).— First,  E.  Orme.  Second, 
R.  Mackley.  Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  Bexson:  W.  Walter.  Highly 
Commended.  W.  Walter.  Commended,  W.  D.  Prosser,  Wandsworth ;  W. 
Walter ;  K.  Mackley. 

Norwich  (Marked  or  Variegated  Buff).— First,  E.  Orme.  Second,  W. 
iDSon,  Redlands,  Bristol.  Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  Bennett.  Derby  ; 
W.  Walter.  Highly  Commended,  W.  Walter  ;  E.  Mackley.  Commended, 
R.  J.  Troake  ;  W.  Walter. 

Belgian  (Clear  Yellow].  —  First  and  Very  Highly  Commended,  O. 
Nicholson,  Landport.  Second,  R.  Mackley.  Highly  Commended,  O. 
Halles,  Southampton. 

Belgian  iClenr  Buff  .-First,  J.  Bexson  ;  Second,  O.  Nicholson.  Very 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Baxter ;  T.  Moore,  Fareham  ;  R.  Mackley.  Highly 
Commended,  O.  Nicholson. 

Belgian  (Variegated  or  Marked  Yellow).- First,  O.  Nicholson.  Se- 
cond, H.  Vine.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Bexson  ;  T.  Moore.  Commended, 
W.  Clark,  Nottingham. 

Belgian  (Variegated  or  Marked  Buff). — First,  O.  Nicholson.  Second, 
J.  Bexson.    Very  Highly  Commended,  H.  Vine. 

Li:;ard  (Golden-spangled). — First,  G.  Harrison,  Canterbury.  Second, 
F.  W.  Fairurass.  Canterbury.  Very  Highly  Commended,  Rev.  V.  Ward, 
Canterbury.  Higbly  Commended,  H.  Vine.  Commended,  T.  Fairbrass, 
Canterbury ;  J.  Bexson. 

liizABD  (Silver-cp.-.ngled'.— First.  T.  Fairbrass.  Second,  W.  Chirk. 
Highly  Coniaicnded,  J.  Bexson  ;  H.  Vine. 

Goldfinch  Mule  I  Jonque). — First  and  Second,  G.  J.  Barnesby.  Very 
Highly  Commended,  G.  J.  Barnesby;  J.  Bexson  ;  H.  Vine;  T.  Carringtou, 
Derby ;  R.  Mackley. 

GoujpiNCH  Mule  (Mealy).— First,  G.  J.  Barnesby.  Second,  R.  Mackley. 
Very  Highly  Commended,  G.J.  Barnesby;  T.  Carrington ;  R.  Mackle'v. 
Highly  Conmiended,  H.  Vine.  Commended,  G.  J.  Barnesby ;  E.  J. 
Troake ;  W.  Inson. 


Linnet  Mcle.— First  and  Second,  G.  J.  Bamesbv. 

Canary  (Any  other  varicly).— First,  R.  J.  Troake.  Second.  H.  Vine. 
Third,  W.  A.  Blakston.  Sunderland.  Very  Highly  Commended,  W. 
Walter;  R.  Mackley.  Highly  Commended,  W.  J.  Toon,  Kettering;  O. 
Nicholson. 

Cup  for  gieatest  number  of  points  in  Canary  and  Mole  Classes,  G.  J 
Barnesbv. 

BRITISH  BIRDS.  '™ 

Bullfinch.- Prize,  H.  Viue. 

Goldfinch.— Prize,  H.  Vine.  Very  Highly  Commended,  W.  Walter. 
Commended.  O.  Nicholson. 

Linnet.- Prize,  W.  Walter.  Highly  Commended,  H.  Bromley,  South- 
ampton. 

Skylark.  —  Prize,  Mrs.  Goulden.  Very  Highly  Commended,  H. 
Vine.    Commended,  T.  Stewart,  Glen  Ayre.  Southampton. 

WooDLARK.— Prize,  W.  Walter.    Highly  Commended,  O.  Nicholson. 

Blackbird.— Prize,  T.  Hewlett,  Southampton.  Very  Highly  Com- 
mended. J.  Titheridge,  Winchester. 

Song  Thrush.- Prize.  W.  Walter. 

Starling.— Prize.  H.  Vine.    Commended,  W.  Walter, 

Si.sKlN.— Prize,  Miss  M.  Harfield.  Shirley,  Southampton. 

Any  other  Variety.— Fir.st,  A.  G.  Hubb.ardo,  Southampton.  Second, 
D.  Barnes,  Portswood,  Southampton.  Third,  O.  Nicholson.  Fourth,  T. 
Carrington. 

FOREIGN   BIRDS. 

LoRYS  (Any  variety).— Prize,  Vf.  Walter. 

Love  Birds.— Prize,  W.  B.  Bailey. 

Paraquets  (.\ny  variety).— Prize,  W.  Walter. 

Java  Sparrows.— Prize,  W.  Walter.  Commended,  W.  B.  Bailey,  Par- 
fleet. 

WiDAn.- Prize,  W.  B.  Bailey. 

Cardinals.— Prize,  W.  B.  Bailey. 

Bishops. — Prize,  W.  B.  Bailey. " 

Waxbills  (Any  variety), —Prize,  Miss  M.  Harfield.  Very  Highly  Com- 
mended, W.  Walter. 

Foreign  (Any  other  variety).— First,  W.  B.  Bailey.  Second,  Miss  M 
Harfield. 

Edward  Hewitt,  Esq.,  of  Birmin.qiiam,  judged  the  Poultry  and 
Piffcons  ;  A.  Willmore,  Esq.,  of  London,  Canaries ;  and  Wm.  Ciood- 
win,  Esq.,  of  London,  all  Foreign  hinls. 


GOLDFINCH  JIULE  CANARIES. 

The  qneriesof  yoar  correspondent,  "Koeeie  Burns,''  "  How 
Goldfinch  mules  are  judged  in  England,  and  bow  they  ought  to 
be  judged,"  include  widely  different  matters,  and  the  answers 
are  dependant  greatly  on  the  classification.  In  some  scheduleg 
"nearest  the  Canary  "  is  the  standard— a  definitidu  so  mani- 
festly abimd  as  to  need  no  cumment.  Last  week,  at  a  local 
show,  I  saw  a  splendid  evenly-mirked  mule  displaced  by  one 
marked  on  one  wing  only,  on  the  ground  that  it  waa  "  nearest 
the  Canary  1" 

The  mule  most  diflieult  to  breed  is  one  absolutely  clean,  and 
it  therefore  ought  to  cccupy  the  highest  position.  Next  to  this 
should  rank  an  eyenly-m.aiked  bird  ;  then  ticked  and  unevenly 
marked ;  ana  lastly,  daik  self-coloured  mules.  Colcur,  con- 
dition, and  size  are  taken  into  consideration,  and,  all  other 
points  being  equal,  a  bird  v.hieh  excelled  in  either  would  win. 

A  Jonque  mule  (formerly  in  the  possession  of  Howarth  Ash- 
ton,  Esq.,  of  Manchester,  but  now  the  property  of  John  Young, 
Esq.,  of  Monkwearmouth.  v.ho  has,  perhaps,  the  finest  collec- 
tion of  mules  in  England),  which  for  size,  colour,  and  markings 
was  consideied  the  best  mule  of  his  class  in  the  country,  and 
has  carried  llr.  Ashion's  colours  to  the  front  iu  many  an  all 
England  show,  is  evenly  marked  on  each  wing,  and  beautifully 
pencilled  on  the  eyes.  He  is  named  Edward  I.,  and  the  last 
time  I  saw  his  majesty  he  ^Tas  surrounded  by  such  a  group  of 
satellites  as  it  is  seldom  one  man's  good  fortune  to  possess. 
Edward  II.,  a  Jonque  cock,  similarly  marked,  but  with  the 
addition  of  a  black  feather  on  either  side  of  the  tail ;  Black- 
eyed  Susan,  an  evenly-marked  and  pencilled-eyed  buff  beauty  ; 
Cloth  of  Gold,  a  clean  Jonque  cock  ;  Snowdrop,  a  clean  bufi 
cock,  with  Snowflake  and  Snowdrift,  two  spotless  houris  at  his 
side,  were  among  the  number.  The  past  season,  however,  may 
have  given  birth  to  new  gems,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  Mr. 
Doel,  Mr.  Barnesby,  Mr.  Shiei,  and  other  noted  mitle-breeders 
will  charm  us  with  a  peep  at  some  of  their  treasures  at  the 
approaching  winter  exhibitions. — W.  A.  Blaksion. 


THE   CAPE   BEES. 

I  THINK  it  will  be  found  that  the  two  native  varieties  of  the 
honey  bee  referred  to  by  Mr.  Woodbury's  South  African  corre- 
spondent are  nothing  else  than  mongrel  varieties  of  Apis 
fasciata  and  Apis  melUfic?,.  I  very  much  doubt,  because 
against  all  experience,  that  the  pure  African  bee  is  to  be  found 
uncontaminated  in  presence  of  any  known  variety  of  A.  melli- 
fica,  and  hence  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  both  the  varieties 
alluded  to  will  be  found  to  be  mongrel  races. 

It  would  appear  from  Mr.  F.  Smith,  that  "  the  small  black 


Novembar  19,  186a   ] 


JOURNAL  OF    HORTXCULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDiSNEB. 


393 


bee  possibly  is  the  A.  Adanson^  o{  Latreille;"  but  I  nndor- 
stood  that  the  A.  Adanaonii  of  Latreille  whb  a  variegated  bee, 
and  agreed  with  A.  faseiftta  insizo  and  colour,  differing  only  in 
its  darker  hair.  It  is  said  that  this  form  of  variegated  bee 
ocoura  at  the  Cape.  If  so,  I  take  it  to  be  the  "  diminutive  of 
the  Liguvlan"  referred  to  by  Mr.  Woodbury's  correspondent — 
A.  Adansonii.  I  also  understand  that  together  with  this  varie- 
gated form,  there  occur  at  the  Cape  trauBitions  of  all  kinds  to 
a  nearly  uniform  dark  one,  and  that  the  darker  variety  only 
differs  from  the  British  bee  in  Its  smaller  size.  This  seems  to 
me  to  be  the  other  variety  referred  to,  which  Mr.  Woodbury 
has  oomiuissioned,  and  which  is  described  as  being  nearly 
identical  with  the  A.  uuicolor  of  Latreille,  which  abounds  in 
the  Mauritius  and  Madagascar,  and  which  M.  Gersliioker  says 
"  differs  from  the  north  German  bee  (A.  melliflca),  only  in  its 
smaller  si:;3."  In  short,  I  expect  that  the  African  "niggers" 
on  their  way  to  England  will  resemble  somewhat  those  propa- 
gated by  myself  (only  darker),  by  the  crossings  of  the  A.  melli- 
flca with  t!'9  A.  fasciata  in  my  possession. 

That  the  characteristics  of  each  variety  should  be  thus 
tnaintaiued  so  conspicuously,  as  is  represented  to  exist  at  the 
Cape,  is  one  of  those  mysteries  which  it  is  dil'licult  to  solve, 
though  a  batter  acquaintance  with  facts  might  throw  some 
light  upon  it.  Wheie  two  opposing  inQuonces  are  at  work  it 
is  natural  to  suppose  that  the  strongest  or  largest  will  have  the 
mastery.  In  this  country  it  will  be  found  that  the  Liguriau 
race  will  have  much  to  contend  against  in  this  respect  for  many 
long  years  to  come ;  but  even  when  its  propagation  shall 
arrive  at  that  point,  when  both  the  Italian  and  British  inlla- 
enoe  shall  bo  nearly  equalised,  I  believa  that  even  then  in 
certain  localities  the  Ligurian  race  will  be  found  to  prevail  over 
the  other  race,  and  vice  versa,  just  as  is  represented  at  the 
Cape  with  reg.ird  to  the  Egyptian  r.ud  British  bee. 

I  fear,  then,  that  Mr.  Woodbury  in  getting  possession  of 
these  African  "  niggers,"  so  far  from  obtaining  any  new  race  of 
bee,  will  only  bo  renewing  his  acquaintance  with  hybrid 
descendants  of  his  old  "friend"  (!)  A.  fasciata,  only  with  a  large 
preponderance  of  the  black  element ;  and  that  in  making  a 
choice  of  these  for  importation  over  the  so-called  "  diminutive 
Ligurian,"  mentioned  by  his  correspondent,  so  far  as  irascibility 
of  temper  is  concerned,  he  will  only  be  avoiding  Scjlla  to  fall 
into  Charybdis. 

In  thus  forming  an  opinion,  however,  I  need  not  say  that  I 
shall  be  glad  if  that  opinion  prove  incorrect.  In  any  case,  all 
apiarians  must  owe  Mr.  Woodbury  a  debt  of  thanks  for  his 
indefatigable  and  persevering  exertions  in  this  matter. 

One  or  two  very  interesting  topics  have  been  recently  mooted 
by  your  excellent  correspondent,  "  E.  S.,"  to  which  I  hope  to 
direct  my  attention  at  some  future  time,  and  to  which  other 
apiarians  will,  I  doubt  not,  lend  their  aid  towards  a  solution. 
— J.  Lowe. 


INTRODUCING  LIGURIAN   QUEENS. 

The  following  is  an  account  of  our  experience  with  six  Ligu- 
rian queen  bees  we  recently  obtained  from  Mr.  Woodbury.  We 
first  asked  his  advice  about  how  we  were  to  introduce  them  to 
the  Week  bees,  and  were  referred  by  him  to  the  number  of 
The  Jcuenal  op  Hor.TicoLTURE  for  the  5th  of  September,  18C7. 
We  got  it,  and  were  then  prepared  to  act. 

On  the  15th  of  October  we  had  a  note  saying  that  the  bees 
■were  to  leave  Switzerland  in  a  few  days.  We  let  the  black 
-queens  remain  in  their  hives  four  days  after  that,  and  then 
removed  five  of  them,  thinking  that  within  five  days  their 
foreign  rivals  would  be  forwarded  to  take  their  place.  We  were 
disappointed,  however,  for  instead  of  five  days  it  was  twenty 
ere  they  arrived. 

My  neighbour,  who  was  to  receive  three  of  the  six  queens, 
became  very  disheartened;  his  bees  came  out,  and  seemed 
careless  about  going  back  again.  He  expected  to  lose  all; 
around  his  hives  the  bees  were  lying  dead.  He  shut  them  up, 
then  dysentery  began  in  two  of  the  hives,  and  when  the  queens 
came,  there  was  a  great  number  of  his  bees  dead  in  two  of  his 
hives  (they  were  vei-y  strong  hives  to  begin  with).  He  cleaned 
them  out,  and  tried  one  of  the  queens  on  a  comb ;  she  was 
received  cheerfully.  The  other  two  had  to  be  put  into  wire 
cages,  and  left  for  two  days.  He  has  now  succeeded  with  all 
three. 

A  day  before  the  Italian  queens  arrived  I  found  a  young 
queen  cast  out  from  each  of  my  two  hives,  from  which  1  had 
taken  the  queens  about  seventeen  days  before.  This  told  me 
there  had  been  qnecn-making  going  on,  so  I  made  a  search 


before  putting  in  the  new  ones,  and  found  a  fine  large  queen  in 
each,  and  four  queen  cellp.  This  rather  puzzled  me  ;  how  was 
I  to  do  now  ?  As  it  was  very  cold,  how  was  I  to  manage  to 
keep  the  new  queens  five  days,  as  Mr.  Woodbury  said  the  bees 
should  bo  kept  live  days  without  a  queen  before  putting  in 
the  new  ones?  The  five  queens  we  took  out  first  died  in  ten 
days,  and  the  frost  being  now  so  severe,  I  was  afraid  to  keep 
them  a  day  from  the  hives  after  the  journey  from  Switzer- 
land. I  saw  no  alternative  but  to  risk  them  at  once ;  bo  I 
placed  two  of  them  each  into  a  cage,  and  put  them  into  their 
hives.  I  had  not  taken  the  queen  from  my  third  hive,  bo  1 
went  in  search  of  her,  and  saw  her  on  a  comb,  but  ere  I  could 
take  her  off,  she  was  out  of  sight.  I  then  searched  the  comba 
four  times  over,  but  could  see  nothing  of  her,  so  I  gave  it  up 
in  despair  till  next  day,  when  we  found  her  outside  of  the 
house.  It  was  a  very  hard  frost  all  night,  and  the  sun  not 
making  his  appearance,  I  durst  not  open  the  hive,  bo  I  thought 
of  just  risking  the  new  queen  in  at  the  opening  or  feeding  hole 
at  the  top  of  the  hive.  I  opened  the  box  to  take  her,  but  found 
her  lying  on  the  bottom,  and  her  companions  along  with  her, 
to  all  appearance  dead,  so  I  shook  her  out  on  my  hand  (the 
reader  may  conceive  my  feelings  after  allmy  trouble);  she 
seemed  a  beauty.  I  ran  to  the  fireside,  warmed  my  hand,  held 
it  over  her,  breathed  between  my  hands  to  warm  her,  and  was 
laughed  at  by  my  wife,  who  told  me  I  was  getting  "  bee-daft." 
The  heat  had  the  desired  effect,  however,  for  the  queen  began 
to  move,  and  in  ten  minutes  was  on  her  feet.  I  put  her  into 
a  box,  placed  a  piece  of  glass  over  it,  wrapped  the  box  in  warm 
flannel,  ran  to  the  bee  house  with  her,  and  put  the  box  on  the 
feeding  hole.  I  left  the  bees  there,  and  examined  the  three 
hives  at  the  end  of  four  days,  and  found  the  queens  in  all 
doing  well.  I  should  have  stated  that  my  two  queens  that 
were  caged  at  midday  were  released  from  their  confinement 
by  the  bees  excavating  their  cages  out  of  the  comb  by  next 
forenoon. 

We  have  managed  far  better  than  we  expected.  We  feared 
that  the  frosty  nights  would  kill  the  queens  on  the  journey. 
My  neighbour  and  myself  had  both  had  one  that  was  more 
like  dead  than  alive. — H.  L. 


THE   BERKSHIRE  HIVE. 

I  CAN  fully  endorse  what  is  said  by  "  S.  B."  as  to  the  advan- 
tanes  of  the  Berkshire  bee  hive,  which  I  have  used  with  the 
oTeatest  success,  and  which  I  believe  to  be  for  ordinary  bee- 
keepers the  most  satisfactory  hive  known.  It  is  somewhat  on 
the  principle  of  the  Canadian  hive,  than  which  nothing  can  be 
more  simple  or  efficient  for  taking  and  storing  honoy. 

Mr.  Sadler's  bivL-s  and  bee  houses  both  deserve  notice,  and  I 
am  surprised  that  they  have  only  just  found  their  way  to  the 
Bee-keepers'  Chronicle. 

This  year  I  have  taken  6S  lbs.  of  honey  from  three  hives, 
leaving,  of  course,  the  stocks  well  supplied  for  the  winter.  _  It  is 
not  true  that  the  hives  never  throw  off  any  swarms,  for  if  ex- 
posed to  the  sun  the  bees  are  sure  to  swarm ;  they  require  to  be 
kept  entirely  in  the  shade.  My  best  stock  swarmed  tmce  this 
year,  and  made  no  honry  in  the  supers  because  they  were  ex- 
posed to  the  sun  all  the  previous  season,  and  consequently  pro  • 
pared  for  swarming  early  this  spring.  I  have  tried  many  hives, 
but  none  with  equal  success  to  that  of  the  Berkshire  Hive. — 
Halcvon'. 

WAXEN  SHEETS. 

In  reply  to  "A  Lan-arkshike  Bf.e-keepek"  in  your  last 
number,  I  would  observe  that  no  wax  sheet  which  I  have 
purchased  or  made  is  of  uniform  thickness  ;  the  wax,  tending 
downwards  when  the  board  or  glass  isdipped  into  it,  accumulates 
in  a  greater  thickness  on  the  lower  side  of  the  sheet,  and  if  care 
be  not  used  to  hang  the  sheet  by  its  thickest  edge  a  break- 
down frequently  follows.  The  perforation  which  he  describes 
I  have  occasionally  observed  in  impresfed  sheets,  but  not  to 
any  serious  extent,  and  never,  so  far,  in  plain  sheets. 

if  "A  LiNAEKsnir.E  Bee-keepes"  will  refer  to  my  letter  in 
your  number  of  September  10th  he  will  see  that  I  was  speakir  g 
of  impressed  sheets,  when  I  said  that  I  had  known  workei- 
comb  built  upon  them  by  queenless  stocks.  This  I  have  seen 
so  frequently  that  I  think  I  may  say  that  it  is  the  rule  that 
drone  comb  is  not  built  until  the  comb  is  brought  below  the 
level  of  the  sheet ;  but  in  respect  to  plain  sheets  I  may  now  say, 
that  on  the  only  occasion  within  my  knowledge  of  bees  build- 


394 


JJUKNAL  OF  HOKTICULTDKE   AJND  COTTAGE   GAxtrENEK 


[  November  19,  1868. 


ing  on  such  when  qiieenlese,  a  somewhat  similar  result  ensued. 
On  the  5th  of  July  this  year  a  stock  of  pure  Ligurians  having 
refused  to  swarm  or  work  in  supers,  I  divided  the  hive  (a 
frame  bos  of  20A  inches  pquare)  by  a  partition  in  the  middle, 
and  gave  to  the  queenless  half  an  outside  frame  with  a  plain 
sheet ;  the  queen  was  hatched  on  the  20th,  by  which  time  the 
sheet  was  fully  worked  up,  the  greater  part  of  it  with  worker 
cells,  but  a  little  drone  comb  round  the  edges ;  this  comb, 
mostly  sealed  honey,  was  removed  before  the  queen  began  to 
lay.  With  regard  to  the  use  of  plain  sheets  in  supers  I  can  say 
nothing,  not  having  yet  tried  them,  but  purpose  doing  so  next 
year. 

I  may  further  inform  your  correspondent  that  I  have  never 
purchased  was  sheets  either  in  London  or  Ayrshire  in  smaller 
quantities  than  three  dozen,  and  that  I  have  paid  in  London 
6s.,  and  in  Ayrshire  5s.  a-dozen,  besides  packing-case,  &c.  I 
cannot  undertake  to  make  sheets  for  your  correspondent,  but 
as  to  their  price  it  may  suffice  to  say,  that  plain  sheets  some- 
what thicker  than  the  impressed  ones  weigh  thirty  to  the  pound, 
when  trimmed  for  Woodbury  frames,  and  the  price  of  wax  being 
2s.  per  lb.,  makes  the  price  of  a  sheet  somewhat  less  than  Id.  As 
to  the  labour  of  their  construction,  I  can  easily,  by  the  method 
described  in  my  former  letter,  turn  out  ten  dozen  in  an  hour, 
and  have  little  doubt  that  with  the  aid  of  another  pair  of  hands 
they  could  be  impressed  in  two  hours.  The  profit  which  the 
makers  realise  upon  their  sale  at  Gs.  a-dozeu  may  easily  be 
reckoned. — Apicola. 


HOW  TO  SWEEP  THE  FLOOR. 

In  the  days  of  our  Puritan  grandmothers,  no  girl  was  con- 
sidered fit  to  receive  proposals  of  marriage  till  she  could  make 
a  good  hemlock  broom  ;  to  know  how  to  make  a  broom  in  those 
old  days,  we  presume,  was  always  preceded  by  the  knowledge 
of  its  use.  But  in  these  later  times,  many  a  young  lady  not 
only  offers  herself  in  the  matrimonial  market,  but  absolutely 
gets  married  and  undertakes  to  manage  her  house  without 
knowing  how  to  use  a  broom  that  some  one  else  has  made.  We 
have  seen  a  broom  used  so  unskilfully,  that  one  would  almost 
think  the  person  engaged  in  using  it  was  endeavouring  to 
change  the  place  of  the  dust  from  the  floor  to  the  furniture.  It 
requires  some  science,  or  at  least  some  skill,  to  use  a  broom 
well,  as  it  does  to  do  anything  else. 

To  use  a  broom  skilfully,  the  handle  should  incliuo  forward 
and  not  backward,  as  is  often  the  case.  If  the  top  of  the  broom 
inclines  forward  beyond  the  part  next  the  floor,  it  will  prevent 
much  of  the  dust  from  rising  into  the  air,  and  will  carry  it 
along  by  a  gently  sliding  motion  towards  the  place  where  it  is 
to  be  disposed  of. 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  handle  of  the  broom  inclines  back- 
wards, the  dust  is  sent  into  the  air  by  a  kind  of  a  jerk,  to  the 
great  annoyance  of  those  who  occupy  the  room,  and  to  the 
great  detriment  of  everything  the  apartment  contains.  More 
than  this,  it  wears  off  the  threads  of  the  carpet  quicker,  in- 
jures the  paint  more,  if  the  room  is  uncarpeted,  and  destroys 
the  broom  sooner,  than  if  the  sweeping  was  done  in  a  more 
rational  way. 

A  brush  of  bristles  is  always  better  to  sweep  a  carpet,  as  it  is 
less  liable  "  to  kick  up  a  dust,"  or  to  injure  the  texture  of  the 
carpet.  Moistened  tea  leaves  thrown  over  a  carpet  before 
sweeping,  will  help  to  prevent  the  dust  from  rising,  and  on 
account  of  the  peculiar  properly  of  the  tea  infusion,  they  will 
not  injure  the  colour  of  the  cloth.  After  the  first  snowfall, 
carpets  may  be  cleaned  of  dust  by  throwing  a  little  hard  snow 
on  them  when  the  room  is  cold,  and  quickly  sweeping  it  off. 


OUR   LETTER   BOX. 

Chinese  Geese  —  Characteristics  of  Dorkings  and  Erabmas 
{Novice). — We  know  notbins  of  Messrs.  Lucas'  sale.  Chinese  Geese  lay 
at  all  times.  We  Lave  known  them  lay,  sit,  and  rear  their  young  in  mid- 
winter. The  principal  characteristics  uf  Dorking  and  Brahma  cockerels 
are  size  and  weight,  but  of  course  the  latter  is  not  accompanied  by  sym- 
metry. They  are  lanky  and  narrow.  Golden-pencilled  Hamburghs  lay 
more  eggs  than  either  Brahmas  or  French  fowls,  but  their  eggs  are 
smaller.  The  French  lay  the  largest  eggs.  They,  like  the  Hamburghs, 
are  non-sittors. 

Quantity  of  Food  for  Fowls  (An  Amateur).~lt  is  quite  impossible 
to  give  any  quantity  as  the  average  consumption  of  food  by  a  given 
number  of  fowls,  unless  we  know  every  particular -whether  confined  or 
at  liberty,  and  the  nature  of  their  run.  We  do  not  like  your  feeding. 
The  morning  feed  of  corn  is  a  good  one  ;  barley  is  better  than  wheat. 
The  midday  and  evening  feeds  are  bad.  Boiled  Potatoes  are  bad  feeding. 
They  make  bad  flesh  and  flat,  and  they  do  not  promote  laying.  Pollard 
is  bad.    Kitchen  scraps  are  good.    You  wiU  do  better  if  you  iviU  adopt 


the  following  dietary : — In  th^morning,  at  daybreak,  barley ;  midday, 
ground  oats  slacked  with  water  or  milk,  and  in  tlie  evening  whole  com, 
either  barley  or  Indian  com  ;  the  former  preferable,  the  latter  us'^ful  for  a 
change.  The  old  moulting  hens  will  not  lay  in  the  winter.  The  puUets 
of  last  spring  should  do  so,  and  will  as  soon  as  yon  alter  your  stylo  of 
food.  No  hens,  however  well  fed,  will  lay  in  the  winter.  You  must  form 
your  own  idea  of  the  necessary  quantity  of  fond  from  observation.  The 
better  their  condition  the  less  they  will  eat.    Rice  is  utterly  worthless. 

Cochin-china  Hen  not  Laying  (S.  B.)-— Either  your  Cochin  hen  was 
too  fat  to  lay,  or  she  ate  her  eggs,  or  they  were  taken  by  some  one  or 
something.  It  is  against  nature  that  a  hen  should  lay  one  egg  and  then 
leave  ofi".  Judging  from  her  weight  we  should  say  she  was  very  fat.  At 
her  age  she  will  not  lay  at  this  time  of  year ;  but  when  Christmas  is 
turned  bring  her  down  in  condition  till  she  is  comparatively  thin,  and  we 
believe  you  will  find  her  a  layer. 

Breeding  Buff  Cochin-Chinas  (Lemon  Bu/f)-— What  colour  do  yon 
want  to  breed  ?  We  should  prefer  the  dark  cockerel  with  the  light  hens. 
Promoting  Size  in  Fowls  {G.  iv.).— Nothing  can  be  more  fallacious 
than  your  friend's  advice,  to  feed  less  nourishingly.  You  want  size,  and 
that  can  only  be  produced  by  good  feeding  when  the  birds  are  growing. 
If  you  feed  on  bran  you  will  have  a  lanky,  narrow,  knock-koeed  bird, 
that  will  pass  all  his  time  sitting  on  his  hocks.  A  growing  bird  will  not 
fatten,  all  the  support  goes  to  make  scaffolding,  and  to  supply  thew  and 
sinew.  Your  8-lb.  bird  had  done  gi-owing  at  eight  months  old.  Barley- 
meal  and  ground  oats  are  good,  so  is  a  little  whole  barley.  We  do  not 
approve  of  wheat,  bran,  Indianmeal,  or  peameal.  A  little  Indian  corn 
may  be  given  at  times.  The  secret  of  making  large  fowls  is  to  feed 
judiciously  from  the  first.  Growth  cannot  be  made  afterwards.  Weight 
may  be  added,  but  it  is  such  as  you  saw  in  the  fowl  you  mention,  and 
such  as  you  would  obtain  in  a  Capon.  Hatch  early, feed  often  on  chopped 
egg  and  cooked  meat,  Ijread  and  milk,  ground  oats  slaked  with  milk, 
bread  crumbs,  tailing  wheat,  &c.  When  growth  has  ceased,  feed  them  as 
adults  ;  meal  night  and  morning,  whole  corn  in  the  day.  Judges  are  not 
infallible,  and  if  the  cock  has  done  as  much  as  you  say,  continue  to  show 
him. 

Hen-Cock  {Mr.  A.  P.}.— Your  Black  Spanish  hen,  which  has  been  lay- 
ing for  the  last  two  years,  and  this  year  after  the  raonlt  has  feathers  like 
those  of  a  cock,  tail  and  hackle,  and  in  colour  rich  glossy  black,  having 
a  metallic  green  lustre,  is  not  a  phenomenon.  It  is  a  change  which  often 
occurs,  and  though  the  sex  ijs  changed  only  in  appearance,  yet  Bhe  will 
lay  no  more  eggs. 

Roup  Pills  {M.  Moxccroft).—Mesara.  Baily,  113,  Mount  Street,  Groves- 
nor  Square,  London,  W. 

Hanley  Poultry  Show  (T.  Dean).— Oar  note  about  Keighley  Poultry 
Show,  at  page  852,  should  have  been  headed  "Hanley  Poultry  Show,"  and 
our  observation  apphes  to  this.  We  see  no  reason  to  pursue  the  subject; 
if  you  can  show  any  unfair  proceedings  we  will  aid  iu  exposing  them. 

Crossing  Toulouse  and  Norfolk  Geese— Eggs  unfertile  (A.  B.), 
— You  may  safely  allow  the  Toulouse  Gander  to  ran  with  the  Norfolk 
Geese.  You  are  altogether  mistaken  about  the  eggs;  those  that  remain 
perfectly  clear  have  never  been  impregnated— they  would  have  remained 
clear  for  six  mouths.  There  has  never  been  the  germ  of  life  in  such  an 
egg,  and  there  can  consequently  be  neither  development,  death,  nor  decay. 
Baldhead  and  Beard  Pigeons. — A  correspondent  says  that  these  are 
very  difficult  varieties  to  breed,  and  that  he,  "  A  Board,"  would  readily 
subficrilie,  as  would  many  others,  for  prizes  to  be  awarded  to  them  in 
separate  classes. 

Large  Hives  {Inquirer) — If,  as  we  suppose,  you  intend  to  deepen 
your  hives  permanently  by  means  of  ekes,  it  had  better  be  done  in  the 
spring  as  soon  as  they  become  tolerably  populous.  It  may  bo  as  well  to 
change  their  floor  boards,  but  we  do  not  deem  it  very  essential.  Waxen 
sheets  should  first  be  slightly  warmed,  so  as  not  to  chip  before  the  knife 
or  scissors,  then  make  incisions  from  a  q'larter  to  three-eighths  of  an 
inch  deep,  and  about  an  inch  apart  along  the  upper  edge.  Next  warm 
the  wax  a  little  more,  and  bend  over  each  portion  so  divided  alternately 
from  right  o  left  until  they  stand  at  right  angles  with  the  sheet  itself, 
when,  if  our  description  has  been  sufficiently  clear  to  be  intelligible,  it 
will  be  found  easy  to  cement  the  foundation  thus  formed  to  a  comb  bar, 
by  means  of  melted  wax.  We  see  no  reason  why  vour  hives  should  not 
travel  safely  if  you  can  get  the  crate  carefully  handled  and  kept  in  its 
proper  position.  Tie  the  hives  up  in  cloth  of  oijcn  texUire  (cheese  cloth), 
invert  them,  and  pack  them  firmly  with  fitra^v,  takiu.;  care  that  ventila- 
tion is  perfectly  unimpeded  in  every  case. 

Food  for  Bees  {E.  Hoare). — We  always  use  simple  syrup  made  of 
lump  sugar  in  the  proportion  of  three  parts  of  sugar  to  two  of  water  (by 
weight),  and  boiled  a  minute  or  two.  When  administered  by  means  of 
an  inverted  bottle  this  really  leaves  nothing  to  be  desired.  Treacle 
should  never  be  used  for  feeding  bees. 

Feeding  Bees  in  Winter. — "  G.  S.  T."  asks  for  the  best  method  of 
feeding  bees  in  winter,  and  as  we  never  attempt  doing  so,  we  shall  be 
obliged  by  a  reply  from  any  one  who  has  Buccessfully  fed  beea  at  that 
season. 

Butterflies  and  Moths  {A  Younff  Entomoloqist^. — We  cannot  recom- 
mend dea  ere.  There  is  no  serial  relative  to  Lepidoptera  publishing  in 
parts.  If  you  need  a  cheap  illustrated  book  on  the  British  Lepidoptera, 
purchase  Stainton's  "  Manual  of  Butterfles  .ind  Moths," 

Greek  Wines  {Rev.  W.  It.  P.). — We  have  already  stated  thnt  Kephisia 
and  St.  Elie  are  two  of  the  most  refreshing  wines  that  we  know.  All  the 
Greek  wines  are  pure  and  unbrandied.  Why  not  call  at  Mr.  Denman*S, 
in  Piccadilly,  and  taste  the  wines?  You  will  find  all  the  information  yon 
ask  for  in  a  small  volume  he  has  pubUshed.  It  is  well  written,  and  tells 
much  that  you  will  like  to  know. 


POULTRY  MARKET.— NovEUBEB  18. 


s.  d 
c 


Large  Fowls 3    0  to  3 

Smaller  do 2    0        2    b 

ChickeuB    16        19 

Geese  5    6       7    0 

Ducks 2    0       2    6 

Pigeons 0    8       0    9 


Pheasants    

Partridges    1 

Hares 2 

Rabbits 1 

WiMdo 0 

Groiue 3 


8.  d        B. 

2  6  toS 
6  1 
6       3 


NoTember  £6,  1868.  ] 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOimCULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENEK. 


.3!© 


WEEKLY 

CALENDAR. 

Day 

o( 
Month 

Day 

ot 

Week. 

NOV.  26-DEC.  2,  1868. 

Averape  Temperature 
near  London. 

Uain  In 

last 
W  years. 

Sun 
Rises. 

Sun 
Sots. 

Moon 
Rises. 

Mood 
Sots 

Moon's 
Kxc. 

Clooli 
after 

Sun 

SSI 

ssst 

S3J 

sst 
s.-s 

33T 

2G 

27 
28 
•Z'i 
30 

1 

a 

TH 
P 

s 

SCN 

M 

Tn 

W 

Show  of  Royal  Uorticullural  Society  of 
[Ireland. 

1  Sunday  in  Advent. 

Meeting   of    NottinRham     Horticnltural 
iSociaty. 

Day. 
47.1 
47.0 
48.S 
48.0 
48.0 
4K.4 
47.7 

NiBht. 
Sli.O 
S4  0 
34.9 
83.9 
S4.1 
86.1 
34.0 

Mean. 
40.1 
40  0 
416 
40.9 
410 
418 
408 

Dava. 

22 
20 
20 
20 
21 
20 
19 

m       >i. 
89«»7 
41      7 
41      7 

43  7 

44  7 

45  7 
47       7 

m.    h 
56af3 
55      3 

54  3 

55  3 
53      8 
62      .S 
62      3 

TO.    h. 
47af  2 
12       3 

40  3 
9      4 

51      4 

41  6 
40      6 

m.     h 
67af2 
G      4 
15      5 
26      6 
88      7 
46      8 
45      9 

Davi*. 
12 
13 
14 
15 
O 
17 
18 

Tl         II. 

12    21 
12      1 
11    41 
11     2) 
1'1    58 
10    8S 
10    12 

From  observations  taken  near  London  daring  the  last  torly-one  years,  the  average  day  temiJeratnre  of  the  week  is  47  S'  ;  and  Its  nisM 
temperature  34,1  ;     The  greatest  heat  was  62',  on  the   Ist,  1857  ;   and  the  lowest  cold  14^,  on  the  aoth,  1856.    The  greatosl  lall  ol  ram 
was  1.21  Inch. 

SOME  NOTES  ON   FERNS, 
EXOTIC. 


HARDY   AND 


ERNS  are  ever  worthy  of  admiration,  but  if  I 
admire  them  more  at  one  season  than  another, 
now  is  the  time, 

"  When  bleak  November's  winds  are  blawing, 
Baith  snell  and  keen." 

Wlien  summer  flowers  lose  tlieir  beauty  and 
fade  away,  l''erns  are  lovely  and  graceful  as 
ever ;  they  are  plants  for  everybody,  and  are 
to  be  found  in  the  garden  of  the  cottager,  in 
the  small  greenhouse  of  the  man  of  limited  means,  and  in 
the  garden  of  the  nobleman,  who  can  ali'ord  to  build  large 
conservatories  where  tree  Ferns  may  luxuriate  in  abun- 
dant space. 

First,  I  will  jot  down  some  notes  about  hardy  Ferns, 
which  are  very  easily  managed,  and  the  nurserymen's  lists 
of  which  are  numerous,  especially  in  varieties  of  the  normal 
forms  of  British  species.  These  can  be  purchased  at  a 
cheap  rate  from  the  dealers  in  them,  but  are  not  so  in- 
teresting to  the  enthu.siastic  cultivator  as  plants  which 
have  been  collected  during  a  holiday  tour,  and  which  have 
been  obtained  at  the  expense  of  many  a  fatiguing  journey 
over  hill  and  dale,  and  sometimes  at  much  personal  risk. 

Some  of  the  rarest  of  our  native  species  are  difficult  to 
manage  under  cultivation,  and  rec|uire  peculiar  treatment 
to  have  them  in  a  tloiu'ishing  condition.  The  best  place 
out  of  doors  for  them  is  a  position  partially  shaded,  but 
not  too  much  confined,  as  they  cau  bear  a  little  exposure. 

I  will  notice  a  few  of  the  most  interesting  native  sorts 
wliich  I  have  successfully  cultivated,  and  there  is  none 
more  worthy  of  notice  than  the  true  Maiden-hair,  Adiantum 
capillus-Veneris.  It  is  one  of  the  rarest  of  our  native 
Ferns,  and  is  found  in  tolerable  abundance  at  Tiutagel,  in 
Cornwall.  It  grows  best  in  a  moist  warm  temperature  ; 
in  fact,  it  pines  away  and  dies  in  the  open  air,  and  just 
manages  to  live  in  a  greenhouse.  I  grow  it  in  the  plant 
stove  in  a  compost  of  turfy  peat,  a  small  portion  of  sandy 
loam,  and  a  few  rough  pieces  of  charcoal,  placing  plenty  of 
drainage  at  the  bottom  of  the  flower  pot. 

Asplenium  marinum  requires  the  same  treatment.  I 
had  a  large  plant  of  it  which  threw  up  fronds  1«  inches 
long  in  the  stove  ;  it  also  succeeds  well  in  a  vinery  where 
it  is  partially  shaded  by  the  Vines  during  the  season  of  its 
growth ;  the  moist  atmosphere  which  the  Vines  require 
during  the  growing  season  just  suits  it.  It  does  not  suc- 
ceed nearly  so  well  in  a  cool  greenhouse.  I  was  planting 
a  specimen  of  it  in  a  rockworU  I  formed  out  of  doors  in 
the  spring  of  the  present  year,  when  a  lady,  visiting  here, 
told  me  it  was  useless  planting  it,  as  she  had  proved  that 
it  would  not  so  live  in  the  neighbourhood  of  London 
My  plant  looks  healthy  as  yet;  it  has  just  been  covered 
with  a  bell-glass,  which  will  be  allowed  to  remain  on  all 
the  winter,  and  I  have  the  hope  that  under  careful  mannge- 
ment  it  will  succeed.  It  grows  and  thrives  in  an  exposed 
position  on  the  north  shore  of  tlie  Firth  of  Forth,  or  did 
grow  eight  years  ago,  but  the  spot  was  often  visited  by 
collectors,  and  the  plants  were  fast  disappearing. 

No.  400.— Vol.  XV.,  New  Series. 


Ceterach  officinarum  is  another  interesting  little  FerQ 
wliich  I  obtained  from  an  old  wall,  where  it  grows  natn- 
rally,  in  a  cottage  garden  about  two  miles  from  Godalming, 
in  Surrey.  It  succeeds  well  in  a  greenhouse  temperature, 
or  out  of  doors.  I  have  raised  numbers  of  plants  from 
spores  of  this  species.  To  cultivate  it  I  half  fill  a  fi-inch 
pot  with  crocks  and  broken  bricks,  placing  some  of  the 
hbrous  part  of  turfy  loam  over  them  to  prevent  the  com- 
post from  mixing  with  them.  The  material  in  which  they 
are  potted  consists  of  good  turfy  yellow  loam  one  part, 
mortar  rubbish  one  part,  and  one  part  bricks  broken  into 
small  pieces,  with  a  little  silver  sand.  I  raise  the  compost 
in  the  form  of  a  mound  in  the  centre  of  the  pot.  A  G-rncb 
pot  will  hold  six  plants,  one  on  the  top  of  the  mound  in 
tlie  centre,  and  the  others  in  a  circle  round  it.  ThisFem 
must  be  kept  very  dry  in  winter,  and  only  just  moist  in  the 
growing  season. 

To  raise  young  plants  from  spores,  till  a  pot  with  the 
same  material  whicli  I  have  recommended  for  growing  the 
plants  in,  up  to  within  1  inch  of  the  rim,  then  place  some 
small  pieces  of  broken  bricks  on  the  surface,  and  lay 
over  them  the  fronds  with  ripe  spores,  plneing  a  sqnare  of 
glass  over  all.  I  prepared  a  pot  in  this  way.  and  the  yoirog 
plants  came  up  in  dozens  all  over  the  surface  of  the  bricks  ; 
a  green  muss-like  appearance  first  showed  itself,  and  from 
this  the  fronds  ultimately  protruded.  The  plant  I  have 
out  of  doors  is  healthy,  and,  under  a  bell-glass,  will,  I  hope, 
survive  the  winter  at  this  place, 

Allosorus  crispus  is  another  pretty  little  Fern,  which  I 
brought  from  its  native  mountain  home  on  the  Eldon  hiUs, 
near^Melrose,  in  Scotland,  where  it  grows  abundantly.  It 
here  flourishes  out  of  doors,  and  does  not  require  pot- 
culture.     It  has  been  grown  here  for  five  vearg. 

Polypodium  dryopteris  and  P.  pliewopteris,  natives  of 
the  Scotch  mountains,  succeed  well  here.  I  brought  tie 
plants  from  the  highest  part  of  the  Cheviot  range,  where 
they  grow  abundantlv.  Allosorus  cris|>us  is  also  found 
there  in  dense  tuffs,  2  feet  in  diametHr,  clinging  to  the  face 
of  the  rocks,  and  living  on  the  smallest  amount  of  natB- 
ment 

Polypodium  vulgare  camhricum,  is  an  easily •  ciiltivatea 
Fern  which  ought  to  be  in  every  collection  ;  it  retains  its 
very  pleasing  shade  of  green  throu'.'liout  the  winter ;  it  is 
well  adapted  for  pot-culture,  and  it  is  easily  propagaJ^ii 
by  division. 

Of  Scolopendrium  vulgare,  the  numerous  varieties  j^re 
very  interesting,  and  easily  cultivated.  The  variety  cris- 
pura  is  very  pretty,  and  docs  well  in  the  rockwork  out  of 
doors  ;  it  is  also  flue  for  pot-culture,  and  easily  increastcE 
by  division. 

Athyriiim  Filix-fomina,  the  Lady  Fern— there  are  nu- 
merous forms  of  this  graceful  Fern  nnw,  most  of  theaa- 
worthy  of  cultivafion.  I  have  grown  the  variety  erisfatnHs 
for  a  "number  of  years,  and  I  admire  it  much  I  raise*!  a. 
large  number  from  spores,  and  the  young  plants  nearTj  sH 
came  the  same  as  the  parent.  Tliis  Fnrn  thrives  well  in. 
a  compost  containing  a  large  portion  of  peat. 

Cyslopteris  fragilis  is  another  easily-cultivated  sppciek 
The" fronds  of  this  Fern  do  not  last  long,  hnt  arp  renewwS 

No.  1052.— Vol.  XL.,  OIK  Se3iZ2». 


396 


JOUENAL  OP  HOETICULTDEE  AND  COTTAGE   GAEDBNEE. 


[  KoTenAer  26, 1868. 


throughont  the  Bnmroer,  although  the  best  fronda  are  those 
produced  first.  The  variety  Dickieana  is  a  very  neat  form  of 
it ;  the  fronds  are  more  upright,  and  very  much  shorter,  it  is 
a  very  neat  little  plant  for  pot-culture,  and  is  also  reproduced 
by  spores. 

Trichomanea  radicana  I  have  never  attempted  to  grow,  either 
out  of  doors  or  in  the  greenhouse.  I  grew  it  in  a  cool  stove, 
and  the  treatment  seemed  to  suit  it ;  it  was  kept  under  a  bell- 
glass,  and  the  pot  in  which  it  grew  was  never  watered ;  it  was 
pJunged  in  another  pot,  and  the  intervening  space  filled  with 
sand,  which  was  always  kept  moist.  The  plant  was  potted  in 
turfy  peat,  with  some  rough  pieces  of  charcoal  and  broken 
bricks.  It  will  also  succeed  in  the  greenhouse,  but  the  plants 
must  always  be  under  a  bell-glass,  and  shaded. 

One  more  hardy  Fern  I  will  notice,  and  that  is  the  Botry- 
ohium  lunaria.  1  well  remember  walking  eight  miles,  after  a 
hard  day's  work,  to  the  haunt  of  this  plant,  guided  by  a  friend, 
who  had  gathered  specimens  of  it.  We  searched  until  dark,  and 
had  to  retrace  our  steps  without  meeting  with  a  single  speci- 
men. It  grows  at  "  St.  Martha's-on-the-Hill,"  near  Guildford. 
I  have  dried  specimens  which  my  friend  found  there,  but  I 
would  have  been  more  pleased  to  have  discovered  it  myself. 
The  Botrychium  is  not  easily  cultivated,  and  requires  cireful 
management  to  grow  it  well ;  it  ought  to  be  potted  and  grown 
in  a  cold  frame. 

On  Exotic  Ferns  I  will  not  make  any  lengthened  remarks. 
It  is  not  necessary  to  maintain  a  high  temperature  during  the 
winter  months  ;  in  fact,  I  think  it  injurious.  55°  are  a  good 
night  temperature,  or  in  very  cold  weather  50"  will  be  enough, 
audit  will  not  be  injurious  to  the  majority  of  stove  plants. 
There  will  only  be  disappointment  in  summer  if  plants  are 
unduly  excited  during  the  winter  months.  I  believe  manure 
in  any  form  to  be  injurious  to  Ferns,  and  ammonia  from  the 
evaporating  troughs  does  not  seem  to  suit  them.  Watering  is 
Tery  important ;  they  will  never  succeed  with  stagnant  water 
near  the  roots,  therefore  see  that  good  drainage  is  secured,  and 
water  sparingly  during  the  winter,  but  never  allow  the  plants 
to  be  dust-dry,  and  always  use  rain  water.  This  ought  never 
to  be  allowed  to  run  to  waste  ;  large  tanks  ought  to  be  provided 
in  all  houses,  and  placed,  if  possible,  where  the  hot-water  pipes 
■will  warm  the  water  a  little. 

There  have  been  some  interesting  additions  to  the  numbers  of 
Exotic  Ferns  within  the  last  few  years  ;  foremost  amongst  them 
is  a  very  pretty  Lomaria,  named  ciUata,  introduced  by  Messrs. 
Veitch,  of  Chelsea,  from  New  Caledonia;  it  is  one  of  the  most 
distinct  and  elegant  of  the  species.  I  have  it  growing  freely  in 
a  cool  stove.  Adiantum  concinnum  latum  is  another  of  their 
more  recent  introductions  ;  is  is  very  pretty,  and  is  said  to  be 
a  useful  exhibition  sort.  The  true  Adiantum  farleycnse  is  still 
scarce,  and  is  not  yet  within  the  reach  of  everyone.  It  is 
a  very  fine  plant,  the  beauty  of  the  individual  fronds  cannot 
be  surpassed  ;  it  seems  to  be  of  moderately  free  growth.  Lo- 
maria zamiiefolia  is  a  free-growing  distinct  sort,  and  will  suc- 
/:eed  in  a  greenhouse.  Neottopteris  australasica,  another  green- 
house species,  is  a  grand  Fern,  and  a  full-grown  specimen  of 
it  is  a  noble  feature  in  a  collection.  It  is  easily  managed,  and 
wiU  well  repay  all  attention.  It  will,  like  most  Ferns,  grow 
beat  in  a  moist,  rather  warm  atmosphere. 

Dicksonia  antarctica  I  will  just  mention  as  a  most  desirable 
species  to  grow  ;  it  is  a  tree  Fern,  but  is  very  fine  in  its  young 
state ;  it  succeeds  as  well  in  a  greenhouse  as  in  a  stove  tempe- 
rature. It  is  one  of  the  sorts  which  thripa  are  fond  of,  and 
they  will  spoil  the  beauty  of  any  Fern.  The  best  cure  for  this 
is  smoking  the  house  with  tobacco  until  it  is  cleared  of  them. 
J.  DoncLAs. 


GROWING    FRUIT    FOR    MARKET    AT    LITTLE 
SUTTON,   CHISWICK. 

MR.    FRINCIS   DANCEK'S. 

Mr.  Dancer  is  so  well  known  in  the  horticultural  world  as 
an  able  aud  experienced  cultivator,  that  further  introduction  is 
unnecessary.  He  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  successful  of 
our  great  growers  of  fruit  for  market.  If  about  Fulham,  Dept- 
ford,  and  other  places  our  greatest  vegetable  gardens  are  to  be 
-seen,  assuredly  at  Chiswick  will  be  found  some  of  the  finest, 
best  managed,  and  most  productive  fruit  gardens,  from  which 
Covent  Garden  receives  a  goodly  portion  of  its  enormous 
supplies. 

The  fruit  gardens  around  Chiswick  form,  indeed,  quite  a 
■feature  of  the  place,  as  much  so  as  do  the  Lettuces  and  Cab- 


bages of  Fulham,  the  Onions  and  Cucumbers  of  Sandy,  or 
the  blue  Lavender  of  Mitcham.  It  is  curious,  and  instructive 
as  well,  to  observe  how  certain  districts  become  devoted  to 
the  cultivation  of  one  particular  product.  This  is  especially 
noticeable  in  market  gardening.  It  is  even  so  with  fruits. 
Locality  and  soil  are  not  alike  suitable  for  all  classes  of  plants, 
or  every  system  of  culture,  neither  will  every  variety  of  fruit 
succeed  equally  well  in  the  same  place.  Now,  as  the  object  of 
growing  fruit  for  market  is  mainly  that  of  profit,  it  is  perfectly 
natural  to  suppose,  when  we  see  a  certain  district  chiefly  de- 
voted to  the  cultivation  of  certain  things  in  certain  ways,  that 
that  system  is  a  profitable  and  proper  one. 

The  specialities  of  fruit  culture  about  Chiswick,  and  those  in 
which  Mr.  Dancer  particularly  excels,  are  : — lat.  Plums,  which 
are  cultivated  on  a  very  large  scale,  and  most  successfully. 
Every  season  the  trees  are  heavily  laden,  and  literally  breaking 
down  with  their  enormous  crops  of  large  and  handsome  fruit. 
'2nd,  Pears,  which  are  also  largely  and  well  cultivated,  but  not 
quite  so  extensively  as  Plums ;  3rd,  Apples ;  4th,  Currants, 
which  last  are  an  extremely  pet  subject  of  Mr.  Dancer's,  and 
one  deserving  of  especial  notice. 

Having  now  had  for  some  years  abundant  opportunities, 
through  Mr.  Dancer's  kindness,  of  observing  all  the  various 
methods  and  details  of  his  culture  and  the  results,  I  have  been 
enabled  to  form  some  opinion  of  their  respective  value,  how- 
ever slight.  Although  the  few  observations  I  am  about  to 
make  may  refer  chiefly  to  the  results  of  the  past  season,  which 
was  in  many  respects  a  very  exceptional  one,  the  conclusions 
I  have  tried  to  arrive  at,  or  the  lessons  learned  therefrom,  are 
the  impressions  of  a  series  of  years. 

There  is,  I  may  premise,  a  very  great  difference  between 
growing  fruit  for  market  and  growing  fruit  for  a  gentleman's 
table.  The  method  of  cultivation,  and  the  end  desired — good 
fruit,  may  be  the  same,  yet  the  one  is  generally  for  quantity, 
while  the  other  is  for  quality  and  variety.  The  best  fruits  in 
quality  are  seldom  the  most  profitable  for  general  market  pur- 
poses. Usually  the  highest-flavoured  are  tlie  most  delicate 
growers  and  least  productive  ;  and  again,  a  certain  variety  may 
have  all  the  good  qualities,  yet  if  it  is  not  known  in  market  it 
will  not  sell.  A  fruit  to  become  a  profitable  market  variety 
must  be  well  known.  A  particular  colour,  even,  will  frequently 
cause  its  rejection  in  Covent  Garden.  Tastes  change,  however, 
and  a  variety  which  may  at  one  time  be  much  disliked  may 
afterwards  become  very  popular.  The  masses  of  the  people, 
however,  the  London  mechanic  and  his  wife,  who  are  the  great 
consumers  of  Covent  Garden  fruit,  appreciate  and  care  but 
very  Uttle  whether  a  fruit  is  fully  up  to  any  horticultural  stan- 
dard of  perfection  or  not,  provided  they  have  plenty  for  their 
money.  Quantity  is  evidently  more  prized  than  quality,  espe- 
cially if  the  latter  is  attended  with  scarcity. 

Of  Plums,  one  of  the  principal  varieties  cultivated  by  Mr. 
Dancer  is  Gisborne's,  a  rather  shabby-looking,  medium-sized, 
oval,  yellow  Plum,  with  a  rather  firm  yellow  flesh,  not  very 
juicy  ;  neither  is  it  of  very  excellent  flavour  in  general.  In  the 
past  summer,  however,  I  tasted  some  fruit  which  were  very 
fine  indeed,  and  they  were  of  an  extraordinary  size,  although 
the  trees  were  all  very  heavily  laden  with  the  crop.  They 
were  so  large  and  so  highly  coloured  that  they  could  scarcely 
be  distinguished  from  the  fruit  of  the  Jefferson.  The  flesh  parta 
freely  from  the  stone,  whereas  the  Jefferson  is  somewhat  of  a 
clingstone. 

Gisborne's,  or  Gisborne's  Early,  is  a  favourite  Plum  in  Covent 
Garden.  Its  excellent  qualities  are  so  well  known  that  it  com- 
mands a  very  ready  sale.  As  a  tart  Plum  it  is  much  in  re- 
quest, and  as  a  preserving  Plum  it  has  no  rival.  It  is  first-rate 
for  the  latter  purpose.  This  is  one  of  the  most  profitable 
Plums  to  cultivate.  The  tree  is  hardy,  not  a  very  tall  grower, 
and  a  most  abundant  bearer.  It  is  very  rarely  indeed  that 
Mr.  Dancer  misses  having  a  crop  of  Gisborne's ;  during  the 
past  season  the  trees  were  not  so  loaded  as  usual,  still  the  fruit 
was  finer  and  larger,  and  consequently  filled  the  measures 
quickly.  I  counted  on  some  twigs,  and  there  were  plenty  such, 
about  two  dozen  fruit  within  the  space  of  12  inches.  I  am 
afraid  to  say  how  many  trees  Mr.  Dancer  cultivates  of  this 
variety,  or  how  many  bushels  of  fruit  are  gathered  annually.  I 
know,  however,  that  one  day  there  were  no  less  than  153  bushels 
ol  this  sort  sent  to  market.  This  is  Plum  culture  in  earnest. 
Gisborne's  is  one  of  the  earliest  Plums  to  ripen,  but  Mr.  Dancer 
generally  gathers  all  his  fruit  before  they  have  arrived  at  that 
stage.  Nearly  all  the  Plums  sent  to  market  are  gathered  from 
the  trees  in  this  half-ripe  state.  Thty  may  not  be  quite  so 
good  for  dessert,  but  as  they  are  princif  ally  used  for  tarls,  &3., 


Novomber  '26, 1868.  ] 


JODBNAL  OF  HORTIOULTUKB  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENEB, 


3'JT 


it  matters  little.  It  does  not  pay  a  I'lnm  cultivator  to  wait 
until  the  fruit  are  (juite  ripe  ;  they  would  not  carry  to  market 
in  Rood  condition,  and  tlio  losses  arising  from  spoilt  fruit, 
through  bad  weather  and  other  causes,  are  sometimes  -very 
serious  indeed.  A  day  of  rain  makes  sad  havoc  amongst  ripe 
Plums  ;  I  have  seen  hundreds  of  bushels  destroyed  ;  the  skin 
cracks,  and  the  fruit  splits  and  is  totally  spoiled.  Mr.  Dancer 
runs  no  risks  of  this  sort,  but  gathers  the  fruit  aa  soon  as  it 
will  sell. 

Another  variety  of  Plum,  largely  cultivated,  and  held  very 
high  in  Mr.  Dancer's  estimation,  is  the  Prince  of  Wales,  which 
is  a  medium-sized  roundish  fruit,  with  a  bright  purplish  skin. 
This  is  also  of  second-rate  quality ;  the  flesh  is  somewhat 
coarse  and  of  a  yellowish  colour.  It  belongs  to  what  is  called 
the  Orleans  class,  and  is  a  most  excellent  culinary  variety  and 
a  most  abundant  bearer.  There  is  no  variety  of  Plum  which 
can  be  depended  on  with  so  much  certainty  of  a  crop  as  this  ; 
there  is  never  a  season  in  which  it  does  not  bear  one.  It 
might  be  called  frost-proof,  its  peculiarity,  which  at  the  same 
time  is  also  a  great  recommendation,  being  that  the  flowers 
and  the  leaves  expand  at  one  time,  so  that  the  leaves,  which 
are  large,  become  in  a  great  measure  a  protection  to  the  flowers. 
There  are  seldom  frosts  severe  enough  to  injure  the  young 
fruits  which  are  thus  protected.  In  the  case  of  every  other 
variety  that  I  am  acquainted  with,  the  flowers  open  a  good 
while  in  advance  of  the  leaves,  and  so  are  quite  unprotected 
for  a  time.  The  tree  grows  freely  and  to  a  tolerably  good  size ; 
yet  here  again  it  is  subject  to  another  peculiarity — freak  it 
might  be  called.  It  is  this ;  The  trees  may  have  attained  a 
good  size  and  appear  as  healthy  as  need  be  ;  they  blossom  well, 
and  there  is  every  appearance  of  a  good  crop,  when  suddenly 
one  or  two  droop  their  leaves,  shrivel  up,  and  die.  No,  not 
quite ;  for  if  left  alone  until  next  season  the  main  stem  or 
trunk  will  throw  out  some  young  shoots,  which,  when  the 
entire  dead  top  is  taken  off,  will  again  grow  up  into  a  tree, 
thus  showing  that  the  cause  of  death — the  death  of  the  top  at 
least — did  not  arise  from  any  defective  root  action,  the  roots 
being  quite  sound  and  active.  Mr.  Dancer  has  numbers  of  trees 
going  ofl'  in  this  way  every  year,  yet  he  is  totally  unable  to 
account  for  this  result  in  any  way.  I  myself  have  examined 
both  the  living  and  dying  trees,  and  can  assign  no  reason  for 
its  occurrence.  There  is  no  gumming,  nor  anything  of  that 
sort  apparent,  which  would  be  likely  to  cause  the  mischief. 
Apropos  of  this,  a  certain  grower  of  this  particular  variety  of 
Plum,  the  Prince  of  Wales,  some  two  or  three  years  ago  sued  a 
certain  company  for  damages  for  having  caused  the  death  of 
several  of  his  Plum  trees,  through  the  establishment  of  some 
works  immediately  adjoining,  from  which  great  quantities  of 
smoke  and  other  noxious  gases  were  distributed.  I  believe 
the  Plum  grower  gained  his  point ;  yet  here,  in  Mr.  Dancer's 
grounds,  are  the  Prince  of  Wales  Plum  trees  dying  off  in 
exactly  the  same  manner,  without,  as  Mr.  Dancer  says,  the 
slightest  suspicion  of  any  such  cause.  Despite  this  drawback, 
it  is  a  Plum  which  Mr.  Dancer  highly  recommends,  and  I  am 
able  here  to  state  that  he  has  upwards  of  three  hundred  trees 
of  it  in  cultivation. 

The  next  Plum  which  I  shall  notice  is  Mitchelson's.  It 
ought  properly  to  have  been  mentioned  first,  as  it  is  one  of 
Mr.  Dancer's  "  bringing  out."  It  is  cultivated  very  extensively 
at  Little  Sutton,  and  greatly  valued.  It  is  a  rather  small, 
roundish-oval,  black  Plum,  somewhat  like  a  Damson,  but  larger 
than  that,  and  not  quite  so  large  as  the  Diamond,  which  it 
also  sometimes  resembles  when  well  grown,  as  Mr.  Dancer  has 
it.  Mr.  Dancer  grows  a  very  great  number  of  trees  of  this 
sort.  There  are  lines  upon  lines  of  them  from  10  to  20  and 
iiO  feet  high  ;  and  every  tree  this  season,  and  for  that  matter 
every  year,  is  a  perfect  sheet  of  black  (there  are  more  fruit  than 
leaves),  with  the  thickly  clustered  fruit.  It  is,  indeed,  a  most 
prodigious  bearer,  and  very  valuable  as  a  market  Plum.  A 
portion  of  Mr.  Dancer's  ground  having  been  required  by  the 
new  railway  to  Eichmond,  about  two  hundred  of  these  Mit- 
chelson's Plums  were  removed  to  other  quarters  two  years  ago. 
Almost  every  tree  is  growing,  and  many  of  them  were  well 
loaded  with  fruit.  Plum  trees  bear  removal  very  easily,  and  if 
unfruitful  it  is  an  excellent  plan  of  inducing  fertility.  Mr. 
Dancer  was  the  first  to  bring  this  Plum  into  such  good  repute 
as  it  now  enjoys,  and  nobly  he  shows  it  ofE.  Although  a  very 
profitable  variety  for  the  market  gardener,  it  is  not  in  my 
opinion  so  good  in  any  way  as  Prince  Englebert,  which  at  first 
sight  might  pass  for  Mitchelson's.  It  is  more  oval  in  form, 
larger,  and  sweeter.  Mitchelson's  Plum  usually  ripens  Ln  the 
end  of  August ;  this  year  it  was  much  earlier.     It  is  often 


confused  with  Ickworth  Impfratrice,  from  which  it  is  totally 
distinct,  the  Ickworth  ImpOratrice  being  quite  a  late  Pluiu. 


ROSE  LORE. 


A  WHITE  Bose  seems  to  have  been  unknown  to  the  ancients , 
and,  indeed,  until  comparatively  modern  times,  consequently 
from  liodoii,  ruddy,  its  Greek  designation,  almost  all  the  nations 
of  Europe  have  adopted  a  name  of  synonymous  meaning. 
Jtusa,  it.s  Latin  designation,  has  the  same  reference  to  colour, 
and  it  is  surprising — because  without  a  parallel — that  nearly 
every  European  nation  has  done  likewise.  In  Anglo-Saxon  it 
is  Rose;  in  Welsh,  liluts  ;  in  Dutch,  Iloos  ;  in  German,  Host ; 
in  Danish,  Rose  ;  in  Swedish,  Ros ;  in  Scotch,  Ros ;  in  French, 
Ruse:  in  Italian,  Rosa;  in  Spanish,  Rusal ;  in  Portuguese, 
Rosrira  ;  and  in  Ilnssian,  Rosa. 

The  unanimity  characterising  its  nomenclature  also  charac 
terises  the  high  esteem  in  which  it  has  always  been  held.  It 
was  the  flower  dedicated  to  Love  and  its  birthgiver  Beauty — 
to  Cupid  and  Venus.  The  arrows  of  Cupid  were  said  to  bo 
formed  of  Hose  thorns,  and  his  wings  of  its  petals  ;  he  is  always 
fresh,  ruddy,  and  smiling,  and  his  hair  as  golden  as  the  flower's 
anthers.  The  flowers  were  said  to  have  been  created  white 
from  nectar  spilled  by  Cupid  at  a  banquet  of  the  gods,  bnt 
that  blood  from  the  foot  of  Venus  as  she  rushed  to  the  aid  of 
Adonis  fell  on  the  petals  and  stained  them  permanently. 

A  deity  to  whom  a  flower  was  dedicated  by  mortals  seems  to 
have  exercised  the  rights  of  ownership,  and  to  have  rededicated 
that  flower  to  such  as  he  or  she  deemed  meriting  the  distinc- 
tion, or  even   as  a  bribe.     Thus,  Cupid,  like  a  dutiful  son, 
dedicated  the  liose  to  Harpocrates,  the  god  of  silence,  to  en- 
gage him  not  to  betray  the  evil  acts   of  his  mother  Venus. 
Hence  it  became  the  emblem  of  silence ;  was  held  up  as  ft 
polite  check  to  the  loquacious,  and  was  placed  upon  the  guest 
table  to  intimate  that  the  conversation  around  it  was  confi- 
dential.    With  a  similar  intent  the  Greeks  also  wore  Hoses  at 
their  feasts ;  Comus,  deity  of  the  table,  and  Hebe  and  Gany- 
mede, nectar-bearers  to  the  gods,  were  crowned  with  Roses. 
•*  None,  crown'd  with  Roses,  drink  the  insipid  spring  ; 
No  joy  to  mortals  thin  potations  bring. 
Bacchus  loveH  flowers;  to  Bacchus  garlands  dear; 
Witness  the  starry  wreath  on  Ariadne's  hair. " — Grid. 

When  auricular  confession  prevailed  here,  the  English  clergy 
wore  commonly  a  Rose,  and  it  frequently  was  retained  by  them 
until  about  a  century  and  a  half  since. 

The  Rose  also  was  placed  in  the  hand  of  one  of  the  Graces, 
and  wreathed  the  heads  of  two  of  the  Muses,  Erato  and 
Thalia ;  it  was  also  the  emblem  of  youth,  and  sculptured  on 
the  tombs  of  the  maiden  dead.  Even  the  tombs  of  all  ages 
were  decked  with  its  flowers. 

"  When  life's  no  more  their  odonrs  shed 
A  grateful  fragrance  o'er  the  dead  ; 
'Tis  well,  for  when  their  charms  decay, 
And  sinking,  fading,  die  away. 
Triumphant  o'er  the  work  of  time. 
They  keep  the  fragrance  of  their  prime."— .ifnacr^on. 

Even  now  in  some  parts  of  Wales  it  is  customary  to  plant  a 
white  Rose  upon  a  maiden's  grave,  and  a  red  liose  on  the  grave 
of  any  one  of  noted  excellence. 

The  Rose  has  always  been  preferred  as  the  emblem  of  Beauty 
but  it  is  also  associated  with  effeminacy  and  voluptuousness. 
Gallienus,  the  Roman  Emperor,  justified  this  association  by 
having  in  summer  time  a  bed  of  Rose  petals,  and  he,  like 
Smindyrides,  complained  that  a  crease  in  one  of  them  caused 
pain. 

At  Athens,  early  in  May,  at  the  festival  of  Hymen,  the 
maidens  and  lads  were  crowned  with  Roses.  Similar  crowns 
were  awarded  to  poets,  and  the  Feast  of  Koses  was  one  of  the 
assemblies  of  the  Troubadours. 

Nor  has  the  Rose  escaped  from  association  with  supersti- 
tion. In  mediaeval  times  the  maiden  gathered  Roses  on  Mid- 
summer eve, 

"  And  hid  it,  for  her  shepherd's  sake. 

Await  the  new  year's  frolic  wake — 

When,  faded,  in  its  altered  hoe 

She  read,  '  My  lover  is  untrue  ;' 

But  if  retained  the  crimson  paint. 

Her  sick'ning  hopes  then  ceas'd  to  faint." 

It  has  been  a  custom  for  the  popes  annually  to  bless  and  per- 
fume a  Golden  Rose  tree,  and  to  send  it  to  some  sovereign  or 
other  eminent  person  who  has  markedly  served  the  cause  of 
Romanism.  The  French  Empress  had  it  presented  to  her  by 
the  present  pope.  This  ceremony  of  blessing  the  Golden  liose 
was  instituted  by  Pope  Leo  IX.,  who  was  elected  to  the  ponti 


398 


JOURNAL  OP  HOETICULTDRE   AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEE.  [  Noyember  26, 1868. 


ficate  in  1018.  When  the  modaetery  of  Saint  Croix,  in  Alsace, 
was  foanded,  he  stipulated  that  the  brethren  should  send  to 
the  pope  yearly  a  Gulden  Eose.  The  ceremony  of  its  pre- 
sentat'oa  to  and  b  nediction  by  the  pope  takes  place  at  Eome 
on  the  fourih  Sunday  in  Lent.  Our  Edward  I.  was  not  only  a 
CrQB«'i«r,  but  so  aided  the  popes  in  their  Sicilian  wars,  and  so 
enoi|>t«ou8ly  furnished  their  table  with  a  golden  service,  that 
it  is  probable  "  the  Golden  Rose  "  was  presented  to  him,  and 
that  consequently  he  adopted  it  as  his  badge.  At  all  events, 
he  was  the  first  English  monarch  who  adopted  the  Eose  as  a 
badge,  and  his  was  a  golden  Rose  on  a  green  stalk.  The  red 
BoBO  was  first  assumed  by  the  Duke  of  Lancaster,  John  of 
Obent  (Gaunt  as  uaunlly  erroneously  pronounoeJ  and  spelt), 
in  tSie  reign  of  Edwartl  lU.,  but  Henry  IV.  was  the  first  of  our 
kini;8  to  adopt  that  badge.  Edward  IV.,  among  other  badges, 
had  the  white  Rose,  and  it  was  a  white  Eose  in  soleil— that  is, 
sarronndod  by  rays.  The  succeeding  kings  had  the  same  badge, 
tat  Henry  VII.  bad  for  his  badges  the  white  and  red  Rose 
joined.  Henry  VIII.  had  both  the  red  Eose  alone  and  the 
white  and  red  Eoses  joined  and  crowned.  Queen  Anne  Boleyn 
Iiad  a  white  crowned  f.ilcon,  holding  a  sceptre  in  htr  right  claw, 
pettthedoa  a  golden  trunk,  which  bore  both  white  and  red  Eoses. 
Catherine  Parr  had  a  maiden's  head  crowned,  issuing  out  of  a 
bash  of  white  and  red  Roses,  very  appropriate,  considering  the 
etarroip  escape  from  the  executioner  she  had  as  Henry  VIII. 's 
mfe.  Edward  VI. 's  badge  was  of  red  and  white  Roses  com- 
bined. Mary  had  a  red  and  white  Rose  and  a  Pomegranate, 
in  oomplimeut  to  her  Spanish  husband,  knit  together.  Eliza- 
beth had  not  only  the  red  and  white  Eoses,  but  many  other 
dances.  James  I.  bad  for  his  badge  a  demi  Rose  crown,  im- 
paled with  a  demi  Thistle.  Anne  had  the  Eose  and  Thistle 
borne  fay  one  stem,  and  so  had  George  J.  Queen  Victoria's 
badge  is  a  red  and  white  Rose  united. — G. 


pant  of  the  garden  if  I  can  help  it.  I  am  also  strongly  in 
favour  of  a  good  depth  of  soil  for  the  beds,  finding  that  it  suits 
either  wet  or  dry  seasons  better  than  beds  composed  only  of  a 
few  inches  of  soil.  Most  of  our  beds  consist  of  from  18  inches 
to  2  feet  deep  of  prepared  soil. — John  Mason,  Prince's  Park, 


BEET  AS    AN  EARLY  BEDDEK. 

I  HAVE  much  pleasure  in  again  replying  to  Mr.  Eobson's  in- 
quiries (nee  page  350),  as  to  the  merits  of  Beet  for  decorative 
porposee,  and  this  time  I  will  be  a  little  more  explicit  than  I 
was  in  any  former  article  on  the  same  subject. 

The  following  is  the  treatment  I  adopted  with  it  in  the  past 
season,  and  if  Mr.  Eobson  should  feel  disposed  to  give  the 
same  variety  a  trial  under  the  same  or  similar  treatment,  I  am 
sangattie  enough  to  think  that  he  will  not  be  disappointed,  and 
will  find  it  equal  to  any  of  its  compeers  for  early  decoration. 

The  seed  was  sown  in  a  shallow  seed-pan  in  the  middle  of 
March  and  placed  in  a  propagating  house,  where  the  pan  re- 
maned until  the  plants  were  showing  their  second  leaf  from 
the  soed  leaf.  They  were  then  taken  to  a  cool  greenhouse 
where  they  remained  in  the  seed-pan  for  about  a  fortnight, 
when  they  were  pricked  out  into  boxes  and  shallow  pans  at 
about  3  inches  apart,  and  again  placed  in  the  greenhouse ; 
there  thay  were  kept  until  finally  planted  out  in  the  flower 
garden  in  tbe  end  of  Msy,  by  which  time  they  were  good  stiff 
pl&ots  i  or  5  inches  high. 

_  In  moving  them  out  of  the  boxes  and  pans  at  planting-out 
time,  care  was  taken  to  lift  as  much  of  the  soil  with  the  roots 
as  possible  so  as  to  prevent  flagging,  and  as  the  sun  was  rather 
powerful  just  at  that  time,  I  had  them  shaded  for  a  few  days, 
in  the  middle  of  the  day,  by  placing  &  flower-pot,  inverted, 
over  each  plant,  so  that  the  plants  never  received  any  sudden 
cheek  to  their  growth,  and  I  assure  Mr.  Eobson  that  by  the 
end  of  June  they  were  in  advance  of  Pcrilla  planted  out  at  the 
same  time,  and  were  quite  in  character  with  Pelargoniums, 
Calceolarias,  and  the  other  occupants  of  the  flower  garden. 
As  with  me  early  effect  is  of  as  great  importance  as  late,  I 
would  not  give  the  Beet  the  character  I  have  done  unless  I  had 
proved  it  to  be  gnod  throughout  the  season. 

I/tst  season  being  the  first  I  had  ever  used  the  Beet  for  deco- 
rative purposes,  I  had  grave  doubts  about  its  continuing  all 
the  Be&son  without  running  to  seed,  through  being  sown  so 
early,  and  in  order  to  be  prepared  against  anything  of  the  kind 
ooeorring,  1  made  a  second  sowing  in  May,  so  as  to  have  a 
reserve  to  replace  any  plant  that  might  "  bolt,"  but  I  am  happy 
to  8a.y  that  I  did  not  require  to  fall  back  on  the  reserve  stock, 
as-not  a  single  plant  out  of  the  early  sowing  went  to  seed,  or 
showei!  any  symptoms  of  doing  so,  and  every  plant  was  almost 
as  Gniform  as  if  cast  in  one  mould. 

The  soil  of  our  flower  beds  is  light  but  good.  The  only 
ioaaore  I  ever  apply  to  our  flower  beds  is  leaf  mould,  which 
E  Qse  rather  freely,  being  no  advocate  for  starving  any  occu- 


SUBTROPICAL  GARDENING  IN  THE  NORTH. 

Noticing  in  your  number,  dated  September  l'2th,  page  357, 
an  article  on  subtropical  gardening,  I  send  these  few  words  to 
encourage  others  who  may  feel  interested  in  this  my  favourite 
branch  of  horticulture.  I  may  say  that  with  care  and  atten- 
tion, combined  with  a  little  study  of  the  nature  and  habitat  of 
the  plants  used,  even  the  inhospitable  north  is  capable  of  this 
style  of  gardening.  I  live  in  a  bleak,  exposed  spot  on  a  high 
table  land  in  Wigtonshire,  yet  this  year  my  first  attempt  had 
considerable  success. 

To  speak  briefly,  I  planted  out  beds  of  Dracaena  terminalis, 
Maranta  fasciata  and  zebrina,  Alocasia  metallica  and  maoro- 
rhiza  variegata,  Tradescantia  discolor ;  Begonia  Hfil^ne  Uhder, 
Keramis,  Marquis  de  St.  Innocent,  Adolphe  Pollack ;  Caladiums 
Cannartii,  Wightii,  and  picturatum,  among  the  smaller-growing 
plants.  Among  the  larger  there  were  Bananas  (Musa  Caven- 
dishii),  Ferdinanda  eminena,  Solanums,  Cordyline  indivisa, 
Latania  borbonioa,  Seaforthia  elegans,  Wigandia  caracasana, 
Monstera  deliciosa,  Indian-rubber  plants,  several  sorts  of 
Cannas,  Castor  Oil  plants,  Aralia  papyrifera,  Calla  ajthiopica, 
and  Chamairops  humilis.  These  were  all  young  plants,  have 
done  well,  increased  visibly  in  size  while  planted  out,  and  are 
now  taken  up  quite  healthy  to  store  up  for  next  year.  The 
only  things  to  mar  the  effect  were  a  little  scorching  on  the  lower 
leaves  of  the  Dracaenas,  and  some  of  the  Cannas  being  exposed 
too  much  to  the  high  winds  prevalent  in  this  part  of  the  country  ; 
the  foliage,  however,  was  only  a  little  damaged.  Next  year  I 
hope  still  more  to  extend  the  collection.  Should  this  be  con- 
sidered worth  printing,  I  will  give  a  more  detailed  account  o£ 
my  method  of  procedure  at  a  future  time. — Geoege  E.  Hab- 
KioTi,  Killiemorc  Lodtie,  Kirkcouan,  Wiytonshire. 


THE   FLOWER   BORDERS   DURING  LAST 

SUMMER. 

Let  me  say  a  few  words  about  our  borders  now  that  the 
summer  is  ended.  1  will  begin  with  the  Eoses.  With  us  they 
have  been  all  that  could  be  desired  during  the  season.  Pillar 
Eoses  have  been  forced  upon  us,  owing  to  our  exposure  and 
Buffering  from  the  winds,  which  compelled  us  reluctantly  to 
give  up  the  cultivation  of  standard  Eoses.  When  they  had 
attained  any  size  we  frequently  found  them  in  windy  weather, 
in  spite  of  all  our  watchfulness,  sweeping  a  certain  space,  dis- 
figuring all  around  them  with  dirt,  and  spoiling  themselves  for 
months,  after  all  the  care  exercised  to  preserve  them  from  the 
insects  and  diseases  they  are  subject  to. 

The  Crimson  China  Eoses  iu  beds  have  this  season  been  re- 
markably fine,  and  a  large  bed  of  that  fine  old  kind,  Gfiant  des 
Batailles,  makes  a  display  of  no  mean  order ;  or,  if  thought 
desirable,  one  can  have  a  splendid  contrast  by  planting  the 
centre  of  a  bed  with  Mrs.  Bosanquet  or  others  of  that  class, 
then  a  belt  of  the  Geant,  with  a  ring  of  Bourbon  Queen,  or 
something  of  that  kind,  finishing  with  the  Crimson  China  Eose. 

For  the  borders  we  have  adopted  the  pillar  system.  Our 
plan  is  to  put  in  good  strong  poles  or  stakes  6  feet  apart,  then 
prepare  the  place  to  he  planted  by  mixing  the  best  loam  we 
can  obtain  with  well-rotted  manure,  charred  refuse,  and  a  little 
coarse  sand,  fiUing-in  the  compost  some  time  previous  to  plant- 
ing in  order  to  allow  for  settling.  After  planting  we  mulch  as 
may  be  necessary,  and  we  take  up  the  plants  every  second  or 
third  year  and  renew  the  soil  if  requisite,  keeping  the  plants 
secured  to  the  stakes.  We  are  well  repaid  for  our  labour  in 
pursuing  this  mode  of  treatment,  by  the  abundance  and  con- 
tinuance of  the  beautiful  flowers  which  are  produced,  and  the 
roots  are  numerous  and  under  control.  During  the  past  season 
the  plants  have  been  the  admiration  of  all  who  have  seen  them, 
their  rich  foliage  adding  to  the  charms  of  their  blossoms. 

Most  of  our  Eoses  are  on  the  Manetti  stock,  the  remainder 
on  their  own  roots,  which  I  much  prefer.  To  enumerate  any- 
thing like  the  collection  would  be  quite  foreign  to  my  present 
intention,  but  I  will  name  a  few  of  the  varieties  which  are 
doing  good  service  as  pillar  Eoses  : — Baronne  Picvost,  Ccilouel 
de  Eougemont,  Charles  Lawson,  Paul  Perras,  Madame  Hector 


NoTembor  26,  1868.  ] 


JODRNAL   OP    HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE  GABiDENER. 


'•^ 


Jacquin,  Senatear  Vaisse,  Prince  Camille  de  Rohan,  Marie 

Portemer,  MaJame  ViJot,  Madame  Luffny,  Jnles  Margottin, 
Madame  Bill,  Mmiamo  Cliarlcs  Crarflet,  Victor  Verdier, 
Monthly  China,  Mtidame  Purtado,  D'A-^aesaeau,  Glory  of 
France,  Triomphe  de  Janasens,  Chou6dol(5,  GenSral  Jacquemi- 
not, Fiilgens,  Coupe  d'llebfi,  Paul  Hioaut,  Persian  Yellow, 
Lajlia,  Comtesse  Cecile  do  Cliabrillant,  La  Reine  (opened  lirBt- 
rate  with  us  this  eeason).  Madame  de  CambacCr&s,  William 
Jesse,  Dr.  Ruschpler,  Acidalio  (a  tine  white  Rise  but  rather 
shy-flowerinj; ;  it  requires  to  be  kept  stopped  to  mSke  it  branch 
and  bloom),  Uevoniensis,  Madame  Willerraoz,  Niphetos.  Isabella 
Grey,  Limarque,  Triomphe  de  Rennes,  Souvenir  de  Malmaison, 
Celine  Forrestier,  Gloire  de  Dijon,  Solfaterre,  America,  Rev. 
H.  Dombrain,  John  Hopper,  William  Paul ;  and  of  Moss  Roses, 
the  Common,  Cramoisie,  and  Laneii.  Besides  the  preceding 
there  are  many  others  too  numerous  to  mention. 

Between  each  two  Roses  we  plant  such  plants  as  Japanese 
and  other  Honeysuckles,  Loasas,  Tropieolums,  Can  iry  Creeper, 
Convolvnluses,  and  other  tall-growing  plants  calculated  to 
make  a  display  in  this  department.  The  Hollyhocks  with  us, 
considering  the  season,  have  been  remarkably  fine. 

Herbaceous  plants  have  made  ample  compensation  for  our 
care.  Many  of  this  fine  race  of  plants  deserve  far  more  ex- 
tensive cultivation  than  they  are  at  present  receiving.  I  trust 
ere  long  to  see  them  better  cared  for.  I  only  intend  to  mention 
a  few  which  have  done  us  good  service  during  the  present 
year.  There  are  among  them  some  very  interesting  plants 
— for  instance,  Morena  persica,  Aconitum  Tersicolor  and  au- 
tnmnale,  Thalictrum  aquilegifolium.  Aster  dnmosua.  Campa- 
nula Van  Houttei,  or,  as  some  call  it,  Verschaflelti,  Ammobium 
alatum,  Cht-lon-i  barbata,  Dictamnus  ruber  and  albua,  the  Del- 
phiniums (all  fine  border  plants),  DodiCiifajons,  Eohinops, 
Epilobiums,  Eryngiuuis,  Lathyrus,  Linarias,  Primulas,  Vera- 
trums.  Yuccas,  Antirrhinums,  Brompton  Stocks,  Gynerium 
argenteum,  and  other  ornamental  Grasses,  Astelma  lanatum, 
Tritomas,  Alstrcemorias,  Gentians,  Aubrietias,  Sedums,  and 
Saxifrages. 

Among  annuals  we  have  many  very  desirable  plants  for 
border  decoration.  African  and  French  Marigolds  have  been 
very  fine  with  us  during  the  past  season.  China  and  other 
Asters  have  been  of  first-rate  quality,  not  quite  so  large  as  in 
more  favourable  seasons,  but  really  good.  Stocks  of  various 
kinds  have  flowered  well,  and  at  the  present  time  many  of 
them  are  very  fine  indeed.  Callirhoe  pedata  and  others  have 
been  very  beautiful.  Double  and  single  Zinnias  have  flowered 
well ;  they  deserve  more  extensive  cultivation. 

Amaranthuses  of  various  kinds  hive  made  a  fine  display, 
many  of  the  Silenes,  as  Silene  compacta,  rubella,  pendula,  and 
Schafti,  have  been  very  fine.  Arctotis  breviscapa,  a  Gazania- 
like  plant  is  a  very  fine  flower  ;  to  bloom  freely  it  should  have 
poor  soil.  Veronica  syriaca,  a  little  gem,  is  of  very  dwarf 
habit,  and  now,  from  self-sown  seed,  is  blooming  freely.  It 
BUcceeds  well  on  rockwork,  or  in  the  border,  and  likes  a  shaded 
situation.  Visoaria  ooulata,  splendens,  and  others  have  flowered 
well ;  Schizanthus  pinnatus  and  others  have  likewise  been  very 
fine  ;  they  require  a  little  care  in  keeping  them  tied-up  or  well 
stopped,  otherwise  they  sulifer  from  wind.  Whitlavia  grandi- 
fiora,  a  fine,  dwarf,  border  plant,  succeeds  well  in  most  situa- 
tions. Sanvitalia  procumbens  and  its  double  variety  are  very 
desirable,  being  of  neat  dwarf  habit ;  the  latter  is  well  adapted 
for  dwarf  edgings.  Acroclinium  roseum  and  others  have 
succeeded  well  this  season.  Salpiglossis  atrococoinea,  nana, 
and  nana  cosrulea  are  fine  for  borders,  and  have  made  an  ex- 
cellent display;  they  grow  well  in  a  moderately  dry  situation. 
Phlox  Drummondi  in  named  varieties  has  been  fine  with  us. 
Eadowitzi,  Empress  Eugenie,  and  Black  Warrior  are  the  best; 
they  make  a  first-rate  bed.  Petunia  phcenicea  answers  well  as 
an  annual,  either  raised  in  pots  or  sown  where  it  is  intended 
to  remain.  Pedis  angustifolia  is  a  diminutive  little  fellow, 
but  very  pretty ;  it  succeeds  well  at  the  base  of  the  rockery  or 
in  a  moderately  dry  border :  it  is  rather  subject  to  damp-off. 
Nolana  atriplicifolia  and  paradoxa  have  been  fine  with  us  and 
flower  a  long  time. 

ffinothera  Lamarckiana  is  a  noble  border  plant,  often  attain- 
ing 4  feet  in  height,  with  large  pale  yellow  blooms.  It  flourishes 
in  most  places.  This  plant  ought  to  be  more  grown.  (Eno- 
thera  bistorta  Veitchii,  a  very  beautiful  little  plant,  is  tolerably 
well  adapted  for  forming  dwarf  edgings  ;  it  is  bright  yellow 
and  very  showy.  Nigella  hispanica,  a  singular-looking  plant, 
has  been  very  fine  during  the  summer.  It  has  grown  well  in 
all  places.  Nemophilas,  of  various  kinds,  have  been  good  with 
US.    Lavatera  trimeatris,  with  large  pink  fiowers,  is  a  splendid 


annual  for  borders.  It  is  very  distinct  and  beautiful,  aad  groM 
well  in  any  soil.  Kaalfuaaia  amelloides  is  a  very  dv^arf-growiag 
plant,  makes  a  neat  ed^jing,  but  is  not  of  very  long  dnrntk*. 
fjupinus  nanus  has  flowered  well  this  season  ;  Atrococcineas 
is  a  splendid  plant  for  borders,  so  is  hybridus  Dunnetti,  bit- 
sutus,  albo-eoccineus,  roseus,  and  mutabilis  versicolor.  We 
have  during  the  past  season  had  plants  of  the  last-named  5  feet 
in  height,  and  its  variously-coloured  flowers  have  been  .tdmired 
by  all  who  have  seen  them;  it  is  certainly  one  of  the  fibest 
Lupines  I  have  met  with. 

Linum  grandillorum  stands  high  in  my  eBtimation  both  for 
beds  and  borders.  Loasa  aurantiaca  and  Herberti  mabe  fin© 
border  plants  raised  in  frames,  hardenedotif,  and  plusted  in 
the  borders.  They  are  very  attractive  on  account  of  tbeir 
curious-formed  flowers,  but  are  rather  unpleasant  to  handle. 
Loasa  lateritia  is  very  pretty,  but  virulent  to  handle,  X»-pto- 
siphon  densifljrus  and  aureus,  are  beautiful  flowers  ;  they  will 
do  for  beds  or  borders.  The  Ipom.Tsas  are  a  splendid  luee  ol 
summer-flowering  plants ;  raise  them  in  pots,  plant  tbem 
where  wanted,  give  them  a  support,  and  they  requiro  little 
more  care.  Their  diversity  of  colour  has  a  charming  eSeet, 
either  when  they  are  mixed  or  grown  separately. 

The  many  varieties  of  Helichrysum  are  very  useful,  both  for 
beds  and  borders  ;  they  have  been  very  fine,  and  many  of  them 
are  still  B).  They,  as  well  as  other  Everlastings,  aye  nsefol 
plants  to  cut  for  winter  decoration.  The  Gilias  are  nsefnl,  and 
have  done  well  this  season.  Godetia  bifrons  and  l-indleyana, 
are  good  border  flowers.  Gypsophila  elegans  is  a  graceful  little 
plant.  Dianthus  Heddewigi,  D.  laciniatus,  and  1>.  deotftttis, 
have  made  a  fine  display  during  the  summer,  continniiga  long 
time  in  bloom.  Clarkia  grandiflora,  Clarkia  pulchelio  inlogri- 
petala,  and  pulchella  alba  and  plena,  have  been  good.  Arte- 
misia annua  is  a  tall-growing,  graceful  plant,  by  some  persons 
considered  rather  desirable  on  account  of  its  scent.  Tbongh  of 
no  great  beauty,  it  is  useful  for  bouquets.  Aster  tencllns,  a 
pretty  annual,  has  been  much  finer  during  the  autumn  than  it 
was  in  the  hot  summer.  Athanasia  annua  is  a  useful  plant 
for  either  beds  or  borders  ;  it  continues  in  flower  a  long  time, 
is  very  showy,  and  seems  to  succeed  well  in  all  places.  Caian- 
drinia  umbellata  is  a  little  gem  too  little  known  ;  it  has  done 
well  with  us  this  season.  Bartonia  aurea,  as  a  border  plant, 
has  been  fine  with  us  all  the  season.  Coreopsis  tinctoijs,  and 
other  kinds,  are  a  beautiful  tribe  ;  their  diversity  and  licbness 
of  colour  command  general  admiration.  Calendula  Pongei,  and 
its  double  variety,  are  very  desirable,  and  have  been  verj  goofl. 

Alonsoa  grandiflora,  and  others,  succeed  well  as  annimls. 
Linaria  bipartita,  and  bipartita  splendida,  are  very  sbowy,  and 
flourish  in  most  situations.  ,Sedum  caeruleum  has  been  very 
fine  as  a  border  plant;  it  likes  a  rather  shady  situation.  Salvia 
horminnm  purpurea  and  rubra  have  done  us  good  service,  their 
red  and  purple  tinges  have  some  attraction  at  a  distance.  Cen- 
taurea  cyanus  is  a  very  desirable  plant  as  an  annna).  Cen- 
taurea  moschata,  and  moschata  alba,  have  made  a  fine  show, 
Brachycome  iberidifolia  has  done  well  in  beds  and  borders  ;  it 
can  either  be  raised  in  pots,  or  sown  where  it  is  inttnded  to 
remain  ;  when  well  selected  it  is  of  a  fine  blue. 

The  imported  German  Larkspurs  have  been  remarSably  fine. 
I  have  often  experienced  some  difficulty  in  keeping  them  after 
they  come  up  ;  the  slugs  are  very  partial  to  them.  1  find  it 
good  practice  to  sow  in  pots,  set  these  on  ashes,  and  when  the 
plants  become  strong  to  plant  out.  Adonis  sestivalis  33  very 
fine,  but  of  short  duration.  Atriplex  hortensis  rubra,  a  taU- 
growing  red-leaved  plant,  is  a  conspicuous  object  at  a  dis- 
tance ;  it  has  been  very  fine.  Lord  Anson's  Pea,  Lathyms 
magellanicuB,  is  a  beautiful  border  plant,  and  deserves  Jar  more 
extensive  cultivation.  Corydalis  glauca  (sempervirens  of  some) 
is  very  handsome  and  hardy.  I  have  sometimes  seen  it  stand 
through  the  winter,  and  flower  very  early  in  the  spring ;  it  is 
then  very  fine. 

Mesembryanthemum  tricolor  and  glaucum  have  beei)  rery 
fine,  the  hot  summer  being  all  in  their  favour.  Heleninm 
Douglasii  has  been  fine ;  this  makes  a  good  display  early  in 
spring  when  sown  in  autumn  and  kept  through  the  winter. 
Hibiscus  africanus  has  been  good  with  us  this  season.  Caealia 
coccinea  is  a  very  fine  border  annual.  Eutoea  viseido  has  done 
better  with  us  this  season  than  I  ever  remember.  I  have  fcen 
it  go  oft  all  at  once  as  if  struck  with  some  disease.  Centran- 
thus  macrosiphon  is  a  good  useful  annual. 

One  of  the  best  annuals  we  have  is  Saponaria  ealabrics.   We 

have  sometimes  used  it  for  bedding,  and  very  fine  it  has  been; 

it  has  played  a  very  conspicuous  part  in  the  border  at  all  times. 

I  Malope  grandiflora  is  a  fine  border  plant,  and  contiuueejiongBi 


100 


JOURNAL  OP  HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER.  [  November  26,  IMS. 


bloom.  Chrysanthemum  segetnm,  though  a  native  plant,  is 
well  worth  a  space  in  the  border  among  other  annuals.  Malva 
zebrina,  a  tall-growing  plant,  is  fine  as  a  third  or  fourth  row 
plant  in  the  border,  and  is  one  of  the  most  showy  plants  we 
have.  Cistus  helianthus,  a  splendid  little  fellow,  should  be 
sown  in  autumn,  potted,  and  plunged  in  a  cold  pit ;  and  planted 
in  the  spring,  it  makes  a  lovely  bed  for  a  short  time. 

Many  other  annuals  might  be  enumerated,  which  give  our 
borders  a  charm  during  the  summer  months,  that  nothing  else 
can,  and  they  are  all  the  better  of  being  transplanted  and 
moved  to  their  blooming  positions  with  balls.  They  will  repay 
any  amount  of  care  bestowed  upon  them.— M.  H.,  Acklam  Hall, 
Middleahrough-on-Tees. 


'SUBTROPICAL  GARDENING— PLANTS  OF 
EASY  CULTURE. 

I  QUITE  agree  with  Mr.  WiUiams,  page  357,  that  subtropical 
gardening  in  its  varied  forms  requires  to  be  more  freely  dis- 
cussed, so  as  to  place  it  in  its  true  light  before  those  who  may 
be  anxious  to  try  it.  For  this  purpose  it  would  be  quite  as 
aeeful  to  have  fair  statements  of  the  cases  of  those  who  have 
made  the  attempt  and  failed,  as  of  those  who  have  done  so  and 
under  favourable  circumstances  been  successful.  Unfortunately 
few  are  willing  to  do  this,  yet  it  ought  to  be  done,  as  nothing 
is  more  instructive  than  failure  when  the  mode  of  culture 
adopted  is  fully  known  ;  and  as  there  have  been  many  failures 
with  subtropical  gardening,  it  would  be  well  to  consider  the 
whole  question  in  all  its  bearings,  and  ascertain  whether  that 
branch  of  gardening  is  within  the  reach  of  many  who  now 
attempt  it.  As  there  are.  doubtless,  many  persons  who  are 
anxious  to  do  so,  the  plants  most  generally  useful  might  with 
advantage  be  pointed  out,  and  as  these  are  both  numerous  and 
interesting,  and  can  be  grown  by  almost  all  having  a  hotbed, 
the  observations  on  each  will  be  plain  and  brief. 

Before,  however,  entering  on  this  matter,  it  may  be  said  here, 
with  all  respect  to  those  who  have  of  late  years  done  so 
much  to  place  this  description  of  gardening  in  the  high  position 
accorded  to  it  by  those  devoted  to  ornamental  plants,  that  it 
had  its  advocates  in  days  long  since  gone  by— certainly  not  to 
the  extent  it  is  at  present  practised,  but  still  some  of  the  plants 
now  employed  had  been  tried  then,  and  not  altogether  without 
success,  for  I  recollect  that  upwards  of  forty  years  since  some 
little  sensation  was  created  by  Melianthus  "major  being  grown 
and  flowered  out  of  doors  about  four  hundred  miles  north  of 
London.  Ten  years  or  so  later  found  Brugmansia  (then  called 
Datura),  arborea  flowering  likewise  out  of  doors,  and  it  is  up- 
wards of  twenty-five  years  since  I  saw  the  first  bed  of  Cannas  ; 
and  I  suppose  the  Sedums,  Saxifrages,  and  Sempervivums  were 
almost  as  plentiful  thirty  years  ago  as  now,  as  succulent  plants 
were  more  popular  then  than  they  have  been  since,  but  they 
were  seldom  turned  out  of  doors.  However,  it  must  not  for  a 
moment  be  supposed  that  I  wish  to  detract  in  the  least  from 
the  merit  due  to  Mr.  Gibson  and  others  who  have  done  so 
much  in  bringing  subtropical  gardening  before  the  public,  only 
in  cases  where  the  means  are  scant  annuals  ought  only  to  be 
used,  and  these  give  more  diversity,  and  on  the  whole  a  more 
tropical  aspect  to  the  eye,  than  the  more  costly  shrubby  class, 
although  the  latter  may  be  more  robust  in  habit.  Commencing, 
therefore,  with  plants  of  easy  culture,  we  have  the  large  family 
of  Solanums,  the  Castor  o"il  plants,  Wigandia,  Ferdinanda, 
some  AraUas,  &c.,  as  well  as  some  hardy  plants,  to  which 
sufficient  justice  has  not  yet  been  done. 

EioiNus,  OR  Castok  Oil  Plants.— These  are  of  easy  culture, 
3.3  some  plants  here  attained  a  height  of  upwards  of  8  feet, 
though  not  sown  until  the  middle  of  April,  when  single  seeds 
were  put  into  separate  small  pots,  which  were  placed  in  an 
ordinary  hotbed.  The  young  plants  were  forwarded  in  heat 
and  planted  out  by  the  third  week  in  May,  and  no  further 
attention  was  paid  them  than  staking  after  some  high  winds 
about  the  beginning  of  September.  There  are  several  species 
and  varieties,  but  those  with  the  red  and  the  green  bark  re- 
spectively are  the  best  two.  In  the  trade  they  are  called 
B.  sanguineus,  R.  macrocarpus,  and  B.  glaucus ;  one  of  them 
has  ripened  seeds  here  this  season.  They  ought  to  have  a 
sunny  but  not  windy  situation.  The  past  summer  seems  to 
have  .'uited  them  exceedingly  well,  more  so  than  it  has  done 
other  plants  of  apparently  kindred  habit,  as  will  be  shown. 

WiGANDii  cAEACASANA. — Although  seedlings  of  the  present 
season  attained  the  height  of  G  or  7  feet,  they  never  presented 
the  large  foliage  which  the  plant  did  in  1865  and  the  following 


two  years,  the  absence  of  rain  doubtless  being  the  cause,  and 
here  we  had  not  the  means  of  artificially  supplying  them  with 
water.  It  may,  therefore,  be  inferred  that  this  plant  requires 
moisture  as  well  as  warmth,  and,  like  the  Castor  Oils,  a  sunny 
but  not  windy  situation.  It  is  advisable  to  sow  much  earlier 
in  the  spring  than  is  necessary  for  the  Castor  Oil  plants,  and 
even  plants  kept  over  the  winter,  by  being  sown  about  July  in 
the  preceding  season,  make  the  largest  specimens  ;  but  as  the 
plants,  unless  kept  in  a  warm  house,  are  not  ornamental  after 
the  dark  days  commence,  it  would  not  be  worth  while  for  those 
whose  room  is  limited  to  attempt  their  growth  during  the 
winter.  This  plant  seems  to  like  a  good  rich  loam,  and  its 
broad  ovate  leaves,  with  the  upper  surface  beautifully  netted 
and  indented,  while  the  under  surface  is  slightly  stinging,  es- 
pecially in  the  young  state,  the  immense  size  of  its  leaves, 
and  its  good  habit,  entitle  it  to  a  first  place  amongst  out-door 
fine-foliaged  plants  ;  neither  do  its  flowers,  which  it  often  pro- 
duces, detract  from  its  merits. 

Ferdinanda  EMiKENs. — Although  I  have  had  this  plant  12  feet 
high  by  keeping  it  through  the  winter,  I  am  by  no  means  fond 
of  it.  Its  apparent  resemblance  in  the  distance  to  a  patch  of 
Jerusalem  Artichokes  gives  it  a  common  character,  and  I  think 
it  has  lost  ground  elsewhere  of  late.  It  is  easily  raised  from 
seed,  but  ought  to  be  sown  early  in  heat  like  the  Wigandia, 
and  kept  growing  till  the  proper  planting-out  time,  which  must 
not  be  too  early,  the  end  of  May  being  quite  soon  enough. 

Cannas. — The  great  diversity  there  is  in  this  family,  and 
their  graceful  appearance,  added  to  their  easy  culture,  give 
them  a  claim  possessed  by  nothing  else  in  their  way  for  a  bed 
or  a  mass,  but  they  are  hardly  so  well  suited  for  planting  singly. 
They  are  much  hardier  than  is  supposed.  We  have  here  two 
large  beds  that  have  stood  the  last  two  winters  with  only  a  slight 
covering  of  leaves,  and  this  season  I  intend  to  deny  them  even 
this  advantage,  from  noticing  plants  elsewhere  that  have 
stood  without  it.  The  varieties  are  endless,  but  in  general  a 
good  dark-leaved  and  dark-stemmed  variety,  of  which  the  Canna 
nigricans  may  be  regarded  as  the  type,  is  indispensable  as  one. 
Then  there  is  a  fine,  broad-foliaged,  green-leaved  variety  of 
dwarf  habit  that  is  also  good ;  and  I  believe  the  tallest  of  all 
is  a  yellow-flowered  species,  rather  deficient  of  foliage  near  the 
ground,  but  otherwise  of  striking  habit.  Generally  Cannas  do 
best  in  a  dry  soil  which  is  plentifully  supplied  with  moisture, 
and  a  circular  or  oval  bed  of  a  large  size,  with  a  mass  of  this 
plant  as  a  centre,  and  an  edging  of  other  plants,  forms  an  im- 
portant feature  in  the  dressed  grounds. 

Tobacco  is  certainly  more  picturesque  than  Ferdinanda,  in- 
dependent of  the  interest  that  attaches  to  it.  I  beUeve  the 
Nicotiana  wigandioides  has  the  most  striking  appearance,  tut 
I  have  not  seen  it  in  perfection.  Tobacco  ought  not  to  be 
planted  out  until  the  1st  of  June,  and  then  let  it  be  done  in 
dry  weather,  otherwise  the  slugs  will  be  sure  to  find  the  plants 
out.  The  middle  of  April  is  early  enough  to  sow  the  seed,  and 
the  sowing  ought  to  be  made  in  a  pan  or  box  in  a  hotbed,  and 
the  plants  pricked  out,  either  into  separate  pots  or  into  larger 
frames  or  boxes,  to  be  forwarded  and  hardened-o£E  in  the  usual 
way. 

Brucmansia  arborea  and  other  varieties  are  not  so  easily 
obtained  in  quantity  as  plants  that  are  reared  annually  from 
seeds ;  but  the  roots,  like  those  of  old  Scarlet  Pelargoniums, 
will  endure  being  taken  up  in  autumn  and  kept  in  a  dry  cellar 
during  the  winter,  and  can  be  brought  on  in  spring  in  the  same 
way.  The  fine  foliage  of  this  plant  and  its  still  more  remark- 
able flowers,  entitle  it  to  much  attention. 

Akalia  Sieeoldi. — Perhaps  this  plant  ought  not  to  be  in- 
cluded, as  it  is  an  evergreen  shrub  of  doubtful  hardiness,  but 
very  desirable  if  it  would  succeed  well  out  of  doors ;  for  its 
large,  glossy  green,  deeply  palmate  leaves  give  it  a  very  hand- 
some appearance.  However,  it  has  not  as  yet  been  sufliciently 
tried  in  all  situations  to  speak  with  certainty  as  to  its  hardi- 
ness, but  it  is  a  handsome  conservatory  plant. 

As  the  above  plants  are  principally  given  as  examples  of 
what  may  be  had  in  most  cases  where  a  hotbed  is  at  command, 
it  is  not  to  be  inferred  that  the  collector  need  stop  there,  for 
some  of  the  Solanums  are  interesting,  and  they  differ  widely 
from  each  other ;  but  as  a  class  I  have  never  admired  them  so 
much  as  others  have  done.  Solanum  robustum  and  argenteum 
are  about  the  best,  while  some  prefer  S.  cabiliense  or  betaceum. 
The  Japan  Maize  is  also  an  easily  grown  plant  and  looks  well, 
as  do  some  of  the  ordinary  plain-leaved  varieties.  Then  there 
is  a  host  of  hardy  plants  with  foliage  more  or  less  remarkable, 
not  the  least  so  being  the  common  Globe  Artichoke,  the  Car- 
doon,  some  varieties  of  shiny-leaved  Rhubarb,  and  other  plants, 


Novombor  38, 1868,  ]  JODENAL  OF  HOUTIO0LTURB  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


401 


to  which,  of  oonrse,  the  term  subtropioal  cannot  bo  applied. 
Bat  as  this  article  is  more  to  assist  those  of  limited  means 
than  to  suggest  fresh  subjects  to  those  already  conversant  with 
the  matter,  plants  more  diflicuU  of  increase  need  not  be  men- 
tioned hero  ;  neither  in  it  necessary  to  enter  upon  the  lower- 
{»rowing  class  of  plants,  some  of  which  become  green  when 
planted  out,  and  consequeutly  lose  all  beauty,  which,  however, 
is  not  the  case  with  Tradescantia  zebrina. 

To  mention  Indiarubber  plants,  Dracn^nas,  Crotona,  Ma- 
rantas,  Caladiums,  and  other  stove  plants  would  only  be  tempt- 
ing persons  possessed  of  limited  means  to  devote  too  much 
attention  to  a  description  of  gardening  which  an  adverse  season 
would  render  a  pitiable  feature  ;  and  it  is  to  be  feared  that  the 
past  unusually  hot  summer,  which  has  favoured  the  growth  of 
30  many  tender  plants,  may  tempt  some  to  extend  their  culti- 
vation in  another  year,  which,  perhaps,  may  be  diametrically 
the  opposite  of  this  in  respect  to  the  heat  and  sunshine,  and 
disappointment  will  be  the  result. — iJohn  Eobson. 


KEEPING   APPLES   FROM   FROST. 

Is  it  correct,  that  if  pans  of  water  are  placed  in  a  room  where 
Apples  are  stored,  they  are  never  affected  by  frost  ?  A  dealer 
who  purchases  very  largely  for  the  markets,  states  it  to  be  a 
fact.— L.  B. 

[There  is  no  doubt  that  water  in  a  room  checks  the  tem- 
perature of  that  room  falling  below  32°,  the  freezing  point  of 
water,  for  the  water  in  cooling,  and  in  freezing,  gives  out  heat. 
But  when  the  water  is  frozen,  and  the  temperature  of  the  room 
is  below  the  freezing  point,  it  would  not  prevent  the  Apples 
being  frozen. — Eds.] 


THE   USES   AND  MAKING  OF   CHARCOAL. 

So  extremely  useful  to  the  gardener  is  charcoal,  that  he  can 
hardly  be  said  to  have  all  his  necessaries  about  him  when  it  is 
absent.  It  is,  first  of  all,  invaluable  as  a  manurial  agent,  there 
being  few  soils,  or  rather  plants,  which  are  not  benefited  by  its 
application.  Who  has  not  noticed  how  lovingly  the  rootlets  of 
a  potted  Strawberry  twine  round  and  hug  the  little  bits  of  it 
which  have  been  put  within  their  reach  '.'  or  how  those  of  pot 
Vines  which  have  been  top-dressed  with  a  rich  compost  in 
which  some  of  it  has  been  mixed,  will,  trout-like,  come  almost 
to  the  surface  to  grasp  the  savoury  morsels  ? 

As  is  well  known,  charcoal  is  carbon  in  a  more  or  less  im- 
pure state,  and  as  carbon  forms  rather  more  than  half  of  the 
constituent  parts  of  woody  fibre,  it  would  at  first  sight  appear 
obvious  that  plants  will  find  in  it  abundance  of  wood-forming 
material  ready  for  use  ;  but  those  who  peer  into  these  curious 
subjects,  and  tell  us  what  they  see,  say  that  before  it  can  be- 
come vegetable  food  it  must  be  turned  into  carbonic  acid,  and 
that  charcoal  under  such  circumstances  as  being  simply  mixed 
with  soil  is  never  so  transformed,  but  remains  insoluble  though 
reduced  to  the  finest  powder.  Its  undoubted  nutritive  qualities 
are,  notwithstanding,  accounted  for  by  its  very  slowly  forming 
carbonic  acid  when  buried  in  the  soil ;  partly  also  by  its  che- 
mical power  of  absorbing  and  retaining  ammoniacal  gas,  as 
well  as  moisture,  in  its  pores,  thus  making  each  piece  a  little 
pantry  full  of  all  the  good  things  of  vegetable  life  ;  but  in  what- 
ever way  it  acts  is  not  of  much  consequence  bo  long  as  we  reap 
the  benefits. 

Used  as  a  mulching  material,  either  in  summer  to  prevent 
eraporation,  or  in  autumn  to  keep  in  heat,  it  is  most  efficient, 
as  it  is  one  of  the  worst  conductors  of  heat  known  ;  it  has  also 
the  advantage  over  many  other  materials  so  used,  of  being  not 
nnsightly,  and  if  roughly  powdered,  of  being  somewhat  harrow- 
ing to  the  slimy  sensibilities  of  our  enemies,  the  snails. 
Strewed  over  the  surface  of  the  soil,  and  frequently  renewed,  it 
protects  from  damp  such  crops  as  Lettuce,  Endive,  Cauliflower, 
&c.,  wintering  in  frames  ;  and  sprinkled  over  boxes  of  Pelar- 
goniums which  have  been  stumped  in,  and  are  hybernating, 
a  la  Fish,  in  a  dry  loft,  I  have  more  than  once  seen  it  do  good 
service.  Being  a  powerful  absorbent  it  acts  as  a  trap  for  mois- 
ture, of  which  it  is  also  very  retentive,  parting  with  it  only  at  a 
high  temperature,  or  on  exposure  to  currents  of  dry  air.  Hence 
the  ease  with  which  gunpowder  gets  damp,  and  the  difficulty 
of  again  thoroughly  drying  it. 

Charcoal  dust,  and  in  an  interior  degree  both  wood  and  peat 
ashes  also,  greatly  assist  the  germination  of  small  seeds,  and 
the  subsequent  development  of  the  young  plants ;  and  this,  too, 
no  doubt,  results  from  their  power  of  absorbing  moisture.   The 


ploughing-in  of  peat  ashes  along  with  artificial  manures,  before 
sowing  Turnips  in  dry  weather,  is  sometimes  practised  by 
farmers  in  this  part  of  the  country,  where,  unfortunately,  an 
unlimited  supply  is  always  to  be  had  for  the  burning. 

In  the  formation  of  Vine  borders  charcoal  seems  to  be  less 
employed  now  than  it  was  some  years  ago,  owing,  perhaps,  to 
the  more  liberal  use  of  bones  ;  but  setting  aside  the  question 
of  expense,  where  it  cannot  be  made  at  home,  there  can  be 
little  doubt  about  its  being  greatly  superior  to  lime  rubbish. 

In  making  charcoal  for  any  of  these,  or  for  potting  purposes, 
where  there  is  a  choice,  the  lighter  woods  should  be  preferred 
for  the  simple  reason  that  they  are  more  porous,  those  of  an 
opposite  character  being  generally  selected  when  it  is  to  be  used 
for  fuel.  The  professional  charcoal  burner  cuts  the  wood  up 
into  short  lengths,  and  splitting  these  carefully  into  pieces  of 
nearly  equal  thickness,  piles  them  up  in  a  conical  form,  each 
piece  lying  in  a  nearly  horizontal  position  ;  but  the  whole  of 
the  work  can  be  done  in  a  rough-and-ready  way  with  half  the 
labour,  something  in  the  following  manner :— Collect  a  lot  of 
wood,  rejecting  nothing  thicker  than  an  ordinary  arm,  or  that 
has  not  had  its  fibre  destroyed  by  decay.  Cut  it  into  lengths 
varying  from  3  to  7  or  8  feet,  and,  having  fixed  upon  a  suitable 
spot,  proceed  to  bnild  the  kiln.  In  doing  this,  place  first  two 
or  three  bundles  of  dry  Spruce  branches  where  the  centre  of  it 
is  to  be,  over  these  put  a  barrowload  of  coals  in  such  away  that 
any  good  hothouse  stoker  will  be  sure  of  their  igniting ;  then, 
beginning  with  the  shortest  lengths  of  wood,  set  them  on  their 
ends  around,  and  leaning  against  the  faggots  and  coals,  and 
continue  thus  packing  them  closely  together,  and  keeping  the 
base  within  as  small  a  circumference  as  possible,  until  the 
wood  is  all  piled  up.  Two  spaces  filled  with  faggots,  opposite 
each  other,  and  communicating  with  the  centre,  must  also  be 
left.  The  next  operation  is  to  cover  the  whole,  except  the  top, 
with  thick  turves  or  sods,  and  in  most  cases  the  procuring  of 
these  is  the  most  difficult  part  of  the  business.  Where  there  is 
a  farm  near  the  difficulty  can  be  easily  surmounted,  by  making 
the  kiln  in  the  comer  of  a  pasture  field,  which  has  either  just 
been,  or  is  about  to  be  ploughed  ;  but  if  this  cannot  be  done, 
and  if  there  is  no  suitable  place  about  the  grounds  or  woods, 
then  the  next  best  place  to  select  is  somewhere  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  rubbish-heap.  Here  the  whilom  glories  of  the  flower 
garden  will  likely  be  rotting  in  cartloads,  and  they  answer 
pretty  well  if  put  thickly  on,  although  it  does  entail  a  little  loss 
in  manure. 

When  the  heap  has  been  fired,  and  after  the  coals  are  burnt, 
and  it  is  found  that  the  flames  have  entirely  pervaded  the  heap, 
cover  up  the  holes  at  both  top  and  bottom,  and  continue  to  put 
on  more  turves  or  rubbish  wherever  the  flame  attempts  to  break 
out,  as  the  less  air  we  admit,  the  less  ashes,  and  the  more 
charcoal  we  shall  have.  When  burnt  out,  cooling  may  be  ac- 
celerated by  throwing  a  few  pailsful  of  water  over  the  heap,  but 
so  as  not  to  saturate  the  charcoal,  which  should  be  stored  in  r 
dry  shed,  and  sifted  into  various  sizes  ready  for  use. — Ayeshibe 
Gakdenee.  ^^_^ 

CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

Mk.  FonsYTH's,  Bkunswiok  Nurseey,  Stoke  Newington. — 
No  one,  probably,  has  been  more  successful  than  Mr.  Forsyth 
as  a  cultivator  of  specimen  plants  of  the  Chrysanthemum, 
both  large-flowering  and  Pompon  ;  and  the  largo,  admirably 
grown  and  flowered  specimens  which  he  has  exhibited  so  suc- 
cessfully at  the  various  shows,  have  won  for  him  a  high  re- 
putation as  well  as  many  prizes.  His  show-house  at  present 
contains  a  large  collection  of  the  best  varieties,  some  trained 
in  the  bush  form,  others  as  standards,  and  many  more  (massed 
in  the  centre  of  the  house),  in  the  usual  manner  for  furnishing 
large  blooms  for  exhibition.  Ranged  on  the  side  shelves  are 
the  specimens  trained  in  the  roundish  bush-form,  and  among 
them  a  plant  of  Mrs.  George  Puindle  is  especially  remarkable 
for  its  fine  growth  and  the  abundance  of  its  pure  white  flowers. 
Dr.  Sharpe,  crimson,  another  new  variety  of  1SC7,  also  forms 
very  fine  specimens,  and  among  older  kinds  Christine,  Golden 
Christine,  and  Annie  Salter,  all  of  which  are  well  known,  are 
represented  by  large  plants  in  beautiful  bloom. 

Among  new  varieties  of  180!^,  Bronze  Jardin  des  Plantes 
and  Princess  Beatrice,  the  former  bronzed  oiange,  the  latter, 
large,  lilac  tipped  with  blush,  are  especially  worthv  of  note ; 
also  Mrs.  Sharpe,  pink  with  a  silvery  tinge,  and  Le  Grand, 
rosy  peach.  Of  the  previous  years'  flowers  the  most  notiteable 
besides  those  already  referred  to,  are  Fingal,  very  large  and 
fine ;  Dr.  Lindley ;  Lard  Stanley,  orange  amber  ;   Lady  Tal- 


402 


JOCBNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUBE  AND  0OTTA6E   OABDENEB. 


[  November  26,  1866. 


fonrd,  rosy  lilac  with  a  silvery  back  ;  Yolande,  and  Purpnrea 
elegane,  purplish  crimson,  fine  in  colour  though  not  so  large 
as  some. 

In  the  general  collection  we  noticed  the  following  as  the 
most  conspicuous  for  their  size,  colours,  and  beauty — viz., 
Prince  of  Wales  and  Virgin  Queen,  magnificent,  the  one 
purplish  violet,  the  other  pure  white,  and  nearly  5  inches 
across;  John  Salter;  Prince  Alfred;  Queen  of  Whites,  with 
some  splendid  blooms ;  General  Bainbrigge,  Crimson  Velvet, 
Cherub,  Beverley,  Golden  Dr.  Brock,  Defiance,  as  a  fine  speci- 
men ;  Lord  Clyde,  crimson  ;  Lord  Banelagh,  Rifleman,  Sir  G. 
Bowyer,  Lady  Hardinge,  Hereward,  Donald  Beaton.  Pandora, 
Prince  Albert,  Anaxo.  Kev.  J.  Dix,  Sam  Weller,  Jardin  des 
Plantes,  Antonelli,  Counters  of  Granville,  Raymond,  St. 
Columba,  golden  amber  ;  Yellow  Perfection,  Julie  Lagrav^re, 
Oliver  Cromwell,  Mr.  Wyness.  and  Golden  Beverley. 

In  rear  of  the  specimen  plants  on  the  side  shelves  before 
alluded  to,  Mr.  Forsyth  has  a  number  of  fine  standard  Pompons 
with  stems  about  3  feet  high  from  the  pot,  and  fine  heads  of 
bloom.  The  Pumpons  are  well  suited  for  this  mode  of  training, 
and  as  grown  and  flowered  by  Mr.  For-syth,  are  very  effective 
in  the  conservatory.  Among  the  specimens  trained  in  this 
manner  were  fine  examples  of  Bob,  crimson  ;  White  Trevenna, 
a  remarkably  free-blooming  variety,  and  excellent  for  the  pur- 
pose ;  Cedo  Nulli  and  Lilac  Cedo  Nulli,  of  which  the  same  may 
be  said ;  Andromeda,  Aurore  Borfiale,  General  Canrobert, 
Duruflet,  and  Lilac  Gem.  Several  Anemone-flowered  Pompona, 
are  also  grown  in  the  same  way.  Among  the  newer  Pompons, 
in  addition  to  Little  Gem,  the  most  notable  are  Madge  Wild- 
fire, red  with  golden  tips  ;  Little  Creole,  brownish  orange  ;  and 
St.  Michael,  golden  yellow  ;  and  of  older  kinds  Salamon,  Mus- 
tapha,  Florence,  and  Brown  Cedo  Nulli. 

It  may  be  added,  that  besides  the  show-house  there  are 
several  others  in  which,  in  addition  to  the  large  stock  of  bed- 
ding plants  which  is  annually  produced,  there  are  specimen 
Chrysanthemums  in  various  stages  of  flowering,  and  in  con- 
cluding we  may  mention  that  we  saw  in  the  seed-shop  blooms 
of  two  seedlings  which  gained  first-class  certificates  at  Stoke 
Newington  Sbow.  These  were  raised  by  Mr.  Morgan,  of  Ply- 
mouth, and  are  called  Mr.  Morgan  and  Mr.  Everany.  The 
former  is  of  a  delicate  lilac,  and  the  latter  in  the  style  of  Oliver 
Cromwell,  reddish  chestnut,  and  golden  tinged  at  the  tips. 

Temple  Gardens. — In  the  garden  of  the  Inner  Temple,  Mr. 
Broome,  and  in  that  of  the  Middle  Temple,  Mr.  Dale,  have  as 
usual  a  good  display,  Mr.  Broome's  being  by  far  the  more  ex- 
tensive, and  including  excellent  examples  of  nearly  all  the 
leading  varieties.  Theee,  having  been  protected  by  an  awning, 
have  not  suffered  from  the  frost  like  the  Pompons  and  others 
exposed  in  the  beds,  and  have  been  inspected  by  thousands. 


THE   PERSIMMON   TREE   WANTS   TO   BE 
CIVILISED. 

All  over  our  vast  domain,  from  Cape  Cod  to  Florida  Reefs, 
there  flourishes  in  a  sort  of  neglectful  luxuriance  a  beautiful 
little  tree,  known  as  the  Persimmon,  or  American  Date  Plum. 
The  botanists,  who  are  always  fond  of  calling  things  by  hard, 
outlandish  names,  name  it  the  Diospyios  virginiana,  and  tell 
ns  that  it  belongs  to  the  family  of  plants  known  as  the  ditecious, 
meaning  there  by  that  there  are  two  kinds  of  trees,  one  pro- 
ducing female  and  the  other  male  flowers,  both  of  which  must 
be  grown  near  together,  in  order  to  produce  fruit. 

The  Persimmon  tree  grows  from  30  to  CO  feet  high,  is  of 
graceful  and  symmetrical  shape,  has  long,  glossy,  shining 
leaves,  and  wbfn  loaded  with  fruit,  present  a  very  handsome 
appearance.  There  seems  to  be  a  much  larger  number  of  sterile 
than  of  fenile  tees,  as  they  are  found  wild  in  the  woods.  This 
tree  is  not  very  dainty  in  respect  to  the  soil  on  which  it  feeds. 
It  is  found  on  the  moist  borders  of  the  Southern  swamps,  by 
the  running  streams  of  the  Middle  States,  and  on  the  high  and 
rocky  hills  or  a  more  northern  latitude.  It  seems  to  love  both  the 
deep  black  soil  "f  the  American  bottom,  and  the  thin,  gravelly 
earth  of  our  hill  sides.  No  American  wild  fruit,  if  we  except 
the  Strawberry,  can  adapt  itself  to  so  wide  a  range  of  latitude, 
or  can  tluurish  in  such  a  variety  of  soils. 

*'  GrowiDg  in  valleys  deep  nnd  fair, 
And  ou  the  mountHin  bigli, 
And  in  the  silent  wilderness. 
Where  no  man  passeth  by." 

In  size,  shape,  flavour,  and  quality,  the  Persimmon  varies  as 
much  as  the  Pear  or  Apple.  On  some  trees  it  is  scarcely  larger 
than  a  Cherry,  while  on  others  it  equals  in  size  the  largest 


Plum.  Scarcely  two  trees  can  be  found,  even  in  the  same 
neighbourhood,  that  produce  frnit  of  the  same  degree  of  excel- 
lence. Sometimes  the  fruit  is  so  mellow  at  maturity  that  it 
is  crushed  by  its  own  weight  as  it  falls  to  the  ground ;  at  other 
times  it  will  bear  a  large  amount  of  pressure  without  injury. 
Its  period  of  ripening,  too,  is  almost  as  variable  as  that  of  any 
cultivated  fruit. 

As  with  the  form,  size,  and  period  ot  ripening,  so  also  the 
flavour  of  this  fruit  is  wonderfully  varied.  Sometimes  it  is 
hardly  fit  to  be  eaten,  even  after  the  frost  has  exerted  its  in- 
fluence to  soften  its  astringency.  Of  such  as  this  old  Captain 
John  Smith,  of  precious  memory,  must  have  tasted  when  he 
exclaimed,  "  It  turueth  the  month  awry  with  torment."  So, 
too,  it  is  likely  that  it  was  an  unfrozen,  unripe,  and  naturally 
very  poor  Persimmon  that  the  Poor  paddy  tasted,  and  called  on 
the  Virgin  for  help,  thinking  he  was  poisoned.  That  there  are 
varieties  of  this  fruit  whose  disagreeable  astringency  not  even 
the  frost  can  remove,  and  other  sorts  that  are  insipid  and 
almost  lacking  in  the  peculiar  flavour  of  the  Persimmon,  is 
true  ;  but  then  objections  can  be  raised  against  every  kind  of 
uncultivated,  and  most  kinds  of  cultivated  fruits,  taken  as  a 
class.  It  is  also  true  that  there  are  trees  of  this  that  produce 
fruit  that  is  at  once  sweet,  mellow,  luscious  and  delicious. 

The  Persimmon  is  one  of  the  most  nutritious  fruits  that  can 
anywhere  be  found.  The  fruit  contains  so  much  nitrogen,  that 
carnivorous  animals  will  devour  it  with  relish.  The  opossum 
feasts  on  it  during  the  latter  part  of  autumn,  as  it  ripens  on 
the  sunny  slopes  of  Kentucky,  and  and  then  rolls  down  like  a 
butter  ball.  During  the  late  war  much  use  was  made  of  Per- 
simmons, as  supplies  of  meat  and  grain  were  scanty ;  and  be- 
fore and  since  the  war,  the  Persimmon  has  been  highly  prized 
all  over  the  south.  Persimmon  beer  in  an  old  Virginian  house- 
hold, is  what  home-brewed  is  in  the  establishment  of  an 
English  country  gentleman.  It  is  a  beverage  which  unites  all 
the  excellencies  of  old  wine,  new  cider,  and  fresh-drawn  milk. 
It  invigorates,  but  does  not  intoxicate. 

In  former  times,  in  the  old  dominion,  they  made  brandy  of 
the  Persimmon  ;  but  it  was  in  the  good  old  days  of  "  pure 
nature  and  primeval  innocence  "  when  logwood  was  used  to 
colour  cloth,  aud  before  country  druggists  sold  prussic  acid. 
But  Persimmon  beer  does  not  find  a  substitute ;  it  is  a 
southern  institution  that  no  plan  of  reconstruction  will  seek  to 
change.  The  freedman  now,  as  the  bondman  did  of  old,  gathers 
the  ripe  Persimmons,  mashes  them  with  bran,  dries  and  bakes 
the  mass,  and  puts  it  by  to  brew  beer  from  for  use  in  the  harvest 
or  tobacco  field. 

A  good  article  of  vinegar,  too  can  be  made  from  Persimmons, 
by  simply  macerating  them  in  warm  water  amd  leaving  them 
to  ferment,  as  you  would  cider  or  high  wines.  Doubtless  a 
superior  yeast  could  be  made  from  Persimmons,  judging  from 
the  great  amount  of  nitrogen  they  contain  ;  but  we  doubt  if 
the  experiment  has  ever  been  tried.  Recently,  while  travelling 
among  the  mountains  of  Arkansas,  we  found  the  Persimmon 
cured  in  dry  houses  the  same  as  Apples  or  Peaches,  ready  to 
be  cooked  fur  the  table. 

Now  what  we  are  going  to  say  is,  that  a  tree  which  is  SO 
promising  as  the  Persimmon  deserves  to  become  civilised; 
and  that  its  merits  should  be  taken  in  charge  by  some  of  the 
enterprising  horticulturists  who  have  done  so  much  for  the 
Pear  and  Apple,  which  are  not  half  so  promising  in  their 
wild  sta'e. — [Prairie  Farmer.) 

[Thi^  fruit  tree  deserves  in  England  a  place  under  glass.  It 
is  no  novelty,  for  Parkinson,  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth, 
described  and  portraited  it,  adding,  "  it  hath  not  borne  flowers 
or  fruit  in  our  country,  but  the  fruit  as  it  came  to  us  was 
firm  as  a  Date,  and  almost  as  sweet."  Attention  was  drawn  to 
it  in  1854  by  M.  Morren,  in  the  "  Belgique  Horticole,"  where 
there  is  a  good  coloured  portrait  of  the  fruit.  It  requires  to  be 
grown  under  glass,  if  ripe  fruit  is  desired.  This  is  round,  ter- 
minated by  a  pmall  and  point,  about  the  size  of  a  small  Medlar  ; 
skin  orange- coloured.  Like  the  Medlar,  it  requires  to  be  kept 
unt  1  "  luscious  in  decay,"  and  is  then  quite  a  sweetmeat.  Its 
flowers  are  yellow,  opening  in  July,  and  the  fruit  is  mature 
when  the  leaves  fall  in  November. — Eds.] 


PRIZES  FOR  BRITISH  FERNS. 

Few  people  are  aware  of  the  immense  size  some  species  will 
attain  under  cultivation,  and  as  great  interest  is  now  taken  in 
them,  can  we  not,  by  offering  tempting  prizes,  bring  some  of 
the  finest-grown  specimens  before  the  pubUo  ? 


November  26,  1888.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER, 


403 


If  a  £10  10s.  cup,  with  a  Beoond  prize  added,  were  offered 
for  each  of  Athyrium,  Polyetichum,  and  Lastrea,  I  think  aomo 
of  our  first  amateur  Feru  growers  would  be  iuduced  to  compete 
for  the  championship. 

The  prizes  should  bo  awarded  to  the  (say  six)  largest  and 
best-grown  Bpecimeua,  the  varieties  at  the  same  time  being 
good  and  distinct. 

Could  not.  Buoh  sums  be  raised  by  subscription,  and  the 
prizes  be  offered  at  one  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's 
Shows?  I  should  be  glad  to  contribute  £1  U.  towards  the 
Athyrium  cup. — Pteris. 


ROOKS  AND   CROWS. 

Instead  of  answering  "An  Allotment  Gardener"  in  our 
replies  to  correspondents,  we  will  respond  to  his  query.  "  Are 
rooks  and  crows  injurers  of  growing  crops?"  by  making  a 
quotation  from  a  lecture  recently  delivered  by  Mr.  Scott  Skirving 
to  the  members  of  the  Haddingtonshire  Farmers'  Club. 

"  That  ronks  brlp  thoraselvcs  to  the  fruits  of  tho  enrth,  no  one,  least 
of  all  the  naturalist,  can  deny.  Has  he  not  called  him  Cnrvns  fruKilefpis, 
the  frnit-^^athering  crow  ?  So  much  for  the  evidence  for  the  prosecu- 
tion ;  now  for  the  defence.  The  whole  of  these  attacks  are  more  easily 
gnarded  than  those  of  any  other  bird.  Tho  rook  ia  such  a  sensible 
person  that  he  knows  a  plon^hman  in  his  farrow  will  do  him  no  harm, 
but  he  gives  on  old  man  with  a  little  gunpowder  a  very  wide  berth. 
Then,  though  he  likes  Potatoes  and  Corn,  he  is  by  no  means  obliged  to 
subsist  upon  them.  On  the  contrary,  his  usual,  ordinary,  daily  food 
consists  of  worms,  sings,  Rrubs,  beetles,  and  insects  of  almost  every 
description.  I  have  opened  and  examiuod  so  many  rooks  that  I  think 
I  may  say  that,  taking  all  the  year  round,  nine  parts  in  ten  of  their 
food  consist  of  insects.  And  what  insects  ?  The  common  black  beetle, 
the  parent  of  wireworra,  the  wirewomi  itself,  the  Crane  Hy,  the  parent 
of  the  grub,  and  multitudes  of  the  grubs  themselves — in  fact,  almost 
every  one  of  the  larger  foes  of  the  farmer.  One  most  unfounded 
charge  has  often  been  brought  against  the  rook,  even  by  practical 
farmers.  He  has  been  charged  with  i)lucking  up  grass  and  Clover, 
and  with  pulling  up  youn^  Turnips,  just  as  the  starling  has  been 
charged  with  plnckini^  out  the  wool  of  sheep.  In  every  case  that  the 
rook  has  plucked  a  blade  of  prass  or  pulled  a  Turnip,  it  was  to  destroy 
the  insect  that,  as  soon  as  it  bad  ruined  that  plant,  would  have  pro- 
ceeded to  attack  and  destroy  another. 

"  Yes,  I  say,  the  rook  does  much  more  good  than  harm,  but  you 
may  have  too  much  of  a  cood  thing,  and,  therefore,  care  ought  to  be 
taken  that  his  numbers  are  not  allowed  to  be  excessive  in  any  one 
locahty.  It  is  a  mistake  to  say  of  him  that  bis  natural  enemies  have 
been  destroyed  by  man.  I  should  like  to  hear  the  names  of  his  natural 
enemies.  He  has  put  himself  under  the  care  and  control  of  man  in  a 
way  that  no  other  wild  bird  has.  He  builds  on  the  ancestral  trees 
aronnd  his  house,  without  attempt  at  concealment,  and  it  is  for  man 
to  saywhen  he  becomes  too  numerous.  He  is  the  useful  servant  of 
man,  but  a  man  may  have  too  many  useful  servants.  I  think,  cou- 
Bidering  that  almost  every  rookery  is  open  to  juvenile  sportsmen,  there 
is  not  much  fear  of  a  too  j^reat  increase  of  these  birds,  the  best  of  all 
mral  police.  Talk  of  rat-catchers,  rabbit-catchers,  and  mole-catchers 
(the  last  animal  doiuj^'  more  good  than  harm,  by  the  way)  :  what  are 
these  persons  compared  to  the  early-rising  crow?  Perhaps  few  here 
ever  heard  a  souc;  dedicated  to  a  crow,  for,  with  all  his  excellences,  I 
cannot  call  him  musical ;  yet  a  true  poet  baa  shown  himself  a  true 
observer  of  Nature  also.  Bailey,  among  the  many  odd  songs  he  makes 
his  characters  sinR  in  his  wonderful  poem  of  Festus,  has  one  on  the 
crow,  of  which  I  shall  read  a  couple  of  verses : — 

*  Tho  crow  1  the  crow  I  the  ffreat  black  crow  I 
He  cares  not  to  meet  us  wlierever  we  fin  ; 
He  cares  not  for  mjin,  beast,  friend,  or  foe, 
For  notbing  will  eat  him,  he  well  dnth  know — 
What  a  comfort  to  feel  like  a  great  black  crow : ' 

*The  crow  I  iho  crow  t  the  great  black  crow  I 
He  loves  the  fat  meailows— his  taste  is  low  ; 
Hh  loves  the  fat  grubs,  and  he  dines  in  a  row 
With  fifty  fair  cousins  all  black  as  a  Sloe — 
Oh,  it's  jolly  to  fare  like  a  great  black  crow.'  " 


ENTOMOLOGICAL   SOCIETY'S   MEETING. 

Ttte  first  meeting  of  the  season  was  held  in  the  rooms  of  the  Lin- 
Bean  Society  in  Burlington  House,  the  President,  Mr.  H.  W.  Ba^es, 
being  in  the  chair.  An  extensive  list  of  valuable  publications  added 
to  the  Society's  library  during  the  autumn  recess  was  read,  and  thanks 
ordered  to  be  given  to  the  several  donors.  The  Secretary  also  an- 
nonnced  that  two  parts  of  the  Society's  Transactions  had  been  pub- 
lished since  the  last  meeting  in  July. 

Mr.  S.  Stevens  exhibited  a  fine  specimen  of  Sphinx  celerio  captured 
hovering  over  Verbenas  at  Brighton  on  the  20th  of  September,  also  a 
remarkable  variety  of  Sterrha  clathraria,  fif^nred  by  Huhner  as  a  dis- 
iiiict  species,  immoraria,  from  the  collection  of  M.  Dcsvi^ies.  Mr. 
Bdwin  Bnrchall  exhibited  a  number  of  specimens  of  Vanessa  Urticse 
and  Zygfcna  filipendnlre  from  the  Isle  of  Wight,  which  were  uniformly 


much  smaller  in  size  than  ordinary  British  specimens.  Tho  former, 
alfio,  were  more  strongly  marked  with  black. 

A  letter  was  road  from  Gunner  Wilson,  of  tho  Royal  Artillery 
Woolwich,  describing  a  t^yuandromorphous  specimen  of  Lasiocanipa 
QaercuB,  iu  which  the  left  half  of  the  insect  was  maBCulino,  and  the 
right  half  feminine. 

Mr.  Davis  exhibited  a  number  of  beautifully  prepared  caterpillars 
of  Lepidoptnrous  insects  (which  ho  makcH  for  sale  at  very  reasonable 
prices),  and  also  stated  that  ho  had  observed  that  Sphinx  Populi  and 
ocellata  had  been  double-brooded  during  tho  past  seiison.  A  letter 
roijuestiii^^  information  and  specimens  of  flails  and  Gall  Flies  of  various 
kinds  was  read  from  Messrs.  MuUcr  and  Iwdd  ;  also  on  a  Bpccics  of 
Oiketicua  and  otbcT  Lepidoptera  observed  at  Shanghai,  in  China,  by 
Herr  Schrader.  Mr.  MuUer  exhibited  a  box  of  Lepidoptera  from  New 
York,  and  Mr.  Prj-or  specimens  of  the  rare  Scoparia  Zcllori  and 
Agry])uia  picta  recently  captured. 

Letters  were  received  from  A.  H.  Haliday,  Esq.,  noticing  the  forth- 
coming first  part  of  the  Transactions  of  tho  Entomological  Society  of 
Italy  ;  also  from  Mr.  Rowland  Trimen,  giving  an  account  of  a  remark- 
ablt)  Cricket,  found  in  gardens  at  Cape  Town,  having  a  gigantic-sized 
head,  and  belonging  to  the  genus  AnaMtostoma. 

Mr.  Brigg.5,  of  St.  John's  College,  Oxford,  exhibited  specimens  of  A 
new  British  Moth,  which  has  proved  to  be  Leucania  albimaculata, 
taken  by  himself  and  his  brother  at  Folkestone  on  the  15th  August 
and  5th  October ;  and  the  Secretary  exhibited  a  specimen  which  h© 
had  received  from  Woolwich  as  the  "  Mustjuitoe,"  and  which  proved 
to  be  a  species  of  Chrysopa  I 

The  following  memoirs  were  read: — Comments  upon  Mr.  Buller'g 
recertlv  published  Catalogue  of  Satyridre.  so  far  as  relates  to  the 
South  African  species,  by  Mr.  Rowland  Trimen  ;  Contributions  to  tho 
Knowledge  of  European  Trichoptera,  by  Robert  McLnchlan,  Esq., 
F.L.S. ;  Further  Descriptions  of  Exotic  Heteromerous  Coleoptera,  by 
Mr.  F.  Bates. 


GARDENING   IN   THE   FAR   WEST.— No.  1. 

The  vast  wildernesses  of  Canada  and  the  States  have  required 
whole  generations  of  toil  for  their  subjugation  ;  toil  too  exacting 
and  constant  to  admit  any  of  the  beauties  or  enjoyments  of 
decorative  gardening,  so  that  gardening  as  a  fiue  art  has  there 
been  lost.  But  a  large  extent  of  thet-e  regions  is  now  thickly 
populated  with  independent  cultivators  of  the  soil,  who  own 
their  lands  free  of  claims  or  dues,  and  who  emulate  each  other 
in  improving  and  embellishing  their  hnme'^.  Tliesae  forest-bred 
landowners  live  iu  iine  houses,  eat  and  drink,  and  wear  of  the 
best, and  are  in  manners  and  habits  genuiue  country  gentlemen  ; 
but,  bred  in  the  courts  of  nature,  and  accustomed  to  cutting 
wide  swathes,  and  working  in  a  hasty  way,  they  cannot  con- 
descend to  take  pains  with  trifling  details,  and  it  is  a  very  rare 
thing  to  find  a  native  American  engaged  in  carnful  nursery 
work  or  gardening.  It  is  too  "pottering."  "There  is  not 
enough  to  show  for  the  time  you  have  spent."  Yet  no  people 
are  readier  to  appreciate  or  applaud  the  fine  results  of  the 
gardener's  art  and  skill  that  are  sometimes  seen  near  the  cities, 
or  on  exhibition  at  the  fairs,  and  nowhere  certainly  is  there 
greater  want  of  his  slcill. 

Green  leaves  and  flowers  in  winter  are  wanted  to  solace  the 
long  months  during  which  the  whole  scpne  is  ^<heet  snow,  and 
when  blasts  prevail  which  nip  everythii);^  above  the  pnow  line 
that  is  not  of  the  very  hardiest,  window  t^ardeuing  and  winter 
gardening  generally  are  most  desirable  there.  Fruit  is  wanted 
over  vast  sections,  which  are  parched  hy  wind,  drained  of 
moisture  by  its  condensation  on  frozen  mountains  and  plains; 
this  dried  air  combining  with  severe  spring  fronts  and  hosts 
of  summer  insects  to  destroy  the  bud,  the  bhissom,  or  the  frait 
itself.  Yet  when  or  where  fruit  escapes,  the  finest  flavours  and 
colours  are  developed  under  the  clear  sky  and  bright  h^t  sunshine. 
At  thousands  of  homes  there  are  wanted  carpets  of  tliick  grass, 
choice  patterns  of  flowers,  curtains  of  slirubbery,  and  canopies 
of  shade.  There  are  elegant  and  handsomely  decoiated  houses, 
beautifully  kept  internally,  but  devuid  nf  all  suitable  setting 
externajly  for  want  of  knowing  how  to  effect  it,  or  because  the 
effect  cannot  be  seen  and  enjoyed  at  once. 

English  gardeners  are  often  met  there — some  very  successful 
— others,  who  do  not  happen  to  have  a  theoretieal  knowledge 
adequate  to  enable  them  to  adapt  their  accustomed  practice  in 
the  mild  humid  climate,  yet  high  sunlesH  latitude  of  the  country 
of  their  birth,  often  fail  sadly  in  everything  but  neatness  of 
work,  and  being  isolated,  unless  in  largo  cities,  they  can  leam 
only  in  the  too  slow  and  dear  school  of  individual  experience 
one  lesson  per  annum. 

German  gardeners  are  mostly  growers  of  vegetables,  and  do 
better;  yet  are  often  defeated  by  the  peculiar,  half-tropical  rain 
drenches  and  droughts  of  the  summers.  French,  mostly 
florists,  few,  and  confined  to  the  cities  by  their  language  and 


404 


JOUIlNAIi  OF   HOBTICOLTUEE   AND   COTTAGE   GARBENEB. 


[  November  26,  1888. 


tlieir  tastes,  often  succeed  well.  Their  native  climate  is  less 
dissimilar,  their  calture  is  more  under  glass,  and  they  seldom 
go  far  from  the  humid  mollifying  air  of  the  seaboard  or  the 
great  lakes. 

Notices  of  a  few  of  the  principal  points  of  climate  and  other 
differences,  and  how  they  are  met  or  evaded,  may  be  useful  to 
some  of  your  readers  who  may  choose  to  encounter  difficulties 
for  the  soke  of  ultimately  attaining  an  independent  position  for 
themselves,  and  a  better  provision  for  a  family  than  old  and 
crowded  countries  afford. — PENNsyLVANiA. 


PEA.CH  CULTIVATION.— No.  H. 
MoBE  OF  BEiKiNG. — The  fruit  is  borne  on  the  shoots  of  the 
previous  year.  The  shoot  in  the  year  previous  to  bearing 
produces  leaves  at  every  joint,  singly,  or  in  twos  and  threes, 
and  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves  wood  buds  or  Iruit  buds  are 
formed.  Fruit  is  also  borne  on  spurs  or  short  shoots  closely 
studded  with  blossom  buds,  and  having  blossom  buds  at  the 
extremity  of  each,  and  a  growing  point  or  wood  bud  which  the 
blossom  buds  in  a  manner  enclose. 


Fig.  9. 

Fig.  9  represents  a  mature  shoot  of  the  current  year  fur- 
nished with  wood  buds,  a,  and  fruit  buds,  b.  There  are  usually 
at  the  bases  of  such  shoots  two  or  three  wood  buds,  and  in- 
variably a  wood  bud  at  the  point. 

Fig.  10  18  a  representation  of  a  short  shoot  or  long  spur, 
having  a  few  wood  buds  at  the  base,  one  at  the  extremity,  a, 
and  a  majority  of  fruit  buds,  l. 


Fig.  10.  Fig.  11. 

Fig.  11  is  a  very  short  shoot,  or  spur  proper,  which  is  rather 
uncommon,  except  where  close  pinching  is  practised,  this  kind 
of  spur  being  generally  destroyed  in  the  process  of  disbudding. 
It  is  seldom  present  when  long  pruning  is  practised.  Such 
spurs  rarely  have  any  wood  bnds  except  that  at  the  extremity 
(a),  which  is  always  one  ;  all  others  are  fruit  buds. 

Now,  to  comprehend  the  process  of  pruning,  it  is  necessary 
not  only  to  know  the  difference  between  the  various  fruit-pro- 
ducing shoots,  but  also  the  buds  upon  them  ;  for  if  in  pruning 
we  cut  back  to  a  fruit  bud  no  young  shoot  can  proceed  from  it, 
and  the  shoot  must  die  back  to  the  nearest  wood  bud.  The 
difference  in  the  bnds  will  be  seen  on  reference  to  the  accom- 
panying figures.  The  wood  buds,  a,  have  a  pointed  conical 
form,  and  consist  of  scales  enclosing  a  growing  point.  They 
are  generally  solitary,  except  in  the  case  of  young  trees,  or 
situated  by  the  side  of  a  fruit  bud,  when  the  buds  are  called 
double,  as  at  l,jig.  9,  or  between  two  fruit  buds,  when  they  are 
termed  triple  buds,  as  at  2,^rig.  9.  The  fruit  buds  are  more 
plump  and  less  pointed  than  the  wood  buds,  still  ovate,  but  in 
or  after  February  they  become  globular,  and,  as  they  unfold, 
hoary.  They  are  sometimes  single,  occasionally  double,  when 
one  may  be  a  wood  bud,  or  both  fruit  buds,  and  in  old  trees 
there  are  occasionally  three  blossom  buds  together,  but  gene- 
rally the  triple  buds  have  two  fruit  buds  with  a  wood  bud 
between  them. 

In  young  trees,  wood  buds  in  general  are  chiefly  prodneed ; 
in  older  trees,  or  those  of  considerable  proportions,  the  dis- 
position is  to  produce  a  majority  of  fruit  buds,  and  without 
pruning  they  become  too  numerous,  hence  the  necessity  for 
pruning  so  as  to  promote  the  production  of  young  shoots,  and 
maintain  the  vigour  and  fertility  of  the  tree. 

Pruning.— The  Peach  and  Nectarine  require  winter  and 
summer  pruning.  Winter  pruning  is  best  performed  as  soon 
as  the  leaves  have  fallen  ;  hut  some  advocate  its  being  deferred 
until  the  buds  have  begun  to  swell,  on  the  ground  that  they  are 
then  distinguished  with  greater  certainty.  Winter  pruning 
may,  however,  be  performed  at  any  season,  from  the  fall  of  the 
leaf  until  the  rising  of  the  sap,  but  not  in  frosty  weather,  for  to 
cut  and  handle  the  shoots  when  frozen  is  a  false  economy  of 
labour,  and  leads  to  gumming,  and  the  dying  back  of  the  shoots 


operated  on.  I  can  see  no  advantage  in  pruning  and  nailing 
trees  in  periods  of  severe  frost,  and  doing  so  is  a  needless  triaj 
of  man's  power  of  enduring  cold.  Summer  pruning  will  com- 
mence wiih  the  pushing  of  the  shoots,  and  may  be  continued 
as  required  throughout  the  summer. 

From  the  principal  branches,  shoots  for  bearing  must  annu- 
ally be  allowed  to  proceed.  The  extremities  of  these  shoots  iu 
our  climate  are  not  generally  sufficiently  ripened,  and  that  is 
the  principal  reason  why  they  should  be  shortened,  it  being  well 
in  the  first  instance  to  proceed  by  stopping,  and  then  shorten 
back  to  a  wood  bud.  Figs.  1  to  8  inclusive,  show  the  training  of 
the  principal  and  secondary  branches,  and  the  origination  of  the 
bearing  wood,  and  the  directions  for  pruning  will  be  understood 
on  reference  to  Figs.  9,  10,  and  11,  in  which  the  wood  and  fruit 
bnds  are  shown.  It  would  be  wrong  to  cut  where  the  bar  is  on 
the  shoot.  Jig.  9,  for  beneath  that  is  a  fruit  bud,  which  would 
not  produce  a  shoot,  and  if  the  blossom  produced  a  fruit,  the 
latter  would  fall,  and  the  shoot  die  back  to  the  nearest  wood 
bud  or  shoot.  The  shoot  should  be  shortened  to  any  of  the 
joints  where  there  is  a  wood  bud.  If  it  be  required  for  ex- 
tension, or  be  the  extension  of  a  branch,  it  should  be  cut  to  a 
bud  on  the  side  next  the  wall,  as  in  that  case  it  will  proceed 
straight ;  but  if  the  bud  is  situated  on  the  front,  the  shoot 
from  the  bud  will  curve  outwards,  or  if  on  the  side  it  will  curve 
sideways.  The  shoot.  Jig.  10,  has  but  three  wood  buds,  two 
at  the  base,  and  one  at  the  apex.  In  pruning,  it  must  be 
cut  above  the  wood  buds  at  the  base,  or  left  its  entire  length. 
If  not  pruned  it  would  in  the  following  year  be  naked,  but  no 
doubt  give  fruit,  and  might  then  be  pruned  to  the  wood  buds  at 
the  base  where  the  bar  is,  and  shoots  would  proceed  from  it  in 
the  following  year.  If  cut  to  the  wood  buds  before  it  produces 
fruit,  a  snocessional  shoot  will  be  gained,  it  being  desirable  to 
keep  up  the  number  of  such  shoots,  and  if  they  are  not  re- 
quired they  may  be  stopped  and  treated  as  spurs. 

On  reference  to  Jig.  i  (page  267),  it  will  be  seen  we  have 
main  branches,  and  secondary  branches  from  them,  and  that  on 
these  the  bearing  shoots  are  produced,  the  tree  bearing  on  the 
shoots  and  natural  and  artificial  spurs  of  the  previous  year.  In 
Jig.  8  (page  303),  the  fruit  is  produced  on  the  shoots  of  the  pre- 
vious year  only,  there  being  no  spurs,  but  shoots  only,  and  on 
the  upper  as  well  as  under  sides  of  the  branches.  Figs.  1  to 
4  are  intended  to  represent  the  short-pruning  system,  in  which 
summer  pruning  and  stopping  act  a  most  important  part,  these 
operations,  in  my  opinion,  having  a  powerful  effect  in  thoroughly 
ripening  the  wood,  securing  an  equal  distribution  of  the  sap, 
maintaining  an  equality  of  vigour  in  the  several  parts  of  the 
tree,  and  completely  preventing  the  sun-burning  of  the  stem 
and  branches.  By  sun  burning  the  sap  is  arrested,  and  the 
branches  become  enfeebled  and  die  off ;  but  this  evil  is  pre- 
vented by  the  foliage  of  the  spurs  and  short  stubby  shoots 
affording  the  necessary  shade  from  the  powerful  rays  of  tha 
sun.  It  is  not  the  short-pruning  system  advocated  by  some, 
which,  however  well  it  may  answer  under  glass,  and  in  a  warm 
climate,  is  not  according  to  my  experience  adapted  for  trees 
against  walls  in  our  climate. 

We  have  seen  how  to  train  the  trees,  how  to  originate  the 
branches  producing  bearing  wood,  or  from  which  it  is  origi- 
anted,  and  I  will  now  endeavour  to  explain  its  management, 
taking  the  tree  shown  iromjigs.  1  to  4  (see  pages  266  and  267). 


Fig.  12. 

Fig.  12  shows  part  of  a  branch  after  the  fall  of  the  leaf, 
a  being  a  bearing  shoot  which  in  summer  had  been  stopped 
when  it  had  grown  10  inches,  or  not  more  than  1  foot.  Laterals 
will  result  from  the  stopping ;  these  are  to  be  stopped  when 
they  have  made  one  or  two  leaves,  and  as  they  push  again  stop 
them  at  the  first  leaf.  The  laterals  chiefly  pushing  just  below 
where  the  shoot  was  stopped  lower  down,  a  sufficiency  of  fruit 
and  wood  buds  will  be  formed.  This  shoot  at  the  winter 
pruning  should  be  cut  back  to  a  wood  bud,  either  by  itself  or 
best  when  it  has  fruit  buds  at  its  side.  This  shortening  will 
do  away  with  the  cluster  of  laterals  at  the  top,  as  shown  by  the 


NoTember  20,  1808.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HOKTICULTDRE   AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEE. 


4oa 


bar  across  the  shoot  a,  it  beinK  left  about  H  inches  in  length, 
more  or  less  as  the  buds  determine  ;  and  by  the  shorteniuf,', 
whilst  the  shoot  producos  fruit  in  the  following  year,  a  eucces- 
Bional  shoot  from  its  base  will  be  originated  as  shown  by  tho 
dotted  line.  That  shoot,  or  another  of  the  same  year,  of  pro- 
duction, is  to  be  stopped  as  its  predece-ssor  «,  and  at  the  winter 
pruning;  shortened  or  mit  back  to  a  wood  bud. 

The  shoot  a,  in  addition  to  the  shoot  from  its  base,  will  push 
from  all  the  wood  buds.  These  will  not  all  be  required  ;  part 
must  be  removed,  but  only  those  having:  no  fruit  at  their  bases. 
The  terminal  youuj;  shoot  from  a,  which  I  will  for  explanation 
transfer  to  c,  should  be  retained  and  allowed  to  j^row  until  the 
lower  leaves  are  nearly  full-sized,  then  shorten  it  to  i!  inches. 
The  other  young  shouts  with  fruit  at  their  bases  should  be 
stopped  when  they  have  formed  three  leaves  ;  all  others  are  to 
be  rubbed  off  in  disbudding,  always  excepting  the  young  shoot 
from  the  base  of  the  bearing  one,  which  is  to  furnish  fruit  the 
following  year.  Upon  thinning  the  fruit  it  will  be  found  that 
there  will  be  some  of  the  shoots  stopped  with  no  fruit  at  their 
base;  these  maybe  removed,  but  leaves  must  bo  preserved  on 
the  bearing  shoot  above  the  fruit.  If  the  shoots  on  the  bearing 
wood  push  laterals,  take  out  their  point  at  the  first  leaf  after 
the  first  stopping,  c  Shows  a  shoot  which  has  produced  fruit. 
It  will  not  do  so  again  {except  from  the  short  stubs,  which  is 
not  desirable),  as  we  have  a  young  shoot  to  replace  it,  and 
therefore  it  must  in  autumn  or  winter  be  cut  off  close  to  the 
guccessional  shoot  b. 

The  successional  shoot  h  is  to  be  cut  back  to  the  bar,  or  to 
8  or  9  inches  in  length,  and  from  its  base  a  bearing  shoot  is  to 
be  originated  and  treated  as  its  predecessor,  which  it  will 
replace  in  the  following  year.  As  a  rule,  every  bearing  shoot 
should  have  a  successional  young  shoot,  and  springing  from 
the  base  of  the  bearing  shoot,  and  as  near  thereto  as  possible. 
The  successional  shoots  may  be  encouraged  one  year  from  the 
opposite  side  of  the  bearing  shoots  to  that  next  the  branch,  and 
in  the  following  year  on  the  side  next  the  branch.  In  this  way 
they  will  be  kept  nearly  in  the  same  position,  whilst  if  encou- 
raged from  one  side  only  they  become  too  close  or  too  distant 
from  the  branch.  Sometimes  a  bud  will  push  from  the  stub 
closer  to  the  branch  than  the  origin  of  the  last  successional 
shoot ;  this  should  be  encouraged  and  be  made  the  successional 
shoot,  and  in  this  case  the  stub  above  may  be  cut  off  in  the 
following  autumn.  This  will  keep  the  bearing  wood  close  to 
the  branch,  which  is  desirable. 

The  long  spur  or  short  shoot  d,  fig.  12,  may,  if  there  is  a 
deficiency  of  fruit  buds,  be  left  its  entire  length — that  is,  if 
fruit  is  to  be  taken  from  it,  and  in  autumn  it  should  be  cut 
back  to  the  wood  buds  at  its  base  if  they  have  not  pushed  in 
the  summer ;  but  if  they  push,  stop  the  shoots  at  the  third 
leaf,  and  repeatedly  afterwards  to  one  leaf,  and  in  autumn 
shorten  them  to  two  or  three  buds  from  their  base,  and  they 
will  form  spurs.  If  there  is  a  sufficient  number  of  fruit  buds 
on  the  bearing  wood,  then  these  long  spurs  should  be  cut  back 
at  the  winter  pruning  to  a  wood  bud  at  the  base,  where  the  bar 
is  on  ((,  Jhj.  12  and  in  fuj.  10,  and  from  it  a  shoot  will  push  in 
the  followmg  spring  ;  and  it  may  be  allowed  to  grow  to  replace 
the  bearing  wood  if  desirable  and  well  situated,  or  it  may  be 
stopped  at  the  third  joint,  and  afterwards  to  one  joint,  cutting 
back  at  the  winter  pruning  to  three  buds,  and  it  wiU  form 
spurs  in  the  following  year,  or  shoots,  and  probably  afford 
fruit. 

The  spur  or  short  stubby  shoot,  fig.  11,  and  e,  fig.  12,  having 
no  wood  buds  except  one  at  the  extremity,  must  not  be  short- 
ened at  the  winter  or  summer  pruning,  but  must  be  left  its 
entire  length,  and  suffered  to  grow  annually  until  its  length 
becomes  too  great,  then  cut  it  back  to  the  branch,  within  half 
an  inch  or  so,  for  it  is  probable  that  a  shoot  may  start  from  its 
base  or  from  the  branch  whence  the  spur  in  the  first  instance 
originated. 

We  now  come  to  the  shoots  that  are  stopped,  and  they  in- 
clude all  shoots  except  the  bearing  wood  and  the  short  or 
natural  spurs.  In  fig.  12,  /  is  intended  to  represent  one  of 
these  shoots  stopped  as  it  ought  to  be  when  it  has  made  three 
leaves,  and  repeatedly  pinched  back  to  one  leaf  after  the  first 
stopping.  If  it  should  not  grow  more  than  an  inch  do  not 
stop  it,  but  leave  it  entire ;  it  is  a  natural  spur.  It  requires 
some  experience  to  distinguish  between  a  shoot  that  is  a  spur 
and  a  shoot  on  its  first  appearance ;  but  the  spurs  are  in 
general  much  weaker-growing  than  the  shoots,  and  have  the 
leaves  very  close  together,  whilst  on  a  shoot  the  leaves  or  joints 
are  more  than  twice  the  distance  from  each  other  that  they  are 
on  the  spars. 


The  shoot  may  not  push  after  stopping  ;  in  that  case  it  will 
form  blossom  buds  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves,  and  the  object  of 
the  stopping  is  secured  for  it  is  a  spur.  If  it  push,  for  which 
wo  have  already  provided  the  needlul  stopping,  buds,  and  more 
or  less  of  them  blossom  buds,  will  be  formed  at  the  bases  of  the 
laterals,  and  below  them  blossom  buds  may  have  formed.  In 
case  of  there  being  blossom  buds  below  the  laterals,  the  shoot 
should  be  cut  to  the  next  wood  bud  below  the  starting  of  the 
laterals,  where  the  bar  is  across/,  fig.  12  ;  but  if  there  are  no 
blossom  buds  on  the  part  left,  or  below  the  laterals,  as  will  be 
the  case  if  the  shoot  be  strong,  there  will,  no  doubt,  be  some 
near  tho  bases  of  the  laterals.  Instead,  therefore,  of  shorten- 
ing at  the  winter  pruning  to  below  the  laterals,  we  must  shorten 
the  lateral  or  laterals  to  a  wood  bud  having  fruit  buds  by  its 
side  or  immediately  below  it.  It  will  be  enough  if  from  four  to 
six  fruit  buds  are  left  on  each  of  the  stopped  shoots ;  but  if 
this  number  cannot  be  secured  without  great  length  of  shoot, 
it  is  better  to  rest  satisfied  with  a  less  number,  or  with  none, 
rather  than  have  a  long  stub.  In  that  case  the  shoot  must  be 
cut  off  below  the  laterals. 

The  pruning  being  upon  tho  laterals,  the  shoots  they  pro- 
duce in  the  following  year  must  be  pinched  at  the  third  joint  if 
they  grow  more  than  an  inch,  and  a  shoot  must  be  encouraged 
from  the  base  (see  dotted  line  (',  Jig.  121,  and  it  will  be  stopped 
at  the  third  leaf,  and  repeatedly  to  one  afterwards.  This  vrill 
in  winter  be  shortened  to  the  nearest  wood  bud  at  its  base,  and 
all  others  shortened  to  two  or  three  joints.  If  the  spur,  how- 
ever, is  long  already,  and  shade  the  bearing  wood  and  spurs,  it 
will  be  well  to  cut  the  spurs  off,  leaving  none  but  that  which 
originates  from  the  base,  which  is  to  replace  them  when  they 
become  too  long  and  unmanageable.  In  general  these  spurs 
will  need  to  be  replaced  every  third  year,  so  that  a  successional 
one  must  be  originated  in  the  following  season  from  near  the 
base,  and  held  in  reserve,  one  or  more  of  these  snccessionalK 
being  secured  according  to  the  duration  of  the  original  spur. 

The  spurs  must  be  kept  short,  and  as  near  the  wall  as  possible, 
and  for  the  most  part  originated  on  the  lower  side  of  the 
branches,  where  they  will  not  shade  the  bearing  wood,  though 
where  there  is  room  they  may  be  left  on  the  upper  side,  and 
they  will  be  a  means  of  replacing  any  worn-out  old  bearing 
shoot,  a  shoot  being  encouraged  from  the  base  of  the  spur ; 
and  the  part  above  the  shoot  being  cut  away,  it  will  grovf 
strongly.  The  strong  foreright  shoots  should  be  stopped,  and 
treated  for  spurs  the  same  as  those  similarly  treated  on  the 
under  side  of  the  branches,  only  they  must  be  more  closely 
pinched,  and  shortened  at  the  winter  pruning,  and  ought  not 
to  exceed  IJ  inch  in  length.  If  the  spurs  become  very  twiggy 
they  should"  be  thinned,  and  when  old  and  long  they  ought  to 
be  replaced  by  others  from  the  branch  or  base  of  the  Bpnrs._ 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  at  all  times  of  pinching,  stopping, 
or  pruning,  that  all  wood  of  the  Peach  or  Nectarine  above  one 
year  old  is  of  no  use,  except  to  support  the  parts  that  then  or 
afterwards  may  bear  fruit ;  care,  therefore,  should  be  taken 
to  keep  the  old  useless  wood  as  near  to  the  branches  as  possible, 
by  encouraging  a  young  shoot  from  the  branches  or  bases  of 
the  bearing  shoots  or  spurs,  so  that  these,  when  old  and  long, 
may  be  replaced  speedily  and  with  certainty. — G.  Aebey. 


POMOLOGICiM,  GLEANINGS. 

A  Japanese  Apr.icoT. — "  A  few  years  since,"  writes  "  T.  B.," 
"  I  received  a  variety  of  Apricot  imported  from  Japan  by  the 
late  M.  Siebold,  and  named  '  Mnmi'.'  My  attention  was  scxtn 
attracted  to  it  by  its  early  blossoming  in  the  orchard  house, 
once  or  twice  towards  the  end  of  January,  some  five  or  six 
weeks  before  the  earliest  sorts  now  cultivated.  I  quite  hoped 
it  would  prove  a  valuable  assistant  in  producing  something 
quite  new  among  Apricots,  as  the  tree  could  be  retarded  by 
placing  it  out  of  doors,  so  as  to  have  flowers  ready  for  crosE- 
ing  when  the  early  varieties  put  forth  their  flowers  in  the  house. 
As  far  as  I  recollect,  it  gave  its  first  fruits  in  ISOG ;  they  ripened 
comparatively  late,  and  were  not  at  all  promising.  Thinking  it 
might  be  the  effect  of  that  cool  season,  I  waited,  hoping  for 
something  better.  Last  spring  my  tree  put  forth  an  abundant 
crop  of  blossoms  early  in  February  ;  they  were  of  a  pale  pink, 
and  very  ornamental.  A  good  crop  of  fruit  followed,  which, 
owing  to  the  hot  weather,  ripened  well.  They  were  yellow,  and 
of  the  exact  form  of  the  fruit  of  the  Common  Sweet  Almone', 
with  the  same  pointed  shape,  but  not  so  large,  and  they 
ripened  about  a  fortnight  after  the  Early  Moorpark,  thus 
destroying  my  anticipation  of  having  an  early  sort  to  improTe 


406 


JOURNAL   OF   HORTICULTUBE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER.  [  NoTemb«r  26,  1868. 


onr  present  race  of  Apricots.  As  to  the  flavour  of  this  carious 
fruit,  it  is  difficult  to  describe ;  it  was  acrid,  acid,  and  nauseous, 
with  hard  tough  flesh.  As  compared  with  our  Apricots,  it  was 
something  worse  than  an  Enghsh  Crab  to  a  Eibston  Pippin.  It 
is  just  possible  that  this  tree  may  be  employed  by  the  Japanese 
merely  for  ornament,  and  it  is  also  possible  that  they  may 
have  a  peculiar  taste  in  Apricots,  and  enjoy  the  flavour  of 
'Mume'.'" 

.  The  Tangierine  Orange.—"  This  delicious  little  fruit 

IS  most  worthy  of  culture  for  this  reason  :  it  ripens  in  October, 
and  thus  gives  a  succession  of  soft  fruits  when  late  Peaches 
nave  passed  away.  It  requires  constant  gentle  beat  except  in 
the  hot  weather  of  summer,  and  seems  to  succeed  better  if  ihe 
pots  are  plunged  in  tan  while  it  is  in  a  state  of  fermentation, 
or  placed  on  a  heated  surface  in  cocoa  nut  fibre.  The  trees  bear 
much  more  abundantly  when  planted  in  a  raised  border  in  a 
house  kept  warm.  In  a  border  that  is  heated  they  bear  still 
more  freely.  I  have  one  little  tree  only  3  feet  high,  on  which 
are  six  dozen  of  fruit.  This  is  planted  in  a  border  5  feet  wide, 
in  the  centre  of  which  are  two  4-iuch  hot-water  pipes  Iving  on 
the  ground  nearly  close  together,  and  the  border  filled"  with  a 
compost  of  two- thirds  loam  and  one-third  rotten  manure  from  an 
old  hotbed.  The  gentle  warmth  given  to  the  border  by  these 
two  pipes  is  most  favourable  to  their  growth  and  fertility  of  the 
trees,  for  they  seem  to  grow  all  the  year. 
_  "  A  house  30  feet  long,  14  feet  wide,  and  6  feet  high  at  its 
sides,  with  two  borders  5  feet  wide,  heated  as  above  described, 
and  two  additional  4-inch  pipes  on  each  side  to  warm  the  sur- 
face air  in  autumn,  winter,  and  spring,  as  in  my  house,  would 
give  bushels  of  Orpnges,  not  only  of  Tangierines,  but  of  Mal- 
tese Blood,  and  St.  Michael's.  My  trees  of  these  sorts  are 
loaded  with  fine  fruit,  which,  owing  to  the  hot  summer,  are  fast 
ripening.  The  trees  stand  on  slates  over  the  two  4-iDch  hot- 
water  pipes,  the  pots  plunged  in  cocoa-nut  fibre.  They  bear 
very  large  fruit  even  in  8  or  10-inch  pots.— T.  R." 

DoTENNlf  DU  CoMicE  Peab.— Out  of  twenty-three  dishes 

of  Pears  exhibited  at  the  meeting  of  the  Fruit  Committee  on 
the  17th  inst,  many  of  them  of  great  excellence,  this  new  va- 
riety carried  off  the  highest  honour,  the  first  prize  being 
unanimously  awarded  to  it  as  the  best-flavoured  Pear  exhibited, 
beating  in  that  respect  all  our  well-known  good  Pears  which 
were  pitted  against  it,  such  as  Winter  Nelis,  Passe  Colmar, 
Glou  Morcjeau,  &c.  This  is  the  third  season  in  succession  that 
this  handsome  variety  has  received  the  same  signal  honour. 
Twice,  the  present  season  and  the  last,  it  has  been  exhibited 
by  the  same  cultivator,  Mr.  John  Garlaud,  gardener  to  Sir 
T.  D.  Acland,  Bart.,  Killerton,  near  Exeter,  and  the  year  pre- 
vious from  the  Society's  Garden,  Chiswick.  This  is  sufficient 
distinction  to  stamp  Doyenne  du  Comice  as  a  first-rate  late 
autumnal  Pear.  It  is  of  large  size,  one  of  Mr.  Garland's  speci- 
mens weighing  15i  ozs.  The  flesh  is  beautifully  white,  delicate, 
and  buttery,  of  a  very  rich  and  pleasant  flavour.  We  do  not 
know  of  any  Pear  that  can  be  more  highly  recommended  for 
general  cultivation  than  this.  It  succeeds  admirably  as  a 
pyramid  on  the  Quince  stock,  in  the  neighbourhoud  of  London, 
and  it  appears  to  do  equally  well  in  Devonshire,  a  county  not 
very  celebrated  for  the  production  of  fine  Pears.  The  fruit 
which  Mr.  Garland  exhibited  were  grown  on  a  pyramidal  tree 
on  the  Quince  stock,  in  a  border  much  exposed  to  the  south- 
west winds,  which  are  very  powerful  in  that  part  of  the  county. 
The  soil,  a  heavy  fresh  loam,  was  specially  prepared  by  Mr. 
Garland,  the  ordinary  soil  of  the  garden  being  of  a  worn-out 
character :  subsoil  loam,  slightly  mixed  with  gravel.  Winter 
Nelis  from  the  same  exhibitor,  grown  on  a  south  wall,  in  the 
same  sort  of  soil,  and  equally  exposed,  was  likewise  of  remark- 
ably fine  quality,  and  was  awarded  a  special  certificate. 


CAMPANULA  PYRAMIDALIS. 
For  a  long  time  this  was  a  fashionable  plant,  and  adorned 
the  halls  of  the  nobility,  and  was  frequently  trained  (as  we 
have  seen  it  in  the  north  of  Scotland)  to  cover  the  tire- place 
in  summer.  This  Campanula  is  hardy,  but  its  greatest  beauty 
is  developed  in  pot  culture  under  glass;  in  greenhouse  culture 
the  flowers  expand  in  such  a  marked  degree  compared  with 
plants  grown  in  the  open  border,  that  many  assert  that  what 
is  grown  here  in  pots  is  a  distinct  variety  from  that  grown  in 
the  open  border  ;  yet  the  plants  are  taken  from  the  same  stools, 
and  the  difference  of  flower  is  simply  brought  out  by  culture 
under  glass.  The  outside  plants  have  been  in  fuil  flower  for 
at  least  three  months,  and  are  now  (Oct.  13)  fairly  covered  with 


fresh  flowers  from  the  ground  to  the  height  of  7  feet.  The 
plants  are  sheltered  by  Rhododendrons,  and  growing  in  rich 
light  earth. 

The  white  variety  of  this  Campanula  we  find  rather  more 
tender  than  the  blue,  but  it  is  equally  ornamental,  perhaps 
more  so,  in  pots.  At  Kothie,  in  Aberdeenshire,  we  remember 
having  seen  a  border  planted  with  the  blue  and  white  Cam- 
panula, and  the  effect  was  grand.  This  fine  old  plant  is  easily 
propagated  by  seed,  or  by  division  of  the  root ;  for  common 
practice,  division  of  the  old  stools  will  be  found  the  most  con- 
venient. Stronger-flowering  plants  will  be  got  from  seedlings, 
but  then  it  takes  much  longer  time  to  get  the  plants  into 
flower  ;  it  is  generally  the  third  year  before  good  flower-stalkg 
appear  from  seedlings.  Suckers  taken  early  in  autumn,  or  good 
crowns,  with  ordinary  care,  will  flower  the  following  summer; 
every  inch  of  the  fleshy  roots  will  grow  into  plants  if  put  into 
a  pot  in  light  sandy  soil ;  but  seedlings  are  to  be  preferred  to 
dormant  eyes  for  good  plants.  To  raise  seedlings  of  this  Cam- 
panula the  seed  should  be  sown  under  the  same  treatment 
that  is  given  to  half-hardy  annuals,  taking  care  that  the  seed 
is  sown  on  the  surface  of  the  soil ;  the  seed  will  grow  in  a 
cold  frame,  but  not  so  surely.  No  finer  old  plant  can  be  found 
for  frame  gardening ;  the  young  plants  always  do  best  in 
frames,  and  a  frame  is  the  best  winter  quarters  for  plants 
to  flower  the  coming  season  ;  it  is  the  previous  season's  grow- 
ing that  makes  the  fine  pyramid  of  flowers.  For  pot  culture 
small  shifts  are  the  best  in  the  summer  previous  to  flower- 
ing; flowering  plants  we  shift  early  in  spring  into  the  pots  in 
which  they  will  flower,  and  water  freely  with  liquid  manure. 
A  12-inch  pot  will  be  sufficient  for  the  largest-sized  plant  it  can 
be  wished  to  grow  for  greenhouse  or  conservatory.  A  free  light 
rich  soil  should  always  be  used  in  potting ;  in  stiff  soil  the 
plants  are  apt  to  rot  in  pot  culture.— Chas.  M'Donald  (in  Tlte 
Gardener.) 


THE   COMMON   BERBERRY. 

I  AM  pleased  that  Mr.  Kobson  has  directed  attention  to  this 
much-neglected  shrub.  I  find  from  experience  that  it  merits 
all  he  has  said  in  its  favour.  Be.sides  this  there  are  many 
other  berry-bearing  shrubs — such  as  Pernettyas,  Berbeiis  Dar- 
winii,  and  other  kinds.  Arbutus,  &o.,  which  are  far  too  little 
planted.  Considering  the  ornamental  character  of  most  of 
them,  it  is  painful  to  the  lover  of  beautiful  shrubs  to  see  the 
miserable  specimens  struggling  for  an  existetsce  in  the  most 
awkward  positions  it  is  possible  to  assign  them,  often  over- 
grown by  other  shrubs  and  trees,  and  where  there  is  not  the 
shadow  of  a  chance  of  their  admirers  ever  seeing  them  in 
perfection. 

We  have  the  common  Berberry  largely  planted  here,  and  no 
shrub  is  better  suited  for  a  place  in  the  front  of  shrubbery 
beds  or  borders,  the  pendent  habit  it  acquires  in  this  position 
is  in  pleasant  contrast  to  the  long-legged  objects  sometimes 
met  with.  Apart  from  its  ornamental  character,  it  is  likewise 
used  for  garnishing  fish  and  other  viands  where  Parnley  is 
u^ed,  and  quantities  of  its  fruit  are  here  annually  gathered 
and  preserved  for  that  purpose.  I  also  use  it  daily  for  garnish- 
ing the  dessert,  small  twigs  of  foliage  and  fruit  mixed  with 
dark  green  leaves  have  a  lively  appearance  on  the  dinner-table. 

like  most  other  plants  the  Berberry  requires  its  favourite 
soil  to  bring  it  to  perfection,  and  that  soil  appears  to  be  a 
heavy  rich  loam,  but  if  such  does  not  naturally  fall  to  its  lot, 
it  will  accommodate  itself  to  circumstances,  and  do  fairly  in 
any  soil. 

The  Arbutus,  too,  is  a  highly  ornamental  evergreen  shrub  at 
this  time  of  the  year;  it  has  fruited  so  abundantly  with  me 
that  I  could  have  gathered  gallons  of  its  berries  this  autumn. 
I  sent  a  bunch  of  flowers  and  fruit  to  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  meeting  on  the  17th  of  this  month,  but  no  notice  was 
taken  of  it,  so  I  presume  its  fruiting  is  so  general  this  season 
as  not  to  be  worth  mention. — Thomas  Record,  Lillesden, 
Hawklntrst. 


NOTES   AND   GLEANINGS. 

We  regret,  and  all  who  knew  him  will  regret,  to  hear  of  the 
death  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Pullein,  Rector  of  Kirby  Wisk,  near 
Thir.sk.  He  has  for  many  years  acted  ably  as  one  of  the  Judges 
at  the  Birmingham  Poultry  Show. 

Her  Ma.testt  has  presented  to  the  Lindley  Library  of 

the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  Dr.  Roxburgh's  "  Piants  of  the 


November  2G,  186a  J 


JOURNAL   OF   HOKTICDLTUBE   AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEB. 


407 


Cororaanilel  Coast,"  and  Sir  W.  Ilooker'a  "  Filioes  Exoticw." 
BplendiiUy  bound,  and  tlio  presentation  duly  recorded  on  the 
binding. 

It  19  intended  to  hold  an  "  Intehnational  Horticdl- 

TURAL  AND  FLOHicuLTniUL  EXHIBITION  "  AT  HAJiiiUUG  early  in 
the  SHpiemlior  of  next  year.  Prizes  are  to  be  ()ivon  for  Culti- 
vated Vej^etalileB,  Fruits,  Flowers,  Garden  Buildings  and  Ap- 
pliances, and  for  Seeds  and  other  articles.  The  proposed  site 
for  the  Exhibition  is  in  a  park  on  a  bank  of  the  Elbe.  The 
guarantee  fund  has  been  satisfactorily  arrant^ed,  ami  a  Com- 
mittee formed,  who  promise  ere  Iouk  to  publish  full  details. 
Exhibitors  will  bo  invited  from  all  Europe,  Auierira,  and 
elsewhere.  Dr.  C.  H.  Merck  has  been  appointed  CImirman  of 
the  Committee  ;  Senator  C.  De  Chapeaurouge  its  Vice-Chair- 
man,  and  Mr.  E.  L.  Behrens,  Treasurer. 

All  oummuuictttions  should  be  addressed  to  Dr.  Donnenborg 
and  Dr.  Gii.zo,  Advocates,  Hohe  Bleichen,  16,  Hamburg. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

Artichokes  (Globe),  protect  the  roots  for  the  winter.  Aspara- 
gus, examine  that  in  frames.  Cckrtj,  earth-up  when  you  can, 
and  dig,  trench,  or  ridge  all  vacant  ground.  Caulijlinccrs, 
Endive,  Lettuce,  Radislux,  and  small  Saladiiig  will  be  quite 
safe  where  they  are  in  pits  or  frames,  as  there  is  little  difficulty 
in  protecting  them  frost  under  such  circumstances.  Although 
we  do  not  yet  expect  much  severe  weather,  no  time  should  be 
lost  in  securing  plenty  of  Endive,  and  Cauliflowers  of  the  June 
and  July  sowings,  to  be  protected  with  straw  or  reed  covers  in 
tarf  pits.  In  making  these  covers,  take  three  slips  of  wood, 
from  2  to  2J  inches  broad,  and  from  one-half  to  three-quarters 
of  an  inch  thick,  according  to  the  intended  length  and  width 
of  the  cover ;  put  two  pieces  for  the  sides  of  the  cover  at  the 
distance  of  from  3  to  4  feet  apart,  and  the  third  in  the  middle, 
between  the  two  ;  nail  pieces  of  wood  of  similar  thickness  across 
the  two  ends,  and  in  the  intervening  space  use  lighter  wood  at 
the  distance  of  from  1  foot  to  11  foot  apart :  turn  the  frame  of 
wood  thus  formed,  and  fill  it  neatly  with  reeds  or  straw  to  the 
thickness  of  the  three  longitudinal  pieces,  then  nail  on  slips  of 
wood  opposite  to  those  on  the  other  tide,  cut  the  ends  of  the 
straw,  and  the  cover  is  fit  either  for  turf  pits  or  glass  frames. 
The  using  lighter  wood  for  the  cross  pieces  in  the  middle  is 
for  the  purpose  of  causing  less  strain  to  be  placed  on  the  longi- 
tndinal  pieces  when  moving  the  covers,  also  for  rendering  these 
lighter.  Wheat  straw  is  preferable  to  reeds,  as  being  lei-s  ex- 
pensive and  not  so  liable  to  break  when  exposed  to  frost  and 
wet  alternately  ;  but  the  straw  ought  to  be  drawn  before  the 
crop  is  threshed,  and  all  the  ears  cut  off,  otherwise  it  will  be 
braised  by  the  flail  or  machine,  and  the  ears  will  not  only  act 
like  a  sponge  in  retaining  moisture,  but  will  offer  an  induce- 
ment to  birds  to  pull  the  covers  to  pieces.  Such  covers  are 
not  quite  so  eilectual  in  excluding  rain  as  painted  canvas, 
glazed  calico,  &u.,  but  they  are  a  valuable  protection  from  frost, 
are  inexpensive  where  straw  is  to  be  had,  and  afford  employ- 
ment to  labourers  in  unfavourable  weather,  lilmbarb  and 
Seakale,  the  most  economical  method  of  growing  the  latter  is 
te  sow  every  year  and  take  up  and  force  it  when  of  sufficient 
size.  Tbose  who  depend  on  beds  out  of  doors  for  the  first 
supply  must  examine  the  state  of  their  fermenting  material,  to 
see  that  it  is  not  becoming  overheated  ;  nothing  is  better  than 
tree  leaves  alme.  Those  who  desire  a  tolerably  early  supply 
with  little  trouble  should  cover  their  beds  with  any  litter  they 
can  procure,  so  as  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  heat  now  exist- 
ing in  the  soil.  You  must  not  overlook  the  Sprinii  Broccoli. 
The  plauts  have  been  growing  luxuriantly  all  along,  and 
although  they  seldom  suffer  from  frost  until  January,  they  had 
better  now  or  very  soon  be  inclined  with  their  heads  towards 
the  north.  Whether  it  is  from  the  cheek  they  thus  receive,  or 
from  being  less  exposed,  or  from  both,  they  are  much  safer  in 
this  way  than  left  upright. 

FRUIT   GARDEN. 

Those  who  find  that  the  leaves  of  their  Peach  trees  are  still 
in  a  green  adherent  state,  had  better  protect  the  trees  slightly 
by  means  of  straw-ropes,  netting,  or  sticking  fern,  &c.,  among 
the  branches,  as  a  sudden  check  to  growth  after  such  mild 
weather  would  be  more  prejudicial  now  than  after  the  trees 
had  become  accustomed  to  variations  of  temperature.  In  a 
garden  in  this  neighbourhood  I  have  seen  some  Currant 
.IMS  trained  with  clean  stems  4  feet  high,  and  their  tops 


looked  like  the  heads  of  standard  Eoses.  When  the  bushes 
are  pruned  about  this  time  short  cuttings  are  made  of  the 
middle  part  of  the  slioots,  with  only  two  eyes  at  top.  and  are 
planted  in  a  rich  bed  in  a  shaded  place,  and  watered  wtU  in  the 
summer.  Some  of  them  will  be  long  enough  for  standards  the 
first  season,  and  all  of  them  in  the  following  one.  The  reason 
for  discarding  the  bottom  of  the  shoots  is,  that  many  latent 
e.ves  lire  formed  there  which  cannot  bo  seen  and  picked  out, 
but  which  would  push  afterwards  as  suckers.  Two  eyes  are  to 
be  left  in  case  one  should  fail,  but  only  the  strongest  shoot  is 
to  be  allowed  to  grow,  and  the  cutting  ought  to  be  short,  so 
that  the  shoot  may  grow  from  the  surface  of  the  ground,  and 
thus  look  clean  and  straight  all  the  way  up,  which  could  not  be 
the  case  if  the  cutting  were  far  out  of  the  ground,  because 
the  young  shoot  would  form  a  "  knee  "  with  the  top  of  the 
cutting. 

FLOWILR    GARDEN. 

As  the  leaves  are  now  all  in  a  great  measure  off  the  trees, 
the  pruning  of  common  shrubs  may  be  proceeded  with,  and 
the  border  put  in  order  for  the  season.  As  the  ground  mast 
be  cleared  of  leaves,  it  is  best,  when  they  are  not  wanted  for 
other  purposes,  to  draw  them  into  ridges  in  the  back  part  of 
the  shrubbery,  and  there  to  let  them  rot,  to  be  distributed  over 
the  ground  about  this  time  twelvemonth.  It  is  not  a  bad  plan 
to  fill  holes  intended  for  American  and  other  choice  plants 
with  wet  leaves,  and  to  place  the  ball  level  with  the  surface  of 
the  ground  ;  as  the  leaves  decay,  the  plant  will  sink  to  its 
proper  level  and  grow  admirably. 

GREENHOnSE    AND    CONSERVATORY. 

The  earliest  of  the  Chrysanthemums  will  now  be  nearly 
over,  and  when  they  are  turned  out  the  best  way  is  not  to  cut 
them  down,  as  is  generally  done,  but  to  store  them  in  light 
dry  soil  under  a  west  wall,  turned  out  of  the  pots  ;  the  tops 
being  left  on  will  keep  the  suckers  more  backward,  and  also 
shelter  them  in  some  measure.  The  less  the  suckers  grow 
before  March  the  better  plants  they  will  make  next  year. 
Spring-forced  Camellias  now  in  bloom  should  be  guarded 
against  currents  of  cold  air  and  damp.  Cinerarias,  which  are 
great  ornaments  for  the  conservatory  in  winter,  are  thirsty 
plants,  and  good  subjects  on  which  to  try  experiments  with 
some  of  the  new  fertilisers,  mixed  with  the  water  given  them; 
they  are  also  liable  to  the  attacks  of  insects,  which,  unless 
looked  after,  will  soon  establish  themselves  among  other 
plants.  The  fine  large  varieties  of  the  Chinese  Primrose, 
although  they  grow  well  near  the  glass,  do  best  in  shaded 
places  where  the  sun  cannot  reach  them.  Two  parts  rough 
leaf  mould,  and  one  of  very  old  cow  dung,  with  a  little  sand, 
form  the  best  compost  for  them,  and  in  this  they  like  plenty 
of  moisture.  Besides  the  double  white  and  double  pink,  which 
are  very  showy  at  this  season,  there  are  sorts  of  all  shades 
from  pure  white  to  very  dark  purple,  and  some  with  fringed 
edges,  which  look  gay.  The  late  mild  foggy  weather  has  been 
a  trying  time  for  delicate  young  plants,  and  sometimes  fires 
have  been  in  requisition  for  a  few  hours  in  the  middle  of  the 
day.  The  double  Roman  Narcissus  of  the  shops  is  the  first  of 
the  forced  bulbs  to  be  in  bloom  in  the  conservatory  ;  those  who 
potted  this  and  the  Hyacinth  early  last  August  will  in  a  few 
days  see  them  in  bloom.  Cuttings  taken  off  the  tops  of  Ges- 
nera  zebrina  after  the  flower  buds  were  formed,  are  also  now 
coming  on  to  succeed  the  old  plants,  and,  like  cuttings  of  the 
Hydrangea  similarly  treated,  flower  almost  as  strongly  as  if 
left  on  the  parent  plant,  and,  as  tbey  stand  dry  heat,  are  ex- 
cellent little  ornaments  to  the  sitting-room.  Plants  of  Euphor- 
bia jacquiniiefiora  cut  down  last  January  are  now  coming  fairly 
into  flower  ;  they  also  stand  dry  heat,  and  will  do  in  a  sitting- 
room  for  two  months.  Moss  Koses  will  soon  be  in  ;  the  mild- 
ness of  the  last  two  months  was  in  their  favour,  as  they  disUke 
strong  fire  heat.  This  is  the  time  to  test  the  best  stock  to  graft 
Roses  on  for  forcing.  Dog  Eoses  make  slow  stocks  compared 
with  the  old  China  or  Boursairlt ;  but,  of  course,  to  begin  in 
January  or  February  to  force  Eoses,  they  wiU  do  well  enough 
on  any  stock  and  with  little  forcing. 

STOVE. 

The  Clerodendron  splendens  prefers  a  cool  shady  part  of  the 
stove,  and  is  better  fitted  for  an  intermediate  house,  but  it  will 
grow  freely  in  a  good  conservatory  if  not  allowed  much  light, 
which  is  disagreeable  to  it  when  growing.  There  is  little  doubt 
but  that  many  other  stove  plants  will  prove  sufficiently  hardy 
to  do  in  the  conservatory,  and  this  is  ttie  best  time  to  begin 
the  experiment.  Look  out  duplicates,  and  place  them  by  them- 
selves to  be  kept  drier  through  the  winter  than  the  rest  of  the 


408 


JJUKNAL  OF  UORTICUIiTUEiIi   AKD  COTTAGE  GAtU-ENEB. 


(  Narember  2S,  1868. 


eollectioa ;  they  should  also  be  placed  in  the  coolest  part  of 
the  honse.— W.  Keane. 


DOINGS   OF  THE  LAST  VTEBK. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

IdTTLE  has  been  done  here  beyond  securing  crops  that  would 
be  likely  to  suffer,  as  Lettuce,  Endive,  Eadishes,  and  Cauli- 
flowers. Banks  of  Coleworts,  planted  even  more  thickly  than 
we  stated,  are  coming  in  most  useful.  Cauliflowers  out  of 
doors  had  a  bunch  of  sweet  litter  placed  over  the  half-swelled 
crowns,  with  a  broad  leaf  interposing  between  the  litter  and  the 
head  of  the  Canliflower,  so  that  the  colour  should  not  be  in- 
jured. 

Jhcnrf  Kidney  Beans  have  been  sown  in  a  mild  heat  and  in 
small  pots  to  occupy  little  room  for  the  present,  until  they  are 
planted  out  in  masses  to  take  the  place  of  those  now  bearing 
profusely ._  We  always  think  that  Beans  obtained  in  November 
and  the  first  weeks  of  December  are  a  very  cheap  and  useful 
crop,  as  for  their  first  stages  they  may  stand  out  of  doors  with 
only  a  little  protection,  and  we  always  think  that  a  Bean  that 
has  been  grown  under  glass  has  a  richness  and  crispness  all  its 
own  if  gathered  and  cooked  whilst  it  is  young  and  tender, 
which  it  seldom  is  when  the  pod  shows  the  place  where  the 
joung  seed  is  swelling.  It  is  best  to  have  every  pod  crisp,  and 
smooth  and  regular  in  outline  from  end  to  end.  The  little 
Newington  Wonder  makes  a  fine  dish  if  its  pods,  when  from 
3  to  2i  inches  long,  are  cooked  whole,  and  then  the  gatherings 
are  very  abundant.  It  should  be  remembered  by  all  beginners 
that  one  pod  on  a  plant  swelling  its  seeds  will  exhaust  the 
plant  more  than  a  dozen  where  there  is  no  appeaiance  of  the 
seeds  swelling. 

SeaJcale  and  Rlnibarb  are  going  on  well  in  a  very  mild  heat 
in  the  Mushroom  house.  We  have  earthed-up  a  third  piece  in 
the  Mushroom  house,  and  put  in  manure  for  a  fourth  piece. 
The  first  piece  is  just  showing  all  over,  but  small  at  present, 
and  therefore  not  to  hurry  it  too  much  we  have  put  more 
covering  on  our  bed  in  the  open  shed,  and  treated  it  much  as 
described  lately  in  these  notices.  We  are  slightly  troubled  in 
the  Mushroom  house  with  condensed  moisture  falling  on  the 
bed  we  wish  to  bear,  and  if  it  continue  we  will  suspend  a  mat 
or  a  cloth  over  the  bed  to  receive  the  drip  and  throw  it  off  the 
bed.  Though  the  Mushroom  rejoices  in  a  moist  atmosphere, 
it  does  not  like  this  drip,  and  if  the  manure  is  at  all  fresh  the 
coloured  drip  will  disfigure  the  appearance  of  the  Mushrooms. 
We  would  refer  beginners  to  a  short  article  that  lately  appeared 
on  growing  Mushrooms,  with  the  help  chiefly  of  horse  droppings. 
We  have  used  a  great  variety  of  materials  down  to  stubble,  as 
forming  the  chief  portion  of  our  beds,  but  we  must  vary  the 
practice  a  little  in  proportion  to  the  materials  to  be  obtained. 
It  IS  of  little  use  saying,  at  the  present  day,  ■■  It  can't  be  done." 
Attempts  must  be  made  with  very  unpromising  materials,  and 
they  often,  with  a  little  thought,  result  extremely  well. 

Cucumbers.— A  few  lights  of  these  in  a  pit  are  bearing  too 
proinseiy,  though  we  cut  off  numbers  of  the  fruit  to  ease 
the  plants.  We  expect  such  bearing  will  finish  them  about 
Christmas,  and  we  have  three  lightsful  of  young  plants,  though 
strong,  put  out  in  large  pots,  so  as  to  be  more  under  control, 
and  from  these  as  yet  we  nip  off  every  fruit  as  it  appears,  and 
ifwe  make  up  our  mind  to  keep  them  bearing  through  the 
winter,  we  will  not  allow  a  fruit  to  swell  for  some  weeks.  We 
in  the  country  are  often  circumstanced  quite  differently  from 
gardeners  near  town.  Cucumbers  are  often  useful  for  shooting 
parties,  and  whilst  they  would  be  most  valued  in  spring  in 
London,  they  are  of  little  value  to  us.  Our  own  idea  is  that 
what  appears  at  table  every  day  in  the  year,  ceases  to  be  valued, 
and  a  short  cessation  often  heightens  the  enjoyment. 

Leaf-collecting.— 'We  have  collected  a  good  quantitv  of  leaves, 
but  not  one-half  of  what  we  wish  to  have,  and  which  we  will 
only  obtain  if  we  have  a  few  more  calm  days,  as,  if  a  high  wind 
come,  most  of  ours  will  be  off  to  the  valleys  for  miles  round. 
A  fortnight  ago  we  expected  to  collect  some  loads  from  the 
pleasure  grounds,  but  the  part  that  was  thickest  was  as  tho- 
roughly cleaned  one  morning,  as  if  it  had  been  carefully  swept 
with  a  broom.  We  find  fault  with  no  kind  of  tree  leaves— Ash, 
Elm,  Beech,  or  Oak,  all  are  acceptable  ;  for  though  the  first  do 
not  last  long,  they  soon  become  a  valuable  vegetable  mould, 
and  they  yield  a  good  heat  for  many  purposes.  Beech  and 
Oak  leaves,  however,  are  our  favourities,  and  of  the  two,  for 
lasting  we  prefer  the  Oak  leaves.  We  have  known  Oak  leaves 
yield  a  fine  genial  heat  for  a  twelvemonth,  and  then  all  but  the 


sides,  when  turned  over,  continue  to  yield  heat  nearly  as  long 
again,  especially  if  some  fresh  leaves  be  mixed  with  them. 
For  present  use  it  matters  little  how  they  are  collected,  and 
they  are  easiest  managed  in  dull  damp  days.  The  damp  will 
cause  them  to  ferment  and  heat  at  once.  When  intended  to 
be  kept  for  some  time,  they  should  be  collected  dry,  and  be 
stored  under  cover ;  though  when  built  in  a  round  or  oblong 
shape  out  of  doors,  and  the  top  tapered  like  a  stack,  they  will 
throw  off  the  rains,  and  thus  be  dry  for  the  most  of  their  bulk. 
We  have  taken  leaves  from  such  heaps  after  eighteen  months 
storage  so  fresh,  crisp,  and  dry,  that  we  had  to  sprinkle  them 
with  water  when  we  wished  them  to  ferment  and  yield  a  sweet 
heat.  One  great  recommendation  of  the  leaves  is  that  the 
heat  they  yield  is  sweet  and  mild  at  once.  With  abundance  of 
this  material  we  can  never  be  at  a  loss  for  a  little  sweet  bottom 
heat. 

Bottom  heat  used  in  moderation  is  one  of  the  best  means  for 
insuring  good  results  ;  for,  as  a  rule,  it  will  ever  hold  good,  that 
it  is  well  to  excite  the  roots  a  little  bo  as  to  have  them  in  action 
before  the  buds  are  greatly  excited.  From  an  old  rosery  we 
mean  to  pot  a  lot  of  plants  to  produce  early  flowers,  but  we 
could  not  expect  to  succeed  if  we  put  the  plants  in  a  mild  heat 
at  first,  as  the  buds  would  break  before  the  roots  were  acting 
afresh  to  keep  up  the  growth.  If  we  plunge  these  pots  in  a  mild 
heat  of  leaves  out  of  doors,  letting  all  the  tops  be  exposed,  we 
shall  have  fresh  roots  in  the  pots  before  the  buds  swell  much, 
and  then  we  can  force  them  gently  in  the  usual  way.  Some 
so  treated  last  winter  did  better  with  us  than  Roses  that  stood 
in  pots  all  the  summer,  and  were  brought  gradually  on  without 
this  bottom  heat.  In  all  such  cases,  forcing  bulbs,  exciting 
Strawberries,  &c.,  it  is  important  that  the  heat  should  not  be 
too  strong,  ranging  from  65'  to  70'  and  75',  and  rarely  above 
it.  When  we  go  to  80°,  or  higher,  the  plants  should  be  well 
established,  and  balanced  as  respects  roots  and  branches,  and 
an  equivalent,  though  a  lower  temperature,  given  to  the  branches. 
All  plants,  especially  those  fresh  potted  and  intended  to  be 
brought  in  early,  that  is,  less  or  more  forced,  will  be  the  better 
of  this  mild  bottom  heat  in  the  open  air,  whilst  the  tops  are 
kept  cool.  Even  when  a  frame  is  used,  the  coolness  at  the  top 
should  be  secured,  by  air  at  back  and  front,  except  in  the  coldest 
weather. 

FRUIT   GARDEN. 

The  work  has  been  very  much  the  same  as  in  previoua 
weeks'  notices,  clearing  the  orchard  houses  of  decayed  foliage, 
fresh  mulching  Strawberries  out  of  doors,  planting,  and  com- 
mencing pruning ;  and  we  noted  that  the  titmouse  and  the 
bullfinch  have  begun  their  unwelcome  visits  to  Cherries  and 
Gooseberries. 

ORNAMENTAL  DEPARTMENT. 

The  frost  having  left  more  wrecks  of  vegetation  than  were 
fair  to  look  upon,  much  time  has  been  taken  up  in  removing 
the  thickets  of  growth  in  beds,  and  heavy  work  it  has  been. 
The  lawn,  however,  looks  cheerful  where  the  beds  are  cleaned, 
and  the  grass  fresh  swept  and  rolled.  Where  a  weed  ap- 
peared on  the  walks,  it  was  pulled  up ;  and  hard  swept  and 
rolled,  they  looked  clean  and  cheerful,  as  no  leaves  will  now 
encumber  them,  unless  they  come  from  long  distances.  Most 
of  the  scarlet  Pelargoniums  that  were  taken  up  and  left  in 
sheds,  have  been  pruned-in  and  faggoted  away  as  closely  to- 
gether as  they  could  be  placed  in  boxes  and  pots.  Of  Cal- 
ceolarias we  took  up  a  few  dozens  with  balls,  potting  them  where 
growing,  so  that  the  ball  should  not  fall  off,  as  we  want  these 
for  good-looking,  early- flowering  plants  in  spring.  Took  up 
lots  of  double  Stocks,  double  and  single  Wallflowers,  and  placed 
them  under  glass  in  the  orchard  house,  as  these  will  force  a 
little  if  so  wanted,  and  flowers  are  valuable  in  spring,  however 
humble  they  might  be  considered  in  summer. 

Took  up  and  potted  Lihj  of  the  Valley,  and  boxed  more, 
merely  for  the  flowers.  When  a  fine  pot  is  wanted,  only  the 
large  "firm  buds  should  be  selected,  end  be  closely  packed,  and 
if  they  receive  a  little  bottom  heat  at  first,  with  a  cool  atmo- 
sphere near  the  surface  of  the  pot,  they  will  come  all  the  finer, 
though  it  will  require  the  best  of  our  home  growth,  to  equal  the 
patches  that  come  over  from  the  Low  Countries  along  with  the 
bulbs,  which  are  such  an  advantage  to  us  in  the  winter  and  spring. 
We  have  seen  this  Lily  of  the  Valley  become  a  perfect  weed, 
almost  as  difficult  to  destroy  as  so  much  Couch  Grass ;  we  have 
also  seen  unavailing  efforts  made  to  grow  it  in  some  places,  and 
believe  that  in  many  of  these  cases  the  failure  was  owing  to 
mistaken  kindness  and  attention.  It  seems  to  delight  most  in 
a  firm  loamy  soil,  and  when  it  must  be  grown  in  a  sandy  or 
chalky  soil,  an  additional  proportion  of  sweet  rotten  manure 


Novomber  26,  1866.  | 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTIOOLTDBK  AND  COTTAGE  GAUDENEB. 


409 


should  be  applied  ;  and  after  planting,  and  the  leaves  begin  to 
appear,  the  soil  between  the  rows  should  be  trodden  or  malleted 
so  as  to  be  tolerably  firm,  and  then  the  mere  surface  kept 
scratched  or  stirred  to  prevent  gapes  and  cracks.  Making  the 
soil  firm  where  naturally  loose,  we  imagine  to  be  of  great  im- 
portance. This  was  tirst  brought  to  our  notice  by  a  seeming 
accident,  but  just  one  of  those  little  things  that  often  teach  us 
a  useful  lesson.  All  efforts  to  grow  the  plant  in  the  well- 
stirred,  pulverised  border  of  a  kitchen  garden  seemed  next  to 
futile,  but  some  of  the  roots  found  their  way  into  a  hard  old 
gravel  walk,  and  there  they  did  well,  far  excelling  those  with 
which  so  much  trouble  had  been  taken. 

Put  Roses  established  in  pots,  Deutzias,  &c.,  in  a  mild  heat. 
We  do  not  notice  that  anytliinghas  gone  wrong  with  us  par- 
ticularly, except  a  batch  of  cuttings  of  the  brown  Coleus,  which 
we  left  too  long  in  a  cold  pit,  and  which  are  now  likely  to  die. 
We  are  sorry  for  this,  as  we  shall  be  forced  to  give  room  for 
some  old  plants  that  otherwise  we  would  have  thrown  away, 
but  we  must  keep  them  for  cuttings  in  spring.  We  have  seen 
several  times  lately,  that  this  plant  may  be  kept  in  a  tem- 
perature of  from  40'  to  43',  bat  we  fear  the  times  of  such  low 
temperatures  must  be  short  indeed.  It  would  be  safer  at  from 
50'  to  1(0°,  as  a  general  rule,  with  a  fall  only  for  short  periods  in 
cold  weather. 

Calceolaria  cuttinrif:  in  the  cold  pit  are  looking  well,  though 
not  yet  beginning  to  root.  AH  the  care,  after  pricking  them  out, 
which  they  have  had,  was  slightly  syringing  them  over  about 
eleven  o'clock  in  a  bright  sunny  day,  and  shutting  down  the 
glasses.  During  mild  nights  left  a  little  air  on  all  night,  in 
cold  nights  shut  up  closely,  and  in  the  very  coldest  sprinkled  a 
little  litter  over  the  glass.  In  a  dull  muggy  day  left  a  little  air 
at  the  top  of  the  sashes  all  day,  say  a  quarter  of  an  inch  of  an 
opening.  The  object  is  to  prevent  the  little  cuttings  being  ex- 
tended much  upwards  before,  or  even  after,  they  root  down- 
wards. In  dull,  damp  weather  they  have  hardly  been  looked 
.  at  for  a  week  together,  except  for  giving  or  taking  away  the 
little  air  afforded.  Of  course  it  would  be  bad  policy  to  give 
air  when  the  sun  shines.  The  close,  damp  atmosphere  then 
keeps  the  tops  from  flagging,  and  we  prefer  that  the  leaf  of  a 
cutting  should  never  droop,  instead  of  having  to  make  it  rise 
again  after  it  has  fallen.  Unlike  some  other  things,  a  little 
damp,  and  even  cold  if  not  at  or  below  freezing  point,  will  do 
little  or  no  harm  to  a  Calceolaria. 

Through  a  little  carelessness  we  have  lost  an  old  favourite  of 
ours — Calceolaria  amplexicaulis,  but  we  must  have  it  again,  as 
its  creamy  yellow  is  extremely  rich.  We  mention  it  for  stating 
that  it  is  the  only  Calceolaria  we  have  tried  that  will  not  do 
with  such  rough  treatment  as  we  give  the  other  kinds  in  a  cold 
pit.  After  being  struck  it  is  better  kept  a  little  drier  and 
warmer,  not  hot,  in  a  house.  To  have  this  fine  old  sort 
splendid  early  in  summer  as  well  as  late  in  autumn,  the  first 
shoots  should  not  be  stopped  or  shortened  in  the  spring. 

Turfing. — On  making  alterations  we  have  had  a  considerable 
amount  of  this  to  do,  though  for  certain  reasons,  as  respects 
time,  &c.,  some  of  the  work  was  not  done  in  the  very  best  way. 
When  old  beds  and  groups  are  to  be  turfed,  they  must  be  well 
beaten,  as  well  as  levelled  to  the  requisite  sweep  ;  but  even  then 
it  will  often  happen  that  such  places  will  not  suit  in  a  year  or 
two  with  the  turf  spaces  left  between  them.  In  many  cases  it 
is  best  in  every  way,  where  such  beds  are  tolerably  close  to- 
gether, to  take  off  the  intermediate  spaces  of  turf,  turn  up  the 
ground,  level,  and  beat  the  whole,  and  then  the  turf  will  keep 
its  uniform  sweep  for  a  long  time. 

What  we  wrote  lately  about  autumn  planting  applies  equally 
to  autumn  turfing.  What  is  done  now  will  rarely  give  any 
more  trouble  in  watering,  filling  up  cracks,  shading,  ite. ;  and 
there  is  another  great  advantage  where  turf  must  be  carted 
from  a  distance,  that  thin  turf,  say  from  half  to  three-quarters 
of  an  inch  in  thickness,  will  be  as  ample  now  as  turf  1  inch  or 
1(  inch  in  thickness  in  March  and  April.  Where  much  turf  is 
to  be  laid  the  men's  knees  should  be  kept  off  the  damp  ground. 
No  beating  or  rolling  will  ever  make  amends  for  not  properly 
levelling  the  ground  at  first. — K.  F. 


TRADE   CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 

W.  EoUisson  &  Sons,  Tooting,  London,  S.W. — Descriptive 
Catalogue  of  Hardy  and  Orchard  Hou-^e  Fruits. 

Andre  Leroy,  Angers. — Descriptive  Catalogue  of  Fruit  and 
Ornaviental  Trees,  Sliruhi,  dc. 

Louis  Van  Houtte,  Ghent,  Belgium. — General  Catalogue. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— November  25. 

There  has  been  scarcely  Jiny  alteration  worth  qnollnR.  Supplies  ar» 
amplf.  Great  complaints  arn  niado  of  tbo  qoality  ol  tho  bulk  of  th« 
I'otutoos  coming  in  now.  There  are  largo  arrivals  of  thoae  both  by  rail 
and  8oa. 

FRUIT. 


n. 

d. 

n. 

d 

>. 

d. 

n. 

d 

AppleB 

Apricots 

H  sieve 
. . .  doz. 

1 

6  t"  9 

fi 

MelonH Aiteh 

•> 

OtoS 

II 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Nectarinea doz. 

0 

0 

0 

0 

....  lb. 

0 

111 

0 
1) 

0 
Iti 

e 
n 

OranROB 100 

Peaches doz. 

8 
0 

U 
0 

12 

• 

11 

Chentnnts 

..  bush. 

0 

Yi  sieve 
....  do. 

0 

n 

0 

n 

0 

n 

0 
0 

Pears (dessert)  ..  doz. 
Pine  Apples lb. 

•2 
4 

0 
0 

li 
7 

U 

Black  .... 

0 

Fiffs 

. ..  doz. 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Plums Vi  sieve 

4 

0 

6 

0 

FUberta 

lb. 

(1 

51 

1 

(1 

Quinces doz. 

U 

'.1 

1 

11 

Cobs 

....  lb. 

n 

9 

1 

n 

Raspberries lb. 

0 

0 

0 

u 

Gooseberriea 

. .  quart 

0 

f) 

0 

0 

Strawberries.,   per  lb. 

0 

u 

0 

u 

Grapea,  Hothouse. -lb. 

a 

0 

B 

0 

Walnuts bash. 

10 

u 

IK 

n 

....  100 

i; 

0    10    0  1       do per  100 

VEQETABLES. 

1 

u 

it 

ii 

n 

d. 

f). 

d 

■. 

d. 

■ 

d 

Artichohea  ... 

...  doz. 

3 

OtoB 

0 

Leeks  bunch 

0 

4  too 

6 

Asparaffna   . . . 

100 

0 

0 

(1 

0 

Lettuce per  score 

'2 

0 

4 

U 

Beans,  Kidney 

y-z  sieve 

s 

0 

4 

(1 

Mushrnoms pottle 

'2 

0 

a 

0 

Beet,  Red.... 

...  doz. 

2 

0 

8 

0 

Mu8td.&  Cress,  pnnnet 

0 

9 

0 

8 

Broccoli 

bundle 

1 

0 

•2 

0 

Onions per  buhhel 

5 

0 

■; 

U 

BrtiB.  Sprouts 

1m  aieve 

0 

0 

0 

n 

Parsley per  sieve 

8 

0 

4 

0 

CabbaRo  

. ..  doz. 

1 

H 

2 

0 

Parsnips doz. 

0 

» 

1 

U 

Capsicnms.... 

....100 

» 

0 

0 

II 

Peas per  quart 

0 

u 

U 

U 

Carrota 

.  bunch 

0 

4 

U 

8 

Potatoes bushel 

4 

6 

6 

0 

Cauliflower  .. 

...  doz. 

0 

0 

0 

n 

Kidney   do. 

4 

U 

7 

0 

Celery 

bundle 

1 

6 

'2 

0 

Radishes  doz.  bunches 

1 

6 

U 

0 

Cucumbers... 

. ..  each 

n 

4 

1 

n 

Rhubarb bundle 

0 

U 

U 

0 

Endive 

...  doz. 

2 

0 

0 

n 

Sea-kale basket 

8 

t) 

0 

0 

Fennel 

n 

R 

n 

n 

Shallots lb. 

0 

H 

(1 

U 

Garlic 

....  lb. 

0 

8 

0 

0 

Spinach  bustiel 

2 

0 

3 

0 

Herba  

n 

R 

0 

n 

Tomatoes per  doz. 

1 

» 

2 

II 

Horseradish  .. 

bundle 

8 

0 

5 

0 

Turnips  bunch 

U 

« 

0 

U 

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.     All 
oommnnications  should  therefore  be  addressed  nolely  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  dc,  171,  Fleet 
Street,  London,  B.C. 
We  also  request   that  correspondents  will  not  mix  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. 
N.B. — Many  questions  must  remain  unanswered  until  next 
week. 
Meladon. — "J.  £"."  wishes  to  know  tho  botanical  name  of  a  plant  so- 
called,  havinR  "  roots  the  same  as  the  Ranunculus,  and  flowers  between 
those  of  Anemone  and  Ranunculus,  but  larger." 

PiCKERrNG's  Seedung  {W.B.  C.).— The  Apples  have  not  come  to  our 
notice. 

Chktsanthemcms  {Mrt.  Robart»).—Yo-a  will  see  the  names  of  the  prin- 
cipal growers  in  our  advertisement  columns. 

Sale  of  Fruit  and  Flowers  (.4.  B.  C).— Write  to  Messrs.  Webber 
and  Co.,  Central  Avenue,  Covent  Garden  Market. 

SoROHijM  TATAHIC0M  (.S'orijhiim).— It  is  worthlcss.  and  can  only  ripen 
here  in  very  hot  summers.  Mr.  HuUett,  who  persuaded  purchasers  that  it 
is  a  novelty,  is  now  awaitiuR  trial  ou  a  charge  of  forgery. 

Esperione  Grape  (One  Fond  of  Vine  Cii/(urc).— It  is  a  good  Grape  for 
ripening  on  an  open  wall.  Berries  quite  round,  dark  purple,  juicy,  and 
sweet,  yet  briskly  flavoured. 

What  Constitutes  Mancees  (i?o»elud).— The  best  answer  we  can 
give  is  the  following  extract  from  .Johnson's  "  Science  and  Practice  of 
Gardening."  You  can  have  tho  volume  free  by  post  from  our  office  if 
you  enclose  forty  postage  stamps  with  your  address.^  "  Manures  are 
derived  from  animals,  vegetables,  and  minerals  ;  they  directly  assist  the 
growth  of  plants— firstly,  l>v  entering  into  their  composition;  secondly, 
by  absorbing  and  retaining  moisture  from  the  atmosphere  ;  thirdly,  by 
absorbing  the  gases  of  the  atmosphere  :  and,  fourthly,  by  stimulating  tho 
vascular  system  of  the  plants.  Manures  approximately  assist  vegetation, 
firstlv,  by  killing  predatorv  vermin  and  weeds  ;  secondly,  by  promoting 
the  decomposition  of  stnlibom  organic  remains  in  the  soil ;  thirdly,  by 
protecting  plants  from  violent  changes  of  temperature." 

Protection  for  Frame  (Idfm).~Th6  best  materials  for  covering  a 
two-light  frame  are  Archangel  mats,  employing  one  thicknesa'for  a  slight 
frost.  Two  thicknesses,  and  6  inches  in  thi(^kness  of  dry  straw,  will  be 
required  in  very  severe  weather.  You  cannot  have  a  charcoal  fire  or 
lamp  in  so  small  a  compartment  with  safety,  and  you  may  ward  off  frost 
by  putting  the  mats  and  straw  over  the  lights,  the  sides  ot  the  frame 
beiug  protected  by  a.shes  placed  against  them  all  round. 

List  op  Roses  (.W.  /!««■).—"  William  Grifiiths  and  Gloire  de  Vitry  are 
both  show  Roses,  vigorous,  and  generally  good.  William  Griffiths  is  the, 
type  of  shape  and  of  fair  size.  It  has  but  one  fault,  in  very  hot  weather 
it  does  not  always  retain  its  colour.  I  always  consider  this  Rose, 
Madame  Vidot,  Madame  Rivers,  Guinnoiseau,  and  Comtease  Cecile  de 


410 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  November  26,  1868. 


Chabrillant  to  be  the  'elepant  extracts'  of  the  rosery.  Gloire  de  Vitry 
{here  on  its  own  mots),  is  a  very  fine  Hose,  and  in  tbe  fall  of  the  yenr 
like  Lffilia.  1  have  not  had  any  healthier,  or  that  have  done  better  than 
these  plants.  It  is  a  very  large  Rose.  Of  the  three  crimson  Roses  yon 
named,  I  prefer  Lord  Cl\de.  Vainquenr  is  very  hnndsome,  but  not  a 
very  good  prowcr,  nor  fuU  enongh.  With  rognrd  to  white  Koses,  th'-y  are 
still  'desiderata.'  Not  one  of  those  mentioned  by  you  is  full-sized  except 
Queen  Victoria,  which  is  peach-tiuted  in  the  centre,  and  not  always  a  free 
bloomer.  Devoniensis  and  Mrs.  Bosanquet  uro  the  best  of  those  named. 
I  advise  you  to  buy  Sombreuil  (Tea),  Mad.  Willermoz  (Ten),  and.  as  yon  do 
not  object  to  tint  ge.  Snuvenir  d'Eliso  (Tea).  They  p.ra  adniira'ile.  The 
first  is  as  hardy  as  a  Hybrid  Perpetual.  My  plants  of  it  nre  still  full  of  fine 
fat  buds.  The  finest  of  the  white  Roses  is  Madame  Zoutmann,  a  sum- 
mer Ro'^e.  Mr.  W.  Paul  s^ys  as  a  white  Rose,  Mdlle.  B<rthe  Leveque  is 
desirable.  I  strongly  recommend  you  to  buy  the  following  crimson 
Roses,  if  yon  do  not  know  or  possess  them,  for  they  are  superior  to  those 
you  have  named — viz..  Charles  Lefebvre,  Senateur  Vaisse,  Alfred  Colomb, 
Antoine  Ducher,  Mnr^chal  Vaillant,  Madame  Boutin,  Madame  Victor 
Verdier,  and  Pierrp  Notting.  the  finest  of  all  the  globular  Roses.  These 
are  all  excellent  in  every  respect. — W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

Mulching  Over  the  Roots  of  Roses — Rose  Cuttings  (W.). — "Yon 
need  not  fear  the  mulching  rotting  your  Roses,  though  it  touch  the  sbriot-^. 
If  you  see  danger  lift  the  mulching  with  a  fork.  I  have  mulched  all 
mine,  nearly  19'  0  plants,  and  put  a  little  earth  over  the  mulchioa.  and 
have  tied-np  lightly  with  Asparagus  haulm  and  fern  all  my  yellow  Roses. 
The  lofty  yellow  Koses  on  my  south  front  have  sheep  hurdles  leaning  end- 
ways against  them,  in  addition  to  the  mulching.  I  look  for  sharp  weather 
between  this  and  February  1st.  Bottom  heat  would  assist  the  Rose  cut- 
tings to  striie.  They  are  deceptive,  they  will  often  look  as  if  they  had 
roots,  and  yet  will  be  found  to  have  none,  and  die  away  in  March.  Put 
your  cuttings  in  the  earth  in  September  and  mulch  them  ;  many  of  them 
will  make  roots  without  trouble.  Do  not  move  tbe  cuttings,  but  sink  the 
pots  in  the  earth  in  the  spring.  By  the  autumn  they  will  have  good  roots. 
For  cuttings,  pieces  of  hard  wood  with  a  heel  are  the  best ;  or  wood  of 
the  cnrrent  year  with  a  bit  of  old  wood.  It  is  too  late  to  strike  cuttings 
now  without  bottom  heat.--W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

Names  of  Flowers.— 1,  Love-in-idleness,  is  the  Pansy  ;  2,  (^nckoo- 
buds,  uncertain,  perhaps  the  common  Buttercup;  3,  Dead-men's-fingers, 
is  Orchis  mascnla ;  4,  Crow-flowers,  both  the  Buttercup  and  Racijed 
Robin,  Lychnis  flos-cuculi ;  5,  Sweet  Moly,  Allium  mosebatum  ;  6,  Kiss- 
me-at-tbe-garden-gate,  another  of  the  many  names  of  the  Pansy. 

Manuring  a  Vine  Border  I  A.  S.). — It  is  well  to  cover  an  outside  Vine 
border  with  dry  litter  at  least  a  month  before  commencing  forcing.     If  ' 
the  manure  heat  a  little  all  the  better  ;  but  if  it  or  litter  be  laid  on  from 
15  inches  thick  before  the  earth  becomes  cooled,  the  heating  afterwards 
is  of  less  importance.    There  are  several  works  on  "Taxidermy."    Any  , 
bookseller  could  tell  the  names  and  prices. 

Vine  Leaves  Falling  IJ.  F.  C.'.— Although  the  colour  of  the  falling 
leaves  of  some  young  Vines  is  yellowish  brown,  and  of  one  clarety 
red,  still  we  do  not  think  that  it  is  certain  that  it  is  a  different  variety. 
We  so  aay  because  the  great  heat  of  last  summer  has  caused  singular 
variations  in  the  colour  of  the  falling  leaves  of  Vines.  You  must  wait 
until  they  have  fruited  before  you  can  be  certain  that  your  Vines  are  not 
all  alike. 

Tbaining  Vines  (Boston).— V^e  would  prefer  single  stems  of  Vines 
S  feet  8  inches  npart  for  general  purposes,  and  where  subsidiary  crops  had 
to  be  grown.  But  if  the  house  were  to  be  given  np  to  Vines  alone,  then 
you  might  have  two  stems  in  that  space,  and  would  obtain  rather  more 
fruit  in  consequence  in  the  same  space.  We  have  no  douht  that  the 
Royal  Champion,  Koyal  Ascot,  and  Pince's  Black  Muscat  will  do  in  the 
same  bouse,  but  we  cannot  speak  practically  on  the  subject. 

Glands  of  Peach  Trees— Peaches  Falling  (C.  iJ.).— Glands  are 
small,  generally  wart-like  swellings,  found  on  tbe  surface  of  pUnts  and 
on  different  parts  of  leaves,  and  are  mostly  visible  to  the  naked  eye, 
though  greatly  varying  in  size.  Thus,  so  f;ir  as  Peaches  aud  Nectarines 
are  concerned,  you  will  find  kinds,  the  leaves  of  which  are  serrated;  but 
beyond  that,  yon  will  find  ethers,  perhaps  not  so  deeply  serrated,  but 
especially  near  the  base  of  the  leaf  and  close  to  thepe  serrations  you  wil 
find  Uttle  globose-shaped  glands,  or  little  protuberances.  In  other  kinds 
you  will  find  these  little  warty  glands  of  a  reniform  or  kidney  shape. 
.  Sometimes  they  are  so  small  that  you  can  scarcely  distinguish  at  first 
the  shape  of  the  glands,  and  in  that  case  must  examine  a  number  of 
leaves  instead  of  one.  So  much  for  Peaches.  The  size  and  form  of 
glands  in  many  other  plants  are  extremely  various.  For  a  Peach  to  come 
in  before  the  Royal  George,  have  Early  Grosse  Mignonne.  To  begin  to 
come  in  after  tbe  Royal  George  is  over,  have  Walburton  Adminible.  The 
Boyal  George  is  not  peculiarly  liable  to  drop  some  of  its  fruit  wheu 
nearly  ripe  All  stone  fruit  is  liable  to  do  the  same  when  overcropped, 
or  too  little  or  too  much  water  is  given.  In  fact,  a  fruit  or  two  will  drop  at 
times,  and  no  particular  reason  can  be  assigned.  We  think  it  very  likely 
you  have  the  right  kind.  We  do  not  think  the  Mountain  Ash  is  much 
used  as  a  stock  for  Pears  now,  though  we  have  seen  numbers  so  grafted. 
Though  belonging  to  the  same  natural  family,  it  is  rather  far  removed 
Irom  the  Pear. 

Keeping  Mice  fhosi  Peas  (A  Novice). — We  know  no  better  plan  for 
keeping  mice  from  Peas  fresh  sown  than  to  put  the  Peas  in  a  basin,  make 
them  slightly  damp  with  a  few  drops  of  water,  and  then  sprinkle  them 
with  a  little  red  lead  dust.  Very  Uttle  will  do  for  a  quart  of  Peas  if  you 
turn  them  over  well  with  a  stick  until  all  are  red-coloured.  Barley  awns 
along  tho  rows  will  help  to  deter  ;  but  the  best  simple  remedy  is  to  cut 
np  small  gorze  or  furze  and  strew  it  above  the  Peas  in  the  rows  before 
Covering  with  soil. 

Peas — Sowing  Golden  Pyrethbum  {An  Jmrtfcnr).— We  can  find  no 
list  of  Peas  in  the  number  for  October  15th,  to  which  you  refer.  We 
would  advise  you  to  sow  the  Golden  Pyrethrum  in  March  in  a  httle  heat, 
prick  off,  grow,  and  harden  off  before  phmting  out. 

Will  Mice  Devour  Dahlia  Tubers?  {Quiz).— We  have  not  found 
mice  eat  the  roots  of  Dahlias  when  stored  away  for  the  winter. 

Chrybanthemcms  Mildewed  (A  Novice). — You  may  safely  take  cuttings 
from  plants  that  have  been  infested  with  mildew.  We  think  the  mildew 
a  result  of  an  insuflicient  supply  of  water  at  the  roots  duiing  the  summer, 
and  had  you  given  liquid  manure  once  or  twice  a-week,  aud  keut  tbe  head; 


shown  itself.    Dusting  with  flowers  of  sulphar  is  the  best  remedy ;  it  will 
not  only  check  but  destroy  the  parasite. 

Chrysanthemusi  Flcwers  Imperfect  (TT'.  i/.i.— The  flowers  are  im- 
perfect, and  yet  we  think  they  will  improve  and  expand  better  than  you 
anticipate.  Afford  an  abundance  of  air,  keeping  rool  but  safe  from  frost, 
and  apply  liquid  manure  at  every  alternate  watering  until  the  flowers 
are  fully  expanded. 

Vines  Infested  with  Thiups  (.4  Tounff  Befjinner).—T)ie  thrips  will 
not  interfere  with  next  year's  crop,  providing  their  attacks  this  year  did 
not  injure  tbe  foliage  seriously ;  hut  if  they  caused  the  foliage  to  become 
prematurely  yellow,  and  to  fall  earlier  than  usual,  it  is  likely  the  eyes 
will  not  be  so  fully  formed  as  they  ought  to  be,  nor  the  wood  so  mature 
as  desirable,  and  that  will  to  some  extent  pr<-judicially  affect  the  Vine's 
nest  year's  produce.  You  will  do  well  to  not  only  clean  and  paint  the 
Vines  before  starting  them  again,  but  also  wash  all  the  woodwork  with 
soap  and  hot  water,  and  thoroughly  clean  the  glass  with  water  only,  for 
soap  ought  not  to  come  near  gla?s,  and  give  the  walls  a  thorough  lime 
washing.  The  Vines  ought  to  have  tbe  loose  bwrk  taken  off,  and  may  be 
coated  with  a  solution  of  Clarke's  Compound  at  the  rate  of  S  ozs.  to  the 
gallon — a  better  dressing  than  that  of  soft  soap  and  sulphar,  &c.,  and 
much  less  unsightly. 

Fig  for  Pot  Culture  in  a  Vinery  (Jrffim).— The  best  Fig,  where  one 
kind  only  is  required,  is  the  Brown  Turkey.  If  you  wish  for  a  white  sort. 
White  Marseilles  will  suit  you. 

Plants  for  Baskets  in  Room  Windows  iW  D.\ — A  few  good  plants 
for  suspended  babket  for  windows  are  Convolvulus  mauritanicus,  Alyssum 
variegatum.  Ivy-leaved  Pelargoniums  with  pink,  white,  and  scarlet 
flowers,  and  silvery  and  golden  varieaatioo  ;  Lin  <rift  cymbalaria  and  its 
white  variety.  Lobelia  speciosa,  Gordonianri,  Trentbam  Blue,  and  Miss 
Murphy,  Lithospermum  fruticosum,  Tradescftntia  zebrina  argentea, 
Nierembergia  gracihs,  ^axifiaga  sarmentosa,  S.  Furtuui  viriegata,  Vinca 
elegantissima,  and  the  small-leaved  green  and  variegated  Ivies. 

Dividing  Masses  of  Eucharis  and  Vallota  (C.  M.  Major). — We 
must  have  mislaid  your  letter,  but  have  no  recollection  of  it.  The  best 
tiiae  to  divide  these  plants  is  in  February  or  early  in  March,  they  being 
kept  cool  and  dry  during  the  winter,  encouraging  them  with  a  slight 
increase  of  temperature  after  dividing  and  potting,  so  as  to  promote 
speedy  re-establishment. 

Propagating  Bereeris  nepalensis  (Idem). — Failing  seeds,  the  only 
plan  will  be  to  layer  the  long  straggling  shoots.  If  you  do  this  between 
now  and  spring,  the  bending  of  the  head  will  probably  give  you  shoots 
from  near  the  base  of  each  plant,  and  you  may  secure  a  plant  from  the 
top  and  shoots  from  the  bottom.  We  are  not  aware  that  they  are  propa- 
gated by  cuttings.  The  shoots  layered  should  have  a  cut  made  in  them 
immediately  below  a  joint,  and  in  an  upward  direction,  on  the  lower  side, 
and  about  half  way  through  the  shoot.  Make  the  head  secure  with  a 
stick,  and  firmly  peg  in  the  soil.  If  you  cut  them  down,  fresh  shoots  will 
come  from  the  base  of  each. 

Scale  on  Ardisias  (J.  J).). — You  may  syringe  tbe  plants  and  the 
berries  with  a  solution  of  Clarke's  Insect-destroying  Compound,  which 
will  destroy  the  scale  without  in  j  ury  to  the  plant  or  berries ;  2  ozs.  to  the 
gallon  of  water  will  be  a  sufBciently  strong  solution,  but  not  too  strong. 
The  parts  where  the  scale  is  should  be  thoroughly  wetted  with  the 
solution. 

Pruning  Orange  Trees  f Itlevii.—'Fhe  best  time  to  prune  Orange  trees 
is  in  February,  or  before  they  begin  to  grow,  catting  out  the  old  and 
weak  wood. 

DisTU  EiNG  the  Ground  between  Raspberries  (James  Pirn). — It  is 
an  old  but  ji  very  bad  practice  to  dig  the  ground  between  rows  of  Rasp- 
berries. The  canes  should  have  a  good  manuring  now,  if  not  already 
done,  and  for  nea'ness  it  may  ha  lightly  pointed  in  with  a  fork,  but  a 
spade  ought  not  to  be  used  near  them.  The  'ess  a  spade  is  used  about 
fruit  trees  and  bushes  the  better. 

Keeping  Apples  and  Pears  (Idem). — They  should  be  kept  from  air 
and  light.  Shutters  should  be  placed  in  the  windows  to  esclude  the 
air.  The  room  is  too  dry,  or  the  fruit  has  been  gathered  too  soon,  or  it 
would  not  bav«  shrivelled.  A  few  days  before  use,  dessert  Apples  and 
Pears  should  have  a  rather  warmer  atmosphere,  and  have  air  and  light 
to  give  flavour. 

Keeping  Grapes  (Idem).~The  temperature  you  name,65^  is  much  too 
high.  No  fire  heat  should  be  used  at  niebt,  except  to  exclude  frost,  em- 
ploying fire  heat  by  day  with  air  to  dry  np  damp.  The  temperature  from 
tire  heat  should  not  exceed  50".  With  tbe  temperature  you  mention  we 
are  not  surprised  that  the  Grapes  are  hecoming  "  soft  and  flabby,  with 
skins  tough,"  for  they  are  being  converted  into  Raisins. 

Top-dressing  Beds  of  Bulbs  (K  J.j.^The  top-dressing  of  the  beds 
with  good  rotten  manure  to  the  depth  of  an  inch  ia  excellent.  It  will  be 
a  good  protection,  and  the  roots  will  not  be  too  deeply  buried,  as  before 
winter  is  over  the  top-dressing  will  be  considerUily  reduced.  When  the 
foliage  appears  you  may,  for  neatness,  point  in  the  manure  with  a  small 
fork  or  trowel.  The  depth  of  plantiug  bulbs  is  calculated  from  the  crown 
or  summit.  They  are  to  be  covered  witb  soil  to  the  depth  named  for 
each  sort  above  the  crown. 

Digging  Flower  Borders  (Mem).— Now  is  the  best  time  for  digging 
flower  borders  aud  re-arranging  the  plants.  The  border  should  have  a 
good  manuring  if  the  ground  is  poor,  and  after  re-arranging,  the  surface 
may  have  a  top-dressing  of  leaf  mould  or  well-rotted  manure.  Whilst 
the  plants  are  up  let  the  ground  be  well  and  deeply  dug,  trenching  il 
necessary. 

Cyclamens  after  FLoyvERiNO  fBe(a).— Your  Cyclamens  are,  from  your 
de^^cription,  C.  neapolitanum;  the  flowering  heing  now  just  tiver,  a  number 
of  leaves  are  appearing.  It  i^  hardy  ;  but  as  you  have  hitherto  kept  it  in 
the  greenhouse  yoa  may  still  do  so.  lettmg  it  have  the  coolest  and  most 
airy  situation,  and  one  well  exposed  to  ligUt  Water  should  be  supplied 
copiously,  so  as  to  keep  the  soil  moist,  and  if  the  plants  are  in  small  pots 
shift  them  into  larger  ones,  draining  the  puts  well.  The  plants  will  con- 
tinue to  grow  all  the  winter,  making  very  ornamental  foliage:  and  you 
must  supply  them  with  water  until  the  leaves  begin  to  turn  yellow,  then 
place  tbe  plants  out  of  doors  in  a  rather  irhady  situation,  plunging  the 
pots  tu  the  rim  in  coal  ashes  ;  or  you  may  pbmt  them  out  in  j^'^'^^' _"5^j» 


.bin  and  the  plants  not  too  close  together,  the  mildew  would  not  have  1  rather  light,  well-drained  soil,  and  so  that  the  crowns  wiU  he  coverett 


November  26,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OP   HOKTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENEB. 


411 


abont  1^  inch  with  eoil.  When  grown  in  pota  the  crowns  of  the  corms 
ehonld  bo  cuverod  al>out  an  inch  with  soil. 

Peopaoatino  CnnYflANTiiEMtTMs  (Ipnornnce). — Havinp  no  glnafi,  except 
ft  windiiw,  we  would  advise  the  proimgation  to  bo  deferred  until  March, 
then  divide  the  old  plant,  choosing;  tbe  btrunKOst  suckera,  and  not  leavinR 

more  than  oue  or  two  shoots  to  earh  root  These  should  bo  planted 
2  feet  apart  every  way  in  pround  deeply  dug  and  well  mnniirod.  After 
planting,  water  if  dry  weather  prevail.  When  the  plants  have  grown  to 
a  height  of  9  or  ID  inches  peg  them  down.  This  saves  tying  up.  and 
caases  them  to  bloom  when  shorter,  and  to  have  better  foliage.  In  hot 
dry  weather  they  must  be  well  watered  three  times  a-week.  A  sheltered 
Sitnation  should  be  selected. 

CucCMBERs  AND  VEGETABLE  Marrows  (Idem).  —  NoHO  of  the  largo 
Cucumbers  would  succeed  as  you  propose  to  grow  them,  and  they  would 
do  little  good  trained  to  stakes  or  a  trellis  in  the  open  ground ;  but  if  you 
have  a  wooden  fence  you  may  train  the  shoots  to  that,  the  situation 
being  open  and  with  a  southern  exposure.  The  same  remarks  apply  to 
Yegetable  Marrows  ;  they  will  do  well  trained  to  a  wooden  fence  or 
trellis,  havinR  a  sheltered,  warm,  open  situation,  stockwood  Kidge 
Cacnmber  and  Long  White  Vegetable  Marrow  will  suit  you. 

DioscoREA  BATATAS  CULTURE  (H.  H.).—By  lenvinff  the  rhizomes  in  the 
ground  you  will  have  them  larger  at  the  end  of  two  years  than  at  the 
end  of  twelvemonths.  Except  in  very  favourable  soils  and  situations, 
two  seasons'  growth  are  required  to  secure  them  fine. 

Tmb  Carnations  foh  Winter  Blooming  (W.  B.,  jun.). — Perfection, 
white  ground,  bizarre  flakes  of  purpio  and  crimson  ;  Queen  of  Whites, 
white;  Jean  Bart,  salmon  scarlet;  Virgile,  yellow  ground,  flumtd  and 
tipped  with  cherry;  Victor  Emmanuel,  yellow,  rosy  crimson  fliike;  Nel- 
son, straw-flaked  pink;  Beauty,  white,  rosy  pink  narrow  stripe;  Le 
Geant,  blood  red;  Orifltfmme,  red,  and  orange  yellow;  Magenta,  purple 
lilac;  Garihaidi,  purple  violet ;  and  Victorie,  scarlet  and  crimson  flake. 

Vines  Infested  with  Mealy  Bug  (Try).— The  rods  should  have  all 
the  loose  bark  removed,  scraping  the  angles  and  probing  well  the  holes  ; 
but  be  careful  not  to  scrape  or  cut  them  into  the  quick  or  live  parts  of  the 
StemB,  rod  ,  or  spurs.  This  done,  wash  them  thoroughly  with  a  solution 
of  Clarke's  Insect-destroying  Compound,  3  ozs.  to  the  gallnn,  adding  a 
dozen  drops  of  spirits  of  turpentine  to  every  gallon  of  solution,  and  em- 
ploying a  stiff  brush,  so  as  to  reach  every  hole  and  crevice,  taking  care 
not  to  rub  off  the  eyes.  The  woodwork  should  be  thoroughly  cleaned, 
and,  if  possible,  painted,  and  the  walls  limc»washed,  using  the  solution 
above  named  for  mixing  the  lime.  The  washing  of  the  Vines  should  be 
done  twice,  and  it  would  be  well  to  go  over  thmi  again  when  the  eyes  are 
beginning  to  swell,  as  the  insects,  from  the  warmth,  are  then  coming 
from  their  hiding  places.  Wash  carefully,  so  as  not  to  dislocate  the  eyes, 
and  yet  effectually,  so  as  to  dislodge  the  insects. 

Wire  fob  Peach  Trees  (/(/t-m).— The  best  wire  ia  galvanised  iron,  and 
No.  10  gauge  is  the  most  serviceable.  The  wires  are  best  placed  hori- 
zontally, about  4  inches  apart,  and  half  an  inch  from  the  wall,  or  from 
that  to  three  quarters  of  an  inch. 

Cloudberry— Umbrella  Pise  {GaUorray).~~lt  is  difficult  to  account 
for  the  Cloudberry  not  fruiting.  Probnblytbe  soil  is  too  rich  and  too 
moiBt.  or  not  sufficiently  drained.  The  Japanese  TTmbrella  Pine  will 
thrive  almost  anywhere,  and  we  think  yoars  do  not  from  there  being  too 
mnch  water  in  the  subsoil;  in  a  wet  soil  and  situation  it  will  not  grow, 
though  it  may  linger. 

Watering  Pelargoniums  and  Fuchsias  (A.  G.).— Yon  do  not  state 
whether  yours  are  young  or  old  plants.  If  old,  Fuchsias  will  not  require 
any  water  from  now  up  to  March,  if  the  pots  are  set  on  a  floor,  whence 
they  will  derive  sufficient  moisture  to  keep  the  wood  from  shrivelling. 
The  soil  in  the  pots  ouglit  to  be  dry  to  prevent  growth,  and  yet  tlie  wood 
maet  not  be  allowed  to  shrivel.  Old  plants  of  Pelargoniums  require 
similar  treatment;  they  should  be  kept  dry,  and  there  may  be  eases 
where  water  will  be  needed,  hs  when  the  pots  are  over  a  flue  &o  that  the 
soil  becomes  very  dry,  then  a  little  wiiter  should  be  given  to  prevent  the 
wood  shrivelling.  Young  growing  plants  of  both  Fuchsias  and  Pelar- 
goniums should  be  watered  occasionally,  and  when  necessary  to  keep  the 
foliage  from  fl:igging,  but  none  is  to  be  given  until  the  soil  becomes  dxy, 
yet  supply  it  before  the  leaves  fl^g. 

Fruit  Trees  for  Walls  and  Garden  'E.  L.). — The  wall  facing  south 
will  be  suitable  for  Apricots,  Peaches,  and  Nectarines  ;  or,  yonr  wall  space 
being  limited,  you  may  devote  a  part  of  the  south  wall  to  I'lums  and  Pears. 
The  north  aspect  will  only  suit  the  Morello  Cherry  and  Currants,  whilst 
on  the  east  you  may  have  Cherries,  Plums,  and  Pears.  In  the  open 
ground  Pears  on  the  Quince,  and  Apples  on  the  Enalish  Paradise  stock 
would  succeed  as  pyramitts  and  bn-hes,  and  so  would  Plums  Your  soil 
being  light,  you  must  top-dress  heavily  with  cool  manure,  such  as  cow 
dung,  and  water  liberally  during  dry  "hot  weather.  The  subsoil  being 
clay,  see  that  water  does  not  lodge  in  it;  if  it  do  the  ground  must  be 
prc^erly  drained  by  tile  drains  3  or  4  feet  deep,  having  a  proper  fait  and 
outlet. 

Vine  for  Cool  House  (TiUm).~X  suitable  companion  for  the  Black 
Hamburgh  is  Foster's  White  Seedling. 

Clethra  arborka  {Idem).  —  It  is  an  evergreen  shrub,  a  native  of 


Madeira,  attaining  a  height  of  8  feot,  and  requires  a  light  peaty  soil.  It 
in  rather  pretty,  having  white  flowers  at  the  end  of  summer  ;  hut  requir- 
ing, as  it  does,  tlio  protection  of  a  house  with  a  greonhouso  temperature, 
we  should  be  averse  to  having  it  in  a  limited  collection. 

Oleander  Infested  with  SrAi.p,  (A  SuhKcri})rr).~~The  leaves  sent 
us  were  badly  Inlrsted  with  the  Oleander  scale  (Aspidiotna  nerii).  The 
loaves,  if  like  those  hent,  will  fall.  We  advise  that  every  leaf,  the  stem, 
and  shoots  fihould  be  watched  with  a  sponge  in  every  part,  and  on  the 
npper  and  under  sides  of  the  leaves,  using  a  solution  of  CUrko's  Insect- 
destroying  G  mpound  at  the  rate  of  3  ozs.  to  the  gallon,  and  as  hot  as  the 
hand  can  bear. 

Azalea  Culture  (5u&«cri&er). — From  September  to  March,  and  until 
the  flowering  ia  over.  Azaleas  nh^iuld  he  kept  in  a  light  and  airy  place  in 
a  house  with  a  temperature  of  40'^  to  45^  from  fire  heat.  Aftei  flowering 
an  increase  of  temperature  should  be  given,  say  .15'^  at  uight,  and  05'^  by 
day,  with  a  riao  of  10^  or  20"^  from  sun  heat.  This  temperaturf,  with  a. 
moist  atmosphere,  ought  to  be  maintained  until  the  growth  is  complete 
and  the  buds  si't ;  then  remove  the  jilants  to  a  cool  airy  house,  affording 
plenty  of  room  and  light.  They  are  propagated  by  cutting^*,  which  should 
be  put  in  when  the  young  Hhoots  attain  their  full  length  and  have  tho 
base  rather  firm,  or  what  ia  known  as  half  ripe.  They  should  be  from 
3  to  4  inches  in  length,  cut  transversely  below  a  leaf,  and  have  the  leaves 
removed  half  way  up  the  cuttings.  Insert  them  round  the  sides  of  a  pot 
placed  in  one  of  larger  size,  and  so  that  the  rims  of  both  are  on  the  same 
level.  The  cutting  pot  should  be  well  drained  and  filled  to  within  half 
an  inch  of  the  i:im  with  sandy  peat,  and  half  an  inch  of  silver  sand  on 
tlie  surface.  The  space  between  the  pota  is  to  be  filled  with  crocks  to 
within  an  inch  of  the  rims,  and  then  finish  off  with  silver  sand.  Insert 
the  cuttings  up  to  where  the  leaves  are  left,  give  a  gentle  watering,  and 
when  drv  cover  with  a  bell-glass,  which  will  rest  on  the  sand  between  the 
pots.  Plunge  the  pot  in  a  hotbed  of  from  70^  to  75"",  keeping  close  and 
shaded.  The  cuttings  will  be  well  rooted  in  sis  weeks;  then  remove  tho 
bell-glass,  commencing  to  remove  it  by  degrees  about  a  fortnight  pre- 
viously, by  tiltiog  it  on  one  side.  When  the  young  plants  are  well  hardened 
off  pot  them  singly  in  small  pots,  and  keep  them  in  a  gentle  heat  until 
they  are  well  established  ;  then  remove  them  to  a  cool  house  or  green- 
house Peat  soil  is  necessary  for  the  successful  cultivation  of  Azaleas — 
two-thirds  peat,  one-third  loam,  and  one-sixth  each  of  old  cow  dung  and 
silver  sand  will  grow  them  well.  Scale  on  the  plants  may  be  destroyed  by 
placing  them  out  of  doors  in  summer,  but  that  being  injurious,  unless 
they  are  carefully  attended  to  with  water,  and  not  practic  ible  now, 
svringe  them  with  a  solution  of  Clarke's  Compound,  '2  ozs.  to  the  gallon, 
which  will  destroy  the  scale,  the  plants  being  thoroughly  wetted  in  every 
part.  When  growing  and  flowering.  Azaleas  require  to  be  plentifully 
supplied  with  water,  and  at  other  times  the  soil  must  be  kept  moist,  but 
only  apply  water  when  the  soil  is  becoming  dry,  and  before  the  foliage 
flags,  then  give  enouizh  to  show  itself  at  tho  drainage.  Yon  may  safely 
fumigate  the  house  with  tobacco.  It  will  not  injure  the  plants,  but  let 
the  foliage  be  dry. 

Planting  Vines  (T.  J.).— We  would  not  now  plant  the  Vines,  but  kee|i 
them  in  the  pots  as  they  are  until  the  end  of  Ffbruary,  and  as  cool  as 
possible  without  exposing  them  to  frost.  The  case  or  frame  over  the 
border  outside  will  answer  w^ll  f<^r  them,  and  the  temperature  may  be 
cool,  and  yet  not  lower  than  32",  nor  more  than  4(1''  by  allowing  the  pipes 
to  bfcome  heated.  In  planting,  the  roots  should  have  all  the  soil  shaken 
away,  and  they  should  be  disentangled  and  laid  out  straight,  spreading 
them  well  out.  Avoid  deep  planting.  Cover  the  roots  with  3  inches  of 
tine  loam— best  from  old  turf,  and  give  a  gentle  watering.  By  all  means 
plant  the  Vines  inside  if  yW  can,  and  do  not  on  any  account  turn  them 
out  in  winter.  The  Vines  will  not  sustain  any  injury  so  long  as  the  tem- 
perature from  fire  heat  does  not  exceed  4U  ,  and  it  will  be  all  the  better 
for  the  plants.  The  frame  outside  will  answer  for  winter-bedding  plants, 
and  you  may,  whether  there  are  plants  in  it  or  niit,  have  a  little  heat  in 
it  in  severe  weather  to  keep  out  frost,  but  do  not  raise  the  temperature 
to  more  than  40'^  from  fire  heat. 

Failure  of  Chrysanthemums  (St.  Brigid). — There  are  no  Chrysan- 
themums perfectly  hardy.  The  large-flowering  are  qiiite  as  hardy  as  th© 
PompoU'^.  but  both  kinds  require  to  be  protected,  or  under  glass,  to  be  safe 
—the  month  of  November  is  so  uncertain,  sometimes  mild  and  at  other 
times  frosty.  The  Chrvsantbemum  will  bear  3- or  4^  of  frost,  but  thlB 
year  we  have  had  12-  and  14  \  and  that  is  the  reason  of  your  failure. 

Analysis  of  Soil  (Cu//jc^for).— You  will  find  a  simple  mode  in  John- 
son's "Science  and  Practice  of  Gardening."  You  can  have  it  free  from 
our  office  if  you  enclose  forty  postage  stamps  with  your  address. 

Names  of  Fruits  (O.  Ramsey).— The  Pear  is  Bergamotte  Cadette,  and 
the  Apple  Baddow  Pippin.     (A.  B.,  Bromley).— I,  Broughton  :  3,  Ord's. 

Names  of  Plants  ( ). — Canavalia  ensifolia.     Chrjiaanthemmns. — We 

hfive  received  a  box  of  these  without  any  nnme  ;  but  it  is  of  no  conse- 
quence, for,  as  we  have  often  said,  we  cam^ot  name  the  varieties  of 
florists' flowers.  They  are  in  Ifgions.  (Nfmo). — i,  Habrothamnus  fasci- 
culrttus  ;  2,  PIfltyloma  rotundifolia  ;  3,  Selaginella  Martensii ;  4.  S  Lndo- 
viciana.  iP.P.) — MngnoHa  glauca.  {Jil.  R.  C.  S.).— Orchid  bloom  too 
much  crushej  to  be  identified. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  November  24th. 


Date. 

BIEOMBTBIU 

THBBUOMETER. 

Wind. 

Bain  In 
inobea. 

Oeheral  Remabes. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Max. 

Mln 

Uax. 

Mm. 

Itt.dp 

9  rt.  dp. 

Wed...  18 
ThUTfl.  10 
Fri.    ..  20 
Sat.   ..  21 
San...  22 
Hon...  23 
Taes.  .  24 

Mean 

80.249 
S0.2fi4 
80.24n 

29ras 

29.227 
29.510 
29.746 

R0.2  7 
30.143 
29.743 
29.43S 
29.160 
29.198 
29.731 

46 
47 
44 
68 
S4 
50 
46 

82 
18 
36 
37 
48 
26 
34 

44 
45 
43 
43 
4S 
47 
46 

43 
44 
44 

44 
44 
46 
46 

E. 

N.K. 

W. 

S. 

s.w. 
w. 

N.W. 

.00 
.00 
.00 
.40 
.28 
00 
.00 

Hazy,  fine;  overcast,  misty  ;  fine,  but  very  dark. 

Fine,  hazy  ;  clear  ami  very  fine ;  fine  and  clear  nt  night. 

Sharp  frost,  fine ;  very  fine,  cold  wind  ;  fine  at  nicht. 

Fine  but  cloudy  ;  boisterous  with  rain  ;  fine,  cloudy. 

Very  hoistt-rous,  rain  ;  overcast,  rain  :  fine,  damp  air. 

Overcast  and  mild  ;  cloudy  ;  clear  and  fine. 

Fine,  slightly  overcast ;  fine,  overcast    clear  and  fine. 

29.868 

29  663 

48.57 

8B.00 

44.43 

44.48 

•• 

0.68 

412 


JODBNAL   OP  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


I  November  26,  1868. 


POULTRY,  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD  CHRONICLE. 


TRIMMING— MANAGEMENT   OF   SHOWS. 

I  CUT  the  leaves  of  "our  Journal"  expecting  to  find  a  long 
list  of  opinions  and  dissertations  on  the  very  important  issue 
raised  by  "  Nemo  " — viz.,  the  trimming  of  fowls  for  exhibition, 
asd  can  only  account  for  their  non-appearance  by  the  all-ab- 
Borbing  elections.  I  write  in  the  hope  that  this  question  wiU 
be  taken  up  by  our  fanciers  at  large.  My  own  opinion  is,  that 
80  long  as  Judges  grant  the  prizes,  &c.,  to  trimmed  birds,  and 
leave  untrimmed  ones  out  in  the  cold,  trimming  will  be  prac- 
tised. No  doubt,  a  judge's  task  is  no  easy  one,  and  trimming 
ia  in  many  cases  almost  impossible  to  detect.  Take,  however, 
Brahmas.  All  breeders  know  that  it  is  next  to  impossible  to 
breed  birds  with  very  heavily-feathered  legs  and  feet,  without 
their  being  also  hocked,  and  what  I  would  ask  of  our  judges  is, 
not  to  pass  over  a  bird  shown  in  its  natural  state,  and  give  the 
prizes  to  those  birds  whose  feathers  had  been  extracted,  when 
the  birds  are  in  other  respects  equal. 

If  am  not  trespassing  too  much  on  your  valuable  space,  I 
would  like  to  say  a  word  on  the  line  "  A  Cheshire  Man  " 
allades  to.  The  fact  of  the  Secretary  exhibiting  cannot  but 
have  a  very  suspicious  appearance  in  the  eyes  of  other  ex- 
hibitors, from  his  attendance  on  the  birds,  and  knowledge  of 
the  judge,  and  most  likely  his  presence  during  judging,  and  it 
is  a  practice  which  I  hope  will  be  discountenanced. 

Finally,  I  would  like  the  managers  of  our  leading  shows  to 
allow  the  entry  list  to  remain  open  for  a  rather  longer  period, 
as  it  is  difficult  to  know  a  month  beforehand  how  birds  may 
moult  (especially  chickens),  and  which  will  turn  out  best. — 
J.  W.  C. 


the  "  Derby  Beds,"  and  from  the  "  Mexborough  Yellow  Duck- 
wings,"  crossed  with  the  yellow-legged  White  Game  hens;  and 
at  Burton  Agnes  Park,  Boynton,  near  Bridlington,  Yorkshire, 
Sir  Henry  Boynton,  Bart.,  had  some  once-celebrated  yellow- 
hackled  Blue  Dun  Game  fowls,  which  also  produced  good 
Lemon  Piles,  but  these  breeds  are  now  bred  out  or  nearly  so. 
The  true  Lemon  Piles  being  yellow  or  daw-eyed,  were  never 
such  game  birds,  I  believe,  as  the  white-legged,  red-eyed  Piles 
were,  nor  so  game  as  any  red-eyed  Piles  are,  but  the  three 
above-mentioned  strains  of  Lemon  Piles  were  certainly  the  best 
of  their  colour. 

In  the  twenty-sixth  line  from  the  bottom  of  the  second 
column,  page  3'JO,  the  fourth  word  from  the  end  of  the  line 
should  be  "  in,"  and  not  "  to." — Newmarket. 


BREEDING   PILE   AND  DUCKWING  GAME 
FOWLS. 
I  OMITTED  the  following  in  the  last  papers  on  Piles  and 
Dnckwings  : — 

The  usual  or  favourite  colour  for  the  breasts  of  Pile  Game 
hens  at  exhibitions  and  elsewhere,  is  the  "  dull  chestnut  "  or 
"  dull  clay  colour."  I  do  not  admire  the  clay-coloured  breasts 
in  Pile  hens,  and  much  more  admire  "  white  breasts  thickly 
streaked  or  veined  with  bright  red ;"  or  else  hens'  breasts 
marked  with  the  "  horseshoe-shaped  bright  red  marks  on  the 
white  ground ;"  these  horseshoe  marks  with  the  round  side 
downwards  always,  they  being  the  red  margins  of  the  rounded 
lower  ends  of  the  hen's  breast  feathers.  Hens  with  breasts 
marked  in  the  two  ways  here  described,  I  think,  are  very  hand- 
some in  their  pencilling,  far  more  so  than  any  "  clay-breasted  " 
Pile  hens  are,  and  they  also  match  the  "  red  marble-breasted  " 
Pile  cocks  much  better  than  the  dull  clay-breasted  hens  do, 
and  such  Piles  as  I  have  described,  I  consider  to  be  the  best- 
marked  Piles. 

Our  exhibition  yellow  and  willow-legged  Piles  are  all  "  made 
np,"  or  cross-bred  birds  ;  mongrels,  and  not  pure-bred  Pile 
Game.  The  pure-bred  Piles,  bred  from  Piles  with  Piles,  for 
tome  generations,  are  the  old  white-legged  Red  Piles  with  red 
eyes,  which  are  the  true  Pile  Game  fowls,  and  not  cross-bred 
birds,  and  are  also  our  "gamest"  Piles.  These  latter  are, 
however,  not  quite  such  high-coloured  bii'ds,  and,  therefore, 
not  so  good  in  colour  as  our  cross-bred  exhibition  Pile  Game 
fowls. 

In  Uke  manner  our  high-coloured  yellow  exhibition  Duck- 
wing  Game  are  all  "  made-up  "  birds,  and  cross-bred  birds  or 
mongrels  which  would  not  retain  their  high  colour,  or  transmit 
it  if  bred  with  pure  Duckwings,  as  pure-bred  Duckwings  will 
always  breed  to  Greys  or  Grey  Duckwings  if  crossed  with  their 
own  colour  instead  of  with  Keds,  but  the  crossing  with  the 
Beds  keeps  up  the  high  colour  in  Duckwing  cocks'  backs,  which, 
though  a  sign  of  impurity  of  breed,  seems  to  have  been  made 
the  chief  desideratum  at  our  exhibitions.  I  do  not,  of  course, 
mean  to  deny  that  our  exhibition  Piles  and  Duckwing  cocks 
(not  hens),  are  not  the  handsomest  specimens  of  their  colour. 

There  is  also  another  but  an  inferior  strain  of  pure-bred 
Pile  Game  fowls — the  yellow-legged  gravel-coloured  Piles  with 
yellow  eyes,  but  they  are  not  birds  of  spirit  as  compared  to  the 
white-legged  Piles.  Our  handsome  exhibition  Piles  are  mostly 
white-tailed  White-breasted  Beds,  scarcely  Pied  birds  at  all, 
as  already  mentioned. 
The  best  Lemon  Piles,  yellow  legs  and  eyes,  were  made  from 


BRAHMA  POOTR.VS'  COMBS,  &c. 

What  is  the  correct  comb  for  a  Brahma  cock  ?  This  is  a 
question  of  general  interest  to  all  Brahma  breeders  at  the 
present  day,  and  I,  for  one,  hope  you  can  obtain  and  publish 
information  on  this  point  from  some  of  our  best  judges  in  the 
Brahma  classes.  In  the  "  Standard  of  Excellence,"  published 
by  the  Poultry  Club,  I  see  as  follows  : — "  Comb,  pea;  small, 
low  in  front,  and  firm  on  the  head  without  falling  over  to 
either  side,  distinctly  divided,  so  as  to  have  the  appearance  of 
three  small  combs  joined  together  in  the  lower  part  and 
back,  the  largest  in  the  middle,  each  part  slightly  and  evenly 
serrated." 

Now,  of  all  classes  of  poultry,  the  pea-comb  is  a  peculiar  and 
marked  character  of  the  Brahma,  and,  with  a  little  unity  on  the 
part  of  the  judges,  may  undoubtedly  be  so  maintained. 

On  visitiugthe  Southampton  Show,  I  was  much  surprised  to 
see  how  very  little  regard  had  been  paid  to  the  combs  in  the 
class  for  Light  Brahma  chickens.  Even  the  bird  to  which  the 
cup  and  first  prize  were  awarded  had  a  very  large  comb,  which 
grew  very  far  back  on  the  head.  The  second-prize  bird's  comb 
was  not  at  all  firm ;  it  quite  shook  when  the  bird  moved  its 
head.  Most  of  the  other  birds  which  were  noticed  had  very 
large  combs,  and  combs  that  almost  formed  a  spike  at  the 
back ;  while  three  pens  with  combs  most  nearly  answering  to 
the  description  in  the  "  Standard  "  were  passed  without  any 
notice,  and  these  were  very  good  birds  in  other  respects,  and 
had  all  previously  been  prizetakers.  One  bird  that  was  highly 
commended  had  a  large  comb,  quite  lopping  oyer  the  side  of 
its  head.  To  the  casual  observer  it  would  appear  that  the 
comb  was  a  matter  of  very  little  moment,  instead  of  being  one 
of  the  leading  features  of  the  Brahma,  and  I  much  fear,  if  we 
cannot  persuade  our  judges  to  give  more  attention  to  this  point, 
we  shall  see  ere  long  the  neat  head  of  a  Brahma  surmounted 
by  a  comb  that  would  hardly  disgrace  a  Hamburgh. — Philip 
Crowley. 

[Either  pea  or  single  combs  are  correct  in  Brahma  Pootras, 
but  the  former  have  always  been  preferred  as  a  matter  of  fancy. 
We  have  never  heard  the  "  Standard  of  Excellence  "  considered 
an  authority  in  poultry  matters.  We  did  not  visit  the  South- 
ampton Show,  and  can,  therefore,  say  nothing  about  the 
Brahma  judging.  We  consider  the  comb  a  great  point  in  a 
pen  of  Brahmas.  Whether  single  or  pea,  all  should  be  alike, 
and  perfect  of  their  sort.  Our  idea  is  that  if  it  were  possible 
to  find  two  pens  so  precisely  alike,  that  they  should  differ  in 
nothing  but  combs,  and  in  that  respect,  save  in  shape,  should 
be  on  an  equality,  we  should  allow  the  pea-comb  to  weigh  in 
favour  of  its  possessors  ;  but  if  the  pea-combed  birds  were 
inferior  to  the  single-combed  in  other  respects,  we  should  not 
allow  them  to  be  the  first  on  account  of  their  combs.] 


DUCKS'  EGGS  DISCOLOURED. 

I  HAvii  been  wailing  for  any  explanation  that  might  be  given 
to  account  for  tha  discoloration  of  Ducks'  eggs,  complained  of 
by  Captain  Home  in  your  Journal  of  November  12lh.  I  believe 
it  is  caused  by  their  feeding  on  acorns,  and  I  have  heard  it 
attributed  to  this  cause.  My  Ducks  will  absent  themselves 
from  the  yard  for  weeks  while  the  acorns  are  abundant,  but 
they  soon  return  for  their  regular  meals  when  the  supply 
fails.— L.  B. 


ABEiiDEEN  Poultry  Show. — This  deserves  encouragement 
from  exhibitors.  Seven  silver  cups  and  three  silver  medals 
are  in  the  list  of  prizes,  besides  the  usual  money  rewards. 


November  26,  1983.    1 


JOURNAL  OF    HORTICULTURR   AND   COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


413 


The  birds  are  to  be  shown  in  pairs  or  singly.  We  regret  that 
Polandfl  are  ignored,  and  that  Coloured  Dorkinga  must  be 
shown  in  a  class  that  includes  the  White. 


NORTHUMBERLAND   ORNITHOLOGICAL 
SOCIETY'S   SHOW. 

Tms  Exhibition,  held  on  the  18th,  I'.Hh,  and  21)th  of  November,  was 
very  succcBsfu),  there  bfUiR  upwards  of  550  pens  of  Piteous,  also 
Cannries  and  other  birds.  The  Committee  offered  £;K)  in  prizes.  The 
Com  Kxchange,  in  which  the  Show  was  held,  proved  a  moat  admirable 
building  for  a  display  of  the  kind,  and,  large  as  the  number  of  entries 
was,  no  inconvenience  was  experienced  in  the  arrangement.  The  at- 
tendance of  visitors  was  good. 

Among  the  Pigeons  were  many  excellent  birds  ;  and  the  Canaries 
were  very  superior  in  quality.  Mr.  Bailey,  of  Sowcrby,  near  Thirsk, 
and  Mr.  Frost,  of  Newcastle,  exhibited  some  foreign  birds  which 
proved  a  {:?reat  attraction. 

Fanciers  of  both  Canarie?  and  Pigeons  were  not  slow  in  showing 
their  appreciation  of  the  different  classes  as  very  many  birds  were 
claimed. 

Annexed  is  a  list  of  the  awards  : — 

Pouters  (Yellow).— Cocfe^.— First,  R.  Fulton,  Deptford,  Second,  A. 
Wright,  MorninRside,  Edinburgh.  Hens. — First,  A.  H.  Stewart.  Second, 
H.Brown,  Wnlkeley,  Sheffield.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton;  G. 
Mc  Kenzie,  Loanhead. 

Pouters  iBlackJ.—Coefc*.— First.  A.  H.  Stewart,  Eirrainsham.  Second, 
R.  Fulton.  ITerw.— First  and  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Very  Highly  Commended, 
A.  H.  Stewart. 

PocTEUs  (Red).— Coefca.— First,  S.  Robson,  Brotherton.  Second  and 
Commended,  R.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Bell.  Newcastle  ;  A. 
Wright ;  A.  H.  Stewart.  Hens.— Firat  and  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Highly 
Commended,  A.  H.  Stewart. 

PouTEBB  (Blue).— First,  R.  Fulton.  Second.  A.  H.  Stewart.  Highly 
Commended,  R.  Fulton;  J.  Hawley,  Bingley;  H.  Simpson,  Sffank  House. 
Hen*.— First,  J.  Hawley.  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended.  R. 
Fulton;  H.  Simpson;  C.  Vaux,  Sunderland.  Commended,  J.  Grant;  M. 
Sanderson. 

PocTEHa  (White). ^ Co eks. — First  and  Very  Highly  Commended,  R. 
Fulton.  Second  and  Flighly  Commended.  J.  Grant,  Edinburgh.  Bens. — 
First  and  Second,  R.  Fulton.    Commended,  J.  Grant. 

PoOTERS  (Any  other  colour).— Coci.?. — First,  R.  Fulton.  Second,  M. 
Sanderson,  Edinburgh  (Mealy).  Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton;  A.  U. 
Stewart  (Mealy) ;  F.  Key,  Beverley  (Mealy).  Hens.— First,  M.  Sanderson 
(Splash).  Second,  E.  Brown,  Sheffield.  Highly  Commended.  W.  Moon, 
Edinburgh  (Chequer);  M.Sanderson  (Mealy).  Commended,  F.J.  Leach; 
C.  Vaux  (White  with  Black  tail). 

Carrierb  (Black).— Cof  Am.— First  and  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Highly  Com- 
mended, R.  Fulton :  T.  Colley,  Sheffield  ;  W.  R.  &  H.  O.  Blenkinsop,  New- 
castle ;  F.  J.  Leach,  Middlefebrough.  Hens. — First,  R.  Fulton.  Second, 
.r.  Thompson,  Wide  Open,  Newcastle.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton  ;  F, 
J.  Ijeach. 

Carjiiers  (Anv  other  colour). — Cocks. — First  and  Second,  R.  Fulton. 
Highly  Commended,  T.  Colley;  J.  C.  Ord,  London  (White  and  Blue). 
Herw.— Firflt  and  Second,  R.  Folton.  Highly  Commended,  W.  R.  &  H.  O. 
Blenkinsop. 

Tcmblers  (Almond  and  Short-faced). — First,  J.  Fielding,  jun.  Se- 
cond and  Verv  Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Hawley;  H.  Yardley,  Birmingham ;  F.J.  Leach;  J.  Pringle,  Newcastle; 
C  Vaux.     Commended,  Baxter  &  Daniels,  Newcastle. 

Tumblers  (Any  other  colour  and  Short-faced). — First,  R.  Fulton.  Se- 
cond, J.  Fielding,  jun.,  Rochdale.  Highly  Commended,  W.  H.  C.  Gates, 
Besthorpe,  Newark  (Blue^Eeard) ;  C.  Vaux  (Yellow  Mottles) ;  Baxter  and 
Daniels  (Kites). 

Tdmblebs  (Almond  and  Short-faced).— First,  R.  Fulton.  Highly  Com- 
mended, F.  Key  ;  C.  Vaux. 

ToMBLERS  (Almond  and  Common). — First,  C.  Harrison.  Second,  J. 
Kelso.    Highly  Commended,  T.  C.  Taylor,  Middlesbrough. 

TcJTBLERS  (Mottles,  Self-colours  and  Common).— First,  J.  Hawley.  Se- 
cond, R.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended,  W.  Petre,  Felling,  Gateshead  ;  J. 
Hawley. 

Tumblers  (Bearded  and  Common). — First,  J.  Fielding,  jun.  Second, 
J,  Thompson,  BioRley.  Highly  Commended,  W.H.  C.  Gates  ;  H.  Morrow, 
Gateshead  ;  T.  Milne,  Newcastle. 

Tdmblers  (Bald-headed  and  Common). — First,  J.  FieldijiR,  jun.  Se- 
cond, H.  Morrow.  Highly  Commended.  J.  W.  Edge  ;  W.  R.  &  H.  O. 
Blenkineop  ;  F.J.  Leach;  J.  Pringle  ;  R.  Fawdon,  Gateshead;  J.Fielding, 
jun.     Commended,  R.  Fulton;  J.  Hawley. 

Barbs  (Black). — First,  W.  B.  Van  Haansbergen.  Second,  R.  Fulton. 
Highly  Commended,  G.  Chamley,  Preston;  F.  J.  Leach;  R.  Fawdon. 
Commended,  E.  Brown. 

Barbs  (Any  other  colour). — First,  J.  Firth,  jun.,  Dewebury,  Second, 
E.  Homer,  Harewood,  Leeds.  Very  Highly  Commended,  G.  Fawdon, 
Gateshead.  Highly  Commended,  G.  Charuley  (Dun);  Baxter  &  Daniels. 
Commended,  F.  J.  Leach  (Red). 

Jacobins  (Red  or  Black).— First,  J.  Thompson.  Second,  J.  B.  Pinder, 
Harpurhey.  Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  B.  Pinder  ;  W  B.  Van  Haansber- 
gen, Newcastle  ;  E.  Homer.  Highly  Commended,  E.  E.  M.  Royds,  Roch- 
dale ;  R.  Fnlton;  E.  Brown;  W.  B.  Van  Haansbergen.  Commended,  J. 
W.  Thompson,  Hull;  W.  R.  &  H.  O.  Blenkinsop;  ti.  Yardley,  Birming- 
ham ;  C.  Vaux. 

jACOBras  (Any  other  colour).— First,  E.  Homer.  Second,  F.  Key 
(Yellow).  Highly  Commended,  J.  W.  Edge;  J.  and  W.  Towerson, 
Egremont. 

Fantailb  (White). — First,  J.  Smellie,  Wishaw.  Second,  J.  Hawley. 
Highly  Commended,  W.  Petre  ;  W.H  Tomlinson,  Newark-on-Trent ;  W. 
R.  Park,  Melrose  ;  T.  Martin  ;  F.  J.  Leach  ;  W.  B.  Van  Haansbergen  ;  G. 
Fawdon. 

Fantatls  (Any  other  colour).— First.  J.  W.  Edge.  Second,  T.  Martin, 
Edinburgh  (Blue).  Highly  Commended,  H.  Y'ardJcy  (Blue) ;  J.  Fielding, 
jun. 


Tbumpktkhb  (Mottled).— First  and  Second,  E.  Homer.  Highly  Com- 
monded.  W.  H.  C.  Gates  ;  J.  Firth,  jun. 

Trdmpetkrs  {Any  other  colouri. -First,  W.  H.  C.  OateH  (White); 
Second,  E.  Homer.     Highly  Commended,  J.  Firth,  jnn  ;  E.  JI(»mor. 

Owls  (Blue  or  Silver).— Firft,  J.  Fiirlding,  jun.  Second,  W.  R.  A  IL  O. 
Blenkinsop.     Highly  Commended.  N.  Dunn  ;  W.  R.  A  H.  O.  Rlcnkinfop, 

Gwi.H  (Any  other  colour).— First  and  Second,  J.  Fi^Ming,  jnn.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Thompson  (White);  Miss  F.  Hasten  (Blue  tailed  White) ; 
W.  B.  Van  Ilaunsborf^'en  (Black-taikd  Whitej.  Commended,  Misa  F. 
Easten,  Hull  (lilack  tailed  White). 

Nuns  (Any  otjlour).— First,  W.  Croft,  Killinghall.  Second,  A.  B.  Bailey, 
Shooters  Hill,  Ijongton.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Thompwon  ;  U.  Beldon, 
Goitstoek;  J.  Bell,  Newcastle  ;  F.J.  Leach  (Black)  ;  E.  Homer;  T.Bailey, 
S«werby. 

Runts  (Any  colour).— First,  S.  Robson.  Second,  H.  Yardley.  Highly 
Commended,  W.  B.  Van  Haansbergen. 

Dragoons  (Any  colour).— First,  R.  Wilson  (Blue).  Second,  —  Challoner, 
jnn.  Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  W.  Edge  ;  V.  Sale,  Derby  (White). 
Highly  Commended,  H.  Morrow  (Blue);  P.  Stephenson,  Gateshead 
(•ilver) ;  F.  J.  Leach.     Commended,  Capt.  C.  B.  Fisher,  Aberdeen. 

Magpies  (Any  colour).- First,  E.  Horner.  Second,  P.  Stephenson 
(Black).  Highly  Commended,  T.  Martin  (Yellow);  F.  J.  Loach  (Blue  and 
Black) ;  J.  Sharp,  .Johnstone,  N.B. 

TuRBiTS  (Crested  or  Shell  crowned).— First,  F.  Sale  (Red).  Second,  H". 
Yardley.  Highly  Commended,  J.  W.  Edge  ;  J.  &  W.  Towerson  (Rod) ;  W. 
B.  Van  Haansbergen  (Red  and  Yellow) ;  R.  Siddall,  Sheffield ;  J.  Thomp- 
son.   Commended,  E.  Homer. 

TuKBiTS  (Point-headed,  or  Peaked).— First.  E.  Homer.  Second,  R. 
Fawdon,  Very  Highly  Commended,  F.  J.  Leach  (Yellowj ;  E.  Homor  ;  J. 
Fielding,  jun.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Thompson  ;  Pickering  &  Marshall 
Driffield  (Red).  Commended,  A.  B.  Bailey  (Blue);  T.  Bailey  (Blue);  T. 
Martin  (Red);  F.  J.  Leach  (Red);  W.  Longmoor,  South  Bhields  (Blue); 
R.  Fawdon. 

ToBBiT.s  (Plain-headed).— Prize,  J.  Thompson. 

Pigeons  fAny  other  variety).— First,  E.  Norman,  Northampton.  Se- 
cond, E.  Homer.  Highly  Commended,  H.  Beldon  (German);  A.  H. 
Stewart  {Japanese  Terns);  J.  Hawley;  W.R.Park;  H.  Yardley.  Com- 
mended, J.  T.  Stott,  jun.,  Alnwick  (Antwerps). 

Selling  Class  fob  Pigeons.— First,  A.  H.^tewa^t.  Second,  J. Hawley. 
Highly  Commended,  H.  Beldon;  T.  Bailey;  W.  Moon  ;  J.  Hawley  ;  G. 
Charnley,  E*reston ;  H.  Yardley  ;  C.  N.  Lythe,  Cottingham,  near  Hull ; 
R.  Siddall,  Sheffield.  Commended,  E.Brown;  W.  Moou ;  C.N.  Lythe; 
T.  Bailey. 

CANARIES. 

Belgian  (Clear  Y'ellow). —First,  J.  Miller,  Newcastle.  Second,  T. 
Bennett,  Newcastle.     Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  Baxter,  Newcastle. 

Belgian  (Clear  BuflF).— First,  J,  Baxter.  Second,  J.  Howey,  Bertley, 
Durham.  Very  Highly  Commended,  R.  Hawman,  Middlesbrough.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Bexson,  Derby.    Commended,  T.  Bailey. 

Belgian  (Variegated  or  Marked  Yellow).— First,  J.  Besson.  Second, 
Very  Highly  Commended,  and  Commended,  J.  Baxter.  Highly  Com- 
mended, W.  Petre. 

Belgian  (Variegated  or  Marked  Buff).- First,  J.  Bexson,  Hexham.  Se- 
cond, J.  Baxter.  Very  Highly  Commended,  W.  H.  Phillips.  Highly  Com- 
mended, R.  Hawman. 

Don  (Clear  Yellow  Glasgow).— First,  J.  Snulsby,  Newcastle.  Second 
and  Very  Highly  Commended.  G.  Nicholson,  Newcastle. 

Don  (Clear  Buff  Glasgow).— First,  J.  Soulsby.     Second,  G.  Nicholson. 

Norwich  (Clear  Yellow).— First,  J.  Bexson.  Second.  J.  Wynn,  North- 
ampton. Very  Hifihly  Commended,  G.  Moore,  Northampton.  Com- 
mended, T.  &  J,  Irons,  Northampton, 

NoawicH  (Clear  Bufft.  — First,  G.  Moore.  Second  and  Very  Highly 
Commended,  T.  &  J.  Irons.     Highly  Commended,  J.  Bexson. 

NoEWiCH  (Variecatedor  Marked  Yellow).— First,  G.  Moore.  Second,  J. 
Wynn.  Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  Smart,  Newcastle.  Highly  Com- 
mended, R.  Hawman.     Commended,  F.  Johnson. 

Norwich  (Variegated  or  Marked  Buff).— First,  J.  Wynn.  Second,  R. 
Hawman. 

LizABD  (Golden-spangled).— First  and  Second,  J.  Taylor.  Very  Highly 
Commended,  F.  J.  Leach.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Hawman.  Com- 
mended, A.  Ufton,  Wishaw,  N.B. 

Lizard  (Silver-spnuKled).— First  and  Commended.  R.  Hawman.  Se- 
cond, J.  Taylor.  VeryHi^hly  Commended,  J.N.Harrison,  Belper.  Highly 
Commended,  F.  J.  Leach. 

Dun  (Yellow  Cinnamon).— First,  T.  &  J.  Irons.  Second,  S.  Tomes, 
Northampton.  Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  Wynn,  Northampton.  Highly 
Commended.  R.  Hawman.    Commended,  G.  Moore. 

Dun  (Buff  Cinnamon).— First,  G.  Moore.  Second,  J.  Wynn.  Very 
Highly  Commended,  S.  Tomes.  Highly  Commended  and  Commended,  T. 
Dobaon,  Newcastle. 

Dun  (Variegated  or  Marked  Yellow).— First,  J.  Wynn.  Second,  G. 
Moore.  Very  Highly  Commended  and  Highly  Commended,  3.  Tomes, 
Northampton. 

Dun  (Variegated  or  Marked  Buff).— First,  Second,  and  Commended,  J. 
Baxter.  Very  Highly  Commended,  8.  Tomes.  Highly  Commended,  G 
Atkinson,  Gateshead. 

Clear  Gbeen.— First,  J.  Smart.  Second,  L.  Billclnff.  Very  Highly 
Commended,  T.  Dobson.  Highly  Commended,  S.  Atkinson.  Commended, 
J.  Baxter. 

Common  (Buff  Fonr-Marked).—Fu-3t,  J.  Baxter.  Second,  R.  Hawman. 
Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  Stephens,  Middlesbrough.  Highly  Com- 
mended, R.  Heel.    Commended,  G.  Atkinson. 

MULES. 

Goldfinch  Mule  (Buff).— First,  R.  Heel.  Second,  G.  Atkinson.  Very 
Highly  Commended,  L.  Billcluff. 

Goldfinch  Mulf.  (Dflrk).—First,  J.  Robson.  Second  and  Very  Highly 
Commended,  F.  J.  Leach.    Highly  Commended,  T.  Dobson, 

Any  other  Mule.— Firet,  S.  Tomes.  Second,  J.  Baxter.  Very  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Bexson. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Goldfinch.- First,  R.  Heel.    Second,  J.  Miller. 

Linnet.— First,  W.  Petre.    Second,  A.  Hogg,  Newcastle. 

The  Judges  were  T.  J.  Charlton,  Esq.,  of  Bradford,  for  Pigeons,  and 
Mr.  T.  Clark,  of  Sunderland,  for  Canancs,  &c. 


414 


JOURNAL   OF  HOBTICULTUBE   AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEK. 


[  November  26,  1868. 


FEEDING  BEES  IN  WINTER. 
Bees  may  be  kept  alive  and  well  in  winter  by  Bcooping 
the  pith  out  of  pieces  of  elder,  leaving  the  ends  closed,  and 
filling  one  or  two  for  each  stock  with  either  honey  or  moiBtened 
sugar.  It  would  not,  perhaps,  do  where  bees  are  kept  on  a 
large  scale,  but  it  is  very  simple,  and  the  food  should  be  sup- 
plied daily.    They  will  take  it  readily. — L.  B. 


LARGE  HIVES. 


Notwithstanding  the  very  able  manner  in  which  Mr.  Petti- 
grew  has  advocated  the  use  and  efficiency  of  his  large  hives,  in 
page  333,  and  the  emphatic  manner  in  which  he  condemns 
other  hives  as  being  almost  utterly  inadequate  for  the  accom- 
modation of  a  swarm  of  bees  and  their  honey,  in  spite  of  the 
abundant  harvests  that  have  been  obtained  from  what  we  may 
call  improved  hives,  but  which  appear  to  be  in  his  eyes  quite 
the  reverse,  I  think  his  letter  may  bear  a  little  criticism,  and 
wonld  submit  to  your  readers  a  comparison  of  the  different 
iives. 

I  shall  first  take  into  consideration  the  circumstances  under 
■which  a  hive  is  most  likely  to  prosper  in  the  spring,  and  as 
the  management  of  wooden  hives  has  already  been  described, 
and  tbey  have  been  proved  to  be  in  no  way  inferior  to  straw 
ones,  I  will  pass  over  Mr.  Pettigrew's  remarks  condemnatory 
of  wooden  hives,  and  will  confine  myself  to  the  suhjeet  of  their 
size,  showing  the  advantages  and  disadvantages  of  large  hives, 
or  the  disadvantage  of  large  and  advantage  of  small  ones. 
Even  in  the  case  of  the  largest  and  strongest  hives  which  I 
ever  possessed  (and  I  have  had  them  equal  to  250  lbs.  in  the 
season),  I  have  found  that  two  Stewarton  body  boxes,  or  one 
stock  box  of  a  frame  hive,  held  the  whole  of  the  bees  of  these 
monster  hives  at  the  end  or  in  the  fall  of  the  year.  Now  it  is 
evident  that  by  the  spring  the  bees  will  again  have  dwindled 
considerably  ;  and  if  they  are  at  this  time  in  a  large  hive  they 
must  labour  under  a  very  great  disadvantage,  from  occupying 
only  a  small  part  of  the  hive  in  comparison  with  its  size.  The 
bees,  not  being  able  to  keep  up  a  proper  degree  of  warmth,  are 
restricted  to  breeding  in  a  very  much  less  space  than  if  they 
v?ere  in  a  smaller  hive  which  is  capable  of  being  enlarged  at 
will  and  as  need  requires.  This  is  the  advantage  of  the  Stew- 
arton hive  not  being  over-wide.  The  bees  are  able  to  spread 
themselves  from  side  to  side,  and  then  a  proper  heat  is  engen- 
dered, and  breeding  goes  on  much  more  rapidly  than  in  a  hive 
that  is  of  a  larger  diameter  than  the  bees  can  cover.  A  Stew- 
arton hive  of  two  boxes  each,  G  inches  deep,  or  a  Woodbury 
frame  hive,  contains  cells  enough  for  a  queen  to  lay  2000  eggs 
daily,  with  a  little  space  for  honey  and  pollen.  Now,  as  queens 
do  not  lay  that  number  of  eggs  until  April  or  May,  I  cannot 
see  any  advantage  in  having  large  hives  before  that  time,  but 
would  then  give  a  nadir,  which  will  render  the  hive  capable  of 
containing  some  honey  and  pollen,  as  well  as  cells  enough  for 
hatching  3000  eggs  daily  ;  and  what  more  can  be  required  ?  as 
until  we  put  on  supers  nothing  more  can  be  done.  Thus  much 
for  our  emaU  hives,  whereas  large  stock  hives  require  a  long 
time  ere  supers  can  be  put  on  ;  and  as  honey,  pollen,  and  brood 
lie  quite  contiguous  to  each  other,  no  proper  separation  of 
them  can  be  effected  without  a  lamentable  sacrifice  of  empty 
combs,  pollen,  and  brood  with  the  honey  ;  besides  which,  many 
more  eggs  are  wasted  in  a  hive  that  is  too  large  than  in  one  of 
smaller  dimensions. 

When  Mr.  Pettigrew  speaks  of  the  Ayrshire  or  Stewarton 
hives  being  too  small,  he  evidently  knows  but  little  about  them. 
The  fnot  is,  they  are  practically  without  limit,  and  what  more 
would  he  have  ?  He  then  says  that  if  these  hives  were  "  pro- 
perly managed  much  more  honey  would  be  obtained."  We 
shall  all  hail  the  lesson  with  delight  when  Mr.  Pettigrew  teaches 
us  how  to  manage  them  properly;  but  I  would  state  emphati- 
cally that  the  world  has  not  yet  produced  in  quantity  and 
quality  honey  equal  to  that  obtained  from  the  Stewarton  hive ; 
and  I  am  certain  if  Mr.  Pettigrew,  as  well  as  the  Carluke 
people,  would  but  adopt  the  Ayrshire  hives,  and  only  half 
manage  them,  they  would  find  them  much  more  profitable,  and 
would  then  be  able  to  send  first-class  honeycomb  to  the  market, 
whilst  the  inferior  run  honey  which  they  now  produce  would 
gradually  disappear. 

I  need  scarcely  notice  the  statement  Mr.  Pettigrew  has  made 
as  to  the  superiority  of  his  hives,  since  I  need  do  nn  more  than 
refer  to  the  one  described  by  "  A  PvEnfrkwshire  Bee-keepek  " 
in  page  293,  and  to  many  more  on  the  Fame  principle  that  have 
attained  weights  far  exceeding  those  described  by  Mr,  Petti- 


grew. By  all  means  give  bees  free  communication  with  their 
supers,  but  I  see  no  use  in  giving  bees  so  much  room  to  pass 
as  he  describes.  Any  communication  equal  in  size  to  the 
doorway  of  the  hive  is  large  enough.  Anything  beyond  that 
tends  to  the  production  of  brood  and  pollen,  with  blackened 
comb,  in  the  supers. 

I  hope  your  readers  will  observe,  that  although  I  detest  the 
use  of  large  stock  hives,  I  also  condemn  all  small  hives  not 
capable  of  being  enlarged.  I  recommend  small  stock  hives 
with  adequate  means  for  enlarging,  instead  of  large  stock  hives, 
as  being  on  the  progressive  system ;  whilst  Mr.  Pettigrew  is 
certainly  retrograding,  as  I  have  hives  similar  to  those  described 
by  him  laid  aside  very  many  years  since,  and  neighbouring  bee- 
keepers have  in  their  possession  large  hives,  with  dates  nearly 
half  a  century  back,  describing  their  weight  at  that  time  as 
being  so  heavy  that  it  took  two  men  to  lift  them.  Notwith- 
standing all  this,  large  stock  hives  ought  to  be  regarded  as 
things  of  the  past — at  least  they  will  be  so  by — A  Lanakkshihe 
Bee-keepeb. 


OUR  LETTER  BOX. 

HocDANS  AND  Hameurghs  AS  LAYERS  {M.  C.).— We  believe  Hambarghs 
will  lay  more  tgt?s  than  Houdans,  but  the  Houdans'  eggs  are  larger.  We 
once  knew  a  hen  that  laid  240  eggs  in  a  year.  She  never  laid  again, 
and  died  Boon  afterwards.  This  is  the  only  instance  we  have  known  in 
many  years,  and  we  do  not  believe  in  birds  laying  such  numbers.  It  is 
against  nature,  and  we  hold  it  to  bo  quite  impossible.  Creve-Ccenrs  are 
great  layers,  and  lay  very  large  eggs.  We  quite  agree  with  you  that  it 
would  be  better  if  people  would  count  their  eggs  instead  of  guessing  at 
the  numbers. 

Matched  Birds  in  a  Pen  (An  Exhibitor). — It  is  essential  to  snecess 
that  fowls  match  well.  We  should  consider  perfection  of  shape  more 
important  than  absolute  similarity  in  every  feather,  and  should  also  look 
for  size  and  weight,  as  tbey  are  points  in  lirahmas.  Given  that  there  are 
no  glaring  faults  of  feather,  we  should  place  shape  and  weight  before 
colour.  Recollect  that  small  Brahmas  show  at  a  great  disadvantage. 
Eschew  vulture  hocks. 

Crushed  Oats  (G.  V.  C.  O.).— These  are  as  good  for  fowls  as  ground 
oats. 

Silver-spanglbd  Hambubghs  fE.  .^1.).— We  should  prefer  No.  1.  The 
tail-coverts  are  not  so  important  as  the  sickle,  which  seem  to  be  equally 
good  in  both.  No.  2  seems  to  bo  deficient  in  respect  to  size  and  comb. 
The  laced  feathers  do  not  disqualify.  It  is  a  serious  defect  in  a  pullet  to 
have  a  light  hackle.  Choose  the  clear  tails  with  moony  tips,  dark  hackles, 
and  well,  regularly  mooned  bodies.  Avoid  patches  either  of  white  or 
black.    The  deaf-eare  must  be  white. 

Partridge  or  Geodse  Cochin-Chinas  (F.  C.).— White  marks  in  the 
ear-lobes  of  a  Cjrduse  Cochin  cock  will  not  disqualify.  Yellow  ones  are 
very  common.  If  yuur  cockerel  at  seven  months  weighs  9^  lbs.,  he  is 
rather  above  than  under  the  mark,  and  is  an  excellent  bird  so  far  as 
weight  is  concerned.  They  should  be  perfect  at  twelve  months,  and  in 
their  prime.  The  second  cockerel  you  mention  is  unfit  for  competition. 
He  is  dit^qualihed  by  the  brown  feathers,  and  an  indifferent  comb  is  a 
grave  fault. 

Keeping  Ducks  (C.  Jael-«on).— You  may  keep  Ducks  in  any  place  where 
they  can  have  an  outlet,  either  into  a  yard,  or  to  garden  ground  or  grass 
land,  they  require  but  little  water,  and  are  by  no  means  dninty.  It  is 
not  nece  ■  y  to  keep  a  drake,  unless  you  intend  to  set  the  egga.  You 
will  find  ctions  for  their  management  in  the  "Poultry  Book  for  the 
Many,"  which  you  can  have  free  by  post  from  our  office  for  seven  postago 
stamps. 

FfiADDs  at  Poultry  Shows  {A  Suffolk  3Ian).— We  shall  be  obliged  by 
your  stating  your  name  and  midress,  as  well  as  the  name  of  the  person 
who  acted  so' fraudulently.  We  shall  make  use  of  neither  without  your 
permission,  but  to  publish  such  a  statement,  merely  potntiijg  to  "the 
eastern  counties,"  is  castiug  suspicion  on  many. 

Chester  Poultry  Show.— Mr.  Jas.  Smith  writes  to  us  that  he  took 
the  second  prize  for  Spanish,  and  not  Mr.  Walker. 

Lost  Pigeons  (T  Newell). — We  do  not  think  that  you  could  recover 
the  value  of  the  lost  Piaenus  from  the  Committee  of  the  skiptou  Show; 
In  the  first  plac^,  you  acknnwledged  that  you  must  submit  to  the  loss  by 
oftering  a  reward  for  the  recovery  of  the  birds;  but  even  if  you  had  not 
done  so,  we  think  committees  neither  are,  nor  ought  to  be.  liable  for  lost 
birds,  unless  gross  carelessness  can  be  proved,  for  eshibitimis  are  not 
for  the  benefit  of  the  commiitees.  but  for  the  benefit  of  the  exhibitors. 

Belgian  Rabbits  {D.  of  H.I.— These  are  the  same  as  the  so-called 
Hare-Habbit».  The  Andaiusian  is  the  largest  breed.  It  is  much  culti- 
vated about  Paris  under  the  n^me  of  the  Ram  Rabbit.  Any  variety  can 
be  bred  next  spring.    We  cannot  name  either  dealers  or  prices. 


POTTLTRY    MARKET.— November  25. 

The  demand  for  evervtbing  is  deplorable,  and  sales  can  hardly  bo 
effected  for  any  but  the  cboicest  goods.  We  have  seldom  or  never  seen 
such  continued  stagnatiMn. 


a,  d  8.  d 

Large  Fowls 2  6  to  3  0 

Smaller  do 2  0  2  6 

Chickens    1  6  1  9 

Geese  *^  0  7  0 

Duclcs 2  0  2  6 

Pigeons 0  8  0  9 


8,  d  S.  d 

Pheasants    2    0  to  2    6 

Partridges    19  2    0 

Hares 2    0  2    6 

Rabbits , 14  15 

Wilddo «    8  0  10 

Grouse 2    6  3   0 


December  8,  1888.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTIGDLTUBE  AND  COTTAGE   QABDENKK. 


415 


WEEKLY   CALENDAR. 


DaT 

Day 

of 

of 

Mouth 

Week. 

S 

Ta 

4 

F 

6 

S 

6 

Stm 

7 

M 

8 

Tn 

9 

W 

DECEMBER  8-9,  1868. 


Meeting  oj  Liuueaa  Society,  8  p.m. 
2  Sdnday  is  Advent. 


Meeting  of  Royal  MicroscopicalllSociety, 

[3  P.M. 


Average  Temperature 

Rain  In 

last 
U  years. 

San 

Snn 

near  London. 

Rises. 

Sets. 

Day. 

NiKht. 

Mean. 

Davfl. 

m.      h. 

m.    h. 

47.1 

35.8 

41.2 

23 

48  at  7 

61  ate 

48.0 

36.1 

42.0 

18 

61      7 

60      8 

48.8 

84.9 

41.9 

24 

52      7 

60      3 

48.2 

8S.7 

42.4 

20 

68       7 

50      8 

48.6 

8St8 

42.7 

20 

54      7 

60      8 

47.0 

83.9 

40.4 

18 

65       7 

49      8 

46.8 

S5.S 

41.0 

17 

56      7 

49      8 

Afoon 
Rises. 


Moon 

Sots. 


1  9 
16  10 
38  11 
morn. 
49      0 

6      2 


m.  h 
40  10 
25  11 
after. 
81      0 


69 
24 
60 


Moon's 
Age. 


Days. 
19 
20 
21 
( 
28 
24 
25 


Clooli 
after 
Sun. 


9  48 

9  24 

8  69 

8  8.S 

R  7 

7  41 

7  14 


DaT 

of 
year 


838 
889 
840 
841 
842 
343 
841 


From  observations  takon  near  London  dnrint;  the  last  forty-one  years,  the  average  day  temperatnre  of  the  woeli  is  47  8  ;  and  its  nlsht 
temperature  35.6.  Tho  greatest  heat  was  60",  on  the  7th,  1861  ;  and  the  lowest  cold  14  ,  on  the  6tb  and  Ctb,  1841.  The  greatest  fall  of 
rain  was  1.02  inch. 


OUT-OF-DOORS   GRAPES. 

UDGING  by  the  many  fine  old  Vines  that 
are  to  be  met  with  on  walls  and  houses 
throughout  the  country,  it  would  seem  that 
Grapes  have  been  much  more  cultivated  in 
the  open  air  in  times  gone  by  than  they  are 
at  the  present  day.  The  practice  of  growing 
Grapes  in  the  open  air  seems  to  have  gone 
out  of  fashion  of  late  years.  It  is  very  sel- 
dom indeed  that  we  see  or  hear  of  vineyards 
or  the  planting  of  Vines  at  the  present  day 
anywhere  excepting  uuder  glass.     Why  is  this  '.' 

That  certain  kinds  of  Grapes  can  and  may  be  cultivated 
in  the  open  air  in  this  country  with  a  fair  amount  of  suc- 
cess, if  px'oper  attention  be  paid  to  them,  is  tolerably  cer- 
tain. In  a  few  spots,  indeed,  they  are  stQl  largely  cultivated, 
aa  at  Mr.  Darkin's  vineyard,  IJury  St.  Edmunds,  and  the 
Rectory,  Woodstock  (by  Mr.  Fenn),  both  for  use  as  dessert 
fruit  and  for  making  wine  ;  but  these  are  exceptions. 
Grapes,  it  is  true,  are  more  abundantly  cultivated,  and 
enjoyed  in  far  greater  quantities,  than  they  ever  have  been, 
but  that  is  owing  to  cheap  glass,  ground  \'ineries,  orchard 
houses,  &c.  It  is  to  be  regretted,  however,  that  the  open- 
au-  cultivation  of  the  Vine  should  be  neglected,  as,  however 
cheap  glass  and  glass  structures  may  be,  and  plentiful  and 
good  as  the  suppl}'  of  Grapes  is,  they  are  not  within  the 
means  of  every  one.  I  am  sorry  to  note  the  disappearance 
of  the  familiar  Vine  from  the  walls  of  our  gardens  and 
houses,  especially  from  those  of  the  dwellings  of  the  humbler 
classes.  I  like  to  see  cottages  with  Vines  trained  against 
them,  and  loaded  with  tlie  clusters  of  the  temptiug-looking 
fiiiit ;  and  how  much  more  pleasant  it  is  to  eat  the  Grapes 
of  one's  own  growing,  although  they  may  not  be  quite  so 
fine  as  those  that  may  be  purchased.  In  ordinary  seasons 
reaUy  excellent  Grapes  can  be  cultivated  on  the  open  wall 
with  very  little  attention,  which,  however,  is  rarel}',  very 
rarely,  bestowed  on  them.  I  have  tasted  Royal  JMuscadine 
Grapes,  both  this  season  and  last,  equal  to.  yea,  better 
than,  those  that  are  ordinarily  supplied  for  dessert  at  the 
restaui-ants  in  Paris.  If  oiu-  summer  be  unusually  cold 
and  wet,  as  it  sometimes  unfortunately  is,  and  the  Grapes 
may  not  become  sweet  enough  for  table,  then  wine,  good, 
wholesome,  spai-kling  Champagne,  can  be  made  from  them, 
such  as  was  enjoyed  by  the  Fruit  Committee  from  Mr. 
Lovegrove,  of  Maidenhead,  and  such  as  I  have  tasted  with 
Mr.  Frost,  of  Dropmore. 

The  Rev.  George  Kemp  did  good  service  in  furtheruig 
the  cultivation  of  the  Vine  in  the  open  air,  by  offering 
special  prizes  for  the  fruit  so  produced  at  tho  meeting  of 
the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Fruit  Committee  on 
October  aoth.  It  was  a  happy  idea  of  Mr.  Kemp,  and  a 
more  favourable  season  for  such  an  exhibition  could  not 
possibly  have  been,  it  having  been  almost  tropical  in  its 
character,  and  particularly  well  suited  for  Grapes.  The 
exhibition  at  South  Kensington,  however,  although  the 
examples  and  exhibitors  were  numerous  enough,  was  not 
a  very  successful  one.  I  have  seen  better  Grapes  in  many 
parts  of  the  country,  and  I  believe  if  this  exhibition  were 
No.  401.— Vol.  XV.,  New  Sbbies. 


repeated  better  Grapes  would  be  submitted.  Some  of  the 
examples  were  handsome  enough  in  appearance,  and  others 
wei'e  excellent  in  flavour,  but  taken  as  a  whole,  they  were 
below  par.  Few  of  them,  I  daresay,  had  had  much  atten- 
tion bestowed  upon  their  cultivation,  but  being  by  chance 
presentable,  were  in  due  course  exhibited.  Now,  I  should 
like  to  do  away  with  this  chancework,  and  have  a  little 
attention  bestowed  on  them,  so  as  to  produce  a  desired 
result  the  same  as  with  Grapes  under  glass.  Of  those 
exhibited  at  South  Kensington,  the  collection  which  dis- 
played the  greatest  cultural  skill  and  care  was  that  of  Mr. 
Lynn,  of  Hedsor  Gardens,  which  was  awarded  the  second 
prize  ;  they  were  Black  Hamburglis  remarkably  well  grown, 
clean,  and  good.  They  were,  however,  inferior  in  flavour 
to  tlie  Ro^al  Muscadine  exhibited  by  Mr.  Foster  and 
Mr.  Eai'Iey.  which  obtained  the  first  prize ;  Mr.  Kemp's 
object  in  oil'ering  the  prizes  not  being  so  much  the  calling 
forth  of  cultural  skill  in  the  production  of  any  variety,  as 
to  discover  wliich  of  the  many  varieties  is  the  Grape  most 
suited  to  open  air-cultivation. 

Rijyiil  Muscadine. — This  has  been  approved  as  the  best 
out-door  Grape.  Judging  of  its  value  by  flavour  aa  a  des- 
sert fruit,  combined  with  constitution  and  appearance,  it  is, 
in  my  opinion,  the  most  useful  variety,  and  that  which  I 
always  recommend  for  planting  iu  the  open  air.  It  is  of 
a  very  hardy  constitution,  and  fruits  very  freely,  the 
bunches  being  of  good  size,  and  the  fruit  generally  ripen- 
ing pretty  well.  This  is  the  same  Grape  as  is  cultivated 
so  largely  in  France,  and  sold  in  tlie  streets  under  the 
name  of  Chasselas  de  Fontainebleau  ;  it  is  also  the  most 
common  white  variety  in  this  country  in  open-air  cultiva- 
tion. Sometimes  it  is  called  White  Chasselas,  but  more 
frequently  confounded  with  the  AVhite  Sweetwater.  'When 
grown  in  the  open  air,  the  sides  of  the  berries  next  the  sun 
are  generally  much  covered  with  a  cinnamon  russet.  In- 
deed, jMonsieur  will  not  purchase  or  enjoy  liis  Grapes 
unless  tlipy  are  thus  discoloured  ;  to  him  it  is  a  mark  of 
excellence,  iu  which  I  believe  he  is  right,  to  us  a  blemish. 

Having  stated  these  opinions  on  the  open-air  cultivation 
of  the  Vine,  and  named  the  one  best  adapted  for  the  pur- 
pose, as  far  as  my  knowledge  goes,  I  shall  now  pass  in 
review  some  other  varieties  which  have  come  under  my 
own  observation,  and  which  are  frequently  recommended 
for  out-door  duty. 

Ilutcli  Saeetwaler. — Tiiis  variety  ripens  its  fruit  well  ; 
the  berries  are  large,  and  they  are  of  very  good  flavour, 
and  sweet.  Its  great  fault  is  its  setting  badly.  If  it  could 
but  be  made  to  set  its  fruit  thoroughly,  instead  of  a  strag- 
gling berry  here  and  there,  it  would  prove  the  most  valuable 
of  all.     As  it  is,  it  cannot  be  depended  on. 

Black  Hamhurtili. — In  warm  seasons  this  is  an  excellent 
variet}',  producing  an  enormous  crop,  but  it  seldom  colours 
well.  Last  season  being  warm,  it  was  iu  many  places  first- 
class.     Recommended  for  makhig  wine. 

Black  Prince — This  is  a  very  taldng  Grape,  producing 
bunches  of  large  size,  which  ahva3's  colour  well,  and  look 
very  handsome.  It  will  colour  quite  black,  although  not 
half-ripe,  the  berries  frequently  being  quite  acid  and  sour. 
Even  when  ripe  and  in  its  best  character,  it  is  not  pleasant 

No.  1«53.— Vol.  XL.,  Ois  SBUsa. 


41C 


JJUKNAL  OK  UOKTICULTCBai   AND  COTTA.GE   OAxtLENEH. 


[  Docembor  3,  ise& 


to  eat,  being  very  leathery  and  thick-skianed.  Useful  for  pro- 
ducing quantity,  but  quite  tliird-rate  in  quality.  Cambridge 
Botanic  Garden  is  tbe  same  as  Black  Prince,  having  succeeded 
well  in  that  garden,  bence  its  name. 

F.sjdmn,  or  Espcrione  as  it  ia  commonly  but  erroneously 
called,  is  a  much-vaunted  hardy  Grape,  yet  I  have  never  tasted 
a  berry  of  it  from  a  plant  in  the  open  air  that  was  much 
better  than  a  sloe.  It  colours  well,  and  has  the  appearance  of 
being  good,  yet  it  is  not  bo.  When  grown  in  heat  under  the 
best  conditions,  this  Grape  is  not  worth  eating.  It  has  received 
much  praise  as  an  excellent  hardy  Grape,  to  which  it  can  lay 
no  claim  whatever.  It  was,  I  believe,  the  late  Mr.  Donald 
Beaton  who  first  gave  it  this  false  character  ;  he,  with  his  usual 
fire,  extolling  it  to  the  very  skies,  not  knowing  at  tbe  time  that 
the  subject  of  all  his  praise  was  not  the  Esperione  at  all,  but 
simply  a  fine  example  of  the  true  Black  Hamburgh.  Although 
not  at  all  suited  for  dessert,  it  is  an  excellent  wine-making 
variety. 

Miller's  Buryundij. — This  is  a  very  hardy  and  free-fiuiting 
variety.  The  bunches  are  rather  small,  but  very  numerous, 
and  the  berries  small,  and  very  closely  packed  together. 

Black  Cluster,  Port  Wine  or  Cluret,  and  Black  July,  are 
all  very  similar  to  the  preceding,  and  of  about  equal  merit, 
the  last  somewhat  earlier,  and  perhaps  not  quite  so  sweetly 
flavoured.  In  ordinary  seasons  these  ripen  well,  and  are  very 
good  in  flavour ;  the  berries  just  a  little  too  small,  and  so 
crowded  together  that  it  ia  diilicult  to  make  a  commencement 
on  a  bunch.  All.  of  them  are  excellent  for  making  wine,  and 
deserving  of  cultivation. 

IVIiitc  Froiitignan,  Black  Frnntirjnan. — I  have  found  both 
of  these  do  exceedingly  well  against  a  wall.  Their  flavour  is 
naturally  rich  and  piquant.  Even  when  only  half  ripe  they 
are  considerably  so,  and  are  very  pleasant  to  eat ;  just  the 
reverse  of  Black  Prince  and  Espirau  in  that  respect. 

In  addition  to  these  there  are  the  following,  which,  I  believe, 
would  prove  valuable,  and  well  suited  for  open-air  culture,  all 
of  them  being  early  ;  but  I  have  as  yet  had  but  little  oppor- 
tunity of  proving  them  myself — viz.,  1,  Early  Siiumur  Frontig- 
nan  ;  2,  Early  White  Malvasia  ;  3.  Pitmaston  White  Cluster ; 
4,  Chasselas  Hatif  de  Tonueiu.  The  second  is  the  same  as 
the  Grove-End  Sweetwater,  an  excellent- flavoured  sort;  the 
fourth,  a  few  days  earlier  than  it — indeed,  tbe  earliest  white 
Grape  I  am  acquainted  with,  small  in  berry,  but  sweet.  There 
are  scores  of  other  varieties  of  the  small  French  Chasselas  and 
MuEcats  that  are,  perhaps,  equally  well  adapted  for  the  pur- 
pose, but  as  Grapes  attaining  their  full  perfection  in  the  open 
air  in  this  country,  there  would  be  little  distinction  in  point 
of  flavour  from  those  iu  tbe  same  classes  which  I  have  already 
enumerated,  which  are  those  in  most  genei-al  cultivation  through- 
out northern  France  and  Germany. 

All  Vines  are  hardy  ;  some  are  of  more  succulent  growth  than 
others,  and  the  wood  requires  a  greater  degree  and  a  longer 
duration  of  heat  to  become  ripened  thoroughly — that  is  con- 
stitution. But  the  tenderness  or  otherwise  of  the  Vine  lies  not 
there  so  much  as  in  the  fruit  itself ;  in  short,  in  its  early  or 
late-ripouing  properties.  A  Grape,  when  said  to  be  hardy, 
simply  receives  the  character  of  ripening  its  fruit  earlier,  and 
with  a  less  amount  of  heat  than  another.  There  are  some 
which  will  not  set  their  fruit  freely,  excepting  in  a  high  tem- 
perature, such  as  the  common  Muscfts;  but  with  few  excep- 
tions, the  most  of  our  Vines  will  just  produce  as  many  Grapes 
in  the  open  air  as  in  the  warmest  vinery.  Our  summers, 
however,  being  usually  so  low  in  temperature  and  so  short, 
there  are  but  few  varieties  of  Grapes  that  ripen  sufficiently 
to  become  eatable.  They  are,  however,  suitable  for  a  certain 
kind  of  wine,  unless  the  summer  be  unusually  cold,  when 
some  sorts  refuse  even  to  swell  their  berries.  The  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  itself  has  produced  hero  on  the  open  wall  almost 
every  year  a  good  crop  of  fruit,  flue  large  bunches  and  berries ; 
yet  the  fruit  is  never  eatable,  always  acid  and  sour.  Only 
once  have  I  detected  any  traces  of  the  true  Muscat  flavour 
in  it. 

In  advocating  tbe  cultivation  of  the  Vine  iu  the  open  air,  let 
it  not  be  imagined  that  I  recommend  it  in  any  case  where 
glass  structures  can  be  secured.  Our  English  climate  is  usually 
too  cold  for  any  great  amount  of  success  or  satisfaction  over 
being  attendant  on  such  a  method.  Where  glass  can  be  used, 
whether  in  the  form  of  our  common  vineries,  orchard  bouses, 
or  ground  vineries,  I  say,  Adopt  them,  and  not  be  dependr.ut 
on  securing  a  single  bunch  of  Grapes  from  Vines  planted  in 
the  open  air  ;  yet  there  are  hundreds  of  places  throughout  the 
country  where  no  assistance  from  glass  can  be  obtained,  but 


where  there  may  still  be  a  little  space  to  spare  on  a  wall,  or  the 
end  of  the  dwelling-house,  as  in  our  smaller  villa  gardens  aad 
in  those  of  tbe  working  classes.  In  such  cases  a  Vine  or  Vines 
may  be  planted,  and  by  a  little  ordinary  attention  a  tolerably 
decent  lot  of  Grapes  may  be  grown.  Independently  of  the  fruit, 
the  Vine  is  a  very  ornamental  plant  in  itself  for  the  covering 
of  bare  walls,  Ac.  See  how  well  Vines  grow,  and  how  noble 
they  look  in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Gardens,  South 
Kensington,  where  they  have  been  planted  to  hide  the  beautiful 
and  costly  brick  arcades  !  These  Vines  have  been  planted  but 
a  few  years,  and  they  are  annually  loaded  with  beautiful  fruit. 

To  secure  success  in  the  cultivation  of  Vines  in  the  open 
air,  it  is  just  as  necessary  for  them  to  be  planted  iu  a  well- 
prepared  border  as  in  any  other  case,  and  that  the  same 
attention  should  be  given  to  their  pruning  and  training  as  is 
ordinarily  practised  in  the  best-managed  vineries — matters 
which  are  very  seldom  thought  of,  the  Vines  being  just  planted 
in  any  sort  of  soil,  and  allowed  to  ramble  as  they  will.  The 
great  enemy  to  the  Vine  in  the  open  air  is  mildew,  which  is 
sometimes  very  difficult  to  subdue,  yet  by  continued  applica- 
tions of  sulphur  it  can  be  kept  in  check  out  of  doora  as  well  as 
under  glass. 

I  have  been  induced  to  offer  these  few  remarks  on  this  sub- 
ject through  having  been  applied  to  for  information — 1st,  As 
to  whether  Grapes  sufficiently  good  for  dessert  can  be  culti- 
vated with  any  success  in  tbe  open  air  in  this  country?  2nd, 
If  BO,  which  is  the  best  variety  for  that  purpose  ?  In  answer 
to  tbe  first  question  I  sum  up  my  remarks,  and  say  that  certain 
varieties  can ;  to  the  second,  that  the  best  Grape  for  open-air 
cultivation  ia  the  Eoyal  Muscadine. — Archameaud. 


CORDONS,  BUSHES,  PYRAMIDS. 

Under  the  above  heading  there  is  to  be  found  in  "  our 
Journal  "  of  the  l"2lh  of  March  last,  page  198,  an  interesting  and 
sensible  letter,  signed  "  C.  C.  E."  To  that  letter  on  the  2t)th 
of  March,  page  231,  Mr.  Kivers  wrote  a  reply,  and  "  C.  C.  E." 
followed  with  a  rejoinder  on  the  IGtb  of  April,  page  291. 
At  the  close  of  the  first  letter  referred  to,  "  C.  C.  E."  promised, 
if  wished,  to  give  at  some  future  time  fuither  notes  on  his 
experience  in  fruit-growing.  Will  "  C.  C.  E."  now  make  good 
his  offer  ?  The  fruit  season  may  now  be  said  to  be  fairly  over, 
and  an  instalment  will,  I  am  sure,  assist  iu  fulfilling  the  ob- 
jects of  your  Journal, 

There  is  a  remark  in  the  second  letter,  suggesting  that  Mr. 
Eivers's  plantation  of  Cox's  Orange  Pippin,  with  tbe  trees  3  feet 
apart  each  way,  is  more  curious  than  desirable,  more  of  a 
mere  horticultural  feat  than  a  system  to  bo  followed  by  the 
ordinary  fruit-grower.  I  quite  agree  with  the  writer  here,  and 
I  am,  therefore,  tbe  more  curious  to  know  whether  his  addi- 
tional experience  has  confirmed  this  view  or  not.  Also,  if  he 
would  state  the  area  and  aspect  of  his  ground,  and  snme  further 
particulars  of  his  watering  arrangements,  I  think  his  commu- 
nication would  bo  the  more  practical. — Coiinukia. 

[In  answer  to  the  foregoing  "  C.  C.  E."  writes  as  follows  : — 
"  I  had  intended,  partly  from  lack  of  time,  partly  because  the 
season  of  18i'/8  has  been,  as  far  as  my  experience  goes,  so  dis- 
astrous to  biennial  removers  of  fruit  trees,  to  remain  silent 
on  this  subject  for  the  present;  but  when  so  courteously 
challenged  by  '  Cobnueia,'  I  gladly  take  pen  in  hand  in 
answer  to  hi?  inquiries  and  in  fulfilment  of  my  promise,  ask- 
ing him  and  all  to  remember  that  this  is  but  my  sixth  year's 
practice,  and  that  I  am  a  learner  and  not  a  teacher  in  the  school 
of  Pomona. 

"  To  begin  in  order,  my  eighteen  cordon  Pear  trees  on  a 
boarded  fence  having  been  planted  two  years  were  lifted,  and 
in  order  to  make  room  for  new  leaders,  reduced  to  twelve. 
This  season  two  fruit  of  Williams's  Bon  Chictien  and  six  of 
Doyenne  d'EtS  were  the  sole  produce.  Alas  !  how  short  of  the 
(by  some)  expected  crop  of  twelve,  or  even  six  fine  fruit  each. 

"  Nest  I  turn  to  my  plantation  of  122  bushes  en  Paradise  and 
Quince  stocks,  planted  in  18G5.  Most  of  these  were  lifted  last 
winter.  Of  the  crop  I  cannot  spenk,  there  was  none  worthy 
the  name.  Fourteen  bushes  of  Cox's  Orange  Pippin  produced 
one  fruit  (G  ozs.),  and  an  abortion ;  Keddlcaton  Pippin  and 
Normanton  Wonder,  a  few  sickly  fruit,  which  seemed  reproach- 
fully to  bewail  their  lost  roots,  and  occasioned  many  reflections 
on  Dame  Nature  and  '  lifting.'  Williams's  Bon  ChrC'tien  and 
Beurre  de  Capiaumont  stood  the  operation  best,  but  looked  far 
from  healthy.  A  peck  b.'iiket  would  have  more  than  contained 
the  whole  produce  of  122  bushes;  but  as  most  of  these  were 


Ddcomber  8, 1868.  ] 


JOOBNAL  OF  HORTlCOIiTUKE  AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEB. 


417 


left  for  three  years  without  any  interference  with  their  rootB, 
this  plantation  cannot  be  coneidered  as  fairly  repretenting  the 
resnlta  of  biennial  lifting. 

"  In  another  plantation  of  3-12  mixed  fruit  trees,  nearly  all 
were  lifted  last  winter,  having  stood  two  years.  They  bloomed 
finely,  and,  book  in  hand,  1  daily  noted  their  peculiarities— 
continuance  in  bloom,  appearing  of  leaf ;  size,  position  of  bloom, 
&c.,  and,  in  fact,  counted  the  chickens  which  were  never 
hatched.  Frosts  came  and  destroyed  some  sorts.  That  did 
not  matter,  there  were  others  to  bloom,  and  eventually  there 
was  every  appearance  of  an  abundant  crop  after  the  frost  had 
departed  ;  and  as  long  as  my  water  supply  lasted  the  engine 
worked  and  defied  the  drought  on  the  half  of  the  plantation 
which  it  commanded  ;  but  when  water  failed  us  the  trees  had 
no  strength  to  continue  their  efforts,  and  the  crop  dropped  off, 
leaving  only  a  few  odd  fruits  here  and  there — for  example, 
eight  trees  of  Kivers's  Early  Prolific  i'lum  ripened  twenty- 
seven  fruit,  and  twelve  of  Jiiamond  forty-two  fruit.  These 
were  by  far  the  most  prolific  of  any  ;  two  medium-sized  school- 
boys ate  the  whole  produce  of  more  than  fifty  trees  without 
any  apparent  effort  or  inconvenience.  Benrtf  giis  d'Amboise, 
a  Pear  whose  leaves  precede,  and  so  protect  its  blossoms,  bore 
a  fair  crop,  whilst  all  the  trees  not  lifted,  seven  BeurrO  de  Ca- 
pfaumont  and  forty-five  Apples,  had  good  fruit  for  their 
diminutive  size. 

"  And  now  we  pass  to  another  mixed  plantation  of  seventy- 
one  trees,  mostly  on  Pear  and  Crab  stocks,  two  years  old,  and 
mostly  lifted  a  la  Jiiiers  last  winter.     These  are  in  a  worse 
plight  than  those  on  the  Quince  and  Paradise ;   many  have 
been  in  cj-trcmis,  fome  are  not  sale  now.     No  tree  that  was 
lifted  matured  a  fruit,  but  of  the  sixteen  not  lifted  two  did 
well.     A  Beurre    Clairgeau   produced  sixteen    fruit,  weighing  I 
ItJ  lbs.     This  tree  is  4  feet  1  incli  high  (measuring  to  the  last 
jiruuing),  and  ou  the   Quince  stock  ;  the  other,  a  Beurre   de  ! 
Capiaumont,  4  feet  3  inches  high,  on  the  Crab,  produced  sixty  j 
very  handsome  fruit,  and  is,  in  fact,  the  most  perfect  pyramid 
that  I  have  ever  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing. 

"  My  garden  of  fruit  trees  is  about  two  acres  iu  extent,  and 
faces  south.  If  '  CoKNUiuA '  desires  more  particulars  of  my 
arrangements  for  watering  than  are  to  be  fo\md  in  page  'Jill,  to 
which  he  refers,  I  will  gladly  give  him  any  information  privately 
through  Ihe  Editors.  I  lefrain  from  saying  more  on  that 
subject,  because  my  method,  though  suited  to  my  particular 
location,  is  not  capable  of  general  application. 

"  My  '  additional  experience  '  has  fully  confirmed  my  previous 
conclusiuD,  that  it  is  a  mistake  to  dwarf  trees  so  much  as  to 
confine  them  to  one  square  yard.  I  regard  it  as  an  interesting 
horticultural  teat,  and  if  they  were  to  prove  productive  even 
proportionately  to  their  size,  taking  one  year  with  another,  I 
would  ttrm  it  a  triumph  ;  but  when  once  the  idea  of  sub- 
stantial produce  is  contemplated,  my  expeiience  teaches  me 
that  such  dwarfing  is  an  absurdity. 

"  And  now  may  I  be  pardoned  a  few  more  general  remaiks. 
Since  last  my  initials  appeared  in  these  pages  I  have  had  the 
great  pleasure  of  making  the  personal  acpiaintance  and  re- 
ceiving the  known  hospitality  of  Mr.  Eivers,  who,  with  the 
most  friendly  courtesy,  showed  me  over  his  extensive  gardens 
and  nurseries.  I  confess  my  first  '  point '  was  his  planta- 
tion of  eight  year-old  Cox's  Orauge  Pippins,  which  I  viewed 
with  curiosity  and  a  satisfaction  free  from  envy  ;  but  I  could 
not  help  remembering  the  remark  of  a  rustic,  when  a  few 
weeks  previously  we  witnessed  in  a  circus  the  extraordinary 
performances  of  a  child  fome  eight  or  ten  years  old,  '  Zur,'  he 
said,  '  that's  a  strange  bairn,  that  be,  for  a  young  un,  but  he 
weant  never  grow  up  worth  nowt.'  Next,  having  read  of  Mr. 
Rivera's  recent  triumph,  I  went  with  much  interest  to  his 
Cherry  orchard  house,  and  had  I  travelled  from  Lincolnshire 
for  that  express  purpose,  I  should  have  felt  amply  repaid  by 
the  sight  ;  nor  did  my  satisfaction  end  here,  for  having  fully 
Batisfied  the  most  capacious  fruit  appetite,  I  could  perceive  no 
sensible  diminution  in  the  crop.  1  shall  not  attempt  to  describe 
the  mar.y  things  of  interest  to  be  seen  at  Sawbridgeworth,  but 
cannot  help  noticing  the  endless  acres  of  beautiful  clean-grown 
young  fruit  trees,  enough  to  provoke  any  one  to  embark  in  their 
cultivation,  but  will  conclude  with  a  remark  or  two  which  this 
last  season's  experience  suggests. 

"  I  consider  that  every  bush  or  pyramid  requires  lifting  in  the 
second  year  after  planting,  that  its  roots  may  be  set  in  order 
once  for  all ;  the  long  straggling  roots  without  rootlets  save  at 
the  extremities,  which  I  find  are  produced  in  all  soils,  no 
matter  how  rich,  being  cut  back  quite  home.  After  this  I 
liouli  never  lift  again,  but  check  over-luxuriant  growth  by  root- 


pruning,  first  on  one  side,  and  then  on  the  other.  This  does 
not  give  the  tree  so  great  a  check  as  to  endanger  the  succeeding 
crop.  The  earlier  this  is  done  in  the  autumn  after  the  leaves 
begin  to  drop  the  better.  My  present  method  of  planting  is 
to  place  the  trees  (i  feet  apart  each  way  in  quincunx  order,  to 
dig  a  trench  between  the  rows  from  left  to  right  one  year,  and 
from  right  to  left  the  next ;  thus  two  sides  of  each  tree  are 
accessible,  and  the  roots  cut  if  necessary  every  season  ;  and  the 
trench  being  filled  in  and  well  manured  a  good  crop  of  Lettuces 
or  other  vegetable  is  obtained,  aud  no  ground  wasted.  Mean- 
while the  trees  are  encouraged  to  grow  as  much  as  they  will, 
consistently  with  the  production  of  short- jointed  wood,  and  fruit 
spurs.  In  time  they  will  entirely  occupy  the  ground,  leaving,  of 
course,  no  room  for  rows  of  vegetables,  and  thus  I  have  every 
confidence  in  the  success  of  bush  fruit-tree  culture.  I  now 
again  remind  my  readers  that  lam  a  learnerand  not  a  teacher  ; 
I  simply  state  the  results  of  my  experience  and  tha  conclusions 
they  have  led  mo  to,  and  until  I  have  learnt  something  very 
different  from  what  I  now  believe,  there  will  bo  no  more 
biennial  removals  perpetrated  by— C.  C.  E."] 


BARBAUEA  VULGARIS  VAUIEGATA. 

Some  of  the  readers  of  the  .Journal  who  are  in  the  habit  of 
furnishing  their  flower  beds  in  winter  with  evergreen  plants 
and  other  odds  and  ends,  may  not  be  aware  of  the  highly 
ornamental  appearance  of  this  old  herbaceous  plant  during 
that  season. 

It  is  the  single  yellow  Eocket  in  a  variegated  form,  the 
leaves  being  beautifully  blotched  and  marbled  with  white.  It 
presents  one  of  the  most  notable  instances  with  which  I  am 
acquainted  of  the  unvarying  reproduction  of  variegation  by 
seed.  In  a  large  bed  of  it,  which  I  sowed  last  spring,  not  a 
single  green-leaved  plant  could  be  found. 

To  have  it  fit  for  planting  in  October,  seed  should  be  sown 
about  the  end  of  March,  somewhat  thinly,  as  every  one  will 
vegetate,  and,  if  necessary,  the  plants  sliould  afterwards  be 
thinned  out  to  6  inches  apart.  When  transferred  to  the  flower 
garden  good  balls  should  be  taken  with  them,  otherwipe  the 
leaves  are  apt  to  assume  for  some  time  a  rather  brownish  hue. 
Two-year-old  plants  are,  however,  better  than  these.  After 
they  have  flowered  and  the  stems  have  been  cut  away,  they 
throw  up  a  profusion  of  nearly  white  leaves  in  autumn,  which, 
under  any  circumstances,  except  looking  up  among  the  snow, 
have  a  very  attractive  appearance. 

It  seeds  as  freely  as  any  other  Cress,  so  freely,  indeed,  that 
if  not  cut  over  in  time  it  becomes  rather  a  nuisance,  the  little 
piebtld  seedlings  coming  up  everywhere,  even  ou  the  hard 
gravel  walks.  When  and  where  it  originated  I  have  never 
learned,  but  it  is  an  old  plant,  and  common  enough  in  many 
cottage  gardens,  although  very  seldom  met  with  elsewhere; 
nor  do  1  ever  recollect  seeing  it  mentioned  iu  any  seedsman's 
catalogue. — Aykshike  Gardener. 


TRENTHAM   BI-ACK   GEAPE, 

Seeikg  your  remarks  in  page  389  with  regard  to  the  keeping 
qualities  of  this  Grape  not  being  equal  to  those  of  the  Black 
Hamburgh,  and  as  my  experience  is  somewhat  different,  I  will 
state  it.  I  have  four'rods  ot  it  full  of  fruit  at  the  present  time. 
Four  years  ago  I  found  this  Vine,  as  well  as  others,  not  in  a  very 
flourishing  state,  the  roots  being  confined  to  the  inside  of  the 
house,  owing  to  the  arches  having  been  built  up.  As  soon  as 
I  could  I  had  the  arches  cleared  out,  and  commenced  making  a 
new  border,  so  as  to  encourage  the  Vine  root<  outside.  The 
result  is,  at  the  present  time  tlie  Vines  are  in  splendid  health, 
and  bearing  fine  crops  of  Mu.-cat  of  Alexandria,  Muscat  Ham- 
burgh, and  Trentham  Black  Grapes. 

Now  to  return  to  the  Vmes  four  years  ago,  when  confined 
to  the  inside  of  the  houte.  In  the  following  summer,  being 
desirous  of  housing  as  good  Grapes  as  possible  under  the  cir- 
cumstances, the  inside  border  received  copious  supplies  of 
liquid  manure  from  the  cow  yard,  and  the  Vines  improved  very 
much,  the  Grapes  swelling  as  well  as  could  be  desired,  the 
Trentham  Black  being  fine.  To  make  sure  of  a  good  "  finish," 
more  strong  water  was  given  just  as  the  Grapes  began  to  colour ; 
the  result  was  that  the  Treutham  Black  went  as  you  have  de- 
scribed. Bought  experience,  however,  is  generally  useful ; 
therefore  in  the  following  season  the  Vines  were  tieated  the 
same  as  in  the  previous  year  up  to  the  time  of  stor  ing,  when 
water  was  completely  withheld  from  the  Trentham  Black,  and 


418 


JOURNAL  OP  HOBTICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


[  December  8,  1868. 


only  given  once  or  twice  to  the  Muscats.  The  result  was  that 
not  a  cracked  berry  was  to  be  peen  ;  but  the  means  of  heating 
the  houses  was  being  alteied  from  the  old  flues  to  hot  water, 
and,  as  usual  in  all  such  undertakings,  the  alterations  were  a 
month  or  six  weeks  after  the  stated  time  before  they  were 
finished,  so  that  the  Treutham  Black  Grapes  did  not  keep 
longer  than  a  short  time  after  Christmas.  In  the  present 
season,  however,  the  Grapes  in  this  house,  as  I  stated  before, 
are  all  that  can  be  desired,  for  the  roots  have  gone  the  whole 
length  of  the  new  border;  and  at  the  time  I  write  the  Trent- 
ham  Black  Grapes  are  as  black  as  eloes,  and  fine  both  in  bunch 
and  berry.  I  shall  be  very  much  mistaken  if  they  do  not  hang 
good  till  the  beginning  or  middle  of  February;  indeed,  in  such 
high  esteem  is  Trentham  Black  held  here,  that  in  ev^ry  vinery 
that  is  fresh  planted  it  must  have  a  place. — James  Stewakt, 
Nvneham  Park. 

MUSHROOM   CULTURE. 

I  T.\KE  the  present  opportunity  to  thank  yon  for  the  advice 
you  gave  me  on  the  growing  of  Mushrooms.  I  iTia,de  my  first 
bed  with  the  material  I  named  in  my  note — chiefly  the  long 
itter  from  the  stable — which  I  hnd  thrown  into  a  hc-p  to 
ferment  itself  dry,  with  a  coating  of  IJ  or  2  iuclies  of  droppings 
on  the  surface.  I  spawned  tlie  bed  when  at  about  71",  and 
earthed  it  at  the  same  time  with  about  2  inches  of  light  turfy  soil. 
The  result  is  that  I  have  now,  in  about  seven  weeks  after 
spawning,  as  fine  a  bed  of  Mushrooms  as  any  one  could  wish 
to  see.  I  have  since  made  two  more  beds  tutiiely  of  Jroppings. 
with  a  little  of  the  short  litter;  the  one  has  been  spawned 
about  three  weeks,  and  tho  other  has  had  the  last  coat  of  drop- 
pings put  on  to-day ;  but  if  these  turn  out  as  well  as  the  first 
I  shall  be  quite  satisfied. 

I  write  this  for  the  encouragement  of  a  correspondent  who, 
a  few  weeks  back,  was  asking  for  information  on  this  subject, 
and  stated  that  "he  had  read  all  that  had  been  written  in 
'  our  Journal,'  and  had  tried  several  times,  but  never  had  any 
Mushrooms."  I  may  state  that  I  am  quite  a  novice  in  the 
affair  myself,  never  having  made  a  Mushroom  bed  in  my  life 
before,  neither  had  I  ever  seen  oiia  made ;  but  I  worked  as 
nearly  as  possible  according  to  the  directions  you  gave  me,  and 
by  what  I  had  read  from  time  to  timo  in  "  our  Journal ;"  and 
I  think  if  your  correspondent  will  do  similarly  he  will  soon 
have  plenty  of  Mushrooms. — Agakious. 


COMPARISON  OF  THE  SUMMERS  OF  im:,  AKD 
1808. 
Now  that  the  growing  part  of  the  year  1868  may  be  regarded 
as  at  an  end,  a  retrospect  of  its  advantages  and  disadvantages, 
may  not  be  out  of  place,  e;f  ecially  at  a  time  when  so  many  are 
either  disposed  to  disparage  it  too  much,  or  run  into  'be  op- 
posite extreme  of  giving  it  too  glowing  a  character.  As  its 
favourable  points  may  be  best  made  apparent  by  comparing  it 
with  another  season,  I  have  selected  1805  as  being  within  easy 
memory,  and  as  being  usually  considered  a  good  year.  In  the 
following  comparison  of  figures,  it  will  be  perceived  that  in  one 
of  the  main  features  the  two  more  nearly  approximate  to  each 
other  than  might  be  expected,  and  that  feature  is  heat,  in  which 
it  is  supposed  by  some  that  the  pRst  summer  has  been  hitherto 
unapproached.  A  brief  attention  to  figures,  however,  shows 
that  the  average  day  temperatuie  in  the  shade  forthe  five  sum- 
mer months  of  1865,  presents  an  absolutely  greater  amount  of 
heat  than  the  average  of  the  same  months  during  the  past 
summer.  It  is  true  the  diileience  is  but  small,  about  one- 
tenth  of  a  degree,  but  the  fact  is  suflieient  to  reverse  what  idea 
we  might  have  formed  of  the  extraordinary  heat  of  July.  This 
difference  of  day  temperature  is,  however,  more  than  compen- 
sated by  the  warmth  of  the  nights,  as  compared  with  1805,  the 
average  being  fully  1'  to  the  advantage  of  the  present  year. 
Many  people  would  suppo.=e  the  summer  of  1868  ought  to  have 
presented  a  much  greater  diiierence,  and  so  it  would  had  the 
average  been  taken  at  the  end  of  August,  instead  of  a  month 
later,  for  it  will  be  remembered,  as  well  as  shown  by  the  ac- 
companying figures,  that  September,  1865,  was  an  extraordi- 
narily warm  month,  much  more  so,  taking  the  advanced  period 
of  the  year  into  consideration,  than  the  past  July,  notwith- 
standing its  tropical  heat.  Now,  this  being  the  ease,  and  last 
September  not  being  in  any  way  remarkable,  the  average  for 
the  two  summers  has  been  almoft  equalised,  not  but  that  a 
considerable  difference  must  have  resulted  from  the  heat 
occurring  this  year  in  July,  instead  of  in  September,  and  the 


advantages  of  the  one  summer  as  compared  with  the  other 
offer  a  subject  for  consideration,  which  may  be  advantageously 
entered  upon,  after  duly  examining  the  accompanying  tables. 

The  first  table  simply  shows  the  mean  maximum  and  mini- 
mum temperature,  a=:  taken  daily  at  this  place  for  the  five 
months  from  May  to  September,  in  each  year;  and  the  second 
table. simply  gives  the  rainfall  during  the  same  months  in  each 
year. 

TEMPERATURE. 

1865. 
Mean  mas.  Meanmin. 

May 70.93  4B.2S 

Juue 7673  48.46 

.July 77.10  61.51 

.\ngust 73.80  50.50 

Soiitember 78  OS  5S.18 


Average  for  1865  75.218 


49.966 


1868. 
Mean  max.  Mean  min. 

May  7049  45.61 

Juno 74.17  49.00 

Jnly 81.38  55.45 

August 74  71  53.74 

September 74.83  51.18 


Average  for  1368 ' . . 

I860. 

May 

Jane 

75.116 

RAINFALL. 

Inches. 

2.89     . 

1,17     . 

8.48     . 

5.26     . 

008     . 

12.88 

1868. 

50.986 

Inches. 
. .     1.9a 

..     0.51 

July 

..     0.68 
..     2.80 

September    

Total  five  months 

. .     2.70 

8.06 

Having  already  described  the  difference  in  the  average  tem- 
peniturea  of  the  above  periods  in  1865  and  1868  as  being  very 
[■mall,  the  same  certainly  cannot  be  said  of  the  rainfall  of  these 
years,  and  as  this  is  as  important  an  element  for  the  welfare  of 
vegetation  as  heat,  it  is  tolerably  evident  there  must  have  been 
considerable  difference  in  the  character  of  the  two  years.  1865 
was  here  (Linton  Park)  the  wettest  year  I  have  on  record,  more 
rain  falling  by  an  inch  and  half  than  in  1860,  but  it  was  much 
better  distributed,  and  the  summer  being  hotter  it  seemed  that 
no  more  fell  than  was  wanted. 

Now,  the  question  is,  Have  we  had  as  much  rain  during  the 
past  summer  as  we  thought  was  needful  for  vegetation  ?  I  fear 
the  many  prayers  and  anxious  wishes  put  forth,  proved  that  in 
cur  opinion  at  least,  more  rain  during  the  hot  months  of  June 
and  July  would  have  been  acceptable,  but  as  it  was  not  so,  we 
mast  compare  the  two  seasons  as  they  were,  the  one,  1865,  a 
moist,  warm,  growing  summer ;  the  other,  1868,  a  hot,  dry 
summer,  ripening  and  perfecting  well  everything  that  had 
arrived  at  sufficient  matmity  before  the  effects  of  the  dry 
weather  were  felt.  It  is  not  unlikely  that  our  ideas  of  the 
merits  of  the  respective  seasons  will  be  guided  by  the  compa- 
rative importance  we  may  attach  to  the  crop  that  was  growing 
and  the  one  that  was  ripening.  In  1805,  two  good  crops  of 
hoy  were  obtained  where  only  one  indifferent  one  was  produced 
in  1808,  and  the  same  observation  holds  good  as  to  other  crops; 
On  the  other  hand,  the  ripening  of  tender  subjects  out  of  doors 
during  the  past  summer,  has,  perhaps,  never  been  exceeded 
before,  that  is,  where  such  arrived  at  maturity  before  the  at- 
mosphere began  to  cool — by  the  middle  of  September.  Since 
then  the  temperature  has  not  differed  from  that  of  ordinary 
seasons,  but  the  earth  being  warmer  than  ustial  from  the  great 
heat  of  July,  tropical  or  subtropical  vegetation  continued  to 
thrive  from  the  accumulated  heat  in  the  ground,  until,  that 
being  expended,  farther  advance  in  growth  was  not  to  be 
expected. 

Even  in  the  progress  of  tender  plants  there  has  been  a 
marked  difference  in  the  respective  characters  of  different 
plants;  some  that  evidently  enjoy  the  dry  tropical  heat  ol 
countries  where  rain  seldom  falls  at  certain  periods  have  done 
well,  and  others  which  seem  to  require  moisture  as  well  as 
warmth,  have  failed  accordingly.  Of  the  latter  class  of  plants, 
the  best  example  I  can  point  out  is  the  large-foliaged  Wigan- 
dia  caracasana,  which,  in  1865,  produced  leaves  at  least  3  feet 
long,  but  those  made  this  summer  have  not  attained  more  than 
half  that  size,  although  the  plants  are  upwards  of  6  feet  high 
and  proportionably  bushy.  The  Castor  Oil  plants,  on  the 
contrary,  have  reached  a  greater  height,  have  flowered  and 
seeded,  and  some  of  the  seed  seems  almost  ripe,  but  the  plants 
were,  perhaps,  more  ornamental  in  1865,  the  joints  between 


December  3, 1B68.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENSB, 


419 


the  leaves  being  shorter.  However,  uotbing  need  be  said 
against  this  plant's  growth  during  the  vast  summer. 

The  foregoing  examples  will  bo  suffioient  to  show  that  even 
as  regards  tropical  vegetation,  heat  alone  is  not  always  suffi- 
.cient  to  insure  sucoe!<a,  but  tha^,  the  onmbiiied  action  of  heat 
and  moisture  are  required  to  perfect  certain  tilings.  The  past 
summer  has  been  as  remirkablo  for  some  failures  where  mois- 
ture has  been  defioieut,  as  for  successes  arising  from  the  high 
temperature  that  prevailed.  The  blooming  of  one  of  our  most 
popular  autumn-flowering  plants  has  this  j-car,  strange  to  say, 
been  in  our  ncigl'bourhood  somewhat  later  than  usual,  the 
Chrysanthemum  being  really  not  fairly  out  in  llower  in  the 
open  air  so  early  as  inthe  mijority  of  years,  notwithstanding 
the  forwardness  of  most  other  flos-ers  that  presented  them- 
selves early  in  the  year — perhaps  this  may  be  attributed  to 
the  sudden  change  that  followed  the  I'iihof  September — but 
the  coarser  and  more  robust  vegetables  of  the  kitchen  gar- 
den, whoso  progress  was  arrested  by  the  heat  of  midsummer, 
have  grown  rapidly  enough  when  moisture  iu  sufficient  quantity 
was  afforded  them.  The  autumn  of  18HS  has,  nevertheless, 
been  less  satisfactory  than  might  have  been  expected,  the  rains 
not  being  so  abundant  as  desirable,  and  frost  setting  in  much 
earlier  than  usuul. 

In  thus  making  a  comparison  between  18G5  and  1868,  it 
would  not  be  fair  to  omit  taking  into  consideration  the  pros- 
pects there  may  be  for  another  year,  and  in  this  respect  I  am 
in  hopes  that  the  present  one  has  certainly  bequeathed  to  its 
successor  tillage  fields  and  garden  soils  highly  improved  by 
the  scorching  sun  of  July,  and  fruit  and  other  trees  matured 
in  growth  to  such  a  degree  as  to  insure,  unless  the  spring  be 
unfavourable,  another  fruitful  year  in  18G'J.  Sjme  other  ad- 
vantages, doubtless,  will  result  from  so  unusual  a  season,  and, 
on  the  other  hand,  perhaps  some  errors  may  bo  committed  by 
expecting  a  succeeding  one  quite  as  hot,  as  occurred  in  1860. 
The  previous  tivo  warm  summers  then  led  many  to  surmise 
that  tropical  vegetation  would  prosper  in  our  northern  lati- 
tudes, and  Chinese  Sugar  Grass  and  other  crops  were  tried, 
but  the  year  was  dull,  wet,  and  cold,  the  absence  of  sunshine 
being  a  more  serious  drawback  than  the  amount  of  rain. 

In  respect  to  the  abundance  and  quality  of  many  of  the 
most  important  products  of  the  soil,  18(j5  may  be  said  to 
stand  superior  to  18G8,  but  at  the  same  time  the  advantages 
which  the  latter  has  conferred  on  its  successor  make  up  for 
the  inequality,  as  it  is  seldom  that  stiff  heavy  ground  works  so 
well  as  it  has  done  this  autumn,  and  the  destruction  of  weeds 
and  insects  make  us  hope  these  pests  will  be  less  numerous 
next  year  than  they  often  have  been. 

It  is,  however,  more  to  the  small  difference  iu  average  tem- 
perature between  the  past  and  a  former  summer  that  I  would 
call  the  attention  of  the  curious  in  such  matters,  so  that  when 
it  is  necessary  hereafter  to  speak  of  the  great  heats  of  18G8,  it 
ought  also  to  be  mentioned  that  they  were  not  of  long  daration  ; 
and  that  time,  that  leveller  and  smoother-down  of  al!  irregu- 
larities, natural  and  artificial,  also  confirmed  the  fact,  that  after 
all  the  whole  summer  of  1808  was  but  a  more  fraction  warmer 
than  that  which  occurred  three  years  previously,  notwithstand- 
ing its  tropical  heats  and  the  almost  fabulous  reports  of  its  effects 
at  the  time.  The  effort  would  seom  to  have  almost  been  too 
much  even  for  Nature,  the  itsue  showiug  that  she  retired,  as  if 
exhausted,  before  the  summer  was  over ;  but  I  leave  the  further 
reasoning  on  this  to  others,  my  purpose  being  merely  to  show 
the  state  of  the  two  summers  In  plain  figures. — J.  Eobson. 


CELOSIA   AUREA   PYRAMIDALIS. 

Those  who  know  the  "  golden  glories  "  of  this  stove  annual 
will  agree  that  no  one  who  has  much  late  autumn  and  winter 
demand  for  sitting  room  and  dinner-table  decoration,  as  well  as 
cut  flowers,  should  be  without  it.  There  are  many  spurious 
and  unsightly  varieties  of  this  vended  and  cultivated,  and  the 
true  variety  is  comparatively  scarce.  On  this  account  it  would 
be  well,  when  the  true  variety  turns  up,  to  destroy,  as  soon  as 
they  appear,  all  spurious  sorts,  and  carefully  save  seed  from 
the  good  and  true ;  and  when  this  practice  is  followed,  the 
right  variety  can  be  constantly  reproduced.  I  have  grown 
golden  pyramids  of  this  3  feet  high  in  10  and  11-inch  pots, 
which  resembled,  in  all  but  colour,  a  tower  of  ostrich  feathers. 

Its  cultivation  is  very  simple  :  sown  in  March  in  stove  heat, 
and  pot  singly  when  2  inches  high,  and  shift  as  required 
into  pots  varying  from  8  to  12  inches  according  to  the  sized 
plant  desired,  using  a  compost  of  equal  parts  loam  and  leaf 


mould,  with  n  little  sand  added.  This,  and  a  stove  temperature 
in  a  light  place,  with  frequent  syringiugs  on  fine  afternoons  till 
it  begins  to  bloom,  is  all  that  is  of  importance  in  its  culture; 
and  when  in  bloom  it  stands  conservatory  temperature,  and 
lasts  in  l>loom  a  long  time.  Vv'iicu  the  seed  ripens  it  should  be 
carefully  looked  after,  or  it  drops  out  of  the  husk  and  is  lost. 
This,  and  its  crimson  varieties,  are  of  great  service  for  autumn 
and  winter  display  ;  and  they  bluom  just  at  a  time  after  most 
autumu  Ihiugs  are  over,  and  before  late  winter  things  come  in. 
—{The  Gardener.) 


CHRYSANTHEMUMS  IN  THE  ORCHARD  HOUSE. 
I  woui.n  strongly  recommend  the  possessors  of  orchard  houses 
not  to  neglect  to  brighten  them  up  during  dark  November  by 
the  liberal  use  of  those  invaluable  flowers.  They  are  cheap  to 
buy,  easy  to  cultivate,  aud,  when  grown  under  glass,  present  a 
striking  contract  to  their  brethren  in  the  open  air  soddened 
with  rain  and  disfigured  by  frost.  Witli  the  assistance  of  a 
mat  in  very  severe  weather  they  succeed  almost  as  well  in  an 
orchard  house  as  in  a  greenhouse.  Crimson  Velvet,  Jardin  des 
Plantes,  and  Virgin  Queen  might  challenge  all  the  stoves  in 
England  to  produce  three  flowers  which  equal  them  in  brilliancy 
and  contrast  of  colour.  Another  good  quality  of  the  Chrysan- 
themum is  its  persist'ince,  whether  on  the  plant  or  when  cut. 
I  have  now  before  me  a  vase  filled  with  flowers  gathered  a  week 
ago,  and  still  fresh. — G.  S. 


NEW   BOOKS. 

L'Art  de  Greffer  Ics  Arhres,  Arhrlsscaux  et  Arba.ites  FruUiers, 
Forcstiers,  oud'Oniement,  jwiir  Ics  multijdier,  les  former,  ou  Us 
metircafruit.  Par  Chablss  Baltet.  Paris  :  Victor  Massou 
et  fits. 

This  is  just  such  a  book  as  one  would  expect  to  emanate 
from  the  hand  of  so  experienced  a  practitioner  as  Mr.  Charles 
Baltet,  who  in  himself  constitutes  one  of  those  rare  combina- 
tions of  a  successful  cultivator  and  skilful  writer  on  French 
horticulture.  The  subject  on  which  this  new  vrork  of  Mr. 
B  dtet  treats  is  one  which  receives  much  mors  attention,  and 
enters  far  more  prominently  into  the  horticultural  practice  of 
our  neighbours  than  it  does  with  us.  V/ith  the  exception  of 
the  ordinary  whip-grafting,  crown-grafting,  inarching,  and  bud- 
ding, there  are  no  other  varieties  of  this  mode  of  propagating 
or  of  reconstructing  trees  practised  among  us ;  but  with  the 
French,  for  many  years,  the  various  modes  of  what  we  call 
grafting  are  so  ui;merous,  and  attended  with  so  much  detail, 
that  various  woikj  h.ave  been  written  on  this  subject  alone. 

The  work  beforo  us  consists  of  320  pages,  and  is  copiously 
illustrated  with  113  weil-exfcuted  woodcuts,  representing  the 
different  operations,  the  instruitients  employed  in  executing 
them,  and  the  rr.^ults  arrived  at  by  the  completion  of  the  pro- 
cesses. To  the  Eaglish  gardener  there  will  be  found  in  it  much 
that  is  novel  aud  instruciive ;  aud  although  our  taste  has  not 
yet  taken  us  in  the  direction  of  the  fanciful  shapes  which  the 
French  have  of  late  years  given  to  tbeir  fruit  trees,  those  who 
are  interested  in  the  subject  will  here  find  some  examples  of 
these,  and  the  modes  of  forming  them. 

The  following  extract  will  supply  information  new  to  many 
of  our  readers  : — 

"  The  expense  occasioned  by  the  purchase  of  wool  and  cotton  in 
nurseries  (for  graftiug)  has  caused  a  so.ireli  for  ligatures  of  a  more 
economical  description.  After  having  trieil  the  leaves  of  Sedge  (Garex), 
and  Bullrush  {Scinais  lacnstris),  one  is  attracted  by  two  nquatic 
plants  which  giow  abundantly  on  thn  borders  of  rivers  aud  ditchei,  in 
pouds  and  marshes — the  Cat's-tail  (Typha  iatU'olia},  and  the  l^tir-reed 
(Simrg.anium  ramosnm).  Those  arc  cqn.ally  useful  as  a  lii^ature. 
These  two  species  belong  to  the  family  Typhacefe.  The  plant  is 
gathered  when  fully  grown,  either  in  the  end  of  the  summer  for  graft- 
ing in  the  year  following,  or  iu  the  spring,  to  he  used  in  the  course  of 
the  same  year.  The  leaves,  which  are  attached  together  at  the  base, 
are  separated,  and  placed  to  dry  iu  the  shade  or  in  a  bam,  by  banging 
them  up  in  bundles  tied  together  by  their  tops.  When  the  time  of 
using  them  anives,  they  are  cut  into  the  required  length,  averaging 
15  to  20  inches  iu  length.  A  little  before  grafting  the  bundles  are 
steeped  in  water  for  a  few  hours,  and  then  drained  by  pressing  them 
with  the  hand  or  by  wrinj^'ing  them.  Frequently  it  is  sufficient  to 
place  them  in  a  cellar  to  keep  them  fresh,  and  in  grounds  where  there 
is  no  water  they  are  put  into  the  earth. 

'*  This  vegetalde  ligature  requires  a  projier  medium  of  dryness  and 
humidity.  Too  di-y,  the  leaf  lacks  resistance  and  breaks  ;  too  damp, 
it  causes  the  decay  of  the  graft  and  breaks  also.  The  leaf  is  geueraUy 
broad  enough  to  be  split  up  throughout  its  length.     It  bends  better 


420 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUBE   AND   COTTAGE   GABDENER. 


(  Docomber  3,  1868. 


when  it  is  applied  edgeways  and  not  flat,  and  when  it  is  slightly 
twisted.  With  the  exception  of  grafts  that  require  the  wood  of  the 
stock  to  be  cleft,  and  for  whii-h  the  leaves  of  the  Cat's-tail  and  Bur-reed 
have  not  sufficient  tenacity,  we  recommend  this  ligature  for  the  majority 
of  the  processes  of  grafting." 

We  highly  commend  thia  work.  It  is  thoroughly  practical, 
and  written  by  a  gentleman  of  ability,  who  is  completely 
master  of  the  subject  on  which  he  treats. 


Moiivcmenl  Horticnle  de  1867:  Bevue  tlesproijrix  accomplis  dans 
tontes  les  brandies  de  I'HorticiiHtire,  avcc  Traraux  mcnsiiels 
pour  1868.  Par  Ed.  Andre,  Jaxdinier  principal  de  la  Vilh 
de  Paris.    Paris  :  Goin. 

This  "Mouvement  Horticole "  is  what  may  be  called  in 
English  a  Horticultural  Year-Book,  or  record  of  progress,  and 
has  been  carried  out  by  M.  Andre  in  a  way  which  renders  the 
work  one  of  great  utility.  It  is  written  in  the  form  of  essays 
or  treatises  on  all  the  new  discoveries  in  the  various  branches 
of  horliculture,  embracing  not  only  the  new  plants,  flowers,  and 
fruits,  but  also  new  modes  of  culture  aud  new  priueiples.  We 
have  also  notices  of  all  the  new  books  on  botany  and  gardening 
that  have  appeared  throughout  the  year,  and  a  very  lengthened 
report  of  the  various  aeries  of  the  Great  Exhibition  of  Horti- 
culture at  Paris  in  1867. 

This  is  an  exceedingly  useful  book,  furnishing  a  readable  and 
entertaining  record  of  all  the  great  movements  that  have  taken 
place  in  the  world  of  horticulture  during  the  past  year ;  and  we 
sincerely  hope  we  may  have  a  continuance  of  it  annually. 


FRUIT 


LIVERPOOL    WINTER  FLOAYER  AND 
SHOW. 

0\  the  24th  and  25th  of  November  this  exhibition  was  held  in  St. 
George's  Hall,  and  it  was  certainly  the  finest  horticnltaral  show  ever 
held  in  Liverpool.  The  Chrysanthemums  were  the  finest  and  best- 
grown  specimt  ns  ever  seen  at  anyjprevious  exhibition  either  in  London 
or  any  othtr  place.  I  was  very  much  pleased  to  .see  such  a  marked 
improvement  in  the  growth  of  the  plants,  the  colour  and  size  of  their 
flowers,  and  more  especially  in  thtir  arrangement  on  the  exhibition 
stages.  The  Liverpool  gardeners  had  evidently  profited  by  a  few 
hints  given  them  last  year.  The  pl.ints  exhibited  by  ilr.  Fleming, 
gardener  to  K.  Houghton,  Esq.,  were  remarkably  fine.  The  nine 
plants  which  took  the  first  prize  in  Class  2,  for  the  best  nine  Inrge- 
tlowered  varieties,  were  the  best  lot  of  Chrysanthemnms  ever  set  up. 
In  this  opinion  I  am  borne  ont  by  the  venerable  Chi-ysantliemum 
King,  Mr.  Broome,  of  the  Temple  Gardens.  The  flowers  and  foliage 
on  ail  of  the  plants  exhibited  by  Mr.  Fleming  were  perfectly  fresh  and 
healthy,  and  the  number  of  flowers  on  each  of  the  nine  plants  exhi- 
bited in  Class  2  would  average  15l>.  Mr.  AVilson  was  also  a  very 
successful  exhibitor,  as  were  Mr.  W.  Lowndes.  Mr.  Dunbar,  Mr. 
Airey,  and  Mr.  "Wood.  There  was  a  very  marlred  improvement  in  the 
cut  tiowera,  and  the  bouquets  were  a  very  groat  improvement  upon 
those  of  last  year.  There  was  a  large  r.umLer  of  exhibitors  in  the 
classes  set  apart  for  these,  and  amongst  so  many  really  handsome 
and  tastefully  arranged  bouquets  it  must  have  been  extremely  difficult 
for  the  judges  to  decide  which  really  was  the  best,  but  I  thought  they 
were  quite  right  in  awarding  the  prizes  as  they  did,  for  there  was  a 
greater  degiee  of  gi-acefulness  about  those  exhibited  by  Mr.  K.  J. 
Smitli  and  Mr.  F'reeman  in  the  gardeners'  class,  aud  those  of  Mr. 
Rylance  and  Mr.  Delamcrc  in  the  nurserymen's  or  market  gardeners' 
class,  than  in  those  which  came  from  the  other  exhiliitors.  The 
flowers  they  contained  were  very  choice  and  good.  Many  of  the 
competitors  still  crowded  their  bouquets  too  much,  a  fault  I  pointed 
out  to  them  in  the  report  of  last  year's  show. 

The  Hall  was  very  tastefully  decorated  with  Palms,  Ferns,  and 
fine-foliaged  and  flowering  plants,  which  were  arranged  in  the  centre 
of  the  tables,  and  gave  a  good  finish  to  the  whole,  and  also  very  much 
improved  the  appearance  of  the  fruit,  which  was  arranged  on  each 
side  of  them  on  two  of  the  tables,  the  other  being  set  apart  for  the 
Chrysanthemum  blooms.  Primulas,  Ericas,  and  the  Chrysanthemum 
plants  were  arranged  at  the  sides  and  ends  of  the  Hall.  A  very- 
large  comj-any  assembled  to  witness  this  grand  display  of  flowers  and 
fruit,  the  weather  hi  ing  veiy  favourable. 

The  fruit  was  of  first-rate  quality,  and  a  large  quantity  was 
exhibited.  The  dish  of  Coe's  Late  Ked  Plnm,  exhibited  by  Mr. 
Freeman,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Derby,  was  in  splendid  condition. 
The  Grapes  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Meredith,  Hill,  Smith,  Sorley, 
Freeman.  Wilson,  and  others  were  very  fiue.  as  were  also  the  Pears 
and  Apples  which  came  from  Mr.  Sorley,  Mr.  Rylance,  aud  several 
other  exhibitors.  Those  shown  by  Mr.  Sorley,  gardener  to  Mrs. 
ZwUchenbart,  were  remarkably  good  both  in  size  and  quality. 

There  were  some  bunches  of  the  true  Tynuingham  Muscat. 
exhibited  by  Mr.  Lees,  of  Tynningham.  These,  however,  were  not 
for  competition.  Mr.  Lees  tuld  me  this  variety  was  very  much 
superior  to  any  other  Muscat,  as  it  set  so  freely.     The  berries  were 


certainly  very  regnlar,  the  bunches  of  good  size,  bat  a  little  past  their 
best,  a  few  of  the  berries  being  a  little  shrivelled.  Mr.  Pilkington, 
of  Eccleston  Hall,  exhibited  four  splendid  Montserrat  Pines,  very 
handsome,  and  weighing  about  4  lbs.  each  ;  and  the  fruit  of  Smooth- 
leaved  Cayenne  Pine,  for  which  Mr.  R.  Smith,  of  Calderstooe, 
was  awarded  the  first  prize  in  Class  41,  was  very  fine,  weighing  upwara 
of  7  lbs.,  and  being  very  handsome.  I  had  afterwards  an  opportunity 
of  seeing  the  house  from  which  Mr.  Smith  cut  this  fine  Pine.  It  is 
certainly  one  of  the  best  houses  of  Pines  I  have  seen  for  some  time. 
There  is  a  long  row  of  Smooth-leaved  Cayennes  in  this  house,  all 
having  fruit  in  various  stages,  which  will  average  about  the  same 
weight.  These  and  some  other  matters  at  this  neat  and  well  kept 
place,  I  shall  take  another  occasion  of  referriug  to.  I  also  had  an 
opportunity  of  seeing  tho  fruit-room  of  Mr.  Sorley,  of  Aigbnrth,  and 
was  much  bui-prised  by  the  magnificent  collection  of  Pears.  Mr. 
Sorley's  name  will  be  familiar  to  some  of  the  readers  of  this  Journal, 
he  having  frequently  contributed  interesting  articles.  The  Grapes, 
evergreens,  and  general  neatness  of  the  place  were  very  creditable. 

I  also  visited  several  other  places,  and  fonud  them  in  very  neat 
trim,  all  of  them  having  fine  displays  of  flowers,  fruit,  aud  vegetables. 
The  Liverpool  gardeners  arc,  as  a  body,  proverbial  for  neatness, 
industry,  and  respectabilitv.  They  are  also  a  very  intelligent  body, 
as  was  plainlv  visible  at  the  meeting  which  was  held  on  the  Wednesday 
evening  in  one  of  the  large  rooms  in  St.  George's  Hall,  where  the 
Committee  of  the  Liven>ool  Horticultural  Society  had  prepared  a 
very  handsome  collation  for  the  exhibitors,  which  was  served  in  a  very 
substantial  way,  the  diiuking  portion  being  tea  and  coffee.  After- 
wards some  very  interesting  papers  were  read,  and  several  good 
speeches  made.  A  scheme  was  also  proposed  for  the  development  of 
a  society  for  the  moral  and  intellectual  improvement  of  the  Liverpool 
gardeners.  The  room  was  crowded,  and  the  attention  of  the  whole 
body  of  gardeners  present  was  riveted  on  the  speakers  for  upwards  of 
three  hours  ;  aud,  if  I  may  judge  from  the  friendly  buzz  of  con- 
versation which  was  heard  at  intervals,  all  were  highly  pleased,  and 
appeared  highly  delighted  that  so  good  an  opportunity  had  been  pro- 
vided by  the  Committee  for  them  to  converse,  and  socially  to  impart 
to  each  "other  their  various  successes  and  reverses.  This  is,  without 
doubt,  a  step  in  the  right  direction,  and  one  calculated  to  do  a  vast 
amount  of  good  ;  and  if  horticultural  societies  generaUy  would  only 
adopt  a  similar  means  of  bringing  their  exhibitors  together,  and 
meeiiu"  them  in  such  a  friendlv  and  social  way,  it  would  promote  a 
very  genial  reciprocity  of  feeling  between  them,  which  must  be  attended 
with  tho  very  best  results. 

In  the  couvse  of  the  evening  a  veiy  handsome  gold-monnted  waiting- 
stick  was  presented  to  Mr.  Broome,  of  the  Temple  Gardens,  by  the 
Committee,  in  recognition  of  the  services  ho  had  rendered  to  the 
Society.  They  felt  that  they  were  indebted  to  Mr.  Broome  for  a  large 
amount  of  the  success  which  their  Society  Kad  attained,  in  con- 
sequence of  his  having,  a  few  years  ago,  taken  down  to  Liverpool  two 
or  three  well-grown  specimens  of  his  favourite  flower,  and  explameU 
his  mode  of  cultivation  in  a  way  so  interesting  and  straightforward 
that  the  Liverpool  gardeners  at  once  set  to  work,  and  have  now 
produced  a  show  of  these  valuable  autumnal  flowers,  such  as  has 
never  before  been  witnessed,  and  which  Mr.  Broome,  their  veteran 
teacher,  told  them  had  never  been  surpassed  nor,  indeed,  eqnaUed.  In 
i  acknowledging  the  handsome  presentation  (which  was  totally  unex- 
pected by  Mr.  Broome),  he  reviewed  tho  whole  histoiy  of  his  journey, 
through  a  period  of  upwards  of  forty  years,  in  company  \vith  the 
Chrysanthemum,  aud  the  amount  of  information  conveyed  to  all 
nrescnt  cannot  fail  to  be  productive  of  much  good  to  many,  if  not 
to  all   of  his  hearers,  and  he  was  listened  to  with  the  utmost  attention. 

I  mav  mention,  in  conclusion,  that  the  Liveqwol  Horticultural 
Society'  is  self-supportiug,  and  that  it  does  not  depend  upon  any 
capricious  donations  or  subscriptions  from  anyone.  The  pnze. 
schedule  is  formed,  the  date  is  appointed  on  which  the  exUibition  is 
to  take  placo,  the  various  subjects  are  arranged  in  tho  noble  Hall  on 
the  day  appointed,  aud,  as  soon  as  the  judges  have  performed  their 
duty,  the  doors  are  thrown  open  to  the  public,  who  abundantly  show 
by  iheir  attendance  how  much  they  cnn  appreciate,  and  how  wdlmg 
they  are  to  support,  a  society  which,  by  the  skill  of  a  large  body  of 
intelligent  gardeners,  is  able  to  produce  such  a  grand  display,  if  such 
a  fine  result  as  this  can  be  produced  in  Liverpool,  and  be  made  seU- 
snpportiug,  why  is  it  not  done  in  London  ?— J.  WiiLS,  F.E.H.S. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  prizes  awarded  : — 

LABOK-FLOWEnED  Chbvsakthemcms.  -  Nine:  First,  Mr.  Fleming, 
gardener  to  Mr.  It.  Houuhton.  Second,  Mr.  Wilson,  gardener  to  Mr. 
J  E.  Eovnolds.  Third,  Mr.  Myers,  gardener  to  Mr.  R.  HigB>n.  Six- 
First,  Mr.  Fleming.  Second,  Mr.  Newmon,  gnrdeuer  to  Mrs.  Holt. 
Third,  Mr.  'SVilson.  Three:  Second,  Mr.  Lowndes^  gardener  to  Mr.  S. 
S  Parker  One  ■  First,  Mr.  'Wilson.  Second,  Mr.  Fleming.  Third,  Mr. 
Dunbar,  gardener  to  Mr.  F.  C.  Uraun.     Extra,  Mr.  Airey,  gardener  to 

''poMi-oiJ  CnBYSATHEMrMS.->'i"c  :  First,  Mr.  Fleming.  Second,  Mr. 
■Wilson  Third,  Mr.  •\Vood,  gardener  to  Lieut.-tol.  Wilson.  Extra,  Mr. 
Orr,  gardener  to  Mr.  H.  Pcirce.  Six:  Fir=t,  Mr.  Airey.  Second,  Mr. 
Orr  Third  Mr.  Wood.  Extra,  Mr.  frhaw.  gardener  to  Mr.  P.  M. 
Hiimav  Three  :  First,  Mr.  'Wilson.  Second,  Mr.  Lowndes,  gardener 
to  Mr  S  S  Park«r.  Equnl,  Mr.  Mvers  acd  Mr.  WooUnm,  gardener  to 
,  MajorBlundell.  Third,  Mr.  Airey.  Equal,  Mr.  Dunbar  &  Mr.  Orr.  One: 
First  Mr  Fleming.  Equal,  Mr.  Myers.  Second,  Mr.  Wdson.  Third, 
Mr  Orr.    Equal,  Mr.  Lowndes  and  Mr.  WooUam.  „         ^    ,, 

One  STANnAED  Chrvsanthemlii.— First,  Mr.  .\irey.  Second,  Mr. 
Wilson.     Third,  Mr.  Dunbar.    Extra,  Mr.  Airey. 


December  8,  IStS.   ] 


JOUBNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


421 


Onr  Pvramid  CHnvsANTHEMUM.— First,  Mr.  Wood.  Second,  Mr.  Wil- 
■SOD.    Third  nnd  Extra,  Mr.  Dunbnr. 

Anemone  Fl'iwkred  CmiYHANTiiRMCM.-i. — Three  :  Second,  Mr.  Shaw. 
Ont- :   Fir.nt,  Mr.  Wilson.     Second,  Mr.  Shaw. 

CfT  iil.ooMS,  LiROE-Fl.oWKUED  CnuYSANTllKUCM^.— Ki^j/i^f ''n  .*  First, 
Mr.  llobbs,  Bristol.  Second,  Mr.  Foster,  yardeuer  to  Mr.  S.  H.  Thonip- 
60U.  Third,  Mr.  TiUor,  i,'ardeucr  to  Mr.  J.  CrosQeld.  Trn-lvit  :  First, 
Mr.  IlobJS.  Second,  l\lr.  Foster.  Eiiual,  Mr.  Duubar.  Third,  Sir. 
Tiller.  Six:  First,  Mr.  Hobbs.  Second,  Mr.  M'llnrdy,  g.irdeuer  to  Mr. 
J.  (i.  Biitcluau.     E<|uul,  Mi.  Dimbur.    Third,  31r.  Foster. 

Six  Fbinged  Primulas.— First,  Mr.  Sliaw.  Second,  Mr.  Airoy.  Third, 
Mr.  Myeis. 

Four  L'oun]:.E  Primulas.— First,  Mr.  Sorlcy,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Zwilchen- 
birt.     Second,  Mr.  Airey. 

H'fovB  AND  Greenhouse  Ferns.— Si.c  ;  First,  Mr.  Armstrong,  gar- 
dener to  Mrs.  Hadwen.  Second,  Mr.  (Sinclair,  gardener  to  air.  R.  Alison. 
Third,  Mr.  Tliarm,  gardener  to  Mr.  Joseph  Mayer.  27nTe  :  First,  Sir. 
Armstrong.  Second,  Mr.  Sinclair.  Third,  Mr.  Wilson.  One:  First,  Mr. 
Sinclair.    Second,  Mr.  .\rmstroDg.    Third,  Mr.  Woollam. 

Tree  Fern.— Prize,  5Ir.  Freeman,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Derby. 

Standard  Mignonette. — First.  Mr.  Lamb,  gardener  to  Mr.  P.  S. 
Boult.    Second,  Sir.  Lowndes.    Third,  Mr.  Wilson. 

Mignonette. — First,  Mr.  Lowndes.    Second,  Mr.  Lamb. 

EouoUET  FOR  THE  HAND  (Gardeners).— First.  Mr.  Fleming,  gardener 
•to  Mr.  R.  Hoiighto-j.  Second,  Mr.  Freeman.  Third,  Mr.  E.ivcs.  (Nursery- 
men and  Market  Gardeners).- First,  Mr.  Rylance.  Second,  Mr.  Delamere. 
Third,  Mr.  Ashcroft. 

Poinsettia  PCLunERHlMA. —  Three:  Fir.it,  Mr.  Dunbar.  Second,  Mr. 
TitheringtOD.  gardener  to  Col.  Thompson.  Third,  Mr.  Everett,  gar- 
dener to  Mr.  John  Campbell. 

Roman  Hyacinths.- r/irce  Paiu:  First,  S^r.  Dunbar.  Second,  Mr, 
Newman,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Holt. 

Euphorbia  jACQUlNl-T:FLonA  (Three  Pots). — First,  Mr.  Freeman,  gar- 
■dcner  to  the  Earl  of  Derby.  Second,  Mr.  Everett,  gsrdener  to  Mr.  John 
Campbell.    Third,  Mr.  Porleous,  gardener  to  Colonel  Clay. 

Three  Ornamental  Fruited  Plants.— Fit st,  Mr.  Shaw.  Second, Mr. 
Freeman.    Third,  Mr.  Foster. 

Three  Ornamental-Foliaged  Plants. — First,  Mr.  Sinclair,  gardener 
to  Mr.  ii.  .Alison.  Second,  Mr.  Newman.  Equal,  Mr.  R.  H.  Smith,  gar- 
dener to  Mr.  H.  Walker.  Third,  Mr.  Everett,  gardener  to  Mr.  John 
Campbell.    Equal,  Mr.  Woollam. 

Heaths.- T/irec  ;  First,  Mr.  Shaw.     Second,  3fr.  Freeman. 

Palm.— First,  Mr.  Freeman,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Derby.  Second. 
Mr.  Tharni,  gardener  to  Mr.  Jos.  Mayer.  Third,  Mr.  Wood.  Extra,  Mr, 
Tharm. 

FRUIT. 

Twelve  Dishes  of  Hardy  Fruit  (Nurserymen). — First,  BIr.  O.  Ry- 
lance, Town  Green.  Second,  Mr.  K.  Ashcroff,  VVestDerby.  (Gardeners). 
— First,  Mr.  Sorley.  Second,  Mr.  Woolley,  g.irdenerto  Mr.  Jackson,  M.P. 
Third,  Mr.  Smith,  girdener  to  Mr.  H.  Littledale. 

Si:;  Dishes  of  Fruit.— First,  Mr.  Freeman.  Second,  Mr.  Hill,  gar- 
dener to  .Mr.  R.  Sneyd.    Third,  Mr.  Sorley. 

Pine  Api'les,— Three  :  First,  Mr.  Wallis,  gardener  to  Mr.  J.  Dixon. 
Second,  Mr.  Porteous.  gardener  to  Col.  Clay.  One  :  First,  Mr.  K.  U. 
Smith,  gardener  to  Mr.  H.  Walker.  Second,  Mr.  Wallis.  Ihird,  Mr. 
Freeman. 

Grai'ls  Black  Hamburgh). — First,  Mr.  Wilson.  Second,  Mr.  Smith. 
Third,  .VI r.  WoolUy. 

Grapes  (Black).- First,  Mr.  Elli^,  Honlgravo,  Seaforth.  Second,  Mr. 
Smith,  B.ardener  to  Mr.  Liltlodalo.     Third.  Mr.  K.  H.  Smith. 

Grapes  (Whito  Muscat).— Firs',  Mr.  Hill,  gardener  to  Mr.  R.  Sneyd. 
Second,  Mr.  Forbes, gardener  toMr.  J.  \.  Tinuie.  Third,  Mr.  K.  H.  Smith. 

Grapes  i  White).  —  First,  Mr.  Smith.  Second,  Mr.  Williamson,  gar- 
dener to  Mr.  T.  C.  Clarke.    Third,  Mr.  Freeman. 

Pears  (Dessert).- j?(,7/i«  T'orict/cs.- First,  M».  Auchterlouie.  gardener 
to  Mrs.  Harvey.  Second,  Mr.  Sorley.  Third,  Mr.  Orr.  Four  Varieties  : 
First.  Mr.  Lowndes,  gardener  to  Mr.  S.  S.  Parker.  Second,  Mr.  Sorley. 
Best  liiih.—First,  Mr.  Turner,  gardener  to  Mr.  Edward  Bates.  Second, 
Mr.  Fo-ter.    Third,  Mr.  K.  H.  Smith. 

Apples  (Dessert).- Foht  Varieties  :  First,  Mr.  Smith.  Second,  Mr. 
Turner.  Ei|uil,  Mr.  Lowndes  Third,  Mr.  Barnett,  girdener  to  Rev. 
W.  B.  BolSeld,  ShiffuBll.  Best  Dish:  First,  Mr.  Lowndes.  Second,  Mr. 
Turner.    Third,  Mr.  Foster. 

Apples  (Culinary).— £if;/t(  J'a7'iV/ie3  ,-  First,  Mr.  Turner.  Second.  Mr. 
Auchterlouie.  Third,  Mr.  Freeman.  Four  J\irietics:  First,  Mr.  Wool- 
lam, gardener  to  Major  BhindeU.  Second,  Mr.  Titherington.  Third,  Mr. 
Orr.  BeH  Bith  :  First,  Mr.  Woollam.  Second,  Mr.  Thompson,  gar- 
dener to  .\Ir.  R.  L.  Bolton.    Third,  Mr.  Orr. 

EXTRAS. 

Basket  Plants.- Onr  :  Prize,  Mr.  Newman,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Holt. 

Collection  of  Fruits.- Prize,  Mr.  Charles  Rylance. 

Rustic  stand  of  Flowers.— First,  Mr.  Wade,  gardener  to  Mr.  R.  Dnko. 
Second,  Mr.  Lowndes. 

Collection  of  Godhds.— Prize,  Mr.  Jones,  gardener  to  Mr.  H.  Duck- 
worth. 

TV.NSISOHAM  Muscat  Grapes.— Prize,  Mr.  Lees,  Tynuingham. 


have  the  kindness  to  impait  it  tlirough  the  mediuoi  of  tbij 
Journal,  he  will  oblige  many  others  as  well  as  — TuoMiS 
Recoiu). 

TEAINING   W.\LL   TREES. 

I  offeu  a  suggestion  to  my  brother  learners  respecting  the 
training  of  reach  and  other  wall  trees.  It  is  one  resulting 
from  a  seven-years  trial,  with  such  comfort  and  success  as 
lead  me  to  hope  it  may  prove  acceptable  to  those  for  whom  I 
write. 

One  wall  in  my  garden,  with  a  S.W.  aspect,  is  unfortn- 
nately  built  with  limestone,  preseuting  an  uuevon  surface,  with 
stones  of  impracticable  size.  Zinc  wires  strained  horizontally, 
which  was  my  first  remedy,  fretted  the  bark,  old  and  young,  so 
much,  that  I  had  it  removed  as  soon  as  circum-stauces  would 
permit.  After  other  ineffectual  attempts  I  tried  slips  of  white 
deal  timber,  hall  an  inch  by  three-quarters  inch,  tho  latter 
being  laid  against  the  wall  at  intervals  of  (i  inches,  and  secured 
(but  not  nailed),  to  it  in  the  following  way.  I  ordered  some 
"sprigs,"  from  my  nailer,  to  bo  made  with  lon^'er  "  spuda  " 
than  they  usually  have — spuds  are  projections  on  one  side  of 
the  head  of  this  kind  of  nail — which  I  had  made  about  half 
an  inch  long,  the  nails  being'il  inches  long  and  a  little  stronger 
than  common  sprigs  of  that  length.  Five  of  these  were  suffi- 
cient to  secure  each  slip  of  timber — viz.,  three  below  and  two 
above  in  quincunx  order.  The  slips  are  8  feet  in  length,  ant^ 
two  of  them  in  a  continuous  line  from  the  centre  of  the  tree 
form  the  extent,  10  feet,  which  I  can  aiiord  to  each  tree.  It 
will  be  understood  that  the  sprigs  are  not  driven  through  the 
timber,  which  only  rests  on  the  lower  ones,  and  is  secured  by 
the  projecting  spuds  above  and  below,  as  shown  in  the  accom- 


THE   ROYAL   ASCOT   GRAPE. 

Is  the  Royal  Ascot  a  late-keeping  Grape?  Does  it  set  its 
fruit  as  freely  and  bring  it  to  perfection  in  the  same  medium 
temperature  that  the  Black  Ahcante  and  Lady  Downe's  do  ? 
And  is  it  equal  in  size  of  bunch  and  berry  to  the  above  popular 
varieties?  Some  say  it  possesses  every  quality  that  a  good 
late  Grape  ought  to  have,  while  others  deny  that  this  is  the 
case.  Now,  I  am  about  to  plant  twenty-aix  Vines  of  late- 
keeping  sorts,  and  should  like  to  include  the  Royal  Ascot,  but 
in  the  absence  of  more  substantial  information  than  mere 
opinion,  I  hesitate  to  do  so.  Actual  proof  is  wanting,  and  if 
any  correspondent  who  possesses  the  required  information  will 


a,  a,  Sprigs. 


b,  Slip, 


panying  engraving,  by  which  means  Oiere  is  a  spring  in  ths 
timber,  which  greatly  facilitates  the  tying  with  Cuba  matting, 
no  shreds  of  cloth  or  other  material  beiug  needed  or  admissible, 
for  when  saturated  with  moisture  that  becomes  suddenly  frozen 
they  are  destruction  to  the  bark  of  th^  young  shoots,  and  inju- 
rious even  to  the  matured  wood. 

I  had  occasion  lately  to  move  one  of  my  trees  trained  in 
this  way,  and  having  removed  the  two  upper  nails  over  each 
slip,  and  perfectly  freed  the  roots,  the  whole  framework  readily 
moved  upward.",  without  disturbing  a  single  tie,  shoot,  or  branch ; 
and  my  man  Friday  and  I  carried  it  (as  ho  said),  "  body  and 
bones  "  to  its  new  site  against  a  brick  wall,  and  secured  it  as 
before.  The  angles  of  the  timber  being  planed  off,  as  appears 
on  tho  very  rough  sketch  which  I  have  given  above,  the  slips 
moved  freely  from  the  nails,  and  the  young  spray  had  still  a 
bearing  of  nearly  half  an  inch  on  the  smooth,  flat  surface  of 
the  slip  or  lath,  which  had  been  previously  painted,  tacking  a 
dozen  or  more  together  at  the  ends  to  other  slips,  so  that  the 
paint  brush  could  just  act  between  them,  the  lot  being  turned 
over  to  paint  the  backs  when  the  fronts  were  finished.  The 
cost  is  trifling  compared  even  to  wire,  and  the  timber  as  sound 
after  seven  )eari5'  use  as  when  put  up.  Should  woodlice  or 
earwigs,  &e.,  hide  between  tho  slips  and  walls,  pressure  here 
and  there  on  the  slips  soon  settles  their  fate. — 0.  R.  0. 


ORANGE  CULTURE  IN  FLORIDA. 
Millions  of  acres  of  the  best  land  in  Florida  are  covered 
with  groves  of  the  wild  Orange.  How  these  groves  originated 
is  a  mooted  question.  Some  suppose  that  the  tree  is  indigenoua 
on  the  peninsula;  but  as  no  mention  is  made  of  it  by  the 
narr.itors  of  the  early  Spanish  exploring  expeditions,  and  as  it 
is  a  matter  of  history  that  the  Orange  was  introduced  by  the 
first  colonists  nearly  three  hundred  years  ago,  it  seems  probable 
that  it  is  of  foreign  origin,  e.5pecially  as  the  fruit  is  known  to 
deteriorate  very  rapidly  and  to  return  readily  to  its  natural 
wildnes s,  seedling-s  of  the  best  varieties  generally  proving  worth- 
less.    Be  their  origin  what  it  may,  the  present  existence  ol 


422 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOETICULTUEE   AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEE. 


[  December  3,  ie68. 


these  groves  has  an  important  bearing  upon  the  prosperity  of 
the  State,  as  we  shall  see. 

The  wild  Orange  of  Florida  is  of  two  kinds — the  sour  and  the 
bitter  sweet.  Neither  of  them  is  palatable.  The  tree  is  very 
beautiful — far  more  beautiful  than  the  cultivated  varieties — 
and  exceedingly  productive.  A  grove  loaded  with  its  golden 
fruit  is  a  sight  one  may  afford  to  travel  hundreds  of  miles  to 
Bee. 

The  Sweet  Orange  has  been  cultivated  iu  Florida  almost  from 
the  first  settlement  of  the  country  by  the  Spaniards,  in  the 
sixteenth  century,  but  has  not  till  lately  become  a  prominent 
interest.  The  earliest  groves  were  at  St.  Augustine  —  our 
"  Ancient  City  " — and  constituted  for  a  long  time  almost  the 
only  source  of  income  possessed  by  the  iuhabitants.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 183.5,  the  "  great  frost,"  as  it  is  called,  killed  every  tree 
to  the  roots ;  and  not  only  every  Orange  tree  but  every  fruit 
tree  of  all  kinds  iu  East  Florida  north  of  the  twenty-ninth 
parallel  of  latitude. 

Groves  subsequouHy  planted  at  St.  Augustine  and  elsewhere 
were  attacked  by  the  scale  iusect  (Coccus  hesperidum),  and 
most  of  them  rendered  worthless. 

Within  the  last  ten  years  there  has  been  a  revival  of  the 
interest  in  the  Orange  culture.  The  scale  insect  seeracd  to 
have  ceased  its  ravages.  The  groves  planted  since  1858  have, 
where  any  tolerable  degree  of  attention  in  the  way  of  cultivation 
has  been  given  them,  flourished  iiuc-ly.  In  fact,  some  of  them 
are  now  bearing  heavily  under  almost  total  neglect. 

It  is  not  true,  as  some  have  asserted,  that  the  scale  insect 
has  disappeared.  It  is  still  present  in  mpny  if  not  in  all  groves, 
but  it  seems  no  longer  to  be  capable  of  its  former  destructivencss. 
At  any  rate,  trees  planted  iu  suitable  soil  and  properly  culti- 
vated do  not  now  suffer  in  any  appreciable  degree  from  its 
presence,  and  some  of  the  old  groves  formerly  ravaged  by  it 
and  rendered  unproductive,  are  now  again  in  bearing. 

The  cost  of  planting  an  Orange  orchard  must  vary  greatly  in 
different  localities,  depending  partly  upon  the  original  cendition 
of  the  land  and  partly  upon  the  expense  of  getting  the  trees 
from  the  wild  grove.  Formerly  the  wild  trees  were  considered 
as  free  to  everybody,  and  people  wishing  a  few  to  plant  dug 
wherever  they  pleased;  but  now  they  are  beginning  to  have  a 
market  value.  It  is  not  in  all  cases  convenient  or  possible  for 
a  person  to  buy  land  with  wild  groves  on  it.  A  certain  sum, 
then,  must  be  allowed  for  stocks. 

One  gentleman  with  whom  I  am  acquainted,  and  who  has 
already  planted  several  acres,  estimates  the  cost  iu  his  case  as 
only  25  dollars  per  acre.  He  does  not,  however,  include  the 
cost  of  clearing  the  land.  I  estimate  as  follows  for  ten  acres  of 
fresh  hammock  land  with  its  natural  forest  growth  upon  it  :  — 

Doll.irs. 

Cost  of  ten  acres  at  10  dollars  per  acre   100 

Clearing  aud  preparing 250 

Inclosing  with  rail  fence    : 200 

1000  trees  at  25  cents  each   250 

Planting  and  hudding 100 

Incidental   , 100 

Dollars  1000 

The  use  of  the  ground  for  other  crops  will  fully  pay  for  all 
the  cultivation  the  grove  will  require  fur  the  first  threo  years, 
after  which  there  will  be  an  income  from  the  grove  itself. 

With  regard  to  the  productiveness  of  the  Orange  tree,  it  is 
impossible  at  present  to  arrive  at  any  very  satisfactory  con- 
clusion. This  is  partly  because  there  has  been  no  systematic 
mode  of  culture  pursued,  and  the  real  production  has  varied 
greatly  in  different  groves  ;  but  mainly  because  people  in  Florida 
never  weigh,  measure,  or  count  anything,  and  really  have  no 
idea  how  many  Oranges  one  of  their  trees  produces.  Some  of 
the  old  trees  at  St.  Augustine  are  said  to  have  produced  annually 
at  least  8000  Oranges  each.  Mr.  C.  F.  Eeed,  of  Mandarin,  on 
the  St.  John's  r.iver,  gathered  12,000  from  three  trees  last  year, 
one  tree  bearing  3200,  another  3300,  and  the  third  5500.  I 
have  been  told  that  thrifty  trees  sometimes  bear  as  many  as 
1000  Oranges  the  third  year  from  the  bud,  but  such  productive- 
ness I  think  must  be  rare.  The  conclusion  I  have  arrived  at, 
from  personal  observation,  is  that  a  well-planted  and  properly 
ctUtivated  grove  at  ten  years  of  age  will  average  2000  Oranges 
per  tree.  Taking  one  half  of  this,  however,  as  a  basis  of  calcula- 
tion, ten  acres  will  produce  1,000,000,  which,  at  25  dollars  per 
thousand,  the  lowest  price  of  the  last  season  in  Jacksonville, 
amounts  to  25,000  dollars.  The  crop  of  the  present  season  has 
in  some  cases  been  bargained  for  in  advance  for  25  dollars  per 
thousand  at  t'-ie  grove. 

Florida  Oranges  are  the  best  in  the  world,  and  will  always 


command  the  highest  piice  in  all  markets.  Some  of  the  best 
were  sold  in  Jacksonville  during  the  last  winter  as  high  as 
50  dollars  per  thousand. 

It  should  be  observed  here,  that  north  of  the  tv,'enty-eighth 
parallel  of  latitude,  crops  are  occasionally  cut  off  by  frost ;  but 
a  total  failure  from  this  or  any  other  cause  is  rare. — D.  H. 
Jacques  [The  American  Horticulturist.) 


WOEK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GAEDEN. 

Deaikino,  trenching,  and  digging,  should  now  bo  carried  on 
with  vigour,  and  the  ground,  if  naturally  heavy,  should  be 
thrown  up  in  ridges,  when  a  greater  surface  will  be  exposed  to 
the  ameliorating  and  pulverising  influences  of  frosts  and 
thaws.  Compost  heaps  should  bo  frtquently  turned  over 
during  frosts.  The  planting  of  vegetable  crops  should  now 
merely  bo  confined  to  a  few  sorts  of  Cabha/jes,  Coleworts,  and 
late  Celery  for  soups.  CauUjlowcr  and  Lettttce  plants  in 
frames  and  under  handliglrts,  to  be  protected  with  mats,  or 
long  litter,  in  frosty  weather.  The  hoe  may  be  used  occasion- 
ally in  dry  weather  to  destroy  weeds  between  the  rows  of  ve- 
getables, and  to  draw  earth  to  the  stems  of  late  Broccoli,  Cab- 
bages, &o. 

FRUIT     GAKDEK. 

Although  November  is  tho  preferable  month  for  planting  and 
pruning  fruit  trees,  if,  owing  to  any  of  the  many  causes  for 
delay,  these  operations  were  not  carried  into  execution,  I  would 
strongly  advise  commencing  such  work  as  soon  as  possible,  in 
order  to  finish  it  while  this  open  weather  lasts.  Iu  cases  where 
several  branches  of  a  tree  have  become  so  luxuriant  as  to  pre- 
vent a  fair  distribution  of  sap,  or  v.herethe  grov.'th  has  been  so 
rampant  as  to  prevent  the  formation  of  blossom  buds,  the 
cutting  of  the  stronger  roots,  so  as  to  check  the  too  luxuriant 
branches,  or  the  genera',  pruning  of  the  roots  in  cases  of  too 
vigorous,  though  uniform  growth,  will  be  attended  with  ad- 
vantage, inasmuch  as  vigorous  growth  and  fruitfulncss  are 
severally  promoted  by  means  directly  tho  opposito  of  each 
other.  Though  root-pruning  is  now  frequently  referred  to  as 
something  new,  it  is  nearly  thirty  years  since  I  saw  it  resorted 
to,  and  then  it  was  not  thought  anything  remarkable  for  no- 
velty. The  practice,  frequently  reoommendsd,  of  cutting  fie 
roots  every  year  or  so,  and  then  surrounding  them  with  a  trench- 
ful  of  rich  manure,  though,  no  doubt,  attended  with  good  re- 
sults, possesses  this  anomalous  feature,  that  the  system  owes 
the  whole  of  its  success  to  a  perpetual  doing  aud  undoing,  pro- 
ducing fertility  by  rendering  the  tree  deficient  in  nourishment 
at  ono  time,  and  supplying  it  with  too  much  at  another.  When 
trees  are  deficient  in  fertility  from  over-luxuriance,  I  should 
prefer  the  raising  o*  the  roots  nc-artr  the  surface,  giving  no 
manure  but  as  mulching,  and  attending  to  early  and  judicious 
Bummer  pruning,  rather  than  a  yearly  mutilation  of  the  roots, 
unless  iu  circumstances  where  it  was  desirable  to  have  cs  many 
fruit-bearing  trees  upon  as  small  a  space  of  ground  as  possible. 
Whero  the  roots  of  Apples,  Pears,  &c.,  are  within  from  9  to 
18  inches  of  the  surface,  the  trees  may  soon  be  deprived  of 
extra  luxuriance  by  judicious  summer  pruning,  merely  preserv- 
ing as  many  leaves  on  the  shoots  as  will  insure  a  healthy  action 
between  the  roots  and  the  branches,  and  not  so  many  as  will 
shade  those  buds  at  the  bases  of  the  shoots,  and  on  small  spurs, 
that  can  only  be  rendered  fruitful  by  a  free  exposure  to  Ught 
and  air.  In  extreme  cases,  as  in  fine  old  Pear  trees  that  have 
become  barren  in  the  centre,  the  raising  of  the  roots,  and  sup- 
plying the  tree  with  young  wood,  would,  doubtless,  be  attended 
with  good  results  ;  but  with  trees  of  moderate  ago  and  equality 
of  growth,  it  will  seldom  be  necessary,  unless  in  the  case  of 
trees  of  peculiar  habit. 

FLOWEIl  GAEDEN. 

This  being  about  the  best  time  for  procuring  a  few  Koses  for 
the  flower  garden,  those  who  are  desirous  of  collecting  a  small 
group  of  good  sorts,  should  obtain  the  following,  which  are 
mostly  Perpetuals,  or  which  flower  from  June  until  late  in  the 
autumn,  when  frost  puts  an  end  to  their  beauty— viz.,  Acidalie, 
Bouquet  de  Flore  ;  »Dnchess  of  Sutherland,  ^Madame  Lafiay, 
Aubernon,  'Fulgora,  Due  d'Aumale,  Bernard,  Crimson  Per- 
petual, Prince  Charles,  Bougere,  Goubault,  Elise  Sauvage, 
Comte  de  Paris,  Triomphe  du  Luxembourg,  S.vlvain,  'Lady 
Fordwick,  'Lamarque,  aud  *Jaune  Desprez.  The  above  are 
good,  and  not  expensive  to  buy.  Those  marked  with  an  asterisk 
(•)  are  well  adapted  for  covering  walls,  or  for  training  up  pillars, 
&c.     If  planted  in  a  bed  they  had  better  be  placed  in  the  centre, 


December  S,  1868.  ] 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUKB  AND   COTTAGE  GAEDENER. 


423 


or  wherever  it  is  wished  that  the  bed  should  be  highest.  China, 
Tea,  and  Noisette  Koses,  sliould  be  kept  in  pots  till  the  spring. 
Other  kinds  may  be  planted  with  advantage  about  this  season, 
when  the  weather  is  dry  and  not  frosty.  The  florist  may  now 
take  breath.  His  Tulips  are  all  safely  in  the  ground,  and  in  a 
growing  state,  and,  comparatively  speaking,  out  of  harm's  way. 
The  Carnation  grower's  chief  care  mast  now  be  to  prepare  his 
compost  for  next  season.  His  turf  must  be  turned  often,  very 
often,  during  the  next  three  months,  carefully  picking  out  of  it 
the  florist's  plague,  the  wiroworm.  His  leaf  soil  also  must  be 
shaken  up  and  sweetened,  and  a  proper  quantity  of  thoroughly 
decomposed  stable  mtm  iro  must  bo  made  .sure  of,  whatever 
other  crop  go  without. 

GBEENHOUSr:   AND   COXSEKVATOnY. 

The  only  attention  required  now  for  greenhouse  plants  is  to 
keep  them  free  from  damp,  by  having  the  house  well  aired,  and 
all  dead  leaves  removed.  Stir  the  soil  in  the  pots  occasion- 
ally,_aud  use  as  little  water  as  possible.  Euphorbia  jac- 
quinioiflora  is  an  excellent  conservatory  plant  while  it  is  in 
blossom,  but  at  other  times  it  must  have  stove  treatment.  Last 
season  about  this  time  some  larj^e  plants  of  it  were  pruned,  to 
Bee  if  by  a  little  forcing  in  spriug  they  could  be  induced  to 
flower  early  this  winter,  but  the  experiment  failed  in  some 
measure ;  as  soon  as  the  plants  began  growing  in  spring,  they 
also  flowered  on  the  young  growth,  but  not  satisfactorily,  and 
now_  they  are  not  more  forward  than  others  that  flowered  last 
Christmas,  and  that  were  pruned  in  January. 

BTOVE. 

The  highest  night  temperature  iu  the  stove  for  this  month 
should  not  exceed  60",  which  may  bo  maintained  as  long  as  the 
weather  keeps  open ;  should  the  weather,  however,  suddenly 
change  to  hard  frost,  do  not  strive  to  keep  up  this  temperature 
by  strong  fires  ;  50°  will  be  high  enough  in  very  severe  weather, 
and  strong  fires  will  not  be  needed,  even  to  keep  up  that  heat, 
so  that  in  many  cases  water  must  be  sprinkled  over  the  paths, 
pipes,  ifec,  to  prevent  the  highly  dried  air  from  injuring  the 
plants.  Strong  stovo  climbers  that  do  not  blossom  freely 
should  now  be  root-pruned,  by  cutting  off  some  of  their  largest 
roots  near  the  surface,  or  if  they  are  to  be  taken  up  next  spring 
and  tried  iu  boxes,  this  is  a  good  time  to  begin  to  prepare  them, 
not,  however,  by  cutting  their  roots,  but  by  tracing  one  half 
of  them  to  their  extremities,  and  then  placing  them  near  the 
surface,  with  some  light  compost  thrown  in  amongst  them.  By 
the  end  of  January  these  roots  will  have  formed  a  fresh  set  of 
young  fibres,  and  then  the  other  half  of  the  roots  may  be 
served  after  the  same  manner,  but  leaving  the  plant  in  the 
same  place  till  later  in  the  spring.  This  is  a  safe  mode  of 
treating  plants  that  are  to  be  removed  from  the  borders  of  any 
of  the  houses,  or  for  checking  their  luxuriance. 

PITS. 

Such  a  season  as  this  proves  how  useful  temporary  structures 
are  for  protecting  greenhouse  plants  late  in  the  autumn  ;  the 
general  plan  is  to  cram  all  the  pits  and  houses  on  the  first  ap- 
pearance of  frost  in  October,  whereas  almost  all  the  plants  of 
this  kind  might  yet  be  partially  in  the  open  air,  and  be  much 
benefited  by  the  treatment.  For  some  famOies  of  plants.  Pelar- 
goniums, for  instance,  that  are  worked  much  out  of  season,  pits 
and  structures  of  the  sort  are  particularly  useful.  To  have 
fine  specimens  of  Pelargoniums  in  blossom  from  August  and 
September,  October  is  the  best  time  to  cut  down  the  plants, 
and  from  that  time  till  after  Christmas  they  should  be  as  much 
exposed  to  the  open  air  as  rain  and  frost  will  permit ;  then 
they  wUl  only  be  coming  into  leaf  again,  and  after  two  months' 
protection  in  the  greenhouse,  &c.,  they  may  be  again  turned 
out  into  temporary  pits  to  keep  them  back,  and  as  the  warm 
weather  comes,  they  may  be  placed  under  a  north  wall. — 
W.  Keank.  

DOINGS  OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

TIIIELY   HINTS. 

Managancnt  of  Fires  and  Flues. — We  are  told  we  ought  to  have 
been  more  explicit  on  this  subject  a  few  weeks  ago,  as  many 
new  readers  have  not  back  volumes  to  refer  to,  and  since  the 
humourous  account  given  by  "  A.  P».  L.,"  at  pages  351  and  855, 
telling  how  a  flue  that  would  not  draw  was  made  to  burn  well 
at  last,  we  have  had  numerous  questions  about  it,  the  most  of 
which  might  at  once  have  been  put  to  the  test  of  experiment, 
and  the  only  one  that  needs  an  answer,  is  that  referring  to  the 
remedy  that  is  to  be  applied  when  there  ai-e  no  soot  doors  to 
open  in  order  to  light  a  fire. 


Now,  when  a  boiler  is  set  over  a  furnace,  and  there  is  only  a 
short  flue  to  the  chimney,  there  is  generally  no  want  of  a  good 
draught.  Unless  well  managed,  the  draught  would  be  strong 
enough  to  take  three  parts  of  the  heat  up  the  chimney,  and  send 
it  out  to  heat  the  general  atmosphere,  a  matter  of  importance 
to  the  person  who  has  the  fuel  to  pay  for. 

When  a  furnace  has  to  heat  a  flue,  whethpr  the  furnace  is 
also  to  heat  a  boiler  or  not,  it  is  a  matter  of  first  importance 
that  the  furnace  grating  or  fire-bars  should  be  from  24  to 
30  inches  below  the  bottom  of  the  flue.  If  this  matter  is  looked 
to,  there  will  rarely  bo  any  difficulty  as  to  quick  draught,  except 
where  the  fluo  is  very  long,  has  several  turnings,  or  is  damp 
inside,  either  from  moisture  percolating,  or  long  disuse.  A 
flue  connected  with  a  furnace  that  heats  a  boiler  before  the 
heated  air  goes  into  the  fluo,  is  more  likely,  if  long,  to  draw 
slowly,  because  a  good  portion  of  the  heat  is  absorbed  by  the 
boiler  before  it  enters  the  fluo.  When  heating  by  hot  water, 
and  the  most  is  to  be  made  of  the  fuel,  it  is  well  to  have  a  flue 
in  addition,  instead  of  sending  so  much  heat  up  the  chimney. 
When  a  large  boiler  is  used,  a  flue  taken  from  it  might  thus 
heat  a  separate  house.  We  have  iu  our  eye  a  conservatory 
heated  in  this  way  ;  a  boiler  and  pipes,  and  a  flue  from  the  fur- 
nace, with  three  turns  in  the  back  wall,  so  that  before  the 
heated  air  reached  the  chimney  it  was  tolerably  cool.  In  this 
case,  dreading  the  sour  smoke  that  was  sure  to  fill  the  stoke- 
hole at  the  first  lighting,  we  generally  chose  a  dry  bright  day 
for  putting  on  the  first  fire  in  the  autumn,  and  if  that  did  not 
do,  we  just  adopted  the  engineer's  remedy,  and  put  a  fire  in  the 
flue,  by  taking  out  an  iron  smoke  plate  ;  excellent  assistants  in 
all  flues,  as  thus  the  flue  may  be  easily  cleaned  without  break- 
ing or  knocking  it  to  pieces. 

In  many  other  instances,  where  the  flues  were  not  very  long, 
where  there  were  no  soot  doors,  and  yet  from  not  having  a  fire 
for  many  months,  there  was  apt  to  be  back  smoke  in  the  stoke- 
hole, we  found  a  draught  was  at  once  secured  by  going  to  the 
chimney  top,  and  lighting  dry  straw  or  shavings  in  it  a  few 
feet  from  the  top ;  a  few  handsful  generally  did  all  that  was 
necessary,  as  the  air  thus  rarified  drew  the  heavier  air  to  supply 
the  comparative  vacuum,  and  the  draught  in  the  furnace  was  at 
once  secured.  As  already  stated,  however,  unless  the  flue  has 
many  turns,  or  is  very  long,  the  sinking  of  the  furnace  low 
enough  will  generally  insure  draught.  We  have  known  cases 
where  chimneys  were  raised  a  couplo  of  yards  to  get  free  draught, 
when  the  sinking  of  the  furnace-bars  1'2  inches  would  have  been 
more  effectual.  The  only  drawback  to  this,  especially  when  the 
flues  go  beneath  the  floor  of  a  greenhouse,  is,  that  the  stoke- 
hole must  go  all  that  lower,  a  matter  of  no  great  importance, 
except  when  water  comes  in  the  way,  as  then  means  must  be 
taken  by  cement  or  otherwise  to  keep  the  place  dry. 

As  regards  the  management  of  fires,  we  are  not  surprised  to 
find,  by  these  pages,  that  there  are  so  many  complaints  about 
the  quantity  of  fuel  consumed  iu  heating  boilers,  &c.,  Jjecause, 
in  the  first  place,  we  have  never  yet  worked  a  boiler  that  did 
not  require  more  fuel  to  keep  up  a  continuous  heat  than  the 
purchaser  was  given  to  understand  it  would  do.  "  Only  see," 
says  the  vendor,  "  what  a  small  supply  of  fuel  will  heat  the 
water  sufficiently,"  and  so  it  may,  but  little  or  nothing  will 
not  keep  it  hot.  We  can  well  recollect  in  one  case,  how 
chaldron  after  chaldron  of  coke  used  to  be  grumbled  at.  There 
was  never  anything  like  the  consumption  of  fuel  before,  no, 
never;  but  there  was  another  no-uever,  never  mentioned,  that 
instead  of  being  satisfied  with  Grapes  in  August,  they  must  be 
had  in  the  beginning  of  May.  But  not  knowing  all  about  this, 
wo  actually  had  all  the  huge  clinkers  broken  up  and  pitched 
into  the  furnace  a  second  time,  until  they  came  out  like  as 
much  iron,  and,  determined  to  have  something  to  burn,  we  used 
up  lots  of  half  decomposed  caky  dung  fast  approaching  the 
peaty  state,  and  obtained  heat  from  it  too ;  but  the  wind  one 
night  took  the  smoke  and  fumes  to  the  windows,  and  after  that 
there  was  no  more  talk  about  the  waste  of  coke.  But  for  that 
fortunate  wind,  we  would  soon  have  settled  some  waggon  loads 
of  the  manure,  of  which  there  was  no  scarcity  ;  but  it  was  not 
the  most  pleasant  thing  to  work  among,  and  we  v.ere  glad  to  let 
it  alone.  It  made  us  do  our  stoking,  however,  with  such  care 
and  circumspection  that  wo  could  be  satisfied  no  one  who 
knew  the  facts  of  the  case  could  say  there  was  waste. 

We  have  no  doubt  that  complaints  are  often  just,  because 
there  is  waste  either  from  ignorance  or  inattention,  so  much  so, 
that  iu  all  places  where  there  are  many  furnaces  a  good  stoker 
is  just  another  word  for  a  good  saving,  and  especially  in  dis- 
tricts where  coal  is  yet  dear,  or  has  to  be  far  driven.  So  much 
is  this  the  case,  that  for  heating  small  houses,  where  a  person 


424 


JOURNAL  OF   HOKTlCtJLTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  December  S,  1868. 


interested  can  see  tke  work  done,  or  do  it,  all  onr  experiments 
prove  that  the  best  and  dearest  coal  is  also  the  cheapest ;  but 
an  inferior  coal  will  often  be  the  most  suitable,  just  because 
when  an  extra  quantity  is  burned  carelessly  there  will  not  be 
the  same  value  lost  as  it  it  had  been  the  best  coal.  Thus,  also, 
as  far  as  fuel  is  concerned,  the  heating  a  number  of  hoxiscs  by 
one  boiler  will  be  the  most  economical,  because  there  is  only 
one  chimney  instead  of  many  to  talte  away  the  heat  from  the 
furnace. 

In  lighting  a  furnace  fire,  a  little  dry  wood,  straw,  and  shav- 
ings are  as  good  as  anything  ;  and  when  burning,  a  little  coal, 
snch  as  nuts  from  the  size  of  beans  to  walnuts,  without  dust, 
will  generally  fake  at  once,  and  when  fairly  I'ghted  other  fuel 
may  be  added  ;  but  cinders,  half-burnt  coal,  and  coke  do  not 
ignite  so  quickly  as  these  little  bits  of  coal,  which  also  should 
be  rather  dry.  We  are  presuming  that  before  lighting,  the 
furnace  is  well  cleaned  out,  and  Ihat  if  the  ashpit  is  not 
cleaned  out  entirely  that  there  should  be  suOicient  space  between 
the  bars  and  the  ashes  to  allow  the  air  to  have  as  much  access 
as  is  desirable.  Not  so  long  ago  we  were  asked  our  advice  as 
to  a  furnace  that  would  not  draw  a  bit  unless  the  furnace  door 
stood  open.  The  ashpit  was  as  compactly  crammed  as  if  the 
cramming  had  been  one  of  the  essentials  of  management.  In 
lighting,  shut  the  furnace  door  and  leave  the  ashpit  door  open, 
so  that  plenty  of  air  may  pass  through  the  furnace  bars  to 
the  lighted  fuel.  As  soon  as  the  boiler  or  flue  is  becoming 
heated,  partly  shut  the  ashpit  door,  and  when  hot  enough 
shut  it  altogether,  leaving  only  a  small  opening  to  allow  as 
mnch  air  to  enter  as  will  keep  up  a  slow,  regular  combustion 
of  fuel. 

For  heating  by  flue  alone  we  would  have  no  damper  in  the 
flue,  as  it  is  liable  to  cause  injury,  but  regulate  draught  entirely 
by  the  ashpit  door,  and  if  this  is  done  by  allowing  only  a  small 
slit  /or  air,  the  flue  will  be  pretty  warm  and  tlie  chimney  almost 
cold.  When  a  furnace  is  used  for  healing  a  boiler  only,  and  it  is 
merely  a  few  feet  from  the  upright  chimney,  there  should  bo  the 
same  attention  to  the  ashpit  door,  but  that  will  not  be  enough  ; 
a  damper  near  the  base  of  the  chimney  will  also  be  required, 
to  be  drawn  nearly  out  when  lighting  the  fire,  and  until  the 
heat  is  up,  and  put  nearly  in  when  the  fire  has  become  bright 
and  the  water  hot  enough.  Sometimes  a  mistake  is  made  by 
sending  the  damper  right  home  ;  but  any  injury  from  this 
cause  is  caeily  prevented  by  having  a  hole,  say  1  inch  in  dia- 
meter, in  the  centre  of  the  damper.  Whenever  the  heat  is  well 
up,  and  there  is  fuel  gettirg  into  sn  incandescent  state,  it  is 
always  a  true  sign  of  bad  management  to  see  the  damper  out 
and  the  ashpit  or  furnace  doors  open.  In  the  first  case  the 
beat  escapes  freely  up  tho  chimney  instead  of  being  sent  back 
to,  or  more  confined  round,  the  boiler.  In  the  stcond  case  a  rapid 
consumption  of  fuel  takes  place  by  the  free  admission  of  air, 
and  the  open  furnace  door  lets  the  heat  freely  out  for  the 
benefit  of  the  neighbourhood.  Of  course  when  there  is  too 
much  heat  the  opening  of  the  furnace  door  and  the  shutting  of 
the  ashpit  door  will  lessen  draught,  and  what  is  desired  takes 
place — the  heat  is  gradually  lessened,  at  the  expense  of  wasting 
the  fuel.  Such  things  will  happen  in  sudden  changes  of 
weather  with  the  best  stokers  ;  hut  when  these  little  matters 
are  attended  to  in  a  sort  of  haphazard  way,  it  is  impossible 
that  the  most  can  be  made  of  the  fuel  for  heating. 

In  applying  fresh  fuel  it  is  best  to  keep  the  incandescent 
fuel  next  the  flue,  and  the  fresh  nearer  to  the  furnace  door. 
Much  of  the  smoke  is  thus  consumed,  and  the  moisture  in  the 
new  fuel  is,  if  the  fire  is  strong,  also  decomposed,  and  adds 
to  the  heat.  Ashes  and  small  dusty  coal  are  best  used  after 
the  fire  is  strong,  and  placed  in  the  position  indicated  ;  and  if 
such  small  dusty  fuel  be  well  watered  before  using,  it  will 
burn  all  the  better,  because  it  cakes  as  the  heat  takes  the 
moisture  from  it.  In  practice  we  find  that  a  small  hole 
near  the  top  of  the  furnace  door  for  flues,  and  either  there  or 
in  a  soot  plate  not  far  from  the  boiler  when  hot  water  is  used, 
tends  to  the  lessening  of  the  smoke,  and  so  far  to  its  consump- 
tion. A  small  stream  of  air,  such  as  would  have  entrance  from 
a  hole  from  one-eighth  to  one-quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter, 
acts  very  differently  from  opening  the  furnace  door.  With  the 
exception  of  small  coal  for  lighting,  we  would  if  we  could  prefer 
coke  for  fuel,  for  besides  being  more  under  the  control  of  the 
ashpit  door  and  the  damper,  the  outside  appearance  of  the 
houses  is  less  injured  by  smoke.  Ere  long  in  all  large  places 
the  smoke  will  be  carried  to  a  distance.  Much  of  it  becomes 
a  great  eyesore  in  small  places.  We  know  of  some  scores  of 
nice  little  glass  houses  that  are  unhealed  on  account  of  the 
smoke,  and  as  gaa  is  not  to  be  had  ;  but  even  where  it  is  so,  if 


not  used  carefully,  it  wonld  be  as  injurious  to  plants  as  tie 
frost. 

We  find  that,  so  as  to  suit  beginners,  we  have  said  nothing 
about  banking  up  fires  the  last  thing  at  night.  A  few  ashes 
will  generally  be  sufficient ;  but  if  the  ashpit  and  furnace  doors 
are  properly  attended  to,  there  is  little  necessity  for  one  getting 
his  throat  full  of  dry  ashes.  In  greenhouses,  unless  in  continued 
frosts,  continued  fires  arc  seldom  necessary.  In  many  cases  a 
brisk  fire  is  all  that  would  be  needed.  A  great  deal  will  yet  be 
done  with  just  one  brisk  fire,  and  the  fire  allowed  to  go  out 
before  lighting  again.  But  in  the  case  where  a  continuous 
regular  heat  is  wanted  by  night  as  well  as  by  day,  the  only  true 
mode  of  management  is  to  get  the  heat  up  by  bedtime,  and 
allow  it  to  fall  a  little  at  night  by  a  slow  combustion.  We 
have  managed  this  regular  heat  very  well  in  this  way  without 
dust  or  ashes  :  Instead  of  raking  the  bars  as  at  lighting  time, 
beat  the  fuel  down  on  them,  add  the  fresh  which  experience 
deems  necessary,  beat  that  gently,  and  shut  furnace  and  ash- 
pit doors,  leaving  only  a  small  opening  in  the  latter  ;  a  slit, 
1  inch  long  and  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  inch  wide,  will  give 
enongh  air  to  play  on  the  fuel  thus  pressed  down.  In  the 
morning,  when  it  is  generally  coldest  in  winter,  a  stout  poker 
or  crowbar  run  through  such  fuel,  and  the  opening  of  the  ash- 
pit door,  will  soon  give  a  bright  fire. 

Next  in  importance  at  present,  is  a  very  simple  matter. 

Waterina. — Much  of  future  success  depends  on  the  waterer. 
We  have  still  a  great  portion  of  our  bedding  stuff  in  cold  frames, 
and  these  old  and  none  of  the  best.  In  such  dull  weather  it 
requires  a  little  management  to  keep  plants  from  damping. 
Some  things  will  become  dry  to  their  injury,  moist  and  foggy 
though  the  weather  be,  and  a  careless  waterer  would  do  infinite 
mischief.  Each  pot  should  be  carefully  watered  gently  by  the 
spout.  In  fact,  the  best  plan  is  to  lift  the  plants  out,  water 
them,  let  them  drain,  and  then  replace  them.  In  greenhouses, 
similar  care  should  be  used.  Calceolarias  and  Cinerarias  need 
a  considerable  quantity  of  water,  unless  in  the  dullest  weather; 
but  both  delight  to  stand  on  damp  moss,  and,  therefore,  may 
have  their  wants  attended  to  without  deluging  other  plants. 
Chiysanthemiims  will  not  do  to  be  dry,  but  they  are  frequently 
kept  too  close  and  damp,  and  Camellias  should  be  damp  rather 
than  dry.  Everything  will  want  water  according  to  its  growth, 
and  the  temperature  and  sunlight;  but  in  all  greenhouses 
now,  no  water  should  be  spilled  or  splashed  about,  as  in  every 
change  of  weather  that  water  is  apt  to  rise  as  vapour,  and  in  a 
frosty  night  be  condensed  against  the  glass,  and  in  many  cases 
come  all  over  the  plants  as  an  ugly  shower.  Even  in  plant 
stoves,  there  is  danger  of  too  much  water  being  spilt  in  such 
foggy  weather,  and  where  no  means  are  used  to  prevent  diip,  as 
continuous  planes  of  glass,  fluted  bars,  or  double  roofs,  the  drip 
often  does  much  injury.  Wheie  there  are  few  incentives  to 
dry  soil  in  pots,  where  evaporation  by  foliage  is  pretty  well 
met  by  absorption,  water  should  be  used  with  care,  and  none 
allowed  to  run  to  waste.  In  all  such  mild,  dripping,  foggy 
weather  as  we  hare  lately  had,  there  is  more  danger  of  plants 
being  too  wet  than  too  dry. 

Air-riiving. — When  cold  and  frosty,  if  we  gave  a  little  air,  we 
should  keep  at  that  little,  rather  than  give  more,  and  as  a  con- 
sequence give  more  fire  heat.  In  such  mild,  foggy  weather,  we 
should  give  a  little  fire  heat  where  we  could,  so  as  to  afford  a 
little  air  fop  and  bottom,  to  promote  a  free  circulation.  In 
frames  and  pits,  where  no  artificial  heat  could  be  given,  the 
sashes  were  tilted  back  and  front,  to  admit  air  without  much 
moisture.  We  find  we  must  give  more  air  than  we  have  done 
to  the  pit  of  Calceolaria  cuttings,  as  against  our  will  they  are 
striking  root — those  first  put  in — and  we  would  rather  they  had 
been  a  few  weeks  later,  as  they  will  be  more  sensitive  to  frost, 
and  especially  as  standing  so  thickly,  and,  therefore,  we  must 
keep  them  as  robust  as  possible,  so  that  they  may  not  grow 
much.  We  like  best  when  these  bedding  Calceolarias  do  not 
root  much  until  after  the  shortest  day  is  past ;  the  mild  weather 
has  brought  them  on  sooner  than  wanted,  but  they  look  very 
well  now,  with  not  a  break  in  the  thick  lines. 

Washinri  Glass. — Nothing  will  make  up  in  such  days  for  the 
want  of  clean  glass.  That  over  the  Calceolarias,  and  much  be- 
sides, was  anything  but  clean.  We  have  had  a  rather  heavy 
job  in  washing  lights  inside  and  out,  and  especially  inside. 
Smeared,  clouded,  dirty  glass,  is  as  unwholesome  to  a  plant,  as  a 
dirt-encrusted  window  is  to  the  dweller  in  tho  room,  to  which 
(he  window-  belongs.  Like  ourselves,  plants  rejoice  in  the  lights 
and  in  such  close,  damp  weather  all  that  we  can  give  them 
under  glass  will  be  little  enough,  especially  to  all  our  favourites 
that  come  from  brighter  skies  tlian  ours.     It  is  well  to  treat  a 


Dcsembor  3,  1836.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF   nOKTIOULTDEE    AND   COTTAGE    QAKDENER. 


425 


plant  80  as  to  deserve  its  thanks,  for,  like  a  child,  it  has  not 
learned  deception,  but  will  look  bright  or  gloomy  just  ae  it  is 
considerately  and  intelligently  used . — 11.  F. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— Diui.mbku  2. 

A  VERY  free  supply  of  EnpHwh  Pine  Apples  is  coming  in  now,  also  Romo 
very  pood  ones  from  St.  SlicluierB,  chiefly  of  tho  Smooth  Ciiy  onno  variety. 
VeffelablcB  are  iilf^o  plentiful  nud  of  KCO'I  quality,  tho  Brocco  li  especially  ; 
but  wo  hnvo  a  very  iaditTeront  report  to  mako  of  PotatocH   generally. 


FRUIT. 


S.  d.       B. 

Apples M  sieve  1  6to2 

Apricota doz.  0  0      0 

Cherries lb.  0  0 

Chestnuts bush.  10  0 

CniTADts y<  sieve  0  0 

BUck do.  0  0 

Fipg doz.  0  0 

FUberts lb.  0  9 

Cobs lb.  0  9 

GooBOborries    ,.  quftrt  0  0 

Grapes,  Hothouse.. lb.  3  0 

Lemons 100  4  0 


Melonff each  2 

Nectarines doz.  0 

Oranges 100  4 

Peaches doz.  0 

Pears  (dcflsort)  ..  doz.  2 

Pine  Apples lb.  !l 

Plums Ji  sieve  0 

Quinces doz.  0 

Kaspberrios lb.  0    0 

Strawberries ..    per  lb.  0    0 

Walnuts bush.  10    0 

do per  100  1    0 


d.  s. 
OtoB 
0      0 


9 

6 
5 
0 
1 
0 
0 
13     0 

a  6 


VEGETABLES. 


Artichokes doz. 

Asparagus  100 

Beans,  Kidney  }{■  sieve 

Beet,  Ked doz. 

Broccoli bundle 

Bma.  Sprouts  J^j  sieve 

Cabbage doz. 

Capsicums 100 

Carrots bnnch 

Canliflower doz. 

Celery bundle 

Cucuuibera each 

Endive doz. 

Fennel bunch 

Garlic lb. 

Herbs  bnnch 

Horseradish  ..  bundle 


B.  d.       B.  d  ! 

8    0to6    0 
0      0    0 


0 
3 

2  0 

1  0 

2  0 
1  0 
0  0 


Leekfl  bunch 

Lettuce  ....  per  score 
Mushrooms  ....  pottle 
Mustd.&  Cress,  punnet 
Onions  ....per  bushel 

Parsley per  sieve 

Parsnips doz. 

Peas per  quart 

Potatoes bushel 

Kidney  de. 

Radiehes  doz.  bnnchos 

Rhubarb Iiundle 

Sea-kale basket 

Shallots lb. 

Spinach bushel 

Tomatoes... .  per  doz, 
Tomips bnnch 


d.      s 

4  too 


TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 

••*  We  request  that  no  one  will  write  privately  to  tbetlepart- 
raental  writers  of  the  "Journal  of  Horticulture,  Cottage 
Gardener,  and  Country  Gentleman."     By  bo  doing  they 
are  subjected  to  unjustifiable  trouble  and  expense.     All 
communicationB   should  therefore  he  addressed  solely  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  <&c,^  171,  fleet 
Street,  London,  E.G. 
"We  also  request   that  correspondents  will  not  mix  n|>on  the 
earae  sheet  questions  relating  to  Gardening  and  those  on 
Poultry  and  Bee  subjects,  if  they  expect  to  get  them  an- 
swered promptly   and  conveniently,   but   wiite   them  on 
separate  communications.    Also  never  to  send  more  than 
two  or  three  ques-tions  at  once. 
N.B. — Many  questions  must  remain  unanswered   until  nest 
week. 
Books  (Hairi/V— "The  Modern  Pcnch-Pruncr,"  by  Brchaut,  3^-.  &d.; 
"Heatint!,'   by   R.   Fish,   Pr/. ;    "The   Cnttage    Gardencrb'     Dictionary," 
B.*!.  Grf. ;  and  Johnpon's  "  Science  and  Practice  of  Gnrdpning,"  3s.    You 
can  have  them  free  by  post  from  this  office  if  you  send  in  stamps,  with 
your  addrcs?,  for  the  first,  8?.  8(i. ;  for  tho  second,  7'^.  ;  for   the   third, 
Is.  2d. ;  and  f'^r  the  fourth,  Ss.  id.     {A.  7i.).— Loudon's  "  Hortus  Britauni- 
cus"  states    the    Latin  nameg  of  planty.      The  "Cottage    Gardeners' 
Dictionary"  states  the  names  of  all  worth  cultivating. 

Gkeen  Gage  near  a  Town'  (J.  ^.).— It  is  this  variety,  and  not  Plums 
generally,  that  is  spoken  of  in  the  passage  you  mention. 

Mahaleb  Cherry  Stock  (A  Header). — The  Mahaloh  stock  is  a  species 
of  Cherry  (Cerasua  Mahalcb),  and  is  raised  from  KucUcrs,  layers,  and  by 
aov.ing  the  stones.  It  is  used  as  a  stock  for  the  Cherry  because  it  dwarfs 
the  trees,  and  on  that  account  is  very  de&irable,  as  the  trees,  as  buehes 
and  pyramids,  can  be  grown  in  a  small  space,  and  they  come  into  hearing 
much  earlier  than  those  on  the  wild  C'heriy  stock. 

|t>  Forming  Pvramid  Cheery  Trees  (Wem). —Commencing  with  a 
maiden  plan*^,  the  head  should  be  taken  olT  at  13  inches  above  the  point  of 
union  of  the  graft  and  stock.  This  will  cause  the  production  of  side 
shoots,  the  uppermost  of  which  is  to  be  trained  as  a  leader,  and  all  the 
others  should  have  their  points  taken  out  as  soon  as  they  have  made 
six  leaves,  commencing  with  the  strongest  and  ending  with  the 
vrealtest;  when  the  shoots  push  again,  take  ont  their  points  at  the  third 
leaf.  The  leader  may  he  stopped  when  it  has  grown  lil  inches,  and  it  will 
push  one  or  more  shoots.  One  is  to  be  trained  as  a  leader,  and  tlie  others 
should  have  their  points  taken  out  at  the  third  lefif.  In  winter  the  leader 
should  bo  cut  back  to  within  about  15  inches  of  the  last  stopping,  and 
any  of  the  side  shoots  that  are  irregiilar  may  be  shoitened  so  as  to  have 
the  tree  widest  at  bottom  and  gradually  tapi  r.ug  upwards.  As  respects 
the  leadtr  the  treatment  is  the  same  in  tlie  following  year,  and  afterwardp, 
until  the  desired  beiRht  cf  tree  is  attiiined,  and  the  side  shoots  are 
allowed  to  make  shoots  with  Fix  leaves  ;  then  take  out  their  points, 
Iteeping  them  closely  pinched-in  afterwards  to  one  or  tM'o  leaves.    Care 


must  bo  taken  to  Ftnp  so  as  to  form  a  perfect  cone  <it  pyramid,  encourag- 
ing the  shootn  in  tho  iiollow  plncts,  nnd  not  Ntopping  thetn  uijtil  they  are 
of  cijunl  length  with  the  otherP,  and  when  they  are  too  prominent  pinch 
more  cloSely.  Pyramids  on  tho  Mahaloh  Htock  may  be  planted  4  feet 
apart,  so  that  'J-lTI  will  bo  required  to  plant  an  aero.  At  that  dit^tancc 
biennial  lifting  is  not  necesMary,  but  it  will  auHwer  very  well.  We  plant 
ourH  6  fuet  apart,  and  only  move  thi-n  when  they  become  too  vigoroup, 
which  is  about  every  third 'year.  At  0  feet  apart  1210  trees  arc  reriiiired 
for  planting  an  acre. 

Climbers  for  Fernery  (Subaeriber). —  If  you  are  erecting  a  fernery 
at  the  back  of  a  wall  which  will  give  tho  fernery  a  north  aspect,  few 
climbers  will  succeed  in  such  a  house,  as  it  will  not  receive  much  snn. 
We  can,  however,  recommend  Lapageria  rosea  for  tho  roof,  and  tho  back 
wall  we  would  have  made  to  hold  plants,  and  plant  some  of  the  Davaliiae, 
as  D.  dissccta,  I),  cauariensis  ;  iJrynaria  pustulata,  Acrophorus  hispidns, 
Ncphrolepis  tuherusa,  Niphoholus  rupestris,  Plalycerium  alcicorne,  which 
will  grow  if  properly  supplied  with  moisture  ;  and  their  rhizonifrs  grow 
over  the  wall,  being  very  pretty  if  intermingled  with  Selaginella  denti- 
culata.  Lygodium  scandens  is  a  liandsome  climbing  Fern,  and  will  suc- 
ceed in  a  groenliouso  temperature,  and  so  will  those  named.  Vou  could 
not  introduce  flowering  plants  into  such  a  house  advantageously. 

Sowing  Seeds  from  Australia  (A.  ilf.  r.).— The  seeds  shi^;uld  he  sown 
at  tho  end  of  Feliruaiyor  beginning  of  March,  in  sandy  peat  two  paris, 
and  one  part  liglit  turfy  loam,  covering  them  with  soil  equal  in  thiekncss 
to  the  thicknets  of  the  seed".  Place  them  in  a  hotbed,  pluuge  the  pete 
to  the  rim,  and  maintain  a  temperature  at  bottom  of  about  76  or  80^, 
and  a  top  heat  of  from  G5'  to  70^,  with  a  rise  from  sun  heat.  They  should 
be  kept  close  and  moist,  hut  without  making  the  soil  very  wet,  until  the 
Plants  appear,  then  give  air  and  keep  them  near  the  glass.  When  largo 
enough  tu  handle  pot  singlv  in  small  pots,  and  forward  them  in  the  frame 
until  cataMished,  then  harden  them  ofl'  and  remove  them  to  a  light  airy 
gituation  in  the  greenhouse,  where  they  will  succeed  admirably. 

Grapes  not  Colouring  {l>l/'m).—The  cau«o  of  your  Grapes  not  colour- 
ing well  is  probably  the  abundant  crop.  Overcropping  is  generally  the 
cause  of  want  of  colour  in  Grapes,  and  in  your  case  we  think  the  sole 
cause. 

Trentham  Black  Grape  f7?^a^fr).— There  is  no  discrepancy  in  the 
opinions;  it  does  keep  woU  under  favourable  circumstances,  in  some 
places  and  reasons  better  than  the  Black  Hamburgh,  but  in  others  not  BO 
well.  Lady  Downe's  and  White  Tokny  will  succeed  well  in  a  cool  vinery 
if  heat  be  given  at  the  time  of  their  blooming  and  of  the  Grapes  stoning 

Pruning  Vines  (A gncn).—\ our  young  Vines  newly  planted  ought  to  be 
pruned  now  to  the  lieiglit  you  require  them  to  bo  in  order  to  extend 
through  the  wall,  and  up  the  front  lights  to  within  about  15  inches  of 
the  roof.  The  shorter  you  prune  them  the  more  vigorously  they  will 
start  next  year,  bnt  the  canes  ought  to  reach  as  high  as  the  bottom  of  the 
front  lights.  Fur  planting  out  we  prefer  Vines  one,  and  not  more  than 
two  vearsold  from  the  eye,  good  strong  canes  that  have  not  fruited,  the 
younger  the  better  ;  but  wo  sec  no  oVgection  to  yours,  they  will,  no  dnnbt, 
do  very  well  unless  they  have  been  fruited  in  pots  for  two  or  three  yeare, 
and  then  they  do  not  answer  so  well  as  plantb  of  one  year's  growth. 

Melons  and  Peaches  for  June  ( Tf.  U'.  C.).— The  seeds  of  the  Melons 
should  be  sown  early  in  February  (Hrst  week),  and  grown  on  in  a  good  but 
not  too  strong  heat.  Peaches  should  be  started  at  the  same  time,  bnt 
the  house  ought  to  have  been  kept  at  about  40-  for  a  fortnight  previously, 

Jasminum  guanditlorum  Flowf.rs  Falling  (Dilemma).— We  think 
the  flowers  full  prematurely  from  the  plant  not  having  enough  water  at 
the  root,  and  from  the  house  being  kept  too  close  and  moist.  Give  more 
air,  and  keep  the  plant  well  supplied  with  water.  The  flowers  at  best  are 
not  of  long  continuance  individually,  though  they  quickly  succeed  each 
other,  and  the  pl.iuts  in  that  way  continue  a  long  time  in  bloom. 

Preparing  Ground  for  Roses  (A  Coplcj  Cottage  Gardencr).~Vfe 
would  advise  you  to  trench  the  ground  at  once  2 feet  deep,  bringing  some 
of  the  lighter  soil  to  the  top,  and  mixing  it  with  the  surface  soil,  which 
you  say  is  very  stiff.  Digging  now  cannot  make  it  more  adhesive,  bnt 
exposure  to  frost  will  pulverise  it,  nnd  you  may  make  it  more  friable  by 
adding  Baud.  In  trenching  throw  it  in  ridges,  and  as  ruuglily  as  possible 
so  as  to  expose  it  to  frost.  If  you  cannot  obtain  sand,  ashes  will  answer 
the  purpose  of  making  it  more  optn.  The  manure  you  name  will  not  be 
suitable,  but  you  may  mix  it  with  soil,  and  let  it  lie  for  twelve  months, 
turning  it  over  once  or  twice  during  the  summer,  and  in  the  autumn  or 
winter  it  will  be  a  good  manure  for  Roses,  and  excellent  for  top-dre=f ing 
Strawberries.  Of  course,  tho  ground  will  he  made  more  close  and  mud- 
like by  digging  it  in  wet  weather.  Chose  dry  weather,  or  dry  for  the 
season. 

Select  Hoses  for  Pots  (Dilemma).— Hjihrld  Perpetual  :  Madame 
Vidot,  Charles  Lefebvrc,  Senateur  Vaiasc,  Caroline  de  bansal,  Jules  Mar- 
gottin,  Madame  Boutin,  Lord  Macaulay,  Buronne  Prevost,  John  Hopper, 
and  Due  de  Rohan.     Tea-sccntcd  :  Devoniensis  and  Gloire  de  Dijon. 

Pear  Branch  Split  {Inquirer).— Bhid  up  the  split  part  with  bast 
matting  shreds,  and  cover  the  whole  of  the  binding  with  clay,  as  in  graft 
ing.  If  a  Et'^ke  be  driven  firmly  into  the  ground  bo  that  the  whole  tree 
and  especially  that  branch  can  be  kept  from  being  wind-shaken,  the 
healing  will  be  promoted.  If  you  eneloso  five  postage  stamps  with  vonr 
address,  and  order  "  Fruit  Giudening  for  the  Many,"  it  will  be  sent  to 
you  fiee  by  post  from  this  oflice. 

Golden  Queen  Melon.— We  are  sorry  to  hear  from  Mr.  O.  Taylor, 
that  he  has  Deen  inundated  with  applications  for  seeds  of  this  Melon  in 
consequence  of  his  offering  a  few  to  one  correspondent.    He  has  none  left 

Repotting  Camfllias  and  Azaleas  (E.  .S.).— When  Camellias  and 
Azaleas  are  well  eslablit-hed,  they  will  do  very  well  without  potting  for 
several  years,  merely  fresh-surfacing  them.  We  prefer  that  to  too  fre- 
quent potting.   Potting  every  year  will  not  hurt  them  if  done  judiciously. 

Watering  a  Vinery  Border  (A.  U.).— We  would  water  the  inside 
Vine  border  with  water  at  6j  before  beginning  to  force.  The  quantity 
of  water  must  depend  on  the  dryness  of  -the  soil,  and  the  time  for  a  re- 
petition on  the  character  of  the  season. 

Vines  Ovi:r-forced  (G.  H.  G.).— The  Vines  that  have  been  forced  so 
hard  and  made  weak,  would  be  the  better  of  being  forced  less,  pruned 
more,  and  of  stronger  growth  being  encouraged.  The  roots  that  have 
come  so  liberallv  from  the  Vine  etems,  show  cither  that  the  house  was 
kept  moist  and  the  border  rather  dry,  or  that  there  was  something  the 


426 


JOURNAL  OF   HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  December  8, 1868- 


matter  with  the  roots,  and  the  Vine?  Inside  conBequently  |>ut  forth  roots  in 
self-defence.  Probably  the  border  wants  some  fresh  material  or  drainage* 
Vine  ik  Outside  Border  {R  S.]. — If  yon  con  obtain  as  much  of  your 
small  young  Vine  shoot  as  will  leiive  you  a  bud  or  two  tolerably  well 
ripened  inside  the  Louse,  we  wohIu  prune  to  the  one  or  two  bnds,  and 
carefully  remove  all  other  buds  and  spray.  If  not,  iiU'i  the  Vine,  as  you 
say,  is  so  weak,  we  would  carefully  take  it  up,  and  gro  a  it  in  a  pot  inside 
until  midsummer. 

Top-dressing  a  Vine  Border  (It.  S.).—A  little  limp  rubbish  on  the 
surface  of  a  border  for  Vinos  would  do  no  harm,  but  vUo  propriety  of  a 
heavy  dres^infj  wonkl  dci>cnd  on  the  state  of  the  border,  and  in  no  case 
would  we  add  much  to  the  surface  at  one  time.  The  dressing  of  dun'-: 
over  the  lime  rubbish  would  be  beneficial.  Cow  dung  would  not  be  so  good 
as  horse  dung,  unless  it  were  balf-decnyed  and  rather  dry.  For  want 
of  better,  fresh  cow  dung  may  be  used  and  broken  up  when  dry,  the  chief 
objection  to  using  it  wet  and  fresh  is,  that  if  the  border  is  wet  before 
applying  the  dung  little  air  will  pass  through  the  close  surfnce. 

Hyacinths  in  Pots  (An  Amateur)  — Tf  your  Hyacinth  bulbs  are  in  the 
open  air  under  ashes,  they  will  not  pi-obably  want  any  water  until  you 
take  them  out  to  grow  them  for  bloom.  The  mo\ing  tbeni  for  this  purpose 
ought  not  to  take  place  until  the  pots  are  getting  full  of  roots,  and  the 
top  of  the  bulb  is  moving.  If  your  bulbs  are  under  cover  they  may 
become  too  dry,  but  it  will  be  better  to  water  all  round  the  pots  instead 
of  making  them  too  wot.  We  should  think  that  being  potted  a  month, 
many  of  the  pots  may  now  be  romoTed  into  the  light.  Try  a  few  and  see 
how  the  roots  are. 

Heating  a  Conservatory  (E.  A.).— The  fireplace  you  have  in  the  con- 
servatory would  keep  out  frost,  more  especially  if  furnished  with  a  regu- 
lator to  cause  a  small  draught  at  night.  We  do  not  know  the  terra  cotta 
stove  to  which  you  allude,  but  we  think  a  fair-sized  iron  stove  would  do 
for  the  conservatory  and  the  gallery  in  connection  with  it,  if  the  stove 
stood  a  few  feet  from  the  fireplace,  free  all  round,  and  a  metal  pipe  went 
from  the  stove  into  the  chimney.  In  such  a  case  tlie  fireplace  should  be 
boarded  or  banked-np.  The  stove  will  give  out  three  or  four  times  the 
heat  of  the  fireplace.  A  flat-topped  one  would  be  best,  is  you  could  place 
a  vessel  of  water  on  it. 

Fig  and  Rose  Trees  in  Pots  iAgaricm).—If  you.  wish  to  have  a  good 
crop  of  Figs  from  the  plants  in  pots,  do  not  shorten  the  shoots  now  or  at 
all,  but  thin  out  the  weakest  so  as  to  aive  more  room.  Do  not  let  the 
soil  in  the  pots  become  dust  dry,  but  dryish  rather  than  wet.  Remove 
some  of  the  surface  soil  with  a  pointed  stick,  and  replace  with  rich  com- 
post. Do  not  repot  either  now  or  in  the  spring.  When  you  wish  to 
repot,  do  it  immediately  you  gather  the  fruit.  If  the  plants  are  much 
shaded  in  a  vinery  they  will  not  fruit  well.  On  tho  same  principles  as 
those  on  which  we  give  the  above  advice  we  would  say,  force  those  fine 
Roses  in  pots  as  you  have  received  them,  so  full  of  roots.  Do  not  attempt 
to  repot  them  until  you  have  obtained  flowers  from  them. 

Succession  and  Heights  of  Peas  (An  .-fma^fiirK— Of  the  three  Peas 
named,  Bishop's  Longpod  is  about  1^  foot  in  height ;  Advancer  from  2  to 
2i  feet;  Yorkshire  Hero,  2^  to  y  feet  in  height.  Of  these  none  is  very 
early.  For  a  dwarf  early  Pea  the  best  is  Little  Gem,  1  foot  in  height.  It 
comes  in  a  little  before  Advancer,  and  then  the  other  kinds  would  follow. 
As  a  succession  and  higher,  and  fine  Peas,  we  would  recommend  Harri- 
son's Perfection,  2A  to  3^  feet;  Veitch's  Perfection,  2,Uo  3^  feet;  Mam- 
moth Dwarf  Marrow,  2^  to  8i  feet.  These  three  are  first-rate  in  quality 
and  generally  bear  well.  In  some  places  Veitch's  Perfection  does  not  com 
so  well  as  in  others.  A  smaller  Pea  always  bears  well— Knight's  Green 
Marrow,  from  3  to  4  feet  iu  height. 

FatriT  Garden  Arranging  {T.  T.). — We  should  prefer  planting  in  De- 
cember, instead  of  February ;  but  you  may  safely  plant  during  mild 
weather  until  March.  The  meaning  of  '■  double  worked,"  is  that  the 
plant  is  twice  grafted;  this  does  not  interfere  with  the  training  at  all. 
The  Marie  Louise  Pear  is  one  that  does  not  succeed  well  on  the  Quince, 
but  by  working  the  Quince  with  a  variety  that  succeeds  on  it,  and  then 
working  that  with  the  Marie  Louise,  the  latter  is  rendered  healthy  and 
prolific.  You  write  of  cordons  with  single  stems  2  feet  apart.  They  will 
certainly  only  have  a  single  stem,  and  but  one  shoot  to  begin  with,  but 
another  ehoot  will  be  originated  in  the  year  following  tho  planting,  and 
you  will  have  shoots  1  foot  apart,  or  the  wall  or  space  will  be  covered 
with  branches  or  cordons  1  foot  apart.  You  certaiuly  expressed  a  desire 
for  vertical  cordons.  We  think  you  are  acting  wisely  to  have  all  the  trees 
against  the  walls  oblique-trained,  but  those  in  the  open  ground  vertical- 
trained.  Vertical  cordons  will  succeed  admirably,  i  feet  being  allowed 
between  the  rcws  of  trees. 

Boiled  i^ersus  Unboiled  Bones  (.-1  Lady  in  dicshire)  —Bones  in  a 
ground  state  are  in  general  boiled,  to  free  them  of  the  oily  matter,  or 
rather  it  is  extracted  for  making  cart  grease,  and  other  purposes.  In  this 
state  :l:ev  are  best  applied  to  Vines  for  surface  dressing,  but  fur  border 
making  they  are  best  unboiled,  but  kept  so  as  to  be  dry  or  old.  When 
used  fresh,  and  with  a  quantity  of  fatty  matter  adhering  to  them,  we  have 
known  them  injure  the  roots  of  the  Vines  coming  in  contact  with  them. 
When  used  unboiled  the  bones  should  not  be  placed  in  immediate  prox- 
imity to  the  Vines,  but  at  the  lower  part  of  the  border,  covering  for 
6  inches  or  so  of  the  border  with  turf  only  ;  or  if  bones  are  used  let  them 
be  old  and  dry,  or  boiled  crushed  bones. 

Oleander  not  Flowering  iId€m).~YouT  plant  3  feet  high  does  not 
flower  because  it  is  not  old  enough.  We  advise  you  to  pot  it  next  spring, 
when  it  begins  to  grow,  in  a  rather  small  pot  for  the  size  of  the  plant, 
draining  well,  and  using  a  compost  of  two  thirds  turfy  loam,  and  one 
part  leaf  mould  or  sandy  peat,  adding  one-sixth  of  silver  sand.  Encourage 
growth  by  afi'ording  a  moist  atmosphere,  syringing  twice  daily,  arid 
giving  a  good  supply  of  water  at  the  roots:  indeed,  when  prowing  it 
should  have  abundance  of  water.  It  should  have  tirn  warmest  situation 
in  the  greenhouse,  and  when  it  has  ceased  growing,  give  it  the  lightest 
and  most  airy  situation,  diminishing  the  supply  of  water,  and  it  will,  no 
doubt,  form  bloom  buds  and  flower  another  year.  In  winter  keep  it  dry, 
giying  no  water  except  to  keep  the  foliage  from  flagging. 

PKimiNG  Lapageria  rosea  {W.  H.  M.].—Ji  is  desirable  to  have  the 
Shoots  thinned  when  they  become  too  thick.  It  would  not  injure  the 
plant  if  the  thinning  be  carefully  done.  Remove  the  oldest  shoots,  and 
especially  those  which  have  flowered.  It  may  be  done  in  January  or  Feb- 
ruary, bat  best  when  the  plant  is  beginning  to  grow,  or  a  little  before  it 
does  so. 


Moss  ON  Gooseberry  and  Cchrant  Bushes  (G.  P.).— It  would  be 
desirable  to  remove  the  moss,  and  we  would  do  so  at  once,  and,  after 
scraping  ofi"  all  you  can,  take  off  the  soil  round  each  bush  as  low  as  the 
roots,  but  without  injuring  them,  replace  it  with  about  four  good  spades- 
ful  of  manure,  and  then  cover  the  manure  with  the  soil  removed,  or  part 
of  it,  not  burying  the  stem  too  deeply.  You  may  then  wait  until  the 
first  rain,  and  whilst  the  bushes  are  wet  dust  them  thoroughly  in  every 
part  with  fresh-slaked  lime.  It  will  destroy  the  moss,  and  be  less 
tedious  of  application  than  washing  them  with  lime  and  soot.  The  Ume- 
dueting  may  be  repeated  early  in  spring  before  the  buds  open. 

Beetroot  Storing  (Idem). — You  may  store  Beet  the  same  as  Potatoes 
and  cover  with  soil  as  you  propose.  It  keeps  well.  To  name  -Imit  we 
must  have  good  specimens.  There  is  more  than  one  kind  of  Pear 
called  -The  Pound." 

Peach  Tree  Training  and  Pruning  (O.  R.  0.). — Your  case  is  not  a 
solitary  one.  We  see  in  almost  every  nursery  trees  that  have  from  three 
to  five  or  more  branches  or  shoots,  the  lowest  side  shoots  in  most  cases 
not  one-third  so  strong  as  the  upper  side  shoots  and  leader.  In  gardens 
we  see  trees  everywhere  with  side  shoots  or  branches  not  so  long,  nor 
nearly  so  strong,  as  the  central  port,  and.  unfortunately,  little  can  be  done 
to  transfer  the  vigour  of  the  upper  shontH  to  the  lower  ones,  for  the  sub- 
jects are  in  many  cases  too  confirmed  in  their  vices  for  any  immediate 
improvement  to  be  efl"ected,  and  yet  much  may  bo  done.  In  your  case 
we  would  at  once  cut  out  the  leader,  if  you  have  one,  and  reserve  an 
equal  number  of  side  briinches  on  each  side  of  the  stem.  The  tree  will 
certainly  look  rather  odd  without  a  leader  or  shoots  trained  erect,  or 
nearly  so.  Never  mind  that,  the  lower  part  of  the  wall  must  be  covered 
first.  Having  cut  away  the  leader  and  such  of  the  side  shoots  as  are  not 
required,  no  further  pruning  will  be  needed  unless  there  are  shoots 
training  iu  for  bearing  ;  then  these  must  be  shortened  as  already  treated 
of  (see  page  404).  The  upper  side  shoots  being  stronger  than  the  lowest 
side  shoots,  the  former  must  be  depressed,  bringing  ihem  with  a  curve 
downwards,  their  points  towards  the  ground  or  stem  of  the  tree.  Let  the 
shoots  be  bent  gently  and  with  a  graceful  easy  curve,  and  with  care,  so 
as  not  to  break  or  otherwise  damage  them.  Perhaps  there  are  three 
shoots  on  each  side.  The  strongest  must  be  bent  the  most,  the  weakest 
least;  or  they  may  need  vigour,  then  elevate  them,  or  let  their  ends 
cur%'e  upwards,  and  to  a  degree  corresponding  to  their  weakness.  The 
weakest  should  be  curved  upwards  the  most — indeed,  the  lower  shoots 
can  hardly  be  trained  too  erect.  When  they  begin  to  grow,  or  push  new 
shoots  in  spring,  the  battle  will  begin — namelv,  subduing  tho  strong,  and 
encouraging  the  weak.  The  strong  shoots  will  push  strongly.  They  have 
few  if  any  fruit  buds,  leave  all ;  but  from  the  weak  remove  every  blossom 
bud,  and  if  any  fruit  set  upon  the  strong  shoots  leave  it,  for  a  time  at 
least,  without  thinning,  and,  having  secured  the  needful  shoots  for  ex- 
tension and  bearing  shoots,  take  out  the  points  of  all  tho  other  shoots  at 
the  first  leaf.  Permit  the  weak  shoots  to  push  at  will,  and  do  not  stop 
any  shoots  upon  them  until  they  are  some  length  ;  but  to  encourage  the 
shoots  required  for  extension  and  bearing,  take  out  the  points  of  those 
not  required  at  the  third  leaf,  and  keep  them  closely  stopped,  for  the  other 
shoots  will  now  be  prepared  to  receive  and  appropriate  the  sap.  Let 
these  grow  without  stopping— that  is,  those  on  the  lower  branches  ;  but 
the  shoots  on  the  upper  branches  will  bo  growing  too  strong  and  long, 
therefore  stop  them — the  bearing  ehonts — at  from  10  inches  to  1  foot,  and 
the  leader  of  those  branches  to  14  inches,  keeping  tbem  closely  stopped  to 
one  loaf  afterwards,  and  the  sap  will  be  diverted  from  the  strong  to  the 
weak  shoots,  which,  being  trained  erect  and  not  stopped,  will  acquire  a 
vigour  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  the  upper  branches  and  shoots.  It  will  be 
understood  from  the  preceding  remarks  that  the  lower  branches  are  to 
have  vigour  imparted  to  them  by  raising  them,  encouraging  growth,  de- 
pressing the  strong  branches,  stopping  the  shoots  of  the  latter,  and 
allowin^^hese  to  carry  more  fruit  than  if  they  were  not  much  more 
vigorous  than  the  other  part.  All  this  being  carefully  attended  to,  the 
lower  shoots  may  be  made  even  stronger  than  the  upper  ones.  The 
maintenance  of  an  equality  of  vigour  does  not  only  apply  to  height,  but 
to  the  side  branches,  for  those  on  one  side  may  be  weak,  those  on  the 
other  strong ;  therefore  there  must  be  a  greater  depression  of  the  strong 
shoots  and  a  greater  elevation  of  the  weak,  for  it  is  necessary  the  branches 
on  each  side  of  the  tree  should  correspond  in  vigour.  If  one  side  be 
weaker  than  the  other,  the  branches  of  the  weaker  side  must  be  elevated 
more  than  those  on  the  stronger  side,  whilst  the  others  may  need  to  be 
depressed.  The  shoots  on  the  latter  ought  to  be  kept  more  closely 
pinched,  whilst  those  on  the  weak  shoots  should  be  encouraged.  The 
amount  of  foliage  on  the  strong  branches  will  be  less  than  on  the  others, 
and  the  weak  ones  should  be  trained  at  full  length,  and  the  shoot  at  the 
extremity  left  unshortened,  for  the  lowest  side  shoots  cannot  be  had  too 
long.  By  proceediog  as  above  you  will  overcome  in  time  the  vigour  of 
the  upper  branches,  and  secure  for  the  lower  what  is  necessary  for  their 
extension;  and  having  covered  the  lower  part  of  the  wall,  covering  the 
upper  part  is  very  easily  accomplished.  You  cannot  obtain  tho  form  of 
trees  shown  iajigs.  4  and  8,  but  you  may  originate  principal  branches 
from  the  two  uppermost,  as  described  for  them,  and  you  will  only  have 
two  side  shoots  below  them.  If  your  trees  are  not  too  old,  or  there  are 
shoots  on  the  lowest  two  branches  at  their  base,  you  may  remove  all  bat 
the  lowest  two  branches,  and  obtain  from  the  shoots  at  their  base  the 
branches  required,  and  you  will  have  the  form  of  ,ri^.  4  or  8,  pages  267 
and  303.  It  will  be  an  advantage  that  the  side  shoots  are  some  length  to 
begin  with,  and  you  will  not  lose  much  if  anything  by  beading  the  trees 
to  the  lowest  two  branches,  but  they  must  have  shoots  of  this  year  near 
to  the  stem,  or  buds  from  which  to  originate  the  principal  branches. 

Stripping  Bark  off  Vines  (Buhbbte  and  Squeal-).— "Ho  one  but  the 
most  ignorant  could  have  advised  tho  bark  to  be  stripped  off  the  Vines, 
to  have  them  then  painted  with  a  linseed  oil  compound,  and  then  turned 
out  of  the  vinery;  and  all  this  bad  culture  uierely  to  destroy  thrips.  The 
fumigation  with  tobacco  and  the  clay  paint  you  have  adopted  are  correct. 
Tho  brown  spots  on  the  Vine  shoots  are  a  fungus,  and  will  probably  be 
destroyed  by  the  clay  and  sulphur  painting. 

Fruit  Tp.ees  for  near  Manchester  (E.  LA.—Aj^pUs :  Devonshire 
Quarrenden,  Downton  Pippin,  Kibston  Pippin,  Cockle  Pippin,  Margil, 
Pitmaston  Nonpareil,  and  sturmer  Pippin.  Pears  :  Jargonelle,  Beurre 
d'Amanlis.  and  Marie  Louise.  Flums :  Jefi'ersou  and  Green  Gage. 
Chemj  :  Early  Purple  Gean.  For  South  Wall  :  Bellegardo  Peach  and 
Violette  Hative  Nectarine. 

Errata— Jersey  for   Winter.— Pago  831,  first  column,  line  tweuty- 
,  five,  for  "  south-west "  read  "  north-west."    Same  page,  same  column,  line 


December  3,  1888.  ] 


JOUBNAIi  OP   HOiVriOULTURB   AND   COTTAGK   QAKDRNER. 


427 


Bizty-toar,  for  "British  Bree'e  Boarding-hosae,"   read  "British  Hotel, 
Bree'B  Boardiug-hoase,  &c.'* 

Names  o>-  Fruits  (M.  D.  M.).—l,  Lemon  Pippin  ;  22,  B.5,  and  62,  Kini,' 
Ol  the  Pippins ;  86  and  47,  Golden  Husset ;  61, 1'uBrn's  Pippin  ;  57,  Adams' 


Pearmain  ;  69,  Golden  Noble ;  60.  Lamb  Abbey  Pearmain ;  61,  Datcb 
Mignouuo  ;  60,  Caraway  Kusaet ;  77.  Court  of  Wick. 

Namk   of  Plant   (i.    AT.).— Your  Orchid  appears  to  be  Epidendiam 
pbo^ulceum. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Subnrbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  December  Ist. 


Date. 

THEEMOMKTEB. 

vnsii. 

Riiia  la 
iucboa. 

QenEKAL  KEUiUffg. 

HABOMETEE. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Max. 

Mm. 

Max.  1  MiD. 

1  tt.  di.. 

S  ft.  dp. 

Wed...  23 
Thnis.  25 
Pri.  ..  27 
Sat.  ..  28 
San.     29 
Mon. .    30 
Tues..    1 

Mean 

29.644 
29.797 
29.892 
29.899 
29.927 
29.727 
29.732 

29.537 
29.587 
29.R73 
29.851 
29.862 
29.61)2 
29.655 

40 
49 
44 
42 
45 
44 
46 

39 
32 
37 
23 
37 
39 
41 

41) 
46 
47 
46 
44 
48 
46 

46 
45 
45 
45 
46 
45 
45 

S.E. 
N.E. 
N.B. 
N.E. 
S.E. 
SB. 
S.E. 

.08 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.01 

Hazy,  fine ;  overcast,  fine ;  rain  at  night. 
Foggy,  slight  rain  ;  fine,  cloudy  ;  clear  and  fine. 
Overcast  but  fiue  ;  densely  overcast ;  fine,  overcast. 
Sharj)  frost ;  be.ivy  fog;  overcast ;  fine  :  cleur  and  fine. 
Overcast ;  fine  ;  overcast,  cloudy  ;  flue  frosty  air. 
Gusty  and  densely  overcast;  fine,  overcast ;  fine. 
Overcast,  lino;  overcaf.t,  very  dull;  fogpy  with  rain. 

29.795 

29718 

45.14 

85.28 

45.85 

45.14 

•• 

0.09 

POULTRY,  BEE,  and  nOUSEHOLB   CHROIIIGLE. 

THE  BIRMINGHAM  POULTRY   SHOW. 

This  is  indeed  become  an  accompli.sbed  fact.  Things  are 
altered  since  the  time  vAen  there  ^vas  any  one  intereiled  in 
poultry  who  wa6  not  familiar  with  B  ngley  Hall — who  could  not, 
when  the  name  was  mentioned,  immediately  figure  to  himself 
the  long  rows  of  pens,  the  crowds  of  eager  eyes  looking  at  the 
numbers,  and  trying  to  tee  them  and  the  prize  list  at  the  same 
time,  the  varied  faces  showing  every  feeling  from  great  joy  to 
the  most  inteuEe  disappointment,  and  the  growing  crowd 
augmented  by  the  anival  of  each  tr.iin  during  the  day,  till  at 
last  progress  becomes  almost  impossible,  and  motion  is  often 
confined  to  surging  and  swaying,  which  are  easily  seen  from 
either  end  of  the  row.  It  is  well  that,  with  few  exceptions,  all 
have  a  common  object  in  view,  and  are  there  on  holiday  foot- 
ing, in  company  with  those  who  have  congenial  tastes.  Any- 
thing like  a  dili'erence  of  opinion  in  two  sections  of  a  crowd 
confined  to  one  of  thefe  narrow  passages  would  be  terrible. 
Eetreat  or  advance  would  be  impo.ssible,  and  a  sawpit  for  a  duel 
would  give  elbow-room  compared  with  it.  The  excellent  manage- 
ment of  this  Show,  and  the  favour  it  meets  with  at  the  hands 
of  the  public,  have  caused  the  entries  to  increase  yearly,  until 
there  is  not  sufficient  accommodation  for  competitors.  Already 
means  have  been  taken  to  lessen  the  numbers  of  entries,  and  the 
apace  allotted  to  them  has  been  enlarged,  but  the  cry  is  still 
"they  come,"  and  at  this  meeting  three  paities  would  be 
justified  in  asking  for  a  change  ;  they  would  be  the  birds,  the 
public,  and  the  exhibitors.  Some  want  more  light,  others  more 
Epace.  There  was  not  room  for  the  public  between  the  rows 
of  pens.  The  Council  and  managers  of  this  great  Show  are 
not  only  anxious  to  please  the  public,  but  during  their  triple 
apprenticeship  of  twenty-one  years  they  have  gained  so  much 
experience  in  doing  so,  that  we  have  no  doubt  they  will  adopt 
snob  measures  as  will  meet  all  objectors. 

We  must  leave  some  detaiU  for  next  week.  The  time  at 
which  we  go  to  press  compels  us  to  close  our  report  after  the 
first  day  of  the  Show.  It  was  thronged  to  excess  throughout. 
In  our  next  number  we  shall  be  able  to  give  the  statistics  of 
the  meeting,  the  sales,  and  many  other  particulars.  We  must 
for  the  present  confine  ourselves  to  the  remarks  called  for  by 
the  different  classes. 

There  were  395  pens  of  Dorkintfs.  Mr.  Statter,  the  Dnchess  of 
Newcastle,  Mrs.  Arkwriglit,  the  Hon.  H.  Fitzwilliam,  Admiral  Hornby, 
Messrs.  Lingwood,  Patten,  and  Newton  all  deserved  the  laurels  they 
gained.  It  would  have  been  gratifying  to  the  Judges  had  they  been 
able  to  give  prizes  to  all  the  highly  commended  birds.  They  deserved 
them.  These  names  refer  to  the  cocks  only,  but  the  same,  with  few 
exceptions,  iigure  among  the  prizetakers  for  hens  and  pallets.  The 
Duchess  of  Newcastle  showed  beautiful  hens,  and  very  heavy.  The 
Hon.  H.  Fitzwilliam  took  three  prizes.  Admiral  Hornby  carried  off 
the  piece  of  plate  for  the  best  pullets,  with  two  perfect  birds  weighing 
17  lbs. 

Eight  prizes  were  awarded  without  difficulty  to  Silver-Greys.  No 
lack  of  birds  of  faultless  size,  symmetry,  and  feather.  Mr.  Smalley's 
bird  was  unusually  good.  Ladies  Dartmouth  and  Bagot  deserve  the 
same  mention.  Messrs.  Burn,  Longland,  and  Holt  were  deservedly 
fiaccessful,  and  there  was  less  difference  in  weight  between  the  Silver- 
Greys  and  others  than  we  have  ever  before  noted.  Mr.  John  Kobinsou 
is  always  at  home  among  the  White  Dorkjngs,  but  Mi's.  Hartwell  and 
Mr.  CBoyce  distanced  him  in  cocks. 


31*2  pens  of  CorJmis.  They  were  good  classes.  They  have  nearly 
arrived  at  their  limit,  apparently,  and  exhibitors  must  be  content  to 
"rest  and  be  thankful."  The  firet  prize  for  cocks  went  to  Messrs. 
Taylor  and  Dawes  ;  for  hens  and  pullets,  to  the  former  gentleman. 
Mr.  Howard  Mapplebeck  was  the  largest  prizetaker  in  these  classes. 
His  name  figures  seven  times  in  the  prize  list.  Messrs.  Julius  Sichel, 
Beasley,  Taylor,  Fell,  and  Hale  showed  excellent  sjjeeimens.  Brown 
and  Partridge  afforded  another  triumph  to  Mr.  Tudman,  who  carried 
oil  a  piece  of  plate  given  for  the  best  bird.  The  cocks  in  these  classes 
were  more  than  meritorious.  Many  of  the  x^ullets  were  also  good,  bnt 
others  were  too  yellow. 

Stimulated  by  a  piece  of  plate  as  an  extra  prize,  the  White  showed 
in  their  best  form.  We  have  seldom  seen  so  many  birds  that  required 
close  judging.  The  principal  honours  belong  to  Sir.  Smalley,  divided 
with  Mrs.  WilUamsou  and  Messrs.  SwiudoU,  Taylor,  and  Lamb. 

'23'2  peas  of  BraJimiis.  We  cannot  help  thinking  of  the  time  when 
it  was  doubtful  whether  these  birds  would  ever  make  a  class.  There 
were  doubts  whether  they  were  a  pure  breed,  but  they  have  outlived 
their  tradncers,  and  now  form  one  of  the  largest  classes.  Beautiful 
specimens  were  plentiful.  Mrs.  Hurt  and  the  Hon.  Miss  D.  Pennant 
were  among  the  most  successful.  The  Duke  of  Newcastle  exhibited 
a  beautiful  bird,  that  deservedly  took  a  first  prize.  Messrs.  Sabin, 
Leech,  .Jopp,  Wright,  Colonel  Bagot  Lane,  and  Mr.  Boyle  distin- 
guished themselves  worthily.  Some  of  the  hens  and  pullets  showed 
a  brown  shade  on  the  feathers  that  is  objectionable.  The  Light  birds 
have  now  made  a  second  and  large  class.  A  piece  of  plate  was  offered 
for  the  first  prize,  and  gained  by  Mr.  Mayuard,  of  the  Isle  of  Wight. 
Mr.  Crook,  who  gave  the  plate,  took  first  prize  for  hens,  also  the 
second.  Mr.  Dowsett  showed  well,  taking  two  prizes.  We  thought 
highly  of  Mr.  Crowley's  birds.  It  is  impossible  to  name  all  that 
deseiwe  mention,  but  we  speak  well  of  the  class,  merely  warning  exhi- 
bitors against  vnlture  hocks. 

Malays  fall  off ;  only  seven  pens  that  call  for  no  particular 
mention. 

The  introduction  of  new  breeds  that  a  short  time  since  only  showed 
in  the  "  varieties  "  brings  ns  to  the  Cn'vc-Cmurs.  They  were  really 
good,  large,  and  handsome  birds.  Seventeen  pens  figured  in  the  prize 
list.  Mr.  Zurhorst  took  first  and  a  piece  of  plate.  Mr.  Blinkhora 
was  very  successful.  The  hens  and  pullets  were  hardly  so  good  as 
the  cocks.  Iloudans  again  have  held  their  own.  Sixteen  pens  were 
distinguished  by  the  Judges,  and  here  the  hens  and  pullets  were  better 
than  the  cocks  :  but  we  must  except  Mr.  Wood's,  of  which  we  thought 
highly.  Mr.  Heald  had  the  greatest  success,  and  deseiwedly.  La 
Fliche  showed  poorly  in  numbers  and  merit,  and  we  do  not  believe 
they  will  hold  their  own. 

The  beautiful  Spanish  were  the  same  as  ever,  and  many  of  the 
birds  were  of  the  pure  type ;  smooth,  good,  white  faces,  without  the 
cauliflower  ridges  that  amount  to  a  defect.  The  Hon.  Miss  Pennant 
and  Mr.  Eodbard  took  the  prizes  for  cocks  with  beautiful  birds.  Misses 
Hyde  and  Beldon,  and  Mr.  Teebay  merit  the  mention  they  obtained. 

Another  new  class — of  Black  Ilamhurghs.  Four^'  en  mentions.  Most 
of  the  prizes  went  to  Mr.  Kilvert.  These  birds  arc  very  beautiful. 
We  can  speak  most  highly  of  all  the  Hambnrghs.  The  pencilling  of 
the  Golden  variety  was  perfect,  every  feather,  to  the  tip  of  the  tail, 
was  accurately  marked.  The  list  must  speak  for  us,  or  we  shall 
exceed  our  limits.  Mr.  Pickles  deserved  his  prize  and  piece  of  plate, 
and  many  of  the  commended  were  worthy  of  higher  honours.  Messrs. 
Hyde  and  Beldon  each  took  first  and  cups.  Messrs.  Pickles,' Brierley, 
Leeming,  and  Pitts  were  all  deservedly  distinguished.  Miss  Wakeman 
showed  two  beautiful  birds  in  the  hen  and  pullet  class. 

Polish  fowls  in  every  class  were  above  the  average.  The  Black 
with  white  crests  were  perfect,  and  Mr.  Shaw's  birds  deserve  every 
praise.  The  Golden  were  more  numerous  and  almost  as  good,  Mr. 
Harvey  tlid  here  as  Mr.  Shaw  did  before  him.  Mr.  Williams  showed 
well.  SUver  were  more  numerous  than  they  have  been  for  many 
years,  and  were  a  long  triumph  for  Mr.  Adkius. 

There   are   not   prizes   enough   for  the  "  Variety   Class."      Lady 


428 


JOUENAL  OF  HOETIOULTDRB  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  December  3, 1868. 


AyleaforJ,  Mrs.  Wilkin,  and  Mr.  Fowler  took  the  prizes,  and  many 
were  coiumended. 

A  new  show  begins  when  we  have  to  speak  of  the  Oame.  It  is 
impossible  to  do  justice  to  the  many  classes  within  the  limits  of  a 
report.  The  Dnke  of  Newcastle  most  fully  deserved  the  prize  and 
silver  cup  he  took  in  Class  58.  Messrs.  Gardner  and  Wood  deserved 
to  raak  in  the  same  cateRory.  Mr.  Wood  was  the  most  snccessfnl 
exhibitor.  We  were  struck  with  the  beauty  of  the  Duckwings;  we  do 
not  think  we  have  ever  seen  them  so  good  and  so  true.  The  Black 
Reds  were  better,  in  our  opinion,  than  the  Brown  Eeds,  but  all  classes 
were  beautiful. 

Lnxtams  were  vers-  good,  but  among  the  Golden-laced  there  was  a 
tcadency  to  sickle  feathers.  The  Black  were  more  numerous  and 
better  than  the  Whites.  The  first  prize  in  Varieties  was  given  to 
rumpless  birds.  The  Game  Bantams  are  like  the  G.ime  fowls,  so 
numerous  were  the  entries,  and  the  qu.ility  so  good.  Messrs.  Eaton 
and  Parsons  showed  beautiful  birds.     -12  pons  were  in  the  prize  list. 

The  liouen  Ditclcs  again  beat  the  Aylesburjs  in  weight  and  numbers. 
We  ccuuot  speak  too  highly  of  them.  The  Black  East  Indians  were 
perfect.  The  first-prize  birds  were  faultless  in  size  and  colour.  What 
shall  we  say  for  Girse  ?  They  were  giants.  Mr.  Fowler  showed  a 
pair  of  birds,  a  gander  weighing  .'JTl  lbs.,  and  a  goose  21  lbs. 

We  may  return  to  those  subjects,  but  in  the  necessity  that  exists 
for  .1  hurried  report,  we  cannot  give  the  extended  account  we  should 
wish. 

The  Turlceys  were  very  good.  We  would  particularly  remark  one 
or  two  of  the  American  cocks,  that  were  really  birds  of  beautiful 
plumage. 

The  arrangements  were,  as  usual,  perfect,  and  the  gentlemen  who 
have  been  the  originators  and  managers  of  this  great  Show  were  at 
their  posts,  effoclive,  urbane,  and  anxious  as  usual  for  the  comfort  of 
all  who  were  visitors  to  their  great  undertaking. 

DOHF.ING  (Coloured,  except  Bilver-Grey).— Cods.— Fir-st  and  Cup,  T. 
Statter,  Whitefielil,  Manchester.  Second,  Dnke  of  Newcastle,  Clumber. 
Third,  .idrairal  Hornby,  Knonsley  Cottnge,  Prescot.  Hii-blv  Commended, 
Lieut-Col.  H.  B.  Lone,  Er.icknell;  J.  White,  Wurlabv;  W.  J.  Drewry, 
Drakelow,  Bortmi-on-Trent ;  J.  Longland,  Grendon,  Northamptonshiro  ; 
A.  Potts,  Chester  ;  Admiral  Hornby. 

DoPKiNo  (Coloured,  except  Silver-Grev).— CocJrfreJn  —First,  Mrs.  Ark- 
wright.  Etwnll  Hall,  Derby.  Second,  The' Hon.  H.  W- Fitzwilliam.'Went- 
worth  Woodhouse,  Rotherbam.  Third,  H.  Linguood,  Barking,  Needham 
Market.  Fourth,  L.  Patton,  Hillmore,  near  Taunton.  Fifth  and  Sixth,  Mrs. 
Newton,  Kirby-in-Cleveland.  Highly  Commended,  Duchess  ot Newcastle; 
Mrs.  Seamons,  Hartwell,  Aylesbury;  W.  U.  Denison,  Woburn  Sands, 
Beds ;  J.  F.  Liebert,  Wellosbourue  Hall,  near  Warwick ;  L.  Patton, 
Hillmore;  J.Anderson,  Moigle,  N.B. ;  Gunson  &  Jefferson,  Wbilebaven  ; 
A.  Potts,  Hoole  Hall,  Chester;  Countess  of  Chesterfield,  Brctby  Hall, 
Burton-on-Trent ;  O.  E,  Cresswell,  Ilanworth  Kcctory,  Hounalow;  Ad- 
miral W.Hornby.  Commended,  Rev.  A.  K.  Cornwall,  Boncombe,  Durslcv; 
J.  D.  Hewson,  M-D.,  Coton  Hill,  St^ifford;  E.  Shaw,  Plas  Wilmot,  Os- 
westry ;    J.  H.  Wilson,  St.  Bees,  Whitehaven  ;  J.  Fox,  St.  Bees, 

Dorking  (Coloured,  except  Silver-Grer).— Hens.— First,  J.  Fox.  Second, 
Duchess  of  Newcastle.  Third,  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwillinm.  Fourth,  J.  .Ander- 
son- Fifth,  Mrs.  AikwrigUt.  Highly  Commended,  Duchess  of  Newcastle; 
Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwiiiiiim  ;  L.  Patton;  E.  Shaw  ;  A.  Potts.  Commended, 
A.  Potts;  J,  Fnulkner,  Bretby  Farm,  Burton-on-Trent;  Mrs.  Seamons. 

Dop.KiNG  (Coloured,  except  Silvor-Greyl.-fuIfffi.— First,  Admiral  W. 
Hornby.  Second  and  Third,  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam.  Fourth,  Mrs.  Ark- 
wTight.  Fifth,  Mrs.  Hurt,  Alderwasley,  Derby.  Sixth,  H.  Lingwood. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  White,  Warl.abv;  Duchess  of  Newcastle;  L. 
Patton  ;  Mrs.  Arkwrigbt.  Commended,  Mrs.  Seamons  ;  Lieut  -Col.  U.  B. 
Lane;  T.  P.aines,  Bridge  Haugh,  Stirling;  H.  S.  Stephenson,  Lympsham 
Rectory,  Weston-super-Mare;  Rev.  G.  Hustler,  Stilliogfleet  Vicarage, 
York  ;  F.Parlctt,  Great  Baddow,  Chelmsford  ;  D.  Gellatlv,  Meiglo. 

DoPKiNG  (Silver-Grey).—  ror*-.«.— First.  IS.  Smailcy,  Lancaster.  Secnd, 
S.  Barn,  Whitby.  Third,  Lady  Bagot,  Blithliehl  Hall,  Rugeley.  Fourth, 
K  D.  Holt,  Orrest  Head,  Windermere.  Fifth,  P.ev.  J.  F.  Newton,  Kirby- 
in-Cleveland.  Highly  Commended,  Lady  Bagot.  Commended,  Licnt.-Col. 
H.  B.  Lane  ;  Lord  Bagot. 

DoEKiNr,  (Silver-Grey).— Hens  or  PuUcts.—  Fhst.  J.  Longland.  Second, 
Pv.  D.  Holt.  Third,  Countess  of  Dartmouth,  PatshuU.  Highly  Com- 
mended, D.  Ilardie,  Sorbie,  Langholm,  N.B. ;  0.  E.  Cresswell ;  Key.  J.  F. 
Newton  ;  Countess  of  Dartmouth. 

Doai;iNu  (White).— Cocli).— First.  J.  Choyce,  Pinwall  Gr.inge,  Ather- 
stone.  Second,  Mrs.  Hnrtwell,  Eridgewnter.  Third,  J.  Robinson,  Gar- 
statg.  Highly  Commended,  H,  Lingwood ;  Lord  Sudelev.  Toddinston  ; 
Mrs.  Hartwell. 

DOEKiNO  (White).— Htois  or  PiilMs.— First,  J.  Robinson.  Second,  Mrs. 
T.  M.  Syson,  Empingham.  Third,  H.  Lingwood.  Highly  Commended, 
Mrs.  Hartwell ;  Lord  Sudcley;  Mrs.  T.  M.  Syson.  Commended,  J.  Robin- 
son. 

CocHiN-CiilNA  (Cinnamon  and  Buff).— Coc«-s.— First,  W.  A.  Taylor, 
Manchester.  Second  and  Fourth,  J.  H.  Dawes,  Moseley  Hall,  Birmingham. 
Third,  J.  N.  Beasley,  Brampton,  Northampton. 

CoCHlN-CHrNA  (Cinnamon  and  Bufl').—  Cocirr(?I,«.— First,  J.  H.  Dawes. 
Second,  H.  Mappleheck,  Woodfleld,  Moseley,  near  Birmingham.  Third, 
J.  Sichel,  Timperley,  Cheshire.  Fomtb,  Messrs.  Bowman  &  Fearon, 
Whitehaven.  Fifth  and  Sixth,  W.  A.  Tavlor.  Highly  Commended,  D. 
Young,  Leamington ;  H.  Mnpplebeck,  Commended,  J.  Cattell,  Bristol 
Road,  Birmingham  ;  Mrs.  R.  White,  Broomhall  Park,  SbcfBeld. 

Cochin-China  (Cinnamon  and  Buff).— H.ns.— First,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Se- 
coud.  Third,  and  Fourth,  H.  Mappleheck.  Fifth,  J.  Cattell.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  H.  Dawes ;  J.  Cattell.    Commended,  H.  Mnpplebeck. 

Cochin-China  (Cinnamon  .and  Buff).— 7>ti/;((»,— First,  W.  A.  Taylor. 
Second,  H.  Mapplebcek.  Third,  G.  Fell,  Warriugtcri.  Fourth,  B.  Hall, 
Groat  Barford,  Deddington.  Fifth,  G.  U.  Proctor,  Durh-.m.  Sixth,  Roy. 
G.  Gilbert,  Claxton,  Norwich.    Highly  Commended,  J.  H.  Dawes. 

Cochin-China  (Brown  and  Partridgc-fe.ilbeied).- CocA-j.- First  and 
Silver  Cup,  E.  Tiidmnn,  Wbilchurch.  Salop.  Second,  J.  R.  Rodbard, 
Wrmgton,  near  Bristol.    Third,  A.  O.  Woithington,  Burton-on-Trent. 


Highly  Commended,  Col.  J.  A.  Ewart,  Tatenhill,  Burton-on-Trent ;  H. 
Crossley,  Broomtleld,  Halifax.  Commended,  G.  G.  L.  Maepherson,  Ram- 
slade,  Bracknell. 

Cochin-China  (Brown  and  Pai-tridge-feathered).— Cocterels. — First,  H. 
Crossley.  Second,  R.  Story.  Lockiugton  Hall,  Derby.  Third,  E.  Shaw. 
Highly  Commended,  Hon.  Mrs.  Sugden,  Wells,  Somerset;  R.  White. 
Couimeuded,  G.  Lamb,  Compton,  near  Wolverhampton. 

Cochin-China  (Brown  and  Partridge-feathered). — iTeni.— First,  W.  A. 
Taylor.  Second  and  Third,  E.  Tudman.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Teebay, 
Fulwood,  near  Preston. 

Cochin-China  (Brown  and  Partridge-featbered).—Punf(;i.— First,  H. 
Vnughan,  Wolverhampton.  Second,  R.  B.  Wood,  Woodland  Hall,  Ut- 
toxeter.  Third,  W.  A.Taylor.  Fourth,  E.  Tudman.  Highly  Commended, 
H.  Crosshy  ;  W.  Gamon,  Chester.    Commended.  R.  Story. 

Cochin-China  (Whito).—  Cocfr8.— First  aud  Silver  Cup,  R.  Smaller, 
Lune  Villa,  Lancaster.  Second,  Mrs.  Williamson,  Queniborough  Hall, 
Leicester.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Chase,  Balsall  Heath,  Birmingham  ; 
T.  Dyson,  Halifnx  ;  G.  Lamb.    Commended,  F.  W.  Zurhorst,  Dublin. 

CocniN-CillNA  (White).— roci-frf!..—Fir3t,  A.  J.  E.  Swindell,  Old  Swin- 
ford,  Stourbridge.  Second,  Mrs.  Williamson.  Third,  R.  Chase.  Fourth, 
R.  Smalley.     Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  Williamson  ;  R.  Chase. 

Cochin-China  (White).— -f/cnn— First,  R.  Sm.alley.  Second,  Rey.  F. 
Taylor,  Kirkandrews  Rectory,  Longtown.  Third,  G.  Lamb.  Highly 
Commended,  Lady  L.  Chnrteris,  Eccles  Hall,  Attleborough,  Norfolk  ;  R. 
Chase.  Commeni'lcd,  A.  O.  Worthington  ;  Capt.  D.  Lane,  Great  Barr, 
Birminghnm  ;  R.  Chase. 

Cochin-China  (Whitc).—Pi(!Ji-(j.— First,  P..  Chase.  Second  and  Third, 
R.  Smalley.  Hiiihlv  Commended,  Mrs.  Ewart;  Mrs.  Williamson;  R. 
Chase  ;  A.'j.  E.  SwihdelL 

BnAHMA  PooTHA  (Dark'.— Coc/cs.— First,  Mrs.  Hurt.  Second,  R.  White. 
Third,  F.  Sabin,  Birmingham.  Fourth,  E.  Leech,  Greayo  House,  Roch- 
dale. Highly  Cummended,  J.  K.  Fowler,  Aylesbury;  Mrs.  Hargreaves, 
Reading  ;  Hon.  Miss  D.  Pennant,  Penrhyn  Castle,  Bangor,  North  Wales  ; 
L.  Wright,  Kiugsdown,  Bristol.  Commended,  B.  Wharton,  Tapton  Hill, 
ShefBeld. 

Bbahma  PooTTiA  (Dark).— foclvrjfs.— First,  Dnke  of  Newcastle.  Se- 
cond, Rey.  J.  F.  Newton.  Third,  Mrs.  Hurt.  Fourth,  K.  Jopp,  Aberdeen. 
Fifth,  L.  Wright.  Sixth,  Mrs.  Hurt.  Highly  Commended,  Rev.  J.  F. 
Newton  :  Hon.  Miss  D.  Pennant ;  Hon.  Mrs.  A.  B.  Hamilton,  Wobum, 
Beds  ;  Mrs.  Hurt ;  Rey.  .1.  Bowen,  Langorse  Vicarage,  Talgarth,  Hereford  ; 
K.  Jopp  ;  J.  Sichel ;  Roy  E.  Alder,  Etwall  Vicarage,  Derby  ;  R.  W.  Boyle, 
Marino,  Black  Rock.  Dublin  ;  Mrs.  Burrell,  Stoke  Park,  Ipswich  ;  Lieut. - 
Col.  H.  B.  Lane.  Commended,  Duke  of  Newcastle  ;  W.  B.  Etches,  The 
Woodhouses,  Whitchurch;  W.  S.  Cooper,  Linslade,  Leighton  Buzzard; 
R.  B.  Wood,  Woodland  Hall,  Uttoxcter;  J.  Anderson,  Meiglo,  N.B.jR. 
White;  W.  Hargreaves,  Bncup. 

Bbahma  Pootra  (D.irk).—/7cn.^.— First,  Mrs.  Hurt.  Second,  E.  Leech. 
Third,  R.  w.  Boyle.  Highly  Commended,  Lieut.-Col.  H.  B.  Lane;  Mrs. 
Hurt.    Commended,  Mrs.  Hargreaves  :  H.  Yardley. 

BRAII.MA  PooTRi  (Dark).— PjW/c(8.— Cup,  J.  Anderson.  Second  and 
Fourth,  Mrs.  Hurt.  Third,  11.  Dowsett,  Pleshcy,  Chelmsford.  Fifth,  K. 
Jopp,  Aberdeen.  Sixth,  L.  Wright,  Bristol.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs. 
Hurt;  Rev.  E.  Alder;  H.  S.  Stephenson,  Lyiopsham  Rectory,  Weston- 
super-Mare  ;  F.  Powell,  Knaresborough  ;  H,  Lingwood.  Martlesham,  Wood- 
bridge  :  R.  W.  Boyle  ;  Rev.  J.  Bowen,  Llangorse  Vicarage,  Talgarth,  Here- 
ford ;  K.  Jopp  ;  T.  Pomfrct,  Hogbton  Lane,  near  Preston.  Commended, 
Hon.  MissD.  Pennant;  L.  Wright. 

Bbahma  Pootra  (Litjhtt.-Coefcs.— First,  H.  Lacy,'Hebden  Bridge.  Se- 
cond, H.  Dowsett.  Third,  J.  Pares,  Poslford  House,  Guildford.  Highly 
Commended,  A.  O.  Worthington ;  P.  Crowley,  Culyerton  House,  Alton. 
Coetcrr/s.- First  and  Cup,  H.  Maynard,  Isle  of  Wight.  Second,  H.  Lacy. 
Third,  H.  Dowsett.  Highly  Commended,  F.  Crook,  Forest  Hill ;  H.  M. 
Miiynard.  Htn».— First  and  Second,  F.  Crook.  Third,  H.  Dowsett.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Heape,  Birmingham;  P.  Crowley;  H.  Yiirdley;  A.  Her- 
bert, Eghnm.  Piilbfs— First  and  Cop,  M.  Lono,  Markyate  Street,  Dun- 
stable. Second,  P.  Crowley.  Third,  H.  Lney.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs. 
Astley,  Chequers  Comrt,  Tring ;  F.  Crook ;  H.  M.  Maynard ;  M.  Leno. 
Commended,  Rev.  G.  Hustler ;  H.  Yardley;  J.  Pares  ;  A.  Herbert ;  M.  Leno. 
MALAV.-Cocts.— First,  Rev.  A.  G.  Brooke,  Ruyton  Xt.-Towns,  Salop. 
Second,  T.  Hollis,  Reading.  Commended,  J.  Hinton,  Hinton,  near  Bath. 
Heiu  or  Pa;(f(«.— First,  W.  Lort.  King's  Norton,  Birmingham.  Second, 
T.  Hollis.    Highly  Commended,  T.  Hollis  ;  J.  Hinton. 

CiiEVE-CoifR.— Corl«.— Firstand  Cup,  W.  Zurhorst.  Secondand  Third, 
W.  Blinkhorn.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  A.  Wilkin,  Bootle.  Cumberhand  ; 
Miss  E.  Bcldon;  Capt.  Wetberall,  Loddington;  H.  M.  Maynard;  J.  K. 
Fowler;  Col.  H.  Stuart  Wortley,  Grove  End  Road,  London.  Commended, 
J.  Sichel;  A.  Dixon.  Hem  or  Pi<!Jf(.i.— First,  Col.  H.  Stuart  Wortley. 
SeCiind,  Mrs.  A.  Wilkin.  Third,  J.  K.  Fowler.  Highly  Commended,  Capt. 
W'ethcrnll ;  Col.  H.  Stunrt  Wortley  ;  W.  Blinkhorn. 

HoDD.4N3.—CocA».— First,  R.  B.  Wood,  Uttoxeter.  Second,  F.B.  Heald, 
Whitemoor.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  A.  Wilkin  ;  H.  M.  Maynard  ;  W.  O. 
Quibell,  Newark  ;  F.  B.  Heald  ;  H.  Deon,  Southam. 

HouDANs.— HCI18  or  P»((<(t.— First  aud  Second,  F.  B.  Heald.  Highly 
Commended,  Col.  H.  Stuart  Wortley;  J.  K  Fowler;  J.  B.  Masefleld,  The 
Priory,  Ledbury;  T.  Fox,  St.  Catherine's,  Lmcoln ;  F.  B.  Heald;  W.  O. 
Quibell ;  H.  M.  Maynard. 

La  Fi-tCHE.-rocAs.— First,  W.  Tippler,  Roxwell,  Chelmsford.  Second, 
J.  K.  Fowler.— Hen,!  or  Pa;i,?/8.— First,  Col.  H.  Stuart  Wortley.  Second, 
Hon.  C.  W.  Fitzwilliam,  Weutworth  Woodhouse,  Rotherbam. 

Spanish.— Cocks.-First,  Hon.  Miss  D  Pennant.  Second,  W,  A.  Taylor. 
Third,  J.  Stephens,  Walsall.  Highly  Commended,  Rev.  W.  J.  Mellor,  Rj'de, 
Isle  of  Wight ;  J.  Thresh,  Bradford  ;  H.  Lane,  Bristol ;  J.  Wilson. 

Spanish.— CocAfvefs.-First  and  Cup,  J.  R.  Rodbard,  Wrmgton,  near 
Bristol.  Second,  P.  H.  .lones,  Fulham,  London.  Third,  and  Fourth, 
R.  Teebay.  Fifth,  H.  Beldon,  Goitstock,  Bingley.  HigUy  Commended, 
Miss  Hyd'e.Bedmiii5t(r  ;  J.  F.  Dixon,  Cotgravo,  Nottingham  ;  J.  Stephens, 
Walsall;  W.  R.  Bull,  Newport  Pagnell,  Bucks ;  R.  Teebay  ;  W.  Patcrson  ; 
T.  &  E.  Comber,  Slyddlctun  Hall,  near  Warrington.  Commended,  P,  H. 
Jones.  _, 

Spanish.— Hcns.—First,  Hon.  Miss  D.  Pennant.  Second,  Miss  1.. 
Beldon.  Third,  J.  R.  Rodbard.  Commended,  W.  A.  Taylor;  J.  Stephens, 
Walsall.  .   ,   „, 

Spanish.— Pii(/rf»— First,  Miss  Evdo,  Bodminster.  Second,  J.  Thresn, 
Bradford.  Third,  B.  Teebay.  Fourth,  A.  Heath,  Calne.  Highly  Com- 
mended, T.  &  E,  Conibor;  U.  i  S.  Cooper,  Walsall;  H,  L.aue,  Bristol;  J. 
Walker,  Wolverhampton. 


Docember  8,  1868.  I 


JOUKNAIi  OF   EOUTICULTUBB   AND   COTTAGE   QAKDENEB. 


429 


HiMDrRoiis  (BlBckl.—C'icfc*.— First  anil  Third,  J.  M.  Kilvott,  LaJlow. 
Second,  Rev.  W.  Serjepntson,  Actou  Biirni-ll.  Hit^bly  Couimeudctl, 
Rev.  W.  Soijcnntsoil;  C.  Sidtwlck,  Ityil.lle»JCQ  Hull,  KciKlilcy ;  T. 
BoultOD,  Uiiulorrl,Stoko-on-TrMit ;  Mnson  S  Wiilkor,  Denton,  MnncliCBler. 
Commended,  AHbton  &  lioutli,  JJrundbottom,  Mottrum  ;  Key.  W.  Surjonnt- 
son. 

UAMDrnon.s  (U\i\cV).—Heni  or  /'ii//f(«.— First  nnd  Second.  J.  M.  Kilvert. 
Third,  Mnson  \-  Wnlkcr.  lliglilv  Commended,  (i.  Lingiird,  jiin.,  liiruiiug- 
h:im  ;  J.  M.  ICilvert ;  Turner  &  islierwood,  Riidclifle. 

Hambckimis  (Goldec-iieueillcd).— Coc**.— FirHt  nnd  Cup,  11.  Pickles, 
jun.,  Earliy,  Skiplou.  .Second,  J  LocniinB,  Brou«hton,  nenr  Preston. 
Tliird  nnd  Fourth,  T.  WriKley,  jun.,  T.juBe,  Middlcton,  Jlnnchcbter. 
Fifth,  J.  Wnlkcr.  Uiiy.i  Pnrk,  Knareshorongh.  Highly  Commended,  Misses 
Cotes.  Woodcote,  Newport.  Salop;  W.  Pnrr.  P.itrieroft,  Miinehester ;  J. 
Fielding,  Newchurch,  MftTiehester.     Commended.  \V.  Pnrr. 

HAMBrRGHB  (Oolden-poncilled '.— WcM  or  Pullelt.—Virst,  J.  Wnlker, 
Knaresborongk.  S.xond,  W.  It.  Park,  Abbots  Meadow,  Melroae.  I'bird, 
T.  WriKley,  jun.     l-Vnutb,  \V.  Parr. 

Hajiiil'ugus  (Silver-pencilled).— CocA-s. —First,  Miss  E.Beldon.  Second, 
H.  Pickles,  jun..  Earbv,  Skipton.  Yorkshire.  Third,  J.  Leemiug, 
BroaghtoD.  near  I'rtston.  Fourth.  W.  Pitts.  Fenrocliffe.  Bineley.  Highly 
Commended.  J.  Fieldin:/.  Newchurch,  Blunchester ;  J.  Walker,  Knnres- 
borounh ;  H.  Jleldon  ;  W.  Pitts  ;  F.  Pittis,  jun.,  Newport,  Isle  ol  Wight  ; 
T.  Hanson.  Keighley;  T.  Sh.arples.    Commended.  J.  S.  Senior.  Dewsbury. 

HAMHUKGHfi  (Silver-pencilled).- HeH«or  Pi(/(e(ji.— First.  J.  Walker.  8e- 
cond,  W.  Kirkby,  jun..  Trentham.  Third,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  Fourth,  T. 
Shr.rplcs.     Highly  (;umuiendetl,  H.  Teldon. 

Hiinjcncn  (Golden-spangled).— rocA-».— First  nnd  Cnp,  W.  A.  Hyde, 
Hurst,  Ashton-under  Lyno.  Second  and  Third,  E.  Brierley.  Ueywood, 
Manchester.  Fourth, '  J.  Pickles,  Slaithwaite.  Huddersfield.  Fifth.  J. 
Adkins.  jun.,  Walsall.  Highly  Ccuumended,  J.  Munn.  Stackstends,  Mau- 
chestcr;  W.  Hentley,  Wem,  Salop;  11.  Beldrn;  J.  Chadderton,  HoUin- 
wood,  near  Manchester;  W,  Swire,  Thwailes  Bank,  Keighley  ;  .1.  Holland. 
Worcester;  T.  Walker,  jun.,  Penton,  Manchester.  Commended,  W'.  A. 
Hyde  ;  J.  Kollinsun,  Lindley,  near  Otley  ;  J.  Cbadderton. 

Hambdroh  (Golden-spangled).- Hensor  Paffcr,-.— First.  J.  Wild.  Asbton. 
Second.  V,'.  A.  Hyde.  Third.  J.  Xewton,  Siisdeu.  Leeds.  Highly  Com- 
mended. S.  &  R.  .\shton.  Mottrnm  ;  E.  Brierley  ;  .J.  Walker ;  J.  S.  Senior, 
Dewsbury.  Commended,  I.  Davies,  Harhorne,  Birmingham ;  J.  Rollin- 
son,  Lindley  ;  J.  W.  Edge,  Birmingham  ;  T.  Walker,  jun.,  L'euton. 

Hambchgii  (SilTer-spnngledj.—Cocitj.— First  and  Cup,  H.  Beldon.  Se- 
cond and  Sixth,  J.  Fielding,  Newchurch.  near  Manchester.  Third.  H. 
Pickles,  jun.  Fourth.  Ashlon  &  Booth.  Fifth,  .T.  Smith,  AUeiton.  Highly 
Commended.  Miss  E.  Beldon;  J.  Smith.  Commended,  Miss  Browne, 
Cbardleigb  Green,  Chard ;  T.  Fawcett,  Nortbgate.  Baildon,  Leeds  ;  Itev. 

F.  Tearle,  Gazeley  Vicarage,  Newmarket;  J.Fielding;  H.  Pickles,  jun. ; 

G.  E.  Hardman ;  T.  Fawcett. 

HAiiBURGH  (Silver-spangled). — Hens  or  Pa/fgf^.— First  and  Cup.  Sliss 
Wakemnn,  Colon  Hall,  Bridgnorth,  Second,  Asbton  Oc  Booth.  Third, 
J-  Fielding.  Fourth,  H.  Picltles,  jun.  Fifth,  J.  Walker,  Kuaresborough. 
Sistb,  W.  A.  Taylor,  Manchester.  Highly  Commended,  Key.  F.  Tenrle  ; 
H.  Beldon  :  T.  Fawcett  ;  J.  Fielding.  Commended,  J.  T.  Morgan,  Worces- 
ter; T.  Hnllnm,  Lozells.  Birmingham. 

Polish  (BlacI:  with  White  Crests).—  roc)t».— First.  S.  Shnw,  Stainland, 
Halifax.  Second,  T.  Dean.  Keighley.  Highly  Commended,  P.  Unsworth, 
Lowton,  Newton-le-WillowB  ;  J.  S.  Senior. 

Polish  (Black  with  White  Crests).— iTciu  or  Pulfffs.- First,  S.  Shaw. 
Second.  P.  Uuswortb.  fiighh*  Commended,  Mrs.  Procter,  Hull.  Com- 
mended, T.  P.  Edwards.  Lviidhurst. 

PoUEli  (Golden).— i-'irst.  W.  Harvey,  Sheffield.  Second,  B.P.  Williums, 
Glasslinn,  Clon'arf,  Dublin.  Highly  Commended,  R.  P.  Williams ;  H. 
Beldon  ;  J.  S.  aenior. 

Polish  (Golden) -Hcjis  or  Paflefs.— First,  W.  Rarvcy,  Sheffield.  Se- 
cond, H.  Beldon.     Highly  Commended,  S.  Shaw  ;  J.  S.  Senior. 

Polish  (silver).— '■cctj.-First,  Cnp,  nnd  See-.ud,  O.  C.  Adkins,  Bir- 
mingham. Third,  T.  &  E.  Comber.  Highly  Commended,  H.  Ueldon  ; 
G.  C.  Adkins ;  J.  S.  Senior.  Commended,  Mrs.  Blay,  Gregory's  Bank, 
Worcester. 

Polish  (Silver).— ir,fn!  or  Pulleli  — First,  Second,  and  Third,  G.  C. 
Adkins.  Highly  Commended,  T.  &  E.  Comber;  G.  C.  Adkins.  Com- 
mended, J.  S.  Senior. 

Ant  other  Variety. — First.  Countess  of  Aylesford.  Pnckiugton  Hall, 
Coventry.  Secr.nd,  Mrs.  A.  Wilkin,  Bootle.  Third.  .J.  K.  Fowler.  Highly 
Commended,  Countess  of  Avlesford ;  H.  W.  Howe.  AcocU's  Green, 
Yardley;  J.  C.  Cooper;  J.  K.  Fowler.  Commended,  H.  Savillo,  Rufford 
Abbey,  Ollertoa;  Lr.dyL.  Charteris  ;  T.  Walmslev,  Chester  ;  J.  Choyco, 
AtherBtonc. 

Game  lBl:ck-brejsted  Eeds).—Coc*-».— First  and  Cup.  Duke  of  New- 
castle. Second,  C.  Chalrner.  Whitwell,  near  Chesterdeld.  Third,  L. 
Blney,  Manchester.  Fourth  and  Fifth,  .1.  Fletcher.  Stoneclough.  near 
Manchester.  Highly  Commended.  W.  Boyes,  Beverley;  S.  Wilcox. 
Oswestry.  Commended.  Capt.  Wetberall;  J.' Mason,  Worcester;  E.  Avk- 
royd,  Bradford,  Yorkshire  ;  J.  11.  Wilson,  St.  Bees;  S.  Wilcox. 

Game  (Black-breasted  r:ed3).—CocA-er<(-».— First,  s.  Matthew.  Stowmar- 
ktt.  Second.  C.  Cbaloner.  Third  and  Fifth.  J.  Stubbs,  Stafford.  Fourth. 
Duke  of  Newcastle.  SixtJj.  J.  Holland,  Manchester.  Highly  Commended, 
W.  J.  Cope.  Barnsley  ;  S.  Matthew  ;  M.  Billing,  jun..  Wood  End.  Erding- 
ton.  Birmington  ;  Itev.  T.  O'Grndy.  Hognnstou  Vicarage,  Ashbourne. 
Commended,  .7.  Heaton  ;  R.  Swift,  s'outbwell. 

Game  (Blaek-Lreasted  Reds).  —  7/^»s. —  First.  W.  Johnson.  Stanley. 
Liverpool.  Second,  S.  Wilcox.  Third,  E.  Aykroyd.  Fourth.  H.  C.  and 
W'.  J.  Mason.  Dri^hlington.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Burn,  Abram,  near 
Wigan.    Commended.  .1.  H.  Wilson,  St.  Bees  ;  W.  Johnson. 

Game  (Black-breasted  RBds;.—Pi(fff(.«.— First  and  Cup.  J.  P.  Gardner, 
Rngelcy.  Second.  R.  Scrimminger,  Pailton.  Lutterworth.  Third.  D. 
Hardie.  Sorbie.  Langholm.  N.B.  Fourth,  S.  Mntthow.  Fifth  and  Sixth. 
W;  J  Pope.  Biggleswade.  Highly  Commended,  J.  H.  Wilson;  H.  C.  nnd 
W.J.  Mason.  Commended,  Rev.  T.  O'Grndv;  J.  Stubbs.  Weston  Hnll. 
Stafford;  E.  Toder.  Little  Carlton.  Newark;  J.  Mitchell,  Bank  House, 
Moseley,  Birmingham  :  M.  Billing,  jun. 

Gamb  (Brown  and  other  Reds,  except  EIack-breastcd).—CocA-,i.— First. 
Third,  and  Fonrth.  J.  Wood.  Wigan.  Second.  C.  Cbaloner.  Fifth.  R. 
Scrimminger.  H'trhly  Commended,  F.  Sales.  Crowle,  Doncaster;  J. 
Anderson,  .\leigle. 

Gamb  (Brown  nnd  other  Keda  except  Black-breasted).— Corl-rrclj.- 
First,  Cnp,  nnd  Second,  J.  Wood.    Third,  F.    Sales.    Fourth.  H.  Mann, 


Wallflold,  Stand,  Pilkington.    Fifth,  J.  Fletcher.    Highly  Commended,  W. 

Kirkby,   jun.,    Trentham,    Stoko-on-Tront.     Commended,    J.    Hodgson, 

Whittington,  Burton,  Westmorbind;   R.  Swift. 
Gamk  (Brown  nnd  other  Beds,  except   Black-breasted'.— /f<''M.— First, 

B.  M.  Clivo,  Gravelly  Hill,  Binninghnm.    Second.  S.  Matthew.     Tbhrd.  W. 

Bourne,  lloaviley.  Stockport.  Fourth,  J.  DownoHH,  Newchurch,  Manches- 
ter.   Conmieuded,  J.  RolUnson,  Lindley,  Otley  ;  J.  Smith,  .^llerton,  near 

Bradford. 
Gamk  (Brown    and    other  Reds,  except  Black-brcastedl.  —  fatf^M. — 

First    and   Third.   J.   Wood.      Second.   T.   Dyson.  Halifax.      Fourth,   J. 

Fletcher.    Fifth,   W,  Bourne.    Highly  Commended,  T.   Stattcr.    Com- 

inendetl,  J.  Hodgson.  Whittington.  Burton. 
Gamk  iDuckwiuga  and  other  Grevs  and  Bines).— Coc*».—Fir.-.t.  Duke  of 

Newcastle.      Second.   Rev.  F.  Watson.   Kelvedon.      Third,    W.    Boyes. 

Highly    Commended.    J.    Mason.      Commended,  Kov.    T.  O'Grady;   J. 

Crulchloe.  Oswestry  ;  E.  Aykroyd. 
Gamk  (Duckwings  nnd  other  Greys  and  BIn»s).—  ror*-crcf<.— First  and 

Second,  W.  Dunning,  Newport,  Salop.  Third,  S.  Matthew.  Highly  Com- 
mended.  V.   Sales;  J-  Halsall,  Incc,  nenr  Wigan.      Commended,  Miss 

Hales,  Canterbury;   P.  A.   Beck,  Ooilsflold,  Welshpool;   G.  E.  Peach, 

bbiiroal ;  Hev.  W.J.  Mollor,  Rvdo,  Isle  of  Wight. 
Gamk  (Duckwings  nnd    other   Grevs  nnd    Hlues).—Hfn«.— First,  W. 

Bradley,  Woicnster.    Second.  H.  C.  &  W.  J.  Mason.    PnlkU.—Vint  and 

Third. "W.  Bradley.     Second. S.  Matthew. 
Gamk  (Blacks  and  Brassy-winged  except  Greys).— First,  Capt.  W.  G. 

Webb,  Tamworth.     Second  and  Cup,  .T.  Pares. 

Game  (Blacks  and  Brassy. winged,  except  Greysl.--77''m  or  PvlUts.. — 

First  and  Second,  U.  Robins,  The  Hollies,  Kenilworth.    Third,  Capt.  W. 

G.  Webb. 
Game  (White  and  Pilo3).—  Coc)t«.— First.  T.  West,  Eccleston,  St.  Helena. 

Second,  Rev.  F.Watson-    Third,  S.  Matthew.    Commended,  J.  Halsall ; 

R.  Butcher.  Cresswell,  nenr  Chesterfield;  G.  4  C.  FurncsB,  Accrington. 

irem  or  PiMcta  — Fiist.  G.  Lunt,  Adderley,  Market  Drayton.    Second,  T. 

West.    Third.  Rev.  F.  Watson. 
Bantams  (Gold-laced).— First.   U.  Spnry,  Markyate  SIreet,  Dunstable. 

Secoad  and  Third,  U.  Leno.    Highly  Commended,  T.  C.  Harrison,  Hull ; 

M.  Leno. 

«  Baktams  (Silver-laced).-  First,  M.  Leno.  Second,  H.  Draycott.  Hum. 
berstone.  near  Leicester.  Third,  U.  Spary.  Highly  Commended,  M. 
Leno.    Commended,  U.  Sparv. 

Bantams  (White.  Clean-legged).- First,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Second,  Rev. 
F.  Tearle.    Third.  W.  McMellon.  Glossop.    Commended.  Rev.  F.  Tearle- 

BANTAMS(Black,Clenn  legged).— First,  R.  B.  Riley.  Ovenden,  Halifax. 
Second,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  Third,  T.  C.  Harrison.  Highly  Commended, 
H.  Maynard  ;  E.  Cambridge,  Bristol ;  H.  Draycott ;  J.  W.  Morris,  P.och- 
dale. 

Bantams  (Any  other  variety,  except  Game).— First.  W.  B.  Togetmeier, 
Finchley,  London.  Second,  Mrs.  Woodcock,  Eenrshy  House,  Leicester. 
Highly  commended,  Hon.  D.  Finch,  Packingtoa  Hall.  Coventry:  H. 
Savile';  H. Draycott;  J.  Bcasley,  Northampton ;  J.N.  BoaBley;W.B. 
Tegetmeier  ;  H.  Asbton,  Manchester  ;  W.  J.  Cope,  Bnrosley. 

Game  Bantams  (Cliick-breasted  Reds\— Silver  r'up,  J.  Eaton,  Fains- 
fiold,  Notts.  Second.  J.  W.  Morris.  Third,  J.  Halsall.  Fourth,  Miss  E. 
A.  Crawford,  Fnmfield,  Sou'hfteld.  Fifth.  H.  Asbton.  Highly  Com- 
mended. J.  Anderson;  R.  Swift,  Southwell.  Commended.  Rev.  A.  K. 
Cornwall,  Bencome,  Dursley;  Hon.  Mrs.  Colvilo,  LuUiugton,  Burton-on- 
Trent;  J.  J.  Cousins.  Chapel  Allerton,  Leeds;  Bowman  &  Fearon ;  J. 
Crosland,  jun.,  Wakefield  ;  II-  Shumaek,  Southwell ;  J.  Enton. 

Game  B-astams  (Brown  nnd  other  Reds,  except  Black-breasted).— Fiift, 
Miss  E.  A.  Crawford.  Second,  H.  Shumaek.  Commended,  T.  Dyson  ;  G. 
E.  Meredith.  Ightfleld.  Whitchurch. 

Game  Bantams  (Any  other  variety.- First.  W.  Parker.  Clay  Cross. 
Second,  Mason  &  Charlesworlb.  Chesterfield.  Third.  11.  Shumaek.  Com- 
mended, J.  Crosland,  jun. ;  E.  Toder,  Little  Carlton,  Newark. 

Game  Bantam  Cocks  (Black-hrensted  nnd  other  Reds).— First,  C.  Par. 
sous.  West  Haddon.  Rugby.  Second,  H.  Loe,  Appuldureombe,  Isle  of 
Wight.  Third,  J.  Crosland,  jun.  Fourth,  M.  Leno.  Fifth,  Miss  E.  A. 
Crawford.  Commended,  Rev.  A.  K.  Cornwall ;  Rev.  C.  H.  Crosse,  Cam- 
bridge ;  G.  Smith,  Ramshill  House,  Scarborough  ;  J.  Halsall ;  C.  Parsons  ; 
R.  ,-wift ;  G.  &  C.  Funiess  ;  E.  Toder. 

Game  Bantam  Cccks  (Any  other  variety).— First.  Mason  &  Charles- 
worth.  Second  and  Thiid,  fl.  Shumaek.  Commended,  T  «bit.iker, 
Melton  Mowbray. 

Ducks  (White  Aylesharv).— First  and  Silver  Cnp,  Jlrs.  Seamons,  Hart- 
well,  AvK-sbury.  Second,' J.  Ander.son.  Third.  J.  K.  Fowler.  H:gbl.v 
Comme'ndcd,  J.  K.  Fowler;  Mrs.  .Seamons ;  T.  Wil=.,n.  Famell  C:;me, 
Rildwick.  Leeds.  Commended,  T.  T.  Lawden,  Northlield,  Birmingham  ; 
J.  K.  Fowler.  ,  „     .   ,      , 

Ducks  (Rouen>.— First,  J.  Anderson.  Second,  S.  .'■haw,  Stainland, 
Halifax.  Third,  T.  Staffer.  Fourth,  J.  F.  Dixon,  Colgrave,  NotlmgbBm. 
Fifth,  A.  Dickinson,  Weatcroft,  Whitehaven,  sixth.  L.  Patton.  Highly 
Commended.  E.  Leech,  Rochdale  ;  J.  Anderson  ;  J.  Wood :  T.  Statter ;  A. 
Dickin.son  ;  !•'.  Parlett.  Commended.  Messrs.  Gnniou  &  Jeffers^-n  ;  F. 
Parlett ;  T.  Burns,  Abram,  near  Wigan. 

Ducks  (Black  East  Indian).— First  and  Second.  Rev.  W.  Serjeantson. 
Third.  F.  Pittis,  jun.  Commended,  Mrs.  Hnyne,  Fordington,  Dorchester; 
J.  M.  Kilvert ;  S.  Burn,  Whitby  ;  Major  F.  D.  Lea  Smith,  The  Grange, 
Halesowen. 

Ducks  (Any  other  vnriety).— First.  T.  C.  Harrison.  Second.  H.  Mapple- 
beck.  Highly  Commended,  S.  &  R.  Asbton  ;  Sir  J.  Morris,  Elmsdale,  near 
Wolverhampton  ;  H.  Mapplebeck;  H.  Savile  ;  E.  Ft  Williams. 

Geese  (White).  —  first,  Mrs.  Seamons.  Second,  T.  Statter.  Highly 
Commended,  E.  Leech  ;  C.  Bamford,  Iminngford  Hell.  Cambridge.  Com- 
mended, T.  statter.  r.    -rr   o     »* 

Geese  (White).— Gosliiif).!. —First,  Mrs.  Seamons.  Second,  S.  H.  Stott, 
Quarry  Hill,  Rochdale.  Highly  Commended,  F.  W.  Earle,  Edenhnrst, 
Prescot,  Lancashire  ;  W.  Wykes,  Wolvey,  Hinckley. 

Geese  (Grey  and  Mottled).— First.  J.  K.  Fowler.  Second,  Lord  W  en- 
lock,  Escrick  Park,  Yorkshire.  Highly  Commended,  W.  Cox,  Brttilsfor  J 
Hall,  Derby. 

Geese  (Grey  nnd  Mottledl.— Ooslini;*.- First,  J.  Lycetf.  Second,  Mr?. 
Seamons.  Highly  Commended.  Sir  R.  Peel,  Bart.,  M.P.,  Drayton  Manor, 
Tamworth  ;  J.  K.  Fowler ;  S.  H.  Slott ;  Lord  Wenlock.  Commended,  Rev. 
G.  Hustler;  W.  Cox  ;  Lord  Wenlock. 

Turkeys.- Coc;.-».— First,  F.  Lvtliall,  Spittall  Farm,  Banbury.  Second, 
J.Smith,  Breeder  Hills,  ScdgeLrook,  Grtntlmm.    Highly  Cinimendcd, 


480 


OOUBNAL  OF  HOBTIODLTUBB  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


[  December  8,  186^ 


J.  N.  Beasley,  Brampton,  Northampton ;  J.  ?ox ;  G.  Lingard,  jun  •  L. 
Fatten  ;  T.  HoUis.  Commended,  Lady  E.  Isham,  Lamport  Hall,  North- 
ampton. 

TVRKEYS— Cockerels.— First,  L.  Patton,  Second,  F.  LythaU.  Highly 
Commended,  Lady  JS.  Isham;  Hon.  Mrs,  Colvile ;  Miss  J.  Milward 
Newton  St.  Loe,  Bristol ;  W.  Sanday,  RadcUffe-on-Trent ;  .1  Lowe  Bir- 
mingham; Rev.  T.  L.  FeUowea,  Honingham,  Norwich;  W.  Winterton, 
Hincliley.    Commended,  Lord  Chesham,  Latimcrs,  Chesham. 

Turkeys.— ffens. -First,  J.  Smith,  Breeder  Hills,  Grantham.  Second, 
J.  1  ox,  St.  Bees.  Highly  Commended,  Sir  J.  W.  C.  Hartopp,  Bart., 
outton  Coldneld. 

TuHKEvs.— Hf«s,  18C8.— First,  J.  Smith.  Second,  Rev.  T.  L.  FeUowes. 
ilighly  Commended,  W.  Sanday ;  W.  Wykes,  Wolvey ;  C.  Bumford,  Im- 
pington  Hall,  near  Cambridge ;  S.  H.  Stott. 

PIGEONS. 

TcMBLEHS  (Almond).— First,  Second,  and  Third,  R.  Fulton,  Deptford. 
Uighly  Commended,  J.  Fielding,  jun.,  Rochdale.  Commended,  J.  Ford  ■ 
iv.  r  ulton. 

CAEBiEns  (Black).— CocJs.— First  and  Cup,  Second,  and  Third,  R 
Jruitou^  Commended,  E.  Uorner,  Harewood,  Leeds  ;  F.  Crosslev,  EllinH 
near  Halifax.  Heiu.— First,  R.  Fulton.  Second  and  Commended,  F. 
Crossley. 

CiBEJEKs  (Duuj.-Cocis.— First,  E.  Homer.  Second,  J.  C.  Ord 
±^imlico.  Thud  and  Commended,  R.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended,  G. 
cnarnloy,  Preston.  Hfng.— First  and  Commende.f,  R.  Fulton.  Second 
J-.  Crossley.     Highly  Commended,  W.  Han-ev,  shefflUd. 

CARRiins  (.\ny  other  colour).— First,  R.  Fulton.    Second,  J.  C.  Old. 

PODTERS  iRed).—Co<-)t».— First  and  Highly  Commended,  W.  R.  Rose 
cransley  Hall,  near  KetterinK.  Second,  C.  Bulpin,  Riverside,  Bridge- 
water.  Commended,  A.  H.  Stewart,  Birmingham.  iTcns.—Flrst  W  R 
Rose.    Second,  R.  Fulton.    Highly  Commended, R.  Fulton  ;  A.  H.Stewart. 

Pouters  (Blue  .-Coft-s.-First  and  Medal,  A.  H.  Ste\™rt.  Second,  F. 
crossley.  Highly  Commonded,  E.  Horner ;  R.  Fulton.  iJciw.— First,  and 
Highly  Commended,  F.  Crossley.  Second,  S.  Shaw,  Stainland,  HaUfax. 
Commended,  A,  H.  Stewart. 

Pouters  (Black).— tocl-s.-First,  R.  Fulton.  Second,  A.  Heath,  Caluo. 
JiejM.— First  and  Second,  R.  Fulton. 

Pouters  (White).— CocAs.— First  and  Second,  B.Fulton.  Highly  Com- 
mended, W.  Harvey.  Hens.-Fiiat,  W.  B.  Tegetmeicr,  Finchley.  Second, 
K.^  niton.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton  ;  A.  Heath.  Commended.  W. 
it.  Rose. 

Pouters    (Any  other  colour).— CocAs.— First,  Withheld.      Second,   li. 

>"wn-  Hf  IS.— First,  A.  H.  Stewart.  Second,  It.  Fulton.  Ilighly  Com- 
mended, W.  R.  Rose. 

Baids  OR  Beards.— First,  J.  Fielding,  jun.  Second.  R.  Fulton.  Third 
u.  a.  C.  Gates,  Bcsthorpe,  Newark,  Notts.  Highly  Commended,  J.  W 
Jidge,  Birmingham. 

TusiBLERS. -First,  F.  Crossley.  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Third,  J.  Ford, 
uigniy  Commended,  J.  Fielding,  jun  ;  R.  Fulton. 

RpNTs.-First,  Second,  and  Highly  Commended,  T.  D.  Green.  Third, 
U.  Yardley. 

Jacobins  (Yellow).— First,  J.  W.  Edge.  Second,  E.  Horner.  Highly 
Commended,  E.  E.  M.  Royds,  Oieenhill,  Rochdale.  Commended,  H?  M 
Maynard,  Holmcwood,  Ryde,  Itle  of  Wight. 

JAcoBrNs  (Any  other  colour  .—First,  H.  M.  Maynard.  Second,  E.  E.  M 
Koyds.     Highly  Commended,  S.  Shaw.    Commended,  R.  Fulton. 

iAKTAiLS  (White).— First  and  Silver  Cup,  J.  W.  £dge.  Second,  H 
Yardley.  Third,  W.  E.  Park,  Abbotts  Meadow,  Melrose.  Highly  Com- 
mended, F.  Horner;  W.  Choyce,  Sibson.  near  Atherstone ;  T;  C.  &  E 
Newbitt,  Epworth  ;  C.  Bulpin,  Riverside,  Bridgewater  ;  H.  Yardley. 

Fantail?  (Any  other  colour).— First,  J.  W.  Edge.  Second,  H.  Yardlev. 
Highly  Commended,  W'.  Choyce. 

Trumpeters  (Mottled).— First,  E.  Horner.  Second,  J.  Firth,  jun 
Webster  Hill,  Dowsbury.    Commended.  E.  Homer. 

Trumpeters  (Any  other  colour).— First,  W.  H.  C.  Gates.  Second,  J. 
t-uth,  jun.    Third,  C.  Bulpin.    Highly  Commended,  E.  Homer. 

Owls  (Foreign).— First  and  Second,  J.  Fielding,  jun. 

pwxs(Euglish).— First,  C.  Bulpin.    Second,  J.  Watts,  Hazelwell  HalL 

•5®  "  Heath,  Birmingham.    Highly  Commended,  C.  Bulpin 

Nuns.- First,  C.  Bulpin.  Second  and  Third,  W.  Banks,  Weston  House 
Knncorn.  Highly  Commended,  E.  Homer ;  S.  Shaw.  Commended.  C. 
Uuipm. 

TCRBITS  (Red  and  Yellow).— First,  E.  Homer.  Second,  S.  Shaw 
Highly  Commended,  S.  Shaw  ;   J.  Thompson,  Bingloy.    Commended,  J. 

TtJitBiTS  (Any  other  colour).— First,  C.  Bulpin.  Second,  E.  Horner. 
Highly  Commended.  S.  Shaw. 

Baebs  -Black).— First,  F,  Crossley.  Second,  G.  Chamley,  Preston. 
Tliird,  Withheld. 

Baebs  (Any  other  colour).— First,  G.  Chamley.  Second,  E.  Homer. 
Highly  Commended,  G.  Charnley. 

Deagoons  {Blue).— First,  F.  Crossley.  Second,  S.  Shaw.  Highly 
Comniei:ded,  J.  Percivall ;  J.  W.  Ludlow,  Birmingham  ;  E.  Horner. 

Draogons  (Red  or  Yellow).— Fii-st,  C.  Bulpin.  Second,  J.  W.  Ludlow 
Highly  Commended,  C.  Bulpin. 

Dragoons  (Any  other  colom-).— First,  J.  Percivall.    Second.  E.  Horner. 

Magpies. -First,  E.  Homer.    Second,  J.  Percivall.    Third,  E.  Horner. 

Antwerp s.— First  and  Second,  H.  Yardley.  Third,  H.  Allsop  Bir- 
mingham. 

Archangels.— First,  J.  W.  Edge.  Second,  C.  Bulpin.  Highly  Com- 
mended, A.  Heath. 

Swallows.— First,  Second,  and  Third,  F.  H.  Paget. 

Ant  other  New  or  Distinct  Variety.— First,  H.  Noye,  Birmingham. 
Equal  First,  H.  Draycott.  Second,  F.  H.  Paget.  Equal  Second,  H, 
Draycott.  Third,  W.  Banks.  Equal  Third,  E.  Horner;  H.  Yardley 
Highly  Commended,  C.  Bulpin  ;  F.  H.  Paget. 

JvDGBS.—Poidtnj :  G.  J.  Andrews,  Esq.,  Dorchester;  Mr.  John 
Baily,  Mount  Street,  Grosvenor  Square,  London  ;  Mr.  James  Dixon, 
North  Park,  Clayton,  Bradford;  Mr.  E.  Hewitt,  Spark  Brook,  Bir- 
mingham; Mr.  R.  Teebay,  Fulwood,  near  Preston;  J.  H.  Smith, 
Esq.,  Skelton  Grange,  York;  Mr.  R.  Woods,  Osberton,  Worksop; 
Mr.  Edward  Lowe,  Comberford,  Tam worth.— PiV/co/iS :  Mr.  Harrison 
Weir,  9,  Ljndhurst  Road,  Peckham,  London,   S. ;  Mr.  T.  J.  Cottle, 


Pultenej  Villa,  Cheltenham  {Classes  06  to  111) ;  Mr.  F.  Esqnilant,  4, 
Efifra  Road,  Bristou,  London,  S. ;  Mr.  T.  Ridpeth,  Poplar  House, 
Rusholme.  Manchester  (Classes  112  to  135). 


OAIvHAM  POULTRY   SHOW. 

The  Poultry  Show  in  connection  with  the  Rutland  Agricultiiral 
Society's  Exhibition  was  held  at  Oakham  on  the  25th  and  26th  of 
November  in  a  spacioua  marquee.  The  collection  of  poultry  and 
Pigeons  consisted  of  578  pens,  not  only  good  in  number,  but  also  in 
quality,  which  is  surprising  when  we  consider  how  close  the  date  of 
the  Show  is  to  that  of  the  Great  Show  at  Birmingham. 

There  were  no  less  than  twenty-four  coloured  Dorhiny  cocks,  and  in 

f-Juitiou  to  those  which  took  prizes,  the  Judgfib  selected  seven  pens  for 

,  commendation.     Sllver-Greys  were  numerous,  but  many  good  birds 

^v.'re  passed  over  in  consequence  of  being  entere.l  in  the  Coloured  class. 

'ihere  were  upwards  of  lifty  pens  of  Game,  but  the   best  birds  were 

,  disqualified,    being   entered   in  the  Brahma  aud  Hamburgh  classes. 

j  This  was  surprising,  seeing  that  they  belonged  to  great  exhibitors  of 

I  several  years    standing.       Turkcij^  were   particularly   good.      There 

I  were  fifteen  entries  of  single  cocks.      The  Game  Baidaiiis  were  the 

j  largest  class,  there  being   sixty-cue  pens.     Here  scmo  ovil-disposed 

I  person  abstracted  both  sickle  feathers  from  the  tail  cf  tlft  first-prize 

bird,  which  is  the  more  to  be  regretted  because  the  Stewards  and  Mr. 

I  Wellington,  the  Honorai*y  Secretaiy,  wore  unremitting  in  their  atten- 

I  tiou  to  the  specimens  committed  to  theii-  charge. 

I       /*/i/ro)w  were  numerously  represented;  the  class  for  new  or  distinct 
'  varieties  contained  upwards  of  thirty  pens. 

I      DoEKi*39  (Coloured).— Coe/;.— First,  H.  Warucr,  Loughborough.    Se- 

I  cond,  G.  H.  Finch.  M.P.,Burley-on-th6-HilI.  Third,-!,  Hornsby, Grantham. 

I  Commended,  H.  L.  Bradshaw,  Wakerley;  Rev.  C  H.  Crosse,  Cambridge  ; 

I  W.  Fowler,  Manton,  Uppingham;  D.   C.  Campbell,   il.U.,  Brentwood;  R. 

I  Wood,  Clapton,  near  Thrapstouo ;  G.  Clarke,  Lonfj  Sutton ;  T.  Tatham, 

King's  Thorpe.    Hens  or  P(i;^■^s.— First,  D.  C.  Campbell.    Second,  H. 

I  Lingwood,  Barking,  Needham  Market.    Third,  R.  Wood.    Highly  Com- 

I  mended,  H.  Bradshaw,  Lee ;  Lady  L.  Chartcris,  Attleborough.    Com- 

J.  Horusby. 

Dorkings  (Silver-Grey).  —  Ht-.w  or  Pullets.— First,  H.  L.  Bradshaw, 

!  Wakerley.    Second,  W.  Fowlor,  Manton,  Uppingham.     Commended,  J. 

Longlnud,  Grendou,  Northampton;  Marchioness  of  Exeter,  liurghley. 
I      Dorkings  (White).— Cocfc.— First,  D.  C.  Campbell,  M.D.    Second,  H. 
i  Lingnood.    Highly    Commended,  Mrs.    Syson,    Empinghum.    Hem    or 
I  Pulltts. — First,  H.  Lingwood.    Second,  Highly  Commended,  and  Com- 
t  mended,  Mrs.  Syson. 

]  Spanish.— CocA-.-First ,  E.  Brown,  Sheffield.  Second,  J.  Clews, 
'  Walsall.  Highly  Commended,  Hon.  Miss  Douglas  Pennant,  Penrhyn 
'  Castle,  Bangor.  Commended,  H.  Suushall,  Gedney.  Sensor  Pullets. — 
I  First,  E.  Brown.  Second,  Hon.  Mi^s  Douglas  Pennant.  Third,  F.  James 
Pockbam  Rye,  Surrey.  Highly  Commended,  H.  Lingwood,  Martlesham, 
I  Woodbridge,  Suffolk. 

I  Cochins  (Cinnamon,  Buff,  or  Partridge). — Cock. — First,  H.  V.  Storry, 
■■  Lockiugtou  Hall,  Derby.  Second,  J.  Longland,  Grendou.  Thii-d.  Mrs. 
Woodcock,  Leicester.  Highly  Commended,  H.  Lingwood,  Martlesham, 
Woodbridge;  H.  Warner,  Loughborough.  Heiis  or  Pu?iciJ*-— First,  H. 
Lingwood,  B.arking.  Second,  T.  M.  Derry,  Gedney.  Third,  Mrs.  A. 
Woodcock.  Highly  Commended,  W.  A.  Bui-nell,  Southwell ;  J.  M.  Well- 
ington, Oakham  ;  Rev.  G.  Gilbert.  Commondea,  Mrs.  A.  Woodcock  ; 
H.  V.  Story. 

Cochins  (White  or  Black).— CocA-.— First  and  Tliird,  Mrs.  A.William- 
son, Queniborough  Hall,  Leicester.  Second,  H.  J.  Godfrey,  Hammer- 
smith, London.  Hois  or  Pallets.— First  and  Second,  Mrs.  A.  WiDiamson. 
Third,  H.  J.  Godfrey. 

Brahma  Pootra  (Any  colour).— Coc/j.— First,  Mrs.  Burrell,  Ipswich. 
Second,  Hon.  Miss  Douglas  Pennant.  Hem  or  P idlets. —Fir&t,  H.  Ling- 
wood, Martlesham.    Second,  B.  Jarvis,  Mansfield. 

Hamdurghs  (Silver-spangled). — Cock. — First,  Withheld.  Second,  J. 
Walker,  Knaresborough.  Hens  or  Pullets.— First,  A.  Houghton.  Aafordby. 
Second, Miss  Almey,  Oakham.    Commended,  Mi,^.  Almey. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-penciUedt. — Cock. — First,  J.  Walker.  Second  and 
Commended,  A.  Houghton.  Hens  or  Pullets.  —First,  J.  Walker.  Se- 
cond, Mrs.  Burrell.    Commended,  A.Houghton. 

Hamburghs  (Gold-spangled;. — Cock. — First,  A.  Houghton.  Second,  J. 
Pearson,  Allerton,  Bradford.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Blakemen,  Tetten- 
hall;  T,  Walker,  jun,,  Denton.  Hens  or  Pullets.— First,  T.  Biakeman. 
Second,  Mrs.  Burrell.    Commended,  S.  &  R.  Ashton,  Mottraui. 

Hamburghs  (Gold-pencilled) —CocA-.— First  and  Highly  Commended, 
W.  K.  Tickner,  Ipswich.  Second,  J.  Pearson.  Hens  or  Pulltts. — First,  W. 
K.  Tickner.    Second,  J.  Walker. 

Game  (Red  and  other  Dark  colours).— CocA-.—Fii-st.R.  Hall,  Cambridge. 
Second,  Mrs.  Fludyer,  Ayston  Hall,  Uppingham.  Third,  B.  Jarvis. 
Commended,  E.  Aykroyd,  Bradford;  Tilton  it  Redman,  Holmfield, 
Oxenden.  Hens  or  Pullets. — First,  T.  Garton,  Oakham.  Second,  H. 
Jennings,  Alierton,  Bradford.  Third,  H.  Warner.  Highly  Commeuded, 
Capt.  Wetherall,  Loddington.     Commended,  J.  Driver,  Allerton. 

Game  (White,  Piles,  and  Light  colom'sj. — Cuck. — First,  B.  Jarvis.  Se- 
R.  Swift,  Southwell,  Notts.  Third,  E,  Winwood,  Worcester.  Highly 
Commended,  W.  Chadwick,  Ovenden  Cross,  Halifax.  Hc7is  and  Pullets, 
— First,  s.  Dracon,  Oundle.  Second,  Rev,  G.  Blake,  Birition.  Third,  H. 
Jennings,  Allerton,  Bradford.  Higlily  Commeuded,  B.  Everard,  Leicei- 
ter.    Commended,  Mrs.  Fludyer. 

Bantams  (White  Clean-legsj.— First,  W.  H.  Tomliusou.  Second,  S. 
and  R.  Ashton.  Highly  Commended,  H.  L.  Bradshaw.  Commended, 
O.  CresBwelJ,  Hauwoith  Rectory. 

Bantams  (Black  Clean-legs).— First,   S.  &  R.  Ashton.    Second,  S.  S. 
Mossop,  Long  Sutton.    Highly  Commended,  A.  Storrar,  Peterboroagh  ; 
T.  C.  Harrison,  Hull. 
Bantams  (Gold-laced). — Prize,  T.  C.  Harrison. 
Bantams  i  Silver-laced).— Prize  and  Commended,  G.  H.  Finch,  M.P. 
Game  Bantams  (Any  colour).— Co c A-.— First,  W,  Adams,  Ipswich,    Se- 


December  3,  1668.  1 


JOURNAL   OF   HOBTICULTURE  AND   OOTTAGE  GAKDENEB. 


431 


oond.  Rev.  G.  Rnjiior,  Tonbridge.  Third,  H.  Warner.  Highly  Com- 
i.  M.  Otler,  Nownrli-on-Tront ;  Rev.  C.  H.  Crosse ;  J.  Pnrlett.  Com- 
mended, J.  Pnrlelt,  Hiiiilingrton  ;  E.  Slieerranii,  Clielmeford.  Hens  or 
Pullrln.— First,  Rev.  G.  KuyTinr.  Scrnnd,  Cnpt.  Welherall.  Third,  .T.  M. 
Wellington,  Oakhnin.  Hi^'hlv  Commi.nili'd,  ,1.  P.irlctt.  Commended,  .J. 
Pnrlett;  E.  Boimosi.,  l\rl.v;'M.  i;inv,  Unrkot  Overton;  H.  Warner. 

Bantams  (Any  other  Distiiot  vuriety).— Prize,  Mrs.  A.  Woodcoel<. 
Commended,  t<.  A.  Wyllic,  Knst  M   ulsey. 

PoiANDs  (Any  colour).— Prizf,  G.  Boothby,  Loath.  Commended,  Lady 
L.  Chnrteris. 

Any  other  Distinct  VARiETY.—First,  Hon.  C.  W.  W.  Fitzwilliam, 
Wentworth  Woodhouse  (La  I'lulu).  Soeond,  Lady  L.  Chnrteris  (Ulack 
Ori'Te-Cteurs).  Highly  Comnieuded,  W.  Dring,  Faverahnm  (Cri-vc- 
Coenr).    Commended,  Lady  II.  llazlerigg,  Tugby,  Leicester. 

CRossBREn  Chickens.— i^irst,  Mrs.  Syson.  Second,  Third,  and  Fourth, 
M.  Kew.  Commended,  J.  Wellington ;  Rev.  E.  Alder,  Etwnll  Vicarage, 
Derby  ;  C.  Chapman,  Exton,  Ouliham. 

TcRKKTs  (Any  colour).— Coct.—Fir.«t,  Mrs.  E.  Harris,  Sutton  St.  .lames. 
Second,  Ladv  L.  Charteris.  Third.  W.  Hushes,  Oakham.  Highly  Com- 
mended, W.  Kirk,  Wymondham  ;  R.  B.  Seaton,  Empingham  ;  W.  Hughes, 
Oakham.  Commended,  R.  B.  Seaton  ;  G.  Turner,  Uppingham ;  G.  R. 
Pearson,  Colsterworth ;  Mrs.  Bcrridge,  Burley-on-the-llill ;  Mrs.  E. 
Harris.  Htiw— First,  Mrs.  II.  Harris,  Second,  G.  R.  Pearson.  Third, 
Mrs.  Berridge.  Highly  Commended,  M.  Kew,  Market  Overton,  Oakham  ; 
Mrs.  E.  Harris.  Commended,  W.  Kirk ;  R.  B.  Seaton  ;  G.  E.  Pearson ; 
M.  Kew. 

Docks  (White  Aylesbury)  —First,  Mrs.  Bnrrell.  Second  and  Third. 
J.  Homsby.  Highly  Commended,  W.  Carver  &  Sons,  Ingarsby,  Leicester ; 
J.  Homsby. 

Ducks  (Rouen).— First,  J.  White,  Netherton,  Wakefield.  Second,  E. 
Wood.    Third,  G.  R.  Pearson. 

Ducks  (Any  other  variety).— First,  M.  Kew.  Second,  T.  C.  Harrison. 
Highly  Commended,  G.  H.  Finch,  M.P.  Commended,  T.  0.  Harrison, 
Hull ;  Lady  H.  Hazlerigg. 

Ducks  (Crossbred  or  Common).- First,  J.  M.  Wellington.  Second, 
and  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  Berridge.  Commended,  Mrs.  Blackwood, 
Oakham  ;  Lady  H.  Hazlerigg. 

Geese  Any  colour).— First,  J.  Garten,  Loughborough.  Second,  J. 
Christian,  Barrow,  Oakham.  Highly  Commended,  M.  Kew.  Oonlinfj^. — 
First,  J.  Christian.  Second,  J.  Garten,  Highly  Commended,  J.  Christian. 

PIGEONS. 

TuMBiEBS— First,  P.  H.  Jones,  Fnlbam.  Second,  J.  Fielding,  Jan., 
Rochdale.        Higlily  Commended,  H.  Draycott,  Huralierstone,  Leicester. 

Carriers.— Firsti  Pen  470,  name  omitted  in  catalogue.  Second,  E. 
Walker,  Lei^'estcr.  Commended,  H.  Headley,  Leicester;  A.  Ston-ar, 
Peterborough. 

Pouters.— First,  P.  H.  Jones.    Second,  H.  Draycott. 

jAcoBrNs.— First,  H.  Headley,  Leicester.  Second,  P.  H.  Jones,  Fulham. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Thompson,  Eingley. 

Fantatls.— First,  W.  H.  Tomlinson,  Newark-on-Trent.  Second,  H. 
Draycott.  Commended,  G.  G.  Hall;  W.  H.  Tomlinson;  F.  J.  Leech, 
Middlesborough  ;  H.  Headley  ;  J.  F.  Loversidge,  Newark  ;  P.  H.  Jones. 

Trumpeters.- First,  P.  H.  Jones.  Second,  J.  Thompson.  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Yardley  ;  E.  Sheorman,  Chelmsford, 

Nuns.— First,  W.  Croft,  Killinghall.  Second,  P.  H.  Jones.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Thompson.    Commended,  F.  J.  Leach,   Middlesborough.  j 

Turrits.— First,  J.  Fielding,  jun.,  Rochdale.  Second,  F.  J.  Leach. 
Highly  Commended,  F.  H.  Paget ;  J.  Thompson  ;  P.  H.  Jones. 

RcNTS   -First,  H.  Yardley.    Second,  H.  Headley.  I 

Any  otherNew  or  Distinct  VARrEiY.— First,  H.  Draycott  (Frillbacks). 
Second,  H.  Headley  (Branswicks).    Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  Berridge  i 
Fantails  and  Jacohiiicl;  Miss  F.  Fasten,  Hull  (Owls) ;  A  Storrar  lOwls) ;  | 
P.  H.  Jones  (Magpies,  Faiiips,  and  Dragoons).    Commended,  H.  Yardley:  i 
T.  Fielding  (White  Owls) ;  F.  J .  Leach  (Magpies) ;  H.  Headley  (Owls) ; 
J.  C.  Marshall,  Peterborough  (Magpies). 

Theyndges  were  Mr.  W.  B.  Jeffries,  The  Arboretnm,  Ipswich,  and 
Mr.  W.  B.  Tegetmeier,  London. 


PoLANDS.— First,  J.  Hinton.  Second,  —  Pownoy,  Calne.  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  Hinton ;  F.  Perrin,  Bristol.  ,    ,  ,,        n_.ii 

Game  Bantams.— First,  —  Cambridge,  Bristol.  Second,  J.  May,  Bristol 
Commended,  J.  May.  , 

Bantams   i  .:iy  other  variety  ).-Fir8t,  —  Cambridge.    Second,  TonMn 

find  Tuekey.  „  ,.    ,.  ,       «- 

Any  other  Ihstisct  Breed.- First,  Mrs.  Ward,  Marlborough.  Se- 
cond, .T.  Hinton. 

Cross-breeds.— First,  S.  Sainsbury.  Second,  J.  Hinton. 

Turkeys.— First,  Miss  Mlllward.  Second,  H.  Brinkworth,  Corsham; 
Highly  Commended,  I.  Smith,  Avon.  ,„,.,.         nr     .._ 

GEESE,— First,  —  Baker,  Allington.      Second,   W.    Archer,    Wootton 

DUMS  (Rouen).— First,  G.  M.  Ilulhort,  Pcrrott's  Brook,  Cirencester. 
Second,  —  Hanks,  Malmeaburv.    Highly  Commended,  Rev.  H.  Mullens. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury).- First,  —  Hanks.  Second,  Forster.  Highly  Com- 
mended, —  Bennett.  j    t*        tt 

Ducks  (Any  other  variety).— First,  Miss  Mlllward.  Second,  Rev.  H. 
Mullens.  Highly  Commended,  Rev.  H.  Mullens;  H.  Bnnkworth, Coraham. 

Sweepstakes  for  Single  Game  Cock.— First,  W.  H.  Stagg,  Netheravon. 
Second,  —  Orlidge,  Chippenham.    Third,  —  Waller,  Beversbrook. 

E.  Hewitt,  Esq.,  of  Birmingham,  officiated  as  Judge. 


THE  CHIPPENHAM  POULTRY  EXHIBITION. 

This  was  certainly  one  of  the  very  best  Poultry  Shows  that  has  ever 
been  held  in  this  locality  ;  and,  when  we  consider  that  the  great  Show 
at  Birmingham  was  so  near  at  band,  the  excellence  of  the  poultry 
exhibited  at  Chippenham  is  only  the  more  remarkable.  The  arrange- 
ments were  very  good,  and  the  attention  paid  to  the  poultry  was  most 
efficient.  Dvrkiin/s  were  excellent,  and  the  Gainc  fowls  not  less  so. 
Some  very  superior  Cochins  were  exhibited,  and  of  Hamhurtjhs  the 
nnmber  of  entries  was  large  and  the  classes  good.  Po7aHr/5,  though 
few  in  number,  were  of  very  superior  quality,  but  the  Bantams  were 
neither  so  numerous  nor  so  good  as  in  past  years.  The  weather  was 
favourable. 

Dorkings. — First,  —  Forster,  Freshford.  Second,  Jligs  Millward,  New- 
ton St.  Loe.  Highly  Commended,  —  Hanks,  Malraesbury.  Commended, 
—  Hanks  ;  —  Bennett,  Yate, 

Spanish,— First,  Tonkin  &  Tuekey,  Bristol.    Second,  —  Forster. 
Game  (Black-breasted  and  other  Reds).— First,  —  Waller,  Beversbrook 
Second,  F.  Bailey,  Calne.  Highly  Commended,  —  Bennett ;  W.  H.  Stagg 
Netheravon. 

Game  (Any  other  variety).— First,  S.  Sainsbury,  Devizes.  Second,  J, 
May,  Bristol.    Highly  Commended,  s.  yainsbury. 

Cochins.— First,  Miss  Millwaid.  Second,  —  Maggs,  Tetbtiry.  Com- 
mended, Miss  Millward. 

Brahmas— First,  J.  Hinton,  Hinton.    Second,  —  Hanks,  Somerford. 

Hambcrghs  (Gold  or  Silver-pencilled).  —  First,  H.  Thompson,  Hill- 
marton.  Second,  —  Bennett.  Commended,  Rev.  H.  Mullens,  .\cton 
Turville ;  —  Hanks. 

Hamburghb  (Gold  or  Silvor-spangled).— Fii'St,  Rev.  W.  S.  Shaw,  Bath. 
Second,  W.  Hulbtrt,  Chippenham.  Commended,  —  Frond,  Wootlon 
Bassett. 


THE  JOHNSTONE  POULTRY  AND  PIGEON 
SHOW. 

This  was  held  on  the  'ilst  of  November,  when  the  following  prizes 
were  awarded  : — 

SPANISH.-First  and  Second,  J.  Crawford,  Beith.  Third,  D.  M'Kesn, 
Strathblnne.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Thomson,  Paisley. 

Dorkings.— First,  A.  Drummond,  Gl.sgow.  Second,  A.  Grant,  KU- 
harcban.  Third,  T.  Raines,  StirUng.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Smith, 
Stewarton.  _  .      «        t     a     k  -^A^n 

Brahma  Pootras  or  CocHiN-CHiNAs.-First,  A.  Crawford,  Airdrie. 
Second,  J.  Taylor,  Johnstone.  Third,  J.  Boyd,  Paisley.  Highly  Com- 
mended, W.  Robertson,  Paisley.  ,  „.  , ,      ^  j„j    tj 

GniE  (Black-bressted).  — First.  Third,  and  Highly  Commended,  P. 
Alexander,  Bridge  of  Weir.    Second.  R.  Stirrat.  Dairy. 

Game  (Any  colour).— First,  J.  Maolndoe,  Gats  side.  Second,  J  MenzieB, 
Pollokshaws.      Third,  P.  Alexander.     Highly  Commended,  A.    Drnm- 

""scoTCH  Greys.— First,  J.  Hamilton,  Hamilton.  Second,  J.  Taylor, 
Johnstone.    Third,  R.  Blair.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Fulton,  Beith. 

Hamburghs  (Golden-spangled).  First,  R.  Cunninghame,  htewarton. 
Second.  J.  Jardine,  Kilmarnock.  Third,  H.  Hope,  Glasgow.  Highly 
Commended,  D.  Black,  Paisley.  .     ,,     .        ,  t  „„.^™      an. 

Hamburghs  (Colden-peneilled).— First,  J.  Armstrong,  Longton.  Se- 
cond, W.  Bacbois  Paisley.  Third,  A.  Grant.  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Smith,  stewarton.  ,  „  xu     (j««««.i 

Hamburghs  (Silver-spangled).-First,  J.  Logan,  (Jarnwath.  Second, 
A.  Grant,  Kilbarchan.  Third,  J.  Stuart,  BaiThead.  Highly  Commended, 
A.  Glen,  Erskine.  „     ,        ,„  .  ,  c^^^^^ 

Hamburghs  (Silver-pencilled).-Firit,  W.  A.  Bachop,  Paisley.  Second, 
A.  Thomson,  Paisley.  Third,  J.  Dryboi-ough,  Paisley.  Highly  Com- 
mended, D.  White,  Johnstone.  j  m  t>  .     „  a<:« 

Game  BANTAMs.-First,  J.  Gow,  Kilbarchan.  Second,  T.  Raines,  Stir- 
ling.   Third,  J.  Sharp,  Johnstone.    Highly  Commended,  A.  Grant. 

Bantams  (Any  other  varietyl.-First,  J.  Logan,  Carnwath.  Second  w. 
Morris,  Paisley.    Third,  A.  Grant.    Highly  Commended,  A.  Robertson. 

Any  other  BREED.-First,  J.  Pollock,  Bushy.  Second  J.  Allan,  KU- 
bimie.  Third,  J.  Connel,  Johnstone.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Anderson, 
Johnstone.  ,    t    t  rr\^ir^ 

Ducks  (Aylesburv).- First,  A.  Robertson.  Second,  J.  Logan,  inira, 
J.  Dryborough.    Highly  Commended.  A.  Robertson.  ,   „    „    rro« 

Ducks  (Rouen).— First,  J.  Hamilton,  Hamilton.  Second,  Z.  H.  ueys, 
Barrhead.      Third,  J.  H.  M'Nab,  Barrhead.     Highly  Commended,  A. 

Se^ltng  Class.— First,  A.  Grant.  Pecond,  A.  Drummond.  Third, 
Z.H.  Heys.    Highly  Commended,  R,  Blair,  Johnstone. 

Extra  PRIZES.-For  the  bext  pens  from  Castr^l  to  >p,-J'^^'^- 
Alexander.  For  the  test  pen  from  Classes  9  to  16.-Pnze,  J.  Gow,  Kilbar- 
chan. 

PIGEONS. 

PouTERS.-First,  J.  Butler,  Glasgow.  Second  and  Third,  U.  Thomson, 
Highly  Commended,  J  Campbell.  Johnstone.  t  t.     t  _„     co 

Pouters  (Black  oi^  Red).-First  and  Third,  J.  Sharp,  Johnstone.  Se- 
cond, J.  Butler.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Campbell.  <5„.„„,i    t 

Pou-TERS  (Any  other  variety).-First,  J.  Sharp  (Whitf"'-  ^''™°Vj- 
Butler  (YeUow).    Third,  T.  M'Donald,  Johnstone.    Highly  Commended, 

"'c^nlfinl'-Vlrst  and  Second,  H.  JIartin,  Glasgow.  Third,  J.  Camp- 
bell.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Gow.  .    t  du 

Tumblers  (Short.faced).— First  and  Second,  J.  Sharp. 

Barbs.— First  and  Second,  J.  Sharp.  tt,-„i,„„     Thirfl  It 

FAKTAILS.-First,  J.  Sharp.  Second,  J.  Smellie,  Wishaw.  Third.  K. 
Blair.    Highly  Commended,  W.  Reid,  Lochwmnoch.  f,„„„,.„j„j 

jAC0BiNS.-rirst,J.  Campbell.  Second,  Third,  and  Highly  Commended, 

■^TuM^iERs  (Common).-First,  R.  Blair  Second  H.  Martin.  Third, 
D.  B.  MaeKay,  Glasgow.    Highly  Commended,  J.  8pa?P-  „„,,,,,    ^ohn- 

COMMON.-First,  C.  Anderson,  Johnstone.  Second,  J.  Campbell,  John- 
stone.   Third,  R,  Blair.     Highly  Commended,  J.  Wilson,  Beith. 

Any  OTHH.R  BREED.-First,  Third,  and  Highly  Commended,  J.  Sharp 
(Owls).     Second,  J.  Gray,  Airdrie  (Trumpeters). 

Selling  Class.  -  First,  J.  Butler  (Carriers).  Second,  Third,  and 
Highlv  Commended,  J.  Sharp.  ,  Van- 

Extra  Prizes  for  the  best  PENS.-Prizcs,  J.  Sharp  (Pouters  and  Fan- 
tails.) 

JuT>c,ES.-PouHry :  Mr.  J.  M'Innes,  Paisley;  Mr.  A.  Paterson, 
Airdrie  ;  Mr.  A.  Morrison,  Glasgow  :  Mr.  .T.  M'Langhlan,  Paisley. 


432 


JOUBNAIi  OF  HOETICULTUBE  AND   COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


[  December  3,  1868. 


Pigeons :   Mr.  J.  Muir,  GlaFRow ;  Mr.  G.  White,  Paisley  ;  Mr.  G. 
Ure,  Dundee ;  Mr.  J.  Hnie,  Glasgow. 


PIGEONS    AT    THE    NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE 
SHOW. 

The  Pouters  comiinfieii  some  splendid  birds.  The  most  noticeable 
aniODgst  them  were  the  "Whites  of  ifr.  Fulton  ;  both  cock  aud  ben 
■were  extremely  good  in  nil  iioiuts.  Next  to  these  was  a  Black  hen  of 
Bplendid  etyks  and  the  largest  blower  I  ever  saw,  but  rather  deficient 
in  limb.  A  Bine  cock  and  a  Red  hen  were  also  very  flue.  All  the 
above  won  firvt  prizes  in  their  separate  classes,  and  belonged  to  Mr. 
Fulton.  In  Yellow  hens  Mr.  Stewart  showed  a  splendid  large  hen, 
which  was  first,  and  J'^r.  H.  Brown  a  fine  hen,  which  had  the  second 
prize.  Mr.  Stewart  also  showed  a  very  fine  Blue  cock,  and  a  good 
Black  cock.  Yellow  cocks  were  very  poor  in  quality  and  numbers  ; 
Mealy  cocks  were  strong  in  numbers,  but  deficient  in  quality  ;  but 
£ome  splendid  hens  were  shown  in  the  class  for  that  colour,  Mr,  San- 
uerson'B  first  prize  Mealy  hen  being  a  ver}-  fine  bird.  Amongst  the 
birds  which  did  not  take  prizes,  but  were  worthy  of  notice,  were  Mr. 
H.  Brown's  lied  cock,  Mr.  C  Vaux's  Blue  hen,  and  Mr.  Simpson's 
Blue  hen. 

For  CanUr/i,  Mr.  Fulton  was  again  first  and  second  in  both  the 
classes  with  mnguificent  birds.  Very  fine  birds  were  also  shown  by 
Messrs.  T.  CoUey,  J.  C.  Ord,  W.  K.  lilenkinsop,  and  John  Thompson. 

Of  Short-faced  Almond  TumlJas  there  were  several  beautifully 
coloured  specimens.  Messrs.  Fielding,  Fulton,  Leach,  Vaux,  and 
Tardley  all  phowed  superior  birds.  For  Any  other  coloured  Tumblers  i 
the  irrepressible  Mr.  Fulton  was  easily  first  with  a  splendid  pair  of 
Red  Splashes  ;  he  likewise  won  the  sweepstakes  for  the  best  Almond 
cock. 

In  the  class  for  Black  Barbs  Mr.  Van  Haansbergen  was  first  with  a 
fine  pair,  the  cock  being  a  most  superb  specimen.  In  the  class  for  Any- 
oiher-coloured  Barbs,  Mr.  Firth  won  easily  with  Yellows,  the  hen  being 
a  very  superior  bird,  the  best  of  the  colour  I  ever  saw. 

Among  Red  or  Black  Jacobhis  there  was  the  closest  competition,  all 
the  specimens  being  above  mediocrity.  I  never  saw  so  many  first- 
class  birds  together.  Mr.  Jesse  Thompson  won  with  Reds,  Mr.  Finder 
being  second  with  Blacks.  The  latter  were  generally  held  to  be  the 
superior  pair  of  the  two,  the  cock  being  the  best  Jacobin  I  ever  saw. 
Mr.  Finder  showed  another  pair  of  Blacks,  and  very  good  biids  were 
exhibited  by  Messrs.  Van  Haansbergen  (two  pens)  and  Horner,  the 
hen  in  one  pen,  belonging  to  the  former  gentleman,  being  the  best 
hen  in  the  show.  Of  Jacobins  of  any  other  colour,  only  Y'ellows  were 
shown,  ond  they  did  not  come  up  to  the  Reds  and  Blacks  in  quality. 
Mr.  Horner's  were  the  best. 

Ia}{iails  ("White)  formed  a  large  and  vei-y  good  class.  Mr.  J. 
Smellie's  first  prize  pair  were  decidedly  the  most  perfect  specimens. 
Some  immense-tailed  birds  were  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Edge,  Leach, 
Else,  Fawdon,  and  Taylor,  and  some  marvels  in  carriage  by  Mr.  Van 
Haansbergen.  These  extremely  fiue-carriaged  birds  were  all  more  or 
less  deficient  in  tail,  as  compared  with  those  of  Mr.  Smellie.  Some 
exceedingly  good  birds  were  shown  in  the  class  for  coloured  Fantails, 
Mr,  Edge  being  first  with  very  fine  Blues.  Messrs.  Y"ardley,  Martin, 
and  Fielding  also  had  very  good  specimens  there. 

Trumpeters  looked  well,  Mr.  Horner's  especially  so,  and  these  were 
deservedly  first  and  second  in  the  class  for  Mottles.  For  Any-other- 
coloured  Trumpeters  Mi-.  Gates  was  first  with  a  beautiful  pair. 

In  the  class  for  Oirls  Mr.  Fielding  was  a  long  way  ahead  of  all 
competitors  both  in  Blues  and  "Whites.  Still,  good  birds  were  shown 
by  Mips  F.  Eastcn  and  Messrs.  Bleukiusop,  J.  Thompson,  and  Van 
Haansbergen. 

Of  Xuns  there  were  several  pens  of  excellent  colour  and  marking, 
but  in  evei-y  pen  but  that  of  Mr.  Croft  one  or  other  of  the  birds  was 
deficient  in  crest.  Those  of  Mr.  Croft's  weie  perfect.  Mr.  Horner's 
Y'ellows  were  very  good. 

Jlnnts,  Drae/oous,  and  Miujpiis  call  for  no  special  remarks. 

Of  Turlnts  there  was  an  excellent  show.  The  crested  birds  laboured 
under  the  same  defect  as  the  Nun  class  ;  there  were  plenty  of  perfectly 
crested  single  specimens,  but  not  one  pair  matched  in  this  particular. 
The  competition  was  very  close,  most  of  the  bii-ds  being  conrectly 
marked,  and  of  good  colour.  Messrs,  Sale,  Y'artUi-'y,  Edge,  Towerson, 
Van  Haansbergen,  and  Liddall  all  exhibited  fine  birds.  In  the  class 
for  point-headed  Turbits  the  competition  was  just  as  close  as  in  the 
crested  class,  and  most  diflicult  to  judge.  Mr.  Horner  was  first  and 
Mr.  Fawdou  second.  Messrs.  Leach  and  R.  "Wilson  also  showed  good 
birds. 

In  the  class  for  any  other  variety  Swiss  were  first.  Several  pretty 
varieties  wer«  exhibited. — Borderer. 


TRIMMING  VULTURE  HOCKS. 

■UiiDEB  a  painful  sense  of  duty  I  have  followed  up  my  letter 
the  other  day  on  this  subject  by  entering  a  formal  protest 
against  a  prize  pen  of  Brahma  hens  at  Birmingham.  I  am 
ignorant  of  the  result,  but  if  the  penalty  be  not  enforced  I  am 
willing  to^ublish  the  case  in  your  columns,  signed  by  myself 


and  the  two  witnesses  (both  competent  judges),  in  whose  pre- 
sence I  took  the  bird  from  the  pen. 

There  were  so  miiny  clear  cases  in  the  cockerel  class,  that  I 
feel  bound  to  add  I  selected  the  hen  class  as  the  o)di/  one  in 
which  I  did  not  myself  show,  in  order  that  no  suspicion  of 
personal  motive  might  attach  to  me  in  this  my /('/>«  active  step. 
Business  engagements  also  imperatively  prevented  my  attend- 
ing on  Monday  to  support  my  protest  personally,  so  that  I  was 
obliged  to  select  such  a  case  as  would  be  obvious  on  inspection 
to  the  most  inexperienced  observer.  If,  however,  justice  be 
done  in  this  case,  it  is  my  intention  to  take  up  everi/  one  which 
shall  come  under  my  notice,  and  thus  endeavour  to  stamp  out 
a  practice  which  deserves  the  most  unmitigated  contempt. 

I  may  remark,  that  perhaps  the  best  pen  of  Buff  Cochins 
was  scandalously  trimmed  about  the  hackles  to  conceal  the 
black  feathers.  But  one  matter  at  a  time  is  quite  suffieient 
for — Nemo. 

NOTES   ON   FANCY  PIGEONS.— No.  1.9. 

BALDBEADS   AND    BEAKES. 

The  various  colours  found  in  fancy  Pigeons  arose,  as  we  all 
know,  from  selection  and  crossing.  I  say  we  all  know,  because 
the  pretty-feathered,  pretty-named  German  birds  which  have 
of  late  years  appeared  at  our  Pigeon  shows  have  been  bred  in 
this  way.  Any  colour  and  marking  may  be  so  obtained,  as  the 
German  fanciers,  who  appear  to  be  marvellously  skilled  in  the 
matter,  declare,  and  as  all  Pigeon  fanciers  have  found  to  be  true 
in  a  greater  or  less  degree  according  to  their  experience. 

With  regard  to  Baldhcad  Tumblers,  they  were  in  the  first 
place  so  bred  without  doubt.  Many  Pigeons  run  perfectly 
white  in  flight  and  tail,  and  parti-coloured  birds  usually  have 
some  white  feathers  in  the  head.  Hence  it  was  no  great  diffi- 
culty to  obtain  by  care  Tumblers  which  are  very  variously 
hued,  more  so  than  any  of  the  fancy  bird;,  white  in  flight  and 
tail,  and  white  also  in  head.  The  white  feathers  in  the  head 
would  be  most  difficult  to  get  free  from  any  otLer  colour,  as 
those  who,  like  myself,  have  specially  bred  Edldheads  know 
full  well ;  for  in  nest  after  nest  the  birds  will  come  with  one  or 
two  tiny  coloured  feathers  where  no  coloured  feathers  ought  to 
be,  or  the  white  extends  too  low  down  the  neck,  or  the  division 
there  is  not  clean  and  straight,  whereas  the  white  feathers  are 
sure  to  come  right  enough  in  wings  and  tail.  The  fancier  who 
produced  the  first  pair  of  Balds  was,  no  doubt,  highly  pleased 
with  them,  and  so  would  be  every  one  who  saw  them,  whether 
man,  woman,  or  child,  fancier  or  no  fancier,  as  the  little,  snowy, 
well-shaped  heads  would  strike  and  please  every  eye. 

Old  Moore  (a  d.  ITHo),  who  only  just  mentions  the  beautiful 
Almond  Tumbler,  dees  not  mention  the  BaU'l^ead  at  all.  In 
his  doy  Tumbler  beauty  had  not  been  developed  in  the  same 
degree  as  Pouter  beauty ;  but  between  his  time  and  the  publi- 
cation of  the  "  Treatise,"  thirty  years  after,  Tumbler  beauty  had 
been  greatly  developed.  Accordingly  we  find  in  the  "  Treatise  " 
the  first  account  of  the  Eahlhead  and  Beard.  The  former 
should,  it  is  well  known,  have  a  clean-cut,  pure  white  head, 
white  thighs,  tail,  and  flight ;  In  all  cases  a  clear  pearl  eye.  If 
the  eye  (of  course  dark  for  some  time)  of  an  adult  is  not  pearl, 
or,  as  is  sometimes  the  case,  the  bird  is  odd-eyed,  off  with  that 
head  directly.  There  must  not  be  a  feather  on  leg  or  foot,  not 
a  dark  feather  on  the  head — if  such  appear  off  with  that  head 
too.  If  you  wish  to  breed  perfect  Pigeons  yon  must  have  no 
scruples  as  to  killing,  and  no  more  weakness  than  Henry  YIII. 
on  the  head  question. 

I  remember,  when  ill  in  bed  some  years  since,  my  great 
anxiety  to  see  my  young  Tumblers'  heads  ;  so  a  paity  of  birds 
was  brought  to  my  bedside  on  a  waiter,  which  scene  drew  from 
me  a  smile,  for  how  they  waddled  about  and  slipped  upon  the 
smooth  surface. 

Baldheads  have  much  to  recommend  them.  I  hive  found 
them  absolutely  fiee  from  disease.  They  are  little  healthy 
plump  fellows,  with,  like  all  Tumblers,  plenty  of  brain,  and 
capable  of  being  made  very  tame,  and  are  always  sharp  and 
knowing,  picking  through  your  fingers  if  a  grain  of  hempseed 
is  within  the  hand. 

As  to  colour,  I  have  always  found  the  Black  by  far  the  best 
for  many  reasons.  First,  the  contrast  of  colour  when  on  the 
ground,  the  little  white  heads  looking  so  very  white  emerging 
from  the  coal  black  body,  and  I  think  the  Blacks  arc  usually 
better  shaped.  Eiiffs  are  also  very  pretty,  being  dainty-looking 
Uttle  dears.  Blues  tre  often  good,  aud  very  pretty,  as  all  blue 
Pigeons  must  be,  from  the  brighter  hues  on  the  neck  and  the 
very  telling  black  bars.     Silvers  1  think  less  of  ;  there  is  little 


[  December  3,  IcCS. 


JODBNAL  OF  HOBTICULTOBK  AND  OOTTAGB  QABDENEB. 


4^3 


or  no  coutiaat,  and  silver  looks  like  a  blue  washed  out — like  a 
washed  giQI^l^am  gown.  Ked,  if  good,  which  it  rarely  is,  is 
another  distinct  and  excellent  colour. 

But  next  in  regard  to  Baldheads  when  flying.  The  black 
and  white  with  clean  thighs  look  better  when  on  the  wing  than 
any  other  Tumblers  whatsoever;  and  during  many  years  I  have 
never  had  a  Black  Bald  that  did  not  tumble,  the  hens  as  a  rule 
tumbliug  less  than  the  cocks.  At  the  same  time  I  never  had 
a  Buff  or  a  Bed  that  did  more  than  back,  but  not  go  over.  I 
have  seen  some  Blues  tumble,  but  found  it  was  the  exception 
and  not  the  rule.  None  of  the  latter-named  colours  look  bo 
well  in  the  air  as  the  Blacks ;  and  considering  the  tumbling 
power  of  the  latter  it  is  no  wonder  that  my  preference  has  been 
for  them,  especially  as  they  do  not  over-tumble  like  the  liollers. 
I  imagine  the  Black  is  the  genuine  colour,  and  that  the  other 
colours  were  imported  from  some  other  Pigeon — a  Turbit  or 
Jacobin,  perhaps. 

If  any  one  is  in  search  of  pretty  ornamental  pets — pets  of 
very  striking  appearance,  perfectly  healthy,  and  giving  no 
manner  of  trouble,  I  recommend  him  to  breed  Baldheads.  A 
flight  i^f  all  Black  is  very  pleasing  to  the  eye  when  on  the  wing, 
but  if  of  all  the  colours  procurable  there  would  be  variety  ;  and 
the  Beds,  Yellows,  and  Blues  look  charmingly  when  parading 
the  ground  or  basking  on  the  roof. 

I  remember  an  amusing  scene  when  I  kept  Baldheads  with 
Antwerps.  The  little  fat  plucky  Tumblers  would  try  to  keep 
up  with  those  winged  racehorses.  Of  coiuse,  it  is  best  never 
to  keep  any  other  Pigeons  with  Tumblers,  except  a  few  Pouters, 
which  show  off  the  little  fellows  so  well,  and,  not  caring  to  fly 
much,  do  not  bring  down  the  Tumblers. 

As  to  Beards,  I  think  they  must  be  regarded  as  less  valuable, 
less  striking,  and  less  ornamental  than  Baldheads.  Just  a 
little  dash  of  white  running  from  the  lower  part  of  the  beak,  is 
not  to  be  compared,  I  think,  with  the  clear  bald  head.  But 
the  Beards  are  fine  Pigeons,  though  rather  cut- throats  in  look, 
and  deserve  to  be  cultivated  ;  they  are  of  the  same  colours  as  the 
Balds.  Just  as  one  fancier  might  take  up  with  Baldheads,  so 
another  might  take  up  with  Beards.  Tastes  happily  differ,  and 
a  loft  of  all  the  different  colours  offers  a  pretty  sight.  This,  I 
think,  unless  you  are  a  Crojsus,  and  have  immense  lofts,  is  the 
best  way  to  enjoy  fancy  Pigeons,  take  up  a  certain  variety,  and 
work  it  out  and  up  thoroughly. 

Both  Balds  and  Beards  make  excellent  nurses  for  the  Short- 
faced  Tumblers.  I  would  recommend  fanciers  to  breed  flying 
Beards  less  coarse. 

Among  "  Tumblers  in  general,"  I  ought  just  to  have  named 
the  kji'lashed.  Mottled,  &o. ;  in  fact,  there  are  Flying  Tumblers 
of  all  colours.  I  must  differ  from  some  writers  in  regard  to 
Tumblers  having  homing  properties.  My  opinion  is,  that  tin- 
cross^'.d  by  the  Skinnatn,  they  have  no  homing  properties  at 
all.  I  have  moved  Tamblexs  two  miles,  not  one  returned;  I 
have  bought  Tumblers  one  mile  Qiatant,  they  never  went  back 
to  their  former  owner;  I  have  bought  Tumblers  in  the  same 
town,  and  flown  them,  they  never  forsaking  my  loft.  I  believe 
you  might  buy  them  at  one  end  of  a  street,  and  keep  them  at 
the  other  end,  and  in  a  month's  time  they  would,  if  weU  fed, 
not  return  to  their  former  home.  Such  is  my  opinion. — 
Wiltshire  Eectob. 

P-S.— In  regard  to  "E.W.'s"  remarks,  entitled  "Tumbler 
Pigeons,"  I  am  sure  he  enjoys  his  pets,  and  deserves  to  do  so, 
and  he  rightly  describes  the  act  of  tumbling  ;  but  I  am  afraid 
he  will  never  get  the  fancy  to  view  the  beautiful  Short-faced 
birds  as  other  than  the  highest  class  of  their  variety.  Witness 
the  prizes  given  to  them,  and  the  prices  given  for  them,  and 
the  esteem  in  which  they  have  been  held  for  above  a  century  ; 
but  of  them  more  fully  next  time.  Mr.  Brent  says,  "Pearl 
eyes  are  essential  for  all  Tumblers."  I  should  never  dream  of 
keeping  a  Tumbler  an  hour  that  failed  in  this  particular. 


often  seen  to  be  greedily  devoured  by  the  Dnoks. — Alfred 
CuowLEY,  Crotjdon. 


DISCOLOURED  DUCKS'  EGGS. 

I  CAN  quite  confirm  the  opinion  expressed  in  page  412  as  to 
the  cause  of  the  dark  colour  in  Ducks'  eggs  at  this  time  of 
year.  1  have  a  good  many  oaks  about  my  place  here,  and  my 
Docks  often  have  access  to  the  falling  acorns,  and  such  eggs  as 
were  recently  laid  when  the  acorns  were  lyicg  about  were  in- 
variably IbiiB  discoloured — perfectly  good  and  fresh  for  cook- 
ing puiposes,  bnt  auything  but  sightly  objects  for  the  break- 
fast table.  I  have  lizard  from  other  quarters  that  acorns  were 
the  cau?e,  and  my  own  experience  quite  confirms  it.  One  oak 
tree  over'Langs  the  dnckpond,  ana  the  ncorn?,  as  they  fell,  were 


JERSEY— ITS  LIVE    STOCK. 

The  climate  of  Jersey,  from  its  warmtli  and  geniality,  yet 
non-enervating  character,  is  quite  first-class  for  roaring  live 
stock.  Yet  all  kinds  of  Uve  stock,  except  the  celebrated  island 
cattle,  are  still  very  far  from  first-rato.  Those,  however,  who 
feel  an  interest  in  their  prosperity  must  look  at  the  improve- 
ment in  them  during  the  last  few  years,  rather  than  at  their 
present  shortcomings. 

The  beautiful  Jersey  cows  have  always  been  bred  with  oar?, 
and  protected  in  their  purity  by  stringent  enactments  of  the 
States,  for  no  cow  or  bull  of  any  other  breed  is  allowed  to  land 
under  any  pretence.  And  wonderfully  has  this  care  and  pro- 
tection lold  upon  the  race.  Twenty  or  twenty-five  years  ago 
really  handsome  cattle  in  a  field  formed  a  sight  sufliciently 
rare  to  attract  attention  ;  but  now  any  which  are  very  faulty 
are  quite  the  exception,  and  the  beautifully  ornamental  littlo 
kiue  with  the  delicate  head,  the  mild  eye,  the  straight  back 
and  fine,  sleek  coat  embellish  almost  every  tract  of  pasture  in 
the  country.  The  old  Jersey  breed  of  cows  was  always  famous 
for  productiveness  in  milk  and  cream;  they  were  fine  in  the 
head  and  limbs,  with  a  soft  eye  and  a  crumpled  horn,  but 
faulty  in  many  points.  They  were  the  origin  of  the  Alderney 
race,  having  been  sent  there  in  170S,  and  were  used  as  a  cross 
in  the  formation  of  that  northern  favourite,  the  Ayrshire 
breed.  But  it  has  been  since  the  inauguration  of  Hie  Boyal 
Jersey  Agricultural  Society  that  the  points  have  been  settled, 
the  breed  brought  nearly  to  perfection,  and  its  price  ■•icreaaed 
from  £10  to  £12  per  head  to  sums  ranging  from  £21  to  £50 
for  cows,  and  from  £15  to  £70  for  bulls.  Heifers  use.l  to  sell 
for  £4  or  £G,  now  they  are  from  £12  to  £25. 

The  points  of  the  Jersey  cow  are,  I  believe,  SG  in  -..umber. 
Genealogy,  2;  those  belonging  to  head,  throat,  hoi;  =,  ears, 
and  eye,  i)  ;  neck,  chest,  and  form,  4  ;  back,  2  ;  tail,  2 ;  skia 
and  coat,  3  ;  limbs  and  hoofs,  7  ;  udder,  teats,  and  milk  vein, 
4 ;  growth,  general  appearance,  and  condition,  3  :  in  all  3G. 
According  to  Col.  Le  Couteur  (a  first-rate  authority)  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  Agricultural  Society  chose  for  forming  a  type 
the  two  best  cows  which  could  be  found,  and,  from  the  fore 
quarters  of  one  and  the  hind  quarters  of  the  other,  drew  a 
model  of  perfection  which  has  never  been  bred  up  to  in  every 
point,  but  I  believe  within  one  of  the  goal  has  been  attained. 
I  can  speak  from  experience  of  the  produce  of  this  beautiful 
breed.  The  beef  is  excellent,  small,  compact,  and  fine  in 
flavour,  and  the  milk  is  unsurpassed  and  unsurpassable,  rich 
and  sweet,  but,  of  course,  here,  as  in  other  places,  sometimes 
tampered  with.  The  butter  is  better  than  any  I  have  known 
elsewhere,  but  it  is  not  cheap,  unless  goodness  be  set  down  at 
money  value.  The  price  is  generally  Is.  Id.  at  the  cheapest 
period  of  the  year,  and  it  graduates  from  that  to  Is.  f'd.  and 
even  sometimes  2s.  at  the  dearest.  The  butter  is  made  up  into 
round  pats,  tapering  to  the  base,  weighing  1  lb.  eaou,  and  the 
Jersey  pound  consists  of  17}  ozs.  Stringent  market  laws 
enforce  good  weight.  Any  market  woman  offering  underweight 
pats  is  not  only  compelled  to  forfeit  her  butter  and  her  basket, 
but  all  such  delinquents  are  marched  in  procession  to  convey 
the  forfeited  wares  to  the  Hospital  (where  it  is  given  for  the 
use  of  the  inmates),  a  distance  of  a  mile  or  more  through  the 
town. 

These  pretty  cattle  are  of  the  gentlest  possible  disposition, 
and  although  they  are  hearty  they  aie  not  allowed  to  be  wasteful 
ftoders,  for  they  are  tethered  in  the  paslure.  The  tethers  are 
removed  about  three  times  a-day,  and  of  course  the  feeding  is 
clean  and  economical.  The  Jersey  cow  ha;  bfen  accused  of 
being  a  great  eater  ;  but  is  it  reasonable  to  expect  a  creature  so 
productive  as  regards  both  the  quantity  and  the  quality  of  the 
milk  to  be  other  than  hearty  in  appetite  ?  Traffic  in  cows  and 
bulls  is  quite  a  pteple  trade  with  England,  America,  and  other 
countries.  The  last  secretary  of  the  Fioyal  Jersey  Agricultural 
Society  was  at  great  pains  to  establish  a  herd  bi.ok,  which  will 
of  course  tend  in  a  valuable  degree  to  the  fuiiher  perfecting  of 
this  beautiful  stock. 

The  ragged,  rough  old  Jersey  horse  had  a  valuable  cross  at 
the  beginning  of  the  present  century  with  an  accidental  impor- 
tation of  Tartarian  stallions,  belonging  to  some  Kussian  troops, 
which  could  not  be  landed  in  Ent.;land  in  1801,  and  Col.  Le 
Couteur  described  the  result  of  this  cress  in  1830  as  '^  a  hardy, 
active,  fine-lirsbcd  animal,  with  a  small  head  and  bright  eye  ;" 


431 


JOUftNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GARBENER. 


[  December  8,  1868. 


bat  I  think  such  horsea  are  not  seen  here  at  the  present 
time,  and  it  seems  a  pity  that  the  energy  of  breeders  appears 
now  to  be  devoted  to  racers,  which,  from  circumstanceg,  must 
be  only  second-rate,  rather  than  to  more  generally  useful 
qualities. 

Sheep  and  pigs  for  the  Jersey  market  are  mainly  importations 
irom  France,  and  they  have  the  merit  of  supplying  excellent 
mutton  and  pork,  but  it  has  always  appeared  to  me  that, 
with  regard  to  sheep,  this  most  enjoyable  climate  might  be 
valuably  utilised  in  the  acclimatisation  of  the  Merino  sheep. 
I  know  that  chickens,  which  can  scarcely  be  reared  in  England 
without  many  deaths  after  every  cold  wet  spell,  thrive  here, 
and  from  that  I  judge  that  the  Merino  sheep  might  do  well  in 
Jersey. 

Many  of  the  pigs  which  are  seen  here  have  remarkably  fine 
ears,  taking  that  word  to  apply  to  size,  not  to  delicacy.  The 
bristles,  too,  are  stout  and  abundant  compared  with  those  on 
the  animals  we  have  been  in  the  habit  of  admiring  at  the  Lon- 
don and  Birmingham  Shows.  Possibly,  however,  prize  and 
useful  qualities  do  not  of  necessity  go  hand  in  hand,  for  the 
pork  in  Jersey  is  excellent,  and,  I  think,  generally  that  which 
is  bred" in  France  and  imported,  is  better  in  quality  than  that 
from  the  Jersey-bred  pigs. — E.  Vf.,  Jersey. 
(To  be  continued.) 


MANAGEMENT  OF   SUPERS. 

Having  during  the  past  summer  found  great  difficulty  in  in- 
ducing the  pure  and  hybrid  Ligurian  occupants  of  several 
Woodbury  hives  to  enter  supers,  both  of  glass  and  wood,  any 
information  on  the  tuljcot,  which  several  of  your  more  success- 
ful correspondents  are  so  well  able  to  give,  will  be  valued. 

My  first  hive,  supered  on  the  27th  of  April,  was  of  wood,  the 
super  also  ;  and  the  bars  were  furnished  with  pieces  of  guide 
comb.  This  hybrid  colony  never  entered  the  super,  but  swarmed 
on  the  16th  of  May,  and  again  later  in  the  season. 

My  next  attempt,  on  the  27th  of  April,  with  a  similar  super 
on  a  straw  hive,  met  with  the  same  success,  the  bees  swarming 
on  the  16th  of  May. 

The  third,  a  pure  Ligurian  in  a  straw  hive,  supered  on  the 
30th  of  Maj',  a  super  with  glass  top  and  sides  being  used,  and 
the  bars  furnished  with  guide  combs,  failed  also.  The  bees 
being  thickly  at  the  entrance  of  the  hive  for  weeks,  never 
entered  the  super,  and  on  the  30th  of  June,  when  1  formed  an 
artificial  swarm,, they  had  made  no  preparation  for  natural 
swarniing,  though  the  hive  was  full  to  overflowing. 

During  the  summer  I  have  supered  seven  hives,  and  have 
had  no  honey,  the  bees  of  two  only  having  taken  to  the  supers, 
and  that  too  late  to  do  much. 

The  coverings  of  my  hives  are  of  wood,  as  used  by  Mr.  Wood- 
bury, and  the  glass  supers  are  always  covered  with  a  thick 
padding  of  cotton  wool.  The  adapting  boards  are  on  Mr. 
Woodbury's  plan,  and  my  two  apiaries,  distant  about  two  miles 
from  each  other,  are  well  situated.  The  season  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood has  been  above  an  average  one. — A.  B. 

..B^^TO^*?"'*^  ^^  ^'"'^  '^  "  A  Eekfrewshire  Bee-keepek," 
"  B.  &  W.,"  or  such  other  of  our  correspondents  as  may  have 
had  experience  in  supering,  would  advise  "A.  B."  inhiadiffi- 
onlty.] 

FOUL  BROOD— SWARMS  FROM  INFECTED 
COLONIES. 

The  able  paper  on  foul  brood  by  "  E.  S."  which  appeared  in 
page  372  of  "our  Journal  "  is  noticed  by  "  A  Devonshire  Bee- 
p;EPER,"  who,  however,  has  had  no  experience  of  swarms  from 
infected  stocks,  and  has  had  no  opportunity  of  ascertaining  the 
result ;  it  is,  therefore,  with  great  pleasure  that  I  contribute  my 
mite  of  practical  experience  with  regard  to  the  question  of 
swarms  carrying  the  disease  with  them.  If  the  reader  will 
refer  to  this  Journal  of  January  2!jd,  1868,  it  will  be  seen  that 
I  there  stated  that  a  swarm  csme  off  from  a  diseased  stock 
during  the  previous  summer.  The  stock  in  question  was  the 
only  one  out  of  many  diseased  colonies  which  I  have  had,  where- 
in I  saw  any  attempt  made  to  clean  out  the  polluted  cells;  so 
well  did  the  bees  do  it,  however,  that  when  the  young  queen 
began  egg-laying  it  might  have  passed  fur  a  healthy  stock.  Yet 
the  first  brood  which  was  batched  out  became  diseased,  and  t,ie 
•jlony  was  at  once  destroyed.  « 

But  to  return  to  the  swaim— it  was  put  into  a  clean  hive  with 


clean  guide  combs,  and  removed  to  a  distant  cottage  garden, 
there  to  await  the  result.  My  other  swarm  was  from  a  strong 
stock  of  black  bees  in  which  a  day  or  two  previously,  two  queen 
cells  had  been  inserted.  This  young  queen,  and  her  attendants, 
were  also  put  into  a  clean  hive  with  waxed  bars  and  undoubt- 
edly pure  combs,  and  sent  away  to  the  same  cottage  at  a 
distance. 

These  two  swarms  were  freq'iently  examined  during  the 
autumn,  but  both  remained  heulthy,  and  were  in  October  fed 
up  to  moderate  weights  for  the  winter.  Spring  came,  and 
with  its  sweet  influence  the  beauties  of  Nature  were  never 
more  fully  displayed  around  here  than  during  this  year.  The 
clover  fields  were  in  their  prime  by  the  6th  of  May,  and  bees 
more  forward  than  was  ever  known  before.  Swarms  began  to 
come  by  the  8th,  and  were  general  by  the  14lh. 

The  two  stocks  in  question  remained  free  from  disease  up 
to  the  1st  of  May,  and  the  old  queen's  stock  was  the  stronger. 
On  the  6th  of  June  the  latter  swarmed,  giving  me  the  oppor- 
tunity of  thoroughly  examining  all  the  combs.  To  my  great 
satisfaction  I  found  every  cell  healthy.  As  the  question  of 
how  many  eggs  does  a  queen  lay  in  a  season  was  then  being 
discussed  in  "  our  Journal "  and  in  the  pages  of  a  con- 
temporary, I  carefully  measured  all  the  brood  combs,  and, 
allowing  forty-eight  cells  to  the  inch,  found  that  this  stock  con- 
tained at  the  departure  of  the  old  queen  38,000  cells,  filled 
with  eggs  and  brood. 

The  other  stock  continued  healthy  up  to  the  hot  weather  of 
July.  Oa  the  14th  of  that  month  the  disease  had  broken  out 
and  was  spreading  rapidly,  when  the  stock  was  at  once  de- 
stroyed. 

I  was  quite  discomfited  at  this  terrible  disease  appearing  in 
one  of  two  stocks  which  appeared  the  least  likely,  and  was  in 
daily  expectation  of  finding  the  other  colony  fall  a  prey  to  the 
same  dire  calamity.  I  often  examined  it,  and  had  the  great 
pleasure  of  finding  it  healthy  up  to  the  middle  of  September, 
at  which  time  it  ceased  to  breed.  I  still  think  I  am  not  war- 
ranted safe,  as  the  old  proverb  says,  "  It  is  better  not  to 
shout  until  you  are  out  of  the  wood."  So  all  I  can  do  with 
this  apiary  is  patiently  to  "  watch  and  wait." 

I  may  add  that  all  my  made-up  stocks  of  last  autumn,  which 
are  here  at  homo,  and  most  of  which  had  queens  given  to  them 
from  infected  colonies,  remain  one  and  all  perfectly  healthy. 
How  they  swarmed  and  collected  honey  in  this  year's  brief 
honey  season  I  leave  for  a  future  evening's  scribble. — J.  B., 
Bracken  Hill,  Brigg. 

P.S. — I  am  quite  of  Mr.  Woodbury's  opinion,  that  on  no 
account  can  chilled  brood  ever  become  foul  brood.  I  have 
seen  brood  combs  completely  chilled,  but  they  always  dried  up 
and  were  easy  to  clean  out. 


OUR   LETTER   BOX. 

N.B. — Several  answers  are  unavoidably  postponed  till  next 
week. 

N0RTHAI.1.ERTON  PoOLTBv  Show  (TF.  L.).— The  rules  you  have  sent  are 

in  no  way  applicable  to  your  case.  Consult  a  solicitor,  and  if  you  can 
obtain  evidence  that  your  birds  were  duly  received,  then  the  Committee 
migbt  have  to  show  what  becurae  of  them,  and  your  remedy  would  be  in 
the  County  Court  if  they  could  not; 

Ducks'  Eogs  Greenish  {Idem]. — It  may  be  from  acorns  or  other  food 
the  Ducks  have  eaten.  See  some  remarks  in  the  previous  page.  They  are 
only  objectionable  in  appearance. 

Hen  and  Pullet  Suddenly  Dead  {Silver -Grey). — They  were  in  good 
condition,  yet  not  overfat.  There  were  no  symptoms  of  poisoning.  The 
crops  were  fuU  of  undigested  barley.  Instead  of  the  last  feeding  being 
of  barley  or  other  whole  corn,  let  it  be  of  barley  meal  mashed.  Give  a 
little  bread  soaked  in  beer  onco  daily  during  the  winter.  The  fowls  were 
fine,  and  evidence  that  a  cross  between  the  Brahma  Pootra  and  Silver- 
Grey  Dorkings  produces  good  table  birds. 

Black  Hamburgh  Cock  (IT.  if.  J.  1.— We  recommend  you  to  sue  the 
seller  in  the  Couuty  Court.  The  nendle  thrust  along  the  comb  probably 
killed  the  bird.    Send  us  a  report  of  the  trial,  and  we  will  publishit. 

Hens  Killed  on  Railway  {T.  P.  Edwards). — As  the  railway  officials 
have  acknowledged  that  the  bens  were  "kill*'d  in  transit,"  there  seems 
to  be  no  diihculty.  Sue  the  Company  in  the  County  Court,  if  they  refuse 
compensation. 

Buying  Unseen  Pigeons  ( Couiant  Reader). — Never  send  a  post-office 
order  for  Pigeons  you-have  not  seen.  It  would  be,  as  th^  used  to  say  in 
Cambridgeshire,  "  buying  a  pig  in  a  poke."  Name  a  referee,  and  let  the 
advertiser  write  to  him ;  you  proposing  that  the  birds  should  be  sent  to 
you  for  inspection,  and  if  not  approved  you  pay  carriage. 

TuHBiT  Characteristics  {Idem).—  The  points  m  Tnrbits  ore  as 
follows  :— Size,  small;  beaks,  short ;  frill,  Iars»  ,  held,  broad  ;  eyes,  large 
and  full.  .Judges  now  prefer  a  tarn  crown,  or  point  crown,  to  the  older 
smooth  crown.    In  Blue  Tui'bitg  the  colour  should  be  sound  and  good. 


December  10,  ISflB.  J 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


i55 


WEEKLY 

CALENDAR- 

Day 
of 

Month 

Day 

ot 

Week. 

DECEMBER  10-16,  1868. 

Avoratrfi  Tompprature 
near  LoniloD. 

Bain  in 

last 
41  years. 

Son 
Rises. 

Sun 
Sets. 

Moon 
Rises. 

Moon 
Sets. 

Moon's 
Age. 

Clook 
alter 
San. 

Day 

ol 

Voal 

Dnv. 

NiKht. 

Mean. 

Days. 

m.      h. 

m.     h. 

ni.     h. 

ra.     h 

Days. 

m.     a. 

10 

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From  observations  taken  near  London  during  the  last  forty-one  years,  the  average  day  tamperatnre  of  the  week 

S46.2-; 

ind  its  niK>it 

temperatore  83.8'.     The  greatest  heat  was-  63^,  on  the  12th,  1841  ;   and  the  lowest  cold  7',  oa  the  10th,  1853.    The  greatest  fall  of  rain    | 

was  1.24  inch. 

1 

GROWING   SHRUBS  AS   STANDARDS, 

HERE  is  a  host  of  plants  in  most  shrubberies 
so  prone  to  throw  up  suckers  that  they  form 
a  wilderness,  especially  at  this  time  of  year, 
constitutinf;,  indeed,  a  cage  to  catch  the  leaves 
as  they  fall,  and  thus  occasioning  no  little 
trouble  in  taking  these  out.  But  this  annoy- 
ance may  easily  be  avoided. 

Standard  Lilacs,  including  the  Persian 
Lilac,  are  very  handsome  when  without  the 
profusion  of  suckers  which  they  are  so  prone 
to  throw  forth,  and  they  are  the  easiest  to  grow  as  standards, 
except  the  snowball-bearing  Gueldres  Rose,  which  will 
make  tlie  most  handsome  standard  imaginable.  In  good 
soil  an  old  plant  cut  down  will  throw  up  suckers  7  or  H  feet 
high,  with  hardly  a  side  branch.  This  and  the  common 
Lilac  often  throw  up  suckers,  even  without  the  old  plants 
being  cut  down,  sufficiently  long  to  make  such  standards, 
but  unless  they  are  well  disbudded,  and  rings  of  bark  cut 
out,  their  natural  tendency  to  produce  suckers  can  never 
be  effectually  checked. 

Ringing  the  bottoms  to  facilitate  the  emission  of  roots 
must  be  done  at,  or  a  little  after,  midsummer ;  for  if  you 
ring  them  any  time  in  April  or  May,  and  cover  the  cut 
parts,  a  communication  is  soon  formed  by  a  new  layer  of 
bark.  It  was  on  a  large  stool  of  the  Lilac,  with  eleven 
strong  suckers,  and  another  of  the  common  Privet,  with 
eight  suckers,  that  I  lirst  discovered  that  spring  ringing 
has  little  influence  in  arresting  the  circulation,  and  I  was 
rather  surprised  at  the  fact ;  but  so  it  was,  and  as  the 
whole  went  through  my  own  hands  I  could  not  be  mis- 
taken. On  refeiTing  to  such  authorities  as  I  could  then 
consult,  I  discovered  nothing  relating  to  tliis  early  ringing, 
and  as  to  the  theory  of  the  practice  I  need  not  speculate 
now. 

The  common  Syringa,  Philadelphus  coronarius,is  another 
deciduous  rambling  shrub  as  prone  to  throw  up  suckers  as 
the  Lilac,  but  treated  as  standards  it  forms  beautiful  little 
trees,  and  the  troublesome  habit  of  producing  a  host  of 
suckers  is  got  rid  of.  They  make  elegant  little  trees  like 
standard  Roses  for  forcing  in  the  spring.  There  are  two  other 
plants  of  this  genus  which  ought  to  be  in  every  shrubbery 
either  as  standards  or  huge  bushes  ;  their  names  are  the 
Warted  and  the  Broad  leaved  Philadelphus.  These  tliree 
flower  early  in  summer.  There  is  another  species  which 
does  not  flower  till  July,  and  on  that  account  is  valuable  ; 
besides  that,  it  is  a  very  handsome  shrub — its  name  is  Phi- 
ladelphus Gordonianus.  In  their  natural  mode  of  growth 
these  shrubs  are  little  lietterthan  a  Raspberry  bush — indeed, 
they  are  more  troublesome  than  ornamental ;  but  train 
them  as  standards,  and  one  could  hardly  beheve  how  well 
they  look. 

The  Berberry  makes  a  handsome  standard,  but  how 
seldom  is  it  tried  in  that  form,  being  only  allowed  to  form 
a  tliicket  of  scrambling  suckers,  choking  up  the  shrubbery 
like  other  plants  of  the  same  habit ;  yet  when  roared  upon 
a  clean  stnfijht  stem,  .5  or  fJ  leet  high,  it  forms  a  very 
interesting  little  tree,  partioularlj-  while  in  fruit.  There  is 
No.  402.-VOL.  XV.,  New  Szkies. 


another  species  called  the  Asiatic  Berberry,  which,  if  pos- 
sible, is  a  still  more  interesting  little  tree,  bearing  bunches 
of  purple  berries  in  autumn.  I  have  heard  it  highly  re- 
commended for  underwood  in  plantations,  for  the  purposes 
of  sheltering  and  feeding  game,  for  which  use  I  think  it 
well  adapted:  for  no  poacher  could  force  his  way  tlnough 
a  thicket  of  it,  as  it  spreads  from  the  roots  as  much  as  the 
common  Blackthorn.  There  are  many  other  Berberries 
which,  I  think,  would  answer  well  as  standards.  I  imagine 
it  would  be  worth  while  to  try  some  of  the  newer  kinds  of 
Berberry  as  standards,  for  I  have  not  as  yet  seen  any  of 
them  grown  in  that  form.  Perhaps  others  wUl  give  their 
experience  on  the  subject. 

The  old  Corchorus  japonicus,  or,  as  it  is  now  called, 
Kerria  japonica.  with  double  yellow  flowers,  maybe  seen 
in  every  old  garden  in  the  country,  gro-ning  after  the  man- 
ner of  the  Raspberry,  but  it  would  make  a  singularly  ' 
beautiful  standard  if  the  stem  did  not  rise  above  4  or 
5  feet  high.  The  long  slender  branches  first  grow  per- 
pendicularly, and  then  bend  over  gracefully  lilre  plumes  of 
feathers,  and  when  in  full  blossom  the  weight  of  the  flowers 
bears  down  the  branches  till  their  points  nearly  sweep  the 
ground. 

The  genus  Spiraea  furnishes  a  host  of  plants  which  pro- 
duce suckers  in  such  numbers  as  to  destroy  each  other. 
I  never  tried  any  of  the  species,  nor  saw  them  trietl  by 
others  as  low  standards,  but  I  am  quite  satisfied  a  great 
reformation  could  be  made  in  their  culture  by  getting  rid 
of  the  suckers,  and  rearing  the  plants  with  single  stems 
from  2  to  5  feet  high,  according  to  the  growth.  Spirrea 
Liudleyana  treated  as  a  low  standard  would  form  one  of 
the  handsomest  plants  that  one  could  place  out  on  the 
grass,  and  when  not  in  flower  might  be  mistaken  for  a 
Sumach  tree. 

Speaking  of  Indian  shrubs,  where  could  one  find  a  better 
subject  for  a  handsome  standard  than  the  beautiful  Leyces- 
teria  of  Dr.  Wallich?  It  is  a  softwooded  shrub,  which 
caused  a  considerable  amount  of  heartburning  in  this 
country  some  years  ago.  not  having  proved  what  it  was  at 
lirst  reported  to  be,  and  is  already  almost  neglected.  It, 
too.  never  does  well  if  allowed  to  take  its  own  mode  of 
growth,  but  elevate  its  handsome  foliage,  and  its  pendent 
clusters  of  flowers  and  fruit,  on  a  clean  stem  6  feet  high, 
and  I  believe  it  will  create  a  sensation  in  the  neighbour- 
hood. The  plant  has  no  English  name  that  I  am  aware  of, 
but  commemorates  William  Leycester,  formerly  Cliief  .Judge 
of  the  Bengal  Presidency. 

A  book  might  be  written  on  the  subject  of  standard  shrubs, 
and  not  exhaust  it.  These  examples  are  taken  from  the 
most  common  shrubbery  plants,  the  most  diflicult  subjects 
to  deal  with  in  an)'  other  way,  and  the  least  elegant  in  their 
modes  of  growth  when  allowed  to  take  their  natural  course. 
Although  I  would  strongly  recommend  this  way  of  managing 
such  plants,  it  is  more  for  the  purpose  ot  remedying  their 
propensity  for  throwing  up  a  wilderness  of  suckers  than 
for  torturing  their  heads  into  globular  forms  like  those  of 
standard  Roses.  Indeed,  I  would  rather  let  them  assume 
their  natural  habit  of  growth,  merely  preventing  any  large 
limbs  or  shoots  being  formed  to  derange  the  balance  of 

No.  lOM.— Vol.  SL.,  Olb  Sepjes. 


436 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOliTICDLTUKK  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENEB. 


[  December  10,  1868. 


their  growth,  and  this  is  easily  effected  by  stopping  over- 
luxuriant  growths  occasionally,  and  by  pruning  the  shoots  in 
winter  according  to-  their  size  and  strength — that  is,  the  very 
short  branches  to  be  only  a  little  shortened,  the  middle-sized 
ones  to  have  one-half  or  two-thirds  of  their  length  cut  away, 
the  small  -spray  cut  out  entirely,  or  cut  in  to  a  few  eyes  accord- 
ing to  their  position,  and  not  allowing  any  branches  or  shoots 
to  cross  each  other.  This,  of  course,  would  be  modified  accord- 
ing to  the  way  in  which  they  produced  their  flowers  after  their 
heads  were  properly  set  ofi.  What  would  our  Gooseberry  and 
Currant  bushes  be  if  they  were  allowed  to  pursue  their  natural 
growth  ?  Their  suckers  would  spring  up  as  profusely  as  those  of 
the  Lilac,  and  their  fruit  would  be  comparatively  useless.  It  is 
much  the  same  with  many  of  our  ornamental  shrubs,  their 
flowers  are  in  many  cases  only  an  apology  for  what  they  might 
ba  under  a  better  system.  We  find  no  difficulty  in  forming 
our  fruit  bushes  without  suckers,  and  with  clean  straight  stems, 
and  we  prune  their  heads  in  different  ways  accordingly  as  they 
best  flower  and  fruit,  and  that  is  all  I  claim  for  our  ordinary 
shrubs,  which,  as  at  present  seen,  are  living  examples  of  our 
neghgence  and  bad  gardening. 

Standard  bushes  were  made  with  great  industry  by  onr  an- 
cestors, and  the  practice  is  as  old  as  the  hills,  but  in  those  days 
they  pruned  and  clipped  them  into  all  kiuds  of  fantastic  shapes, 
which  are  altogether  foreign  to  our  present  taste.  All  that  is 
original  in  this  plan  is  the  certain  way  of  disposing  of  the  con- 
tending suckers  and  side  branches  at  once  and  for  ever,  from  the 
collar  to  the  head.  Let  the  bole  be  of  any  length  whatever,  if 
it  be  prepared  after  the  manner  I  describe,  you  may  cut  off  the 
head  ten  years  hence,  and  I  will  engage  that  the  whole  stem 
will  die  back  inch  by  inch  without  the  power  of  forming  a  single 
adventitious  bud.  Plants  like  the  Lilac,  which  naturally  have 
the  power  of  producing  shoots  from  the  main  roots,  would,  no 
doubt,  produce  suckers  from  these  roots  under  such  a  severe 
trial,  but  certainly  not  from  any  part  of  the  stem  itself. — 
Chaeles  Eobebts,  DorfoU  Hall. 


MimKET  GAEDENINa  ABOUT  LONDON  AND 
PARIS.— No.  3. 

THE    CtJLTUEE    OF   ASPARAGUS. 

"  Ton  can't  get  a  head  of  Asparagus  in  Paris  that  is  worth 
eating ;  it  is  hard  and  thick,  with  about  an  inch  of  eatable 
stuff  without  any  flavour."  "  There  is  no  question  that  we  know 
nothing  in  England  about  Asparagus  culture;  if  you  want  to 
get  good  Asparagus  you  must  go  to  France."  So  say  A  and  B, 
both  knowing  something  about  what  they  are  talking  of,  yet, 
we  see,  coming  to  diametrically  opposite  conclusions.  When 
they,  doctors,  differ,  who  shall  decide  ?  This  I  will  not  pretend 
to  do,  but  will  simply  say  what  I  think  and  what  I  know  about 
the  whole  subject. 

That  Asparagus  is  a  much  more  favourite  vegetable  in  France 
than  with  us  cannot  be  doubted.  You  will  rarely  find  either 
a  Frenchman  or  Frenchwoman  who  refuses  it,  while  I  have 
seen  frequently  at  dinner  tables  in  England,  even  when  it  is 
scarce,  that  a  great  many  people  never  care  to  take  it.  This 
must  to  a  great  extent  influence  the  supplies,  and  I  believe 
does  so  to  a  considerable  degree  in  the  London  market.  There 
was  a  time  when  the  market  gardens  of  Bermondsey  contributed 
large  quantities  to  the  London  market,  but  the  growth  of  the 
population  has  driven  them  away,  while  the  more  profitable 
though  coarser  Ehubarb  has  replaced  it  in  other  places.  Still, 
if  there  were  a  very  large  demand,  I  think  the  laws  of  supply 
and  demand  are  such  that  the  blank  would  be  supplied,  and  I 
can  only  conclude  that  other  things,  being  found  more  profit- 
able, are  cultivated  in  its  stead.  Even  when  Asparagus  is 
cheap,  I  have  frequently  seen  in  provincial  towns  that  it  re- 
mains unsold,  simply,  I  believe,  because  the  taste  of  the  people 
is  not  for  it.  They  may  want  "  educating,"  but  at  present  so 
it  is;  and  I  think  it  is  utterly  absurd  to  say  that  want  of  good 
cultivation  is  the  reason  that  Asparagus  is  not  more  abundant. 
At  the  same  time  I  am  free  to  confess  that  there  is  much  that 
we  can  learn  from  our  neighbours  in  this  matter,  for  as  a  lule 
their  method  of  cultivation  essentially  differs  from  ours ;  and 
although  much  has  been  said  and  written  upon  the  subject, 
additional  observations  made  on  the  spot  may  not  be  out  of 
place. 

It  was  a  broiling  day  at  the  end  of  June  that,  accompanied 
by  M.  Viret,  I  found  myself  at  Argenteuil,  the  head  quarters  of 
the  Asparagus-growing  of  the  department  of  the  Seine  and 
Oise,  for  from  there,  ilontmorency,  and  Pontoise,  by  far  the  ' 


greatest  portion  of  that  which  is  to  be  found  in  the  Paris 
market  comes.  At  Argenteuil  it  is  cultivated  in  two  distinct 
methods — amongst  Vines,  and  in  plots  by  itself.  The  chief  of 
all  the  Asparagus  cultivators  is  L'Herault ;  we  spent  some 
hours  in  going  over  his  grounds,  and  in  visiting  some  of  those 
of  bis  neighbours.  The  soil  I  found,  generally  speaking,  to  be 
a  light  friable  loam,  very  easily  worked,  not  clinging  closely 
together  and  so  becoming  heavy,  but  free  and  open,  giving 
plenty  of  play  for  the  young  rootlets  of  the  Asparagus  to  run ; 
and  although  much  may  be  done  with  careful  cultivation  in 
any  soil,  yet  without  doubt  the  condition  of  that  at  Argenteuil 
is  one  reason  of  the  very  successful  results  gained.  On  this 
all  the  growers  of  Asparagus  agreed,  but  not  so  on  another 
point,  about  which  I  myself  have  great  doubts.  It  is  contended 
by  M.  L'HSrault  that  the  first  and  chief  consideration  is  the 
variety  of  Asparagus  ;  that  he  has  three  of  these,  two  of  them 
— L'Ordinaire  and  La  HoUande  tardive,  which  are  not  peculiar 
to  himself,  but  which  he  has  improved  by  selection ;  and  the 
third.  La  HiUive,  which  he  claims  to  have  originated,  and  to 
which  he  gives  the  pre-eminence.  I  could  see  no  perceptible 
difference  in  the  plants  of  this  as  compared  with  other 
varieties,  although  without  doubt  the  stems  were  larger  than 
those  in  the  neighbouring  grounds  ;  but  in  many  of  these  the 
variety  called  La  Hative  was  also  cultivated,  and  therefore  this 
difference  was  to  be  accounted  for  in  some  other  way,  of  which 
more  by-and-by. 

The  principal  differences  in  the  method  of  cultivation  between 
French  and  English  growers  are  two  : — Ist,  In  the  separation 
of  each  stool,  instead  of  allowing  the  stools  to  spread  at  will  over 
the  bed,  as  in  England  ;  and  2nd,  Their  cultivation  in  trenches 
instead  of  in  raised  beds,  as  with  us ;  but  this  latter  I  look 
upon  rather  as  a  pecuharity  resulting  from  the  nature  of  the 
climate  than  from  any  other  cause.  Our  greater  humidity 
leads  us  to  a  method  of  cultivation  which  preserves  the  plant 
from  too  much  moisture,  while  in  France  to  obtain  moisture 
is  a  matter  ol  some  consequence.  I  am  confirmed  in  this  idea 
by  the  fact  that  L'Hcranlt  recommends  the  trench  to  be  shal- 
lower, and  that  no  "ados,"  or  shelving  side,  is  to  be  used 
when  the  ground  is  moist,  and  that  he  especially  notes  that 
drought  is  to  be  guarded  against.  Hence  the  difference  is 
really  in  the  separation  of  the  roots,  and  I  think  there  can  be 
but  little  doubt  that  to  obtain  the  greatest  possible  amount  of 
value  from  each  plant  this  is  preferable,  especially  if  the  large 
heads  are  desired  ;  but  this,  even  with  the  French  themselves, 
is  a  matter  of  opinion.  There  are  really  three  distinct  sizes 
to  be  seen  in  the  Asparagus  season — the  "  gvos,"  the  "  gros 
grosse,"  and  the  "ordinaire."  The  second  of  these  consists  of 
those  enormous  heads  which  are  supposed  to  display  the  skill 
of  the  cultivator,  and  which  are  sold  for  thirty,  forty,  and  fifty 
francs  a-bundle,  and  are  mainly  bought  by  the  celebrated  re- 
staurateurs Verrey,  Vefon,  the  Trois  Freres,  &c.,  whose  pride 
it  is  to  display  in  their  windows  the  choicest  productions  in 
vegetables  and  fruits.  The  "gros"  is  not  so  large,  but  still 
vastly  exceeds  the  greater  proportion  of  the  heads  we  see  in 
the  London  market,  or  produce  in  our  own  gardens  ;  while  the 
"  ordinaire  "  is  somewhat  like  the  best  of  our  home-grown 
Asparagus.  But  in  none  of  these  cases  is  it  considered  right 
to  have  more  than  about  1  or  1}  inch  of  eatable  matter,  and 
this  ought  to  be  of  a  violet  or  rose  colour  when  gathered.  The 
very  large  Asparagus  is  obtained  from  the  stools  which  are 
about  seven  or  eight  years  old,  at  which  time  L'HOrault  con- 
siders them  at  their  best,  and  that  after  that  they  begin  to 
decline. 

With  regard  to  their  very  large  Asparagus  I  could  not,  seeing 
that  the  method  of  cultivation  adopted  all  round  Argenteuil  is 
alike,  and  that  the  soil  is  similar,  understand  how  it  was  that 
L'Hfcrault's  was  so  much  larger  than  others',  and  was  inclined 
for  a  while  to  think  that  it  must  be,  as  he  said,  something  in 
the  variety  ;  but  on  talking  with  another  cultivator,  speaking 
of  L'Hurault's  growth,  "Ah  !"  he  said,  "we  cannot  afford  to 
do  as  he  does."  "  How  so  ?"  "  Why,  he  goes  over  every  one 
of  his  roots,  and  rubs  off  all  those  shoots  which  seem  to  be  too 
small  and  defective,  and  only  allows  a  certain  number  to  each." 
So  that,  after  all,  it  was  the  case  of  the  Lancashire  Gooseberry 
over  again — only  allow  a  certain  number,  and  let  them  swell  as 
much  as  they  can.  The  great  length  of  stalk  as  compared  with 
the  eatable  part  is  simply  the  result  of  fashion.  With  us  jou 
rarely  see  a  lady  take  a  head  of  AsparagBs  in  her  fingers, 
although  it  is  the  only  way  to  cat  it,  but  in  France  it  is  uni- 
versally done  ;  and  1  confess,  that  although  the  fashion,  I 
should  not,  were  I  a  youthful  Corjdon,  like  to  see  Phillis  take 
a  great  stick  of  Asparsgus  as  thick  as  a  constable's  staff  into 


December  10, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL   OF   UOIITICOLTUKE  AKD   COTTAGE   GAEDENEB. 


437 


her  pretty  little  fingers,  and  open  her  mouth  as  if  she  had  to 
swallow  n  Potatoe  whole.  Corydon  might  do  so  himself,  no 
doubt ;  but  then  man  is  "  such  a  brute  "  generally,  that  an  act 
of  this  kind  would  make  but  little  differonco.  There  is,  perhaps, 
another  reason  for  this.  Some  people  do  not  like  the  very 
jtrotionce  flavour  of  Asparagus  ;  they  merely  want  juBt  the  mild 
whiff  of  it,  which  occasions  no  inconvenience,  and  honce  these 
blanched  shoots  are  preferred. 

The  great  point  aimed  at  by  the  French  cultivator  is  that  of 
giving  care  and  attention  to  each  stool,  and  when  the  stools  are  a 
yard  apart,  as  they  ought  to  be  to  grow  them  on  the  Argenteuil 
system,  this  is  easily  done  ;  and  I  believe  that  a  modification 
of  this  system  would  be  very  generally  adopted  were  gardeners  to 
see  the  result.  I  would  say,  then.  Instead  of  planting  a  4-feet 
bed  of  Asparagus  as  we  do  now,  make  two  rows  in  the  same 
space  ;  plant  about  '2J  feet  apart  in  the  rows  ;  let  the  subsoil 
be  well  worked  ;  and  plant  in  March.  Do  not  use  plants  older 
than  two  years.  L'HOrault  strongly  deprecates  the  use  of 
three-year-old  plants  ;  he  says  they  become  broken,  and  take 
longer  time  to  establish  themselves.  I  should  plant  in  very 
shallow  trenches,  so  as  to  be  able  afterwards  to  fill  in  from 
between  the  rows,  and  thus  give  the  Asparagus  a  little  elevation. 
In  planting  I  should  do  precisely  as  in  potting  an  Auricula — 
heap  up  the  earth  into  a  little  conical  mound,  and  then  spread 
the  roots  all  round,  adding,  of  course,  some  good  well-rotted 
manure  ;  then  place  a  small  stick,  to  which  by-and-by  the 
young  shoots  may  be  tied,  so  as  to  prevent  the  action  of  the 
wind  ;  it  will,  moreover,  enable  you  to  see  where  the  roots  are, 
and  consequently  what  misses  you  have.  Do  not  put  in  the 
stake  close  to  the  crown,  but  at  a  little  distance,  and  incline  it 
at  an  angle  towards  the  plant.  In  the  autumn  each  plant 
should  be  examined,  a  little  well-rotted  manure  placed  on  each, 
and  covered  over  again.  Keep  all  clear  of  weeds,  and  do  not 
cut  until  the  third  year,  and  then  only  sparingly.  Apply 
manure  in  spring  and  autumn,  but  not  over  the  whole  surface 
of  the  bed,  but  only  over  the  stools.  I  have  said  "  cut ;"  but 
on  this  point  the  Argenteuil  growers  are  very  strong.  They 
insist  that  no  knife  should  be  used,  but  that  simply  the  finger 
should  be  the  gathering  instrument,  and  the  young  shoot  rubbed 
off  instead  of  being  cut.  Where  it  is  considered  desirable  to 
have  a  long  handle  to  eat  the  Asparagus  with,  a  little  heap 
of  mould  should  be  placed  over  each  stool ;  but  I  do  not  fancy 
that  this  will  be  in  much  favour  here.  Be  always  careful  to 
have  a  sufficiently  strong  stake  to  tie  the  branches  to  that  are 
left  after  cutting,  and  never  cut  these  away  until,  at  any  rate, 
the  month  of  October.  If  you  desire  to  have  the  enormous 
heads  one  sees  in  Paris,  it  can  easily  be  accomplished  by  thin- 
ning out  the  shoots  in  autumn  and  only  allowing  a  certain 
number  to  perfect  themselves. 

The  same  care  is  not  always  taken.  For  instance,  at  Fontaine- 
hleau,  near  Montreuil,  and  at  other  places,  I  have  seen  the 
stools  planted  in  trenches  indeed,  but  the  roots  had  been  evi- 
dently allowed  to  run  into  one  another  as  with  us,  but  the 
special  and  thorough  French  plan  is  that  pursued  at  Argenteuil 
and  in  the  neighbourhood.  I  do  not  know  whether  it  has  a  ten- 
dency to  wear  out  the  plants  ;  but  L'Hurault  says  they  ought  to 
be  destroyed  after  fifteen  years,  while  I  know  beds  in  England 
which  have  lasted  a  hundred,  and  are  in  as  full  vigour  as  ever. 
As  a  matter  of  personal  taste  I  much  prefer  the  small  and 
green  heads  to  the  large  and  white-stalked  ones  of  France  ;  but 
chacun  a  son  gout.  One  thing  I  believe  is  not  sufficiently  at- 
tended to  in  the  preparation  of  Asparagus  for  the  table,  that  is 
scraping  it  well.  The  forcing  of  Asparagus  is  carried  on  in 
other  places,  and  will  come  under  notice  when  I  speak  of  the 
priineurs  at  Montrouge  and  elsewhere. — D.,  Deal. 


HARDY   FERNS. 


Mb.  Douglas,  in  his  "  Notes  on  Ferns,"  speaks  of  having 
obtained  Ceterach  officinarum  near  Godalming,  in  Surrey.  It 
may  interest  him  to  know  that  here,  in  Somersetshire,  on  the 
Mendips,  this  Fern  almost  clothes  many  of  the  old  limestone 
walls  with  its  characteristic  fronds,  some  of  which  attain  a 
considerable  size.  Asplenium  trichomanes  is  also  abundant 
here ;  while  the  pale  green  of  Cystopteris  fragilis  contrasts 
charmingly  with  the  grey  stones  from  between  which  it  springs. 
A  large  space  of  the  north  wall  of  my  garden  is  covered  with  it. 

Asplenium  adiantum  nigrum  is  a  pretty  bright  Fern,  more 
common,  I  tbink,  in  Surrey  than  in  this  neighbourhood,  but 
never  found,  I  fancy,  in  very  great  abundance. 

Blechnum  boreale,   or  spicant,  flourishes,  with   Athyrium 


Filix-fccmina  and  the  Lastreas,  in  the  black  peat  of  our  hills  ; 
and  among  the  smaller  kinds  of  Ferns  there  is  none  more  in- 
teresting, in  its  home,  than  Asplenium  ruta-muraria,  which 
grows  side  by  side  with  Ceterach — sometimes  in  the  same  tuft. 

Some  of  these  Ferns  are  easy  of  cultivation,  if  their  tastes 
as  to  soil,  position,  &c.,  are  attended  to,  but  A.  trichomanes  is 
very  unwilling  to  be  domesticated. 

I  must  not  forget  to  mention  Polypodium  calcareum,  growing 
plentifully  in  the  limestone  debris  at  the  sides  of  the  road 
through  the  Cheddar  Cliffs.  It  is  an  erect,  branching  Fern, 
with  a  distinct  individuality,  and  ono  that  readily  adapts  itself 
to  a  change  of  circumstances.  In  autumn  its  fronds  die  down, 
like  those  of  the  Lady  Fern,  Brake,  &c. — G.  H.  T. 


THE  MERITS   OF   SOME   BEDDING 
PELARGONIUMS. 

So  much  has  been  said  in  the  pages  of  this  Journal  in  favour 
of  some  of  these  popular  flowers,  that  I  almost  shrink  from 
giving  an  opinion  adverse  to  the  acknowledged  notions  of  some 
and  what  may  be  termed  prejudices  of  others.  We  have  certainly, 
during  the  last  few  years,  had  some  fine  introductions  in  this 
class  of  plants — varieties  not  only  useful  for  the  decoration  of 
the  conservatory,  but  also  for  the  embellishment  of  the  flower 
garden.  It  is  my  intention  in  these  remarks  to  notice  their 
qualities  as  bedding  plants,  and  having  in  the  past  season  had 
the  opportunity  of  seeing  some  of  the  most  recent  introductions, 
as  well  as  choice  older  varieties,  bedded  out  together,  I  have 
made  a  few  notes  on  their  merits,  and  also  on  their  short- 
comings. 

I  do  not  intend  to  pursue  any  systematic  arrangement,  but 
will  just  make  my  remarks  as  from  time  to  time  I  have  jotted 
down  my  notes. 

1  will  divide  this  large  family  into  two  sections ;  first,  the 
Variegated  section,  and,  second,  the  Scarlet  section,  having 
horseshoe  or  plain  leaves. 

To  begin  with  the  Variegated  section.  Mrs.  Pollock  has  for 
upwards  of  seven  years  held  an  honourable  position,  and  has 
been  a  universal  favourite.  It  will  for  a  long  time  hold  its  place 
against  such  comers  as  Lady  CuUum,  Miss  Watson,  and  others 
of  the  same  class.  I  have  not  yet  seen  a  leaf  of  Lady  Cullum 
equal  to  the  coloured  drawing  sent  out  last  spring,  that 
announced  its  advent,  nor  have  I  seen  a  plant  yet  of  Miss 
Watson  worth  its  carriage  for  a  dozen  miles.  The  latter  is 
dwarf  in  habit,  weak  in  constitution,  and  the  colour  of  the 
foliage  is  a  mongrel  combination  that  is  not  effective. 

Of  the  Golden-leaved  and  Bronze  section  I  have  as  yet 
scarcely  seen  anything  which  answers  to  the  glowing  descrip- 
tions of  the  leading  London  catalogues.  Beauty  of  Oulton  and 
Beauty  of  Eibblesdale  are  not  worth  house  room  during  winter 
for  bedding  purposes.  Our  old  friends  Cloth  of  Gold  and 
Golden  Chain  have  not  been  so  effective  as  usual  this  season, 
nor  have  they  made  so  much  progress,  owing,  probably,  to  the 
excessive  drought. 

Among  the  Silver  Variegated  kinds  I  have  seen  nothing 
during  the  season  to  equal  Pearl  and  Miss  Kingsbury.  Pearl, 
of  first-class  habit  for  bedding,  has  a  broad  white  margin 
and  a  flat  leaf-surface,  with  a  slight  shaded  zone.  I  hardly 
Uke  the  zone,  as  I  consider  it  rather  detracts  from  than  adds 
to  its  beauty.  With  this  drawback — if  such  it  may  be  con- 
sidered— a  bed  of  it  at  Mr.  Pearson's  Nurseries,  Chilwell,  by 
whom  it  was  introduced  last  spring,  was  the  most  effective 
bed  of  Silver  Variegated  Pelargoniums  I  have  ever  seen.  Miss 
Kingsbury  is  of  different  habit,  yet  very  effective.  It  has  a 
broad  pure  silver  margin,  with  a  rich  dark  green  centre.  These 
two  Silver  Variegated  Pelargoniums  I  consider  the  gems  of  the 
season,  and  they  only  require  knowing  to  be  appreciated. 
Flower  of  Spring  is  a  good  old  sort,  and  has  been  extensively 
used  the  past  season.  St.  Clair  I  have  long  discarded,  and  when 
I  can  obtain  a  sufficient  quantity  of  Pearl  and  Miss  Kingsbury, 
such  old  sorts  as  Bijou,  Alma,  and  Flower  of  the  Day  will 
follow  in  the  same  track.  Italia  Unita  is  very  well  as  a  pot 
plant,  but  it  will  never  be  appreciated  for  bedding  purposes  ; 
besides,  it  is  a  very  slow  grower. 

Coming  to  the  Horseshoe  section  of  Pelargoniums,  we  have 
a  confusion  of  useless  varieties  for  bedding  purposes.  Many 
sent  out  in  the  spring  of  18C7  and  1SG8,  and  described  as 
"  queenly  varieties  in  all  the  essential  features  of  habit  and 
flower,"  have  turned  out  to  be  no  better  than  common  garden 
weeds.  The  foremost  of  this  character  may  be  mentioned 
— viz.,  Christine  Nosegay.    Among  others  also  left  out  to  be 


138 


JOUENAIj  of  HOBTICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE   GAKDENEB. 


[  December  10,  1868. 


destroyed  by  tlie  frost  may  bo  enumerated  Kose  Stella,  The 
Saltan,  Chrislabel,  Mimas,  and  Le  Grand,  which  last,  though 
useful  as  a  conservatory  plant,  is  comparatively  worthless  in 
the  flower  garden.  One  of  the  most  useful  Scarlet  Pelar- 
goniums I  have  either  grown  or  seen  at  other  places  this  season, 
•for  beds  or  vases,  is  William  Underwood.  It  is  much  in  the 
same  way  as  Lord  Derby,  though  superior  to  it  in  all  the 
■essential  qualities  as  a  bedding  plant.  The  flowers  are  bright 
scarlet,  of  immense  substance,  the  trusses  large  and  abundantly 
produced;  foliage  dark  green,  with  a  well-defined  dark  zone. 
I  saw  it  at  Wollaton  Park,  in  the  autumn  of  1867,  grown  in 
vases,  and  nothing  could  be  better  adapted  to  the  purpose. 
The  plants  were  literally  smothered  with  its  noble  flowers.  This 
season  Mr.  Gadd,  the  gardener,  has  grown.it  again  in  the  same 
place,  in  juxtaposition  with  Excellent,  and  though  the  latter  is 
A  tine  plant  for  the  conservatory,  yet  out  of  doors  it  was  seriously 
affected  by  the  sun,  while  William  Underwood  remained  un- 
scathed. I  have  myself  grown  it  in  vases  this  season,  and  I 
■consider  it  as  much  superior  to  Stella,  Herald  of  Spring, 
Indian  Yellow,  and  Scarlet  Gem,  as  Mrs.  Pollock  is  to  the  old- 
fashioned  though  useful  Golden  Chain. 

Bayard  comes  next  in  order  as  a  first-class  bedder,  yea,  it 
is  even  superior  when  grown  in  beds  en  masse.  It  is  a  crimson 
scarlet  Nosegay,  with  a  prodigiously  free-blooming  habit,  large 
trusses,  and  beautiful  dark  green  foliage.  It  is  the  greatest 
leap  that  has  been  made  in  this  class  of  plants,  and  no  remarks 
that  I  can  make  in  its  favour  can  be  too  laudatory.  It  has 
been  stated  by  Mr.  W.  Paul,  the  Eev.  Eeynolds  Hole,  and  other 
eminent  horticulturists,  to  be  the  finest  bedding  Pelargonium 
in  ooltivatiou. 

I  may  mention  William  Ingram,  Alfred,  and  King  of  Scarlets, 
as  possessing  qualities  of  first-class  excellence  for  bedding 
purposes.  These  three,  also  Bayard  and  William  Underwood, 
were  introduced  by  Mr.  Pearson,  of  Chilwell. 

For  conservatory  purposes  I  do  not  consider  the  five  above 
named  superior  to  such  as  Lord  Derby,  Excellent,  Chilwell 
Beauty,  and  Dr.  Lindley.  Rebecca  is  also  a  beautiful  pot 
plant,  with  a  peculiar  shade  of  colour,  fine  round  petals,  and 
large  trusses,  though  I  have  not  yet  seen  it  bedded  out.  Lucius 
is  fine  as  a  pot  plant,  with  immense  trusses  of  bright,  rose- 
coloured  flowers.  I  have  not  yet  seen  it  employed  in  the 
flower  garden,  yet  a  plant  of  in  our  kitchen  window,  under  the 
management  of  Mrs.  B.,  is  a  perfect  gem.  Amy  Hogg  is  too 
well  known  to  need  comment  ;  Chilwell  Beauty  is  not  distin- 
guishable in  colour,  but  much  finer  in  flower  and  trues. 

Speaking  of  the  Pink  section,  Christine  and  Helen  Lindsay 
have  long  been  favourites,  but  these  give  place  to  Maid  of  Kent. 
Kose  Eendatler  I  have  long  grown  and  appreciated  for  in-door 
purposes  ;  yet  Maid  of  Kent,  both  for  in  and  out-door  cultiva- 
tion, is  far  in  advance  of  all  others  that  I  know  in  its  class  of 
colour.  I  could  not  realiy  understand  Mr.  Luckhurst  (page 
144),  in  his  select  list,  when  he  said  that  "Christine,  Rose 
Kendatler,  and  Helen  Lindsay  were  still  unsurpassed  for  the 
decoration  of  vases,  &c.,"  and  then  mentions  Maid  of  Kent  as 
being  something  not  equal  to  the  above-named  ;  at  least,  that 
was  the  inference  I  drew  from  the  statement. 

Of  the  Salmon-coloured,  Madame  Eudersdorif  shines  forth 
pre-eminent ;  and  of  Whites,  either  for  beds,  pots,  or  vases, 
"Virgo  Maria  is  still  without  a  rival. — Q.  E.,  Flcaselij  Vale. 


these  without  being  able  to  show  some  other  way  than  by 
climbing  over  the  sides. — Sodih  Australian. 


.TRAPPING  WOODLICE— EXCLUDING   SLUGS. 

TJnth.  I  discovered  the  following  plan  for  trapping  woodlice, 
I  anfiered  much  annoyance  and  loss  from  their  ravages.  I 
tried  all  the  suggestions  that  I  saw  recommended  in  your 
valuable  Journal,  but  found  that  our  colonial  insects  either  did 
not  appreciate  potato,  &c.,  or  were  more  knowing  than  those 
in  the  old  country.  However.  I  thought  I  would  try  sinking  a 
tumbler  in  their  haunts,  and  I  found  it  most  satisfactory  ;  and 
now,  whenever  I  am  at  all  annoyed  by  them,  I  insert  a  small 
propagating  glass  into  the  soil  or  plunging  material,  leaving  the 
edge  a  shade  lower  than  the  surrounding  stuff,  and  in  a  few 
nights  I  have  had  a  4,} -inch  glass  hall  full  of  woodlice,  earwigs, 
and  other  abominations.  They  may  either  be  left  in  to  perish, 
or  be  emptied  every  morning. 

I  also  find  a  circlet  of  zinc  fastened  with  a  single  copper  rivet 
a  certain  protection  against  slugs.  I  cut  old  zinc  lining  of 
cases  into  strips  about  4  inches  wide,  and  then  make  the 
circlet  of  whatever  size  I  wish.  Whether  the  slugs  object  to 
zinc,  or  whether  there  is  a  galvanic  current  established,  I  do 
not  know,  but  I  have  never  known  a  slug  to  get  inside  one  of 


CONSEQUENCES  OF  LAST   SUMMER. 

The  effects  of  the  late  tropical  summer  are  now  showing 
themselves  here,  especially  amongst  the  Ehododendrons. 
Many  of  them  during  the  drought  were  to  all  appearance 
dead ;  but  when  the  autumn  rains  set  in  they  revived  again ; 
some  began  growing,  and  are  still  doing  so.  Should  severe 
weather  occur  I  fear  the  young  growth  will  be  destroyed. 
Others  came  into  flower,  are  still  flowering,  and  are  likely  to 
continue  so  for  some  time.  They  look  quite  gay  at  this  daU 
season  ;  but  I  am  afraid  it  ia  at  the  expense  of  our  spring  and 
summer  display.  To  be  deprived  of  the  nsual  display  of  Eho- 
dodendrons would  to  me  be  a  matter  of  much  regret.  Some 
plants  are  making  their  appearance  above  ground,  as  Colchi- 
cums,  Triteleia  uniflora,  Bulbocodiums,  and  others,  which  do 
not  usually  appear  until  spring. 

I  find  that  of  late  the  caterpillar,  so  destructive  last  winter 
amongst  Scarlet  and  other  Pelargoniums,  has  again  made  its 
appearance.  It  is  only  to  be  kept  in  check  by  diligently  search- 
ing for  it. 

PLANTS   IN   PLOWEE   DUEING    NOVEMBER. 


LeyceBteria  formosa 
Phiox  stolonlfera 
Arabia  albida 
SchiaoBtylia  coccinea 
JasmiDum  nudiflorum 
Yiola  odorata 
Double  Daisies 
Erica  ramentacea 
Corydalis  lutea 
Koniga  maritima 
Virginian  (Stock 
Kose,  Crimson  China 

Gloire  de  Iiijon 

Monthly  China 

Fabvier 
Arctotis  breviscapa 
Veronica  hybridu 
Omphalodes  vcnia 
Polyanthus  Fire  King 
Veronica  syriaoa 
Primrose,  i)oable  Lilac 
Hopatica  triloba 
Tee -week  Stocks 
Salvia  fulgens 
Chrysanthemums 
Anchusa  sempervirens 
Corydalis  glauca 
Antirrhinuma 
Aster  tenellua 
Cineraria  maritima 
Crucianella  etylosa 
Cuphea  platycentra 
Rhododendron  dauricum 
Erica  carnea 
Fuchsia  coccinea 
Erinus  filpinus 
Lupinus  albo-coccinons 
Q^othera  macrocarpa 
Pentstemon  Shepherdii 
Tritoma  uvaria 
Verbena  venosa 


Zauschnoria  califomica 
Plumbago  Larpentffi 
Campanula  rotuudifolia 

garsauica 
Chrysanthemums,  Japanese 
SaUia  horminum  purpurea 
Pyrethruin  parthenium 
Mirabilis  jalapa 
Mignonette 
Gyuerium  argentoum 
Sednm  cieruleum 
Sweet  William 
Primrose,  Double  Crimson 
Silene  rubella 

Q'^DOthera  taraxacifolia  lutea 
Bhododendrons 
Sedum  tolephinum 

dentatum 
Vinca  minor 
Cheiranthua  fruticulosus 
Marigold 

Gazania  splendens 
Viola  cornuta 

montana 
Anemone  japonica 
Armeria  rubra 
Viola  tricolor 
Campanula  pomlla 
Common  Ivy 
Sedum  Siebuldi 
Gilia  tricolor 
Arbutus  hybrida 
Daphne  laureola 
Hedera  canarienais 
Viburnum  tinus 

hirtum 
.Andromeda  pohfolia 
Achillea  millefolium  roBea 
Viola  lutea 
Rose,  Niphetos 
Coronilla  varia 


— M.  H.,  Acklam  Hall,  Middteshorovgh-on-Tecs. 


ROSE   SEED  PROSPECTS. 

The  present  golden  harvest  of  Eose  seed  is  most  encouraging 
to  the  English  grower,  and  though  the  past  intensely  hot 
summer  may  have  injured  the  tall  Briar  stems,  this  season 
must  long  be  remembered  with  gratitude,  as  giving  us  seed 
beds  of  as  much  interest  and  importance  as  to  our  French 
neighbours.  I  feel  sure  I  have  only  to  mention  even  our  Torquay 
ingathering  from  the  rosery,  to  gladden  the  hearts  of  many  of 
your  readers.  It  was  :— from  Alfred  Colomb,  upwards  of  two 
quarts  of  fine  ripe  heps  ;  from  Pierre  Netting,  rather  more,  and 
remarkably  fine;  from  Charles  Lefebvre,  Prince  Camille  de 
Eohan,  and  Souvenir  de  Dr.  Jamain,  a  large  quantity.  Seed 
was  also  produced  by  Baron  Gonella,  Dr.  Audry,  Jules  Margot- 
tin,  Madame  C.  Crapelet,  Madame  Falcot,  Blairii  No.  2,  Fisher 
Holmes,  Madame  Knorr,  Madame  Victor  Verdier,  Catherine 
Guillot,  Gloire  de  Dijon,  Safrano,  Duchesse  de  Caylus,  John 
Hopper,  Senateur  Vaisse,  Souvenir  de  William  Wood,  Xavier 
Olibo,  and  many  others. 

I  have  never  been  able  to  obtain  a  ripe  seed  before  from 
Gloire  do  Dijon,  or  from  (the  queen  Eose  for  scent)  Madame 
Knorr,  or  John  Hopper. 


Dooombor  10,  isefj.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF   HOBTIOULTUUE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


139 


Dark  Perpetnals  appear  to  bear  seed  more  freely  than  the 
light  kiudB.  The  very  hot  Kuinmer  of  IHIO,  protluceit  a  LirRe 
harvest  of  Koee  seed,  and  I  have  now  before  me  n  memorandum 
of  the  varieties,  forty  of  tliem,  anioiif;  which  1  see  nine  were 
Hybrid  Perpetuals,  at  the  head  of  which  stand  Madame 
LaUay,  Mrs.  Elliott,  La  Koine;  seventeen  Uoiirbons,  and 
fourteen  Hybrid  Bourbons,  but  fully  three-fourths  of  these 
have  now  passed  away  from  our  lists. 

In  conolusiou,  I  would  press  on  our  French  friends  not  to 
grow  any  more  reds  or  darks  for  us  after  the  present  season, 
but  devote  their  immediate  and  utmost  attention  to  the  pro- 
duction of  white-striped  and  yellow  Perpetnals.  I  sincerely  hope 
they  will  take  this  advice,  as  they  will  Und  it  very  profitable  to 
themselves  and  us. — Heney  Cuhtis,  Devon  Jtoscnj,  Torqnaij. 


ARRANGING  AND   PLANTING   SHRUBS. 

{Continued  from  page  310.) 
DECicnoTis  shrubs  ought  not  to  be  removed  so  early  as  ever- 
greens ;  their  wood  should  be  ripe,  their  growth  at  an  cud,  and 
their  leaves  falling  or  fallen.  From  that  time  to  the  swelling  of 
the  buds  in  spring  is  a  good  period  for  planting  deciduous 
shrubs,  but  the  operation  should  be  done  in  mild  weather 
only,  and  the  earlier  in  autumn  the  better.  Avoid  planting 
■whilst  the  ground  is  a  soapy  mass,  as  it  generally  is  for  some 
days  after  a  thaw,  and  above  all  secure  the  shrubs  from  high 
winds,  for  if  they  are  moved  to  and  fro  the  rooting  is  retarded, 
whilst  by  securing  the  head  the  roots  are  maintained  in  the 
position  given  them  at  planting,  and  the  new  fibres  are  then 
not  liable  to  be  broken  and  destroyed. 

If  planting  is  practised  early  in  autumn  or  late  in  summer, 
also  late  in  spring,  the  shrubs  should  have  a  good  watering 
afterwards,  and  water  may  subsequently  be  given  as  required, 
but  not  until  the  soil  is  becoming  dry,  for  nothing  so  injuriously 
affects  the  rooting  of  a  shrub  as  saturating  the  soil  with  water. 
Instead  of  watering  newly-planted  shrubs  so  frequently  at  the 
roots,  as  is  sometimes  done,  it  would  be  far  better  to  sprinkle 
the  head  with  water  from  an  engine  two  or  three  times.  So 
long  as  the  soil  is  moist,  giving  water,  instead  of  promoting 
the  rooting,  hinders  it  by  causing  the  roots  to  imbibe  water 
through  the  cuts  or  broken  portions,  and  then  the  waste  by  eva- 
poration from  the  leaves  is  not  so  well  restored  as  it  would  be 
by  sprinkling  overhead. 

It  is  well  not  only  to  properly  prepare  ground  for  planting, 
but  to  be  careful  in  the  selection  of  the  shrubs.  Some  like 
strong  plants,  and  generally  choose  those  which  have  made 
good  growths.  Now  this  is  a  mistake.  Strong  growths  are 
one  of  the  greatest  evidences  we  have  of  the  shrubs  not  having 
been  recently  transplanted,  and  unless  they  have  been,  the 
chance  of  successful  removal  is  doubtful,  and  still  more  so 
that  of  their  growing  well  the  first  year.  I  am  no  advocate 
for  the  planting  of  large  shrubs  at  any  time,  and  I  would  sub- 
mit that  unless  they  have  been  removed  every  second,  or  at 
least  every  third  year,  the  chances  of  their  growing  are  small ; 
and  the  same  remarks  apply  to  shrubs  of  less  size.  If  the 
shrubs  have  not  been  transplanted  every  two  or  three  years, 
have  not  had  space  allowed  for  their  growth,  so  as  to  be  sturdy 
and  well  furnished,  their  roots  are  bad,  long,  and  fibreless,  and 
such  plants  are  not  worth  the  trouble  of  planting.  Years  must 
elapse  before  they  attain  a  good  size.  No  better  criterion  of 
the  value  of  the  two  kinds  of  plants  can  be  had  than  their 
commercial  value  :  shrubs  frequently  transplanted  and  allowed 
room  to  grow  are  worth  twice  as  much  in  the  market,  and  to 
the  planter  they  are  the  only  ones  worth  his  notice. 

The  distances  adopted  in  planting  are  determined  by  circum- 
stances and  the  habit  of  the  shrubs.  If  immediate  effect  is 
wanted  more  must  be  planted  than  are  intended  to  remain  ; 
but  in  this  case,  those  which  are  to  be  permanent  must  be 
planted  in  their  proper  places.  Shrubs  of  spreading  habit, 
when  planted  for  individual  effect,  should  be  allowed  a  distance 
apart  equal  to  the  height  they  attain ;  for  groups  of  one 
species,  varieties  of  one  species,  or  species  of  one  genus,  half 
the  height  to  which  they  grow  will  be  suitable ;  whilst  shrubs 
of  upright  growth,  as  the  Irish  Yew,  may  be  planted  no  more 
than  half  the  height  they  will  reach  apart.  Their  distance 
from  the  edge  of  the  grass  or  walk  should  he  half  the  height 
they  usually  attain.  Though  immediate  effect  may  have  due 
consideration,  it  is,  nevertheless,  desirable  to  place  the  per- 
manent plants  at  once,  and  leave  them  to  their  proper  growth. 
In  any  case,  the  permanent  specimens  must  have  the  first 
consideration ;  they  must  all  be  placed,  and  then  the  planter 


can  fill  up  with  such  shrubs  as  may  be  removed  with  safety 
when  the  permanent  ones  reipiiro  tlie  whole  of  the  space. 

The  tallost  shruhs  sh'juld  be  placed  at  the  back  of  the  bor- 
ders, or  in  the  centres  of  the  ;;roup8  or  masses,  and  the  dwarfer 
sorts  in  front;  and  however  irregular  in  width  the  border  or 
mass  may  be,  the  same  brcivdth  of  the  dwarf-growing  shrubs 
must  bo  allowed  the  entire  length  of  the  border  and  all  round 
the  masses.  It  is  a  prevailing  fashion  to  border  shrubberies 
with  flowering  plants.  This  is  productive  of  anything  hut  a 
good  effect.  If  the  object  wore  producing  a  picturesque  effect 
by  mixing  trees,  shrubs,  and  flowers  indiscriminately  together, 
then  the  present  general  practice  of  fringing  borders  and 
masses  with  flowering  plants  would  ndiait  of  justification  ;  but 
the  shrubs  being  rival  objects,  and  offering  a  great  impediment 
to  the  flowers  arriving  at  perfection,  they  ought  not  to  be 
planted  where  these  oljjeetions  exist.  Flowering  plants — I  mean 
herbaceous  plants — from  the  shade  of  the  shrubs  and  the  occu- 
pation of  the  soil  by  their  roots,  do  not  nearly  attain  the  per- 
fection they  are  capable  of,  and  they  ought  not  to  be  planted 
where  they  cannot  attain  it ;  besides,  the  eSect  of  shrubs  is 
very  different  from  that  of  herbaceous  plants — distinct  in  ex- 
pression, and  they  ought  to  be  kept  so. 

It  now  only  remains  to  offer  a  hint  as  to  the  grouping  of  the 
different  shrubs.  Mixed  borders  have  always  a  motley  appear- 
ance, and  are  poor  as  compared  with  masses.  I  would,  in  all 
cases  where  duplicates  have  to  be  planted,  plant  these  together, 
assorting  them  according  to  colour  of  foliage,  of  which  there 
are  many  shades,  and  of  flowers,  preserving  lines  or  masses  of 
one  colour  with  a  view  to  harmony  and  contrast. — G.  Aeeet. 


FERN   FRONDS,'  DISFIGUREI>„ 

On  looking  through  the  "Answers  to  Correspondents" 
several  replies  will  be  observed,  which  seem  to  refer  to  the 
above  evil,  suggesting  that  it  is  moot  probably  caused  by  the 
thrips.  This,  however,  I  have  unfortunately  very  strong  reasons 
for  suspecting  to  be  not  the  case,  hut  that  instead  of  being  due 
to  thrips  it  is  owing  to  one  of  our  more  recently  introduced 
pests,  which,  I  am  afraid,  will  prove  to  be  a  far  more  formidable 
enemy,  as  it  does  not  seem  disposed  to  succumb  readily  to  any 
of  the  ordinary  means  now  in  use.  The  little  wretch  in  question 
is  a  small  white  fly  about  the  twelfth  of  an  inch  in  length,  and 
during  the  summer  may  be  observed  sitting  with  its  wingS- 
folded  over  its  body  on  the  under  side  of  the  leaf.  It  has  beeE> 
known  in  our  gardens  for  some  years  past,  and  is  sometimeB 
designated  "  the  cloud  fly  "  from  its  issuing  in  clouds  from  the 
bushes  when  they  are  shaken.  It  was  at  first  thought  to  be 
harmless,  but  this  was  found  to  be  a  mistake,  yet  it  appears  to 
have  been  only  within  the  last  few  years  that  its  depredations 
have  become  so  serious  under  glass.  It  has  now  disappeared  for 
the  winter,  hut  when  it  first  reappears  in  the  spring  it  will  then 
be  advisable  to  attempt  some  energetic  measures  lor  its 
suppression. 

An  answer  headed  "  Destroying  White  Fly  "  is  given  in 
No.  345  of  this  Journal  (vol.  xiii.,  New  Series)  explaining  the 
escape  of  the  insects  from  the  effects  of  tobacco  smoke,  by  falling 
to  the  ground  out  of  its  influence,  and  suggesting  a  wet  floor  to 
receive  them  ;  but  this  latter  is  not  always  practicable.  A  good 
plan  where  it  can  be  done  is  to  strew  the  floor  with  wet  sawdust 
or  sand,  then  after  smoking  sweep  it  up,  and  burn  it  as  speedily 
as  possible.  I  have  found  incessant  syringing  from  an  open 
nozzle  with  the  finfjer  over  it  so  as  produce  a  fine  but  powerful 
stream,  have  some  effect  in  driving  the  insects  away,  and  thus 
lessening  the  mischief  produced  ;  but  this  is  weary  work,  and  in 
very  damp  weather  not  always  desirable.  It  is  to  be  hoped, 
when  attention  has  been  drawn  to  the  character  of  the  pest, 
that  it  will  not  be  long  before  some  easy  and  effectual  means 
will  be  found  for  its  extermination. — W.  Kencely  BEiDOMiJJ.  | 


CULTURE  OF  THE  DOUBLE  ITALIAN 
TUBEROSE. 
The  Double  Italian  Tuberose  (Poliantheg  tnberosa  floie- 
pleno),  is  not  very  often  cultivated  ;  in  fact,  it  is  a  plant  that 
a  great  number  of  gardeners  are  unacquainted  with,  yet  it  ifi 
worthy  of  cultivation  for  the  sake  of  its  delicionsly-scented  white 
flowers,  which  resemble  in  some  degree  those  of  the  Stepha- 
notis  floribunda,  if  one  could  suppose  a  double  variety  of  that 
popular  stove  plant.  The  flowers  of  the  Tuberose  are  arranged 
in  pairs  on  stalks  from  3  to  5  feet  long.  Indeed,  the  long 
flowerstalks  are  rather  objectionable,   and  there  are  seldom 


440 


JODBNAL  OF  HOBTICUIiTUBE  AKD  COTTAGE   GABDENEB.  [  Doeembor  lo,  1868. 


more  than  two  pairs  of  flowers  expanded  at  one  time  on  each 
flowerstali.  As  the  first-expanded  flowers  fade,  the  stalk 
lengthens,  and  a  great  many  pairs  are  produced. 

This  plant  is  easily  cultivated,  and  the  bulbs  may  be  pur- 
chased at  a  cheap  rate.  The  largest  bulbs  must  be  selected, 
as  small  ones  sometimes  do  not  flower,  and  if  they  do,  will  not 
give  satisfaction. 

I  pot  three  roots  in  a  6-inch  pet,  using  for  soil  a  mixture  of 
two  parts  turfy  loam  and  one  part  well-rotted  cow  manure, 
with  a  small  portion  of  silver  sand  to  make  the  compost  porous. 
The  best  situation  for  the  pots  is  a  Cucumber  frame,  where 
they  may  be  plunged  to  the  rims  in  the  material  in  which  the 
Cucumbers  are  planted.  A  bottom  heat  of  85'  or  90°  suits 
the  Tuberoses  very  weU.  They  ought  to  be  kept  in  the  frame 
until  the  flowerstalks  appear,  when  they  may  be  removed  to  the 
greenhouse,  and  allowed  to  flower  there. 

They  succeed  very  well  in  a  vinery,  but  I  do  not  recommend 
them  to  be  grown  there,  as  they  are  very  liable  to  be  attacked 
by  red  spider,  and  will  undoubtedly  introduce  that  unwelcome 
visitor.  In  the  greenhouse  they  may  be  set  so  that  the  fiower- 
stallss  show  above  the  foliage  of  other  plants.  They  are  also 
suitable  to  place  in  the  entrance  hall  of  the  house,  where  scented 
flowers  are  appreciated.— J.  Dodglas. 


THE  HYBRID  COLEUSES. 

DoBiKG  my  visit  to  the  great  June  Show  of  this  year  at 
''South  Kensington  I  first  saw  the  collection  of  new  hybrid 
Coleuses.  Beautiful  indeed  they  looked ;  I  was  charmed 
with  the  lovely  foliage  there  displayed.  No  doubt  eventually, 
when  their  value  shall  have  been  known  and  proved,  they  will 
prove  invaluable  both  for  in-door  decoration  and  for  bedders. 
For  dinner-table  decoration  they  are  exquisite.  To  see  them 
to  perfection  is  by  the  aid  of  the  chandelier ;  the  contrast  be- 
tween the  tablecloth  and  the  lovely  dark  folir ge  is  charming 
They  are  so  easily  propagated  that  they  are  within  the  reach 
of  every  one,  and  no  doubt  as  they  become  better  known  they 
will  be  more  popular  than  they  are  at  present. 

Colcus  Saunckrsi  is  of  a  deep  chocolate  purple  in  the  centre, 
somewhat  mottled,  and  of  a  pale  brouzy  tint  towards  the  edge, 
which  has  a  broadish  band  of  green  broken  through  with  pur- 
plish bronzy  reticulations  ;  under  surface  blotched  with  purple 
in  the  centre.  Stems  green,  blotched  with  purple.  I  have  had 
some  of  the  leaves  as  broad  as  the  palm  of  my  hand.  It  is  a 
plane-leaved  variety. 

Coh'us  MarslialH  —One  of  the  best  of  the  set.  Rich  chocolate 
purple ;  the  base  of  the  midrib  and  the  crenatures  green,  so  as 
jnst  to  form  a  narrow  green  margin.  Stems  green,  stained  with 
purple  at  the  nodes. 

Culeus  DUii. — Leaves  dark  chocolate  purple  in  the  centre. 
feathering  out  through  the  broadish  bright  green  margin,  which 
is  nearly  an  inch  wide  ;  the  crenatures  narrowly  purple-edged. 

Coh'us  Bcrketeyi. — Leaves,  both  above  and  beneath,  of  a  rich 
velvety  chocolate  purple,  the  tips  of  the  crenatures  only  being 
green.  Stems  green,  slightly  speckled  and  clothed  with  pur- 
plish down.  This  is  a  beautiful  and  richly-coloured  plant,  in 
which  nearly  the  whole  surface  is  of  a  velvety  purple  hue, 
which  is  well  displayed,  from  the  flatness  of  the  foliage. 

Coleus  Murrayi. — Leaves  green,  piunately  marked  along  the 
principal  veins  with  bars  of  dark  purple,  which  sometimes 
'Coalesce,  the  rest  of  the  surface  showing  through  from  beneath 
the  purple  reticulations,  which  are  evenly  and  strongly  marked 
on  the  under  surface.  Stems  purple.  This  is  a  more  regularly 
and  more  fully  coloured  form  of  C.  Gibsoni,  and,  therefore,  an 
improvement. 

Coleus  raickeici. — Deep  purple  throughout  on  both  surfaces. 
Stems  purple.  A  fine,  sturdy-growing,  dark-leaved  sort,  having 
very  much  the  colour  of  the  Perilla  nankinensis. 

Coleus  Batemani.  —  This  is  a  frilled-leaved  variety,  deep 
purple,  here  and  there  very  slightly  mottled  with  green.  Stem 
purple. 

Coleus  Bauscl. — This  charming  variety  is  one  of  the  best. 
I  have  had  leaves  that  would  cover  my  hand,  of  a  rich  velvety 
chocolate  purple,  green  towards  the  base,  and  at  the  extreme 
margin ;  under  surface  slightly  blotched  with  purple.  Stems 
green,  purplish  at  the  nodes.  Very  richly  coloured,  the  dark 
colour  nicely  relieved  by  the  sUght  green  margin  which  lightens 
np  the  whole  plant. 

Colem  Clarkci. — Leaves'  centre  green,  with  the  fringe  purple. 
One  of  the  darker-tinted  sorts,  having  .the  markings  of  the 
reticulated  character. 


Coleus  Wikoni. — Leaves  of  a  rich  velvety  chocolate,  shaded 
with  purple  ;  the  base  of  the  leaf  and  the  fringe  slightly  tipped 
with  the  same  colour.  A  very  elegant  mottled  variety,  quite 
distinct. 

Coleus  Scotti. — Leaves  bright  green,  everywhere  traversed 
by  deep  purple  veins,  here  and  there  coalescing  into  blotches  ; 
the  under  surface  similarly  marked,  but  of  a  brighter  colour! 
Stem  purple.  A  very  elegant  variety,  having  the  markings  of 
a  deep  tint  of  purple,  but  well  relieved  by  the  green  spaces 
between  the  dark-coloured  reticulations. 

Colons  ii't'd'esi.— Frilled  with  coarse  wavy  teeth,  green, 
mottled  witii  bronze  and  purple,  sparingly  dotted  at  the  base, 
and  laid  on  in  close  reticulations  and  patches  towards  the  edge, 
the  centre  being  deeply  tinted  and  entirely  of  a  dark  colour,' 
and  the  teeth  green,  with  narrow  purple  edges.  Stem  green, 
blotched  with  purple. 

Coleus  Tclfordi  aurea. — Leaves  of  a  yellow  colour,  with  a 
blotch  in  the  centre  of  each  leaf.  This  variety  does  not  do  well 
with  me.  I  do  not  consider  it  worth  growing.  It  is  very  much 
after  the  style  of  Plectranthus  concolor,  but  not  nearly  so  good. 
All  the  others  are  doing  exceedingly  well,  and  are  everything 
that  I  could  wish. 

I  read  the  announcement  of  another  set,  shortly  to  be  sold, 
said  to  be  superior  to  any  of  the  previous  varieties.  If  they 
are,  they  must  be  good  indeed. — F.  P.  L. 


MUSHROOM   CULTURE. 

I  HAVE  hesitated  about  writing  respecting  Mushroom  culture, 
so  much  has  been  written  already ;  but  my  plan  is  so  simple 
and  successful  that  I  must  state  it  and  the  results. 

The  place  in  which  the  Mushrooms  are  grown  was  originally 
the  stokehole  for  two  of  Weeks'  tubular  boilers,  which  are  now 
remoMd  some  distance  from  the  houses,  and  the  sides  of  the 
underground  stokehole  have  been  converted  into  beds  for  Mush- 
rooms ;  the  end  boarded-up  for  Sea-kale.  There  are  two 
6-inch  flow  and  return  pipes  from  the  boilers,  40  yards  off,  to 
heat  a  block  of  seven  houses,  and  these  two  pipes  pass  through 
the  old  stokehole  under  the  arched  roof. 

The  first  bed  was  made  October  5th,  from  droppings  collected 
from  the  stable,  which  had  been  placed  in  an  open  shed  and 
kept  turned  until  there  was  a  sufficient  quantity.  They  were 
then  put  in  the  bed,  well  beaten  down,  spawned  when  the  heat 
■vas  on  the  decline,  at  85°,  and  soiled  with  2  inches  of  stiff 
yellow  loam.  The  first  dish  was  gathered  November  10th,  and 
since  that  time  I  have  had  thirty-one  dozen  from  a  bed  9  feet 
long,  3  feet  wide,  and  10  inches  deep.  I  have  just  gathered  five 
dozen  more.  There  are  110,  averagings  inches  across  the  top, 
fit  to  be  taken,  and  the  bed  is  completely  white  with  smaU 
Mushrooms  the  size  of  peas  and  upwards. 

The  second  bed,  spawned  November  5th,  is  showing  the  little 
globules  all  over.  I  have  made  two  more  beds  for  successions, 
with  room  for  eight  more  of  the  same-sized  beds,  so  there  will 
be  no  lack  of  Mushrooms  throughout  the  winter.  Of  the  110  I 
have  cut  six  which  weighed  9  ozs. — J.  C.  Mundell,  Tlie  Gar- 
dens, Hooley  Hall. 


BARBAREA  VULGARIS   VARIEGATA  AS   A 

WINTER  DECORATIVE  PLANT. 
As  one  much  interested  in  hardy  plants  presenting  a  showy 
appearance  in  winter,  I  beg  to  thank  "  Ateshire  Gardener  " 
(page  117),  who  mentions  one  to  which  I  confess  being  a 
stranger,  but  from  the  description  given  of  it,  I  would  be  glad 
to  have  a  closer  acquaintance  with  it,  as  it  is  evidently  one  of 
those  plants  of  easy  culture  which  commend  themselves  more 
especially  to  those  who  want  a  great  number  of  suitable  plants 
with  as  little  trouble  in  cultivation  as  possible.  Presuming 
this  plant  to  be  a  Winter  Cress,  as  the  generic  name  implies, 
its  foliage  I  take  to  be  a  nearly  pinnated  leaf,  of  considerable 
beauty  in  the  green  form,  but  of  much  greater  beauty  in  the 
variegated  one,  and  being  thickly  set  on  the  crown  of  the 
plant  must,  as  the  writer  says,  be  very  attractive  in  winter, 
excepting  when  enveloped  in  snow.  The  latter,  of  course,  over- 
whelms everything,  and  we  must  not  be  deterred  from  growing 
the  plant  in  consequence  of  that ;  and  as  ornamental  plants 
for  winter  use  are  not  at  all  numerous,  especially  such  as  are 
really  attractive  from,  say,  the  middle  of  November  to  the 
middle  of  March,  a  period  of  four  months,  I,  for  one,  will  be 
glad  of  anything  that  can  be  worked  in  to  advantage  during 
that  time.      After  the  latter  period  comes   spring,  when  we 


December  10,  lf6i  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


441 


may  expect  bulbs,  PriniroseR,  and  other  early  flowers ;  but  in 
the  dark  days  we  must  be  satisfied  in  (general  with  gazing  upon 
ornamentallooking  plants,  and  as  only  such  as  can  bear  '20'  of 
frost  are  suitable,  their  number  is  far  from  being  great. 

For  some  years  I  have  urged  the  claims  of  winter  gardening 
instead  of  that  of  spring,  because  of  the  much  longer  period 
that  the  one  has  to  do  duty  than  the  other.  Under  the  best  of 
circumstances  and  with  the  best  possible  selection  of  plants,  it  is 
seldom  that  much  display  is  made  in  spring  gardening  until 
April.  Crocuses  and  Primroses  may  have  been  in  some  time 
before  that  if  the  winter  has  been  mild,  and  the  first-named  as 
well  as  Snowdrops  may  have  all  flowered  during  March,  but 
even  if  they  should  have  done  so,  what  was  there  to  look  at  in 
December  and  January,  and  often  long  after  that?  This  pro- 
longed interval  may  certainly  be  turned  to  better  account  than 
is  often  done  ;  and  as  plants  having  a  light-coloured  or  varie- 
gated foliage  form  the  best  contrast  with  the  dark-coloured 
damp  ground,  any  possessing  foliage  of  such  a  character  are 
acquisitions.  I  hope,  therefore,  to  hear  something  more  of 
this  plant,  and  I  will  again  advert  to  winter  gardening  and  the 
plants  suitable  for  it. — J.  Eobson. 


POMOLOGICAL    GLEANINGS. 

We  never  had  more  striking  evidence  of  the  influence  of  an 
orchard  house  over  the  quality,  size,  and  beauty  of  fruit  than 
was  afforded  by  two  Apples,  part  of  the  crop  grown  at  Ham- 
burg, in  the  orchard  house  of  Mr.  Johann  Wesaelhoeft.  One 
of  the  Apples,  the  White  Calville,  is  well  known  as  a  large  and 
excellent  dessert  fruit ;  but  the  specimen  sent  was  larger  than 
large,  for  it  measured  14  inches  in  circumference,  and  in  every 
other  merit  surpassed  those  we  have  had  from  an  open  wall. 
The  other  specimen  was  of  the  Melon  Apple,  and  this  was  the 
largest  we  ever  saw  of  the  variety,  being  131  inches  in  circum- 
ference, most  brilliantly  coloured,  and  all  that  a  culinary  Apple 
should  be — flesh  high-flavoured,  and  cooking  tender. 

A  CORRESPONDENT,    "E.  M.  B.  A.,''  writos  to  us  as 

follows  : — "  In  the  interesting  account  given  in  the  Journal  of 
the  '  DoYENNK  DC  OoMicE  Pear,'  I  venture  to  think  that  either 
the  writer  or  the  printer  of  the  article  in  question  has  fallen 
into  a  mistake  in  accenting  the  last  letter  of  Doyenne.  Turn- 
ing to  Contanseau's  French  Dictionary  I  find  as  follows : — 
'  Doyen,  s.  m.,  1,  dean  ;  2  (of  age),  senior.  Doyenne,  s.  m., 
1,  deanery  ;  2  (Pear)  Doyennfi.'  The  explanation  of  the  latter 
word  rather  implies  that  Doyenne  is  correct ;  nevertheless,  it 
seems  to  me  that  Doyenne  should  be  regarded  as  the  feminine 
of  Doyen,  the  word  poire,  which  is  feminine,  being  understood. 
Cornice  is  evidently  derived  from  the  Latin  word  comitium,  an 
assembly ;  so  that  '  Doyenne  du  Comice  '  must  mean  '  Dean 
of  the  Assembly,'  a  title  to  which,  from  the  account  you  give, 
it  is  justly  entitled.  It  can  scarcely  be  maintained  that  any 
one  should  name  a  Pear  '  the  Deanery  of  the  Assembly '  instead 
of  the  Dean — (.  e.,  the  Chief  of  the  Assembly.  The  one  makes 
excellent  sense,  the  other  is  little  less  than  rubbish." 

[All  authorities,  French  and  English,  place  the  accent  on 
the  last  letter  of  Doyennii,  and,  we  think,  correctly.  The  first 
Pear  so  named  was  raised  in  the  garden  of  a  French  deanery, 
and  literally  means  "  the  Deanery  Pear."  Since  then  many 
Pears  resembling  it  in  some  one  or  more  qualities  have  received 
the  same  name,  with'some  affix  to  mark  that  they  are  differing. 
Thus  we  have  the  Doyenno  d'Alenf;.on,  or  Deanery  Pear  of 
Alencjon  ;  Doyenne  d'Automne,  or  Autumnal  Deanery  Pear ; 
and  full  twenty  others.  Doyenne  du  Comice  we  believe  is  the 
Deanery  Pear  of  the  Committee,  it  having  obtained  the  special 
approval  of  the  Committee  of  the  Horticultural  Society  of 
AJigers.] 

ENTOMOLOGICAL  SOCIETY'S   MEETING. 

In  conseqnence  of  a  recent  arran£;ement  the  meetings  of  this  Society 
are  now  held  twice  in  most  of  the  winter  months,  and  are  discontinued 
during  the  autumnal  ones,  instead  of  taking  place  onco  a-month 
throughont  the  year  as  heretofore.  The  second  meeting  was  accord- 
ingly held  on  the  IBth  of  November,  the  chair  beinj^  occupied  by  the 
President,  \V.  H.  Bates,  Esq.  Amongst  the  donations  received  since 
the  last  meeting  were  various  American  publications  on  Natural 
History,  which  clearly  proved  that  a  great  movement  in  the  study  of 
the  natural  sciences  is  taking  place  in  the  United  States.  The 
Lyceum  of  New  York,  the  Natural  History  Society  of  Boston,  the 
Entomological  Society  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  Essex  (U.S.)  Insti- 
tute, were  amongst  these  Societies. 

Mr.  Frederick  Bond  exhibited  specimens  of  one  of  the  Plant  Beetles, 
Ckrysomela  polvgoni  (Phsedon  polygoni,  Steph.),  of  which   immense 


numbers  had  oicturrod  in  various  parts  of  Cambridgesliiro  in  the 
middle  of  the  mouth  of  September,  crawling  about  the  footpaths  ia 
such  profusion  tliat  they  might  have  been  collected  by  basliels.  The 
lurvie  on  a  prcvions  occasion  had  been  found  to  be  vei-y  destructive 
to  Tarea.  He  also  exhibited  a  specimen  of  Poha  nigro-cincta,  one  of 
the  rarest  of  !tho  British  Noctuid:c,  from  the  Islo  of  Man  ;  Diauthajcia 
capsincola  variety,  from  Warrington ;  and  Tapinostola  Elymi,  from 
Norfolk. 

Mr.  McLachlau  exhibited  a  scries  of  specimens  illustrating  the 
entire  history  of  one  of  the  most  remarkable  British  insects,  I'^noicyla, 
pusilla,  a  species  belonging  to  the  order  Trichoptera,  containing  the 
Caddiee  Flies,  but  dififering  from  every  other  recorded  species  in  being 
terrestrial  in  the  larva  state,  feeding  upon  damp  Mosses  and  Lichens, 
and  forming  a  small,  moveable,  trumpet-like  case,  in  which  it  resides, 
and  from  which  the  perfect  insect  is  developed  in  tho  umnths  of 
October  and  November,  the  males  being  furnished  with  full-sized 
wings,  whilst  the  females  are  wingless,  thus  resembling  some  of  the 
small  case-making  species  of  Moths.  The  insect  had  been  discovered 
by  Mr.  Fletcher,  near  Worcester. 

A  specimen  of  Papilio  Machaon,  captured  near  Rupert  House, 
Hudson's  Bay,  was  exJiibited,  being  the  lirst  instance  of  that  species 
having  been  taken  in  North  America,  although  a  closely  allied  speciert 
(regarded,  indeed,  liy  some  writers  as  a  local  variety),  occurs  in  Cali- 
fornia not  unfrequently.  It  was  also  stated  that  Pontia  Kapa?,  one 
of  our  commonest  European  insects,  had  been  introduced  within  tha 
last  thirty  years  into  North  America,  where  it  had  become  greatly 
disseminated  in  Maine  and  Vermont. 

A  prospectus  of  a  new  general  specific  and  synonymical  Catalogue 
of  tho  Diurnal  Lepidoptera,  by  Mr.  Kirby,  was  distributed. 

The  Secretarj-  read  an  article  by  Dv.  Perkins,  on  the  luminous 
species  of  Elateridffi  found  in  the  Now  World,  where  they  are  knowu 
under  the  common  name  of  Cucujo. 

Professor  Westwood  exhibited  drawings  and  dissections  of  several 
new  and  auomalous  exotic  Hymenopterous  insects,  including  a  new 
genus  which  had  been  referred  to  the  families  of  the  Ants  and  S&nd 
Wasps,  but  which  the  author  considered  more  nearly  allied  to  the 
Vespidip.  Another  new  genus  was  also  described,  nearly  allied  to 
the  curious  genus  Trigonalys,  of  which,  also,  three  new  beautiful 
species  were  described.  He  also  stated  that  the  new  British  Noc- 
tuideons  Moth,  recently  captured  at  Folkestone  by  Mr.  Briggs  had 
proved  to  be  Leucania  albi-macula. 


PORTRAITS  OF  PLANTS,   FLOWERS,  AND 
FRUITS. 

Oncidicm  MACRANTHUii  (Large-flowered  Oncidium).  Nat.ord., 
OrchidaceiB.  Li7ni.,  Gynandria  Monaudria. — A  magnificent 
species.  Native  of  Peruvian  Andes,  at  an  elevation  of  from 
1000  to  14,000  feet.  Flowers  veUow  and  purple.— (i-'ot.  Mag., 
t.  5743.) 

Parrotia  persica  (Persian  Parrotia).  Nat.  nrd.,  Hammame- 
Iidacea>.  Linn.,  Pentandria  Digynia. — One  of  the  rarest  trees  in 
cultivation.  Nativeof  Northern  Persia.  Its  special  beauty  is  the 
foliage,  which  late  in  autumn  is  gorgeously  orange,  golden,  and 
scarlet,  and  hangs  long. — {Ibid.,  t.  5744.) 

Campanula  isophtlla  (Ligurian  Campanula).  Nat.  ord., 
Gampanulacert.  Linn.,  Pentandria  Monogynia.  —  A  very 
beautiful,  rare,  hardy  herbaceous  plant.  Native  of  Liguria, 
between  the  Gulf  of  Tuscany  and  the  Apennines.  Flowers  blue. 
—{Ibid.,  t.  5745.) 

Lychnis  Lagasc.^  (Lagasca's  Lychnis).  Nat.  ord,  Caryophyl- 
laoea;.  Linn.,  Pentandria  Monogynia. — One  of  the  most  rare 
and  most  beautiful  of  our  rock  plants.  Native  of  North-western 
Pyrenees.     Flowers  rose-coloured. — {Ibid.,  t.  5746.) 

Agalmtla  staminea  (Long-stameued  Agalmyla).^  Nat.  ord., 
Cyrtandraceni.  Linn.,  Diandria  Monogynia.— Native  of  Java. 
Introduced  by  Messrs.  Veitch  &  Sons.  Flowers  scarlet,  with 
yellow  throat,  and  purple  stamens. — (Ibid.,  t.  5747.) 

Madresfield  Court  Black  Grape. — "  This  Grape  is  worthy 
of  the  warmest  commendation  both  in  regard  to  its  appearance 
and  quality.  It  was  raised  by  Mr.  Cox,  gardener  to  thi'  Earl  o£ 
Beauchamp  at  Madresfield  Court,  Great  Malvern,  some  half- 
dozen  years  since,  and  was  selected  as  the  best  of  a  batch  o£ 
seedlings  obtained  from  the  Muscat  of  Alexandria  and  the  Black 
Alicante  intercrossed  in  both  directions.  It  proves  to  be  a 
Grape  of  excellent  quality,  setting  its  fruit  as  freely  as  the 
Black  Hamburgh,  than  which  it  takes  about  a  fortnight  longer 
to  ripen. 

"  The  Vine  is  of  a  robust  constitution,  producing  short-jointed 
wood,  with  prominent  pointed  eyes.  The  fruit-clusters  are 
large,  regularly  tapered,  and  handsomely  shouldered.  The 
berries  are  large,  of  a  longish  oval  shape,  like  those  of  the 
Muscat,  perfectly  black,  and  covered  like  those  of  the  Alicante, 
with  a  fine  thick  bloom.  They  are  attached  by  stout  warted 
footstalks.      Their  skin  is  tough;    and  their  flesh   is  firm 


442 


JJUBNAL  OF  HOBTICDLTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GAjiL^ENEil. 


f  December  10,  1868. 


inicy,  and  rich,  with  a  fine,  luscions,  muscat  flavonr.  The 
leaves  are  briskly,  deeply  lobed,  and  serrated,  with  reddish 
stalks  and  midribs. 

"  With  such  qualities  as  those  just  indicated,  it  is  not  surpris- 
ing that  the  Madreefield  Court  Grape  should  have  won  a  first- 
class  certificate  when  exhibited  before  the  Fruit  Committee  in 
August,  18()7,  and  that  it  should  have  been  designated  as  a 
splendid  new  Grape.  In  truth  it  comes  in  as  a  very  useful 
auxihary  to  the  few  thoroughly  good  Grapes  already  in  culti- 
vation, nearly  if  not  quite  cquaDing  the  Unseat  of  Alexandria 
in  quality,  and  indicating,  by  its  stout  firm  footstalks  and 
leathery  skin,  that  it  will  rank  amongst  those  especially  useful 
kinds  which  hang  well  after  they  have  reached  the  ripening 
—{Florist  and  Poviologist,  3rd  s.,  i.  2C5.) 


PEACH   CULTIVATION.— No.  C. 

PsTTNiNa  (Continued).— Figs.  5  to  8  (pages  302,  303),  are  re- 
presentations of  the  training  of  a  Peach  or  Nectarine  tree  fan 
fashion  and  for  the  long-pruning  system,  and  I  will  now  endea- 
Tour  to  point  out  the  mode  of  proceeding. 

Fig.  13  shows  part  of  a  branch  having  bearing  shoots  on  the 


Fig.  13. 

tinder  as  well  as  upper  side.  Beyond  these  there  are  no  other 
shoots — no  spurs,  no  stopped  shoots.  It  has  been  already 
shown  how  the  bearing  shoots  are  originated.  In  fig.  13  a  is  a 
mature  bearing  shoot,  which,  from  not  being  stopped,  will  be 
of  considerable  length,  and  will  have  fruit  and  wood  buds  ter- 
minated by  a  wood  bud  (see  fig.  9).  This,  in  autumn  or  at  the 
■winter  pruning,  is  to  be  shortened  to  within  8  or  9  inches  of 
its  base — that  is,  eight  joints  should  be  left  with  their  buds, 
and  at  the  joint  to  which  the  shoot  is  shortened  one  of  the  buds 
must  be  a  wood  bud ;  but  it  is  immaterial  whether  it  have  one 
or  two  blossom  buds  by  its  side  or  none,  though  it  is  desirable 
to  have  blossom  buds  as  well  as  the  wood  bud.  The  bars  across 
a  and  6,  fig.  13,  will  give  an  idea  of  the  pruning.  All  the 
wood  buds  upon  the  shoots  a  and  b,  or  the  parts  left  after 
pruning,  will  push  shoots  in  spring.  Those  having  fruit  set  at 
their  base  are  to  have  their  points  taken  out  when  they  have 
made  three  leaves,  and  afterwards  they  should  be  kept  closely 
pinched  back  to  one  joint.  Those  shoots  having  no  fruit  at 
their  bases  are  to  be  rubbed  oft  closely,  but  from  the  base  of 
the  bearing  shoot  a  shoot  must  be  encouraged  and  trained-in 
at  its  full  length,  as  shown  by  the  dotted  lines  from  the  bases 
of  the  bearing  shoots  a  and  b.  The  shoots  a  and  b,  having 
borne  fruit,  are  not  eligible  for  future  bearing,  and  must  in 
antumn  or  winter  be  cut  off  close  to  the  origin  of  the  aucces- 
sional  shoots  a  and  6.  This  will  be  more  easily  comprehended 
on  reference  to  c,  fig.  13,  which  represents  a  bearing  shoot, 
which  in  the  autumn  after  bearing  is  to  be  cut  off  at  the  bar 
across  it  close  to  the  origin  of  the  successional  shoot  d,  which 
is  to  be  cut  back  as  already  described  for  a  and  b.  The  follow- 
ing year's  pruning  is  only  a  repetition  of  that  of  the  preceding 
year,  with  respect  to  the  stopping  of  the  shoots  on  the  bearing 
wood,  and  the  originating  of  a  shoot  from  the  base  for  the  next 
year's  bearing.  All  bearing  shoots  must  have  a  successional 
shoot  from  their  base,  and  it  cannot  be  kept  too  near  the 
htaes  of  the  bearing  shoot.  Whenever  there  is  an  opportunity 
of  securing  a  successional  shoot  from  the  branch  it  should  be 
done,  and  trained-in  to  supjjlant  the  present  bearing  shoot; 
and  the  last,  with  its  stub,  should  be  cut  away  close  to  the 
branch,  and  the  shoot  from  the  old  branch  will  replace  it.  In 
like  manner,  if  a  shoot  push  from  the  short  stub  below  the 
bearing  shoot,  it  should  be  encouraged  and  treated  as  the  next 
bearing  shoot ;  and  the  part  above,  at  the  winter  pruning,  should 
be  cut  back  to  the  shoot  intended  for  next  year's  bearing. 
Now,  one  of  the  objections  to  this  mode  of  pruning  is  the 


shoots  being  allowed  to  grow  at  will.  Some  are  very  strong, 
others  are  weak ;  and  even  should  they  be  of  one  uniform 
degree  of  vigour,  from  their  great  length,  the  buds  on  their  upper 
part  are  in  general  the  best,  and  these  are  the  buds  cut  ofi  at 
the  winter  pruning.  Another  objection  is  that  the  buds  at  the 
base  are  not  so  well  developed,  nor  the  shoot  so  strong,  as  in  the 
case  of  a  shoot  stopped  ;  for  the  buds,  when  a  shoot  is  stopped, 
are  better  fed,  and  a  greater  majority  of  fruit  buds  is  formed  ; 
and  they  are  better  in  another  way,  for  the  wood  becomes  more 
fully  ripened.  By  stopping  we  secure  the  full  development  of 
the  part  below  the  stopping,  and  concentrate,  as  it  were,  the 
vital  forces  of  a  long  shoot  in  half  the  length,  and  that  half  the 
part  needed ;  whereas  by  not  stopping  they  are  spread  over 
twice  the  length,  and  we  have  a  weak  long  shoot,  buds  badly 
developed,  and  wood  imperfectly  matured.  I  would  advise  that 
all  successional  shoots  should  be  stopped  if  they  exceed  a 
greater  length  than  10  inches,  stopping  them  between  that  and 
1  foot  in  length,  and  treating  them  as  described  for  the  bearing 
wood,  fig.  12  (page  104). 

Occasionally  the  bearing  shoots  do  not  exceed  S  or  9  inches 
in  length.  In  that  case  they  may  be  shortened  at  the  winter 
pruning  to  about  G  inches,  there  being  some  bloom  buds  below ; 
but  if  there  is  not  a  wood  bud  conveniently  situated  to  which 
to  cut  back  without  destroying  too  many  of  the  fruit  buds,  the 
shoots  must  be  left  entire,  preserving  the  wood  bud  at  its  ex- 
tremity. Fig.  10  may  be  taken  to  represent  a  shoot  of  this  kind. 

A  bearing  shoot  not  having  fruit  setting  upon  it,  should  not  be 
left  over  summer  in  its  unfruitful  state,  but  at  the  summer 
pruning  be  cut  ofi  close  to  the  successional  shoot.  This  will 
insure  increased  vigour  of  the  successional  shoot. 

Prom  stopping,  the  successional  shoots  sometimes  push 
laterals  lower  down  than  is  desired,  or  on  the  part  which  would 
not  be  cut  off  at  the  winter  pruning.  That  is  no  great  evil,  if 
only  their  points  be  taken  out  at  the  first  leaf,  and  they  be 
stopped  repeatedly,  as  they  push,  to  one  joint.  Very  often  at 
the  base  of  such  laterals  fruit  buds  will  form ;  if  so,  at  the 
winter  pruning  the  laterals,  if  on  the  part  to  be  left  for  bearing, 
may  be  cut  back  to  such  buds,  but  in  no  case  leave  more  than 
one  joint.  If  there  are  no  buds,  cut  off  close  to  the  shoot  at  the 
winter  pruning. 

The  training  and  pruning  of  the  Peach  after  the  tree  is 
formed,  depend  on  a  few  simple  operations.  1,  The  bearing 
or  intended  bearing  shoot  is  shortened  at  the  winter  pruning. 
2,  A  shoot  from  the  base  of  the  bearing  shoot  is  trained-in  in 
summer,  stopping  it  to  secure  the  full  development  of  the 
lower  part,  and  its  effectual  ripening,  a  point  of  no  mean  im- 
portance in  a  cold  climate.  3,  The  cutting  away  at  the  winter 
pruning  of  the  shoots  that  have  borne  fruit,  except  the  leading 
shoots  of  the  branches,  which,  in  order  to  remain  vigorons, 
should  not  be  allowed  to  bear  fruit. 

DiSEUDDiNQ  AND  SiorpiNG. — By  disbudding  is  meant  the 
removal  of  the  shoots  whilst  in  a  young  state.  According  to 
the  directions  above  given,  it  will  have  been  seen  that  no  dis- 
budding is  practised  for  the  trees  trained  after  the  first  of  the 
modes  described — that  is,  as  represented  in  figs.  1  to  4  (pages 
26G  and  267)  for  we  make  use  of  all  shoots  from  the  branches, 
having  spurs  natural  and  artificial,  and  bearing-wood  with  its 
successional  shoot.  This,  some  will  say,  will  give  the  tree  an 
excessively  crowded  appearance;  but  it  should  not  be  forgotten 
that  we  have  no  bearing  and  snoceasional  shoots  from  the 
lower  sides  of  the  branches,  but  spurs  in  their  place,  and  on 
the  front  and  upper  side  also,  when  they  can  be  obtained  with- 
out crowding  so  as  to  shade  and  interfere  with  the  bearing 
and  successional  shoots.  If  they  are  calculated  to  crowd  and 
overlay  the  bearing  wood,  then  those  on  the  front  and  upper 
sides  must  be  thinned ;  for  it  is  necessary  that  they  should 
have  scope  for  their  full  development  and  maturation ;  but 
those  on  the  under  side  cannot  do  any  harm  to  the  bearing 
and  successional  shoots,  if  the  spurs  be  kept  closely  stopped, 
and  shortened  at  the  winter  pruning ;  in  any  case,  when  too 
close  together  they  can  be  thinned. 

Disbudding  should  be  governed  by  the  weather,  and  con- 
sequent greater  or  less  activity  of  growth.  If  the  weather  is 
cold  vegetation  is  slow,  and  it  is  not  desirable  to  disbud  at 
that  time,  but  when  the  weather  is  warm  it  should  be  more 
closely  followed  up.  Sometimes  vegetation  is  early,  and  pro- 
ceedswith  great  activity;  but  if  a  cold  period  follow,  the  par- 
tially-developed leaves  become  almost  stationary,  and  in  that 
state  disbudding  ought  not  to  be  practised  ;  for  every  leaf  or 
bud  in  process  of  development  promotes  the  circulation  of  the 
sap  in  its  immediate  neighbourhood,  and  to  remove  such,  or 
pinch  back  the  shoot,  must  to  some  extent  cause  the  circulation 


December  10,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF   HOBTIOUIiXUKB  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENER. 


443 


to  cease,  or  find  other  channels.  By  disbudding  and  pinching 
when  the  weather  is  cold,  the  flnids  of  the  tree  become  stag- 
nant ;  but  if  we  disbud  or  stop  when  the  weather  is  mild,  and 
growth  active,  the  sap  will  find  other  channels,  the  circulation 
not  being  impeded  or  deranged.  It  wo  remove  all  but  one 
shoot  from  a  bearing  shoot,  or  disbud  aud  stop  at  the  same 
time,  it  is  certain  that  that  one  bnd  or  the  parts  loft,  all  being 
stopped,  will  not  be  able  to  receive  and  duly  appropriate  the 
sap  ;  but  if  the  weather  is  dull  and  vegetation  advanced,  we 
may  remove  all  but  the  one  shoot  from  the  base  of  each  bear- 
ing shoot  without  exciting  that  left  to  any  undue  development. 
Disbudding,  therefore,  should  be  performed  by  degrees.  The 
forerights  on  the  branches  should  be  first  removed  or  stopped. 
In  a  few  days  we  may  follow  with  shoots  on  the  sides,  and  such 
as  were  not  sufficiently  advanced  at  the  former  disbudding, 
following  in  a  few  days  with  those  on  the  bearing  shoots,  al- 
ways preserving  the  lowest  shoot  on  each  for  succession. 
Those  with  fruit  at  their  bases,  and  the  terminal,  should  be 
left  to  make  three  leaves,  and  then  be  pinched,  and  afterwards 
be  closely  pinched  back  to  one  leaf.  It  is  a  great  evil  to  allow 
the  shoots  to  become  long  and  fuU-foliaged  before  disbudding, 
for  it  causes  a  stagnation  of  the  sap,  and  unduly  excites  the 
growth  of  those  left ;  in  a  like  manner  the  stopping  of  the 
shoots  should  be  performed  as  soon  as  we  have  leaves  nearly 
fall-sized  on  the  length  of  shoot  we  require.  No  more  shoots 
or  foliage  should  be  left  than  will  be  fully  exposed  to  light.  In 
removing  the  shoots  care  should  be  taken  not  to  tear  off  with 
them  any  portion  of  the  bark  of  the  shoot  from  which  they  are 
taken,  but  rub  them  off,  or  cut  them  off  with  a  sharp  knife. 

FaniT-TniNNiNG. — If  the  trees  are  healthy  more  fruit  will  set 
than  can  arrive  at  perfection,  few  it  any  dropping  unless 
injured  by  frost.  The  thinning  of  the  fruit  will  be  dependant  on 
the  vigour  of  the  tree  and  size  of  the  fruit ;  on  a  weak  tree  the 
fruit  should  be  left  considerably  thinner  than  those  on  trees 
that  are  vigorous,  whilst  the  thinning  on  the  individual  tree 
must  not  be  the  same  throughout.  Some  parts  of  the  tree  will 
be  weak  in  comparison  to  others ;  on  the  weak  parts  the  fruit 
must  be  left  thin  ;  on  the  vigorous  portions  the  fruit  must  be 
left  more  thickly.  The  small-fruited  sorts  should  have  the 
fruit  left  more  thickly  than  the  large-fruited.  A  vigorous  tree 
of  the  large-fruited  kinds,  as  the  Grosse  Mignonne,  Barrington, 
&a.,  may  be  allowed  one  fruit  for  every  foot  of  surface  covered 
bythe  tree,  but  it  is  not  necessary  that  the  fruit  should  be  dis- 
tributed evenly  over  the  tree,  for  some  parts  are  weak,  and 
there  the  fruit  must  be  left  thin,  vigorous  parts  having  more 
left  than  would  be  the  case  were  the  weak  and  vigorous  parts 
allowed  to  bear  equally.  It  wUl  be  sufficient  if  no  more  fruit 
be  left  than  the  tree  can  properly  mature,  and  every  healthy 
tree  wUl  bring  to  perfection  a  fruit  to  every  foot  of  wall  covered. 
Such  varieties  as  the  Ei3yal  George  will  perfect  three  fruit  to 
every  2  feet  of  wall  covered,  and  Nectarines  will  bear  to  have 
the  fruit  left  more  thickly  than  Peaches  of  the  large-fruited 
sorts.  Large  kinds  of  Nectarines  may  be  thinned  to  three  for 
every  2  feet  of  wall  covered,  whilst  for  the  small  kinds  two 
fruit  per  foot  may  be  left. 

In  calculating  the  extent  of  wall  covered,  it  should  be  cal- 
culated from  the  extent  of  the  branches  at  the  bottom  of  the 
wall  and  the  height,  without  taking  into  account  the  current 
year's  growth ;  and  the  dimensions  taken  in  feet,  multiplied 
together,  will  give  the  number  of  square  feet,  and  it  is  then 
easy  to  thin  so  as  to  leave  the  proper  number  of  fruit  on 
each  tree. 

It  is  a  common  error  to  allow  too  many' fruit  to  remain, 
indeed,  some  trees  are  permitted  to  bear  as  many  as  they  will, 
the  result  being  the  weakening  of  the  trees  ;  for,  though  the 
number  may  be  great,  the  fruit,  it  weighed,  will  not  afford  such 
a  weight  of  flesh  as  if  it  had  been  properly  thinned.  The  weak- 
ening of  the  tree  is  dependant  more  on  the  number  of  the  fruit 
than  on  their  size,  for  it  is  the  production  of  stones  or  seed 
that  diminishes  the  vigour  of  the  tree,  aud  to  take  twice  the 
number  of  fruits  that  ought  to  be  left,  is  to  reduce  its  vigour 
correspondingly ;  besides,  the  fruits  are  small,  thin  in  flesh, 
and  badly  flavoured,  indeed,  only  fit  for  those  unaccustomed  to 
eat  the  Peach  or  Nectarine  when  full-sized  and  perfectly  ripened. 

The  first  thinning  should  take  place  when  the  young  fruit  is 
about  the  size  of  a  hazel  nut,  but  rather  under  than  over  that 
size.  It  will  be  seen  by  that  time  which,  if  any,  fruits  have 
been  injured  by  spring  frosts.  There  will  be  different  sizes. 
The  smallest  will,  of  course,  be  removed,  for  these  in  most 
cases  would  not  form  stones,  and  in  that  event  they  must  fall, 
from  the  kernel  being  injured  by  frost  or  some  other  cause.  If 
the  fruits  are  almost  of  one  size  they  may  be  nearly  thinned  at 


once,  though  it  is  well  to  leave  a  greater  number  at  the  first 
thinning  than  are  required,  until  such  time  as  tho  fruit  is 
stoned,  and  then  reduce  them  to  the  proper  number.  In  taking 
off  the  green  fruits  care  should  be  exercised  so  as  not  to  re- 
move or  damage  tho  bark  of  the  shoots.  The  fruit  should 
be  gently  twisted  round  and  pressed  upwards,  for  if  pulled 
backwards  or  downwards  in  the  direction  of  the  base  of  the 
shoot  it  is  likely  the  fruit  will  bring  away  with  it  a  portion  of 
the  bark.  To  prevent  the  tearing  of  the  bark,  the  fruit  may 
be  clipped  off,  the  only  purpose  for  which  the  scissors  should 
be  employed  about  a  Peach  tree. — G.  Abbey. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

Wheel  dung  on  vacant  ground,  renew  old  decayed  borders, 
and  procure  good  fresh  loam  to  form  new  ones.  Clean  old 
shreds  not  too  much  wasted  for  use,  by  boiling  them,  and  cut 
plenty  of  fresh  ones.  Deprive  nails  that  have  been  used,  of  the 
adhering  mortar,  &c.,  by  heating  them  red  hot  in  an  iron  vessel, 
and  to  prevent  their  rusting  immerse  them  in  oil  before  they 
cool.  All  the  more  tender  vegetables,  such  as  Cauliflowers, 
Lettuce,  &c.,  previously  secured,  will  be  found  of  great  service 
during  the  winter.  Rooms  or  sheds  with  thick  walls,  and 
lathed  and  plastered,  so  as  to  be  cold  in  summer  and  warm  in 
winter,  or  cellars  or  underground  rooms,  will  be  of  great  ad- 
vantage, as  then  a  supply  may  be  maintained  with  compara- 
tively little  trouble  during  cither  severe  weather  in  winter,  or 
for  a  month  or  two  of  dry  scorching  weather  in  summer.  The 
north  side  of  a  wall,  with  material  to  keep  out  the  wet,  and 
leaves  or  straw  to  exclude  frost,  may  also  be  used  with  ad- 
vantage. Secure  Potatoes  from  frost;  examine  Onions,  re- 
moving every  one  that  has  the  smallest  speck.  Keep  a  supply 
of  Turnips,  Celery,  Jerusalem  Artichokes,  Horseradish,  &B.,  in 
case  of  a  severe  frost.  Keep  up  a  supply  of  Herbs,  such  as 
Tarragon  and  Mint,  by  placing  roots  either  in  pots  or  in 
Asparagus  frames  at  work.  The  same  method  may  be  adopted 
with  Parsley  and  Chervil,  if  you  are  likely  to  be  short.  Fill 
pots  or  boxes  with  lllmharb.  Sea-kale,  and  Chicory,  to  be 
placed  in  the  Mushroom  house,  or  in  any  corner  where  heat 
and  darkness  can  be  secured. 

FRUIT    GARDEN. 

When  planting  fruit  trees,  if  only  an  improvement  in  the 
soil  is  thought  necessary,  loam  and  leaf  mould  are  the  best  ma- 
terials for  the  purpose,  and  as  a  makeshift  for  drainage,  raise 
as  much  as  possible  the  spots  where  the  trees  are  to  be  planted. 
In  transplanting,  the  trees  should  be  taken  up  with  great  care, 
and  broken,  bruised,  or  straggling  roots  pruned  with  a  clean 
cut.  When  planting,  spread  the  roots  out  equally  in  a  hole 
of  moderate  depth,  and  of  more  than  sufficient  width  for  the 
extent  of  the  roots  ;  the  fresh  soil  to  be  shaken  carefully  over 
them,  and  gently  pressed  down,  not  stamped  with  the  feet, 
all  round ;  then  water  and  mulch,  and  train  to  the  wall  or 
espalier,  or  firmly  stake  if  the  tree  is  a  standard.  Fig  trees 
should  be  protected  from  frost  by  unnailing  the  branches,  and 
tying  them  in  bundles,  each  bundle  to  be  thickly  covered  with 
hay  ropes,  and  tied  up  to  large  nails  firmly  fixed  in  the  wall ; 
or,  extend  the  branches  on  the  ground  at  the  foot  of  the  wall, 
and  cover  them  with  litter.  If  old  Gooseberry  and  Currant, 
or  standard  Apple  and  Pear  trees  are  infested  with  moss,  a 
good  dredging  of  powdered  quicklime  put  on  when  the  bark 
is  moist  will  entirely  destroy  it,  and  render  the  stems  and 
bark  clean  and  healthy.  If  the  root-pruning  of  fruit  trees  is 
considered  necessary  to  check  over-luxuriance,  it  should  be  at- 
tended to  without  further  delay.  Anoint  all  trees  and  bushes 
that  are  pruned,  with  a  mixture  of  equal  parts  of  cowdung, 
clay,  soot,  and  lime,  brought  to  the  consistence  of  paint  vrith 
strong  soapsuds,  urine,  or  the  rich  drainings  of  the  dunghill. 

FLOWER   GARDEN. 

This  has  been  a  very  favourable  season  for  the  blooming  of 
out-door  Chrysanthemums,  and  I  do  not  recollect  to  have  ever 
before  seen  them  in  such  fine  condition,  or  to  so  much  ad- 
vantage. For  the  autumn  decoration  of  the  flower  garden, 
especially  in  country  places,  they  are  certainly  deserving  of 
more  attention  than  has  hitherto  been  bestowed  on  them.  If 
there  is  any  tree,  shrub,  or  plant,  that  the  experience  of  past 
seasons  has  proved  to  be  susceptible  of  injury  from  frosts,  or 
the  inclemency  of  the  winter  weather,  it  should  be  protected  in 
good  time.  Laurustinus,  Variegated  Hollies,  or  similar  shrubs, 
which  have  not  grown  kindly,  ought  to  be  supplied  with  a  top- 
dressing  of  rotten  dung  or  leaf  mould,  to  be  placed  over  the 


Ui 


JOURNAL   OF  HORTICULTUEE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  December  10,  J 


roots,  and  lightly  forked  into  the  ground.  If  a  similar  want  of 
Insnriance  is  perceptible  in  Rhododendrons,  and  other  ever- 
green American  shrubs,  they  may  be  taken  up  and  replanted 
with  advantage,  enriching  the  ground  at  the  same  time  with  a 
liberal  supply  of  peat  soil,  or  well-decomposed  leaf  mould. 
Hoeing  and  raking  the  borders  amongst  shrubs  will  be  suifi- 
cient  to  give  a  neat  and  clean  appearance,  without  employing 
the  spade,  which  is  very  objectionable,  when  by  its  use  the 
fibrous  roots  of  shrubs  are  cut. 

gree>;house  and  cokservatoet. 
The  best  temperature  for  the  conservatory  in  cold  weather 
is  about  45°,  although  the  generality  of  half-hardy  plants  will 
feutlive  the  winter  if  the  frost  is  kept  from  them,  but  the  tem- 
perature of  45°  is  high  enough  for  a  conservatory  not  attached 
to  sitting-rooms,  and  only  used  for  the  purpose  of  wintering 
large  specimens,  and  not  containing  plants  in  bloom.  A  few 
good  stove  plants,  and  a  forcing  pit,  are  essential  towards  keep- 
ing up  a  good  appearance  in  the  conservatory  in  winter.  See 
that  the  fireplaces,  flues,  and  pipes  act  properly,  as  we  often 
iear  of  accidents  arising  from  such  sources.  Where  the  heat- 
ing apparatus  is  barely  sufficient  to  keep  up  the  required  tem- 
perature, accidents  are  more  likely  to  follow.  Sometimes 
.plants  are  injured  at  this  time  by  being  placed  over  the  parts 
of  the  pavement  beneath  which  the  pipes  pass  ;  in  such  cases 
•an  empty  pot  under  that  in  which  the  plant  is  growing,  would 
lessen  the  risk  of  the  roots  being  dried  too  much.  Another 
source  of  great  injury  to  the  plants  in  the  borders,  is  their  roots 
coming  in  contact  with  the  walls  which  divide  the  beds  from 
ihe  hot-water  pipes,  when  these  are  so  arranged.  Keeping  such 
parts  well  moistened  partly  prevents  injury,  but  in  cases  of  this 
sort  the  beds  or  borders  ought  to  be  protected  by  a  few  inches 
of  some  non-conducting  material,  as  by  sawdust  or  pounded 
charcoal  cased  with  a  brick-on-edge  wall  between  it  and  the 
soil.  This  arrangement  ought  never  to  be  omitted  where  the 
$ipes  run  under  the  paths,  &c.  The  best  way  of  forming  a 
stock  of  pot  climbers  for  exhibition  in  the  shortest  time,  is  to 
plant  young  plants  of  them  in  the  borders  ;  for  a  year  or  two 
encourage  them  to  grow  as  much  as  possible,  and  then  take 
them  np  for  potting. 

BTOVE. 

It  is  now  fully  acknowledged  on  all  hands,  that  a  high  tem- 
perature in  winter  is  injurious  to  stove  plant?,  and  it  is  no  less 
injurious  to  have  the  atmosphere  too  moist,  with  a  low  tem- 
perature at  night ;  hence  the  practice  of  watering  early  in  the 
day.  It  there  is  any  stove  climber  or  shrub  planted  out  in 
a  bed  or  border,  which  it  is  desirable  to  move  to  another 
situation  to  flower  next  year,  this  is  the  best  time  to  begin  to 
prepare  such  plants  for  the  change.  Dig  round  one  side,  and 
.take  up  half  of  the  roots,  place  them  near  the  surface,  and  fill 
in  about  them  with  sand,  peat,  and  leaf  mould,  give  a  gentle 
watering,  and  in  sis  weeks  the  new  roots  will  be  formed,  to  feed 
the  plant ;  then  the  other  half  of  the  roots  may  be  taken  up 
and  treated  in  the  same  way,  and  on  any  rainy  day  in  March 
or  April,  the  plant  may  be  potted  or  transplanted  without  in- 
jury. Climbers  50  feet  long  and  branched  in  all  directions, 
bave  been  removed  in  this  way  without  their  growth  being 
diminished  in  the  following  season,  and  the  experiment  will 
succeed  with  Passion-flowers,  Beaumontias,  Allamandas, 
Echites,  &c. — W.  Ke.vne. 


DOINGS  OF  THE  LAST  ^\'EEK. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

Digging,  Trenching,  and  Ridging  Ground. — Where  there  is 
vacant  ground,  and  of  that  we  have  as  yet  little,  there  could  be 
no  better  weather  for  turning  it  over  by  adopting  one  or  other 
of  the  above  modes,  of  which  something  Uke  the  rationale  was 
given  the  other  week.  It  is  always  important  to  dig-down  soil 
after  it  has  been  frozen  when  fully  thawed,  and  it  is  equally 
important  to  turn  it  again,  for  at  least  part  of  its  depth,  when 
so  slightly  frosted  as  to  admit  of  that  being  done,  and  when  a 
keener  frost  is  expected.  The  more  aU  rather  stiff  ground  is 
turned  so  that  the  frosty  air  has  direct  access  to  the  soil,  the 
sweeter  will  this  become,  and  the  better  pulverised  will  it  be. 
We  cannot  depend  on  the  season,  or,  as  a  matter  of  choice, 
we  would  prefer  that  vacant  ground  at  all  stiff,  and  where 
slugs,  &c.,  had  been  troublesome,  should  be  well  frosted  before 
ieing  broken-up,  then  turned  up  as  soon  as  the  spade  would 
go  in,  and  exposed  in  the  rough  to  future  frosts  by  frequent 
turnings  in  a  rough  way.  We  have  thus  got  rid  of  the  slugs 
and  snails  for  a  season  or  two  ;  but,  when  trenching  or  ridging 


before  the  surface  was  frozen  for  several  inches  in  depth,  we 
have  found  the  slimy  tribe  as  numerous  and  destructive  after 
a  severe  winter  as  after  a  mild  one. 

It  is  well  now  to  fix  on  all  the  ground  intended  for  long, 
tuberous-root  crops,  as  Carrots,  Parsnips,  &c.  The  great  point 
in  their  case  is  to  have  what  manure  is  given  placed  in  the 
bottom  of  the  trench,  and  after  the  first  trenching  and  ridging, 
whatever  turnings  the  ground  may  have,  the  spade  should  not 
go  so  deep  as  to  bring  up  or  incorporate  the  manure  with  the 
bulk  of  the  soil.  That  from  the  bottom  of  the  trench  will 
make  excellent  material  for  mere  surface-rooting  vegetables  in 
the  following  season. 

There  is  a  great  inequality  in  the  country  as  to  the  power 
of  the  gardener  to  do  his  soil  and  his  crops  justice.  We  go 
into  one  place  where  the  empty  quarters — the  fallowing  system 
— can  be  carried  out  to  such  an  extent  that  the  gardener  has 
actually  to  think  what  he  can  till  the  garden  with,  so  as  at  one 
time  of  the  year  to  show  it  all  well  cropped ;  and  we  go  iato 
another  garden,  where  except  the  places  from  which  Carrots 
and  Parsnips  were  taken  late,  there  is  scarcely  an  empty  piece 
of  ground  to  be  seen,  even  in  winter,  to  say  nothing  of  the  fre- 
quent crops  in  summer. 

Such  constant  work  can  only  be  done  by  carefully  stirring 
the  ground,  and  the  addition  of  some  decomposing  organised 
material  for  sustaining  continued  fertility.  A  garden  much 
too  large  is  a  continued  annoyance,  but  one  too  small  is  often 
a  continued  loss.  The  best  compromise  in  the  latter  case  is 
to  grow  a  portion  of  the  commoner  vegetables,  as  Potatoes, 
Carrots,  Turnips,  &c.,  in  a  field,  and  that  a  fresh  piece  every 
few  years,  so  as  to  afford  all  the  benefit  of  fresh  soil  and 
rotation  of  cropping.  It  is  one  of  those  strange  things  for 
which  there  is  no  accounting,  that  gentlemen  who  arc  satisfied 
with  but  moderate  returns  from  their  fields  after  dunging  them 
well,  tilling  them  well,  and  fallowing,  as  well  as  putting  them 
under  the  restorative  process  of  green  crops,  cannot  see  that  a 
kitchen  garden  will  be  worn  out  after  such  continuous  cropping, 
and  that  even  dung  will  come  to  be  a  bane  rather  than  a 
blessing,  if  not  brought  into  a  more  soluble  and  sweet  con- 
dition by  liming  or  exposure.  In  old,  dark-coloured  garden 
soil  we  have  known  from  sixty  to  seventy  bushels  of  lime  per 
acre  produce  as  wonderful  an  effect  as  it  frequently  does  on 
fresh- reclaimed  peaty  soil.  The  time  will  come,  when  if  we 
have  fine  walled  gardens,  and  we  ourselves  never  wish  to  see 
them  gone,  the  new  ones  will  enclose  much  less  space  than  we 
now  find  in  large  establishments,  and  then  the  bulk  of  vege- 
tables will  be  grown  in  fields,  and  be  sweeter  and  finer  than 
they  can  be  obtained  from  old  gardens,  change  and  rotate  the 
crops  as  you  may.  In  the  quality  of  vegetables,  do  what  we  can, 
we  can  never  beat  the  market  gardeners,  and  what  contributes 
mostly  to  the  quality  is  the  more  open  and  free  exposure,  for 
most  of  them  give  the  ground  little  rest,  though  they  are  adepts 
in  manuring  and  changing  their  crops.  Many  small  gardens 
that  would  grow  fruit  well,  and  the  earlier  and  later  vegetables, 
are  spoiled  because  too  much  is  attempted  in  them,  and  ex- 
pected from  them.  It  is  perfectly  wonderful  what  is  thus 
collected  from  perhaps  less  than  an  acre  of  garden  ground, 
and  yet  the  owner  of  that  garden  will  be  satisfied  if  he  receive 
from  25s.  to  30s.  an  acre  for  the  contiguous  land. 

The  chief  point  to  be  attended  to  in  the  rotatimi  of  cropaia 
to  have  deep-rooting  and  shallow-rooting  crops  following  each 
other,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of  fibrous-rooting  and  tuberous- 
rooting  crops.  The  tuberous  roots  do  best  in  rather  poor  soil. 
Celery  is  a  good  preparation  for  most  crops,  except  the  tuber- 
ous-rooted, as  the  dung  when  spread  out  from  the  trenches 
makes  the  bulk  of  the  soil  too  rich,  and  encourages  surface- 
rooting,  and  the  dividing  or  branching  of  the  tuber.  Celery 
ground,  after  being  trenched,  and  the  well-sweetened  dung  left 
divided  over  the  ground,  does  admirably  for  Peas,  Beans, 
Cauliflowers,  Cabbage,  &c.,  and  first-rate  for  Onions,  with, 
perhaps,  a  little  more  sweet  manure  added.  Cabbage  is  a  good 
follower  of  the  Onion  quarter  or  bed,  but  nothing  could  be 
worse  than  to  have  Onions  following  Cabbage.  In  fact,  every 
time  we  tried  it,  even  after  manuring,  we  had  reason  to  regret 
it.  In  our  case,  however,  the  Cabbages  had  a  long  lease  of  the 
ground,  planted  say  in  September,  and  producing  heavily  all 
the  following  summer,  and  if  the  second  winter  was  at  all 
favourable,  up  to  the  second  March  from  planting.  We  ad- 
mire the  Coleworts  that  come  in  for  use  from  October,  but  we 
have  had  a  fine  bed  of  Coleworts  destroyed  in  midwinter,  when 
the  old  stalks  of  the  old  Cabbages  carried  us  through  with 
abundance  of  nice  sweet  sprout.s  ;  so  that  in  general  our  main 
plantation.of  Cabbages  stands  through  two  winters. 


December  10,  1868.  , 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOETICULTDKB   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENEB. 


445 


Sra-kale  and  Ixlniiarh.—Vat  in  some  more  Sea-kale  into  the 
Musbroom  house,  having  gathered  a  lot  very  good  for  the  soa- 
Bon,  as  no  treatmeut  from  takennp  plants  now  will  produce 
the  strong  heads  we  obtain  in  March.  Many  complaints  as  to 
early  Sea-kale  would  he  avoided  if  the  heads  were  cut  short 
enough,  say  from  4  to  '>  inches.  When  they  become  longer 
than  that  they  are  spongy  and  watery — in  fact,  little  more  than 
tough  skin  and  liquid.  Who  will  tell  us  how  best  to  obtain 
good  Ehubarb  in  the  end  of  November  or  the  beginning  of 
December?  We  have  never  pleased  ourselves,  and  suspect 
that  to  have  it  early  we  must  grow  it  in  a  place  more  exposed 
to  the  sun,  so  that  the  buds  will  be  sooner  ripened.  We  think 
of  having  a  short  row  specially  for  taking  up  early,  as  the 
bulk  of  our  crop  is  in  a  shady  place  where  it  does  well  for 
general  purposes.  Wo  suspect  that  the  position  renders  the 
ripening  of  the  buds  and  roots  later  than  it  otherwise  would  be. 
At  any  rate,  for  two  or  three  seasons  our  first  Rhubarb  from 
plants  taken  up  has  not  pleased  us ;  in  fact,  the  second  lot 
often  comes  in  good  as  soon  as,  and  even  before  the  first.  Most 
likely  we  have  hinted  at  the  reason — at  least  it  seems  to  us  we 
can  hardly  expect  better  success  until  we  change  our  treatment, 
hut  the  subject  is  worth  the  attention  of  many  of  our  corre- 
spondents. Even  now  we  have  no  diflieulty,  except  with  the 
first  lot,  and  we  see  no  reason,  if  the  Khubarb  plants  are  early 
ripened  so  as  to  have  a  rest,  why  they  should  not  yield  as  good 
gatherings  in  November  as  Sea-kale  or  Asparagus.  As  to  the 
latter,  we  will  not  do  much,  as  we  rather  overdid  our  stock  last 
year,  and  the  dry  summer  and  no  water  at  our  command  pre- 
vented our  young  crops  progressing  as  usual. 

Munliroomx. — Our  beds  in  the  shed  are  still  producing,  and 
we  have  spawned  the  fourth  piece  in  the  Mushroom  house,  the 
fourth  piece  bearing  well,  and  the  second  beginning  to  show. 
We  have  only  two  shelves  in  the  house,  one  on  each  side  of  a 
pathway,  and  these  we  divide  into  four  or  more  pieces.  The 
house  being  a  lean-to,  facing  the  north,  we  would  have  more 
shelves,  but  for  the  lifting-up  the  material  in  baskets,  &c.  We 
have  on  the  floor  a  space  equal  in  width  to  these  shelves  ;  there 
we  also  make  some  beds,  but  we  are  generally  more  troubled 
with  woodlice,  slugs,  &e.,  on  these  low  beds  than  on  the 
shallow  shelves. 

What  we  introduce  the  Mushroom  house  now  chiefly  for,  is 
to  state  that  the  top  ventilation  for  this  house  is  merely  an 
air-brick  at  the  apex  at  each  end,  and  in  such  close  weather  as 
this,  such  a  small  amount  of  ventilation  is  not  sufficient,  espe- 
cially when  every  now  and  then  you  have  to  take  in  fresh  ma- 
terial for  fresh  beds.  Even  though  we  put  a  little  dry  hay  on 
the  bearing  bed,  to  bring  it  on  more  quickly  for  a  definite  pur- 
pose, the  hay  soon  became  damp,  from  condensed  moisture,  as 
none  will  rest  on  the  roof.  But  for  the  sake  of  appearance,  this 
does  little  harm,  but  those  who  eat  the  Mushrooms  might  not 
like  to  see  them  coming  out  from  amongst  such  a  damp  cover- 
ing. Sometimes  after  making  a  fresh  bed  we  have  placed  a 
mat  or  a  cloth  over  a  bearing  bed  to  keep  out  this  condensed 
moisture.  Were  we  building  a  house  on  purpose  again,  we 
would  have  a  cowled  air-shaft  in  every  25  or  30-feet  length  of 
roof,  fixing  it  near  the  apex  or  ridge  board.  We  can  give  air 
in  the  front  wall,  but  in  such  weather  as  this,  without  using 
fire  heat,  this  would  do  little  to  mitigate  the  evil,  and  though 
it  may  be  a  prejudice  of  ours,  it  is  not  held  without  many 
practical  results  to  confirm  it,  that  keen  draughts  are  not 
relished  by  Mushrooms  when  artificially  cultivated.  We  would 
even  have  open  gauze  to  cover  the  openings  in  the  air-shaft. 
Unless  for  a  short  time,  and  in  such  damp  weather  as  we  have 
lately  had,  our  two  metal  ventilators  the  size  of  a  brick,  one  at 
each  end,  are  enough  for  what  ventilation  is  needed,  as  the 
Mushroom  likes  a  close,  moist  atmosphere. 

Hoof  of  till-  Muxhroom  Ilouie. — This  reminds  us  of  our  neglect 
last  week  in  not  attending  to  the  request  of  "  one  of  our  oldest 
readers,"  who  "  hates  the  idea  of  having  a  thatched  roof,  but 
whose  slate  roof  is  exceptionally  hot  in  summer,  and  cold  in 
winter,  and  that  it  only  lasts  a  few  years  before  it  wants  re-. 
newal,  as  the  damp  gets  at  the  lath  and  rafters,  and  rots  them 
in  a  short  time.  How  proceed  with  his  fresh  roof '.'"  Thus: 
have  rafters  or  bearers  of  the  usual  size,  have  thin  boards  close 
over  the  bearers  beneath  the  slates.  Before  fastening  these 
boards  nail  on  double  lath  for  the  plaster,  stuff  the  space  between 
the  lath  and  boards  with  dry  straw  before  nailing  the  boards 
down  and  slating,  plaster  inside  twice  in  the  usual  way.  When 
dry  run  a  little  cement  all  round  where  the  plaster  joins  the 
waU,  and,  as  above  stated,  when  the  plaster  is  dry  enough, 
paint  all  over  the  plastered  roof  with  boiled  linseed  oil.  This 
will  prevent  damp  finding  its  way  to  lath  or  rafters,  and  if  the 


BlateB  are  whitewashed  with  new  lime  in  a  hot  dry  day,  that 
and  the  straw  and  wood  together,  will  keep  the  roof  at  some- 
thing like  an  equable  temperature.  In  this  case  we  have  prac- 
tised with  profit  what  wo  advise. 

Leaves  and  Dumj  fir  Hotbeds.— From  the  many  inquirieg 
that  have  come  to  us  lately,  two  things  are  certain — first,  that 
great  numbers  of  our  readers  are  convinced  of  the  importance 
of  a  little  bottom  heat  for  many  purposes,  as  helping  late 
cuttings,  bringing  on  bulbs  after  the  pots  are  full  of  roots, 
enticing  newly-potted  plants  to  root,  whilst  the  heads  of  the 
plants  are  kept  cool ;  bringing  on  Sea-kale,  Asparagus,  Khu- 
barb, helping  Strawberries  in  pots,  and  raising  young  plants  of 
Cucumbers,  &c.  In  the  second  place,  however,  there  seem  to 
be  more  diiiiculties  in  the  making  and  management  of  a  hotbed 
than  was  humorously  described  by  "  Macd  "  some  time  ago. 
These  difllculties  and  drawbacks  refer  chiefly  to  cases  where 
there  is  little  manure  to  be  had,  and  there  is  a  wish  to  make 
the  most  of  it  for  heating,  as  it  can  all  be  used,  when  decom- 
posed, for  the  garden.  We  recollect  entering  very  fully  into 
this  subject  last  year,  and  showing  how  much  of  the  dilEculty 
would  be  surmounted  by  working  and  lessening  the  bulk  of  the 
dung  but  little  beforehand,  thus  saving  labour,  time,  and  mate- 
rial. When  such  crops  as  Cucumbers  are  contemplated  early, 
it  is  good,  where  manure  is  scarce,  to  have  a  one-light  box  for 
raising  the  plants  in,  and  whilst  that  is  going  on  the  manure 
can  be  preparing.  "  Delta  "  says  "  He  has  nothing  but  stable 
dung,  can  calculate  on  a  barrowload  per  day,  and  wants  a  sweet, 
safe  hotbed,  with  as  little  trouble  as  possible."  In  such  a  case 
have  a  fortnight's  manure  laid  out  rather  thinly,  so  as  not  to 
heat.  Lay  out  another  week's  manure  separately,  and  then 
shake  up  the  first  fortnight's  into  a  heap,  watering  when  dry, 
and  covering  with  long  litter.  In  about  eight  or  ten  days  turn 
this  heap  again,  placing  the  top  at  the  bottom,  the  outsides  at 
the  centre,  and  the  centre  at  the  outsides,  and  in  about  a  week 
more  it  will  be  sweet  enough  for  use.  The  second  fortnight's 
dung  should  also  be  thrown  into  a  heap,  but  not  turned.  The 
fifth  week's  dung  we  would  place  at  once  for  the  bottom  of  the 
bed,  build  the  second  fortnight's  on  it,  and  then  the  first- 
prepared  dung  on  that.  With  a  coating  of  ashes,  i-c,  seeds 
may  be  sown  at  once.  It  would  be  well  to  delay  a  few  days 
before  placing  plants  in  the  frame ;  but  one  of  the  best  tests 
as  to  safety  is  closely  to  observe  the  condensed  moisture  on 
the  bars  and  glass  of  the  frame.  If  these  drops  are  brown 
or  yellowish  in  colour,  trust  nothing  growing  in  the  frame.  If 
they  are  clear  as  dewdrops,  trust  anything  and  everything  that 
heat  will  not  injure.  If  you  could  surface  with  from  6  to 
0  inches  of  three-parts  rotten  dung  from  the  centre  of  an  old 
bed,  we  would  be  satisfied  with  still  less  preparation  of  the 
dung  intended  for  the  surface,  but  without  that  the  once 
turning  at  least  will  be  necessary. 

We  stated  lately  that  the  heat  produced  from  tree  leaves 
can  be  safely  used  for  any  purpose,  as  it  is  sweet  at  once. 
Hence  the  advantage  which  "  Eta"  possesses,  who  has  rather 
moredungthan  "Delta,"  and  who,  from  pleasure  grounds  and 
other  sources,  can  have  several  loads  of  tree  leaves.  In  such  a 
case  we  would  prepare  a  part  of  the  dung  but  little,  and  the 
most  of  it  less,  and  cover  with  a  foot  of  the  sweet  tree 
leaves.  The  sweet  covering  to  keep  down  all  rankness  is  the 
great  essential,  and  that  secured,  it  is  more  economical  in  every 
way  that  the  dung  should  give  out  its  heat  as  it  decomposes 
slowly  in  the  bed,  rather  than  waste  its  bulk  and  its  heat  by 
being  kept  long  in  a  fermenting  heap.  Of  course,  we  would 
not  for  a  moment  urge  such  a  plan  on  our  great  gardeners,  who 
can  go  to  their  mounds  of  fermenting  material ;  we  merely  wish 
to  simplify  all  the  diiiiculties  of  hotbed-making  to  those  who 
have  little  material,  and  to  impress  on  them  the  simple  fact, 
that  from  8  inches  to  a  foot  of  sweet  surfacing  will  keep  down 
all  noxious  steam.  Treated  in  a  more  rough  manner  than  we 
have  described.  Cucumber  beds  made  in  February  continued 
in  good  bearing  until  the  middle  of  October,  without  even  a 
lining  being  turned ;  but  then  the  beds  were  made  large  at 
once. 

FRUIT    GAKDEN. 

Before  frost  comes,  in  addition  to  mulching  Strawberries,  it 
would  be  advisable  to  stick  some  evergreen  boughs  among 
British  Queen,  and  the  tender  sorts.  It  is  still  fine  weather 
for  planting  fruit  and  other  trees.  Where  birds  abound,  and 
are  destructive  to  buds,  we  have  found  no  plan  better  for 
bushes  of  Gooseberries  and  Currants,  than  to  tie  them  up  hke 
a  faggot,  or  as  nearly  like  one  as  that  can  bo  done  without  in- 
juring the  bushes,  and  then  syringe  them  with  limewash,  using 
an  old  syringe  for  the  purpose.     No  better  weather  could  be 


446 


JOUENAL  OF  HOETICULTUEE  AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEB. 


[December  10,  1868. 


had  for  prnning.     We  have  been  so  annoyed  with  birds,  that 
such  as  Gooseberry  trees  we  avoid  pruning  as  long  as  we  can. 

OENAMENTAL   DEPARTMENT. 

Here  we  have  been  very  busy,  altering,  and  making  changes, 
bnt  most  of  the  work  has  been  referred  to,  especially  planting  for 
cover  and  for  permanent  trees,  re-arranging  the  rosery,  &c., 
and  but  for  the  lists  given  by  Mr.  Eadcljffe  and  others  we 
might  have  had  sometluDg  to  say  on  that  subject. — E.  F. 


COVENT  GAEDEN   MARKET.— December  9. 

We  have  again  received  a  supply  of  well-prown  Fines  from  St. 
Michael's,  also  a  large  snpply  of  home-grown  for  this  period  of  the  year. 
Oranges  are  abnndant,  and  the  market  stands  show  plenty  of  vegetables 
of  excellent  quality.  Pears  and  Apples  more  than  sufhcient  for  the 
demand. 


FEriT. 


s.  d.  g. 

Apples grieve  1  6to2 

Aprlccta doz.  0  0  0 

Cherries lb.  0  0  0 

Chestnuts bnsh.  10  0  16 

Currants ^  sieve  0  0  0 

Black .'..  do.  0  0  0 

Bigs doz.  0  0  0 

Filberts lb.  0  9  1 

Cobs lb.  0  9  1 

Gooseberries    ..quart  0  0  0 

Grapes,  Hothouse,  .lb.  3  0  6 

Lemons loo  4  0  8 


Melons each  2 

Nectarines doz.  0 

Ornnges 100  2 

Peaches doz.  0 

Pears  (dessert)  ..doz.  2 

Pine  Apples lb.  3 

Ploms }^  sieve  0 

Quinces doz.  0 

Raspberries  lb.  0 

Strawberries.,   per  lb.  0 

Walnuts bush.  10 

do per  100  1 


a.  B.  i 
oto5   n 

0      0 


TEOETAELES. 


B.  d.  B.  d 

Artichokes doz.  3    0to6  O] 

Asparagus  100  10    0  0  0 

Beans,  Kidney  ^  sieve  3    0  4  0 

Beet,  Bed doz.  2    0  8  0 

Broccoli bundle  10  2  0 

Bras.  Sprouts  H  sieve  2    0  0  0 

Cabbaf^e '. .  doz.  10  2  0 

Capsicums 100  0    0  0  0 

Carrots bunch  0    4  0  8 

Cauliflower doz.  3    0  6  0 

Celery bundle  16  2  0 

Cucumbers each  0    9  16 

Bndive doz.  2    0  0  0 

Fennel bunch  0    S  0  0 

Garlic lb.  0    8  0  0 

Herbs  bunch  0    8  0  0 

Horseradish  ..  bundle  8    0  6  0 


Leeks  bunch  0 

Lettuce per  score  2 

Mushrooms ....  pottle  2 

Mnstd.&  Cress,  punnet  0 

Onions per  bushel  5 

Parsley per  sieve  8 

Parsnips doz.  0 

Peas per  quart  0 

Potatoes bushel  4 

Kidney  de.  4 

Radishes  doz.  bunches  1 

Rhubarb bundle  0 

Sea-kale basket  3 

Shallots lb.  0 

Spinach  bushel  2 

Tomatoes per  doz.  1 

Turnips  bunch  0 


d.      B.  d 

4  too    6 


4  0 
0  0 
0    8 


TRADE  CATALOGUE  RECEH^ED. 
John  Standish  &  Co.,  Eoyal  Nursery,  Ascot,  Berks. — Cata- 
log-ue  of  New  and  Eare  Plants,  Hardy  Trees,  Slmibs,  Conifene, 
American  Plants,  dc.    With  six  coloured  Plates. 


TO    CORRESPONDENTS. 

BooKg  (J.  R.  M  ). — We  know  of  no  books  on  emigrating  to  Xew  Zealand. 
(F.y.M.). — Keane's  "In-door  Gardening,"  Is.  Cut.:  "Out-door  Garden- 
ing," Is.  6rf. ;  the  "Garden  Manual,"'  Is.Gd.;  the  "  Vine  Manual,"  2s.  C(i. 
You  can  have  them  all  free  by  post  from  our  office  if  you  enclose  the 
amonnt  in  postage  stamps  with  your  address,  and  eight  stamps  for 
postage. 

Manure  for  Roses  (G.  ff.  M.I.— "  I  do  not  use  charcoal.  If  you  would 
prevent  mildew  you  mnst  give  the  pot  Roses  air  and  syringinfis.  From 
want  of  these.  Rnscs  and  other  plants  under  glass  suffer  from  mildew.  I 
should  think  that  charcoal  would  not  stop  mildew.  After  Roses  have  pro- 
duced their  first  series  of  bloom  under  glass,  they  should  be  moved  out 
into  the  air  to  ripen  their  bark  and  wood.  Fresh  pot  your  Roses,  using 
tnrfy  loam.  You  cannot  refresh  them  in  pots  with  better  stuff  than 
gnano  water. — W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

Covers  for  Back  Volumes  (R.  H.).—You  can  have  covers  for  a  year's 
numbers  of  this  Journal,  but  each  only  for  six  months.  If  you  state  your 
address,  mention  what  year  you  require  the  covers  for,  and  enclose 
thirty  postage  stamps,  the  covers  will  be  sent  to  you  postage  paid  from 
this  office. 

Storing  Turnips  {Q.  C). — To  keep  them  from  being  frosted  pull  them 
up,  cut  off  the  leaves  and  tap  roots  close  to  the  bulbs,  pile  these  in  a 
heap,  and  cover  them  9  inches  deep  with  earth,  smoothing  the  outside 
with  the  back  of  the  spade. 

Roses  (F.  G.).— With  the  exception  of  Aspasic,  Hybrid  Perpetual,  the 
varieties  you  npme  are  summer  Roses.  Comtcsse  Lacepcde  is  good  ;  the 
other  two  are  useful,  but  superseded  by  better  kinds.  We  know  of  no 
work  specially  treating  of  the  propagation  of  trees  and  shrubs.  It  is 
against  our  rule  to  recommend  one  dealer  in  preference  to  another. 

Drainage  from  Cow  House  (T.).— Powdered  chai-coal  might  deo- 
dorise it.  The  drainage  does  not  require  diluting  if  applied  to  vacant 
ground,  and  dug  in  for  culinary  crops.  If  applied  to  dormant  fiower- 
garden  plants,  two  buekctsful  of  water  to  one  of  drainage  would  be  a 
safe  proportion  ;  if  to  growing  plants,  five  of  water  to  one  of  drainage. 

Fowls'  Ddng  [J.  J.l. — It  is  one  of  the  most  fertilising  of  manures. 
Do  not  turn  it  over,  bnt  keep  it  under  cover  until  required.  Trench  your 
ground  for  the  Carrots  and  Parsnips,  and  dig  in  about  an  inch  in  depth 
with  the  bottom  spit.  Dig-in  about  .the  same  quantity  with  the  surface 
spit  for  Turnips  and  other  vegetables. 


Propagating  Briar  Stocks  for  Roses  (A  Subscriber).— Rose  stocks 
when  raised  from  seed  are  not  so  desirable  as  those  propagated  by 
cuttings,  as  they  are  always  apt  to  produce  suckers  plentifully ;  but  with 
cuttings  this  is  not  the  case,  for  the  buds  or  eyes  are  taken  out  before  the 
cuttings  are  inserted  in  the  ground,  throughout  the  length  of  the  part 
that  is  to  go  into  the  soil.  Instend  of  raising  Briar  stocks  from  seed,  it 
is  mor*  economical ',to purchase  them;  they  can  be  obtained  with  stems 
4  feet  or  more  high  at  a  small  sum  per  hundred.  If  seed  be  sown,  three 
or  four  years  at  least  must  elapse  before  the  plants  would  bo  fit  for 
budding— that  is,  if  they  are  intended  for  standards,  whilst  for  dwarfs 
they  might  be  worked  in  the  second  or  third  year.  You  may  gather  the 
heps  of  the  Briar  now,  keep  them  in  sand  till  the  beginning  of  March, 
pull  them  in  pieces,  and  sow  an  inch  apart  in  drills  about  6  inches  from 
each  other.  The  drills  should  be  from  three  quarters  of  an  inch  to  1  inch 
deep,  and  the  seeds  should  be  covered  witli  that  depth  of  fine  soil.  The 
soil  should  be  light  and  rich.  Care  should  be  taken  to  protect  them  from 
mice,  which  are  very  fond  of  the  seed.  It  is  likely  you  will  have  few  if 
any  plants  the  first  year,  as  the  seed  generally  does  not  germinate  the 
first  year.  Keep  the  ground  clear  of  weeds,  and  in  the  autumn  of  the 
second  year  take  up  the  plants  and  pl»nt  out  in  good  rich  soil  in  lines 
1  foot  apart,  and  6  inches  from  plant  to  plant  in  the  row. 

Potting  Seedling  Pelargoniums  (J.  il/.). — You  do  not  say  when  the 
seed  was  sown,  nor  what  size  the  plants  ai*e.  If  sown  early  this  year, 
and  in  good  health,  you  may  bloom  them  very  well  in  G-inch  pots,  which 
are  what  we  recommend  ;  but  for  small  plants  from  seed  sown  in  August, 
or  since  then,  that  size  of  pot  will  not  be  required  until  they  have  been 
stopped  and  have  become  good  bushy  plants,  say  in  April.  A  good  com- 
post is  formed  of  two-thirds  turfy  loam,  and  one-third  leaf  mould,  with  a 
free  admixture  of  silver  sand.  Mildew  on  Pelargoniums  may  be  kept 
under  by  dusting  the  plants  with  flowers  of  sulphur  where  affected.  This 
will  not  only  destroy  the  mildew,  hut  act  as  a  preventive.  Give  more  air 
— indeed,  they  should  have  fresh  air  every  day,  if  only  for  an  hour ;  keep 
cool  and  near  the  glass,  and  give  no  more  water  than  is  necessary  to  pre- 
vent the  leav  s  flagging 

Tniiips  ON  Cinerarias  {An  Inquirer).— The  leaves  were  severely  at- 
tacked by  thrips.  which  is  the  small  long  insect  you  notice.  Dusting 
with  flowers  of  sulphur  will  not  do  «ny  good  unless  the  leaves  are  mil- 
dewed. The  only  remedy  is  to  fumigate  on  a  calm  evening,  taking  care 
to  have  the  foliage  of  the  plants  dry.  Shut  the  house  up  closely,  and  fill 
it  with  smoke  so  that  a  plant  cannot  be  seen  from  the  outside.  Repeat 
the  fumigation  whenever  an  insect  of  this  kind  is  seen. 

Protecting  Wellingtonia  gigantea  and  Ccpressus  macrocabpa 
{L.  M.  E.). — Both  are  hardy  and  do  not  require  protection;  but  if  the 
situation  is  very  bleak  and  exposed  you  may  drive  some  stakes  into  the 
ground,  and  hang  up  mats  so  as  to  shelter  the  trees  from  cold  violent 
winds ;  but  such  protection  should  only  be  employed  in  very  severe 
periods  and  until  the  plants  become  established. 

Ventilating  Greenhouses  ani>  Frames  (7(iem).— Damp  mild  weather 
is  the  time  of  all  others  when  ventilation  should  be  most  carefully  at- 
tended to.  You  cannot  ventilate  a  greenhouse  too  much  if  you  keep  out 
rain  and  do  not  lower  the  temperature  below  40"^.  Cold  frames  should 
have  air  every  day  when  the  temperature  of  the  external  atmosphere  is 
40-  ;  but  the  lights  ought  not  to  be  taken  off  during  wet  weather ;  they 
should  then  he  merely  tilted,  so  as  to  admit  air  and  yet  keep  the  plants 
dry.  Nothing  is  so  injurious  in  wintering  plants  as  allowing  them  to 
become  soaked  with  wet. 

Pruning  Raspberries  {M.  P.).— When  the  canes  are  more  than  4  feet 
long  shorten  them  to  that  height,  which  is  quite  long  enough,  and  when 
of  less  height  than  that  we  like  to  cut  off  the  small  parts  or  ends  of 
the  canes,  cutting  back  to  some  good  eyes,  as  from  the  most  plump 
eyes  and  strongest  wood  the  finest  largest  fruit  is  produced.  When  the 
canes  are  very  strong  they  may  be  shortened  to  5  feet.  The  shortening 
or  cutting-back  should  not  be  done  until  the  end  of  February  or  begin- 
ning of  March,  as  when  it  is  done  before  winter  the  canes  are  liable  to 
sufier  from  frost  if  it  should  prove  severe. 

Planting  Clu:\ips  of  Forest  Trees  (G.  A.  B.).— It  would  be  difficult 
to  say  what  would  be  the  best  form  for  the  clumps  ;  but  for  such  small 
clumps  as  those  you  name  we  would  have  the  Beech  in  a  circle,  and  make 
it  the  centre  clump,  placing  the  Oak  and  Chestnut  in  separate  clumps  at 
the  side  of  the  Beech,  and  not  in  a  straight  line,  but  dotted  irregularly. 
These  we  would  plant  in  ovals.  We  would  plant  4  feet  from  the  margin, 
and  allow  8  feet  from  plant  to  plant,  placing  a  shrub  between  each. 
Common  and  Portugal  Laurel,  Yew,  Aucuba,  tree  Eos,  and  Lanrustinus 
are  good  plants  for  planting  along  with  trees  to  form  undergrowth.  If 
you  do  not  plant  shriabs,  the  Oaks,  Beech,  and  Chestnut  should  be  planted 
4  feet  apart. 

"Wire  FOR  Peach  Trees,  &c.  {W.Osborne), — Addressed  to  "Thy,"  wo 
answered  your  queries  at  page  411. 

Out-of-doors  Vines  (Grajj*.).— Plant  without  delay;  it  is  full  late, 
unless  the  Vines  are  in  pots,  and  can  then  be  turned  out  and  planted  in 
the  border  at  any  time.  Apply  to  the  nurserymen  inyourneighboorhood 
—they  all  have  the  Koyal  Muscadine  and  Black  Hamburgh.  The  latter 
ripens  well  against  an  open  wall  at  Winchester. 

Training  Vines  (iifodcr).— Your  success  in  growing  Vines  first  verti- 
cally and  then  angularlv  across  the  roof,  will  depend  ou  having  the  Vines 
trained  so  thinly  that  the  sun  will  reach  the  base  of  the  vertical  part. 
Some  time  ago  we  described  a  span-roofed  house  of  Mr.  Hawkins's  near 
Hitchen,  where  the  Vines  were  planted  in  the  centre  of  the  h&use  and 
bore  right  down  to  the  gi-ound  ;  but  though  Vines  went  along  the  roof, 
top  and  bottom,  there  was  a  dear  open  space  in  the  roof  for  the  benefit 
of  the  vei-tical  part.  \ve  would  disbud  as  soon  as  we  could  select  the 
fruiting  spurs,  and  with  the  general  proposed  management  we  thoroughly 
agree. 

Planting  out  Vines  from  Pots  [E.H.  C.).— If  the  Vines  have  fruited 
at  all  heavily  in  pots,  they  will  do  little  good  when  planted  out  in  a  vinery. 
They  would'have  a  good  chance  if  you  shook  the  earth  from  their  roots 
repotted  them,  cut  them  down  to  a  bud  or  two,  and  grew  them  in  pots' 
until  midsummer,  and  then  planted  them  out,  or  even  deferred  the  plant- 
ing until  next  season.  We  would  far  prefer  a  Vine  that  has  not  fruited 
to  one  that  has  done  so  in  a  pot. 

Flowt:r  Beds  Planting  (TIM.— Your  plan  is  simple,  and  the  proposed 
planting  is  simple  and  will  look  well.  For  the  first  eight  beds  from  the 
centre  we  would  pair  in  similar  shades  of  scarlet  Pelargoniums,  and  ring 


December  10,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OP   HOllTICULTURE  AND   OOTTAQE  GABDENEK. 


447 


thcRO  pairs' nltomutely  with  purplo  Verbena  nod  whito  or  vftneRftted- 
jeavofi  Poliir(,'oniiinis.  Hiinninn  would  look  well  in  your  outsido  oircloa. 
Other  bi'ilK  lis  you  proposo,  but  a  fuw  i^ood  Pubirgoniuiuy,  &c.,  mij^lit  p'o 
in  tho  contro  of  tho  lou^'  bods. 

ViNK  AND  Via  TiiKK  PRUNING  (T.  J.  iWiTTOTi).— Wo  Can  Jiardly  toll  yoH 
how  to  prune  your  Vines  without  knowing  more  abont  thom.  If  oh, tho 
spur  Hystom  tho  yido  .shouts  may  bo  cut  buck  to  ono  or  two  buds,  and  tho 
leader  to  IH  iiuOu'S  or  2  foct ;  and  as  tho  leaves  have  ffillcn  tho  prun-uk' 
cannot  be  douo  ton  soon.  Your  Fiti  tree  with  fivo  bninohos  IS  int-lics 
loDff  wo  would  not  prune  at  all,  but  as  soon  as  prowth  commeuccs  out  tho 
terminal  luid  of  each  shoot  in  two,  and  that  will  causo  tho  fruit,  if  there 
la  fruit,  to  set  bettor,  and  you  will  afterwards  have  plenty  of  young 
shoots  to  choose  from. 

SoLANDM  cAPBK^ASTnoM  iTilem).—lt  requires  more  heat  than  n  common 
groouhouso— say  average  of  C(F  to  55''.    The  low  temperature  is  iigaiust  it. 

Greenhodse  Failure  (Tfjnmamm). — Wo  never  before  heard  of  n  new 
house  that  seemed  to  ruin  everything  that  went  into  it !  Wo  have  no 
doubt  that  either  tho  glass  is  very  bad,  or  the  ventilation  ia  very  deficient. 
Exaniino  tho  glass  for  scars,  and  if  y  m  find  any  daub  them  with  paint, 
and  that  will  stop  burning.  We  should  care  nothinff  for  a  blaze  of  lif,'ht 
if  tho  glass  woro  good.  If  the  sun  is  rather  strong  it  is  easy  to  dull  tho 
glass  a  little  with  size  water.  The  practice  with  tbia  one  house  may  not 
be  quite  right.  The  syringing  such  plants,  and  especially  Pelargoniums, 
is  almost  sure  to  causo  spot  and  decay. 

Earliest  Cucumber  (.4  Young  Beg  inner). —Tho  earliest  and  best  Cu- 
cumber for  winter  is  the  Lord  Kenyon  or  sion  House  Improved,  a  amooth- 
skinnod  one,  growin;^'  from  8  to  12  inches  long  Among  smooth  white- 
spined  Cucumbers,  Volunteer  is  good,  and  ranges  from  8  to  18  inches. 
TeleKraph  is  a  little  longer,  bat  requires  raoro  heat  than  the  above  two. 
CuthiU's  Black  Spine  is  also  a  good  Cucumber,  averagiuK  about  a  foot  in 
length,  but  will  not  come  so  soon  as  the  above.  Mr.  Cox,  of  Kimpton 
Hoo,  used  to  do  wonders  with  the  Volunteer.  We  have  seen  from  three 
to  fivo  Cucumbers  at  a  joint. 

Gishurst  Compound  (iJ.  2.  S.\— After  this  is  dissolved  in  water  expo- 
snre  to  the  air  does  nut  destroy  its  effectiveness  or  weaken  it,  if  not  kept 
exposed  for  a  lonp  time.  Tho  dissolving  first  is  useful  when  you  syringe 
trees  in  leaf,  otherwise  not. 

Trees  in  Pots  (D(yugal  AfcDou{ial).—'Dn  not  pnt  into  the  pots  more 
than  from  1  to  IJ  inch  of  drainage,  but  sprinkle  some  moss  over  it  and  a 
little  soot ;  but  then  we  like  to  watpr  moderately,  and  have  always  been 
rather  scarce  of  water.  In  placing  the  pots  partly  in  the  gi'ound,  we  allow 
the  bottom  of  the  pot  to  rest  on  the  soil.  The  plan  you  propose  of  allow- 
ing the  bottom  of  tho  pot  to  rest  on  two  bricks,  with  an  open  space  for 
free  drainage  between  them,  in  good ;  but  we  have  found  no  use  for  it,  as 
tho  water  in  all  our  pots  passes  quite  fast  enough  away,  and  we  rather 
like  the  roots  to  run  a  little  out  during  the  summer.  In  two  years  we 
have  hardly  had  two  pots  waterlogged,  and  these  we  lifted,  and  picked 
the  hard  soil  from  tho  hole  in  the  bottom  of  the  pot,  and  that  made  all 
right.  One  of  our  objections  to  plunging  pots  in  sawdust  is,  that  after  a 
time  the  sawdust  clogs  up  the  drainage  hole  completely.  If  you  have 
plenty  of  water  we  have  no  objection  to  your  proposed  plan,  but  we  do 
not  find  any  stagnation  of  water  without  it. 

Mulching — Loam  Defined  (M<;m).  — Mulching  is  the  placing  rotten 
dang  and  rich  soil  over  the  snrfuce  of  the  pot  as  the  soil  ^inks  and  you 
wiah  to  give  more  strength.  You  will  soon  be  surprised  where  the  mulch- 
ing goes.  The  mulching  and  the  fresh  surfacing  is  tho  secret  of  keeping 
trees  in  pots  bearing  for  years  without  fresh  potting.  A  good  loamy  soil 
is  ono  that  is  neither  too  sandy  nor  too  clayey^one  that  when  moderately 
moist  will  squeeze  tight  in  your  hand  and  retain  tho  traces  of  your  fingers, 
and  yet  when  dryish  will  crumble  into  pieces.  If  very  sandy  it  will  not 
be  cohesive  enough.  It  there  is  too  much  clay  it  will  be  too  close.  If  at 
all  in  doubt  ask  a  neighbouring  gardener  to  look  at  some  kinds  of  loam 
for  you.  Sandy  loam,  such  as  you  will  find  at  most  roadsides,  is  the  best 
for  plants.  Turfy  loam  is  loam  taken  from  the  green  sward  of  a  pasture, 
or  the  sides  of  roads  and  Innes,  taken  off  thin— from  1  to  2  or  3  inches 
in  thickness,  and  allowed  to  decompose  for  a  few  months  after  being  piled 
in  a  heap.  When  broken  up  for  use  such  loam  will  be  found  full  of 
decayed  vegetable  fibre,  and  hence  its  use  for  nourishment  and  keeping 
the  staple  open.  When  we  advised  covering  your  trees  in  summer  and 
winter  with  a  net  we  meant  common  fishing  net,  and  the  only  use  of  the 
net  is  for  keeping  birds  from  the  buds  and  fruit.  The  frigi  domo,  to 
whic^  you  allude,  is  for  protection  against  frost.  Of  course,  if  you  can 
manage  the  birds  you  will  not  need  the  netting. 

Glass  Enclosure  for  Vine  (C.  R.)-— The  frame  is  after  the  fashion 
of  the  cylinder  vinery  invented  by  Dr.  Newington,  but  unlike  that  in  the 
glass  not  touching  the  ground.  The  permanent  cap  will  make  the  frame 
a  vinery,  and  then  the  Vine  will  require  syringing  and  water  ;  whereas, 
if  tho  cap  is  removed  as  soon  as  danger  from  spring  frosts  is  over,  say 
the  first  week  in  .Tune,  the  Grapes  will  ripen  well  without  further  care. 
The  Canary  and  the  Exquisite  Peaches,  like  nearly  all  the  yellow-fleshed 
Peaches,  require  a  hot  snmmer  like  the  last,  otherwise  their  flavour  is 
flat  and  insipid  as  a  rule;  except  to  ornament  the  dessert  they  are  not  fit 
for  general  cultivation.  When  crossed  with  our  green-fleshed  Peaches 
they  produce  seedlings  not  so  high  in  colour,  hut  of  a  superior  and  more 
vinous  flavour. 

Azaleas  Losing  theiu  Leaves  (St.  DennU).— It  is  usual  for  Azaleas 
to  lose  their  old  leaves  at  this  season,  but  we  cannot  explain  the  cause  of 
the  fresh  leaves  withering.  Why  syringe  the  plants  overhead  at  this 
season  7  and  why  have  the  temperature  45'^  or  50^  at  night,  and  60'  or  65- 
by  day  '.'  We  can  only  account  for  the  leaves  withering  from  their  being 
injured,  it  may  be  by  an  escape  of  smoke  from  a  flue,  fumes  from 
sulphur  becoming  ignited,  or  over-fumigation  with  tobacco  or  something 
prejudicial  to  plants.  Neglecting  to  give  water  would  cause  the  leaves  to 
fall,  and  the  youug  foliage  may  also  wither  from  its  being  attacked  by 
thrips.  Wc  cannot,  however,  from  description  assit-'U  any  positive  causa 
lor  the  leaves  falling  and  withering.  The  temperature  for  Azaleas  and 
Camellias  at  this  time  of  year  should  be  40'^  at  night  from  fire  heat,  and 
45"  by  day.  There  will  be  times  when  this  temperature,  from  sun  beat, 
will  be  exceeded,  but  this  is  an  advantage,  as  it  aflords  an  opportunity  for 
giving  air,  and  when  the  temperature  from  natural  boat  is  suflicicnt  to 
maintain  the  temperature  fire  heat  should  be  dispensed  with.  The 
Camellia  buds  will  in  a  great  measure  fall.  The  cnuse  is  imperfect  root 
action  resulting  from  improper  soil,  imperfect  drainage,  or  tho  want  of 
water  at  an  oarUer  period. 


Repotting  Azaleas  and  Camellias  (fiuhscriber).—Yoxi  do  not  say 
whether  vour  plants  are  small  or  large.  If  lar«othoy  will  not  require  to 
bo  potted  oftener  than  uvory  other  year,  but  if  young  growing  plants  and 
vigorous  they  should  be  potted  every  year.  The  beat  signs  of  a  plant 
rt-quiriug  repotting  are  its  filling  tho  pot  with  roots,  and  soon  becoming 
dry  after  watering,  or  often  retiuiring  water.  Tho  host  compost  for  the 
Camellia  is  turf  taken  about  an  inch  thick,  not  more,  from  a  pasture 
whore  the  soil  is  a  good,  rich,  saudv  loam.  This  should  be  used  frosh, 
tr;iriog  it  in  rather  small  pieces  with  the  hand,  and  in  potting  make  it 
firm,  finishing  oil"  with  a  littlo  fine  soil.  Failing  that,  a  compost  of  two 
parts  sandy  tibrous  peat,  and  ono  part  fibrous  loam,  with  a  free  admixture 
of  silver  sand,  answers  very  well  both  for  Camellias  and  Azaleas,  adding,  if 
it  can  l>o  obtained,  a  eiiith  part  of  old  dry  cow  dung.  Good  drainage  must 
be  provided. 

Compost  for  Vauikgatbd  PET.ARGONirMS  (Idem).— Two  parts  loam 
from  rotted  turves,  and  one  part  old  dry  cow  dung,  or  woll-rottcd  manure, 
will  grow  them  well,  adding  sand  liberally.  The  plants,  if  for  the  summer 
and  autumn  decoration  of  tho  greenhouse,  should  be  potted  in  March, 
and  in  May  or  June  ;  young  plants  being  frequently  repotted  from  time  to 
time  as  the  pots  become  filled  with  roots. 

Protecting  XIanunculuses  (Au  .■ima{nir).~Tho  Turban  RannncnluBCS 
will  not  sustain  any  harm  novv  that  you  huvo  top-dref  sed  them  with  short 
manure,  only  we  think  you  have  put  it  on  too  thickly.  An  inch  in  thick- 
ness would  iiavo  been  sufficient,  and  we  should  have  preferred  it  had  it 
not  been  very  rotten.  We  think  leaves  about  throo  parts  decomposed  a 
better  mulching  than  rotten  manure.  In  very  Si^vere  weather  you  may 
place  a  thin  covering  of  dry  fern  or  short  dry  litter  over  tho  beds,  taking 
care  to  remove  it  when  tho  frost  is  past.  Double  Anemones  planted  at 
tho  same  time  as  the  Ranunculuses  may  havo  a  top-dressing  of  leaf 
mould  or  short  manure,  which  will  be  all  the  protection  they  will  need. 
The  Ranunculuses  were  not  planted  too  soon.  You  will  have  a  better 
bloom  by  early  than  late  plahting. 

Flo'^'eeing  Bougainvillea  lateritia  at  the  End  of  June  (S.  itf.)« 
—Wo  presume  your  plant  is  well  ripened  and  has  made  a  good  growth 
during  the  past  vear.  It  will,  therefore,  need  to  be  started  into  growth 
early  in  Februarv,  and  forwarded  in  a  brisk  heat,  securing  a  good  growth, 
and  at  the  end  of  April  place  it  in  the  full  sun,  keeping  dry  and  in  this 
state  for  about  six  weeks,  then  byplacing.it  in  heat  agiin  it  may  pro- 
bably flower  at  the  time  you  wisli,  but  everything  is  dependant  on  the 
present  condition  of  the  plant. 

Growing  Cvclamen  persicum  in  a  Cold  Pit  (rftom).— The  Cycla- 
mens \vill  do  well  in  the  pit  as  you  propose,  it  is  a  move  in  the  right 
direction.  We  would  not  remove  any  of  the  present  soil,  but  add  to  leaf 
mould,  peat,  turfy  loam,  and  rotten  cow  dung  in  equal  parts,  a  top- 
dressing  6  inches  thick,  and  work  it  into  the  soil,  stirring  it  to  the  depth 
of  15  inches.  If  the  soil  is  of  a  close  nature,  add  3  inches  in  thickness  of 
freestone,  or  grit,  in  pieces  from  the  size  of  a  pea  up  to  that  of  a  walnut, 
mixing  it  well  with  the  soil.  About  3  inches  of  fine  soil  may  be  placed 
over  the  bed  for  planting  in,  tho  corms  being  placed  with  their  crowns 
about  au  inch  below  the  surface.  The  surface  of  the  soil  should  not  be 
more  than  (i  inches  from  the  glass  for  seedlings,  and  for  established 
plants  9  inches.  The  best  means  of  i>rotecting  will  he  a  covering  of 
mats,  and  in  very  severe  weather  an  extra  covering  of  straw  will  be  re- 
quired.   The  lamp  will  not  answer  well. 

Packing  Tree  Ferns  iW>lt>:hirc  Curate}.— Ttgo  Fema  may  safely  be 
brought  to  this  country,  if  taken  up  and  packed  in  dry  material,  as  straw 
or  hay. 

Grafting  a  Vine  for  Fruiting  the  Same  Season  (Somerset).— It  is 
practicable  to  graft  a  Vine  with  a  scion  having  eight  or  nine  eyes  instead 
of  two,  but  the  eyes  will  break  very  irregularly,  and  the  fruit,  if  any  be 
allowed  to  grow,  will  set  very  badly  ;  besides  you  will  have  a  weak  growth 
and  a  poor  prospect  for  another  year.  We  would  only  leave  two  good 
eyes,  and  encourage  one,  so  as  to  secure  a  good,  strong,  well-ripened  cane. 
Oleander  Culture  (Gcrmam cm).— The 'v^a-nt  should  be  repotted  in 
spring,  employing  a  compost  of  two-thirds  fibrous  loam,  and  one-third 
sandy  peat  or'leaf  mould,  adding  sand  freely.  The  best  time  to  repot  is 
when  the  plant  is  beginning  to  grow.  Good  drainage  should  be  provided, 
and  a  rather  small  shift  given  for  the  size  of  the  plant.  In  winter  it 
should  be  kept  in  a  light  position  in  the  greenhouse,  giving  no  more 
water  than  is  necessary  to  keep  the  foliage  from  flagging,  which  will  not 
often  be  the  case.  During  the  growing  period  give  an  abundant  supply 
of  waiter,  and  keep  the  plant  well  syringed  overhead,  and  rjither  close,  so 
as  to  encourage  it.  Do  not  discontinue  watering  until  the  growth  is 
complete,  then" gradually  leave  it  ofl',  exposing  the  plant  fully  to  light  and 
air,  so  as  to  have  the  wood  well  ripened. 

Hardiness  of  Hydrangeas  and  Veronicas  fW^w).— Hydrangeas  are 
hardy  in  sheltered  situations,  and  so  are  the  Veronicas;  but  they  are 
best  treated  as  half-hardy,  wintering  them  in  a  coM  pit,  and  protecting 
them  from  frost. 

Stocks  for  Fruit  Trees  (Julia ufi).— The  best  stock  for  the  Apricot 
is  the  Mussel  Plum,  and  it  answers  for  both  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees. 
We  aro  not  aware  that  they  can  be  grown  on  the  Mabaleb  Cherry  ;  but 
we  may  state  that  we  have  Plums  succeeding  admirably  on  the  Cherry 
stock,  and  we  think  the  experiment  worth  trying. 

CocEscoiiB  Strawberry  (A.  H.  H.).— The  Cockscomb  Strawberry  has 
large  and  downy  leaves  like  those  of  the  British  Queen,  but  larger,  and  18 
of  better  habit.  The  fruit  is  very  large,  ovate,  and  occasionally  cockscomb- 
shaped  ;  skin  pale  scarlet;  seeds  prominent;  flesh  \\hite,  with  a  rosy 
tinge,  richly  flavoured. 

Apple  and  Cherry  Stocks  (MfiTi).— The  Paradise  stock  as  commonly 
used  in  this  country,  is  raised  from  pips  of  the  Apple,  and  planted  out  in 
nursery  lines  as  you  describe.  The  MahaUb  Cherry,  or  stock,  is  a  sort  of 
Cherry  of  that  name,  of  dwarf  growth,  and  propagated  by  seeds,  layCTB, 
and  suckers. 

Pyramid  vcrsiis  Busn  Fruit  Trees  (ldcm).—'Wc  consider  pyramids 
are  more  profitable  than  bushes,  as  more  of  the  former  can  he  grown  in 
or  on  an  equal  space  of  ground,  but  allowance  must  be  mado  for  the 
greater  danger  in  pyramids  of  tho  fruit  being  blown  ofT;  but  everything 
considered  we  prefer  pyramids,  and  should  plant  such.  If  the  situation 
were  exposed  to  wind  we  would  plant  bushes,  as  their  fruit  escape  better, 
and  the  trees  are  not  so  liable  to  be  blown  to  one  side.  Pyramid  Apple 
trees  on  the  Paradise  stock  may  be  planted  4  feet  apart,  and  Pears  on  the 
(Quince  stock  the  same  distance  ;  afterwards,  when  becoming  too  close 


448 


JOUBNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  December  10,  1868. 


they  can  be  afforded  more  room.  It  is  better — i.c^  more  profitable,  to 
plant  4  feet  aiiart,  and  give  more  room  as  required,  than  to  plant  at  a 
greater  distance,  and  crop  the  ground  betweon  the  trees,  as  justice  is  by 
that  method  rarely  done  to  either  crop,  and  disturbing  the  ground  about 


fruit  trees  is  destructive  to  the  roots  and  lessens  fertility.     Pyramid 
Cherry  trees  are  formed  in  the  same  way  as  pyramid  Apple  tre  es. 

Name  of   Plant  (D.  B.).—A   Nephrodinm,  probably  N.    arbusciilam. 
Capsicums  are  often  larger  than  those  you  mention. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS 

in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  December  Bth, 

Date. 

BABOHETBB. 

THERiaOUETEB. 

Wind. 

Rain  In 
inches. 

aENEBAL  ReuABES. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Max. 

urn. 

Max. 

Min. 

1  ft.  dp. 

2  ft.  dp. 

Wed...     2 
ThorB.    3 
Fri.    .    4 

Sat.    .    5 
Son.  .    6 
Mon.  .    7 
Taes..     8 

Mean 

29.723 
2;t.575 

2n.''.r.s 

»i).548 
29.0B7 
29.78.5 
29  567 

29.604 
29.460 
29.598 
29.M5 
29.267 
29.469 
29.389 

5IJ 
53 
57 
58 
68 
55 
56 

42 
42 
51 
48 
46 
46 
43 

46 
48 
49 
61 
51 
52 
61 

4.6 
46 
47 
47 
48 
49 
49 

s.w. 
s. 
s. 
s. 

S.E. 
S.W. 

s.w. 

.00 
.06 
.14 
.04 
.28 
.36 
.14 

Overcast ;  very  line  ;  overcast,  but  fine  at  night. 

Fine,  overcast ;  drizzling  rain  ;  overcast,  slight  rain. 

<_)vercast,  very  mild  ;  boisterous,  overcast ;  boisterous  with  rain. 

Densely  overcast ;  rain  ;  cloudy  and  very  boisterous. 

Densely  overcast ;  mild  with  rain  ;  exceedingly  boisterous  with  rain. 

Very  boisterous,  clear  ;  densely  overcast ;  heavy  rain. 

Cloudy,  fine  ;  overcast ;  densely  oyercast,  showery. 

29.C20 

29.390 

55.14 

45.43 

49.71 

47.29 

•• 

1.02 

POULTRY.  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD  CHRONICLE. 


BIRMINGHAM  rOULTRY  SHOW. 

We  can  now  epeak  more  at  leisure  of  the  Birmingham  Show. 
We  will  give  the  weights  of  some  of  the  breeds  where  such 
qualities  are  of  importance,  merely  premising  that  weight  is 
only  important  where  it  is  joined  to  other,  and,  in  many  in- 
stances, more  valuable  properties. 

The  adult  Dorking  cocks  ranged  between  12  lbs.,  and 
lOJ  lbs  ;  these  were  mostly  faultless  birds.  The  cockerels, 
eighty-three  in  number,  ranged  between  11  lbs.  and  ',){  lbs.— 
such  of  them  as  appeared  in  the  prize  list ;  but  many  of  them 
were  not  perfect.  There  was  a  defect  we  have  often  had  to 
point  out  of  late  years — viz.,  the  spurs  growing  outside  the 
legs.  The  average  weight  of  the  prizetaking  Dorking  hens  was 
8  lbs.  each.  The  twelve  suoeessfal  pullets  weighed  'J3  lbs. ; 
the  Silver-Greys  were  little  behind  in  weight. 

In  the  Cochin-Cbina  cockerels  there  were  many  bad  combs, 
which  disquahfied  birds  that  would  otherwise  have  held  good 
positions.  Among  the  Cochin  pullets  and  hens  there  were 
many  with  stained  and  marked  hackles,  otherwise  they  were 
classes  of  very  high  merit. 

We  repeat  that  which  we  said  last  week  about  the  Game ; 
the  Black  and  Brown  Beds  and  Duckwings  were  all  perfect,  save 
that  in  some  there  is  a  tendency  to  breed  them  too  long  in  the 
thigh,  and  to  look  too  much  for  weight.  Many  of  the  birds 
exhibited  were  fit  for  shake-bags  ;  Blacks,  White's,  Piles,  Duns, 
and  Brassy-winged  seem  disappearing,  at  any  rate  they  cannot 
hold  their  own. 

The  same  may  be  said  of  the  Golden  Polands,  unless  they 
increase  in  number  and  quality  they  must  give  way  to  their 
Silver  brethren. 

The  Brahmas  are  now  established  and  form  large  classes, 
both  Dark  and  Light.  We  shall  be  glad  to  see  the  time  when 
no  sign  of  a  vulture-hock  will  be  seen. 

We  considered  the  Creve-Cctur  cocks  a  show  in  themselves, 
and  we  anticipate  popularity  for  them  and  the  Houdans.  We 
can  say  nothing  for  the  La  i'leche. 

The  result  of  Duck-breeding  by  the  cognoscenti  is  a  curious 
one.  Some  years  since  the  Aylesbury  was  always  heavy,  the 
Bouen  was  a  bird  of  feather ;  the  latter  having  acoompiished 
feather  took  up  weight,  and  has  now  passed  the  Aylesbury  in 
the  race.  The  three  prize  pens  of  Eonens  weighed  5.5J  lbs. — 
respectively,  19!  lbs.,  18}  lbs.,  18i  lbs.  ;  the  Aylesbury  collec- 
tively .505  lbs.,  separately  17i  lbs.,  17',  lbs.,  IGi  lbs.  We  were 
much  pleased  with  the  Black  Ducks.  They  improve  every 
year,  and  are  now  all  that  was  desired  years  since. 

white  Geese  beat  the  Grev  and  Mottled  in  weight  —  old 
White  55  lbs.,  51  lbs;  young,  50  lbs.,  40i  lbs.  Old  Grey, 
55J  lbs.,  38  lbs.  ;  young,  45  lbs.,  44  lbs. 

Old  Turkey  cocks  weighed  33  lbs.,  32  lbs. ;  young  24  Iba. 
23J  lbs.  Two  hens,  old,  37J  lbs.,  30  lbs;  young,  29  lbs., 
26J  lbs.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  a  pen  as  exhibited  of  old, 
containing  a  cock  and  two  hens,  might  have  been  shown 
weighing  70.J  lbs. 

We  were  amused  to  find  many  persons  during  the  show, 
speaking  of  the  Aylesbury  and  Rouen  as  the  edible  Ducks,  and 
putting  the  Black  and  the  Call  Ducks  among  the  fancy  birds. 
It  is  a  great  mistake ;  both  these  breeds  are  excellent  for  the 
table,  the  former  being  distinguished,  even  among  the  good  ones. 


The  amount  of  money  taken  at  the  doors  was  £1037 ;  the 
number  of  persons  admitted,  44,583. 

It  was  throughout  a  deservedly  successful  meeting. 


DETAILS  OF  POULTRY   SHOWS. 

The  Meeting  called  by  advertisement  was  held  on  Monday 
evening,  November  30th,  at  the  Acorn  Hotel,  Birmingham,  a 
considerable  number  of  poultry  and  Pigeon  exhibitors  from 
various  parts  of  England  being  present.  There  were  many 
subjects  freely  discussed,  and  several  resolutions  unanimously 
adopted.     See  advertisement. 

The  Members  of  the  Meeting,  wishing  to  consult  the  con- 
venience of  the  various  shows  as  much  as  possible,  expressed 
a  wish  that  it  should  be  understood  they  do  not  dictate  to  the 
Committees  that  they  shall  adopt  the  regulations  ;  at  the  same 
time  they  thought  it  would  be  to  the  advantage  of  all  parties  if 
they  could  be  carried  out.  It  was  the  general  opinion  that 
large  shows  should  appoint  more  judges,  and  instead  of  two  or 
three  persons  having  to  judge  the  same  classes,  assign  to  each 
of  them  a  certain  number  of  pens,  and  then  it  would  be  seen 
who  were  the  most  competent  to  arbitrate,  and  if  mistakes 
were  made  the  judge  committing  the  error  would  be  known. 
It  was  thought  the  trimming  of  birds  was  not  sufficiently  taken 
notice  of  by  judges,  and  if  they  need  their  discretion  more 
frequently  in  disqualifying  birds  it  would  be  advantageous. 


OAKHAM   POULTRY    SHOW. 

When  exhibitors  send  valuable  fowls  to  shows  they  expect 
that  they  will  receive  ordinary  care,  but  the  way  this  Show 
was  managed  is  a  disgrace  to  the  Committee.  Instead  of  the 
show  being  held  in  the  Biding  School,  as  exhibitors  had  good 
reason  to  expect,  especially  at  this  time  of  the  year,  it  was 
held  in  a  tent,  which  was  blown  down  two  days  previous  to 
the  show,  and  the  ground  saturated  with  rain.  After  it  was 
repaired  the  fowls  were  penned  and  kept  in  this  cold,  damp, 
draughty  place  for  three  days  and  nights — quite  enough  to 
injure  them  all,  and  make  them  unfit  for  exhibition  again  this 
season.  Some  of  my  birds  arrived  on  Saturday  morning,  and 
the  rest  on  Saturday  night,  so  that  it  is  probable  they  were  two 
days  without  food.  1  think  it  right  these  facts  should  be  known 
to  exhibitors  generally. — J.  W. 


DORKING  POULTRY    SHOW. 

(From  a  Correspondent.) 

This  was  held  on  the  3rd  inst.,  in  the  Assembly  Room,  Dorking 
With  the  exception  of  classes  for  adult  and  chicien  Coloured  Dorkings 
the  competition  was  confined  to  members  of  tho  Society  only. 

This  Show  was  a  decided  success,  being  far  superior  to  any  former 
exhibition  in  that  town.  Its  chief  characteristics  are  that,  with  the 
exception  of  aquatic  fowls  and  Turkeys,  it  is  confined  solely  to  Dork- 
ings ;  and  though  the  prize  list  is  particularly  liberal,  it  is  thrown 
open  to  all  England  by  an  entrance  fee  of  5^.  per  pou,  whatever  num- 
ber of  pens  may  be  exhibited.  I  believe  that  next  year  a  larger 
building  will  bo  available,  which  will  add  to  the  comfort  of  the  visitors, 
and  provide  better  accommodation  for  the  birds  ;  and,  as  the  entries 
increase  every  year,  this  will  be  a  necessity. 

The  cup  in  the  adult  class  was  deservedly  won  by  Dr.  Campbell,  and 
that  in  the  young  class  by  Mr.  Gellatly.     This  case  was  the  only  one 


December  lu,  1363.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF    HOBTICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GAKDiiNEB, 


449 


in  which  I  Rhonld  demnr  to  the  jadRing,  and  here,  I  think,  it  was  de- 
cidedly faulty.  The  cup  classes  contained  a  most  beautiful  collection 
of  birds,  making  it  by  no  means  au]_easy  task  to  select  the  winning 
birds. 

The  local  classes  also  contained  birds,  many  of  which  would  have 
easily  won  cups  a  year  or  two  back.  Many  birds  changed  hands,  as 
the  prices  asked,  in  numerous  cases,  were  very  moderate. 

Dorkings  (Colourod).— First,  D.  C.  Campbell,  M.D.,  Urontwoocl.  Se- 
cond, H.  Humphrey,  Steyning.  Tbiril,  .1.  Ivimy,  UedhiU.  Hislilv  Com- 
mended, ,1.  KlR.ir,  Osmantborpo  Hall,  Newark.  ComiiiriHl.-'i.  K.  &  A. 
Stanford,  Enlcms,  Steyning.  Cliirkrtu.— First,  D.  (idlatlv,  MiM^ln.  Se- 
cond, H.  Humphrey.  Third.  Major  C.  W.  Calvert,  Ocldey  Court.  Highly 
Commended,  D.  C.  Campbell,  M.l).    Commended,  E.  &  A.  Stanford. 

MEMnEUS  ONLY. 
Dorkings  (Coloured).— First,  J.  Ivory,  Dorking.  Second,  E.  T.  Ben- 
nett, Betchwoith.  Third,  M.  Putney,  Dorking.  P'ourth,  J.  Attlee, 
Dorking.  Highly  Commonded,  J.  Ivery.  Commended,  H.  Wise.  Brock- 
ham.  CVncAen.i.— First,  J.  Ivery.  Second,  M.  Putney.  Third,  E.  May, 
Dorking.  ;  Fourth,  \V.  Fell,  Wescott.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Ivimy. 
Commended,  J.  Clift,  Dorking. 

Dorkings  (Blue-speckled).— Prize,  W.  Griffin,  Westcott.  Chickens.— 
Prize,  W,  Griffln. 

Dorkings  (White).- First,  T.  Sherlock,  Dorking.  Second,  W.  Attlee. 
Tlurd,  Mrs.  J.  Malheson,  Holmwood.  Highly  Commended,  A.  Wav, 
Betcbwortb.  OncAfn.!.— First,  G.  Cubitt,  MP.,  Denbies.  Second  and 
Highly  Commended,  W.  Attlee,  Dorking.  Third  and  Commended,  Mrs. 
•J.  E.  Matbeson.  Holmwood. 

Dorkings  (Coloured).  —  Cocl-.— First,  J.  Ivcrv.  Second,  W.  Fell. 
Highly  Commended,  M.  Putney.  Commended,  E.  May.  Hem  or  PiMeta. 
First,  J.  Ivery.  Second,  F.  May.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Clift.  Com- 
mended, Major  C.  W.  Calvert. 

Dorkings  (Blue-speckled).— Cocli-.-Prize,  W.  Griffin.  Hens  or  Pullets. 
—First,  Withheld.    Second,  Major  C.  W.  Calvert. 

Dorkings  (White).— Coct. -Prize,  W.  Attlee.  Bens  or  Pu(if(«.- Prize, 
W.  Attlee. 

Docks  (White  Aylesbury).  —  First,  J.  Ivimy.  Second,  E.  Kerrich, 
Dorking.  Highly  Commended,  W.  Attlee.  Commended,  W.  F.  Watson, 
Dorking. 

Docks  (.\ny  other  breed. —First.  -T.  Iverv.  Second,  G.  Minter,  Fetcham. 
Highly  Commended.  Mrs.  E.  Norris,  Hatchford  Parsonage,  Cobham. 
Commcnde.l.  Sir  R.  A.  Glass,  M.P.,  Aghur«t.  Headley. 
Geese.— First.  W.  Attlee.    Second,  H.  Wise. 

ToRKETS.- First.  Sir  R.  A.  Glass.  M.P.    Second.  F..  Neal,  Bury  Hill, 
Dorking.    Higlily  Commended,  A.  Way.    Commended,  Miss  A.  Lushing- 
ton,  Ockham  Park. 
DoRKisG  (Fatted).— First,  G.  Ellis,  Betchworth.    Second,  J.  Ivory. 
Judge.— Mr.  .John  Wood,  Westcott. 


KILMARNOCK  POULTRY  SHOW. 

The  Exhibition  held  in  the  Com  Exchange,  on  the  '2^th  of  Xovem- 
ber,  was  a  very  successful  one.     The  following  prizes  were  awarded  : — 

Sp.lNlSH.— First  and  Commended,  J.  Crawford,  sen.,  Beitb.  Second 
and  Third,  R.  Blair,  Kilmarnock. 

Dorkings.— First,  -T.  Muir,  Glasgow.  Second,  A.  J.  Mutter,  Kilmarnock. 
Thu-d,  W.  M.  Groat,  Kilmarnock. 

Brahha  Pootka.— First,  A.  Gibb,  Ayr.  Second.  J.  W.  Taylor,  Ayr, 
Third,  .\.  Robertson,  Kilmarnock.  Commended,  A.  Geddes,  Kilmarnock  ; 
H.  Roxburi:h,  Galgton. 

Scotch  Grevs.— First,  J.  Fulton.  Second  and  Third,  W.  Craig, 
Eilbimie. 

Hamburgh  (Golden-spangled).  —  First,  R.  Cunningham,  Stewarton. 
Second,  H.  Currie.  Ardrossan.  Third,  A..  Gibbs.  Highly  Commended, 
and  Commended,  J.  Jardine.. 

HAJincEGtls  (Golden-pencilled). —First,  W.  Bachop,  Paisley.  Second, 
J.  Armstrong,  Longtown.  Third,  J.  Smith,  Stewarton.  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  Smith  ;  J.  Richmond,  Kilmarnock. 

Hamburghs  (Rilvcr-apansiled).— First  and  Second,  E.  Maekie,  Stewar- 
ton.   Third,  D.  Skeoch,  Stewarton. 

Hambuechs  (Silver-pencilled).- First,  W.  Bachop.  Second,  J.  Mug- 
grave.  Lonctown.    Third,  M.  Anderson. 

Game.— First,  R.  Stirrat.  Dab-y.  Second.  J.  Baker,  Stewarton.  Third, 
J.  Hodge.  Hurlford.    Highly  Commended.  T.  Maekie,  Stewarton. 

Gaste  Bantams.- First,  .1.  Glass.  Ayr.  Second,  C.  -Urd,  Kilmarnock. 
Third  and  Highly  Commended.  A.  Morrison.  Glasgow. 

Bantams  (Black).— First.  J.  Robertson,  Kilmarnock.  Second,  J.  Sharp, 
Johnstone.    Third,  J,  Jardine,  Kilmarnock. 

Bantams  (.\ny  other  variety).- Firgt,  J.  Robertson.  Second,  J.  Jardine. 
Third,  A.  Yeudall,  Galston. 

Anv  other  Variety.- First  and  Second,  J.  Allan  (Creve-Coeur).  Third, 
J.  Pollock,  Busby. 

Ducks   (Aylesbnrv). — First  and  Second,  A.  Robertson.    Third,   Miss 
J.  W.  Picken,  Craigie. 
Ducks  (Rouen).— First,  Second  and  Third,  A.  Robertson. 
Duces  (.A.ny  other  kind).— First  and  Second,  J,  Robertson.    Third,  J. 
Dickie,  Gatehead. 

Selling  Class.  —  First,  J.  Mosgrave  (Silver-pencilled  Hnmburghs). 
Second,  H.  Currie  (Golden-spangled).  Third,  A.  Robertson  (Rouen 
Ducks).  Highly  Commended,  A.  J.  Mutter  (Dorkings) ;  J.  Robertson 
(Dncks). 

PIGEONS. 

Pouters  (Any  CDlour).— First  and  Second,  J.  Sharp.    Third,  J.  M'Crae, 

KUmamoek.    Commended,  J.  Glass.     I'oanj.— First,  J.  R.  Adam,  Ayr, 

Second,    J.    Sconlar,    Kilmarnock.     Third.    W.    Douglas.    Crosafcouse. 

Highly  Commended,  J.  Sharp.    Commended,  D.  Munn,  Kilmarnock  ;  A. 

Sim,  Kilmarnock. 

Carriers.- First,  J.  Kerr,  Kilmarnock.     Second  and  Third,  J.  Muir. 

Highly  Commended,  D.  Munn.    Commended,  A.  Wardrop,  Kilmarnock. 

Tumblers  (Short-faced).  —  First,  J.   Muir.      Second  and  Third.  A. 

Millar,  Kilmarnock.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Kerr.    Commended,  Miss 

E;  M.  Eeveridge,  Ayr. 

Tumblers  (-\ny  other  kind).— First,  R.  Maekie.    Second,  W,  Douglas. 


Third,  D.  K.  Mackay.  Commended,  A.  Thomson,  Knockentiber;  O. 
Brown,  Kilmarnock. 

Fantails.— First,  J.  Sharp.  Second,  T.  Wilson,  Stewarton.  Third, 
K.  Blair.    Commended,  W.  Crawford. 

jAcoBiNfl.—First,  J.  Wilson,  Galston.  Second,  A.  Morrison.  Third,  J. 
Sliarp.  Highly  Commended,  A.  Mitchell,  Paisley.  Commended,  R. 
Gibson. 

Barbs.— First  and  Second,  J.  Muir.  Third,  J.  Sharp.  Highly  Com- 
mended, Miss  E.  M.  Beveridgc. 

Trumpeters.- First,  J.  Muir.  Second,  J.  Sharp.  Third,  J.  Thompson, 
Bingley.  Highly  Commended,  W.  W.  Beveridgc.  Commended.  A.  War- 
drop. 

Nuns,- First,  W.  W.  Beveridge.  Second,  J.  Morton,  Nowmilns.  Third, 
R.  Gibson.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Sharp. 

Common.— First,  C.  Kerr.  Second,  W.  M'Kinlay.  Third,  W.  McCrae. 
Highly  Commended,  R.  Stirrat.    Commended,  J.  Muir. 

Any  other  Distinct  Breeo. — First,  J.  Thompson.  Second,  W.  W, 
Beveridge  (Turbits).  T.  Baird,  Galston  (Turbits).  Highly  Commended, 
J.  Thompson.    Commended,  J.  Sharp. 

Selling  Class.  —  First,  A.  Millar  (Pouters).  Second,  J.  Wilson 
(Jacobins).  Third,  W.  Crawford  (Fantails).  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Scoular  (Pouters),    Commended,  A.  Wardrop  (Trumpeters)  ;  J,  Sharp. 

CANARIES. 

Clean  Yellow. — Cock. — First,  A.  Kelly,  Paisley.  Second,  T.  Craig 
Third,  J.  Richmond,  Kilmarnock.  Hen. — First,  R.  Crawford.  Second, 
and  Third,  J.  Muir. 

CLEiN  Buff.— Cocfc.— First  and  Second,  R.  Calderwood.  Third,  T. 
Craig.  Hen. — First,  A.  Kelly.  Second,  W.  McLnckie,  Kilmarnock, 
Third,  R.  Watson. 

Yellow  Piebald. — Cock. — First,  G.  Haddow,  Corsehill.  Second,  .T. 
Crawford.  Third.  C.  Aird,  Kilmarnock,  ifen.— First,  A.  Kelly.  Second, 
R.  Crawford.    Third,  J.  Glasgow. 

Buff  Piebald.  —  Cock.  —  First,  G.  Hamilton,  Beith.  Second,  R. 
Stevenson,  Galston.  Third,  W.  Bryson,  Darvel.  Hen.— First,  J.  Fulton. 
Second,  J.  Cilasgow.    Third,  G.  McLure. 

Goldfinch  Mule  (Yellow). — First,  A.  Wardrop.  Second,  J.  Paton, 
Overton. 

Goldfinch  Mule  (Boff). — First,  J.  Paton,  Second  and  Third,  G. 
Goudie. 

Goldfinch. — First,  J.  Crawford.    Second,  T.  McMurtrio. 

Silver  Medal  for  the  Best  Clean  Birds. — Prize,  .J.  Mair. 

Judges. — PonJtrii :  Robert  Paton,  Esq.,  Kilmarnock ;  .Tames  Stevens, 
Esq.,  Ardrossan;  .Tames  Holbom,  Esq.,  Stewarton.  Pif/eon.i :  James 
Huie,  Esq.,  Glasgow;  -James  Paton,  Esq.,  Stewarton.  Canaries: 
John  Wren,  Esq.,  PoUokshaws;  Andrew  Pringle,  Esq.,  Dairy; 
William  Orr,  Esq.,  Beith  ;  John  Anderson,  Esq.,  Kilmarnock. 


BELFORD   CANARY   SHOW. 

This  was  held  on  the  ind  and  3rd  iust.  The  following  is  the  prize 
list  :— 

Belgian  (Clear  Y'ellow).— First,  W.  Tinlin,  Galashiels.  Second.  G. 
Nicholson,  Newcastle.  Third,  J.  Robson,  Bebside,  Morpeth.  Very 
Highly  Commended,  W.  Bulmer,  Stockton  ;  J.  Robson ;  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  Baxter,  Newcastle.  Commended,  J.  Baxter ;  G.  P.  Norris, 
Berwick  ;  J.  Drvden,  Kelso. 

Belgian  (Clear  Buff).— First,  W.  Bulmer.  Second,  R.  Porsythe, 
Edinburgh.  Third,  B.  Gilchrist,  Barnes,  Berwick.  Very  Highly  Com- 
mended, G.  P.  Norris.  Highly  Commended,  C.  Lugton,  Hillbnrn, 
Ayton  ;  W.  Dippie.  Edinburgh  ;  T.  W.  Wark,  Edinburgh.  Commended, 
G.  P.  Norris  ;  W.  Tinlin. 

Belgian  (Marked  or  Variegated,  Yellow  or  Buff  not  Ticked).- First, 
B.  Gilchrist.  Second,  W.  Bulmer.  Third,  R.  Hawman,  Middlesbrough, 
Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  Bexson.  Highly  Commended  and  Com- 
mended, J.  Drvden. 

Don  (Clear  Yellow  Glasgow).— First,  J.  Sonlsby,  Newcastle.  Second, 
W.  Tinlen.  Third,  G.  Nicholson,  Newcastle.  Very  Highly  Commended, 
W.  Crease,  Edinburgh ;  G.  Nicholson.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Kemp, 
Galashiels  ;  W.  CuiTy,  Belford  ;  W.  Tinlen.  Commended,  J.  Grcenlees, 
Sunderland  ;  A.  Ferguson  ;  A.  Scott,  Jedburgh  ;  W.  Crease. 

Dons  (Clear  Buff  Glasgow).— First,  W.  Alexander, Edinburgh.  Second, 
J.  Soulsby,  Sunderland.  Third,  G.  Nicholson.  Very  Highly  Commended, 
W.  Crease.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Murray,  Belford;  R.  White,  West- 
wood  ;  J.  Kemp.    Commended.  J.  Grcenlees.  Sunderland. 

DoNS  (Marked  or  Variegated  Glasgow,  Yellow  or  Buff  not  Ticked). — 
First,  J.  Ross,  Edinburgh.  Second,  G.  Greig,  Edinburgh.  Third,  J. 
Cleghom.  Galashiels.  Verv  Higblv  Commended,  A.  Ferguson  ;  W.  Dippie, 
Edinburgh.  Highlv  Commended,  J.  Grcenlees  ;  S.  H.  Jeffrey,  Jedburgh, 
Norwich  (Cle.ar  Yellow).— First  and  Highly  Commended,  T  &  J.  Irons, 
Northampton.  Second,  J.  Bexson.  Third,  T.  Carrington,  Derby.  Very 
Highly  Commended,  S.  Tomes,  Northampton  ;  G.  J.  Barnesby,  Derby  ;  J. 
Wynn,  Northampton ;  G.  Moore,  Nortbampton.  Commended,  G.  J, 
Barnesby ;  J.  Young. 

Norwich  (Clear  Bnff).— Fir^t  and  Second,  E.  Orme,  Derby.  Third,  G. 
J.  Barnesby.  Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  Bexson ;  E.  Coke,  Derby. 
Highly  Commended.  T.  &  J.  Irons  ;  W.  Y'oung,  Belford.  Commended,  E. 
Mills,  Sunderland  ;  J.  W'vnn. 

Norwich  (Marked  or  Variegated  Buffer  Yellow).— First,  G.  Shiel, 
Sunderland.  Second,  R.  L.  Wallace,  Berwick.  Third,  J.Baxter.  Highly 
Commended,  R.  Hawman  ;  J.  Young;  E.  Orme  ;  J.  Wynn  ;  G.  Moo-re. 

Norwich  (Variegated  Yellow  with  Dark  or  Grey  Crest). — First,  G, 
Moore.  Second,  J.  Baxter.  Third,  S.  Tomes.  Very  Highly  Commended, 
W.  Blakston,  Sunderland.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Wynn.  Commended, 
J.  Bexson. 

Norwich  (Variegated  Buff  with  Dark  or  Grey  Crest).- First,  S.  Tomes. 
Second,  G.  Shiel.  Third,  J.  Wynn.  Very  Highly  Commended,  G.Moore. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Young.     Commended,  11.  L.  Wallace. 

Norwich  (Clear  Yellow  or  Buff  with  Dark  or  Grey  Crest\— First,  J. 

Y'oung.     Second,  J.  Stainsby,  Sunderland.    Third,  J.  Wynn.    Very  Highly 

Commended,  K.  L.  Wallace.     Highly  Commended,  J.  Stainsby  ;  J.  Baxter ; 

J.  Young.    Commonded.  S.  Tomes;  G.  Moore. 

Cinnamon    (Clear  Yellow).— First,    J.  Wynn.     Second,  K.  Hawman. 


460 


JOURNAL    OP  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER.  [  December  10,  18W. 


Third,  R.  L.  Wallace.  Very  Highly  Commended,  S.  Tomes.  Higlily  Com- 
mended, E.  Orme  ;  S.  TDtne^  ;  G.  Moore.     Commended,  J,  Stainsby. 

Cinnamon  (Clear  Buff).— First,  J.  Wynn.  Second,  G.  Mnore.  Third, 
C.  H.  Angus.  Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  Stainsby.  Highly  Com- 
jnended,  S.  Tomes. 

Cinnamon  (Markedor  Vnriegated  Yellow  or  Bnff'.— First.  J.  Wynn.  Se- 
cond, H.  L.  Wiillace.  Third,  J.  Baxter.  Very  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Baxter;  J.  Wyun.    Commended,  R.  Hawman ;  S.  Tomes. 

Goldfinch  McLEa  (Marked  or  Variegated  Yellow).— First  and  Very 
Highly  Commended,  G.  J.  B-imesby.  Second,  Third,  and  Highly  Com- 
mended. J.  Young.     Commended,  R.  Paston,    Eelford;    T.    CaiTington. 

Goldfinch  Mdles  (Marked  or  Variegated  Buff).— First  and  Third,  J. 
Young.  Second,  G.  J.  Bamesby.  Very  Highly  Commended,  T.  Carring- 
ton;  G.  Moore.  Highly  Commended.  J.  Robson ;  G.  J.  Bamesby;  G. 
Shiel.    Commended,  J.  Young  ;  J.  Robson  ;  G.  Shiel. 

Any  Variety  op  Canary  not  befoee  SpECiFifiD  (Open  Class).- First. 
J.  Baxter  (Ticked  Belgian).  Second,  T.  Carrington  (Silver-spangled 
Lizard).  Third,  W.  Young  (Ticked  Norwich),  Fourth.  J.  Jours,  Belfnrd 
(Ticked  Belgian).  Very  Highly  Commended,  R.  Hawman  f  Silver-spangled 
Lizard! ;  C.  Lugton  (Ticked  Don).  Highly  Commended,  J.  Wvnn  (Buff 
Crested  Cinnamon),  Commended.  W.  Bulmer  (Coppery);  "S.  Tomes 
(Marked  Crested  Cinnamon i  ;  J.  Wyun  (Marked  Crested  Cinnamon). 

Any  Variety  of  Canary  (Local  Class  .—First,  T.  Humble.  Belford 
(Buff  Belgian).  Second,  J.  Murray  (Ticked  Don).  Third,  R.  Hall, 
Belford  (Yellow  Norwich).  Fourth.  R.  Tully,  Belford  (Ticked  Don). 
Very  Highly  Commended.  J.  Jears  (Buff  Belgian) ;  G.  Richardson, 
Belford  (London Fancy).  Highly  Commended,  W.Woar.Eclford  (Mai'ked 
Cinnamon]. 

Judges. — For  Norioich  and  Cinnavwn^  Mr.  R.  Pearson,  Durham ; 
ior  Belgians y  Dons,  and  Mutes^  Mr.  K.  L.  Wallace,  Berwick. 


PIGEONS  AT  THE  BIRMINGHAM  SHOW. 

I  MUST  say  that  with  one  exception  the  management  was  all  that 
could  he  desired.  There  is  nothinf^  of  more  importance  in  preserving 
the  health  of  Pigeons  in  confinement  than  cleanliness  ;  and  delicate 
varieties,  like  the  AJmond  and  Short-faced,  Owls,  Toys,  &c.,  easily 
acquiie  a  fatal  disease  in  a  short  time  by  its  neglect.  I  regretted,  there- 
fore, to  see  the  food  of  the  specimens  embedded  in  their  excrements, 
■while  a  liberal  supply  of  sand  would  have  absorbed  the  moisture, 
avoided  the  danger  of  disease,  and  kept  the  feathers  clean. 

In  the  Almond  Tumbkrs,  Mr.  Fulton,  of  Deptford  took  all  prizes  ; 
the  first-prize  pen  were  well  matched,  the  hen  better  coloured  than 
hens  nsnally  are,  and  both  tme  almond  gronnd,  with  good  heads  and 
carriage.  The  cock  of  the  second-prize  pen  had  tho  best  head  I  ever 
saw  on  an  Almond  or  Short-faced,  but  he  was  a  year  or  two  too  old 
for  colour  ;  the  hen,  a  good  bird  and  beautiful  in  colour.  The  birds  of 
the  pen  taking  third  were  a  pair  (Si  high  merit.  The  class  altogether 
was  very  good,  the  best  point  being  yellow  or  almond  ground  instead  of 
red. 

In  the  class  of  Bal-ch  and  Beards  the  first  place  was  won  by  Mr. 
Fielding,  of  llochdale,  with  a  pair  of  Blue  Beards  fully  deserving  the 
honour  ;  the  second  place  by  Mr.  Fulton,  with  a  pair  of  Blue  Balds, 
the  cock  rather  too  coarse,  but  the  hen  very  good ;  the  third  by  Mr. 
Oates,  of  Besthorpe,  Newark,  with  a  pair  of  Blue  Beards.  The  class 
rather  good. 

In  the  Short-jficcd  class  the  first  prize  was  taken  by  Mr.  Crossley,  of 
EUand,  near  Halifax,  with  a  pair  of  Blacks,  but  I  could  not  discover 
their  claim  to  the  distinction.  Mr.  Fulton's  Red  Agates  were  much 
superior  in  head  and  carriage.  Mr.  Fulton's  Mottles  also  had  a  higher 
claim  to  the  first  place,  for  a  good  Mottle  is  a  most  difficult  bird  to 
breed,  and  the  cock  was  decidedly  a  good  bird.  The  second  prize  was 
awarded  to  Mr.  Fulton  for  a  pair  of  good  Red  birds,  bnt  not  matching 
in  colour.  The  third  honour  went  to  Mr.  Ford,  of  London,  for  a  nice 
pair  of  Yellow  Mottles.     It  was  a  very  good  class. 

Black  Carrier  Cocks. — This  class  was  very  good,  Mi*.  Fulton  again 
carrying  off  all  three  prizes,  also  the  silver  cup  for  the  beat  Black 
in  the  Show.  In  my  opinion  the  third-prize  bird  was  the  best  in  the 
class. 

BlacJc  Carrier  Hens  were  good  as  a  class.     Mr.  Fulton  was  first  with 
a  most  perfect  specimen ;  Mr.  Crossley  second  with  a  very  good  bird. 
Dun  Carrier  Cocks.- — Mr.  Homer  was  first ;  Mr.  Ord,  second ;  and 

Mr.  Fulton,  third.     I  think   the  best  bird  was   overlooked,  it  was 

exhibited  by  Mr.  Fulton. 

Dun    Carritr  Hens. — This  class  contained  some  very  good  birds. 

Mr.  Fulton  was  again  first  with  a  grand  bird,  good  in  every  point ;  Mr. 

Crossley  was  second  with  a  moderate  bird  of  rather  short  and  thin 

beak,  and  too  broad  in  skull.     Mr.  Fulton  was  commended  for  a  far 

Superior  bird. 

Can-iers  of  any  other  colour  in  pairs. — This  was  a  miserable  class  of 

only  three  entries.     Mr.  Falton  was  first,  and  Mr.  Ord,  second.     I 

believe  this  class  ought  to  be  divided  into  cocks  and  hens  to  meet  with 

success,  as  many  fanciers  possess  odd  specimens  in  White,  Silver,  and 

Blue,  but  they  cannot  well  match. 

lied  Pouter  Cocks. — Mr.  Rose,  of  Cransley  Hall,  near  Kettering,  was 

first  with  a  very  good  coloured  bird,  but  arched-bacl<ed;  Mr.  Bulpin, 

of  Bridgewater,  was  second  with  a  good  bird. 

Bed  Folder  Hens. — Mr.  Rose  was  again  first  with  a  good  bird  in 

every  point  but  colour. 
Blue  Bontcr  Cocks. — Mr.  A.  H.  Stewart,  of  Birmingham,  was  first, 

and  also  obtained  the  silver  medal  offered  by  Mr.  Rose  for  the  best 

Pouter,   with  a   remarkably  good  bird,  in  points  and  colour  all  that 

could  be  desired,  as  it  measured  20^  inches  in  length,  and  7^  inches  in 


leg.     He  is  the  "King  of  the  Bines."'     Mr.  Crossley  took  the  second 
prize  witli  a  good  bird  on  inferior  legs. 

Bhte  Pouter  Hens. — Mr.  Crossley  took  the  first  prize  with  a  bird 
rather  short  in  leg,  and  with  foul  thighs.  Mr.  Shaw,  of  Stainland, 
Halifax,  was  second  with  a  fair  bird. 

Black  Pouter  Cocks. — Mr.  Fulton  was  first  with  a  very  good  bird, 
Mr.  Heath,  of  Calne,  was  second  with  a  good  bird,  but  with  too  much 
white  on  the  wings. 

Black  Pouter  Hens. — Mr.  Fulton  carried  off  both  prizes.  The  first- 
prize  bird  was  of  very  good  colour,  in  fact  a  grand  hen. 

White  Pouter  Cocks. — This  was  an  exceptionally  good  class.  Mr. 
Fulton  was  first  and  second.  The  latter  bird  was  by  far  the  best  in 
the  class,  measuring  19A  inches  in  length,  and  7  in  leg. 

Wdtc  Pouter  Hens. — Mr.  Tegetmcier  was  first  with  a  worthy  hen 
with  gi-and  carriage,  yet  rather  wide  in  legs  ;  Mr.  Fulton  second  with 
a  fair  bird,  but  rather  coarse. 

Pouter  Cocks,  Any  other  Ool<>ur. — The  most  insignificant  class,  and 
very  wisely  the  first  prize  was  withheld  ;  the  second  went  to  Mr.  Fulton. 

Pouter  Hens,  Any  other  Colour. — Mr.  Stewart  carried  off  the  first 
prize  with  a  beautiful  Yellow  hen,  good  in  points.  Mr.  Fulton  was 
second  with  a  very  good  bird. 

The  rather  too  much  favour  of  so  many  classes  to  Pouter  fanciers 
has  not  been  appreciated.  In  the  last  Show  there  were  four  classes 
with  ninety  entries  ;  while  this  year  there  are  eight  classes  with  only 
seventy-one  entries ! 

Jacobins,  Yellow. — Only  eight  pens.  Mr.  J.  "W.  Edge  took  the  first 
prize.  The  hen  of  this  pen  was  splendid,  but  the  cock  rather  coarse. 
Mr.  Horner  was  second  with  a  pair  of  good  colour,  but  large  and 
rather  long  in  the  head. 

Jacobijis,  Any  otlicr  Colour. — This  was  a  rather  strong  class.  Mr. 
Maynard,  Ryde,  Isle  of  Wight,  was  first  with  good  Reds.  Mr.  Royds, 
Greenhill,  Rochdale,  was  second  with  good  Blacks,  in  caps  and  frills 
excellent,  but  foul  in  flights. 

Barbs,  Black. — Mr.  Crossley  was  first  with  a  fail*  pair ;  Mr.  Chamley, 
of  Preston,  second.  The  third  prize  was  most  deservedly  withheld,  as 
this  was  the  most  unworthy  class. 

Barbs,  Auy  other  Colour. — Mr.  Charnley  was  first  with  a  good  pair 
of  Duns  ;  IVIr.  Homer  was  second  with  Reds.  Mr.  Firth  showed  a 
pair  of  very  good  Yellows,  the  best  in  the  class,  but  sadly  out  of  con- 
dition, and  to  make  them  worse  they  were  abundantly  supplied  with 
hempseed.  The  two  classes  last  year  numbered  twenty-seven  good 
pens,  this  year  only  nine  pens  I  Are  the  fanciers  of  this  beautiful 
variety  getting  weak  ? 

Fantaih,  White. — This  was  a  large  and  good  class,  numbering 
twenty-four  pens.  Mr.  J.  W.  Edge,  of  Birmingham,  occupied  the 
most  prominent  position.  Ue  took  the  first  prize  and  the  siJver  cup 
for  a  pair  of  exquisite  birds  with  verj-  expansive  fans,  starting  as  it 
were  from  the  extremity  of  the  hackle,  and  possessing  a  great  number 
of  feathers.  Mr.  Yardley,  of  Bii-mingham,  was  nest  with  a  remark- 
ably good  pair.  Another  pair  of  his  birds  were  highly  commended. 
It  would  puzzle  many  judges  to  decide  which  should  have  the  next 
place  ;  luAvever,  Mr.  Park,  of  Melrose,  was  third  with  a  very  good  pen. 
The  awards  in  this  class  must  be  veiy  satisfactory  to  all  who  under- 
stand what  a  good  Fantail  should  be. 

Fantaih,  Any  otJicr  Colour. — In  this  class  also  the  two  first  places 
were  assigned  to  the  same  exhibitors,  Mr.  J.  W.  Edge  again  being 
first  with  a  veiy  excellent  and  well-matched  pair  of  Blues,  which 
though  fairly  entitled  to  the  first  place  had  two  slight  defects,  and  if 
these  could  be  remedied  they  would  be  perfect  specimens — viz.,  in 
each  bird  in  this  pen  the  four  primary  tertials  were  missing,  which,  of 
course,  detracted  from  their  appearance.  The  birds  had  also  yellow 
eyes,  and  although  to  many  fanciers  they  may  be  no  detriment,  yet 
most  will  admit  that  the  pearlish-coloured  eye  is  preferable.  Some 
few  were  to  be  found  in  this  class  which  could  lay  claim  to  the  name 
of  both  Black  and  Blue  ;  in  fact,  they  would  not  be  misnamed  if  they 
were  called  Chequers. 

Trumpfters,  Mottled. — Six  entries  formed  this  class,  and,  of  course, 
it  was  not  so  well  represented  as  so  interesting  and  prolific  a  variety 
would  warrant  us  to  expect.  Mr.  Horner,  Harewood,  Leeds,  was 
first  with  a  good,  large-sized,  and  well-muffed  pair,  but  not  well 
matched,  the  hen  having  much  more  white  on  her  than  her  mate, 
which  was  a  good-coloured  bird.     Mr.  Firth  was  second. 

Trumpeters,  Any  other  C"lour. — Mr.  Oates  was  first  with  a  really 
splendid  pair  of  Whites.  All  the  points  that  constituted  a  good  pair 
of  White  Trumpeters  were  embodied  in  that  pair.  Mr.  Shaw  showed 
a  very  good  pair  of  birds,  which  were  not  noticed  for  some  reason 
which  I  cannot  trace,  unless  the  birds  proved  defective  in  hand.  Mr. 
Firth  was  second;  Mr.  Bulpin,  third.     TLis  was  a  fair  class. 

Dragoons,  Blu^. — Only  nine  entries,  which,  taken  together,  were 
good.  Mr.  Crossley  was  first  with  his  very  nice  pair  of  Blues,  which 
are,  undoubtedly,  very  good  bii-ds,  but  are  now  becoming  too  "  heavy" 
in  wattle  and  coarse  in  skull  to  hold  their  gi'ound  much  longer.  In 
this  class  Mr.  Ludlow  and  Mr.  Percivall  showed  a  pen  each,  either  of 
which  ought  unquestionably  to  be  placed  second,  in  lieu  of  those  of  Mr. 
Shaw,  which  were  much  inferior,  one  bird  being  white  upon  the  back, 
the  other  dark,  which  difference,  together  with  general  character,  has 
been  overlooked. 

Drof/oons,  Red  or  Yellov\ — These  were  represented  by  some  veiy 
superior  birds,  those  of  Mr.  Bulpin,  which  took  the  first  place,  being 
the  most  beautiful  Dragoons  of  a  uniform  colour  I  ever  saw,  and  fully 


Docombor  10,  18(58.  ] 


JOUBNAL  OF  HORTIOOLTDBB  AND  COTTAGE    GABDENBB. 


461 


dosGi-vinp:  tho  position  they  held,  and,  with  pood  judf^oa,  will  bo  difficult 
to  boat  anywhere.  Mr.  Ludlow  was  second  with  birds  of  n  very  ^'ood 
rich  colour,  nnd  they  fully  merited  tho  imsition  allotted  them.  There 
were  only  two  pens  of  Keds,  both  ot  which  were  bluish  down  tho 
thighs  and  back.  They  are  verj-  ditlicult  to  procure  of  a  good  red 
colour  throughout.     It  was  a  good  class. 

J)rnri<xms,  Any  other  colour. — In  this  class  of  cleveu  entries,  Mr. 
rorcivall  was  justly  first,  with  a  V017  beautiful  ]mir  of  Silvers.  They 
were,  indeed,  handsome,  and  I  believe  wero  sold  easily.  They  were 
Tory  straight  iu  bead,  compact  iu  form,  beautiful  in  colour,  and  in  all 
respects  a  pair  of  Dragoons.  Mr.  ITorner  was  second  witii  a  pair  of 
Whites,  sadly  too  coarse  in  head,  and  heavy  in  wattle,  but  in  good 
condition,  and  looking  quite  at  homo  in  a  pen.  Mr.  Ludlow  and  Mr. 
AUsop  showed  some  very  nice  specimens — the  former  a  pair  of  Whites, 
bat  rather  soiled,  the  latter  a  very  good  pair  of  Silvers,  the  hen  a  little 
too  dark  for  the  cock. 

Aitticcrps, — This  large  class,  numbering  twenty-eight  entries,  was 
not  ([uito  so  good  as  has  been  brought  into  competition  in  this  .Show, 
although  some  are  all  that  can  be  desired.  It  was  evident  that  the 
best  pair  had  been  passed,  being  out  of  condition,  bnt  there  were  others 
also,  which,  according  to  the  general  standard,  were  unnoticed,  but 
merited  prizes  more  tUau  the  two  pons  to  which  those  honours  wero 
awarded,  and  this  is  partly  acknowledged  by  the  exhibitors.  The  first- 
prize  birds.  Blue  Chequers,  of  Mr.  Yai'dley's,  did  not  match  in  colour, 
and  the  cock  was  rather  an  inferior  bird.  The  second- prize  Duns, 
Mr.  Yardley's,  deserved  their  place.  The  third  prize  was  given  to  a 
pair  of  Duns,  which  were  not  nearly  so  good  in  any  respect  but  that 
thoy  matched  in  style  better  than  several  other  pens — namely,  one  pair 
of  Duns  exhibited  by  Mr.  Taylor,  and  two  ])airs  of  Dun  Chequers  ex- 
hibited by  Mr.  Taylor  and  Mr.  Nov-'-.  This  class  has  successively 
proved  largo  enough  to  bo  in  future  divided  into  two  classes — viz.. 
Blue,  and  Blue  Chequers  ;  Dun,  and  Dun  Chequers.  Competition 
would  increase,  and  the  extra  prizes  recompense  the  care  and  attention 
bestowed  so  widely  on  such  valuable  birds. 

Nuns. — The  first  prize  went  to  Mr.  Bulpin,  Bridgewater,  Somerset ; 
the  second  and  third  to  Mr.  Banks,  Runcorn,  Cheshire.  The  second- 
prize  pen  to  all  appearance  should  have  been  placed  higher. 

Turhits,  Red  or  Yellow. — First,  Mr.  Horner  ;  second  and  thii'd,  Mr. 
Shaw — most  deserving. 

Turbils,  An)/  other  Colour. — First,  Mr.  Bulpin,  Blue  ;  second,  Mr. 
Homer,  Silver.  Mr.  J.  Thompson,  Biugley,  Yorkshire,  showed  a  pair 
of  Blacks  which  were  much  more  attractive  than  the  second-jirize 
Sr.vers. 

Oml.'i,  Foreign. — First  and  second,  Mr.  Fielding,  jun. ;  the  first 
Bines,  the  second  Whites.  The  second,  with  the  exception  of  size, 
are  superior  to  the  first  in  head. 

J'.'nj/lish  Ou'ls. — First,  Mr.  Bulpin  ;  second,  Mr.  Watts,  ot  King's 
Heatii,  Birmingham — well  merited.  I  trust  to  see  the  last  two  classes 
a  little  stronger,  as  they  are  most  worthy  of  attention. 

Archanrjcls. — First,  Mr.  Edge  ;  second,  Mr.  Bulpin.  Pen  2700, 
belonging  to  Mr.  Yardley,  I  believe  was  the  best  in  the  class,  as  the 
birds  in  the  prize  pens  were  rather  bronzed  on  the  wings,  unless  this 
is  a  fashionably  introduced  point. 

tSmallmos. — First,  second,  and  third,  Mr.  H.  Paget,  Birstall,  Leices- 
tershire. The  first,  a  beautiful  pair  of  Reds,  found  more  than  one 
CQstomer,  and  were  easily  sold  by  auction  for  .£6  15s.,  though  entered 
for  .f.i. 

Jiuiits. — First  and  second,  Mr.  Green,  Saffron  Waldcn,  Essex  ; 
third,  Mr.  Yardley,  wortliily  awarded  by  weight. 

Aiu/  oth:r  Varietij. — The  pet  class  of  visitors.  In  this  Mr.  Noye, 
Birmingham,  took  the  first  with  Satinettes,  pronounced  by  one  of  the 
Judges  to  be  the  prettiest  pen  in  the  Show.  Evidently  I  was  not  mis- 
taken when  I  wrote  in  this  Journal  that  they  had  tired  tho  old  judges 
in  awarding  prizes  to  this  variety.  Equal  first,  Mr.  Draycott,  Humber- 
stone,  near  Leicester — Frillbacks,  a  very  good  pau*.  The  three  second 
prizes  went  to  Mr.  Draycott,  Mr.  Yardley,  and  Mr.  Paget,  for  birds 
all  of  the  Ice-Toy  stamp,  or  the  same  character  of  birds  in  different 
colours.  The  three  third  prizes  were  won  by  Mr.  W.  Banks,  of  Run- 
com,  Cheshire  ;  Mr.  Horner,  Leeds ;  and  Mr.  Yardley  ;  the  two  again 
of  the  German  "  chance  variety,"  and  the  other  a  pair  of  Lahores,  by 
Mr.  Banks,  which  were  rather  out  of  place,  as  there  was  a  pen  of 
Dots  shown  by  Mr.  Baily,  jun.,  also  a  pen  of  Russian  by  Mr.  Loder, 
far  prettier. 

In  concluding  my  remarks,  I  must  say  that  the  duties  of  the  Judges 
were  rather  too  heavy,  and  I  wonder  how  the  three  managed  with 
120  pens  more  than  last  year,  especially  those  of  Messrs.  Ridpeth  and 
Esquilant,  as  Mr.  Harrison  Weir  and  Dr.  Cottle  only  judged  the 
Almond  Tumblers,  the  Carriers,  and  the  Pouters,  and  the  first  two 
gentlemen  all  the  other  classes.  I  should  like  to  Imow  who  thus 
arranged  the  work,  and  why  Messrs.  Weir  and  Cottle  did  not  under- 
take also  the  Dragoons,  and  the  Short-faced  classes,  including  Balds 
and  Beards,  However,  this  greatest  of  English  shows  has  made 
an  acquisition  in  the  services  of  the  two  newly-appointed  Judges, 
Messrs.  Ridpeth  and  Esquilant,  and  they  have  been  most  justly  severe  in 
disqualifying,  which  will  do  much  good  to  future  shows. — A  FonEiGNER. 

[We  have  received  letters  from  Mr.  Barnes,  and  others,  all  agreeing 
in  praising  the  judgment  displayed  in  assigning  the  prizes,  and  the 
firmness  in  disqualifying  birds  that  were  either  coloured  or  not  paired. 
There  were,  of  course,  some  oversights,  despite  the  acknowledged  vigi- 
lance of  the  Judges. — Eds.] 


ARTIFICES  OP  THE  PIGEON  EXHIBITORS  AT 
THE   BIRMINGHAM   SHOW. 

One  would  have  thought  after  what  has  been  said  and 
written  in  this  Journal  about  the  artifices  that  exhibitors  of 
Pigeons  use  to  obtain  prizes  at  tlie  various  shows,  that  they 
would  have  taken  the  hint  that  has  been  put  forth  as  regards 
the  birds  shown  not  being  pairs,  and  also  the  handiwork  dis- 
played in  trimming  and  colouring  or  dyeing  tho  birds  sent. 
But  no  !  With  an  impertinence  that  is  truly  astounding  they 
still  persist  in  sending  their  two  hens  or  two  cocks,  with 
the  hope  that  they  will  delude  tlie  judges  and  they  gain  the 
award  of  merit;  but  the  various  and  numerous  cards  of  dis- 
qualification nailed  above  tho  pens  at  Birmingham  this  time 
prove  that  the  judges  are  determined  as  far  as  possible  to  put 
a  stop  to  such  unfair  practices,  and  to  hold  up  the  names  of 
such  as  adopt  them  to  the  scorn  of  worthier  exhibitors. 

A  man  may  be  deceived  with  regard  to  a  cock  or  hen  bird, 
but  there  can  be  no  excuse  for  dyeing  or  colouring  a  pen  of 
birds.  This  is  wilful,  and  evidently  done  with  unjust  motives, 
and  is  paltry  and  despicable.  Yet  such  was  the  case  with  two 
Black  Mottle  Pouters  exhibited  by  Mr.  Stewart,  of  Birming- 
ham, the  black  apparently  coming  off  freely  on  to  the  white 
feathers  of  the  birds.  Happily  the  Judges  instantly  detected 
the  artifice,  and  they  were  at  once  disqualified.  But  I  do  not 
think  the  matter  ought  to  end  here.  I  would  have  it  that  such 
exhibitor  should  be  excluded  from  ever  exhibiting  again  at 
Birmingham,  and  that  he  should  be  debarred  from  taking 
any  prize  at  the  then  existing  Show ;  and  I  sincerely  trust 
that  such  a  rule  will  be  found  amongst  the  other  wise  and 
prudent  precautions  already  laid  down  by  the  Council  to  insure 
justice  and  fair  play  for  every  one  ;  and  I  would  further  carry 
such  rule,  that  in  tlie  event  ot  birds  dyed  or  otherwise  coloured 
getting  past  the  observation  of  the  judges,  that  such  birds 
should  still  be  disqualified  if  bo  proved  before  the  termination 
of  the  show. 

I  think  all  real  fanciers  will  join  heartily  in  this  proposal,  as 
at  least  one  step  in  the  right  direction  to  protect  the  exhibitor 
who  exhibits  fairly. 

I  had  hoped  to  have  seen  some  notice  taken  of  these  matters 
iu  the  last  week's  impression  ;  but  have  no  doubt  that  this 
week  many,  like  myself,  will  express  their  opinions  as  freely  as 
I  have  done,  and  with  the  same  determination  to  try  and  put 
a  stop  to  such  unfair  practices — I  might  use  a  stronger  term. 
— Censok. 

[We  need  scarcelv  sny  that  we  will  do  all  in  our  power  to 
put  an  end  lo  these  disreputable  proceedings  ;  and  we  are  rejoiced 
that  so  competent  and  independent  a  judge  as  is  "Censor" 
has  issued  this  warning. — Eds.] 


LARGE  HIVES. 

When  I  introduced  to  the  notice  of  the  readers  of  The 
Journal  of  Horticulture  the  subject  and  the  superiority  of 
large  hives,  I  deemed  it  wise  to  allude  to  the  Stewarton  hive 
and  Neighbour's  cottage  hive.  I  did  so  with  a  view  to  give  the 
reader  a  correct  idea  of  what  I  meant  by  large  and  small  hives, 
and  incidentally  to  give  the  manufacturers  of  these  hives  a 
hint  as  to  the  desirability  of  enlarging  their  sizes.  I  did  so 
with  some  hesitation,  fearing  that  my  remarks  might  be 
taken  in  a  sense  not  meant  by  me. 

A  gentleman  signing  himself  "  A  Lanarkshire  Bee-keepee," 
has  appeared  in  your  pages,  not  only  in  defence  of  the 
Stewarton  hive  in  its  present  size,  bnt  in  bold  antagonism  to 
large  stock  hives  ;  I  am  sorry  he  has  not  given  his  name  and 
address,  for  I  have  a  growing  dislike  to  notice  controversial 
remarks  from  gentlemen  who  withhold  their  names.  As  his 
criticisms  may  possibly  influence  a  few  readers  not  remarkable 
for  close  and  accurate  thinking,  I  will  now  try  to  guard  them 
against  being  misled,  by  reviewing  my  reviewer. 

After  wisely  passing  over  my  remarks  condemnatory  of  all 
hives  made  of  wood,  the  "  Lanarkshire  Bee-keeper  "  comes 
to  the  question  of  large  and  small  hives,  and  ventures  to  say 
that  the  disadvantage  is  greatly  on  the  side  of  the  large  one  in 
spring,  owing,  he  says,  "  to  the  bees  occupying  only  a  small 
part  of  the  hive  in  comparison  with  its  size."  It  grieves  me 
exceedingly  to  see  a  man,  especially  a  Lanarkshire  man,  make 
statements  he  cannot  substantiate.  How  does  he  know  that 
large  hives  in  the  spring  months  are  comparatively  small  in 
population,  and  without  sufficient  warmth  to  hatch  the  brood? 
I  have  never  found  such  things  happen  in  large  hives  under 


452 


JOUBNAIi  OF  HORTICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  December  10, 1868. 


good  management.  Another  statement  our  friend  makes  is 
this,  that  the  waste  of  eggs  in  a  large  hive  is  greater  than  in  a 
small  one,  a  statement  so  extraordinary  and  extravagant  that 
I  fancy  it  will  be  difficult  to  find  another  person,  either  north 
or  south  of  the  Tweed,  who  will  believe  it. 

Again,  he  would  have  us  believe  that  the  Stewarton  hive  is 
large  enough  to  hold  some  honey  and  pollen,  and  03,000  cells 
for  brood — that  is  to  say  "3000  eggs  per  day."  In  my 
advocacy  of  large  hives  I  have  never  gone  so  far  as  this  "  Lan- 
arkshire Bee-keeper."  If  he  will  satisfy  me  that  there  are 
deposited  3000  eggs  in  empty  cells  every  day  in  a  Stewarton 
hive,  and  3000  bees  produced  every  day,  or  room  for  them,  I 
shall  never  again  condemn  this  hive  on  account  of  its  small- 
ness.  With  an  eye  of  honest  scrutiny  I  cannot  understand 
what  induces  this  gentlemen  to  go  beyond  the  bounds  of  reason 
and  possibility  in  his  commendation  of  the  Stewarton  hive. 
Evidently  he  manages  bees  on  the  non-swarming  system, 
■whereas  we  go  strongly  for  the  swarming  system  of  manage- 
ment where  profit  and  a  continuance  of  success  are  aimed  at. 

Will  the  reader  just  notice  what  happens  where  large  hives 
are  well  managed  and  allowed  to  swarm  ?  Very  often  each  hive 
yields  two  swarms,  but  in  a  run  of  years  three  swarms  from 
two  hives  will  be  about  the  average.  In  a  moderately  favour- 
able year  for  prosperity  the  two  stock  hives  and  their  three 
swarms  will  have  40,000  bees  each  at  the  end  of  the  season — 
200,000  altogether.  In  the  case  of  large  hives  each  swarm  is 
more  populous  than  a  smaller  hive  managed  on  the  non- 
swarming  system  ;  very  well,  now  suppose  we  take  the  honey 
from  three  of  these  five  hives,  and  put  their  bees — 120,000  in 
number — into  the  two  selected  for  stock,  what  do  we  obtain  ? 
Two  hives  more  than  double  the  strength  of  those  which  have 
had  no  additions  of  bees.  Such  hives  are  neither  cold  in 
spring,  nor  are  the  bees  slow  to  cover  their  combs.  In  1867  I 
had  only  twelve  swarms  in  September  to  divide  amongst  twenty- 
four  hives,  from  these  I  had  twenty  swarms  in  May  ;  and  in 
June,  18C8,  one  of  the  largest  bee-keepers  in  Lancashire  told  me 
that  no  honey  could  be  obtained  here  if  hives  were  allowed  to 
swarm,  yet  my  swarms  yield  twice  as  much  honey  as  his  that 
are  not  allowed  to  swarm. 

1  am  quite  sure  if  my  readers  will  adopt  larger  hives  and 
manage  them  well,  they  will  have  no  sympathy  with  the 
"Lanarkshire  Bee-keeper,"  when  he  expresses  his  detesta- 
tion of  large  hives.  I  have  both  large  and  small  hives  in  my 
garden  ;  the  small  ones  help  me  to  increase  the  number  of  my 
hives,  the  large  ones  yield  me  profit.  By-and-by  I  shall  be 
able  to  work  in  an  apiary  every  way  excellent,  and  then  the 
small  castaways  will  bo  occasionally  used  for  supers. 

I  am  of  opinion  that  if  this  advocate  of  the  Stewarton  hive 
had  been  in  Manchester  in  the  months  of  September  and 
October  last,  to  witness  a  number  of  Irishmen  hawking,  day 
after  day,  great  dishes  of  pure  honeycomb  in  large  cakes, 
12  inches  square,  cut  out  of  large  hives,  he  would  hesitate 
before  he  again  ventured  to  speak  publicly  of  his  detesting 
the  use  of  large  hives.  Much  of  this  comb  brought  from 
Ireland  could  not  be  surpassed  for  excellence,  and  generally 
reaUsed  Is.  'Jd.  per  lb. 

The  "  Lanarkshire  Bee-keeper  "  says,  if  I  would  adopt  and 
only  half-manage  the  Stewarton  hives,  I  would  "  find  them  very 
profitable,  and  be  able  to  send  to  the  market  first-class  honey, 
whilst  the  inferior  which  we  now  produce  would  gradually  dis- 
appear." This  is  rather  too  strong,  and  so  is  the  following 
quotation  : — "  I  would  emphatically  state  that  the  whole  world 
has  not  yet  produced  in  quantity  and  quality  honey  equal  to  that 
obtained  from  the  Stewarton  hive."  I  should  fancy  this  ex- 
pression of  wild  enthusiasm  would  have  no  more  weight  with 
thinking  men  than  the  sigh  of  a  butterfly  in  love.  As  it  is  my 
intention  to  visit  Lanarkshire  next  year  in  July,  and  stay  four- 
teen days  there,  I  earnestly  hope  that  this  gentleman  will  let 
me  have  his  address,  and  permission  to  visit  his  bee  garden  ; 
and  if  I  find  there  what  he  talks  about — results  so  prodigious 
that  hives  which  took  two  men  to  lift  have  given  place  to  the 
Stewarton  hive,  I  can  assure  him  that  I  will  use  what  little 
influence  I  possess  to  bring  it  speedily  into  repute.  At  pre- 
sent I  have  no  faith  in  the  worth  of  wooden  hives — no  faith  in 
the  present  size  of  the  Stewarton  hive,  and,  I  regret  to  say, 
less  faith  in  the  recommendation  he  has  given  of  it. 

The  "Lanarkshire  Bee-keeper"  has  in  one  instance, 
perhaps  unintentionally,  misrepresented  my  meaning.  He 
makes  it  that  Mr.  Pettigrew  says  if  these  Stewarton  hives  were 
"properly  managed,  much  more  honey  would  be  obtained." 
I  never  dreamed  of  such  a  thing.  My  words  are  "  If  these  hives 
were  twice  as  large  and  properly  managed,"  &c.     His  remark 


about  "  the  inferior  run  honey  of  large  hives  gradually  disap- 
pearing "  is  another  bold  stroke.  The  markets  of  Great 
Britain  demand  ten  times  more  run  honey  than  honeycomb, 
and  while  this  demand  lasts  bees  will  be  managed  sojas  to 
produce  it. — A.  Pettigrew,  Brighton  Grove,  Manchester. 


GREAT  MEETING  OF  GERMAN  BEE-MASTERS 

HELD   AT   DARMSTADT.— Sept.  8th,  9th,  &  10th. 

These  meetings  of  bee-masters  held  periodically  in  one  after 
another  of  the  principal  towns  of  Germany,  show  what  a  point 
bee-keeping  has  reached  in  that  country,  and  are  most  inter- 
esting as  well  as  advantageous  in  their  results.  The  meeting 
which  was  held  this  year  at  Darmstadt,  the  capital  of  the  Grand 
Duchy  of  Hesse,  was  attended  by  a  large  number  of  the  cele- 
brities of  German  bee-keeping.  Some  well-known  names,  in- 
cluding Baron  von  Eerlepsch  (who  is  suffering  from  a  stroke  of 
paralysis,  but  growing  better),  are  missed  from  the  list,  but 
still  a  meeting  attended  by  such  men  as  Dzierzon,  Von  Hru- 
schka  (the  inventor  of  the  centrifugal  comb-emptying  machine), 
Vogel  (introducer  of  the  Egyptian  bee  to  Germany),  Dathe, 
Koehler,  Professor  Leuckart,  of  Giessen,  perhaps  the  first  au- 
thority of  the  day  on  the  natural  history  of  the  bee,  a  Greek 
Priest  from  Croatia,  Marches!  Crivelli,  the  great  reformer  in 
Italian  bee-keeping,  from  Milan,  to  say  nothing  of  many  others 
more  or  less  known,  from  all  parts  of  Germany,  and  several 
from  France,  could  not  fail  to  be  interesting.  Great  facilities 
were  also  afforded  by  the  fact,  that  almost  every  railway  com- 
pany in  Germany  and  Austria  conveyed  bee-keepers  or  other 
visitors  to  the  meeting,  as  well  as  articles  for  exhibition,  at 
fares  generally  50  per  cent,  or  more  reduced. 

The  first  day  of  the  meeting  was  Sept.  8th,  and  at  half-paat 
ten  the  President,  His  Excellency  Herr  von  Berchthold,  opened 
the  proceedings,  by  welcoming  the  visitors  in  the  name  of 
H.R.H.  the  Grand  Duke,  who  had  placed  his  orangery  and  ad- 
joining grounds  at  the  disposal  of  the  meeting,  and  addressed 
the  assembly  in  a  short  speech,  followed  by  two  other  addresses 
by  the  Mayors  cf  Darmstadt  and  Bessungen. 

The  President  then  read  out  the  rules  for  guiding  the  speakers, 
and  the  real  business  of  the  day  was  commenced  by  a  speech 
by  Professor  Leuckart,  enforcing  first  of  all  the  necessity  of 
learning  theory  as  well  as  practice,  in  order  to  become  a  suc- 
cessful apiarian.  He  then  proceeded  to  notice  the  points  of 
similarity  and  difference  in  their  habits  between  hive  bees, 
wasps,  ants,  and  humble  bees,  dwelling  especially  upon  the 
extraordinary  fertility  of  the  queen  bee. 

The  first  subject  upon  the  programme  then  came  on  for  dis- 
cussion. "  1,  What  is  the  cause  of  the  difference  of  size  in 
queen  bees  ?  2,  Are  the  larger  queens  to  be  preferred  to  the 
small,  and  why  ?  3,  Is  it  in  the  bee-master's  power  to  insure 
the  production  of  large  queens  ?" 

These  questioiis  had  been  proposed  by  Dzierzon,  who  as- 
cended the  speaker's  platform  amidst  a  storm  of  applause.  The 
substance  of  his  remarks  was  :  1,  That  the  difference  in  size 
is  caused  by  difference  in  food  during  development,  and 
depends,  therefore,  much  upon  whether  the  queens  be  bred 
during  the  time  when  there  is  abundance  of  pollen  or  not, 
pollen  being,  in  fact,  the  element  of  their  food  which  is  of 
most  importance  in  this  respect.  2,  That  although  smaller 
queens  are,  often  at  least,  as  fruitful  as  large  ones,  yet  that  the 
advantages  of  size  in  other  respects  are  great,  as,  for  instance, 
if  the  queen  is  to  be  caught,  and  especially  because  experience 
has  shown  that  large  queens  are  annually  impregnated  in  a 
much  shorter  time  than  small  ones,  a  difference  sometimes, 
especially  in  cool  weather,  being  observed  of  ten  days.  The 
tLird  question  is  answered  mainly  in  the  remarks  on  the  first, 
merely  adding,  that  the  fewer  queens  that  are  being  bred  at 
once  by  one  stock,  the  larger  they  are  likely  to  be. 

Dr.  Pollmaun,  from  Bonn,  thought  that  the  difference  in 
size  depended  much  on  the  age  of  the  grubs  in  the  case  of  ar- 
tificially-bred queens,  for  that  a  grub  which  had  been  fed  four  or 
five  days  with  common  food,  could  not  develope  to  the  same 
size  as  if  it  had  all  along  enjoyed  royal  food  ;  and  also  on  the 
fact  that  the  egg  naturally  destined  to  become  a  queen  is  kept 
warmer  at  the  first  than  other  eggs.  As  every  bee-keeper  will 
allow,  large  queens  must  be  stronger  than  small  ones,  and  to 
produce  large  queens  we  must  always  take  care  to  commence 
with  the  egg  at  as  early  a  stage  as  possible. 

The  second  subject  came  then  in  order.  "  What  is  the 
result  of  all  that  has  appeared  in  the  '  Bee  Journal '  during 
the  last  year  upon  foul  brood  ?  " 


December  10, 1868.  J 


JOURNAL  OF  HOBTIOULTUliB  AND  COTTAGE   GAKDENER. 


453 


This  question  had  been  proposed  by  Baron  Ton  Berlepsch, 
and,  owing  probably  to  his  absence,  the  discussion  assumed 
a  somewhat  desultory  character.  The  substance,  however,  was 
much  as  follows — fir.  Prcuss,  a  scientific  microscopist  of  some 
authority,  and  an  experienced  beo-keopor,  and  Professor  Leuok- 
art,  unhesitatingly  attribute  the  worst  kind  of  foul  brood  to 
the  presence  of  a  microscopic  fungus,  similar,  probably,  to  the 
one  affecting  the  silkworm  in  North  Italy.  It  was  also  remarked 
that  foul  brood  had  much  increased  since  the  introduction  of 
the  Italian  bee.  The  fungoid  theory  was  also  supported  by 
some  of  the  non-scioutific  bee-masters  present,  as  affording  a 
satisfactory  explanation  of  many  of  the  details  connected  with 
foul  brood. 

Professor  Leuckart  thought  it  probable  that  the  eggs  (but,  of 
course,  only  in  the  worst  cases)  contained  already  the  germs  of 
the  disease,  an  opinion  which  was  opposed  by  those  who 
alleged  cases  where  they  had  saved  the  queens  of  condemned 
stocks,  which  had  afterwards  always  produced  a  healthy  suc- 
cession. 

Upon  the  question  how  to  deal  with  foul  brood,  the  opinion 
was  almost  general,  that  the  stocks,  some  said  the  hives  too, 
must  be  destroyed.  Others,  again,  and  amongst  them  no  mean 
authorities,  maintained  that  they  had  cured  foul  brood  by  a 
process  recommended  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Schieberle,  of  Moravia, 
at  the  meeting  of  German  bee-masters  held  at  Briinn,  in 
September,  18ti.5.»  It  seemed  also  probable,  that  in  many  cases 
foul  brood  arose  from  feeding  bees  with  the  impure  honey  im- 
ported from  Havanna  and  other  places.  The  next  question  on 
the  programme  was — 

"Whether  foul  brood  is  a  result  of  using  hives  with  move- 
able combs,  and  not  rather  of  imprudence  when  giving  them 
drink  in  winter?"  Unfortunately  Mr.  Kleine,  whose  question 
this  was,  was  detained  at  home  by  domestic  affliction ;  but  in 
his  stead  Mr.  Dzierzon  remarked,  that  though,  doubtless,  in 
the  hands  of  inexperienced  and  incompetent  bee-keepers,  the 
system  of  moveable  combs  had  its  dangers,  yet,  as  a  matter  of 
fact,  it  was  the  easiest,  if  not  the  only  means  of  discovering 
foul  broud  and  overcoming  it.  He  could  not  understand  the 
meaning  of  the  second  half  of  the  question,  and  had  no  idea 
what  could  be'passing  in  Mr.  Kleine's  mind  to  make  him  connect 
foul  brood  with  giving  bees  drink  in  winter. 

Dr.  Busch  remarked  that,  possibly  Mr.  Kleine  had  formed 
his  opinion  from  some  scientific  articles  which  had  appeared 
in  the  Hanoverian  Bee  Journal  of  which  he  is  the  editor.  A 
Mr.  Lambrecht  had  there  made  known  the  results  of  various 
chemical  investigations,  which  had  induced  him  to  attribute 
foul  brood  to  the  bees  feeding  upon  pollen  which  had  been 
wetted  and  in  consequence  had  fermented. 

The  next  question  discussed  concerned  some  details  in  the 
construction  of  hives  (first  introduced  by  Dzierzon),  with  move- 
able combs,  and  since  used  with  but  slight  modifications 
throughout  Germany.  AVe  may  pass  this  by  as  having  little 
interest  for  English  bee-keepers. 

After  this  followed  the  question : — "  Whether  there  are 
localities  so  absolutely  unfitted  for  keeping  bees,  that  in  spite 
of  all  the  experience  and  pains  of  the  bee-master,  the  best 
stocks,  if  moved  thither,  die  off  in  a  short  time  ?" 

The  only  speaker  to  this  question  proved  that  bee-keeping 
might  be  impossible  in  some  localities  owing  to  neighbours 
poisoning  the  bees.  After  keeping  bees  successfully  for  forty 
years,  he  had,  owing  to  the  diabolical  bebavionr  of  a  neighbour- 
ing manufacturer,  lost  in  four  years  the  whole  of  his  bees, 
above  .£100  in  value. 

This  led  naturally  to  the  question  next  in  order,  only  in- 
teresting to  Germany,  as  to  the  desirability  of  some  laws  as  to 
bee-keeping. 

After  this  Mr.  Dzierzon  spoke  to  one  of  his  own  suggesting 
— let,  "At  what  age  do  young  bees  first  leave  the  hive  and  first 
gather  honey  ?  2nd,  Would  it  be  advisable,  without  reference 
to  wintering,  to  hinder  the  breeding  of  bees  which  cannot 
gather  any  honey  in  the  current  season  ?" 

Mr.  Dzierzon  remarked,  that  he  had  been  induced  to  suggest 
this  question  in  consequence  of  statements  in  Baron  von 
Berlepsch's  new  edition  of  his  bee  book,  in  which  it  is  stated 
that  young  bees  begin  first  to  gather  honey  in  about  thirty-five 
days,  and  that,  consequently,  it  is  advisable  to  prevent  the  in- 
crease of  brood  from  about  thirty- five  days  before  the  end  of 
the  honey  season.  Dzierzon  beUeves  that  a  young  bee  may 
ieave  the  hive  when  three  days  old,  or  remain  at  home  for  as 

•  Wo  shall  (rive  a  description  of  Mr.  Schieberle's  mode  of  curiog  foul 
brood  in  an  early  number. — Eds,  J,  of  H. 


many  months,  so  that  no  precise  number  of  days  can  be  given. 
If  there  are  plenty  of  workers,  young  bees  would  remain  longer 
at  homo  ;  if  there  were  few  old  bees,  as  when  a  hive  has  been 
moved,  the  young  bees  would  gather  sooner.  This  he  could 
assert  from  experience.  And  the  second  suggestion  was 
grounded  upon  a  mistake,  for  the  activity  of  bees  depends 
very  much  upon  the  amount  of  brood.  If,  therefore,  for  the 
last  thirty-five  days  they  had  but  little  or  no  brood,  they  woald 
gather  comparatively  less  honey. 

Mr.  Vogel  had  seen  young  bees,  after  careful  observation, 
come  out  of  their  hives  when  six  or  seven  days  old,  but  only  in 
isolated  cases.  As  a  rule  the  eighth  or  ninth  day  would  be  the 
earliest,  and  dependent  also  upon  circumstances  of  tempera- 
ture, wind,  strength  of  the  stock,  &c.  Young  bees  do  not 
gather  honey  till  sixteen  days  old,  as  is  proved  by  the  fact  that 
they  starve  under  that  age  if  left  in  a  hive  without  honey  or 
older  workers.  He  agrees,  therefore,  on  the  whole  with  von  Ber- 
lepsch as  regards  the  first  part  of  the  question.  As  regards 
the  second  half,  Dzierzon  has  not  understood  von  Berlepsch, 
who  does  not  say  that  one  should  not  suffer  any  brood  after  a 
certain  time,  but  that  one  should  not  suffer  unnecessary  brood, 
a  mistake  often  made  by  beginners.  And  von  Berlepsch's  re- 
marks are  intended  for  places  with  very  short  honey  harvests. 

Mr.  Kijhler  agreed  with  the  last  si)enker,  and  remarked  in 
addition,  that  the  question  how  old  the  bee  is  when  she  first 
leaves  the  hive  had  a  very  important  bearing  upon  the  question 
of  uniting  weak  stocks  for  the  winter,  an  operation  which  he 
thought  was  usually  undertaken  too  late  in  the  year.  It  should 
be  done  before,  and  not  after,  the  end  of  the  honey  harvest. 

The  next  question  on  the  list  was  "  Whether  it  be  possible 
to  hinder  drone  brood  in  hives  with  moveable  combs  without 
having  recourse  to  the  old  method  of  cutting  out  drone  combs  ?" 

Mr.  Dathe  was  of  opinion  that  it  was  better  not  to  let  the  bees 
build  drone  cells,  by  filling  up  any  empty  space  in  the  breeding 
room  of  the  hive  with  worker  comb  so  soon  as  the  bees  begin 
drone  cells.  To  suffer  bees  to  build  drone  combs,  and  then  to 
cut  them  out  involves  a  great  waste  of  honey,  and  a  great  loss 
of  time  for  the  bees,  who  build  drone  cells  over  and  over 
again.  By  filling  up  the  gaps,  we  should  probably  have  young 
bees  in  the  same  space  where,  but  for  this,  we  should  still  be 
cutting  out  drone  comb.  Further,  the  bee-keeper  saves  himself 
the  time  and  trouble  he  would  otherwise  necessarily  have  to 
devote  to  examining  his  hives,  and  cutting  out  the  drone  cells. 
Of  course  in  the  space  devoted  to  honey  the  bees  may  build  as 
much  drone  comb  as  they  please.  The  speaker  had  for  eight  years 
aHowed  no  drone  brood  where  he  did  not  wish  it,  and  this  with- 
out any  cutting-out.  For  this  purpo.^ie  it  is  necessary,  1,  That 
there  should  be  a  division  betweeu  the  brood  room  and  honey 
room,  so  long  as  the  bees  wish  to  build  drone  cells.  2,  The 
bees  must  not  be  allowed  to  build  in  the  breeding  space  after 
they  cease  to  build  worker  cells.  3,  In  spite  of  all  care,  some 
drone  cells  are  sometimes  built  in  the  breeding  space.  These 
should  be  at  once  removed  to  the  honey  division,  using  in  fact 
for  this  part  of  the  hive  all  the  drone  cells  one  can  bring 
together. 

The  speaker  then  added.  1,  That  worker  comb  should  never 
be  destroyed,  but  either  kept  for  feeding  the  bees  if  necessary, 
or,  2,  Emptied  by  means  of  the  centrifugal  machine,  and  the 
empty  comb  used  again.  3,  Every  means  possible  should  be 
employed  to  secure  a  good  store  of  worker  comb  frem  artificial 
swarms,  late  swarms,  &q.,  and  others  which  cannot  be  wintered. 
i.  We  can  compel  any  hive  to  build  worker  comb  by  reducing 
it  to  the  condition  of  a  swarm — i.e.,  by  taking  out  nearly  all  the 
combs.  5,  We  may  takeout  all  perfect  combs  from  a  hive  with 
a  young  queen,  the  beea  will  then  build  worker  cells.  6,  and 
lastly,  When  compelled  we  may  use  artificial  comb  foundations. 
These  conclusions  were  supported  by  Messrs.  Hopf  and  Huber ; 
the  latter  also  suggested  that  it  would  often  be  a  good  plan  to 
remove  the  old  queen  with  the  drone  combs  in  order  that  the 
bees  having  then  a  young  queen  might  build  worker  cells,  but 
it  should  not  be  forgotten  that  till  the  young  queen  is  ready  to 
lay,  only  drone  cells  would  be  built  if  the  bees  were  allowed 
access  to  empty  breeding  space. 

The  proceedings  of  the  first  day  were  then  concluded  with  a 
few  words  from  the  President,  and  the  appointment  of  judges 
for  articles  exhibited. 


NEW  AND   OLD   BOOKS. 

Peter  Parley's  Ammal,  18G9.     London:  Ben.  George. 
Wk  are  not  about  to  lecture  upon  the  wondrous  alteration 
for  the  better  that  has  occurred  within  the  last  quarter  of  a 


454 


OOUfiNAL  OP  HOBTICULTUBB  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEE. 


I  December  10,  1863. 


century  in  books  for  the  javeniles  of  this  and  other  lands. 
Among  them  none  excels,  in  combining  the  amusing  and  bene- 
ficial, "  Peter  Parley's  Annual,"  and  we  commend  it  to  all  who 
purpose  giving  a  Christmas  or  New-year's  gift  to  their  own  or 
their  friend's  "  boy."  But  we  should  not  have  felt  justified  in 
noticing  it  if  it  had  not  contained  a  chapter  "  About  Pigeons," 
and  several  chapters  about  "  A  Wonderful  Little  People." 
Now,  these  "little  people  "  are  bees,  and  it  so  happened  that 
when  "  Peter  Parley's  Annual "  was  placed  on  our  desk  we 
were  turning  over  the  leaves  of  a  book  about  the  same  "  won- 
derful little  people,"  but  it  is  a  book  nearly  three  hundred 
years  old.  The  information  about  bees  in  "Peter  Parley's  An- 
nual "  is  good,  because  derived  from  Langstroth,  the  American 
apiarian,  yet  the  old  volume  contains  good  information  too, 
and  is  so  quaint  and  suggestive  of  the  style  of  bee-lore  in  the 
reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  that  we  must  print  a  few  extracts. 
It  is  entitled,  "  A  Treatise  concerning  the  right  use  and  order- 
ing of  Bees :  newlie  made  and  set  forth,  according  to  the 
authors  owne  experience  (which  by  any  heretofore  hath  not 
been  done).    By  Edmund  Southerne,  Gent. 

Better  late  than  never. 
Imprinted  at  London  by  Thomas  Orwiu  for  Thomas  Woodcocke, 
dwelling  in  Paules  Churchyard  at   the  sigue  of  the  blacke 
Beare.    1593." 

The  dedication  is  to  "  The  right  worshipful!  Mistres  Mar- 
garet Astley,  wife  to  John  Astley  Esquier,  Master  and  Treasurer 
of  her  Majestie's  Jewels  and  Plate,  and  Gentleman  of  her 
Highnesse  Privie  Chamber,"  and  reminds  his  patroness  that  he 
had  studied  bees  during  "  fourteene  yeares,"  and  that  she  had 
•'had  some  triall  of  his  skill." 

He  goes  on  to  say,  "  If  you  lay  out  ten  pence  for  two  hives 
about  the  beginning  of  June,  and  put  therein  two  swarmes, 
they  can  be  no  lesse  worth  than  ten  shillings,  and  your  hives 
againe,  before  Battholomewtide  following.  Then  judge  what 
gaines  after  that  rate  there  would  arise,  if  a  man  had  but 
40  stocks  (or  stalles)  as  some  tearme  them :  for  if  you  have 
40  stalles  at  the  beginning  of  spring,  there  is  no  doubt  their 
increase  wil  be  40  more  before  Battholomewtide  following, 
whis  is  in  al  80,  and  then  you  may  sell  40  and  keepe  40  for 
increase,  which  40  so  sold  will  yeeld  no  less  than  40  crownes, 
with  your  hives  again." 

Bees,  he  states,  "Never  settle  on  Elder  or  Ewe"  (Yew). 
The  hive's  aspect  should  be  S.,  S.W.,  or  W. 

"  The  best  time  is  to  have  your  hives  made  about  Christmas, 
for  then  yon  may  have  them  better  cheape,  and  straw  is  best 
in  season,  and  the  bryers  that  they  bind  them  withall  are  then 
strongest,  and  wiU  indure  the  longer,  but  in  any  wise  let  not 
your  hives  be  above  15  or  16  roUes  at  most,  both  of  great  and 
small ;  but  if  your  hives  be  made  of  twigges,  as  in  some 
countries  they  use,  so  they  conteine  not  above  halfe  a  bushel  a 
peece,  it  is  enough." 

To  prove  that  great  hives  cannot  be  profitable  "  when  they 
should  breed  bees,  they  are  busied  filling  their  hives,  for  untUl 
the  hives  be  full  of  combes  they  will  not  swarme." 

"  To  dresse  hives  before  you  put  in  Bees  prvyne  and  cut 
away  all  httle  tickling  straws."  "  Spray  your  hive  "  with  six 
sticks  at  different  heights,  "  for  staying  the  combes  —  and 
sprinkle  the  inside  with  a  little  honey  and  water." 

"  To  place  your  Bees  where  they  have  the  sun  longest,  hole 
towards  the  south,  for  that  the  south  wind  never  bloweth  so 
cold  as  other  winds."  Stocks  to  be  "  at  the  least  three  foote 
asunder,"  and  far  from  bells  and  noises. 

"  Yong  bees  come  to  full  perfection  in  15  dales  at  the  utter- 
most." Honey  cells  and  brood  cells  are  alternately  ;  the  young 
bees  are  fed  on  honey ;  though  not  sure,  he  does  not  deny 
that  the  bees  "  sit  upon  the  egges." 

"  One  M.  Hill  of  London  in  his  book  intituled  '  The  Gar- 
deners Labyrinth,'  sheweth  the  manner  how  Drones  should  be 
killed."  "  It  is  a  great  folly,"  "  for  although  the  drones  labour 
not  abroade,  yet  that  which  the  other  bees  bring  home,  they 
doe  both  helpe  to  worke  into  combes,  and  also  to  unloads  the 
bees  of  their  burthens."  Bees  kill  them  "  when  they  thinke 
good."     "  Drones  do  breed." 

In  swarming  time  "  hold  up  the  stocks  to  facilitate  their 
egress — never  sting  then,  nor  fly  away."  "When  the  swarme 
is  up  it  is  not  good  to  ring  them,  as  some  doe ;  nay,  it  is  a  com- 
mon thing  where  there  is  no  experience,  to  keepe  a  stirre  and 
lay  on  either  with  a  bason,  kettle,  or  frying-pan,  taking  great 
paines,  and  having  little  thankes,  for  by  such  meanes  they 
make  the  bees  angrie  and  goe  further  to  settle."  He  thought 
the  drones  led  the  swarm,  "for  if  there  should  a  master  bee 
to  forth  with  the  swarme,  who  shall  rule  the  old  stocke?   Then 


thou  wilt  say,  there  is  a  master  bee  for  the  stocke  and  another 
for  the  swarme  ;  then  it  is  not  Ukely  there  is  a  king,  for  that 
love  and  principalitie  like  no  equalitie." 

He  adds  a  story  about  the  vicar  of  "  Honeyborne,  within  the 
Vale  of  Evesham  in  Worcestershire,"  dividing  two  swarms 
that  had  joined,  giving  one  to  each  of  two  neighbours,  but  the 
swarms  united  again  next  day. 

"  It  is  not  good  to  have  more  than  one  swarme  of  a  hive ; 
otherwise  both  the  old  stocke  and  the  second  swarme  are  weak. 
Raise  the  stocke  upon  three  bricks  to  prevent  a  second  swarme, 
but  take  the  bricks  away  at  Bartholomewtide." 

"  The  eigne  to  know  when  the  Bees  will  swarme,"  is  that 
"  You  shall  heare  one  Bee  make  a  noyse  as  if  it  were  the  sound 
of  a  little  bugle  home  in  the  summer  evenings." 

To  know  whether  your  Bees  will  live  or  die.  "  About  Bar- 
tholomewtide poyse  every  stocke  between  your  hands,  and  so 
many  as  to  your  judgement  weigh  above  23  or  21  pounds,  you 
may  be  sure  will  live  all  that  winter  following."  Allow  6  lbs. 
for  hive,  3  lbs.  for  wax,  13  lbs.  for  honey,  "  which  is  about 
five  quarts." 

"  At  Bartholomewtide  clean  the  floor  board,  and  plaster  the 
hive  to  it.  Stop  the  entrance  all  winter,  except  a  quill  to  ad- 
mit air.  In  the  spring  clean  the  floor  board  about  2l8t  of 
March,  and  open  the  entrance." 


OUR  LETTER  BOX. 

Useful  Cross  with  Dobkings  (H.  A.). — We  should  ran  a  Brahma 
cock  with  DorkinR  hens  to  insure  such  qualities  as  you  desire.  It  is  by 
far  the  best  for  those  who  wish  to  keep  only  one  breed.  The  greatest 
layers  are  non-sitters,  and  it  is  a  mistake  to  mate  them  with  birds  that 
perform  all  the  duties  of  breeders. 

Black  Oats  as  Food  (E.  J.  S.).— Yes,  but  the  fowls  will  not  take  them 
as  readily  at  first. 

Useful  Fowls,  Geese,  and  Ducks  (.4  Subscriber) — We  recommend 
you  as  we  have  done  above,  to  cross  between  a  Brahma  and  Dorking.  Yon 
will  only  supply  your  table  with  ejrgs  in  the  winter  by  keepinfj  pullets  of 
the  proper  age  for  laying.  It  is  not  the  province  of  any  particular  breed 
to  lay  in  the  winter.  After  they  have  once  laid  and  sat,  they  fall  into 
the  natural  groove,  and  breed  in  the  natural  season.  This  is  neither  De- 
cember nor  January.  The  Toulouse  Geese  are  the  largest  and  most  pro- 
lific, but  they  are  non-sitters.  liouen  are  very  good  Ducks,  being  large 
and  prolific. 

Food  for  Poultry  (J.  S.  C.).— No  food  is  better  for  fowls  than  ground 
oats.  The  mixture  of  potatoes  is  bad.  Potatoes  are  bad  food  for  poultry. 
They  make  fat,  and  they  induce  disease  of  the  liver,  but  they  make 
neither  bone  nor  flesh.  The  way  in  which  fowls  will  starve  on  barley  is 
this  :  If  they  were  put  in  a  place  where  there  was  no  scratch,  no  dust, 
gravel,  grass,  or  dirt— nothing  but  a  painfully  clean  flooring,  and  they 
were  fed  on  whole  barley  only,  they  would  after  a  time  starve  on  it: 
Ground  oats,  varied  at  times  with  barley  or  Indian  meal,  kitchen  scraps, 
and  crusts — if  they  have  no  grass  run,  large  sods  of  growing  grass,  cut  with 
plenty  of  e  irth — and  refuse  vegetables,  especially  lettuces,  form  a  good  an^ 
wholesome  dietary. 

Food  for  Pigeons  {Ignoramm). — Chicken  rice  would  do  for  year 
Pigeons  as  part  of  their  food,  but  never  give  it  alone  day  after  day- 
Indian  com  is  excellent ;  oats  we  do  not  recommend.  The  rice  and 
Indian  corn  are  not  to  be  cooked  or  soaked,  but  you  may  crush  the  latter 
if  you  keep  very  small  Tumblers.  To  keep  Pigeons  in  health  vary  their 
food. 

Artificial  Heat  for  Pigeon  Houses  (Birkenhead).— Wc  never  knew 
or  hear  I  "i  Pigson  houses  being  warmed  by  artificial  heat.  If  your 
wooden  erections  are  backed  by  a  good  wall,  and  all  cold  draughts  of  air 
excluded  byjthe  boards  being  well  joined  together,  no  hent  will  be  needed. 
Reed  or  straw  is  sometimes  laid  inside  the  woodwork,  and  well  plastered 
over,  and  a  skirting  of  bricks  used  at  the  bottom.  These  are  excellent 
plans,  as  we  can  speak  from  experience,  and  the  Pigeons  have  done  well 
in  such  houses.  In  very  cold  weather  feed  your  birds  extra  well,  adding 
hempseed. 

Canker  in  Pigeons  (E.  D.).— Yon  most  likely  bought  a  diseased  bird, 
and  that  gave  the  canker  to  your  others.  Remove  very  carefully  the 
lumps,  and  apply  caustic.  This  must  be  done  thoroughly.  Canker  is 
supposed  to  come  from  confinement,  want  of  condiments,  or  drinking 
dirty  water,  and  is  infectious. 

Vultdre-hocked  Cochin-Chinas— Breeding  Age  op  Hens  {Lemon 
B)i(f).— Vulture  hocks  are  always  hereditary,  ■whether  from  cock  or  hen, 
and  we  strongly  advise  yon  not  to  breed  from  such.  You  may  breed  from 
Cochin  hens  up  to  four  years  old.  They  wUl  breed  longer,  but  not  profit- 
ably, as  they  till  the  room  of  younger  birds.  As  at  four  years  they  will 
have  lost  their  beauty,  it  is  well  to  be  sure  they  once  had  it. 

Berkshire  Hive  {J.  N,  B.  P.).— We  have  published  drawings  and  a 
description  of  this  hive,  and  the  favourable  opinions  of  those  who  have 
used  it.    If  you  write  to  the  maker  he  will  give  you  fuller  information. 

Various  (C.  A.  J.).— The  dwindling  of  the  population  of  your  stock  was 
doubtless  owing  to  the  loss  of  its  queen,  a  misfortune  which  is  very  likely 
to  arise  in  bee  houses  from  young  queeus  mistaking  their  hives  on  their 
return  from  their  wedding  flights.  The  bit  of  comb  which  you  sent 
appeared  perfectly  healthv.  The  particle  of  gretnish  yellow  matter  seems 
to  be  thickened  and  nearly  dried-up  honey.  The  white  stuff  is  a  little 
mildew,  and  the  minute  creatures  are  common  Acari  or  mites. 

Basket-making  ill.  T.  C.).— A  correspondent  asks  for  the  name  of  any 
manual  for  teaching  the  art  of  basket-making.  Th.-ro  are  many  hours 
when  boys  and  men  in  country  villages  could  profitfibly  employ  their 
time  in  the  manufacture  of  baskets,  wicker  protections  fur  pltints  such  as 
those  described  by  Mrs.  Loudon,  Ac,  and  he  would  wiUinsly  assist  is 
poor  neighbours  in  adding  this  to  their  scanty  means  of  earning  a  liveli- 
hood. He  also  wishes  to  be  informed  what  is  the  best  way  of  purchasing 
osiers,  and  at  about  what  rate  they  are  to  be  had.  Any  of  our  readers 
will  oblige  us  by  answering  these  queries. 


Dooembcr  17,  1868. 1  JOURNAL  OF  HOUTICDLTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


45S 


WEEKLY   CAUENDAR, 


Day 

D.y 

of 

or 

Month 

Week. 

17 

Th 

18 

F 

1!) 

S 

2(1 

Sun 

21 

M 

2-J 

Tn 

23 

W 

DECEMBER  17-88,  1868. 


Meeting  of  LinneaD  Sooiety,  8  p.h. 

Roynl  Ilorticnltunl  Society,  Promenade. 

4  Sunday  in  Advent. 

St.  Tjiouas,     ShorteBt  Day. 


AycraKO  Temperature   'H'°,'° 


near  London. 


11  yonrB. 


Day. 
4^.1 
44.9 
.12.7 
44.3 
43.5 
44.5 
44.0 


Nl«ht. 
83  4 
82.B 
S2.7 
BS.7 
83.7 
32.6 
81.9 


Moan.    Daya. 


811.0 

:in.7 

37.7 
SB.B 
38.6 
SH.5 
380 


11) 
1 9 
18 
15 
15 
20 
20 


Han 

Rises. 

m. 

h. 

8af8 

4 

8 

6 

8 

6 

8 

7 

S 

7 

8 

7 

8 

San 
Sets. 


Moon 
Rises. 


Moon 

Sets. 


51  At  ,'l  I 


m.  h. 

20  10 
r,:i  10 

21  11 
44  11 

attor. 

29  0 

50  0 


m.     h 

22  Hi  7 
21  8 
27  » 
80  10 
85  11 
morn. 
i  33      0 


Moon's 
Ane. 


Davs. 
8 
4 
6 
6 
7 
}) 
9 


Cloch 

after 
San. 


8  21 

2  5.'. 

2  25 

1  Br, 

1  25 

0  65 

0  25 


DaT 

or 

Sear 


8S8 
854 
856 
856 
357 
338 


Prom  obBervations  taken  near  London  dnrin?  the  last  forty-one  years,  the  average  day  temporntnro  nf  the  weok  is  ■{{.■!  ;  an  1  itn  nlKlit 
temperature  32.9\  The  greatest  heat  was  58',  on  the  13th,  1SG5  ;  and  the  loweU  oold  IT,  on  tha  19th,  185^.  The  greatest  fall  of  rain 
was  1.18  inch. 


Wp 


CUCUMBER  CULTURE.— No.  1. 

is  generally  considered  that  tlie  Cucumber 
is  a  nativ"  of  tlie  warmer  countries  of  Asia. 
It  was  cultivated  in  Egypt  at  a  very  early 
period,  but  whether  indigenous  to  that  coun- 
try or  to  any  part  of  Africa  does  not  appear 
in  any  work  I  have  had  access  to.  We  find 
the  Cucumber  largely  grown  at  Rome  for  the 
table  of  the  Emperor  Tiberius,  and  artificially 
brought  forward  or  cultivated,  so  as  to  fur- 
nish fruit  throughout  the  year.  The  means 
were  not  very  different  from  those  now  employed  in  this 
country.  Frames  were  used,  filled  with  hot  dung,  and  the 
open  part  covered  in  with  thin  sheets  or  plates  of  talc, 
through  which  liglit  was  admitted.  Talc,  in  respect  to  the 
amount  of  light  which  it  would  admit,  would  be  about  equal 
to  oiled  paper  frames,  which  every  reader  of  John  Aber- 
crombie  will  know  were  extensively  employed  in  this 
country  at  no  very  remote  period.  I  have  heard  it  stated 
tliat  Cucumbers  could  not  be  produced  all  the  year  round 
with  no  more  light  than  that  transmitted  through  talc 
or  oiled  paper,  and  some  would  discredit  the  statement 
as  to  Cucumbers  being  supplied  throughout  the  year  to 
Tiberius's  table,  saying  that  it  was  not  until  the  adoption 
of  glass  that  Cucumbers  were  always  in  season.  It  should 
be  borne  in  mind  that  what  would  not  answer  here  might 
do  so  elsewhere,  and  that  the  light  of  an  Italian  sky  is 
much  more  clear  and  powerful  than  that  of  England. 
Pliny  mentions  baskets  and  vases  in  which  Cucumbers 
were  reared  and  grown,  and  this  so  that  they  might  be 
taken  under  cover  when  the  temperature  was  unfavour- 
able, and  placed  outside  when  the  air  was  warm  and 
genial.  The  same  author  goes  even  further,  and  says  there 
were  beds  mounted  on  wheels,  the  plants  thereby  being 
easily  moved  under  cover  when  the  days  or  nights  were 
cold,  or  taken  out  when  the  weather  was  warm.  I  mention 
these  matters  merely  to  afford  some  proof  of  our  not  being 
in  many  things  so  very  far  in  advance  of  a  race  that  pre- 
ceded us.  It  is  of  little  or  no  moment  to  us  to  be  informed 
when  or  how  Cucumbers  were  first  introduced  into  this 
country — that  I  could  never  discover — but  we  arc  aware 
good  Cucumbers  have  been  for  a  long  time,  and  are  now, 
produced  in  this  country,  and  that  there  are  certain  things 
essential  to  success  in  their  cultivation. 

The  requisites  for  successful  Cucumber  culture  are — 
1st,  A  good,  rich,  light,  open,  sweet  soil.  '^ind.  A  good  uni- 
form bottom  heat,  and  a  steady  top  heat,  but  higher  by  day 
than  night.  The  bottom  heat  should  be  T."i°,  and  not  exceed- 
ing J^O" ;  and  the  top  heat  may  average  75°,  or  correspond 
with  the  bottom  heat,  but  at  night  it  should  be  less  tlian 
the  latter,  or  from  05"  to  70° ;  or  it  may  in  severe  periods 
fall  to  fiO^  at  night,  and  in  the  day  it  should  be  from  l(f  to 
75°,  and  from  80°  to  85°  or  00°  in  bright  weather.  .'Ird,  The 
soil  ought  at  all  times  to  be  moist,  without  saturating  it  at 
one  time,  and  having  it  dust  dry  at  another  :  and  the  atmo- 
sphere should  be  moist,  never  dry  ;  but  not  so  much  so  in 
damp  weather  as  in  bright,  nor  should  the  moisture  be  so 
great  during  the  day  as  at  night.     Ith,  All  the  light  pos- 

No.  Ice.-VoL.  XV.,  New  Sebhs. 


siblo  should  always  be  afforded,  especially  in  the  winter, 
spring,  and  autumn,  it  being  easy,  by  a  thin  shading,  to 
modify  the  sun's  rays  when  too  powerful,  which,  however, 
is  not  often  needed. "  Lastly,  Air  should  bo  given  whenever 
it  can  be  done  without  lowering  the  temperature,  it  being 
well  for  the  temperature  to  advance  with  air-giving  ;  and 
always  diminish  the  amount  of  air  by  or  before  the  time 
when  the  maximum  temperature  is  reduced  liy  the  external 
air.  Avoid  cold  currents,  and  by  no  means  have  for  any 
length  of  time  a  close  confined  atmosphere. 

Son..— The  best  soil  that  I  have  useil  for  the  Cucumber 
consisted  of  the  top  •'(  inches  of  a  pasture  where  tlie  soil 
was  neither  heavy  nor  light,  but  a  good  hazel  or  yellow 
loam.  This  I  lay  up  in  ridges  not  more  than  a  yard  wide, 
and  first  put  a  layer  of  turf,  and  then  an  inch  in  thickness 
of  fresh  cow  dung  or  sheep  droppings,  if  I  can  obtain  them, 
next  a  layer  of  turf,  then  dung,  and  so  on,  making  the 
ridge  about  as  high  as  it  is  wide.  This,  after  it  has  been 
in  the  ridge  for  six  months,  is  chopped  U]),  and  used  rather 
rough  without  any  admixture  whatever.  For  winter  forcing, 
however,  I  do  not  consider  it  open  enough,  and  tlierefore 
add  one  part  of  good  fibrous  peat,  which  contains  a  con- 
siderable amount  of  white  sand.  The  peat  has  the 
property  of  keeping  the  soil  sweet,  and  in  that  way  pre- 
serving the  rQots :  whereas  these,  in  soils  that  are  closer 
and  heavier,  are  liable  to  die  off.  Some  grow  their  winter 
Cucumbers  in  peat  alone.  This  I  have  tried,  and  I  have 
found  it  answer  very  well,  especially  when  dung  heat  is 
employed,  and  the  roots  can  have  access  to  the  duug,  but 
it  is  hardly  rich  enough  for  plants  grown  in  beds  or  borders 
by  the  aid  of  hot-water  pipes  or  flues,  consequently  turfy 
loam  and  leaf  mould  should  be  added  to  it :  two  parts 
turfy  loam,  and  one  part  leaf  mould  added  to  one  part 
of  peat,  make  an  excellent  compost  for  the  growth  of  winter 
Cucumbers.  The  soil,  whatever  it  be.  should  never  be 
such  as  will  lie  close,  and  with  repeated  waterings  become 
a  heavy  soapy  mass  ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  it  must  be 
friable  and  porous,  so  as  to  admit  of  the  free  pas.sage  of 
water,  and  be  readily  penetrated  by  the  roots.  The  loam 
may  not  always  be  so  friable  nor  so  tiu'fy  as  desirable  for 
the  free  passage  of  water  and  the  roots,  and  in  that  ease 
less  of  it  should  be  employed,  and  more  peat  or  sand. 

Soils  of  the  above  descriptions  are  not  always  to  be 
obtained.  Where  they  are  not.  a  good  substitute  may  be 
formed  by  mixing  with  light  garden  soil  an  equal  quantity 
of  rotten  hotbed  manure  or  leaf  mould.  A  first-rate  com- 
post is  formed  of  light  garden  loam  placed  in  layers  with 
fresh  horse  droppings  and  cow  dung,  commencing  with 
a  layer  of  soil  (l  inches  thick,  then  putting  on  layers  of 
horse  droppings  and  cow  dung,  each  'A  inches  in  thickness, 
then  one  of  soil,  forminc;  the  whole  like  a  potato  hog.  This 
compost  should  be  turned  over  twice  or  thrice  in  dry 
weather,  and  at  intervals  of  two  or  three  months,  and  in 
twelve  months  it  will  form  a  suitable  soil  for  summer 
Cucumbers  ;  but  for  winter-fruiting  plants  it  is  scarcely  open 
enough,  and  should  be  rendered  more  free,  even  if  we  go  to 
the  extent  of  mixing  small  gravel  or  grit  with  it,  which  will 
in  most  cases  make  it  suitable. 

It  is  not  uncommon  to  see  Cucumbers  growing  very 

Ko.  1055.— Vol.  XL.,  Old  Series",   ■" 


4SS 


JODRNAIi  OP  HOBTICULTDBE   &ND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


[  December  17,  1868. 


Tigoronsly  and  prodaoing  fine  frait  where  common  garden  soil 
ia  employed,  bat  this  will  in  most  caaes  only  ooour  in  summer 
\rtien  the  days  and  nights  are  warm,  and  the  amount  of  light 
considerably  more  than  in  aatamn,  winter,  and  spring.  It 
should  be  considered  that  Cacumbers  are  not  to  be  had  by  the 
game  means  at  Christmas  as  they  are  at  midsummer,  and  if 
they  are  wanted  in  winter  provision  must  accordingly  be  made 
for  their  production.  The  best  means  for  that  purpose  is  a 
house  with  hot-water  pipes  for  furnishing  bottom  and  top  heat ; 
bat  where  the  necessary  appliances  are  not  provided,  and  fruit 
is  not  required  in  winter,  it  is  well  not  to  attempt  forcing  very 
early,  but  wait  until  there  is  a  prospect  of  being  successful  with 
the  materials  at  command.  For  the  growth  of  Cucumbers  for 
ontting  in  April  and  through  the  summer,  a  dung  bed  and 
frame  with  two  or  three  lights  answer  very  well,  and  as  this  is 
the  mode  most  commonly  in  use,  I  shall  treat  of  it  first. 

DuNa  Beds. — The  materials  for  the  seed  bed  should  be  in 
readiness  by  the  middle  of  January.  Good  stable  dung  is  best, 
and  a  quantity  sufficient  to  form  a  bed  for  raising  the  plants 
should  be  thrown  into  a  heap,  mixing  the  long  with  the  short, 
and  the  wet  with  the  dry.  If  there  is  a  large  proportion  of 
dry  long  litter,  it  will  be  well  to  throw  it  into  a  heap  by  itself, 
giving  each  layer  a  thorough  soaking  with  the  drainings  from 
the  dunghill  or  with  water,  beating  it  well  with  the  fork,  and, 
when  thoroughly  moistened,  it  may  be  thrown  into  a  heap 
with  the  short  litter,  and  well  incorporated.  It  should  be 
allowed  to  remain  in  the  heap  until  it  becomes  hot,  and  then 
be  turned,  mixing  carefully  together  the  long  and  dry  with  the 
short  and  wet,  and  putting  the  top  at  the  bottom  and  the  out- 
side inside.  If  the  litter  is  in  any  part  dry  moisten  it  as  the 
work  proceeds,  and  when  it  again  ferments  and  becomes  hot, 
torn  it  again,  and  see  that  there  are  no  dry  patches ;  if  there 
are,  let  them  be  well  watered  before  being  mixed  with  the  mass. 
It  will  soon  become  hot,  then  turn  it  again  if  very  strawy  and 
the  steam  rank  ;  but  with  good  stable  litter  twice  turning  will 
be  sufficient,  and  the  dung  will  be  in  a  fit  state  for  forming  into 
a  bed  when  the  third  heating  or  fermentation  becomes  general. 

A  warm,  sheltered  situation  ought  to  be  chosen  for  the  bed, 
and  though  it  cannot  be  too  well  screened  from  the  points  of 
the  compass  between  east,  north,  and  west,  yet  the  less 
obstruction  to  the  full  light  of  the  sun,  and  especially  from 
the  east  to  the  south  and  west,  the  better.  For  raising  the 
plants  a  small  one-light  box  or  frame  will  answer  as  well  as 
one  of  larger  size.  Mark  out  a  space  larger  every  way  by 
G  inches  than  the  frame,  so  that  when  the  bed  is  formed  it  will 
be  C  in  hes  wider  than  the  frame  both  at  the  sides  and  ends. 
It  must,  therefore,  be  1  foot  wider  and  longer  than  the  frame. 
Commence  forming  the  bed  by  placing  a  layer  of  the  longest 
dang  on  the  bottom,  then  layer  after  layer  of  the  hot  dung, 
well  shaking  and  mixing  the  materials  of  each,  putting  them 
on  evenly,  and  beating  with  the  fork,  so  as  to  render  each  layer 
compact.  The  sides  should  be  built  erect,  and  of  the  coarser 
material,  keeping  the  small  in  the  centre  and  at  the  top  of 
the  bed.  Tbe  bed  should  be  carried  up  to  the  height  of  4J  feet 
at  the  back  and  4  feet  in  front,  a  one-light  box  being  used,  but 
if  a  two-light,  6  inches  less  in  height  will  suffice. 

After  the  bed  has  been  finished,  put  on  the  frame  and  the 
light  or  lights  ;  keep  close  until  the  heat  reaches  80',  then  push 
the  light  down  a  little  to  allow  the  steam  to  escape,  and  in 
about  a  week  the  surface  of  the  bed  may  be  evenly  covered 
with  6  inches  of  old  tan,  light  dryish  soil,  or  other  material 
for  plunging  the  pots  in.  In  three  days  the  materials  will  be 
warmed,  and  a  thermometer  inserted  in  the  bed  to  the  depth 
you  propose  plunging  the  pots  will  indicate  the  temperature  ; 
and  if  the  temperature  be  low  at  the  first  examination — -say, 
70"  or  75'— and  on  the  next  day  80°  or  more,  the  heat  will  in 
all  probability  rise  considerably  higher,  and  it  will  not  be  safe 
to  plunge  tbe  pots  in  the  material ;  but,  to  save  time,  seed 
may  be  sown  and  the  pots  set  on  the  plunging  material,  but 
not  plunged  until  the  heat  becomes  regular;  and  when  at  80°, 
and  not  likely  to  exceed  85°,  the  pots  may  be  plunged,  partly 
at  first,  and  tben  deeper  as  the  heat  becomes  less  violent. 

SowiNo,  AND  Management  of  tbe  Seedlings. — For  spring 
and  summer  use  the  beginning  of  February  is  a  good  time  to 
sow,  and,  in  my  opinion,  early  enough.  I  generally  sow  in  the 
first  week,  and  have  fruit  with  certainty  in  April.  I  have  sown 
early  in  January,  but  it  involves  much  trouble  for  a  very  pre- 
carious gain  of  a  few  days  in  cutting  fruit.  For  those  who 
do  not  require  fruit  before  the  end  of  May,  the  beginning  of 
March  is  a  good  season  at  which  to  sow,  and  the  plants  are 
generally  more  vigorous,  healthy,  and  continue  longer  in 
bearing  than  those  from  seed  eown  in  February. 


At  whatever  time  tbe  seed  ia  sown  tbe  bed  ought  to  be  made 
a  week  previously ;  and  whilst  for  February  it  should  be  4  feet 
high,  3  feet  will  be  sufficiently  high  in  March,  and  less  dung 
will  be  needed  as  the  weather  becomes  warmer.  A  height  of 
2  feet  G  inches  will  be  ample  for  April,  one  of  2  feet  for 
May,  and  1  foot  6  inches  from  the  beginning  of  June  up  to 
September. 

I  prefer  aowing  the  aeed  singly  in  3-inch  pots,  half  filling 
the  pot  with  soil,  and  for  drainage  placing  a  lump  of  turf  at 
the  bottom.  The  compost  used  should  be  light  turfy  loam 
made  fine,  and  the  seed  being  placed  in  the  centre,  cover  with 
half  an  inch — not  more — of  fine  soil.  The  soil  should  be 
neither  very  wet  nor  dry,  but  in  an  intermediate  condition, 
and  in  that  case  no  watering  will  be  needed  at  sowing,  but  if 
the  soil  is  dry  it  must  be  made  moist.  The  seeds,  before 
sowing,  ought  to  be  proved  by  putting  them  in  water,  and  those 
that  swim  after  two  hours'  soaking  are  worthless.  Those  which 
sink  are  good. 

If  the  seed  bed  be  of  the  proper  temperature — 80° — to  begin 
with,  the  pots  should  be  about  half  plunged ;  but  if  it  exceed 
80°  do  not  plunge  them,  but  set  them  on  the  plunging  material. 
When  the  bottom  heat  ia  from  75°  to  80°  plunge  the  pots  to 
the  rim,  as,  in  consequence  of  plunging  the  pots,  the  heat  will 
be  more  regular  than  if  it  were  derived  from  the  atmosphere 
of  the  frame.  It  ought  to  have  been  stated  before,  that  the 
surface  of  the  plunging  material  ought  not  to  be  more  than 
8  inches  from  the  glass ;  indeed,  when  the  plants  appear,  as 
they  will  in  four  or  five  days,  they  should  not  be  further  from 
the  glass  than  that — better  if  not  more  than  6  inches  from  it, 
but  they  should  not  be  nearer,  as  the  young  plants  are  liable 
to  be  chilled  if  the  air  in  the  frame  be  suddenly  cooled  by  a 
heavy  sudden  fall  of  snow  or  rain  on  the  glass. 

When  the  seed  leaves  are  as  high  as  the  rima  of  the  pots, 
put  soil  round  the  plants  up  to  the  level  of  the  rim.  The  soil 
used  for  this  purpose  should  be  kept  in  the  frame  twenty-four 
hours  previously  so  as  to  become  warm.  Afterwards  the  plants 
will  not  need  anything  further  in  the  way  of  soiling  or  potting 
until  planted  out.  Some  sow  three  or  more  seeds  in  a  smalt 
pot,  and,  when  the  first  rough  leaf  of  the  seedlings  is  showing 
between  the  seed  leaves,  pot  them  off  singly,  or  two  in  a 
3-inch  pot.  In  this  case  the  pots  should  be  so  filled  with  soil 
that  when  the  plants  are  put  in  the  pots  their  aeed  leaves  will 
be  as  low  as  the  rim  of  the  pot,  and  if  more  than  one  plant 
be  put  in  a  pot,  each  should  be  held  in  that  position,  soil  being 
placed  round  it  to  within  half  an  inch  of  the  rim  or  seed  leaves. 
The  potting  should  be  done  in  the  frame,  and  with  soil  which 
has  been  placed  there  some  hours  previously  to  become  warm. 

The  seedlings  should  be  very  carefully  watered,  and  always 
with  water  of  the  same  temperature  as  the  bed  or  air  of  the 
frame ;  and  though  it  must  not  be  saturated,  the  soil  must 
always  be  kept  moist.  A  gentle  watering  ought  to  be  given  alter 
potting;  then  plunge  tbe  pots  in  the  bed. 

The  temperature  of  the  frame  must  be  maintained  at  G5°  by 
night,  and  from  70°  to  75°  by  day,  with  a  rise  of  10°  or  more 
from  sun  heat,  taking  advantage  of  warm  days  to  admit  air, 
and  yet  not  in  excessive  quantity,  but  sufficient  to  keep  the 
plants  sturdy  in  habit,  and  with  leaves  which  will  endure  sun 
without  flagging  or  scorching.  Air  should  be  given  as  early  in 
the  day  after  the  temperature  reaches  75°  as  can  be  done  without 
lowering  it,  and  air-giving  should  cease  before  the^  temperature 
becomes  cooled  below  that. 

The  bed  being  the  source  of  heat,  it  must  be  frequently  ex- 
amined, and  when  its  temperature  is  found  to  be  declining,  and 
before  it  has  sunk  much,  the  heat  should  be  renewed  by  linings 
of  hot  dung  on  one  side  (the  front  first),  and  if  it  still  decline 
add  others  all  round.  The  lining  should  be  placed  against  the 
side,  and  may  have  a  base  of  18  inches,  and  be  narrowed  to 
1  foot,  keeping  it  against  the  side  of  the  frame,  and  bringing  it 
up  to  within  a  few  inches  of  the  lights.  The  temperature  of 
the  bed  should  be  ascertained  by  sinking  into  it  about  1  foot  a 
thermometer,  which  should  indicate  a  temperature  at  that 
depth  of  80° ;  or  it  may  be  determined  with  tolerable  accuracy 
by  a  stick  pushed  from  the  outside  under  the  frame  towards 
the  centre  of  the  bed.  By  withdrawing  the  stick  and  feeling  it, 
it  may  be  kncs-n  when  the  heat  is  declining. 

It  will  be  necessary  a  few  days  after  the  bed  is  made,  in 
order  to  maintain  the  proper  night  temperature,  to  cover  the 
lights  at  night  with  mats  or  other  material  to  prevent  the 
escape  of  heat,  or  the  air  being  cooled  by  the  contact  of  the 
cold  air  with  the  glass.  The  material  should  be  made  secure, 
ao  that  it  may  not  be  blown  oft  by  the  wiud,  and  it  should 
not  be  allowed  to  hang  over  the  sides  of  the  frame,  and  lie  on 


Oocembor  17,  1808.  1 


JODHNAL  OP  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


467 


the  hot  dung,  as,  if  the  heat  or  steam  from  the  lining  be  at  all 
rank,  it  may  pass  up  under  the  protecting  material,  and  through 
the  laps  of  the  glass  into  the  frame.  The  protection  should  be 
placed  over  the  lights  soon  after  the  sun  leaves  the  frame, 
or  on  an  average  about  an  hour  before  dark,  and  should  remain 
on  until  an  hour  after  daylight.  In  some  cases  putting  on 
dry  litter  or  straw  will  be  suilkient  to  keep  up  the  temperature 
of  the  seed  bed.  It  will  be  requisite  in  the  case  of  high  winds, 
which  are  apt  to  pass  into  those  small  beds  and  cool  them 
more  in  proportion  than  wider  hotbeds,  that  litter  should  be 
placed  against  the  side  from  which  the  wind  is  blowing,  and, 
if  necessary,  all  round,  placing  it  also  against  the  sides  of  the 
frame  to  within  a  few  inches  of  the  lights. 

The  stopping  of  the  plants  should  be  attended  to  when  they 
have  made  two  joints  or  rough  loaves ;  then  take  out  their 
points  before  the  third  leaf  is  formed.  This  will  cause  the 
plants  to  branch  or  push  shoots  from  the  bases  of  the  leaves, 
and  when  these  are  a  few  inches  long,  or  have  made  two  leaves, 
they  will  be  fit  for  planting-out  in  the  fruiting  bed. — G.  Abbey. 


VERTICAL  CORDON  PLUM  AND  PEAR  TREES. 

In  No.  397,  page  340,  of  this  Journal,  "  T.  R,"  aa  well  as 
giving  useful  hints  on  cordon  trees,  has  also  given  an  excellent 
list  of  Apples  suitable  for  that  mode  of  culture.  Will  he  add 
to  that  information  by  giving  a  similar  list  of  Pears  and  Plums 
for  vertical  cordons,  for  open  borders  (some  for  walls'  are  given 
in  page  388),  and  at  the  same  time'state  if  the  trees  are  to  be 
headed  back  the  same  as  for  espaliers  and  pyramids  ;  the  trees 
all  maidens  ? — J.  M. 

[The  culture  of  vertical  cordon  Plums  is  rather  new  here, 
my  bearing  trees  not  being  more  than  six  years  old.  They 
bear  well,  and  offer  a  good  prospect  of  success,  possibly  owing 
to  the  calcareous  nature  of  all  descriptions  of  soils  in  this  dis- 
trict. There  is  no  calcareous  formation,  but  all  our  clays, 
sands,  and  loams  are  full  of  comminuted  chalk,  the  effect  of 
denudation.  The  chalk  hills  to  the  north-west  were  doubtless 
in  times  long  past  mountains,  the  crests  of  which  are  now 
mixed  with  our  soils.  This  mixture,  I  apprehend,  is  the  cause 
of  our  fruit  trees  so  rapidly  coming  into  a  bearing  state.  I 
mention  this  to  prevent  disappointment,  as  in  some  rich  deep 
soils  it  may  not  be  possible  to  control  the  growth  of  vertical 
cordon  Plum  trees  by  summer-pinching  as  practised  here. 

The  trees  may  be  planted  4  feet  apart,  more  or  leas  according 
to  circumstances — i.  c,  the  size  of  the  garden.  Maiden  trees 
may  be  planted,  and  the  single  shoot  they  should  have  must 
not  be  shortened.  Care,  however,  should  be  taken  to  pinch-in, 
the  first  season  after  planting,  all  the  shoots  on  the  upper  part 
of  the  tree  to  one  leaf,  or  two  at  most ;  this  will  tend  to  make 
the  lower  bnds  break  more  freely. 

The  kinds  of  Plums  most  amenable  to  this  interesting  method 
of  cultivation  are  the  following,  but  more  will  be  found  when 
more  attention  is  paid  to  the  habits  of  Plum  trees  : — Prince 
Englebert,  Belgian  Purple,  Early  Orleans,  Early  Favourite 
(Rivers),  Cluster  Damson,  Jefferson,  Heine  Claude  de  Bavay, 
Peach,  Belle  de  Septembre,  New  Large  BuUace,  Yellow  Magnum 
Bonum,  and  Belvoir  Plum. 

The  following  kinds  of  Pears,  if  on  Quince  stocks,  may  be 
formed  into  cordons — viz.,  Baronne  de  Mello,  Beurrfi  Bachelier, 
Beurrc  Hardy,  Colmar  d'Ete,  Dana's  Hovey,  Doyennfi  dn  Co- 
rnice, Fondante  d'Automne,  Louise  Bonne,  Madame  Treyve, 
Passe  Crasanne,  St.  Michel  Archange,  Summer  Benrre  d'Arem- 
berg. 

Fruit  trees  in  an  English  garden  require  strict  attention, 
like  all  other  objects  of  fancy,  and  must  be  watched  aooord- 
irgly  ;  so  that  if  a  tree  shows  symptoms  of  over-luxuriance  not 
to  be  repressed  by  summer-pinching,  two  spades  should  be 
introduced,  as  directed  in  page  340,  in  treating  of  cordon 
Apples,  the  tree  heaved,  so  as  to  break  off  a  portion  of  its  roots, 
and  the  earth  trodden  down  round  it.  If  this  fail  root-prun- 
ing should  be  had  recourse  to  ;  and  if  over-luxuriance  is  still 
in  the  ascendant,  the  tree  may  be  lifted — taken  up  with  its 
roots  intact — and  replanted.  Some  trees  may  require  only  a 
gentle  heaving,  others  a  slight  root-pruning  on  one  side,  and 
others  the  more  rigid  treatment  of  lifting.  In  no  case  should 
the  fruit-oulturist  be  an  R  R. — a  rash  remover,  like  my  excellent 
and  acute  friend  "  C.  C.  E."  Does  the  poultry-fancier  suffer 
his  pets  to  ramble  about  for  months  without  care  and  attention  ? 
Does  the  shorthorn-breeder  suffer  his  beautiful  heifers  to  be 
turned  on  to  a  common  with  thecostermonper's  donkey,  which 
is  always  seeking  and  not  finding?    I  think  not.    We  must 


therefore  imitate  our  poultry  and  Bhorthorn  prizc-eeekers 
and  pay  strict  attention  to  our  garden  fruit  trees,  "  root  anil 
branch." 

I  have  known  and  advocated  root-prnning  for  forty  years ; 
but  I  was  not  the  originator  of  the  system,  for,  like  all  inven- 
tions of  consequence,  it  cast  its  shadow  before  in  the  shape  of 
hints  and  notes  from  the  correspondents  of  our  horticultural 
periodicals.  It  is  only  recently  that  it  has  been  formed  into  a 
system  which,  even  at  present,  is  but  imperfectly  understood, 
but  which  is  making  progress,  so  that  a  day  will  arrive  when 
our  gardeners  will  scarcely  believe  that  "once  upon  a  time" 
the  roots  of  our  garden  fruit  trees  rambled  nncontrolled  b;  the 
pruner. — T.  Rivers.] 


MANLEY    HAI.L,    STRETFORD,   MANCHESTER. 

THE    KESIDENCE    OF    SAM    MENDEL,    ESQ. 

(Continued  frovi  page  338.) 

On  leaving  the  Erica  house  I  entered  the  hon  ee  that  was 
originally  the  Pine  stove,  but  it  is  now  converted  into  a  hoQse 
for  specimen  stove  plants,  and  is,  perhaps,  one  of  the  finest  for 
this  purpose  to  be  found  in  the  kingdom.  It  is  69  by  28  feet, 
has  a  pit  in  the  centre  15  feet  8  inches  wide,  and  a  3feet-4-inch 
walk  all  round  ;  between  the  walk  and  the  sides  of  the  house  is 
a  stage  2  feet  6  inches  wide,  made  of  solid  slabs  of  iron  covered 
with  Debyshire  spar,  and  supported  by  stout  iron  pillars.  This 
IS  at  once  the  neatest  and  most  substantial  stage  I  have  ever 
seen.  The  pit  is  formed  of  brick  walls  having  a  coping  of 
dressed  stone,  and  is  filled  up  to  within  6  inches  of  the  top 
of  the  coping  with  tan,  on  which  are  placed  some  magnificent 
specimens  of  stove  plants.  Directly  facing  the  door  at  the  east 
end  is  a  splendid  Croton  variegatum  7  feet  high  and  5  feet 
through,  and  most  beautifully  coloured — a  perfect  pillar  of 
gold.  There  were  also  a  Croton  angustifolium,  of  larger 
dimensions  than  the  plant  just  noticed,  a  grand  Medinilla 
magnifica,  and  specimens  of  the  following  plants,  most  of 
which  are  considerably  larger  than  those  of  which  the  dimen- 
sions are  given  above — viz,  Croton  pictum,  Rhynchosia  albo- 
nitens,  Cissns  discolor,  Drac-ena  ferrea,  Cossignea  borbonioa, 
Pandanus  elegantissimus,  in  the  most  perfect  health  and  vigour, 
Eondeletia  speciosa,  showing  hundreds  of  trusses  of  orange 
and  red  flowers,  and  Eurya  latifolia  variegata,  with  handsome 
CamelUa-like  foliage.  This  plant,  Mr.  Fetch  tells  me,  is  quite 
hardy  ;  if  this  be  so,  it  will  most  certainly  become  one  of  the 
most  popular  bedding  plants  of  the  day,  for  no  foliage  can  be 
more  beautifully  variegated,  and  as  a  decorative  plant  for  the 
conservatory  or  greenhouse  it  has  few  equals.  There  were, 
besides,  beautiful  plants  of  Gesneras  in  great  variety,  Dra- 
cx'ua  Cooperi  and  Btricta,  with  very  large  leaves  brilliantly 
coloured,  and  Ananassa  Porteana,  the  beautiful  new  Pine 
Apple  sent  out  in  186B;  likewise  some  of  the  new  Colenses, 
forming  handsome  pyramids.  The  best  were  C.  Bausei, 
C.  Berkleyi  and  C.  Saundersi ;  to  these  Mr.  Fetch  must  add 
C.  Marshalli  and  C.  Telfordi  aurea,  the  latter  the  handsomest  of 
the  whole.  They  are  fine  for  conservatory  decoration  in  the 
summer,  and  their  colours  may  be  kept  very  bright  throughout 
the  winter  months  if  the  plants  are  placed  in  the  warmest  and 
lightest  part  of  the  conservatory.  In  addition  to  the  plants 
already  mentioned,  there  were  finely  coloured  specimens  of 
Dracffna  marginata,  the  best  of  the  Dracfcnas,  and  Begonia 
Pearcei,  one  of  the  handsomest  of  winter-flowering  plants 
with  beautiful  foliage,  and  which  will  be  a  lasting  souvenir  of 
poor  Pearce. 

This  house  is  about  13  feet  from  floor  to  roof,  and  has 
a  division  in  the  centre.  In  the  second  compartment  of 
the  house  there  are  fine  specimens  of  many  stove  plants, 
and  among  them  a  plant  of  AUismanda  nobilis,  7  or  8  feet 
high.  Of  what  the  appearance  of  this  grand  plant  will 
be  when  it  is  covered  with  its  immense  large  bright  yeUow 
flowers,  those  only  who  have  seen  it  can  form  any  idea.  There 
were  also  fine  plants  of  AUamanda  Sehottii  and  Hendersoni, 
Gardenia  florida,  Dipladenia  amabilis,  and  the  grand  old 
Combretum  purpureum,  a  plant  not  half  so  extensively  onl- 
tivated  as  it  ought  to  be.  Here  also  were  several  varieties  of 
the  Cotton  plant  in  various  stages  ;  some  were  just  bursting 
their  pods,  and  showing  what  is  the  source  of  the  great  wealth 
of  Manchester.  Some  large  plants  of  Ixoras  were  in  a  fine 
state  of  health,  and  were  shortly  to  be  placed  in  a  new  stove 
which  has  been  specially  erected  for  them. 

I  next  entered  a  fine  new  span-roofed  house,  in  three  divi- 
sions, of  the  same  length  as  the  last,  and  19  feet  G  inches  wide. 


458 


JOUENAL   OP   HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER.  t  December  17,  1868. 


It,  too,  has  a  pit  in  the  centre,  and  what  I  call  the  everlasting 
side  shelves  covered  with  Derbyshire  spar. 

The  eastern  division  is  devoted  to  ornamental- foliaged  green- 
house plants,  and  contained  some  very  promising  specimens 
of  Phormium  tcnax  variegatum  (the  variegated  New  Zealand 
Flax),  a  splendid  pair  of  the  beaiitiful  and  very  rare  Yucca  albo- 
spica,  a  handsome  pair  of  Aralia  Sieboldi  variegata,  and  several 
o£  the  Australian  Dracainas  and  Cordjlines,  C.  Macarthuri 
being  very  conspicuous. 

The  second  division  is  called  the  Ixora  house,  having  been 
constructed  expressly  for  the  cultivation  of  plants  of  that  genus  ; 
and  the  third  or  west  division,  the  AUamanda  house,  being 
intended  for  AUamandas  and  Dipladenias.  On  each  side  of 
this  house  is  a  very  useful  pit,  which,  like  most  of  those  at- 
tached to  the  houses,  is  heated  by  hot  water.  Such  pits  are 
invaluable  for  stowing  away  large  numbers  of  plants,  and  for 
the  encouragement  of  young  specimens. 

The  three  Orchid  houses  in  this  block,  together  with  the  two 
magnificent  ferneries  on  the  east  side  of  the  grounds,  being 
under  the  management  of  Mr.  W.  Milford,  I  pass  over  their 
contents  at  present. — J.  Wills,  F.R.H.S. 
(To  be  continued.) 


GARDENING  IN   THE   WEST.— No.  2. 

Thu  most  important  difference  between  the  climate  of  Great 
Britain  at  large  and  that  of  the  middle  States  of  America 
(Lat.  40°  to  43°),  is  not  the  most  obvious  to  the  senses.  The 
intensities  of  temperature  are  strikingly  apparent,  but  the  fre- 
quent extreme  dryness  of  the  air,  if  more  obscure,  is  perhaps 
on  that  account  all  the  more  powerful  and  hurtful.  What  we 
do  not  see  or  feel  we  do  not  readily  suspect.  Even  Dr.  Frank- 
lin, eminently  close  observer  of  natural  phenomena  as  he  was, 
does  not  seem  to  have  had  his  attention  drawn  to  this  feature 
of  the  American  climate  until  the  inquiry  arose  in  his  mind, 
What  influence  caused  some  wooden  drawers  that  were  made 
in  England,  and  fitted  very  tightly  there,  to  be  quite  loose  in 
Philadelphia  ? 

This  want  of  vapour  in  the  air  is  perhaps  as  common  in 
winter  as  in  summer,  and  greatest  among  the  mountains  of 
the  Alleghany  range,  and  away  from  the  influence  of  the  great 
lakes,  &o.  In  the  summer  there  are  terms  of  tropical  heat, 
and  the  air  licks  up  with  avidity  every  drop  of  moisture  which 
it  can  reach.  It  will  be  remembered  how  greatly  the  capacity 
of  air  for  vapour  increases  as  its  temperature  rises.  I  have 
sometimes  observed  how  long  my  hands  would  remain  wet 
■when  simply  held  in  the  air  after  washing :  in  two  minutes 
every  trace  of  moisture  has  disappeared.  The  escaping  steam 
from  engines  within  view  affords  a  very  good  indication  of  the 
degree  of  aurial  thirst.  In  parching  weather  the  steam  escaping 
from  a  locomotive  vanishes  as  instantaneously  as  from  a  tea- 
kettle in  the  heated  air  of  a  chimney.  Usrally  the  air  is  ex- 
tremely clear  and  bright  when  so  drained  of  yapour,  but  some- 
times a  smoky  haze  attends  it. 

In  winter  and  early  in  spring  strong  north-west  winds  sud- 
denly sweep  the  sky  as  with  a  broom.  All  fog  and  haze  disap- 
pear, leaving  a  beautiful  but  dazzling  brightness.  These  winds 
dry  themselves  on  their  way  over  sheets  of  snow  that  cover 
more  than  half  the  continent,  and  when  they  reach  the  icy 
crests  of  the  AUeghanies  they  leave  condensed  upon  them  the 
last  drops  of  their  moisture.  Being  somewhat  warmed  while 
passing  through  the  sunny  valleys  on  the  south  and  east  of  the 
mountains,  these  winds  again  derive  moisture  from  the  ice 
itself.  In  these  valleys,  probably,  the  extremes  of  hygrometrical 
variations  occur.  When  the  south  and  east  winds  come  they 
are  loaded  with  vapour  from  the  Gulf  Stream  off  the  coast,  and 
this  is  freely  deposited  among  the  cool  mountains.  Such 
visitations  are  not  frequent.  They  are  very  uncommon  in  the 
summer,  when  thousands  of  cultivators  would  welcome  their 
genial  influences. 

Under  the  influences  of  these  rough,  vapourless  north-westers, 
the  native  vegetation  on  open  dry  plains  is,  of  course,  very 
different  from  what  is  found  near  open  water,  and  especially  in 
the  lee  of  the  great  lakes.  The  open  dry  plateaus  east  of  the 
mountains  used  to  be  called  "  barrens  ;"  they  had  the  appear- 
ance of  sterility,  and  were  avoided  by  settlers  as  worthless. 
Only  the  very  hardiest  and  most  rugged  trees  grew  on  them ; 
Scrub  or  Chinquapin  Oaks,  and  dwarf  Pines,  growing  slowly, 
because  continually  pinched  by  the  abstraction  of  moisture 
from  their  leaves  and  stems.  It  was  found,  however,  that  the 
soil  of  these  plateaus  had  far  greater  capabilities  than  was 
supposed,  and  they  are  now  among  the  best  grain-growing  dis- 


tricts in  the  country.  Red  Clover  serves  for  grass,  there  being 
no  permanent  meadows.  Deep  culture,  to  secure  a  supply  o{ 
moisture  for  the  roots,  gives  glorious  crops  of  Indian  Com 
and  of  vegetables  ;  while  Wheat,  although  hurried  so  as  to  have 
little  more  than  four  months  of  actual  growth,  wants  but  a 
screen  of  snow  through  the  winter  and  the  opening  of  spring 
to  ripen  bountifully,  in  the  first  week  of  July,  superior  grain. 
If,  however,  neglectful  culture,  or  injury  from  climate  or  insect, 
makes  the  ripening  later  than  about  July  10,  the  blades  and 
stems  of  the  plant  rust,  and  the  crop  succumbs  under  the 
fierce  temperature  of  the  summer. 

A  notable  change  in  the  climate  of  the  middle  States  has 
been  observed  since  the  north-western  States  have  been  settled. 
Peach  and  (Juince  trees,  and  other  trees  and  shrubs  of  tender 
constitution,  now  fail  to  bear  fruit,  or  even  to  live,  where  once 
they  flourished.  In  those  early  days  the  western  winds  pre- 
vailed as  they  do  now,  but  they  were  supplied  with  moisture, 
and  softened  by  passing  through  and  over  almost  boundless 
forests. 

The  advantage  of  a  sheltering  belt  of  leafy  trees  on  the  north 
and  west  sides  of  fields  and  buildings  is  very  great.  Farms  so 
situated  are  valued  by  good  judges  at  25  per  cent,  more  than 
land  of  the  same  description  on  the  open  unsheltered  plain, 
where  every  March  the  attacks  of  the  sun  and  the  wind  are 
renewed ;  for  there  the  sim  has  at  that  time  an  equal  altitude 
to  that  of  our  "  EngUsh  sun  "  in  June  and  July,  and  it  has 
greater  power.  At  the  same  time  keen  northern  blasts  often 
drive  over  the  district,  continuing  one,  two,  three  days,  or  even 
more,  and  carrying  into  every  cranny  a  temperature  often 
below  zero.  If  the  wind  and  sun  strip  off  the  mantle  of  snow 
from  the  Wheat  fields,  the  Strawberry  beds,  or  the  Clover 
fields,  the  unprotected  plants  perish  under  the  alternate  charges 
of  heat  and  cold. 

It  is  one  duty  of  the  gardener  to  teach  the  planting  of  shel- 
tering belts.  The  American  is  disinclined  to  begin  to  do  what 
he  has  laboured  so  hard  and  so  long  to  undo.  He  has  been 
bred  to  the  duty  of  killing  off  and  clearing  all  native  growth  ; 
he  prides  himself  on  the  complete  absence  of  sprouts  or  shoots 
from  his  fields.  Very  often  there  is  not  a  shading  tree  to  screen 
the  reapers  at  their  lunch,  or  the  cattle  at  their  siesta.  The 
fences  of  dead  rails  are  no  protection. 

The  glorious  sun  eventually  conquers,  and  wonderfully  re- 
pairs and  beautifies  the  scene  for  summer.  As  walls  are  re- 
quired in  England  to  retain  and  accumulate  sun  heat,  trees 
are  wanted  in  America  to  divide,  moisten,  and  soften  the  drying 
blasts. 

Good  illustrations  of  the  genial  effect  of  foliage  on  the  air 
are  supplied  by  the  native  Grape  Vines,  which  never  appear 
so  healthy,  or  bear  fair  fruit  so  abundantly,  as  when  their 
foliage  is  intermingled  with  that  of  some  luxuriant  tree,  and 
bathed  continually  in  the  moisture  of  its  exhalations.  The 
thin  leaves  of  young  Pear  trees  often  endure,  and  feed  the  stem 
that  carries  them  the  season  through,  if  sheltered  closely  by 
some  more  robust  nurse  tree  ;  while  similar  plants  standing  out 
separately  lose  their  leaves  in  July,  and  become  poor,  feeble, 
and  consumptive.  Peach  trees  among  the  thick,  damp  Pine 
forests  of  the  western  slope  of  the  Alleghany  mountains,  are 
healthier  and  more  productive  in  a  temperature  which  often 
sinks  to  20°  below  zero,  and  in  cold  wet  soil,  than  they  are  in 
the  open  valleys  eastward,  where  the  warmth  of  both  the  air 
and  the  soil  are  much  greater,  and  where  every  condition  is 
more  favourable,  excepting  the  frequent  atmospheric  dryness. 
So  Gooseberries,  which  almost  uniformly  perish  with  mildew 
in  open  clear  culture,  often  ripen  fair  fruit  among  weeds  or 
grass.  Even  the  native  forest  trees  do  not  endure  the  strain 
if  their  fellows  are  cut  away,  and  the  tall  bare  stem  of  the  solitary 
tree  is  fully  exposed.  Unless  shoots  issue  to  clothe  the  stem 
with  foliage  the  tree  soon  begins  to  decay  at  the  summit,  and 
eventually  perishes. 

In  another  article  some  of  the  means  used,  out  of  doors  and 
in,  to  avoid  the  evils  and  secure  the  good  of  this  feature  of  the 
American  climate  will  be  noticed. — Pennsxlvanu. 


THE  ROYAL  ASCOT  GRAPE. 
In  answer  to  the  letter  which  appeared  in  your  number 
published  on  the  3rd  inst.,  from  Mr.  Thomas  Record,  relative 
to  the  keeping  qualities  of  the  Royal  Ascot  Grape,  we  have  to 
state  that  as  yet  no  one  b"*.  ourselves  has  had  the  opportunity 
of  testing  its  merits  in  is  particular  point.  From  our  own 
experience,  however,  wc  .^ave  no  hesitation  in  stating  that  it 


Decombcr  17,  1886.  j 


JOUBNAL   OF  HOKTIOULTUBE   AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEB. 


>m 


will  hang  quite  as  long  as  the  Alicante  or  Lady  Downe's  ;  be- 
Biclt'3  which  it  is  in  flavour  very  superior  to  either  of  them. 
Even  under  the  moat  adverse  circutnatances  it  sets  more  freely 
than  any  other  sort  we  know,  and  the  same  remarks  will  apply 
to  the  crops  which  it  carries. 

To  show  what  can  bo  done  with  this  Vine,  we  would  mention 
that  on  the  '2^l\i  of  May  last  we  planted  one  of  our  largest 
houses  with  canes  raised  from  cuttings  since  February  this 
year.  They  are  now  carrying  a  fair  crop  of  flue  fruit,  which 
will  bo  ripe  by  the  1st  of  January,  and  will  bang  well  until  April. 
If  Mr.  Beoord  will  favour  us  with  a  visit  in  January,  and  taste 
them,  we  do  not  think  he  will  care  for  the  fruit  of  I;ady  Downe's 
(for  the  three  winter  months)  afterwards. — John  SiAUDise  and 
Co.,  Royal  Nurseries,  Ascot. 


GROWING   FRUIT    FOR    MARICET    AT    LITTLE 

SUTTON,    CHISWICK. 

MR.  dancer's. 
(Continued  from  paije  397.) 

I  NOW  come  to  a  well-known  and  deservedly  popular  Plum — 
Tiz.,  Denyer's  Victoria.  It  is  of  large  size,  and  in  shape  oval ; 
the  skin  reddish  purple  ;  the  flesh  yellow,  sweet,  and  pleasantl  y 
flavoured,  parting  freely  from  the  stone.  When  well  ripened 
it  is  good  for  dessert,  but  its  merits  lie  in  its  culinary  qualities. 
Good  though  it  undoubtedly  is,  it  is  not  a  Londim  Plum,  al- 
though sold  largely  in  Covent  Garden,  and  cultivated  extensively 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  London.  It  is  but  very  little  used 
there,  the  whole  stock  of  it  being  greedily  bought  up  for  the 
use  of  the  cotton-spinners  of  Manchester  and  the  iron-workers 
of  Glasgow.  The  Victoria  is  not  a  very  profitable  variety  to 
cultivate,  although  a  prolific  and  tolerably  constant  bearer; 
some  seasons,  indeed,  the  trees  bear  to  such  excess  that  many 
of  the  fruits  never  come  to  perfection,  and  the  tree  is  injured  so 
much  by  this  over- exertion,  that  it  frequently  takes  years  to 
recover.  The  tree  is  of  drooping  habit,  and  never  attains  a 
very  large  size. 

Poupart's  Plum  is  a  true  market  gardeners'  Plum,  little 
known  elsewhere.  It  is  named  after  Mr.  Poupart,  a  large 
market  gardener,  who  grew  it  extensively.  Mr.  Dancer  has  a 
good  many  trees  of  this  sort,  and  recommends  it  highly,  form- 
ing, as  it  does,  a  good  succession  to  the  earlier  sorts.  Ifc  is  an 
excellent  cropper,  and,  the  fruit  being  rather  firm,  it  can  be 
carried  in  excellent  condition  to  market — a  quality  which  is  a 
great  recommendation.  The  fruit,  which  is  nearly  round,  very 
much  resembles  in  appearance  Keine  Claude  Violette.  The 
colour  is  light  purple,  dotted  and  streaked  with  yellow;  the 
flesh  reddish,  sweet,  but  with  a  smack  of  the  sloe  flavour.  An 
excellent  preserving  variety,  and  generally  commanding  a  good 
price  in  Covent  Garden.  There  is  one  peculiarity  attached  to 
this  Plum.  It  is  this  :  The  trees  bear  fruit  very  irregularly. 
The  whole  of  the  plant  may  be  well  covered  with  flowers  in 
spring,  yet  the  fruit  is  borne  on  only  a  portion  of  the  tree, 
some  branches  being  literally  loaded,  and,  to  use  a  common 
expression,  hanging  "  as  thick  as  ropes  of  onions  ;"  while  other 
branches,  having  exactly  the  same  appearance,  are  entirely 
destitute  of  fruit.  This  is  a  general  characteristic  of  the  variety. 
I  have  examined  scores  of  trees  in  Mr.  Dancer's  and  other 
gardens,  and  they  are  all  so.  I  never  saw  nny  Plum  produce 
the  fruit  in  such  enormous  clusters  ;  so  thickly  packed  together 
are  they,  that  Jlr.  Dancer  compares  the  little  branches  thus 
laden  to  bottle  brushes.     It  is  but  a  moderate  grower. 

Cooper's  Large,  or  La  Delicieuse,  is  a  very  strong-growing 
sort,  one  of  the  few  Plums  which  form  timber  trees.  It  is  a 
rather  large,  oval,  purplish  Plum,  sometimes,  when  not  over- 
cropped, of  excellent  flavour.  It  is,  however,  by  no  means  a 
good  sort  for  cultivation,  for  the  tree,  having  very  large  leaves, 
«Ti£ters  severely  in  dry  seasons,  and  the  whole  crop,  which  is 
"Very  abundantly  produced,  is  rendered  worthless.  The  fruit, 
likewise,  being  of  a  dull  colour,  brings  a  very  poor  price  in  the 
■  market.  Sandalls  Plum,  as  a  late  variety  coming  into  use  in 
September,  or  after  all  the  others  are  over,  is  very  desirable. 
Mr.  Dancer  calls  it  a  "really  good  Plum."  The  fruit  ia  of 
medium  size,  oval,  dark  purplish.  The  tree  is  but  a  moderate 
bearer.  The  fruit,  after  being  ripe,  hangs  a  long  time  on  the 
tree  without  cracking ;  and  as  but  few  Plums  wUl  do  so,  it  is 
on  this  account,  as  well  as  its  lateness,  much  to  be  recom- 
mended. It  takes  well  in  the  market.  The  tree  grows  to  a 
great  size — from  .30  to  40  feet,  and,  like  La  Delicieuse,  is  one 
.o£  the  few  Plums  which  form  timber.  Mr.IDancer  cultivates 
it  extensively. 


Of  Plums  which  Mr.  Dancer  has  on  trial,  and  which  promise 
to  prove  good  marketable  and  prulitable  sorts,  I  may  mention 
the  following.  When  I  say  "  on  trial,"  I  do  not  mean  one  or 
two  small  lots  of  trees  as  usually  the  piactice,  I  speak  of  hun- 
dreds. Yes,  the  new  varieties  are  tried  by  the  hundred,  if  to 
be  procured,  and  if  unsuitable  they  have  only  to  be  grafted 
again.  They  are— Belle  de  Septembro,  an  excellent  late  purple 
sort,  a  vigorous  upright  grower  ;  in  use  in  the  end  of  September. 
Autumn  Compote,  also  a  reddinli  purple  Plum,  coming  into 
late  use.  Belgian  Purple,  a  very  promising  port,  large,  and  of 
excellent  quality;  midseason.  Prince  Englebert,  a  very  ex- 
cellent Plum,  a  prodigious  bearer,  somewhat  resembling,  but 
larger  and  of  bettor  flavour  than  Milclielson's.  liivers's  Karly 
Prolific,  a  valuable  early  Plum,  ripening  in  the  end  of  July. 
With  Mr.  Eivers,  this  Plum  bears  most  enormously,  and 
makes  but  little  wood.  With  Mr.  Dancer,  again,  it  has  as  yet, 
borne  but  very  thinly,  but  grows  excessively,  making  shoots 
from  3  to  4  feet  in  length  during  the  season. 

There  are  some  other  sorts  of  Plums  which  have  been,  or 
still  are,  slightly  cultivated  by  Mr.  Dancer,  but  which  have 
proved  unsuitable,  either  as  to  their  bearing  properties  or 
market  popularity.  Such  are  Washington,  which  is  not  only 
a  bad  bearer  in  general,  but  on  account  of  its  colour  and  soft- 
ness it  will  not  seU.  Jefferson  is  a  great  bearer.  It  is,  how- 
ever, a  slight  clingstone,  and  on  that  account  avoided  by  the 
market  folks.  Kirke's,  very  beautiful  in  appearance,  but  a  bad 
bearer,  and  in  general  commanding  but  a  low  price.  Pond's 
Seedling,  large,  but,  like  Denyer's  Victoria,  not  a  London  Plum. 
Green  Gages,  of  which  there  are  several  sub-varieties — these 
are  the  queens  of  Plums  as  regards  flavour,  but  being  shy 
bearers,  and  the  half-ripe  fruit  being  so  very  liable  to  crack 
and  split  with  a  little  wet,  the  whole  crop  is  frequently  de- 
stroyed. The  Green  Gage  is  not  by  any  means  a  profitable 
variety  to  cultivate. 

I  have  now  noticed  the  Plums  Mr.  Dancer  cultivates,  and 
which  have  been  proved  to  be  the  best  suited  for  his  particular 
district  and  soil — a  deep  alluvial  loam,  with  gravelly  subsoil. 
Of  this,  however,  more  hereafter.  These  are  the  Plums,  which, 
although  not  perhaps  the  finest  in  quality,  yet  produce  the 
largest  and  most  constant  crops,  and  find  the  most  ready  sale 
in  the  market.  They  are,  consequently,  the  most  profitable 
varieties  to  cultivate  for  market  purposes,  or  for  any  other  pur- 
pose where  quantity,  not  quality,  as  dessert  fruit  is  desired. 
The  Plums,  it  may  be  noted,  which  find  so  ready  a  sale  are 
almost  always  good  culinary  sorts,  that  being  the  chief  purpose 
for  which  they  are  purchased.  In  other  districts  and  other 
soils  a  few  other  varieties  may,  perhaps,  be  found  equally  well 
suited,  or,  again,  these  varieties  in  other  soils  and  localities 
may  not  be  found  so  desirable,  not  to  speak  of  different  methods 
of  culture,  which  I  shall  not  enter  upon  here,  but  leave  for 
another  paper.  There  are  no  sorts,  however,  which  find  a  more 
ready  sale  in  Covent  Garden. 

To  make  it  quite  clear  which  varieties  I  have  been  alluding 
to  in  this  and  the  previous  paper,  I  again  enumerate  them,  and 
class  them  according  to  their  season  of  ripening. 

1st,  Plums  cultivated  largely  by  Mr.  Dancer  and  highly  re- 
commenr'ed. 

1.  G  sbDrne's  Early  4.  Denyer's  Victoria 

2.  Chapman's  Prince  of  Wales     5.  Poupart's 

3.  Mitchelson's  (5.  Sandalls 

2nd,  Plums  which  promise  well,  but  not  yet  sufiiciently 
proved. 

1.  Rivers's  Early  Prolific 

2.  Prince  Englebert 

3.  Belgian  Purple 
— Leo. 


4.  Antumn'CompOte 

5.  Belle  de  Septembre 


VINES  OUT  OP  DOORS. 
In  your  number  of  December  3rd  I  read  with  much  pleastue 
an  article  entitled  "  Out-of-doors  Grapes  "  by  your  correspon- 
dent •'  Archambaud,"  and  his  estimate  of  the  different  sorts  of 
Grapes  was  useful  and  very  interesting.  He  says  that  it  was 
to  discover  which  of  the  many  varieties  was  most  suited  to 
open-air  cultivation  that  Mr.  Kemp  offered  his  prizes  at  the 
Horticultural  Society's  Fruit  Committee  Meeting  in  October. 
Out-door  growers  will  thank  Mr.  Kemp  heartily,  and  your 
correspondent  for  giving  them  the  result ;  but  it  appears  to 
me  that  it  should  not  stop  here.  Having  decided  which  is  the 
best  sort  to  grow,  the  next  thing  is  to  teach  people  how  to 
grow  it ;  for  there  is  not  one  amateur  gardener  in  a  hundred 
who  has  the  most  remote  idea  of  the  best  method  of  cultivation 


460 


JOUBNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER.  [  Deoembet  17. 1888. 


and  I  regret  to  Bay  that  professional  gardeners  as  a  rule  are 
inclined  to  snnb  the  matter  altogether,  as  something  below 
their  dignity,  and  if  called  on  to  dress  a  Vino,  do  it,  certainly, 
though  not  con  amore,  but  rather  in  a  well-if-I-must-I-must  sort 
of  way,  and  as  they  would  their  Vines  under  glass. 

Is  there  none  of  your  numerous  and  able  contributors  who 
wiU  condescend  to  lay  down  the  system  best  adapted  for  pro- 
ducing good  and  well-ripened  Grapes,  not  in  a  season  such  as 
the  last  merely,  but  in  four  seasons  out  of  five  ?  Is  there  no 
second  Hoare  will  arise  to  point  out  to  the  thoughtless  the 
folly  of  allowing  a  dozen  bearing  rods  to  remain  on  a  Vine  out 
of  doors,  when  if  they  made  use  of  their  eyes  they  would  find 
one  or  two  only  left  on  those  grown  under  more  favourable 
circumstances  under  glass,  and  that  they  had  better  take  a 
lesson  out  of  their  own  books  in  their  treatment  of  their  Rasp- 
berries, and  cut  out  the  long  rods  that  have  borne  fruit,  and 
leave  the  new  ones  that  have  been  growing  during  the  time  ? 

"  Archambacd  "  advocates  the  cultivation  of  the  Vine  it  is 
true,  but  he  is  a  very  lukewarm  advocate,  and  holds  out  but 
little  hope  of  success  or  satisfaction  from  it.  He  appears  to 
think  that  one  can  only  aspire  to  the  production  of  a  "  tolerably 
decent  lot  of  Grapes  "  which  can  be  obtained  by  a  "  little  ordi- 
nary attention,"  but  I  should  like  to  see  some  one  teach  us  to 
aspire  to  much  more  than  this,  as  I  must  maintain  that  -with  a 
little  crlraordinary  attention,  certain  success  and  great  satis- 
faction will  be  obtained. 

I  am  an  old  disciple  of  Hoare  of  five-and-twenty  years'  stand- 
ing, and  some  years  ago  was  complimented  by  you  for  Grapes 
which  I  was  bold  enough  to  send  for  your  opinion.  The  white 
Grapes  everyone  can  ripen,  but  as  a  rule  I  ripen  the  Black 
Hamburgh,  although,  I  confess,  not  with  what  would  be  called 
"  ordinary  attention,"  for  I  bestow  almost  as  much  time  on  the 
stopping  of  the  shoots,  the  removal  of  laterals,  and  the  thin- 
ning of  the  berries  as  would  any  gardener  in  his  vinery ;  but 
what  a  pleasant  occupation  !  and  how  suited  for  ladies  if  they 
■would  but  take  a  little  trouble  to  acquire  a  knowledge  of  what 
is  to  be  done.  This  year  is,  of  course,  exceptional,  but  I  have 
been  told  by  many  "of  my  friends  that  they  have  tasted  no 
sweeter  or  finer-flavoured  fruit  than  mine,  whether  grown  in 
greenhouse,  hothouse,  or  otherwise.  I  allowed  some  of  the 
rods  to  remain  on  the  Vine,  covered  with  nets  to  protect  them 
from  birds,  until  ten  days  ago,  when  I  cut  them  clean  down,  with 
the  bunches  attached,  and  I  hope  to  have  a  few  dishes  for 
dessert  during  the  Christmas  week. 

I  hope  that  some  one  of  your  able  correspondents  will  take 
this  matter  up. — H.  S.  Watson,  Old  Charltmi. 

[We  quite  agree  with  our  correspondent  in  thinking  that  the 
subject  of  ripening  Grapes  on  open  walls  is  deserving  of  more 
attention.  Mr.  Weaver,  gardener  to  the  Warden  of  Winchester 
College,  ripens  Black  Hambnrghs  without  any  protection  againft 
the  walls  of  his  garden  in  Winchester.  We  wish  that  he,  and 
any  other  of  our  readers  who  has  been  successful  in  this  prac- 
tice, would  send  us  full  details  of  their  modes  and  times  of 
pruning,  &c.  Why  should  not  our  present  correspondent  relate 
his  successful  mode  of  culture? — Eds.] 


ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL   SOCIETY. 

December  15th. 
Feoit  Committee. — G.  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  in  the  chair.  The  list  of 
the  Committee  was  revised,  and  Mr.  Rose,  of  Frogmore,  Mr.  Eeole 
(Messrs.  Carter  &  Co.),  and  Mr.  Fenn,  of  the  Rectory,  Woodstock, 
■were  elected.  A  letter  was  read  from  Rev.  George  Kemp,  offenuR  two 
prizes  of  £.3  and  £-2  for  out-door  Grapes  grown  in  the  open  air  against 
a  wall  irithout  any  protection  whatever.  Mr.  Melville,  of  Dalmeny 
Park,  sent  plants  of  his  new  shrahhy  variegated  Kales,  which  he 
obtained  by  crossing  the  old  perennial  Woburn  Kale  with  the  varieties 
of  the  biennial  which  he  has  grown  for  some  years,  his  object  being  to 
obtain  a  variegated  Kale  of  a  shmbby  character  for  the  decoration  of 
ahmbberies  in  winter.  By  a  prosecntion  of  these  experiments  there  is 
every  appearance  that  Mr".  Melville  will  succeed  in  his  laudable  object. 
Mr.  Lee,  of  Clevedon.  near  Bristol,  sent  a  noble  head  of  Cauliflower 
raised  from  plants  which  stood  the  severe  winter  of  1866-67,  and  it 
received  a  special  certificate.  Messrs.  Catbush  and  Son,  of  Highgate, 
aent  specimens  of  Cntbush's  Crimson  Beet.  Mr.  Barley  exhibited 
good  specimens  of  Williams'  Improved  Matchless  Celery,  which  was 
considered  similar  to  Cole's  Defiance.  Mr.  Farley  also  sent  dishes  of 
very  handsome  Mushrooms  and  of  forced  Sea-Uale,  which  received  a 
special  certificate.  He  also  exhibited  a  very  fine  dish  of  Bergamotte 
Esperen  Pear,  Feara's  Pippin,  Cockle  Pippin,  and  Sam  Young,  as  well 
as  a  fine  dish  of  Tangierene  Oranges,  which  also  received  a  special 
certificate.  Mrs.  Allen,  of  Netting  Hill,  sent  a  dish  of  the  Crown  or 
Mommy  Pea. 
Mr.  Whiting,  of  the  Deepdene,  showed  a  bunch  of  a  Black  Grape 


from  Italy,  grown  at  Bury  Hill.  It  is  of  an  oval  shape,  with  a  dense 
blue  bloom,  and  agreeable  flavour.  He  also  exhibited  dishes  of  very 
handsome  Alfreton  and  Small's  Admirable  Apples,  and  Bergamotte 
Esperen  and  Dr.  Bretonneau  Pears,  all  of  which  were  in  good  con- 
dition, and  received  a  special  certificate.  Mr.  Rivers,  of  Sawbridge- 
worth,  sent  a  collection  of  Oranges  grown  in  10-inch  pots,  standing  on 
slates  on  two  hot-water  pipes,  the  pots  plunged  in  cocoa-nut  fibre,  the 
heat  constant  and  gentle.  The  trees  blossomed  in  February  and 
March.  Since  October  the  air  of  the  house  has  been  heated  to  60° 
and  6,1''  by  two  4-inch  surface  pipes.  The  varieties  were  Bittanconrt, 
Maltese  Blood,  Sustain,  and  two  varieties  of  St.  Michael's.  To  this 
collection  a  special  certificate  was  awarded.  Mr.  Forsyth,  of  Gun- 
nersbury,  sent  a  large  frnit  of  Smooth-leaved  Cayenne  Pine  Apple, 
which  received  a  special  certificate.  Mr.  Jennings,  of  Shipston-on- 
Stonr,  sent  a  small  seedling  Apple,  raised  from  Siberian  Crab.  Mr. 
Haines,  of  Rothcrhy  Hall,  Leicester,  sent  specimens  of  Bess  Pool 
Apple,  from  a  tree  grafted  on  the  Crab  stock,  and  others  from  a  tree 
double-grafted  on  a  Pearmain.  The  eilect  of  this  donblegrafting  was 
to  enlarge  the  fruit  to  nearly  double  the  size  of  that  grown  on  the 
Crab.  Mr.  Gilbert,  gardener  to  the  Marquis  of  Exeter,  sent  specimens 
of  Lord  Burghley  Apple  of  very  exceUent  quality,  also  a  seedling 
kitchen  Apple.  Mr.  Cox,  of  Rfdleaf,  sent  a  dish  of  Wmter  NeUa 
Pear,  grafted  on  the  Chaumontel,  the  fruit  of  which  partook  of  the 
flavour  and  character  of  both.  Mr.  Mnir,  of  Oulton  Park,  sent  speci- 
mens of  Oulton  Park  Russet  Apple,  which  was  considered  inferior  in 
flavour.  Mr.  W.  G.  Pragnell,  gardener  to  G.  W.  Digby,  Esq.,  Castle 
Garden,  Sherborne,  sent  a  White  Celery,  which  proved  of  very  poor 
flavour,  inferior  to  others  in  cultivation. 

Floral  Committee.— This  was  the  last  meeting  of  the  season,  and 
by  no  means  an  uninteresting  one.  The  Orchids  were  as  pood  as  in 
the  summer  months,  though  not  quite  so  numerous.  Mr.  J.  Hodges, 
gardener  to  E.  Wright,  Esq.,  exhibited  a  cut  specimen  of  a  variety  of 
Oncidium  macranthum  ;  and  Mr.  C.  Garland,  gardener  to  Sir  T.  D. 
Acland,  cut  specimens  of  Camellia  Imbricata,  with  white  stripes, 
not  an  uncommon  occurrence.  Mr.  C.  Osman,  gardener  to  R.  Holland, 
Esq  ,  Stanmore  Hall,  sent  a  cut  specimen  of  DahUa  imperiabs ;  a 
special  certificate  was  awarded  to  it.  Mr.  J.  Davidson,  gardener  to 
R  Ralli,  Esq.,  Putney  Heath,  exhibited  a  small  specimen  of  the  same 
plant.  Messrs.  Veilc'h,  of  Chelsea,  sent  a  fine  collection  of  Orchids, 
among  which  were  MasdevaUia  Candida— first  ckss  certificate  ;  Lffiha 
albida  rosea,  a  very  pretty  Orchid,  Denedrobinm  Fitcbiannm  (.')— 
second-class  certificate  ;  Pleione  bumile- first-class ;  Ptens  cretica 
albo-lineata  angusla— first-class  ;  Mormodes  Skmneii,  and  sevOTj 
others  A  special  certificate  was  awarded  for  the  collection.  Mr. 
Tanton  brought  cut  specimens  of  his  AUamanda  Wardleiana,  to  prove 
its  continuity  of  winter-blooming.  Mr.  A.  Henderson,  Pine-Apple 
Place,  exhibited  Agnostus  integrifolius.  .    ,    -j  o  i 

Mr.  Weatberill.  Finchley,  exhibited  a  collection  of  his  hybrid  boia- 
nums',  the  plants  well  covered  with  fruit,  and  many  of  them  very  showy 
and  handsome  ;  one  was  called  robustum,  but  not  sufficiently  diilenng 
from  the  named  sorts  of  last  year.  A  special  certificate  was  awarded 
the  coUection.  From  the  same  exhibitor  came  also  Primula  smcnsia 
Wonderful,  a  very  large-flowering  pnrpUsh  white  seedhng,  very  dis- 
tinct ;  this  received  a  first-class  certificate.  Mr.  Bull  exhibited  three 
varieties  of  Dammara.  D.  Moorei  bad  received  a  first-class  certificate ; 
D.  hvpoleuca  and  robusta  were  not  so  good ;  Bignonia  erecta  multi- 
flora;  three  small  plants  of  Begonia  sagittata,  with  beautiful  spotted 
foliace,  and  B.  foliosa,  a  useful  plant  for  hanging-baskets.  It  was 
requested  that  the  latter  two  should  be  sent  agam.  The  same  exhi- 
bitor had  in  addition  Odontoglossnm  cristatnm  ;  Geonoma  Seemanm, 
a  very  handsome  Palm-first-class  cerUficate  ;  Ptychosperma  lacerata, 
another  Paba— the  plants  too  young  to  show  their  merit,  requested  to 
be  seen  again ;  Richardia  melanoleuca,  a  cunons  form  of  Aroid  wittt 
a  small  scape  and  dark  centre— second-class  certificate  ;  a  amaU  seed- 
hns  plant  of  Alsophila  atrovirens,  to  be  seen  agam. 

Dr  Rogers,  East  Grinstead,  sent  a  new  species  of  Oncidium,  named 
bv  the  Rev.  M.  J.  Berkeley  Oncidium  Rogersii,  the  largest  and  finest 
of  its  race,  with  beautiful  large  yellow  flowers.  Mr.  Wilhama,  of 
Hollowav,  received  a  special  certificate  for  a  large  collection  of  Sola- 
nums  co"ntaining  Mr.  WcatberUl's  best  seedlings  of  last  year  and  two 
fine  Orchids,  Angrrecum  peUucidum  and  A.  eburnenm.  A  special 
certificate  was  awarded  them.  Mr.  PUcher,  gardener  to  S.  Knctoj. 
Esq.,  exhibited  two  splendid  specimens  of  Orchids,  each  of  which  re- 
ceived a  special  certificate-namely,  Epidendrnm  vitelhnum,  with 
brieht  scarlet  flowers,  and  Lielia  autnmnalis.  very  love  y. 

Mr.  Allen,  gardener  to  Capt.  Glegg,  sent  a  box  of  cut  CameUias  and 
Roses.  Among  the  CameUias  was  one  exbibited  last  y"". J^^P»«* 
after  Miss  Glegg,  a  very  beautiful  scarlet  and  white  flower.  The  whole 
collection  contained  many  good  flowers.  A  special  certificate  waa 
awarded.  W.  Marshall,  Esq.,  brought  a  specimen  of  Hajmanthua, 
which  was  found  to  be  H.  tenuiflorus.  Mr.  Parker,  Tooting,  brought 
a  specimen  of  Ixora  amabiUs,  which  had  ''^<''^<=\<'^'f:f''f^'^±^ 
cate.  There  was  also  a  very  good  coUeetion  of  Orchids  from  the 
Society's  gardens,  containing  Cjpripediums  and  Lycaste  Skumen. 

General  MEETrec.-James  Bateman,  Esq.,  F^R.S.,  m  the  cl^. 
After  the  election  of  nine  new  FeUows,  and  the  admission  of  the  West 


(Tai-bury  Agricultural  Society  into  union,  the  Committee  awards  were 
reported.     The  Rev.  Joshua  Dix  r--'  =- 


^^^^„„ .  next  exhibited  some  artificial  flowerg 

minnfactnred  bv  Mr.  T.  Robinson,  which,  though  presenting  a  dried-up 
"pTear^oetben  dipped  for  a  moment  in  water  and  then  withdrawn. 


December  17,  1868.  ]  JOURNAL  OF    HORTICULTUBE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDjSNEB. 


461 


expand  and  resemble  natural  flowers,  like  which  they  are  varionsly 
scented. 

The  Rev.  JI.  J.   Berkeley  then  addressed  the  moctinR,  remarkinR 
that  by  far  the  most  interesting  part  of  the  plants  exhibited  consisted 
of  Orchids,  bnt  these,  as  Mr.  Bateman  was  present,  ho  wonld  pass 
over.     With  reference  to  Dahlia  imporialis,  a  small  portion  of  a  plant 
of  which  was  exhibited  by  Mr.  Oaman,  pardoner  to  K.  Holland,  Esq., 
of  Stanmore  Hall,  he  might  mention  that  the  tubers  which  Mr.  Bate- 
man   had  communicated  to  the   Society    last   year  had   porrainated 
beantifnlly,  but  the  bads  did  not    como  to  poi-fection  owing  to  the 
infloflicient  amount  of  heat  given.     Next  year,  however,  moi'o   heat 
would  be  afforded,  and   the  snccesflful  flowering  of  the  plant  might 
consequently  be  expected.     The  Ha^mantbus  exhibited  by  Mr.  Mar- 
shall was  next  referred  to,  and  Mr.  Berkeley  said  ho  had  no  doubt  that 
it  was  the  true  Hn^mauthns  tenniflorns,  a  variety  of  which  was  figured 
many  years  ago  in  the  '*  Botanical  Magazine."    Steuocarpns  Cuuning- 
hamii  was  then  noticed,  and  it  was  remarked  that  in  the  tertiary 
deposits  leaves  had  been  found  very  closely  resembling  those  of  the 
Stenocarpus,  and  therefore   the   notion    had  been   mooted  that  the 
vegetation  of  the  south  of  Europe  at  the  period  of  the  tertiary  for- 
ination  was  similar  to  that  of  A  ustralia  at  the  present  day.     Ilichardia 
melanoleuca  was  the  next  plant  to  which  attention  was  directed,  and 
it  was  remarked  that  it  was  drawn  up,  probably,  from  having  received 
more  heat  tlinn  it  required,  and  that,  prown  in  a  cooler  temperature, 
ii  would  most  likely  have  a  very  fine  appearance.     The  large  collection 
of  Gourds  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Barr  &  Sugden  at  the  last  meeting, 
and  which  still  remained  in  the  room,  was  the  next  subject  to  which 
attention  was  drawn,  Mr.  Berkeley  remarking  that  all  the  varying 
forms  were  referable  to  two  types — namely,   the  varieties  with   the 
angnlar,  deeply  grooved  stems  to  Cucnrbita  Pepo,  and  the  large  kinds 
to  Cncnrbita  maxima.     In  addition  to  these  two  species  there  were 
two  others,  though  not  exhibited — namely,  the  Portemauteau  Gourd, 
C.  moschata,  which,  if  our  climate  were  warm  enough,  would  com- 
pletely supersede  the  Vegetable  Marrow  ;  and  C.  melauosperma,  with 
black  seeds.  Cissns  discolor,  of  which  some  flowering  shoots  came  from 
ihe  Society's  Garden  at  Chiswick,  was  next  noticed  ;  and  Mr.  Berkeley 
observed  that  a  whole  houseful  of  it  was  there  in  flower,  the  inflores- 
cdnce  having  a  delicate  fragrance.     The  reason  it  did  not  produce  its 
inflorescence  generally  in  this[conntry  was,  probably,  that  it  was  treated 
too  much  as  a  greenhouse  plant.     An  extremely  curious  Fungus,  from 
Mr.  Beech,  gardener  at  Castle  Ashby,  Mr.  Berkeley  considered  to  be 
an  entirely  new  species  ;  and  in  connection  with  this  subject  ho  men- 
tioned that  he  had  received  a  communication  from  the  Cape  of   Good 
Hope  relative  to  a  Fungus  which  had  attacked  the  Pelargoniums  there, 
and  it  was  feared  their  cultivation  would  have  to  bo  given  np.     Now, 
though  the  common  wild  Geraniums  were  attacked  in  this  country  by 
JTist  or  Uredo,  he  had  never  heard  of  Pelargoniums  being  affected  by 
it ;  but  the  matter  was  of  great  importance,  for  it  had  been  proposed 
to  employ  the  Cape  species  for  the  purpose  of  hybridising  and  obtaining 
new  varieties,  and  it  would   be  a  great  misfortune — indeed,  one  of  tho 
greatest  he  could  conceive — to  gardeners,  were  such  a  result  as  that 
apprehended  at  the  Cape  to  occur  in  this  country.      He  therefore 
strongly  advised  that  the  imported  plants  should  be  watched,  and  if 
any  showed  signs  of  the  disease  they  ought  to  be  committed  to  the 
flames.     The  OiJium  of  the  Vine  and  the  Potato  mould  were,  in  all 
probability,  introduced  into  this  country  from  abroad,  and  everyone 
knew  with  what  disastrous  results.     He  had   likewise   received  from 
Dr.  Anderson,  of  the  Calcutta  Botanic  Garden,  a  sample  of  Assam  Tea 
said  to  be  attacked  by  a  parasitic  growth,  but  he  (Mr.  Berkeley)  could 
detect  none.     Still,  it  was  known  that  in  many  cases  Fungi  were  not 
fully  developed  till  the  leaves  had  fallen  from  the  tree.     At  any  rate, 
the  tea  made  from  the  leaves  was  very  bad-tasted,  much  worse  than 
Mr.  Bateman's  Orchid  Tea.     Another  sample  of  Tea  leaves  which  he 
had  received  along  with  that  just  noticed  appeared  to  be  merely  covered 
with  smut  consequent  on  the  saccharine  depositions  of  an  aphis.     He 
might  mention,  while  on  this  subject,  a  disease  of  great  consequence  in 
Australia,  known  there  as  the  "  red  rust."     This  was  the  infant  state 
of  the  common  Wheat  mildew.     There  was  yet  another  disease,  known 
as  "take  all,"  but  he  had  not  sufficient  evidence  to  say  what  it  is. 
Those,  however,  who  are  acquainted  with  Australia  had  informed  him 
that  the  rotation  of  crops  was  not  practised,  and  that  year  after  year 
Wheat  was  gi-own  on  tho  same  land  without  intermission,  and  even- 
tually the  sGil  became  exhausted,  little  but  silica  being  left.     Failure 
nnder  such  circumstances  could  not  be  wondered  at. 

Mr.  Bateman  observed,  that  before  proceeding  to  notice  the  Orchids 
he  would  refer  to  the  magniflcent  Oranges  exhibited  by  Mr.  Rivers 
who,  not  content  with  growing  Apples,  Pears,  and  similar  fruits  in  the 
orchard  house,  had  started  the  idea  of  a  tropical  orchard  house.  He 
(Mr.  Bateman),  had  determined  to  attempt  this  mode  of  cultivation, 
and  had  fitted  up  a  compartment  of  a  house,  and,  though  he  had  had 
beautiful  Tangierine  Oranges,  be  fortunately  failed.  He  said  fortu- 
nately, for  he  had  found  out  that  this  division  exactly  suited  the  Mexi- 
can Orchids,  which  require  to  be  kept  cooler  and  drier  than  those 
from  the  East  Indies.  Till  this  important  point  in  Orchid  cultivation 
was  discovered  he  had  never  had  the  pleasure  of  introducing  to  an 
Knglisb  audience  such  a  plant  of  Lalia  automnalis  as  that  from  Mr. 
Rucker's  gardener.  Two  or  three  flowers  were  all  that  could  be  pro- 
duced. He  found  the  plant  growing  at  Mr.  Rucker's  in  a  large,  airy, 
'  warm  greenhouse.  It  was  called  in  Mexico  Flor  de  los  Santos,  and  is 
much  used  in  tha  decoration  of  the  chotches  at  festival  times.    He 


also  found  at  Mr.  Rucker's  the  F.pidendrum  Titellinum,  which  accom- 
panied his  magnificent  Linlia.  He  {Mr.  Bateman)  had  felt  some  doubt 
as  to  whether  there  was  or  was  not  a  major  variety  of  that  plant,  buti  t 
was  now  set  at  rest,  for  large  as  tho  flowers  were  in  Mr,  Rucker's 
specimen  they  were  not  so  large  as  in  some  plants  introduced  by  Messrs. 
Low.  In  the  last  number  of  the  "  Botanical  Magazine  "  was  figure* 
what  was  supposed  to  be  tho  largestUowered  of  all  the  Oncidiums, 
O.  macranthnm,  but  it  would  aeem  as  if  there  were  a  fate  that  as  soonas 
wo  had  named  one  thing  on  account  of  its  superior  size,  there  was  sura 
to  bo  something  to  beat  it.  It  was  thought  that  Oncidium  macranthnm, 
which  was  exhibited  at  one  of  the  Society's  meetings  by  Lord  Londes- 
borough's  gardener,  Mr.  Richards,  was  tho  largest  in  existence,  bnt 
now,  on  the  last  day  of  the  season,  he  (Mr.  Bateman)  had  the  pleasure 
of  introducing  ono  very  much  larger,  in  the  new  species  worthily 
named  after  Dr.  Rogers.  It  came  from  a  very  high  and  very  cool 
part  of  Brazil,  and  would,  no  doubt,  take  its  station  among  the  Mexi- 
can Orchids.  Whether,  however,  it  were  a  variety  of  Oncidium  bifo- 
lium,  bearing  the  relation  of  Ching  to  Chang,  remained  to  be  seen. 
Specimens  of  Cypripedium  caudatum  and  Angrajcum  eesquipedale, 
were  next  pointed  out  as  good,  but  of  the  latter  the  tail-like  appendage 
was  not  so  long  as  was  sometimes  seen.  This  plant,  it  was  also 
remarked,  should  have  the  warmest  position  in  the  Orchid  house. 

Mr.  Bateman  then  observed,  with  reference  to  Dahlia  imperialis, 
that  he  had  seen  it  in  Mr.  Woolfield's  garden  at  Cannes  last  year,  and 
had  had  the  honour  of  introducing  it  to  the  notice  of  a  meeting  of  tha 
Society,  exhibiting,  at  the  same  time,  dried  specimens  of  the  flowers, 
which  he  again  produced  ;  but  now  they  had  the  fresh  flowers,  though 
he  was  sorry  to  say,  the  Society's  tubers  had  only  produced  buds. 
He  would  now  leave  the  living  flowers,  and  turn  to  flowers  of  another 
description— tho  artificial  ones  for  Christmas  decoration  sent  by  Sir. 
Goodman,  who  had  had  tho  good  fortune  to  secure  the  favourable  notice 
of  two  of  the  leading  church  papers  of  opposite  views— the  only 
instance  he  ever  knew  of  their  agreeing.  No  one  could  faU  to  admire 
the  Variegated  Holly  and  some  other  things,  but,  on  the  other  hand, 
there  were  productions  which  resembled  nothing  iu  nature,  and  he 
would  recommend  her  as  a  copy  for  Mr.  Goodman's  future  efforts. 
Livin",  said  Mr.  Bateman,  150  miles  from  London,  he  always  received 
numerous  applications  for  evergreens  at  Christmas  for  the  decoration 
of  churches,  &c. ;  but  about  London,  the  demand  was  so  great  and  tha 
supply  so  small,  that  many  persons  had  to  put  a  guard  over  their  ever- 
greens lest  they  should  be  stolen.  He  thought,  then,  that  these  arti- 
ficial decorations  of  flowers  and  foliage  would  be  something  in  the 
interests  of  horticulture,  or  rather  arboriculture. 

Mr.  Bateman,  in  his  concluding  remarks,  said  that  he  only  hoped 
that  in  the  coming  year  as  much  interest  wonld  bo  taken,  and  as  much 
progress  made,  in  horticulture  as  in  that  now  passing  away ;  and  ha 
was  agreeably  surprised  to  find  that  the  meetings  were  so  well  attended 
at  this  dull  season.  He  only  wished  that  during  the  year  more  new 
Orchids  had  been  introduced,  but  this  was  partly  owing  to  two  grievous 
losses— that  of  Mr.  Wilson  Saunders's  collector,  Mr.  Bowman,  who 
died  when  about  to  come  home  with  a  valuable  collection ;  the  other 
loss  being  that  of  Mr.  Pearce.  These  were  great  drawbacks,  but  the 
Orchid  mania  must  be  fed  with  fresh  fuel,  and  of  such  there  was 
plenty  waiting  only  to  be  conquered  by  the  indomitable  spirit  and 
pluck  of  collectors.  In  accordance  with  an  old  Regent  Street  custom, 
which  had  been  revived,  he  had  to  announce  for  distribution  among 
those  present  the  flowers  of  Chimonanthus  grandiSorus  from  Chiawict, 
and,  he  would  venture  to  add,  Mr.  Rivers's  Oranges. 

The  next  meeting  wUl  take  place  on  the  19th  of  January. 


A  FEW  WORDS  TO  GARDENERS  ON 
EMIGRATION. 

I,  FOR  one,  hailed  with  exceedingly  great  pleasure  the  brief 
article  in  the  Journal  entitled  "  Gardening  in  the  Far  West," 
and  also  look  forward  with  feelings  of  anticipated  pleasure  to 
the  others  promised  by  your  correspondent  "  Pennsylvania." 
I  myself,  after  years  of  intimate  knowledge  of  gardeners  anJ 
gardening,  have  often  thought  that  if  gardeners  could  be  in- 
duced to  emigrate  to  some  such  land  as  Canada  or  the  Western 
States  of  America,  a  substantial  future  in  most  cases  would  ba 
in  store  for  them.  I  know  it  would  require  a  strong  effort  o£ 
determination  on  their  parts,  also  great  sell-denial  for  some 
years  in  a  new  and  strange  land  ;  but,  in  the  majority  of  cases, 
the  reward  would  amply  repay  any  temporary  inconvenienca 
that  would  have  to  be  endured  by  the  energetic,  intelligent, 
and  mostly  highly  educated  men  before  whom  I  desire,  by  your 
help,  to  lay  these  few  and  feeble  words. 

In  the  first  place,  I  have  a  sad  knowledge,  a  knowledge  that 
has  come  close  home  to  myself,  that  gardeners  are  far  too 
numerous,  and,  at  a  modest  but  rough  estimate,  there  are  always 
from  800  to  1000  really  good,  capable,  and  able  gardeners 
out  of  situations  —  men  of  unblemished  characters,  of  high 
professional  reputation,  and  capable,  by  their  acquirements, 
of  conducting  the  largest  places  in  the  kingdom  in  a  proper 
and  scientific  manner.  Anyone,  too,  who  knows  anything 
at  all  about  the  matter,  knows  that  (yearly  a  vast  number  oJ 


462 


JOUBNAL  OP  HOKTICDLTDEB   AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEB. 


[  December  17, 1868. 


clever  young  men  are  leaving  our  great  places  to  seek  for  bead 
gardeners'  situations,  thus  swelling  the  number  already  too  great. 

I  do  not  suppose  that  one  gardener  throughout  the  land 
would  deny  but  that  there  are  too  many  gardeners  by  one-half, 
and  I  think,  looking  to  the  matter  in  all  its  bearings,  nothing 
holds  out  such  an  independent  future  as  leaving  this  crowded 
country  for  the  rich  virgin  lands  of  the  West,  which  only  await 
Willing  hands  and  rightly  directed  energies  to  return  substance 
and  plenty,  and  that  which  is  to  be  as  highly  prized,  personal 
independence,  and  the  sweet  and  restful  knowledge  that  our 
children  may  the  more  surely  and  easily  obtain  that  com- 
petence and  independence  which  they  can  never  obtain  in 
Britain,  enter  into  the  struggle  keenly  as  they  may,  carry  with 
them  as  high  abilities  as  possible,  and  let  their  determination 
to  succeed  be  as  strong  as  need  be ;  and  this  for  the  simple 
reason  that  the  supply  by  far  exceeds  the  demand.  Look,  as  I 
have  done,  through  all  the  great  nurseries,  and  you  will  always 
find  them  full  of  clever  men,  waiting  and  waiting  month  after 
month,  with  bitter  weariness,  for  the  situation  which,  when  it 
does  come,  is  seldom  equal  to  the  man's  deserts,  and  is  often 
accepted  out  of  desperation,  and  retained  by  the  sacrifice  of 
personal  independence,  by  the  suppression  of  natural  inclina- 
tions, the  swallowing  of  their  real  opinions,  and  the  burden  of 
daily  injustice  and  contumely,  which  can  only  be  remedied  by 
their  resigning  the  situation,  and  beginning  again  the  weary 
waiting  —  for  probably  another  similar  place.  I  know  that 
in  a  great  number  of  places  the  gardener  is  treated  as  a 
man  ought  to  be,  setting  aside  the  extra  considerations  of 
his  ability,  his  intellectual  capacity,  and  general  excellence ; 
hat  such  places  are  few.  I  have  been  engaged  in  gardening 
all  my  life,  and  I  know  these  things  well,  and  I  have  serious 
thoughts  of  leaving  it  very  shortly.  I  have  tried  it  fairly,  and 
borne  quietly  and  uncomplainingly  much  injustice,  and  have 
seen  much  borne  by  my  brethren  around  me.  Nor  did  I  lay 
these  things  so  much  to  heart  until  my  little  ones  began  to 
cluster  about  me ;  and,  while  they  brought  with  them  much 
affection,  they  brought  also  increased  responsibility  and  care, 
and  have — as  has  been  the  ease  with  many  others — stood 
between  me  and  a  situation,  while,  if  things  were  regarded  in 
their  proper  and  Christian  light,  they  should  have  been  the 
means  to  have  induced  those  who  had  the  power  to  have 
regarded  me,  and  many  others,  with  more  consideration. 

It  is  for  these  reasons,  then,  that  I  am  so  pleased  by  the 
contribution  of  "  Pennstlvania,"  and  the  promise  of  more, 
and  I  hope  he  will  be  as  explicit  es  possible,  and  lay  before 
yoxu  readers  some  useful  knowledge  on  this  subject.  And  I 
trust  that  many  will  see  the  necessity  of  turning  their  attention 
to  this  highly  important  topic,  for  I  feel  the  conviction  that 
there  is  in  the  West  a  substantial  future  for  those  who  have 
the  courage  to  venture  to  a  land  where  they  may,  by  a  few 
years'  toil,  and  perhaps  some  privation,  lay  up  for  themselves 
and  children  a  secure  and  lasting  liome. — Kalmia. 


NOTES   AND   GLEANINGS. 

On  the  10th  inst.  Mr.  Stevens  sold  by  auction  the  splendid 
varieties  of  Golden  Coleus  raised  at  the  Royal  Horticultural 
Society's  garden  at  Chiswick.  The  following  is  a  descriptive 
list,  and  the  prices  realised  :— 

Queen  Victoria. — This  is  the  briglitest  in  colonr  of  the  wbole'seriea, 
laving  the  centre  of  the  leaves  of  a  rich  bronzy  crimson,  with  a  bright 
yellow  edge,  somewhat  broken  with  crimson  veinings,  so  as  to  appear  as 
if  the  borders  were  formed  of  a  double  row  of  golden  beads.  6  plants, 
£1  Is. 

Princffis  lioyal.- — This  is  of  nearly  the  samo  colonrs  as  the  variety 
named  c^ueen  Victoria,  bat  the  edging  is  narrower,  rather  resembling 
a  single  than  double  row  of  beads.     5  plants,  £15  15i. 

Pi'iiae.ss  of  Wales. — This  has  still  less  yellow  than  either  Queen 
Victoria  or  Princess  Royal,  but  has  instead  a  much  more  decided  and 
deeper  glow  of  purple.     1  plant,  £-1  Its.  Gd. 

Her  Afajcsty. — This  variety  is  of  very  free  habit,  and  the  broad 
leaves  are  of  a  deep  bronzy  red,  with  the  narrow  beaded  edging  some- 
what less  golden-tinted  than  in  the  preceding.  It  is,  however,  very 
efEective.    £6  Os. 

Albert  Victor. — This,  like  Her  Majesty,  is  of  a  very  free  habit  of 
growth,  having  the  centre  of  the  leaves  bronzy  red,  stained  with  large 
blotches  of  a  deeper  purplish  red,  while  the  golden  margin  is  broader 
than  in  any  of  the  other  sorts,  the  marginal  teeth  being  also  marked 
out  by  red  lines.  It  is  a  vei^  attractive  sort,  and  distinctly  tricolored. 
7  plants,  £15  15i-. 

rrimc  of  Walts. — A  free-growing  variety,  with  leaves  of  a  deep 
purplish  red,  marked  with  deeper-coloured  blotches,  and  having  scarcely 
any  golden  markings  at  the  edge,  so  that  it  resembles  Albert  Victor 
minus  the  golden  margin.    4  plants,  £4  45. 


Z)«fe  of  Edinburrjh. — This  is  of  a  lighter  shade  of  bronzy  red  than 
Prince  of  Wales,  and  almost  whole-coloured,  and  is  of  a  distinct  con- 
trasting hue.     C  plants,  £5  5s.  r-.;  i 

I'ri/we  Arthur. — The  leaves  of  this  variety  have  a  yellowish  ground 
colonr,  while  the  base,  the  costa,  and  the  principal  veins  are  heavily 
marked  with  deep  purplish  red,  the  margin  also  being  red.  These 
markings  give  the  plant  rather  a  grotesque  appearance.  It  has  the 
close  habit  and  general  peculiarities  of  Coleus  Gibsoni.  B  plants,  £3  3«. 

Princess  Beatrice. — This  is  of  a  golden  green  hue,  less  heavily 
marked  than  Prince  Arthur,  the  main  veins  being  partially,  and  the 
margin  entirely  defined  by  crimson  lines.  This  variety  belongs  to  the 
Gibsoni  type.     2  plants,  £5  15s.  6d. 

We  have  been  requested  by  the  Trustees  of  the  Linhlet 

Library  to  make  public  the  following  list  of  books  which  have 
been  ascertained,  during  the  formation  of  the  Catalogue  by  Mr. 
Bennett,  to  be  incomplete,  as  it  may  enable  those  contemplating 
donations  to  the  Library  to  make  good  the  de&cieuoies  : — 

Agardh's  Species  Algarum.  Vol.  i.,  1820.  (Vol.  ii.,  sectio  prior 
18"2S  wanting). 

Agricultural  Society's  Journal.  Vols.i. — xxii.,  1840 — 1861  complete  t 
also  first  part  of  Vol.  xxv.,  and  Vol.  i..  Part  1.  New  Series,  ISBS. 

Anuales  des  Sciences  Naturelles.  Complete  to  Vol.  xvii.  of  Fourth 
Series,  1862. 

Annals  of  Natural  History.  Complete  to  Vol.  xii.  of  Third  Series, 
1863,  and  one  Number  of  1864. 

Beutham  and  Hooker's  Genera  Plantarnm.    Vol.  i..  Part  1. 

Blame's  Museum  Botanicum  Lngduno-batavnm.  Vol.  i.,  and 
8  Parts,  Vol.  ii. 

Blame's  Collection  des  Orchidees  de  I'Archipel  Indien.    Vol.  i. 

Blame  and  Fisher's  Flora  .lavie.     Lorantheic  wanting. 

Brongniart's  Botanique  da  Voyage  autour  du  monde.  200  pp. 
instead  of  232. 

Cavanille's  Monadelphito  Classis  Dissertationes.     Vol.  i.  only. 

Colla's  Hortus  Ripnlensis.     Appendix  1  only. 

Curtis's  Botanical  Magazine.  Complete  from  commencement  of 
Second  Series,  1827,  to  September,  1865  (except  Third  Series,  Vol.  iv., 
and  Part  for  December,  1863) ;  also  Vols.  iv.  and  vi.  of  First  Series. 

Decaisne's  .Tardin  Fruitier  du  Museum.     Vols  i. — vi.,  1858 — 1864. 

De  Candolle's  Prodromus.  Vols.  i. — xvi.  complete  ;  also  Vol.  xv., 
sect,  prior  and  sect,  post,  fasc.  1.  and  Vol.  xvi.,  sect,  post,  fasc.  1. 

De  la  MarcU's  Encyclopcdie  Methodique.  Vols.  i. — viii.  complete  : 
Supplement.  Vols.  ix. — xiii.  absent. 

Endlicher's  Genera  ^Plautarum,  and  Mantissa.  Mantissa  altera 
wanting. 

Fee's  Conrs  d'Histoire  Naturelle  Pharmaceutique.     Vol.  ii.  on]y.__ 

Feuillee's  Journal  des  Observations  Physiques.  Vols.  i.  and  ii. ; 
Vol.  iii.  absent. 

Florist  and  Pomologist.     Parts  1—9,  11—24,  26,  28. 

Gardeners'  Chronicle.  1841 — 1865  complete  (except  1865  wants 
title  and  index). 

Gray  and  Spragac'g  Genera  of  the  Plants  of  the  United  States. 
Vols,  i.,  ii. 

Grisebach's  Flora  of  the  British  West  Indies.  Section  1,  and 
Parts,  5,  6. 

Harvey's  Thesanrns  Capensis.     Vol.  i.,  and  Nos.  1 — 3,  Vol.  ii. 

Harvey  and  Sonder's  Flora  Capensis.     Vols,  i.,  ii. 

Haworth's  Supplementum  Plantarnm  Succulentanim  (but  not  the 
Synopsis  Plant.  Sacc.) 

Hogg's  Supplement  to  Treatise  on  Florists'  Flowers  (not  the 
Treatise). 

Hooker's  Species  FUicnm.  Vols,  i.— iii. ;  also  Vol.  iv..  Part  2, 
Vol.  v..  Parts,  1,  2. 

Hooker's  British  Ferns.     Parts  1 — 3. 

Hooker's  Garden  Ferns.     Parts  1 — 3. 

Horticultural  Society's  Journal.  Vols.  i. — ix.,  1846 — 1855  ;  also 
odd  Nos.  of  Proceedings,  1863—1865. 

Horticnltnral  Society's  Catalogue  of  Fruits.  Second  and  Third 
Editions,  1831,  1842,  and  Supplement  to  Third  Edition,  1853. 

Horticultural  Society's  List  of  Fellows,  1862,  and  Supplement. 

Hnmboldt's  Aspects  of  Nature,  translated  by  Mrs.  Sabino.     Vol.  ii. 

Kunth's  Synopsis  Plantarnm.     Vols,  i.,  ii. 

Lemaire  and  Van  Houtte's  Flore  des  Serres  et  Jardins  de  I'Enrope. 
Vols.  iii. — ix..  and  9  Parts,  Vol.  xv. 

Lindley's  Folia  Orchidacea.     Vol.  i. 

Link's  Anatomia  Plantarnm.     1st  Heft. 

Linnaa.     Complete  to  Vol.  xxxi.,  1862  ;  also  four  Parts,  1863. 

Linnean  Society's  Proceedings.     Vols,  i.,  ii.,  1838 — 1855. 

Linnean  Society's  Journal.  Vols,  i.— vi.,  1857—1862;  also  NoB. 
25—35. 

Linnean  Society's  Transactions.  Vol.  xxrv..  Part  3,  Vol.  xxv., 
Part  1,  1864—1865.  „  ,      .      . 

Loudon's  Arboreatum  et  Fruticetum  Britannicum.  Vols.  i. — iv., 
wants  the  Plates,  Vols.  v. — viii. 

Lowe's  Manual  Flora  of  Madeira.     Parts  1 — 3. 

Martina's  Flora  BrasUiensia    (Svo).     Vol.  i.,  Part  1,  and  Vol.  u., 

Part  1.  ,•         17  1     - 

Meyer's   Commentarium    de    Plantis    Africae    anstrahs.      vol.  ». 

complete  (wants  title),  and  Vol.  ii.  to  p.  400  (Lobeliaceal. 

Miers's  Contributions  to  Botany.     Vol.  i.  only. 


December  17,  1868.  1 


JOURNAL  OP  HOBTIOULTURB  AND  OOTTAQB  GARDBNEE. 


463 


Miiintil'a  Flora  van  Nodorlandsch  Indie.  Vol.  i.,  Part  1,  Vol.  ii. 
and  Snjiploment. 

Mohl  and  Srhlechtondal'a  Botanischo  Zeitnng.     Complete  to  end  of 

1863,  except  Nos.  it  and  lU  for  1863. 

Moore's  Indox  Filicnm.     Parts  1—11,  14,  1,''),  17,  IH. 

Muller'a  Plants  Indigenous  to  the  Colony  of  Victoria.  Vol.  i.,  and 
1  vol.  lithographs. 

Mailer's  Fragmonta  Pliytographiffi  Australiffi.     Vola.  i. — iv. 

Nees  von  Esenbock's  Genera  Plautamm  Flora)  Germanicee.  Seven 
Vols.,  as  far  as  Chamairops. 

Parlatoro's' Flora  Italiaua.     Vol.  ii..  Part  2.  Vol.  iii..  Parts  1,  2. 

Paxton's  Flower  Garden,  by  Lindloy  and  Paxton.  Vol.  i.,  1850 — 
1851,  Vol.  iii.,  lS.i2— 1.S53,  and  No.  18. 

Payei-'s  Elements  de  Botaiiique.     Iro  Partie,  Organographio. 

Persoon's  Synopsis  Plantarnm.     Vol.  ii.  only. 

Poraologicai  Magazine.     Vols.  i. — iii. 

Bamou  de  la  Sagra'a  Histoire  de  I'llo  de  Cnba.  Botaniqne,  Vol.  ii. 
only ;  Plantes  vasculaires  and  Atlas. 

Keicheubach's  Xenia  Orchidacea.     Vol.  i.,  and  three  parts  Vol.  ii. 

Revno  Horticole.  Third  and  Fourth  Series  complete,  1847 — 1860, 
and  Fifth  Series,  Vols,  i.— iv..  1861—1864,  except  Nos.  10,  14,  22,  for 

1864,  also  Nos.  20—24,  for  1865. 

Schleiden  and  Nageli,  Zeitschrift'  fur  Wisaenschaftliche  Botanik. 
Heft.  1,  8,  and  4. 

Schrader's  Monographia  Verbasci.     Sectio  1. 

Scientific  Memoirs,  selected  from  the  Transactions  of  Foreign 
Academies,  edited  by  Henfrey  and  Huxley.     Parts  1 — 4. 

Scottish  Gardener.     Vol.  v. 

Seringe's  Flore  du  Pharmacien.     To  p.  283. 

Sibthorp's  Flora  Grieca,  pars  Lindleyana.     Wants  the'plates. 

Siebold's  Flora  Japouica.     Vol.  i. 

Thnnborg's  Plantarnm  Brasiliensinm.     Decades,  2,  .^. 

Thwaites'  Ennmeratio  Plantnrum  Zeylaniaa.     Parts  1 — 4. 

Torrey  and  Gray's  Flora  of  North  America.  Vol.  i.,  Vol.  ii.,  Parts 
1—3. 

Treviranns'  Erscheinnngen  tmd  Gesetzen  des  Organiachen  Lebens. 
Vol.  i. 

Tulasne's  Selecta  Fungornm  Carpologia.  Vol.  i.,  Erysiphei. 
Vol.  ii.,  Xylariei,  Valsei,  Sphteriei. 

Walper'  Annales  Botanices  Systematica.  Vols.  i. — v.,  and  Vol.  vi.. 
Parts  1—6. 

"Warner's  Select  Orchidaceous  Plants.     Plate  36  deficient. 

"Weddell's  Chloris  Andiua.     Vols.  i. — ii. 

Wight's  Icones  Plantarnm,  Indite  Orientalis.  Plates  1565,  1566  de- 
ficient. 

Willkomm  and  Lange's  Prodromus  Florje  Hi.spaniffi,     Vol.  i. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

At  this  season,  with  the  constantly  varying  weather,'|little 
can  be  done  in  the  kitchen  garden.  In  light  dry  soils,  how- 
ever, a  small  sowing  of  the  Early  Frame  Pta  may  be  made. 
This  will  come  in  a  little  earlier  than  the  crop  sown  in  spring. 

FRCIT    OARDEN. 

As  there  is  comparatively  not  much  of  importance  to  attend 
to  at  this  season,  a  good  opportunity  is  afforded  for  renovating 
old  borders,  or  formiug  new  ones.  The  first  work  to  be  attended 
to,  after  removing  unfavourable  soil,  is  to  render  the  border 
dry  by  forming  a  drain  in  front,  the  top  of  the  drain  being 
deeper  than  the  bottom  of  the  border,  giving  that  border  a  good 
inclination  from  back  to  front,  and  then  rendering  it  imper- 
vious to  the  roots  of  trees.  Grouting  with  lime  and  gravel  ap- 
pears to  be  the  best  and  cheapest  means  of  effecting  this  object. 
A  hard  bottom  may  be  dispensed  with  in  favourable  circum- 
stances, particularly  if  there  is  no  necessity  for  cropping  the 
borders,  as  then  by  mulching  the  surface  the  roots  would  be 
encouraged  to  the  top.  From  Ij  to  2  feet  will  be  depth  enough 
of  good  soil,  where  healthy  fruit  trees  in  opposition  to  mere 
laxuriance,  are  the  object,  giving  the  greater  depth  to  Pear  and 
Plum  trees.  Vines,  &c.,  and  the  less  depth  to  Peach  and  Nec- 
tarine trees.  The  next  proceeding  is  to  obtain  a  good  supply 
of  hazel-coloured  loam,  if  it  can  be  procured.  This  will  answer 
admirably  of  itself  for  the  Apple  and  Pear,  for  the  Plum  if 
kept  somewhat  adhesive,  for  the  Cherry,  if  sand  or  road  drift  be 
added  for  the  more  tender  sorts,  for  the  Peach  and  Nectarine 
with  the  addition  of  about  one-third  of  road  drift  or  sandy  matter, 
and  a  little  leaf  mould  it  the  soil  is  naturally  adhesive,  and  for 
Apricots,  with  less  sand  than  for  Peaches,  a  greater  depth  of 
soil  being  afforded.  For  Figs  it  will  be  better  to  restrain  the 
extension  of  the  roots,  to  keep  the  tree  growing  from  one  stem 
instead  of  forming  suckers,  and  to  supply  necessary  nourish- 
ment by  mulching.  For  Vines  the  same  soil  will  suit  well, 
but  it  must  be  mixed  with  calcareous  matter,  such  as  lime 
rubbish,  &c.,  and  well  manured  with  broken  and  bruised  bones 
in  preference  to  hotbed  or  other  manure,  as  being  more  lasting 


in  their  efleots,  and  because  the  latter,  when  buried  deeply, 
becomes  useless,  from  being  placed  beyond  the  decomposing 
influence  of  the  air.  The  addition  of  brickbats  and  large  lumps 
of  porous  sandstone  interspersed  in  the  border,  so  as  to  keep 
it  open,  will  be  an  advantage.  Kaspberriea,  and  all  kinds  of  fruit 
trees,  may  now  be  pruned.  With  regard  to  the  former,  which 
produce  their  fruit  entirely  on  the  previous  year's  wood,  the  old 
shoots  should  be  removed,  and  four  or  live  of  the  strongest  of 
the  young  ones  tied  up  in  their  places,  cutting  clean  off  to  the 
root  all  the  rest  of  the  young  shoots.  After  they  are  tied  to  the 
stakes  shorten  them  to  4  feet  in  height.  In  exposed  situations 
a  good  way  of  training  Easpberries  is  to  tie  the  points  of  one- 
half  of  the  shoots  on  the  stools  to  those  of  the  next  stool, 
tlins  forming  arches,  which  have  rather  a  neat  appearance. 
This  will  also  be  found  a  favourable  opportunity  in  case  of  very 
adhesive  soil,  for  burning  the  most  retentive  part  of  it,  using 
for  this  purpose  the  prunings  of  trees  and  any  other  rubbish. 
The  scattering  of  the  burned  part  will  greatly  ameliorate  the 
working  of  the  soil,  or  if  it  be  deemed  preferable,  such  prun- 
ings, along  with  Cabbage  stumps,  old  tan,  sawdust,  &c.,  may  be 
charred,  and  then  the  produce  will  be  a  useful  top-dressing  for 
Onions  and  other  crops. 

FLOWER   GARDEN. 

The  tender  varieties  of  Roses  should  be  protected  at  once, 
otherwise  it  may  be  too  late  to  save  them.  Also,  obtain  the  stock 
of  Briars  for  budding  upon  next  year  without  delay,  for  unless 
these  are  planted  before  spring  they  seldom  furnish  strong  shoots 
for  early  budding.  Many  persons  object  strongly  to  planting 
shrubs  or  trees  in  winter,  believing  that  the  roots,  if  injured  at 
this  season,  are  liable  to  rot,  and  certainly  the  early  part  of 
autumn  is  a  preferable  season  ;  but  in  this  favourable  weather 
do  not  delay  such  work  a  single  day,  and  if  the  soil  is  properly 
prepared  by  draining,  &c.,  where  necessary,  as  it  should  always 
be  before  planting,  there  will  probably  be  fewer  failures  in 
planting  now  than  if  the  work  were  delayed  until  March. 

GBEEKHOUSE    AND    CONSEUVATORY. 

Although  we  have  many  beautiful  plants  which  either  bloom 
naturally  at  this  season,  or  require  but  little  artificial  manage- 
ment to  cause  them  to  do  so,  a  scarcity  of  flowers  is,  perhaps, 
more  commonly  experienced  at  this  than  at  any  other  period  of 
the  year.  'Where  the  display  is,  to  a  large  extent,  dependant 
on  what  we  term  forced  plants,  considerable  foresight  and  at- 
tention will  be  necessary  for  some  time  in  order  to  maintain  a 
regular  supply,  for  plants  are  not  so  easily  excited  into  bloom 
in  the  dead  of  winter  as  in  spring  ;  and  in  selecting  plants  for 
forcing,  every  possible  care  should  be  exercised  to  choose  snoh 
as  are  not  likely  to  prove  failures,  for  of  those  which  are  suit- 
able for  forcing,  many  will  bloom  but  poorly  if  they  are  sub- 
jected to  a  high  temperature  without  being  allowed  a  suffi- 
cient time  to  recruit  their  energies  after  making  their  growth. 
Next  to  Camellias,  Indian  Azaleas  are  the  most  showy  plants 
that  can  be  had  in  bloom  at  this  season,  and  where  there  is  a 
good  stock  of  these  to  draw  upon,  some  of  the  most  forward 
varieties  of  the  commoner  sorts  should  be  placed  in  heat  at 
once,  moistening  them  overhead  two  or  three  times  a-day. 
Those  Camellias  which  are  now  in  bloom  and  opening  their 
bloom  buds  should  stand  in  the  lightest,  healthiest  structure, 
and  the  house  where  they  are  should  be  kept  free  from 
cold  evaporated  moisture,  as  such,  at  this  and  the  coming 
season  for  a  time,  is  particularly  injurious  to  the  duration  of 
the  blooms,  and  the  permanency  of  their  colours,  causing 
blotches  and  mildewed  spots.  Healthy  strong  plants  which  are 
loaded  with  a  heavy  crop  of  bloom  buds,  and  are  about  com- 
mencing to  bloom,  may  be  greatly  assisted  by  weak  applications 
of  clear  tepid  manure  water.  Dutch  bulbs  should  be  largely 
used  for  present  forcing,  and  when  hardy  shrubs  are  forced  for 
the  decoration  of  this  house  they  should  be  brought  into  flower 
as  soon  as  circumstances  admit,  for  although  many  of  these 
are  very  showy  when  well  bloomed,  and  acceptable  enough 
when  had  in  flower  in  winter,  they  hardly  seem  in  place  imder 
glass  in  spring.  Damp  and  insects  at  this  season  do  irreparable 
damage  to  softwooded  plants  in  the  greenhouse,  and  these  must 
be  very  carefully  attended  to  if  they  are  to  be  carried  over  the 
winter  in  first-rate  condition.  Pelargoniums  should  be  kept 
rather  cool  and  dry,  giving  whatever  water  may  be  necessary 
in  the  mornings  of  fine  days,  so  that  the  superfluous  moisture 
may  be  dispelled  before  evening,  avoiding  fire  heat,  except 
when  necessary  to  prevent  the  temperature  falling  below  40", 
or  to  dispel  damp  when  this  cannot  safely  be  done  by  giving 
air.  Keep  the  shoots  thiu,  rubbing  off  .such  as  can  be  spared, 
and  if  green  fly  is  perceived  on  any  of  the  plants,  apply  tobacco 
smoke  at  once.    Cinerarias  for  late  blooming  mast  be  kept  cool 


464 


ooubnaij  of  hobticultubb  and  cottage  gabdeneb. 


I  December  17,  186S. 


and  airy,  and  should  not  be  allowed  to  suffer  from  want  of  pot 
loom;  but  these  should  not  be  trusted  in  cold  pits  after  this 
period,  for  they  are  exceedingly  impatient  of  frost.  Forward 
plants  of  stock  intended  for  flowering  early  should  be  encouraged 
with  a  gentle  heat,  keeping  them  near  the  glass,  and  admitting 
air  at  every  favourable  opportunity. 

STOVE. 

Although  a  kindly  sweet  atmospheric  Ihuraidity  is  in  this 
structure  requisite  to  maintain  vigorous  health,  the  season  is 
now  arrived  when  it  must  be  supplied  very  moderately,  and  so 
must  heat.  Clear  days  should  be  taken  advantage  of  for  any 
little  extra  application  of  either. — W.  Keane. 


DOINGS   OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

Little  has  been  done  here  except  slightly  hoeing  and  forking 
among  young  crops  to  leave  an  open  surface,  and  removing 
the  withered  leaves  from  old  Cabbage  stumps.  Savoys,  and 
Brussels  Sprouts  in  bearing,  as  these,  especially  after  frost, 
would  be  sure  to  emit  anything  but  a  pleasant  odour. 

FRUIT   GARDEN. 

Examined  stores  of  Apples  and  Pears,  and  have  found  during 
the  last  month  that  many  are  likely  to  keep  worse  than  usual. 
We  were  rather  afraid  of  this,  as  after  the  dry  summer  they 
swelled  so  fast  when  the  rains  came,  and  then  there  seemed  to 
be  a  deficiency  of  sunlight  afterwards  to  dissipate  the  watery 
juices.  Many  of  the  Pears  and  Apples  were  more  than  usually 
well  flavoured,  but  others  were  too  juicy  ;  and  when. they  began 
to  decay  could  scarcely  be  moved,  turning  to  little  else  but 
juice.  Some  kinds  of  Apples,  such  as  Margil  and  Cox's  Orange 
Pippin,  have  kept  extremely  well,  but  they  did  not  swell  so 
much  after  the  rains  as  many  others.  As  a  rule,  most  of  the 
fruit  that  increased  so  rapidly  after  the  rains  have  kept  worse 
than  usual,  and  even  with  the  greatest  care  in  looking  over 
them  some  had  to  go  to  the  rubbish  heap. 

The  season  has  been  so  open,  that  planting,  lifting,  and 
root-pruning  may  still  be  proceeded  with ;  but  in  the  case  of 
email  bush  or  pyramidal  trees  but  little  of  these  processes  will 
ie  needed  when  the  tree  arrives  at  a  bearing  state,  if  the  roots 
are  kept  near  the  surface.  One  of  the  charms  of  a  garden  is, 
that  chiefly  by  mere  labour  alone  you  can  make  an  old  garden 
look  Uke  a  new  one  any  day  by  changing  and  altering  its  pro- 
minent features.  Even  old  proprietors  are  apt  to  weary  at 
seeing  things  day  after  day  and  year  after  year  in  the  same 
position ;  and  old  associations,  however  delightful  at  times, 
may  become  wearisome  from  their  very  monotony.  A  change 
may  not  always  be  an  improvement,  but  nevertheless  the  change 
may  be  well  worth  making  even  for  the  sake  of  change,  and  to 
afiord  something  fresh  to  engage  the  attention.  In  the  little 
we  have  been  able  to  notice  of  what  is  doing  around  us  lately, 
we  observe  that  there  is  a  growing  desire  to  do  something  in 
4he  way  of  opening  up  old  places,  by  clearing  away  old  trees, 
shrubs,  .&c.,  and  throwing  more  into  grass  lawn — all  very  well 
if,  in  these  days  of  economy,  the  future  keeping  of  the  lawn  is 
taken  into  consideration.  It  would  be  well  if  proprietors  and 
gardeners  would  bear  in  mind  that  a  large  lawn  involves  a 
large  expense,  for  which  there  is  little  or  no  return  except 
pleasing  the  eye.  Other  things  may  want  attention  now  and 
ihen ;  but  a  lawn,  to  look  well,  will  in  general  want  weekly 
attention  from  April  to  November,  and  frequent  rollings  in 
winter.  We  know  of  some  places  where  there  is  always  a  yearly 
attempt  made  to  curtail  the  gardening  expenses,  and  yet  al- 
most every  year  sees  an  addition  made  to  the  short  grass, 
which,  if  it  is  to  be  kept  ornamental,  must  involve  the  neces- 
Eity  of  more  labour.  It  is  always  well  in  such  cases  that  a 
j)roper  understanding  should  be  come  to  between  employer  and 
employed,  as  in  a  case  that  a  short  time  ago  came  under  our 
cognisance.  A  gardener  was  very  anxious  to  extend  the  dressed 
grounds  in  one  direction.  There  could  be  little  question  as  to 
its  not  merely  being  a  change,  but  a  great  improvement.  The 
gentleman  saw  it  exactly  in  the  same  light,  approved  of  the 
idea,  which  had  often  suggested  itself  to  his  own  mind ;  but  he 
added — "lean  let  you  have  extra  help  to  make  this  change. 
iut  I  cannot  afJord  to  give  you  more  constant  help  to  keep  it 
up  afterwards,  and  unless  you  can  manage  with  the  help  you 
BOW  have  after  the  change  has  been  made,  we  must  let  the  matter 
alone."  And  it  was  let  alone,  though,  no  doubt,  it  will  be  done 
some  day. 

Years  ago  we  attempted  in  a  part  of  the  enclosed  gronuda 
to  combine  the  useful  with  the  ornamental,  and  have  a  small 


orchard  in  union  with  a  bounding  shrubbery,  and  a  walk  with 
the  sides  much  diversified,  and  the  ground  chiefly  appro- 
priated to  low  flowering  plants,  Alpines,  &c.  This  place, 
from  the  great  variety  at  all  seasons,  and  especially  in  the 
spring  months,  used  to  be  a  favourite  resort,  but  as  the  orchard 
trees  grew,  it  became  less  and  less  an  object  of  interest  so  far 
as  the  useful  was  concerned.  Unfortunately  we  had  not  taken 
into  account  the  proximity  of  the  farm  buildings  and  the 
thatched  roofs  of  the  buildings  most  contiguous.  This,  and 
the  feeding  of  game  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood,  en- 
couraged such  crowds  of  birds,  that  every  season  we  had  the 
mortification  to  see  each  tree  made  a  perfect  skeleton,  so  far 
as  the  fruit  buds  were  concerned,  and  even  the  prominent 
wood  buds  would  be  picked  out ;  and  the  place  was  too  small, 
and  the  number  of  trees  too  limited,  to  give  occupation  to  a 
boy  or  a  man  to  watch  them,  and  even  to  do  so  the  watcher 
must  have  got  up  before  the  sun.  From  this  space,  less  than 
an  acre  of  ground,  we  have  frequently  not  gathered  so  much 
as  from  a  bush  tree  iu  the  kitchen  garden,  which  would  have 
been  served  in  the  same  way  but  for  dressing  and  the  presence 
of  workmen. 

It  has  been  resolved  to  change  the  whole  aspect  of  the  place 
by  making  it  into  a  separate  lawn,  studded  chiefly  with  speci- 
mens of  Cypress,  Pinus,  and  other  trees,  and  as  such  it  will, 
with  its  evergreen  boundary,  be  a  pleasing  change  at  last.  Lots 
of  the  largest  trees  were  grubbed-up,  but  some  of  the  best,  with 
heads  from  20  to  25  feet  in  height,  were  worth  transplanting  to 
some  back  settlements,  where  they  would  be  more  under  the 
observation  of  passers-by  and  the  workmen,  as  though  the 
birds  are  impudent  enough  to  go  anywhere  and  everywhere, 
they  are  more  shy  in  committing  their  depredations  on  the 
buds  where  their  human  enemy  can  be  frequently  seen,  anc) 
the  report  of  a  gun  at  times  be  heard. 

In  ordinary  circumstances  we  should  have  raised  these  trees 
with  less  or  more  of  a  ball,  and  used  a  small  timber  gig  and  itB 
pole  for  bringing  them  down  and  carrying  them,  but  as  for 
several  reasons  this  could  not  he  well  done,  we  dispensed  with 
the  ball,  traced  out  the  roots  for  about  4  feet  from  the  bole, 
saved  all  the  fibres  possible,  and  carried  the  tree  to  its  de- 
stination by  men,  with  the  assistance  of  levers. 

Here  several  things  may  be  worth  noting  for  the  sake  of 
beginners.  These  trees,  though  so  thoroughly  picked  every 
spring,  generally  made  fresh  buds  every  summer,  so  that  if  we 
could  have  found  a  suitable  place  we  would  have  transplanted 
more  of  them.  As  the  trees  had  little  or  no  ball,  the  first 
thing  to  do  on  getting  the  tree  down  was  to  lessen  the  head 
a  little,  not  so  much  by  cutting  it  in  as  by  thinning-out  many 
of  the  smaller  branches.  This  we  consider  much  the  better 
plan,  as  it  leaves  the  points  or  axes  of  growth  untouched,  and 
there  is  then,  we  believe,  a  quicker  reciprocal  action  between 
the  roots  and  branches.  The  next  thing  was  to  sot  the  tree  in 
the  hole  prepared  for  it,  so  that  it  would  stand  perpendicularly, 
and  no  higher  in  the  ground  than  it  did  before,  in  order  that 
the  collar  of  the  plant  might  not  be  at  all  buried.  To  keep  the 
tree  perpendicular  some  packing  under  the  roots  as  well  as  over 
the  roots  would  be  required,  doing  what  was  wanted  under 
them  chiefly  at  first.  The  firming  of  the  tree  in  its  position 
we  generally  like  to  do  before  packing  the  roots  ;  the  firming  is 
not  of  much  consequence  for  trees  of  that  size  when  a  good  ball 
is  taken,  but  of  great  importance  when  little  or  no  ball  accom- 
panies the  roots.  The  most  simple  support  for  trees  such  as  these 
is  a  pole  or  stake,  and  we  have  seen  infinite  trouble  taken  in 
getting  steps,  &c.,  to  mallet  such  stakes  into  the  ground,  and 
then  proving,  after  all,  a  very  poor  security  against  high  winds. 
We  do  this  matter  much  more  simply.  Two  stakes,  or  rather 
poles — such  as  the  top  of  a  Larch  tree,  &c. — from  10  to  12  or 
more  feet  in  length,  will  support  a  tree  larger  than  those 
referred  to,  and  require  no  pointing  or  malleting.  Before  the 
tree  is  set  in  the  hole  make  a  small  hole  beyond  in  the  firm 
ground,  say  a  foot  in  depth ;  in  this  place  the  base  of  each 
pole,  and  bring  the  point  of  each  to  meet  at  the  bole  of  the 
tree,  fasten  them  firmly  there  with  straw  bands  and  rope  yam, 
mallet  the  soil  round  the  base  of  the  pole,  and  a  hurricane  will 
hardly  move  the  stem  of  the  tree.  We  planted  some  trees  in  a 
high  wind,  and  they  never  flinched  a  bit,  even  before  the  roots 
were  covered.  When  we  thus  use  these  poles,  they  are  generally 
placed  almost  east  and  west.  When  secured,  we  can  pack  the 
roots  better,  using  the  best  surface  soil  amongst  them;  and, 
when  all  packed,  we  give  from  four  to  half-a-dozen  pails  of 
water,  aud  when  that  has  sunk  in,  we  put  on,  and  beat  pretty 
firmly  tho  rest  of  the  soil,  leaving  a  basin  to  catch  the  rain, 
and  to  receive  another  watering  in  the   end  of  March  if  the 


Dooember  17,  1869.  ] 


JOURNAL  OP  HOBTICULTDKE  AND  COTTAGE  OABDENEB. 


i6Sb 


weather  is  mild.  Wherever  euoh  posts  or  poles  ^ronld  be 
nnsightly,  we  have  nsed  chains  fastened  to  a  collar  round  the 
stem,  and  taken  those  to  strong  posts  driven  obliciuely  under 
the  surface.    For  largo  trees  three  chains  are  necessary. 

ORNAMENTAL    DErAUTMENT. 

Besides  attending  to  the  general  routine,  as  alluded  to  in 
preceding  weeks,  we  have  been  employed  in  making  changes, 
moving  shrubs  with  and  without  balls,  and,  in  the  latter  case, 
on  the  same  principle  as  has  been  alluded  to  in  regard  to  the 
Apple  trees.  Here  we  might  have  something  to  say  on  the 
principle  of  making  changes  in  gardens,  such  as  turning  turf 
into  beds  and  beds  into  turf,  so  as  to  give  fresh  soil  to  plants 
with  the  greatest  ease.  We  might  also  have  something  to  say 
on  pruning  Laurels  rather  freely  ;  and  though  we  would  prefer 
doing  that  in  spring  there  is  no  danger  in  doing  it  now,  unless 
we  have  a  very  severe  winter,  and  spring  brings  so  much  to  do 
with  it ;  hut  we  mast  leave  these,  and  say  a  word  respecting 

Fresh-planted  Yomirj  Trees. — We  would  direct  prominent  at- 
tention to  the  importance,  in  the  case  of  forest  trees,  of  well 
treading  the  soil  about  them  afresh  a  few  weeks  after  planting, 
and  choosing  a  day  when  the  soil  is  rather  dry  for  performing 
such  an  operation.  They  will  rarely  want  such  treading  after- 
wards, and  gales  will  be  unable  to  dislodge  them,  or  bend  them 
from  the  perpendicular.  It  is  very  difiicult  to  get  extensive 
planting  done  by  men  taken  on  at  random.  They  will  either 
put  the  plant  too  deep,  or  not  deep  enough,  and  of  the  two  the 
first  is  the  worse.  In  planting  young  Gorse  by  the  dibber,  not 
one  in  ten,  though  holding  gardens,  has  any  idea  that  the  one 
oblique  stroke,  and  then  bringing  the  dibber  with  soil  in  the 
front  of  it  right  up  perpendicularly  to  the  plant,  firms  it  better 
and  more  thoroughly  than  half  a  dozen  puddling  strokes.  We 
have  hardly  ever  known  a  better  season  for  planting  than  this 
lias  been  up  to  the  present,  as  the  ground  as  yet  is  far  from  cold. 

Heating  by  Gas. — A  number  of  small  places  have  been  heated 
by  our  recommendation  and  that  of  our  coadjutors  and 
the  Conductors,  but  in  all  the  cases  with  which  we  are  ac- 
quainted the  places  were  small,  and  the  great  convenience  of 
the  gas  rendered  the  plan  on  the  whole  the  most  economical. 
Some  small  places  have  been  heated  by  our  recommendation, 
nsing  merely  a  ring  of  burners  in  an  iron  stove,  with  a  small 
pipe  from  the  stove  to  take  the  products  of  combustion  into 
the  open  air.  We  think  this  is  the  simplest  mode  in  which 
gas  can  be  used,  merely  making  the  gas  take  the  place  of  a  char- 
coal or  coke  fire  in  a  stove.  We  noted  carefully  at  the  time, 
and  circumstances  have  made  us  carefully  consider  just  now, 
the  various  plans  of  heating  by  gas,  reproduced  in  pages  278 
and  279,  in  the  number  for  October  10th,  1867.  We  know  that 
all  the  plans  there  given  can  be  made  to  answer,  whether  hot 
water  is  used  or  pipes  are  taken  from  the  gas  stove  through  the 
house  ;  but  all  this  hot  water  and  taking  pipes  through  the 
house  are  often  inconvenient,  and  are  all  so  far  a  departure 
from  the  simplicity  of  a  common  fire  stove.  Now,  we  have 
had  little  to  do  with  gas  stoves,  in  comparison  with  common 
fire  stoves  ;  but  our  idea  is,  provided  you  put  enough  of  jets  or 
of  argand  burners  in  a  gas  stove,  that  that  should  be  sufficient 
to  heat  a  small  place  without  any  other  help  whatever,  unless  a 
small  pipe — say  1  inch  or  less  in  diameter,  going  directly  out 
of  the  house,  not  from  the  top  but  the  side  of  the  stove,  to 
take  oS  the  products  of  combustion,  whilst  air  would  be  sup- 
plied from  the  bottom  of  the  stove  to  keep  the  gas  burning. 

One,  and  achief  point,  is  wholly  omitted  in  the  number  referred 
to — namely,  the  expense  of  the  gas,  a  matter  of  no  importance 
in  a  small  place  as  set  against  the  great  convenience  and  saving 
of  labour ;  but  a  matter  of  importance  when  a  large  place  is 
desired  to  be  thus  heated,  and  where  it  would  be  very  incon- 
venient to  have  any  pipes  from  the  stoves,  except  the  discharge 
pipes  into  the  open  air.  For  the  place  we  are  thinking  about, 
we  should  judge  that  six  rings  of  gas  would  be  needed,  enclosed 
in  six  plate-iron  stoves,  resembling /iy.  7  or  fig.  1  at  the  pages 
indicated,  each  ring  containing  at  least  fifteen  jets.  Now  these 
jets  would  on  an  average  consume  a  cubic  foot  of  gas  per  hour, 
and  though  in  mild  weather  four  or  five  hours'  burning  might 
be  8u£5cient,  in  severe  weather  the  gas  would  have  to  burn 
almost  constantly,  and  in  twenty-four  hours,  therefore,  about 
2000  feet  of  gas  would  be  used.  To  know  the  value  and 
the  quantity  of  gas  consumed  in  given  circumstances  would, 
therefore,  be  most  important,  and  so  would  all  facts  bearing  on 
heating  a  stove,  such  as  plate  iron  or  galvanised  iron  with  gas, 
without  any  pipes,  except  a  small  waste  pipe  into  the  open  air ; 
and  the  smallest  size  of  such  pipe  found  effectual,  as  the  smaller 
the  pipe,  if  sufficient  for  the  purpose,  the  more  will  the  heat 
be  concentrated  in  and  given  off  by  the  stove.     Our  present 


belief  is  that  heating  by  gas  will  only  be  found  eeonomioal 
when  used  for  small  houses,  and  then  it  is  of  all  others  the 
most  convenient.  Kro  long  most  gentlemen's  places  will  have 
their  gasometer,  and  if,  after  paying  everything,  gas  can  be  ob- 
tained for  about  'M.  M.  per  1000  feet,  it  may  be  used  for 
many  purposes  of  heat  as  well  as  light. — B.  F. 


COVENT  GARDEN   MARKET.— December  in. 

Very  little  buBincBS  Ib  bein^?  tlono,  and  prices  are  barely  maintained  at 
last  week's  quotationB.  Foreign  produee  presents  no  now  features,  the 
only  tliinf^  worth  notice  is  an  importation  of  Amerieau  Nowtown  Pippins 
of  average  quality.  Tbo  Potato  trade  is  very  dull  except  in  choice 
samples,  which  bnng  from  808.  to  120«.  per  ton. 


Apples Vj  Bleve  1 

Apricots doz.  0 

Cherries lb.  0 

Cheetnuts bnsh.  10 

OnrrantB %  sieve  0 

Black do.  0 

Figs doz.  0 

Filberts lb.  0 

Cobs lb.  0 

Gooseberries    ..qnart  0 

Grapes,  Hothouse.. lb.  8 

Lemons 100  4 


d. 

6  to  2  0 

0      0  0 

0      0  0 

0    IS  0 
0 


FROIT. 
B.  d 


Melons each  2 

Nectarines doz.  0 

Oranges 100  2 

Penebes doz.  0 

PearB (dessert)  ..doz.  2 

Pine  Apples lb.  3 

Plums Vj  sieve  0 

Quinces doz.  0 

RaBpberries  lb.  0 

Strawberries.,   per  lb.  0 

Walnuts bush.  10 

do per  100  1 


d.  H. 
OtoS 
0      0 


VEGETABLES. 


Artichokes doz. 

Asparagus  100  10 

Beans,  Kidney  per  hd.    2 

Beet,  Red doz. 

Broccoli bundle 

Brus.  Sprouts  ^j  sieve 
Cabbage doz. 


■.  d.  s. 
0to6 
0  0 
0 

2    0 

1  0 

2  0 


Capsicums 100  0 

Carrots bunch  0 

Cauliflower doz.  8 

Celery bundle  1 

Cucumbers each  0 

Endive doz.  2 

Fennel btmch  0 

Oariio  lb.  0 

Herbs   bunch  0 

Horseradish  ..  bundle  & 


d 
0 
0 
8  0 
8  0 
0 
0 
0 
0 


0 
2 
0 
0 
C    0 


Leeks  bnneh 

Lettuce per  score 

Mushrooms ....  pottle 
Mustd.&  Cress,  punnet 

Onions per  buBhel 

Parsley per  sieve 

Parsnips doz. 

Peas per  quart 

Potatoes bushel 

Kidney  de. 

Hadishes  doz.  buncbefl 

Rhubarb bundle 

Sea-kale basket 

Shallots lb. 

Spinach  bnsbel 

Tomatoes per  doe. 

Turnips bunch 


TRADE   CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 

Sutton  &  Sons,  Beading. — Suttons'  Amateur's  (hiiie  and 
Spring  Catalogtie,  1868. 

E.  Pennell  &  Son,  Lincoln. — Catalogue  of  Ormmental  Trees 
and  Shruis,  Forest  Trees,  Coni/erie,  and  Descriptive  List  of 
Fruits.    Descriptive  Catalogue  of  Roses. 

T.  Cripps  &  Son,  Tanbridge  Wells,  ¥.&!&.— Wholesale  Cata- 
logue of  Nursery  Stock. 

W.  Barron  '&  Son,  Elvaston  Nurseries,  Borrowash,  near 
Derby.— Ca(a;o(7ue  of  Ornamental  Plants,  Fruit  Trees,  dc. 


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.     All 
communications  should  therefore  be  addressed  solely  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  dc,  171,  Fleet 
Street,  London,  E.G. 
Books  (IF.  B.  B.).— Hcnfrey's  "Rudiments  of  Botany,"  price  8».  M. 
You   can  obtain  it  through  any  bookseller      (A.  N.  Parson,).—"  How  to 
Farm  Two  Acres  Profitably,"  would  suit  you  probably.    You  can  have  it 
free  by  post  from  our  otSce  if  you  enclose  fourteen  postage  st  imps  with 
your  address,    (ir.  Miller}.— II  you  enclose  twenty-seven  postage  stamps 
with  your  address,  and  order  "  Greenhouses  "  and  "  In-door  Gardening," 
they  will  be  seat  post  free  from  our  office.    They  contain  the  directions 
you  need. 

Name  of  Cobeespondent  {T.  WiUiamt).—We  cannot  state  this,  it 
causes  far  too  much  inconvenience.  If  any  one  offers  in  our  columns  to 
give  away  a  few  seeds  he  is  deluged  with  applications. 

Back  Numbers  (£.  S.  F.).— You  can  have  the  back  numbers  if  yoo 
specify  them,  and  enclose  their  price  in  stamps  with  your  direction.  We 
cannot  name  plants  from  seeing  their  leaves. 

EspiRAN  Grape  (One  Fond  of  Vine  Culture).— The  difference  of  opinion 
as  to  the  merits  of  this  variety  probably  arises  from  the  Grapes  being 
cultivated  differentlv  and  in  a  different  soil.  We  have  eaten  excellent 
Espiran  Grapes  grown  under  glass,  and  we  have  known  that  it  ripens 
against  a  wall  in  the  south  of  England,  but  wo  never  tasted  the  produce. 
Do  not  remove  your  Vine  until  you  have  tried  it,  and  we  shall  be  obliged 
by  your  reporting  to  us  the  result. 

Gardeners'    Examination    (F.   0.).—  lt   you  write  to  Mr.  RichardBt 
Assistant  Secretary,  Royal  Hort  icultural  Society's  Offices,  South  Eensing- 
1  ton,  he  will  send  you  full  printed  particulars. 


466 


JOURNAL   OF  HORTICUIiTUKE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  December  17,  1868. 


Gross  Shoots  of  Roses  (C.  W.,  Boston). — "It  is  difficult  to  say  with- 
out seeing  the  trees  wbat  should  be  done  with  gross  shoots  as  thick  as  a 
walkinR  stick.  If  a  tree  were  perfect  in  its  wood  without  the  gross  Ehoot, 
I  should  cut  it  out  altogether.  If  the  form  of  the  tree  wanted  perfecting 
where  the  gross  shoot  is,  I  should  leave  it  in.  If  the  wood  of  the  tree  is 
generally  bad,  I  should  either  cut  the  whole  of  the  old  wood  away,  and 
cut  the  groBS  shoot  to  four  or  fix  eyes,  so  as  to  form  a  new  head  ;  or  I 
would  take  a  first  series  of  flowers  from  the  old  wood,  and  then  at  once 
remove  it.  When  I  grew  standards  I  practised  both  plans  with  success. 
It  is  a  good  plan  where  you  have  a  gross  sboot  on  a  tree  with  inftrjor  or 
decaying  wood  to  cut  the  whole  away  in  March,  and  form  a  new  head 
from  the  gross  shoot.— W.  F.  Radclttfe." 

Rose  Fukoi  and  Grubs— Protkcttng  and  Pruning  (Q.  Q.1.— "Ihave 
never  used  Gishurst  Compound.  I  cannot  say  whether  it  would  prevent 
mildew  ;  but,  from  what  I  have  read,  I  think  it  would  be  useful  in  sub- 
duing insects.  The  best  cure  for  Rose  grubs  in  spring  is  to  catch  and 
kill  them.  My  Manctti-stocked  Roses  bear  such  crops  of  buds  that  I 
never  trouble  myself  about  them.  They  save  me  the  trouble  of  removing 
superfluous  buds.  If  you  were  to  dissolve  aloes  and  wash  the  dor- 
mant buds,  I  think  the  KoFe  grub  would  not  touch  them.  I  have  bought 
acme  as  an  experiment,  and  intend  in  February  to  syringe  my  Peach  and 
Nectarine  trees  with  it.  I  never  knew  any  creature  that  was  fond  of 
aloes.  A  gentleman  had  a  monkey  that  gnawed  his  own  tail.  In  vain 
did  he  try  to  stop  this  sad  failing,  till  at  last  he  tried  aloes  with  complete 
Snccess.  Pug  never  repeated  his  offence  after  the  first  taste  of  this 
nauseous  dmg.  The  winter  buds  that  will  not  develope  may  be  taken  off, 
Or  left  on  till  pruning  time.  The  wood  and  bark  of  my  Roses  are  so  hard 
and  well  ripened  that  I  see  no  need  of  defending  them  further  than  1 
llBve  already  stated.  The  Tea  Roses  and  Tea-scented  are  defended  ad- 
ditionally with  fern  and  Asparagus  haulm,  or  straw.  You  have  not, 
probably,  1853  Rose  trees  imy  present  stock),  to  defend.  If  you  have  only 
a  few  trees  and  the  materials,  it  would  be  safe  to  wrap  loosely  above  the 
ground  line,  and  tie  with  bast  the  whole  of  the  Rose  plants^protection. 
We  get  a  killing  winter  about  once  in  six  or  seven  years  ;  ordinarily 
Hybrid  Perpetuals,  if  the  wood  and  skin  are  ripe,  do  not  need  such  pro- 
tection. As  a  rule,  whether  a  Rose  on  a  Briar  is  for  a  pole,  wall,  or 
standard,  it  is  best  on  removal  to  prune  closely  in  the  following  spring. 
Gloire  de  Dijon,  which  is  a  Tea-scented  Rose,  need  not  be  pruned  so 
<doaely  as  a  Hybrid  Perpetual.  Try  12  inches.  Never  prune  Roses  closely 
at  the  time  of  planting,  nor  till  the  buds  swell.— W.  F.  Radclyffe." 

Apkicot  Casting  its  Fruit  (F.  2.).— We  think  the  cause  of  the  fruit 
dropping  soon  after  setting  is  the  boards  not  afiording  sufficient  pro- 
tection. You  would  proliahly  succeed  if  yoii  were  to  protect  the  tree  at 
night  with  canvas  or  with  woollen  netting,  until  the  tree  is  well  furnished 
with  leaves.  In  frosty  nights  and  even  frosty  days  the  canvas  may  remain 
over  the  tree.  Boards  do  not  absorb  and  give  out  so  much  heat  as  a 
brick  wall,  and  to  that  cause  we  attribute  the  falling  of  the  fruit. 

Filbert  Culture  (An  Old  Subscriber).— The  "Garden  Manual"  con* 
tains  full  particulars  on  Filbert  culture.  It  may  be  bad  post  free  from 
our  office  if  you  send  twenty  postage  stamps  with  your  address. 

Composition  fob  Wounds  on  Trees  (Idem). — We  find  nothing  better 
than  white  lead  paint,  adding  a  little  lamp  black  to  render  it  less  con- 
spicuous. The  edges  of  the  wound  where  the  branch  is  sawn  off  should 
be  pared  smooth  with  a  knife,  and  the  wound  well  coated  with  the  paint. 
American  Blight  on  Fruit  Trees  (Tdem). — Nothing  equals  paraffin 
oil  for  the  destruction  of  American  blight.  It  should  be  applied  with  a 
brush,  rubbing  it  well  into  the  parts  affected,  and  it  may  be  applied  to 
every  part  ol  the  tree.  It  will  free  the  trees  of  moss,  but  for  destroying 
this  we  recommend  dusting  the  stem  and  shoots  whilst  wet  with  fresh- 
alaked  lime,  making  them  quite  white.  Gishurst  Compound  will  not 
destroy  the  buds  of  fruit  trees  unless  used  after  they  have  begun  to  swell 
or  are  too  strong. 

Grass  Verges  (T.  J.). — We  think  you  will  find  that  the  grass  verges 
will  become  firm  and  close  if  you  keep  them  well  rolled,  and  allow  them 
to  grow  for  a  year  or  two  without  cutting  ^\ith  the  edging-knife.  Unless 
the  situation  is  away  from  the  shade  of  trees  or  buildings,  it  is  badly 
adapted  for  the  growth  of  grass.  We  would  not  put  down  edging  tiles,  as 
a  live  edging  is  always  preferable.    Have  you  tried  Box  edging  ? 

Ivy  on  Trees  (Quercus). — Ivy  growing  on  trees  is  very  injurious,  and 
entirely  prevents  the  production  of  fine  timber.  It  may  be  desirable  for 
clothing  the  tnmks  and  branches  of  old  trees;  but  for  those  of  the  size 
you  name  (10  inches  in  diameter),  no  time  should  be  lost  in  removing  it. 
It  is  no  protection  to  the  bark,  and  may  be  as  safely  removed  now  as  in 
^ring. 

Aphelandra  Leopoldi  Leggy  (Aphelandra^.— Your  plant  may  be  cut 
down  in  February,  and  should  be  placed  in  a  mild  bottom  heat  and  moist 
top  heat,  and  when  it  has  made  shoots  a  few  inches  long,  repot.  You  may 
cut  every  shoot  back  to  within  two  eyes  of  the  base,  making  cuttings  of 
the  tops  of  the  shoots.  These  cuttings  will  strike  freely  in  sandy  peat, 
plunging  the  pots  in  a  brisk  bottom  heat,  and  covering  with  a  bell-glass. 

Ferns  Disfigured  (C.  P.). — We  cannot  detect  any  insects  or  traces  of 
their  attacks  on  the  fronds  of  the  Ferns  that  you  sent  us.  The  "red 
mst "  is  neither  more  nor  less  than  the  spores  of  the  Ferns,  which  at 
this  season  are  shed,  the  spore-cases  bursting,  and  the  dust  or  spores 
being  distributed  over  the  fronds,  giving  them  a  brownish  appearance, 
which,  tboDgh  a  disfigurement,  is  natural,  and  shows  health.  Its  being 
noticed  last  year  on  one  plant  only,  and  now  on  the  whole,  is  a  conse- 
qnence  of  the  increased  age  of  the  plants ;  all  are  probably  this  year 
fruiting.  You  may  free  them  of  the  "  red  rust"  by  sponging  the  fronds 
with  clean  water,  or  gently  syringing  Ihem,  but  we  should  prefer  to  leave 
them  as  they  are,  for  we  enjoy  the  haivest  of  Ferns  quite  as  much  as  the 
spring. 

Cineraria  Leaves  Curling  {A  Constant  Eeadtr). — The  leaves  are,  no 
doubt,  curling  from  the  attacks  of  green  fly  or  other  insects.  Your  only 
remedy  will  be  to  fumipate  the  plants  with  tobacco,  shutting  the  frame 
np  cloFely  when  the  foliage  of  the  plants  is  dry.  Then  fill  the  frame  with 
smoke  so  that  a  plant  cannot  be  seen  from  the  outside.  To  keep  in  the 
smoke,  the  lights  may  be  covered  with  mats.  A  calm  night  should  be 
chosen. 

Sulphuring  Hot- water  Pipes  (Idem). — The  hot-water  pipes  in  a 
Cucumber  house  may  be  coated  with  sulphur  and  it  will  do  no  harm  ;  the 
fumes  will  act  as  a  preventive  of  red  spider.  Sulphur  may  be  placed  in 
the  evaporation  troughs  without  injuriously  affecting  the  plants. 


Planting  Borders  (F.)-— You  do  not  state  what  you  wish  to  plant — 
trees,  shrubs,  or  what.  If  you  state  what  yoi  wish  information  about, 
we  shall  be  glad  to  assist  you. 

Camellia  Culture  (C.  B.). — We  think  your  young  plants  cast  their 
buds  from  undue  excitement.  The  buds,  you  say,  were  very  small,  and 
no  doubt  were  not  set  until  a  late  period.  For  flowering  at  Christmas 
the  plants  should  be  introduced  into  heat  about  the  middle  or  end  of 
March.  Syringe  them  every  evening  and  morning,  and  keep  the  atmo- 
sphere moist.  A  vinery  at  work  is  very  suitable,  as  the  temperature  vrill 
be  brisk,  the  atmosphere  moist,  and  the  shade  of  the  Vines  agreeable. 
If  you  have  no  vinery  the  temperature  should  be  from  50"^  to  55"^  at  night, 
and  65'^  by  day,  with  a  rise  from  sun  heat.  In  this  temperature  the 
plants  will  push  freely,  and  ebouUl  have  every  encoiu-agement  by  mois- 
ture, copious  waterings,  and  slight  shade  from  bright  sun.  Any  pruning 
required  should  be  performed  before  the  plants  are  introduced  into  the 
house,  the  old  plants  being  cut-in  rather  closely,  but  the  young  plants 
should  only  have  the  straggling  shoots  shortened,  so  as  to  form  plants  of 
compact  growth.  If  any  potting  be  required  it  ought  to  be  done,  but  the 
old  plants,  if  cut  back,  ought  not  to  be  putted  until  they  have  broken, 
and  made  shoots  a  few  inches  long;  then  repot  shading  from  sun  for  a 
time  until  the  plants  have  recovered  from  the  potting.  They  should  be 
kept  in  heat  until  the  growth  is  complete  and  the  buds  formed,  then  give 
more  air  and  harden  them  off,  and  the  buds  will  be  well  formed.  The 
plants  should  be  kept  in  a  cool  airy  house  after  the  buds  are  set,  and  if 
partially  shaded  from  powerful  sun  all  the  better,  but  avoid  too  great 
shade,  which  is  apt  to  make  the  foliage  sickly-looking.  You  may  shake 
the  plants  out  of  the  peat  and  pot  them  in  turfy  sandy  loam.  To  bring 
them  into  bloom  at  Christmas  the  house  should  have  a  temperature  from 
fire  heat  of  45^  or  50^.  Azaleas  in  4-inch  pots  should  be  shifted  in  spring, 
when  they  begin  to  grow,  into  pots  6  inches  in  diameter,  giving  them  the 
same  treatment  as  the  Camellias,  but  peat  soil. 

Potatoes  for  Early  and  Second  Crops  {S.  H.  L.  W.). — There  is  no 
better  Potato  for  an  early  crop  than  Rivers's  Royal  Ashleaf,  though  the 
Ash-leaved  Kidney  is  a  few  days  earlier.  Myatt's  Prolific  is  a  good  early 
Potato,  more  prolific  than  the  Ashleaf,  but  a  few  days  later.  Lapstone 
is  the  best  second  early  Potato,  but  requires  to  be  grown  in  light  soil. 

Pears  for  Pyramids  (F.  F.  S.).— Citron  des  Carmes,  2;  Fondante 
d'Automne,  2  ;  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  2 ;  Comte  de  Lamy,  4 ;  Alexandre 
Lambre,4;  Beurre  de  Capiaumont,  2 ;  Beurre  Clairgeau,  2;  Bergamotta 
Esperen,  3  ;  and  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey,  3. 

Fruit  Trees  for  North  Wall  (Idem). — The  Morello  Cherry  succeeds 
admirably  on  a  north  wall  or  aspect,  and  Red  and  White  Currants  and 
Gooseberries  may  be  so  grown,  and  desirably,  for  hanging  late.  The  trees 
may  be  planted  during  mild  weather  until  the  end  of  February. 

Vine  Border  (J.  W.  &'.). — We  have  no  doubt  that  the  border  will  repay 
you  for  the  labour.  We  would  cover  in  the  autumn  when  early  forcing 
was  resorted  to.  For  years  we  have  been  anxious  to  make  some  fresh 
borders,  and  air-shafts  with  us  have  been  a  settled  idea.  The  communi- 
cating with  the  inside  of  the  house  is  good,  but  even  much  may  be  done 
by  opening  the  air-shafts  out  of  doors  in  warm  days,  and  shutting  them 
at  night.  Your  plan  will  always  insure  plenty  of  sweet,  moist,  fresh  air 
in  the  house. 

Flue  Arrangements  (C.  B.,  a  Young  Gardener).— Your  plan  of  obtain- 
ing bottom  heat  and  top  heat  from  a  flue  is  very  good,  and  so  is  the  con- 
trivance by  means  of  a  plate  and  damper,  for  securing  instant  draught 
by  sending  the  smoke  and  flame  up  the  chimney  at  once  on  lighting  the 
fire,  and  then  sending  the  heated  air  round  the  flue,  when  the  air  in  the 
chimney  is  rarefied.  Your  plan,  however,  could  only  be  put  in  operation 
when  the  chimney  stands  over  the  fireplace,  and,  therefore,  in  other  cases 
where  the  chimney  may  be  at  the  furtber  end  from  the  fireplace,  the 
plans  adopted  by  an  engineer  and  "  R.  F.,"  will  be  applicable.  We  agree 
with  you  that  much  may  be  done  by  small  flues.  We  have  one,  the  top 
of  wliich  forms  part  of  the  flooring,  that  answers  admirably. 

Treatment  of  Potted  Plants  (T.  J.).— The  plants  will  thrive  all  the 
better  of  having  the  surface  soil  stirred  as  you  propose  fur  three-quarters 
of  an  inch  in  depth.  This  stirring  will  keep  out  frost  better  than  if  the 
surface  were  hard  and  smooth  ;  but  plants  in  pots  in  general  should  be 
protected  from  frost  by  other  means  as  well.  When  leaves  begin  to  fade 
they  may  be  cut  off  as  a  general  rule,  as,  after  fading  begins,  they  take 
more  from  the  plant  than  they  return  to  it.  In  some  exceptional  cases 
even  half  of  a  sound  leaf,  however,  is  better  than  none.  For  your  wall 
overshadowed  by  trees,  we  could  advise  nothing  better  than  the  different 
variegated  Ivies,  which  will  always  look  well.  We  have  seen  Cotoneaster 
microphylla  do  well  in  a  shady  place,  but  it  will  not  cover  the  wall  so 
soon  as  the  Ivy. 

Planting  out  Vines  from  Pots  (T.),— If  you  bad  taken  a  heavy  crop 
from  the  Vines  we  would  have  said  throw  them  away ;  but  as  you  have 
been  moderate  we  would  plant  them  out,  reducing  the  head  one-third  or 
half,  and  spreading  out  the  roots,  instead  of  ha\lng  them  coiled  round  as 
in  a  pot. 

Pyramidal  Pear  Trees  Partly  Dead(C.  .^.).— We  cannot  tell  without 
more  particulars  what  is  the  matter  with  your  pyramidal  Pear  trees,  but 
should  judge  they  are  suffering  from  one  of  two  causes— excess  of  moisture 
or  starvation.  It  the  first  is  the  cause  try  what  draining  or  raising  the 
roots  will  do.  If  the  second  suggestion  is  the  cause,  as  we  suspect,  fork 
the  surface  soil,  and  cover  with  two  or  three  inches  of  rotten  dung,  and 
repeat  the  application  in  the  summer. 

Firs  Attacked  by  Rabbits  (P.  I.  N.).—II  your  trees  are  not  numerous 
tie  a  small  handful  of  straw  round  each.  It  will  keep  all  depredators  o! 
that  kind  away.  Daubing  the  stems  with  dung,  lime,  and  brine  will  keep 
the  marauders  off  for  a  time.  The  most  effectual  safeguard  is  wire 
netting,  3  feet  in  height. 

Mushroom  Culture.— A  con-espondent, "  Failure,"  wishes  "Agabicus" 
to  state  the  kind  of  structure  his  beds  were  made  in.  We  can  see  nothing 
wrong  unless  "Failure  "  had  bad  spawn,  and  used  too  little  of  it.  We 
do  not  know  the  size  of  his  bricks,  but  eight  of  them  do  not  seem  much 
for  four  large  beds.  He  ought  to  have  succeeded  with  beds  spawned  in 
April;  but,  unless  coolness  could  be  ensured,  we  should  be  less  surprised 
at  the  not  succeeding  when  spawning  in  June. 

Wintering  Coleuses  (R.  J.  S.^— They  will  be  best  wintered  in  the 
conservatory,  assigning  them  the  warmest  situation.  Only  a  little  water 
should  be  given  uccasionally  to  keep  the  foliage  from  flagging.  The 
situation  should  be  light  and  airy,  and  free  from  damp  or  drip.    In  a 


December  17,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDKNEii. 


467 


dwellin^-honse  ColenRcfl  do  not  winter;  indeed,  to  winter  tbom  safely  a 
boaso  with  a  toinpornture  of  45°  or  TiO'  ia  nocessurv. 

Grafting  RnononrNnnoNs  (A  Constant  Iifa<lfr).~The  bent  time  for 
Rrafting  Hhotloilmulrnns  is  at  tho  end  of  AiiRiiat  or  bei^lnninR  of  Septem- 
ber, nftor  t,'ro\vtIi  in  ci>in|)li4o.  Whip  or  sido  prafting  in  tho  mode  em- 
ployed. Tho  sttii'Us  should  be  plaeod  in  a  cold  fniuio  aw  workod,  aud 
kopt  close,  mniHt,  and  whadod  from  powerful  enn  until  tho  (jfrafta  have 
takou.  Gniftiu^' may  also  be  very  BucoossfiiUy  performed  in  April,  just 
before  thn  plants  boffiu  to  grow,  tho  stocks  liuinp  placed  in  a  frame  over 
ft  mild  bottom  lu'at  of  about  70  .  Keep  close  and  shaded  until  tho  grafts 
begin  to  grow,  tlioii  gradually  harden  off. 

Pruning  Trisr  Yews  (A.  P.).— Wo  do  not  advise  rntting  Irish  Ycwfl' 
for  they  are  so  slow-growing  that  a  very  long  time  must  elapse  before  tho 
gaps  are  filled  up,  and  until  then  the  trees  will  bo  very  unsightly.  If  you 
can,  by  shortcniu'^  the  long  Bhoota  and  other  ])ruuing,  preserve  tho 
symmetry  of  the  trees,  by  all  moans  pruno,  for  they  will  boar  any  amount 
of  pruning.  Could  not  tho  branches  be  tied  with  tamul  ropo  not  very 
closely  together,  eo  as  to  improve  their  appearance?  Thoy  will  then 
become  more  compact,  but  do  not  crowd  the  branches  very  closely,  bat 
leave  room  between  for  the  young  shoots. 

SowiNo  Wallflo'wers  for  Spring  Fr^owERixa  (North  Yorkshire- 
man). — The  best  time  to  sow  Wallflowers  for  planting  in  flower  beds  for 
winter  and  spring  flowering  is  from  April  to  Juno.  Sow  in  light  rich 
sandy  soil,  and  in  an  open  situation.  Wliou  tho  seedlings  are  largo 
enough  to  handle  they  should  be  priclced  oft"  in  bods,  allowing  each  plant 
ft  space  of  about  3  inches.  In  October  take  up  with  good  balls,  and  plant 
in  the  flower  be.ls.or  i)lautinff  may  be  deferred  until  the  beds  are  cleared 
of  tho  .summer-fluwering  plants.  There  are  several  colours  ;  the  best  are 
the  blood  red,  brown,  purple,  and  yellow.  We  prefer  aud  employ  Cheirau- 
thns  Marshalli  (yelluwi.  which  is  propagated  by  cuttings  or  slips.  Wo 
also  nse  the  common  garden  Wallflower  seedlings  for  borders  ;  but  they 
vary  so  much  in  colour  that  for  beds  thoy  cannot  be  depended  on,  other- 
wise they  aro  of  the  sweetest  and  most  useful  of  winter  and  spring- 
flowering  plants.  The  flowering  will  be  over  by  the  time  tho  beds  aro 
required  for  bedding  plants. 

Cucumber  Forcing  (Wcm).— Your  proposed  plan  of  a  tan  bed  enclosed 
by  a  sort  of  wicker-like  frame  to  keep  it  up  will  answer  very  well ;  but  the 
frame  must  not  rest  on  the  stakes,  but  be  set  on  the  tan,  placing  a  brick 
nnder  each  corner.  If  you  set  the  frame  on  the  stakes  the  tan  will  sink, 
leaving  the  frame  too  high,  and  the  soil  and  plants  settling  with  the  tan 
will  be  at  too  great  a  distance  from  the  glass;  the  soil,  too.  will  most 
likely  crack,  and  there  will  be  a  space  between  the  soil  and  frame  through 
which  air  will  pass ;  and  though  that  might  be  prevented  by  the  dung 
lining,  yet  steam  from  the  latter  cannot  be  kept  from  entering,  and  in 
a  single  night  a  part,  or  the  whole,  of  the  plants  may  be  destroyed.  The 
dung  linings  will  be  excellent  for  keeping  up  the  heat.  Wo  should  not 
begin  until  February,  aud  we  think  a  better  result  will  follow  than  by 
commencing  in  January. 

Potting  Heaths  (Idem).— The  best  time  to  pot  Heaths  is  early  in 
March,  and,  if  the  plants  are  young,  again  in  Jime,  but  the  shifts  should 
be  small. 

Clarke's  Compodnp  (n'.  H.  H.).— The  places  where  it  can  be  purchased 
are  stated  in  his  advertisement  in  our  Journal  of  December  Gth. 

Stocks  for  Epiphyllums  (H.  D.).— Pcreskia  aculeata  is  the  stock 
most  commonly  employed,  and  it  answers  very  well.  P.  portulacaifolia 
is  sometimes  used,  and  is  good  for  the  purpose.  We  do  not  know  where 
you  can  obtain  the  stocks,  but  if  you  were  to  write  to  the  principal 
nurserymen  they  would  probably  be  able  to  serve  you.  The  stocks  are 
usually  raised  from  cuttings,  which  strike  freely  in  sandy  soil,  and  in  one 
or  two  years  make  plants  fit  for  grafting.  They  should  be  trained  with 
one  shoot  until  of  the  height  required  ;  then  cut  off  the  head  of  the  stock 


and  pat  upon  it  a  scion  or  graft  of  the  Epiphyllum  In  tho  manner  of 
tongue  or  whip-grafting,  securing  with  matliug,  and  placing  a  little  moBB 
over  the  junction. 

Soir,  FOR  SANcnKziA  Nonn.is  varieoata  (Idem). — It  succoodB  in  a 
compost  of  equal  parts  of  turfy  loam,  sandy  libroua  peat,  with  one-sixtU 
of  old  dry  cow  duug  aud  silver  sand. 

Elephant's  Foot  {Testudinaria  elfprantipes)  Colturk  (TV.). — 
The  preceding  is  the  proper  name  of  the  plant  called  Klephant's  Paw  UT 
Foot.  It  does  not  require  any  peculiar  treatment  beyond  that  of  a  green- 
house climber.  It  dies  down  in  winter,  and  should  then  be  kept  dry.  A 
compost  of  two-thirds  sandy  turfy  loam,  and  one-tbird  sandy  peat,  with 
good  drainage,  will  grow  it  well.  Tlie  shoots  should  bo  trained  near  the 
glass,  and  tho  plants  well  supplied  with  water  when  growing. 

Wintering  Pelargoniums  in  Spare  Room  (S.E.  C.).— Your  mode  ol 
treatment  is  right.  Tho  plants  will  winter  safely  without  water,  though 
you  may  give  a  little  to  prevent  the  woodsbrivelling.  Those  in  the  frame 
should  not  bo  watereil,  but  must  have  all  the  air  possible.  Pick  off  aJI 
dead  yoUow  leaves,  and  cut  away  any  stems  that  aro  damping  ofl".  The 
Fuchsias  will  do  well  if  kept  from  frost.  The  soil  should  be  kept  dry. 
Camellias  and  Azaleas  should  have  the  soil  moist  in  winter,  but  they 
will  not  then  require  water  so  often  as  in  summer,  the  soil,  howoTer, 
ought  to  be  moistened  through.  You  should  have  the  stove  made  to  draw 
so  as  to  prevent  the  smoke  coming  into  the  house,  and  dust  may  b© 
avoided  by  sprinkling  water  over  the  ashes  or  fire  before  raking  it  ont. 
Tho  Roses  in  pots  should  bo  removed  to  the  greenhouse  before  sever© 
frost,  and  placed  in  the  coolest  aud  most  airy  situation  that  is  well 
exposed  to  the  light. 

Ground  Vinery  (St.  Denis).— If  it  is  span-roofed  aud  its  ends  placed 
north  and  south,  and  two  Vines  planted  at  each  end,  it  would  be  possible, 
as  it  is  8j  feet  wide,  to  ripen  Grapes  in  it  on  the  four  Vines  for  one  year. 
The  Early  Black  Bordeaux,  Chasselas  Vihert,  and  Black  Hamburgh  are 
suitable.     Of  tho  other  we  know  nothing. 

Cockscomb  Stra^vberry  (TT.  £.).— The  Rev.  Mr.  Radclyfl'e's  testimony 
to  the  large  size  of  the  Cockscomb  Strawberry  was  published  in  onr 
Journal  on  August  '27th.  Of  the  statement'-'  truth  there  is  not  a  shadow 
of  doubt.  We  cannot  republish  it,  and  any  one  wishing  to  see  the 
account  can  have  the  number  by  enclosing  four  postage  stamps  with  his 
address. 

Heating  Apparatus  {A  Constant  Subscriber).— We  ha.ve  not  tried  the 
apparatus  you  mention.  The  Index  will  not  be  ready  until  the  second 
week  in  January. 

Names  of  Fruits  (J  Lover  of  FTuU).~The  Cockscomb  Strawberry 
was  described  in  our  last  number.  Semper  fidelis  Raspberry  is  not  known 
to  us  by  that  name.  There  being  hundreds  of  named  Gooseberries  no 
one  can  identify  any  by  mere  description.  We  do  not  think  that  Walnute 
could  be  bush-grown. 

Names  of  Plants  (D.  H.).— Atriplex  portulacoides.  (O.  P.).— 1,  Selapf- 
nella  Martensii ;  'J,  Aspidium  coriaceum ;  3,  Adiantum  aftlne.  (J.  Blach- 
/.)«)*»). ^Maxillaria  crocea.  (A  Coimtanl  Header).—!,  Euphorbia  splendems; 
'2,  Lavandula  santolinjEfolia  ;  3,  Aloe  spinulosa  ;  4,  Opuntia  microdasys; 
,5,  Gasteria  angulata.  (Greenhouse).— AheMn  floribunda.  May  probably 
stand  a  mild  winter  in  Bevonshire,  buf  is  rather  tender.  (Amateur). — 
1,  '2,  and  4,  Not  recognised;  3,  Asplenium  triehomanes;  5,  Aspleniam 
flaccidum  ;  6,  Pteris  serrulata;  7,  Asplenium  adiantum-nigrum  ;  8,  Ne- 
pbrolepis  sp. ;  9,  Polypodium  vulgare  (a  crested  variety) ;  10,  Davallitt 
pulchella  ;  11,  Cystopteris  alpina  ?  ;  12,  Selaginella  Martensii ;  13,  Pteris 
cretica  ;  14,  Doodia  caudata  ;  15,  Polypodium  dryopteris.  (R.  H.). — I,  Sela- 
ginella  Braunii ;  2,  Gymuogramma  tartarea ;  3,  AspleBium  ruta-muraria. 
(W.T.). — 1,  Echites  melaleuca  ;  2,  Asplenium  esculcntum;  S,  Platyloma 
cordata ;  4,  Cheilanthes  odora  ;  G,  Adiantum  concinnum. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  December  15th. 


Date. 

BAROHETEB. 

THERMOMETER. 

Wind. 

RainlQ 
inoheB. 

QENaBAI.  BSUABES. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Max. 

MlD. 

I  n.  dp. 

2  ft.  4p. 

Wed...    9 
Tlims.  10 
Pri.    .11 

Sat.    .  12 
Sue.  .  18 
Mod.  .  14 
Tnes..  16 

Mean 

80.172 
29857 
29  8n 
29-821 
29.661 
29.610 
29.404 

80.011 
29.540 
29.76! 
29.76S 
29.552 
29.319 
29.172 

49 
63 
67 
45 
63 
64 
58 

39 
43 
24 
37 
41 
49 
45 

60 
50 
50 
48 
47 
60 
51 

49 
49 
49 
49 
48 
48 
48 

N.E. 
S.E. 

s.w. 

S.E. 
S.E. 

S. 

S. 

.00 
.02 
.00 
.00 
.00 
.12 
.36 

Fine,  cloudy:  densely  clouded;  overcnat. 

Overca.st,  brisk  wind  ;  fine,  overcast :  clear  and  fine. 

Boisterous  with  rain  ;  overcast ;  densely  overcast. 

Fine  and  frosty  ;  hazy,  fine  ;  overcast,  fine. 

Overcast ;  very  dull ;  clear  and  fine  at  night. 

Fine  ;  brisk  wind;  densely  overcast ;  showery  and  boisterous. 

Fine,  very  mUd ;  overcast ;  showery  and  very  boisterous. 

29.765 

29  688 

62.71 

40.14 

49.43 

48.57 

•• 

0.50 

POULTRY.  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD   CHRONICLE. 


GAME   FOWL  CHARACTERISTICS. 

Having  just  retuiued  Jrom  the  Poultry  Show  at  Birmingham, 
I  am  impelled,  as  a  fervent  admirer  and  tolerably  experienced 
breeder  of  the  nobleat  of  domestic  fowBl,  the  English  Game 
cook,  to  offer  some  remarks  fn  the  general  character  of  the 
blrda  exhibited  iu  the  Game  classes  at  Bingley  Hall.  It  may 
be  necessary  for  me  to  premise  that  I  bad  no  interest  what- 
ever in  the  Judges'  decisions — that  I  was  not  an  exhibitor,  nor 
concerned  in  any  of  the  exhibits.  This  ia  the  firpt  great  show 
I  ever  saw  iu  England,  and  probably  for  that  very  reason 
some  of  your  readers  may  be  interested  in  this  record  of  my 
impressions. 

In  the  first  place,  I  am  bonnd  to  bear  witness  that  the  show 


of  Game  fowls  was  in  one  respect  far  beyond  my  expectation. 
A  finer  collection  of  high-bred  and  well-conditioned  fowls  had, 
probably,  never  been  brought  together.  There  could  not  be  a 
more  striking  evidence  of  the  favour  in  which  these  beantifnl 
birds  are  held,  than  the  appearance  of  the  Game  department 
as  compared  with  any  other  in  the  Show.  To  pass  from  the 
graceful,  sprightly,  and  intelligent  occupants  of  the  Game 
pens  to  the  uncouth  Cochin  and  the  hideous  Houdan,  was 
indeed  to  exchange  good  company  for  bad — to  descend  from 
civilisation  to  savagery.  It  was  Hyperion  to  a  satyr — Blair 
Athol  to  a  jackass  —  the  last  beauty  at  Almack's  to  the 
Hottentot  Venus.  However,  chacun  a  son  rjoiit.  I  do  not 
quarrel  with  those  whose  tastes  are  for  the  fluffy-stemed 
Cochin-China,  the  ghost-like  Cieve  Coeur,  or  the  squat  Dork- 
ing. I  have  only  to  say,  on  behalf  of  my  own  favourites,  that 
never  was  so  grand  a  display  of  perfect  form,  breeding,  and 


468 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOETICULTUEE   AND   COTTAGB   QAKDKNEB. 


[  Deoember  17,  1868. 


eondition,  as  was  exhibited  by  the  Game  classes  in  the  Bir- 
mingham Poultry  Show.  I  can  but  admire,  not  envy,  the 
Jadges  who  had  to  decide  among  individual  specimens  so  nearly 
equal  in  beauty  and  in  goodness.  To  one  or  two  of  their 
judgments  I  might  be  disposed  to  demur,  but  on  the  whole, 
having  regard  to  the  difficulties  of  their  task,  and  also  to  the 
fact  that  they  are  necessarily  in  a  better  position  to  judge 
of  the  merits  of  the  birds  than  any  of  the  spectators — from 
having  the  privilegelof  handling  the  specimens,  without  which 
handling  no  Game  fowl  can  be  truly  judged — I  am  forced  to 
admit  that  the  awards  were  very  fairly  made. 

While,  however,  almost  all  the  birds  that  were  exhibited 
were  good  of  their  kind,  I  could  not  help  observing  that  some 
kindB  seemed  to  be  better  developed  and  of  higher  excellence 
than  others.  The  Brown  Reds,  especially  the  cocks,  were  a 
wonderfully  good  class,  and  perhaps  the  best  in  the  Show. 
The  Black  Reds  were  scarcely  at  all  inferior,  and  the  Duck- 
wings  were  almost  perfect.  I  was  struck,  however,  by  the  fact 
that  these  three  kinds  seemed  to  have  monopolised  all  the 
attention  of  the  breeders  and  the  favour  of  the  Judges.  Not 
only  this,  I  could  not  help  remarking  on  the  general  sameness 
of  aU  the  specimens  in  each  class,  in  every  point.  Every  Black 
Eed  was  like  his  neighbour  almost  in  every  feature  and  in  every 
shade  of  colour.  Now,  this  may  be  the  perfection  of  breeding, 
but  does  it  not  become  a  little  monotonous  ?  Is  it  even  true 
that  the  type  of  Game  cock  preferred  by  the  Judges  is  the 
highest  in  each  kind  ?  What  have  the  old  cockers  to  say  on 
this  point,  who,  after  all,  have  some  claim  to  be  heard  on  the 
subject  ? 

Is  it  admitted,  for  instance,  that  Black  Red  cocks  should 
have  legs  of  no  colour  but  willow  green  ?  Willow  green  may 
be  a  very  pretty  colour,  but  I  refer  to  all  the  authorities, 
and  I  find  that  a  Black  Red  cock  may  have  legs  of  any  colour 
but  black.  Yellow,  white,  blue,  and  slate,  used  to  be  once,  at 
least,  as  common  a  hue  for  a  Game  cock's  leg  as  willow.  Why 
are  these  colours  shut  out  altogether  as  though  they  were  dis- 
qnalifications  ?  Anybody  looking  over  the  Black  Bed  classes  at 
BirminKham,  who  was  not  previously  acquainted  with  the  sub- 
ject, would  naturally  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  one  correct 
colour  for  a  Black  Red  fowl's  legs  is  willow.  But  is  it  true  that 
willow  is  even  the  best  colour?  and  if  not  true,  is  it  wise  to  en- 
courage none  but  willow  legs?  All  the  old-fashioned  pro- 
fessional cockers  will  tell  you  that  willow-legged  cocks  are  by 
no  means  the  best  in  the  pit — that  they  have  not,  in  fact,  the 
highest  qualities  required  in  a  Game  cock,  which  are,  courage 
and  endurance. 

The  object  of  a  show  is  surely  to  develope  the  highest  type 
in  its  kind  of  the  bird  exhibited,  to  encourage  the  growth  of 
the  best,  and  not  only  the  most  beautiful  animals.  A  Game 
cook  not  pre-eminent  in  courage  is  worthless.  I  will  not  ven- 
ture, in  this  place,  to  offer  a  word  in  favour  of  cock-fighting, 
although  I  have  much  to  say  on  that  subject ;  yet  it  will  be 
nniverBally  admitted  that  a  Game  cock  that  cannot  fight  is  un- 
true to  his  nature.  He  has  no  raison  d'etre.  He  is  worse 
than  an  orator  without  speech,  a  horse  that  cannot  run,  or  a  pig 
that  cannot  yield  bacon. 

It  may  be  difficult,  I  admit,  for  the  judges  at  a  show  to  de- 
termine what  are  the  moral  qualities  of  the  animals  submitted 
to  their  judgment ;  yet  it  is  only  fair  to  ask  that  they  should 
concede  something  to  the  opinion  of  those  practically  acquainted 
with  the  subject.  That  opinion  is  founded  on  many  years'  ex- 
perience, and  the  tradition  that  a  Game  cock  with  willow  legs 
is  not  to  be  relied  upon  for  his  conduct  in  war  is  worthy  of 
some  respect.  There  must  have  been  some  foundation  in 
the  general  theory  which  held  that  the  highest  courage  in  a 
Game  cock  was  always  found  associated  with  legs  of  a  certain 
colour.  At  least,  there  is  no  reason  why  any  special  favour 
should  be  shown  to  willow  legs.  In  my  opinion  a  bright 
yellow  leg  is  more  in  harmony  with  the  general  colour  of  a 
Black  Red  cock  than  a  green  leg.  Black  Red  cocks  with  white 
legs,  it  is  well  known,  are  among  the  highest-bred  of  their  kind, 
and  certainly  the  best  bird  I  ever  knew  in  my  life,  for  all 
practical  purposes,  was  one  of  this  breed,  descended  from  the 
famous  Derby  strain.  I  do  not  desire  that  any  pre-eminence 
should  be  given  to  one  colour  over  another.  All  I  contend  for 
is,  that  aU  colours  should  be  equally  judged  ;  that,  other  things 
being  equal,  no  preference  should  be  given  to  the  willow  leg 
over  the  yellow,  the  white,  or  the  blue. 

In  the  case  of  the  Duckwings,  I  observed  at  Birmingham 
the  same  disposition  to  narrow  the  varieties  of  colour.  Most 
of  the  birds  shown  were,  in  the  first  place,  clearly  not  pure 
Duckwings — that  is  to  say,  they  had  not  been  bred  by  Duck- 


wing  cocks  out  of  Duckwing  hens.  I  missed  the  beautiful  old- 
fashioned  Silver  Duckwings.  The  modem  style  of  Duckwing, 
though  unquestionably  handsome  in  appearance,  shows  in  his 
predominance  of  red,  yellow,  and  chestnut,  that  he  has  been 
crossed  with  the  Black  Red.  In  this  class,  again,  it  seems  that 
the  Judges  will  allow  only  one  colour  of  leg,  although  Duck- 
wings have  naturally  as  many  varieties  of  colour  in  the  leg  as 
any  other  breed.  In  my  opinion,  a  bronze  or  jellow-green  leg 
looks  best  under  a  Duckwing  cock. 

Of  the  Brown  Beds  I  have  nothing  to  say,  except  that  they 
seemed  to  me  to  be  as  near  perfection  as  possible.  I  can  re- 
member, however,  when  the  Brown  Ked  cock  was  lighter  on 
the  breast,  without  derogation  from  his  beauty,  than  he  is  now. 
The  Piles  were  but  an  indifferent  class,  and  seem  to  suffer  from 
the  discouragement  of  the  Judges.  Here,  again,  the  willow  leg 
appears,  although  singularly  out  of  harmony  with  the  red  and 
white  feathers.  Surely  it  is  manifest  to  every  properly  educated 
eye,  that  no  colour  in  the  leg  can  match  the  body  of  a  Pile  cock 
so  well  as  either  yellow  or  white. 

And  now  I  come  to  my  principal  complaint  of  this  Birming- 
ham Show,  which  is,  not  only  that  the  birds  in  each  class  are 
bred  too  narrowly  after  one  type  and  one  colour,  but  that 
the  classes  themselves  do  not  fairly  represent  the  breed  of 
English  Game  fowls.     Considering  how  the  present  breed  of 
Game  fowl  has  been  obtained — by  a  process  of  artificial  selec- 
tion through  many  centuries,  the  object  throughout  which  wag 
to  rear  only  the  best,  that  is,  the  most  courageous  and  the  most 
warlike  in  their  kind — there  is,  I  fear,  too  much  danger  that  the 
breed  will  degenerate  under  the  new  influences  which  are  brought 
to  bear  upon  its  perpetuation.     If  we  breed  only  for  beauty 
and  for  colour,  we  shall  obtain  beauty  and  colour,  but  at  the 
certain  sacrifice  of  all  those  other  qualities  for  which  the  English 
Game  cock  has  hitherto  been  famous.     There  is  no  reason,  of 
course,  why  we  should  not  have  both  the  highest  moral  and  the 
highest  physical  qualities  combined ;   but  that  can  only  be  by 
our  attending  equally  to  the  signs  of  courage  and  endurance  in 
the  Game  cock  as  to  his  appearance  and  condition  at  a  show. 
I  do  not  mean  to  say,  of  course,  that  there  should  be  a  series 
of  mains  fought  on  the  floor  of  Eingley  Hall  to  determine  which 
are  the  best  birds.     I  simply  contend  that  the  Judges  should 
pay  a  little  more  respect  than  they  appear  to  do  to  the  opinions 
and  the  traditions  of  the  "  pit,"  and  that  they  should  not  be 
influenced  by  any  arbitrary  views  of  their  own  as  to  what  shoulcf 
be  the  right  colour  of  a  cock's  leg,  the  correct  hue  of  his  hackle, 
or  the  proper  carriage  of  his  taU.   If  the  Judges  have  no  right  to 
make  new  laws  of  their  own  upon  the  chief  points  requisite  in 
each   breed,    still   less   are   they   justified    in   restricting   the 
number  of  breeds,  and  in  favouring  one  or  two  faehionabla 
varieties  at  the  expense  of  others.     The  use  and  value  of  such 
shows  are,  or  ought  to  be,  not  to  diminish  but  to  increase  the 
number  of  aU  distinct  and  true  varieties — even  to  encourage  the 
production  of  new  varieties.     One  would  imagine  from  a  glance 
at  the  pens  in  Bingley  Hall,  that  the  only  pnre  Game  fowls  in  the 
world  are  the  Black  Reds,  the  Brown  Beds,  the  Duckwings,  the 
Piles,  and  the  Black.     But  is  there  no  other  variety  deserving 
encouragement  ?    'ttTiat  have  become  of  the  Duns  ?     Is  the 
ancient  race  of  Smocks  extinct  ?    Are  there  no  Birchen  Yellows 
surviving  ?     Is  the  henny  cock  a  fossil  like  the  Dodo,  of  which 
the  memory  is  borne  only  in  the  apocryphal  chronicle  of  Teget- 
meier  ?     Surely  all  these  are  distinct  and  interesting  varieties, 
which  deserve  the  attention  of  the  managers  of  the  Birmingham 
Show.     I  only  saw  one  Dun  cock  at  Bingley  Hall,  and  he,  with 
his  undubbed  crest,  seemed  to  be  ashamed  of  being  in  that 
proud  company.      Yet  the  Duns,  in  all  their  sub-varieties,  are 
beautiful  and  interesting  birds,  as  true  Game  as  any  other. 

The  Birchen  Yellows,  again,  were  famous  in  the  olden  time, 
and  ought  to  have  their  representatives  in  any  collection  of 
Game  fowl.  They  are  at  least  as  distinct  a  variety  as  the  Piles, 
and  certainly  not  less  beautiful.  The  henny  cocks,  of  which 
some  ignorant  writers  speak  as  though  they  were  abortions  or 
lusus  nahinv,  are  a  true  variety,  as  I  can  testify  of  my  own 
experience.  They  can  reproduce  their  kind  with  perfect  cer- 
tainty, if  matched  with  hens  of  their  own  breed,  and  I  have  no 
doubt  they  are  still  to  be  found  in  Cornwall  and  the  western 
coimties,  where  they  were  once  celebrated  for  their  prowess  on 
the  battle  field.  Considering  the  magnitude  to  which  this  Bir« 
mingham  Show  has  reached,  the  extent  of  its  resources  and 
its  popularity,  and  the  influence  it  exercises  on  the  breeders,  I 
do  not  think  that  it  is  too  much  to  ask  that  the  managers 
should  give  encouragement  to  every  known  variety  of  Game 
fowl,  by  establishing  distinct  classes  for  each  kind.  I  do  not 
know  why  even  the  Tassels  and  the  crested  varieties  should  no 


Deoembor  17,  1858.  ] 


JODRNAIj  op  HOBTIOUIiTOBE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENEB. 


4G9 


be  revived,  although  the  "  Muffs,"  as  perpetuating  an  offence 
to  symmetry  of  form,  and  the  "  Cuckoos,"  as  being  a  violence 
to  harmony  of  colour,  may  bo  suffered  to  die  away. 

To  sum  up,  my  principal  objection  to  these  largo  shows  is, 
that  they  tend  to  narrow  instead  of  to  enlarge  the  field  of  fowl 
culture.  They  are  too  exclusive  in  their  preference  of  certain 
few  varieties.  They  make  all  the  breeders  run  in  the  same 
groove.  In  the  special  case  of  tho  Game  fowls,  they  favour 
certain  arbitrary  ideals  of  form  and  colour,  without  sufficient 
regard  to  the  true  character  and  normal  type  of  the  breed. 
— H.  E.  W. 


FRAUDULENT  ARTIFICES  IN   PREPARING 
BIRDS   FOR   EXHIBITING. 

Many  thanks  are  due  to  "  Nemo  "  for  the  active  measures  he 
is  taking  to  suppress  the  disreputable  practices  of  trimming  and 
plucking  poultry  for  exhibition  :  may  he  never  grow  weary 
until  a  trimmed  fowl  at  any  show  shall  indeed  be  a  rara  avis. 
To  accomplish  such  a  desirable  condition  in  all  classes  is  no 
mean  task,  and  may  require  the  countenance  and  support  of 
all  right-minded  exhibitors,  which  we  may  hope  will  be  readily 
and  continuously  granted. 

When  looking  at  poultry  exhibited  I  have  often  wondered  at 
the  supineness  of  judges  on  the  matter,  and  the  favouritism 
shown  to  birds  evidently  tampered  with.  Last  spring  I  pur- 
chased (without  seeing  her),  a  Brahma  hen,  upon  the  recom- 
mendation that  she  was  believed  by  the  vendor  to  have  won 
more  prizes  than  any  hen  ever  bred  ;  she  is  now  nearly  through 
her  moult,  and,  as  may  be  expected  from  so  successful  a  winner, 
has  thrown  out  an  ornamental  pair  of  vulture  hocks,  too  pro- 
fuse for  further  exhibition,  which  I  shall  be  happy  to  show 
to  "  Nemo,"  or  any  of  the  judges  who  may  like  to  see  their 
pet  hen  in  her  natural  condition. — J.  H.  Cuff,  Metropolitan 
Cattle  Market. 


Much  pleased  ought  all  honest  exhibitors  to  be  with  the 
action  taken  by  "  Nemo  "  at  the  Birmingham  Show,  towards 
putting  a  stop  to  the  most  unfair  practice  of  trimming  Brahma 
Pootras— a  practice  that,  if  not  checked,  would  bring  poultry 
exhibitors  to  the  level  of  turf-sharpers,  and  drive  respectable 
people  with  disgust  from  a  fancy  where  success  could  only  be 
obtained  by  cheating. 

Let  exhibitors  now  vigorously  follow  up  the  step  that  has 
been  taken,  and  we  shall  quickly  have  the  satisfaction  of  ob- 
serving the  discontinuance  of  these  frauds. — Bkistol. 


LONGTOWN   POULTRY   SHOW. 

The  Show  held  at  Longtown,  near  Carlisle,  on  the  9th  and  10th 
inst.,  proved  a  decided  success,  there  being  upwards  of  two  hundred 
entries  of  Ponltry,  Pigeons,  and  Canaries.  For  the  latter  two,  how- 
ever, there  being  only  one  class  for  each,  the  competitors  were  not 
numerous.  Game  fowls  and  Golden-pencilled  Hambnrghs  were  well 
represented.     The  following  is  a  list  of  the  awards  : — 

Game  Cock. — First.  Joseph  Brongb,  Carlisle.  Second,  R.  Little,  Dicks 
tree.  Third,  J.  H.  Wilson,  St.  Bees  Highly  Commended,  G.Hall,  Kendal- 
Jobu  Brough.  ; 

Game. — First,  John  Brough.  Second,  Joseph  Erough,  Carlisle.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  H.  Wilson.  Commended,  R.  Fawkes,  Bush  Crossings. 
Chickens.— Fiiat  and  Second,  Joseph  Brough.  Highly  Commended,  T. 
Maxwell.     Commended,  iohn  Brough. 

Game  (Duckwings). — First,  Joseph  Brough.  Second,  T.  Maxwell,  Highly 
<^ommended,  J.  Barrow,  jua.,  Kendal.  Commended,  T.  Davidson,  Long- 
town. 

Hamburghs  (Golden-sp.angled).— First.  G.  Holmes,  Eedlington  Station* 
Second,  J.  Walker,  Knaresborou<:h.  Highly  Commended,  A.  Hatitie* 
Selkirk;  R.  Dicksou,  Selkirk.  Cfticle-ns.— First,  R.  Tyson,  Longtown- 
.Second,  W.  Smith,  Ainderby  Steeple,  York.  Highly  Commended,  A- 
Hatitie;  R.  Dickson. 

HAMBURr.ns  (Golden-pencilled).— First,  T.  Musgrave,  Longtown.  Se- 
cond, R.  Burrow,  Longtown.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Walker ;  W.  Bowe, 
Carlisle.  CVaefctfn*.— First,  F.Johnson,  Walton  House.  Second,  J.  Arm- 
strong, Longtown.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Little  ;  R.  Irving,  Dickstree; 
J.  Armstrong.    Commended,  B.  Bee,  Goornaugh,  Preston. 

Hambdhohs  (Silver-spangledJ.— First.  G.  Holmes.  Second,  W.  Bowe. 
C/ficfcen^.— First,  W.  Bowe.     t^econd,  G.  Dobson,  Longtown. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-pencilled).— First,  J.  Walker.  Second,  J.  Mus- 
grave. Chickens.— First  and  Commended,  J.  Musgrave.  Second,  J. 
Walker. 

DoBKlNGS. — First  and  Second,  G.  F.  Lyon,  Kirkmichael,  Dumfries. 
CWcfceiM.— First,  J.  H.  Wilson.  Second  and  Highly  Commended,  G.  F. 
Lyon.    Commended,  R.  Reid,  Moat. 

Spanish  (Black).— First,  H.  Wilkinson,  Earby,  Skipton.  Second,  Miss 
J.  A.  Musgrave,  Longtown.  Highly  Commended,  Miss  J.  Nelson,  Eagles- 
field  ;  Bowman  &■  Fearon,  Whitehaven. 

Any  other  ViEiETV. — First,  Miss  J.  Nelson  (White  Cochins).  Se- 
cond, Bowman  &  Fearon.  Higlily  Commended,  Mrs.  Thomson  (Bnil 
Cochins) ;  F.  Johnson  (Houdans) ;  J.  J.  Walker,  Kendal  (Houdans). 

Game  BA2>TAai3  (Any  colour).  —  First,  Dalzell  &  Armstrong,  White- 


haven. Becond,  Bowman  A  Fearon.  Highly  Commondod,  J.  Wallace, 
Ravenswood  ;  B.  Bee.    Commended,  R.  A.  Allison,  Soaleby  Hall. 

Geebe.— First,  Mrs.  Birkctt,  Broom  Rigg,  Ainstable.  Second,  Mrs. 
MoBurnie,  Fauld  Mill.  Highly  Commended,  R,  Reid.  Commended, 
T.  Boyd,  Glinger  Bum  ;  Miss  M.  Morton. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury).— First,  G.  F.  Lyon.  Second,  U.  Lattimer,  Cannobio. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Little,  Woodhouseloes  ;  Mrs.  Thompson. 

Ducks  (Itouen).— First  and  Second,  G.  F.  Lyon. 

Ducks  (Any  other  ivariety;.— First,  Mrs.  Thompson  (American).  Se- 
cond, 1.  Fawkes,  jun. 

Selling  Class.— First,  H.  Wilkinson  (Spanish).  Second,  J.  H.  Wilson. 
Highly  Commended,  R.  Lattimer  (Aylesbury):  Bowman  &  Fearon;  R. 
Ktid,  Moat;  F.  Johnson  (Silver-spangled  Hamburghs);  T.  Davidson. 
Commended,  R.  Reid ;  J.  Armsrong,  Longtown  (Golden-pencilled  Ham- 
burghs). 

Any  Variety  (Confined  to  Arthuret  and  Kirkandrewa).— First,  Miss 
J.  A.  Musgrave.  Second,  R.  Reid.  Highly  Commended,  F.  H.  Musgrave, 
Longtown  ;  F.  Hayton  ;  R.  Reid. 

Pigeons.— ^711/  variety. — First  and  Second,  F.  Graham,  Birkenhead. 
Highly  Commended,  G.  R.  Sibson,  Carlisle  (Rod  and  Blue  Croppers) ; 
F.  Graham,  Birkenhead  ;  J.  Chambers,  Longtown  ;  J.  N.  Harrison  (Owls) ; 
R.  Whittaker,  Bolton  ;  J.  &  W.  Towerson,  Egremont.  Commended,  R. 
Pickering,  Brampton  ;  W.  CuUen,  Longtown  (Owls). 

Canaries.— First,  W.  Hutton,  Purdom's  Crook.  Second,  J.  N.  Harri- 
son (Norwich).  Highly  Commended,  R.  Irving,  Dickstree  ;  J.  Chambers, 
Longtown;  Miss  E.  Jackson,  Longtown. 

Sweepstakes  for  two  Hens.  —  Dorkingn.  —  Prize,  W.  Bearpark, 
Ainderby  Steeple.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  Thorapson.  Hamburghs.^ 
Prize,  T.  Musgrave,  Longtown.  Highly  Commended,  Miss  M.  Jackson. 
Qame.  —  Prize,  J.  Armstrong,  Cannobie.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs. 
Thompson. 

The  Judge  was  E.  Teebay,  Esq.,  of  Fulwood,  Preston. 


LEIGHTON  BUZZARD  POULTRY  SHOW. 

This  year's  meeting  very  far  surpassed  its  predecessors  both  as  to 
the  number  of  entries  and  tho  excellence  of  tho  generality  of  the 
specimens  exhibited.  There  was  a  near  approach  to  three  hnndred 
entries  ;  but  unfortunately,  from  that  wcU-known  error  so  much  in- 
dulged in  by  owners,  and  which  we  have  so  frequently  exposed,  of 
leaving  the  dispatch  of  birds  to  the  last  possible  train,  more  than  forty 
pens  proved  empty  at  the  time  of  judging,  though  almost  all  of  them, 
it  appears,  arrived  some  time  the  same  evening. 

Of  Bantams  alone  there  were  upwards  of  fifty  entries,  and  the  spe- 
cimens were  of  excellent  quality.  Eight  pens  of  Golden  and  Silver 
Pheasants  added  much  to  the  beanty  of  the  Show,  and  their  plumage 
was  excellent.  About  fifty  pens  of  first-rate  IHijejms  were  exhibited, 
and  the  arrangements  of  the  Show  generally  were  excellent.  As  the 
weather  was  fortunately  most  favourable  the  number  of  visitors  was 
very  satisfactory,  and  no  doubt  the  suppoii  of  numerous  new  sub- 
scribers to  this  Show  would  be  secured. 

Game  (Elack-breastcd  and  other  Reds).- First.S.  Matthew,  Stowmarket 
(Brown  Reds).  Second,  J.  Laming,  Cowhurn,  Spalding  (Black  Beds) 
Third,  R.  Hall,  Cambridge.  Highly  Commended,  Capt.  Wetherall,  Lod- 
dington  ;  Rev.  C.  Mayor,  Wavendon. 

Game  ;Any  other  variety).— First  and  Cup,  S.  Matthew,  Stowmarket 
(Duckwing).  Second,  Withheld.  Third,  B.  S.  Lowndes,  Stony  Stratford 
(l>uckwings). 

Game  (Any  variety).- Hen  or  Pullff.- First,  S.  Matthew  (Brown  Reds). 
Second,  R.  B.  Stafford,  Fenlake,  near  Bedford. 

Dorkings  (Any  variety).— First,  Mrs.  Seamons,  Hnrtwell,  Aylesbury. 
Second,  Rev.  J.  S.  Lo^vnde3,  Hiirtwell,  Aylesbury.  Third,  J.  Longland, 
Grondon,  Northampton.  Commended,  W.  H.  Denison,  Wobum  Sands  ; 
Mrs.  Seamons;  J.  IS.  Roper,  Barham,  Ipswich. 

Cochin-China  (Cinnamon  or  Buffi.— First  and  Cup,  J.  Cattell,  Bir- 
mingham. Second,  F.  W.  Rust,  Hastings.  Third,  J.  N.  BeasUy, 
Brampton. 

Cochin-China  (Any  other  colour). — First  and  Second,  G.  Shrimpton, 
Leighton  Buzzard  (White).  Third,  B.  S.  Lowndes  (Partridge).  Com- 
mended, B.  S.  Lowndes  (Partridge) ;  E.  Shaw,  Plas  Wilmot,  Oswestry 
(Partridge).  r,       ,      t% 

Brahma  Pootra  (Any  variety).— First,  Hon.  Miss  E.  Douglas  Pennant, 
Penhryn  Castle,  Bangor.  Second,  Mrs.  Farquharson,  Towcester  (Pen, 
cilled).  Third,  Mrs.  Burrell,  Stoke  Park,  Ipswich.  Highly  Commended, 
P.  H.  Jones.  Fulham.  Commended,  Hon.  Mrs.  A.  Baillie.  Hamillon- 
Ridgmount.  Wobum.  Pullets.— First,  Hon.  Miss  E.  Douglas  Pennant, 
Second,  J.  K.  Fowler,  Aylesbury.    Third,  D.  Spary,  Dunstable. 

Crbve-Cieues,  Houdans,  and  La  Fleche.— First  and  Cup,  R.  Hurman, 
Cowley,  near  Oxford  (Creve-Cceurs).  Second,  Lady  L.  Charteris,  Ecclea 
Hall,  Attleborough  (Houdans).  Third,  J.  K.  Fowler  (La  FWche).  Highly 
Commended,  Capt.  Wetherall  (CMve-Cceors) ;  D.  T.  Willis,  Leighton 
Buzzard  (Oreve-Cfeurs);  — B  arford,  Avlesbury,  Bucks  (Houdans).  Com- 
mended, Col.  Stuart  Wortley  ;  J.  K.  Fowler  (Creve-Cceurs). 

Spanish.— First  and  Second,  W.  R.  Bull,  Newport  Pagnell.  Third,  E. 
Brown,  Sheffield.  Highly  Commended,  W.  B.  Jeffries,  Ipswich.  Com- 
mended, J.  R.  Rodbard,  Wrington,  Bristol ;  P.  H.  Jones.  Bern  or  Pullets. 
—First  and  Cup,  F.  James,  Peckbam  Rye.  Second,  P.  H.  Jones. 
Highly  Commended,  Hon.  Miss  E   Douglas  Pennant. 

Hamburghs  iGolden  or  Silver-pencilled).- First,  W.  K.  Tickner,  Ipswich 
(Golden-pencilled).  Second  and  Third,  U.  Spary,  Dunstablo  (Golden- 
pencilled).  „....,.        « 

Hamburghs  (Golden  or  Silver-spangled).— First,  S.  &  E.  Ashton,  Ro8 
Cross,  Mottram,  Cheshire  (Golden-spangled  i.  Second  and  Third,  Rev. 
F.  Tearle,  Gazeley  Vicarage,  Newmarket  (Silver-spangled). 

Polish  (Any  variety).— First,  Second,  and  Third,  G.  W.  Boolhby, 
Louth  (Golden).    Highly  Commended,  Lady  L.  Charteris  (Buff  Padrone 

Chamois).  ^.    ^    r,        to 

Any  Distinct  Variety  not  Before  Mentioned.— First,  Rev.  J.  s. 

Lowndes,  Hartwell,   Aylesbury  (Andalusian).      Second,   J.  K.    Fowler 

(Frizzled  Niggers).    Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  E.  Terry  jnn.,  Aylesbury 

Ducks  (Rouen).— First,  J.  K.  Fowler.    Second,  Rev.  J.  S.  Lowndes. 


470 


JOURNAL   OF  HORTICULTUEE   AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER, 


[  December  17, 1868. 


Third,  Hon.  Mrs.  A.  Baillie  Hamilton.    Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  Far- 
qnharBon,  Toweeeter. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury)— First  nnd  Second,  Mrs.  Seamons.  Third  and 
Highly  Commended,  J.  K.  Fowler. 

DncKS  (Any  other  variety).— First,  T.  C.  Harrison,  Hull.  Second, 
J.  N.  Beasley,  Brampton,  Northamptonshire  (Buenos  Ayres),  Highly 
Commended,  J.  H.  Roper  (Mandarin);  C.  N.  Baker,  Chelsea,  (Mandarin). 
Commended,  J.  H.  Roper  (Carolina). 

Turkeys  (Any  variety).— First,  J.  N.  Beasley.  Second,  J.  Tompkins, 
Southcott,  Leiphton  Buzzard. 

Geese  (Any  vtiriety).— First.  Mrs.  Seamons.    Second,  J.  K.  Fowler. 

Pheasants  (Any  variety).— Prize,  J.  K.  Fowler  (Gold).  Hiwhly  Com- 
mended, B.  S.  Lowndes  (Gold) ;  F.  Bassett,  Leighton  Buzzard  (Silver)  ; 
M.  Leuo  (Golden);  K.  Bicbuuind.  Commended,  J.  K.  Fowler  (Silver); 
Kev.  H.  C.  Rnssell,  TVentworth  Vicarage,  Rotherham  (Golden). 
■  Game  Bantams.— First,  Cup,  and  Second,  W.  B.  Jeffries  (Black  Reds). 
Third,  C.  H.  Kaynor.  Highly  Commended,  F.  Gotto ;  W.  Thurnall, 
Bedford  (Black  Reds) ;  J.  Allen,  Ampthill.  Commended,  J.  Laming, 
Cowhum,  Spalding  (Black  Reds;;  T.  C.  Harrison;  W.  G.  Johnson, 
Bedford  (Duckwing), 

Bantams  (Any  variety).— First  and  Second,  M.  Leno  (Laced).  Third, 
S.  &  R.  Ashtou  (Black).  Highly  Commended,  T.  C.Harrison;  U.  Spary 
(Gold-laced).  Commended,  J.  N.  Beasley  (Japanese  Frizzled);  Rev.  F. 
Tearle,  Newmarket  (White). 

SINGLE  COCKS. 

Game  (Any  variety).— First.  R.  Hall.  Second,  A.  C.  Swain,  Radeline, 
Buckingham,  Highly  Commended,  E.  Shaw,  Plas  Wilmot,  Oswestry. 
••  DoHKiNGS  (Any  variety).— First,  J.  H.  Roper.  Barbara.  Second.  Rev. 
E.  Bartrnm,  Great  Berkhampstead.  Highly  Commended.  Rev.  'E.  Bar- 
trum  ;  J.  Longland.  Commended,  F.  Gotto,  Lcighton  Buzzard. 
;.  Cochin-china  (Any  variety).— First,  J.  H.  Beasley,  Brampton.  Se- 
cond, J.  K.  Fowler.  Commended,  H.  Dean,  Southam,  Warwickshire 
(White) ;  J.  Longland. 

Brahma  Pootra  (Dark  or  Light\— First  and  Second,  Hon.  Miss  E. 
Douglas  Pennant.  Commended,  H.  Bean,  Southam,  Warwickshire 
(Light) ;  J.  K.  Fowler. 

Bantams  (Any  variety). —First,  U.  Spary  (Silver-laced).  Second,  M. 
Leno.  Highly  Commended,  W.  B.  Jeffries  (Black  Reds) ;  G.  Shrimpton 
(Black  Reds);  Rev.  F.  Tearle  ;  J.  K.  Fowler;  G.  H.  Raynor,  Tonbridge ; 
J.  Allen,  Ampthill;  M.  Leuo. 

PIGEONS. 

CARRiERg  (Any  colour) .—First,  H.  Yardley,  Bixmmgham.  Second, 
J.  W.  Edge,  Birmingham. 

Podteks  (Any  colour).— First  and  Second,  F.  Gresham,  Shefford 
(White  and  Red).  Highly  Commended,  E.  Brown,  Sheffield  ;  F.  Gresham 
(Red  and  White).    Commended,  F.  Gresham  i  Black). 

Tumblers  (Almond). —First,  E.  Brown.    Second,  H.  Yardley.. 

Tumblers  (Any  other  variety).  —  First,  J.  W.  Edge.  Second,  H. 
Yardley.    Highly  Commended,  W.  H.  Denison,  Wobum  Sands  (Kite). 

Jacobins  (Any  colour).— First,  W.  H.  Denison  (Yellow).  Second,  E. 
Brown  (Red).  Highly  Commended,  J.  W,  Edge.  Commended,  H. 
Yardley. 

Fantails  (Any  colour).— First,  H.  Yardley.  Second,  Mrs.  Seamons. 
Hiphly  Commended,  W.  H.  Dennison  :  J.  W,  Edge. 

Trumpeters  (Any  colour).— First,  W.  H.  Denison  (Mottled).  Second 
and  Third,  Rev.  H.  C.  Russell  (White). 

TuRBiTS  (Any  colour).- First,  J.  W.  Edge.  Second,  T.  P.  WUlis,  Wins- 
Slow.    Highly  Commended,  E.  Brown. 

Barbs  (Any  colour).— First,  H.  Yardley.  Second,  E.  Brown.  Highlv 
Commended,  W.  H.  Denison.    Commeuded,  J.  H.  Roper. 

Magpies  (Any  colour).- Prize,  J.  W.  Edge. 

Judge. — E.  Hewitt,  Esq.,  Sparkbrook,  Birmingham. 


NORTH    BRITISH    COLUMBARIAN    SOCIETY'S 
SHOW.— Dec.  10th  and  11th. 

""Wiltshire    Rector"  informs  ns  that  this  Exhibition  is,  -when 
compared   to   other   Pigeon  shows,    what  the   poultry    Exhibition    of 
Birmingham  is  to  other  poultry  shows.     We  are  promised  some  relative 
notes  by  him,  so  this  week  only  publish  the  list  of  awards. 
EXTRA   PRIZES. 

The  Members' Challenge  Cup  'value  £30)  presented  by  the  Society  to 
the  most  successful  Exhibitor  in  1866. 1867,  and  ISfiH.  Gained  in  1866  by  J. 
Montgomery.  Belfast ;  in  1HG7  and  1868  by  R.  Fulton,  Deptford  ;  finally 
awarded  to  J.  Montgomery,  being  the  most  successfiU  Competitor  during 
the  three-years  contest. 

A  Silver  Medal  presented  by  W.  Volckman,  Esq.,  as  a  Special  Prize, 
for  excellence  of  form  and  carriage,  open  to  all  the  Cock  Pouters  in  the 
BtandnrdPied  Classes,  of  not  less  measurement  than  18  J  inches  in  feather, 
and  6J  inches  in  limb.  Fair  colour  and  markings  indispensable. — R. 
Fnlton. 

A  Silver  Medal  presented  by  W.  Volckman,  Esq.,  for  excellence  of 
colour*  and  marking ;  open  to  all  the  Cock  Pouters  in  the  standard  Pied 
Classes,  of  good  form  and  carriage,  and  of  not  less  measurement  than 
18^  inches  in  feather,  and  6J  inches  in  limb.— James  Montgomery. 

A  Silver  Medal  presented  by  George  Ure,  Esq.,  as  a  Special  JPrize,  to 
the  heat  Pouter  Hen  in  the  Exhibition. — R.  Fulton. 
EXTRA   CLASSES. 

Pouters  (Black  Pied).— Yohti^.— Silver  Medal  presented  by  J.  Muir, 
Esq.,  R.  Fulton,  Deptford.  Second  prize  given  by  a  Member,* J.  Macfar- 
lane,  Tollcrosg.  Very  Highly  Commended,  J.  Macfarlane.  Highly  Cora- 
mended,  J.  Montgomery.    Commended.  R.  Fulton. 

Pouters  (White).— You;!^.— Silver  Medal  presented  by  M.  Sanderson, 
Esq.,  K.  Fulton.  Second  Prize  given  by  a  Member,  D.  Stewart.  Perth. 
Very  Highly  Commended,  J.Montgomery.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton. 
Commended.  A.  Heath,  Calne. 

Pouters  (Blue  Pied).— Younf?.— Silver  Medal  presented  by  W.  Geddes, 
Esq.,  and  Mr.  Volckman's  Silver  Medal  for  excellence  of  colour  and 
marking,  J.  Montgomery.  Second  prize  given  by  a  Member,  R.  Fulton. 
Very  Highly  Commended  and  Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton.  Com- 
mended, E.  Horner.  Harewood,  Leeds. 

Pouters  (Red  Pied).— I'ouni;.— Silver  Medal  presented  by  J.A.Thomas, 


Esq.,  H.  Brown.  WalUlcy.  Second  and  Very  Highly  Commended  J.  Mont- 
gomery.    Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton.     Commended.  G.  Ure,  Dundee. 

PouTERS(YenowPied).—rounj.— Silver  Medal  presented  by  H.  Hutchin- 
son, Esq..  R.  Fulton.  Second  prize  given  by  a  Member  G.  Ure.  Very 
Highly  Commended  and  Commended,  R.Fulton.  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Montgomery. 

Footers  (Mealy  Barred). — YoHnf/.— Silver  Medal  presented  by  W. 
Lightbody,  Esq.,  R.  Fulton.  Second  prize  given  by  a  Member,  J.  Macfar- 
lane. Very  Highly  Commended,  D.  Stewart.  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Montgomery. 

Carriers  (Black).— roun/z.-Silver  Medal  presented  by  J.  Wallace, 
Esq.,  Glasgow,  R.  Fulton.  Second  prize  given  by  a  Member,  J.  Mont- 
gomery. Very  Highly  Commended,  W.  Massey,  Spalding.  Highly  Com- 
mended, R.  Fulton.     Commeuded,  J.  Wallace,  Burnbank. 

Carriers  (Dun).— roi(«.7.— Silver  Medal  presented  by  C.  M.  Royds,  Esq., 
Rochdale,  G.  C.  Holt,  Lawton.  Cheshire.  Second  prize  given  by  a  Member, 
R.  Fulton.  Very  Hi;:,'hly  Commended,  J.  Montgomery.  Highly  Com- 
mended, S.  Harding,  Fareham.     Commended.  R.  Fulton. 

Carriers  {Any  agel.— Silver  Cup  presented  by  F.  T.  Wiltshire,  Esq., 
Croydon,  R.  Fulton.  Second,  G.  C.  Holt.  Very  Highly  Commended, 
Highly  Commended,  and  Commended,  R.  Fulton. 

Tumblers  (Short-faced).- Younf?.— Silver  Medal  presented  by  J.  H. 
Frame,  Esq.,  Overton,  R.  Fulton.  Second  prize  given  by  a  Member,  R. 
Fulton.  Very  Highly  Commended,  J.;Montgomery.  Highly  Commended 
and  Commended,  R.  Fulton. 

Barbs  {Youiiq). — Silver  Medal  presented  by  M.  Stuart,  Esq.,  Glasgow, 
J.  Montgomery.  Second  prize  given  by  a  Member,  J.Montgomery.  Very 
Highly  Commended  and  Commended,  II.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended, 
E.  Homer. 

Pouters  (Black).— Cocfrs.-First  and  Highly  Commended.  R.  Fulton. 
Second,  J.  Macfarlane.    Third  and  Cummendud,  J.  Montgomery. 

Pouters  (Black  Pied).— Hens.- First  and  Commended,  R.  Fulton.  Se- 
cond. Third,  and  Highly  Commended,  J.  Montgomery. 

Pouters  (White). — Cocks. — First,  D.  Stewart.  Second  and  Commended, 
E.  Fulton.  Third,  J.  Montgomery.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Grant, 
Edinburgh.  JTfjt.^.— First,  and  Mr.  lire's  Silver  Medal  for  best  Pouter 
Hen,  R.  Fultnn.  Second.  G.  Ure.  Third.  G.  Montgomery.  Highly  Com- 
mended and  Commended,  A.  B.  Bovd,  Edinburgh. 

Pouters  (Blue  Pied).— CocA-«.  — First,  Second,  and  Third,  and  Mr. 
Volckman's  Silver  Modal  for  excellence  of  form  and  carriage,  R.  Fulton, 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Montgomery.  Commended,  D.  Stewart.  Henx. — 
First  and  Highly  Commended,  J.  Montgomery.  Second  andCommended, 
R.  Fulton.    Tbird,  J.  Huie,  Crosshill.  Glasgow. 

Pouters  (Red  Pied).— CocAs.  —  First,  Second,  Third,  Highly  Com- 
mended, and  Commended,  J.  Montgomery.  Hens. — First,  Second,  and 
Highly  Commended,  J,  Montgomery.  Third,  G.  IJre.  Commended,  R. 
Fulton. 

Pouters  (Yellow  Fic6)— Cocks. — First,  Third,  and  Commended,  J. 
Montgomery.  Second,  R,  Fulton.  Highly  Commended,  W.  Volclonan. 
Hens.— First,  G.  Ure.  Second,  Highly  Commended,  and  Commended,  J. 
Montgomery.     Third,  R.  Fulton. 

Pouters  (Mealy  Barred).—Coc/:».— First,  Second,  and  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  Montgomery.  Third,  J.  Ruthven,  Pollockshiels,  Glasgow. 
Commended,  R.  Fulton.  Heiis. — First.  Second,  and  Highlv  Commended, 
J.  Montgomery.  Third,  R.  Fulton.  Commeuded,  W.  R.  Rose,  Cransley 
Hall,  Kettei-ing. 

Pouters  (Irregular  in  colour  and  Marking).— CocAs.— First  and  Second, 
J.  Montgomery.  Third  and  Commended,  F.  K'-ir,  Edinburgh,  Highly 
Commeiiilcd,  J.  M'Gill,  Elio.  Htus.— First,  Highly  Commended,  and 
Commentled,  J.  Montgomery.     Seeoud  and  Third,  R.  Fulton. 

Carriers  (Black).— CofA«.— First,  Second,  Thiid.  Highly  Commended, 
and  Commended,  R.  Fulton.  HfTi.?.— First.  Second,  Third,  and  Com- 
mended, R.  Fulton,    Highly  Commeuded,  J.  Montgomery. 

Carriers  (Dun).— Coc/cjj.— First,  J.  Montgomery.  Second,  Third, 
Highly  Commended,  and  Coniniended.  R.  Fulton.  Hen.'^. — First  and 
Highlv  Commended,  J.  Montgomerj-.  Second,  Third,  and  Commended, 
R.  Fulton. 

Carriers  (Any  colour.  Black  and  Dun  excepted).— First  and  Highly 
Commended,  K.  Fulton.    Second,  Third,  and  Commended,  J.  Montgomery. 

Short-faced  Tumblers  (Almond).— First,  Second,  Highly  Commended, 
and  Commended.  R.  Fulton.    Third,  J.  Montgomery. 

Short-faced  TuMBurR^^  (Mottles,  Agates.  Kites,  and  Self-colourg).— 
First,  Second,  and  Third.  R.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Mont- 
gomery.   Commended,  F.  Graham,  Birkenhead. 

Barrs  (Black). — Silver  Medal,  presented  by  J.  Ruthven,  Esq.,  GlaBjjow, 
R.  Fulton.  Second  and  Third.  R.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended.  J.  Mont- 
gomery.   Commended,  W.  B.  Van  Haansbergen.  Ncwcastle-on-Tyne. 

Barbs  (Any  colour,  Black  excepted). — Silver  Medal,  presented  by  G. 
White,  Esq.,   Paisley.  R.  Fulton.      Second.  R.  Fulton  (Yellow).     Third, 

E.  Horner.    Highly  Commended  and  Commended,  J.  Montgomery. 
Fantails.— Silver  Medal,  presented  by  F.  Else,  Esq.,  London,  J.  Mont- 
gomery.   Second.  R.  Fulton.    Third,  A.  Smith,  BnuRbty  Ferry.    Highly 
Commended,  W.  R.  Park,  Melrose.    Commended,  J.  Sharp,  Johnstone. 

Jacobins  tRed  or  Yellow).— Silver  Medal,  presented  by  J.  Bnie,  Esq., 
Glasgow,  E.  Homer.  Second  and  Third,  E.  Horner.  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  Montgomery.    Commended,  A.  B.  Boyd  (Red). 

Jacobins  (White  or  B'lack).- Silver  Medal,  pres'entod  by  J.  Sharp.  Esq.. 
Johnstone,  E.  Horner.  Second  and  Third,  J.  Montgomery.  Highly 
Commended.  R.  Fulton  (Elackt.     Commended,  J.  Montgomery. 

Trumpeters  (White  or  Black).— Silver  Mednl.  presented  by  Capt. 
Heaton,  Manchester,  J.  Montgomery  (Black)-  Second,  J.  Montgomery. 
Third,  A.  B.  Boyd  (White).  Highly  Commended,  J.  Wallace,  Com- 
mended, G.  White  (Black). 

Trumpeters  (Mottled).— Silver  Medal,  presented  by  A.  B.  Boyd,  Esq., 
Trinity,  E.  Horner.  Second,  Third,  and  Commended,  J.  Montgomery. 
Highly  Commended,  W.  H.  Johnson. 

TuHBiTS.— Silver  Medal,  presented  by  J.  R.  Bennards,  Esq.,  Helens- 
burgh, R.  Fulton.  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Thii-d.  J.  Montgomery.  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Yardley,  Birmingham.     Commended.  E.  Horner. 

Owls  (English). — Silver  Medal,  presented  by  Capt.  Heaton,  Manchester, 

F.  Sale.  Second,  C.  Bulpiu.  Bridgewater.  Tbird,  J.  Crosland,  Jan., 
Wakefield.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Firth,  Webster  Hill,  Dewsbury. 
Commended,  W.R.Park. 

Owls  (Foreign).— First  and  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Third  and  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Montgomery.    Commended,  Miss  F.  Easton,  Hull. 


Decombor  17, 18«8.  1 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTIOULTUBK   AND   COTTAGE   GABDENEB. 


471 


Draooonb — First,  J.  MontRomery.  Second  and  Third,  R.  Fulton. 
Highly  Commended,  H.  Ynrdloy.    Coniraonded.  J.  WftUftce. 

Nuns.— First,  J.  Mont^onnTV.  Second,  K.  Hornor.  Third,  J.  Sharp. 
HiffliJv  Commended,  W.  B.  Van  HaausberKen.     Cnraraended,  II.  Yardley. 

TuMiii.EUS  iBoard  or  l?!ilds).— First.  W.  H.  C.  Oates.  Hosthorpe,  Newark. 
(Blue  Bciirds).  Second  and  HiRhly  CommeuJod,  K.  Fulton.  Tliird,  F. 
Graham  (Beards).    Commended,  J.  Uuthvon  (BiilJs). 

Fancy,  not  otherwise  Classed. — First  and  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Mont^'ome^y  (Ma^'pies  and  Lace  Fautnils).  Second,  11.  Yardley.  Third, 
J.  Wallace  (Lahores).    Commended,  E.  llornor. 

Judges. — Dean  Wolsteuholme,  Esq.,  London  ;  F.  Esqailant,  Esq., 
liO&don;  James  Miller,  Esq.,  Glasgow. 


ROY.VL    DUBLIN   SOCIETY'S    POULTRY   SHOW. 

Dkcember  8th,  !Ith,  and  10th. 

The  Sliow  of  ponltry  far  exceeded,  both  in  the  nnmbor  and  quality  of 
birds  exhibited,  any  of  its  predecessors.  330  pens  in  all  were  shown, 
and,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  prize  list,  a  considerable  number  came 
across  the  water  to  compete  for  the  laurels  in  the  Green  Isle. 

lu  ,Silivr-  Orel/  Ihniciiigs,  Mrs.  Warbnrtou  stood  first  with  a  pen 
that  could  hold  their  own  anywhere ;  the  same  may  be  said  of  her 
prize  pen  in  the  Coloured  class,  while  in  chickens  she  had  it  all  her 
own  way ;  the  second-prize  pen  in  the  old  Coloured  class  was  also 
very  good.  In  the  single  cocks  the  competition  was  very  close,  sixteen 
birds  of  first-rate  quality  beinR  shown,  but  the  honours  were  fairly 
won  by  Mr.  Barlow,  with  a  most  promising  yonng  bird. 

In  •'Spanish,  Miss  Douglas  Pennant  heads  the  list ;  the  quality  of 
her  birds  is  too  well  known  to  require  comment.  In  the  old  class 
Mr.  Cooper  stood  a  good  second ;  while  in  both  the  chicken  classes 
Miss  Drevar  showed  birds  which,  if  they  had  seen  as  many  months  as 
Mifls  Pennant's,  might  have  wrested  their  honours  from  them. 

The  BraJimas  came  to  the  front  in  great  force — forty-one  pens  in 
all.  Mrs.  Burrell  gained  most  honours  ;  next  came  Mrs.  Warliurtou 
and  Mr.  Boyle.  This  class  was  of  first-rate  quality,  and  by  its  num- 
bers augurs  well  for  the  prospects  of  these  deservedly  popular  birds 
in  this  country. 

Mrs.  Burreil  took  all  the  firsts  in  Cnchins.  The  cock  in  her  old  pen 
waa  notably  one  of  the  best  Bull  Cochins  we  have  ever  seen.  The 
title  to  second  honours  in  this  class  was  so  evenly  balanced  between 
Mr.  Staunton's  Partridges  and  Mr.  Znrhorst's  Whites  that  the  Judges 
determined  to  award  them  equal  seconds. 

In  (jume.  some  birds  of  the  true  type  were  shown.  Mr.  Staunton 
etood  first  with  a  beautiful  pen  of  Black  Reds  ;  while  Mr.  M'Clintock 
showed  a  nice  pen  of  chickens.  In  both  classes  of  llamhuriilts  the 
prizes  were  won  by  birds  of  real  merit ;  but.  on  the  whole,  there  was 
a  great  deficiency  in  the  markings,  tS;c.,  which  leaves  decided  room  for 
improvement. 

Of  Miss  De  Courcy  Drevar's  White-crested  fowl  we  cannot  speak 
too  highly  ;  they  could  hold  their  own  anywhere. 

In  French  fowl,  the  La  Fleche  were  but  poorly  represented,  al- 
though the  winners  were  of  fair  quality.  In  Creve-Cceurs  the  real 
contest  lay  between  Mr.  Cooper  and  Mr.  Zurhorst;  and,  although  the 
Judges  decided  in  favour  of  the  former  gentleman,  the  birds  of  the 
latter  were  by  most  thought  superior ;  however,  they  were  both  ex- 
ceedingly fine.  The  Houdans  were  well  represented  ;  Mr.  Pirn  taking 
first  with  a  vei-y  fine  pair. 

In  the  Variety  class  the  first  prize  went  to  a  good  pen  of  Silver- 
crested  Polonds ;  the  second  to  a  nice  lot  of  Sultans. 

Bantams  showed  pretty  fairly,  considering  that  this  is  the  first 
time  they  have  been  favoured  with  a  class ;  but  the  strong  points  of 
the  Show  were  the  Geese  and  Ducks  ;  of  the  former  there  were  twenty 
entries,  all  good ;  in  the  latter,  thirty-six.  Mr.  Williams  carried  off 
the  palm  for  Geese  and  Rouen  Ducks,  while  Mrs.  Burrell  stood  first 
in  Aylesbury.  The  Turkeys,  with  the  exception  of  the  cock  in  the 
first-prize  pen,  were  only  of  average  quality. 

The  show  of  Pigeons  was  small,  and  included  nothing  noteworthy, 
except  perhaps  a  pen  of  Ice  Pigeons  and  one  of  Isabels  belonging  to 
Mr.  M'Crea. 

The  arrangements,  &c.,  were  carried  out  by  Mr.  Andrew  Corrigan, 
the  Agricultural  Superintendent,  and  were  exceedingly  good,  especially 
when  wo  consider  that  the  entries  only  closed  six  days  before  the 
Show.     Subjoined  is  the  piize  list : — 

Dorkings  (Silver-Grey).— First,  Third,  and  Commended,  Mrs.  War- 
burton,  Kill,  Naas.  Second,  S.  Mowbray,  Killeany,  Mountrath.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  C.  Cooper.  Chickens. — First  and  Second,  Mrs.  Warburtou. 
Highly  Commended,  T.  Franks,  Mallow,  Commended,  Mrs.  Warburtou  ; 
S.  Mowbray. 

DoBKlNGS  (Coloured). — First,  Mrs,  Warburton  (Dark).  Second  and 
Third,  E.  P.  Williams,  Glasliun,  Clontarf.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs. 
Hay,  Co.  Cork.  Commended,  J.  C.  Cooper,  Chickens. — First,  Mrs.  War- 
burtou (Darki.  Second  and  Highly  Commended,  J.  C.  Cooper,  Limerick. 
Commended,  R.  P.  AVUiiams. 

Spanish.— First,  Hon.  Miss  Douglas  Pennant,  Penrbyn  Castle,  Bangor. 
Second,  J.  C.  Cooper.  Commended.  CJ.  A.  Stephens,  Dublin.  Cliickcns. 
— First,  Hon.  Miss  Douglas  Pennant.  Second,  Miss  De  Courcy  Drevar, 
Rose  Hill,  Blackrock,  Co.  Dublin.    Commended,  R.  P.  Williams. 

BBAHilA  PooTRA. — First,  Mrs.  Warburton  (Dark).  Second,  Hon.  J. 
Massey,  Limerick  (Dark).  Highly  Commended,  Mr.  Warburton  ;  Capt. 
Downman.  Commended,  J.  C.  Cooper.  Chickens. — First,  Mrs.  Burrell. 
Stoke  Park,  Ipswich.  Second,  R.  W.  Boyle.  Highly  Commended,  Hon. 
Miss  Douglas  Pennant,    Commended,  R.  W.  Boyle. 

Cochin-Chisas,— First,  Mrs.  Burrell.  Equal  Second,  F.  W.  Zurhorst ; 
C,  F.  Staunton,  Clondalldn  (Partridge-coloured).    Highly  Commended, 


F.  W.  Zurhorst.  Commended,  J.  C.  Cooper.  CJiicfefiu-Firat,  Mrs. 
Burrell.  Second  and  Highly  Commended,  F.  W.  Zurhorst  (White). 
Commended,  C.  F.  Stauutim.  j    t    n 

Game.— First,  C.  F.  Staunton  (Black.broastcd  Rods),  Second,  J.  U 
Cooper,  Highly  Commended,  C,  E,  M'Clintock,  Commended.  J.  O. 
Cooper  ;  Hon.  J,  Massey,  Limerick.  Chicken.^  —First,  C.  E.  M  OUutocl!, 
Randnlstown,  Co.  Antrim.     Second,  P.  W,  Zurhorst.  ,    ,    _    -, 

Uambohohs  (Pencilled).— First,  Mrs.  Burrell.  Second,  J.  C.  Cooper. 
HiRhly  Commended,  Hon,  J.  Massey.    Commended,  C,  E,  M'Clintock. 

Hambdrous  (Spangled).— First,  C.  E.  M'Clintock.  Second,  S.  Mowbray. 
Highly  Commended,  W.  Hehn,  Dublin.  Commended,  i.  Zurhorst;  O, 
Mowbray.  ,,,  ,„    .         ,   □« 

White-Chested  Black,  or  Black-Ckksted  White.— iirst  and  Se- 
cond, Miss  De  Courcy  Drevar  (White-crested  Black).  Highly  Com- 
mended, R.  P,  Williams;  J,  K.  Milner,  Dublin.  ,  ,      -  ,   . 

La  Fleche,— First,  J.  C.  Cooper.    Second  and  Highly  Commended. 

G.  A,  Stephens,  ,  „     ^  t\  ui- 
Houdans.— Fu-st,  F,  W.  Pim,  Greenmount,  Harold's  Cross,  Dublin. 

Second,  J.  C,  Cooper,  Highly  Commended,  Hon,  J.  Massey.  Commendea, 
Mrs,  Burrell ;  J,  C,  Cooper.  „    .,     ,.      »      /-.  ™ 

Creve-Ccedr.— First,  J.  C.  Cooper.  Second,  F.  W.  Zurhorst.  Com- 
mended,  J.  C,  Cooper, 

Any  other  Vakiety  not  CoMPETreo  in  the  Foreooino  Sections.-— 
First,  Mrs,  Burrell  (Silver-apangled  Polands),  Second  and  Commended, 
J,  C,  Cooper  (Sultans  and  Courto  Pntte><).  Highly  Cummondeil,  *•  "• 
Pim  (Silver  Polands) ;  Countess  of  Charlemont,  FairView  (Golden  tbea- 

Game  Bantams  (Any  variety).— First,  F,  W.  Zurhorst.  Second,  G.  F.  D._ 
Sutherland  (Black  Red).    Highly  Commended,F,  W.  Zurhorst, 

Any  OTHER  Variety.— First,  Mrs.  Staunton  (Black  Bantams),  beoona, 
Mrs,  G,  Perrin,  Loughlinstown  (Nankin  Bantams),  Highly  Commended, 
Mrs,  Clay  (White  Koso-combed  Bantams).  Commended,  F.  W.  Zurhorsl 
(Black  Bantams),  ™,  .   ,    ,    ^    ^ 

TDRKEV8,-First,  F.  W.  Zurhorst.  Second  and  Third,  J.  C.  Cooper. 
Highly  Commended,  L.  King,  Geashill.  Commended,  J.  C,  Cooper. 
Poi/(l»,— First  and  Second,  J,  C.  Cooper,  Commended,  S.  Mowbray. 
CocA,-First,  J,  C,  Cooper.  Second,  F.  W.  Zurhorst.  Commended,  J.  O. 
Cooper;  Hon.  J.  Massey.  ,  .,.1,.  j    M-a 

Geese  —First,  R.  P,  Williams  (Toulonse),  Second  and  TliirC^  Mrs. 
Warburton.  Highly  Commended,  J.  C,  Cooper.  Commended,  J.  Burlie  ; 
Hon.  J,  Massey,  _    tt-  vi     ^  « 

Ddcks  (Bouen),— First  and  Second,  R,  P.  Williams.  Highly  Com- 
mended,  R,  W.  Boyle ;  H.  M.  Barton,  Dundrum.  Commended,  S.  mow- 
bray;  J.  Barlow.  „  ,    t^    t^    tst-h- .«• 

DCCKS  (Aylesbury). -First,  Mrs.  Burrell.  Second  R.  P.  Wilhams. 
Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  Warburton.  Commended,  W.  Magrath;  Mxs. 
Warburton.  „ 

SINGLE   COCKERELS.  .   „    „         .^ 

Dorking.— First,  J.  Barlow,  Chapelizod  (Grey).  Second  W.  Magrath, 
Blesinton  (Silver-Grey).  Highly  Commended,  Mrs,  Warburton ;  S,  Mow- 
bray.   Commended,  J,  C,  Cooper;  T,  Felton,  Fair  View. 

Spanish,  —  First,  Hon.    Miss   D.uglas  Pennant,     Second,  MiSB  Da 

'^C^CHiN^CHmA.-First,  Mrs,  Burrell.  Second,  J.  K.  Milner,  Cherbury, 
Blackrock,  Co,  Dublin,  ,    ,    ^       ,       t-t i:« 

BRAHMA  PooTRA.-First,  Mrs,  Burrell,  Second,  J,  Bourke,  Stapolm, 
Baldoyle,  Highly  Commended,  Mrs,  Warburton;  G.  A.  Stephens;  Hon. 
Miss  D.  Pennant;  Major  Bacon,  Dublin.  ,    ,  r^  ^       „ 

La  Fleche.— First,  G,  A,  Stephens,  Dublin.    Second,  J.  C.  Cooper. 

HonoAN.-First,  Mrs,  R.  Clay,  Anglesey.  Second  and  Highly  Com. 
mended,  J,  C.  Cooper. 

Cbeve-C<ecr— First  and  Second,  J,  C.  Cooper, 

Game,— First,  J.  W,  Sutherland,  Carrickmines,  Co,  Dublin:    Seconi, 

F,  W.  Zurhorst,  Highly  Commended,  J,  C.  Cooper.  Commended,  C.  i. 
M'Clintock.  

Pigeons.— Carriers. —  Cocfc.  — Prize,  E.  M'Crea,  StiUorgan:  Hen.— 
Prize,  E,  M'Crea,  Tumtierj  (Any  breed),— First,  E.  M'Crea  (Kite),  be- 
cond  Mrs.  G.  Perrin,  fanlaiis,- First,  N,  Evans,  DuWin.  Second, 
Miss  Arthur.  Commended,  E,  M'Crea.  Any  other  rnriety  7iot  before  men- 
tioned.—Yirsi,  Second,  and  Third,  E,  M'Crea  (Siberian  Ice).  Com- 
mended, J.  Lloyd,  Cork  ;  E.  M'Crea. 

The  Judges  were  Messrs,  P,  H,  Jones,  of  Fulham,  London  ;  'W- G- 
Merry,  of  Blessinton ;  and  A,  Comyns,  jun.,  of  Glenageary,  Co< 
Dublin  ;  and  we  may  add  that  their  awards  gave,  with  few  exceptions, 
entire  satisfaction. 

LEEDS  POULTRY  SHOW. 

This  was  held  on  the  12th,  14th,  and  15th  inst.  The  following  iS 
tho  prize  list : — 

Game  (Black-breasted  Red).— First,  E.  Aykroyd,  Bradford.  Secondf 
R.  Booth,  Halifax,  Third,  T,  Lambert,  Silsden.  C?ii<-J:cn8.— First,  &• 
Moore,  Keighley.    Second,  E,  Aykroyd,    Third,  J,  RoUinson,  Otley. 

Game  (Brown-breasted  and  other  Red,  except  Black-breastedl,— tirst, 
M.  Graham,  Kendal,  Second,  W.  Bentloy,  Scholes,  Clcckhcaton.  Third, 
A,  K,  Briggs,  Bradford.  CTiickfiis.— First  and  Cup,  F.  Sales,  Crowle.  be- 
cond,  H.  Jowett,  Idle.    Third,  R,  Payne,  Brierfield. 

GA3IE  (White  and  PUes),— First,  R,  Butcher,  Chesterfield.  Second,  K. 
Turner.  Drigblington,  Third,  T.  I,  Sunderland,  Halifax.  Chtckms.— 
First,  H.  C.  &  W,  T,  Mason,  Drigblington.    Second,  R,  Butcher.    Third, 

G,  Pounder,  Kirby  Moorside,  „ 
Game    (Any  other  vorietv),— First,  W,  Boyes,  Beverley,    Second,  e. 

Avkroyd.  Third,  J,  Fortune,  Keighley.  CTiictcin,- First,  H.  Jowett, 
Leeds.    Second,  H.  C.  it  W,  T,  Moson,    Third,  D,  Ashworth,  Halifax. 

Dorkings  (Silver  Grev).— Third,  H.  Beldon,  Binsley.  CTiickens,- Furst, 
J,  Stott,  Rochdale.    Second,  Kev.  E.  S.  Tiddeman,  Brentwood, 

Dorkings  (Any  other  variety),— First,  H.  Beldon,  Second,  T.  Rogers, 
St,  Helen's,  Lancashire,  Third,.!,  Elgar,  Newark,  c;,;rlrtn.— First  and 
Cup,  J,  White,  Northallerton.     Second,  J.  Stott.    Third,  H.  Beldon. 

Spanish  —First  and  Cup,  Hon  Miss  Douglas  Pennant,  Bangor.  Second, 
H  Beldon  Third.  W.  A,  Taylor,  Mancliestcr,  CTiclfTU.- First.  H.  Beldon. 
Second,  Birch  &  Boulter,  ShefBeld,    Third,  W.  &  F.  Picknrd,  Thorner. 

Cochin-china  (Cinnamon  and  Bufi'^.-First.  W.  A,  Taylor,  Second, 
G.  H.  Proctor,  Durham.    Third,  J.  U.  Dawes,  Birmingham.    Chxckem.— 


472 


JOUENAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  Dccembor  17,  1868. 


Firet,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Second,  E.  White,  Sheffield.  Third,  C.  Sedgwick, 
Keighley. 

Cochin-China  (Any  other  Tariety).— First,  T.  M.  Derry.  Wiebeach. 
Second,  C.  Sedgwick.  Chicken/t. — First  and  Cup,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Second, 
E.  Shaw,  Oswestry.     Third,  R.  White. 

Brahma  Pootrah.— First,  E.  Leach,  Rochdale.  Second,  W.  Whiteley, 
Sheffield.  Third,  J.  Walkpr,  Kn  ares  borough.  Chickens. — First  and  Cup, 
E.  Leach.     Second,  Hon.  Miss  Douglas  Pennant.    Third,  W.  Whiteley. 

Hameurghs  (Golden-pencilled).— First,  W.  Harkcr,  Allerton,  Bradford. 
Second,  H.  Beldon.  Third,  S.  Smith,  Northowram.  Cfticfctrns.— First,  H. 
Beldon.     Second,  W.  Barker.    Third,  S.  Smith. 

Habtburghs  (Silver-pencilled).— First  and  Third,  H.  Beldon:  Second, 
J.  Walker,  KufirePborough.—  CftfcfccTw.— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  W. 
Pitts,  Bingley.     Third,  B.  Bee,  Preston. 

HAMBURons  (Golden-spangled).— First.  G.  Pounder,  Kirby-Moorside. 
Second,  H.  Beldon.  Third,  J.  S.  Senior,  Dewsbnry.  Chickcm'.— First  and 
Cup,  J.  Ogdcn,  Manchester.  Second,  F.  Greenwood,  Rochdale.  Third, 
T,  May.  WolviThampton. 

Hamburohs  fSilver-spnngled),— First  and  Second.  H.  Beldon.  Third. 
J.  Walker.  Chickens.— First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  T.  Robinson,  Baildon. 
Third,  J.  Walker. 

Hambdbghs  (Block).— First,  C.  Sedgwick,  Keighlev.  Second.  H.  Beldon. 
Third,  S.  Butterfleld,  Keighley.  Ckickens.— First,  Mason  &  Walker,  Man- 
chester.   Second,  H.  Beldon.    Third,  F.  Fitton,  jun.,  Oldham. 

Polands  (Any  variety).— First.  J.  S.  Senior.  Second  and  Third,  H. 
Beldon.    C^t> ten*.— First  and  Third,  H.  Beldon.    Second,  J.  S.  Senior. 

Farmyard  Cross,  or  any  other  Variety  kot  Previously  Classed. 
—First,  H.  Beldon.  Second,  R.  Loft,  Beverley.  Third,  J.  J.  Waller, 
Kendal. 

Selling  Class.— First,  J.  Berry,  Silsden.  Second,  W.  A.  Taylor. 
Third,  C.  Sedgwick. 

Bantams  (Blaok).~First,  B.  E.  Riley,  Halifax.  Second,  H.  Beldon. 
Third,  Tomkins  &  Tuckey,  Bristol. 

Bantams  (White).— First,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Second,  8.  &  R.  Ashton, 
Cheshire.     Third,  W.  H.  Toralinson,  Newark. 

Game  Bantams.— Cup,  First,  and  Third,  J.  Crosland,  Jan.,  Wakefield. 
Second,  W.  J.  Bamber,  Accrington. 

Bantams  (Any  other  vnriety).— First,  T.  C.  Harrison.  Hull.  Second,  T. 
Burgess,  Brighouse.    Third,  J.  Wilkinson,  Tyeraall  Hall. 

Turkeys.- First  and  Second,  J.  B.  Braithwaite,  Northallerton.  Third, 
Col.  St.  Leger,  Rotherhara. 

Geese  (White).— First,  E.  Loach,  Rochdale.  Second,  J.  B.  Braith- 
waite.    Third,  S.  H.  Stott. 

Geese  (Grey  and  Mottledi.— First,  E.  Leacb.  Second,  Lord  Wenlock, 
Escrick  Park.     Third,  S.  H.  Stott. 

Ddcks  (Aylesbury).- First,  E.  Leach.  Second,  G.  A.  Crewe,  Derby. 
Third,  J.  Hutchinson,  Cowling,  Crossbills. 

Ducks  (Rouen>.— First.  J.  Dixon,  Bradford.  Second,  J.  J.  Waller. 
Third,  J.  White,  Wakefleld. 

Docks  (Any  other  variety).— First,  J.  Dixon.  Second,  T.  C.  Harrison, 
Hall.    Third,  H.  Beldon. 

Couple  op  Dress  hd  Fowls  for  the  Table,— First,  H.  Dowsett, 
Chelmsford.    Second,  W.  Ward,  Leeds. 

Dressed  Turkey.— First,  W.  Ward.    Second,  W.  Hobson,  Leeda. 

SINGLE    COCKS. 

Game  (Any  description).— First,  W.  Spencer,  Haworth.  Second,  E. 
Payne,  Burnley.    Third,  W.  Boyes,  Beverley. 

Dorking  (Any  description).— First,  Hev.  G.  Hustler,  York.  Second,  J. 
White.    Third,  J.  F.  Newton,  Kirby-in-CIeveland. 

Spanish.— First,  M.  Tumbull,  jun.,  Melrose.  Second.  J.  Newton. 
Third,  H.  Beldon. 

Cochin-China.— First,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Second,  C.  Sedgwick.  Third, 
J.  H.  Dawes,  Birmingham. 

Brahma  Pootra.  — First,  E.  Leach.  Second,  Hon.  Miss  Douglas 
Pennant,  Bangor.    Third,  J.  F.  Newtoo. 

Hamrurghs  (Any  variety).— First,  Hepworth  &  Coldwell,  Holmfirth. 
Second,  B.  Bee,  Preston.    Third,  W.  H.  Bently. 

PIGEONS. 

Carriers.— First  and  Cnp,  E.  Walker,  Leicester.  Second,  E.  Horner, 
Harewood.  Highly  Commended,  E.  Walker  ;  G.  Chamley,  Preston  ;  F.  J. 
Leach,  Middlesborough  ;  J.  Chadwick,  Bolton. 

Pouters.— First,  C.  Cowbum,  Leeds.  Second,  E.  Homer.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Hawley,  Bingley  ;  W.  C.  Dawson,  Otley  ;  J.  T.  Lishman, 
Bradford. 

Tumblers  (Short-faced).  —  First,  J.  Hawley.  Second,  F.  J.  Leacb. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Hawley;  C.  Cowbum;  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt, 
Epworth  ;  T.  Rule,  Durham  ;  F.  J.  Leach. 

Tumblers  (Any  other  variety).— First,  J.  Fielden,  Rochdale.  Second, 
J.  Hawley.    Commended,  W.  Lund,  Shipley  ;  F.  J.  Leach. 

Owls. — First,  J.  Fielden.  Second.  W.  C.  Dawson.  Highly  Commended, 
J.  Fielden;  J.  Chadwick  ;  J.  T.  Lishman. 

Fantails.— First  and  Second,  T.  C.  &  E.  Newbitt.  Highly  Commended, 
J.  Hawley ;  H.  Draycott,  Leicester  ;  J.  Hawley.  Commended,  W.  R. 
Park,  Melrose. 

Barbs.— First,  F.  J.  Leach.  Second,  E.  Homer.  Highly  Commended, 
E.  Horner  ;  J.  Firth,  Dewsbury. 

Turbits.— First,  K  Patterson,  Melrose.  Second,  W.  R.  Park.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Thompson,  Bingley;  J.  A.  Naylor.  Commended,  J. 
Thompson  ;  J.  Hawley  ;  S.  S.  Simpson. 

Jacorins. — First  and  Second,  C.  Cowbum.  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Thompson.    Commended,  J.  Hawley. 

Trumpeters.  —  First,  E.  Horner.  Second,  S.  Robson,  Erotherton. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Firth  ;  E.  Horner  ;  F.  J.  Leach. 

Nuns.— First,  F.  J.  Lishman.  Second,  Miss  F.  Easten,  Hull.  Highly 
Commended,  W.  Croft,  Killinghall,  Yorks ;  F.  J.  Leach;  J.  A.  Naylor. 
Cemmended,  H.  Yardley. 

Dragoons.— First,  W.  Moore,  Keighlev.  Second,  J.  Baxendale.  Highly 
Commended,  C.  Cowbum  ;  R.  Murshull,  Manchester  ;  S.  Smith,  Keigbley  ; 
J.  Chadwick,  Bolton  ;  E.  BuLterworth,  Nantwich  ;  R.  Wilson. 

Antwekph. —First  and  Second,  W  Lund,  Shipley.  Highly  Commended, 
E.Horner  ;  J.  Hawley  ;  J.  Crosland,  Waiieneld  ;  J.  Wilkinson,  Bradford  ; 
W.  H.  Mitchell.     Commended,  J.  S.  Senior. 

Magpies.— First,  E.  Horner.  Second,  F.  J.  Leach.  Highly  Commended, 
E.  Horner.     Commended,  W.  C.  Dawson  ;  J.  Lishman. 

Any    OTHaa    Variety.- First,  W.  C.  Dawson.    Second,  H.  Draycott. 


Highly  Commended,  J.  Hawley ;  W.  C.  Dawaon ;  H.  Yardley;  H.  Draycott 
J.  T.  Lishman  ;  J.  Trenam.    Commended,  E.  Horner;  W.  Shaw,  York. 
RABBITS. 

Yellow  and  White,  and  Tortoiseshell.- First,  F.  Stainbum,  York. 
Second,  T.  Ingham,  Leeds. 

Black  and  WHITE.—First,  C.  King,  London.    Second,  J.  Bison. 

Selfcolourrd. — First,  R.  Dobson,  York.    Second,  H.  Yardley. 

Grey  and  White.- First  and  Silver  Medal,  J.  Ingham.  Second,  C. 
King. 

Doe  and  Young  Ones  {the  young  ones  to  be  under  one  month  old,  of 
any  variety). — First,  S.  Hardcastle,  York. 

Mr.  Edward  Hewitt,  Birmingham,  and  Mr.  Richard  Teebay, 
Preston,  were  the  Judges  ior  Poultry ;  Mr.  James  Dixon,  Bradford, 
for  rUfCons ;  and  Mr.  A.  Cattley,  of  York,  for  Rahhits. 


THE  ASHFORD  and  EAST  KENT  POULTRY 
SHOW. 

The  gale  of  the  5th  inst.  severely  tried  the  huge  canvas  erections  in 
which  a  large  portion  of  the  poultry  and  animals  for  the  above  ex- 
hibition had  by  the  close  of  the  evening  been  penned.  Men  were 
watching  the  marquees  all  night,  and  notwithstanding  that  one  or 
two  breaches  were  made  in  the  canvas  all  was  kept  secure  until  morn- 
ing, by  which  time  the  gale  had  abated.  On  Sunday  evening,  how- 
ever, the  wind  again  arose,  and  by  eleven  o'clock  a  perfect  hurricane 
was  blowing  from  the  south-west,  and  soon  the  Cattle  Show  bnilding 
began  to  yield  to  the  pressure  npon  it,  and  in  the  course  of  a  short 
time  the  canvas  was  blown  to  ribbons,  and  the  beams  were  broken  and 
destroyed.  The  Poultry  Show  building  stood  longer,  but  at  last  that, 
too,  succumbed,  and  the  canvas  and  internal  gear  being  blown  abont, 
every  now  and  then  knocked  down  and  broke  the  pens,  liberating 
many  of  the  birds,  so  that  occasionally  from  fifty  to  a  hundred  were 
running  abont  at  one  time.  Mr.  G.  Foord,  the  Secretary  of  the  Shows, 
with  Dr.  Beet  and  other  gentlemen  of  the  town,  who  had  been  called 
up,  exerted  themselves  to  the  utmost  to  get  the  birds  out  of  the  ex- 
posed pens,  and  secure  those  which  were  running  loose.  The  birds 
were  replaced  in  hampers  and  boxes  and  conveyed  to  the  Com  Ex- 
change for  shelter.  The  roof  of  a  booth  containing  the  Geese  and 
Turkey  classes  was  blown  down  entire,  and  the  canvas  fell  on  the 
pens,  so  that  the  birds  had  to  be  got  out  from  underneath.  In  the 
morning  the  place  was  a  scene  of  complete  devastation,  and  it  seemed 
doubtful  whether  a  show  of  Poultry  could  take  place,  whatever  efforts 
might  be  made  to  repair  the  damage.  The  energy  of  the  Secretary, 
Mr.  George  Eoord,  and  of  the  managing  committee,  was  quite  equal 
to  the  occasion. 

The  Corn  Exchan^^e  directors  having  at  length  yielded  consent  to 
the  Poultry  Show  being  held  in  their  building,  the  committee  and  s 
number  of  zealous  inhabitants  of  the  town  set  vigorously  to  wort  to 
make  the  necessary  arrangements,  and  notwithstanding  the  mixing  np 
of  birds,  the  destruction  of  tickets,  and  the  great  labour  involved  in 
removing  and  setting  in  order  the  pens,  what  seemed  a  well-nigh 
herculean  task,  was  accomplished  by  six  o'clock  in  the  evening  to  a 
sufficient  extent  to  allow  of  the  public  being  admitted. 

Of  course,  any  praise  bestowed  on  either  of  the  shows  founded  on 
the  little  there  was  to  bo  seen  on  the  Saturday  night  would  be  absurd, 
as  a  large  portion  of  the  exhibits — and  those  the  most  valuable  portion 
of  them,  could  not  be  inspected  until  Monday  evening.  The  great 
accession  sent  to  the  Poultry  Show  by  Miss  Hales,  in  particular,  did 
not  arrive  until  Saturday  night.  On  Tuesday,  however,  it  was 
apparent  that  but  for  the  unfortunate  occurence  above  described  the 
exertions  of  the  managers  of  the  Show  would  have  been  attended  with 
a  larger  amount  of  success  than  ever  before  rewarded  their  exertions. 

We  should  state  the  judging  did  not  take  place  until  Tuesday.  A 
meeting  of  the  Committee  was  held  in  the  morning  to  decide  what  was 
best  to  be  done  under  the  circumstances.  It  was  resolved  that  an 
endeavour  should  be  made  to  keep  faith  with  the  public,  and  in  all 
cases  where  the  birds  were  mixed  together,  the  entrance  money  should 
be  returned.  Awards  were  made  in  each  class,  although  in  one  or  two 
instances  the  second  or  third  prizes  could  not  be  given,  owing  to 
doubtful  ownership. 

Dorkings  (Coloured).— First,  F.  Kipping,  Moat  Hall,  Maidstone.  Se- 
cond, J.  B.  Pluratre,  Gondnestone,  Wintihnm.  Third,  Miss  Hales,  Canter- 
bury. Highly  Commended,  W.  Stutfield,  Mystole,  Canterbury.  Chickens. 
— First,  C.  Havers,  Ingatestone,  Essex.  Third,  F.  Cheeseman,  Chart 
Court  Lodge.  Highly  Commended,  J.  B.  Plumtre.  Cocks.— First,  Miss 
Hales.  Second,  F.  Cheesman.  Highly  Commended,  W.  Stutfield  ;  F.  W. 
Pittock.  Sellindge. 

Dorkings  (White).— First,  W.  Dring,  Faversham.  Second,  —  Cobb, 
Faversham. 

Spanish.- First,  —  Jenner,  Lewes.  Second,  E.  Corke,  Maidstone. 
Chickcm.— First,  P.  H.  Jones,  Fnlham,  S.W.  Second,  E.  Corke.  Highly 
Commended,  Miss  Hales.    Cocfc.— Prize,  E.  Corke." 

CocHiN-CniNA. — First,  Finn  &  Curling,  Faversham.  Ciimmended,  J. 
Eiggeuden,  East  Peckham;  Miss  Hales  ;  Miss  Pittock,  Sellindge  ;  W.  F. 
Harvey,  Chartham. 

Beahma  Pootra,— First,  E.  Lawrence.  Brentwood,  Essex,  Second,  W. 
Dring,  Faversham.     Commended,  Miss  Hales. 

Game  (Black  and  Brown  Reds).— First,  S.  Matthew,  Stowmarket.  Se- 
cond and  Third,  J.  Jeken,  Eltham,  Kent.  Commended,  A.  Wickham, 
Wye;  Rev.  G.  Rayner,  Tunbridgc  ;  C.  F.  Hore,  Tunbridge.  Cliickens.— 
First,  J.  Jeken.    Second,  S.  Matthew.    Third,  T.  G.  Ledger.  Folkestone. 

Game  (Any  other  vnriety).  —  First,  Miss  Hales.  Second,  J.  Bing, 
Wickham  (White).  Chickens.— First,  S.  Matthew  (Duckwinged).  Se- 
cond, E.  Rice,  Sandwich  (Dnckwinged).    Highly  Commended,  Lord  8t. 


Dooember  17, 1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF  HORTIOOLTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


478 


Vincent,  Dodraershftm  Park ;  Miss  Hnles.  Cocks. — First,  J.  Jeken.  Se- 
cond, Minn  Haltvi  (Bliiek  Rod),  iiij^hly  Commended,  J.  Bayley,  Aahford ; 
R.  J.  8unkoy,  liaatinRloi^b. 

Hamiiuhuus  (dold  or  Silver-spnnKlod).  —  First,  Itov.  R.  A.  Roylo 
Wimbledon.  Second,  F.  Kipping,  Maidatono.  Third,  MissM.  A.  Pittock 
Scllindf^o. 

HAMUURtiHS  (tiold  and  Silvor-pencilled). — First,  W.R.  Ticknor,  Ii)swich. 
Second  and  Coiumeaded,  W.  Ij.  Pomborton.    Tbird,  Miss  Hales. 

Polish.— First,  H.  W.  llootbby,  Loath,  Lincolnshire.  Second,  Miss 
Holes.    Hifihly  Commended,  P.  JI.  .Jones. 

CB^VE-CoinR.— First,  Col.  Stuart  Wortloy.  Rosslyn  House,  Gruvo  End 
Road.    Second,  W.  Drinp,  Favorsham.    Third,  K  J.  Saukey,  Hastinlcinli. 

HoouANS. —First,  Col.  Stuart  Wortlcy,  Second,  Rev.  F.  Scott,  Shepherds- 
well  Vicarage,  Dover.    Third.  F.  Elliot,  Dymcburcb. 

Bantams  (Gold  and  Silver-laced).— First,  Miss  Hales.  Second,  MissM. 
E.  Court,  Saltwood. 

Bantams  (Black.  White,  or  any  variety).- First,  H.  M.  Maynard,  Ryde, 
lale  of  Wight  (Black).  Second,  G.  Ware,  Frant,  Sussex  (Frizzled). 
Highly  Commended,  K.  G.  Norris,  Wye  (Japanese). 

■  'Gaue  Bantams.— First,  Rev.  G.  Rayner,  Tonbridgo.  Second,  Miss 
Hales. 

Docks  (Aylesbury\ — First,  E.  Lawrence,  Brentwood,  Essex.  Second, 
C.  Havers,  Inpatestone,  Essex.  Highly  Commended,  Miss  Hales  ;  W.  F. 
Harvey,  Clmrthani. 

Ducks  (Koueu).— First,  F.  Parlett,  Baddow,  Chelmsford.  Second,  W. 
Statfield. 

Geese. — First,  T.  Barton ,  Lenham.    Second,  Mrs.  Powell,  East  Lenbam. 

Tdrkeys.— First,  T.  Harvey,  Ash,  near  Sandwich.  Highly  Commended, 
J.  Barnard,  Hempated  Park. 

Ant  other  Distinct  Variety. — First,  R.  Noble,  Canterbury  (Pilkie). 
Second,  Col,  Stuart  Wortley  (Frizzled).  Highly  Commended,  Hiss  Hales 
(Andalusiaus  and  Sultang).  Commended,  G.  M.  Norris,  Wye  (Japanese 
Bantam).  • 

PiOEONS.—Garrii^rs,— Second,  F.  Elgar,  Sandwich.  Pouters.— Vvize,  W. 
F.  Harvey,  Chartham.  Tumbipra.— Second,  K.  Elgar,  Sandwich.  Fantails. 
First,  H.  M.  Maynard.  Second,  Miss  Hales.  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Burch,  Canterbury.  Turftiti.- First,  J.  Bowes,  Heme  liay.  Second,  Mies 
Hales.  Any  otiier  Variety. —First,  F.  T.  Hnlke,  Deal  (Black  Barbs).  Se- 
cond. Miss  Hales  (Bagadotten).  Commended,  G.  Ware,  Frant  (Manod)  ; 
Miss  Hales  (White  African  Owls  and  Spanish  Runts). 

Judge.— W.  B.  Tegetmeier,  Esq.,  London. 


TREDEGAR  POULTRY   SHOW. 

Thi3  was  held  at  Newport,  Monmouthshire,  on  the  15th  and  16th 
iast.     We  have  only  space  this  week  for  the  following  list  of  awards  : — 

Gaub  (Black  or  Brown-breasted  Reds).— First  and  Cup,  J.  Fletcher 
Stoneclough,  Manchester.  Second,  H.  Loe,  Appuldurcombe,  Isle  of  Wight' 
Third,  W.  Bradly,  Severn  Navigation,  Worcester.  Highly  Commended' 
J.  P.  Gardiner,  Stonohouse,  Hugeley ;  H.  Waller,  Beversljrook  Farm,  Calne* 
Wilts.     Commended,  Rev.  C.  T.  Salisbury,  Tredunnoc,  Rectory,  Newport' 

Game  (Any  other  variety). — First,  E.  Winwood,  Worcester.  Second,  H. 
Loe.  Third  and  Commended,  W.  Dunning,  Newport,  Salop.  Highly 
Conmiended,  G.  Cole,   Soa   Side,  Llanelly.    Commended,  W.  Bra(iley. 

Spanish. — First  and  Cup,  J.  R.  Rodbard,  Wrington,  Bristol.  Second,  J. 
Stephens,  Walsall,  Staflfordshire.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Ace,  Yatalyfera, 
Swansea. 

Dorkings  (Any  variety). — First  and  Commended,  R.  H.  Nicholas,  New- 
jWTt.  Hi;^hly  Commended,  H.  J.  Evans,  Cardifl";  Rev.  A.  K.  Cornwall, 
Bencombe,  Dursley.     Commended,  T.  Ace. 

CocHiN-CmNA  (Any  variety!.— First  and  Cup,  -T.  R.  Eodbard.  Second, 
J.  Stephens.  Third,  H.  Hobson,  Walsall,  Staffordshire.  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  Wilcox,  Oswestry;  Miss  J.  Milward,  Newton  St.  Loe,  Bristol ; 
J.  Gardiner,  Bristol. 

BRAHMa  Pootra  (Light).— First,  W.  J.  Cradock,  Maindee,  Newport. 
Sacond,  U.  M.  Maynard,  Uolmewood,  Ryde,  Isle  of  Wight. 

Beahma  Pootra  (Dark).— First,  W.B.  Etches,  Whitchurch,  Shropshire. 
Second,  Rev.  J.  Bowen,  Llangorse  Vicarage,  Talgarth,  Hereford.  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Stephenson,  Oxford  ;  Mrs.  AUsop,  Worcester. 

Hamburghs  (Gold  pencilled).— First,  J.  R.  Jessop,  Hull.  Second,  H. 
Pickles,  jun.,  Enrby,  Skipton,  Yorkshire.  Third,  F.  Pittis,  jun.,  Newport, 
Isle  of  Wight.  Highly  Commended,  J.Harcombe  ;  J.  Walker,  Haya  Park, 
Knaresbrough.  Commended,  J.  Harcombe,  Newport ;  J.  Pearson,  Alberton, 
Bradford,  Yorkshire. 

Hamburghs  :  Silver-pencilled).— First  and  Cap,  J.  Walker.  Second,  F. 
Pittts,  jun.,  Newport.  Isle  of  Wight. 

Hamburghs  i  Gold-spangled).— First,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  Second,  J. 
Pearson.  Third,  N.  Marlow,  Denton,  Manchester.  Highly  Comuiended, 
S.  &R.Ashton,  Mottram,  Cheshire ;  W.  Bradly.  Commended,  J. R.  Jessop, 
Hull;  F.  Pittis,  jun. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-spangled). —First,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  Second,  F. 
Pittis,  jun. 

PoLANDS  (Any  variety). — Third,  Mrs.  Blay,  Worcester.  Commended, 
E.  M.  Hutchins.  Gold  Tops,  Newport. 

HouDAss.— First,  H.  M.  Mnyoard.     Second,  Mrs. Blay. 

Any  other  Feench  Vauiety. — First,  Mrs.  Llewellin,  Bridgend.  Se- 
cond, C.  Homfray.  Glen  Uske,  Caerlcon, 

Game  Bantams.— First.  H.  Loe.  Second,  T.  Davies,  Newport.  Highly 
Commended.  J.  Buckley.  Llanelly,  Carmarthen  ;  E.  Payne,  Cardiff.  Com- 
mended, W.  Lewis,  Abergavenny;  F.  W.  Barfoot,  Newport j  J.  Laming, 
Cowhm-n,  Spalding,  Lincolnshire. 

Bantams  (Hlack— clean  legged).— First  and  Cup,E.  Cambridge,  Bristol. 
Second,  S.  &  R.  Ashton.  Highly  Commended,  R.  H.  Nicholas,  Newport; 
H.  M.  Maynard.     Commended,  E.  Cambridge,  Bristol. 

Bantams  (White— clean  legged ).— First  and  Second,  T.  Davies,  Newport. 

Bantams  (Any  other  variety).— First,  T.  Davies.  Second,  G.F.Hodaou, 
Bridgwater.     Highly  Commended,  T.  C.  Harrison,  Hull. 

Any  other  Distinct  Breed.  —  First,  Miss  M.  Walker.  Denton, 
Manchester.  Second,  Fourth,  and  Seventh,  K.  H.  Nicholas.  Third,  Mrs. 
Llewellin.  Fifth,  Miss  M.  Walker.  Sixth,  J.  Hinton,  Hintun,  Bath. 
XJommended,  Miss  M.  A.  Barfoot.  Newport. 

Guinea  Fowls.— First.  Hon  F.  C.  Morgan,  Newport. 

Ducks  (AylcyburyJ.— First,  E.  Jones,  Newport.    Second,  Right  Hon. 


Lord  Tredegar,  Newport.     Commended,  Rov.  C.  J.  B.  Walkey,  lilantrisseat 

Vivarago,  Newport. 

Docks  (Itouen).  -First,  H.  Garsod,  Pontryeh.  CardifT.  Second,  H.  J, 
Evans,  Cardiil'.  Highly  Commended,  J.Cloud,  Monmouth,  Commended, 
W.  Cooper,  Aborgavouay. 

Ducks  (Any  other  variety).— First,  T.  C.  Harrison,  Hull.  Second  8.  and 
R.  Anhtou.      Highly  Commended,  F.  C.  Morgan  ;    Kov.  W.   Sorjeantaon, 

Geksb.  —  First,  Mrs.  Ailsopp,  Woreoster.  Second,  H.  btephenaou. 
Highly  Commended  and  Commended,  Hon.  F.  C.  Morgan. 

Turkeys. — First,  Miss  J.  Milward,  Newton  St.  Loe.  Recond,  Ijord 
Tredegar,  Newport.  Third,  H.  J.  Eviius,  CarditF.  Commended,  Hon.  F.  0. 
Morgan,  Newport ;  R.  Stallard,  Dranllwyn. 

Selling  Class  (for  Fowls).— First  and  Third,  R.  H.  Nicholas  (Polandfl 
and  Japanese  Silkies).  Second,  J.  Buckley,  Llanelly  (Dorkings).  Highly 
Commended,  R.  H.  Nicholas  (Silver-spangled  Hamburghs);  C.  Edwards, 
Pillgwoully  (Silvor-apangied  Hamburgba) ;  Rov.  J.  Bowen,  Llangorse 
Vicarago,  Taluartb  (Brahma  Pootra) ;  Miss  J.  Milward  (Coohiu-China) ; 
J.W.Junes,  Malpas  (Black  Red  Game);  J.  Skinner,  Kemys  Inferior, 
Cacrleon  (Dorkings) ;  Mrs.  Gordon-Canning,  Hartpury  (Dorkings)  ;  G.  S. 
Sainshury.  t^'omiuended,  G.  Corps,  Newport  (Aixlalusians) ;  J.  Skinner 
(Silver-pencilled  Hamburghs) ;  C.  Lyne,  Bryn  Uyfrid,  Newport  (Dorkings). 

Selling  Class  (for  Ducks). — First,  E.  tibaw,  Plas  Wilmot,  (Aylesbury), 
Second,  J.  M.  Kilvert,  Ludlow  (Indian).     Tbird,  G.  Thompson,  Tregroee, 
Bridgend  (ludian).     Highly  Commended,  Rev.  C.  J.  E.  Walkor,  Llantris- 
sent  Vicarage,  Newport  (Aylesbury).    Commended,  G.  S.  Sainabury. 
SWEEPSTAKES   FOR   COCKS. 

Dork  in  o.— Prize,  Mrs.  Gordon-Canning. 

Game.— First,  G.  S.  Sainsbury.  Second,  J.  W.  Jones.  Highly  Com- 
mended, E.  Payne,  Cardiff. 

Cochin-China. — Prize,  E.  Shaw. 

Game  Bantam.— First,  E.  C.  Phillips,  Venny  Vach,  Second,  J.  Buckley. 
Highly  Commended,  E.  Payne. 

Any  other  Variety. — Prize  Messrs.  J.  J.  &  R.  Bodmer,  Gold  Tops, 
Newport  (Silver-spangled  Hamburgh). 

PIGEONS. 

Carriers— First  and  Second,  J.  C.  Ord,  Lupus  Street,  London.  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Yardley,  Birmingham;  C.  Bulpin,  Bridgewater.  Com- 
mended, H.  Yardley. 

Pouters.- First,  C.  Bulpin.  Second,  H.  Draycott,  Homberstono.  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Yardley. 

Tumblers. — First  and  Second,  J.  Fielding,  jun.,  Boohdalo.  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Yardley, 

Fantails. —First,  H.  Draycott.  Second,  S.  Hunt.  Highly  Commended, 
H.  Yardley ;  J.  E.  Breward.     Commended,  Rev.  W.  3.  Shaw,  Bath. 

Any  other  Variety.— First,  J.  E.  Breward  (Black  Swallows).  Second, 
S.  Hunt  (Magpies).  Third,  H.  Draycott  (Toys).  Highly  Commended, 
H.  Yardley;  H.  M.  Maynard;  C.  Bulpin;  H.  Vaughan  (Dragoooa  and 
Jacobins). 

Judge. — Mr.  E.  Hutton,  Pndsey,  Leeds. 


DISQUALIFIED  PIGEONS  AT  THE  BIRMINGHAM 
SHOW. 

On  my  arrival  home  this  morning  from  visiting  the  Glasgow 
Columbarian  Society's  Show  I  found,  as  naual,  my  Journal  on 
the  dining-room  table.  On  looking  over  the  contents  most  inter- 
eating  to  me  I  waa  surpriaed  to  see  a  letter  signed  "  Censor," 
condemning  me  in  rather  too  strong  language  for  doing  what 
others  have  done,  to  my  knowledge,  for  the  last  four  years  at  the 
Bingley  Hall  ShDw.  For  example,  in  1866  there  was  a  pair  of 
Short-faced  Black  Mottled  Tumblers,  exhibited  by  a  gentleman 
occupying  a  high  position,  which  gained  a  first  prize.  One  of 
the  birds  was  dyed  on  the  head  ;  this  became  apparent  the  day 
after  the  prizes  were  awarded,  from  the  bird  drinking  frequently, 
which  showed  the  face  and  round  the  eyes  to  be  white.  One 
of  the  judges'  attention  was  called  to  the  fact  by  an  exhibitor; 
he  merely  said  if  he  had  been  aware  of  it  they  should  not  have 
had  a  prize.  The  same  pair  of  birds  was  shown  in  1867  in  a 
similar  condition,  and  gained  a  second  prize.  At  the  same 
show  there  was  a  Black  Pouter  exhibited  which  had  been  dyed  ; 
it  was  detected  by  an  exhibitor  who  this  year  has  been  appointed 
a  judge.  These  artifices  were  on  every  occasion  passed  over 
without  a  single  comment  being  made  public  by  either  the 
judges  or  visitors  to  the  show. 

X  quite  agree  with  "  Censor  "  that  the  system  of  trimming, 
dyeing,  or  matching  birds  of  the  same  gender  for  the  sake  of 
gaining  an  award  is  mean  and  despicable  in  the  extreme,  but 
where  is  the  living  fancier,  including  *'  Censor,'*  who  never 
trimmed  a  bird  for  exhibition — in  bo  far  as  paring  a  wry  beak, 
cutting  a  hook  bill,  and  plucking  a  foul  feather  from  the  bird? 
which  I  hold  is  as  much  an  offence,  virtually,  as  painting  or 
dyeing.  It  is  done  with  the  same  intention — namely,  to 
deceive. 

As  I  have  already  said,  I  have  jnst  returned  from  the  Colum- 
barian Show  at  Glasgow.  I  there  saw  several  birds  which  had 
undergone  a  similar  process,  but  by  the  bauds  of  mure  skilful 
artists,  which  rendered  detection  more  difficult.  I  am  perfectly 
aware  two  blacks  will  never  make  one  white,  but  why  should  I 
be  set  up  as  a  target  for  ridicule  when  others  are  equally  guilty  ? 
However,  I  am  somewhat  pleased  that  the  castigation  falls  on 
my  shoulders,  as  I  venture  to  say  it  shall  be  borne  with  less 
wincing  than,  perhaps,  by  any  other  gentleman  in  the  fancy. 


474 


JOTJBSAL  OF  HQEXICOLmRE  AM)  COTTAGE  GAEDEKEB. 


[  DaoeaikerlJ,  len. 


Were  I  debarred  from agmiaAoTrasg as  "  C  t^rs^r's"  wishee.  I  eionld 
n:s  ss  ill  be  azmojed  at  the  &et,  for  I  have,  before  to-4aT,cnde 
cp  mj  miitii.  with  ace  or  tvo  eieeplioss  assnallv.  not  tc  show 
BT  biris  s^iin.  as  I  forttmateiv  possess  some  of  the  beet  faxi^ 
ol  their  iini  in  the  iiBgdom,  and  consequently  priza  them  too 
Bach  to  hark  them  afaoot  the  oaanxzj  bom.  one  shov  to 
■nnfliw  for  the  eake  of  mlrinc  •  suae,' or  gettiag  gain,  as  I 
BCKcr  altered  the  Sanej  with  End  intentxais. 

I  hesrulv  wish  I  nsav  be  the  last  mieezeant  thought  aeeeEsary 
to  be  bTOQgi>i;  before  the  publie  for  soeh  piaetieeE,  bat  am 
lancii  afraid  scet  will  not  be  the  tase. 

In  ecnilasioa.  I  as  scrrr  "  Cessos  "  has  not  pnblidy  given 
kis  name  ^ui  addiesE.  for  I  hare  a  great  arersiaB  to  notiee 
wiwrtF  fcoa  eenOemea  i^  vi&hoU  their  niBieB. — A.  £L 
SlBir.ux.  U4,  r^K  Street,  Birmtghtm. 

[This  letter  proT'es— if  proof  were  neeeesary — that  the  eon- 
tiziked  ptffsiee  of  am'Sfe  dolls  the  conseienee  until  arti£ce  is 

yibj  dil  Ifr.  EUiBMt  dye  or  point  his  hrnis  ?  Either  to 
vin  a  prize  whiri:  he  iauw  they  were  sot  entitled  to  «in 
sateiaDy,  or  to  obtain  from  a  pordiaEer  a  price  be  knew  that 
paretiScT  wc^Ii  not  iire  if  not  deeeived  by  the  painting. 

Xcw,  we  Sii  ilr.  Stewart — ws  ask  anjcne  who  dc«s  the 
ssiEc,  cr  who  ad^  pted  icy  snch  artifise — is  it  not  endeayxmiing 
to  obtsin  mcney  by  false  pretenres  ? — Eds.;; 


PIGEON-JUDGDsG  AT  BIKinXGHAiL 

I  xaxsz  "Fossiusss"  is  wrong  lUiongh  I  hare  not  my 
eatal;,j::6  by  me  ,  when  he  states  the  work  was  too  hea^  for 
&e  Pigeon  Jwigee,  and  he  woadmeJ  hov  they  managed,  the 
three  haring  to  j^i^e  120  pens  more  than  last  year.  T^iia 
year  I  beii=Te  the  entries  in  the  Figecos  were  lees  by  aboat 
lOO  pens  titan  Ust  year,  when  three  did  the  work,  and  I  con- 
fess feli  toler^""' '  I'  the  ferrish.     He  eompfaiBs  cf  Messrs. 

Bidpcth  an:"    "  having  tco  mtieh  in   -tiigicg  abont 

235  pens.  I  ^^;  __- from  hiaa here.  For  years  ilr.  Cottle 
ana  myself  have  jodged  many  more  pens  :  at  "the  same  time  I 
am  well  pleased  that  the  Coimeil  saw  nt  to  appoint  two  mere 
Jodges,  as  itatiU  leares  plstty  to  do  for  eadi,  thoegh,  I  think, 
not  too  much. 

I  shall  hav;  ;.  -  ._  '  j^nre  in  informing  ■■F;B.i:GSZ3""  how 
the  work  wi-  led.    We  took  the  wh:!e  namfcer  cf 

entries,  and  i- ._,=  as  nearly  as  p.TesioIe  into  two  e<jnal 

psrts,  wherenpcn  Mr.  Cottle  and  myself  cfered  to  take  either 
half.  Messrs.  Eiipe^h  and  Esjnilant  ehose  their  rcrticn.  and 
we  took  the  ether :  b^  I  tan  say  that  both  Mr.  Cottle  and  my- 
self wonld  raSher  have  had  the  other  half,  though  we  only  had 
Hie  Afaaoods,  Carriers,  and  Pocters.  There  were  drteen  classes 
to  jndes  ahogeOer.  and  two  silver  medals  to  award  in  the 
FaatecB.  I  mention  thi5,  as  '■  Foeeic-s-es  ""  has  asked  the 
gaa^iim .  and  I  wish  as  mneh  ss  possible  that  the  pnbli*  shotild 
laDwbow  eTErythirg  is  or  was  managed,  and,  to  the  best  o: 
qnr  ability,  with  ail  tsimess.  We  hsTs  notiing  to  bide,  nor,  I 
keHcTc,  anythir  s  to  be  ashamed  cf.  And,  as  I  have  said  before, 
I  am  only  too  pleased  tc  be  able  to  give  the  req^iired  information 
to  '•  Foi£iGyi3,"  who  p-ts  his  c^istionso  ecnrteonsly — by  the 
Wij,  almost  ci  a  postscript  to  his  very  excellent  article  on  the 
F^eoes  at  England's  great  Shew. — HisEKOS  Wete,  WeirUi^k, 
Breaeiiey,  K€Tst. 

■WAXES  SHEETS. 

^  Aficcia"  in  his  aaewec  to  my  last  letter  iriie  page  393  . 
has  made  some  stateraaits  so  remarkable,  that  for  the  benefit 
d  Has  retSezs  ci  '-oar  Jomnal,''  as  veil  as  cf  himself,  I  feel 
eaUed  upon  to  reply. 

In  the  first  place  I  beg  to  in&a^  Mm  that  sheets  of  tmecnal 
thiikress  are  the  rssnits  cf  had  veriaBSBship.  It  is  tme  that 
chance  holes  will  be  fcrasd  in  in^ressed  sheets,  bet  in  plain 
ones  they  resemble  thoee  <rf  •  weaver  whom  I  krew.  who 
wrocght  a  piece  of  cloth  with  many  holes  in  it.  A  £ne  of  6^. 
bong  demandsd  for  rrery  hole,  he  iaqnired  what  wonjd  be 
leqiiired  for  cne  hole.  Only  "  Saacfeaee,"  was  the  reply  ;  when 
Sse  wesTer  instantly  rent  the  sef&al  h(des  into  one.  "  There. 
noo,''  said  he.  "  se  saxpeoee  iH  dae  boo."  So  is  it  the  same 
with  the  bees,  in  piain  sheets  they  gnaw  their  msrj  holes  into 
ooe,  aad  make  sbcat  wad:  of  thftn  I  do  not  think  it  worth 
while  to  say  more  ca  the  st^erimity  of  the  impressed  sheets 
orer  the  p^ain  cnes,  since  "  A3tcoij.'s  ""  own  statement  felly 
•ccdoss  it,  and  I  can  resdily  i«e  how  hs  has  been  deceived  by 


the  bees  building  worker  instead  cf  drone  comb,  although  it 
is  not  for  me  to  explain  why  it  is  so. 

I  regre:  thai  '•  Api>xi_i  "  cannot  undertake  to  snpply  me 
with  waxen  sheets  at  aboat  the  price  for  which  he  says  they 
can  be  made,  ss  I  cannot  a:  present  purchase  wax  for  leas  thaa 
?.'.  per  Lb.,  althcuih  I  have  usually  bought  it  at  from  It.  M. 
to  2s.  I  do  not  know  what  has  caused  the  rise  in  price,  bat 
this  is  certain,  that  wax  is  just  now  in  great  demand. 

As  all  sheets  that  I  have  seen  sent  cut  by  Messrs.  Xei^- 
boar.  as  well  as  those  made  by  myself,  weigh  from  f onrteeB  to 
eighteen  to  the  poimd.  this,  with  wax  at  ti.  to  3^.  per  lb.,  will 
give  abottt  iJd.  to  2i<i.  each  for  wax  alone. 

Althon^  I  m^  claim  the  honour  cf  being  the  first  to  in- 
trodwee  asd  mannfaetnie  these  sheets,  and  have,  perhaps, 
made  more  than  any  one  eise  in  Scotland,  I  most  say  that  I 
cannot  at  aU  approach  the  rpeed  which  "  Ar:opt_i "  descrtbea. 
He  is  certainly  alsoinerrjr  when  he  describes  waxen  sheets  as 
running  thirty  to  the  pound ;  and  to  settle  the  dispute.  I  beg  to 
say  that  all  sheets  I  have  seen  from  Messrs.  Keighboor  and 
those  made  by  myself,  measuring  12}  by  '{  to  Ti  imdieE, 
weigh  aboot  sixteen  to  the  pound,  and  I  herewith  rwrlnon  two 
pieces,  each  of  them  Being  abont  the  eighth  part  of  a  whole 
sheet,   for  the  purpose  of   being  weighei  —  A  LA>-iSXSsiEE 

;The  '-two"  pieces  of  wax  had  multiplied  to  an  almost  in- 
dfiinite  number  by  the  time  they  reached  us.  By  collec:ing  and 
caiefally  wmehing  the  fragments  we  were,  however,  enabled  to 
ascertain,  that  supposing  the  whole  of  them  to  make-np  one- 
fonrth  cf  a  sheet,  it  would  take  exactly  sixteen  of  such  sheets 
to  weigh  a  pound.  We  have  also  examined  the  impressed  t»ax 
sheets  sent  out  by  Messrs.  Xeighbcur.  which  are  of  Germaa 
manufacture,  and  are  imported  by  them  from  the  Contin^tl 
These  measure  10  inches  wile  by  7{  deep,  and  run  abont 
twenty-three  to  the  poand. ; 


OUB  LETTER  BOX. 

Omaiii  Oais  (7.  JCnimii.— Oatmeal  is  B>a«i7  the  flcmr  <J  oats,  tfae 
kna  iMnc  koBcd  frsB  it.  Groocd  «tE  have  none  o!  the  Ins  sepuxted. 
Oats  crocAed  as  ^ir  faocse-feedis^  wx]a3d  be  seasij  cf  qviie  as  good  lor 
lamis  asil  coapietaif  grooad. 

Kocs  zv  Fowx.^  Teboat  fHiwAayiey). — ^It  mar  szise  li«iii  tite  vazialife 
«<€atke7.  Gire  the  Ioms-Jb  a  Jsttle  bamA  soaJEed  ia  aie  oace  dlau j  dazinp 
tfa«  wirt^. 


PisEOTS  iPshma].—Jbtcii  the  BhM  Boldlieafe,  tnt  w4  fte 
Bisek  zai  Blae.  i=  the  eaSamr  wowld  be  qiote  apoilfidL  These  woald  he  a 
gccd  chirct  cf  iheir  vcong  twmblmg. 

PtACB  PDR  KsHPcsi  PiCEmra  'S.E.T.  >r.i.— l£aie  the  place  ss  warm 
CB4i  £iee  tiozz.  jT^ngh;  as  pa^3h2e,  and  70a  may  succeed  with  z  few 
h3^v  t±ri5.  We  recodijiend  joa  to  keep  Ttnmpet&s.  espenallv  as  yoa 
have  as  cje  to  She  tai?^  For  a  IcH  accoost  o£  Fancr  Pigeons  and  their 
trtaliaent^  f:c.i.  4c™  we  advise  y^a  to  obtain  Breot'?  **  Pigeon  Book,**£ree 
fr<?in  OCT  c£ire  tot  twazrv  stamps  Wait  till  the  sarfrg  b^oce  job  he^B 
Fisecii-iti^iiig. 

Fiez^^fs  <  C«rr  liu'. — Drageose  vciild  s«nt  foo,  thev  are  baMUhj,  pretty, 
and  cha  ' .  axd  leood  nver^.  Well-fed  Pigeons  nevo-  hozt  a  gard^i.  Pneea 
vvrv.  hwt  a  m.»»u  wg?^  btiv  voa  a  good  fttir  tset,  of  eaosEe,  lar  «^i- 
fessaec).  at  asy  Pigeoa  shop^    We  makearnleiioft  iDivciaaaMaddealaaU 

PiEEo-E  SxiF-ptuccED  (,Jfrii<t).—\feiBawxo  cettasi  B«^  «(  C^^f 
a  parrot  o!  pitickici  oS  its  Jeithers  if  is  has  been  in  the  habit  of  doing  so 
arv  IcEgth  cf  time.'  It  is  cacscd  by  aa  imiatioa  in  the  skim.  AaSmai 
food,  or  tcythiag  grtasy.  -rrt'-  tr  =  ?!izhtest  portioc  of  salt  ift  it,  sodt  ae 
fcstter,  win'  produce  an'-r  :  induce  the  bird  to  ^oek  Ub 

leathers.    Give  it  a  gc-:  1  :  ~ater  ercfT  otlier  ^y,  aaiag 

a  walsxsg-rot  with  a  r::  r  -   -  ine  ca@e  b^ore  tte  fize — aot 

too  near — for  the  tird  s,:'  Lirj  U5^  J  :  zsn-g  a  doth  over  the  cage  to  jai  li  af 
jzs  titV^q-  cold.  Give  it  canary  seed,  bread  soaked  is  wat^r,  aad  a  co^le 
.-f  sTTx-aTi  i-hnipg  i»,TTy  •  also  Gtits,  hiscaxt.  apple,  potsto  botled.  and  B  OEWBt 
cf  bread.  occ3sicBa!Iy  soaked  is  war^  tea  ^withotrt  any  laalk).  Flaoe  ic 
the  cage  a  Urge  pan  hi  water  ix  is  so  bathe,  also  a  stick  of  wood,  wbicb 
win  anmse  she  bird. 

5LL5AGEH3T  OF  ScPKES. — "Tn  sjiswerto '  AJB.'s-'iEqmry.iupa^flJtaiy 
experiaLCe  teaches  me  that  when  &  hive  o£  bees  has  dUed  aB  its  a;Taz]aUe 
space,  and  there  i£  h-^Bey  abroad,  they  win  at  oice  enter  any  space,  and 
rV--3^h  airy  ap^rtnre  that  piay  be  giitji  to  fhesi.  I  have  sees  thww  come 
ctrtsida,  and  wcrhccmb  tmder  the  board,  asd  last  year  I  was  called  to  look 
at  a  krve  etaaiiBS  in  an  fi^  ri  fmnrrd  heehosse,  w^ich  was  working  xntder 
a  Idd  hi  an  aid  sa^k  A3>vs  over  the  Mve,  asd  on  its  removal  there  were 
ceariy  £n>e.  sf  fiae  faneydepaEited  aBfheeide  of  fheslEep.  -A.B.'s' 
hives  t>i<t  swarmed  had  conrmiaieedzaiaiig  4Heeas  before  being  snpered. 
Bees  wig  Itt  o^  ia  warwt  weatlier  when  they  have  spare  room  mFfdp,  Mj 
«Ti»i«-»  is  that '  A-  B.'s '  bees  dU  not  enter  the  ssperg.  sinipiy  beeaaae 
their  hives  w^e  sot  fiSed  ia-idr.  and  they  therefcge  never  needed  fktam. 
The  he&t  wodd  zaahe  the  Isves  ]£ok  fuller  than  they  were,  and  last  pear 
the  bees  had  e&on^  to  do  at  ^rrr*^  so  provide  fcx  the  daily  < 
—J.  W." 


Fr3fGrs  oy  Gcxn  i-iFS  -'tr.  E.  H.". — They  win  to  a  c 
clear  €t€  she  fnscns  if  a  layer  cf  smd  is  as  the  botscaa  of  the  wmiex.  We 
>wJ^<=Tr<=  that  if  kept  warmer  there  ■=-.3cld  be  no  fungus.  It  is  certain  that 
ifcc  :ish  change  fr;=i  a  cclien  :■:•  a  black  cctoar  becaose  the  water  is  too 
ceil.  If  is  i=  &£]^  as  a  teinperasme  cf  frczn  6a-  to  VJ',  the  golden  colotir 
returns. 


December  H,  186a  1 


JODRNAL  OF  HOP.TICDLTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENEB. 


473 


WEEKLY   CALENDAR. 


D«T 

Day 

of 

of 

Month 

Week. 

24 

Th 

25 

F 

26 

S 

27 

Sua 

2H 

M 

29 

Td 

30 

W 

DECEMBER  24-3J,  1S68. 


ATerase  Temperature  ^^t*° 
near  Loadon.  ,i  „,_  i 

il  years. r 


Son 

Rises. 


Son 
Sets. 


Moan 
Rises. 


MOOQ 

Sets. 


Chkisthas  Day. 


Royal  Horticnltoral  Society,  Promenade. 

1   SUSDAV  ATTEK  CHaiSTMAS. 

Iksocests. 


I  Day. 

43.6 

I  43.3 


43.3 
43.0 
42.5 
43.5 
41.7 


Kight. 

31.4  I 

29.3  I 

31.2  I 
29.7  I 
29  5  1 

33.3  i 
32.0  I 


Mean. 

Days. 

37.5 

17 

36.3 

9 

37.2 

15 

35.3 

14 

36.0 

12 

3S.4 

19 

333 

16 

m.      h.i 
7al8 
7      8  I 


m.    b.  ■ 

54  a!  3 

55  3 


ra.    h. 
13  af  1 


8  I  53 


37 

7 

43 

26 

22 

23 


m.  h 
45  af  1 
53      2 


IS 
25 
31 
31 


Moon's 
Age. 


Days. 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
O 
16 


Clook 

before 

San. 


Day 

of 

Tear 


859 
360 
361 
862 
363 
364 
86S 


From  observationa  taken  near  London  dTirin?  the  last  forty-one  years,  the  average  d.^iv  temperatnr*?  of  the  weekia  43.4' ;  and  its  iili?Iit 
temperatore  30  9  .  The  gre.ite3t  heat  was  53',  oa  the  25tli,  1327  ;  and  23tb,  1S53  ;  and  the  lowest  cold  1"  below  zero,  on  the  23th,  1860. 
Xhe  greatest  fall  ot  rain  was  0.62  inch. 


CHPJSTJLiS. 

E  remember  tlie  choms  of  an  old  Carol  was 
somewhat,  or^altogether,  thus — 

"  Hail,  Father  Christmas  I  hail  to  thee  ! 
Honour'd  ever  shalt  thou  be  ! 
All  the  sweets  that  love  bestows, 
Endless  pleasures  wait  on  those 
"Who,  like  vassals  brave  and  tme, 
Give  to  Christmas  homage  due." 

Now,  we  shall  do  our  best  to  pay  that 
homage  to  the  utmost — we  shall  eat  aU  the 
appropriate  eatables  and  drink  all  the  appropriate  drink- 
ables, and  bum  a  Yule  log  on  the  very  evening  of  the  day 
that  this  is  published,  and  we  shall  wish  '  A  IMerry  Christ- 
mas" to  ■every  one,  beginning  at  those  nearest  and  dearest 
to  us,  down  to  those  most  remotely  dear  to  us — namely, 
those  who  are  intending  to  enrol  themselves  among  our 
subscribers. 

Now,  among  those  subscribers,  we  are  gladdened  by  know- 
ing that  we  have  many  artisans  and  labourei"s,  and  among 
these,  in  a  little  cottage  on  a  slope  of  the  Mendip  Hills,  lives 
one  who  introduced  himself  by  saying,  '"  My  cot  is  my  own. 
I  gave  up  beer  and  tobacco  whilst  very  young,  and  my  in- 
tended wife  added  to  mine  her  savings  until  we  could  buy 
this  cot  :  and  now  we  are  married,  and  we  delight  in  beau- 
tifying our  HOME. '  What  a  word  of  power  is  that !  Why 
do  not  more  such  men  exist  among  us — why  do  not  more 
men  have  such  wives  and  such  homes  ?  We  will  reply  by 
publishing  the  following,  written  and  sent  to  us  by  one 
who  is  now  one  of  England's  most- esteemed  and  well-to-do 
gardeners,  and  whose  own  right  hand,  and  clear  head,  and 
kind  heart  have  helped  him  up  the  ladder  of  Ufe. 

"  Whilst  the  inmates  of  some  working-men  s  homes  are 
now  rejoicing  over  their  roast  beef  and  plum  pudding — 
thanks  to  their  own  prudent  foresight,  or  the  kindness  of 
others — let  us  have  a  few  minutes'  converse  on  the  rather 
unsatisfactory  condition  and  the  prospects  of  the  labourer. 
And,  first,  we  tliink  this  has  been  owing  to  a  disrelish  for 
general  intelligence,  a  want  of  'push,'  and  too  great  an 
attachment  to  mere  locality.  For  these  evils  the  Poor  Laws 
and  the  law  of  settlement,  with  all  their  advantages,  have 
something  to  answer.  Young  people  were  afraid  to  leave 
their  parish.  There  was  something  like  a  horror  in  the 
thought  of  missing  the  ringing  of  the  church  bells,  to  which 
parents  and  grandparents  had  listened. 

"  The  change  in  the  law  of  settlement  and  a  cheap  press 
are  already  doing  wonders.  Young  men  will  not  loiter  at 
home  oa  parish  allowance  :  and  local  booksellers  tell  that 
the  great  bulk  of  the  serials  circulating  among  the  house- 
holds of  labourers  are  mostly  of  an  informing  and  better- 
ing character.  Every  energetic  man  who  leaves  the  neigh- 
bourhood where  labourers  are  too  abundant,  will  make  it 
better  for  those  who  remain  behind.  The  worst  of  this 
manfully  going  away  is  that  it  is  always  the  most  intelli- 
gent and  energetic  that  go  :  the  lethargic  and  the  indolent 
could  never  make  a  way  for  themselves,  and  they  will  act 
wisely  by  staying  at  home. 

•'  Secondly,  the  unsatisfactory  condition  was  often  pro- 
duced by  a  deficiency  in  self-respecting  independence  of 

Xo.  IM.— Vol.  SV.,  Kew  Se?jxs. 


character.  With  aU  its  advantages,  the  Poor  Law  did 
something  to  promote  this  deficiency.  It  was  greatly 
added  to  by  a  custom  that  obtained  of  paying  single  men 
and  married  men  difierently.  We  have  known  a  stout 
active  young  man,  and  a  first-rate  workman  when  he  liked, 
receiving  about  two-thirds  of  the  wages  given  to  a  poor 
weakly  married  man,  because  he  had  a  wife  and  so  many 
children.  Was  this  any  inducement  to  a  young  man  to 
put  forth  his  strength  and  energies  ?  Did  it  not  hold  out 
an  inducement  to  contract  even  an  impnident  union,  so 
that  his  wages  might  be  raised  in  consequence?  No 
better  plan  could  be  devised  for  souring  everything  like 
independence  of  leeling  out  ot  a  man.  Not  long  since  we 
were  told  that  of  women  employed  in  a  hay  field,  the  single 
women  were  paid  one-fourth  less  than  those  who  were 
married  I 

"  Then  some  good-meaning  people,  who  gave  low  wages, 
made  a  sort  of  compromise  with  their  conscience  by  giving 
doles  of  charity  at  certain  times.  We  have  seen  women 
and  men  trooping  ofi'  to  get  these  doles,  sometimes  a  six- 
pence or  a  shilling,  and  wasting  more  time  than  would  have 
enabled  them  to  earn  wliat  was  given  to  them.  No  plan 
could  be  more  efiectual  to  smother  all  self-respect. 

•'  A  great  change  has  taken  place  for  the  better.  Many 
just  go  on  as  before — run  to  the  relieving  officer  and  the 
parish  doctor  whenever  there  is  the  least  trouble  with 
themselves  or  their  families.  There  is  a  vast  difi'erence  in 
parishes  and  unions  in  this  respect,  and  when  people  axe 
receiving  fair  wages,  there  is  a  propriety  in  not  letting 
them  have  what  they  want  in  this  case  too  easily  when 
they  are  a  few  days  ofi"  work.  But  a  great  many  of  our 
best  labourers  vrill  not  resort  to  any  such  help,  except  at 
the  last  extremity,  and  when  thoroughly  forced  to  do  it 
They  have  doctors'  clubs  on  various  plans,  but  snpported 
entirely  by  themselves.  Generally  each  member  pays  so 
much  a-year.  Then,  in  connection  with  such  clubs,  or 
independent  of  them,  there  are  friendly  relieving  societies, 
from  which,  in  cases  of  illness,  members  draw  out  so  much 
a  week,  in  proportion  to  what  they  pay  in,  taking  care, 
however,  that  the  sum  shall  be  below  rather  than  above 
the  usual  weekly  wages  of  the  member. 

"  Notwithstanding  post-office  savings'  banks  and  annui- 
ties, these  societies  will  long  be  favourites  with  the  humbler 
working  classes,  and  help  to  constitute  the  sinew  and  back- 
bone of  an  honourable  self-respect.  Gentlemen  and  all 
employers  of  labour  will  find  it  to  be  their  interest  to  en- 
courage them  ;  for  nothing  is  so  efi'ectual  for  keeping  down 
poor  rates  in  a  district.  No  better  thoughtful  kindness 
could  be  exhibited  than  giving  a  present  to  the  funds,  and 
advising  the  members  to  have  their  rules  and  regulations 
referred  to  and  approved  by  Mr.  Tidd  Pratt.  Labotiring 
men  who  would  not  be  interfered  with  by  another  work- 
man, or  by  employers  of  labour  not  so  much  above  them, 
would  be  proud  of  the  counsel  and  advice  of  the  snuire  or 
gentlemen  in  the  neighbourhood. 

"  Another  cause  of  this  unsatisfactory  condition  is  to  be 
found  in  the  want  of  prudent  forethought.  Let  a  man 
only  sink  into  apathetic  indifference,  and  believe  he  can 
scarcely  be  worse  oft",  and  a  great  effort  will  be  required  to 

>'o.  lOM.— To!..  XL.,  Oi.i>  Shpjxs. 


47G  JOURNAL   or.  EQETICDL^UBE  , AND   COIIAPE   GAEDENER.  [  December  2i.  1868. 


make  liim  think  prudently  of  the  future.  He  becomes  a  hand- 
to-mouth  man,  luxuriates  when  -waiies  are  good  and  employ- 
ment ample,  and  exists  as  best  be  can  when  circumstances  are 
otherwise.  The  presence  or  the  absence  of  this  prudence  just 
makes  all  the  difference  very  often  between  a  happy  and  a 
cheerless  home,  between  substantial  furniture  and  a  rickety 
four-footed  stool,  between  going  to  church  and  chapel  clothed 
in  broadcloth,  and  going  there  or  nowhere  with  a  shabby  fustian 
coat  or  smockfrock,  concealing  what  is  worse  beneath  it. 
Examples  of  such  contrasts  may  too  often  be  seen  among  those 
who  work  at  similar  labour,  receive  the  same  wages,  have 
simiUr  homesteads,  and  are  situated  very  much  the  same  as 
respects  their  families.  In  the  one  case  there  is  making  the 
most  of  everything,  thinking  of  the  future,  and  much  self- 
denial  as  to  the  present.  In  the  other  the  present  is  every- 
thing— thriftless  improvidence  rules,  and  then  in  the  hour  of 
misery  the  blame  is  laid  on  everybody  and  on  everything  except 
the  right  quarter. 

"  Dressing  respectably  on  Sunday  is  almost  as  good  a  test  of 
self-respecting  industry,  as  seeing  nice  healthy  plants  in  a 
cottage  window  is  an  evidence  that  yon  will  find  thrift  and 
comfort  inside.  Some  of  our  sisters  in  humble  life  may  go  to 
an  extreme  in  flaunting,  flashy,  worthless  finery,  in  imitation  of 
the  si'.bstantial  finery  of  those  high  in  station.  In  this  we 
might  take  a  lesson  from  the  women  in  the  French  provinces, 
who  dress  as  their  grandmothers  did,  and  never  attempt  in 
this  respect  to  imitate  the  aristocracy  any  more  than  they 
would  attempt  to  imitate  tbem  in  the  furnishing  of  their 
houses.  On  this  subject  we  would  press  lightly,  believing  that 
the  beautiful  has  its  mission,  and  that  after  all  flaunting, 
tawdry  finery  is  better  than  flying  rags.  Prudence,  however, 
would  say,  That  where  means  are  not  abundant,  the  sub- 
stantial rather  than  the  mere  showy  should  be  fixed  upon. 

"  Thoughtlessness  generally  culminates  in  early  improvident 
marriage.  Strange,  but  not  the  less  true,  the  most  improvident, 
the  most  poor. — those  who  themselves  have  teen  dragged 
through  poverty  into  a  miserable  existence,  rather  than  reared 
and  nouiisbed,  are  the  first  to  marry — the  first  to  entail  the 
same  wretched  dragging-np,  if  possible,  system  upon  their  off- 
spring. Does  it  come  from  the  yearning  of  the  human  heart 
to  have  something  living  that  it  can  call  its  own — the  feeling 
that  prompts  the  old  woman  who  lives  but  scantily  in  a  cellar  or 
garret  in  London  to  keep  her  cat  or  kitten,  and  stint  herself  of 
the  daily  halfpenny  to  the  cafsmeat  man  ?  Even  in  the  depths 
of  poverty  there  is  a  pleasure  in  having  something  we  can  call 
onr  own.  Early  marriages  are  the  most  natural,  and  always 
to  be  commended  when  contracted  with  prudence.  We  have 
no. faith  in  the  reality,  and  the  strength,  and  the  continuance  of 
a  love  that  never  thinks  of  what  will  bo  the  position  as  to  com- 
fort of  the  loved  object.  Many  of  these  marriages  though  so 
early,  are  yet  too  late  to  meet  the  requirements  even  of  social 
morality.  ^Yhen  a  boy  and  girl  thus  marry — for  they  can 
scarcely  be  considered  otherwise  when  not  out  of  their  '  teens  ' 
— and  tenant  a  small  place  of  their  own,  they  may  get  on  by 
mutually  resolving  to  succeed  by  self-denial,  even  if  they  have 
little  to  furnish  their  house  with,  except  themselves.  But  woe 
betide  such  a  young  couple  when,  from  mistaken  kindness,  they 
are  taken  in,  and  continued  as  residents  in  the  home  of  either 
of  their  parents.  There  is  ft  great  temptation  to  perpetuate  past 
imprudence  in  continuous  improvidence,  and  bitterly  do  they  feel 
it  when,  with  greatly  augmented  responsibilities,  they  are  ulti- 
mately turned  out,  to  commence  an  unprepared-for  housekeep- 
ing cu  their  own  account.  Great,  also,  is  the  outcry  when  there 
is  anything  like  a  general  clearing  out — gentlemen,  landlords, 
fkimers,  every  one  is  blamed,  except  those  who  have  brought 
such  misery  on  themselves  by  improvidence  and  selfindnlgence. 
Were  we  to  be  swayed  by  some  newspaper  writers  we  should 
come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  groat  duty  of  a  gentleman 
landlord  is  to  bnild  cottages  on  his  estate  as  fast  as  the  people 
on  that  estate  increased  and  multiplied.  Nothing  is  to  be  con- 
sidered as  to  the  landlord's  ability  or  wulingners,  nothing  as  to 
the  qr.estionnblo  propriety  of  collecting  great  numbers  of  people 
iri  one  neighbourhood,  whilst  the  remunerative  labour  could 
well  be  performed  by  the  half  of  such  a  population. 

"We  have  met  with  several  instances  in  which  landlords 
have  erected  model  cottages  in  model  villages,  with  every 
necessary  adjunct  for  comfort  and  decency  for  moderite-siz»d 
families,  and  given  the  possession  on  the  terras  that 'such 
cottages  were  to  be  inhabited  solely  by  themselves ;  and  yet, 
quietly  and  gradually,  first  one  couple,  aud,  perh.ip?,  anothir 
wou.ld  be  admitted,  until  there  were  two  or  three  families,  or 
parts  of  families,  in  the.  rooms  inlendbd  for  cue:. and  whan 


fever  and  other  ailments  visited  such  overcrowding,  and  doctors 
threatened  and  remonstrated,  dire  was  the  outcry  when  there 
was  something  like  a  general  clearing  out— we  say  general, 
because  in  many  cases,  rather  than  the  interloping  younger 
branches  should  turn  out  alone,  the  old  father  and  mother 
would  turn  out  with  them.  It  would  have  been  truer  kindness 
to  have  had  more  frequent  inspections,  and  to  have  insisted 
on  the  primary  conditions  of  tenure.  It  is  pleasant  for 
parents  to  have  their  children  about  them,  but  in  this  conn- 
try  it  is  rare  that  the  highest  in  rank  can  indulge  this  natural 
feeling.  The  humblest  may  well  imitate  their  example,  and 
scatter  and  settle  where  work  is  most  plentiful  and  most 
remunerative.  The  crowding  in  cottages  is  not  only  injurious 
to  the  healthy  action  of  body  and  mind,  but  from  the  great 
competition  ever  lowers  the  wages  of  labour,  and  renders  these 
wages  uncertain.  We  may  mourn  over  all  such  ills,  and  cannot 
but  admire  the  charity  which  in  such  circumstances  gives  its 
help  ;  but  chiefly,  and  above  all,  do  we  reverence  and  love  that 
prudent  kindness,  which,  without  overlooking  present  needs, 
chiefly  aims  at  helping  the  labourer  to  become  his  own  best 
and  most  efficient  helper. 

"Lastly,  the  unsatisfactory  condition  of  the  labourer  is  some- 
•;vhat  owing  to  the  want  of  a  due  stimulus  to  exertion  in  the 
hope  of  attaining  a  better  and  more  comfortable  social  position 
in  the  same  kind  of  employment.  We  have  alluded  to  the 
C-im forts  a  farm  labourer  may  posse3s  when  he  takes  into  his 
council  prudence  and  self-denial ;  but  in  the  same  calling  or 
occupation  he  can  hardly  expect  such  a  rise  in  social  position 
as  was  open  to  his  grandfather,  or  even  father.  The  happy 
plough  boy  that,  whistling  cheerily,  '  drove  his  team  a-field,' 
could  live  on  in  the  hope  of  having  a  little  farm  and  team  of 
his  own.  We  can  recollect  scores,  if  not  hundreds,  of  little 
farms,  some  with  their  pair  of  horses,  some  with  one  horse, 
and  some  with  no  horse  at  all,  but  hiring  to  plough  the  bit  of 
land  ;  but  the  tenants  had  a  lot  of  cows  and  pigs,  and  they  kept 
a  rough  but  plenteous  home,  such  as  many  a  plough  boy  saw  in 
his  dreams,  would  be  occupied  by  him  and  his  loved  one  when 
they  had  saved  enough  between  them.  With  few  exceptions 
all  such  hopes  now  would  be  vain.  It  is  saddening  to  visit  the 
old  places,  aud  to  be  unable  to  find  a  trace  of  the  foundations  of 
the  homesteads,  in  which  in  our  early  days  we  had  feasted  on 
new  milk  and  curds  and  whey.  It  is  neither  our  intention  nor 
our  province  to  enter  upon  the  consideration  of  doing  away 
with  small  farms,  and  uniting  them  into  larger  ones,  but  no 
doubt  can  len'ain  as  to  its  effect  in  damping  exertion  and 
prudent  economy  on  the  part  of  youthful  agricultural  labourers. 
It  should  never  be  forgotten  that,  however  faithfully  and  con- 
scientiously a  man  may  labour  for  another,  it  would  not  be 
fair  to  expect  that  he  would  labour  as  thoroughly  for  wages  as 
he  would  do  for  himself,  thus  receiving  all  the  benefits  and 
proceeds  of  his  labour.  Even  the  hope  of  this  will  nerve  to 
toil,  whilst  the  dissipating  of  the  hope  will  tend  to  depress 
and  enervate. 

"  If  there  is  but  little  chance  of  a  farm  however  small,  there 
is  less  chance  of  purchasing  as  much  land  as  would  supply 
labour  and  support  a  family.  From  causes  which  we  need 
not  linger  over,  such  as  the  difficulties  about  conveyancing  and 
titles,  the  fact  that  land  is  property  that  cannot  run  or  melt 
away;  that  its  possession  gives  a  certain  social  position,  and 
furnishes  the  means  for  sport  and  recreation,  it  can  rarely  be 
obtained,  and  especially  in  small  quantities,  at  less  than  double 
its  natural  value.  Some  pieces  of  laud  were  lately  sold,  situated 
two  or  three  miles  from  a  small  market  town,  and  with  nothing 
particular  to  recommend  them  in  any  way,  aud  yet  brought 
fully  upon  an  average  £100  per  acre,  wliilst  the  annual  rental 
of  the  land  surrounding  it  was  from  20.,.  to  M)s.  per  acre.  The 
possession  of  a  bit  of  land  is,  thorofoie,  but  seldom  to  be  hoped 
for  by  a  labourer  however  prudent,  and  thus  another  $tim.ulijs 
to  persevering  exertion  is  removed.  ,  -,  ,; 

"What  then  remains?— not  depression;  not  desponclencj; 
not  the  ever  grumbling  of  the  idle;  not  the  complaining  and 
bawling  for  help  of  the  self-indulgent  aud  slothful;  not  the 
crying  for  others  to  do  what  you  ought  to  do  for  yourself.  No ! 
these  will  do  little  for  you;  but  the  contented  enjoyment  of 
those  blessings  «  hich  even  now  industry,  anil  prudence,  and  self- 
denial  will  give  ;  or  the  studying  and  preparing  yourselves  'tjtf 
act  as  geueral  managers  of  farms,  or  hud  stewards  to  gentl|^-. 
men;  or  the  taking  your  energy  aud  acquired  intelligence. td 
bear  on  the  rich  virgin  soils  of  oui-  culoniss  and  the  western^ 
hemisphere,  where,  for  clever  agriculturists  more  especially, 
there  is  almost  a  voj'ld  of  fiilds  and  meadows  for  the  taking 


December  34, 


■I 


jouRWihi'l)#  'MSMbri&bBk'  '&^-^M'M'aikmM. 


477 


of  sympathy,  we  more  especially  rejoice  in  wliat  tends  to  enable 
the  strngRling  to  raise  themselves,  and  although  in  fnUowing 
this  up,  there  may  be  heart  pangs  in  leaving  the  homes  of  our 
childhood  and  youth,  we  should  never  forget  that 

"  '  Tm-^  happiness  hug  no  locilitios  ; 
Ko  ti.'Ufs  prt-'viuciai  :  nu  peculiar  ^'.irli  ; 
Wlicrc  iluty  went,  she  \vent,  witli  jnstiee  wcut, 
Ami  weut  with  liieel;iie8!-'.  ch.lritr.  ituil  luve, 
^\'h.Tc'or  n  tear  wns  dried,  a  w.mmioti  heart 
Jtouiiil  up,  a  bruisctl  spirit,  with  the  Jew 
Of  fvniputhy  aueiute J.' 

"  Wherever,  let  ua  add,  there  is  a  field  for  honest  industry,  a 
sphere  for  developing  rectitude  of  character,  trust  in  rrovidenco, 
and  kind  sympathy  for  our  fellows,  there  will  happinosa  be 
found."  ■ 

SPRING  FLO-^VT^RS. 

I  WENT  this  year  to  see  the  spring  flower  garden  at  Belvoir, 
and  would  strongly  advise  those  who  can,  to  pay  Belvoir  a 
visit  next  March,  or,  perhaps,  in  the  end  of  February,  if  the 
season  be  an  early  one.  I  never  shall  forget  the  impression 
it  made  npon  me.  No  summer  garden,  however  gay,  could 
compare  favourably  with  the  (juiet  beauty  of  that  fairy  scene. 
It  was  gay  enough  to  satisfy  any  lover  of  colour,  yet  it  was  not 
gaudy  like  some  summer  gardens,  where  masses  of  bright 
colours,  unrelieved  and  untoned,  dazzle  and  fatigue  the  eye. 

Belvoir  has  great  natural  advantages  for  a  spring  garden. 
With  a  warm  oolitic  soil  many  feet  above  the  fogs  of  the  valley, 
the  gardens  sloping  to  the  sotith,  and  screened  in  every  diric- 
tion  except  the  south  by  beautiful  woods,  it  enjoys  a  climate 
nnmatched,  perhaps,  in  the  midland  counties,  still  it  wotild  be 
difScult  to  find  a  worse  managed  place  than  Belvoir  was  before 
Mr.  Ingram  took  charge  of  it.  What  are  natural  advantnges 
without  tho  skill  to  turn  them  to  account?  After  a  very  care- 
ful survey  of  every  part,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  exijuisite 
taste  in  arrangement  had  more  to  do  with  the  effect  than  any 
natural  advantages.  A  situation  whore  Rhododendrons  Noble- 
anum,  dauricum,  and  the  hybrids  of  dauricum  and  ciliatnm, 
&c.,  will  every  year  escape  spring  frosts  is  not  often  seen  ;  but 
the  greater  part  of  the  plants  employed  may  be  grown  in  any 
garden.  I  was  so  charmed  with  the  general  effect,  that  it  was 
some  time  before  I  could  descend  into  particulais,  and  really 
it  was  surprising  what  common  plants  were  chiefly  employed 
— Common  Primroses,  Aubrietias,  Arabis  caucasica,  Doronicura 
cancasicum,  Violets,  Myosotis  intermedia,  Arabis  variegata, 
blue  Pansies,  Diisies  white  and  red  ;  the  chief  effect  was  pro- 
duced by  these  very  common  flowers.  A  few  Tulips,  Hya- 
cinths, double  Primroses,  and  Khododendrons  heightened  the 
effect.  Then  there  were  beds  of  fjliage  only,  filled  with  dwarf- 
growing  Saxifrages  and  plants  of  that  desciiption,  which  re- 
minded me  of  Indian  shawls,  the  quiet  tertiary  colours  were 
BO  beautifully  contrasted  and  blended.  The  whole  left  the 
impression  on  my  mind  that  few  refined  ladies  had  the  ex- 
quisite taste  possessed  by  Mr.  Ingram. 

I  find  most  persons  who  saw  Bilvoir  last  season  think  this 
stylo  of  gardening  can  only  be  carried  out  by  a  duke.  I  believe 
this  is  a  great  mistake.  The  summer  garden — i.e.,  tho  plant- 
ing of  Pelargoniums  and  other  tender  plants  in  large  numbers 
has  spread  till  now  every  suburban  villa  is  so  decorated,  and 
in  a  little  time  few  will  be  satisfied  to  have  their  beds  bare 
from  October  till  June.  It  is  not  a  very  serious  thing  to  plant 
a  lot  of  flowers  ready  prepared  iu  November,  and  remove  them 
to  a  clean  piece  of  ground  in  the  kitchen  garden  iu  May.  It 
will  be  found  to  involve  a  greater  amount  of  labour  to  keep 
them  clean  without  removal.  Herbaceous  plants  standing  long 
in  one  place  are  very  troublesome  to  keep  alive  or  free  from 
weeds,  and  with  few  exceptions  are  better  of  a  change  of  soil. 
People  in  general  appear  to  follow  one  of  two  ideas  with  her- 
baceous plants,  either  to  let  them  stand  in  one  place  till  they 
are  too  large  for  the  situation,  or  die,  as  the  ease  may  be  ;  or 
else  to  remove  them  every  year  and  cut  them  into  small  pieces 
each  time.  There  appears  no  necessity  to  leave  a  plant  in  one 
place  till  the  soil  is  exhausted,  or  to  reduce  its  size  when  not 
too  large.  Free-growing  plants  removed  twice  a-year  maybe 
always  kept  compact,  yet  large  enough  to  produce  the  required 
effect,  and  may  also  be  planted  thickly  without  injury.  A 
little  forethought,  a  few  beds  in  the  kitchen  garden,  a  few 
trenches,  as  if  prepared  for  Celery,  in  which  to  grow  Primroses, 
and  a  few  day  labourers,  and  all  the  beds  last  year  filled  with 
beautiful  flowers,  now  lying  bare  and  desolate,  might  be  filled 
with  plants,  and  next  spring  gay  witli  flowers.  Let  anyone 
try  the  effect  of  planting  the    centre   cf  a  round  bed  with 


Arabis  caucasica  and  surrounding  it  with  a  broad  belt  of 
Anbrielia,  or  planting  a  few  red  Tulips  in  a  bed  covered  with 
.\rabis,  and  then  see  what  they  will  say  may  be  done  with 
spring  flowers.  I  say  Covered,  becaune  spring  flowers  ought  to 
cover  the  ground  when  in  bloom  to  produce  all  the  effect  of 
which  thej  are  capable.— iJ.  B. Peab69s,j C'Ail/ic//. 


THE  CLAIMS  OF  WINTRR  ORNAMENTAL 

',"""  "GARDENING.        ';   ":: 

Is  again  inviting  the  attention  of  your  readers  to  this  branch 
of  gardening,  I  must  necessarily  repeat  much  that  I  have  urged 
in  former  years,  with  such  additions,  however,  as  practice  haa 
enabled  me  to  advance  with  some  degree  of  assurance.  Winter 
ornamental  gardening  has  become  popular  iu  many  places,  and 
the  desire  of  discovering  means  to  muke  it  more  attra.otiveia 
constantly  urging  on  those  who  seek  to  make  further  advances. 
It  is  to  be  hoped,  therefore,  that  the  progress  already  made 
will  lead  to  still  further  improvement,  and  that  plants  adapted 
for  winter  gardening  will  be  as  eagerly  sought  after  as  those 
grown  for  a  display  iu  spring  and  the  early  part  of  summer. 

Of  late  years  much  has  been  said  and  written  about  spring 
gardening,  and  nurserymen  and  seedsmen  vie  with  each  other 
in  supplying  plants  or  seeds  of  plants  likely  to  make  a  good 
display  at  that  time,  still  iu  many  places  something  more  was 
wanted.     Spring  flowers  are,  after  all,  bat  what  their  name 
implies — that  is,  they   flower  in  spring,  the  only  difference 
being,  that  in  mild  winters  they  come  in  a  little  earlier  than 
they  do  after  severe  weather,  but  it  is  spring  before  they  pro- 
duce any  display  of  consequence,  or,  say,  from  the  middle  of 
March  till  a  later  period,  and  many  of  the  plants  recommended 
as  spring  flowerers  are  not  in   their  full  beauty  till  the  end  of 
May.     Few,  but  very   few,  naturally  present  us  with  their 
flowers  out  of  doors  before  the  end  of  February,  such  being 
Snowdrops,  Winter  Aconites,  and  Christmus  Koses,  with,  per-j 
chance,  in  mild  winters,   a   few  Primroses  ;  but  these  delay,- 
their  appearance  until  later  if  the  season  is  unfavourable.     I; 
also  presume  that  it  will  be  acknowledged  by  all,  that  December, 
and  January  are  entirely  destitute  of  floral  beauties,  excepting 
when  a  very  mild  autumn  bequeaths  a  few  Chrysanthemums 
still  respectable  at  the  beginning  of  December,  and  the  other 
plants  above  mentioned  may  follow.     It  is  vain,  however,  tO; 
look  for  anything  like  a  floral  display  in  open  flower  beds — say,- 
from  the  middle  of  November  till  the  middie  of  March,  four- 
months,  or  one-third  of  the  year.     In  some  large  places  the; 
good  appearance  of  the  flower  beds  at  this  particular  time  is  of_^ 
more  consequence  than  the  spring  display,  as  it  is  common  for^ 
families  of  high  rank,  who  spend  the  winter  st  their  country-, 
houses,  to   depart  for  London  early  in  3Iarch,  or  perhaps  be-.- 
fore ;  and  in  most  cases  where  spring  display  is  the  order  ofi 
the  day,  the  appearance  of  the  beds  previous  to  that  month  H 
tame  indeed.     If  bulbs   are   planted.  Crocuses  are  rarely   in 
flower  until  March,  excepting  iu  favoured  situations,  or  mild- 
winters,  consequently  the  beds  present  but  a  sorry  aspect  in,- 
the  dead  of  winter,  and  the  bare  soil  is  almost  all  there  is  to 
look  at,  or  if  there  are  plants  above  the  surface,  they  are  so 
small,  and  in  appeaiauce  so  unimportant,  as  not  to  attract 
attention.  ^  _        .  -.  ;a'.i 

No-.v,  another  reason  for  recommending  a  winter  display,- in-, 
stead  of  waiting  for  one  in  spring,  is  the  interference  of  the. 
latter  with  the  summer  planting,  for  assuming  that  in  most 
places  the  ulterior  intention  is  to  have  a  good  display  in, 
summer  as  well  as  in  spring,  such  a  result  is  only  attained  at 
tho  expense  of  a  greatly  increased  amount  of  trouble,  and  at  a, 
later  peiiod  of  the  season,  for  it  rarely  happens  that  the  spring 
flowers  can  be  planted  before  the  beginning,  or,  perhaps,  middle 
of  Juno.  Much  of  the  season  is  then  gone,  and  although  it  is; 
possible  to  have  the  summer  crop  of  plants  advancing  in  larger 
pots  than  usual,  this  extra  care  of  so  many  plants  at  a  time_ 
where  watering  is  a  daily  and  important  aff<ir.  and  other  work 
plentiful  enough,  tends  to  make  spring  gardening,  however 
pretty-sounding  it  may  be.  rather  costly.  Now,  what  I  advocate; 
does  not  interfere  with  the  preparation  and  planting,  at  their 
proper  time,  of  the  tummer  occupants  of  the  flower  beds,  nor 
in  any  way  impair  the  eCieiency  of  the  beds  for  suppoiting  tho 
summer  crop,  which  cannot  be  said  of  the  spring-flowering 
plants.  I  may  here  remark,  that  to  plant  spring-flowering 
plants  sparingly  over  the  beds  in  the  autumn,  and  put  in  the 
summer  crop  amongst  them  in  May,  as  I  have  done  more  than 
twenty  years  ago,  i,  seldom  satisfactory,  both  crops  being  likely 
to  prove  failures  :  so  that  where  a  good  appearance  is  expected 


478 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOBTICULTORE   AND   COTTAGE   GABDSNEB. 


[  December  24,  ISfe. 


say  from  the  beginning  of  July  till  JIarcb,  or  the  period  be- 
tween the  close  and  commencement  of  the  Loudon  season,  the 
summer,  autumn,  and  winter  display  is  certainly  cf  more  con- 
sequence than  that  for  the  spring.  There  are  many  such 
cases,  and  I  make  no  apclogy  for  recommending  in  these  the 
winter  instead  of  the  spring  decoration  of  the  flower  garden. 

Taking,  therefore,  this  view  of  the  question — that  is,  making 
as  good  a  show  as  possible  from  the  earliest  period  that  bedding 
plants  of  ordinary  kinds  can  be  had  in  bloom,  until  the  middle 
or  end  of  March,  in  an  unbroken  line  or  nearly  so,  vre  shall 
find,  as  is  almost  always  the  case,  that  some  frosty  morning  in 
November,  or  earlier  in  the  autumn,  destroys  what  remains  of 
beauty  may  still  be  left  to  the  Pelargonium?,  Verbenas,  Cal- 
ceolarias, and  similar  plants,  occupying  the  most  conspicuous 
positions.  Very  often  the  beds  in  which  these  are  principally 
planted  are  in  front  of  the  mansion,  whore  it  is  advisable  at 
all  times  to  present  a  respectable,  if  r^ot  gay  appcaranco,  and  it 
is  the  blank  which  always  follows  the  flower  beds  being  stripped 
of  their  summer  garniture  that  has  led  in  so  many  instances 
to  the  adoption  of  permanent  polychrome  beds  or  compart- 
ments. It  is  very  likely  that  Mr.  NesfielJ,  to  whom  we  owe  so 
many  good  examples  of  this  art,  was  led  to  adopt  it  as  a  remedy 
or  partial  remedy  for  the  evil  just  referred  to  ;  bnt  whether  so 
or  not,  certain  it  is  that  in  midwinter  these  tasteful  arrange- 
ments of  colouring,  with  a  certain  blending  of  foliage,  receive 
their  full  share  of  attention  at  this  time.  The  question,  then, 
may  very  properly  be  afked.  Cannot  such  an  arrangement  be 
prepared  on  a  less  elaborate  ecale,  perhaps,  for  winter  use  only  ? 
whilst  allowing  certain  flowers  to  luxuriate  in  plain  mother 
earth  during  the  proper  period  of  the  year,  and  contribute 
theii  share  towards  effecting  a  display  at  the  fitting  time.  In 
many  cases,  as  will  hereafter  be  shown,  this  can  be  done,  and 
with  a  less  amount  of  trouble  than  is  bestowed  on  the  pro- 
pagation of  plants  for  spring  ornament,  while  the  system  pro- 
posed has  also  the  advantage,  and  that  a  by-uo-means  unim- 
portant one,  of  affording  a  change  every  year,  and  thereby 
giving  scope  to  the  endless  variety  of  forms  and  arrangements 
which  the  materials  employed  are  capable  of  ajsuming.  The 
interest  thus  created  is  by  no  means  the  least  important  part 
of  the  affair,  besides  v/hich,  the  plants  that  suggest  themselves 
to  our  use  multiply  each  season,  and  give  greater  variety,  and 
enable  us  to  weed  out  inferior  ones. 

In  the  arrangement  of  the  winter  decoration  cf  the  Cower 
beds  here,  duo  regard  is  paid  to  the  requirements  of  the  ensuing 
summer's  crop  as  well  as  to  the  display  for  ihe  time  being ; 
and  as  a  good  depth  of  well-prepardieoil  is  necessary  to  render 
our  flower  beds  capable  of  supporting  their  occupants  without 
artificial  watering  in  such  seasons  as  the  past,  ws  have  for 
many  years  been  in  the  habit  of  trenching  all  our  flower  beds 
upwards  of  2  feet  deep,  sometimes  24  feet  or  more,  in  all  eases 
burying  the  plants  in  the  bottom  of  the  trench.  Accordingly, 
whenever  the  frost  or  wet  weather  destroys  all  tbot  remains 
of  beauty  in  such  pilauts  as  Pelaigouinms  and  Calceolarias, 
these,  if  not  wanted  elsewhere,  are  trenched-in  as  described  : 
and  even  in  the  bods  intended  for  winter  dtooralion  this  is 
done,  as  the  vegetation  is  buried  too  deeply  to  interfere  with  the 
planting  of  anything  that  maj'  be  required.  It  is  well  to 
hasten  on  this  operation,  so  as  to  have  the  whole  completed 
and  the  winter  plants  put  in  beftrj  rain  falls,  which  in  Novem- 
ber is  not  likely  to  be  long  in  coming,  and  it  is  much  better 
alike  for  the  operator  and  the  well-being  of  the  plants  that 
they  should  be  planted  while  the  ground  is  not  too  wet.  Al- 
though the  ground  is  at  all  times  injured  in  texture  by  being 
trampled  on  when  wet,  (his  is  of  less  consequence  in  autumn 
than  in  spring,  from  the  greater  length  of  time  there  is  for  the 
frosts  of  winter  and  mellowing  winds  of  spring  to  restore  the 
soil  to  its  proper  condition,  yet  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  the 
less  it  is  trampled  upon  when  it  is  wet  and  in  the  looae,  light 
condition  it  is  after  trenching,  the  better  it  is  for  all  purposes. 
For  these  reasons  I  have  always  made  it  a  point  to  carry  on 
such  work,  after  it  has  been  once  begun,  as  fast  as  circumstances 
allow.  As  one  of  the  largest  beds  wo  have  to  operate  upon 
consists  of  between  10  or  11  poles  or  perches  of  ground,  it  will 
be  seen  that  but  a  small  portion  of  it  can  be  reached  from  the 
outside,  wliile  small  beds  of  5  or  6  feet  across  can  often  be 
trenched  at  times  when  one  of  such  size  could  not  be  touched. 
In  our  case  dry  weather  is  important,  and  in;n:e^iately  after 
the  trenching  has  been  finished,  and  any  uueverness  of  the  sur- 
face rectified  by  levelling,  the  ground  is  regularly  and  firmly 
trodden  all  over,  so  as  to  prevent  as  far  as  possible  its  sinking 
unevenly  while  undergoing  the  process  of  planting,  or  covering 
with  colonied  materials,  tm  will  be  described. 


The  bed  being  now  a  smoothed  or  flattened  surface  of  earth, 
and  a  plan  more  or  less  elaborate  selected,  the  various  figures 
are  marked  out.  Generally,  for  convenience,  I  begin  with  a 
cential  one,  and  the  beds  being  large,  usually  a  modification 
of  some  geometrical  design  is  adopted,  a  coloured  scroll  or  em- 
broidery work  being  combined  with  groups,  or  compartments 
of  plants  selected  for  their  good  appearance  in  midwinter.  It 
will  easily  be  perceived  that  variety  of  form  may  be  given  to  a 
space  of  this  kind ;  in  fact,  I  never  copy  any  portion  of  pre- 
vious years'  arrangements,  nor  need  it  be  done. 

For  the  guidance  of  those  who  may  be  disposed  to  engage  in 
this  sort  of  ornamentation  I  may  give  the  same  advice  I  have 
often  given  to  those  making  flower  beds  on  lawns,  which  is, 
that  the  simplest  forms  are  the  best.  No  figure  whatever,  in 
my  opinion,  looks  so  well  as  a  plain  circle  when  planted,  and 
next  to  it  is  an  oval.  The  reason  ia  obvious  enough  ;  the  eye, 
except  when  close  to  the  object,  can  rarely  take  in  the  whole 
of  the  outline  of  fancy  figures,  owing  to  the  growth  of  the 
plants  concealing  the  margin  farthest  from  the  spectator, 
whereas  in  a  circle,  the  portion  behind  being  a  counterpart  ol 
that  immediately  in  view,  the  whole  is  understooel  if  it  be 
not  actually  seen,  which  it  is  more  likely  to  be  in  a  circle  than 
in  any  other  figure.  Bat  however  much  weight  these  consider- 
ations ought  to  have  as  regards  groups  that  are  planted,  there 
is  no  objection  to  any  amount  of  fancy  work  that  may  be 
thought  desirable  iu  conjunction  with  the  groups,  as  it  is  ex- 
pected that  the  embroidery,  if  I  may  so  call  it,  will  be  dis- 
tinctly seen  from  any  point  of  view,  and  by  introducing  it 
judiciously  the  general  appearance  of  the  whole  is  much  en- 
hanced, but  avoid  too  much  crowding  iu  the  portion  where  the 
groups  of  plants  are. — J.  Eodson. 

(To  be  contmucd.) 


"WALL-FRITIT  TREE  PROTECTION. 

The  late  gales  have  made  sad  havoc  with  my  "scrim." 
They  have  torn  it  to  shreds.  I  have  now  put  up  a  stouter 
material,  No.  2  sail-cloth,  about  22  inches  wida.  To  the  sail- 
cloth brass  rings  are  affixed  which  run  on  two  iron  rods  as  for 
bod  curtains.  The  rods  are  five-eighths  of  an  inch  in  diameter, 
and  10  feet  in  length.  The  upright  battens,  on  which  the 
lower  rods  rest  iu  staples,  are  10  feet  apart.  They  are  3  J  inches 
wide  each  way.  One  foot  iu  length  tarred  is  let  into  the 
ground,  and  the  upper  part  of  the  battens  is  painted  white. 
These  battens  may  in  summer  be  either  removed,  or  stay  in 
their  position.  The  upper  rings  run  on  a  rod  of  similar  length 
nnd  strength  to  the  rod  which  rests  on  the  battens,  having  in 
(he  centre  an  open  rest  with  lips  to  support  the  weight  of  the 
iron,  which  here,  with  the  violence  of  the  wind,  would  other- 
wise draw  (he  staples  at  the  ends.  In  situations  protected 
from  the  violent  assaults  cf  the  south-west  wind  lighter  ma- 
terials would  do.  The  rings  are  attached  to  the  curtains  with 
tar  twine  four  or  five  times  doubled  and  twisted,  and  sewn 
to  the  sheets  and  rings  with  strong  twine.  I  doubt  whether 
even  that  will  be  sufficient  to  withstand  such  gales  as  we  have 
had  here  lately. 

My  object  in  putting  the  curtains  up  so  early  is  to  keep  ofi 
snow,  which,  when  it  thaws  and  is  suddenly  followed,  before  the 
trees  are  dry,  by  zero  temperature,  gives  a  greater  power  to 
frost  to  injure  the  bark  of  these  natives  of  Persia.  Frost 
following  rain  or  melted  snow,  before  the  tree  is  dry,  is  one 
cause  of  canker.  No  ore  can  in  England  count  upon  a  crop 
of  Pears,  Peaches,  Nectarines,  or  Apricots  without  some  kind 
of  spiing  covering  to  keep  the  night  dews  and  rains  out  of  the 
blossoms  after  expansion. 

Napoleon  I.  said,  "Impossible  was  not  French,"  and  I  say 
that  though  it  is  diiSeult  and  laborious  to  produce  largo  crops 
of  the  above  fruits  annually,  yet  it  can  be  done.  No  one  can 
have  a  more  exposed  place  than  this,  and  yet  I  expect,  in  the 
face  of  great  difficulties,  to  show  next  season  that,  "  impossible 
is  not  English." 

I  have  upwards  cf  120  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees,  primed  on 
the  alternate  system,  in  fine  condition,  and  promising  a  fine 
result.  I  havegiven  in  a  previous  article  a  list  of  the  varieties 
of  both,  but  I  have  since  added  two  more  trees  of  the  Princess 
of  Wales,  a  splendid  late  Peach,  two  Lord  Palmerston, 
one  Lady  Palmerston,  and  two  Mr.  Kadcljffe,  all  late  Peaches, 
and  successional  to  the  Princess  of  Wales.  They  are  Mr, 
Ilivers's  seedlings,  and  are  said  to  be  first-rate.  These  vrill 
carry  mo  into  October.  Later  than  this  such  fruits  out  of 
doors  would  rarely  be  good  in  England.    Five  out  of  the  above 


December  'M,  1868.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF    HOKHCULTUBB  AND  COXIACiE   UAKD£NBB. 


479 


seedlings  are  maiden  trees,  bnt  I  expect  to  obtain  a  little  frnit 
off  each  next  fcason.  I  have  not  cut  thorn  clown,  wliich  ia  tUo 
nsual  plan,  but  headed  the  trees  down  to  1  feet,  and  tied-in  the 
Bide  shoots  with  bast,  which  I  use  ia  the  place  of  slireds,  which 
are  unsightly  and  harbour  all  kinds  of  vermin.  You  must 
not  tie  the  bast  too  tightly,  or  you  will  produce  gum. — W.  1''. 
EitiCLVfFi:.  ^ 

POINSETTIA  PULCHERRIMA  POISONOUS. 

As  a  warninf;  to  hothonse  gardeners,  I  think  it  my  duty  to 
inform  yon  of  an  accident  which  occurred  to  Jlr.  Buck,  my 
gardener.  On  the  8th  of  this  month,  as  he  was  pruning  a 
plant  of  Poiusettia  pulcherrima,  he  cut  his  thumb,  hut  took  no 
notice  of  it  at  the  time,  so  slight  was  the  incision.  On  the 
Thursday  following,  however,  ha  felt  an  uuploasant  prickling 
sensation  in  the  thumb,  which  .soon  extended  up  the  arm.  On 
Friday  it  was  succeeded  by  great  numbness  in  his  right  arm 
and  leg,  and  upon  consulting  a  medical  man  he  found  that  the 
poisonous  juice  of  the  plant  produced  those  painful  sensations. 
His  leg  was  so  much  benumbed  as  to  render  it  useless,  but 
npon  further  applications  of  the  fomentations  and  other 
remedies  prescribed,  the  baneful  effects  have  now  subsided, 
leaving  only  a  few  spots  on  the  lower  part  of  his  thumb, 
similar  to  those  of  the  small-pox.  I  considered  that  the  above 
statement  was  suffioienfly  important  to  be  noticed  in  your 
valuable  publication.  The  Jouriiai,  op  HoeiiCdlthke. — Oswald 
UosLTSY,  Kxxt.,  liolteston  Hall.  '"•  ' 


PLANTING  JMINTAtURE  FRUIT  TREES. 

Will  "  C.  C.  E.,"  who  kindly  gave  us  a  short  account  of 
his  unfortunate  experience  of  bufh-tree  culture,  tell  us  if  ho 
attributes  the  unfruitfulness  of  his  trees  solely  to  biennial 
removal,  or  is  the  soil  in  fault,  or  r.ro  the  trees  tliemsElves  too 
young  to  produce  much  fruit  ? 

Now,  as  I  am  about  to  purchase  a  few  trees  and  plant  a  small 
plot  of  ground,  I  must  confess  that  I  read  the  remarks  made 
by  "  C.  0.  E."  with  not  a  little  discomfii'.ire,  and  almost 
abandoned  the  idea  of  going  to  the  expense  of  planting  any 
myself.  Will  "  C.  C.  E.,"  if  he  has  any  trees  planted  in 
the  first  year  of  his  practice,  and  only  lifted  them  once,  tell 
me  how  they  succeed  ?  or  will  any  of  my  brother  readers  of  the 
Journal,  who  have  already  planted  miniature  frnit  giudeus, 
give  me  a  little  of  their  experience,  and  tell  me  what  twelve 
kinds  of  Plums,  the  same  complement  of  Cherries,  and  half 
that  number  of  Pears,  succeed  best  as  miniature  trees,  and 
possess  the  two  following  qualities  ; — Ist,  That  of  being  the 
most  prolific  and  abundant  bearers  ;  2Qd,  That  of  forming  the 
most  ornamentsi  and  handsome  pyramids.  Also  what  six 
Apples — viz.,  the  three  very  largest  either  for  dessert  or 
kitchen  purposes  ;  one  medium-sized  red- skinned  vp.riety  ;  one 
small  yellow-skinned  variety  ;  and  one  small  russet  v.ariely — 
have  proved  themselves  to  be  the  most  prolific,  grown  either  as 
bushes  or  ijyramids  ? 

I  think  the  experience  which  "  C.  C.  E."  reported,  and 
the  information  I  now  ask,  may  be  of  some  service  and  act  as 
a  guide  to  those  who  have  already  planted,  and  to  those  who 
are  about  to  plant,  a  miniature  fruit  garden. — X.  X.  X. 

[In  brief  answer  to  the  foregoing  (juestions,  I  can  in  no  way 
blame  my  soil,  which  is  all  that  I  can  desire.  The  trees  are 
quite  large  enough  to  bear — say  from  ten  to  twenty-iive  Pears  or 
Apples,  and  from  twenty  to  one  himdied  Plums  ;  their  unfruit- 
lulneas  I  attribute  entirely  to  the  "  lifting,"  followed,  as  that 
operation  was,  by  an  unusually  dry  and  hot  summer.  They 
are  now  full  of  fruit-spurs,  have  short-jointed  wood,  and  look, 
as  a  whole,  as  well  and  promising  as  possible,  and  next  year  I 
hope  to  be  able,  if  desired,  to  chronicle  a  re.iult  more  encourag- 
ing to  those  who  are  interested  ia  the  same  dtlightful  branch 
of  horticulture. 

I  have  no  trees  planted  in  the  first  year  of  my  practice,  and 
only  lifted  once,  which  I  can  adduce  as  fair  samples  for  the 
guidance  of  Treble  X ;  for  the  first  that  I  planted  were  esta- 
blished trees,  and  of  such  Eivers's  Early  Prolific  and  Victoria 
Plums  have  answered  my  utmost  expectations,  having  produced 
abundant  crops,  being  a  perfect  mass  of  purple  three  autumns 
out  of  the  five. 

I  dare  not  presume  to  tell  what  twelve  kinds  of  PUmjs,  &c., 
to  plant  in  a  locality  and  soil  of  which  I  know  nothing,  bnt 
I  should  try  almost  anywhere  Victoria,  Rivera's  Early  Prolific, 
Prince  Englebert,  Diamond,  Mrs.  Gistiorne,  Pond's,  Seedling, 


and  Mitehelson's  or  Dancer's  No.  1,  though  the  last-named  has 
proved  here  a  weakly  grower,  and  much  subject  to  aphis.  I 
ought,  perhaps,  to  add  to  the  above  list  Rsine  Claude  de  Bavay 
and  Chapman's  Piince  of  Wnles.  Bigarreau  Cleveland  has 
done  better  than  any  other  Cherry  with  me ;  then  Elton  and 
Florence,  fceurii'  DIu),  BeurrG  de  Capiauaiont,  Beuno  Clair- 
geau,  and  Beurix-  d'Anianlis  PanachL;  Pears  assume  a  pyramidal 
form  readily  and  bear  well.  Liuise  Bonne  of  Jersey,  Comte 
de  Lamy,  Winter  Nclie,  and  Williama'H  Bon  Chretien  are  of  far 
better  quality,  but  not  quite  so  easily  trained,  yet  should  not 
be  omitted,  and  from  all  I  hear  Doyenao  du  Comioe  should 
find  a  place  in  every  garden. 

Warner's  King  has  produced  the  largest  Apples  that  I  have 
grown.  Beauty  of  Kent  is  al.so  very  line.  Nelson's  Glory  (not 
Lard  Nelson),  said  to  be  a  very  large  Apple,  being  on  the  Grab 
stock  has  not  yet  fruited.  But  these  hnge  Apples,  I  fancy,  are  a 
mistake ;  and  Lord  Suilield  (the  best  of  all),  Domino  (early). 
Small's  Admirable,  Court-Pendu-Plat,  and  Frograoro  Pippin  I 
find  as  good  a^  any  for  dwaif  culture.  For  a  "red-skinned" 
Apple  take  Devonshire  Quavrendeu  ;  for  a  yellow,  perhaps 
Keddlcston  Pippin  is  as  good  as  any.  But  surely  Treble  X 
will  not  omit  Cvx's  Orange,  a  grand  Apple,  which  forms  a 
a  beautiful  compact  bush  full  of  fruit-spurs,  and  I'uough  I 
have  not  reaped  much  as  yet  from  some  forty  trees  I  am  con- 
fident that  the  harvest  is  to  come. 

Though  Treble  X  may  know  far  more  about  the  habits  of 
fruit  trees  than  I  do,  yet  I  am  sure  he  will  pardon  me  for 
warning  him  not  to  suffer  a  single  fruit  to  ripen-duriug  the 
first  year  after  planting.  I  have  tried  the  experiment,  not 
because  I  disbelieved,  but  for 'the  sake  of  proving  the  advice 
given  to  myself,  and  in  every  instance  the  tree  has  been  ruined. 
Even  in  the  second  year  unless  the  tree  be  very  vigorous,  puU 
off  all  the  fruit  and  let  the  sap  go  to  make  the  foundation  of  a 
tree  that  will  repay  you  manyfold,  for  your  self-denial,  in  future: 
years. — C.  C.  E.] 

RINGING,   TO   PROMOTE  ROOT-EMISSION. 

Will  Mr.  Charles  Pioberts  oblige  m&  with  particulars  of  the 
operation  of  "  ringing  the  bottom  to  facilitate  the  emission  of 
roots"  ingrowing  "  shrubs  as  standards,"  and  also  state  how 
wide  are  the  rings  to  be,  how  deep,  and  how  near  to  the  roots  ? 
— C.  C.  E. 

[In  reply  to  the  above  inquiries  respecting  the  operation  of 
ringing  the  suckers  of  Lilacs  and  other  shrnbs  to  facilitate  the 
emission  of  roots,  I  cannot  state  the  exact  measurement  of 
the  rings  I  made,  as  none  was  taken,  but  as  nearly  as  I  can 
judge  the  strongest  of  the  suckers  would  havo  measured 
IJ  inch  ia  circumference,  and  the  width  of  the  ring  depended 
on  the  sl;rength  of  the  suckers;  for  the  strongest  1  inch  wide, 
and  for  weaker  suckers  Ihree-quartei'S  of  an  inch  wide,  cut  out 
to  the  depth  of  tho  bark.  If  this  is  not  thoroughly  cut  out  to  its 
whole  depth  the  woimd  heals,  and  the  emission  of  roots  is  but 
little  promoted.  If  the  suckers  to  be  operated  upon  are  root 
suckers,  the  bottom  cut  of  the  ring  is  to  be  "2  inches  from  the 
top  part  of  the  roots,  covering  the  out  to  the  depth  of  8  inches 
with  sandy  soil.  If  the  suckers  are  from  the  stool  of  an  old 
plant  cut  down,  and  there  are  no  routs  to  the  bottom  of  the 
sucker,  the  bottom  of  the  ring  may  then  be  1  inch  from  the 
stool  fi'om  which  the  sucker  has  issued. — ^C.  Eobekts,  Dorjold 
IIall.2  -••-..  ■■  ■-' 
-TtrTf-Sjiu-. 

POMOLOGICAL   GLEANINGS. 

Sevekil  cases  of  the  fruiting  of  that  exceedingly  pj«tijr  an3 
interesting  plant,  the  Pomece.'.n.vte,  have  cottie  under  our 
notice  during  the  seaSoa.  The  fruiting  has  prinoipaliy,  however, 
been  the  result  of  chance  ;  and  these  haadsc'me  fruits  are  not 
nearly  so  much  cultivated  or  so  common  as  they  deserve  to  bo,. 
The  cnlSivation  is  exceedingly  simple.  It  will  be  remembered 
that  a  few  years  ago  Mr.  Dowuing,  gardener  to  T.  Urissell, 
Esq.,  Nurbury  Park,  Dorking,  exhibited  at  South  Kensington 
some  magnificent  examples  of  Pomegranatss  which  were  tha. 
admiration  of  everybody.  They  were,  indeed,  equal  to  any  of,. 
the  imported  specimens.  These  had  been  grown  in  a  cool: 
orchard  house.  Every  season  since,  this  plant  has  produced 
quantities  of  fruit  which  have  been  frequently  exhibited.  Those 
exhibited  by  Mr.  Downing  at  a  late  meeting  of  tho  Frnit  Com-: 
mittee  were  not  quite  so  fine  as  nsual,  although  still  hand-', 
some.  They  were  accompanied  by  the  following  letter  from^ 
the  exhibitor  explaining  his  method  of  culture: — "  The  plant, 
had  been  in  my  orchard  house  for  some  years  in  a  wide  border,7 


480 


JOURNAL  OF  HOETICDLTURE   AND   COTTAGE   SARDENEB. 


[  December  24, 1868. 


accl  only  on  one  or  two  occasions  had  it  put  out  a  single  blos- 
som. SuEpeeting  that  the  want  of  snBcess  in  obtaining  fruit 
arose  from  too  luxuriant  a  growth,  I  had  the  roots  cut  away  to 
•within  about  2  feet  of  the  stem,  and  1  then  enclosed  Ihe  roots 
■with  brickwork.  After  one  intervening  season  the  tree  blos- 
somed, and  bore  fruit  abundantly.  I  employ  no  "heat,  as  it 
would  bo  inconvenient  for  me  to  do  so  where  the  tree  is  now 
planted  ;  hut  I  think  if  a  little  warmth  could  be  convenienUy 
given  when  the  fruit  is  setting,  and  for  a  little  vvhilo  after- 
wards to  promote  growth,  the  fruit  wonld  be  finer — indeed, 
quite  cqnal  to  the  growth  of  Italy  or  of  any  other  congenial 
climate."  We  think  so  too,  and  can  but  recommend  Mr. 
Downing's  practice  for  adoption.  ■-'  - 


PEARS  IN  DEVON. 

We  have  received  some  unusually  largo  specimens  of  Pears 
grown  by  Mr.  John  Garland,  gardener  to  Sir  T.  Dyke  Adand, 
Bart.,  at  Killerton,  near  Exeter.  The  largest  is  an  Easter 
Beurre,  measuring  131  inches  in  circumference  the  long  way 
over  the  stalk  and  eve  (but,  of  course,  not  including  the  .'talk), 
and  13  inches  round  the  girth,  and  weighing  2(»i  ozs.  It  had 
begun  to  pass  and  had  lost  three-quarters  of  an  ounce,  Mr. 
Garland  having  weighed  it  21  ozs.  Glon  Mor(,"eau  is  Vii  inches 
in  its  long  circumference,  and  11}  in  girth,  weighing  lOi  ozs. 
BeurrC  de  Ranee  is  13  inchesiuitslongcirenmference,and  lO.l  in 
girth,  weight  13  oz?.  WinterNelis  is  lOincliesin  itslougcircum- 
ference,andO;  in  girth,  weight  Scza.  Tbese  are  large  specimens, 
and,  unfortunately,  in  the  case  of  the  Easter  DcurrS  and  Glou 
Morcjeau  decay  at  the  core  had  begun,  so  that  their  true  flavonr 
could  not  be  judged  of.  Beurre  de  Ranee  is  not  yet  lipe;  hat 
Winter  Nelii  was  in  the  highest  degree  in  fine  condition  as 
regards  texture  of  fiesh  and  richness  of  flavonr.  We  have 
received  from  Mr.  Garland  the  following  communication  re- 
lating to  those  : — 

"Winter  Nelis  and  Benric  de  Rmce  I  planted  ten  years 
since,  side  by  side  on  a  wall  hiving  a  southern  aspect.  Both 
are  on  the  Quince  stock.  Easter  Beurre  and  Glou  Moroeaa  I 
planted  side  bj-  side  on  a  wall  with  a  western  aspect,  Botli  ai-e 
on  the  Pear  stock. 

"  The  soil  is  a  heavy  loam  of  good  quality,  it  being  the  top 
spit  of  an  old  pasture,  such  as  is  generally  known  as  first-rate 
Meluu  soil  by  gardeners.  No  manure  has  been  used  except  to 
mulch  the  trees  the  first  year  after  planting.  The  garden  is 
perfectly  drained  by  Natnre,  being  situated  at  the  base  trnd  to 
the  south  of  a  hill  of  volcanic  origin,  the  top  of  which,  generally 
known  in  this  neighbourhood  as  Killerton  Clump,  was  planted 
by  the  present  Mr,  Veitch's  grandfather.  The  hill  is  composed 
of  solid  rock,  which  is  within  12  or  IS  inches  of  the  suiface. 

"  Tlie  branches  of  each  tree  are  triiued  horizontally  from  a 
central  stem,  three  courses  of  bricks  being  the  distauce'betwcen 
the  branches.  Two  years  after  planting  I  obtained  four  and 
five  branches  on  each  tide  in  a  season,  by  notching  the  central 
stem  close  above  the  bud  I  wished  to  break ;  cutting  deepest, 
or  half  through,  above  the  lowest  buds,  the  next  notch  above 
baing  less  deep,  and  the  next  proportionately  less.  The  two 
top  buds  were  not  notched  above,  as  they  were  ctrtain  to  break 
freely.  By  the  above  method  the  growth  of  the  branches  was 
very  evenly  regulated.  At  the  end  of  the  fourth  year  after 
planting  the  branches  had  reached  the  top  of  the  wall,  or  as 
near  the  top  as  they  could  be  trained,  there  being  fourteen  on 
each  side  of  the  centre  stem,  and  every  two  being  exactly 
opposite  each  other,  or  along  the  same  joint  of  brickwork. 

"  Every  year  since  the  above  period,  with  the  exception  of 
Glou  Morjeau  in  ISGC,  the  trees  have  all  borne  good  «rops  of 
fruit.  Winter  Nehs  bears  so  freely  that  I  am  obliged  to  thin 
the  fruit  every  year  to  encourage  growth  at  the  points  of  the 
branches.  This  season  the  crop  has  been  very  heavy  and  is 
also  very  fine.  I  consider  it  the  best  Pear  of  its  season,  it 
being  so  richly  flavoured,  and  so  free  a  bearer.  You  saw  the 
fruit  of  it  and  Doyenne  da  Comice  which  I  exhibited  at  South 
Kensington,  on  the  17th  of  November. 

"  The  tree  of  Doyenne  da  Comice  I  planted  at  the  same  time 
as  the  others — viz.,  ten  years  ago.  It  is  growing  as  a  pyramid 
in  a  border  of  the  kitchen  garden  ;  its  height  is  1  li  feet,  it  is 
10  feet  through,  and  0  inches  in  diameter  at  the  base  of  the 
stem,  and  is  on  Iho  Quince  stock.  It  grows  freely,  forms  a 
handsome  pyramid,  but  is  a  very  moderate  bearer.  I  gather 
four  or  five  times  as  much  fruit  from  the  tree  of  Winter  Nelis 
I  m^tioued,  as  I  gather  from  Doyenne  du  Comice.  The  fruit 
of  ^^  inter  Ndii  J^astjje,  4^djy^^e,fl4.,l9BtiiigjJuaokJoBger-.ia 
i  edl  u'gub-ilJ  3qiq-vvi,fi  au'i  gcJijil'  to  doxiEJ  vis 


season  than  that  of  Doyenne  du  Comice;  the  latter,  however, 
is  a  first-rate  Pear,  generally  ripe  by  the  middle  of  November, 
and  lasts  a  fortnight  in  season.  The  first  fruit  I  exhibited  of 
it  was  at  the  Devon  and  Exeter  Hot-ticultural  Society's  Show, 
on  the  11th  of  November,  18(54,  in  the  class  for  any  sort,  and 
it  obtained  the  second  prize.  Until  then  it  was  quite  unknown 
in  this  neighbourhood. 

'•  The  following  are  the  weightfl'Of;  individual  Pears  grown 
here  this  season — viz.  :  ^i  flJ'"  ■' 


BeuiTH  CLiirgeau  ^jhj,,^^jp|,2uA 
Easttr  Beurre..  .,'..,'.,r.'-t>.  21" 
01oaMorroini...;^l.V:'.;^.'15V 


'-'•■-'■       '■  ■  ozs. 

Van  Mods  Lt-on  le  Clerc llj 

Chauiuuutcl    14 

Bouri'ti  do  Ranee  13^ 

Winter  Nelis    8J 


DOTeUHL-  da  Comice 15t 

1  J«:The  Easter  Beurre  is  the  same  as  I  have  sent,  but  it  is  not 
quite  so  heavy  now. — John  Garland,  Killntim  Gardens. 

"  P.S. — At  a  monthly  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  Devon 
and  Exeter  Horticultural  Society  and  their  gardeners,  J.  Somer, 
Esq.,  exhibited  six  Pears  of  Uvedale's  St.  Germain,  weighing 
14!  lbs.  The  same  gentleman  told  me  he  had  twenty-four  of 
the  same  sort  which  weighed  48  lbs.  He  resides  in  this  parish, 
Broadolyst."!'     ■-■:  1 "     ^    •'  ' '^  • 

:!■'■■'.      ■    i:"Li\::i    ■     II—; — : — T' .'!   "    .  ■ 

Yj:$i|]ts,i,*6;;i  6ahi)33Ns  public  and  private., 

!:      iiaii;.'         MES*B9.    ROLUSSON    &    SOSS',    TOOTING.  -  I 

'  ThebS  is  not  to  my  mind  so  pleasantly  situated  a  nnrseiy 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  metropolis  as  this  old-established 
and  weli-knnwu  one.  Tho  region  of  Tooting,  Balham,  &o., 
was  quite  nr.kuown  to  me  until  a  few  months  ago,  when  I  paid 
my  first  visit  to  the  Messrs.  Rollisson's  ;  and  having  lately  had 
an  opijortuuily  of  ngain  feeing  the  establishment  in  its  winter 
trim  I  am  confirmed  in  my  opinion.  Its  extent  is  about  sixty 
acres  of  freehold  land,  running  far  back  from  the  high  road, 
with  water,  meadow  land,  and  evei^thing  that  can  conduce 
to  the  well-doing  of  n  nursery ;  while  Ihe  well-known  ability, 
and  scientific  and  practical  linowledge  of  the  intelligent  ma- 
nager, Mr.  Buckley,  have  secuied  for  the  firm  that  consider- 
ation to  which  it  ip  so  justly  entitled  ;  and  it  is  very  refreshing, 
in  these  days  of  hard-headedness,  to  observe  the  kindly  feeling 
existing  between  proprietor  and  manager  which  is  to  be  found 
here.  It  makes  one  somi-tiraes  question  whether  the  "  good 
old  times  "  were  a  fable  after  all ;  and  one  feels  pleased  in  the 
universal  rush  nud  go-a-lieadedness  of  these  days,  that  there 
is  room  left  for  those  kindlier  feelings  which  ought  ever  to  be 
forwd,  and  which  tend  .=o  much  to  lighten  the  weight  of  what 
to  all  must  be  a  burden  in  some  form  or  other. 

Tlie  portion  of  the  nursery  which  fronts  the  main  Tooting 
Bold  has  a  veiy  noble  and  imposing  appearance,  as  here  are 
situated  the  large  glass  stmctnres,  and  the  ornamental  ground, 
in  the  centre  of  which  is  placed  a  fountain.  The  entrance  is 
through  a  noble  conservatory  of  130  feet  long  by  25  feet  wide. 
Along  the  ronf  of  this  are  trained  fine  plants  of  Cobaoa  scandens 
vaiiegata,  which  is  continually  in  flower;  Mandevilla  suave- 
olens ;  Passitlora  Impf-ratrice  Eugenie,  blue,  rose,  and  white, 
the  largest  of  all  the  Passion-flowers  ;  Lapngeria  roses,  rfecr; 
Fine  plants  of  some  of  the  tree  Ferns,  as  Cyathea  Smithii," 
Dicksoni^s,  itc,  laige  plnnts  of  Arauearia  Cunninghamii  (tKe 
Moroton  Bay  Pino),  Camellias,  and  other  ornamental  plants, 
filled  up  the  centre  of  the  house;  while  its  borders  were  all 
edged  with  Lycopodium,  giving  it  a  fresh  and  green  appearance, 
and  at  various  times  ChiysantLemums  and  other  flowering 
plants  are  brought  in  to  brighten  it  up.  Next  to  this  is  a  large 
Heath  house,  100  feet  long  and  18  feet  wide,  containing  a  large 
stock  of  the  different  varieties  of  this  very  beautiful  tribe— one 
which  has  indeed  fallen  into  sad  disfavour  in  these  days,  simply 
because  it  is  one  of  the  crucial  tests  of  a  gardener's  skill.  If 
a  man  can  grow  Heaths  well  he  can  do  anything  in  the  plant 
way.  A  Veiy  different  matter  indeed  it  is  from  filling  a  house 
with  "  bedding  stufi,"  or  growing  Grapes,  and  yet  how  well 
deserving  of  care  they  are.  Here  were  young  healthy  plants  of 
different  sizes,  also  what  are  called  half-specimen  plants,  and 
a  beautiful  stock  of  such  kinds  as  Elegans,  Cavendishii,  which 
was  raised  here  many  years  ago,  Hsrtnelli,  Massoni,  &c.  •;- 

The  stove  contained  a  fine  selection  of  flowering  and  orna;^'^ 
mental-leaved  plants  ;  amongst  the  latter  an  excellent  selection 
of  Palms,  a  tribe  which  is  coming  more  into  favour  with  us 
now,  and  which  will  ultimately,  I  doubt  not,  be  still  more  so. 
It  in  one  to  which  additions  are  being  constantly  made.  For 
instance,"  I  saw  at  Brussels  a  fortnight  ago  M.  Linden's  collec- 
tion, in  which  there  are  fifty  new  Palms!  Amongst  those 
most  noticeable  at  Tooting  were  Geouoma  fenestralis,  with 
leaves  curiously  pierced ;  Arecanobilis,  concinnn  (quite  smooth), 


SMI  .!2  lajiaaaivi  1 
Dooombcr  21,  1888.  ] 


JOUHNAL  OF  HORTICUIiTUBE  AND   COTTAGE   GAIU3ESEB. 


481 


rnbi'a,  auvea,  nud  lutescens  ;  Verscharfsltitt  spleudijn,  Oulamus 
adspoi'siis,  I'liiHnioophorium  Boelielloruui,  aud  Cljamioiops 
stauracaatha.  Tbei-e  woie,  besides,  yniuj!  liealthy  plants  of 
luost  of  tlio  ornamoutal-foliftged  stove  plauts,  such  as  Alocasias, 
Crotons,  C^auopbylhimd,  .to. 

Ill  tlio  liou^c  devoted  to  tree  riiriig  are  aomo  vomarkaldy  fine 
Epeciiuens,  sucU  as  AUopliila  australis,  \)  feet  high  ;  Cyathea 
dealbata,  10  feet  bigti,  witli  frouda  j  feet  long;  C.  mediiUaiis, 
1'2  feet  Iji':;!),  one  of  the  finest  known  ;  C.  Sniitliii,  9  feet  liigb, 
a  most  beantifn!  pbint;  DicUsouia  autarcticn,  ',)  feet;  fibrosa, 
7  feet ;  squarros.i,  li  feet;  Cibotium  Scliiedei,  very  graceful; 
Todca  africana,  of  tbia  I  eaw  soma  euomious  jdauts  at  Ver- 
pchaffelt's,  at  Glieut;  Todea  superba,  a  mot,t  lovely  and  elegant 
Fern,  aud  when  covered  with  moisture  nothing  can  be  more 
lovely  in  the  Fern  tribe  than  this  beautiful  plant.  It  re- 
quires peculiar  treatment,  and  should  never  bo  exposed  to 
the  rays  of  the  sun.  Todca  pellucida,  or  hymeuopbylloides, 
is  another  very  nearly  its  equal,  exceedingly  beautiful,  and 
more  easily  gro.vu.  Among  other  greenhouse  Ferns  I  noticed 
Ptoris  straminea  attcuuata,  a  variety  in  which  the  pinnules 
are  excoedinglv  narrow,  with  all  their  points  turned  upwards, 
which  gives  the  whole  plant  a  very  crispy  appearance.  This  is 
new,  aud  id  now  sent  out  for  the  first  time.  Tben  there  was 
ri;orig  oreticadactylifera,  an  elegant  created  Fern  raised  here,  a 
hybrid  from  1'.  crclioa.  The  fiends  are  2  feet  in  length,  and 
each  of  the  pinna;  from  C  to  'J  inoheg  long,  and  each  point  bears 
a  pendant  tassel  of  light  green.  This  is  quite  new,  and  is  now 
being  sent  out  for  the  first  time  ;  and  as  it  will  grow  either  in 
a  ."itova  or  greenhouse,  it  will  doubtless  be  a  general  favourite. 

In  the  stove  fernery  I  noticed  some  nice  plauts  of  a  beauti- 
ful new  Fern,  Gymuogrammi  Kollissonii,  a  hybrid  between 
G.  ochracea  aud  G.  ferruginea.  Its  fronds  are  i!  feet  in  length, 
beautifully  arched,  and  the  points  of  the  pinmu  pendant.  It 
is  the  most  vigorous  of  all  the  Gymnogrammas,  except  G.  totla, 
grows  well  in  an  intermediate  house,  and  will  make,  doubt- 
less, a  fine  Fern  for  exhibition.  There  were  also  some  good 
specimens  of  climbing  Ferns,  such  as  Limariopsis  hetero- 
morpha,  Lygodium,  Oleandra  articulata,  and  others.  In  fact, 
iia  all  the  departments  of  Ferns,  stove,  greenhouse,  and  hardy, 
there  is  an  admirable  selection  ;  and  I  may  draw  attention  to 
the  recently  published  catalogue  of  Ferns,  which  has  been 
brought  out  under  the  superintendence  of  Mr.  Luckley,  as  being 
one  of  iho  most  complete  and  exact  catalogues  that  I  have  seen. 

lu  the  hou;e  devoted  to  hardwooded  greenhouse  plants,  called 
also  a  Camellia  house,  there  were  some  plants  which  well 
deserve  attention,  and  ought  to  he  grown  by  those  who  possess 
a  greenhouse.  Among  them  was  llhododendron  fragrantissi- 
ruum,  a  plant  of  surpassing  excellence,  with  flowers  of  large 
size  and  most  delicious  perfume,  one  of  them  quite  scenting 
a  house.  Then  there  were  the  old  plant  Gnaphalium  (Astelms) 
eximium,  with  its  woolly  leaves  and  blood-red  everlasting 
flowers  ;  Acropbyllura  vcnosum  and  Dracophyllum  gracile,  both 
excellent  exhibition  plants,  and  very  showy  in  a  greenhouse; 
Epaeris  multiflora,  crimson  with  white  tips  ;  Adenandra  fra- 
grane,  an  old  but  good  greenhouse  plant  with,  pink  flowers ;  and 
Corra\rs  of  various  sorts,  another  of  those  plants  which  so  try 
the  skill  aud  patience  of  a  plautsman,  so  subject  are  they  to 
red  spider.  Here,  too,  was  a  fine  lot  of  young  Azaleas  well  set 
with  flower  buds. 

lu  Orchids  the  Tooting  nursery  is  very  rich,  and  the  house 
was  full  of  fine  plants  in  good  condition,  and  to  enumerate 
them  would  be  simply  to  run  through  the  list  of  the  most 
favourite  and  rare  of  these  lovely  and  curious  plants.  Some 
were  in  flower,  but  the  season  was  a  dead  one  for  Orchids. 
Calanthe  Veitchii  was  in  bloom — a  plant  for  which  Mr.  Buckley 
said  Mr.  Domiuy  ought  to  have  had  a  gold  medal,  bo  successful 
ac  instance  is  it  of  hybritlisiug,  and  80  valuable  lor  flowering 
in  winter.     ,.,.    ,■,,,-,     -...a:,.:    ,,■   ,    ,. 

In  the  out-dopr  department  there  ia  a  most  valuable  oolleo- 
tlon  of  herbaceous  plants  of  all  kinds  ;  amongst  them  a  com- 
plete set  of  the  now  fashionable  Sempervivums,  and  Echeverias, 
and  Saxifrages;  while  the  same  completeness  ia  manifested  in 
all  the  various  departments  of  a  well-ordered  nursery.  I  must 
not  omit  to  mention  that  in  the  propagating  house  I  saw  a  new 
Tricolor  Telargonium,  which  seemed  to  bo  a  fine  one,  in  the 
same  style  as  Lucy  Grieve,  very  high  in  colour,  and  of  good  habit. 
I  may  hero  mention  that  Messrs.  Rollisson's  Tricolor  Star  of 
India  has  proved  with  me  one  of  the  most  attractive  of  the  large 
numher  that  we  now  possess.  It  is  of  the  smooth-leaved  sec- 
tion (KuDSot  style),  and  is  a  very  good  grower;  while  their 
Tricolor  Artemus  Ward  is  excellent  for  the  edges  of  a  bed,  bsing 
of  very  neat  habit. 


1  have  given  ia  this  rapid  sketch  a  fjw  of  the  more  salient 
points  which  struck  me  on  my  visit  to  this  well-known  nursery ; 
and  all  who  have  had  an  opportunity  of  visiting  it  will  agree, 
I  think,  with  niu,  that  I  have  not  said  a  word  too  much  in  its 
favour.— D.  IhuL 


HEATING  HOT  WATEIl  WITHOUT    A    nOILER. 

O.N  reading  the  very  able  and  practical  paper  "Doings  of 
the  List  Week  "  (December  3rd,  page  'i2'.i).  by  Mr.  11.  Fish,  I 
thought  that  poflsiijly  a  cheap  and  (-flicient  idan  I  have  adopted 
of  doing  away  with  all  kinds  of  boilers  in  the  heating  of  hot- 
water  pipes  iu  glass  houses,  might  bo  acceptable  to  many  of 
the  readers  of  your  Journal. 

Having  been  obliged  by  the  cracking  of  the  flues  in  one  of 
my  houses  (caused  by  mining  operations)  to  substitute  pipes, 
and  being  in  the  midst  of  the  manufacture  of  iron  gap-tubing,  I 
had  a  coil  of  ll-inch  pipe  made  and  inserted  in  a  brick  furnace, 
as  iu  the  accompanying  sketch.  The  fire  is  fed  from  the  top, 
there  being  also  two  doors  at  the  bottom  of  the  furnace,  on9 
to  clear  the  clinkers  oft'  the  bar.^,  and  the  other  to  c!o?e  the 
ashpit.  I  have  found  it  work  and  answer  extremely  well,  heat- 
ing GG  feet  of  i-iuch  pipe,  and  it  would  heat  double  that  amount 
if  required.  ,  -  :    . 

It  consists  of  five  riugs  or  ddils  of  l^^ineb  pipe;  not  coiled 
closely  together,  but  about  1<  inch  apart,  12  inches  wide  in  the 
circle  at  the  top,  and  widening  downwards.  This  coil  cost  ."0,i. 
I  have  another  coil  of  2-incli  pipe  with  seven  riugs.  This 
heats  "230  feet  o!  l-ineh  pipe,  and  cost  £5.  They  give  mo  the 
convenience  of  any  quantity  of  hot  water  for  the  houses,  from 
the  wood  cistern  connected; 

roiijioinumifloo  gai7?ol!ol   :■  ■-! 


.idt'oJ  besilcto  Chimney,    b,  CiBlVru.    r,  Pompeirt  'J-*'"''      •?''"* 

Tte  inside  of  the  coil  onlyjs  filled  with  fuel.    The  flames  fiUd 
the  furnace.  £ 

The  fuel  used  is  one-half  clean  cobble  of  coal,  at  5s.  per  ton, 
and  the  other  half  small  washed  gas  coke  or  breese,  at  7s.  per  - 
ton. — D.  HAWKESFOim,  BihUm.  • 

[We  have  no  doubt  that  your  coil  of  pipes  does  all  that  yon 
say,  because  we  have  known  even  simpler  plans  effectual.  Used 
with  care  we  have  every  reason  to  believe  the  coils  would  wear 
well,  but  they  are  more  subject  to  accidents  than  a  boiler,  and 
we  think  a  small  cylinder  boiler  fed  at  the  top,  as  you  do  your 
ooil  furnace,  at  a  similar  price,  would  act  equally  well,  as  £5  is 
a  fair  price  for  a  boiler  to  heat  2j0  feet.  The  little  cost  of 
heating  depends  on  tlie  low  price  of  the  coal  and  coke,  which 
would  be  more  than  double  further  south.  We  like  the  idea 
very  much  of  taking  the  flow-pipe  through  the  large  wooden 


482 


JOaKNAL  OF  HOKTICULTUBE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENEE. 


[  December  24,  1968. 


cistern.  We  presume  that  your  flow-pipe  goes  from  the  bottom 
of  tbe  cistern.  In  such  a  ease,  where  much  water  is  drawn  off, 
the  pipes  are  apt  to  be  cooled,  and  hence,  if  we  had  the  chance, 
we  should  liiie  to  have  the  cistern  heated  independently  of  the 
main  circulation.  The  water  would  also  be  purer  from  not 
communicating  directly  with  the  boiler,  but  the  jilan  you  have 
adopted  is  well  worthy  of  consideration.] 


MILDNESS  OF  THE  SEASON— CAMELLIA 
FLOWERING  OUT  OF  DOORS. 

It  is  not  always  that  an  autumn  of  unusual  mildness  foUo'WB 
a  summer  of  more  than  ordinai-y  heat,  yet  such  seems  to  be  the 
case  this  year ;  for  although  we  had  slight  frosts  earlior  than 
usual,  and  these  were  followed  by  sharper  ones  in  the  beginning 
of  November,  it  has  been  so  much  milder  since  that  time,  that 
were  it  not  for  the  shortness  of  the  days  and  the  damp  that 
prevails,  we  might  be  led  to  believe  ■we  were  advancing  far  into 
April.  Mild  autumns  and  late  winters,  however,  have  occurred 
before,  as  I  recollect  one,  about  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  ago,  in 
which  Pelargoniums  had  stood  through  tbe  dull  dark  days  un- 
protected, and  were  fresh  enough  to  furnish  cuttings  in  the 
first  week  in  February,  but  sliarp  frost  set  in  at  that  time,  and 
destroyed  them  and  other  plants.  About  tw  enty-fom'  years  ago, 
another  mild  autumn  occurred,  m  which  many  country  news- 
papers reported  that  Jlushrooms  were  gathered  in  the  fields  up 
to  the  end  of  Januar-y ;  but  these  exceptional  seasons  .are,  per- 
haps, not  the  best  for  garden  produce,  as  they  encourage  late 
and  immature  growth  in  some  plants,  although  as  regards  others 
they  may  be  beneficial.  Amongst  the  latter,  Roses  hare  flowered 
out  of  doors  in  greater  perfection  than  usual,  and  the  gaiety  of 
Jasminum  nuditlorum  against  waUs  reminds  one  of  sjrring. 
I  have  been  a  little  surprised,  however,  at  seeing  one  or  two 
trusses  of  bloom  fairlj'  out  on  a  Yellow  Banksian  Itosc,  gr'owing 
against  a  pillar  in  a  position  not  by  any  means  well  sheltered, 
and,  perhaps,  a  more  remarkable  occurrence  is  the  blooming  of 
Camellias  out  of  doors,  several  very  good  flowers  having  been 
gathered  here  from  plants  of  the  old  Double  White,  that  were 
planted  out  about  four  years  ago  in  a  fully  exposed  place.  Some 
of  the  plants  at  the  time  being  in  bad  health  have  recovered,  and 
look  robust  and  well. 

Generally  speaking,  out-door  Camellia  blooms  arc  injiired 
and  disoolouj'cd  either  by  the  cold  or  wet ;  birt  those  above  re- 
ferred to,  the  first  I  have  gathered  out  of  doors  before  Christmas, 
are  not  in  the  least  affected,  and  I  would  advise  those  who  have 
favoirrable  positions  for  this  plant,  to  try  it  outside.  I  need 
hardly  say  that  its  growth  is  less  rapid  than  when  sheltered  by 
glass,  and  growing  in  a  weU-preparcd  border;  but  the  plants 
grow  quite  as  rapidly  as  many  that  are  kept  in  pots,  and  as 
evergreen  shrubs  vie  wiih  any  other  for  appearance,  when  they 
are  in  good  order.  The  interest,  too,  aftiiched  to  them  will  al- 
ways entitle  thtm  to  mirch  consideration,  to  which  the  chances 
of  their  now  and  then  blooming  wull  give  them  an  additional 
claim.  Perhaps  those  who  have  had  plants  out  of  doors  for  a 
mmiber  of  years  will  stato  their  experience  tin,  i the  .matter. — 

J.  KOESON.  r  i     -:_.'    ;  ■.  [  ''r-y     ■      ' 

NOTES  AND   GLEANINGS. 

We  see  it  is  announced  that  a  Horiicultueal  Congkess  is 
to  be  held  at  Manchester  next  July,  that  it  will  be  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  and  that  Mr.  T. 
Moore  is  to  be  the  Secretary.  We  hope  it  may  be  well  attended 
and  prove  satisfactory. 

Dr.  M.  T.  Mastees,  Spring  Grove,  Isleworth,  and  Mr. 

H.  J.  Veitch,  King's  Eoad,  Chelsea,  have  been  appointed  re- 
presentatives of  the  Horticultural  Society  of  Russia  for  making 
arrangements  in  this  coimtry  relative  to  the  Inierxatiosai, 
HoBTicuLTCRiL  ExHiEiiioN,  to  be  held  at  St.  Petersburgh 
during  May  next.  Any  person  requiring  relative  information 
must  apply  to  either  of  the  gentlemen  named. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    OAEDEN. 

See  that  CdiiUflou-ers  in  all  stages.  Endive,  Lettuce,  stored 
roots,  &o.,  are  secured  from  frost.  As  soon  as  the  weather  will 
permit,  make  another  sowing  of  any  early  sort  of  Fea  and 
Early  Mazagan  Beans  on  the  breasts  of  wide  ridges,  and  lest 
the  ground  should  be  frozen  har4  afterwards,  so  rs  to  impede 
their  germination  or  cut  them  oS  when  above  the  soil,  have 


plenty  of  long  litter  or  spruce  branches  in  readiness  to  scatter 
along  the  ridges.  Keep  up  a  regular  supply  of  Asparagus, 
Chicory,  Sea-lieile,  Uliuharb,  &a.  Where  a  family  is  constantly 
resident,  it  is  in  general  bad  policy  to  commence  forcing  earlier 
than  the  stock  will  enable  one  to  meet  the  demand  until  a 
supply  can  be  had  from  the  open  ground.  Fresh  beds  of  dung 
and  leaves  will  require  to  be  put  in  operation  for  Radishes, 
Horn  Carrots,  Potatoes,  and  early  Cacumhers.  Take  care  to 
make  your  beds  large  enough  for  the  latter  if  you  wish  to 
avoid  trouble  and  annoyance  afterwards.  The  JIushroom  beds 
out  of  doors  will  require  to  be  carefully  covered  with  litter  and 
mats,  etc.  On  those  who  are  fond  of  the  Mushroom  (and  ia 
many  families  it  is  deemed  as  essential  to  good  cookery  as  the 
Onion  tribe),  I  would  urge  the  importance  of  devoting  to  the 
purpose  a  house  or  back  shed,  to  be  heated  by  hot  water.  A 
good  supply  will  thus  be  easily  obtained,  and  much  pleasure 
will  be  experienced  in  witnessing  the  growth  of  tho  Mush- 
rooms. A  bed  completely  covered  with  them  is  a  beautiful 
sight  at  this  season.  With  respect  to  the  mode  of  cultivation, 
I  do  not  think  I  can  add  much  to  what  has  been  stated  by  Mr. 
Fish. 

rnCIT  GAEDEJJ. 

Prune  and  nail-in  on  fine  days  everything  except  Peaches, 
Figs,  Vines,  and  P.aspbetries  ;  the  nailing  of  these  had  better  be 
deferred  six  weeks  longer.  V/heel  dung,  turn  composts,  and 
exercise  judgment  and  forethought  in  regulating  operations 
according  to  the  state  of  the  weather.  PveeoUect  if  yon  wish 
to  see  y»irr  men  energetic,  able,  and  willing  to  push  through 
labour  in  any  emergency,  you  must  study  their  health  and 
comfort  by  providing  suitable  labour  in  iinpropitious  weather. 

FLOWER   GARDES. 

Where  alterations  and  improvements  are  in  contemplation, 
such  as  making  new  walks,  making  new  flower  beds,  or  re- 
instating the  soil  of  old  ones  where  necessary,  frosty  weather, 
which  we  may  expect  after  tho  heavy  rains,  rather  accelerates 
than  retards  such  operations.  Holes  for  planting  choice  or 
new  shrubs  or  trees  may  also  be  prepared  by  removing  the 
bad  soil  and  replacing  it  with  a  compost  suitible  to  the  plants  j 
and  even  where  trees  are  planted  and  not  growing  so  well  es 
could  be  desired,  the  soil  may  be  carefully  removed  from  the 
outer  roots  and  replaced  by  proper  soil.  Should  the  weather 
send  the  men  in-doors,  plenty  of  work  may  be  found  for  them 
in  cutting  pegs,  making  brooms,  cleaning  old  flower  sticks  and 
making  now  ones,  repairing  rustic  baskets,  and  painting  wire 
trellises,  garden  chairs,  water  pots,  &c. 

GREENHOUSE    AND    OOK.SEEVATOKT. 

Next  to  Luculia  gratissima,  Gesnera  zebrina  is  the  best  con- 
servatory plant  we  have  in  November  and  December ;  if  the 
terminal  spikes  of  flowers  of  this  plant  are  cut  ofi  when  they 
are  three-parts  llown,  and  the  plant  returned  to  the  stove  for 
a  short  time,  a  host  of  lateral  spikes  will  come  up  and  last 
some  time.  A  regular  stove  is  far  too  hot  for  this  plant  when 
in  ilower,  though  stove  culture  assists  it  at  other  times ;  but 
to  flower  in  summer  a  greenhouse  treatment  is  nectssary  from 
the  beginning,  as  already  noticed. 

HOUSE    PLANTS   M^GENEEAI.. 

The  surface  soil  in  pots  soon  becomes  exhausted  by  repeated 
watering,  and  repotting  is  not  applicable  in  winter,  therefore 
surfacing  from  time  to  time  ^\ith  a  little  fresh  soil  is  all  that 
can  be  done  at  present.  After  removing  the  soil  on  the  surface 
of  the  pots,  loosen  the  next  layer  down  to  the  roots  with  a 
pointed  stick,  mixing  a  portion  of  fresh  compost  with  it,  and 
the  next  watering  will  carry  the  more  sandy  parts  down  among 
the  roots,  which  will  be  of  essential  service  to  the  plants.  A 
porous  surface,  whether  in  a  pot  or  in  the  field,  is  a  point  in 
cultivation  which  cannot  be  overrated.  Little  air  need  be  given 
now  to  the  conservatory  as  the  forced  flowers  are  brought  in. 

STOVE. 

In  reference  to  tho  shy-blooming  kinds  of  Orchids,  the  moat 
essential  part  of  their  management  is  to  compel  them  to  con- 
fine their  growing  season  to  our  summers,  say  from  the  middle 
of  May  to  the  end  of  August.  Stauhopeas  are  shy  bloomers  in 
the  bands  of  some  cultivators,  but  with  ethers  they  flower 
regularly.  Young  plants  of  these  are  more  difficult  to  flower 
than  those  which  are  established,  because  they  are  more  liable 
to  be  influenced  by  changes  of  temperature  or  moisture. 
They  will  endure  more  hardships  than  any  other  of  the  tribe, 
and  ere  therefore  fit  subjects  for  experiments.  From  the  end 
of  September  to  the  beginning  of  May  give  no  water  at  the 
roots,  and  from  the  end  of  November  to  the  middle  of  Feb- 
ruary the  proper  temperature  is  55°.     The  atmosphere  should 


Docombor  24,  1868.  ] 


JOUaHAIi   OF   HOIJXICUIiTUKE  AND   COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


483 


•not  be  drier  than  for  a  coUootion  of  stove  plants,  therefore  the 
ooldeet  end  of  a  stove  is  a  Rood  place  to  winter  them  in. 
Early  in  March  remove  them  to  a  warmer  place — under  the 
shade  of  an  early  viuevy,  kept  from  GO"  to  7;V,  or  a  Cucumber 
lionse  will  do  ;  but  constant  shade  is  necessary,  as  the  leaves 
are  excited  by  the  moisture  of  the  atmosphere,  while  the 
material  about  the  roots  is  so  dry  that  atmoepherio  moisture 
can  have  no  effect  upon  it.  Some  plants,  however,  will  be  apt 
to  prow  at  this  singe,  particularly  in  the  first  season ;  these 
must  be  kept  in  a  drier  atmosphere,  or  iu  the  driest  end  of  the 
house.  From  70"  to  7")"  should  be  the  temperature  for  April. 
Every  bnd  now  will  be  swollen,  and  the  success  of  the  plan 
depends  in  some  measure  on  the  length  of  time  the  buds  can 
be  kept  in  this  state.  As  soon  as  they  open  into  shoots  plunge 
the  roots  in  water  till  all  the  material  about  them  is  well 
soaked ;  after  this,  abundance  of  air,  as  much  lisht  as  the 
leaves  will  endure,  and  a  temperature  of  from  70°  to  S0°  are 
essential  till  their  growth  is  nearly  finished.  TTnder  any  mode 
of  culture  the  youn^  shoots  must  be  preserved  from  too  much 
moisture  lodging  in  the  centre,  till  they  are  ripe  enough  to 
endure  it.  The  rallunaJe  of  some  of  the  points  in  this  course 
is  not  so  obvious  as  one  could  wish,  but  in  every  instance 
where  the  mode  described  has  been  tried  the  result  has  been 
favourable. 

riTS    AMD    FnAMES. 

Plants  in  these  structures,  not  artificially  heated,  will  sustain 
no  injury  in  frosty  weather  if  they  are  left  covered  for  weeks 
together,  and,  iu  truth,  should  they  become  frozen,  it  will  bo 
much  better  that  tb(>y  should  rem-viu  covered,  and  be  allowed 
to  thaw  gradually  than  be  suddenly  exposed  to  a  heated  atmo- 
sphere. In  nature  we  see  that  plants  sustain  no  injury  under 
a  covering  of  snow,  even  though  it  bo  a  yard  thick  au.l  continue 
for  weeks,  and  why  is  this  ?  not  because,  as  some  suppose,  the 
snow  is  white,  though  that  is  very  favourable  to  preventing 
the  escape  of  terrestrial  heat,  but  because  the  snow  keeps  the 
surface  of  the  earth  at  an  equal  temperature,  which  is  suffi- 
cient to  prevent  the  plants  from  sustaining  injury  from  the 
low  temperature,  and  yet  not  sufficient  to  admit  of  their 
growth  ;  therefore,  if  we  can  keep  the  plants  from  growing  they 
will  not  sustain  any  injary  by  being  for  a  time  without  light. 
Plants  should  present  a  dwarf  and  robust  appearance,  thus 
being  well  fitted  to  bear  deprivation  of  light  for  some  time  if 
severe  weather  shoirld  set  in.  Damp  has  accumulated  very 
much  cf  late,  owing  to  the  heavy  rains  and  cloudy  weather 
with  which  we  have  been  visited.  It  may  be  removed  by 
giving  air  at  the  front  and  back  in  sunny  days  ;  but  where 
the  pits  are  heated  by  flaes,  a  dry  atmosphere  may  be  obtained 
by  putting  on  slight  fires,  at  the  same  time  allowing  a  free 
circulation  of  air  amongst  the  plants. — W.  Ke.ine. 


DOINGS   OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 

A  WEEK,  on  the  whole,  with  on  almostevery  night  a  downpour- 
ing,  making  us  regret  that  we  have  been  able  to  do  but  little 
towards  storing  some  of  the  abundant  supply  of  rain  water  that 
ran  to  waste.  The  wet  has  been  a  hindrance  to  out-door  ope- 
rations, otherwise  the  weather  has  had  more  of  the  mildness 
of  the  end  of  April,  than  of  gloomy  December. 

EITOSEN    GARDEN. 

Everything  is  growing  more  tender  than  we  like,  and  bundles 
of  twigs  of  evergreens  have  been  set  aside  in  readiness  to  place 
among  Lettuces,  Cauliflowers,  &c.,  it  the  weather  should  sud- 
denly turn  frosty,  as  many  plants  will  be  less  able  to  stand  it, 
than  if  the  weather  had  been  drier  and  colder.  Bundles  of 
dryish  litter  have  also  been  put  together  in  readiness  to  throw 
over  beds  of  Celery,  Cjleworts,  Violets,  &c.,  if  it  should  be 
judged  necessary,  as,  after  such  free  growth,  two  or  three 
nights  of  severe  frost  would  destroy  almost  everything.  As 
yet  we  have  not  had  a  bad  head  of  Celery  this  season.  This  is 
very  fortunate,  as  we  shall  not  have  too  much  of  if,  and  the  latest 
planted  did  not  grow  very  strong.  One  reason  why  we  will 
protect  some  Violet  beds  from  frost  is,  that  though  the  flowers 
look  well  after  frost,  and  seem  but  little  injured,  all  the  odour 
for  which  they  are  prized  will  bo  gone.  We  have  seen  nice 
little  vases  of  the  single  Violet  iu  winter,  that,  however  they 
might  please  the  eye,  were  no  better,  so  far  as  scent  was  con- 
cerned, than  so  many  leaves. 

Near  Radishes,  on  a  sloping  bank,  is  placed  a  heap  of  litter 
to  protect  them  from  frost  when  it  comes,  as  they  are  as  yet 
tender  and  crisp,  and  a  little  bnrnt  rubbish  strewn  amongst 
them  keeps  many  of  their  enemies  at  a  distance.    We  have  put 


up  our  first  hotbed  for  Radishes,  and  will  sow  them  in  rows 
alternately  with  Horn  Carrots.  We  find  it  moat  economical  to 
defer  sowing  Carrots  until  the  turn  of  the  days,  and  depend  for 
young  ones  in  winter  on  those  sown  late  iu  summer.  Wo  will 
pot  directly  a  lot  of  Aehlcaf  and  I'roliCc  Ashleaf  Potatoes  in 
small  pots. 

CiicumbiTS. — Pat  up  also  a  rough  hotbed  for  a  frame,  iu 
which  we  will  sow  Cucumbers,  as  we  generally  find  the  young 
plants  thrive  better  in  dung  heat,  than  in  the  heat  from  hot 
water,  after  January — that  is,  when  thoy  are  young,  and  until 
they  become  strong  plants  for  final  planting  out.  Of  late  years, 
early  in  spring  our  plants,  as  respects  bearing,  ran  a  very  close 
race,  sometimes  the  fr?me  beating  the  hot-water  pit,  and  rather 
oftener  the  pit  boating  tho  frame,  when  plants  of  the  same 
age  were  used  for  both.  A  double  or  a  single  light  for  seedlings 
thus  sots  pit-room  at  liberly,  or  leaves  it  to  the  winter  Cucum- 
bers, so  that  strong  plants  may  bo  ready  to  put  iu  before  the 
winter-bearing  ones  are  removed.  Frequently,  to  prevent  a 
want  of  Cucumbers,  we  grow  a  few  plants  to  fl  Is^rge  size  in  pots, 
and  let  these  fruit  iu  the  jiot-water  pit  in  spring  ;  and,  planting 
out  the  others,  those  in  pots  come  in  more  quickly,  and  when 
the  planted-out  Cucumbers  come  in,  those  in  pots  can  also  be 
renewed.  We  had  good  fruit  last  yeor  from  plants  in  8-inch 
pots  some  weeks  before  v;o  had  any  from  those  planted  out, 
the  plants  being  of  the  samo  ago. 

A  word  hero  as  to  sowing  Cucumber  seeds.  "  Beta  "  tells  ns, 
"  I  bought  several  new  advertised  sorts  last  season,  and  had 
not  a  healthy  plant  from  them  ;  on  an  average  I  had  not  more 
than  one  plant  from  six  seeds,  and  none  of  the  produce  came 
up  to  the  description.  Surely  the  seeds  must  have  been 
doctored,  or  deficient  in  some  way."  We  do  not  readily  believe 
iu  the  doctoring  of  seeds  by  any  respectable  firm.  One  thing 
is  perfectly  evident,  that  any  first  gain  made  by  such  a  practice 
is  sure  to  be  followed  by  great  ultimate  loss,  as  a  man  will 
rarely  be  deceived  a  second  time.  There  are  people  who  will  have 
seeds  at  such  a  price,  and  stand  out  so  much  for  quantity  too, 
that  we  can  feel  little  sympathy  for  them  if  they  make  a  very 
dear  instead  of  a  cheap  bargain.  It  is  very  rare  that  new  Cu- 
cumber seed  receives  any  "  cooking"  or  preparing  for  market. 
A  respectable  seedsmiu  would  not  allow  two  new  seeds  to  be 
made  up  into  a  packet  with  four  or  half  a  dozen  in  which 
all  vitality  had  been  destroyed.  In  most  cases,  we  believe  the 
fault  is  more  owing  to  the  sower  than  to  the  seed  merchant. 
We  have  given  seed  to  others  to  sow,  and  have  sown  ourselves, 
and  not  obtained  a  single  seedling,  and  from  the  same  packet 
we  have  sown  a  second  time  and  obtained  a  seedling  from  every 
seed.  Too  much  wet,  too  much  covering,  will  cause  many  a 
seed  to  rot,  and  too  much  dryness  after  the  radicle  of  the  seed 
has  protruded,  will  cause  it  to  shrivel  up  into  a  lifeless  skeleton. 
Old  Cucumber  seeds,  and  now  ones  at  all  imperfectly  ripened, 
are  the  most  easily  injnred  by  moisture  and  deep  covering.  In 
either  case  the  seeds  will  rot.  The  great  point  of  safety  is,  in 
either  case,  to  allow  the  seeds  to  absorb  moisture  very  graduaUy, 
and  still  have  the  seeds  within  reach  of  the  air. 

We  are  presuming  the  heat  is  quite  suitable,  say  averaging 
70°.  Wo  have  sown  six-year-old  Cucumber  seeds  in  one'pot, 
and  not  a  plant  did  we  raise ;  we  have  sown  from  the  same 
packet,  and  had  ten  plants  from  twelve  seeds.  In  the  first 
case  we  sowed  in  fibrous  soil,  neither  wet  nor  dry,  covered  to 
about  the  depth  of  one-eighth  of  an  inch,  watered,  and  placed 
the  pot  in  the  hotbud.  In  the  second  ease  the  pot  was  filled 
with  similar  soil  to  within  1]  inch  of  the  rim,  was  then  well 
watered,  allowed  to  stand  twenty-four  hours  to  drain,  then  a 
sprinkling  of  drier  soil  was  placed  on  the  surface  to  the  depth 
of  nearly  one-eighth  of  an  inch,  gently  pressed  down,  and  on 
that  tho  seed  was  placed  carefully,  and  then  covered  with  about 
one-sixteenth  of  an  inch  of  dryish  soil,  gently  pressed,  a 
square  of  glass  laid  over  the  pot  after  being  set  in  the  bed,  so 
that  air  could  pass  under  the  glass,  anda  piece  of  paper  over  the 
glass  to  keep  out  sun  light.  In  this  cato  tho  moisture  from 
the  soil  in  the  pot  and  from  the  bed  was  enough  to  enable  the 
seed  to  absorb  moisture  slowly,  so  as  gently  to  excite  the  germ 
of  vitality  instead  of  destroying  it,  and  it  was  rare  that  any 
watering  would  be  needed  until  the  plumule  or  little  stem 
began  to  show  itself,  and  then  only  a  little  warm  water  was 
given  at  a  time.  Much  the  same  care  is  required  in  the  case 
of  new  seeds  at  all  imperfectly  ripened,  as  in  their  case  the 
too  free  absorption  of  moisture,  especially  if  they  are  too  much 
covered  up,  so  as  to  prevent  the  access  of  the  oxygen  of  the 
air,  will  be  apt  to  rot  fhe  germ. 

A  sort  of  excuse  may  be  given  for  thus  dwelling  on  these 
matters,  as  what  applies  to  such  a  large  seed  as  that  of  the 


481 


JOOENAIi  OF  HORTICOLTUKE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENEK. 


[  Decfmber  24,  IKe, 


Cucumber  ■will  equally  apply  to  the  smallest  seeds  ;  but  whilst 
care  should  be  taken  that  such  seeds  should  not  be  too  moist 
at  first,  nor  too  much  covered,  greater  care  will  be  required 
in  proportion  to  their  smallnees,  that  the  seeds  do  not  suffer 
from  drought  after  they  have  swelled,  and  the  radicle  or  root 
has  protruded.  With  such  attention  to  trifles  there  wonld  be 
more  snecess  in  raising  seedlings,  and  seedsmen  wonld  not 
be  blamed  when  thoroughly  honest  and  far  above  all  such 
practices  as  are  too  freely  ascribed  to  them  at  times. 

All  this  care  in  sowing,  however,  will  not  always  ensure  that 
the  seedlings  raised  shall  be  true  to  the  desired  variety,  and 
this  uncertainty  will  generally  be  in  proportion  to  the  newness 
of  the  variety  and  the  length  to  which  it  grows.  All  the  older 
and  shorter  varieties  seed  pretty  freely  and  have  well-formed 
fruit,  therefore  it  is  easy  to  save  good  seed.  The  most  of  the 
long-growing  kinds,  fertilise  how  yon  may,  produce  seed  spar- 
ingly. It  is  rare  to  obtain  a  seed  from  a  fine  specimen  Cu- 
cumber of  the  long  kinds,  that,  in  addition  to  other  desired 
properties,  is  as  straight  as  and  more  uniform  in  girth  than  a 
gun  barrel.  An  opportunity  is  taken  to  get  seed  from  those 
with  chubby  ends  and  malformed  fruit,  because  it  can  rarely 
be  otherwi=e  obtained.  Kted  we  wonder  that  thus  the  variety 
soon  deteriorates  ?  What  would  be  thought  of  the  stock- 
breeder who  used  the  lame  and  the  deformed  of  his  flock  to 
keep  up  the  high  character  of  his  stock?  and  yet  this,  to  a 
certain  extent,  must  be  done  as  respects  these  long  fancy 
Cucumbers. 

We  rccolleot  a  particular  case  in  point.  Many  years  ago  one 
of  our  best  gardeners  exhibited  some  fine,  long,  white-spincd 
Cucumbers,  with  a  splendid  mealy  bloom  on  them,  and  they 
were  crisp  and  sweet,  as  well  as  pleasing  to  the  eye.  Seeds- 
men wished  to  have  the  sending  out  of  the  variety.  Towards 
the  end  of  the  summer  something  like  chance  gave  ns  an 
opportunity  to  see  six  or  eight  lights  of  this  Cucumber  left  for 
seed.  There  was  not  a  single  well-formed  specimen, most  were 
crooked  and  twisted,  and  looked  as  if  they  would  yield  abun- 
dance of  seed.  Need  we  wonder  that  in  a  couple  of  years  or 
so  the  Cucumber  got  out  of  date?  Some  said  they  had  been 
"  sold,"  though  there  was  not  a  doubt  as  to  their  having 
seed  from  the  right  stock.  The  raiser  kept  on  with  it,  and  did 
well  with  it ;  but  then,  no  doubt,  he  was  particular  as  to  the 
fruit  he  had  (he  seed  from,  and  very  likely  if  that  did  not 
please  him  be  continued  the  variety  by  cuttings.  "  Beta  ''  and 
other  enthusiasts  after  long  straight  Cucumbers,  will  now  see, 
that  however  honest  the  seedsman  may  be,  there  will  always  be 
8  tendency  to  deterioration  and  sporting  in  these  very  long 
Cucumbers,  and  the  grower  will  succeed  best  who  saves  his 
own  seeds,  and  is  content  to  save  very  few  from  well-formed 
fruit,  instead  of  a  great  quantity  from  deformed  ones.  We 
have  not  seldom  been  forced  to  fall  back  on  chubby,  gouty- 
nosed  fruit,  because  we  could  not  get  seed  from  a  straight  one, 
but  though  frequently  the  variety  was  thus  continued  tolerably 
pure,  it  was  more  than  we  had  any  right  to  expect.  Facts 
when  fairly  stated  will  often  remove  very  unpleasant  miscon- 
ceptions, whilst  reticence  and  unwise  attemps  at  concealment 
will  only  confirm  them. 

FEriT   GARCEX.     .""^       '  ' 

We  must  refer  the  reader  to  pre vious '  weeks'  notices  as  to 
planting,  transplanting,  and  pruning.  Of  the  latter,  and  even 
under  glass,  we  have  not  done  so  much  as  we  wish  owing  to  a 
press  of  out-door  matters,  hut  nothing  has  been  allowed  to  be 
delayed  too  long. 

S'traicberriis.—We  have  just  made  up  a  mild  hotbed,  chiefly 
cf  long  litter  and  tree  leaves.  These  were  trodden  rather 
firmly,  and  as  even  then  the  pots  would  be  apt  to  sink  more 
in  the  leaves  than  would  be  desirable,  a  depth  of  2  or  3  inches 
of  rotten  dung  was  placed  on  the  surface  and  firmly  trodden, 
so  that  the  pots  should  stand  level  without  being  plunged. 
The  heat  rising  from  the  leaves  will  be  enough  to  excite  the 
plants  gradually  and  gently.  Beds  formed  at  this  season  are 
apt  in  mild  weather  to  heat  too  violently  for  the  good  of  the 
roots  of  the  Strawberries,  as  when  to  be  moved  to  houses  after- 
wards these  do  all  these  better  when  the  roots  have  little  more 
of  what  may  be  called  bottom  heat  than  the  tops  or  buds.  A 
strong  heat  also  paralyses  the  roots,  and  when  very  warm  bums 
them.  We  wonld  prefer  placing  the  plants  in  the  bed  on  boards. 
This  plan,  with  means  to  prevent  overheating,  brings  the  plants 
en  giadually  and  gives  them  an  advantR^e  over  those  set  in 
cool  houses  at  once,  as  to  the  time  of  blooming  and  ripening. 
A  few  sashes  at  liberty  thus  give  us  the  advantage  cf  starting  a 
house  in  which  Slrawbenies  are  to  be  placed  a  month  later. 
In  a  regular  Strawberry  house,  which  we  would  much  prefer 


to  making,  as  we  generally  do,  the  Strawberry  merely  a  super- 
numerary in  other  houses,  and  where  fuel  is  no  serious  matter, 
we  would  prefer  setting  the  pots  on  the  shelves  at  once.  There 
is  always  a  risk  at  this  season  in  plunging  the  plants  in  a  bed, 
unless  the  heat  be  the  very  mildest.  If  the  roots  strike  through 
into  rich  material  there  is  ever  a  tendency  in  dull  weather  to 
the  production  cf  huge  leaves,  instead  of  bold  strong  flower 
trusses.  Hence,  though  a  little  heat  will  help  them  on  more 
than  a  cold  pit  or  frame,  we  prefer  that  the  roots  clustering 
round  and  in  every  part  of  the  pot  should  not  be  subjected 
directly  to  the  action  of  the  heat. 

Cut  mildewed  berries  out  of  the  Grapes  remaining.  This- 
weather,  even  with  the  advantage  of  fire  heat  and  air  during 
the  day,  has  been  rather  unfavourable  to  their  keeping  well. 
Apples  and  Pears  also  want  constant  looking  over. 

OEXAirEXT.U.    BErAEliraST. 

When  not  over  wet  rolled  the  lawn.  Tresh-laid  turf  was 
too  wet  to  be  rolled,  we  had  to  be  content  with  slightly  beating. 
Where  the  ground  was  all  levelled  we  could  lay  the  turf  down 
by  using  planks  and  boards  for  the  men  to  stand  on,  and  as 
they  were  light  they  were  easily  moved.  Towards  the  end  of 
the  week  we  had  to  give  up  all  attempts  at  levelling  theground, 
from  the  wetness.  A  correspondent  tells  us  that  he  can  do 
nothing  with  turf  from  half  to  three-quarters  of  an  inch  thick, 
and  thinks  we  must  be  mistaken  as  to  the  thickness.  We  have 
laid  loads  between  these  two  sizes,  and  when  carting  frcm  a 
distance  much  cartage  is  saved.  We  have  no  fear  of  such 
thin  tuif  now,  and  especially  in  such  moist  weather.  Some  of 
the  first  laid  is  growing  beautifully.  We  should  require 
similar  turf  to  be  double  the  thickness  in  March,  and  then 
there  would  often  be  the  trouble  of  filling  up  the  cracks,  if 
not  of  watering.  To  make  a  fresh  lawn,  therefore,  economi- 
cally, the  work  is  best  done  in  the  end  of  autumn  and  the 
beginning  of  winter.  In  large  jobs  it  is  very  well  to  sow,  but 
it  takes  some  time  before  the  finest  seeds  will  equal  good  turf. 

Tulips,  especially  of  the  best  kinds,  will  require  to  be  pro- 
tected alike  from  heavy  drenchings  and  severe  frosts.  Mats 
and  a  little  long  litter  will  be  useful  for  these  purposes.  All 
bulbs  and  flowering  roots  must  be  protected  from  mice,  by- 
catching  or  otherwise  doing  away  with  the  mice.  We  have 
known  fine  beds  of  Crocuses  spoiled  in  a  few  nights.  Besides 
poisoning  and  catching,  we  have  sprinkled  tar  along  the  sides 
of  the  rows  and  patches  with  advantage,  and  the  tar  would  be 
dried  and  innocent  enough  by  the  time  the  bulbs  showed 
strongly  above  ground,  and  after  that  the  mice  more  rarely 
touch  them.  When  we  place  bulbs  in  a  bed  covered  with 
ashes  or  leaf  mould  for  the  purpose  ef  forcing,  we  have  found 
no  security  against  rats  and  mice  so  effectual  as  dropping  a- 
hne  of  tar  all  round  the  bed,  and  sprinkling  some  over  it. 

.4.uticnlas,  Polyanthuses,  (he  finer  Primroses,  Carnations, 
Picotees,  i-c,  kept  in  cold  frames  and  pits  should  be  frequently 
sxamined  as  to  dryness  and  any  appearance  of  damp.  When- 
ever a  few  hours'  sunshine  occur  the  sashes  should  be  taken 
off,  but  in  this  warm,  foggy,  dripping  weather  the  sashes 
should  be  raised  back  and  front  to  allow  the  air  free  pussage, 
and  so  as  to  keep  the  plants  robust  and  healthy. 

Ciilciolarliii. — Toung  plants  from  cuttings  in  the  end  cf 
October,  which  we  lately  stated  have  rooted  ra(her  sooner  than 
we  wanted  them,  have  been  treated  much  in  the  same  way  as 
the  above,  only  (he  sashes  were  pulled  down  in  dry  weather, 
even  if  dull  and  foggy,  as  a  little  damp,  along  with  plenty  of 
air,  will  rarely  hurt  such  Calceolarias.  We  like  as  weU  when 
the  cuttings  do  not  root  until  about  this  time,  as  before  they 
have  made  many  roots  they  will  stand  rougher  trealment.  In 
severe  weather  we  have  had  such  Calceolarias  covered  up  for  & 
month  or  six  weeks,  after  making  sure  (hat  the  temperature 
injide  was  cool  enough  to  prevent  growth  and  extension,  and 
just  above  freezing-point ;  but  whe«  they  are  as  thickly  set  as 
ours,  about  IJ  inch  apart,  and  tolerably  well  rooted,  they  will- 
not  readily  endure  such  long  shutting  up^  if  they  should  be 
called  upon  to  meet  if,  but  will  require  uncovering  more  fre- 
quently. Herbaceous  Calceolarias  of  the  large-flowering  kinds, 
though  equally  rejoicing  in  a  moist  cool  atmosphere,  generally 
do  better  where  in  all  seasons  they  can  have  light,  and,  there- 
fore, will  bloom  all  the  sooner  if  light  can  be  given,  and  the 
frost  excluded  by  a  little  fire  heat.  It  is  easy  to  counteract- 
the  dryness  from  artificial  heat.  We  have  in  years  gone  by 
grown"  great  quantiiies  of  the  herbaceous  Calceolarias  and 
Cinerarias,  and  felt  often  amused  in  reading  the  weekly  direc- 
tion to  be  sure  not  to  spare  tobacco  smoke  amongst  thtm.  as 
it  was  rarely  we  ever  gave  them  a  pufi.  A  cool  moist  atmo- 
sphere will  render  all  fumigation  unntceseary,  When  remoyed 


December  24, 1BC8.  1 


JOURNAL   0*  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


485 


into  a  drier,  wanner  atmosphere  the  green  fly  will  soon  find 
them  ont. 

Hoses. — It  is  time  that  all  (rosli  plantations  were  made,  but 
we  have  some  to  plant,  and  cannot  do  so,  as  the  ground  ie  far 
too  wet  to  enable  us  to  do  the  work  neatly,  and  planting  when 
the  ground  is  too  wet  is  as  bad  as  digging  stiff  soil  in  spring 
when  it  is  too  wet.  After  planting,  it  is  best  to  defer  pruning 
nntil  the  buds  begin  to  swell,  but  if  the  shoots  are  long,  a  piece 
may  be  taken  off  the  points,  and  the  rather  close  pruning  be 
left  until  the  buds  swell.  Leaving  the  shoots  thus  longer  helps 
the  making  of  fresh  roots  earlier.  Some  of  the  hardier  Koses, 
as  the  Damask,  Trovence,  and  the  more  robust  Perpotnals,  may 
be  pruned,  but  all  the  more  tender  kinds  should  be  left  until 
the  spring.  Teas,  and  the  tender  Noisettes,  i-c,  if  not  taken 
np  should  be  protected  with  litter  over  the  roots,  and  green 
twigs,  fern,  or  straw,  fastened  lightly  over  the  heads.  If 
against  walls,  they  will  generally  be  safe  enough  with  a  few 
thin  evergreen  branches  placed  securely  against  them.  They 
are  well  worth  this  little  extra  trouble,  and  if  on  their  own 
roots,  which  is  the  best  way,  a  little  dry  litter  may  be  fastened 
over  the  surface  of  the  ground.  Placed  Tea  Roses,  Perpetnals, 
and  others  in  pots  in  a  slight  bottom  heat,  in  a  pit,  along  with 
Deutzias,  Weigelas,  &c.,  and  put  a  lot  taken  from  the  open 
ground  without  any  preparation  into  a  slight  hotbed  out  of  doors. 

This  is  a  plan  that  can  easily  be  adopted  by  anyone  who  can 
command  a  few  barrowloads  of  tree  leaves,  or  other  fermenting 
material.  Most  of  the  plants  we  thus  use  would  otherwise 
have  been  grubbed  up,  and  we  have  often  been  as  successful 
with  them  as  with  those  grown  in  pots  all  the  summer.  In 
taking  them  up,  we  like  to  secure  a  good  number  of  roots, 
caring  little  whether  these  roots  are  long  or  short.  By  twisting 
or  otherwise,  we  put  them  into  as  small  pots  as  they  can  be 
squeezed  into,  using  rich  sandy  loam  well  firmed  for  the  pur- 
pose. These  plants,  plunged  into  such  a  mild  hotbed  iu  the  open 
air,  and  the  pots  just  covered  at  first,  and  then  covered  a  little 
deeper  as  the  heat  declines,  will  generally  be  tolerably  well 
supplied  with  fresh  roots  iu  from  a  month  to  six  weeks,  whilst 
the  bads  on  tho  shoots  will  scarcely  be  beginning  to  swell  more 
than  ordinarily.  After  the  root  feeders  are  thus  secured,  the 
pots  may  be  moved  to  a  forcing  pit,  a  hothouse,  or  even  a 
window  or  a  greenhouse,  but  the  slight  hotbed  would  be  best, 
with  plenty  of  air  at  first.  We  have  had  the  plants  doing  well 
in  a  greenhouse.  Most  shrubs,  deciduous  or  evergreen,  may  be 
treated  successfully  in  the  same  way.  In  fact,  we  treat  them 
much  as  we  would  do  a  bulb,  secure  roots  before  wo  attempt  to 
bring  the  flower  stem  much  into  excitement.  Often  when  we 
could  not  procure  bulbs  when  we  wanted  them,  we  have  hurried 
them  on  after  potting  in  a  similar  way,  plunging  the  pots  iu  a 
mild  hotbed,  and  leaving  the  tops  of  the  bulbs,  exposed  with 
only  a  few  dry  leaves  over  them  in  the  case  of  frost.  As  soon 
as  the  roots  nearly  filled  the  pots,  these  pots  were  transferred 
to  a  hotbed  or  forcing  pit,  taking  care  to  give  plenty  of  air  at 
first.  Bulbs  so  treated  we  have  had  in  fine  bloom  a  month  or 
sis  weeks  earlier  than  it  would  have  been  safe  to  have  forced 
those  potted  and  placed  in  a  cool,  dark  place  in  the  usual  way. 
Bear  in  mind,  that  with  unprepared  fresh-lifted  shrubs,  as  well 
as  with  bulbs,  you  force  successfully  only  when  you  have  secured 
roots  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  swelling  flower  i^u^g^andjgtowing 
flower  stems.— R.  F.  ','1'\      "'. 


TEOETABLES. 


Artichokes doz.  S 

AHpiirncus   100  10 

Hcans,  Kidney  per  bd.  2 

ISeut,  lied doz.  2 

Broccoli bundle  1 

Bras.  Hprouts  ?jBieve  2 

Cabhape doz.  1 

Caiisieums 100  0 

Carrots bunch  0 

Cftullflower doz.  ?• 

Celery bundle  1 

Cucumbers ench  0 

E^udiTu doz.  2 

Feuuol bunoh  0 

Oarlio  lb.  0 

ITerba  buneb  0 

Uorseradieb  ..  bundle  8 


d.  K. 
Otofi 
0      0 


0      G 


Leekn  bunch 

I^ettnce per  ecore 

MnBbroomB ....  pottle 
Mustd.&  Crene,  punnet 
Onions  . . .  .per  bushel 

Parsley per  sieve 

Parsnips doz. 

Peas per  quart 

Potatoes bnsbel 

Kidney  do. 

Radisbes  doz.  bunches 

Kbnbarb bundle 

Sea-kale basket 

Shallots lb. 

Spinach  bnsbel 

Tomatoes per  doz. 

TamipB bunch 


a.  d.  ■.  d 
0  4  too  6 
2    0      4 


8    0 
2    0 


TRADE   CATALOGUE  RECEIVED.       .; -v  m 

James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Royal  Exotic  Nursery,  King's  Roa^, 
Chelsea,  S.W.^Cataloi/ue  of  Garden  and  Floii-er  -SVct/s,  Horii. 
cultural  Implements,  etc.,  for  18(59.    With  one  Coloured  Plate. 

.     -■  -^    i'-A  ;  .liiObW    -'.11   10  d'lC. 

COVENT  GARDEN  MARTOST.-^IJecember  Taf 

Qenebaz.  supplies  abundant,  with  scarcely  any  variation  in  prices,  the 
only  active  trade  being  in  the  various  evergreens  us,ed  for  decoration. 
Of  these  there  is  no  scarcity,  as  may  well  be  supposed  iu  the  present 
open  season.  '•   ''-^-''^'' 


ApptoS  v..if..  ^a!eic 

ApriobtB doz.    0 

CEeniea lb.    0 

Chestnuts bush.  10 

Ottrranta ^jeie;e    0 

Black do.    0 

Figs doz. 

Filberts lb. 

Cobs lb. 

Gooseberries  . .  quart 
Grapes,  Hothouse,  .lb. 
Lemons 100 


racrr; 
B,  d.      B.  d 
1    6  to  2    0 
0      0 
0 
Ifi 
0 
0 
0 
1 
1 
0 

fi 


D 
0 
0 
0    0 

3  0 

4  0 


■  •^ri!D(0[ov  a. 

MeIon8,i.».fj',..^|Bao1i  2 

Nectarines doz.  0 

Oranges ..100  *J 

Peaches doz,  0 

Pears  (dessert)  ..dcz.  2 

Pine  Apples lb.  '.i 

Plums l^  sieve  0 

Qninces  doz.  0 

Raspberries  lb.  0 

Strawberries.,  per  lb.  0 

Walnuts bush.  10 

do per  ICO  1 


d.  B.  d 
OtoE  0 
0      0 

6 

0 

6 

5 

0 

1 

0 

0 
16 

2 


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.  All 
communications  should  therefore  bo  addressed  toUly  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  <£c.,  171,  Fleet 
Street,  London,  E.C. 

N.B. — Many  questions  must  remain  unanswered  until  next 
week.     ■  ..   j/.i  ,^  ■  J.:. -.., 

'.' "■         '     ■    ,     u   ■        '    ir;i(t   Yi'jfjf:";    i',),i  - 

Books  (T.  rroctol.—KeaiiB'a  "In-door. Gardening,"  which  yon  can, 
have  free  by  post  from  our  office  if  you  eucloso  twenty  postag:o  stamps 
w  ith  jour  address. 

DiRKCTioN  (E.  S.  B.).— The  direction  is  24,  Bonverie  Street,  Fleet 
Street,  Loudon. 

Meloh  ApptE  (Duprc).~-Yon  are  quite  correct  in  stating  that  this  is_a 
moKt  superior  des.sert  Apple,  but  we  were  no  less  correct  in  statiup;  that  it 
is  all  that  a  culinary  .\pple  should  be.  When  in  a  boiled  puddin;;  its  flesh 
becomes  a  complete  pnlp,  with  a  flavour  and  perfume  unsurpassed  by 
those  of  any  other  Apple. 

Barbarea  vulgaris  varieoata  (A  Lndy,  Somera€UhiTc).—^'a  have 
had  so  many  applications  for  information  where  this  can  be  obtained  for 
winter  (,'arden  decoration,  that  any  nurseryman  who  has  it  would  find  it 
remunerative  i(  he  advertised  it.  Wo  cannot  trouble  "  Ayrshire  Gae- 
DEN'ER  ''  on  the  subject. 

MADRESFlEtD  Co0BT  Grapb  (North  of  Irclanii  aardrner).— The  de- 
scription of  this  Grape  in  the  "  Florist  and  Pomologibt."  is  quite  correct. 
There  is  in  that  periodical  a  coloured  portrait  of  a  full-sized  bunch. 

Zonal  PELARGO>fiuiiis  FOE  Winter  Blooming  (Runh).— To  flower  well 
ill  -winter  the  Pelargoniums  you  name  require  a  temperature  of  from 
45°  to  50=  at  night  and  In  dull  days,  and  ought  not  to  be  in  small  pots, 
but  should  have  been  shifted  into  larger  ones  as  soon  as  those  they  were 
in  became  full  of  roots,  keeping  them  well  stoppcl  until  August,  so  as 
to  produce  compact  plants,  and  then  allowing  them  to  advance  for  bloom. 
As  you  wish  tlie  plants  to  flower  in  March,  wc  would  shift  them  now  into 
pots  a  size  larger,  afford  a  light,  airy  position  near  the  glass,  koepinff 
them  gently  growing,  and  by  increasing  the  temperature  to  40  or  50^ 
about  the  middle  of  February,  they  will  bloom  in  a  month  or  sis  weeks. 
They  should  have  an  abundance  of  air,  and  be  kept  carefulUy  watered  ; 
avoid  making  the  soil  too  wet.  For  blooming  at  the  time  named  the 
shoots  most  not  uow  be  stopped.  The  old  plants  are  not  good  for  winter 
blooming.    They  will  not  bloom  well  nntil  April. 

Watering  Kalosanthes  and  Fuchsias  in  Winter  (W.ia).— The  Ka- 
losanthes  ought  to  bo  kept  in  a  light,  dry,  and  airy  situation,  and  no 
water  given  except  to  prevent  them  from  flagging.  The  Fncheias,  if 
young  phints,  should  be  similarly  treated,  the  object  being  to  keep  them 
slowly  growing.  Old  plants  of  Fuchsias  may  receive  no  water  during  the 
winter,  providiug  the  wood  is  not  permitted  to  shrivel.  They  will  do  in 
any  place  secure  from  frost,  if  kept  dry,  and  not  unduly  excited  by  heat 
without  affording  at  the  same  time  light  and  moisture. 

Planting  Vines  IK.  S.).— Yonr  Vhios.  seven  years  old,  which  have 
been  cut  back  end  trained  this  season  with  one  good  strong  shoot,  wilt 
be  suitable  for  plonting  out  iu  the  greenhouse.  Wo  have  planted  Vines 
when  their  shoots  were  2  or  3  inches  in  length,  but  it  has  been  from  pots 
and  young  canes.  In  your  case  we  would  take  up  the  Vines  early  in 
March  if  they  are  to  be  planted  outside,  carefully  preserving  all  the  roots 
possible,  and  at  once  plant,  spreading  out  the  roots,  and  covering  with 
from  S  to  G  inches  of  rotten  turf.  If  the  Vines  arc  to  be  plsntcd  inside, 
xv(^  would  at  once  take  them  np  and  plant,  keeping  the  house  cool,  end 
not  watering  them  until  March.  They  ought  to  be  at  once  pruned  to  the 
IcDgtb  required.  ,,  , 

QujcKLi-GBowiNO  Evergreen  (IL  S.  S.,  Woodoatc).—ln,youi  soil  we^.., 
think  Berberis  aquifolium  would  onswer  your  purpose.  ^■.. 

Hays's  Patent  Stove.— Wo  cannot  tell  you  where  you  can  obtain  fael,^ 
It  was  peat  charcoal  we  believe.  There  is  now  no  agent  for  its  sale,  we 
believe. 

TACsnNfAiMoLT.TS3TMA  KOT  Flowbkiko  U.  F.)  —We  think  if  you  were 
to  keep  your  plant  drj-  at  tho  roots  during  the  winter,  or  after  it  had  made 
a  good  giowtu.  and  were  to  well  harden  it  off  by  giving  an  abundance  of  air, 
it  w<,uld  flower  well.  Perhaps  the  roots  have  unlimited  room,  and  on  that 
account  the  growth  is  strong.  Your  only  plan  will  be  to  allow  the  shoots 
a  con-esponding  amount  of  room  with  tho  roots,  or  confine  the  latter 
within  suiallcr  limits,  training  the  shoots  not  very  closely  together,  but 
so  as  to  be  clear  of  each  other,  and  not  further  from  the  glass  than. 
n  inches— better  6  inches.    Encourage  the  plant  to  make  a  good  growth. 


486 


JOUENAIi  OF  HOBTICOLTUEE   AND   COTTAGE   GAIIDENEE.  [  December  21, 1368. 


Golden  Drop.    Apricots  would  probably  succeed ;  the  best  are  Kaislia, 

Hemskevli,  aad  Moorpark. 
CoTTrsa  orr  Hepatica  Leaves  (An  Amatertr).—Thc  leaves  should  not 

be  cut  off.    They  will  decav  next  summer.    If  removed  it  is  probable  the 

buds  v.ill  not  mature,  and  perhops  the  plants  would  not  flower,  or  if 

they  did  their  flowering  would  be  poor  and  of  short  continuance. 
EuACKE-J  WITH  DuNcj  FOR  HoTDEDS  (Mem).— The  fronds  of  fern  are 

not  so  good  as  loaves,  but  still  useful  for  mixing  with  stable  dung,  as 

that  moderates  the  heat  and  renders  it  moro  lasting. 
Paksv  C0TTIK03  (Idem).— The  cuttinRS  put  in  under  a  north  wall  may 

receive  slight  protection  diu-ing  severe  fi-ost,  removing  it  in  mUd  weather. 
Eemovikg  TEicoLon  PELAuGONiriM  Flowees  (Mem).— V'o  think  the 

foliage  is  improved  in  size  when  the  flowers  are  removed,  but  we  do  not 

consider  the  loaves  are  bettor  coloui-ed.    The  colouring  is  more  or  leas 

intense  according  to  the  light. 
Forming  Pvkamidai,  Apple  Teees  (J.  31.  .5.).-Your  maiden  trees, 

4  feet  hi"h,  should  bo  cut  back  to  a  bud  13  inches  from  the  gTotmd 
This  proceediu;.'  will  cause  the  production  in  spung  of  a  number  ol 
shoots,  which  are  all  to  be  stopped  when  they  have  made  six  leaves  each, 
except  the  shoot  from  the  uppermost  bud,  which  is  to  be  tramed  upright 
and  not  stopped  until  it  has  grown  12  inches.  When  it  has  attained  this 
length,  before  July  take  out  its  point,  and  it  will  most  likely  push  laterals, 
one  of  wliich  is  to  be  trained  as  a  leader,  and  the  others  stopped  at  the 
third  loaf.  All  the  shoots  stopped  at  the  sixth  leaf,  if  they  push  after 
bein"  stopped,  are  to  have  the  shoot  nearest  the  end  of  each  pmchod  at 
the  third  jo  ut,  but  the  other  laterals  are  to  be  stopped  when  they  have 
made  two  leaves.  The  shoots  should  be  disposed  so  ns  to  form  a  sym- 
metrical pyramid,  widest  at  the  base  .and  gradually  taponug  upwards. 
The  shoots,  it  inclined  to  grow  erect  and  to  cross  each  other,  should  bo 
tied  down  and  so  regulated  as  not  to  be  nearer  than  0  inches,  nor  further 
apart  than  9  inches.  The  leader,  if  it  exceed  12  inches  in  length  with- 
out side  shoots,  ought  to  be  shortened  to  that  length  above  the  highest 
side  shoots,  and  these  should  be  cut  back,  if  necessary,  to  give  a  sym- 
meU-ical  head.  Any  laterals  on  the  side  shoots  not  required  for  exten- 
sion should  be  cut  back  to  withinhal:  an  inch  from  whence  they  proceed. 
The  subsequent  treatment  is  simiUr  to  that  in  the  previous  year,  ana 
this  must  be  persisted  in  until  the  trees  are  of  the  height  required.  The 
trees  should  now  be  mulched  round  the  stems  witn  3  inches  thick_  of 
littery  manure,  and  in  March  they  ought  to  have  a  top-dressing  of  nch 
compost  ov  rotten  manme  to  the  depth  of  about  an  mch. 

Repotting  Abdtii.os  (IT.  Coffri-!)— The  beginning  of  March  is  a  good 
time  to  cut  back  the  Abufflon,  and  repot  when  it  has  pushed  freely  shoots 


and  well  ripen  it  oflf,  keeping  the  plant  dry  at  the  roots,  but  not  so  dry  as 
to  cause  it  to  flag, 

CocoA-NL-T  P.1L5I  SEED  SowTNG  (IF.l.— The  Gocoa-nut  Palm  may  be 
raised  from  seed  in  a  bottom  heat  of  from  85  to  90-',  and  a  corresponding 
top  heat.    February  is  a  good  time  to  put  in  the  nuts. 

FoTATO  Onion  Culture  (Constant  Suiiscridcr).— Undergi-ound  or  Po- 
tato Onions  may  be  planted  at  the  end  of  February  or  early  in  March, 
planting  them  so  that  they  will  be  covered  with  soil,  leaving  the  least 
possible  portion  of  the  neck  of  the  bulb  above  the  surface.  A  rich  Ught 
soil  is  most  suitable.  Thev  should  bo  planted  from  4  to  6  inches  apart, 
in  rows  about  B  inches  from  each  other.  They  require  to  be  kept  free 
from  weeJs,  and  should  be  taken  up  when  the  tops  become  yellow,  tying 
them  up  in  bunches  in  the  same  way  as  the  otiier  kinds,  and  keeping 
them  in  a  dry  place.  They  are  milder  than  the  other  kinds  of  Onions, 
but  othei-wise  equal  to  them  for  nse. 

Culture  of  Tree  Ferns  (IT.  H.  fl".).— The  two  that  have  made  two 
Ironds  and  died  ofl"  may  push  others,  providing  tho  centre  or  hearts  are 
not  dead  or  destroyed,  but  that  we  could  not  siiy  without  seeing  the 
plants.  As  the  fronds  have  died  off  we  should  say  the  plants  are  dead. 
We  would,  however,  leave  them  fur  some  time  longer— until  July  or 
August  of  next  year,  unless  you  ascertain  there  is  no  possibility  of 
growth,  keeping  them  well  supplied  with  water,  and  the  trunks  or  stems 
sprinkled  with  water  twice  a-dav,  but  he  careful  not  to  allow  the  moisture 
to  lodge  in  tho  hearts  of  the  plants.  Tho  temperature  is  much  too  high  ; 
one  of  from  60  to  65^  is  ample  at  this  season,  encouraging  growth  in 
spring  with  a  brisk  heat  and  a  moist  rather  close  atmosphere.; 

EriPHYLLUM  Graiting  (31.  i.).— You  may  gi-alt  a  Poreskia  aculeata, 
tho  thickness  of  a  pencil,  with  tho  Epiphyllnni  truucatum.  Whip  graft- 
ing is  tbo  best  method,  though  side  grafting  will  ansn-er  well,  leaving  a 
portion  of  the  stock  to  which  the  graft  can  be  secured  after  inserlion. 
It  should  be  done  before  the  Eniphyllum  begins  to  grow.  The  graft 
should  be  secured  with  mat-,  and  have  a  little  moss  [.laced  over  it  and 
secured.  It  is  well  to  have  the  stem  of  the  stock  and  the  graft  of  the  same 
thickness  at  the  point  of  union,  and  the  outer  edges  on  one  side,  at  least, 
corresponding.  If  the  plant  be  placed  in  a  mild  bottom  heat,  and  be 
kept  moist  and  shaded  from  bright  sun,  the  graft  will  take  more  speedily. 
Winter  Cucc:.rBER  Giiowrao  {A  Youn/t  Gardener).— Yoar  house  or  pit 
appears  well  arranged  for  winter  Cucuiuber-growing,  only  we  think  there 
is  not  snflicient  provision  for  bottom  heat.  The  return  pipe  alone  is  not 
enough  to  heat  a  border  one-half  tho  width  of  the  house,  but  you  do  not 
say  what  the  width  of  the  bed  is,  though  from  your  stating  it  is  in  the 

centre  of  the  pit,  we  conclude  it  is  tho  full  width.    You  have  not  too      „^,,  ,„  „„„  „„,„ , ,_. ,,-,,-   i     *     *    i  ,,„ 

many  pipes  for  top  heat;  it  is  an  advantage  to  h.ave  a  greater  extent  of  I  o  or  3  inches  long.  It  succeeds  in  a  compost  of  two-imras  turiy  loam, 
surface  heated  than  is  absolutely  necessary,  as  in  this  case  greater  |  and  one-third  leaf  mould,  with  a  free  admixture  of  silver  sand.  «  e  can- 
lacilities  are  ofiorded  for  air-giving,  and  tbo  pipes  do  not  require  to  be  [  not  name  plants  from  shoots ;  flowers  as  well  as  foliage  are  necessary. 
made  so  hot,  and  on  that  account  the  atmosphere  is  more  congenial,  i  p^^^TS  Infested  with  White  Soale  ((Jim'-l-).— Your  plants  aremore 
You  ought  to  have  at  least  two  4-inch  pipes  for  bottoifi  heat,  and  they  |  g.^.-^'j^  dttncked  by  scale  than  any  we  have  seen,  judging  ifrom  the 
are  best  in  a  chamber  covered  m  itli  slabs  of  stone  or  slate,  and  lb  incnes  j  „:jj,j^s  g^^^^  ,j.  Syringe  them  with  a  solution  of  Clarke's  insect- 
Irom  the  intended  surface.    The  joints  of  the  slabs  should  bo  left  open,  |  .{^^,..^^:„„  comnouud    of  the  strength  of  8  ozs.  to  the  gallon,  wcttmg 

and  on  the  slabs  0  inches  thick  of  rubble  should  be  placed,  and  over  that  ,  ""^  '    J     ■=  ..  ,,'.._,   -j,-,i__  ^ ii„„  ,.<  ii,«  onlntirm  siv 

a  layer  of  sods,  grass  side  downwards,  and  then  the  soil  to  the  depth  of 
10  or  12  inches.  The  fruit  swelling  off  with  a  knob  at  the  end  indicates 
a  deficiency  of  bottom  heat,  which  at  this  season  ought  to  be  70^  and 
not  higbcr  than  75%  and  the  top  heat  shouUl  be  from  t]\i'  to  GO-  at  night, 
and  from  70°  to  75°  by  d.ay,  with  a  rise  from  sun  heat  Tho  evaporation 
troughs,  we  presume,  are"  kept  full  of  water,  and  in  addition  to  that,  the 
paths,  it  such  exist,  walls,  iSc..  should  be  sprinkled  with  water  about 
one  o'clock  daily  in  bright  wc.-ither,  and  tho  house  shut  up.  Your  sorts 
are  good  for  winter  fruiting,  and  in  general  swell  their  fruit  well.  It 
would  be  desirable  to  make  up  a  bed  at  one  end  and  put  in  fresh  plants, 
preserving  a  portion  of  the  present  plants  until  the  others  come  into 
beai-ing.  The  pipe  as  it  now  is  is  of  little  value  for  bottom  heat,  and 
unless  you  have  enough  of  that  the  growth  of  Cucumbers  in  winter  is 
not  satisfactory.  The  pit,  as  at  present  arranged,  will  do  very  well  for 
Cucumber-growing  in  spring  and  summer,  a  good  bed  of  fermenting 
materi-ils  being  provided. 

Akaucaria  Brown  at  the  Bottom  {Old  Subscriber). — The  cause  of 
Arucarias  becoming  brown  at  the  bottom  is  as  yet  unexplained,  and  w-e 
have  no  satisfactory  reason  to  give,  but  we  believe  it  is  due  to  climate, 
that  of  England,  except  in  favoured  or  sheltered  situations,  beingtoo  cold 
and  wet.  The  majority  of  the  plants  18  feet  and  upwards  in  height, 
which  we  have  seen,  are  in  much  the  same  condition  as  yours.  The 
dying-off  of  the  branches  of  Ai-auearias  is  so  vei-y  general,  that  we  shall 
be  obliged  by  information  on  the  subject.  We  think  it  ineur.ible,  and 
have  ceased  to  recommend  the  Araucaria  being  planted,  except  in 
sheltered  situations,  and  where  water  does  not  stagnate  in  the  subsoil. 
— G.  A. 

Pbcning  Vines  (Halt"  P«i/).— The  Tines  should  be  at  once  pruned. 
The  side  shoots  shouldbe  cut  back  to  two  eyes,  and  the  leading  shoot  or 
rod  cut-in  or  back  two-thirds  of  its  length.  Those  cut  back  to  two  eyes 
are  what  are  called  spars  :  you  will  find  their  treatment  fully  described 
in  the  "Vino  Manual."  The  mildew  was  not  caused  by  the  Calceolarias 
taken  up  from  the  garden,  but  it  may  have  resulted  from  iusufiicient 
ventilation.  The  remedy  is  to  dust  them  with  flowers  of  sulphur  on  its 
first  appearance,  and  as  often  afterwards  as  it  appears.  Are  you  sure  the 
Vines  are  mildewed  ?  The  Peach  trees  are  more  likely  to  have  fostered 
the  mildew,  as  you  say  it  is  upon  them,  therefore  syringe  them  with  a 
solution  of  Clarke's  insect-destroying  compound,  2  ozs.  to  the  gallon,  or 
paint  every  part  of  the  trees  with  a  solution  at  the  rate  of  3  ozs.  to  the 
gallon,  using  a  paint  bru=h.  If  mildew  appear  next  season  dust  the 
parts  immediately  with  flowers  of  sulphur.  The  Vine  border  sho-ald  be 
covered  with  littery  manure  to  the  depth  of  about  a  foot,  or  with  straw 
and  leaves,  but  the  manure  is  best.  Yon  will  only  need  Arcs  in  the 
greenhonse  to  keep  out  frost,  and  not  that  if  you  have  no  plants  in  the 
house.  The  temperature  from  lire  heat  should  not  exceed  40  .  The 
wood  of  the  Peach  trees  being  gi-een  and  not  half  ripe,  we  would  cut  the 
shoots  well  in.  This  will  give  vou  good  strong  shoots  another  year,  and 
you  will  bv  giving  air  freely  se'cure  their  full  maturation.  How  far  are 
the  Peach  trees  from  the  glass,  and  are  they  not  too  much  shaded  by  the 
Vines  ?  The  Vines  ought  not  to  be  nearer  each  other  than  4  feet  6  inches, 
better  6  feet,  to  allow  of  sufficient  hght  for  tho  Peach  trees.  The  best 
covers  for  a  flue  are  fire  tiles  3  inches  thick  ;  they  are  made  of  fire  elav. 
We  fear  Peach  trees  will  not  succeed  on  an  east  wall.  Early  York 
Malta,  and  Mountaineer  are  among  the  herdiest.  We  should  advise 
Flams,  of  which  three  good  varieties  are  Kirke's,  Jsflerson,  and  Cos's 


every  iart  thoroughly,  and  adding  to  every  gallon  of  the  solution  six 
drops  of  soirits  of  turpeatine.  The  plants  should  bo  s/"uRed  in  two  or 
three  days  afterwards  with  water  at  a  tomperaturo  of  140  ,  and  it  tue 
scale  still  remain  repeat  the  syringing  with  tho  solution.  The  v.apour  ot 
SDU-its  of  turpentine  will  not  only  kiU  the  scale,  but  injure  the  plants, 
therefore  avoid  it.  You  may  take  up  the  Tacsonia  and  pot  it  preserving 
as  many  roots  as  possible.  II  you  deprive  it  of  many  roots  the  head 
should  be  reduced  to  a  corresponding  extent,  and  it  would  be  desirable 
to  do  so,  as  the  plant  is  so  badly  infested  with  scale. 

Pveeturum  TcniHATCKEw-l  (Old  Suhserlher).-V:e  fear  it  would  not 
succeed  under  a  Plane  tree.  Stachys  lanata  would  do  so  admirably,  and 
so  would  Vinca  elegantissima,  which  is  very  handsome.  Ihe  smau- 
leaved  green  and  variegated  Ivies  would  be  suitable. 

DWYRF  White  Celeuy  (Jniajfiij-).— We  think  the  Incomparable  would 
suit  you.  It  is  soUd,  crisp,  and  juicy,  and  of  dwarf  growth.  U  you  msh 
for  a  larger  kind,  Cole's  Crystal  may  suit  you,  it  being  early.  'The 
Champion  Giant  is  a  largo  and  excellent  white  vaiaety  and  eariy.  Ihere 
are  no  Acacias  proper  that  will  bear  the  open  .air  in  the  country.  Of 
Eobinia  pseud- Acacia,  Bella  Rosa,  monophylla  pyramidahs,  sophorjcfoUa, 
erispa,  duhia,  amorphafolia,  inermis  umbraculifera  (standaid)  las- 
tigiata,  and  Docasciueana,  all  of  moderate  growth,  and  hisplda  and  its 
varieties,  which  aro  tall  and  spreading. 

Linseed  Oil  fok  Destroying  Mealy  Bug  (P.I.— Tho  old  hark  being 
removed  from  Vines  vou  may  paint  them  with  linseed  oil  without  injury, 
but  wo  do  not  think  it  wUl  penetrate  into  the  crevices  of  the  rods  so  as 
to  destroy  tho  mealy  bug.  Try  Gishurst  Compound  or  Clarke  s  prepa- 
ration, both  of  which  are  advertised  in  this  Journal. 

TnicHOjiANES  RADICAK3  CULTURE  (£i!((ir«f  !;).-The  phint  is  probably 
kept  too  cool  and  not  regularly  moist.  We  would  advise  your  placmg  it 
in  a  house  where  there  is  a  temperature  of  from  40=  to  45  ;  keep  it 
well  supplied  with  moisture,  but  not  so  much  so  at  this  season  as  m 
summer,  taking  the  bell-glase  off  at  least  once  a-day  and  wiping  it  dry, 
and  l6a«  it  a  little  tilted  on  one  side,  for  this  Fern  hkes  a  comparatively 
airy  yet  moist  atmosphere. 

FnciTiNG  Canes  of  Vines  {Br.ader).-We  presume  tliat  Vine  growers 
mean  by  a  fruiting  cane,  one  strong  enough  «»  P"*""  '"'''."n^B  hud 
irrespeciivo  of  its  ago.  We  have  had  rods  less  than  a  year  from  the  bud 
more  fit  for  fruiting  than  other  plants  of  twice  their  age.  In  oithe^^  case 
we  consider  it  in  general  to  be  injudicious  to  take  much  of  a  ciop  iiom  a 
fresh-planted  Vine,  but  if  the  Vine  is  young  and  strong  it  w  1  have  in 
proportion  more  and  stronger  roots  than  a  weaker  '^""f^  o'', '^^^jjant. 
We  find  that  Trentham  Black  Grape  does  well  in  a  medium  h^^u^s^'j/^^^ 
quirin, 


'ather'morrheat  than  a'Samburgh,  and  less  than  a  Muscat, 
thou"h  bearing  well  under  the  same  circtunstances  as  both.    Wo  ShaU 


be  glad  to  have'Mr.  Stewart's  further  opmions  and  experience. 

Wooden  Fence  for  Fruit  Training  (W.  F.  Chapman).— A  coping  of 
wood  would  be  the  best  under  the  circumstances,  and  removable  when  aU 
Iau"er  of  frost  is  over.  The  sloping  of  the  coping  upwards  from  the 
waU-will  not  be  so  effectual  as  having  the  slope  slightly  the  ether  way. 
We  wmild  advise  wooUen  netting  hung  in  front,  in  addition,  when  the  trees 

"^Packing 'c'SE'(Wfm\-W6  have  examined  tho  patented  packing  case, 
and  think  it  a  very  good  one,  and  a  gamekeeper  and  a  butler  thir^  so 
too,  but  something  ol  the  same  kmd  of  case  is  frequently  used,  boUiai 


December  2i,  16i^  ] 


<i  'I  y.  '.\i  I  ■./ :.  .\     \ri  i.  vri  > 
JOURNAIi   OF  HORTICULTURE  AND   COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


487 


the  stroDR  Imx  and  b»sket  form,  no  oortU  or  nnils  being  nsod  in  either 
case,  And  tliu  trays  or  iuslde  boxctj  eo  nrraugcd  tbiit  uo  packing  cxcopt 
paper  is  ut'oesnary.  Neveithelosa,  your  c;iso  soems  a  pood  ouo,  aud  if 
cheap  cuougb  will,  no  doubt,  scU  with  or  without  u  patent. 

AucCBA  BEnnirs— Dbainino  (H.  />.).— They  will  become  red  next 
year.  Place  the  draiuiug-pipoa  beneath  the  lawn  in  your  clayey  soil 
3  feet  below  the  eurfuco,  and  in  linos  1'^  foot  apart. 

■  Names  op  Fiiuits  {JC.  S.).—li  is  the  Winter  Strawberry  Apple.  {L.  L.  D.). 
—Your  Apple  is  Lady's  Finger.  (7*.  TUmiianl  d-  5on).— Your  seedling 
rusaet  Apple  is  one  of  great  txctllence.    (ih-nmacn).—!,  Easter  JSeurri,''; 


2,  Not  known.    {Centurion).— Hha  Pear  b  is  Rnndelet,  not  T\'inter  Nelis; 
A,  i^    not  Chnumonte],   and   wo  cannot  Bay  what  it  is.    Xho  Apple  is 
Ueinctto  do  Caux.     (.-/.  A.].—\,  Crasanue ;    2,  Probably  Winter  Nells 
»,  Chaumonttl;  5,  Ravelstono  Pippin. 

Najies  of  Plants  {U.  (7.).— Wo  cannot  name  plants  from  their  leaves 
only.  (/.  TV.  iW.).— Cestrnm  aurantlacnm.  (/r.  J?.l.— 1,  Enpatoriom,  not 
determined,  allied  to  E.  panicnlatum ;  2,  C,  C,  Polystifhum  annulare; 
iJ,  I'olystichiini  aculcatum ;  4,  Lastrea  dilatata.  (An  Innuircr], — Babro- 
thamnu3  lascieulatus.  Roq^uirca  ordinary  gvecnhouso  treatment.  May 
be  planted  against  a  pillar  with  advantage. 


METEOROLOaiCAIi  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  December  22nd. 


DlTE. 

rHEKMOUETEH. 

Win4. 

Rafnln 

inoboa. 

QBHESAL  REHlBSr. 

BAROUBTEB. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Max. 

Min. 

I  n.  dp.  1  2  n.  iJp. 

Wed...  18 
ThniB.  17 
Frf.    .  18 
Sat.    .  19 
San.  .  20 
Mon.  .  21 
Tnes;.  '.2 

Uean 

29.614 
20.779 
29..'J.W 
29.072 
2i)..'-;2i-. 
29.4U3 
29.2U4 

29.379 
29.S;J5 
29.i93 
29.500 
29.511 
29.103 
29.00S 

55 
63 
87 
51 
47 
66 
56 

89 
4U 
29 
2d 
88 
43 
S9 

BO 
50 
60 
48 
46 
48 
49 

48 
48 
47 
48 
47 
47 
46 

s. 
s. 
s. 
w. 

S.Ei 

s. 
s.w. 

.10 
.22 
.20 
.00 
.16 
.14 
.88 

Clem*  and  fine  ;  heavy  clouds  ;  rain,  clear  and  fine. 
Fine,  very  clear ;  densely  overcast ;  overca&t  and  clondy. 
Clear  and  fine  ;  very  tine  ;  Bhowery  ;  heavy  rain. 
Fine  and  frosty ;  ^lear  and  fine  ;  clear,  frosty  fog. 
Densely  overcast ;  bazy  ;  fine  ;  overcast  at  night. 
Showery  ;  densely  overcast ;  showery  ;  densely  overca&t. 
Clear  and  fine ;  very  fine ;  heavy  showorB. 

29.587 

29.832 

58.83 

36.29 

4S.71 

47.29 

•• 

1.20 

POTTLTSY,  BSE,  and  SOTJSEEOLD  CHROITICLE. 


TRIMMING  AND  OTHER  ARTIFICES  AT  SHOV/S. 

When  I  wrote  the  other  day,  I  stated  tbat  I  did  not  then 
know  the  result  of  a  formal  protest  I  had  handed  in  at  I!ir- 
minghatn  ngainst  a  prize  pen  of  Brahma  hens,  on  the  ground 
that  the  hocks  of  one  of  them  were  even  more  than  usually 
trimmed.  Tliat  result  is  shortly  stated.  I  received  the  next 
day  a  note  from  the  Secretary,  stating  that  he  had  laid  my 
protest  "  before  the  Council,  and  was  directed  to  say  the  same 
could  not  be  entertained."  It  was  never  even  alleged  that  the 
accusation  was  false,  and,  had  the  case  been  defended  on  its 
merits,  I  had,  and  have,  testimony  which  would  place  the 
matter  beyond  doubt.    • 

At  first  I  was  naturally  irate  ;  but  on  looking  over  the  Bir- 
mingham schedule  I  found  that  the  Council  could  not  do 
otherwise  ihan  they  did,  as  they  state  that  no  appeal  can  be 
had  from  the  decision  of  the  Judges  unless  some  "  rule  "  of  the 
Society  be  proved  to  be  broken,  and  Birmingham  has  no  rule 
whatever  against  trimming.  Nay,  on  further  examination,  I 
find  that  Liverpool,  Manchester,  aud  Bristol  are  in  the  same 
position,  60  that  I  fear  no  committee  which  has  not  published 
a  rule  on  the  subject  could  withhold  a  prize  without  being 
subject  to  an  action  at  la?,'.  Eeally,  it  is  time  the  question 
were  mooted  !  I  state  these  facta  that  it  may  be  seen  I  can 
sympathise  with  committees  iu  their  difficulties. 

Nevertheless,  what  has  appeared  has  had  ciifoct,  for  since 
then  I  have  received  copies  of  several  schedules  containing 
excellent  "  trimming  clauses."  Some  of  them  have  always 
contained  them — others  not.  As.a  specimen  I  quote  the  Kendal 
schedule,  which  enacts  that  "  Trimming,  or  artificial  alteration 
of  the  plumage,  or  of  any  other  part  of  a  bird  (except  the  comb 
of  a  Game  fowl),  will  disqualify  it  from  receiving  a  prize."  The 
Whitehaven  Society  has  a  similar  regulation. 

And  let  not  committees  of  shows  which  this  year  have  no 
rule,  think  that  they  are  absolved  from  responsibility.  Their 
duty  is — as  "  no  appeal"  can  be  made  from  tlie  judges — to 
specially  request  their  judges  to  give  particular  attention  to 
this  point,  and  to  disqualify  all  evident  cases.  It  is  perfectly 
notorious  that  judges  do  not  do  this  at  present;  if  requested 
they  may  do  so.  They  seem  actually  to  be  afraid  of  some 
exhibitors.  We  can  all  remember  seeing  occasionnlly  some 
trickery  exposed  in  these  pages  by  them,  with  all  the  virtuous 
indignation  imaginable,  but  in  every  case  (I  am  speaking  of 
poultry — I  was  glad  to  see  prominent  sinners  disqualified  in 
the  Pigeon  classes  at  Birmingham),  the  "  example  "  has  been 
some  outsider,  some  exhibitor  of  no  name  or  iulluence.  I  do 
not  remember  unc  case  where  an  influential  exhitiitor  has  been 
exposed,  though  I  have  seen  cases  quite  as  bad  and  equally 
evident.  Let  committees,  therefore,  draw  the  attention  of 
their  arbitrators  to  this  matter,  and  next  year  insert  the  needful 
clause  in  their  schedules.  The  Birmingham  Council,  evidently, 
by  the  Pigeon  decision,  are  anxious  to  do  justice;  and  I  have 
every  confidence  that  next  year  such  a  protest  as  I  made  will 
not  be  made  iu   vain.     Meanwhile  I  am  taking  other  steps. 


the  nature  of  which  will  soon  be  made  public  ;  and  in  the 
interim  any  who  may  bo  willing  to  give  real  aid  in  putting 
down  this  growing  nuisance  will  greatly  oblige  if  they  will 
communicate  with  me  through  the  Editors. 

But  now  I  want  to  mention  an  important  phase  of  the 
matter.  I  learnt  from  personal  friends  that  after  I  had  left 
Birmingham  a  certain  poultryman  had  been  not  only  slandering 
me  in  many  ways  behind  my  back  on  account  of  my  protest, 
but  had  openly  derided  my  attempts  to  get  justice  done,  saying 
that  "  nine-tenths  of  the  exhibitors  did  it,"  and  "  was  it  hkely 
we  could  pirt  it  down  ?"  Now,  let  me  eamcttly  impress  upon 
all  readers  of  our  Journal  that  this  is  the  real  issue.  Very 
frequently  the  trimming  is  not  done  by  exhibitors  themselves, 
who  are  often  men  of  the  highest  honour.  I  believe  this  to  have 
been  the  case  with  the  very  gentleman  whose  pen  I  objected  tp. 
But,  on  the  one  hand,  there  are  a  comparatively  few  men  paid 
to  look  after  their  master's  stock  and  superintend  his  yards. 
Some  of  them  it  is  a  pleasure  to  know — others,  like  my  kind  critic 
above  mentioned,  have  no  ambition  but  to  win,  and  will  stoop  to 
any  meanness  rather  than  be  beaten.  They  are  the  real  sinners, 
as  they  are  the  real  masters,  having  sole  control  over  the  birds 
under  their  care.  On  tho  other  hand  there  is  the  large  class  to 
which  land  others  belong,  the  real  amateurs,  who  breed  our  own 
birds,  who  like  to  reara  few  fine  fowls  at  our  own  hemes,  and  show 
them  fairly  iu  friendly  competition,  earrying  into  this  useful 
hobliy  the  manner  and  conduct  of  Chrii=tian  gentlemen.  We 
do  not  like  to  cheat,  and  so  we  are  daily  cheated.  Yet  we  form 
by  far  the  largest  class  of  exhibitors ;  it  is  we  who  keep  the 
poultry  fancy  from  degenerating  to  the  level  of  the  prize-ring  ; 
and  if  ever  the  day  come,  as  it  seems  fast  coming,  when  no 
gentleman  can  win  at  a  poultry  show,  the  said  fancy  will  nevet 
recover  the  deserved  degradation. 

Well,  my  critic  and  his  clan  laugh  at  us.  And  now  the 
;  simple  question  is.  Are  we,  the  largest  aud  most  influential 
body,  to  be  really  at  the  mercy  of  a  few  fellows  like  this  ?  It 
seems  hard,  rather ;  and  I  am  not  sure  that  we  are  so  yet.  We 
will  have  a  hard  fight  for  it  first,  and  do  our  best,  We  want 
nothing  but  truth  and  justice;  it  may  be  we  are  strong  enough 
to  secure  them  in  spite  of  the  tricksters  in  the  poultry  world. 

I  may,  perhaps,  be  allowed  to  say  that  I  have  not  taken  this 
matter  up  as  a  personal  one.  It  is  well  known,  on  the  one' 
hand,  that  being  engaged  in  bnsiness,  and  not  able  to  afford', 
the  luxury  of  keeping  one  of  the  gentry  I  refer  to,  I  very  rarely; 
show  ;  and,  on  the  other,  that  I  am  not  quite  a  novice,  and  if 
I  liked  could  "  trim  "  hocks  as  neatly  as  — *—  himself.  No 
one  could  be  less  aggrieved  personally  than  I  am.  I  speak  on 
behalf  of  tho  many  who  are  r.ot  skilled  in  these  deceptions^ 
but  only  know  how  to  show  their  fowls  honestly  as  naturae 
made  them.  All  honour — notwithstandng  my  critic's  ridicule 
— to  then-  innocence  !  He  thinks  it  very  "  green,"  but  green 
is  a  handsomer  colour  than  black  after  all. 

One  more  sentence.  At  Birmingham  I  saw  the  first-prize 
Brahma  cock  of  last  year.  Then  he  was  trimmed,  and  got  first 
prize ;  this  lime  he  was  shown — all  honour  to  his  owner  ! — ^in 
his  natural  state,  and  was  not  named  !  In  other  respects  he  was 
in  good  order,  and  as  well  worth  a  prize  as  he  was  then,  and 
he  was  equally  hocked  last  year — anyone  could  see  it  !     What 


483 


JOURNAL  OP  HOETICULTTJBE  'iW6b¥¥XBE   GAKDENEB. 


[  December  ^'i.'is^. 


a  farce  is  juclging,  and  wbat  a  lottery  must  be  exhibiting,  -when 
saceess  turns  upon  Buch  things  as  tliese  !  Show  a  bird  with 
vulture  hocks,  he  ia  disqualified.  Pluck  the  hook,  do  it  so 
clumsily  that  the  gi-eatest  ignoramus  in  the  world  can  see  it, 
and  you  shall  win  the  first  prize !  This  is  what  judges  and 
committees  have  brought  us  to,  and  thia  ia  what  exhibitora 
have  come  to,  in  the  year  of  grace  ISfJS. — Nemo. 


DECEPTIONS  AT  POULTRY  SHOWS. 
I  WAS  glad  to  observe  from  an  advertisement  in  this  Journal, 
that  a  meeting  had  been  held  at  Birmingham  for  the  purpose 
of  adopting  riiles  respecting  the  belter  arrangement  of  ponltry 
exhibitions,  which  I  hope  will  give  honest  men  a  better  chance 
of  obtaining  prizes.  I  know  perfectly  well  that  many  exhi- 
bitors borrow  birds  for  the  purpose  of  showing  them.  This 
should  not  be  allowed,  and  every  exhibitor  ought  to  make  a  de- 
claration that  the  birds  are  his  property.  Some  judges  make 
blind  decisions.  I  myself  exhibited  a  pen  of  French  birds 
last  year,  and  the  judge  told  me  that  they  were  not  worth  above 
Is.  (jd.  each.  The  same  birds  were  shown  at  Preston,  won  the 
first  prize,  and  were  sold  for  £3.  I  think  I  stated  in  your 
Journal  some  time  ago,  that  I  would  not  exhibit  my  birds  ex- 
cept where  I  could  ascertain  who  were  appointed  jadge^i—jiJ^S,. 
Milneh,  Bcllerh;/  Vicararje.  .!.  ,i,ns?;. 


PKOLIFIC  HENS. 


In  "  Our  Letter  Box"  of  November  ifith,  yon  say  you  once 
knew  a  hen  which  laid  210  eggs  in  one  year,  but  she  never  laid 
again,  and  died  soon  afterwards.  Now  my  old  Brahma  laid 
403  in  two  years,  and  up  to  to-day  the  number  has  reached  432, 
I  weighed  her  myself  this  morning,  and  she  was  just  7J  lbs. 
She  is  in  perfect  health  and  plumage.  I  quite  agree  with  you 
that  people  had  much  better  count  their  eggs  than  guess  at  them. 

Our  arrangement  for  a  fowl  house  is,  that  every  fowl  we 
possess  has  to  come  or  go  through  a  part  of  onr  dwelling- 
house  to  a  small  backyard  to  roost,  where  also  boxes  are  placed 
for  them  to  lay  in,  therefore  there  can  be  no  mistake,  as  every  ' 
hen  ifl  under  the  eye  of  the  matron  herself ;  but  were  we  to  ; 
guess,  we  would  unhesitatingly  give  the  palm  to  one  of  the  old 
hen's  progeny,  but,  unfortunately,  her  register  was  lost  after 
she  was  twelve  mouths  old,  but  we  are  certain  she  beat  her 
mother  in  her  first  year's  laying  by  seven.  i 

You  say  again  in  a  back  number  that  no  food  will  make  old  i 
fowls  lay  in  winter.  I  have  a  correct  account  of  all  the  eggs  i 
laid  for  the  last  three  months  of  the  year.  On  examining  the  ' 
book  I  find  we  had  204  in  October,  141  in  November,  and  seven  ' 
yesterday  (December  Isl),  from  eleven  old  fowls,  bred  in  ISCG  ; 
and  1807,  and  two  pullets  of  this  year,  one  of  which  laid  four  j 
eggs  before  she  was  five  months  old. 

I  think  May  is  quite  soon  enough  for  hatching.  I  had  some  | 
early  birds  last  year,  when,  after  laying  their  first  batch  of  eggs,  i 
all  moulted,  which  throws  them  back  materially  in  winter.  It 
would  certainly  be  very  interesting  to  have  from  keepers  of 
various  breeds  of  poultry  accounts  as  to  their  adaptability  for 
laying  and  other  good  points.  Some  poultrykeepers  prefer 
one  sort,  others  auother,  and  so  on.  The  Erahmas  which  we 
have  are  dark  ones,  with  black  or  brown  heads,  I  am  told  not 
fit  for  show  birds,  but  what  we  want  are  laying  capabilities. — 
J.  P. 

LEEDS  POULTRY   SHOW. 

This  year's  meetiug  bns  been  most  successful ;  and  we  cfinnot  bnt 
congratnlate  the  Committee  on  the  greatly  improved  armngements. 
It  is  worthy  of  especial  notice,  that,  though  the  number  of  shows 
oocurticg  about  the  same  date  might  have  been  expected  to  diminish 
the  number  of  entries,  and  render  the  quality  of  the  birds  shown  not 
60  good,  nothing  of  tlie  liind  has  resulted  ;  on  the  contraiy,  never  was 
a  Leeds  Show  so  well  supported  on  every  hand.  Tbc  Leeds  Com- 
mittee not  only  issued  a  very  liberal  prize  schedule,  but  found  the 
most  ready  response  from  e^lubitora  in  geueml.  An  inspection  of  the 
piize  list  will  prove  that  hut  very  few  indeed  of  the  principal  yards  in 
the  kingdom  were  unrepresented. 

The  Game  fowls,  as  a  rule,  were  remarkably  good  :  the  silver  cup 
for  the  best  pen  of  Game  of  any  variety,  beint;  secured  by  an  excellent 
pen  of  Brown  Heds,  birds  of  this  season.  Of  iM'rhh'jfi  the  Coloured 
varieties  were  very  excellent,  but  in  the  Silver- Greys"  the  bulk  of  the 
prizes  were  withheld.  A  first-rate  pen  of  Dorkings,  capable  in  all 
other  respects  of  prize-taking  almost  at  any  exhibition,  were  "dis- 
qualified," from  one  of  the  hons  being  ruptured,  no  doubt  the  result  of 
misapplied  care  and  over-fcetling.  Sjiani^h  fowls  wore  very  well  shown, 
and  the    Cochin  classes  were  excellent,  a  pen  of  first-rate  Partridge 


chickens  taking  the  Cochin  cup.  In  BnOuna'i,  the  birds  of  ISGS  were 
also  pucccssf  nl  in  securing  the  silver  cup,  many  of  the  adult  birds  being 
scarcely  in  full  condition  and  feather.  ILn'thnn/hs,  as  might  be  ex- 
pected in  this  district,  were  of  first-rate  quality,  the  chickens  of  the 
Goldtjn-Rpangled  variety  receiving  the  silver  cup  prize  for  the  best  pen 
of  Hnmburghs  of  any  variety.  The  Black  Hamburgbs  were  osppcially 
worthy  of  favourable  notice.  The  Selling  class  was  very  largo,  Black 
Spanish  taking  the  first  prize  ;  White  Cochins  the  second;  and  Dark 
Brahmas  the  third  position.  The  Game  breed  of  hmdams  was  the 
best  variety  of  those  popnlar  "  poultry  pets,"  and  the  silver  Bantam^ 
cup  was  awarded  to  it.  As  to  the  Tiirlri/,  Cn'^sc,  and  Duel:  classes, 
perhaps  there  wag  never  anything  nearly  so  good  seen  before  in  Leeds. 
The  "  Variety  class  "  of  Dncks  was  also  especially  good. 

The  class  for  dressed  poultry  was  remarkable  for  its  cxeellencet. 
Mr.  Dowsett.  of  Chelmsford,  taking  the  prize  for  the  best  "  dressed'*- 
chickens,  with  a  pair  of  cockerels  of  this  year,  nearly  17  lbs.  in  weight. 
This  gentleman  seems  now  to  have  this  class  of  premiums  altogether  in 
bis  own  hands,  and  competitors  seem  to  fear  entering  the  lists  against 
him.  There  were,  however,  at  Leeds,  some  exceedingly  good  speci- 
mens shown  by  his  opponents.  M'e  \\ill  here  oi^cr  a  hint  worthy  of 
attention — the  Turkeys  were  not  only  dressed — that  is,  plucked,  but 
also  drawn,  ready  for  cooking.  This  is  a  mistake,  as  any  poultry  if 
"drawn"  five  or  six  days  before  cooking,  invariably  loses  its  flavour, 
consequently  all  "dressed"  poultry  should  be  shown  "  plucked,"  but 
not  drawn. 

Another  hint  to  the  Leeds  Committee,  and  if  acted  npon  we  fancy. , 
their  arrangements  ■\vill  he  vci-}-  near  perfection.  It  is,  not  to  place. j 
the  empty  baskets  on  the  tops  of  the  pens  ;  it  obstructs  the  light,  SQ^_ 
necessary  for  the  inspection  of  the  birds,  and  at  tho  same  time  it:. 
detracts  from  tho  appearance  of  the  exhibition  generally.  The  Piijcons  ; 
constituted  a  vtry  large  portion  of  the  Show,  comparatively  with  the 
entries  of  former  years. 

We  published  the  names  of  the  Judges  and  their  awards  last  week. 


LIVERPOOL  POULTRY   SHOW. 

In  all  our  experience  of  sliotv.'^,  we  have  never  seen  f5uc1i  a  plocft^"*' 
as  that  st4c*i-teil  for  this.     "We  liave  been  in  a  Eoyal  Hiding  School-' 
at  Brighton;    in    the  County  Court  at  Derby;    in  Corn  Exchongoa 
everywhere.     Tents  have  been  pressed  iuto  the  service.      We  hftve  ' 
known  the  gijisy  queen's  caravan  used  ns  a  Cummittee-room.     We'  - 
have  never  before  seen  a  place  where  ;^58  pens  of  cattle,  1047  cntriea 
of  poultry,  .-lud  ;>7U  entries  of   dopts  could  be  aoeommodated  under 
the  same  roof,  with  ample  light  and  air,  and  tho  poultry  enjoying  thai 
i-are    luxury  of  bein^  shown   in  one  even    r»w — no  upper,  no  lower:  ' 
tiers.     The  place  covers  two  acres.     'The  roof  is  very  hi^'h,  and  it  is 
slioltered  from  drauf^hts,  being  open  on  one  side  only.    Fall  space  was 
allowed  for  cvciythilig  exhibited,  and  there  -was  room  for  a  free  circu- 
lation between  tho  rows  of  jieus.     We  do  not  speak  of  the  decorations 
of  the  showyard,  although  the  number  of  iiags  that  found  emjilovment   - 
must  have  laid  nautical  providers  under  contribution  to  a  large  extent ; 
the  effect  was  good,  and  when  the  place  was  lighted  with  gas  the  ap- 
pearance was  very  cliecrful.     The  Committee,  however,  did  not  con- 
fine themselves  to  the  decorative  part  alone.     In  tlie  afternoon  and 
eveuing  immense  tarjiaulings  formed  curtains  wiiich  were  raised  and 
lowered  at  pleasure,  comjik-telv  closing  the  only  open  side  of  the  space 
used  for  the  Show.     An  immeuse  advantage  is,  that  the  greater  part 
of  tho  roof  is  glass ;  this  admits  the  light  to  a  most  desirable  extent 
at  this  season  of  the  year.     Oar  friends  at  Bingley  Hall  may  copy 
this  with  advantage. 

In  the  refreshment  department  Liverpool  has  gone  far  a-head  of  all 
competition.  In  elegance  of  decoration,  in  excellence  of  viands  and 
liquids,  and  in  the  general  mana,!»emeiit  of  the  first-class  rooms,  it 
was  unlike,  because  infinitely  superior  to  anvthm^  we  ha\  e  ever  before 
seen.  Instead  of  crowding  in  front  of  a  bar  where  nothing  is  to  be 
had  without  a  struggle,  and  all  uusatisfactoi7  in  quality  when  obtained, 
the  first-chiss  refreshment-rooms  were  approached  through  a  wide  and 
long  corridor  tastefully  draped  with  alternate  pink  and  white  drapery. 
It  was  lighted  by  figures  the  size  of  lite,  five  or  six  on  each  side,  bear- 
ing gas  lights.  "This  led  to  a  large  room  or  hall  decorated  -yvith  equal 
taste,  with  the  addition  of  mirrors  and  medallions,  and  containing 
numbers  of  long  tables  covered  with  clean  cloths.  In  fact,  it  had  tl»a 
appearance  of  a  first-rate  and  well-managed  cnfe. 

The  prize  list  gives  such  full  details  of  the  different  classca,  witli 
their  numerous  commendations,  that  we  must  be  content  with  such 
remarks  as  they  may  call  forth,  and  that  do  not  appear  in  the  list  of 
honours.  - ,".;": 

Mrs.  Arkwright  repeated  her  Birmingham  victory,  and  took^'  < 
deserved  prize  and  cup  with  her  adult  DurUnrj  cock.  She  was  bawl.- 
run  by  .Vdmiral  Hornby,  who  defeated  her  by  taking  the  first  prize  in 
the  class  for  birds  of  "the  year.  These  classes  were  excellent.  The 
hens  and  pullets  were  w  >rthy  of  their-  predecessors,  and  we  have  sel- 
dom seen  two  birds  tliat  pleased  us  more  than  those  belonging  to  Dr. 
Campbell,  which  most  deservedly  took  the  cup.  Tbirteeu  pens  only 
in  theso  two  classes  were  passed  by  the  Judges.  The  Silver-Greya 
were  not  bo  numerous  as  their  Coloured  brethren,  but  they  were  very 
true  indeed  to  colour.     White  Dorkings  were  large  and  good. 

Tho  iirst-prize  Cuchiyi-Cliinn  cock  was  a  grand  bird,  and  we  are  not 
sure  he  is  not  the  same  bird  that  won  at  Birmingham.  If  he  can  he 
kept  in  the  same  form  and  condition  be  will  be  very  hard  to  beat  at 


Docambor  21,  1838.  1  JOUf.SAli   OJ?  Hp^TIOULTUBE   AND   COXXAQE    QAIUJJBSEK, 


439 


any  fnturo  stow.  Wo  lilccd  the  old  birds  better  thnn  tho  yoan;;  onea. 
Mr.  Taylor  wna  sncccssful  with  two  younj^  coclis,  bciiiR  second  and 
third.  Ho  was  nlso  tho  wiuuor  of  a  cuii  tor  tho  two  best  hcua.  lu 
these  classes  tlio  old  again  beat  tlic  youuus  it  is  seldoui  tlio  caso  ;  but 
tho  jnillets  were  imt  t-fjnal  to  the  hen?;,  and  in  many  otherwise  favour- 
able  spccimous  there  were  crooliod  combs  and  vulture  hocks,  tliat  wore 
fatal  to  any  liope".  of  success.  Tho  Grouse  Cochins  wore  more  nume- 
rous tlian  the  Butt's,  aud  thoy  were  equal  in  quality.  Out  of  twenty- 
one  younj;  birds  only  hve  were  excluded  by  faulty-coloured  breasts. 
Mr.  Tndnian  was,  as  usual,  the  most  successful  in  those  classes.  Ho 
took  tho  silver  cup. 

Tho  Drahma  t'ohlras  were  very  good,  aud  brought  largo  entries. 
Tho  Honourable  Jliss  I'cnnant  well  deserved  tho  first  prize.  There 
were  thirtyllirec  entries  of  young  cocks,  and  good  hens  aud  pullets. 
Mr.  Pickles  took  the  cup  with  hens.  They  wore  very  t;ood.  Perhaps 
for  the  first  tirao  in  an  open  competition  for  the  best  Brahma  l^ootra 
rock,  tho  Dark  had  to  saccuml>  to  tho  Light,  one  of  the  best  cocks  we 
ever  saw.     Even  Jtr.  Pares  was  obliged  to  be  second  to  him. 

M'o  have  never  seen  better  Sj>a<iisk  than  were  hero  shown.  Adult 
and  young  cocks,  hens  and  pullets,  were  all  alike  perfect.  Tho  latter 
were  of  surpassing  beauty  and  excellence.  One  cock  was  bliud  from 
the  growth  of  his  face,  aud  many  in  each  of  the  classes  wero  disfigured 
by  excess  of  merit.     Mr.  Thresfi  took  the  cup  with  perfect  pullets. 

Thirty  pens  of  Black  Uaitihari/Jis,  many  very  good,  but  there  is  a 
tendency  to  have  the  ear-lobes  too  large  in  tho  hens,  and  the  combs 
too  largo  and  coarse  in  the  cocks.  "Wo  were  much  pleased  with  the 
Golden-pencilled  Hamburghs,  aud  con.sidered  Mr.  John  Smith  deserved 
his  cup.  The  pullets  were  also  exquisitely  pencilled  to  the  very  tip  of 
the  tail.  The  Silvers  were  more  numerous  than  the  Golden,  but  we 
did  not  think  them  as  good.  For  some  time  they  do  not  seem  to  have 
been  bred  as  carefully  as  the  Golden.  The  same  may  be  said  of  the 
Spangled ;  tho  Golden  were  the  better,  aud  Mr.  Ogden  took  tho  cnp. 
We  cannot  speak  too  highly  of  the  Golden,  with  the  exception  of 
some  combs,  too  largo  in  the  cocks,  loose  in  the  hens.  "\Vo  would  not 
be  understood  to  condemn  the  Silvers,  but  they  suSEered  in  comparison 
with  the  Golden. 

The  PvU-^h  classes  were  weak,  with  the  exception  of  the  Silver  ;  but 
we  cau  speak  vcrv  highly  of  them  all.  Mr.  Adkins  was  very  successful 
in  the  Silver.  Sebright  Bantams  were  good,  but  very  few  in  number,  j 
Wo  have  never  seen  better  Gams  classes,  and  the  prize  birds  deserved  j 
the  honours  that  were  awarded  to  them.  An  accident  had  happened  ( 
which  had  restored  a  number  of  Broivn  lieds  to  liberty,  and  there  was  j 
a  doubt  as  to  ownership.     Thcro  could  be  none  about  tho  awards. 

(tome  Jjttittnmii  formed  a  vei"y  good  class,  and  cannot  be  too  highly 
spoken  of.     These  birds  are  now  so  fully  nnderstood,  aud  so  i>erfectly 
bred,  that  they  snfl'er  little  in  comparison  with  their  larger  brethren.  J 
Black  and  White  wero  poorly  represented.      Col.  Stuart  Wortley  and  j 
Mr.  Fowler  took  all  the  prizes  in  the  Varions  class.     Hod  there  been  ! 
more  prizes  there  were  birds  worthy  of  them.  | 

Rouen  Diuks  were  again  far  more  numerous  than  tho  Aylcsburyg,  | 
but  in  this  instance  tlier  were  not  heavier.    Mr.s.  Seamons's  birds  were  [ 
very  heavy  indeed.     The  East  Indian  were  excellent.     The  "Variety 
flass  "  of  Ducks  demands  an  especial  mention — Mandarins,  Oarolinas,  1 
Brown  Calls,  Bahama,  aud  Wild  Ducks.  I 

G^t^f  were  very  hcavv.  and  we  thought  Mr.  Leach's  cnp  pen  of 
Whites  one  of  the  best  we  ever  saw. 

There  wore  twenty-eight  pens  of  Trn-lr'/ft.  Mr.  Bcasley's  for  weight, 
and  Mr.  Statter's  for  colour,  wero  as  good  as  we  ever  saw. 

All  the  arrangements  wero  good,  and  we  hope  this  is  a  revival  of 
the  Liverpool  Poultry  i  Show,  which  was  so  popular  with  amateurs 
years  ago. 

DoitKiNoa  (Colourea,  except  Silver  Grevl.—roclrs.— First  and  Cup,  Mrs. 
Arkwright,  Etwall  Hall,  Derby.  Second,  .admiral  W.  Hornby,  Knowslev 
Cottage,  Prescot.  Tliird,  V.  W.  EutWdge,  Storthend,  Kendal.  Hiu-hly 
Commended,  J.  Slarliu,  Claines,  Worcester;  T.  blatter.  Stand  Hull, 
Whitcneld,  llaacbe!.ttr ;  Mrs,  M.  Seamoas,  llartwcll,  Aylesbury ;  K.  P. 
Williams,  Glaslin,  Cloutarf;  J.  Douglas,  Clumber.  Comniemled,  A. 
Potts,  Hoole  Hall,  Chester.  Corkereh.—Firsi,  Admiral  W.  Hornby.  Se- 
cond, J.  Martin.  Third,  R.  Woodfall,  West  Derby.  Liverpool.  Highly 
Commended,  Mrs.  Arkwristht;  Dr.  D.  O.  Campbell,  Brentwood;  Duke  of 
Newcastle,  Clumber  ;  T.  Statter  ;  .1.  Dou;:ias.  Commended,  Gunsou  and 
JeflTerson.  Hen^. — First  fuud  Cup,  Dr. D.  C.  Campbell.  Second,  Admiral  W. 
Hornby  Third.  Duko  vl  rCewcastle.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  Aikwright ; 
Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam,  Wentworth  Woodhousc ;  A.  Potts.  Pidht».— 
First,  T.  Statter.  Second,  .T.  Robinson,  Vale  House,  Garstang.  Third, 
Admiral  W.  Horuby.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  K.  D.  Holt,  Orrest  Head, 
Windermere ;  Miss  A.  Hurt,  Alderwasley,  Derby ;  J.  Martin  ;  W.  W. 
ButtUdge.    Commended,  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam. 

DoRKiKOS  (Silver  Grey). — Coeks. — First  and  Second,  B.  Sraalley,  Lnno 
Villa,  Lancaster.  Third,  R.  D.  Holt.  Commended,  G.  Maples,  jun., 
Wavertree,  Liverpool;  H.  Dennis.  Ruabon.  Hetis  or  i*ui/f(s.— First,  R. 
D.  Holt.  Second,  J.  Robinson.  Third,  J.  Wood,  Wigan.  Highly  Com- 
mended, Rev.  W.  J.  Mellor,  Ryde,  Isle  of  WiKht. 

DoKKlNGS  (White). — Cocfi3. — First,  J.  Robinson.  Second,  Miss  Fair- 
hurst,  Woodlands,  Ormakirk.  K(^/w  or  2*tW;f(a.— First,  H.  Lingwood.  Se- 
cond, Miss  Fairhurat. 

CocHi.s-CuiNA  (Cinnamon  or  Buff).— Cods.— First  and  Cup,  W.  A. 
Taylor,  Manchester.  Second,  E.  C.  Stretch,  Ormsldrk.  Third,  J.  Leo, 
Middleton.  Manchester.  Highly  Commended,  C.  W.  Erierley,  Middleton, 
Manchester.  Co.-fre rf /'.— Fil-st,  Uowman  ^c  Fear-^n,  Whitehaven.  Second 
and  Third,  W.  A.  Taylor.  Highly  Commended,  .1.  H.  Dawes,  Moselev  Hall, 
Birmingham  ;  11.  Mapplebock,  WoodUuid,  Moselev,  Birmingham  ;  Mrs.  U. 
Wl»te,  Urtiumhnli  Pojli,  Slietlield  ;  Gunsyn  .i.Jellerson  Commended,  W. 
A.  Burnell,  Southwell,  Notts.  llfu^.—VnA  and  Cup,  W.  A. 'iaylor.  Se- 
cond, J.  Ca'tell,  Birmingham.    Third,  H.  Mapplebeck.     Highly  Com- 


mended, IL  LIngwood;  J.  Sichel,  Timperloy.  PiiMiJ/».— First,  H,  C. 
Stretch.  Second,  W.  .K.  Taylor.  Third,  J.  Loe.  Highly  Commonded,  F. 
W.  F.arle,  Iluyton,  Liverpool. 

CoiiiiN-CuiNA  (Partiidgc.featliereJ).—Cocti— First  and  Cup,  E.  Tud- 
iiian,  Whitchurch,  Salop.  Second,  A.  O.  Worthingtou,  Newton  Park, 
Hurton-on-Trout.  Third,  R.  White.  Higljly  Comracndod.  T.  Stretch. 
tticArif!*.— First,  W.  A.Taylor.  Second,  R.Tudman.  Third,  P..  Andrew, 
jnn.,  IlarpurUoy.  Highly  Commendod,  G.  Clianiley,  Preston.  Hens. — 
First  and  Cup,  E.  Tuiiman.  ThinhT.  Stretch,  (Jroiskirii.  Highly  Com- 
mended. H.  Crosaley,  nruonilielil,  Hnlitilx  ;  W.  G.imou,  Che^ter  ;  W.  A. 
Taylor.  Commended.  .1.  Stephens,  Walsall.  i'lifMs.— First,  H.  Crosslej'. 
Second,  T.  Stretch.    Tliird,  R.  Andrew,  jun. 

CocHiN-CarsA    (White).— Ciirts.— First,    U.  Smallcy.     Seoonfl,  W.  A. 
Taylor.    HiKhlv  Commended,  Col.  L.  A.  Evvart,   Tatteuhill,   Burton-on- 
Trent.    //cm oi- Piill./".— First,  R.  Smnlk-y.    Second,  A.  O.  Worthinston. 
Brahjia  Pootra  (D.irkj.—Ctfcij.— First,  Hon.  Miss  Douglas  Pennant, 
^enrliyn   Castle,  Bangor.    Second,  W.  Hargreaves,  Bacup.    Third,  F. 
Sabiii,'  Birmingham.    Highly  Commended,   Miss  A.   Hurt;    E.  Leech, 
Rochdale.    Commended.  W.'  V.  Kearne,  Gateaore,  Liverpool.     Cocicrelt. 
—First,  O.  Dixon,  jun,.  West  Strand,  Whitehaven.    Second,  Mrs.  Bnn-ell, 
Stoke  Park,  Ipswich.    Third,  0.  U.  Piokles,  Earby.  Sliipton.    HiKldy  Com- ; 
mended,  J.  H.  Pickles;  Kcv.  K.  Alder,  Etwall  Vicarage,  Derhy.    Coni^ 
mended,  Hon.  Miss  Douglas  Pennant ;  R.  W.  lioylc,  Marino, Dubliu.    Ilini. . 
—First.  Cup,  and  Commended,  .T.  H.  Pickles.    Second,  A.  <).  Worthington.  ' 
Third,  E.  Loach.    Pulfof*.- First,  E.  Leech.    SccouJ,  K.  Jopi),  Aberdeoc. 
Tliird,  Hon.  Miss  Douglas  reunant.    Highly  Commended,  J.  K.  Fowier, 
Aylesbury;  H.  Savillo,  Rnlfurd  Abbey,  Ollerton. 

Brahma  Pootha  (Light).— Coc;M.--First  and  Cup,  H.  Lacy,  Hebdcn 
Bridge.    Second,  A.  Herhci-t,  Egham.    Tliird,  J.  Pares,  Poftfi>rd,  Guild-  ■ 
f.ird.     Highly  Commended,  A.  O.  Wortliington.    Ilena  or  radils.— First, 
11.  Lncy.     Second,  J.  Pares.    Third,  A.  O.  Wortliinston.    Highly  Com- 
mended, F.  Crook,  Forest  Hill;   C.  Morris,  Holmeleigh,  Grassendale,  . 
Liverpool.  ' ' 

Spanish.- Cocts  —First  and  Cup.  Burch  &  Boulter,  Shctlield.  Second, 
Rev.  W.  J.  Mellor.  Third.  Hon.  Miss  Douglas  Pennant.  Highly  Com- 
mended, .1.  Thresh,  Bradlord.  Ccx-Acrel*.— Firet,.W.  1!.  Bull,  Newport 
Patmcl.  Second,  T.  i  E.  Comber,  Mvddleton  Hall.  Wariintrtou.  Third, 
W.^VooUev.  Highly  Commended,  Burch  A  Boulter;  E.  Jones,  Clifton, 
Bristol;  J^  Stephens;  R.  Tcehav,  Fulwood,  Preston.  Commended,  R. 
Teebiiy;  Hfns.- First.  T.  &  E.  Coinbor.  Second,  Hon.  Miss  Douglas 
Ponna'nt.  Third,  W.  Wooley,  Buiibury,  Tarporley.  Highly  Commended, 
Burch  &  Boulter;  J.  Newton,  Silsdcn,  Leeds.  J'all.la.— First  and  Cup,  J. 
Thresli.  Second,  T.  &  E.  Comber.  Third,  R.  Teebav.  Hishly  Com- 
mended. T.  &  E.  Comber;  E.  Jones;  F.James,  Peckham  Rye  ;  J.  Newton;  : 
E.  Toebay. 

Hambl'rghs  (Black!.— Coeia,— First,  J.  Ogden,  HoUiogwood.    Second.;. 
J.  M.   Kilvert,  Ludlow.    Third,  S.  Butterfleld,  IvLighley.     Higldy  Coai- 
mended,  J.  Lee;    Rev.  W.   Srrjeantsou,  Acton  Burnell;    C.   Sidgwlck, 
Kyddlesdon  Hall,  Koighlcy.    Una  or  PiillrU.—'Firvt,  3.  M.  Krlvcrt.    Se- 
cond and  Third,  Mason   ft  Walker,  Denton,  IMauchesler.    Highly  Com- 
mended, C.  Sidgwicli ;  T.  Wrigley,  Jan.,  Tonge,  Middleton,  Manchester. 
H.iMurECUS    (Gnldeii-pencillcdJ.-Coi-Is.  — First  and  Cup,   J.  Smith, 
Openshaw.      Second,  T.  Wringlev,  jhn.      Tbinl  H.  Bddon,  Goitstock. 
Binglcy.    Highly  Commended,  P.  Pittis,  jim,  Newport,  Isle  of  Wight;  J.    ' 
Walker,  Hayu  Park,  KuaresboroUKh.    CommondoJ,  W.  R.  Piu-k,  Melrose  1 
7/ron  or  Pi/;rt(<.— First,  H.  Beldou.    Second,  J.  Walker.    Third.  W.  R.  .■._ 
Park.    Highly  Commended,  T.  Bolton,  Stoke-on-Trent ;  S.  Burn,  Whitby;  '  ^ 
Bowman  &  Fearon,  Whitehaven.  ■  ' 

Hamecrghs  (Silver-peuc4iled).—Cocl».— First,  II.  Beldon.    Second.  H. 
Pickles,  jun..  Third,  T.    Bolton.      Highly    CoinmeudeJ.    T.    Sharjiles, 
Rawtenstall.    Commended,  C.  J.  Robinson.  S.andfuld  P.ark,  Livorpooi;  J. 
S.   Senior,  Dewsburv.     Hem  or  Pl/'J.fn.— First,   T.   Bolton.     Secoud,   T.    . 
Sharpies.    Third,  A.'Woods.Scfton.    Highly  Commended,  C.  J.  Hohmson.    i 
Hambcrghs  (Golden-spannlcd).- Cocls.— First,  J.  Walker.    Second,!.- 
Walker,  jun.     Third   and  Commendeil,  J.    Cliaddorton,    Holhngwood. .  . 
Hiffhly  Commended,   J.  Wild,    Asbton-under-Lyne ;    T.    Walker,    Jan., - 
Denton,  Manchester.     Hena  or  PiiUelt.  ~  i'it«t,   Cup,  and   Second,  J.. 
Ogdeu.    Third,  W.  A.  Hyde,  Abhtou-under-Lyuo,    Uignly  Commended,  J. 
Chadderton ;  J.  Newton ;  J.  Walker.  .      „  , ,  „         ,    , 

Hambueghs  (Silver-spnngled.- Coc/.-i.- First.  H.  Beld-on.    Second,  J. 
Smith.      Third,  J.  Fielding,    Newehuroh,  Manchester.      Highly    Com- 
mended, J.  Ogdea.    //t;u  or /'iiii'i.<.—Fir.'.t.  J.  Fielding.    Secoud,  J.  Wild.    ; 
Third,  J.  Walker.    Highly  CouimondQd,F.  Pittis',  jun. ;   H.  Pickles,  juo.    ; 
Commended,  H.  Beldon.  .     .  h' 

Polish  (Black  with  White  Crcslsl.-Ctfci-i.— First,  S.  Butterfleld.  Se-," 
cond,  P.  Unsworth,  Lowton,  Nowton-lo-WiUtilWfl;  Hi..!hly  Commended,  J.-  . 
S.  Senior ;  P.  Unsworth.  Heni  orPi/((e(8.— Finstand  Second,  P.  UnaworttrVi^ 
Highly  Commended,  J.  S.  Senior.  „  „,  „     .,",'■    '^ 

Polish  (Golden).— Cocl-s.— First.  H.  Beldon.  Second.  G.  Vv .  Boothby,  - 
Louth.    Highly  Commended,  G.  W.  Boothby  ;  R.  P.  Williams. 

Polish  (Golilen).— First,  H.  Beldon.    Second,  G.  W.  Boothby.    Highly 
Commended,  T.  Walmelev,  Chester;  R.  P.  Williams. 

Polish  (Silv-T).-CocJ:s;— First  and  Second,  G.  C.  Adklna,  Lightwooda, 
Eii-mingham.    Highly  Commendod,  G.  C.  Adkins;  U.  Beldon  ;.T.  4lJE. 
Comber;  J.  S.  Senior.    Uent  or  Pii(!((s.— First  G.  C.  Adkins.  .Secoud,  , 
J.  S.  Senior.    Highly  Commended,  G.  C.  Adkins  ;  T.  4;  E.  Comber. 

Gaub   (Black-breasted  Red).— CocA».— First  aud  Cup,  Duko  of   New-    - 
castle.    Second,  L.  Biney,  Manchester.    Tliird,  J.  Fletcher,  Stuneclousb,     . 
Manchester.  HiKhly  Commended,  C.  W.  Brierley;  f.  Chaloner,  ^\  hitwell, 
Chesterfield;  H."M.  Julian,  Hull;  J.  H.  Wilson.  St.  Bees.    Commended,    ; 
C.  Chaloner;  G.  W.  Moss,  Aigburth,  Liverpool.      CofS-rrfis.- First,  J.    - 
Stubbs,  !^ta^rord.    Second,  H.  M.  Julian.    Third.  C.  Chaloner.    Highly    .-■ 
Commended,  Duke  of  Newcastle;  G.W.  Moss.    Commended,  J.  Holland,    - 
Manchester.    JT^ns.— First  and  Cup,  G.  W.  SIoss.    Second,  E.  Aykroyd, 
Bradford.    Third,  H.  C.  &  W.  J.  Mason,  Drighliugton.    7'iil(f(s -First, 
W.  J.  Pope,  Biggleswade.    Second,  G.  W.  Moss.    Third,  J.    Holland. 
Highly    Commended,  E.  Aykroyd ;  Duke  of  Newcastle ;   G.  R.  Smitlr, 
Scarborough  ;  J.  Holland.  «'   ,:^" 

OijiE  (Brown  and  other  Reds,  excepting  Black-I  ressted).— Ooct*.— .  ; 
First  and  Second,  J.  Wood,  Wigan.  Third,  G.  W.  Moss.  Highly  Com- 
mended, A.  B.  Dvas,  Madcley,  Salop ;  J.  Fletcher.  CocJ-frefs.— First,  T. 
Burgess,  Bnrlev  Dam,  Whitchurch.  Second,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Third,  J. 
Wood.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Bolton  ;  J.  Hodsson,  Whittington.  Burton, 
Westmoreland  ;  R.  bwift,  Southwell ;  J.  Wood  ;  J.  Douglas ;  G.  W.  Muss  ;  T. 
Mason,  Green  Ayre,  Laiicister.  Commended,  J.  Fletcher;  H.  M.  ..ulian. 
/iVris.-First.G. Clements,  Birmingham.  Secoud, J.  Hodgson.  Tliiro,  Mrs. 


490 


JOUBNAL  OP  HOETICULTUEE  A.ND  COTTAGE  GABDKNEB. 


[  December  24,  1869. 


E.  TalterBall,  Newchnich.  Highly  Commended,  G.  R.  Smitli ;  W.  John- 
son, Stanley,  Liverpool.  P»!i*(«.— First  nnd  Cup,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Se- 
cond, J.  Hodgson.  Third,  J.  Fletcher.  Highly  Commended,  Miss  E.  A. 
Crawford,  Farnstiekl,  Southwell,  Notts ;  J.  Wood  j  T.  Mason.  Com- 
mended, J.  H.  Wilson. 

Game  (Duckwings,  Greys  and  Blues).— Cods.— First  and  Cup,  Key. 

F.  Watson,  Kelvedon.  Second,  Duke  of  Newcastle.  Third,  H.  M.  Julian. 
Commended,  J.  Barrow,  jun.,  Bradley  Field,  Kendal.  rocArrf/s.— First, 
J.  Halsall,  Ince,  Wigan.  Second,  Rev.  W.  J.  Mellor.  Third,  H.  Jowett, 
Idle,  Leeds.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Dyson,  Halifax ;  W.  Johnson, 
He?!*.— First  G.  W.  Moss.  Second,  W.  Johnson.  Third,  A.  K.  Briggs. 
Bijidford.  Pi(»((s,— First,  J.  Holland.  Second,  G.  S.  Sainsbury. 
Dcyizes.    Third,  J.  Halsall.    Highly  Commended,  W.  J.  Cope,  Barnsley. 

Game  (White  nnd  Piles).— roeis.— First,  B.  Butcher,  Cresswell,  Chester- 
field. Second,  T.  West,  St.  Ann's,  Eccleston,  St.  ilclene.  Third,  G.  and 
C.  Flu-ncEP,  Acciington.  Highly  Commended,  E.  H.  Woodcock,  Wigan, 
Hens  and  Pui/c/s.- First  nnd  Cup,  E.  Butcher.  Second,  J.  Mason,  Wor- 
cester.   Third,  J.  Fletcher.    Commended,  G.  W.  Moss. 

Bantams  (Gold  and  Silyer-laced).— First,  H.  Drnycott,  Humberstone, 
Leicester,    Second,  Third,  and  Highly  Commended,  M.  Leno. 

Bantams  (Black,  clean-legged).— First,  J.  W.  Morris,  Rochdale.  Second, 
W.  A.  Taylor. 

Bantams  (White,  clean-lcgged).— First,  H.  Draycott.  Second,  W.  A. 
Taylor. 

Bantams  (.\ny  other  variety  except  Game).  —  Prize,  H.  Savillo 
(Japanese  t-ilkics). 

Game  Eantajis  iBlack-brcf.sted  Red). — First,  and  Cup,  J.  W.  Morris. 
Second,  J.  W.  Kclleway,  Merston,  Isle  of  Wight.  Third,  J.  Henshall, 
Salford.  Highly  Commended,  H.  Ashtou ;  J.  Halsall.  Commended,  J. 
Statter;  Bowman  &  Fearon. 

.  Game  Bantams  (Brown  and  other  Reds  except  Black-breasted). — First, 
Miss  E.  A.  Crawford,  Farusfield,  Southwell.  Second,  J.  Crnsland,  jun., 
Wakefield.  Third,  T.  Shariiks,  Itawtenstall.  Commended,  G.  it  C.  Furness. 

Game  Bantams  (Any  other  variety). — First,  J.  Crosland,  jun.  Second, 
W.  Parker,  Clay  Cross.  Third,  L.  Biney.  Highly  Commended,  H. 
Shnmack,  Southwell,  Notts. 

Game  Bantam  Coces  (Elack-brcasted  and  other  Reds). — First  and  Cup, 
J.  W.  Morris.  Second,  J.  K.  P.obinson.  Third.  J.  J.  Cousins.  Highly 
Commended,  W.  &  If.  Buckley,  Accrington  ;  J.  Halsall.  Commended,  L. 
Biney  ;  W.  &  H.  Buckley ;  J.  Holme,  Know.sIey. 

Game  Bantam  Cocks  (Any  other  variety).  —  First,  J.  Crosland,  jun. 
Second,  Miss  E.  A.  Crawford.    Third,  H.  Shumack- 

Any  other  Distinct  Variety.— First  and  Second,  Col.  Stuart  Wortley, 
Grove  End  Road,  London  (French).  Third,  J.  K.  Fowler  (French). 
Fourth,  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam  (La  Fh'chc).  Highly  Commended,  J. 
Bibby,  jun..  Liverpool  (Crevc-Cceurs) ;  G.  &  C.  Furness  (Cuckoo  Cochins); 
J.  Sichel  (Crtve-Cceurs);  T.  Walmsley  (BuU  Polish);  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitz- 
william (Adaluoinns).    Commcuded,  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam  (La  Fl^che). 

Ducks  (Rouenl. — First  and  Second,  T.  Stattor,  jun.  Third.  J.  K. 
Fowler.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Maxwell,  Aigburth  ;  Gunson  &  Jefferson  ; 
R.  W.  Boyle.    Commended,  A.  Woods. 

DtrcKS  (Aylesbury!.  —  First  nnd  Second,  Mrs.  H.  Seamons.  Third, 
J.  K.  Fowler.  Highly  Commended,  J.  S.  Banner,  Liverpool ;  J.  K.  Fowlor  ; 
E.  Leech. 

DccKS  (Black  East  Indian).- First,  Rev.  W.  Serjeantson.  Second,  J. 
Wood.    Highly  Commended,  F.  W.  Earlo  ;  Kev.  W.  Serje.Tntson. 

Docks  (Any  other  variety), — First,  R.  W.  Boylo  (Carolinns).  Second, 
C.  N.  Baker,  Chelsea  (Carolinas).  Highly  Commended,  K.  W.  Boyle  (Man- 
darin) ;  J.  Sharp,  Liverpool  (Brown  Call)  ;  J.  Wood  (Mandarin  and  Wild) ; 
E.  P.  Williams  (Bahama). 

Geese  (White).— First  and  Cup,  E.  Leech.  Second,  J.  Eryers,  Ormskii-k. 
Ooslinr/s.—Viist,  T.  S- tatter,  jun.    Second,  S.  H.  Stott,  Rochdale. 

Geese  (Grey  and  Mottled). — First,  T.  Statter,  jun.  Second,  J.  K, 
Fowler.  Highly  Commended,  S.  H.  Stott.  Qosllnga.  —  First.  Kev.  G. 
Hustler,  StilUngflcct  Yicariige,  York.  Second,  J.Douglas.  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  K.  Fowler;  S.  H.  Stott. 

TuRKEvs.—Cocfcs.— First,  J.  N.  Beaaley.  Second,  T.  Stattor  jun.  Highly 
Commended,  E.  Leech;  J.  Smith,  Breeder  Hills,  Grantham.  CockertU. 
First,  E.  Leech.  Second,  J.  Smith.  Highly  Commended, S.  H.  Stott; 
W.  Sauday,  Holme,  Pierrepoint ;  J.  Wood.  Sens. — First,  J.  Smith.  Se- 
cond, E.  Leech.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Wood.  Poults. — Firet,  E.  Leech. 
Second,  J.  Smith.    Highly  Commended,  W.  Sanday. 

The  Judges  were  J.  Smith,  Esq.,  JIi-.  B.iily,  Mr.  Ilewitt,  Mi-. 
Dixon,  and  Mr.  Teebay. 


GUILDFORD  POULTRY  SHOW. 

This  Show  ^ras  held  ou  tlio  lith  aud  15th  inst.,  in  conjunction  with 
that  of  the  Guildford  Agiicultnral  Association,  and  the  following 
awards  were  made  : — 

Dorkings.— First,  M.  Putney.  Second,  J.  Clift.  Third,  P,  Ross. 
Highly  Commended,  R.  Pople ;  J.  Clift;  W.  Fi-anka;  J.  Attlee.  Com- 
mendetJ,  J.  C.  Ramsden^  Mrs.  Norris.  '     '■'     ■     •:       "^   ■■' 

Spanish.— First,  H.  Brown.  Second,  Curtis  &  Ashby.  Highlj  Gom- 
raeuded,  F.  Jamt-ii. 

Cochins.— First,  Curtis  &  Aslihy.    Second,  Capt.  Weston. 

BnAHJiAS. — First,  J.  Pares.  Second,  R.  Wilson.  Highly  Commended, 
P.  Crowley  ;  G.  Jobusou  ;  H.  Brown.    Commended,  P.  Crowley. 

Game. — First,  A.  C.  Cross.  Second,  T.  Sadler;  Highly  Commeudtd,  J. 
Pares. 

Hastbuhghs.— First,  A.  Moon.    Second,  J.  Moon. 

Bantams.— First,  F.  James.  Second,  H.  Rising,  Highly  Commended, 
P.  Crowley;  J.  Attlee  ;  S.  Smith. 

Ducks  (Aylesbury). — First,  E.  Hilder.  Secoud,  Rev.  Dr.  Merrimau. 
Highly  Commended,  L.  A.  Coussmaker;  Rev.  Dr.  Merriman.  Commended, 
E.  T.  Bennett. 

Ducks  (Any  other  breed).— First,  Mrs,  Korris.  Second,  Hon.  F.  Scott. 
Highly  Commended,  E.  Burge. 

Geese.— First,  W.  Messenger.  Second,  J.  Attlee.  Highly  Commended, 
E.  Hilder. 

TuHKEYS.— First,  W.  Stevens.  Second,  ConntoaK  of  Lovelace.  Highly 
Commended,  Miss  Lusliiugtou;  W.  Messenger. 

Extra  PRiZEs.—  Firbt,  presented  by  J.  Pures,  Esq.,  Postford  House, 
for  the  best  pen  of  Any  variety,  not  exhibited  in  either  of  the  above; clas_ees. 


Hon.  F.  Scott.  Second,  presented  by  J.  Pares,  Esq.,  R.  Wilson.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Pares;  H.  S.  Fraser,  A  Prize,  the  gift  of  Mr.  F.  R« 
Jackson,  Guildford,  lor  the  best  pen  of  White  Dorkings. — P.  Ross.  A 
Prize  the  gift  of  —  Matthews,  Esq.,  for  the  best  pen  uf  Blue  Z>orfeinf7ff. — 
W.  Franks.  

WEST   OF   ENGLAND   POULTRY  EXHIBITION. 

This  was  held  at  Plymouth,  on  the  1-ith,  loth,  and  10th  instant. 
The  following  is  a  list  of  the  prizes  awarded  : — 

Gajie  (Black  breasted  and  other  Reds).— First,  T.  &  W.  Clift,  Plymouth. 
Second,  H.  Atluoy,  Collnmpton.    Thii'd,  S.  R.  Harris,  Gwennap. 

Game  (Any  other  variety).— First,  I.  S.  W.  Grenfell,  Tavistock.  Se- 
cond, N.  Barter,  Plymouth.    Third,  W.  Curtis,  St.  Buddeaux. 

Game  (Auj  variety). — First,  J.  Harris,  Liskeard.  Second,  F.  I.  Keast, 
Calliugton. 

Malays  or  Indian  Game.— First  and  Second,  H.  Darch,  Stratton. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  Hinton,  Bath.    Commended,  R,  Hockaday. 

DonKiNGS  (Any  variety).— First,  Rev.  A.  C.  Thynne,  Kilkhampton.  Se- 
cond and  Third,  L.  Patton,  Taunton. 

Cochin  (Buff,  Cinnamon,  or  White). — First,  W.  Hyman,  Plymouth.  Se- 
cond, J.  H.  Nicholls,  Lostwithiel.    Third,  L.  Patton. 

Cochin  (Partridge,  or  any  variety). — First  and  Lady  Lopes'  Cup,  J. 
Beard,  St.  Blazey.  Second,  J.  Gardiner,  Bristol.  Third,  E.  Cornelius, 
Milton  Abbot. 

Brahmas  (Light).— First,  J.  Donnal,  Tavistock.  Second,  W.  Q.  Cole, 
Totnes.    Third,  P.  D.  Maddox,  Launccston. 

Brahmas  (Dark).— First,  Rev.  A.  C.  Thynne.  Second  and  Third,  J.  H. 
Reid,  Calstock. 

PoLANDS  ( Any  variety).- First  and  Mrs.  Kckewich's  Cup,  J.  Hinton.  Se- 
cond, L.  Patton. 

Spanish.- First,  J.  H.  Reid.  Second,  Tonkin  &  Tackey,  Erietol.  Third, 
J.  H.  Nichulls. 

Hamrurghs  (Gold  or  Silvor-pcncilled).- First,  S.  R.  Harris.  Second, 
N.  Barter.    Third,  J.  H.  Nicholls. 

Hamburghs  (Goldor  Silver- span;^led).—Tirst,  W.Hancock,  St.  Gei-main. 
Second,  J.  Woodley,  Stratton.    Third,  T.  Pryor,  Redruth. 

Bantams  (Any  variety). — First,  N.  Barter,  becond,  B.  J.  Eowhay, 
Calstock.    Third,  R.  Maiile,  Liskeard. 

Any  other  Distinct  Variety.- Firet,  F.  Brewer,  Lostwithiel.  Se- 
cond, J.  Beard.    Third,  E.  H.  James,  Plymouth. 

Selling  Class.— First,  S.  Mitchell,  Tuviat-jck.  Second,  J.  Dunstan, 
Penryu.    Thud,  J.  Collacott,  Tavistock. 

Decks  (Any  variety).- First,  S.  R.  Harris.  Second,  J.  Toll,  Menhoniot. 
Third,  L.  Patton. 

Geese  (Any  variety). — First,  L.  Patton.    Second,  J.  Dunstan. 

Turkeys  (Any  variety). — First,  L.  Patton.  Second,  Miss  J.  Milward, 
Bristol. 

Pigeons.— CrtiTfVrs.-First,  P.  Goss,  Plymouth.  Second,  R.  C.  Bennett, 
Plymouth.  Tumblers.— First,  J.  M.  Brawn,  Tavistock.  Second,  J.  P.Bolt, 
Tavistock.  Fantails.—Fivst,  Rev.  W.  8.  Shaw.  Bath.  Second,  Miss  J. 
Milward.  Any  other  variety. — Fii-st,  UOss  J.  Milward.  Second,  Col.  T. 
W,  HickiJ,  Plymstock, 

LOWESTOFT  POULTRY  SHOW. 

This  Show  was  hekl  in  the  Town  II.iU,  Lonestoft,  a  building  wel' 
adapted  for  tho  pnrpose,  on  the  IGth  and  17th  inst.  The  entries 
numbered  upwards  of  270,  and  in  the  Poultry  department  DurldiitjS, 
a^aiiish,    JJambtirghs,   t.m\    Game  HiuUaJiis  were    weU  representei. 

Subjoined  is  a  list  of  tho  awards :: — 

Game  (Any  variety). — First,  Cup,  and  Second,  S.  Matthews,  Stow- 
m,irkot  (Brown  KedsJ.  Cdic/.vns.— First  nnd  Second,  S.  JIatthews  (Black 
Red  and  Duckwing).    Commended,  W.  King,  Lo^vestuft. 

Dorkings  (Any  variety). — First  and  Cup,  H.  Linj^wood,  Barking,  Need- 
ham  .Market.  Second,  J.  Frost,  Parham.  Highly  Commended.  J.  Frost; 
W.  Keeble,  Barnaby,  Eeccles.  CVt/c/.-t'as.— First,  J.  Frost.  Second,  Mrs. 
H.  Spai-row,  Sudbury.    Very  Highly  Commended,  W.  King,  Ipswich. 

Spanish.— Prize,  W.  B.  jcftVies,  Ipswich.  Wn'ctcjis.— First,  Cup,  and 
Highly  Commended,  W.  B.  Jtflries.  Second,  H.  Liugwood,  Martlesham, 
Woodbridge. 

Cochin-China  (Any  variety).— Fii-st,  H.  Lingwood.  Martlesham.  Se- 
cond, H.  Lingwood,  Barking.  Couftiended,  W.  P.  Matthews.  Chickens.— 
Fii-st,  H.  Lingwood.  Martlesham.  Second,  H.  Lingwood,  Barking.  Highly 
Commended,  Mrs.  Burrell,  Stuke  Park,  Ipswich. 

Brahmas  (.\ny  variety). — First  and  Cup,  for  best  pen  of  Cochins  or 
Brahmas,  H.  Llng\vood,  Martlesham.  Chlekens.—iirst,  Mrs.  Burrell. 
Second,  H.  Lingwood,  Martlesham.    Commended,  W.  P.  Matthews. 

Hambdrghs  (Golden-pencilled).— First  and  Highly  Commended,  W.  K. 
Tickner,  Ipswich.     Second,  U,  H.  Parker,  Ipswich. 

Hambcrghs  (Silver-xiencilled). — Second,  Miss  stebbings,  Lowestoft. 

Hambcrghs  (Golden-spangled). — First  and  Cop,  for  best  pen  of  Ham- 
burghs,  Mrs.  Burrell.    Second,  W,  Turner,  jun.,  Ipswich. 

UAjiBDEGHSiSilver-spangled).— First,  Rev.  F.  Tearle,  Gajieley  Vicarage, 
Newmarket.  Second,  Mrs.  Biurell.  Highly  Commended,  J.  B.  Bly, 
Lowestoft. 

HA3IBCHGH3  (Any  variety).— C/iicA-cns.—  First,  W.  K.  Ticlmor  (Gold- 
pencilled).    Second,  Uev.  F.  Tearle  (Silver-spangled). 

Polish  (Any  variety).— Prize,  Mrs.  Burrell.  C/u'cVt-ns.— Prize,  Mrs- 
Burrell. 

Game  Bantams  (Any  variety).— First,  Cnp,  and  Second,  for  best  pen  of 
Bantams,  W.  B.  Jeff.ies  (Black  Red).  Highly  Commended,  K.  R.  Parkei 
(Black-breasted)  ;  W.  Adams,  St.  Clements,  Ipswich. 

Bantams  (Any  other  variety).- First,  W.  B.  Jeflries  (Silver  Sebright). 
Second.  Kev.  F.  Tearle  (White).  Hii;bly  Co]imieuded,  W.  H.  Ashford, 
Oulton.  Chie kens.— First,  Kev.  F.  Tearle  (Black).  Second,  W.  Adams 
(Game).     Highly  Commended,  W.  B.  Jeffries  (Black  lied). 

Ducks  (Rouen).— Fii-st,  H.  Lingwood,  Barking.  Second,  G.  W.  D. 
Palmer. 

Docks  (Aylesbury).— First  and  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  BniTell.  3e- 
F.  B.  Potts,  Kessingland.  Commended,  Miss  Crowfoot,  Kestingiaud ; 
W.  Poll,  Lowestoft. 

Extha  Class. — First,  J.  Worthington  (Buenos  Ayies  Duck>-1.  S.^cona, 
Hon.  Mrs.  Paget,  S'.ustono  Reclorv,  Soole  ( Calif oraian  Quails).    Highly 


December  2i,  1863.  ] 


MMm'8F'''smBjmkr'iW'mm(k'6AMMM 


491 


Conimuudoii,  Hcv.  A.  Oilljort,  Jlutfunl  Hi\ll,  Bccck'3   (Wliito  Poruyian 
Duclis).    CommouiluJ,  V,  S.  Cruytl-in,  Ipswich  (131iiuk  Uainbuvghs). 
PIGEONS. 

Cnp  for  tJio  whiuer  of  the  greatest  uuiuber  of  points  in  the  Pigeon 
clnsscs.— Ij.  Wren. 

Gabuikrs. — Cu*;k9, —  First  anil  Second,  L.  Wron,  Lowostolt.  Hens, — 
First.  L.  Wren.     Second,  IT,  Lvon,  Ipswich. 

roLTERs.— C'ooi-s.— Firft,  A.'  W.  Wren,  jim.,  Lowestoft.  Second,  L. 
Wren,  iff  n«.- First,  L.  Wrcu.  Second,  A.  \V.  Wren,  juu.  you)i!7.— First 
and  Second,  A.  W.  Wren,  jun. 

Tdmblers  I  Short-taocd).— First  and  Second,  L.  Wren. 

TuUBLEUs  (Any  other  viiriety).— First  and  Second,  Mis.5cs  E.  &  A.  Wron, 
Lowestoft. 

Fantails  {  Adj*  colour). — First  and  Second,  F.  S.  Worthincrton,  Lowestoft. 

Antwebps  (.\ny  coloav). — First  and  lliehly  Commondod,  1>.  Bedford, 
Ivirliley.  Second,  J.  W.  ll;irdiug,  Lowestoft.  '  Commended,  J.  Burlington, 
Lowestoft. 

Any  otuer  Distinct  VAniETY.— First,  Hon.  Mrs.  Paget  (Trumpeters). 
8ecoud,  L,  Wren  (Block  Dragoons). 

CAGE  BIDDS. 

Cup  for  tlie  winner  ot  tiae  greatest  number  o£  points  iu  the  Cage  Bird 
classes. — r.  Fenn. 

Canary  (Clear  Yellow).— First,  C.  Knrabold,  Yarmouth.  Second,  W. 
Jarrold.  yarmouth.  Highly  Commended,  E.  Thouless,  Lowestoft.  Com- 
mended, T.  Feun,  Ipswich  ;  D.  Allea,  Ynrmouth. 

Canary  (Clear  Mealy).— First  and  Hifc'hly  Commended,  C.  Rumbold. 
Seeoud,  D.  Alku.    Commended,  W.  JiuTold. 

Canauy  (Three  Clear  Yellow  or  Mealy,  hatched  in  laPjS).— First,  W. 
Jarrold.  Second,  D.  Allen.  Highly  Commended  and  Commended,  W. 
Bobbins,  Lowe:-tofl. 

Canary  (Mottled  Yellow).— First,  0.  Eumbold.  Second,  U.  Green, 
Ipswich.    Highly  Commended,  H.  Thonles.=f. 

Canaey  (Mottled  Mealy).— First,  C.  Rumbold.  Second,  B.  ThouloBS, 
Lowestoft.    Commended,  H.  <lreou. 

t'ANARir.s  (Three  Mottled,  Yellow  or  Mealy,  hatched  in  18G8).— First,  W. 
Robins,  Lowestoft.  Second,  D.  -Vllea.  Highly  Commended,  H.  Green. 
Commended,  B.  Tbouless. 

GoLDFiNcn  Mule  lYellow).— Prize,  H.  Green. 

Goldfinch  Mcle  (Mc oly).— First  and  Highly  Commended,  W.  Scolt, 
Yarmouth.    Second,  H.  Green. 

Goldfinch  Mule  (Throe  Mealy  or  Y'oUow,  liatched  iu  1808).— First  and 
Second,  W.  Scott. 

Any  other  Variett  of  Canary  or  MoLE.—First,  Second,  and  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Green.    Commmended,  C.  Eumbold. 

Judges. — Key.  T.  L.  Fellowes,  Houiughom  Kectorr,  Norwiclr ; 
W.  B.  Tcgetmeier,  Esq.,  London;  Mr.  .Joseijh  Clarke,  Ipswich;  Mr. 
W.  Simmons,  Yarmouth. 


YORK  POULTRY   SHOV/. 

The  foUowinfj  is  the  list  of  the  awards  made  at  this  Show,  held  on  the 
8th,  9th,  and  loth  iust. 

Dorkings  (.iny  colour).- First.  H.  S.  Thompson,  Y'ork.  Second,  Lady 
Hawke,  Poutefract.  Chickens.— i'irst,  Ecy.  G.  Hustler,  York.  Second, 
K.  E.  Kussell,  Bedale. 

SPAxisn.— Prize,  E.  Brown,  Sheffield.  CTiiel:c?is.— First,  E.  Draper, 
Sunderland.    Second,  P..  E.  Brown,  OswaldUirk. 

CoCHlN-CaniA  (Y'ellow  or  Buff).— Second,  G.  Calvert,  Darlington. 

CooHiN-Cm.-jA  (Any  other  colour).— First,  J.  W.  Pease,  Darlingtou.  Se- 
cond, G.  Calvert.    C/iic/cfji!-.- First  and  Second,  R.  E.  Brown,  Oswaldkirk. 

Brahma  Pootra.- First,  W.  Whiteley,  Sheffield.  Second,  Lady  Hawke, 
Poutefract. 

G.uiE  (Blaok-breastcd  or  other  Reds).— First,  G.  Suttou,  York.  Second, 
J.  Watson,  Knai-esborongh. 

GA3IE  (Duckwiugs).— First,  H.  II.  Julian,  Hull.  Second,  J.  Sharpley, 
York. 

Game  (Any  other  v.iriotv).- Sceoud,  E.  Brown,  Pickering.  Chickens.— 
First,  n.  M.  Julian.    Second,  G.  Sutton. 

Hajiburghs  (Golden-pencilled).— First,  J.  Wallter,  Knaresboroagh. 
Second,  G.  Holmo.s,  Great  Driffield. 

Hambcrghs  (Silver-pencilled).- Fii'st,  J.  Walker,  Kuaresborougb.  Se- 
cond, G.  Holmes.  * 

Hamburghs  (Golden-spangled).— First,  G.  J.  Taylor,  Huddorsfield, 
Second,  G.  Pounder,  Kirbymoorside. 

HAimcRGHS  (Silver-spangled).— Prize,  J.  Walker,  Kuaresborougb. 

Polish  Any  variety,.— First,  C.  Walker,  Boroughbridge.  Second,  E. 
Proctor,  Hull. 

Game  Bantams  (■\ny  colour).— First,  G.  Downie,  Netherton.  Second, 
T.  Blackburn,  Northallerton. 

Bantams  (Laced.— Prize, J.  Walker,  Knaresborough. 

Eantajis  (Any  other  colour).— First,  W.  Baynes,  Middleton.  Second, 
Miss  Dalton.  P,ipon. 

Any  Variety  not  Previouslv  Classed.— First,  R.  Loft,  Beverley.  Se- 
cond, W.  R.  Roberts,  Barnetby  Wold. 

Tcrkeys.  —  First,  J.  B.  Braithwaite,  Northallerton.  Second,  Lady 
Hawke,  Pontt-fract.  Poiiifj.— First,  S.  Musgrave,  Moor  HonUton.  Se- 
cond, J.  B.  Braithwaite. 

Gbese. — First,  Lord  Wenlook.    Second,  Rev.  G.  Hustler,  Y'ork. 

Docks  (Aylesbury).— First,  J.  Story,  Pooklington.  Second,  A,  G. 
Hayden,  York. 

D'coKS  (Eouen).— First,  C.  Stamror,  Oswaldkirk.  Second,  Rev.  G. 
Hustler. 

DccKS  (.\ny  other  variety).— First,  S.  Bui-n,  Whitby.  Second,  Miss 
Dalton.  Eipnn. 

Sellixo  Class.- First,  G.  Calvert.    Second,  J.  Hcarflold,  Darlington. 
PIGEONS. 

Carrier.— Cod-.— First  and  Second,  J  Hawlev,  Bingloy.  Hen.— First, 
J.  Hawley.     Second,  !■'.  J.  Leach,  Middlesborougii. 

PouTEES.-CocA.— First,  J.  Hiwlcv.  Second,  F.  J.  Leach.  Hfii.— First 
E.  Homer,  Harewood.    Second,  C.  Cowburn,  Leeds. 

TrHELEKs  (.Almond).— First,  J.  Fielding,  Rochdale.  Second,  T.  Rule, 
Durham. 

TcMBLERs,  Short-faced  (Any  other  variety).- First,  J.  Fielding.  Se- 
cond, T.  Rule. 


Fantails.— Firat  and  Second,  J.  Hawloy. 

TKUiirETERs.- First,  J.  Firth,  juu.,  Dowsbury.     Second,  J.  Masoo, 
Boroughbridge. 

Barrs.— First  and  Second,  J.  Cell,  York. 

jAconiss.— First,  O.  A.  Y'ouug,  Drirlidd.  .Second,  F.  J.  Leach, 

TunniTB.— First,  J.  Fielding.    Second,  O.  Fletcher,  York. 

Owls.- First  and  Second,  J.  Fielding,  .      ~         j 

Any  other  New  or  Distinct  VAEiEiy.- First,  F.  J.  Leach.    Second, 
E.  Homer,  Harewood. 

Selling  Class.— First,  J.  Hawloy.    Second,  J.  Mason. 
RABBITS. 

Lop-eared.— JBkcK  —  First,  A.    H.  Easteu.     Second,  M.  Millington, 
York.    7tof.— First,  S.  Hardcastlo,  Y'ork.    Second,  M.  MUInigton. 

Lop-eared  (Yellow  and  White,  or  Tortoibishell).- First,  B.  Hudson,  HuU. 
Second,  F.  Stainburn,  York.  „».„. 

Lop-eared  (Black  and  White,  or  Grey  and  White).— First,  M.  MilUng- 
tou.    Second,  W.  S.  Hornby,  Y'ork. 

Heaviest.— I'irst,  J.  Dixon,  York.    Second,  A.  H.  Essten. 

HniALAYAN.— First,  W.  8.  Hornby.    Second,  C.  Rayson,  Manchester. 

Dutch.— First,  T.  W.  Harrison.    Second,  S.  G.  Hudson. 

Any  other  Variety.— First.  A.  U.  Easlen.    Second,  C.  11.  Hayden. 

Lop-eared.— First,  F.  Stainburn.    Second,  R.  Dobson,  York. 

Longest-Eared.— yowTsp. — Medal,  F.  Stainburn, 


FROM  WILTSHIRE  TO  GLASGOW,  AND  WHAT 
I   SAW  THERE. 

paut  1. 

Fkom  my  part  of  Wiltshire  to  Glasgow,  via  London,  tbe  best 
way  of  going  is  above  five  bnndred  miles.  A  five-UuncJred-mile 
jnnrney  in  the  dead  of  winter !  Yet  who  could  refuse  to  take 
it  if  they  had  received,  as  I  had,  a  Idud  invitation  most  kindly 
expressed?  Besides,  a  fancier  will  dehght  to  go  after  the 
objects  of  his  fancy. 

Starting,  then,  by  the  familiar  Great  Western  Eailway,  I 
reach  the  almost-as-familiar  metropolis— that  vast  London, 
whose  history  fascinated  my  boyhood,  and  has  pleased  me  ever 
since.  Soft,  mild,  winter  weather  was  this  7th  of  December. 
Surely  Charles  II.  was  not  far  wrong  when  ha  said  of  England, 
"  In  no  other  country  can  a  man  go  out  of  doors  with  com- 
fort during  so  many  days  in  the  year."  Then,  it  seems  our 
dying  years'  wish  to  be  happily  remembered,  for  their  last  days 
are  so  often  their  best  days— witness  this  last  November; 
while,  as  some  one  said,  "  He  did  not  know  which  was  the 
coldest  month.  May  or  June,  but  he  rather  thought  the  latter." 

Next  morning  northward  in  good  earnest,  for  ray  ticket  reads 
"London  to  Glasgow.''  Glasgow— "  Oh  ! "  said  a  friend  who 
just  likes  to  tease  a  bit,  "  recollect  it  always  rains  iu  Glasgow, 
and  so  hard  that  you  must  take  two  umbrellas,  for  one  is  worn 
out  in  a  day  or  two." 

A  long,  long  journey  is  before  me ;  and  how  pleasant  and 
satisfactory  one  feols  it  to  be  that  the  same  ciiniage  is  to  be 
his  all  the  way.  How  calmly  one  sees  the  littlo  travellers 
get  out  after  their  few-miles  journey— poor  short-lived  beings. 
The  very  guard  to  a  long- staged  man  grows  into  a  friend,  and 
one  fancies  his  beard  has  become  a  little  greyer  since  we  started. 

Now,  it  strikes  mo  that  external  England  should  be  divided 
in  the  same  sort  of  way  as  geologists  divide  her  inside.  Thus, 
I  would  call  the  west  the  stone  part,  middle  England  the  red- 
brick part,  and  the  east  the  white-brick  part,  and  so  on.  The 
red-brick  is  my  part  for  a  long  time.  Ye  dull,  dreary,  hedge- 
row-and-tree  midland  counties,  how  could  ye  produce  Wilham 
Shakspeare?      From  you  he  might  indeed  have  learned  to 

sing  of 

"  A  mole,  cinque-spotted  like  the  crimson  drops 
In  the  bottom  of  a  cowslip." 

How  the  little  lad  at  Stratford  had  counted  time  after_  time 
those  five  russet  spots,  peeping  into  the  cowslip  nosegay  in  hia 
tiny  hand,  and  finding  the  spots  to  bo  always  five.     Bat  how, 
I  ask,  could' the  Warwickshire-born  one  learn  to  sing  of 
"  Antres  vast,  and  deserts  idle. 
Rough  quan-ies,  rocks,  and  hills  whoso  heads  touch  heaven." 

Or  where  could  Shakspeare  have  got,  he  inland  born,  that 
best  of  epithets  to  describe  the  ocean  ?— "  The  imiUiludinous 
sea."  Far  better  that  one  word  than  .Esehylus's  "  the  many, 
twinkling  smile  of  ocean."  But  why  trouble  about  Shakspeare' 
He  was  unlike  any  other  man.  As  Dr.  Chalmers  said  of  him, 
"  he  was  an  iutelloctual  miracle.'' 

On,  further  and  further,  and  how  the  porters  at  the  stations 
— (i',  e.,  when  they  speak  in  language  "  to  be  undenstanded  of 
the  people ;  "  of  course  I  do  not  include  in  that  term  their 
calling  out  the  names  of  the  stations)- how  the  porters  by  their 
brogue  tell  us  what  part  of  the  country  we  are  in  !  Cockney 
porters  missing  H's,  and  honestly  paying  them  back — e.  g., 
Auwell  and  Healing  ;  Somersetshire  porters  giving  us  Z's  for 
S's,  and  so  on  all  over  England. 

But  I  have  reached  Carlisle  at  last,  "  menie  Carlisle,"  and 


402 


JOURNAL  OF  EOBTIOULTORE  AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


[  December  24,  1868. 


then  all  darkness,  for  the  brief  bright  December  day  is  over. 
My  book  (the  "  Essays  of  Elia  "),  I  can  see  to  read  no  longer  ; 
the  talk  of  my  travelling  companions  has  ceased  ;  the  occasional 
chats  are  done,  all  liveliness  is  gone,  and  we  are  wearied  and 
silen  tin  the  darkness.  In  that  darkness,  growing  each  minute 
denser,  I  enter  Scotland,  and  the  darkness  is  suitable — 
*'  For  dark,  and  true,  oud  tender  is  the  North." 

Once  more  in  Scotland  after  a  seventeen-jears  absence  !  Yes, 
I  am  again  in  Scotland  ;  for  on  asking  a  porter  for  a  fresh  hot- 
water  tin  I  get  an  answer  in  the  language  of  BurnB,  "  Anither 
mon  will  bring  the  hot  waater." 

It  is  pleasant  ou  revisiting  a  formerly  well-knowri  country 
not  to  revisit  the  same  part  of  it,  for  then  it  is  a  revisit  without 
one  painful  drawback — I  mean  missing  here  and  there  a  face, 
or  asking  for  those  who  cannot  reply,  or  seeing  the  grey  hair 
where  the  brown  was,  or  having  to  note  the  sunken  cheek 
where,  when  last  we  saw  it,  stood  youth,  and  perhaps  beauty, 
in  its  rosy  plumjiuess.  Such  reminiscences  are  painful,  but 
happily  I  have  none  of  these. 

Surely  tho  evening  hours  are  very  long  hours.  How  very 
long  the  last  two  of  a  twelve-hours  journey  seem  !  How  they, 
like  "  the  tedious  Alexandrine,  drag  their  slow  length  along  !" 
GlaFgow — no,  only  Carstaira.  But  now  Glasgow — no,  only 
Motherwell ;  then  Coatbridge,  with  its  furnaces  all  a-blaze. 
But  the  train  slackens  at  last,  and  the  oft-snipped  ticket  is 
broken  in  half,  aud  only  the  return  bit  ia  left  me.  And  how 
am  I  to  know  the  bodily  presence  of  my  host  that  is  to  be — 
Mr.  Huie  of  Pouter  celebrity,  known  to  me  by  several  kindly 
letters — how  am  I  to  know  him,  and  how  is  he  to  know  "  Wilt- 
EHiEE  Hectok?"  Well,  as  usual,  I  carry  the  old  recognising 
flag  in  my  hand — a  copy  of  "  our  Journal,"  and  by  it  1  am  at 
once  known.  And  well  it  was  that  I  bore  that  flag,  for  I  am 
not  personally,  as  was  expected,  "  a  white-haired  old  gentleman 
with  a  ruddy  face  and  a  pair  of  twinkling  blue  eyes."  How 
seldom  expectations  are  realised  !  how  very  disappointing  they 
are  !  I  am  only  a — well,  never  mind  my  personal  appearance. 
One  thing  I  must  say,  that  although  the  fair  image  of  the  white 
hair,  and  ruddy  face,  aud  blue  eyes  is  at  once  dashed  to  the 
ground,  yet  I  am  no  loser,  for  I  get  the  hand-pressure  of  old 
friends  from  Mr.  Huie,  and  Mr.  Ure,  and  the  ring  of  fanciers 
who  kindly  meet  me — me  a  stranger,  only  known  by  some 
vagrant  trifles,  kindly  written,  I  hope,  in  "  our  Journal." 
N.B. — I  had  not  to  put  up  my  umbrella,  so  it  does  not  aluays 
rain  in  Glasgow. 

A  drive  of  two  miles  or  so  through  the  long  lines  of  gaslamps, 
and  I  reach  Mr.  Huie's  villa.  A  pleasant  villa  1  soon  found  it 
to  be,  where  I  get  a  warm-hearted  welcome.  A  Scotchman 
does  not  let  his  shake  of  the  hand  dwindle  down  to  a  two- 
fingered  affair,  neither  does  a  Scotchwoman  give  four  cold, 
straight  fingers  that  chill  tho  very  life-blood.  At  once  I  am  at 
home.  I  fear,  ye  great  ones  of  the  earth,  ye  kings  and  queens, 
ye  cannot  make  your  friends  so  at  home.  I  hope  you  can,  for 
their  sakes  and  for  yours.  The  needed  stipper  is  all  ready, 
and  then  soon  followed  the  needed  bed. 

Next  morning,  December  9th — N.B.,  no  umbrella  wanted ; 
how  could  that  old  bachelor  friend  alarm  me  so  much,  and  so 
falsely  too?  Well,  next  morning,  on  looking  garden-wise,  I 
Eee  extending  from  either  side  of  the  house  long  greenhouse- 
looking  buildings  wired  in  the  front.  These  are  the  pigeonries, 
so  placed  that  from  the  bow  windows  you  command  a  good 
view  of  the  birds.  The  enormous  size  of  the  Pouters  strikes 
me  at  once,  then  the  deep  richness  of  the  Kedi-  and  Yellows. 
A  closer  view  after  breakfast  tells  me  of  peerl^sa  Fantaile, 
peerless  in  carriage  and  motion  ;  good  Almonds,  Jacobins,  See. 

But  we  are  off  from  Itowan  Cottage  to  Glasgow.  '  Upon  this, 
the  commercial  capital  of  Scotland  and  the  largest  city  of  the 
empire  next  to  London,  you  see  plainly  inscribed  the  wealth 
and  intelligence  of  its  inhabitants.  Width  of  streets,  length 
of  streets,  all  modern,  save  here  aud  there  a  crow-stepped  gable 
or  two ;  but  the  new  quite  overpowers  the  old.  The  streets 
are  in  width  what  Sir  Christopher  Wren  wished,  but  wished  in 
vain,  to  make  the  streets  of  London.  I  must  single  out  a  few 
of  the  Glasgow  streets  :  Argyll  Street,  the  city's  great  backbone ; 
lengthy  Eglintoun  Street ;  aud  Buchanan  Street,  the  Regent 
Street  of  Glasgow.  Straight  we  go  to  the  Exchange,  where 
business  faces  aro  around  me,  business  telegrams  before  me — 
earth's  occupations,  aud  earth's  only.  By  a  strange  yet  fitting 
contrast  we  go  next  to  the  old  cathedral,  which  looked  down 
on  Glasgow  as  a  mere  little  town,  and  now  looks  down  on  its 
vastness.  This  is  the  only  cathedral,  save  that  of  lurkwall  in 
the  Orkneys,  which  was  saved  from  the  destroying  hands  of  an 
unreasoning  populace.    Glasgow  Cathedral  is  a  maesive  pile 


of  the  heavy  earlier,  and  not  late  and  lighter  Gothic.  It  in- 
spires awe,  it  forces  the  mind  into  respect.  Of  recent  years  it 
has  been  restored,  but  indeed  as  to  the  fabric  it  is  so  strong  it 
needed  little  repair.  But  dirt  and  rubbish  are  gone,  and  every 
observable  window  in  all  partp,  crypt  as  well,  is  of  stained 
glass.  In  massiveness,  as  opposed  to  lightness,  it  is  the  very 
opposite  to  Salisbury  Cathedral.  On  this  dark  but  dry  De- 
cember day,  a  "dim  religious  light"  did  indeed  pervade  its 
interior.  The  painted  windows  have,  many  of  them,  an  unusual 
but  desirable  practical  bearing.  Thus,  a  sick-bed  scene  with  a 
motto  text,  instructive  to  the  looker  and  reader.  Then  the 
faces  and  figures  are  natural  and  human,  not  medi.-eval  angular 
distortions.  The  one  thought  that  overcomes  all  is  massiveness 
— how  solidly  built  it  is  !  

"  They  dretinit  not  or  a  perisliable  h'om^  |^ 
Who  thug  could  build,"  ;  "■" 

Down  to  the  crypt — clean,  yet  how  cold  !^I  stand  by  Si," 
Mungo'a  Well,  the  Saint  to  whom  the  building  was  dedicated- 
I  am  placed  by  the  pillar  where  Hob  Koy  gave  the  warning  to 
Frank  Osbaldistone.  How  Scott  (Oh !  triumph  of  genius !) 
has  made  us  talk  of  the  scenes  in  his  fictions  as  if  they  were 
very  facts.  I  linger  as  long  as  I  dare  in  this  wonderfully  built 
crypt.  A  lancet  window  startles  me.  It  has  a  picture  of  the 
Baptist — a  wild,  weiru-looking,  camel-hair-oovercd  tigure  in  the 
attitude  of  preaching,  with  the  text  "  Repent  ye,"  &e.,  beneath 
— a  strange  haunting  figure.  I  am  bidden  to  stoop  and  read  a 
small  brass.  It  briefly  tells  me  that  Edward  Irving  is  there 
buried.  How  suitable  a  resting-place  for  that  fiery  clay  !  How 
suitable  a  window  above  bis  grave  ! 

Further  wanderings  about  Glasgow  fill  up  the  day.  I  mark 
the  hill  ou  which  stood  Queen  Mary  and  saw  the  fatal  defeat 
of  her  troops  at  Langside  ;  then  ou  to  the  Western  Park — what 
a  noble  view  from  its  noble  mansions  I  Then  I  walk  by  the 
Kelvin  (what  a  place  for  summer- evening  wandering  !),  then  to 
the  busy  Docks,  and  view  the  once  rural  Clyde,  now  the  Clyde 
vessel-laden.  On  still  sight-seeing,  passing  tempting  Glasgow 
shops.  But  daylight  fails,  and  I  rest,  nothing  loth,  at  the 
llfinover  Hotel,  for  there  I  am  to  be  present  at  the  annua! 
dinner  of  the  North  Eritith  Columbarian  Society,  N.B. — No 
umbrella  used  the  whole  day.-^WiLTSHiEE  'Bzcios."-''^'^'^''  '•'^ 
^T     '  .Jno.niPC'j 

■^;^^:„  TUMBLER  PIGEONS.      '  ■^•1  Z^)^: 

.With  all  deference  to  the  opinions  expressed  by  "  WitTSsuBK 
Recioe  "  respecting  the  homing  faculties  cf  Tumbler  PigconF, 
I  beg  to  differ  from  him.  I  could  mention  several  instances  in 
which  they  have  come  home  short  distances.  In  the  early 
part  of  last  year  I  sold  some  Tumbler  Pigeons  to  a  gentleman 
living  at  Horsham  :  amongst  them  was  a  White  Roller  cook, 
and  this  bird  had  no  sooner  regained  bis  liberty  than  he 
returned  home,  a  distance  of  about  eighteen  miles;  He  was- 
quite  pure-bred,  and  had  never  been  traiued.trtlis  Silutf  ba'Ats^u 

i  'Z%  ,,w1hE'Mndei;land  bird'  sijmv. 

SusDEBLASD  has  at  last  spoken,  and  her  Committee  has 
f  ent  out  its  schedule  of  prizes  for  the  next  great  Ornithological 
Exhibition,  and  as  a  whole  the  schedule  is  a  good  one,  but  I 
think  a  few  alterations  might  have  been  made  with  advantage. 
There  is  no  class  either  for  London  Fancies  or  Crested  Belgians. 
Now,  the  former  every  one  admits  to  be  a  pure  breed,  whatever 
may  be  said  about  the  latter,  aud  I  do  think  that  it  ought  to 
have  had  a  class  before  that  mongrel  the  Scotch  Don,  which  iB 
honoured  with  four.  The  schedule  stands  alone  in  the  way  ia 
which  the  Mules  are  classed.  Here  they  are  divided  in  a  man- 
ner they  deserve  to  be,  which  shows  both  the  common  sense 
and  discernment  of  the  Committee  in  general,  and  of  Mr. 
Blakston  in  particular. 

Goldfinch  and  Linnet  Mules,  especially  the  fornaer,  are  birds 
which  every  fancier  likes,  and  which  every  fancier  knows  are 
more  dilficult  to  breed  good  than  any  other  cage  bird,  aud  when 
good  are  most  valuable,  and  Sunderland  was  the  first  place, 
indeed,  is  the  only  place,  where  their  merits  were  acknowledged 
aud  prizes  given  to  them  adequate  to  their  pretensions.  I 
hoped  to  have  been  able  to  show  the  world  at  Sunderland  a 
couple  of  pcrhcthi  char  Linnet  Mules  (the  first,  I  believe,  ever 
exhibited),  but,  unfortunately,  they  would  not  moult,  and  died. 

I  beg,  in  conclusion,  to  rtmind  old  exhibitors,  r.nd  to  fell  all 
Canary  fanciers  who  have  never  been  to  Sunderland,  that  the 
way  in  which  exhibitors  are  treated,  the  way  in  which  the 
specimens  are  looked  after,  and  the  kind  and  courteous  manner 
in  which  all  the  Committee  and  Mr.  Blakston  behave  to  their 


December  24, 1S68.  ] 


JOURNAL  OP  HOBTIOULTUllE   AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


498 


friends,   canuot  be  surpassed,   if  cqualleJ,  at   any  ehow   in 
England. 

All  you  Vfho  allow  at  the  Crystal  ralaoe,  you  f:;rcat  fanciers  of 
the  far  south,  go  to  Sunderland  this  time,  and  show  by  your 
presence  that  you  appreciate  the  exertions  of  the  Secretary ; 
and  if  you  cannot  and  will  not  go,  send  your  birds,  and  depend 
upon  it  you  will  not  be  disappointed,  even  if  you  do  not  take  s 
prize. — IIowAr.TH  AsirroN,  PoU'/teUl  Hall,  Pn'stwich. 


COLOURING  CANArOES  FOR  EXHIBITION. 

It  is  but  a  year  or  two  ago  that  an  exposure  was  made  of  a 
case  of  "  artilioially  colouring  birds  "  sent  for  show  at  an  exhi- 
bition of  fame  in  the  North  of  England,  and  a  year  or  so 
previous  to  that  occurrence  a  case  came  to  my  notice  of  some 
birds  having  been  bought  from  a  man  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Norwich  by  respectable  persons  residing  in  Gloucester,  who 
innocently  but  unfortunately  exhibited  them  at  an  All-England 
Show  in  Gloucester.  These  birds  were  found  by  the  judges  to 
be  stained,  which  fact  was  proved  to  have  been  the  case  before 
arriving  in  the  hands  of  the  Gloucester  exhibitors.  Notwith- 
standing the  name  of  the  offending  person  having  been  given, 
I  regret  to  say  there  were  those  living  in  Gloucester  at  the  same 
time  who  were  ever  ready  to  damage  the  position  of  those  who 
purchased  and  exhibited  the  birds.  Now,  at  an  exhibition  held 
in  Gloucester  on  the  !(th  instant  and  following  two  days  (open 
to  residents  within  forty  miles  of  the  city),  I  am  sorry  to 
announce  two  cases  of  stained  Canaries  were  found  out  and 
exposed,  one  of  which  was  shown  by  a  person  residing  near 
Bristol,  and  the  other  by  a  Gloucester  exhibitor.  I  think  the 
sooner  such  practices  are  checked  the  better  the  bird  cause  will 
flourish. — Detective. 


GOLDFINCH  MULE  CANARIES. 

Under  the  above  heading  I  have  noticed  an  article  in  your 
Journal  of  November  19th,  from  3Ir.  W.  A.  Blakston,  but  I 
suppose  he  is  referrins;  to,  or  means.  Goldfinch  and  Canaiy 
Mules.  He  states,  "In  some  schedules  '  nearest  the  Canary'  is 
the  standard — a  definition  so  manifestly  absurd  as  to  need  no 
comment."  This  condemnation  I  cannot  entertain,  for,  ■'  ab- 
surd" as  it  may  appear  to  him,  it  is  not  absurd  to  others.  He 
says  (and  quite  coiTectly  too,  and  giving  preference  in  this  par- 
ticular instance  to  a  bird  "nearest  the  Canary"),  that  "the 
Mule  most  difficult  to  breed  is  one  absolutely  clean,  and  it 
therefore  ouglit  to  occupy  the  highest  position."  Undoubtedly 
so,  for  if  a  schedule  is  issued  with  only  one  class  for  Jonque 
Goldfinch  Mules,  and  one  for  ilealy  Goldfinch  Mnle.s,  I  should 
decidedly  think  of  awarding  the  first  prize  to  the  one  "nearest 
the  Canary,"  if  that  specimen  were  a  clear  or  clean  Mule.  It 
most  certainly  would  fake  precedence  over  other  Mules.  Even- 
marked  Mules  demand  more  attention  than  those  odd -marked, 
but  still  evenness  of  marks  does  not  always  over-rule  a  bird. 
Much  depends  on  the  state  or  condition  they  may  be  in.  Com- 
mittees and  Secretaries  are,  I  am  happy  to  say,  gradually  fram- 
ing their  schedules  to  one  state  of  things,  so  that  an  eathibitor 
will  know  full  well  how  to  enter  birds. 

Clean  Mules,  and  even-marked  ones,  should  not  bo  classed 
together.  If  there  were  sufficient  clean  Jtulcs  bred,  I  would  (as 
provided  by  the  very  excellent  schedule  j\ist  issued  for  the  next 
Sunderland  >Show),  rather  sec  thcnt  in  classes  away  from  any 
other,  but  owing  to  thoir  scarcity,  I  prefer  them  as  in  the  last 
Crystal  Palace  schedule,  where  classes  are  provided  for  clear 
Mides,  or  those  only  slightly  ticked  or  marked,  but  a  clear  bird 
for  choice  of  either.  Haring  a  class  entirely  for  clear  Mules  is 
proof  positive  thatthei'e  will  scarcely  be  any  entered,  which  not 
only  bears  a  scanty  appoaranco,  but  then  it  affords  temptation, 
if  an  unfair  exhibitor  should  bo  possessed  of  a  specimen  with  but 
^one  slightly- ticked  feather  in  the  bird,  to  pluck  it  out,  and  show 
it  as  a  elear  sppciipen.  ,  ],:      :.,    ._.„  ;    .,::;,■  -■iv,      ■.-,. 

I  have,  no  doubt  it  would  UevannOying  to-Mrj  ]5lak6t6n>~to 
notice  at  the  '-local  show"  he  alludes  to,  a  bird  marked  on  6nc 
wing  displacing  an  ovcn-markcd  bird  ;  but  the  fault  lies  with 
those  wlto  issu'jd  the, schedule  in  not,  providing,  proper  classes. 
It  would  be  mori;  ga.tisfecy»ry,  especiaUy  to  the  Judges,  if  this 
were  done.     .:.,,:.:"■•;. 

Mr.  Blakston  having  mentioned  my  name  in  Ihc  latter  part  of 
the  same  article,  and  stated  he  had  no  duubt  that  myself,  with 
others  (Mule-bveeders),  would  exhibit  some  at  the  winter  exhi- 
bition?, I  einliracotl  almost  the  only  opportunity,  owing  to  my 
engagonicnto  as  a  Judge,  of  answeringhis  call.  I  entered  some 
of  my  Mules  at  Belforil  Show,  and  had  the  salisfaetionof  taking 


a  fii-st  prize  with  my  even-marked  Jonque  f  ioldfinch  Mule,  "Lord 
Derby,"  and  winnini;  a  soionJ  prize  with  a  fine  even-marked 
Mealy  Midn,  "The  Pride  of  Derby." 

In  your  following  number  I  shall  l<o  glad  to  give  a  fewremarks 
on  Wule-brecding  with  the  Goldfinch  an'l  Canary.  —  O.  J. 
li.\uNE3iiY,  Verbyr  f.i  aiui  iiai^  bjj  Lmi  ,1j 

SCHIEBERLE'S  METHOD  OF  CURING  FOUL 

BROOD.  ;       , ,,    ;;__ 

At  the  meeting  of  German  bee-keepers  held  at  Briinn,  ip 

Septemoer,  IftCS,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Schieberle  stated  that  he  bad 
invariably  sucoeodod  in  curing  foul  brood  by  the  following 
mode  of  treatment : — 

"  We  first  excise  all  the  combs  to  the  very  last  cell,  by  which 
means  the  bees  are  compelled  entirely  to  refurnish  their  hive, 
whilst  the  queen  cannot  immediately  recommence  egg-laying, 
and  then  leave  them  alone  during  the  first  night  in  order  that 
they  may  lick  up  all  the  spilt  honey,  and  clean  their  hive, 
which  they  will  do  most  industriously.  We  then  take  thyme 
(herba  Serpyllij,  and  white  balm  (Fol.  Mellissa),  if  possible  in 
the  green  state,  with  some  leaves  of  aloe  (Aloi;  socotrinaj,  and 
boil  the  whole  in  water  for  some  time.  The  liquid  strained 
from  this  decoction  diffuses  an  agreeable  strengthening  odour, 
and  being  mixed  with  a  sufficient  quantity  of  honey  to  qualify 
it  for  bee-food,  must  be  again  boiled,  and  well  skimmed.  We 
next  grate  into  a  feeding-pan  a  piece  of  assafu-tida  about  the 
size  of  a  hazel  nut,  and  a  bit  of  camphor  as  large  as  a  pea,  add 
to  it  a  little  sulphate  of  magnesia  on  the  point  of  a  knife,  and 
pour  upon  this  a  good  pint  of  the  hot  decoction  ;  lastly,  we  add 
some  drops  of  oil  of  turpentine,  and  stir  the  whole  well  to- 
gether. 

"  The  mixture  thus  prepared  is  presented  to  the  bees  in  a 
tepid  state,  and  these,  attracted  by  the  smell  of  the  honey,  and 
feeling  its  necessity  for  comb-building,  proceed  immediately 
with  a  glad  hum  to  the  feeding-pan.  But  soon  their  gay  hum- 
ming ceases  as  they  retreat  after  tasting  the  food.  Still,  how- 
ever, they  return  again,  one  by  one,  in  order  again  to  taste  it, 
until,  perhaps,  at  this  first  time  a  third  or  a  fourth  part  is  re- 
moved according  to  the  strength  of  the  colony  ;  we  then  warm 
up  the  food  again,  and  present  it  to  them  anew.  In  the  mean- 
time the  penetrating  odonr  of  the  assafoitida  and  camphor  has 
permeated  the  entire  hive,  and  the  bees,  becoming  accustomed 
to  it,  have  also  prepared  new  combs  for  the  reception  of  honey. 
For  this  reason  they  appropriate  yet  more  the  second  time,  and 
if  we  continue  to  offer  them  such  food  they  will  learn  to  re- 
move the  whole  of  it  forthwith.  WTieu  they  have  once  entirely 
emptied  the  feeding-pan  we  need  only  pour  the  honey  on  the 
undissolved  part  of  the  camphor  and  assafcetida,  adding  at  the 
same  time  a  little  sulphate  of  magnesia,  and  a  few  drops  of 
turpentine,  and  stirring  the  whole  well  together. 

"  But  on  one  point  we  must  be  very  careful,  and  that  is  tliat 
we  do  not  attract  strange  bees,  either  during  the  excision  of 
the  combs  or  by  feeding,  since  the  colony  whilst  it  has  no 
combs  is  by  the  intrusion  of  strange  bees  easily  induced  to 
desert  its  hive.  We  therefore  remove  the  partially  emptied 
feeding-pan  every  morning,  and  having  warmed  the  food,  re- ' 
place  it  in  the  evening.  If,  however,  the  pan  be  quite  empty, 
and  there  are  no  particles  of  comb  therein,  there  will  generally 
be  no  danger  from  strange  bees,  and  we  may  leave  it  during 
the  daytime  also,  in  order  that  the  hive  may  become  penetrated 
by  the  scent  of  the  camphor  and  assafo'tida." 

"  The  bees  soon  prove  that  they  are  cured  by  tlieir  active  and 
industrious  flight  during  the  day,  as  well  as  by  tlae  rapidity 
with  which  combs  are  constructed,  the  brood  is  duly  matured, 
the  colony  jirospers,  and  no  trace  of  foul  brood  is  discoverable, 
although  the  bees  remain  in  the  same  hive,  and  this  latter  oa 
the  same  spot.  Nay,  I  have  already  used  in  this  way  without  . 
injury  the  honey  from  foul-broody  hives,  and  one  of  my  re- 
stored stocks  completely  cleared  out  the  honey  from  the  combs  , 
of  two  foul-broody  hives  which  had  been  excised,  and  deposited 
in  a  room  on  the  ground  door,  the  window  of  which  was,  in  my 
absence,  left  open  by  a  servant.  This  stock  threw  cfi  two 
swarms  during  the  same  year,  nor  was  it  infected  Ln  the  slightest 
degree.  It  is,  therefore,  perfectly  unnecessary  to  destroy  any- 
thing except  the  brood-combs  from  fotil-breeding  hives.  Ac- 
cording to  my  opinion  and  experience,  infection  only  occurs 
by  means  of  infected  bees  from  a  foul-broody  stock  wandering 

*  Tor  thi-^  reason  it  would  appear  necess:^•y  to  place  tlio  feetiing-pan 
witbinthi  Btve  itself,  fnstead-Ot.'birtte  top  a«ls  dinally  donoia  Eog- 


494 


JODENAL  OP  HOKTICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENEB. 


[  December  24,  18C3. 


to  other  laives,  partly  owing  to  a  dislike  for  their  own  dwelling, 
and  partly  in  order  to  rob,  when  if  they  like  it,  there  they 
remain,  and  thus  inoculate  the  stock  with  disease." 


FOUL  BROOD. 


I  EKTiKELT  coucur  with  the  views  expressed  by  Dr.  Preuss 
on  foul  brood  in  the  article  which  appeared  in  pages  311 — 313. 
I  can,  in  fact,  corroborate  the  whole  of  his  statements ;  and 
believing  hitn  to  be  perfectly  correct  ire  his  theory,  I  will,  for 
the  benefit  of  your  readers,  describe  a  few  experiments  which 
I  have  made. 

I  may  in  the  first  place  mention,  that  1  believe  without 
doubt  that  the  cause  of  foul  brood  is  a  certain  degree  of  heat 
combined  with  a  certain  amount  of  moisture — that  although 
foul  brood  may  be  engendered  in  a  hife  with  a  moist  heat  of 
from  70°  to  OO',  a  hive  with  a  perfectly  dry  heat  even  as  high 
as  100'  will  remain  healthy.  I  believe  it  to  be  to  a  great  extent 
a  law  of  nature,  that  animal  life  is  destroyed  by  fungi ;  whereas 
in  vegetable  life  it  is  only  after  death,  or  when  the  vitality  of 
the  plant  has  boen  impaired  by  some  cause,  that  fungi  appear. 
I  have  from  time  to  time  mentioned  that  I  had  used  combs 
from  infected  hives  with  impunity,  no  bad  results  having  fol- 
lowed ;  but  as  I  had  reason  to  believe  that  these  statements 
were  not  credited,  I  for  that  reason  refrained  from  describing 
how  I  effected  it.  Had  these  statements  been  favourably  re- 
ceived I  should  have  given  publicity  to  my  views  before  this. 
Having,  therefore,  in  the  first  place  discovered  that  a  fungus 
was  the  cause  of  the  disease,  I  was  not  long  in  finding  a  cure  ; 
and  this  was  effected  by  simply  drying  my  combs  and  hives  in 
an  oven  or  stove,  exactly  as  described  by  Dr.  Preuss,  which  is 
a  very  effectual  mode  of  destroying  many  fungi. 

I  -will  now  briefly  mention  a  few  experiments  which  I  have 
made  with  foul  brood.  First,  drying  the  combs  is  an  effectual 
cure.  Taking  a  piece  of  infected  comb  from  a  hive  and  giving 
it  to  two  others  was  in  one  case  fatal,  whilst  in  the  other 
nothing  went  wrong,  owing  entirely  to  the  state  of  the  hive  at 
the  time,  just  in  the  same  manner  as  a  piece  of  Mushroom 
spawn  will  live  in  one  place  and  die  in  another.  Again,  by 
inoculating  other  hives  I  have  found  that  in  some  cases  nine 
v^eeks  elapsed  before  foul  brood  appeared,  but  in  most  instances 
symptoms  of  the  disease  showed  themselves  in  six  weeks,  and 
in  three  weeks  the  fungi  could  be  easily  detected. 

I  thus  submit  my  views  to  the  readers  of  "  our  Journal ;" 
and  although  confident  in  my  own  mind  that  I  am  correct,  I 
do  not  expect  other  apiarians  to  receive  them  against  their 
own  convictions.  I  merely  state  my  mind  frankly  on  the  sub- 
ject, and  wish  other  bee-keepers  to  do  the  same,  neither  con- 
demning nor  approving  anything  I  have  said  until  Ihey  have 
proved  it,  since  it  is  only  by  observation  and  experiment  that 
we  can  arrive  at  the  truth. — A  L.VN.iF.KSHiRE  Bee-keeper. 

[It  must  be  remembered  that  Dr.  Preuss  recommends  that 
infected  hives  should  be  kept  for  some  hours  exposed  to  a  tem- 
perature equalling  that  of  boiling  water  (212')  ;  and  if  we  bear 
in  mind  the  fact  that  the  melting  point  of  ordinary  bees'  wax 
is  as  low  as  142°,  it  appears  very  unlikely  that  a  degree  of  heat 
which  would  destroy  the  vitality  of  fungus  sporules,  would  not 
at  the  same  time  prove  fatal  to  the  structure  of  whatever  combs 
might  be  submitted  to  it.] 


OUR  LETTER  BOX. 

Judges  akd  CoMini-TEEs.— "We  have  so  many  letters  concei-ning  the 
alleged  misaoings  of  these  officials,  that  except  in  flagrant  cases  we 
cannot  afford  space  for  them. 

HAlninEGH  CoCKEnEL  (H.  C.).— As  he  spins  ronnd  and  holds  his  head 
on  one  side,  there  is  pressure  on  his  brain.  He  is  probably  too  fat ;  feed 
him  for  a  week  or  two  on  mashed  potatoes,  boiled  rice,  and  very  little 
barleymeal.  Give  no  hard  food,  and  keep  him  quiet.  If  no  blood  vessel 
has  ruptured  he  may  recover. 

PoCLTRY  House  (S.  S.).— If  von  enclose  seven  postage  stamps  with 
your  address  and  order  "  The  Poultry  Book  for  the  Many,"  you  will  have 
it  sent  free  by  post  from  this  offic*.  It  contains  plans  to  suit  you,  and 
much  useful  information  besides. 

A  TCREET  TOP.  CooKlxo  (A.  K.).— Abont  the  end  of  the  year  in  which 
it  was  hatched  a  Turkey  is  best  for  table ;  but  it  is  good  for  table  pur- 
poses untU  it  is  more  than  twelve  months  old. 

PoLANDS  Plucking  Each  Otheb  (St.  Edmunds).— Yoxi  mist  separate 
the  Polands.  A  good  supply  of  fresh  mould,  and  green  food,  especially 
lettuce,  lessen  their  inclination  to  peck  each  other.  It  is  generally  con- 
sidered the  work  on  Pigeons  published  at  our  office  is  the  most  useful. 

PoULTEY  ON  A  oOO-AORE  FAR!!  (J.  3Imon^. — You  may  keep  any  number 
of  fowls  in  reason  on  such  a  farm  as  you  describe — three  hundred  easily. 
From  your  account  they  are  at  present,  if  managed  at  all,  very  much 
mismanaged.  You  will  only  obtain  eggs  in  winter  from  pullets,  not 
from  bene,  and  they  must  be  watched  to  see  that  their  egga  are  not 


stolen.  It  is  ridiculous  to  talk  of  ono  hundred  eggs  from  one  hundred 
hens  in  the  laying  season.  They  cannot  lay  less  than  three  hundred. 
The  best  laying  breeds  are  Spanish,  Brahma°,  and  Creve-Cffiurs.  We 
believe  the  second  will  suit  you  best,  altboagh  they  are  sitters.  They 
are  very  hardy,  excellent  layers,  and  not  large  consumers  of  food.  No 
fowls  require  meat-fet ding ;  and  with  the  appliances  of  a  farm  of  three 
hundred  acres,  the  feeding  at  barndoors  where  threshing  is  going 
on,  under  ricks  in  a  stackyard,  and  the  run  in  hedge  and  ditch  and  over 
meadow,  should  nearly  supply  them  with  food.  If  looked  after  we  believe 
the  eggs  will  pay  a  good  proiit.  Hens  are  like  many  other  things — they 
will  pay  well  if  well  looked  after;  but  if  neglected  they  acquire  bad 
habits,  and  are  never  profitable. 

Coiin  OF  Cocuin-Chisa  Coce  (Lemon  Bnf). — The  "  Standard  of  Ex- 
cellence "  is  not  an  authority  in  poultry-j  udging.  The  comb  you  describe 
and  figure  is  hardly  a  disadvantage,  much  less  a  disquaUfication. 

La  Fleche— Spangled  Hamburgh  (Onechuj-ch).—  !^^  Flucho  hens 
should  weigh  more  than  you  mention.  It  was  a  bad  class  at  Birming- 
ham. A  moult  will  most  likely  remove  all  th  9  spots  from  the  saddle  of  the 
Spangled  Hamburgh  cock;  they  are  the  last  signs  of  youth.  Your  Dork- 
ings should  weigh  from  a  pound  to  a  pound  and  a  half  more  at  their  age, 
but  there  is  nothing  to  hinder  them  from  being  prizetakers  when  they  are 
older. 

Brahma  Pootras  (Brn'imo).— You  cannot  expect  to buyaprizeBrahma 
pullet  for  15s.  It  is  not  the  v.aluo  of  one.  A  good  specimen  should  be 
heavy,  short-legged,  well-feathered :  have  a  well-pencilled  hackle,  well- 
pencilled  body  and  breast,  good  fluffy  thighs  and  hinder  parts,  well- 
feathered  legs,  and  a  pea  comb. 

Colour  of  Brahma  Pootras'  Eggs  (rafm).— The  colour  of  the  egga 
of  this  breed  varies  ;  some  being  lighter  at  times,  darker  at  others.  Just 
so  in  Dorkings  :  they  sometimes  lay  creara-coloured  eggs.  The  cause  has 
never  been  ascertained.  If  your  Brahma  cock  twists  the  end  feather  ot 
his  wings  it  is  not  from  weakness.  It  is  an  incurable  defect.  No  amount 
of  feeding  and  no  skill  in  treatment  will  cure  it.    It  is  hereditary. 

Game  Cock's  Wings  Droopimg  (.V.  r.).— We  know  nothing  that  would 
cause  a  droop-winged  bird  to  carry  them  up.  We  would  neither  keep 
nor  breed  from  such  a  bird.  The  damage  of  three  or  four  wing  feathers 
is  quite  immaterial.  The  third  is  a  far  marc  important  accident.  In 
close  competition  it  would  decide  against  the  bird.  Perfection  is  nearly 
necessary  for  success  in  the  Game  classes. 

Cochik-Chtsa  Cock  Lame  (/.  IF.).— If  the  bird  is  an  old  ono  he  is 
probably  breaking  up.  Cochins  are  not  long-lived,  and  when  they  begin 
to  fall  away  they  do  so  rapidly.  We  advise  you  to  put  him  in  a  dry  place, 
and  to  feed  him  well  with  soft  food,  part  of  it  being  bread  and  ale.  If  be 
do  not  mend  in  a  week  we  should  think  badly  of  hira.  All  the  birds 
are  perhaps  suffering  from  change  of  air,  diet,  and  water.  Give  them  all 
daily  stale  bread  steeped  in  strong  beer. 

Wry-tailed  Fowls  (a.M.).—\  wry  tail  is  a  disqualification  in  any 
breed.    Do  not  breed  from  him.    No  defect  is  so  certainly  transmitted. 

Black  and  Gajie  Baxtams  (Intending  Bj-ftiiiifor).— Game  Bantams 
must  be  Game  fowls  in  miniature,  and  possess  all  their  characteristics. 
Coarse  heads,  drooping  wings,  and  redundant  tails  are  the  things  to 
avoid.  Black  are  subject  to  the  same  rules.  Double  combs  are  disquali- 
fications. 

Choice  of  Cochin-China  Cockerels  (J.  Jlf.).— Breed  from  tho  mode- 
rate-sized bird  that  is  perfect  in  colour  and  shape.  Put  him  to  the  hens 
that  have  thrown  the  large  birds,  and  you  will  probably  obtain  all  yoa 
require. 

Cleaning  White  Fowl's  Plumage  (Ins"  irer).— Wash  the  plumage 
with  soap  and  water,  -is  it  is  only  the  outer  part  of  the  feather  that  is 
dirty,  vou  must  wash  them  by  wiping  them  downwards  with  flannel 
dipped'in  tho  soap  and  water,  they  must  then  at  this  time  of  year,  when 
there  is  no  sun,  be  put  in  a  basket  with  some  hay  or  soft  straw,  and 
placed  before  the  fire  till  dry.    Their  legs  should  be  washed  very  clean. 

Various  (F.  K.).— Black  feathers  in  the  tail  of  a  Buff  Cochin  cock  will 
not  disquiilify  at  a  show.  No ;  a  hen  would  lay  as  well  if  there  were  no 
cock.  Ground  oats  are  excellent  food  for  pullets,  kitchen  scraps  also, 
and  meal  mixed  with  milk.  Stimulating  food  is  injurions.  Your  Cochio 
pullets  will  lay  within  a  fortnight. 

Soft  Eggs  (W.  H.  B.,  Whitehaven).— Yovi  Brahma  Pootras  lay  soft 
eg"s  because  they  are  too  fat,  which  arises  from  your  "feedmg  them 
very  plentifully  "  for  exhibition.  This  is  a  great  mistake,  fatness  is  not 
high  condition. 

Pigeon  Judging  at  Birmingham.—"  I  am  exceedingly  obliged  to  Mr. 
Harrison  Weir,  and  I  beg  to  explain  that  by  a  typographical  error,  I  was 
made  to  s.iy,  'Iwonderhow  the  three  [judges]  managed  with  120  pens 
more  than  last  year."  It  should  have  been,  '  And  I  wonder  how  the  three 
(judges)  managedlastvear  with  120  pens  more  than  this  year,'  meaning, 
of  course,  that  though  there  were  this  year  120  pens  less  than  last  year, 
the  four  judges  had  quite  enough  to  do— A  Foreigner." 

Breeding  from  a  Weak-eyed  Canaey  (H.  A.  J.).— If  the  hen  be  a 
favom-ite  or  of  a  voi-y  valuable  strain,  breed  from  it  and  run  the  nsk,  hut 
if  it  can  be  replaced  by  a  bird  in  a  healthv  condition,  we  should  rather  re- 
commend the  latter  course.  The  affection  may  arise  from  cold,  and  we 
do  not  apprehend  it  will  be  hereditary. 

Lop-eared  Babbits.— "One  Who  Wishesio  Know  the  ReasonWliij,''a3ka 
if  a  new  law  or  rule  of  exoeUenee  has  been  introduced  for  the  guidance 
of  the  various  judges  of  Lop-eared  Rabbits,  as  the  judgment  at  the  late 
Leeds  Show  appears  to  have  been  guided  by  entirely  new  pomts  of  ment, 
ignoring  the  two  points  hitherto  considered  essential- viz.,  length  and 
width  of  ear.  ,  ...         t-  ^  i,.,.. 

A  Cannibal  Dce  Babbit  (W.  B.).— If  a  doe  persists  in  eating  her 
young  ones,  despite  vour  chansing  her  diet,  we  know  of  no  remedy. 

This  Year's  Swarms  Fighting  (4f.  J.  i.).— The  flghtmg  is,  doubt  03S, 
owing  to  the  hives  being  too  near  together,  and  the  bees  mistaking  them 
in  consequence.  Nothing  should  be  done  to  remedy  this  mitU  they  are 
in  full  activitv  next  season,  when  the  hives  may  be  moved  very  graduauy 
further  apart.'   It  may  be  as  wcU  to  contract  tho  entrances  in  the  mean- 

"snakes  and  Adders.-"  How  can  I  destroy  snakes  and  vipers,  as  in 
some  places  here  they  are  rather  too  numerous  ?  If  by  poison,  how  and 
when  ?  Is  there  any  other  method  ?  What  is  ^'^^'^vrmays.lJooa.Bud 
how  at  the  present  time  to  findout  theirwinterabode?— A.  Hacfaelane. 


December  31,  1868.  1 


JODBNAIi  OP  HORTICDLTUEE  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENER. 


495 


WEEKLY 

calendar: 

Day 

of 

UoDth 

Day 

1)1 

Wofk. 

DEC.  31-JAN.  G,  1869. 

i^Fera^e  Temperature 
near  Londun. 

Ram  In 
laat 

4-2  years. 

.Son 

Ri308. 

San 
Sets. 

Moon 
Eines. 

Moon 
Setg. 

Moon'a 
A.W. 

Clock 

before 

8nQ. 

^7 

Year 

81 

1 

a 

3 
4 
6 
6 

Th 

F 

S 

Sou 

M 

To 

W 

ClUCDUCISION. 

2  SDMDAY  AFTEB  CaEISTXAS, 

EPIPHAlTi'. 

Ttnv. 

4-1.(1 

4:).a 

42.2 
404 
409 
41.6 
41.3 

Nicht. 
32,9 
34.7 
28.9 
SOI 
2<J.O 
29.fi 
29.1 

Mean. 
SH.l 
30  0 
35  5 
853 
34.9 
33.0 
85  2 

Dayf. 
14 

12 
17 
19 
17 
10 
■    14 

m.      h. 
Sat  8 
8     8 
8      8 
8      8 
8      6 
8      8 
7      8 

ra.    b. 
G9af8 

?      t 

a    4 

5  4 
4      4 

6  4 

TB.     h. 

41afU 

1      8 

19       9 

an   10 

50    11 
morn. 
U      1 

m.     h 
21af9 

2    10 
35    10 

4     11 
32     11 
50     11 
after. 

Dava. 
17 
18 
19 

20 

c 

29 
23 

m.  s. 
8    80 

3  SB 

4  2S 

4  64 

5  21 
5  48 
8    14 

SG6 
1 
2 
8 
4 
6 
6 

Prom  ohBorvfttlona  taken  near  London  dnrteR  the  Innt  tortv-two  voars,  the  averaKe  day  temperatnre  of  the  weoh  in  41.!)   ;  and  its  niorht 
teJper"tnrrM  g"     The^eate"  LTt  wa.  57'.  ou  tUe  Srd,  IbOJ  ;   ana  tUo  lewe.t  cold  11'  below  .era.  on  the  4th,  1867.    The  8rea«8l  fall  ol 
rain  was  0.K6  inch.                         ,    ,  ,     i,     ,,  i  ■                                                  * 

BEDDING,  WITHOUT  WINTERING  PLANTS 
UNDER  GLASS. 
'ONG  ago  in  my  native  village  there  was  a 
ei-azy  man,  who  used  to  walk  about  crowned 
with  an  immense  hat  so  thickly  stuck  over 
with  tall  showy  peacocks'  feathers  that  little 
or  no  hat  could  be  seen,  and  our  worthy 
clergyman  once  made  use  of  this  funny  head- 
gear to  point  a  moral,  by  remarking  that 
"  were  we  all  to  carry  our  follies  as  promi- 
nently exposed  to  public  view,  there  would 
be  man}'  stranger  figures  in  the  town  than 
poor  Sandy."  Well,  here  is  a  great  feather,  and  there  are 
very  few  hats  without  it.  We  are  one  and  all  of  us.  from 
liis  Grace's  gardener  down  to  t!ie  doctor's  boy  who  sorts 
the  garden,  as  well  as  the  pigs  and  the  pony,  awfully,  hope- 
lessly imitative.  We  steal  one  another's  spent  thunder, 
and  thunder  it  over  again  with  as  much  zest  as  if  it  had 
never  before  shaken  our  little  gardening  atmosphere  ;  we 
keep  running  in  a  circle,  treading  on  one  another's  heels  so 
closely,  that  were  our  neighbours  in  other  walks  of  life  not 
similarly  engaged,  they  would  set  us  down  at  once  as  a  lot 
of  mere  copyists.  But  it  is  not  pleasant  to  dwell  upon  the 
weak  points  of  human  nature  at  any  time,  and  much  less 
at  this  supposed  merry  ^me  of  the  year;  and  after  all,  if 
we  copy  only  what  is  good  in  our  betters,  so  much  the 
better  for  us,  and  if  in  addition  to  tliat  we  imitate  also 
their  whims  and  weaknesses,  our  doing  so  only  tends  to 
keep  down  a  crop  of  whimsicalities  entirely  our  own. 

Whether  we  owe  the  wide-spread  habit  of  massing  plants 
together  in  great  numbers,  so  as  to  produce  sheets  of  colour, 
to  imitativeness  or  to  the  innate  instinctive  love  of  llowers 
on  the  part  of  the  many,  I  cannot  tell ;  it  is  enough  for  ns 
to  know  and  congratulate  ourselves  on  the  fact,  that  flowers 
from  being  what  they  once  were,  luxuries  of  the  few,  would 
seem  to  be  now  almost  necessary  to  the  happiness  of  every 
one  who  possesses  a  garden.  The  will  and  the  way.  how- 
ever, are  two  vei'y  diiferent  matters.  Many  a  man's  love 
of  flower  gardening  has  evaporated,  leaving  him  hard  and 
dry,  whilst  looking  over  his  first  bill  for  bedding  plants  at 
M.  each  :  and  many  a  gardener's  praiseworthy  ambition 
has  grown  into  disgust  by  his  attempting  the  wizard  trick 
of  turning  a  miraculous  number  of  half-hardy  bedding 
plants  out  of  one  or  two  tiny  houses  ;  3'et  a  great  piece  of 
the  road  to  perfection  can  be  passed  over  without  the  help 
of  houses  at  all.  Last  summer  I  saw  and  made  notes  of 
more  than  one  flower  garden  furnished  with  plants,  the 
tenderest  of  which  had  only  experienced  the  slender  hospi- 
tality of  frames  and  hand-glasses,  and  many — and  these 
not  the  least  striking — did  not  require  even  that.  The 
sight  of  one  of  these  glassless  places  in  particular  gave  me 
an  attack  of  "  wholesome  humility,"  from  the  effects  of 
which  I  have  not  yet  recovered. 

Our  list  of  bedding  plants  which,  being  either  hardy  or 
annuals,  do  not  require  wintering  under  glass,  is  grow- 
ing longer  every  year,  and  we  have,  besides,  a  long  list 
of  plants  with  ornamentiil  foliage,  many  of  them  hardy 
enough  for  the  Hebrides,  and  handsome  enough  to  hold 
Up  their  heads  beside  the  best  of  those  half-hardy  plants 
Ko.  103.— Vol.  XV.,  New  Sehits. 


we  are  accustomed  to  use, 
quoted  : — 

Viola  cornuta 

■Viola  lutea 

Ptinsies,  Cliveden    Blue 
and  Yellow 


Of  hardy  perennials  may  be 


Saponaria  ooymoiJes 
QSoothera  macrooarpa 
Nepeta  teucriifolia 
Calceolaria  Gem 
Delphinium  formosum. 

Almost  lost  for  want  of  patronage,  that  ffinothera  is  a  most 
showy  plant ;  the  flowers  are  large,  -J  inches  or  so  across, 
and  of  a  delicate  yellow,  sometliing  like  those  of  Calceo- 
laria amplexicaulis  ;  they  are  produced  in  great  profusion 
considering  their  size,  and  in  succession  from  .June  to  the 
end  of  September.  Tlic  plant  is  of  a  prostrate  habit,  rarely 
rising  more  than  10  inches  in  height,  with  leaves  of  a 
bright  glaucous  green.  It  is  best  propagated  by  seeds, 
layers,  or  cuttings  of  the  roots,  cuttings  of  the  shoots 
striking  but  indifferently. 

Calceolaria  Gem  is  a  most  abundant  bloomer  in  autumn, 
but  unless  the  plants  are  forwarded  under  glass  in  spring, 
they  do  not  count  for  much  during  the  summer.  If  left 
in  the  ground  during  winter,  the  plant  requires  a  little 
protection.  The  flowers,  which  are  very  numerous,  are 
dark  red. 

Of  hardy  ornamentalfoliagod  plants  we  have  the  follow- 
ing, which  may  be  kept  bj'  everybody  :  — 


Cerastium  tomentosum 
Arabis  lueida  variegata 
Arabia  alpina  variegata 
Polemonium  caruleum  va- 

riegatnm 
Sedam  acre  variegatum 
Sedum  SieboWi  variegatum 
Tussilago  farfara  variegata 
Scrophularia  nodosa     ,, 
Festuea  glauca 


Crimson  and  Purple  Beet 
S'.achye  lauata 
Dactyiis  elegantiasima  nana 
Sautolina  incaua 
Lonioera  aureo-reticulata. 
Ivy,  variegated  sorts 
■Variegated  Balm 
■Variegated  Strawberry 
Variegated  Sage 
Purple  Orach 


To  these  many  more  might  be  added.  There  is  one  ia. 
particular,  of  which  I  have  a  small  patch  on  trial,  Ijut  its; 
green-leaved  progenitor  is  so  thoroughly  detested  by  all'. 
honest  people  that  I  almost  fear  to  write  its  ugly  name,  - 
yet  the  variegated  form  of  ^gopodinm  podagraria  is  a  - 
beautiful-leaved  plant  if  it  can  be  kept  under  control.  The 
Variegated  Strawberry,  too,  is  no  mean  rival  to  Manglesii 
Pelargonium.  Our  great  want  in  this  section  is  a  good 
purple-leaved  plant,  something  like  Iresine  Herbstii  in 
habit  and  colour,  but  hardy  as  a  Colewort.  There  is  the- 
Purple  Oracli,  but  it  is  tall  and  coarse,  and  except  when 
very  young,  not  very  ornamental.  We  have  also  a  dark- 
leaved  Ajuga,  hardy  enough,  but  ratlier  mean-Iookinc,  so 
Jhat  for  our  sombre  shades  wo  must  fall  back  upon  "  that 
vulgar  thing  "  the  Purple  Beet.  Will  nobody  invent  an- 
other name  for  it,  something  with  an  Oriental  smack''  and 
then  we  shall  be  at  liberty  to  use  one  of  tlie  best  dark- 
leaved  plants  known.  'J'iie  little  brown  Oxalis  is  not 
altogether  hardy,  and  is  further  unforturiiite  in  being 
only  a  mere  weed,  differing  little  in  colour  from  the  soil, 
it  grows  in. 

The  following  are  annuals,  or  plants  treated  as  such-, 
which,  if  sown  in  spring,  will  llower  during  the  succteding 
summer  and  autumn.     Those  marked  *  can  be  sown  in 

Ko.  HXi7.— Vol.  XL.  O-dSbtiies. 


496 


jodbnaij  op  horticultuee  and  cottage  gaedenee. 


[  December  31,  1868. 


the  open  air  about  the  beginning  o£  April,  the  others  in  a  cold 
frame  or  under  hand-glasses  : — 


Ten-week  Stocks 

East   Lothian    Intermediate 

Stocks 
Tagetes  signata  pamila 
French  Marigold 
*Na8tartiam       [TropflBolum] 
compactam 
Nastartiam  Tom  Thomb 


Nastartiam  Crystal  Palace  Gem 

Petunia,  dark 

Nycterinia  selagiuoides 
*Saponaria  calabrica 

Kaalfussia  amelloidcs 

Brachycome  iberidifolia 

JacobsBa,  various  colours 
•Sanyitalia  procumbens 


Ageratum  mexicauum 

With  a  hotbed,  by  sowing  the  seed  in  February,  Lobelia 
speciosa  and  Verbena  venosa  may  also  be  had,  but  without 
these  the  list  affords  ample  materials  for  making  a  rich  and 
varied  show.  Nycterinia  selagiuoides  is  a  white-flowfting 
Verbena-like  plant,  which  continues  in  bloom  for  the  greater 
part  of  the  season ;  it  is  of  a  dense  compact  habit,  and  well 
fitted  for  making  lines  in  ribbon  borders  or  edging  large  beds. 
Tagetes  signata  makes  as  fine  a  yellow  bed  as  the  best  of  our 
Calceolarias,  and  it  does  not  go  oS  as  these  sometimes  do.  Its 
blooming  powers  are  something  wonderful.  From  its  seedling 
state  until  frost  takes  it,  it  continues  one  flush  of  yellow. 

While  I  am  fully  aware  that  none  of  the  plants  mentioned 
are  qualified  to  take  the  places  of  our  idolised  Pelargoniums  in 
the  flower  garden,  yet  if  they  are  skilfully  combined,  them- 
selves and  their  surroundings  well  attended  to,  and  especially 
if  they  are  employed  on  a  somewhat  large  scale,  it  will  be  found 
that  a  most  imposing  display  may  be  had  without  wintering  a 
single  plant  under  glass. — Aykshibe  Gardener. 


FLOWERS  OF  THE  PAST   SEASON.— No.  1. 


TnE  past  season  was  a  very  trying  one  for  this  beautiful 
autumn  flower,  and  my  notes  about  it  are  to  be  taken  with 
reserve.  I  was  enabled  to  grow  all  the  best  of  the  new  varieties, 
and  here  give  the  result  of  my  observations,  remarking  that 
they  tally  very  much  with  those  of  my  friend  Mr.  Banks,  of 
Sholden  Lodge,  Deal,  and  I  believe  with  those  of  Mr.  Kelway, 
of  Langport,  also. 

,  I.  Bernard  de  Jussieu. — Violet  ground,  shaded  and  tinted 
with  cherry  red  and  purple.  The  colour  is  new,  but  neither 
the  form  of  the  flower  nor  the  disposition  of  the  spike  is  good, 
and  I  should  certainly  class  it  as  a  second-rate  flower. 

2.  Etendard. — A  well-formed  flower.  Spike  long  and  well- 
arranged  ;  white,  lightly  tinted  with  lilac. 

3.  Eugene  Scribe. — Tender  rose,  flamed  with  carmine  red. 

4.  Xa  Fiancee. — Beautiful  clear  white,  with  small  bluish 
violet  spots. 

5.  Moliere. — Cherry  red,  with  white  spots.  A  very  good 
exhibition  flower. 

0.  Mozart. — Lively  rose,  lightly  tinted  with  violet,  flamed 
with  carmine.     A  very  desirable  variety. 

7.  Princess  Alice. — A  pretty  shade  of  colour,  light  lilac  ; 
perhaps  a  little  too  washy. 

8.  Ilossini. — Dark  red  amaranth,  lined  and  spotted  with  white. 

9.  Scmiramis. — Of  a  beautiful  colour,  but  in  other  respects  it 
has  greatly  disappointed  me  ;  the  form  was  defective,  and  the 
spike  lanky.  I  should  be  sorry  to  think  that  my  favourable 
opinion  formed  of  it  was  wrong,  and  hope  it  may  be  better 
next  season. 

10.  'Thunberg. — Flowers  large,  perfect  form,  reddish  orange 
with  white  spots. 

H.  Uii/sse  — This  I  think  the  best  flower  of  the  season.  The 
flowers  are  well  disposed  on  the  spike  ;  the  colour  a  clear  bright 
rose,  spotted  frequently  on  the  lower  segments.  Very  beautiful. 

12.  Vranie. — Clear  white,  largely  flamed  with  lively  carmine 
led.    Very  fine  variety. — D.,  Deal. 


CUCUMBER  CULTURE.— No.  2. 
Fruiting  Bed. — Dung  for  the  fruiting  bed  must  be  prepared 
as  for  the  seed  bed.  The  bed  should  be  made  a  fortnight  or  three 
•weeks  after  the  seed  is  sown,  according  to  the  time  ef  year, 
allowing  a  greater  interval  early  in  the  year  than  later.  Wben 
•seed  is  sown  early  in  February,  the  fruiting  bed  should  be  made 
twtnty-oi!e  days  afterwards,  or  in  the  third  week,  so  as  to  be 
in  a  fit  state  for  the  plants  by  the  end  of  the  month,  or  at 
latest  by  the  beginning  of  Miirch.  If  seed  is  sown  at  the  end 
of  February,  or  beginning  of  March,  the  fruiting  bed  ought  lo 
1)3  made  up  in  ten  days  or  a  fortnight,  so  as  to  be  ready  for  the 


plants  when  large  enough,  which  is  after  they  have  been 
stopped,  and  have  made  shoots  about  2  inches  long,  always  having 
the  fruiting  bed  ready  for  the  plants  by  the  time  the  heat  in 
the  seed  bed  is  becoming  too  low  for  their  free  healthy  growth, 
for  the  plants  must  be  kept  gently  growing,  and,  if  possible, 
without  a  check  from  cold,  whilst  over-excitement  from  too 
great  heat  is  equally,  if  not  more,  injurious. 

It  is  very  desirable,  where  there  is  an  abundance  of  leaves,  to 
mix  a  quantity  with  the  dung.  They  prevent  the  heat  becom- 
ing too  violent  at  the  commencement,  and  render  it  more 
lasting.  The  leaves  should  be  equal  in  quantity  to  the  dung, 
and  should  be  moist,  and,  if  possible,  well  mixed  with  the 
dung  before  the  bed  is  made  up.  Horse  or  stable  dung  alone 
is  apt  to  become  very  hot,  often  producing  a  heat  of  160°,  or 
more,  but  by  mixing  with  leaves  or  half-spent  dung  the  heat 
will  be  moderated.  Fresh  cowdung  mixed  with  stable  dung 
only  renders  the  heating  more  violent.  The  bed  should  be 
carefully  made  np,  well  mixing  all  the  parts,  shaking  them 
out  evenly  and  regularly,  and  beating  them  well  with  a  fork, 
finishing  off  the  bed  with  the  finer  materials. 

If  the  bed  is  made  at  the  end  of  February,  it  should  be  4  feet 
high  in  front,  and  44  feet  at  back  ;  if  early  in  March,  6  inches 
less  in  height ;  if  at  the  end  of  March  or  beginning  of  April,  a 
foot  less  than  in  February,  whilst  2  feet  6  inches  will  serve  very 
well  for  May.  The  bed  being  made,  put  on  the  frame  and 
lights,  and  keep  the  latter  close  until  the  heat  rises,  then  fork 
over  the  surface  to  the  depth  of  about  9  inches,  which  will 
allow  of  the  heat  rising  to  the  surface  by  keeping  the  material 
light,  and  permit  the  rank  steam  to  escape,  the  lights  being 
left  open  about  an  inch  for  that  purpose.  In  about  a  week  it 
will  be  seen  whether  the  heat  is  likely  to  become  too  violent,  a 
thermometer  being  plunged  for  that  purpose  in  the  dung  to 
the  depth  of  9  or  12  inches  ;  and  by  noticing  its  readings  for 
two  or  three  days  it  will  be  seen  by  the  rapid  i-ise  or  steady 
temperature,  whether  the  heat  is  likely  to  be  too  violent  or  not. 
If  too  hot  the  fermentation  must  be  checked,  removing  the 
upper  part  of  the  bed  for  about  a  foot  in  depth,  and  watering 
the  part  beneath,  but  not  so  as  to  chill  the  bed ;  yet  give 
enough  water  to  check  the  fermentation,  and  prevent  the  bed 
heating  itself  dry.  Foiking  over  the  surface  of  the  bed  every 
second  or  third  day,  will  not  only  sooner  fit  it  for  the  reception  of 
the  plants,  by  preventing  too  violent  a  heat,  but  tend  to  render 
it  sweeter,  the  rank  steam  being  as  injurious  to  the  plants  as 
too  much  or  too  little  heat.  Taking  proper  means  to  prevent 
the  generation  of  too  much  heat  after  the  plants  are  put  in,  is 
an  important  part  in  Cucumber  culture. 

If  the  materials  are  properly  prepared,  and  the  surface  of 
the  bed  turned  over  as  above  described,  there  will  be  little  to 
apprehend  on  account  of  rank  steam.  When  the  temperature 
of  the  bed  at  6  inches  from  the  surface  does  not  exceed  90° 
after  the  bed  has  been  made  a  week,  or  from  that  to  ten  days, 
it  will  not  be  liable  to  rise  higher  ;  but  though  that  heat  is  too 
high  for  Cucumbers,  we  must  bear  in  mind  that  the  fermenting 
materials  instead  of  increasing  decline  in  temperature,  there- 
fore it  is  desirable  to  commence  with  the  heat  rather  too  high, 
taking  the  necessary  precautions  to  prevent  injury  to  the  plants. 
When  soil  is  placed  in  the  frame,  and  raised  in  the  centre  of 
each  light  in  the  form  of  a  cone,  the  soil  at  the  base  of  the  cone 
may  have  a  temperature  too  high  for  the  roots  of  the  plants, 
but  higher  up  it  may  not  be  warmer  than  is  needful. 

When  the  temperature  of  the  bed  is  reduced  to  90',  at  the 
depth  above  indicated,  and  is  not  likely  to  rise  higher,  prepare 
the  bed  for  soil.  I  take  oS  the  lights  and  frame,  and  rectify 
any  irregularities  resulting  from  the  heating  or  settling  of  the 
materials,  filling  up  the  hollows  with  fresh  but  properly  pre- 
pared hot  dung,  and  making  the  surface  quite  even  and  firm 
by  beating  with  the  fork.  I  then  replace  the  frame  and  lights, 
and  under  each  light  put  a  barrowful  of  soil,  taking  care  to 
have  it  moist,  especially  eavly  in  the  seafon,  but  more  in- 
clining to  be  dry  than  wet.  It  will  absorb  mui^ture  in  addition 
to  heat  from  the  bed,  and  if  used  wet  becomts  too  much  so, 
and  the  plants  will  grow  too  succulent  and  tender,  and  be  ill- 
adapted  for  withstarjding  powerful  sun  and  air,  which  latter 
at  an  early  season  is  not  always  so  warm  as  desirable.  The 
soil  is  placed  all  over  the  surface  of  the  bed,  allomiiig  a  barrow- 
ful  to  each  light  or  space  G  feet  by  3  feet,  audiafter  being  in  the 
fiame  twenty-four  hours,  the  lights  being  kept  close,  draw  the 
si>il  into  hilliiclis  exactly  under  the  centre  of  each  light,  which 
will  leave  a  little  soil  over  the  dung,  and  prove  advantageous 
in  keeping  down  the  steam,  but  the  thickness  of  soil  lefi; 
ought  not  to  exceed  1  inch.  The  hills  should  be  raised  so  that 
■.heir  tops  will  be  precisely  C  inches  frrm  the  glass.     Next  day 


Decombet  31, 1868.  ] 


JOUBNAli  OF  HOBTIOOLIORE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEE. 


497 


the  plants  may  he  placed  in  the  frame,  but  do  not  plant  them 
out,  merely  stand  the  pots  on  the  soil  at  the  back  of  the  frame, 
and  you  will  have  an  opportunity  of  testing  the  heat  whilst 
the  plants  are  becoming  accustomed  to  the  temperature  and 
atmosphere.  A  thermometer  ought  to  bo  kept  in  the  frame  ; 
indeed,  two  are  requisite,  one  to  determine  the  bottom  heat, 
and  another  the  top  heat.  If  the  bottom  heat  in  the  hills  does 
not  exceed  8o'  or  Wf,  put  out  the  plants,  one  under  each  light, 
or  in  each  hill,  with  the  ball  entire;  let  the  hill  be  formed 
somewhat  flat,  and  slightly  dished  so  as  to  hold  water.  The 
plants  should  be  planted  slightly  deeper  than  they  wore  in  the 
pots,  but  avoid  planting  too  deeply.  The  hills  should  be  about 
1  foot  in  height. 

After  planting,  if  the  soil  is  not  suffioiently  moist  give  a  gentle 
watering,  but  avoid  making  it  wet,  and  have  the  water  the  same 
in  temperature  as  the  air  of  the  frame.  Some  put  two  plants 
under  a  light.  I  think  one  better,  though  for  early  fruiting, 
and  when  the  plants  are  not  expected  to  continue  long,  then 
there  may  be  an  object  in  planting  two  in  each  hill,  so  as 
to  sooner  fill  the  frame,  otherwise  one  plant  will  produce  as 
many  fruit  as  two  plants  in  the  same  space,  and  the  fruit  will 
be  finer.  The  temperature  of  the  atmosphere  of  the  frame 
should  be  from  70'  to  75°  at  night  at  the  commencement,  for  it 
is  desirable  to  afford  a  brisk  heat  so  that  the  plants  may  be- 
come speedily  established. 

Temperature. — After  planting  be  watchful  to  secure  the 
proper  top  and  bottom  heat.  For  a  time  both  will  be  suffioiently 
high,  if  anything  too  high,  but  afterwards  the  heat  in  the  fer- 
menting material  will  begin  to  decline.  The  bottom  heat 
ought  never  to  be  less  than  70°,  better  75° ;  and  80°  should  be 
the  maximum,  though  it  may,  for  reasons  above  given,  be 
somewhat  higher  at  the  commencement.  The  atmospheric  or 
top  heat  should  be  from  Go°  to  70°  at  night,  and  not  lees  than 
60°,  which  ought  to  occur  but  seldom,  as,  for  instance,  in  the 
case  of  sudden  and  severe  frost.  By  day  the  temperatcre, 
ever  dependant  on  that  of  the  external  air,  will  be  variable ; 
its  minimum,  however,  must  not  be  less  than  that  of  the  night, 
and  it  is  better  to  keep  the  plants  in  darkness,  by  not  removing 
the  covering,  or  by  replacing  it  sooner,  for  a  longer  period  each 
day  than,  by  taking  the  covering  off,  to  allow  the  day  tempe- 
rature to  sink  below  that  of  the  night.  The  temperature  by 
day  must  never  be  allowed  to  exceed  80°  without  admitting  air, 
and  though  it  may  afterwards  rise  to  90°,  such  a  tempera- 
ture without  air  would  be  ruinous,  and  yet  with  air  high  tem- 
peratures are  beneficial.  The  temperature,  therefore,  by  day 
may  range  from  65°  to  70'  or  80°  without  air ;  but  if  it  be 
practicable  to  give  a  little  air  without  lowering  the  temperature 
after  it  has  risen  to  75°,  it  will  be  very  beneficial  to  do  sot  In 
the  day,  therefore,  the  temperature  should  be  from  70°  to  75°, 
with  a  rise  from  sun  heat  to  85°  or  90°. 

The  bottom  heat  must  be  maintained  by  adding  linings  to 
the  bed  before  the  heat  has  too  much  declined,  as  if  the  heat 
be  allowed  to  faU  too  low  the  plants  wUl  probably  suffer,  for 
the  lining  will  be  a  few  days  before  it  warm  the  bed.  The 
lining  should  be  of  prepared  hot  dung,  though  this  need  not 
be  so  well  prepared  as  for  the  formation  of  the  bed,  and  may 
be  fresher.  The  front  of  the  bed  should  be  lined  first,  follow- 
ing in  about  a  week  with  the  back  and  ends,  and  it  will  in 
most  cases  be  sufficient  if  the  linings  have  a  base  of  18  inches, 
and  be  gradually  tapered  off  to  meet  the  frame  within  a  few 
inches  of  the  lights.  As  the  lining  sinks  litter  should  be 
placed  on  the  top,  bo  as  to  cover  the  sides  of  the  frame,  for 
from  the  thickness  of  soil  on  the  bed  the  atmospheric  heat 
derived  from  the  bed  will  not  be  sufficient,  therefore  keep  the 
sides  of  the  frame  always  covered  with  litter,  which  will  retain 
the  heat  of  the  linings,  and  keep  the  temperature  from  falling 
too  low.  Beds  made  in  or  after  March  will  hardly  need  linings  ; 
but  when  the  heat  is  declining,  and  the  top  heat,  from  the  in- 
creased depth  of  soil,  is  apt  to  fall  cousiderably  at  night  and 
in  cold  days,  litter  should  be  placed  against  the  sides  and  ends 
of  the  frame  upon  the  ledge  of  bed  formed  by  the  frame  being 
of  less  dimensions  than  the  bed :  and  this  upper  or  frame 
lining  should  be  attended  to  in  about  fourteen  or  twenty-one 
days  after  the  plants  are  put  in,  and  afterwards  be  kept  well 
banked  up  as  it  declines  or  wastes,  keeping  it  to  within  2  or 
3  inches  of  the  lights,  so  as  to  permit  of  their  sliding  up  or 
down  without  interfering  with  the  lining.  This  top  lining  will 
not  be  retinired  after  May. 

PI^0TECTI0^^.— For  a  few  days  after  the  bed  has  been  made 
the  heat  will  be  sufficiently  high,  but  there  will  be  a  gradual 
diminution  of  the  temperature  after  the  m:iximum  of  ferment- 
ft'ion  has  been  attained,  and  though  the  temperature  for  a 


considerable  time  might  be  high  enough  were  the  weather  to 
be  uniform  in  temperature,  cold  nights  will  occur,  during 
which  the  temperature  of  the  frame  will  bo  bo  reduced  as  to 
jeopordise  the  plants'  continued  health  and  growth  unlesB 
means  be  adopted  to  ward  off  the  cold  or  retain  the  heat. 
Mats  are  the  best  material.  One  thickness  will  bo  sufficient 
for  a  time  after  the  bed  is  formed,  but  when  the  heat  declines 
two  thicknesses  or  double  mats  are  needful,  especially  in  severe 
weather.  In  nights  of  very  severe  frost,  and  when  the  heat  of 
the  bed  or  linings  is  not  strong,  a  covering  of  dry  litter  or  hay 
in  addition  to  the  mats  will  be  a  great  protection.  The  material 
employed,  whatever  it  may  be,  should  be  so  placed  that  it  does 
not  overhang  the  dung,  particularly  if  the  bed  be  fresh  lined, 
and  the  heat  from  the  dung  at  all  rank.  The  protection  should 
be  targe  enough  to  turn  down  a  few  inches  without  lapping 
over  on  the  dung.  It  may  be  secured  to  the  frame,  which  is 
desirable,  so  that  it  may  not  be  displaced  in  case  of  wind. 

The  covering  may  be  placed  over  the  lights  at  five  o'clock  in 
February,  and  need  not  be  removed  in  the  morning  until  eight 
o'clock  ;  or  in  severe  weather  half  an  hour  earlier  in  covering 
up  or  removing  may  be  allowed,  and  will  be  found  more  bene- 
ficial to  the  plants  than  allowing  them  to  be  starved.  In  March 
the  frame  may  be  covered  up  at  5.30  r.m.,  or  if  the  weather  is 
frosty  half  an  hour  earlier,  and  the  covering  removed  when  the 
sun  is  beginning  to  have  power,  or  at  half-past  seven  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  allowing  half  an  hour  or  an  hour  later  on  very  cold, 
frosty  mornings,  whilst  in  those  which  are  fine  the  covering 
may  be  removed  sooner.  In  April  the  covering  may  be  put  on 
at  or  before  6  p.m.,  and  removed  at  7  a.m.,  or  7.30  a.m.,  or  later 
it  cold,  and  in  May  the  frame  may  be  covered  up  at  6  p.m.,  and 
the  covering  removed  by  7  a.m.,  or  in  case  of  frost  not  until  the 
sun  has  power.  If  there  is  no  frost,  and  the  temperature  is 
sufficiently  high,  the  covering  cannot  be  removed  too  soon.  In 
no  case  ought  it  to  remain  after  the  sun  has  power  to  raise  the 
temperature  of  the  frame  ;  but  if  its  temperature  be  low,  it  is 
well  to  leave  the  covering  until  there  is  a  prospect,  from  the 
increased  warmth  of  the  air,  or  from  sun  heat,  of  the  tempera- 
ture of  the  frame  not  falling  after  the  protection  is  withdrawn. 
— G.  Abbet.  

OUT-OF-DOOR  GRAPES. 

My  attention  has  been  called  to  the  interesting  article  on  the 
above  subject  by  "  Archambaud,"  in  the  .Journal  of  December 
3rd,  which  I  had  unaccountably  overlooked,  for  I  make  it  a 
rule  to  read  everything  that  appears  in  The  Jocenal  or 
HoETicuLTcr.E. 

The  improvement  of  the  cultivation  of  Grapes  on  open  walls 
is  a  field  especially  open  to  the  amateur  and  cottager,  to  whom, 
I  fear,  we  must  look  for  any  advance  in  this  branch  of  fruit- 
growing, for  the  professional  gardener  who  has  plenty  of  glass 
will  always  regard  out-of-door  Grapes  with  disdain.  If  such 
persevering  men  as  those  who  have  recently  raised  the  fine 
seedling  late  varieties  could  be  persuaded -to  turn  their  industry 
and  skill  to  the  raising  of  early  sorts,  a  complete  change  might 
be  effected  in  the  open-air  cultivation  of  the  Vine. 

In  selecting  the  best  from  the  sorts  which  we  now  possess,  I 
agree  with  "  Akchameaud  "  that  the  Hoyal  Muscadine,  or,  as  it 
is  very  commonly  called,  the  White  Sweetwater,  is  the  best,  at 
least  the  best  white  variety. 

Though  we  agree  about  the  best  white  Grape,  I  am  very  far 
from  coinciding  with  "Aechambacd"  in  the  wholesale  con- 
demnation of  the  Esperione  (Espiran).  This  sort  I  consider 
the  best  hardy  black  Grape  that  can  be  planted  ont  of  doors, 
and  with  me  is  always  good  under  glass  ;  and  it  ought  to  be  more 
planted  in  cool  greenhouses  and  orchard  houses  on  account 
of  its  hardiness  and  early  productiveness.  Of  the  two  it  is  a 
better  setter  than  the  Koyal  Muscadine,  although  the  latter 
cannot  be  found  fault  with  on  this  point. 

"  Aechameaud  "  says  that  it  was  the  late  Mr.  Beaton,  who 
first  gave  the  Esperione  its  false  character,  extolling  it  to  the 
skies,  not  knowing  at  the  time  that  the  subject  of  all  his  praise 
was  not  the  Esperione  at  all,  but  simply  a  fine  example  of  the 
true  Black  Hamburgh.  I  am  not  in  a  position  to  say  that  the 
fine  Grapes  exhibited  by  Mr.  'Beaton,  and  which  caused  such  a 
sensation  at  the  time  were  examples  of  the  Black  Hamburgh  or 
of  the  Esperione,  uothaving  seen  them  ;  but  this  I  know,  at  the 
time  alluded  to,  Mr.  Beaton  sent  me  three  eyes  from  his  Yine, 
to  grow  and  compare  the  fruit  with  that  which  I  was  certain 
was  the  true  Esperione,  and  they  proved  to  be  the  same.  Now, 
those  who  were  acquainted  with  Donald  Beaton  know  that 
he  was  not  the  man  to  exhibit  fruit  ol  one  plant  and  send 


4»8 


JOUKNAL  OF  HOETIOnLTtIKE  AND  COTTAGE  GAEDENEK. 


[  December  31,  186S. 


cuttiugs  of  anotlier  to  have  their  fruit  compared  to  test  their 
being  true  to  name.  There  muet  be  much  confusion  still 
existing  about  this  Grape,  but  any  one  who  desires  to  see  a 
description  of  it  will  find  it  described  to  a  nicety  in  Dr.  Hogg's 
"Piuit  Manual." 

I  am  glad  to  see  your  able  correspondent  includes  the  White 
•and  Black  Frontignan.  In  favourable  seasons  they  do  very 
well,  and  so  does  the  Grizzly  Frontignan.  I  have  had  this  sort 
finer-flavoured  out  of  doors  than  under  glass.  There  are  two 
other  varieties  concerning  which  I  can  speak  favourably  for 
the  open  wall.  Oue  is  the  Ciotat  or  Parsley-leaved  ;  in  bunch 
and  berry  it  is  a  Boyal  Muscadine,  but  its  cut  leaves  make  it 
very  different  and  very  ornamental.  The  other  is  Bidwill's 
Seedling,  a  Vine  not  so  generally  known  as  many  others.  It  is 
much  grown  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Exeter,  where  it  succeeds 
well  in  the  open  air.  Under  glass  I  have  invariably  found  it 
with  a  disagreeable  earthy  flavour  which  increases  when  the 
fruit  gets  over-ripe. 

Were  I  capable  of  writing  a  volume  on  the  cultivation  of  the 
Vine  on  the  open  wall,  the  pith  of  it  ail  would  be  contained  in 
the  following  short  sentences. 

Grow  the  wood  one  season  and  fruit  it  the  next. 

No  snag-pruning.  Prune  early ;  out  out  the  wood  that 
produced  the  fruit  as  the  fruit  is  gathered. 

Finish  all  winter  pruning  by  the  middle  of  December. 

Nail  or  fasten  the  shoots  the  first  week  in  March  ;  before 
doing  so  paint  them  well  with  the  following  mixture  : — Mix  clay 
and  water  to  the  consistency  of  thin  paint.  To  a  quart  of  this 
■add  i  lb.  of  flowers  of  sulphur  and  2  ozs.  of  glue.  Use  it  as  soon 
as  mixed. 

If  the  Vine  show  two  or  more  bunches  on  the  shoots  that 
spring  from  the  eyes  that  were  left  at  the  winter  pruning,  take 
ail  off  but  one,  and  stop  the  shoots  at  two  or  four  leaves  (as 
there  is  wall  room)  above  the  bunch. 

Thin  the  berries  out  well,  where  there  are  three  leave  one  ; 
also  thin  out  the  tmall  shoulders  where  they  appear  crowded, 
and  do  so  before  or  when  the  berries  attain  the  size  of  the  seed 
of  early  Peas.  It  is  in  a  great  measure  from  want  of  this  thin- 
ning of  the  berries  that  we  see  such  rubbish  of  out-of-door 
Grapes. — A.  McKklvie,  Tvriin/jton,  Devon. 

[Before  Mr.  Beaton's  death  we  had  an  opportunity  of  examin- 
ing the  Vine  ho  considered  to  be  Espiran,  and  we  found  it  to 
be  Frankenthal,  a  conclusion  which  Mr.  Beaton  aho  readily 
admitted.  There  are,  however,  places  in  the  southern  parts  of 
onr  coast,  where,  we  are  informed,  the  true  Espiran  is  culti- 
vated successfully  out  of  doors.— Eds.  J.  OF  H.] 


GARDEN  LABELS. 


I  enclose  a  specimen  (damaged)  of  a  label  that  I  have 
aidopted  for  fruit  trees,  Koses,  &c.  As  you  will  see,  it  is 
absolutely  indelible,  being  glazed  over  the  writing.  I  buy  the 
"HDglazed  labels,  write  the  names  on  them  with  a  qnill  pen 
dipped  in  cobalt  mixed  with  turpentine,  and  glaze  them  in  a 
small  f  ui-nace.  Here  let  me  say  that  I  do  not  make  them  for  sale, 
and  have  no  interest,  direct  or  indirect,  in  introducing  them. 
Of  course,  the  objection  will  be  raised  that  everybody  has  not 
a  furnace  to  glaze  tliem  in.  This  is  very  true,  and  my  prin- 
cipal object  in  writing  to  you  is  the  hope  that  some  enter- 
prising nurseryman  may  open  up  relations  with  some  manu- 
facturer of  eartbemvare,  so  as  to  be  able  to  supply  the  public 
with  so  great  a  desideratum.  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say,  speaking 
as  a  man  of  business,  that  they  could  be  supplied  at  Id.  each, 
and  give  a  good  profit  both  to  manufacturer  and  retailer  ;  and 
I  think  there  must  be  many  hundreds  of  growers  of  fruit  and 
Hose  trees  who,  like  myself,  would  gladly  pay  that  sum  rather 
than  he  bothered  with  the  present  unsightly  and  easily-oblite- 
lated  labels,  whether  of  wood  or  zinc. 

Another  objtction  that  has  been  raised  is  that  new  Eoses, 
Ac.,  are  constantly  coming  in  and  going  out,  and  that  it  would 
be  difficult  to  supply  names  in  cases  where,  peihaps,  only  one  or 
two  would  be  required  ;  but  I  cannot  see  why  the  nurseryman 
who  takes  the  order  should  not  send  a  list  every  fortnight  to 
the  manufacturer,  so  as  to  give  the  latter,  with  the  orders  he 
would  receive  from  other  nurserymen,  enough  to  make  a  batch 
for  glazing.  Or  the  customer  might  procure  his  own  labels — I 
kave  bought  them  retail  at  Is.  Gd.  a-gross  nnglazed — write  the 
names  himself,  and  send  them  to  be  glazed.  There  is  no 
patent  in  the  matter,  and,  indeed,  as  far  as  I  know,  nobody  has 
ever  made  them  but  myself. 

To  turn  to  another  subject.     Has  anybody  tried  growing  fruit 


trees  as  cordons  trained  over  a  walk  on  an  iron  rod  bent  to 
form  an  arch  ?  and,  if  so,  how  has  it  answered  ?  If  not,  why 
should  it  not  answer,  and  be  more  ornamental  than  vertical 
cordons,  besides  covering  only  useless  ground  ? — A.  0.  W. 

[The  label  sent  by  our  correspondent  is  of  white  porcelain, 
and  in  an  nnglazed  state  ;  other  specimens  may  be  seen  attached 
to  trees  and  shrubs  in  the  conservatory  entrances  of  the  Eoyal 
Horticultural  Society's  garden  at  South  Kensirgtoc.  If  they 
were  written  upon  with  a  pointed  style  of  lead — the  metal, 
not  a  common  lead  pencil — we  think  that  they  would  remain 
legible  for  years,  might  have  the  writing  scraped  off  when 
needful,  and  be  rewritten  upon.] 


THE  CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

At  this  dull  season,  when  the  beauty  of  the  flower  garden 
has  passed  away  for  a  time,  and  Flora,  alarmed  by  those  frosts 
with  which  Winter  proclaims  his  coming,  is  preparing  to  take 
her  departure,  she  bestows  upon  us  ere  she  goes  one  of  the 
choicest  of  her  gifts — the  Chrysanthemum.  That  this  most 
beautiful  flower  is  now  more  thoroughly  understood  than  for- 
merly, the  rapid  progress  made  of  late,  and  the  many  splendid 
varieties  produced  year  by  year,  will  testify. 

I  can  fully  endorse  the  statement  of  your  correspondent 
"  G.  S.,"  which  appeared  in  page  419,  as  to  the  benefit  result- 
ing from  converting  the  orchard  house  into  a  winter  garden. 
In  my  orchard  house,  a  span-roofed  structure,  I  cultivate  other 
flowers  as  well  as  the  Chrysanthemum — for  example.  Primulas, 
Violets,  Mignonette,  Schizostylis  coccinea,  and  Variegated  Pe- 
largoniums. The  effect  is  exquisite,  and  excites  the  admiration 
of  all  on  bright  days,  of  which  we  have  had  but  few  of  late. 
The  fragrance  arising  from  these  flowers  is  delicious. 

I  do  not  intend  making  any  observations  on  the  older  and 
proved  varieties  of  Chrysanthemums,  but  on  those  sent  out 
this  year,  which  I  feel  certain  will  be  decided  acquisitions. 
The  effect  produced  by  Japanese  Chrysanthemums  mingled 
with  the  Large-flowering  and  the  Pompon  varieties,  is  all  that 
could  be  wished.  Their  fantastic  forms  and  brilliant  colours 
are  most  novel  and  pleasing,  many  of  their  immense  blooms 
having  more  the  appearance  of  tassels  formed  of  the  gay  plu- 
mage of  tropical  birds  then  that  of  flowers.  I  feel  assured  that 
they  will  become  very  popular  on  account  of  their  merits  alone. 

JVizard  •  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  actinioid  class  ; 
the  flowers  forming  loose  tassels  of  a  bright  reddish  maroon 
colour.     Of  good  habit,  and  a  very  free-blooming  variety. 

Red  Dragon. — The  flowers  are  very  double  and  of  very  large 
size,  composed  of  long  subulate  florets  of  the  most  novel  and 
elegant  foim,  red  chestnut  tipped  with  yellow.  A  very  free- 
blooming  variety. 

Yeddo  Lilac. — Rose  lilac,  and  lighter  centre.  The  florets 
take  an  upright  position,  thence  arch  inwardly,  thus  forming  a 
complete  ball. 

The  Tycoon. — Very  bright  red,  with  a  golden  orange  bact. 
The  florets,  which  are  very  long,  are  curiously  curled. 

The  Daimio. — Pale  pink  changing  to  rose  lilac.  Flowers 
large,  double,  of  great  substance,  and  very  showy. 

Tarantula. — A  most  singular  flower,  with  a  close  button-like 
disk,  and  a  single  spreading  ray  of  long,  slender,  tubular,  golden 
florets. 

Hed  hidian, — Flowers  very  large  and  double,  red  ;  flower  flat. 

liobert  Fortune. — Bright  orange  or  amber.     Large  and  full. 

Doseum  Album. — Bose-tinted,  and  spotted  with  white.  The 
flowers  are  of  moderate  size,  and  are  very  valuable  for  bouquets 
and  for  the  dinner  table. 

Sulplmreum. — Sulphur  white,  sometimes  spotted  with  rose. 
The  flowers  are  large  and  double,  and  remain  a  long  time  in 
bloom.     A  free-growing  variety. 

Prince  Satsuma. — Bright  golden  yellow,  large  and  very  double. 
The  flowers  have  somewhat  the  appearance  of  a  rosette. 

Nagasaki  Violet. — Dark  rosy  violet,  and  golden  ditk ;  the 
florets  sometimes  spotted  with  pure  white.  A  most  attractivs 
and  curious  variety. 

Aurantium. — Clear  golden  yellow,  of  immense  size  and  very 
double.  This  splendid  variety  is  particularly  distinguished  by 
the  breadth  and  massiveness  of  its  wax  like  petals. 

Comet. — Bright  orange  j'ellow,  changing  to  chestnut  red  ; 
florets  very  long,  and  curiously  tnisted  and  curled,  giving  to 
this  flower  the  appearance  of  a  large  bunch  of  gold  thread. 


^  For  this  and  tbe  succeeding  descriptions  our  correspondent  is  maiBly 
indebted  to  Mr.  Salter's  catiilogne. 


December  SI,  1888.  1 


JOUBNAL  OP  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


499 


X,«(>/iairf.— Bright  red,  with  large  yellow  spots  on  the  surface 
of  the  petals — a  most  novel  combination  of  colour. 

Most  of  the  varieties  named  are  showy,  and  present  a  very 
chaste  appearance.  I  usually  strike  them  in  November.  When 
struck  1  place  them  in  a  pit  to  harden  off,  and  then  ehilt  them 
into  bloomin;;  pots,  generally  into  8  and  12  sized  pots.  The 
compost  employed  is  a  strong  fibrous  loam,  rotten  duuR,  and 
leaf  mould.  Liquid  manure  is  given  very  frequently.  In  this 
I  put  plenty  of  decayed  cow  droppings — in  fact,  to  thrive  well 
Chrysanthemums  require  plenty  of  dung.  This  morning  there 
called  on  me  a  gardener  who  is  a  good  grower  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums, and,  whilst  showing  him  through  my  winter  garden,  he 
remarked  that  to  grow  them  well  they  should  have  plenty  of 
rotten  dung. 

Before  closing  this  paper  I  wish  to  say  a  word  in  favour  of 
one  of  the  Japanese  Chrysanthemums  in  particular.  I  be- 
lieve I  shall  not  be  far  wrong  when  I  say  The  Daimio  is  the 
most  superb  variety  named,  of  extraordinary  size  and  substance. 
Mrs.  Haliburton,  a  large-flowering  variety,  is  the  most  perfect 
white  I  ever  saw.  It  is  the  gem  of  my  collection.  I  usually 
plunge  the  pots  in  sifted  ashes.  Care  ought  to  be  taken  not 
to  allow  worms  to  enter  the  pots.  I  place  these  so  as  to  be 
exposed  to  the  sun  from  early  morning  till  late  at  night  all 
through  the  summer.  On  the  least  sign  of  mildew  being  per- 
ceived, I  instantly  sprinkle  the  foliage  well  with  sulphur  and  let 
it  remain  on  all  night.  In  the  morning  I  give  a  good  syringing. 
I  apply  to  the  plants  a  top-dressing  of  sheep's  droppings,  and 
have  found  it  very  beneficial.  Under  this  treatment  I  invari- 
ably meet  with  success. — F.  P.  L. 


and  patience,  in  this  field,  especially  if  favoured  with  a  dry 
soil  and  climate,  achieve  an  ample  reward  for  bis  pleasurable 
toils. 

I  should  add  that  the  soil  here,  overlying  the  oolitic  lime- 
stone, is  dry,  and  suitable  for  the  ripening  and  flavonring  of 
fruits  generally,  although,  from  the  prevalent  east  winds,  the 
springs  are  excessively  cold  and  unfavourable  to  the  setting  of 
early  blossoms,  which  are  frequently  injured  in  the  hud  and 
abortive.  The  climate  is  more  devoid  of  humidity  than  the 
central,  northern,  southern,  and  western  districts. 

To  those  who  have  not  attempted  the  raising  of  seedling 
Koses,  but  contemplate  doing  so,  I  would  recommend  a  perusal 
of  the  chapters  on  "Hybridising,"  and  "  Seedlings,"  in  "  The 
Bose  Garden,"  by  Mr.  William  I'aul,  a  work  containing  eminently 
practical  teachings  ;  and  if  the  instructions  contained  therein 
be  followed,  I  feel  sure  much  disappointment  may  be  saved 
and  considerable  success  secured ;  and  although  we  may  still 
have  to  go  to  southern  climes  for  most  of  the  new  varieties  of 
Teas  and  Noisettes,  there  can  be  no  reason  why,  in  some  parts 
of  this  country,  advances  fhould  not  be  obtained  upon  John 
Hopper  and  Beauty  of  Waltham,  and  Eoses  of  that  class,  and 
even  upon  the  more  illustrious  Dovoniensis.  One  of  the  first 
steps  towards  securing  these  ends  is  for  growers  and  amateurs, 
especially  the  latter,  whose  province,  Mr.  Paul  justly  says,  it  is 
to  raise  seedlings,  mutually  to  give  and  receive  information 
upon  the  subject.  I  trust,  therefore,  1  may  hear  through  your 
columns  of  the  experiences  of  other  labourers  in  the  same  vine- 
yard.— Thomas  LIxton,  Sia/nfonl. 


ROSE    SEED   AND    SEEDLINGS. 

The  interesting  notes  on  the  ripening  of  Eose  seed  in  Eng- 
land, by  Mr.  Curtis,  are  valuable  as  affording  the  means  of  com- 
paring results  between  the  present,  past,  and  future  seasons, 
and  between  the  climate  of  Devonshire  and  that  of  other  dis-  i 
trjcts  of  the  country  in  ripening  seed  of  the  different  varieties  ' 
of  Boses.     Most  of  those  mentioned  by  Mr.  Curtis  have  ripened 
seed  with  me  this  season,  but  the  heps  of  Charles  Lefebvre,  ! 
which  usually  ripen  here,  have  become  prematurely  withered  i 
before  being  properly  coloured.  ! 

In  addition  to  the  varieties  named  by  your  correspondent,  [ 
I  have  just  gathered  ripe  heps  from  Lord  Eaglan,  Madame 
Caillat,  Anna  de  Diesbach,  Madame  Furtado,  Madame  Buutin, 
La  Ville  de  St.  Denis,  Madame  C.  Joigneaux,  Marie  Eaumann, 
Thorin,  Antoine  Duoher,  Gloire  de  Santenay,  Prince  de  Porcia, 
Prince  Leon,  Due  de  Bohan.  Beauty  of  Waltham,  Madame  C. 
Wood,  Madame  Domage,  Camille  Bernardin,  Exposition  de 
Brie,  Abel  Grand,  Dr.  Lindley,  Cnmte  de  Nanteuil,  Francois 
Louvat,  M ons.  Boncenne,  Victor  Yerdier,  Fran9ois  Lacharme, 
Madame  Moreau,  Comtesse  de  Paris,  Le  lihone,  and  numerous 
other  Perpetuals,  and  from  Charles  Lawsonand  Madame  Zout- 
man  amongst  summer  Roses. 

I  have  found  the  past  season  one  of  the  worst  I  remember 
for  cross-fertilising  the  Esse,  the  excessive  heat  early  in  the 
summer  having  been  more  damaging  to  successful  fertilisation 
than  our  ordinary  amount  of  moisture  in  most  seasons. 

On  John  Hopper  and  Madame  Knorr,  two  excellent  varieties 
named  by  Mr.  Curtis,  I  have  never  yet  seen  seed,  although  I 
have,  during  the  past  twelve  years,  cross-fertilised  and  recorded 
nearly  a  thousand  blooms,  including  many  of  those  varieties. 
Experience  has,  however,  sitisfied  me  that  cross-fertilisation 
ol  the  Rose  is  not  so  productive  of  the  end  sought  as  might 
be  expected,  in  comparison  with  the  results  obtained  from  a 
similar  treatment  of  many  other  flowers  and  plants.  I  have, 
however,  been  able  to  g^iin  some  valuable  acquisitions  amongst 
a  vast  amount  of  mediocrity  and  labour  lost.  In  some  seasons 
I  have  scarcely  obtained  a  single  ripe  hep  or  seedling  from 
upwards  of  a  hundred  attempts  at  artificial  fertilisation.  I 
would  therefore  recommend  the  tyro  not  to  attempt  cross-ferti- 
lisation of  the  Rose  on  a  large  scale,  but  to  rely  more  upon  the 
naturally  fertilised  produce  of  those  kinds  which  do  not  easily 
seed,  especially  the  light  sorts,  and  certainly  not  to  take  much 
trouble  about  such  varieties  as  General  Jacqueminot,  Mar^chal 
Vaillant,  and  other  free-seeding  reds. 

Amongst  the  results  of  cross-fertilisation,  I  have  obtained 
seedlings  from  Madame  Vidot,  Comtesse  de  Chabrillant.  La 
Ville  de  St.  Denis,  Anna  de  Diesbach,  Louis  Peyronny,  Victor 
Verdier,  Charles  Lawson,  and  Gloire  de  Dijon,  and  from  the 
latter  I  have  some  ripe  heps  of  the  offspring.  Upon  the  whole 
I  consider  that  the  watchful  English  amateur  may,  with  work 


THE   CLAIMS    OF   WINTER   ORNAJIENT.VL 
GARDENING. 

(Continued  from  page  478.) 

Befoee  describing  the  mode  of  planting,  it  may  be  as  well 
here  to  take  a  glance  at  the  materials  that  have  hitherto  been 
sufficient  for  the  purpose,  but  to  which  I  intend  making  addi- 
tions when  advisable.  First  of  all,  I  will  state  that  the  ground 
on  which  I  have  principally  carried  out  the  winter  decoration, 
is  laid  out  in  two  borders,  each  IS  feet  wide,  and  a  large  oval 
bed  measuring  90  feet  by  C71.  A  3  feet  margin  of  turf  reduces 
the  latter  bed  by  that  much  all  round,  still  it  presents  a  large 
extent  of  ground,  and  we  have  generally  had  a  centre  compart- 
ment 10  or  18  feet  in  diameter  planted,  and  smaller  ones  as 
well,  with  a  groundwork  of  coloured  material,  and  that  ground- 
work intersected  with  some  other  fancy  work  of  similar  ma- 
terial, with  a  suitable  bordering. 

The  plants  we  use  are  in  themselves  simple  enough,  and 
easily  obtained  and  grown.  A  few  tall  upright-growing  plants 
4  or  5  feet  high  seem  indispensable,  and  they  ought  to  be  such 
as  will  readily  bear  removing  in  the  autumn.  Irish  Yews  and 
Capressus  Lawsoniana  are  about  the  best  that  I  have  nsed,- 
but  it  is  very  likely  Swedish  Juniper,  and  many  other  plants 
of  similar  habit  would  answer  as  well,  but  I  was  not  so  sue- 
cessful  with  Virginian  Cedar,  though  Arbor  Vift'o  did  very  well. 
These  tall  plants  occupy  the  centres  of  groups,  which  may 
consist  of  any  description  of  evergreen  which  can  bo  removed 
without  showing  the  effects  of  the  operation.  I  have  found 
Aucubas  and  Box  about  the  most  effective,  as  well  as  the  most 
compact  and  neat-looking  plants,  but  Laurustinus  has  done 
well  in  mild  winters. 

Assuming  that  the  foregoing  plants  or  those  of  a  kindred 
character  are  planted  round  the  central  Irish  Yews,  or  other 
conspicuous  plants,  it  is  better  to  surround  them  by  a  line  of 
white-leaved  plants,  if  such  can  be  had.  Here  we  have  found 
the  old  Lavender  Cotton,  when  forming  stiff,  tufty  plants, 
almost  as  good  as  anything,  and  it  transplants  well.  Much 
better  still,  only  the  plant  is  so  low-growing,  are  good  large 
tufts  of  Arabis  albida  variegata.  The  beautiful  cream- 
coloured  leaf  which  this  plant  has  in  winter  renders  it  by  far 
the  most  important  winter  decorative  plant  I  know.  It  must 
be  borne  in  mind,  that  the  ground  is  damp  on  the  surface  the 
whole  time,  or  nearly  bo,  that  winter  gardening  is  required, 
and  white-leaved  plants  are  seen  to  much  advantage  then.  The 
Arabis  also  transplants  well,  and  20'  or  30°  of  frost  do  not 
seem  to  have  any  effect  upon  it.  It  is  often  necessary  to  plant 
edgings  of  this  or  other  plants  at  the  present  time,  and  slips 
6  or  more  inches  long,  taken  from  old  straggling  plants,  have 
only  to  be  buried  in  the  earth  up  to  their  neck,  and  they  in- 
variably grow,  and  in  spring  are  found  to  be  well-rooted  plants, 
that  may  be  used  anywhere.  So  large  a  proportion  of  the  leaf 
being  white,  gives  the  plant  a  pre-eminence  over  all  others  I 


500 


JOUENAL  OF  HOBTICULTUBE  AND   COTTAGE   GAEDENEB. 


[  December  31,  1868. 


have  yet  tried.  I  am,  however,  in  Lopes  that  Barbarea  vulgaris 
variegata,  recommsncled  by  your  able  correspondent, "  Ayrshire 
Gabdeneb,"  and  of  which  he  has  luDclly  sent  me  specimens, 
will  form  an  excellent  companion  to  the  Arabis. 

A  much  less  efifective  plant  is  Staohjs  lanata,  as  its  foliage 
becomes  somewhat  grey  and  dirty-looking,  only  when  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  the  Arabis  and  other  plants  cannot  be  had,  it 
may  be  worked  in.  Cineraria  maritima  I  have  found  trans- 
plants badly,  and  is  injured  and  ilisfigured  by  frost,  if  not 
killed,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of  Centaurea  gymnocarpa.  A 
white-leaved  Ajuga  which  I  have  tried,  is  bad  in  habit,  and  I 
have  never  been  able  to  have  the  ornamental  Kales  in  condition 
before  the  time  it  was  necessary  to  take  them  up,  so  that  I 
have  abandoned  them  as  winter  ornaments,  however  beautiful 
they  may  be  early  in  spring.  My  object  is  to  have  all  perfect 
by  the  end  of  November,  but  these  varieties  of  Kale  rarely 
show  more  than  a  sort  of  embryo  colouring  at  that  time. 

As  the  site  of  the  bed  and  borders  which  are  winter-deco- 
rated is  exposed  to  high  winds,  the  plants  named  in  the  pre- 
ceding paragraph  often  suffer  more  than  might  be  expected, 
and  dead  or  partially  decayed  leaves  following  after  high  winds, 
we  have  not  used  them  much.  Perfectly  hardy  plants  with 
ornamental  foliage  not  being  numerous,  1  have  for  some  years 
been  on  the  look-ont  for  such,  and  after  repeated  trials  and  dis- 
appointments I  have  found  the  best  for  appearance  under  all 
vicissitudes  of  weather  to  be  the  very  old  and  much-neglected 
Helleborus  foetidus  (Bear's  Foot) ;  its  Fern-like  foliage  spread- 
ing evenly  all  round  the  stem,  contrasts  by  its  dark  preen  hue 
very  strongly  with  the  paler  aud  more  delicate  tint  cf  the  in- 
florescence, which  appears  in  defiance  of  all  weather  during 
the  dark  days  of  winter.  This  plant  also  transplants  well,  and 
in  summer  is  not  particular  as  to  site.  I  have,  therefore,  evei-y 
confidence  in  recommending  it  as  one  of  the  very  best  of  its 
size  for  winter  use.  It  may  be  had  from  1  foot  to  18  inches 
high,  as  even  small  plants  look  well,  but  I  prefer  those  ap- 
proaching the  flowering  condition.  In  addition  to  this  I  have 
sometimes  used  a  broad-leaved  Saxifrage — I  believe  S.  ealen- 
■dulacea — but  its  leaves  are  liable  to  be  battered  by  the  wind ; 
and  the  pretty  foliage  of  Pulmonaria  officinalis,  rivalling  that 
of  many  hothouse  Begonias  early  in  autumn,  seems  unable  to 
hold  its  own  against  the  same  influence.  Sedum  glaucum,  Sem- 
pervivum  californicum,  and  others  of  their  class  look  well 
when  near  the  observer,  but  are  tcareely  visible  at  a  distance  of 
50  or  60  yards  ;  but  they  are  admirable  for  vases  with  a  plant 
of  the  Hellebore  alluded  to  for  the  centre,  where  it  braves  the 
winds  without  sustaining  any  damage.  Patches  of  Eibbon 
Grass  when  it  has  been  cut  down  late  in  summer  and  formed  a 
fresh  growth  come  in  very  well,  and  I  have  more  than  once 
made  use  of  a  plant  that  baffled  experienced  flower  gardeners, 
who,  after  admiring  its  outline,  could  not  well  withdraw  their 
commendations  when  informed  that  it  was  the  common  Sedge 
from  the  sides  of  ditches  and  ponds.  Good  plants  of  this  look 
remarkably  well,  but  some  cara  ought  to  be  taken  not  to  have 
those  with  too  long  slender  leaves;  but  stubby,  short-folieged 
plants  from  an  exposed  place  do  well,  end  form  no  bad  sub- 
stitutes for  Arundo  conspicua,  or  Pampas  Grass — besides,  they 
have  the  recommendation  of  costing  nothing.  The  wild  and 
other  Primroses  I  have  also  used  at  times,  but  they  present 
but  little  to  recommend  them  in  November ;  nevertheless,  a 
place  may  be  assigned  them.  The  single  white  Alyssum  saxa- 
tile,  although  beautiful  as  a  spring  flower,  is  too  late  for  my 
purpose ;  but  Crocuses  are  often  planted,  and  Snowdrops  are 
better  still,  as  they  are  less  interfered  with  by  mice. 

Some  other  plants  have  at  times  been  tried.  A  friend  of 
mine  uses  plants  of  wild  Heath  from  a-neighbouving  common 
that  have  been  nibbled  into  shape  by  rabbits ;  aud  now  and 
then  Wallflowers  and  other  neat-looking  plants  are  worked 
in,  but  I  am  no  advocate  for  great  variety,  and  the  best 
results  which  I  have  yet  seen  have  been  accomplished  by  the 
plants  at  present  employed.  Although  I  have  mentioned  many 
names,  the  number  of  different  plants  used  on  each  occasion 
has  always  been  small.  In  my  case,  however,  perhaps  the 
most  important  one  of  all  remains  yet  to  be  mentioned,  and 
that  is  plain  turf,  which  has  always  been  more  effective 
than  any  other. 

It  may  here  be  remarked,  that  although  variegated  Hollies  of 
both  the  Silver  and  Golden  sections  would  be  a  great  addition, 
I  have  omitted  them  in  consequence  of  their  being  difficult  to 
obtain  in  quantity,  and  because  they  do  not  bear  transplanting 
so  well  as  some  of  the  other  plants.  To  those,  however,  who 
do  not  mind  expense  these  shrubs  would,  no  doubt,  be  an  ac- 
quisition ;  probably,  also,  neat  plants  of  common  Yew,  Thuja 


aurea,  and  others.    My  plan,  however,  has  been  to  make  the 
greatest  display  I  can  with  the  commonest  plants. 

As   colouring  materials  are  an  important    feature  in  the 
arrangements,  I  may  state  that  these,  too,  are  the  simplest 
and  least  costly  that  can  be  had.    We  only  use  three  colours — 
red,  white,  and  black ;  the  last  is  produced  by  sifted  cinder 
ashes;  a  good  white  sand  found  in  the  neighbourb.ood  gives 
the  white ;   while  a  cartload  or  two  of  waste  kiln  bricks  not 
sufficiently  burnt  to  be  of  any  use  for  building,  serve  when 
broken  up  to  make  a  bright  and  telling  red.     The  beds  or 
groups  of  plants  are  often  surrounded  by  an  edging  of  turf 
6  inches  wide,  or  if  it  is  a  large  group  a  wider  band  is  made 
use  of,  while  the  figures  denoting  the  embroidery  or  fancywork 
in  colours  are  marked  out  by  lines  of  broken  stones  of  uniform 
size  and  hue,  picked  out  of  a  heap  ready  for  road-making  or 
mending.     Pebbles  would,  perhaps,  be  better,  but  these  are 
not  plentiful  here,  and  the  stones  answer.    With  these  a  toler- 
able representation  of  a  sprig  of  foliage  may  be  formed,  which, 
being  coloured  differently  from  the  ground,  may  be  made  to  look 
well ;  but  too  much  intricacy  is  not  advisable,  as  confusion  in 
plan  is  much  to  be  deprecated.     I  well  remember  when  the 
Royal  Horticultural  Society's  garden  at  Chiswick  was  first  laid 
out,  there  were  four  compartments  in  the  polychrome  style, 
representin<;  the  four  plants  emblematic  of  the  countries  com- 
posing the  United  Kingdom,  but  it  required  more  discrimina- 
tion than  most  people  possessed  to  ascertain  with  certainty 
which  was  the  Thistle  and  which  the  Leek.     Puzzles  of  design 
in  this  way  may  be  admissible  and  admired  by  some,  but  I 
have  no  taste  for  them.     I  would  rather  see  a  simple  design 
carried  out  clearly  than  have  to  guess  at  a  complex  one,  or 
what  is  more  likely  still,  to  have  to  hear  it  explained  by  some 
one  in  the  secret  of  its  conformation ;  and  as  a  very  simple 
figure  repeated  becomes  one  of  beauty,  it  is  better  to  be  con- 
tent with  that  than  attempt  too  much  in  the  way  of  enrichment. 
Having  said  that  we  only  use  three  colours,  I  may  yet  farther 
add  that  some  of  our  best  designs  have  been  accomplished  with 
only  two,  white  being  always  one.     Some  years  ago  a  bordering 
to  our  large  bed,  which  I  think  was  upwards  of  8  feet  wide, 
was  done  in  two  colours  only,  and  with  great  eSect ;  it  was 
simply  that  kind  of  bordering  we  often  meet  with  on  china- 
ware  or  other  objects,  and  called  "  the  Greek  pattern."     The 
limbs  or  lines  of  this  figure  were  about  10  inches  wide,  and  it 
was  simply  black  and   white,   the  bead-like  lines  of  stones 
adding  much  to  the  general  effect.    I  do  not  think  I  have  ever 
excelled  that  pattern  as  a  bordering,  although  I  have  tried 
various  kinds  of  what  is  usually  described  as  fringework.    The 
groundwork  of  the  main  portion  cf  the  bed  where  the  groups 
of  plants,  with  their  turf  margin,  stand  wide  enough  apart  to 
allow  it,  may  be  further  embellished  by  some  bold  lines  of 
scrollwork  thrown  in  amongst  them,  with  now  and  then,  per- 
haps, a  email  circle  of  turf,  or  a  collection  of  smaller  plants  in 
a  group,  edged  either  with  the  stones  alluded  to,  or  it  may  be 
the  variegated  Arabis.     Description  of  this  kind  of  work  is 
difficult  without  recourse  to  a  plan,  which  also  only  imperfectly 
conveys  an  idea  of  what  is  aimed  at,  and  it  is  not  easy  without 
the  inspection  of  an  example  to  conceive  the  effect  produced. 
It  is  only  after  repeated  trials  that  the  objections  from  which 
no  design  is  exempt,  are  rendered  fewer  and  of  less  importance. 
Enough,  however,  has  probably  been  said  to  euable  the  reader 
to   comprehend  what  is  really  meant.     As   few  flower  beds 
are,  perhaps,  so  large  as  those  here  operated  on  every  year,  it 
may  not  be  in  the  power  of  evei-yone  to  produce  the  same  re- 
sult, but  some  modification  of  it  may  be  attempted  in  most 
places.    I  shall  be  well  repaid  if  I  succeed  in  inducing  anyone 
to  whom  the  winter's  appearance  of  his  flower  beds  is  of  more 
consequence  than  the  spring  display,  to  abandon  the  latter ;  and 
by  taking  advantage  of  the  four  winter  months,  which  do  not  in 
the  least  infringe  on  the  summer  display,  he  may  have  the  whole 
removed  by  the  middle  of  March,  and  the  beds  undergoing  the 
necessary  working  for  the  summer  flaral  crop,  for  which  the 
two  months  at  his  disposal  give  ample  opportunities.    Winter 
gardening,  therefore,  in  my  opinion  is  of  much  more  impor- 
tance than  spring  gardening,  and  I  expect  to  see  it  still  more 
practised  than  it  has  hitherto  been,  when  the  number  of  light- 
colonred-fohaged  plants  available  for  the  purpose  shall  have 
been  fm-ther  increased,  for  I  consider  plants  with  foliage  of 
that  description,  contrasting  as  they  do  with  the  damp  earth, 
indispensable  to  effect. 

Having  said  so  much  in  favour  of  a  winter  display,  I  by  no 
means  wish  to  imply  that  some  attempt  at  spring  gardening 
should  not  also  be  made,  but  I  would  advise  a  distinct  set  of 
beds  for  this  purpose — say  those  of  a  promiscuous  class,  which 


December  81,  1603.  1 


JODBNAIj  op  HOaXIOULTUBE  AND   COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


501 


most  gardeners  possess  examples  of,  leaving  the  principal 
parterre,  if  there  bboiiUl  bo  one  in  a  conspicuous  place,  to  be 
occupied  by  tlie  plants  and  other  things  recommended  for 
winter  embellishment.  Some  early- flon-ering  annuals  as  well 
as  bulba  and  perennials,  are  deserving  everything  that  has 
been  said  in  their  favour,  and  although  we  arrange  some  of  our 
teds  for  winter  as  described,  others  are  planted  with  Forget- 
me-not,  Sapouaria,  Sileno  pendala.  Wallflower,  Alyssum 
sasatile,  and  other  plants  ;  but  those  latter  are  in  a  less  con- 
spicuous place,  and  where  a  good  display  of  bedding  plants  is 
not  looked  for  by  the  middle  of  June.  Although  the  season  up 
to  the  time  I  write  (the  middle  of  December)  has  been  ex- 
ceedingly mild,  these  plant.;  prefeut  but  little  that  is  interesting 
to  look  at,  while  those  in  the  winter  beds,  with  their  accessories, 
are  all  that  can  be  desired.  Let,  therefore,  both  plans  be 
tried,  and  tried  fairly,  and  excepting  in  the  cases  where  an 
April  and  Slay  display  is  of  more  consequence  than  one  in 
June  and  July,  the  winter  decoration  of  the  flower  garden  will 
commend  itself  in  preference  to  that  in  spring ;  and  the  ma- 
terials, as  I  have  shown,  are  neither  esponsive  nor  difficult  to 
bo  obtained. 

Although,  like  most  otherp,  I  object  to  the  eye  continually 
resting  on  polychrome  figures  alone,  yet  when  a  pleasing  design 
of  these  and  foliage  together  can  be  arranged,  there  are  few 
who  will  not  admire  it,  especially  as  it  is  only  intended  for  the 
dull  months  of  the  year ;  besides,  each  year  gives  scope  for  a 
fresh  design,  which  of  itself  is  no  small  incentive,  and  its 
comparison  with  that  of  former  years  supplies  matter  for 
remark.  It  is  scarcely  ueceasary  to  observe,  that  the  number 
of  different  designs  which  may  be  so  carried  out  is  infinite, 
added  to  which  the  very-oftea-all-important  summer  planting 
is  not  in  the  least  interfered  with  ;  on  the  contrary,  I  am  not 
certain  but  the  ground  is  in  a  better  condition  it  left  some- 
what firm  all  winter  than  if  loose  and  fresh  dug,  and  as  it  is 
recommended  to  trench  it  in  the  autumn,  ordinary  digging  in 
the  spring  is  all  that  is  necessary.  We  always  dig  in  what 
sand  and  broken  brick  may  have  been  on  the  ground,  and 
even  a  portion  of  the  cinder  ashes  is  left  on,  but  we  usually 
take  the  most  of  them  of?. 

The  soft  red  brick  used  for  colouring  is  broken  so  as  to  pass 
through  an  inch  sieve  or  screen  ;  it  is  well  not  to  pound  it  too 
much  into  dust.  Two  or  three  boys  will  speedily  break  up  all 
that  is  wanted,  as  we  do  not  lay  it  and  the  other  colouring 
matter  on  more  than  an  inch  thick,  after  having  first  smoothed 
the  ground  as  well  as  can  be  done  with  the  back  of  the  spade 
or  shovel.  In  marking  out  figures  a  pointed  stick  is  all  that  is 
wanted,  with,  of  course,  the  measuring  rod  to  determine  the 
true  position ;  practice,  however,  enables  one  to  do  this  more 
rapidly  than  might  be  expected,  and  as  fine  dry  days  are  not 
over-plentiful  in  November  when  this  work  baa  often  to  be 
performed,  the  most  must  be  made  of  those  that  do  offer  them- 
selves. A  transformation  from  a  mass  of  Pelargoniums  and 
other  plants,  hopelessly  destroyed  by  frost,  to  a  pretty  device 
worked  out  as  described,  is  the  more  relished,  perhaps,  when 
it  has  been  accomplished  during  the  few  days' absence  of  those 
for  whose  pleasure  it  has  been  made. 

I  hope  that  some  one  who  has  successiully  practised  winter 
decorative  gardening  in  a  diiierent  manner  from  that  which 
has  been  here  described,  will  be  so  good  as  to  give  an  account 
of  his  practice.  There  is  much  to  Jcarn,  at  the  same  time 
do  not  let  us  confound  winter  with  spring  gardening ;  the  latter 
has  had  its  advocates  plentifully  enough,  while  the  former, 
though  embracing  a  longer  space  of  time,  has  never  yet  had 
full  justice.  Let  us  hope  the  time  has  come  when  it  can 
be  practised  as  advantageously  as  other  kinds  of  gardening, 
and  let  those  whose  winter  sojourn  in  the  country  is  gladdened 
by  no  floral  display,  have  no  cause  to  complain  that  objects  of 
natural  or  artificial  beauty  are  so  scarce  as  at  present.  It  may 
be  the  case  that  some  plant  or  material  available  for  winter 
decoration  may  have  never  yet  been  thought  of ;  let,  therefore, 
ail  interested  in  such  matters  turn  their  attention  to  the  siib- 
ject,  and  the  Antipodes  will  have  to  yield  their  treasures  ere 
we  be  satisfied. — J.  Eoeson. 


and  the  mercury  goes  down  to  about  15°  Fahr.  every  night,  and 
has  been  once  down  to  5°,  and  in  Toronto  to  2°  below  zero. 
This  ia  unusually  severe  for  this  time  of  year.  In  the  back 
settlements,  bears  and  wolves  are  very  numerous,  having  come 
into  the  inhabited  districts  in  search  of  food.— W.  T.  G." 


A  TREE-PROTECTOR. 

Here  you  have  a  tree-proteotor  that  will  ward  oft  the  rabbits, 
One  may  be  made  of  strips  of  lath  tied  together  with  annealed 
wre.  It  can  be  made  of  any  size  or  length  desired,  according 
to  size  and  height  of  tree.  You  simply  wind  it  round  the 
tree,  and  fasten  with  the  wire  or  a  tarred  string.   It  may  bo  made 


large  enough  for  any  tree,  and  then  can  be  used  on  small  ones 
by  wrapping  it  further  round.  When  not  wanted  it  will 
straighten  out  and  pack  away  in  small  compass.  It  is  simple, 
any  boy  can  make  it.  It  is  cheap  and  effective,  and  properly 
cared  for  will  last  a  lifetime. — L.  L.  F.  (in  Prairie  Farmer.) 


THE   WINTER. 

Mild  as  it  is  here,  yet  at  St.  Petersburg  the  cold  ia  as  in- 
tense as  usual ;  and  the  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter 
we  have  just  received  from  Canada.  It  is  dated  Dec.  12th  : — 
"  There  is  every  indication  of  a  very  severe  winter  setting  in 
here.    The  snow  has  lain  on  the  ground  for  two  weeks  already, 


CULTURE  OF  ASPLENIUM   TRICHOMANES, 

AND  A  FEW  OTHER   FERNS. 
Seeing  at  page  437  of  the  Journal,  that  "  G.  H.  T."  says 
Aspleuium  trichomanes   is  "very  unwilling  to  be   domesti- 
cated,'' I  beg  to  state  for  those  who  may  wish  to  grow  that 
most  beautiful  and  interesting  evergreen  Fern,  that  of  all  the 
i  British  Ferns  that  I  have  cultivated,  I  find  this  the  mostao- 
!  commodating.    I  have  had  beautiful  plants  from  8  to  10  inches 
i  high,  grown  in  peat  and  leaf  mould  in  pots  in  the  greenhouse, 
i  and  have  them  now  in  the  fernery  out  of  doors,  beautiful  dark 
green  tufts,  with  fronds  0  or  10  inches  long,  and  looking  at 
this  season  better  than  any  other  Fern  there.    I  have  Cetcraclr 
officinarum  with  fronds  G  or  7  inches  long,   and  Asplenium 
adiantum-nigrum,  with  fronds  10  or  11  inches  long.     All  these 
may  be  seen  hy  hundreds  on  walls  in  Gloucestershire,  but  t 
have  never  seen  them  so  fine  as  those  artificially  cultivated.    X 
have  also  seen  Asplenium  lanceolatum  growing  abundantly  at 
a  place  about  4   miles  from  Bristol,   fortunately  where  the 
public  have  not  access.     I  have  also  Asplenium  viride,  very 
fine,  fronds  7  or  8  inches  long ;  Polystichum  lonchitis,  with 
fronds  from  14  to  15  inches  long;  and  Asplenium  marinum, 
with  fronds  from  9  to  10  inches  long. 

All  those  I  have  mentioned  are  planted  out  in  artificial 
rockwork,  in  a  mixture  of  loam,  leaf  mould,  and  peat,  with  a 
little  silver  sand.  The  aspect  is  north,  and  sheltered  from  the 
wind.  I  should  like  to  know  the  reason  why  no  Ferns  are 
found  growing  wild  in  this  neighbourhood,  yet  they  appear  to 
do  well  when  planted. 

There  are  two  Ferns  I  cannot  do  anything  with — namely, 
Asplenium  septentrionale,  and  AUosorus  crispus.  I  have  had 
several  in-doors  and  out,  which  live  for  about  one  season,  anj 
then  die.  If  any  of  your  correspondents  have  grown  them 
successfully,  I  should  be  very  much  obliged  for  the  treatment 
they  give  them. — John  Bryan,  Audley  End  Gardens. 


YocB  correspondent  "  G.  H.  T.,"  speaks  of  Asplenium 
adiantum-nigrum  as  "never  found,  I  fancy,  in  great  abund- 
ance." It  is  most  abundant  in  this  neighbourhood,  but  not 
easy  to  grow  in  the  hardy  fernery.     I  think  the  reason  is,  that 


502 


JOUBNAIi   OF  HORTICTILTUBE  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENER. 


[  December  31,  1868* 


liking  a  light  Boil,  when  removed  it  does  not  readily  recover 
itself.  I  planted  a  hardy  fernery  some  three  years  back,  and 
filled  the  crevices  of  the  stones  with  this  Fern,  and  have  now 
some  good  specimens. 

The  same  rule  applies  to  Aspleninm  trichomanes,  which 
yonr  correspondent  states  "is  very  unwilling  to  be  domes- 
ticated." I  own,  I  lost  many  plants  at  first,  but  now  I  have 
plenty  of  good  plants,  even  more  than  I  require. 

It  may,  perhaps,  interest  some  of  your  readers  to  know  that 
Woodwardia  radicans,  Polystichum  setosum,  Lastrea  opaca, 
Iiastrea  decurrens,  Cyrtomium  falcatum,  and  Adiantum  pe- 
datum,  do  well  here  out  of  doors,  and  with  the  exception  of  the 
last  have  with  me  stood  three  winters.  By  this  I  mean  that 
they  are  really  quite  as  hardy,  and  as  vigorous  in  growth,  and 
are  now  (December  12lb)  looking  as  well  as  our  ordinary 
English  Ferns.  The  same  may  be  said  of  the  American 
Ogmnndacese. — H.  A.  Box,  Parker's  Well,  Exeter. 


MUSHROOM  CULTURE. 

As  yonr  correspondent,  "  Failure  "  (see  page  466),  wishes  to 
know  what  is  the  kind  of  structure  in  which  my  Mushroom 
beds  are  made,  I  will  state  for  his  information  that  it  is  a 
small  house  which  I  have  lately  put  up  on  the  Oldaker  system. 
It  is  15  feet  long  and  9  feet  wide  (inside  measure)  ;  there  are 
sis  beds  in  it,  three  on  each  side,  3  feet  wide,  with  a  path 
3  feet  wide  in  the  centre,  underneath  which  runs  the  flue, 
which  passes  up  one  side  the  whole  length  of  the  house,  and 
returns  in  a  parallel  direction  down  the  other.  The  floor 
fceds  are  sunk  beneath  the  level  of  the  ground  about  1  foot,  so 
that  the  tops  of  the  beds  are  level  with  the  path.  The  other 
fceds  are  2  feet  apart  and  9  inches  deep.  A  floor  or  ceiling  is 
then  formed  with  boards  Ij  inch  thick,  resting  on  the  two  wall 
plates,  and  on  the  standards  which  support  the  front  of  the  beds 
in  the  centre  ;  the  whole  is  then  covered  over  with  2  inches  of 
sand.  Square  holes,  9  inches  in  diameter,  are  left  in  the  ceil- 
ing, along  the  middle  of  the  house,  at  3  feet  apart,  and  they 
Me  provided  with  slides  to  ventilate  when  needed.  The  whole 
is  then  covered  in  with  a  hipped-tiled  roof.  Square  holes  are 
left  in  the  back  wall  (which  is  18  inches  higher  than  the  front), 
at  3  feet  apart ;  each  of  these  is  also  fitted  with  a  slide  board, 
which  admits  air  into  the  space  left  between  the  ceiling  and  the 
roof. 

I  use  half  a  bushel  of  spawn  to  two  of  these  beds  ;  this  I 
find  quite  sufficient. — Agakicus. 


CINERARIA  LEAVES  CURLING— TRAPPING 
MICE. 

I  SAW  in  yonr  number  for  December  17th  an  answer  to  a 
correspondent  who  complained  of  his  Cineraria  leaves  curling, 
and  I  have  experiecced  the  same  evil  in  the  case  of  my  own 
Cinerarias,  which  I  lately  removed  from  a  frame  to  the  green- 
house, where  the  air  is  kept  very  much  drier  than  in  the  frame. 
I  was  quite  at  a  loss  for  a  long  time  as  to  what  was  the  cause, 
for  no  insect  was  to  be  seen  ;  but  I  replaced  in  the  frame  one 
of  the  plants  ihat  looked  worse,  and  I  soon  found  it  recover. 
I  then  determined  to  give  those  in  the  greenhouse  a  slight 
syringing  every  morning,  and  they  have  quite  recovered.  Per- 
haps similar  treatment  will  cure  "  A  Constant  Eeadee's  " 
plants. 

I  observe  frequent  inquiries  as  to  the  best  way  of  catching 
mice,  and  many  methods  of  doing  so  have  been  pointed  out. 
I  have  seen  and  tried  numbers  of  these  with  some  success.  As 
the  mice  began  last  week  to  make  great  havoc  among  our  Cro- 
cuses, I  told  one  of  my  men  to  set  some  traps,  and  to  strew 
coal  ashes  over  the  bed.  The  traps,  which  are  of  a  kind  quite 
new  to  me,  proved  very  efiective,  and  are  so  simple  that  they 
can  be  made  in  five  minutes,  even  by  a  boy.  It  may,  therefore, 
he  of  service  to  the  readers  of  the  Journal  to  describe  them, 
as  I  know  how  destructive  mice  are  to  bulbs  at  this  season, 
and  to  Peas,  Beans,  &c.,  in  spring. 

In  the  first  place  take  a  No.  1  flower  pot,  stop  np  the  drain- 
age hole  with  clay  or  a  cork,  then  fill  the  pot  with  water  to 
within  4  inches  of  the  lim,  make  a  hole  in  the  ground  near 
the  bulbs  or  other  plants  which  it  is  desired  to  protect,  and 
sink  the  pot  to  within  3  inches  of  the  rim.  Plant  two  forked 
Sticks,  one  ou  each  side  of  the  pot,  the  forks  to  be  of  just  the 
same  height  above  the  surface  as  the  rim  of  the  pot;  take  a 
Stick,  such  as  jou  tie  up  plants  with,  about  2  feet  long,  round 
and  small  at  each  end,  and  square  in  the  middle  ;  cut  likewise 


two  small  pieces,  about  6  inches  long,  with  pointed  ends  ;  split 
the  long  stick  in  the  middle,  and  insert  the  two  small  ones  in 
it,  BO  as  to  form  a  cross  like  the  toy  windmills  which  children 
run  about  with,  only  for  the  mouse  trap  the  cross  part  is  in 
the  middle.  Instead  of  paper,  as  in  the  toy,  a  Bean  or  a  piece 
of  Crocus  is  placed  on  each  point,  and  the  mouse  travelling 
along  the  long  stick  to  the  top  of  the  cross  stick  where  the  bait 
is,  his  weight  turns  the  spindle  round,  he  falls  into  the  water, 
and  the  next  point  comes  up  to  take  its  place.  In  this  way 
scores  of  mice  may  he  caught  in  a  single  night.  We  caught 
four  in  one  night  last  week,  and  one  of  my  men  tells  me  he 
caught  as  many  as  twelve  in  one  night  last  Pea-sowing  time. 
— John  Tatlok,  jun. 


SANDRINGHAM  WHITE   CELERY. 

I  WAS  induced  this  spring,  from  seeing  an  advertisement  of  a 
well-known  firm,  to  purchase  a  packet  of  the  Celery  seed  they 
were  sending  out  as  the  Sandringham  White.  During  the 
autumn,  I  mentioned  to  a  neighbour  who  had  called  with  me, 
that  I  had  my  suspicion  that  it  was  an  old  friend  under  a  new 
name.  "  Oh,"  replied  he,  "  the  seedsmen  did  not  send  it  out 
as  a  new  one,  only  as  a  sort  the  Prince  of  Wales  was  fond  of." 
A  few  days  afterwards  I  visited  Mr.  Welch,  Armagh,  and  seeing 
some  very  fine  Celery  growing  there.  I  was  led  to  speak  of  the 
Sandringham  White.  Judge  my  surprise  when  told  that  the 
seedsmen  had  laboured  hard  to  convince  Mr.  Welch  that  it  was 
distinct  from  the  well-known  variety.  Turner's  Incomparable, 
and  as  a  convincing  proof,  sent  a  packet  of  each.  They  were 
growing  side  by  side.  Now,  had  a  little  seed  of  all  the  known 
and  unknown  varieties  of  white  kinds  been  shaken  on  the 
counter,  swept  up,  and  sent  out  for  Turner's  Incomparable,  the 
mixture  could  not  have  been  more  complete.  I  do  not  like  to 
meet  old  friends  under  new  names  in  this  way.  How  mnch 
better  to  have  sent  it  out  under  its  own  name  as  a  selected  stock 
of  Turner's  Incomparable.  I  had  for  some  years  given  over 
growing  the  above  sort,  for  the  very  reason  of  its  being  bo 
mixed.  Nor  is  it  equal  for  table  use  to  some  of  the  others 
now  in  cultivation,  such,  for  instance,  as  Williams's  Matchless. 
There  may  be  larger-growing  sorts,  but  for  quality  it  has  few 
equals. 

I  find  that  it  is  the  fate  of  a  great  many  of  our  vegetable 
seeds  to  get  mixed  and  spurious,  and  when  grown  it  would 
puzzle  anyone  to  Bay  what  kind  they  are,  although  whea 
making  out  our  seed  lists,  we  choose  such  as  are  represented  as 
"  true  "  "  very  fine  selected  stock,"  &o.  Now,  whether  we  ought 
to  blame  the  grower  of  seed,  or  the  seller,  either  wholesale  or 
by  retail,  I  will  not  venture  an  opinion.  One  thing  I  know,  the 
gardener  is  always  the  sufferer,  and  that  often  when  too  late 
to  be  remedied.  Are  there  not  enough  of  disappointments  fall 
to  our  lot  without  old  varieties  being  sent  out  under  new 
names? — North  of  Ireland  Gardener. 


MILDNESS  OF  THE  SEASON. 
I  HAVE  regarded  the  late  mild  weather  as  very  favourable  to 
the  ripening  of  wood  buds  and  the  perfection  of  fruit  buds, 
with  which  most  trees  are  well  supplied  ;  but  on  looking  ronnd 
to-day  (December  19th),  |he  thermometer  reading  59"  in  the 
shade,  I  perceive  vegetation  is  in  some  instances  acting  upon 
the  old  but  wise  maxim  of  "  early  to  rest  and  early  to  rise," 
for  Lilacs,  Ehododendrons,  Honeysuckles,  Eoses,  and  Goose- 
berries are  showing  unmistakeable  signs  of  starting.  Migno- 
nette is  flowering  freely,  and  some  Trentham  Eose  Pelargo- 
niums and  Purple  King  Verbenas  that  were  left  out  of  doors 
are  flowering  tolerably  well ;  but  unless  we  have  a  winter  as 
exceptional  for  warmth  as  the  summer  has  been,  the  above- 
quoted  maxim  will  not  apply  to  vegetation  with  such  truth  as 
it  does  to  ourselves,  and  unless  more  seasonable  weather  soon 
occur,  we  gardeners  must  make  ample  preparation  against 
injury  from  spring  frosts. — Thomas  Record,  Hawkhurst. 


WORK  FOR  THE  WEEK. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

As  the  weather  still  continues  much  the  same  the  operations 
recommended  during  the  last  few  weeks  should  lie  proceeded 
with.  Everything  used  for  the  protection  of  tender  plants 
should  be  in  readiness  in  case  severe  frost  should  suddenly  set 
in.  Cauliflowers,  if  the  autumn  sowing  failed  it  will  be  ad- 
visable to  BOW  in  a  box,  which  may  be  placed  in  a  forcing- 


December  31, 1868.  ] 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOBXICJULTDRE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEB. 


EOg 


house,  and  when  tte  plants  are  of  sufficient  size  prick  them 
out  in  a  frame  on  a  slight  hotbed.  Celcrtj,  the  trenches  should 
now  be  dug  out,  so  that  they  may  receive  the  benefit  of  the 
frost.  In  the  spring  Cauliflowers  may  be  planted  in  them,  or 
dwarf  Peas  or  Lettuce  between,  which  crops  will  be  off  by  the 
ttme  the  trenches  are  wanted.  Pttlniori:.  if  young  ones  are 
required  very  early,  some  of  the  Early  Frame  or  any  of  it.s 
varieties  may  be  planted  on  a  slight  hotbed  ;  if  it  is  not  con- 
venient to  plant  them  immediately,  they  may  be  placed  in  a 
forcing  house  till  tlicy  begin  to  shoot.  liadislii's  may  now  be 
sown  on  a  slight  hotbed.  Dung  should  be  prepared  for  forcing 
vegetables  which  are  required  early  ;  a  considerable  quantity  of 
leaves  may  be  used  with  it.  In  conclusion  I  would  say  to  gar- 
deners, as  a  general  maxim.  Take  the  advice  of  a  celebrated 
nurseryman  and  "Sow  thickly  and  keep  friends  with  the  cook," 
but  attain  that  object  by  sending  in  an  abundant  supply,  and 
by  rendering  it  imperative  on  tlie  man  who  serves  the  house  to 
keep  a  regular  account  of  all  the  garden  produce, 

FRUIT    G.Vr.DEN. 

Orchard  trees  of  large  size  are  often  much  neglected  as  to 
pruning,  the  heads  being  allowed  to  become  so  thick  of  wood 
that  fruit  cannot  be  expected  except  from  the  points  of  the 
outside  shoots,  and,  except  when  the  crop  becomes  accidentally 
thinned  to  something  considerably  below  an  average,  the  fruit 
ia  email  and  indifferent  in  quality.  Dry  frosty  weather  offers  a 
favourable  opportunity  for  properly  thinning  the  trees,  as  men 
can  work  at  this  with  comfort  when  it  would  be  too  cold  for 
nailing,  and  advantage  should  be  taken  of  the  first  spare  time 
to  give  a  careful  pruning.  The  heads  should  be  liberally 
thinned,  cutting  out  all  branches  that  cross  the  others,  and 
dead  pieces,  leaving  the  shoots  sufficiently  far  apart  that  light 
and  air  may  have  free  access  among  those  left  when  the  foliage 
is  on.  In  removing  large  branches  care  should  be  used  to 
make  close  chaa  cuts,  and  if  the  wood  be  coated  with  strong 
thick  paint  this  will  help  to  prevent  its  decaying  before  the 
wound  be  healed  over.    Let  all  kinds  of  fruit  bushes  be  pruned. 

FLOWER   GARDEN. 

Every  advantage  of  the  present  favourable  weather  should  be 
taken  for  transplanting  shrubs,  trees,  &c.,  so  that  all  the  princi- 
pal and  choice  plants  in  this  department  may  have  sufficient 
scope  to  develope  their  natural  characters.  There  are  few 
situations  in  a  garden  more  interesting  than  a  well-regulated 
and  well-arranged  shrubbery,  where  every  plant  from  the  largest 
to  the  smallest  has  had  room  sufficient  to  form  perfect  speci- 
mens. Collections  of  shrubbery  plants  appear  to  be  much  less 
attended  to  than  their  true  merits  entitle  them  to.  In  planting 
a  shrubbery  the  object  is  either  to  form  shady  walks  among 
fine  trees,  to  hide  unsightly  views,  or  to  form  screens  or  shelter 
against  strong  winds.  Suppose  the  principal  object  to  be  a 
love  of  trees  and  a  desire  to  possess  large  and  perfect  speci- 
mens, then  it  must  be  wrong  to  permit  them  to  become  so 
crowded  as  to  destroy  their  forms  ;  and  it  is  contraiy  to  nature 
to  dig  the  ground  among  them,  because  in  nature  we  never 
find  them  so  situated,  and  though  every  pleasure  ground  ought 
to  be  avowed  a  work  of  art,  the  trees  should  not  have  the  ap- 
pearance of  having  been  placed  there  by  art,  as  they  mutt 
have  if  surrounded  by  dug  ground,  but,  on  the  contrary,  we 
wish  to  make  them  specimens  of  nature  in  a  refined  and 
highly-cultivated  state.  A  Persian  Lilac,  a  Kibes,  or  Ehodo- 
dendron,  if  properly  planted  and  managed,  will  form  a  bush 
from  8  to  10  feet  high  and  the  same  in  diameter,  in  a  period 
of  from  six  to  ten  years.  But  where  do  we  meet  with  such 
plants?  Not  in  cro.vded  and  dug  shrubberies,  but  where  the 
great  esssentials  to  vegetable  existence — light,  heat,  air,  and 
water  can  play  their  proper  parts. 

GREENHOUSE    AND    CONSERVATORY. 

A  free  admission  of  air  to  the  greenhouse  at  all  times  if  the 
weather  is  favourable  will  be  advantageous,  at  the  sau.e  time 
care  should  be  taken  to  prevent  as  much  as  possible  strong 
currents  of  dry  wind  from  passing  through  the  house,  for  they 
invariably  prove  extremely  injurious  to  vegetation.  A  few  of 
the  earliest,  strongest  Calceolarias,  Cinerarias,  and  Pelar- 
goniums adapted  for  forcing  may  now  have  their  final  shift, 
using  either  fi  or  8-inch  pots,  accurding  to  the  size  of  the  plants. 
After  potting  let  the  shoots  of  the  Pelargoniums  be  carefully 
pegged  down  as  near  to  the  rim  of  the  pot  as  possible  without 
breaking,  they  will  require  to  be  sparingly  watered  for  a  time, 
and  placed  as  near  the  glass  as  possible.  The  general  collection 
of  Pelargoniums  shuuld  now  be  stopped-back  for  the  last  time, 
unless  required  to  flower  very  late  in  the  season.  A  lil>eral 
supply  of  water  will  be  requisite  for  Camellias  now  swelling 
their  flower  buds.     When  they  are  planted  out  in  the  open 


border  in  the  conservatory,  they  should  be  carefully  examined 
for  fear  of  any  deficiency  of  moisture  at  the  roots.  Should  any 
signs  of  over-dryness  bo  apparent,  let  the  soil  be  forked-up  as 
deeply  as  the  situation  of  the  roots  will  allow,  and  give  them  a 
good  soaking  of  soft  or  rain  water.  Two  or  three  such  ap- 
plications at  short  intervals  will  do  no  harm,  provided  tha 
flower  buds  are  fast  swelling,  more  than  ordinary  dryness  i0 
perceptible,  and  the  drainage  of  the  border  such  as  it  ought  to 
be.  The  same  kind  of  treatment  may  bo  advantageously  ap- 
plied to  many  plants  under  similar  circumstances.  Keep  the 
supply  of  flowers  as  abundant  as  means  will  permit,  and 
attend  strictly  and  carefully  to  a  judicious  arrangement  of 
colours.  To  keep  a  house  well  furnished  with  handsome  plants 
in  bloom  at  this  season,  and  everything  about  it  in  perfect  order, 
is  an  impossibility  when  there  is  not  sufficient  accommodation 
for  growing  plants  with  which  to  furnish  it;  and  when  this  is 
the  case  it  will  generally  be  found  good  policy  to  secure  a  toler- 
able display  for  the  winter  season,  if  at  the  expense  of  keeping 
the  house  somewhat  bare  when  flowers  are  plentiful  out  of 
doors,  and  if  plants  in  flower  are  scarce  their  effect  will  be 
greatly  enhanced  by  proper  arrangement  and  strict  attention 
to  order  and  cleanliness. 

PITS    AND    FRAMES. 

The  bedding  plants  must  have  attention,  for  in  all  likelihood 
many  things  are  suffering  from  damp,  and  such  plants  as 
appear  to  be  most  affected  should  be  removed  to  other  quarters 
where  a  drier  temperature  is  maintained.  Keep  the  stock  in 
pits  and  frames  well  ventilated,  and  the  surface  soil  of  the  pots 
frequently  stirred.  Dust  with  sulphur  Verbenas  and  similar 
plants  attacked  with  mildew. — W.  IJeane. 


DOINGS  OF  THE  LAST  WEEK. 
These  have  been  much  modified,  owing  to  the  Christmas 
week  and  the  character  of  the  weather.  Pj-ovided  receptacles 
large  enough  had  been  obtained,  there  need  have  scarcely  been 
a  place  in  the  country  but  could  have  laid  up  a  reserve  of 
water  to  last  through  the  hottest  and  warmest  summer.  After 
such  a  saturation  of  the  ground,  it  is  not  likely  that  we  shall 
feel  the  effects  of  a  dry  summer  so  much  as  we  did  the  last. 

KITCHEN    GARDEN. 

In  this  department  very  little  could  be  done,  and  the  Soil  ' 
having  been  beaten  firm  by  the  rains,  the  first  opportunity  of ' 
fine  dry  days  must  be  taken  to  stir  the  surf.ice  Foil,  among  all 
young  crops  especially.  We  have  much  wheeling  manure,  &o., 
still  to  do,  hut  we  do  not  like  to  commence  it  in  such  weather, 
as  when  other  work  can  be  done  it  is  always  bad  policy  in  doing 
work  to  make  work,  which  wheeling  to  any  extent  must  do  at 
present.  In  such  work  as  making  hotbeds,  adding  to  tho 
bottom  heat  in  forcing  pits,  i-c,  much  of  this  making  work 
may  be  avoided  by  using  planks  for  wheeling  on,  and  what  is 
often  a  simpler  and  more  generally  practicable  mode,  spread- 
ing a  thin  layer  of  long  litter,  say  a  yard  wide,  on  the  path  on 
which  there  ia  much  wheeling.  When  the  work  is  done,  this 
will  only  form  a  part  of  the  sweeping  up,  and  will  leave  behind 
the  sweeping  a  clean  unbroken  path.  Wheeling  so  as  to  break 
up  paths  into  deep  ruts  and  slimy  mire,  almost  burying  the 
wheels  of  the  barrows,  is  such  a  waste  of  labour,  and  that  of 
an  unpleasant  kind,  and  in  general  makes  so  much  work  after- 
wards, that  the  practice  can  only  be  j  ustified  in  cases  of  peculiar 
emergency.  The  maxim  is  not  half  so  much  attended  to  as  it 
ought  to  be,  "Do  not  make  work  in  doing  work."  The  man 
who  keeps  this  before  him  as  a  principle  of  action  will  go 
through  much  more  work  than  one  who  does  not,  and  with 
much  more  ease  and  comfort  to  all  concerned.  We  have  seen 
work  done  under  unsuitable  circumstances,  when,  without 
taking  into  account  the  great  additional  strain  on  muscle  and 
sinew,  even  on  the  score  of  the  extra  work  thus  rendered  un- 
avoidable, it  would  have  been  truer  economy  to  have  kept  tha 
men  in  the  dry  doing  nothing,  and  we  have  never  met  with  a 
garden,  however  small,  where  there  was  the  slightest  necessity 
for  remaining  a  minute  idle  under  cover.  When  work  is  thus 
timed  men  will  not  be  seen  nailing  trees  against  a  north  wall 
with  the  snow  and  hail  blinding  them,  and  then  in  a  few  days 
cleaning  and  working  under  glass,  with  the  sun  bright  and 
clear  enough  to  scorch  them. 

FECIT  GARDEN. 

The  chief  object  now  is  to  have  all  planting  finished  as  soon 
as  possible,  pruning  and  nailing  and  tying  proceeded  with,  and 
birds  vvatched  and  frightened  where  they  are  troublesome,  as  a 
few  hours  of  their  nibbling  will  make  wrecks  of  the  finest- 
looking  fruit  trees.    More  especially  shall  we  require  to  ba 


504 


JOlJENAii  OF  HOBTiCOiiXUilE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDfiNER.  (  Uccemier  si,  isca. 


watchful,  if  a  severe  frost  should  succeed  this  very  mild 
weather,  which  resembles  the  end  of  April  more  than  the  end 
of  December.  For  bad  weather,  cleaning  rjluss  and  icoodxcork 
of  houses  and  frames,  is  suitable  work.  In  washing,  we  have 
no  objection  to  just  a  little  soap  in  the  water,  so  as  to  make  the 
latter  slightly  Boapy— say  1  oz.  of  soft  or  ytilow  soap  in  two 
gallons  of  water;  but  we  are  very  shy  of  using  it  stronger,  as 
then  there  is  a  danper  of  taking  the  paint  away  with  the  filth. 
In  all  particular  cases,  however,  we  rely  more  on  warm  water- 
say  from  130°  or  so,  than  upon  its  having  anything  in  it.  We 
frequently  throw  it  on  glass  and  woodwork  warmer  than  that, 
and  then"uee  water  at  or  near  the  common  teraperatura  of  the 
air  for  washing.  The  dash  of  warm  water  is  cue  of  the  best 
modes  of  destrnyiug  the  eggs  of  insects,  though  some  of  these 
eggs  when  quite  dormant  will  stand  a  fair  Bcalding  with  im- 
punity. There  is  hardly  anything  more  depressing  than  sitting 
in  a  room  and  looking  at  a  window  encrusted  with  dirt,  and 
spider  webs  clustered  in  the  corners,  and  could  plants  speak, 
they  would  tell  us  that  nothing  grieved  them  more  than  ob- 
serving glass  over  them  in  winter  go  green  and  greasy  that 
only  a  few  of  the  weak  rays  of  light  could  reach  them. 

We  would  direct  the  attention  of  "  A  Subsckieeb  "  to  the 
above,  who  in  washing  his  sashes  has  taken  the  paint  off  like 
the  peeling  of  an  Onion.  We  have  no  doubt,  first,  that  the 
paint  had  been  rather  new,  and,  secondly,  that  an  extra  dose 
of  soap,  or,  perhaps,  soda  or  potash  added,  had  been  mixed 
with  the  water.  It  is  safest  to  use  plain  water,  and  a  little 
mgre  exertion  instead. 

oknamektal  pepaethekt. 

The  cleaning  of  glass  and  the  fresh  arranging  of  plant 
iouees  have  here  been  prominent  matters  of  work  and  of  con- 
sideration. On  the  principle  already  adverted  to,  we  have 
huge  mounds  of  turf  laid  up  for  fresh  pieces  of  lawn,  because 
the  ground  was  too  wet  to  te  levelled  and  the  turf  to  be  laid, 
and  we  could  not  take  the  turf  to  the  place  without^  tearing 
np  the  lawn  ground,  and  thus  making  more  work.  When  the 
weather  changes  we  can  move  the  turf  by  something  lighter 
than  two-horse  carts.  The  ground  that  was  fairly  levelled  we 
could  manage  to  turf  with  the  assistance  of  planks  and  boards, 
Jbut  the  unlevelled  ground  was  too  wet  for  working  at  all  profit- 
ably. Pruning  and  transplanting  could  be  done ;  and  as  there 
are  some  large  trees  to  be  trauEplauted,  that  can  be  well  done 
•where  the  ground  is  firm  and  less  dressed  than  a  la->n.  It  is  as 
late  as  we  wish  for  removing  large  trees,  but  the  ground  is  still 
warm,  and  as  we  cannot  at  present  proceed  with  some  particular 
groundwork,  we  will  most  likely  do  some  of  this  transplanting 
that  otherv;ise  should  have  been  left  to  a  subsequent  autumn. 

Changing  Flower  Gardens,  d'c— Some  of  our  new  subscribers 
are  in  doubts  as  to  some  hints  thrown  out  in  this  respect. 
Well,  then,  in  the  smallest  places  changes  are  pleasant,  even  if 
everybody  should  not  consider  them  improvements.  There 
are  few  that  have  the  inventive  genius  and  such  a  ready  use  of 
ihe  pencil  as  our  friend  Mr.  Kobson  ;  but  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  one  of  the  great  charms  of  the  chief  flower  garden— the 
huge  bed  of  flowers  at  Linton,  is  not  so  much  its  fine  position 
as  the  simple  fact  that  every  winter  and  every  summer  there  is 
a  fresh  plan  and  fresh  arrangement  to  look  at.  Monotony  is 
Ihus  altogether  prevented.  It  is  true  that  the  arrangement, 
especially  in  summer,  would  tell  for  but  little  if  the  practical 
details  were  not  well  carried  out ;  but  supposing  that  the  carry- 
ing out  of  tha  details  were  as  perfect  year  after  year  at  it  would 
he  possible  to  make  them,  who  is  there  that  does  not  feel  that 
the"  thorough  change  in  form  and  arrangement  of  itself  con- 
stitutes a  charm  ?  Now,  in  the  smallest  places— whatever  be 
the  plan  or  the  arrangement  of  the  smallest  flower  gardens,  it 
is  always  easy  to  change  the  form  and  the  position  of  the  beds, 
and,  as  already  stated,  even  if  the  change  should  not  to  the 
arbiters  of  taste  be  an  improvement,  still  the  change  will  be 
pleasing  to  those  who  make  it.  But  for  always  having  more 
work  than  we  can  well  perform,  we  would  be  one  of  Mr.  Eob- 
^on'B  foremost  disciples  in  thus  changing  the  appearance  of 
ihe  flower  garden.  What  we  have  been  chiefly  obliged  to  con- 
tent ourselves  with  is  to  change  the  cropping  every  year,  but 
this,  of  course,  leaves  all  the  outlines  the  same,  and  therefore 
these  very  outlines  become  monotonous. 

We  find  that  the  changing  of  the  flowers  becomes  as  neces- 
sary to  us  as  the  rotation  of  cropping  is  in  the  kitchen  garden. 
We  thus  to  a  great  extent  avoid  the  necessity  of  procuring  fresh 
soil  for  the  flower  beds,  and  this  suits  a  great  many  of  our 
readers  who  can  manage  to  form  a  flower  garden  at  once,  but 
who  could  not  well  bear  the  expense  of  the  frequent  renewals 
of  soil  for  the  flower  beds.    Now,  as  in  our  case,  we  feel  that 


the  time  iliay  come  when,  after  deep  stirring,  adding  even  a. 
little  of  the  subsoil  and  a  little  manure,  still  the  soil  may  re- 
quire a  rest  from  flower-growing,  and  in  such  a  case,  supposing 
the  flower  garden  to  be  on  a  lawn,  what  more  simple  plan 
could  be  used  than  a  new  design,  in  which  as  much  as  possibls- 
cf  the  old  flower  beds  should  be  turfed  down  into  lawn,  ani 
the  lawn  part  tumed  into  flower  beds,  giving  thus  fresh  soil 
for  a  fresh  flower  garden  in  much  the  same  position  ?  Even  by 
doing  this  gradually,  fresh  soil  could  be  frequently  obtained 
without  the  trouble  "of  collecting  and  carting. 

Arrangement  of  a  Small  Greenhouse. — In  ftunAcr  to  an  "  Ol» 
ScppoETER,"  we  would  follow  up  the  same  principle  in  every 
plant  house,  however  small.  Hehoe  tor  all  small  places  the 
greenhouse,  with  most  of  the  plants  moveable,  is  superior  for 
tho  interest  it  yields  to  a  house  with  a!l  the  plants  fixed  or 
planted  out.  The  latter,  looked  at  daily,  becomes  monotonous, 
and  the  finest  objects  thus  become  wearisome  to  the  eye.  In 
the  greenhouse,  on  the  other  hand,  you  may  so  change  the 
position  of  the  plants  every  week  or  every  month  as  to  pre- 
sent fresh  combinations,  and  in  such  CBses  the  very  change 
will  be  pleasing.  In  further  answer  we  would  say  that  aa 
"  Old' Supporter  "  may  do  well  all  that  he  attempts  in  his- 
single  house.  For  instance:  Place  all  the  Heaths  at  the  coolest 
end,  and  where,  in  favourable  weather,  whenever  the  outside 
temperature  is  from  35°  to  40°,  there  will  be  a  play  of  fresh  air 
over  them,  the  opening  being  contracted  or  expanded  accord- 
ing to  the  weather.  A  similar  position  will  suit  his  Cinerarias 
that  are  growing.  Those  coming  into  bloom  should  be  placed 
more  in  the  centre  of  the  house,  where  they  will  have  a  tempe- 
rature a  few  degrees  higher.  The  middle  of  the  house  will' 
do  for  Camellias,  Oranges,  and  the  softwooded  florists'  and' 
fancy  Pelargoniums.  At  the  warmest  end  keep  the  Boronias, 
Croweas,  and  the  Epacrises  until  the  latter  begin  to  open  their 
flowers,  when  they  may  either  remain,  or  bo  placed  behind  the 
Heaths  or  among  the  Camellias.  The  Camellias  that  are  late 
and  in  good  bud,  that  you  wish  to  come  into  bloom,  may  have 
the  warmest  end,  hut  as  soon  as  the  blooms  begin  to  expand, 
they  will  keep  much  longer  at  the  end  that  is  coolest  and  more 
airy.  Thus,  independently  of  artificial  heat,  merely  by  giving 
more  air  at  one  end  of  a  house  than  another,  a  considerable 
dili'erence  in  temperature  and  atmospheric  moisture  can  be 
obtained  in  the  same  house,  and  plants  will  thrive  all  the- 
better  in  pots  when  frequently  moved,  cleaned,  the  pots  washed, 
the  surface  dressed,  &c. 

Camellias  and  A:aleas. — These  are  themes  that  would  well 
fill  pages,  but  we  can  only  spare  a  few  lines  to  reply  to  "  J.  C." 
Camellias,  properly  speaking,  do  not  like  forcing  in  winter. 
They  open  their  buds  best  and  keep  them  open  the  longest  in 
an  average  temperature  of  45°,  allowing,  of  course,  for  sun- 
shine. The  forcing  that  suits  them,  is  to  have  their  wood  firm 
and  the  buds  set  early  in  summer,  then  they  will  swell  and 
open  their  buds  early  in  winter  and  late  in  autumn.  To  have 
Azaleas  early  in  winter  thoy  should  be  treated  in  the  same 
way  in  spring  and  summer,  and  then  with  well-set  buds  these 
will  soon  swell  and  open  their  buds  when  placed  in  a  moist 
gentle  heat,  and  will  remain  long  in  bloom  when  transferred 
to  the  greenhouse  or  conservatory. — E.  F. 


Death  o?  Mr.  William  Hurst. — It  is  with  much  regret  that 
we  announce  the  decease  of  Mr.  William  Hurst,  senior  partner 
of  the  firm  of  Hurst  &  Son,  seedsmen,  of  6,  Leadenhall  Street, 
City,  which  took  place  at  his  residence,  38,  Highbury  Place,  on 
the  24th  of  December.  Ho  was  C9  years  of  age,  and  had  been- 
ailing  for  the  last  two  years,  and  unable  to  attend  to  business. 


CO\'ENT  GARDEN   MAFJffiT.— December  30. 

TTiTn  the  Christmas  holidavE  has  passed  fiway  what  little  improvoment 
we  had  to  notice  in  business  here,  and  slocka  are  ample.  French  ini- 
portations  are  heavy  and  not  remunerative,  and  the  general  tendency  in 
prices  is  again  downwards. 

FKUIT. 


s.  a. 


Apples %  sieTe    1 

Apricots doz.    0 

Cherries lb.    0 

Chestnuts bueh.  10 


6  to  2 


Cnrrnnts fXs:e;e 

Black do. 

Figs doz. 

FUberts lb. 

Cobs lb. 

Gooseberries    ..  qtzart 

(irapts,  Hothouse.. lb. 

Lemons 100 


Melons each  2 

Nectarines doz.  0 

Oranges 100  2 

Peaches doz.  0 

Pears  (dessert)  .,  doz.  2 

Pine  Apples lb.  S 

Plums 3-i  sieve  0 

Quinces doz.  0 

RnspberrlPB  lb,  0 

Strawberries  . .   per  lb.  0 

Walnuts bush.  10 

do perlOO  1 


d. 

0to5 
0      0 


December  31,  1803.  ] 


JOURNAL  OF   HORTIOULTUliE  AND   COTTAGE  QARDENEB, 


505 


TEOETAStES. 


ArticLokod do7.  8 

Aspamgna  100  10 

Beans,  Kidney  per  hd,  2 

Boot,  Ked doz.  2 

Broccoli baudle  1 

Brns.  Sprouts  J-isievo  2 

Cabbage doz.  1 

OapBiooms 100  0 

Carrots biinob  0 

Cauliflower doz.  o 

Celery bundle  1 

Ctlonmbei'S onch  0 

Endive doz.  2 

Fennel bunch  0 

Garllo lb.  0 

Herbs  bunch  0 

Horseradish  ..  bundle  S 


0to6 
0      0 


3 

8 

2 

0 

2 

0 

0 

G 

2 

1 

0 

0 

U    0 

0    0 

6    0 


Leeks  ..*.....  bnfioh 
Lettuce  ....  per  score 
Mnghrooms ....  pottle 
Mustd.A  Cress,  punnet 

Onions per  bnbhel 

Parsley per  sieve 

Parsnips doz. 

Peas per  quart 

Potatoes bushel 

Kidney do. 

Radishes  doz.  bunches 

Khul)arb bundle 

Sea-kale basket 

Shallots lb. 

Spinach bushel 

Tomatoes....  per  doz. 
Turnips bunch 


H.  d.  n.  d 
0  4  too  R 
2    0      4 


0 
6 
0 
6 
0 
2    0 

0  8 
2    0 

1  0 
0    G 


0 
D 
7 
4 
1 

fi    0 


TRADE   CATALOGUE  RECEIVED. 
Charles  Tamer,   Royal    Narseriea,    Slongb. — CataloQue   of 
Seeds  for  the  Kitchen  Garden,  Flower  Garden,  and  Farm, 


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.     All 
oommunioationa  should  therefore  be  addressed  solely  to 
The  Editors  of  the  Jouitial  of  Horticulture.,  d'C.^  171,  Fleet 
Street,  Londont  E.C. 
We  also  request   that  correspondents  will  not  mis  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. 
Cottage  Gardeners'  Dictionary  (T.  T.).— If  you  send  a  post-office 
order  for  7s.  2d.  you  can  have  it,  with  the  supplement  bound  up  with  it, 
free  by  post.     It  contains  the  names  of  plants  iutroduced  into  Groat 
Britain  down  to  the  end  of  1667,  translations  of  the  generic  and  epocilic 
names,  culture,  insects,  diseases,  operations,  etructuros,  &c. 

Vines  for  a  Greenhouse  [Bath  Subscriber). —'We  presume  you  wish 
to  grow  plants  in  summer  in  addition  to  Grapes  ;  if  so,  your  Vines  must 
be  further  apart  than  if  you  dispense  with  plants  in  summer,  or  grow 
such  as  will  endure  a  consiierable  amount  of  shade.  Mrs.  Pince'a 
Black  Muscat,  Golden  Champion,  and  Royal  Ascot  are  first-rate  Grapes, 
and  will  succeed  in  a  greenbouse,  a  littleassistance  being  j^iven  them  in 
dull  and  cold  periods,  but  we  are  not  prepared  to  say  they  will  ripen  with- 
out heat.  If  yon  have  plants  we  would  not  have  the  Vines  nearer  than 
4  feet  apart,  placing  the  end  ones  1  foot  from  the  ends,  and  allowing 
4  feet  between  each  Vine,  which  will  give  you  eight.  These  may  be— 
four  Black  Hamburgh,  two  Foster's  Wbite  Seedling,  one  Calabrian 
Kaisin,  and  one  Lady  Downe's.  The  size  of  tho  burder  is  ample.  Char- 
coal will  not  answer  as  a  substitute  for  lime  rubbish,  but  it  is  an  excellent 
material  to  form  a  part  of  every  Vine  border ;  one  barrowful  to  every 
nine  of  the  other  material,  will  be  sufficient.  For  lime  rubbish  you  may 
substitute  chLilk,  in  pieces  from  tho  size  of  a  hen's  egg  to  that  of  a 
hazel  nut.    It  may  form  one-sixth  of  (he  whole. 

Sowing  Larch,  Spruce,  Fir,  and  Crab  Seeds  (J.  H.  D.).— The  seed 
of  Firs,  Spruce,  and  Larch  should  be  sown  early  in  March  in  light  sandy 
soil.  Crab  pips  may  bo  sown  now  or  before  March,  and  Hawthorn  haws 
now  or  before  the  time  above  named,  but  the  earlier  the  better.  The 
plants  from  the  latter  will  not  appear  next  year. 

Sowrao  CoLEUs  Seed  (Idem).— The  best  time  to  sow  the  seed  is  early 
in  March,  in  a  hotbed. 

Planting  Stocks  for  Grafting  (Jiifm).— Crab,  Pear,  Plum,  and  Cherry 
stocks  planted  now  may  be  grafted  next  year,  but  are  best  when  estab- 
lished a  year  before  grafting.  The  latter  two  are  better  budded  than 
grafted. 

Box  Edging  (F.  J.).— We  fear  you  have  misunderstood  us.  Wo  did  not 
mean  to  put  an  edging  to  the  grass,  but  to  remove  the  grass  verge,  and 
plant  in  its  place  an  edging  of  Box.  This  may  be  planted  from  tho 
present  time  up  to  April,  and  may  be  kept  very  dwarf  and  neat  by  clip- 
ping as  required.  Wo  think  it  would  please  you  better  than  an  edging  of 
tiles.  Tiles  are  too  cold  and  tame,  and  we  would  not  place  them  where 
Bos  would  live.  In  small  confined  places  grass  edgings  or  verges  are  not 
often  satisfactory,  and  wo  can  with  confidence  recommend  Bos,  though 
if  you  live  in  a  town  and  your  place  is  much  confined  it  will  not  thrive, 
and  you  will  have  no  alternative  but  to  have  tiles  in  place  of  Box. 

White  and  Red  Camellias  for  Standards  in  a  Conservatory  (A.  B.), 
—Alba  plena  or  the  old  Double  White  and  Compicta  alba  are  pood  whites. 
Fimbriata  is  also  good  and  prettily  fringed.  Uampieri  and  Koyauth  are 
good  scarlets.  Monarch,  bright  red,  and  Bealii  or  Leeana  superba  are 
calculated  to  make  good  heads.    They  are  all  decided  in  colour. 

Cultivation  of  Hard-wooded  Plants  {Dulcibclla), — We  fear  we  can 
be  of  Uttle  service  to  you.  Camellias  and  Epacrises  can  be  grown  well 
in  a  greenhouse  amongst  a  miscellaneous  collection  of  other  plants.  A 
separate  house  is  not  required,  though  it  is  well  when  there  is  separate 
accommodation  for  every  description  of  plant.  Oir  advice  is,  etate  fully 
to  your  gardener  whit  you  wish,  and  give  him  to  understand  that  others 
with  the  same  means  as  are  at  his  disposal  have  a  result  such  as  you 
wish  for.  Give  him  "  In-door  Gardeniug,"  which  can  be  had  from  our 
office,  free  by  post,  if  you  enclose  twenty  postnge  stamps  with  your 
address.  Upon  any  question  he  may  not  have  found  treated  of  in  tbe 
Journal  we  shall  be  glad  to  render  what  assistance  we  can. 


Raising  Auriculas  from  Seed  (E.  B.  B.).—li  is  not  an  unusual  occur- 
rence lor  Auricula  seed  iiot  to  grow,  as  that  saved  from  first-rate  flowers 
is  frequently  abortive.  We  have  not  only  been  disappointed  by  seed 
purchased,  but  by  seed  home-saved.  It  should  be  sown  early  in  March 
in  pans  filled  with  light  rich  soil,  covering  it  lightly  with  fine  soil.  It 
should  be  eown  somewhat  thickly,  and  placed  in  a  cold  frame,  keeping 
the  soil  moist  but  not  very  wot,  and  giving  air  abund;intly  after  tho 
plants  appear.  In  froai  eight  to  ten  weeks  they  should  bo  removed  to  a 
shady  situation,  and  in  June  they  will  bo  fit  to  prick  off. 

Covering  Cherry  Tree  with  Frigi-Domo  (J.  ir.  A'.).— Frigi-domo, 
we  think,  is  too  close  a  material  for  covering  Cherry  trees  to  protect  tho 
fruit  from  birds,  and  yet  allow  of  sufficient  air  for  the  fruit  hanging  hite. 
Thin  muslin  or  tiffany  would  be  better,  and  best  of  all  netting  with  hal!- 
iuoh  meshes,  sufficient  to  keep  out  bird-j. 

Fruit- Garden  Arranoesient  (Ji;;torami(a).— Wo  think  your  garden 
well  laid  out,  the  walks  very  conveniently  placed.  On  the  right  hand  of 
tho  walk  No.  2,  tbe  border  behig  15  feet  wide,  we  would  have  two  rows  of 
Pears  on  the  Quince  stock,  planting  tho  first  row  3  feet  from  llio  walk, 
and  allowing  7  feet  from  row  to  row,  and  4A  feet  from  tree  to  trc??.  They 
should  be  pyramids  or  bushes,  whichever  you  prefer,  and  the  kinds — 
Alexandre  Lambrc,  Citron  des  Carmes,  Colmar  d'Et«-,  Williams's  Bon 
Chretien,  Fondaute  d'Automne,  Beurre  Diel,  Eeurre  d'Aremberg,  Ber- 
gamotte  Esperen,  Louise  Bouuo  of  Jersey,  Baronne  de  Mello,  and 
Zephirin  Gregoire.  On  tho  other  side  of  the  walk  No.  2  we  would  havo 
Apple  trees  as  lateral  cordons,  1  foot  from  the  walk,  and  G  feet  apart.  You 
will  see  a  list  of  kinds  at  page  340  of  the  present  volume.  In  the  border 
to  the  right  of  No.  3  walk  we  would  have  pyramid  Apple  trees  at  the  same 
distance  api'.rt  as  the  Pears,  and  on  tho  other  side  continue  the  lateral 
cordon  Apples,  and  we  would  have  them  to  the  right  and  left  of  No.l 
walk.  In  the  border  to  the  right  of  No.  5  walk  we  would  have  a  row  of 
vertical  cordon  Pear  trees,  planting  them  2  feet  apart,  and  the  samo 
distance  from  tho  walk,  and  would  not  allow  them  to  exceed  7  feet  ia 
height.  On  both  sides  of  the  central  walk  No.  4  wo  would  plant  pyramid 
Plum  and  Cherry  trees  on  tbe  Mahalob  stock  6  feet  apart,  and  3  feet  from 
the  walk.  Of  Cherries— May  Duke,  Late  Duke,  and  Florence;  and  of 
Plums— Jefferson,  Kirke's,  Green  Gage,  July  Green  Gage,  aud  Coe's 
Golden  Drop.  The  border  to  the  left  of  No.  1  walk  will  be  suitable  for 
Strawberries,  and  you  may  have  a  row  of  them  to  the  right  of  No.  2, 
3,  and  on  both  sides  of  No.  4  walk,  about  15  iuche^s  from  the  edge  of  tho 
walks,  which  will,  no  doubt,  be  enough.  You  will  by  this  arrangement 
have  the  central  portion  of  two  beds  or  borders— that  is,  between  No.  5 
and  4,  and  between  No.  4  and  3  walks,  for  Raspberries,  Gooseberries,  and 
Currants,  the  latter  two  of  which  should  not  be  nearer  the  other  treea 
than  6  feet,  allo.ving  4^  feet  between  the  rows,  and  3  or  4  feet  between 
the  plants,  according  to  their  size.  Tho  Raspberries  should  be?  feet  from 
the  fruit  trees,  aud  5  feet  ought  to  he  allowed  between  the  rows,  and 
3  feet  between  the  stools.  The  Pears  should  be  on  the  Quince,  tho 
Apples  on  the  English  Paradise  stock,  and  the  Cherries  on  the  Mahaleb. 
We  have  given  what  we  consider  a  fair  i)roportiou  of  each  description  of 
fruit.  The  fan  mode  of  training  is  not  eligible  for  the  form  of  trees 
abovenamed.  You  will  find  a  list  of  tho  trees  best  suited  to  your  pur- 
pose in  page  387-38S,  referred  to  by  you.  The  distances  there  given  for 
the  trees,  &c.,  are,  owiug  to  the  circumstances,  less  than  yours,  but  tho 
latter  are  all  the  better. 

Bottom  Heat  {S.  5.).— We  do  not  see  why  your  plan  will  not  answer. 

Joints  of  Hot-water  Pipes  Leaking  (BeIfaH).—'Vfe  havo  known 
several  cases  of  leakage  when  the  joints  of  hot-water  pipes  were  run 
with  molten  lead.  If  yon  had  rammed  the  joints  well,  as  you  say,  with 
oakum,  and  then  with  lint  and  red  or  white  lead  in  tho  soft  state,  there 
would  have  been  no  leakage.  As  a  partial  remedy  now,  we  would  drive 
the  lead  all  round  as  much  -is  possible,  then  empty  the  pipes  and  use  red 
lead  all  round,  the  more  of  it  the  better.  Let  it  settle  for  twenty-fonr 
hom-3  before  admitting  the  water,  and  then  paint  tho  joints.  If  this  do 
not  answer  vou  will  bave  to  melt  the  lead  in  the  joints  by  meina  of  a 
brazier  of  charcoal  beneath  them,  and  then  fill  as  above,  or  with  iron 
filings  and  ammonia  in  the  usual  way. 

Galvanised  Wire  for  Treb-training  {H.  W.  7J.).— Galvanised  wire 
is  the  best  that  can  be  used  for  training  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees 
against  open  walls.  It  does  not  rust,  and  never  requires  pointing  as  the 
ordinary  wire  does.  We  have  seen  instances  of  the  gumming  and 
cankering  of  the  young  shoots  where  galvanised  wire  has  been  used  (we 
baliovo  the  very  instances  which  have  given  rise  to  its  objection),  the 
cause  of  which  must  ba  ascribed  to  some  other  outward  infiaence. 
Wired  walls  are  very  neat,  and  facilitate  training,  but  tho  trees  trained 
oa  tbem  are  about  as  liable  to  the  attacks  of  insects  as  those  that  are 
nailed  in  the  usual  manner. 

Orchard-hocse  Arrakgement  {-4.  D.).— The  plan  you  propose  will 
answer.  If  your  wall  will  admit  of  it,  have  the  back  wall  12  feet  above 
the  floor,  and  the  front,  partly  of  glass,  from  5  to  6  feet.  You  may  vary 
these  heights  respectively.  We  have  a  useful  house,  height  at  back 
11  feet ;  width.  11  feet ;  height  in  front,  4§  feet.  When  you  have  settletl 
on  the  plane  of  the  roof,  take  length  and  breadth,  and  that  will  show  very 
nearly  the  number  of  feet  of  glass  required.  As  fruit  is  your  object 
have  nothing  to  do  with  a  stage  in  the  house.  Devote  the  back  wall  as 
you  uropose  to  Peach  trees,  and  the  front  of  the  house  to  trees  in  pots 
paitfy  plunged  in  the  ground.  The  simplest  way  to  do  this  is  to  have  a 
narrow  woodea-trellised  path  to  walk  upon  at  3  feet  from  the  back  wall, 
and  then  fill  the  front  thinlv.  In  an  16-fcat  length,  three  Vines  up  the  house 
will  be  better  than  nine,  as  the  more  tho  Vines  shade  the  less  will  the 
other  trees  succeed.  A  small  iron  stove  lined  with  firebrick,  which  will 
co=t  about  50s.,  will  be  the  best  for  heating. 

Persian  Melon  Seed.—*'  A.  A.  C."  and  others  inquire  where  they  can 
purchase  seed  of  the  Persian  Melon,  described  by  Loudon,  and  in  the 
"  Transactions  "  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society.  Wo  shall  be  obliged 
by  a  reply. 

Gra«s  under  a  Tree's  Shade  (H.  W.  BurUigh).—T:hG  Grass  which 
best  endures  such  shade  is  the  Sweet-scented  Vernal  Grass,  Anthosan- 
thum  odoratum.  It  may  be  obtained  true  of  any  of  the  well-known 
seedsmen  who  advertise  in  our  columns.  No  treatment  is  needed  except 
forking  the  surface  just  before  sowing  the  seed  in  early  spring,  and 
rolling  lightly  after  sowing. 

Insects  (A.  T.  E.).— The  insect  you  have  Sent,  which  clusters  very 
thickly  in  warm  places  in  cracks  and  crevicea  about  your  house  (having 


506 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOETICULTURE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDBNEB.' 


[  December  31,  1868. 


apparently  made  their  first  appearance  dui-inR  the  past  summerl,  ia  th^  I  must  he  attacked  in  the  same  way  as  the  common  cockroach.  BoUing 
Blatta  lapponica,  a  small  species  of  cockroach,  common  in  Lapland  and  water  or  phosphorus  paste,  to  be  had  at  any  chemist's,  will  destroy  them, 
the  north  of  Europe,  which  is  occasionally  met  with  in  this  country.    It  '  — W. 


METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  in  the  Suburbs  of  London  for  the  week  ending  December  a9th. 


DATS. 

TBERMOUETEB. 

Rain  In 
inoheg. 

Qenebal  Reuabes. 

BAROSETBB. 

Air. 

Earth. 

Wind. 

Mai. 

Mln. 

Max. 

Min. 

in.  dp. 

i  ft.  dp. 

Wed. .  23 
Thuis.  24 
Fri.    .  25 
Sat.    .  26 
SuD.  .  27 
Mon.  .  28 
Tnes..  29 

Mean 

29.132 
29.704 
29.S21 
29.600 
29.139 
29.346 
29.801 

28  999 
28  896 
29.119 
29.216 
28.820 
29.165 
28.967 

60 
62 
60 
54 
48 
49 
48 

28 
82 
36 
40 
32 
34 
24 

49 
48 
45 
46 
48 
45 
44 

47 
47 
46 
46 
45 
4.3 
44 

w. 
s.w. 

w. 
s.w. 

w. 

s. 

S.E. 

.32 
.03 
.00 
.64 
.04 
.04 
.60 

Densely  overcast ;  fine;  cloudy;  clear  and  fine. 

Cloudy  but  fine  ;  showery  ;  boisterous,  clear  and  fine. 

Clear  and  fine  ;  very  fine  ;  fine  and  very  clear. 

Fine  ;  clear  and  fine  ;  showery,  boisterous  with  rain. 

Boisterous  with  rain  ;  showery  ;  barometer  very  low,  very  boisterouB. 

Very  boisterous  ;  showery  ;  exceedingly  boisterous  at  4  p.m.,  overcast. 

Rain ;  very  dark,  heavy  rain  ;  clear  and  frosty. 

29.349 

29.026 

50.14 

32.14 

46.43 

45.71 

1.66 

POTLTRY,  BEE,  and  HOUSEHOLD  CHRONICLE. 


PROTEST  AGAINST  TRIMMING  FOWLS  FOR 
EXHIBITION. 
We,  the  nndereigned  exhibitors  of  poultry,  desire  to  record 
onr  emphatic  protest  against  the  widely  prevalent  and  fast  in- 
creasing practice  of  trimming  or  altering  the  plnmage  of  fowls 
for  exhibition.  We  cannot  but  feel  that  such  practices  are  not 
only  in  themselves  fraudulent  and  UEJupt,  but  tend  to  place  all 
real  amateurs  at  the  mercy  of  a  few  skilled  and  nnscrupuloua 
individnals  ;  and  if  unchecked  by  ocmmiltees  and  judges,  must 
ultimately  so  degrade  the  character  of  poultry  exhibitions  that 
no  honourable  man  will  take  part  in  them. 

We  consider  that  to  make  any  alteration  in  the  plnmage  or 
appearance  of  fowls  beyond  washing  and  cleansing,  or  the  re- 
moval of  an  occasional  damaged  feather,  with  the  sole  ex- 
ceptions of  dubbing  Game  or  Game  Bantams  and  dressing  the 
faces  of  Spanish,  is  fraudulent,  and  should  be  dealt  with  in 
every  case  by  disqualification,  and  publication  of  the  offender's 
name— such  penalty  to  be  as  far  as  possible  inflicted  by  the 
judges  themselves,  but  to  be  enforced  by  the  committee  of  a 
show  in  case  of  oversight,  if  proved  to  their  satisfaction,  even 
after  the  awards  are  made. 

And  without  binding  ourselves  at  present  to  any  specifio  line 
of  action,  we  pledge  ourselves  in  general  to  oppose  both  judges 
and  exhibitions  which  shall  refuse  to  carry  out  these  moderate 
conditions,  and  to  support  by  all  means  in  our  power  such  as 
shall,  by  their  action,  prove  their  anxiety  to  promote  fair  and 
honourable  ct.mpetiiion.         (Signed) 

Elizabeth  Allsopp,  Hindlip  Hall,  Worcester. 
•T.  W.  Amis. 

William  Blinkhom,  Waterdale,  St.  Helen's. 

John  Bowen  (the  Rev.),  Llangorse  Vicarage,  Talgarth. 

M.  Brookbbank,  Manchester. 
•Louisa  Cbarteris  (Ladj),  Eccles  Hall,  Attleborougb. 

A.  K.  Cornwall  (the  Bev.),  Bencombe,  Dursley. 
•Frederick  Crook,  Forest  Hill. 

James  F.  Dixon,  Cotgrave,  Nottingham. 

James  Ellis  (the  Eev.),  Bracknell. 

W.  Baker  Etches,  Wbitchurch  Salop. 

H.  W.  Fitzwilliam  (the  Hon.),  Wentworth  Woodhouse. 

W.  C.  W.  Fitzwilliam  (the  Hon.),  Wentworth  Woodhouse. 

John  Gardiner,  Beaufort  House,  Terrell  Street,  Bristoh 

L.  Harvey,  Miss,  Sarisbury,  Southampton. 

Francis  B.  Heald  (the  Kev.),  Whitemoor,  Nottingham. 

Alfred  Heath,  Calne. 

A.  Herbert.  Egham,  Surrey. 

Edmund  Herbert,  Powiek,'  Worcester. 

Sarah  E.  Herbert,  ditto. 

•Joseph  Hinton,  Hinton,  near  Bath. 

Alice  Hurt,  Alderwasley,  Derby. 

J.  E.  Jessop,  Beverley  Eoad,  Hull. 

Keith  Jopp,  Aberdeen. 

H.  B.  Lane  (Lieut.-Col.),  Bracknell. 

Edward  Leech,  Greave  House,  Eochdale. 

Henry  Lingwood,  Barking. 

Horace  Lingwood,  Martlesbam,  Woodbridge. 

G.  Leicester  Macpherson,  Bracknell. 

H.  M.  Mnjnard,  Holmewood,  Ejde,  Isle  of  Wight. 

John  F.  Newttn  (the  Eev.),  Kirkby-in-Cleveland. 

John  Pares,  Postford,  near  Guildford. 


•F.  Powell,  Knaresborough. 

John  Eobinson,  Vale  House,  Garstang. 

John  E.  Eodbard,  Aldwick  Court,  Wrington. 

H.  Sbumack,  Southwell,  Notts. 

Oriah  Spary,  Dunstable. 

Henry  V.  Story. 

Thomas  Stretch,  Ormskirk. 

John  Stuart,  Thistlebank,  Helensburgh,  N.B. 
•M.  Sugden  (the  Hon.  Mrs  ),  Wells. 

♦Frank  Taylor  (the  Eev.)  Kiikandrew's  Eectory,  Longtown. 
•  F.  Tearle  (the  Eev.),  Gazeley  Vicarage,  Newmarket. 

W.  H.  Tomlinson,  Newark. 
•Tumour   (the  Eight   Hon.  Viscount),   Shillinglee    Park, 
Petworth. 

Eichard  White,  Broomhall  Park,  Sheffield. 

Eobert  B.  Wood,  Woodland  Park,  Uttoxeter. 

Lewis  Wright,  Kingadown,  Bristol. 

William  Wjkes  Wolvey,  Hinckley. 
The  exhibitors  whose  names  arc  accompanied  by  an  ajterisk  (*), 
have  specially  requested  that  they  should  be  distinguished  as  includ- 
ing the  dressing  of  Spanish  faces  in  their  protest  against  trimming ; 
and  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  half  the  remainder  wonld  have  done 
so  bad  there  been  time  to  consult  them  on  the  point.  Having  the 
chief  resijonsibility  of  drawing  up  the  terms  of  the  above,  I  can  only 
say  that  in  inserting  the  above  exception,  I  was  guided  solely  by 
what  I  thought  practicable,  being  perfectly  conscious  that  the  practice 
of  trimming  Spanish  is  in  itself  utterly  incapable  of  defence.  But 
there  are  some  peculiar  facts  in  this  special  case.  An  exhibitor  who 
signs  this  document,  some  time  since  protested  repeatedly  against  the 
practice  in  vain.  He  did  more,  he  persevered  (heroically,  I  consider), 
in  showing  undressed  birds,  losing  invariably,  for  a  long  time.  It  is 
within  my  own  personal  knowledge,  that  a  wcll-tnown  judge  expressed 

hid  opinion  at  a  first-class  show,  to  the  effect  that  Mr. "  deserved 

to  lose  for  not  trimming  his  faces  Hke  the  rest  did."  [!]  Whether  this 
opinion  came  to  that  gentleman's  ears  I  cannot  say,  but  at  length  he 
got  weary  of  protesting,  and  publicly  announced,  through  the  recog- 
nised organs  of  the  fancy,  that  he  should  in  fnture  trim,  as  he  found 
it  was  no  longer  considered  dishonourable.  He  immediately  began  to 
take  prizes,  and  after  trying  both  plans,  wi-ites  me  in  the  note  ac- 
companying his  signature,  he  does  not  consider  that  "  the  beauty  of 
the  birds  ran  be  seen  witho\;t  it."  Now,  remembering  the  facts  stated 
above,  which  may  be  new  to  some,  I  can  hardly  put  him  on  the  same 
level  with  a  man  who  fastens  a  false  tail  to  a  Game  Bantam.  He 
was  literally  driven  into  trimming  by  the  judges  themselves.  At  the 
same  time  I  must  express  my  entire  concurrence  in  the  opinion,  that 
Spanish  fowls,  equally  with  others,  ought  to  be  shown  in  a  natural 
state,  and  that,  if  not  hopeless,  this  practice  also  should  be  put  down. 
But  while  I  believe  we  have  trimming  in  general  very  much  in  our 
own  power  to  stamp  out,  even  if  judges  will  not  act.  this  particular 
point  seems  to  me,  so  far  as  regards  the  possibility  of  abolishing  it, 
to  rest  entirely  with  the  judges,  seeing  that  there  is  no  sense  of  fraud 
on  the  part  of  Spanish  exhibitors  to  appeal  to. 

I  wish  also  to  say,  that  ''  publication  of  the  offender's  name  "  we  only 
regard  as  possibly  necessary  if  honest  exhibitors  be  driven  to  extre- 
mities. If  judges,  now  their  attention  ia  drawn  to  the  matter,  nee 
their  power  and  influence  legitimately,  as  we  trust  they  will,  the 
simple  ticket  of  disqualification  on  the  pen  at  a  show  will  be  enough. 
The  pen  may  even,  as  I  have  been  reminded  by  an  eminent  judge,  and 
an  equally  eminent  exhibitor,  have  been  just  previously  purchased,  and 
shown  quite  innocently,  and  in  any  case  I  w  ould  never  debar  an  offender, 
however  gross,  from  acknowledging  his  error,  and  showing  again. 

I  am  most  anxious  to  disclaim  any  idea  of  casting  censure  on  those 
gentlemen  who  perform  the  arduous  duties  of  either  judges  or  com- 
mittees. The  evU  practice  in  qnestion  has  been  so  gradually  and  in- 
sidiously increasing,  that  it  was  very  possible  till  quite  lately  scarcely 
to  notice  it.  Then,  one  of  our  best  judges  did  express  to  a  friend  of 
mine  his  intention  to  "  disqualify  right  and  left,"  at  Birmingham,  if 


December  SI,  1888.  ] 


jocrnaij  op  horticulture  and  cottage  gardener. 


607 


needful.  That  he  did  not,  I  can  only  tittributo  to  tlio  fact  that  trim- 
ming there  was  bo  pros3  and  general,  ho  may  have  been  fairly 
frighteuod  at  the  task  before  him.  I  know  what  jadging  often  is,  and 
that  llio  lirst  jud(;o  who  shall  do  his  duty  may  expect  eneh  a  "  black- 
guarding  "  as  any  gentleman  may  be  jiardoncd  for  shrinking  from. 
Still,  tnith  is  truth,  and  the  last  paragraph  was  chielly  meant  as  an 
assnraneo  to  arbitrators,  that  whattver  the  conFeqiienco  may  be  of 
doing  justice,  they  shall  havo  the  support  of  the  best  names  in  the 
fancy.  And  only  in  the  improbable  event  of  their  deliberate  refusal, 
now  that  at^mtion  has  been  drawn  to  the  matter,  to  act  righteously, 
will  any  censnre  attach  to  them  in  the  matter. 

Finally,  Ijet  mo  apologise  to  any  who  may  not  have  received  a  copy 
of  the  protest  for  signature.  It  has  been  conducted  entirely  by  corre- 
spondence, and  mere  number  of  names  was  no  particular  object.  In 
some  cases  former  acquaintances  or  friendly  intercotvse  guided  the  ap- 
plication ;  but  want  of  time  on  my  own  part,  and  an  anxiety  to  publish 
the  document  at  least  before  the  last  great  show  of  the  season,  pre- 
Tented  many  desirable  names  from  even  receiving  a  copy.  I  can  only, 
while  recording  the  fact  thaj  nearly  all  applied  to  have  gladly  signed, 
most  of  them  adding  kind  expressions  of  the  warmest  sympathy,  ask 
those  who  have  not  had  an  opportunity  of  doing  so,  to  accept  my  sincere 
aiiologics  for  the  ajjparent  neglect,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  Editors 
will,  if  any  desire  it,  add  their  names  in  a  Babsoijuent  list,  as  desirous 
of  joining  in  the  movement. — Nemo. 

[We  will  readily  publish  not  only  additional  names,  but  sug- 
gestions towards  preventing  the  fraudulent  practices  thus  pro- 
tested against.  Vfe  would  not  admit  any  exceptions  except 
those  relating  to  dubbing. — Eds.] 


THE  BIRMINGHAM  MEETING  OF  POULTRY 
EXHIBITORS. 

Allow  me  to  suggest  the  following  additions  to  the  resolu- 
tions unanimously  adopted  at  the  above  meeting — viz. 

1st,  The  judges,  without  knowledge  of  the  names  or  residences 
of  exhibitors,  shall  award  the  prizes  by  reference  to  the 
number  affixed  to  each  pen,  and  solely  in  accordance  with  the 
merits  of  the  birds. 

2nd,  No  exhibitor,  or  other  person,  shall  be  allowed  to  be 
present  while  the  judges  are  making  their  awards. 

3rd,  That  the  secretary  and  other  officials  immediately  con- 
nected with  the  show,  be  prohibited  from  exhibiting  either  in 
their  own  names  or  in  those  of  other  persons. 

I  think  the  necessity  of  these  restrictions  will  be  acknow- 
ledged by  tho  great  majority  of  exhibitors,  for  what  can  be 
more  unsatisfactory  than  the  plan  at  present  generally  fol- 
lowed? A  catalogue  containing  the  names  of  all  exhibitors, 
with  the  numbers  of  their  pens,  is  published  before  the  awards 
are  made,  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  judge,  who  makes  his 
awards,  marking  off  the  prizes  on  the  margin  opposite  to  each 
name.  Of  this  fact  I  have  the  strongest  evidence,  in  one  case 
at  least,  and  there  is  a  general  feeling  amongst  exhibitors  that 
it  is  the  rule,  and  not  the  exception,  at  our  local  shows.  How 
much  better  to  do  away  with  all  suspicion  of  unfairness  by 
adopting  Eule  1.  However  just  our  judges  may  be,  and  I  for 
one  believe  that  as  a  rule  they  conscientiously  award  the 
prizes  acooiding  to  the  merits  of  the  specimens,  judges  are 
mortals,  and  a  great  name  in  any  particular  class  may  exercise 
an  influence  of  which  even  the  judge  himself  is  almost  un- 
aware. 

The  practice  condemned  in  Rule  3,  has  increased  so  much  of 
late,  and  is  so  very  objectionable,  that  two  opinions  can  hardly 
exist  respecting  it.  In  the  early  days  of  my  exhibiting,  even 
members  of  the  committee  were  too  modest  to  exhibit  their 
own  birds.  Eule  2  requires  no  defence ;  except,  perhaps, 
where  one  judge  only  is  employed,  an  assistant  should  be 
allowed. 

lu  the  hope  that  Mr.  Walker  may  undertake  the  somewhat, 
I  fear,  difficult  task  of  miking  these  few  additions  to  the 
excellent  resolutions  published  in  your  last  number,  I  beg  to 
ask  him  to  add  my  name  to  his  list  of  approvers. — George 
BAiyoB,  Bordyke,  Tonbridge. 


OAKHAM  POULTRY  SHOW. 
When  men  have  given  much  time  and  care  for  no  other 
purpose  than  for  the  public  good,  they  are  surely  entitled  to 
the  sympathy,  if  not  the  praise  and  thanks,  of  those  for  whom 
they  have  more  particularly  laboured  ;  yet  there  are  some 
who  are  always  too  glad  and  ready  to  heap  insult  upon  injury, 
and  pronounce  everything  sour  they  cannot  grasp.  As  one  of 
the  committee  of  the  Oikhara  Poultry  Show,  I  must  select  a 
few  of  the  many  complimentary  remarks  accorded  to  us  by 


exhibitors  who  have  written  in  those  terms  since  the  close  of 
our  exhibition.  Ist,  Dr.  Campbell  writes,  "I  was  much 
pleased  with  the  condition  the  birds  returned  in  from  Oakham, 
contrasting  most  favourably  with  some  other  shows."  '2nd, 
Mr.  W.  Tickner,  "  Allow  mo  at  the  same  time  to  thank  yon  for 
tho  care  bestowed  on  my  fowls,  they  arrived  home  quite  safe, 
apparently  none  the  worse  for  their  long  journey."  :ird,  the 
Rev.  G.  Baynor,  Tonbridge,  "  And  to  thank  you  for  the  care 
bestowed  on  my  birds,  which  reached  home  in  excellent  con- 
dition." 4th,  Mr.  Tomlinson,  Newark,  "  I  am  obliged  for  the 
attention  my  birds  had  whilst  at  your  show,  and  fur  the  good 
condition  I  received  them  in  on  their  return."  5th,  Mr.  G.  W. 
Boothby,  Louth,  "  I  received  the  fowls  back  again  in  very  good 
condition."  Surely  I  need  quote  no  more  from  such  letters, 
because  I  feel  these  are  already  more  than  enough  to  prove 
that  great  care  and  attention  were  paid  to  the  many  valuable 
birds  entrusted  to  our  care  at  the  late  exhibition,  contrary  to 
the  assertion  put  forth  in  your  impression  of  December  10th, 
by  your  correspondent  "  J.  W." 

I  make  bold  to  say  we  afford  such  comfort  to  all  birds  sent 
us  as  is  seldom  afforded  at  other  shows,  and  to  which  comfort 
I  very  much  attribute  their  clean  and  capital  appearance  and 
condition  when  reaching  their  owners  again — viz.,  that  we 
have  some  good,  clean,  dry  straw  cut  into  long  chaff,  and 
their  pens  kept  constantly  and  well  bedded,  thereby  keeping 
their  feathers  from  getting  dirty,  and  making  their  new  lodg- 
ings quite  warm  and  comfortable. — WiLLisGH.iM  Fowlee. 


NOTES  AT  LEIGHTON   BUZZARD. 

A  VISIT  to  the  Leighton  Buzzard  Poultry  iShow  has  suggested 
one  or  two  points  to  my  mind,  which  you  may  consider  worthy 
of  notice  in  your  Journal. 

First,  the  Corn  Exchange  in  which  the  Show  was  held  is  ad- 
mirably adapted  for  the  purpose.  A  handsome  building  in  itself, 
it  aff  irds  ample  light  and  air,  while  the  birds  are  exposed  to  no 
risk,  such  as  appears  to  have  been  the  case  at  Ashfoid  and  Oak- 
ham. All  the  pens  could  be  readily  inspected,  and  the  arrange- 
ments generally  were  good.  Great  credit  is  due  to  Mr.  Gotto, 
the  Si-cretary,  upon  whom  the  lion's  share  of  the  work  seems  to 
have  fallen,  and  who  was  indefatigable  in  his  endeavours  to  make 
matters  work  well,  and,  moreover,  succeeded.  I  was  glad  to  find 
that  the  entries  were  one  hundred  more  in  number  than  last 
year,  and  that  the  frnauoial  success  of  the  Exhibition  was  as- 
sured. 

One  change,  however,  might  be  made  with  advantage  before 
next  yeir.  In  the  nrize  list  it  was  stated,  that  prizes  in  certain 
classes  would  be  awarded  to  a  "a  cnck  and  one  hen."  To  my 
surprise  I  found  cockerels  and  pullets  entered  in  these  classes, 
and  some  of  them  noticed  by  the  Judge.  Of  this  I  do  not  com- 
plain ;  it  would,  however,  simplify  matters,  and  probably  in- 
crease the  entries,  if  in  future  the  words  "  of  any  age,"  were 
added.  Had  they  been  so  in  this  case,  I  certainly  should  have 
sent  some  birds  which  remained  in  their  yards. 

A  question  arose  there  upon  whicli  I  should  like  to  have  the 
opinion  of  experienced  fanciers.  "  What  fault  can  you  find," 
I  asked  of  an  eminent  breeder  wlio  is  probably  one  of  the  best 
judges  in  England,  "with  those  birds?"  pointing  to  some 
Dorking  cockerels' which  I  happen  to  know. 

"  They  are  excellent  birds,  one  of  them  particularly,  just  the 
colour  I  like,  with  a  faultless  comb ;  but  there  is,  I  fear,  some- 
thing wrong  in  your  breed.  They  each  have  a  white  feather  in 
their  tails." 

"  Surely  this  is  no  defect  in  Col  )ured  Dorkings,"  said  I.  "  In 
Silvers,  I  admit  a  white  feather  is  fatal  to  success ;  but  the  case 
here  is  different." 

"  Go  to  the  large  shows,"  he  replied,  "  and  you  will  nerer 
see  a  prize  bird  with  a  white  feather  in  his  tail." 

Puzzled  and  somewhat  concerned,  I  mentioned  the  matter  to 
another  friend,  one  or  two  of  whose  birds  were  noticed  this  year 
at  Birmingham. 

"  I  think  Mr. is  wrong,  white  feathers  are  quite  aUowabl* 

in  Coloured  Dorkings." 

Arrived  at  home,  I  went  to  my  poultry  shelf,  and  turning  to 
"  Baily  on  Fowls,"  read  as  follows--"  Exhibition  fowls,  Dork- 
ings, cocks,  black,  or  black  and  white  breast  and  tail,  light 
hackle  and  saddle."  Not  content  with  this,  I  proceeded  to  con- 
sult Mrs.  Ferguson  Blair,  who  in  her  "  Henwife,"  writes  thus — 
"  Tail,  black,  large,  and  sweeping ;  a  white  feather  will  not  cast 
an  otherwise  perfect  bird." 

Here  the  doctors  somewhat  differ,  which  of  them  is  right 


508 


JOUBNAL  OF  HOETICULTOKE   AND   COTTAGE   G-ABDENBE. 


[December  31,1868. 


My  own  opinion,  I  confess,  is  in  favour  of  the  lady,  but  I  should 
like  to  hear  what  the  learned  eay  on  the  Eubject. — E.  M.  IS.  A. 

[When  there  is  but  one  class  for  a  breed,  it  is  understood  that 
all  ages  are  eligible  to  compete.  The  words  cock  and  hen  are 
not  indicative  of  anything  but  sex.  We  fear  "  one  of  the  best 
judges  in  England"  enjoy.)  a  reputation  he  does  not  deserve, 
and  that  he  visits  very  few  of  the  large  shows.  White  feathers 
are  not  even  a  disadvantage  in  the  Coloured  Dorting  classes,  and 
the  breeders  of  Silver-Greys  know  how  often  they  are  produced, 
oven  by  their  best  and  purest  birds. 

The  truth  is,  Dortings  are  not  birds  of  feather.  The  Silver- 
Grey  class  was  formed  to  meet  the  views  of  those  who  believed 
in  colour,  and  the  most  successful  know  better  than  anyone  else, 
that  white  tail  feathers  will  come. 

It  was  attempted  both  in  Scotland  and  Ireland,  to  admit  none 
to  be  genuine  but  the  Silver-Greys.  Those  who  did  so,  however, 
have  given  way,  little  by  little,  till  white  feathers  are  overlooked. 
They  are  as  wise  as  the  llahommedans,  who  beg  their  prophet  to 
shut  his  eyes  when  they  drink  wine.] 


TRIMMING  AND  OTHER  ARTIFICES  AT  SHOWS. 

EvEEY  honest  exhibitor  will  rejoice  at  "  Nemo's  "  pluck— not 
at  the  feathers,  but  in  bearding  some  of  the  esUibitore.  The 
remarks  of  "our Editors,"  appended  to  Mr.  Stewart's  defence (!), 
are,  I  humbly  think,  perfectly  just.  I  confess  I  would  go 
further  than  "  Keho  "  proposes  to  go.  I  have  before  now  in 
the  pages  cf  "our  Journal  "  expressed  my  own  opinion  that  all 
trimming,  except  of  on  occasional  foul  feather,  is  unlawful, 
and  should  be  a  disqualification.  In  the  case  of  the  vulture 
hock,  the  diecovery  of  the  practice,  especially  in  heavily- 
feathered  specimens,  seems  to  prove  what  I  long  ago  main- 
tained in  the  vulture-hock  controversy,  that  heavy-leg  feather- 
ing and  covered  hecks  go  together;  that,  in  fact,  the  former 
depends  somewhat  on  the  latter.  I  have  seen  beautiful  first- 
prize  Brahmas  in  their  pens  heavily  feathered,  and  I  have  felt 
convinced  that  the  hocks  were  tampered  with.  Some  of  them, 
possibly,  might  not  have  had  an  objectionable  vulture  hock, 
and  I  cannot  but  think  the  "  plucking  "  practice  has  arisen  in 
consequence  of  the  extreme  views  of  some  judges  on  the  matter 
of  hock  feathers.  Be  this  as  it  may,  there  is  no  question  that 
it  is  high  time  the  practice  were  put  an  end  to. 

We  must  not,  however,  stop  at  the  hocks.  A  friend  oi  mine 
called  on  a  Hamburgh  brteder,  whose  name  is  often  seen  in 
the  prize  lists.  Comb-trimming  vras  going  on  at  the  time.  A 
noted  judge  once  said  in  my  hearing,  "  Ah  !  that  is  a  very  fair 
bird,  but  he  has  a  twisted  comb.  If  I  had  him,  I  would  set  it 
right  in  a  month,  and  it  should  never  droop  again.''  Now,  is 
this  just?  Is  it  just  to  remove  a  sprig  from  a  Dorking  or 
Spanish  cock's  comb?  I  ask  for  information,  -\gain,  is  it 
allowable  to  remove  the  horns  of  a  Polish  cock  ?  they  are  very 
objectionable.  I  myself  think  it  decidedly  nnjust.  Birds  re- 
served wholly  for  breeding  may  be  served  as  we  like.  There 
may  be  reasons  why  we  should  remove  defects  from  the  eyes  of 
the  hens.  I  cannot  see  why  Spanish  and  Game  should  be  exempt 
from  censure.  It  is  the  allowing  it  in  these  breeds  that  has  led 
to  its  adoption  in  others.  I  should  like  to  see  Game  fowls  exhi- 
bited undubbed ;  indeed,  there  is  no  question  that  dubbing  a 
Game  cock  gives  it  an  advantage  in  a  cup  competition  possessed 
by  no  other  breed.  The  Game  cock  may  haVe  owned  a  comb 
exceedingly  objectionable,  but  the  clever  dubber  has  removed 
all  traces  of  the  defect.  Undubbed,  the  Game  bird  must  have 
resigned  the  "  pride  of  place;"  this  I  consider  an  unfair  ad- 
vantage. We  have  shaken  off  the  trammels  of  the  cockpit, 
why  should  we  retain  the  dubbing  and  trimming  which  ori- 
ginated there  ? 

If  Committees  intend  to  disqualify  for  trimming,  it  should 
be  a  rale  that  notice  of  the  reason  for  disqualification  should  be 
affixed  to  that  pen,  and  entered  in  the  prize  list.— Y.  B.  A.  Z. 


birds  which  they  cannot  examine.  If  judges  do  not  disapprove 
of  such  practices,  it  ought  to  be  so  stated,  in  order  that  all 
exhibitors  may  trim  at  their  own  discretion. — H.  C.  Woodcock, 
Rearsby,  Leicester. 


Will  you  allow  me  to  add  my  thanks  to  "  Nemo  "  for  his 
jtist  remarks  in  your  valuable  Journal  upon  the  unfair  and 
dishonest  practice  of  trimming  birds  at  poultry  exhibitions  ? 
At  the  last  Birmingham  Poultry  Show  I  purchased  by  auction 
a  Cochin-Cbina  cock  for  £7  15s.  When  he  arrived  at  home, 
and  could  be  examined,  to  my  great  disappointment  I  found 
that  a  number  of  feathers  had  been  removed  from  his  hocks, 
and  have  no  doubt  he  is  naturally  a  vulture-hocked  bird,  and  a 
bird  I  should  not  have  purchased  with  such  an  cbjeotionable 
defect.  Unless  some  notice  be  taken  of  these  dishonest  prac- 
tices by  the  judges  of  poultry,  it  will  deter  many  from  buying 


MANCHESTER  POULTRY   SHOW. 

This  great  Show  was  held  in  the  Zoological  Gardens,  Belle  Vue, 
Manchester,  on  the  21tb,  26tli,  and  '23tli  of  December.  The  entries  &f 
poultry  amounted  to  10G3,  of  Pigeons  to  316.  The  follc^ing  list  of 
the  awards,  from  its  length,  and  the  names  which  it  contains,  is  of 
itself  a  testimony  of  the  general  merit  of  the  Show,  and  we  hope  to  give 
farther  details  next  week. 

Dorkings  (Coloured,  except  Siiver-Grey).—Coci-.— First,  Admiral  W. 
Hcrnby,  Kuowsley  Cottage,  Pre&cot.  Second,  J.  Longland,  GrendoQ, 
Northamijton.  Third,  J.  Martin.  Claincs,  Worcester.  Highly  Com- 
mended. T.  Statter,  Stand  Hall.  Whitcfield,  Manchester.  Commended, 
Mrs.  F.  S.  Arkwrigbt,  Etwall  Hall,  Derby.  Hen.!.— First,  Admiral  W. 
Hornby.  Second,  G.  Clarke,  Long  Sutton.  Third.  Dnkeof  Newcastle, 
Clumber.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  F.  S.  Arkwrigbt ;  B.  Smalley, 
Lancaster ;  J.  White,  Warbiby  ;  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam,  Wentworth 
Woodhouse.  Commended,  A.  Bamford,  Middleton,  Manchester;  T. 
Statter  ;  L.  Patton,  Bishop's  Uall,  near  Taimton. 

Dorkings  (Coloured,  except  Silver-Grev).— Cocfcerf ^— Firs  T.  Statter. 
Second,  E.  Ryder,  Hanytown  Hall,  Stockport.  Third,  Mrs.  F.  S.  Ark- 
wrigbt. Highly  Cf'ttmended,  D.  Hardie,  Sorbie,  Langbolm ;  Mrs.  F.  S. 
AvkwTJght;  Admiral  W.  Hornby;  L.  Patton.  Commended,  Mrs.  F.  S. 
Arkwrigbt.  Pullets. — First,  Mrs.  Arkwrigbt.  Second,  Admiral  W.  Hornby. 
Third,  Hon.  H.  W.  Fitzwilliam.  Highly  Commendel,  Duke  of  Newcastle ; 
F.  Scbofield,  Brookfield,  Wilmslow  ;  "T.  Statter;  Miss  Milne,  Otterburn  ; 
T.  Raines,  Bridge  Haugb,  Stirling ;  J.  Martin ;  J.  White ;  Hon.  H.  W. 
Fitz«-illi9m;  H.  Pickles,  jun.,  Earby,  Skipton.  Commended,  Mrs.  F.  S. 
Arkwrigbt. 

Dorkings  (Rose-combed). — First,  J,  Martin,  Second,  Duke  of  New- 
castle. 

DoRKiXGS  (Silver-Grey>.  — Cod-.  — First,  B.  Smalley.  Second,  T.  L. 
Jackson,  Bush  of  Ewes,  Langholm.  Third,  C.  W.  Brierley,  MiddletOQ. 
Highly  Commended,  Mrs.  F.  S.  Arkwrigbt ;  S.  H.  Stott,  Rochdale.  Com- 
mended, W.  H.  King,  MoE.s  MUls,  Rochdale.  Bern  or  Pullets.— Fiist,  T. 
Raines,  Kyue,  Isle  of  Wight.  Second,  Rev.  W.  J.  Mellor.  Third,  T.  L. 
Jackson.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Longland;  R.  Smalley;  T.  Statter. 

Dorkings  (White).— First,  H.  Lingwood,  Barking,  Needham  Market, 
Second,  D.  Parsons,  Guerdon,  Preston.  Commended,  J.  Eobinsoni 
Garstang. 

Spanish. — Cocfc.— First,  Hon.  Miss  Douglas  Pennant,  Penrhyn  Castle, 
Bangor.  Second,  E.  Brown,  Sheffield.  Third,  H.  Beldon,  Goitstock, 
Eingley.  Commended,  W.  A.  Taylor,  Manchester.  Hens. — First,  H. 
Beldon.  Second,  J.  Thresh,  Bradford.  Third,  T.  &  E.  Comber, 
Myddleton  Hall,  Wan-ington.  Highly  Commended,  W.  A.  Taylor;  Hon. 
Miss  Douglas  Pennant;  J.  S.  Senior,  Dewsbury;  J.  Newton,  Silsden, 
Leeds.    Commended,  E.  Brown  ;  Hon*  Miss  Douglas  Pennant. 

Spanish. — Cockerel. — First  and  Second,  R.  Teebay,  Fulwood,  Preston. 
Third,  T.  &  E.  Comber.  Highly  Commended,  H.  Eeldon  ;  W.  E.  Boll ; 
W.  Eoui',  Bristol;  Burch  &  Boulter,  Sheffield.  Commended,  W.  A. 
Taylor;  R.  Teebay.  fiiUf Is.— First  and  Third,  J.  Thresh,  Bradford. 
Second.  T.  &  E.  Comber.  Highly  Commended,  A.  Heath,  Calno ;  W. 
Roue ;  W.  A.  Taylor ;  E.  Teebay ;  J.  Newton.  Commended,  J.  Walker, 
Burslem. 

CocBiN-CnrNA  (Cinnamon  and  Buff}.—  Cock.  — First,  W.  A.  Taylor. 
Second,  H.  Mapplebeck,  Moaelev,  Birmingham.  Third,  Mrs.  R.  White, 
Sheffield.  Highly  Commended,  j.  C.  Brierley,  Lanriston  House,  Roch- 
dale :  Duke  of  Newcastle  ;  H.  Mapplebeck  ;  C.  W.  Brierley  ;  C.  Sidgwick, 
Ryddlesden  Hall,  Keighley;  W.  A.  Taylor;  Mrs.  E.  White.  Hens.— First,  3. 
Sichel,  Timperley.  Second  and  Third,  H.  Mapplebeck.  Highly  Com- 
mended, T.  Eott,  Woodlands,  Bury;  C.  W.  Brierley;  W.  A.  Taylor;  J. 
Cattell,  Birmingham;  Mrs.  R.  White;  J.  Dyson,  Glossop.  Commended, 
Duke  of  Newcastle. 

Cochin-China  (Cinnamon  and  Buff).— PuHc's.— First,  H.  Mapplebeck. 
Second,  Mrs.  A.  Woodcock,  Rearsby.  Third,  F.  W.  Bust,  Hastings. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  C.  Brierley;  A.  Darby,  Bridgenorth;  Mrs.  A. 
V/oodcock;  Mrs.  Christy,  Glyndebourne,  Lewes.  Commended,  C.  W. 
Brierley;  H.  Mapplebeck;  T.  Stretch,  Ormskirk;  C.  Sidgwick;  W.  A. 
Taylor. 

Cochin-China  (Brown  and  Partridge-feathered).  —  Cock.  —  First,  E. 
Tudman,  Whitchurch.  Second,  H.  Crossley,  BroomSeld,  Halifax. 
Third,  E.  White,  Sheffield.  Highly  Commended,  C.  W.  Brierley;  T. 
Stretch.  Hf;is.— First,  E.  Tudman.  Second,  C.  Sidgwick.  Third,  C.  W. 
Brierley.    Commended,  H.  Crossley  ;  T.  Stretch  :  H.  Lingwood. 

Cochin'-China  (Brown  and  Partridge-feathered). — Pullets. — First,  J,  A. 
Taylor.  Second,  C.  Sidgwick.  Third,  H.  Crossley.  Highly  Commended,  E. 
Andrew,  jun.,  Harpurhey  ;  J.  A.  Tavlor;  E.  Tudman;  H.  Lingwood, 
Martlesham.  Commended,  E.  Shaw,  Plas  WiL-not,  Oswestry  ;  T.  Stretch. 
Cocnl.s-CHINA  (White).— Coc*.— First,  E.  Smalley.  Second,  J.  A. 
Taylor.  Highly  Commended,  It.  Chase,  Balsall  Heath.  Birmingham  ;  R. 
Smalley.  Hens  or  P«;!e(j.— First  and  Second,  R.  Smalley.  Highly  Com- 
mended, R.Chase  ;  C.  W.  Brierley. 

Beahma  Pootba  (DarU).—C'oc«c.— First.  J.  Sichel.  Second,  W.  Har- 
greaves.  Third,  Rev.  E.  Alder,  Etwall  Vicarage,  Dei'jy.  Equal  Third, 
E.  Ryder.  Hiahly  Commended,  J.  Anderson,  Meigle,  N.B. ;  E.  Leech, 
Rochdale;  Duke  of  Newcastle;  R.  White;  B.  Wharton,  Sheffield;  Hon. 
Miss  Douglas  Pennant.  Hens  or  PulUts.— First,  a.  Lingwood,  Martle- 
sham. Second,  T.  Pomfret,  Preston.  Third,  W.  Hargreaves,  Baoup. 
Highly  Commended,  E.  Leech  ;  Hon.  Miss  Douglas  Pennant. 

Brahma  Pootra  (Light).— First,  H.  Lacy,  Hebden  Bridge.  Second,  H. 
Dowsett,  Pleshcy,  Chelmsford.  Tiiird,  J.  Pares.  Postford,  Guildford. 
Commended,  Rev.  G.  Hustler;  W.  Wbiteley,  ShelBeld.  Hens  or  Pullets.— 
First,  H.  Lacy.    Second,  J.  Pares.    Third,  tt.  Dowaett. 

Polish  (Any  variety). — Coc/;?.— First,  N,  Nichols,  Peel,  Isle  of  Man. 
Second,  G.  Adkius,  Lightwoods,  Birmingham.  Third,  W.  Harvey,  Shef- 
field. Highly  Commended,  H.  Beldon  ;  P.  Unsworth,  Lowton,  Newton-le- 
Willows;  J.  S.  Senior.  Hens  or  Pullets.— First,  J.  S.  Senior.  Second, 
G.  E.  Adkina.  Third,  H.  Beldon.  Highly  Commended,  H,  Beldon  ;  P. 
Unsworth;  W.  Harvoy.    Coii-mended,  G.  E.  Adkius. 


Decembdr  SI,  1838.  1 


JOURNi.Ii  OF  HOBTIOULTUaa   AND   COTTAGE   GABDENBE. 


509 


CRBVE-Cosun. — First,  Col.  Stuart  W'i»rtlcj-,  Cirovo  Eud  Hoail,  London. 
Socond,  W.  Blinliliorii,  Wiitoidalc,  St.  Hc-lcns,  Third,  J.  C.  Cooper. 
Cooper  Hill,  Liaioricli,  Highly  Comuicnded,  H.  Beldon  ;  W.  Blinldiorn  ; 
Uon.  U.  \V.  Fitznilllnni. 

HouDiX.— First,  J.  Sichel.  Second,  W.  O.  Quibell,  Nowlirk.  Highly 
Commended  and  Conmiendcd,  L.  Binoy. 

liA.  FlIciie. — Prize,  J.  C.  Cooper.  Higblv  Commended,  Col.  Stuart 
Wortlcy. 

Oaue  (Blnck-broastod  Reds).— Cod-.— First,  C.  W.  Brierlcy.  Second, 
L. Binoy.  Third,  S.  Wilcox,  Oswestry.  Highly  Commended,  E.  Aylu-oyd, 
Bradford  ;  J.  Liunel,  Anstey,  Coventry ;  C.  W.  Briorley  ;  O.  R.  Smith, 
>ic.irhorougU ;  C.  Challouer,  Whitwell,  Chcstertield.  Commended,  Duke 
of  Newcastle,  i/cn— First,  C.  Uicbardson,  West  GorLou.  Second,  E. 
Aykroyd.    Third,  L.  llinoy.    Commended,  Duke  of  Newcastle. 

Gauu  I  Black. breasted  Reds). — CocAcrcZ.— First,  J.  Challoner.  Second, 
S.Matthew,  Stowmaiket.  Third,  Rev.  T.  O'Grady,  Hogua^^ton  Vicarage, 
Ashbourne.  Highly  Commended,  Rev.  T,  O'Grady  ;  J.  Hollimd,  Manches- 
ter; J.  Linncl;  J.  Stubhs,  StafTotd ;  S.  Wilcox.  Commended,  Duke  of 
Newcastle ;  G.  Pouudor.  Pit/^t-f.— First.  J.  Poole,  Ulverston.  Second,  S. 
Matthew.  Third,  G.  Noble,  St.iineli£fe,  B.ltlev.  Highly  Commended,  Rev. 
T.  O'GradT  ;  G.  R.  Smith  ;  J.  W.  Pope.  Commended,  Rev.  T.  O'Grady  ; 
E.  Toder,  Little  Carlton,  Nei\ark. 

Game  (Brown  and  other  Reds,  except  Black-brcastedJ.—Coe/,-.— First 
nnd  Second,  J.  Wood.  Third,  S.  Matthew.  Highly  Commended,  L.Biney  ; 
R.  Payne,  Brierfield,  Buruley  ;  F.  Sales,  Crov-ie.  Commended,  J.  Hodgson, 
Whittingtou ;  C.  Challoner.  Hen. — First,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Second,  G.  K. 
Smith,  Scarborough.  Third,  F.  Sales.  Commended,  J.  Anderson  :  W. 
Bourne ;  C.  Challoner. 

Game  (Brown  aud  other  Reds,  except  Black-breasted). — Cockerel. — 
First,  C.  W.  Brierley.  Second,  J.  Hodgson.  Third,  T.  Mason,  Green 
Ayro,  Lancaster.  Highly  Commended,  W,  Bourne,  Heaviley,  Stockport ; 
C.  W.  Brierley ;  J.Wood;  S.  Matthew;  F.  S.ales  ;  0.  Challoner.  Pullels. 
—First  and  Second,  C.  W.  Bvierlev.  Third,  J.  Woods.  Highly  Com- 
mended, E.  Brougb,  Ball  Hayo  Park,  Leek;  J.Woods;  R.  Payne,  Bder- 
field,  Buruley.    Commended,  J.  Anderson  ;  J.  Bowness,  Kewchurcb. 

Game  (Duckwiugs,  and  other  Greys  aud  Blues). — Cock. — First,  E. 
A.ykroyd.  Secon.l,  H.  W.  Julian,  Hull.  Third,  B.  Consterdine,  Little- 
borough,  Manchester.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Holland  ;  J.  Halsall,  Ince, 
Wigan  ;  C.  Travis,  Frogland,  Sheffield,  flen — Ficit,  A.  K.  Briggs,  Brad- 
ford.   Second,  G.  Noble.    Highly  Commended,  W.  Bradley,  Worcester. 

Game  (Duckwings,  and  other  Greys  and  Blues). — Cockerel. — First, 
Miss  E.  .Sadler,  Whitchurch.  Second,  J.  Hals.ill.  Highly  Commended, 
G.  Koble  :  S.  Matthew ;  W.  J.  Cope,  Barnsley  ;  Rev.  W.  J.  Mellor,  Rvde, 
Islo  of  Wight.  Commended,  D.  Ashworth,  Halifax;  J.  Thresh,  Whit- 
church; Rev.  W.  J.  Mellor.  Pidlet.—  tirst,  J.  Hals.all,  Ince.  Second, 
W.  J,  Cope.  Third,  A.  K.  Briggs.  Commended,  W.  Bradley  ;  J.  Holland; 
W.  Parker,  Clay  Cross. 

Game  (Any  variety  not  before  named). — Cock. — First,  C.  W.  Brierley. 
Second,  P.ev.  T.  O'Grady.  Highly  Commended,  A.  D.  Edw.ards,  Huddevs- 
fleld  ;  Furness  &  Bamber,  Accringtou  ;  Fould  &  Harpreaves,  Burnley  ; 
J.  W.  Ihompson,  Sonthowram.  Comm-:nded,  E.  H.  Woodcock,  Holme, 
Wigan.  Ueil  or  Pullet.— First,  R.  Butcher,  Cresswell.  Second,  C.  W. 
Brierley.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Halsall. 

Hambueghs  (Black).  —  Coe/.-.— First,  .J.  Garside,  Longlands,  Slaith- 
waitc.  Second,  H.  Mason,  Denton.  Third,  Rev.  W.  Serjeantson.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  M.  Kilvert,  Ludlow ;  J.  Smith;  S.  Butterfleld,  Keighley. 
Hens  or  Pjllets.— First,  Mason  &  Walker,  Douton.  Second,  S.  Butterfleld. 
Third,  H.  Mason.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Garside;  J.  M.  Kilvert ;  J. 
Lancashire,  Chadderton  ;  G.  Lingard,  jun.,  Birmingham  ;  C.  Sidgwick. 
_  HAMEunGHS  (Goldeu-spnngled).— Coc.'.-.— First.  J.  W,alkcr.  Second,  J. 
S.  Senior.  Thir-d,  K.  lilnrlor.  Denton.  Highly  Commeuded,  J.  Munu  ;  J. 
Roe,  Hadfield,  Manchester;  T.  Scholes,  Hollingwood.  Commended,  J. 
Buckley,  Taunton,  Ashton-under-Lyne  ;  E.  Brierley,  Heywood  ;  N.  Marlor ; 
T.  Scholes.  Hens  or  Pullet-:.— First,  J.  Buckley;  J.  Ogden.  Third,  J. 
Ogden,  HoUingwood.  Highly  Commended,  E.  Brierley ;  F.  Greenwood, 
Rochdale  ;  J.  Munn  ;  J.  Ogden  ;  J.  Roe  ;  J.  Wild,  Ashtou-under-Lync. 

Hameurghs  (Silver-spangled).— Cocfr.— First,  J.  Smith.  Second,  J. 
Fielding.  Third,  J.  Walker.  Highly  Commended,  H.  Beldon  ;  J.  Fielding, 
Kewchurcb,  Manchester.  Commended,  J.  S.  Senior.  He7is  or  Puliets. — 
First,  Ludlam  &  Ashton,  I\Iottram.  Second,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  Third,  J. 
Fielding.    Highly  Commended,  H.  Beldon  ;  Ludlam  &  Ashton. 

HAMBURGH8  (Goldeu-penciUed). — Cock. — First,  J.  Bowness.  Second, 
T.  Wrigley,  jun.,  Tougo  Hall,  Middleton,  Third,  H.  Beldon.  Highly 
Commended,  H.  Beldon;  C.  Sidgwick.  Commended,  K.  Pickles,  jun. 
Hens  or  Pullets.— First,  W.  R.  Park.  Second,  H.  Beldon.  Third,  T. 
Wrigley,  jun.    Highly  Commended,  J.  Walker,  Knaresborough. 

Hamburghs  (Silver-pencilled).— Cocl-.— First,  J.Walker.  Second,  H. 
Beldon.  Highly  Commended,  G.Clarke;  T.  &  E.  Comber;  T.  Sharpies 
Rawtenstall.  Commended,  H.  Pickles,  jun.  Hen3  or  Pulletn. — First.  U' 
Beldon.  Second,  H.  Pickles, jun.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Walker;  J.  S' 
Senior. 

Game  B-VNTAms  (Elack-breastod  Reds).— Coc/;. — First,  H.  Shuinacb, 
Southwell,  Notts.  Second,  W.  &  H.  Buckley.  Third,  J.  E.  Robinson, 
Sunderland.  Fourth,  Rev.  C.  H.  Crosse,  Cambridge.  Highly  Commended, 
W.  &  H.  Buckley,  Accrington  ;  G.  Noble  ;  Stuttard  &  Hayes,  Accrington ; 
"W.  F.Entwisle,  Leeds  ;  Bowman  &^Fearon.  Commended.  J.  H.  Bindloss, 
Buile  Hall,  Pendleton ;  L.  Biney,  Manchester ;  W.  &  H.  Buckley ;  J. 
Blamires,  Horton  ;  Furness  iji:  Bamber  ;  J.  Helsall ;  J.  W.  Morris,  Roch- 
dale, Hens  or  Pulh't:.— First,  J.  Blamires.  Second,  J.  Crosland,  jun., 
Wakefield.  Third,  J.  Henshall,  Salford.  Highly  Commended,  II.  Ashton, 
Polefleld  HalJ,  Pr.^stwich  ;  Rev.  E.  S.  Tiddeman,  Brentwood ;  J.  W. 
Morris ;  H.  Sbumacb ;  W.  F.  Entwisle.  Commended,  J.  H.  Howe, 
Denton ;  D.  Parsons. 

Game  Bantams  (.\ny  variety  except  Black-l.reasted  Reds). — Cock. — 
First,  J.  Crosland,  jun.  Second,  T.  Sharpies.  Third,  Mason  &  Charles- 
worth.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Cooke,  Nottingham  ;  J.  J.  Cousins,  Chapel 
Allerton.  Leeds  ;  C.  W.  Brierley  ;  H.  Sbumacb;  J.  Poole.  Commended, 
G.  Birtwistle;  Mason  &  Charlesworth,  Chesterfield;  J.  Blamires;  J. 
Wardle,  Denton.  Hens  or  Pullets. — First,  L.  Bmey.  Second,  J.  Crosland, 
Jan.  Third,  T.  Sharpies.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Cooko  ;  H.  Ashton  ;  G. 
Smith.    Commended,  E.  Toder. 

BANT.LMS  (Any  variety  except  Game).— First,  H.  Pickles,  jnn.    Second, 

Miss  A.  Woodcock.     Third,  W.  J.  Cope.    Highly  Commended,  S.  A. 

Wyllie,  East  Moulsey ;  J.  H.  Taylor.    Commended,  N.  Marlor ;  Ludlam 

and  Ashton  ;  J.  W.  Morris  ;  W.  H.  Tomlinson,  Newark. 

Ant  other  Vabietj— First,  Furness  &  Bamber  (Cuckoo  Cochins).    Se- 


cond, J.  C.  Cooper  (Sultans).  VoryHighly  Commended  and  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  ISroadic,  Gorton,  Manchester  (Malays). 

Ducks  (Rouen).— First.  T.  Burn.  Second,  T.  Statter.  Third,  T.  Wako- 
lleld.  Highly  Commended.  T.  Burn  ;  T.  Bott ;,  D,  Hnrdie  ;  J.  U.  Lasbrey, 
Uttoxeter;  E.  Leech;  J.  Munu;  J.  Woods;  T.  Statter;  T.  Wakeliolii; 
J.  J.  Stott,  Rochdale.  Drake. — First,  T.  t-tatter.  Second,  J.  Anderson. 
Tlitrd,  E.  Tudmau.  Highly  Commended,  T.  Burn,  Abram,  Wigan  ;  T, 
Bott;  E.  Leech  ;  J.  Muan,  fetackstoads;  J.  Wood;  T.  Wakefield,  Golborae, 
Nowton-lo-Willows  ;  J.  J.  Stott. 

DncKB  (Whito  Aylesbury).— First,  E.  Leech.  Second, E.  Shaw.  Drake. 
—First,  D.  Hardie     Second,  E.  Leech.    Third,  R.  Smalley. 

Ducks  (East  ludiau,  or  Brown  or  White  Calls}.— First,  H.  Bum,  Whitby. 
Second,  H.  Beldon.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Wood ;  Kev.  W.  Sorjeautson. 
Acton  Burnell. 

Ornamental  WATEBFowr,.— First,  J.  Ley,  Bramley  (Mandarins).  Se- 
cond and  Third,  J.  Jonnison  (Carolin.ra  and  Pintails).  Highly  Coip- 
lucnded,  H.  Ma()plebeck'(Carolinas) ;  C.N.Baker,  Chelsea  (Mandarins  and 
Carolinas) ;  J.  Jennison,  Manchester  (Bernncle  Ceese,  Brent  Geese, 
Tufted  Divers,  Mandarins,  Shovellers) ;  J.  Ley  (Shioldrake  and  Carolinas). 
Commeuded,  C.  N.  Bakor  (Pintails) ;  J.  Jennison  (Shioldrakea  nnd 
Sammer  Teal). 

Geese  (White).— First,  T.  Statter,  jun.  Sccend  and  Third,  J.  &  W.  Ros- 
tron,  Levensbulmo.  CfaTiifcr.- First,  T.  Statter.  Second,  W.  Wykes, 
Wolvey,  Hinckley.  Third,  E.  Leech.  Highly  Commended,  W.  Baxter, 
Waterfoot,  Manchester. 

Geese  iGrey  and  Mottled'.— First.  S.  H.  Stott.  SecOHd,  T.  Statter,  jun- 
Third,  Rev.  G.  Hustler,  StiUingfleet  'Vicarago,  York.  Highly  Com- 
mended, T.  Statter,  jun. :  W.  Baxter.  Oandi  r.— First,  S.  H.  Stott.  Se- 
cond, W.  Baxter.  Third,  T.  Statter,  jun.  Highly  Commended,  Rev.  J. 
C.  Macdona,  West  Kirby. 

Turkeys.— Coefc.— First,  W.  Wri(<ht,  Tulboume.  Second,  T.  Statter. 
Third,  W.  S.  Uolden,  Farnworth.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Chamberlain, 
Plemstal! ;  E.  Leech  ;  W.  Wykes.  Hens.— First,  W.  S.  Holdcn.  Second, 
W.  Wright.    Third,  E.  Leech. 

PIGEONS. 
Pouters  (Blue  or  Red).— CocJfcs.- First  and  Silver  Medal  for  the  best 
Pouter  Cock  of  any  colour,  R.  Fulton,  Deptford.  Second,  R.  Fulton 
Highly  Commended,  F.  Crossley,  Elland,  Halifax.  H.as.  — First,  A 
Heath,  Calne.  Second,  F.  Crossley.  Highly  Commended,  E.  Hornet 
Harewood,  Leeds  ;  F.  Crossley. 

Pouters  (Any  colour  except  Blue  or  Red).— CocAs.— First,  W.  Harvey, 
Sheffield.  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Htn.'s.— First,  Second,  and  Medal  for  the 
best  Pouter  Hen  of  any  colour,  H.  Fulton. 

Caeriers  (Black).— rocfcs.-First  and  Medal  for  the  best  Carrier  Cock 
of  any  colour,  R.  Fulton.  Second,  J.  Chadwick,  Bolton.  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  C.  Ord,  London.  Commeuded,  G.  S.  Hockey,  Durdham  Down, 
Bristol.  HfM.— First,  R.  Fulton.  Second,  F.  Crossley.  (Whole  closs 
Highly  Commended.) 

Carriers  (Dun).— Cocl-s. —First,  J.  Hawley,  Bingley.  Second,  G. 
Charnley,  Preston.  Highlv  Commended,  R.  Fulton  ;  T.  CoUey,  Sheffield. 
Hens.- First  and  Medal  for  the  best  Carrier  Hen  of  any  colour,  R.Fulton. 
Second,  W.  Harvey.  Highly  Commended,  J.  C.  Ord ;  F.  Crossley.  Com- 
mended, G.  Charnley. 

Carkiees  (Any  co'lour  except  Black  or  Dun).— rocfcs.— First,  T.  Colley. 
Second,  J.  C.  Ord.  Hig'aly  Commended,  J.  C.  Ord  ;  F.  Crossley.  Hens.— 
First  and  Highly  Commended,  A.  Lowe,  Over  Hulton,  Bolton.  Second, 
P..  Fulton.    Commended,  G.  Charnley. 

Dragoons  (Yellow).  —  First  and  Second,  C.  Bnlpin,  Bridgewater. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  W.  Edge,  Birmingham. 

Dragoons  (Any  other  colour).— First,  T.  K.  Crossley.  Second,  W. 
Harvey  (Blue).  Highly  Commended,  F.  C.  Bradley,  Frodsham  (Blue) ; 
J.  W.  Edge.    Commended,  E.  Horner  ;  A.  Lowe  (Blue). 

Antwerps.— First,  J.  Hawley.  Second,  H.  Yardley,  Birmingham. 
Commended,  R.  Autherson,  Hazel  Grove,  Stockport;  J.  Thompson, 
Bingley. 

Jacodins.- First,  E.  E.  M.  P.oyds.  Second,  J.  Hawley.  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  Hawley  ;  E.  Horner  ;  J.  B.  Finder,  Harpurhey. 

Barbs.— First,  G.  Charnley.  Second,  E.  Fulton.  Highly  Commended, 
J.  Frith,  jun.,  Dewsbnry. 

Fantails  (White).— First,  H.  Y'ardley.  Second,  0.  Bulpin.  Highly 
Commended,  W.  H.  Tomlinson,  New.ark ;  C.  Bulpin;  H.  Draycott, 
Humberstone  ;  J.  W.  Edge. 

Faktaius  (Any  colour  except  White;.— First  and  Second,  H.  Yardley. 
Highly  Commended,  J.  W.  Edge. 

Tdmbless  (Almond).— Fiist  and  Second,  R.  Fulton.  Highly  Com- 
mended, J.  Fielding,  jun.,  Rochdale  ;  F.  Crossley;  B.  Fulton. 

Beards  or  Balds.— First,  J.  Fielding,  jun.  Second,  W.  H.  C.  Gates, 
Beethorpe,  Nevi'ark.  Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton;  J.  Gooldcn,  Hnle, 
Altrincbam. 

Tdmdlers  (Any  variety).— First,  F.  Crossley.  Second,  J.  Fielding,  jim. 
Highly  Commended,  R.  Fulton. 

Nuns.  — First  and  Second,  W.  Bankes,  Kuncom.  Commended,  C. 
Bulpin. 

Magpies.- First  and  Highly  Commended,  E.  Horner.  Second,  C. 
Bulpin. 

Tdedits.— First,  C.  Bulpin.    Second,  E.  Homer.    Highly  Commended, 
H.  Mapplobeck,  Birmingham  ;  Capt.  Mangnall,  Styal. 
Swallows.— first,  E.  Horner.    Second,  H.  Draycott. 
Archangels.- First,  R.  Wilson,  Thirfk.    Second,  C.  Bulpin. 
Owls  (Blue  and  Silver  English).  —First,  J.  Firth,  jnn.      Second,  Rev. 
F.  Watsou,  Kelvedon.      Highly  Commended,  J.  Goolden  ;    C.  Bulpin. 
(Whole  class  Commended.) 

Owls  (Foreign).— First,  J.  Fielding,  jnn.  Second,  T.  Crossley.  Highly 
Commended,  Countess  of  Derbv,  Knonsley  ;  F.  Crossley. 

Runts.— First  and  Second,  T.  D.  Green,  Saffron  Walden.  Higbly  Com- 
mended, H.  Yardloy ;  J.  Baily,  jun..  Mount  Street,  London. 

Trumpeters.— F'irst,  E.  Horner.  Second,  J.  Firth,  jun.  Highly  Com- 
mended, W.Johnson;  C.  Bulpin. 

Any  otuer  VAUiETi'  not  before  Mentioned.— First.  J.  Baily,  jnn. 
(Shield).    Second  and  Third,  H.  Draycott  (Frillbacks  and  Toys). 

Doves  (Any  variety).  —  First  and  Second,  J.  Jennison,  Manchester 
(Barbary  and  Lace-neck). 

.luDGKs. — Dm-khigs,  Spanish,  Oochms,  French  Breeds,  Erlra  Stock, 
and  Borilams,  except  Game:  Mr.  Edward  Hewitt,  Sparkbrook,  Bir- 
mingham.   Brahmas,  Game,  Game  Bantams,  tic:   Mr.   R.   Teebay, 


510 


JOURNAL  OF   HORTICULTTJBE   AND  COTTAGE   GARDENER. 


I  December  SI,  laB. 


Fnlwood,  Preston.  Hnmhurgks,  Polaiuls,  Ducks,  d-c :  Mr.  James 
Dixon,  North  Park,  Bradford.  Ornanental  Water  Fowl :  Messrs. 
DUou,  Hewitt,  and  Teebay.  Fi'jeoiin  :  Mr.  T.  J.  Cottle,  Cheltenham  ; 
Mr.  Esqailant,  London. 


THE  SUNDERLAND  WORKING  MEN'S  CLUB 
POULTRY    SHOW. 

This  Exhibition  took  place  December  19th,  and  for  a  first  effort, 
considering  the  most  arbitrary  ralea  laiil  down  for  its  govemmeut, 
was  a  most  decided  success;  120  pens  were  shown,  and  some  very 
good  birds  might  be  seen  in  most  classes.  The  B'ltitams  were  the 
great  feature  of  the  Show.     The  following  ia  a  list  of  the  awards  : — 

Game  (Black  Reds  . — Prize,  Bnglass  &  Williamson,  Durham. 

Game  (DuL-kwings). — First  and  Second,  Buglase  &  Williamson. 

Cochins  (Any  Tariety). — First  and  Second  J.  Carrick,  Chester  Lane, 
SanderliiDd. 

Hambcrgus  (Spfinsled).— First  nnd  Second,  —  Whittfield,  Hetton-le- 
hole,  Durham.    Third,  Buglass  &  Willinmson. 

IlAMBunoiis  (Pencilled).— First  and  St'cond,  —  Whittfield. 

PoLANDs  (Any  variety). — Priz^  —  Whittfield. 

Game  (Any  vanety}.— Cockerel.— Vrize,  T.  Dent,  Sunderland.  Hens. — 
First,  Bugl  tsa  &  Williamson.  Second,  T.  Dent.  Third,  J.  Allen,  Sunder- 
land. 

Spanish  (Any  variety).— Cocfcerci. —Prize,  H.  Mitchell,   Sunderland. 

Cochin  (Any  variety). — Hen. — First,  and  Second,  J.  Carrick. 

PoLANDS  (Any  variety).— CocfcerfL— First,  J.  Allen.  Hen.— First,  Se- 
cond, and  Third,  J.  Allen. 

Hamburghs.  — C'oc/.vrt'Zs.— First,  —  Whittfi<ild.  Second,  J,  Carrick. 
Third,  Bugt^iss  &  William'^on.  ifen.— First  and  Second,  —  Whittfield. 
Third,  —  AcUroyd,  Sumlerland- 

Gahe  Bantam's  (Black  and  other  Reds).— First,  T.  Hunter,  Sunderland. 
Second  and  Third,  W.  Dixon.  Sunderland. 

Game  Bantams  (Duckwiners  and  other  Greys). — First,  W.  Dizon.  Se- 
cond, Wifiham  &  Bnrrel!.    Third.  J.  Carrick. 

Game  Bantams  Piles  and  Whites).— First,  Buglass  &  Williamson.  Se- 
cond, W.  Clark,  snnderland. 

Game  Bantams  (Rose-combed).— First  and  Third,  C.  Richardson.  Se- 
cond, W.  JMxnn.  —  CocK:  -  Prize,  W.  Coulthard,  Sunderland.  Ht;n.— First, 
Second,  and  Third,  W.  Dixon. 

Bantams  (Any  variety).— Prize,  W.  Clark,  Sunderland. 

Game  Bantams  (Any  vnriety).— Cocfcf'rc^— Firt^t,  M.  Watt,  Deptford, 
Snnderland  Sccnnd,  C.  Richardson.  Third,  WiRbam  &  Burrell.  Hen.— 
First,  —  Ackroyd,  Sunderland.  Second,  T.  Huuler.  Third,  Wigham  and 
Burrell. 

Bantams  (Sebrigbte).— Prize,  —  Ackroyd. 

Mr.  E.  Huttou,  Pudsey,  Leeds,  was  the  Judge. 


JERSEY   POULTRY   SHOW. 

{From  a  Corrcsponderrt.) 

This  Show  was  held  in  the  Royal  Hall,  Peter  Street,  December  23rd 
and  24th.  For  the  first  show  of  the  kind  in  the  island  it  proved 
SHCcessfnl  beyond  the  expectations  of  the  originators,  176  pens  of  birds 
having  been  exhibited.  The  Game.  CucJiin,  Brahma,  Sj^anish,  Houdan, 
and  Jiantam  classes  were  very  creditable  and  numerous.  The  general 
arrangements  for  the  Show  were  excellent  in  every  respect.  They 
were  under  the  superintendence  and  by  the  advice  of  Miss  E.  "Watts, 
who  sent,  not  for  competition,  pens  of  Light  and  Dark  Brahmas.  as 
camples  of  what  these  should  be.  She  was  seconded  by  a  most  efficient 
and  zealous  Honorary  Secretary,  J.  Voisin,  Esq.,  assisted  by  an  ener- 
getic Committee.     The  following  is  the  list  of  prizes  awarded  : — 

Dobkings  (Coloured,  except  SiWer-Grey). — First,  il.  A.  Neel.  Second, 
Rev.  W.  Lempviere.     Chickens. — Prize,  —  Ivimy 

Dorkings  Silver-Grey),- Prize,  Col  Le  Couteur,  Q.A.D.C.,  Belle  Vue. 
Chickens. — Prize,  J.  Voisin. 

Cochin-China  (Cinnamon  and  Buffi. — Prize,  Capt.  Robin.  Chickens. — 
First  and  Second,  Capt.  Robin.    HiRhlv  Commended,  —  Le  Rossignol. 

Cochin-china  (Brown  and  Pnrtiidge-ft-'athercd). —First,  Capt.  Robin. 
Second,  E.  Pond.  Chickens.— Vixhi  and  Second,  Capt.  Robin.  Highly 
Commended,  Capt.  Robin  ;  —  Le  Rossignol.     Commended,  E.  Pond. 

Cochin-China  (White).— Prize,  Capt.  Robin.  t'/itcAetw.— First,  Second, 
and  Highly  Commended,  Capt.  Robin. 

Brahma  Pootka  (Dark).— First,  Capt.  Robin.  Second,  Capt.  Howell. 
Highly  Commended,  S.  R  Delme.  Chickens. — First,  J.  Ereaut,  jun.  Se- 
cond, S.  R.  Delme.  Highly  Commended,  W.  Eckford.  Commended,  E. 
A.  L'Oste. 

Brahma  Pootra  (Light).— First,  J.  Voisin.  Second,  W.  Eisson 
Chickeiu. — Fir.st,  E.  A.  L'Oste.    Second,  P.  W.  Le  Qiiesne. 

CREVE-CffiUR.— First,  Capt.  Robin.  Second,  J.  Le  Rossignol,  Chickens. 
—Prize,  J.  Ereant.  jun. 

Houpans.— First,  Col.  Le  Gallais.  Second,  —  Anwell.  Highly  Com- 
mended, Advocate  Godfrey  Chickens.  —  First,  Dr.  King,  sen.  Second,  J. 
Ereaut,  jnn.     Highly  Commended,  —  Kicolle  ;  H.  Anwell. 

La  Fl£che. — Chicken^i. — First.  Col.  Le  Gallais.    Second,  —  Blampied. 

Spanish.— First,  Dr.  King,  jun.  Second,  Capt.  Robin,  Chickens.— 
First,  Dr.  King,  jun.     Second,  J.  DeLa  Mare. 

Andalcsians  iBlue). — Prize.  J.  Blnmpied. 

Hambcrghs  (Golden-pencilled). — Prize,  Capt.  Robin.  Cliickens. — First, 
Rev.  H.  Bateman.     Second,  Capt.  Robin. 

Hambcrghs  (Sitver-i^pangled). — Chickens. — Prize,  G.  De  Faye. 

Polish  (Golden).— Prize,  R.  Delme. 

Polish  >  Silver).  —First,  —  Le  Rossignol.    Second,  Rev.  C.  H.  Bateman. 

Game  (Black-breasted  Reds).- First.  J.  G.  Falle.  Second  and  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Voisin.     Chickens. — First  and  Second,  J.  Voisin. 

Game  {Brown  and  other  Reds)  —First  and  Second,  J.  Voisin.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  G.  Falie  ;  J.  Voisin.     Chickens.— Ptize^  J.  Voisin. 


Game  (Duckwings  and  other  Greys  and  Bluest. —Prize,  J.  VoisiD, 
Highly  Commended,  J.  G.  Falle.     Chickens— Vrize,  J.  Voisin. 

Game  (Black  and  Brassy-winged). — Prize.  J.  Voisin. 

Bantams  (Bbtck,  Clean-legged  .—Prize,  J.  Voisin. 

Game  (Black-breasted  Red!.— First,  Capt.  Howell.  Second,  J.  VoiBiu. 
Highly  Commended,  E.  Pond. 

Game  Bantams  (Any  other  variety).— First,  J.  Le  Rossignol.  Extra 
First,  —  NicuUe.  Second,  J.  Voisin.  Highly  Commended,  J.  Voisin: 
Capt.  Robin  (Breda).  Highly  Commended  and  Prize,  Capt.  RobiB 
(White  Creve-Cceur). 

Baundooe  OR  Any  other  Cbossereed. —First,  P.  Le  Quesne.  Second, 
—  Pluck. 

Guinea  Fowl.— First,  —  Le  Rossignol.    Second.  P.  De  Gruchy. 

Ducks  (White  Aylesbury). — Prize,  H.  Le  Feuvre. 

Ducks  (Konen).— First,  G.  Gihbs.  Second,  J.  Voisin.  Highly  Com- 
mended, Col-  Le  Couteur,  Q.A.D.C. 

Ducks  (Call).— First,  J.  G.  Falle.  Estra  First  and  Second,  Rev.  C.H. 
Bateman. 

Ducks  (Widgeon  and  Carolina).— First  and  Second,  J.  G.  Falle. 

Ducks  (Muscovy).— First,  Capt.  Malzard.     Second,  —  Dugdale. 

Ducks  (Adv  variety).— Prize,  Col.  Lo  Couteur  (Buenos  Ayres).  Higiily 
Commended,  J.  G.  F.ille  (Carolina). 

Geese  (White).— Prize,  J.  G  Falle  (Sebastopol). 

Geese  (Grey  or  Mottled).— First,  W.  R.  F.  Godley.  Second,  E.  A. 
L'Oste.     Goslinijs. — Prize,  —  Dugdale.  Highly  Commended,  E.  A.  L'Oste. 

Turheys.-Poh/^s.— First  and  Second,  E.  A.  L'Of^e. 

Pigeons. —  <)'arr)>rs.— Prize  and  Highly  Commended,.!.  Voisin.  Pouters. 
— First  and  Second,  J.  Voisin.  Fanta i Is.— Frize,  J.  Voisin.  Tumblers. — 
Prize  and  Commended,  J.  Voisin.  Bunts.— Prize,  Caot.  Robin.  Anij 
other  Distinct  Variety. — First,  —  NicoUe.  Second,  —  Marett.  Highly 
Commended,  J.  Voisin. 

Gold  and  Silver  Pheasants,  or  any  other  Fancy  Birds. — First 
and  Second,  Mrs.  Gray  iGold  and  Silver  Pheasants).  Extra  First,  J.  G 
Falle  (Silver  Pheasant.  Highly  Commended,  Mrs  Gray  (Australian 
Quail  and  Red  Partridge) ;  W.  Gray  (Grey  Partridge).  Commended, 
Mrs.  Gray  (Common  Pheasant). 

Rabbits.— H(Hi(i/<iyan. — Prize,  —  Le  Marchand.  Any  other  Variety,— 
Highly  Commended,  —  Johnson. 

The  Judges  were  M.  Gibaut,  Esq.,  Mainland;  J.  Robin,  Esq., 
Belvidere  ;  Advocate  Bertram,  St.  Lawrence  ;  J.  G.  Falle,  Esq.,  Mayor 
of  St.  Heliers ;  E.  Denise,  Esq  ,  Mayor  of  St.  Lawrence;  J.  Pond, 
Esq.,  The  Vineries ;  Capt.  Holt,  Norfolk  Lodge  ;  \V.  R.  F.  Godley, 
Esq.,  Lo  Colombier  ;  M.  Ozier,  St,  Heliers  ;  and  M.  Contanche. 


HECKMONDWIKE   POULTRY   SHOW. 
This  took  place  on  the  26th  of  December.     The  following  is  A  list 
of  the  awards  : — ■ 

Spanish  (Black).— First,  W.  Gregson,  Dewsbury  M6or.  Second,  J.  W. 
■Wilkinson.  Bradford. 

Cochin-China.— First,  J.  W.  Wilkinson.    Seeoud,  H.  Firth. 

BuAJiMA  Pootua.— First,  W.  Wilson,  Liversedge.  Second,  J.  W.  Wilkin- 
son. 

Game  fBlack-breaated).— First,  W.  Fell,  Adwalton.  Second,  G.  Noble, 
StaincUffe. 

Game  (Brown  Reds).— First,  T.  Suddick,  Bradford.  Second,  H.  Hattoo, 
Cleckheaton. 

Game  (DuckwinRS  Grey  and  Blue). — First,  J.  Fell.  Second,  T.  Robert- 
shaw,  )iii.,  Illingworth. 

Gam--^  (Whites  or  Piles).— First,  R.  Turner,  Drighlington,  Second,  H. 
C.  J.  Mason,  Drighlington. 

Game  (Black  or  Brassywings).  —  First,  R.  Walker,  Wood  Nooi, 
Gomersal.    Second,  Cookson  &  Firth,  Birkenshaw,  near  Leeds. 

HAMBURGH3  (Gold  and  tiilver-spaugled).— First,  W,  Gregson.  Second, 
J.  W.  Wilkinson. 

Hamburghs  (Gold  and  Silver-pencilled).— First,  W.  Jagger,  Horbury. 
Second,  T.  Swires.  Clecklie 'ton. 

Hamburghs  (Black).— Prize,  H.  Firth. 

Any  other  Variety.- First,  W.  Gregson.  Second,  J.  R-  Walker, 
White  Lee.  Staiucliffe. 

Single  Cock  (Any  breed).— First,  J.  Fell.  Second,  T.  Suddick.  Hen. 
— First,  T.  Suddick.     Second,  W.  Gregson. 

Game  Bantams  (Red).— First,  S.  Schofitld.    Second,  W.  Gregson. 

Game  Bantams  (Duckwing). — First,  W.  Gregt'On.     second,  G.  Noble. 

Bantams  (Black).— First,  T.Parker.  Heckmondwilte.  Second,  L.  Parker. 

Bantams  (White  or  any  other  variety).— First,  W.  Gregson.  Secozkd,  J. 
Binns,  Raistrick. 

Pigeons.— Cnrrtfr«. — Prize,  H.  O.  Steel,  Gomersal.  Antnerps. — Eirst, 
W.  Gregson.  Second,  J.  W.  Wilkinson.  Tumbler$.—FiT&i,  H.  O.  Steel. 
Second,  A.  Wilman,  Dewsbury  Moor.  Drar/onns. — First,  W.  Gregson.  Se- 
cond, H.  O,  Steel.  Titrb t(s.— First,  J.  W.  Wilkinson.  Second,  J.  Parker, 
Frtnfaila— First,  J.  W.  Wilkinson.  Second,  J.  Parker.  CommoTi.— First, 
J.  W.  Wilkinson.  Second.  J.  W.  Horsfield.  Any  other  Variety. —Wir^tt  A. 
Wilman.    Second,  J.  W.  Wilkinson. 

Judge. — Mr.  J.  W.  Thompson. 


Bristol  and  Clifton  SHOW.^We  are  informed  that  for  tbis 
Exliibitiou  nest  ^veek,  there  are  1089  entries  of  fowls,  and  187 
of  Pigeons. 

YEARLING  PIGEONS. 
As  medals  and  money  prizes  are  offered  for  competition  at 
the  Glasgow  Show  for  birds  bred  during  the  year,  1  shall  be 
glad  to  be  informed  through  the  medium  of  The  Journal  of 
Horticulture,  whether  a  judge  can  decide  that  they  are  such, 
and  by  what  distinguishing  points  they  can  be  known  ?  In 
the  award  of  prizes  to  these  classes,  it  seems  to  me  that  the 
lirst  thing  upon  which  to  arrive  at  a  conclusion,  is  (if  it  is 


December  81.  1868.  ]  JOURNAL  OF    HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  (JARDiSNBB. 


511 


capable  of  a  decision),  whether  they  are  birja  of  the  season  ; 
or  tho  object  in  giving  the  awards  is  frustrated.  In  the  yoimR 
Uarb  class,  I  hear  from  one  exhibitor  whoeebirds  were  noticed, 
that  his  were  sixteen  months  at  least,  and  that  with  tho  ex- 
ception of  two  or  three  pairs,  all  had  seen  "  the  light  of  other 
days,"  than  those  of  1868,  and  were,  as  he  describes  it,  "  quite 
old  enough  to  talk."  One  of  the  best  judges  of  a  Barb  writes 
me,  "  that  he  is  of  the  belief  that  there  were  not  more  than 
two  pairs  of  Barbs  shown  at  Glasgow,  which  were  bred  in  1808." 
"  I  can  safely  say,"  he  adds,  "  I  never  had  birds  so  developed 
at  the  age."  And  this  from  one  who  has  bred  some  of  the 
best  specimens  ever  seen.  One  pen  to  my  knowledge  was  well 
known  last  year. 

I  am  not  writing  in  order  to  blame  exhibitors,  as  I  know 
some  who  purchased  birds  to  show,  and  believed  that  they  were 
young.  Those  who  send  their  specimens  of  the  season's  pro- 
duce have  not  the  slightest  chance  against  these  older,  and, 
consequently,  more  developed  competitors,  and  it  is,  in  fact, 
simply  a  throwing  away  of  the  entry  fees.  The  question  is, 
Can  a  judge  decide  ?  For  my  own  part,  between  the  very  early 
hatched  birds  of  the  year,  and  those  late  bred  of  the  previous 
season,  1  would  not  attempt  to  do  it,  and  I  consider  he  would, 
indeed,  be  a  clever  judge  who  could.  If,  then,  the  question  is 
an  open  one,  there  will  always  be  exhibitors  ready  to  take  ad- 
vantage, and  so  distance  the  real  competitors  of  the  year,  and 
make  the  classes  for  young  birds  anything  but  satisfactory. — 
W.  Masset,  Sjyalding. 


FEOM  WILTSHIRE   TO  GLASGOW,  AND  WHAT 
I    SAW   THERE. 

PART   2. 

At  five  o'clock  a  party  of  gentlemen,  numbering  between 
thirty  and  forty,  sat  down  to  dinner — it  was  the  tenth  annual 
dinner  of  the  North  British  Columbarian  Society.  Oh  !  ye 
maligners  of  the  fancy,  who  used  to  write,  "  This  was  a  lovf 
neighbourhood,  inhabited  chiefly  by  dog  fanciers,  Pigeon  fan- 
ciers, ttc." — could  ye,  if  ye  yet  survive  (which  I  doulit),  have 
looked  in  upon  that  company  of  gentlemen  of  education  and 
position,  ye  would  have  apologised  on  the  spot.  It  was  a  kindly 
gathering,  and  the  dinner  and  dinner-table  decorations  were  ad- 
mirable. Never  was  Her  Majesty's  health  drunk  more  loyally, 
nor  more  of  heart  entered  into  toasts  and  speeches.  Jacobite 
Bongs  (how  long  a  sentiment  outlives  a  principle  !)  reminded 
me  that  I  was  in  the  country  of  the  Preten — no,  of  Prince 
Cliarles  Edward.  "Our  Journal"  was  honoured  by  the  way 
in  which  its  representative  was  received,  showing  that  the  organ 
of  the  fancy  was  well  loved  by  northern  fanciers.  One  parti- 
cular and  very  pleasing  event  Qf  the  evening  was  the  presenta- 
tion of  a  magnificent  epergne,  palm-tree-shaped,  to  the  Trea- 
anrer  of  the  Society,  Mr.  Wallace,  by  his  brother  members. 

At  length,  all  toasts  being  over,  from  that  of  the  first  Lady  of 
the  land  to  the  ladies  she  rules,  we  adjourned  to  the  Trades' 
Hall  for  a  private  gaslight  view  of  the  Show.  I  soon  find 
myself  in  a  fair-sized  hall  filled  with  Pigeon  pens,  and  am  pro- 
ceeding to  examine  the  birds,  when  I  am  told  that  this  is  not 
the  Show,  but  merely  its  appendix.  Led  on  further,  I  enter 
a  grandly  proportioned  room,  70  feet  long  by  33  wide,  and  this 
ball  is  also  as  full  as  possible  of  Pigeon  pens.  Around  the 
walls  and  in  the  windows  are  pens  closely  placed.  Across  the 
Hall  are  long  tables,  and  lines  of  pons  back  to  bock  on  each 
table,  with  gangways  just  suiBciently  wide  to  walk  down.  The 
pens  are  bee-hive-shaped  and  all  wire,  so  that  no  heavy  wooden 
backs  hinder  the  view,  which  was  imposing  from  the  number 
of  birds,  and  pleasing  from  the  lightness  of  the  pens,  each  with 
its  feathered  inhabitants.  The  total  number  of  pens  in  both 
halls  was  .')8L  Such  a  number  of  birds  bad  never  before  been 
brought  together  even  at  this  the  Birmingham  of  Pigeon  shows. 
This  was  partly  accounted  for  because  the  "  members'  challenge 
cnp,"  value  £30,  was  this  year  to  be  finally  awarded.  For  the 
possession  of  this  treasure  there  was  a  close  competition  be- 
tween Mr.  James  Montgomery,  the  President  of  the  Society, 
and  ilr.  Fulton,  of  Deptford,  the  well  known  dealt  r  and  exhi- 
bitor. Mr.  Montgomery  showed  ItjOpens,  Mr.  Fulton  143  pens. 
The  former  gentleman  was  successful.  The  cup,  designed  by 
the  Committee,  and  manufactured  by  Muirhead,  of  Edinburgh, 
was  urn-shaped,  with  a  cover,  on  which  was  a  Pouter  in  frosted 
silver.  The  cup  was  placed  on  a  stand,  at  each  corner  of  which 
was  a  Tumbler,  a  Carrier,  a  Jacobin,  and  a  Fantail  matching 
the  abovenamed  Pouter. 

To  return  to  the  birds  themselves.     We  have  in  England 


been  long  aware  that  the  Pouter  is  tho  especial  favourite  of  the 
Scotch  fanciers,  hence  it  was  no  surprise  to  lind  that  the  show 
of  Pouters  was  a  large  one  ;  but  Ihey  outdid  my  anticipations. 
They  numbered  2'Jl  pens — just  about  one-half  of  the  whole. 
I  would  say,  let  dreamers  of  the  surpassing  beauty  of  the  birds 
of  former  years  go  to  Glasgow,  and  they  mill  confess  that  the 
present  beats  the  past.  If  you  dream  of  Black  Pied  Pouters  ol 
raven  blackness,  there  they  are  alive  ;  if  of  Dark  Reds  and 
rich  Yellows,  there  they  are  alive.  If  you  dream  of  perfectly 
marked  Blues,  there  they  are  ;  if  of  perfection  of  shape,  there 
it  is  ;  if  of  size,  there  it  is,  for  tho  Glasgow  birds  were  gigantic. 
There  was  another  point  connected  with  this  Show,  there  was 
scarcely  one  bad  pen — those  bad  pens  which  show  that  the 
exhibitors  are  ignorant  of  what  a  good  bird  is.  There  were  a 
few  small  pretty  birds  here  and  there,  and  some  large  but  not 
graceful  birds;  but  the  rule  was  large  and  good,  and  the  prize 
birds  were  super- excellent.  I  was  once  looking  at  a  remark- 
ably ugly  white  bull  at  a  large  agricultural  show,  and  I  heard 
his  owner  asked  by  a  rough  wit  why  he  brought  it  there.  He 
replied,  "  To  get  a  prize."  "  Oh  !"  was  the  answer,  "  I  thought 
you  brought  it  to  be  laughed  at."  Now  such  exhibition  stock 
was  not  in  the  Trades'  Hall,  Glasgow.  The  Black  Pied  birds 
bred  this  year  were  abundant  and  good.  I  would  notice  Mr. 
Fulton's  first-prize.  Then  beautifully  slender  were  his  first- 
prize  Whites.  The  first-prize  Blues,  Mr.  Montgomery's,  were 
birds  which  I  hovered  round,  and  went  back  to  again  and  again. 
As  to  the  prize  Reds  and  Yellows,  they  were  colours  of  the 
deepest  and  richest  kind  ;  and  the  Mealy  had  the  grace  o{ 
shape,  though,  of  course,  lacking  the  beauty  of  colour.  Among 
so  many  and  such  good  birds  it  is  difficult  to  particularise,  but 
I  cannot  omit  a  word  of  praise  to  the  colour  and  size  of  Mr. 
Montgomery's  three  prize  pens  of  Red  Pied  cocks :  the  colour 
was  grand.  For  the  Pouters  "  irregular  iu  colour  and  mark- 
ing"— the  North  Biitish  Columbaiian  Society  is  wonderfully 
kind  to  Pouters  of  all  colours— I  own  I  cared  much  less. 
Chequers,  Sandies,  Splashes,  &c.,  are  useful  but  not  orna- 
mental. The  hen  Pouters  deserve  all  the  praise  bestowed  on 
the  cocks.  To  the  Pouters  my  first  visit  was  naturally  enough 
made.  Indeed,  my  gaslight  view  was  a  ramble  of  wonder,  half 
pitying,  however,  the  poor  birds  suddenly  awoke  from  their 
first  sleep.  Next  morning  I  took  a  general  view;  then  I  paid 
a  patient  and  particular  visit  to  every  pen  iu  rotation  ;  andon 
Friday  wandered  here  and  there,  examining  and  delighting 
over  the  best  specimens. 

Next  to  the  Pouters  in  number  and  excellence  came  the 
Carriers.  Of  these  there  were  ninety-three  pens,  among  them 
some  of  the  finest  or  most  promising  birds  ever  seen.  As  is 
usual,  the  Blacks  were  the  best. 

Passing  on  from  the  Carriers,  those  tender,  frail,  greenhouse 
darlings,  the  Short-faced  Tumblers,  claim  my  attention — 
twenty-three  pens.  Those  were  most  beautiful.  I  held  in  my 
hand  an  Almond  cock  of  perfect  feather,  tail  well  marked, 
hackle  rich,  head  and  beak  charming.  But  perhaps  the  very 
gem  of  the  Short-faced  were  Mr.  Fulton's  first-prize  Black 
Mottles.  But  I  pass  on  to  the  Barbs,  which  occupied  oiie 
corner  to  themselves,  and  made  that  corner  glitter  with  their 
rich  purple  metallic  hues.  Of  them  there  were  twerity-nine 
pens— a  beautiful  class,  and  beautiful  specimens  of  this  high- 
class  variety  of  the  fancy  Pigeon.  Mr.  Frame  exhibited  a  pen 
of  seven  young  Barbs  of  various  colours  as  extra  stock,  and 
not  for  competition,  which  when  shown  for  a  prize  must  haye 
extra  good  birds  to  beat  them. 

The  Fantails  numbered  eighteen  pens.  Our  Scotch  friends 
excel  in  Fans  ;  I  saw  some  at  Mr.  Huie's,  of  wonderful  motion 
and  carriage,  real  Bread-tailed  Shakers.  They  have  also  a  breed 
of  Saddle-back  Fans,  which  are  striking  and  very  pretty. 

But  to  the  Show.  Jacobins,  then  Trumpeters — among  them 
the  most  wonderful  bird  known,  the  black  cock  in  Mr.  Mont- 
gomery's first-prize  pen ;  Turbits,  those  soft-feathered  bits  of 
loveliness;  English  and  foreign  Owls,  the  latter  to  the  former 
what  the  Short- faced  Tumblers  are  to  the  commoner  birds; 
Dragoons  and  Nuns,  not  numerous  ;  Beards  and  Balds — I  pre- 
ferred the  second-prize  Red  Balds  ;  and  then,  last  of  all,  "  Fancy 
Pigeons  not  otherwise  classed,"  chiefly  pretty-feathered  or 
quaint-looking  German  Toys.  Not  a  single  pen  of  Bunts,  which 
I  regretted,  and  no  prize  for  Antwerps.  The  Scotch  fanciers 
use  them  as  nuises,  but  say  that  they  see  nothing  in  them  to 
entitle  them  to  a  place  at  an  exhibition. 

Some  large  sales  were  tfiected  in  the  Hall,  one  large  Vrl 
selling  for  f  20,  and  a  pair  of  young  ones  for  £14.  It  would  be 
well  if  exhibitors  who  do  not  at  tbe  last  mcmtut  S^nd  their 
birds  would  put  a  note  to  that  tllect  in  the  pens  of  the  birds 


512 


JOUrsNAL  OF  HOETICULTDEE  AND  COTTAGE  GABDENEE. 


[  December  81,  1868. 


they  do  send,  or  woiUd  seud  a  letter  or  telegram.  Thia  would 
save  committees  a  world  of  trouble  and  anxiety,  who  send  again 
and  again  to  the  station,  and  are  full  of  fear  lest  the  missing 
birds  are  really  lost.  Now,  a  notice  sent  that  they  were  not  to 
be  expected  would  save  all  this  trouble.  The  judging,  con- 
sidering the  number  judged  and  the  darkness  of  a  short  Decem- 
ber day,  to  say  nothing  of  one  Judge  not  arriving,  was  excellent, 
and  gave  satisfaction. 

As  I  frequently  turned  to  look  at  thia  beautiful  shoT  of 
beautiful  birds,  filling  a  large  hall  and  a  large  room,  I  could 
not  but  regret  that  more  visitors  were  not  present.  I  know 
one  reason  is,  that  one  must  be  a  fancier  to  properly  esteem 
birds  of  fancy — the  eye  must  be  educated  in  order  to  appreciate. 
Yet  feathered  beauty  ought  itself  to  draw  crowds,  and  people 
BO  drawn  learn  to  love  and  enjoy.  For  thia  reason  I,  in  my 
humble  capacity,  endeavour  so  to  write  as  to  bring  the  fancy 
to  the  pubhc,  in  order  (and  it  is  being  done  gradually),  to 
bring  the  public  to  the  fancy.  Dry  details  are  not  generally 
read,  but  a  light  general  sketch  is  read.  Every  man  needs  a 
hobby,  the  more  needed  as  the  life  of  man  becomes  busier  and 
more  full  of  care.  Modern  life  draws  hard  upon  the  brain. 
Now,  here  is  a  hobby  free  from  every  possible  vice,  never  ex- 
hausted, always  something  fresh  to  learn,  and  which  also  pro- 
motes kindliness,  and  brings  men  of  different  ranks  aud  opinions 
harmoniously  together,  and  so,  in  fact,  makes  the  world  better. 
People  who  have  exchanged  kind  words  about  a  mutual  fancy 
will  not  break  each  other's  heads  at  an  election,  or  become 
fierce  and  fiery-eyed  over  a  religious  controversy.  For  my  own 
part  I  greatly  enjoyed  the  company  both  of  the  birds  and  their 
owners.  I  beg  to  put  in  print  my  best  thanks  to  the  Committee 
of  the  North  British  Columbarian  Society  for  their  kind  iuvi- 
tation.  Faces  are  now  known  to  me  instead  of  mere  names. 
It  did  not  rain  in  Glasgow — yes,  it  did  ;  it  rained  kindness.  I 
begto  thank  my  Scotch  friends  for  their  public  welcome  and 
their  private  hospitality.  To  several  houses  I  was  taken  ;  to 
others  I  was  to  have  gone  had  time  allowed.  Often  in  a  mood 
of  afterthought,  in  the  dusk  hour,  the  gloaming,  shall  I  think 
over  all  I  sew  in  Glasgow.  'Tis  pleasant  to  add  to  one's  list  of 
friends  those  who  have  kindred  tastes.  "  Let  Glasgow  Flourish  " 
is  that  city's  motto.  I  would  add  to  it,  "  Let  the  North  British 
Columbarian  Society  flourish."  It  is  a  great  advantage  to  the 
fancy  to  have  in  it  gentlemen  of  spirit,  and  taste,  and  means. 
As  to  the  fancy  itself,  that  must  be  a  good  one  which  makes 
eyes  look  kind  and  hands  meet  warmly — that  causes  a  kindly 
welcome  and  a  regretful  parting. 

And  now  I  will  conclude  with  the  prettiest  Pigeon  anecdote 
I  ever  heard.  My  Scotch  host  told  me  that  once,  wanting  a 
particular  variety  of  Pigeon,  he  heard  where  he  could  procure 
one.  He  found  a  very  humble  home,  but  a  tidy,  middle-aged 
motherly  woman.  The  birds  were  kept  in  a  little  pantry  open- 
ing into  the  living-room.  He  was  bidden  to  wait  a  few  minutes, 
as  the  owners,  the  woman's  two  sons,  would  soon  be  home 
from  the  foundry.  A  neighbour  in  passing  noticed  the  woman 
sweeping  up  some  sand  which  had  blown  into  the  room  from 
the  Pigeon  place,  and  said,  "I  wonder,  mistress,  ye  bother 
with  they  doos  "  (Pigeont).  "  Aye,"  replied  she,  "  no  bother 
to  me,  for  they  bring  the  laddies  sune  hame  at  night."  No 
sooner  said  than  the  laddies  came  in,  two  stalwart  grimy  sons 
of  the  forge,  who  preferred  their  birds  to  the  public-house  or 
the  idle  corner.  Tes,  to  enjoy  them  "  the  laddies  came  sune 
hame  at  night." — Wiltshiee  Eectoh. 


RABBIT  JUDGING  AT    THE   LEEDS   SHOW. 

Bein'o  one  of  the  largest  exhibitors  of  fancy  Kabbits  in 
England,  and  having  suffered  through  incompetent  judges 
being  employed  at  many  shows — Hull,  Bingley,  &c.,  I  think  I 
may  venture  to  say,  and  my  brother  exhibitors  will  agree  with 
me,  that  the  Eabbit-judging  at  Leeds  thia  year  beats  all  we 
ever  experienced  or  heard  of. 

Just  allow  me  to  make  a  remark  upon  one  or  two  classes, 
and  I  may  add  that  in  each  class  there  were  a  good  many 
entries,  and  that  they  contained  amongst  them  some  of  the 
very  best  Fvabbita  in  England.  In  the  class  for  the  best  Yellow 
and  White,  the  first  prize  was  awarded  to  a  Babbit  that  for 
colour  could  not  be  worse  marked.  Imagine  a  yellow  Rabbit 
well  splashed  with  a  whiting  brush  and  you  will  arrive  at  my 
meaning,  and  Babbits  in  the  same  class,  unnoticed,  perfectly 
marked,  an  inch  longer  in  the  ears,  and  perfect  in  all  other 
points.  For  the  best  Black  and  White,  the  second-prize  Bab- 
bit was  (can  it  be  believed?)  not  lop-eared  but  oar-lopped,  and 


dreadfully  so,  a  bad  black  and  white,  not  at  all  well  marked  ;  ears 
not  more  than  19  inches  ;  and  those  unnoticed  were  beautiful 
perfect  specimens  for  colour  and  quality.  The  next  class,  which 
had  twenty-two  entries,  is  the  last  one  I  shall  notice — the  best 
Self-coloured  Babbit,  all  properties — and  this  crowns  the  rest 
for  bad  judging.  The  first  prize  was  given  to  a  young  Blue 
doe,  21  inches  in  length,  bred  by  the  exhibitor,  which  came  in 
second  at  York  for  the  working  men's  prize — a  poor  Babbit  in 
all  properties.  And  what  were  those  left  in  the  rear  ?  ■  Some  of 
the  very  best  Babbits  known,  with  ears  from  22  to  23J  inches 
long,  perfect  in  all  points,  form,  eye,  and  colour.  The  decision 
arrived  at  by  the  Judge  needa  no  comment  of  mine,  it  speaks 
for  itself. 

What  I  v.'ant  to  show  is,  that  if  societies  offer  prizes  for 
Babbits,  and  would  give  general  satisfaction,  they  cannot  be 
too  careful  to  see  and  select  competent  judges,  such  as  Mr. 
Hewitt,  Mr.  Teebr.y,  or  Mr.  Fletcher,  of  Hull,  men  whose 
names  are  above  suspicion,  and  who  cannot  be  influenced  one 
way  or  the  other.  If  suc'n  judging  as  we  have  seen  at  Leeds 
be  allowed  quietly  to  go  by  unnoticed,  the  respectable  portioa 
of  the  fancy  will  be  disgusted. — One  of  the  Fascy. 


NEW   BOOK. 


The  Naturalist's  Note  Book  for  1803.     London :  Beeves  and 
Turner. 

This  is  an  "  Annual  Begister  "  of  facts  noticed  or  occurring 
during  the  year  in  the  various  departments  of  natural  science  ; 
and  numerous  and  interesting  is  the  concentration  in  its  pages 
of  subjects  relating  to  Astronomy,  Meteorology,  Botany,  Ethno- 
logy, Geography,  Geology,  Microscopy,  Zoology,  Chemistry, 
&c.  It  is  a  volume  useful  for  reference  to  the  scienced,  and 
for  leading  the  youthful  into  the  paths  of  science.  We  will 
make  one  extract,  not  only  because  appropriate  to  our  pages, 
but  because  we  can  testify  to  the  success  of  the  practice. 

"  I  have  for  some  time  kept  a  fiue  pair  of  '  Leperoys,'  a  French 
breed  of  the  large  tame  Grey  Rabbits.  I  adopted  the  German  mode 
of  keepin}^  them — viz.,  I  converted  a  rubbish  heap  in  my  garden  into 
a  sloping  bank.  I  laid  a  foundation  of  bricks  (about  two  dozen), 
which  I  placed  on  the  gronnd  in  four  rows  of  threes,  and  on  these  I 
fixed  my  hutch,  made  of  an  '  egg-chest,'  bought  of  a  pork  and  egg 
merchant  for  ?>s.  6d.  The  rabbish  heap  was  in  a  corner  of  my  garden. 
I  levelled  it  at  the  top,  and  enclosed  it  with  wire  netting  at  3d.  per 
yard,  cut  a  hole  in  the  back  of  the  hutch,  and  jammed  it  up  against 
the  end  of  the  bank — wire  netting  for  Hares — enclosing  bank  and  side 
of  hutch,  into  which  I  placed  a  pair  of  *  Leperoys  '  (a  cross  between 
Hare  and  wild  Rabbit  originally),  who  in  a  few  days  worked  their 
way  out  of  the  hole  in  the  back  of  the  hutch  into  the  back  of  the  bank, 
and  made  a  hole,  through  which  they  came  on  to  the  top  of  the  bank. 
Here  thoy  used  to  feed  on  the  food  I  threw  on  to  the  bank  daily  over 
the  top  of  the  netting.  After  a  time  these  Rabbits  burrowed  into  the 
bank  again  from  a  hole  they  made  in  the  angle  of  the  wall,  which 
composed  two  sides  of  their  bank,  and  burrowed  under  the  whole  bonk 
in  a  straight  line  back  into  their  hutch.  I  have  now^had  three  litters  of 
young  ones,  and  my  object  in  writing  this  letter  is  to  say  that  the  idea 
that  the  buck  Rabbit  will  devour  his  yonng  if  left  with  the  doe  during 
the  time  of  her  littering  is  fallacious.  The  first  litter  my  doe  had  I 
took  the  buck  from  her  ;  the  second  and  third  time  I  left  him  on  the 
bank.  The  doe  was  so  fierce  he  dared  not  so  much  as  put  his  nose 
inside  the  burrow  in  which  she  had  made  her  nest  and  deposited  her 
young,  and  the  doe  keeps  him  on  the  top  of  the  bank  until  the  young 
Rabbits  are  six  weeks  old.  Then,  and  only  then,  does  the  doe  allow 
him  to  enter  the  burrow,  and  sho  again  Uves  with  him. 

"  I  have  now  about  twelve  or  thirteen  young  Rabbits ;  my  doe  is 
about  nine  months  old.  She  had  two  yonng  ones  only  in  her  first 
litter,  six  in  her  second,  and  eight  in  her  third.  Several  of  the  little 
ones  have  been  roasted  for  dinner,  and  she  is  now  again  making  her 
nest.  The  buck  never  attempts  to  kill  his  offspring  ;  so  if  any  of  your 
readers  wish  to  keep  Rabbits  let  them  adopt  my  plan,  instead  of  keep- 
ing a  lot  of  miserable  captives  in  solitai-y  confinement  in  dirty  bad- 
smelling  hutches.  Let  the  male  and  female  dwell  together  always  on 
a  bank,  in  unity,  as  they  do  in  nature  ;  feed  them  well  with  vegetables 
and  weeds  from  the  garden,  all  of  which,  even  nettles,  they  greedily 
devour,  with  a  feed  of  carrots  and  corn  mixed  with  bran  ouce  daily, 
and  they  will  find  they  will  increase  faster  than  they  wish  even.  At 
six  or  eight  weeks  old  I  put  the  young  ones  on  another  and  similar 
bank,  away  from  their  parents,  and  thns  fatten  them  up  for  sale  or  for 
our  own  table.  Every  six  weeks  my  doe  has  a  litter,  and  the  young 
ones  make  then-  appearance  on  the  top  of  the  bank  about  twenty-eight 
days  after  I  have  supplied  the  doe  with  hay  and  leaves,  with  which 
she  makes  her  nest,  either  inside  the  hutch  (over  the  front  of  which  I 
always  have  a  waterproof  curtain),  or  in  the  burrows  they  have  them- 
selves made  in  several  different  places  on  the  bank,  which  is  about 
10  feet  square,  and  .B  or  4  feet  high.  " 

It  is  a  mistake  stating  that  the  Leperoys  are  a  hybrid  be- 


December  81, 1863.    ] 


JOUBNAIi  OF  HORTIOULT0EE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 


613 


tween  the  Haro  and  wild  Babbit.  They  are  merely  a  large 
variety  of  tlio  Itabbit,  with  fur  resembling  slightly  in  colour 
that  of  the  Hare.  Wo  know  an  instance  whore  white  Rabbits, 
which  aro  m-uch  less  hardy,  were  kept  saocessfuUy  in  a  similar 
manuer. 


JERSEY— ITS  LIVE   STOCK. 

{Goncbuled  from  page  431.) 
From  the  geniality  of  its  climate,  poultry  should  be  as  much 
a  speciality  in  Jersey  as  its  cows,  yet  not  only  is  the  island  a 
nonentity  in  the  furnishing  of  other  markets,  but  it  draws  its 
own  supply  chiefly  from  France.  The  generality  of  the  poultry 
in  the  market  is  only  passable,  but  even  this  degree  of  merit 
Las  sprung  into  existence  within  a  few  years.  It  is  more  than 
twenty-tive  years  since  I  visited  Jersey  for  the  first  time,  and 
then  the  poultry  in  the  market  was  poor  indeed.  The  markets 
themselves  wore  very  indifferent  compared  with  what  they  are 
now,  and  the  poultry  supply  mainly  consisted  of  a  few  diminu- 
tive, common,  ugly  live  chickens  lying  before  the  market 
•women  with  their  legs  tied.  These  were  bought  by  purchaser.? 
and  carried  home  to  be  killed.  Ducks  were  treated  in  the  same 
manner.  A  large  Goose  was  a  bird  not  to  be  met  with.  Prices 
were  then  low,  chickens  being  about  Is.  each,  and  other  poultry  in 
proportion.  A  dead  poultry  market  was  an  after-improvement, 
but  now  that  prices  have  increased  to  2s.  6d.  for  fowls,  and  4s. 
or  5s.  each  for  Geese,  their  merit  has  not  advanced  in  the  same 
proportion.  The  amateur's  fancy  for  choice  poultry  has  ad- 
vanced more  than  the  merit  in  the  dead  stock.  Good  fowls  of 
fine  sorts  are  met  with  rather  frequently,  and  the  French 
breeds  are  kept  by  some,  but  do  not  appear  to  be  maintained 
with  great  distinctness.  On  the  whole  the  progress  of  Jersey 
in  poultry-rearing  and  in  the  poultry  fancy  is  not  commensu- 
rate with  that  of  less  happily  situated  localities  in  England, 
for  it  is  gifted  with  a  climate  and  position  which  ought  to 
render  it  a  valuable  depot  for  live  and  dead  fowls  of  all  kinds. 
Early  chickens  thrive  well.  The  island's  foundation  of  rock, 
and  the  light  soil,  render  most  localities  so  warm  and  dry 
that  the  injurious  effects  on  chickens,  of  the  cold  damp  of 
our  English  springs,  are  little  felt  by  Jersey  early  chickens. 
Spring  chickens  for  the  London  market  might  easily  be  reared 
while  the  price  yet  continues  high,  and  delicate  kinds  of  fancy 
fowls  might  be  raised  with  much  less  dilEcnlty  than  in 
England. 

Hitherto,  Jersey  has  not  had  the  spur  of  a  poultry  show, 
for  the  small  addition  of  a  few  pens  of  fowls  to  the  horticul- 
tural exhibitions  has  been  too  poorly  supported  to  do  much 
good,  or  to  give  much  impetus  to  the  movement.  Now 
however,  there  is  an  effort  made  which  I  hope  will  tend  to 
place  poultry  on  its  proper  footing  in  Jersey.  A  Poultry 
Society  has  been  inaugurated,  and  its  first  poultry  show  took 
place  on  the  2.3rd  and  24th  of  December.  How  many  places 
there  are  in  England  which  may  date  the  benefit  arising  to 
rich  and  poor  from  a  good  development  of  their  poultry 
resources,  to  the  early  efforts  of  a  well-managed  poultry 
society  I  The  rich  have  from  it  recreation,  gratification,  and 
occupation,  whilst  those  who  are  not  gifted  with  affluence  can 
realise  from  their  leisure  hours  only,  and  their  children's 
tealthful,  non-onerous  work,  comforts  otherwise  beyond  their 
mean?.  I  hope  to  see  such  good  results  happen  in  Jersey, 
and  to  witness  the  resources  of  the  island  augmented  by  the 
abundant  rearing  of  choice  and  early  fowls.  The  Poultry 
Society  audits  poultry  show  will,  no  doubt,  create  an  increased 
love  of  poultry,  and  increasing  trade  in  it,  to  the  great  benefit 
of  the  island's  prosperity. 

A  dog  show  accompanied  the  poultry  show.  A  pointer  or  a 
pretty  spaniel  may  be  seen  on  rare  occasions.  There  are  a 
few  greyhounds  about,  and  also  some  pretty  ladies'  dogs,  but 
the  dogs,  like  the  poultry,  may  improve  by  the  aid  of  the  show. 
A  dog  ti,x  has  lately  been  introduced  in  Jersey,  formerly  so 
lauded  as  free  of  taxation,  and  this  has  decidedly  decreased  the 
canine  inhabitants  iu  number;  however,  it  may  act  on  quality, 
for  perhaps  some  may  think  they  may  as  well  pay  the  half- 
crown  for  a  good-looking  dog  as  for  an  ugly  cur.  A  peculiar 
race  of  large,  yellow,  brown,  rough-haired  dogs,  which  used  to' 
frequent  the  market  years  ago,  has  disappeared. 

In  speaking  of  Jersey  live  stock,  the  goats  should  scarcely 
be  passed  over  in  silence,  for  they  used  to  be  so  numerous  on 
all  the  hillsides  and  scraps  of  waste  laud,  and  along  the  hedge- 
rows, wherever  a  bit  of  poor  pasture  could  be  found  that 
it  seemed  that  every  poor  family  at  least  must  keep  its  goat. 
Rough  goats  of  the  common  sort," they  were  generally  tethered, 


and  much  teased  by  the  boys,  but  numerous  enough  to  bo  very 
ornamental  in  the  landscape,  feeding  on  the  hillsides.— E.  W., 
Jcrsi^y. 


LARGE  HIVES. 

TnE  remarks  made  by  your  correspondent  Mr.  A.  Pottigrew 
are  so  peculiar,  as  condemning  the  very  best  hives  in  use,  and 
upholding  the  one  that  he  and  his  father  have  imagined  to 
be  the  best,  whilst  he  misconstrues  several  sentences  in  my 
review  of  his  last  letter,  that  for  the  benefit  of  the  readers  of 
"  our  Journal,"  I  will  endeavour  to  lay  the  facts  before  them. 

Perhaps  Mr.  Pettigrew  will  explain  what  he  means  by  giving 
the  reader  a  correct  idea  by  contrasting  the  Stewarton  hive 
with  his  large  hives.  Not  only  is  the  Stewarton  hive  the  best 
honey-producing,  but  it  is  the  largest,  hive  in  the  world. 
Where  he  condemns  anonymous  writing,  or  letters  with  ficti- 
tious signatures,  I  also  beg  to  differ  from  him.  I  regret  to  say 
that  it  is  too  much  the  case,  that  more  regard  is  paid  to  persons 
than  to  talent ;  and  this  I  am  bound  to  say,  that  people  judge 
the  best  when  they  are  ignorant  of  the  names  of  the  owners 
of  the  property  judged.  I  beg  also  to  state  that  I  have  neither 
tried  to  mislead,  nor  have  I  misled  those  "  not  remarkable  for 
close  and  accurate  thinking."  I  have  not  published  my  ex- 
perience in  bravado,  but  by  stating  facts  and  details  of  a  long 
experience  I  have  endeavoured  to  guide  aright  those  who  may 
require  it,  allowing  my  pupils  to  be  my  judges.  I  feel,  more- 
over, perfectly  satisfied,  that  although  the  commendations  be- 
stowed on  big  stock  hives  may  mislead  a  few,  these  will  very 
soon  be  confounded  like  a  swarm  which  has  lost  its  queen,  and 
will  in  the  long  run  return  to  my  directions,  and  will  then 
rejoice  as  a  swarm  which  has  found  its  queen. 

Will  Mr.  Pettigrew  point  out  any  statements  which  I  have 
made  that  I  cannot  substantiate  ?  I  can,  indeed,  make  good 
everything  that  I  have  stated,  and  far  more.  He  asks.  How  do 
I  know  that  "  large  hives  in  the  spring  months  are  compara- 
tively small  in  population,  and  without  sufficient  warmth  to 
hatch  the  brood?"  These  are  not  my  words.  I  said  the  bees 
were  few  in  comparison  to  the  size  of  the  hive,  and  this  I 
know  by  experience.  I  can  assure  him  that  he  is  not  the  only 
one  who  has  used  large  hives,  of  which  the  disadvantages  are 
many.  First,  a  newly-hived  swarm  does  not  build  combs  so 
fast  as  when  put  into  a  smaller  hive  which  is  capable  of  being 
enlarged.  Then  the  bees  are  more  apt  to  fabricate  drone  combs, 
whilst  in  many  seasons  they  are  unable  to  store  food  enough 
for  the  winter  in  consequence  of  having  so  much  comb  to 
build,  and  when  they  have  made  honey  and  deprivation  takes 
place,  much  valuable  comb  is  lost  or  destroyed  During  winter 
the  bees  are  sometimes  located  at  a  distance  from  their  honey, 
and  consequently  many  die  from  that  cause  ;  then  in  the  spring 
a  swarm  cannot,  as  a  rule,  cover  nearly  the  whole  of  the  combs, 
in  consequence  of  which  moths  and  other  vermin  gain  access 
to  the  hive  and  destroy  much  of  its  contents ;  the  bees,  also, 
are  unable  to  maintain  the  same  degree  of  heat  as  when  they 
are  located  in  a  smaller  hive,  and  many  eggs  laid  by  the  queen 
are  lost  on  that  account.  These  are  some  of  the  disadvantages 
of  large  stock  hives,  which  are  all  obviated  iu  the  Stewartou 
hive. 

If,  instead  of  my  satisfying  Mr.  Pettigrew,  he  will  satisfy 
himself  as  to  the  quantity  of  eggs  a  Stewarton  hive  can  contain, 
he  will,  perhaps,  be  convinced,  and  I  would  ask  him  why  he 
questions  that  which  he  will  not  put  himself  to  the  trouble  of 
ascertaining  ?  If  he  will  do  so,  he  will  then  see  that  I  have 
neither  gone  beyond  the  bounds  of  pos-ibility  nor  of  reason 
and  it  he  will  cast  aside  prejudice  and  submit  to  be  taught,  he 
will  find  that  Stewarton  hives  are  both  swarming  and  non- 
swarming.  If,  also,  he  will  peruse  my  former  letters,  he  will 
there  find  some  valuable  information  with  regard  to  the  ma- 
nagement ol  bees  both  on  the  swarming  and  on  the  non-swarm- 
ing systems.  Again,  I  did  not  say  that  three  thousand  eggs 
were  laid  and  hatched  daily,  I  only  said  there  was  accommoda- 
tion for  that  number,  showing  that  there  was  room  for  more 
eggs  in  a  hive  of  the  dimensiono  which  I  stated  than  were 
allowed  even  by  Mr.  Pettigrew  to  be  laid  daily ;  and  had  ho 
appeared  desirous  of  learning,  I  would  have  stated  the  exact 
number  of  eggs  laid,  together  with  those  hatched,  iu  a  hive 
from  March  till  July,  showing  the  average  deaths  for  eveiy  day, 
thus  giving  to  the  bee-keeper  a  precise  knowledge  of  what  size 
a  hive  ought  to  be  for  every  day  in  the  year.  Mr.  Petiigrew's 
method  of  keeping  a  number  of  hives  one  year  in  order  to 
strengthen  them  the  next  is  extravagant  bee-lieepiug.  which 
must  result  iu  loss,  and  I  am  quite  sure  that  bee-keepers 


514 


JODENAIi  OP  HOETICULTUEE  AND  COTTAGE   GABDENER. 


[  December  SI,  186S. 


following  his  plan  will  have  reason  to  regret  it.  I  am  also 
certain  that  had  Mr.  Pettigrew  visited  Glasgow,  the  great  dfipOt 
for  first-class  honeycomb,  and  there  seen  many  of  what  we 
term  second-class  houej-boxes,  to  say  nothing  of  first-class 
ones,  he  never  would  have  mentioned  that  which  was  hawked 
about  in  Manchester  and  taken  from  large  stock  hives.  I  do 
not  speak  this  at  haphazard,  having  had  ocular  demonstration, 
and  having  also  Carluke  honey  in  my  possession,  I  am  quite 
able  to  judge  of  its  quality. 

I  do  not  believe  language  can  be  too  strong  when  nothing 
but  facts  are  stated,  but  when  it  is  apt  to  convey  to  the  mind 
of  the  reader  an  extravagant  view  of  the  case,  a  little  policy 
may  be  used,  but  polite  letters  not  showing  the  truth  are  worse 
than  strong  language,  and  in  these  my  words  I  have  not  gone 
beyond  bounds.  Other  countries  may,  doubtless,  produce  more 
honey,  but  taking  climate  and  pasturage  into  consideration,  no 
hive  has  beaten  the  Stewarton,  and  I  have  only  to  appeal  to  the 
majority  of  intelligent  bee-keepers,  both  on  this  as  well  as  on 
the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  who  I  am  certain  will  corroborate 
my  statements.  It  would,  indeed,  be  a  matter  of  regret  if  such 
a  number  of  us  have  laboured  so  long  with  improved  hives, 
groping  in  the  dark  and  being  entirely  wrong,  as  Mr.  Pettigrew 
will  have  it,  when  one  individual  only  has  the  right  way,  and 
his  plan  being  one  of  the  most  primitive.  I  cannot  either 
beheve  that  drained  honey  is  more  in  demand  than  honey- 
comb ;  for  my  part  I  can  sell  1  cwt.  of  comb  for  every  pint  of 
honey,  although  as  regards  my  own  taste,  I  prefer  drained 
honey  to  that  in  the  comb,  and  believe  the  majority  of  the 
upper  classes  are  of  the  same  opinion  ;  but  as  they  cannot 
depend  on  drained  honey  being  perfectly  clean,  they  all  prefer 
to  purchase  comb  and  drain  it  themselves,  thereby  obtaining 
the  purest  honey  whilst  reserving  the  finest  comb  for  the  table. 

None  will  be  more  happy  to  receive  Mr.  Pettigrew  than 
myself,  whenever  he  may  think  fit  to  pay  me  a  visit ;  but  as 
time  works  changes  and  wonders,  and  as  I  never  count  on  to- 
morrow, I  do  not  now  give  my  address,  but  when  he  is  about  to 
visit  Lanarkshire,  he  can  have  my  address  from  the  office  of 
The  Journal  of  Horticulture.  But  I  may  here  say,  that 
my  apiary  is  continually  undergoing  changes,  and  I  cannot  in 
the  meantime  tell  whether  he  will  find  it  in  a  state  of  honey- 
making  or  of  experimentalising.  I  regret  also  to  say  that 
Lanarkshire  is  far  behind  in  bee-keeping,  and  he  may  not, 
therefore,  find  anything  very  extraordinary.  I  will,  however, 
most  gladly  accompany  him  to  Ayrshire,  where  he  will,  perhaps, 
see  bee-keeping  as  it  ought  to  be,  and  where  probably  our  Ren- 
frewshire friend  will  give  a  welcome  reception  to  Mr.  Pettigrew 

as  well  as  to — A  LANiKKSniRE    BEE-KEZrEE. 


stated  above,  is  easily  solved  by  attending  at  the  proper  time. 

— Geo.  Wilson,  Whalton. 

[We  gave  what  appears  to  na  the  most  probable  explanation  of 
this  supposed  phenomenon  when  the  subject  was  first  mooted 
in  our  number  of  the  27th  February  in  the  present  year.] 


SUPPOSED   STRANGE    PHENOMENON  IN    THE 

BEE. 

The  time  is  fast  approaching  when  bees  emit  their  annual 
midnight  sounding,  therefore  I  beg  to  remind  those  who  are 
curious  on  the  subject  that  this  singular  phenomenon  was 
noticed  for  generations  by  our  ancestors,  and  said  by  them 
to  take  place  at  twelve  o'clock  at  night  on  Old  Christmas 
Eve.  Now,  for  some  years  back  the  annual  listening  to  bees 
seems  to  have  been  abandoned,  but  why  I  cannot  say ;  for, 
when  a  boy,  there  were  three  or  four  old  people  who  could  say 
they  had  heard  the  bees  on  Old  Christmas  Eve,  yet  all  old 
people  in  this  neighbourhood  persisted  that  the  ox  prayed, 
the  ass  brayed,  and  the  bees  sung  at  twelve  o'clock  on  Old 
Christmas  Eve.  The  bees  I  have  thoroughly  investigated,  and 
find  that  they  emit  a  solemn,  harmonious  sound  at  twelve 
o'clock  at  night  on  the  6th  of  January.  Here  is  a  discrepancy 
betwixt  the  bees  and  the  almanacks,  for  the  almanacks  give 
January  5th  as  Old  Christmas  Eve.  To  satisfy  myself  on  that 
point,  I  turned  to  the  word  "  Chronology  "  in  the  "  Encyclopedia 
Britannica,"  which  shows  that  Pope  Gregory  XIII.,  in  the  year 
1582,  ordered  thu  4th  of  October  to  be  made  the  15th  of  Octo- 
ber, and  that  every  fourth  century  was  to  be  a  leap  year,  and 
the  three  intervening  centuries  were  not  to  finish  with  a  leap 
year  ;  then  the  year  IGOO  was  made  a  leap  year,  and  the  years 
1700  and  1800  were  not  leap  years,  thus  putting  the  new 
calender  two  days  farther  back  from  the  old,  which,  with  the 
former  eleven  days,  make  in  all  thirteen  days  difference  be- 
tween the  old  and  new  system.  Now  from  the  24th  of  Decem- 
ber, or  new  Christ  mas,  we  turn  the  hand  of  time  onward  thirteen 
days,  and  you  will  find  that  the  old  falls  on  January  6th,  the 
night  on  which  bees  keep  an  anniversary,  but  from  what  cause 
I  cannot  say ;  still  the  fact  that  bees  do  sound  annually  as 


OUR  LETTER   BOX. 

Fowls  PLrcKiNO  Each  Othkr  IJ.  P.  H.). — If  yonr  fowls  are  kept  in  con- 
finement (and  we  have  never  known  fowls  at  liberty  eat  their  feathers), 
you  uiust  watch  the  offender  and  remove  him  or  her.  Feed  all  the  birds 
moderately  with  cooling  food.  Give  j.Teen  meat,  especially  lettuce,  and 
let  them  have  plenty  of  fresh  earth.  You  cannot  expect  to  buy  all  prize 
birds,  but  if  you  deal  with  respectable  people  you  should  have  very  good 
birds. 

Peas  as  Food  for  Poultry  and  Pigeons  (B.  E). — The  digestion  of 
Pigeons  is  tvrice  as  quick  as  that  of  any  other  of  the  poultry  tribes.  They 
are  birds  of  feather,  and  peas  are  good  for  plumage  ;  for  this  purpose  they 
are  given  to  Game  cocks  to  harden  feather.  Their  property  is  to  harden 
flesh  and  feather,  and  this  is  not  desirable  for  food.  They  also  stop 
growth.  If  you  will  give  good,  sound,  ground  oats  and  barley,  you  will 
want  no  other  food.  Your  egg  produce  is  very  good  and  speaks  well  for 
your  feeding. 

Tumour  on  Houdan's  Eye  (Hoittian).— Remove  it  with  sharp  scissors^ 
and  apply  caustic  to  the  wound. 

Ducks  (Pena-idn,  Sfte^cM).— The  Muscovy  Ducks  will  not  suit,  either 
light  or  d;xrk  ones.  They  are  strong,  and  their  eggs  are  strong.  They 
become  very  heavy,  but  not  so  heavy  as  yon  name.  They  are  not  a  pro- 
fitable breed.  If  these  were  their  only  faults  they  might  be  overlooked, 
but  the  habits  of  the  drake  are  so  filthy  he  is  unfit  to  be  suflfered  at  large 
anywhere.  You  will  probably  find  a  thorn  or  a  small  stone  in  the  foot  of 
your  Duck,  having  perforated  the  skin.    Eemove  it  and  she  will  be  well. 

Guildford  Poultry  Snow.— We  are  informed  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Merri- 
man  obtained  the  first  prize  for  Aylesbury  Ducks. 

Fattening  Poultry  (S.  P.). — The  oatmeal  without  the  mashed  pota- 
toes, and  made  into  a  sti^  paste  with  milk  or  the  water  meat  has  beea 
boiled  in,  will  do. 

Cochin-China  Cock  Lame  (J.  IF.). — Wo  answered  the  query  last  week. 
To  detect  the  causes  of  morbid  affections  is  difficult  without  full  par- 
ticulars.   

Pigeons  Sitting  in  Winter  (Pifieon). — Let  yonr  birds  go  on  where 
they  are  and  as  they  please,  only  feed  them  extra  well.  You  may  have 
good  luck,  save  in  the  case  of  very  tender  varieties,  such  as  African 
Owls  and  Almond  Tumblers,  &c.  *'  A  hot  room  "  is  not  a  natural,  and 
therefore  not  a  suitable  place  for  Pigeons. 

Rats  in  a  Pigeon  House  (Bafs).— Shut  up  your  birds  at  night  and" 
feed  the  rats  three  nights  in  succession  on  a  banquet  of  bread  and  butter. 
Their  suspicions  being  thus  lulled,  on  the  fourth  put  a  little  araeuic  with 
the  butter,  and  you  will  destroy  them  all. 

Moveable  Comb  Hives  {Sttdbiiry). — We  are  still  of  opinion  that  the 
discussion  of  the  question,  '*  Are  d'eckbrettchen  (deckbrettchen  are  thin 
slips  of  wood  laid  on  the  tops  of  either  bars  or  frames,  and  are.  so  far  as 
we  are  aware,  entirely  unknown  in  England),  necessary  or  unnecessary 
in  Dzierzon  hives,  or  are  they  altogether  objectionable  ?  "  possesses  but 
Utile  interest  for  English  readers.  With  regard  to  that  which  you  appear 
desirous  of  raising,  but  to  which  we  made  no  allusion  whatever,  we  may 
remark,  that  however  justly  Major  Munn  may  claim  th«t  his  three- 
cornered  frames  preceded  the  rectangular  ones  of  Langstroth  and  Von 
Berlepsch,  he  can  make  no  complaint  on  this  score  against  Dzierzon,  who 
eschews  frames  altogether. 

Foul  Brood  (O.  J.).— None  of  the  contents  of  the  infected  hive  shonia 
be  given  to  other  bees.  If  thoroughly  scraped  over  and  disinfected  with 
chloride  of  lime,  tiie  hive  may  probably  be  used  with  impunity  next 
season,  although  we  should  prefer  lajing  it  by  for  another  year. 

Bees  Restless  ra  Winter  (H'.).— We  do  not  think  the  restlessness  of 
the  bees,  and  their  being  outside  the  hive  in  all  weathers,  likely  to  be 
caused  by  hunger,  and  doubt  whether  anything  you  can  now  do  would  not 
make  matters  worse  instead  of  improving  them.  Still,  if  it  be  evident 
that  something  is  very  much  amiss,  we  might  ourse'ves  prefer  risk  to 
suspense,  and  should  "in  this  case  avail  ourselves  of  the  first  fine  mild 
day  to  lift  out  the  combs,  and  make  a  thorough  eximination,  with  the 
\iew  of  ascertaining  what  is  wrong,  and  applying  a  remedy,  .should  food 
be  imperatively  required,  it  must,  at  any  rate,  be  administered  where 
they  are. 

Bees  near  a  Manufacturing  Town  (Black  Donald).  —  If  we  lived 
in  a  similar  situation  we  should  not  be  deterred  from  gi\ing  bees  a  trial, 
and  if  none  are  kept  by  the  neighbours  yonr  bees  will  have  the  better 
chance.  If  instead  of  a  swarm  your  friend  will  send  you  a  stock  with 
combs  a  year  or  two  old,  it  will  triivel  safely  from  the  Laud's  Eud  to  John 
o'Groat's  if  sent  early  in  March  and  packed  in  the  following  minner: — 
Tie  the  hive  up  in  cheesecloth,  and  guard  against  the  bees  escaping  by 
passing  a  cord  tightly  twice  round  it  about  '2  inches  from  the  bottom  edge. 
Next  invert  it,  and  pack  it  securely  in  this  position  with  either  hay  or 
straw  in  a  tea  chest  of  appropriate  size,  and  of  sufficient  depth  to  leave 
an  inch  oi;  two  clear  space  above  the  hive,  which  should  be  kept  from 
moving  by  a  strip  of  wood  passing  across  it  and  nailed  to  the  sides  of  the 
box.  Next  bore  half-a-dozen  holes  with  an  inch  bit  in  the  lid,  which 
should  then  be  nailed  on,  marked— "This  side  up,"  and  the  package, 
after  being  well  corded,  may  be  safely  sent  to  any  part  of  the  kingdom,  or 
indeed  to  any  part  of  Europe. 

Canary-keeping  (A.  B.).— We  cannot  find  space  for  all  the  details  of 
management.  If  yon  enclose  twenty  postage  stamps  with  your  address, 
and  order  Brent's  "  Canary  and  British  Finches,"  it  will  be  sent  to  you 
tree  by  post  from  our  office.  It  contains  fnU  details.  The  fir  tree  in  your 
aviary'will  be  beneficial  rather  than  the  contrary. 

Gold  Fish  (Hf  m).— We  know  a  successful  keeper  of  these  who  B'ves 
them  raw  meat  cut  fine— a  very  little,  almost  daily.  The  tank  should 
have  sand  at  the  bottom,  and  might  have  nearly  all  the  water  taken  out 
without  removing  the  fish.    Handling  tliem  is  bad  practice. 


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